Nikolas is almost finished with his breakfast when hebegins to feel groggy and disoriented. Someone opens the door andcomes in.
Nikolas- Amy?
Amy- I see you're almost finished.
Nikolas- I don't understand why I am so sleepy all the sudden. I canbarely keep my eyes open.
Amy- I'm not surprised at all. You don't sleep well and it's bound tocatch up to you.
Nikolas- I suppose. Have you seen my uncle this morning? Is he hereyet?
Amy-No. He was here late last night, so I don't expect him to be hereso early. If you are going to take a nap, I will need to put theseback on.
Amy fastens the restraints and leaves. Nikolas fights to stayawake.
He hears the door open. He tries to open his eyes but can't. Someonewalks to the side of the bed.
Helena-Good morning Nikolas.
The sudden adrenaline from fear gives him the strength to open hiseyes.
Nikolas-Grandmother!
Helena kisses his cheek- How dare they treat you this way! TheCassadine heir held a prisoner in a hospital.
Nikolas- It's not what you think...
Helena- Don't worry, Nikolas. Grandmother will free you from them.But first they must pay for their sins against us.
Nikolas- No! Please don't hurt them.
Helena- How dare you beg for mercy for them. Do you think they woulddo the same for you? NO! As soon as Luke Spencer found out you werenot from his seed, he turned on you again didn't he?
Nikolas- I don't care.
Helena- But I care Nikolas. You are all I have left of my Stavros. Ineed you with me and they must pay for taking him from me.
Nikolas- Leave them alone and I will go with you willingly. I won'tgive you any problems.
Helena- I do not need to make deals with you, my prize. I can takeyou any time I want to. But I have a few things to do first. Like thethird man. He will be dead soon. I promise you this. You will see,Grandmother makes good on her promises.
Nikolas- Just let the police have him. There's no need to take hislife.
Helena- You are a child Nikolas. I don't expect you to understandthese things. But you will learn. First the third man, then theothers.
Nikolas- Others? Please, don't hurt my mother and her family.
Helena reaction was quick. He never saw her hand move until she hadalready slapped him.
Helena- How dare you call that woman your mother! After all she hasdone, do you still beg for crumbs from her?
Nikolas- No, she is dead to me. But that does not mean I want herhurt. She is my sister's mother as well. I don't want Lulu hurt forany reason. And hurting her family hurts her.
Helena- Your uncle should have let her die. She is a Spencer!
Nikolas starts to cough. Helena studies him. She tries to control heranger.
Helena- For now it is unimportant. Rest and get stronger. I will beback for you. Your mother may not want you, but I do.
Nikolas secretly pushes the call button next to his hand. But he isvery sleepy from the drugged food and he is finding it difficult tostay awake. He silently prays help will come in time. He finallyfalls asleep.
Helena watches him with conflicting emotions. One minute she feelsnothing but contempt for the boy. The next she adores him because heis the only thing left of her
beloved son, Stavros. She smiles as she watches him.
Helena- This visit should shake them to their core.
At this moment she understands how the cat must feel when it toyswith the mouse before devouring it. She places the rolled up note inhis hand, laughs to herself and leaves.
A few minutes later Rebecca Chase comes in and checks his monitors.She turns off the nurses call button before she leaves.
**********************************************************
Stefan and Bobbie are having a late breakfast when Alexisarrives.
Bobbie- Good morning Alexis.
Stefan- How did it go?
Alexis- Good morning Bobbie, Stefan. Luke couldn't wait to give theblood sample. He
said he was anxious to put the rumors that he was ìthatbastard'sî father to rest. I dropped the blood sample off atthe hospital lab.
Stefan- Luke Spencer's audacity never ceases to amaze me.
Bobbie- My brother can be a real pig sometimes. Alexis, have you seenMiranda yet?
Alexis-Yes, I stopped by Isabella's apartment last night.
Stefan- I trust the two of you endeavored to be civil to oneanother?
Alexis- It was an effort but we managed it, for Nikolas' sake. Thelast thing he needs is
more family infighting.
Stefan- Good. Continue to keep that in mind.
Alexis- Always.
Bobbie- I take it you and Isabella don't see eye to eye?
Alexis- Personality conflicts. I peeped in on Nikolas this morning,but he was still sleeping.
Bobbie- It's probably because of all the excitement yesterday.
Stefan- Barbara and I will be leaving for the hospital very soon.What are your plans for the day?
Alexis- I'm filing Monica's appeal today.
Stefan-What are the chances of getting the verdict overturned?
Alexis-The chances are good.
Mrs. Landsbury- Mrs. Cassadine, the hospital just called. A MissRoberts was brought into the emergency room. I believe it'sserious.
Bobbie- Oh no! What happened?
Mrs. Landsbury- I believe she was injured in a fall. I'm sorry,that's all the information I have.
Stefan- Thank you Mrs. Landsbury. We will be leaving for the hospitalimmediately.
************************************************************************
Tony paces in the waiting area. He prays Carly will be all right. Heis tempted to barge in on the medical team examining her and look herover himself. Some part of his mind is still rational and he knows hewould only be in the way. He only wishes someone besides Dr. Dormanwas her doctor. He knows Dorman is a qualified and competent doctor.He is also a snake. Besides Dorman refused to allow him to observeher treatment.
The last people he wants to see right now comes into the emergencyroom waiting area.
Bobbie- What happened? How is she?
Tony- I don't know. She's in x-ray right now.
Bobbie- Who's treating her?
Tony- Dorman.
Bobbie- Good Lord. I should have known.
Tony- There's no one else.
Stefan- What happened to her?
She fell and hit her head on the dresser.
Bobbie- She's pregnant. She probably got dizzy or sick orsomething.
Tony- No, her pregnancy had nothing to do with it.
Bobbie- What do you mean? What happened?
They are interrupted by Dorman.
Tony- How is she?
Dorman- She has a concussion and a pulled neck muscle, a twistedangle and she miscarried.
Tony- What?
Dorman- Come on Dr. Jones, your a physician, you know what amiscarriage is. Rather convenient I would say. Kind of got you offthe hook didn't it?
Tony- You son-of- a-.....
Tony starts to hit Dorman, but Stefan stops him.
Stefan- You maybe justified in your reaction, but I will not have youinstigating another law suit against the hospital. Please endeavor tocontrol yourself.
Tony- Go to hell.
He pulls himself away from Stefan and goes to see Carly.
Stefan- Dr. Dorman, if you cannot conduct yourself in a professionalmanner, you will find yourself looking for employment elsewhere.
Dorman- You can't fire me. Conditions of the lawsuit remember?
Stefan- Those conditions do not give you free reign. And with amplejustification, you can and will be fired. Am I making myselfunderstood?
Dorman- Loud and clear. If you'll excuse me I have other patients toattend to.
Stefan- Barbara are you all right?
Bobbie- Yes, I'm just a little shaken.
Stefan- That is understandable.
Bobbie- I need to talk to Carly alone, do you mind?
Stefan- Certainly not. I need to check on Nikolas anyway.
Bobbie- Tell him I'll be in to see him in a few minutes.
As Stefan walks past the nurses station Alan calls to him.
Alan- Stefan, could I speak with you, it's about hospitalbusiness.
Stefan- I was just going to check on my nephew.
Alan- It will only take a moment.
Stefan- Very well.
Alan- Shall we go to my office.
Stefan- By all means.
Alan and Stefan go to Alan's office while Bobbie goes into Carly'sroom. Tony is leaving as she goes in.
Bobbie- I hope you're not leaving on my account.
Tony- No, she's still unconscious. I need to pull myselftogether.
Bobbie- I'm sorry about the baby.
Tony- Thank you. I should say the same thing to you. It would havebeen your first grandchild.
Bobbie- It's strange isn't it?
Tony- Strange isn't quiet the word for it. I've been a fool. And Ihave made such a mess of my life.
Bobbie- What happened Tony?
Taggert- That is what I would like to know.
Bobbie- Detective Taggert, is there a problem?
Taggert- I just need to ask Dr. Jones a few questions, if you willexcuse us please.
Bobbie- Certainly.
Bobbie enters Carly's room and sits by her bedside.
Tony and Taggert go to the lobby to talk.
Taggert- Why don't you tell me what happened.
Tony tells Taggert exactly what happened.
Taggert- The neighbors said there was an argument. Did you hit herDr. Jones?
Tony- Of course not! I told you it was an accident.
Taggert- Let's hope Miss Roberts can confirm your story when shewakes up.
**********************************************************
Dorman watches Nikolas through the observation window. He studies themonitors to make sure the boy is asleep. He enters the room andpretends to study his charts. He slips his hand into his pocket andcloses his fingers around the syringe. He brings his hand out of hispocket holding the syringe. He glances around to make sure no one iswatching him and takes the cap off the needle. He is about to injectthe substance into Nikolas' IV.
Miranda- What are you doing here?
Dorman jumps. He quickly slips the syringe back into his pocket.
Dorman- Hasn't anyone ever told you not to slip up on people?
Miranda- Not really. What's the matter guilty conscience?
Dorman- You just startled me. I thought I was alone. Well, except forthe sleeping prince here.
Miranda- You still haven't answered my question. What are you doingin my nephew's room?
Dorman- Nikolas Cassadine is your nephew? Did I miss something?
Miranda- I expect you miss quite a lot. Answer my question.
Dorman- Just checking in on the boy. Dr. Quartemaine called and saidhe would be late.
Miranda- Let me get this straight, your covering for Alan?
Dorman- No, I use to cover for him with his wife, but not anymore. Iwas concerned about Nikolas' health. I mean it was his family thatsaved the hospital after all. It would be a shame if we let somethinghappen to our little benefactor wouldn't it?
Miranda- I'm sure Stefan will appreciate your personnel attention tohis nephew, but wait He doesn't like you very much does he? I thinkthe best thing you can do is stay away from Nikolas. You never knowhow we will react.
Dorman- Is that a threat?
Miranda-Was it? Are you sure you want to find out?
Dorman- I was just leaving. It's time for my rounds.
Miranda- Good answer.
Miranda watches Dorman leave. She checks to makes sure Nikolas isokay. She tries to wake him but it is no use. She instinctivelyreaches for his hand. It is then that she finds the note.
Soon the last man dies. Then the son. You did not think I hadforgotten him did you? He will be mine.
Helena
Miranda stares unbelieving at the note.
Miranda- How did she get in here?
She tries once again to wake Nikolas and fails. She runs to get adoctor.
************************************************************************
Alan and Stefan finish their meeting and are at the nurses station.Alan is going over Nikolas' chart.
Alan-I don't understand how the press has been getting all the insideinformation. It seems like they are always here whenever somethinghappens. Where are they getting their information?
Stefan- That is a good question. The adverse publicity is taking it'stoll on the hospital finances. Contributors are being reluctant withtheir donations. Public convidence is
low and that is bad for business. It almost seems as though there isan inside informer leeking hospital secrets to the press.
Alan- Someone is betraying the hospital? I wouldn't put it pastDorman.
Stefan- A distinct possiblilty. And one that needs to be looked into.How is Nikolas this morning?
Alan- I will be in to see him in a few minute. But I have to say fromhis chart, he is definitely improving. It is very possible that hecan be released from the ICU tomorrow.
Stefan- I'm happy to hear that. I know Nikolas will be as well.
Alan- I'm assuming, there will be special security measures duringthe transfer.
Stefan- Unfortunately it is required.
Alan- He will need to exercise. Walk around the hospital.
Stefan- We will have to work out the details with security.
Miranda runs to the nurses station.
Stefan- Isabella, what's wrong?
Miranda- Helena left another note with Nikolas. I can't wake him.
Alan, Stefan and Miranda go to Nikolas' room. Alan immediately startsto examine him.
He orders a full blood work up from the lab.
Alan- It looks like he has been given a sedative. We should knowexactly what it was when we get the lab report.
Stefan- Will he be all right?
Alan- I won't know for sure, until I find out what he was given.
Stefan- How did she get in here?
They are so intent on Nikolas, that they fail to notice Lauraentering the room.
Laura- What's going on? What's wrong with him?
Stefan- You have no right to be here.
**********************************************************
Laura- I have every right to be here, he's my son.
Stefan- You seem only to remember that when it's convenient for you.He is dispensable to you and your family. I will not have you hurtinghim further.
Laura- You will not keep me from him. Now what is wrong with him?
Miranda- Helena left another note. We think she drugged him.
Laura- My God! How did she get to him? I thought you were guardinghim! How could you let this happen?
Stefan- I as well as Mac Scorpio have several guards in place. Idon't understand how she is getting to him.
Miranda- Mother has always been resourceful.
Laura- Mother? Helena is your mother? How is that?
Miranda- That's right, you haven't heard yet have you? It's a longstory, but I'm Isabella.
Laura- Isabella? Now that I think about it, you do sound like her.Does Nikolas know?
Stefan- Yes he knows. He also knows that your husband isn't hisfather. I can't tell you how relieved he was to hear that. And ofcourse Luke pulled his men off guard duty as soon as he found out andreturned to his pattern of emotional abuse.
Laura- Lucky told me what happened with Luke, I'm sorry.
Stefan- Don't be, he was just being his usual self. You married him,apparently you are attracted to that trait.
Laura- I will not discuss my marriage with you. What did Helena'snote say?
Stefan- It is none of your business. You have left him more timesthan I care to count. He is no longer any concern of yours. Ifnecessary, I will have Alexis file a restraining order against youand your family. It shouldn't be difficult to prove extreme emotionalabuse and your unfitness as a mother. You did allow your husband toplant drugs on him, and convinced him that you were dead. You toldhim to his face, you had no room for him in your life. There is nojudge in the world, who will not see how destructive you are for theboy.
Laura- You know my reasons for doing that. You can't keep me fromhim. I want him in my life.
Miranda- Until the next ìcrisisî that comes up and youdecide to leave him again.
Laura- That won't happen! I'm going to fight for him and there isnothing you can do to stop me!
Stefan- I don't think I will have to. Your husband will see to it forme. He won't allow you to have him in your life.
Laura- He can't stop me either.
Stefan- Really? He has so far. Granted, he softened when he thoughthis precious Spencer blood ran in the boy's veins, but as soon as hefound out differently, he turned on him again. He is more determinedthan ever to be rid of the Cassadine bastard. So for Nikolas' sake,do not delude yourself, Lasha. You have no more room in your life forhim than you did before. Do not continue to put him through youremotional merry-go-round. I will not allow it.
Laura- No! It's different now. I will stand up to Luke and I willstand up to you! He's
my son and I will not give him up again.
Stefan- Forgive me if I do not believe you. Now please leave before Ihave the guards throw you out.
Laura- You mean the same incompetent guards who allowed Helena to getto him twice?
Miranda- She's got you there.
Alan- I'm not sure you should be having this conversation in front ofNikolas. It is possible that he can hear you.
Amy brings in the lab report.
Amy- Laura! When did you get back? And why didn't you call me?Where's Lesley?
Laura- I'm sorry Amy. Everything happened so fast. I didn't havetime.
Amy- How long could it take to have me paged? I'm beginning to thinkyou don't want
me in your life either.
Laura- Why would you say that? I love you Amy, I'm sorry I didn'thave you paged. Could we talk about this later?
Amy- Sure. No problem. Sorry to intrude on your life.
Amy storms out of the room. Alan studies the lab report.
Stefan- What does it say?
Alan- He was given a sedative. Not a particularly strong one at that.He should be waking soon.
Miranda- Will he be all right?
Alan- He should be.
Laura- The question is how are we going to keep him safe?
Stefan- Why are you still here?
Laura- I'm his mother!
Miranda- Keep telling yourself that and maybe it will sink in.
Laura- How dare you...
Alan- I'm sorry, I'm going to ask you all to leave. I can't have youupsetting my patient.
Your going to have to take this discussion outside. And I won'thesitate to call security to enforce it.
Laura- Will you call us when he wakes up?
Alan looks uncomfortable- I'll call Stefan. I'm sorry Laura, but heis his legal guardian. And he has restricted his visitors. I have nochoice but to respect his wishes.
Stefan- Thank you Alan.
Alan- I didn't say I agreed with them. But from a legal standpoint myhands are tied.
Stefan- It is unimportant whether you agree with my dicisions as longas you follow them.
Laura- We have a lot to discuss about MY son, Stefan. I also havesomething else I want to tell you about. I need to speak to youprivately.
Miranda- No problem. I'll stay outside in the other room and watchNikolas while you two go have your chat.
Stefan- Very well. But I expect to be called the minute he wakes.
Miranda- Of course.
Stefan- Shall we go to the library?
Laura- Fine.
************************************************************************
Bobbie picks up the phone in Carly's room. She calls Virginia Bensonin Florida.
Bobbie- hello Virginia?
Virginia- Yes, who is this?
Bobbie- It's Bobbie Jones. I have news about Caroline.
Virginia- Bobbie? I tried to reach you several times, but you neveranswered my calls.
Bobbie- I know, I'm sorry. You remember my brother Luke don'tyou?
Virginia- Yes, why?
Bobbie- He lied to me. He told me that you were crazy and thatCaroline had died years
ago in a car accident.
Virginia- What? Why on earth would he do that? I told him aboutCaroline's friend Carly Roberts dying in a car accident. I know hedidn't misunderstand me.
Bobbie- He didn't misunderstand. He deliberately lied. He thought hewas protecting me.
Virginia- I don't understand, protecting you from what?
Bobbie- Virginia, Caroline has been going by the name of CarlyRoberts.
Virginia- I'm not surprised. I knew she sometimes used alias. She wasvery close to the girl and was destroyed when she died. But thatdoesn't explain what he was protecting you from.
Bobbie- That's not important right now.
Virginia- Please tell me.
Bobbie- Carly had an affair with my husband. He moved in withher.
Virginia- Bobbie, I don't know what to say. I'm so sorry.
Bobbie- That's not the reason I called. I'm sorry, I'm not doing thisvery well.
Virginia- What's wrong.
Bobbie- I'm afraid Caroline was involved in an accident. She waspregnant and suffered a miscarriage. I thought you should know.
Virginia- Is she all right? Can I speak to her? What kind ofaccident?
Bobbie- She's still unconceincous. But physically she should be fine.I just thought you should know.
Virginia- Thank you for calling me. I'll be there as soon as I canget a flight out.
Bobbie- Do you want me to tell her you are coming?
Virginia- No. I think it would be better if she didn't know.Bobbie?
Bobbie- Yes?
Virginia- You said she miscarried. Was the baby your husbands?
Bobbie- No. He's my ex-husband now. We divorced. But it was hisbaby.
Virginia- Because of Caroline?
Bobbie- Yes.
Virginia- I'm sorry.
Bobbie- Don't be. I've moved on. I'm remarried now. I'll see you assoon as you get
here. Just have the nurses station page Bobbie Cassadine.
Virginia- I will. Thank you again for calling me.
Bobbie- You have a right to know, she's your daughter.
**********************************************************
Stefan and Laura enter the library.
Stefan- I do not see what we have to discuss. It is really verysimple. You stay away from Nikolas and there will be no furtherproblems.
Laura- You are not going to keep me from him. It's that simple. But Ihave something else I need to talk to you about.
Stefan- And what would that be?
Laura- Your mother tried to have my mother killed in Switzerland.
Stefan looks surprised, but quickly regains his composure- And whatdoes that have to do with me? Are you suggesting that I wasinvolved?
Laura- No. I don't believe you were involved.
Stefan- Then how is it my business? I have already told you, you andyour family are no longer under my protection. What do you want fromme?
Laura- I don't know.
Stefan- If it's protection you want, perhaps your husbands friend Mr.Corinthos can provide it for you. My only concern is Nikolas'well-being. I can't help you.
Laura- Can't or won't? Don't you realize if anything happens to myfamily, it will only hurt Nikolas?
Stefan- You are the expert on hurting Nikolas. This is why you reallycame back isn't it? Your husband landed himself in jail so now youneed my help. You don't care about Nikolas. You are only using himagain.
Laura- That's not true! I love him.
Stefan- Don't! Don't you dare say it again! I will not have you usinghim again. This discussion is over. Now if you will excuse me, I'mgoing to see my nephew.
Stefan does not wait for her to answer. He leaves and goes back tothe ICU. Laura sits down and cries as the events of the past fewweeks finally catches up to her.
Laura- But I do love him!
************************************************************************
Carly wakes to find Bobbie sitting by her bed.
Bobbie- How are you feeling?
Carly- What are you doing here? Where's Tony?
Bobbie- Tony's in surgery. He's very worried about you.
Carly- Yeah, it sure looks like it.
Bobbie- He would have been here, but he had to give his statement tothe police and then there was an emergency with one of his patients.He's a doctor, these things happen.
Carly- If it had been you, he would have been here.
Bobbie- He left me for you remember?
Carly- No, you divorced him. I don't think it's what he wanted.
Bobbie- He loves you. I heard the song.
Carly- He was using me to feel young and alive. He was leaving me,did you know that?
Bobbie- I didn't know. I'm sorry. But you were using him too, weren'tyou?
Carly- Yes, at first. But I fell in love with him. I never met anyoneas kind and tender as he is. You know, you are the last person I wantto talk about Tony with.
Bobbie- It's something we have in common.
Carly- When I found out I was pregnant, I thought it was the greatestthing in the world. I thought he would never leave me.
Bobbie looks away at the mention of Carly's pregnancy.
Carly- What's wrong? The baby's all right isn't it?
Bobbie- I should get Alan.
Carly- Oh no. Please tell me everything's okay with the baby!
Bobbie- Carly, I'm so sorry. I'm afraid you lost the baby.
Carly- No!
Bobbie sits on the bed next to Carly and holds her.
Bobbie- I know how you feel. I had a miscarriage several yearsago.
I wish I could make it easier for you but I can't.
Bobbie continues to hold Carly as she grieves for her loss.
************************************************************************
Dara Jenson looks over Taggert's report one last time.
Dara- Miss Roberts is still unconscious?
Taggert- Yes. So there is no way she could confirm or deny DoctorJones' story.
Dara- There are several neighbors who heard them arguing and he didadmit to pushing her.
Taggert- Yes, but he claimed it was an accident. I hate it when menabuse their wives and girlfriends then lie about it.
Dara- I don't know, Dr. Jones has no history of domesticviolence.
Taggert- Please. We are talking about a man who not only had anaffair with his step-daughter but he got her pregnant as well. He'shardly a respectable citizen.
Dara-The way I heard it, he didn't know she was his step-daughter.And having an affair on your wife is hardly breaking the law. If itwere, we would have half of Port Charles behind bars. I'm afraid weare going to need Miss Robert's statement before we can decide whatto do.
Taggert- I'll check if she's awake yet.
At the nurses station Taggert ask Rebecca Chase about Carly Robertscondition. Bobbie walks by the nurses station and overhears Taggert'squestion.
Bobbie- Carly is awake, but she's just had some upsetting news. Idon't think it would be a good idea to question her right now.
Taggert- By upsetting news, you mean she found out about hermiscarriage?
Bobbie- Yes, that's right. I'm sure you can understand how upset sheis.
Taggert- I'm sure she is, but you have to understand that we need herstatement before we can make an arrest.
Bobbie- Who are you arresting? It was an accident.
Taggert- Did she tell you that?
Bobbie- No, I didn't discuss it with her. Tony told me, it was anaccident.
Dara- I'm afraid we have to hear that from Miss Roberts.
Bobbie- You can't really believe that Tony deliberately did this toher? That's absurd!
**********************************************************
GoTo Chapters 17-19