Chapter 12

"One. Two. Three bottles!" Luke counted gleefully. He took the third
bottle and poured himself another shot. Everybody had gone home.
Lesley had dragged that asshole, Rick, away before he could get in a
good punch. Barbara Jean had wanted to stay with him but he just wanted to be alone. Since he couldn't beat anybody up, he had settled on drinking.

"How have the mighty fallen," a mocking voice broke through his alcohol-induced haze. He looked up to see Helena Cassadine. Shit, that was all he needed.

"Go away," he shouted.

"I have some news that I thought you might find interesting. But first, could you possibly pick yourself off from that filthy floor?" She looked distastefully at the ground.

"f--- off," he slurred.

"I guess you don't care that I just saw your ex fiancee with my son, Stefan. Well, goodbye, Luke." She turned to leave, walking purposely slow.

"Hold on." Luke carefully got up, trying to keep the room from spinning. As his eyes focused, he asked, "What else?"

She smiled coolly as she turned back around. "Do you need anything else? They made a fool of you, Luke. They've been seeing each other for a while now behind your back."

"I knew it!" Luke snarled. "Laura promised me she hadn't f---ed him, but when I slipped into her bed one night, she called out his name."

This would be easier that she had planned. "Then why not get revenge?" Helena urged, "You and I could make great partners."

"Why would you help me?" Luke asked suspiciously. "Stefan's your son."

"He's been a thorn in my side since the day he was conceived," Helena said, her face twisted in hate. "I would be glad to be rid of him once and for all."

"Aha, so you want me to kill your son for you. I can do that, no problem. But you don't touch Laura, got it? I'm sure once your son is out of the way, she'll come to her senses and beg me for forgiveness."

Helena resisted the urge to laugh. "Very well, Mr. Spencer. Then you accept my offer? I would, of course, pay you handsomely for your services." She ignored the pungent smell of alcohol and walked closer to lightly caress his drawn face. "I can be very, very generous when things go my way," she whispered into his ear.

Luke grinned, beginning to get excited by her warm breath and the thought of Stefan dead. That settled it. "You've got yourself a deal, lady. Care to seal the deal my way?" He moved to grab her, but she was too quick for him.

"I'm certain there are women who would be glad to service your needs. I am not one of them. I'll be back tomorrow to go over possible plans. Try to clean up."

As soon as she left, Luke slumped to the floor and poured himself another drink. Bitch. He would find one of those women later. After he'd had a couple of more bottles. "You'll be mine again, Laura," he promised into the empty room.

*****
As he poured the coffee, Scotty gazed at Laura, who was sitting on a sofa. She had been silent all the way back to Port Charles. She probably felt awkward talking to him, after all they had been through. He wasn't sure how to act, either. He had thought he would never be able to think of her without feeling only bitterness and anger, much less be in the same room with her. He smiled and shook his head lightly. He still loved her, there was no denying that. He supposed he always would.

"Feeling better?" he asked Laura as he handed her a cup of coffee and settled into the sofa.

Taking it, she replied, "Much better, thanks."

"That's good."

"You know, I should warn Alexis how things went," Laura remarked. "It's not going to take Stefan long to realize who gave me his address. I never should have gotten her involved in this mess."

"You have her phone number?" Scotty asked eagerly.

Laura grinned. "No, but I'm sure the University can give it to us." She set her coffee down and stared at him openly. "You like her, don't you?"

"She seemed cool," Scotty said, trying to avoid her gaze.

Laura chuckled, thankful to have something to take her mind off her problems. "Come on, Scotty, you may not be my husband anymore, but I seem to remember that look in your eye. Somebody has a crush."

"Okay, so I wouldn't mind seeing her again," Scotty admitted, grinning. "You think she'd go out with me?" Doubt flitted across his face, as he recalled less happier times with Laura.

Laura nodded her head vigorously, knowing what he was remembering. "Given the looks she was giving you when we went to go see her, I'd say yes." She paused. "I was a fool to let you go, you know that, don't you?"

Scotty shifted uncomfortably in his sofa. "You don't have to--"

"I know. But I think that Alexis is a smart girl, and I think you should trust her."

"It's not easy, but I think I might be ready to try."

Laura nodded, blinking back the tears. "I'll go call her, then."

He took her hand and gave it a squeeze. "Thanks, Laura." She gave him a small smile and went to the bedroom to use the phone.

There was something strange about his ex-wife setting him up with someone, Scotty thought. He hadn't thought he would be able to be this excited about meeting someone again. He recalled the soulful brown eyes and sighed. One step at a time.

Minutes later, Laura walked out and he stood up quickly. "Well?" he asked anxiously. Laura looked at him, her face pale. Something was wrong. "What is it?"

"It's Alexis," Laura whispered, "She-she's been poisoned."

Scotty's mind took a minute to process the news. "Let's go," he said, his practical side taking over.

Laura nodded, grabbing her coat and purse.

Before they could make it to the door, there was a loud knock. Laura glanced at Scotty and he shrugged and shook his head. He wasn't expecting anyone. He walked to the door and looked through the peephole. Turning to Laura, he mouthed the word, "Cops." He opened the door.

"Scott and Laura Baldwin?" one of the officers asked.

"That's right," Scotty answered, as Laura came to stand next to him.

"We need you two to come down to the NYPD with us and answer a few questions."

Scotty and Laura took each other's hand in silent encouragement and followed the officers out the door.