Second Chances

Chapter 13

The next morning dawned, the sky cloudless and golden.

And, Laura was startled to find that she had spent the night at Wyndemere. She had spent it sleeping on a couch, of course, but she just couldn’t recall actually falling asleep.

Standing slowly, she made her way around the house. She finally found Stefan in the front sitting room, staring at the mantle, seemingly lost in a memory.

So, she surprised him with a kiss on the cheek. Once he felt her lips on his cheek, he turned and smiled at her. His eyes were warm. “Good morning, Laura.”

It was evident he had been awake for some time. “You always were the early riser, weren’t you?”

“No, actually, I’m more the night creature. But, Luke could probably fill you in on that...the whole vampire thing, you know.”

She giggled. It took a lot to actually have Stefan joke about Luke’s misconceptions of him. “You are in a good mood this morning, aren’t you?”

He nodded. “I woke this morning, and I felt as if something was finally going to go right. I can’t explain it, and I can’t promise it would be about Lucky. I just feel it.”

“I trust your premonitions, Stefan.” she answered. “And, I would greatly appreciate it if you could tell me how I ended up spending the night?”

“Don’t worry about Lulu; I called Nikolas and he promised to watch her last night.”

“Did you tell him?”

“I didn’t think I should, at least, not over the phone.”

Laura imagined what could’ve happened had Stefan tried to explain over the phone. And, she instinctively knew that it would have been a lot worse. She understood his point. “Okay. So, again, you were telling me how I fell asleep here.”

“Yesterday was extremely emotional for you, Laura. You looked exhausted. I held you for awhile, not saying anything. Then, I began to notice that you had relaxed into my arms; that you were asleep. I don’t know how you fell asleep; I simply knew that you were asleep. So, I put you down on the couch, and went back upstairs.”

“Oh.” Laura was just a little surprised that he hadn’t brought her to his bed, perhaps.

He read her thoughts. “I thought about bringing you upstairs.” he corrected her. “But, I do have some honor, and I decided it would not be wise of me.”

She smiled at him. “I was still surprised to find I had fallen asleep anywhere in Wyndemere.”

“I thought about waking you.” he regarded her. “If I had, would you have wanted to leave?”

She thought for a moment. “No. I don’t think I would have wanted to.” she paused, and looked deeply into his eyes. “I am surprised that I’m admitting this, but I feel safest when I’m with you.”

“Laura,”

“No, no, it’s the truth, Stefan. I love you, I trust you, and I am safest with you.”

He was silent for a very long time. Finally, he answered. “I have waited ages to hear you say that.”

She smiled. “Well, I plan on letting you hear it more than once, for a long time to come.” she kissed him again, and then continued. “Are you going to see Lucky, this morning?”

“I plan on leaving pretty soon.” he agreed. “Are you okay with that?”

“Not completely, but I know I can’t come with you. I just hope you make some sort of breakthrough.”

He nodded. “I hope so, too.”

“Maybe that good feeling has something to do with him.”

“I hope so.” Stefan repeated. “I should get going, though.”

In another hour, he was ready to leave. He kissed Laura goodbye, promised to return soon, and left her alone at Wyndemere.

And, Laura stayed put, deciding that, at least for the moment, she must wait for him and any news he may or may not bring to her.

Second Chances

Chapter 14

Lucky was an early riser, too. He had slept the whole night through in the sitting room he had ended up in, after his pacing the night before. But, an hour after the sun had arose, Lucky had awaken. And, now he simply waited.

Briefly, he reviewed his resolution to tell Stefan. Part of him was still slightly uncertain, if not of Stefan’s trustworthiness, then of Helena’s power. But, he knew, he knew that he could not hold his secret inside of him any longer. And, somehow, he still felt that he could trust Stefan with his secret; that Stefan would listen to him.

So, again, his resolution was set.

Lucky was mostly worried about Helena. He doubted that she didn’t know where he was. On the off-chance she did not know, he was certain she would figure it out very soon. And, then what? For once, he didn’t have a plan. In actuality, he couldn’t have a plan unless he knew what else was going on.

He could only wait, for now. So, he did.

Eventually, he heard a car approach. Cautiously, Lucky peeked out the window, and saw Stefan step out of a sleek black car. He was alone, thank goodness (Lucky could not handle anyone else right now). Stefan paused to talk to one of the guards, and after a moment, proceeded to go into the house.

Well, it was show time. Lucky waited until Stefan found him. And, when Stefan did find him, there was complete silence. Finally, Lucky broke the silence, hoping... something. “Stefan,” he said, after a moment.

Stefan watched him for a moment. His face was like a mask. Then, he did something that completely surprised even Lucky, who had thought he was above every and all surprises. For Stefan watched him a moment more, and then a faint smile seemed to hover over his lips. “You remember.” he said, softly.

Second Chances

Chapter 15

It took Lucky a moment to process what had just happened. He had hoped to surprise Stefan; in actuality, Stefan had more than surprised him. “How can you tell?” Lucky just had to ask.

Stefan slung his overcoat on a chair, and took a seat, a bit away from Lucky and across. “It’s the way you said my name.” Stefan paused. “And, possibly, the fact that you know my name.” Stefan paused, once more. “I assume you weren’t planning on telling anyone else?”

“Not exactly.” Lucky answered. “At least, nobody I’m close to.”

Stefan was watching him, his eyes serious. “Will you explain to me why you lied to Laura about what you know?”

Lucky stared at Stefan, disbelief flickering in his blue eyes.. “Come on. You know that I knew you through one word, and you can’t figure out why I would lie to my own mother?”

Stefan’s tone changed. “She was very upset last night.”

“I know she was.” Lucky answered. “I wish I could’ve told her, but I don’t think it’s safe, yet.”

Stefan continued to regard him, his eyes dark as he mulled over the possibilities. “I suspect it has something to do with my mother.”

Lucky nodded.

“I’m not surprised. What did she do?”

“I’ll tell you in a moment. But, first, can you tell me...” Lucky trailed off, not able to voice the question most important to him.

“What?”

“Do you know Liz Webber?”

Stefan nodded, opting to stay silent.

Lucky had been wondering for so long, he simply had to ask. He was just afraid that he didn’t really want to know the answer. “Do you know how she is?”

Stefan thought for a moment, and then answered slowly, even though he knew that Lucky was impatient for details on those he loved. “”From what I’ve seen of her, she seems okay. She’s spent a lot of time with Nikolas, though, and I think it took her awhile.”

“And, my father?”

Stefan shook his head. “I’m sorry, Lucky, I would honestly like to tell you. But, I’m afraid I’m the last person on Earth who could tell you how your father has coped.”

“That’s okay.”

“Is there anything else, Lucky?”

He hesitated only briefly. “My mother,” he said, after a moment.

Stefan didn’t answer, but Lucky immediately noted how dark Stefan suddenly looked, even under the direct morning sunlight.

Lucky continued, a little fazed. “I just thought you would know, considering you two are dating.” Lucky paused. “You are dating, right?”

Stefan’s smile was far too brief. “Yes.”

“Please,” Lucky finally added.

“She had some problems recovering.” Stefan answered, softly. “She did a lot of things that were unsafe.”

“Like what?”

“Well, about a week after the fire, she went back to your boxcar, and she ended up on the railroad...in front of a train.”

Lucky was almost dumbstruck. “Was she hurt?”

“No, no. I got her off on time.”

Lucky was silent. Had Stefan actually saved his mother’s life? He decided he must ask her about it, when he could. in the meanwhile... “Thank you.”

Stefan shook his head. “I would never let her kill herself.” he paused. “Is that all?”

“Yes.”

“Okay, then.” Stefan seemed to contemplate something, briefly, and then he spoke again. “I assume that the reason you told Laura you didn’t know her was because there’s something I do not know about. I know it has to do with Helena. Can you enlighten me on what her plan was?”

Second Chances

Chapter 16

Lucky answered, honestly. He wanted to give Stefan information on Helena; he no longer cared that the man he was talking to was Stefan Cassadine. Stefan had saved his mother’s life, and in Lucky’s eyes, that made his completely trustworthy.

“I’m not 100% certain. I had no idea that she was even the one behind all of this until months after the kidnapping. She began to visit in June, shortly after Faison stopped. Once Faison died...he did die, didn’t he?”

Stefan nodded. “He was escaping from prison and his boat exploded.”

Lucky smiled. “Would it be wrong of me to be happy that somebody’s dead?”

“In Cesar Faison’s case, I sincerely doubt it.”

Lucky nodded, and continued. “Anyway, by that point, Helena had begun.”

Stefan interrupted. “Did she do anything?”

“To me?”

Stefan nodded.

Lucky did not know how to put it eloquently. “She wasn’t very nice when we first met.” Lucky finally answered. “Once I listened to her, or, at any rate, pretended to listen to her, she was alot nicer. Your mother has major mood swings, did you know that?”

“It is one of her trademark characteristics. Go on, please.”

Lucky was all ready to go on. He wanted Helena to die, and although he hadn’t been specific on how nice Helena had not been, during that first visit, he knew that Stefan instinctively knew it had not been good. “Well, eventually I learned she was planning on using me. For Faison, I was just insurance for the diamonds. But, your mom, she had a real plan. She wanted to brainwash me; to erase what I knew of my family, and teach me a number of things that never happened and weren’t true. I didn’t want to, and I didn’t fall for it a second. But, in the spirit of keeping her pleasant, I pretended it was working.”

“She didn’t tell me until some time later...October, I think..what her plan was going to be. Actually, she didn’t tell me, i overheard it - she didn’t know I was listening.”

“Well?” Stefan asked, softly.

“She wanted to erase what I knew, and replace it, until I believed that I was her’s, and a Cassadine, on top of that.”

The realization was immediately apparent. “The ultimate weapon for the war.” Stefan whispered, softly. “I do have to give her points for such a mind set.” he paused.  “I see she didn’t succeed.”

“She got a few things through, but yes, she didn’t really succeed. I went along with it, though.” Lucky responded. “And, whatever I was supposed to be; however much I was supposed to have progressed, I tried to mimic it. I fooled her, I think.”

“You probably did.” Stefan answered. “If she had seen through it, I could almost promise you that you would not be in such good spirits.”

“Well, I had time to learn.”

“I think I know, now, why you lied to Laura. It was for Helena’s sake.”

“I”m supposed to not who she is, Helena hasn’t told me anything evil about her, yet. The things she said about my dad, though...”

Stefan didn’t respond for a moment, keeping his usual hatred of Luke at bay. This was much more important. “I can only guess.”

Lucky was still ready to defend his father, though. “It was all lies.”

Stefan didn’t blink. “I’m sure it was.” he paused. “Lucky, I am not going to say anything against your father. Not right now.”

Lucky seemed to breathe a little easier. He wanted to keep going. “When you guys came in last night, I didn’t know if she might’ve still been watching, or if there were spies...I don’t want more people to be hurt.”

“May I ask why you are telling me, then?”

“I was hoping you could deal with Helena, and that...I could trust you.”

Stefan seemed surprised. “You can trust me, Lucky. I have no alliance with my mother.”

“I know. And, I was hoping if I gave you the information, you might discover a way to get back at her.”

“I might have an idea...can I tell Alexis?”

Lucky contemplated. “Will she tell anyone?”

“If I tell her she can’t, she won’t.”

“If she won’t tell anyone, then I guess so. Why?”

“I discovered that my mother was working with Faison less than two months ago. I got very suspicious, so I began to search into things. About two weeks ago, I found the house in Nova Scotia, and when I did find out what Helena was doing, I asked Alexis if she would help me trap her from a legal standpoint. This could help.”

“Oh.” Lucky paused.

“You have one more question.”

“Who else knows that I’m alive?”

“Luke,” Stefan responded.

“You told him already?” Lucky asked, surprised.

“Not exactly.” Stefan confessed.

“Then, how does he know?”

“Mr. Faison told him, specifically.”

Lucky was suddenly more than confused. “I’m sorry; I’m still a little behind. Could you run that by me once more?”

“Some time in January, Commissioner Scorpio was finally able to arrest Cesar Faison.”

Lucky interrupted. “It took them that long to arrest him? What did he do to finally get them?”

“Mr. Faison kidnapped Felecia Scorpio, so the police finally had set evidence to hold Faison.”

“He was rather busy, wasn’t he?” Lucky said, dryly, to no one in particular. He looked up. “Keep going.”

“Well, he was imprisoned. But, I suspect he was annoying my mother, because Helena soon got him out. He was to escape on a motor boat, but before he did, he called Luke and told him his son was alive...and then the boat exploded.”

“My dad has known since when?”

“Late January, I suspect.” Stefan answered, matter of factly.

“Perhaps I shouldn’t ask you, but if he’s known for that long, why haven’t I seen him?”

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

Stefan didn’t answer for a moment, trying to decide how he should answer. He, of course, had a small urge to discredit Lucky’s father. But, he would not lie; he would tell Lucky what he knew of the truth, anyhow. At the moment, he cared more about helping Lucky and containing his mother, then getting back at Luke.

Finally, he looked at Lucky’s waiting expression, and answered. “I don’t think he believed it was true, at first. Faison had a way of twisting things around until everything is confused, or so I hear. So, I believe he didn’t want to do anything or tell anyone until he knew for certain.” or, at least, that’s what he told Laura. Stefan added, silently.

“He still should have known.” Lucky answered.

Stefan’s response came back slow, but somehow wise. “When I told Laura you were alive, she was skeptical, as well. It was only when I gave her solid proof that I had actually seen you; that was when she began to believe. And, for a few moments, she felt as if she should’ve known, too.” he paused. “If we had all been looking in the right area, or known that we should be looking for something, I assure you that someone would have figured it out much sooner than that.”

Stefan halted, and then looked at Lucky point blank. “I would think that you would rather use your energies to get back at Helena.”

For the moment, Lucky had actually been stunned into silence. He had wanted to blame somebody, besides Helena, for the months he had lost as her prisoner. He couldn’t blame Stefan, obviously, not after the man had saved his life. His father has seemed a likely candidate - how could he have thought Lucky was stupid enough to sleep with a candle? He should have suspected; he should have known!

But, Stefan had just defended Lucky’s father - an occurrence that made Lucky immediately change his mind. Stefan was right; he should be focusing his energies on something more constructive. He would talk to his father when he could.

So, he finally answered. “I want her to pay.” then, he remembered who he was talking to. “Then again, she is your mother.”

There was almost a sense of coldness in the room when Stefan answered. “I’m done trying to let her redeem herself. I intend on making a sure case against her.”

“Will this whole thing help?”

“Well, let me see...she helped a criminal escape, she killed him, she kidnapped a minor and she attempted to brainwash him...as long as you can speak against her in a court, Lucky, I get the feeling that even the PCPD won’t be able to botch this one up.” he answered with confidence.

Lucky had been brought up to believe that every human life was created with a reason, and that every one of them should be valued. Call Luke what you like, but he at least believed in that. If nothing else, Laura had. But, Lucky knew, he knew that in Helena’s case, exceptions would be made. There was nobody on earth that would try to save her sorry little self.

He smiled with that thought, almost content. He would only be completely happy when he was with Liz again.

In the lull, Stefan looked at his watch. He was surprised; he hadn’t meant to spend so much time there. “I’m sorry; I have a meeting at GH I should have arrived at half an hour ago.” he confessed.

Lucky was unfazed. “Can’t they fire you for something like that?”

Stefan smiled, stood. “Considering that if I wasn’t there, there wouldn’t be a GH, they are hasty to keep me.”

“Have fun.”

Stefan laughed at the sarcasm in Lucky’s voice. “You have never been to one of these meetings, have you?”

Lucky walked him to the door. “You won’t tell my mom, right? Or, Liz?”

“Of course not. I don’t trust Helena, either. I’ll try to find if I can neutralize her quickly. But, Laura will probably insist to come by later”

“That’s ok. Bye.” Lucky waved Stefan away, and watched him leave. Then, once he knew he was alone, he relaxed again in a chair.

Even though he might find his taste questionable, he was glad he had found an ally.

Chapters 9-12

Chapters 17-20

Second Chances
Index