Luke is regaling Bobbie with the story of what he saw in Alexis' documents, and how paranoid the Cassadine woman is to know he has them. The downside is that the info is all numbers and he has no idea what it's about. Bobbie informs him that all the Cassidine staffers had assigned ID numbers. Luke tells her she'd make "a hell of a private dick." Felicia drops off the Brownstone mail, including a post from Virginia Benson. Luke persuades his sister not to open the envelope and look at picture of her "late" daughter (who is really the very alive and well Carly), saying she'll get caught up in Virginia's fantasy. Bobbie asks Luke to hold onto the mail, just in case she changes her mind and decides to peak. Luke leaves the Outback, opens the envelope and reveals the Carly pictures (to us) while having an aural flashback to his promise to keep them safe.

Uncle Luke dropped by and told Carly about Virginia sending Bobbie pictures of "Caroline"! He told Carly to make Virginia stop, somehow. Later on Luke called Virginia and told her that Bobbie wasn't interested in Caroline any more and his sister's very fragile right now. Then he calls Laura, wishing her a happy 16th anniversary.

Stefan and Alexis discuss the workers' strike in Djakarta. Stefan lies that Ralston found George in Carpasos where there are no phones. After Alexis leaves, we learn that Stefan had George's body flown to Greece for burial under a false name.

Luke found a letter from Sonny in the club's safe along with the insurance policy. It allows for Luke to buy out Jason, or to simply ask Jason to get out. Jason explains how he sees the club as a bridge. Luke understands completely, recalling his days working for Frank Smith, where that nightclub was a bridge between the mob and the innocents. He tells Jason that he could easily be in Jason's seat right now and knows exactly what he is up against. They discuss war strategy, Jason calmly relying on economics for his survival (a hit on Sonny is worth a mill while Jason is only good for 50K). Morena is an obvious contender, but expansion is not cost-effective, and besides, there are many people loyal to Sonny's way and much better off for it. Eventually Luke makes his mind up. He prefers Jason to Moreno or others, and points out that Jason selling out of the club would be a sign of weakness and would definitely indicate that Sonny is gone. Upon learning that Robin is Jason's heir, Luke is even more sure, quipping, "you, Moreno, or Mac?". Jason can stay with Luke's, but they'll talk again in 6 months. Luke is on the phone with Laura, "of course the Spencer headquarters is not the same without the general." As he hangs up, Lucky comes in with a deposit for the safe. Luke breaks the news that Lucky doesn't have to go to Switzerland, and passes on other family news-in-brief. The two settle in for a father-son talk, and as expected, the conversation moves on to the Webber twits, Sarah in particular. Luke counsels patience. Exit Lucky, enter Bobbie. She's got Carly on the brain. Bobbie reports that Carly collapsed before she could marry Tony. Luke is surprised that Tony and Carly's wedding didn't come off. Bobbie fills him in on all the gossip, and even defends her nemesis against Luke's skepticism, describing the scene she walked in on yesterday. Bobbie chokes back tears as she recalls her own pregnancy. She admits to her rattle brother how surprised she was to find herself connecting with Carly for the first time. Luke advises the her that finding compassion for and curiosity about Carly is not in his sister's best interest. Bobbie tells Luke she's rethinking Carly, and her search for her daughter and all the over-rationalizing that she'd been doing. Next, she announces that the Brownstone renovations are almost done, and the conversation segues from there back to the Cassidines. Luke speculates that Wyndemere set is about to explode, courtesy of Alexis, and has a thoughtful expression when Bobbie asks "Are there any lies bigger than the ones we tell the people we love?"

Stefan has Mr. Soames, the INS guy, in his lair. He toys with the man, who plays dumb. Stefan sits him down and pulls out the faux Natasha immigration records and lays out the question to the nervous agent: "I was recently lead to believe that my sister is dead. What do know about that, Mr. Soames?" Mr. Soames tells Stefan he's clueless about his sister, says it's nothing to do with him, then gets up to leave. Stefan stops him dead by invoking the "I'll ask your superiors, then" mantra. At which point the INS man whines. Stefan confronts him with the misdeed of allowing one "Erik the Engineer" to immigrate to the US. At which point the INS man pales (he sold Visas to terrorists). Stefan threatens to turn in Soames if his curiosity isn't completely satisfied. The clerk starts telling all.

Stefan is angry at Alexis, who makes the mistake of calling just then (check out the size of her cell phone! LOL!). He tells her to cancel the staff meeting and look for Nik. Off the phone, he tells Soames that he is going to the penitentiary. Stefan leaves a message on Katherine's answering machine: "I must see you." Alexis comes in and Stefan orders her to Sit. Stefan comes down hard on Alexis about her perceived betrayal, but she insists she was not disloyal. Stefan can't believe Alexis could claim she didn't betray him. She pleads that she saw a threat to him from Katherine and moved him out of the way to protect him as he has protected her in the past. Alexis tries to take the offensive and argues that his desire for Katherine blinded him to her danger. In the end he compares her manipulative skills favorably to Helena Cassidine's. Alexis continues to plead her case, but Stefan is steeled against her and abruptly ends the discussion with "the kiss of death" and rips off her Cassidine medallion. Stefan says that Alexis is dead to him and orders her out the house, off the island, and away from all Cassadine lands and businesses as she is now dead to him. He says she's fortunate his revenge won't follow her for now. Alexis has been tossed into the cold by Stefan. She pounds on the door. "Please let me in! Don't send me away!" She admits she betrayed him, but there is still more she needs to tell him. Cue the sound of winds howling around her. Her hair swirls around her. She looks alone and pathetic. Stefan opens the door just to let her have it again. Never darken his door again. She begs for forgiveness, or at least a chance to explain. No sale, sister. She slinks away. Stefan later tells Nik that Alexis has been banished. "She's dead to us," he declaims. He'll explain the messy details later, but first her needs to find Katherine. Nik tells him that she's left Port Charles for good.

Luke tells Carly not to try to develop a relationship with Bobbie and to stop tugging on her heartstrings. As far as Bobbie is concerned, her daughter is dead, and Carly should leave it that way. Carly agrees. Later at Luke's, Bobbie finds Carly's photo in Luke's safe. What's it doing there? Oh, that, Luke says, thinking fast. Well, see, he never trusted Carly. Even when she first came to town he knew there was something hinky about her. He had some detective work done on her--the photos were to help dig up dirt. But it didn't pan out. Oh, well. Bobbie's not sure anymore that she's enjoy hearing any dirt on Carly. She finds herself drawn to the girl, feeling sorry for her since she's been hospitalized and so worried about the baby. What, is Bobbie nuts? Luke demands.

Bobbie can't stop thinking about the pictures of Caroline that Virginia sent. Maybe she should just look at them and get it over with, instead of letting them weigh on her mind. Bad idea, Luke answers. Caroline is gone and Bobbie will never know her. Then she invites Luke over for Turkey Day and he gloats to her about "blowing the Cassidines out of the water" with the dirt he's digging up. He shows her his computer stuff. He's trying to figure out who Alexis was paying off. Woo-hoo! Looky here! The computer says that she's been paying off some guy at the local graveyard! Luke will make it his business to find out! Luke arrives at Natasha Nillson's 'grave' and mentions Alexis Davis to the caretaker. Luke and Smith talk about Natasha's grave. Luke finds out there was never a body buried there. Bobbie and Luke discuss Thanksgiving at the GH library. The speculate about the empty grave and why Stefan was so upset when he saw it.

Nik demands to know why Alexis has been banished. Stefan tells Nik how Alexis made him believe that Kat was his half sister and that Alexis did it to keep him away from Kat. Nik is aghast at Alexis devious ways being used against Stefan and himself. Stefan and Nik bond over how deeply Alexis has betrayed them. Stefan goes to GH and asks Edward where Kat is? Edward tells Stefan to leave Kat alone and leave for Greece. Stefan goes to Outback and asks Mac about Katy. Mac says Kat went to find 'peace of mind'. Stefan heads to Serenity Springs.

THANKSGIVING! Luke lets Mac and Felicia and Maxie and Georgie in, shouting over his shoulder to Bobbie: "Your annoying neighbors are here." Foster is here The bell rings. It's Tony and Carly. "Hello doc Bro ex-in-law" says Luke. "Carly." Carly hands Luke the flowers she's carrying but drops them just before he gets them. There's an awkward pause. (Lucas dashes in for his present and dashes out again.) Bobbie suggests they stay for dinner? Tony and Carly try to back out, with Luke saying in the background "they have reservations" which is a double meaning for sure. LUKE certainly has reservations! Bobbie says they need to establish a precedent. They will be having holidays together, the children will play together, they need to practice. Tony and Carly give in. The bell rings, and it's Amy and Ruby. Luke tries to talk Bobbie out of having Tony and Carly. At dinner, Luke makes a toast. It's just all so family and nice that Carly can't stand it and leaves the table. Bobbie follows her. Carly tells her she's really good at the holiday stuff. They have a bonding moment.

Kat goes to the door. There's Stefan! She tries slamming the door in his face. Stefan manfully shoulders the door open and pleads with her to just listen to what he needs to say. She does not want to hear any more of his lies. Now he admits that they were lies, all the things he said to her. Now all he wants is to tell her the truth. She relents. He tells her that during the time he was so cruel to her, he was under the impression that she was his sister Natasha. That's sick, she tells him. Did he think her so hungry for money she'd chase after her own brother? No, he swears, he always knew she was innocent. But he was horribly misled. "You coulda told me," she says. No, he insists, Helena's spies are everywhere. She watches and waits for the opportunity to recover what's rightfully hers. Kat smirks to learn that Alexis set this trap, and while she understands why Stefan did what he did, she wouldn't have and she won't go back to Port Charles with him. Stefan persists with his pleas for understanding and forgiveness but Kat says the wound he inflicted is too deep to heal. Finally realizing he is sincere, she falls into his arms and they make love.

The docks, Alexis mopes about, remembering Stefan's cruelty the night he tossed her out of Windy-mere. If she wanted to suffer in silence, tough luck, cause here comes Luke. He offers to row her over to the island. Bad idea, she tells him. She doesn't think that she could be alone with him in a rowboat without bashing his skull in with an oar. Luke gets to the point. He knows she's persona-non-grata at the old homestead. He'd like to find out more about the falling out, but she won't give. As she's about to leave, he asks: "Why is it that every time things start getting interesting between us, you walk away, little sister?" Alexis freezes. Why did he call her that? Oh, just the whole family of man thing, Luke answers casually. More bantering. He urges her to get some revenge on Stefan and Nik for turning her out of the fold. Not a chance, she tells him. She's still a Cassadine. Oh, she's more a Cassadine than everyone knows, Luke tells her. Alexis informs him that his presence, not just on the docks, but on the planet itself, if most objectionable to her. Once again she starts to leave, but Luke calls out: "Nice talkin' to ya, Natasha." She gives him a deer-caught-in-the-headlights stare. "Who is Natasha?" Alexis asks Luke, more than once, as if she's never had confirmed what she's long suspected. "I didn't know until just now," he replies, pulling up a sapphire & diamond ring that she wears on a chain around her neck. "They said it belonged to my mother," she confesses. "Natasha was the daughter of the murdered woman who wore this ring," he declares, and he then relates a long story about Kristin Bergman, with Alexis contributing some information to fill in his gaps. It seems Luke has been researching her for a long time with the help of his connections, the caretaker at the upstate cemetery, and an informative trip to Stockholm last summer, and now he's put it all together.

Here is the tale: Kristin Nilson was the beautiful Cassidine governess, seduced by Mikkos with a romantic villa built just for her. So in love was he that he rented an Opera House in Stockholm for a free weeklong production of Tosca just to showcase her vocal talent. So talented was she that the audience rioted after her final suicide scene until the curtain was raised and they were assured that the spellbinding performer was not herself lying there dead. For ten years she captivated Europe, until she was murdered, found with her throat slit and her vocal cords ripped out. It was called suicide, however, as the knife was in her own hand. Some suspected murder for the ring, but Luke & Alexis both know it was jealousy [Helena's]. Kristin wore the ring in every photo Luke had seen and it has its own legend: Once, after a performance in Berlin or Paris, Kristin met her fans & VIPs, and a professor of medieval history fell to his knees and kissed her hand, recognizing the ring as a sacred artifact. He told the room about how the Persians, invading Jerusalem in the 7th C., destroyed all but the tabernacle of a Church of the Holy Sepulcher built by Emperor Constantine. Religious folk adorned the tabernacle with 12 sapphires in the shape of a cross, each stone having the protective power to protect from harm whoever possessed them. Mikkos must have had that in mind for Kristin. Alexis listens quietly to Luke's story, wincing in pain at certain details. He asks her questions. She doesn't remember her mother, knows only Mikkos, Stavros, Stefan, & (pause) Helena. Was she told her parents were dead? She nods, Alexei Davidovich and Sophia, born Cassadine. She changed her name to Davis for her career. Does Stefan know? No. So why the fake grave, to break it to him gently? No, it was something else. They both know what Helena will do if she finds out she raised the daughter of Kristin. Alexis never wanted another living soul to know about this. Luke says "I'm sure. I understand. But I know." He threatens her quietly not to dismiss him or peeve him in any way, parting with, "It's nice meeting you, Natasha."

Stefan and Katherine awakened in bed at Serenity, still basking in the afterglow of their strenuous "activities" the night before. They share some lovey dovey talk before they dressed and returned to Port Charles.

Mike dropped into Luke's Club to RSVP the invitation for the big party Luke is throwing. They chatted a bit about Sonny before Jason joined them. Mike asked Luke if he invited Brenda to the party. Mike left and Luke quizzed Jason about why he is having Brenda watched all the time. Jason explained that if anything happened to Brenda it would probably flush Sonny out of hiding. Right now, he said, it looks like Sonny is still running the show. Luke asked him to please not bring mob violence into his nightclub. Later on, Luke was surprised by a visit from Alexis who showed up to turn down his party invitation in person. They talked about her being Natasha and she stressed how dangerous it would be if Helena knew who Alexis really was.

We see a black screen, and Luke's voice comes up: "Ladies and gentlemen, from now on, every damn thing around here is gonna be different!" We pull back and see that we're in Luke's club. He's up on stage and starts that hip-shakin' thang. Others dance around the floor. Da Man is giving himself a welcome-back party. As he says to Mike: "I've been home, but now I'm *back*!" (a reference to Bob Guza's return as writer?).

The music starts, and we see Jax, drink in hand, crossing the room as people begin to whoop it up. Luke starts to shimmy and play a little air guitar as the band plays behind him. He works his way down to the floor, doing a little jive with his sister-in-law, and then gathering the staff around the bar for some quick instructions on "playing it cool" with the customers. Everything is on the house, and the servers must have the right " tude". Mike approaches Luke at the bar, wondering why he is just now hosting a "welcome home" party for himself, since it has been months since his return from Switzerland. Luke, in his inimitable fashion, explains that he's been home, but now he's *back*. Amy wins a bottle of Mescal as the best dancer on the floor. Luke's good mood is spoiled by the appearance of Nik, where's his invitation? Nik tells him he's a guest but he'll wait outside for his companion to arrive. Luke tells him not to freeze because his "blowtorch is in the shop".

Jason approaches Luke about opening up the back room. After giving Dara a quick nod and a smile, Luke suggests they continue the conversation outside. Nikolas standing outside the club, near the front door, waiting for Sarah. Jason's bodyguards are nearby, one to the right of the doors, the other to the right, in front of the fence. Luke lights up a cigar and tells Jason he's not going to take the risk of opening the back room for small change. Jason points out that there are a few high rollers in attendance, adding that it would be a pleasure to see Luke empty Jax's wallet. We see the glare of headlights coming towards the group, and there is a sudden barrage of bullets from the parking lot. Jason and Luke recoil, while the bodyguards take aim and return fire. Pete goes down, taking a fatal blow. Inside the club, everyone takes cover. The neon sign outside that says "Luke's" is blown out. We then see Jax, his arms wrapped protectively around Brenda, crouched down, a look of terror in their eyes. The band members go down, and as the firing continues, Nikolas lies on the ground, unmoving. There is a squeal of tires as the car races off, and the opening credits music starts: ..... ...The silence inside the club is deafening. Brenda and Jax are huddled together, watching the door, as everyone slowly absorbs what has just happened. Lucky calls out to his father, and slowly gets up. Brenda whispers, "it's him." Justus notices Edward slumped over on the table, and checks to see if he is okay. Jax asks, "are you okay?", then yells after Brenda as she heads for the door, "Don't go out there!" There is desperation in his voice. He runs after her, stopping just outside the door as they see someone lying face down on the ground, Luke and Jason crouched nearby. Brenda utters Sonny's name and staggers backwards. They approach the victim, and Brenda sees that it is in fact Nikolas who has been shot, and is bleeding from the neck. There is blood oozing from his neck as Jason holds a cloth to Nik's throat. The young Cassadine is choking on his own blood, gasping for air, it's a sickening sound.

Meanwhile, Stefan and Kat are enjoying the afterglow of their lovemaking, oblivious to the fact that Stefan's "nephew" has just been shot. Back at Luke's, Jason is kneeling over Pete's dead body, and orders Renaldo (the other bodyguard) to find the shooters in the getaway car. Sarah has just arrived, and begins to scream when she sees Nik. Mike pulls her away, as Liz hugs her and tells her to let Jason try and save him. Brenda, Jax, Emily and Lucky (and a few extras) look on. Nik has taken a bullet in the throat, and Jason says they need to get it out or Nik will suffocate from the blood. He asks for something hollow like a pen. Nik is suffering, grabbing at Jason's bloodstained shirt, while Mike and Luke try to steady him. Luke asks Jason if he thinks the assailants were a carload of joy-riders. Morgan is certain they were looking for him. Lucky returns with a pen. Mike takes Lucky away, and orders everyone back, as Luke sterilizes Jason's switchblade with the flame from his lighter. Jason is assuring the victim that it will be okay, while Luke takes hold of Nik's head and tells him to keep his eyes focused on Luke. Liz, Sarah, Mike and Alan look on in stunned silence, as Jason prepares to perform a tracheotomy. Jason and Luke are waiting to see if the procedure has been successful. After a few long moments, Nikolas begins to breathe on his own. Everyone seems relieved, and Sarah rushes to his side. Monica arrives, and Jason asks her to check his work to see if he "did it right". He tells her that Pete has been killed. Nik is taken into the ambulance by the paramedics, and Mike convinces Luke to accompany "Laura's son" for the ride to the hospital. The conflicting emotions are evident on Luke's face as he rides along, telling Nik he doesn't look that bad, considering. We see Nikolas reach out his hand for Luke to take. Luke hesitates, and then grasps it firmly in his own. "I wouldn't let you fall off the side of that mountain...you think I'm going to let you bleed to death outside my club? I mean, that's my business!" Mike makes a call to Wyndemere, asking the person on the other end to make sure Stefan gets the message about Nikolas. A servant knocks on Stefan's door, giving him the news that Nik has been hurt. Bobbie is in the corridor of the hospital, joking with one of the assistants, when the trauma team arrives with Nik on the stretcher. Luke follows behind, as the paramedics call out the vital stats. Luke sees his sister and tells her to go with him, pointing to the trauma room. Emily and Lucky discuss Jason's involvement in the shooting. Lucky tells Mike that the Cassidine kid means nothing to Luke, and goes to check on Sarah and Liz.

At the hospital, Alexis runs into Luke who informs her that Nik has been shot. Bobbie shows up and informs them that they don't know how extensive the damage is, but that he needs surgery. Alexis agrees to sign the consent form. Luke gives Jason the credit for saving Nik's life, and Bobbie assures Alexis that Luke had nothing to do with causing the injury but Alexis was not thinking that at all. Stefan and Katherine arrive at the hospital. After learning that Nikolas is in surgery, Stefan questions why the hospital would have allowed Alexis to give consent, since she is not a part of the immediate family. Bobbie looks understandably perplexed at his reaction. He has no idea what has happened. When Luke appears with his blood-stained shirt, Stefan jumps to conclusions and attacks him, throwing him up against the wall. Katherine calls out to him, but he is not listening. After several orderlies manage to pull Stefan off from Luke, Bobbie explains how Nik suffered a gunshot wound to the neck. Stefan rages at everyone, especially Luke and then decides to get info on Nik's condition, the shooting, Jason's 'help' etc. Alexis tells Stefan she signed for the surgery and he glares. The surgeon tells Stefan that Nik would have died were it not for Jason's actions. Stefan shames Alexis for interfering (even though she saved Nik's life by authorizing the surgery), Luke tries to defend her. Later Stefan sits by Nik and weeps, he spends the night at his side. Kat tries to console Stefan but he fears Nik has suffered neurological damage. Stefan finally relaxes and breaks into a smile after Nik writes a note reassuring him his mental faculties are intact.

Sarah, Lucky and Liz arrive and ask after Nik. Kat gently presses Stefan to allow Sarah to visit Nik. Stefan glares at Sarah and goes to see Nik in ICU. Kat follows after sniping at poor Alexis. Bobbie tries to convince Luke to call Laura about Nik, but Genie isn't back yet so he passively refuses. Kat and Stefan were keeping watch when Nik started to come around, without really opening his eyes. They talked at him, attempting to reassure, then went out in the hall and embraced. Bobbie busted this up. Stefan reported Nik's awareness and stated that he just knew something was wrong. Bobbie assured him that all signs were good, but rechecked Nik's vitals and said everything was clear, but gave them a clipboard and instructions to ask some simple yes/no type questions to gauge Nik's mental faculties. They headed back into his room and Stefan asked Nik if he was in any pain. At first, Nik didn't write anything and they were about to leave, discouraged, but he held onto the pen and wrote "only when I laugh." Stefan laughed and reported the news to Bobbie. Alexis had to beg Bobbie for info on Nik's condition; at the nurse's station, she took a phone call from Tony, who asked her to return to his office.

Luke's waiting for Jason and gets in his face about the shooting at the club. Luke reminds Jason that no violence was supposed to touch his club. Jason apologizes and offers to pay any damages, but reminds Luke that he is not his buddy like Sonny was and there are some things he cannot tell him. Jason does tell him that Velntine (the mouthpiece) sold him out to Marino. But Jason has an idea for a new lawyer. Guess who arrives? Justus, and Luke asks him how's his conscience. Why, you know I retired it when I joined ELQ. Luke asks him a riddle, what do you get when you cross a smart lawyer with the underworld? Answer: a life sentence. Why, Luke, you ought to go on tour. Aw, you just have no sense of humor. So Luke tells him straight that any associations with Jason will have lasting repercussions. But whatever happens, it couldn't be to a more deserving officer of the court. Jason promises Luke that he and his family will be in no further danger.!

Katherine walks in on Stefan sitting beside Nik's bed, and chides him for his ability to sleep upright. She nuzzles him and asks if he would rather lie down. Stefan tells Nik an amusing tale about how the nurse felt the need to explain Nik's IVs to Stefan. Nik starts to scribble on his notepad. Nik asks about Sarah, and Katherine mentions the Family Only policy. Bobbie enters and Katherine quizzes her about the policy. Bobbie says that it wasn't the hospital's doing (meaning it was Stefan's). Katherine leaves to talk to Sarah. Bobbie asks a cranky-looking Stefan if he has problems with the care Nik's receiving. Stefan gripes that he has no problem with the care, just the care-giver. Bobbie replies: "If I give you a pen and paper, would you stop talking too?" Stefan asks if Laura knows. Bobbie says "no". Stefan puffs up and tries to threaten her about telling Laura but Bobbie is un-phased. "Take it up with her husband" she says "Maybe you'll find that you two actually agree on something."

Bobbie tells Nik he's doing great and then starts to leave, but not before she zings a looming Stefan one more time with: "Oh! I forgot to poison him!" Stefan follows her out of the room, making veiled threats about her past drug theft, and vowing revenge against Luke and Jason. Bobbie (again, un-phased) says "I'd love to see you take this up with Jason Morgan." And adds helpfully: "Do you need his address?" Stefan insists that he doesn't. Kat & Stefan spent the day discussing Nikolas and Stefan's distaste of Nik & Sarah as an item. All he saw was Nik's waiting for Sarah as the reason the kid was in the hospital to begin with. For this, Stefan also blamed himself for indulging Nik in his wish to be "normal." Stefan went on to recount a tale of another time his neglect put Nik in danger a riding lesson that nearly ended in drowning. Bobbie comes into Nik's room. Stefan goes off after a mysterious phone call and Katherine asks Bobbie to take herself off the case. Not surprisingly, Bobbie is offended: "The worm has certainly turned, hasn't it." Bobbie won't go unless she hears it from Stefan. Sarah comes up and wants to see Nikolas, and Bobbie and Katherine say OK. Sarah has a touching reunion with Nik, who wants kissing.

Meanwhile, Lucky is talking to Amy about Nik. Luke comes up and Lucky is worried. He's not a "real Spencer" because he actually helped to save Nik's life. Luke doesn't look worried at the little psychopath he's raised, but just that Lucky is upset at Luke. Lucky wants to know why would Luke help Nik? Luke explains there's a difference between wanting someone dead and watching them die. Stefan makes plans for Nikolas' homecoming and Katherine gets all coy about his using "we." Somebody shoot her. When Stefan gets into the room he gets all annoyed that Nik can't talk yet, even though the trachea tube has been removed. Bobbie kicks them all out. Lucky peers in on Nikolas until Liz shows up and suggests they look for Sarah. Stefan comes to visit Nikolas saying he wants Nik to come home and be tutored again, but the Nik wants to stay at PC High. Sarah visits Nik until his uncle appears. When Stefan asks if there's anything else he would like, Nikolas scribbles out a request, but Stefan emphatically says, "No, never." They disagree strenuously over his still unrevealed request. Nik wants to see Lucky who is unsure about visiting his brother. Lucky walks Liz and Sarah out of GH while he contemplates seeing Nikolas. Alexis shows up and begs to see Nikolas, but Stefan refuses and orders her out of GH. Lucky reluctantly goes to see Nikolas who indicates he knows it's Laura's birthday. Lucky tells him she hasn't asked about him since neither Stefan nor they have told her. As Lucky presses him for some other message, Nikolas, seemingly upset, forcibly chokes out "her not need?" When Lucky doesn't understand, Nikolas gets more visibly distressed and seems to be having trouble breathing worrying Lucky over his condition. Stefan hurls accusations at Lucky, Tony orders a CAT scan for Nik.

Luke appears at Alexis' door with a rare audio tape of her mother singing. Alexis asks where Luke got the tape, but he just answers enigmatically, "I have friends." She wants to know what he wants from her in return. Luke tells Alexis he doesn't want anything, now. She replies she won't ever betray Stefan. When Luke wants to play the tape, she asks to be able to listen in private; he agrees and leaves. Alexis returns her room and hears the tape of her mother playing. At first, she assumes it's Luke again, but the desk chair slowly turns, and Alexis gasps, "Helena." Helena informs a rattled Alexis that rumors of her being on her deathbed were greatly exaggerated. Helena reveals how she and Mikkos created the myth which preserved Alexis' existence years ago, then suggests that Alexis should give her one good reason why her life should be spared a second time. Luke barges into Alexis' suite and confronts Helena. Later, he advises Alexis to throw in with him and take control of the Cassidine empire before her enemies finish her off.

A worried Sarah arrives at GH and ask Stefan what is wrong with Nik. Sarah learns about Nik's speech problems and grills Lucky about whether he did anything to cause them. The CAT scan fails to indicate the reason for Nik's impairment so Tony recommends an MRI. Tony informs Stefan that Nik suffered a stroke that has affected the speech center in his brain. Stefan demands prompt and aggressive treatment but Tony orders observation then speech therapy. Stefan tells Nik that with some therapy he'll get better, he won't allow anything else.

It's Christmas Eve, the Webber girls waited outside Nik's room, as Sarah had a gift for him. Stefan strolled up and was politely dismissive, ignoring her challenge "no to any visitors or just me?" Outside Nik's room, Stefan got a call from accounting and took off, with Kat trailing after him. Turned out that it was Jason causing the stir, trying to pay Nik's bill. To say that Stefan took it as an insult might be understatement. The two ended up having a confrontation. Stefan blames Jason for Nik's speech problem. Jason points out that he kept Nik breathing and that Nik had a stroke which Jason didn't cause. Stefan is annoyed that Jason has access to Nik's medical info that Stefan hadn't authorized release of. Jason responds, "I know a lot of things you didn't authorize. I know you think you sit on this invisible throne and everybody does what you want. But to me all you are is loud and your in my way!" Stefan retaliates, "How far do you think your reach extends little man? well you multiply it by several time zones and twice as many nations and then ask me why I even permit your continued existence? Because I'm told there is a slim possibility that you saved my nephews life....that isn't a debt I will carry for long." Jason counters, "Your not so loud now but your standing way too close." Jason walks off after they stare each other down.

While Nik was left unguarded, Sarah used the moment to sneak in with his Christmas gift, but was surprised when he rejected both her and her gift. She grabbed her coat and finally gave up her roomside vigil. At the hospital Christmas party, Alan takes over the reading of the story. Afterwards, Santa passed out gifts as Mr. Koz picked up the sax and played "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas," which brought us into a montage of: Sarah, in tears. Nik, sullen, in bed. Stefan, outside, in black, in the snow being approached and cuddled by Katherine, in white. Carly, opening Jason's brown-bag gift, a key chain engraved "Caroline." Jason, on his balcony, looking sensitively studly. Brenda and Jax, decorating her tree and cuddling.

Luke comes to see Alexis again hoping to convince her that her only choice to live is to team up with him. Luke continues to spell out his belief that Stefan will order her killed if he fears she's helping Helena, and Helena will kill her if she sides with Stefan. Alternatively, he hints that if Helena and Stefan happened to be incapacitated, she, Alexis, would be the top Cassadine, but once again, Alexis refuses his offer.

Tony tells Nikolas they're going to move him out of the ICU. Stefan tries to convince Nikki that all he needs is some speech therapy, but Nik is still reluctant. Sarah visits the Prince. She babbles inanely while he treats her as invisible. Finally, Bobbie asks her to leave. Alexis confronts Stefan and tells him that she is Natasha his sister. He gives her a look of intense distain. Alexis confesses that she is Natasha, Stefan's sister. She has a strongbox full of documents to confirm this. It explains why Mikkos allowed a distant relative into the heart of his family. Is it so difficult for Stefan to believe? Not difficult, he tells her- impossible. She knows they have future together--but they do have a past. She needs his protection, the same protection he extends to Katherine. He warns her not to mention Kat. How dare she comes to him with another lie? She shows him the documents--"Read these and call me a liar-or call me your sister." Stefan doubts they are authentic. But even if they are, what matter to him? Isn't he curious about his father and Kristin? She how Helena recognized the opera singer as her husband's mistress and how her throat was slashed the next morning. Alexis should leave then, before Helena discovers the truth. She already has! Alexis breaks down, begging for Stefan's protection to keep Helena from destroying her. Stefan remains unmoved. Why would she need his protection when she has Luke Spencer's? Alexis tries to explain, but he cuts her off and tells her to leave. She promises that she will not give up on him, even if he has given up on her. When she goes, he sits and broods. Kat slithers in and he informs her of Alexis' confession. But even if she is his sister, he will never accept her after the way she betrayed his loyalty. Especially not if she's forging an alliance with Luke Spencer. Alexis sneaks in to gaze at a sleeping Nik. She tells him that the Cassidines always think they're at war with the world--but the real battleground is within the family. The problem is, she's not sure what side she's on anymore.

December 30, 1997
Stefan strides into Nikolas' hospital room, and attempts to engender some enthusiasm in the boy by rambling on about the Wyndemere staff's preparations for Nik's homecoming. Nik scrawls a listless "It not matter" on his chart, to which Stefan replies, "It matters to me, and to Katherine." He goes on to tell Nik he is sympathetic to his frustration but that "there comes a time when bad health can no longer be an excuse for bad manners." Stefan has arranged for a speech therapist to begin work once Nik returns home, as "the sooner you accept your condition, the sooner you can correct it." Stefan also tells Nik he will have to stop "hiding" behind the crutch of a writing pad once he gets to Wyndemere. "When we get home, I will expect more from you than sorrowful eyes and a sour disposition. If that angers you, tell me. If you don't know how, learn." Stefan exits, taking the clipboard with him, and is met in the hallway by Kat, who asks if Nik "agreed" to start work with the therapist. "Not quite," Stefan answers. Apparently Kat doesn't know much about Stefan, if she thinks he asked Nik, rather than told him, about the therapist.

After bumping into Jason at the hospital, Luke realizes that Bobbie just helped delivery her own grandchild and heads up to the nursery. Carly's doctor is recommending an immediate hysterectomy, Bobbie is appalled. Luke stands leaning against the wall, arms folded, head down, as Bobbie pleads for Carly's uterus and convinces Jason not to make this choice. The doctor counters that Jason's decision should be based on medical reality, not emotion and Carly's life is in danger. Bobbie then comes up with a medical alternative to hysterectomy, platelet infusion. Newman concedes that could work. "Can you honestly say in her condition major surgery would be better?," Bobbie argues. The doc says Carly's chances are poor in either case. Luke continues to look troubled. Bobbie makes a final pitch to Jason: "Jason, you know how important this baby is to Carly. IF she loses it, you know she's gonna want to have another." Jason makes his decision, no surgery. "I think that's what she would want." The doctor heads off to start infusion. Bobbie and Luke have a conversation outside Carly's room. Luke wants to know how Carly's doing. "We won't know for a while." What are the odds on the baby? Bobbie figures they are about the same as those on the mother. She adds, "Carly may never see her child alive, and I can't think of anything sadder than that." Luke asks if Tony has been told, and Bobbie explains that he and Lucas had gone to a Rangers game the night before and weren't due back in town yet. Bobbie talks about the irony of her protecting Carly and Luke, uncomfortable, agrees. "Birth is a turning point," Bobbie opines. "Once your baby's gone, there's no replacing it. I know what having a child means, and I wouldn't want anyone, not even Carly, to have that taken from her." A guilty Luke changes the subject, inviting Bobbie to ring in the New Year with him and Lucky. Later, Luke stares through the window into Carly's room, looking pensive.

Stefan assures Kat that once Nik is home, he'll have a change of heart and take interest in speech therapy. Kat says Nik will be too tired to usher in the New Year, and Stefan says he has other plans for that evening, anyway. "Will you join me in seeing in the New Year?" Nik is in his room, brooding. Lucky sticks his head in the door. He wants Nik to know that "I didn't do anything to bring this whole speech thing on, not on purpose." Nik looks serious, writes "You okay." Their eyes meet. It's a great moment. "Must be tough, having people tell you what to do all day. I'd be going nuts," Lucky observes. Nik writes, "I have been." Then Stefan shows up and snarls at poor Lucky, "What are YOU doing here?" Stefan is going after Lucky: "You are not welcome in this room. Nik has enough stress in his life without you adding to it." Lucky leaves, without trying to explain that Nik had welcomed him. Stefan assures Nik that Lucky will bother him no more, and announces that Nik has been discharged and is free to leave as well. "But you have to ride in this" he adds, indicating a wheelchair. Nik stalks out. "Nikolas!" Stefan calls as he rushes out to catch up with the boy. "I'm happy to see your pride is still intact." He puts his arm around Nik's shoulders. As they walk away, Alexis appears, too late to sneak in another visit with her nephew.

Kat is prepping Mrs. Lansbury for Nik's homecoming, when Sarah comes over to be "part of the welcoming committee." Neither of the Cassidine men looked happy to see her when they arrive. After an awkward moment, Nik hands Ms. Webber a one word note: "leave." She does. When Stefan & Kat fawn over him, he gets frustrated and goes upstairs. Stefan and Kat fret some, then he mentions all the things to be thankful of, and hints there may be more good news in store. Later, decked-out Kat returns. Stefan whips out a small jewelry box bearing something huge with diamonds. Stefan invites her to spend each and every night at Wyndemere and make it a house of joy. Nearly in tears, she hugs him and announces "everything Is finally right."

Luke arrives outside the nursery to hear Edward speculate on how much money the baby would be worth to Carly. Luke says the child wasn't for sale. Ned challenged Luke's involvement, "friend of the father," Spencer claimed as Jason walked back in. Luke and Bobbie met up, outside Carly's room, and she filled him in on mother and child's conditions, and then noted that he appeared to have something to tell his little sis. Luke mumbled, and then ducked out when Tony rushed up. Luke leaves and wishes to Edward "a happy new year, to you and your whole blood-sucking clan."

On stage at the Outback, Dara does a tribute to Mary Mae, dedicating a version of "God Bless the Child" to her memory. With the song playing in the background, we get to watch a montage of: Jax and Brenda acting happy, Stefan and Kat kissing in front of a Christmas tree, Nik, brooding outside. Liz proudly whipping out a half-bottle of wine she undoubtedly filched, and getting busted by Felicia, Felicia, siding up to JimmyMac and getting eyed-over by him and doing some eying back of her own, Tony being miserable in a waiting room, Luke, watching Bobbie fuss over Carly, the Q family, watching over the baby, who wasn't fussing so much now that his health was recovering.

Luke contemplates his options in light of Carly's disappearance and decides to let his sister know that she is a grandmother. After Jason advises him to keep mum until Carly returns, Luke agrees to wait one month before he tells Bobbie the truth. Luke later meets Bobbie outside the nursery and she tells him how much this child means to her.

Stefan tells Katherine he's decided not to hire a speech therapist for his nephew after all. Sarah talks Emily into going to Spoon Island to deliver a letter to Nikolas. Though reluctant at first to even acknowledge his visitor's presence, Nikolas finally gestures to an uneasy Emily to sit down and stay for a while. Meanwhile, Stefan gently scolds Katherine for forcing Nikolas to endure company before he's ready to greet guests. Katherine agrees to move into Stefan's guest house. She later shares the news with Nik. Nik sits down to write Sarah a letter and tells her how much he misses her. While out riding, Nikolas is caught off-guard when he runs into Helena. She explains how wrong the doctors were in diagnosing her as being fatally ill and admits that she knows that his uncle has done all he can to turn him against her. But before she can say anymore, Stefan arrives and orders Nikolas to leave so that he can say goodbye to his mother once and for all. After Nikolas leaves, Helena questions him about Nikolas and Stefan leaks that the teen suffered a stroke after the shooting and can't talk. Helena is concerned for a moment but then takes the time to assure him that Alexis is his sister. She laughs that he would fall into thinking that Katherine was his sister and calls the woman his mistress and an embarrassment now that he is living with her. When he ignores her insults and tells her that Alexis is no longer his concern, she hints that she may suffer the same fate as her dead mother.

Luke and Helena sparred and she left him with a cryptic warning about Laura and Lesley Lu. Lucky arrives to see Luke. He is very worried after finding one of Lulu's toys on the porch. He urgently tells Luke that Lulu had this toy with her in Switzerland which means this is a message that Helena has been inside Laura's Switzerland home and that makes them vulnerable. Luke and Lucky head there. Luke sprung into action when Lucky arrived with a toy of Lesley Lu's that had been taken from the Spencer compound in Switzerland and delivered to the house by Helena. With Stefan briefly called way on business, Helena managed to meet with Katherine and she made Katherine believe that they agreed about Nikolas' well being and that Stefan may feel differently. Katherine then told Stefan about her talk with Helena. Helena continued her intimidation of Alexis and ordered her to figure out a way to become Katherine's friend. Despite Alexis' idea for a peaceful coexistence between Helena and Stefan, Helena insisted that the power of the family needed to rest with herself and Nikolas. Katherine told Stefan she thought that Helena was having her followed, but Stefan admitted that he was the one who had been having her tailed for her own safety. Nikolas received another visit from Emily, who told him that she was on bad terms with the Quartermaines. Emily wondered how Nikolas knew when to go home when he was mad at Stefan. Speaking for the first time in days, Nikolas urged Emily to go home, but was unable to repeat himself. Nikolas finally reads Sarah's letter. Alexis goes to Wyndemere to beg Katherine for help. Explaining how greatly she fears for her life, Alexis appeals to Stefan's haughty lover for protection from Helena. During another visit from Emily, Nikolas surprises himself by successfully saying his name out loud. Feeling more at ease with his young friend than with the prospect of being treated by a professional, Nikolas haltingly asks Emily to be his speech teacher. Stefan faces off with his mother. Katherine has second thoughts about turning Alexis down.

Nikolas is frustrated again as he attempts to form simple words and pronounce them clearly. Stefan suspects that Katherine's suggestion about a specialist for his nephew originated with an ousted member of the Cassidine clan. Stefan chats with Kat about Nikolas. She continues to lobby to get him a specific speech therapist expert she claims to know about. Stefan immediately suspects Helena's hand in it. Katherine claims she found the therapist herself, so Stefan humors her saying he'll consider it. After she leaves, Nikolas appears, and Stefan tells him Helena is around and trying to influence Katherine. Nikolas croaks out "protect her."

Bobbie heads to Wyndemere to demand answers from Stefan, who gleefully reveals that Luke was a pivotal part of the lie and the cover-up concerning Carly, that her daughter isn't dead that was Luke's lie. (Carly has told Bobbie that she is her daughter Caroline. These revelations scenes weren't included but are on the Carly & Jason tapes). Bobbie tells Stefan the story that Carly and Virginia told her. She is in shock, having been lied to by both Carly and Luke and needed to hear it from Stefan. He tells her she has been good to Nikolas, that she took good care of him after the shooting. So in return he would be happy to verify the truth of Carly's identity and give her proof, documentation. She doesn't need it as she believes the truth. But before she leaves she wants to know if he set her up to find Carly and Tony together at the cabin, he admits he turned that situation to his advantage.

**The End**

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