Chapter 18

Stefan found himself at the door of his hotel room, not really knowing how he'd gotten there. The time since he'd left Laura was a blur. And he was still seething. How could the lies flow so seamlessly from that perfect mouth?

He closed his eyes, doing a silent meditation. She had unbalanced him ever since that first day. He needed to stay logical and methodical. He unlocked the door and went in.

He heard a noise coming from the bedroom and cringed. He had forgotten about Susan. Again. This was unfair to her. He needed to end this affair before he ended up hurting her, too.

"Susan?" he called out.

"Stefan!" The owner of the voice appeared quickly, a smile lighting up her pretty face. "I didn't even hear you come in, how do you do that?" She came up to him and greeted him with a quick kiss. She noticed his silence and overly stiff posture, and became concerned. "Are you okay?"

"No," he answered honestly. "We need to talk."

"Uhoh," Susan said, trying to tease. "Talk. That's never good." She sighed as she watched him look down. "It's over, isn't it?"

Stefan nodded. "We both knew that this wouldn't last long, Susan. I care about you, and I believe that it is time to end this before one of us is hurt."

"You're right, we made a deal. But I care about you, too, Stefan. I always have. I know that mother of yours--" She stopped as she saw Stefan's jaw set tightly.

"This has nothing to do with her," he said tersely. "I will expect you to be gone by the time I return." He turned his back to her and walked out.

Susan flinched as the door slammed, then became resolved. She wasn't going to let him run her off. He needed someone by his side.

She would stay right here until he returned.

****
"I. Am. Going. To. Change. Positions. Now," Alexis announced loudly.

The guard looked at her, his expression not changing.

Alexis scowled. "Two points for good looks, minus twenty for lack of personality." She stretched out her legs, flexing her feet. She bent over to touch her toes, touching one knee with her nose. Her head popped up as she heard a knock on the door.

The guard finally moved, getting up silently. Alexis followed suit, and walked to the door. "Who is it?" she asked.

"It's me, Alexis," Stefan's voice filtered through the door between them.

Alexis looked at the guard, who was pointing to her ear, reminding her of the device there. As if she could forget.

"I thought I told you to leave me alone," Alexis said.

"Just one minute, Alexis, that's all I ask."

"No," Alexis said firmly. She had to stop this conversation fast. "Go away, I'll talk to you when I'm good and ready, not before."

There was a pause. "As you wish, Alexis," Stefan finally replied. "I'll be waiting."

Alexis sighed as she heard him walking away, mostly in relief, but with a twinge of hurt. He had given up rather easily. She turned to the guard who was still standing next to her and snapped, "What are you looking at?"

The guard regarded her placidly and replied, "It is time to go to the courthouse. You have an appointment with the prosecution."

"Now? Never mind." This meant getting out of this prison, and she was all for that. "I'll be ready in a few minutes, then we can go."

"I will not be going with you." He ignored Alexis' knowing smirk and continued. "You will proceed directly to the courthouse. There will be someone waiting for you at the entrance. After your appointment, you will come back here immediately. If you delay, I will be forced to report it to Mrs. Cassadine."

Alexis rolled her eyes. "Blah, blah, blah. I'm going to get ready. You make yourself at home and try not to miss me too much," she told him as she headed for the bathroom, suddenly feeling better than she had all day.

*****
Stefan sat in his car and waited. He looked at the main doors of the apartment building and tried to will Alexis to appear. It didn't take long. He started his engine and followed her, making sure to keep his distance.

When they reached the courthouse, he parked far enough away to avoid suspicion, but close enough to see where she was headed.

He closely watched her as she met the people he assumed were representing her case. He couldn't quite put his finger on it, but there was something odd about the whole situation. Alexis seemed unnaturally tensed, even angry.

He didn't have time to further analyze the scene as they all headed inside the building. He traced their steps, trying to find a way to get within hearing distance. He sighed in frustration as they went into a private room. He found a place where he could be inconspicuous and once again waited for Alexis to appear.

This time he had to wait considerably longer. It was a good thing he was a patient man. It was a bad thing that he couldn't keep his thoughts from going back to his confrontation with Laura.

He replaced the feeling of their hands touching with the image of her hurting Alexis. He held on to it, remembering the look of betrayal his cousin had given him at the hospital. He focused all of his energy on her, not allowing anything else to intrude into his consciousness.

The door finally opened and Stefan watched carefully, ready to move. Alexis came out alone and closed the door behind her.

She seemed oblivious to everyone, walking at a leisurely pace. He used her distraction to his advantage and moved quickly, grabbing one arm and pulling her to a darkened place.

He felt her tense up as she saw who it was. He was about to say something when his eyes fixed on her ear, suddenly noticing the device embedded there.

Alexis hand flew to cover it, but it was too late. Her hand moved and clamped over his mouth, making sure he remained silent.

"Helena," Stefan mouthed.

Alexis nodded, knowing it was useless to deny it, and needing to at least say the truth for once.

Stefan shook his head, thinking back. It all made sense now. How could he not have seen it? "I will help you," he silently told her.

Alexis shook her head firmly, and pushed her way out of the corner he had her in. She pointed to herself and mouthed, "My fight." She gave him a reassuring smile and quickly walked away.

Stefan didn't stop her. It would be too dangerous. He needed to formulate a plan that would ensure everyone's safety. And that included Laura.

Laura. It hadn't all been a game. She had been telling the truth. Everything between them had been real. They had been on the same side all along, without even knowing it.

But he had been so cruel. Her words to him earlier that day came back to him again in full force, causing a sickening feeling to emerge in the pit of his stomach. Would she forgive him? Would she understand? He had to make her understand. This changed everything between them, again. If they could just go back...

He forced his thoughts back to the present problem and away from her. He wasn't helping anyone by standing around and thinking of his past mistakes. There was no time to waste.

He walked off, a new determined look lighted in his eyes, his steps assured. He was unaware of the man skulking nearby.

Luke Spencer grinned, not bothering to follow Stefan as he had been for a while now. Maybe there was something better than just killing him. He didn't know exactly what he had just seen, but he was willing to bet that the Cassadine broad would be very interested in knowing about it. And he was just the man to tell her.


Alexis' eyes narrowed, searching Helena's face. "Even if it were true, why would you tell me?"

Helena smiled. "Two reasons. It means Stefan is your brother and you will be more likely to testify against Laura Baldwin than to risk causing his death."

Helena moved closer to Alexis, lowering her tone in a conspirational manner. "And I killed Kristin," she confessed. She waited for a reaction, and smiled admiringly as there was none. "You have your mother's stubbornness."

Alexis watched as Helena's face softened, and felt fear unlike any she'd ever felt before. She backed away and covered her body with the bedspread, feeling utterly vulnerable. She watched as Helena took out the photograph and lightly touched the woman's imprinted face with the tips of her fingers. The tone in Helena's voice as she began to speak caused her to shiver involuntarily.

"Kristin was beautiful, wasn't she? I still remember the first day I saw her. Mikkos and I were at the opera. The curtain rose and there she was, her blonde hair flowing past her shoulders."

She looked up and her eyes wandered over Alexis, a spark coming to life in her blue eyes. "You look almost nothing like her, except your hands." She reached over and took one tenderly and brought it to her lips, placing a soft kiss on it, her tongue lightly touching the skin. Alexis struggled to free her hand, but Helena held it tighter. "Just like hers."

"Let go of me," Alexis demanded.

Helena's hand moved up Alexis' arm in a slow caress, until she yanked it, bringing their faces to near touching distance. "I expect a little more cooperation from you. I would hate to see your brother suffer the consequences."

The warm breath on Alexis' face caused her repulsion to intensify. Vomit rose in her throat as she felt Helena press her lips against hers, but she controlled it. It was a small price to pay to keep Stefan safe.

Helena broke the kiss and picked up the folder, satisfied. She rose and walked to the door. "I'm beginning to be glad that you didn't die, Natasha. I hope you don't betray me, too."

Alexis waited until the door closed to throw up.

*****

"Damon, locate Luke Spencer's phone number and connect me with him," Helena ordered as soon as she and her henchman entered the suite.

She settled onto the settee, deep in thought. She needed to reformulate her original plan. She couldn't kill Stefan now, it would mean losing all hold over Natasha. She smiled as she remembered feel of the soft skin under her lips.

"Madam," Damon interrupted her daydream, handing her the phone.

Helena took her time removing the earring on her right lobe before placing the receiver at her ear. "Mr. Spencer," she greeted halfheartedly.

"Hells, baby, I've been waiting. So when, where, and how do I kill little Steffin?" Luke asked eagerly.

"There's been a change of plans. I no longer require your services."

There was a long, silent pause at the other end. "What if I do it anyway?"

"That would be inadvisable. And I also suggest you do not discuss these tête-à-têtes we've had with anyone."

"Are you threatening me?" Luke asked.

"Just consider it a friendly warning, Mr. Spencer. I will handle my family business on my own. You should worry about your ex-fiancé's impending prison sentence."

"What?! Laura's in--" The phone went dead, and Luke cursed and slammed down the phone. A slow smile formed on his face. His angel was in jail? This could work to his advantage. He would go see her tomorrow. Right now, he had to take care of some unfinished business.