Chapter Twenty Five Alexis sat at in her hotel suite at the Port Charles Hotel looking over the information she had just gotten on the status of the Cassadine Empire. Suddenly, there was a knock at the door and Alexis got up to answer it. She opened the door and found Jerry Jax standing on the other side. “Hello, Cousin. Lady Jane sends her best and sent me in her place,” Jerry said as he stepped inside. “Jerry, I have being expecting you. Did you find them?” Alexis asked. “Luke and his family are on an island just a few miles from Puerto Rico,” Jerry said as he sat down in the chair and poured himself a drink. “What about Stefan and Alexander?” Alexis asked. “They are busy fighting it out and that will give you time to talk to Nikolas. Do you think he is ready to betray his father?” Jerry asked. “I don't know but I have to try. Stefan isn't listening to any of us and Alexander is strong enough to run us over, if separated. If Stefan will not let us join forces to defeat him and then maybe Nikolas will,” Alexis said. “Could we use Luke?” Jerry wondered. “I have been thinking about that and I might have a way to get him on our side, at least temporally. But I don't bet on it. Luke hates all Cassadines and it will take a miracle to get him to even listen to me,” Alexis said. “If anyone can get Luke Spencer to listen to them it is you. I have seen you in action and Alexis you are very slick and smart. Stefan is a fool for not listening to you,” Jerry said. “I know he is and I hate going behind his back but I'm not going to let Alexander take over this family. He makes Mikkos and Victor look like choir boys.” Alexis said with a very serious look on her face. “I remember him back when we used to get together in Greece and he was a monster then. I think even Stavros was scared of him,” Jerry said as he mind started to wonder into the past. “He was but never admitted it. Alexander is a full blooded Cassadine and he needs to be taken care of for all our sakes,” Alexis said. Making a decision, she turned to Jerry. “I have to pack. Thanks for information. I will keep in touch.” “Good luck, Natasha. You're going to need it,” Jerry said and got up to leave. “Jerry, I owe you and your family for finally telling me the truth and I hope that we can bring this family together finally after all these years,” Alexis said kissing Jerry on the cheek and he walked away without saying anything. Alexis went to her room then and packed her bags. She had a long trip and a big job a head of her. Her mind was racing over lots of this but the biggest one was how was she going to get what she wanted from Luke and Nikolas. She realized that Luke had to know about the possibility of Nikolas being his son or he would have never taken him with the family in the first place. So, she decided to tell him the truth and hopefully she could get through that thick skull of his to help them all out or this trip might be a big waste of time. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Back in Puerto Rico, everyone was starting to forget about the trouble back home and enjoy themselves. They had spent the entire first two weeks exploring the island and traveling to the main land. This morning they were going to the higher cliffs for some hang gliding and a little repelling. Luke had rigged up a way to get Lucky to join them. Nikolas had never hang-glided in his life and was excited to try it. Lucky was going to have trouble doing it, since his arm was still damaged from the accident. So, Nikolas and Lucky were going to go up together. Nikolas was going to be Lucky's hands and Lucky was going to talk Nikolas through maneuvering the gilder. They were packing up the gear and loaded it in the jeep. Luke was double- checking everything when Alexis showed up carrying her bags. “You could have at least picked an island where they had a cab service,” Alexis complained. “Alexis?” Nikolas said, very happy to see her. “How did you find us?” Luke glared at her and wondered the same thing himself. He also wanted to know why she was carrying two suitcases and what she wanted. Lucky looked from his father and Alexis and hoped the peace wasn't going to end just because she showed up. “Cousin Jerry helped find you. I figured it would take a rogue to find a rogue. How are you doing?” Alexis asked, as she placed her bags down at the end of the walk. “I'm doing fine. How is father?” Nikolas asked. “Worried about you. I think you should at least call and talk to him,” Alexis said. “I'll do that. I'll go use the phone right now.” Nikolas said and he went inside to use the phone. Luke looked from Alexis to her bags and asked, “What are you doing with those?” “Those contain my clothes. Where do you want me to put them?” Alexis said, with a smile on her face. “How about in your hotel?” Luke said coldly. “I'm not staying in a hotel. I'm staying with Nikolas and it looks like he is staying with you. If you don't want to end up getting arrested for kidnapping when you get back to Port Charles, you'd better find me a place to stay in this house,” Alexis said and picked up her bags and waited. Luke stood there glaring at her. “What are you talking about?” Luke asked. “I didn't kidnap anybody.” “You might not have but Stefan doesn't see it that away. Since I am a member of Nikolas' family and with here him, it can not be considered kidnapping. Also, when Nikolas moved out this time and went to work for the Quartermaine's, Stefan had to sign papers saying that Nikolas should be considered an adult. So, if I stay here as well, Stefan loses his case against you and nothing will happen. Now, tell me where to put my suit cases?” Alexis said, starting to get really frustrated with him. “Lucky, go show Miss Davis Lu's room. I think there is enough room for her clothes there,” Luke growled and picked up Lu and headed down to the beach. He lost control somewhere but he just couldn't figure out where. While Alexis was worming her way into the Spencers lives, Nikolas was making a call to Stefan on the safe phone Sonny gave Luke before they left. He hit the timer as soon as the phone began to ring. He wasn't ready to go back just yet and he knew his father would have a tracer on the phone back home. Stefan was sitting at his desk going over the information he had gotten on the latest sighting of the Spencers. Jerry had him running around in circles to give Alexis the time she needed to talk to Nikolas and Luke. Stefan grabbed the phone as it rang and barked, “Cassadine, any thing on my son yet?” “Father, it is me, Nikolas,” Nikolas said as soon as the phone was answered. “Nikolas, Where are you? Are you safe? Did he hurt you?” Stefan rattled off these questions. “I'm fine father. Luke hasn't laid a hand on me. I'm not going to tell you where I am only because I know you will come and get me and I'm not ready to come home just yet. I just thought I would call and put your mind at ease,” Nikolas said. “Nikolas, I know you are upset about your mother and you have every right to be and I also understand that you want to get to know your brother and sister better, but going on a trip with Luke Spencer is taking this a little bit too far,” Stefan said very frustrated trying to talk to his son over the phone like he was. “I know you don't understand this but I'm on this trip for Lucky, Lu, and myself. We all lost our mother and I want this one chance to get to know them. Can you understand that?” Nikolas asked. “I am not forbidding you to get to know them but it is the presence of Luke Spencer that worries me,” Stefan said feeling they weren't going anywhere with this conversation. “You're not going to like this, but Luke isn't that bad to be around. He has been rather nice. I have even learned a few things from him,” Nikolas said and he waited for the explanation. “Nikolas that man is dangerous and is not to be trusted. I want you to get on a plane and come home this very moment,” Stefan ordered. “No father. I'm not coming home until the end of the summer and I want you to think about this very hard. You want me in your life then you have to stop this war and live with Luke Spencer in the same town,” Nikolas said and he hung up the phone because the timer had gone off. And because Nikolas could have had that conversation without making the call. He was beginning to wonder if his father would ever change or would he have to choose between Lucky and Lu or Stefan. Lucky had been watching Nikolas talk on the phone after showing Alexis where to put her things. “How did it go?” Lucky asked leaning on the doorframe. “It went as I thought it would. My father refused to listen to reason and it’s all because of his hated for your father,” Nikolas said, as he sat down at the bar between the kitchen and the living room. “I'm sorry, Nik. I was kind of hoping he would listen to reason. Do you think you can get to him to listen to you when we get back?” Lucky asked. “I don't know but I hope so because right now he doesn't want me to chose between you and Lu and him. Lucky, why is he being so stubborn about this? If he would just let the past go and start over… I'm not asking him to like your father. I'm just asking him to let me have my own life and if I want to have to learn to like your father then he has to accept it,” Nikolas said. “Dream on, kid. You're not going to get want you want. Stefan and me will always hate each other. You two might have to accept that but I hope we can keeping our arguments between us,” Luke said as he walked into the house. “Why?” Nikolas asked. “Nikolas, listen to me and you too, Lucky. Stefan and me are from different worlds and the only thing we have in common is Laura. We have both learned not to trust or like the other one. We are also too old to change now,” Luke said. “I wish you could dad or at least try to,” Lucky said. “I have done everything that I can, Lucky. I am accepting the fact that you want to end this war and I'm also accepting the fact that you want Nikolas in your life. I can not accept Stefan and that is final. Come on lets get going. Lu wants to learn to fly,” Luke said, without another word to them. Lucky and Nikolas looked at each other and both hoped Luke was wrong and they could find away to get their fathers to learn to live with each other without fighting. Alexis had heard all of this and noticed to looks on the boys' faces. “Don't give up hope. He has gone this far, hasn't he?” Alexis said. “You think so?” Nikolas asked. “I'm just saying don't stop hoping because you never know what is going to happen,” Alexis said and they all went out side and headed up toward the cliffs about a few miles away. Luke had packed the jeep and relented to let Alexis join them. He was starting to debate about going home early, just to get rid of her. A few hours later Luke watched as Lucky and Nikolas floated a few miles above them. Lu was running around a few yards away picking flowers and trying to catch a butterfly in the process. Alexis reached in the hamper and ate one more strawberry and said, “They are having so much fun I don't think you’re ever going to get them down,” Alexis said glancing up in Lucky and Nikolas' direction. “I'm beginning to think you are right,” Luke laughed just a little bit. He leaned back on his right arm and asked, “So, Miss Davis, why are you really here?” “What do you mean? I'm just here to make sure Nikolas is safe and to stop this from getting any worse,” Alexis said acting as if she had nothing to worry about but something about her actions sent Luke's street senses into over ride. “Alexis, you’re playing games with me and I'm not in the mood for them. My kids have suffered enough because of your family and I want to know right now, What you are up to?” Luke demanded and rose a little bit more and glared at her with cold uncaring eyes. “Ok, you want the truth? I'm here to talk to you. We have the same problem and I thought we could help each other out,” Alexis said not backing down from his intimidation tactics. “My help? Why should I help you?” Luke said this conversation was beginning to get funny. “Because Luke there is a very strong possibility one or both of your kids are Cassadines, and Lucky might be the real heir. What do you think my family would do with this information?” Alexis said getting right into Luke's face. Luke just sat there for a long time. Alexis knew what Laura feared but what worried him is how many other members of the Cassadine family knew. “How did you find out?” Luke asked. “While Stefan was getting his darling mother ready to ship to Greece, I went over her important papers and found something very interesting. Helena had found out that Laura had lied to her about who the father of her sons were and she also knew about Lasha's little retreat with Stefan back when Lu was conceived. So, are you going to listen to what I have to say without insulting me all the time or am I wasting my time?” Alexis said very calm and coldly. Luke snarled at her and tried to calm down. He knew he had to watch what he said. He didn't know who she told this information to and until he found that out, he was going to have to keep his cool. “Who did you tell?” Luke asked, counting slowly in his head to calm down. “I'm the only one that knows right now but if anything does happen to me, I have letters ready to be sent to every member of the Cassadine family. What I want to know is this, Are you being nice to Nikolas because he is Laura's son or because he could be your son, as well?” Alexis asked. “I'm being nice to Nikolas for my children's sake and no other reason,” Luke said and he put a lot of force on the words ‘my children'. “Luke, listen to me. The Cassadine family is very torn up right now because of Stefan and Laura. If they get wind of the fact that you could be raising the Cassadine heir or Nikolas isn't a Cassadine at all, then we are all in trouble,” Alexis said. “I don't care about the Cassadine family. I only care about the safety of my children,” Luke said. “Then you better learn to care about the Cassadines because if you think Stavros and Stefan were bad, wait ‘til you meet Alexander. He is much worse than any of them. Alexander runs the Russian mob and is a true Cassadine. He will stop at nothing to take over this family and will not care who gets hurt in the process,” Alexis said getting really upset with him. “What does it matter about him? Stefan is Stavros' brother and is next in line isn't he?” Luke asked. “No. Only the eldest son of the eldest son gets the money. When it was discovered that Stavros had no real heir the family jumped at the chance to get their part of the money and power. Some joined forces with Helena, others stayed on Stefan's side, a few went with the Lady Jane Jacks but most of them went with Alexander and only because they are afraid of him. I talked everyone into letting things stay as they were since Nikolas was raised to be the Cassadine in the first place, and they would all start getting a share of the money over a period of time. The empire has been turned into more of a company than anything else. Now that Helena is gone everyone on her side joined with Stefan and I talked Lady Jane to side with him as well but the problem is if Nikolas turns out to be your son and not Stefan's, the deal will be off and the Empire will end. But if Lucky turns out the be the heir, we will end up with a new problem. Who will get custody of him until he becomes of age. The women in the family have no rights so it will be between Stefan or Alexander. If Alexander gets his hands on your son then you will never see Lucky again alive. Alexander will use Lucky as a figure head and nothing more. He will be the real power behind the empire,” Alexis said. “Over my dead body,” Luke barked sitting up all the way. “He could arrange it. Alexander is evil all the way to the core. He isn't to be trusted and not taken lightly. I'll tell you straight I want things to say the way they are right now, Lucky and Lu as your children and Nikolas as Stefan's. I didn't betray the Cassadine family all those years ago just so you could find out if there is Spencer blood or Cassadine blood in your kids veins. I'll tell you this for a fact, Nikolas is your son by blood only. Stefan is the one he should have called father,” Alexis said very coldly. “What are you talking about?” Luke asked. Alexis' words shocked and surprised Luke. He had thought that there might be a chance that Nikolas was his son, but to find out it was the truth was a little hard to take. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Bobbie walked to her car in the parking garage of the hospital. She had another level go before getting to her car. Bobbie turned the corner when she spotted the reporters hanging around her car. She quickly turned around and headed in the other direction but she was spotted and suddenly she had cameras and recorders shoved in her direction. “Where is your bother? How are the children taking the news of their mother's illness? What do you think of all of this?” The reporters asked these and many other questioning. Bobbie tried to get past them but it was useless. They had her surrounded and they weren't letting her pass. She was so busy trying to get by that she didn't see or hear the limo pulled up beside the group of reports. Suddenly a figured burst threw the mob. Stefan wrapped one arm around Bobbie and not so gently shoved his way past the crowd of reporters. He helped Bobbie into the limo and climbed in beside her. “Get going!” Stefan barked at his driver and the limo quickly took off. “Are you all right?” Stefan asked as he poured Bobbie a drink to settle her nerves. “Yes, now. Thank you for helping get past that mob of reports. I can't believe that Laura is still a hot topic after all these weeks. I was hoping it would die down soon. I am grateful that Luke took the kids on that trip because they have enough to deal with.” Bobbie said taking the drink from him and slowly taking a few sips. “I have to admit that I did not just happen to be driving by. I knew you were due to get off duty at this time and I needed to talk to you. I heard you one of the last people to talk to your brother before he left on this vacation and I have to know, did Nikolas leave of his own free will?” Stefan asked, as the strain of not knowing where Nikolas was at was getting to him. “Stefan, I know you don't want to hear this but yes he did. Nikolas was the one that brought it up not Luke or anyone else. It might also help to learn that Luke was against this as mush as you are at the start and if wasn't for the fact that when Nikolas was around that Lucky came out of his shell, Luke would have never allowed him to go along,” Bobbie said placing a gently hand on Stefan's leg. “I want to believe that but I am just having trouble understanding his actions on this matter,” Stefan said. “Whose Luke or Nikolas?” Bobbie asked. “Both.” Stefan admitted. “Nikolas is doing this for Lucky and Lu and no other reason. Stefan, I promise you if I had any doubt on Luke's intentions on this matter, I would have talked Nikolas out of going with them,” Bobbie said. “I wish I was as sure as you are on that point. Luke doesn't have a good track record for looking after the safety of the Cassadine family,” Stefan said trying to convince himself that Nikolas was going to be all right. “I know you are worried about him and I understand the reason behind it but this time he is only worried about his children. Lucky and Lu didn't take the news about Laura very well and after all the things Lucky has had to deal with over the past few months, Nikolas might be the best thing for Lucky right now,” Bobbie said. “Is the boy that upset?” Stefan asked. He had been so worried about Nikolas that he had forgotten about Laura's other children. If Nikolas thought that his brother was in pain then he would jump at the chance to help because it would help get his mind off of his own pain. Stefan started to calm down more and more as time went on. He decided to listen to what Bobbie had to say. “The last time I saw Lucky, he was on the verge of a complete mental break down,” Bobbie said and tried to figure out what to tell him and what to leave out. She decided the truth wouldn't hurt too much this time around. “I heard that the boy was upset but I did not know it was that serious,” Stefan said. “Lucky has been heading this way for months now. He was the one that found the letters and the pictures of his mother and you in Greece. He was around when Luke first found out and from the look in my brother's eyes, I really feel sorry for Lucky. Luke wasn't exactly in control of his temper,” Bobbie said. “You mean he hit the child? His own son?” Stefan asked thinking back when Luke shoved the gun at him and Laura. Stefan wouldn't put it past Luke for taking it out on the boy. “Luke would never hit one of his own children but he did burn the house down and that was hard for Lucky to take. He started shutting everyone out of his life as time went on and by the time Laura or should I say Lasha decided to play her mind games on him, he was totally isolated. Lucky was only talking to Liz and that is it,” Bobbie said. “I'm sorry about that. I know Laura loves all her children and to hear her son suffered due to the machinations my mother played on all of us upsets me dearly. I wish I could do something to help,” Stefan said. “You can. Leave them this summer and maybe your son will come back to you,” Bobbie said. “I'll try but you have to do something for me. I sit in that house when I'm not working on business all alone and I am wondering if you would do me the favor of having dinner with me? Stefan asked. “I'll be glad to. Lucas is with Amy tonight. I will just call and tell them I will be later than planned,” Bobbie said and started to make the call. “Amy? Why is she watching your son at her house?” Stefan asked. “She isn't. Amy is at my house for the moment or should I say Luke's apartment. Amy took a few weeks off to avoid the press. She isn't dealing with Laura's break down too well and Leslie and I have been keeping a close eye on her,” Bobbie said but put a hand up to quite Stefan for few moments. “Amy, this is Bobbie. I'm going to be later then I planned because I ran into Stefan and he had asked me to dinner. Are you going to be ok until I come home?” Bobbie asked. “Sure, Rick and Leslie are just a few doors down and besides Lucas and I are having fun,” Amy said wondering why she would go to dinner with a man like Stefan after all the things his family did to her sister. “Thanks Amy. I will not be too late. Tell Lucas good night for me,” Bobbie said and she put away her cell phone. “She didn't sound too happy with me but I understand her feelings toward the Cassadines,” Bobbie said. “So do I and I hope things will change soon. I plan on trying to make up for the evil things my mother did to both your and my family,” Stefan said. “If you start where I told you to then you will be making head way with Leslie and Ruby. They are ready to hunt down anyone named Cassadine at the moment,” Bobbie said with a laugh. “I'll remember that the next time I see your aunt. Now enough talk about the past and lets just enjoy each others company,” Stefan said. “I thought you were worried about Nikolas?” Bobbie asked. “I was but you put my mind at ease. He is doing this for the right reasons and not just trying to get back at me. I will wait until they return before talking to my son about his rash decision,” Stefan said. He sat back and slowly relaxed. He missed his talks with Bobbie and was glad to have this chance to talk to her again without worrying about Luke popping up all the time. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ “Luke, after you killed Stavros, Stefan asked me to look into Nikolas' parentage and to do it very quietly. I did but Helena caught me and wanted to know the answer herself. So, when I found out the truth, I lied to both of them. I told Stefan that he was Nikolas' father and I told Helena that Stavros was but in fact, you were. I knew Helena would have killed the boy without a second thought and I also knew if Stefan thought he was the father, that he would protect Nikolas with his life. I gave Nikolas the chance at being the heir and a shot at living. I know you want a chance to get to know your son and I'm not asking you not to get that chance. All I am asking is to do it quietly. Let things stay as they are. Learn about him from a distance, and try to forge some kind of relationship, based on him being your children's sibling,” Alexis said. “I don't know Alexis but I'll think on it and let you know what I decide,” Luke said. He caught sight of Lu running up and quickly changed the subject. “Hey, baby what do you have there?” Luke asked as Lu slammed into him. “I picked these for you, Daddy,” Lu said holding up the wild flowers at him. “I love them. Are you ready to go flying now?” Luke asked as he noticed Lucky and Nikolas landing not too far away from them. “Yes,” Lu screamed and ran ahead toward her brothers. Alexis watched as Luke strapped in and hooked Lu in front of him. As they took off everyone heard a squeal of joy coming from Lu, as the ground disappeared below her father's feet. Lu looked around shocked and scared at flying far above the ground. Luke noticed that she was scared and he said, “Don't worry, Baby. I won't let anything happen to you.” Lu just smiled at him and enjoyed the view. On the ground, Lucky and Nikolas joined Alexis and ate their lunch. “So how was your first flying lesson?” Alexis asked Nikolas. “Great and Lucky isn't that bad of a teacher. I can't wait to do it again,” Nikolas said. “He only tried to kill us once. Not bad for a beginner,” Lucky teased and ducked as Nikolas took a swing at him. “I did not. The wind took us toward the cliff not me,” Nikolas said. “Right,” Lucky said “And I can use my right arm. I just like having it in this thing for fun.” “That is it,” Nikolas said and Lucky and him took off like shots. Lucky was just a few feet head of Nikolas. He might not be able to run faster than Nikolas but he could out maneuver him with ease. Alexis couldn't help but enjoy watching the two of them run around chasing each other. A half an hour later, Luke had landed and they all were sitting around and talking about different things, when Alexis asked, “How about teaching me?” “You're kidding?” Luke asked. “No, I am not kidding. I want to learn to hang glide. You up to teaching one more Cassadine?” Alexis teased. “All right Miss Davis but don't kill me,” Luke said and he got up and went over to the hang glider and started to look over the gear one more time. Then he hooked himself and Alexis in and they got ready to take off. “Are you still game?” Luke asked. “Lets go.” Alexis said and they soon took off. “You think they are going to be ok?” Nikolas asked as the hang glider headed off to the right. “I don't know but we are going to find out,” Lucky said and the kids sat on the blanket and watched as the glider wobbled and buck for a long time before straightening out. Up in the air Alexis and Luke were going at it. “I have it now. Let me control it,” Alexis ordered. “You don't have it. You almost killed us the last two times you took over. Just hang on and let me do this,” Luke snapped at her. “No. I didn't come up here for a sightseeing trip. I wanted to learn how to hang glide and you said you could teach me. So teach!” Alexis ordered. “That was before I learned you didn't know your right from your left,” Luke growled at her. “I do too. You were the one yelling so loud that I didn't understand you,” Alexis said. Luke and Alexis were arguing so much they didn't noticed that they had lost a lot of height and they were heading down toward a cliff wall. Lucky and Nikolas saw this first and they were trying to get their attention. By the time Luke realized it, it was too late they crashed hard on the side of the cliff and ended up hanging half on and half off one of the ledges a few feet between the hard sandy bottom and the safety of the land above.