Spencers vs Cassadine #12  December 23, 1998 - March 24, 1999 - 8 hr original edit

DVD #12A  Luke sees the picture of Lulu, Nikolas and Lucky on the mantle and comments that it is new. Laura explains that the children gave it to her for her birthday. Luke also comments on the picture that Stefan gave to Laura of Nikolas as a boy. Luke says that he sees no reason why Nikolas shouldn't know what devoted parents he has. He tells her to please not to beg mercy for the sake of the children. Lucky is obsessed with the truth and he would stand with Luke on this one. Laura begs Luke to please punish her another way. Luke asks if Stefan gets to steal his wife, destroy his home and drive his son away while he gets to turn the other cheek. Luke asks what about what his son was going to inherit. Why didn't Laura fight for that? What about all the love that was thrown back in their faces and the lives that they planned? What about all the good times they will never have and the places they will never see?

Did Stefan and her precious Nikolas think of that before they told Lucky that Luke was everything they had taught him to despise? Does Laura think that Luke has reached some sort of Zen state where none of this matters to him? Qh who the hell does she think he is? Laura apologizes to Luke and then tells him to go ahead and tell the truth of Nikolas' paternity. She can't stop him and she can't think of any other reasons for him not to, but if he crosses that line with her, there won't be any turning back. Luke says that they already crossed that line. They just didn't see it because they were going too fast. Laura asks if he is leaving her, she just wants to be clear. Luke asks if she needs permission to do something she needs to do? Laura says that she needs to know what to tell Lulu when she is old enough to ask. Luke says to tell her that her Daddy loved her, but that he was crazy, from the first moment that he laid eyes on Laura. There is really nothing else to say. As Luke walks out the door, Laura dissolves into tears.
Luke stops by Alexis' room on his way out of town. When she opens the door, he hands her a small box and tells her it is just what she always wanted. Luke walks into Alexis' and says season greetings hot lips. Luke hands Alexis a box and urges her to open it. It is something she always wanted. Alexis opens the box and pulls out an old fashioned key with a tassle on it. She looks at Luke and asks what it is. Luke tells her that it is the key to the kingdom.

Stefan is alone at Wyndemere when he hears a knock on the door. He invites whoever is knocking to come in. He looks startled when the door opens and Laura and Leslie Lu walk in. Laura looks at Stefan with a smile and says Merry Christmas. Laura apologizes for arriving unannounced but says that Lulu wanted to give her brother his gifts. Stefan assures her that they are always welcome. Nikolas comes downstairs and is pleasantly surprised when he sees Laura and Leslie Lu. He tells Laura that it is a nice surprise and wishes her a Merry Christmas. AS Lulu and Nikolas go to find her presents under the tree, Laura pulls Stefan aside. She tells him that they have to tell Nikolas the truth, before Luke does.

Stefan asks Laura if she is certain? Laura assures him that Luke told her to her face that he would tell someone. They have run out of time. Nikolas interrupts them to tell Laura that he has plans with Lucky, Liz and Emily, but that he will be back later. He asks Laura to stay for dinner. When Stefan also urges her to stay, Laura reluctantly agrees. After Nikolas goes, taking Leslie Lu to the kitchen on the way, Laura begs Stefan to tell Nikolas right now before Luke does. Stefan wants to wait until after Christmas. He wants Nikolas to have one Christmas with his mother before they face the anger and recrimination Nikolas is bound to feel when he finds out the secret they have been keeping.

Laura says that it is a disaster in the making. Luke could have left her and gone directly to Helena or he could be lying in wait for Nikolas as soon as he steps off the launch. Stefan thinks that Nikolas will be furious when he finds out.. Nikolas interrupts to say goodbye on his way out. After the door shuts behind him, Laura turns to Stefan and says that Nikolas may walk back through that door knowing everything. Stefan says that Nikolas has never had a Christmas with the feeling of a complete family. If he can preserve that for at least the next 24 hours, it is worth the risk. Laura agrees but says that they have to tell him tomorrow. Stefan agrees.

Alexis asks what key to what kingdom? Luke says that whole Cassadine nut if she has the crackers to snap it open. That rusty old key opens a rusty old war chest. Alexis says to just say what he has to say or to take his rusty old key and go. Luke says okay. He tells Alexis that Stefan has worked her over yet again. The little prince, isn't the heir or even a prince. It turns out he is just Stefan's lowly bastard son. A mistake made with Luke's wife, which means he is entitled to nothing but his mother's tears. Alexis says that of all the ridiculous things he has said, this one really wins blue ribbon. She asks if he has been confabbing with Helena or if he is just conspiring. She asks if Luke is serious? He says yes. She has been cheated. Nikolas isn't entitled to anything. The whole Cassadine empire is up for grabs and she is entitled. He wishes her a Feliz Navidad and leaves.

As Emily, Nikolas, Lucky and Liz arrive at GH, they run into Luke. Luke says hello to everyone but Nikolas and then asks Lucky if he can talk to him alone for a minute. Once they are alone, Luke wishes Lucky Merry Christmas and tells him that he loves him. Lucky says that it sounds like Luke is leaving again. Luke confirms that he is leaving and asks Lucky to keep an eye on Lulu. Lucky says that he will, and Mom too. As Dave Koz finishes playing the sax, Alan steps up and wishes everyone a Merry Christmas on behalf of everyone at GH. He then sits down to read the Christmas story. As everyone is listening to the reading, Luke sneaks into the room and gets Bobbie's attention. He motions her to join him outside. Once outside, he tells her that he is leaving. He hugs her good bye and tells her to go back to the party and have some fun. He wishes her a Merry Christmas and leaves. Santa jumps up and says that he has presents for all the good little girls and boys. This is followed by a Christmas montage of scenes.

Luke is on the docks alone staring across the water at Wyndemere. Meanwhile, Laura, Leslie Lu, Nikolas and Stefan are enjoying a Christmas eve dinner. Stefan and Nikolas look very happy, but Laura looks sad.

Laura and Stefan are at Wyndemere getting ready to tell Nikolas the truth. Stefan has sent a servant to tell Nikolas that he and Laura would like to speak with him. While they wait, Stefan and Laura discuss what is about to happen. Stefan says that there is no way to prepare Nikolas for this. He wishes there were a way they could wait until Nikolas is of age. Laura says that they were lucky they had Christmas. They can't possibly wait another day. Luke is going to tell. Stefan asks Laura for her help. Nikolas will be angry, but he will also feel betrayed. Nikolas has lived with Stefan every day of his life and Stefan knows him. Nikolas will blame Stefan for the deception. He will perceive the lie about Stavros to be Stefan's since he heard it from him. Everything he ever taught Nikolas will be called into question. Stefan is concerned that Nikolas will despise him.

Laura tries to reassure Stefan saying that there may be some harsh words, but she thinks in time. Stefan says that he is depending on Laura, he is asking her to be his advocate. Nikolas may want to turn away from him. Laura assures Stefan that she will be there for Nikolas. Stefan held their son and comforted him when Laura couldn't. If it is her turn to do that now, she will do it with pleasure. If Nikolas tries to forget everything Stefan has done for him, Laura will be there to remind him. The servant returns and tells Stefan and Laura that Nikolas left the island early that morning.

Stefan explains to Laura that Nikolas told the launch pilot that he would be back some time in the afternoon. Laura says that she can stay. Leslie Lu is with a neighbor for the day. She knew that she would have to be there for a while. Stefan notices a change in Laura's demeanor and asks if she thinks that they are doing the wrong thing. Laura says no, she was just remembering how all of this began. And how that day led to this one. She asks if Stefan believed that she was going to return to him and Nikolas the day she left the island. Stefan says yes, but when she saw Luke.

Laura stops Stefan saying that that isn't true. When she saw Luke that day she ran away, but Luke ran after her. He caught her and begged her not to go. He picked her up and carried her back into the house. That is when it all began, all the lies. Then Stavros came after them and then Helena's order to stay away. Laura asks Stefan if he knew that Luke didn't kill Stavros. Stefan says that it is best they don't speak of that. Laura asks why. She wouldn't feel bad if she had been the one to kill him. He terrorized her. Laura says that Stefan must have thought that life would have been better for them if Stavros didn't exist. Stefan says that once Laura left the island and left Nikolas with him, he had already procured the poison.

Stefan tells Laura that from the moment she told him she was pregnant, it plagued him. Of all the indignities he had endured at the hands of his brother, this was one he did not think he could bear. To watch his brother raise the child that he and Laura had made out of love. If it was his son. Laura comments that he was sure enough to get the poison. Stefan says that he knows now that he wouldn't have done it. Stavros was his brother. Once the possibility that the baby could be his took hold in his mind, he started to research it. The day Nikolas was born, Stefan took the doctor aside and explained that the family had begun to whisper about the closeness of Laura and one of the servants. It was imperative to confirm Stavro's was the father.

He asked the doctor to discreetly run the paternity tests. Stefan told the doctor that he would have Helena's doctor find a reason to draw Stavros blood. He then supplied his own blood in place of Stavros'. The day Stavros died, the doctor called to confirm that Stavros was indeed Nikolas' father.  He couldn't sleep imagining Laura's face when he told her, wondering if he should tell her, she never came back. Laura says that she wishes Stefan had told Nikolas everything when he was a child. Stefan disagrees saying that Nikolas deserves to be a prince because he is certainly the best of them. He thought that Nikolas had more to gain from his heritage than his parentage. Laura tells him that he was so wrong. The phone rings interrupting Laura and Stefan's conversation. He speaks briefly to the person on the other end of the line and then hands the phone to Laura. He tells her that her neighbor is on the phone and there is a police car at her house.

Laura is on the phone making arrangements to go to North Carolina. She is buying a ticket with an open-ended return because of a medical emergency. Stefan comes into the room saying that he couldn't get much information from the hospital. He knows that Laura's mother has been admitted, but she isn't in intensive care. Laura is still concerned since Leslie couldn't call her herself. He tells Laura that he will wait until she returns to tell Nikolas the truth. Laura isn't sure that it is wise considering Luke is out there somewhere just waiting to tell Nikolas that Stefan is his father. Stefan assures her that the secret will keep for a few more days. He even considers it somewhat of a reprieve.

Katherine and Nikolas are shouting at each other. Nikolas angrily tells Katherine that he will never take her word over Stefan's. Katherine says that Nikolas means more to him then some fortune and that is all he is to Stefan. Nikolas is furious saying that Helena has brainwashed her. He knew he shouldn't have gotten involved with her. He should have listened to Stefan when he said that Katherine was someone they didn't want to know anymore. Katherine says that Stefan thinks she is someone who knows too much. Stefan is afraid that Katherine will tell Nikolas that he isn't his uncle he is his father.

Katherine tries to smooth over the conversation Nik overheard between her and Helena and her blurting out that Stefan is not Nikolas' uncle, but his father. Nikolas is having none of it. He tells her that her shocking news is really no news to him. He has been waiting for someone to bring it up, but he just didn't expect it to be her. He figured the trashy tabloids or Helena would do the damage and not her. She tries to explain but again Nikolas doesn't want to hear it. He tells her she will never turn him against his uncle. He tells her to leave. Katherine gets all teary and says she's sorry and leaves.

Nikolas goes home to Wyndemere where he encounters Stefan. He bluntly asks him, "Are you my father?" Stefan breaks down and says, "Yes, I am your father. We planned to tell you but it was Christmas and then today Laura got called away." Nikolas wants to know about Stavros. He says that one time Laura had said that she once saw something in his father, but then, she wasn't talking about Stavros, was she? Stefan begs Nik not to blame Laura. She feared Stavros. He then paints a black picture of the real Stavros; he was a mean drunk but he didn't want Nik to know this because he wanted Nik to grow up loving and respecting his father.
He knows that they handled the birthright all wrong, but he thought that this way was the safest for Nikolas. Nikolas doesn't agree and argues about his inheritance. It is not rightfully his. He doesn't deserve it. Stefan starts to panic and begs Nik not to tell anyone that he is not the real prince. For his own safety no one must know the truth. Helena hates Stefan and knows how much he loves Nikolas. Stefan is afraid that if Helena knows that Nikolas is not the heir, she will use him as a weapon against Stefan. Nikolas decides to leave Wyndemere. Stefan begs him not to leave; he will leave instead. But Nikolas says sorry uncle, then catches himself. See, he doesn't even know what to call him anymore.

Nikolas asks Lucky if he can stay with him for a while. Nikolas declines to discuss "why" he wants to stay with Lucky. Lucky asks why he doesn't stay at the Port Charles Hotel. Nikolas tells him he wants to be unreachable. Stefan calls looking for Nikolas. Lucky lies for him.

Lucky asks if Nikolas has ever thought about how limiting being a price is. All the stuff he misses out on. He asks what the most out there thing he has ever done is. Nikolas says that he isn't a prince, he is a bastard, just like Luke always said. Lucky looks up with a confused look as Nikolas continues to explain. It turns out that he isn't the eldest son of the eldest son after all. His uncle is his father. Lucky doesn't think he heard right and asks Nikolas to come again. Nikolas says that Stavros Cassadine isn't his father, Stefan is.

Stefan calls Laura and tells her that it is imperative that he speak with her soon regarding Nikolas. Nikolas is all right, but Stefan needs to speak with Laura ASAP. Stefan is leaving another message for Alexis. He tells her there are things she needs to be aware of. Legal issues that may arise with regards to Nikolas and she needs to be prepared. He hopes that impresses upon her the urgency of getting back to him. He angrily hangs up the phone.

Lucky is shocked to say the least. He can't believe that Nikolas just found out. He asks Nikolas to start from the top. Nikolas explains that this is why he wanted to stay with Lucky and asks Lucky to please keep this to himself. This pretty much changes his life and he doesn't want it to get out until he decides what to do. Naturally, Lucky understands and gives Nikolas his word that he won't say a word. Nikolas says that someone, who he doesn't want to name, found out and passed the information along to him. Lucky asks if this person has proof. Nikolas says that the person didn't, but that he confronted Stefan and Stefan admitted it. Nikolas didn't stick around for long explanations. Lucky asks if Nikolas has spoken to Laura. Nikolas says that he hasn't, but he plans to as soon as possible. He tells Lucky that when he heard the words, "I'm your father".  Lucky stops him and says everything shifted and you knew your world would never be the same. Nikolas nods in agreement.

Lucky asks Nikolas if he has any idea what he is going to do. Nikolas says that he doesn't. Lucky cautiously asks what happens to the inheritance. Nikolas explains that the law, which goes back 500 hundred years, says that the eldest son of the eldest son is the only one who can inherit. Every generation, until now, has produced an eldest son. Since there isn't an heir, the Cassadine holdings are up for grabs to be divided between anyone who can prove they have Cassadine blood. Lucky asks how many people have proof. Nikolas tells him that there are enough people to destroy the Cassadine dynasty and power. Nikolas tells Lucky that Helena has always treated him with respect because he was the heir and Stavros' son. Now that he isn't either of those things, being around him could be kind of dangerous. Lucky thanks him for the warning but assures Nikolas he can handle it. He has been on Helena's hit list since the day he was born.

Nikolas asks Lucky what he thinks about Laura. Lucky states the obvious, that Laura lied. Again. He doesn't think there is anything else to say. Maybe Laura and Luke weren't meant for each other. He doesn't think it should be a shock to either of them. He and Nikolas were both there when Laura was at Wyndemere barefoot and wearing a new dress. They both thought the same thing. Nikolas asks if Lucky thinks there is still something going on between Laura and Stefan. Lucky says that he doesn't know and trying to figure out Laura is a full time job. He has better things to do. Nikolas asks if Lucky thinks Luke knows. Lucky is sure that he does.

Nikolas reminds Lucky of when Laura testified at Stefan's trial. He remembers that Laura testified that she and Stefan had never had physical relations, but somehow Luke must have known. Lucky tells Nikolas that he went to his parent's house that day and he didn't hear, but her could tell they were fighting. They both agree that that must be when Luke found out. Nikolas can't believe that it never occurred to him that Stefan was really his father. He always thought that noone could be a better father to him that Stefan had been. There were clues everywhere. They weren't even subtle. He can't believe he missed it. Lucky understands why. Nikolas wanted to believe what he had been told.

Stefan is alone in his study when Laura arrives saying she came as soon as she got his message. When she sees the look on Stefan's face, she asks if Nikolas knows. Stefan confirms that Nikolas does indeed know. Laura asks if Nikolas is there and Stefan tells her that Nikolas is gone. Stefan explains to Laura that Nikolas confronted him and he didn't deny it. Then Nikolas left. He knows that Nikolas is staying with Lucky, which concerns him considering what happened to Mac. He has two guards watching the garage just in case. Laura asks if Nikolas found out from Luke, but Stefan doesn't know. He tells Laura how Nikolas came in and unexpectedly confronted him. It was the moment he had both feared and wanted Nikolas' entire life. He came in and was direct. Stefan simply said yes he is Nikolas' father.

Laura asks if Nikolas was angry. Stefan thinks that he was because he didn't ask any questions. Nikolas seemed disturbed because he thought Stefan lied all these years to protect the inheritance. Laura can't believe that Nikolas would think that. Stefan says that he doesn't know what Nikolas thinks, because he left. He went upstairs, packed a small valise and said he was going into town. Stefan tells Laura that she was right. They should have told Nikolas on Christmas Eve. They should have been the ones to tell him. He should have listened to her. Stefan tells Laura that up until now, he has made every decision regarding Nikolas' life himself. Now he is asking for her help. His instinct is to find Nikolas and make him come back. He is emotional and feeling off balance. He asks Laura what she thinks.

Laura says that she and Luke chose to let Lucky go and she knows that there is a part of him they will never get back. She wouldn't do it that way again. She thinks that there are things Nikolas needs to hear from them. He needs to hear their side. The sooner the better. Stefan answers the phone and learns that Nikolas just caught the launch to Wyndemere. Stefan nervously explains to Laura that Nikolas is on his way in. He tells her that he promised Nikolas answers to all of his questions. Suddenly he has nothing. He is afraid that they are going to lose Nikolas. Laura hugs Stefan and reassures him that everything will be all right. They won't lose Nikolas. Nikolas walks in and interrupts them. He looks at Laura and simply says that he didn't think she would be there.

Nikolas returns to Windemere, where he, Laura, and Stefan talk about the paternity situation. Nikolas asks Laura weather Stefan has ever lied to her about his paternity. Laura tells Nikolas she and Stefan couldn't reveal the fact he is his father so they could protect him from Luke and so she and Nikolas wouldn't be killed. Laura admits she and Stefan were in love. Alexis tells Helena that her mother will get her revenge on her. Stefan tells Nikolas about how he discovered he was his father. Nikolas is unforgiving towards Stefan. Laura and Stefan begin to cry. Stefan and Nikolas have a hartwarming embrace, while Laura departs undetected. Stefan tells Nikolas not to tell people about the situation. Nikolas says he doesn't want the title of "prince" and the inheritence. Nikolas moves back home.

Stefan tells Alexis, that long before he knew she was his sister, he was her childhood companion and protector. He recognized her extraordinary mind. He sent her to the finest university and the finest law school. And then he gave her power second only to his. Alexis says that her inheritance should have been the same as his. Stefan didn't give he took. Stefan disagrees. He saw to it that their lifestyles exceeded what they otherwise would have had. Alexis knows she should be grateful, but she isn't. She asks if Stefan can begin to comprehend how it made her feel to always have to play servant to his master. She asks why he lied. Stefan says that Alexis has done nothing but lie to him. She told him that Katherine was his long lost sister Natasha. She continually conspires with Luke Spencer, his sworn enemy.

Alexis says that it all worked out for the best, unless he'd rather be married to Katherine right now. Katherine may have been a casualty of war, but it was a war against Helena. If it had worked out as planned, Stefan would be thanking her. Stefan angrily tells Alexis that because of her war, the Cassadine empire is in the greatest jeopardy it has ever faced. Alexis is furious. She tells Stefan that the reason the Cassadine empire is in jeopardy because he slept with his brother's wife. There is no eldest son of the eldest son and she has a right to what he has hoarded. All he had to do was trust her. All he had to do was treat her with the same respect with which she has treated him. Instead, he cheated her. She will not be ignored by the Cassadine family any more.
Alexis says that this is about her feeling like nothing, like nobody. Stefan says that he tried to make her feel like somebody. Alexis is quick to point out that she was somebody. She had a mother and a father like everyone else. Stefan's father in fact. Her blood is as blue as Stefan's. He knew it when he purposely kept the truth from her, and what was hers by law. This is about her identity. She wants it. She claims it. She is demanding it. Stefan apologizes for Alexis feeling slighted but says that when Nikolas was born, he had to fight for his life. Helena and Stavros never would have let the child of Laura and Stefan live. As Stavros' son, Nikolas would not be touched. Alexis points out that Stavros has been dead for years. Instead of one heir, they could have all joined together against Helena.

Stefan says that Alexis has deceived him, plotted against him and allowed Helena to play her like a puppet. Why would he trust her with a secret that could mean life or death to Nikolas? Alexis assures Stefan that she would never do anything to harm Nikolas. Stefan points out that he had good reason to doubt her loyalties. Alexis says that his reasons are very clear. He doesn't think she is worthy of her share of the inheritance. He thinks she is just poor little Alexis who became a Cassadine by accident. And a girl even. She has a good heart, she just isn't good enough. Stefan assures her that she is good enough. Which is why, when she thinks this through without anger, she will see that spreading this information to every member of the family will destroy the Cassadine power base, and herself in the process. Stefan asks Alexis not to let her anger bring down the family and to let Nikolas lead and to follow with her conscience. Alexis warns Stefan that if she is provoked, she can be as ruthless as any Cassadine before her. She is after all, her father's daughter.

Nikolas is speaking with Stefan in his study. He is not concerned that Alexis knows the truth. He has said from the beginning that he wants everyone to know the truth. Stefan is not happy that Nikolas would choose to sacrifice his inheritance, but his main concern is that Luke is the one who told Alexis about Stefan being Nikolas' father. Nikolas agrees that Luke figured it out at the trial and that is why he left town. Stefan says that he knows that Nikolas learned the truth from Katherine.

Stefan explains to Nikolas how he and Katherine were on the parapet arguing about Laura's portrait when Laura arrived looking for Nikolas. Laura's timing was uncanny. When Katherine saw Laura and Stefan together, her intuition led her to the truth. Stefan knew that Katherine could remember that moment at any time. Nikolas says that Katherine used him. She pretended to be something that she wasn't to hurt Stefan. Nikolas was just a tool in that. Stefan warned him and he was right. Nikolas guesses it was just a lesson he needed to learn first hand. Nikolas hugs Stefan and assures him that Katherine can't do anything to turn him against him.

Stefan is on the phone conducting business when Nikolas comes in and asks him if he is busy. Stefan tells him he is finished for today, but has been securing the Cassadine Empire's holdings around the globe before word leaks out about Nikolas not being the true Heir to the throne. He then asks Nikolas if he is understands why he is doing this. Nikolas says he assumes to strengthen the Cassadine Industries before word gets out that he's Stefan's son. Stefan tells Nikolas that once they announce that he is not the Heir, there should be chaos as the estate is divided and the Cassadine holdings must be strong before that happens. Nikolas asks how long will it take and Stefan tells him 2 or 3 weeks at the most, but he knows Nikolas is eager to announce that he is Stefan's son. Nikolas tells him that very well may be, but he understands the need to keep it a secret a little while longer and tells Stefan if he needs him, he is there to help.

Stefan asks him if he would consider reconciling with Katherine for a little while and then warns his son that Helena is extremely dangerous and will undoubtedly try to kill him out of spite once she learns of his real parentage. He then tells Nikolas that he will protect him, but the more time he has to prepare, the better his chances are to neutralize Helena. Nikolas tells Stefan that the only thing he is missing out on in not being the Prince, is the joy he'll have in disinheriting Helena. Stefan tells him that he understands, but like he say Helena is extremely dangerous and now that Katherine is her ally, he is assuming that Katherine has kept it a secret about his paternity. He then tells Nikolas that if he continues to reject Katherine, then there is nothing stopping her from going to Helena, but if he feigns forgiveness and makes up with Katherine it'll by them some more time.

Lucky goes to see Laura. He asks Laura if Lulu is in bed. When Laura says that Lulu is spending the night with a friend, Lucky says good. He tells Laura that there is stuff they need to deal with and it is better if they do it one on one. Lucky asks if she is going to tell him what he is here about. Laura suggest that he tell her. Lucky says that she wants to keep him in the dark a little longer in case he hasn't been hit with the ground breaking news. Lucky tells Laura that he knows that Stefan is Nikolas' father. He asks if they ever would have known the truth if they hadn't found out from an outside source.

Laura asks if the "they" is him and Nikolas. Lucky says yes, he and the mystery brother she failed to mention for over a decade. Laura says that if he is there to berate her, she can't take it tonight. Lucky says he isn't there to berate her. He's way beyond that. He is this close to being in awe. She must be tougher than he is because personally he would snap from the strain. He asks how she does it. Year after year, how does she keep from breaking? All this crap she is carrying around. Her whole life is lies. Laura asks Lucky if he thinks he is in a position to judge her entire life. Lucky says no, only the part he's been told so far and he has a queasy feeling that there is a lot he doesn't know. Lucky says that Laura is like an optical illusion. She looks like one thing, but she is something else. She looks like clear, clean snow after it has just come down and he wants to jump in it. Shake his limbs around and make a snow angel. He'd be sitting there looking at the sky and humming. All of the sudden, snap, he is sucked into the cold hell. He's not making snow angels anymore. He's going down for the third time. Surprise surprise, the ground wasn't solid, he fell through the cracks in the ice.

Laura apologizes. She knows that every kid wants his parents to be a safe place. She knows he must be disillusioned right now. Lucky says that disillusioned doesn't quite cut it. He asks what you do when you are drowning. Sit around and ponder your illusions or swim like hell for the shore. Lucky says he felt like get me out of her. That's how he felt every time. He says that that was how Nikolas felt too. That's why he left and stayed with Lucky. Laura is surprised to learn that Nikolas turned to Lucky. Lucky says that was one of the pluses. Brothers united by shocks from their parents. Another plus, he feels lucky. He actually knows who is parents are. Laura says that she lied to protect her family. Lucky tells her to just admit it, she lied to protect herself.

Laura tells Lucky that it is easy at his age to pass judgment on adults. Life seems very simple at his age. Everything looks black and white. Right or wrong. Good or bad. He looks at the adults and asks how they could have made such a mess. They must be stupid or corrupt. Those things could never happen to him Lucky says that it seems to him life is just simpler when you tell the truth. Laura agrees, but says that sometimes simple isn't always possible. Sometimes it isn't even right or fair. Life will teach him that. Lucky says that he doesn't want any part of life lessons that teach him it is better to lie. Laura says that nobody does, that is her point. Does Lucky think that she wanted to lie or that she was eager abandon her first born son. Does Lucky think she got some sort of perverse charge out of pretending Nikolas didn't exist for all those years. Does he think that when she thought Luke was dead and she was being held captive that she was glad that her only solace came from. Lucky stops her and tells her he doesn't want to go there, but Laura says that she didn't want to go there either. You don't always get what you want. Things happen in life, we make choices and some of them are bound to be wrong. She tells Lucky to take a look around. She is paying for her mistakes. Her husband has left her. Isn't that enough? Or should she be burned at the stake? For Gods sakes, she is his mother and she promises him that she has loved him since the moment he was conceived. Doesn't that count for something or is she just the sum of her mistakes?

Laura begs Lucky to listen to her. It was as much Stefan's decision as hers because they both knew that Helena would stop at nothing to punish them. Lucky says that he gets it, as much as he can. He isn't her. He can't spend his whole life pretending. Laura asks if that is what he thinks of her. That he can't trust anything she says. Lucky says not completely. He doesn't say that to hurt her. He doesn't lie to people he loves. Laura says that she hopes that he never has to. She hopes his life is that chaos free. She hopes that he can keep this clarity and purity he has forever. And that he finds perfect trust with someone. Not many people do, but she has to believe that he will. Probably because he wants it so badly. She wants him to have the happiness he deserves. No matter how much distance he puts between them he is with her everyday in her heart.

Lucky says that he knows that about her, but he keeps finding stuff out and it seems like there is no end. Laura asks if he would believe her if she said that this was the end. When Lucky doesn't answer, she asks what he needs to hear. He says that he just needs to hear the truth, that's it. Laura tells him that he knows it all now, there isn't anymore. She asks if he believes her. Lucky says that he doesn't know. As Lucky turns to go, a tearful Laura stops him and asks where they are right now. How much ground have they lost? Is she the enemy, someone he is going to avoid? Lucky quietly says that he doesn't know. Laura breaks down in sobs as she watches Lucky walk out the door.

Laura calls Stefan, and he comes running and she cries in his arms that her world in falling apart, it didn't just happen tonight, it has taken many many years. She thought she was holding everything together until she took a look around. No one is here, they have all left. Her family was always everything to her. It was her whole life, but she destroyed it. She doesn't know how or when, but she did. He comforts her and tells her that he and Nikolas are waiting for her, that she has a family waiting for her anytime she wants it. Ends with a music montage.

Stefan tells Nikolas that after this, he won't have to lie anymore to protect his legacy. Nikolas is anxious for all of it to be over so he can tell the world how proud he is that Stefan is his father. Stefan says that he has to go sort out some things at the bank, which will be tedious, but he intends to invite Laura to go on a walk through the park after. He invites Nikolas to join them, but Nikolas declines saying that he and Liz are going shopping for Emily's birthday present. Stefan says that Laura will be disappointed. Nikolas asks if Stefan is disappointed or relieved that he won't be able to join them. Nikolas says that Stefan doesn't have to use him as an excuse to be alone with Laura anymore. Nikolas suggests that if Stefan wants to be alone with Laura, he should just come out and say it.

Stefan confesses to Nikolas that he relishes the opportunity to be alone with Laura. He has had precious few occasions to be alone with her since he came to Port Charles and most of them were under circumstances he would rather forget. His intentions today are to put all that behind them and simply enjoy each other's company. They are going to watch the ice skaters since he knows
that that is something that Laura enjoys. Nikolas teases Stefan telling him not to stay out past curfew. Stefan is glad that Nikolas finds this amusing. Nikolas is aware of the sacrifices Stefan has made and he just wants him to enjoy his life. Stefan appreciates the sentiment, but says that he would do everything the same all over again. Nikolas says that he sometimes wonders what his life
would have been like if he had known that Stefan was his father from the start. Stefan knows, but says that they must focus on this moment and their future. He leaves telling Nikolas to enjoy his morning.

Liz has gone to visit Laura. Laura is happy to see Liz, they haven't had a visit in a long time. Liz inquires about Leslie Lu and is disappointed when Laura tells her that she is asleep. Laura teases Liz saying that the only reason she came over was to see Leslie Lu. Liz says that actually, she came over for a very specific reason. She tells Laura that Lucky is going to be out of town for a couple of days. She explains that Lucky asked her to let Laura know. Laura doesn't want to pry, but she asks Liz if Lucky is in some kind of trouble.

Liz assures Laura that Lucky is not in any trouble. He took a job because he needed money. Laura asks about school, but Liz tells her that Lucky already aced all of his tests and that there is no school for the rest of the week. Laura asks why Lucky needs the money. Liz explains that Luckyjust wants to be able to support himself. He is pretty independent. Laura asks herself how the time has gone by so quickly. Liz says that she thinks that time is what Laura's sons needed. As incredible as it seems, Lucky and Nikolas have become pretty good friends. They have finally realized that they are both terrific guys.

Laura is pleased that they are still getting along. Liz laughs and says that they still disagree all the time, but now it is more like the way friends disagree. Nikolas will make a suggestion and then Lucky will make a different suggestion and then Nikolas will make fun of him. They are constantly teasing each other and making jokes about each other, but underneath it all, Liz can see a respect and affection. Laura is thrilled when Liz tells her how Lucky and Nikolas' relationship has changed. Liz says that they have overcome a lot. She thinks that Laura should be proud of them. Their conversation is interrupted by a knock on the door.

Laura is very happy to see Sonny on her doorstep. She invites him in and introduces him to Liz, Lucky's girlfriend. Liz cautiously shakes Sonny's hand but doesn't say anything. Laura tells Sonny that if he wants to see Luke, he isn't there. Sonny says he know that Luke is out of town and asks if she is all right. Laura says that she is fine except that she is constantly losing track of her family. Sonny tells her that maybe he can help, he has seen Lucky.  Laura asks what about Lucky. Liz asks if he is in trouble. Sonny says no, Lucky just told him that he was going out of town. Laura says that she already knows. Lucky told Elizabeth and Elizabeth told her. She wants to know how Sonny knows. Sonny explains that he knows Lucky is out of town because he is the one who gave him the job. He assures Laura that it is strictly legal. Laura thanks him for telling her. Liz excuses herself saying that she is meeting Nikolas. They are going to buy a birthday present for Emily. She tells Mr. Corinthos that it was nice to meet him. Sonny tells her next time to call him Sonny.

After Liz leaves, Laura grills Sonny about the job he gave Lucky. Once again Sonny assures her that everything is on the up and up. He wouldn't lie to her. Laura apologizes, but says that she had to ask. She asks how it feels to be back home. Sonny says that he is still adjusting. Laura asks if Lucky told him anything else about her. When Sonny asks what there is to tell, Laura says that Luke left her.

Sonny suggests that Luke and Laura have been together for so many years that maybe a little space will be good. Laura hopes so. Sonny says that he just came by to tell her about Lucky. He tells Laura to just ask if she needs anything. As Sonny starts to go, Lulu comes downstairs. While Sonny is admiring Lulu, Stefan arrives at Laura's. He says that he has come to take her to watch the ice skaters in the park. He is not too pleased to find Sonny standing in Laura's living room. Sonny leaves telling Laura not to hesitate to call. He bids Stefan a cordial, yet cool goodbye.

After Sonny leave, Stefan demands to know what he wanted.  Laura explains that Sonny merely came over to reassure her about Lucky. Stefan says that if Lucky is involved with Sonny, he is already in trouble. People around Sonny get hurt. He reminds Laura that Nikolas go shot outside of the club that Luke owns with Sonny. Laura says that Sonny had nothing to do with the shooting. She diplomatically tells Stefan that they both have people in their lives who the other may not approve of. It doesn't mean that either of them are wrong. Stefan says that from now on he will try to trust the people that Laura trusts.

Laura, Stefan and Katherine are that PC Grill bar. Katherine blasts Laura and Stefan for all of the pain they have put Nikolas through. Her sleeping with Nikolas is nothing compared to his mother abandoning him at birth and to the lies they have been feeding Nikolas all of his life. Stefan stops Katherine from saying anything more and she leaves. Laura moves to go after her, but Stefan stops her and takes her out on the patio to calm down. Once calm, Laura asks Stefan if she made a mistake by attacking Katherine. He assures her that he is glad that they (he and Laura) are not enemies because Laura can be fiercely. They share a tender moment, and kiss.

Laura shows up on the docks getting ready to board a boat to Spoon Island when she runs into Stefan. He gives her some daisy's and lets her know up front that Nikolas will not be joining them tonight so if she decides to decline his invitation, the time to do it would be now. Laura accepted Stefan's dinner invitation and they boarded a boat to Spoon Island. While dining together at Wyndemere, the attraction between Laura and Stefan continued to grow. They talk about the past and their time in Greece together. Laura asks Stefan how he remembered that she likes daisies? Stefan once again comments that he remembers everything about her and everything she likes. Nikolas soon returns home and they asks him to join them. He tells them that he has eaten and adjourns upstairs to his room so that they can be alone. Alone, they get up from the table and talk some more. Stefan puts on some of Laura's favorite music she use to like when she lived with him in Greece and the two begin to dance. As they dance and remember, they get closer and share a passionate kiss.

LUKE IS BACK!  Luke kicked off his plan to take down Stefan and called a bank inquiring about the Cassidine holdings. Luke is in Switzerland brushing up on his accent. He has transformed himself in to quite the respectable looking swiss business man. Luke (convincingly posing as Stefan's accountant) meets with Stefan's Swiss Banker. The banker confirms that he was able to put all of Stefan's holdings onto a disk as they discussed. Luke thanks the banker profusely. After the banker has left, Luke inserts the disk into the computer and gleefully begins searching the contents.

Laura and Stefan are kissing passionately. Stefan tells Laura that he has never wanted anyone like he wants her right now and they continue kissing passionately. Stefan tells Laura that she has always stayed with him. Her eyes, her smile, her laughter. She has always been in his heart. The way they were on the island. The way she would look at him. The same way she is looking at him now. He kisses her face and her neck while Laura breathlessly tells him not to analyze it. She asks him to take her back there. She wants to be that way again without any thought of the consequences or what is going to happen next. They kiss passionately and then Stefan suddenly pulls away. He takes Laura's face in his hands and tells her no.

Laura is clearly shocked that Stefan has turned her down and asks what is wrong. Stefan says that he isn't available for more stolen moments or for rushing head long into one thing to mask the pain of another. Their time on the island was one of heightened reality. She was there against her will and he was getting ready to wage was on Helena which was liable to mean his death. But this is the real world. When they become lovers again, he wants it to be in this world. Under it's pressure and despite it's circumstances. Because they do believe in tomorrow. Laura says that she doesn't want to live in tomorrow. They are there now, together, tonight. She wants him and she knows that he wants her too. The kiss once again and then Stefan sadly pulls away. Once again Laura tells him that she wants him and they kiss again.

Stefan tells Laura that he has always thought that he was the more cynical of the two of them. It turns out that he is the optimist. He has more faith in them than Laura does. He is willing to wait until she can come to him without guilt or reservation or the desperation he sees in her face right now. Laura says that she isn't desperate. Stefan says that she is and he doesn't want to be something that she throws herself into to forget that she is married. Laura sighs and asks why it is that he has always been so able to read her. Stefan caresses her hair and pulls her into his arms as she begins to cry. He tells her that for now it is enough to have her in his arms. Laura asks Stefan to please just hold her a little longer and he willingly complies with her request. 

Nikolas reminds Stefan of his feelings on the matter, but Stefan wonders if he may have had second thoughts. Stefan asks if Nikolas likes anything about being the prince. Nikolas admits that he does understand the traditions and what having a title to hand down means. It gives the family unity and structure. A rallying point that other families don't have. He understands that this secret will threaten that He may even wish there was a Prince Cassadine but he asks Stefan not to ask him to be that prince. Stefan is sorry that the tradition will end, but says that he couldn't be prouder of Nikolas' answer. He fears that Nikolas is about to discover another of his secrets. Everything Nikolas does seems perilously close to perfect in his eyes. Stefan tells Nikolas that he has prepared for the orderly dismantling of the family holdings, but there is no way to predict what may ensue. He tells Nikolas that he should decide what he would like to do with the family fortune while he still controls it.

Stefan is working on his computer in his study. He makes a call to someone and demands to know who has been trying to access the Cassadine financial records. He instructs the person to find out and get back to him at once.

Luke (still disguised as Stefan's banker) is making a large donation to the prison reform society on Stefan's behalf. The prison reform representative is surprised at the size of the donation. He comments that the Cassadine's must have a strong commitment to rehabilitation. Luke says that it is because of the family history. The family has a saying, "the criminal is my brother".

Alexis meets Stefan on the docks. He tells her that someone has recently gained access to the family accounts and asks her if it was her. Alexis denies any tampering and says if someone has been tampering, it is Stefan's fault. He has been neglecting the family holdings in favor of pursuing Laura Spencer. Stefan is still confused by Alexis' bitterness. He concedes that he lied, but explains that he did it to protect Nikolas from Helena. He expected her of all people to understand. Alexis says that she was an outsider in her own family and apparently that was the way they all wanted it. She isn't going to
forget that.

She thought Stefan was her cousin, but he is her brother. She thought Nikolas was the prince, it turns out he is really Stefan's son. She has spent her whole life trying to find her proper place in the family and she is tired of waiting. She is going to take what is hers right now. Stefan asks if that is why she has hired people to investigate their assets. Alexis doesn't care what Stefan thinks anymore. He may control the Cassadine fortune, but he doesn't own it. If he loses one penny, she will see to it that he answers to every Cassadine on the planet.

Luke continues his task of donating Stefan's money. He presents a nun with a very large donation for the sisters of refuge. He hopes it will make their dream of building a new facility a reality. The nun is overcome with joy when she sees the amount of the check. Luke assures her that Mr. Cassadine wanted to make sure that their facility is the finest of it's kind. Everything necessary for the rehabilitation of the women of the street. The nun asks if she can thank Mr. Cassadine personally, but Luke says that he is somewhat shy. He suggests that the nun pray that Mr. Cassadine's soul spends eternity where it belongs.

Jerry pays a visit to Stefan via the secret tunnels. He asks if Jerry has been investigating the Cassadine holdings. He asks Jerry to be on the alert in case he hears anything and suggests that Jerry leave through the front door.

At Kelly’s, Bobbie walks over to the counter and picks up the phone. On the other end of the line, Luke teasingly asks if Ruby has Bobbie on phone duty. When Bobbie says that she only wished that were the case, Luke immediately knows that something is wrong. Bobbie sadly explains that Ruby had a heart attack and died in her sleep. Luke looks heart broken as he hears the news and quietly tells Bobbie to hang on. He will be there as soon as he can.

Laura arrives at Wyndemere and Stefan is happy to see her so he can be relieved from his legal work. He can see that something is wrong and asks her what is it. She says that she ran into a couple of Luke's friends on the way to the launch, and it felt as if she was doing something wrong. She then confesses to Stefan that although Luke may have left her, she still feels guilty about spending time with him. Laura then thanks Stefan for slowing things down between them the other night, because she really wasn't ready yet. Stefan tells her that his motives were purely selfish and when she comes to him, he doesn't want anyone else to be in the room with them, (meaning Luke). He then adds in the meantime, he can see no reason why they can't spend time together, unless it will make her uncomfortable. Laura tells him no and she really appreciates his patience. Stefan tells her it's his strong suit.

As Liz and Lucky enter Kelly's, Lucky calls out for Ruby, but gets no response. Bobbie comes from out of the kitchen with a solemn look on her face and Lucky can tell that something is wrong. When he asks her what's the matter, Bobbie regretfully informs Lucky and Elizabeth that Ruby is gone.

Luke arrives and upon seeing his sister, they hug each other and cry in each other's arms. Luke tells Bobbie that he had a bad feeling, because Ruby came to him in a dream five or six nights ago and he hadn't spoken with her since New Year's. He then tells Bobbie he was suppose to call Ruby, but never got around to it. Bobbie asks him about the dream and he tells her that he really doesn't remember the dream, except Ruby was giving him one of those bone-withering glares of hers and he woke up in a cold sweat. Bobbie tells Luke that they always new were they stood with Ruby and always knew she'd be there. Luke then asks Bobbie what would have happened to them if Ruby wouldn't had taken them in and made them a family all those years ago? Bobbie tells him that she didn't have any idea what she was getting herself into, but she didn't quit and she didn't kick them out.

Luke and Bobbie then sadly recall how Ruby got them both through some of the toughest years of their lives. Felicia comes into Kelly's and hugs Luke and tells him that she is glad Bobbie was able to get a hold of him. She then asks if any one has gotten a hold of Laura. No one says nothing and Felicia changes the subject and tells Bobbie that she will go in the kitchen and get the food together before the guest arrive. Luke thanks Felicia before she leaves. Once Felicia is out of earshot, Bobbie asks Luke if he has spoken to Laura. Luke says no, he came straight here. Bobbie tells him that she didn't want Laura to find out from an answering machine, so she just left her a message asking her to call. She then tells him that Lucky was away overnight on a school field trip, but he got back this morning and she told him. Luke asks Bobbie how Lucky took the news and Bobbie tells him that he took it like Luke did, but Elizabeth was with him and they went for a walk, but said they would be back for the gathering.

Luke then asks about Little Lucas and Bobbie tells him that Jerry took him for the afternoon until they get things set up here. Luke asks her about what needs to be done in terms of arrangements? Bobbie tells him that Ruby wanted a big open house for all of her friends and family to drink the coffee and eat the chili and trade exaggerated stories of her. She then tells Luke that there is still time for him to take a walk if he likes before everyone arrives. Luke tells her maybe that would be good. He then tells her that he sure does love her and Bobbie tells him she loves him too. Luke tells her he'll be back and leaves. Felicia comes from out of the kitchen and she and Bobbie continue to reminisce about Ruby.

Mike runs into Luke on the steps. They exchange hellos and Mike tells him how sorry he is to hear about Ruby. Luke thanks him and then runs down to see Sonny. They greet each other and hug and then joke about wearing suits. Sonny would have liked to have seen Luke in a suit, but Luke says hell no, I looked like an accountant! Sonny then offers his deepest sympathies about Ruby's passing. Luke tells him thanks, but then cuts right to it and asks Sonny what he is really doing back in town. Sonny says didn't you always tell me not to throw my life away? Luke tells him yeah, but anytime anybody tells him he's right, he guess he'll believe them, but if Sonny thinks that he's going to believe that he's here for any other reason than Moreno, then he thinks Sonny may have toasted his cauliflower. Sonny tells Luke that he is through with that business.

As a boat approaches, Luke tells Sonny that he is not and there are still a lot of people out there he'd like to see disappear. Sensing that Luke and Laura need some time alone to talk, Sonny tells Luke that it's getting a little cold out here for him and he is going to go ahead and head on over to the grill. Luke says okay, I'm going to stay here and enjoy the view. Laura steps off the launch. Luke coolly greets her, and asks if she will be at Kelly's later. Why, something going on there? She replies equally coolly. Luke says that she should have called Bobbie back, because Ruby is dead. Laura's face goes from cool anger to utter shock.
Laura is appropriately shocked at Luke's blunt announcement that Ruby is dead. She tells Luke how sorry she is and asks how it happened. Luke explains that Ruby died in her sleep. Her heart just stopped. He hopes she was with the man of her dreams. It would be a good end to a good life. Luke invites Laura to the open house at Kelly's. Laura says that of course she will be there.

Bobbie and Felicia remember how Ruby was there for Bobbie when BJ died (accompanied by a flashback of Bobbie and Ruby at GH). Felicia and Bobbie hug as they remember.

Liz asks Lucky if he is okay? Lucky says that he just got hit with a memory and he tells Liz (accompanied by a flashback) about when he first arrived in Port Charles sans Luke and Laura and went straight to Kelly's. Ruby was everything his parents said she was. He says that it is kind of nice to remember a time when he could actually believe what his parents told him.

Laura walks up to Kelly's and explains that she just found out and tells Lucky how sorry she is about Ruby. She hugs Lucky. Lucky tells Laura that he was just telling Liz about how Ruby took him in when he first came to Port Charles, no questions asked. Laura smiles at the thought. She turns to Liz and asks if she is okay. Liz says that she is sad, but doing all right. The three walk into Kelly's together. They greet Bobbie and then Lucky and Liz offer to help. Felicia says that she can use some extra hands in the kitchen. Lucky and Liz go with Felicia leaving Laura alone with Bobbie. Laura apologizes to Bobbie saying that she was in North Carolina visiting Leslie and she didn't get the message. Laura explains that she saw Luke and that was how she found out about Ruby. She says that Luke looked really devastated. She is sure that Bobbie is too.

Bobbie tells Laura that Ruby would be glad she was there. When Laura married a Spencer, she became family. Laura says that she loved Ruby too. She was always grateful for her fairness and generosity towards her. And she was always grateful to Ruby for Luke. She raised him and gave him a soul. Bobbie says that most people would give that credit to Laura, but Laura says that he had a soul when she met him. Laura tearfully tells Bobbie that she thinks that Luke should be there instead and she doesn't think he will come if she stays. Bobbie thinks it is ridiculous that Luke and Laura can't both be there, but Laura thinks it is best if she goes.

Lucy and Scott arrive. They hug Bobbie and Lucy says that it is so sad that it is unthinkable. She has tried and tried, but she can't picture Port Charles without Ruby. She was so central to everything. Bobbie laughs as she remembers how hard Lucy tried to win Ruby's approval. Lucy agrees that Ruby was a hard sell. As they continue to talk to Bobbie, Luke finally makes an appearance. Lucy doesn't know what to say to him and expresses her sorrow. Luke thanks her for being there. He says that he loves her eyes. They are beautiful even when they are sad. Despite their history, Luke and Scott manage to be cordial as Scott tells Luke how sorry he is about Ruby.

Lucky and Liz come out of the kitchen to help clean up some of the tables. Luke notices Lucky and walk over to say hello. Lucky says that Bobbie told him Luke was coming back and asks if he is only in town to pay his respects or if he is staying a while. Luke says that he doesn't know if it will be good news or bad news to Lucy, but he has finally realized that Port Charles will always be his return address. He guesses that he doesn't have to tell Lucky how much Ruby loved him. Lucky said that Ruby made sure he knew. And for the record, it's good news that Luke is staying. Liz walks up and comments that everything is all cleaned up even Ruby would be amazed. She tells Luke that she isn't a very good waitperson. Luke laughs and says he doubts that, not if she worked for the Rube. He'd stack her dishes with the antique china any day. Lucky says that they are going to take off, but he tells Luke that it was nice to see him.

As they go, Sonny arrives. Luke who laughs and tells Sonny that he is a brave man. Sonny agrees that Ruby decided early on that she wasn't going to care for him and she stuck to her guns. Bobbie tells Sonny that Ruby never would have admitted it, but she loved it when Sonny flirted with her no matter how many times she threw him out. Sonny laughs and agrees that he and Ruby may not have had a friendship, but they did have an understanding. He once again offers his condolences and goes leaving Bobbie and Luke alone at Kelly's.

Luke apologizes to Bobbie for being late. He lost track of time. As he and Bobbie share a piece of cake, they laugh together at the memory of Ruby jumping out of the cake at Luke's bachelor party (accompanied by a flashback!). This is followed by another flashback of Luke, Bobbie and Ruby celebrating Luke's return to PC with a bottle of champagne. Back at Kelly's, Bobbie comments that they had some good times and asks Luke if that was what he was remembering on the docks. Luke says that he was listening. He was listening to the wind and the water and he swears that he heard Ruby's voice.

He tearfully says that he could hear her saying I'm here sweetheart and I'll always be here in your heart. Like a sturdy old lighthouse with an unquenchable beacon I'm going to remind you to beware of ragged rocky shores of indifference and beware false judgment and self delusion and be on guard against a remote heart. He heard her laugh, he swears that he heard her laugh. She said pick up your chin kid. Pick up your head and your hopes and be determined and stay focused and always remember that there is life and grace and dignity in the eye of every storm, she was living proof. With that, Luke places his cup and saucer on top of the last candle, extinguishing it. He and Bobbie walk to the door. Luke turns the open sign to closed and Bobbie turns off the neon Kelly's sign. With a last glance around, Luke and Bobbie walk out the door leaving Kelly's dark and empty.

Note: Luke’s thoughts about Ruby at the end of today's episode was paraphrased from the actually eulogy that Tony Geary gave at Norma Connolly's memorial service. The eulogy is printed in it's entirety in the February 9 issue of Soap Opera Magazine.

Bobbie and Luke pack up Ruby's belongings. They decide to just keep a few things that'll remind them of her and what they had together. Luke wants to close Kelly's for good. Bobbie thinks they should think about it. Luke wants to move on. Lucky interrupts Luke and Bobbie and tells them that he and Liz opened Kelly's and that most of the regular customers had come by. Lucky asks Luke about joining him for a cup of coffer and Luke accepts. Bobbie tells Luke to rethink about closing Kelly's.

Over coffee, Lucky and Luke have a pretty good connecting talk. Lucky is very insightful when it comes to Luke. He encourages Luke to move on from the past; like he has been doing for these past few months. Luke asks if he does move on, start anew, does this include a fresh start with Lucky? Lucky says if it only has to do with who they are now and not the old junk from the past. Luke agrees and they shake hands. Nikolas comes into Kelly's and Lucky says well, let's see if you can handle it. Nikolas offers his condolences and his help. Liz puts him to work waiting tables. Lucky taunts Luke after Nikolas refills his water glass. Luke takes the abuse with pleasure. Luke leaves after thanking Liz profusely for all she has done. 

While Alexis is waiting for Jax at the PC Hotel, Luke arrives unexpectedly. Alexis is unpleasantly surprised to see him and tells him that he can't stay. Luke says that he is disappointed in her. He hands her an empire on a silver platter and here she sits still allowing Stefan to sweep her under the table. Alexis says that she has no intention of explaining anything to him. She tells him he has to go because she is meeting someone. Luke hopes it is Count Vlad so they can tell him together that the jig is up.
Stefan explains to Nikolas that once the relatives learn that there is no heir, they will descend like locusts for their share of the family fortune. The Cassadine holdings could be mired in litigation for a long time. There is almost no chance of persuading the family to settle. There is certainly enough to go around. Stefan shows Nikolas something on the computer screen and explains that he has sorted the assets by holding. Nikolas notices one particularly large amount and asks who Dimitri Andros is. Stefan quickly closes the laptop and says that Mr. Andros is an ally. He has $200 million which will remain out of reach of the family. Nikolas asks how they know they can trust Mr. Andros. Stefan explains that Mr. Andros does not exist. The Andros trust was created with funds embezzled from Nikolas' personal holdings. Nikolas is somewhat surprised that Stefan would allow someone to steal from him, but Stefan explains that he engineered the theft.

Alexis tells Luke about her childhood. She was treated worse than a servant. For most of her life she has had to answer to someone and now she is finished. She won't take orders anymore. Not from her family and not from Luke. Luke wants to know when she is going to reign over the kingdom he handed her. Alexis says when it suits her. When she decides. She doesn't get a big thrill out of hurting people, she just wants what is her. Luke says that if she doesn't hurry up, he may have to find another way to expose the prince as a fraud. Alexis says that bad things happen when Luke improvises. Odds are, he will screw up, someone will fall to their death and she will get blamed. She asks Luke to please not surprise her anymore. Jax arrives and asks what life is without a few surprises.

Stefan tells Nikolas that he prepared for the inevitable onslaught by setting some money aside. Nikolas appreciates Stefan's good intentions, but he won't build his life on an act of theft. He doesn't want what doesn't belong to him. He is young. He can build his life on something other than being a prince. Even without the Andros trust, he has more options than most people dream of. He will survive. Stefan says that he wants more for Nikolas than mere survival. He wants him to thrive, to soar. He has been the custodian of the Cassadine fortune since Stavros' death. He would like his fee for that service to be paid in the form of a trust fund set up for his son. If Nikolas won't accept the Andros money, Stefan will accept it on his behalf. Nikolas asks if they, for once, can't do something above board. Nikolas wants to know if Stefan is tired of all the deception. He wants to know where it is written that the Cassadine family has to be run with lies.

Nikolas apologizes to Stefan for having to live his life always looking over his shoulder. Stefan says that he had hoped that would change when Nikolas took over the family. Nikolas has a tremendous amount of personal integrity, but he must understand that the Andros trust was designed to secure his life as well as his holdings. Stefan tells him to make no mistake, there may be attempts on both. Nikolas asks why anyone want to kill him now that he is about to abdicate. Stefan explains that the Cassadines, like the Bolsheviks, will fear a revolution. Money is power and power is protection.

Nikolas can forfeit the title if he wants, but Stefan begs him to please let him secure his life. He asks Nikolas again if there is anything he wants to do while the fortune is still in his control. Nikolas says that he would like to make a donation to GH. Stefan has already anticipated this request and tells Nikolas that he would like him to present a check to GH this afternoon. Nikolas agrees to make the presentation as long as Stefan agrees that this is his last official act as the Cassadine Prince. Stefan reluctantly agrees.

Jax sits down as Luke gets up to leave. Before he goes, Luke tells Alexis that he handed her a dream of a deal and she can take it or leave it but he is going ahead with it with our without her.

A nun arrives at GH looking for Stefan who conveniently arrives at the same time. The nun rushes over to Stefan and thanks him profusely for his generous donation of $10 million dollars to help the fallen women of Port Charles. Stefan is understandably confused since he knows of no such donation. Luke overhears and acts shocked. He makes a big deal about how generous a donation that is and out of Stefan's personal accounts no less.

Stefan tells the nun she must be mistaken, but she tells him there is no mistake and she has received a very generous donation to her convent from Cassadine Industries. After she leaves, Luke gleefully pulls out a list and fills Stefan in on how he doled out the entire $200 million dollars of the Cassadine fortune to dozens of worthy causes around the globe in donations in Stefan's name. As an angry Stefan looks on, Luke tells him that the charitable organizations that he distributed all of Stefan's money into are all tax-deductible and a tax deduction is like an asset that you don't have. Stefan says so it's stolen money.

Luke asks Stefan if he wants to have him arrested because if so, he'll confess. He then says, is it stolen money if it has already been stolen? He tells Stefan maybe they should poll the other Cassadine family members and let them see which one of them they'd like to bust first. Stefan says this is so like you, this order of childishness. Stefan then says to Luke that particular sum of money seems a small price to pay for what Nikolas and he have gained, and Luke has lost. He then leaves Luke with that thought and Luke yells after him that he hears they're hiring in the cafeteria.

Luke approaches Lucky and tells him to be forewarned about his friendship with the next of kin of the spawn of darkness. Lucky tells Luke that he already knows that Stefan is Nikolas' father. Luke is shocked and Lucky tells him that Nikolas told him in confidence, so Luke very well couldn't expect him to coming running with the information. He then tells his father while he was speeding the flow of information around did he have any thoughts of anyone else who might be able to use that warning. Luke looks at him bewildered and Lucky gives Luke a hint by saying, first you married her, then you left her.

Lucky asks Luke if he has thought this through and adds that Nikolas doesn't care about being the Prince of anything. Luke tells him that Stefan does and has worked all his life to build up power for him and Nikolas. Lucky tells Luke that it is only money and once it is all settled, there will still be some left, there always is with people like them. He then tells his dad the main person who is going to be hurt by this and whose name is going to be front news for every tabloid around is Laura's. Luke tells him that it can't be helped. Lucky says so you really don't care? Luke remains silent. Elizabeth walks up and greets them. Lucky tells his dad to go home and think about what he has said and he and Liz leave.

In Monica's office, Stefan tells Nikolas to reconsider the amount of money he was going to give to GH. He suggest cutting the amount in half, and stashing the rest to keep aside for himself to replace the money that Luke stole from them. Nikolas doesn't agree and says how upset can he be about something that was never his to start with, including this check. He then adds, that the money will benefit people who need it more than any Cassadine ever will. Nikolas then says if Luke gave the Andros trust away, he apologizes and appreciates Stefan's concern, but what can they do. An anxious Stefan doesn't agree and tells Nikolas that Luke will not be content with just giving that money away. He won't stop until there are no provisions left for Nikolas or for his safety, security, financial or otherwise. Nikolas tells him that Luke is gonna do what he's gonna do, but Stefan tells him that he needs time to prepare the damage that Luke has caused so he can make arrangements for the future.

He then demands that Nikolas give him the check so that he can make some phone calls. Nikolas says no and tells Stefan that he is willing to tell the whole world that he is Stefan's son and take that power away from Luke, but it's up to Stefan. Stefan says that all he wants is a fraction of the wealth he has created in the 12 years he has managed the Cassadine holdings. Nikolas tells him that it is not the same thing and that Stefan's dealings with the family have nothing to do with his battle with Luke. Nikolas then tells him that he has won and that Luke has lost everything. His family and Laura. Stefan says that will make Luke more inclined to strike back at their family and that includes Nikolas. Nikolas says he can't do nothing about that except live his life, or he can set up barricades and start lobbying grenades over them. He then tells Stefan until this year that is all his life has been about, but not anymore and he refuses to do that now. Realizing that his son doesn't intend to bug, Stefan decides to leave it alone and they head out to find Monica, so they can present her with the check.

Back at the nurses station, Luke sits for a while pondering what Lucky has told him. He decides to leave and runs into Helena Cassadine. Luke says how she has warmed his heart and ask Helena if she is there to see the doctor and have they told her it was something fatal he hopes. Helena tells Luke that she still has more life left in her than he has ever known. She then complains to Luke that his little friend (Alexis) commanded that she meet her there. Luke says who, Natasha, well good for her. Helena then asks Luke if he knows what this is about. Luke doesn't, but decides to stick around because he can't wait to find out.
Monica comes around the nurses station doing her rounds and runs into Nikolas and Stefan. They stop her and Nikolas tells Monica on behalf off Cassadine Industries, he would like to present her with this check for a donation. Just then Alexis arrives off of the elevator and witnesses all of this. She pushes past Luke and Helena and goes over to Monica, Nikolas and Stefan. She tells Nikolas she is sorry and then asks Monica if she can see the check. Monica hands it to her and Alexis looks at the amount the check is made out for and rips the check in half as Helena looks on, as does a very amused Luke.

At GH, Alexis shocks Stefan and Monica by taking the donation check just presented by Nikolas and Stefan and ripping it in half. She explains that all of the Cassadine accounts have been frozen by a court order. Watching from the sidelines, Helena asks Luke what he hopes to gain by this. Meanwhile, Stefan tries to calm Alexis down, but she won't stop now that she has started. Alexis tells Monica that Nikolas does not have the power to make this donation because he is NOT the Cassadine heir. Stefan apologizes to Monica for Alexis' behavior. He says that they will clear everything up.

Alexis pulls Nikolas aside and tells him that he will understand this soon enough. Nikolas already understands and says that its okay, she deserves the money more than he does. She is more of a Cassadine than he is. Alexis puts Helena "on notice" that the Cassadine fortune is up for grabs, and that she is in the running. Luke is thoroughly enjoying himself as he watches the scene unfold. Helena says that he must be happy to be destroying the Cassadine family. Helena tells Alexis that by aligning herself with Luke, she is alienating herself from Stefan and Nikolas. She is going to crash soon. Alexis tells Helena to feel free to underestimate her. It's her secret weapon against her. She is more dangerous that Helena imagines. Helena says that she would almost have to be.

Helena turns to Luke and asks why he masterminded the assault. Luke says that hate is a lot like love. If you look too closely, it tends to dissolve. Helena says that she sees and here she thought that he had finally realized that Stefan's interest in Laura is a little more earthy than advertised. She knew the truth for years. Stefan is so easy to read, that is why she still doubts Stefan is Nikolas' father. She asks if Luke or Alexis ever bothered to get a blood test to confirm Nikolas' parentage. She says that Alexis is foolish staking her life on less than a sure thing. No matter what, Luke has the satisfaction of causing the discord he so desired. Alexis has very few doubts that Stefan is Nikolas' father, particularly after seeing his reaction today. Luke asks Helena why she is treating Alexis so poorly. Alexis has made all Helena's dreams come true. The Cassadine purse is now in play.

Helena can legitimately grab whatever she can get her greedy little hands on. Helena says that Luke must be relishing at the thought of the Cassadine fortune being torn apart by money hungry relatives. Luke says that he would rather see the relatives torn apart by hungry rodents. Luke calls Helena a Slavic sociopath and says that she gives him too much credit. He was just standing around minding his own business. It was her family that aired their laundry in public. But now that she mentions it, with all those heirs out there, she should probably stay out of dark alleys. She wouldn't want to be one of those things that go bump in the night. Alexis smiles at Luke as he walks away. After he has gone, Helena turns to Alexis and says that it seems that her partner has deserted her. What a shame.

At Wyndemere, Stefan is taking precautions for Helena's arrival. Nikolas can't understand why Stefan thinks Helena will make a move since the news didn't seem to affect her. Stefan assures Nikolas that Helena's calm is more dangerous than her rage. They have to be prepared. Although they have been preparing for weeks, he did not anticipate Alexis' treachery. Nikolas says that Alexis did him a favor. He is glad that the secret is out.

Stefan says that what Alexis did was for her own benefit, not Nikolas'. It was quite unexpected. He did not foresee such a public challenge or Helena's involvement. By involving Helena, Alexis has endangered Nikolas' life . Nikolas is so glad that the truth is out that he is willing to take the dangers that come with it. Now that he isn't the prince, he is irrelevant. Stefan chastises Nikolas for saying that he is irrelevant. Nikolas may no longer be entitled to lead the family, but Stefan still contends that a share of the Cassadine legacy is still his birthright. Nikolas insists that he has everything he wants from the Cassadines. He has a father.
An exasperated Alexis explains to Helena one more time that, legally, she is entitled as much as the Cassadine estate as Helena is, maybe more. She suggest that Helena consult her attorney's if she has any doubts. Helena says that she wouldn't dream of questioning Alexis' legal expertise, but Alexis has over looked the essentials. Helena considers it her duty to enlighten Alexis as to what she has missed. To inherit, she must be alive and that noone seems overly concerned with her survival. Alexis has antagonized Helena and Stefan. The only one who used to defend her. By exposing Stefan's secret, she has jeopardized Nikolas life, a betrayal that Stefan will never forgive. Stefan may even save Helena the trouble and kill Alexis himself. Helena also cautions Alexis not to count on Luke. She has already served her purpose where Luke is concerned. Alexis says that Helena should be more concerned about her own life. Helena says that if she were Alexis, she would worry about Helena, a great deal.

As expected, Helena has arrived at Wyndemere. She says that she is there to check up on her grandson. Alexis must have hurt him terribly today. And she is sure that he has been told all sorts of horrible about what she would do to him if he wasn't' the heir. She assures Nikolas that regardless of his parentage, her love for him is undiminished.

Stefan says that Nikolas knows well the many expressions of Helena's love. Her attempts on Stefan's life, not to mention her threats against Lesley and Laura. Helena assures Nikolas that his life is precious to her. She wonders how he can doubt it. Nikolas wonders why he wouldn't. Helena tells Nikolas that he is the grandson of Mikkos Cassadine. If Stefan is truly his father, than the greatest of the family has simply skipped a generation. Helena speculates that it might be best that Alexis does prove that Nikolas is not the prince. The legacy would be fairly divided and she would have a chance to get to know her grandson.
Nikolas says that he does not want to get to know Helena. When everything is settled, she can take her money and leave him alone. Stefan says that Nikolas' last request will be complied with immediately. Angry, Helena says that on second thought, she hopes Alexis can't prove that Stefan is Nikolas' father, Nikolas deserves a better father than Stefan. Stefan calls the guards to take Helena away. Stefan tries to become trustee of the Cassidine fortune. He tells Laura that the secret is out and the Cassidines know he is not the true prince. She ask if it was Luke? He says no, it was Alexis.

Luke takes over running Kelly’s. Felicia stops him and gives the struggling Luke a helping hand. Luke is trying to cook at Kelly's and is failing miserably. When Liz shows up for work, he chides her for being late. She shows him how to interpret Ruby’s schedule and shows him she isn’t due in for another half hour. Alexis shows up and he congratulates her on still breathing. She questions is there any reason why she shouldn’t be? He says her blood sucking brother?

DVD #12B  Stefan is moving full speed ahead with a petition to have a hearing in Switzerland to prevent anyone else from gaining control of the family fortune, particularly Helena. Laura responds to his request to see her and he informs her that the secret is out. She asks is Luke responsible. Stefan truthfully tells her no.

At Kelly’s, Luke is having a stressful day, and takes it out on Liz. She manages to calm him a bit and Luke admits its' harder than he thought running the diner. Luke and Alexis continue to verbally spar over various misuses of trust.

Laura and Stefan continue to discuss Nikolas. He is quick to tell Laura that Luke was there when Alexis revealed the truth and it was Luke who told Alexis. Laura is visibly upset. She fears Nikolas is in danger and suggests he leave. Stefan tells Laura Nikolas has a guard on him without his knowledge. Laura still has Strong doubts about Helena, but Stefan assures her that no harm will come to him. Laura suggests they forfeit the money and be done with it. Stefan knows Helena wants more. She wants them to suffer. He says he will not lose his son or her and they embrace.

Luke runs into Laura on the docks and blasts him for putting her sons' life in danger. She asks him if he got everything he wanted. He replies "no angel I didn't. Laura asks Luke if he hates her so much that he would feed her son to Helena. Luke says that he doesn't feed Helena anything. Laura thinks it is unlikely that it was only a coincidence that Luke and Helena were together at GH when Alexis made the announcement about Stefan being Nikolas' father. Luke insists that it was indeed a coincidence. He was standing next to Helena when Alexis spilled the beans and he noticed her reaction. She didn't even twitch and Helena always twitches before she strikes so Laura has nothing to worry about. Nikolas is safe for now. Laura says that she doesn't believe that. She asks Luke why he wants Nikolas to suffer.

Luke says that all he did was to deprive the kid of money that wasn't his to begin with. His comment angers Laura and she shouts at him telling him not to play games with her when her son's safety is at stake. Laura says that Helena may not kill Nikolas today, but what about tomorrow. She has to think about the future. Helena thrives on doing evil. Look what she did to Lesley. Luke tells Laura not to worry so much. Helena's favorite thing to do is to pit her relatives against each other. Nikolas is young and a bit idealistic. It could turn out that Nikolas is more useful to Helena alive. Laura says that thanks to Luke, that isn't true anymore. She will take her time, just to make sure that she and Stefan suffer, but eventually Helena will strike. Laura says that she and Stefan do agree on a few things. One is that Nikolas is now in danger, and the other is that Luke is the one who put Alexis up to making the big announcement.

Luke denies being responsible for Alexis' actions. He warned Laura that the truth would be revealed. All he did was tell Alexis the truth. Alexis stands alone and he doesn't do partners anymore. Laura asks if Luke had any other reason besides revenge for doing what he did. Did he hope that on some level, ending her secret with Stefan would free them to try again? Laura tearfully tells Luke that he is the one who walked out on their marriage. Luke agrees and suggests that they leave Port Charles and start over somewhere else. He wants to pack up Lulu and blow PC once and for all. Laura asks what they would be running from. Laura says that she has followed him willingly, blindly all over the world because she thought that they were supposed to stay together no matter what. But now she knows that he won't hang in there the same way. He will walk away. In a way, she guesses that that is all she really needs to know. She says goodbye and leaves Luke alone on the docks.

Sonny runs into Luke on the docks. Luke compliments Sonny on the new coffee warehouse and asks how the police are dealing with it. Sonny says that he definitely has the cops confused, but that hasn't stopped them from putting a tail on him. Luke suggests that Sonny take a boat to Wyndemere so the cops will follow him to where the real crimes are being committed. Sonny notices Luke's aggravation as he stares at Wyndemere and asks what is going on out there. Luke says that he doesn't know. Sonny will have to ask his wife. Changing the subject, Luke says that real reason he wanted to see Sonny was to tell him about an interesting conversation he had with a tall Australian with more on his mind than wombats. Jax was trolling for information about the Cassadine's bank records. He seems to think that Luke has picked up some of their books in his travels. Sonny thinks that Jax versus Cassadine is a great concept. He wouldn't know whom to root for. Luke would like to see them both go down and Sonny thinks he knows a way to get that ball rolling. Jax has a brother who takes really bad risks.

Luke tells Sonny that as far as he knows, the last gig Jerry had was for the Cassadines. He was investigating the unfortunate tumble Miss Bell took off the parapet. His bumbling attempts resulted in Luke's safe being broken into. Sonny says that Jerry's talent goes way beyond safe cracking. He gets his jollies illegally moving around people's money. Putting two and two together, Sonny suggests that the money Jerry embezzled was the money Luke donated to charity. Sonny asks why Luke didn't help himself to some of that money. Luke says that he doesn't want anything that Stefan Cassadine has touched.

Nikolas assures Laura that she has nothing to apologize for. She isn't responsible for Luke's action. Stefan and Luke have been going after each other for years. That is what they do. They wouldn't have anything to dream about at night if they weren't planning revenge against one another. He doesn't let that bother him anymore. As far as he is concerned, Luke isn't an issue for him. Laura says that all she has ever wanted for Nikolas is peace and happiness. It is wonderful to think that that moment may have finally come, but he still has to be careful. He may not be the Cassadine prince, but he is still part of a family with a very long reach and an even longer agenda. He may find that some of the ties are too strong to be completely severed.

Fed up with slinging hash, Luke comes huffing and puffing out of Kelly's and entreats his sister to close Kelly's down. Luke tells Bobbie that the microwave is kaput since he forgot where he left the no stick spray and blew the microwave up. Bobbie finds the whole incident hilarious and laughs at Luke for blowing up the microwave. Luke tells her that he can not do this anymore and if he doesn't get some help soon he is gone to torch the place and collect the insurance money. Bobbie tells him he can't do that and Ruby would want them to keep Kelly''s open, so the simplest solution is to find someone to manage the place. Luke isn't sure about that and Bobbie tells him that he has to do it, because she is too busy trying to deal with the Carly and Jason situation. Luke hasn't heard about the latest situation with Jason and Michael, so Bobbie feels him in.

Bobbie tells Luke that Carly is so reckless and is always doing things without thinking first. She then adds that it is becoming so hard to love that girl when she keeps pulling stunts like this. Luke tells her to hang in there and everything will work out. Bobbie convinced Luke not to close Kelly's and he agreed to look for some help. He then tells Bobbie he has to go and warns her not to stick around, because there is a storm coming and he wouldn't want her to get snowed in at Kelly's. Bobbie says that she'll be okay, Jerry is coming to get her.

Jerry arrives and greets them both. Luke offers to give the Jacks brothers advice on the Cassadine's, but Jerry continues to play it off like he and Jax aren't interested in the Cassadine holdings. Luke, in code, admitted to Jerry that he had accessed the Cassadine accounts, but Jerry still continues to act like he isn't interested. Luke returns and walks in on Jerry and Bobbie kissing and thinks of Laura. Without interrupting them, he leaves unnoticed.

Lucky is at Laura's house dropping off some Valentines for Lulu. He mentions that Nikolas is coming for Lulu's tea party. Laura is thrilled to see him and lets him know that Lulu is asleep right now. She then asks him if he is sticking around for the party and he tells her that he won't be there, he has plans. He then offers to cancel his plans for the evening. Laura says that he doesn't have to, Lulu will be fine and she figured that he would have plans, but not with his mother. While Lucky helps Laura get the grab bags together for Lulu's party, he tells his mom that he wants to make this Valentine's Day so special for Liz.

Lucky then talks about how Liz reacted to the Valentines Day Dance poster and he can't take last Valentines Day back, but he hopes he can do something about their future Valentines Days. Laura asks him what he has planned and Lucky tells her that it'll just be the two of them and that he bought Liz a orchid corsage for her arm. He hopes that he is just making this right for Liz. Laura says that Elizabeth is lucky to have him. Lucky asks to use the phone, to check on his floral delivery. Laura tells him to go ahead then smiles to herself that Lucky is in love. After hanging up, Lucky finds out that there are no flowers left in Port Charles. Laura offers him some white roses that she received.

Nikolas knocks on the door. He has brought two boxes of chocolates, one for Laura, one for Lulu. Laura offers to go upstairs and get Lulu so she can visit with her two favorite guys. Without saying, she also tells Lucky that she will take care of that other matter as well, meaning the flowers. Lulu comes downstairs and the boys both hug and tease her. Laura comes down afterwards with the white roses for Lucky. He thanks her and takes them and then tells everyone that he has to get going over to Liz's. They all bid him a nice Valentine's Day and Lucky leaves.

Afterwards, Laura and Nikolas talk. She tells Nikolas how happy she is for Lucky, who is truly in love. Nikolas says that he will have to take her word on how happy it is to be in love. Laura has hopes for Nikolas too and feels that now that he'll be meeting more people, he will find the love of his life as well. Nikolas says that the only regret he ever had was choosing his own friends. He says that adjusting to not being a prince hasn't been hard. Laura then invites Nikolas to stay, but he tells her he has to be some where and will talk with her later. He then gives Lulu a kiss and leaves. After waiting and still not receiving one guest, Laura tells Lulu that she hopes the storm hasn't prevented her little friends from making it to her party. Later as they wait, Laura is talking to Lulu about the power of love and how it can make you amazingly strong, or terribly weak. She then tells her, it changes people, but is incredibly wonderful. Laura then pours tea for the both of them.

Stefan showed up to talk to Alexis. She offered to call a truce with him. She then told him that the court is appointing a trustee for the estate and hopes that they can work something out before it gets that far. Alexis wants to argue before the judge that as Mikkos Cassadine's sole grandchild, Nik deserves the bulk of the estate. She thinks it will work if Mikkos' children, she and Stefan, make this argument together. What would she want in return? Stefan asks. Equal power, she says, and when Nik came of age, all three of them could manage the holdings together. Stefan declines her offer, and tells her that he will never look at her as a sister again, she is his enemy. Stefan tells Alexis that she has no regard for Nik's life.

Alexis counters that Helena probably already knew that Nik's paternity was in question. Alexis will mourn the loss of their relationship she says, but she needs to assert herself, to claim what's hers. Stefan brings up Kat's fall from the parapet. Alexis resents him taunting her with that. If he knows what happened that night, then he knows she didn't intend to hurt Kat. Stefan says that it was pathetic for her to try to kill Helena, she should have made a life for herself that made Helena irrelevant. How? Alexis asks, by stealing the family fortune and installing her child as the heir? Stefan did that and left her vulnerable. Stefan hurls insults at Alexis, and once again accuses her of being Luke's puppet. Alexis asks if he is saying that her character makes her unworthy of the Cassadine legacy. Stefan says that she is a weakling and a murderess, and he will not deal with her. “Then may the best Cassadine win”, says Alexis.

The power goes out on Luke at the club and Felicia shows up trying to get out of the storm. Soon after, Tammy shows up too. He and Felicia try to convince her to run Kelly's. She's hesitant at first because of her past. Then Luke tells her of Ruby's similar past and she finally agrees. They proceed to get drunk together. Felicia and Luke tell Tammy of Lucy's Nurse's Ball strip tease-hence the shoe on the wall (Felicia has the other and wants Luke's to complete the pair). Luke suggests that Felicia strip for the shoe. She declines (it's too cold), and they flip for it. He bets the shoe, and she bets the tease. She wins the shoe and Mac shows up and takes his drunk wife home.

Amy and Laura are cleaning up the mess from Lulu's Valentine's Day party. As Amy rambles on about Valentine memories, Laura is completely ignoring her and has a far away look on her face. Laura is surprised when Amy angrily says that she is going to leave. Amy tells Laura that is has probably been at least six months since they have had a real conversation. The kind where Laura actually tells her what is going on with her life. She was thrilled when Laura invited her to spend the night. Finally a chance to talk to her sister. But she is invisible to Laura as the air. Laura gets upset and asks why Amy is trying to fight with her. Everyone is wants to fight with her. Her son, her husband. Laura begs Amy to stop it. She feels like she is in some kind of time warp where everyone is racing each other to the door to get away from her. Amy tries to comfort her as she dissolves onto the couch in tears.

Laura apologizes to Amy saying that she knows she has been distant lately. She asks Amy not to leave. She has never been so alone. Luke has left her. And this time it is really different. He doesn't live there anymore. This time it is really over. Amy tries to reassure Laura saying that she knows that isn't true. She knows that they are going through a rough time, but that's how relationships work. Laura says that the scariest part of all of this is that she doesn't know who she is without Luke. She has spent her entire adult life as Luke's wife and partner. She let herself be defined by that. Now he is gone and he isn't coming back.
Amy asks Laura if this is all about Stefan. She tells Laura that she knows about Stefan being Nikolas' father. It's all over the hospital. Laura confirms to Amy that Stefan is Nikolas' father and says that she refuses to be ashamed by that. Amy assures Laura that noone thinks she should be ashamed. Luke is jealous because he hates Stefan. But he loves Laura more and he will get over this. Amy asks Laura if she still has feelings for Stefan. Laura says that she does. Stefan has been solid. Nonjudgmental, loving. He has been everything Luke hasn't. They have a son together. Why wouldn't she respond to him?

Laura says that what she and Luke had is over. Amy asks Laura if she still loves Luke. Laura says that it doesn't matter because she doesn't want to be in love by herself. Amy says that maybe it isn't such a bad thing for Laura to be by herself for a while. She had a really bad year. Everyone needs to be alone sometimes. It gives you time and space to listen to your heart and kind of make your decisions accordingly. If Stefan makes her happy, that's great, but right now Laura is too vulnerable and too connected to Luke to know if she really has feelings for Stefan. Laura smiles at that and tells Amy that that is really good advice. The two sisters hug.

At Kelly's, Luke arrives, moving a little slowly, and is very happy to see Tammy behind the counter.  Luke gingerly sips a cup of coffee and asks Mike about Sonny. Mike explains that Sonny is out of town for a couple of days. Mike leaves, saying goodbye to Tammy. After he goes, Tammy asks if Mike is Sonny's father and if Sonny is taking over again. Luke says that it could happen. Tammy says that the working girls would be glad because Sonny always left them alone. Luke tells Tammy not to get any ideas about returning to her old profession. He has had one too many losses lately.

Laura gets Leslie Lu ready to go play with friends at DayCare. A woman arrives to get her and she sends Lulu on her way. Alone in the house, she looks at a picture of Luke, her and their family from their early days. She then calls the club to find out if Luke is at his place. After hanging up, she grabs her coat and leaves.

Luke is in his office when he receives a phone call from Sonny. Luke tells Sonny that Moreno seems to be making moves around town and warns him a surprise attack from Moreno might be coming. Sonny tells him to watch his back and then hangs up. Laura comes by and tells Luke that they need to talk. Luke tells her he is listening. She talks about their estrangement and tells him that Lucky is old enough to understand, but Lulu must be confused as much as she is. Laura then tells Luke that he needs to clarify exactly where she stands with him and where are they going. Luke looks at her like he doesn't like this line of questioning.

Laura continues by saying that Amy came by and they talked and as they talked, she heard herself saying that he had left her. She then tells him that saying the words made them feel very real, but then Amy pointed out that he had left before, but had always come back. As Luke continues to listen, Laura tells him that they have both done wrong, and she'll admit that, but wants to know if there is anyway they can fix it? Luke looks at her and tells her that he doesn't trust her. She asks if she can fix that, because she needs to know.

A suspicious Luke asks her why now? Is it because the father of one of your sons is putting the squeeze on you? Laura angrily tells him this is not about Stefan, it's about them. They are here now trying to find a way to connect. Luke says that she is still there, but they are not connecting. Laura says that she can't tell what he is feeling anymore, but can't, he won't let her in. He yells its because he doesn't trust her. She cries, "I can't do this" and gets up to leave. Laura says they have one thing in common. "I hate our house as much as you do. We bought it as a symbol of our love and future. But now it's full of ghosts. I see you everywhere in it, playing with the kids, making me happy, all those memories are there and I am tripping over them.

Laura then tearfully reminds Luke she loves him, then expresses a hope that he still has enough feelings for her to try to work through their recent difficulties. Luke rubs his chin, but doesn't answer. Luke says that he doesn't like living like this. He has no off switch to loving her. But what does she expect him to do? Laura tells him to accept her for who she is, the mother of 3 children. Luke says "it's that third child that is so important to you, and all that baggage that comes with it. I was on my way to accepting that third child. Luke then informs Laura that although he still loves her he can't get past her seemingly unbreakable connection to Stefan, adding that he didn't sign on for that.

Laura gulps down her tears, saying that she has her answer. Luke says, "I guess we both do." She puts on her coat and gets ready to leave. Before leaving, Luke says, it's a nice day for a boat ride, if that's where you are headed. Laura tells him that's not where she is headed and then leaves. Luke sinks back down into his chair. In the end, Luke and Laura were unable to reconnect. Later, Luke gets a call from Lucky who asks him if he would like to go out with him and Lulu and if he knows where she is. Luke says that he doesn't know where Lulu is, but if he sees her, to give her his love. Lucky agrees and they end their call. Returning home alone, a weeping Laura looks up, and sees the pictures of her and Luke on the mantle. She goes over, takes down the picture of her and Luke and puts it in a drawer. She then removes her wedding ring from her finger and sets it on the table. A weeping Laura then heads up to her room.

Helena is on the docks when she spies Lucky, Nikolas and LuLu approaching. She walks over to them to make small talk. Nikolas greets her icily. She offers them a lift but Nikolas firmly tells her not to approach his brother or sister again without his express permission. Helena gracefully takes her cue and exits. Nikolas warns Leslie Lu about Helena. Nikolas and Lucky try to soothe LuLu's disappointment over her ice skating debut as Luke approaches. They chat briefly then Nikolas takes Lulu back home. Lucky talks to Luke about Nikolas. He still tries to persuade Luke to give him a chance. Lucky tells Luke how happy he is with Liz. Luke approves. The closeness they once shared is within reach once again.

Stefan arrives at Laura's with apologies for not calling first. She invites him in and he tells her that he has been trying to come up with excuses to see her. But it appears that he doesn't need them now. Stefan explains that it isn't as if he doesn't have anything else to occupy his time. With Nikolas no longer the heir, Helena and Alexis are circling like sharks. It's just that his mind strays
to her, wondering how she is. On Valentine's Day he wanted to call the florist and have every flower in the city delivered to her. Laura tells Stefan about Leslie Lu's Valentine's Day party. She didn't invite him because she wasn't sure how the other Mothers would respond. Stefan said that he didn't send the flowers because he didn't know how she would respond. Laura laughs and says that he is always calculating. She asks Stefan if he remembers the time she convinced him to jump of the cliff. He laughs as he remembers them stepping off and thinking that it was insane. Indisputable evidence that of all the perils around him, none is more dangerous than his feelings for her.

Luke is in his office at the club doing paperwork when Sonny arrives. He asks Luke how long it has been since he has been home. Luke says that home doesn't exist anymore. Luke tells Sonny that he and his wife have come to the end of the road. The fire is still there, but the marriage has burned out. Sonny asks who ended it. Luke says that it depends on who you ask. Laura says that he walked out on her, but he doesn't feel like he walked out on her. He feels like he was shot out of a cannon. One day, he turned around and the wife he trusted for years told him that she has this secret life that he can't be a part of, because it involves a kid and a lover.  What really is so amazing is why the third corner of this triangle has to be Stefan Cassadine. Sonny speculates that it was because Stefan was Laura's safe harbor when she was captive on the island. Luke disagrees. This is going on now, today. If Laura hasn't slept with Stefan yet, she will, because she wants to.

Sonny points out to Luke that he doesn't know if Laura has been unfaithful. Luke asks if he should wait for video taped testimony. Sonny says that if Laura hasn't done the deed, Luke's attitude is going to drive her to it. Luke needs to weigh out what he is going to gain versus what he is going to lose. Luke thinks it is too late. He has no choices. He can't go forward and he can't go back. He
has been stuck for months. He can't define who he is without his wife. After twenty years, he still loves her. But the love is getting all mixed up with anger and betrayal. If it reaches hate, he could do serious damage and he doesn't want it to. Sonny asks if Luke has a plan to start a life without Laura. Has he thought of life without her?

Stefan tells Laura that it isn't moments from their past, but what has transpired recently that he has been thinking about. Like the night at Wyndemere when she wanted to make love. Laura thanks Stefan for not giving into her that night. Stefan says that he told her he would wait and he will. Stefan asks if they can see each other once in a while. Laura says spending time with him would be wonderful. It would be nice to feel wanted again, but maybe that isn't what is best right now. Maybe she should turn around and face whatever she has been trying to escape. She is still trying to figure it out. She has made a mess of everything, again, and she doesn't want to do that anymore.

Nikolas came back into her life, and she is grateful, but that one day changed everything between her and Luke. At that moment she knew the house of cards that she built her life on was going to fall. Knowing that and having him there loving her. She is concerned that she is reaching out to Stefan in an attempt to build another house of cards. Maybe she needs somebody to fix because she is just afraid to fix herself. Until she does that, she is going to keep going around the same block over and over and hurting the same people over and over. Spending time with him would never be simple. She doesn't want to hurt anyone ever again. Stefan takes her hand and caresses it. He tells her that it feels the same to him as it did when they were lovers. But it isn't the same. Fear is a deceptive guide. He believes that she does know what she wants. As he continues to caress her hand he asks if she feels it when he touches her.

Laura pulls her hand away saying that this isn't going to help. Stefan asks if she doesn't want him to know how she feels when he touches her or that she doesn't know. Laura says that she doesn't want to hurt him. Not to mention that his family is in the middle of a civil war and she has Leslie Lu to think about. Stefan points out that once the estate is settled there will no longer be a war, but he does think it is wise to be cautious until then. He offers to provide security for Laura and Lulu, but Laura declines.

He asks Laura not to protect him, but to protect herself. He wants her to be certain what she wants. What he sees is not repetition, it is new. Luke isn't dead. He knows exactly where she is and how to reach her. He left her voluntarily. Their son is practically a man. He didn't come to visit Laura in secret. Everyone knows. This year, he has held her in the cold rain and felt her shiver in his arms. She has let him hold her when she cried and she has kissed him. Not because of something that happened years ago, but because she wants him. As they stand there now, she wants him. They can ignore all that or they can build on it. Stefan asks if she is willing to give them a chance. Laura says that she is. Stefan reaches up to caress her face.

Luke says that it isn't like he and Laura haven't been apart before. He even thought she was dead once. Since Lulu was born, their marriage has pretty much been long distance. Sonny asks why Luke is in Port Charles. Luke says that maybe Port Charles is like the Bermuda Triangle. Once you settle there you're lost to the world. Sonny says that he is there because this is where he lost track of his life. Luke says that he is there for his children. He is proud of Lucky. They've made some progress. He is worried about Lulu. She is getting sucked into the Laura/Nikolas thing. He doesn't trust Laura to prevent Lulu from becoming like the Cassadines. He needs to check on her more often. He's her Dad and she loves him, but she hugs hum like she used to hug the neighbors. Sonny says that he has no sympathy for Luke where Lulu is concerned. He will only lose her if he lets it happen. He needs to stay in her life. He can't let Stefan teach her about the world. Luke says that he can't live life looking over his shoulder.

Sonny warns Luke to beef up security. He tells him about his run in with Moreno. Luke says that he wants Sonny and Jason hanging around as much as possible. Business is never better then when people are trying to kill them. Sonny laughs and says that it is going to be a good year.  Stefan was able to get tickets to the ballet for himself, Laura and Leslie Lu. He and Laura each take one of Leslie Lu's hands and they leave together, like one big happy family. As they go, we see a picture of Lucky, Luke and Leslie Lu together in the background.

At Kelly’s, Luke comes in and asks Felicia how her book is going? Felicia tells him it’s going fine and hopes he doesn’t mind her interviewing Tammy while she is working. Luke tells her he doesn’t mind if she sits here every day all day interviewing whoever. She brings a certain unassuming beauty to the place. Felicia thanks him and then asksmLuke if he can supply her with the john's point of view for her story about a prostitute. Luke is amused, but nevertheless, helps her out. Luke gives her lots of help for her book. Felicia is grateful and tells them both that she has to get going. After she leaves, Luke asks Tammy how she is doing with running the place here. She tells him it is coming along fine and thanks him for encouraging her to do this. She then tells him he is an okay kind of guy. He returns the complement and tells her she is okay too.

Stefan and Laura are walking in the park with Lulu. Stefan is lamenting about his work at the hospital. He says that when he is finished, he would love to take Laura and Lulu to tea. Laura accepts the invitation and Stefan leaves saying that he will see them in about an hour. As Laura is bundling Lulu up to go on the swings, Lucas sees them and calls out hello. Laura happily greets Lucas and then offers a cooler greeting to Bobbie.

Bobbie sits down next to Laura on the park bench while the children play. Bobbie cautions Lucas not to push Lulu too high and asks Laura if Lulu is afraid of the swings. Laura says that she isn't, but that she will pretend to be around men. Bobbie jokingly says like mother like daughter, but Laura is not amused. Bobbie talks benignly about the weather, and then asks if that was Stefan
she saw scurrying off. Laura says that she knows very well it was Stefan.

Laura suggests that they skip straight to the part where Bobbie calls her all kinds of names and save them both a lot of time. Bobbie says that she would like to think that she has gotten a little more creative over the years then to call her names every time their paths cross. She says Laura makes her feel like they should be the one on the swings.

Laura laughs at that, and says that she just imagined that Luke told her everything. Bobbie says that Luke hasn't told her anything but she didn't really need anyone to fill in the blanks when she heard that Stefan was Nikolas' father. She asks if there is more to tell. Laura says not really. Laura stumbles over the words, but tells Bobbie that she and Luke are separated. She says that she is sure, but she doesn't have much practice saying it out loud. She says it again, separated, separated, my husband and I are separated. She stops and says that's enough practicing for one day.

Bobbie asks if Laura is expecting her to gloat. She would, but it's not true. She says that she always thought Luke and Laura would torture each other in to eternity. She and Laura may not have been each other's biggest fans, but there was never any doubt in her mind that Luke loves her with all his heart and soul. Or that she loves Luke. Laura says that that hasn't changed. Bobbie says that from where Luke stands, everything else has. Laura says that they really shouldn't do this. Bobbie agrees, but says there is just one thing she would really like to know. She asks Laura why she always does this to herself. Why does she hang on until the last possible minute, and then some, to do what needs to be done?

She understands when Nikolas came into being that she was stuck on that island married to that horrible Stavros and Stefan was standing under an olive tree looking at her with those eyes. But Laura being Laura had to wait and see how long she could hold out until she tells Luke the truth. Why does she wait until the house is burning down before dialing 911? Laura asks if it would have made a difference when Luke found out. She doesn't think that Luke will ever be able to accept that fact that Nikolas exists. Bobbie says that Laura is doing it again. Enough ancient history. Bobbie asks what she is going to do now that the house that Luke build is burning down.

Laura says that Luke Spencer does not build houses. Luke is a man who doesn't believe in anything. He believes that nothing will ever last. She hung in there past the point of when he told her there was nothing to hang in for. She still is, because she is the woman that Luke Spencer built. She met him when she was seventeen. She lived the life that Luke Spencer built. She raised the children that Luke Spencer built. She thinks it is all absurd now. Bobbie says that she can't believe she is going to say this, but she asks Laura if it is time that she started to try and build a life for herself without Luke.

Bobbie tells Laura that if all else fails, she could always fake her own death. Laura has a lot of experience in that department. Bobbie then apologizes for the cheap shot and asks if there is anything she can do. They could share sitters or make dinner together a couple of nights a week for the kids. Lulu could sleepover every once in a while. Laura laughs and says poor Bobbie. She finally got what Bobbie always thought she deserved, and Bobbie is too good hearted to enjoy it. Bobbie laughs with her, but then gets serious again. She is afraid that Laura is going to go from the frying pan into the fire. The knocking Laura hears on her door is not opportunity. It is a man who has been fixated on her since Nikolas was conceived. She has never been the object of anyone's obsessions, but she knows how charming Stefan can be when he wants something and he definitely wants Laura. The question is, does Laura want Stefan?

Laura evades answering the question by saying that Stefan has been very kind and attentive. She doesn't have to tell Bobbie that he has some pretty amazing attributes. Laura says that he is compassionate, understanding, gentle. Bobbie reminds her what she said recently about how ruthless and deadly Stefan can be, and how fool hardy it could be to trust him. She cares about Laura and doesn't want to see her end up like Leslie. Stefan arrives commenting that Laura hasn't lacked for company. Bobbie tells Lucas that it is time to go. Bobbie is slightly amused when Stefan tells her that Mrs. Lansbury served them chili. It wasn't as good as what she served him the night of the storm. Laura looks surprised, but Stefan explains that he was stranded at Kelly's during the storm. Bobbie says that she would have let him freeze to death, but he asked so nicely.

After Bobbie and Lucas leave, Laura asks Stefan about the chili. Stefan says that Bobbie served him the chili along with a few well seasoned opinions. He assumes that she received a generous helping of the same. Laura says that it could have been worse. Stefan says that when Barbara is not working hold heartedly at being unpleasant, she is not unpleasant. Laura reminds him that he married her. He must have had better reasons than that. Laura looks shocked when Stefan says that he married Barbara to get to her. Laura is still stunned by Stefan's revelation that he married Bobbie to get to her. She wants to know if Stefan was trying to make her jealous. Stefan says that he did it to make Luke angry. He had every reason to believe that Luke would not accept the marriage and would be consumed with the desire for revenge. Ultimately his behavior would drive Laura away.

Laura can't believe that Stefan would try to destroy her marriage. She angrily starts to walk away, but Stefan asks her to wait. He says that his arrival in Port Charles with Nikolas set events in motion which forced Laura to see Luke as he is and it forced Luke to confront the truth about Laura. Her complexity as a woman, her affections as a mother, her divided loyalties. These things all existed. He didn't create them, but he did expose them. His one goal was to simply have Laura there with him. To have another chance with her. Laura asks what happens if she doesn't choose him. Stefan says that at least he will know that it was her decision and not imposed by Luke or circumstances. He turns to go, but Laura reminds him that he invited them tea. She says that she and Leslie Lu were looking forward to it and asks if he is a man of his word. Stefan says that he is.

Luke opens his safe and takes out some money. He checks his watch and then rushes to pack a bag. Felicia arrives with a copy of the transcript of her interview with Luke and notices his bag. She asks if he is leaving. Luke says that he is going to Switzerland. Felicia asks if Luke is going all the way to Switzerland just to pick up some cash. She asks if he has ever heard of an ATM. Luke says that he has a very high yield investment in Switzerland. Felicia says that she heard that he recently had a large amount of money slip through his hands. It was funny once, but if he does it again. Luke assures her that what he is doing has nothing to do with the Cassadines, at least as far as they know. When Felicia asks what he means, Luke says that when a guy goes out of his way to save the world from maniacal forces he thinks he ought to be paid for it.

Felicia thinks it must be so wonderful to go off an adventure whenever you feel like it. Luke asks if she is feeling the pull. Felicia says sometimes. She is very happy with her life and she has a new outlet. She got her first paying job as a writer, but it fell threw. She explains that Ned wanted her to write Lila's memoirs, but neither of them counted on Lila not wanting her memoirs to be written. Luke laughs and says that he can't blame Lila. There have to be a lot of skeletons' in that family closet. Lila probably thinks that memoirs are a pretty dangerous thing.

Felicia tells Luke that she was surprised at how disappointed she was when Lila said no. Luke says that Lila is a master at protecting her clan. Maybe she figures the fewer people who know the ins and outs of the Q's, the better. Felicia thinks that Lila is a wonderful story and she would love to have the opportunity to tell it. Luke suggests that she go see Lila and tell her everything she just told Luke. Felicia is afraid that she would look like a pest, but Luke says that Lila can handle it. The worst thing that can happen is that Lila still says no. Felicia leaves resolving to go see Lila and Luke resumes his rush to get ready for his trip.

Laura comes into Kelly's. Tony sees her and calls her over. They talk about missing Ruby and the fact that she's not at Kelly's anymore. Tammy comes up to their table to take their order and Tony introduces Tammy to Laura. Upon being introduced to Laura, Tammy says that she must be Luke's wife, and cheerfully informs her new acquaintance she's heard lots about her from Luke. Laura is surprised and Tammy tells Laura how Luke would talk about her all the time. Tammy returns behind the counter and Laura tells Tony that he must see more of Luke than she does. He tells her that he sees Luke occasionally.

They then talk about Tony's new job at GH and about the court date for his visitation with Lucas. She says that she can't fathom all that he has gone through. Seeing how sympathetic Laura is to his cause, Tony asks Laura if she'll be a character witness. Laura agreed to be a character witness for Tony at his hearing regarding Lucas. She tells him that she wouldn't have a problem telling the court what he has meant to her and her family. Touched by her words and her belief in him, Tony tells Laura every time he sees her, he always feels lucky to know such a woman. She laughs in embarrassment and Tony tells her he has to get going, but will stay in touch.

After he leaves, Tammy comes back over and sits down. She tells Laura she wants to talk to her about Luke. Laura can't imagine what she wants to talk about and Tammy tells her that Luke is not only her boss. She then tells Laura about her former profession and about all the help Luke gave to her. She also tells Laura about knowing Lucky and that they are good friends. Laura was surprised by how well Tammy knew her family. Tammy tells Laura that she is glad to have had the opportunity to finally meet her and returns back behind the counter.

Shortly afterwards, Sonny shows up at Kelly's and he and Laura greet each other. Sonny sits down so he and Laura can play catch up. They laugh about how she used to hate him. The subject then turns to Luke and Sonny tells her as a friend, can he point out what she has gotten wrong now? Laura tells Sonny about how people are reluctant to talk about her separation from Luke. Sonny listens, but decides to keep his opinions to himself. Laura tells him that she has to go now, she has dinner plans at Wyndemere. She then admits that it's the first time that she has admitted to seeing someone and that she's relieved she can now be honest about her relationship with Stefan. Sonny tells her to take care and Laura leaves.

Luke is laying out his diamond cutting tools. He takes out the Ice Princess diamond and says, "You are mine, you cold hearted princess". Luke then chips off a piece of the diamond and leaves to go meet his fence. Luke meets up with his fence and it turns out to be the notorious Caesar Faison who is going by the name of Mr. Craig. As Caesar is looking the diamond over, Luke says that he is there for cash, his time is limited. Seeing that the diamond is authentic, Caesar makes a deal.

Stefan is lighting candles and setting up a romantic mood, for his dinner with Laura. Laura arrives and Stefan smiles at her when he sees her. He then tells her how beautiful she looks tonight. She thanks him and admits to having taken a little extra time getting ready for tonight. Stefan tells her that her attitude is different. She asks him different how. He tells her that she seems happy to be here. She tells him that she is. The two of them then settle in for a nice quiet romantic evening. Laura is impressed by the lengths to which Stefan has gone to create a romantic atmosphere.

Luke asks for ten percent above their last transaction when negotiating with Mr. Kleig (Luke doesn’t know he is Faison) to sell another piece of the ice princess. Faison agrees to pay the higher price. A gem of that caliber is very rare. He suggests that they would both be richer if Luke sold him the mother stone. Luke says that he and the mother stone go back a long way. It has sentimental value. Faison asks to see it, but Luke says that a look at the unattainable will only rattle a man's cage for life.

Nikolas is on the docks when Helena shows up on the way to an appointment. She is overly polite as always and asks Nikolas to sustain from any unpleasantries as she is in transit. She is delighted when Nikolas asks her to wait and asks if he would like her to wait with him until the launch arrives. Helena is surprised when Nikolas informs her that he isn't waiting for the launch, he was waiting for her. Helena is delighted that Nikolas wanted to see her and she invites him to join her for dinner. Nikolas tells her that he wanted to see her for strictly business purposes. They have a common interest in the Cassadine holdings. He thinks that they can hold on to their power through compromise. It will only work if everyone is willing to make concessions. He hasn't broached this with anyone else because he assumed that she would be the greatest obstacle. Helena says that if Stefan and Alexis are willing to sit down and talk, she is sure that they will be greatly surprised.

Laura and Stefan has finished their meal. She declines dessert prompting Stefan to ask if she has to go. Laura assures him that she has no curfew and the babysitter is prepared to stay late. Stefan says that the later she disembarks from the launch, the less likely the prospect of encountering someone she knows. Laura says that she doesn't care who sees her. She is tired of all the secrets and she thinks that she is entitled to a life. If that life includes him, she doesn't care who knows about it.

Luke accepts a bundle of cash from Faison, who says that he is looking forward to their next transaction. Luke tells him that he thinks that this will hold him for a while. After Faison is gone, Luke makes preparations to check out of the hotel.

As they share an after dinner drink, Laura tells Stefan that she isn't ready to have a skywriter emblazen their names, but.... Stefan laughs and tells her to let him know when she is ready. He suggests that they start smaller. The opera Carmen is opening soon. He asks is he might have the honor of escorting her.
Laura smiles and tells Stefan that he doesn't waste any time. Stefan tells her that there is no pressure, she can think about it, take her time and let him know. Laura says that she has considered it and her answer is yes, she will go.

Stefan is stunned when Nikolas tells him that he is moving out. Stefan says he cannot, Windemere is his home. Nikolas informs Stefan that he is moving away from Spoon Island. Stefan appears to take it in stride but quickly lets his displeasure rise to the surface. He asks if this sudden change of address is to accommodate his affair with Katherine. Nikolas states he wants his freedom. Helena is not a threat to him. He no longer needs protection. While he has enjoyed living with Stefan and will miss him this is his decision. His love and respect for his father has nothing to do with it. With this being said Nikolas takes his exit.

Bobbie and Luke sign the official papers for the diner. She asked where he's been but in usual fashion Luke is evasive. Bobbie tells him she wouldn't blame him if he had revenge on his agenda considering how Laura and Stefan have been acting. Bobbie tells Luke about her conversation with Laura. She tells him she was sympathetic at first but now she's a little angry. Luke tries to make Bobbie understand that he doesn't blame anyone. She offers her support whenever he needs it. Luke tells Bobbie his army keeps sleeping with his enemy, the Cassadines. He's taking time off from the war. Bobbie is aware of Jerry's involvement with Alexis and Jax. Luke is not pleased to hear this.

Tammy comes into Kelly’s with her belongings so that she can take over Ruby’s old apartment over Kelly’s. Tammy frets that Luke has taken over her kitchen when she sees him there. Luke reassures her, that he is only there to open up the apartment for her. Jax and Alexis come into Kelly’s. Luke greets them as Natasha and Lurch. Already aware of where they have been, Luke jokingly asks them if they have brought him anything good, like Helena's head on a stick. Jax and Alexis asked for Luke's help regarding Helena. When Luke agreed to help anyway he can, they quizzed Luke about Helena's modus operandi.

Luke can't believe that they are looking for information on how and why Helena would have Dr. Lastiris killed. They explain how they wanted to get their hands on a certain file which vanished from the office of the late Dr. Lastiris. Luke asks them about the scene at the late doctor’s office when they arrived, and if there was any evidence at all. Alexis gives him the whole story and tells him about finding the file and then stashing it when the Inspector showed up.

She also tells Luke about returning to the office to retrieve the file and finding that the office was cleaned out entirely and the file was gone and when they contacted the Inspector for further details about the doctor’s death. They were offered a police escort to the airport so they could get out of the country. Luke asks them what they wanted to know. Alexis tells Luke that the file contained information about Nikolas' birth, and how it disappeared. Luke says that Helena must have seen them coming, and their phone call was the doctor's death warrant. When Alexis thinks Luke isn’t being supportive enough, Luke tells her that he’ll be happy to see her walk off with the whole Cassadine fortune.

Alexis tells him that she’s not going to end up with anything unless she stays two steps ahead of Helena and Stefan. Alexis then asks Luke if he thinks Helena killed the doctor. Luke tells her if the doctor’s throat wasn’t slit or if he wasn’t poisoned or butchered, then Helena didn’t do it personally, but it doesn’t rule out her having someone else to do it. He then tells them if Helena did it, she would have left her mark. Jax and Alexis get ready to leave after Luke can provide them with no more help. Luke does however warn Alexis to watch her throat and for Jax to watch his guts concerning Helena’s wrath.

Tony and Luke chitchat and Tony tells Luke that he asked Lucky to be a character witness for him. Luke doesn't want to talk about Tony and Bobbie’s custody case and Tony tells Luke that all he wants is peace. Tony has to leave and tells Luke to take care and exits. Tammy comes downstairs and thanks Luke for the apartment. They make small talk and the subject changes to Laura. Tammy mentions meeting her in the diner a few days ago. Luke tells Tammy that he doesn’t want to talk about Laura and Tammy leaves it alone.

Helena shows up at someone’s place and encounters a man misting various flowers and plants. Helena comes in and asks the man where the person she is looking for is at. The man tells her that he is not there. Helena says that she will be expecting a report later this evening and leaves. Helena returns later and encounters the same man. He tells her that it’s done and hands it to her.
It's the file that Alexis found with Nikolas's name on it. Helena is pleased to have her hands on the file about Nikolas that Dr. Lastiris had been murdered for.

As Nikolas moves into the cottage, Laura drops by with a housewarming gift and confides how she and Stefan will be stepping out together that evening for a night at the opera. Pleased with the news that his parents have begun dating, Nikolas presents Laura with a pair of opera glasses and urges her to enjoy herself. She thanks him profusely as she leaves. He hopes she has fun tonight.

Laura and Stefan arrive on the docks. Stefan tells her how beautiful she looks and they kiss each other passionately. Stefan then turns Laura around so he can take a look at her in her full length gown. She giggles as she spins around so Stefan can admire her, but then stops abruptly when she sees Luke standing there. Stefan comes up beside Laura and the two of them are speechless as Luke stares at them in shock.

Laura and Stefan have disembarked from the launch and are on their way to the opera. Stefan stops and tells Laura that she is beautiful. He asks her to let him look at her and Laura laughingly does a little spin to show off her dress. She comes to a dead stop when she spins around and notices Luke watching them. Luke continues on his way without a word. Once he has gone, Stefan apologizes for Laura and tells her that he would understand if she changed her mind about going to the opera. Laura says that she has not changed her mind. She walks with Stefan but glances over her shoulder in the direction Luke walked. As Laura and Stefan leave, Luke comes out of the shadows looking in the direction that they went.

Stefan and Laura are sitting in their box at the opera. Laura is flipping through the program, giggling periodically, while Stefan makes mundane comments about the show they are about to see. Everything he says causes Laura to laugh a little harder. He tells her that noone has ever found him this amusing. He notices Laura's opera glasses (the ones Nikolas gave to her) and asks where she got them. He comments that Nikolas used to have a pair just like them, but he lost them last year. This causes Laura to laugh even harder.

She explains that Nikolas didn't lose the opera glasses, he just made that up because he didn't like going to the opera. Stefan is shocked when Laura tells him that Nikolas said he was so bored that he had a near death experience. Stefan is still amazed that Nikolas didn't enjoy Aida. Laura says that Nikolas, like most teenage boys, would feel obligated to roll their eyes at opera, and he probably wouldn't have gone without Stefan. She says that Stefan is somewhat of an operatic character. Stefan is confused by Laura's comment and says that he can't sing a note. This causes Laura to laugh even harder. 

Stefan is mesmerized by Laura who is mesmerized by the opera. As she watches, Laura reaches over and gently takes Stefan's hand in her own. When the opera ends, Laura thanks Stefan and tells him that she thought it was magnificent. Stefan says that the opera strikes some people, their son included apparently, as unrealistic. Laura says that she loved it and she thanks Stefan again for brining her. Stefan assures her that the pleasure was all his.

Luke is counting his money when Sonny arrives. Sonny tells Luke that Moreno has been making life miserable. It's driving him and Jason nuts not knowing where he is going to strike next. He warns Luke that Moreno probably won't strike at the club, but that there may be extra "muscle" around just in case. Luke continues to pull stacks of money out of a valise while Sonny watches.
When Sonny doesn't comment, Luke tells him that the money is from his private stash. Sonny asks if it has to do with his nobody's business trip last week. Luke confirms with a smile.

Sonny assures Luke that Moreno is after him and Jason and that the club is probably safe. Even so, he offers to let Luke buy him out. Luke asks why he would want to do that. He wants to take something into the next century besides a toothbrush. Sonny and Luke drink a toast. Luke asks Sonny what is really up. Sonny told him that the coffee warehouse was legit and he never doubted it. Sonny asks Luke what would happen if Moreno has to be removed. Luke says that he should do it, if there is no other way to go. He could just say no. Sonny agrees that he could just walk away, but the old ties are still there. Your word can be broken, but those ties cannot.

Luke tells Sonny that he is about as good a friend as a man can have. He is loyal, smart and good company and he doesn't judge. His problem is that he is a sucker for fate. He is like some depressed character in an old viking movie. He hears thunder and thinks the gods are angry instead of where he put his umbrella. Luke can't believe that Sonny would think that he would give up a perfect partnership just because Moreno is still a threat. Some people, unlike he and Sonny can actually move on. The only reason Sonny thinks that he can't walk away is because he never has. If he wants to walk away, all he has to do is empty his pockets and his head and take nothing with him except his comb and his driver's license. Sonny stands up and thanks Luke for the advice. As he leaves, he tells Luke not to forget his toothbrush. Luke is alone in his office at the club. He wanders around aimlessly while sipping his drink. He stops and asks himself what is out there.

Laura and Stefan have arrived on Laura's doorstep. Laura says that it is strange. They have a child together, but this is their first date. She invites Stefan in for a drink. Stefan stumbles over his answer prompting to asks if he is all right. Stefan says that he is trying to decide if this is the happiest moment of his life and wonders why she has come to him now in this place, on this porch. Laura laughs and gives him a tender kiss.

Monica arrives at Kelly’s. Monica says that Luke must be the only person in the world who needs a cardiologist to treat a burn. Bobbie assures Monica that she is the only doctor at GH that Luke respects. Felicia leaves while Bobbie tells an elaborate tale to Monica about how Luke tripped and stuck his arm in the deep fryer. Meanwhile, Felicia is walking outside of Kelly's and spots Luke who is about to walk in. Horrified, she rushes over and tackles an astonished Luke to keep him from going into Kelly's. Felicia explains to Luke why she tackled him. Luke is good natured about it and laughs at how insane the plan to get Monica and Alan back together is. Only his sister would think of something so insane. If a man sees something crawling across the floor to it's death, he wants to put a bullet in its head. A woman wants to hook it up to a bunch of tubes and prolong the agony as long as possible.

Felicia says not all women. Luke says if she knows of a female Kevorkian out there when it comes to marriage, he would like to meet her, maybe even marry her. Felicia says it's too bad that she is already married. Luke refuses to believe that Felicia is a cynic. Felicia tells Luke that sometimes a marriage can't be saved. No matter how much you love, no matter how much effort you put into it, no matter how certain you were that it would never end. Sometimes it just does, that is what happened to her when she realized that Frisco loved her, but loved his job more. She had to get out of the marriage before there weren't any good things to remember. Sometimes love doesn't last, but that doesn't mean that it wasn't real.

Luke tells Felicia that he finds it interesting that they have lived in the same town on and off for a long time, but that there is a lot that he doesn't know about her. As he lights a cigar, Luke notices that Felicia has a funny look on her face. She explains that the cigar is bothering her. Luke teases her telling her that he had to go all the way to Europe to get this cigar (Cuba is closed after all). He says that he was there recently and that he ran into a fellow who gave him these. He good naturedly throws the cigar away since it bothers Felicia. Felicia says she guesses that it reminds her of something she doesn't want to remember.  A cigar just like the one Luke was smoking is burning in an ash tray. Newspaper clippings of a younger Robin and Felicia are strewn across a table.

When silence finally reigns in the apartment above Kelly’s, Bobbie and Tammy hope it's a positive sign that Alan and Monica have kissed and made up. Luke is there having coffee and can’t believe Bobbie and Tammy’s matchmaking scheme. Felicia and Tony show up to find out how the progress in going and Luke can’t believe that they are roped up into this deal as well. Have given up on his own marriage, Luke tells the others if the Doc Quartermaine’s want to cash in their marriage certificate, there is nothing they can do about it. Felicia tells Luke that Monica and Alan are in love and deserve a second chance. Bobbie tells her brother that in his present state of mind, he’s probably not the best one around for advice. Luke agrees and decides to leave.

Alexis shows up at Laura’s house for questions about Nikolas’ birth. Not at all pleased to see her, Laura asks Alexis what does she want. Alexis questions Laura about the past, but didn’t get anywhere with finding out more information between Helena’s connection to Dr. Lastiris. Laura then threw Alexis out after she attempted to question her about Dr. Lastiris and Helena and told her that any information she knew, she would share with Stefan and not Alexis. Alexis left, but not before warning Laura to watch her back concerning Helena. Later, while on her way to see Stefan, Laura realized that Lesley Lu missed her daddy, Laura gently tries to explain Luke's absence to her small daughter and why Luke won't be living with them any more. As she and Lesley Lu prepare to leave, Laura receives a visitor and was surprised to find Luke standing at her door.

Luke goes to the house to see Laura. He notices that she was about to leave and tells her that he won't stay long. He just wants to settle accounts.  Laura sends Lulu upstairs to get a hat so that she and Luke can speak privately. Once Lulu is gone, Laura demands to know what Luke meant be "settling accounts". Luke tells her not to get paranoid, he is there on very mundane business. He is surprised that he hasn't heard from Laura's attorney. Laura asks if he is saying that she needs a lawyer. Luke says that he expected that she already had one. Luke hands Laura a stack of money saying that it is an installment on his family obligations. Laura quietly says that if he thinks of her as an obligation, she would rather he not think of her at all.

Stefan walks in and asks what Helena wants from him. Helena says that she wanted to inform him that she is the sole trustee of the Cassadine holdings. Stefan says that his lawyer already informed him. Helena warns him against a counter suit and says that finally the tables are beginning to turn. Stefan tells her to enjoy her small triumph and her fee for administering the Cassadine estate. It is all she will touch of the Cassadine legacy, like Nikolas, it is forever out of her grasp.

Laura angrily tells Luke that she doesn't want or need his guilt money. Luke asks what he has to feel guilty for. Laura says maybe for walking out on her. He made a unilateral decision without even giving her a chance. Laura stops saying that she doesn't want to do this. Luke agrees and suggests that they skip right to the spousal support. Laura says that she doesn't need his support. Luke asks if Stefan has her covered. He suggests that she keep the money anyway because he hears that Stefan has had a few setbacks. Besides, his daughter has to be considered. Laura says that she fully intends to get a job and take care of the household herself. Luke says that he doesn't care if she takes over GM, he takes care of his kid. As they are fighting, Leslie Lu comes downstairs. Luke picks up Leslie Lu and gives her a hug. He asks her if she has been a good girl. Laura says she has been pratically perfect. Luke tells her to keep it up and kisses her goodbye. He leaves with promises to see her soon.

Stefan arrives at Laura's saying that he was expecting her for dinner. He was concerned. He asks if she is all right and asks what kept her. She says that she had a few unexpected visitors, one of which was Alexis. Laura tells Stefan what Alexis told her about Dr. Lastiris' death. Stefan echoes Alexis' opinion that Helena was responsible. Laura wants to know why Helena would do that.
Stefan explains that Dr. Lastiris ran the paternity test which established Stefan as Nikolas' father and his death is Helena's opening move for her bid for revenge. Lastiris was a preview. Stefan says that he and Nikolas are next. Laura is frantic, but Stefan assures her there is nothing to fear. Everything is proceeding exactly as he planned.

Laura is shocked that Stefan is so unconcerned. Stefan says that Helena is totally absorbed with the prize she thinks she has won. She has no idea that Stefan steered the trustee appointment her way to distract her. And although Jax has sided with Alexis, Helena, in her arrogance, thinks she can lure Jax to her side. Stefan thinks that it should make for interesting complications with
Helena on one side and Alexis on the other and Jax as the secret weapon. Helena and Alexis will annihilate each other leaving Nikolas completely unscathed. Stefan changes the subject and asks who Laura's other unexpected visitor was. Stefan visits Nik and gives him a pair of horrendous gothic dragon candlesticks.

A somber Luke is alone on the docks staring across the water at Wyndemere. Felicia comes across him and asks him what he is doing? He says he is day dreaming about blowing up Wyndemere. Felicia understands as she had her own revenge fantasies towards Frisco when she always came second with him. Luke wants to know how long it took her to get over Frisco. She says it would have been a lot easier if everyone hadn’t been so invested in her being with him. Luke asks her about divorce. Felicia tells him the hardest part is signing the final papers. She asks if there is any chance that he will work things out with Laura? He doesn’t think so, they would have to start completely over as the people they really are. Felicia asks about Laura back then? He says that she was beautiful, wonderful, adventurous, and a bit loopy, she was an angel. He says he can’t do this, it is a mistake to look back when he is trying to move on.

Laura visits Lucky. He shows her the portrait that Liz is painting of him, and Laura raves about her talent. Laura tells him she wanted to warn him that she and Luke are talking about a divorce. Lucky is not surprised with the news. Laura is sorry as she wanted to give him the security she never had as a child. He says that the best thing a parent can do is for a child to feel loved and he has always known that and it will be the same for Lulu. Laura starts to cry at this kindness and he draws her into his arms for a comforting hug. Lucky tells her that the love she shared with Luke was real and he was raised in love. She hopes that Leslie Lu will be able to say the same thing? Lucky tells her that the best thing she can do for Lulu is to let go of the past, to move on, to be happy.

Next Laura visits Nik at his new place. She tells him that Luke doesn’t seem to want to have anything to do with her and she is starting to think about divorce. He asks if they can work it out? She doesn’t think so. She says the best way they can honor each other is to just stop hurting each other. He isn’t sorry and says he never thought Luke was good enough for her. Laura asks him not to judge Luke too harshly as she wasn’t honest with Luke. He says that it was him showing up in Port Charles that lead to everything start to crumble. She assures him it is not his fault. He says he isn’t sorry about it, no regrets, that he has had a chance to know her, to know his sister. He asks if there is anything he can do to help? She proudly says she wishes she could take credit for him.