Nikolas: Uncle, here's where you've been hiding. Hello, Kristina.

Kristina: Hi.

Gia: Hi, Stefan. {Sees Kristin'a outfit}

Lucky: Hello.

Kristina: Hi.

Gia: {Nikolas looks at Gia} Kristina.

Kristina: Is something wrong?

Gia: Well, hello -- pants? I mean, what are we thinking? This is my engagement party. I'm going to have to ask you to go change that outfit. {Nikolas rubs his on on her shoulder}

Lucky: Well, I'm in favor. Can I give you a hand? {Kristina looks at Stefan and then back at Gia}

~*~

Kristina: {Walks a little closer to Gia} You don't like my outfit?

Gia: I'm sorry. I guess it's silly of me.

Kristina: You know, my father gave my mother this necklace. I figured I just would wear something that would compliment it, you know, as kind of a tribute to the Cassadine family. But I'm flexible. No problem. Maybe Nikolas could lend me one of his old tuxes or something, if you wouldn't mind.

Stefan: Oh, I think we can find something more suitable. Come with me.

Kristina: Ok, lead the way. I will be back, more suitably dressed, I promise.

Gia: I really didn't mean to sound snobby.

Kristina: That's all right. How many times do you get to announce your wedding engagement, right? Hopefully only once, so we should do it right. After you. {Her and Stefan leave}

Lucky: Here's my question -- how come women always seem to get all crazy about the wrong outfit?

Gia: You both think I'm all kinds of shallow, don't you?

Nikolas: No, I happen to think you're incredible, and I love you more than anything on this earth. {Wraps his arm around her, pulling her close} And I have impeccable taste. Ask my brother. He'll tell you, right?

Lucky: Especially when it comes to fiancées.

Nikolas: {Looks at Gia} You see? You hear that? You're wonderful. You just can't help yourself, I guess.

Gia: Good answer.

Nikolas: Thank you. {Kisses her cheek}

~*~

Gia: {Inside Wyndemere} Lucky and I are going to go check out the food.

Lucky: Yeah, that's a good idea.

Nikolas: Sure. {They leave the room and he goes over to the piano} This old piano. {Plays a few notes} Ooh, that's bad.

Stefan: {Comes up behind him} You know, Gia loves you very much.

Nikolas: Yes, she does, {Stands up} and I am grateful. You know, uncle, that piano is way out of tune. We should probably get that checked out.

Stefan: {Walks over to Nikolas} Nikolas, Gia spoke to me. She confirmed what I already suspected -- that you're thinking of your father, that you're afraid he might live on in you.

Nikolas: I'll get past it.

Stefan: I know that. But you need to believe it. There is no possibility that you will turn into your father.

Nikolas: How do you know that?

Stefan: I know that because there is too much goodness in you. So much so that your influence led Stavros to make the one redemptive act of his life.

Nikolas: Uncle, why couldn't he have changed more or sooner? Why couldn't he have been what --

Stefan: A real father to you?

Nikolas: Yeah.

Stefan: I wish he could have been. I wish he could have been a real brother to me. But he was neither. We have to accept that and move on.

Gia: {Her and Lucky walk back into the room} Ok, time's up. Did you two finish solving the problems of the world?

Lucky: Man, Nikolas, your uncle -- you really outdid yourself. I mean, the caviar is great and stuff, but I didn't see any ribs.

Nikolas: Ah, those would have been good. Uncle, how could you not get ribs? {They all laugh}

Stefan: {Kristina stands on the stairs} Oh. You are absolutely captivating. {Comes down}

Kristina: It feels a little strange but wonderful.

Stefan: I only wish your sister were here to see you instead of neglecting us for business, was it?

~*~

Stefan: {Everyone grabs a glass of champagne} A toast -- to the newest members of the Cassadine family -- to Kristina, my sister, who came out of the past to bless us. To Gia, {Nikolas looks at Gia} who will bring us into the future as my nephew's bride. Welcome to you both. May we have many happy years together.

Nikolas: {They cling their glasses} Salut.

Kristina: Amen.

Lucky: Hey, cheers.

Gia: {Taggert walks in} Marcus. You're early.

Taggert: I -- I got a message for Nikolas. And just in case it's a threat, I thought I'd better not waste any time.

Stefan: I assume it's from Helena?

Taggert: You want to go somewhere private, Nikolas?

Nikolas: No, Taggert, that would give her way too much power, so just tell me and be done with it.

Taggert: All right, she says, "your destiny has arrived. You can't escape it. Your life is no longer your own." Is that some kind of threat, something I can take to a judge?

Lucky: {Upset} Why does Helena get to do this again? She ruins every decent thing that anybody tries to do!

Taggert: I know this is bad timing, but I just had to make sure this wasn't a threat against my sister. I'm sorry. {Kristina leaves}

Nikolas: No, it's not. It's about me. Helena refuses to let go. She will try to control us -- this whole family -- until the day she dies.

~*~

Gia: {Follows Nikolas} Forget Helena. She can't hurt us anymore, Nikolas.

Stefan: Helena's only power is what you give her.

Lucky: Look at me. You know, there was a time when I never thought that I'd be able to think my own thoughts, that Helena could use me to hurt anybody that she wanted to. Well, now, here we are, and Helena's stuck in a four-by-six cell wearing a day-glo jumpsuit. Only thing she can do is take her metal cup and slap it around and make some noise. And our job? To ignore her so that you guys can get married and live happily ever after.

Nikolas: {Slams his hand on the table, then grabs Gia's hand} You're right. {Walks back over to them} You're right.

Taggert: Your grandmother's being watched 24 hours a day, Nikolas. She's not going to see the light of day for a very long time.

Stefan: Listen, we need to make a pact. We will not allow Helena to ruin this evening. Now, lieutenant, thank you very much for delivering the message, but we choose to ignore it. Now, let's have another toast before the rest of our guests arrive.

Nikolas: Yes, {Hands Taggert a glass} Taggert --

Lucky: Hear, hear.

Nikolas: Sparky.

Taggert: Thank you. {Look at Gia after Nikolas calls Gia Sparky}

Nikolas: {Gia shrugs her shoulders at Taggert} I'll grab mine.

Stefan: To Gia and Nikolas and to Kristina.