Chapter 3: Decision Of War

Bobbie woke up in the middle of the night to hear the creaking of the bedroom 
door.  She sat up to see Stefan walking in.

Bobbie: Stefan, where were you?

She had an idea of where he was, but she didn't want to believe it. Mrs. 
Landsbury said she saw Stefan leave with Laura, and when she couldn't find them 
and he didn't show up anywhere, she started to worry about what they were doing.

Stefan: I was out for a walk.  I needed some time to think.

Bobbie: Oh really?  Think about what?

Stefan: I… Something's happened.

Bobbie: Look, if you have something to tell me, just say it.

Stefan: Barbara… It's Nikolas…

Bobbie was realized she was wrong.

Bobbie: Nikolas?  What about him?

Stefan: There's something I have never told you.

Bobbie: Well, what is it?  You can tell me.

Stefan: Nikolas…  he is my son.

~^~

Cirtus entered the hospital room which was silent all except the beeping of the 
machines.  He sat down by his father's bedside and held his hand.

Cirtus: Father, I received a message a few days ago.  I have thought long and 
hard about what I am to do about this information, knowing I could disappoint 
you.  I realize this may be a disappointment…  but I have to alert the rest of 
the family and I have to take what's mine.  Yes, it will end the empire you 
taught me to always preserve, but I have to think about what's right, and what's 
right is what I and every other member of the family is entitled to.  Nikolas is 
not the heir to all that is Cassadine, father.  He is son of Stavros' brother, 
Stefan.  The chain of eldest son to eldest son is broken now…  I am so very 
sorry, but what must be done must be done. Good bye, father.

He kissed his father's hand and left the room.

~^~

Bobbie: Your son?!

Stefan: Laura and I had an affair while she was married to my brother. Nikolas 
is my son, not my nephew.  I never told anyone because I wanted to protect him 
from Helena, because if she had learned the truth, she'd kill him.

Bobbie: Helena's been dead for about a year, Stefan.

Stefan: And yet, she still finds ways to ruin this family, even in death.

Bobbie: What do you mean?

Stefan: She knew, Barbara.  She knew!  The entire time she knew I was his 
father, but she pretended not to know, just so Nikolas would still have all 
power and she could still possibly control him.  Now, somehow, the secret is 
going to come out and I have no way of predicting how.  I can't stop it.

Bobbie: Maybe you shouldn't…  Stefan, Nikolas deserves to know that you are his 
father.

Stefan: There is still so much more, Barbara.  If the truth got out, it would 
all be over.   Everyone with a drop of Cassadine blood would claim this money, 
the empire would be lost.

Bobbie: Stefan, the legacy may be lost, but you, Nikolas, and Henry will still 
have each other.  You also have me.

Stefan: I know, and for all of you I am grateful.  But there is still more… Our 
lives could be in danger.  The greedy of our family will kill us to get what's 
there's.

Bobbie didn't know what to say.

Stefan: Barbara, I know I need to tell Nikolas the truth, Laura was persistent 
on this point when I told her about this situation earlier.  I just do not know 
what I should do to protect this family if the rest of the world found out.

Bobbie got off the bed and hugged Stefan.

Bobbie: Don't worry… We'll get through this, everything will be all right.

Stefan was grateful for her words of comfort, but he didn't believe them. He 
couldn't believe anything would be all right ever again.

~^~

Cirtus looked at his watch.  The letter he received from Helena's lawyer stated 
that a messenger would be by with some extra information. Finally, there was a 
knock on his hotel door.  He opened it and saw a woman.

Woman: Cirtus Cassadine?

Cirtus: Yes.

Woman:  Here's the package you've been expecting.

Cirtus: Thank you very much.

He took it from her and tipped her $50.  He put the package down on the table 
and opened it, pull out files of information.  He was going to find out 
everything he could and then he would proceed with what he was going to do.  He 
just had to figure out a plan.