Author's Notes: I finally put Luke and Laura into this because my intent on this fic was always to be more than just about Nia. Truthfully I've steered clear of writing for Luke and Laura simply because I was afraid of writing for them. Luke is a hard man to write for! Humor is something I struggle with very much when it comes to writing but it is so integral to Luke's character and to the dynamics of Luke and Laura's relationship. But finally I made myself put them in. I hope it's all right!

Okay so I really want to get this fic posted more often, and finished because I've been writing it forever!!! I started writing this before Stephen Nichols left General Hospital, which was over a year ago!!! There's still lots of stuff to happen but I've decided to pick up the pace a little so as not to bore you or myself. I hope you're all enjoying this, and please, if you read, review!!! They're always welcome, I really want to know your thoughts.

Chapter Sixteen

Alexis took a deep breath as she closed the door to her penthouse, her briefcase in hand. She couldn't believe she was resorting to this. But Alexis was desperate to find out where Stefan's money had gone to. If Helena had anything to do with it then Alexis needed to know immediately, if not sooner. Alexis had lost enough in her lifetime, especially in the last few months. She refused to let anyone take away what was left of her family.

Putting herself together, Alexis stepped past the elevator and stood in front of Sonny Corinthos' door. Losing her nerve temporarily, Alexis shook her head. Ned would not approve of this. I don't answer to Ned,, she thought. And if he were as desperate as I am now he would do all he could think of to protect his family.

Alexis forced herself to knock before she lost the courage to. After a few seconds, Alexis was face to face with Carly Corinthos. The greeting Carly gave her was cool but Alexis expected no less.

"I need to speak to Sonny," Alexis replied, unfazed.

Carly glared, her eyes becoming smaller and darker, but to Alexis' surprise she didn't protest. Instead, Carly opened the door further and stepped to the side to let Alexis come in.

Carly's cool gaze did not intimidate Alexis. She was used to it, and if anything, annoyed by it. Sonny was standing by the fireplace, his usual glass of whiskey in hand. He watched the exchange between his wife and lawyer silently. It wasn't until Carly had reluctantly excused herself that he spoke.

"Something wrong?" Sonny asked, placing his glass of whiskey on the mantle before stepping closer to Alexis.

Alexis drew in a breath. "Yes. I—I need a favor."

At this Sonny raised his eyebrows in question but his face remained unchanged.

"I know I can trust you," Alexis continued, making her way to the couch. She sat down as she placed her briefcase on the coffee table and flipped it open. Sonny sat down next to her and took the papers Alexis handed him. He sifted through the documents, his face emotionless. "There's money missing from my brother's bank accounts. It's unaccounted for, I can't trace it anywhere. I think Helena may have done something with it. No one knew the money was missing until after Stefan died. I don't think the timing is coincidental."

"You want me to find it," Sonny stated. He sat back against the couch, resting the tips of his fingers on his lip like he so often did when in thought.

"Yes. I don't care how you do it. I just want to know what happened to the money, who has it."

Sonny looked at Alexis. "You know what you're asking me to do is illegal."

Alexis shifted in her seat. "I know. But I also know you don't have a problem with that."

"But you do."

Alexis shook her head. "I'm not going to let Helena ruin my family, Sonny. I will stop her, I don't care if it means doing a few illegal things to do it."

"Why don't you go to Mac Scorpio? He could look into it and keep everything legal. I know you would be more comfortable with that."

"But you could be more thorough than he, and you can keep Helena from finding out. Believe me, I've already thought about going to Mac."

Sonny sighed and Alexis watched him intently. "Will you do it? Please, Sonny, you're the only one with the resources. I can't have Helena finding out I might be onto whatever she's planning."

Sonny nodded. "Consider it done."

****

Luke leaned sideways against the wall, watching Laura and Lulu. Lulu had made a picture at school and was proudly showing it off.

"This is you, and this is Daddy, and here's Grandma and Lucky and Elizabeth."

"Very good!" Laura smiled. "And who is this above all of us, with the wings?"

"That's Nikolas," Lulu replied as if it was obvious. "He's one of the angels now. He watches over us, you know."

Laura gave her daughter a soft, sad smile. "Yes, he does."

"Mommy, I know he's an angel now. So is it okay for me to miss him?"

"Of course it is," Laura replied softly. "We all miss Nikolas, sweetheart. Don't ever feel bad about it." Lulu nodded. "Well you have riding lessons today, so you'd better go get ready!"

Lulu bounded up the stairs excitedly. Luke walked up to Laura and placed his hands on her shoulders. She turned around and smiled at him. Luke recognized the sadness in her eyes. Her eyes always told him what she was feeling.

"She's so sweet," Laura said, not wanting to talk about Nikolas at the moment. The very thought of him made her heart swell with fresh grief.

"Yes, she is," Luke agreed.

Laura always curled up into herself when the subject of Nikolas came up. It reminded him of when Lucky was presumed dead. She had turned to Stefan with her grief instead of to Luke. But Stefan wasn't around either, and Luke knew enough to know that she did mourn for Stefan, but her grief was much, much deeper for Nikolas. At least Laura had someone to go to then, even if it was the Count Steffin. He knew for a fact that Laura acted the same way with Leslie, Amy, and Lucky. She was keeping it all bottled up, and Luke did not like that one bit.

"Darlin' why don't I make reservations tonight to the Port Charles Grille," Luke suggested. "It's been awhile since we've had a night just the two of us." It was true. Even though Luke had moved back into the house and he and Laura were officially back together they had hardly had any time alone together.

"Yeah, it has been awhile," Laura agreed. "I'm sorry."

"There's nothin' to be sorry for," Luke protested gently. "It's not your fault, or mine, it just happened. Come on, you won't regret it. I even promise to behave myself while we're out."

"This I'll have to see," Laura's warm smile returned. Lulu came down the stairs just then and Luke smiled to himself as he watched them leave. When he was sure they were gone, he turned and headed to the desk. Opening the bottom drawer, Luke threw some things around until he found just what he was looking for. Grinning to himself, Luke felt anxious about dinner that night. He was just glad Laura had not found the ring box he had put in the desk only two days ago.

TBC

R&R!