| Chapter 1 June, 2001 Port Charles, NY “Lucky, you can’t just leave it at that,” Nikolas Cassidine told his brother as Lucky left Kelly’s. Lucky walked quickly, knowing Nikolas would be upset with him. “Why not?” Lucky retorted. “It’s over, Nikolas. Elizabeth and I are finished.” “Well, I know that, but what about Em?” “What about Emily?” Lucky asked in confusion. Emily was who his brother was concerned about? He stopped about a half block from Kelly’s. Nikolas spoke patiently. “Emily is still Liz’s friend. Are you going to disown her too?” “Course not. Emily has nothing to do with Elizabeth. What are you getting at?” “Lucky,” Nikolas sighed. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Gia waiting impatiently for him, tapping her foot on the ground. “I just meant that Emily is going to be upset that you and Liz broke up.” “I don’t think so,” Lucky mused, relieved that Nikolas wasn’t mad. “She’s seen it coming for awhile. She’s listened to me try and figure Liz out for a long time.” “She’s still on the rebound from Zander.” “I know,” Lucky sighed. “Think I should go see her?” “Sounds like a plan. Hey, why don’t we all go to the Port Charles Grille for dinner, you, Em, me and Gia?” “Gia? I don’t know, Nikolas,” Lucky hedged, seeing the young woman now pacing back and forth about twenty feet away. “Lucky, if you could just see Gia for who she really is and not listen to Liz all the time. She really is special. Please.” “Only for you, Nikolas,’ Lucky grinned. “About seven?” “Seven it is. My treat.” Nikolas watched his brother take off. He turned to Gia, admiring the way she wore her hair now. It was so long, and so beautiful. He wanted to take the long strands in his hands, and stroke them. Instead he took her hands in his. “About time,’ Gia sulked. “I was waiting forever.” “I was trying to sell you on Lucky,” Nikolas explained. “That’s not always easy.” “Sell me? You make me sound like ribs he can buy at Eli’s. You don’t have to sell me, Nikolas. Either Lucky likes me or he doesn’t.” “Gia, you know what you mean to me, right?” “Maybe,” Gia hedged. “Maybe?” Nikolas returned, his hands going around her waist, and drawing her close. Gia smiled at Nikolas’ touch. No matter how much they fought, Nikolas’ touch was an electrical shock that sent her flying high. “Well, okay. I know how much I mean to you,” Gia admitted as Nikolas’ lips tasted hers. She melted into his arms as his hands went up her back. She was wearing a thin top and a pair of tight fitting jeans. Nikolas finished his passionate kiss, then swatted Gia on the behind. She screeched in outrage. “Hey!” “That’s for doubting me, and for forgetting that Lucky’s opinion is important to me, so do me a favor and get along with my brother.” “Nikolas, you can’t tell me what to do!” Gia screeched. Nikolas pulled her to him again. At first Gia resisted. Nikolas’ fingers went underneath her shirt, his lips stroking her neck. Once again, she relaxed against him. “On second thought,’ she murmured. “I’ll play nice.” Nikolas put his arm around Gia, leading her away from Kelly’s. For once he had manipulated her, and she didn’t even know it. “Lucky, are you sure, we have to do this?” Emily asked as he pulled his father’s car into the parking lot of the Port Charles Grille at 7 sharp. Lucky put the car in park, and placed the keys under the seat. “Nikolas asked,'' Lucky replied. ''Please, Em. We’re both going through a hard time. Nikolas is just trying to help.” “Nikolas is one thing. Gia is another. Liz may be crazy to let you go, but she was right about Gia. Gia’s a pain in the butt.” Emily got out of the car. Lucky joined her. He wore a pair of blue slacks and a white shirt with the buttons open showing his broad chest. Emily wore a light red and white cotton dress with short puffy sleeves and white sandals on her tanned feet. Her toenails were painted red. It was still warm, a typical June evening in Port Charles. “Nikolas is going out with Gia now. Heck he’s practically living with her,” Lucky said as he put his arm around his friend and they walked to the restaurant. “We might as well try to figure out what he sees in her.” “A seductive body,” Emily laughed. “Nikolas isn’t that shallow, is he?” Lucky wondered out loud, holding the door open for Emily. Emily shook her head while stepping into the air-conditioned restaurant. The breeze from the air conditioning blew her hair a little. “I didn’t think he was, but I haven’t seen any redeeming qualities in Gia yet.” “Me either,” Lucky said glumly.´ “Maybe you’re right. Maybe we should make our escape while we can.” “Too late,” Emily returned as Nikolas stood up and waved to them at the back of the restaurant. Lucky sighed. He had a feeling this was going to be a long evening, but maybe it would help him forget about Elizabeth for just a little while. “Hey, Lucky, Emily,” Nikolas greeted. He shook Lucky’s hand pulling him into a hug. Emily just smiled inanely at both Nikolas and Gia. “Weren’t sure you were coming,” Nikolas went on as they all sat down. “Nikolas, not everyone is a half hour early for every engagement,” Lucky teased, picking up a menu the waitress brought over. “He wasn’t a half hour early,” Gia snipped. “We just got here.” “Hmm. Corrupting my brother are you, Gia? Well that’s more than I could do,” Lucky teased lightly. “I don’t corrupt anyone,” Gia snapped seriously. “Nikolas likes my influence.” “He would,” Emily mumbled unable to contain herself. “Em!” Nikolas groaned. “Sorry,” Emily apologized. “What’s for dinner? I’m starved.” Emily and Lucky read their menus while Nikolas and Gia exchanged glances. Gia rolled her brown eyes while Nikolas gave her a warning look to behave. She hated that look. It usually made her that much more rebellious. Her face gave Nikolas cause for worry. The four of them were so engrossed in what was going on at their table, they were all taken aback when a shadow fell across their table. “Well, well,” Helena Cassidine purred. “Nikolas and Lucky. How nice to see you two out for the evening.” Nikolas was up in an instant with Lucky at his side. Their protective instincts were on double duty for the girls. Lucky kept his eye on Andreas while Nikolas took on Helena. “Grandmother?” Nikolas questioned coolly. “You’re not welcome here.” “Tsk, tsk, Nikolas,” Helena returned, unfazed. “You always act as though I’m going to pounce down on you like the devil. How many times do I have to say I enjoy seeing you happy. Look how I protected you when Luke Spencer almost killed you.” “Luke had a reason for what he did,” Nikolas snapped. “Nikolas, don’t” Lucky intercepted. “Don’t give her what she wants.” “What I want? What might I want, Lucky?” Helena asked intrigued. Her impeccable chin drew itself up haughtily. “To play with our minds as usual, Helena. We’re on to you, so why don’t you scamper back to that yacht you call home.” “Lucky, you are so like Luke sometimes. I really do admire that trait in you. Now, Andreas and I were just sitting down. If you care to join us, you are more than welcome.” “We’ll pass,” Nikolas retorted. Helena nodded regally, then went to sit down at a table on the other side of the room. Gia saw how Nikolas started angrily after his grandmother. She bent over and whispered lightly to him. He relaxed gradually. Lucky sat back down with Emily. The waitress came over and took their orders. Lucky was still shaking. Helena had a way of setting him off. Nikolas’ gaze met his brother’s. “We don’t have to stay,” He said. “We can take our food and leave.” Lucky smiled, feeling the understanding empathy from Nikolas. “We can’t spend our lives avoiding her,” Lucky mused. “I’m not going to give her the satisfaction. But thanks.” “Don’t thank me. She might be my grandmother, but personally…” “Personally, you’d like to throttle her,’ Gia finished. “and it’s perfectly natural.” “Gia, I don’t see what this has to do with you,” Lucky told her testily. “Helena has nothing to do with you.” “I beg to differ,” Gia returned. “Helena has everything to do with Nikolas and by association, with me.” “It’s always about you, isn’t it, Gia,” Emily finally spoke up, defending her friends. “Helena’s attack was clearly set on Lucky and Nikolas, but instead of feeling for them, you turn the attention on you.” “That’s not true,” Gia returned indignantly. “I want to help Nikolas deal with his grandmother.” “Help? Gia you don’t know the meaning of the word,” Emily replied. “Emily, that’s not fair,” Nikolas defended. “No, I can handle this, Nikolas. Just because Miss Emily thinks she has the trophy for being an empathetic angel, doesn’t mean I can’t help you. Nikolas knows I care about him, Emily. And if you can’t accept that, maybe you don’t want to be his friend.” “Gia, apologize,’ Lucky demanded standing up. “Forget it,” Gia snapped. She tossed her head while poor Nikolas looked miserable. “Excuse me,” Emily said. “I think I need a break.” She got up, leaving the table quickly while Lucky stared daggers at Gia. “Gia, for an empathetic friend, you sure do know how to hurt people,” Lucky told her. “Can’t you be nice just for a few hours.” “Lucky, Emily started it,” Nikolas said softly. “Although Gia didn’t help. Maybe we should put them in a room until they can be friends.” “In your dreams,” Gia told him. “No, in the next five or ten minutes,’ Nikolas said firmly. “Either that or we’re leaving, and it may be a very cold night at the house. Emily’s going through a hard time since Zander left. Helena’s enough to set anyone on edge. I’m willing to let this pass, but you and Emily are going to have to make up.” “I don’t even know where she went,” Gia objected. “Try the bathroom,” Lucky sighed. Gia looked from Nikolas’ stubborn face to Lucky’s. Shaking her head, she knew she’d lost. She definitely did not want a cold greeting and further scolding from Nikolas when they got home. At least he was willing to admit that Emily was partially at fault, which she was. Gia got up and curtsied sarcastically to the two men, holding onto her jeans. “At your command,’ She told them. Nikolas hid a smirk while Lucky looked away. Gia walked towards the lady’s room, looking for Emily. She’d apologize, but the little witch would have to apologize back. Gia went to the ladies room only to find it empty. The stalls were all open. There was no Emily anywhere. Confused, she went through the restaurant, trying to see where she would have gone. She checked the front of the Grille. No Emily. Her anger built. The little brat had gone off in a huff or so she thought. Gia went back to the table, brushing past Helena who was watching the girl. Lucky and Nikolas were talking. She sat down, putting her arms across her chest defensively. Nikolas and Lucky looked around, then sat back waiting. “Well?” Lucky demanded. “She’s gone,” Gia sulked. “What?” Lucky asked. “Gone where?” “I don’t know. Probably got a cab and went home. Can we eat now?” Their food was being delivered and Gia was hungry. Nikolas and Lucky both felt a flash of fear enter their hearts. “I’ll go,” Lucky said. “I’ll have them pack up our food,” Nikolas said. “Thanks, Man. She’s gotta be here somewhere. She doesn’t have wheels, and she wouldn’t leave me,” Lucky said pointedly looking at Gia. He hurried off as Gia started to eat her roasted garlic chicken. “Put it down, Gia. We’re leaving,” Nikolas warned her. “Why? Just because Emily caused a fuss? You said yourself it was partially her fault.” “Gia, sometimes your ignorance is galling. Wait here. Don’t move. I’m going to get the waitress.” Gia kept on eating. Once she looked up to see Helena smiling ever so pleasantly at her. She gave the woman a scathing look for Nikolas. Helena just continued to smile, and then turned back to Andreas. They put their heads together, obviously sharing some sordid little ideas. Gia shook her head. Helena was a very weird lady. Nikolas came hurrying past the other Port Charles Grille patrons with the waitress and some plastic carry out plates to put their food in. He put his food and Gia’s in one plate and Lucky and Emily’s in the other. They put it all in two paper bags. Nikolas paid the bill with his credit card, all the while getting more and more nervous. He kept looking for Lucky who should be trying to find Emily in the restaurant. Nikolas had seen his brother go back by the restrooms where Emily headed, but hadn’t seen him come out. He figured maybe Lucky had gone out the back of the restaurant. When he had signed for the meal, Nikolas took the two bags in one hand and Gia’s hand in his other one, and raced towards the back of the Grille. The back door was shut, but unlocked. They stepped into an alley, now dark and empty. “What are you doing?” Gia asked. “Lucky’s probably out front.” “I don’t think so,” Nikolas replied. He didn’t go back through the Grille. Instead they walked around the building till they were in the front. The parking lot was full of cars, including Luke’s. Lucky had borrowed his father’s car, and Nikolas knew where Lucky always left his keys. He opened the car door, and put his hand underneath the mat that went under the driver’s seat. Sure enough the keys were still there. Nikolas’ heart sank to the ground. “They’re gone,” Nikolas said out loud. “What do you mean, they’re gone?” Gia demanded. “Maybe they just went to walk off…” Nikolas turned to Gia, his face filled with rage, and fear. “They’re gone. Lucky and Emily wouldn’t just leave. You don’t understand everything, Gia. You just don’t understand.” Gia had never seen Nikolas so distraught. They walked over to the Jag. Gia put the food in the car. Then she touched Nikolas’ hand as he looked around helplessly. “Come on,” She said softly now. “We can go look for them.” “Gia, you aren’t listening.” Nikolas shouted. He threw up his hands in disgust, and went back into the restaurant with Gia following him. Purposefully, almost tripping over his feet in his haste, Nikolas walked towards Helena. He stopped in front of her table. Helena looked up, smiling her usual evil expression. “Nikolas. Did you decide to join us?” She asked brightly. “Where are they, Grandmother?” Nikolas hissed. “What have you done with them?” “What?” Helena asked in apparently genuine confusion. “With whom? Nikolas you aren’t making any sense.” In reply, Nikolas grabbed Andreas in a chokehold. The other patrons screamed as Nikolas held Andreas and Helena jumped up quickly. “I’ll give you sixty seconds, Grandmother. Sixty seconds to tell me where my brother and Emily are or I swear I will kill your precious Andreas right now.” Locked in pain, confusion and anger, Nikolas meant every word. The question was, would Helena believe him. Gia watched in disbelief, and prayed Nikolas wouldn’t be hauled off to jail for assault, especially when he realized how groundless his fears really were. Damn that Emily and Lucky anyway. How stupid could they get for walking off and putting Nikolas through this? And they thought she was heartless! |