Chapter 3:  Bye-Bye-Bye

Nikolas was in his room packing his suitcases.  Damn Carly, he thought as he walked out on to the balcony that overlooked the sea.  She'd always caused trouble for he and Kristina; Stefan could never punish her without punishing everyone else.  He heard a faint knock on his door; he came back into his room and opened it.

"May I come in?" his Uncle Stefan asked.  Nikolas nodded.  Stefan entered carrying a long silver box.

"Nikolas, you know I only punished you because your were a part of the guilty party.  And you need to learn that sometimes the witness is just as guilty as the criminal, it's not fair but that's how the world is."  Stefan held up the silver box.

Nikolas took it trembling, there is something strange about it, he thought.  "What.  Is this some sort of bribe or something?"

Stefan stood up and began pacing around the room.  "No it is just something that I wanted you to have.  In this family it is a symbol of courage, loyalty, strength and responsibility.  I don't want you to open it until you get to Wyndamere in Port Charles.  And don't show Carly."

"So what is it?" Nikolas tossed it on his bed.

"You'll see.  But I just wanted you to know that this isn't so much a punishment as it is a lesson." Stefan said.

"What's the difference?" Nikolas questioned. 

"Well Nikolas, you need to learn about life outside of this seemingly perfect world that you, Caroline and Kristina have grown up in." he circled Nik slowly, "Which is why I am placing you in charge of them and yourself-,"

Nikolas cut him off, "Well Uncle thanks for the gift and the responsibility, but I would like to finish packing and say good bye to everyone before we leave tonight."

Stefan nodded, "I understand." And then left Nikolas alone.

"It's not a punishment, its responsibility," Nik mocked after Stefan had left.  He went back out to the balcony, "Dammit!" he shouted.

"You know Stefan, I don't know if this is a good idea after all.  I like sending them to be on their own for a while, but sending them to Port Charles.  What if Luke is still himself and what if he finds out about Nikolas and Carly, that they are really the children of Barbara and Laura?  I know neither of them told Luke that they had Cassadine offspring." 

Stefan sat at his desk, "Calm down Alexis.  I have everything figured out.  I had Chloe call Michael Corinthos, he has agreed to place bodyguards in and around Wyndamere as well as tail them when they are not on Spoons Island." 

"What!?!  They'll go crazy if someone had to follow them around everywhere.  Not to mention they work for Sonny."  Alexis began to hyperventilate. 

Stefan began to chuckle, "Breath slowly darling sister.  Anyway they won't have to know, I am also sending tall, dark and sexy."

Alexis smiled, "I thought I was staying here."

Stefan laughed loudly, causing Alexis to frown, "I'm mean the other tall, dark and sexy woman on this island, Mercedes."

Alexis sat up from the couch, "Does Chloe know you think that your assist is TD&S?"

He chuckled, "Of course, she also knows that I think she's short, bright and beautiful."

 "Carly, Kristina and Nikolas.  On a plane.  In a new place.  Okay Steffy, I think you've lost your mind."  Then she left.

After Alexis left, Chloe entered.  "Darling, do you think they will be safe if I send them to Port Charles now?" he asked his future wife. 

She glided over and sat on his lap, "Of course, and Sonny wouldn't let anyone hurt people that meant a lot to his Lexy.  Hmm, I wonder what he ever saw in Alexis in the first place."

"You were jealous of their love back then weren't you?" he said asked.

She stood up, looking at Stefan sadly, "Yes.  But I was young back then.  He wanted to know if Alexis would be coming."  She sat on the couch and started to cry softly.

Stefan walked over and sat down beside her, "You did the right thing by breaking them up, even though it was for your own selfish reasons.  But I promise you, nothing will be the same after this trip to Port Charles."

Nikolas waited outside for Kristina and Carly, he had calmed down and decided not to upset with her anymore.  His uncle was right, they needed to be out on their own for a little bit.  It wasn't going to be all bad.  Maybe he would meet someone.  Or maybe not he thought after his unsuccessful relationship with Mercedes.  They finally came outside, frowning, Carly was bawling loudly.

"It isn't going to work you bitch!" Kristina shouted hurrying away from Carly.

"Kristina!  What has gotten into you?" Alexis called after her.

Kristina's face turned red, "I thought you weren't going." She said shocked to see that her older sister had heard her.

"Well, yeah, we'll only be there for two days.  Stefan and I, are going to help you get settled.  Anyway there is someone I'm hoping to run into."

Carly stopped crying, "Daddy is the biggest asshole I've ever know.  I mean where the hell does he get off putting a wimp like Nikolas in charge?" she babbled unaware her father was standing right behind her.

"I'm glad to know you think so highly of me daughter.  I'll also be sure to let the wimp called Nikolas that you shouldn't be let off the island  while you're in Port Charles."

Kristina came up and slapped Carly on the shoulder, "Hah!"

"Even though I find all of this conversing interesting, it is time for everyone to get on the damn plane!" Mercedes shouted from nowhere.

Nikolas stopped, even though they lived on the same island and she lived in the Main palace with Stefan and Alexis, he hardly ever saw his ex girlfriend.  Nikolas stopped Stefan, "Uncle, Mercy isn't going with us, is she?"

Stefan turned and saw a nervous Nikolas, "Of course, I thought you were past all of that nonsense.  Anyway Mercy is just going to keep trouble away from you, Caroline and Kristina."

Nikolas nervously boarded the private jet after his uncle, next stop Port Charles USA.