Out of the Darkness part 19
Note: Ok I am sorry this is so long in coming. Hope you enjoy. Thank you everyone for the wonderful feedback. I do realize that Stefan is in need of some TLC but they will have to wait.
***
Steven sat at his office desk. He was staring at the picture he had picked up off the floor at Nik's. In it Elizabeth's face was swollen, her eye blackened and her lip split. It broke his heart to look at it but he didn't seem to be able to put it down. Every time his sister needed him he always seemed to fail her. The rape, the problems with Ric and now this kidnapping. He was always too late to help. The longer he looked at the picture the angrier he got until he finally made a choice. He may have failed her before but not this time. The bastard who beat her was gonna pay, he would see to it.
***
Everyone crowded into Mac's office. Elizabeth sat in the chair across the desk from Mac. Nikolas sat in the other chair next to her and that left Lucky leaning against the wall. The phone rang before Mac even had a chance to say a word and the conversation took a while, which left Elizabeth sitting in the chair waiting.
Finally Mac put the phone back down. "I'm sorry about that, Elizabeth. Now why don't you explain what happened?" he asked.
Elizabeth was angry at this point. All she wanted to do was get Stefan free and go home to Cameron. Not sit and play twenty questions with Mac when he seemed too busy to even care what her answers were. "What about Stefan, Mac? I checked, he needs to see a doctor," she asked; the anger she was feeling could be heard in her voice.
"I have called down and someone will be here to see him soon. Now the quicker you explain what is going on the quicker we can decide what needs to be done," Mac explained.
"Well then, Mac, why don't you take some time and actually listen to what I have to say?" Elizabeth demanded.
Mac realized that Elizabeth was upset. "I'm sorry, Elizabeth. Go ahead and tell us what happened," he said.
"Fine," Elizabeth said before she took a deep breath and continued. "Helena's men kidnapped Cameron and I from the parking lot at G.H. I guess I was drugged because I was grabbed from behind and then I felt a needle in my arm. The next thing I remember is waking up in a locked room with Cameron. People would come to bring food and clothes but no one spoke english so I couldn't find out where I was or why we were there. We were there almost two weeks before Helena showed up." Elizabeth stopped talking and looked at the desktop for a few minutes. She knew she had to explain what happened but she hated that it would upset Nik.
Nik reached over and took Elizabeth's hand. "It's ok Liz, just tell us what my grandmother did," he said as he gave her hand a squeeze.
Elizabeth looked at Nik and gave him a sad smile before she continued. "One night, very late, Helena came into the room with two very large men. She explained that Nik and I were ruining her plans and that we would produce a Cassadine heir for her. She took Cameron and said that when I produced the heir I could have him back and started walking towards the door. I tried to get Cameron back and her guard knocked me into the fireplace. I guess I was knocked out," Elizabeth explained.
****
Stefan was sitting in the interrogation room still handcuffed to the table. He was holding his head in his hands, hoping the headache would start to fade. When he heard the door open he looked up to see a sandy-haired man come rushing into the room. When the door shut the man walked around the table. "You bastard! I should kill you for what you did to Elizabeth!" the man said as his fist slammed into Stefan's jaw. The man then grabbed Stefan by the front of his sweater. "Did it make you feel like a big man beating on her? You were so proud of your handiwork that you took pictures, YOU sick bastard," he yelled.
Stefan shook his head to clear it. "I have never struck Elizabeth. I do not resort to abuse to control woman. Now who are you?" he asked.
***
Mac leaned forward. "Elizabeth, how did Stefan, if that is Stefan, get involved?" he asked.
Elizabeth smiled a sad smile. "I woke up later, how much later I don't know. When I realized that Cameron was gone I pounded on the door and screamed until I was hoarse. When I couldn't even pound anymore the wall beside the fireplace slid open and Stefan walked out. He grabbed my arm and said I had one chance to escape and that was to come with him so I did. He promised to get me out, get Cameron back and get us home safely and he did," Elizabeth explained.
Lucky couldn't stand it any longer; there was no way he would allow Elizabeth to paint Stefan as a hero. "Elizabeth, Stefan beat you into submission and forced you to marry him," Lucky said.
Elizabeth turned to glare at Lucky. She couldn't believe the way he was acting. "Lucky, how many times do I have to say he did not beat me? He didn't force me to marry him, it was my choice, Lucky. I chose to marry Stefan. Why won't you listen to me?" she asked.
"Elizabeth, I have listened to you. I just don't believe you. Your marriage to Stefan makes no sense unless you were forced. When it comes to abuse these pictures show something different," Lucky explained as he set the pictures on Mac's desk.
Elizabeth stood up and glared up at Lucky. "What those pictures show is what Helena's guard did to me. Not Stefan, and if you would stop being a jealous ass and stop acting like your father and LISTEN TO ME you would have heard what I have been saying. Stefan did not kidnap me, he saved me. He did not beat on me, he got me medical attention and he is my husband because I chose to marry him, Lucky. My life, my choice!" Elizabeth explained. The longer she spoke the louder she got until she was yelling.
Lucky opened his mouth to argue some more but was stopped by Mac.
"Lucky, that's enough," Mac said. "As of now you are off this case," he said before turning to Elizabeth. "I assume you will not be pressing charges for kidnapping?" he asked.
"No. There are no charges to press, Mac. Stefan has done nothing but try to help me. Now can Stefan and I go home, please?" Elizabeth asked.
"Elizabeth, you're free to go but until the question of who is in the interrogation room is answered, I'm sorry, Stefan will have to stay," Mac explained.
***
When Elizabeth walked into the interrogation room she was shocked to see Steven with his hands around Stefan's neck. "Steven, stop! What in the hell do you think you're doing?" she asked as she rushed forward and grabbed onto Steven's arms to pull him away from Stefan.
Steven let go of Stefan at Elizabeth urging. "He hit you, Elizabeth, and I am gonna make sure he never gets to do it again," Steven explained with tears in his eyes.
Elizabeth could see how upset Steven was. "Oh sweetie, Stefan didn't hurt me or hit me. I got hurt by one of Helena's guards, all Stefan did was help me. He got me out and got me the medical attention I needed," she explained.
Steven looked at Elizabeth confused. "But Luke said that Stefan hit you," he explained.
"OH my God, Steven. I swear I am gonna scream if you all don't start listening to me. Was Luke there when I got hit? NO! I was. Steven, Luke thinks Stefan is the devil," Elizabeth yelled.
Steven stared at Stefan for a few seconds as the information sank in before he turned to Elizabeth and pulled her into his arms. "I was so worried about you. I thought we would never see you again," he explained.
Stefan looked up as he sat back in his chair. He looked at the younger man who was hugging Elizabeth tightly. He realized he didn't like seeing Elizabeth in the other man's arms. "I assume you're a friend of Elizabeth's?" he said in a dismissive tone while glaring at them both.
Elizabeth looked over at Stefan and realized he was glaring at Steven. She smiled brightly before giving Steven a shove. "Actually, I don't know if I would call him a friend," she teased. "Stefan, this is my brother Steven Webber," she explained as she walked over to give Stefan a quick kiss on the cheek. "Steven, this is my husband Stefan Cassadine."
Stefan smiled and brought his free arm up to wrap around Elizabeth's waist.
"I'm sorry, I thought you had hurt Elizabeth," Steven said as he offered his hand.
Stefan smiled and shook the younger man's hand. "I understand your desire to protect Elizabeth," he said.
Elizabeth turned to Steven. "Since you're here and you're the PCPD's forensics specialist, could you help us please?" she asked.
Steven looked at Elizabeth, puzzled. "What can I do to help?" he asked.
"Mac won't allow Stefan to go home until we prove he is not the same man who caused all the problems in 2003. We need you to prove that Stefan is the real Stefan and the man who is buried in his grave is not," Elizabeth explained.
Steven smiled; he was happy to be able to do something. "Actually I have an idea that might prove to be a simple answer. Why don't you come with me and we can check it out?" he asked.
Elizabeth started to argue, she didn't want to leave Stefan alone, but before she could answer Steven, Stefan spoke up. "Elizabeth, why don't you go and assist your brother? I will be fine here."
"Alright," Elizabeth said. She leaned in and gave Stefan a quick kiss on the cheek before leaving with Steven.
***
A few minutes after Elizabeth left Stefan heard the door open once more. He expected to see one of the guards or even Elizabeth so he was pleasantly surprised when he realized it was Nikolas standing in the doorway. He winced as he sat up a little straighter in the chair. He removed the ice pack he had been holding against his jaw and laid it on the tabletop in front of him. His head was hurting but he quietly waited to allow Nikolas the first move.
Nik sat down in the chair directly across the table from Stefan. He had a thousand questions to ask but at this moment he realized that he couldn't remember any of them. He simply stared at Stefan for a few minutes. Finally he spoke. "Are you my uncle? I know you found a way to convince Elizabeth."
Stefan smiled a sad smile. "Of course I am your uncle, Nikolas. What has surprised me is not your inability to accept that I have risen from the grave, but your acceptance of my doppelganger and how easily you were deceived," he explained.
Nik glared at Stefan. He wanted to be angry and to be able to object but he couldn't. His uncle's comment had just pointed out the problem. He was so torn. Ever since he had walked into the library when Cam had been calling for him, a part of Nik wanted to welcome his uncle home with open arms, while the other part was saddened because he had been so easily fooled by the fake. "My only excuse, Uncle, is that he looked and acted like you did," Nik explained.
Stefan stared in amazement and then started to laugh. "Of course he did, Nikolas, because we all know I am a psychopath," he said.
Nikolas slid his chair back and stood leaning over the table. "I never said that!" he yelled.
"Yes Nikloas, you and my dear sister knew me so well," he commented. He shifted in his chair, wincing from the pain, and continued. "Of course I would force you into a loveless marriage. I would murder an innocent woman in an attempt to kill Emily. Oh and the one action that was the most like me. I confessed all my sins on live television while Luke Spencer of all people had me on trial. Did you really believe that I was capable of all of those things? I would die before I confessed anything to LUKE SPENCER!" Stefan yelled.
Nikolas interrupted before Stefan could continue. "I'm sorry! My only excuse is in many ways he was like you. He was the dark side of you. I am so glad he was a fake and that you are now here alive. I missed you, Uncle. I love you," Nikolas explained with tears in his eyes.
Seeing how upset Nikolas was, Stefan's anger softened. "I love you too, Nikolas," he said.
Nikolas sat back down in his chair. "Where have you been?" he asked.
"I left Milan and went to Russia. I was investigating the history and holdings of the Cassadine family. I was in a car accident and left in a coma. When your grandmother found out, she had me moved to a small island estate that she had kept hidden from us. 8 months later I woke up," Stefan explained.
"I can't believe this, Grandmother has been holding you all this time?" Nik asked.
"Yes Nikolas, until sixteen days ago she was still holding me captive," Stefan explained.
"Why did it take you so long to escape?" Nik asked.
"When I first woke from the coma I was unable to do anything, even speak. I had to relearn how to do everything. Your grandmother allowed me assistance to relearn until I reached a certain point and then I was on my own. It took until now for me to be able to escape," Stefan explained.
"How did you end up married to Elizabeth?" Nik asked.
"Your grandmother was holding her in the room next to mine. I could hear her talking and taking care of her son. Originally I planned to contact someone to get Elizabeth assistance after I escaped. But the day I finally was able to escape your grandmother had taken Cameron away. Her sobs and screams were heartbreaking. I actually had walked passed her door but I couldn't leave her so I went back for her," Stefan explained.
"Uncle, that explains the rescue. Why the marriage? Was it a way to punish Luke because Lucky is in love with Elizabeth?" Nik asked.
Stefan laughed at the thought that he would marry Elizabeth because of Luke. "No, Nikolas, nothing so vindictive. Your grandmother had taken Cameron and put him up for adoption. The only way to keep the boy from being lost in the system and to return him to his mother was to claim him as mine. I had documents made up proving that I was Cameron's biological father, then I married Elizabeth to assure that they would have to return the boy," Stefan explained.
"So what will you and Elizabeth do now? Get the marriage annulled?" Nikolas asked.
"There will be no annullment," Stefan explained quietly.
TBC:
Next: More questions and answers/ Stefan finally get some needed TLC
Note: Ok I am sorry this is so long in coming. Hope you enjoy. Thank you everyone for the wonderful feedback. I do realize that Stefan is in need of some TLC but they will have to wait.
***
Steven sat at his office desk. He was staring at the picture he had picked up off the floor at Nik's. In it Elizabeth's face was swollen, her eye blackened and her lip split. It broke his heart to look at it but he didn't seem to be able to put it down. Every time his sister needed him he always seemed to fail her. The rape, the problems with Ric and now this kidnapping. He was always too late to help. The longer he looked at the picture the angrier he got until he finally made a choice. He may have failed her before but not this time. The bastard who beat her was gonna pay, he would see to it.
***
Everyone crowded into Mac's office. Elizabeth sat in the chair across the desk from Mac. Nikolas sat in the other chair next to her and that left Lucky leaning against the wall. The phone rang before Mac even had a chance to say a word and the conversation took a while, which left Elizabeth sitting in the chair waiting.
Finally Mac put the phone back down. "I'm sorry about that, Elizabeth. Now why don't you explain what happened?" he asked.
Elizabeth was angry at this point. All she wanted to do was get Stefan free and go home to Cameron. Not sit and play twenty questions with Mac when he seemed too busy to even care what her answers were. "What about Stefan, Mac? I checked, he needs to see a doctor," she asked; the anger she was feeling could be heard in her voice.
"I have called down and someone will be here to see him soon. Now the quicker you explain what is going on the quicker we can decide what needs to be done," Mac explained.
"Well then, Mac, why don't you take some time and actually listen to what I have to say?" Elizabeth demanded.
Mac realized that Elizabeth was upset. "I'm sorry, Elizabeth. Go ahead and tell us what happened," he said.
"Fine," Elizabeth said before she took a deep breath and continued. "Helena's men kidnapped Cameron and I from the parking lot at G.H. I guess I was drugged because I was grabbed from behind and then I felt a needle in my arm. The next thing I remember is waking up in a locked room with Cameron. People would come to bring food and clothes but no one spoke english so I couldn't find out where I was or why we were there. We were there almost two weeks before Helena showed up." Elizabeth stopped talking and looked at the desktop for a few minutes. She knew she had to explain what happened but she hated that it would upset Nik.
Nik reached over and took Elizabeth's hand. "It's ok Liz, just tell us what my grandmother did," he said as he gave her hand a squeeze.
Elizabeth looked at Nik and gave him a sad smile before she continued. "One night, very late, Helena came into the room with two very large men. She explained that Nik and I were ruining her plans and that we would produce a Cassadine heir for her. She took Cameron and said that when I produced the heir I could have him back and started walking towards the door. I tried to get Cameron back and her guard knocked me into the fireplace. I guess I was knocked out," Elizabeth explained.
****
Stefan was sitting in the interrogation room still handcuffed to the table. He was holding his head in his hands, hoping the headache would start to fade. When he heard the door open he looked up to see a sandy-haired man come rushing into the room. When the door shut the man walked around the table. "You bastard! I should kill you for what you did to Elizabeth!" the man said as his fist slammed into Stefan's jaw. The man then grabbed Stefan by the front of his sweater. "Did it make you feel like a big man beating on her? You were so proud of your handiwork that you took pictures, YOU sick bastard," he yelled.
Stefan shook his head to clear it. "I have never struck Elizabeth. I do not resort to abuse to control woman. Now who are you?" he asked.
***
Mac leaned forward. "Elizabeth, how did Stefan, if that is Stefan, get involved?" he asked.
Elizabeth smiled a sad smile. "I woke up later, how much later I don't know. When I realized that Cameron was gone I pounded on the door and screamed until I was hoarse. When I couldn't even pound anymore the wall beside the fireplace slid open and Stefan walked out. He grabbed my arm and said I had one chance to escape and that was to come with him so I did. He promised to get me out, get Cameron back and get us home safely and he did," Elizabeth explained.
Lucky couldn't stand it any longer; there was no way he would allow Elizabeth to paint Stefan as a hero. "Elizabeth, Stefan beat you into submission and forced you to marry him," Lucky said.
Elizabeth turned to glare at Lucky. She couldn't believe the way he was acting. "Lucky, how many times do I have to say he did not beat me? He didn't force me to marry him, it was my choice, Lucky. I chose to marry Stefan. Why won't you listen to me?" she asked.
"Elizabeth, I have listened to you. I just don't believe you. Your marriage to Stefan makes no sense unless you were forced. When it comes to abuse these pictures show something different," Lucky explained as he set the pictures on Mac's desk.
Elizabeth stood up and glared up at Lucky. "What those pictures show is what Helena's guard did to me. Not Stefan, and if you would stop being a jealous ass and stop acting like your father and LISTEN TO ME you would have heard what I have been saying. Stefan did not kidnap me, he saved me. He did not beat on me, he got me medical attention and he is my husband because I chose to marry him, Lucky. My life, my choice!" Elizabeth explained. The longer she spoke the louder she got until she was yelling.
Lucky opened his mouth to argue some more but was stopped by Mac.
"Lucky, that's enough," Mac said. "As of now you are off this case," he said before turning to Elizabeth. "I assume you will not be pressing charges for kidnapping?" he asked.
"No. There are no charges to press, Mac. Stefan has done nothing but try to help me. Now can Stefan and I go home, please?" Elizabeth asked.
"Elizabeth, you're free to go but until the question of who is in the interrogation room is answered, I'm sorry, Stefan will have to stay," Mac explained.
***
When Elizabeth walked into the interrogation room she was shocked to see Steven with his hands around Stefan's neck. "Steven, stop! What in the hell do you think you're doing?" she asked as she rushed forward and grabbed onto Steven's arms to pull him away from Stefan.
Steven let go of Stefan at Elizabeth urging. "He hit you, Elizabeth, and I am gonna make sure he never gets to do it again," Steven explained with tears in his eyes.
Elizabeth could see how upset Steven was. "Oh sweetie, Stefan didn't hurt me or hit me. I got hurt by one of Helena's guards, all Stefan did was help me. He got me out and got me the medical attention I needed," she explained.
Steven looked at Elizabeth confused. "But Luke said that Stefan hit you," he explained.
"OH my God, Steven. I swear I am gonna scream if you all don't start listening to me. Was Luke there when I got hit? NO! I was. Steven, Luke thinks Stefan is the devil," Elizabeth yelled.
Steven stared at Stefan for a few seconds as the information sank in before he turned to Elizabeth and pulled her into his arms. "I was so worried about you. I thought we would never see you again," he explained.
Stefan looked up as he sat back in his chair. He looked at the younger man who was hugging Elizabeth tightly. He realized he didn't like seeing Elizabeth in the other man's arms. "I assume you're a friend of Elizabeth's?" he said in a dismissive tone while glaring at them both.
Elizabeth looked over at Stefan and realized he was glaring at Steven. She smiled brightly before giving Steven a shove. "Actually, I don't know if I would call him a friend," she teased. "Stefan, this is my brother Steven Webber," she explained as she walked over to give Stefan a quick kiss on the cheek. "Steven, this is my husband Stefan Cassadine."
Stefan smiled and brought his free arm up to wrap around Elizabeth's waist.
"I'm sorry, I thought you had hurt Elizabeth," Steven said as he offered his hand.
Stefan smiled and shook the younger man's hand. "I understand your desire to protect Elizabeth," he said.
Elizabeth turned to Steven. "Since you're here and you're the PCPD's forensics specialist, could you help us please?" she asked.
Steven looked at Elizabeth, puzzled. "What can I do to help?" he asked.
"Mac won't allow Stefan to go home until we prove he is not the same man who caused all the problems in 2003. We need you to prove that Stefan is the real Stefan and the man who is buried in his grave is not," Elizabeth explained.
Steven smiled; he was happy to be able to do something. "Actually I have an idea that might prove to be a simple answer. Why don't you come with me and we can check it out?" he asked.
Elizabeth started to argue, she didn't want to leave Stefan alone, but before she could answer Steven, Stefan spoke up. "Elizabeth, why don't you go and assist your brother? I will be fine here."
"Alright," Elizabeth said. She leaned in and gave Stefan a quick kiss on the cheek before leaving with Steven.
***
A few minutes after Elizabeth left Stefan heard the door open once more. He expected to see one of the guards or even Elizabeth so he was pleasantly surprised when he realized it was Nikolas standing in the doorway. He winced as he sat up a little straighter in the chair. He removed the ice pack he had been holding against his jaw and laid it on the tabletop in front of him. His head was hurting but he quietly waited to allow Nikolas the first move.
Nik sat down in the chair directly across the table from Stefan. He had a thousand questions to ask but at this moment he realized that he couldn't remember any of them. He simply stared at Stefan for a few minutes. Finally he spoke. "Are you my uncle? I know you found a way to convince Elizabeth."
Stefan smiled a sad smile. "Of course I am your uncle, Nikolas. What has surprised me is not your inability to accept that I have risen from the grave, but your acceptance of my doppelganger and how easily you were deceived," he explained.
Nik glared at Stefan. He wanted to be angry and to be able to object but he couldn't. His uncle's comment had just pointed out the problem. He was so torn. Ever since he had walked into the library when Cam had been calling for him, a part of Nik wanted to welcome his uncle home with open arms, while the other part was saddened because he had been so easily fooled by the fake. "My only excuse, Uncle, is that he looked and acted like you did," Nik explained.
Stefan stared in amazement and then started to laugh. "Of course he did, Nikolas, because we all know I am a psychopath," he said.
Nikolas slid his chair back and stood leaning over the table. "I never said that!" he yelled.
"Yes Nikloas, you and my dear sister knew me so well," he commented. He shifted in his chair, wincing from the pain, and continued. "Of course I would force you into a loveless marriage. I would murder an innocent woman in an attempt to kill Emily. Oh and the one action that was the most like me. I confessed all my sins on live television while Luke Spencer of all people had me on trial. Did you really believe that I was capable of all of those things? I would die before I confessed anything to LUKE SPENCER!" Stefan yelled.
Nikolas interrupted before Stefan could continue. "I'm sorry! My only excuse is in many ways he was like you. He was the dark side of you. I am so glad he was a fake and that you are now here alive. I missed you, Uncle. I love you," Nikolas explained with tears in his eyes.
Seeing how upset Nikolas was, Stefan's anger softened. "I love you too, Nikolas," he said.
Nikolas sat back down in his chair. "Where have you been?" he asked.
"I left Milan and went to Russia. I was investigating the history and holdings of the Cassadine family. I was in a car accident and left in a coma. When your grandmother found out, she had me moved to a small island estate that she had kept hidden from us. 8 months later I woke up," Stefan explained.
"I can't believe this, Grandmother has been holding you all this time?" Nik asked.
"Yes Nikolas, until sixteen days ago she was still holding me captive," Stefan explained.
"Why did it take you so long to escape?" Nik asked.
"When I first woke from the coma I was unable to do anything, even speak. I had to relearn how to do everything. Your grandmother allowed me assistance to relearn until I reached a certain point and then I was on my own. It took until now for me to be able to escape," Stefan explained.
"How did you end up married to Elizabeth?" Nik asked.
"Your grandmother was holding her in the room next to mine. I could hear her talking and taking care of her son. Originally I planned to contact someone to get Elizabeth assistance after I escaped. But the day I finally was able to escape your grandmother had taken Cameron away. Her sobs and screams were heartbreaking. I actually had walked passed her door but I couldn't leave her so I went back for her," Stefan explained.
"Uncle, that explains the rescue. Why the marriage? Was it a way to punish Luke because Lucky is in love with Elizabeth?" Nik asked.
Stefan laughed at the thought that he would marry Elizabeth because of Luke. "No, Nikolas, nothing so vindictive. Your grandmother had taken Cameron and put him up for adoption. The only way to keep the boy from being lost in the system and to return him to his mother was to claim him as mine. I had documents made up proving that I was Cameron's biological father, then I married Elizabeth to assure that they would have to return the boy," Stefan explained.
"So what will you and Elizabeth do now? Get the marriage annulled?" Nikolas asked.
"There will be no annullment," Stefan explained quietly.
TBC:
Next: More questions and answers/ Stefan finally get some needed TLC
