Nikolas walked warily into the house. Now that he wasn't so concerned about Lucky he was a little worried about how his Uncle was going to react to his wanting to stay with Lucky. he glanced at his watch, it was pretty late. He'd stayed out watching the sky for quite a while hoping to avoid a confrontation. Hopefully Stefan had already gone to...
''Nikolas. You are back late, visiting hours have been over for quite some time now.''
Nikolas jumped a little, but only a little, when he heard Stefan's voice come out of the darkness. He was proud of that. He reached over and switched on the light.
''Were you waiting in the dark for a reason?''
Stefan smiled serenly at Nikolas. ''I was concerned about Lucky.''
Nikolas laughed and crossed his arms against his chest. ''You could have called the hospital and asked about him, you do have some clout there, remember?''
''I suppose. But I wanted to hear from you. How was your experience with the Spencers? Did they meet your expectations?''
''It was fine, Uncle. Lucky is much better. I'm going to sleep now, I'm tired.'' Nikolas turned toward the stairs.
''Are you going to visit with Lucky again?'' Nikolas stopped, but didn't turn around.
''Yes I am.'' He waited, the silence a physical thing in the room that climbed up his spine and wrapped itself around his heart.
''I see.''
Nikolas walked to the stairs and all but ran up them, the silence chasing after him like a demon.
Stefan watched Nikolas go up to bed, his face devoid of expression. He picked up his snifter of brandy and walked over to the lamp Nikolas had turned on. He stood there a minute, staring up the stairs, then flicked the lamp off. The darkness smothered the room, covering the antiquity contained within like slick oil. Stefan unerringly made his way back to his chair and refilled his glass. He sat in the darkness, listening to the rustling noises above him as Nikolas prepared for bed.
********************
The dinner table was set up beautifully, flowers, fried chicken and soda in lovely fluted champaigne glasses. Luke sat at the head of the table with a mug of frosty beer and a cigar, smiling across the table to his family..finally together at last and flicked the ash from his cigar in Laura's direction.
Laura's smile split her face nearly in two, as she giggled at his actions. The light from the bulbs in the ceiling reflected in her eyes, making them shine like bicycle reflectors as she passed cole slaw around in a crystal bowl.
Lulu looked resplendant in her bright orange jumper as she smeared mashed potatoes across her face. Her hair stood up in spikes like a halo, stiff from potato as she focused intently on her plate. Her hands moved with blurring speed as she molded her potatoes into the shape of the Cassadine crest and looked up at Lucky, a sly smile on her face.
Nikolas walked up behind her and assessed her work. ''Very good, Leslie. Soon you can take over the world.'' He smiled loving down at her and pat her head, laughing as her hair crinkled under his fingers, potato flakes falling like snow. Lucky's head spun around as he angled to see what his dad was going to do about this. He relaxed a bit when his dad jumped out of his chair.
''Cowboy!! You've done wonders with Leslie. Why just the other day I caught her playing 'let's make a computer virus'. She's a quick learner, isn't she?''
Luke smiled proudly at Nikolas. ''She sure is Pop!''
Nikolas jumped onto the table and walked over to where Luke was and plopped down into his lap.
''What's for dinner, mom?'' Laura smiled at Nikolas and pinched his cheek. ''My growing boy is always hungry isn't he? It's not easy ruling the world.''
Everyone laughed. Lucky jumped up. ''What the hell is going on? Why is Nikolas here? Why are you calling Lulu Leslie?'' He felt like he was going insane. All eyes turned to Lucky, perplexed.
''Lucky, you know Nikolas doesn't like us to call her Lulu, please don't disobey your brother.''
''What?? Dad, what are you talking about? Since when does Nikolas make decisions? Why the hell is he in your lap?''
Nikolas laughed and stood. ''Lucky, Lucky, Lucky...it's rude to let the phone ring more than five times before answering.''
Lucky stood there gaping at these people in his house, shaking. What was going on? He turned to his sister, surely she couldn't be affected too. ''Lulu?'' Leslie looked up at Lucky, one eyebrow raised.
''What did you expect? He's much more capable than you. Why don't you go play with your computer or invent another useful way to utilize the power of the worm?'' Lucky backed away, shaking his head from side to side as his family dismissed him and started back to their meal.
***************************************************
Nikolas walked towards Lucky's room. He was glad that he'd been able to get out of the house without seeing Stefan. He really didn't want to explain where he was going. He opened the door quietly and stuck his head in the door. Lucky was still asleep. He started to shut the door, he'd come back later after Lucky woke up. A sound coming from the bed stopped him. Had Lucky said something? He came the rest of the way into the room, careful to shut the door quietly and peered at Lucky's sleeping form. He looked like he was having trouble breathing, his chest was rising and falling rapidly and he was mumbling to himself. Was he having a relapse or something? Nikolas hurried to the bed and leaned over, trying to decide if he needed to get a nurse.
Lucky opened his eyes, bolting up in his bed, forcing Nikolas to scramble to get out of the way before they cracked heads together. Lucky locked eyes with him, furious. ''What the hell are you doing here?''
********************
Inside Lucky's hospital room Lucky glared at Nikolas. ''I asked you a question.''
Nikolas was completly taken back by the venom in Lucky's voice, he'd never heard him quite so cold before, and that was saying a lot. ''Lucky, you told me to come, remember?''
Lucky tried to calm the panic racing through his entire body. He couldn't get the images from his nightmare out of his mind. He was not going to let Nikolas take over his life. ''Yeah, well, I changed my mind. Get out.''
Nikolas was surprised that he wasn't angry; he just felt sad. He should have known this would happen. He should be used to the Spencers pulling him in then rejecting him. Nikolas opened his mouth to say something, then thought better of it. He regarded Lucky with a pinched look on his face and turned to the door. He was done fighting with his brother.
Lucky watched Nikolas head toward the door.
Luke's Club
Sonny nodded to Mike as he walked in the door.
Mike returned his greeting then looked pointedly at a table in the farthest corner of the room. Luke was slumped in a chair, rolling a cigar in his fingers and staring at it dully an untouched glass of whiskey on the table.
''A little early for that isn't it?'' Luke didn't even look up.
''The cigar or the drink?''
Sonny sat down and took the glass, washing it's contents down in a quick swallow, gasping a little as the heat burned down his throat. ''Both.'' ''The way I figure it, since I never went to bed, it's really too late not to have a drink and a cigar.''
Sonny laughed. ''That's one way to look at it.''
Luke let his head fall forward, stretching the muscles knotted in his neck. ''Sonny, you ever feel like all the rules changed but no one told you?''
Sonny poured another shot and slid it over to Luke. ''Sure, I just change the rules right back.'' Luke took the glass, but didn't drink it. He traced the rim of the glass with his fingers, applying more and more pressure until the glass was spinning with only his finger keeping it from toppling over.
''I don't think I evenhave a copy of the rule book any more.''
Sonny watched the liquid sloshing around in the glass. They sat there in silence for a full minute before Sonny spoke again. ''Luke, Lucky is going to be fine.''
Luke snorted. ''You don't know that any more than I do. There's not a damn thing I can do about any of this. It's all falling apart all around me. Everything I do to protect my family is hurting them. Everything I knew to be truth I can't trust any more.'' The glass slipped off his finger and crashed to the floor. The dark liquid spread across the floor slowly, a shadow sliding away. Both men watched, mesmorized until Luke jumped up and put his cigar out.
''I need to go check on Lucky.''
''You want me to go with you?''
''No. I think I need to talk to Lucky alone.''
''Let me know if you need anything.''
''It goes without saying.''
********************
Lucky's hospital room
Lucky watched Nikolas walking to the door, walking away from him, maybe forever. Then Nikolas stopped and looked back at him, his eyebrow raised.
''Yes, Lucky?''
Lucky looked at him, baffled. ''Huh?''
''Did you say something?''
''No.''
Nikolas shrugged and turned to the door again.
''Nikolas wait.'' Nikolas turned slowly around once more, this was getting ridiculous.
''Yes?''
''Look man, I didn't mean to jump down your throat. I don't feel good, and I've been having these really strange dreams, and you came in at a bad time. You could stay.''
Lucky looked up. ''If you want to...'' He looked straight into Nikolas' eyes. Why did everything have to be so hard between them?
''You know, if you keep pulling at that blanket it's going to unravel.''
Lucky laughed, a sad, humorless sound. ''Never fear, Nik. I can keep it together.''
Nikolas walked back over to the chair next to Lucky's bed. They sat in uncomfortable silence. Lucky kept shooting sidelong glances at Nikolas, who had his eyes glued to the floor.
''I suppose you heard that my mom isn't going to be able to come back, didn't you?''
Nikolas shot a surprised look at Lucky, he wanted to talk about this? To him? Lucky went on without looking at him.
''I don't really blame her, she's got a lot to deal with without coming home to watch me sit in a hospital room.''
He's really hurting.
''I mean, I'm not really that sick, you know? And she's got to stick with Lulu and my grandma.'' The blanket was showing definite signs of coming apart. ''Besides I have my dad, I'm sure he'll be here soon.''
He's just as alone as I am. ''She did call me last night, she's checking up on me, it's not like she abandoned me.''
She abandoned us both, didn't she?
Lucky finally looked up, smiling bravely. His eyes suspiciously bright in his pale face. ''It's not a big deal, really.''
Who are you trying to convince, Lucky?
Nikolas nodded at his brother, trying to think of how to comfort him, without making it obvious. ''You want to watch TV?''
''TV? You watch TV?'' Lucky laughed. ''I didn't think you even had one out there. Stefan allows it?''
Nikolas straightened. ''Stefan doesn't run my life.''
Lucky stared at Nikolas in amazement, then laughed again. ''Yeah, and my dad doesn't run a club.''
Nikolas raised an eyebrow, glad to see him laughing again, even if it was at his expense.
********************
Outside Lucky's hospital room
Alan is walking towards Lucky's room when he sees Luke heading the same way.
''Luke, before you go in, can I talk to you for a minute?''
''Sure, Alan, what's up?''
''Some of the tests we've run on Lucky have come back and the results are disturbing. It looks like he's been poisoned.''
''What?! I thought he was just running a fever.''
'This has to do with the odd symptoms I told you about when Lucky was admitted. His reflexes were off, he had a slight rash on his back, there were other things there that I just couldn't explain. I still can't make a complete diagnosis yet, but all the signs are pointing to a poison of some sort that is attacking his nervous system.''
''What do you mean, he looked fine when I left last night. He was a little pale, yeah, but his fever was down. I thought he was getting better.''
''Luke, this appears to be a progressive type of poison. There is a degeneration of sorts, his nervous system is being attacked. That initial attack is what brought on the fever. He has fought off the fever, but the cause is still there.''
''Can't you give him an antidote or something?''
Alan sighed heavily. ''Normally we might be able to do that, but we can't isolate what is doing this. There is no sign of a toxin in his bloodstream. I can't even tell you for sure that it is a poison. I can only tell you that the effects are the same. It's almost like he's been bitten by a rattlesnake or some other venomous animal. But that can't be the answer, for one thing, he has no bite marks, and the other is that a venom would act much faster than this. Frankly, Luke, we don't know what is wrong with him. All we can do is continue to run tests, keep him here and fight the symptoms as they arise.''
''What kind of symptoms?''
''Luke, the nervous system is a tricky thing. His brain is the nervous system to a large extent, so just about anything could happen. It all depends on what this toxin does. Results can range from rashes, diffuculty breathing, fainting, even delusions. He could even become irrational, more emotional than usual. In extreme cases there can be paralysis, heart failure, even death. We just can't know what we are dealing with yet. I'm sorry, Luke.''
''So basically what you are telling me is that my son could die from some poison and you don't know how to stop it. Have I got it right?''
''Luke, we are doing everything we can.''
''Maybe it's time I do something too. Maybe I'll even find myself a venomous creature.''
********************
Outside Lucky's hospital room
Luke walked up to Lucky's door and stopped with his hand on the handle. He stood there for a long moment, resting his head against the doorjamb, lost in thought. Finally he slammed his hand against the wall and turned away. He needed to think this out first. What was he going to tell Lucky? He still didn't really have any answers himself. Alan thought it looked like poisoning, but even Alan admitted that he couldn't be sure.
Did he want to worry Lucky if it turned out to be nothing more than a virus after all? Luke snorted to himself as he paced the hall outside his son's room. It wasn't a virus, he could be sure of that much. Things were never that easy for the Spencers. If there was an illness, it was life-threatening. If there was a new person in town, it was someone out to do them harm. For some reason, it was always the worst of all situations for his family. It could never be easy.
Luke thought back to when Lucky had been a baby. They had been on the run once again. But even living that life, looking behind his shoulder with every step, his son had been a blessing. One of the few things that Luke counted as good in his life. And Lucky had been a natural. It gave Luke such a sense of pride to watch his son follow in his footsteps. More than that, Lucky virtually mimicked them, traced the same path that Luke had set before him.
Luke frowned, and he stumbled over all the same potholes. Could it be better for his son? Was there some way to keep Lucky from someday having to go on the run with his family? As it stood now, Lucky seemed destined to that lifestyle, and he didn't seem to mind. It was all he knew. But there had to be a better way. Luke wanted more for his son. If he lived.
Luke sat down heavily on one of the benches set up in the lounge. "What's the next step, Spencer?" If Lucky is being poisoned, who is doing it to him? "Cassadine." Luke stood up and started to the elevator. As it shut remembered that he hadn't seen his son yet. "Soon, Cowboy. First, I've got to catch a snake for you."
The doors slid shut. Inside Lucky's hospital room Lucky and Nikolas sat with only the noise of the unwatched TV breaking the silence.
"Hey, if you have something to do, I understand."
"It's okay, Lucky. I can stay until your dad comes."
"To tell you the truth, I'm not sure if he is coming today, we kinda had a fight the last time he was here."
Nikolas blinked in surprise. Where was that Spencer support system? Why was Lucky being left to handle all of this on his own? Didn't anyone else realize how lonely he was? It was starting to make Nikolas mad.
"You don't think he'll come back? At all?"
Lucky laughed nervously. "Of course, he'll come back. I just don't know if it will be today. Sometimes he needs to cool off first."
Nikolas looked away. He didn't want Lucky to see how angry he was. "I don't really have anything to do. I can hang around. Do you play cards? I think I saw some in the gift shop."
Lucky's eyes brightened. "I've played a little but I'm not very good. We can play if you want."
"I'll go pick up a pack, I'll be right back." Nikolas left the room, grinning to himself once the door had closed.
"Lucky, you don't know what you have got yourself into." As Nikolas left, Lucky burst out laughing.
"Cassadine, you don't know who you are dealing with."
********************
Inside Lucky's hospital room
Nikolas threw down his cards in disgust. He'd never been beaten so badly. Ever. ''You have to be cheating, Spencer. There is no way you could win ten times in a row!'' The boys were sitting Indian style on top of Lucky's hospital bed, a stack of cards in between them. And some now dusting the floor as a result of Nikolas' slight tantrum. Lucky laughed and started stacking the cards once again.
''I'm telling you, man, it's beginner's luck!''
Nikolas picked up the pillow behind Lucky and threw it at his head as hard as he could. ''I am not stupid, Spencer.'' Lucky ducked and laughed harder.
''You played poker with a Spencer, what would you call that if not stupid?''
Nikolas smiled smugly. ''I didn't bet anything on the game, now did I? I'd say that was pretty smart.''
Lucky stopped laughing. ''Damn.''
*************************
Wyndamere
Luke banged once again on the door, jumping back a little as it opened. He composed himself quickly and stalked past the surprised staff member. ''Stefan!! Get out here. We have to talk!'' Luke stopped abruptly when he saw Stefan calmly sitting in his chair, sipping brandy, waiting for him.
''How can I help you, Mr. Spencer?'' Stefan waved away the doorman hovering and turned to face Luke. ''I understand your son is in the hospital.''
''You know damn well my son is in the hospital, and I want answers. What do you know about this?''
Stefan got up and set his glass carefully on the table next to him. ''I am sorry Lucky is ill, but I have no answers for you. Why would you think I could help?''
Luke walked quickly to Stefan, coming toe to toe with him, and looked him in the eye. ''My son is being poisoned, and you are the only snake I know.''
Stefan stepped back. ''What? I thought he was sick...he's being poisoned? I had no idea, Nikolas hadn't told me.''
Luke frowned at the mention of Nikolas. He'd forgotten about him. He could be with Lucky right now. ''You do a real good job of acting shocked, Steffie, but I ain't buying it. I'll find out what you are doing, and I'll stop you.'' Luke left as quickly as he had come, he needed to get back to Lucky and he needed to figure Stefan out.
**********************************************
The Docks
Luke paced back and forth, gazing over the water, his his eyes squinting towards Stefan's island retreat. He stopped and slammed the palm of his hand against his forehead. ''Engage your brain, Spencer!'' ''What were you thinking? Going over there half-cocked, no plan, no idea what you're gonna say...you're acting like a novice!'' Luke turned away from the water in disgust and started walking, no particular destination in mind, he just wanted to get away before he went back over to Wyndamere and did more damage. This situation with Lucky was driving him crazy. He was fighting with his son, letting Nikolas hang all over Lucky, without supervision no less, and then he just had to go over to the castle and let Stefan know exactly what was going on. Of course, if Stefan was the one poisoning Lucky, he would know anyway. Then again, Luke didn't think he wanted Stefan to know that he knew that Lucky was being poisoned.
Luke stopped walking and rubbed his temples for a bit, all this cloak and dagger stuff gave him a headache sometimes. He wished he could just go over there and make Stefan disappear. Sonny could help him do it, he'd offered more than once. But he couldn't do that. As much as it would make him happy, it wouldn't solve his problems or Lucky's. As much as he hated to admit it, there wasn't much he could do until Stefan showed his hand..but he could make sure he was there to see when that happened. The question now was what to do about Nikolas. Lucky seemed to like having him around, but sometimes Lucky didn't know what was best for him. Nikolas was a Cassadine, no doubt about that, and Luke didn't trust him as far as he could throw him...hey, that's an idea, throw him...nah, that wouldn't work either, Lucky would get mad.
Normally he would just insist that Nikolas was forbidden to be with Lucky and then go from there, it always worked with Laura. But this was not a normal situation. Lucky was fragile now, and upsetting him would not be a good idea. Besides, maybe Nikolas could be useful. Luke found himself in front of the diner and decided to get a cup of coffee. If he was going to be watching all those Cassadines again, he was gonna need something to keep him awake.
*************************
Wyndamere Alexis walked into the study, surprised to see Stefan yelling into the phone. ''I don't care what you have to do. My plans are not to be trifled with. This Spencer situation must be handled immediately. I will have no more mistakes. This should have been finished by now.'' Stefan slammed down the phone. ''Incomepetant fools.''
''Stefan?'' Stefan whirled around and smiled when he saw Alexis.
''Hello, Alexis.''
Alexis frowned at his avoidance of her unspoken question...more secrets. She sighed. ''I hope you know what you are doing.''
Stefan's smile did not reach his eyes. ''Don't I always?''
********************
In Lucky's hospital room
Lucky and Nikolas are watching TV once again, the hours going slowly as they often do in a hospital. Nikolas keeps glancing over at Lucky, noting that Lucky seems to be struggling to stay awake. He'd been doing so well today that Nikolas had almost forgotten that he was sick.
''Lucky?'' Lucky jumped at Nikolas' voice, he'd almost been asleep that time.
''Yeah?'' He was surprised at how gravelly his voice sounded. Man, he was tired.
''I think I should take off for a while so you can get some sleep. You look beat.'' Lucky ducked his head a little and hid his smile behind a yawn. A couple of hours with him and Nikolas was sounding just like every other teen-ager in America. He didn't even seem to notice.
''I am pretty tired. I guess I should probably sleep. Maybe my dad will be back by the time I wake up. Besides, I'm sure you have better things to do with your time than baby-sit me.''
''I wasn't baby-sitting you, Lucky. I wanted to be here, after all you are my brother.'' Nikolas turned away quickly, he couldn't believe he'd said that. Lucky wasn't going to be happy to hear him call him his brother. He'd better leave now before Lucky realized what he'd said and told him not to come back. Lucky watched in surprise as Nikolas bolted for the door. This guy was really tense when it came to expresing his feelings. Lucky laughed a little, he'd get over it.
''Hey Nikolas?'' Nikolas stopped and came back to the bed, trying not to make eye contact.
''Yeah?''
''Could you do me a favor? I'm getting really bored, and I was thinking maybe you could bring me my laptop? Surfing the web could really fill up some of this extra time. I'd ask my dad, but I'm not sure when I'll see him again.''
Nikolas nooded. ''Sure, I can do that, I'll bring it by the next time I come. You think your dad will give it to me?''
Lucky laughed. ''I'll leave how you get it up to you. You can figure it out.'' Nikolas nodded again and turned to the door. Lucky smiled to himself, he'd never realized how insecure Nikolas was about relationships. He acted like he expected him to throw him out at any minute. Lucky's smile faded, he had a reason to think that. Lucky spoke to Nikolas' retreating back.
''Having a brother could be a good thing, don't you think?'' Nikolas paused a minute and then turned to look Lucky in the eyes once again.
''Yeah.'' Nikolas smiled and left.
Brothers could be an amazing thing. Lucky sat in bed, thinking about Nikolas. ''Maybe this can actually work.'' He shrugged and coiled into the bed, asleep in seconds.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Luke pushed the door to Lucky's room open slowly and craned his neck around to look inside. The room was completely dark except for a small strip of light that ran across the top of the bed, spreading a small glow over Lucky's head as he slept. Luke walked the rest of the way into the room and closed the door behind him with a small click. He leaned against the door in the darkness and watched his son sleep. He looked so young and vulnerable. So much could hurt him, and he couldn't protect him. Luke moved silently to the side of the bed and brushed Lucky's hair back from his forehead, needing to reassure himself that he was still alive, still okay. Lucky stirred a little and reached up to slap whatever was disturbing his sleep. He opened his eyes and saw the outline of his dad in the darkness. He quickly sat up a little and rubbed at his eyes, trying to wake up.
''Hey, dad.''
Luke sat down on the chair next to the bed. ''How you doing, Cowboy?'' Luke winced a little. He'd forgotten Lucky didn't want to be called that anymore. But he hadn't seemed to notice.
''I'm okay. I feel a lot better. You want to turn a light on?'' Luke shook his head.
''No, it's late. I'm not going to be able to stay too long, I just wanted to make sure you are okay.''
Lucky tried to hide his disappointment. He'd been waiting all day to see his dad. ''I'm sorry I didn't make it in earlier, but I was....well, I was busy.'' Lucky nodded, it was the story of his life. There was always something more important to keep his dad ''busy.'' The to sat in silence for a while, neither knowing what to say.
''Did you hear from you mom?''
Lucky bristled. ''Yeah, she called last night for a while.''
Luke could have slapped himself for bringing that up. This was not going well. ''Look, I'm sorry she's not here for you but that can't be helped, you know that!''
Lucky could feel himself getting more and more angry. It couldn't be helped? Why? Just because Luke declared it beyond help? Well, what about him? Why couldn't he be around at least? ''I understand. Mom has to hide and you are busy. Fine! I got it. You can stop explaining it to me. I'm not stupid.''
Luke rubbed his eyes. ''Look, Lucky. I told you why I wasn't here earlier today. I'll be around more tomorrow.''
''Fine, whatever. Do what you want.''
''Lucky...'' Luke trailed off. He didn't know what to say.
''I think visiting hours are over, Dad.'' Luke nodded. ''Yeah, I suppose they are. Do you need me to get anything for you?''
''No, I can handle it on my own. I don't need you.''
Luke frowned. Oh Lucky, you need me more than you realize. He sighed and walked out.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Lucky was furious. He threw the covers off and got out of bed, pacing the room. Just who did they think they were? Why did his parents feel like they could come and go as they pleased and he was just supposed to show them a happy face whenever they graced him with their presence? Well, that was not going to happen. They had another thing coming if they thought he was just going to keep licking up the scraps they threw him. He was sick of it. Lucky stopped walking and grabbed the edge of the window seal. The world had just tilted.
''Whoa, maybe it's a little too soon to be out of bed.'' Lucky let go of the window and started walking shakily back to the bed.
''It's okay, you just haven't been out of your bed in so long you don't have your land legs back.'' Lucky had almost convinced himself that he was fine when he crumbled to the ground.
********************
Outside the Spencer home
Nikolas looked at the imposing house before him. It was a nice enough house, he supposed, but it had never looked overly comforting to him. He'd never really been invited inside. For that matter, he still hadn't been invited in. Lucky wanted him to get his laptop for him, and Nikolas was determined to do just that. It was the first time his brother had asked him to do anything for him and he wasn't going to let him down. But there was one small problem. Luke would never go for it. Sure, maybe he'd let him hang around the hospital with Lucky, but he wasn't about to hand over his computer to the dreaded Cassadines. Nikolas laughed at the mere idea. Luke would not be any help at all. He was going to have to do this himself. That meant he needed a plan. He wasn't really very good at this kind of thing. The tutors had never really taught him Subterfuge 101 or Breaking and Entry for Beginners. How was he going to get the laptop without Luke knowing about it? He'd have to sneak in.
Nikolas looked at the house again, there were no lights on. Maybe he had lucked out and Luke wasn't even there. He went up the steps and peered into a window. There...he could see the computer sitting on the table. All he had to do was sneak in, grab it, and run like hell. Simple enouugh. Nikolas looked behind him, then to his left, then to his right. It was now or never.
He tried the door. Locked. Nikolas shook his head. Of course it was locked. Luke Spencer was the most paranoid man in the country. Not exactly the type to leave the door unlocked. But he was the type to have a contingency plan in case he lost his keys or something. There had to be another way to get in or a spare key somewhere. Nikolas looked around the porch. There were many plants and flowers lining the rails of the porch. They were all in serious need of watering. Obviously Laura was the one that took care of them and they were suffering in her absense. Nikolas looked under the pots to no avail. Made sense, Luke was certainly not predictable.
Nikolas was sure that the spare key had to be on the porch. Luke wouldn't want to have to go running around the yard if he needed to get in the house. Where would he put it? Nikolas looked at the lights on either side of the door. The one on the right looked different somehow. Then it hit him, that light was different. It could be that they hadn't been able to get a match when they were refurbishing the house...or it could be that's where Luke kept the spare key. Nikolas eased the glass ball off the stand and looked in, sure enough, taped inside of a white envelope was a key.
Nikolas grinned, proud of himself and slipped the key into the lock, easily opening the door. This was going to be easier than he thought! He walked into the house, trying to see in the dim light of the moon. He could see the outline of the laptop from the puddle of moonlight hitting the table. He grabbed the laptop and started back towards the front door. Then stopped when he heard something growling behind him....Foster. Nikolas turned slowly around.
''Good doggie...I heard about you and Annabelle. You stud, you.''
Foster cocked his head to the side and studied Nikolas. Nikolas was steadily backing towards the door as he talked. Finally he felt the door and he jumped through, slamming the door behind him as he passed. He sagged against the door, breathing heavily.
''Lucky, you had better use this stupid computer after all I went through to get it.'' He pushed wearily off the door, locked it and made sure everything was the way he'd found it, and left the Spencer house.
Foster continued to look at the door for a few minutes then loped off to continue digging in the trash he'd spilled in the kitchen.
Inside Lucky's hosptital room
Lucky could see the footsteps of people walking past his room through the crack between the door and the floor. They all walked with a brisk step. None of them stopped in front of his room, none of them came in. Sweat trickled into his eyes, making him blink furiously to try to get rid of the sting. He saw a pair of feet stop in front of his door.
pleasecomeinpleasecomeinpleasecomeinpleasecomeinpleasecomeinpleasecomein
The steps moved on. The world crashed into darkness again.
********************
Spencer House
Luke walked to the front door and let Sonny in.
''Hey, thanks for coming.''
Sonny nodded and looked Luke over, his shirt was filthy. He followed Luke as he went back into the kitchen.
''You know, when there are better ways to clean than mopping with your shirt...and you should at least take it off if you are going to do it that way.''
''Ha, ha, very funny, Corinthos. If you must know, my son's mutt got into the trash. I guess that's his way to tell me he wants to be fed.''
Sonny grimaced. ''I never knew you were such an animal lover.''
''Sarcasm will get you nowhere, Sonny.''
''I thought I was the one doing you a favor. I don't need to get anywhere.''
Luke stopped and looked back at Sonny. ''Oh, yeah. Does this mean I have to be nice to you?''
Sonny laughed. ''Why would now be any different? What's up?''
Luke finished clearing away the debris from Foster's rubish spree and sat at the table with Sonny.
''My son is being poisoned.''
Sonny leaned back in his chair and whistled softly.
''You know who?''
''Same as it always is...Count Vlad. I confronted him.''
''How did that go?''
''It was pretty much a distaster. He seemed surprised, but I couldn't tell if he was surprised that I knew Lucky was being poisoned, suprised that it was happening, or faking the whole thing. I should have stayed with Lucky. I didn't accomplish anything but letting him know what I know.''
''You want me to take care of him for you?''
Luke laughed. ''As many times as you ask me that, I'm beginning to think you just want to off him.''
Sonny shrugged. ''It makes no difference to me. If you say he's bad news, then he's bad news. It's easy enough to do.''
''We can't get rid of him, at least not yet. I have to find out what he gave my kid so I can get the antidote. After that, hell, I'll do him myself.''
Sonny nodded. ''That's understandable. Just make sure you clean up your mess.'' Sonny pointed to Luke's shirt. ''Better than you clean your house.''
Luke held up his hands in protest. ''Hey, it's not my fault, it's the dog!''
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Wyndamere
Nikolas hid Lucky's laptop underneath his jacket and warily opened the door. He didn't want Stefan to see what he was bringing home, he didn't want to explain.
''Nikolas, I want to talk to you.''
Nikolas checked to make sure the laptop was well hidden and turned to meet his uncle. ''Yes, Uncle?''
''Luke Spencer was here today. He said that Lucky is being poisoned.''
Nikolas took a step back. ''What? I haven't heard anything like that. The last I heard, Lucky was getting over a virus or something. I just left there, he's fine.''
Stefan paused. Nikolas didn't know? ''He was very upset, Nikolas. Perhaps you don't know the whole story. Did you really think the Spencers were going to keep you informed?''
Nikolas frowned. ''They are apparently keeping you well informed. Why did Luke tell you?''
''Apparently Luke thinks I am the one poisoning Lucky.''
Nikolas narrowed his eyes. ''Are you?''
Stefan jumped out of his chair. ''Nikolas! How could you think I could do such a thing? I would never harm a child.''
Nikolas thought to the time he'd almost fallen off the mountain in Switzerland. And the time Stefan had pushed him away from his precious computer. And all the times he'd insulted Lucky and the other Spencers.
''He's not worthy to lick your boots.''
''I'm tired. I'm going to bed now.''
''Nikolas! Surely you don't suspect that I'm responsible for Lucky's condition?''
Nikolas sighed and walked up the stairs. ''I don't know what to think anymore.''
''Nikolas! Come back! Nikolas!''
Nikolas had almost reached the top of the stairs when the laptop fell out of his jacket. he caught it before it fell and quickly looked down the stairs to check and see if his Uncle had seen. He breathed a sigh of relief when he didn't see him there and went into his room.
At the foot of the stairs Stefan watched from a dark corner. Where did Nikolas get the laptop? Lucky Spencer. Stefan left the stairwell and went back to the study, musing quietly.
********************
