Chapter 31: You Can't Fight Fate

Jason and Alexis stroll towards Tom's office. "You know Jason, you
don't have to escort me. I know you have a lot business to take care
of."

Jason disagrees. "None of it's as important as you, Alexis. Sonny said
to look out for you, and that's what I'm doing."

Alexis shakes her head. "I don't think he expected you to nursemaid me.
Joseph could have taken me to my appointment, you know."

Jason:"And you would have found a way to ditch him and this appointment.
You don't think I've missed how antsy you are?"

Alexis(sheepishly): "You've been hanging out with me too much, Jason. I
don't like that you read me so easily."

Jason ignores her attempt at humor. "You're my responsibility now. Roll
with it."

Alexis: "Okay, Okay. You win." They enter Tom Hardy's office. The
receptionist gives Alexis some paperwork to fill out. As they are about
to sit down, Jason's cell phone rings.

Jason answers it impatiently. "This had better be good.. .. What? They
know that's not how we do things... right. Okay, I'll be there as soon
as I can." Jason snaps his phone shut.

Alexis:"Go. I promise I'll stay for the appointment. Girl Scout's
honor." She holds her fingers up in the traditional scout salute.

Jason(suspicious):"Promise me on Sonny's honor."

Alexis hides a smile. "Boy, you don't give a girl any room to fudge.
Okay, by Sonny's honor, I'll stay."

Jason squeezes her hand. "See you at the penthouse later."

A moment later, Tom opens his office door.

Tom presents himself as the picture of formal professionalism. "Mrs
Corinthos, please come in."

Alexis takes a deep breath, rising from the couch and following Tom into
his office. She stands inside uncertainly, unable to speak, and fighting
her rising terror.

Tom motions to one of the chairs. "Have a seat." Tom hides his
curiosity as he watches her sit. Never in a million years would he have
expected Alexis to walk into his office seeking professional help. A
part of him was skeptical. Was this a Cassadine attempt to get
information on him or play with his head? Either way, he would play
this out.

Alexis makes a joke as she fights the urge to run from the room
screaming. "I'm surprised you didn't ask me to lay on the couch. Isn't
that what you shrinks do?"

Tom leans back in his chair as plays with a pen as he studies her. She
is as nervous as a caged cat. If this were a Cassadine scheme, she'd be
as cool as a cucumber. "That particular practice fell out of use many
years ago."

Alexis eyes drop to look at her hands, uncomfortable under his intense
scrutiny. "I know." She bites her lip before continuing. " Listen, I
don't think this will work. I'm sure you're a perfectly good
psychiatrist and everything, but it's no secret. I don't like you, and
you don't like me. In fact, you've made it obvious you hate my whole
family and you blame us for your father's death. So let's just forget I
ever came here." As the tears threaten to spill from her eyes, she gets
up suddenly and walks to the door, preparing to make her exit.

Tom leans forward struck by her honesty, and sensing the pain she's in.
"Wait a second. Perhaps before you pronounce this a failure you should
listen to what I have to say and see if there's a way we can connect on
a more basic level. I'd really like to help if I can."

Alexis doesn't turn around, but she doesn't leave either. There is
silence for several moments as she pridefully attempts to regain her
composure. "Go ahead, I'm listening."

Tom:"You're right. I've made no secret of the fact that I detest your
cousin, Stefan. I hold him responsible for my father's death. Let's put
that aside for a moment. I'm a Doctor; my goal is to heal people. In my
particular area of expertise, that means healing the mind and the soul.
And not just the minds and souls of strangers or friends. I mean anyone.
That includes you."

Alexis turns around to face him, her tears gone. The panic she feels is
temporarily absent. She studies his face warily, looking for any sign of
deceit. She finds none. Still uncertain, she wants to hear more to
convince herself that he is the right choice. "Go on."

Tom proceeds carefully. "When I'm in this office with a patient, I am a
doctor first, focused entirely on the healing process. It is my solemn
vow as a doctor to do no harm to my patients. I strive to uphold that in
all instances." Alexis takes a seat, listening intently. "For a
patient to heal, they must be honest with me and themselves. The
healing process can be painful, Alexis. But my guess is that you came
here because whatever pain you're feeling is unbearable."

Alexis nods as she looks at her hands again, knowing that if she looked
at Tom right now, he'd clearly read the agony in her eyes. It was easier
to talk about, to joke about. "You got it."

Tom leans forward, his gut sensing the anguish in her voice tone. He
gently prompts her. "Tell me about it."

Alexis:"You know most of it. I watched my husband die right before my
eyes. Funny, I can't seem to get past that one. Oh, and there's the
small issue of not being able to sleep. I have these delightful little
nightmares every time I close my eyes."

Tom(perceptively)"The sarcastic humor makes it easier to talk about,
doesn't it?"

Alexis smiles weakly. "Can't hide behind anything can I?"

Tom:"That's the whole point of therapy."

Alexis:"I was afraid you were going to say that."

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

When Stefan arrives home from the hospital he finds Laura sitting in the
same chair she had on her very first visit to Wyndemere. She is wearing
the same smile. All that's missing is the portrait.

Stefan approaches her warily. "Laura."
Laura eyes hold his, inviting challenge."Surprised?" She is motionless
in the chair, rage simmering just under the surface.
Stefan decides to take the direct approach. "You are angry with me about
something."
Laura attacks "When will your machinations stop, Stefan? Tell me. Will
they continue until my death?"
Stefan sighs. "It would help to know what I have done to upset you this
time."
Laura is enraged by Stefan's innocent act. "Do you really think I'm that
stupid? Or do you have other irons in the fire that I haven't caught
onto yet? Mind you, I'm not up to par, given my husband's recent death.
Maybe there's even a bigger bomb that's just waiting to go off. You
really think you can continue to get away with manipulating me like a
puppet; arranging my life so it's neat and tidy."
Stefan fights his impatience. "Just tell me what you're talking about."
Laura:"We keep having the same argument, I keep saying the same things,
I'm obviously not getting through."
Stefan:"You want me to stay out of your life. Yet crises keep happening
that require my participation."
Unable to contain herself in the chair any longer, she begins pacing
furiously. "Don't you dare put this on me! You choose to involve
yourself over and over. You set up a life insurance policy in Luke's
name the day AFTER he was killed! And don't EVEN dare pretend you didn't
do it!"
Stefan:"Life insurance policies are created to provide loved ones with a
measure of security and independence."
Laura rolls her eyes. "Sounds like you're reading straight out of a
Prudential advertisement! It's just another way to get your hooks into
me and my family!"
Stefan loses his temper. "No! When I discovered MY mother killed your
husband, I felt the Cassadine owed you and your family-- Timoria..
atonement. The insurance policy is part of that."
Laura voice become shrill. "This is only PART of what you have planned
for me? What's next? I'm afraid to even ask!"
Stefan implores her to understand. "I'm trying to make things right as
best I can...."
Laura interrupts him, unable to tolerate his excuses. "So you did it to
assuage your mother's guilt. Sorry, it doesn't work that way. And we've
already established that you aren't responsible for your mother's
actions."
Stefan's voice quivers with emotion. "But I am responsible! I am the
head of the Cassadine family. There is no way to repay the damage my
mother has done to you, but I will spend the rest of my days trying."
Laura:"I don't want your guilt money! I'd rather be in a poorhouse!"
Stefan:"The mother of the future Cassadine will NOT be a pauper. If I
don't take action, Nikolas will. It's a matter of honor for him and for
the Cassadine."
Laura throws the policy at him. "Take it back! I don't want it. The
Cassadine family honor means nothing to me."
Stefan is immovable. "It doesn't matter, the money is yours. Do with it
as you wish. Put it in a trust for Lesleylu and Lucky. Take the money
out of the account and burn it. Donate it to charity. Buy lottery
tickets. Or use it to give yourself time to heal, Lasha. "

Tears of frustration are streaming down her face. "Damn you and all
that's Cassadine! I'm tired of being backed into a corner and
force-fed. If you keep this up, I'll suffocate!" With the last
statement, she storms out of Wyndemere.


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

Tom escorts Alexis out of his office.

Alexis smiles as she offers her hand for a handshake. "Thank you. And
please call me Alexis from now on. Mrs Corinthos sounds so formal."

Tom smiles at her genuinely as he takes her hand. "Then call me Tom. The
title 'Dr Hardy' was reserved for my father. Let me check my appointment
book. I don't want you to wait a week, given what we've stirred up
today."

Alexis looks relieved. "Good, I was worried that I might have to."

Tom writes down an appointment time on a business card and hands it to
her. "Don't hesitate to call between now and your next appointment. I
mean that, Alexis. "

Alexis takes the card. "Careful what you offer, I might be calling you a
lot! I have to say you're very impressive, Tom. I walked in your office
tonight, ready to call it quits before we even started. I honestly
didn't think I'd be able to work with you."

Tom:"Careful with your praise. In a few sessions you'll probably want
to skin me alive. Therapy can be like that."

Alexis:"Have a good night, Tom. I'll see you in a few days." Tom
watches her leave, surprised at how much his opinion of her had changed
in one short hour.

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

Nikolas breezes into the living room, glaring accusingly at the war torn
Stefan. "What did you do to my mother? She ran out of here in tears."

Stefan's shoulders sag with exhaustion. "First your mother accuses me,
now you. Would it be too much to expect the child I raised to give me
the benefit of the doubt?"

"I'm sorry, that was unfair. Could you tell me what happened?" Nikolas
sits on the sofa waiting patiently for an answer.

Stefan sighs heavily. "Timoria- I set up a life insurance policy on Luke
for your mother the day after he died. Unfortunately, she checked the
dates." He pours himself a brandy, his weariness showing in his
deliberate movements. "I fear she will always assume evil intent in my
actions. It's my fault. I've certainly caused her a great deal of pain
in the past."

Nikolas is curious, but knows better not to ask. "I'll try and smooth
things over." Nikolas crosses the room to stand near Stefan, hoping his
proximity will bring him a measure of comfort. "I saw Lesleylu today."

Stefan perks up. "How is she?"
Nikolas:"She's a little fretful, but okay considering what she's been
through. She asked me if she could sleep over sometime."
Stefan: "Perhaps when Laura is calmer you can broach the subject with
her. I'm not opposed to the idea."

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

Gina is taking her break when Jason bursts in the door. Her eyes light
up when she sees him. She didn't realize until that moment that she'd
been hoping to see him. Gina greets him cheerfully. "Hi Jason. How's it
going?"

Jason is distracted."Oh, hi Gina. I don't have time to talk. Have you
seen Joseph?"

Gina face falls. "I think he said he was going to pick up Alexis at
General Hospital."

"Good. I can't stay. Say hi to Mike and Lucky for me." He's gone before
she has a chance to respond.

Mike and Lucky are bantering as they enter the main room, pleasantly
squabbling over a pool game they just played.

Mike:"You think I missed that trick you pulled?"
Lucky:"What trick? I won fair and square! Pay up!"
Mike:"No way, Lucky!"

Gina tries to play along. "You'd think you two were partners for years."

Lucky glitter with amusement. "Yeah, well my partner better pay up. I'm
the master of the pool table, Mike. Time to accept it."

Cassidy enters Luke's, immediately joining in the playful banter. "Did I
hear someone say they were the master of the pool table? They obviously
haven't played against me!"

Lucky's eyes light up at the sight of new victim. "Is that a
challenge?"
Cassidy:"Only if you're up for being trounced. Wouldn't want to bruise
your ego."
Lucky:"Give me a break! You're on. " Cassidy follows Lucky to the back
room as they exchange playful taunts. Gina watches them leave
wistfully.

Mike:"Why don't you go with them? Things are quiet tonight. We don't
really need you."

Gina looks at the back room longingly, knowing she would just be on the
outside looking in. Like always. "If you don't need me, would you mind
if I knocked off early tonight?"

Mike:"Sure thing. Come in early tomorrow. We have some prep to do for
the weekend crowd."

Gina(getting her coat):"Thanks Mike."