Spencer Cassadine returned to Wyndemere with only one thing on his mind. The gorgeous new girl he had just met at Kelly's. He didn't know what it was about Trina Robinson, but he was drawn to her like a magnet. He didn't mind in the least, but he knew that she was the kind of girl that wouldn't be impressed by his powerful family name and wealth. No, girls like Trina liked things simple. The problem was...Spencer didn't know how to do simple. He's always been over the top dramatic, because it was a great way to keep people's attention, whether positve or negatively. But he only wanted positive attention from Trina.

"There you are. You're late," his father Nikolas came out of his office, eyeing his son skeptically. "We need to talk about your birthday festivities. Next month will be here before you know it. You'll be considered a grown man by then. This is...well let's say your last month of freedom from your familial responsibilities."

Spencer sighed and rolled his eyes. "You don't have to keep badgering me about it, father. I am well aware that my birthday is approaching and what is expected of me. Why not let me enjoy my last month of being a normal college student?"

"Because I have to prepare you, Spencer! This is serious! I'm training you to be THE Cassadine! You need to be prepared for that...I might not be here to help you."

Spencer frowned at the last part. He looked at Nikolas in concern. His father had never even hinted that he won't be around once Spencer's 21st birthday hit. "What do you mean? Where are you going?"

"That's not important. What is important is that you're on time to these meetings. It needs to be evident that you're ready to lead this family," Nikolas softened at his son's expression. He looked so lost and scared, like the little boy he once was. He wished that things could be different for his son. That so much wasn't expected of him. That he could guarantee to be there for him...but the way tradition was set up...he couldn't make that promise. "Where were you anyway?"

"Hanging out with Joss and Cam at Kelly's. Met an interesting girl."

"A new girl is in town?" Nikolas frowned, not liking this bit of news. Helena had made it clear that any new arrivals of young girls were to be brought to her attention immediately. Especially after the destruction of a small town in California. He didn't know why it was so important, but the family matriarch was stern in her orders.

"Yeah. She's pretty, smart. Talented. She was drawing my picture and it looked exactly like me," Spencer grinned. "She'll make a great addition to gang…"

"You seem to like her," Nikolas frowned, again feeling bad, because any friendships were going to have to be left behind once Spencer came of age. It was not going to be easy, but it was going to have to be done. He had done it. He had walked away from his friends, one of them being his newly found brother, who was never able to understand why they couldn't have a relationship that they had worked so hard to build. He'll never forget the hurt in his brother's eyes when he had said goodbye to him.

"I do. Maybe there can be something between us. I don't know. I'm getting ahead of myself. So...what is this meeting about, Father?"

"Your Uncle Victor wants to have your party on the Haunted Star. He wants it to be a regal affair. You know how he is."

"Hmm...a regal party on a cruise ship. I suppose it's doable. I was hoping for a party at the Savoy, but ok."

"Your friends must be off the boat by midnight though. It will be a private family affair afterwards," Nikolas rubbed his chin.

Spencer frowned. "But father, that's too early! No 21 year old parties until midnight, unless they're Cinderella."

Spencer, this is not to be negotiated! Your family wants to celebrate you! With family only! Your friends will just have to deal."

"Cam is family," Spencer folded his arms, his eyes challenging.

"Cassadine family. You know what I mean."

Spencer sighed, knowing that it was useless to resist. "Alright, alright. Can I go now? I have a paper I have to work on for school."

"Go ahead," Nikolas waved him away. He sighed and reentered his office. He sank down onto the leather couch and sighed. His guilt over what was to happen was eating away at him, burning the soul that he had kept through his transformation. A gift from his oh so loving mother. A gift that his son was to inherit next month. Oh how was he going to prepare him for all of it? Spencer wasn't even aware of the biggest family secret...and when he finds out...it'll be too late. He knew the betrayal that his son will feel, because he had felt it too when he had been turned by his loving uncle Stefan. Stefan who was dead now, thanks to Luke Spencer!

He was going to lose Spencer then...just like Stefan had lost him. It was a sad fact, but like everything else in his sorry unlife, it couldn't be helped.

…..

Dear Robin,

Today I arrived in Port Charles, New York. Looking at the town from a slayer's point of view, it's pretty sweet. There's a few night clubs. I'll be checking out the University tomorrow. The restaurants are nice too. I met with your friend, Luke Spencer. He's an interesting man and he seems to know all about the Cassadine family…

I had also met a member of said family...but he's not a vampire. Spencer Cassadine. He's tall...gorgeous...and charming. A real prince. Pun intended. Anyway, I like him. I wonder how much he knows about his family. It's going to be interesting to find out. I also met Cameron Webber and Josslyn Jacks. They seem nice.

Anyway, mom starts at the hospital tomorrow and I have to register at the University. I don't really know what you expect me to accomplish here. I mean, the Cassadine kid is a human. Are you sure that Luke Spencer is not just a crazy old man with a vendetta? Oh well, I shall find out the truth of the matter. I know one thing. I will enjoy getting to know Spencer better. Really, if he's a vampire, HIS name should be Angelus, because his features are even more angelic than the one that broods. Heh!

Anyway, I will write to you again when I know more.

Your cousin, Trina.

Trina folded her letter and stuffed it in an envelope. She'll have it addressed, stamped and ready to mail by morning. Her cousin Robin Wood had been excited when she had gotten her calling to be a slayer and he had been there to help her train for the part. He wasn't a slayer of course, but his mother had been and he wanted to make sure that she had a longer life than his mother had enjoyed. He had her trained by the original two slayers, Buffy and Faith and then she had started training with the incoming slayers that were in her age group.

Now here she was, a fully trained slayer, on her fifth, but more serious job. Her first task was to look up everything she could find on the Cassadines, and that she could do on her laptop.

Smiling, opened up her computer and logged on. She went to the search engine and typed in Cassadines and Port Charles in order to single out the information she was looking for.

A dossier of who's who of Port Charles and a nifty family tree came up.

"Excellent," Trina smiled, leaning in for a closer look. "They're descendants of Russian aristocracy...related to the Romanovs...interesting. Wonder if they know what was up with that Rasputin guy…"

"Trina?! Dinner is ready!" Portia, Trina's mother called up.

Trina looked at the clock and grimaced. It was getting late and she wanted to patrol. She was hoping to run into a few vampires, because she was wide awake and could use a good slay. But for now, she had daughter duty.

"Coming mom!"

…..

Unable to get any sleep, Spencer decided to go out for a walk. He usually didn't take night time walks. His father had forbiddened it, saying that it was too dangerous. But Spencer was just too full of energy. He needed to work it out somehow, so a small walk around the docks shouldn't hurt.

Being sure not to wake his father, who was still up and in his office, unbeknownst to Spencer, Spencer slipped out of the castle he called home and took the launch to town. He arrived at the docks in time to see a familiar figure standing at the water's edge, looking up at the moonlight. Spencer was shocked to see her. It's been weeks since her disappearance and two months since their breakup. He had been full of guilt after she had disappeared from a alleyway outside of the Savoy.

"Esme?" He slowly approached, not sure how he'll be received. Esme was a bit of a psychopath. During their time together, she would talk about the stars and how they dictate their day to day lives, so it was no surprise that she was studying them now.

Esme tore her eyes away from the night sky and gave a smile that sent warning tingles down Spencer's spine. Her eyes shone with malice and there was something...hungry about her expression.

"Spence! How grand it is to see you here tonight. I have missed you!" Esme ran up to him, throwing her arms around him. "You smell divine!"

"Um...thank you," Spencer wearily chuckled. "What are you doing out here? Everyone's been looking for you! What happened?"

Esme's smile was secretive as she giggled. "I had a metamorphasis, but sister moon said it was time to finally leave my cocoon! So here I am!"

"Huh?" Spencer frowned, not getting what she was rambling about.

Esme just smiled, her slender fingers gripping his shoulders with unusual strength that Spencer found strange...heck, he was finding Esme strange...well stranger than usual!

"Maybe I should walk you home. Your Uncle has been worried about you…"

"No...no need. Uncle Kevin is down the gullet...now I need a taste of dessert...just a little sip won't hurt...the fairies won't mind…"

"What are you going on about now?" Spencer asked, losing his patience. "Look, either let me take you home or let me go and go home on your own, I don't care. You're really freaking me out here."

"Don't be mean. Esme just wants to play," Esme pouted.

While Spencer was arguing with his ex, neither saw Trina come onto the wharf. Neither saw her frown, or the way her hand went into her bag to retrieve something sharp and wooden.

"Enough! I need a drink!" Esme cursed, losing her patience.

"Well the Savoy is...what the hell!" Spencer nearly screamed as Esme's face changed and sharp fangs began to descend down to his throat.

"Oh no you don't! Get off him you bitch!" Trina raced over with supernatural speed and effortlessly flung Esme off Spencer, who just stood there in complete shock, not able to believe what had just happened and what was happening now.

"Oh look! A vampire slayer! I heard about you! Pretty girl is here to play? I'm ready!" Esme flew at her just to be knocked further away by Trina's round house kick.

"Is that all you have? I've fought tougher vamps than you!" Trina laughed, twirling her stake in her hand.

"You're going to wish that you were never born!" Esme glared.

"Yeah, yeah. That's what you all say," Trina faked a yawn as Esme raced towards her again, this time landing a punch that sent Trina flying a few feet away from the still stunned Spencer.

"Wow...my grandma punches harder than that," Trina taunted.

Esme flew at her again, but this time Trina blocked the attack and began throwing punches and kicks of her own. Each punch and kick landed perfectly and soon had Esme on her back, panting heavily and glaring up at Trina, who stood over her, stake at the ready.

"You may have beaten me, but you won't survive her, little girl!" Esme roared angrily.

"Whatever," Trina plunged the stake into Esme's chest and coughed as the vampiress exploded into a cloud of dust. Trina waved the fading dust away. "Damn, I hate vampire dust."

Spencer finally managed to find his voice and began to sputter. "What the...she was a...she almost...oh my god…"

Trina placed a gentle hand on his arm and lead him over to a bench, where they both sat down. "Ok, take a few deep breaths for me."

Spencer did as she was told and after a few minutes felt better. "What was she?"

"A vampire," Trina answered, watching Spencer closely. He obviously had no clue that vampires existed.

"Are you a vampire too? I mean...you're really strong. You kicked her butt."

Trina giggled. "No, I'm not a vampire. I'm a vampire slayer. One of many girls in all the world to fight the evil happenings in the world."

Spencer looked at Trina with wide eyes. "This is real, isn't it? I won't wake up tomorrow and find that things hadn't changed?"

"This is real. You are real. We are real. Did you know her?"

"She was my ex girlfriend. She had always been kind of weird...and our breakup was rather bad...then she had disappeared a few weeks ago. No one knew what had happened to her. We thought that maybe she had ran off to Europe or somewhere. So I was surprised to find her on the docks tonight...but the last time I saw her...she wasn't...like that."

"She was obviously turned between then and now. I'm sorry…"

"Why? You didn't do anything," Spencer frowned.

"Well, like you said. You knew her. You may not have been together anymore, but you must have cared about her once and now...she's gone."

"She was a psychotic bitch. I'm glad that she's gone," Spencer confessed, just as Luke Spencer came up and stared at Trina in alarm.

"Trina! And Spencer Cassadine...emphasis on the Cassadine," Luke stared at the couple, wondering what Trina thought she was doing.

"Spencer! Oh my god, Spencer there you are!" Nikolas was out of the launch and racing over to his son. "What the hell, Spencer! What were you thinking leaving at this time of the night?! I was worried sick!"

Spencer winced, knowing that he was in trouble. "I'm sorry, father. I just needed some air…"

"Well then you at least stay on Spoon Island, not go wandering the docks of Port Charles! Anything could have happened to you out here!" Nikolas ranted.

"Something…," Trina began, but stopped when Spencer gave her a look, telling her not to mention the vampire attack. "Didn't happen…" Trina stared at Nikolas, her spidey senses warning her that he was indeed a vampire...yet there was something different about him.

"Right. Trina and I were just sitting here talking."

"Well, it's time for you both to get home. It's not safe out here. I'm sure that Luke can attest to that," Nikolas glared at Luke, who simply crosses his arms. "Get to moving Vlad junior."

Nikolas just rolled his eyes. "Come on. Now! This is not a request!"

Spencer sighed and rolled his eyes as he got to his feet. "Thank you Trina...for the talk. See you around."

"You're welcome," She smiled and watched Spencer leave with Nikolas, ignoring her instincts that were screaming for her to do something about the older Cassadine.

"Well, you want to explain why you were consorting with the enemy?" Luke asked.

"If you can explain why Spencer is human and Nikolas is a vampire. What exactly is going on here?"

Luke simply shrugged. "All I can say is that it's always something with the Cassadines."