Chapter 10

"Argh!" Alexis screamed as she threw the textbook across the room.
"I am sick and tired of school!"

A knock on her door interrupted her rant. With a scowl, she went to open it. A blonde girl and a cute guy were waiting outside. A very cute guy.

"Alexis Davis?" Laura asked.

Alexis narrowed her eyes, guessing the identity of the woman. "Yes. Laura Baldwin, I assume."

This was going to be hard, Laura thought. "That's right. This is Scotty Baldwin."

Alexis nodded slightly and smiled. Damn, the ex husband, so much for that. "I don't mean to be rude, but what do you want?"

"I need to talk to Stefan," Laura explained. "I know you know where he's staying, and you're the only way I can contact him."

"Hmm, let me think. No." Alexis shut the door in her face. "That felt good," she said with a satisfied smile. She hadn't taken two steps before insistent knocking once again alerted her to their presence. She looked at the door and waited for it to stop. It didn't.

She was persistent, she had to give her that. She opened the door and snapped, "What?"

"I know you're trying to protect your cousin, but I need to see him. If only to apologize for the way I acted."

"How do I know you're telling the truth?"

"You don't," Laura said. "But I'm not leaving here till you tell me where he's staying."

"She means it," Scotty said.

Alexis sighed and waved them in. "Before I tell you anything, and I'm not saying I will, I want to know why you suddenly decided Stefan is worth your time."

"I made a mistake, I know that. It's just that I already failed at one marriage, and it was so much easier if I thought Stefan was like his family. The Cassadines... well, it threw me for a loop that he was related to them."

"I can understand that," Alexis said softly.

"But he's not like them, is he?" Laura asked.

"No."

"Which is why I have to see him. I'm not expecting anything, I just have to let him know that I know I was a jerk and... well, whatever happens, happens." Laura finished. She waited to see what Alexis' judgment would be.

"This isn't fair," Alexis protested. "I'm not supposed to like you."

Laura grinned. "Does that mean you'll help me?" she asked hopefully.

"Yeah, I guess so. He's probably going to kick my butt, but I'll risk it." She went to her desk and quickly jotted down the name and address of the hotel. She handed the piece of paper to Laura. "There you go."

"Thank you!" Laura hugged Alexis tightly. "You've just made a friend for life, Alexis. This is really cool of you." She looked at Scotty. "Ready?"

"Lead on," he replied. He smiled at Alexis and extended his hand. "It was nice meeting you, Alexis." Very nice, indeed.

"Same here," Alexis said shyly. "Bye."

She placed her forehead on the door after they left. "You idiot, why didn't you ask for his number?" she chastised herself. Oh, well, it was too late now. Her head popped away from the door as a knock interrupted her thoughts. Anxiously, she opened the door. "Did you forg--?" she froze in mid-sentence.

"Hello dear Alexis," Helena Cassadine said.

Alexis moved to shut the door, but a masculine hand kept it open. "Now is that the proper way to greet your aunt?" Helena reprimanded as she pushed Alexis aside and walked in. "You remember Damon, don't you?"

Alexis quickly backed away from the door, fear starting to creep into her. Damon leered at her as he locked the door. "I certainly remember you, Alexis."

"Down, Damon, we don't want to frighten the poor child," Helena said. "Now Alexis, what did Laura Baldwin want with you?"

"W-who?" Alexis asked, creating a puzzled look on her face.

"Let's not play games, Alexis," Helena said dangerously.

"I d-don't know w-what you're t-talking about," Alexis managed.

"Poor baby, and I thought you had cured that awful, awful stuttering of yours," Helena said, her voice dripping with insincerity. "You know what would cure that permanently?" She reached into her purse and pulled out a delicate dagger. "This." Alexis backed away, but Damon blocked her way. She was trapped.

Helena walked slowly up to her and placed the point of the knife at the middle of Alexis' throat, enjoying the look of utter fear on her victim's face. "What did Laura Baldwin want from you?"

"N-nothing," Alexis stammered.

"Don't tell me you want to end up like--" Helena stopped herself. "Damon, I think it's time to add a little *pressure,* don't you?"

"Yes, madam," Damn answered. He pressed his erection up against Alexis's backside as Helena pressed the knife a little deeper.

"She w-w-went t-to go s-see S-stefan," Alexis stuttered, tears streaming down her face.

Helena lowered the knife and motioned for Damon to back away. "Thank you, my dear, you've been most helpful. You've done him a favor by saving him from that whore, believe me." She waited for Alexis to relax slightly and continued, an evil glint in her eye. "But I'm afraid you won't be able to tell him yourself. I can't have you calling and warning him, now can I? No, that won't do at all." She raised the knife again lightly traced the contours of Alexis' jawbone.

"You b-bitch," Alexis hissed.

"I'm not the one who betrayed Stefan," Helena said maliciously.

Fresh tears fell from Alexis' eyes. She deserved this. She had been weak and allowed Helena to win.

"But killing you with a knife is so... so redundant," Helena mused. "What do you think, Damon?"

"Poison, madam?" the henchman suggested.

"Excellent suggestion!" Helena said gleefully. "It just so happens I have some with me. Hold this, would you darling?" She handed Damon the knife, who was still maintaining Alexis in place, while she searched her bag, finally pulling out a small vial.

"Take her to the bed and hold her down, Damon."

He did as he was told, laughing at Alexis' struggle to free herself from his grasp, her survival instinct kicking in. "Does this bring back good memories?" he whispered as he covered her mouth with his hand. He removed it cautiously as Helena leaned over Alexis. A strangled cry escaped Alexis' throat as Helena poured the toxic concoction into her, shutting her jaw when she was finished. "There," she said. "Goodbye, Natasha. Give my regards to Kristin." Laughing, she and Damon quickly exited.

Alexis struggled to roll onto her stomach. She reached for the phone and managed to unhook it. It fell to a thud as intense pain racked her body. Her last thought was of Stefan as she slipped into unconsciousness.