Crossed Paths

Chapter 15

People instinctively stepped away as Stefan walked through the hospital,
as if they knew not to get in his way. He looked ready to strike. And he
was. How could he have let this happen? He had been seduced by a
pretty face and Alexis had gotten hurt. He finally made it to the room Alexis was in and tried to clear his head. He would deal with Mrs. Baldwin later. Right now Alexis was his only priority.

He knocked on the door. A feeling of dread crept up his spine as there was no answer. He knocked again. Still no answer.

He opened the door and walked in and a smile of relief appeared on his tired face as he saw his cousin. He thought he saw the beginning of a smile on her face, but it dissolved into an angry scowl as she made a motion for him to stop. "Get away from me."

Stefan's smile faded as he saw the hurt in her eyes. "Alexis, let me help you," he pleaded.

"Help me? YOU let her hurt me. I thought Stavros was the only one who thought with his dick," she spat.

Stefan blanched at the comparison. How could he argue with her when she was right? "Please forgive me, Alexis, I never meant to hurt you."

Alexis turned away from him. "Just leave me alone."

"Alexis--"

"Please."

Stefan stared at her, torn between what she was asking him to do and what his heart wanted to do. His needs were not important, he decided. He would give her time and hopefully, she would be able to forgive him. "I want you to know how much...," he paused, his voice cracking. "How much I love you."

He waited for any response, then finally turned and walked away.

Alexis bit her lip, the pain helping her from turning around and ruining everything. Her face crumpled with agony as she heard the door shut, a scream stuck in her throat. She turned and stared at traitorous door that had let him leave.

"How very sweet."

Alexis looked to where Helena was emerging. Helena Cassadine hiding in a closet. If her world hadn't just ended, she might have laughed at the image.

"That was an excellent performance, my dear, I am very impressed."

"I hate you," Alexis said flatly.

Helena shrugged. "That may be true, but you are mine, and you will do as I say or Stefan will pay the consequences. Remember I will be monitoring your every word."

Alexis' hand went to her ear, where the tiny device had been placed. It was barely noticeable.

"I have rented you a nice apartment where you will live for now," Helena continued. "I'll go with you and help you settle in." She smiled at Alexis. "I'm all you have now."

As Alexis followed her, she wondered if Hell could be any worse.

*****

Stefan walked into his hotel room, the events of the day repeating themselves in his tired mind. He saw a faint light coming from his bedroom. He sighed. Susan. He walked in and found her sitting on his bed.

"I thought you might like some company tonight," she murmured.

He walked over to the dresser and placed his wristwatch on it. He saw as the long hand of the clock moved to begin a new day. It was small comfort, but it helped. He sat down on the bed and started undressing. "My cousin was poisoned."

Susan gasped, "Who would do such a thing?"

He ignored the question and continued speaking, though not really to her or himself. "She has recovered now. The poison doesn't seem to have had any long-lasting physical or mental effects."

Susan smiled unsurely. "That's wonderful. I guess miracles do happen."

Stefan turned to look at her for the first time, a slight frown on his face. "Miracles," he repeated. The term was completely foreign to him. That was probably why he had just now felt uneasy at its mention.

"Let me stay, you shouldn't be alone," Susan asked.

"If you want to," Stefan answered. He settled under the covers and reached over to turn off the lamp.

Susan tried to get close to him, but he turned to his side, away from her comforting touch. He didn't want her to soften the anger that was keeping him going. As he stared into the darkened room, he cursed the Gods that had put Laura Baldwin in his path.