Chapter Three 

While Lucky's life was slowly slipping away from him, Nikolas' was slowly 
disappearing, as well. Alexis stood at the docks and watched Ned and Nikolas 
talk. As Nikolas walked toward her she knew he was upset from the look on his 
face. Ned smiled a worried smile and she smiled back. Nikolas walked up and 
demanded, “How much do you know about my mother's life on the island?” 

“Not much. I was away at school at that time. Why? What is going on?” Alexis 
asked. She noticed his busted lip and dark bruises starting to form on his face. 
“Nikolas, lets go back to the house and talk,” Alexis said and put a arm around 
him and they walked back to the launch. They sat in the living area at Wyndemere 
and talked. 

“I was going to met Sara before school. I ran into Lucky Spencer. He just 
started to punch me and then Ned and AJ pulled him off of me. Lucky was angry 
and I demanded to know what I did to him, this time. He said that mom and uncle 
were lovers on the island and that he is my father not Stavros. Alexis, if that 
is true, why did he lie to me?” Nikolas asked, feeling abandoned and alone. 

Alexis took a breath and tried to think of what to say. Stefan had walked in as 
they talked and said, “I was afraid of what my mother might do.” Nikolas and 
Alexis turned in shock to see him admit this was in fact the truth. 

“You mean you knew all this time? Everything you said to me was a lie. ‘Nikolas, 
Luke killed your father.' ‘The Spencers are to blame for you not having a 
family' but in fact, it was you all along. You were my father and you didn't 
have enough courage or interest to claim me. I would have been better off with 
Luke Spencer as a father. At least he doesn't pretend to like me,” Nikolas said 
coldly and stormed up to his room to pack. 

Stefan raced after him. “Nikolas, it isn't the way it seems,” Stefan begged, as 
he tried to get his son to stop. 

“I don't' want to hear anything from you. You had over sixteen years to tell me 
the truth. You are nothing but a liar,” Nikolas said as he packed a bag. 

“Where are you going?” Stefan asked. 

“I don't care where I end up, as long as it isn't here,” Nikolas said and walked 
out. 

“You can have this,” Nikolas took off his medallion and threw it at Stefan. 

Stefan acted as if he had just been slapped. Nikolas walked back downstairs. 

Alexis was standing at the bottom of the stairs. “You can stay at my hotel 
suite,” Alexis offered. 

“Thank you but no thanks. I think I want to find out about my life on my own. I 
will talk to you later,” Nikolas said and walked out. Stefan stood at the top of 
the stairs, trying to find the right words to get him to stop but there weren't 
any. Nikolas was right. He should have told him the truth sooner. 

Nik jumped into his car and just started to drive. He was sick of being a 
Cassadine. He wanted to be normal. He wanted a real life with real friends. Now 
that he wasn't the heir, he just might get what he always wanted. Nikolas 
finally stopped driving and headed back into town. He had two things to do 
before finding Sara. Get a real job and a place to say. He realized school was 
out, besides he knew more than any of those kids ever would. Nikolas thought 
about going to Bobbie but realized that Lucky might be living there after the 
fire at his house. He just didn't want to deal with Luke and Lucky all the time. 
Nikolas spent the entire day looking for a place and hit pay dirt just a few 
places down from where Tony and Carly lived. The last apartment on their floor 
just opened up and he grabbed it. The place wasn't big and it wasn't fancy but 
to Nikolas it looked great. 

Nikolas spent the rest of the afternoon getting furniture and other items for 
the apartment. He had enough in his account to last him a while and thought 
Stefan owed him that much at least. At three o'clock, Nikolas drove to the 
school and picked up Sara. He ended up taking Lizzie home and then the two of 
them went for a drive. “Why weren't' you in school?” she asked. 

“I'm gone. Sara, I found something out and my life changed in one second. I 
learned that my uncle is my father. I am going to get a job and find my own way 
in life. I have an apartment and everything. You want to see it? You might help 
me fix it up a little?” Nikolas asked. 

“Sure and you can help with my home work,” Sara said, as they drove to his new 
place. Sara walked around the apartment and pointed out things she would change 
or move around. It was late when Nikolas drove her back to her house and they 
kissed good night. “Nikolas, Call me if you need someone to talk to,” Sara said 
and went inside. Nikolas watched her leave and drove back to his new place. It 
was strange but it did feel kind of nice. Nikolas called Katherine to see if she 
heard the news. All he got was her answering machine. He thought about calling 
the island but knew Stefan would only find out where he was and he didn't want 
to deal with his so-called father at this moment. 

The next few days Nikolas went looking for a job and finally found one at ELQ. 
Ned was looking for an assistant and knew Nikolas knew more about a big company 
like ELQ then most new comers. He even thought it would get him closer to 
Alexis. Ned soon found out that he did the right thing. Nikolas was a hard 
worker and was willing to learn new ways of doing things. Nikolas learned that 
he still had a lot to learn and loved the challenge in life. He felt normal and 
no one acted strange around him. Nikolas was printing papers off when Alexis 
walked in and was surprised to find him at ELQ. 

“Nikolas?” Alexis said in a question voice as she walked up to him. 

“Hi, Alexis. Please don't tell Stefan. I don't want him to know just yet,” 
Nikolas said. 

“I won't but are you all right?” She asked. 

“Yes, I have a place to stay and now a job. I'm finally normal and I like it 
that way. I am trying to get a hold of Katherine and tell her. Do you know where 
she is?” Nikolas asked. 

“I haven't heard from her. She found out about Stefan and Laura soon after you 
left. She came to the house and she and Stefan had a big fight. She slugged him 
and ran out. I think she left town for awhile. I know she will contact you some 
how,” Alexis said. 

“I don't blame her for leaving. What about you?” Nikolas asked. 

“I'm still with him. Nikolas, I will be your friend and I will not tell Stefan 
anything you tell me. I love Stefan, even with his failings,” Alexis said. 

“You were always looking out for him. I'm glad someone is. Have you heard from 
my mother yet?” Nikolas asked. 

“Yes, Stefan found out she is due to arrive in a few days. He is trying to get a 
hold of her but Laura isn't talking to him either. Nikolas, do me a favor. No 
matter how mad you are at Stefan don't trust Helena,” Alexis warned. 

“I don't know. He lied about so much and part of me thinks he lied about her, as 
well,” Nikolas said. 

“No. She is evil and wants to hurt you. Don't trust her,” Alexis warned. 

Ned walked up before they could talk any more. “I think it is time you let my 
new assistant to get back to work and accompany me to lunch,” Ned said and 
kissed  her. 

“Nikolas, remember what I told you,” Alexis said and headed away with Ned. 

Nikolas went back to work and when he left that afternoon, he went pick up Sara 
at her house and they went out to eat. Nikolas and Sara were sitting at the Port 
Charles Grill when Helena walked up and said, “My grandson. I have been looking 
everywhere for you. I just found out the truth your father has been hiding from 
all of us. I learned you moved out of the house. Are you safe and well?” Helena 
said and kissed him warmly on the cheek. 

“I'm fine, grandmother. This is Sara Webber a friend of mine,” Nikolas said 
getting up and offering her a seat. 

“You are very pretty my dear. My grandson has good taste. Are you all right?” 
Helena asked again. 

“I'm fine. I have a new place to stay and a job,” Nikolas said. 

“You do? Tell me about it,” Helena said glad he hasn't chased her away. 

“I live just a few blocks from here. I will come get you sometime and show you 
my new home. I work for ELQ,” Nikolas said wondering why he never tried talking 
to her before. Stefan was wrong, his grandmother wasn't as bad as everyone says. 

“ELQ? Why there when you can take over the Cassadine family from your father?” 
Helena asked. 

“I don't want or need the Cassadine Family. I want to make my own way in life. 
You can understand that,” Nikolas asked. 

“Yes, you are a lot more like Mikkos than any of my sons ever were. He wanted to 
make his own way in life and didn't' take too much stock into the Cassadine heir 
at all. He even shared everything with his brothers. I hope you and your young 
lady come to see me at supper tomorrow. Then you can show me your new home. I 
might even find something for you. I want to be in your life Nikolas and I hope 
you will let me,” Helena said and got up to leave. 

Standing Nikolas said, “I would like that and I'm sorry for all the mean things 
I ever said to you. I should have trusted my own feelings and tried to get to 
know you better.” 

“I understand and I don't blame you,” Helena said and kissed him good bye.

Stefan had watched from his hiding place and grabbed his mother by the arm when 
she was out of Nikolas' sight. 

“You stay way from him,” Stefan said coldly. 

“Let me go. I will do what I want and when I want it. You lost your chance and 
now it is my turn. You should have made me an ally, not an enemy,” Helena said 
coldly and walked away. 

“What am I going to do now?” Stefan wondered as she walked away. Nikolas and 
Sara walked out a few minutes later and Stefan tried to talk to him. “Nikolas 
listen to me. Your grandmother isn't the person you think she is,” Stefan said 
and he tired to grab his son's arm. 

“Get off me. I don't want anything to do with you. I am fine without you. I will 
see who I want and there is nothing you can do about it,” Nikolas said and they 
left Stefan standing alone. Stefan had to find a way to keep Nikolas safe any 
way he could. He was willing to do anything to keep Nikolas safe. He went back 
to the island to think and plan. There was a lot to do and with Helena around 
very little time to do so. 

Helena went back to her yacht and smiled about the way her plan was working out. 
The Spencer's lives were upside down. Stefan was getting everything he deserved 
and Nikolas was just a few feet away from being hers. He might not be Stavros' 
son but he was the last in the Cassadine line and she had big plans for her 
grandson.