Chapter 36
Laura left soon after that. And, Stefan, certain of his love and relationships, had easily relaxed back into the uncomfortable hospital bed, and allowed himself a long rest. After all, he was still recovering from a near-fatal gunshot wound.
By evening, though, he was up again. Nikolas, evidentially, had stopped by briefly; but, when he found his father fast asleep, had decided not to disturb him. Touched with ennui, Stefan had woke up, and discovered a book on the bed stand. Glancing at it, he had an urge to laugh.
His son had, actually, left him two books. At the top was an old, leather bound copy of Grimm’s Fairy Tales , which had existed since Stefan, himself, was a child. But, underneath it was what Stefan found amusing - a slightly battered collection of Dr. Seuss stories, with a note from Nikolas, telling him that he and Lulu had thought it would amuse him.
So, Stefan had begun to pursue The Grinch who Stole Christmas. He actually got rather involved, although he’d never admit it to another soul except his family.
Stefan was just engrossing himself in the part where the grinch begins to steal the Christmas tree from Whoville, when he heard the door creak open. He tried to ignore it, as best he could.
And, then, he heard a voice.
“So, this is what the all-powerful Count Vlad does on his vacation time.”
Stefan glanced up from his reading, to find Luke Spencer staring down at him.
Stefan offered his adversary his best uninterested gaze. “Well, yes, I know, Spencer, that this would be high above even your vast intellect. Some of us, on the other hand, can find reason in anything.” he paused, setting the book down on the bed stand, and taking off his reading glasses. “But, enough banter. I’m not in the mood, really, for any of it. Can you tell me why you’re here?”
Luke made his way closer into Stefan’s room. His skin and hair looked oddly white in the fluorescent lighting, making a stark contrast with his hands slung back in the the pockets of his black leather jacket. His eyes were sparked, uncertainly.
“I was just wondering about a few things.”
“I’m fairly certain that you’re always wondering about a few things.” Stefan retorted, deciding to stay mild throughout all of this; to just let Luke talk himself into a corner. “Care to specify?”
“Well, for starters, what the hell did you do to my family?”
Stefan didn’t bat an eyelash. “I haven’t the slightest clue as to what you speak of.
“Let me jog your memory. You took them!”
“Are you suggesting I stole your family?”
“Exactly, Stefan.” Luke answered, accentuating the syllables.
Stefan rose half of his bed, allowing him to sit up. “And, do you have proof of this crime you keep prosecuting me for? Or, is it all hearsay?”
Luke swept one hand out of his pockets, with an almost deadly vigor, and began to count on it. “One, you stole my son. Took a year of his life. And, yet, he won’t say anything against you. You must’ve brainwashed him.”
Stefan answered without insult. “I did no such thing.”
Luke ignored him. “Two, somehow, you have my daughter thinking your the best parent in the world.”
Stefan shrugged. “She is a very sweet child.”
Luke shot him an icy blue glare. “Three, somehow, no matter what you’ve done, or what crimes come to light, Laura still thinks your nothing more than a wounded puppy that needs tending to. That you couldn’t hurt a fly, even if you were forced to do so. No matter how many times I show her what you’ve done, ever since you came to Port Charles, her faith of you can’t stay shaken for too, too long. First, she told me it was because she wanted to protect me and Lucky. Then, it was because of Nikolas. Now, she’s given up on giving me any excuses. She claims she loves you.”
Stefan, for his part, seemed fairly untouched by Luke’s hurtled accusations. He didn’t have to take the bait. He no longer had to take part in these petty disagreements, in hopes of showing Laura that he was capable. He was sure of whom he cared for and who cared for him. He was certain of his life. And, that made him, finally, stronger than Luke Spencer ever could be.
So, Stefan responded to Luke with a simple, serious stare. “Your problem, Spencer, if you care to know it - “
“I don’t need you to tell me anything.” Luke interrupted, amending.
“Consider it free advice.” came the sharp response. Stefan continued, determined to clear it up. “Your problem is that you can’t listen to anything besides the incoherent ramblings of your madness. I did nothing to Lucky Spencer. I would never hurt one of Laura’s children like that. If Lucky says I didn’t touch him, then I didn’t.”
Luke interrupted. “I have proof, Cassadine. I heard you!”
Stefan sighed, like a child growing tired of hearing the same verse. “You heard a private phone call, in which I made plans to ‘move the boy’. Nothing in that conversation makes a reference to kidnapping. You leapt to your own conclusion. I was trying to rescue him.” he paused, and when Luke seemed to want to speak up again, Stefan didn’t allow him. “Think about it, Spencer, if your mind will allow. When you see him with Helena, you can see that pull she has over him. I can, too; I’m not blind to my mother’s power over him. You can obviously see that I don’t hold that same power. I could never make Lucky do anything, like my mother could. Why don’t you listen to your son?”
Luke responded. “I don’t care how impressive your stories are. I know you’re lying.”
Stefan ignored him, quite easily. It was like ignoring a fly buzzing in your ear. “That was my first point. My second is that Leslie Lu is a child. Children are inherently truthful; they can see truth. She’d know right away if I ever lied to her. Obviously, I haven’t. And, if you say I stole her because she clings to me, maybe you should take off the blinders and look at yourself, Spencer. You leave town every other month, whether it is to follow Helena, or I, or because your ego is bruised, or you try to kidnap your own son or mine.... It’s a long list, and one I’m certain neither of us want to examine. Do you expect her to keep caring for someone who doesn’t show much interest in her?”
Luke was speechless to that one. That made Stefan a little happier. He led into his third argument.
“And, you mentioned Laura, too, right, Luke? Well, you know as well as I, Laura is not a child. She can weigh good and evil, just as well as you think you can. She can decide, by herself, who lies to her and who loves her, and where a line can be drawn. Didn’t she, herself, tell you that - to allow her to make her own choices? I can’t sway her mind. Believe me, if I wielded that power, Laura wouldn’t have spent a single day with a cretin like you. She would’ve known her heart, instead of choosing to follow you blindly. But, contrary to your opinion, Spencer, I don’t have any magical powers. What I do cannot change her position. If Laura chooses me, it’s because she’s following herself.”
Luke would’ve scoffed in Stefan’s face, but Stefan doubted that Luke Spencer even knew what the word scoff meant. “You act as though you care about her as a person, and would allow her to choose. I’d like to see her face, when she finds out what you’re going to do with the father of her children.”
“You mean you, for shooting me?” Stefan offered an indifferent shrug. “I wasn’t planning on doing anything with you, Spencer.”
“Like hell you weren’t.” came the rebuttal. Luke’s eyes flashed. “I know you aren’t about to leave it up to your good friends at the PCPD, and I don’t blame you for that part. I don’t trust them much, either, and Bubba has a particular distaste for me, after all. But, I’m certain you have some sort of plan for my future, or lack thereof. Why don’t you blurt it out, Cassadine, like all of the other psychotic villains?”
Stefan attempted to refrain from yawning. “Have you ever heard of karma, Spencer?”
Luke offered him a blank stare.
“I’ll take that as a no.” Stefan amended. “The basic principle of karma is that your actions will always be there to haunt you. Sort of like, what goes around comes around, if you wish to utilize the cliche. Likewise, I believe in a sort of universal law that justice has to, in the end, prevail. If you did something wrong, you’ll pay for it. In the meanwhile, I won’t try to punish you for protecting your family. I won’t attempt to be unfair.”
“The new and improved Stefen.” Luke muttered. “How badly did I shoot you?”
Stefan again ignored his comment. The conversation was coming to a close. “Well, now, I don’t think you have a single thing more to say to me. You’ve made your points, I’ve listened. Now, if you don’t leave now, I will call security.”
Luke rolled his eyes. “There’s the prince I’ve known and loved. I’m going. But, don’t forget, I know your up to something.” Luke exited, leaving those last words to hang and haunt Stefan.
But, they didn’t bother Stefan in the least.
It was an interesting feeling, to be so certain of himself, he no longer had to engage himself in those never-ending petty battles with Luke Spencer. Stefan could tell Luke exactly what he thought, without worrying how it would endanger his relationship with Laura. He could unhinge Luke, without lifting a finger. He could even allow Luke some reprieve, if he saw the meaning behind the actions, because he knew where he was.
Stefan could, conceivably, come out victorious. And, if he did, it would be a good triumph.
Redemption
Chapter 37
Luke Spencer growled like an annoyed lion, locked in a cage. He moved across the tiled hospital floor, scarcely noticing a thing around. him.
What was Count Vlad trying to pull? Luke knew that Stefan knew that Luke had pulled that gun on him. He had attempted murder. And, if things were different and Luke was certain he wouldn’t hurt Laura with the deed, he would’ve tried it a second time. As things stood, Stefan and him weren’t anything even approaching allies. Luke knew that if Stefan wasn’t pressing charges against his assailant, he was plotting behind his back.
It annoyed him that he had to leave the Count alone, and wasn’t allowed to finish him off. To take something away from the enemy who had taken so much from Luke - namely, his wife. And, Luke was certain Stefan was plotting to take his life, too.
Of course, this was all ideas engineered in Luke’s, and only Luke’s, small little mind. It mattered not. He knew something was going to happen, and it bugged him to no end that he would not be the one to strike Stefan.
Luke was so involved in his thoughts, in fact, he did not see himself walking straight into the legs of a woman until it was almost too late. Luckily, Luke stopped himself before running straight into her.
“Why, Mr. Spencer.” came the voice, purring. “I had no idea you had any business with GH.”
Luke gritted his teeth when the voice scratched his ear drum, like claws on a chalkboard. Slowly, he let his eyes lift, following the lady’s legs from her dark nylons, to the thick gray skirt and the immaculate fall coat. He knew all along who it was, but he didn’t wish to say it out loud.
Then, suddenly, he was looking at the cold gray eyes.
“Why, if it isn’t my favorite Black Widow. What are you doing in our humble hospital? Come to take some more money, or perhaps threaten someone?”
Helena didn’t even bat an eyelash. “Luke, I’m surprised at you. You know, as well as I, that my son is in critical care. I came to visit the dear boy. Now, what about you?”
“None of your damn business.”
“Temper, temper, Mr. Spencer. Certainly, you know better than to tempt me. I mean, look what you did to poor Stefan. You can’t expect to get away with that.”
“Well, we don’t you go see your charming son, and find out what he plans on doing? I’m sure he’s dying to see you. I have places to be.” he started to walk away.
But, when in a conversation with Helena Cassadine, one must always remember that she must always have the last word. “I would suggest checking up with your children. Especially little Leslie Lu. Accidents can befall people, often, as the seasons change.”
Luke’d had his back to her, now he spun on his heel, his face set in angry determination. The only soul he hated more than Stefan Cassadine was Helena. “You had better stay away from my kids!”
She held her hands up. “I don’t control the world, Mr. Spencer.”
“I’m sure you wish you did.” Luke muttered. He paused. “I’m going to go home, now, and if I see a new hair touched on either of my kids’ foreheads, expect silver cuffs as a new piece of jewelry. Before I sent you to the bottom of the lake.” he turned, again, and determinedly disappeared into the elevator.
Helena stood a moment, alone, bathing in her own glory. An odd smile was playing on her thin lips, her eyes turned to where Luke had vanished. “I may not control the world, Luke, but that is only for this precise moment in time. Remember that, I hope.”
And, with that, she began to search for Stefan’s room.
Redemption
Chapter 38
Stefan was again reading, and allowing himself a well-deserved revel in his recent, though small, victory over the notorious Luke Spencer.
Suddenly, as though he heard something, his head jumped up, and his eyes paused to give the door to his hospital room a curious glance. There was nobody there.
He tried to move back towards the very engaging works of Dr. Seuss, but to no avail. He knew somebody was coming. As a matter of fact, Stefan was fairly certain he even knew who was coming. And, he wanted to be ready for her when she entered.
With the feelings of someone who knows someone else’s routine by heart, he began to count down from five on his fingers. At one, the door creaked open, and in stepped Helena.
“I’ve been expecting you, Mother.” Stefan acknowledged, as she walked in. “I don’t know why, however.”
Helena’s gray eyes glittered like ice, her lips set into something like a smile. But, it was without warmth - a cold winter sun. “Why, my darling, you cannot possibly believe I’m here for any other reason than the welfare of my son.” her voice conjured the image of a flooding riverbed, where water skimmed over jagged, fatal rocks.
“And?”
“You act as though I have hidden motives.” she spoke without innocence. “I can assure you I have nothing of the sort. I just wish to make sure that those I care about are provided for.”
It was becoming clearer why she was there. “Nikolas.”
“I always worry for my grandson. Mr. Spencer is so unpredictable; next he might attack my precious Nikolas.”
“You met with Spencer.”
“Nikolas will be hurt.” Helena told Stefan. Stefan doubted she really wanted to reason with him, but state and federal law made it virtually impossible for Helena to attack him while he was still in ICU.
“Actually, I believe Nikolas would be more hurt if I didn’t do the right thing. Besides, Luke isn’t the real problem any of us are having. It’s what happened to Lucky.”
“I worry for him too, my dear.” Helena returned. “Mr. Spencer brings trouble to those around him. It would’ve been best for you to press charges.”
“So, you can watch another soul pay for the crimes you committed? Nothing would’ve happened to Lucky Spencer if you hadn’t engineered it. And, none of us would be where we are now.” Stefan paused, and offered and icy stare on his mother. “I know what you did to him, Mother. Not completely, of course, but I’m starting to piece it together. And, once I have it, you will be the one who pays for all of our misfortunes. Not Laura. Not I. Not even Luke Spencer, himself.”
He halted a moment, for emphasis, making certain the words rung through Helena’s head. His eyes, which had contained a golden light that was almost holy in it’s purity whenever he saw his Lasha, were dark and void of sentimentality. Helena was nothing to him; she never would be anything more to him than a threat he wished to dispose. She needed to know that he was no longer a child dying for a mother’s love. Once he had her cornered, he would shut the gate over her.
Helena seemed almost surprised. “It would be best, I believe, to keep in mind who your mother is before you set about threatening me.”
“Leave, Mother, before I call security.” Stefan answered, coldly.
“You would find it best to recall what I am telling you, Stefan, and retain it. For all
concerned.”
Stefan picked up the book. “Goodbye, Mother.”
He opened the book, and once more appeared as if reading. And, waited patiently.
The sound of a door closing was music to his ears.
Redemption
Chapter 39
Helena Cassadine was moving down the hospital corridor, quickly, her jaw set. She was not amused by her weak son’s brief show of strength. She knew it would not last for long. After all, Stefan and his weak, precious Lasha, would never erase what she had done - Helena was fairly certain of this. And, once she released the power that Lucky had just hidden inside of him, Stefan would regret the moment he’d ever said one cross thing to his mother
But, in the meanwhile, she was still annoyed that a man who shouldn’t even be able to walk the street, had as much power as he did.
Helena was so intent in her thoughts, she almost pushed into someone as she walked past. But, she caught herself just in time, and ended up stopping just moments before plowing into her grandson’s solid chest.
The thin line set between Helena’s lips was immediately stretched into a smile. “Nikolas, my darling, how lovely to see you.”
If she heard Nikolas’s hardly hidden sigh, she made no note of it. “Grandmother,” Nikolas said, flatly, and turned to meet her eyes. His voice was cold. “Why are you here?”
“To see your father, of course.” she paused, the infliction in her voice not fooling Nikolas for one second. “I was so worried for you, my darling. I know you were robbed of so much in your young life. Your father died before you could recognize him, my beloved Stavros. Your mother abandoned you. Your brother disappeared in a fire. And, now, the one man who had raised you, despite his ineffectualness, was about to die.”
As usual, Nikolas was not thrown my his grandmother. He might forget every lesson that his father had instilled in him about compassion, at least when it came to displaying it to his father. But, he knew exactly what his grandmother was, and alwayswould be. “If you hurt my father in any way...”
“Are you threatening me, Nikolas?”
“I’m not scared of you, Grandmother.” Nikolas informed her, mildly. “As a matter of fact, I don’t care about you at all.”
Helena’s eyes narrowed - the gray of her eyes took on the look of a dirty glacier. “You ungrateful...”
Nikolas interrupted her. “Save it, please, Grandmother. I have missed a lot of time with my father as it is, almost always due to something you start. I was angry with him for not telling me he was my father, and then for not telling me he wasn’t. And, then, I pretty much stopped speaking to him altogether, when I discovered he hadn’t told me about Lucky. All of that could have been avoided if you had told the truth at any point in time. I won’t lose more time with him. So, go away.”
Helena was very serious, now, the smile melted. “You had best learn, Nikolas, that I am not a woman to be trifled with. You should learn to watch your tongue.”
“And, you should learn to quit hiding things from the rest of us. It won’t bide well for you, I can promise you that, Grandmother. When I turn 25, and take control of the Cassadine legacy, you’ll just see how much of my fortune you’ll keep. So, please, Grandmother, go away.”
With those words, Nikolas walked away from her, back straight. He did not look back to see where she went.
For the moment, he was stronger than her.
Redemption
Chapter 40
Stefan was almost finished with the Grinch, when he heard the door to his room creak open, and then pause, as if the visitor was uncertain about interrupting Stefan Cassadine’s leisure time.
Stefan smiled from behind his book-cover, a content, easy-going smile that was rarely seen by anyone. “Come in, Nikolas.” he spoke.
He then heard a laugh. Stefan placed the book, open, on his chest, and watched his son enter the room. Nikolas was in good form, his skin more colored and eyes lit. He smiled at his father as he approached, laughingly. “You’re actually reading Dr. Seuss?”
Stefan grinned. “You brought it over, didn’t you?”
“Yes, but I still never expected -”
Stefan shrugged, a movement that seemed to be becoming more natural to him by the moment. “Well, one cannot read Latin every moment of the day. Besides, I’m taking a fondness to this Grinch.”
“I had a feeling you would.” Nikolas replied, smiling.
Stefan paused, and regarded his son, curiously. “I do not wish to sound uncertain of your visit. Far from it, actually. But, did you come here simply to know if I was actually reading Dr. Seuss?”
“No,”
“Were you planning on letting me know, then?” Stefan answered, mildly.
Nikolas paused. He wasn’t sure how to answer. He didn’t wish to cross any tentative ground. And, yet, he needed to know - with this, he had no choice.
“Do you recall what I told you while you were unconscious?”
Stefan nodded. “I believe so. Why?”
“I want you to know that whatever you tell me, it won’t touch us in any way. I won’t turn my back on you again, Father. I promise.”
Stefan nodded. “I’m certain you’ll try. What do you need to ask me?”
“Why didn’t you tell me about Lucky?”
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Stefan sighed, inwardly. He knew that Nikolas had been questioning it since February. He had understood, all along, that the subject had never been lost. But, he still worried that his son would not understand. Still, Nikolas had asked, and Stefan would not deny his son the answer.
“Nikolas,” he started, looking straight at his son.
Nikolas briefly interrupted. “Father, I haven’t forgotten that you were shot just a few days ago. If you can’t answer me right now-”
“I’ll have to answer you eventually.” Stefan returned. “I have no need to prologue the drama.”
“Then, you’ll tell me.”
“If you promise to listen.”
Nikolas nodded.
Stefan began. His eyes darkened as he drew the memories to him, treading land that he did not wish to cross. “To be honest, I wanted to be certain he was safe, before I told either you or Laura. It was February; Helena’d had Lucky for almost a full year. I didn’t know what she had done to him, or what she would have done if I had provoked her. I didn’t want to hurt anyone again. And, I suppose, to be fair, maybe I wanted to be Laura’s hero, instead of Luke. I’m not certain about that.”
“You didn’t tell me because you didn’t want to worry anyone.” Nikolas paused, his eyes serious and focused on his father’s figure. “But, didn’t you get him out? You had him. Why didn’t you tell us then?”
“I had a doctor examine him. I wanted to be certain.” Stefan paused. “Nikolas, I wasn’t doing it for any other reason, in my mind, but to help my family. Laura was still fragile over the loss of Lucky the April before. I could still catch her in tears, every once in awhile. Part of me was desperate to tell her the moment I knew Lucky was there, at that estate. And, to tell you - I knew, even if you didn’t see it, how much losing your brother had affected you. But, my reason won out, and my lips were sealed.”
He paused, reliving moments. “Then, one of the guards came to tell me that Lucky was gone. I had them search everywhere; we soon found Helena had taken him once more. At that moment, I tried to throw caution to the wind. I ran to tell your mother all that I knew. It was my intention to find you after her. But, Luke Spencer beat me to it, and neither one of you would hear a word I said.”
A slow spread of guilt hit Nikolas, softly. He remembered this, too; seeing Stefan try to tell him his truth at the L&B studios. It was the last week of February, or the first of March; the calendar was vague. But, Nikolas could clearly recall Stefan trying to explain something. But, his son already had his mind made up, and as long as Stefan could not tell him where Lucky was at that precise moment, he wouldn’t listen.
Nikolas answered, slowly, his eyes now on the floor. “I remember this. After you saw me at L&B, you said you were going to follow Mother and Luke.”
“I did. But, there were dead ends that way, too. I would rather not go into the details. But, I came back, and tried a few other things until Lucky was released.”
Nikolas looked up. “Released?”
“I still know your grandmother had nothing to do with rescuing Lucky. I knew it then, but I could obtain any credibility.”
Nikolas knew this, too. “Father, I’m sorry.” he said, suddenly.
“For what?” Stefan answered, surprised.
“For everything I did to you.”
Stefan shook his head. “I never blamed you for how you felt, Nikolas. Besides, you already apologized. I know how you feel. You don’t need to say anything more.”
“Are you sure?”
“Actually, I'd be rather relieved if, for the moment, we ignored the subject completely.” Stefan answered, and attempted a smile. “Now, if you don’t mind, I’d like to finish the Grinch.”
Nikolas smiled, at first uncertainly. If Stefan didn’t wish to press the subject, Nikolas wouldn’t try. “It’s not even Christmas.”
“Yes, but at the rate I’m going, I won’t be done in time for New Year’s.” Stefan answered, dryly. “Besides, shouldn’t you be visiting your girlfriend?”
Nikolas’s eyes sparkled. “I don’t know what you’re referring to.”
“Goes by the name Gia. Ringing any bells?”
“You’ve been spying on me?”
“No.” Stefan answered, simply. “I’ve only past the two of you walking.”
Nikolas smiled. “Well, I promised I’d meet Liz for awhile. I should go.”
“Have fun.”
Nikolas paused, before exiting. “Don’t get threatened again, Father.”
Stefan laughed. “I’ll try my hardest.”
And, he watched as his son exited the room.
Index