Spencer vs Cassidine #22  May 17 - July 3, 2001 - 8 hour original edit

DVD #22A  5/17 While in his programmed trance, Lucky told Helena that he and Liz were planning to marry and leave Port Charles. Helena gave him the same ring that Laura reacted to and told Lucky to give it to Liz. She told him, "Every time you look at this ring, your mission and your future will become clear." After he accepted the ring she woke him from the trance. Oblivious to what had just happened, Lucky told her to stay away from his family. After he left, Helena laughed triumphantly. Liz and Nikolas then raced to the boxcar thinking they'd find Lucky there. Instead, they found a photographic shrine to Liz that freaked them out.

5/18 Luke's reoccurring nightmares continued to plaque his sleep. This particular nightmare had him trapped in a gloomy maze with him seeing glimpses of Helena. A female voice and hands reached out to him as Luke woke to find Bobbie shaking him awake in the hospital waiting room. She was happy to announce that Lucas had awaked from his coma and appeared as though he had not been ill.

In Lucas' room, Luke inquired of Tony how Lucas' illness had been cured so rapidly. Tony was obviously hiding information as he assured the others that Lucas had nothing more than a virus. Later, Luke followed Tony into the hospital waiting room to find out what information Tony seemed to be keeping from them about Lucas' illness and recovery. Hiding from sight, Laura eavesdropped on the conversation and worried that the Spencer /Cassadine war would affect the children.

Later, Helena summoned Tony back to the basement and demanded he completed his end of their deal by bringing Stavros back to life. Helena gave Tony CD-disks along with medical notes and passwords that would guide him through the process of returning Stavros to life. Tony followed the instructions on the first disk, but told Helena that he could not promise that what he had done would work. Helena rushed into the special room to stand near Stavros and check his status. When he did not respond to the process, Helena began to threaten Tony by promising retribution for his failure. At that instant, Stavros' heart monitor began to beep behind them.

Elizabeth returned to the boxcar to find Lucky. She asked Lucky where he had been because she and Nikolas had been looking for him. Lucky told her that he had gotten in a fight with his parents and need to take a walk to calm down. Liz expressed her and Nikolas' concern for Lucky; however, Lucky told her that he was fine and was not being controlled by Helena. To distract her suspicions, Lucky presented Liz with the diamond ring that Helena had given him. Although her initial reaction was not to accept the ring because of it's obvious size and value, Lucky placed the ring on her finger. While taking in its beauty, Liz didn't notice how seeing the ring triggered Lucky's peculiar behavior.

Luke once again tried to break the code on the disks he had stolen and copied from Helena. Luke ran through a list of words that Laura had given him that she thought might be passwords. When he got mid-way down the list and typed in the word "Pandora", the disk granted him access and produced a strange word that Luke thought looked as though it were Greek. When he got up from his desk and crossed the room to look the word up in a book, Lucky entered the backdoor of his office. Lucky said he had come to invited Luke and Laura to a dinner with him and Elizabeth to celebrate their engagement. Luke tried to divert Lucky's attention away from the laptop so he would not see that he had been able to access the disk; however, Lucky looked at the screen anyway. Lucky went into a trance and began to smash the laptop to pieces. 

5/21 Luke was trying to decipher the discs when Lucky came in. Lucky destroyed the computer and they had their usual chummy chat about the Cassadines. Lucky told Luke that him and Elizabeth might leave town if Luke doesn't stop obsessing about him being under Helena's control again. Luke said good, they should leave. They just about came to blows, but stopped. Elizabeth showed up and they all calmed down. Luke promised to leave things alone. Elizabeth showed him her ring and he made a comment about a princess he once knew, meaning he knew the diamond was part of the Ice Princess. They said they would be having an engagement party and would let Luke know when.

5/22  Stefan arrived at the cottage, then Lucky and Elizabeth arrived as well. Nikolas asked Stefan to leave because they were no longer family and did not want trouble. Stefan left. 

Helena paid a visit to Laura and told her that one break-in deserved another break-in. Surely you didn't think that you could destroy items in my home and expect not to pay. Sonny walked in and saved Laura. He asked if he could be of assistance. Laura welcomed Sonny's presence and took this opportunity to blast Helena about staying away from both her sons. Helena played it off like Laura was mental and started in on Sonny. She asked about him being married to a Spencer and how is that beautiful boy, Michael. Then she touched Sonny's arm. Immediately, Sonny told her never to touch him again and remember that my life is none of your business. Helena backed off and left.

Sonny was actually there to gift Laura with the other 50% of Deception shares. Laura was thrilled and disappointed at the same time. She really did not want the shares in this fashion. She tried to go to bat for Carly saying that she knew how much Carly loved him and he loved her. She knew that something terrible must have happened but the love still remained. Sonny thanked her for her concern and maintained his composure. Scotty arrived and since he was representing AJ he had to take a few digs. Laura finally did accept the shares, but still had reservations.

Luke went to the hospital to retrieve a sample of the virus that Lucas had. He ran into Melissa and asked for her help, but she was too goody two shoes for that. She was about to call security when Luke opened the locked safe and found that the sample was gone. Tony arrived and tried to put everyone at ease. He told Melissa not to worry everything is okay. Luke he tried to talk to but was unsuccessful. Luke knew that Tony was hiding something and Helena was right in the center of the disaster. Tony was strong and not divulging any information. Luke tried to convince him otherwise but nothing was working. Luke finally gave in but he warned Tony that he was making a big mistake. Tony waited a few minutes and left. Luke was hot on his trail to see just what he was up to. Luke tried to follow Tony but right when he was getting close someone knocked Luke out in the back of the head.

5/23 Luke is hanging off the ledge of the roof yelling for help, when a very amused Stefan finds him and taunts him about finally needing his help. After amusing himself, Stefan agrees to help Luke on the condition that Luke tell him what's in the disks he stole from Helena. At first Luke refuses, saying it would hurt too many people he loves. As Stefan begins to walk away, a desperate Luke agrees to tell Stefan everything he knows. When Stefan pulls Luke back up, Luke tells him that he encrypted the first level of the CD program using an ancient Greek word..."sucker!" He then tells Stefan that he actually no longer has the disks, and wasn't able to uncover anything before Helena stole them back from him.

Luke taunts Stefan about the bruise on his face, and Stefan tells him that Lucky, like a coward, attacked him from behind. At first Luke is shocked to hear about it, but he quickly disguises his surprise by telling Stefan that if hadn't been so exhausted from hanging off the roof all day, he would have loved to finish Lucky's job. Bobbie interrupts them. After Stefan leaves, she tells Luke that she wants him to go and find Carly and Michael. Luke refuses and says that are better off being wherever they are right now, and as long as they are away from Port Charles they are out of the line of fire. He tells her he thinks something big is going to happen, and that he has a plan in mind. When she probes him, he tells her to go and take care of her son, and he will have more answers for her later in the evening.

Helena reprimands and threatens Tony for being careless and allowing Luke to follow him. She inquires about Carly's disappearance, and Tony retaliates by threatening to ruin her attempt at recovering Stavros. She hits back by telling him she has enough of the virus left to infect all of the Spencers. A scared Tony backs off, and Helena tells him that she doesn't want to hurt anybody, she only wants her son back.

5/24 Scotty stopped by the office to see Laura, and tried to persuade her to go out with him since she was all dressed up. Laura explained to Scott that this evening was a family affair for Lucky, so he agreed to stay behind and do paperwork. After she left, he realized he needed to see what was going on.

While waiting for the party to begin, Luke met with Roy and Kevin and went over his plan to kidnap Lucky. Kevin tried to dissuade Luke, and explained that the plan could backfire and they could loose Lucky forever. Luke refused to back down and said it was going to happen whether they helped or not. With that in mind, the two of them agreed to help Luke kidnap his son and deprogram him. Roy tried to get Luke to tell Laura about the plan. Roy used himself as an example of what can happen by not sharing plans with the ones they love. Luke told him he was willing to chance both Laura and Lucky hating him after the fact as long as he could keep his son safe.

The men parted ways and Laura joined Luke at the bar. She asked him to please not pull any of his famous stunts and to keep it together. He warned her that she would be the one that would have to keep it together after she saw Elizabeth's engagement ring. Laura finally realized that Luke had been right all along, and that Helena was, in fact, in control, after he told her about the ring. He pulled her back together by telling her, "Don't worry. You're not alone this time. I'm with you. Together, we're going to beat this thing- we won't let her win!" As he kissed her hand, Bobbie and Scotty, Felicia and Mac, and Roy all came into the bar at once.

5/25 Luke and Nikolas both frown to see Stefan crash the engagement party. Later, Lucky proposes a toast to his future happiness with Elizabeth, who proudly shows off her diamond while Laura bites her tongue to avoid blurting out why the ring is so familiar. Luke assures a weeping Laura that they won't lose Lucky. Stefan has Lucky arrested for assault. Waiting eagerly for her son to rejoin the living, Helena promises Stavros that no Spencers will survive her wrath this time around. Helena is thrilled to see faint signs of life in Stavros.

5/28 Lucky was arrested for attacking Stefan. Laura said that Scott would go with him as his lawyer, but Luke said that Alexis would be. They asked Lucky and he chose Scott. Nikolas was disgusted with his uncle. Nikolas told Stefan what he felt for him was beyond contempt, beyond hatred; it was pity. 

Helena was down in the room with Stavros' chilled body in his chamber. One of her minions came and told her about Stefan and of course she has nothing but contempt for her younger son. She told Stavros that they would bring down all the Spencers, starting with Luke. He moved a hand, which thrilled her to no end. Lucky was taken to the Police Station and booked. Laura asked Scott about bail but he said they wouldn't be able to get a judge at this time of night so Lucky would have to spend the night. Laura was talking to Elizabeth and asked if she had noticed any strange behavior in Lucky and Elizabeth said no. Laura asked Scott what if Lucky had hit Stefan but didn't remember it. Scott asked what she meant but she didn't want to say. He went and talked to Lucky and Lucky said he was actually going after Nikolas but Stefan intervened. Scott warned him not to admit to anyone about going after Nikolas.

Luke stormed into his office, threatening to blow up Helena's yacht with her and all her lackeys on it. Roy was the usual voice of reason. Luke admitted Roy was right, but not till he had overturned his desk. Roy asked if he had any other copies of the discs. Luke said he did and he had gone as far as the word awakened. They didn't know what that meant.

5/29 Laura and Scott had been to visit Stefan earlier and were unsuccessful. in getting him to change his mind. Nikolas had devised a plan to trick Stefan or rather beat him at his own game. Nikolas told Stefan that he would lie under oath and tell a jury that Stefan attacked Lucky without provocation. Stefan seemed amused with Nikolas' attempt to be ruthless. Both Gia and Elizabeth resounded with a similar tune.

5/30 Nikolas, Elizabeth, and Gia threaten to lie to the police if Stefan doesn't drop the charges against Lucky. Stefan refuses. He tells Nikolas that if he wants help from his family, he should go and ask the Spencers. After the three leave, Helena enters Stefan's study from one of the secret passageways. She tells him that he is making Lucky into a martyr, and that if he wants Nikolas back, he should drop the charges against Lucky. They then start talking about Stavros. Stefan tells her that Stavros is dead, and now Stefan is the only ally he has against the Spencers. He says he will drop the charges against Lucky if she tells him what her plans are for Lucky. He tells her that once Lucky is in prison, it could be years before she can get to him. Helena laughs it off and leaves.

At the police station, Luke tells Laura that the best thing for Lucky would be to stay in jail, where Helena can't get to him. Although Laura feels very guilty about leaving Lucky there, she asks Scotty to try to postpone the arraignment. Scotty refuses. He says that Lucky is of legal age, and can decide for himself what he wants to do. He demands to know what is going on. Just then, Nikolas, Liz, and Gia come in and tell Scotty, Laura and Luke that they want to make a statement to the police. They say that they were in the stairwell with Lucky and Stefan, and they say Stefan attack Lucky. Nobody believes them, and Scotty tells them that he will keep them away from the witness stand. 

Laura tries to talk to Scotty, but refuses to tell him what is really going on. Scotty finally gives in to her, and gets the arraignment postponed for two days. Lucky is very upset when he hears about it, and is taken back to his cell. After Lucky leaves, Luke asks Taggert to keep Helena and Stefan off the visitor list. He reminds Taggert of what Helena did to Lucky with the fire. Taggert understands, and tells Luke he will try his best. While Lucky is sitting in his cell downstairs, Helena is waiting for him disguised as a janitor. 

5/31 Stefan was caught red handed trying to steal the copies of Helena's discs from Luke's safe by none other than his ex-wife, Bobbie! He defended his actions by claiming that Lucky was in grave danger but he could help. Bobbie didn't buy it and tried to take the discs away from him. As he overpowered her, Roy came in and took control. After being threatened by Roy, Stefan left, but told them they had made a mistake they would regret.

Laura and Nikolas finally sat Liz down and explained to her where Lucky had gotten her engagement ring and what him having it meant. Liz finally broke down and realized that Lucky was still programmed. She blamed herself for not seeing the signs sooner, and told them that she would do whatever it took to save Lucky from Helena. Helena appeared outside of Lucky's jail cell and re-enforced her hold him on him by using the Ice Princess. He immediately went into his trance, but they were interrupted when Luke and Kevin Collins came in. 

Kevin hypnotized Lucky and tried to break through the programming. Kevin put Lucky in a trance and got him to answer a few questions, but when he asked about Helena, Lucky froze. Lucky was able to resist Kevin because of Helena's presence. Kevin realized that he couldn't get through to Lucky. He told Luke and Laura that it might be dangerous for him to try again and he wasn't certain what he would trigger. Kevin told them the last option he could see was Liz, and the love that She and Lucky share.
While Kevin was talking to Liz, Laura tried to get through to her son. After being frustrated by his response, she left, disheartened. After Laura left the cell, Helena came out from her hiding place. Holding up the Ice Princess, she told Lucky it was time for him to get out of jail. She handed him matches and lighter fluid and told him that he'd know what to do with them.

6/1 Laura finally told Scott the truth about what was wrong with Lucky. She was surprised by Scott's calm acceptance of the mind control and she was grateful that he was willing to help in whatever way he could. She gave him a quick history lesson on the Spencer/Cassadine feud and told Scott how much all of their lives had been damaged by it. Scott promised her that they would deal with everything together.

Lucky poured lighter fluid on his cell mattress and lit a fire. Luke and Kevin discussed Lucky's condition to try to figure out a way to break through the programming. Luke told Kevin about his maze dream and how much it disturbed him. Kevin suggested that the dream might be Luke's way of channeling his fears about his children's safety. Kevin thought that the woman Luke heard in the dream might not even be real. 

Luke went to Laura's house because he needed to see Lulu and be certain she was alright. He stroked Lulu's head as she slept and related the tale of how the Cassadines came back into their lives after her illness. He didn't blame her, but he realized that a chain reaction had been set in motion that was having deadly consequences. Laura was furious to learn that Luke had planned to kidnap Lucky from his engagement dinner. Her anger quickly evaporated after she received a phone call about a fire at the police station. She and Luke rushed out to see what had happened.

Helena sent her assistants off to make sure that nothing went wrong with Lucky at the police station. She sat with Stavros and whispered that all the plans were in motion for his return. At the sound of her voice, Stavros opened his eyes. Helena broke down in tears at this sign of life, but she bade him to go back to sleep because he would need his rest for all that was in front of them. 

6/4 Elizabeth was freaked out about the fire, bringing back bad memories of two years ago when another fire took Lucky away from her. She was afraid she had lost Lucky all over again. They were all gathered there and the Captain was ready to charge Elizabeth with arson, thinking she had given the accelerant to Lucky to help him escape. Scott tried to talk to him but he wouldn't listen. 

Lucky went to see Helena and they were playing chess, but when she wanted him to say "use the king to protect the queen" he said no, he loved his father. Could it be hoped that Helena's hold on Lucky isn't as strong as she thought?

Luke had gone back to his office at Luke's Club and got a gun. He was on the warpath after Helena. He met up with Felicia, who was horrified to see him with the gun. He told her to stay out of it. Later he went to Helena's yacht to lie in wait for her. Felicia followed him there to continue her objections and of course, Laura found them there together. 

6/5 Helena was shocked at Lucky's rebellion when she asked him to repeat the words take the king to protect your queen. Lucky was adamant about loving his father and he was not going to harm his father in any way. Helena ran for the ice princess and brought him back under control. She calmed him down and then she made him understand that she did not want to harm his father only to bring him peace. Lucky of course agreed and then said the words Helena wanted to hear. Once again Helena was pleased with herself.

Laura came upon Felicia and Luke on Helena's yacht. Felicia was trying to convince Luke that murdering Helena would not solve his problems. Luke was past the point of understanding and Laura agreed. Felicia then tried to convince them both to try other means because violence was not the answer. Luke was fed up and left. Laura was going to follow him but Felicia stopped her. Felicia asked Laura when she was going to give up Luke. Laura was stunned by Felicia's comments. Laura told her she was the reason she gave up on Luke in the first place. Felicia told Laura she loved Luke and she told Luke himself. Obviously he did not take it well, Laura said. Felicia told her that he said he wasn't sure that he could love again because his heart had been ripped to shreds. Laura was angry now and told Felicia she was taking no more of this. She would not stand this abuse and left.

6/6 Luke and Laura make a pact to join together against Helena, and fight to get Lucky back. Roy comes in to tell Luke that Stefan tried to break in and steal the disks. After Roy leaves, Luke and Laura have a heart-to-heart, and she assures him that she will stand by him as they try to find Lucky. Luke eases her worries about Lucky by assuring her that that Lucky is still alive. They get back to work on the disks, and get through another level of code using the word "Pegasus." The next word they encounter is Greek, and Laura thinks it has something to do with "warming up."

Stavros begins to move, and Helena wonders when he will be able to rise again. Tony tells her that Stavros should come out of his frozen state within a day.

6/8 After getting frustrated over their lack of progress with the disks, Luke went to the hospital and found Tony. Luke hoped to get information on Helena's plan, based on his suspicion that Tony was working with "psycho granny." He pleaded with Tony, reminding him that they were once in-laws. Tony denied that Helena had anything to do with Lucas and his recovery. After Luke left, Tony went down to find Helena. She insisted that it was time to open the coffin and bring Stavros back to life. Although Tony disagreed, he knew better than to argue with her. He simply completed the last of the computer prompts, opened the lid and stood back.

After leaving Tony, Luke went back to the club. When he got there, an overjoyed Laura told him that Liz had found Lucky and that they were on their way. When the young couple got there, Lucky admitted to his parents that he was in trouble and needed their help to get his mind back. Overcome with love and emotion, all four of them hugged each other and pledged to win this battle with Helena.

6/11 Luke finally got Lucky to agree to therapy with Kevin. He knows now, thanks to Elizabeth, that he is being programmed by Helena again. Nikolas and Gia showed up, relieved to see Lucky. Kevin came, per Luke's request, to start deprogramming Lucky. Scott showed up and said Lucky had to turn himself in to the police; he was facing a bunch of charges. Luke was his usual hostile self to Scott. Laura asked Scott to give them till the next day and he agreed. 

Kevin and Lucky went to Luke's office and Kevin put him under hypnosis. Lucky talked about being in a place he had never been before, it was dark and creepy. Luke came in and Kevin said he had to leave. Luke said there were questions he had to ask Lucky and Kevin let him stay. Luke asked Lucky about Lucas and did he hurt Lucas. Lucky said Lucas was his cousin, he wouldn't hurt him. As Lucky was talking he was shown in the maze, with Kevin following him. Luke told Lucky to open his eyes and showed him the ring he had given Elizabeth. He asked if Helena had given it to him. He met up with Helena in the maze, her holding up the Ice Princess. The last thing he said was “Stavros”. 

Laura and Elizabeth were talking and Laura was warning Elizabeth about becoming a Spencer, how it involved being part of the Spencer/Cassadine war. Elizabeth promised she wouldn't underestimate Helena.

Stavros had awoken and Tony told Helena that he was finished with her now. Helena said if she needed him again, he would help her. They got Stavros out of the chamber and he was on his feet. She told Stavros how disgusted she was with his brother, Stefan. Despite all her attempts, he was still alive. She wasn't too happy when Stavros' first words were "where's Laura?" When she came back later to see him, he had left, perhaps off to find Laura?

Stefan told Nikolas that he had dropped the charges against Lucky. He wasn't trying to get Nikolas back in the family but he was all Stefan had left and he wanted to be friends, at least. They finally hugged.

DVD #22B  6/12 Stavros could not even think of himself and his recovery, upon knowing that Laura could possibly be with Luke, Stavros immediately sought after Luke. He managed to get away from Helena's guards and made it into the main part of General Hospital. He stumbles upon Melissa and demanded to know where he could find Luke Spencer. Melissa gives Stavros the address of the club. 

Stavros went to the club and finds Laura at the bar. He became speechless at her sight and remembers her beauty and glory on the island in Greece. He lost his balance and leaned against a pillar. Laura turned around but did not even see him. Stavros went after her, but Helena arrived and stopped him. She told him to be patient and wait for the right time. Stavros was not in agreement but Helena had the guards remove him from Luke's club. Back at Helena's underground office, she lured her son back into the idea of ruling the world. She told him her plan about using biological warfare so that everyone would be under his control. Helena also told Stavros that the Spencer line would be washed from the face of the earth.

Dr. Kevin was working with Lucky. He made some strides because Lucky was willing to reveal them, but still a lot remained a secret. Kevin and Luke discovered that the diamond engagement ring was a piece of the mind control from Helena. Lucky became open to suggestion when the diamond was present. Also they discovered that Elizabeth was his safe place and haven. Whenever Lucky was in trouble he would reach out for her. The entire group Laura, Elizabeth, Lucky, and Luke were optimistic about the new discoveries. Kevin tried to keep the reality that he would try to undo the programming but could not know for sure until he had more sessions with Lucky. Elizabeth and Lucky headed to Nikolas' cottage to see if they could stay there. Luke and Laura confirmed that they needed to put a stop to this once and for all. Luke advised Laura to watch her back because this was far from over.

6/15 Luke shocked Felicia by telling her that he'd made a mistake letting her go, and he wanted a second chance. Although she was tempted by his charms, she chose to stay with Mac. Later on, at home, Felicia and Mac rehearsed the Nurses Ball number, but cut it short when he sensed that something was on her mind. After confessing to Mac that Luke wanted her back, she told him about her decision to start over with him (Mac). When Mac tried to let her off the hook by telling her that their trial period wasn't working for him, Felicia grabbed him and drew him into a passionate kiss.

When Scott picked Laura up for their date she surprised him with a kiss. She told him she was truly grateful for all of his help with Lucky and everything else. Scott brought her back to reality by telling her that time was running out on her and Luke's divorce. If Luke didn't sign the settlement papers within twenty-four hours, the divorce would be null and void. Laura went to the club with papers in hand. She asked him to sign them so they could both be free. They reminisced about all those great and crazy times they had shared. Although he wanted to make her happy, he was overcome with emotion. "If I sign these, it means we're over. It's the end of an era..." 

6/18 Scott was drinking champagne while he waited in vain for Laura. The waiter tried to get him to move to the bar because they needed the table. Scott told him he was there first.

Another sad parting of the ways for Luke and Laura. They reminisced about their past on the run. He said he would never regret being married to her. She said the same about him. Luke told Laura that he didn't see Laura as that eighteen year old girl anymore; he saw her as a woman, a fantastic woman. It was a very emotional goodbye, an end to a wonderful twenty-year union. Felicia called while Laura was there, but Luke told her he was in the middle of something. Luke and Laura were both crying as they said goodbye. She left and he watched her outside, waving to her as she walked away.

6/19 Luke called Felicia to make amends for being so abrupt with her. Felicia had set in her mind that she was alone and that was okay that there would be no Mac and no Luke. Felicia immediately gave him the brush off when he wanted to talk about last night. Then she told Luke that she had way too much to do to get ready for the ball and she had to go. Luke was not content with this ending. Scott showed up at his door and he promptly threw him out after telling him that he had already signed the divorce and property settlement papers. Scott happily left. 

Luke showed up at Felicia’s door with this huge bouquet of flowers. Chloe offered to stay but Felicia gave her the okay to go look. Luke asked Felicia to stop giving him the brush off. He wanted to explain why he was abrupt. He explained about the signing the divorce papers and stuff, but this wasn't enough for Felicia. She asked him about how he felt. After all Felicia had already proclaimed her love for Luke Spencer. She asked him would he ever be able to do the same. Luke was relieved to know she still loved him, but had to come up with something quick. He explained that he could not predict the future or outcome of their efforts, but surely he wanted to try to be together. Felicia took this in the best possible way. Luke even recognized the small step they took towards each other. 

6/20-6/21 Nurse’s Ball. The show went on despite the fact that a lot of the performers and audience were called back to the hospital after an accident. Amanda made a huge donation to the cause and was applauded for her generosity. Stefan then thrilled the crowd by announcing that the Cassadine's would double any contributions made that evening. As the festivities went on, Helena and Stavros argued about the timing for their next act of terrorism and vengeance. He took the vial filled with the deadly virus away from Helena and went to the ball, ready to wreak havoc. 

Luke agreed to perform in Mac’s place (after he is called away for the accident), but he flatly refused to perform "Way Down Upon the Swanee River". A bittersweet Laura watched their spicy performance of "Ole Time Rock and Roll," while she sat with Scotty. Luke then focused on his real reason for being there, to look out for Helena. While he searched for Helena, he was unaware that Stavros, back from the dead, was actually the Cassadine that was skulking around this time. Stavros managed to get close enough to Laura and Scott's' table without being noticed. 

Gia, Nikolas, and Lucky thrilled the audience with a song and dance number of their own. However, their celebration backstage was cut short by Helena. Nikolas urged Gia to take Lucky out of the room before harm came to him. Although he wanted to stay and confront Helena, Gia did manage to get him out of there. Helena then went on about Nikolas behaving like a commoner. The two of them then went through their usual routine of insult and recrimination. Helena then left, unaware that Laura was behind her. Thinking the worst, Laura rushed into the room, but was relieved to find Nikolas unharmed. As they hugged, Mother and Son were oblivious to the fact that Stavros was watching them.

Helena got out of the room that Stavros locked her in and found her recently defrosted Son spying on his ex-wife and Son. As she was about to approach Stavros, she was pulled into a room. Her captor was none other than Luke!

6/22 As Luke tightened his stranglehold on Helena, he demanded answers about the havoc she was causing in his family. As usual, they played their little word games, with Helena telling Luke he was paranoid, and him telling her she was sick. Lucky came upon the scene and threatened Helena when she tried talking with him. Lucky stared her down, claiming that she was powerless over him. Helena got rattled when Lucky threatened her life and left, the whole time smiling. Lucky felt confident that he had broken her strangle hold over him, but Luke didn't share his son's confidence. He warned Lucky about being over confident when it comes to the Cassadines. Luke was truly touched when his son thanked him for trying to protect him.

Down the hall, Stavros listened in while Laura and Nikolas talked. When her son expressed fear over being too much like his father, she reassured him that he was a fine and good man, nothing like Stavros! When Nikolas said that he was grateful to Luke for killing his father, Stavros was stunned.  Just as Stavros was about to reveal himself to his hateful wife and son, Helena found him and stopped him. She reminded him of their plan and how important it was to stick to it so their revenge would be complete. When Stavros told his mother how hurt he was by what Nikolas had become, she explained to him that it was the Spencers who were to blame for everything. When Helena continued to malign Laura, Stavros defended her, putting all the blame in his eyes on Luke. He then explained to his mother that once he took everything and everyone else away with the biotoxin, Laura would love him again because everyone else would be gone.

6/25 Helena told Stavros about how Laura was with Stefan on the island in Greece and in Port Charles. It was through Stefan that Nikolas was brought into the Spencer's lives. Stavros said Stefan had to die too. Helena mentioned Alexis and Stavros said she was insignificant. He told his mother he would do what he wanted to whomever he wanted.

6/26 Lately it seems that Stefan was really making an effort to change. It is unfortunate he does not know that his brother is waiting in the wings for him, literally. Stavros was posed to kill Stefan after he found about Stefan and Laura, but he listened to his conversation first. Stefan had brought Chloe to Wyndemere to talk. Stefan was begging Chloe for her forgiveness and just hoping that he could redeem himself in her eyes. He confessed that his life had taken a twisted path and that he may be permanently damaged, but I am trying to defy my history. I wouldn't have even dropped the charges against Lucky if it weren't for you. Stefan continued and asked Chloe for her help for a trust fund for Nikolas. Chloe was skeptical, but Stefan turned her around and she agreed to help him get money to Nikolas.

Luke had discovered that Helena was bringing in some additional items to General Hospital via sea vessel. He and Roy devised a plan to find out what was going on there. Luke stole the manifest for the Pier then they made way over to General Hospital. They went to Bobbie to solicit her assistance. The only problem is that what Bobbie recognized on the list was state of the art medical equipment with no records of being received at General Hospital. Bobbie continued her search. Roy made his way down stairs and was trying to get into a locked room, when Melissa happened upon him. Roy asked for her help and to trust him about the Cassadines.

Lucky was doing a photo shoot for Deception with Gia. Alexis came to the shoot too, to speak with Laura. She was there to plead Carly's case. Alexis presented a fair plea to Laura about Carly but Scott squashed her at every attempt. Laura did decline and Alexis said thanks for your time and walked. Scott was pleased with Laura's decision. He made attempt to get Laura to go away with him for 24 hours. Laura checked with Nikolas to see if him and Gia would be around Lucky and they assured her. A while later Nikolas and Lucky were talking on the pier when one Helena's henchman knocked Nikolas out cold.

6/27 After her goons knock Nikolas out, Helena waves the Ice Princess in front of Lucky's glazed eyes. As he slowly comes to, Nikolas hears his grandmother giving Lucky new instructions. Nikolas hurries to Luke with a warning about his son. Luke and Bobbie try to decipher the shipping manifests stolen from the Cassadine fleet. Luke is wary when Melissa insists on helping him and Roy keep tabs on Helena. Passing himself off as a venture capitalist, Stavros approaches Chloe with a business proposition.  Stavros enjoys yanking Luke's chain from behind the scenes.  Intrigued by her new acquaintance, Chloe accepts a dinner invitation from "Lucien." 

6/28 Scottie continued to court his former wife by recreating events from their first honeymoon. Laura was genuinely touched and thrilled to be lavished with this kind of attention. Scottie promised to bring all of their old magic back if she'd let him. He then took her to the sound stage he had rented for the day so they could make a movie!

Nikolas tried to persuade Luke to go along with the plan to con his "ex" family. Nik's logic was that he could get information from his grandmother by pretending to be on her side. Luke flatly refused; "This is all about me and Helena. You and Lucky are nothing more than pawns in this game. Do us a favor and get off the field." An angry Nikolas stormed out and right past his grandmother. She then wanted to know what Luke had done. Instead of answering her question, he grab her face in anger, told her he was now going to trade Nikolas for Lucky, kissed her and left.

Gia tried to do Liz and Lucky a favor by getting their reception booked at the Grille. Unfortunately, none of her charms, tactics or threats worked on the catering manager, who turned her down flat. Stavros was eavesdropping on her conversation. Naturally, he used what he had overheard to introduce himself as one of her fans. He used the same smooth lines that he'd used with great success on Chloe. Both women were totally oblivious to the fact that they were dealing with a mad man hell bent on revenge, but Chloe did start to feel uncomfortable with some of his conversation about Stefan and left. The show closed with Luke rushing up on the kids and punching Nikolas out while everyone, including Stavros, watched in horror.

6/29 Scott and Laura carried on all day at the soundstage he had rented. The dressed in costumes and re-enacted different love scenes from famous movies like Cleopatra, Gone with the Wind and Casablanca. After joking around, Scottie finally got serious and proclaimed that "I loved you then, I never stopped loving you. I love you know and I always will!" Laura then drew him into a passionate kiss.

Back at the grill, Luke tipped off Nikolas that his fury was an act. Nikolas recovered from the shock of getting blindsided and began to execute his plan. Screaming that Nikolas was poison, Luke blamed him for everything that had gone wrong in his family. When Luke accused him of siding with the Cassadines all along, Nikolas denied it, but shouted that he sure as hell didn't want to be a Spencer either.  After Kevin broke up the fight and removed Luke from the scene, Helena congratulated her grandson for defending himself. When Nikolas told her he felt like he didn't belong to anyone's family and didn't fit in anywhere, she reminded him of his real heritage and encouraged him to return to the Cassadine clan.  Outside on the terrace, Lucky ripped into his father again, and served up an ultimatum: "Either you accept Nikolas in my life or I'm walking away from yours." Luke refused to accept Lucky's terms and was totally unaware of the fact that Stavros was standing right behind him, ready to strangle him.

Melissa discovered equipment that had been shipped to Helena. She convinced Roy to go and investigate what was going on with her. They ended up stuck in the freight elevator after they got to the basement. The sexual tension between them grew as they reminisced about another time back in Chicago when they were trapped together all night. As they waited for the other to make the first move, the elevator started to move as well - but it was going down. 

7/2 Following the ugly scene between his father and Nikolas, an embittered Lucky complains to Kevin about Luke's bizarre manner of proving his "love." Meanwhile, Helena reminds Nikolas that Luke's outburst proves the prince belongs back with the Cassadines. Gia icily warns Luke never to mess with her man again.  Luke and Nikolas secretly confer about the next phase of their plan. 

7/3 Helena found Stavros out on the roof at General Hospital and warned him about being out in public. Stavros mentioned to her that hiding was like a prison or being dead - it was a rooftop and no one could see him. They were argumentative and traded words about how Helena has been handling things. Stavros wanted his family back. He has a son and a wife and he was going to handle things his way. Helena looked on in disgust as Stavros went on and on about Laura. Helena was hoping that she could free Stavros from his obsession for Laura Spencer. Stavros held a crimson rose in his hand throughout his conversation with Helena.

Dream sequences episode for various characters:

Stefan Cassadine: Stefan looked awful; he was disheveled and ragged in his appearance and had been drinking. He made his way to his bed and pulled out a picture of Chloe Morgan to place on top of the nightstand. As he drifted into a deep sleep, he remembered himself and Alexis, as children playing with a sailboat his father had brought him. Stavros entered and forced him to play with him. When Stefan refused Stavros took the boat and destroyed it. He told Stefan that if he ever had anything that he wanted then Stavros would take it away from him. Alexis showed up as an adult this time and told him he had to leave the past and Stavros behind him. Live in the present. Chloe arrived at the scene and was receptive and warm to Stefan. They started to kiss and then moved to the bed and Stefan knocked over the vase of roses. When Stefan looked up it was Chloe in bed with Stavros. Stefan awoke and was frazzled. He looked over at the nightstand and the roses were missing. He looked down on the floor and there lay the crimson roses.

Laura Spencer: As Laura fell asleep after the day with Scott, she imagined herself on a movie set together in the olden days. Luke was the director. Laura and Scott were not playing the love scene well enough in Luke's eyes. Luke yelled cut and mumbled the terrible, dreadful and unbelievable words about the scene. Next Luke played out the scene with Laura and Scott was upset. As Luke and Scott argued Laura looked over to find a stranger (Stavros) and a crimson rose in his hand. Laura told Luke she was afraid.

Felicia Scorpio: Felicia interrupted Luke's dream with James Bond parity. Luke was walking the pier when Felicia arrived to save the day. She had decoded all the diskettes and could cure Lucky. Luke was so overjoyed that he said that he loved her. Felicia was ecstatic. Then she noticed one long steam crimson rose. She liked it and Luke wanted to get if for her. Felicia begged him not to go off into the darkness and leave her, but Luke did not listen. He went to the rose and disappeared.

Luke Spencer: Luke fell asleep in a chair awaiting Helena and also trying to devise a plan to get through to Helena's underground lair. Luke encountered Laura and divulged his plan. Laura asked why he made everything so difficult. The two took the elevator down to a place with a hole in the floor. Laura told Luke that all the answers were in the floor below and that he was on his own and good luck. Luke turned around and she was gone. He took the giant leap down into the hole. Laura had met him there; she told him that she took the fast way. Luke told Laura that the Cassadines were ruining their lives; Laura countered and said we make our own choices. Laura started to leave and wished Luke the best. He stopped her and asked if she would stay. Laura said no she had to be on her way. Luke then spotted the stranger with the crimson rose. Luke could never catch up to him.