Nikolas: What possessed you to tell the Metro Court that I wasn't going to sign my office lease?
Alfred: I'm so sorry, Sir. I've often heard you say how you hate spending time away from Spencer.
Nikolas: What? That doesn't give you the authority to cancel my arrangements.
Alfred: Of course you're right, Sir, but if I may, I know how you cherish privacy, especially in business. You have a discreet staff right here who support you. I tried to anticipate what would be your logical conclusion.
Nikolas: See, you think I'm too eccentric to work in the real world, is that it?
Alfred: The business community here in Port Charles isn't accustomed to a man of your pedigree.
Nikolas: But I have a different agenda -- the less time I spend working here, the less likely my plan will be discovered. Do you understand?
Lucky: Nikolas, you got a minute?
Nikolas: Of course, always. You overstepped, it can't happen again. Is that clear?
Alfred: Very clear, Sir.
Lucky: That didn't sound good.
Nikolas: No. It's been handled. How are you? It's good to see you. What's going on?
Lucky: Ahem. Well, I just need a reasonable man with a reasonable opinion.
Nikolas: And you came to see me?
Lucky: Do you think Elizabeth and I have a chance?
Nikolas: I have no objectivity about you and Elizabeth, okay? I love you both, but I want you to be happy, and I can only naturally assume that eventually you'll be happy together.
Lucky: I just don't know where we are anymore.
Nikolas: Well, look, you've made mistakes, she's made mistakes. But -- but I have faith in you. You're sober, I think -- I think that you're committed to staying that way, you love your family. But -- but if you're looking for an objective opinion here, I -- I just can't, I'm too close to it. The best that I can do for you is just promise that I'll support whatever you decide.
Lucky: Last night Elizabeth said that my anger is hurting the kids, and she was ready to leave.
Nikolas: Well -- well, I think that's -- that's a little arbitrary, given that you have plenty of reasons to be angry.
Lucky: It made me realize that I can't let Elizabeth go.
Emily: Hey.
Elizabeth: Hey.
Emily: How are you?
Elizabeth: Glad to be busy. I have some tests you ordered.
Emily: Yeah -- oh, I can't believe the summer is practically over.
Elizabeth: I know, me, too. I wanted to see more of you guys -- I've missed you.
Emily: I know, I've missed you, too. Listen, why don't we plan a day at the beach before the weather turns? You know, you and Lucky, me and Nikolas -- just like old times, except with babies?
Emily laughs.
Emily: Spencer needs to hang out with his cousins, and Lucky and Nikolas haven't had any time to just be together.
Elizabeth: Okay. Sounds great.
Emily: Yeah? Do you think Lucky's up for it?
Elizabeth: Hmm. If you'd have asked me yesterday, I would've told you "when hell freezes over." But we talked things out last night and have agreed that all this anger and resentment isn't good for the kids, so we said we would try again.
Emily: Okay. Hope it works out.
Elizabeth: At least we've agreed to stop hurting each other. It's worth a try.
Alfred: I have papers here for you to sign regarding that matter you've been working on.
Nikolas: Thank you.
Alfred: I have a better understanding of the parameters, Sir. I had no intention of undermining your plans. It was simply bad judgment.
Nikolas: Yes, well, I did consider sending you away to take care of that apartment in London, but we're knee-deep in this project right now and, quite frankly, I can't trust anyone else.
Alfred: I'm relieved, Sir. I do worry that you've put too much pressure on yourself. Perhaps you should take that month in Italy, even if Miss Emily can't accompany you.
Nikolas: Alfred, I don't need advice, I need results. And the timing is crucial on this project, and I could really use your support.
Emily: The timing on what project?