Chapters 44 & 45
Chapter 44 Reminders
Nikolas enters his limo, smiling smugly to himself. He gives the driver
orders and picks up his car phone. He waits patiently for the other
voice to answer. "Can we meet?"
Stefan moves away from his latest portrait, clearly amused. "Where would
you like this meeting to take place?"
Nikolas laughs heartily. "You are mocking me."
Stefan smiles slyly, but keeps his voice serious. "I would never mock
you. Would you like me to meet you somewhere?"
Nikolas looks at his watch. "It is almost noon. How about meeting me at
that hamburger joint, the Outback, or would you prefer one of those
amusing shopping mall food courts?"
Stefan, no longer able to maintain his composure, bursts out laughing.
"Who is mocking who now, brephos? I will meet you at the Outback
shortly. Your meeting with Katherine went well judging from your jovial
mood."
Nikolas smiles. "We will talk over lunch."
Stefan sighs impatiently. "I despise when you do that. You know it
drives me insane."
Nikolas teases. "Not so fun when you aren't the one with the secret. I
promise to reveal everything at lunch. Till then." He hangs up the
phone.
Stefan glances at the portrait of Nikolas and Staci. Shaking his paint
brush at the picture, "You paid a little too much attention, Nikolas!"
He turns at the sound of giggling. Staci shakes her head. "Will the
painting answer, Grandfather?"
He picks her up and gives her a hug. "You need to start making noise
when you walk. You surprised me."
Staci cocks her head slightly. "Daddy says I get that from you. He hates
it when I sneak up on him too."
Stefan smiles at her. "Well, if you get it from me then it is excusable.
What have you been up to today?"
Staci settles into Stefan's lap after he takes a seat on the couch.
Running her fingers over his goatee, she wrinkles her nose. "Doesn't
this scratch Grandma's face when you kiss her?"
Stefan kisses her forehead. "You would have to ask her."
Staci smiles happily. "Timmy is pregnant! Lu said I could keep a kitten
if it's okay with you and Daddy. May I keep one, Grandfather?"
He shakes his head at the pleading brown eyes before him. "You know I
can't say no to you, princess. You will have to ask your father though,
but I will let you in on a secret."
Staci looks at him wide eyed. "What secret?"
Stefan feigns looking pensive. "Oh, I don't know. Perhaps I shouldn't
tell you."
Staci whines playfully. "Tell me! Don't tease!"
He laughs. "Okay, your father has a hard time saying no to you as well."
Staci rolls her eyes. "That's the secret? Mommy's been saying that for a
long time now. You used to have good secrets."
Stefan pouts. "I thought it was a good secret. I suppose I will have to
keep my secrets to myself in the future."
Staci squeezes his cheeks. "No, you won't! You're so silly,
Grandfather!"
Stefan smiles. "If you say so. Well, I know someone who should be
meeting with their tutor."
Staci groans as she climbs off his lap. "I want to go to real school
like Stone."
Stefan kisses her on top of her head. "Princess, you know that we would
prefer that Stone be tutored as well. You are already ahead of where
you would be if you attended public school. Now run along to your tutor,
I have to meet your father."
Staci scampers away and Stefan heads toward the door.
Scott enters his home and walks to the liquor cabinet. He pours himself
a brandy and moves to the living room. Picking up a photo album, he
flips through the pages till he finds the photo of him and Serena with
Lucy in the park. He touches the picture lightly as he whispers. "You're
wrong, Luce. We're the ones who are meant to be. I fought for you once
and won, and I won't stop this time. Marriage or no marriage, you,
Serena and I will be a family."
Serena enters the room. "Daddy?"
Scott continues to look at the album. "Yeah, baby."
Serena sits on the couch next to him. "Who were you talking to?"
He winks at her. "Myself. What are you up to?"
She shakes her head. "You're trying to change the subject. Were you
talking about Lucy? You still love her; don't you?"
Scott leans back into the couch. "Did I ever tell you that you're way
too smart for your own good?"
She nudges him slightly. "Yeah, all the time. So?"
He pulls her to him wrapping an arm around her shoulders. "Sooooo..Yes,
I care about Lucy."
Serena rests her head on his shoulder. "I didn't ask you if you cared
about her, Daddy. I asked if you love her. Are you going to break up her
and Doc again?"
He turns to her curiously. "Again?"
She rolls her eyes. "Daddy, I remember before. Lucy and Doc broke up and
she went to you. We were happy for a couple months then you got a phone
call and we were gone. Isn't she still mad about that?"
Scott sighs. "You have a long memory as well. Yes, Lucy is still mad.
Baby, Luce and I get mad at each other all the time. Then we make up.
It's our way of getting along. I want you to do me a favor, though."
She looks up at him. "What?"
He pats her back as he studies her face. So much like him yet she still
reminded him of Dominique."I want you to let me worry about Lucy, okay?
I can handle this."
Serena nods and is silent for a moment. "Daddy."
Scott looks at her. "Yeah, baby."
Serena smiles at him. "Don't hurt her this time."
Lucy sits in her car trying to compose herself. She silently thanks God
for Kevin having a session today. It gives her a plausible reason to
remain in the car. She leans back and pats her stomach. "Don't you
worry, baby, I won't repeat the same mistake I did last time." She
thinks back to the night Kevin left her.
Flashback 2000
Kevin stands before Lucy, a suitcase by his feet. The tears stream down
his cheeks as he watches her sob on the couch. "I do love you, Lucy.
Can't you see this is why I have to do this? I married you! The bed is
too crowded, honey. You still have feelings for Scott and I can't wait
here for you to decide what you want to do. It's best if I leave now."
Lucy looks up at him with tears falling down her cheeks. "I love you,
Doc! I Need you! Please, don't do this! Don't throw everything out the
window over a kiss. It won't happen again. I promise, Please oh God,
please don't do this."
Kevin fights to maintain his strength. "Lucy, it wasn't just a kiss. I
saw your eyes, you're still in love with him. I know you love me, but
you have to decide who you want to be with. The only way you can do that
is for me to leave-- give you the space you need to make up your mind. I
love you, Lucy. Enough to let you go if that's what you really want.
Take the time you need to make up your mind. I won't stop loving you."
He turns and walks out the door. Once outside he breaks into sobs as he
walks to his car.
Lucy screams out to him as she sobs. "DOC! DON"T LEAVE ME!" She rises
from the couch and rushes outside but sees only his tail lights. Running
inside Lucy grabs her purse and rushes to her car. She speeds out of the
driveway and begins to just drive, not sure of her destination she cries
softly. The images of her wedding and their years together consume her.
Lucy thinks of her relationship with Scott and the birth of Serena and
once again gives into the confusion that rocks her body with conflicting
emotions. She pulls into the cemetery and wordlessly walks to
Dominique's grave. If only Felicia were in town rather than in Mexico
with Mac. Falling to her knees in front of the grave, she sobs. "Oh,
Dom, what am I going to do? Why am I even here? You've been gone for so
long, but I still long for you. I'm so torn right now. I love them both.
I love them both so much that it's slowly consuming me."
Laura Spencer approaches and places a hand on her shoulder. "Lucy?"
Lucy jumps and then turns to face Laura. She wipes her eyes and laughs
bitterly. "Oh, I wasn't expecting to see anyone here, I wasn't even
expecting to be here. I don't know what I was expecting. I'm not even
making sense to myself so I know this is sounding like babble to you."
Laura shakes her head and leads her to a bench. "What's the matter,
Lucy? You seem so miserable."
Lucy holds her face in her hands as she rocks with the sobs that
overwhelm her. "Doc left me tonight. He says I'm in love with Scott. The
thing is he's right. I do love Scott, but I love Kevin too. I can't
explain it. It's just the way it is. I love them both. How do I decide
who to stay with? Who to go to and who to say goodbye to? Luke and Sonny
are gone, Dom is gone, Felicia's on a case and I'm lost. I'm sorry I am
unloading all this on you, but do you have any idea how draining it is
to have your heart belong to two men? To look at them both with the same
love.. the same desire? I thought Kevin and I were always going to be
together. We have a great marriage. Then here is Scott. Dashing,
charming aggravating Scott. With my Serena. My sweet beautiful Serena.
It's like I have these two separate loves, both I would do anything for.
They are separate though. I have to choose one or the other. How do I
make that decision? How do I do this? I can't do this!"
Laura wraps her arms around her and holds her."I understand what you're
going through, Lucy-- more than you probably know. It's how I feel about
Stefan and Luke. But I don't have an answer for you any more than I have
for myself. I wish I could help, but only you can make this decision."
Back in the car Lucy looks at her home and sighs. "I love you, Doc. The
decision was made years before, I just had to be reminded."
At the Outback Nikolas fills Stefan in on his conversation with
Katherine. "So, she agreed to move to Wyndemere and start the lessons."
Stefan shakes his head in amazement. "Katherine's a formidable woman.
You must have been very convincing."
Nikolas takes a sip of his tea and then looks at Stefan seriously. "I
learned from a master. I just needed to be reminded of what you taught
me. The situation is under control now. I do not see any problem during
the rest of the pregnancy. I will have her busy with the tutors while I
am dealing with business and close at hand when I am free. She will not
be able to make a move without my knowing about it first."
Stefan takes a long look at the Cassadine he raised and is taken back.
He had paid more attention than he ever realized. "You seem to have
thought of everything. Let us hope the pregnancy passes without
problems."
Nikolas smiles coldly. "It will be. Once the child is born I will have
the tests run. If it is mine I will win custody of him or her. If it's
not mine then Katherine will get her due. Dessert?"
Stefan declines and shakes his head at the casually cruel nature Nikolas
is handling this with. Gone was the boy he raised and in his place was a
man scorned.
GH2005.45 Knights in Tarnished Armor
Evan paces in front of Kevin as he continues with his rendition of the
night on the bridge. "So, I pulled Lucky over the ledge with Em's help.
He used some kind of reverse psychiatry on me to make me realize it
wasn't my fault that Michelle's dead. Strange guy."
Kevin looks at him amused. "Lucky strange? Why would you say that?"
Evan cocks an eyebrow at him. "It's hard to tell when you're joking or
actually asking me a question. Okay, how many guys would jump up on a
ledge with you 'til you decided to come down? He's different all right.
And he still has feelings for Emily."
Kevin makes some notes in his tablet. "Does that bother you? That he has
feelings for her?"
Evan shrugs his shoulders. "I don't know... No, I'm lying. Yes, it bugs
me he has feelings for her. It's obvious he wants her back, and honestly
I really need her."
Kevin continues to make notes. "Have you talked to Emily about Lucky?"
Evan shakes his head. "No, I mean-- what am I going to say? 'Hey, I know
you and Lucky have this history together and he's your best friend, but
it really ticks me off when he smiles or winks at you? She'll think I'm
a total loser. Lucky was in her life long before I was. Who am I to
make
comments on their relationship?"
Kevin looks up at him curiously. "So, you plan on staying silent and
brooding about it in private?"
Evan looks out the window. "Wouldn't you? I've already messed up our
relationship with my breakdown. Why should I risk it again by telling
her I don't approve of Lucky's feelings for her?"
Kevin smiles. "Because it'd be the honest thing to do?"
Evan turns to face him. "Honesty isn't always the best policy. If she
ever.."
Kevin:"If she ever... what?"
Evan shakes his head changing the subject. "It's not important. I'll
mention to her that I feel threatened by her relationship with Lucky. I
guess that's about it for today, right?"
Kevin shakes his head. "You are withholding, Evan. I can't help unless
you're completely honest with me as well as yourself. Now, is there
anything else you'd like to discuss?"
Evan turns to him angrily. "Quit pushing! I told you it was nothing!" He
turns to leave but stops. He looks back at Kevin apologetically. "I'm
sorry. I lose my temper sometimes. I'm not ready to talk about anything
else right now. As soon as I can I will, okay?'
Kevin agrees. "Okay, but Evan I'm only here to help. You can reach me at
any time."
Evan pats him on the shoulder. "Thanks, Doctor Collins."
Kevin smiles. "Kevin. I'll see you next week, okay?"
Evan nods. "Next week."
Carly enters Lucky's and walks over to the bar. "YO Bartender!..can ya
spare a drink for a thirsty lady?"
Lucky winks at her. "For you gorgeous, everything is on the house."
Carly laughs as she pretends to ponder. "Okay, I'll take a couple
bottles of your best chilled vodka and a ton of cheese fries."
Lucky places a bottle of vodka on the table along with a shot glass.
"Chaser?"
She shakes her head. "Nope, I'll take a soda when the fries get here
though. Want to throw in a burger as well?"
He calls back the order and then smiles. "So, what has you so hungry?"
She leans back and stretches. "All-nighter at the hospital..corndog
night.. any questions?"
He shudders. "Oh man, you poor demented, deprived angel of mercy you.
So, are you up for a
game of pool?"
She hops off the bar stool. "Lead the way, Cousin. You know how I relish
beating you."
Lucky hands her a pool cue. "I'm such a nice guy, I'll even let you
break."
Carly breaks and laughs. "Big mistake. So, how are things with you?"
Lucky takes his shot. "Same ole, same ole. How did your talk with Bobbie
go?"
She leans over the table and makes her shot. "You wouldn't by chance
have listened at the door; would you?"
He grabs his heart playfully. "I'm hit..Come on you know me well
enough..."
She finishes for him. "...To know you aren't above eavesdropping. I'll
give you the benefit of the doubt though. Mom and I made progress."
Lucky grins openly. "You realize what you just did?"
She shrugs her shoulders as she sinks the eight ball. "Humor me. What
did I do, beside win this game?"
Lucky rolls his eyes as he resets the table. "I let you win. You called
her mom. I'd say you made a lot of progress. I'm glad you two worked
things out."
She lifts a cigar out of his pocket. "Yeah me too, since I'm such a nice
girl I'll let you break.'
He laughs as he lights her cigar. "Bad move, Cousin. Now I wipe the
floor with you."
Carly watches as he sinks two balls. She takes her cue and sinks the
next three shots and winks at him. "I've got years on you, junior. You
may drive better than me, but I'll always play better pool."
Lucky cocks an eyebrow at her. "Heck Lulu could drive better than you."
He ducks as she swings the pool cue towards him. "Watch it, Cousin."
He laughs at her. "You should let me reteach you to drive. I'd show you
things that would amaze you."
Carly makes her next shot. "You want to amaze me? Win the next game."
He shakes his head. "You ARE brutal today. You really must be hungry."
Carly smiles. "Yeah that could be it. Or maybe I just like wiping the
floor with you."
Lucky grins at her. "I only lose to beautiful women."
She holds up her hand. "Stop, it's getting thick in here. Spencer charm
doesn't work on me, I'm immune. Remember? Cassadines and other Spencers
are unaffected by it."
He winks at her. "You find me adorable."
She smacks him playfully on the back. "Take your shot, and yeah you're
adorable. I won't ever admit telling you that though."
Maxie walks quickly toward Lucky's club. She checks her watch again and
sighs. "They're going to kill me. It's almost dark now."
She rounds a corner and doesn't notice a man in dark clothes begin to
follow her. Checking her watch again she tries to think of an excuse
both Mac and her mom would buy. Maxie screams as the man wheels her
around and pins her to a nearby wall. Holding a knife to her throat, he
whispers. "Hush now little girl. You don't want me to have to cut you;
do you?"
She shakes her head, fighting back fear. "Please, take my wallet...
anything-- just don't hurt me."
The man runs his hand over her leg. "Such a pretty little thing wearing
that cute little cheerleading skirt. You've got great legs, baby. I
wouldn't dream of hurting you; we're just going to have a little fun.
You do what I tell you to and don't scream-- everything will be okay."
A young man rushes the guy and tackles him to the ground. Maxie lets out
a scream and Lucky, Mac, Felicia and Carly come running out to them.
Jason, driving by, pulls his car over to her as he watches everyone rush
toward her. Jason reaches her first and pulls her to him. "It' okay,
Maxie."
He looks at the boy who has the man pinned. "What happened?"
The boy looks around sheepishly as the Scorpios, Lucky and Carly arrive.
"He held a knife on her and I just rushed him. No big deal."
Lucky helps pull the thug to his feet and punches him in the gut. "You
like to pick on teenage girls?"
Mac pulls Lucky away. "I can handle this." He pulls the guy up and
punches him in the face. "No one messes with my stepdaughter. You made
a big mistake."
Maxie pulls away from Jason and runs to her mother's arms. Jason looks
the boy over. "What's your name?"
The boy looks at him defensively. "Why? I didn't do anything but help
her. Why do you need my name? Look, I need to go."
Lucky stops him. "Look, we just want to thank you. No one's going to
hassle you."
He looks up at Jason with a look a wariness. "My name is Mark."
Jason nods. "Mark, you look hungry. Would you like a burger or
something?"
Mark nods. "Can I have it to go, please. My girlfriend is pregnant and
she could use the food."
Jason looks at Lucky who smiles. "A few burgers and some cheese fries
coming right up."
Jason studies the boy for a moment. "Do you need a job?"
He nods. "Yeah, I got laid off last month and it's been hard finding
one."
Mac interrupts. "I need a dishwasher at the Outback. Eight dollars an
hour if you're interested."
Mark nods eagerly. "Just tell me when you'd like me to start, sir."
Mac gives him the information and Lucky returns with the food. "Here you
go. Thanks for helping out Maxie. You're a real hero."
Mark shakes his head. "Not a hero, just passing by. I'll see you
tomorrow, sir."
NEXT