I know there are heads spinning. LOL I promise, I don't do anything that isn't linked to some piece of history of the show or linked to the possibility of another fic after this one is finished. There will be one or two loose ends that won't be tied up until the new fic if you all choose to read it. But I wanted to say thanks for reading. I love the feedback. I'm only a couple chapters away from the end just to give you some idea of where I am with this one.

Alexis the Surrogate

Chapter 35

Sam could see right through Nikolas. He wanted to just hop on his private jet and leave the mess that he helped to create behind him.

"Why are you lying?" Sam asked.

Nikolas squirmed. Sam had never seen him that uncomfortable before. "Spencer isn't my son. I always knew he wasn't, but you just get used to the lie…and it becomes harder to undo it once it's done."

Sam laughed. "Fine. Spencer isn't your son. But he's not Jason's either. So you're going to need to explain to me what you're doing."

Nikolas checked his watch. "I have less than an hour to leave here. You still have time to change your mind about Greece."

Sam shook her head. "Why do the Cassadines have to be so damn complicated? How did I end up in this family? I'd rather be a Scorpio."

"I never said we were perfect. And be careful what you wish for." Nikolas said. "I remember years ago when Jason saved my life."

"How did he do that?" Sam asked.

"I was in front of Luke's nightclub and I took a bullet to the throat. Jason did emergency surgery on me in the parking lot. I could have suffocated to death."

Sam's eye grew wide. "Really? I didn't know."

"Yea. He tried to pay for my medical bills because it was discovered that the bullet was meant for him and Sonny. My uncle wanted nothing to do with it. But I was grateful to Jason for what he did. We've always had a bit of a contentious relationship."

"You're not going to tell me the truth about Spencer are you?" Sam asked. "You trusted me with Stefan, why not this?

"As I said, he's not my son. Helena is concerned that I don't have an heir. And she's determined to get it somehow. But I can't put Spencer through this based on a lie. One shouldn't have to be a Cassadine if they're really not one."

"Ok. That's cool. You don't want to tell me who Spencer's father is. And that's fine. Obviously a dead woman can't talk so there goes me asking Courtney. This is perfect for you."

Nikolas ran his finger across his lips. "All I can do is release me of this burden. I finally found someone that I feel comfortable leaving Spencer behind. When Jake died, it made me realize that it doesn't matter. None of us are safe. We all have our demons and Franco is a common thread for us all. But you will make a great mother to him if you want?"

"A horse won't fit in the penthouse. I think he might love Sheeba more than me."

Nikolas smiled. "You're still a Cassadine. You will still have access to Wyndemere. And I'm offended that you choose to have your wedding at the Q's instead of here."

Sam wrapped her arms around Nikolas and held him tight. The many scenarios of explanations to both Spencer and Jason ran through her head. But there was no way she was going to let go of Spencer. She loved him too much. And more than anything she felt terrible that Nikolas was losing out again on a child that she knew he loved.

"So this is what parents do with that whole sacrifice thing?" She asked as she helped Nikolas straighten his jacket. "Helena is going to kill you for this."

Nikolas didn't seem moved by the suggestion. "Stefan and I are planning to deal with Helena once we sort out this mess with Franco. Her involvement with him is deeper than we thought. There is so much that I want to tell you, but the more you know, the more vulnerable you are. So it's best that you know nothing at all."

Ethan caught up with Michael on his way back to ELQ from Kelly's. He pulled Michael into an ally.

"Ok Mate. Sorry about the beat down earlier." Ethan laughed. "I have to be all badass when Johnny is around."

Michael scratched his head. "You told Mike I was indebted to you for a million dollars? You expected him to believe that?"

"Flash money at Mike and he'll do anything for a gamble. Plus I have to make it look like you're not with us." Ethan patted Michael on the back. "What's up with those account numbers? I am in a hurry because operation get Kristina on a plane has failed."

"Yea. Well so did operation ELQ. Ned is back and he's my boss."

Ethan threw his hands on his face. "Geez. This is not good. Edwards is on to us. Who do you think tipped him off?"

"I don't know." Michael said. "But Ned pissed me off enough to make me want in. He wants me to be his lackey because he hates Jason and my dad. If I'm going to be somebody's pawn, I'd rather be Alexis'. At least I know it's for good reason. I hate that Franco got to her. I know she's freaked out. I just keep remembering my mom and Claudia and how Claudia terrorized her. I just felt I had no choice but to kill her."

"You don't need to explain it to me." Ethan said. "Johnny's my boy and all, but he loved his sister. I'm glad you're finally seeing the light. You're the best person for this because Edward will never believe you'd betray him."

Michael grabbed at his hair. "I think I know who tipped Edward off and you can thank Sam for it. I think she might've screwed us without meaning to screw us."

The doorbell at the Quartermaine mansion rang. Tracy looked around to see if anyone was going to answer the door. She relented and opened it herself.

Skye stepped in. "Where is Grandfather?" She asked as she walked into the lobby amidst an uninvited snarl from Tracy.

Tracy slammed the door. "What the hell do you want?"

"Grandfather called me and said I was invited to Jason and Sam's wedding. He also expressed some concerns with ELQ and thought I'd be a good compliment to Ned. Is Ned around?" Skye asked.

"I allow my son in my good graces for one minute and then he railroads me with you. You're not wanted nor needed."

"Au contraire." Skye wagged her finger at Tracy. "I was invited by Sam to the wedding and then Grandfather and I started talking about business."

"Of course you'd bring up money to my father! Isn't that why you rolled in last time because you were broke?"

"And to play kiss and tell with Luke." Skye dug in the knife.

Tracy took deep breaths. "You stay away from my husband. You can play footsie with your cousin, Ned."

Skye smiled shyly. "Noted. I'll only deal with what's mine left to my daughter by her father, Lorenzo."

Tracy threw up her hands. "Who knew a dead man would still cause problems. I think my father went senile years ago when he let thugs like the Alcazars have any piece of ELQ. If I have anything to say about it, you won't see one red cent."

Sam returned to the penthouse and found Jason in a daze. She figured his mood was because of Lorenzo, but it was the last thing she wanted to discuss with him. He was relieved to see her and he even felt stupid for being angry with her over something that she had no control like her paternity.

They were masters at saying so much without saying anything at all. She looked down on the ground when she heard cracks of broken laptop under her shoe. Something made him angry, she thought. Breaking things was Sonny's ammo, but a lot had happened to Jason within a short period of time.

"You broke my laptop?" She sat down next to him. "Did something happen aside from what we fought about? We can talk about Lorenzo."

"I don't want to talk about Lorenzo." Jason pronounced slowly.

"You know Alexis went to Greece?" Sam asked.

"Yep. But that's not what's bothering me. I don't have control over anything anymore."

"Like your sperm?"

Jason looked at Sam. He was beyond puzzled. "Huh?"

Sam relaxed. "Is there something you want to tell me? Nikolas just told me that Spencer is your son."

"Is that why he was here earlier? It's like he wanted to say something to me, but couldn't spit it out."

"Probably."

Jason stared at Sam and realized why he loved her. They just knew each other. "Spencer's not my son. And apparently neither is Mikkos."

Sam was on edge again. She pointed towards the broken pieces on the floor. "Is that how you found out?"

"Franco got a message to me and claims that Mikkos is his son. But how am I supposed to know the truth if Alexis isn't even here? I don't know what's real anymore and I guess seeing you with Lorenzo made me feel even more alone. Why would Nikolas just leave Spencer behind? He snapped at me for even suggesting such a thing."

"Because Spencer isn't his son and he feels this sense of duty to the truth." Sam said. "That much he told me, I believe. He won't say more than that for fear that I'll know too much. He doesn't want me to be a target. Can we keep him?"

Jason nodded. "You're good with him. I felt bad for you when Nikolas said they were moving to Greece. I could tell you didn't want to be disappointed, but you were. My only hesitation is that we can't lie to him. He's still young, but I see what lies did to Michael and to you. You have this father now that you never thought you'd have. Had you known the truth, I know things would have been easier for you and Lorenzo. I spent Michael's entire life keeping him from the Quartermaine's and look at where he ended up—the Quartermaine's via prison. There had to be an easier way."

"You want to be Dr. Jason Quartermaine don't you? Nikolas told me that you saved his life once. I feel this pull away from Sonny in you. And I want you to know that I support it."

"I can't believe Nikolas remembered. Because it was my bullet, I'll do this one favor for him. But he better not screw me if Franco is lying and Mikkos really is my son."

Ned stepped in to break up the fight in lobby between Skye and Tracy.

"Whoa. Ladies." He put out his arms to keep them separated. "We're all Quartermaine's here. There's enough to go around."

"I shouldn't have to share anything with anyone especially this hussy!" Tracy shouted.

Monica walked downstairs. "Skye, who asked you to come here? It's my house and I don't remember inviting you."

Skye was entertained by the drama. "My brother and Sam would like me to be at their wedding. Is that too much to ask?"

As the argument between the foursome continued, Michael and Ethan slip in unnoticed. They hurried past the arguing crowd and down the hall into Edward's office. Michael slowly shut and locked the office door behind them.

"I knew Skye was involved." Michael whispered. "She has to know something is up."

"Any chance of getting her on our side if we slip her some cash? We have no clue what she knows."

Michael paused to hear the arguments continue. "No. She can't be trusted. Alexis hates her. She wants her uninvited from the wedding. Not gonna work."

Ethan snapped his fingers. "I'm such an idiot. My dad! He loves a heist. This is perfect."

"Uncle Luke is banned from touching anything with the Quartermaine name."

"When has that ever stopped him? Jason and Sam's wedding is the perfect cover. Edward will be occupied kissing Jason's ass. Monica will be watching her family's possessions like a hawk and kissing Jason's ass. And Tracy will be all over Skye kissing Jason ass making sure she's not influencing Ned. Luke can be all over Skye in turn keeping Tracy doubly occupied, because Tracy will never kiss Jason's ass. Meanwhile, you're the best man while Spinelli, Johnny, and I are stealing from ELQ. The four of us will be millionaires sipping Pina Coladas and looking up under skirts on a beach somewhere. Luke will crown me the head Spencer."

Michael rubbed his chin. "So I'm involved without really being involved? I think I'm ok with that plan."

Nikolas arrived at the villa in Greece with Molly in tow. As they walked down the corridor to Stefan's office, Nikolas could tell that Molly was anxious about all that was going on around her. Her typical precocious nature dissipated into childlike desire to be comforted by her mother.

"I don't understand why Spencer didn't come." Her voice was unsteady as she still wasn't used to spending time alone Nikolas. She viewed him more as an authority than her loving cousin.

Nikolas stopped in front of Stefan's door and knelled down to Molly. "You'll love it here."

"So would Spencer." Molly held tight to the stuffed lamby that was once given to baby Kristina by Zander. She had planned to pass it on to Mikkos after she got wind of Nikolas' discussion over the phone with Stefan about the baby's possible arrival.

"I'll explain Spencer to you later I promise. In the meantime, I want you to meet someone very special to your mother."

Stefan stepped out into the hall and greeted Nikolas. "I take it that you did what we discussed?"

Stefan's influence on Nikolas hadn't changed and neither had Stefan. His face was still youthful and well rested. Stefan had gained back his confidence despite the disastrous decisions that he made that put the Cassadines in a position of vulnerability.

Stefan looked down at Molly and wonder filled his eyes. Ever since Lulu was a little girl, he held a special place in his heart for them. They made him melt and Molly was no exception. "And you must be my sister's lovely daughter?"

Molly looked at Nikolas and pointed to Stefan. "I thought he was dead?"

"For now I am." Stefan said. "Only you and Nikolas know that I'm alive."

"And Sam." Nikolas exclaimed.

Stefan crossed his arms disapproving. "Dr. Jackson has been keeping watch over Alexis. He felt it best that I not cause her anymore distress with my sudden appearance. I will see her when she's rested."

"Uncle Stefan, when is Mikkos coming?" Molly asked.

"If what Dr. Jackson said is correct, Mikkos should here any day now." Stefan said.

Nikolas covered Molly's ears with his hands. "And we'll finally be able to move on to catching Franco. I know we're close. I just hate that we have to use Alexis to do it."

Stefan agreed. "Alexis is a Cassadine. She will prevail."