Absolution Chapter 25 Stefan glanced over at Lucky as he filled his glass with vodka. He was relieved the boy was still asleep and he didn’t have to confess to where he had gone. His nerves were still on edge from discovering Laura had planned to end her life. Wearily he walked over to the desk and sat heavily down in his chair, leaning back with a deep sigh. The computer was still running its program and Stefan watched for a moment to make sure it was functioning correctly then leaned back, cupping his glass in his hand. Something was rubbing uncomfortably against his thigh and he reached into his coat pocket and brought out the bottle of pills. A fine tremor went through his body as he clutched the bottle tightly in his hand, eyeing it with distaste. Pulling out a drawer in his desk he threw the bottle in and uncharacteristically slammed the drawer, wishing he could block out the sight of the row of pills on Laura’s bedside table. Why had she not followed through with it, he wondered anxiously? Had she thought about what it would do to her children, was that what had stopped her? When they fought he always brought up the fact that Laura had abandoned Nikolas to hurt her, but he knew she would never do it again, not even for Luke. Laura had worked too hard to gain Nikolas’ trust to throw it all away. There was one thing about Laura that he was certain, and that was she loved her children. It was the one thing that was constant. She was like a lioness when it came to them and would fight for them until her last breath. Laura was safe for now, but the future was uncertain. His mother loomed like a dark cloud over all of their lives and it was time he put an end to it. Helena, the monster of a mother he both loved and hated. Stefan sat the drink down on the desk and rubbed the bridge of his nose in distress. All he had ever wanted since he could remember was her love and respect and he had never gotten any of it. The image of himself as a small boy filled his thoughts. He and Stavros were with the tutor. Lessons were finished for the day and the kindly man had let them draw. The teacher praised Stefan’s drawing, telling him he had the makings of an artist. Praise was what Stefan got so rarely and he was puffed up with pride that this learned man thought so highly of his etching. When the teacher saw Stavros’ work he shook his head in despair. Helena picked that day to make one of her rare surprise visits to the school room. “Mother, look,” Stavros yelled loudly, as he shoved the ghastly drawing of blood and mayhem in Helena’s face. The tutor corrected Stavros telling him to lower his voice and sit back down. Helena sent him one glare and the man cowered in fear. “It’s beautiful, my little prince,” Helena cooed in delight. Stefan shifted in his seat trying to keep still. If mother thought Stavros’ horrible drawing was good, he was sure she would think his was even better. He waited impatiently until he felt his mother standing by his side. Looking up at her, he smiled thinking she would be delighted with his work. His smile quickly faded as he saw the frown on her face. “Goodness Stefan. Is this all you can draw, innocuous little scenes of tranquility?” she criticized. He lowered his eyes to his etching and wondered what was wrong with his depiction of the waves rolling into the beach at the cove. He had spent extra time making sure the sandpiper walking along the shoreline was perfect and that the shadows cast by the sun were in correlation with the position of the sun. Analyzing the scene, he couldn’t figure out what he had done wrong. Helena picked the paper up and tore it into pieces, scattering the pieces of paper on the floor. “This isn’t worth the paper it’s drawn on,” she belittled. Stefan watched the pieces of his masterpiece flutter to the floor. It was the best work he had ever done. His lip quivered in anguish. Helena pounced on his weakness. “What? Are you going to cry? she censured as she grasped his face cruelly in her hand. “Cassadines don’t cry,” she said harshly. “Perhaps you need a lesson in fortitude.” She smiled evilly. “Go to your room and stay there until morning.” He had looked back at her stoically refusing to let her see him cry. It made her furious that he didn’t dissolve into tears and plead to forgo the punishment. Stefan stared blindly into space. He had been eight years old. Helena had never seen him cry again. He had known at such a young age that they were pompous, overbearing, egotistical monsters and he had consciously set out to distance himself from them. In the end though Helena would win. By the course she had taken she had forced his hand and he had no choice but to become what he despised the most, the son she had always wanted. Over the years he had tried to put a stop to her madness by thwarting her plans. And on two occasions when the situation called for drastic measures, he had drugged her. Now it was time for it to all come to an end. The Cassadine madness. Already he could feel it pressing, prodding, waiting to be freed. All the darkness, insanity, rage, and devastation of his family would descend upon him like an apocalypse. It was just waiting for him to take the final step. Once he had the proof he needed to convict Helena, she would flee. He smiled ruthlessly. That’s exactly what he wanted. The PCPD and the DA’s office were fools. They had let her slip through their fingers before and they would do it again, but this time she would pay for her crimes. The son she so despised would be her judge, jury, and executioner. This time there would be no reprieve. His mother must die so that Laura and her children could be safe and live without fear. What would happen when the curse of his family was unleashed upon him? Would he become cold and heartless like his mother, an egotistical power hungry madman like his father, or would he be like his brother, a drunken raging tormentor? All of his life he had kept his rage, dissolution, pain, and heartbreak contained in the iron grip of self-control and he feared once he let go there would be no turning back. Stefan propped up on his elbows and slumped over the desk, burying his face in his hands. The magnitude of his task weighed heavily on him. Lucky watched through half-closed eyes at all the expressions that had come and gone on Stefan’s face. He had been awake when Stefan returned, but had pretended to sleep. At first he had been intrigued. Stefan was one who rarely showed what he was thinking, and watching the different emotions come and go was fascinating to watch. It was at the end when Lucky started to get uneasy. The anger and cruel look he saw were what he would have expected from Stefan had he not knew him. But the last look had been one of fear and that frightened Lucky most of all. Stefan had been unafraid and undaunted by their task. So why the look of dread now? Lucky swung his legs off the sofa and rubbed his unruly blond hair in agitation as he stifled a yawn. He and Stefan needed to talk. “How was Mom when you saw her?” The sound of Lucky’s voice in the quiet stillness seemed loud and Stefan started, raising his head and looking at him in surprise. Almost as quickly as Lucky saw his face the bland mask appeared, concealing all of the emotions Lucky had seen earlier. Stefan frowned. “What do you mean?” he hedged. Lucky strolled over to the desk and sprawled in the chair. “Ah man. You don’t have to play coy with me. I woke up not long after you left and there was only one place you would have gone tonight and that was to see if Mom was all right. I knew from the way you were acting that you wouldn’t be satisfied until you saw for yourself she was okay,” Lucky confessed with a slight smile. “I can’t hide anything from you, can I?” Stefan replied as he shook his head in resignation. “I had to see because I knew what she went through when she thought you had died.” Stefan’s eyes darkened in remembered pain. “I almost lost her,” he said softly to himself. “You told me in the van she had suffered, but no one has ever told me what happened. Will you tell me now?” Lucky requested. Stefan really didn’t want to rehash all the pain and sorrow Laura had gone through. It had been a trying time for him. He hadn’t known what to do for her and what he did never seem to be enough or be what she needed. It was painful for him to recall all the times he had watched Laura cry and mourn, but Lucky had the right to know about his mother’s grief. He needed to know just how much he meant to his mother. “We had dinner here at Wyndemere that night and had decided to go to Paris the following weekend,” Stefan started, his voice was warm as he remembered his joy when Laura had accepted his invitation. She had been so happy and he had reveled in her teasing. They were going to the next level in their relationship and he was thrilled and overjoyed with the prospect of sharing romantic Paris with her. “Your mother had gone home and sometime later Nikolas called me and told me what had happened. I didn’t come to your memorial service,” Stefan gave him a level glance. “Not because I didn’t have any feelings as some would say, but I felt Luke wouldn’t appreciate my presence there and I wanted to respect his wishes.” Lucky nodded with understanding. His dad would have probably gone ballistic. “After the service when I thought Laura had come home from Barbara’s house I came to see her. I found her in your room on the floor. She had almost destroyed the room in her rage and anguish. There was a picture,” he whispered. “That your mother had broken and she had cut her hand and was crying hysterically wanting ‘to fix it,’ his voice shook with pain. I told her I would ‘fix it,’ and brought her here since she seemed to be alone.” Stefan took a deep breath and rubbed his goatee the way Lucky had noticed when he was agitated. Stefan’s voice deepened. “She told me nothing would ever be the same again. And she was right. It wasn’t. I watched helplessly as she systematically fell apart. She went days without sleeping and hours pouring over old photographs of you and putting them in an album. Against my wishes she started her job too soon and the weight of all the problems of the teens she was seeing put an extra burden on her. The ones she couldn’t help she blamed herself. One night I couldn’t find her and I had a feeling she went to the boxcar to be close to you. When I got there, I found her purse and went searching for her.” Stefan drew a shuttering breath. “She was on the train tracks right in the path of a train.” Lucky gasped in disbelief. “I managed to get her out of the way of the train, but she was in bad shape. Later my mother goaded her at the hospital and accused Laura of being responsible for your death. By this time your mother wasn’t able to handle anything much less the thought that she contributed to your demise.” Stefan eyed him grimly. “She had a breakdown and had to be admitted to General Hospital.” Lucky had paled during the last few minutes of Stefan’s speech. “Shortly afterward my mother had her collapse and your mother stayed at the country house and slowly made a recovery.” Lucky’s eyes narrowed at the information about Helena. Stefan sighed. “I thought she was doing well until the holidays, then all her melancholy returned. When I inadvertently found out you were alive I was afraid of what would happen if I told her and then couldn’t bring you home. I waited until I had a plan and I went to her to tell her, but she found me looking at your photograph and what she said made me realize she couldn’t go through your death again if something had happened during the rescue. I didn’t tell her and your father did.” Stefan held Lucky’s gaze. “You see, I had told her a lie and had promised never to lie to her again.” He grimaced. “And I didn’t lie about you. It was just an omission of fact. But to Laura it was a lie, in addition to what you accused me of and Luke’s insistence I was involved. My mother knew me too well,” he said softly. “She knew exactly what course I would take and what the consequences would be. She as much told me when I refused to testify on her behalf in the Katherine Bell murder case.” “Nikolas told me about that,” Lucky acknowledged. “And you took the rap for Mom when the police thought she had pushed Katherine off the parapet.” Lucky looked at him thoughtfully. “Just what won’t you do for my Mom?” Stefan gave him a measured look. “I would do anything to keep Laura safe and happy,” he replied softly. “Does that include doing in your mother?” Stefan’s head shot up in alarm. Had he spoken his plans aloud earlier, he wondered anxiously? Lucky tried to reassure him. “Don’t worry Stefan. I’m not my father’s son anymore. I’ve been through too much and seen too much to see the world according to Luke now.” Stefan relaxed a little. “I don’t know what you’re trying to say, Lucky,” Stefan replied evasively. “Did you do something to cause Helena’s condition?” Lucky asked outright. Stefan hadn’t told anyone but Laura what he had done. Alexis had guessed the truth and so had Nikolas, but he had never acknowledged it. Could he trust the boy in front of him with the truth? As Stefan stared into Lucky’s eyes trying to make a decision he came to a startled conclusion. He didn’t want to lie to him. Lucky was the only one whom he hadn’t lied to and the only one privy to as much of his plans as he cared to reveal. Stefan decided to tell him the truth. “I gave her a drug that left her mental capacities intact but she couldn’t move nor speak,” he confessed and watched anxiously for Lucky’s reaction. “You were more generous than I would have been. I would have killed her,” Lucky said matter-of-factly. “She’s a monster in more ways than one.” “My mother is a viper who waits to strike out with her venom,” Stefan agreed. “She was going to keep goading Laura until she drove her insane. I couldn’t allow that to happen, so I incapacitated her. She was my mother and I couldn’t kill her,” Stefan said with a sigh. But soon that would all change. It wouldn’t be long until she felt the full fury of his wrath, but he couldn’t reveal his plans to the boy sitting in front of him. Knowing would put his life in even more danger. “I’m glad you told me everything. Now I know what kind of hell everyone went through while I was gone, including you,” Lucky said gratefully. “Thank you for being there for Mom. If it wasn’t for you, I’d have come home to nothing. Mom is the center of our lives, without her there is nothing.” “Yes,” Stefan softly agreed. Without Laura there was nothing, life was a huge empty void. Lucky rubbed his eyes sleepily. “I don’t know about you, but I’m going back to sleep.” He glanced at the computer screen. “It looks like this will finish sometime tomorrow and we will have a lot of work to do and I want to be up for it.” Stefan felt suddenly drained. “I think I’ll go and try to sleep too. If you need me, come and get me. I’m a light sleeper.” “Sure,” Lucky replied as he settled back down on the sofa. Stefan eyed him. “A bed would be much more comfortable than this sofa.” Lucky laughed. “Actually it sleeps very well and old habits are hard to break. I’ll stay here.” Stefan shrugged. “If you change your mind there are plenty of bedrooms just take your pick.” “I’ll be asleep before you leave the room,” Lucky promised. Stefan watched the computer screen for a moment and straightened the papers on his desk, then glanced at Lucky on his way out. Sure enough, he was already asleep as he had said. When Lucky woke the next morning he was puzzled then he realized he was missing the sound of Stefan tapping on the computer keys as he worked. A quick glance showed him Stefan was nowhere to be seen. He looked at his watch and frowned. It was eight o’clock so where was Stefan? Then he remembered, he had to call Nikolas and give him Mom’s message and ask him to cover for him. Lucky leaped up and went to use the phone. “Nikolas,” Lucky gushed in relief that he had caught him before he left. “Mom wants to see you this morning.” “Do you know why?” Nikolas asked. “I really need to get to L and B early this morning and make some phone calls.” “All she said was it was important,” Lucky replied. “So go, so you don’t get me into trouble,” Lucky teased. “If you put it that way I guess I’ll have to go,” Nikolas replied, happy his brother was so upbeat. “Nikolas, I have a favor to ask too.” “Anything,” Nikolas promised. “Mom thinks I spent the night with you and I want you to cover for me.” Lucky listened to the silence at the other end. He sighed. “I needed to be alone to think and spent the night at the boxcar. I’m fine, but if she knows that she will worry every time I don’t come home,” Lucky insisted. “Please man, I know you don’t want to lie to Mom and neither do I, but I won’t ask you to do this again.” Nikolas was hesitant. “I will, but I hate lying. That’s all I ever heard all my life were lies. But I’ll do this for you, but only if you don’t make a habit of it.” “It will be the first and last time,” Lucky vowed. “Okay. Well, if I have to see Laura then I had better get going. I’ll see you tonight at Kelly’s?” “Yeah. Wouldn’t miss it. Later,” Lucky replied. “Goodbye.” Lucky hung up the phone. He hated to lie too, but as he had discovered, lies were sometimes necessary. He turned around to see Stefan entering the room wearing the black Tai Chi clothing. “Are you ready for our workout?” Stefan inquired pleasantly. Lucky was relieved. Stefan was in a much better mood today though he had a trace of dark circles under his eyes. “You must have gotten some sleep last night for once. When I woke, I expected to see you here working,” Lucky remarked. “I’ve been up since six and I came and checked on the program,” Stefan explained. “You were sleeping so peacefully I thought I would go for a ride this morning instead of disturbing you.” Didn’t the man ever sleep, Lucky wondered? “Let me go change and I’ll be right back,” he promised. After their workout, they ate breakfast in the study while going over the plan Stefan was about to put in motion. “I called Nikolas and he said he would cover for me,” Lucky told Stefan. “Mom doesn’t need to know yet that you are helping me.” “Good,” Stefan replied as he took a sip of coffee. “How much longer do you estimate it will be before the program is completed?” Lucky pulled the computer around so he could study the screen. “I would say sometime today. It’s impossible to be precise,” he contemplated. “I think we can move on to the next phase, don’t you?” Stefan consulted. “Whatever you think,” Lucky agreed. “You’re calling the shots and I trust your judgement.” Stefan was touched by his faith in him. When Laura and Nikolas had turned against him it had been like a knife in his heart. But Lucky’s trust in him had been a Godsend to him, he now realized. His belief that Stefan could help him had kept him from spiraling out of control over the loss of the two people he loved more than anything in the world. He cleared his throat. “Thank you Lucky. Your faith in me means more than you can ever know,” Stefan told him quietly. “It was deserved,” Lucky insisted. “You’ve proven to me that you are only trying to do what is right and I respect you for that.” Stefan could feel the tears starting to form in the corners of his eyes and he got up and went to the bar on the pretense of pouring more coffee until he could compose himself. As he walked back to his chair, he started talking. “Then if you are ready we will begin.” At Lucky’s nod Stefan made a phone call. A few minutes later Mrs. Landsbury stood in the room awaiting orders. “Mr. Cassadine?” “We are ready to proceed. Do you remember what you are to say?” Stefan questioned his housekeeper. “Yes sir,” she replied with a smile. The older woman couldn’t wait to tell Helena the bad news. She was enjoying herself immensely feeding that viper false information. For far too long Helena Cassadine had enjoyed destroying people’s lives and Mrs. Landsbury couldn’t wait for Stefan to finally get revenge for all the things she had done. “Good. Go head and make your call. Let me know when it is completed,” he ordered. “Yes sir.” Mrs. Landsbury left the room walking briskly. Stefan’s eyes narrowed. “I think Mrs. Landsbury is enjoying herself a little too much. She seems to like this clandestine business,” Stefan told Lucky in amusement. “Are you sure you can trust her?” Lucky questioned uneasily. Stefan looked at him in surprise. “Implicitly. She was the only one who knew about Laura on the island and she kept our secret. She has been loyal to me since I was a boy. It was she who managed to always see to my needs when I was a child. In fact, she has been more of a mother to me than my own.” “Just checking,” Lucky replied with a sigh. “I just find it harder to trust now and I know how well Helena can manipulate people and bend them to her will.” Stefan leaned forward and looked Lucky in the eyes. “I promise you she won’t win this time. The day of reckoning has come for Helena and there is no escape for her, not this time,” he finished with a whisper. Lucky was uneasy about Stefan. When he talked about Helena there was something dark, something seething under the surface of the man in front of him and it sent alarm bells off in his head. “Well, I guess I should go. Mom will be expecting me and I see Dr. Rosenthal after lunch again. But I will be back as soon as the session is over,” Lucky promised. “I can’t wait to see what she told Faison.” “Lucky before you go, I must warn you,” Stefan cautioned. “If you should see my mother before any of this is resolved walk the other way. Under no circumstances do you talk to her. This is a dangerous time for you,” he warned. “When Helena is backed into a corner she will strike out and you will be her target. She will use you as her weapon of choice if she feels all is lost. One word from her could set off the programing in a self destruct phase and you would be helpless not to carry out her final orders.” “I have no desire to ever see Helena again,” Lucky replied with a shudder. “So I will be careful,” he promised. Stefan watched Lucky as he left the room and felt a pang of regret. He had grown fond of Lucky Spencer and would miss him. ********* Nikolas was surprised to find his mother is such a good mood. When Lucky had told him she wanted to see him he thought something was wrong. She was obviously recovering from her breakdown since she seemed so together. They sat on the sofa and while Laura poured coffee she started talking. “Where is Lucky? I expected to see him come with you?” Laura inquired. “He had some errand to run. He said he would be home soon,” Nikolas lied, feeling uncomfortable. “That’s all right because I wanted to talk to you alone anyway. I know you want to know why I wanted to see you so urgently,” she remarked as she handed him his coffee. “I was curious,” he admitted. “I want to talk about your father.” “Stavros?” Nikolas inquired startled. “No,” Laura said softly. “Stefan. Forget about Stavros. He wasn’t your father.” At Nikolas’s surprised look she backtracked. “He might have been your father in the biological sense, but Stefan is your real father.” “What has Stefan done now?” Nikolas charged dreading her answer. “Don’t call him that, Nikolas,” Laura corrected. “He deserves your respect and honor. He deserves to be called Father.” “What is going on?” Nikolas begged in confusion. “He kidnaped my brother and now I’m supposed to call him my father?” “No,” Laura calmed. “Stefan didn’t kidnap Lucky. All he did was try to bring him home to me.” “Did Lucky tell you this?” Nikolas demanded. “No. I always knew it in my heart. I was just so overwhelmed by what Lucky and Luke told me I didn’t stop to think that Stefan would never hurt one of my children,” she confessed. At Nikolas’ look of doubt she continued. “Why would he hurt you by doing this? He loves you more than anything. And this would have hurt you to the core to have let you believe your brother had died. Do you really think the man who raised you and protected you all these years is capable of doing something so monstrous?” she demanded. “I don’t know,” Nikolas whispered. “The last four years have been filled with me discovering lie after lie. First from you, then it seemed like every other day a new lie from him. First I was Stavros’s son then his, then back to Stavros. He knew Stavros was my father all along and he lied,” Nikolas complained bitterly. “That’s not true,” Laura cried. “He really thought you were his son. He was just as devastated as you when he learned the truth. I know, I was there Nikolas,” Laura voiced gently. “He fell apart when he learned the news. The reason he didn’t tell you was he knew you were happier thinking he was your father and not being the prince. We would have told you together, but Alexis didn’t give us the chance.” “I don’t know what to think,” Nikolas whispered in confusion. “I didn’t want to believe he could kidnap my brother, but Lucky said he did it, so who was I supposed to believe?” he cried as the tears rolled down his cheeks. “Shhhhhh,” Laura held him in her arms. “I don’t think Lucky can help what he says. I think Helena and Faison did something to him to control him and make him say what they wanted him to say.” “Why would they do that?” “Timoria, for revenge for Mikkos and Stavros,” Laura replied. “Grandmother,” Nikolas whispered in horror. “She did this. He tried to tell me she did, but I wouldn’t believe him.” “Yes, Helena,” Laura agreed. “She wanted Stefan out of the way. By doing that she was one step closer to controlling you and the Cassadine legacy.” “Cassadine!” Nikolas yelled. “I’m sick of being a Cassadine. All they do is cause pain. All this is because of me,” he moaned. “You’re wrong,” Laura replied lifting his chin to look into his eyes. “It’s Helena’s fault for being who she is greedy, grasping, and power hungry. Can you control her?” she demanded. “No,” Nikolas stammered. “Then it’s not your fault. You are not responsible for anyone’s actions but your own,” Laura smiled sadly. “Remember that. I had to learn it the hard way.” “What am I going to do?” he moaned. “You’re going to march out of this house and go to Spoon Island and tell Stefan you’re sorry,” Laura insisted. “I couldn’t do that,” Nikolas returned with a horrified look on his face. “And why not?” Laura demanded. “After all I’ve said...?” he stared at her in disbelief. Laura stroked his cheek gently. “Don’t you know Nikolas that Stefan loves you more than anything and that he would and has done everything for you? He will forgive you anything. All you need to do is go and see him.” Laura looked at him with tears in her eyes and pleaded, “Please Nikolas. He’s all alone and he needs you.” Nikolas stood, not knowing what to do. “I’ll think about it.” Laura looked up at him. “Don’t wait too long.” She fought back the tears. “Don’t be stubborn and throw away something that is precious and means the world to you because of pride.” She stood and took his face in her hands. “Please learn from my mistakes and don’t repeat them,” she softly urged. Nikolas nodded. “I will go, but I have to think for a while about what to say, but I promise I’ll go today.” Laura sighed in relief and gave him her brilliant smile. “Good. Stefan will be overjoyed to see you.” She hugged him happily. “I promise,” she whispered. ******* As he walked along the docks, Lucky wondered what he and Stefan would find when the code had been deciphered. What was Helena’s goal? He just hoped in the messages there was the key break the lock Helena had on his mind. To be free, really free from her and to be able finally to tell the truth would be such a relief. Then he could go on with his life. He could finally feel alive again and make plans with Elizabeth for the future. But most of all he would be able to exonerate Stefan and tell his mother and the rest of Port Charles what this man had sacrificed to help him. Lucky grinned. He was going to help his Mom win Stefan back. The poor man wouldn’t know what hit him. Lucky turned and started walking toward home, intent on making plans on how to reunite them, he didn’t notice the figure that stepped out in front of him until it was too late. “Hello Lucky,” Helena Cassadine cooed evilly. Absolution Chapter 26 “Hello Lucky,” Helena Cassadine cooed evilly. Lucky took a step backward and looked around searching for an escape. Helena’s henchman, Andreas blocked his path from behind. He was trapped. “I have nothing to say to you,” he voiced angrily. Helena pretended hurt. “Is that anyway to treat the person who freed you from all their lies?” “Get out of my way,” Lucky declared, as he started to brush by her. “Stop right where you are,” she advised with deceptive softness. Lucky made the mistake of glancing back at her and was caught by the icy blue crystal of her eyes. It felt like he was in a free fall, falling down a dark tunnel that would never end. He was completely helpless. Her hand came up to caress her cheek and he flinched. “You’re looking good Lucky, so virile and strong,” she whispered insinuatingly. Lucky shivered but couldn’t look away, mesmerized by her voice and eyes. “I have something for you. Something that was taken away from you a long time ago by them.” Helena opened her hand to show him a Cassadine medallion. “This is yours, I’ve only been keeping it safe for you,” she acknowledged as she slipped it over his head. Helena stepped back and surveyed her handiwork. “Yes,” she murmured. “It looks right on you.” She slipped back to him and tucked it underneath his shirt. Lucky felt the weight of the medallion, the coolness of the metal against his skin and felt himself losing control. “It’s time you took your rightful place where you belong,” Helena told him slyly. “All these years Laura dragged you around like a gypsy, keeping you from the life you should have led. Treating you like a peasant when you have royalty in your blood. She lied to you all these years about your father. All the opportunities you could have had were squandered because of Laura and her lies.” Lucky could feel the anger start to bubble inside of him. All he could focus on was Helena’s voice and what she was telling him. “Don’t you think you should go to your mother and let her know just how you really feel about what she has done to you?” Helena suggested insidiously. “Only when you have let go of your real feelings will you be free. Free to live your life as it should have been.” “Free,” Lucky whispered. Only when he confronted his Mom, would he be free of all the thoughts that swirled out of control in his mind. The rage exploded inside him. It was all her fault and she had to pay for what she had done to him. He smiled slowly. A vicious look blanketed his face. “Timoria,” he spat out fiercely. Helena’s eyes glittered inhumanly. “Yes, Timoria. Now go. You have much to discuss with Laura,” she ordered. Without a word Lucky stalked off in a purposeful stride. Helena watched him with a smug smile. Stefan thought he had won, but she would surprise him. She had always managed to get out of her mischief and this time would be no exception. With Laura gone, Stefan would self destruct and leave her in control. She couldn’t wait to see the results of her little project. “Come along, Andreas,” she called out. “We’ve finished our work here. Now we will go back to the yacht and await the terrible news,” Helena laughed mockingly. ************* After Nikolas left, Laura went upstairs to make beds and do some light housework. After she had made her bed and gathered up her dirty clothes, she surveyed the room with a frown. Something nagged at her. She remembered with a gasp, the sleeping pills! When she had awakened this morning, she had felt groggy and had a slight headache from the effects of the pills. The pills and the bottle were missing from her bedside table. Her brows furrowed in thought. Did she put them back into the bottle last night? She shook her head, not remembering. After looking in the bathroom, the waste basket and in the floor Laura thought, Lulu? She walked briskly to her daughter’s room and searched unsuccessfully. Lulu had already gone to school so she couldn’t ask her if she had taken them, but Laura didn’t think she had. Lesley or she had been with Lulu since she had gotten up that morning. They must have fallen under the bed or behind the table, Laura rationalized. After a look under the bed and under the table Laura rocked back on her heels with a sudden memory. “You will always have my heart, Laura. When I love, I love forever.” Now what had made her think of that, she wondered? Why did Stefan’s face come to her and those words fill her mind? She smiled, must be wishful thinking. She must have dreamed about him last night and just couldn’t remember any of it, except those words. The words she longed to hear him say. Laura stood up, and looked around the room. She could have flushed them away last night or this morning and just been so sleepy she didn’t remember, but where was the bottle? Maybe her Mother had gotten them. She would ask her later. After Laura finished her work upstairs she came down and stared at the stack of folders on the table. She really needed to go back to work in a day or two she decided. It was time she started putting her life back together and doing her job at the hospital to the best of her ability was one of her top priorities. She sat down and took the first file and opened it. It wasn’t long until she was gazing out into space wondering if Nikolas had gone to see Stefan yet. She hoped her son took her advice. They needed each other. Nikolas needed a father to guide him and Stefan needed to feel love from the child he had always thought of as his own. Stefan would forgive Nikolas. She knew that. All she was worried about was whether or not Nikolas would actually go and see him. Nikolas could be just as stubborn and impetuous as she could be, but she hoped her talk with him had made him think of what he was throwing away. If it hadn’t, she was determined to see that Stefan had Nikolas back in his life and she was more stubborn than Nikolas or Stefan put together. She would get her way in this even if she had to lock them in a room together until they hashed it out. It would happen. She would see to it. Stefan had promised her he would try to help Lucky too. After her last words to him last night she doubted if he would even considerate it now. But he had promised. “No one will ever harm you or your children again. This is my promise to you and you know I always keep my word.” Laura frowned in confusion. There it was again, another one of those thoughts popping into her head. His words seemed so real. She could hear Stefan’s voice whispering the words so clearly. Unconsciously she rubbed her fingers across her lips and wished she could remember what she had dreamed last night. She had to stop all the daydreaming, she told herself sternly, she had work to do. With a determined glint in her eyes she started reading. ********** Alexis rushed into Stefan’s study in full battle mode. “Okay, what’s the problem? What have I got to fix?” she demanded as she threw her briefcase on the sofa. Stefan was standing in front the bookcase behind his desk and turned around to stare at her in amusement. “Why is it you always think the worst when I call you?” Alexis glared at him her hands on her hips. “Because that’s usually the case,” she returned with mock sweetness. Stefan sighed, “And I always thought I was the pessimist.” He sat down in his chair. “I called you to apprize you of what was going on. Much has happened since you were here.” Alexis sat down across from him and was somewhat mollified. “Well, why didn’t you just say so on the phone,” she complained. “When I get a summons from you, I always think the worst.” Stefan smiled slyly at her. “Did your night with Ashton not go well? Is that why you’re in such a foul mood?” Alexis gave him a telling stare. “Ned is none of your business,” she snipped. “Oh, but he is. Anyone who is seeing you is my business,” Stefan explained silkily. “Is that so? Since when?” Alexis demanded. Stefan leaned forward and looked her in the eyes. “Since forever, Alexis. You know that,” he said gently. Alexis softened. “All right. You’re right. You’re always right,” she complained, with a smile. “So what is going on? Why so urgent on the phone?” “We discovered where Helena put her instructions to Faison and then to the other henchmen working for her,” Stefan announced triumphantly. “Where and what did she say? Is there anything we can use on a case against her?” Alexis blurted out. Stefan held his hand up. “Slow down. The program Lucky set up is still running deciphering the code. It was right in front of us all the time. Groupings of numbers in the return headers of her email. Lucky assures me that the program will finish running today and then we will see what her plan entailed.” “So it’s not finished yet? And you really don’t know what is in the messages?” Alexis questioned in disappointment. “Don’t worry. It will all be there,” Stefan assured her. “I hope so,” Alexis replied doubtfully. “Helena did everything to try and dissuade me that the files had nothing in them. They will be her downfall,” Stefan promised darkly. “I will be so glad when we can prove that witch did this and get on with our lives,” Alexis replied fiercely. “It will happen soon enough,” Stefan soothed. “In the meantime I will let you know what else is planned. Mrs. Landsbury called Helena this morning to let her know that I found out what was in the files.” “You what?” Alexis screamed in horror. His look quieted her. “Lucky and I discussed it and decided to let her know the game was over.” “Why wasn’t I in on the decision?” “When you miss board meetings how can you hope to be a part of the process?” Stefan charged. Alexis sighed. “Okay, you made your point. Now what?” “Mother will make a mistake and I will pounce on it. Her plans always fall apart in the end,” Stefan explained. “But won’t Lucky be in more danger now?” Alexis inquired in a worried voice. “Yes. I explained that to him, but he was willing to take the risk.” “I hope you’re right,” Alexis worried. “I am,” Stefan assured her. Alexis glanced at her watch and muttered a curse. “I’m late for court.” She got up and snatched up her briefcase. “I’ll be back in a little while, so don’t make any more plans without me,” she warned with a smile. “Lucky will be back after lunch and then we can plan out our next step,” Stefan replied. “All right. See that you wait for me.” Alexis was gone in a flash. Stefan rubbed his goatee in agitation. He hoped he had done the right thing and not put Lucky in danger. He would never forgive himself if anything happened to the boy. ********* As Lucky Spencer walked home, he stuck his hand down in his pocket and felt the cool soothing smoothness of his switchblade. His face darkened in anticipation. How he couldn’t wait to tell his mother she was a liar and make her admit to what she had done to him all these years. “Lovely, lovely throat,” echoed in his mind. Then he would place the blade against her smooth white throat and watch her beg. He shivered in excitement at the thought of hearing her plead her case in vain. The very thought of the blood and mayhem he would leave made him walk faster and with more purpose. Once she was gone, he would be free to assume the life she had denied him. He grinned in fiendish delight at was to come. Suddenly he stopped and stared at the building before him. HE was there, Luke. The one, “who let you rot,” SHE finished for him. Lucky felt the rage rise up in him. “The ice princess. It belongs to me,” SHE insisted, as all his thoughts grew confused and out of sequence. “Must get it back. It’s hers,” Lucky muttered to himself. Lucky used his key to open the door, his switchblade out and ready for any impediment in his search for the diamond. The office was deserted and Lucky went straight to the safe. In the safe maybe there was something that would tell him where his father kept the diamond hidden. He knew the combination and opened the safe easily. Rifling thought the money and papers he didn’t find anything. He seethed in disappointment. Luke picked that moment to walk into the office with a cup of black coffee to help with the incessant hangover he always had. “Cowboy, if you need some money, all you need to do is ask,” Luke chuckled in amusement. “No need to break into my safe.” Lucky tensed at the sound of his voice and jumped up with a snarl and came at the startled Luke with the switchblade open and ready to kill. With one swipe Lucky cut Luke’s arm and left a long, deep gash. Luke screamed in pain and dropped his coffee in the floor. Lucky moved in for the kill, his eyes glittered madly. “Cowboy,” Luke pleaded. “What’s gotten into you?” “Where is the ice princess?” he demanded. “What?” Luke cried in pain. Lucky didn’t answer and leaped at his father again. This time Luke grabbed him and sent him careening into the wall. Lucky’s head hit the wall with a thump and he slumped down unconscious. Luke grabbed an old shirt and tied it around his arm to stop the bleeding. Bending down he checked his son and grabbed the switchblade and threw it across the room. “Lucky? Cowboy? Talk to me,” he pleaded. When he saw that Lucky wouldn’t respond he ran to the phone and dialed 911 and requested help. When he came back over to Lucky, he bent down over him in grief. “What the hell did she do to you, son?” he whispered in tears. ******** Laura burst through the doors of the emergency room and ran down the hall and into the examining area with her heart pounding in fear. Tony Jones had called her and told her Luke and Lucky had been brought in, but that’s all he would tell her. She was fearful they had been in an accident or something worse. Spying Tony walk out from behind a curtain she rushed over to him. “Tony, where are Luke and Lucky? Are they all right?” she questioned as she gasped for breath. “Luke is here,” Tony motioned to the curtain. Laura pulled the curtain back and gasped. Luke was sitting up on the side of the bed holding a bandage against his arm. His face was pale from the loss of blood. Laura charged in. “Luke, what happened?” she demanded as she pulled the bandage away to look. Laura gaped at the deep gash on his arm. “Have you been fighting?” she asked furiously. Luke shook his head sadly. “No angel. I haven’t been fighting,” he whispered, as he closed his eyes tiredly. “Then what happened, and where is Lucky?” she insisted. Before Luke could answer, she heard a howl that made the hair stand up on her body. “Lucky,” she whispered anxiously. Laura ran down to the curtain where she could hear her son screaming hysterically. Luke followed more slowly. She jerked the curtain back and saw several doctors and nurses trying to hold Lucky down and put restraints on him. “Stop!” she screamed. Lucky stilled for a moment then a maniacal look swept over his face. “Let me go!” he screamed madly. “She’s the one. Let me at her.” He looked at Laura with hatred. “I am going to slit your lovely throat,” he threatened. “She lied to me,” he howled as the doctors and nurses rushed to contain him. When he saw Luke, he turned his attention to him, screaming, “He let me rot!” Laura was stunned and started to go to him and tell him he was wrong. Tony grabbed her arm. “No Laura,” he cautioned. “You need to leave for a few minutes and let us get him sedated. Seeing you has made him worse,” he explained. At Laura’s horrified face he replied, “He doesn’t mean what he says. He’s had a breakdown or something. Luke said he hit his head. I’ll let you know when you can see him.” Tony pulled the curtain back around and cut off Lucky from Laura’s view. She stood there shaking. “What happened to him Luke? she whispered as the tears began to fall. “I don’t know. He was in my office screaming something about the ice princess and then he went nuts and cut me,” Luke replied, barely able to stand. “I gotta go sit back down before I fall in the floor.” Laura helped him back to the bed and he lay back with a sigh of relief. “She did this to our son,” he growled harshly. “Helena?” Laura quizzed. “Yes,” he whispered. “And Hells will pay dearly for it too,” Luke promised. “Why would he want the ice princess?” Laura questioned in confusion. “Because it belonged to the Cassadines and they never give up anything their filthy paws have owned.” “Look what all this has done. If you hadn’t kept the thing this wouldn’t have happened,” Laura hissed bitterly. Luke opened his eyes to stare at her. “So now it’s my fault?” he asked in disbelief. “Probably,” Laura ground out and walked away before she said more. Dr. Rosenthal was coming through the doors and took one look at her white face and went to her and took her hands in his. “Don’t worry, I’ll give him something to quiet him down and we will find out what the problem is.” At her frightened look he asked. “Do you have someone you can call to be with you?” Laura nodded and whispered, “Yes.” “Then call them,” he urged. “I’ll be back shortly.” Laura watched him walk away and pulled out her cell phone. “Nikolas?” she whispered, her voice shaking. “Mother?” Nikolas could hear the panic in her voice. “I’m at the hospital with Lucky. Can you come?” “What happened?” he begged, dreading her answer. “I don’t know,” she wailed quietly into the phone. “Please come.” “I’m on my way,” he promised. Laura hung up the phone and the tears came in earnest. It was Stefan she really needed. The friend who had been there for her all last year and who could make sense of it all. He would know what to do. But she couldn’t call him, not now, not after all that had been said between them. Absolution Chapter 27 Nikolas found Laura in the emergency room examining area staring at the drawn curtain around one cubical. She stood with her arms tightly wrapped around her body as if to protect herself from some invisible force. Her ashen face gave Nikolas pause for a moment. “Mother?” Laura turned and Nikolas could see the tears flowing down her cheeks. She collapsed in his arms and he thought for a moment as she went limp she would faint. The low wail from behind the curtain sent a shudder through her body and he could feel her tremble. Before he could ask what had happened he heard what Laura had been listening to for the last thirty minutes. Lucky was screaming and pleading, “Please let me go man. She’s out there.” Then there was a pause. “I know you’re there Mom! I’m going to slit that lying throat of yours!” he snarled. Laura shook in Nikolas’s arms and buried her face in his chest, clutching his shirt tightly in her fists trying to block out the sound. Nikolas could hear some quiet murmuring from one of the doctors trying to calm his brother. They were telling him something about sedating him. Lucky shrieked in anger, “She lied to me about my father and kept me from the life I should have had! I’m gonna make her pay!” Then he laughed manically. “I’m going to slit her throat, I’m going to slit her throat,” he sang out wildly. Nikolas was stunned. “What happened to him?” he whispered to Laura. “I don’t know,” she sobbed. “When I got here, he was like this. He cut Luke with a knife.” “Is Luke here too?” Nikolas questioned incredulously, not believing what had transpired. “Yes. He’s getting stitches,” Laura replied as she wiped the tears from her eyes. Lucky’s screams had died down to random muttering. Dr. Rosenthal came from behind the curtain and saw them. “Mrs. Spencer, you really should go and stay in the waiting area. It’s not good for you to be here,” he urged. “I’m not leaving,” Laura retorted stubbornly. The doctor sighed. “Suit yourself. He’s been given a sedative and it’s taking some time for it to take effect. Lucky was so out of control and worked up that we had to increase the dosage. He should calm down very soon.” “Do you know what happened?” Laura begged. “Let me get him taken care of and then we’ll talk.” He gave Laura a steady glance. “We do need to admit him to the psychiatric ward.” Laura’s moan came from the depths of her soul and both men were affected by it. Nikolas wanted to cry with his mother and Dr. Rosenthal felt a strong urge to comfort her. The doctor cleared his throat. “Mrs. Spencer, it is the best thing for him. There he can’t hurt anyone or himself. And since he’s making threats to you and your ex-husband we can’t just put him in a regular room.” Laura nodded tiredly. “All right. I know we have to protect Lucky from doing something he will regret later.” Dr. Rosenthal touched her hand gently. “I’ll be back shortly.” “My poor baby,” Laura moaned. “Hasn’t he gone through enough?” she cried bitterly. “Yes,” Nikolas murmured as he hugged her. “But they will help him and maybe we will get the real Lucky back.” ********** Stefan paced the room restlessly. He had tried to work on Cassadine Industry business and when that hadn’t worked he had sat down to read. The program on his computer seemed to be going at a snail’s pace. He needed something to keep him occupied. His thoughts kept wandering to Laura and he didn’t know why. He felt the strongest urge to phone her home and hear her voice. Something felt wrong and he couldn’t seem to get the nervousness to disappear from the pit of his stomach. After all the accusations that flew between them last night, he knew his voice would be the last one she would want to hear. The feeling kept building inside him until he couldn’t stand it anymore. He made the call. “Hello?” Lesley Webber answered anxiously. Stefan close his eyes and wondered why the gods always seemed against him. Of course it would have to be the one person who would probably hang up the telephone when she heard his voice. “Hello?” Her voice was a little sharper. “Dr. Webber, I’d like to speak to Laura,” Stefan spoke quietly. He could hear her intake of breath and then she exploded. “She’s not here! Haven’t you done enough to this family? Leave her alone!” she screamed. Stefan tried to stay calm. “Where is Laura, Lesley? Tell me where she is.” Lesley’s voice trembled, “She’s at the hospital. I hope you’re satisfied. Don’t call here again.” The phone slammed in his ear and he stared at it a moment. Had Laura gone back to work? He frowned and dialed her office number, getting a recording. Then the thought crossed his mind that maybe there had been another bottle of sleeping pills. He silently cursed himself as he called the admissions office of the hospital. She wasn’t listed as a patient. Stefan calmed for a moment until he realized she might have been brought into the emergency room and she wouldn’t be listed as a patient if she were there. Dialing the number and waiting for someone to pick up was agony. “General Hospital ER, Nurse Ratchet speaking.” “This is Stefan Cassadine. I’d like to know if Laura Spencer has been brought in as a patient?” “I’m sorry, but I can’t give out that information,” the nurse replied snippily. “Do you know who I AM?” Stefan asked tersely. “Of course I know, Mr. Cassadine,” she said sourly. “Then I suggest you give me the information I requested,” Stefan demanded with deceptive softness. “Sorry, can’t do it no matter who you are,” she replied angrily. “I see. Nurse Ratchet, I believe you said?” He questioned. “When I return to the hospital to take up my duties again, we will discuss this further,” he threatened. “I’ll be here,” she replied a little nervously. Stefan clicked his phone off and made a mental note to fire her. Whom could he call? Something was wrong he knew that now. But how could he find out unless he left Spoon Island and was in direct violation of his bail release? Nikolas. But would Nikolas even speak with him? He had no choice but to take the chance. Nikolas watched as Laura went to one of the forward cubicles to check on Luke. Running his hand through his hair he wondered if he would ever be able to get away from the Cassadine curse of his family. Had something else been done to Lucky since he had spoken with him this morning that completely changed him from his cheerful brother to a raving lunatic in a few short hours? If it had, he was sure his family was involved. His cell phone beeped. “Nikolas?” “Yes, Stefan?” Nikolas replied wearily. “What do you want?” he asked a little defensively. Stefan caught the oddness of his voice. “I’m trying to find Laura. Do you happen to know where she is?” It dawned on Nikolas that Stefan could have done something to Lucky. Why was he calling if not to find out if whatever he had done had worked? “Why do you want to know?” he asked coldly. Stefan could feel the bile rise up in his throat at Nikolas’ tone. Something was wrong with Laura. “Nikolas, tell me what happened to Laura,” he demanded. “Right,” Nikolas choked on a sob. “You know nothing’s wrong with my mother that staying away from you won’t fix.” “Nikolas,” he pleaded softly. “Please tell me.” It was the alarm and distress in his voice that finally got through to Nikolas. “It’s not Laura. It’s Lucky.” There was silence on the end of the line. “Lucky?” Stefan whispered, clenching his fists in anguish. “What happened?” he questioned, dreading the answer. “Lucky attacked Luke in his club and cut him with a knife. He hit his head and they brought him here. Until they sedated him, he was screaming about cutting Laura’s throat.” Stefan gasped, remembering his mother’s prophetic words on New Year’s night, “Lovely, lovely throat.” Lucky must have encountered his mother on the way home. “Luke? Will Luke be all right?” Stefan questioned. “Yes. Lucky cut him on the arm. Laura’s checking on him now.” “Is Lucky being seen by his psychiatrist?” Stefan demanded. “Yes. Dr. Rosenthal is with him now. They are going to admit him to the psychiatric ward,” Nikolas acknowledged painfully. “Nikolas, promise me you won’t leave your mother alone. There’s a chance Helena will try to hurt her since this attempt failed,” Stefan urged. Nikolas closed his eyes tiredly. More Cassadine intrigue. He was so sick of it. “I’ll take care of my mother. You and grandmother need to just stay away and leave her and me alone.” He hung up. This was all his fault. Stefan and Helena’s war over him was going to destroy them all. Stefan gazed at the phone in his hand and felt total devastation. Nikolas blamed him for Lucky, would Laura feel the same way? It was his fault. Lucky should have left Wyndemere with someone watching him. It had been his idea to have protection for Lucky, Laura, and Lesley Lu once Helena discovered he had broken the code, but Lucky had convinced him it was unnecessary. He should have gone with his original plan. He had failed Lucky. Stefan dialed a number. “John. I want guards placed around the clock on Lucky Spencer’s hospital room. Under no circumstances are Helena, or that manservant, Andreas to get near him. Also see that Laura, her daughter, and mother have someone watching them at all times.” After getting reassurances his men would take care of the matter, Stefan hung up the phone, satisfied his chief of security would put his best men on the detail. It hit Stefan how much he cared for Lucky. He had come to love the boy as much as he loved his little sister. If anything happened to him, how would he forgive himself? Over the years, fighting his mother had become a game, a deadly game, but one he had enjoyed up until Helena started trying to destroy Laura’s mind. Now he knew he could squeeze the life out of his mother and not shed a tear. It had come to that: Murder. He had tried to coexist with her, but she would stop at nothing to gain control of Nikolas and destroy everyone Stefan and Nikolas loved in the process. She had to be stopped. He dialed another number. Alexis was coming out of the courtroom and struggled with her briefcase to get to her phone. “Alexis Davis,” she answered. “Alexis. Something has happened.” Alexis could hear the distress in his voice and she felt a thrill of fear run down her spine. “What?” she whispered. “Lucky left here this morning and attacked Luke. They are both at General Hospital. I need you to go and be my eyes and ears. Nikolas seems to blame Helena and me equally in this. If I leave Wyndemere to go to the hospital, it will be reason enough for Commissioner Scorpio to arrest me again,” Stefan explained in a voice strained with worry. “I am on my way,” Alexis promised. “And Alexis? Make sure Laura is all right,” Stefan requested softly. “Right,” Alexis responded. She looked at the phone in her hand and shook her head. Over Laura? I don’t think so. She sniffed. Stefan was restless and decided to take a walk while he waited for Alexis to call and give him an update on Lucky. Armed with his cell phone, he wandered around the grounds finally ending up on the bluff overlooking the water. Sitting on the bench was unsettling. He hadn’t come since the last time he and Laura had been there together. Reminders of what he could not have were everywhere and this was one of the places he avoided. They had spent many hour’s there happy, content, locked in each other’s arms. If only he could hold her now and let her know everything would be all right. But Laura and Lucky were best served by him staying on Spoon Island. Helena would run rampant if he wasn’t there to stop her. He wouldn’t be able to help anyone if he were locked away again. It was a hard decision to make. His first instinct was to go to Laura and offer to do anything to help her. His smile was dispirited. Would that ever change? Even when she pushed him away he couldn’t help but want to protect her. It was his fate that she would always fill the space in his heart. Were the gods testing him? A saying came to him, “A brave man struggling with adversity is a spectacle for the gods.” Were they testing him one last time? This was the end game between his mother and himself. In the end, one of them would be dead. He was weary of the battle and longed for peace and harmony in his life. He wondered if he would ever find it. ********* After checking at the emergency room desk, Alexis found out Lucky had been moved to the psychiatric ward and went to find Nikolas. Laura. Luke, and Nikolas were all sitting silently in the waiting room area. Luke was giving Nikolas glowering looks from time to time when Laura wasn’t looking. His last name was Cassadine and to Luke that meant he was the enemy. Nikolas sat with his eyes closed not wanting to see the accusing stares Luke was giving him. Laura was staring at nothing, wondering when Dr. Rosenthal would come out and tell them something. “Nikolas,” Alexis called out gently as she sat down beside him. “Alexis,” he gushed in relief. “How did you know?” He stopped and then grimaced. “Stefan called you.” “Yes. He was worried about you.” “Tell Count Vlad when you see him, Natasha that I’ll be coming to see him and drive a stake through his heart for what he did to my son.” Alexis gave him one of her, yeah right looks and ignored him. Laura came to life and glared at Luke. “Will you just shut up with those vampire jokes or threats, or whatever it was supposed to be? Our son is sick and hurting and all you can think about is killing Stefan. Really, Luke sometimes I could just smack you in the mouth,” Laura ground out angrily. “I meant what I said,” Luke threatened with a look of dislike thrown in Nikolas’ direction. “Go do it somewhere else, because I won’t listen to it. I have enough to worry about other than your silly feud with Stefan,” Laura hissed. Luke closed his eyes and shut up. He knew when Laura meant business. Alexis held Nikolas’ hand. “Do you know anything yet?” she inquired. Nikolas shook his head. “No. They just took Lucky to his room. The doctor should be here shortly.” Alexis hugged him and he was glad to have his aunt with him. Dr. Rosenthal walked briskly into the waiting room and they all stood up looking at him anxiously. “Lucky is resting comfortably now. We did have to sedate him to calm him down.” “Will you be able to help him, doctor?” Laura’s eyes pleaded for an affirmative answer. “I believe so, but it may take some time,” he warned. Luke smarted off. “That’s just his way of telling you, angel to expect a big bill,” he joked to Laura. Laura’s eyebrow went up into her bangs as she gave Luke a look of disbelief. How could he joke at a time like this? She shook her head at him and Luke looked suitably chastised. “When will you be able to start working with him?” she questioned. “As soon as he wakes and is calm enough, I will proceed. I will have to take it slowly, but since he’s had this breakdown it may be easier to get through to him,” Dr. Rosenthal explained. “I won’t know until I start working with him.” Laura gave him a sad smile. “I just want my son back whole. I don’t care how long it takes or how much money it costs.” “I’ll do my best,” he assured, smiling at Laura. As he turned to leave, he remembered something. He pulled the medallion out of his pocket. “Lucky was wearing this so I’ll give it to you.” He handed the necklace to Laura. Laura gazed at the object in her hand and then frowned. “There has to be a mistake,” she replied in a puzzled voice. “This is a Cassadine medallion. Lucky wouldn’t have one of these.” Dr. Rosenthal’s eyes narrowed in thought, then widened as he knew the key to the puzzle. “Lucky was wearing it and fought to keep it on when the nurses tried to remove it. I believe I heard him say it was his.” “Then it’s a good thing you took it off my son,” Luke snarled. “He doesn’t need any reminders of what the CASSADINES did to him,” he said with a raised voice as he gave Nikolas a withering look. Nikolas shifted uncomfortably. Alexis noticing his disquiet put her arm around him and gave Luke a glaring stare, daring him to say something else. “What does this mean?” Laura questioned the doctor in bewilderment. “I have a theory, but I will keep it to myself for the time being.” Seeing Laura’s lost look he wanted to give her hope. He smiled and took her hands in his. “Don’t worry, Mrs. Spencer. It will all come out and I will do my best to return your son back to you whole.” “Thank you,” Laura whispered as the tears welled up in her eyes. Nikolas moved to comfort Laura much to Luke’s chagrin. Luke gave Nikolas a look of scorn that Nikolas met over Laura’s head with indifference. His uncle was right about Luke Spencer. He was a buffoon and he wasn’t going to let him get under his skin anymore. Not when his mother needed him so badly. Alexis watched it all while her mind worked trying to figure out why Lucky would have one of their medallions. Had Stefan given him one as protection? He hadn’t mentioned it, but then he didn’t tell her everything. She waited until Luke fell asleep in his chair and Nikolas had gone to get them coffee before approaching Laura. The medallion seemed to burn Laura’s hand. Her fingers caressed the raised shield on the face of the medallion. She remembered the last time she had seen one of them and blushed. It always hit her in the chin every time they made love. Glancing sideways she looked to see if anyone noticed. Luke was asleep she noted with relief and Nikolas had left for a few minutes. Alexis was staring at her as if she could read her mind and Laura broke their look in embarrassment. The next thing she knew Alexis was sitting beside her. “Laura?” Alexis hesitated then plunged on. “Would you mind if I took the medallion for a while? I’d like to have it checked. I may be able to find out who had it made and why Lucky was wearing it.” Laura wavered at first, but then realized Alexis would take it to Stefan and he would find out why Lucky was wearing their family crest. “You’re going to take it to Stefan.” Laura replied as a statement of fact. “Yes.” Alexis wasn’t going to lie to Laura. “Then take it and tell Stefan.....,” Laura stopped. “Tell him if he can help Lucky I’d appreciate it,” she finished. She couldn’t tell Alexis what she really wanted to say, that was only for Stefan to hear. “Thank you, Laura. I’ll get this back to you as soon as possible,” Alexis expressed gratefully. Laura watched her leave and wondered if anyone could help Lucky now. She closed her eyes wearily and leaned her head back in the chair. It was going to be a long night. Luke gave a loud snort in his sleep and Laura grimaced, longer than she thought. When Alexis arrived at Wyndemere, she found Stefan peering eagerly at his computer screen. When he saw Alexis, he stood and his face paled as he braced himself for the news. “Lucky? How is he?” he demanded. “He’s been admitted to the psychiatric ward under the care of Dr. Rosenthal. They had to sedate him to calm him down. The doctor won’t know anything until he awakens and if Lucky is calm enough to interview he will proceed,” Alexis announced. “What happened?” “Apparently he attacked Luke screaming he wanted the ice princess. Luke had to have stitches in his arm. Lucky was incoherent and combative in the emergency room according to Nikolas. He was adamant that Laura had been lying to him about his father and she kept him from having some kind of life he should have had,” Alexis shrugged. “It doesn’t make sense.” “Lucky knew about the rape,” Stefan said to himself. Did Helena change his perception of the event or did she make him think he didn’t know about it? Stefan met Alexis’ eyes and knew there was more. “There’s more?” Alexis sighed. He was going to totally freak over this one. “You better sit down.” Stefan looked stricken and for once did as he was told, sitting down heavily in the chair never breaking eye contact with her. “He was screaming about wanting to cut Laura’s throat and how he was going to kill her.” She waited, holding her breath for Stefan to explode. Stefan surprised her and only nodded. “Nikolas told me what Lucky said. Mother said something about Laura having a lovely throat on New Year’s to me. She planted that seed in his mind. Lucky was intended to go and kill Laura today, instead the programing must have broken down and he went to retrieve the ice princess instead. Luke must have been in the wrong place at the wrong time.” He got up and went over to the bar and poured them a drink, asking casually, “And how was Laura holding up?” Alexis stared at his back and wondered who he was trying to fool. She decided to play along since he seemed to want her to think he was over Laura. “She was holding up. Laura’s a lot stronger than she makes out to be,” Alexis remarked. Stefan handed her the drink. “Yes. Laura’s the strongest person I know,” he voiced softly. He changed the subject abruptly. “Were the guards there when you left?” “Yes. I understand that Dr. Rosenthal requested that Lucky be placed under guard so there’s no suspicion that they were sent by you.” Stefan nodded as he took a deep drink. “Oh, I almost forgot,” Alexis yelped, jumped up and rummaged through her briefcase. “You’ll never guess what Lucky was wearing?” Stefan gave her an inquiring stare. “What?” Alexis opened her hand to show him the Cassadine medallion. “Now where do you suppose Lucky got that?” Stefan took the medallion from her and fingered it. “So that’s it,” he observed softly, as he made a discovery. Absolution Chapter 28 “What’s what?” Alexis wanted to know. “The medallion is the trigger, the button that was pushed,” Stefan explained. Alexis frowned in puzzlement. “But he could have been wearing the medallion for a long time. Also,” she added. “If the Cassadine medallion sets him off then as many times as he was here he could have seen yours or you could have seen his. That would have been a big risk for Helena to take.” Stefan glanced at his sister as he stroked his goatee in thought. “He wasn’t wearing it here. When we did the Tai Chi exercises, he wore some of Nikolas’s clothing. The neckline opened up and he did not have on any jewelry. With the T-shirts he wore, it would have been easy to spot also. It wasn’t just the medallion that was the trigger. It was the act itself of Helena putting it on Lucky that set the programing in motion,” he clarified. “Yes, of course.” Alexis nodded impressed. “The perfect combination. No one but Helena could activate the programing.” She looked at Stefan and replied, “Brilliant.” “Yes. Mother does have her moments of genius, but in the end all her schemes fall short. This time will be no exception,” Stefan asserted ruthlessly. “Lucky has been taken out of the game, at least for the time being. She will be worried if and when I will reveal the contents of her messages to and from Faison to Commissioner Scorpio.” Alexis looked startled. “If? Are you telling me you’re thinking about not taking this to the police?” she asked in disbelief. “Not at this time,” Stefan returned calmly. Alexis stood up and started pacing the room. “You mean I did all this work for nothing? What are you planning, Stefan?” she pressed suspiciously. “Slow and steady wins the race,” Stefan replied serenely. “To hell with your patience!” Alexis yelled. Stefan sighed. “If we turn over the file evidence immediately what do you think will happen? When has the PCPD ever gotten any evidence that they have used to convict Helena?” he demanded. “Never,” Alexis admitted, rolling her eyes. “Precisely. That’s why I want to wait until the time is right before giving Commissioner Scorpio the evidence. Lucky may be well enough soon to tell the real story and Mother may make a mistake if she gets nervous. If we give them anything now, Helena will just get her lawyers on the case to find a loophole in them.” “What if she runs?” Alexis charged. The baleful smile Stefan gave her made her spine tingle. “Don’t worry Alexis, Mother will get what’s coming to her,” he avowed softly, but with an underlying threat to the statement. Alexis leaned across the desk to look into his eyes. “What are you planning, Stefan? Don’t do anything that would hurt Nikolas,” she begged, frightened by his malevolent look. “You’re imagining things, Alexis,” he returned briskly. “All I meant was in the end my Mother would finally pay for her crimes.” He smiled in amusement. “Did you think I would kill her with my bare hands?” Alexis was uneasy, especially since Stefan seemed to be joking about what she was exactly thinking. “I just hope you don’t consider doing anything to Helena yourself. That could be what she wants and then you might end up in prison instead of her,” she replied in a worried voice. Stefan cupped her face and looked deep into her eyes. “Whatever I decide to do, one way or another Helena will give atonement for her crimes.” His eyes were like hard pebbles. “That is a promise,” he vowed darkly. Alexis didn’t like the menacing undertones of Stefan’s statements, but he was right about one thing, the PCPD were bunglers when it came to Helena. Before Alexis could answer the telephone rang and Stefan was glad to put an end to his conversation with his sister before she grew even more suspicious. “Stefan Cassadine,” he announced. Listening for a moment his voice grew eager, “Doctor, have you discovered anything new?” Dr. Rosenthal’s voice was enthusiastic, “I’ve found out what set Lucky Spencer off this time. It was the medallion we took from him.” “Yes, Alexis told me about the medallion. It is one with my family’s crest. When my Mother placed the medallion on him this morning she set the programing in motion.” “Excellent, we concur,” the doctor replied. “Lucky was adamant about keeping it. We had to restrain him to get it off and he kept saying it belonged to him. I got the impression that he thought he was a member of the Cassadine family from the tone of his voice,” Doctor Rosenthal observed. Stefan frowned. “That’s not possible. The boy is a Spencer. If he thinks he’s a Cassadine then it’s because Helena planted that in his mind,” he assured him. “As soon as Lucky can start sessions we will resume them. This may be the break we needed. All the bricks came tumbling down all at once and now there is no wall to penetrate. He will be vulnerable now and it may all come out in a few sessions. It’s good that you placed security around him. His life will more than likely be in danger.” “Helena will be frantic to try and stop him from telling the truth. No one should be allowed to see him that hasn’t been checked out. There is a list of nurses I can give you that are trustworthy to work with him.” “That would be favorable and I’d appreciate your input. By the way, I never told you I met your Mother. She was all you said she was, a vicious killer in the guise of a beautiful woman.” “Yes, Mother is still beautiful, but she’s like a viper that waits until the right moment to strike to inject the most lethal dose of venom as possible,” Stefan agreed. “She’s a dangerous woman doctor and I hope you take all precautions necessary with your life. I can assign security for you also, if you’d like?” Stefan offered. “Any other time I would have laughed at such a suggestion, but after meeting her I saw immediately what you meant. I would be happy to accept your offer,” the doctor replied in relief. “Good. I’ll get my security chief on it immediately,” Stefan acknowledged, pleased that the doctor was showing caution. “I’ll keep you posted on Lucky’s condition.” “I’d appreciate that, Doctor.” Stefan hung up and then called his security chief directing him to put a detail on Dr. Rosenthal. Alexis had listened to the conversations in silence. “Anything new?” she inquired. “Not really. He agrees with me on what Helena did to Lucky to cause him to have the breakdown.” Stefan glanced at his computer screen. “The program is almost completed. I suggest we have dinner and check back to see what we find.” “Lead the way,” Alexis grinned. “I’m starved.” She paused and looked back at him. “I hope it’s not lamb,” she complained. ********* Practically anything that hadn’t been nailed down had been thrown on the floor in one of Helena’s uncharacteristic temper tantrums. Her usual unflappable cool had been put to the test and she had reacted in a seething rage of disappointment. Years of planning had gone awry and all because of that sniveling son of hers. She surveyed the damage with some satisfaction, but still had an urge to smash something. The programing had gone wrong. That was Stefan’s fault for taking Lucky before it was completed. It was only a matter of time before Stefan took what he knew to the PCPD and she wasn’t sure how long it might be before Lucky Spencer would be able to tell the truth. She had every confidence she could get out of this quandary too as she always did, but the time and effort it took would take away from her overall scheme. Andreas came into the room and stopped short when he saw the damage. “Madam, are you all right?” he asked in a voice that dripped concern. “Perfectly, Andreas. I’m afraid I made a little bit of a mess. Be a dear and get this cleaned up,” she ordered. “Yes, Madam.” Andreas bowed and started picking up the items she had pitched with no regard into the floor. Helena strolled out on the bow of the yacht. Stefan thought he had won, but she still had something that could destroy both Luke, Laura and himself. She smiled smugly. If it was executed right, it could start a blood bath. When Luke Spencer found out Lucky wasn’t his, but his mortal enemy’s son, what would he do? There was a way to make it seem that Laura had known all this time and had let him raise Lucky thinking he was his own. The tape was very convincing evidence. Helena laughed softly, wishing she could see Luke’s face when he realized his Laura had cuckolded him. She tapped her finger against her chin in contemplation. A conspiracy between Stefan and Laura to keep the truth from Luke would make Luke furious. With Luke’s hot temper he would react and ask questions later. At the least Luke would go after Stefan and if she was lucky they would cancel each other out. Laura she could take care of herself. Helena’s eyes narrowed malevolently. As much as Luke set store by Lucky, he would go off the deep end and try to destroy Stefan. And perhaps his rage would carry over to Laura too, killing her in a fit of passion. Yes, she could make mischief to keep Stefan occupied and see him dead. She would still come out the victor in the end. *********** “Why that woman always has to have lamb every time I eat dinner here is beyond me,” Alexis groused as she and Stefan returned to his study. “Mrs. Landsbury knows it’s my favorite,” Stefan returned mildly. Alexis sniffed. “She must have some kind of built in radar that tells her I’m eating that day.” Alexis looked at him suspiciously. “Or do you tell her to expect me for dinner and she does it out of spite?” Stefan shook his head innocently. “I had no idea you would be eating here tonight.” He crossed his arms. “Actually you ate very little tonight.” Alexis squirmed for a moment. “Well,” she remarked slowly. “I kind of made plans to have a late dinner with Ned tonight.” “I see no reason why you can’t keep your plans,” Stefan responded as he sat down and started keying in commands on his computer. “I can work on this alone. I won’t be able to sleep anyway, so one of us might as well get out and enjoy themselves.” “Are you sure? I can stay,” Alexis said hurriedly. Stefan smiled. “Yes.” He looked back at the computer screen as the information came up. “Looks like Lucky’s program worked.” He read for a few moments. “Helena’s instructions are here. We have her,” he announced triumphantly. Alexis looked over his shoulder at the computer screen and read. After a few minutes she whispered in awe, “My God, it’s all here. We do have her nailed down for once.” She smiled gleefully, “After all these years she finally made a mistake that we can call her on.” “Yes,” Stefan replied absently as he continued to read. He reread one message twice. There was something about it that screamed at him to take notice. He made a mental note to check it again later when Alexis had gone. “I’ll print out a copy for you tonight and a disc with the information and put it away for safekeeping. Mother may try to retrieve the information, if she can.” Stefan smiled in anticipation. “I wouldn’t put it past her to send her manservant, Andreas here to try and steal the information.” Alexis smirked. “You mean her boy toy?” Stefan’s eyebrows rose at the description of Andreas. “Mother has always had a penchant for younger men,” he ground out sharply. Alexis blanched at her thoughtlessness. “I’m sorry Stefan,” she whispered. The black look on Stefan’s face disappeared and he gave Alexis a wan smile. “The past is over and done. Put it behind you, Alexis. It does no good to brood over things you cannot change,” he urged softly. Alexis nodded. She wished she could put it behind her, all the suffering and the guilt. Helena had to pay for what she had done to them and to everyone else. It seemed they had the means to finally do it, but Alexis knew Helena had more lives than a cat. She always managed to land on her feet and find a way out of every situation. Stefan took one look at Alexis’ conscience-stricken face and wanted her gone. He needed no reminders of what he had suffered at the hands of his Mother. “I am going to call Italy and check on the medallion and then read the instructions and see if there is anything of use to Dr. Rosenthal. Why don’t you go on and meet Ashton early?” he suggested. “If anything important comes up then I’ll call you,” he promised. Alexis cursed herself silently. She knew Stefan was trying to get rid of her. She had opened up an old wound and Stefan was hurting. He wanted to be alone with his pain, not willing for anyone to see his vulnerability. “All right,” she agreed reluctantly. “But promise me you will call if anything comes up. And I mean anything,” she reiterated. “You will be the first to know if I find some imperative information,” Stefan promised. Alexis impulsively kissed him on the cheek and walked briskly to the door, stopping to look back at him. Stefan stared back, his expression unreadable. Stefan was relieved when she left. He needed no one to remind him of the indignities his Mother had made him suffer. As much as he wished he could forget, they were always not far from his thoughts. He reached into his desk and pulled out a magnifying glass and studied the markings on the medallion. The medallion was not newly made. It did not have the shiny gloss of new jewelry. The jeweler’s mark was there too, the very same as the one on his own. It was time to find out when it had been made and by whom. He got out his address book and looked up the number and made a call. “Mr. Lupi?” he inquired in flawless Italian. “Si,” the man returned. “Stefan Cassadine.” “Ah, Mr. Cassadine,” the man replied warmly. “What may I do for you?” “I need some information about one of the Cassadine medallion’s you made for the family,” Stefan requested. “I have my book in front of me. What specific medallion are you inquiring about?” “The last one made for my branch of the family. One made for my Mother, to be specific,” Stefan clarified. “Let’s see. That was a long time ago, I believe,” the man said in thought. “It may take a moment to find the information.” “Take your time,” Stefan urged. After a few minutes Stefan heard Mr. Lupi’s voice. “The last one made was quite some time ago, 1982 in fact.” Stefan frowned. “Do you remember if Helena said who it was for?” “No,” the man said slowly. “That was eighteen years ago.” Then suddenly he remembered. “She was excited about it though. I got the impression she was having it made for a grandchild.” He struggled to remember. “I’m sorry. I can’t remember what she specifically said and my memory is not as it was. I could be wrong and be thinking about someone else.” “You’ve been very helpful, Mr. Lupi.” “Anything for the family, Mr. Cassadine,” the man eagerly replied. “Chow,” Stefan ended the conversation. Stefan couldn’t figure out why his Mother would have had a medallion made in 1982. What had happened then? The answer came to him immediately. Lucky Spencer had been born. He went back to the messages on the computer screen looking for the one that had drawn his attention. Helena had given Fasion instructions to tell Lucky he had royal blood. Now why would she tell him that? Helena had always maintained Laura was a peasant. ‘She lied about his father.’ The sentence stuck out like a sore thumb. Stefan got up and went to the window to think. Lucky knew about the rape and according to Laura they had put it behind them, so what had Laura lied about? He turned and looked at the computer. Royal blood and she lied about his father? He suddenly got a sick feeling in the pit of his stomach. No, he rationalized quickly that wasn’t possible. The dates made it impossible for Laura to have been pregnant when she left the island. And he hadn’t seen Laura after she left the island until he met her that night on the Spoon Island dock. He went to the bar to pour himself a glass of water and then almost dropped the glass when he remembered. *AUTHOR’S NOTE: Lucky was actually born in 1985. Nikolas was born in November of 1983. When they aged Lucky and Nikolas all this was thrown out the window. Nikolas, as we know is 19 now and will be 20 this November (so this would change the year of his birth to 1980). I’m assuming that Lucky just turned 18 (this would change the year of his birth to 1982). Laura told Luke she was pregnant in the summer of 1984 so he would have been born the following spring. No date has been given for his Birthday as far as I can find out, so I get to make one up!!! LOL

Chapters 21-24

Chapters 29-32

Absolution Index