Chapters 19 & 20   CHAPTER 19: TROUBLE SPOTS   At the Scorpio's, Georgie watches as Lu paces around her room. Georgie sees that Lu's about to reach the boiling point. "Will you just tell me what he did?" she demands finally. Lu glares at her, "He's messing with me and Dylan! Isn't that enough?" Confused, she asks, "Messing...how?" Lu flops onto the bed beside Georgie, "He bought Microsoft." "What? I don't get it. Bought the whole company?" Lu nods, "Yeah, bought it, all of it. He wants to use it to keep me away from Dylan. He's messing with my e-mail now." Her voice gets louder as she continues, "But I swear on my father's grave, it's not going to stop me!" Georgie's eyes bug out, "Whoa Lu, bring it down a notch. Think this through before you blow up at Stefan." Lu force herself to relax, "I know, I know. It just makes me so mad. I mean, you know, I love Dylan, and Daddy's trying to control me and my life, just like he tries to control everything and everyone else." "But Dylan's still in town, right?" "Yeah, so...What's your point?" Georgie glares at Lu, surprised she hasn't already thought about this. "Lu, you can just see him, talk to him. You don't have to rely on the internet to be with each other." "But what happens when he leaves town? I'm not exactly going to be able to run up the long distance charges without someone noticing." "Stefan already knows you're talking to him. Why don't you just confront him about it? You've always been able to get your way with him." Lu laughs sarcastically, "Oh yeah, right. Like that'll fly. Besides, this is different. Once he sets his mind to something like this and goes to these measures, he won't back down. And if I say anything, I'll be lucky if he and Nik don't lock me up in my room till I'm 30. But I'm not giving up on Dylan either, so you're gonna have to help me, G." "I'm here for ya, girlfriend, you know that," Georgie smiles. Lu gives her a quick hug, "I knew I could count on you." Keesha comes out of Bradley's ICU room and heads over to Monica, who stands by the window looking in the room. Monica hugs Keesha. "He'll be all right. He's strong." Keesha nods, "I know," she says, tears streaming down her face. She looks around, "Have you seen AJ lately? I don't think he knows about Dr. Von Vetten." Monica shakes her head, "I haven't seen him since he was released, although Dylan did say he saw him." "Dylan's in town?" Monica nods, "He got here right after the accident." Keesha thinks for a moment, then frowns and holds her stomach. "Calm down, Baby," she says softly. Monica looks at her with concern, but Keesha smiles, "She's going to be a soccer player." Monica smiles and gives Keesha a quick hug, "I've got a class to teach, but I'll be back shortly. Try and get some rest, okay?" "I'll try." Keesha watches as Monica walks away. She then takes one more quick glance at her son and heads off in the other direction, determined to find AJ. Robin rocks quietly with her eyes closed in her favorite rocking chair at her house. She hopes to enjoy a few minutes of peace and quiet while Michael is taking his nap. A knock on the door breaks the silence. Robin slowly gets up to answer the doorbell. She is surprised to see Janice Landers at the door. "Mrs. Landers, come in. I haven't seen you in ages!" Mrs. Landers enters and gives Robin a hug, "How have you been, Robin?" Robin gestures the older woman towards a chair, "Good, thanks. What about you? Where are you hiding yourself?" Mrs. Landers smiles, "Just trying to keep busy. I've been working odd jobs here and there, housekeeping mostly. That's actually why I came to see you." Quizzically, Robin asks, "What can I do for you?" Mrs. Landers hesitates, but strengthens herself to ask. "You and Jason have been so kind since my husband died." "Your husband was a good man, Janice," Robin says softly. Mrs. Landers continues, "Jason made sure that I would never want for anything. But, to be honest, I need people." She smiles, "I need to be needed." Robin nods, "I think we all do." "So I was wondering, with the new baby and everything, whether you would want or need some help here at home." Robin smiles, but before she can say anything, Jason enters. He smiles as he sees his wife talking to Mrs. Landers. "I see you finally agreed to come talk to Robin." Mrs. Landers blushes slightly. Robin glances over at Jason. He shrugs, "I thought it would be a good idea. Janice has been like family for years." Robin nods, "You're right." Jason adds, "Besides, you've exhausted yourself between the hospital, this pregancy and caring for me and Michael. That can't be good for the baby." Robin smiles as she throws her hands up in mock defeat, "Okay. You've convinced me." She turns to Mrs. Landers, "I'd really love to have you around, if you're sure that's what you want." "There's nothing I'd rather have." Robin hugs the older woman appreciatively. "You won't regret this," Mrs. Landers adds assuringly. Jason looks on and smiles, relieved. "Of course we won't." Robin suddenly grimaces and lets out a small yell. Jason rushes to her side. "Now?" he asks. Robin nods quickly, "Won't be much longer," she says as she begins her breathing exercises. "I was hoping it was just a false alarm, but they're getting stronger and too close together." Mrs. Landers holds Robin's hand as Jason bolts upstairs to grab Robin's things and make the necessary phone calls. She has another contraction fairly quickly. Jason helps Robin to stand as he says, "Dr. Goldstein's meeting us at GH." He looks at Mrs. Landers, "Can you stay with Michael?" She smiles, "My pleasure." Then more sternly, she says, "Now hurry up, unless you want your child born right here." Jason and Robin both smile and thank her as they head out the door. Lu knocks quickly on Lucky's apartment door. When she doesn't get a response, she pulls out a key and enters. Expecting no one to be home, she is surprised to see Lucky slouching on the couch, eyes closed. She can't help but notice how rough he looks. She also spies an open liquor bottle on the coffee table. Going over to him, she lightly touches him on the shoulder. He jumps up and slams her against the sofa. "Lucky, it's me!" she squeals. He quickly lets her go and falls onto the sofa beside her, "Lulu," he says, out of breath, "what the hell are you doing here?" "I came to see you." "How did you know I was home?" Lu looks around nervously, "I, uh, guessed?" she offers. Lucky nods suspiciously, "Uh huh. What's up, Lulu? You can tell me." Lu watches Lucky concernedly, "First things first, Lucky, what's wrong with you?" He shrugs, "Nothin' babe, don't worry about it." Lu glares at him. He notices how much she looks like Laura when she glares and can't help but smile. "It's nothing I can't handle, Lulu. Trust me." "Right. Just promise me you won't shoot off for parts unknown and make me worry, huh?" He smiles again, "I love you, Lulu." He ruffles her hair affectionately. She bats him off playfully, "Stop that." "Okay, deal. Now, what's on your mind?" Lu smiles ingratiatingly, "I need your help. Can I borrow your apartment tonight?" "Why?" "I want to meet a friend here." "Do I know this guy?" Lucky asks suspiciously. Lu smiles, "I know him. Isn't that enough?" Lucky crosses his arms protectively and just stares at her. Lu continues to try and charm him, "Come on, Lucky, you know what it's like to be young and in love." "Lulu, I don't need convincing. How are you going to explain this to Nikolas?" Lu glares at him, "Nikolas isn't my father, I don't have to explain anything to him!" she says defensively. "Yeah, right." Lu looks down dejectedly, "So that's a no, then." Lucky leans over and kisses her forehead, "You can come here, but I'll be here." "You won't be at the club?" He smiles, "Consider me your chaperone, babe." She rolls her eyes, but agrees, "Hey, it's better than nothing."   CHAPTER 20: ONE WORD TOO MANY   Lu comes home and attempts to sneak up the stairs without being noticed by Stefan. She jumps when he calls out to her. "Angel, would you come in here for a moment? There is something we need to discuss." Stefan turns to face her when she enters the room. Lu feigns nonchalance. "What's up?" Stefan frowns. "You know 'what's up'." Lu fights the urge to flop on the couch, knowing if she can present herself maturely, she might stand a chance of changing his mind. Instead she walks purposefully to the couch. "Honestly, I've been too angry with you to have a reasonable discussion. I don't appreciate the fact that you read my e-mail and interfered with my friendships. I'm sure you would be furious too if someone intercepted your private correspondence." Stefan sidesteps her. "You are only 15 years old. Carrying on a flirtation with a man much older than you is dangerous! When you were a little girl, I swore to protect you and I will do that whether you want me to or not. I am alarmed that you felt the need to hide this from your family." "Why? Look how you reacted?" Lu points out. "You cut my computer off from the internet and turned around and bought Microsoft. Don't you think that was overkill, Daddy? I won't be your little girl forever, you know. Besides, can you really say I've been irresponsible?" Stefan paces around the room, trying to keep his cool. "You are too young to be dating, Angel. The fact that you hid this from us proves that. You hardly know this man. If anything happens to you, I won't be able to live with myself." "I love him, Daddy," Lu argues. "He's sweet, kind and he'd never do anything to hurt me." "How can you love someone you've only met once?" Stefan asks. Lu sits silently, not willing to admit she's been with Dylan more than once. "The internet is no place for you to make friends, much less romantic attachments." Lu changes tactics, her voice turning sad.. "Do you know how lonely I am living on Spoon Island? The only friend I really have is Georgie. Everytime I get new friends they're scared off when they hear I'm a Cassadine. Is that what you want? For me to be alone, miserable and isolated? The only way I'm not is when I'm online. Who I am doesn't matter then." Stefan gulps, hating to hear Lu's unhappiness. "I AM sorry, Angel.... my decision is final. You will not have any further contact with him. I forbid it." "You can't mean that?!" Lu exclaims as her eyes fill with tears. She looks at Stefan pleadingly, hoping that if he sees her despair he will change his mind. Stefan closes his eyes, unable to bear the sight of the pain he's caused. He whispers, "Yes, I mean it." "You can't stop me from seeing him!" Lu yells hotly as she wipes away stray tears. "I love Dylan and I won't let you destroy what we have!" Stefan glowers at her challenge. "I warn you, LesleyLu, do not disobey me. If you do, I will pull you out of public school and hire a tutor." Like a trapped animal, Lu angrily lashes out at him. "I hate you! If my real dad were alive, he'd let me see Dylan! He'd understand!" His face pales and he practically doubles over from the verbal sucker-punch, his worst nightmare realized. He fights to remain calm, knowing he can't back down. "That is probably true, Angel," he chokes out. Even in her anger, she realizes her mistake. She's only seen that devastation on Stefan's face under one other circumstance... Lu rushes to apologize. "I'm sorry, Daddy! Please, I didn't mean it..." Stefan turns his back, his body becoming rigidly formal. "Leave me." He runs his fingers through his hair in anguish, letting his hand rest on the back of his neck. He steadies himself by holding on tightly to one of the high backed antique chairs. Lu gets up and tries to reach for him. Softly, she says, "Daddy, I'm sorry." "I said leave me!" Stefan bellows as tears form in his eyes. A stricken Lu dashes from the room. Keesha goes looking for AJ to tell him about Bradley's second surgery, expecting him to be at the Quartermaine mansion, but he's not. She also looks for him at the PC Hotel and his office, but no one's seen him. Shuddering at the thought, she can't help wondering which bar AJ's in. She checks the Outback and Lucky's, but has no luck either place. She finally checks one of the seediest places in town, and there, perched on a barstool, is AJ. Going up to him, she asks harshly, "AJ, what are you doing?" He wheels around to face her, "What does it look like, Keesh? I'm drinking." She takes his glass of vodka away from him, "AJ, your son is lying unconscious in a hospital bed because of a drunk driver and you have the nerve to be here drinking?" she asks incredulously. "It's not like I can do anything for Brad, now can I?" Keesha glares, "You could just be there, AJ. Is that too much to ask? You haven't been to see him, not once. One of us should be there at all times." "Well, we're not there now, are we darlin'?" "Alex is with him," she says defensively. Sarcastically, AJ says, "Oooo, Alex, the man that can do no wrong." Keesha slaps him, "That's enough, AJ. Alex has been a better father to Bradley then you'll ever be!" She spins around and starts to storm out. AJ lifts his glass to her, "Here's to ex wives!" he shouts and quickly downs his drink as a murmur goes up from the other patrons. The bartender hands him another, but Keesha goes back and grabs it from AJ, dumping it unceremoniously on AJ's head. "Here's to drunken fathers," she growls. AJ grins at her and blows her a kiss. Frustrated, she leaves in a huff. Keesha stands outside the bar and tries to clear her thoughts. A sharp pain in her stomach grabs her attention. Instead of easing off, it increases. "Please, baby, no. It's too early," she coaxes, tears streaming down her face. Emily jumps at the knock on her door. She wasn't expecting anyone else to come by. Between her morning sickness, trying to prepare for the wedding and telling Lucky, it had already been a tough day. She crossed slowly to the door. She smiles as she's greeted by Dylan's smiling face, "Hey Cousin!" he says. She hugs him, "Dylan!" She practically yanks him through the door, "I was wondering when you were going to come see me." "I've been busy," he replies. She nods, "Yeah, uh huh." She points him towards the sofa, "Spill it." He flops on the sofa, "Well, Em, I think I'm in love." She sits down beside him, "Whoa, nothing like getting to the point, is there?" He looks at her, "You asked." She nods, "Yeah, I sure did. Who's the lucky girl?" He shrugs and smiles suspiciously, "I don't want to jinx it. She's just a girl." "She's 'just a girl' but you're in love with her?" Laughing slightly, he says, "Well, she's wonderful! I've never known anyone like her." He quickly changes topics, "But enough about me, what's this I hear about you getting married?" Emily smiles, "I'm marrying Tom Hardy, Jr." Dylan tilts his head slightly to one side, "Not that other guy Ned said you were seeing?" "You mean Lucky?" she asks. Lucky. Lu's brother is named Lucky. Dylan starts putting pieces together. How many guys can there be named Lucky in one town. "Yeah, Lucky," he says, distractedly. "It didn't work out." "There's more to it, isn't there, Em?" Emily smiles, "You're very perceptive." Dylan stares at her blankly, waiting for her to continue. After a moment, she does, "You have to promise me that you won't breathe a word of this to anyone." Dylan raises his right hand, "Promise." Emily takes a deep breath before continuing, "I'm pregnant." Dylan nods, "I had heard that, but I wasn't going to say anything till you did." She shakes her head, "No, you don't understand. Everyone thinks that it's Tom's baby. It's not, it's Lucky's." Whistling in surprise, Dylan says, "Wow. So what happened with Lucky? And does Tom know that it's Lucky's baby?" "Yeah, Tom knows, but as for what happened with Lucky, I don't want to talk about that yet." "Hey, I understand. But if you need me, I'm here." He stands up, "I really just came by to see how you are, but I'd better go, it's getting late." Emily looks at her watch, 8:30. "Sure, whatever. See you later, Dylan." As he heads for the door, he adds, "You gonna be at the concert next week?" "Of course! Nothing could make me miss Ned, Lois and the girls." She kisses him on the cheek, "Behave, okay?" He smiles, flashing dimples just like his older brother, "Who, me? Never," he says before leaving.