"No please don't." Nikolas said quietly. "I have to see him. I have to make him understand." Every instinct he possessed was propelling him toward Luke's room. He knew without a doubt that had Luke known the lie would never have been kept this long. "He may be dying and I have to let him know before it's too late." Nikolas explained, trying vainly to keep the helplessness from taking over his voice.
"Nikolas I don't know seeing him is the best…" Monica trailed off as she imagined herself in Nikolas shoes. He had been betrayed by all sides and he needed to go to the one person that he had harmed, yet the one person who had not in all likelihood been the source of his betrayal. "All right."' Monica relented. "I'll distract Bobbie and Stefan and you go."
"Thank you." Nikolas replied, watching Monica go. He clutched the test results and tried to remember to breathe.
"All right, you two enough!" Monica said as she watched Stefan and Bobbie bickering. "You're drawing a crowd."
Stefan spared Monica a haughty look. "I am the CEO of this hospital. Do not presume to tell me how to comport myself, Doctor."
Pausing for a moment to reign in her temper, Monica spoke in a steely voice. "And I Mr Cassadine am the chief of Staff of this hospital and this is not doing the staff or patients any good."
With a dismissive wave of his hand, Stefan strode into Nikolas room, only to reappear a few moments later. "Where is he doctor?"
"Who Mr Cassadine?" Monica tried not to smile.
"My son is not in his room." Stefan spoke slowly. "Where is he?" He stood with arms folded over his chest while Monica walked to the room and came out giving him a sheepish smile and a shrug. "Well?" Stefan prodded.
"He must have needed some air." Monica ventured, not willing to admit that she had tested him already. "He has a lot of guilt and has a lot on his mind. You need to give him time and please bring Laura here. She needs to be with her husband and son."
"Ex husband." Stefan replied through his teeth. Laura would be fine where she was for now. There was no need to involve her in this madness.
"Not yet." Bobbie replied as she crossed her arms over her chest. And if you keep this up Stefan we can put an APB out on her. I'm sure Mac would assist me there seeing the graveness of Luke's injuries."
Lucky stayed on his knees in the sterile cell for a long time, sobbing out his heartache. He had failed his father yet again. He knew he had to do something, anything to get out. Just as he struggled to his feet and started putting his meager belongings back, the door opened again. Tensing, ready to launch himself at Faison with rage, he was shocked when Helena walked in with faison. Her visits had been few and far between. Approaching him, she stroked his cheek gently, her platinum hair gleaming even in the dim light.
Lucky recoiled in revulsion. Helena had never hidden her interest in him, and Lucky had never hidden his disgust of her but then both knew he was in a most vulnerable position right now. He forced himself to stand in place as she cupped and rubbed his cheek, praying that a response to his question wouldn't be given only after being bedded by her, or even worse, the sadistic psychopath.
"Lucky darling." Helena sighed. "My sympathies on the impending death of the great Luke Spencer. We'll be sure to tape the funeral for you."
With a growl, Lucky barely held himself back. He wanted to strike out but he couldn't be sure who they'd take his attack out on. It could be his father lying so helpless in a hospital bed, or Nikolas who could be badly inured himself, or even to little Lulu or Elizabeth. "Don't do me any favors." He said in a detached voice, even though he knew they knew they had gotten the best of him again.
"Such a pity Lucky." Helena continued. "Your poor father is quite important to us. What will be your fate after his demise?" She inquired silkily. She so wanted to destroy Lucky right now but this was not the time. Life was like a chess game and her patience would be rewarded when they destroyed Lucky and the rest of the living Spencers soon.
Nikolas stood at the door for a few moments, unsure of how to proceed now that he was here. He knocked gently before pushing the door open. Luke was lying motionless but Nikolas knew he was conscious. He slowly approached the bed, wondering how he could do this.
Luke heard the footsteps approach and knew on an instinctive level that it was his stepson. He felt badly for the anguish he had heard in the kid's voice. It had been an accident after all and an accident that would send Luke to his son's arms, where he could watch over the family without pain. He had lived a full life and though he had regrets it was his time. He tried to hide his shock as Nikolas took his hand. Why had the kid come this far into the room this time?
"Luke." Nikolas began, looking down into his father's face as if for the first time. He didn't see any similarities right away but the stubbornness and strength of will they both shared must be a family trait, Nikolas realized. "I have something to tell you. This is something you may not want to hear. It's a big shock for me too," Nikolas admitted quietly.
Luke turned his weary bloodshot eyes onto the younger man. "I'm listening." He said quietly, concerned by the look in Nikolas' eyes. He thought the better of his silence and put his hand up. "Let me say something first." He said, his voice weak. "I know you didn't mean for this to happen. It's ok. I'm ready to go." Luke was confused when tears started pouring out of Nikolas eyes and the younger man was wracked with sobs. Unable to do much more than observe, Luke awkwardly patted Nikolas on the shoulder.
Nikolas' heart was broken by Luke's admission. He was ready to die and that scared Nikolas. He had to tell him now, had to find the words to give Luke the will to live. Nikolas pulled a low stool to Luke's bedside and held his hand tightly. "I had them run some tests on me, because I may be able to help you. Monica Quartermaine was the one that ran the tests." He met Luke's eyes. "She found something that caused her to run a paternity test, dad." He said, unaware he had said the word until it slipped out.
"Dad?" Luke replied, his voice shaking as he looked into Nikolas eyes. "What makes you think that?" Nikolas handed Luke the five paternity test results, Luke looked at them and shook his head. His son was dead, he knew that. He was too tired to hope, he knew that this was a trick by the bat, but he was too tired to fight for the moment, too, and the kid was really hurting. "It's ok Kid. " Luke finally said, daring to wish for a minute it really was true. "It will all be ok real soon."
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