Chapter 20

Stefan waited at the NYPD for the officers to tell him what he already knew. Susan's death had been ruled a suicide and he was free to go.

He had gotten in touch with her relatives. He had offered to pay for the funeral, but they had refused. They had made it clear it was best if he didn't try to contact them again. He couldn't blame them, but he resolved to visit Susan's grave if, no, when he succeeded in bringing his mother down. He would pay his last respects to her. It was the least he could do.

He looked at the clock on the wall, his agitation threatening to rise with every second that passed. He was losing time.

After waiting a few more maddening hours, he was finally able to leave.

He found the nearest phone, dialing the number of the men he had hired. He looked around surreptitiously, making sure no one was within hearing distance.

"Have you discerned the whereabouts of my cousin?" He listened intently while the voice on the other end informed him of what they had found. "My mother is a very dangerous woman, we should not do anything to directly provoke her until absolutely necessary. Everything must be handled with the utmost discretion. I will be there soon, have everything ready for our departure." He hung up, and turned around, not taking one step before bumping into someone.

"I am going with you."

Stefan sighed and looked at the very haggard-looking man staring at him. Where had he come from? He instantly recognized him as Scott Baldwin, Laura's husband. He did not look happy. And Stefan didn't much care.

"Excuse me? Do I know you?" he asked with disinterest.

"Scott Baldwin. And you're Stefan Cassadine. Your mother kidnapped Alexis, am I right?" Scotty went on when it was obvious he wasn't getting an answer. "Did you know Laura's missing, too?"

Stefan made an effort not to react to the news, even though he wasn't surprised. His mother had worked exceptionally fast. "I do not know what you are talking about, Mr. Baldwin. If you'll excuse me, I have to be going."

Scotty stepped in his way, making it clear he wasn't done with the conversation. "Why do you think I'm out of jail? They think Laura escaped, but I know she was taken by force. At first, I thought of you and that freak cousin of yours. But after hearing that phone call, I'm prepared to change my mind."

"I'm afraid I don't know what it is you want from me."

Scotty voice grew testy. "Look, I can help you. I've learned a thing or two in Mexico. You're going to try to rescue your cousin, and in the process, Laura. Laura doesn't trust you or your family. You need someone she does trust or it could get even more dangerous for everyone involved. She trusts me." He paused, a quirky smile forming on his unshaven face. "Or would you rather work with Luke Spencer?" Scotty smiled in earnest as he finally got a reacion from Stefan, catching a look of distaste he fully sympathized with. "I didn't think so."

"Are you supposed to leave the country?"

Scotty shrugged. "No. What's your point?"

Stefan had to admire the man's drive, and the quickness of his mind. And he couldn't afford to waste anymore time. "Very well, Mr. Baldwin, it seems we've just become allies. I suggest we move as quickly as possible." He motioned to a car, and they continued talking as they headed towards it.

"Where do you think she's taking them?" Scotty asked.

"Our island in Greece."

"Why there?"

"That is a question I intend to ask my mother."

*****
"OW." Laura looked at the door, rubbing her throbbing shoulder. She had just tried to break it down. She hadn't even made a small dent. Superwoman she was not. She had learned that painful lesson well.

"That wasn't smart."

Laura turned her head to glare at Alexis, who was sitting on the floor. "Better than just sitting on my butt like you. If you're trying to convince me you want to get out of here as much as I do, you're not doing a very good job."

"What would we have done if we'd actually managed to break down the door? Jumped into the Atlantic and swam to shore? And I already told you how everything happened. And I apologized."

"And why should I believe you? How do I know you're not in this with Helena? How do I know she didn't put you in here to soften me up?"

"You don't. But she didn't. She locked me here with you because she doesn't trust me, she just wants..." Alexis stopped as she remembered waking up to Helena's breath. The hairs on the back of her neck stood up at the memory. She had been spared more, with Helena being so busy with her plans. But every rocking of the ship brought them closer to that accursed Island, a place she had vowed never to return to again. "Do you think we're almost there?" Alexis tried to keep her shivering under control, but her hands began to visibly shake.

Laura looked at her, trying to decide if this was all part of Helena's game. If it was, she was doing an exceptional job. She watched as Alexis began to tremble more forcefully. Laura took a step towards her, then hesitated, still untrusting. But soon she moved to Alexis, settling on her knees in front of her, pushing down her suspicion. To Hell with it. If she was wrong, then she'd deal with it later. "I don't even know where 'there' is. Helena hasn't bothered to show herself to me."

Alexis managed a rueful smile at that, which calmed her down. "Be glad. And 'there' is her home, the Cassadine Island in Greece. Better known as Hell."

Laura felt the first real stirrings of her own fear, watching Alexis' face as she talked about their destination. "Speaking from experience?"

Alexis simply nodded, closing her eyes as if to keep childhood memories hidden from public view.

"We'll be okay, Alexis. We'll find a way out of this."

Alexis shook her head. "You don't understand. I can't go back there. I can't survive without him. He protected me."

"Stefan?" Laura asked gently, though she already knew the answer. She would never forget Stefan's reaction when he thought she had hurt Alexis. She had thought then it had all been a charade, but now... She shook herself out of her thoughts and focused on the scared girl in front of her.

Alexis nodded. "I c-can't," she took a breath, forcing her speech back to normal. "I can't do this alone."

"And what am I, chopped liver?" Laura quipped, fighting to keep some measure of sanity in the room. Humor seemed to be the only weapon available. "You're not alone. We're going to get through this."

Alexis was silent for a minute, looking pensive. Finally, she spoke, her brown eyes having taken on an odd glint. "You're right, I really shouldn't be the one worried here. This is like a bad horror film. And you're the blonde."

Laura stared at Alexis a second before falling onto the floor, racked with laughter. Her laughter was infectious and soon Alexis began laughing with her, both of them rolling on the floor, tears streaming down their faces. It was mostly from the stress, but it was better than giving up.

The swaying of the ship abruptly stopped and both women immediately sobered, their eyes making contact, expressing their combined fears. They instinctively moved together, linking hands, as the sound of a lock coming undone resonated from the door.

Their eyes caught every movement as the door knob turned and the door was gently eased open, until revealing the imperious figure at the other side.

Their captor.

For a moment, Helena's face was shadowed by the image before her, her sharp eyes locking onto any place that Laura's body came in contact with Alexis'. That would end quickly enough, and the thought was enough to make her smile.

The curved lips did nothing to comfort the women trapped within her icy stare. And the words she uttered only furthered their renewed feelings of despair.

"We're home."