Nik: I came home and all I found was this letter. (hands the letter to Lucky)

Lucky(reading it over): Why don't I believe one word she is saying here?

Nik: If she didn't mean it, why would she be gone? (sits on the couch and puts his head in his hands) This doesn't make any sense at all.

Lucky: Could Helena have something to do with this?

Nik: I don't know. Gia told me that Helena hasn't come by, she said she hasn't even seen Helena since we got married. She could've been lying, she's changed somewhat, but I wouldn't put it past her, I mean, I trust Gia, but she's no saint. But why would she lie about Helena coming here?

Lucky: I don't know. Helena can be very manipulative and forceful. Look what she did to me.

Nik: Yeah, but I've asked her about it everyday. I asked her straight out if Helena had come to visit her or threatened her and she said no everyday.

Lucky: I find that somewhat hard to believe. Prince Nikolas gets married, and warns his grandmother to stay away. Now, Granny isn't one who listens to orders from others, so I find it very hard to believe that Helena hasn't visited Gia once.

Nik(leaning back): Yeah, I just don't get why she would lie. (deep sigh) This doesn't sense, Lucky. I mean, last night she had the whole romantic dinner planned. She was dressed exactly the way she was when we got married. (motions to the picture) She looked gorgeous. Anyway, last night was just so perfect.

Lucky: Maybe that was just the last dance? You know, give both you and her one last good memory of your time together? (picks up the picture and smiles) I never saw this picture. You guys look really happy here.

Nik(snatching it out of Lucky's hands): We were very happy, Lucky. I mean why would she just....I mean..(tears form in his eyes, but forcing himself not to cry) Why would she leave me? If things were that bad because of people giving us a hard time about getting married I would've left with her! We could've gone anywhere in the world and started a new life together. Another thing, I can't find her wedding ring or engagement ring. What would she want with them if we're over?

Lucky: Pawn 'em.

Nik(dirty look): Get out!

Lucky: What? Gia's gotten tolerable over the last year but do you think if she was really in a jam for cash she would think twice about pawning them?

Nik: I gave her those rings out of love. She may have done some bad things, but I doubt, no, I know that she wouldn't pawn her wedding or engagement rings. Can you just go please? I need to think.

Lucky: Sure, man. Call me if you need to talk.

Nik: Yeah, thanks. Listen, don't tell this to anyone, especially Elizabeth and Emily. I'm really not in the mood to listen to their celebrating that she's finally gone, the "I told you so's" and hearing them tell me how much better my life will be without her.

Lucky: I won't say a word, but people will notice she's gone.

Nik: I know, I just need a few days for this to sink in and figure out exactly what I'm going to say. Especially to her mother and brother.

Lucky: Oh, man, Taggert's gonna kill you, that is if Gia's Mom doesn't kill you first. I wouldn't be so worried about big brother, it's mama who scares me.

Nik: Yeah. What am I gonna say? You're daughter up and left me she didn't say why or where she was going or anything. She only said that she was never coming back and that I would never find her.

Lucky: You sure you don't want me to stay here with you?

Nik: I'm sure. I need to be alone.

Lucky: Don't do anything crazy.

Nik: Come on, would I do anything crazy?

Lucky: You are a Cassadine, so I wouldn't put anything past you. (his attempt to make Nik laugh fails) Hey, I thought that was pretty funny.

Nik: Pardon me if I'm not in a laughing mood right now. My wife kinda just left me!

Lucky: I'm sorry. Just trying to cheer you up.

Nik(sarcastic): You did an excellent job of it.

Lucky: Yeah. Look, I gotta go before I'm late for work and since you insist you don't need me....

Nik: I don't.

Lucky: Okay. Just call if you need anything. And take care of yourself, all right?

Nik(distant): Uh-huh. I'll call you in a few days.

   After Lucky leaves, Nikolas walks over to the fireplace and lights a fire. When the flames are nice and hot, he grabs the divorce papers and, after ripping them to shreds, he tosses them into the fire and watches them burn. He didn't care what Gia said in her letter, he knew she still loved him. And even if he has to search until his dying day, he was going to find her. He has to...he can't live any other way. .

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

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