He could hardly sleep that night, so he was surprised when he awoke to see sunlight streaming in through the opened curtains. He had gotten home late and after the talk with his brother, had gone right up to his room. But sleep hadn't come easy because he was remembering the wonderful evening. Even in the late morning he could still feel her hair grazing the tips of his fingers, could still feel her head resting lightly on his shoulder. He could still hear the soft music, and he could still smell her sweet perfume. And most of all, he could still feel the touch when he kissed her on the cheek.

All of these reasons are what made it impossible for him to fall asleep and why he was so surprised when he awoke. Climbing out of bed, he grabbed a pair of slacks and a black shirt and pulled them on. Slipping on his shoes, he hurried down the stairs to find his uncle in the dining room reading the newspaper and sipping his coffee. He looked up when his nephew arrived.

"Ah, Nikolas, how was the dance?"

"It was fun, Uncle."

Stefan watched his nephew take a croissant and sit down across from him, a smile playing on his lips. "Is that all?"

Nikolas sighed at his uncle's subtle persistence. "I had a great time with Emily. It was my first school function and quite honestly, I won't mind going to one again."

Stefan only chuckled as he folded up his newspaper. "I must be getting to work. I'll be home late, be sure to tell Mrs. Landsbury if you're going to be eating dinner here."

As his uncle left, Nikolas finished his croissant and decided to see how Emily was doing. Taking the launch to Banistar's Warf, Nikolas grabbed his coat and stepped out onto the docks.

"Nikolas, how wonderful it is to see you."

His head snapped up at the familiar voice while unconsciously his brows narrowed. "Hello Helena."

"Oh Nikolas," she faked a hurt expression, "no hug or kiss for your loving grandmother?"

He remained where he was. "I have someone to meet, Grandmother. Was there anything you needed?"

"No, no." She waved him off and when he started to leave, added, "I just want you to say hello to your father for me. We haven't had a nice chat in such a long time."

He froze and slowly turned around. "My father's dead."

The wicked smile on her face would have made those other than a Cassadine to run away, but Nikolas only stared.

"My father is dead." He repeated.

She narrowed her eyes at his sternness and crossed her arms. "Are you sure?" She questioned, the smile appearing once again.

Nikolas' head spun with confusion. Shaking it all away he replied, "Goodbye Grandmother. Have a nice day."

Helena watched as her grandson hurried off-to meet with the young Quartermaine, no doubt. That was fine with her, though. All of the secrets would come tumbling out in a matter of time. And she would have the best seat in the house when it did.

She was dreaming again. There was music, laughter, and dozens of people all around. She knew that she was back at the junior prom. Strong arms held her gently around the waist as she tilted her head back and laughed while the couple spun around on the dance floor. She couldn't see his face, but she knew by his presence who it was. The lights dimmed as the couples automatically walked into their partner's arms for a slow song. She lay her head on Nikolas' shoulder and smiled softly to herself. Everything was as it should have been. She was having a terrific time with her friends and the mood was perfect. Around her fellow peers laughed and a baby squealed with delight.

Emily shot up as she opened her eyes. "A baby?" she muttered to herself. Realization swept over her as she glanced about. She was in Jason's room at the penthouse. The room was dark as all of the shades were pulled. There was no music; there was no laughter. She sighed as she fell back to the pillow and tried to fall asleep again. But the baby giggled once more. She sat up again, her brows furrowing in confusion.

Climbing out of bed, she walked down the hallway and glanced down the stairs.

"Michael!"

Jason and Carly looked up from the couch.

"Hey Em." Jason greeted her. "How did you sleep?"

"Great." She glanced over to the chair that she had spent half of the night in, just watching the town.

"You fell asleep when we got back in," Jason explained, "so I brought you up."

"Well, thanks." She looked towards Carly and narrowed her eyes. Catching the glare, Carly shifted and glanced towards Jason.

"We talked." He answered her unspoken question.

Emily stared at him. That was it? She thought. They talked?

"Are you kidding me? Jason, she lied about you. You could have been arrested, you-"

"Emily." He held up a hand to stop her, but that only infuriated her more. "Let me explain."

But she never gave him a chance. Grabbing her shoes and purse, she ran out the door. As she hurried out to the elevator she heard him calling after her, but she punched the down button.

"Emily!"

She stepped inside as he reached the elevator. With the palm of his hand, he held the elevator door open, and she crossed her arms angrily.

"I don't want to hear it Jason because of course I have no say in it." She jabbed at the close button on the panel, but the doors didn't budge. "Go back to her for all I care! Go and let her lie about you again and maybe you'll get arrested this time. And maybe you'll be happy when you never get to see Michael again!"

He stared at her in apparent shock. She stared back defiantly and jabbed at the button once more. This time, he took his hand off of the doors and stepped back.

"Do me one favor, Jase." She whispered as the doors began to slowly slide close. "Just take care of my godson."

He stared at the doors to the elevator and watched as the numbers above counted down to the ground floor. She had never given him a chance to explain what had happened between him and Carly. She never gave him a chance to explain how Carly had chased after him, finally finding him in Luke's office at the club. How she had sobbed her apologies and explained for what reason she said those things. How after hours of talking, they had brought the sleeping child back to the penthouse to sleep in peace, only to end up talking some more.

He sighed and glanced up as the elevator doors opened once more and a young man and woman hesitated in stepping out, giving him a quizzical stare.

Running a hand through his short hair, he nodded at Renaldo and walked back into his penthouse.

Carly looked up and handed the stuffed animal over to Michael, who took it with open arms. She tossed back her hair in a nervous gesture and stood.

"So..." she bit down on her lower lip and avoided his gaze. "I take it that she wasn't too happy with my being here."

Jason shook his head. "No, she wasn't."

"Well, what are you gonna do?"

He walked over and picked up Michael, heading up the stairs. "Nothing."

"Nothing?" she called after him. "But Jason, she probably thinks the worst of this. She's going to hate me, hate you..."

He shook his head and turned to look at her as he reached the landing. "Nothing", he repeated firmly.

Shoes and purse in hand, she flew out of the building and onto the sidewalk. And that's when she stopped. She had nowhere to go. It was either the mansion or the penthouse that she would run to, but now neither was available for her cover. She was alone; she was finally utterly alone. Usually, she would crave the solitude, but now she felt lost and confused. And the thought came back to her-she had nowhere to go. Slipping on her shoes, she walked down the street thinking of the possibilities.

She could go and see Nikolas at Spoon Island...but she didn't want to bother him. Her best friend Lucky could always give her cover...but he was probably with Elizabeth, so Elizabeth was out as well. She could always rent a room at Kelly's...but she had barely any money on her. There was always Ned's gatehouse...but Alexis and V had practically forced him into isolation so that he could work on his music.

And once again she was back to that one factor: she had nowhere to go.

Worn and hopeless, she walked through the park and sat on a bench by a small pond. Ducks swam across the crystal blue water, a line of ducklings trailing after its mother. Wherever the mother went, her children followed, never falling out of sync. One of them quacked loudly, causing her to look up again.

"What are you yelling about?" she grumbled to the innocent duckling. "I bet you're never betrayed by your brothers."

It quacked again in reply and she sighed and sat back. The sun's warm rays had a soothing effect on her as she rested her head against the back of the wooden bench. Her anger and pain were just beginning to subside when a shadow fell across her face.. Thinking that it was just a cloud passing over the sun, she opened her eyes slowly and practically screamed when she saw another pair peering down at her.

"I thought that was you." The girl grinned.

"What are you doing here, and still in your prom dress?"

Emily groaned as Elizabeth walked around and sat down next to her. "Where's Lucky?"

"He's working. Why, what's going on?"

"I need a huge favor, Liz, but please don't ask questions."

Elizabeth stared at her friend, trying to figure out what exactly was wrong. But Emily's expression showed only desperation and so she nodded. "Sure, what is it?"

Emily took a deep breath. "I can't go back to the mansion right now, and I can't face Jason. I need a place to take cover for a little while."

"Is that all?" Elizabeth asked, surprised. "Sure, come on over to my house. Grams won't mind, I'm sure."

Grateful, Emily stood and followed after her friend. Perhaps she wasn't as alone as she thought.

He called out the boy's name twice before his brother finally heard him. Looking up from behind the counter, Lucky scanned the crowded restaurant until he caught sight of Nikolas.

"Hey man, what's up?" He asked as Nikolas made his way over.

"Have you seen Emily?"

"Not since last night. Is something wrong?" He handed change to a man and looked around the restaurant for anyone in need of service.

"No, I just wanted to find her." Nikolas answered.

Lucky shrugged. "I can tell her that you're looking for her if I see her." He shook his head in amazement at the now nearly empty restaurant. "You sure know how to drive people away, don't you Nik?" He teased. Nikolas only attempted to glare at him.

"Do that, would you? Tell Emily I'm looking for her." He started to turn away before something from earlier that morning made him freeze. "I need to talk to you when you get a break."

Lucky tossed the pad and pen onto the counter. "I'm on break. What's up?"

Nikolas frowned as he remembered the scene on the docks. "It's about Helena." Looking up, he noticed Lucky's eyes glaze over at the name. "I saw her on the docks today and she-"

He stopped as he realized who he was talking to. Cassadines and Spencers rarely talked, never mind shared stories or concerns with each other. "Forget it." He said quickly.

Lucky stared at him. "Whoa, whoa, Prince. You're the one who began this conversation and now you have to finish it. What did Helena say?"

Nikolas, usually calm and collected, ran a hand nervously through his hair before leaning forward to speak in a quiet voice. "She said something odd to me today, something that I probably wouldn't have put much thought into, except that it came from her. She told me to say hello to my father, except that my father is dead."

Lucky chuckled. "I think that dad has slipped Helena one too many pills in her morning offee. Everyone knows that Stavros is dead."

Nikolas shook his head. "No, Helena knows what she is saying."

Lucky rubbed his chin as he pondered the thought. "Say hello to your father for me..." He repeated softly.

"Ah, Nikolas!"

The two looked up as Katherine Bell entered the diner, a devilish smile plastered on her face. "How is your father doing?"