Chapters 81 & 82
Chapter 81: Small Favors
"Do you want to tell me what your performance earlier was all about?" Lesley asks as she sips a margarita with Laura at Luke's club. Laura gives her a puzzled look. Lesley explains. "That performance at the Outback, when you pretended to be ill so you could go hide in the bathroom?"
"I wasn't pretending!"
Lesley rolls her eyes dramatically. "Please! Give your mother some credit! Nothing was wrong with you earlier. And you've been acting strangely since the wedding... first at the zoo yesterday and then at the Outback today when you were hiding from Stefan. I want to know what's going on."
Laura glances around guiltily. "Please, Mama. Not now.. not here."
"Then it is about Stefan. I thought so." Lesley gasps at Laura's stricken face, and the realization dawns. She leans forward and whispers. "Did he kiss you?" When Laura can't answer, Lesley figures out the rest. " Oh Lord.... you slept with him."
When Laura's eyes fill with tears, Lesley grabs her hand and pulls her out of the club. Once they're in Laura's car, Laura lets loose with gut wrenching sobs. Lesley holds her while she cries. "Oh, honey! It'll be okay. I know you feel wretched right now, but it won't last forever."
"Oh, Mama!" Laura exclaims when she can find her voice. "I've betrayed Luke in the worst way possible. I've slept with Stefan, a man he hated with everything that he was. How can I live with myself? I can't even look at myself in the mirror."
"Shsh, honey. It'll be okay." Lesley murmurs softly as Laura cries.
"I can't even visit Luke's grave! I've tried, Mama, but I can't face him, I can't face what I've done. I hate myself!"
"No, honey. Don't hate yourself, you're just human." Lesley gently protests. "You don't do yourself any good by beating up on yourself like this."
Laura forcefully pulls herself together. "The only thing I have to be grateful for is that Lucky hasn't found out. I don't think I could face him if he did. He'd never forgive me."
Lesley strokes Laura's hair soothingly. "Well, there's no reason for him to find out, is there?"
"If I keep acting like a basket case, he'll figure it out." Laura starts to cry again. "And Stefan, how can I face him now? I can just see the hope written all over his face."
"Is it wrong for him to be hopeful?" Lesley gently asks.
"Yes!" Laura answers emphatically. "I don't think I could ever be with anyone, least of all Stefan. Luke's too much a part of my soul. I can't be with Stefan. Not now, not ever. There's too much bad blood between our families. It's not fair to ask Lucky to swallow that. He's already dealt with so much in his short life."
"Then you have quite a mess on your hands."
Mike takes a deep breath before taking the plunge and entering Luke's Club. The place is hopping for a Monday night. Lucky is schmoozing some customers at the bar when he notices Mike come through the door. His cheerful demeanor turns stony. "Get out of here, Mike. I told you that you ain't welcome no more."
"In case you've forgotten, I own half this bar," Mike replies in a low tone. "I suggest we take this discussion to the back office so we don't scare away the customers."
Lucky stomps angrily to the back office, waiting to explode until the door's closed. "You have a lot of nerve showing up here, man, after what you did!"
"It's my right to be here as half owner," Mike says quietly. "You can't stop me from being here any more than I can stop you from hating me."
"I'll arrange to buy your half of the bar. I'll hock the old homestead if I have to. But I'll be damned if I'll let you tarnish my dad's memory!" Lucky walks behind the desk and slams an open drawer shut. "Name your price, man."
"My half is NOT for sale," Mike replies. "In fact you're stuck with me regardless. In case you've conveniently forgotten, you're underage. Unless you want the State Liquor board breathing down your neck, you need a legal aged co-owner. If you don't, the State Liquor Board will shut the club down faster than you can say 'I'm Lucky Spencer'."
Lucky is pulled up short. "Ain't it just like you to take advantage of a situation, Corbin?"
Mike rolls his eyes. "You think I want to babysit some snotnosed brat while the bar I own full interest in is floundering? Think again. I have half a mind to walk out of here right now and let them shut you down. That'd make your daddy proud, don't you think?"
Lucky lunges across the desk and grabs Mike by the shirt. "Don't you EVER talk about my dad again, you here me?!" Lucky's voice is deadly.
Mike puts his hands up in defeat. "Fine. I won't mention your father. But I suggest you get that attitude in check, Buster, or I'm out of here and you're out of a club."
Lucky lets Mike go and slumps into the chair behind the desk. "Fine, if I have to live with your presence in the club till I'm 21, so be it. Stay out of my way and I'll stay out of yours."
Mike nods. "Deal." He puts his hand on the door knob and turns back to address Lucky. "And If you still want my part of the bar when you turn 21, I'll sell it to you." He leaves without waiting for a reply.
"Thank God for small favors," Lucky mutters under his breath. The phone rings, startling Lucky out his moping. "Luke's Club," He answers tonelessly.
"Lucky! What's wrong?" Emily asks with worry in her voice. "Did something happen?"
Lucky's face brightens at the sound of her voice. "Hi gorgeous, you have perfect timing. I just had a pleasant conversation with Mike. It looks like I can't get rid of him as quickly as I hoped."
"Oh boy, what happened?"
"Seems the fact I'm underage is a problem," Lucky says. "I can't shake Mike off my back until I'm 21."
"I'm sorry, Lucky. I know you were counting on him leaving." Emily sighs. "I miss you, I wish I could see you."
"Me too, darlin', me too." says Lucky, before changing the subject. "Tell me you have some good news."
"Actually, I do!" She says with renewed excitement. "Carly offered to give me an advance on my paycheck so I can move into my room this week. Well actually, she's just going to deduct the rent from my first paycheck, but what's the difference?!"
Lucky smiles broadly. "That's great, Em! So when do you move in?"
"I sign the lease tomorrow and the room will be ready on Friday. Will you help me move?" She asks.
Lucky laughs. "You couldn't keep me from helping. In fact, tomorrow morning's free... you want to meet at Kelly's?"
"Sounds perfect." She smiles dreamily. "I don't work till eleven, so why don't we meet there an hour before?"
"Cool... " Lucky's voice trails off, getting softer. "I'm glad you called, Em."
"Me too," Emily answers softly. "See you tomorrow, Lucky."
Chapter 82 Clearing The Air
The next morning, Emily unlocks the door to her new room above Kelly's. Her eyes shine with excitement. "So what do you think?"
Lucky nods slowly in satisfaction as he strolls into the room. "Not bad for a first apartment. Not bad at all. But there's one important test the room has to pass..." He flops down on the bed.
"Oh like you're some sort of expert in this area!" Emily laughs happily.
Lucky gives her a leering look. "I am when it comes to beds.. come here."
Emily edges nearer, her eyes dancing with amusement. "Yeah right. Like you need me to test the bed."
He grabs her hand when she come close and pulls her on top of him. "Absolutely." His mischievous grin turns serious as he cups the back of her head with his hands and draws her down for a kiss.
Emily groans with satisfaction as her mouth opens to deepen the kiss. She rolls off him onto her side, pulling him with her. "God, I've missed you..."
Lucky chuckles in response and breaks the kiss. His hands roam under her short sleeved sweater, watching with pleasure as Emily responds to his touch. "I'd say the bed passes muster, don't you?"
They hear footsteps coming up the hall. A panicked Emily jumps up and straightens her sweater, horrified when she realizes the door has been open the whole time. "We could have been caught!" She hisses under her breath.
Lucky gives her a lazy smile as he lays on his back with his hands behind his head. "That's why they have locks, Em."
Emily throws her purse at Lucky in retaliation, causing him to put up his hands to fend off the attack. "You are SUCH a jerk sometimes, Spencer!" She says, fighting back laughter.
Lucky laughs so hard he falls off the bed.
At Alexis' penthouse, a pensive Cassidy stares at the phone. She had expected some sort of call by now.. either from Jerry or the WSB. But there had been no call. The waiting is getting to her. Whispering a silent prayer, she picks up the phone and dials a local number. "Yes, this is Cassidy Corbin. Can you ring Jerry Jacks' suite please? He checked out? When is he expected back?" Her faces falls. "You don't... is there a forwarding number? No, that's okay, I've got that number, thanks."
She paces back and forth as she considers her situation. Jerry couldn't have just disappeared, he must have spoken to the WSB... but why no call from them? If he told them everything as he threatened they would've hauled her up on charges or fired her by now. Only one way to find out.
She picks up the phone and dials a long distance number. "Hi, Mary, it's Cassidy." She smiles at the receptionist's cheerful reply. "Yes, it's just as hot in Port Charles as it is in New York City... listen, I need a favor. Do you have a number to reach Jerry Jacks? Oh.... I had no idea. Well, he told me was going on a new assignment, but he didn't have time to give me the details. Thanks a lot, Mary. Bye!"
While Cassidy had been on the phone, Alexis had quietly let herself into the penthouse. "Couldn't find Jerry?" She asks.
Cassidy slumps into the couch with a discouraged sigh. "He's gone."
"Gone, how?"
"He checked out of the penthouse suite yesterday morning. The only forwarding phone number he gave was his family home in Alaska. I just found out he's on assignment. So undercover, no one can reach him, not even the top brass." Cassidy bites her bottom lip to keep from crying. "He didn't turn me in."
Alexis sits down next to her and puts her hand on Cassidy's knee. "That's good, isn't it?"
"I don't know, I suppose it is. But he didn't tell me he was leaving either." Cassidy rubs her stomach while grimacing. "I guess I should feel encouraged... that he still has some small feeling left for me, otherwise he would have turned me in."
"Maybe he's hoping you'll turn yourself in," Alexis points out. She notices for the first time that Cassidy looks pale. "You okay?"
Cassidy shrugs it off. "I'm feeling a little sick to my stomach, probably stress. If I turn myself in, the WSB is bound to go easier on me... And as the old saying goes... Confession is good for the soul."
"I want you to think long and hard before you decide. And when you do, I want to represent you," Alexis says with determination. "I'll be damned if you go to prison trying to protect this family!"
"Thanks, Alexis, but..." She looks at Alexis round tummy. "You'll hardly be in any position to help me. You're due in a month."
"Like giving birth is going to stop me!" Alexis grabs Cassidy's hand. "I'm not letting you go through this alone."
Benny sits on a stool at Kelly's as Carly pours him a cup of coffee. "I was afraid this might happen."
"What?" Carly sees the frown on his face. "Don't tell me it's the electrical box?!"
"Afraid so." Benny takes a sip of coffee. "It's a genuine antique. I'm surprised it hasn't fused itself. The sooner it's replaced, the better. It's a fire hazard."
"Oh no! How much will it cost for an electrician to replace it?" Carly asks.
"At least three grand." He says and Carly's mouth drops open. "I gather that's a problem?" He asks.
"Yeah, money's really tight. With the new security system I installed after the breakin, I'm living month to month..." Carly runs her hand through her hair anxiously. "I suppose I could go to my mother for help."
"You don't sound too happy about that," says Benny.
"She wanted me to sell the diner after the break in..." Carly goes behind the counter and begins wiping it down, her anger showing itself in the fierceness of her ministrations. "It's complicated, but we've never been close."
"So you went against her to keep the diner." Benny nods and takes another sip of his coffee. "I could replace it for you. The materials would cost some."
"You'd do that?" Carly asks hopefully, coming around the counter to stand next to him.
Benny gives her a rare smile. "Yeah, why not? Hate for my new home to burn down, and the sooner it's done, the sooner I can get settled in."
Carly impulsively hugs him and gushes. "Thank you! You have NO idea how happy you've made me!"
Benny is stunned, obviously not expecting her effusive response. Slowly his arms go around her to return her embrace. "I'll have to remember to do it often."
Mrs Lansbury lets Kevin into the living room where Stefan is reading a book on the sofa. Stefan lifts his head when Mrs Lansbury announces him. "Kevin, it's a pleasure to see you. Would you like a refreshment?" He gets up and makes his way to the liquor cart.
Kevin shakes his head, his tone deep and serious. "No thank you, I want to have my full faculties about me when we talk this time."
Stefan's head nods slightly in acknowledgement, turning around to invite Kevin to sit. "I hope you will sit at the very least?"
"Yes, that would make sense." Kevin takes a seat in winged back chair. "We have a lot to discuss."
Stefan takes a seat across from him in one of the carved wood high backed chairs. "Indeed. When you left the other night I feared the worst. Finding out your a Cassadine would have been a shock, even under the best of circumstances. It couldn't have come at a worst time or in a worse way. I am sure you are tempted to walk away from us."
"Not all of you," Kevin corrects. "I would never turn my back on Cassidy. That bond can never be severed."
Stefan forces a smile he doesn't feel. This conversation isn't going as he hoped it would. "That is a relief. Cassidy would be heart broken. I would never want her to be harmed by this."
"But she has been hurt, and that's the hardest for me to swallow," Kevin says. "You used her for your own purposes with little regard to the consequences she might face. Her life has been effectively ruined."
Stefan is stunned. "I have no idea what you're talking about."
"You didn't bother to tell me the other night that Cassidy has been working as a WSB agent to provide you with information." Kevin watches Stefan pale as he continues. "When Mike called her to tell her the secret was out, she decided it was time to come clean. And now her lover has dumped her and prison is a distinct possibility."
"I'll do what ever needs to be done to protect her. She will NOT go to prison," Stefan says with conviction.
"Too little too late I'm afraid." Kevin says harshly. "She should never have been put in the situation to begin with. But her current predicament isn't the only reason I came to see you."
"Go on." Stefan says carefully.
Kevin leans forward, his voice softer. "I will always be thankful to you for your part in protecting Cassidy. I was moved that you told me about your..... 'run in' with my mother. I can't tell you how much that affected me... still affects me. It's not lost on me that you had many good reasons for keeping our familial relation a secret. I certainly know all about keeping secrets, and I'm not one to judge."
Stefan is touched. "You are more generous than I deserve."
"It's not easy to let go of the anger, Stefan," Kevin warns. "You've been lying to me for years. And a friendship based on lies really isn't a friendship, is it?" He pauses to let his words sink in. "Why should I trust you again?"
Stefan looks at the floor for a moment before lifting his head and looking Kevin directly in the eye. "I can not tell you why, only that I pray you will. I count you as one of my closest friends because I feel a kinship with you that I don't feel with anyone else. You've survived despite all the horrors you've had to endure, as have I. You understand how it feels to be ashamed of your family and yet feel loyal to it. Alexis understands this to a point, but fortunately she's been shielded from it and given a chance to live outside the family's shadow. You and I.... we've never fully been free of our family or their demons."
Stefan's words are what Kevin wants to hear. This is why he hasn't turned his back on Stefan. He wants this friendship, no, he needs this connection to a man who understands his pain on a gut level. Nonetheless, Kevin stands firm with his limits. "I won't tolerate being managed, Stefan. No more lies, no more secrets, and most of all, no more deciding what's best for me. I will make the decisions for myself from now on. If you can't abide by that, then our friendship is finished."
"I will accept those terms." Stefan replies, then adds. "In the spirit of openness, I can give you ... what's the word you would use? Ah yes.. insight. I can give you insight into Melanie through the story of her life. If you are interested."
