{Stefan and Laura are discussing Katherine's return, her alliance with Helena, and what it will mean in regards to Nikolas}

Nikolas: {Coming out the door} "Oh. This is a surprise."

Laura:  {They both get up smiling} "Well, a pleasant one, I hope."

Nikolas:  "Yeah. How are you?" {She goes over to him. Stefan has flashbacks of the island when it was the three of them together}

Laura:  "Good. It's nice to see you. I'm glad I had a chance to say hello before I left."

Nikolas:  "Where's LuLu?"

Laura:  "She's home."

Nikolas:  "Oh. Uncle, convince her to stay a while."

Stefan:  "I’m sure you'll have no trouble doing that. The Cassadine are not completely without charm. I, on the other hand, have business in town. Good morning. Thank you." {He bows slightly to Laura and then leaves. Nikolas and Laura are pleased to see each other}

Nikolas: {Both are sitting on the bench} "Wow. Seeing Katherine alive is just--there's really no other word for it. It's a miracle."

Laura:  "I know you were pretty close to her."

Nikolas:  "I was. But it's different now, especially between her and my uncle. I mean, I’m sure that he still loves her. But what she felt for him is just--it's just gone."

Laura:  "Nikolas, I think a lot of things have changed for her."

Nikolas:  "Huh. Yeah. She had nothing but kind words for you, though, about your testimony at the trial. Which reminds me--{Pausing, he is visibly overcome} I never had a chance to tell you what that meant to me."

Laura:  "You don't have to."

Nikolas:  "Yeah, I do. I just don't know how. I could say that I’m--I’m grateful for my uncle's freedom, but it goes much deeper than that. For the first time in my life, you put what I needed ahead of--" {Stopping}

Laura:  {Quietly} "Ahead of my other family."

Nikolas:  "Look, I--I don't want to compete with Lucky, ok?"

Laura:  "I know."

Nikolas:  "I’m not some jealous little kid who counts how many cookies his brother gets."

Laura:  {Trying to reassure him} "I know. I don't think of you that way."

Nikolas:  "Well, I hope that you don't."

Laura:  "I don't."

Nikolas:  "And I’m so sorry that--that your testimony made trouble for you at home."

Laura:  "Thank you."

Nikolas:  "But you didn't just help my uncle. You helped me, too."

Laura: {With tears in her eyes} "How?"

Nikolas: {With unshed tears of his own} "You gave me a mother, one that comes when you need her."

Laura: {Quietly} "I love you, Nikolas."

Nikolas:  "I know." {He hugs her}

Laura: {Inside the house now, she kisses each of his cheeks} "That's from me and that's from your sister."

Nikolas:  "Thank you. Oh, that reminds me, my sister--I promised LuLu a walk on the beach."

Laura:  "Oh."

Nikolas:  "I mean, if--if the weather's ok for it, of course."

Laura:  "Mm-hmm."

Nikolas:  "Which--have you noticed how beautiful it is?"

Laura: {Laughing} "You really do have Stefan’s knack for subtlety, don't you?"

Nikolas:  "Could you--could you bring LuLu back? I mean, I could carry her home if the day wears her out."

Laura:  "You know what? I think I can. Let me just go home. I have to run a couple of errands, and then I’ll come right back."

Nikolas:  "Ok." {They hug again}

Laura:  "See you later."

Nikolas:  "Bye." {She leaves}