Chapter 37

The ball was in full swing as Nikolas led Helena down the stairs. "Do you approve?"

"It is perfect Nikolas." Helena adjusted her mask to make sure that her face was hidden well. "This far outshines that pathetic ball your uncle threw all those years ago."

The ballroom was filled with candles to create a romantic setting and the band was playing a soft waltz as masked couples swayed together in the center of the room. Tables surrounded the dance floor with the finest linens, china and silverware on them along with bottles of champagne. Flowers were everywhere and, in the middle of it all on the dance floor were Robin and Jerry.

"I am quite enjoying this dance Dr. Scorpio." Jerry kept a tight grip on Robin's shoulder as they danced. "It will be a shame to turn you over to your fiancée when he arrives."

Robin rolled her eyes and looked for familiar shapes in the crowd surrounding the dance floor. Somewhere in this crowd was her uncle and she couldn't wait to see him and hear a friendly and comforting voice. She was about to say something about going to find him when she heard Jason's voice behind her. "Robin?"

"Jason." Robin pulled herself away from Jerry and hugged him. "I didn't know you were going to be here tonight."

"I am actually here as my wife's date but she is running late. Might I have this dance?" He turned to the man standing beside Robin. "That is if your current partner doesn't mind?"

Jerry's voice took on a thick southern drawl as he answered Jason. "Well I don't mind but I do think Nikolas might have a problem with little Robin here dancing with her ex-boyfriend."

Robin stayed by Jason's side. "Nikolas knows that he has nothing to worry about with Jason." She reached down and took Jason's hand. "Let's dance."

Jason led Robin away from Jerry and began dancing with her. "Are you having fun?"

"Of course. Where's Sam?" Robin was surprised when Jason had said that he was there as Sam's date.

"Sam is going to be here in a little while – she had something to take care of before she was able to head over." Jason waltzed her closer to the edge of the floor.

"So you two are back together?" Robin smiled at him. "Did you finally get your memories back?"

"Yes I did." Jason swung her around as he gently guided her off the floor. "Which is how I know that you belong with Patrick and not Nikolas."

Robin was surprised by the statement. "Jason, I…"

Jason took advantage of Robin's surprise to push her out of the ballroom and into the hall. "Robin, trust me when I say it's all going to be okay."

"I need to get back inside." Robin was scared about what would happen if she wasn't there for the formal announcement of the engagement. She pulled herself away from Jason and headed to the door.

"It's about damn time you got here Drake." Robert paced the dock at Wyndamere as he helped the man off the boat. "Jason was trying to get her out of the ballroom but I don't expect him to have much luck."

"Sorry but we got a surprise gift at the last moment – the counteragent to the poison Jerry is using on me." Patrick took the mask from Robert's hands and put it on. "Kavi is certain that he will have the antidote created and ready by tomorrow."

"That is great news – one less thing to worry about." Almost immediately after his release from the hospital, Patrick had managed to get a burner phone so he could let Robert know about the poisoning and what he and Robin were being forced to do. Robert had spent the past month assuring Patrick that he and Anna were on the case and Robin would never marry Nikolas. "Now you know what your part of the plan is?"

Patrick didn't hesitate before answering. "Yes."

They reached the front door and made their way inside the building. Robert pointed to a hall. "Go down there – third door on the left."

The two men parted ways as Robert made his way into the ballroom just in time for the big announcement.

"Ladies and gentlemen." Nikolas stood by himself in the center of the dance floor as he spoke. "Welcome to mine and Robin's engagement party. We are thrilled to welcome you all here to celebrate this joyous occasion with us."

Applause filled the air. He waited for the applause to die down before continuing his speech. "I seem to be missing an important part of this celebration. Robin, would you please join me?"

Everyone looked around and finally the crowd parted to allow the dark haired woman onto the floor. Nikolas smiled at her and took her hand as she made it over to him. Looking out into the crowd he smiled at Helena before reaching up and pulling off his mask. "I believe the time has come for us to end this masquerade."

Helena quickly turned around and started to make her way to the door but was stopped by a gentleman in a wolf's mask. "Going somewhere?"

"I am not feeling well so I am going to go lie down." She attempted to push past the man again but was stopped. "Please let me through."

"I'm afraid that won't be possible." Robert grabbed onto Helena's arm and yanked the mask off her face. "Helena Cassadine, you are under arrest."

Jerry watched as Helena was exposed across the room. Knowing that he need to move quickly, he pushed his way through the crowd to the doors on the east side of the ball room, hoping to make his escape. Unfortunately for him, the knob refused to turn.

"Leaving so soon?" Jerry turned around to see a figure in black dress coming towards him. The color drained from his face as the mask came off and Anna DeVane stood before him. She nodded to her right and Jerry was grabbed by a set of arms from each side. "I wouldn't want you to miss the grand unmasking."

Anna reached up and removed Jerry's mask from his face. "Hello Jerry."