Nikolas came up behind Gia, wrapping his arms around her waist. “Are you mad at me?"

"Mad? Why would I be mad? Sure, I wanted to do something nice, something to prove that I wasn't the self-centered loser that all your friends think I am-"

"No one thinks you're a loser, Gia," Nikolas responded hoarsely.

"Everyone thinks I'm a loser. Including your friends, your family, my family...that evil old bat out in the living room. Helena only saved me because of you. I wanted to have this dinner, to prove to her that I wasn't trash. That I was worthy on my own of life...and everything is falling apart," she cried, covering her face in her hands.

Nikolas turned her around to face him. "You don't have to prove anything to anyone. Least of all my grandmother."

"I do!! You are a prince! I don't want you to be embarrassed to be with me. Whatever Helena thinks of me, I don't want her to be able to say that I can't represent you with dignity. This dinner was going to be a beginning..."

"You are the classiest, most dignified woman I know. Not because of where you grew up but because you're a decent human being. You have a conscience, character, and morals. That makes you far superior to Helena and the rest of my family."

Gia felt nauseous again. How could he be so blind to how she was manipulating him? Most of the things she had said were lies and she felt like scum. Still, she pressed on. "I want this dinner to go well...please, can't we try to be good hosts?"

"If it will stop you tears, of course we can. I'll march out there and be the charming prince. Helena will swear she's in the wrong house. That is how nice I plan to be," he said, kissing her cheek. "I want you to be happy."

"I'm happy when I'm with you."

"Then we shall always be together," he said sincerely. He took her hand and led her back into the living room. "Grandmother! Gia has made me realize that I have been impolite to a guest in my home. I  apologize and humble myself for your forgiveness."

Helena shot Gia an evil look before saying, "Oh, Nikolas, you needn't apologize. It was wrong of me to go where I wasn't wanted. I think it would be best if I left."

"If that's the way you feel, who am I to stop-" Nikolas stopped when he saw Gia tear up. He stepped forward. "Don't leave. We have dinner ready. Please stay."

Helena smiled, dropping her purse. "If you ask, how could I refuse?"

They all followed Gia into the dinning room. The table was nicely set and they sat to enjoy a well-prepared meal. The meal passed with polite if superficial chatter. Helena remarked on the china. Nikolas told her it had been a gift from Stefan. Helena bit back a sarcastic retort. Gia tried to keep the conversation going. She knew that  this was a mistake. It was unnatural to eat food with Helena. Which was probably why the smell of the food made her sick. She barely touched her dinner.

After they finished, they all retired to the living room for coffee. Gia handed Helena a cup and sat back against the sofa next to Nikolas. 

"It's been a lovely evening," Helena said.

"Yeah, lovely," Gia replied. "How's your coffee? Do you need more sugar?"

"No, I don't."

"Oh..cream? Milk?"

"No, I'm fine."

"Oh..."

Nikolas looked down at his watch. It had fifty-three minutes. He was already over his limit. He sipped his coffee, wondering why he was still  putting up with this. "This is great coffee, Gia."

"Thanks."

"Yes, Gia," Helena added, "this is very good coffee."

Gia tried to smile. "So, ummm...Mrs. Cassadine-"

"Do call me Helena."

"Helena, I was wondering why you left Greece. I know why Nikolas and Stefan moved, but no one ever explained why you decided to live in little old Port Charles."

Helena decided to use this as an opening. In a sad tone, she said, "Actually, I couldn't stand to be in Greece anymore. I was sick for a long time and the island came to feel like a prison."

"You were sick? I didn't know. You're better now?" Gia asked. Underneath her cup, she crossed her fingers. Please

"100% better! My doctors say I've never been healthier."

"That's wonderful..."

"Anyway, the island held nothing but bad memories. Memories of my family that had slowly slipped away. When I was healed of my sickness, I realized how very alone I was."

"You came for your family?" Gia added, trying to help Helena make her point. She cut her eyes to look at Nikolas. She couldn't tell if he was paying attention or not. "How sad to be so alone."

"It is indeed a sad life, Gia. That's why I sought Nikolas out. I wanted so much to be a part of his life."

"You know why you're not," Nikolas said matter-of-factly, sipping his coffee and avoiding her eye.

"I know I made mistakes!" Helena pleaded.

"Kidnapping and brainwashing my brother is more than just a mistake. Trying to kill the only father I've ever had is more than a mistake!"

"I'm not proud of any of those things! I was desperate!"

Gia could feel Helena self-destructing. Didn't she know better than to lie so boldly?  "Helena, there is no excuse for the things you did."

Helena turned her sharp glare to Gia. "Keep your remarks to yourself!"

"Not likely! You're not helping yourself by glossing over the evils you've done. The things you've done are more than just desperate. They're sick!"

Nikolas stood up and walked to the door. "I'm done. This dinner is over. I can't believe that I even tried to do this. I want you gone!"

Helena gathered her purse, setting her coffee down. She and Gia shared long scathing looks before the older woman flounced towards the door. "Nikolas, you have to understand that I did all of those things for you. I wanted you to be happy."

"No, you wanted to isolate me. You wanted to get rid of my brother and my uncle so that I would be vulnerable to you. That will never happen. Don't think that one kind deed will get you anywhere with me. I only let you in because of Gia. She is my rock and she will always be there for me. "

"She's no angel, Dear."

"Maybe not, but she is loyal. She would never betray me. And that's what makes her far classier than you will ever be."

Helena was angry. She turned to look at Gia again. She was jealous that such a person would have more sway with her grandson than she did. "Don't put too much faith in other people, Nikolas. You'll only be disappointed. What ever you chose to do, keep your heart safe."

"My heart is safe with Gia."

"She'll break it. Just the way everyone breaks your heart," she said, touching his cheek. "Don't they always hurt you? Didn't Laura leave you time and time again. Hasn't Lucky shunned you in the past?  Isn't  Stefan guilty of lying to you? They all hurt you and they all leave eventually. Everyone does."

"That's not true," he protested, but his voice had no real conviction. "Besides, Gia won't."

"How can you be so sure? You can't trust her. She'll hurt you."

Nikolas ripped her hand from his face. "You're the only one who hurts me!"

"I'm the only one who's always there. And, despite the things I do, I never pretend to be someone I'm not. I never lie and tell you that I have decent intentions. I have never claimed to be conventional. I'm the most honest person you know."

"That's ridiculous."

"No, what's ridiculous is that you ignore the truth. You are so naive.  Like everyone else, Gia will betray you. When she does, when your world crumbles, come to me and I'll open your eyes to the world, Nikolas."

"I will never come to you!"

"Never say never," Helena said,  exiting the door Nikolas held open for her.

Gia had stood, paralyzed through the whole conversation. She was afraid that Helena would announce the truth. As Helena left, Gia realized that this couldn't continue. She stormed past a surprised Nikolas, pulling the door closed behind her. She ran across the front lawn, jogging to catch up with Helena. "How dare you say those things to him? You don't really love him!"

"Of course I do," Helena lashed out, "I'm the only one who tells him the truth."

"You're a liar! And I could kill you for wounding him like that."

"You're wasting my time."

"Shut up! Let me make this clear. The deal is off! It is OFF! You stay as far away from Nikolas as you can or I will find a way to destroy you!"

"You do know what this little attack of integrity will cost you, don't you?"

"I'm not afraid!"

"You should be. But, I know that you're acting off of emotion. I am confident that you will do my bidding until I don't need you anymore."

"I told you I was done!"

"That's what you said..." Helena whispered, moving past Gia and climbing into her limousine.

Gia trudged back to the cottage. Nikolas was standing in the doorway as she walked up. "What did you say to her, Gia?"

"I told her to stay away. I'm so sorry, Baby. I'm sorry about everything."

"Don't be. You have such a good heart. I know you just wanted to do the right thing," he pulled her up the steps and into his arms. Her skin felt cold despite the warm air. He noticed that her face was ashen. "Aren't you feeling well, Princess?"

"I don't know," she said, the perpetual nausea still rolling through her. "I don't think so."

"Let me take care of you, then," he said, leading her inside and locking the door behind them.

~*~  ~*~  ~*~

Somewhere in the city of Port Charles, Helena Cassadine's limo cut down the street. In the back, she spoke angrily to Andreas as he nibbled on her ear lobe. "I hate that piece of trash my grandson is seeing! She can't cross me and walk away."

"What do you want to do, Madame?"

"I want you to move to the next phase of the plan!"

"Isn't too early for that? I thought you said you had a setback with Nikolas tonight."

"Now that I'm thinking more clearly, it might not have been a setback. Perhaps we made progress," nodding her head she continued, "Tonight was blessing. That little twit will never know what hit her. Move to the next phase."

"Whatever you want, Madame." ~*~  ~*~  ~*~

End of chapter Seventeen, Please e-mail any feedback by clicking on the mailbox below :)

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