Chapter Two Hundred Two:
And the Rain Comes Down

The Docks, Pappas Grounds.

The rain is coming down in sheets, the water rough and the wind whipping around as the boat docks back at the Pappas House. They'd gotten nowhere. The storm came up too fast and even Luke had to admit that it was an impossibility to try to make it the rest of the way to the island. The boat nearly capsized and they were barely away from land. Docking again, Alexis and Stefan make it off the boat first, while Luke moves from the back, a few paces behind, occupied by his thoughts. It's hard for him not to believe those damn Cassadines aren't controlling the weather again, what with the viciousness of this storm. Luke watches Alexis and Stefan head up the dock, then turn back and, out of habit more than anything else, extends his hand to his wife.

Luke: You coming? (Laura doesn't turn to look at him. She is staring out at the water, her hand in a fist pressed against her lips as if in deep contemplation. Luke frowns) Laura? (She shakes her head, but doesn't look at him.) Laura! Come on! (Laura's hand moves to grip the edge of the boat. Luke looks over his shoulder and notes that both Stefan and Alexis have stopped halfway up the dock. Alexis takes a step to move back. Luke holds up his hand) We're fine! Go inside! (Alexis shakes her head and takes a step back. Luke, soaked to the bone, turns back to Laura) Laura -- we can't get over there in this! Come on!

Laura: I can't go.

Luke: (Stepping back onto the boat) Well you can't stay, Princess. Come on. (Laura doesn't move. Luke turns and looks back at Alexis and waves at her to leave him alone. Alexis grabs Stefan's arm and pulls him away. Stefan watches a moment, then shakes himself, turning away. Luke leans over and puts a hand out to touch her arm. Laura stiffens) Laura. Look at me. (She doesn't) Damnit, Laura -- if it were possible to get over to that God Damned Island tonight, don't you think I'd be there? Get out of the boat! (Laura shudders, then looks over at Luke. The expression in her eyes causes Luke to lean back. Her eyes are empty, not quite focusing on him. He sucks in his breath) Laura... Laura -- (She stands up suddenly and moves past him, pulling herself gracelessly out of the boat and stumbling up to the dock. Luke turns and moves back out of the boat. Laura is walking ahead along the dock. Her feet suddenly slip on the dock and she puts her arms out to hold herself. Luke double his pace and grabs her elbow, stopping her from going down) Jesus, Laura! (Laura shakes her head, clearly discombobulated)

Laura: I can't be here. (Luke turns her to look at him. She moves compliantly, though she doesn't look at him)

Luke: Darlin' -- (Laura's breath quickens at his words) Laura: (hysterically) I can't BE here! (Laura pulls her arm out of his grasp and turns on the slick wood of the dock, running like she's being chased by the devil, away from Luke and the boat. Luke stops, stunned a moment, then snaps into action, running after her)

Luke: LAURA!

The Study

Lucky kicks a couple of books out of the path that lies between him and Josef, and gives Josef an obnoxious smile. He can feel his heart beat slow, knowing full well that while he must look like a wreck, his behavior isn't going to show it. He's an expert at this part. Cover up all weaknesses with as much bile as he can muster. And for this guy? He's got a lot stored up.

Lucky: I can't find my wife. (Josef glances around the room)

Josef: You thought perhaps she was in the desk some place? (Lucky smirks)

Lucky: That's funny. Oh wait... No, it's not. I can't find my wife.

Josef: I see.

Lucky: That's a problem for me. I was talking to your sister and she made it sound like... My problems become your problems. That the Prince likes it that way.

Josef: Well. The Prince certainly made it clear when you arrived here -- he wanted your every need attended to... (Josef meets Lucky's eyes) And I assume you want me to find your wife for you?

Lucky: Where have you been all day? I've been looking for you.

Josef: You've been looking for a lot of people.

Lucky: Yeah, oddly enough... It's an epidemic.

Josef: I have many duties to attend to, I can't be at your beck and call every moment.

Lucky: No. You're too busy being at Nikolas's.

Josef: He is the Prince. (Lucky nods)

Lucky: And what if I told you the Prince wasn't going to feel much less concerned about my wife's disappearance than I do? Would that make any difference to you?

Josef: I am certain you are over reacting.

Lucky: I know my wife. I know that if she isn't here right now, then something has happened.

Josef: This is an island. There are not many places for her to be. I'm sure she'll show up.

Lucky: You know what Josef? I'm going to share a private moment with you here... My wife -- she told me. Just yesterday, she told me that if anything ever tried to take her away from me, that she would scream until she couldn't anymore. Now, if I didn't hear her... That's my fault. But I know she screamed. I know that. And I know someone heard her.

Josef: I am sorry for --

Lucky: FOR WHAT? For my loss? I haven't lost anything yet. You better hope I haven't lost anything yet, because if she's gone, then I have no reason not to rip your throat out just because I don't really like you. Now. Right now, I got about two minutes of reasonable left in me, which means you've got about a minute and a half to find my brother -- wherever he is -- and TELL HIM TO GET HIS ASS BACK HERE!

Josef: I can't do that. (Lucky looks down at the floor)

Lucky: You can't do that... (Lucky shakes his head laughing slightly) You know what... (he looks up at Josef) I don't believe you.

Josef: That isn't my problem. (Lucky snaps, rushes Josef and throws him -- not an easy feet -- against the wall)

Lucky: Then who's problem IS IT? Look, I don't know what my brother told you, I don't know what he's got running around in his head right now -- but THIS is not part of the plan, Ok? So either you know where he is OR... Or you've just become public enemy number one. Which is it.

Josef: I suggest you unhand me.

Lucky: Don't push me.

Josef: You do not want to take me on, Lucky. (Josef twists Lucky's name in his mouth)

Lucky: And you don't want to cross me. Spencer vs. Cassadine drone, Josef... Historically -- who wins?

Josef: I don't have anything to give you.

Lucky: I knew you were bad news. I knew it from the second I saw you. You think you're fooling everybody? Something is up with you. I can FEEL it!

Josef: I am just following orders.

Lucky: Yeah? (Lucky pulls him by the shirt forward and slams him back against the wall) WHOSE? (Josef's hands come up and grab Lucky's wrists, a smile of pure malice spreading across his face)

Josef: Your theories, whatever they may be, are only good for your own amusement. The Prince will never hear them. And if he does, he won't believe them. Throw around your status as the insignificant son of the man who murdered our last Prince, if you think it matters to anyone. It doesn't. Not to me - and I can assure you... Not to the prince. (Lucky pulls his hands away, not liking the way that last sentence stung.)

Lucky: Get your God damn hands -- (Lucky stops, catching the sight of blood on Josef's cuff. He wrenches his hand out of Josef's grasp and grabs his other wrist, turning the arm in a hard and sudden motion. Josef barely resists as Lucky pulls up the shirt sleeve to reveal the bite mark on Josef's wrist.

Josef: What can I tell you? She fought. (Lucky stares at this, the room spinning around him) Do you want details? (Lucky drops his wrist, pushing him away) Don't tell me you're surprised. (Lucky looks down at the ground, the words sinking in. Josef takes a step towards him. He leans down, his voice dropping to a whisper) You were right. She did scream. (Lucky's hand shoots up and grabs Josef by the throat with surprising force. His rage obliterates everything else, and he spins Josef around, throwing him down on the desk. Josef grunts with the force of the blow as Lucky leans over him, his eyes on fire)

Lucky: Where is she? (Josef's eyes widen and he laughs. Lucky tightens his grip) Don't think for a second I won't kill you -- WHERE IS SHE????

Helena: Tisk, tisk, Lucky. (Lucky freezes) Do you really want to waste all your energy on the messenger? (Lucky turns his head to look at her. Oh yes. There and in the flesh, the one and only... She gives him a smile that would chill Satan himself) Or do you want to save it for the game ahead?

Den of the Pappas House

Stefan stares out the window as the storm rages outside, his hand closed around a brandy glass that he's not drinking. He hears a sound and looks up to see Alexis enter the study with a mug in her hand. She gives a small smile and walks across the room. She takes the brandy out of his hand, pours a little into the steaming mug and hands it back to him. Stefan looks into the mug, then back at Alexis. He gives a small smile.

Stefan: Thank you. (Alexis sits down on the arm of one of the leather chairs)

Alexis: You're very quiet. (Stefan nods, as if he's considering that comment, then takes a sip of his drink) That makes me nervous.

Stefan: I am uncertain of what we will find on that island. Laura is so convinced...

Alexis: Luke says that Lucky and Nikolas went to Greece. And George said himself -- he wouldn't know if Nikolas WAS on the island. It's beginning to look more and more like...

Stefan: (shaking his head) He lied to us. He preyed upon my empathy, and then proceeded to put us through hell while he went off on a fool's quest.

Alexis: He was in pain. I... I can't imagine he was thinking clearly.

Stefan: No. No, and there Lucky Spencer was to lead him away.

Alexis: (looking down) I don't think we can blame Lucky.

Stefan: He wouldn't have known how to --

Alexis: Stefan. (She looks up at him) If he wanted to get away from that badly, he would have done it. Some how. If anything, Lucky's involvement is probably a good thing. I know I've had a breath of relief since Luke told me his theory. It's better than the options. At least we know Lucky has the know-how to --

Stefan: To get him right into his grandmother's clutches.

Alexis: And what do we think happens then? Helena's problem has always been that she believed that Nikolas could be swayed to her side.

Stefan: The girl.

Alexis: Corrine Gibbons --

Stefan: Lucky was a suspect in her murder, why would Nikolas --

Alexis: We both know that was a tentative situation.

Stefan: There were too many shadows cast over that situation.

Alexis: Stefan. He's here. You know what that means.

Stefan: He thinks Helena killed her.

Alexis: You don't? Stefan, come on. Lucky is many things -- and I'm not in a position to list them -- but a cold blooded murderer... That's a stretch.

Stefan: And what do you think he's been doing with Jason Morgan? Some light dusting?

Alexis: I think... (She shakes her head) I think Nikolas is in trouble. But I think, that if Lucky is with him... And they are going up against Helena... Then at least we know that Nikolas is not the one in trouble.

Stefan: I'm not certain I know who he is... This is just so... Far from what I expected from him.

Alexis: I know. (Stefan looks up at her)

Stefan: I have never been so certain that there was a chance I could lose him. (Alexis blinks, the words hitting her hard)

Alexis: You won't --

Stefan: I think I already have.

The Road heading toward the Pappas House.

The downpour can only be described as torrential and Luke runs through it, the rain blinding him, trying to follow the specter-like image he can see in front of him. Laura. Laura running blindly through the rain, away from the docks, the house, shelter. Running like she's possessed. He swears violently, his heart in his throat. She's got several yards on him, and his boots keep slipping in the rain. He nearly trips on something and looks down in the mud of the dirt road to see it's one of Laura's shoes. He picks it up and starts running again just in time to see her go down, falling into the mud.

Luke: LAURA! (He picks up speed, sprinting towards her and sliding the last two feet in the mud, coming to a stop beside her prone body. He rolls her over, his hands grabbing her firmly. Laura tenses, and begins to kick wildly at whomever has this grip on her)

Laura: Get away from me! Get OFF of me! Get AWAY! (Luke pulls back, getting up onto his knees and holding his hands up in a clear gesture of compliance to her wishes. Laura scrambles in the mud, pushing away from him. She looks at him, blinking the water out of her eyes) Luke? (Luke nods)

Luke: Yeah, Darlin'. It's me. It's Ok. (Laura looks at him oddly, then cocks her head to one side. Luke feels his gut tighten)

Laura: It's Ok. Because you're here. (Luke nods)

Luke: Laura, it's dangerous out here -- come on. Come inside. (Laura puts her head back, laughing. Laughing like she's possessed, laughing like a lunatic. Luke can't help it, he reaches out for her again. She pulls her arm away from him, angrily, he laughter stilled as quickly as it started)

Laura: Don't!

Luke: Baby.... Baby, come on, don't do this to me. It's Luke. It's your husband, Ok? I'm here --

Laura: (laughing again softly) You're here... You're HERE? (she throws back her head) Well HALLELUJAH, Amen! (she looks up at him, her eyes shinning) Then I guess everything is going to be Ok.