“Reginald!”  Edward yelled.  No answer came, and he threw his arms
up in the air as he got up out of his chair. “What use is it to have a
butler if I still have to answer the door myself?”  He asked aloud.  He
snorted when he saw Lucky and Nikolas on the front steps.  “What do you
rapscallions want?” He growled.  Nikolas stepped back a little, but
Lucky swaggered in confidently.  “We’re here to pick up Emily and Liz,
Edward.”
Edward frowned at them.  “What those two sweet girls would want with you
two is beyond me.”  “Grandfather!”  Emily yelled, as she and Liz
descended the steps.  “Butt out!”  “Oh, come on, my dear, I’m just
looking out for you.” He replied.
Lucky stepped forward, and slapped Edward on the back.  “I promise you
that Niky and I will not let any harm come to Emily or Liz.”
Edward glared at Lucky, but kissed Emily on the cheek and bid her
farewell.  As soon as the teens were out the door, he allowed himself a
small smile.

Spencer House
Laura answered the door to find a rather frantic looking Alexis and
Stefan on the steps.  “Is something wrong?” She asked hurriedly.  “Come
on in and sit down and tell us.”  Luke looked up from his chair, and was
immediately as concerned as his wife.  “You’ve found something out,
haven’t you?”  he asked.  “What is it?”
Stefan took a deep breath.  “Well,” he said, “we went through some old
records that I kept of when Helena tried to see Nikolas.  It seems she
was very persistent around the time that Lucky was taken.”   Realization
dawned on Luke quickly.  “So Helena also wanted Nikolas?”  Stefan
nodded.  They both looked up as someone at the door knocked, and Jason
entered.
“Are the boys here?” he asked.  Laura shook her head.  “No, they went to
the movies with Liz and Emily.  Why?”  Jason shook his head.  “We need
to get them back here.  Daniel’s planning something.  We’ve seen him and
Helena move stuff, like their planning a trip.  And Helena made sure her
jet is ready, only she told the pilot to expect two other passengers
along with them.”  Luke barely waited for Jason to finish, before he was
out the door, Stefan following close behind.

Outside of Movie Theater
The four teens came out of the theater, still laughing and joking.
Lucky walked over to a trashcan to throw away their empty popcorn tubs
and cups.  A black car pulled up beside him, but he thought nothing of
it and turned to walk away.  He and the rest of the teens looked up
surprised when Stefan, Luke, and Jason showed up at the other end of the
parking lot.  Lucky frowned.  They were shouting at him, but he couldn’t
hear from this far away.  Turning around, he saw two big men dressed in
black coming towards him.  He tried to run when they each grabbed one of
his arms.  Looking up, he saw two others going after Nikolas.  Stefan
and a few of Jason’s men were taking care of them, though.  As he
struggled, he saw Luke and Jason running to him, and tried to stay out
of the car long enough for them to reach him.  Kicking with all his
might, he had almost broke free, when he felt a sharp pain in his head,
and blacked out.
 

Spencer House
Alexis and Laura waited anxiously by the door.  When it opened they both
relaxed a little as they saw Nikolas, with the girls behind him.  “Oh,
Nikolas!”  Laura cried, as she hugged him.  “I was so afraid they had
gotten you.  Where’s you brother?”  she asked.  When no response came
from him or anyone else.  She nearly dropped to the ground.  “No!” she
screamed.  “Tell me they don’t have him again.”  Nikolas put an arm on
Laura’s shoulder, and talked to her gently.  “They didn’t get him again.
They tried, but Luke and Jason got there in time to stop them.”  Laura
didn’t calm down too much.  “Where is he, then?”  She looked up in
fright as she saw Luke entering the house, with Lucky in his arms.
“Luke, is he all right?”  She asked.  “I think he’ll be fine, darling,
but he got a nasty bump on his head.” Luke replied, as he laid Lucky
down on the couch.  Even though he reassured Laura, he was still pretty
worried about his son.  He should have woken up by now.  “Laura,
sweetie, go get me a cold rag, and an ice pack, okay?”  Laura just
nodded, and ran into the kitchen.
“Luke, is he really okay?”  Jason asked.  “I’m not certain.”  Luke
replied.  “But we can’t take him to the hospital, there’s too much risk
of Helena and Daniel getting him.”  Laura came back in, and held the ice
pack to the bump on her son’s head, as Luke wiped his forehead.  “Come
on, cowboy.”  He said softly.  “Wake up now.”

Lucky found himself in a dark place.  He couldn’t remember.  His head
hurt.  Two men trying to drag him into a car flashed before his eyes.
Not again.  They couldn’t have gotten him again.  There was no way he
could live through that again.  Then he heard voices.  They were voices
he knew.   They were his parents.  They had saved him this time.
Slowly, he opened his eyes.

“Dad?” He asked hoarsely.  “Yeah, yeah it’s me.”  Luke said happily.
“How are you feeling?”  Lucky came to a little more, and saw all the
people standing around him anxiously.  He tried to sit up, but soon
realized that was a mistake.  “My head hurts.” He groaned.  Everyone
laughed, relieving the tension they all felt.  “Well, you got a nasty
bump up there, but I think you’ll live.”  Laura said.  “Do you remember
what happened?”  Lucky nodded carefully.  “Yeah, some men came after me,
and tried to get me in the car.  I tried to get away, but…” Lucky cut
off, and Luke squeezed his hand.  “But it had a different ending this
time.  They didn’t get you.”  Lucky smiled.  “Nope, they didn’t.  You
got me away from them.”  Luke smiled back, and noticed Lucky looked
pretty tired.  “Why don’t you get some sleep, okay?”  Lucky nodded, and
was out in seconds.

Luke got up and turned to everyone else.  “Okay, we got our sons back
for the night, but Helena is going to keep trying.  We need to get out
of this town, and fast.  And that means all of us in this room.”  Luke
said, as he turned to the girls. “I’m sorry, but Helena know you two are
close to us, so you’ll be at risk.”  He then turned to Stefan.  “I hate
this, but you’ll all have to come too.  Helena obviously knew Nik and
Lucky were together tonight.”  Stefan nodded in agreement.  “Jason,”
Luke continued, “I know you can take care of yourself, but we could sure
use you.”  Jason nodded.  “I’ll be there.”
“All right, Luke, so when do we leave?”  Alexis asked.
“Tonight.”

Chapter 19

     Waking up, Lucky looked around him a little confused.  He was in a
strange room that he didn’t recognize, by himself, not knowing why he
was there.  So why did it all seem so familiar to him?  Because it’s
just like old times, his mind screamed.  This was a somewhat comforting
thought.  So many times before, he and his family had been in trouble
one night, only to wake up in a new unfamiliar place, safe.  He missed
that about his old life.  No longer could he just run to some place new
and have all his troubles vanish behind him.  He realized what must have
happened.  After Helena had gone after him, his father had moved them.
It was serious now.
 
Getting up, he got dressed and walked out into the hallway.  He was in
some strange old house.  He walked down the stairs, and found everyone
in the living room.  Everyone was right, he thought to himself, even the
Cassadines were there.

“Hey, what’s going on?”  He asked, as he walked over and took a seat
next to Nikolas.
“We’re just doing a little planning.”  Luke answered him.  “We need to
keep moving, make sure Helena doesn’t follow us, before we figure up
what she’s up to and beat her at her own game.”
Lucky leaned back.  His head still hurt a little, but he tried to ignore
it.  “Where are we?”   “In Kansas, where no one will find us.”
“Awful close to Colorado, aren’t we?”  Lucky asked.  Luke nodded.
“Yeah, but I wanted to be close so if Helena tries to get you and
Nikolas there, we won’t be far behind.”  “So she’s after Nikolas too,
huh?”  Stefan answered him this time.  “Yes, she tried to grab him the
other night in the parking lot too.  And it would appear that she was
trying to get him to Polk the same time she had you.”
“So what we do now is wait for my men to report on where Daniel and
Helena are.  They packed up and left last night, too.”  Jason said.
“Why don’t we just stay here, then?”  Lucky asked.  “Helena isn’t
stupid, she’s not going to let things slip.  The only way to figure out
what she wants, is to let her think she has it.”  Nikolas looked at him
curiously.  “What are you suggesting, Lucky?”
Lucky nervously leaned forward, and glanced up at his father.  He wasn’t
going to like this.  “Let Helena get me and Nikolas.”
Luke held back his anger the best he could.  “No way.  I’m not letting
that old bat near you again.”  Laura looked at Lucky sadly.  “Your
father is right, honey.  It would be to dangerous.”
Alexis watched them all closely.  She understood Luke and Laura.  They
just wanted to keep their son safe.  But she understood Lucky, too.  He
wanted this ordeal to be over.  He wanted to bring down Helena, and face
Daniel himself.  No, she decided, he didn’t want that.  He needed it.
“Lucky, we’ll figure something out.  Why don’t we all spend the rest of
the day not worrying about this, okay?”  Stefan asked.  Everyone else
agreed.  Luke and Laura went out for a walk, Liz and Emily went upstairs
with Jason to let their families know they were all right.  Stefan left
to see if he could find out anything else about Helena on his computer.
This just left Nikolas, Lucky, and Alexis in the room.
“You weren’t actually serious about letting Helena get you again, were
you?”  Nikolas asked his brother.  Lucky nodded, and didn’t look up.
“Why would you want to do that?”
Alexis spoke up for him.  “Because he needs to.”  She said.  Both boys
looked at her surprised.  “Don’t tell me you actually agree with him.”
Nikolas said.  “I know it’s dangerous, and probably crazy.”  Alexis
said.  “But Lucky is right.  There is no other way to find out what
Helena’s up to.  And he has to face her and Daniel.  I know what it’s
like to have someone dangling your life over your head.  Helena has
threatened me for months just for who I am.  I understand what its like,
Lucky.  You have to take your life back, and that’s something you need
to do on your own.”
Lucky looked at her and smiled.  “Your good at hitting the nail on the
head.”  He said.  “So will you talk to mom and dad about it?”  “Sure, I
don’t know if I can convince them, but I’ll try my hardest.” She
replied.
Nikolas looked at both of them and shook his head.  “I don’t believe
either one of you.  Your both crazy.”  Lucky looked at him, but ignored
what he said.  “I’m doing this.  You don’t have to come too, though.  I
can do this alone.  I’m not going to force you to do this if you aren’t
comfortable with it.”  Nikolas studied his brother, and realized he
couldn’t talk him out of it.  “All right.  I’ll go along with you.  If
you’re crazy enough to go through with this, someone is going to have to
go with you and keep an eye on you.”

Outside the House
“Are you completely crazy Alexis?”  Stefan shouted.  “You actually want
to send those to two boys into Helena’s hands?”
“I don’t want this to be a habit or anything, but I agree with the
Count.”  Luke said.  “You’ve lost your mind, ‘Tash dear.”
Alexis sighed.  This was going to be even harder than she thought.  She
turned to Laura.  “I know this idea worries you, but you have to see
that Lucky needs to do this.  And it wouldn’t be like we wouldn’t know
where he was.  We’ll take precautions.  Lucky and Nikolas will both have
tracking devices and bugs on them, and Jason’s men will tale them.”
Laura shook her head.  “No.  I’m not going to risk my son’s lives.  I
thought the whole point of this was to save them from Helena, not hand
them to her.”
Luke walked over and put his arms around her shoulders.  “Your right,
darling.  We are doing this to protect them.”
“Stefan?”  Alexis asked.  “Please, you must see how this could be vital
to saving them in the end.”
Stefan crossed his arms.  “I’m sorry, Alexis, I won’t put Nikolas at
risk.”
Alexis took one last deep breath, and pulled her last card out.  “So
what’s the alternative?”  She asked.  “To just keep moving, hoping
Helena doesn’t find us?” She turned to Luke and Laura.  “You want to put
your son back on the run?  Don’t you think he deserves a life where he’s
not always worried about being separated from the people he loves, or
worse?  You’ve already left your daughter with Bobbie.  Its not enough
to just stay alive, don’t you see that?  Both of these boys need their
family, their entire family.  And they deserve to live a life with them
in peace.”  Alexis looked at all three of them, and continued.
“Sometimes to get you kids’ nightmares to go away, you have to let them
face the monster themselves.”
Stefan and Luke and Laura looked at each other, and knew she was right.
“All right.” Laura said.  “ I don’t like this one bit, and I want Lucky
and Nikolas to be as safe as we can make them in Helena’s grasp.  But if
my boys really need to do this, I won’t stop them.”

Chapter 20

     “Helena is about two towns away, but could be here in a second if
she wanted.”  Jason said.  “Tomorrow night would be a good time to, uh,
set the bait, I guess.”  He looked up at Lucky and Nikolas.  “If you
want to rethink this, I’d speak up now.”
“No, I’m ready.”  Lucky said.  Nikolas sighed.  “I’m ready too, then.”
He said.
“All right.  Then tomorrow, you two will go out around town, like you’re
just shopping or hanging out or something.  Well have guards on you so
Helena won’t think it’s to easy, but they won’t be able to stop her from
getting you.  Now, she shouldn’t think this is a set up, so I don’t
expect her to search you two for bugs or tracking devices.  If she does,
though, we have a back up.  Nikolas, we’ve installed both in your
medallion.  She wouldn’t take that away from you.”
Stefan picked up from there.  “All you’re there to do is to figure out
why she needs to get you to Polk, where the Ice Princess is.  After
that, we’ll come after you, and if all goes well, this should all be
over.”
Laura cleared her throat.  “Since this will be our last night all
together for awhile, then, the girls and I decided to make a party of
it.”  She left the room, and came back with Liz and Emily, their arms
full of food and movies.  “Luke, help me move the furniture.”  Luke
looked at her questionably, but helped her.  Once the room was cleared,
Laura spread sleeping bags and blankets and pillows all over the floor,
and put all the chips and junk food in the middle.  “Exactly what kind
of party is this?”  Jason asked.
Emily looked at him as if he had three eyes.  “It’s a slumber party,
silly.”
“Slumber party?”  Stefan asked.  “I must say I’m as confused about this
as Mr. Morgan.”  “I believe its an American custom where kids invite
their friends over, and they all sleep on the floor, uncle.”  Nikolas
said.
“Doesn’t seem to me that it would be much of a party if you had to sleep
on a hard floor all night.”  Jason said.
“People rarely get any sleep.”  Liz spoke up. “They normally stay awake
all night talking or watching movies.”
Stefan looked at her dumbfounded.  “Why in the world do they call it a
slumber party then, if no one ever sleeps?”
“Why don’t you just learn as we go along, okay Stefan?”  Alexis asked,
barely containing her smile.  “We need pajamas, though, right?”
“Yes.”  Laura said.  “I took the liberty of going shopping this morning
while most of you were asleep.  I think I guessed the sizes pretty
well.”  She opened a bag and handed flannel pants with matching shirts
to everyone.
Stefan stared at the clothes Laura gave him, then back to her.  “You
expect me to wear this ridiculous outfit?”
Luke chuckled, thoroughly enjoying this as much as he could.  “Afraid
you might look more human out of you dark suits?”
Stefan glared at Luke, and walked away to go change in his room.  Luke
laughed even harder when he reappeared, looking more than a little
uncomfortable.  “Well it’s not like you look any better.”  He said.
Everyone else came back from changing, and Luke’s laughter caught on.
Stefan did look rather funny wearing color, after seeing him wear only
black for so long.  Eventually Stefan started laughing too, after seeing
how happy Nikolas looked right then.  The good mood of the room was
contagious.
Everyone sat down eventually, and spread the food around.
“So what do we do first?” Alexis asked.  “I attended a few of these in
college, but it’s been awhile.”
“Well, we could watch a movie, or start on the other slumber party
rituals.” Emily said.  “What rituals would those be?” Nikolas asked.
“The first would have to be the makeovers.”  Liz replied.
Lucky groaned from his spot next to her.  “No way.  That’s only a ritual
at girls’ slumber parties.  We’re not doing that here.”
“Oh, come one, it’ll be fun.” Liz coaxed.  “Emily, let’s put everyone’s
name in a bowl.  The first person picked will do the makeover.  The
second will be the makeover-ee.”  While the girls were doing that, Laura
and Alexis went and got every piece of make-up they had with them.  “Are
we ready?”  Laura asked.  Liz nodded, as she pulled the first name from
the bowl.  “And the person who will do the makeover, is……. Stefan!”
Nikolas looked at her amused.  “You put the guys’ names in there too?”
“Of course.  Everyone here must be included in the rituals.  It’s a
rule.” Emily said matter of factly.  “And now for the makeover-ee.
Dun-dun-dun-dun…… Luke!”
Everyone in the room except for Stefan and Luke broke out in giggles.
“No way!”  Luke shouted.  “First of all, I ain’t wearing make-up, and
second of all, I’m not letting the Count apply it!”
Stefan grinned, seeing how he could enjoy this now.  “Come on, Spencer,
it’s one of the rules that you have to go along with the ritual, right
Miss Webber and Miss Quartermaine?”
Liz and Emily nodded, laughing to hard to reply.  Stefan joyfully picked
up some blush, and brushed it heavily onto Luke’s cheeks.  Five minutes
later, he was done, and Luke looked absolutely ridiculous.  Stefan had
never put make-up on anyone before, and it didn't help that he had been
laughing the whole time.  The whole room was in hysterics, and Luke got
up and ran to a mirror.
“Gee, Count, you didn’t have to make me look like I should be standing
on a street corner!”  He complained, as he walked into the bathroom to
wash his face.  When the door was closed, he looked at himself in the
mirror again, and chuckled to himself.  He was pretty funny looking.
When he came out, everyone was settling down to watch a movie.
“Get all your make-up off, Luke-trina?”  Lucky teased.  Luke picked up a
chip with dip on it and smeared it down Lucky’s face.  “Hey now, new
rule!”  Lucky shouted.  “You can’t be bitter if someone teases you.”
Laura laughed and tossed a napkin to Lucky.
“No food fights, boys.”  She said.  “Too hard to clean up.”
“Aww, but isn’t it a ritual darlin’?”  Luke asked.
“Yes, but your forgetting a rule.  Whatever mothers at slumber parties
say is automatically a rule.”
Jason laughed from where he sat.  “It seems to me the main purpose of a
slumber party is to embarrass people, and make the rest up as you go.”
Emily smiled.  “You’re starting to get it now.”
“So what movie are we watching?” Luke asked.
“Scream.”  Liz said.
“Scream?”  Luke repeated.
“Another ritual.”  Lucky responded.  “You always have to watch a scary
movie.”
Towards the end of the movie, Alexis looked over to Stefan to see if he
was enjoying it.  She grinned broadly as she saw him staring straight at
the screen with his eyes wide.  Looking over, she caught Jason’s eye,
and silently communicated with him.  Jason picked a duster from behind
the couch.  He slowly and carefully moved it over and behind Stefan’s
neck.  Everyone else in the room saw what was going on now, and watched
in interest.  Jason moved the duster closer, and brushed it by his ear.
Stefan screamed and threw the bowl of popcorn he was holding.  He looked
around frantically, covered in popcorn.  For the zillionth time that
night, everyone cracked up.
“You know, Count, we should have come to a truce a long time ago.”  Luke
sputtered as he tried to catch his breath.  “You sure are good for a
laugh!”
Laura looked at her watch, and quieted everyone down.  “Okay, it’s late
now, I think we should all get some sleep.”
Liz, Emily, Lucky, and Nikolas all groaned.  “But no one sleeps at a
slumber party, remember?”  Nikolas whined.
“And what the mother says goes, too, remember?”  Laura replied smiling.
“But wait, we’re forgetting one of the most important rituals.”  Luke
cried.
Laura turned to him smiling.  “You know one of the rituals?”  She asked.
“Of course,” he said,  “the pillow fight!”  With that said, Luke picked
up his pillow and knocked Jason in the back of the head.  Soon, everyone
was hitting everyone else, and trying to duck from oncoming throws.
Once they all were exhausted, they got ready to go to sleep.  Alexis,
Laura, Liz, and Emily gathered into a circle, and were soon giggling and
whispering.
“Hey!”  Jason yelled.  “Don’t tell me girl talk all night is part of a
slumber party.” He said.
Lucky laughed as he rolled over.  “Yep, it’s the whole reason no one
gets any sleep.”
“So it’s like living on a farm, huh?”  Nikolas asked.  “You have to
listen to chickens cackling all night.”
The guys laughed, ignoring the yells from the girls.
“All right, we get the hint.”  Alexis said.  “We’ll be quiet now.”
“Thank you!”  All the guys said together.  Two seconds later, the girls
were laughing again.
Stefan said, and turned toward Luke.  “Well, Spencer, looks like this is
going to be a long night.”

Chapter 21

     The next morning, Luke walked sleepily over everyone into the
kitchen, to find Laura making breakfast.  He walked over and put his
arms around her.  She grabbed his hands and sighed.  “You’re worried,
aren’t you?”  He asked.  “How can I not be?”  She returned.  “What if
something terrible happens?”  Luke turned Laura around to face her.
“Sweetie, I know this is hard.  Probably the hardest thing we’ll ever
have to do.  We’re sending our son..”  Luke paused and gave Laura a
small smile.  “Our son and your other son, my step-son, whatever, both
of our sons.”  Laura smiled back at Luke as he continued.  “We’re
sending both of our sons out to meet the devil.  But we have got to have
confidence in them that they will survive it.  And I think they can.
Those boys have been through a lot, and they’re strong.  I think just
the fact that they want to do this is proof that they can make it
through it.”
Stefan cleared his throat from the doorway.  “Well, Spencer, you
certainly are optimistic.  I can almost believe you myself.  Let’s just
all hope believing hard enough will make things happen.”

    Later that day, around nightfall, Nikolas pulled the car up in front
of a small mall.  He looked over at Lucky, who was staring straight
ahead.  “Lucky, are you sure you want to do this?  We can still back out
of it.”  Lucky looked over at him and shook his head.  “No, I’m not
going to keep running from Helena.  I want a peaceful life with my
family, and I’m going to have it.”  Nikolas smiled at him, and they got
out of the car.  Two bodyguards from Jason got out of the back and
followed them.  Lucky stepped a little closer to Nikolas.  He knew how
to pick enemies out of a crowd, and could already feel Helena’s men
watching them.  He made no visible sign of it, though.  Straightening
his head, he walked with Nikolas into the mall like a normal teenager.
They checked out a few stores, got some pizza, and just hung out until a
couple of hours had passed.    It wasn’t as nerve wracking as the boys
thought it would be, though.  They actually did have a good time.  Maybe
it was because they hadn’t had much of a chance to spend time with each
other before.  Lucky checked his watch, and sighed.  He turned to
Nikolas.  “Well, it’s nearly 9:30.  We better get going.  Mom wanted us
home by ten.”
Nikolas nodded, and they walked toward the exit.  “Hey Frankie.”  He
said to one of the bodyguards.  “Would you go get me some skittles out
of that vending machine?  I really never did get how to work those
things.”
“Sure kid.”  Frankie replied as Nikolas handed him some money.  They
continued walking to the car, when they heard Frankie pounding on the
machine.
“Got a problem, Frankie?”  The other guard asked.
“Yeah, the stupid skittles got stuck, and their just dangling there, not
falling off.”  He replied.  “I can get them out if I tip the machine,
though.  Could you give me a hand, Jim?”  Nikolas and Lucky shook their
heads and laughed as Jim went to help Frankie.
“We’ll wait in the car.”  Nikolas said.
Nearly as soon as Nikolas finished his sentence, Lucky could feel them
being closed in on.  In his mind he silently fought to stay calm.  This
needed to be played out like it wasn’t expected.  He turned around when
he heard footsteps behind him, and let shock fall over his face.
“Nikolas, run!”  He shouted.  They didn’t get far before they were both
tackled to the ground.  Both of them fought, but eventually they had
their hands tied and were being dragged toward a van.  Frankie and Jim
shot at the attackers, but missed.  Nikolas and Lucky were shoved into
the back of the van, and the doors shut and locked behind them.  They
heard people getting into the front, and the wheels screeching as they
pulled out of the parking lot.  Nikolas and Lucky looked up at each
other and locked eyes.  They couldn’t back out of this now.  Nikolas sat
up and grabbed Lucky’s hand and gave him a reassuring smile.

About an hour later, the van came to a stop.  Lucky tried his best to
prepare himself and stay calm, but he couldn’t keep the panic out of his
eyes.  The doors opened, and the same thugs that had grabbed them in the
parking lot pulled them out.  The boys looked up and saw a rather
intimidating two story Victorian house looming over them.  Figures,
Lucky thought.  Victorian house were normally cheery and inviting, but
Helena had managed to make this one about as warm as the Bates Motel.
Soon, the door to the house opened by yet another thug, and the boys
were pushed inside.  A quick glance proved the inside of the house to be
the same as the outside.  A dark spiral staircase wrapped around the
room, and at the top stood Helena Cassadine.
“It’s so nice of you boys to come see me?”  She said with a wicked grin.
Nikolas and Lucky glared back at her.  “It wasn’t like we had much of a
choice, grandmother.”  Nikolas said.
“Now now, dear Nikolas.”  Helena said as she descended the stairs.
“Don’t call me grandmother when you obviously don’t mean it.  I want
your love for me to be true.”  Nikolas glared at her.  “Then you’ll be
waiting for eternity.”  He replied.
Helena clicked her tongue at him.  “I never expected such an insult from
you.  I see you have been hanging around young Spencer.”  She turned to
Lucky, and brought her hand up to his face.  “You look troubled, Lucky.”
She said sweetly.  “I know you’ve been going through some things from
the past.  I hope you don’t hold any of it against me.”  Lucky grabbed
her hand and took it away from his face.  He was about to give a snide
remark, when he stopped himself.  There was something in her eyes that
almost let him believe he was truly sorry.  He didn’t have much time to
focus on that, though.  Nikolas spoke up beside him.  “Are you going to
tell us what this is all about?”  He asked.
Helena looked at him, and returned to her usual self.  “Why must you be
so suspicious of me, Nikolas?”  She only got a cold stare in return, so
she continued.  “Ari, please show in our other guest.”  Ari disappeared,
and showed up a few moments later.  “He will be just a few moments,
madam.”  Helena nodded at him.  Nikolas sighed, and shifted impatiently.
He turned to Lucky to say something, but stopped when he saw him.  His
brother was standing there white as a ghost, staring straight ahead.  He
followed his gaze.  Standing in a doorway smiling at Lucky, was Daniel
Forst.

Chapter 22

     Slowly and purposefully, Daniel Forst walked straight across the
room to stand in front of Lucky.  Nikolas took a step forward to move
him away, but a guard appeared from behind him, and held him back.  He
looked anxiously at his brother, whose expression was blank.  In Lucky’s
head, he was trying desperately to get himself to step back or run or
anything.  But he couldn’t move.
“I believe we met the other night when your uncle was kind enough to
take me and Helena out to dinner.”  Frost said, surprising both of them.
He was talking to Nikolas, but never took his eyes off of Lucky.
Nikolas merely nodded, and managed to say yes.
“And you, Lucky, we certainly know each other.  It’s been a long time,
hasn’t it?”
Daniel extended his hand to Lucky, who didn’t seem to even notice.  “Now
where are your manners?”  Daniel asked.  Helena watched a little
nervously.  She was about to speak up when Lucky’s voice startled her.
“Yes, it has been a long time.”  He said.  “But not long enough.”
Daniel eyed him with amusement.  “At least we know you can still speak.
I was starting to worry that seeing me again had shook you up a little.
Nine years apart is a little too long for friends, don’t you think?”
Lucky stood up a little straighter and looked Daniel in the eyes.  “You
know damn well that we were never friends.  And don’t think you could
ever ‘shake me up’.  You’re not worth it.”
Nikolas smiled at his brother.  They would get through this, no matter
how much Daniel tried to break them.
“That was a mistake, son.”  Daniel said angrily.  “No one insults me and
gets away with it.”  With that said, he lifted his hand and smacked
Lucky across the face.  Nikolas squirmed to get out of the guard’s
grasp, but couldn’t.  Helena took a step back, and watched.  She was
angry at Daniel, but afraid to do anything about it.  Lucky looked up at
Daniel, who was obviously looking for a cry or an apology out of him.
But Lucky only smiled at him.  “You’re losing your touch, Mr. Forst.”
Daniel glared at him.  He motioned to the guard holding Nikolas, and
another one that came up behind Lucky.  “Take them to their room.”  The
guards nodded, and led the boys up the stairs.  Daniel stalked out of
the room.  Helena stood at the bottom of the stairs, watching Nikolas
and Lucky until they were out of their sight.  She then allowed herself
a smile.  Try as he might, she knew Daniel couldn’t break Lucky’s spirit
again.

The boys surveyed the room that was to be theirs.  It was dark and
gloomy, just like the rest of the house.  It smelled musty, too, like it
hadn't been used in years.  It was rather large, with a bed at either
end.  The door closed and locked behind them.  Lucky walked over to one
of the beds and collapsed upon it, sighing in relief.  Nikolas came over
and sat down next to him.  He felt so proud of him.  Lucky opened his
eyes and looked up at his big brother, and smiled.
“Well, I don’t think I made any friends down there.”  He said.
Nikolas grinned back.  “You mean you were trying to?”
“Nope.” Lucky said.  He closed his eyes again.  “Man, that was great.”
“Yeah, but are you okay?”  Nikolas asked a little worried.  “Daniel hit
you pretty hard.”
Lucky rubbed his cheek.  “Yeah, but that’s part of the reason that was
so great.  I didn’t let it get to me.”  He paused, and looked at Nikolas
neck to make sure his medallion was still there.  “Do you think Mom and
Dad heard all that?”
Nikolas picked up the medallion and looked at it.  “I’m sure they did.”
Lucky gave a small smile, and spoke softly.  “Then I want them to know
we’re both okay.”

Luke and Laura smiled from where they sat around the table in the
kitchen.  Stefan sat down next to them.  “Well, it seems to be going all
right.”
Luke slapped Stefan on the back.  “It sure does, Count.  Though I’d like
to kill Frost right now.  I can’t believe I let him lay a hand on my son
again.”
Laura squeezed Luke’s hand.  “It’s all right, though, Luke.  Lucky
handled it.  And I don’t think Daniel will continue to hit him.  He
wanted to make Lucky afraid of him, but that didn’t happen.  Hitting him
only gave Lucky more courage.  And Daniel seems to be the kind that
doesn’t like anyone standing up to him.”
Luke nodded.  “You’re right, darlin’.  I just hope now that the rest of
this goes as well.”

Chapter 23

     Nikolas woke up first the next morning.  At least, he though it was
morning.  The dark, heavy curtains on the windows made it impossible for
any light to get in.  He got out of his bed, and walked across the room
to Lucky’s.  He was still asleep.  Nikolas looked in anger as he turned
over.  There was a dark bruise on his cheek where Daniel had hit him.
He swore that man would pay one of these days.  He couldn’t get away
with this.  He sat down in a chair next to the bed, and picked up the
medallion from around his neck.
“I don’t know who all is there right now, but I assume you are all on
shifts, so at least one person is listening to this.”  Nikolas said.
Back in the cabin, Stefan looked up sleepily and smiled at Nikolas’
voice.
“It’s too bad this listening device isn’t two ways.  Oh well.”  He
continued.  “I want you all to know that we have to make Daniel pay.  He
doesn’t deserve to live.  I know you heard everything last night, but
you didn’t see it.  The man is so smug.  It showed in his eyes that he
enjoyed taunting Lucky about the past.  Lucky handled that all great,
though.  He really stood up to him.  He’s asleep right now, but I can
see him.  There’s a bad bruise on his face from where Daniel hit him.”
Stefan was grateful that Luke and Laura were asleep just then, and
weren’t hearing about this.  He was mad enough at Daniel, but Luke would
have gone ballistic.
“Uncle, if you’re there, there is something I need to tell you.”
Nikolas said.  “I know you’re probably not having to good a time staying
with the Spencers.  But please try to get along.  I realize now that
they aren’t the enemy.  They never were.  Helena is the enemy.  We all
let her make this vendetta between our families.  But there is no need
for it.  But together we can destroy her, and be the combined family we
are supposed to be.”
Nikolas wondered if he was making any sense.  He had the feeling that he
wasn’t quite awake and was just rambling.
“Look.”  Nikolas said.  “I don’t know if I made any sense.  But just
know that Lucky and I need you all to be one family.  We can’t and won’t
live separated anymore.  Uncle, if you’re there, I love you, and don’t
worry too much.  We’re going to be all right.”
Stefan picked up his own medallion from around his neck, and squeezed
it.  “Yes, my son,” He whispered, “Everything will be all right.

Back in Nikolas’ and Lucky’s room, there was a knock on the door, and
Ari entered.  Nikolas glared at him.  “What do you want?”  He asked.
“I’m to inform you that you and young Spencer are to get dressed and be
down for breakfast in half an hour.”  Ari said.  “You will both find
clothes in the closet.”  Ari left then, and Nikolas shook Lucky, who
just mumbled in return.
“Lucky, come on, wake up.”  He said.  Lucky rolled over and buried his
head in the pillow.  “Lucky, get up.”  Nikolas persisted, raising his
voice a little.  With a little more shaking, Lucky finally sat up in
bed.  His hair was standing straight up, and he looked very disoriented.
“What do you want?”  Lucky groaned.  Nikolas sighed.  “We have to get
dressed and go down to breakfast in half and hour.”  He said.  “You
really aren’t a morning person, are you?”
Lucky ignored him, and went to get out of bed.  He stepped on the edge
of the covers, and fell to the floor.  Nikolas shook his head.  “And
they accuse my family of dreading the daylight.”

Downstairs, the boys found a dining room with the table set.  “This is
kind of extravagant for breakfast, isn’t it?”  Lucky asked.  Nikolas
shook his head.  “Leave it to my grandmother to overdue things.”
Helena walked in then, and motioned for them to sit down.  They sat as
far away from her as they could.  Daniel walked in and sat next to
Helena.  They waited until the meal was halfway over before starting
conversation.  Daniel took his time to speak, looking at both boys, and
settling on Lucky.  “I suppose both of you are wondering right now why
we have invited you here.”  He said smiling.  He chuckled at the looks
he got back.  “Okay, I guess invite is the wrong word.  Kidnap is a bit
extreme, though, don’t you think?  Let’s just settle on brought.”  He
wiped his hands on his napkin, and folded them in front of him on the
table.  “We have brought you here, because there is something of
importance that we, Helena and I that is, want, that we need your help
to get.”
“What makes you think that we would even consider helping you.”  Nikolas
asked.
Daniel stabbed his last piece of scrambled egg with his knife, and
slowly pulled it off with his mouth.  He chewed carefully and
deliberately, and then smiled again.  “I think you’ll help,” He began,
“Because your lives will depend upon it.”
Lucky remained silent and watched Daniel and Helena intently.  Daniel
was the devil, that could be seen in a glance.  But he couldn’t figure
out Helena.  She was different from what he remembered when he worked
for her.  He didn’t trust her or like her of course, he never would, but
he decided she was definitely the lesser of two evils.  And she had been
quiet this whole time, letting Daniel do the talking.  That was not like
her at all.  If there was an evil plan brewing, Helena would always be
the first to rub it in the victim’s face.  Lucky shook himself out of
his thoughts when Daniel began talking again.
“I assume you both know of the Ice Princess, correct?”  He asked.  Lucky
and Nikolas nodded.  Back at the cabin, everyone crowded close to the
table, and listened intently.
“It disappeared after Mikos’ freeze plan went bad.  Or so everyone
thought.  The Cassadines, the intelligent ones, anyway, knew the truth.
Stavros was not all there, that was always obvious.  When he wanted
something, he would stop at nothing to get it.  Not only that, he would
also make sure no one else could get it before him.  You kind of have to
admire him for his ambition, though, don’t you?”
Nikolas cleared his throat.  “This is all very interesting, Mr. Frost,
but could you please get to the point?  How does this lead to you
needing our help?”
“That,” Daniel said, “is what I was just getting to."

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