Click here for more information. Read MessageRELATED:Dictionary Thesaurus ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Date: Fri, 16 Jan 1998 23:51:55 -0400 From: tjhnnm@mailserv.mta.ca Save Address Block Sender Reply-To: tjhnnm@mailserv.mta.ca To: kimmyso@hotmail.com Subject: fam sec chaps 7 - 8 Chapter 7 Stefan is just about to enter Ned's room when a nurse comes out of the doorway and looks at him hesitantly. Nurse: I'm sorry, visiting hours are over for the evening. I'm afraid you'll have to come back in the morning. Stefan: (trying to come up with something quickly) I just need to see Ned for a moment, he's my brother and I'm very worried about him. Please, I've come a long way. Nurse: I'm sorry, even if I could let you in to see him, he's already fallen asleep - he was fairly uncomfortable, so Dr. Bryden put him on a relatively strong painkiller - he should sleep like a baby for the rest of night Stefan: Ah, good. Well then, I guess I'll just come back in the morning. The nurse waits for Stefan to pass through the double doors separating the wing from the rest of the hospital floor before leaving Ned's doorway. Brother her ass, there was something quite disconcerting about his urgent need to speak to her patient. Well, it wasn't going to happen on her watch. Stefan tried peeping around the corner several times over the course of the next hour, but every time, Nurse Ratchet was at her post - the woman almost seemed to be standing guard. Stefan had just decided to go and get himself some coffee from the cafeteria when he was approached by Dr. Bryden. Dr. Bryden: Ah, Mr. Cassadine, you'll be happy to know your cousin pulled through surgery with flying colors. Stefan: (relieved) Very good. Is she awake? May I see her? Dr. Bryden: For the moment, yes. She's been conscious for about 10 minutes, but I wouldn't expect that to last much longer. Her Demorol should kick in any minute now.....regular visiting hours are over, but if you promise to be brief, I'll let you see her right now. Stefan: Wonderful, thank you Doctor. They walk down the hall and turn into small, but not cramped room. Stefan catches his first glimpse of Alexis and inhales sharply at the sight of her. Bandages encase her torso, and her swolen face and arms are covered with bruises and stitches. She sees Stefan and her eyes widen in surprise. Alexis: (muffled) Stefan, what are you doing here? Stefan (noticing that Dr. Bryden has given him some privacy) Alexis, I came as soon as I heard. Are you alright? Alexis: I'll be fine. (bewildered) How did you know? Stefan: We'll discuss that in a minute, but first....I want to tell you that.....I.....I forgive you Alexis. I was angrier than I have ever been with you, but the thought of losing you tonight was more than I could bear. When I heard that you were hurt, I couldn't think of anything else but getting to your side. I don't know how I could have ever thought that I could just cut you out of my heart like that. I love you Alexis. Alexis's eyes moisten with tears as she tries not to sob with gratitude. She is in an intense amount of pain right now, but the ache in her heart is gone. She looks up at her cousin with her best attempt at a smile. Alexis: I love you too Stefan. Thank you, for your forgiveness. Stefan: I've been here for hours, thinking about everything we said that morning, and I finally see now that what you did to me you did out of love, and was, in effect, not dissimilar to what I did to you and Ned. I think we both need to forgive each other and move on. At the mention of Ned's name, Alexis remebers that she wasn't alone in the car and a horrible thought occurs to her. Alexis: (still guarded) Stefan...the accident....was anyone else hurt? Stefan: Well, to the best of my knowledge the bus passengers were completely unharmed, and Ned is down the hall, sleeping. His injuries were not as severe as yours, he should be released in a few days I would think. Alexis: (digging) That's it? Just Ned and I were hurt? Stefan: Yes, though there was, reportedly, a girl, whom Dr. Bryden says was with you in the car. She was relatively unharmed and they released her several hours ago. Who was she Alexis? I can only presume that it was she who phoned to tell me about the accident, but the caller wouldn't identify herself....Alexis? Alexis: (yawning) I don't know what to say Stefan - they must have been mistaken. There were a lot of people on that bus, I'm sure...she must have been one of the passengers. And I would assume it was one of the nurses who called you. Your number must be in my purse. Stefan, though not entirely satisfied, sees that Alexis is becoming drowsier by the minute and decides to wait until morning to pursue this line of questioning. Alexis isn't making much sense - he can only assume it's the medication talking. As he leaves, Alexis lets her panic take hold....her daughter has been released? Into New York City? She can only assume that Emma has called Debbie or Mark to come get her....yes, that's definitely what she would have done....wasn't it? Of course, that was the logical thing to do....but it would take them well over an hour to get here....she was 13 years old and most likely hiding somewhere in a New York City hospital...the possibilities do not comfort Alexis at all, but eventually, she worries herself to sleep, thanks largely to her pain killers. ************************************************************************* ********* The Next Morning Stefan, having stayed in a hotel for the evening, rounds the corner into Alexis' room to find an unfamiliar woman sitting on her bed, holding her hand. He assumes it is one of her friends who has heard about the accident. After all, Alexis did live in New York for a number of years. His assumption however, is tossed out the window when, unseen, he overhears part of their conversation. Debbie: ....her up last night. I checked her out thoroughly when we got home, and aside from a couple of cuts and bruises she's just fine. Alexis: Oh, thank God. I wish I could see her. Debbie: I know, she wanted to come with me this morning, but we both knew better. She told me she called Stefan - did he come? Alexis: Yes, which means he could be back any time now. You were right to keep Emma home. She knows the risks. At this point, Stefan can no longer contain himself, and he walks the rest of the way into the room. With his characteristically-dark attire, he is unmistakeable and Debbie jumps up from the bed in shock when she spots him out of the corner of the eye. Stefan: Who are you? And who is this ‘Emma' you were discussing with my cousin. (Looks at Alexis) What risks are you talking about Alexis? Alexis: (to Debbie) Would you excuse us please? Debbie nods, and looks at her watch as she leaves, estimating how long it would take her to get home and take Emma somewhere safe if she had to. She waits, just down the hall from Alexis' room to see what happens. Stefan: Well....are you going to tell me? Or do I have to figure it out for myself? Alexis: (wondering if he meant what he said last night about forgiveness) I don't know Stefan. What is it that you think you have figured out. Stefan: Well, my guess would be that this phantom child - Emma - is your daughter - someone you've been hiding from the family, perhaps with the woman who was here when I arrived. How am I doing so far? Alexis: (conceding defeat) Pretty damned well, I'd say. Stefan: Alexis, really...an illegitimate child is not exactly cause to celebrate in our family, but surely you must have known that I would have supported you.... Alexis: I know you would have Stefan, and had circumstances been otherwise, you would have been the first person I would have gone to, but.... Stefan: But what Alexis? Alexis: My daughter....Emma.....well, her situation is a little bit more complicated than that. Stefan: I don't understand - complicated in what way? Alexis: (sighing with resolve) She's thirteen Stefan.....she was born September 2, 1984. Stefan: I'm afraid I don't see where you're going with this train of thought Alexis... Alexis: Think about it Stefan....think about the dates. A baby born in September would have been conceived when? Stefan mentally subtracts months and years until a cold realization hits him. His jaw drops open in horror. Stefan: Dear God, you don't mean to tell me.... Alexis nods her head solemnly, as she watches him fumble into a chair. Chapter 8 Alexis: It was that afternoon that I was home, surely you remember the state I was in when you found me that evening.... Stefan: Of course, it all makes so much sense to me now. (Another thought occurs to him) But, if he did this to you, why did he change his mind about the betrothal? Alexis: The thought of living like that for the rest of my life was more than I was willing to sacrifice for the good of the family. I don't know where the courage came from, but I told him in no uncertain terms that if he ever touched me again, wife or no, I would kill him. I meant it when I said it, and obviously he believed me. Then, and I'll never forget this, he looked down at me with this look of utter disgust, spat into my face, and then turned and left the room. That was the last time I ever saw him alive. Stefan: (eyes glistening) I'm so sorry, why didn't you ever tell me? Alexis: What could you have done? Anyway, by the time Emma was born, Stavros was dead. Stefan: Then why hide her? From me....from Nik- Stefan suddenly realizes the implications of what she has told him. He has always known that Nikolas was his son, and technically, the title would have passed through him to Nikolas anyway, given that Stavros had no other children. This changes everything - he looks at Alexis and she sees in his eyes that he realizes the gravity of the situation. Alexis: Now you understand. Assuming Nikolas is your son - (Stefan opens his mouth, but she cuts him off) Please, Stefan, I've always suspected, and the look in your eyes just now confirmed it. Now given that fact, Emma would become The Cassadine in 8 years time. I don't want that for her, and she wouldn't want it even if she did know it was possible - I've told her very little about the whole situation. However, I don't think Helena would be as understanding as you seem to be. She has always shown great affection for Nikolas - anything, or anyone who threatened his status as head of the family would have been in danger. That's why I had to hide her...the woman whom you saw here just now - she and her husband have raised Emma since she was 2 days old. I visit when I can, but it's difficult to do so often, without raising suspicion. My abiding hope is that Helena will die soon, and Emma and I can finally be together permanently. Stefan: Why didn't you ever tell me? I would have helped you keep her safe. Alexis: You and I had grown apart over the years since her birth....then, when you summoned me to Port Charles, I thought that maybe as we got to know each other again, I would find in you the loyalty that I needed to be able to share this information. Over the months, my trust in you was re- established, and I had actually planned to tell you about Emma on the day you threw me out. But that day, after you told me that I was dead to you (Stefan's face takes on a pained look)....I realized that if I had been cut away from the family, that no one would bother to wonder where I was or what I was doing anymore. I thought that I could get Emma, change my name, and begin a new life with my daughter. Stefan: What about Ashton - why was he here with you? Alexis: Ah, Ned, that's another matter entirely. He actually disguised himself and followed me all the way from Port Charles and waited at the hotel for me. When I returned with Emma, his curiosity was, shall we say, mildly aroused. Stefan: I can imagine. Alexis: He refused to leave until I had told him the truth, and so I finally gave in. Eventually, I introduced him to Emma, and we were on our way to a restaurant when the accident happened. I assume that when Emma was released she used my cell phone to contact you. The speed dials, I mean - she would have had to rely on them, since all she knows about you is that your name is Stefan - she has no idea of the Cassadine name or reputation, but she has seen pictures of you and Nikolas. Stefan: I see. So, now that I know about....my niece, when do I get to meet her? Alexis: Well, if you want to ask Debbie to come back in, I'll see what I can do. And Stefan... Stefan: (on his way out of the room) Yes? Alexis: Will you find out what you can about Ned? Stefan: Alright....I'll be back shortly. A few moments later, a very relieved-looking Debbie enters Alexis' room. Debbie: Is everything ok? He's going to help you? Alexis: Yes, he's forgiven me, and he had pretty much figured out the fact that I had a daughter, all on his own. I just filled in the blanks. Debbie: So what does this mean for her now? Alexis: Well, ideally, we would be able to return to Port Charles together. As long as Emma's paternity never comes up, she should be perfectly safe. She will, of course, have the same protection that Stefan, Nikolas, and I all have. Now that I am confident that Stefan will not go to Helena about her, everything should work out just fine. (notices Debbie's fallen face) I realize that Port Charles is a bit farther away than we previously discussed, but you'll still be able to see Emma as often as you'd like. It would probably look odd for me to bring you to Port Charles for visits, but she's free to come here whenever she wants. Debbie: Thank you. I know it's probably more than we have a right to expect - Alexis: Nonsense; you were a godsend to me for 13 years...it's because of you that I have a relationship with Emma at all, and more importantly, that she's still alive and healthy. Debbie looks pleased by Alexis' gratitude, and rises from her chair. Debbie: Would you like me to bring her here? Alexis: Yes, actually, if you wouldn't mind. Stefan would like to meet her, and I'm sure she's as anxious to see me as I am her. Debbie: Alright then, I'll be back in a few hours. You get some sleep in the meantime ok? Alexis: I heartily agree. All this talking has completely exhausted me. Debbie: I would imagine so....well, I'll go then....see you in a bit. ************************************************************************* ********* Half an hour later, Alexis is still trying to find a comfortable enough position to sleep in, when Stefan walks in. Stefan: Are you alright? You don't look very comfortable - shall I call a nurse? Alexis: No, it's alright...I think they've given me as much as they can for now. I'll fall asleep eventually, I'm sure. Tell me, is there any news on Ned? Stefan: Yes, actually. It took me a while to find Dr. Bryden, but she said that he's doing much better and will likely be released the day after tomorrow. I took the liberty of calling the Quartermaines. I thought they might be getting worried - Ned having been gone for 3 days now. Alexis: You're right - though I wonder just how comforted he'll be to have his grandfather and Alan hovering over him. Oh well. Oh, I almost forgot - Debbie's gone home to get Emma and bring her here. They should be back in an hour or two. Stefan: Wonderful! I must say I'm very intrigued to meet her - I'm assuming she favors her mother rather than her father? Alexis: Fortunately, yes. No signs whatsoever of plans for world domination. Stefan: (almost chuckles - almost) Good...well, I'll leave you to get some sleep then. Alexis: Ok, I really am feeling very tired.....(yawning)....I just wish I could get comfortable. Stefan: I'll send a nurse in to see if you should be in this much pain - there must be something they can give you. Alexis: At this point, I'm not going to argue. Stefan: Good - I'll see you in a little while then. Alexis nods her agreement as he turns and leaves. Moments later, a nurse comes in with a stronger dose of Demerol, and Alexis soon begins to feel relief, as she nods off to sleep. Click here for more information. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ © 1996-1997 Hotmail. All Rights Reserved.[Contact Us|Help]