Laura opens the door and Luke brushes by her with Fleabag in tow. Laura's eyes narrow as she tells Fleabag "your husband has been looking for you." After she says this she totally ignores the woman.

"Oh baby, have I got news for you. Lucky is alive!" Luke blurts out.

Laura's mouth drops open, "What?'

"That's right, he's alive. Count Vlad has had him all along! We just got back from Greece where we got proof that Stephen's hiding him there."

There was another knock on the door. In a daze Laura goes to answer it. Stefan steps in. Laura backs back into the livingroom.

"This is going to be GOOD!" Luke exclaims. "Tell Lasha that you have her son Count!"

Stefan's face falls for just a moment to be replaced by his normally stoic unreadable countenance. Laura sees this as her eyes have never left his face. Stefan feels her penetrating gaze on him and their eyes lock and hold.

"Tell her Vlad! Tell her how you staged Lucky's death. Tell her how you've been moving him place to place to keep any one from finding him. Tell her Damn It!" Luke goaded.

Stefan feels icy fingers start to wrap around his heart. Surely Laura would never think him capable of THIS! But then again he's lied to her. He IS a Cassadine. But NO!!!!!!!!! his heart and mind scream.

With his eyes he tried to will the truth into Laura's heart.

"This is what your trip was about." Laura declares.

Stefan feels the fingers tighten! She does think it!

"Helena" Laura hissed the name. Stefan almost breathed a sigh of relief. "When you were following her you stumbled across Lucky didn't you?" She didn't wait for an answer. Stefan stood stock still without changing his expression. Laura continued "You came here that night dying to tell me didn't you? But then you saw how much pain I was in yet and decided to wait till you got him safely away from Helena."

"What kind of a c--- and bull story is that? What makes you think the Count wasn't in on this with Helena?" Luke asked incredulously?

Laura still hadn't taken her eyes from Stefan's. A single tear started down her cheek. "Because I know his heart." she paused. "I know his soul." she whispered so only Stefan could hear her. Their hearts joined in that moment. "He would never do this to me," she finally broke eye contact with him and looked at Luke, "he would never do this to Nicholas or LuLu."

"Nicholas! What the hell does he have to do with this?" Luke screamed.

"He's Lucky's brother. Or have you conveniently forgotten that Luke? My God they became friends despite EVERYTHING!" Laura sobbed. She turned back to Stefan. "Take me to him."

With that Stefan jumped into motion. He grabbed Laura's coat and helped her on with it.

"The jet is waiting" he said.

"Wait a minute you're taking me too" Luke commanded.

As Stefan held the door, Laura went through followed by Fleabag. "Your husband has been looking for you Mrs. Scoripo."

"What is it with everyone and Felicia's husband? She's with me!" Luke claimed.

Stefan followed out the door.

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


Finally on the way in the Cassadine jet everyone settled in for the trip. Laura sat beside Stefan on the couch. Luke and Fleabag sat in chairs across from them

"Tell me how he is" Laura asked Stefan.

"I don't want to hear Vlad's update about MY son." Luke spouted out.

"If you don't want to hear, go in the other room." Laura replied

She turned back to Stefan.

"They tried to brainwash him." Stefan started.

"They? They who?" Laura asked.

"Lucky wasn't aware of Helena's involvement till months into his captivity. Faison was his contact. He told Lucky he was being held and his ransome would be the Ice Princess."

Laura's withering gaze fell on Luke. He slumped a little in his seat.

"About your mother..." Laura started worriedly.

"That's being taken care of as we speak." Stefan interjected.

"That's all I need to know." She stopped him. They couldn't help looking into each other's eyes. Stefan was so relieved. Laura's emotions were all over the board.

"You believe in me." Stefan whispered to her.

"I do." Was the simple statement. It was like a vow between them. Laura looked at his lips and leaned forward and kissed him. It was a gentle, sweet kiss.

"Arg, I am going in the other room." Luke said as he and Fleabag left.

"I thought they'd never leave." Laura chuckled "Have you told Nicholas yet? Oh my God, Elizabeth! And LuLu" Laura burst into tears again but she was smiling as she was crying. She fell into his waiting arms. She let all her emotions out and had a good sob.

"How many times have you held me while I cried?" She said looking up into his face. He brushed away a tear on her cheek and she grabbed his hand and kissed his palm. She looked into his eyes with so much love Stefan was amazed.

"I love you" he said.

"I love you" she replied as she laid her head against his chest and snuggled in. She was asleep in a matter of moments, exhausted but happy.

Stefan pondered the future. The future with Laura by his side.

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