Early Nik #1  June 24, 1996 - January 22, 1997 - 8 hour original edit

Lucky is upset over his sister's condition and he complains that the nurse's won't tell him the results of Lulu's tests. Luke and Laura tell him that she has aplastic anemia and not leukemia. Lucky is relieved that it is not Leukemia, but Laura and Simone remind him that it's still a very serious disease and there is no simple cure, but that he may be able to help. They talk about bone marrow donation, and Lucky demands to have blood drawn immediately so that he can donate. They remind him that he may not match, and he swears he will. Later, Simone comes back and says Lucky isn't a match. He is agonized over this as he was sure he was going to be able to save Lulu.

Simone tells Laura that Lulu's condition has worsened and it has become critical. She has placed Lulu on the international bone marrow list as no one in her family was a match. She gives them hope that someone out there will be a match for Lulu. Somewhere in a richly appointed room we see a man's shoulder, arm, hand; he's wearing a ring with an emblem or family crest.  Another man comes in and announces, "I thought you'd want to know that Laura Spencer's daughter is gravely ill!"  Next, he is told that the child has taken a tour for the worst and time is running out. Laura attempts to make an international call but the operator says the phone has been disconnected.. Stefan is on the phone, discussing Laura's earlier attempt at contact, and the expectation that she will try again. Later, Stefan is on the paln and tells someone that the day they have been waiting for has come.
       
Laura gets a call from the man on the plane. When she says hello, the man replies, "Lasha?"
     "No, you're dead," she gasps. He tells her to meet him on Spoon Island  that night, and she agrees. Laura arrives on Spoon Island. "Stavros?" she says in fear to an unseen figure. A man came down the stairs slowly to face her. Laura's face lights up in joy and relief. "I should've known!" she exclaims happily. The man is obviously not happy with her, and is purposely frightening her.  Laura is extremely tense to be in the presence of a Cassadine again. The man asks her why she called him Stavros? He tells her he will call her Lasha, the name Stavros gave to her. He asks Laura if there are other nights she wishes Stavros were in front of her again. Laura is afraid and whispers,  "Stefan...please don't do this."
     Stefan asks Laura if she wishes Stavros were here now and she screams "NO"! Laura looks at him, obviously knowing him very well. She is stunned because he is completely different from the man she knew. He looks at her intensely with hatred. Laura, afraid for her daughter's life can only say, "Whatever you thought of me then, whatever it is that you think of me now...I'm very grateful that you're here." Stefan is unaffected. Laura proceeds to tell him that she's been trying to contact Helena. Stefan tortures her with words, obviously knowing so much about her that we don't. Laura asks Stefan, "How is he?"
     Stefan replies, "Who?"
     "Is he with you? Can I see him please?" Laura is in tears, desperately trying to see "him". Stefan looks at her blankly, so she turns and begs him to help her save her daughter's life. He makes it hard for her, driving her nuts, and then tells her he is going to avenge his brother's death. She says, "You're better than this."
     He replies, "Yes, tell me Lasha. How much worthier I am than Stavros and the rest. Used to work on occasion." Laura screams at him through her tears, "Why did you make me come here! What do you want? Do you wanna see me beg? FINE! I will beg! You want me to kneel? You wanna see me cry?"
     Stefan laughs. "What makes you think I would give a damn for your tears? You killed my brother, you destroyed my people. The Cassadines owe you nothing."  He begins to walk away and Laura stops him, telling him how evil Helena is, that he knows! Laura reminds him that Stavros kidnapped her, made her believe she had nothing to live for. She then screams, "You know this! Why are you doing this to me?"  Stefan receits the last words of Stavros Cassadine to frighten Laura. Laura flashbacks to 1983, in the hospital room with Stavros. Laura asks how he could have been there. She looks back up at Stefan and he says, "Do you begin to feel it now Lasha?" Meaning, the power of the Cassadines, to know her every step.
     Stefan tells Laura that he knows every step she took, everything she's done since she left the island in 1983, scaring the hell out of her. She accepts it, understanding that he hates her now. "You want to avenge Stavros's death," she says. "Stavros would never have done this to me."
     Stefan coolly replies, "Well he may have been dazzled by you but I never was."
     "Think back," Laura says intensely.
     "To what?" Stefan says. Laura's eyes widen slightly. "You know what," she says in a very spooky voice. She comes closer to him. "You couldn't have changed that much. Please." she says, begging him to save her daughter.
     "Did I say I wouldn't grant your request?" he says.
     "Then you'll let me see him! Where is he!" she begs.
     "Did I say I would?" he says and leaves.

In Switzerland, Stefan says to a resting person on a bed, "Well done.  Thanks to you. She'll never be able to repay this debt. I'm betting she'll try."  A few days later in Port Charles, Lulu is alone in her hospital room, looking up at someone, who is touching her gently, just sort of letting his fingers brush her chin, etc.  It's obviously Nik, Laura's Cassadine son. Lulu, adorable as always, spends most of the scene gnawing at her hospital bracelet while Nikolas talks to her.  He explains that he is her brother, and that nothing will come between them ever again.  He promises to protect her. He tells her a story about a prince who had everything he could ever want until he saved the life of a beautiful little girl. Then he knew what he had been missing:  someone who needs him, a little princess.  Lulu's nurse comes in and asks if he is a family member? Nikolas answers, "I'm someone who is very fond of the princess here." Lulu fidgets in her crib and looks cuter than ever.

Lucky comes in and finds Nik in his sister's room. Lucky tells Nikolas to get the hell out and asks who Nikolas is to Lesley Lu? "The same as you, more in fact," the kid replies. Lucky is totally confused and tells the kid to make some sense. Nikolas gives him attitude right back and says how surprised he is that Lesley Lu is fair-haired like her mother. Nikolas starts to freak Lucky out. Nikolas says he's here for the same reason, visiting his little sister.  "Okay, look, she's got a brother, and that's me, and since...you're not me, you're not her brother, do you follow my logic?" Lucky says. Nikolas tells him that Laura left him behind for the man who then killed his father. Lucky tells Nikolas he's crazy. Nikolas tells Lucky he should've done his research to know that the best doners are siblings. Lucky then says that it's impossible because the doner's not here. Nikolas says that he came from Switzerland by this great invention called a plane. Lucky tells him to leave before he calls security. Nikolas slowly and proudly does.

Nikolas enters the Spencer house, looking at a photo on the mantel in Luke and Laura's bedroom showing the Spencer clan.  Foster comes into the room and, in a move which will land him in the dog house if Lucky ever finds out, he allows Nikolas to pet him.  Later, Nikolas angrily asks Stefan why he was never told that he had a sister? Stefan tells him Laura abandoned him to be with Luke and still won't want to see him.  Nikolas says he doesn't want to leave PC, but Stefan orders him to go to the airport and return to Greece. However, after Stefan gets out, Nikolas tells the driver to go to GH.  Laura sees Nikolas, and their eyes meet.  She smiles, but he looks at her with animosity. Nik says, "Guess you needed me after all" and gets on the elevator. Back at Wyndmere, Stefan pumps Nik about Laura.  Because Nik defied Stefan, Lasha won't be able to stay away.  He decides that they will stay in Port Charles.

A hospitalized Laura dozes off but awakens to find Nikolas staring at her.
     Laura: "Lucky..."(she realizes who it is) "It's you...Nikolas, please."
     Nikolas: "What's wrong with you?"
     Laura: "I'm so glad you're here."
     Nikolas: "Is my sister well?"
     Laura: "Yes, she is. Thanks to you."
     Nikolas: "All right then. Sorry to bother you, I was just curious."
     Laura: "No, please, don't go. Nikolas, there's something that I have to tell you."
     Nikolas: "Don't, allright? I already know they're lies."
     Laura: "Nikolas...look at me...please. Please. From the moment that you were born, I have loved you. Stronger than the distance between us or the fear, was my love for you. You're my son, and I love you. I love you now..."
     Nikolas: "I don't remember you. This conversation's out of place."
     Laura: "I didn't want to leave you."
     Nikokas: "Are you telling me you were forced?"
     Laura nods and whispers yes.
     Nikolas: "If you'd have left me my father that'd have been something. But no."
     Laura: "There are circumstances about your father's death that you haven't been told..."
     Nikolas: (near tears) "Love me? Are you delirious? If you'd have loved me, you'd have claimed me. You'd be one of us. But instead...instead, you left me and you never came back."
     Laura: "That's not true. I tried."
     Nikolas: "You know, I liked you better when you were asleep."
     Laura: "You're angry with me, and that's fair. But your family's quarrel is with me. It's not fair to punish Luke for all of this."
     Nikolas (angrily): "Are you asking me, to be your new husband's protector?" He storms out of the room as Bobbie enters.

Nikolas enters the room to find Luke there with Stefan. He wants to know what he is doing there? Nik attacks Luke, "What kind of father are you? They don't even know where you are! They're at the mercy of your namesake and his 'A to Z' plan. You call yourself your family's protector. Who saved my sister's life, huh? Not you. And who waited tonight by Laura's bedside, huh? Not you."
(Luke lunges forward and grabs him) Luke, "You little bastard!!!"
     Stefan: "Spencer, release the boy!"
     Nikolas: "It's your own fault that we ever came here in the first place!"
     Stefan: "Nikolas!" (turns to Luke) "If you ever lay a hand on him again, you will have a use for that headstone."
     Luke: "You make sure I don't have to." (he leaves)

Stefan wants to know why Nik went to see Laura after Stefan told him not to. Nik assures him that he didn't say much, that Laura was barely coherent. Nik was curious and wanted to get a closer look at her. Stefan warns Nikolas to never let his guard down around Luke. Glaring at the huge portrait of Laura which hangs in Windemere's main room, Nikolas tells his uncle he's always hated the picture for its false promise of hope. Though Laura expresses hope that her firstborn can be redeemed, Luke reminds her it's too late to erase the years of lies and bitterness Nikolas has been fed by Stavros' family.

On Lulu's birthday, Nik sneaks up to leave his present on the porch.  Laura sees him. Laura discovers Nik on the porch, bearing a present for Lesley Lu. She asks him to stay and give the baby the birthday present in person. She brings LuLu downstairs to see Nik. He's sweet with the baby and Laura lets Nik hold LuLu while she opens the gift. Nik presents Lu a Faberge egg!  Lucky blows in just then with his present for Lesley Lu.  Luke and Lucky depart to breathe "cleaner air" and leave Foster to guard the baby from Nikolas. Nikolas returns home to Uncle Stefan who gives him a bad time about visiting the Spencers.  Then he talks about Laura's guilt over leaving Nik when he was a baby.  He warns the kid not to forgive Laura in order to make her feel better; "you can't trust her" he says.  After railing at Nikolas for a while, Stefan makes the kid breaks down in tears.  Later on, he stares soulfully at Laura's portrait.

Laura calls Nikolas, telling him she has good news. Stefan takes the phone from Nik and asks Laura what it is she wants? Nik takes it back and asks, "When can I see her?"  They arrange to meet at the park.  Luke overhears this, and looks like a thundercloud.  Stefan warns Nikolas, "Her interest in you is temporary, as was her interest in your father."  Nikolas wonders,"If you hate her so much, why do you hang onto that?"  (gesturing towards her protrait). Stefan admits, "Rememberance."
At the park, Nik and Lulu are bonding over a game of Cat's Cradle.  Nik mentions that Foster doesn't have fleas and Laura and he discuss senses of humor.  Nik tries to get an ice cream for Lulu, but the vendor has closed down.  Nik gets arrogant and blustery, and Laura stops him.  She drags him off and they argue. Nik goes off.
    
Nikolas asks Stefan about Laura. "Your mother is a formidable woman.  We must never underestimate her," Stefan answers with a note of respect. Laura tells Luke that she had to show Stefan she wasn't ashamed of Nikolas so she told Alan and Monica. Luke isn't thrilled at the thought, but he doesn't say anything. Nik wants to know what Stefan and Laura talked about.  Stefan says Nik knows but if he wants to play games. Stefan said that after Alan and he had their meeting, Alan went over to Monica for "what appeared to be some sort of vague, half-hearted celebration of something."  He said that "suddenly, halfway through her entree, Laura got up, went over to their table, and announced that you were her son.,  Fine move on your part.  I applaud you." Nik looks stunned and perplexed. Stefan commends Nik on what he said to provoke Laura to acknowledge him as her son.  Nik says he didn't do anything and gets angry that she called herself his mother.  Stefan turns it around and makes out like Laura is some kind of egomaniac who "gives herself the right" to claim motherhood and apologizes to Nik for Laura's "selfishness."  Nik says he can't understand why she would speak of him so publicly or at all.  Stefan implies that Laura wanted to let the "influential Quartermaine doctors" know her side of the story first because they are very powerful people around town.

Laura tries to call Nik. When Stefan answers the phone,  Laura asks him not to tell Nik about what happened and says she wants to tell him herself.  With Nik right behind him, Stefan calls her Lasha and asks what she wants to keep from Nik?  Nik grabs the phone. Laura tries to explain about telling the Quartermaines but he says he doesn't want to hear her "lies" and that Stefan already told him the truth.  He said he wants to go to the Q's and tell them his side of the story, which will make her look bad.  Laura apologizes for telling others about him without talking to him first.  He says he didn't come to town to find her, he came to save his sister.  Laura wants to explain, but Nik says he doesn't want to hear it and Stefan grabs the phone.  He blames Laura for having to do "major damage control" with Nik.  Of course as Laura points out, he left out his role in goading her.

Nik is stretching out in the park when Stefan comes up and tells him he, Stefan, is meeting Laura.  Nik doesn't like Stefan making life-decisions like this, and huffs off. Outside of Kelly's, Nik listens in as Lucky tells Gina about Lulu.  Lucky sees him and starts to bluster, Nik pokes him in the chest, and all the frustrations of the past few weeks overtake Lucky, who throws a sucker punch. Luke breaks up the fight.  He screams at Nik, who leaves.  Back in the park, Lucky and Nik are eyeing one another as Laura looks on. Lucky said that they should get used to each other and that he won't lose his cool again, "no matter who tries to make it happen."  Laura steps between the brothers and says that losing one's cool is a family trait which she does sometimes too. Nik says there are things worth fighting over but Lucky isn't one and that he'll pass on the warm family moment. Lucky and Laura look stunned. Later, Nikolas tells Stefan that Lucky made it look like he was at fault in the fight and Laura looked like she wanted him to apologize.  He says they twisted things around to make it look like his fault. Stefan gives him a motivational talk about being a Cassadine, "descended from royalty" and says that Lucky Spencer isn't fit to clean his shoes.

Laura finds Nik at Lesley's grave. She tells him this was her mother, his other grandmother. He wants to know what that has to do with him? "My mother didn't just die, Nikolas.  She was murdered, by your family." Later she says she was worried that Helena would have killed him.  He doesn't believe her, and she tells him to ask Stefan.  "You are my son, and I love you, and I always have.  And if she had had a chance to know you, your grandmother Lesley would have loved you too." Nik asks Stefan if this is the truth? Stefan hesitates, but admits it. Nik looks at the portrait of Laura.  He tells Stefan he's been betrayed. "I hate the Cassadines, too." and storms out. Laura finds Luke listening to this.  She's appalled that he bugged Windemere and looks at him horrified by this discovery.

Stefan shows up at Mac's and demands to know what is taking so long to locate his missing nephew?  Luke finds Nik in the catacombs.  Luke first points a gun at him, then  asks, "You find the bat cave yet?"  A couple of other good Luke lines, "You Cassadines rewrite history all the time".  He strongly suggests Nik leave Port Charles. Luke bluntly explains the facts of Cassidine life to Nikolas and how Stephan is manipulating him.  He plants the seeds of rebellion in Nikolas and leaves saying that for Nikolas to have a life of his own, he must split now.

Nikolas appears at Kelly's where Gina catches him trying to take her notebook. Nikolas tries to buy Gina's notebook for $40 saying he needed pen and paper. He says he's breaking away. She gives him a sheet, and he leaves.  Afterwards, Luke sits down and tells Gina that people were looking for Nikolas, but he won't tell where he was. Gina remarks that no none will soon know where he is. Luke lights up one of his cigars and puffs contentedly. Nikolas shows up in Lulu's bedroom to say goodbye to her. Lucky has discovered Nikolas and a heated argument ensues leading to violence. As they struggle upstairs, Luke and Laura enter the front door. When Lucky pushes Nikolas away, Nikolas stumbles off balance and tumbles down the stairs ending up bleeding and unconscious at Laura's feet.  Luke and Laura walk in the house to find Nikolas falling to the bottom of the stairs and Lucky at the top.  Stefan is right behind them. Stefan frantically calls for ambulance reporting that the victim may have broken his neck after falling head first down a flight of stairs. As Nik is rushed to the hospital unconsious and in uncertain condition, Stefan warns Luke that he should start praying. Luke asks for Nik? Stefan determines no, for Lucky. Luke tells him to get out. Stefan stops to warn that if Nik dies there will be no corner of hell that Luke can hide in.

Bobbie comes out an updates Stefan and Laura that Nik has not yet regained consicousness but he is stable for now. After Bobbie leaves, Stefan asks Laura if Bobbie is withholding the truth and trying not to alarm them? She says maybe. As they wait for further word, Stefan tells Laura how as a toddler Nik constantly wanted to play on the marble staircase. He know understands how she felt when Lulu was ill. He tells her that Nikolas has been the greatest joy of his life. Tony comes out a bit later and tells them that Nik has not regained consciousness but the good news is that he didn't break his neck. They don't know whether there has been any brain damage and won't until he wakes up. Laura goes into see Nik. As she is there, he wakes up. Laura assures him that he is going to be allright. Laura rushes out to call Tony and Bobbie and tell them he had regained consciousness. Stefan has just returned and hears the joyful news. When Tony sees Sonny standing in the hallway he points out that convicts need guards not kids who fall down the the stairs. Laura decides to go home and goes into say goodnight to Nik and Stefan. Laura tells Stefan that she thinks maybe Nik came to the house to see her? He promises he will contact her if there is any change in his condition.

When Nik wakes up again, Stefan worriedly calls Bobbie to come in. She checks his vitals and tells him that he is going to be fine, that he just needs some rest. Bobbie tells him that he will be staying at GH for a bit and he doesn't like that idea and wants to go home. She teases him that he will have a room with a view, beautiful nurse's, and Stefan can sneak him in his favorite food. She becomes General Jones and tells "soldier" Nik that all of her patients recover and he is not going to be any exception. After he has recovered some, Nik tries out his crutches by going for a cautious stroll in the corridor. He bumps into Gina and the two of them hit it off. He asks her if she will come see him again? She says maybe, maybe not.

Stefan visits Nikolas in the hospital. Stefan congratulates him on his progress. Nikolas angrily says he gets no credit and confronts him on lying to him. Luke told him how the Cassadines told Laura Luke was dead so she would marry Stavros.  Stefan said everyone thought Luke was dead at that time, but eventually she found out and no one was the worse.  Except for me, says Nikolas, the child who got left behind.  Stefan said he always loved and nurtured him, to which Nikolas asks if he was nurtured or controlled. Stefan is angry and says Nikolas needs to control himself.  Nikolas says Stefan's just trying to control what he thinks and feels.  Stefan says Luke is not exactly an objective source of information and that the Spencers wanted him dead.  Nikolas says he doesn't feel lucky and Stefan demands that he leave his bed and come with him to the room where Stavros died. Stefan says Luke was responsible for Stavros' death and asks how Nikolas could take the word of his father's murderer.  Stefan challenges Nikolas about why he dishonored his father and says that just as Luke pushed Stavros down the stairs and he died, Lucky pushed Nikolas down the stairs, hoping he would die.  Stefan says the only "accident" is that Nikolas didn't die, but Luke wants him dead.

Laura comes to the hospital to visit Nikolas and he's not in his room.  She picks up his jacket, and out falls an envelope with a letter to Lesley Lu in it.  Laura reads the letter he wrote and thinks about how Nikolas responded to Lesley Lu. In the letter, Laura reads that Luke told Nikolas that he didn't belong in their lives, and she looks distressed. Laura is in Nikolas's hospital room telling him goodbye.  Nikolas pretends indifference. Laura asks him to listen and this is, in a way, even harder than leaving him when he was small, since now she has seen who he grew into.  She insists that she loves him, and that is why she has to do it.  She has to do something to stop the anger and hatred between Nikolas and Lucky that caused him to be in the hospital. There was a moment when she saw him at the bottom of the stairs when she thought he was dead.  "Like my father?" asks Nikolas. Stefan tries to stop Laura from saying anything more, but Nikolas interrupts and asks her to continue.  She explains how grateful she was that Nikolas was not dead. He suggests that it might have been easier if he had been dead, but she vehemently denies this. She feels that the only way to stop the violence, since the adults in this case don't seem able to deal with it, is to walk away before it ends with one of her sons killing the other.  She prays that when they are grown, her sons will end the hatred.

Laura begs Stefan to take Nikolas and go home, so that the two boys can grow up in peace without all the ugliness.  Laura tells Nikolas that running away is not the solution, and that he must never blame himself for what has happened.  Don't tell me what to do, he retorts.  She has no power to hurt him, but he agrees that they have no reason ever to see each other again.  He gets out of bed and leaves the room.`Stefan says he expected that Luke would never allow the relationship to continue.  Laura insists that she was speaking for herself, and Stefan tells her she doesn't understand the extent to which Luke controls her. Laura tells Stefan that neither he nor Luke understands the pain she feels, because they are too busy keeping the vendetta going.  Stefan tells her that this was her decision that she looked Nikolas in the eye and told him he was unworthy, and that she had chosen another family over him. Stefan fears that Laura has undone all that he has tried to do for Nikolas.  No, says Laura, Nikolas is angry with her, and that is appropriate. Stefan is the parent Nikolas knows, and he will need him more than ever.  Laura feels that Stefan has given Nikolas a great deal, and that he has given her the gift of knowing Nikolas will grow up without being poisoned by Stavros's and Helena's hatred and she still believes that Stefan is different.  Perhaps if Stefan and Nikolas go away for a while, some day they can all live in peace. Stefan feels this is too much to hope for. Stefan declares that as to their departure, they will leave when and if they choose. Nikolas returns to the room.  Stefan says goodbye. Nik walks past Laura keeping his back to her. She looks tearfully at Stefan, mouthing the words, "Hold him, please," and crossing her arms over her chest.  She leaves, and Stefan does as she asked while Nikolas fights back tears. Stefan explains to Nikolas that the words he heard were Luke's, not Laura's.  He assures Nikolas that Laura does care about him but she fears Luke's violence. Nikolas insists that he doesn't care. As far as he's concerned, Laura did him a favor.  Either way, says Stefan, we have no reason to leave Port Charles

A bored Nikolas comes by as Stefan is sitting in the lounge area. He denies that he's looking for Laura. Nik is impatient to leave. Stefan says he will check into it. Bobbie heads over to Nik, who despises being fussed over, and heads back to his room. Bobbie and Stefan discuss Laura's decision. He confides that Nik pretends to have no feelings about it but he knows Nik better. Bobbie is understanding that Nik must be in a lot of pain to lose his mother again. He tells Bobbie that Nik doesn't know she is Luke's sister and it would be better if he doesn't know right now. When Nik returns, Bobbie goes into the silly soldier act again. Nikolas gets discharged from the hospital.  Stefan thanks Bobbie for her help and asks her and Tony to come to dinner at Windermere. He tells her that he feels that he and Nik have finally made a friend in Port Charles and that she did much more than just her job. Nikolas comes home and asks why they are still in Port Charles? Stefan says there is still "so much to be done."  Stefan answers the door, and Alexis comes in and says, "Greetings, cousin. Great place you've got here." 

Nik is resistant to staying in Port Charles but finally agrees, but he has one condition. He insists that Stefan take down the protrait of Laura. Another day, Stefan and Nikolas are at GH checking out Nik's ankle. Nik is impatient waiting to see Tony. Bobbie stays with Nik while Stefan leaves to do some business.  Bobbie asks him how it feels to be home? He smilingly comments on how lame that was even or small talk. She calls him on his insolence and tells him that perhaps he talks to his servants like that but she won't stand for it. She is immediately sorry and says she has been snapping at people lately and she does want to be his friend. He says he is also angry. Nik runs into Gina next. She asks him why he didn't tell her that Lucky Spencer was somehow involved in his accident? He reports that he didn't think it was important. She is impressed that he remembered which doctor she works for. He tells her that he remembers everything. When Stefan comes up, an annoyed Nik tells her that he is his guard. Stefan admits that Nik isn't too happy with him at the moment and they introduce themselves to each other. After she leaves, Nik resists going home as the island is getting on his nerves. He needs some air and wants some time alone. Stefan agrees to give him some time to himself and he will meet up with him later at the hamburger joint, the Outback. Later on they meet at the restaurant, Nik tells Stefan that he just wandered around. Stefan asks if he found what he was looking for? Nik admits he wandered the streets hoping to run into Laura, that she is everywhere not just on the island. He wanted for her to see him out in the world, her world, and not needing her.

Another day at Wyndemere, Nik is upset to see the suitcases Stefan has packed. He refuses to leave Port Charles and says he isn't going. Stefan looks calm and tells him, "Nothing has changed, our strategy remains the same. We leave Port Charles when we've accomplished what we came for."  Stefan tells Nikolas it's like running, you keep one eye on the goal and another on the obstacles. Nik goes up to pack, and there's a knock on the door and Stefan says, "on your way up, let Mr. Spencer in."  Luke notes the portrait is gone, does not believe the Cassadines are actually leaving.  He mentions "Timoria" and isn't sure who's supposed to be "atoning."  Stefan gets a sly smile on his face. Stefan again mentions the bone marrow transplant. Luke isn't buying it. Luke confronts Stefan on the closing of GH, the hospital where Stavros died. As Luke is leaving, he sees Nik on the dock, and Nik tells him he's trespassing.

Back at the mansion, Stefan confirms to Nikolas that they're staying in PC. Nikolas wants to know what's going on? As they discuss opportunity knocking, Bobbie does so. She tells them GH is closed. Nikolas looks surprised; Stefan does not. He is sympathetic and asks Nik to excuse them for a moment. He offers her a drink and then says he wishes there was something he could do or say to help. Stefan pretends surprise at her idea for him to bail out the hospital. He questions there must be others in Port Charles who care about GH, what about the Quartermaine's? She says Alan has already tried that angle. She knows that he has anger towards GH, but points out the excellent care that Nik received and Stavros also received the same high quality care. She tells him that he isn't like the rest of the Cassidines and that he could change the perception of the Cassidine family. He tells her that he is sorry but he can't help her. After she leaves, Nikolas questions why Stefan turned Bobbie down. He suggests saving GH would isolate Luke and destroy him. Stefan applauds his reasoning but hints there is a bit more needed as the decision to stay is not entirely in his hands.

Stefan calls and leaves a message for Laura to meet him at GH to discuss something "very important."  Nikolas asks what Stefan is doing and says he doesn't like it when he's blindsided, that if Stefan is going to reveal another secret or tell another lie that he would like to know upfront. Nik doesn't buy that Stefan will "try" to save the hospital, that is something Stefan would either do or not do, he wouldn't only try. He asks if Stefan's going to save the hospital or not? Stefan says he's not sure yet, it depends if it will help them achieve their goals. Stefan says Nikolas has to learn that as the next Cassadine leader, he can achieve leadership just as effectively by setting up things so someone asks him to lead as by dominating the situation.  Stefan asks Nikolas to come with him to see how things play out with GH and Laura. Stefan and Nickolas greet Alan at GH. Alan asks if he's reconsidered bailing out GH?  Stefan says he'll have an answer when their "other party" arrives.  Laura arrives next and Stefan informs her that he is considering supporting GH but the funds are Nikolas' inheritance and he would need to stay in Port Charles to oversee how the money is used.  Stefan says that Laura needs to decide if he and Nikolas can stay in Port Charles and help the hospital since she wanted them to leave.

Stefan apologizes to Laura for putting her in this position. He tells her it is irrelevant to him whether GH stays open, and what he does will be for her sake. She says that GH matters very much to her. She asks Nik if he wants to stay in PC as she doesn't want him to be hurt by this situation. Nik leaves her alone with Stefan, she comments on how impeccably his manners are and it is the one thing she always hated about his family is how polite they became even while doing their worst. Laura tells Nik that his grandmother practiced medicine there and she will do whatever is needed to keep GH open. She says that she thinks Stefan should make the loan and stay in Port Charles as long as he feels is needed to oversee it. Alan thanks her. Everyone returns to GH and Alan announces that they have new funding and GH will remain open for a long time to come. Tom is upset as Stefan announces that he is the source of funding.

Laura and Stefan are both at the hospital and make an agreement to start over. Nikolas joins them and says he wants to work at the hospital, that he wants to help the sick children. He thinks he could be useful as he saw a need when he was visiting Lesley Lu. He doesn't expect to be paid and thinks it could help repair the Cassadine family reputation.  "You've got it all figured out, haven't you?" asks Laura. She thanks Stefan for the loan and he and Nikolas leave. While waiting for the elevator, Nikolas is laughing and tells Stefan that he's learned the lessons he's been taught very well.  Someday he'll be as good as Stefan. Monica comes over to Laura and asks if she's okay? She wonders what Laura is doing at the hospital at such a late hour? 
     Laura replies, "Having second thoughts." 
     "About what," Monica asks. 
     "Selling my soul to the devil to save this hospital," says Laura.

#1B Back at Wyndemere, Nikolas tells Stefan that he thought he was brilliant tonight, but really did mean what he said about helping sick children.  Stefan explains to Nikolas that he was using his power tonight and was sure that Laura noticed. It's now late and Nikolas goes to bed.  Stefan stays up and tells him he has something to do on the computer.  Timoria appears on the screen.

Nikolas arrives and asks a tearful Bobbie is she is okay? She shows him the picture, explaining who the little girl is.  She then proceeds to tell Nikolas the story of her teenage pregnancy.  He gets her reason for telling the story, and asks her to go for a walk with him, he could use a tour. As they walk off, Stefan watches them go.  Stefan finds Mac in the lobby.  Stefan claims to be concerned about the charges against Tom Hardy, and about the possibility of a major investigation affecting the confidence level in the hospital. Mac promises to do any investigating with discretion and keep the press out of it.  That satisfies Stefan for now,
but he may be in touch again later. 

Nikolas and Bobbie return to the nurses' station area.  She widens her eyes at him a couple of times and tells him she never intended to tell anybody about her daughter. He promises not to tell anyone, and then leaves to pick up his assignment for the day. The omnipresent Stefan arrives just in time to see Nikolas leave, and takes his place on the sofa next to Bobbie. He tells Bobbie how good she is for Nikolas. She assures him, "That goes both ways." Luke is in the staff locker room and hides as Bobbie and Nik come through as she gives him a tour of the building. Luke listens in from his hiding spot as Bobbie is warm and supportive with Nik. He thanks her for her kindness towards him and this leads her to bash Luke's attitude. His face hardens as he realizes how taken in she is.

Nik and Bobbie go out into the hall and say goodbye. Laura is across the lobby and watches as two security officers stop Nik. They search him and find a bottle of pills and plan on arresting him. Bobbie is horrified and lies and tells them that she put the pills in his jacket while she was holding it during a tour she gave him of the hospital. They let him go, and Luke determines that he will go to the police himself and accuses the staff of showing favoritism to Stefan's nephew who Luke believes is guilty. Laura defends her son and says if he does that she will go to the police as well and tell them what really happened. Luke has a meltdown over the lack of judgement his wife and sister are showing. Laura tells him she didn't believe Justus when he told her he suspected Luke would try frame Nik. She can't believe he would stoop to this level to try to set up a boy, her son.

After Luke leaves, Stefan thanks Bobbie profusely for the risk she took in standing up for Nik and that he will never forget it. He commends her courage. She says she knew Nik hadn't stolen those pills. When they are alone, Laura confronts Stefan and blames him for pushing Luke, pushing him to the breaking point. They have words, and Nik yells at her to stop it. Laura begs him to not get caught up in the game playing. He points out that she won't even allow him to see her sister. Laura says that she is afraid, afraid of Lulu being infected by the hatred that Luke and Lucky have towards the Cassidines. Laura begs him not to retaliate, and to love his sister enough to be more than a Cassidine, to be her brother. She desperately wants this vendetta to stop and believes Nikolas could be the one to stop it and show his sister another way to live. He stands there with tears streaming down his cheeks.

Later, Laura arrives to plead with Nik to not abandon his job at the hospital. Nik says he'll think about it and he leaves. Laura turns to go and sees someone.  As emotions wash over her face she turns.  Nik asks Laura what the argument with Luke as about? She reports he wanted to see Lulu. She invites him to join her for dinner as she can't go home while Luke is there and she doesn't want to have dinner alone. He agrees. She tells him how beautiful Lulu is and tells him that he should see here sometime. He smiles as he looks forward to it.

On the dock at Wyndemere, Nikolas is practicing Tai Chi and he thinks about being set up with the drugs. Stefan comes upon him and noticies that he loses his concentration. He admonishes Nik for allowing Luke to get in his head. Stefan promises that Timoria must be paid, for Stavros' death, and for Luke's attempt to use Nik to link drugs to the Cassidine name. Stefan gives him a pep talk about transforming the negative energy and the conflict within him into triumph. Nik goes back to his practicing when he notices that he's senses someone is out there. Nik helps Katherine up the dock.  She introduces herself and tell sher she's scouting locations for a PR shoot for Deception.  Nik asks to see her camera and promptly opens it up, takes the film out, and tosses her camera into the river.  He tells her "I'm Nikolas Cassadine, and you're trespassing." Nik and Katherine trade barbs.  Eventually they both drop the determined attitude and Katherine asks about Tai Chi. They agree to start over again and introduce themselves. Nik has Katherine trying to do Tai Chi.   She tells him she's still mad at him for trashing her camera, but Nik says she's not angry.  As she leaves she asks if anyone ever calls him Nicky.  "Never," replies Nikolas. 

Emily, looking truly downcast, is hanging around at the nurse's station.  Nikolas talks to her, and she says she's there to see how Monica's follow-up checkup was. Nikolas interacts with a young boy at the hospital.  Stefan was watching, and compliments Nikolas. Stefan wants Nikolas to have dinner with Laura now that Luke's out of the picture. Nikolas wants less surveillance from Stefan, as he is tired of being constantly critiqued. Stefan reminds him of what they are trying to accomplish. Nik knows and doesn't need to be constantly reminded of it.  Nikolas goes over to Emily, sitting on the couch near the nurse's station.

Nik and Stefan are talking as Bobbie appears, and Stefan excuses himself.  Nik, playing his part, tells Bobbie he is worried about his uncle. Yes, Nik continues, Uncle Stefan just hasn't been the same since he returned from the Dominican Republic. Stefan pretends annoyance with Nik for spilling his secrets.  It's just that he finds Bobbie haunting. She's not ready yet, she needs more time. Alexis asks Nikolas about his mother. He says he likes her and thinks she's smart. They all seem to believe that Luke and Laura are really split up.

Bobbie introduces Lucas to Nikolas, Lucas is immediately enthralled and runs off to explore Wyndemere. Nikolas conveys that he has heard the news of the upcoming marriage and approves. Bobbie is happy, but she has not yet told Lucas that she plans to marry Stefan.  Later, Lucas runs into the room, "Can we stay for always?" Nikolas says he is having a lot of fun. Stefan says it is the first time Nikolas has said that since they came to town. Later, Nikolas comes down, calls Stefan impetuous for doing this so soon and asks what the rush is.  Lucas is having a good time playing with Nik. Cowboys exhausted, they start playing Star Wars.  Nikolas and Lucas come in, all spiffed up, and here comes the bride. Stefan gives her the Cassadine crest and tells her,  "You're a Cassadine now."

Katherine and  Nikolas also show up at the club. Nikolas tells Katherine that major changes have occurred in his uncle's life, but provides no details. Katherine challenges Jason and Nikolas to a game of pool against each other.  Meanwhile, Stefan tells Laura that he was the one given the order to kill her mother. She tells him she will never listen to him again and orders him to stop the car. He goes on to tell her that Helena forced him to do so saying it was either Nikolas' life or Leslie's and so he did what he had to do. Laura is in disbelief that she is sitting next to the person that actually killed her mother. At that moment, Stefan tells her that he never went through with Helena's order to kill Leslie, and that she  is still alive. He tells her that he knew what he was risking but that he knew  how much she loved her mother and that he couldn't do it. He goes further and tells her that Helena suspected that he would not carry out the order and so fixed Leslie's car to crash herself. Stefan says that he followed her that night in his car and when her car swerved off the road, he went to her, found her unconscious and injected Leslie with drug which allowed the hospital to pronounce her dead. He later switched her body with that of another woman's and revived Leslie. Laura listens on in awe. Stefan tells her that he will take her to see her mother tonight but that she may not recognize her.  He pulls up to the house where Leslie is and encourages Laura to go in, telling her that they will both be free after she and her mother are reunited. Laura kisses him softly and thanks him for what he has done as she goes into the house. Suddenly, there is a huge explosion within the house and even Stefan is knocked off his feet outside. Stefan tries to get up but a second explosion knocks him down.  He gets on the car phone and screams for an ambulance.

Luke blows into Luke's (pretending to be drunk?) and orders scotch.  He sees Katherine and Nikolas together. Luke rants that he can't keep the Cassadines out of his life. Katherine says Nikolas is just a kid and Luke should leave him alone. Mac and Lucky arrive at the explosion.  They were called by the PCPD who got a call that Laura was involved in a fire. Stefan is hysterical but trying to control it.  Overcome by guilt, he tells Lucky that Laura was in the fire.  Lucky draws on the acting skill he developed last year when Laura was caught in the Ward House fire, and goes crazy. Mac restrains Lucky, who says that this is a trick and that all of the Cassadines are killers. The cop says there were two female bodies inside, but no survivors. Stefan explains that Leslie had been in a sanitarium in Greece all these years. He'd brought her to Rochester a few months ago.  Lucky wants Luke and he and Mac leave. Lucky vows to kill Stefan if Laura is dead.  Stefan absolutely had no idea about any of this.

Nikolas says Luke has no right to insult him.  Katherine wants Nikolas to rise above it and wants to know if he's using her to bother Luke.  Nikolas says he's a resident of PC and has the right to go anywhere.  Katherine defends him more, which makes things worse.  Luke calls Nikolas one of Katherine's toys. Katherine, not wanting to watch Nikolas play Luke's stupid games, leaves.  Nikolas tries to follow, but Luke grabs his arm and says he's going to lay down the house rules. Luke tells Nikolas that there are no kids allowed at Luke's, when Lucky and Ma enter. Lucky comes in like a wildman, and tries to attack Nikolas.  Lucky tells Luke about Laura, and Luke goes crazy.  Nikolas runs out.  Luke rushes off, too, saying he has to do something alone.

Twist of Fate Dec 14th, 1996 (Primetime episode) Stefan stares at Laura's protrait and remembers seeing Laura arrive at Wyndemere, a protrait come to life. Shots of mourners and a casket arriving at the cemetary is interspersed with scenes of Stefan burning Laura's dress, claiming she should have been Laura Cassidine that Luke was just a girlish mistake. At Laura's funeral, Luke spoke to the mourners gathered around Laura's grave. He turned the solemn occasion into an anti-Cassidine tirade but eventually Tony got him to stop and Luke collapses in grief and apologizes. Luke sprinkles dirt over Laura's casket. Later after the services, Luke and Lucky met up with Tom Hardy and Laura next to a van. Lesley is in the back and she spoke Laura's name as they fired up the car and headed out of town. 

Katherine was leaving her apartment for the funeral. She opened her door and Nikolas was standing outside. He came in and grabbed her, planting a hard kiss on her mouth. She recognized that the kid was upset and confused and instead of being angry at him, she sensitively drew him out about Laura's death. They were interrupted by the Mac, Nik took off. Nik goes to the cemetary later that night. Tony finds him there and offers comfort about the pain of losing someone you love. Tony says that familys are made the damndest ways. He points out that they are a form of family as they share Bobbie, Lucas, Stefan, even Luke in common. Nik sadly says that he thought that he didn't care if Laura lived or died but that he was wrong. Nik shakily asks Tony what her favorite flower was? He reports it was Daisys. Nik returns with a bouquet of daisys and sits sadly by his mother's grave. He flashes back to her sitting by his beside, assuring him he would be okay after he fell down the stairs at the Spencers.

Katherine goes to Windemere to find Nikolas and lurks outside in the woods trying to find her way to the house. Stefan, also in the woods, is holding the gun Luke held on him that Lucky had thrown into the brush, and ends up firing the gun into the night, the bullet hits Katherine. When he comes out of his daze, he realizes what he has done and that someone has been hurt. He rushes to Katherine's side and feels for a pulse. In panic, he calls for Bobbie's help while one of the guards calls for paramedics. Bobbie rushes to the scene, realizes it is Katherine, and tries to help her as much as possible while waiting for the ambulance. Nikolas shows up at Windemere to find Stefan and Bobbie standing over a shot Katherine. He is frantic and demands to know how this happened and at who's hands. Stefan replies that he simply found her like that.

In the ambulance on the way to the hospital, Bobbie takes care of Katherine. Stefan and Nikolas follow behind. Nikolas asks Stefan if Laura's death was really an accident. Stefan swears to him that it was. Nikolas goes further to question Katherine's shooting, as to whether that was too an accident. Stefan tells him he was outside by the cliffs when he heard a gun shot and then found Katherine lying there. He asks Nikolas how he knows her and why she would have been at Windemere. Nikolas responds angrily that it doesn't matter why she came, just that they find out who shot her and that she is okay.  Mac starts asking questions and Nikolas says Stefan found Katherine on Spoon Island and saved her life. Alexis arrives. Mac asks why Nikolas was with Katherine earlier? Detective Taggart arrives and reports there were two sets of prints on the gun.  He asks Stefan why Katherine was there, and who would want her dead?  Stefan says he heard a gunshot, etc.  Nikolas mentions Luke being on the island and Bobbie defends Luke, while Alexis accuses Luke. Stefan says he's not a citizen, and so can't own a gun, but his guards do.  Bobbie says a guard might have done it. Nikolas calls Mike over as a witness and says Luke and Katherine argued at the club a few days ago.  Bobbie is shocked and Mike says Luke had no reason to shoot an innocent woman. Nikolas is pacing wildly and Bobbie says he can't make up stories just to get Luke. He wants to know how she, now a Cassadine, can defend him. Nikolas walks off.

Nikolas and Bobbie bicker about whether or not Luke shot Katherine: Nikolas makes accusations, and Bobbie defends Luke.  Alexis tries to talk to Nikolas, suggesting that Stefan needs him. Nikolas gets angry, he's preoccupied himself, and Stefan has Bobbie. Nikolas stomps off angrily. Alan explains to Nikolas that visitors are restricted. Nikolas demands to know who died and made Mac king of the hospital.  Bobbie asks if Katherine is showing signs of consciousness - "it's very important that she clear Luke."  Nik insists that Luke shot Katherine. Alan explains that the Spencers have left town, and they said they were not coming back, so they'll be hard to find.  Bobbie is upset that Luke left without saying goodbye. Nikolas says he'll find Luke that he won't be kept away from his sister. Bobbie tells Nikolas that if Luke doesn't want to be found, he won't be.  Nikolas points out that Luke is not God; besides, Nik would rather not think about Luke right now.  Then he apologizes.  Bobbie asks why he's concerned about Katherine, and he explains their friendship.  He doesn't know her that well, "but I do know how strong she is".

Nikolas remembers to pass on a message Tony sent to Bobbie when Nik saw him at Laura's grave that Luke wasn't being fair to Bobbie.  She is surprised, "Wow.  He can be so nice sometimes."  Tony arrives at the hospital and finds Bobbie and Nikolas.  They fill him in on Katherine was shot and the innuendo that Luke did it.  Nik sees Stefan watching Katherine and is glad to know she's awake. Nik and Stefan talk, and Stefan assures Nik he did not kill Laura. Mac questions Stefan and Alexis.  Nik rages off, saying they should blame Luke. Later, Mac is with Katherine, and Stefan watches through the window, Nik watches Stefan, Alexis watches Nik.  When Nikolas rashes Luke, he and Tom exchange angry words. As Nikolas continues to loudly accuse Luke, but Bobbie jumps in to defend her
brother.

The Cassadine family tries to pick out a tree. Stefan and Nickolas aren't really enthusiastic, but Bobbie is really into it.  They say that they celebrate Christmas differently in Greece. Stefan stares off into space. Lucas distracts him by saying he found some candy canes. Tony comes over and says hi to them.  Bobbie thanks Tony for meeting them at the tree lot.  He says he'll see Lukas on Christmas day. Nikolas stops Tony to tell him Lucas will be fine.  Nikolas takes Lucas to see the tree they picked. Lucas says they bought the biggest tree, and Stefan says they'll have to take the big boat back to the island.  Lucas is really excited. 

A few days later, Stefan catches Nikolas at GH and they argue. Bobbie joins in, "Nikolas?  Your uncle and I are concerned about you, that's all."  Bobbie tells them that Tony will operate on Katherine. Katherine is dreaming about the shooting, aand wakes up to see Nik.  Mac comes in while Katherine is telling Nik about her dream, and Mac orders Nik to leave.  Emily shows up at the hospital and runs into Nikolas. She tells him she is looking for Monica and even though she is getting on her nerves lately, she is there to help. Nikolas notices that Emily doesn't seem all there and confronts  her. She tells him she just had a hit and has more left if he is interested. Just then, Pierce shows up and Emily tells him to stay away from her mother since everyone is on her side anyways including Kevin who was at their house this morning. Nikolas sees Monica coming and takes Emily out of sight. He leads her to the Cassadine limo which is parked outside GH and tells the driver to take her home. He tells Emily to get rid of the drugs and that it is probably best if she not say anything more to Pierce.

Nik is upsest at Stefan for blowing off a meeting at GH. Nikolas accused Stefan of ignoring his responsibilities at the hospital and was determined to see the hospital thrive as a tribute to Laura, that the hospital is all he has left of his mother and his sister. Nik insists that Stefan will focus on GH as long as they are in Port Charles. Stefan is surprised that Nik is giving him orders. Nik assumes a princely demeanor and points out this is his inheritance and he will insure that the hospital survives and if it means reminding Stefan of his duties then he will!

Emily lays in bed, remembering her last encounter with Nik, obviously having formed a crush on him. At the Quartermaine New Year's Eve party, Emily finds Nik waiting outside by the car, not interested in going into the party.  He's going home with Alexis, who's inside talking about some legal business regarding Dorman. Monica pulls a major motherly faux pas by dragging Emily back inside because she has no coat on.  Emily rebounds from this little-kid humiliation and rejoins Nikolas at the car, where they both stare out into the night.
New Year's Eve chimes midnight and the montage begins, Reggie hovers around Lila, Brenda kisses Edward first on her way to Jax. Ned and Alexis toast, as do Justus and Dara,  Robin calls Sonny and Jason, Sonny steers Gina away from Jason so Jason can take Robin's call.

Nik stops by to visit Katherine. She tells him that he looks like someone. He asks who and confused she isn't sure. He flashesback to kissing Katherine and promises her that he will be back. When he returns, he blames himself for her being at Wyndemere and if it wasn't for him, she wouldn't have been shot. She thinks he wanted to be with her as she is an older blonde and she reminds him of his mother. He thinks she went there that night to tell Stefan about him kissing her. She says no that she is his friend and she went there because she was worried about him.

Emily shows up at GH and Nik asks how she is doing? She assures him that she isn't stoned and she hasn't touched the stuff since his lecture the other day. She thanks him for making sure that she got home okay and so that her parents didn't see her wasted. He asks about her sadness. She tells him that her mother, Paige, died a year ago and today is her birthday. Emily says that Monica tries to help and then sighs, not sure how to explain it. Nik understands that she loves Monica but feels guilty like she is betraying the memory of her mother and at the same time she is worried that Monica will think she doesn't love her. She is amazed at how wise he is. He jokes that he is really 65 and just doesn't look it. As he walks away, an enamored Emily stares after him.

Nik runs into Gina who is loaded down with boxes. He helps her retrieve her burden and they go to sit in the nurse's lounge. They talk about Stefan saving the hospital. Nik explains about the trust and the Cassidine holdings. Gina observes that technically then Stefan didn't save the hospital, that Nik did. They talk about Leslie Lu and how much he misses her. He is worried that Lucky and Luke will teach Leslie Lu to hate him. He says that when he is 25 that he will have the resources to find his sister. Gina tells him about her regrets with Stone. She tells him about the night that Stone told her he had AIDS and he walked away. Nik tells her about all of the times that Laura reached out to him and he walked away. Gina wants to know why he calls Leslie Lu his sister but Lucky is nothing to him. She says that Lucky is the same way about him. She observes that they are both nice guys until they talk about each other and then they get cold and hard. Nik admits to hating Lucky. Gina invites Nik to play pool at Luke's Club. He doesn't think that he will be welcome there. She assures him that Sonny and Jason aren't like Luke. She tells him that Lucky is wrong about him but continues that he is also wrong about Lucky.

Stefan tells Bobbie that he has invited Tom and Felicia over for dinner that night. She can't believe that he is giving her such short notice. Then he points out that Mrs. Lansbury will do the shopping and cooking and Bobbie won't have to worry about any of the details. She loves being lady of the manor and having a Mrs. Lansbury. When Nik and Alexis enter, Bobbie enthuses that she is planning her first dinner party and they are both invited. They agree to attend, Bobbie pulls Nik away with her and asks his help in planning the menu. He points out that is Mrs. Lansbury's job. As they leave, Alexis surmises that she looks like a happy bride. He points out that was the plan. As Nik and Bobbie discuss her party, he tells her that he is considering going back to Greece. She knows it has been a rough time for him with Laura's death and finding out about Leslie, a grandmother he didn't even know he had. She tells him that she doesn't want to lose him. She tells him that Lucas adores him and begs him to give her a chance to show him what a real family can be like. Tom and Felicia arrive for dinner. Felicia tells them that she is a private investigator. Nik suggests that perhaps Felicia can find out who shot Katerine, Stefan almost chokes.  Felicia responds that Kat is the one to reveal the truth. When Tom mentions that he might have a new drug to help her remember what happened, Alexis is visibly flustered and spills her drink.

At the PC Grille, Nik and Alexis to have dinner together. Emily sees them come in, and feels like hiding, but instead Edward invites them to join the Quartermaine's to celebrate Emily's birthday. Alan and Monica come in, and Edward wants a toast. "Champagne for everyone!" After they discuss how many of the kids are underage, Alan decides to toast with the water glass, "To Emily. We are so lucky to have you in our family. You are a source of joy and pride. Happy birthday."  Dorman comes in. Alexis tries to stop Alan from confronting him, but to no avail. Dorman professes surprise, but then, of course, they do own the hotel and he and Monica spent many happy hours there. At this point, Dorman's blonde date comes in and Alexis is hoping that Pierce chokes on his meal. They try to get Dorman to leave but he insists on having dinner at the hotel. The Quartermaine's decide to leave and have cake at home. An upset Emily blames Monica for her relationship with Pierce and storms out.

Nik listens in as Tom confronts Stefan about hiding Leslie away in a sanitarium all of these years, and that he lured Laura into the building that exploded. He tells Stefan that he doesn't want him involved in planning a memorial for Laura as she suffered so much pain at the hand's of the Cassidines, that "you people destroy everything you touch".  Nik goes to the room where Stavros died, now a supply room. Tom finds Nikolas tearing up the room. Tom jokes about the merits of tossing bed pans. He notices the damage already done. Nikolas offers to pay for the damage. Tom says that isn't the point.
This annoys Nikolas who wants to know exactly what the point is? "Your mother", Tom points out. Nikolas wants Tom to get out of the store room. He's not going to trash it. Tom is trying to relate to Nikolas and parallels losing his own father. Tom gives him some advice about the pain of losing a parent, how hard it is to heal, how it shows itself, that Tom understands his loss. Nikolas tells him that his father died in that room. Even though he didn't know him, Nik went there to try and be close to his father but it didn't work. Nikolas appreciates the words, but he doesn't believe for one second that Tom gives a damn about him. He throws Tom's words about the memorial in his face. "What is it you said? A memorial to my mother from the Cassidines would dishonor her. I know exactly how you feel about us. So what are you doing here and what do you want with me?"

**The End**