Laura and Alexis were on their feet when Helena and Stavros walked through the door. They stood with their spines in a straight line, neither one making a sound.

Helena was the first to speak. "You already know Alexis, dearest." She stretched out her arm towards Laura. "This young woman is Laura Baldwin."

Stavros' eyes had fixed on Laura since he'd come into the room. Never acknowledging Alexis' presence, he walked up to Laura, smiling. "It's a pleasure to meet you," he said, lifting Laura's hand and placing a soft kiss on it.

"Likewise," Laura smiled politely, trying her best to ignore the sickening feeling that his gesture produced in her. This was Stefan's brother? Aside from the physical resemblance, everything about him felt the opposite of what she had felt when she had first met Stefan.

"May I escort you to dinner?" Stavros asked.

"I'd be honored," Laura lied, linking her arm with his. She would play nice, for now. She glanced at Alexis and gave her a reassuring smile before heading out.

Alexis felt a sinking feeling in her stomach as she watched Stavros lead Laura out of the room. She had caught his attention. She couldn't worry about Laura anymore as she felt Helena place her hand at the small of her back, pushing her gently out the door.

"We'll be alone soon, Natasha," she said, softly enough so that only Alexis heard her ominous words.

*****
Stefan stared at the large expanse of land that held his home. It really was a prison now. He had often felt a prisoner there, but he always knew he could leave if he wanted to. He heard a low whistle coming from beside him, shaking his thoughts of the past.

"Impressive," Scotty uttered.

Stefan nodded. "And almost impossible to penetrate."

"It's a good thing we're on the same side, or we wouldn't get very far. I'd hate to get on your bad side."

"I'm sure you would make a worthy opponent."

"Let's hope we never have to find out."

"Are you ready?"

"Let's go."

*****
Laura thanked her lucky stars for the elongated table that made it possible for her to sit far enough away from Stavros so that her skin stopped crawling. Helena was at one end of the table, Stavros at the other. Alexis was right across from Laura, another thing to be thankful for.

Laura and Alexis tried to slow time by chewing their food meticulously. It didn't' help. Even though it was obvious they weren't done eating, Helena would order the next course to be served, bringing them closer to the end.

They said little. Stavros spent his time drinking, with the occasional bite of food, and gazing at Laura. She avoided that gaze by looking anywhere but to her right.

The smile Helena had been wearing throughout dinner widened as the servants removed the dishes from the last course. She signaled a manservant to help her out of her chair, and then walked over to stand behind Alexis.

"Alexis and I will be retiring to my room. We'll leave you two alone. And Laura, I wouldn't try to escape if I were you. You won't survive," the cheerfulness in her voice was in stark contrast with her words.

Helena tapped Alexis on the shoulder, letting her know she was to follow. As they walked away, Alexis didn't know who to feel more sorry for, herself or Laura.

*****
Timing was of essence. They moved quickly. As soon as they arrived on land, they parted ways, allowing only a nod before continuing on their own charted path.

They had the easier task, but it wasn't without danger, and the guns they each had showed that they were well aware of that.

Their dark clothing blended into the night-clothed vegetation, lending them a measure of invisibility.

They hoped they weren't too late.

*****
Laura looked around the large, empty room, searching for any sign of life. They were alone. Stavros rose unsteadily from his chair. Laura did the same, and moved so that the chair was like a shield between them.

His glazed-over eyes and stumbling form were similar enough to bring back memories of a night she had fought to keep buried in her mind. As he was almost upon her, she took a step back.

Stavros reached out and grabbed her by both arms, pulling her towards him. "Where are you going, Lasha?" The alcohol breath on her face stirred the barely-settled food in her stomach.

Never again.

Hooking her hands on his arms, she pulled tightly on them as her knee rose in a swift, striking motion.

With a painful grunt, Stavros doubled over, releasing Laura. Wasting no time, she ran to the phone, picking it up. There was no dial tone.

"Mrs. Baldwin, we must hurry."

Laura nearly jumped out of her skin at the sound of Mrs. Lansbury's voice. She turned to see the woman kneeling over to what looked like a passed-out Stavros.

But what if it was all a trick?

Her suspicion seemed to be confirmed as a camouflaged man appeared.

*****
"This belonged to your mother."

A beautiful woman, bending down and placing the necklace on her little girl's neck. "One day you'll wear it to be with the one you love, Natasha" she said in that melodic voice that would sing her to sleep every night.

Alexis stepped back, stunned by what had just passed through her eyes. The woman from the photograph.

Helena mistook the reason for her fear, and sighed, taking a step forward. "You might as well accept the inevitable, Natasha."

"NO!" Alexis screamed, pushing Helena away enough for her to have to stumble back a few steps in order to regain her balance. "NEVER!"

Helena's face flushed with anger, as she walked towards Alexis, her hand raised, ready to strike. But in a twist of good timing, she stopped and was suddenly in a crumpled heap on the floor.

Alexis was paralyzed for a moment. She swiveled around as she heard the door behind her burst open.

Scotty lowered the gun in his hand as he saw Alexis standing and Helena's unconscious figure on the ground. "So there you are, we've been looking all over for you."

He unhooked the phone and listened. No dial tone. He gave a satisfied nod. Alexis watched as he rolled Helena over, took out a pair of handcuffs, and secured Helena's hands.

"You come prepared, don't you?" Alexis gave a nervous laugh, still finding it hard to believe how things had changed in matter of seconds.

Scotty grinned. "I try. Take this." He took out another gun and handed it to her. "Do you know how to you use it? Will you be okay here?"

Alexis cocked the gun. "Yes and yes. Now go!"

****
As the man moved, Laura realized there was another man behind him. She instantly recognized the second man.

"Stefan!" She had never been so happy to see anybody in her life. She crossed the space between them in a second, wrapping her arms around him.

Stefan let himself get lost in her embrace, but their reunion was cut short as Laura pulled herself away from him.

"Alexis! She's with Helena!"

Stefan turned to Mrs. Lansbury, who anticipated his question and nodded. "She was also given the drug, and should be incapacitated. But I would be careful. I will stay near the entrance and wait for the men who will be taking Mrs. Cassadine."

"Thank you, Mrs. Lansbury. I am indebted to you."

The maid smiled. "Nonsense. You were the reason I've stayed in this household as long as I have. I knew this day would come."

She left, and Stefan turned to the other man. "Stay here. Make sure nothing happens to her. Everything is going well, but I don't want to get to comfortable just yet."

"Understood," the man replied.

Laura balked, "I don't think so. I'm coming with you." Stefan opened his mouth, and Laura was ready to argue, but they were both silenced by footsteps.

Scotty talked while he walked. "Alexis is fine, Helena is unconscious and handcuffed. And the communication system is down, so no one will be able to get a hold of anyone outside, except us. But I'm sure you knew that already." He stopped in front of Laura, hugging her tightly. "You're okay?"

"I'm fine now."

"Good. I'm going to go back upstairs and make sure Alexis is okay." He turned to look at Stefan. "What do you want me to do about...?"

"The men should arrive soon to deliver her to a high-security mental institution. She should remain unconscious until then, but it would be best to keep guards outside her door."

"I'll stay, then." He looked at Laura. "Are you sure you're okay?"

Laura sigh in mock exasperation. "Yes, I can take care of myself." She pushed him gently. She smiled and walked to stand near Stefan, who was giving new orders to the other man.

"Take him and lock him in his room, and stand guard outside his door. He won't take the news of our mother's incarceration well, but I don't believe he'll be foolish enough to try anything against us without her."

The man nodded and lifted Stavros' body easily and carried it out.

*****
Alexis tapped her foot on the floor, trying to keep from kicking Helena. That would be low. So would shooting her in the head. But, oh, was it ever tempting.

A knock from the door pulled her from temptation. She undid the heavy lock and slowly opened the door, gun in hand. Scotty's face revealed itself on the other side, and Alexis backed away to let him in.

"They're okay," he said, anticipating her first question. "The drug that Helena took had the same effect on Stavros. Stefan is handling everything."

Alexis let out her breath, relieved. "Good. He does that well."

"Would you like to go see them? They're just downstairs. I need to stay here and keep an eye on her."

Alexis frowned. "Alone? No way." To make her point, she sat down on the floor.

The thought of arguing with her was fleeting. With a smile, Scotty joined her, turning his head as a shimmering light caught his attention.

Scotty reached over and picked up the necklace that was now lying near the door. He showed it to Alexis. "Yours?"

Alexis stared at it, then relaxed as no sudden memory appeared in her mind. "It belonged to my mother. I think. I don't really remember her. She's dead," she said in a flat voice.

She didn't say more and Scotty didn't push her. He took her hand and placed the necklace on it. "Then it's yours. If you ever want to talk..."

Alexis smiled, "Thanks."

*****
Laura watched Stefan, she could almost see him going through everything in his mind, making sure he hadn't missed anything. He was standing as if ready to attack at the slightest provocation.

She laced her hand into his, breaking him out of his reverie. He turned to face her, a faint smile softening his grave look and relaxing his alert posture. "Come," she ordered, leading him to an elegant sofa where they could sit. She waited until he had found a spot at the corner, then joined him, her weary body loving the feel of the soft seats.

She watched him slip again into his own thoughts, and was content to sit quietly, watching over him. This couldn't be easy for him. He had relaxed a little, at least.

He finally turned to her, a mystified look on his face. "How did we ever get here? And trusting each other again?"

"Do you always think so much?" At his look, Laura laughed. "It's not a bad thing. I just don't think we need to analyze this... us."

"We should talk about this."

"Probably. But right now, why don't we just be? Can you do that?"

"I can try."

"Good," Laura nodded, satisfied. Her eyes drooped, growing heavier by the second. The adrenaline was fading, and she was left with the combined fatigue of many days.

Stefan smiled at the adorable sight before him. Taking her by the shoulders, he brought her down with him as he sunk deeper into the cushions, letting her stretch out her legs.

She gave a contented sigh, laying her head over his heart, her body molding itself to his. She smiled as she felt and heard his heartbeat speed up. "You're a nice pillow," she mumbled.

He wrapped his arms around her, the air from her steady breathing warming him, erasing everything but the two of them.

And in those moments, they all knew peace.

The End.......