Chapter 17: Love Conquers All

Stefan leads Laura up the steps of her home. She has been mute since leaving cemetery. Laura stands in front of her door, waiting for it to open.
She is still shivering violently from the cold, despite being in a warm
car just a moment ago.

S(gently coaching her):"Lasha, where are your house keys?"

Laura(blankly): "Oh, they should be here somewhere..." She tries to put
her hand in her pocket, but she's shivering too much to control her hands.

Stefan has to resort to fishing through her coat pockets for her keys.
Laura follows behind Stefan docilely when he enters her home.

Stefan:"Let's get you out of that coat and wrapped in some blankets."
His heart breaks when he sees her try to unbutton her coat and fail.

Laura(eyes filling with tears):"I can't.."

Stefan:"Shssh, it's okay. I'll help you." He makes quick work of
removing the coat and wrapping her in the Afghan. "Do you have any other
blankets?"

Laura(still shivering):"There sh...should be some in th.. the closet,
top sh.. shelf." He retrieves the blankets and wraps them around her.
"I sh.. should be ff...fine in a minute."

Stefan:"I know, you'll be just fine. I'll go find a can of soup to warm
up for you. " Stefan is rummaging in the kitchen when Lucky comes
through the back door.

Lucky launches himself at Stefan, grabbing his coat lapels and shoving
him up against the kitchen counter.

Lucky(growling):"What the hell are you doing here Cassadine? You didn't
waste a moment, did you? You're one sick bastard, going after my Mom the
night of the funeral. But you've made a fatal mistake. You're a dead
man!"

Stefan(forcefully shoving Lucky away):"Before you go around throwing
accusations, maybe you should go check in on your mother in the next
room, she's half dead. If she'd had her wish, she would be!"

Lucky:"What are you spouting off about, man?! Is that always going to
be your excuse, rescuing my Mom from herself? If she's half-dead, it's
because something you did! My Mom doesn't need rescuing, she can take
care of herself!"

Stefan:"Why don't you go see for yourself how well she's taking care
of herself?"

Lucky slams out of the kitchen. He is appalled to see his mother on
the couch wrapped in blankets, shivering.

Lucky:"Mom? What happened? Did Cassadine do this to you?" He sits on
the couch with her and puts his arm around her shoulders.

Laura:"No, Stefan brought me home. I did something stupid..." Laura
begins to cry. "Oh, Lucky, I miss him so much. Is it so awful to want
to be with him?" Lucky pulls her closer, burying her face in his
shoulder. The realization of what his mother almost did sinks in, he
feels a knot of terror form in his stomach.

Lucky(trying to stem the rising panic):"No Mom. I want to be with Dad
too. But Lulu and I need you. Please Mom, promise me..." Lucky starts
to cry.

Laura(pulling herself together to reassure Lucky):"I know now that it
was stupid. It won't happen again. You, Nikolas, and Lulu need me. I
just got so overwhelmed today."

Stefan walks into the room quietly bringing a mug of soup. Laura pulls
way from Lucky to accept the soup.

Lucky wipes the tears away from his eyes before confronting Stefan.
Lucky's anger is simmering just below the surface. It galls him to no
end that once again Stefan Cassadine has insinuated himself into their
lives.

Lucky(with hostility):"I can take care of my mother now, Cassadine.
There's no reason for you to stay."

Laura:"Lucky, I'd like a moment with Stefan. Please."

Lucky(glaring at Stefan):"Fine. I'll be right in the kitchen."

Once Lucky is in the kitchen, she motions for Stefan to sit down.
"Thank you. Both my son and I owe you an apology."

Stefan:"That isn't necessary."

Laura:"Yes, it is. I'm sure my son attacked you in the kitchen. He's a
lot like his father, he acts first and asks questions later. Please
forgive him. He's very protective."

Stefan:"As he should be."

Laura:"I said some awful things to you. I accused you of killing my
husband. I know you wouldn't hurt me like that, no matter how much you
hated Luke. I"m so sorry if I...."

Stefan(taking her hand ):"Stop. You have nothing to apologize for. My
family has robbed you of so much." He smiles at her as he motions toward
the kitchen. "I should go before Lucky comes back in here with a loaded
shotgun."

Laura smiles back."Yes, you're right. And one more thing, you don't have
to worry about me. I'm through the worst of it."

Stefan:"Good. " Stefan gives her hand a squeeze before getting up. "Good
bye Lasha."

Laura:"Good bye." Lucky stands with his arms crossed in front of the
kitchen doorway watching as Stefan leaves.

Lucky:"Good riddance." Laura shakes her head at him.

.................

Mike and Cassidy are back at Mike's apartment over Luke's. Once she is
settled in the spare room, she rejoins Mike and Alexis in the living
room. Mike walks over to give her another hug.

Mike:"It's been too long. Why didn't you tell me you were coming?"
Cassidy(smiling):"I wanted it to be a surprise."
Mike:"Well it sure was." He holds her hands out as he surveys her
appearance. "Look at you! You get more beautiful every time I see you.
Alexis, don't you agree?"
Cassidy(blushing at his praise):"Daddy, Stop with the charm. I adore
you, you don't have to use it on me!"
Alexis:"I have to agree with him, Cassidy. You look incredible." She
touches Cassidy's French braid. " I like this look on you!"
Cassidy(laughing and growing pink with embarrassment):"You guys are
intentionally trying to embarrass me!"
Alexis gives Cassidy a warm hug."It's so good to have you here. The
reasons that kept you away seem so unimportant now."
Cassidy(stifling a yawn):"Excuse me, I've been up for 36 hours. I've
never been able to sleep on a plane."
Mike:"Then off to bed with you, we can catch up in the morning."
Cassidy(giving a mock salute):"Yes sir! I forgot how much you fuss over
me."
Mike:"Get used to it." Cassidy says her good nights to both of them and
leaves the room

Mike and Alexis sit on the couch together.
Mike:"He should have known her, Alexis. He would have adored her."
Alexis:"Yes, he would have doted on her, like he did on Robin. She would
have adored him too. "
Mike(in anguish):"What choice did I have? Reveal Cassidy and put her in
danger so they could know each other? It's so easy to look back on this
and say I should have done things differently. But if anything had
happened to her..."
Alexis:"She's not in danger anymore. She wouldn't have been allowed to
come here if she was. She's here now, that's all that matters."

.............................

Jason and Robin enter Jason's apartment. Once they are inside, Jason
holds Robin tightly.

J:"I just want to hold you and never let go."
R(gently):"Let it out, Jason. It's time. "
J(starting to cry):"I can't, I have to make sure Alexis is okay. She
shouldn't be alone tonight..."
R:"She told me she's staying with Mike. She wants to get to know
Cassidy, and she knows you need time to grieve. She told me so."
J(letting go):"Oh God, Robin! I feel like I'm dying inside. I've never
lost someone before..." His body is wracked with sobs as he holds onto
Robin for dear life.
R:"That's what grief is like, Jason. Just let it out. You loved Sonny so
much. He was everything to you."
J(through his tears):"Why am I so ANGRY?! I feel like I'm going to
explode if I don't let it out! It's taken everything I've got to be
cool around Alexis."
R(soothingly):"You've been so strong for everyone else. Now it's time
for you."

Jason's rage is so intense he jerks away from Robin. Tears are streaming
down his face as looks around wildly for something to hit or break.
Impulsively Jason picks up a lamp, preparing to throw it at the wall.,
stopping only when he sees the look of fear on Robin's face. Jason drops
the lamp and reaches for Robin again.

J:"God I'm sorry, Robin! I didn't mean to scare you." He buries his face
in her hair, breathing in her scent.
R(crying with him):"I'm only scared for you Jason. I need you so much!"
J:"Nothing's going to happen to me, I promise. I'm always careful.
Always." Jason frames her face with his hands as he kisses her tears
away. "Don't cry, Robin. I can't stand it when you cry, especially about
me." He continues to kiss her tenderly, showing his love for her in
every kiss. He strokes her face and neck lovingly.

R(breathless from his caresses):"Jason..." Her arms wrap around his
neck as she kisses him back passionately. "I've missed you so much."