Alexis suddenly woke when she heard the doors to her balcony open. Mikkos stepped out and looked at his daughter in terror. “Alexis?”
She could only look at him with sad eyes. He quickly grabbed a blanket from her bed and returned to the balcony to wrap it around her. It felt good to have some protection from the cold. He helped her up and led her back into the bedroom.
He quickly had a doctor come over to look at her. Ms. Tyler had made for her chicken noodle soup. She was sick, but after awhile she was well again.
Being on that balcony all night, fearing she would die, had continued to haunt her. She thought she truely knew what Helena was capable of now. That time would not come until later, though.
He slammed the door behind him, but Helena made no startled movement. She had been expecting her husband to approach her.
“Good day, darling. How is your daughter?”
Mikkos was furiated by her calm manner. He wanted to strangle this woman, but he couldn’t bring himself to do it.
Mikkos said, “Why did you do it?”
Helena sighed. “I really don’t see why you are so upset about this. After all, she did just cost you quite a bit of money. This incident has put your project back for several months. I’m sure you’d want it to be summer when you start... Doing it in winter... well, that would be very pointless.”
“Be quiet. You are my wife, you must respect me.”
“And your bastard?” Helena spat back with poisonous venom in her voice. “I do not remember the rules of etiquette stating anything about that. Honestly, I think I have treated her fairly well under the circumstances. I have allowed her, the child of my husband and his whore, to live under my roof for sixteen years. What is the thanks I get? Complete and utter disobedience... Even my own son has betrayed me. And now, here you are, shouting at me, after all I have put up with.”
“All that you have put up with?” he states vehemently in total disbeleaf, “What about what she has had to put up with? The hatred you have given her over the years. No, let’s just narrow it down to the last twelve hours. You left her out in the cold for several hours... she could have died.”
“Well, she’s alive, is she not?”
Ms. Tyler attended to Alexis all throughout the day. She had brought her lunch early on a silver tray and laid it before her.
Ms. Tyler asked, “How are you feeling now, Madame Davis?”
“A lot better now, Ms. Tyler. Thanks for asking.” Alexis then noticed something. “Is that a diamond ring on your finger?”
Ms. Tyler blushed and nodded, “Yes, I am engaged to be married.”
Alexis’ face brightened up a little. “Really? To Patrick Landsbury?”
She nodded again. Then her smile faded slightly, “Oh, look at you. So curious about me after having been through such a terrible ordeal. I’m sorry-”
“Don’t be, Ms. Tyler. This is the only good news I have heard all week. I’m glad something is working out for the better.”
Ms. Tyler blushed slightly, “ I am so excited. I can not wait to tell everyone else.”
“When did he propose? What was it like?”
“Oh, it was just last night. Since you were... um, since I was not needed here, I decided to go to dinner with Patrick. We went to a romantic restraunt, he told me how much he loved me, he told me he wanted to spend the rest of his life with me. He swept me off my feet, and then he asked me to be his wife. What can I say, it was an offer I couldn’t refuse.”
Alexis smiled, “That is so romantic.”
Part of Alexis ached to hear this, though. She had not really found anyone for her in her teens. Every guy she wanted to date, she was humilated in front of them by either Stavros or Helena. Guys just stopped asking because they didn’t want to have any connections to people such as Stavros and Helena. That was part of why her life was so lonely.
She sometimes wondered if she would ever find anyone who would truely understand her. Her life seemed so bleak and hopeless, she could not help but believe it would never happen.
He took a menacing step towards her, “You are the most dispicable woman I have ever known. It pains me to have you in my life. You were never truely the woman for me. I have loved you, but I hate you even more.”
She coldly looked into his eyes, “And who was the woman for you? That opera harlot?”
“Do not speak ill of her memory-”
“I will speak of her any way I damn well please,” she replied, “You were my husband, I had born two of your children. Where were you? Under the sheets with your mistress. Slitting her throat was the most satisfying feeling I had ever felt. Watching her pleading eyes as I told her what was about to happen. How she squirmed when the cold blade barely touched her skin, but she could feel it, Mikkos. I could see that she could feel her death approaching...”
Quickly, Mikkos grabbed her and started shaking her, “Stop it! Stop it now!”
She just smiled sadistically and went on, “But the stories not finished. I haven’t gotten to the part where she begged me to spare her daughters life. And when I told her she would not be spared, the sobs she made was music to my ears. When she realized that all hope was lost... that was when I put her out of her misery. She did not go quickly. She suffered for several minutes, it was really quite a sight. I guess I should have made the cut deeper, she made have gone a lot quicker... But a slow, agonizing death- Oh Mikkos, have you ever seen such a sight? The pain in their eyes, the realization that in just a few seconds they would be gone from this world. What thoughts they must think... Is there God? Where will I go? What if I cease to exist? I could see those questions flying in her mind through her eyes. Then, the cold vessel she left behind... I suppose she had lost her use as your bedwarmer then, but at least then you did not run the risk of getting her pregnant.”
Mikkos’ eyes widened and he replied to her, “You are a sick woman, Helena.”
Helena smiled slightly, “You have not begun to see what I am capable, Mikkos. You will be begging for the sweet release of a cold death before I am through with you.”
He was perplexed by the words she had uttered to him. The calmness in her evil voice was a mystery to him. It was so inhumane. He quickly gathered his thoughts, though, and replied,
“What makes you think I have not fully revealed myself to you?”
Helena laughed, “You are weaker then you pretend to be, Mikkos. Maybe I could give you a few tips, but no... You are doomed for oblivion, Mikkos. You will fall quickly and I will outlive you all.”
“I have the power to change the entire world, Helena. It could make the shores of the Carabean colder than the temperatures of your heart, if that is possible.”
“How witty, but I am not afraid of your weather machine. You do not posess the darkness of man required to pull off such a task. Now, good day, I have much to do. Perhaps we can discuss this over lunch.”
“Perhaps.” Mikkos replied.
He abruptly turned and left the room. He was quite relieved when he was away from her. The tension had been so horrendous, but part of him realized she may be correct. He may not have the darkness needed to pull off his task. No, he decided, she was wrong.
He would prove her wrong.
Mikkos entered Alexis’ room, relieved to see her color return to normal.
He sat by her bedside, and watched her stir out of sleep. “I’m sorry, I did not mean to wake you.”
She shook her head, “No, it’s all right... How did you know about me?”
“You mean, how did I know to find you? The stable hands noticed you and one of them waited for me to arrive, and told me. I rushed up here as soon as I could.”
“Thank you...” Alexis said.
“There is no need to thank me, Alexis. I made a promise to... your mother that nothing bad would ever happen to you.”
“Mikkos... could you tell me about my parents? You’ve never really said much of them, and I would really like to know who they were.”
Mikkos coughed, uncomfortablely, and went on to say, “Your mother was a beautiful woman. She was very talented. Your father.... I don’t know what to tell you of him. All I can tell you for sure as that both of them loved you very much. You must believe that.”
Alexis nodded, “Sometimes I wonder what it would be like if they had lived. I don’t mean to sound disrespectful-”
“Of course you don’t, Alexis. I understand perfectly what you mean to say. It’s natural for you to want your own parents.”
“Helena tells me otherwise.” she said, sadly.
“My wife is a bitter, vindictive woman. Never let her make you think you’re anything less then you are.... I got you something.”
“What?” Alexis asked. Mikkos took a book from her nightstand and handed it to her. She looked at the title and read, “The Works of Emily Jane Brontë.” She looked up to her father and said, “Thank you.”
“Well... You can read it later, right now, rest.”
“All right.” Alexis placed the book back on the stand and got back under the covers.
Mikkos turned off the light and went to the door. Before he closed it, he looked to her and said, “Good night.”
Things eventually went as they did before, but great amounts of tension had been placed among them. Alexis never set foot on her balcony anymore, instead she read by the fire most of the time. She spoke with Mikkos a lot after the incident, but they spoke less and less. She could tell he was distancing himself, and she didn't understand why, but she didn't question it either. She still had Stefan by her side.
Stefan was revoked allowence for awhile, but after a few months he had gotten it back. Helena still gave him a scornful look at dinnertime, though.
The deal with never did fall through with the Corvants, but Mikkos didn't care. Helena still kept it as another betrayl from her son.
As winter was almost passed, it was time to rejoice. Ms. Tyler was to marry Patrick Lansbury on March 15. Alexis was one of her bride's maids. Everyone told her how beautiful she looked, she felt like a princess. Helena ruined it, though, by saying the dressed seemed a little small for her, now, and that it was so odd since it seemed to fit all right before. She must have gained a little weight. She didn't notice anything before, but her mind kept telling her it was a bit small on her. She was self concious about it all day.
Mikkos and Helena sat next to eachother and watched the couple get married by the alter.
Mikkos whipsered into her ear, "Notice how happy they seem together."
"The wedding day is supposed to be the happiest day of one's life," Helena said, with a tone of bitterness, "Of course, I always assumed it was a myth.... An urben legend if you will."
"Can't you take some pleasure in their joy?"
She refused to answer. He shrugged and then smiled. Something appeared very odd about his smirk to Helena. She could not put her finger on it, but something was definitely odd.
The reception, which Mikkos had offered to host at his home, was very lovely. Mikkos was glad to see Alexis happy, and Stefan was less gloomy then usual.
It was not seven days later that Patrick was found dead on the side of the road.The police suspected he stopped for a hitchhiker, who was somehow able to pull him from the car and beat him to death.
Helena had entered Mikkos office after meeting with the newly wed and widowed Mrs. Landsbury. He was sitting quietly in his chair as she began to speak.
"She is most distraught." Helena said.
"Well, what do you expect? Her husband did just die."
"She's over reacting, it's not the end of the world. Then again, maybe it depends on the man who is your husband." she shot at him, but he made no response. He stayed very calm.
"Patrick was a good man, indeed. Almost a shame to see him go." He stood up from his chair, walked to the other side of his desk and then leaned back. "Could you imagine the terror on his face when this fiend attacked him? The cries he must have uttered as the cane swiftly pounded him... The sound of his skull cracking."
Helena was very suspecious, "How would you know the murder weapon? They have not said anything of it."
He did not answer. Instead, he went on to ask,
"What was it that was missing from good Patrick Landsbury's body?"
"The only thing missing was his wedding band-"
Which Mikkos took from his desk and held it for her to see. She was taken back for a second. She kept looking at Mikkos and the wedding band, making the connection, but still not believing it to be true.
"You... You killed Patrick Landsbury?"
"A man I respected... a man who made a woman who has served us well very happy... Why would I do such a thing? After all, you said it yourself...I do not posess the darkness needed for such an act."
He would expected more shock from her, but instead she laughed. "You killed poor Patrick Landsbury to prove me wrong? Well, I must say, it was a valliant effert, but you still have not won the battle."
Before Mikkos could retort, there was a knock at the door. He opened it to see Mrs. Landsbury.
"Hello, Mr. Cassadine. I know I said I was leaving in two weeks, but I have come to request if... if..."
"It's all right, Ms. Tyler-"
"Landsbury, please."
"Right... Mrs. Landsbury, you are welcome to work her for as long as you wish. We appreciate your services and would be happy for you to stay, and know we will do anything we can to help you through your tragedy."
She smiled weakly, "Thank you... It's just that..." She was near tears now, "I'm pregnant with Patrick's child."
She broke down crying, and Mikkos quickly comforted her. "There, there....Don't cry. Everything will be all right, I promise."
"What will I do, sir? I don't know if I can support a child."
"Let me worry about that, I will make the neccessary arrangements."
"No, it's too much to ask-"
"Nonsense. Now, go back to your room and get some rest. You need to save your strength."
She meekly nodded, "Yes, Mr. Cassadine. Thank you." She turned and walked out the door.
Helena waited a good amount of time until she began, "My, my, Mikkos, I am most impressed. Being the savior to the girl after murdering her husband. Perhaps I've underestimated you. But why Patrick?"
"He was about to take away one of my best servants. I couldn't very well sit back and let that happen." he replied.
She smiled, "And this baby?"
He sighed, "This baby will be a problem. If it is born, it will get in the way of her duties."
"She won't be willing to get rid of it, though, it is all she has left of her husband."
"Why, Helena... You're not being considerate of her feelings are you? That is quite out of character for you."
"Oh no, do as you wish. I was just checking. Just be careful, if the police somehow become involved, things will get too messy. Understand?"
"Just let me worry about everything, and you go on about your day."
Helena smiled as she left his office. As she closed the door, a sadistic sort of smirk came to her face. She could do better then that. She'd wait until Mikkos was sure he had total victory, and then she'd get him one last time, to truely show who had the power in this household. She did not want him to forget himself.
It had been awhile since the death of Patrick Landsbury. Mrs. Landsbury had tried to put the death behind her, and move on with her duties, but one day she had fainted after breakfast and woke up in the hospital to find she no longer had a baby. She was still in the hospital, recuperating, although she suffered from extensive depression.
Helena had looked over the files and realized they had been forged. It hadn't taken long for her to figure out what had really happened. The drugs she had found hidden in Mikkos' office, the unnecessary surgical tools that nurses claimed to have seen around the scene. None of the nurses said anything, but they knew exactly what had happened in that room, but said nothing in fear of what Mikkos would do to them. If he could do this to his loyal maid, who knows what he would do to them.
This didn't sit well with Helena. Before, it was her name people spoke in fear, but now they were afraid of Mikkos? She could not let that happen. He was not worthy of the reputation she had gained
.She sat on the back porch, drinking tea, pondering this predicament. She had already sworn that when Mikkos had carried out his plans, she would put him back in his place, but how would she go about this?
Alexis had been a target she kept in mind earlier on, but that would prove nothing. Everyone already knew what she was capable of doing to her. She realized she would have to draw much more deeply to get to him.
Stefan suddenly came into view, riding on his horse. She found him most pitiful, the way he would ride for hours on end, rather then doing anything somewhat constructive. Mikkos was off to college making something of himself, while Stefan just wasted away here.
As she watched him ride on, a smile crept upon her face as she realized a way to put Mikkos back in his place, permanently.
Mikkos, Helena, and Stefan all sat at the dinnertable eating a great feast. As usual, Alexis was eating in the servant's quarters. As Mikkos finished his salad, he said,
"I wonder why our cook as put so much effort into this meal."
"I told her tonight was a special occasion." Helena remarked.
"What is so special about tonight?" Stefan asked.
She said, "You will know soon enough. It is a... how shall I say...victory of mine that we are celebrating."
Mikkos looked to her, confused, "How do you mean, Helena?"
She merely smiled.
Tension had filled the room to such a heavy extent. Stefan finally said,
"Well, whatever he occasion, this is a very good meal. I must give my regards to the cook when we're finished."
"Oh, I don't know if you'll be able to see the cook, once you're finished."
Helena said in a very awkward manner.
Mikkos was growing wary. "Helena, tell me more of this victory of yours."
She calmly stated, "I'm teaching you a lesson, Mikkos. As Medea did to her husband."
Mikkos' blood flow suddenly increased. His heart started to pound as he looked to Stefan. He seemed to be playing with his food now.
,p> "Stefan...""Better speak now, for soon he will no longer hear you."
Stefan looked to his mother and asked, "What are you talking about?"
"Your last meal, Stefan. Did you enjoy it?"
"What... What do you mean, my last meal?"
Mikkos quickly stood up and grabbed Stefan. "Come with me!"
"I'm... I'm getting tired-"
"Come on, we have to get you to the hospital, quick!"
Helena stood up, and smugly said, "How about this, Mikkos? How can you dare to compete with me now?"
"What did you give him, Helena?"
"A little of this, a little of that..."
He walked up to her and grabbed her by the shoulders, "Do not toy with me! What did you give him?"
"What does it matter? The boy has always been a waste of space. If anything, I'm doing him a favor and putting him out of his misery."
"Mother..." Stefan said, in between shock, desperation and oblivion, "Please..."
"Mother, please." she mimicked, before she laughed in her dying son's face, "You are pathetic to the very end, Stefan."
"Tell me what you gave him... or Stavros dies." Mikkos threatened.
Helena stopped laughing and watched him, seriously, "You wouldn't dare..."
"Don't try me on this, Helena."
"If you hurt a hair on Stavros, Natasha's a dead girl."
"You still will have no Stavros."
"You're bluffing..."
Mikkos finally gave up, "I don't have time for this!" He picked up his son, who was nearly asleep, and started dragging him to the car.
General Hospital's Friendship Forever