Life on Cassadine Island was one of boredom for Ava and Trina. Trina just lay on the bed, staring into space, thinking of Spencer, and avoiding Ava. Ava sat on the bed, feeling awful that she had gotten Trina in such a position and she felt bad that the young girl was not talking to her, not that she could blame her. She had messed up big time. She should never have tried to hide what she had done to Nikolas. Perhaps, if she had gotten Nikolas's help from the start and admitted to what she had done, Spencer and his brother would be safe from Victor, and Trina's family would still be alive. None of them would be in the trouble they were in now.

Nikolas for his part felt great anticipation. Today was the day that he would see his sons again, one of them for the first time. If only he could delete Victor from the equation, but that would come soon enough. Right now, he just had to bide his time and wait for the right moment to make his move and then free his family from Victor's tyrannical grip.

"Sir, the plane from Greenland has landed," The family butler announced.

"Good. Go down and bring them here to me. Make sure that Victor brings both of my sons. I want to especially meet the baby," Nikolas rubbed his hands together, feeling great anticipation. This was the moment he had spent months waiting for.

Ten minutes later, the butler returns, leading Victor into the room, followed by Spencer, who had Ace in his arms and two other guards that belonged to Victor, and a strange woman that looked to be a nanny.

"Uncle Victor! Welcome!" Nikolas grinned, but his eyes were glued to his sons. "Spencer, you're a man now. And is that Ace?"

Nikolas took a few steps towards his sons, just to find his way blocked by Victor's men.

"Not so fast, Nikolas. We have a lot to discuss," Victor's smile did not reach his eyes as he took in his nephew. He knew that he was playing with fire. The Cassadine rules of inheritance said that Nikolas was the head of the family, but Nikolas has time and again proved himself ineffectual. He was not about to relinquish control of the family back into his incompetent hands.

"What is there to discuss, Uncle Victor? I am the head of the family and it's time that I take my place as such. Those are my sons that your men are blocking me from. My heirs, not yours! In fact, where is your heir? Did he survive that pathogen that you had released onto the world? You should go find out," Nikolas glared at the elder Cassadine, trying his best to keep hold of his patience. He wanted the old man gone so badly.

"Valentin is of no concern of yours. Or mine anymore. He has shown himself to be disloyal. So his fate is in the wind. Now, tell me. Where have you been all this time? Why contact me now? Why summon us here to Cassadine Island?"

"Ava was what happened to me. After trying to weaponize my son against me, I had words with her and she knocked me in the head with some hard ornament...then hid me in some closet instead of calling for a doctor."

"Ava was responsible?" Spencer frowned, alarmed by this news.

"Yes, Spencer. I did not abandon you and your brother. I was attacked and then kept away from you. Someone related to Austin Holt, an up-and-coming mob boss, had discovered my body in that closet and had taken me to that town he was from and had me hooked up to life support. I lay in a coma for months. When I woke up, I brought my freedom and headed here and plotted my revenge," Nikolas explained. "Imagine my surprise when I woke up to the news that both of my sons had been kidnapped and had disappeared without a trace."

"I did what was necessary for the planet and our family," Victor shrugged, not sorry at all for what he had done.

"Taking my sons from their grandmother? Releasing a pathogen onto the world? Keeping my sons prisoners? That's what you call necessary?"

"Enough! Tell me about this revenge. I assume it had to do with Ava."

"Of course. I kidnapped her and brought her here. I have her under lock and key and there she will stay. She's away from her home and the people she loves. She'll never see them again," Nikolas explained. "Now, if you'll excuse me, I want to see my sons."

"Wait, Trina is always with Ava. She was staying with her and the last time I heard…"

"Spencer, enough about that girl!" Victor snapped his patience with his nephew at an end. "I gave the girl the vaccine on your request and that's all I want to hear about it! Now behave yourself and be quiet!"

"Uncle Victor, I suggest that you watch how you speak to my son. You may be older than me, but I am the Cassadine patriarch, according to the rules," Nikolas glared at his uncle.

"Despite those rules, you have shown yourself to be incompetent. This plan of locking Ava up forever shows just how incompetent you are. Until you show that you have the true spine of steel to be the Cassadine, I will be taking that role until it's time for Spencer to replace me. Or Ace. Whichever one comes first."

"Look, I am not in the mood to argue with you, Uncle. Fine. I'll do things your way. For now. But I demand one on one time with Spencer. Without your guards about."

"No way," Victor shook his head.

"What's wrong, Uncle? I mean, this is an island. He can't go anywhere and neither can I. Besides, this is his home. I want it to feel like such."

"Two hours. Two hours and then he's back under the guard of my men. I will not have you displacing me yet, Nikolas. Not until you prove your worth."

"Oh, I'll prove it alright. Now, let me meet my newest son. I insist," Nikolas's voice was stronger this time, signaling that he will not be taking a no for an answer.

"Well, fine. I don't see why not. Thankfully my pathogen took out that horrid girl you had bedded," Victor grumbled, signaling for his men to move out of the way.

He watched as Nikolas approached his sons and held his arms out for Ace. "It's going to be alright now. We're all together again. You, me, and Ace," Nikolas smiled at Spencer, who reluctantly handed his brother over. "He is a cutie, isn't he? Despite his mother. Hello little guy. I'm your daddy. I am sure that your big brother has told you all about me."

"That's enough. It's time for Ace's nap anyway," Victor had enough. He signaled for the nanny to take Ace away from Nikolas, who wanted to fight her, but held off, knowing that it wasn't time yet.

"I suppose it's time for you all to be shown to your rooms. Dinner will be in a few hours, be ready. Oh, and I'll be having those two hours of one on one time with Spencer afterward."

Victor just nodded with a frown, feeling suspicious.

…..

Dinner was a quiet affair. None of the men had anything to say to one another. Spencer felt like he was in a game of tug of war between his father and Uncle. Both men glared at each other over the table, each daring the other to make some kind of move.

Finally, his father spoke up. "Now that your pathogen has been stopped by the good Dr. Finn with the help of Dr. Obrect, what are you planning to do now?"

Victor glared at Nikolas and shrugged. "I am working on something as we speak. A new weather machine. Something that will combat this climate change. And then, perhaps I'll find a place for those worthy of my vision can go and be safe while the rest of the planet lives in squalor. I mean, I did try to save everyone, but obviously, it was unappreciated."

"Too bad you couldn't be stopped before killing off all of Trina's family," Spencer couldn't help himself.

"Spencer, you speak out of turn once again. Do I have to punish you for your insolence?" Victor glared at his younger nephew. "Maybe you'll go another week without seeing your brother?"

Nikolas frowned. "You use Ace to punish Spencer?"

"It's the only way to get Spencer to behave. The boy is quite attached to the baby. Has an idea that he's the child's guardian or something."

"He's my brother! Of course, I want to protect him!" Spencer glared at Victor.

"Spencer's right. I mean...I have a younger brother that I would move the world to protect from the likes of you. Look, I don't appreciate you using my baby as a way to punish my son."

"Well then Spencer should behave," Victor finished his meal. "I'm off to my quarters. Enjoy your two hours."

Victor snapped his fingers as he got out of his chair and all of the guards, including the one guarding Spencer left the room.

Nikolas frowned as he watched Spencer and noticed how the young man seemed to crumble in on himself now that Victor had left the room. Nikolas was immediately out of his seat and wrapping his arms around his son. He had to wonder what his Uncle had done to Spencer to put him in such a state.

"It's alright, now son. It's alright. He's gone. You can relax. You're safe," Nikolas held Spencer tight as the young man began to sob against his shoulder. "What happened? What did he do?"

"He...he killed a guard because he helped me! The guard understood my need to talk to Trina and he got me a phone...but something happened to Trina while she was talking to me and Uncle Victor caught me with the phone...I tried to take all the blame, but the guard...Nikolai...he came in and confessed that he helped me and Uncle Victor killed him for it! Not only that...but I think he did something to Trina too!" Spencer sobbed, spilling it all out to Nikolas.

Nikolas felt his heartbreak, realizing that his son was indeed traumatized by all that had happened. There was no doubt, if there ever was one, that he had to do away with Victor and soon. But first...he had to take care of his son. Make it right for him and he knew just how to do that.

He pulled away and made Spencer look him in the eye. "We have two hours without guards. Let's take a walk. I want to show you where your grandmother once lived when she was here."

Spencer just nodded and stood up with his father and followed the older man out the door. He felt embarrassed for losing it the way he did. He was supposed to be a Cassadine. He was supposed to be made of stronger stuff than this, but it seemed like all he's been doing since this ordeal began was cry. Cried for his father, cried for the love he had been forced to leave behind, and cried for the life he could have had but was now denied.

Spencer was so deep in his own thoughts, he didn't see his father pull out a walkie-talkie.

"Bring the girl to the house. No, just the girl. Leave my ex where she is," Nikolas directed as he continued along the path that lead them to a beachside cottage. It was an attractive house that contained two bedrooms, a living room, a kitchenette that opened into a dining room, and a glass door that lead out onto a patio and down onto the beach. There was also a small garden that looked to be well-tended. Nikolas almost had a memory of being in his mother's arms as she walked and talked to his Uncle Stefan, but he didn't know if that was an actual memory or just wishful thinking.

"Grandmother lived here?" Spencer frowned, looking around the cottage.

"Yes. She was quite comfortable. For a while anyway. She came here to get away from Stavros and Helena. It was her safe haven you can say."

"I doubt Uncle Victor would let me stay here. It's too far away from the main house. Too hard for his people to keep an eye on me," Spencer sighed, feeling miserable.

"You're forgetting. You have two hours free of your Uncle and his guards. Two hours to come here and just be yourself. Just to be free until I can get rid of Victor once and for all," Nikolas placed a hand on his son's shoulder.

Spencer looked at his hands and sniffed, not knowing whether to believe his father's words, but knowing that he should let his father know about some things that had happened in his absence. "It was Ryan Chamberlain, you know."

"Hmm?" Nikolas frowned, confused.

"Esme. It turned out she was the daughter of Ryan Chamberlain and Heather Webber. Two of Port Charles's most infamous psychopaths. Heather Webber was the hook killer all along as well. Anyway, it turns out that Ryan had sent Esme to my boarding school to get close to me. Ryan wanted to use me to break you and Ava up and it worked. She manipulated my anger with you and made it bigger than it was. Talked me into returning to Port Charles….and most of the bad stuff that I did...or claimed I did...it was her. Avery's bear, blowing up Ava's car...it was all Esme on the order of Ryan Chamberlain. I'm guessing her seducing you was his plan as well…"

"Oh my god," Nikolas frowned. "He...he played us all like a fiddle."

"He did. They both did. I guess the only good thing to come out of all that was Ace. I just...I need to say that I'm sorry. I'm sorry for all of it. Stalking Ava...pushing you away...driving you away…"

"Hey, you did not drive me away. My disappearance...that was Ava, not you. Do you hear me? You have no guilt in that. As for the rest of it...that was Esme and Ryan. I have some blame too, I'm not discounting my part."

"But some of it was me too, Father. I didn't have to come back to Port Charles. I didn't have to listen to Esme at all. But I did…"

"And you had more than paid for it. Now it's the rest of our turn. It's time for the rest of us to take responsibility, Spencer. You've already paid for your part."

"Sir, we have the girl," One of Nikolas's men appeared in the doorway.

"Good. Bring her in," Nikolas nodded.

Spencer frowned, getting to his feet. "Father? Who are you bringing…"

"Oh my god, Spencer?!"

Spencer's eyes widened as he saw the one person that he had been certain he'd never see again. "Trina?"

"Spencer!" She flew into his arms, holding him so tight that neither of them could barely breathe. His arms came around her and held her just as tight.

"Oh my god, Trina! How? How are you here?!" Spencer pulled out of the hug and looked into her eyes, not wanting to let her go ever again, yet he was afraid for her. Victor was still an issue and as long as he was, it was not safe for Trina to be anywhere near him. "How are you here?! What happened? The last time I heard your voice…"

"I told you that I loved you," Trina sobbed, clinging to him almost desperately, as if she let go he'd disappear.

"You were in trouble…"

"I know…"

"What happened?"

"Well...your father kidnapped Ava and I came along for the ride, obviously. I didn't know what was going on at first, and I didn't know if you'd even pick up...but I called you back anyway and you did and I had to let you know that I love you, Spencer! I love you so much and I'm sorry for that stupid argument at the Nurses Ball! I'm sorry that it took me losing you to even tell you how I truly feel about you…."

"Oh Trina," Spencer pulled her back into his arms, holding her as tight as he could without hurting her. "I love you too! I love you too and I was so worried...I thought Uncle Victor had done something to you!"

"Everyone's gone! My mom, my dad, Curtis! Joss!"

"Oh baby, I'm sorry," Spencer kissed her hair, then her face, and finally his lips found hers. The kiss was long and lingering said all that ever needed to be said. Finally, they pulled away, looking into each other's eyes. "I can't believe you're here…"

"Me either. I was afraid I'd never see you again...that you'd never know how I felt about you," Trina sniffed.

Spencer looked at his father, realizing that Ava hadn't been the only one kidnapped. "Why did you kidnap Trina? Why did you bring her here and then had Uncle Victor come here? If he sees her here…"

"I hadn't meant to kidnap her. She was in the car with Ava and they brought her too. I knew that you'd want to see her."

"But she's in danger now! Everything I've done to keep her safe…"

"She will remain, safe. Don't worry. There's a reason I asked for two hours of freedom for you. Not only so I can see you without supervision...but so you can come to see her. Here at this house. Your Uncle doesn't know about this place. It was built after he had left Cassadine Island. As I said, it was once a sanctuary for your grandmother. Trina can stay here and when you get your daily two hours, you can come here and be with her. Then when I take care of Victor, you both can do what you want."

"What about Ava?" Trina frowned, still angry with her mentor, yet worried about her at the same time.

"Well...unfortunately for her, Ava is still my prisoner. She will stay where she's at. I'm having you here because, like I said, I didn't mean to kidnap you and Spencer loves you. I know what it's like to love someone the way he loves you...and having lost that person. I won't let him lose the love of his life like I had lost mine."

"Father…," Spencer released Trina to go and hug Nikolas, tears were once again in his eyes. "Thank you. Thank you so much. Knowing that she's safe from Uncle Victor and that I can see her...that's all I could ever ask for."

Trina wanted to try to plead for Ava to join her, but she knew that Spencer's father didn't have to do this for them. He didn't have to reunite them and make a way for them to be together. This was such a huge favor, she was afraid to ask for more.

But Spencer wasn't. He looked at Trina and saw the worry for Ava in her eyes. "Father...Trina will still be alone here for most of the time and...I don't think that'd be good for her. Especially after she's lost so much during the pandemic Uncle Victor caused. Is there any way you can...perhaps allow Ava to stay with her...at least until Uncle Victor is neutralized? I know you're angry with her, believe me, and so am I...and I think Trina is too. I just don't want Trina to be by herself…"

Nikolas sighed. He wanted to refuse. He wanted to keep Ava locked away from the people she loved and alone...but he got Spencer's reasoning. He didn't want Trina to be alone with the thoughts that could take her to the darkest of places. Especially when he couldn't be with her as much as he would like.

He pulled out his walkie-talkie and spoke into it. "Bring my ex-wife to the cottage now, please. Thank you."

"Thank you, Father," Spencer smiled, wrapping an arm around Trina.

"This is only until Victor is dealt with. Once I've taken care of him, it's back to the bunker Ava will go."

Trina simply smiled her thanks and rested her head against Spencer's shoulder, unable to believe that he was right there with her, where she could touch him, talk to him, see him. She never wanted to let him go again, even though she knew that she'll have to.

"I'll leave you to yourselves for the next hour. Then we have to get back to the main house," Nikolas warned.

"Yes father," Spencer smiled, happy to be reunited with Trina at last.