Second Chances

Chapter 9

At that moment, in the grand emptiness of Stefan’s country house, Lucky Spencer was pacing about the rooms, without a set purpose. He wanted to talk to someone, but there was nobody around that he could speak to. And, even if there were someone around, Lucky did not feel as if he could even trust them.

Still, he was trying to come to terms with what had just happened, to him and around
him.

Laura had finally rescued him! She had come through; his mother had finally come through, when he had begun to lose hope of ever seeing his family again. He didn’t mind the fact that Stefan had helped; his mother loved him, and there was no need, not now, to mistrust him.

Yes, it was true that he remembered, at least mostly everything. Some relationships were truly blurry; and there were some memories in him that Lucky didn’t exactly know the origins of... But, for the most part, he was intact.

When he had been rescued, Helena had been in the process of trying to brainwash him - to make him the ultimate weapon for the war between the Spencers and the Cassadines, by making him one of the Cassadines. Helena had no idea that her plan hadn’t gone on as scheduled, because Lucky had made her believe that her plan was going according to schedule. She hadn’t been kind the first time they had come face to face, and Lucky was willingly to endure what he must, as long as she was pleasant.

He hadn’t seen his mother when he had looked out that window, tonight. He had only seen her once he had been dropped at her feet. All he wanted to do was hug her, and tell her that he was okay, and that he loved her. But, Helena might’ve still been in the area, or still listening - so he could not follow his heart. Instead, he had to play his part, and struggle until he was out of her arms, and then inform her that he did not know her.

Lucky had seen Laura’s eyes fill with shock and with pain. He wanted to take the words back, once he had said them. But, he could do nothing about it! He had to keep pretending that he was suffering from amnesia, until he knew that they were all safe.

But, feverishly, he hoped that he could find someone he could share his secret with. He had gone crazy simply trying to keep his secrets from Helena, alone. If he tried to keep them from the slew of family and friends he was sure to see sooner or later...

What would he do when he saw Luke? Or, worse yet, Liz? How could he pretend that he didn’t know her ? He still loved her more than anything, even though he hadn’t seen her in a year. He was someone in love, and to someone such as that, the passage of time, however long or short, cannot diminish that love.

If he felt this bad after lying to his mother, what would he do when he came face to face with Liz? He never wanted to hurt her, and now he would be stuck doing so.

Lucky knew he had to explain to someone what was happening. But, who? Briefly, he reviewed whom he knew in Port Charles, and who he could trust. The thought came to him, after a moment of quiet contemplation, that he might be able to tell Stefan.

The fact was, he could simply not tell his parents, not yet. He couldn’t trust Helena from snaking the truth out of Luke or Laura. No matter how much they had dealt with the Cassadines in the past, they still did not quite understand how awful Helena could be. Stefan was Helena’s son; he would know, more than likely, how to deal with her.

And, Lucky could not ignore what had happened that night. Although he would like to be like Luke, and distrust the Cassadines until his final breath, he hadn’t believed that for years. He had begun to trust Nikolas two years ago. And, Stefan had risked lives, his own included, in order to rescue Laura’s son. That could not be ignored; it made him a little more trustworthy.

Until Lucky knew they were all safe, he could tell no one else.

So, resolution decided upon, Lucky finally sat on one of the nice chairs that littered   the country house, and started to wait. The night sky was dark outside the window, but Lucky knew that, if he waited, someone would come.

He just hoped he wouldn’t have to lie to Laura again, tonight.

Second Chances

Chapter 10

Helena had just returned to the little cabin at Spring Lake, ready to spend some more time with the Spencer boy. Really, he had become a charming child, once she had finished dulling his spirits, and teaching him who he really should have been. She actually enjoyed spending time with him, now, and had been quick to leave her little business meeting.

Imagine how upset she became when she opened the door, and saw the state that the main cabin was in.

The cabin was, quite simply, a wreck. Chairs had been broken; furniture was turned over. And, there was still a sharp smell of gun smoke in the air, even though it was finally beginning to fade.

If Helena were not yet certain that something had gone terribly wrong with her plan, well, the guard tied to the chair in the center of the room, gagged and pale, had to be a sign The anger was evident in her eyes as she teared the strip of cloth from the man’s mouth.

“What happened?”

The man was breathless, his brow beaded with perspiration. Helena was not a good boss to annoy. This problem might seriously injure him. “It was your son.” he informed her.

Her gray eyes went wide with apparent disbelief. “What? How in the world did my insipid son get through the legions of guards I set up?”

“Well, Madame, he brought a lot more men with him than we were ready to handle. We did not see them coming. By the time we were ready, they had already grabbed the boy.”

She almost slapped the fool, but found the ability to restrain herself. “Why didn’t you follow him?”

He gestured to the ropes around him. “How?”

She abruptly took a deep breath. She should’ve learned, by now, to stop hiring such idiots. She tried to calm herself, as she pushed back a curl of well-coiffed gray hair. Anger would do her no good, not now.

Things weren’t all that bad, anyhow. Her brainwashing of Lucky had progressed well enough; he would no longer trust anyone that bared the name Spencer. Sooner or later, she would have Lucky back at the cabin.

In the meanwhile, she simply had to find him.

Quickly, quietly, she untied the guard. Once he was untied, she looked him straight in the eye. “I should kill you, but I won’t.” She began to pace slowly, a cunning glint in her gray eyes. “I want you to look everywhere. Strain every skill that you possess. You may not rest until Lucky is back here, safe and sound.”

She paused, and looked at the guard again. “Is that clear?”

The younger man nodded. “Yes, Madame.”

She dismissed him with the wave of a hand. And, once he was gone, she began to pick up a few strewn things, here and there.

She wasn’t too worried. Stefan may have won this battle, but he would not win the war. Stefan may have had the child now, but she knew he would not keep him. Her son would not win. Helena was too far progressed with the Spencer son to lose. She would never lose.

With that resolution in mind, she picked off of the ground a still intact chair and took a seat. And, there she waited for news.

Second Chances

Chapter 11

Meanwhile, Laura had finally made her way back to Wyndemere. It was getting late when she finally reached the door of Stefan’s home, and she feared that she wouldn’t be able to see Lucky again until tomorrow. But, she wanted to check in with Stefan, anyhow.

She was happy to find him still awake, as she made her way into the front room that night.

He smiled when he saw her. He always smiled when he saw her, no matter the circumstances - it was one of those reflects that he could simply not turn off. Nor did he want to. “Hi.”

“Hi.” she smiled, and took a seat next to him. He put down the book he was reading, took off his glasses, and studied her eyes for a moment.

“I gather you found Luke.” he finally said.

She nodded. “I found him at the club, and I told him everything.”

“What was his response?”

“Well, at first he wanted to get Lucky away, as quickly as possible, from the country house.”

“I’m not surprised.” Stefan paused. He sounded thoughtful, tonight, and a little tired.  “You did tell him that he could not interfere, right?”

“I tried to. But, I couldn’t make him understand how much I trust you. He tried to make me believe that you had kidnapped Lucky.”

“Again, I’m not surprised. I heard him voice the same idea to Miss Scorpio back in Nova Scotia.”

Laura was surprised. “Why didn’t you tell him then, so that we could clear up this whole thing?”

“Laura, I promise you that he wouldn’t have believed me if I told him face to face. I knew he was following me when I found out that Lucky was at Spring Lake. I dropped a hint by specifically speaking of my mother; that my mother had Lucky. He thought it meant that I had been playing keep away with Helena since May. He wanted to believe that it was me.”

Laura responded in agreement. “I guess you’re right.” she answered, slowly. “He kept trying to make me understand what you had done, and how I couldn’t trust you, or my own judgment. I told him I did understand...” she looked straight in his eyes. “But, I trusted you and your love to trust your judgment.”

He smiled. “Thank you.”

“It’s the truth. I do trust you, Stefan.”

“I thought it would have proven harder to convince Luke.”

“I finally got him to relent. He finally agreed to let me do it my way.”

“Thank goodness for small favors.” Stefan answered. “Do you trust him?”

She hesitated briefly. “He was my husband.”

“I am not trying to push, Laura. I simply would like to know. Do you trust him?”

“I wouldn’t trust him if it were simply you and him. But, since I am in the middle of it, I think he will hold up his end of the bargain.”

“Good.”

She turned her eyes on him, and watched him.

“And, now that we know Luke shouldn’t be a problem, can you tell me what your plan for Lucky is?”

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

He answered honestly. “I do not know, quite yet.”

“Why don’t you?”

“I didn’t see what his reaction was to you.” he told her.

Laura shook her head. “I told you, Stefan.”

“I know, and I do believe you. But, if I am going to need a specialist or a program... I am going to need to see, for myself, exactly what has happened to Lucky.”

She caught something in his eyes; something he had left unsaid thus far. “You don’t want me to go with you tomorrow.”

He shook his head. She didn’t understand. “No, Laura, no. I know you need to see Lucky. But, if it makes him uneasy to see you again, so soon...” he halted, and tried again. “I don’t know what it is that I’m supposed to be doing, Laura. I just don’t need him running away.”

She seemed to crumple, ever so slightly. “He’s my son.” she began to plead.

“Laura, I know that.” he answered her. His whole demeanor reflected gentleness. “Believe me, I know. But, if he doesn’t remember you, or if something is going on that we just don’t know about...”

She interrupted him, her eyes narrowed. “What could be going on?”

“I wouldn’t put it past my mother to do more than simply brainwash the Spencer son into forgetting his mother and hating his father.” Stefan answered.

“You think there might be something else?”

“I think there might be something that we don’t know about.” he told her, with understanding in his voice.

“You think there might be something else.” she repeated, slowly.

He corrected her. “I am guessing that there could be, Laura. But, I won’t know until I’ve seen him.”

A moment’s pause.

“I understand.” she told him.

“Do you?”

She could not lie to him. “Not exactly.” she paused. “But, I do understand that you truly believe what you are telling me. So, you can go see him tomorrow, without me, and just report back. Okay?”

“I love you.” he offered, after a moment’s pause.

They threw those three little words back and forth, now, so often. Always, it had definite meaning, but now it was casual, like any other couple. A new observer would not know that they were supposed to hate each other.

“I know. And, I know that you are trying to do what you think is best. And, that is why I am going to let you do it your way.”

She kissed him. “I love you, too.” she told him.

He was still thoughtful; still a little concerned for all that had happened to her today. “Are you okay?”

She didn’t crumble this time, but there was still something in her eyes. After a moment’s pause, she simply looked into his eyes.

Her voice came out slightly timid. “Would you hold me?”

And, he took her back into his arms and held her, hoping that his overpowering love for her might somehow protect her from any and all pain. And, as he held her, he promised silently to see her through whatever may come.

Second Chances

Chapter 12

And, miles away, back at Luke’s Club, Luke was still on the phone. He was having a bit of trouble finding a good, reliable contact, that would risk life and limb to rescue Lucky Spencer from the Cassadine clutches (in Luke’s own, somehow narrow minded, blinded opinion). This was his 20th call.

But, he may have finally found someone. This contact was new; Luke had never met him. But, Luke Spencer had a buddy who had a buddy who had a buddy who had a second cousin down in Cleveland, whose fifth brother-in-law swore by this man. And, Luke was getting really, really desperate.

He spoke almost impatiently. “You can get him out?”

The voice on the other end was dark, and a little muffled, but male. “I will need the address, Mr. Spencer.”

“And, the cash.” Luke answered, just a little dryly.

“That, too.” a pause. “But, I work on a job to job basis. Let me do my work first, and then I’ll send you the check.”

“I like the way you do business, Mr. Adrian.” Luke said, glancing at the little slip of paper stuck in to his little black book. “But, I do not have the address at the moment. If I gave it to you tomorrow, could you have him out by tomorrow night?”

“Is it far?”

“No; I believe it’s in the same state...maybe a few miles out. Not too far.”

“Then, I am certain I could accomplish it in a few hours.”

“Good, good.” Luke smiled. He knew Cassadine couldn’t out-think him! Luke Spencer was way too smart for that. “I will call you tomorrow once I have got the address. It will still be this number?”

“Yes, Mr. Spencer.”

“Ok, cool. I will call you back.”

“Good luck.”

“Thanks.” Luke hung up, and wiped the sweat from his brow.

His luck sure was working well tonight. In another 24 hours, or less, he’d have his son back in his arms once more. Then, he would take his son as far away from the Cassadines as he possibly could....Antarctica might be a nice place to visit.

He took another sip of cheap whisky, fueled by the prospect of finding his son. Luke hadn’t been so happy, or so hopeful in years.

But, as he relaxed in his chair, he couldn’t help but feel he should’ve checked into that source a little more thoroughly.

He was completely and utterly right. For, just as Luke settled down for a mid-midnight nap, Mr. Andrian was making his own phone call.

To Mrs. Helena Cassadine.

Because Adrian Del Marche was Helena’s most trusted servant in Greece, reaching even before Ari and Andreas. He had known her since he, himself, was no more than a child. She had raised him. So, Adrian knew everything that was happening everywhere...anything that had to do with the Cassadines. He would do anything for Helena, even if he sometimes loathed what she asked of him.

But, finally a lucky break. This job had been way too easy.

“Hello?” Helena snapped.

“Madame?” Adrian questioned, shortly.

Helena seemed to relax, her voice soften. “Ah, my good Adrian. You have good news?”

“Mr. Spencer just called me.”

“Really?” there was actually a hint of delight in her voice.

“I should be able to tell you where Master Spencer is by tomorrow, Madame.”

“He couldn’t give you an address?”

“He didn’t seem certain, Madame.” he answered.

Helena sighed. “Well, all right, I don’t suppose any damage can be done in one day.  Thank you, Adrian. Your loyalty will not go on unnoticed.”

“Thank you, Madame.” Adrian answered, reverently, as he was supposed to.

“I will talk to you tomorrow, and I shall see what I can...procure for you.” Adrian could almost hear the smile in her voice.

“Thank you, Madame.” he repeated.

“Thank you, Adrian.” she answered, feigning a yawn. “But, it is rather late. It is time for us all to go to bed.”

Adrian may have been young, only 26, but he knew what to do when Helena hinted like that. “Good night, Madame.” he told her, and hung up.

And, then he lay down on the expensive mattress in the hotel room that Helena Cassadine had found for him, and simply waited. He might have forfeited someone’s happiness tonight. But, Helena would not hurt Lucky any more than she already had. And, Adrian had saved his life, and the lives of those he loved for another day. That would be enough.

So, he was finally able to fall asleep.

Chapters 5-8

Chapters 13-16

Second Chances
Index