Chapter 19

Luke is trying to take over my story! ::grabbing Gabby stick and
THWAPing the loser:: There. :-)

*****
Laura stared at the ceiling, counting the number of spots on it. She gave up after the tenth one. That was quite a way to start the morning. She was going to go insane if she kept that up.

She got up and stretched, her yawn turning into a grimace. Her whole body was sore from lying on that hard bed. At least if she moved around she would be getting good exercise.

She began pacing the small cell, her thoughts drifting back to the previous day. They had been doing that all night, even in her dreams. She could still feel his hands pressing into hers… No! She had to stop thinking about that.

Why did she always fall for the wrong man? David, Luke, Stefan. It was almost as if she did this to herself on purpose. Did she like playing the victim?

The only man who had truly cared for her was Scotty. She smiled at the thought of him. Sweet Scotty. She had been so stupid! Why? Why couldn't she want him? Why did her pulse speed up when she saw Stefan? Even now! Why did she feel this way? WHY?

Because she was an idiot.

And she had really been a sucker this time. He's different from the other Cassadines, she had told herself. How could she have fallen for that? She kicked the wall. Stupid, stupid, stupid.

"Laura Baldwin, you have a visitor."

Laura spun around and was immediately at the door, impatiently waiting for the officer to let her out. She wondered how much he'd seen, then decided she didn't really care. She couldn't wait to see her family. She put out her hands for him to cuff her, smiling widely. He did, tightening them a little too much for her liking. This one wasn't as nice as the guard she'd had yesterday had been.

It took some self-control not to push him out of the way. He was walking as if she had all day to waste. They finally made it to the private visiting room, and she suddenly stopped, her smile fading as she saw who her visitor was.

She thought about asking the officer to take her back to her cell, but the image of returning to that cramped, smelly space changed her mind.

"Luke," Laura said as she sat down. "How did you know I was here?"

Luke shrugged. He wasn't about to tell her the truth. "Port Chuckles is a small town, things get around," he answered her as he walked around the table to where she was. He looked down at Laura pityingly, and shook his head. "See what you got yourself into? I told you all Cassadines are the same. You never listen."

She didn't need this. Even if it was true, she didn't want to hear it. "If you came here to tell me "I told you so', Luke, save it. I have more important things to worry about right now."

Luke crouched down so he was at her eye-level. "You still want to jump that Cassadine's bones, is that it? Or maybe you're worried about how Baldwin is doing?" he laughed.

"He's a better man that you'll ever be," Laura muttered.

Luke's face instantly grew darker. "What did you say?"

Laura smiled bitterly, and looked him straight in the eye. "I think you heard me. Or maybe not. You've always only heard what you wanted to hear."

Luke looked at her carefully, wondering if he had really heard the accusation in her voice. Was she going there? Well, he wasn't going with her. "Baldwin's not much help in the slammer, now is he?"

Laura shook her head at the petulant tone. What had she ever seen in him? "Don't you worry about us, Luke," she told him. "My husband and I will be just fine."

"So now you're back to wanting him, is that it?," Luke leered. "You're nothing more than a --"

Smack

The back of her hand coming in contact with his face caused him to lose his balance and he fell backward onto the hard floor.

Laura flexed her throbbing hand, trying to keep from laughing at the ridiculous sight. She knew she should feel bad. She had run off on their wedding day and now she had slugged him. But, damn, that had felt good.

With as much dignity as he could muster, Luke got up, rubbing the reddened cheek. He inhaled deeply, forcing himself to remain calm. His voice came out soft, revealing none of his rage. "Have it your way, Laura. But please know, I'll be here if you ever need me."

Laura was left speechless. That was the last thing she had expected him to say. He was being... kind. "Um... thanks, Luke." He smiled just enough to make her feel guilty, especially since his cheek was turning a sickly shade of purple. "Hey, I'm sorry I--."

Luke took her hands in his. "It's okay, baby. I know you've been under a lot of pressure. Good luck. I'll be rootin' for ya." He leaned down and kissed her on the cheek.

He went to the door and knocked to be let out. He winked at her before leaving and she smiled slightly, still confused.

What had just happened? One minute she had felt righteous in her anger, the next like a complete jerk.

Her contemplation was cut short as she felt someone grab her from behind, covering her nose and mouth with what felt like a rag, muffling her scream. A strong, pungent smell stung her nostrils. She tried to hit her assailant, but her muddled mind caused her to mostly strike at thin air. Her limbs grew heavier and everything became hazy until blackness overtook her.

*****
Luke kept his ear to the door until the last sound of struggle ended. He nodded to the guard who had let him out. The guard nodded back. Walking quickly, Luke soon found a pay phone outside and dialed Helena Cassadine's number. "It's done," he said when she answered.

A chill ran through Luke as Helena laughed. "Excellent. Now you leave everything to me, Mr. Spencer. When I'm done, she will be all yours."

Luke hung up, his momentary hesitation vanishing. "All mine," he murmured.

*****
A million details ran through Stefan's mind as the elevator made its way to his floor. Everything was going as planned. Soon his mother would be behind bars, where she wouldn't be able to terrorize anyone. He would take a quick shower, knowing the men he had hired would continue to work dutifully. Thankfully, none of them required much sleep.

He arrived at his place, entering without delay. A deep frown formed on his handsome face as a sliver of light shone through the opening underneath the bedroom door. The only light on. It had to be Susan. She had stayed. And she had to leave now.

He crossed the living area in a few large strides, his eyes having adjusted to the minimal light. He turned the doorknob, ready to speak first.

"Susan, we discu--" The word stuck in Stefan's throat as his mind tried to assimilate the image before him.

Blood.

Not allowing his emotions to override his reasoning, Stefan walked to the phone and called for help. It was too late, he knew. The smell that permeated the room was one of death. It was all he could do to keep from vomiting.

After hanging up, he turned back to the figure on the bed. Blood stained the bedspread Susan lay on. It had seeped into her nightgown, staining the white material with crimson color. His eyes followed the length of an outstretched arm, finally arriving at the weapon that had aided in taking her life.

A gun. She had been shot through the head. He looked around the room, his eyes coming to the night stand that held a piece of paper. He walked over to it, making sure not to touch anything.

His eyes clouded with unshed tears as he read the words.

Stefan,
I can't live without you. Please forgive me. Take care, my pet.
All my love,
Susan

The handwriting would fool everyone, everything had been done to perfection. But he knew Susan hadn't committed suicide.

My pet.

There was only one person who had ever called him that.

His mother.

*****
Helena gently stroked the sleeping young woman's soft brown hair, a soft sigh escaping her mouth.

Things had taken an unexpected turn, but everything was turning out much better than she had expected.

Her son would surely know she had been the one behind Susan Thompson's untimely death. A small price to pay for trying to take Natasha away from her. It would be fun to see what he did next. She so did love to play games, and there were just enough players in this one to make it very interesting. Laura Baldwin would be arriving soon, and then it would all be set in motion. Luke Spencer had been so willing to help, it was almost a shame that she would have to kill him eventually.

Almost. Helena's eyes twinkled in expectation. She would have her revenge on them all.

But that could be put to rest for the time being. She laid down next to the slumbering figure, wrapping her arms around her waist, inhaling the feminine scent.

"We'll be going home soon, Natasha," she whispered. "And you will belong to me, forever."