Second Chances

Chapter 5

Stefan took them to the country house, leaving the still sleeping Lucky in the hands of some very well-trusted men. He then took Laura back to Wyndemere. He had the feeling that she could not be home by herself right now. And, even though Laura remained silent, her eyes never on his face, somehow her silence strengthened his conviction.

But, once he had her in Wyndemere, in his study, he had to entreat her to look into his eyes. He had to know what had happened, or else he could not even attempt to fix it. “Laura,” he called softly, his brown eyes, laced with concern, on her

She turned to see him, the first time in three hours. She had followed him, beforehand, mutely, never agreeing nor disagreeing, but simply following. And, when Stefan saw what had happened to her, he was almost glad she hadn’t looked at him until now. For, if she had, he would’ve been too distracted to be able to deal with Lucky.

Her face was pure white, so pale it almost shimmered under the lamp-lighting.   Contrasting her pallor was her blue eyes, which had somehow grown larger. They shone with teardrops, and she just looked absolutely heartbroken. She looked as if she had lost everything; every treasure that she had once possessed.

Perhaps, in one way or another, she had.

He took her cold white hand, and held it in his own, hoping it would bring her some small means of comfort. He hoped she would understand that he loved her, and thus  they were connected. And, that maybe that connection would help her.

Finally, he spoke again, holding her eyes to his by his simple gaze. “Laura, could you tell me what happened?”

She simply stared at him, so Stefan continued : “I cannot help you unless I know what happened. Please, Laura.”

Finally, she nodded, and began to speak. Her voice was soft and broken, almost haunted, and it took all of Stefan’s willpower to try and not pull her into an embrace and attempt to protect her. He loved her so much; it pained him too much to let her hurt.   Yet, somehow he knew that he shouldn’t until she had finished.


And, so she began.

“Before your men had started, as I was standing outside, I saw Lucky looking out the   window. And, I was overjoyed. He was real and he was alive...and I was to finally see  him again.” she stopped, suddenly.

“And?” Stefan queried, very gently, his hand still clutching her own, and his eyes still locked on her.

“When the men left him with me, I was just so happy; I couldn’t stop myself. I had to hug him, to substantiate what I had seen. And, when I hugged him, I knew for certain that it was him...” she trailed off, and then started again.

“I started to notice that he was struggling, almost desperately, out of my arms. So, I let go, and he took a couple of steps back. I was struck by his eyes; he reminded me of a wounded deer. And, then,” a beat. “And, then he asked me if he knew me.”

Stefan was more than startled by this. She had told him earlier, but he hadn’t quite understood what had happened. Now, that he did know, he was simply stunned and hurting for her . But, he could say nothing until she finished

She continued. “I didn’t believe he could have forgotten me. I thought nothing could break that kind of bond. So, I went on, telling him how Luke would be so happy to see him... His eyes turned kind of hard when I mentioned Luke, but he knew Luke was his father, so I took that as a good sign. But, when I kept going, he didn’t recognize Lulu’s name, or Liz’s; he seemed to hate Luke...And, he still didn’t know me at all. That’s when I went to the car.” she finished.

Her eyes flickered up to his, and searched his for comfort.

Stefan took it as his cue to answer. But, he was still taken aback by what Helena had done...or been in the process of doing. He hadn’t known his mother had been brainwashing the child, feeding Laura’s son information that may or may not been true.  Stefan was struck by how much he hated his mother at that moment, and how much he loved Laura. And, he was uncertain of what his next step would be, or what it should be.

But, he could hold himself back no longer. He simply had to hold her, to try and calm her. So, he took her into his arms, like a child, and simply held her.

Slowly, very slowly, she began to relax ever so slightly in his arms.

She spoke softly. “I’m his mother. How could he not know me?”

“It’s Helena.” Stefan told her, pausing. “I’m sorry I didn’t know it was her when you tried to tell me last summer; I might’ve been able to prevent this.”

“You couldn’t have known.” she said. “I just don’t understand how anyone, even  with Helena’s power, could break my tie to Lucky.”

He kissed her, as gently as possible, on the lips. “Don’t give up hope. It may not be complete, nor irreversible.”

She responded to his kiss, but not quite as deeply as he would’ve liked it to be. She was too distracted by Lucky’s return, and why he did not know her.

He looked in her eyes again, and saw another unanswered question reflecting in them. “Is there something else?”

Laura was almost afraid to ask. Her question, after all, was a stupid question. But, her faith in everything she knew had been severely shaken for the moment, and things that she would have professed to know completely in her heart, yesterday, were merely questionable tonight.

So, she voiced her lasting question, hoping that, somehow, Stefan would be able to comfort her. “Do you think...?” she started, but the words were too painful.

His response, all of his actions as a matter of fact, still reflected his complete love of her. He pushed a strand of windblown hair back with the rest of her blond locks, gently, and watcher her eyes. “Do I think what, Laura?”

She answered slowly, and softly. “Do you think it’s at all possible that he doesn’t love me anymore?”

Second Chances

Chapter 6

How Stefan wanted to kill his mother, right that very second. He still didn’t know quite what Helena had done; how far her damage had spread. But, she was going to pay for the pain she had caused his beloved Lasha.

In the meanwhile, he could only comfort her as best he could, through his words and through his actions.

“Of course he loves you, Laura.”

She turned a startled eye on him. “He doesn’t remember me! There was no recognition in his eyes, or in his voice. How can you continue to love someone when they cease to exist in your reality?”

He answered her in earnest. “My mother may have erased Lucky’s memory, and even replaced certain memories. It’s possible to do that, because the brain is fragile enough to be broken rather easily. But, ties of the heart - to know that you love somebody, and that you are loved - are a lot harder to break. He may not recall  that he loves you, but I can promise you that a part of him still does.”

“How can you know?”

The answer was simple. “You still love me, don’t you?”

She was still unbelieving. “Of course, but what does that prove?”

“We loved each other on that island, but when you returned to Port Charles, you hid that from Luke. You buried it so deep inside of you, it was just as well as forgotten.”

“Stefan,”

He shook his head. “This is not spoken in anger, Laura, only in truth. I want you to see the connection.” he paused. “The point is, that after some time, you recalled that you did love me. It wasn’t lost.” a pause. “His feelings towards you or Miss Webber or Leslie Lu can’t be lost, no matter what happens. But, they also can’t be restored unless he recalls something. Do you understand?”

“Kind of.” she watched him. “You are trying to tell me that he has to still love me, even if he doesn’t know it now?”

“Exactly. Do you believe me?”

There was still pain in her eyes and in her voice. “Part of me knows I should trust you and my faith in my son. But, the fact is he still didn’t recall me, and...it hurts.”

“Laura, I understand that.” he took her chin in his hands, making her see nothing but what lay in his face. “But, if nothing else, you cannot let this overtake you; not yet.  Helena can still hold this against you, and still beat us, even if we do have Lucky in our grasp.” he paused. “And, maybe if you give yourself some time, and concentrate on restoring Lucky’s memories, you’ll understand what I know to be true.”

Laura breathed deeply, and thought about what Stefan had told her. Part of her wanted to give up, now, and leave her problems as they were. If she refused to work with Stefan, with Lucky, and even with herself, a little, she could never feel more pain than she could handle - and Laura was beginning to feel she might reach that peak eventually. But, on the other hand, if there was a chance that what Stefan told her was the truth, she could not and would not throw that chance away.

“I’ll try.” she told him.

He let go of her face, but his eyes remained on her. “That is all anyone can ask of you, Laura.”

She straightened her back, and tried to focus - not on what Lucky thought of her now, and the horrible things that might happen - but on here and now, and what they should do next.

“Should we start?”

He hesitated. “It is night, Laura, and I understand your feelings. Either way is fine with me, but are you sure that you are up to it?”

She nodded, resolutely. She could not dwell, not now. “I think there’s someone I have to tell.”

Stefan regarded her with very brief surprise. But, he thought he knew whom she meant. He just wanted confirmation. “Who?”

She answered him, simply, not knowing how he’d respond. “I need to tell Luke.”

Second Chances

Chapter 7

Stefan was about to answer Laura, when the phone in the study quickly interrupted their conversation. He picked up the phone, his eyes still trained on her. “This will only take a moment, I promise.”

“Stefan?” came the voice on the other end.

“Hello, Alexis.” Stefan responded. “Isn’t it a little late?”

“What can I say? I’m bored...” she paused. “Actually, I just came across something on Helena; I might be able to connect her to the kidnapping.”

“Good.”

Alexis sensed something. She paused, slightly uncertain. “Did something happen?”

Stefan didn’t say anything for a moment; he simply let Laura see the question in his eyes. Could he tell his sister? Finally, Laura nodded.

“Stefan?” Alexis asked again.

“We’ve got Lucky.”

“You work fast....That’s great.” Alexis was thrilled that everything was working out.  But, she heard something in Stefan’s voice, and she had to wonder. “Is something wrong?”

He sighed. “There’s been a unforeseen turn of events. But, I’ll explain that later.  Just know that, if it’s possible, I’ll need something very substantial on Helena.”

Alexis understood his voice, his tone, and she knew she shouldn’t pry just yet. He would tell her what was wrong when he could; she knew he would. She need not keep him. But, his tone had startled her, slightly. She couldn’t see what complication might have happened. “Of course. I’ll see if I can find anything else..”

“Thank you.” he answered, honestly. “I’ll see you as soon as I can?”

“Of course, Stefan. Goodbye.”

“Good night, Alexis.” he hung up.

Now, Stefan turned his full attention on Laura. “As I was going to say,”

She interrupted him, struggling to look strong, and not as crushed as she felt. “You cannot talk me out of this, Stefan. I know you saved Lucky, and I’ll be forever grateful.  But, he’s Luke’s son as well, and Luke has to know.”

Stefan nodded. “I know.” he said, softly.

Laura was so ready to defend Luke to Stefan, she was startled by his agreement.   “I’m surprised.” she managed.

“My feelings towards Luke have no part in Lucky’s kidnapping, or his rescue. They are irrelevant. Lucky is Luke’s son, and Luke should know that he is safe. I would want to know the same if it were Nikolas. But, I also believe that this is the type of news you need to tell face to face.”

Laura was still trying to keep the shock out of her eyes. Stefan’s usual manner around Luke was sometimes almost childish. Luke’s manner around Stefan was the same. Laura had loved them both, at one time or another, and accepted that they hated each other, and they were simply enemies for reasons that were important to them. She had assumed that Stefan would try to talk to her out of seeing Luke.

But, she had forgotten Stefan’s ideals when it came to children. She didn’t know if it was because of the childhood he had lived through, or what he had saved his sister from; whatever it was, he was very good at understanding children. He was also quite good at comprehending what a child needed, and what a parent would need from their child. He understood that Luke needed Lucky, just as Lucky would eventually need Luke.

Laura loved him all the more for it.

But, she couldn’t help but voice her concern. “Are you sure?”

“Lucky isn’t my son; he’s Luke’s. Go. You should go find him, and tell him. You just need to be certain he won’t interfere.”

She kissed him. “I love you.”

He smiled, faintly. “I will always love you, Laura.”

She moved her hand to grab her purse. “I’ll try to find him now; I may have enough time to come back.”

“I’ll wait.” he stood, helped her up, and kissed her on the cheek. She headed for the door, but briefly hesitated.

“Thank you, Stefan. Even if Lucky can’t remember me right now, he is alive and I can see him, again. Thank you.”

“You don’t need to thank me, Laura.” he told her. “Good night.”

“Good night.” she told him, and slipped out the door.

Leaving Stefan alone, to contemplate what had happened in the last few hours, and what he should do about it.

Second Chances

Chapter 8

Laura wasn’t surprised when she found Luke at his club, downing his second whisky, and attempting to read the blurred screen of his laptop.

“Luke,” she said, hesitantly. She continued, as she brought herself in to his office. “Roy let me in, just as he was going out the door. I have some news...”

He turned his gaze on her, and Laura could see the purple rims of his bloodshot eyes. He looked as if he hadn’t slept in weeks. “Hello, darlin’. I have some news, too.”

She winced. The scent of cheap alcohol was a little strong on Luke’s breath. But, he didn’t seem drunk. At any rate, Laura decided to ignore it and simply go on. “I know, I know. Lucky’s alive.”


His pale blue eyes were now focused on her, and the shock of what she knew made him more sober than anything could. “You know?”

Laura sat down, and nodded. “Stefan told me.”

Luke shook his head. He didn’t understand how his angel could’ve been by the lies that Cassadine told her to be his truths. “Did his plan not work?” he paused. “Laura, Stefan kidnapped Lucky.”

She didn’t believe him, not for one second. “No, he didn’t.”

“Are you saying I’m a liar?”

“No, Luke.” she told him, calmly. “I’m telling you that you don’t know the whole story...or any of it really, as it would seem.”

Abruptly, he slammed close the laptop, and then leaned back a bit in his chair. His eyes were intense. “All right, Laura, what is the whole story?”

She took a deep breath, and started slowly. “A week ago, I awoke thinking I smelled smoke. I went to wake up Leslie Lu, and I found flames. Luke, I really saw them! But, when I woke Lulu up, and asked her to get up, she told me that there wasn’t anything there. And, when I turned on the lights, I found out she was right. It was all in my imagination.”

Luke watched her with concern. “Laura,”

“No, let me continue.” she took a deep breath, and then kept going. “Throughout the rest of the week, I kept seeing flames and smoke, and dreaming of death. Finally, today, I became very frightened, and worried that something was happening to me. So, I went to Wyndemere.”

Out of the corner of her eye, Laura saw Luke tense. But, he remained silent. She continued :

“I told Stefan what had happened. And, he hesitated for a moment, and then he told me everything he knew about Lucky.” her voice still held a fragment of wonder.

“And, what was his excuse?” Luke snapped. He could barely take it when Laura spoke of Stefan as a normal person; when she spoke of him as a perfect being, he got annoyed.

“Helena took Lucky, Luke. Stefan knew nothing of it until last month.” she told him, looking straight into his eyes. “And, once he did know, he was trying to get Lucky out.  But, he told me it was hard. Helena had moved him again, and he had you to deal with as well.”

“And, you believed him? Laura, doesn’t that all seem a little odd when he didn’t tell  you?”

“Neither did you!” she flared, briefly.

“I was trying to protect you.” Luke answered.

“So was he.” she responded, calming down.. “And, if you think he was trying to keep Lucky for his own personal gain, well I have proof against that, too.”

“And, what would that be?” Luke answered, smirking, complacently. Laura couldn’t possibly be able to prove that Count Vald hadn’t kidnapped his son.

But, Laura simply smiled at him, allowing a bit of that dazzling golden light, the one that enchanted Stefan every time he saw it, enter her eyes. She had a big surprise for him. “We rescued Lucky, Luke. We have him.”

He was startled. “What?”

“We found him, Luke. And, I saw him in a window. And, then Stefan sent his team in, and got Lucky out... I held him, Luke.” she almost laughed.

By this point, Luke has stopped leaning back in his seat. “You saw him?” he asked her, incredulously.

“I saw him; I touched him. He’s at the country house.”

He was almost on his feet. “What is he doing there? We have to bring him home, Laura.”

That was when she suddenly stopped, and deflated with the memory of how Lucky had reacted to her. “No, Luke. We can’t bring him home, not yet.”

“Why not?”

She took a deep breath. “Just sit down, and let me explain.” she told him. “I don’t want you to run off, half-cocked, to try and wring Lucky from the country house. I want him there; I think he needs that right now. And, if you can listen openly, leaving your hatred of all things Cassadine out of it, I will tell you why.”

He attempted to relax into the chair, again, and once more regarded her with intensity. “Well?”


“I was hugging him; holding him after Stefan got him out. And, I started to feel him struggle. I let him pull back, and he searched my eyes for a moment. He asked me if he knew me.”

Luke was startled into silence. Finally, he spoke. But, his voice was soft and had lost all of it’s bravado. “What?”

She shook her head, no longer able to keep up the pretense of complete happiness.   “He didn’t know me. And, when I mentioned you, his eyes turned kind of dark. Like he hated you. He told me that you weren’t worth a moment of his time.” she paused, seeing the hardness flood inn his eyes. “Luke, I’m sorry.”

“He was under the Cassadine influence for far too long; I shouldn’t have left him to deal with Helena and your boyfriend.” Luke said, angrily and hastily.

Laura would have none of it. “Luke!” she made him look in her eyes. “I know this is painful, but you have to listen. Blame Helena all you like; it is her fault, anyhow. But, I won’t have you say another thing about Stefan.”

“Laura,” he interrupted.

“No, Luke, don’t. Stefan saved our son; he risked his life, and the lives of his men, to save our son. He even agreed that I should tell you we had Lucky, out of good faith, because you are Lucky’s father and should know. He has done absolutely nothing wrong. And, if you want to blame him for not reaching Lucky before Helena had done her damage, you should blame yourself, as well, because you didn’t save him, either!”

“I didn’t know where he was, or what was happening.”

“Make excuses all you like, Luke. The point is, you did just as much right, and just as much wrong, as Stefan. And, at this very moment, he’s beating you in the point value.” she paused. “You have to trust me.”

“I trust you Laura; I don’t trust him.” Luke answered.

“Then, just be content to trust my judgment.”

Luke still could not agree. “Why should I? Laura, you make mistakes. You made a mistake when you slept with Stefan on that island; you made a mistake when you became pregnant.”

Her eyes were just as intense as his, and just as certain. “I did not make those mistakes, Luke! The only mistakes I made was thinking that I shouldn’t tell you, and not returning to visit them when I could. I was in love, Luke, and I will never call that a mistake.” she paused. “I am in love, Luke, and I won’t call that a mistake, either.” she said, a little softer.

She saw him tense, once more, and decided to leave it at that. She loved Stefan, but she cared for Luke’s feelings. She would not make him have to deal with more  than he must.

“I came here to inform you of what I know. That’s all. I am not here to free Lucky from what you assume is Stefan’s trap. He saved our son, Luke. He’s saved my life more than once. I trust him, completely, with my life and with the lives of our children.  What you think of him is your own concern.”

“Fine, fine. Then, why haven’t you run off to him again?”

“I have to make sure that you won’t interfere with whatever Stefan’s plan turns out to be.”

“You don’t even know what his plan will be!” Luke argued.

Laura was calm. “But, I trust him enough. I know that he will make a good choice.”

Finally, Luke seemed to deflate a little. “Laura, he’s my son.”

And, she softened. “I know that, Luke. But, when Lucky spoke of you, there was hardness in his eyes; hatred in his voice. Even if you did see him now, I can assure you that it would do you no good.” she entreated him to look at her. “Please, Luke, I’m telling you the truth.”

“Do you just want me to stay here and wait?” he asked her, unbelieving.

“Not indefinitely. I know that Stefan will allow you to see him. I just don’t know when.”

“Allow? Laura, he’s my son. Your boyfriend can’t allow me to do anything.”

“Luke, he can’t handle you right now.” she told him. “He won’t.”

Luke paused. “I can’t believe that he hates me.” he finally answered.

“You have to trust my judgment.” she told him. “I have spoken to Lucky much more recently than you have, and I know what happened. The son that said good night to you, that last night last spring, is not the son that I held, briefly, tonight. Something in him was different; something had been changed. Stefan tells me it might not be irreversible, and I hope he’s right. In the meanwhile, Luke, you simply have to trust me, and what I know is true.” funny, but her final words sounded very similar to what Stefan had said to her, earlier, when he had tried to reassure her of Lucky’s love.


Finally, Luke seemed to relent. “Alright, I’ll let your boyfriend play the hero, for now.  But, if he makes one false move...”

“You won’t do anything, Luke.” she answered, a little tiredly. She glanced at her  watch, and stood. “I have to go, Luke. I promised Stefan I would try to return.  Goodbye.”

“’Bye, Laura.” Luke managed, as he watched her slip out the door.

He waited until he was certain she was gone. Then, with a mischievous glint in his eyes, he pulled his receiver off of the cradle of his new, sleek phone, and contemplated it for a moment.

Luke didn’t care about what Laura had tried to make him understand. Cassadine, or no Cassadine, Luke felt Lucky would only be safe when he was in his hands. He was not about to let Stefan take all of his family away from him!

He began to dial.

Chapters 1-4

Chapters 9-12

Second Chances
Index