The Island and Beyond

by Lasha Laura



Chapter 22




"What did you say?!" said Laura as she stared at Stefan. Her ears must have heard him wrong. Pulling her close to him, he repeated, "Marry me!"

Laura broke the embrace and stood up in astonishment.

"You can't... we can't...I'm already married to..."

"You're not married!" blurted Stefan before he realized his mistake. He hated lying to her but he couldn't risk the thought of her leaving him in search of a rumor that might not be true.

"What do you mean?" said Laura with a quizzical look.

"You aren't married in anyway that matters." Said Stefan, covering up for his lapsis linguea. He was determined to get off this island with her and start a happy life with the woman he adored. To make her forget over being Mrs. Luke Spencer. Stefan watched Laura intently, waiting for an answer.

Meanwhile, Robert was still in a state of shock. Alexis snapped him out of it though.

"That little witch, she seduced my cousin into her web of..."

Robert clamped his hand over her mouth.

"Talk in English please, not Cassadinese."

"She seduced him to get off this damn island."

"She isn't getting off with anyone but me, I promise you that!" said Robert.

Alexis smirked, "What are we going to do about his proposal, Mr... Sorry didn't catch your name."

"Scorpio, Robert Scorpio." He said with his blinding Aussie smile. At that moment Robert had a thought. She reminded him of Anna, she had that same fire and recklessness inside of her even though she was a Cassadine.

"Scorpio?! The name sounds familiar!" said Alexis.

"Doesn't surprise me, I bumped off a couple of your relatives a while back."

Robert was in the mood to be blunt.

Alexis smiled, "During that freeze the world thing huh! Never understood that whole plotline?"

"Getting back to your question, Ms. Davis. "We aren't doing anything, you are going to forget you ever saw me."

"What are you trying to do hypnotize me??"

Robert blinked.

"I'm involved now!"

"Now I know you're a Cassadine, can't stay out of trouble." "You arrogant..."

Robert placed his hand over mouth again to silence her.

As Robert and Alexis continued their spat, Laura was in a fog.

Stefan said, "Laura, the thought of never holding you in my arms again would be like living without my heart or my soul. The moment I saw you, I knew and you knew. We are each other's destiny. I can't let you go." Stefan brushed his lips across hers.

"Marry me." He repeated against her lips. That was all it took for Laura to give in.

"Yes!" she said breathlessly. Stefan embraced her.

"I'll take care of Stavros and my mother, meet me here tomorrow night at midnight."

He kissed Laura's hand and left. Laura went in the other direction. Behind the bushed meanwhile,

"We have 24 hours to end this debacle." Said Alexis.

Robert looked around to see that Laura was indeed gone.

"Meet me back here tonight." He rose and disappeared.

Alexis rose brushed off her skirt and said, "You can bet on it."

Chapter 23

Laura walked back to her room after her rendezvous with Stefan. She was extremely anxiety ridden, she was shaking. She really had to get control of where her life was taking her. Luke would understand wouldn't he?? Laura had to believe that he would. He would want her to get off the island by any means possible but would that include it being in the arms of a Cassadine.

Laura walked to the bed and sank down on the mattress. The intensity of the events over the past months and her emotions seemed to weigh her down more than she thought possible. She closed her eyes and started to fall asleep when the lights suddenly went out! She bolted upright into the darkness.

"Who is it!" demanded Laura. Thinking it was Helena playing with her mind yet again she stood her ground.

"Its me Laura!" said the voice, the male voice. Laura recognized it immediately.

"Robert!" she exclaimed.

Robert flipped on the lights to see Laura across the room. She ran and gave him a big hug. It was reciprocated by Robert.

"I didn't think you got my message." Said Laura.

"I got it alright, you sure have yourself in a bid this time Laura! But we are leaving this island and any things that bind you here behind..tonight!"

Laura suddenly went stiff and walked away from Robert.

"Tonight?! I can't leave.. I mean.."

"Stefan" whispered Robert.

Laura turned to face him with a surprised expression on her face. "You know?" she said.

"Yes and I know you probably did it to get off this island."

Laura was offended by that last comment. "You think I would hoar myself to get off this island. For your information, Robert I happen to be in love with him!"

Robert was speechless. This was his worst nightmare.

"Impossible! Laura you can't be serious."

"Oh but I am Robert. You can either help us off this island or go back to your WSB duties."

"How would Luke feel knowing what is going on now? How could you do this to him?"

Laura was infuriated now.

"You don't think I have thought that a hundred times since this whole thing happened. I have dreams of Luke berating me, telling me how horrible I am for my actions. But my life is my own now. I have been subservient to men for too long. Scotty then Luke and Stavros. Its my turn to make decisions that effect my life and I chose to be with Stefan. Luke will always be with me. But he is gone!"

Robert was genuinely sorry to see Laura suffer like this. He never meant to make her angry but was she looking at the big picture?

"Does anyone else know that about Stefan and I besides you."

"A woman, his cousin!"

Laura's eyes widened! "Alexis!!! God, no telling what she will do?"

"She is in on the plan with me, she hates this family almost as much as we do. She is no threat." Robert said and smiled remembering their bickering in the bushes.

Robert then said with as much tenderness as he could.

"Do you really love him??"

"I tried to deny it but..yes I do."

He walked to Laura. "You know, Luke would want you to be happy. No matter what."

"Thanks. I needed to hear that." Smiled Laura.

"I will help you and Stefan escape. But it will not be easy. Alexis and I will have to keep watch while you two leave."

"Thank you Robert. You are my dearest friend."

"I have to meet Alexis in a little while! I will talk to you and Stefan later!"

Robert then left Laura alone.

Meanwhile, as escape plans were being brought forth. Someone unexpected was coming onto the shore of the island. It was Luke! Alive and well! "Baby, you are never going to now what hit you!" smiled Luke as he crept toward the main house on the mountain of the island.