Chapters 103 & 104

 

Chapter 103 Time Is Short

Early Saturday afternoon, Laura opens the front door to find Stefan and Lulu on her stoop. Her heart drops into her stomach; she isn't prepared to see him. Quickly Laura covers for Lulu's sake, saying, "Oh... hi. I expected Nikolas to drop her off."

"Hi, Mommy!" Lulu skips into the room carrying a drawing in her hand. "Look what Stefan drew for me. Isn't it neat?"

Laura gives Lulu a weak smile and a kiss, glancing briefly at the sketch Lulu's referring to. "Hi, sweetheart. It's beautiful. Why don't you find a place for it on your wall in your bedroom?"

Meanwhile Stefan stands in the background holding a large box trying to give Laura space; she looks a cross between wary and outright terrified. Hoping not to appear threatening, he remains silent until Lulu runs up the stairs to do as her mother suggested.

Laura turns Stefan. "Where is Nikolas? And why didn't he bring her home as planned?"

"He asked me to bring LesleyLu home because he had an important test to study for," Stefan answers, then presses gently. "You look pale and tired."

"No need to worry, I'm fine."

Lulu bounds down the stairs, effectively cutting off further conversation. "I put it right above my bed!"

"What do you say, Lulu?" Laura prods.

"Thank you, Stefan," Lulu kisses his cheek obediently. "So can we give Mommy the present now?"
"I think now is as good as time as any." Stefan's eyes meet Laura's angry ones above Lulu's head. There is a silent battle, his immovable like stone, hers shooting daggers. Stefan purposefully breaks eye contact to look down at Lulu. "Why don't you give it to your Mother, since you picked it out."

Lulu's head bobs with excitement as she takes the large box from his outstretched hands and almost drops it before giving it to her mother. "Here you go, Mommy. Open it!"

Laura and Lulu sit on the sofa with Stefan standing behind them. Over her back, Laura shoots Stefan another angry look and gently pulls the lid off the box. Inside the white tissue paper she finds a large heavy black garment. "I asked you not to do this, Stefan!"

"You're not mad, are you Mommy?" Lulu's troubled eyes search her mother's for reassurance. "Do you hate it?"

"No, Angel," Stefan says in a soothing tone. "Your mother is just surprised. I'm sure she loves it."

"Of course I love it, honey," Laura covers quickly. "I just..."

"Try it on, Mommy. Please," Lulu asks in a wheedling tone. "I want to see what you look like in it."

"Sure." Laura pulls the garment out of the box to reveal a long black cashmere coat, her eyes widening in appreciation. "It's beautiful..."

Stefan lifts the coat out of her hands. "Let me help you put it on." He urges. Laura puts her arms through the sleeves as he slips it over her shoulders, drawing it around her neck. An excited Lulu runs to the hall closet, opening it to reveal a full length mirror on the inside of the door.

"You're beautiful, Mommy! Like a Queen!" Lulu gushes, prancing back over to her mother's side to pet the coat lovingly. "Isn't it soft?"

In an intimate gesture, Stefan gathers Laura's long blond hair in his hand and pulls it out from under the coat, releasing it to cascade over her shoulders in striking contrast to the black coat. Laura gazes into the mirror and makes eye contact with Stefan who is standing right behind her. The air practically crackles with the electricity between them.

"Absolutely stunning," Stefan whispers in awe, resisting the urge to touch her further. "More exquisite than I had envisioned."

"Thank you." Laura breaks the spell by looking down and petting the cashmere. "It is beautiful. It's so soft."

"No, you are."

Lulu watches with a huge smile on her face. The plan she and Nikolas concocted is working better than Nikky predicted it would. She recalls Nikky's advice. "When it looks like they're getting close, give them time alone." Now is the time. Quietly, Lulu slips upstairs.

Laura looks up at Stefan with a mixture of frustration and confusion. "I told you not to get me a coat. It wasn't fair to use Lulu as a means to get your way. Now I can't refuse it without hurting her feelings."

"I wanted you to be warm and I knew Lulu would love helping me choose it. Regardless of the methods, you love the coat. What is the crime in my wanting you to be warm?"

Laura shucks the coat, handing it to Stefan to hang up in the closet. "I'm too tired to fight with you."

"We need to talk, Lasha."

"Not today, I'm not ready to talk about the future." With great effort, Laura forces her despair down. "Please."

Stefan nods grimly. "Alright. But we must talk soon, Lasha. I will not be put off much longer. This is too important."

---

Midday at Kelly's Diner; it's fairly deserted. Only a few stray customers are still present, drinking coffee. As is typical for a Saturday afternoon, a group of teenage kids hang out in front of Kelly's. Benny comes down from his apartment rubbing his bleary eyes. Carly gives him a warm smile and a cup of coffee when he sidles up to the lunch counter. "Been staring at the computer screen too long, haven't you?"

"Yep. I've been working on this same problem since late last night and I'm not getting anywhere with it," Benny takes a long sip of coffee. "Time to get away for a few and gain a new perspective."

They sit together in companionable silence. Carly gazes out at the group of kids. "I wish they'd find some other place to hang out. They're keeping away the paying customers."

Benny raises an eyebrow and offers, "Do you want me to scare the punks off? I'd be happy to."

"Uh oh, looks like a fight... maybe you should." Carly watches with growing concern as two older teens roughly shove each other. The bigger one throws a punch with such force, the smaller one lands in the dirt. Then Carly sees something gleaming in the smaller kid's hand and she gasps, grabbing Benny's arms as he passes. "Oh my gosh, he's got a knife!"

"Call Jason," Benny barks the order as he goes for the door. "Then call 911. I'm going to try and break it up."

Carly fumbles for the phone, dialing quickly. "God, be careful Benny!" The boys dance around each other, each holding a switchblade as the other kids surrounding them cheer louder. In a blur of motion they lunge for each other at the same time. Carly screams. "NO!"

"What's going on?" Jason yells into the phone to get her attention. " CARLY! Answer me!"

Carly's voice shakes with horror as she sees one kid fall with a knife in lodged his stomach, his shirt drenched with blood. "Oh God, Jason, Oh God. Some boy was just stabbed outside!" Unable to tear her eyes away from the disaster, she watches Benny lunge for the kid still standing, but the other kids shove Benny out of the way. Two burly teenagers double team Benny and punch him several times while the rest of the kids take off. Benny returns a few punches before landing in the dirt next to the stabbing victim. The two kids disappear.

"Call 911, I'll be right there."

Carly dials again. "We need help. A teenage kid was just stabbed outside my restaurant! There's blood everywhere." Carly gives the address and hangs up. Grabbing the first aid kit under the counter and a diaper bag, she dashes outside to help Benny and the victim.

Benny slowly rises from the prone position, leaning towards the bleeding kid. "Man, he's bleeding like a stuck pig! I have to stop the bleeding or he's a goner. CARLY!" Benny reaches to dislodge the knife.

"NO!" Carly yells, rushing to kneel at his side. "If you take the knife out of his chest, he's likely to bleed to DEATH! Wait, DON'T touch him. Have you been cut anywhere?" She fumbles for latex gloves in the first aid kit and with shaking hands dons them, handing another pair to Benny.

Benny checks himself all over. "Looks like I was lucky this time. No cuts, just a few bruises." Following Carly's lead he puts on the gloves.

Carly rummages through her diaper bag and and pulls out several disposable diapers. "Here, take a couple. We're going to apply pressure to try and stop the bleeding."

Benny does as she says. "Why the diapers?That's doesn't make any sense."

"It puts a barrier between us and the blood and it's absorbent." Clicking automatically into her nursing role, her nerves calm as she takes the kid's pulse and checks his breathing. "Damn! Where is the ambulance! His pulse is weak. Hold on, kid. Hold on. Don't you dare die on me."

Chapter 104 Working Itself Out

Kelly's Diner. Emergency vehicles surround it, ambulances, police cars, even a fire truck. Earlier Keesha, the first officer on the scene, had interviewed Jason while Carly and Benny spoke with the EMTs. Now a team of EMTs lifts the boy onto a stretcher and into the ambulance. Jason, Benny and Carly stand nearby watching the ambulance drive off.

Commissioner Garcia arrives; Keesha goes over the crime scene with him while Carly, Jason and Benny look on from a discreet distance. Afterwards Keesha and Garcia walk up to the trio. Keesha pulls Carly and Benny aside, leaving Jason and Garcia alone.

''Morgan, fancy meeting you here.'' Garcia quips drily. ''you bring new meaning to the term ambulance chasing.''

Morgan rolls his eyes toward the sky. ''My friend Carly called and asked for help. Naturally I dropped everything and came to see what I could do.''

''Such a good Samaritan.'' Garcia crosses his arms, his voice dripping with sarcasm. ''And you got here BEFORE the aid cars? The story behind that should prove interesting.''

''What can I say? EMS is slow,'' Jason retorts, his ice blue eyes cold and hard. ''I have better things to do than trade insults with you, Commissioner. Keesha has my official statement, brief as it is. Now if you'll excuse me...''

''You have an alibi for the stabbing I trust?'' Garcia presses relentlessly.

Jason glares at Garcia with an intensity that would intimidate a less formidable man. But Garcia doesn't flinch. ''Stabbing kids is not my style, Garcia. Even you know that. Of course I have an alibi. I've been visiting with my godson all day. You can call Alexis if you don't trust my word. Now, BACK OFF.'' Jason stalks off to join Carly and Benny.

''Thank you, Mr Baird,'' Keesha says politely to Benny. ''If I have any further questions, I'll let you know.'' Keesha turns to Carly with an icy look. ''Carly, why don't you give me your account?''

Jason pulls Benny aside. ''Can you get me the tape?''

Benny nods. ''Yeah, I'll get it to you tonight. Too many cops swarming around at the moment. If I retrieve it now, one of them is likely to notice.''

Jason gives a short nod. ''Good. Keep close to Carly for the next few days. She's going to need the support. I'll be adding extra security to the area.''

Emily and Lucky walk up. ''What happened?!'' Emily asks Jason.

''A kid was stabbed outside of Kelly's.'' Jason puts an arm around Emily and pulls her aside. ''Maybe you should go back to the mansion for a few days, at least until I can secure the place.''

''Oh no,'' Emily pales, putting a trembling hand to her mouth. ''Is the kid going to make it?''

''It didn't look good when I arrived on the scene,'' Jason says grimly. ''Why don't you pack a bag and I'll take you to mansion. I think you'll feel safer.''

''No, if I go back to the mansion now, I'll never get out again. Please Jason, don't ask me to go back there.'' Emily pulls on his arms pleadingly. ''Please.''

Lucky walks up. ''Benny just told me about the stabbing. Any idea how it happened?''

Jason answers him. ''Gang violence. I'll find out who the players are and put a stop to it. I don't think this was a simple street fight. It never is. And I'm trying to convince Emily that it isn't safe for her to stay here.''

Lucky looks at Emily's stricken face and then back at Jason's grim one. ''What if I stayed with her? Just until you can stop the gangs?''

Jason considers Lucky's offer. ''You're practically a kid yourself, Lucky.''

''I know how to fight and how to use a gun. I can protect Emily, I promise you, man.''

Jason looks unhappy, but he concedes. ''Okay, for now. Any trouble and I want to be called immediately. No playing hero and jeopardizing Emily's life.''

Lucky nods adamantly. ''You got it. First sign of trouble, you'll be the one I call.''

Jason turns to Emily. ''Emiy, it's up to you.''

Emily reaches for Lucky's hand and squeezes it. ''I want to stay at the diner.''

---

Late Saturday evening, Stefan sits on the sofa in the living room, wearing his black silk robe and reading glasses. In his hands he holds a copy of the latest company report, which he is reading. The phone rings, breaking his concentration.

''Cassadine.'' There is silence, but Stefan senses someone on the other end. ''Hello? Is someone there?''

''It's me,'' Laura answers after a moment, her voice quivering slightly ''I... I just called to set up a time for us to talk early next week. If that's okay.''

''Yes, that would be fine.'' Stefan softens his voice in reaction to her hesitancy, removing his eyeglasses and putting the report aside. ''Does this mean you are prepared to discuss the matter?''

''No.'' She admits. ''I don't think I'll ever be ready. But putting it off is only making it worse. Are you alone? I didn't mean to interrupt your evening...''

''No, you are not disturbing me. Nikolas and Gina are studying late at the college library. As a matter of fact, your call rescued me from a dreadfully tedious company report.''

Laura relaxes some at his mild attempt at humor. ''So you were telling the truth earlier about Nikolas. I'm sorry, I should have believed you.''

''You had good reason to be skeptical.'' Stefan changes the topic to a more personal one. ''How are you feeling? physically?''

For whatever reason Laura feels safe talking over the phone with Stefan. Maybe there's safety in not being in his presence or maybe it's his gentle tone tonight. Either way, it feels good to talk with him like this. ''Tired, yet not really able to rest. A little nausea. It's all normal though, nothing you need to worry about.''

''I remember Alexis having the same symptoms during her pregnancy. Nevertheless, I will worry. It can't be helped.''

''Worry for the baby?'' Laura asks before she can stop herself.

''For you,'' Stefan corrects. ''Generally but also specifically. Right now I am concerned because you looked worn down and exhausted earlier.''

''I guess I am. I can't seem to stop worrying no matter how hard I try. I feel scared all the time.'' Laura winces as soon as the words leave her mouth.

Laura's admission surprises Stefan and reminds him of his previous conversation with Alexis about Laura. Sensing what she needs is reassurance, he says, ''Lasha, I promise I will not take our child away from you. You can lay that fear to rest.''

''You mean that.'' The relief is so overwhelming, Laura begins to cry. ''I need to hear you say it again. Please.''

''I won't take our child away from you.'' He repeats gently. ''You have my word.''

''Thank you!'' Laura takes several jagged breaths while she busily wipes the tears from her eyes. ''You have no idea what this means to me. I feared-- well, it doesn't matter now what I was afraid of. What matters is that you won't try to take the baby away and that I don't want to keep you from this child either.''

''Then I have every confidence that we will work the details out to all of our benefits.'' Then he adds gently. ''Lasha, it's late. You are exhausted.''

Laura nods, rising from the rocking chair in her bedroom where she had been sitting. ''I know I should be asleep, but I was so keyed up I couldn't. I think I can sleep now, thanks to our conversation.''

''Then I am very glad you called. Shall we meet Monday, here at Wyndemere? Nikolas and Gina will be in classes all day. We won't be disturbed.''

''Okay, I'll meet you then.'' Laura crawls into bed and pulls the covers up to her chest. ''Stefan...?''

He smiles at the sound of the blankets rustling. ''Good night, Lasha. Everything will work itself out.''

After saying good night, Laura snuggles under the covers, and upon closing her eyes, immediately falls asleep.

---

Jason's penthouse apartment, the one that Katherine used to live in. Jason opens the door to admit Benny who immediately hands over the tape. ''Thanks, man. I'll have still pictures made of each kid present,'' Jason says as he turns to the another man about his age. ''You two haven't met. Benny, this is George Landers. Landers is a transfer from out of town.'' The two men shake hands. As all three of them sit, Jason says. ''Benny, tell me what happened.''

Benny gets straight to the point. ''Not much to tell. I haven't reviewed the tape yet. All I know is that I came down for coffee and there was a group of punks hanging outside, nothing unusual. Carly and I were just discussing the possibility of my getting rid of them when the knife fight broke out. The strange part was the two guys that hung around to drop me. They wanted to make sure I didn't follow. And they were trained street fighters, not the local punk kids. For one thing, they were older, more like early twenties.So were the two guys in the knife fight.''

Jason hands the tape to Landers. ''Take this to Joe. Have him get clear still shots of every kid hanging out in front of Kelly's today. Tell him I want the pictures by tomorrow morning.'' Landers leaves. ''How is Carly holding up?''

''Not good. She's talking of selling the diner.'' Benny leans forward. ''Carly's not your typical shrinking violet. She's tough. The blood didn't bother her so much, of course she's a nurse. But the violence really has her scared. She called Tony and asked him to hold onto AR for the weekend. You know she has to be pretty terrified if she's leaving her kid with Tony.''

''Yeah. Carly and her kid are like glue. '' Jason shakes his head grimly. ''This is it, man. The gangs are leaving town, alive or in body bags. No one makes my town a war zone.''

''I'll help any way I can, but I'm no foot soldier.'' Benny gets up and shakes Jason's hand. ''I better get back to Carly.''