Second Chances

Chapter 17

Laura was still at Wyndemere, hours after Stefan had left, lying in bed and simply waiting. She didn’t know why she felt like staying. But, she knew Leslie Lu was safe  in Nikolas’s care. And, somehow, she just felt safe here, at Wyndemere, lying alone on Stefan’s bed. It was probably all in her mind, of course, but perhaps she felt safe because she could feel Stefan in the room. And, Stefan had saved her son, he had saved her a million times -he was her savior.

She still had no intention of moving when the dark phone, sitting atop the nightstand, began to jingle. Suspecting one of Stefan’s associates, she answered suspiciously. “Hello?”

“Laura? Darling, what are you doing there?” Luke Spencer’s voice crackled over the phone.

“Luke?” she was surprised. “Why are you calling?”

“Well, I’m traveling. And, I was hoping that I could get a hold of the Prince...”

“Luke!” she interrupted. Laura was not in the mood for the name game that Luke simply had to play with all of his enemies.

“Ok, ok, Stefan.” he answered.

“Why?”

“I want the address.” Luke answered, his tone defiant.

“Luke, I told you.”

“You told me I couldn’t interfere. You didn’t say anything about simply seeing my son.”

“Yes, I did.” she informed him.

“At least, let me glimpse at him, to make sure he’s alive. Stefan’s guards will kick me out if I try, anyhow. Right?”

She sighed. She knew she shouldn’t, but somehow she could not ignore Luke’s desperate plea. “All right, fine. But, you’ve got to promise me you wont set foot in the house.”

“I promise.”

“It’s up in Albany; 225 Mission Road. You can’t miss it; it’s very big and spacious.”

“225 Mission Road, Albany.” he repeated. “Got it, darling. Thanks.”

And, he hung up before Laura could say goodbye. She stared at the phone a moment, slightly worried of Luke’s plans, and then decided he wouldn’t do anything, and lay back down on the bed.

Of course, Luke was going to do something. Luke Spencer always did something.

He was on the corner of Charles Street, at a pay phone. Roy was back at the Club, talking about something with Bobbie; Luke didn’t want him to get hip to what was going on.

Through the dark shades that covered his bloodshot, yet focused eyes, Luke squinted at the pages of his little black book, and began to dial. 555 - 2424. After a few rings, someone picked up on the other end.

“Mr. Adrian?” Luke asked, curiously.

The voice was, once more, muffled. “Mr. Spencer. I presume you have the address.”

“Yeah. It’s 225 Mission Road. It’s up in Albany, probably in the country.”

“I know where that is, Mr. Spencer.” Adrian informed him.

“Yeah, well, can you get my boy?”

“Of course. I could have him out tonight.”

“That would be great. The sooner, the better You have no idea who I’m dealing with.” he told Adrian, adding a seriousness to his voice, for good measure. “You’ll come through?”

“I will get your son out, Mr. Spencer.” Mr. Adrian informed him

“Thanks. I’ll be waiting at my club.” and he hung up, and crossed the street, in pursuit of Felecia Scorpio.

But, the phone line did not end with Luke. For, now, of course, Adrian just had to call Helena Cassadine.

Helena answered her cell phone from the warmth of her overly made-up bed. “Hello?” she purred; in a good mood.

“I have the address, Madame.” Adrian told her.

Her smile was obvious; her voice grew happy. “I knew I could count on you, my   trusted Adrian. Where?”

He read off of the goldenrod sheet of paper, on which he had scribbled the street address. “Two-twenty five, Mission Road, Albany.”

She scoffed. “The country house. I might’ve known; my insipid son is so routine.” she yawned. “Well, thank you, Adrian. I should be able to get him out by evening. Take the rest of the day off.”

“Thank you, Madame.” Adrian answered, with real gratefulness in his voice. He hadn’t seen his girlfriend in a solid week; he had been attempting to buy her freedom and the freedom of his little sister, Angelica.

Helena seemed to read his very thoughts, which was actually rather frightening. “Simone will be happy to see you, I’m certain. I might even take you up on the offer. I need to think about it.”

Adrian’s heart leapt with hope. “Thank you, Madame, for even considering it.”

“Well, you take care of them, Adrian. I shall speak to you after the deed is done.   Good day.” and she hung up with a satisfying click.

And, as Adrian prepared to meet his little family, in their little apartment, he never stopped to think whom he would hurt.

Second Chances

Chapter 18

Stefan was trapped in a series of long-winded and monotonous meetings for a good portion of the day. He discussed finance, he discussed paperwork. He discussed through hour upon hour, about things that his mind could not be further away from.

Around 3 in the afternoon, Nikolas came to visit him in his office. Stefan was more than surprised to see him. He would always be Stefan’s son, but Stefan no longer knew whom he was to Nikolas - the boy rarely saw him unless he was incredibly annoyed with him. But, this had to be okay; there was nothing for Nikolas to be annoyed about.

He smiled, shortly, from behind the towering stack of paperwork that had landed in his absence. “Hello, Nikolas.”

“Hi.” answered Nikolas as he entered, taking a seat across from Stefan.

“I’m sorry, Nikolas, but I’m afraid that the paperwork seems to be blocking my view.” Stefan hastily shoved it away. He looked straight in his son’s eyes. “What is it?”

“What makes you think there’s an it?” Nikolas replied, innocently.

“Forgive me, but you only come to see me during the day when you think something is going on. So, why don’t you tell me, and I will see if it’s a misconception, or not.”

Nikolas watched Stefan work hurriedly. Stefan wanted to be out of the hospital soon enough to see Laura, preferably before midnight. “Father,” he finally said.

Stefan dropped his pen. Well, perhaps this was something good. Nikolas had made a system for what names he called Stefan, depending on his mood. If he was happy and understanding, it was Father. If he was slightly annoyed, it was Uncle. If he was really annoyed, it was simply Stefan (the last was one that Stefan was also the least fond of) At least, Nikolas wasn’t annoyed with him this time.

He looked straight into his son’s eyes. “Well, Nikolas?”

“I want you to tell me the truth.”

“About what?”

“Is there something going on that you haven’t explained to me?”

Stefan stiffened. “Why do you ask?”

“I have this feeling that something has happened. Please, Father, don’t lie to me.”

Stefan fell silent, briefly. He really did not have the patience, not today, to go through with the story. But, Nikolas had asked, and Stefan would not lie to his son, not again.   He’d had too much of that in his life. “Yes, there’s something I haven’t told you about, yet.”

“What is it?”

Stefan breathed, deeply, before answering. This was not going to be easy to explain point blank. “It’s Lucky.”

Confusion was apparent in Nikolas’s expression. “What about him?”

“He’s alive.”

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

Nikolas stared at Stefan a moment, completely silent. A number of explanations fluttered through his mind, and flickered over the somehow dazed expression in his dark eyes.

“He died in a fire last April.” he answered, slowly, as if explaining the concept to a small child. “He can’t be alive.”

Stefan cleared his throat, and kept his gaze steady on his son. “Nikolas,”

His eyes raised to his father. “I asked you to not lie to me.”

“You did. I swear, Nikolas, that I am not lying. I promise I am telling you the truth.  You can ask Laura about it if you don’t believe me; she will back me up on this.”

Nikolas shook his head. He knew his father would not name Laura as back up unless he was certain she would agree. But, he could not believe. “How is that even possible?”

“Does your grandmother ring any bells?”

Now, it was starting to make a little more sense. Helena could fake people’s deaths; she had as a matter of fact - Katherine came to Nikolas’s immediate thoughts. But, it was still unbelievable. “All right, Father. Can you explain how?”

Stefan sighed. He could explain it once, twice, or a million times. It did not make it any easier. “This is the story as far as I know it.” he paused. “Helena hired Cesar Faison to kidnap Lucky and stage a fire in the apartment. The reasons why have yet to be revealed; I assume it had something to do with a master plan to win the war.”

Nikolas flinched, ever so slightly. “We saw the body. Everything matched.” his voice seemed to tremble.

Stefan nodded. “The records were tampered. I would’ve seen it earlier, but I didn’t know to look for it.”

Nikolas mulled over the possibilities for a moment, in silent contemplation. Finally, he responded. “May I ask you something?”

“Certainly.”

“I can understand Helena possibly kidnapping Lucky. As a matter of fact, I wouldn’t put it past her. But, I doubt she shared this information with you. How do you know this is true?”

Stefan answered, slowly. He prayed that Nikolas would believe him, and understand his intentions. “I suspected that there was a connection between Helena and Faison. After Katherine’s murder, she was the first suspect. Then, I discovered that she had been meeting with the illustrious Faison. I thought he might’ve pushed Katherine, and that is what the police decided upon. But, I knew there was something else.”

Nikolas was watching, interested if not enthralled. “Go on.”

“I knew she had paid him substantial amounts, and that she was taking leave of the country on a regular basis. I spoke to her manservant, and was informed that she was traveling to Nova Scotia. I followed her there, to an estate. And, I saw her walk in. The area was heavily guarded and hidden, so I knew something was going on. I peeked into one window, and I could see that she was talking to somebody. I couldn’t see his face, though. I hid, and waited for her to come out. When she did, she stopped to speak to her guard, saying that she thought Lucky was progressing well. That’s when I put it all together.” he answered, reliving the night, once more.

Nikolas had fallen into silence. He was still skeptical of all of it. But, Stefan would never lie about Helena’s acts. He didn’t know what to believe. But, he made a short leap of faith, anyhow. “Is he still there?”

“I tried to open the window that night, but I was foolish enough to forget that there would be an alarm system. Helena seemed to discover somebody was following her, so she moved him.”

His heart fell. “Then, you can’t prove he’s still alive?”

Stefan shook his head. “No, no, Nikolas, let me finish. Helena had moved him to Spring Lake. Last night, we got him out. He’s at the country house, and he’s safe and very much alive. Your mother even held him.”

Amazement shone from Nikolas’s eyes. He believed. “You’re not lying.”

“Laura and yourself amaze me, Nikolas. Why would I lie about something like this?”

“To capture Helena.” Nikolas responded, without a moment’s hesitation.

“I have never lied about her actions before.” he answered.

“She has never been as much of a threat, with you in a seat of power, before, Father.”

“I suppose you’re right, Nikolas. I might lie to the authorities to get Helena in custody. But, I would never lie to you about your brother.” he did not want to get into an argument about the whole ‘father’ issue, so he didn’t mention it.

Nikolas leaned back in the chair. “You just called him my brother.” he said, surprise; almost astonished.

“That’s what he is, isn’t he?”

“But, you never acknowledged it.”

“I let my hatred of Luke outweigh my reasoning. If he is your brother to you, Nikolas, then he is your brother. I won’t make an argument.”

“Thank you.” his son answered, openly and honestly, the first time in months. “Can I see him?”

Stefan did not want to wreck this whole connection, but he supposed he would have to. Still, he hesitated.

Nikolas regarded him. “Father,”

“You cannot see him right now, Nikolas. Helena did things while she had him; I’m still learning what. I don’t want to trigger anything.” well, technically, he was telling the truth.

“Father,” Nikolas repeated.

“Please, Nikolas. I know it is a hard thing I am asking of you, but for once, you have to trust me again.”

He smiled at his father. He spoke seriously. “If what you say is true; if you did save Lucky, then I have to trust your judgment. I believe you did save him, and so I won’t ask to see him again.”

“What changed your mind?”

“I know when people are lying to me, at least when they do it consciously. I have learned.”

“Nikolas,”

Nikolas briefly looked at his watch, and then looked up. “I am not blaming you; I’m just telling you the reasoning behind it.” he paused, and stood. “But, I have a meeting to go to.” he hugged Stefan.

Stefan held his son; still a little boy to him, even at 19. “Are you seeing Liz Webber?”

“Father,” Nikolas started.

Stefan interrupted. This was important. “You shouldn’t tell Elizabeth.” he told Nikolas, seriously and calmly.

Nikolas was startled, as he moved out of the short hug. “They loved each other. Why shouldn’t I tell her?”


“The less people that know what is going on; the less of a chance there is for Helena to figure things out. Besides, once Lucky had recovered, I assure you that he would hope to surprise her, himself.”

“Are you sure?”

“It is, of course, up to you, Nikolas.”

Nikolas headed for the door. “I won’t say a word. Goodbye.”

“Goodbye, Nikolas.” Stefan watched him leave, and then looked at his watch. It was already nearing four. Damn. He still had to meet with Alexis. Oh well; the paperwork had been waiting for his signature for weeks - it could wait one more day.

So, he put on his coat and headed out the door.

Second Chances

Chapter 19

Stefan met Alexis in her apartment. She seemed to be expecting him.

“Hello, Alexis.” he said, cordially, as she opened the door for him.

“Hi.” she followed him. She waited until he was settled, and then she took a seat across from him. Her eyes were dancing.

“Well?”

“What?”

“You are going to tell me what happened, aren’t you? I want details, Stefan.”

“Of course, I’ll tell you.” he paused, but she was unwillingly to wait.

“Tell me, Stefan.”

“Well, what should I start with?”

“Does Laura know?”

“Yes.”

Alexis seemed to breathe easier. “Okay, good. And, you seem to be in a pleasant mood, so I’m going to assume she was okay with it. Why don’t you start with that? Or, better yet, who convinced you to finally tell her - since I know it wasn’t me.”


Stefan nodded, looked straight at his waiting sister, and began. She would need to know, anyhow, if she might be able to help him, later. “Laura came to me yesterday, frightened. She told me she had smelled smoke in her house; had thought she’d seen flames. But, after a moment, they disappeared from view. She was also having nightmares, and she somehow knew they were all connected. She was becoming frightened that she might be losing her sanity, and she asked me for my help.”

“So, you told her.” Alexis concluded, softly.

“Yes. It’s almost been a year since the fire; I assumed that was what triggered those visions. And, I didn’t want her frightened. So, I told her everything I knew.”

“Did she believe you?”

“Not at first.” Stefan admitted. “I didn’t really expect her to, either. But, I gave her proof through the relation of the story, and she finally understood that I would never lie to her about something such as this. I even got her to understand why I hadn’t told her before.”

“Amazing.”

“She was being perceptive.” Stefan agreed.

“So, you two went to save Lucky?”

“I took her with me to Spring Lake. We took Helena’s men by surprise, and in moments, we had him out. He’s at the country house for the moment, and in relative safety.”

“I sense a hesitation.” Alexis interrupted.

Stefan nodded, again. His eyes were darker. “My men; the mercenary team I hired dropped Lucky at Laura’s feet. And, according to her, he stared at her and told her he didn’t know her. Laura was lost by this; she thought he wouldn’t come with us willingly, so she agreed to drug him. And, I got him in the country house.”

Alexis looked startled by this new information. “That’s not the end of it, is it? He has to know Laura; even Helena could not erase that type of connection.” a beat. “Could she?”

“I went to see Lucky, today.” he answered, in a roundabout response. “And, you’re  right, Helena did not break that bond.”

Alexis was a little bewildered. “Then, why did he say that she had? I don’t know Lucky, but I doubt he would try to hurt his mother.”

“He was worried that Helena might be watching.” Stefan responded. “He was supposed to have been brainwashed; I don’t know why it didn’t quite work. But, he had played along with it, so that Helena would think that he does have amnesia.” he paused. “When I got him out of the cabin, he was afraid that she might still be watching. And, until we have Helena safely contained, he might be right.” he looked at his sister, the beginning of a request obvious in his mind.

Alexis read it. “Of course, Stefan, I want Helena in prison. She deserves to be in prison. But, i can’t do anything unless I know her plan, and have evidence to back up the accusations. I’m sure Lucky can’t talk to the police about what happened to him.”

Stefan shook his head. “We should be able to convince the police of her actions; it’s not as if they are very much out of character.”

“But, they will want a reason why, and they will need proof. Do you know her plan for him?”

“According to Lucky, she was attempting to replace all of the memories he had of Luke and Laura. She attempted to make him hate his father; I assume that she simply hadn’t gotten to his mother, yet.”

“But, what would be the point of that?”

“To create the ultimate weapon for the war, Alexis. Helena wanted to make Lucky a Cassadine; to make him her’s and teach him so that she would have an ally in this pointless war. It is her obsession.”

Alexis eventually nodded with comprehension. “We should give your mother credit, Stefan. Where she lacks morals, she does have definite goals.”

Stefan almost rolled his eyes. “I know, I know.” then, he grew serious. “We have to contain her, Alexis.”

“I know, Stefan. But, what I thought I had isn’t going to work” she answered, looking straight at him. “What can I do until Lucky is ready to speak against her?”

“Is there any way to prove she has been breaking the law, without our star witness?”

Alexis thought for a moment, pulling at all of her quite capable legal abilities. “Well, I can’t use you, because the PCPD would probably just see it as another hit in the battle  between the two of you.” she paused. “Did she pay off anyone?”

“Probably.”

Alexis nodded. “Well, I’ll get into the records. I should find something. What does

Laura think of all this?”

“She doesn’t know.”

“Stefan,” she began to admonish him, but Stefan interrupted.

“No, Alexis. I can’t tell her.”

“You shouldn’t lie to her again. It’s amazing that she believed you about Lucky so easily.”

“It’s not my choice.” he informed her. “Lucky asked that I not tell her, and since he knows more about what is going on than either of us, I had to listen. He’s probably right; my mother could find a way to get the truth out, if she thought Laura knew something that she didn’t A dropped word here, a mentioned scene there, and all would be lost.”

“But, he felt safe enough to tell you?”

“He believed I could handle Helena, and he thought that he could trust me. I am not going to break that trust, Alexis.”

“I don’t think you should.” she answered. “But, I’m still a little lost. Why did he say you could tell me?”

“He doesn’t want to hurt his mother. I thought you would help.”

“I will help, Stefan.” she told him, sincerely. “I promise.”

“Thank you.”

Alexis attempted to collect her ideas. “Do you know anyone she might have paid off? Or, anyone to start with?”

“The only thing I can suggest is maybe talking to one of her servants. But, I cannot suggest whom.” he paused. “I’m sorry, but I am awful at approaching things from a legal standpoint.”

Alexis smiled. “Well, yes, that’s why you have me.”

He answered with complete sincerity. “I do need your help, Alexis. But, I hope you know that you do mean more to me than my lawyer.”

“I do know.” she answered, smiling. “But, I sure am helpful on that legal standpoint, aren’t I?”

He smiled back, glanced at his watch. “I’m sorry, but this is a bad day for me to have meetings. I have to go.”

He started to stand, but she stopped him. “I didn’t even get to tell you my good news.” she said, with a mock pout but a sparkle in her eyes.

Stefan paused. “What is that?”

“You know the whole story between my marriage to Jax?”

“I know some of it; I know the basic gist of it. You were in love with Mr. Ashton.”

“I am in love with him.” she corrected, immediately.

“Again, I know.” he answered. “This might surprise you, Alexis, but i do know some things about your life. What is your good news?”

She answered with a dazzling smile. “I am engaged.”

He smiled, in response, truly happy for her. He hugged her. “Congratulations.”

She smiled. “That means a lot to me, Stefan.”

His smile was soft. “I know it may not seem like it, more often than not, but I do want you to be happy, Alexis.”

“I will be.”

He held her awhile longer, and then pulled back. “I’m happy for you.”

“I thought you might be.”

“He had just better take good care of you.” he teased.

“Yeah, well, i can always warn him. Beware the wrath of my brother if you do not come through, or something like that. But, Ned will come through.”

“You trust him; I trust you.” he glanced at his watch again. “I really am sorry to cut this short, but I must go.”

“Good luck.”

“You, too. Goodbye.”

“Bye, Stefan.” she watched him disappear. And, then Alexis settled down on her clean white sofa, and looked at her dazzling engagement diamond in true wonder. For once, everything was working.

She approached her laptop with renewed vigor. She was finally happy, and more than anything, she wanted her brother to be happy, too. He was so close - she would not let him lose it.

And, with a renewed patience, she began to search.

Second Chances

Chapter 20

Meanwhile, Nikolas was pacing the docks. After he had left Stefan’s office, the startling news tucked securely in his mind, he had tried to go somewhere. But, it had all been pointless, and he had been walking around for hours.

He knew his father was not lying; Stefan said Lucky was alive, and Nikolas believed him. But, it was a hard concept to completely grasp. To think, as all of his family and friends mourned him, worked through their grief and periodically burst into tears, Lucky had been alive. He had always been there; no wonder it hadn’t felt as if he were dead!

Lost in thoughts, and memories, Nikolas was unseeing. So, it was no wonder that he bumped into somebody. It was Liz.

“Hi, Elizabeth.”

She turned to see him, smiled softly, but it was obvious she had been a million miles away. “Hello, Nikolas. You seem to be in a good mood.”

“Something happened for which I am truly grateful.” he paused, appraised her up and down. “And, you?”

“I’ve just been thinking, and watching the water.” her eyes turned back towards the lake. “It is so calm today.”

“What were you thinking about?” Nikolas pried, watching Liz.

“This will sound silly.” she hesitated.

“Nothing sounds silly when it comes from you.” he answered.

“Thank you.”

“Are you going to tell me?”

She turned her eyes back towards him, the deep hazel searching the black of his own eyes. “Do you ever think that Lucky might still be alive? You know, we can’t see him, but he’s there, just beyond our reach.”

He said nothing. She giggled, nervously. “I know, I know. Stupid thought, huh.” she glanced back at the water. “I was just thinking, you know. That he might be out there, somewhere, unable to see me right now, but thinking of me every moment. Just as I think of him.” she lapsed into silence.

Liz didn’t see the sense of guilt that had seeped into Nikolas, or that his face had grown pale. And, as she watched the calm blue waters, he watched her. He desperately wanted to tell her what he knew. But, he couldn’t. It wasn’t that he had promised Stefan, it was that, in a sort of side way, he had promised Lucky. And, although he didn’t want Liz to ever feel hurt, he just could not explain it to her.

But, he could tell her a sort of half truth; society is, after all, mostly made up of those.  “Wherever he is, I’m sure he’s thinking about you, Liz.”

She turned to smile at him. “Do you ever think there might be life after death? Or, better yet, a way to go back?”

She would not know how perceptive she really was being. “I think that nothing is irreversible. People forgive, they forget and move on with their lives.”

“I will never forget Lucky.”

“He could never forget you.”

“It’ll be a year since the fire, soon.” she paused. “It doesn’t feel like it’s been a year.  I still feel as if he is only on a trip, and I should expect him home at any moment, with some dopey, but truly wonderful, present for me. I’ve had a year to move on, almost a full year to begin to deal. And, sometimes, I still cannot grasp it.”

Again, there was the surge of energy in Nikolas; the words almost formed on his lips.   But, he did not allow it to pull through. Liz turned to look at him once more, her eyes touched with sadness.

“I’m sorry, Nikolas. You said something happened?”

“Just something family-related. It’s nothing important.” he assured her, quickly.

She paused. “Are you going to stay?”

“I’ll stay here, Elizabeth, if that’s what you want.” there was thin ice that they often traveled across, when they were left alone, together. Nikolas did not want to break her fragile control.

“I need to be with my friends.” she told him.

And, so, the two of them began to watch the calm water together, neither one of them even beginning to comprehend what was happening in each of their minds.

Chapters 13-16

Chapters 21-24

Second Chances
Index