Lucky poked his brother, "Nikolas, are you ok?" he asked.

"Yeah" Nikolas replied dryly. "I am great"

Lucky looked unconvinced. "Talk to me brother."

Nikolas sat back and took a sip of his beer. For a moment he was silent and Lucky watched him carefully. Finally Nikolas spoke. "I fell in love with her"

Lucky looked perplexed like he was trying to complete a complex puzzle and finally it dawned on him. "Carly?" he asked. "Are you serious?"

Nikolas nodded, "Yup but it's too late she has moved on" he replied.

"With who?" Lucky asked.

"Patrick Drake" Nikolas smirked. "Yeah. I now understand your loathing for him Lucky" (A/N: I don't personally have an issue with Patrick Drake. I love the character. I am not trying to make him the bad guy)

"I am sorry" Lucky said. "I can't say I get it but I am still sorry"

Nikolas shrugged and motioned for Coleman to bring him another beer.

Coleman put the beer down in front of him and looked at him quizzically. "Women troubles?" he asked.

Nikolas snorted, "Like you wouldn't believe" Nikolas mumbled.

"Let me guess" Coleman asked with a chuckle. "The lovely Carly got you down?"

Nikolas didn't answer he just kept staring into space.

"She was in here last night" Coleman went on.

"With Patrick Drake?" Nikolas snarled.

"No- alone" Coleman replied. "Getting drunk and whining about you"

Nikolas didn't know how to respond, so he didn't. Instead he paid the tab for both himself and Lucky. Then he left.

He pulled up at Carly's and again the lights were on. This time he walked to the door slowly- scared of what he might find. He knocked lightly and held hid breath. A moment later the door opened and their stood Carly in her pajamas.

"What?" she asked.

"I love you" Nikolas told her. "I think I have loved you all along and I just didn't know it until now. But I do love you. I love your smile. I love your crazy plans. I love you when your shouting and when your crying. I love you" Carly didn't respond sop Nikolas figured his chance was lost. "Ok, goodnight" He turned to leave.

"Wait!" Carly called. She stepped onto the porch. "I love you too"

Nikolas turned around and faced her. He stepped closer and put his hand on her waist- pulling her close. Nikolas leaned forward and kissed Carly. He wondered why it ook him so long to do that. The kiss was explosive and it felt right.

"Want to come in?" Carly asked. "The boys are with Sonny"

Nikolas nodded and let Carly lead him inside.