| Subject: Chapter 5 |
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Becca
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Date Posted: 10:05:10 02/24/01 Sat
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Becca
's message, "The Path of Thorns" on 09:58:31 02/24/01 Sat
Chapter 5
**Spencer House**
Nikolas sat in the armchair, trying to read the five faces staring back at him. “Why should I believe a word he says? Why should any of us?”
Laura moved to her oldest son’s side, looking down at him earnestly. “Honey, I understand your worry but . . .”
“Listen Prince, if I believe him, why shouldn’t you?” Luke asked sharply, meeting Nikolas’s eyes, trying to get the young man to back down.
“If my grandmother is involved, nobody can be trusted. My God Luke, you of all people should know that. You thought I had ulterior motives when I saved Lulu. My father may have at the time, but you had no reason to question or doubt me. So Luke, I’m just returning the favor,” Nikolas retorted, unable to take his eyes off of Lucky.
“So much for keeping everything a secret,” Maria whispered to Lucky. Laura caught the action and couldn’t help but feel a great sense of jealousy. From the moment Maria entered the house she and Lucky seemed to have a bond that couldn’t be broken. It was the type of relationship Laura was robbed of. And though she knew it wasn’t Maria’s fault, she couldn’t help but be jealous.
“Oh come on Nikolas, you know that I had every right to question your reasons for being in Port Charles. Maybe I was harsh at judging you at first, but your twisted family caused enough pain to my family. How was I to know you weren’t going to cause some more?” Luke asked angrily.
“I was just a kid Luke. I wasn’t a man yet, I did what Stefan wanted, but I would never have hurt Lesley Lu, but you doubted that. And I suppose you had just cause, my family, mainly Helena, did cause a lot of damage. That’s why I find it improbable that you believe Lucky’s story at face value. How do we know he’s not here on my grandmother’s orders?”
“Because I’m not,” Lucky said, his voice was low and tension filled. He slowly rose and crossed the room to where Nikolas was sitting. He placed his hands on the top of the chair, glaring down at Nikolas. “Helena Cassadine is someone I’d rather not see again in my lifetime. She took me when I was helpless, kept me from my family, while taunting me the entire time. The woman is wicked and powerful and I can’t be in Port Charles if you are going to doubt me. I want to know my parents, and Lesley Lu, and Landon, and you. But I can’t possibly stay if you are running around here thinking I’m on Helena’s side. I’ll leave and you’ll never see or hear from me again. I don’t want that, but that’ll happen. So stop being an arrogant, paranoid Cassadine, please.”
Nikolas was taken aback by the force in Lucky’s tone. For a moment he’d have sworn it was Luke talking to him, or Landon for that matter. It wasn’t that Nikolas doubted Lucky was who he said he was, he just couldn’t understand why Helena would allow Lucky his freedom, the ability to be with his family, after keeping them apart for so long.
“It’s better to be paranoid than to be made a fool,” Nikolas countered, rising to his feet, standing face to face with his brother.
Lucky ran his hands through his hair in frustration. Impulsively he took Nikolas by the collar of his shirt, looking the young man directly in the eyes. “What will it take for me to convince you I’m not here to cause trouble? Who do I have to kill to prove to you I’m not one of Helena’s tools for revenge on the Spencers?”
“You’re without a doubt a Spencer,” Nikolas quipped, his body tensed as Lucky tightened his grip on his shirt. “Ok, ok, I’ll put aside my doubt, for now. But I swear to God Lucky, if you do anything to harm the people that I love, I’ll kill you myself. Now get your hands off of me,” Nikolas shrugged Lucky off of him, smiling weakly at everyone else. “What?”
“Nothing,” Landon muttered, shaking his head tiredly. “Give me a lift home Nik?” he asked, calling his brother by the nickname only he used.
“Sure,” Nikolas said with a shrug. “It was nice meeting you Mrs. Antolli . . .”
“Call me Maria,” she corrected him with a smile.
“Mother, I’ll speak with you tomorrow, give Lesley Lu a kiss for me,” Nikolas instructed, kissing his mother goodbye.
“I’ll stop by in the morning to take Lulu to the park, bye,” Landon informed his family, stopping by Lucky. “See you around?”
“You can count on it,” Lucky said with a sigh. “Bye Nikolas, Landon.”
“Bye,” Nikolas said silently, the sense of foreboding he felt earlier melting away.
Lucky turned to Luke and Laura who were watching him expectantly. It was already dark, he couldn’t believe he was there for so long. It took some time convincing Nikolas that he was who he said he was, then he had trouble-locating Maria. At first he feared something happened to her, when in reality she was just spending the day at the Deception Spa. Luke and Laura couldn’t believe that in a time of possible crisis, she’d be pampering herself. But Lucky knew better. When Maria felt threatened she’d do crazy things. One time, when Lucky was little, he broke his arm and Maria ended spending the day playing poker with a group of Italian fishermen. Maria was, without a doubt, the most unique person Lucky knew.
“I’m so sorry I forgot that Lulu was spending the day with a friend . . .she’ll be back first thing tomorrow if you want to meet her,” Laura said, apologizing for her daughter’s absence.
“That would be great,” Lucky said with a sheepish smile.
“Do you want to stay here?” Luke asked hesitantly, unable to stop studying his son. He looked almost exactly like he pictured, except his hair was darker, not blonde like his parents, just a shade or two lighter than his sister. But the eyes, those eyes were more familiar to Luke than anything. They were Laura’s eyes. He could always see exactly who his wife was by looking into her eyes, and he felt he had seen that, for a brief moment, with Lucky. He was scared and excited and worried. Luke just wanted to do whatever he could to protect him. He wanted to rush out of the house, find Helena, and finally put an end to her tyranny over his family. Because, no matter how much Luke tried to deny it, Helena always had the upper hand in the battle, but maybe now, he’d have the upper hand in the war.
“No, that’s alright . . .I have a room over Kelly’s, and Maria is staying at the hotel,” Lucky informed them with an easy smile.
Maria placed her hand on Lucky shoulder, “But I’m looking for something more permanent.”
Laura flinched at the declaration, “So, you are staying in Port Charles?”
Luke placed a comforting arm around Laura’s shoulders, sensing her slight jealousy.
“Yeah, it also means I have to find a job as well . . .so should you,” she said in a motherly tone to Lucky.
“She still treats me like a kid,” Lucky chuckled, frowning as he watched the disappointed look on Laura’s face. He didn’t know what to do, he didn’t want Laura to feel bad or left out, but he barely knew her. Something he hoped to eventually change.
“You’re job hunting?” Luke questioned. “I may have a job for you Lucky and . . . for Maria as well.”
“Really? Like what?” Lucky wondered.
“Do you have any bartending experience?” Lucky nodded with a grin. “Come over to the club one of these days, we’ll talk. And Maria, how do you feel about the restaurant business?”
Lucky and Maria exchanged a knowing smile. “I know a lot about it, I managed two, very high class places in Italy.”
“That’s perfect,” Luke declared, clapping his hands together. “My darling, at times conniving niece Caroline, and a good friend of ours Lucy Coe are about a month away from the grand opening of their restaurant, Pier 21. I know they are having trouble finding the perfect headwaiter/manager for the joint, I can give them a good word, even introduce you.”
“Oh, you don’t have to do that,” Maria said modestly, touched by Luke’s kindness. She realized that Lucky’s charm wasn’t something the young man cultivated, it was something inborn in him, he got it from his father.
“I think I do,” Luke said with a wink. “You gave my boy a home and someone to love, you were kind to him and he loves you, it’s my honor to help you out.”
“Thank you then, I’m truly grateful,” Maria said as she began to stand up. She looked at Lucky, “You can stay, but I’m going back to the hotel.”
“Nah, I’m going to head out too. But I’ll be over tomorrow to meet Lulu,” Lucky said happily as he looked at his parents.
“Well, I’ll be looking forward to it,” Laura said as she stepped closer to Lucky. He leaned forward, initiating a hug, which threw Laura for a loop, and made her heart soar.
“Good night, it was more than wonderful finally meeting you guys,” Lucky said humbly, meeting his father’s eyes one last time.
Once they were out the door, Luke turned to his wife expecting to see her beaming. But the only expression on her face was slight anger.
“Angel, are you alright? What’s wrong?” Luke asked with concerning, his hands gently resting on her arms.
“Could you be anymore obvious?” Laura accused, baffling her husband.
“What?”
“You were practically falling all over yourself for that . . .that . . .woman! My gosh Luke, you barely know her and you’re asking if she wants to stay here?”
Luke rubbed his eyes tiredly, frowning at Laura. “I’m just trying to make Lucky comfortable. And it is obvious that Maria makes him comfortable. I’m going to do whatever it is to keep our son in our lives, if that means getting a job for Maria, I will, if that means becoming friends with her, I will.”
“Well, that’s just perfect.”
“Listen, I can understand you may be feeling a bit of resentment towards her. She raised the son that was taken from you. But it’s not her fault; she seems like a blessing for our boy. But I totally understand.”
“How can you Luke? It’s obvious he hated the man who raised him. You two will probably bond and become close, you’ll be father and son. But Maria raised Lucky; she’s for all it is worth, his mother. Just because I had him doesn’t mean I can possibly usurp Maria’s place in his life,” Laura explained as she finally let herself cry.
“Don’t worry about that. Sure, she’s special to Lucky, but I’ve got a feeling he wants you in his life too. Just the way he looked at you said it all. He’s scared Angel, but he doesn’t hate us, he doesn’t blame us. We lost a lot of time with him, don’t lose more.” Luke enveloped Laura in his arms, comforting her, feeling her pain, and feeling her joy.
**Kelly’s**
Landon and Nikolas walked into the nearly empty diner, sitting down at the table closest to the counter. Nikolas studied his brother’s face, noticing how there seemed to be a sense of sadness and disappointment in his face.
“Talk to me Landon, what’s wrong?”
Landon shook his head, running his hand through his blonde hair. “Nothing is wrong . . . don’t look at me like that Prince, nothing is wrong, nothing at all.”
“Yeah, sure and I don’t know that my father is turned on by my girlfriend,” Nikolas said off handedly. He hated to admit it, but knew the reason why Stefan barely visited when Sarah was around wasn’t because he didn’t like her, but because he was attracted to her. It somewhat bothered Nikolas, but he overlooked it so long as nothing happened. Sarah was a beautiful, sexy woman; Nikolas knew that first hand, so he couldn’t totally fault his father. “Now tell me what is going on inside that head of yours before I have to get my guards to beat it out of you.”
Landon chuckled, “Just like a Cassadine, can’t do your own dirty work.”
“Just like a Spencer, avoiding the issue.”
Landon glared at Nikolas. He always did this to him, got him to talk about stuff he’d rather let build up inside of him until he released it in an angry rage. Landon suspected it came from when they first met, about two months after finding out about Nikolas, Landon attacked his brother in the park and gave him a black eye. Afterwards they talked and realized they didn’t have a reason to hate each other. Since then, they were close confidants; Landon felt most comfortable talking to his older brother.
“I’m just worried, that’s all.”
“About Lucky? Do you think he may be, you know?” Nikolas wondered, still weary of his grandmother’s motives.
“Not that, I think he’s on the level . . . I’m just worried he’s going to . . .it’s stupid, forget I said anything,” Landon muttered. Nikolas looked at him sternly, his eyes forcing Landon to speak. “Our lives are perfect now, you know? What if Lucky comes along and changes everything?”
“Don’t they say change is good?”
“Why change something if it doesn’t need to be? Ah, I’m just being silly Nik. But did you know that Liz met him yesterday. At dinner she couldn’t stop talking about the new guy . . .I had no idea at the time that it was my brother. Man, it’s just weird . . .”
“I know what you mean . . .he and Emily had lunch today and it was like they had known each other for years.” Nikolas noted, somewhat echoing his brother’s fears. If Landon was afraid Lucky would steal his girlfriend, Nikolas was worried he’d steal his best friend. “But let’s not dwell on any of this until we get to know Lucky any better. Instead of looking at it like we are going to lose to him. Maybe Landon, maybe we should look at it as gaining, if not a brother, a friend. It couldn’t hurt?”
Landon looked at Nikolas oddly, smirking slightly. “Since when are Cassadines compassionate, thoughtful people who are optimistic?”
**L&B Offices**
Felecia let herself into the office, looking around curiously for her daughter. It was Maxie’s first tentative day at L&B and Felecia was picking her daughter up. She looked around, amused that this is where Maxie was now working. She remembered hearing about Frisco’s rock and roll past before she met him, finding it ironic that their daughter would now be working at a record company.
“Can I help you?” Ned asked as he exited the recording studio, finding a blonde sitting with her back to him on one of the couches.
“Hi Ned,” Felecia said with a smile, turning to greet him. “I’m just here to pick up Maxie, is she done?”
Ned grinned, crossing the room to shake her hand. “Actually, my brother gave her a lift home. It seems Dylan and Maxie hit it off today. Sorry to make you come out this way, they should have called.”
Felecia sighed, “Well, that’s alright, I wanted to thank you for giving Max a job like this in the first place. I think a real job will do her some good, let her experience real life a bit.”
“Forget about it,” Ned said as he went over the reception desk and turned off the computer. “I needed a receptionist after Sarah Webber up and left – can you believe they forgot to tell me? I was only on tour for a month. Anyway Maxie seems to have a knack at answering the phone and taking messages, so it’s my pleasure. Not t mention, after one day she’s seemingly enchanted my brother, and if she can keep Dylan distracted, all the better.”
“Really?” Felecia mused curiously. She knew her daughter had a strong crush on Nikolas Cassadine, and also knew the handsome young man didn’t return the feelings. She wasn’t quite fond of the Quatermaines way of doing things, and the fact that Dylan was Tracy’s son did make her nervous. But Felecia figured it could be worse . . .Nikolas COULD reciprocate the feelings and she’d have to deal with the Cassadines.
“Have you eaten yet?” Ned asked as they walked to the door.
“No, I was too busy playing chauffeur for Georgie all day to even realize I had to eat,” Felecia noted with a laugh. Ned quickly turned off the lights and stepped outside.
“I’m done for the day and Alexis is busy working on a case. As a rule I don’t particularly like to eat alone so . . .how about getting a late dinner with me at Kelly’s?”
Felecia smiled, nodding her head slightly, “I think I can do that. Meet you there.”
**The Park**
Lucky sat on one of the benches in the middle of the park, quietly eating a hotdog. He and Maria parted after they left the Spencer house. She insisted that he come back to the hotel with her and get something to eat. But it was the last thing Lucky wanted to do. He wanted to get a feel for Port Charles. So he walked around the city for a little bit, aimlessly wandering the unimposing streets, mapping out the town in his mind. He was good at learning and memorizing things; it was just a knack he had. He found it very useful when Helena would visit and drop tidbits about his family back in Port Charles. He’d remember every detail and file it away to put together his own ideas about the infamous Port Charles.
Now that he was there he found it to be less imposing and more welcoming than he expected. His big announcement to Luke and Laura even went over much better than he expected. Although his brothers seemed to be a different story. And though Landon seemed the more accepting of the two, Lucky felt that deep down he’d be the one he’d have a more difficult time connecting with. It was just a feeling he got, and he wasn’t quite sure why.
“This must be my Lucky,” a soft female voice announced, snapping Lucky from his thoughts.
He looked up, taking sip of soda before speaking. “You think you’re cute, don’t you?”
“That’s what my boyfriend says,” Liz joked. “Mind if I sit?”
“Be my guest. That is if you don’t mind watching me eat supper,” Lucky said, grinning sheepishly at her.
“So, have you met Landon yet? I was telling him and his parents about you last night, they seemed intrigued,” Liz said with a laugh.
Lucky looked at Liz, wondering if he should be the one to tell her the truth or if he should let Landon. “Yeah, you can say I met him,” Lucky noted with a shrug. He liked Liz, she seemed sweet and was very attractive, someone he could certainly be friends with. If he wanted to have her in his life it would be best to tell her himself. “Um, Elizabeth there is something I should tell you.”
“Sure,” Liz said with a sigh, looking up into the high starry night. “You know, we just met, but I feel like I know you from somewhere. Or you remind me of someone.”
“It’s probably my brother I remind you of,” Lucky said, half jokingly. He looked over at her; she didn’t seem fazed, not at first.
“You’re brother? I know him? What’s his name?”
Lucky ran a hand through his hair nervously, finishing the last bight of his hotdog before continuing. “Well, my brother would be . . . he’s your boyfriend.”
“What? My boyfriend is Landon . . . what?” Liz asked, her face wrought with confusion.
“It’s a long story, but I am Luke and Laura’s first child. They thought I died, but I was really kidnapped and adopted.”
Liz looked at him shock, trying to grasp his very short explanation, “So, the stuff about Italy, it was a lie?”
“No, that’s true. I was adopted by an Italian man, he lived by an Army base, and I was basically raised by his wife, an American named Maria. That’s all true. I just . . . I would have told you the truth when we met yesterday, but . . . I wanted to tell Luke and Laura first,” Lucky explained, his voice was shaking.
“Oh,” she said simply. Liz turned to look at Lucky closer. She couldn’t believe she didn’t see it before. Lucky didn’t remind her of Landon, he reminded her of Luke and Laura. There was something about him that was equal parts Luke and Laura; there was no doubt he was their son. “Since you are telling me now, I’m to assume you met them. How’d it go?”
“Good, really good,” he said, breaking out into a wide grin. “I met both Nikolas and Landon . . .it’s going to be weird with them for a while I think. But I figure that’s to be expected. “
“Well yeah, long lost brothers take some getting used to. Though, Landon must have some curse, first Nikolas, now you . . .” Liz sighed. “You know, I’d love to stay and talk a little more, but I should probably go find Landon and see how he’s doing. When will I see you again?”
“I’ll be around,” Lucky said with a smile, disappointed that she had to leave so soon. “I will be at that Quatermaine Fourth of July thing, Emily invited me. Will you be there?”
“I wouldn’t miss it,” Liz said with a smile. She turned to walk away but stopped, looking back at Lucky. “I’ll put in a good word with Landon for you.”
Lucky watched her walk away, sighing to himself. “Stop it man, she’s your brother’s girl. Don’t go there . . .”
**Helena’s Yacht**
Alexis charged on board, pushing her way into the sitting room like a rabid beast. “Where is she?”
“Madame is . . .” Andreas stammered, leaning forward to whisper, “It’s so wonderful to see you.”
“Can it Andreas,” Alexis hissed. “I’m here to see Helena. Where is she?”
“Right here Natasha,” Helena announced, standing in the doorway. “But the more important question, is what are you doing in my home?”
“I want to know what the hell is going on. I just spoke with Nikolas, you are filing to be the estate trustee again. Do you honestly think we would let you do this without anyone noticing?”
“Nikolas is not the Prince, he has no hold on the estate, nor do you or Stefan or anyone else who claim to. It’s as much mine as anyone,” Helena said tiredly. “Now be gone Natasha.”
“Listen you witch, I know you are up to something. There is no other reason why you would risk the entire Cassadine family pilfering the fortune. You aren’t going to get away with it; I’ll block you at every turn, that I promise. Nikolas may not be the Prince, but he is the only Cassadine deserving of the fortune. He’ll use the money and power for good, unlike you.”
“What you don’t understand Alexis is that I’m doing this for Nikolas’s own good. I know he is not the Prince, but he still has Cassadine blood, albeit diluted by Laura and my second son, but he is a Cassadine. I’ll do anything to protect this family and my grandson. I don’t need you to go protecting him from me . . . don’t cross me Alexis, all you are is my husband’s bastard daughter. How would you like to find out first hand what happened to your mother?”
Alexis tried to keep from paling at Helena’s threat. Her eyes flicked to the dutiful Andreas for a moment slightly relieved that she at least had an ally.
“Go ahead, try it Helena, and you’ll finally see exactly how much of a Cassadine Nikolas is.”
“Hiding behind a boy, how tacky Alexis,” Helena said with a laugh.
“I know you are up to something Helena, I won’t let you get away with it,” Alexis said, pausing to glare at Helena before leaving.
“See her out, I don’t want her staying aboard and rifling through my belongings while I sleep,” Helena ordered Andreas before exiting to another room.
“My pleasure,” Andreas whispered, a smile formed on his lips. He walked outside, spotting Alexis on the dock. “Alexis, please wait!”
“Oh god,” she grumbled, not even pretending to smile as he approached her. “What do you want Andreas?”
“You mustn’t worry about Madame’s threats, I won’t let anything harm you.”
“Thanks Andreas, but I don’t need you protecting me,” Alexis told him before starting to walk away.
“I have a day off Tuesday. Meet me somewhere?”
“Andreas…” her tone was stern but also curious.
“I understand your trepidation, but do spend the Fourth of July with me. I understand it is an important American holiday.”
“I can’t Andreas, I have plans.”
“Where? I’ll come.”
Alexis looked at him crossly, though flattered by his persistence. “The Quartermaine’s annual picnic. I think if you show up there it’ll be somewhat conspicuous.”
“I understand. Have a nice day then, I’ll be sure to see you around,” he said, his voice full of disappointment. He watched her leave, frowning. One way or another he was going to get away from Helena and prove to Alexis they should be together.
**Office – Undisclosed Location**
Two men wearing black suits with black ties stood in front of the table. The taller one with blonde hair threw a file on the table, smirking at the young woman who sat there.
“Oh goody, is this when you tell me why I’m here?”
The second man, older with dark hair and glasses, frowned at the woman. “Just because we haven’t used you in a few months doesn’t mean you don’t still work for the agency. So cut the insolence out.”
“Well, when I’m pulled from work in the middle of the day and told to meet you in some building in the middle of nowhere I tend to get grumpy. Now what is this about?”
“We need an undercover agent to keep an eye on things in Port Charles.”
“Someone in specific?” She asked, tired of their cryptic games, something they played very well.
“Your job is to assimilate into Port Charles society and keep an eye on the town, report back if you witness or hear about anything out of the ordinary,” the blond man said.
“If you told me who I’m supposed to watch, don’t you think it would make my job easier?”
“Negative,” the older man said. “If we tell you, then you become obvious. This way, we are guaranteed you will be unsuspecting while still capable of doing your job.”
“Then why the file? It can’t be about Port Charles, I have lived there before. Remember the last mission you sent me on? It kind of lasted for nearly three years and went nowhere.”
“You did well Agent Ardonowski, why else would we send you there again?”
V sighed, shaking her head. “Oh really? I did well? How come nobody told me. One minute I’m living in Port Charles, reporting every instance of the unordinary, the next Agent Prentis is coming to take me away on a ruse. Ned thought I was insane when I told him I wanted to still work for him except in New York. Why couldn’t I just stay in Port Charles?”
“Must you question everything?”
“Well, I wouldn’t have all these questions Agent Jones if you people actually answered one of them.”
Frisco looked down at V, “If you do this one mission maybe we’ll be able to answer a few of them.”
“What about you, Agent Miller, can you agree with that?” V asked, knowing the older man didn’t like her much. “Just give me the file so I can get back to Port Charles…you wackos.”
“Come on V, every WSB agent is a wacko, no need to single us out,” Frisco teased.
“Where will I be able to contact you?”
“I’ll be in DC, you have the number. And don’t be slow with your reports. The sooner this case ends, the sooner you are done,” Frisco told her encouragingly.
“Do I get a partner this time?”
“Negative. Just do your job, we’ll be speaking with you soon,” Agent Miller said as he left the room.
Frisco stopped at the door, smiling at V, “Good luck, bring the bad guy home.”
V mock saluted him, “Oh I will…. I don’t know who the bad guy is, whether its male or female, if there is more than one, or what the hell this person did, but I’ll bring ‘em home. Don’t you worry! You send me in unprepared all the time, so it’s nothing new . . .” she continued, long after they were gone. V groaned to herself as she exited the room. “Well, it looks like I’m heading back to Port Charles. I wish I only knew what awaited me.”
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