"I don't know," Luke said. "She must have had some reason to free him. Maybe his fall from grace was exactly the type of thing
that she was waiting for so that she could get a doctor under her control. Why, that's a totally different question. One which I
don't have an answer to, but whatever it is, I don't think that we're going to like it. Laura, you and I need to go over to the
Penthouse. We have some planning to do. Cowboy, you go upstairs and get some rest. In the meantime, I'm going to call
Bobbie to have her come over here and check on you."

"I will Dad, but you have to promise me that you won't leave me behind. I'm going with you after Nikolas whether you like it or
not." Luke could see the determination written all over his sons face, and there was no way that he was going to say no.

"I promise, Cowboy, now go get some rest!" Luke and Laura left and Lizzie gently helped Lucky up the stairs to his room,
where he lay down on his, not even taking the time to change. He hurt all over. Lizzie sat down next to him on the bed and
grabbed his hand. She was so scared for him. She was glad that Bobbie was coming over. She knew that Bobbie would know
exactly what to do.

"Are you okay?" Lucky asked her.

Lizzie gave a short laugh which quickly turned into a sob. "Am I okay? You're the one that got shot, and beaten, and you ask if
I'm alright?"

"I worry about you," Lucky said softly, fighting to keep his eyes open. He was starting to feel very sleepy. He didn't have to
worry anymore, his parents were in control so his body decided that it was time for some much needed rest. He reached out
and gently caressed her face. "I don't want you to worry."

Lizzie looked at him tenderly, even in as much pain as he was in, as tired as he was, he still found the time to worry about her.
"Yeah, well, I can't help but worry, considering that you lying here shot and covered with bruises." She leaned over and gently
touched his face before bringing her mouth to meet his in a gentle kiss. She leaned back and Lucky grinned up at her.

"I'm okay," Lucky said. "And that just made me feel a whole lot better."

"Did it?" Lizzie asked. "Well then, we'll just have to try it again then, won't we?" She kissed him again her hand caressing his
face. She leaned back and smiled at him. "Go to sleep. I'll still be here when you wake up."

"You promise?" Lucky said, his eyelids fluttering shut. He was so tired.

"Yeah, Lucky. I promise." Lizzie said.

"Lizzie?"

"Yeah, Lucky?"

"I love you," he said, his voice barely more than a whisper.

"I love you too, Lucky Spencer," she said quietly. He relaxed and fell into a deep sleep almost immediately after he hearing her
words, a small smile on his face despite his pain. She reached over and brushed the hair off of his forehead. She hated the
person who had done this to him. His face was covered with bruises and cuts, his lip was split, and both eyes were black. She
realized for the first time, the extent of the anger you could feel on the behalf of someone you cared about. She wanted so badly
to hurt the man that had done this to Lucky. She watched his sleep, thankful that she was able to be there for him.

It wasn't too long before she heard Bobbie come into the house. She went out into the hall to meet her as she came up the
stairs. "Lizzie," Bobbie said. "How is he?"

"I don't know," Lizzie said. "He's sleeping. He looks awful."

They went into the room and Lizzie could see Bobbie's anger when she saw what had been done to Lucky. "Who did this?" She
asked Lizzie.

"Some hired hitman or something. He's probably in the hospital right now. In order to get away from him, Lucky had to shoot
him."

"Did he have to..." Bobbie paused. "Did he have to kill anyone?"

Lizzie closed her eyes and nodded. She didn't want to think about that, but she explained exactly what had happened at the
cabin, and how Luke and Laura were at Jason's right then discussing how to get Nikolas back. She mentioned that Helena had
left by boat and that Tony had been with her.

"Tony?" Bobbie said. "Why would...I see, the time has come for him to pay the price of his freedom. He better not do anything
that hurts Nikolas or so help me god..." She stopped, remembering that there was a young girl in the room. "Well, we'll just
think about that later." She walked over to Lucky and gave him a quick once over with her eyes. She checked his arm, and saw
that Laura had done a good job tending to the wound. She then carefully began to check his ribs. (I don't know if Bobbie would
know how to do this, but she seems to be able to do everything else, so I figured, why not?) Her face tightened as he winced in
pain, and woke up.

"Aunt Bobbie?" He said.

"Sorry, kiddo," Bobbie said. "But I had to check out your ribs. You seem to have bruised some of them, but I don't think that
it's more serious than that. I'm going to tape them, and as soon as this is over, you're going to go see a doctor, and get them
x-rayed." Lucky could tell that that was not a request, and that he was going to see a doctor if she had to drag him there.

"Okay," he said. He kept himself awake long enough for her to tape his ribs, and then fell once more into an exhausted slumber.
Bobbie and Lizzie stayed in the room, neither on wanting to leave Lucky's side. Neither one spoke. They just sat, waiting for the
next step to begin.

*HELENA'S YACHT*

Nikolas refused to cooperate with the men that had kidnapped him, so they had to drag him on to the boat, struggling the entire
time. He couldn't believe that Lucky had been shot. He was hoping against hope that his brother had survived, but he felt in his
heart that such hope was pointless. They dragged him into the living room, where they forced him into a chair facing Helena.
"Grandmother," he said practically spitting the word out.

"Nikolas, how nice to see you," Helena said, motioning to the guards, who tied him securely to the chair with soft bonds. It
wouldn't please Helena if they marred the heir. Once he was tied securely, she went over and kissed he grandson on the cheek,
ignoring his look of complete disgust. "I trust that you are well?"

Nikolas looked at her like she was crazy. "Not exactly," he said. "You kidnapped me in the middle of the night, and brought me
here and tied me to a chair. Not to mention the fact that you probably..." he pauses, gathering his strength in order to say the
words. "That you probably killed my brother."

"Oh, all minor things, my dear boy," Helena said. Just then Tony was escorted on board. "Ah, Doctor Jones," Helena said.
"Glad you could make it."

Nikolas looked at Tony in shock, "What's he doing here?" He asked. "And I don't happen to consider the death of my brother
a minor thing." He noticed a brief look of pain cross Tony's face. He remembered that Tony had been Lucky's uncle for many
years. Maybe he had an ally in Dr. Jones. "Oh, didn't grandmother tell you that she had Lucky killed? She's so good at leaving
out important details like that."

"Oh, Nikolas, please stop speaking to Dr. Jones as if he can help you get away from me. He won't, because he knows what
would happen to little Lucas if he were to do such a thing, don't you Dr. Jones?" Tony paled and nodded. He looked regretfully
at Nikolas, but he had no choice in the matter. He couldn't let Helena hurt his son. "As for why all those thing can be considered
minor is because they'll soon become so to you. By the time Dr. Jones here is finished, you will no longer have any feelings but
hate for anyone. That is anyone but me. Me you'll love with the devotion that any young man should have for his loving
grandmother. Isn't that wonderful?" All Nikolas could do was stare at her in terror.

*JASON'S PENTHOUSE*

"Okay," Sonny said spreading out a map in front of Luke, Laura and Jason. "They haven't gone too far yet. I'm not sure why
Tony's there, but it doesn't look good for the kid. Our best bet would probably to get them after they come ashore. We just
need to know where that's going to be. They're headed this way," he said pointing to the map. "Any idea where she'd be taking
them?"

Luke and Laura looked at the map, trying to think like Helena would. Something caught Laura's eye, and she thought about the
fact that Tony was with them. "She brought Tony, so it seems like she must have some use for him, right?" The men nodded,
wondering where she was headed with this. Laura took a deep, shaky breath, "Well, Tony's a...Tony's a brain surgeon. That's
his greatest skill. Now let me ask you, what would Helena want with a brain surgeon?" They looked at each other, the truth
coming to them. "As for where she's taking them, it's simple really. We need to find someplace that a surgeon could work, and
we'll find where Helena is taking them." She looked to the map again, and pointed out an old, currently unused hospital not far
from the water. "This would be my guess."

There was a flurry of activity in the penthouse as Jason got a team together for Luke to take with him. Sonny insisted that he go
as well. Luke was his friend and he was determined to watch his back. Jason's men were under strict orders. They were to take
out the men that Helena had working for her, but under no circumstances were they to go near Helena herself.

Luke and Laura went back to the house to get Lucky, bringing a number of men with them to guard Liz, Lesley and Lulu, while
the rest of them were gone. They hoped that by the time the night was over, they would no longer have to worry about guards,
because if it went the way they were planning, Helena would be dead.

Lizzie and Bobbie heard Luke and Laura enter the house. "I guess it's time for Lucky to wake up," Lizzie said.

"He's going with them?" Bobbie said astonished. "He's in no condition to go anywhere!"

"He made them promise," Lizzie said.

Bobbie shook her head in disbelief, "I'm going to go talk to them. There's no way that his body can handle that."

Lizzie shrugged as Bobbie left the room. She looked tenderly at Lucky for a moment before shaking him gently. "Lucky," she
said softly. "Lucky, your parents are back."

Waking was agony, but he had to. Nikolas needed him. He hadn't been much of a brother to Nikolas , so there was no way
that he was going to let him down this time. He opened his eyes and groaned in pain. He attempted to sit up, but the effort was
excruciating. "Lizzie," he said. "Lizzie, you have to help me sit up."

"Lucky are you sure that this is a good idea?"

"Please!" Lucky said desperately. "Please, Lizzie. I have to. I promised that I would help him. I promised that I would protect
him with everything in my power, that he was a member of my family. I have to go. Please Lizzie." Lizzie felt tears well up in her
eyes at his desperation. She helped him into a sitting position, her tears spilling over at his groan of pain.

"Lucky, you can barely move. How can you help him in the condition that you're in?"

"I have to go Lizzie," Lucky said with determination. "I'm just a little sore, that's all. It'll work itself out."

"Lucky..."

"Really, Lizzie. I'll be okay. Help me stand up. Please!" Lizzie bit her lip and helped him get to his feet. He gave a short cry of
pain, before gritting his teeth and asking, "Can you get me a shirt from the bureau?" Lizzie nodded and went to get him a shirt,
and helped him put it on. "Okay, I'm ready," he said.

"Lucky, can you even make it down the stairs?"

"With your help I can," Lucky said.

"And then what?" Lizzie asked. "What will you do after I help you down the stairs, and someone else helps you to the car?
Can't you see how crazy this is?"

"Lizzie, I have to. Don't you understand?" he said softly, looking into her eyes. "I have to."

Lizzie looked up into his eyes, scared for him, but unable to refuse to help him do something so important to him. "Okay," she
said resignedly. She supported him as they walked out of the room, and down the stairs to meet his parents, who were just
finishing up their argument with Bobbie.

"We promised, Barbara Jean, and that's all there is to it. He's going, unless he decides to stay."

"Not likely," Lizzie said. "Which side of the family is the stubbornness from?"

"It's on both," Luke said. He looked at his son, and was terrified at how close he had come to losing him. He also felt pride. His
son, so obviously in pain, was going after his brother, come hell or high water. Nothing was going to stop him. Luke admired
that, though it scared him to death to put Lucky in danger in the condition he was in. "You okay Cowboy?" he asked.

"Yeah, Dad. I'm ready, let's go."

"We're going to wait here for Sonny and the men."

"Sonny's coming?"

"Yeah, just give him a few minutes. Do you want to sit down?"

"No, I'm fine," Lucky said, not wanting to mention that if he sat down, he probably wouldn't be able to get up again. Luckily
they didn't have to wait long for Sonny to arrive. Sonny entered the house and was shocked at the sight of Lucky. "My god!
Geez, Lucky, we've got to teach you how to win a fight *before* you're beat to a pulp. I hope that the other guy is worse off."

"Well, he probably *looks* prettier, but he won't be walkin' for a while, so I think it was a fair trade off," Lucky said.

Sonny laughed. He had missed this kid. "Well, I guess we should be going, huh?"

"Yeah," Lucky said. He headed for the door, Sonny taking over the position of the helping hand.

"Lucky," Lizzie said. Lucky turned to face her. "Lucky, you have to promise me that you'll be careful. I can't lose you.
Remember that before you do anything stupid." She closed her eyes and took a deep breath. "Please come back from this
alive."

Lucky looked at her and said gently, "I will, Lizzie, because there's no way in the world that I'm going to leave you." He turned
once more and with Sonny's help walked out the door to the car, followed by Luke and Laura.

Lizzie fought back her tears until Lucky was out of sight, and then broke down into sobs. Bobbie went quickly over to her, and
put her arms around her, leading her to the couch. "Shhh," she said. "He'll be okay. Luke, Laura and Sonny won't let anything
happen to him. I promise." 'They better not anyway,' Bobbie thought to herself. 'If they do, they're going to have a couple of
very angry women on their hands.'

*OUTSIDE*

Sonny helped Lucky into the car and was about to get in himself when Luke pulled him aside. "Sonny, I want you to promise
me something. No matter what kind of danger I'm in, no matter what, don't leave his side. I need him to come out of this in one
piece even if I don't. If it gets too bad, get him out of there if you have to knock him over the head in order to do it. Promise
me, cause that little lady in there needs him to come back and I wouldn't be able to live with myself if I came back and he
didn't."

"Nothing will happen to Lucky if I have anything to say about it. I'll protect him, Luke, I promise. I'll focus on that, you focus on
getting his brother back for him."

Luke nodded. Luke was determined that Nikolas would come back, and that he would come back alive and as himself. There
was no acceptable alternative.

*ON THE YACHT*

Nikolas thought desperately, trying to think of some way to get out of this. He couldn't count on anyone coming to get him,
because he had no idea if either of the guards had had time to alert anyone. And Lucky, he couldn't think about Lucky now. He
wished that he could have found some way to save his brother. Luke would hate him for sure now, seeing as how he had gotten
Lucky killed. Even if the guards *had* gotten off calls, could he really count on Luke to come after him, when Lucky was laying
dead somewhere? He had to think of a way out of this. He didn't want to become a puppet that danced to a string held by
Helena Cassadine. He had to get out of this.

He was still trying to think of something when the yacht docked. He made himself a deadweight and so had to be physically
taken off the boat, but it only delayed them so long. He was taken to a waiting car and they drove swiftly to a nearby hospital. It
looked like it hadn't been used in years, from the outside. The inside had been cleaned meticulously.

Nikolas was dragged to a room and was strapped down to an operating table. He lay there struggling in vain until Tony entered
the room. Helena had taken him to another room and showed him the research on the operation that she wanted done, and the
methods that he would have to use to achieve what she wanted. (FYI: this is a fictional operation. There is no such operation, to
my knowledge, but since this is a story based on a soap, I figured I had a little leeway, after all this is the same family that almost
froze the world:-) Tony had then scrubbed up. When he entered the room, he was trying to mentally prepare for the operation.
He couldn't do it, but then he couldn't not do it. There was Lucas to think about. If it were just him... 'shut up,' he told himself
angrily, 'I'd do it to save just my own skin too. If I'm going to do this I should at least be honest with myself about my motives.'
He picked up a hypodermic needle, and filled it with a sedative. "I'm really sorry about this," he said to Nikolas. "I just can't risk
it..."

"I know," Nikolas said. "Lucas." There was nothing more to say. All he could do was watch Tony walk towards him with the
needle. He closed his eyes and prayed for a miracle.

*THE RESCUE PARTY, ON THEIR WAY*

The cars raced towards the old hospital. They were scared that they wouldn't get there in time or that they had been wrong in
their prediction. "Do you think that we were right about this," Laura said as they got closer to the hospital. "I mean, there are so
many places that she could have taken him, do you think that we're right in thinking that it's this one?"

Luke looked at his wife. He could tell that she was scared to death. "Laura, I think that it's the best chance we have. As for
whether or not it's right, well we should have a call that can tell us the answer to that, any minute."

He was right, because not long after that Sonny received a call on his cell phone. Sonny talked for a minute before hanging up
and then told the Spencer's the news. "The yacht docked about fifteen minute's ago. Nikolas was taken from the boat, and put
in a car which took him to the old hospital. It looks like your hunch was right, Laura."

"Thank god," Laura said. "Now if we can only get there in time." They weren't that far from the hospital at this point, so it wasn't
too much longer before they arrived. They got out of the cars, and Jason's men spread out around the hospital and waited for
the signal. The time for the final showdown had come!



Tony paused in his advance on Nikolas, the hand holding the hypodermic needle dropping to his side. He couldn't do this. He
wouldn't do this.

Helena entered the room. "Dr. Jones, is there a problem?"

"I can't do this. I can't mess with this boys brain. I would never be able to live with myself." Nikolas looked up at Tony with
hope, but Helena dashed it just as quickly.

"Would you be able to live with being the reason that your son was killed?"

Tony closed his eyes, trying to think. How could he do this to Nikolas? How could he not? Lucas. Lucas was everything to him
now. He had to do something. He wouldn't be able to live with himself if he did it, and he wouldn't be able to live with himself if
he didn't. He looked around the room, and noticed the guards watching closely. An idea came into his head and he quickly
decided that it was the only thing that he could do. He approached Helena menacingly, knowing that the guards would have to
react.

"What are you doing?" Helena asked. "Don't." Her guards raised their guns, as Tony aimed the needle at Helena. "Don't you
imbecile!" She noticed her guards, "NO, DON'T SHOOT HIM!" She was too late, the guards fired and Tony fell to the floor,
not moving. "OH, YOU IDIOTS!" she screamed. "Now what am I going to do? Neurosurgeons that owe me a favor aren't
exactly a dime a dozen, you know!"

Another guard entered the room in the middle of her tirade. He stood watching Helena, looking like there was something that he
wanted to say, but that he wasn't quite brave enough. She noticed him, and spun to face him head on. "Well?! What is it?"

"There are men surrounding the building, Madame. What would you like us to do?"

"What do I want you to do? How do I manage to hire these cretins." she said half to herself. "KILL THEM, YOU IDIOT!
What do you think I want you to do, invite them in for dinner? You're hired killers! Kill someone!"

The man backed away. Was this woman ever scary! He left the room and ordered the men to fire at will. No prisoners.

*OUTSIDE*

The men were just getting into position when there came a sudden volley of shots from inside. Laura gasped in fear, but then
reassured herself that no matter what, Helena wouldn't allow Nikolas to be killed. Luke felt that the situation inside was
probably getting worse by the second. They had to act now! He gave the signal and the world around them erupted into gunfire
as Jason's men began the siege.

Luke, Laura, Sonny and Lucky waited until Jason's men had the upper hand, before moving cautiously into the old hospital, all
of them carrying guns. They had no idea where they were going so they began systematically checking the rooms. Before long
they came to the one that Nikolas and Helena were in. They could hear the voices within. They knew that there would be at
least two guards in the room so they approached the door with caution. They stood for a minute listening to the conversation
between Nikolas and Helena.

*IN THE ROOM* "What are you going to do now grandmother?" Nikolas said with contempt as two guards undid his bonds.
"There's no way I'm going along with you willingly, and your hopes for getting me under your control were just killed by your
guards. Give up."

"Don't worry, my dear," Helena said. "I'll find someone else willing to preform the surgery." Luke and Laura looked at each
other questioningly. Where was Tony? They didn't have time to think about that right then. Luke motioned for Sonny to keep
Lucky back while he and Laura entered the room. "It's time for us to be going," Helena said to her guards.

"Not so fast Princess," Luke said, pointing a gun at her. "We still have so much to talk about." Laura entered right behind him
and looked around the room. She was shocked to see Tony laying on the ground. He wasn't moving. She then saw Nikolas and
was glad to see that he seemed fine. He was standing between two guards.

"Luke, this is not the time," Helena said. "We simply must be going." She motioned for her guards.

"Where I come from the person holding the gun calls the shots," Luke said. "And I'm tellin' ya that we're going to have a little
talk." Sonny convinced Lucky to stand guard in the hall and entered the room. He was just in time because one of the guards
decided to make his move on Luke.

"I wouldn't do that if I were you," Sonny said aiming his gun at the man. The man hesitated for a second and then froze. He
wasn't dying for this old broad.

"Say your prayers," Luke said leveling his gun at her. Helena cursed to herself. How was she going to get out of this one? She
was standing right next to one of the guards that was on Nikolas. She slipped quickly behind him and pulled her own gun.

"All we want is Nikolas," Laura said. "If you let him come with us, we'll leave you here, and alive. But let me tell you, I'm leaving
here with my son if I have to kill every one of you in order to get him!"

The men looked at each other. They would just as soon hand the boy over. This was not what they had had in mind when they
took this job. If they knew how to do it without getting shot in the back they might have considered it. They were in a no win
situation, unless of course, they didn't give the old witch time to react, and allow these people, whoever they were, to take care
of the problem for them. The guard's communicated silently, (they were able to do this because they often worked together) and
decided to give Helena up. The guard standing in front of Helena winked at Luke and then stepped quickly to one side, leaving
Helena in full view. Laura was the one that fired the shot, however. Helena couldn't believe it. Laura had shot her!? Her gun
dropped to the ground, and she followed close behind it. She smiled softly to herself. "I didn't know you had it in you Lasha."
she said weakly.

"I've waited close to twenty years for this moment, Helena. You've threatened my family for the last time. I refuse to live with
you hanging over my head anymore," Laura said. "It was time."

"You were always below my son, Lasha. If only he hadn't become obsessed with you, I would still have him today instead of, of
that..." She coughed, barely able to speak. "Instead I have Stefan, the funny thing is, that he's...he's not." She turned and looked
at Luke, "Cassadine...So much of our blood on your hands, Luke...It's nice of you, nice of you to let you wife have a turn." She
let out a small laugh, and died with a smile on her lips.

Luke and Laura looked at each other. Helena always surprised them. Laura rushed over and hugged Nikolas while Luke
removed the guards weapons. Sonny went over and checked on Tony who was waking up. "He's still alive." He stood and took
out his cell phone and called an ambulance.

"What happened to him?" Laura asked.

"He didn't want to do it, even though she threatened Lucas. He threatened her and one of her guards shot him." Nikolas said,
walking over to kneel down by Tony, who was conscious. "Why did you do it Dr. Jones? Why?"

"What life do I have anyway? Lucas is all I have left. I could never get anything back into my life if I hurt you, and Lucas would
die if I didn't. I didn't like Helena's choices so I made my own. You'll live, Lucas will live, and no one will miss me. It's the way
it had to be." Tony closed his eyes and drew his final breath.

Nikolas would never forget his actions. He stood up and stared down at Tony, unable to believe that he was dead. So many
people had died because of Helena. He heard a voice from behind him. "Hey Nik."

He spun around unable to believe it. "Lucky!? I thought you were dead!" He pulled his brother into a hug. He looked like hell,
but he was alive, and that was all that mattered. They hadn't been close, but the hug felt right. How could you carry on a grudge
with someone that had risked their life for you? Laura watched her sons embrace with a look of contentment on her face.

"Naw," Lucky said, pulling back, a little embarrassed. "I only took a hit to the arm. I didn't want to give 'em another chance
though, not with so many of them around, so I waited. I had to fight the guy for a while before I could get a hold of the gun."

"Did you, ah?"

"Naw, just shot him in the knees. That way he wouldn't bother me, and I didn't have to kill him to accomplish it." Nikolas
nodded "But the other ones, in the cabin," Lucky said slowly.

Lucky didn't have to say anything more. Nikolas knew what he was talking about. He nodded, "Yeah, I kinda figured." They
looked at each other unsure of what else to say.

One of Jason's men entered the room and told them that all of Helena's men had been rounded up. They left, keeping their
promise to the men in the room. They let them go, with no intention of going after them. Luke stayed behind to smooth things
over with the authorities, but Sonny and Jason's men had to get out of there. Nikolas, Laura and Lucky just wanted to go home.
It was finally over, Helena was dead. It was time to go home.

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