Chapter Twenty Four When Luke arrived home after leaving the docks, he found Bobbie sitting in one of the armchairs trying to read a magazine. Luke walked in and sat down on the couch and looked at his sister and asked, "Has he moved at all?" Luke asked looking toward Lucky's room with a worried look on his face. "No, he hasn't. Nikolas tried up until an hour ago but even he finally gave up. He is resting at my place for the night, instead of going home to Spoon Island. Lucky just sits on the window seal, staring out at nothing. He has been that way since we brought him here from Sonny's. Lucky hasn't eaten or drank anything for over twelve hours. You have to try and get past that wall he has built up around him or he will end up in the hospital," Bobbie said, very worried about her nephew. "I'll try again," Luke said, slowly walking toward Lucky's room. Luke knew if this didn't work then he was going to be forced to take Lucky back to the hospital. His son had shut down from the world around him and refused to even acknowledge it was there. Luke walked into the room and found Lucky sitting in the window seal, with his legs to his chest looking out the window. Bobbie was right, the kid hasn't moved for over twelve hours. What was it going to take to get through to him? "Helena is on her way to the loony bin. She is going to pay for what she did to your mother," Luke said, as he sat down on the edge of Lucky's bed. He looked hopefully at Lucky for any kind of response but he got nothing. Luke decided to try Laura's letter. He had tried everything else. If this didn't work then nothing would. Lucky, I always thought that the Cassadines or the Smiths were the ones to protect you from, but I never dreamed it would be me. I would have done something if I would have known and you have to believe that. In fact, I did when I found out. I stayed away to protect you, not to punish you or to hurt you. I would have never dreamed of doing that to you because I love you. I know those are just words coming from me, but one day, I hope you will finally forgive me for what Lasha did to you. I first learned about Mexico in a session with Dr. Carlson and I know you remember everything. I now understand your nightmares and your refusal to sleep alone. It was me you were so afraid of and most probably always have been. I didn't abandon you. She did. I don't hate you. She does. I never hit you. She did. I want to turn back time to wipe the pain out of your mind. I want to show you the love I have for you. A love a mother has for her son. I spent those three months staying up late nights, walking the streets looking for you. I stayed by the phone other times waiting for someone to call but they never did. I prayed all the time that you were safe and I would see you soon. So, when I found out it was me that did it, It felt like I killed the most precious part of me. She took the love and trust you felt for me from you. You never trusted me fully after that and I don't blame you. As for the times she hit you and all the harsh words she called you, I'm sorry. I'm so sorry. You didn't do anything wrong. You were just a child, who should have been able to come to me for comfort not harm. I never dreamed of hurting you. You are the best thing that ever came into mine and your father's lives, next to your sister. No child does anything wrong to deserve being hit. Lasha was wrong about a lot of things but the main one was that you are not dumb, stupid or lazy. You are a very bright and loving young man and I hope your dreams will come true. I also hope you will find it in your heart to forgive me one day. I am never coming back but it doesn't mean I don't love you. It's just I can't hurt you any more. You will always be in my thoughts and dreams. I will always remember the day the doctors put you in my arms. Good bye my sweet little boy. Your loving mother, always and forever, Laura Luke slowly put down the letter and looked over at Lucky. He had his head buried on his knees and he was crying. Luke moved closer and put his hand on his son's shoulder. "I want my mother back," Lucky cried and he for the first time in months, he let out all he had been holding in. The only thing Luke could do was comfort him. "Cowboy, talk to me," Luke begged. "I can't help but think if I would have told you sooner then none of this would have happened and she could have been well by now," Lucky said looking at his father for the first time. "It wouldn't have helped because all I would have thought about is protecting you from her. I would have never thought about Laura being this sick. I would have missed it and hey, I did. She has been sick for a long time and it will take more than a few months to make her better, if ever. I would love to put her back the way she was but I can't. I can't find the Laura I married. She died when the Cassadines took her and then left her mind in pieces. I learned that it was me that kept her together. I can't do it any more. Laura has to find how to do it herself." "Dad this really sucks. Why is everything so messed up?" Lucky asked. "I can't tell you because I don't know myself. I know it is nothing you did," Luke said. "I know that now. It feels like she died but we don't have a body to bury," Lucky said. "Come on, get down from there and we will talk about the past. I want you to tell me everything that you have been keeping from me. Don't worry about me leaving because you can't get rid of me. I'm on your side until the day I die," Luke said and helped Lucky down from the window. Lucky talked for hours that night about the things he remembered about Laura leaving him at the orphanage to the other times Lasha hurt him. Luke sat beside him and listened and only asked a few questions. It was early that morning when Luke walked out of Lucky's room. The kid had finally fell asleep. Luke knew they had a long way to go but Lucky was slowly healing. Luke walked out of the bedroom and found Bobbie in the kitchen making breakfast. "You didn't have to stay," Luke said, as he sat down on one of the kitchen chairs. "I know but I thought you might need me. Nikolas is bringing Lucas up. I hope you don't mind," Bobbie said. Bobbie poured him a cup of coffee and placed a plate in front of him. Luke smiled a tired smile at her. He was grateful that she decided to make breakfast because Luke knew he wouldn't have had the energy to make Lu one let alone himself. "No, I don't care if the kid comes over or not. I'm too tired to fight anyone right now about anything. Lucky just fell asleep after we spent all night talking but I think he is going to okay," Luke said and slowly took a long sip of coffee. "Luke, Lucky will never get better unless he talks to someone about all of this. I know how you feel but I want you to listen to me for once. Kevin and Gail have both offered to help," Bobbie said and Luke just scowled at her. "I know you don't like shrinks but this has done a number on all of us, Lucky most of all. Just think about what is best for him and not what you want or like." Luke sat and glared at her. A shrink! Kevin the loon or Gail the nosey body? What choices are those? "Bobbie, I don't know," Luke said. "Luke, he is hurting and you just can't ignore it any more. I know you think you can protect him and may be you can but what is Lucky's life going to be like if he never learns to stand his own without this pain. You and I both know what could happen to him. He will either let this pain eat him alive or make so cold and unloving You don't want that and neither do I. It isn't a crime to ask for help and you're not saying that you're not a good father. You're just saying that there are some things you can't heal. We can't help him but maybe someone else can," Bobbie said putting her hand on her brother’s shoulder, hoping this time she would get him to listen to reason. "I'll think about it," Luke said and went for a walk to clear his head. Nikolas walked in with Lucas as Luke was leaving. Luke stopped at the door long enough to hand him the letter Laura wrote him and then he left. Besides having to think what to do about Lucky, Luke had to think about the fact that Nikolas could be his son. He knew the kid would never trust him, but if there was the slightest chance that he was a Spencer, then Luke had to find out He also realized that it had to be done slowly and in secret because if the Cassadines found out that Laura didn't know who really was the father of her children, Luke was going to have a real fight on his hands. There was no way anyone was going to take Lucky or Lu from him, ever. Bobbie took the children into the kitchen to feed them, while Nikolas sat down and read the letter his mother wrote: Nikolas, I know you are upset and I don't blame you. You asked me when you first came to Port Charles how a mother could walk away from her child. The connection that you and I should have had wasn't there because of Lasha. I know for a fact that she hated to leave you and hated me for taking you from her. She would have done everything in her power to get back to her son and true love. I wish with all my heart and soul that it was me that had the connection to you and not her. I think things might have been different if it was because I would have tried to find a way to clean this mess up. I'm sorry that all of this hurt you and I hope someday you will at least understand it. I am proud of you because you have become a very independent and loving man. You have the ability to be a one of the best Cassadines that was ever born. I hope you use your power with a loving heart, which I know is your best quality. You were the best thing that ever happened to me on the island and if someone said I would have a second chance to fix all of this but I would have to give up you, I wouldn't take it. You are too important to me to even think about it. Please understand me when say, I wish I could have known you when you were growing up and I would have been proud to raise you as my own. I want you to be a big brother to Lucky and Lu. I know you and Lucky don't get along very well and I hope that will change. You and Lucky are more alike then you think. You just have to work at getting past the hate and mistrust the two families feel for each other. Don't let Stefan or Luke's hate for each other keep you apart. You are brothers and you have one thing in common that is very clear to me: the love for your sister. She is going to need both of you to understand all of this. I'm not going to be around to help her any more and you have to keep an eye on her for me. I love you and you will ways be in my thoughts and dreams. You’re loving mother, Laura Nikolas put the letter down and tried to figure out how he felt. He knew because of Helena that Laura's mind was all messed up and that he had lost his mother's love because of it. He hated Helena for all the pain she had caused all of them and hoped the sentence that Luke and Stefan put on her was long. But to him it would never be enough and maybe nothing would ever be enough to make up for the loss of his mother. Nikolas decided that spending his time and energy on Helena was useless. So, he decided to work on helping Lu and Lucky get used to life without a mother. He knew what it was like not having one around and he decided to help them learn to live with it. Nikolas looked over at the kitchen table and found his sister sitting at the table, playing with her food. Her head was tilted to one side, with her hand holding it up. Nikolas got up and went over to see what he could do to help her. "What? You're not eating. I thought you liked cocoa pops?" Nikolas asked bending down beside her. "I want my mommy," Lu said, in a low sad voice and she had big doe eyes. "I do too, but she can't be with us. But it doesn't mean she doesn't love us," Nikolas said. Lu just sat there watching her pops turn into black mush. Nikolas picked his sister up and sat down. "Lu, you do know mommy is really sick?" "Yes, but how long is she going to be gone?" Lu asked, looking at Nikolas with those same wide eyes. "We don't know because what she has isn't that easy to heal. You see, her sickness is in her mind. Mommy thinks she is someone else sometimes and when she is this person, she does some very bad things. She doesn't want to but she can't stop herself. This person mommy turns into isn't very nice and she seriously hurt Lucky. So, to keep us safe, mommy is going to get help. We don't know how long she is going to be gone. It might be forever. I know you don't want her to be gone and neither does anyone else but we can't help her. Maybe this doctor can and maybe she can heal mommy. Until then you have me, Lucky, and your Daddy to look after you. I'm not going anywhere and that is a promise from me to you," Nikolas said, pointing to her and them himself. The little girl looked up and him and asked with tears in her eyes, "Nikky? Can you hold me?" and suddenly those tears started to fall. Nikolas pulled his sister close to him and held her tight. Bobbie watched this all with a very sad heart. She never liked Laura but right now she wished at least for her children's sake, that Laura were back to her old self. ~~~~~~~~~~~~ Taggert and Garcia boarded the plane with Laura and her doctor early that morning. The DA agreed to let her go, while Scotty dealt with the case in her absence. He wasn't ready to let her off the hook completely but because of the information he had about her problem, he didn't think it was wise to delay her treatment. Laura had lost her battle with Lasha and now she was in chains as they boarded the plane. Lasha wasn't happy and gave the detectives all kinds of problems. So, Dr. Carlson had to drug her finally to get her to even sit in the seat for five minutes. Leslie and Amy stood and watched as the plane took off and wished they were going with her but Dr. Carlson thought it was best that Laura need to go treatment alone for the first few months. They would discuss visitors after she got Laura more in control of herself and maybe in time, they could bring the kids to see her. But that was a very big maybe. "Leslie, why is this happening?" Amy asked as the plane took off with tears running down her cheeks. "I don't know but I hate that woman for all the pain she cause my daughter and this family. I can't dwell on that though because I have three grandchildren that need me and they need you. Laura can't be with them and we have to make sure they remember their mother and hopefully they can understand that she will always love them," Leslie said, wiping her own tears away. "I know Nikolas will understand and Lu will in time but I don't know about Lucky. He has suffered so much because of this and I will not blame him if he ends up hating Laura after all of this," Amy said and the ladies headed back to the car. Rick had stood back and watched this with a sad heart. He knew Laura or at least Lasha was responsible for Sarah's death but he couldn't help but pity her. She was a victim just like the rest. She didn't lose her life but she lost everything else. If there was a hell, Rick prayed that Helena would soon be in it and there she would burn for all time. Rick turned and caught up with Leslie and Amy. Laura was on her way to get the help she needed and hopeful everyone else could start healing as well. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Luke had to sneak into his own club because the press had been everywhere. Mac had placed cops all over the brownstone and with a little help from Sonny's men the kids wouldn't be bothered. But as soon as anyone went outside, they were swamped by the press. Lucky for him, Luke knew more back streets in this town than the rats. Luke walked into his office and found the mess he had made earlier. He turned over the desk back the way is should be and dug the chair out from the storage cabinet mess. After a little work, he sat down and placed his head on his hands and tried to relax. Sonny walked in with a tray of coffee and some cups. He also had a bottle of Luke's favorite just in case. "I didn't expect you here today. How is the family?" Sonny asked placing the try on the desk. He had to dig around to find the other chair. "Lu doesn't understand yet and I don't know how to tell her. I spent all night talking to Lucky until he finally fell asleep. I have to get them out of town, Sonny or Lucky will crumble. Lasha did real number on him and all the press makes matters worse," Luke said, as he reached for a drink but stopped. He knew if he started he wouldn't stop and his kids needed him sober. Luke watched as Sonny pulled the chair he was looking for out of the doorframe. Sonny just looked at his partner and shook his head. After getting the chair free Sonny said, "You pick the place and I'll get you out of town without any trouble. Don't worry about this place. It might end up standing a little longer without you around." "Very funny, Sonny," Luke said as he grabbed for the coffee, "I got the place all ready. We will be gone all summer and hopefully the press will forget about us and by the time we get back. When we do come home, I'll bring back a new and improved Lucky." Luke and Sonny spent the next few hours working on refining the Spencer's trip and soon after dark, Luke snuck back into the brownstone by way of the basement. He walked into his apartment and found, Nikolas, Lucky, and Lu playing Candy Land on the floor. Luke noted the empty plates beside the kids and realized Lucky that had eaten something. "Things were looking up but why did they have to cling the Cassadine kid," Luke thought to himself. Suddenly Laura's words hit him and he really felt guilty. Nikolas could be his son and the kids he loved could be Cassadines. The battle lines were gone and Luke didn't know what to do about it. "Who's winning?" Luke finally asked as he sat down on the floor beside Lu. "She is," Lucky said pointing to Lu and pretending to look upset about it. "Lucky is last," Lu said with a small smile. "Good girl," Luke said and kissed her on the head. "Who is up for a trip to the ocean?" "Me!" Lu was the first one to answer. "Sure!" Lucky said. "Huh! Can I go along?" Nikolas asked, not knowing what Luke would say about it but he had to at least try. He wanted to get to know his brother and sister better and if that meant dealing with Luke, he'd do it. "Do you have any idea how much trouble you could cause me with this?" Luke asked. "Dad, you never worried about trouble before," Lucky said, kind of liking the idea of having Nikolas going along. "Please, Daddy!" Lu begged. "GRRRRRRR!" Luke growled looking from Lu to Lucky. Lu was begging with her puppy dog look and Lucky just had the look of ‘Why not?’ on his face. Luke knew that Stefan would blow his top and that idea kind of pleased him. Luke took a deep breath and let it out slowly, "All right, You can come but you write Stefan a note telling him this was your idea and not mine. I see me getting into a lot of trouble over this but you can come alone," Luke muttered looking up at the sky for help but none came. He was stuck with Nikolas and his kids were happy about it. Luke did know the real reason he was doing it and that was if by some slim chance that Nikolas could be his son and then he would have a step up on the Cassadines. "Thanks Daddy!" Lu said wrapping her arms around his neck and hugging him tight. "You're, welcome. Now go pack. I want to leave as soon as possible," Luke said and watched the kids rushed off. "How did this get so messed up?" Luke thought as he went to pack his own bag. After packing up bags for Lucky, Lu, and Luke, Luke took Foster downstairs to Bobbies. She was happy that they were going to get away for awhile but shocked to hear that Luke was letting Nikolas go along. It took him a while to convince Bobbie he was doing it for the kids and not to get back at Stefan. Lu had wanted to say good bye to Leslie and Rick gave Luke a few instructions on how to care for Lucky's arm. Sonny's men showed up and the group snuck past the press and stopped briefly to give Nikolas a chance to pack and write a note. Luke was the one that snuck onto Spoon Island and placed it where Stefan could find it. He had to admit the look on Stefan's face would be a look he would have wanted to get a look at. The count was not going to like this idea at all. A little after midnight the plane with Luke and family plus one took off to parts unknown. The only person who really knew where they were going was Sonny and nothing could get him to give out that information. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Three days after the Spencers took off on their trip, Stefan arrived back from Greece after taking care of his mother. Alexis was checking the mail when she spotted Nikolas note. She handed it to him and Stefan read it. At first he didn't believe it but when the information sank in, his temper took over. Father, I know you will not believe this and part of me doesn't either but I'm leaving town with the Spencer's. I don't think it would be wise for me to tell you where we are headed but we will be back at the end of the summer. Don't worry about me, I'll be fine. The reason for the trip is very clear at least for me. You might have learned about how the press is trying to dig up any information on this mess and I am not ready to deal with it at the moment. Please it gives me this time alone with my brother and sister then afterwards we will sit down and talk about us. I know you don't like or trust Luke but at the moment I don't care. He is the father of my brother and sister and they need me. I might be the only one who understands what is like knowing your mother can't be with you. I'm not mad at you any more and when I get back I want the chance to get to know my father. I finally understand why you kept this secret and it was to protect me and nothing more. Please do this one thing for me and give me this time to be with them. Your son, Nikolas "He what?" Stefan yelled, crumbling the paper in his hand after reading it about ten times hoping this was some kind of a joke. Alexis looked up from the mail and asked, "What is wrong?" "Nikolas has lost him mind that is what is wrong!" Stefan snapped. "He left town with Luke Spencer and his new brother and sister. I know he wants to get to get to know them better and I will allow that. But what I will not allow is my son running around the country with the man that killed my father," Stefan grabbed the phone and made a call. "Yes, this is Mr. Cassadine. I want you to find Nikolas and do it now. He left town with Luke Spencer, so time is of the essence. I do not want excuses but results." Stefan slammed the phone down and glared in Alexis' direction. She understood Nikolas needed to get to know his family better and didn't blame him for leaving. She knew that if Stefan found Nikolas, he would go down and drag him back, which would only pull father and son further a part. "Stefan, calm down. I understand why you are upset but Luke will not hurt Nikolas. He most probably was as shocked as you were at this idea. He most probably did it for his children and nothing more," Alexis said trying to get him to calm down and hopefully stop him from doing anything he would regret later. "I'll see that man in jail for kidnapping," Stefan said ignoring Alexis at the moment and reaching for the Russian Vodka. Nikolas on a trip with the Spencers all summer. No way was he going to allow it. "NO! You will do nothing of the kind," Alexis said and glared at Stefan. The idea sickened her. Lucky and Lu already lost their mother but to lose their father for something as petty as this would be a crime. "Those kids just lost their mother because of that old witch Helena. You are not taking their father from them. You can look for Nikolas and you can go talk to him but leave what he wants up to him. You want your son back in your life, then you have to let him live his. You know and I know what is like when someone ordered us around. We ended up hating our family even more. Laura is gone and the reason you hate Luke so much isn't there any more. Stop using Mikkos as the reason. You hated him as much as I did. He hardly every looked at you let alone respected you. You find your own reason to hate Luke but leave those kids be," Alexis snapped at him as she put a restraining hand on his wrist. Stefan looked at Alexis and said, "You have no right in talking to me in that manor. Luke Spencer's crimes against this family are not to be forgotten. I might have let him help get rid of mother but that is it. Your opinion in this matter wasn't asked for and not needed. You are to do what I want and that is it. Make the necessary calls, but I want Luke Spencer hunted down and locked up for kidnapping. He will not get away with this and that is my finally word on it." Alexis went from complete shock to total anger in seconds. "You pompous pig. I spend the last few months keeping the rest of this worthless family from ripping you apart and you treat me as just a servant. I'M YOUR SISTER, dear brother and I have every right to as much respect as you do. You are a fool to think Nikolas would come home after you locked his brother and sister's father up in this manner. He would never forgive you and I'm not doing it. You want Luke in jail, do it yourself and I hope the others get wind of this and if they do don't come running to me. I'm not going to help you any more. You find your own way to keeping the Great Cassadine Empire. I wish you luck," Alexis said, as she took off her Cassadine medallion and let it drop at his feet. "Alexis, what do you think you are doing?" Stefan demanded. "I'm packing my bags and leaving. I have money of my own and a law degree that will get me by. I don't need anything from this family any more. I'm sick of being its watchdog and getting nothing for it. Good bye, brother." Alexis said and went up to pack. Stefan watched her go but decided to deal with her attitude later. He had to find Nikolas before Luke did any damage to him at all. Stefan picked up the phone and made the calls himself. Alexis was in her room throwing her clothes in a suitcase, without caring if they got wrinkled. How dare he treat me like that after all I have done for him? I was always loyal and I never once asked for anything but respect from him. Alexis reached for more clothes and some papers fell on to the floor. She was going to tell Stefan this information as soon as they got back from taking care of Helena but not any more. Alexis decide the only Cassadine she cared about was Nikolas and she was going to do everything she could to protect him even if that meant protecting him from Stefan. Alexis had to find Luke before Stefan did and make sure that Stefan didn't find them at all. She had a lot a work to do and very little time. Alexis stuck the papers in one of her two suitcases and rushed out. She would send for her stuff later but first Alexis had to put her plan into action and fast. Stefan was going to regret treating her like she was just a lowly servant. She knew more Cassadine Family secrets then anyone and the biggest one could bring the empire to its knees. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Luke didn't just leave the state with Nikolas, but the country all together. Luke had rented a small cottage just by the beach a few hours from Puerto Rico. He didn't expect to have Nikolas along for this trip, so Lucky and Nikolas had to share a room. Luke was standing on the balcony as the kids unpacked. He spent most of the trip watching them and he didn't know what to think. All of them looked a lot more a like than he realized and that bothered him. He always thought of Nikolas as just a Cassadine but now he was part of Laura and just like Lucky and Lu, that was all he had left. Was Nikolas his son? Were Lu and Nikolas blood brother and sister? Was Lucky a Cassadine? He didn't know, but Luke knew deep down he had that to find out this information wouldn't change how he felt about his own kids. But it would change how he dealt with the Cassadines. Luke had to move very carefully on this matter or end up losing the two things he loved most in the world. Nikolas unpacked first and wandered around until he found Luke, standing on the balcony looking out into the ocean. "Ah! We are almost done. What now?" Nikolas asked, as he slowly walked toward Luke. He was still a little unsure on how to deal with Luke all the way around. "I'm not going to bite you. After they unpack, I know a little place just a few miles down the road. We can get something to eat there," Luke said looking at Nikolas with new eyes. The kid had a lot of Laura in him but something else was there as well. "Could he be your son?" A voice whispered. "Dad!" Lucky yelled and the teen and Lu walked out and joined them. "I know where were are. We spent a few months here when I nine," Lucky said. Later that night, Lucky and Nikolas snuck out to check out the town for themselves. "What will Luke do when he finds out we snuck out?" Nikolas asked looking back at the house one last time. "Nothing as long as I don't drink anything harder than a soda," Lucky said, as they walked toward town. "Let's go see what trouble we can find?" "You sure?" Nikolas asked. Stefan would never allow him to do this any time in his life and Nikolas was still a little unsure about all of this. "Nikky, Dad will not care where we go or what we do, As long as we don't break the law or I get drunk," Lucky said as they walked. Lucky and Nikolas walked around town for awhile and then decided to go into one of the dance clubs the town had to offer. You had to be at least eighteen to get in, but Lucky said it was not a problem. "Look just relax and don't look around at anyone. The guy at the door will think you are eighteen and he will only card me. I promise," Lucky said. Nikolas was about to ask what he was going to show as ID but he didn't get the chance. The bouncer at the door stopped them and just like Lucky said he was the only one carded. Lucky pulled out an ID and without a second look they were allowed to pass. "What did you show him?" Nikolas asked shocked they got in so easy. "One of my fake ID's. Dad gave me about ten of them for my birthday this year and all of them say I'm eighteen. Under different names of course," Lucky said, in a low voice as they headed to the back of the club. "You have fake ID's and Luke gave them to you. I don't believe it," Nikolas said shaking his head back and forth. What did Luke call going too far? Nikolas wondered to himself. "Nikky, I have only been going by my real name for a little over five years. The rest of the time I had different names with different descriptions. I don't even have a real birth certificate. The one with Lucas Lorenzo Spencer is a fake. I didn't get it until we moved to Port Charles," Lucky said. They found a table and Lucky went to get them both drinks. Nikolas watched him walk away and shook his head. His life was very sheltered compared to Lucky's. He has done more things and lived a much harder life than Nikolas ever dreamed off. Nikolas remembered wanting to be like Lucky when he was growing up but this wasn't what he dreamed about. He wanted Lucky's mother and father, not his life. He started to appreciate the life he had with Stefan more and more. Lucky's life was far rougher then his ever could be. Lucky came back a few moments later carrying the drinks on a tray. "Nikky boy, Where are you?" Lucky asked as he took a seat. Nikolas had this far away look on his face and it kind of unnerved Lucky a little. "Why do you call me Nikky boy? My name is Nikolas," Nikolas asked as he snapped out of his trance. "Sorry, I'm not used to you being my friend and it is my of loosening things up. I'll try to stop calling you that," Lucky said handing Nikolas his drink. "It's okay. I'm kind of getting used to it," Nikolas said and the brothers spent the next few hours enjoy the club and talking to other people in the club. A few girls asked them to dance and Nikolas did a lot more dancing than Lucky did. He kind of felt like he was cheating on Lizzie when he did dance. The club closed around two in the morning and Lucky and Nikolas decided to walk the long way back to the beach house. They were just too wired to go bed yet. Nikolas decided to ask Lucky the question that had been on his mind since they first walked into the club. "Lucky if don't me asking, what was your life like before Port Charles?" Nikolas asked. "My life. Why do you want to know?" Lucky asked, wondering what brought that up. "The fake ID's and how Luke acts around you. I have been thinking about it ever since our talk at the Arcade. I want to know about your life on the run," Nikolas said, as they turned the corner and headed toward the beach. "Where do I start, " said Lucky thinking about what he was going to say for the next few moments. "We never stayed one place too long and we moved on a moment's notice. You learn not to make good friends in school because you don't know if you are ever going to see them again. Also, the things that I really valued were in mom's carpetbag. She carried that with her all the time and our whole life is in that bag. I guess that is why I took it before dad burned down the house. We didn't have a lot of material things but we had each other." "You ever join a group or baseball team?" Nikolas asked. "No. At least not until we came to live at Port Charles and I didn't make the last cut. I don't deal well with kids my own age. I was around adults for so long that I act older than I am," Lucky said. "I know what you mean there. When I went to school those few months, I felt out of place. I was so used to speaking my mind and having to ask to be heard was hard for me," Nikolas said with a laugh. "You should try it all the time. Dad treats me as his equal and when I get to school some teachers talk down to me. It isn't that easy. I guess that is why I'm thinking about not going back," Lucky said. "You mean dropping out?" Nikolas asked. "I can test out and not loose anything because of the classes I took this year. I won't get any scholarships but with all moving we did, I wouldn't have a chance getting them anyway. So there is no loss there. I'm going to take the year off to put me back on track. The divorce, my drinking, Chris' death, and now, mom's break down. I wouldn't even think about going back to school at the moment," Lucky said. "I think you're right, but then what? College?" Nikolas asked. "I don't know yet but I got a whole year to think about it. What ever I decide, I know dad will stand by my decision," Lucky said and they stopped and sat down on a bench a few yard from the stair way that led up to the beach house. "It's your life. Don't tell anyone but I like working for ELQ and having a place of my own. I even enjoy trying to cook for myself. Sara had tried to teach me but I'm getting better," Nikolas said with a laugh. "You want to know one person that can't cook worth a damn?" Lucky said as he leaned forward. "Who?" Nikolas asked. "Dad. He can't boil water without setting the fire alarms off. He doesn't admit it but it happens," Lucky said. "I have a feeling that my father doesn't even know where the kitchen is in Wyndemere," Nikolas said and started to laugh even more. "I guess your father is worse than mine on that point. Dad can find it and he wouldn't be a bad cook if he would just stop adding things that don't belong. He made breakfast one day and added chocolate chips," Lucky said still gagging at the picture. "To what?" Nikolas asked. "Eggs. He added chocolate chips to eggs. I have been cooking for all of us since mom left town. I had to or I would ended up eating fast food all the time." Lucky said. "You cook?" Nikolas said in disbelief. "Yes, I cook and I'm not that bad. Mom did one thing right and that was that she taught me to cook. She came up with the idea after dad started giving me lessons," Lucky said with a smile. "I bet that went over really well," Nikolas said, laughing at the picture he had in his head. "Like dad's chocolate chip eggs. Mom took over and I got really good at it," Lucky said and Nikolas laughing started to get contagious. "What do you think Stefan did when he read your note?" "He is most probably ready to lock me up and get me a doctor. I don't care what he thinks and it will depend on how he reacts to this when I do see him, on how much I'm going to see him from now on," Nikolas said. "You're really that mad about not being told he was your father?" Lucky asked. "No, not any more. I just can't live with the fighting any more and I like the freedom I have. I'm not the prince any more and I like it. Father might not agree, but he will have to learn to live with it. How do you feel about all of this?" Nikolas asked. "You mean mom or the war?" Lucky asked. "Both," Nikolas said. "I hope the war is over because I'm like you, I can't take it any more and as for mom. I don't even know if I love her any more. She killed my friends, and Sarah just to get to me. It could have been worse and I could be dead. I always thought it was my fault and I just had to be a little bit better but it wasn't me. It was her that so messed up and if I would have told dad then maybe none of this would have happened," Lucky said sadly. "Hey, look at me. You didn't do anything wrong and neither did I. The person that is responsible for this is Helena and she is paying for it as we speak. Mom was a victim just like the rest of us. She just didn't know how much damage Helena had caused her and she didn't try to get help. We just have to hope she gets better and finds happiness in her life for once," Nikolas said. “But without us and that sucks Nikolas because we should have our mother in our lives. I don't care if dad and her would have stayed together. I don't even know if she loved me. She said it but I don't trust her words or her love," Lucky said and his eyes started to water just a little bit. "I know what you mean. Mom walked away from me to be with Luke. I hated him and you. You had everything I ever wanted but with price of being without a mother. You had her but lost your childhood in the process. We are all losers in this but we have to keep fighting or Helena would win for sure," Nikolas said. "We are alike in more ways than I thought. I found out a secret that dad had been keeping from me and I am still trying to work past it and you are doing the same thing with Stefan. I just hope that when this is over, we can have a normal life for once," Lucky said, as he looked at his watch. "Spencer, you'll never have a normal life. If you want that you should have stayed in the orphanage," Nikolas said with a laugh. "Thanks a lot," Lucky said, playfully slapping his brother on the back of the head. "We'd better get going. It's getting late and Lu wants to go on a picnic tomorrow." "You're right and I'm glad we got this chance to talk," Nikolas said. "Me, too. I'm glad you're my big brother. Race you to the house," Lucky said, and he took off like a flash. Even with on arm strapped to his chest, Nikolas had a hard time keeping up with him. A few moments later the boys walked into the beach house, out for breath. They were just about to walk into their bedroom when Luke turned on the lights and making them both jump. "How was the night club?" Luke asked, pretending to be upset. He was enjoying the look on Nikolas' face at the moment. "Weeeee." Nikolas stammered. He couldn't believe Luke was getting to him like this. He acted as if he was caught sneaking a snack in Mrs. Lansbury's kitchen. "What my brother is trying to say is. We had fun. You didn't have to wait up," Lucky said. "I didn't. I was raiding the fridge. You want a midnight snack?" Luke asked, holding up a very strange looking sandwich. "Not one of yours. I learned my lesson a long time ago," Lucky said and he headed for bed. Nikolas just stood there looking at him. "You hungry?" Luke asked. The kid was really getting to him just staring at him. "No. I'm also not tired. I'll have a cup of coffee," Nikolas asked. "Sure, I think there is a cup left. You can heat it up in the microwave," Luke said and sat down at the table to eat his sandwich. "Can I ask you something?" Nikolas asked, after he sat down at the table. "Sure. What is on your mind?" Luke asked. "How is Lucky's arm? I know he wears it strapped to his chest all the time and he takes some kind of pills in the morning, but that's all I know." "He has no feeling in it. Lucky has gotten good at doing things with his left hand really well. He wasn't allowed to leave the hospital until he could. I haven't told him this but if the operation doesn't turn out right, he might never be able to use it again." Luke said, and put down his sandwich because the idea made him lose his appetite. "What are the odds?" Nikolas asked not knowing what to think about it. "Half and half," Luke said. "I hate this. He has been through enough. Lucky was laughing a little bit at the club and down at the beach a few moments ago. I don't think he has laughed a lot over the past few months from the way he acted," Nikolas said. "He hasn't and I'm glad you cheered him up," Luke said. "He has helped me just as much as I helped him," Nikolas said, then suddenly got really quiet. Talking to Luke was strange and he just didn't know what to say to him any more. "You don't have to talk to me," Luke said and Nikolas jumped a little because it was like Luke was reading his mind. "How did you do that?" Nikolas asked. "I read your face. You and Lu are easy to read. Your faces tell all," Luke said. "Great. You noticed it to," Nikolas said. "I made it an art to read people's faces. It kept my family and me alive. Why did you want to come?" Luke asked him. "To help Lucky and Lu. You won't understand this but I want this war to end. Enough people have died and all because of a fight that doesn't make sense to me. Why are we the enemy?" Nikolas asked. "You mean the Cassadines?" Luke asked. "Yes," Nikolas said. "What did they tell you about your grandfather and uncles?" Luke asked. "That they were great men and that you killed them," Nikolas said. "Who told you that, daddy dearest or the old crow?" Luke asked, shaking his head at the idea of anyone saying that Mikkos and his brothers were good men. "Helena did. One of the few times I talked to her. Father didn't confirm or deny the story but he did make you out being the bad guy," Nikolas said. "Mikkos Cassadine wanted one thing and one thing only. The World! Mikkos didn't care that innocent people were freezing to death in Port Charles and he would have moved on until he got what he wanted. Tony wised up and tired to stop Mikkos but it cost him his life. When Mikkos and I finally crossed paths, I knew it was him or me. I was just a little bit stronger and faster than he was and my family has been paying for that all their lives. Helena stood at my wedding with your mother and cursed it. She did a hell of job because Laura is gone and she left a train wreck of our lives behind. Tell me, kid. What would you have me do differently?" Luke asked, staring at Nikolas intensely. "I don't know about anything any more. All the lies and underhanded deeds done by both sides have taken its toll on everyone involved. But if you would have told me a few months ago I would be on a summer vacation with you and the others and enjoying myself, I would have laughed in your face because my entire life revolved around one thing and that is how much I should hate and distrust you. I'm somewhere in between hate and trust and that is a very unsettling place to find myself in." Nikolas told him. “You and me both kid. I don't know how things are going to work out after we leave this place but I'll do everything in my power to keep the fighting between me and Stefan,” Luke said. “Good luck because I'm with Lucky this war has gone too far and it has to end,” Nikolas said and he got up and headed for bed. Leaving Luke alone with his thoughts on the fact that Nikolas could be his son and Lucky and Lu could be Cassadines. What if he dug into the truth and ended up losing Lucky and Lu to Stefan! Was the truth all that important? He didn't have the answers and until he got them, all he was going to do was sit on this information.