Nikolas: That wasn't what I asked.

Laura: Stavros is dead. {Gia listens outside the door} Don't invite him back, not even in your mind.

Nikolas: So, are you telling me that you never think about him ever?

Laura: I try not to. I mean, there are times when the memories come back, but --

Nikolas: {Gia continues to listen to his conversation with Laura} I don't know. I just -- it seems that -- that he's even more real to me now than when he was alive.

~*~

Laura: Nikolas, I can't tell you that your memories of your father will vanish overnight, but they will fade over time.

Nikolas: I want to ask you something, and answer me honestly. When you look at me, do you see my father?

Laura: No. I mean, do I see physical similarities? Yes, of course, I do. But, Nikolas, inside, your heart and your soul are completely different from your father's.

Nikolas: I found a letter that Stavros wrote the day I was born. And it was full of love and hope, and that's the image of my father that just -- it won't -- it won't let go of me.

~*~

Nikolas: This letter that he wrote -- it proved everything to me. Everything he said. And you know what? I could see the pain in his eyes when I looked at him and I said to him that I wanted nothing to do with him. But what eats me is, how can a man who claims to love that much do what he did?

Laura: I don't know. But for what it's worth, I think that your father did love you as much as he was capable of loving anyone. You understand? But, unfortunately, that really doesn't change who he was.

Nikolas: And that makes it worse. It just makes it worse.

Laura: Why?

Nikolas: I don't -- I don't know. I don't know.

Laura: Nikolas, what do you want?

~*~

Nikolas: If I knew what I wanted, I wouldn't be in such hell right now. {Walks around Laura} I don't know. Maybe it's just the fact that I didn't have enough time to process he was alive before he died. I don't know, you know --

Laura: Nikolas, have you talked to Gia about any of this?

Nikolas: No, no, and I don't want to.

Laura: Why not?

~*~

Nikolas: Gia wouldn't understand. {Gia walks away from the door, but then walks back}

Laura: But if you tried to explain it to her, you might find some answers --

Gia: {Walks in} Nikolas?

Laura: Yourself.

Gia: Oh -- I thought you were alone. I hope I didn't interrupt anything.

Nikolas: No, no, not at all. My mother was just leaving.

Laura: Oh, Ok. Well, why don't you give me a call, then, later?

Nikolas: I'm fine, Ok?

Laura: Mm-hmm.

Nikolas: Subject closed.

Gia: Welcome back.

Laura: Thanks. So, is it true? I hear you're not interested in negotiating a second year with deception?

Gia: Laura, I -- I loved the opportunity. I hope you know that. And I will finish out my contract for this year. But my life is about to change radically, and I want to be with Nikolas.

Nikolas: Think Gia's realized how many parties and social events we'll be expected to attend.

Gia: I hope I'm not letting you down. I just want my marriage to be my priority.

Laura: I see. Well, it's deception's loss, and I can certainly understand your reasons. All right, well, I'll see you both.

Nikolas: Yeah, I'll -- I'll let the launch pilot know you're on your way down.

Laura: Ok. {She leaves}

Nikolas: {Picks up the phone} My mother's on her way down. Thank you. {He sits at the desk}

Gia: I didn't interrupt anything, did I?

Nikolas: No, you didn't.

Gia: You Ok? Is there anything you want to talk about?

Nikolas: Not at all.