AN:

Only one more chapter left. I'm hoping to have it done later this week. I love all the comments. My readers are so smart.

~Kelly~

Chapter Five

Alexis couldn't believe what she was seeing. Well actually seeing Luke mixed up in the mob wasn't surprising at all. However hearing her nephew plot Ric's death was new. When did Nikolas even get involved with the mob? And why was Luke working for him?

She had no idea what was going on but Alexis was determined to get some answers. After she collected a little blackmailing evidence of course. Pulling out her phone she captured nearly a minute of video. Mostly of the pair planning her ex husband's death. With this evidence Anna would have to let Ric go free. Of course that would leave Spencer without a father. Surely she could figure out a way to punish Nikolas and set Ric free. Alexis was a Cassadine after all.

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"I need to speak to Commissioner Devane" Luke demanded to the first cop he saw. After his run in with Alexis Davis he was almost happy to turn himself in. it was obvious where his boss got the crazy genes from. The whole family was full of nutters. Prison might actually be the best place for him.

"She's busy at the moment. You could..."

"Look punk I don't have time for your excuses. I wanna talk to the Commissioner now." he said pounding his fist on the desk. The squad room immediately went still. You'd think they'd never seen a criminal act out before.

Anna flung open the interrogation room door. The lack of activity instantly caught her attention. "What is going on out here?"

"Just the person I wanted to see." he said smiling at Anna. Seeing the police commissioner lifted a huge weight off his shoulder. In fact it was the safest he'd felt since falling in with Nikolas Cassadine. "I have a confession to make."

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Nikolas was sitting at his desk waiting for Luke's call. Or the imposter Luke Spencer to be more accurate. It was sheer brilliance to use a look like of his ex step father to do his dirty work. The man had always hated his existence. What better pay back than to ruin Luke's life?

Being a mob boss never occurred to him. At least not until he was nearly bankrupt. That moment was a major wake up call. From then on Nikolas amassed as much money and power as he possibly could. The quest led him first to his second in command and the to Julian Jerome. Both men were bitter and almost eager to make Sonny Corinthos pay. His plan was working perfectly too.

Until two very unexpected events happened.

The first was Jerome trying to back out of their deal. While annoying Nikolas had to admit the other man was easily dealt with. Too bad his man hadn't shot Sam instead. The con artist was a blight on the Cassadine name.

Ric Lancing's return on the other hand practically ruined everything. With his brother back in town Sonny became even more paranoid than usual. Security around the territory tightened considerably. He nearly lost the foothold he's gained in Port Charles.

Then here was the more personal reason for hating Ric's return. From the moment he returned the lawyer made it clear he wanted Elizabeth back. It was sickening how obsessed he still was over her. What he never imagined was that Elizabeth would still care for the psychopath.

After her confession Nikolas hoped they could be together again. He knew it would take time to end hing with Britt but he was in no hurry. Elizabeth could suffer for he pain she'd caused him. It wasn't like she had any other options. At least she didn't until Ric Lancing blew back into town.

In less than two months he'd managed to ruin nearly all of Nikolas' plans. For that alone he should be punished. Framing him as Jerome's boss was brilliant. He knew no one would believe Ric's claims of innocence. Except Elizabeth, for some crazy reason, did. She even defended the other man. It was enough to make Nikolas snap.

The death of Ric Lancing was a good thing. He was a threat to everyone Nikolas loved. Especially Elizabeth. You would've thought she learned her lesson chasing after Jason Morgan. It was so frustrating to watch her chasing after these psychos. It was as if Elizabeth was determined to ruin her life.

Well Nikolas refused to stand back any more. He was going to save Elizabeth from her own foolish choices. And one day she would thank him for all his support. Maybe he could even convince her and the boys to move back in while she grieved.

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Alexis entered Nikolas' study and watched him for several moments. Just looking at him you wouldn't have suspected anything. It was a shame Helena wasn't alive to see this day. She would've been so proud. Nikolas had become a true Cassadine.

"We need to talk." she said closing the heavy wooden door. The last thing she wanted was for the staff to hear their conversation. "I want to know when you became a mob boss?"

"I'm surprised you figured it out." he said nothing bother to deny her accusation. "Years Alexis. Since Emily's shame of a marriage to Zander."

"I shouldn't be surprised but somehow I am."

Nikolas scoffed at her simplistic view of him. Apparently his aunt knew nothing about him. "You're disappointment in me is touching. Was there anything else?"

"Just one more tiny thing I thought you should know. Luke Spencer is turning himself in." Alexis informed him trying to stay calm. While killing Nikolas would make her feel better it wasn't part of her plan. "So you're little plan to kill Ric won't work."

Nikolas stood up to face the older woman. He couldn't believe Alexis had the nerve to mess up his plans. Who did she think she was? "For now at least. You can't protect him forever."

"Why are you doing this? You're supposed to be better than the rest of our family."

"Being the good guy is boring Alexis." he shrugged rounding the desk. Nikolas hoped her loyalty was to him and not her ex. It'd be a shame to leave Molly and Kristina with no parents at all. "It's not hard to understand I wanted money and power. Just like the rest of our family. The only difference is I don't need the world to know what I've done."

"Well that might be a problem," she said handing him a CD.

His eyes narrowed at the unusual gift. Apparently Alexis was up to something. "What's this?"

"The evidence against you. Either you leave Port Charles and never return or the PCPD get a copy of that disk."

"You're going to turn me in to the cops? What about Spencer?"

"He's the reason I'm giving you a choice. Go back to Greece and raise your son."

"And just abandon my business interests here in Port Charles?"

"Would you rather die? Because if this comes out that is a distinct possibility." Alexis pointed out sensibly. Of course Nikolas was going to fight her on this. She'd expect nothing less.

"I'm not scared of Sonny Corinthos or of Ric. You really do have he worst taste in men. Ned was the most normal of the bunch. Which say a lot considering he's a Quartermaine."

"What about Elizabeth?"

Fear immediately gripped Nikolas. The very last thing he wanted was Elizabeth to learn about any of this. Losing her that way would send him over the edge. "She's not apart of this." he insisted venomously.

"I doubt she would agree. Either you and your business interests leave town or I will tell Elizabeth personally." Alexis threatened calmly. She knew Nikolas wanted the young nurse for himself. Something that would never happen if she learned the truth. "You have twenty-four hours to think it over."

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Ric had no idea how Alexis managed to get the charges dropped and for once he wasn't tempted to ask. Right now all he wanted was to get the hell out of the PCPD. "Thank you for everything Alexis really. I expect a bill you know that right." he said walking out of the station.

Alexis shook her head at the request. "Seeing Molly's happy face is payment enough."

"We'll argue about it later." he promised his ex wife. Ric was too happy about being released to fight for now. "Do you happen to know where our daughter is?"

"At Elizabeth's figured you could kill two birds with one stone... so to speak."

Ric immediately smiled at the answer. If it weren't for the fact they were in public he'd be half tempted to hug her that's how grateful he was. "I seriously owe you for all this."

"Just Tell Molly she'd better be in school tomorrow."

"Done." he said rushing off to see the most important people in his life.

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Molly Davis Lancing was a god send. The teenager had become a regular visitor at Elizabeth's house. Both the boys immediately took to Ric's daughter. It was sweet watching them follow her around like little ducks. If nothing else it was a good distraction from worrying about Ric.

She was almost certain something as going on with his case. Alexis had practically shoved Molly into her house and left without saying a word. It was unusual behavior even for the high strung lawyer. Oh well she'd find out what was going on eventually.

A knock on the door interrupted her preparations for dinner. It never failed she'd get started and someone would visit. Knowing it was probably Patrick she didn't rush to the door. Maybe she should just give her neighbor a key. They were over at each other's houses enough. Only it wasn't Patrick. Opening the door Elizabeth was shocked to see Ric standing there. Her mind went blank for several seconds and then asked a million questions all at once. Launching herself into his arm she started to cry. "I can't believe it's really you."

Ric wrapped his arms around her and pressed a kiss to her temple. "Shhh. Sweetheart I'm right here. It's over now I promise."

"Alexis got the charges dropped?" she asked pulling back just enough to see his face. He looked exhausted but over all happy. "It's really over?"

"The charges have been dropped and I'm a free man." he promised brushing his lips across hers. He deepened the kiss for several seconds before backing them into the house.

"I have missed you so much." she grumbled pulling him into another kiss. "Don't ever leave like that again."

"Does this mean you're going keep me around?" Ric teased trying to lighten the mood. "Because as I recall we never got to finish our conversation on the subject."

"That's not funny Ric. You were arrested and..."

Cur her her off with another kiss. Brushing a strand of hair from her face. Ric "But that's all over now."

"It better be." Elizabeth grumbled causing him to laugh. "I don't wanna be with Nikolas. He and I... it doesn't work. I care about him but... us to work this time."

"You mean you and me?" he asked smiling when she nodded. "The we will figure out a way to make it work."