Amy took the empty glass from Nikolas and smiles.
Amy- I'll see you in the morning. Good night Nikolas.
Nikolas- Good night Amy.
After Amy leaves, Nikolas spits out the last pill. He stares at it inhis
hand. Something about it tugs at the edges of his memory. But hecouldn't
recall what it is that bothers him about it. For the first time, hebegan
to wonder if he could trust Amy. But she
was Laura's sister, she would have no reason to hurt him, wouldshe?
Especially since Laura was so determined to suck him in again.Nikolas
found it hard to think straight, he was so tired. Today was the firsttime
he had been very active and it had exhausted him.
He found himself falling asleep while pondering his newsuspicions.
**********************************************************
When Amy came downstairs, she was disappointed to see the otherwomen
already drinking tea.
Amy- I'm going to make some coffee for the guards, you want me tomake
another pot of tea while I'm at it?
Laura- No thanks, there is still plenty left. Besides I'm going tobed soon
anyway.
I think Nikolas will sleep well tonight, he looked pretty tired.Maybe I
will be able to sleep too.
Amy smiles- I can almost guarantee Nikolas will sleep through thenight.
Miranda- How can you be sure?
Amy- He's exhausted.
Miranda- You are right about that, but I think today was good forhim. He
seems to be recovering from the attack.
Laura- Physically, but what about emotionally? He won't talk about itwith
me. But then he barely talks to me about anything. Does he talk toany of
you about it?
Lucky- I brought it up a few times. He usually changes thesubject.
Miranda- Nikolas has always been that way. He keeps things tohimself. He
retreats when he's upset. But he's doing tai chi again. Themeditation can
only help.
Laura- He needs to be back in counseling. With a professional. Ifit
weren't for Helena he would be getting the help he needs.
Amy- If it weren't for Helena, he would be dead.
Miranda- What?
Lucky- How can you say that?
Laura- Amy! She threatened him!
Amy- Good grief, don't have a cow! All I mean is, if it were notfor
Helena, Dorman would have killed him.
Laura- You are right. She saved his life. I have no doubt that shewants
him alive, only she wants him with her. And it's the rest of us shewants dead.
Amy - I better go make that coffee. We don't want the guards fallingasleep
on the job do we?
Laura- I'm sure they would appreciate that Amy, thank you.
Amy- No problem.
Amy gets up and goes into the kitchen to make the coffee.
Miranda- Why is she so hostile towards you?
Laura- I'm not sure. I guess she hasn't forgiven me for hurting herwhen
we faked my death. I wish I could go back and do it differently.
Miranda-There are some things I would have done differently too. Toobad
we can't.
Lulu starts to cry.
Lucky- I'll go check on her.
Laura- No that's okay. I'm going upstairs anyway. But thank youfor
offering.
Lucky- I'm going up too. I want to spend some time with Grandma,before
she goes to sleep.
Laura- I'm sure she will like that.
Laura and Lucky go upstairs. Miranda picks up a magazine and startsto read it.
In the kitchen Amy waits until the coffee maker finishes, then shetakes out the coffee pot and sits it in front of her. She reachesinto her pocket for the small envelope and pours half the contentsinto the pot. She quickly stirs it and then empties the pot into aninsulated carafe. Then she makes a second pot and empties the rest ofthe contents of the envelope into it. She replaces it on warmingplate of the coffee maker. She takes four cups out of the cabinet andplaces them on the counter. In a few minutes the guards who just gotoff duty will come in and have decaffeinated coffee and relax beforebed. Amy smiles when she thinks about just how relaxed they will be.She picks up the tray with
the first pot of coffee and some cups and takes it outside to theguards on
duty. Shortly after she leaves, four of the guards come in throughthe back
door. They try to be quiet so as not to wake the family they wereguarding.
Miranda hears them enter and goes into the kitchen with them.
Hank turns over the cups and pours everyone a cup of coffee. Hesees
Miranda.
Hank- You want a cup Miranda?
Miranda- Sure, I'll take a cup.
Hanks takes another cup out of the cabinet and pours Miranda coffeeas
well. She takes
the cup and smiles as the men joke and talk with each other.
Miranda- Who would have thought, Mobsters and Cops having coffee andmaking
small talk.
Hank- It's strange isn't it? But we both have the same goal fornow.
Besides our bosses seem to be friends, why shouldn't we.
Miranda- I wouldn't exactly call Mac and Sonny friends, they co-existfor
Robins sake. But I know what you are saying.
Hank- Well don't let us confuse you. Why do you think we mixed theshifts? We got equal numbers of Sonny and Mac's men on each shift. Sowe can keep an eye
on each other.
Miranda laughs- So, you really don't trust each other after all.That
makes sense. I think
I'll leave you boys to bond, I want to finish an article I'mreading.
Hank- Mind if I join you?
Miranda- No, I don't mind.
Hank and Miranda go back into the living room. They sit on the couchand
Miranda reads him the article she had been reading before. In anotherfew
minutes the other three guards file past on their way to bed.
Hank- I guess it's been along day. They don't usually go to bed soearly. I'm kind of tired myself.
Miranda- Don't let me keep you up.
Hank- I said I was tired, not stupid. I'm enjoying the company.Finish reading me that article. I just love that relationshipstuff.
Miranda rolls up the magazine and hits him with it.
Miranda- Okay I'll put the magazine up. We can just talk instead.
She picks up her coffee and takes a big sip.
Ten minutes later Amy comes in and finds Miranda and Hank snuggled upand
asleep on the couch.
Amy- How cute. She looks at the clock, still three hours to go. Shehopes
she didn't miscalculate the time. She wonders why Helena didn't makeit
midnight instead of 2am.
Oh well, what was done was done, besides she still had a few thingsto do.
She opens Laura's purse and takes out her cell phone. She carefullyopens it and
cuts a couple of the wires then puts it together again and replacesit in
the purse. She has already cut the phone lines leading to the house,so
that won't be a problem. But what about the guards?
Surely they have a way to contact their bosses. She searches Hankand
finds a phone in his jacket pocket. She sabotages it the same way shedid
Laura's. Then she heads to the guards room.
***************************************************************
Jake is still in the interrogation room. After several hours ofnegotiations, he has finally agreed to cooperate fully with thepolice, in exchange for full immunity and protection against Helena.He is in the process of writing out a full confession and detailingeverything he knows about Helena's operation.
Including the names of the people he knows to be involved with her.It is close to midnight when he finally finishes and hands it over toa clerk to type it up, before he signs it.
Mac- I don't like this, we only have a couple of hours left untilHelena
makes her move at the hospital.
Stefan- She does not have the upper hand now. We will be prepared forher.
Mr. Newman- As Mr. Parrish's lawyer, I hold you responsible for hiswell
being, commissioner. If anything happens to him, I will have yourbadge.
Mac- Mr. Newman, we will do everything possible to protect yourclient. You
have my word on that, however I will remind you of who we are dealingwith.
The clerk interrupts them with the signed document from Jake. Sheinforms
him that search warrants are being prepared for everyone on the list.Mac
scans the list of names and goes pale. He points out Amy's nameto
Stefan. They both rush into the room with Jake.
Mac- Tell us this is a mistake! You have Amy Vining's name on thelist.
Jake laughs- Yeah, Amy's in on it. Hard to believe ain't it.
Stefan- I do not believe it at all. Amy Vining does not containthe
necessary mental discipline for such subterfuge. And she isLaura's
sister, why would she help Helena? The woman who kidnapped Lauraand
drugged Leslie Webber for years.
Jake- Actually it wasn't that hard. Poor Amy suffers from the JanBrady
syndrome.
Stefan- I am unaware of that reference.
Jake- She is jealous of Laura, but loved her anyway. Until Laurafaked her death that is. Then poor little Amy stepped off the deepend. She even checked herself
into a sanitarium to rest and pull herself together while she grievedfor her sister. Seems she felt extremely guilty for her past jealousyand then Laura died. The poor girl just couldn't take it. But withHelena's help, she got over her
grief. Helena showed her proof that Laura faked her and Leslie'sdeath. Taking Leslie away from Amy in the process, without eventhinking twice about it. Add an attractive man to dote on the girland reinforce how she was betrayed, coupled with her fragile mentalstate, a few drugs and a few hypnotic sessions and presto, Amy's onthe side of the enemy.
Mac grabs Jake by the shirt and jerks him up.
Mac- You took advantage of her when she was most vulnerable. Amywould
never betray Laura if she knew what she was doing. Just what kind ofdrugs was
she given?
And what kind of hypnotic sessions? And is it reversible?
Jake- I don't know the particular details. It's not my area. Ijust
seduced her and kept her happy.
Mac- Starts to hit Jake, but is stopped by Mr. Newman and Taggert.Jake is
removed from the room and taken to solitary confinement.
Stefan- We have to warn Laura and get them away from the Whitakerfarm.
He takes out his cell phone and dials the number. His frustrationand
worry mounts when he gets no answer.
Stefan- Something is wrong, we have to get to them.
Mac- You're right, Taggert can clean up the mess at the hospital.
Taggert- Will do, I will also pull in all the people on that list. Wegot some dirty cops on there as well. There is a commotion inlock-up, and in a few minutes a young rookie runs up to Mac lookingscared to death.
Rookie- Commissioner! A prisoner was just attacked by one of theguards,
he's hurt bad.
Mac- Jake Parrish?
Rookie- How did you know?
Mac, Taggert and Stefan follow the rookie to Jake Parrish. They passby
Luke Spencer's cell.
Luke grins when he sees them.
Luke- So you finally slipped up! Tell me, what did they get you on,being a public nuisance?
Stefan ignores Luke and follows Mac to Jake's cell.
Luke- Hey Taggert, what's going on?
Taggert- I don't have time for you Spencer. And if you want yourfamily
safe, you will stop hindering us.
Luke- What's this got to do with my family? If they are in danger yougotta
let me out man.
Taggert- Maybe you should have thought about that before youassaulted a
police officer. Now, if you will excuse me, I got work to do.
Taggert joins Mac and Stefan in Jake's cell.
A couple of officers are administering first aid.
Mac- At least he's alive. I want twenty four hour guards on this man,he
is not to be left alone for a second.
Taggert- I'll take care of it.
Mac- Where's the officer who is responsible for this?
Officer Vanchez- It was Bilks, we got him in a cell, but he refusesto talk.
Mac- Bilks? He's got the sick kid right? I guess we know why he soldout to
Helena. I'll deal with him later. In the meantime Taggert, as soon asthe warrants are ready, I want you to round up everyone on the list.Starting with the police officers both here and at the hospital withEttore.
Mac steps aside when the paramedics arrive to take Jake to thehospital.
Mac- Stefan and I need to warn Mrs. Spencer. Contact the localsheriffs
department and fill them in on the situation. Tell them to expect usin an hour and a half. Have them put the Whitaker farm undersurveillance.
Taggert- I'll call them right away. And I'll have the sheriff callyou on your cell phone, so you can discuss your plans with him.
Mac- That's a good idea.
Stefan- We are wasting valuable time commissioner.
Mac- Your right, let's go.
Mac and Stefan leave. As they pass Luke's cell again, he insist theylet
him go with them.
Luke- My family's in trouble Mac, you gotta let me go help.
Mac- I'm sorry Luke, I can't do that. And I don't have time to standhere
and argue with you. I'll let you know what happens.
Luke- If anything happens to them...
Mac and Stefan leave the holding area.
Luke- Mac!! I swear, if anything happens to them, I'm coming afteryou! Mac!
***************************************************************
Nikolas dreams about the night he first woke up in the hospital. Hehad faked amnesia and was given a sedative to calm him down. He couldsee Dr. Jones handing the pill to him, and it looked very much likethe pill Amy had tried to
give him. In his dream, Amy was smiling at him, bringing himbreakfast.....that was drugged. She put the tray down by his bed andindicated he should eat it. Then she proceeded to list all of Laura'smisdeeds and short comings. The more she talked, the more shechanged. First her voice and then her face. Becoming older, becomingevil, becoming Helena.
Nikolas sat up in bed, breathing hard. Was it true? Or was it justparanoia taking over. He needed air. He had to clear his head so hecould think. He got out of bed, got dressed and put on his shoes.When he opened his bedroom door
Laura was standing there.
Laura- Nikolas, are you alright?
Nikolas- I just need some fresh air, that's all.
Amy's door opens and Amy steps out into the hallway with them.
Amy- Nikolas! What are you doing up?
Nikolas takes one look into her eyes, and he knows the truth. Shehad
expected him to be asleep, because she thought she had druggedhim.
***************************************************************
Nikolas- You seem surprised Amy, but you see, I didn't take it.I knew it
wasn't an allergy pill.
Amy- Of course it was an allergy pill! What makes you think itwasn't?
Nikolas- I know you were trying to drug me! Just like you did in thehospital when you drugged my food.
Laura- Nikolas, You're wrong. Amy would never do anything to hurtyou.
Rebecca Chase probably drugged your food. You said so yourself, sheis the
one that drugged you.
Nikolas- Didn't you see how surprised she was when she saw me?
Amy- You're right, I was surprised. You had a tiring day, I was sureyou
would be so exhausted you would sleep all night.
Nikolas- Especially since you decided to help me sleep.
Laura- Nikolas, you're not being fair!
Amy- It was an allergy pill containing an anti-histamine, which hasthe
tendency to make people drowsy, that's all. I swear.
Nikolas- I don't believe you.
Amy- Why would I want you drugged?
Nikolas- Maybe you are working for Helena.
Laura- Nikolas! I know the last few weeks have been hard on you. Youmust
be very frightened and unsure of who you can trust, But believe meAmy
would never work for Helena.
Nikolas- I never expected you to believe me. Why would you? You'venever
chosen my side before. Why start now, right?
Laura- Nikolas, it's not a matter of choosing sides. I know Amy wouldnever
betray either of us that way. She's my sister, why would she? Andyou've
been through so much.
Nikolas- That I'm jumping at shadows now? Is that what you think ofme?
Laura- Nikolas, please..
Lucky opens his door.
Lucky- Mom? What's going on? Anything wrong?
Laura- No, nothing's wrong, Nikolas had another dream, that's all. Goback to bed.
Lucky- You alright man?
Nikolas- No! It wasn't a dream and it wasn't an allergy pill. It wasthe
same thing Dr. Jones gave me the first night I woke up.
Laura- How can you be so sure? You were so upset and confused thatnight,
there is no way you could remember what pill was given to you.
Nikolas- I'm tired of arguing with you about it. I'm going to getsome fresh air.
Amy- No!......You can't!
Nikolas- Why not?
Amy- You...you...didn't take the allergy pill, you will get sick.
Nikolas starts to go downstairs.
Laura- Nikolas, wait.
Lucky- I'll go with him, Mom.
Amy- No! He doesn't need to go out. The night air could damage hislungs.
Lucky- Aunt Amy, I think you are worrying too much.
Laura- I better go talk to him. Lucky, you go back to bed. I will seeyou in the morning.
Amy- I'm coming with you.
Laura- I don't think that's a good idea. I need to talk himalone.
Amy- He thinks I drugged him! I have to talk to him about it.
Laura- Fine, let's go find him.
Laura and Amy go downstairs and find Nikolas standing over Mirandaand
Hank. He is trying to wake them. He hears footsteps on the stairs andturns to face them, he is
angry.
Nikolas- What did you do to them?
Amy- Who? me? You think I did something to them? I can't believethis!
First you accuse me of trying to drug you, now I've drugged them?
Laura- I don't believe for a second that Amy drugged them, butsomeone else
may have. Possibly one of the guards. We have to get out of here.
Helena- Why are you in such a hurry, Lasha?
Helena is standing in the doorway of the kitchen. At the sound ofher
voice, men enter the room with guns aimed at them. The guards are nowhere
to be seen.
Laura- Helena! I should have known.
Nikolas- Grandmother!
***************************************************************
Ettore hangs up the phone next to his bed and reaches under thepillow for his gun. He nervously looks at the door to his room. Anytime now, Taggert and his men would arrive and arrest the guardsoutside. He silently prayed they got
there before the guards had a chance to put Helena's plan intoaction. He had been lucky so far, he managed to fool the guards intothinking he was the real Nikolas Cassadine mainly because Nikolas hadbeen badly bruised. And the guards where never too close to eitherNikolas'.
He began to get anxious as he looked at the clock. He told himself ,this
was his last assignment as a human target. Despite the extra perks ofthis assignment, it wasn't really his idea of fun. His heart skippeda beat as the door opened and Officer Keegan, one of the men named asworking for Helena came it. Keegan hands him a sweat suit to puton.
Keegan- Here, get dressed kid, there's a problem with security. YourUncle
wants us to move you pronto.
Ettore- What kind of problem?
Keegan- I'm not sure, something about that whacked out Grandmother ofyours.
Ettore- Grandmother has made her move?
Keegan- That's what I've been told. Now hurry up and get dressed.
Ettore tries to stall- But where is my Uncle? I can't believe hewouldn't
be here if there is a security problem. And where is Bobbie?
Keegan- Listen kid, we don't have time to play twenty questions. Youget
dressed or I'll drag you out of here in your hospital gown.
Ettore- There's just one problem with that.
Keegan- What now kid? Don't tell me you want a drink of water.
Ettore- No, that's not it at all. You see...the problem is... I'mnot
really Nikolas Cassadine.
Keegan- What the hell are you trying to pull kid?
Ettore pulls out his gun and aims it at Keegan.
Ettore- And that's another thing, I may look young, but I assure you,I'm
not a kid. You are under arrest.
Keegan realizes he has been set up and tries to grab the gun. At thesame
time he yells for the officer outside the room. The other guard,Leverton, comes in and pulls out his gun. He aims it at Ettore.
Leverton- Put down the gun kid. We don't want to hurt you, we justwant to
take you to your grandmother.
Keegan- He ain't the kid. He's some baby-faced undercover cop.
Ettore- Looks like we have a stand off.
***************************************************************
Bobbie nervously paces back and forth in front of the nurses station.She keeps looking at her watch and then down the hall to Nikolas'room. She almost jumps
when her cell phone rings. She quickly answers it, trying to keep hervoice down.
Bobbie- Stefan?
Stefan- Yes, Have Detective Taggert and his men arrived yet?
Bobbie- No, and I'm getting worried. The guards just went into theroom
with Ettore. What's holding up Taggert anyway? Maybe I should dosomething.
Stefan- Barbara, promise me you will not put yourself in danger! Letthe
police handle it.
Bobbie- It's just that I would feel so guilty if anything happenedto
Ettore because of our family.
Stefan- Barbara, swear you will not get involved. I do not want youat risk.
Bobbie- Don't worry, I won't do anything foolish. Call me as soon asyou
get to the farm house and find out how Nikolas is doing.
Stefan- Of course. Remember your promise Barbara.
Bobbie- Oh I will. Bye.
Bobbie puts away the cell phone and looks down the hall one moretime.
What was going on? Where was Taggert? She looks at her watch. Almost1 am.
She has to do something. She goes into the pharmacy room and preparesa syringe. Why not, she thinks, everyone else has. She finds a metaltrey and carries it out with her. Then she gets a hot cup of coffeefrom the nurses lounge and sets it on the trey. She starts to go to"Nikolas" room when Alexis gets off the elevator.
Bobbie- Thank God you are here! Is Taggert and his men with you?
Alexis- I assumed they were already here. Has anything happened?
Bobbie- I'm not sure, the two guards went into the room a few minutesago.
No one has come out yet. I was about to interrupt them.
Alexis- I wouldn't advise going in unarmed and certainly not byyourself.
Bobbie- I know it's not much, but I do have a tranquilizer in asyringe in
my pocket.
Alexis- I've got something much of affective than that.
Alexis opens her purse and shows Bobbie her gun.
***************************************************************
Taggert is a very angry man. He just arrested six of his own men.Nothing
gets to him worse than a cop who turned on his own. Sure, sometimeshe
didn't exactly go by the book, but he was fighting a war againstcrime. The
thought cops selling out to those criminals made his blood boil. Helooked
at his watch. They would be at the hospital in a matter of minutes.He
couldn't believe their bad luck. They had been slowed by a caraccident
that had traffic backed up for miles. If anything happened to Ettorehe
would never forgive himself. He is the one who recommended theyoung
undercover officer for the job. He felt responsible for him. AndEttore was
a good cop. One who laid his life on the line time and time again forthe
good of the public. Taggert was relieved when they finally arrived atthe
hospital.
***************************************************************
Bobbie and Alexis pretend to be caught up in conversation andcasually went to Nikolas' room. Bobbie is carrying the cup of coffeepretending to be drinking it.
Outside the door Alexis pulled out her gun and they opened the doorjust
enough to peer in. She saw Ettore and Leverton each with theirguns.
Leverton- Do you think I really care if you shoot him? I can shootyou before you have a chance to aim at me. So put down the gun andlet us leave. No one gets
hurt. Or I will be forced to shoot you.
Ettore- You hear that Keegan? You hear how easily he is willingto
sacrifice you?
Leverton- I don't have time to play you games with you. I'm assumingyou
have back up on the way. So I'll be leaving now.
Leverton starts to pull the trigger.
Bobbie shoves the door open and throws the hot coffee at Leverton'shead.
He shouts and turns around only to face Alexis' gun staring him inthe face. Bobbie takes his gun away from him. A few minutes latter,Taggert arrives to
arrest both Keegan and Leverton. Alexis and Bobbie wait at the nursesstation while the two guards are arrested and Taggert gets Ettoresreport on what happened.
Alexis- You handle yourself well under pressure.
Bobbie- Blame it on my upbringing. But honestly, I was terrified.
Alexis- So was I, but I won't tell, it you won't.
Bobbie- You got a deal!
Tony walks up to the nurses station with a patients chart.
Tony- Won't tell what?
Alexis looks at Bobbie - We both plead the fifth.
Bobbie- Your here late.
Tony- I had an emergency with a patient. It seems like the story ofmy life
these days.
Bobbie- I know what you mean. Thinks have been kind of intense for metoo
lately.
Tony- How is Nikolas? I haven't seen him since I was removed from hiscase.
There is a commotion going on outside of Nikolas' room.
Tony- What's going on? Did someone try to attack Nikolas again?
Bobbie- Actually....
She is interrupted by the police leading the men out.
Tony- That's not Nikolas! What's going on?
Ettore stops by and gives Bobbie and Alexis his thanks.
Ettore- I want to thank you for your help. Leverton was about toshoot me.
Alexis- It was the least we could after all you've done for ourfamily. We
won't forget it, I assure you. We are in your debt.
Ettore- Thanks. Any word from Mr. Cassadine yet?
Bobbie- No and I'm worried. He should have called by now.
Tony- Will someone please tell me what is going on?
Bobbie- This is officer Kyle Ettore, he's been acting as a decoy forNikolas.
Tony- A decoy? Then where is Nikolas? Or is that top secret?
Alexis- It was top secret, but not anymore. . He's with Laura atthe
Whitaker farm in Beecher's Corners. But Helena has found them.
Bobbie- That's why we are so worried. Stefan and Mac are on their waythere
now to make sure they are alright.
Tony- I had no idea! Bobbie, if there is anything I can do?
Bobbie- Thanks, but there is nothing to do, we just have to waitfor
Stefan's call and pray everything is alright.
Tony- This really makes my problems seem like nothing now.
Alexis- That reminds me, I heard Dara Jenson dropped the chargesagainst you.
Tony- Thanks to Virginia Benson, she got a recording of Carly sayingit was
an accident.
Carly thinks I hired one of the orderlies to plant the recorderthough. I'd
like for her to keep thinking that.
Bobbie- She won't hear it any differently from us. But she's mydaughter. I can't hate her for the things she's done. I guess at onetime, I would have done the same thing.
Tony- Maybe, but you've changed a lot since you first came to workat
General Hospital.
Bobbie- Have I? Sometimes I wonder. Anyway, I'm having lunch withCarly
tomorrow. If everything turns out okay with Nikolas that is. I justwish
Stefan would call.
***************************************************************
Helena- Come here Nikolas, let me look at you.
Nikolas- No, please don't do this, grandmother. Please don't hurtanyone.
Helena- Do as I commanded, young man. Do not make the mistake ofangering me.
Come to me, now!
Nikolas glances at Laura, who nods her head. He slowly walks tohis
grandmother's side. Helena motions to a couple of the guards who goup the stairs.
Nikolas- What are they going to do?
Helena- It is none of your concern I wish to see your injuries, openyour shirt.
Nikolas- There's no need, I'm fine.
In one swift motion, Helena rips his shirt open, then grabs his faceand
forces him to look at her.
Helena- Do not question my authority again, little prince.
Laura- Leave him alone. There's no need for that.
Helena ignores her. She looks Nikolas in the eye until he looks away.Then
she relaxes her hold on him and caresses the side of his face.
Helena- That's better, my child. You must remember not to make
grandmother angry with you.
Helena opens his shirt and feels around his injuries. Nikolas triesnot to
flinch, but does anyway.
Helena- You should not have been removed from the hospital. You arein
need of full medical care.
Nikolas- I'm fine, really.
Laura- We wouldn't have taken out of the hospital if it were not foryour
threats.
Helena- I did not threaten him Lasha. Once again, Nikolas' needs havebeen
disregarded in favor of your own needs. Once again you have brokenour agreement. You were to stay away from him.
Laura- He's my son, I love him.
Helena- You betrayed and used him. How many times have you discardedhim?
Laura- You're not being fair. I had no choice.
Nikolas closes his eyes at her words.
Helena laughs - But you did have a choice Lasha, and you choose toleave
him, again and again. But I must applaud your consistency andingenuity.
I thought pretending you were dead was brilliant. The emotionaldevastation bestowed on your son was an inspiration to Motherseverywhere.
Laura- You bitch! How dare you judge me!
Helena- I have not begun to judge ......
Nikolas studies his grandmother. And he knows what she is planning todo.
He can't let it happen. He can't let his family be hurt because ofher.
Nikolas- Grandmother, why don't we leave now. Why waste our timewith
them?
I don't want to be with her, I want to be with you.
Laura starts to cry- No! Nikolas don't say that!
The guards return from upstairs. Lucky and Leslie are with them.Leslie has
Lulu in her arms.
Lucky- What are you saying! Nikolas, come on! You know mom lovesyou!
Helena- Lasha, inform your son to stay silent.
Laura- Which son? I have two sons, Helena.
Helena- No, you used to have two sons. You gave up your firstbornlong ago.
Laura- That's not true.
Nikolas- Shut up! Shut up with your lies! I don't want to hearthem
anymore.
He turns to Helena and takes her hand.
Nikolas- Grandmother, please, can't we be on our way?
Helena- Soon, I promise you. But first I must punish her for herbetrayal
of our family.
Nikolas- But wouldn't it be punishment enough for her to know that Ihate
her and will never forgive her?
Laura- Nikolas, please don't say that! I love you!
Helena smiles and reaches out to touch his face. He is surprised whenshe
slaps him.
Helena- Do not take me for a fool, child. I can see your feeling forher
in your eyes. It hurt you to say you did not love her!
Nikolas- No.... I do hate her!
Helena reaches out again and Nikolas flinches. But instead ofslapping him,
she caresses him.
Helena- It does not matter, little prince. You will hate her soonenough.
Helena smiles at the thought. She looks at one of the guards.
Helena- Kill her.
The guard raises his gun and points it at Laura.
Lucky struggles to escape his guards hold on him, but can't
Lucky- No, you can't kill her!
Nikolas- No!! Don't!!
He races to Laura and wraps his arms around her.
Helena- So, you hate her? You betray yourself and your family. But asI
said, It does not matter. You will hate her soon enough.
Nikolas is crying- You can never make me hate her. It is you I hate!I
will never forgive you if you hurt them.
Nikolas turns to Laura- I'm sorry for saying I hated you. I don't. Ilove
you, I swear!
Laura holds Nikolas tightly- I know! I love you too. I always have.Please
forgive me for hurting you.
Helena- Enough!
At Helena's command two of the guards pulls Nikolas away fromLaura.
Laura- You can kill me now Helena. But remember this, I've won. Ihave my
son's love and you can't take that away from us. He will hate you forwhat
you do.
Helena smiles- You think so Lasha? Do you think I cannot take hislove for
you away? You are wrong! Why don't you ask your sister? Ask her howeffective my methods are.
Laura looks at Amy- What are you talking about? What methods?Amy....What
is she talking about?
Amy looks completely innocent- Gee Laura, I have no idea.
Then Amy starts to laugh.
***************************************************************
Mac and Stefan finally arrive at the Whittaker farm. The localSheriff's
department have the road leading to the farm barricaded and arewatching
the farm through high powered binoculars. They get out of the car andfind
the sheriff waiting for them
Sheriff- Commissioner Scorpio?
Mac- Yes, that's me. This is Stefan Cassadine. It's his family beingheld
in there, by his Mother.
Sheriff- Sounds like quiet a family you got Mr. Cassadine.
Stefan- Have there been any further developments?
Sheriff- Not yet. As far as we can tell everyone has been broughtinto the
living room. We haven't seen any sign of the guards you said werehelping the family. Either they are being held somewhere else, orthey are dead.
Mac- Anyone got any ideas how we are going to get those people outsafe?
Stefan- That is a very good question.
***************************************************************
Laura- No! Nikolas was right? You drugged him? How could you do that?How
could you do that to us?
Helena- Have you wondered how I knew where you were?
Laura looks at Amy is disbelieve- You told her? You told her where wewere?
I don't believe it!
Amy smiles at her- It really was very easy.
Laura lunges at Amy, but a guard grabs her and holds her back.
Nikolas- No, leave her alone!
Lucky- Don't hurt her! I'll kill you if you hurt her!
Another guard shoves Lucky down and forces him to sit on thecouch.
Lucky- Aunt Amy! You can't be serious? Please say you are not workingfor
that monster!
Laura- Lucky, please don't say anymore. Let me handle this. Amy, youbitch!
How could you?
Amy's eyes fill with hate- How could I do that to you? How could youtreat
me the way you do! You have no idea how I grieved for you! How yourson
grieved for you! And for what? Some trick? Was it worth it Laura? Whydidn't you tell me? I wasn't like Bobbie, I wasn't married to aCassadine! I was your sister and you let me think you were dead. Youshould have let me go with you. You should have told me about Leslie!You are the bitch.
Laura- And betraying us makes up for it? Helena is dangerous. She'sgoing
to kill us all! Do you really hate me enough to let Leslie bekilled?
Amy- She promised me Leslie. She is going to let me take care ofLeslie and
Lulu.
Laura- You are a fool if you believe that! Think Amy! She is going tokill
us all, maybe even you!
Helena- It's no use Lasha. Her programming was quiet effective. Nowdo you
believe me when I say your son will hate you? I assure you hewill.
Laura- No! You can't do that to him!
Nikolas- It doesn't matter what you do grandmother. You can'tbrainwash me!
I'm stronger than you think.
Helena- I know you are strong, Nikolas. But my methods are stronger.But do not worry. It will get easier on you, after the initialtreatments. I assure you, once it is complete, I will have your fullloyalty and cooperation. It is a shame
that fool Mr. Parrish failed me, he was very adept in helping thepatient adjust to the treatments.
Amy- Jake? Did you do something to Jake?
Helena ignores Amy's outburst. She relishes Nikolas' sudden paleness.Lasha
looked faint herself.
Laura- You would subject him to that? And you claim to love him?
Helena- I said nothing about love Lasha! He is mine, he is my heir!And he
will serve me!
Amy- Answer me you bitch! What did you do to Jake?
Amy rushes towards Helena and is shot by one of the guards. Amy fallsat
Helena's feet.
Helena- Stupid girl. You have outlived your usefulness as it was.
Laura- No! Amy!
Leslie- Amy!
Leslie becomes very agitated. She is allowed to go to Amy to keep hercalm.
***************************************************************
Mac- My God! She shot Amy!
Stefan- I have to go in there.
Mac- We can't just rush in. They will all be killed.
Stefan- If I don't go in, they will all be killed anyway. Helena ismad. I
can stall her while you and the sheriff's men get into place. Studywhere
they come from when I walk up to the house. Perhaps I can createa
distraction until you get into position.
Mac- Fine, but you are not going in like that.
Mac motions to one of the deputies.
***************************************************************
Miranda begins to wake up. She moans as her eyes open to the light.Her
head is pounding. Did she just hear a shot?
Miranda- What happened? What was that noise?
Miranda's eyes focus and she sees the guards and she knows before sheeven
sees Helena.
Helena- Isabella. How nice of you to join us. And may I complimentyou on
your new face.
Miranda- You know?
Helena- I admit I did not know at the beginning. But you did not keepyour
identity a secret at the hospital. Miss Vining was kind enough toupdate
me on your reappearance.
Miranda- Amy Vining?
Miranda quickly looks around, she sees Amy lying on the floor. Leslieis
administering first aid. The sudden movement makes Miranda's headspin.
Lucky- Are you alright? Amy drugged you.
Miranda- I'll be fine. I can't believe this though. Why would Amybe
reporting to you.
Laura- It's a long story. But Helena brainwashed her.
Miranda- What happens now, Mother?
Helena- We wait for you brother to join us.
Nikolas- Uncle is here?
His heart suddenly fills with hope, but he struggles to keep itfrom
reaching his eyes.
Helena laughs- No, he will not save you, young man. You are mine,that
will not change.
Nikolas- I belong to no one grandmother.
Helena- Not yet perhaps, but you will. I assure you.
The front door opens and Stefan is lead in by two guards.
Helena- I have been expecting you. I assume that Mac Scorpio iswaiting
for you outside?
Stefan- Your sources are at least competent.
Helena- More so than yours, it would appear.
Stefan- I underestimated you, I admit that. How long have you beenplanning
this?
Helena- Ever since your coup. Sometimes timoria requires years tobe
successful. If I am anything, it is a patient woman.
Stefan- And the original blood test? Was that timoria also? I assumeyou
are the one who changed them before I did.
Helena laughs- Imagine my surprise when it showed Stavros asNikolas'
father! That is when I knew that one of my children was a traitor.Though I admit, I suspected your sister. I never thought you had thecourage for such betrayal. That was my mistake and it cost me yearsas head of the family. But I shall not underestimate you again, myson. In fact, I am almost proud of the way you overthrew me. Youfinally showed your Cassadine blood.
Stefan- You haven't explained why you changed the test in the firstplace.
Helena- No I haven't. And I do not intend to tell you.
Nikolas- Then tell me. Tell me why you tried to deny megrandmother.
Helena walks to Nikolas and indicates the guard should release hishold on
him. She touches his face. She notices he is still pale.
Helena- To keep you pure, little one. I could not allow that womanto
influence you against your family! You were the Heir! And she hadno
right raising you.
Nikolas- But she gave birth to me.
Helena- But she hated your father, she hated your father's family.And she
hated you because you were not Luke's Spencers brat!
Nikolas- But she thought I was Luke's.
Helena- And she left you anyway! Would she have done that, if shetruly
thought you were his? She knew who your real father was, that is whyshe
left you. She hated you.
Laura- No, that 's not true! Nikolas! You know I love you! Don't lether
trick you.
Nikolas begins to feel weak. The room spins and he is dizzy. Theguard
steadies him.
Stefan- Nikolas, how are you feeling?
Nikolas- I'm fine. I'm just tired.
Helena- He should never have left the hospital! How dare you riskhis
health.
Laura- You are worried about his health? How can you say that, afterwhat
you are planning to do to him?
Stefan- And your plans are?
Helena- Nothing to concern yourself with.
A couple of the guards help Nikolas to a chair. While everyone iswatching
Nikolas, Stefan quickly moves towards Helena. But she is quicker.She
pulls her gun out of her jacket pocket and fires twice. The impact ofthe
bullets slam Stefan backwards to the floor.