The Spirit Moves You

Chapter 31

(14 Apr 1997)

Lucy's office.

''Yes, I need you to send me those shipping lists as soon aspossible.'' Lucy replaces the phone in the cradle gently and sighs.''Kevin, what the hell did you get yourself into?''

''Good question Lucy. What DID Kevin get himself into?'' Macasks as he drops into a chair in front of her desk.

''Mac. What can I do for you?'' Lucy asks wearily.

''Tell me why you're requesting shipping records for all ofCassadine Inc.'s warehouses. And tell me what it is you think theyhave to do with Kevin's death.''

Lucy looks into Mac's worried eyes and decides to trust him.Partially. ''I think Kevin was murdered. I'm pretty sure it hassomething to do with whatever he found out at CassadineInc.''

Mac opens his mouth to speak, but Lucy cuts him off with thewave of her hand. ''I know, his death was ruled ''accidental''. ButMac there are things you don't know. First of all, the coroner founda small bruise on the back of his head. I didn't know that until Itracked down the coroner in Buenos Aries. He was paid a handsomeamount to not report that. Then there's a notebook Kevin had. Most ofit was just notes, and doodles he did about work. Variations of hisfather's theorem.''

''What about the notebook?'' Mac asks intently.

"It was stolen the day of his funeral. After everyone hadgone, I went upstairs to go to sleep and noticed the office door wasajar. I looked inside and nothing was wrong, except the notebook wasmissing.''

''How do you know Kevin didn't move it?''

''Because he never moved it, Mac. It was always on his deskthe lower right hand corner.''

''What exactly do you think Kevin found?''

Lucy hedges. ''I'm not sure yet. Give me time.''

''Lucy, I want you to promise me. If you find anything outabout Stefan Cassadine, you come to ME first. Don't confront him withit. If he's half as dangerous as you think, he could kill you.'' Macpicks up his cell phone. ''I'm going to get you and the boysfull-time bodyguards. They're old mercenary friends of mine.'' Heglares at her. ''If you try to lose them, these guys will hog-tie youto a chair.''

''Actually, a little protection for the boys is probably agood idea. But they will not be in my house. They can sweep it whenwe get home and check my car, but they will not be seen or heard.''Lucy glares back. ''Capice?''

''Yeah, yeah, yeah!'' Mac starts talking on thephone.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~**~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Sonny walks into Luke's to find Luke sprawled out on the couchin the back. ''What's going on, Partner?''

Luke looks up from his coffee and snarls. ''Nothing. Women areimpossible.''

''What brought on this news flash?'' Sonny asks pouringhimself a cup.

''Laura wants me back. And Lucy doesn't want me.''

Sonny looks *very* confused. ''I guess all I can say is good,. . .''

Realizing the last part of the sentence Sonny does a doubletake. ''HUH?''

''Long story. The short of it is that my head's gonnaexplode.''

''Why don't you tell me everything from the beginning.'' Sonnysuggests taking off his jacket, ''I've got time.''

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~**~

''The next shipment goes out in two days.'' Pause. ''Yes Iknow that it's too soon after the last one, but it's ready to gonow.'' Another pause. ''We can't sit on this one. Someone's gettingcloser all the time.'' A sigh. ''Yes I know I have to take care ofit. I will.'' The speaker looks down the hallway and talks fast.''Someone's coming! I've got to go!''

''Hello.''

''Did you sleep well Katherine?''

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Lucy sits working at Kevin's old computer when she feels awarm breeze move the curtains in her study. ''Come on, Doc. What isthis damn thing hiding?''

''Try again Lucy. The key is in there, I swear it.'' Kevinstands behind Lucy inhaling her perfume.

Lucy pounds the desk in frustration. ''Nothing. I have tryingpasswords all day and nothing. Jeez oh peets Kev, did you have tohide it so well?''

Kevin, amused by her show of temper, smiles and bats herponytail. ''Come on Lucy, think. What would I use as apassword?''

''Sigmund?'' Lucy asks herself. Then swears when it isrejected.

''Nope. Gotta think more about us.''

''Valentine's Day?'' Another curse.

''Kiss our boys with that mouth?'' Kevin askslaughingly.

''You did this just to tick me off!''

Kevin crouches beside her chair and looks at her profile.''Not really Lucy. I did it to protect you. Once you find out what'sin this file there's no going back. For anyone.'' He kisses her cheekas he rises. ''Be careful, Lucy. Perhaps you don't know as much asyou think.'' Then is another burst of warm air he is gone.

Chapter 32

Date: 15 Apr 1997 3:30:51 PST

Stefan paces uneasily outside on of his warehouses. ''What thehell are you doing in there?'' He pulls open a side door and entersquietly. He moves silently through the maze of boxes and equipment.Pausing at a large box, Stefan lifts a kilo of heroin from thepacking material. ''Damn.'' He thinks to himself. ''I was right.'' Ashe begins on his way again someone steps out of the shadows andshoots him point blank in the chest.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

The next morning at General Hospital. Nikolas sits alone inthe waiting room, his head buried in his hands, when he feels a firmhand on his shoulder. ''Lucky?''

Lucky gives his brother's shoulder an affectionate squeeze.''Yeah, I'm here man. You're going to be alright.''

''How did you know?'' Nikolas asks dazedly.

''I heard it on the street.'' Lucky responds. ''How ishe?''

''Not good. Monica Quartermaine has been in there for hourstrying to save him, but I don't know.'' Now Nikolas feels two armswrap around him from behind.

''Nikolas, honey.'' Laura's voice jolts him.

''What is she doing here?'' Nikolas demands of Lucky.

Lucky sighs. ''I thought you might need your mother right nowNik. I know you're scared and feeling alone, I thought Mom couldhelp.''

''Nikolas. I know you're angry with me right now, but I loveyou, my darling. Let me help you.'' Laura wipes the tears from hischeeks.

Nikolas pulls her into a tight embrace. ''I can't lose him. Ican't.'' Is all he says, but it is said with such utter desperationand despair Laura feels her heart break in two.

''NIKOLAS!''

He turns at the sound of his name. ''Alexis!''

''Nikolas! What happened?'' A frazzled looking Alexis hurriesover to Nikolas and hugs him tightly.

''Uncle was shot in one of his warehouses by a prowler.''Nikolas explains.

''Dear God! It's my fault, Nikolas. I was supposed to go seeabout a missing shipment, but instead told him I would do it when Igot back from New York City. Amy said he has been in surgery allnight.''

''A bullet lodged near his heart, and one in his head.''Nikolas explains numbly.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

In the operating room. ''His blood pressure's dropping fastdoctors.''

''I need some suction here.''

''Damn it! Where's that blood we ordered?''

''We need more light over here.''

Above all this noise and mayhem, Stefan watches himself. Whenhe feels a hand touch him he turns away from the ironic scene of hisown medical staff trying to save him.

''So what do you think Stefan?''

''What do you mean?''

''Are you ready to go? Or would you rather stay?'' A softvoice asks.

''I get a choice?''

A familiar chuckle floats around the sterile room. ''In thisinstance, yes. I believe you do. But once made it is done forever.''The voice warns.

''I think now would be a time for me to leave.'' Stefanreplies. ''I am weary and alone. These things are unlikely to changethemselves and I no longer am able to change them.''

''What of Nikolas?''

''He is no longer a boy. He has the strength and honor of aman. My job of raising him is done. He will grieve, but he will alsoaccomplish a great many things.'' Stefan's voice is firm andproud.

''Let's go then brother.'' Stavros suggests.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Higher still: Kevin is stunned by the idea. ''Go back? What?How? I don't understand.''

''Kevin, you were brought to us too early. We have alwaysknown this, but there was little we could do. You are not finishedwith your life.''

''As for the how, it will not be easy. Stefan is dying, youwill replace his soul with yours. You will be the same man, but in adifferent body.''

''Stefan is dying? How? What happens when I go back? Everyonewill assume I am Stefan. I can't fake it.''

''You won't have to. One of Stefan's injuries would excuseyour abnormal behavior. Trust me.''

''What about Lucy? How can I live so close to her, and haveher think he killed me?'' Kevin shakes his head. ''Or that I killedme? Whatever.''

''These are things you will have to deal with as they comealong.'' Good-bye Kevin, and whatever you do, don't waste thisprecious second chance.''

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~**~*~*~~*

''His pressure's going back up.''

''His pulse is stronger.''

''The bleeding's stopped.''

''I think, ladies and gentlemen, he's going to makeit.''

Chapter 33

Date: 15 Apr 1997 8:42:41 PST

Kevin awoke slowly, the fog clouding, his mind lifting inch byinch. He remembered very little. There were muffled voices floatingaround his hospital bed. It had been five days since Stefan had beenshot. ''Lucy?'' Kevin's voice is rough and barely audible.

''Stefan? Can you hear me?'' Tony Jones asks quickly.

''Tony? What the hell happened? Was it the fire?''

''I don't know about any fire, Stefan, but you were shot.Twice in the head and in the heart. It's almost nice having youback.'' Tony marks something on his chart. ''Nikolas and Alexis willbe happy to see you've woken up. I'll get them in a moment. first Iwant you to answer some questions for me. What's yourname?''

Kevin is silent for a moment, then remembers where he is.''Stefan Cassadine.''

''And what year is it?''

''1997.''

''No, it's 1999. Do you know where you are?''

''Port Charles General Hospital. You're Tony Jones.''

''Pretty good. With the wound you receive there's no tellingthe kind of damage that's been done. You may have lost some of yourshort term memory. But all in all you aren't in bad shape.''

The door opens and Katherine Bell-Cassadine comes in.''Stefan! You're awake! Thank God!'' She hugs him tightly. ''We'veall been soooo worried about you!'' She kisses him all over his face.''What happened to you? Who did this?''

''Now Katherine,'' Tony warns. ''Stefan needs his rest. I wanthim to get some more sleep then I suspect the police will be by toquestion him.'' Noticing Stefan's pained expression Tony adds, ''Butnot until he's ready.'' Tony escorts Katherine out the door.

''Stefan?'' Kevin asks himself. ''Is it possible?'' He easesslowly into a sitting position and looks into the full length mirrorin the back of the door and sees a stranger's face look back at him.''My God!?!'' He touches his goatee and mustache. His hair,everything so unfamiliar. ''I don't believe this!''

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

''He's going to be alright?'' Nikolas askswonderingly.

''Yes. He knows who he his and where he is. He's a littledisoriented about time and that kind of thing but he is doing well.I'd say he's out of the woods.'' Tony then warns. ''I wouldn't expecthim to go back to normal though. He may have gaps in memory and somenew unusual quirks.''

''But he'll live?''

''Yes, if he avoids being shot again, he'll probably live to aripe old age.''

''Thank you doctor Jones.'' Nikolas shakes Tony's hand andwalks down the corridor to where Alexis stands. ''He's alright.Stefan's going to be o.k.''

Alexis sighs. ''That's wonderful Nikolas. Thank Heaven. Sohe's awake? Did he say who shot him?''

''No, Dr. Jones says he might not rememberanything.''

''Well, all that matters is that he's going to be justfine.''

Chapter 34

Date: 16 Apr 1997 4:56:54 PST

''I honestly don't know who shot me, Detective.'' Kevin tellsTaggert. I don't even remember being IN the warehouse.''

Taggert writes everything down and puts on his jacket. ''Thankyou

for your cooperation Mr. Cassadine. I know it can't be easy.If you recall anything about who did this to you, I think you shouldcall me.'' He leaves his card on the bedside table.

Weeks after being admitted ''Stefan'' was ready to go home.There's a soft knock on the door and Kevin sighs wearily. ''ProbablyKatherine.'' He had been unable to get a moment's peace since wakingup.

''Stefan?''

''Lucy?''

''I heard you were going home today.''

Lucy walks into the room and it takes everything Kevin has notto pick her up and make love to her on the spot. ''Yes, that's right.Come in.''

She's wearing jeans, a pink T-shirt and tennis shoes. ''It'snice to see you're doing so well. I heard it was touch and go for awhile.''

''Yes. But Tony and Monica both assure me that I'll make afull recovery.''

''Your family must be thrilled.'' Lucy says.

''Yes, Nikolas and Alexis couldn't be happier.''

Lucy decides to leave that statement alone. ''Do the policeknow who did this to you and why?''

''No. And with the current track record of the PCPD, I'm notgoing to hold my breath.'' Kevin jokes.

Lucy can't help but smile. ''The boys made this for you.'' Shereaches into her bag and pulls out a drawing with wild colors and noreal subject. ''They are in their abstract phase.'' She explains witha laugh.

Kevin, realizing it's the first gift from his sons, holds itas if it were the Holy Grail. ''Thank you. This is the nicestget-well present I have ever received.'' He says with genuineemotion.

Surprised such a simple thing could make a man like Stefan sohappy, Lucy is thrown for a moment. ''You're welcome.'' She looks ather watch, uncomfortable with the feelings swirling around the room.''I should go now. Amy was filling out your paperwork to take youhome. She'll be here in a minute to take you home.''

''Take me home with you.'' Kevin screams in his head.''Realize I'm Kevin, kiss me and make everything all right again. Iwant to be with you, I love you and I want to hold our sons, and liveour lives together. You can learn to love me in this body. I know it!Damn it Lucy LOOK AT ME!!'' But aloud all he can say is, ''Thank youfor coming to see me.'' After Lucy leaves, Kevin slumps on the bed,drained and unhappy.

~*~~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

''It's not going to be easy for him.'' Stone says softly. ''Hewants to tell her.''

''But he can't.'' Mary Mae points out. ''If Stefan Cassadinestarts telling everyone he's really Kevin Collins, all hell willbreak loose.''

''I think all bets are off.'' Ryan muses. ''We have to startagain.''

''What do you mean?'' Dominique asks with interest.

''Well before it was Luke, right? And he was the only factor,but knowing my brother, I'd say he's not going to sit by and acceptLuke Spencer being with the woman he loves.''

''I thought he was doing an admirable job of it.'' Steveanswers.

''Oh, so did I.'' Ryan agrees. ''But accepting it from up hereis a heck of a lot easier when there's not a damn thing you can doabout it.'' Ryan explains. ''Now Kevin is back down there, and he CANdo something about it. Watch, I bet he woos her.''

''He's married down there.'' Mary Mae responds.

''Yes, but he's not going to stay with Katherine. He lovesLucy.'' Dom answers. ''Hmm, I see your point, Ryan. I've got fifty onKevin and Lucy.''

''Put me down for fifty on Luke and Lucy.''

''Twenty on Luke and Laura.''

''Forty on Katherine and Kevin.''

''Fifty on Laura and Katherine.'' They all turn to look atStefan.

He grins widely. ''Why not?'' And everyone laughs.

~*~~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

At Wyndemere Nikolas is showing Stefan to his room. ''Uncle,are you feeling alright?'' He asks worriedly.

''I'm fine Nikolas, tired but fine.'' Kevin takes off his coatand lays on his bed. ''Since I am confined to bed, perhaps you wouldsit with me for a while.'' Kevin suggests kindly, knowing the boy hadbeen so worried about his uncle.

''I will, as long as you need me.'' The two men let thecompanionable silence wash over them.

Katherine enters the room and breaks the silence. ''Stefan,darling! I am sooooo sorry, but I have to go out of town, DeceptionParis is having some serious problems and I need to bethere.''

''But Katherine, Uncle just returned home from the hospital.''Nikolas protests.

''Your uncle can take care of himself.'' She huffs, annoyed atbeing chastised by a child. ''Can't you, my love?''

''Very well Katherine. I can care for myself very well.''Kevin answers.

''Then I will leave you my number if you need me at all,darling.''

Silently Kevin thinks. ''I sincerely doubt it.'' But he isforced to say, ''If I need you I will know how to find you.'' AfterKatherine leaves Kevin begins to think. ''With Katherine out of myway, maybe I can start to figure our who killed me and who killedStefan as well.''

Chapter 35

(17 Apr 1997)

"Ok, who's up?" Lucy asks when she hears tiny little paddedfeet on the bare floor.

"Mama?" comes Jake's sleepy voice.

"Come here, baby." Lucy cuddles the little boy close. "Can'tyou sleep?" He shakes his head and snuggles closer "Whynot?"

"I Dunno. Wanna see the horsy."

"Not tonight. If you want to see them tomorrow we'll go." Lucysighs, not happy at the thought of going to Spoon Island, but unableto say no to her son who looked so much like Kevin.

~*~*~*~*~~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

The next morning on Spoon Island, Kevin is having breakfast inthe study when Mrs. Lansbury enters the room. "Yes?" Heasks.

"Security wanted me to inform you that a Ms. Coe and her sonsare here to see the horses."

Kevin's mind begins to race. "Lucy's here? My sons?" To Mrs.Lansbury he says, "Thank you."

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Out in the stables, Lucy is cutting up apples for the boys tofeed the horses with. "Here you go sweetie." She hands a piece toDaniel, and the little boy laughs as the horse takes it from him withhis soft lips.

"Having fun?" Kevin asks from the barn door.

Lucy looks up and smiles tentatively. "I didn't mean todisturb you, Stefan, but the boys wanted to see the ponies you gavethem."

"You are welcome here whenever you wish." Seeing a strand ofhair out of place, Kevin brushes it back, his hand connecting for asplit second with her cheek.

Startled at the electric current following his touch Lucytakes a step back. "So how are you?" she asks brightly to cover herunease.

"Very well, thank you," Kevin replies. "Were you going to takethem for a ride?" he asks.

"I considered it, but it's too difficult with only one adultand two children," Lucy points out.

"Perhaps, I could join you?" Kevin offers, and as soon as thewords are out of his mouth it begins to rain cats and dogs.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

"Stefan . . . "

"What?"

"Did you do that?"

"I'm sure I have no idea what you are talking about." Stefanreplies huffily, turning away. But not before Stone can see the hugegrin split his face.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Lucy, Danny, Jake and Kevin are inside the foyer laughing."Stefan, I've decided you and I can never be alone in the barn again.Every time we are we cause a flood."

"Let's get you all dry." Kevin suggests. Thinking to himself,"Well, paybacks are hell."

Chapter 36

(17 Apr 1997)

Luke's.

The place is full. Mike and Sonny are sitting at the barwatching the crowd roll in.

"Pardon me. Could you tell me where I can find Luke Spencer?"a soft voice asks from behind.

Sonny's gaze skims over the young woman in black jeans, awhite long sleeved shirt and simple jewelry. "What do you want withLuke?"

Her chin juts out belligerently. "None of your business. Whydon't you just tell me where he is and get out of my way?"

"Nice attitude, honey," Sonny drawls. "Right through thosedoors and first door on the right." He follows her with his eyes, andwatches her graceful, almost regal stride.

She pauses, then raps twice quickly on Luke's officedoor.

"Come in!" He growls.

"Luke Spencer?"

"Yeah. What can I do for you?" He looks her up and down takingin her black hair and striking blue eyes. She reminded him of anolder version of Lu.

"My name is Raven and I was hoping you could rescue mymother."

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

"Brandy?" Kevin asks Lucy, as she settles in behind the chessboard.

"No, thank you," Lucy replies. "I hope you don't mind, I'm outof practice with this game. I haven't played for two years and I'mrusty." She smiles in remembrance. "Kevin and I used to play. ThoughI think he used to let me win. He'd deny it of course but I stillhave my suspicions."

"I'm sure you can hold your own." Kevin thinks back to therainy days spent in front of the board in the lighthouse. Mostly heremembered the laughter, the fun competition of it. His eyes smolderat the memory of the night Lucy suggested 'strip' chess. For everypiece captured that player had to remove a piece of clothing. It hadbeen the fastest, most competitive game of chess everplayed.

Lucy flushes with the same hot memory. She looks down at theboard. "Your move," is all she says.

"I believe it is," Kevin responds softly. "I believe itis."

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Luke looks surprised. "I've been confused for a lot of things,but hardly

Ever, Sir Galahad."

"You have to help me," the young woman's voice rises.

"Why should I?" Luke asks becoming annoyed.

"Because you selfish lout, you're my father!!"

Chapter 37

(17 Apr 1997)

Luke falls back in his chair. "What? I'm your what?" heshouts.

"My father. Didn't you get it the first time?" Raven repliessmartly. "Mom told me you were smart, but I guess even mothers haveto be wrong sometimes."

"Listen, you little brat. I don't know what kind of scam thisis, but I ain't buyin' it!"

"Do you remember where you were 17 years ago?" she asks withexaggerated patience.

"Right here," Luke answers gritting his teeth.

"Very good. And do you remember a woman? One you might havebeen sleeping with?"

Realization dawns on Luke's face. "Holly." Then he shakes hishead vigorously. "But she miscarried. The baby was neverborn."

"Seeing how I'm standing here talking to you I would say yourinformation is out of date." Raven sits on the couch and crosses herlegs. "Now would you like to sit there with your mouth hanging open,looking stupid? Or would you like to hear the story?" She cocks herhead to one side and waits.

Luke pours himself a drink and leans back. "Spillit."

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

On Spoon Island. Kevin leads Lucy to a guest room. "Now thatthe power is out I'm afraid I can't arrange for you to go back to themainland tonight." Mentally he crosses his fingers, hoping shewouldn't ask about the C/B radio.

"I understand. I want to thank you for allowing the boys and Ito stay. I'm sorry for the inconvenience."

Kevin takes one of her hands and brings it to his lips. "Thepleasure is all mine." Every cell in his body wants to hold her, buthe knows it's too soon for that. "Goodnight, Lucy. Sleep well." Heturns into his own room.

For a moment Lucy stands in the hallway stunned by her racingpulse. She carefully opens the door and sets her candle on the largedresser. She sits on the bed and waits.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Ryan leans over the cloud to get a better look. "WOW! Nowwe're getting to the good stuff!" He grins to Dominique.

"Luke has another child?" She shakes her head. "Can't anyonedown there keep track of this kind of stuff?"

"Not with out a score card," Ryan replies.

"Kevin's not bad at being you."

Stefan laughs. "He's better at it than I ever was."

"Well, at least his taste has improved," Dom remarks. "ReallyStefan, Katherine, your soul mate?" She makes a horribleface.

"Seemed like a good idea at the time," he shrugs. "As youAmericans say: 'Win some, lose some.'"

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

After an hour, Lucy creeps silently down the back stairs andheads to

Stefan's study. She slips in quietly and tiptoes over to thedesk. She searches each drawer looking for something incriminating.For just a moment she feels a twinge of guilt at taking advantage ofher host, but she shakes it off and continues to search.

Chapter 38

(17 Apr 1997)

Luke sits and listens enrapt as Raven lays out her story."Part of what you know is true. Mom married Robert Scorpio to keepfrom getting deported. She knew her best chance of staying safe wasto stay here in the states. Then she heard a rumor about her motherbeing alive in a small middle Eastern country called Ja'Ba Dar. Shehad to go find out. She got there and after a great deal of diggingfound out that her mother was really dead, and it had just been aplot to lure her out of hiding. Uncle Basil tried to kill her. Shebarely escaped and returned home. Robert decided that the best way toprotect us both was for her to fake a miscarriage, which shedid."

Luke interrupts. "Why would Basil give a damn about killingyour mother or you?"

"Uncle Cedric made it so that any child of my mother's wouldinherit EVERYTHING. All the family estates, holdings, jewels,everything. Basil wanted it for himself. By killing my mother or meit would all go to him. Robert arranged for me to be sent away. Andmother to follow. That's when the plane crash supposedly happened. Wewent back to Ja'BA Dar and mother met and fell in love with, mystepfather. His name is Rashid. He agreed to claim me as his owndaughter thereby making me safe, but only if my mother promised neverto leave. In the past few years he has grown madder and madder, untilmy mother feared for my life. She had me smuggled out of the countryand Rashid doesn't know where I am. But he made the announcement thatmy mother would be executed for treason. The only way to save her isfor me to return and claim my place as Princess."

She sits back and takes a deep breath. "I know it's a trap,but I must do something. I know you don't know me and I am not askingfor anything for myself, but for my mother. You must have once lovedher, or at least cared for her. She spoke of you, told me stories ofhow brave and kind you were, how you risked your life forher."

Her blue eyes, so much like his, tugged at his heart. "What doyou want me to do?"

Raven's eyes shine with hope. "Help me find her, get her outof the country."

Luke sits back and lights a cigar. "Tell me more about thisplace." He says.

NEXT

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