GH2018.01 It Begins Again

 

From the encrypted journal of Stefan Cassadine

Jan 1, 2018

It has been 120 days since Lasha left. The world is a dark and empty

place without her by my side. How did I ever survive before? This is

the longest separation since our marriage...since Spencer died. So many

things I would tell her. So many times I turn in the dark and reach for

her but feel only the cold space next to me. It seems bizarre that

Lucky is my greatest comfort. I anticipate the times he comes to the

island with another postcard from his mother. Each time he reminds me

that it means that his mother has moved to another location. Despite

the cloud we are all under, he relishes the journey that his mother is

on as if it were his own. Each visit he shares with me an anecdote of

the street wisdom that Luke instilled in him and now I find out Lucky

has instilled in my Lesley Lu and that Lasha is sharing with Anastacia.

Surely this torment will end soon?

I called Cassandra two days ago. This has gone on long enough, she will

find Lasha. I think Lucky would agree now is a good time for his

mother to return home; No longer will Lucky hold me to the promise I

made his sister. Petrovic is dead. I am still amazed by the forces

serving Jason Morgan. Like the brilliant surgeon he might once have

been, he has cut through the maze surrounding us all. All the Russian

connections receiving weapons are either dead or in jail. Those jailed

with information Morgan discovered or planted, I don't know which. Also

the work of the sole survivor of the Russians' attempt on Staci.

Sergey, has been singing like a bird as Lucky would say. The

Commissioner and the DA, The Garcias, have made their careers on mopping

up this international gun running based out of Port Charles. Lucky

heard at the bar that they have been approached by Hollywood for a movie

of the week about their life together and their careers... Only in

America.

Evan Scorpio has worked tirelessly tracking the bombers that killed

Brooke's driver. Finally, he was able to arrest them in Manhattan. He

actually caught them in the act of planting yet another bomb in the ELQ

building. Thankfully no one was injured. One of the men will stand

trial here in Port Charles for the bombing of the apartment building,

but the war over jurisdiction has just begun. The bombing of the bus at

the arena was in another state and the bomb they were setting was in

Manhattan. All this is academic for one of the men however. A

diplomatic passport protects him. He has already been deported to his

own country with an invitation to never return. Both the Quartermaines

and the Cassadine have brought pressure to bear on the state

department. If the man is not tried in his country for these crimes,

all diplomatic ties will be severed. Jerry has already been working

with the WSB to make things increasing uncomfortable for the ayatollah

that sent the orders. But that is a part of the world that defies all

our resources. Otherwise Jerry and I would have ended this before it

began, over twenty years ago when they raided our oil fields.

Lucky has to allow me to search for Lasha; She must come home. The

house is as the tomb which Lucky constantly compares it--. Too

silent... too dark. Nikolas divides his time between here and the

compound in Greece since the birth of his son, David. He, like Lasha,

is unwilling to return here with Brooke and the baby until the danger

has passed. I have not yet seen or held the child-- The future

Cassadine. In ten days he will be 3 months old. Brooke as is her custom

has made the compound her own. Before the baby was born both Lois

Ashton and Gloria Cerrulo moved in "to help." I would not argue as it

eased the restriction on Lesley Lu, and Lasha was right-- it was hell

for her on that island all those years ago... so young and so alone.

How could I have been such a fool? How could I not have seen what would

happen? It has always been Lasha's way to retreat... to distance

herself from pain. I think that Nikolas's hope for the future is that

it is not Brooke's way. She attacks, fights, and retaliates. Skills

she learned from her mother and grandmother. Lasha and Brooke so

different and yet so strong. Both are survivors, both with generous

hearts... big enough to forgive? This situation has created a strain

between Nikolas and me the depth of which hasn't existed for years. How

can we speak when the things mentioned only cause more pain? How can he

regret what he did when Brooke is alive and their child healthy and in

their arms? My sources tell me that his visits to the compound are

equally strained. Brooke has not forgiven him. She does not deny him

access to his son but Lois, Gloria and Brooke stand against him. The

staff is cowed by them. The women's only concern is David and for that

reason they can do no wrong in the eyes of the staff.

I must finish this entry soon. One of the few accommodations Hornsby

made is allowing Lesley Lu to work one night a week at the club. Lucky

may see her freely. I know Georgie has made a practice of repelling

into Lesley Lu's apartment when Dylan is not there-- bringing her

cookies and treats that Carida prepares. Lesley Lu has her other work--

the weaving and the building that she is rehabilitating is coming along

briskly. All done from the apartment. Dylan has decided that the

warehouse is an island and as long as Brooke is on the Cassadine Island

Lesley Lu will not leave the warehouse. But the bad blood between

Hornsby and me.... He will not relent. Lesley Lu and I communicate daily

through email but I am only permitted this one night a week when she is

working to see her. I should have killed him when I had the chance.