rebs19.html

Chapters 57 & 58

Chapter 57: Trying Times

The north face of Spoon Island

The small toolkit in hand, Lucky scrambles up a steep incline on his way to check out the remote camera. The setting sun has turned the sky orange, and the only sound heard is Lucky's boots hitting the gravel on the path. Wiping his brow, Lucky takes another look at the terrain and the map. "Damn, it's like trying to find a needle in a haystack."

Lucky hears the sound of brush moving behind him and whirls around to find a huge black four legged beast with huge white teeth hurtling towards him. "Holy Sh**!" He exclaims, finding his gun by instinct. Seconds before Lucky pulls trigger, he hears a man's harsh voice off in the distance speak a single word in a foreign language.

The monstrous beast responds by halting abruptly just five feet from Lucky. It's hackles up, it circles Lucky growling and baring it's teeth menacingly. Lucky swears under his breath, but he doesn't lower the gun. "Damn, you are one ugly beast. Does Count Vlad breed for ugliness or something? Wouldn't surprise me one bit."

A moment later, a Cassadine security guard jogs onto the scene, his gun at his side but lowered. "Mr Spencer, we were told to expect you."

Lucky doesn't take his eyes off the dog or lower his gun. "That would be me. Get Cujo to back off, would ya?"

"Lady, come." The guard orders, using a hand signal to get the dog to comply The dog obeys, coming to a sit by the guard, who gives her a dog treat. "Good job, Sweetheart."

"That beast's name is Lady?!" Lucky asks incredulously. "You have to be kidding. It looks like It's on steroids!"

The dog glares at Lucky and growls. The security guard clucks at her and she woofs back in complaint. "Watch what you say in front of her, she gets her feelings hurt real easy. It's okay, Lady, he didn't mean anything by it. He was just admiring your figure." He pats the dog on the head. "If you're looking for the malfunctioning camera, it's just over this hill. I'm sorry for Lady scaring you, but we can't be too careful."

Lucky stows his gun in waistband of his jeans. "Yeah, I figured. Why don't you show me the camera and I can get to work on the problem. Then I'll be out of your hair."

The guard starts up the hill. "Sure thing." The guard speaks to Lady in a foreign language again. Understanding the command, the dog perks up her ears and rises, beginning to sniff the ground. As they ascend the hill, the guard pulls out his cell phone and calls in. "This is Jenson. Mr Spencer is here.... just a moment." He hands the phone to Lucky. "She wants to talk to you."

"She?" Lucky takes the phone. "Spencer."

"Hi Lucky, it's Alexis," Her no nonsense tone is music to his ears. "I just convinced Stefan to take a break, so you'll be working with me."

"Good, he looked like he needed one. Besides, I'd take working with you over Vlad
any day." Lucky and the guard stop in front of the remote camera. "I'm at the site. How about I work on this baby for a bit and call you back and we can test it?"

The nurse coming down the stairs of Wyndemere meets Stefan as he is climbing them. He stops her progress. "How is Gina?"

"She is still in labor, Mr Cassadine," The nurse answers. "But it shouldn't be too much longer. Dr Goldstein is with her now. Would you like me to take you to her room?"

"No, I would not wish to disturb her," Stefan declines. "And what of my wife, Laura? Is she with Nikolas and Gina?"

The nurse bows her head. "No, Sir. The last I saw of her she was in the west wing, in the new nursery." Having answered his questions, the nurse continues her descent down the stairs.

Stefan's mind reels at the information. A new nursery? Wanting to see what this is about for himself, he decides to search out his wife. At the end of the west wing of Wyndemere, Stefan finds a door open and a light on. With no small amount of trepidation, he approaches the room.

What he finds nearly brings him to his knees. Laura in the rocking chair with her back to him, rocking as he imagined she would be rocking with Richard. Unprepared, the pain shoots through him, making him lightheaded and weak-kneed. Instinctively his hand reaches out for the door jamb to catch himself before falling.

Laura hears a sound behind her and turns to find an ashen Stefan in the doorway. "Stefan! I didn't expect you..." Then she notices how unsteady his is, as if he were going to pass out. In an instant, she rushes forward. "Oh no.. Stefan, are you alright?!"

Stefan forces air into his lungs. "Yes... of course... I am."

Laura puts a hand on Stefan's shoulder, the guilt hitting her in a wave as she realizes what she's done. "I'm so sorry, Stefan. I should have warned you about what I was doing, I thought I'd have a chance to tell you before you saw this..." She notices his white knuckled hand clutching the door for dear life. "I should have waited and talked to you first... I just thought if I had Richard's things close to me I'd have a chance to heal..." Her voice trails off lamely as she looks at her husband's face with concern. "Maybe you'd like to sit down?" She tries to lead him away from the door into the room, but he resists violently.

"NO... " Stefan forces himself to breathe in again, and say more calmly. "No.. I will recover in a moment. The shock.. will pass." Even as he says the words, he doesn't believe them. With each passing minute it is becoming evident that it is getting more and more agonizing. Everything in the room reminds him of his complete and utter failure as a human being.

Alarmed, Laura takes his free hand and tries to pull him away from the room in hopes that he will follow. "Stefan, you're obviously very upset. This isn't the time for you to be confronting this room. Please.. please come with me. Let me help you."

Stefan closes his eyes and focuses only on his breathing. He has to compose himself before he frightens Laura any further. He knows she's not in any condition to handle what is happening to him, no one could. His only choice is to rein himself in. Using his considerable skill with meditation, he finds a measure of inner calm and opens his eyes again. "You needn't be concerned, Laura. I was shocked for a moment, but I have recovered."

Laura looks dubious. "You were more than a little shocked, Stefan. You looked like you'd seen a ghost. Come on a walk with me to get some fresh air."

Stefan shakes his head resolutely. His voice is the epitome of calm. "A nice idea, but what I require is some time alone here, in the nursery. It is time I confronted this, like you have."

A shiver of fear runs through Laura. Something is very wrong, but Stefan is saying all the right things. "Why don't we confront this together? Perhaps together we can heal..."

"No." Stefan's tone brooks no argument as he crosses the threshold into the room. "I must do this by myself. Leave me. I will be fine."

"Stefan...." Laura wavers.

He cuts off her protest, his tone becoming more thunderous. "Leave me."

Despite her misgivings, Laura nods. Who was she to decide how anyone grieved? If Stefan needs this time alone, she would give it to him. "Okay. I will be with Lulu if you need me." She leaves without waiting for an answer.

Once the door closes behind Laura, Stefan's eyes get a bleak look and his shoulders sag from the weight of the world on his shoulders. With great effort, he forces himself to walk around the room and look at what should have been Richard's future, the family's future.

Tears gather in Stefan's eyes. He places a trembling hand on the mane of the rocking horse he so lovingly picked out for the nursery. His one contribution. Kneeling in front of the rocking horse, Stefan shakes with silent sobs. "No.... no... NO!" Broken, he buries his face in the horses mane and weeps until there are no more tears.

Bathed in perspiration, Gina pants through her contractions that seem to become more intense with each successive one. Nikolas, his hair tousled, his faced lined with concern, mops her brow with a cool wet washcloth. "You're doing great, Gina." His tone is soft but reassuring, but his insides are in knots. How she handled the pain thus far, he had no idea. He is thankful that Dr Goldstein administered the epidural a few minutes ago because the desperation in Gina's eyes practically brought him to tears.

As the contraction subsides, Gina's eyes close and her face relaxes. A smile plays upon her lips when she feels Nikolas press a kiss into her forehead. She squeezes Nikolas' hand. "We'll make it, Nikolas. I know we will. It won't be long before our baby is here in our arms."

Nikolas lays his head against her forehead, amazed at her staying power. Somewhere in the last hour of heavy labor, Gina had tapped into a yet to be discovered well of inner strength, just as his was running dry. "Of course you will, Gina. You are the strongest woman I know. I love you."

"I love you t..." Gina's word are halted by the beginnings of another contraction.

A haggard Stefan enters his study, locks the door behind him, and with grim deliberateness walks to his desk and pulls a key from his pocket. With the key, he unlocks the top drawer and pulls out a business card. He sits back in his chair and stares at it for several minutes, as if hoping to get an answer from looking at the card.

Breaking from his reverie, Stefan leans forward, picks up the phone headset to his private line and dials the number on the card. He waits for the person to answer. "Dr Hidelston, Stefan Cassadine. Do you have the sample I requested last week? You do. I would like it shipped to me as we initially discussed.... yes, I understand the risks, and the precautions that have to be taken..." A hint of annoyance creeps into Stefan's tone. "I am well aware that this is unusual, but the circumstances require it.... " After hearing the doctors response, Stefan's tone turns brutal. "If you cannot accommodate me, I am certain I can find another research facility that can assist me, one that will be more grateful for my donation and make fewer demands." Satisfied when he hears the earnest tone of Dr Hidelston,Stefan leans back in his chair. "Yes, that would be acceptable, I will make the arrangements to meet you there... "

Club Indigo, Llanview, PA

From a secluded corner of club, a beautiful black woman with glorious long black hair and sad eyes fingers a business card in her hand while she studies Tom Hardy. He looks the part of a doctor, she has to agree, but what friend from Port Charles would have urged this man to pay her a visit? The only person she knows in Port Charles is Justus Ward. Her eyes close on the pain his name evokes. He wouldn't be telling anyone to look her up, that's for sure.

"You're thinking about him again, I can tell," A deep voice says from behind. The tall man with dredlocks puts a hand on her shoulder.

The woman looks up over her shoulder at the owner of the club. "You could always see right through me, Uncle RJ," The woman says with a hint of amusement in her voice. "Have I told you how exasperating that is?"

"Sorry, Rachel. It's a bad habit." He nods towards Tom Hardy. "What's with the stranger? You've been staring at him for a while. Is he someone who's been giving you trouble? If so, I'll..."

Rachel puts a hand on RJ's arm. "No, no. Nothing like that. He's a friend of a friend who stopped by to say hi. I'm just trying to decide what I want to do about that."

"Why not say hello?" RJ encourages. "He looks harmless enough and not half bad in the looks department. You need a change of pace. It might be fun trying to loosen the man up."

Rachel smirks. "RJ, are you trying to matchmake?"

"Moi?" RJ is the picture of innocence. "If I tried anything so obvious with my beautiful and intelligent niece, she'd have me for lunch. She's much too busy being miserable to be tempted into having a little fun."

Rachel chuckles and smacks him playfully. "Okay, Okay. I'll go say hi if it'll get you off my back."

RJ kisses her on the cheek. "Have fun, and don't do anything I wouldn't do. Wait... scratch that... "

"RJ!" Rachel hisses as he slips into the back of the club. Taking a deep breath, Rachel approaches Tom's table.

Tom looks up at the slender and beautiful woman that stands before him. He rises to his feet automatically. "Hello, you must be Rachel?" He offers his hand. "You must have gotten my message. I'm Tom Hardy... Can I buy you a drink?"

Rachel purses her lips and eyes him suspiciously. "No thanks, I'm a recovering addict. I don't drink. The fact that you don't know that about me makes me wonder who in Port Charles suggested you look me up?"

"Boy, I know how to get off on the wrong foot, don't I? I'm sorry." Tom looks chagrined. "Please, sit down. I'll explain."

Rachel finds herself mollified by Tom's genuine apology and decides to accept the seat he offers her. "You know. I hesitated to even make myself known to you."

Tom takes the seat across from her. "I can see that. Even now I can tell you're half tempted to get up and walk away. I hope you won't until you've heard what I have to say. Can I get you a club soda or a mineral water? My explanation might take a while."

Rachel agrees to a mineral water and after waving a waitress down and placing an order, Tom gets down to business. "We do have a friend in common, but he didn't ask me to look you up."

Rachel swallows the lump of sadness that forms in her throat, as she looks down at her hands. "Justus... I'm surprised he'd even mention me to anyone."

"He didn't," Tom admits, his tone gentle. "His cousin, Keesha did. She said he was pretty crushed when you two didn't work out. She's a bit worried about him."

Even though she suspected Justus didn't send Tom, Rachel still finds her eyes filling up with tears. A small sliver of hope had formed at the idea that maybe, just maybe, Justus was trying to reach out to her again. God, if she only had another chance, she'd grab it. "Keesha is like a little sister to him." Swiping at the tears that threaten to fall, Rachel looks up at Tom. "Did Keesha send you then? That doesn't sound like her. She's protective of him, but she isn't the type to interfere... unless he's in some big trouble." Alarm registers on her face. "Did something happen?"

"Nothing life threatening, but he might be making a huge mistake." Tom winces as the guilt tugs at him. "Keesha didn't send me. Neither Keesha or Justus know I'm even here. I came on my own. I had to see for myself if you still cared for Justus. Because if you do, that changes everything."

Rachel's eyes widen in surprise. "Why? We broke up. What we had is over."

Tom leans forward, his eyes searching her face. "But you still love him, don't you?"

Rachel clenches her teeth to strengthen her resolve not to cry. "It doesn't matter."

"Yes, it does," Tom argues. "If he's getting involved with a woman who's totally wrong for him while he's in love with you." He eyes her knowingly, realizing what she hasn't said. "You love him."

Her heart breaking at the idea that Justus might have found someone else, Rachel's eyes fill with tears again. "Yes, totally and completely! God, what is wrong with me?"

Tom puts a hand over hers to comfort her. "Nothing. You're in love. There's nothing wrong with that."

"How could I have been so stupid?" Rachel blurts out in the agony of the moment. "How could I have pushed him away like that? I'm never going to love anyone the way I love him!"

"Then you have to go to him," Tom urges. "You have to try to make him see how much you love him. Have you tried? Really tried?"

The squall of a newborn baby is music to everyone in the room.

Gina, drenched in sweat and bleary from the exertion of giving birth, forces herself back up on her elbows with her last bit of strength. Her voice trembles with hope and wonder as she asks, "That's... that's my baby?"

Dr Goldstein looks up at the expectant parents, a triumphant smile on her face. "Yes, and a healthy first cry it is! Gina, Nikolas, you are the parents of a gorgeous baby girl. Congratulations!"

A moment later, the nurse puts the clean baby swaddled in a blanket in Gina's open arms. Gina starts to sob. "Oh God, Nikolas! she's beautiful! Look at her." With her free hand, Gina touches her daughter's soft cheek. "She's... she's so beautiful!"

Nikolas, who is sitting beside Gina, can't take his eyes off his little daughter. His whole world shifts on it's axis, and everything looks different. The colors are brighter, the sounds more acute. He can feel his heart pounding in his chest. All at the sight of the tiniest human being he's ever seen. Nothing is more beautiful to his eyes.. a small tuft of baby fine brown hair, the most calm wise brown eyes he's ever seen look up at him trustingly. With a tremulous hand, Nikolas reaches out to touch her downy hair. "She's... she's incredible." His voice is rough with emotion. "Hello there, Anastacia. Welcome to the world."

"Stefan!" Alexis exclaims into the phone. "I can't think of any business that could be more pressing than Gina giving birth. She could be having the baby at any moment. Can't this trip be put off until morning?"

"I am well aware the timing is unfortunate, Alexis, but it can't be helped. If our Balkan subsidiaries are to remain intact, I must fly there immediately. The situation there is tenuous and it needs a delicate and personal touch." Looking out the window of the jet, he continues. "I am trusting you to handle security at Wyndemere in my absence. I don't have to tell you how important their safety is to me, to all of us." Sensing if he stays on the phone much longer, she'll find a way to delay him, he finishes the call. "I must go, the pilot has just received clearance for take off. I will call you in the morning for an update."

Nikolas walks around the room with his newborn daughter cradled in his arms while an thoroughly exhausted Gina naps in the other room. Looking down at her, Nikolas marvels at how tiny and vulnerable Anastacia is. Her eyes are closed now, so all he sees are her delicate eyelashes against her pink skin. An emotion close to terror wells up in him, causing him to swallow hard. His helpless daughter relies on him for everything. Would he be able to give her what she needs? Already he loves her more than his own life. She's a miracle.

His thoughts are interrupted by a light tap at the door. With a nod from Nikolas, the nurse standing by goes to answer the door. Lucky strolls in and approaches Nikolas with the baby. Nikolas tips his arms so that Lucky can see Anastacia, who is now stretching and grunting.

Lucky's face crooks in a smile, finding that despite himself, his heart is warming to his niece. "What's an ugly guy like you doing with such a cute little baby girl?"

Nikolas smirks, adjusting his hold to accommodate the baby's restless movements. "Lucky, I would like you to meet my daughter, Anastacia Nikolaevna Cassadine. Anastacia, this obnoxious person is your Uncle Lucky..." At her fussing he answers, "Yes, I know, but we keep him around because we feel sorry for him."

Lucky's smile broadens when Anastacia reflexively grabs his finger in a tight hold. "Oh, you're strong already! You get that from your Mama, yes you do... As for your stick-in-the-mud Daddy, he's just jealous of my boyish good looks."

Anastacia gazes solemnly into her father's eyes, and Nikolas forgets his sparring with Lucky. "She is beautiful, isn't she? I didn't think it was possible to fall in love this quickly."

After Anastacia releases his finger, Lucky brushes it against one cheek. He feels a lump form in his throat. He's not even her father, how did it happen so fast? "She's beautiful like Lulu. Just one look and you're a goner. So, ya going to let me hold her or what?"

Nikolas scowls and fights the urge to hold her tighter against him. He knows he's being irrational. No harm would come to Anastacia in Lucky's arms, but he isn't ready to let go of her just yet. Maybe in a week or so.... Nikolas sighs and starts to advise Lucky on how to hold her as he transfers his daughter into his waiting arms. "You need to have your arms closer together... don't forget to support her head.. no, not like that.. put your arm like this."

"News flash, Nikky," Lucky replies drily. "I have vast experience holding newborns. I held Lulu all the time when she was little and then Carly's little tyke. Relax, Bro, I'm not going to drop her or anything." Lucky turns his back slightly to Nikolas so he can bond with his niece, but even then, Nikolas keeps a hand on her blanket. "So.. Anastacia.. what is this about Cassadines giving their kids long names? Gotta find a nickname. How about... Staci.. yeah, I think I like it." The baby gurgles in response. "Yeah? You like it too? Well, then it's official, Staci. Just remember, I'm Uncle Lucky and I'm the fun one. I'll be the one teaching you all the important stuff, like how to win at poker and pool...."

Chapter 58: Do The Right Thing

Outside the door to Gina and Nik's suite, Laura pauses to take a few deep breaths and steel herself for what's ahead. The idea of facing a newborn baby is daunting to say the least, her stomach had crashed to her feet when Lucky told her they were ready for visits. Her recovery has been so rocky and so recent. But she also knows waiting will not do her any good. Facing things head on is what works. And the part of her that isn't afraid is thrilled that there's a new baby to enjoy.

Even as she stands outside, Laura can hear the cries of her new granddaughter through the door. She taps on the door and greets the nurse who answers it. "Is it okay if I come in?" Anastacia's cry almost drowns out her words.

"As long as you don't mind crying babies, Mrs Cassadine," The nurse answers goodnaturedly. Following the sounds of the cries, Laura peeks around the corner to see Gina on her bed, cradling the baby against her chest, desperately trying to calm her by rocking . Nikolas paces nearby, looking like he will go out of his skin hearing his baby cry.

Laura catches the terror on Gina's face and gives her an encouraging smile. "I take it she's been crying for a bit? The first few days are always trial by fire." Now that's she's here, all Laura feels is the familiarity of situation, and the comfort of knowing she might be able to help.

Nikolas rakes a hand through his hair then continues his pacing . "Anastacia has been crying ceaselessly. Let me try and walk her, Gina, she'll go back to sleep."

"She's only been crying for ten minutes," The nurse chimes in, looking at her watch. "It only seems like forever. It's perfectly natural for babies to fuss like this."

"I need to learn how to calm her, Nikolas," Gina argues, fighting the tears that threaten as she rocks her daughter. She picks up the pace of the rocking when the cries get sharper.

Laura looks from her son to Gina and back again. "Nikolas, I think you should go get some rest. I'll stay here with Gina and help her with Anastacia." The nurse murmurs her agreement.

"I can't leave when she's crying like this!" Nikolas protests. "She needs me."

Laura walks up to Nikolas and nudges him towards the door. "She has Gina, me and the nurse. If for some reason through our combined efforts we can't seem to calm her down, we can always send for you. You need a shower and some rest so you can help Gina tonight." When Nikolas tries to resist at the door, Laura gives him a firm push. "Go, I need some time to get to know my new granddaughter."

Once the door is firmly closed on Nikolas, Laura turns her attention back to Gina who has her face buried in the baby blanket as the baby cries even harder. Laura sits on the bed beside them and puts a hand on Gina's shoulder.

"I'm a terrible mother!" Gina blurts out. The nurse steps forward to offer her assistance and a defeated Gina puts the baby in her arms. The nurse whisks the baby away into the other room of the suite until Gina can compose herself. "I can't even calm my own baby down! I don't have the first clue how to take care of her."

Laura strokes strokes Gina's hair. "That's not true, Honey. You're doing just fine. You're just scared, that's all."

Gina reaches for a Kleenex and blows her nose. "I'm useless! Nikolas knows it, that's why he wanted to hold Staci! He knew he could calm her down when I couldn't."

Laura's eyes widen with disbelief. "That's nonsense! You are being much too hard on yourself. For God's sake, you just gave birth a few hours ago! You're exhausted and you're a new mother. By all rights you should be scared. Heck, I was terrified when Nikolas was born. I didn't know the first thing about taking care of a baby." She hands Gina another Kleenex. "With time I learned and so will you. And you have something i didn't have. Someone to help you learn."

Gina clasps Laura's hand tightly. "Will you help me? Please?"

Laura squeezes Gina's hand to emphasize her commitment. "I would be honored to. Though I'm certain after a few days you won't need me at all."

Looking down with shame, Gina fingers her coverlet. "Will you .. will you show me how to hold the baby? Nik keeps saying I'm holding her wrong.."

"What does Nikolas know?" Laura chuckles."Not much more than you. Of course I will show you. I love my son dearly, but he is no expert. And mothers often hold their babies differently than fathers. You have to find the position that's comfortable for you and your baby."

When the baby finally calms, the nurse returns. After some gentle suggestions from Laura, the baby is placed in Gina's waiting arms. Gina waits with trepidation for Anastacia to cry again and is thrilled when the baby remains quiet. "How... how do I know what she wants?" Gina asks. "How do I know if she's hungry or sleepy or hurts? She's so small and helpless..."

Laura gazes lovingly into her granddaughter's face as she answers. "Each baby is different, so I can't answer that specifically. You'll have make guesses at first. You'll learn as you go. In a week or so you'll be a a real pro. believe me." She reaches her finger out to run it across Anastacia's forehead and uses the voice she reserves for infants. "Hi there, Precious girl! You are sooooo gorgeous, you know that? Gosh, I think you've stolen my heart already. We are going to be *great* friends, you and I."

Seeing the longing in Laura's eyes, Gina asks. "Would you like to hold her?"

"I would *love* to," Laura enthuses. "Before I came in, I wasn't sure how I'd feel about holding her, but now I'm just itching to. There's something so peaceful about holding a newborn baby."

The baby is transferred into Laura's arms with minimal fuss and Gina leans back with a sigh of relief. "I'm so glad you came in when you did, Laura. Another minute of Nikolas pacing and scowling and I would have handed over the baby to him and felt like a complete failure."

Laura settles in on easy rhythm of rocking and cooing to Anastacia that has the baby edging towards sleep. "Don't be ashamed to ask for help, Gina. Especially the first week or so when you're still recovering from giving birth. There is a whole house of family that would just love to hold this precious babe. Take advantage of it. When Lucky was born, it was just me and Luke. It was an incredible time, but so exhausting..." She clucks at the baby who is yawning and stretching her arms out spasmodically. "Gosh you are just so sweet. I have this sneaking suspicion that you won't be spending much time in your cradle at all.... no you won't .... I think your family will be holding you so much you'll be spoiled rotten.. yes, and it's just as it should be."

CK Diner, Llanview, PA

Sitting at a booth in the corner of the diner, Tom Hardy slides his empty coffee cup from one hand to the other. Letting out a heavy sigh, Tom looks at his watch again. Just as he's giving up and getting up from his table, he sees Rachel come through the door. He waves her over. "I just about gave up on you."

Rachel slides into the booth across from Tom. "Well I almost didn't come." When the waitress puts a coffee cup in front of Rachel and pours them both a cup, Rachel murmurs a thank you. "I spent the whole night tossing and turning, and I kept coming back to the same answer. I can't go back to Port Charles and throw Justus' life into chaos. I had my chance to make it work, and I hurt him. I wouldn't be able to forgive myself if I did it again."

"I see." Tom sips his coffee thoughtfully. "So why did you decide to meet with me this morning? You don't owe me any explanations."

Rachel puts her coffee cup down. "You're right, I don't. But you owe me one."

Tom's head snaps up. "I do?"

"I want to know why you're really here." Rachel leans forward. "You didn't come here out of the goodness of your heart. So what's in it for you? Why get me all worked up about Justus?"

Tom leans back and studies Rachel carefully, trying to decide how much to tell her. She's smart, intuitive, and she'll probably guess it all eventually if she hasn't already. "You're right, I didn't do it out of the goodness of my heart. I am, by nature, fairly selfish. I came because I'm in love with the woman Justus is seeing."

"So you're trying to use me to break them up?" Rachel rolls her eyes in annoyance. "I certainly won't be doing *her* any favors if I do."

"It's not a simple situation," Tom begins to explain. "Both of them have been hurt badly in the recent past. I'm not sure what my intention was when I came here. I guess I came hoping to understand where Justus came from. What his angle might be." Tom shrugs his shoulders. "Alexis is very vulnerable. If she falls in love with Justus and he's still in love with you, she would be crushed. I don't want to see that happen."

Rachel's eyes narrow suspiciously. "So you're hoping I'll ride to the rescue and whisk Justus away. Better that Alexis get hurt a little now, than to be devastated later, right? And of course, if Justus and I get back together, you'll be there to pick up the pieces. You don't even have to get your hands dirty."

"I care deeply for Alexis," Tom answers simply. "I won't apologize for that. I want her to be happy. If that's means her being with Justus, I'll bow out. But I know if I'm given the chance I can make Alexis happy. Very happy."

Rachel cuts through his double talk. "But you're not above tipping the scales in your favor. God, you are a piece of work. You might have more money, a nicer job, but you are still a manipulator."

Tom shrugs again and drains his coffee cup. "I've been straight with you, Rachel. You know about Justus and Alexis. You know what my interest is. The question is... what are you going to do about it?"

"I"m going to think long and hard...." Standing up, Rachel places a dollar on the table. "And then I'm going to do what's right for me."

"I wish I could be with you too," Alexis whispers into the phone. "But I can't, Justus. With Stefan being gone and Staci's birth this evening, the family needs me to handle this. The security is too important."

"You don't have to explain," Justus assures her. "I understand completely. My bed is going to be lonely, that's all. Give everyone my congratulations." After hearing Alexis' assurance, Justus adds, "I've noticed a disturbing trend, you know."

"What's that?"

Justus lowers his voice so it doesn't carry out of his office. "I don't sleep very well without you."

Alexis can't help but grin. "That's a nice thing for you to say. Now you have me blushing."

"I not just a nice thing for me to say, " Justus argues. "I mean it. Somehow hugging my pillow and pretending it's you just isn't the same as having your soft warm body curled up against me. I miss you."

"I'll try and find a way to see you tomorrow," Alexis answers urgently, her own longing made more acute by Justus' admissions. She winces at how it came out. "I sound like a lovesick teenager, and it's all your fault... I have to go."

"Call me when you're in bed," Justus suggests. "I have this fantasy I want to play out."

Alexis can't decide if she's intrigued or embarrassed. "Justus, I don't know if that's such a good idea...."

Justus' smile turns seductive. "Call me tonight and find out."

After having showered and changed, Nikolas meets Lucky outside of Lulu's bedroom. "Thanks for meeting me," Nikolas says when he arrives.

"No problem," Lucky answers. "I just wish I knew how Lulu was going to react to the news of Staci. She's been too quiet, ya know? And damn it, she's lost too many people. Richard's kidnapping was so hard on her, I wouldn't blame her if she didn't want to have anything to do with the baby."

Nikolas gives a single short nod. "Exactly. Mom was just saying yesterday we shouldn't try and rush Lulu into meeting the baby, and I tend to agree with her. Maybe it'd be better if Lulu didn't see Staci for the first couple days. Just until everything settles down."

Lucky puts his hand on the knob and then stops. "We'll just have to play it by ear. Knowing Lulu, she'll surprise us yet."

They enter Lulu's room after knocking lightly on the door. At the sight of her two nervous brothers, Lulu hops off the bed. Emily, who has been standing at the window, leaves them alone. Lulu stands by her bed, looking at the floor. "Hi Lucky, Hi Nikolas."

"Hi, Short Stuff," Lucky answers, tousling her hair. "How are ya holding up?"

Lulu bites her lip. "Okay."

Nikolas kneels in front of Lulu so he can look into her downcast eyes. "I have some incredible news, LesleyLu. Gina had her baby. Her name is Anastacia."

Lulu looks up expectantly. "Ana...stasha?" She turns the name over in her mouth. "Is she red and squishy like Richard was?"

"Smaller," Nikolas answers, working to keep his face straight at Lulu's question. "A little bit smaller. She has dark hair like you. And she's beautiful."

"Definitely red and squishy, though," Lucky answers, a huge smile on his face. "Staci is almost as cute as you were when you were born."

Lulu smiles at Lucky's answer. "Where is she?"

"She's with Gina right now, sleeping, but if you'd like, you can see her in a couple days," Nikolas offers.

Lulu looks at the floor again and asks in whisper. "Is she going away like Richard?"

As her questions hits home, Nikolas and Lucky blanch. Nikolas reaches forward and wraps his arms around Lulu, pulling her into a tight embrace. "NO, she's not. Nothing is going to take Anastacia from us. NOTHING."

Lucky turns away and swears under his breath. Her question cuts him to the core.

"You can't be sure, can you?!" Lulu blurts out against Nikolas' shoulder. "I want to see her, why can't I see her?"

Lulu's words pierce what's left of Nikolas' defenses, leaving him in agony. His little sister, wise from tragedy upon tragedy, is saying out loud the truth he won't even let his mind dwell on. His eyes burn from the strain of holding back. How could he deny her this? He swallow the lump in his throat. "Alright.... I'll take you to her right now, if you want. Would you like that?"

Lulu, still dry-eyed, nods solemnly. "I wanna see her."

When they arrive at the suite, Gina is laying in bed with the sleeping baby nestled next to her hip. Her smile warms when she sees Lulu. "Hi, Sweetie!" Her greeting loses none of it's enthusiasm from it's quiet delivery. "I'm so glad you came to see me!"

"Hi Gina," Lulu answers shyly as she approaches. "I came to see your baby. Can I see her?"

Gina points to the bundle of blankets nestled against her. "There she is.. shhhsh.. she's sleeping right now, but you can look. What do you think?"

Lulu peers at the tiny face framed by a baby bonnet and pink receiving blankets. At the sight of Anastacia's closed eyes, flat nose and mouth scrunched up in sleep, Lulu giggles. "She's cute! Can I touch her?" Before Gina can answer, Lulu reaches out her hand and touches the top of Anastacia's head.

Gina winces, fearing that Anastacia might cry again, but the baby just grunts and stirs restlessly in her blanket. "Let's be careful, okay, Sweetheart, I don't want her to wake up just yet." Nikolas walks up beside the bed and watches his baby sleep. He has to stifle his own urge to pick up his daughter and hold her.

"Why isn't she awake?" Lulu whispers. "I want to see her eyes."

Lucky pats Lulu on back. "Don't worry, Lulu. You'll have more than enough time to see Staci's eyes. But she's pretty darn tired right now. She had to work hard to be born. Now she's resting, just like she should be."

"Oh." Lulu is crestfallen for a moment, but then an idea occurs to her. "Can I watch her sleep? Please?"