Chapter 13

Stefan glanced at the nurses' station, debating whether to walk over
there again. He was tired of not knowing anything, of sitting uselessly
while Alexis was fighting for her life.

He got up and headed to the desk, ignoring the annoyed look of the nurse he had spoken with more times than he cared to count over the course of the past few hours.

"I don't know anything, Mr. Cassadine," she said before Stefan could ask anything.

"That is painfully obvious," his voice low, almost menacing. "I believe I have been exceptionally patient, but this ends now. I want to know my cousin's condition or I will make sure you are replaced by someone who is capable of doing their job."

The nurses' sarcastic retort was lost in her throat as she looked up into Stefan's darkened face. She let out her breath as she saw the doctor coming. "I believe Dr. Peterson will be able to answer your questions," she said, pointing to the man.

Stefan quickly turned and demanded, "How is my cousin? Alexis Davis."

"She is still in a very critical condition. I'm afraid there isn't much that we can do but wait. An antidote would be the quickest and surest way to her recovery, but she is young and healthy, that will work to her advantage."

"I don't care how much it costs, I want you to do whatever is necessary to save her. I want to see her."

"Of course, it can only help --" Dr. Peterson stopped mid-sentence as he was left standing alone.

Stefan stopped outside the door, feeling his bravado weakening. He couldn't allow himself to fall apart. He had to be strong for her. He slowly turned the knob and opened the door, walking in. He closed the door gently.

He walked into the room and stopped as he saw Alexis. She was ghostly pale, her hair in disarray. If it weren't for rise and fall of her chest, he might have believed she was dead. He continued walking until he was at the edge of the bed and kneeled down, taking her hand in his.

"Hi, Alexis," he whispered. The only response was the sound coming from the heart monitor. He found it oddly soothing. "I'm so sorry I failed you." Tears began to form in his eyes, his face contorting with pain, guilt, and slowly building rage. She had trusted him to keep her safe and he had tried so hard to do so. It just hadn't been enough.

He thought of what she must have gone through, the fear she must have felt, and felt his insides twist with hate at whoever had done this to her. "I will find out who did this, and they will pay. I promise you that. They will pay."

There was a soft knock and Stefan quickly got up, becoming the perfect picture of a gentleman. "Come in," he called.

The door opened and a young man walked in. He was clearly a law enforcement officer, and probably had just gotten his badge yesterday if the nervous speed at which he was talking was any indication of his inexperience.

"I'm sorry to interrupt you, sir, but I need you to come with me. There are a few questions we need to ask. It'll be fast and it'll help us catch the scum who did this."

Stefan nodded, barely listening. He took one last look at Alexis. He hated to leave her. He leaned over and kissed her forehead. "I'll be back," he said softly, hoping she could hear him. "I love you."