AN: Thanks for the reviews...a couple of you have really influenced where I was going with the story. This is short...mostly because the second half of it is still jumbled in my head, and I think it will be long enough for it's own chapter.

I'm having a little crisis. When I began this story, Ric was a total rock for Alexis and her girls, but TIIC are turning him in to a complete Psycho again, and I'm not sure if I want to incorporate that or not. He doesn't play into the next chapter, so maybe it will resolve itself before too long.

I toss my suitcase onto my bed and begin dumping everything in my closet into it. I replay the conversation in the cove over and over again in my head. Then I remember Kristina's haunting look as we returned to Windemere. She broke from me as soon as she saw Viola. She threw her arms around her nanny's legs, and mumbled something I couldn't make out. "Somebody needs a nap, I guess." Viola suggested.

"She was sort of asleep on the beach…but Alexis asked me to bring her back." She won't look at me. I want to make it right. "She's a little mad at me too."

"Oh…she's just tired." Kristina acted as though she couldn't hear us. She didn't protest at all when Viola steered her toward the South Hall and her bedroom.

I look at the mess I've made. There is no way I can squeeze everything into a suitcase. But there is no way I can fit my life into Alexis'. I find my self staring at my welcome home picture drawn weeks ago by Kristina. Each stick figure is labeled in crayon. Daddy Ric, Molly, Me, Cuzin Nik, Mommy and Sam. Each smiling brightly.

I give up. I make my way to my balcony. Across the bay I see Port Charles against the setting sun. If I leave, where will I go? Mike would probably let me have a room at Kelly's for a little while, and Sonny might offer the guest house. I could waitress or something, but it will have to be full time, there'lll be no money, no time left over for school. I'm surprised at how much I hate that. I've gone on-line to find out when and where I could take the GED. I've spoken to the admissions department at PCU. Assuming I pass, I still have time to register for the Fall semester, but I have to act quickly.

"Hey." He startles me.I jump, he apologizes. "Sorry, I didn't mean to sneak up like that."

"Its fine Nikolas, I think I was somewhere else."

"I knocked, but I was worried when you didn't answer, I wanted to make sure you were okay. Did you have a fight with Lexis?"

"She told you?"

"No…I haven't seen her." He leaned against the railing. "When I walked in I noticed you're packing."

"Oh, yeah…that."

"So you're leaving then?"

"I don't, I don't know. I think, I probably should."

"If I asked you not to, would you stay?"

"Look, I know you and Alexis are close, but…"

"I don't want you to stay for Alexis…I mean, I do want you to stay for Alexis, but I need you to stay for my son."

"You lost me there, you don't have…"

"I found out today that John is my son. Apparently Jax felt Helena was too big a threat and took it upon himself to 'protect' John."

"Oh, Nikolas, I'm sorry, or should I say congratulations?"

"Yeah, it's hard to know what to say isn't it?"

"What are you going to do?"

"I, I was convinced by Robin and Alexis to give myself a day to process and prepare for this."

"Alexis?"

"I called her, she's good in a crisis…at least, I find her good in a crisis." Nik smiles slightly. "Luckily with Molly here, we have a lot of the basics. I have Alfred arranging the nursery. I pick him up tomorrow."

"Wow, wow…He's your son huh? I wouldn't think Jax was capable of..."

"You know Sam…I'd really rather not talk about that right now." Nik says through a clenched jaw, "I need you to stay."

"And be John's nanny or something…that's not really…"

"No, no." Nik laughs… "Alfred's calling an agency…I just need John to be surrounded by people who love him, and I think you can do that. I think it's something you are particularly good at."

"Thanks…" I smile, "but I don't know."

"Will you at least think about it?"

"Yes…I promise you, I'll think about it."

"That's all I can ask…like I said, I pick him up tomorrow." Nikolas heads back into my suite.

"Wait, Nikolas, can I ask you something?"