She returned to the penthouse late afternoon, ostensibly to sleep, but Alexis was incapable of quieting the voices and questions in her head. An hour's worth of tossing and turning ended when Victor called, asking her to meet. After rejecting his suggestion of Wyndemere, they agreed on a small Irish pub that was unlikely to be populated by any Spencers.

Victor entered the bar looking a bit out of place in his Saville Row suit. Alexis started to rise to greet him but he put his hand up, "No, my dear. Don't get up." She leaned over to kiss either cheek.

-"I still need to greet my uncle properly." Her attempts to recapture the brightness of their previous meetings fell flat. He reached over and grasped her hand.

-"How are you, Alexis? I know you and Nikolas are close. What can I do?"

Alexis smiled grimly. "Turn back time? Tell Nikolas not to go to Havana?" She noted the sadness on his face, "I'm sorry, Uncle. I don't mean to be flip…it's been a very long few days. And I just…I just…" Alexis shook her head to try and stave off any tears.

-"So there isn't any hope."

-"No," she said quietly. The waitress came by for their order and Alexis ordered a burger.

-"Make that two," Victor added. His niece smiled. "Is something funny?"

-"I'm sorry. I just…it's you and the suits and the smores and the burgers. I feel like you're forced to slum it every time you're in my presence."

- "While I admit I am out of my element and I'd frankly prefer a bone-in ribeye, it is worth it to see that smile. I suspect it hasn't shown itself much lately."

-"It has not." Alexis took a sip of the bourbon she had ordered, taking comfort in the warmth as it moved down her throat.

-"Scotch? I didn't realize you were a big fan."

-"It's bourbon. I never used to drink it but I have a…friend who convinced me of its merits. That's how I found this place, actually. It is one of the few bars in town that serves Elijah Craig."

-"My, my. That is quite a refined palate. I must meet this connoisseur some day."

Alexis took another sip. "That's not very subtle, you know."

-"Was I being coy?" Alexis nodded in response. Victor continued, "I admit that I have heard that you have a special 'friend,' and I've been curious."

-"Well, we're not special anything anymore. He's Sam's father. And a friend."

Victor eyed her for a moment before abruptly changing the topic. "Yes. Well although I still hope to meet the man someday, I will say that Mr. Jerome wasn't actually on the agenda."

-"Good," Alexis replied. "So what is, Uncle? What lures you away from the dark, creepy island?"

-"There are two topics that require some delicacy. I suppose I'll start with the easier one first."

-"OK"

-"Although I've been removed from the family business for some time, I was heavily involved before my…troubles. And although it's been about three decades, I still have some contacts that work for Cassadine Industries."

Alexis started to sit straighter and her eyes narrowed. "Go on."

Perhaps sensing her suspicion, Victor took on a conciliatory tone. "This is not a critique, Alexis, mind you. Look. Nikolas was not a 'hands-off' CEO. That has benefitted our family's interests, but has also left us vulnerable during his…incapacitation."

-"I'm doing the best I can, Uncle."

-"Alexis, of course you are. But caring for Nikolas needs to be your first priority."

-"So what are you proposing? That I hand off control to someone?" Alexis raised her eyebrow. "Perhaps to a trusted family member? Someone who could temporarily run things until I have the time to take care of it?"

-"Don't be ridiculous, Alexandra." Alexis was caught off guard by his abrupt tone. "The only Cassadine you trust is Nikolas. Rest assured, I want no part of Cassadine Industries. My freedom is dear to me, and my interest—no matter how slight—would result in my enemies looking for a way to imprison me again." His voice softened. "I've no interest in being caged, Alexis."

-"I'm sorry, Uncle. Traditionally our motives have less to do with familial affection and more to do with power." She considered him. "I admit, then. I'm at a loss as to what you're proposing."

-"It's very simple really. I'm sure you're being inundated with requests. Allow me to use my contacts to prioritize them in order of importance for you." He smiled. "Think of me as a secretary, bringing the most important matters to your attention."

Alexis thought about his offer for a few minutes before pulling out her phone. "I turn this off now for a good part of the day. I take an hour here or there to not feel the buzzing or hear the dinging as I get a new voicemail or email. It's been off since I got here, maybe 40 minutes ago." She took a sip of her whiskey. "I'll make you a deal. If I have more than 30 new emails and 10 new voicemails then you can be my secretary."

-"That sounds rather arbitrary, but alright. If you think that's a good way to judge."

-"Here we go." Alexis waited for her phone to boot. "No drumroll? Nothing dramatic?" Victor was silent. "OK, then. What do we have? Well it appears I have 22 voicemails and 37 emails. Mr. Cassadine, it looks like you have yourself a job."

-"Hmmm. You're being awfully flip, Alexis. This is serious business. A business your father, your brother and your nephew built."

She sat chastened. "I'm sorry, Uncle. It is hard for me to take anything seriously right now that doesn't involve Nikolas—the person, not the business. If you'd like me to take on a more serious tone, I can. But you may want to prepare yourself for a bout of hysteria."

-"Well, now *I* must apologize, Alexis. I can only imagine this has been hard for you. I know that I can't offer you much comfort, but I am glad you have your daughters to help you…and your friend." He smiled conspiratorially.

Alexis nodded, "Me too."

They sat and ate their burgers in silence. Alexis looked at her Uncle's plate, filled with French fries and the remnants of a hamburger bun. "So," she smiled. "Still wish you had that steak?"

-"Good Lord, yes. How do people eat like this every day?"

-"You did manage to devour the burger, at least."

-"Well, I was famished, dear. And it was passable."

-"Remind me to order you one with bacon, next time."

-"Why must you be vulgar, Alexis?"

Alexis chewed on the end of a French fry. "So. What's the second thing?" Victor was silent. "Come on. You said there were two. Out with it."

-"I'd like to see Nikolas."

She took a slug of her bourbon. "I don't know if that's such a good idea."

-"Please, Alexis. I know it's a problem with Laura. But if there's a way we could do it when she wasn't around. He's been very kind to me, and I'd like to pay my respects."

-"It's not that I'm unwilling. I just don't know if we'll find a time when she leaves, Victor. You have to understand, she is so overwrought right now that the sign of any Cassadine…we're a target for her."

-"That seems quite unfair."

-"It is but I understand her instincts. There's nowhere for her to direct her anger. There's no one to blame. And we're easy, easy targets."

Victor's voice was quiet. "So you believe it was an accident."

-"If I'm really honest with myself, yes. I can't ignore the evidence. But my gut—"

-"What?"

-"My gut tells me there's something wrong. I've ordered as many toxicology tests as I can without draining Nikolas of his blood."

Her uncle nodded. "You should. Keep looking, Alexis. We've always had enemies…especially among ourselves."

The opportunity to sneak in Victor came later that night. After much discussion, Lulu finally convinced her mother to allow Spencer to see his father. Laura's acquiescence wasn't enough though: Lulu insisted her mother be rested so she would have as much energy as possible to support Spencer. It was midnight when Victor was able to enter and spend time with Nikolas. The goodbye was brief, and Alexis found herself weeping as she watched a preview of what she would face within the next day or so.

They stood outside Nikolas's room and Victor hugged her. The unfamiliar arms were surprisingly comforting and Alexis found herself squeezing her uncle before releasing him. "Thank you, Uncle. Thank you for coming and for helping."

He offered her a handkerchief. "Alexis of course I—"

-"Mom?" A tentative voice from down the hall interrupted their goodbyes.

-"Kristina?" The relief Alexis felt was quickly overcome by sadness as her daughter rushed to her arms and cried. "Shhh, baby. Shhh." Out of the corner of her eye she saw Victor wave; she nodded her head and he walked away.

The next day was a blur. After consulting with Lulu and Lucky, Alexis made the decision to turn off Nikolas's ventilator the following morning. The hospital became a vigil as friends came in to say their goodbyes to the prince. Spencer's goodbye was the most heartbreaking. Alexis no longer saw a precocious eight-year old; rather, she felt his loneliness across the room. He looked so tiny, so devastated; she absorbed all of it. She hugged him and whispered, "He'll always be in your heart. And you will always be loved and you will never be alone. I promise."

-"Why didn't you tell me she was this bad?" Kristina snapped.

Sam looked at her sister. "What do you mean, Krissy? I mean, Nikolas is dying…what did you think it would look like?"

Kristina shifted uncomfortably as tears welled in her eyes. "I'm sorry. I shouldn't be taking it out on you."

-"No. You shouldn't." Sam pulled her sister into a hug. "It's OK, Krissy. We're all devastated."

Kristina broke the embrace and wiped her cheek. "So where is he?"

-"Who?"

-"This father of yours. Molly seems to be under the impression he's lurking about. That he and Mom are still together."

-"I don't know. I think they are…but you know Mom. She's so secretive."

-"She thinks she is anyway. Until you look at her."

Sam nodded. "I'm actually kind of worried. She wasn't doing well before Nik's accident. And this…"

-"I know." Kristina looked down at her hands. "I can't believe he's gone, Sam. It's like losing my brother. My whole life, the only sane constants outside of us were Jax and Nikolas. God, remember when she thought Jax was gone?"

-"That was awful. And she didn't even really believe it, you know? She was still destroyed."

-"So seriously. Where is this father of yours? Where is the man who blew up our house?"

Sam sighed. "Look, I know he's done a lot of shitty things. Please, just meet him before you decide you hate him. Give him a chance?"

Kristina sighed. "It's not like I can judge Sam. Sure your father may have been the cause of the bomb that almost blew you up…but he's already ahead of Sonny because he didn't actually set it."

-"So you're calling him Sonny now?"

-"After what he did to Morgan? Hell yes. Unless I'm with Michael; then it's Dad. I can't deal with another lecture."

-"You know you can stay with us, Kristina. There's room…" Sam smiled. "…sort of."

-"I know. And I will. I figured that now was the time to stay with Michael and catch up. Because as soon as…as Nikolas is gone…it's just…it's going to be nuts." Kristina was silent. "I really wish Jax were here. Even Julian. You know she won't talk to us. She's just going to try and protect us."

-"We'll just need to push her. Push her until she cracks."

-"I feel like this is some weird Davis Girl take on the Cassadines. We're plotting against our own mother."

- "The difference is, we actually love her and want to help."

The tubes seemed to come from everywhere….his arms, his throat. There was even one coming out by his legs that emptied to a bag covered by a blanket. She looked at him, he was so small. The tan he'd sported across the summer had faded giving him a somewhat sallow appearance, while the growth on his face made him seem wild. As though somehow the coma had set Nikolas free. She picked up his hand, putting her fingers over his wrist to feel his weak pulse.

-"I'm so very, very, very sorry. I'm so sorry I wasn't there for you Nikolas." Alexis smoothed his hair off of his forehead. "You were always so small and serious. These big brown eyes that were so curious. It was so easy to make you smile, make you laugh. And then one day you were a man. And you weren't this child anymore…you are my confidante." She bent to kiss his temple and whispered, "Stefan was so proud of you. He would have been even more proud to see you now…how you've led the family. The father you've become…I promise you Nikolas. He'll never feel like we did. He'll never feel abandoned. Or that he wasn't loved. He'll have a choice to be whatever he wants to be. I promise Nikolas."

The sunlight hit her face as she emerged through the automatic doors. It had been over 36 hours since she had been anywhere that wasn't the fifth floor of GH. She wouldn't be back again. The colors outside seemed muted, and she felt as though she were moving in slow motion. Traversing the parking lot felt like crossing a busy highway. She heard a tinny laugh, and part of a conversation somewhere off to her right. They were about 50 feet from the car when the loss slammed into her, and she instinctively tensed around Sam's arm, which was entwined with her own. She turned, panicked, and Molly and Kristina looked at her puzzled. "I couldn't see you," she said as she reached out an arm to them. "You were gone." And then Alexis fell to her knees and started to cry, and her daughters joined her on the asphalt to comfort her.