"The Course of True Love..." Part Eight
"The course of true love never did run smooth." William Shakespeare
It is later that same night. Jerry and Katherine are at the PC Grille having
dinner. They are at a table nearest the patio, with her back to the door.
J: So, Lois, tell me why you're agitated. Did what's-his-name try to see you?
K: No. It was actually his mother.
Jerry suddenly becomes very concerned. He has heard about how ruthless Helena
can be.
J: What happened? Did she threaten to hurt you? If she did, I can have you out
of this country…
K: No, no. Nothing like that. She wanted to know why I didn't tell Luke what I
saw. She even knew Alexis came to see me. Thought it might have been Alexis'
idea not to tell him, which it was.
J: Did you tell Helena that?
K: (pondering) It's funny. I could have… so easily. She sounded as if she was
looking for an excuse to kill Alexis. That probably would have done it.
J: So, why didn't you?
K: I'm not sure. It's not as if I would, or could care about what happens to
Alexis. She would, no, make that has, sold me down a river to save her own skin.
But standing in that room with Helena. Seeing her being so cold and callous
about wanting the murder of her only living son… I guess it's not a wonder why
Stefan and Alexis are the way they are. I suppose for that one instant I felt…
not sorry, really… scared for her, I guess.
The waiter comes over, brings them iced teas, and takes their orders. After he
leaves the conversation resumes.
J: Do you think Helena knows you lied?
K: If she did, she didn't let on.
J: (shaking his head) I can't believe that was it. What else happened?
K: She knows I went home with you that night. (Remembering what she promised)
And in order for her to stop having me followed… I had to make a promise.
She sighs deeply, not wanting to say it aloud. Hoping that maybe if she doesn't
say it, it won't have to happen.
J: Annnnnd?????
K: (sad) I can't see Nikolas anymore. I don't know what I'm going to tell him.
J: Well, Lois, honesty is the best policy.
K: (bemused) Do you super heroes have some sort of cliché handbook you're forced
to memorize? "Misery loves company", "Honesty is the best policy"…
J: (leaning forward and whispering) Shhhh! Don't say that too loud. (Looking
around) If the other heroes thought that you knew… we'd have to lock you up in
the Fortress of Solitude.
K: (leaning forward and whispering in mock horror) Oh, No! I bet I'd be forced
to do your laundry, too.
J: (still whispering) Exactly. And you don't want to have to rinse out the
Incredible Hulk's skivvies. It's not a pretty sight.
They both lean back and laugh. Stefan, who just entered and was speaking with
the hostess, hears Katherine's laugh and turns around looking for her. He sees
she is with Jerry. At the same time Jerry spots Stefan. Katherine can tell he
has detected someone, but doesn't turn around.
K: Who do you see?
J: (debating) Wellll…
K: (almost irked) Don't make me turn around and look.
J: Stefan, or should I call him Lex Luther? Yes, I think I shall.
K: (worried) What's he doing? Is he coming over?
J: No. But he is staring like a deer caught in headlights. If I didn't know
better…
K: What? (Torn) Part of me wants to turn around and… (Trying to shake off the
urge) I can't let him do this to me.
Jerry looks puzzled.
J: I was just about to say it looks as if he's willing you to turn around and
look at him. Do you really want to?
K: (whispering and looking a little guilty) I have a confession… When I'm around
him, my resolve is very low… (Thinking back) I could be so angry with him, and
he would just gaze into my eyes, move close to me, touch me… Then I wasn't mad
at him. I just wanted him to hold me close and not let go.
J: Ahhh, I see. So, he's your Kryptonite.
K: (looking slightly annoyed) You are truly enjoying this whole Superman
metaphor, aren't you?
J: (smiling) Yes, Lois, I am. But I promise to refrain myself as much as
possible.
K: Thank you. What's he doing now?
J: He's sitting at a table, facing us, of course. He's still staring at you. I
can almost feel the tension between you two… (Quickly) Would you go back to him,
right now?
K: (guilty and on the verge of tears) Yes. That's why I can't see him. If I look
him in the eyes, he'll make me forget why I was mad in the first place.
J: You got out of the guesthouse just fine.
K: (contemplating) Yeah. I guess I was so angry… my resolve was very strong that
day.
J: But today?
K: (biting her lip and then whispering) I miss him. I still love him. But how
can I know if he ever really loved me? Or if I was just a substitute for her? If
I go back to him now, I'm afraid I'll always have that doubt.
J: (sympathetically) Do you want to get out of here?
K: Yes. Suddenly, I'm not hungry.
They get up and walk out. Katherine is waiting by the front door, while Jerry
pays the bill. Stefan walks up behind her.
S: Katherine.
She turns around suddenly, and their eyes lock. She can feel her last ounce of
resolve draining quickly.
S: (smiling) You're looking well… You look beautiful tonight…
Katherine is fighting every urge to run to him, melt into his arms, feel his
warm lips surrounding hers. Jerry walks up and steps between them.
J: Ready to go?
Katherine snaps back to her senses, as does Stefan.
K: Yes. Thank you.
Stefan sidesteps so he can see Katherine again.
S: I just wanted to remind you about the board meeting at the hospital tomorrow.
We'll need your PR skills now, more than ever, in light of the Dr. Jones
incident.
K: Oh, yes. I'll be there.
S: (smiling) Good, then I'll see you tomorrow.
Jerry turns Katherine around and pushes her out the door. Stefan touches Jerry
on the shoulder. Jerry turns and looks at Stefan.
S: (sincerely) Thank you for being kind to her.
J: (snidely) It's not a difficult task. Goodnight.
S: Good night.
As Stefan stands in the doorway he watches them walk away. He listens to a song
they have playing over the PA system in the foyer.
"Since I Don't Have You" by the Skyliners
I don't have plans and schemes,
And I don't have hopes and dreams.
I don't have anything, since I don't have you.
I don't have fond desires,
And I don't have happy hours.
I don't have anything, since I don't have you.
I don't have happiness,
And I guess,
I never will again.
When you walked out on me,
In walked old misery,
And he's been here since then.
I don't have love to share,
And I don't have one who cares.
I don't have anything, since I don't have
You, you, you, you,
You, you, you, you,
You, you, you, you,
Yoooooou.
Stefan fighting back the tears, walks out the door, and summons his car.
The next morning at the hospital Katherine goes to Edward Quartermaine’s office.
He stands to greet her, and gives her a big hug.
EQ: My dear, how are you? You've been hiding from me.
K: Yes, well. I'm trying to sort some things out. And I've been very busy at
Deception.
EQ: One of those things you've been sorting out wouldn't happen to be that
Cassadine fellow, would it?
K: (smiling) I just can't get anything past you, can I?
EQ: I can read you like a book.
K: Lately it feels like a cheap, dime store novel.
EQ: Oh, come on! I know how you feel about that reptile, but I can't say that
I'm unhappy you're away from him and his awful family… again.
K: (looking down at the ground and saying softly) No one knows I feel about him.
EQ: Well, if this subject depresses you - lets find something else to talk
about.
K: (half-smiling) Yes, the reason I came to see you.
EQ: Ahhhh, the Tony Jones incident. I have no doubt that with your PR skills,
this hospital will pull through this mess with flying colors. (Smiling) So, give
me the inside scoop before the board meeting this afternoon.
K: Edward, I won't be there. I quit.
EQ: You… You can't be serious. Ohhh, once again that man is getting in the way
of your talents. Did he force you to quit? I'll…
K: No! I quit on my own. It would be too painful…
EQ: I won't let you quit!
Stefan enters the office. He has a letter in his hand.
S: Katherine, I can't accept this. I found your letter of resignation on my
desk. I can't let you do it.
They both turn to look at Stefan. He is gazing at Katherine, who is trying not
to look at him.
EQ: Well, it looks like we finally agree on something.
S: Yes, Edward, we do. Katherine, this hospital needs you if we are to get
through this Dr. Jones fiasco.
Katherine finally looks Stefan in the eyes. Her determination is, for the
moment, strong.
K: I'm sorry, but I can't. (Sarcastically) I have no doubt you'll be able to
replace me… maybe the former PR person. I'm sure you've got their picture around
here somewhere.
A flash of pain sweeps over Stefan's face, then Katherine's face. Edward
discerns there's more to her comment than meets the eye, but decides to distract
them both.
EQ: (in his best grandfatherly tone) Listen. The two of you need to stop this
foolishness. I didn't like it the last time you two had a spat, and the whole
hospital was drug into it… I won't stand for it this time.
K: (defensively) This isn't just a "spat" Edward…
EQ: (waggling his finger at her) Uh, uh, uh. No excuses. (Looking at Stefan)
Doesn't her contract say something about two weeks notice?
S: (business-like) Yes, I believe it does. I can have it looked into, though.
K: (defeated) Never mind. But consider that letter my two weeks notice.
Edward takes the letter from Stefan's hand, and reads it. Katherine tries to
avoid looking into Stefan's eyes.
EQ: Sorry, my dear, but you'll need to resubmit it, with the statement that it's
your two weeks notice. (Happily) So, until that time, the hospital board will
expect nothing but your best work.
He walks over to Katherine, places a hand on either shoulder, spins her around,
and pushes her to the door.
Stefan says quickly.
S: Katherine, I will want to see your proposals before you submit them to the
board this afternoon. I'll meet you in your office at, eleven?
K: Yes, that will be fine.
Katherine leaves. Before Stefan can get to the door Edward stops him.
EQ: I don't mean to tell you how to run your private life…
S: (curtly) Then don't.
EQ: (mad) You sir, make that very difficult when you keep dragging your personal
life into the hospital. First Bobbie, then Katherine, then Alexis, and now
Katherine again.
Stefan and Edward try staring each other down, neither of them backs off.
EQ: I think you've put that poor girl through enough. Since you're out of her
life, this time, why don't you stay that way? Hmmmmm?
Stefan gives him one last hard glance, then walks out.
Later in Katherine's office. Stefan is standing near her desk reading over the
proposals. Katherine is standing by the window, pretending to be interested in
what is going on in the street below. Besides writing the proposals, she spent
the morning trying to increase her will. He places the papers on the desk.
S: (smiling) Once again, you've outdone yourself. I think any one of these will
work. It's sad really. A brilliant doctor like Tony Jones accused of raping the
Webber girl.
K: Yes, after the whole baby thing… he just snapped. I would have thought a
doctor would have recognized the symptoms, but I guess there's a difference
between reading about it in a textbook and living it.
Katherine hasn't noticed that Stefan has walked up behind her. He is standing
close enough to brush against her, and he moves his face, so his mouth is near
her ear. She is torn. She wants to yell at him and tell him to get away from
her, yet she has missed him being this close to her.
S: (softly) I've missed you. I've missed your laugh. I've missed your smile.
I've missed being this close to you, and closer than this. I've missed looking
into your eyes…
Katherine's resolve is once again draining fast. As he talks she tries to
bolster herself to turn around and walk away. When he says the last sentence,
she turns quickly to go, but their eyes lock, and she is trapped in the emotion
of needing him so desperately.
S: I've missed caressing your face (which he does lightly as he says this). I've
missed you sleeping with your head on my chest…
Katherine is no longer able to hold the anger that would make her walk away. He
is holding her face with both hands now. As he leans in, they both close their
eyes, and he says:
S: I've missed your sweet kisses.
As they kiss passionately, he envelops her in his arms, and she melts into his
embrace for what seems like an eternity, which is not nearly long enough. While
one hand holds her, the other moves to the buttons on her blouse.
There is a sudden, loud knock on the door. Katherine pulls away, but Stefan
wants to hold on a little longer. The door opens a crack and Jerry sticks his
head in. He pretends not to notice that they are standing as close as they are,
and what they were obviously doing.
J: (happily) Sorry to interrupt your meeting. But Lois, we do have a lunch date,
and they'll only hold our table for so long.
As Jerry steps into the room, Katherine and Stefan both snap out of their
aroused state.
K: (flustered) Yes, Jerry… I'm sorry… time got away from me. I'll be ready in a
moment.
Not knowing what to do, and not believing she what she was just doing, she tries
to act business like.
K: Jerry have you met Stefan Cassadine? (Not waiting for an answer) No? Well,
Jerry Jax this is Stefan Cassadine. Stefan this is Jerry Jax.
Jerry crosses the room to shake Stefan's hand. Stefan goes back into his all
business mode.
J: (jokingly) Nice to finally meet the man behind all those nasty rumors.
S: It's a pleasure to meet you, also.
K: (still flustered) Well, Stefan, I will see you at the board meeting this
afternoon.
S: (calm, but there is a fire in his eyes) Yes, Katherine. (To both) Enjoy your
lunch.
He shuts the door as he leaves.
J: Boy, you weren't kidding when you said your resolve was weak around him.
K: (sighing) Thank God, you got here when you did. If you would have been two
minutes later…
J: (smiling) I would have gotten quite a show, huh?
K: Oh, Yeah. You know, with your timing, I'm beginning to think you really are
Superman.
Katherine and Jerry walk to the door.
J: That's what I've been trying to tell you. You can give me all the sordid
details at lunch.
They walk out to the elevators. They don't notice Stefan is watching them, his
eyes never leaving Katherine.
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