Brook Lynn giggled as she sat in the back of the limo with Nikolas. They had enjoyed themselves so much at Luke and Tracy's wedding that they had drunkenly decided to take the limo to Atlantic City to gamble.

"I have to admit I had my doubts about Luke and Tracy's wedding, but I have to say that is the most fun I've had in a very long time. The suspense, the drama, the booze. Definitely the booze. I am so glad that you were there with me," Brook rambled.

He said, "Well, Luke is always good for a few laughs and entertainment. He's a good guy. Sometimes...I don't know I wish that my mother would have taken me with her. I wish that I would have been raised by Luke."

"You and Lucky conning your way around the world? I can see that...you are definitely devious enough. It seemed like you two had a good time tonight at the reception. Maybe things are getting better for the two of you," Brook suggested.

"I often think that it might be fun...and I'd have a better relationship with my brother. We were almost born to be adversarial. My father a royal aristocrat and his father a blue-collar conman vying for the love of the same woman."

She smiled slightly thinking about the similarities. There was no reason that Nikolas should be interested in a girl like her. He could do better.

"You know what? I had fun tonight because you were there with me. I always have fun when you are with me. I feel...alive. I am glad that you stuck around, Brook Lynn."

"I have fun with you too, Nikolas. I don't know what I would be doing if you hadn't hired me. You did it because you were being nice. You could have found a dozen more qualified, more polished, more worldly women to accompany you but instead you chose me. I was in dire straits. I appreciate all of this, Nikolas. I appreciate you. You make me feel...I don't know, like you respect me," said Brook Lynn drinking from a glass of champagne.

Nikolas' lips twitched into a smile listening to Brook's drunken rambling. He'd never seen the lively young woman this way before. He said, "You are partially right. I could have hired a more qualified woman to escort me to these functions but I doubt that I would enjoy myself as much. I enjoy the time that I spend with you Brook. I haven't felt like this since Emily died. Have you ever been to Atlantic City?"

"No, I can't believe we are going to AC. I am going to play blackjack when we get there. I am great at blackjack."

"You are great at blackjack? I can't wait to see that." Nikolas couldn't help but adore Brook. He had been falling for her for weeks now but he hadn't approached her because it would be putting her in an awkward position if she wasn't interested.

Brook Lynn was quite frankly wasted and she knew it. Brook Lynn's head was resting against Nikolas' shoulder as music played in the background. "I love this song!"

She began to sing Rob Thomas' song, I Don't Want To Be Lonely No More, in a drunken but beautiful voice.

Nikolas chuckled at her giggling behavior. He didn't understand how, but she seemed to be even cuter at the moment. Nikolas was fairly drunk as well. The Cassadine prince had consumed more than his fair share of liquor at the reception. "You have an amazing voice."

"You think so?" asked Brook.

Nikolas caressed her cheek and leaned in planting a passionate kiss on her perfectly painted lips. His fingers tangled into Brook Lynn's long dark locks. He was suddenly very glad he'd attended Luke and Tracy's wedding. He would never have the courage to do this otherwise.

Brook and Nikolas made out for nearly a half hour before Nikolas's fingers drunkenly attempted to get Brook Lynn out of her dress. Nikolas pulled back from the kiss with a slightly goofy grin on his face. "Your dress is very complicated..."

She looked into Nikolas' eyes through a drunken haze. "You kissed me...and it was hot." She hicupped and started laughing at herself. "That wasn't very sexy was it?" asked Brook Lynn giggling all over again.

She peeled off her wool coat and turned her back to Nikolas. "Unzip me it is easier that way silly," said Brook with a laugh.

Nikolas grinned and unzipped her dress exposing her back to his gaze. He ran the backs of his fingers over her back and unhooked her bra with little fanfare. Nikolas kissed her neck. "You are so beautiful, Brook. So full of life. So funny," murmured Nikolas against her neck.

Brook moved so that she was straddling Nikolas' lap. She kissed him and said, "You are so sexy and so strong. You are fun to be with and you make me smile. I look at you and wonder how could a man like you could ever like a girl like me. I haven't been happy for a very long time. I didn't think I knew how to be happy."

"I am always waiting for something to be taken away from me...like I am not meant to be happy. Some sort of Cassadine curse. You can have all of the wealth in the world but you will die alone..." said Nikolas.

"You aren't alone, Nikolas. I am here," whispered Brook.

"I'd give it all up for true happiness. Your grandmother wants me to terminate our agreement. She doesn't want you to be my escort. Tracy thinks I am taking advantage of you," said Nikolas.

Nikolas looked at her disheveled appearance. Brook Lynn's dress was around her waist. He suddenly felt very sick. He said, "I am taking advantage of you, Brook. I-I'm sorry. I am not trying to turn you into a prostitute."

Brook put a finger to his lips to quiet him. She shook her head as her eyes met his. "You are not turning me into a prostitute, Nik. We went to the wedding as friends. You aren't paying me for tonight. I want to do this. I want to be with you. I love you, Nikolas." said Brook. In her drunken haze her true feelings were flowing from her like a faucet. He fingers fiddled with the buttons on his dress shirt. "We'll never have the courage to do this sober..." whispered Brook looking into his eyes.

Nikolas looked at the sincerity in her eyes and stopped her hands from unbuttoning his shirt. "How much of this night do you think either of us will really remember?" asked Nikolas seriously.

"I want to remember this...I want to remember all of it. We should wait until we are both sober...maybe I could take you on a real date first," said Nikolas looking into her eyes.

Brook Lynn looked into his eyes not sure if he was just trying to give her the kiss-off but she suddenly felt embarrassed and rejected. She nodded and said 'Sure Nik..."

Brook moved off of his lap and tried to fix her clothing so that she looked respectable. She had a seat next to Nikolas. "Could you zip me up please?" asked Brook.

Nikolas saw the disappointed look on her face. "You are a lady, Brook Lynn. I want to treat you that way. I want to take you on a real date and romance you before I make love to you. Why don't we go on a date tomorrow night?" Nikolas wanted her to know that he was very serious. He zipped up her dress.

Brook said, "I'd like that, Nikolas. I'd really like that..." She put on her coat and got settled against the seat. She picked up her glass and finished drinking the champagne. Afterward she closed her eyes starting to feel sleepy.

Nikolas saw that she was starting to dose off. He buttoned his shirt. Nikolas took off his coat and laid it across his lap. "Come on. Lay down and get some sleep. I'll wake you up when we make it to Atlantic City," said Nikolas.

Brook wanted to argue with him but at the moment she did feel rather tired and a little dizzy from all of the drinking. She nodded."Thanks." Brook laid her head on his lap and closed her eyes tiredly.

Nikolas relaxed against the leather seat and closed his eyes listening to the music. He had a lot of thoughts running through his mind. He knew that he liked Brook...he had known that for awhile now but he didn't think she was interested in him. There was an age difference to be considered. But all of this doubts had been turned around after tonight. As he thought about his situation with Brook he looked at her and realized that she had fallen asleep. Nikolas closed his eyes and ended up drifting off as well.

An hour later the limo came to a stop. Brook was the first to wake up. She sat up and yawned a little. "Nikolas, I think we are here," said Brook in a sleepy voice. She finger combed her hair out of her face and checked herself out in her mirror. She searched the seat for her purse.

Nikolas woke up and chuckled, "I thought you were the one that was supposed to be sleeping. I guess I was tired too...I still am actually."

The chauffeur opened the door for Brook. "Ms. Ashton," said the chauffeur offering Brook his hand to help her out of the car. "Please be careful...the ground is a little slippery from the ice."

"Thank you." Brook climbed out of the limo and waited on Nikolas to join her. She pulled her coat around her body more as a cold wind whipped through the air.

Nikolas climbed out and put an arm around Brook and walked with her into the hotel/casino. Nikolas walked over to the reception area to book a room for the two of them.

Brook Lynn said, "I feel lucky. I am going to go play a couple hands of blackjack." She kissed his cheek before flitting off.

Nikolas chuckled and shook his head. Nikolas booked a suite for the two of them and then walked over to the tables to join Brook Lynn. He walked over and chuckled. "How many hands have you played so far?" asked Nikolas.

"Three..." said Brook. "I've won two of those three. Seems like I am a better gambler when I am drunk," said Brook laughing. She had a drink in her hand already.

Nikolas smirked. "I think I will join you for a couple of hands."