The end...of this part. But there are still more stories to be told in my universe. Who is Darius Carleson? How is James Craig Sergei's son? What other PC residents are connected to the Russian aristocrats? Will there ever be a happy ending for Alexis and her daughters? If you want to know the answers let me know.
Chapter 9
Luke and Robert found Mickey and his father peering into the house from the garden. Mickey turned and motioned the two over.
"Helena is in the conservatory with two armed men. I can still see Angela, Mikkos, Alexis and the top of Nikolas' head. I don't see Lansing," Mickey informed them.
"We heard gunshots earlier. He may have been hit," Luke said. "We need a plan to get in there."
"I can hear everything that is being said inside. Angela and I arranged signals. We need to wait for them," Mickey informed. The four stood there, waiting.
Inside, the gunman pushed Angela into her mother. Alexis grabbed her and hugged her as Angela saw the dead body of Ric Lansing on the floor. She let out a gasp and looked towards her mother, who merely nodded. Angela verbalized her thoughts. "He's dead. Ric's..."
Alexis was solemn, still nodding and looking at Helena. "He threw himself in front of the bullet. He saved my life." It was all she could say.
Outside, Mickey lowered his head. He turned to Luke, Robert and Sergei. "Lansing's dead. Those must have been the gunshots from earlier."
"Can you find out anything else?" Robert asked.
Mickey shook his head. He continued to listen.
Angela turned to Helena. "You've done it again. Taken a parent from a child. Congratulations," Angela said with a mocking clap.
"What about you, stealing from your beloved cousin, Angela? We all do what we must to survive," Helena returned.
"And you have done more. I am not stealing, I am only returning to my mother what was hers to start with." Angela turned to Nikolas. "I'm sorry for all this. But I knew I could trust you with the title, as safekeeping."
Nikolas still hadn't taken his eyes off Helena. "Angela, you've known better than anyone that I have never wanted this title. Take it and do honor to it."
This was more than Helena could take. Her grandson was just handing over the legacy to this bastard and her daughters. In a flash, she grabbed Alexis and held a pearl-handled dagger to her throat. Immediately, Nikolas put himself in front of Angela, with Mikkos grabbing her arm to stop any movement she may make towards Alexis. Helena's two remaining gunman raised their weapons towards the three
"I see that I will have to complete the mission I began in London all those years ago," she spat. She pressed the dagger against Alexis' throat.
"Know this, Helena Villianova. If she dies, there are others who will inherit. I can promise you, there are many who will give up their lives for them. You won't be able to kill us all," Angela told her. "You, and any who work for you, will not live long after she dies."
In an instant, both of the gunmen entirely lost their nerves and bolted from the room. Helena stood there in shock after being abandoned. She moved back towards the panel to the tunnels, dragging Alexis with her. Mikkos made a move towards her, but she produced a revolver and shot him. He was hit in the chest, near the heart and in the confusion of Nikolas and Angela trying to tend to him, Helena escaped with Alexis still her prisoner. Mickey and Robert stormed in a minute later.
Robert surveyed the scene, calling the mainland for medical help. Mickey held Ric's lifeless body but shook his head. Angela turned to look for Helena and panicked when she couldn't find her.
"Mickey, she has my mother!" Angela yelled. She turned towards her grandfather. He was conscious but bleeding heavily.
"You must go to her. Helena has taken everything from me. She will not take my daughter," he told her.
Angela understood. Running towards the gun cabinet, she grabbed a pistol, loaded it and ran out through the secret panel. Mickey followed her as Robert and Nikolas tended to Mikkos.
Outside, Sergei and Luke heard the rustling of trees and caught sight of people emerging from the house. They made their way to the garden and went separate ways. Luke noticed that they were the two last goons working for Helena and Luke and Sergei each went after one. As Sergei caught site of his target, he yelled for him to halt. Much to Sergei's surprise the man did as ordered, taking off his mask and turning towards Sergei. Sergei let out a gasp of surprise.
"James!" was all he could say.
"Well, Father, it's been quite a long time. What, no hug?" James Craig asked his father, opening his arms in a mock embrace. He laughed, looking at the old man. "You won't shoot me," he said simply.
Sergei couldn't believe his eyes, but he should have guessed that Helena would have gotten him to help her with her nefarious plans. He hesitated for a second and James ran off. Sergei lowered his gun, knowing that his first-born was right. Sergei could never shoot his own blood. Then he heard the gunfire.
Luke managed to subdue his target as he caught sight of Helena holding a dagger to Alexis' neck. He approached the old woman.
"Fancy meeting you Helena, Princess," Luke said with a smile.
For once in her life, Alexis was glad to see Luke. She knew that he could do battle with Helena. Helena, though, was not amused. She was trying to get away, and a battle of the wits with Luke would not help. Luke had his gun drawn towards Helena as he heard footfalls coming towards them. Soon, Angela and Mickey joined the party, guns drawn.
"Helena, it's over. You have three guns on you. You won't get out of this alive. Hand over my mother," Angela told her coldly.
Helena looked at the situation. Luke was to her left, Angela in front of her and Mickey to her right. She knew she was trapped. She held the knife still.
"Before any bullet hits me, I'll slit her throat," Helena told them.
What no one heard were the footsteps in the brush. Darius Carleson raised his weapon, aiming it squarely at Helena's neck.
"Helena, you've got no escape left. Even if you kill me, I still win," Alexis said from Helena's grip.
"Shut up, you little mouse. I should have killed you the night I killed Kristin and been done with you then," she cursed.
"Then there still would have been my aunt. She would still have been the heiress," Angela replied.
"That little thing? She had no heart in her. She was less of a Cassadine than any of you."
From the bushes Carleson fumed upon hearing Helena's words. For an instant, he saw the lovely image of Kristina Cassadine flash before his eyes. He knew he had to take his shot now or never. He had to destroy this thing, for him, for Nikolas, for Kristina and most of all, for Alexis. He cocked the gun as Helena continued to spew her venom.
"You are all weak, all of you. I am the only true Cassadine!" Helena yelled
The sound of gunfire erupted. Neither Luke nor Angela nor Mickey knew where it had come from but they fired their guns. Helena and Alexis fell to the ground.
"MAMA!" Angela yelled as the shooting ended. She ran towards her mother as Luke ran to check Helena. Angela was sobbing, but Alexis opened her eyes, looking at her crying daughter. Sergei entered the scene, seeing his sister lying in pools of blood.
"Helena, Helena!" he cried.
Helena blinked twice, bringing her brother into focus. "My brother," she said.
"Hang on, medical personnel are coming," he told her.
Helena smiled sinisterly. "But not for me. You will not be able to live with this betrayal, my brother." She took a breath. "I curse you, Sergei Borisivich, and your line. Our family will continue, but it will be through me." With that, the life left her eyes. Her head fell to the side. Helena Sofia Borisovna Villianova was, at last, dead.
Alexis raised her hand to the side of Angela's head, trying to comfort her. She slowly got up, looking at Helena then at Angela. "It's over," she said. "It's finally over." Turning to Mickey, she grew worried. "My father!"
Mickey helped her up. Robert was calling the EMTs. "Are you alright?" As Alexis nodded, Luke and the Cassadine princesses ran back to the house, leaving Mickey and Sergei with Helena's lifeless body. Mickey crouched down next to his father, placing a hand on his shoulder. The tears were spilling out of Sergei.
He looked at his son. "Despite everything, she was still my sister. I was charged with her protection by my father."
Mickey understood. He held his father, as his father held Helena. From the distance, Carleson's heart ached for the old man. He, too, knew what it was like to lose a sister. But he felt no shame in what he'd done. He left the bushes, making his way back to his boat and the mainland.
By time the Cassadines made it back to the house, the technicians had Mikkos on a stretcher, ready to transport him back to General Hospital. Alexis ran to him.
"Father, hold on, please! I still need you," she said desperately.
Mikkos made a weak smile. "I will be fine now, knowing you are alright."
The EMT turned to Alexis. "Ma'am, we need to get him to the hospital now. You can ride with us in the chopper." Alexis nodded, following them out. She turned to Angela
Angela nodded, saying, "We'll meet you there." She turned to Nikolas as they left. "Helena's dead."
Nikolas looked at Luke, who corroborated her story. "I want to know who got the kill shot. But she's dead." He chuckled. "All the same, I want to stay with the body, just to make sure." He left the room as others removed Ric's body and Mac entered.
"What happened?" he asked.
Angela looked around, unsure of how to explain it all. "Look, Mac, we need to get to GH. Have your guys work this place, then I'll explain." She looked at him pleadingly.
Mac was uncomfortable with that arrangement but acquiesced. Angela and Nikolas left Mac and the crime scene unit behind.
Luke returned to the garden to find Lucky with Sergei and Mickey. Helena's body was on the stretcher and Lucky was questioning an unstable-looking Sergei. Luke approached his son.
"Cowboy, can this be done later?" he asked.
Lucky turned around to his father. "No, it has to be done now."
"Lucky, his sister is dead, his friend's been shot. Leave it please." Luke was imploring his son.
Lucky was about to shoot a look at his father when he looked at Sergei. Even if it was Helena Cassadine, Sergei was deeply affected by his sister's death. Could he question his own father if his Aunt Bobbie was in Helena's place? He nodded to Mickey who led his father in the stretcher's wake. Lucky turned back to Luke.
"So, it's really over?" he asked.
Luke gave a low chuckle. "Even the bat queen herself couldn't revive from this. The question is, who do we pin the medal on?" Luke walked over to the bushes. "Have your investigators check around here. The first shots were fired over here."
Lucky looked at his dad. "You're not taking the credit for this one?"
Luke smiled at him. "I wish I could, cowboy. Oh, I'm sure one of my bullets hit her, but I didn't fire first. Neither was it Angela or Mickey. So, who could hate Helena that much to fire first? If I didn't know any better, I say it was Count Vlad. But he's deader than his mama." With that Luke walked off, leaving Lucky with a lot of questions to ponder.
Angela got onto the mainland and called Melanie. The phone was answered on the first ring.
"Angela! What's going on?" her sister asked.
"Melanie, it's over, but Grandfather had to be taken to the hospital. Helena and Ric are dead." She heard her sister gasp. "Look meet me there." Angela hung up the phone looking into Sonny Corinthos' eyes.
"It's true? Ric's dead?" was all he asked.
Angela knew of their tempestuous relationship and only nodded. Sonny looked away as Lorenzo approached them.
"How did it happen?" her cousin asked.
Angela was still looking at Sonny. "According to my mother, he got in the way of a bullet meant for my mother." She placed her hand on Sonny's arm. "He sacrificed himself for Mama."
Sonny looked skyward, saying a silent prayer in Spanish. After a moment, he turned to her. "In the end, he did the right thing, something I would have done."
Angela nodded, embracing him. "Be proud of that," she whispered. She then left him, heading to the hospital. Sonny looked down at the dock, then at Lorenzo.
"I am sorry for your loss," he said. Sonny could only nod. Lorenzo left to find Victor and Diego. Jason approached Sonny. Sonny told him about Ric and Jason had no words. He had a similar relationship to his own brother as Sonny and Ric. Jason knew also that, despite everything that had gone on between the two, Sonny would mourn him, something Jason could never do for AJ. He merely left his friend alone in his thoughts. Sonny looked around and decided to go to General Hospital, to see if there was any paperwork that would be needed for Ric from a next of kin.
Angela arrived at GH to find her mother browbeating an intern. Alexis was demanding answers from the poor man that he did not have. She decided to save the guy from the wrath of her mother.
"Mama, please. They don't have any..." Angela began.
"I don't want to hear it from you, Angela. This is all your fault, you set this in motion," Alexis said harshly.
Angela had no defense for herself. She stepped away from her mother, looking around. Mickey and Nikolas eventually came, Nikolas attending to his aunt, Mickey to Angela. After a few hours, Patrick Drake and Robin Scorpio came out to the waiting room.
"Ms. Davis," Patrick began. "Your father is in critical but stable condition. The bullet nicked some organs but there was no major damage. We have him on blood and IVs, but the sooner he wakes up, the better he'll be."
Alexis nodded her understanding. "Can I see him?"
Patrick held the door to the ICU for her and they went down to his room. Alexis hesitated as she entered the room, but went in, took a stool and held his hand. Her eyes gleamed with tears as she sat there. Looking at him, she whispered, "You can't leave me too."
As if to soothe her, a voice whispered, "He will not."
Alexis looked around, then blinked her eyes. There stood her mother, her body unscarred by the damage Helena inflicted upon her. Kristin smiled serenely as another appeared. "He still has so much life left to him and he wants you in it," her sister Kristina said.
Alexis felt their comfort. Kristin spoke again. "Angela did what was right. You were not ready for all this. It was only now, that you have been given the strength that is required of you."
"It is the strength of the Cassadines that you have. From one generation to the next. When you remembered me, from all those years ago, your mind finally healed from the trauma you had to endure. Pass that on to your daughters, that strength that never stopped you. Teach them about us," came the voice of a third. She recognized it was the voice of her grandmother, Katerina, her father's mother.
Alexis closed her eyes. She would be strong for her daughters. Angela had given her the strength to face her past, Melanie had given her the strength to face her pain, Kristina had given her the strength to face her fear and Molly had given her the strength to continue.
Alexis opened her eyes as she heard the door open. Angela entered the room and Alexis was now comforted by her future, in the person of her daughters, her family and her friends. With them, all of them, she would regain herself and what she was meant to be.
Epilogue
Angela finished her story and waited for Mac Scorpio's reaction. The room was silent as they waited for some reaction from the police commissioner.
Mac couldn't think of what to say. He knew the history of the Cassadine family, but this was even outside the realm of possibility. "So, let me get this straight. Helena took Nikolas, Mikkos and your mother hostage, killed Lansing, tried to kill your mother and was shot dead herself?" He was really struggling. At last he gave up. Maybe there were some things that really did defy explanation. "Then that's what the police report will say." With that, he got up and left, his migraine returning in full force.
The crowd in the chapel was stunned. The PCPD was really going to close the case like that. But after a while, they all came to the same conclusion...that maybe that was for the best.
Besides, each of them reasoned, there were other mysteries to solve out of this mess. They would find enough work unraveling those, and any other mystery involving the Cassadine family, starting with who really did kill Helena Cassadine?
