10

It’s two days after Lucky’s rescue. Oblivious to the fact that his son was alive and well and back in Port Charles, Luke Spencer puffed on his cigar and stared blankly at a picture of his family back in happier times.

"Oh Lucky, where did everything go wrong?" The despondent man groaned, a tear slipping from his eye at the thought of his lost son. He was sure that if only Lucky was still with them, things would be different. That his life wouldn’t be one big sorbid mess like it was now. If only some miracle would happen and Lucky was given back to them. He’d do anything for that to happen.

"Luke?" a young, nervous voice practically whispered. Luke looked up and narrowed his eyes to see Nikolas Cassadine. Luke couldn’t help but wonder why it was Lucky that was taken and not this Cassadine Spawn.

"What do you want?"

Nikolas nervously swallowed. He knew that Luke Spencer didn’t like him, in fact resented him greatly. And he wished it was someone else in his place to tell Luke about Lucky. But there wasn’t. The responsibility fell to Nikolas alone.

"Uh…I need you to come with me. There’s something you ought to see."

Luke arched his eyebrow. "Oh really. And what is this something Cassadine? And why does deserve my attention and why can’t you tell me here?"
"Because Helena may have bugged your office that’s why and I’d like to keep this from her for as long as I can. Please Luke. This important."
"You swear on Lucky’s grave?" Luke hated doing that but that was the only way to see if Nikolas was being honest.

"I swear on Lucky’s grave," Nikolas nodded. "Please, now will you come?"

Luke sighed irritably. He didn’t want to go anywhere with Nikolas Cassadine, but the kid had sworn on his son’s grave so there was no refusing. "Ok. Fine I’ll come. Lead the way. And Nikolas, this better be good."

*

Jason’s penthouse was quiet. Jason and Carly sat on the couch with Micheal watching a cartoon while Lucky and Liz sat at the kitchen table, holding hands and getting caught up on the past year. Everyone tensed at the sound of the doorbell.

"Who can that be?" Carly asked.

"I’ll get it," Jason got up. He’s surprised to find Luke and Nikolas at the door. "What do you want?"

"I thought it was about time Luke knew the truth so I brought him here," Nikolas explained, stepping pass Jason.

"Luke knew what?" Luke followed. "Hello Caroline."

"Stow it Luke," Carly glared at her Uncle. The man may be her Uncle and Lucky’s father, but that didn’t mean she had to like him. "Nikolas why is he here?"

"Like I said, he deserves to know the truth," Nikolas stood his ground.

"Listen Luke, you may want to set down," Jason tried to prepare Luke for the shock of his life.

"Set down for what?! Will someone please tell me what’s going on?! Nikolas comes to my club drags me away from my music, not telling me anything! I want to know what this is about and I want to know now!" Luke blew up.

"What’s going on in here?" Elizabeth emerges from the kitchen and stops in her tracks when she sees Luke. "Mr. Spencer…"

"Hello Elizabeth," Luke nodded. "you’re in on the big secret too?"

"I brought him Liz. I thought he should know," Nikolas explained.

"Yelling is not going to help Luke. In fact, I think you should calm down before we tell you anything," Jason placed a hand on Luke’s shoulder, but Luke shook it off. He whirled around, about to punch Jason when a very familiar much missed voice spoke up.

"Dad?"

Luke stopped, his face going dead white as he stared behind Elizabeth into the same blue eyes he himself possessed. "Cowboy?…It…it can’t be….cowboy?"

Lucky sadly smiled, a tear falling from his eyes at the disbelief and indescribable joy in his father’s eyes. He slowly nodds. "It’s really me dad. I’ve come home."

Luke cried out with joy and ran to embrace his son tightly, vowing never to let go again. "Oh Lucky! You’re home! You’ve come back to me!" Luke cried, everything else in the room disappearing. All there was was him and his son. Nothing else mattered. "You’ve come back to me!" He pulled away and tearfully stared into his son’s face. "How? The fire…we saw the body…"

"That wasn’t me dad. It was a set up. Everything was a set up."

"By who? Why?"
"It was Helena," Nikolas spoke up. "Helena and this man named Cesar Faison. Stefan had ran across proof that Lucky was alive and showed me."

"Why didn’t you come to me then?!" Luke angrily yelled. He was furious at all the Cassadines at the moment. If it wasn’t for them, Lucky would never have been taken from him. He had missed a whole year of his son’s life and it was all their fault.

"Dad, don’t yell at Nikolas. If it wasn’t for him, I would never have made it back to Port Charles," Lucky got between Luke and Nikolas. "As soon as Nikolas found out, he told Liz and they both came and got me. "

"You both went up against the Hellcat?" Luke looked at Elizabeth in concern.

"Well…not exactly. You see, we eavesdropped on Helena and learned that Lucky had escaped already. So we went to Greece and tracked him to Paris," Elizabeth explained.

"But we did have a run in with Cesar Faison. He had disguised himself as a taxidriver. He was going to turn us over to Helena, but I made him crash the car and we took off," Nikolas continued with the explanations.

"Then I called Jason and had him pick us up and smuggle us back into Port Charles without Helena knowing, because she was looking for Lucky to return here."

"Is this true?" Luke looked at Jason.

"Of course it’s true!" Carly snapped. "Jason put his neck on the line…"

"Carly shut up," Jason silenced her. "It’s true Luke. Nikolas saved your son’s life."

Luke looked over at Nikolas, not really wanting to thank a Cassadine and wasn’t about to, so he looked back at Lucky, hugging him again. "I’m so glad you’re home."

"I’m glad to be home," Lucky smiled.

"And next time, you two let me know when something like this happens," Luke scolded, his eyes on Elizabeth.

"Like father and son," Elizabeth had to laugh.

"Huh?"

"Lucky told me the same thing," Elizabeth smiled.

"Well he was right. Well come on. Let’s get you home. You must be starved," Luke rambled, already heading for the door.

"Uh…Luke," Jason spoke up. "Uh…we’ve discussed this and we all came to the same conclusion that it’d be best if Lucky stayed here until Helena was neutralized."

"What?" Luke glared at Jason.

"You heard him Luke. Lucky stays here with us," Carly stood by Jason, her hands on her hips.

"Like hell he is!" Luke blew up. "You screwed up once Morgan when Lucky was first taken! You will not screw up again!"
"Dad…" Lucky tried to interrupt.

"Excuse me Luke, but Jason wasn’t aware that Lucky was in danger of being kidnapped at the time! If he was he would have had Lucky under guard twenty-four-seven!" Carly snapped.

"Carly…" Jason tried to interrupt, but she was on a row.

"In fact, it was your fault Lucky was taken! Helena’s your enemy, not Jasons!"

"Carly shut up!" Jason yelled and in a more calm voice he addressed Luke. "Luke listen, I understand your reluctance to trust me with Lucky. But believe me, he’s under complete guard here. No one gets past my men without authorization from me."

"Plus, Lucky is well hidden. No one besides us even knows he’s in town," Elizabeth spoke up.

Luke sighed, still having strong misgivings. "Lucky…what do you want to do? Come with your old man or stay here?"

"That’s unfair, he’s putting him on the spot," Carly hissed.

"Quiet," Jason hissed.

"…I don’t know," Lucky sighed. "I mean…Jason’s been so good to me and…I do feel safer here…"

"Ok. I understand Cowboy. You feel Jason can protect you better than I can…that’s understandable," Luke nodded, hurt flashing in his eyes.

"Dad no. That’s not what I’m saying at all. What I’m saying is that this is the last place Helena would look. Your place is the first. You know that," Lucky sighed. "Dad, don’t think of my decision of a way of saying I don’t feel safe with you, because I do. It’s just that I want to remain hidden from Helena. At least until we find a way to bring her down."

Luke sighed. "I understand. And I’m sorry for putting you on the spot like that. So, what do you want me to tell your mother?"

"Nothing for now. It’s best that she remains believing that Lucky is dead for just a little while longer. Only because grandmother watches her closely and would know if there was something different about her emotions," Nikolas spoke again.

"Cassadine has a point," Jason nodded.

"Nikolas. My name is Nikolas not Cassadine," Nikolas snorted. He used to be proud of his last name, but now he no longer saw it as a badge of honor but as a curse.

"Did you say Stefan knew Lucky’s alive?" Luke growled. Any thought of anymore Cassadines being involved was very unpleasing to him. "How do you know that he’s not involved with the whole deal?"

"Because for one he hates Helena. Two, he gave me proof that my brother was alive as soon as he came across it. If he was in on the thing with Helena he would never have let me seen that tape of Lucky playing chess with Faison."

"I’d like to have a little talk with Stefan. Get a sense of how much he knows about all this that he’s not telling. I’ll be back," Luke headed to the door but Nikolas stops him.

"He’s not here! He’s in Paris identifying our bodies," Nikolas sighed. "Faison sat it up that it looked like the Cassadine jet crashed and two bodies were found. Stefan had gone to make the identifications."

"Oh. Well…I’d like to visit the Hellcat, but that’d give Lucky away. Ok. Well since confrontation is out, what’s the plan?"
Elizabeth swallowed nervously. They never really thought of what to do once they got Lucky home. Nikolas wanted to go to the police, but Jason protested, stating that the police would do nothing but lead Helena straight to Lucky.

"You know, I’m still jet-lagged. I’m going to go back to lay down," Lucky sighed tiredly. The reunion with his father had pretty much sapped most of his energy.

"Cowboy?"

"I’m fine dad. I just need some rest. That’s something I haven’t had much of in the past year," Lucky went to his room and shut the door.

"He’s been sleeping since he came back," Elizabeth worriedly looking at the door.

"Well it’s like he said. He haven’t had much rest for a year. There’s no telling what Faison and Helena put him through," Nikolas replied.

"Have you had him checked out by a doctor?" Luke asked. "The boy doesn’t look too well. He’s thin and pale."

"You don’t think he’s sick do you? That Helena had probably given him something?"

"Don’t worry Liz. Lucky will be fine. He just needs plenty of rest," Nikolas nodded.

"Well I’m going to make a call to Eli’s and order him some food. He hasn’t really eaten since we got back," Elizabeth headed for the phone.

"I’ll pick it up," Jason called into the room Elizabeth had disappeared into.

Luke and Nikolas stood in the middle of the room, a tense silence flowing between them. What could one say to the other? Especially Luke. Staring at the young Cassadine, he wondered if maybe he was being too rough on the kid. He after all risked his life to save Lucky and he couldn’t help but be thankful. But on the other hand, it was his family that took Lucky away from the people he loved and Luke resented that more than anything.

"I-I guess I better go see if Lucky’s resting ok," Nikolas headed for his brother’s room but is stopped by a rough hand.

"I don’t know what your game is Cassadine, but you’re not getting nothing from me…nor Lucky."

"What?"

"I’m no fool Nikolas. I’m sure your Uncle had told you that. No matter what you do I’m never going to trust you around my family. Especially Lucky after what your dear old grandmama did to him."

"What Helena did wasn’t my fault," Nikolas stared at Luke.

"Oh really? Well that’s yet to be seen."
"Luke what do you want? Are you mad that I didn’t come to you right away? Well I’m sorry, but Lucky needed help immediately. There was no time to wait for you to put together your stupid disguises and fake id’s! My brother was in trouble and that was more important!"

"Really? Listen you may have Lucky snowed, but you don’t fool me. I’m keeping my eye on you Cassadine."

"Good. Then maybe you’ll see I have no ulterior motives. I care about Lucky and I’m not going to be kicked out of his life by you, Jason, or anybody else. Now if you’ll excuse me I’m going to check on my brother." Nikolas angrily walked away from Luke.

Carly stood there with her arms crossed shaking her head. "You are some piece of work Luke. He risked his life to save YOUR son and all you can do is stand there and throw insults at him. No thank you, or you did well just I don’t trust you and I’m keeping my eye on…"

"Tell me sweet Caroline, what are you doing here? As far as I know you don’t even know Lucky. But really I could be wrong. Before he was taken Lucky acquired a knack of picking up unsavory friends."

"I’m one of the rescuers for your information and me and my cousin get along just fine just in case you’re wondering. There was no need for you to jump all over Nikolas like that, and for nothing!"

"Nothing? His family hurt Lucky!"

"But he didn’t! He was the first one on the wagon to go running to Lucky’s rescue and you’re here treating him like dirt! He deserves more than that, he’s Lucky’s brother!"

"A biological fact, that’s it!"

"No Luke. It’s more than that. They’re brothers. Only a brother would immediately drop everything to go to the other’s rescue. You might as well get used to Nikolas because I have a feeling that he’s here to stay. Whether you like it or not."

"Oh? Oh really? We’ll see about that," Luke growled, storming out of the penthouse.

"Ok, Jason’s going to go pick up the ribs…where did Luke go?" Elizabeth asked coming out into the living room along with Jason.

"He got mad at Nikolas and left. Obviously he’s mad because he wasn’t the one to save Lucky," Carly shrugged. "Oh well, who needs him."

"Lucky does. There has to be a way to get Nikolas and Luke to call a truce."

Carly laughed. "Good luck there. Uncle Luke is bound and determined to remove Nikolas from the picture. It’s best if the old man wasn’t involved at all."

Elizabeth sighed, suddenly tired. "This is going to be so hard on Lucky. Having two people he cares so much about at each other’s throats. Why can’t Luke see that?"

"What can I say except my uncle is a hard man," Carly shrugged then looked at Elizabeth again. "But I guess it would make it easier for Lucky if there were two less people at each other’s throats. "Liz…I want to apologize for the way I’ve treated you. I was jealous and I was wrong. What do you say to a truce? For Lucky’s sake."
Elizabeth nodded. "Ok. Fine. A truce," Elizabeth accepted the offer. "Lucky’s going to need both of us and it’s better that we get along. Now if only we can get the men to do the same thing."

*

Nikolas and Lucky are in his room. Both are silent. Lucky looks down at his hands while Nikolas stared out the window.

"What’s on your mind Nikolas?" Lucky asked, noting the silence. "Did my dad say anything to you that made you so quiet?"

"It was nothing," Nikolas mumbled, keeping his eyes to the window.

Lucky wasn’t buying the explanation. He knew his father a little too well. "Come on Nikolas. This is me. I know Luke more than anyone really and I know he must have said something to you."

Nikolas sighed in defeat. When Lucky wanted to know something he was persistent. Nikolas wouldn’t be able to dodge him forever. "…well…he blamed me for what Helena did to you. And in a way…I guess he’s right. It is my fault."

"What?"

"Lucky I should have known! Elizabeth had a hard time believing that you were gone and Helena…she was too quiet…and the way she tortured mom…I should have known she had kidnapped you and confronted her. But I was too caught up in Katherine at the time and I was probably too scared too."

"Scared? You? Nikolas you faced down Cesar Faison. You eavesdropped on your grandmother. You ran all over Greece trying to find me. Now if that’s not bravery well then I don’t know what is. And furthermore ignore my father. He doesn’t even know you. He’s never bothered to. What happened to me was not your fault. It never was and never will be. Ok?"

Nikolas turned to his brother, fresh tears were in his eyes and he nodded sadly. "Thank you."

"What are brothers for?" Lucky smiled. "Now if you don’t mind I’d like to get some sleep before Eli’s arrive."

Nikolas had to laugh. "You and your addiction to Eli’s. Ok, I’ll see you within the hour I guess," Nikolas turned to leave but stopped and turned back to his brother. "Oh and Lucky…welcome home. I love you and missed you. There were times when I really needed your advice."
Lucky smiled sadly. "I’m sorry I couldn’t be there for you Nikolas…"

"But you are now and that’s what matters. I love you. No matter what Luke says or does, you’ll always be my brother."
Lucky’s smile widens. "Same here."

Nikolas smiled and left Lucky to himself.

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