Spencer vs. Cassadine #10  July 13 - October 12, 1998 – 8 hrs

Liz tells Laura that Lucky is teaching her everything there is to know about fishing and tells her that if she and Luke happened to be taking a walk by the docks tonight, She and Lucky would be there. Laura thanks her for the idea and Liz replies: “There isn't much I wouldn't do for your son.” Laura tells Liz that she can see that Lucky clearly feels the came way about her. Liz tells her that there is another reason she wants Lucky to be reunited with his family, it is like a story that she needs to know the ending to. She tells Laura that she is still struggling to get over being raped, it invades her thoughts and, even when she's not thinking about it, it affects how she interacts with people, how she dresses, where she feels free to go. Liz thinks that by watching and listening to Laura, she can learn how to move on with her life, since Laura was able to. Laura tells her that what happened to Liz, being raped by a stranger, is a person's worst nightmare. Liz replies that being raped by someone you love must be worse. Liz then feels like she may have been out of line with her comment. Laura tells her that her observation is correct.

Laura explains to Liz that her behavior around Luke, being near him, wanting to comfort him, stemmed from her inability to deal with her growing feelings for him. She wanted to be the woman in his life, even though she was married to Scott. Liz thinks that Laura is blaming herself for being raped, but Laura reflects that if she had known more about herself and what she had wanted back then, it wouldn’t have happened.  She tells Liz that their experiences were very different. Liz remarks that there is another difference, it was Liz's “first time” and Laura was married. Laura reassures her that she is still a virgin, that she hasn't made love yet. Liz says that she likes Laura's definition, but Liz still seems worried about it, so Laura comforts her.

Helena sees Stefan and walks over to his table. He thinks it is Alexis and is surprised to see his mother standing there. She asks if he is dining with Alexis and that he is, therefore, safe from poison, since Alexis has him right where she wants him. Stefan looks at her, confused. Stefan and Helena banter about poisonings. Helena asks Stefan if he is aware that she was the intended victim the night Kat fell. He dismisses her claim, thinking that it was she who tampered with the railing. Alexis walks up from behind Helena. Helena remarks: “That mixture of criminality and incompetence is the calling card of your bastard sister”, just as Stefan sees Alexis standing there. Helena turns to see Alexis standing behind her and tells her that she was just about to tell Stefan all about her. She's not scared of Helena, she just smiles at her.

Luke and Laura are walking toward the docks. Luke thinks that it is better if they just keep walking, but Laura wants to talk to Lucky. She doesn't want him to be the one who decides whether they talk or not.  As they approach, Lucky hears them and turns to stare at them. Laura tries to make small talk with Lucky by asking him if the salmon are running, but Lucky tells Liz that they should move on to the breakwater. Liz tells him she will go but he has something to say to his parents. Lucky pleads with Liz not to leave him “with them”. Laura asks Lucky if he feels that he can't talk to them at all. Then she notices that he is bleeding and gets a worried look on her face. He tells her to give up the worried mother act - she tells him that she will never give up on him and wants to know if this makes him angry. She tells him she is angry too, and so is his father and his poor little sister doesn't understand why she is at home and Lucky isn't. At the mention of Lulu, Lucky pleads: “ You want to keep it above the belt, huh?” Laura tells him that, as far as she can see, he is the only one that doesn't have anything to be angry about. He was never neglected or mistreated or abused. He retorts that his parents have only been lying to him his whole life, that's all. Luke suggests to Liz that they get a cup of coffee at Ruby's, presumably to give Laura and Lucky some privacy, but Lucky doesn't go for it. He tells Luke: “No, I think she's fine, dad. Yeah. She's here with ME. You were just passing.” Luke gives up and sits down.

Laura, "Well, I have a question for you, Lucky. Where do you think our responsibility to you begins and ends? Because it seems to me that you feel that you have a right to know everything that ever happened to us, together or separately, whether you were born yet or not."

Lucky,  "Is this how it's going to be now? You'll sit at home, dreaming up things to say to put me in my place and--"

Laura,  "Come home, Lucky. Come home, and we'll find a better way."

Lucky, "You want to know why I'm angry?" Laura,  "Yes."

Lucky,  "Ask him. Because he knows. You stood there and watched. [He glares at Luke] Yeah, you. You let me come to you for advice after what happened to Elizabeth in the park. You knew it was tearing me apart, thinking of the kind of man that could do this to her. You never said a word."

Luke,  "What did you want me to say? You wanted me to compare myself to some freak in a ski mask who lurks in the bushes?"

Lucky, "What makes you any better? Rape is rape, no matter what you call it later."

Laura, [getting angry] "What makes you an authority, Lucky? Just a minute, do you think you know more about my life than I do? Well, I don't think so because if you did, you'd understand that I would do it all over again. I would marry your father, I would have his children, and I would be here with him tonight. You know something? You would be a lot better off picking a fight with us about your curfew or about your allowance because clearly this subject is over your head. It seems to me that you have left me no room to be redeemed in your eyes except to

apologize for loving the man that I married, and that just isn't going to happen, Lucky.” [She gets up to leave, thinking they are finished]

Lucky, [getting angry now too] "You know what? You can spin it and you can twist it, you can bend it, but the one thing you can't do is make it right."

Luke, [to Laura] "We had enough of this? Let's go home."

Helena suggests that Alexis, Stefan and she dine together. Stefan rebuffs her and Helena looks put out. She wants to finish her story - how Alexis tried to get her up to the parapet and that she was the intended victim, but poor Kat got there first. Stefan replies, “Of course she wants you dead, who doesn't?” Stefan isn't buying any of her story and tells her that her ‘divide and conquer' attempt won't work. He tells her that he is not as gullible as his brother was. Helena agrees that Stefan is nothing like his brother - his brother knew the difference between a friend and an enemy. He tells her that if she was responsible for Kat's death, she won't be able to hide from him.

As Helena is leaving, she says to Alexis, “You're going to wish as devoutly as I did that you were never born.” Alexis just smiles at her.  Alexis tries to explain Helena's remarks, she knows that things have been tenuous between her and Stefan, but Stefan reassures her that she is mistaken. He tells her that in a lifetime of trust, she only betrayed him once, when she was dealing with the realization of her parentage. He has forgiven her, he needs her in his life. She looks at him with guilt in her eyes, telling him that she doesn't deserve his trust or forgiveness, but she promises to earn them.

Laura realizes that seeing Lucky was hard on Luke. He tells her that she protects him like a “mother bulldog”. Luke knows that Lucky feels he needs to accuse Luke, because Laura hasn't. Laura worries that Luke loves his son so much that he will not defend himself to Lucky and he just lets his son keep hurting him. Lucky can't believe that his mother is defending his father, no matter what.

Laura leaves a message for her husband, rather than asking to speak to him, saying she's "going to take Lesley Lu to dinner with her brother." 

Stefan is getting ready, in the rose garden at Wyndemere, talking to Kat the Satin-Dressed Ghost.  The ghost reminds him that he isn't just anxious for Laura to come for Nik's sake, but for his own.  "She didn't just leave Nikolas, she left you, too.  Maybe she'll come back to both of you."  Then Stefan goes in to help Nik and Mrs. Lansbury finish the arrangements for dinner, which is being served at a table brought into the living room, at Nik's insistence, in order to make Lulu more comfortable. Nik wants everything to be just right for his little sister, and enquires of Mrs. Lansbury about the likelihood of Wyndemere's well-stock pantry containing any glasses decorated with monsters or superheroes.  The round-eyed blank looks of Mrs. Lansbury and Stefan at this question seem to indicate the answer is negative. Mrs. Lansbury answers the door, and all are surprised to see not Laura but Alexis.  She is upset with Nik about talking to Taggert, and wants to know what he told Taggert about Laura. 

Nik tries to defend talking to Taggert, but Alexis is exasperated. Stefan worries about Nik, and Nik says he'd make fewer mistakes if Stefan and Alexis would tell him more about what's going on.  Alexis warns Stefan about looking guilty when he insists on spending time with Laura.  He thinks the state's motive sounds ludicrous, "I just can't imagine Port Charles society thinking me capable of a crime of passion."  At that point, Laura and Lesley Lu arrive, and the cutest kid on TV flies into her big brother's arms. We learn that Laura and Alexis did not cross paths in Greece.  They agree that they have only met in Port Charles, as "you were away at school." Lulu is charming with her first important spoken line.  Stefan compliments the little girl, telling her "You are even more lovely than when we first met."  Her answer?  "You, too." 

Lulu is squirmy, and Nik takes her and her mother out to see the roses.  That leaves Stefan and Alexis to squabble about the propriety of having Laura visiting Spoon Island while he's under suspicion of murder of his fiancé. Stefan stands his ground, while never admitting that the whole visit was his idea.  He will encourage this rapprochement between Laura and Nik, and he will not worry about the small minds of Port Charles law enforcement and the general public. "If I have to use this tragedy to restore her to him, I will."  What about Luke, Alexis counters, and Stefan's answer: "You think he'll find me unprepared?"

Lulu and her children return, and Alexis reluctantly leaves.  In a beautifully framed shot, Stefan and Laura share a drink.  "Salud," he says, as they drink in the foreground while Nik watches from the background, framed between them, with his sister in his arms.  Then they sit down to dinner, and Lesley Lu rings the bell she notices on the table. Laura explains the bell is or "Mr. Cassadine" to use to summon the servants when they want something. Stefan assures Lesley Lu she has done nothing wrong, and reminisces about how Nik did the same thing in his younger days.  Mrs. Lansbury appears, asking if she should serve the soup, and Stefan slides the bell in front of Laura's place, a small but significant gesture, which Laura understands, since she tells Mrs. Lansbury to bring the soup.  They make small talk about Nik's childhood and family servants that Laura remembers until the soup arrives.  Mrs. Lansbury has made curried carrot soup, one of Laura's favorites, and Laura is touched.  "No trouble at all, Mrs. Cassadine."  At that point, Lulu pipes up, creating an uncomfortable silence when she angrily reminds the cook, "That's not her name."  Laura explains to Lulu that Mrs. Cassadine was her name when she lived in Greece.

Stefan thanks Laura for coming, and reading between the lines, realizes that she has not told Luke about this event.  It's interesting to note that this is followed by Laura's "explaining myself" remark, showing how Laura' s mind is working.  "You know something?" she observes to Stefan, "It seems I'm always explaining myself to the people I love. Tonight it was Lesley Lu. And it wasn't the truth. I don't know how you do it.  I couldn't do it.  I couldn't sit at table with Nikolas and raise him and teach him to ride and to walk and put him to bed every night and tell him I was anything but his mother."

Stefan strokes his beard nervously and confesses that it has been difficult, "Well, there... there have been moments when I've thought the fiction would unravel, when I've felt I had no power to control my tongue. Times I knew I would tell him in my very next breath. But somehow I didn't."

"There were times when I wanted him to learn the truth for himself, when I thought of sending him on a trail of clues that would lead him to discover eventually, gradually enough for him to accept it, that the man he calls uncle. I have difficulty saying it aloud, even here alone with you, even to myself. Nikolas is our son. I have know that from the week you left him with me. But he can never know.  That is the right decision.  Best for you, obviously.  Best for Nikolas, certainly.  If it were known that my brother left no heir, the family holdings would be scattered among a hundred noisy, minor claimants.  The house of Cassadine would effectively cease to be.  Laura, "It's best for me, and it's best for Nikolas, but it's not best for you."   

Stefan,  "You know me, Lasha.  I am not a selfless man."   She shakes her head no vigorously, and starts to disagree, but he cuts her off by going on himself.  "It gives me satisfaction to know that by my silence I can give Nikolas the title and the crown that could never have been mine, a life of unlimited possibility. The blessing I forfeit becomes a blessing many times over to him." We see Laura, tears glistening in her eyes. "Knowing I can do that for my only son is almost recompense enough."  In a thoughtful mood, he moves from his end of the long table to take a seat next to Laura, and pours red wine for both of them.  "With your permission, let us this once drink the toast we can never make aloud."  At that moment, Lulu enters, runs up to her mother and spills the wine on the tablecloth.  Stefan feigns nonchalance. "It's old, she can't hurt it."  [Earlier, he had told Nik it was a family heirloom an ancestress hid under during the Russian Revolution.] He observes, "You're making your mark on the family early." 

Earlier, the bartender at Luke's had given his boss the message from Laura about dinner with her kids. "Supper?  Did she say something about Lucky?" The bartender repeats the message, and Luke, doing the math, gets a concerned look on his face.  He knows what's up and heads out to Wyndemere. As the secret door opens, attracting everyone's attention. Stefan starts toward it.  With everyone looking stage right, Luke slips in the front door and plops himself into Stefan's chair.  He doesn't need a bell, as he taps on a glass with a spoon to get everyone's attention.  "What's for dessert?"  He asks with a wicked grin. Luke apologizes for being late for dinner. Stefan suggests dinner is over but Luke hopes it's not on his account. He suggests this is what Laura wanted. Luke likes to cooperate, he says. Stefan wants another chair. Mrs. Lingberry offers desert, but Luke declines, just wanting to sip on wine. He toasts to the "Post-nukes, radioactive but fully blended family."

Laura looks very mad. Luke says he's a student of philosophy and that they all deserve a hand for getting together. He encourages Lulu to clap. Laura tells Luke that's enough when he calls Stefan and Nikolas names. He asks for more crème Brule for Lulu as she's fond of it. Nikolas wants to know what Luke wants to prove. Luke goes to get himself Cognac and Laura tries to apologize. She thinks it's time to leave and Nikolas protests. Nikolas starts in on Luke when he gets back but Stefan stops him, as it's not the time since Lulu is there. Laura, Lulu and Luke get up to leave. Stefan tells Laura that she and Lulu are welcome anytime, for any length of time. Luke tells Stefan to enjoy his freedom.

They leave and Nikolas asks Stefan why Luke hasn't been eliminated yet. Killing Luke is not the way to his mother's heart, Stefan says. Her heart? Nikolas is confused. Stefan covers by telling him it's for Nikolas. He wants and deserves a mother. Luke will soon have no say because he spits in the face of the Gods. Laura has put Lulu to bed and comes downstairs. Luke thinks it's good that everyone kept their cool at dinner. He takes one look at Laura's face and add "until now." What Luke did was outrageous. Luke doesn't want Laura taking Lulu to "Devil's Island." She's also Nikolas's sister and she refuses to keep them apart. Where does that leave them? Luke thinks it leaves them on the fast track to hell.

 Nikolas says that for once it felt like a normal dinner until Luke arrived. Nikolas thinks it's bad for Lulu to grow up around Luke. Stefan thinks Luke will go soon because Luke is his own worst enemy. Laura won't abandon Nikolas again. She gave birth to him. Luke asks if it reminds her of Stavros or the islands. She tells him to stop but he says he's just trying to put this all together in his mind. Laura had a baby. Luke corrects her by saying "A Cassidine" and she yells "No, it's a baby, my baby" and wants to know if Luke is so limited that he can' understand that.  She can't consider Nikolas her enemy. She asks Luke if he has to carry a baby to understand how someone can have your heart. Luke says that Lulu owns his soul, and Laura will not take his soul to Wyndymere. Laura says that's a fair request, but he can't keep them away from Nikolas if they meet at a neutral place. Luke realizes she won't change her mind. She asks if he can live with it and he says the alternative is not attractive. He leaves to get some air and Laura cries. Outside, Luke looks shaken.  Laura looks worried but flashes back to telling Stefan about her pregnancy in Greece. Stefan is imagining the same thing. Luke smokes his cigar and looks upset at the docks.

Stefan calls Laura to make sure nothing happened to her because of her visit to  Wyndemere. Alexis comes in and demands to know what he's doing. The way it's going to look to the prosecution is Stefan doesn't have any money of his own (he only watches out for Nikolas') so he set his sights on Katherine's money in order to court Laura with it. He used her and then tried to frame Laura's husband for her murder, so he could have everything he wanted. All the things he's done, the dress, the ring, the portrait, Laura's visits to him and his to her in North Carolina, they have all left a trail  that can be used against him. It's only circumstantial evidence, but it still can hurt him. Stefan defends letting Nikolas see Laura, at any cost. He wants her to choose Nikolas over that monster, Luke. Alexis tells him it's not a problem for Nikolas to see Laura, but why does Stefan have to be there? Is he trying to break up Luke and Laura and create his own family?

Later, Alexis confronts Nikolas with what it is going to be like when he's questioned during the trial. She forces him to answer difficult questions about Stefan and his feelings for Laura. Stefan comes in and demands that she stop. Everything that she's said is true and Nikolas realizes that this is what it's going to be like, Stefan can't protect him from it, he needs to be prepared. Alexis yells at Stefan to stay away from Laura for Nikolas's sake. Later, Stefan remembers Katherine. He tells her that she's brightened up his life. Katherine tells him that may be, but she hasn't been allowed in his soul. Sometimes he gets a sad, faraway look, but doesn't need to hide anything from her, because she'd love him no matter what. Nikolas returns from a ride and tells Stefan that Alexis is right, he needs to stay away from Laura. Stefan says the trial is ridiculous and they shouldn't let fear rule their actions. Nikolas says being cautious is different from being afraid. Stefan assures Nikolas he knows what he's doing.

Laura phones Luke at his club and informs him she's accepted an invitation to picnic with Nikolas. Her husband accepts the news stone-faced and tells her to have a good time. Nik is at the park laying out his spread when Stefan happens along and quizzes him on the picnic basket contents. Goose liver paté, something French, and tube steaks. Stefan horns in on the lunch action, under the guise that he should be there to protect the tender young Nik from the evil Spencer influence. Nephew doesn't buy it, and insists Stefan scram, but gets ignored. Nik hits the bulls eye by accusing Stefan of deliberately crashing the picnic to torture Luke. He misses Stefan's feelings for Laura.

When Laura arrives, she's not entirely comfortable with Stefan's presence, he proceeds to take over the entire affair. When Nik takes Lulu off to the carousel, Stefan takes a moment to remind Laura of Lasha times by handing her a cup of blueberries, which she used to pick on the island. He just happened to have them in his coat pocket. They stroll down memory lane for a minute, and Stefan grabs her hand. Laura pulls it back, cautioning about Nik and they go back to watching the kids, nervously complimenting each other on their parenting skills.

Alexis goes to see Luke and begs him to put a leash on his wife before she kills Stefan's legal case. Mr. Spencer doesn't necessarily see that as a bad thing, but Alexis tries convincing him otherwise. Luke counters that it's Stefan himself who's wrecking his case in the Laura dept. Alexis reminds her partner-in-crime she'll do anything to get her brother a not-guilty verdict, and that includes implicating Luke. This brings a reality check and they go back to plotting against Helena. Helena manufactured Stefan's obsession by leaving Laura's stuff all over Wyndemere, in an attempt to drive off Kat.  Nik and Lulu return to the blanket and Stefan again directs the action and becomes the star of the show, vis the proclamation he's never seen cotton candy before.

After a taste, he declares "It melts away to nothing, leaves behind a memory of sweetness." Luke lurks in the hedges, watching. Luke lurks as Stefan plays with Lulu and cotton candy.  He tells some Nik stories.  He tells about when he was two and not talking.  "No, King, that chair is for my cat."  Laura reminisces about that chair.  Laura is sorry she wasn't there for Nik. Stefan and Nik leave, and Lucky comes by.  He has a short talk with Laura.  He says the rape "doesn't change who I am, it changes me." Katherine-the-ghost later appears to Stefan and asks why he went to the picnic.

Alexis and Stefan are discussing his trial. She tells him that Dara will try to steamroll him into saying things he doesn't mean; they practice a bit. She asks him what she thinks Dara will ask about Nikolas' inheritance, his financial situation, how he could afford such a lavish engagement party and expensive art and wine. Stefan's reply, “My credit is good, this is America.” Alexis asks Stefan to sound a little less like a “recorded announcement” when talking about Katherine's death. She feels he should be more emotional. Stefan reminds her that he is unjustly accused and will be exonerated by a jury. He wonders why she isn't working harder to prove that Luke was the one responsible. She tells his that Luke isn't on trial. Stefan thinks that she should be working with the investigators more, instead of play-acting with him. Alexis then tells Stefan that he isn't to see Laura under any circumstance but he won't agree to this. Laura is Nik's mother and he will continue to see her. Alexis is all exasperated. Alexis is angry that Stefan defied her “orders” about not seeing Laura  that it could really hurt his case. He tells Alexis about their family outing in the park with Nikolas and Lesley Lu.  Alexis fears that Dara will insinuate that Stefan's feeling for Laura were his motive for killing Katherine.  Alexis wonders how Nikolas will profit by gaining a mother, yet losing his uncle to the state penitentiary. Stefan reluctantly agrees not to see Laura until the trial is over.

Nikolas is worried about the trial and how he might work against Stefan. Nikolas  asks Stefan to let him go away for a while, until the trial is over. Stefan disagrees. Nikolas tries to explain that his testimony could hurt Stefan. Stefan tells him that if consequences result from the truth, then so be it. Stefan tells Nikolas that their lives are here and that Nikolas isn't responsible for Stefan's current situation, he has only himself to blame for allowing himself to be vulnerable. He tells Nikolas that he is the future of their family and that he should do nothing, especially in Stefan's name, to jeopardize that future.  Alexis is trying to prepare for the trial when Nikolas shows up at her suite. He tells her that he is afraid of loosing his family, but not if Alexis has anything to do with it. The reappearance of Laura in his life has given him the family he's never had and Nikolas doesn't want to loose that. Nikolas vents about Luke, how he should be the one in jail. Alexis says they don't have proof and anyway, she's leaning towards Helena. Nikolas doesn't see it though, because it could have been him up there and Helena wouldn't want him dead. Nikolas tells Alexis that maybe he should go away but she doesn't think this will help out Stefan at all. What she wants him to do is keep them all away from Laura for the time being. Once the trial is over then he can forge any relationship he wants with his mother.

Nik comes downstairs and Stefan is having breakfast. Nik asks once more that Stefan stay away from Laura. He says no.  Stefan has another Katherine flashback. Alexis is practicing her opening statement and Luke comes by.  He tells her that Katherine's last will is a forgery and he has proof.  Alexis says it's going to get Stefan in more trouble.  Luke has Helena's fingerprints, from the pictures of Laura she doctored up. Luke knows that only "Blondie" knew what the will said.  He has a flashback to a day at the bar when Katherine told him this.  Alexis says, "What a stunning stroke of luck, she confided in you."

Luke,” I have just that kind of face."

Alexis, "You have two of that kind of face."

Stefan tells Nik not to bring up Stefan's trip to North Carolina to see Laura.  Stefan talks about thinking of Katherine often.  He warns Nik about Helena.  He tells Nik that Helena claims Alexis loosened the railing. Alexis comes in.  She tells then to change their clothes.  Defendants shouldn’t wear black, it looks dark and sinister.  "You look like an undertaker." Nik is to look less mature.  She exchanges the wills while they are out. When they return she says "You look average."  Stefan smiles, "And so it begins.  All the little humiliations."

Luke is in the office of Kat's lawyer.  Luke is more than adept at breaking the law, and enjoys it thoroughly in this scene.  He breaks into the office dressed in black, wearing surgical gloves, and carrying his trusty black bag of tricks.  He switches the fake Kat will for the real one, and transfers Helena's fingerprints onto the forgery.  After leaving the scene of the crime, he calls his partner Alexis, who is in conversation with Laura in the courthouse hallway to report that all is in readiness for the framing of Mama Cass.

Lucky comes upon his mother in the park, near THE bench.  She tries to get through to him and express her concern for him.  When she tells him he looks like he isn't sleeping well, he tells her that he dreams of having the face of a rapist, the face of his father. Laura tries to reassure Lucky that he could never commit rape, but rather than pointing out his loving reaction to Liz in the wake of her rape and his righteous indignation at the act even before he learned about his father, she talks about having seen his soul when he was first born, a touchy-feely moment that doesn't work for Lucky.  She tells him he has a light within him.  He is not impressed, tells her that is the typical thinking of a typical mother.  Laura "There's nothing typical about us, for better or worse."   Lucky gets around, finally, to mentioning that he'd seen the pictures of her beaten body after the rape, and that he didn't believe his father's claims that they were doctored photos.  Laura goes ballistic when she learns that Helena showed him such pictures.  She tells Lucky in no uncertain terms that they were manufactured and that she had never been beaten.  She then talks about how evil Helena is, and how Lucky must not ever believe her. "The woman is the devil." Helena is poison, she tells her son, and you do not take your truths from Helena Cassadine.

At the courthouse, the day of Stefan's trial, Alexis got the media blocked from the trial and that a convenient anonymous bomb threat has moved the trial to a smaller courtroom, a strategic advantage, in her view, as the gallery is smaller.  Judge Lancaster, who will hear the case. Once Nik is lead off to the witness room to await his turn to testify, Stefan thanks Alexis for being a source of strength for both him and their "nephew."  He pulls out her Cassadine medallion and standing behind her, drapes it around her neck. He places his hands on her shoulders, assures her that "You and Nikolas are my true family."  She is touched.  He goes on to tell her that she must win this case and prove his innocence by "making them see the truth."

Alexis goes off to make final preparations and Stefan sits down to wait for the officer who will take him to a holding area.  As he sinks onto a bench, that he is not alone, exactly. Kat the Ghost is already there, in her shiny white evening gown.  She tells him she's never seen him in a tie before, giving him the chance to explain that "trial preparation resembles nothing so much as a rehearsal for amateur theatrics."  He tells her further that "My future hangs on my ability to convey my feelings for you."  She doesn't see that as a problem, "Can't you just say you loved me?"  His answer is intriguingly opaque and typically Stefan.  He doesn't say "of course, that's what I'll say because that's what I feel."  Instead, he says, "I assume that is what they want, to dissect my grief for you and measure my distress at your loss and debate its sufficiency.  I can no more speak of my feelings for you in a court than I could have killed you."  Ghost Kat assures him that she knows he did not kill her and that the court will know as well.

Later, everyone is back in the hallway after opening statements Laura arrives at the courthouse and sees a nervous Nik in the hall.  He thinks his mom should keep her distance, as Alexis has advised.  "Alexis," Laura answers sternly, "is wrong."  Then Alexis appears to tell Laura once again that it is not good for Stefan to have her here. Laura claims she is there to make sure Alexis doesn't frame Luke to clear Stefan. Luke calls Alexis on her cell phone, giving Laura an excuse to move away. Laura eases into the courtroom and takes a seat behind Stefan.  He senses her before he turns to meet her eyes.  She gives him a sympathetic, almost apologetic look, and then they break eye contact as Alexis enters.

Judge Lancaster resumes the bench, and the first witness is called.  It is not Nik, as expected, but Helena.  She enters looking like the cat who ate the cream, and is sworn in. Helena is questioned about the Cassidine fortune. When asked how much it is worth, she says she wouldn't know about those things because she is a woman. Basically, Dara wants an estimate. Is it in the millions? Helena says that's a safe bet. Dara asks whose money it is. Helena tells her its Nikolas's. Dara asks what will happen when Nikolas is of age to get the money. Helena tells her that basically, Stefan could be poor. She thinks Nikolas would probably provide for him being the kind person that he is, but if he doesn't, the reality is Stefan will be broke. Helena is then asked if Stefan ever told his mother that he loved Katherine. She says he never said anything about his love for Katherine to her. Alexis begins to question Helena and asks who would be in charge of the Cassidine fortune if Stefan should be convicted. Helena admits that she would be in charge. Alexis asks if Stefan has ever confided in her and Helena doesn't say anything, implying that he hasn't. This completely neutralizes Helena's testimony. The judge then calls it a day after Helena is off the witness stand.

Outside the courtroom, Helena runs into Laura. Laura tells her she better watch out, because she's not the little innocently helpless girl she was when she was kidnapped. She also tells her to stay away from her son because she knows about the doctored photos Helena showed him. Alexis approaches Laura and tells her she shouldn't be there. Laura tells her it would look worse if she wasn't there to support her son. Alexis points out that Dara is counting on her being there because she will try to show that Stefan is in love with Laura. Laura tells Alexis to just do her job and walks away. Alexis looks dumbfounded.

Alexis goes to her door and it's Luke, who comes in with the "dry cleaning." He's planning to wait in the closet, but Alexis throws him out. Stefan comes over.  Alexis plants seeds of doubt that Helena forged Katherine's will.  Stefan imagines Helena telling Katherine that the ring and dress were Laura's, Helena showing Katherine the portrait.  Stefan agrees this is possible. Alexis tells him that Helena ordered her to give Katherine the dress, the bench, and the trunk.  She says she was alone and unprotected.  She shows Stefan the "forged" will.  Stefan thinks maybe Helena did it. Stefan apologizes for casting Alexis out of the family.  Alexis is going to call Katherine's lawyer.  Nik comes by, and says he saw Helena.  He will leave the family before letting Helena take control.  Stefan tells him that will never happen.  Nik suggests Stefan appoint Alexis as the guardian.  Stefan slips back into "shut up, youngster" mode and says they have Helena under control. Luke is at the docks.  Helena slides up and tells him his wife was in court supporting Stefan and Nikolas.

At the Spencer household, Luke, Laura and Bobbie are preparing for Lulu's birthday.  Laura is hopeful that Lucky will come.  Luke tells her that he's at Audrey's. There's a knock at the door and it's Nikolas, with gift in hand. Luke glares at him and leaves to sit on the front porch. On the porch, Ghost Kat appears.  She says she wishes they were 10-20 stories up, because she'd give him the heave-ho this time. "I was after Helena, not you,"  Luke replies.  "A lot of good that does me now,"  Kat says.  She drones on about how Luke spoiled all her dreams and then mentions how he forged her will.  Luke explains that he did that to frame Helena. Kat talks about how her money would've "set Stefan free" from Helena but "Stefan will surprise you", she warns.  She disappears.

Bobbie appears on the porch and consoles Luke about Nik.  "Don't let Nikolas get to you," she advises.  Just then, Nikolas leaves, telling Laura that he hopes Lulu will get her birthday wish. When Nik is out of earshot, Luke asks what that wish was.  "That both of her brothers would come to her birthday party," Laura replies.  Laura re-enters the house, and Luke asks Bobbie to "change the subject", so she tells Luke about her birthday party with Jerry Jax. Luke doesn't think Lucky's going to show up with him there, and offers to leave.  Laura tells him to stay, and we see Lucky and Liz approaching the house. Lucky tells Liz that he just wants to put in a quick appearance and leave.  They enter and Laura is thrilled. Liz and Lucky give Lulu her gifts.  There's some awkward conversation between Lucky, Luke and Bobbie and then Liz apologizes for wounding Lucky.  Laura and Luke accept her apology.

At the trial, Dara calls Nik to the stand.  The bailiff asks for his name, and he replies "Nikolas Cassadine".  Alexis whispers to Stefan that she's glad Nik left out his royal title.  "What is your full name with title"  Dara asks, forcing Nik to state his royal pedigree, "Prince Nikolas Mikhail Stravrosovich Cassadine".  Dara continues to address him as "prince", until Alexis objects.  Dara goes on to ask leading questions about Laura, about the trunk, the portrait, and the increased contact with his mother.  Nik defuses every bomb, and waves off the notion that Stefan wanted the portrait for himself.  She questions him about Katherine, when did Nik last speak to her, and when did he see her last?  Nik says he saw Kat on the stairs leading to the North tower about two minutes before she fell. 

Later, Alexis asks Stefan whom he is protecting, and then realizes that it's Laura. Stefan reluctantly admits to Alexis that Laura was on the parapet with him and Katherine. She wonders what Laura was doing at the Bacchanalia? Stefan confesses that he sent her an invitation. Alexis wants to know what Stefan and Katherine were arguing about. He admits that  Kat found the portrait of Laura and was upset. Alexis now believes she has a firsthand witness in Laura, but Stefan orders her not to involve Laura. Alexis counters that his reasons (for protecting Laura) are not good enough. Stefan looks pensive; Alexis is angry.  She wants to call Laura as a witness, but Stefan forbids her, of course. Alexis feels that Laura is the only one who can prove that Kat's death was accidental. Stefan thinks Laura's presence would be scandalous, would appear as collusion. 

Luke and Laura are sitting on their porch, talking about LuLu's birthday party. They are excited that they spent almost an entire day as a family (since Lucky showed up), the first time since Laura returned home. They decide to make their family work. Luke tells her that she won't see much of Lucky, though, as long as he is around. They talk about how much Lucky has grown up, how he's now handling himself in a crisis that they taught him well. Laura is glad that Lucky has Elizabeth to help him. She comments that they are sweet together, very protective of one another. Laura comments that Lucky is just like his father.

Luke leaves to close up the club (and secretly meet Alexis). Alexis stops by to see Laura first, though. Tells Laura that Stefan told her everything and Laura looks a bit spooked. Alexis tells her that she knows Kat wasn't murdered and needs Laura to take the stand and clear Stefan. Laura refuses to testify. Alexis wonders why Laura and Stefan are protecting each other, is it because of Laura's marriage to Luke?  Laura tells Alexis to do her job and that she promised Stefan that she wouldn't get involved.  If he needs her help, she needs to hear it from him. 

Later Laura calls Stefan and tells him about Alexis' visit and her request . She tells him she feels selfish for wanting to keep her family together. Stefan tells her that he can protect her and Nikolas that she just needs to trust him. Bobbie comes by to tell Luke that he was right, that waiting Lucky out was the right thing to do. Bobbie thinks his visit for LuLu's birthday was a breakthrough. Luke comments that Lucky looks like a man now and that he is crazy about his baby sister, that is the most important thing that Luke ever gave him.  Alexis stops by, a bit late for their meeting. The good news is that Helena's prints have been identified on Kat's will. Alexis tells Luke she wonders about his son and his family sometimes. He tells her about LuLu's birthday party.

Alexis tells Stefan that she's hired Justus because she wants to take the stand. Stefan says he refuses to have a gangster's lawyer on his side. Alexis convinces him otherwise. Dara comes up and Justus tells her he's working with Alexis now. Dara seems shocked, but seems a little bit nervous. Alexis informs the court of new co-council, and then Justus calls her to the stand. Dara tries to object, but it doesn't work. Helena comes in as well. She looks scared out of her tree to see Alexis up there! Alexis testifies that she is Stefan's sister [Nikolas is a bit upset to hear this], and that Helena forced her to implant many things that would imply Stefan was still in love with Helena. She said Helena would have killed her had she not complied. She then testifies to the fact that the will is a forgery. She said that Helena's prints are the only ones on it. The DA says they want to check it out and Alexis says by all means. When it comes time for cross-examination, Dara says she'd like to be able to recall the witness but as for right then, she wants to recall Nikolas Cassidine. Everyone looks shocked at this.

Alexis objects to Dara recalling Nik.  Dara says the earlier testimony was interrupted by Stefan.  The judge agrees with Dara.  Nik takes the stand.  Dara asks about the ring.  She's found out the ring is not an heirloom.  It was Laura's. Alexis asks Justus to get Nik off the stand.  The judge orders Dara to stop badgering, and Alexis to stop objecting. Dara asks what happened on the balcony.  Nik says they were arguing. Nik admits he went to North Carolina on the wedding day.  He says Laura said Stefan is not in love with her.  Dara speculates that the argument on the parapet was about Laura.  Nik says Stefan was in love with Laura. Helena is happy, and Alexis and Stefan are stunned.  Court is recessed.

Stefan comforts a distraught Nik.  Alexis says she'll come back.  Helena laughs at them. Stefan warns Nik not to give Helena anything. Helena confronts Alexis. Helena is furious.  Later, Kat appears in her shiny white dress and tells Stefan his heart has always belonged to Laura. Alexis is haunted by fears of losing the case, and tells Stefan they have to put Laura on the stand. He doesn't see it that way.  Laura, meanwhile, sees how miserable Nik is about his own performance in court, and resolves to save Stefan for her son.  She tries to prepare Luke for her action, but he doesn't want to deal with her Cassadine connection. Alexis, to everyone's surprise, calls Laura to the stand.  With Luke in the courtroom, Laura testifies that she was an eyewitness to Katherine's fall. 

The judge has reached a verdict. Guilty. What do you say in your own behalf?  I'm innocent.  Luke is there, grinning.  Dara asks for immediate sentencing and gets it.  The judge sentences Stefan to life in prison at Attica   Alexis then confesses, telling the judge she is the guilty party. "I killed Katherine Belle with an accomplice."  She turns to Luke and Helena, shouts at Luke to say something, he stares at her and slides out the door.  Stefan is shouting at her to be quiet, Nikolas is screaming at her as well, "You could have ended this before it ever started?"  Helena is making fun of her and trying to drag Nikolas away as they prepare to cart Stefan off to prison, the judge is banging his gavel and calling for order.  The knocking of the gavel grows ever louder and more insistent and melts into... the knocking on Alexis's door.  It was, of course, only a dream. 

She has fallen asleep sitting up on her couch, wrapped in her bathrobe.  She opens the door to Stefan, who, seeing her disheveled appearance and stricken face, tells her not to fall apart at this point. This segues into more door knocking-- this time it's Nik at his mother's door.  "What's wrong?"  she immediately asks.  He tells her he wanted to call the night before, "but I wasn't sure if...." he trails off.  "I know," Laura responds, looking apologetic.  He tells her about being recalled to the stand and "blowing it," and announces that he's guaranteed his uncle a guilty verdict by saying he loved Laura. Laura looks upset.

Stefan and Alexis agree the case is in trouble.  She picks up the phone, but when she announces she's calling Laura to prepare her to testify, Stefan barks, "No, you will not.  Under no circumstance will Laura testify."  Alexis argues that Dara has proved motive now, and that there is no choice.  Stefan's response:  "How easily you concede defeat." Alexis grows frustrated. "You're taking away the best weapon I have."  He counters that the forged will is the best weapon.

"Not anymore," she says.  "Katherine fell.  Laura saw that you had nothing to do with it. We need her on the stand today."  Stefan shakes his head no. Softly, almost inaudibly, "No, I will not have it."        

You will go to prison."  Alexis is getting agitated and grows more agitated as the conversation continues.

Stefan is adamant, "There are some things more odious."

"More odious than a life in prison?"  Alexis is incredulous.  "Maybe there are a few things more objectionable," she continues, shaking her head to signify her confusion, "but embarrassing Laura Spencer is not one of them."

"Embarrassment is not the issue." He turns away.

"Then what is the issue?  Is this some sort of misguided expression of love? You're trading your freedom for Laura's what?  Her honor?  Her gratitude?  Her peace of mind?"  Alexis grabs Stefan's folded arms and spins him around to face her, jabbing her finger in the air as she then shouts, "Listen to me when I tell you that if she does not testify, you may be convicted."

Then we have a fine piece of acting, as Stefan and Alexis talk simultaneously and yet both lines are clearly audible and understandable. Stefan, "I may require your services to put my affairs in order."    

Alexis, "What do you think I'm trying to do?" Alexis continues, frustrated:  "Do you love her that much?  More than Nikolas?" She is crying now, and he is close to tears himself.  "Not more than Nikolas," he says softly, as she goes on.  "She has a family. NIkolas has no one.  What is he going to do if you wind up in prison?"

Stefan says that Nikolas has " a brilliant future."  "What, with Helena?"  He angrily shouts, "YOU WILL NOT PERMIT THAT TO HAPPEN."  But she tells him he is inviting that to happen by "throwing your life away." Stefan does not budge.  "The choices I have made are in the best interests of the family."

"What family?  Nikolas?  You're effectively abandoning him.  And you're not doing it for me, because I want you free.  Who's left?  Helena? Seven generations of Cassadine ghosts?  Laura? Is she your family, Stefan?"

Stefan prepares to leave.  Alexis puts her finger on the reason for her frustration: "There's something missing here, and as your attorney I need to know what it is." Stefan does not supply the missing piece, but merely says, "Do what you must to compose yourself. I will expect to see you in court.” Then he slams out of the room.

Meanwhile, Nik is also talking about the trial, with Laura.  He feels so guilty about his botched testimony.  "My uncle has always protected me." Laura tries to console him. "It's not your fault." "I'd have died if it weren't for him," Nik insists.  "I'd be Helena's little creature by now, all stunted and twisted.  But my uncle banned her from seeing me when I was seven years old."  He talks about how much Stefan has done for him. "He's never asked anything of me in return. I've always been on the receiving end. This was my one chance, my one big chance, to give something back to him" (His voice almost breaks on this line.) Laura has been facing her son, as they sit on the couch, her eyes fixed on his face.  "You did the best you could."  You can see the pain in her eyes, and you can almost feel the wheels turning in her head.

"Mother (that word just slips out, very nicely done), in the matter of a half an hour, I managed to convict my uncle and cast suspicion onto you."

"Onto me?"

"You're the other woman, the secret passion, the motive."

"But that's not what you said?"

"No, that's not what I said, but that's what everyone heard, the judge, the ADA, even Alexis.  I could see it on her face."

Laura tries to convince him what he saw on his aunt's face was compassion. "What have I done to deserve compassion from anyone?  He would be married with children of his own if not for me.  But he squandered himself."

"Stefan loves you very much."

That only makes Nik feel worse.  "This is how I repay him, right?

Send him to jail for the rest of his life?"

"It's not over."

"In that courtroom, it is."

"No."  Again, louder and more insistent, "No. Don't give up. Stefan hasn't given up.  Have you ever known him to?"  She wipes the tears from her eyes, tries to put the best spin on things, reminding him no hard evidence was presented.

But Nik has another idea.  "There's only one thing left to do." He rushes out, as she calls out to him.

Stefan standing in the hallway at the courthouse, and Kat's ghost appears again.  We hear her long before we see her, as she is behind Stefan, who stares straight ahead through most of their conversation.  Kat, wearing her slinky white dress, tells him, "I was right in the end.  You must know that now.  Your heart has always been Laura's." 

"I did love you." 

"As a substitute.  As an imperfect copy of the original." 

"I never said that." 

"Of course not.  You said what you wanted to be true." 

"The truth is you would be alive today if it were not for me." 

"You didn't set that trap.  You were as shocked as I was when I fell."

"You fought your way back from paralysis.  You would have fought your way back from this.  That fall didn't shatter you, I did.  I broke your spirit, your will to survive."

"You wanted to love me.  You willed yourself to love me.  And it almost worked.  But you were never free. You'll never be free." She disappears, and speaking of disappearing acts, Nik rushes up to his uncle, saying "There's only one way out of this. We have to disappear, tonight."

Stefan and Nik argue about running away.  "Nikolas, Cassadines do not skulk away under cover of night."  "if that were true, we wouldn't be here.  Bolsheviks would have murdered your grandfather and the Cassadines would have perished with the Romanovs."

"That was entirely different." 

"How is it different? It's a matter of survival here." 

"To survive without dignity is no triumph." Nik wants to know what's dignified about prison life, and Stefan talks about their heritage.  "You come from a proud line of Russian nobility.  We were targeted for extinction, yet we prevailed.  Not to crawl like insects into crevices.  No, to carry on with heads erect." Stefan says if he is in prison, Nik will carry on. Nik urges him to flee and leave Nik behind to prove his innocence.  Stefan will have none of it, and the talk turns to Helena.  "I will continue to fight her from prison until you come of age, and take on the battle yourself.  Now it's settled."  Nik sighs, and drops his head.

Laura enters her house, where Luke is reading an Inquisitor tabloid with the headline "Prince says Uncle is in love with Mom."  He's peeved, she's scared and serious.  "Where've you been?" she asks.  "Catching up on current events." She tells him Nik was there earlier.  "Oh, its a shame I missed him.  Would have made my day completely."  She tells him Nik was in agony, feeling he'd sabotaged Stefan's defense. "That's a public service," Luke sneers. Laura is not in the mood for sarcasm about the Cassadines. "Stefan is the only family he has ever known.  That's my fault.  All of my choices have excluded my eldest son."        

"You know, I know this song well enough to sing along, but not this morning."

"You have to hear this."

"No, I don't have to hear this."

"Then don't accuse me of not consulting you."

"You're not consulting me, you're informing me.  You're telling me to brace myself for some motherly gesture.  Well, I don't want to know about it."

"Please, Luke, please."

"You want us to talk about this until we're blue in the face?  You want to argue?  What will that accomplish?  Mother Nikolas all you want, just leave me out of it." He slams out of the house and she begins to cry.

At the courtroom, Helena and Luke and Nik are in the gallery as by Alexis calls Laura as a witness. Luke is definitely surprised, but Stefan's look is harder to read: anger, but something else as well,

perhaps a sense of inevitability, an acceptance of his fate. Laura is sworn in, and her eyes sweep across the room as she prepares to speak.  Nik looks confused.  Justus is at the defense table, an ironic touch considering the last trial in which Laura participated. Laura's eyes fall on Luke, who is staring down at his fingers, pressing his thumbs together nervously.  Alexis begins her questioning: "Did you come to my suite this morning?" 

"Yes, I did. To tell you that Mr. Cassadine did not kill Katherine Bell."  She goes on to say "I saw it all. I was there when she fell."  We get reaction shots from around the room. Luke is looking mighty displeased. Laura says that she was at the Bacchanalia but didn't tell Luke because there didn't seem to be a  reason to, and because she knew it would cause friction. She says that she went to the parapet and  heard Katherine and Stefan talking. They didn't seem happy, but she points out that Stefan's voice was not raised in the least. She couldn't make out what they were saying though. She says that  Nikolas went to visit her and even though she told her there was nothing between her and her uncle, he didn't seem to believe her so that's why she went to the ball. Back on the parapet, Alexis asks how far away from Katherine was Stefan and Laura says about 10 feet, not close enough to touch. She asks Laura to describe what happened, but Laura says it happened really fast. She stepped out onto the parapet and Katherine stepped back and fell. Stefan never moved from his place until after she had fallen. At that point, Laura though he was going to fall too. Stefan then rushed her off the grounds because they both knew that there was no sense in people knowing that she'd been there.

Dara wants to know why Katherine was scared, but Laura admits she doesn't know, and she can't answer if it was because of her because she doesn't know. Dara wants to know if there was at all a sexual relationship between Stefan and Laura at any time. After a hesitation, she says there was. Luke looks devastated and shocked. That's all Dara wanted to know and Luke gets up, looks at Laura and walks out. Laura jumps up and runs after him. Stefan goes to go after her but Alexis stops him. Helena comes up and Stefan says that she'll die in prison for what she's done, but she says she won't, and leaves. Nikolas then gets really happy because he realizes that Laura has finally chosen him for once. Nikolas and Alexis leave the courtroom and Stefan looks up with a smile on his face. Katherine is there and says that he must be happy, now that Laura has finally chosen him.  Laura gets home and realizes that Luke has left. She puts her head on the table, crying for to come home.

Laura is feverishly trying to find Luke, while Stefan comes to thank Laura for her hand in setting him free. Stefan also informs Laura that the secret of Nikolas' parentage must remain hidden. Laura rejects Stefan's interjections into her marriage. Luke comes home to argue with Laura. Laura tries to explain how the affair with Stefan saved her life, and Luke is hit with the sudden realization that Nikolas is Laura and Stefan's son.  Shocked, he runs off. Stefan is found not guilty. Nikolas confides to Stefan that the thought of his father figure gone was all too scary, and they have a very touching moment. After the trial, Stefan swings by "Lasha's" place to comfort her,  Laura rejects his advances sternly by saying "no, don't touch me."

Laura and Lulu had dinner at the PC Grill, and guess who shows up, Stefan. Laura told Stefan that Luke knows about their past relationship in Greece and also about Nicholas's paternity. So since Stefan was waiting for Alexis, who was at Luke's with Ned, he decided to have dinner with Laura and LuLu  since Alexis decided not to join him. Back at Luke's Bobbie wanted to know why Luke was leaving PC. And she told him he was a wife and family here and not to go. And Lucy also stopped by to tell Luke to be careful  while he is away. After Luke left the club, we went to the park to tell Lucky he was leaving and to move on and try to get over the rape. But Lucky didn't listen and walked away. Luke also ran into Laura and Lulu at the park after they finished having dinner with Stefan. Luke took Lulu in his arms and said good-bye to her. And after that he just looked at Laura, then left.  Luke (looking quite rakish in a spiffy black leather jacket might I say) phones Alexis and urges her to finish what they started with Helena.

Katherine visited Stefan and she told him to live a life love filled with love. Stefan apologized to Nikolas for not telling him Alexis was Natasha, his sister and promised that there was no Boris waiting in the woodwork. He also promised that Laura would become a part of their lives. Helena slithered in and Stefan threatened her to stay away from Alexis, Nikolas, Laura, and her children. Garcia arrested Helena for Katherine's murder and Stefan jokingly suggested that he also charge Helena with stealing the Ice Princess diamond back in the day. Luke secretly cut off a piece of said diamond to finance his trip out of town.  Felicia and Georgie run into Laura at GH. Felicia tells Laura that she admires what she did at Stefan’s trial. Felicia asks how Luke is, Laura tells her Luke has left town. They discuss Luke’s leaving, Laura says at least she knows he’s safe and that he’ll be back eventually.

Garcia has Helena in handcuffs at the police station. Helena tries to order Garcia around as Nikolas, Stefan, and Alexis watch from the sidelines extremely amused. Mac orders Helena to part with her jewelry, much to her disgust. She tries to throw her Cassadine weight around to no avail. Alexis asks  Mac for a copy of Helena’s mug shot. She wants to use it for a press release announcing Helena’s arrest. Helena warns Stefan to relish his victory. She assures Nikolas that she would never hurt him.  Nik’s response, “I hope you grow into a gnarled old woman and die in a jail cell.”  Helena eventually gets released on bail. She flirts with Garcia as he uncuffs her.

Bobbie stops by the Spencer home. She’s not feeling sorry for Laura at all. She wants to know if Laura ever told Luke the extent of her involvement with Stefan. Laura won’t discuss her marriage with Bobbie, it’s a private matter between her and Luke. Bobbie corrects Laura, it’s between you, Luke, and Stefan. Laura shows Bobbie the door just as Stefan arrives. Bobbie to Stefan, “What a coincidence, when I hear from my brother I’ll be sure to tell him I saw you.” Bobbie leaves. Laura talks to Stefan about how alone she feels without Luke and her family. She asks Stefan to keep his distance. She wants her husband to come back, it’s not good for Stefan to be around. Stefan tells Laura he just came to tell her about Helena’s arrest. He’ll obey her wishes, she will have to initiate any future contact. Stefan leaves looking dejected.

Laura runs into Liz at Kelly's. They sit down and Liz once again shows remorse for stabbing Lucky. Laura tells her it isn't her fault. Liz still feels if she had gone to the police, none of this would have happened.  Lucky appears and Liz asks him to stay. He pulls up a chair, not looking too happy. Liz talks about the rape more, and says that she remembers the rapists eyes. Lucky takes another cheap shot at Laura. Laura goes home and finds Alexis. Alexis says she won't get in Laura's way if she wants to see Nikolas or Stefan. Laura says she has no feelings for Stefan, and that she has a husband.

At the Grill, Stefan, Alexis and Nikolas are continuing their celebration of Helena's arrest. Stefan is reflecting that Helena is going to be playing out the role she set up for him. Alexis is not so chipper this day, however, and is fretting that Helena has turned down representation at her arraignment. Stefan admits it "gives him pause". Nikolas, ever the optimist, recaps the last week for us in two sentences, and states that sending Helena away should be pretty easy since Alexis has already made the case. Stefan warns him not to underestimate Helena and advises Nikolas towards "cautious optimism with an eye towards celebration". Alexis, looking like she's just tired of this whole thing, reminds them that her neck is closer to the chopping block than theirs if anything goes awry, and Helena will most probably try to tear apart her credibility.

Back in court, the Cassadines are all seated in the back row, eagerly awaiting the tarring and feathering of the family matriarch. The judge states the charge and asks for introductions of the counsels. Dara stands up and introduces herself.  Helena gets up and announces "Appearing for the defense, the victim, Katherine Bell."  Stefan leaps to his feet and for all his verbosity only comes up with "WHAT?"  A door opens.  There she is. Katherine. She's been to a barber, but she's back and just a smug as ever. She also looks a might peeved. We get a close up of Stefan, shocked, Alexis is amazed, Nikolas speechless. Dara, seated at the state table wears an expression clearly stating "You have got to be kidding me".

Katherine takes the stand and tells of how she's remembering more and more from that night and that Helena saved her life and she'll do anything to help her. Helena then takes the stand and tells of how they stole Katherine's body after the death drug was administered and then brought her to Serenity where she was given the counteractive drug that has kept her alive. The judge asks Helena if she knows how many laws she just broke and she says she's not from this country and didn't know. Katherine goes to leave and Stefan tries to approach her. Katherine says not here not now and tells him she'll approach him when she's ready. Helena then laughs at Stefan, who almost attacks her.

The scene shifts to the Cassadine mansion. A distracted Stefan tells Nik that Kat will be there any minute; he hasn't spoken with her himself, but the security guard has called to tell him she's on the way in. Nik notes that Stefan hasn't slept all night and Stefan tells him that he hasn't been able to come up with anything to contradict what Helena and Kat said in court. He can't believe that Kat is alive. Nik is thrilled that she's alive, but enraged at Helena for putting Stefan through the stress of the trial. Kat's entrance is announced and she strides in, wearing a blood-red blazer and an inscrutable smile.

Nik hugs Kat and she winces slightly; she is still recovering from the fall. The scene takes a drastic turn into weirdness. Nik and Kat give each other a long look. Nik tells her "I just want you to know how much I missed you... I mean, uh, we both did. I just want to hug you". He holds her again. He holds her lingeringly. Kat looks over his shoulder provocatively at Stefan, who looks weirded out by all the clinginess. Nik leaves. Stefan tells Kat that seeing her standing there is the answer to all his prayers. She scoffs. "You haven't missed me at all...you've been thinking of someone else all along."

Kat and Stefan are alone for the first time since she has returned. Kat is loaded for bear, and taking aim. They dive right into the weighty issues. Stefan is shaken and struggling to understand. Where has she been for so long? Does she honestly believe that he would have let her stay with Helena all this time if he knew that she was alive? Stefan tells Kat that he has been in jail for weeks at a time, had to get permission to even go to her funeral and Kat is extremely under impressed. She was in bed with tubes running in and out of her, how many spinal taps has he ever had? How many times has he had to learn to walk again? He was in jail? Ha! She was in hell, and he can just get over himself. Stefan says he would have walked through this hell with her if he had known she was alive, he would not have let Helena poison her. Kat says dreamily that Helena saved her life, and Stefan tries to snap her back to her senses that it was Helena that loosened the railing and tried to pin it on Stefan so that she could be Nik's regent! Kat points out that  Helena saved her life. She obviously didn't want Kat dead, no one did, except maybe Stefan himself. "I did not do this" Stefan states evenly. Not directly, Kat answers.

Kat says that she never stood a chance against Laura's memory and Stefan tries to blow this off as part of Helena's brainwashing of her. Kat comes right back at him, reading him the riot act of lies he's told her. She rattles off all the strange things; the ring, the dress, the portrait and correctly sneers that it was never about her, it was always about Laura. Stefan tries to soothe her, but she is in his face, reminding him that he never even told her he loved her, except once, when he came to get her at Serenity. Other than that, it was always that he cared for her, cherished her, was grateful that she loved him but not "I love you". Stefan gave Kat everything that was Laura's except his heart, and he kept that for Laura alone, while Kat gave Stefan everything she had. I was in the way! she rails. "This is pure Helena" Stefan mutters. Kat says "Nik doesn't know, does he."

Kat asks Stefan how it is to have Nik's mother back in town. Did he use his whole relationship with Kat just to make Laura jealous and bring her back? It seems to have worked. Stefan quietly tells her that Laura missed her family, including Nik, and came home for them. Kat is not buying it. She was just a tool to get Laura back she rails, and Stefan tells her again that this is Helena talking. Kat asks him sarcastically whether he can honestly say he wanted to marry her, can he say he wants to marry her now? She continues to badger him relentlessly, can he tell her that? He passionately cups her face in his hands as if to kiss her, but instead stares intensely into her face, apparently disturbed by what he sees there. "What did she do to you?" he whispers. She stares back at him. "Scared?" she asks. She takes his hands off her face.” You’re free to be with Laura now, but be careful. I got everything I always wanted once, and it almost killed me." She walks out the front door, then pauses to collect herself. We see her mask fall a little, and a bit of uncertainty peek out.

Back at the Cassadine mansion, Kat is explaining to Nik that things are over with her and Stefan, but she wants to pick up with him where they left off. She is his friend. Nik says, sensuously, yearningly "You're more than just my friend...I love you, Katherine." The statement isn't inappropriate, except that it is positively erotic the way that he says it. She stares back into his eyes and says "I'm glad to hear it, because I love you too." They embrace, and Kat looks over Nik's shoulder to see Stefan staring at them from the window. She holds Nik even closer, if that's possible, and starts running her hands all over his back, looking haughtily at Stefan. Stefan is clearly shocked and disturbed.

Laura is freaked out when she comes upon Justice standing in her rose garden. She's even more spooked out when she sees that he's in a strange mood; talking about seeing Granny Mae's rose garden one last time and how his father is buried under the bushes. He tells Laura how Mary Mae said that roses were proof that people had souls, and Laura's finally getting the hint that he's trying to make peace with her and he's tortured with the trade-offs he's made to cover up the Damian Smith murder. One does get the feeling that she's enjoying the payback. 

Laura is relieved that Justice finally took off, but is stunned when she gets another surprise visitor, Katherine Bell! Laura is surprised to see Katherine at her door. Katherine says it's been quite an experience coming back from the dead. They will have to compare notes sometime. She goes on to say she doesn't blame Laura for the fall or anything else. She knows Laura was only there that night to see Nikolas. She says, "I admire the bridge you have built to your son. I hope nothing ever shakes that." Katherine says Helena did not plot to kill her. Laura says Helena is evil and there will come a time when Katherine will wake up in a mine field and won't know which way to turn.

Laura asks why she came and Katherine tells her she was hoping Laura could jog her memory about the night she fell from the parapet at Wyndemere. Laura doesn't think that is an experience she would want to relive. Katherine says she doesn't but she has a nagging feeling something important happened right before she fell. Laura says she doesn't remember anything other than what she testified to. Katherine believes Laura may have left out something important just like she left out their meeting in her guesthouse the night her fall. She asks why Laura would testify for Stefan unless something else were going on. She believes Stefan and Laura are hiding something. Maybe Laura was in her room that night to goad her into going upstairs that night to look in the trunk. She accuses Laura of wanting Stefan all to herself. Laura tells her the only connection between her and Stefan is that he is the uncle of her son. Katherine tells her she will find out what Laura is hiding.

Laura immediately calls Stefan.  Laura and Stefan discuss Katherine's involvement with Helena. Stefan is sure Katherine is being used by Helena. They worry that Katherine knows Stefan is Nikolas' father. If Helena knows the  truth then Nikolas could be in danger. Stefan admits he had never told Katherine he loved her. Later, Stefan warns Helena not to manipulate Katherine. Katherine arrives just in time to ask, "Why? That's what you always did."  

Nikolas calls Laura out of the blue and invites her to lunch on the island. He asks her to come. Laura asks if there is a reason, and Nikolas asks if there has to be. Laura says no, of course not and that she is on her way. Nikolas tells the maid that his mother is on the way and that he wants everything to be perfect.  Laura arrives on the island. Nikolas is concerned that she had a rocky trip out, but Laura assures him that she is fine. Laura walks into the dining room and is stunned by everything Nikolas has done for their lunch. She comments on the beauty of the china and the food that was her favorite. Laura asks how he could have known that she liked it. Nikolas explains that everything he knows about her is a hand me down from someone else. Laura says she feels the same way about his childhood. Nikolas says that it’s about time they started finding out about each other for themselves. Laura smiles and gives him a hug. 

A weepy Laura tells Nikolas how sweet it was of him to arrange such a nice lunch. Nikolas says that it wasn't meant to upset her. Laura says that Nikolas hasn't done anything wrong now or ever, that he is the worst victim of the war between their families. He deserves so much better than  a mother and son meeting as strangers, trying to decode other people's memories of her. Nikolas says that Laura made a choice to look at it as a chance to begin building their own memories. He gives her a gift of a photograph that he took when he was small. She comments on how he captured the Mediterranean sunlight perfectly. Laura says that Stefan told her that Nikolas was a very serious boy. Nikolas replies that he was lonely and that he had to use his imagination to keep himself company. He would imagine being with her in different places on the island. He used to look at her portrait for hours and then avoid it for months, he was so confused. He tells Laura that he loved her anyway, but sometimes Laura cries and tells him to say it. Nikolas says that sometimes he hated her more than anyone in the world.

Laura and Nikolas discuss how Laura had to choose between Nikolas and her other family. She did the only thing that she could do and hoped for a moment like this where she could look him in the eye and tell him that she loves him, that she always has and that she never wanted to leave him. She never stopped being his mother. As they stand up and hug, Stefan enters the room. Stefan clears his throat as he enters the room and apologizes for interrupting. Nikolas invites him to join them, but Stefan politely declines. Nikolas goes to tell the cook that they are ready for the main course leaving Laura alone with Stefan. Stefan comments that it looks like he walked in on quite a moment. Laura thanks Stefan for raising their son so well. Stefan replies that Nikolas became a remarkable young man all on his own. Stefan asks if things were quiet while he was gone. Laura says no, that Katherine paid her two cordial but awful visits. Stefan asks if she said anything about Nikolas. Laura replies that she doesn't think Katherine remembers finding out that Stefan is Nikolas' farther. Laura says that she doesn't trust her and Stefan agrees. Stefan thinks she has a plan and that she is just waiting to put it into motion, if she hasn't already.

Stefan tells Kat that one of them lives in Helena's shadow, but it isn't her. Stefan points out that Katherine's actions have given him reason for concern. Katherine says that everything she has done has been to survive. Stefan says that she is surviving in a way that makes her beholden to Helena. Katherine asks if she was supposed to wait for a better offer. Stefan says that Helena would not have opened the doorway back to life for Katherine if she did not expect something in return. Helena may be using Katherine without her knowledge, but her agenda remains the same. To destroy Stefan and get to Nikolas,  Stefan says that he will fight anyone, including Katherine who harms his nephew. Katherine replies that Nikolas will face no greater menace than suffocation by Stefan. Katherine says that anyone can see that Stefan is terrified of losing Nikolas, but that he will drive him away in the end with his demons and his hidden obsessions and his terror. Stefan says that there was a time when he could have explained it and a Katherine who would have understood. He mourns the passing of both.

Laura and Nikolas discuss how Laura had to choose between Nikolas and her other family. She did the only thing that she could do and hoped for a moment like this where she could look him in the eye and tell him that she loves him, that she always has and that she never wanted to leave him. She never stopped being his mother. As they stand up and hug, Stefan enters the room.

Stefan clears his throat as he enters the room and apologizes for interrupting. Nikolas invites him to join them, but Stefan politely declines. Nikolas goes to tell the cook that they are ready for the main course leaving Laura alone with Stefan. Stefan comments that it looks like he walked in on quite a moment. Laura thanks Stefan for raising their son so well. Stefan replies that Nikolas became a remarkable young man all on his own. Stefan asks if things were quiet while he was  gone. Laura says no, that Katherine paid her two cordial but awful visits. Stefan asks if she said anything about Nikolas. Laura replies that she doesn't think Katherine remembers finding out that Stefan is Nikolas' farther. Laura says that she doesn't trust her and Stefan agrees. Stefan thinks  she has a plan and that she is just waiting to put it into motion, if she hasn't already.

Nikolas and Stefan are discussing Laura. Nikolas tells Stefan that he resented Laura for so long that it never occurred to him until the trial that he knows next to nothing about Laura and his father. If you take away the lies that were told to keep him from being curious about his mother, the only thing he has left is what Laura and Stefan have told him, that he was conceived in love. Stefan is surprised and asks if Laura said so. It's true, but it's not something he thinks she would want her family to hear. Nikolas says that no matter how his father treated everyone else, he loved Laura, right? Stefan said that he did from the moment he laid eyes on her. He tells Nikolas of the first time Nikolas' father (really Stefan) saw Laura. He didn't meet her until one night in the garden when she appeared out of the trees with her hair flying. She was running and she ran into his father's arms. His father's heart stopped, and in that moment, it seemed that without knowing it, he had been waiting for her for a long time. Nikolas asks if Stefan knows this from his father. Stefan says yes, with a very far away look in his eyes. Nikolas says that he is glad Stefan remembers.

Stefan and Alexis wonder what Helena is up to, and how much Katherine is influenced by her. Stefan asks Alexis to find Luke and find out what he knows about Katherine and Helena's relationship.  Stefan is relieved to know that Laura told Nikolas that he was conceived in love. Stefan and Laura share a memory from the past, complete with flashback. This leads to a tender kiss between them. Laura breaks off the kiss. Stefan questions the meaning behind it. He reminds her of the past and their son. Laura tells him that she doesn't regret the past, but Stefan is not part of her future.  But we're free to build a life, Stefan says. It was over between us a long time ago, Laura responds. Stefan asks where he  and Nikolas fit into her life. I love my son and you are a part of his life. Stefan refers to their love affair and tells her that he loves her, that she knows him well enough that she should realize that when he loves, he loves forever!

**The End**

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