Gia: Almost, in, like, another hour or a couple of minutes?

Nikolas: Well, that depends. Would that be with or without distractions?

Gia: Is that what I am? A distraction?

Nikolas: Only in the most desirable sense of that word. {He gets up}

Gia: "Black."

Nikolas: Excuse me?

Gia: When I say "black," what's the first word that comes to your mind?

Nikolas: Why are we doing this?

Gia: It's a game, Nikolas. Word associations.

Nikolas: I know what it is. Besides, that's the first thing that came to my mind -- why are we doing this?

Gia: Well, you once told me that you would never be too busy for me, no matter what, and I'm just trying to make sure that's still true.

Nikolas: Well, I tell you what -- if you let me finish here, I will do whatever you want. And besides, I have a few games in mind myself.

Gia: Will you just try this one, and then I will let you finish, I promise.

Nikolas: Fine. "Pearl."

Gia: "Pearl"?

Nikolas: Well, you said "black," I said "pearl." You've never heard of black pearls?

Gia: "Rose."

Nikolas: "Bud."

Gia: "Sun."

Nikolas: You mean "sun," like, in the sky or as in "son" as somebody's child?

Gia: In the sky.

Nikolas: "Moon."

Gia: "Wife."

Nikolas: "Love of my life."

Gia: Well, that's sweet, but it's too many words.

Nikolas: No. Not early enough. {He kisses her and then walks around her}

Gia: Wait a minute. We're not through. "Father."

Nikolas: What is this really about?

~*~

Gia: It's just a game, Nikolas. Why? Is it making you uncomfortable?

Nikolas: I would just like to finish up here, that's all.

Gia: Well, you said you would play. "Father."

Nikolas: "Mother."

Gia: "Truth."

Nikolas: "Honor."

Gia: "Honesty."

Nikolas: "Two-way street." Too many words? Are we done with the psychoanalysis now?

Gia: I've decided that you are in desperate need of a romantic evening alone with your gorgeous fiancée, topped off by a night of intense lovemaking, which should take hours and leave us both completely exhausted, at which point, we'll begin again.

Nikolas: Hmm. Tough to pass that up, huh? Well, I'll tell you what -- I will take you wherever you want, and then I will take you where I want. {Kisses her} Now I am going to get dressed. {He leaves the room}

Gia: Ok. Men. They'll do anything to keep from telling the damned truth.

~*~

Nikolas and Gia walk into the grill

Maitre d': Ah, Mr. Cassadine.

Nikolas: How are you, sir?

Maitre d': Ms. Campbell.

Gia: Hello.

Maitre d': Right this way, please.

Nikolas: Thank you. {Nikolas notices everyone staring} You certainly know how to make an entrance.

Gia: So you've noticed?

Nikolas: Well, I'm not the only one.

Gia: Well, that's the whole point, right? I mean, I have had a lot of practice, being a public figure and all.

Nikolas: And you love every minute of it.

Gia: Well, you could learn to love it, too, because like it or not, people notice the both of us.

Nikolas: Yeah.

Gia: I just happen to be a little bit more comfortable with it.

Nikolas: Are you?

Gia: Well, that only makes sense. I went after my position, and you inherited yours reluctantly, though.

Nikolas: Do we have to discuss this tonight?

Gia: I just want you to know that I do understand things, a lot of things, even things that you think I couldn't.

Nikolas: How much did you hear? You heard me speaking with my mother, didn't you? You were eavesdropping.

Gia: You're damn right I was.

~*~

Gia: Be as angry with me as you want, but I'm not going to apologize for doing what I thought was right.

Nikolas: Listening in on a private conversation?

Gia: You're cutting me out of your life.

Nikolas: How can you say that?

Gia: How can you deny it? You've got so much going on inside and you're not letting me in. You're not being honest with me.

Nikolas: Fine. You're right. Ok? There is a lot going on right now, and most of it I haven't had time to process myself.

Gia: Nikolas, we promised that we wouldn't keep secrets from each other.

Nikolas: So what about deliberately eavesdropping?

Gia: I was trying to help the man who I happen to love, who obviously doesn't want my help.

Nikolas: Of course I do. That's not even the point.

Gia: So what is? Look, if you won't say it, then I will. It's Stavros, isn't it? I don't understand. If I can get over it, then why can't you?

Nikolas: He was my father. I can't just get over him. What the hell is wrong with you? Think about how long it's taken you to deal with your mother, who is still alive, I might add, and who's done nothing worse than expect you to go to college.

~*~

Gia and Elizabeth excuse themselves from their tables; Nikolas and Lucky look over at each other

~*~

Elizabeth walks into the ladies room

Elizabeth: Men. My god.

Gia: Men. Unbelievable. {Elizabeth turns around when she sees Gia}

~*~

Gia: Maybe I shouldn't ask, but what's the matter with you?

Elizabeth: You wouldn't understand.

Gia: I swear, if one more person tells me tonight that I wouldn't understand, I'm going to rip their head off and have my brother lock me up for life.

Elizabeth: All right, jeez. You really want to know? Ok, something hit me tonight, something very sad because it's true -- good intentions aren't enough.

Gia: What happened?

Elizabeth: Honestly, Gia, I don't know. Lucky -- he's trying so hard, and it's -- but it's fake and it's strained and it's just wrong.

Gia: Elizabeth, just give him the chance. I mean, you don't fall back in love in one day.

Elizabeth: Now you sound like him.

Gia: Maybe he's right.

Elizabeth: And maybe you just don't get it.

Gia: Elizabeth, look, I know how you are. If lucky wasn't trying so hard, you would still be complaining. Would you be happier if Lucky was some jerk who took you out to dinner and pretended not to scope out every other gorgeous woman in the room?

Elizabeth: You totally just miss the point.

~*~

Nikolas: {Goes over to Lucky's table} Listen, I am sorry about what happened at Wyndemere, all right? I didn't mean to take my frustrations out on you. I've just been dealing with a lot lately, you know? Maybe too much.

Lucky: You know, there's nothing that I would like better than to have things back the way they used to be -- and not just between you and me.

Nikolas: So how's -- how's Elizabeth?

Lucky: Just when I think things can't get any worse, I've managed to pull it off.

Sarah: {Walks over to their table} Oh, my god. The two guys I wanted to see more than anybody. Of course, who wouldn't want to see the two best-looking guys in the universe?

Nikolas: {Him and Lucky stand up} I don't believe it. Come here.

Lucky: No, no, forget it. Hey, hold on. Me first.

Nikolas: Ok. All right.

Sarah: Hi. {Hugs Lucky}

Nikolas: Hey. How have you been?

Sarah: Good. {She hugs Nikolas}

~*~

Gia: {Coming back to dining area} Just cut Lucky a little slack. He's only trying to be romantic. I mean, you said {Sees the guys with Sarah}-- who's that?

Elizabeth: Oh, my god. That's my sister, Sarah.