Redemption

Chapter 16


Night had fallen all over Port Charles, and every house from Charles St. to the lake was lit from the inside out. The late spring night had turned terribly cold, as if a storm was approaching the tiny town. Not even the lights from inside each little house could warm the city. It was almost an omen of things to come.

At home, Laura Spencer lifted a tiny sweatshirt off of the sofa cushion, and folded it over her arm. She was a mother very much in her element; the hair that she had put so much effort into this morning now lay flat, half tumbling from the makeshift ponytail. Her powder had long since faded, and her mascara had run down her cheeks.

She pulled Lulu’s hat off of the floor; her Raggedy Ann doll from the spot underneath the coffee table. Lulu, herself, was sleeping over at a friend’s house tonight. When that occurred to Laura, she decided to give up. As if in defeat, she flung herself on the couch.

She would not think about Stefan. Not right now, anyhow. She couldn’t think about all of the fights, or lies, or betrayals. She definitely couldn’t think about the vague possibility that she still loved him.

Fortunately, before she had a chance to think, a knock at her front door interrupted the scene.

Laura stood, strolled to the front door, and opened it. Her eldest son stood at the front door. His gaze was concentrated on the cement walkway, and his hands were thrown back deeply into his pockets. He seemed very worried.

“Hi.” Laura offered.

“Hi.” came the response. Nikolas looked up, and Laura caught full sight of the worry in her son’s dark eyes. “May I come in?”

“Of course, of course.” she moved out of the way, and Nikolas walked into the room. She closed the door, and followed him to the sofa. “What’s wrong?”

She looked over him, head to toe, as mothers are prone to do. Her eldest son’s face was paler than usual, and his eyes were filled with worry. “He is leaving.” he spoke as if the news had really hit him with full force.

Laura knew immediately that he spoke of Stefan. “I know.”

“He thinks that he can get Grandmother to follow him out of Port Charles, and somehow trap her.”

Laura still was unsure of his worry. “The plan makes sense, Nikolas. I mean, Stefan has Helena pegged to a T. Her routine is obvious. And, this would probably work.”

“She will kill him.” there was conviction in his tone. Laura wasn’t sure how to comfort him, but she would surely try.

“We don’t know that. She hasn’t killed him, yet.”

“Because she knows that if she killed him here, she would never win my affection. Not that she’s going to, but I suppose Helena likes to think she’ll eventually wear me down.”

“But?”

Nikolas looked up again. “But, if he pulls out of Port Charles, and Helena believes he might harm her, then I have no doubt that she will try to kill him.”

She tried to find his point. But, his eyes remained dark to her; she could not read them. “What are you trying to get at, Nikolas?”

“We need to stop him.”

“You do?”

“Technically, you do.” Nikolas looked his mother straight in the eye. Laura glanced back for a second, hoping to see that he wasn’t being completely serious, but she saw right away that he was.

“Mother, he’s running himself into a big mistake. I’d like to think he’s acting rationally, but I know he’s not.”

She interrupted him, unconsciously wringing her hands. “What makes you think that he is not acting rationally, Nikolas?”

“I met with him a couple of hours ago, and he was obviously emotional. I’d almost think he was running away from us.”

“That seems to be a popular hypothesis.” Laura remarked under her breath.

Nikolas hesitated, and offered his mother a confused look. She shook her head. “It’s nothing. Continue, Nikolas.”

Even though the conversation had paused, Nikolas was no less passionate when he continued. His eyes were concentrated on nothing but thoughts about Stefan. He needed her to understand. So, Laura tried to remain open-hearted as he continued talking. “I wouldn’t think so much of it if I knew that he had thought this through; that he wasn’t just running away from or towards something else. But, he is not thinking. And, I couldn’t bear it if he got himself killed.”

She was immediately comforting. “Your father is too smart a man to let Helena kill
him.”

“I don’t want him to risk it.” before Laura could answer, he continued. “And, I am certain he wouldn’t listen to me. But, if you told him exactly what he needs to hear; that you do love him, I’m sure he would stay.”

“Nikolas, even if he is hurt, it would be wrong to lie to him.” she broke through his
train of thought.

He looked perplexed. “But, you love him.”

She was not about to let her eldest son get the wrong impression. “Nikolas,” she started, weakly.

He interrupted her, obviously caught into the idea. He remained focused. “Mother, I know you love him. You can tell me that your feelings have changed; that his betrayal broke it. But, your eyes never lie. And, try as you might, you make excuses for your feelings much more often than you should. You try to change your feelings, instead of just accepting the truth.” he paused, trying to calm himself. But, the spark of his truth was too powerful to lose. “I know you love him.” he repeated.

Laura wanted to come up with a good comeback, but nothing came out. She decided to let Nikolas’s belief as it was, for now. “Whether or not I love Stefan is not the point.”

His gaze was immediately on her. “Why not?”

Laura was surprised. Had something changed in her eldest son? Nikolas knew the problems between Stefan and herself; knew the betrayal that had grown between them. And, he had followed her belief that the betrayal was too great to overcome. Since when did he believe that love truly conquered all? Laura hadn’t believed that in years.

”For starters, there is the matter of your brother being alive, and him not telling us. You still think he should’ve told us, right?.”

Nikolas’s expression darkened a moment. “Of course I still think he should’ve told us. I’m not making that offense any less serious, Mother.” he paused, as if trying to collect his thoughts. “But, I don’t want to turn my back on him and send him to the wolves for just one mistake, no matter how much weight it carries. And, I hope that you aren’t willing to throw out all that you had with him, all the feelings I know both of you have, for that.”

Laura had been stunned into silence. Nikolas had cornered her, although she would swear outloud, to the end, that he hadn’t done such a thing. But, in all honesty, he had. Logically, she knew that Stefan’s betrayal should be the ultimate sin. That she should not be able to dole out forgiveness for all of the lies. But, her heart tugged towards the choice Nikolas had offered her.

She tried one last stand. “What about you, Nikolas? Last I checked, you were as mad and as hurt as I am.”

He wouldn’t deny that. “I still am. But, I am willing to push the betrayal aside, for the moment, if it means that I can save him. And, later, when we’re all thinking more rationally, then I want to discuss it with him.” he hesitated, as if unsure if his feelings would come out eloquently, or clearly. But, it could only come from his heart. “I am not diminishing the weight of what he did. I am only willing to leave it on the back burner, at least for now, and let him know the truth - that I still love him, and want him to be around. I want you to tell him the truth, too.”

Laura was silent, again. She didn’t know what to tell Nikolas; how to erase the waiting, hopeful expression so obvious in his dark eyes. If she told him the truth; that she might still love Stefan, that she had been thinking more and more of how much she cared for him and how the betrayal was suddenly ringing false in her list of reasons to break up with men she loved, then she would be betraying her own standards, wouldn’t she? To say that she had been wrong wasn’t right, in her mind. On the other hand, she couldn’t give a bold-faced lie to Nikolas, and tell him that there was no doubt in her mind that she did not love Stefan. Because, in actuality, there was doubt on both sides; in her heart and on her mind. And, she didn’t know which way she should follow.

But, she couldn’t leave Nikolas with absolutely nothing. “I’m sorry. I can’t tell you now what I’ll choose.”

He nodded, as if he understood. Laura wasn’t sure if he could understand; Nikolas was still at an age where everything was so black and white, there was simply no room for gray. But, she appreciated the sentiment. He endeavored to speak, and she attempted to listen. “I want him to stay. But, I can’t make your decision, Mother. I know that it’s a hard decision. I just wanted to make sure you understood exactly what I think is going on. I needed you to see that.” he stood, as if to go. But, Laura could not let him leave without a hug.

As she folded him into her embrace, she could feel that he was conflicted, too. “It will be okay, Nikolas.” she attempted to mollify him, as she would’ve done, had she been there during his childhood.

But, he was no longer a child. He knew that her promise held no guarantee. And yet, he still had to hope. “I know you’ll try.” he answered, and headed for the door. “Good
night.”

“Good night.” she called back, and settled once more into the sofa cushions after she heard the satisfying click of the closed doorknob.

She tried to relax. She stretched out over the sofa, and tried to rest. But, she could not. She was too worried by Nikolas’s words; her whole conversation with him would not stop ringing through her mind. In a lot of ways, she knew he was right. Even if she would never admit it to him, what Nikolas had seen was the truth. But, she also knew she could not just follow her heart to Stefan, again. She didn’t know if being with him was right. Which was why she kept trying to pull herself towards Luke, although she was becoming more certain by the second that that was what she did not want; because she believed that he would make things better for her.

And, she did not know if she could abandon her principles, not to mention her pride,
and return to Stefan’s embrace. She had said so many hurtful things to him; surely she had to stand by them. But, then, she would not have been listening to her heart.

Laura really did not know what to do. Should she follow her heart...or her head? Which would ring more true? She knew she wanted Stefan; more than she had ever wanted anything in her whole life. Any want for Luke was becoming so vague; it was disappearing. Still, could she give up her pride, and admit she was wrong? Could she forgive Stefan for what he had done to her family?

Suddenly, something rang true. As she recalled what Stefan had done to her, memories of what Luke had done also came to her. Luke had raped her, abandoned her...hurt her. And, she had always forgiven him. When she had hurt him, she had always expected forgiveness. Because she had believed that their love was true, and true love always forgives. True love always trusts.

Not enjoying the little trip her mind was taking, Laura followed it, anyhow.

She remembered Stefan when he had caught up with them, when she and her ex-husband were searching for Lucky. How he had pleaded with her to just trust him. She particularly remembered the absolute injury in his eyes when she would not follow him; would not listen. At the time, she had walked away without a second glance. But, now, it was coming back to her with a major push.

A light suddenly dawned on Laura.

He had loved her! And, all he had expected in return was for her try and trust him. To forgive him for whatever hurt he had caused her, and try to hear his explanations. And, she had not been able to give him that.

It slowly began to dawn on Laura. Alexis had spoken the truth. Laura had not shown Stefan that she loved him. She hadn’t proven it to him; simply left him and went back to her husband. And, crushed him in the process.

When had she become so adult? Why had she turned from him, if she knew she loved him?

And, why was she turning from him now?

Laura suddenly knew she needed to see Stefan; to tell him the truth - that she did love him, despite everything, and this time she would try to listen to him.

And, now that her decision was reached, she could not leave him another moment, thinking he was alone. She had to see him.

And, with that, Laura Spencer was out the door.


Redemption

Chapter 17


Luke Spencer rocked back and forth in the little motorboat heading towards Spoon Island, feeling a little queasy.

“Hey, pal, could you drive it a little less smoother?” he threw the sarcastic comment to
the driver of the little boat; somebody whom Luke had paid to take him to that god-forsaken little rock. When the little man ignored him, Luke attempted to throw his half-empty whisky bottle at the little guy, but he was too unsteady to pitch.

“I can’t make the water any smoother, you know.” the man answered, irritably, a hint of a Scottish accent still on his lips. No amount of money was worth taking a ship at 11:00 pm to an island that was sworn to be haunted by all except those who had ever dwelled there. The boat driver wasn’t superstitious by nature, but the island made his thick gray hair stand up on end. It was a bonna-fide haunted island.

And, he was driving a drunk Luke Spencer onto it’s shores.

“Just hurry up.” Luke told him, and then made a face as the taste in his mouth made contact with his tongue. His breath tasted like very strong whisky, but, as any drinker will tell you, it tasted much better going down than coming up. Still, Luke was conscious enough to know that he wasn’t quite yet wasted. It would’ve been pointless to be doing what he was going to do if he was completely gone. But, there was enough drink in his stomach to keep his courage, not to mention his enormous ego, stoked.

He had told Stefan that he would pay when the time came. Luke had simply got tired of waiting.

The motor boat puttered up to the side of the island. “Okay. We’re here.”

“Thanks.” Luke stepped off the boat, and onto the island. He noted that the little boat driver didn’t even manage a goodbye as he sped his ship into the foggy distance.

Luke shivered under his leather jacket. “Wish I had brought some brandy.” he muttered, as an icy wind hit him clear on the face. Although it was technically summer in the rest of the United Sates, Spoon Island felt as if it had entered another ice age. On the bright side, the cold wind sapped most of the drink out of Luke, and he regained his balance, if not his logical reasoning, however little he had of that to begin with.

“Okay, so it’s fifty paces North to the cave.” Luke paused, and looked towards where Wyndemere should’ve stood. He saw nothing but a thick blanket of fog. He let his gaze follow the fog up to the sky, catching not even a glimpse of the massive Wyndemere. “Mother Nature must’ve gotten her schedules mixed up.”

Hell, it didn’t matter. Not to Luke Spencer, even if he had just been almost
completely wasted no more than ten minutes ago. He could get to the place in his sleep.

But, before he took another step further, he had to make sure he had all the necessities. Luke let one trained hand slide into his pocket, and close around the smooth handle of the silver gun; formerly named Betha. Luke didn’t normally name his guns; it seemed a stupid idea to give such personality to something so animal. But, the guy who had given him the gun hadn’t been in Luke’s range of thought.

Luke pulled the gun out, and checked to make sure it was full of ammo. He swung it into his right hand, and took a crack shot at one of the massive trees that surrounded Wyndemere.

The bullet was quickly lodged at bull’s eye. Luke smirked with satisfaction, whirled the gun, by the handle, around his finger, and slid it back in his pocket. “Fastest gun in the East.” he muttered. There was a time where Lucky had called him that, in jest. Luke’s smile was lost as he thought about it. If Lucky knew what his father was about to do, he would surely hate him even more than he did now.

But, Luke was not pulled from his task. What he was doing was for his son! And, nothing would stand in his way.

With that thought, he headed for Wyndemere.



Redemption

Chapter 18


Stefan shivered from within the parlor of Wyndemere. Although he had a fire blazing in the marble fireplace, no more than a few feet ahead of him, as well as a blanket lying right next to him on the couch cushion, the cold air around Spoon Island had whisked it’s way through every crevice in the monumental stone walls of Wyndemere, and was presently striking every exposed area in Stefan’s person. He was freezing, and yet he didn’t move from the couch cushion. He did not look around for any open windows. As a matter of fact, he was so involved in his present activity, he barely even noticed the cold - save for a couple of shivers here and there. He was too sapped to really notice anything of the elements.

For Stefan Cassadine was looking through a photo album. More specifically, he was looking through an album that was overrun by pictures of Laura Spencer. He was flipping through the pages very carefully, and methodically, trying to find some memento of her to bring with him. But, in the process of trying to find just one picture, he was only succeeding in torturing himself. Because, every time he flipped a page, his eyes would catch on a photo, and light with a memory. But, then, the light in his eyes would go dark as he recalled exactly what had ended his relationship with his Lasha. And, he would end up pushing the album away, and then pulling it back to him a moment later.

And, he couldn’t move away from it. Like the memories from a few nights before, he could not turn away.

Fortunately, an outside element soon took him away from this torture. A rather loud footstep echoing across the house quickly pulled him out of his revere and on the alert.

Stefan waited a moment, and again heard the footstep, coming closer. And, then, it began to come more evenly, regularly and closer still. He knew he didn’t recognize it; besides, visitors usually announced themselves.

Slowly, he slid the photo album back on to the coffee table, and stood, moving towards the fireplace. The footsteps had been silenced, but he could feel someone approaching, and he knew it was not someone in his staff, nor someone he had ever considered part of his little family. If at all possible, the room seemed colder. And, Stefan was starting to feel that he should be worried.

But, he wasn’t.

And, suddenly, a voice called out to him. “Stefen,”

Stefan turned, and caught the eye of Luke Spencer. “Yes?”

“I came to see you.”

Once upon a time, Stefan had attempted to be somewhat civil with Luke Spencer because Laura had obviously cared for Luke, and Stefan always wished to stay in Laura’s good graces. But, now Stefan felt as if he had fallen out of her life forever, and all bets were off.

Stefan was not in the mood for this, anyhow. “I suggest you leave now before you find yourself being accompanied by one of my servants to the door.”

Luke rolled his eyes at Stefan’s thinly veiled threat. “Your servants aren’t as good as you think they are. They didn’t catch me coming. And, they aren’t about to stop me.”

And, Stefan suddenly noticed a gun was aimed at his chest.

Luke carried on. “I let you live for far too long.” he started, an intense glint in his pale blue eyes. From Stefan’s point of view, he seemed more unbalanced and even less rational than usual. “I should’ve killed you the moment I saw you, for what your family did to my wife all those years ago. But, I waited.” he paused, as if to give Stefan an opening to defend his actions.

But, Stefan, eyes transfixed on the gun, was oddly silent and undefending.

Luke smiled, briefly. “You’re being smart this time. Good.” he went back to his real train of thought. His gun remained trained. “I should’ve killed you when you made my son play that video game. Or, when we found out Leslie was still alive. When you married my sister.” his voice grew more of an edge. “But, I still didn’t. I don’t know why I didn’t; I just didn’t.” he paused again, and looked at Stefan, waiting for some sort of argument. But, Stefan seemed strangely not in the mood to argue.

Pleased that he was allowed to continue uninterrupted, Luke went on. “That you slept with my wife.” he said, slowly, full of disgust. “And, yet I still didn’t kill you.” His tone changed. “Then, you started going with my wife again, and things just got complicated. I couldn’t kill you then, and hurt Laura like that. No matter how misplaced her trust was.”

Stefan let him go on, still not interrupting.

And, Luke did continue. “Your time was up when you kidnapped my son.” suddenly, he lost that quiet intensity in his voice. “You held him captive for a year! You tortured him, and brainwashed him against his own parents!” as if flipping a light switch, the intensity came back to Luke’s tone. “I told you that you were going to pay. I just got tired of waiting.”

Stefan simply looked at the gun, and remained silent. Usually, he would’ve argued with Luke from the beginning, tried to get his point into that stubborn man’s brain, and attempt to get his servants in the room. Or, keep the conversation going until somebody showed up and took the gun out of Luke Spencer’s hands.

But, he was just so tired. He was tired of missing Laura, and Nikolas. Of torturing himself anytime he looked at a photograph, or even around Wyndemere. He was certainly tired of explaining what had really happened to people who didn’t care to listen.

He wanted an end to pain; to misery; to torture. To knowing that he would never be happy again without his Laura. To knowing he would never be complete without her, and the pain of trying to go on without her by his side.

His life was meaningless without her; he had known that all along. He had only been lying to himself by thinking he could get away from any thoughts of her. As long as he lived, he would always love her. He would never be free.

That gun that Luke held in one leather-covered hand was looking more and more inviting.

Stefan let the idea develop more into his mind. If he allowed Spencer to shoot him, it would not only free Stefan from this seemingly endless cycle of despair. It could free Laura, too, by making her truly see the man that claimed to love her. She would finally be able to live without Luke, as well as Stefan, and leave behind the baggage that had haunted those relationships. She could be free to just care for all of her children, and find happiness with someone who she could love freely.

And, Helena? Well, let Luke kill Helena. Stefan was certain that would be Spencer’s second stop. And, if not...someone would finish her soon; there were probably scores of people eager for the job. Until she was dead, though, Stefan knew that Laura would always defend Nikolas. And, he was certain Mr. Ashton would forever protect Alexis; she spoke of his love with such certainty, Stefan had to believe her. They would be safe with or without him. And, as he had discovered when he had first decided to leave, they would be more free without him.

It was not as if Spencer was about to give him any sort of choice in the matter, anyhow. Stefan decided to, for once, give the people what they seemed to want, as well as what seemed most appealing from his perspective.

So, finally, he took the window Luke had offered. “Okay, Spencer, shoot me.”

Luke blinked a moment, as if Stefan’s final answer had caught him off-guard. Stefan was vaguely amused by this, although he knew he shouldn’t be amused by anything at this moment; that he should be, in fact, scared stiff at the very real prospect of losing his life. But, he was still amused; Spencer had probably thought Stefan would throw himself on his knees, and beg Luke to reconsider. Stefan could actually see Luke’s ego deflate, ever so slightly. But, he refrained from laughing.

Luke regained his grounding, and answered Stefan with a crooked smile that almost seemed...unreal. Like some cartoon villain, drunk with power. “What? No cries for mercy? No pleas to listen to the truth?”

Stefan just wanted to end it quickly. He sought to stay mild. “I’ve tried to tell the truth, but everyone seems hard-pressed to listen. Why prolong it? If you want me dead that badly, Spencer, then by all means...shoot.”

Luke took careful aim, but still did not fire. “I wish they all could see you now. Laura and Lucky and Natasha; they could see how imperfect you really are.”

Stefan was this close to taking the gun, and killing himself. Why was Spencer prolonging it? He couldn’t possibly know it was torturing Stefan. “Why are you taking so long?” he questioned outloud, looking Luke straight in the eye. “If you want me dead, why don’t you just fire?”

“If you wish,” Luke took aim again, but spoke before he fired. “I’d tell you it was nice knowing you, but y’know, it really wasn’t.” and, finally, the gun went off.



Redemption

Chapter 19


Stefan felt, more than saw, the bullet fly into him. He stumbled to the ground, not even trying to fight it. He was, quite frankly, too tired to fight anything. He didn’t even listen for Luke’s retreating footsteps. He closed his eyes, and simply succumbed to the darkness that was floating around him; as if falling into a cloud. As he began to lose consciousness, he only prayed that salvation was somewhere close by.

And, then, through the cloud, he thought he heard something akin to a scream. “Stefan!”

He attempted to open his eyes; to see who possessed the voice that screamed for him. But, his vision remained clouded, and he struggled more to stay awake. He felt himself be lifted into someone’s arms, and he thought he knew who it was that held him so dearly. Only, even now, he still could not believe she would come for him.

With one final pull, his eyelids fluttered open. Through a vision that was almost blinded by haze, he saw her. It was his Laura! And, there were tears in her eyes...for him? It must be a mistake. “Lasha,” he whispered, hoarsely, part of it caught in his throat.

She turned back to him. Her dazzling blue eyes were wide, and full of something. Stefan almost read it as love, but a part of him still could not believe. “Are you okay?” she asked, evidently having misplaced the reasoning that would’ve told her he wasn’t okay; that this was just his last battle before he left her. Her voice was overflowing with love...for him? Stefan was too far gone to understand it. “I finally know what you wanted me to give, and I’m sorry I could not give you what you needed. I didn’t understand it, then; what was right in front of me. What I should’ve known all along. I’m sorry I could not show you that I loved you. But, I promise I’ll try to listen to any explanation, now. I love you, Stefan. Despite anything, because of everything, I still love you. I’m sorry I could not show you.” Laura almost stopped herself. She sounded like some character out of those romance novels that her sister loved so much. Logical Laura Spencer would never have said such a thing. But, this Laura would never take it back. For, they were true, and what he needed. And, she would never take what he needed from her. Never again.

She kissed him.

Stefan moved with the kiss. Oh, God! Let me die in her arms, now. Let me have this one last moment of happiness. Let me be with her this one last moment! Stefan prayed. Then, with all of his waning strength, he lifted his hand and stroked her tear-stained cheek once more. Only one sentence would come out. “Lasha, I love you.”

Laura held him close to her, and watched as the darkness, that had enveloped her lover’s expression, faded into nothingness. His eyes gleamed pure gold, as he told her he loved her.

Then, his whole vision clouded, again. The curtain of dark fog, that he had pushed back, fell forward and swirled around him, as if in giving him his wish; he’d had his moment, and now it was done. His eyelids dropped with a sudden heaviness. He made one last effort, clinging to her, but lost the battle. He fell back, into her arms. Then, he fell once more, into the fog, and vanished behind that dark curtain.

His connection to Laura was finally severed.

He lost complete consciousness. Laura turned white as a ghost, and searched for a pulse. Finding only a thin, slow one, she cried out for him to return to her. But, he remained gone. As if something had taken him away from her.

She pounced on the cell phone that had flown from his pocket, when he had fallen back. She dialed 911, quickly, and explained to the operator what had happened. The operator promised to send over something, and asked Laura to keep his head up and stay calm...and wait.

Laura hung up, and held his head up. She kissed his cheek; already turning cold.

“God, please let him live.” she whispered, tears springing anew. And, she continued to pray, until someone came to help.



Redemption

Chapter 20


Nikolas Cassadine was pacing the docks, staring at the dark, placid lake every so often. It was getting late, and every so often, he stifled a yawn. But, he knew he would not sleep until he knew what Laura had decided to tell Stefan.

He wasn’t sure what had changed his mind; his father’s words or the way his eyes seemed to plead. Nikolas had always been able to read his father’s eyes. During their recent conversation, Stefan’s eyes had begged for someone to have faith in him. And, Nikolas had been struck by the pain he had caused his father.

The way to save him was Laura. And, Nikolas wanted his father saved. So, he had asked.

And, he hoped she had listened. That she would follow her heart...to his father.

He suddenly heard a voice in his ear. “Couldn’t sleep either, huh?”

Nikolas turned, and caught the eye of Alexis Davis. She was still dressed in one of her “lawyer outfits”, but her heels had been traded for a pair of old sandals, and her hair was mussed and unruly, pinned into a not-so-tidy bun. “You thinking about him?” she said, making a slight motion in the direction of Wyndemere.

Nikolas nodded, still feeling open. He liked the feeling very much; had always hated hiding behind lies and half-truths. “I spoke to him, tonight. Despite what he did, I’m really worried about him. I don’t want him to leave. Helena will kill him.”

Alexis nodded; the sleepiness in her pushed to the farthest reaches of her brown eyes. “I don’t want him to, either. But, he’ll only listen to Laura.”

“I asked her to speak with him. I explained to her what I thought about the idea.”

Alexis raised an eyebrow at her nephew. “Really? And, what did you think, Nikolas?”

“That I still don’t agree with what he did, but he needs to know that we...she loves him, anyhow.”

She watched him, closely. “You believe that?”

“I hadn’t, until I saw him. I didn’t know he was doing so badly.”

“He tries to hide it. “

Nikolas looked at the water again, towards Spoon Island, but not quite at it. He still sounded conflicted, although he knew the basic truth. “I love him. And, I know he loves me.”

“He probably needs to hear that.” Alexis answered, gently.

Nikolas turned back to Alexis. “I can’t explain it to him so simply, yet. He still hurt us; had Lucky.”

“He didn’t kidnap him, Nikolas.”

Nikolas wasn’t in the mood to dispute it. “Even if he didn’t, I still can’t understand how he could’ve known, and not told us.” he paused, searching his aunt’s face for a sign. “Can you explain it?”

Alexis sighed. She really wanted to give Nikolas a good explanation, but she wasn’t sure if he would understand. She wasn’t even certain that she understood Stefan’s reasoning. “He honestly didn’t know about it for as long as Luke said. February, maybe.” she paused. “He really wanted to bring Lucky back home to Laura. I think he worried that, if Luke found him, that the Spencers would be completely reunited, and he would have no chance with your mother. He needed her. And, I also think, in his own mind, he thought that he was doing the right thing.” she halted, and shook her head. “And, everything just blew up in his face.”

Nikolas still sounded conflicted. “I wish he had told me from the beginning.”

“He honestly didn’t mean to hurt anyone.” Alexis answered, looking him straight in the eye.

“I know that, now.” Nikolas answered. “But, I still don’t know how to tell him.”

They both grew silent for a moment, watching the dark water, both in their silent reveries. Suddenly, a loud helicopter flew over the water. Alexis and Nikolas watched it head towards the island, a vague worry slowly growing.

“Do you think something happened?” Alexis asked him, the very slightest signs of distress flickering in her brown eyes.

“No,” Nikolas answered, although he wasn’t sure. He only believed that nothing bad could’ve happened, not now. It wasn’t possible. “It’s probably going past the island.”

Alexis opened her mouth to answer, but before she could, a voice called out, jovially, to them. “Natasha!” it came closer, and suddenly Alexis saw Luke coming towards them.

Luke came into full view by the light of a lamppost, and Alexis could feel Nikolas straining to attack. She held him back, and studied Spencer. There was something odd about him. He seemed very happy and proud of himself; as if he had just saved the world from disaster...again. But, the glint in his blue eyes was frighteningly intense.

Luke moved closer to them. He grinned when he saw Nikolas. “And, the little prince. I’m happy to see both of you.”

Nikolas said nothing, refraining from speaking at all, lest he push Luke Spencer into
the cold waters of the lake. Meanwhile, Alexis was thrown off by Luke’s actions. She doubted he was thrilled to be in either of their presences. But, why was he there?

Alexis decided to pull either Luke or Nikolas away from the threesome. “Luke, do you know where that helicopter is heading?”

“Of course. I dare say my wife arrived at Wyndemere; probably called 911.” Luke spoke as if they were watching a TV Movie of the Week.

Alexis and Nikolas slowly turned on Luke, with a dawning fear. Nikolas was the first to speak. His eyes were very dark as they focused on Luke. “Did something happen to my father?” he spoke, slowly.

Luke puffed out like a peacock. “He’s dead.” he answered, in very much the same way you’d tell someone you were president.

Alexis felt Nikolas strain against her pull, all of a sudden murderous, and held him back. “He’s lying, Nikolas.” she whispered. Then, she turned a very cold eye on Luke. “I suggest you go. ‘The little prince’ knows three forms of very dangerous martial arts, and I have no doubt that if I let go, he will kill you.”

“See if I ever do you a favor again.” Luke answered, and walked away, not the least bit affected by Nikolas’s sudden anger. When Luke was a safe distance from Nikolas, Alexis let go of him.

He turned to her, and she saw that Luke’s words had rang true in him. Rage had drained completely from his features. He was pale, and shaking from head to toe. His eyes were fathomlessly dark. “He’s dead?”

“Luke was probably just trying to get some movement from you, Nikolas.” Alexis answered, although fear had started to approach her, too. “He’s not dead.”

“But, the helicopter was heading for Wyndemere.”

“Or past it.” Alexis answered. She looked straight into Nikolas’s fearful expression. “He was bluffing.” she told him. Nikolas remained concerned.

Then, the phone call came. Nikolas’s cell phone rang from inside his coat pocket. He flipped it open slowly, prayed that nothing had happened, and answered. “Hello?” He held his breath.

His mother came onto the other end, in hysterics, her instructions a jumbled mess that Nikolas missed. He paused, telling himself to keep breathing. “Could you repeat that?”

Laura spoke again, endeavoring to stay calm until she’s finished talking to Nikolas. Through another jumbled mess, Nikolas picked up two distinct sentences. “Your father was shot. We’re taking him to GH.”

Oh, God! “Is he hurt?”

Laura was crying, again. “He’s unconscious, and there was blood everywhere. Meet me at GH. I have to go.” she hung up.

Nikolas slid the phone back into his pocket with shaky, yet unerring movements. When that mission was safely accomplished, he turned to look at his aunt. Alexis had gone completely still, and the vague worry in her eyes was becoming more distinct.

“Something happened?”

Nikolas didn’t answer. He was momentarily struck mute.

So, Alexis tried to read his expression. She didn’t like what she saw. “Luke wasn’t lying about Stefan?”

This time, she got a nod out of Nikolas.

The apprehension in her grew even more definite; clearer. But, she would try to stay calm. Kill Luke after she knew that Stefan was okay. “Nikolas, I really need you to tell me what happened. Do you think you can do that? Stay focused?”

Nikolas nodded, and after a breath or two, his voice finally came out. “That was my mother. She said they were going to GH.” he seemed to be in shock.

“Did she specify what happened?” Alexis asked, not sure if she really wanted to know the answer. She had never hated Luke before. And, she knew he was probably not thinking straight. Even so, if her brother was dead, Luke would be killed. She just prayed that Stefan was still on earth.

Nikolas nodded again. Alexis tried to not notice how pale he was. “She said he was shot, and unconscious. That there was blood everywhere.”

A very cold feeling crept up on Alexis, very slowly. But, she attempted to remain comforting. “She’s probably exaggerating, Nikolas. People tend to do that.”

“What if she wasn’t?”

Alexis could not; would not believe that. “He’s not dead, Nikolas. He’ll be okay.” She paused, wondering if he believed her. It wasn’t as if she could offer him any sort of guarantee. “But, we should probably show up at GH soon. Is your Jag around?”

He made a gesture. “Over there.”

“Can you drive?” Alexis certainly hoped so; she doubted she could drive at the moment.

Nikolas nodded. “I think so.”

“Are you sure?” it wouldn’t be good to land 3 Cassadines in the hospital, at once; the staff would go insane with the pressure.

“Yeah.”

“Then, why don’t we go?” she took her nephew’s hand, and let him lead her to the Jag.

And, while they walked towards the car, Alexis tried to focus on reassuring thoughts. That her brother would be okay; he would pull through this. That there was no way in Hell that Stefan would let Luke be the one to kill him.

But, that cold feeling would not leave her.

Chapters 11-15
Chapters 21-25
Redemption
Index