The Guest House. Morning.
Claudia hadn't shown up for breakfast -- which had happened before, morning sickness being what it is. And when she hadn't answered Nikolas' knock, he wasn't too concerned. That had also happened before.
He let himself in, but before he went upstairs to check on her, he thought he'd check in on her food situation. She'd moved back to the guest house so quickly, he was unsure if she'd arranged for enough supplies. The refrigerator was empty. And he began to have a feeling of dread in the pit of his stomach.
"Claudia!," he called out, coming out of the kitchen. But there was no answer. So he headed up the stairs, his pace increasing with every step. He reached the bedroom. He opened the door. The bed was made. On top of the dresser sat one large package, one small package, and one envelope.
Nikolas dropped the newspaper on the bed. He slowly approached the dresser. The envelope read, "Nikolas."
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GreyStone. Dining Room.
Sonny finished up his breakfast. Claudia had kept her word as far as the business went. She had let all their associates know that she was still in the marriage, just not in the house. Because, she had said, things were heating up and she didn't want to risk the baby's life. So she was staying in a "safe house." She must have gotten a kick out of that phrase, Sonny thought.
He took out his cell phone and dialed. "It's me. ... Yeah. ... How are we on getting her off that island?"
"Getting who off what island?," Claudia said from the doorway of the dining room.
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The Guest House. Claudia's bedroom.
Nikolas opened the envelope. He unfolded the handwritten sheets and read:
Dear Nikolas,
I am so sorry to do this to you. But there's no other way. Right now, the most immediate danger in my world is the threat to John. The longer I stay on Spoon Island, the more I'm risking his life. I can't risk my brother's life. I'd rather die. I told you that the night you met me...
****************************************
Greystone.
"Are you here to negotiate?," Sonny asked.
"I'm here to stay," said Claudia.
****************************************
The Guest House.
Nikolas continued reading the letter.
... I am so sorry for leaving you like this. But you and I both know that if we'd talked about this, you would have tempted me into staying longer and longer, and I couldn't have that. I hope you know that I have never had anyone like you in my life. And that this has meant more to me than you will ever know. And beyond whatever is between the two of us, I know that if you hadn't taken me in, my baby would be dead right now. Both times I've stayed with you are the only times in my life when I've felt safe...
**********************************************
GreyStone.
"Sorry about this, Claudia," Sonny said.
"I understand."
Max patted Claudia down. "She's clean, boss."
"I'd like to go to my room," she said.
"Max, take her bags upstairs. And check 'em."
**********************************************
The Guest House.
Claudia's letter continued.
...The two packages I've left behind are for Spencer. The larger one is a toy boat that I thought he might enjoy. Yes, I know, bribery is a horrible, horrible way to win a child over, but I adore your kid, and I've done a terrible thing by getting him to like me and then leaving so abruptly. Which leads me to the second package.
I've written a bunch of postcards to Spencer. If you could send him one every once in a while, I think it would ease him into getting used to me being gone. I'd appreciate it. I'd do it myself, but somehow I don't think Sonny is going to want me to have any Cassadine contact from here on out.
Thank you for trusting me with your child. There's not another soul on earth who would have done the same. And now, I'm trusting you with my child. Should anything happen to me, I'm going to make sure that my son ends up with you. I'm going to spend the next few months securing his future with you. I know it's a lot to ask, but I'm counting on you knowing what a terrible time I had growing up with a father who hated my mother and, by extension, hated me. I can't let that happen to my kid. When the time comes, my son will be yours. I'm working on that now.
I told you last night that there's no way for a strong woman to survive this life. I know you thought that meant that I realized I had to give up the world I come from. What I realized is that I had to give up being a strong woman. Weaker women don't have such a hot survival rate either (I don't know if you knew Sonny's first wife, but if you did, you'll know what I mean), but their chances are better...
**********************************************
GreyStone.
Claudia unpacked her bags. There was a knock at the door.
"Come in," she said.
Sonny came in.
"Would you like some lunch?," he asked.
"Sure."
"This will work out, Claudia."
"Okay."
"We can talk about the business after lunch."
"I'm a little tired. I think I'd like to nap. So only if you need me."
Sonny looked a little taken aback, and then nodded. "Good to have you home. I'll have lunch ready in half an hour."
He left.
Claudia stared at the closed door. She put her computer on top of the dresser and patted it.
**********************************************
The Guest House.
Nikolas had reached the last page of Claudia's letter.
...Once you've read this, please destroy it and don't mention it to anyone. If Sonny ever found out about this letter, he'd have me watched like a hawk, and then I'd never be able to get my kid to you. Nothing can appear out of the ordinary now.
We're not going to be able to talk. Keep your distance when you see me. I don't want you to have another target on your back. You've got plenty for now without any contributions from my world.
I know this is going to drive you crazy. But right now, my priorities are my brother and my kid. You did everything you could to help me. I'll never forget that. And I'll always be in your debt. There's just no way out for me without risking my brother's life or my kid's life. Please be careful.
Claudia
Nikolas folded the letter, returned it to its envelope, and put the envelope in his pocket. He took out his cell phone and dialed. "I want a list of everyone who has come to the Island in the past week," he said.
He closed his phone, picked up the two packages, and left.
**********************************************
Wyndemere. Study.
Nikolas came into the empty room.
He hid the package of postcards in the back of his desk drawer. He pulled a large ashtray from the mantle. He took a lighter from his desk. He set Claudia's letter on fire and tossed it into the ashtray.
Nothing can appear out of the ordinary now.
Well, then, apologies to Claudia, but he had to pay her one last visit.
The door to the study opened. Alexis came in with Spencer.
"Someone was lonely for you," she said.
She put Spencer down on the floor and he toddled over to Nikolas, holding the tiny fire truck that Claudia had given him.
No time like the present, Nikolas thought. "Spencer," he said. "Claudia had to go away. On a little trip -- like we took to Greece."
"Γειά," Spencer said. Hello.
"Yes, Γειά," Nikolas said. "But look!" Nikolas brought out the big package. "Claudia left you a present!"
Spencer's mouth formed a perfect "O" shape. He dropped the fire truck and reached for the box.
"Let me help you with that," Nikolas said, putting the package on the floor and ripping the wrapping paper from the box.
Alexis picked up the toy firetruck.
Nikolas and Spencer opened the box. A hand-painted toy boat was inside, much larger, more colorful and more sturdy than the firetruck. It was, in fact, a boat for a child of Spencer's size to play in. When it was set on the ground. Spencer climbed inside. It rocked as he moved back and forth on it.
Alexis turned the firetruck over in her hands. "Wow," she said. "This is a Giacchi."
Spencer squealed. Nikolas' heart sank. Claudia would have loved to see this. He forced his attention to Alexis. "What?," he asked.
"Nothing," she said. "It's just this is a pretty valuable antique. Are you sure you want Spencer playing with it? He might want to save it for when he's older."
"Toys are meant to be played with," Nikolas said.
"Right," said Alexis. "But if he breaks this one, he can't get another. All Giacchi's are one-of-a-kind."
Nikolas got a gleam in his eye. He took the toy from Alexis and pocketed it. "You're right," he said. "And it looks like he's got a new toy to distract him."
"So Claudia's gone?," Alexis asked.
"Claudee!," said Spencer.
Great. "Can we discuss this another time?," asked Nikolas.
****************************************************
GreyStone. Living room. Afternoon.
Lunch had been quiet, but not tense.
"You going to bed?"
"In a minute," Claudia said. She searched Sonny's desk drawers. She pulled out a book of crossword puzzles. "Thanks for keeping them."
"I wanted them waiting for you for when you came home," Sonny said.
"Thanks." Claudia began to make her way to the stairs. She passed the photos of Sonny's children and thought to herself, Shot. Kidnapped. Terrorized. She realized Sonny was watching her. She looked up and smiled at him.
There was a commotion outside the living room door. Suddenly the door opened, and Nikolas burst in.
"Sorry, boss," Max said. "I'll take care of this." He reached for Nikolas' arm, but Nikolas shrugged him off.
"You didn't say good-bye," Nikolas said to Claudia.
"Oh, come on, Nikolas," Sonny said. "Do you need a map?"
"You didn't say good-bye to Spencer," Nikolas said.
"I'm sorry," she said. "This is the way it has to be."
"Please don't do this," Nikolas said. "Come home."
"I am home," she said.
"You heard her, Cassadine. She's home. Now why don't you go home?," Sonny said.
Nikolas stared at Claudia. She looked away from him.
"You're a fool," Nikolas said to her. "I'm finished with you."
And he left.
*****************************************************
Johnny's Garage.
Johnny had his head under a hood when he heard the door to the garage click shut. The door had been locked. He cautiously peered out from underneath the hood.
Nikolas Cassadine was standing at his door.
"I need to talk to you," said Nikolas.
Johnny threw a wrench into his toolbox. "You said enough last week."
"I don't think I did," Nikolas said. "You visited Claudia the other night. What did you say?"
"That's none of your business."
"Claudia's back with Sonny."
"She's what?"
"What did you say?"
"I told her to find me a way out this mess that didn't include violence."
"And aside from putting her own life on the line, what do think her options were?"
Johnny slammed the toolbox shut and stormed toward the door.
"Where do you think you're going?," said Nikolas.
"To Sonny's."
"You've done enough damage," Nikolas said. "I've now seen Claudia save your life twice, Johnny. I haven't seen much coming from you. So you're going to wait. You're going to keep your mouth shut. You're going to wait for word from me. And the next time you go against my wishes, I will put you some place where you can't do any damage to Claudia or yourself. Believe that."
Nikolas left the garage.
*****************************************************
GreyStone. Evening.
Sonny checked over his ledger. Jason came in.
"Hey. She's back?," he asked.
"Yeah. Upstairs."
"What do we do now?"
"We wait for the baby to be born."
*****************************************************
Cassadine Jet. Night.
Nikolas buckled Spencer into his seat.
The co-pilot came out. "Almost ready for take-off, Mr. Cassadine."
"Very good," Nikolas said. The co-pilot went into the cockpit. Nikolas turned to Spencer. "Gira, Gira, Spencer."
"Gira, Gira," Spencer said before yawning.
"That's right. Sleep tight," Nikolas covered Spencer with a blanket. "You're on your way to Italy."
The plane began to taxi down the runway.
