Chapter 65


On her yacht in the Port Charles Harbor, Helena lounges on her settee, sipping brandy from a snifter. Cupping the glass in the palm of her hand, she swirls the liquid to warm it with her own body heat.

"Madame?" Andreas inquires politely, hovering in the doorway.

"Yes, Darling?"

"I have brought Dr Evans, as you requested."

"Excellent! Show him in." Helena adjusts her lithe form to a more upright position. At the arrival of Dr Evans in the doorway, She gives him her most gracious and welcoming smile. "Dr Evans, what a pleasure it is to meet you. Come." Helena pats the place beside her on the settee. "Please sit down. May Andreas get you something to drink?"

Dr Evans eyes the couch warily but decides to sit down. "I'm not accustomed to being summoned to yachts by woman I don't know, on a moment's notices."

"Well, there is a first time for everything, isn't there?" Helena drawl in her cultured voice. "I assure you that agreeing to meet me will be worth your effort. The reason I summoned you was because we have some mutual interests."

"What common interest could we possibly have?" Dr Evans demands. "I don't even know who you are."

"How rude of Andreas. He didn't even inform you of my name. We can quickly remedy that." Helena puts a delicate hand on his arm. "Allow me to introduce myself. I am Helena Cassadine."

"Cassadine... did you say?" The recognition of the name reaches his eyes. "Could you, by chance, be related to Stefan Cassadine?"

"Yes, I am his mother," Helena admits. "Given that you recognize my name, I must assume you know why I summoned you."

"I would guess it has something to do with your son's liaison with Caroline Benson."

"Precisely." Helena puts down the crystal brandy snifter and turns more directly towards Dr Evans. "You see, I want your assistance in removing the most unsuitable Ms Benson from my son's life. Being a grown man, he won't listen to my counsel any longer. I have exhausted all other options."

Dr Evans eyes light up with interest." You have my attention. But I must ask, if I decide to help you, exactly what would be in it for me?"

"I'm sure we can come up with something satisfactory," Helena assures, her mind already on the problem. "I know of your rather 'personal' interest in Ms Benson's case. I imagine we can devise a plan together that would achieve both of our goals, hmm?"

Dr Evans's smile is feral. "I believe I would like that drink you were offering earlier, Mrs Cassadine."


.................................


Leticia comes down the stairs with Michael in her arms. "Carly?"

Carly looks up from the magazine she's reading. "Yes, Leticia?"

"While you were outside with Michael, Mr Cassadine's secretary called. Mr Cassadine wants you to meet him at the hospital. She said it was important."

Carly's brow furrows. "Well that's odd. Stefan usually calls me directly. "You're sure it was his secretary?"

Leticia nods. "That's who she said she was. She said Mr Cassadine was busy in meetings or he would have called himself."

"Okay." Carly drops the magazine on the coffee table and heads for the closet. "I should be back before bedtime. Michael..." She reaches over and gives him a kiss on his forehead. "You be good for Leticia, I'll be home in time to read you your favorite story."

.................................


Stefan sifts through the pile of paperwork on his desk, signing his name in the appropriate places. Once he's done with the pile, he stacks it neatly and puts it aside. A light tap at the door has him looking up. His door creaks open and Katherine Bell peeks her head in. "Hello, Stefan. I'm glad to catch you alone."

Stefan pulls off his spectacles and leans back in his chair. "What can I do for you, Katherine? I don't believe we have an appointment."

Emboldened, Katherine slips into his office and closes the door. "I'm sorry for dropping in unannounced but I was afraid Carly might try to interfere with me seeing you if she had a chance."

"No woman, or man for that matter, dictates who I see or don't see." Stefan rises and strolls around the desk. "Let's put aside the game, Katherine. What is it that you need?"

Katherine walks right up to him and boldly puts her hands on his chest. "This". Before he can react and push her away, she pulls him into a lip lock, temporarily stunning him into inactivity.

At that exact moment, Carly opens the door. "Stefan, what's with-- OH."

Grabbing Katherine firmly by the shoulders, Stefan sets Katherine away forcefully. Glancing at Carly's shell-shocked expression, he decides getting Katherine out of his office as quickly as possible is his first priority. He glowers at Katherine threateningly. "I have no idea what your scheme is, but you are not welcome here, Katherine. I insist you leave."

Katherine pretends to smother a smug smile. "Oh Stefan, you mean you haven't told her about us yet?"

Carly snaps into action and takes Katherine by the hair, causing Katherine to yelp. In a whirl of motion, Carly drags her towards the door. "Get out, Get out. Get out and STAY OUT! Get your own man and keep your filthy claws the hell out of mine, you witch!"

Carly alternately shoves and kicks Katherine through the door and slams it. "I can't believe the nerve of that woman! Where does she get off?!"

"I have no idea." Stefan gently places his hands on Carly's tense shoulders and begins to massage them. "She arrived just a few moments ago and launched herself at me. I am afraid she caught me off guard. I was fortunate that you came to my rescue."

Carly turns in his arm, grabs him by the lapels and pulls his mouth down for a searing kiss. Stefan responds immediately by wrapping his arms around her waist and dragging her flush against him. Carly releases him after a moment. "Why did you have your secretary call my house to ask me to meet you here?"

Stefan gives her a puzzled look."I never ordered my secretary to call you."

"Set up." Carly cups his bearded chin with her hands and kisses him again. "It was a set up. Katherine wanted me to catch her kissing you."

"Katherine has no illusions about my lack of feelings for her. She must have had someone prompting her..." It doesn't take long for Stefan to make the connection. "Helena."

"As if we wouldn't smell an obvious set up a mile away," Carly snorts in disgust. "If this is Helena's idea of a master plan, I'm quaking in my boots."

"This is just her first volley," Stefan warns. "Most likely it was a warning shot before the real battle begins."

"She can't touch us, Stefan," Carly assures. "She can't."

.................................

A phone call breaks the silence at Wyndemere in the dead of the night. Stefan rouses out of a restless sleep. "Hello?"

"Protect your young lover. She faces danger she cannot defend herself from," Warns a disembodied voice.

Stefan is immediately upright and fully alert. "Who this? What danger?"

"Don't allow her to become another casualty in a war that is not her own." Before Stefan can demand more information, the phone call clicks off.

Stefan punches *69 on the phone to attempt a trace, but only receives a recording telling him the phone number is not available. Running a unsteady hand over his head, He tries to shake the ominous warning with no luck. Giving up, Stefan rises from his bed and dons his slate gray robe. He won't be getting any more sleep tonight.

........................

In the comfort of her luxurious bed on the yacht, a slumberous Helena stirs. Reaching a slender hand out for her young lover, she encounters only empty space beside her. Raising her head, she calls out groggily. "Andreas?"

The bedroom door opens to admit Andreas. "I am here," He whispers. He slides off his silk robe and slips into bed next to her.

"Is there a problem?"

"I thought I heard a noise outside, but it turned out to be nothing," Andreas explains. "Go back to sleep, Madame."

Helena sighs drowsily. "I'm so fortunate to have such a loyal and protective servant as you," Snuggling closer to him, she drifts off to sleep again.

.....................

A shiver of alarm races through Carly's blood when the phone next to her bed rings. Opening her bleary eyes, she registers that it's 3 o'clock in the morning. She fumbles for the phone. "Hello?"

"Caroline." Stefan's voice is relieved.

Carly props herself up on her elbow. "Stefan? What's wrong? Why are you calling me at this hour?"

"Is everything quiet there? No problems?" Stefan asks.

"Yeah, everything's fine.": Carly forces herself into a sitting position and brushes her tangled hair out of her face. "What's going on?"

"It appears to be nothing more than a prank call." Stefan's voice is warm and intimate. "Go back to sleep, Caroline. I will look forward to seeing you tomorrow afternoon. Good night."

"Good night. I love you." Carly gently places the receiver back in the cradle. Sitting there a moment, she groans and swings herself out of bed. "Might as well make the rounds. You never know."

..................

"What you mean, it slipped through our fingers!?!" Helena hisses into the phone. Sitting at her desk, she is rigid in her chair holding a gold pen poised between her fingers. "I paid you an obscene amount to make the purchase, and you fouled it up? It was a supposed to be a straightforward transaction. How is this possible?" Long pause as the caller on the other end attempts a frantic explanation. When Helena speaks again, her voice is cold and threatening. "You find out what went wrong and report back to me. I expect a full explanation within the hour and a plan to remedy the situation. Do not disappoint me.""

A shadow falls across her desk and she looks up to find Stefan smugly smiling down at her. How had he snuck past Andreas and into her room without her knowing? "I expect a call in an hour." She quickly ends the call.

Glancing up at him in disdain, Helena doesn't pause from her work to talk to him. "How did you get in here?"

"Hello, Mother. It is gratifying to see you looking so well. But you seemed distressed. What is it this time? Did your masseuse cancel? Or did a murder you planned go awry?"

Helena stacks the pile of papers neatly, then slides them into her top desk drawer. "I don't have time for your nonsense, Stefan. Say what you came to say and get out."

"Tsk Tsk, Mother, your manners are failing." Walking around her, his voice drips with insincerity. "I can only guess the bad news was serious. Did someone take away one of your playthings, Mother? Perhaps a company you had plans for?"

Helena's head whips up and she glowers at her youngest son with hatred. "You.. you had something to do with stealing GSI Technologies away from me. I should have known."

"And you sent Katherine Bell to me in a blatant attempt to cause trouble between Caroline and me." Stefan grabs the back of the chair Helena's sitting in and swiftly turns it to face him. Before she can rise and escape, he plants his hands on arm rests, trapping her in. "You had your opening shot, and now you've felt mine."

"What is the meaning of this, Stefan? Are you foolish enough to threaten me?" Helena eyes glitter dangerously.

Stefan leans in close so his lips are right next to her ear. His voice is soft, but the threat is lethal. "I want to be sure I have your attention. Taking the company away from you was merely a warning. Do not touch Caroline or her child, or you will have my wrath to contend with."

"Your threats mean nothing to me," Helena answers boldly, though clearly trapped. "Get off of my yacht."

"Whatever you are planning, Mother, I will find out what it is and stop you." Stefan waits two beats before releasing the arm rests and rising to his full height. "I believe we understand each other. Have a good day, Mother."



Chapter 66

Strolling around the salon of her yacht in a flowing ice blue caftan, Helena smiles into her champagne glass. "By now, my son should have his little present. Oh how I wish I could be there to see his face. The terror he must feel. I can only imagine he would look very much like the pathetic boy he was when he was growing up." She turns to Andreas. "I have Dr Evans to thank for the most brilliant idea."

"Dr Evans has become quite useful in your plans, Madame," Andreas answers noncommittally. "Certainly more so than Ms Bell."

Helena snorts before settling herself onto the settee and patting the cushion next to her to indicate she wishes him to sit. "Katherine Bell is a complete clod. Carly and Stefan saw right through her idiotic little scheme. She has the finesse of a bovine."

"I'm sure Stefan will be shaken after he opens it." Andreas stifles a shudder himself before sitting down next to Helena. The task of arranging delivery of the distasteful box had been his duty. One he couldn't do fast enough for his own comfort.

"I want him rattled, I want him dreading my next move. To feel the noose tightening around his neck." Helena's face gets taut with rage, her age showing in the lines on her face. "He will pay for what he's done to me and this family. He will pay until he is on his knees begging for mercy."

Andreas waits a beat before asking. "So what is your next move, Madame?"

"For now, we wait." She smiles ferally at Andreas as she runs a well manicured fingertip down his cheek. "And while we wait, we amuse ourselves."





Wyndemere Conservatory

Stefan paces the conservatory, filled with anticipation. Caroline would be here in a few hours and they would have a whole weekend together. Alone and undisturbed. Plenty of time to make memories. Memories to fill a life time.

After the late night phone call warning of the risk to Carly and the subsequent visit to his mother, he'd been forced to accept the grim truth. Carly was at risk from Helena because of her relationship with him and he could do little to protect her. To make it worse, her child was at risk. Even with the vast resources at his disposal, he could not protect them properly.

The reality was that Carly was a free spirit, used to coming and going as she pleased. She resented the restrictions placed on her by guards. Even if she didn't balk at them or fight their cloak of protection, they were woefully inadequate. Guards could be bought, fooled or killed. Short of locking Carly and her son in a fortress on a remote island, he knew of no way to be sure Helena couldn't get at them.

Worrying about them was eating away at his peace of mind, robbing him of sleep. It was becoming a nightly ritual in the last few weeks to waken in the middle of the night, filled with doom. Countless times he almost reached for the phone to call Carly to be sure she was safe, only to stop himself at the last minute. He couldn't continue to live this way.

He knew his mother as no one else in the world. He knew how her mind worked. She would not stop her pursuit of Carly so long as Carly was a way to bring him to his knees. He had to make Carly insignificant, remove her piece from the chess board. It was the only sure way to protect Carly because Helena did not waste energy and resources on maneuvers with very little gain, or with potential for backlash. She went for maximum pay off.

So he would throw her off the scent, perhaps take up with Katherine Bell again and continue the cat and mouse game with his mother until he learned of her deeper plans. Like he told Carly months ago, he'd wait patiently, gather information, and amass allies. Only when he could neutralize Helena completely, would he pounce.

He didn't become the man he was today by making decisions based on his emotional needs. He was accustomed to doing without. He'd done it before, he could do it again. But breaking off the relationship with Carly would not be a simple matter. It was sure to be ugly and painful, if he was to push her away successfully.

He had succeed. Just as when he'd wrestled power from Helena when Nikolas had been a boy, more was at stake than his own well being. There was a little boy and his mother he had to protect. The pain would be worth it.

Stefan drew in a slow breath to push aside the worries. What lay ahead this weekend was what mattered now. Everything must be perfect, from the dinner to be served tonight, to his clothing, to the bed chamber upstairs.

And to that end, he'd spent the morning harassing Mrs Lansbury and the other servants until they were all frazzled. Looking around, now he nodded in satisfaction. Everything was to his exacting standards.

At the sound of rustling behind him, Stefan turns.

Mrs Lansbury approaches with a white box in her hands. "A box arrived for you a short while ago, Mr Cassadine. The note must have been lost. What would you like me to do with it?"

Stefan regards the box with suspicion, but his curiosity gets the better of him. He reaches for it, and is surprised by how light it is. Almost as if it was empty. "I will open it. You may go."

Once Mrs Lansbury has left the room, Stefan opens the box carefully, knowing from the way his senses are jangling that what is inside might not be pleasant. Just as the lid swings open, a slip of paper falls to the ground at his feet. One glance inside and Stefan's face turns white and he snaps the box firmly shut, and drops the box on the table as if it's on fire. He backs up several paces from the table.

With mental effort, he forces a breath into his lungs to steady himself

The tarantula could only be from one person.

His mother.

Out of the corner of his eye, he spies the note that fell by his shoe. Bending down, he picks it up with trembling hands...

My Darling Son,

After our last visit, I realized how remiss I have been in my duties as your mother. It is time I made amends. I remember as a child how much you adored pets. Please accept this as a token of my affection and devotion.

Mother


Stefan looks up from the slip of paper, lost in memories.

flashback

Helena opened the door to reveal steps down into a dark damp basement. "You will stay here until I am ready to come for you," She ordered a young struggling Stefan. He was no match for her adult strength as she lifted him easily and carried him down the steps and placed him at the bottom. When he tried to hold onto her hand she slid out of his grasp and glowered at him. "You will learn to control your outbursts, Stefan." The sound of her heels clicking on the wood steps receded as she left him. Shortly after it was followed by the slamming of the basement door, locking him in.

Knowing he had no escape until his mother retrieved him, young Stefan huddled in the corner and stifled a sob. The stone floor was damp and felt cold against his bare legs. Time stretched on and on in the basement rank with mildew. He imagined the sounds of the animals scurrying were monsters, big teeth, large curling claws, and yellow eyes glistening. They were hungry, he was sure. Trembling, he pressed himself deeper into the corner.

Much later there was a feeling of something crawling up his leg. He swiped at it, yelping at the sudden sting that burned and burned. His leg felt tight and hot, he broke out into a sweat, his stomach hurt. Frantic, he scrambled up the steps to pound on the door, crying, and gasping. Unable to breath. Panicked, dizzy.

The door opened, the light streamed in, blinding him. The servant exclaimed, arms swooped down, held him close. Warm, safe. More people, running yelling. He's carried to a bed, laid on the soft quilt. The woman ran a hand over his damp brow, frowned with concern at his gasping breaths. Her hands touched the leg that burned. He looked down at the huge red welt on his leg. She ordered the doctor sent for.

Hours later, he breathing was back to normal again. The doctor had come and treated him. Helena arrived at the door to greet the doctor. "So my son will recover fully, Dr Panas?" He answered in hushed tones but Stefan caught the phrase 'spider bite'. "How is it possible he got bitten?" His mother asked.

The servant who found him spoke up. "He was in the basement below the kitchen, Madame. He was lucky I found him since it is no longer in use. "

"He's always been a clumsy boy." Helena shook her head as she approached the sickbed. Making a symbolic effort to look concerned, she brushed his hair off his forehead. Stefan gazed up at her solemnly, his stomach tightened at the look of knowing amusement on his mother's face. "He has been warned to stay away from that door. But he doesn't listen. Maybe now he will heed my warnings."



"Stefan... Stefan?" Carly touches his arm to get his attention.

Stefan startles at her light touch. Carly takes in his ashen face. "Woah, what happened? You look white as a ghost."

"I... I just had a surprise. It's nothing... I'll recover in a moment." With force of will, Stefan brings his breathing and heart rate back to normal and clears his thoughts. A moment later, he smiles and pulls her in for a kiss. "I am glad you are here."

Carly studies his face carefully. "You don't want me to ask what's going on, do you?"

"Very astute... It is nothing that concerns you."

Carly sees the white box on the table and walks towards it. "Oh! Who sent you a present?"

"Don't! Don't.. touch it." Stefan pulls her back from it.

Carly sees that Stefan is distressed again. "Why not?"

"Just don't.... "

"You look afraid for me, is it the box?"

"Yes, if you must know... " Stefan sighs. Best to give her a little of story. "An enemy of mine sent it as a warning. It is nothing for you to see or be concerned about. I will have one of the staff remove it."

Carly bites her lip. "An enemy?"

"Yes, I made a new one recently when I took a company right from under his nose. But I have the situation well in hand." Stefan turns her away from the box. "No more depressing talk. Shall we go for a ride before dinner?"




Carly's joyous laughter can be heard over the pounding of hooves as she races Stefan. Carly can hardly believe she talked him into giving her the stallion to ride. Not daring to question his reckless mood or his change of heart, Carly saddled the stallion and leapt onto his back before Stefan could change his mind.

What ensued was a no-holds-barred race down the horse path to the south end of Spoon Island. Carly is slightly ahead of Stefan in the race, only because she got a small head start. In the thrill of the race, Carly can't think of a moment in the last 5 years where she has felt this free, this wildly happy.

Reaching the clearing, Carly pulls up on the reins of the stallion, bringing the race to it's inevitable end. The sweaty horses slow to a easy canter and then a walk. She turns her head to give Stefan a brilliant smile. "I won!! I beat you! I can't believe I beat you."

Stefan's eyes twinkle back at her. "You were magnificent. The horse is magnificent. Any residual doubts I may have had about your abilities as a horsewoman are gone. You are incomparable."

Carly blushes under his praise. "Keep that up, and you can probably get whatever you want."

"I can think of a number of things I want." As they pull to a halt, Stefan dismounts, then reaches for her waist. Carly puts her hands on his shoulders and lets her body slide down his.

Carly tips her head up to kiss him, only to be frustrated when their helmets bump. Stefan chuckles. Wrapping an affectionate arm around her waist, they walk to a picnic blanket already set out for them, with a basket next to it. Carly gives a low whistle. "My my, you thought of everything."

"I have thought of little else," Stefan admits. They remove their helmets and settle themselves on their knees on the blanket. Carly curls her legs underneath her as she watches Stefan unpack two wine glasses from the basket and a bottle of red wine. "Shall I pour?"

Carly's eyes shine with happiness. "I would love some."

Stefan pours the wine expertly and offers her a glass. He raises his glass for a toast. He hesitates for a beat, his expression turning wistful. "To a long pleasurable weekend, just the two of us." And to what our future could have been.

Carly clinks her glass to his. "I can drink to that."



Much later.

"You know, I think you're losing your touch," Carly says thoughtfully.

Stefan's face turns dark. "Losing my touch."

"It's the only possible explanation for why I won." Propped up on one elbow, Carly takes a leisurely sip of her wine. "You must be out of practice or something. You had a hard time keeping up." She turns a wicked smile towards Stefan.

Stefan puts his glass down at her implied challenge. "Caroline. I have no trouble keeping up."

Carly looks away again, continuing to bait him. "Or maybe it was the stallion. He sure had stamina, he knew how to keep up the pace."

"Come here, Caroline."

Carly ignores his command, biting her lip to keep from laughing. "Nothing quite compares to the feeling of having such a powerful animal beneath you, you know? Such stamina, it was incredible. Never had such a thrilling ride before in my life."

Stefan pounces, sending Caroline flat on her back in a gale of laughter. His arms on either side of her head, he looms over her, his teeth bared. "You are incorrigible."

Carly runs a hand down his chest until she reaches his belt. "You love me that way."

"I do. Enough talk." Stefan admits before capturing her mouth in a toe-curling kiss. "We'll see whose praises you are singing when I'm finished."

Carly presses against his chest, breathless, half laughing, half alarmed. "Stefan! You can't mean to do it here.. now?"

"Oh yes. Here. Now." Rolling back on his heels and onto his back, he pulls her up so that she is on top and he is bearing the brunt of the hard ground. "You issued the challenge, you must suffer the consequences." Threading his fingers in her golden tresses, he pulls her mouth down for another searing kiss.

Chapter 67

The conservatory is bathed in candlelight when Carly enters, shimmering in a black silk dress that flatters the curves of her body and brushes around her ankles. The dress is illuminated with bead encrusted silk chiffon trim along the plunging neckline.

From the side, Stefan silently studies her, pleased to see the glow of happiness on her face. Carly is so different from the defiant and desperate young woman she was months ago when she first arrived at Wyndemere.

Carly admires the dining room table through the doorway, glittering with Crystal goblets, Cassadine silver, and fine bone china. It's obvious that Stefan pulled out all the stops. "It's beautiful."

"You've seen much of it before," Stefan says from behind her.

"I know, but it still takes my breath away." Carly turns to give him a damp smile. "Thank you. For all the things you do to make me feel special."

Stefan pulls her into him and slides his arms around her waist so his hands rest in the small of her back. "It is what you deserve, Caroline." Their lips meet in a soft whisper of a kiss. "You look breathtaking."

"I should," Carly says with a twinkle in her eye. "You picked it out for me. Thank you."

Drawing away from her to look at her outfit more critically, Stefan holds her hands apart and frowns. "But your outfit is missing something."

Carly laughs. "Not possible!"

Stefan leads her to the love seat. "I have something for you." They sit down, turned towards each other, knees touching. Stefan pulls a flat square box in black velvet. "I have been waiting for such a moment to give this to you."

Carly takes the box with trembling hands and flips it open. Nestled in the box are dangle earrings with blue Ceylon sapphires in a elaborate art deco diamond and white gold setting. The smooth oval sapphires are such a deep blue they look like nothing Carly's ever seen. Speechless, she runs an adoring finger over one of the smooth sapphires.

"Do you like them? They were given to my Great Aunt Josephine by one of her more ardent admirers," Stefan explains. "Your dress was designed to complement them."

"They're... they're gorgeous!" Carly wraps her arms around Stefan tightly and blinks back tears. "I will treasure them always. I don't know how to thank you."

"Your happiness is enough," He murmurs into her hair, committing the moment to memory. "Shall I help you put them on?"

"I'd like that." Carly sits quietly as Stefan removes one earring from the box, brushes her hair back from her neck, then gently fastens the earring. His hand caresses her neck as he withdraws. The intimacy and vulnerability she feels causes Carly's breath to catch. "No one's ever put earrings on me before."

Stefan smiles as he reaches for the other earring and repeats the process, this time leaning in to kiss her throat. "As pleasurable for you as for me, I hope. They look a exactly how I imagined." For a moment Stefan dreams of doing this with her in the years to come, fantasizes the deep contentment which would come with such an intimate sharing of lives.

Carly leans back against the loveseat armrest, seduced by the erotic way Stefan is devouring her neck. "You keep kissing me like that and neither of us will be dressed for long." Carly sighs when Stefan's tongue laves the sensitive base of her neck. "Not.. not that I mind really..."

Stefan pulls back reluctantly, his fingers brushing her lips tenderly. "There will time enough later. Come, let us dine."

He leads her to the table, where he pulls out her chair for her. Carly sits, followed by Stefan. A moment later, Mrs Lansbury appears to pour the red wine into the crystal wine glasses. Stefan nods to dismiss her.

Carly raises the glass. "I'd like to make a toast."

Stefan smiles expectantly as he raises his glass. "Go ahead."

"To tonight and the many magical nights like this to come." Carly outstretches her arm towards Stefan's glass.

Stefan's smile is strained as their glasses clink. "To tonight."



The dinner passes in light conversation until the subject turns to Nikolas.

"So you haven't heard anything since his phone call?" Carly asks between bites of roast lamb. "Do you know if he and Emily married?"

"I have every reason to believe they have. Nikolas was very determined on the phone. My disapproval would not have altered his decision." Stefan tucks his white linen napkin under his empty plate. "To be honest I am not surprised by his silence. He was quite upset when I refused to give my blessing. And I'm sure he's occupied with his new bride."

Carly raises an eyebrow. "You're being very calm about this."

"I have learned over the years to allow Nikolas his privacy and silence when he is angry." Stefan pauses to sip some wine. "I hope to avoid a repeat of the last time I forced the issue, which led to his flight to Oxford. Nikolas prides himself on his independence, and is very capable of caring for himself." He gives a mild shrug. "If I haven't heard from him by Monday, I will have reason to be concerned."

Carly gives Stefan a considering look. "Are you saying that for my benefit or for yours?"

Impressed by her intuition, Stefan smiles ruefully. "Both. It will likely be my mantra until he returns home safe."



Carly watches Stefan from the darkened doorway to his bedroom as he lights the candles around the room. In the golden glow of the room, her gaze travels from his ruffled blonde head bowed slightly in the act of candle-lighting, to his leanly muscled shoulders that ripple under his white shirt, to the V his leanly muscled back makes as it narrows to his hips, to his adorable tush, encased in black dress slacks. No man could look more handsome to her. Breathing in deeply through her nose, she whispers a prayer of thanks that he's hers.

The last candle is lit on his dresser, giving the room a golden glow. With a deft flick of the wrist, Stefan douses the match, then turns to her, his eyes dark and intense as they regard her. Carly's stomach does a slow flip at the blatant promise in them. It doesn't seem to matter how many times they've made love, this look of his always makes her knees weak.

Stefan reaches his hand out to her. "Come."

Carly lifts her chin. Pursing her lips playfully, she takes a small step forward. "I don't know.. you look like you might eat me."

Stefan grins wolfishly. "Only if you're very good."

They come together without further words. Stefan runs his fingers lightly over the bare skin at her neck, over her shoulders and down her arms. Carly shivers at the caress, stepping closer so their lower bodies touch. Stefan's eyes roam the details of her face, memorizing everything. The glow of her skin in the candlelight, her lips parting in anticipation of his kiss, her eyes darkened with desire, the graceful slope of her nose, even the minute flaws which only make her more precious. Stefan lifts his hands to cup the back of her head, massaging her skull at the base, his practiced fingers buried in her hair. Then his fingers graze her earlobes.

Carly groans and closes her eyes. His slow methodical caresses are making her body tremble. She feels him gently pinch her earlobes between his thumbs and forefingers, stroking the back of her ears enticingly. She feels one sapphire earring being removed, to be replaced by his warm lips. God, it was too much, she could melt into a puddle on the floor.

Not pausing, Stefan places the earring on the top of his dresser while he nibbles her earlobe. Feeling Carly sway under his tender onslaught, he steadies her with his free hand.

The essence of Carly is a heady wine on which he could easily become drunk. His heart is full as he goes about memorizing everything about their night together, storing memories, filing away details... every touch, every sound. The details of her face, the velvety feel of her ear as he sucks it into his mouth.

It would never be enough.

It had to be enough.

The lump that has been forming in his throat all day is ever-present. Removing the other earring and placing it beside the other, Stefan turns his attention to her other ear, giving it the same attention, keeping the pace slow, wanting it to last forever.

"Oh Lord," Carly moans and pulls away, grasping one of his hand in hers. "I don't think I can stand up for much longer." She tugs him the few steps towards the bed. Hiking her dress to above her knees, she kneels on the bed and draws Stefan with her until they are both kneeling facing each other. Carly cups Stefan's bearded cheeks and draws him into a kiss.

To her surprise the kiss is a slow exploring one, as if they are learning each other's rhythms for the first time. The result is devastating to her senses. She feels like she's burning up, melting in the exquisite tenderness and reverence Stefan is treating her with.

All of his senses at peak, Stefan imprints every nuance and detail of Carly as he undresses her. The sound of her dress zipper unzipping in the back of her dress, the way the black silk dress slides off her shoulders to pool on the bed. The sound of her sigh when he parts her lips with his. It is all music he would remember in the coming nights without her.

His fingers retain the soft feel of her skin, the curve of her hips, the slender span of her stomach. His body quakes at the feel of her hands as they undress and caress him. The feel of her hair as it brushes against his skin. The softness of her lips as they travel over his skin. Unforgettable.

His eyes fight the urge to blur at the way her blond tousled hair frames her face to make her look wild and free. Nothing will make him forget the way her legs part for him, the way her legs wrap around his waist as they come together as one.

And Lord, her scent and the taste of her are indelible. He commits their lovemaking to memory so he will have it with him always. The sadness swamps him and it takes all his self control to keep silent, to stay in the moment. He swims in sadness, the possibilities of what he could have shared with her. What their future could have been, the months, years of peace and happiness he could have had with her.

Tonight would have to last a life time. For both of them. And as their lovemaking culminates, Carly and Stefan collapse together, arms and legs entwined, as if they are one. They way they should be.

Trailing a lazy hand over his chest damp with perspiration, Carly whispers the words that shatter Stefan's heart.

"I love you."



Later, as the candles burn low, Stefan lays with Carly curled against him, lulled into a light doze. He savors the pleasant silence after making love. He strokes his fingers through hair, seeming unable to keep his hands still, wanting to utilize every second he has to touch her. The moment is so perfect, He could lie here forever.

If he was another person, he wouldn't have to let her go. He would be able to keep her with him always, to make love to her every night, to hear her laughter and laugh with her, and to bicker over simple things like normal lovers do. He would share in the joy of raising her son, walk with her when the mood hit, and ride with her and watch her hair flow behind her. He would be able to grow old with her, confident in her love. If he were someone else, someplace else.

"Do you ever dream of running away?" Stefan asks softly, breaking the long silence. "Just packing a bag, getting on a plane. Going some place where no one knows you, and no one can find you?"

"I used to, all the time. Especially when things got real hairy. I'd dream of running off to some remote island somewhere, changing my name and starting a new life."

Stefan presses his lips into her hair. "What stopped you?"

"Money." Carly laughs. "Course, now that I actually have a little money, I don't want to run anymore. Isn't that ironic? But now that I have Michael fair and square, I don't dream of that anymore."

"Of course not." Stefan murmurs. It's not as if they could run from his mother. There is Nikolas to consider, and his mother would just hunt them down. It is just a pipe dream. His mind playing tricks, giving him false hope. Wanting to hold onto this perfect moment of happiness. "Michael needs the stability of the home you have created for him, he needs familiar places and people around him who love him."

"True. Michael is my future now. Port Charles is my future." She lifts her face up to his and plants a lingering kiss on his mouth. "You're here. My life is full, it's happy. I have all the things that are important to me. And to top it all off, my reputation is the best it's been since I arrived in this town. All thanks to you."

Stefan shakes his head, then lifts her hand and rubs her knuckles along his cheek. "No, I may have helped you, but you did the work. You have what you have because you fought for them. You struggled to change yourself into what you needed to be to be happy."

"You made me want to make you proud. Some days I think I might have given up if it hadn't been for you," Carly muses. "Some days I know it's true."

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