Chapter 21

Stefan looked at Scotty, sitting across from him, trying to figure out if he had made a mistake in trusting him. "If you will not be able to carry out your part of the plan, I need to know right now."

Scotty turned his eyes away from the sky they were flying through. "I'll be able to do it. We've gone through everything a million times. I wouldn't purposely risk Laura's life... or Alexis', if I wasn't sure. But what I need to know now is who we're dealing with here. I think I have an idea of how dangerous your mother is, but is she crazy or what?"

Stefan shook his head. "My mother's mind is not muddled in the least, it is only twisted."

"Oh, that makes me feel a lot better," Scotty said sarcastically.

"Do you want the truth or do you want to feel better?"

"The truth," Scotty answered without hesitation. "It's just my way of relieving stress. You were saying?"

"I don't know why she has become fixated on Alexis. During our childhood, Helena thrived on torturing her whenever my father was absent, which was often. But she lost interest in her once Alexis left the Island. Or so I had thought. The reason she kidnapped Laura is more obvious."

Scotty nodded, speaking their thought, "Mikkos' death." He breathed deeply. "What will she do to them?"

Stefan answered honestly, "I don't know. My mother can be unpredictable. But whatever she does, it will be meant to break them down -- physically, emotionally, and psychologically."

"Will she kill them?"

Stefan's face was grim. "Probably, but not quickly. She prefers to play with her prey before devouring them. However, she tends to act haphazardly when provoked. She loses interest in the details of her plans, which is a weakness we shall use to our advantage."

Scotty leaned back in his seat, running his hands through his brown hair. "Don't take this the wrong way, but your family is really out there."

"That is an understatement."

"And you said your brother shouldn't be a big problem?"

"My brother is... less than intelligent. His power lies in Helena's love for him." Stefan looked down for a second, letting the sadness leave his eyes. When he looked up, there was no hint of any emotion. "Once she is neutralized, so is he."

"That's one good thing. I'm almost glad Alexis is with Laura. She'll know what to expect, and how to deal with Helena. She seemed very smart."

Stefan's tone was filled with pride. "She's brilliant." His green depths clouded over. "But the Island holds very bad memories for her. And Laura has no reason to trust Alexis, she may not believe what she tells her."

"She will. Laura's that way, she has a big heart. And she's no dummy. She's a fighter. Helena picked the wrong people to mess with."

Stefan smiled faintly at that, remembering the fiery look in Laura's eyes when he had verbally attacked her. "I know. She's quite remarkable."

"Promise me you won't hurt her. If you do, I will have to hurt you. And I'd hate to do that, I think you're an okay guy."

Stefan looked slightly amused for a moment, but his expression grew serious. "The role of Laura's protector doesn't quite suit you, Mr. Baldwin. I'm not the one who gave up on the first sign of trouble. If she were my wife, I would have moved Heaven and Earth to keep her."

"It's Scott. And point taken. But it was too much to take..." Scotty's words faded away, as he stopped himself from going back there.

"That she chose to leave you for the man who raped her?"

Scotty's surprise showed plainly on his face. "You don't miss much, do you? But we shouldn't be talking about this, so maybe we should change the subject."

Stefan agreed, "You're right. We're almost there. I suggest we prepare ourselves."

"Sound like a good idea to me."

Before they got up, Stefan said, "And Scott?"

"Yeah?"

"You have my word."

*****
"Yes, Mr. Spencer, I have already told you I will let you know when you can make your entrance. Now, I am a busy woman, please refrain from calling again. Goodbye." Helena let the phone drop onto the hook. "Insufferable idiot," she muttered. She leaned back into her seat, purging her thoughts of anything unpleasant. He would cease to be a pest soon enough. Her mind thought ahead to her plans for the evening, which was fast approaching. It would be a memorable night.

"Mother, would you care to tell me why you're doing business with my father's murderer?"

It took a moment for the voice to register. A pleased smile formed on Helena's face as she looked up to see her oldest son. "Stavros, my darling, how are you?" She rose and embraced him.

"I asked you a question," Stavros said as he took the earring she was holding in her hand and pinned it to her ear.

"You should really stop that annoying habit of eavesdropping," Helena scolded lightly. She smiled at his annoyed expression. "I'm not doing business with Luke Spencer."

"That's not how it seemed to me."

Helena grew serious. "I will not have you question me, is that clear?"

Stavros nodded, he really wasn't that interested in that part of the conversation anyway. "What was that about his ex-fiancé?"

"Laura Baldwin," Helena said the name distastefully. "She's here."

An interested spark lit up in the otherwise dull eyes. "Really? She's most beautiful, if I remember correctly."

"She is off limits to you, Stavros," Helena cut in, not liking the familiar predatory look on his face. "It's a beautiful plan, really,” she continued smugly. "Na-- Alexis is here, too."

"Alexis," Stavros sneered. "You should kill her and put the little mouse out of her misery."

Helena glanced sharply at her son, but smiled sweetly. "You need not concern yourself with her."

Stavros shrugged, growing bored. "So what do you plan to do with Lasha?"

Helena frowned slightly at his use of the pet name, but let it go. "It's quite simple. Make her pay for her part in your father's death. And what would be the fun of just killing her? Spencer thinks I'll actually let him ‘rescue' her so he will earn her undying gratitude," she gave a throaty laugh. "As if I would let either of them be happy."

"I want to meet her."

"Stavros, I already told you--"

"I want to meet her, Mother," he said, a stubborn look underlying his words.

Helena cupped his face lovingly, and sighed, "Whatever Stavros wants, Stavros shall have. We'll all have dinner together, how does that sound, my darling?"

Stavros smiled.

*****
Laura looked suspiciously at the older woman standing at the doorway, meant to keep them from trying anything foolish. She walked to where Alexis was sitting. "Do you think we can trust her?" she whispered.

Alexis nodded absently, her eyes having a far-off look in them.

"Hey, are you okay?" Laura said, concern etched on her face. They had been taken to this room before she had had a chance to see anything. Alexis hadn't said a word since they'd arrived.

It took a moment before Alexis looked at Laura, finally answering her. "Yes. I was just thinking... I hate this room," she stated with conviction. "I always have. And I hate this house. I hate this Island. I hate--"

"I think I get it," Laura interrupted with a small laugh.

Alexis smiled sheepishly. "Sorry, it's just that, the last time I was here... I was so afraid of saying the wrong thing. But it didn't matter what I said or didn't say, I was always wrong. It's sort of freeing knowing that now. I can't change Helena. I can't make her into a nice person."

"Speaking of the devil, I wonder where she is right now."

"Probably having a sickening reunion with Stavros."

"Stavros?" Laura tried out the foreign name, finding it unpleasant.

"Stefan's brother." Alexis grew pale as realization hit her. "And maybe my half-brother."

"That's right. You said Helena told you Mikkos was your father and--."

"I don't want to talk about it. She's probably lying, anyway."

"Okay," Laura nodded. She began to look around the room, talking as she did. "I understand how hard it can be figuring out who you are. I didn't know my birth mother until a few years ago. And I've never met my birth father."

"It's screwed up, isn't it?" Alexis said.

"Yeah. I'll never be like my mother. She's... better than I am. Good mother, lousy kid. Stefan's just the opposite, isn't he? Lousy mother, good kid."

"He's the best," Alexis agreed, changing positions so she was facing in Laura's direction. "And you're not half-bad, either."

Laura grinned and looked over from what she was doing, her eyebrow slightly raised. "Was that a compliment?"

"Don't let it go to your head," Alexis said, propping her chin on the armrest. She wondered if this might be what it would be like to have a sister. She shook the sentimental thought out of her mind, and cocked her head sideways. "What are you doing?"

"Looking through all these books! They must be hundreds of years old. I'm nosy, it's a bad habit I intend on breaking one of these days."

"We're in mortal danger and you're looking around a study at books that have little value outside of this family. Makes perfect sense," Alexis snerked.

"So I guess you wouldn't be interested in what I just found?" Laura held up the thin, bounded book in her hand. "It's Stefan's journal from when he was a kid."

Alexis perked up and was immediately next to Laura.

Laura allowed herself a chuckle, which earned her a mock glare from Alexis. Their eyes went to the opened journal in Laura's hands, and Laura began to read out loud. "It's two weeks until my 10th birthday. Today I decided to be someone else and live far away from Stavros and mother and all the Cassadines, except Alexis."

Before Laura could read anymore, Alexis snatched the book from her hand. "I don't think it's right that we're reading this."

Laura didn't protest, seeing how much it had affected her, though she couldn't contain her curiosity. "Did you, Stefan, and Stavros grow up together?"

Alexis nodded, walking back to the luxurious couch. "Pretty much." She sat down, and Laura followed, finding her own spot.

"But you weren't as close with Stavros as you were with Stefan, were you?"

"God, no. Stavros is spoiled and stupid, and often cruel. That's a dangerous combination. He expects to get everything he wants, do whatever he wants. He didn't have any interest in me except the diversion I could provide. He loved to use his power over me by getting me in trouble with Helena. She would be the one to... but Stefan took most of it. I'll never be able to repay him."

"I doubt he's looking for any payment. He loves you," Laura said, feeling oddly sure of her words.

Alexis smiled. "It's knowing that that's kept me alive all these years." She paused. "Can I ask you something?"

"Sure."

"What's it like to be in love?"

Laura gave a short laugh. "You're asking the wrong person. I've mistaken love more times than I care to think about. Scotty was the one who showed me what real love is, but it wasn't meant to be."

"He has kind eyes," Alexis commented.

Laura smiled, "Yes, he does. And for a time, he was my Prince Charming. Until I realized happily ever after doesn't exist. But it was all worth it at the end. Our true loves are waiting... I hope."

"You're such a romantic. I wish I weren't so cynical sometimes."

"Being a romantic has it's dangers, too. You sometimes try to see something that's not there, twist things to forget..."

"But some things are impossible to forget..." Alexis said, her voice soft.

Laura nodded. "No matter how much you try."

They looked at each other, no longer able to avoid the reality of their situation.

"We'll get out, won't we?" Laura asked.

"One way or another," Alexis promised.

Mrs. Lansbury heard voices coming from outside the room, knowing who it was, but hating to have to announce them. She could see a special bond forming between the young women she had been assigned to watch over. She was glad. They would need it to get them through this.

"Ms. Davis, Mrs. Baldwin," she whispered loudly. They turned their heads toward her. "They're coming."