The Best Laid Plans- Chapter 52
 
 
 
 

“ You know, one of life’s best treats is Chinese food by moonlight.”, Ned says, as he picks up some Hong Kong Steak with his chopsticks and feeds it to Alexis.

“ You don’t say.”

“ I do.”

Ned and Alexis are sitting on the floor in Ned’s office. He has let up all the blinds on his windows, turned off the lights, so that the only thing illuminating the room, is the light from the full moon.

“ I feel guilty being here with you, right now.”

“ Why? Gatekeepers have to eat.”

“ I know. But...”

” But, nothing. You love your cousin. And you’ve been looking out for her. If anything happens, you’ll be notified.” Just then Alexis cell phone rings.

“ Alexis Davis.....Yes....I see....I understand.” Alexis hangs up the phone and has a big smile on her face.

“ Your cousin?”

“ Yes. She’s awake, and she’s going to be fine.”

“ Oh, and you have to leave me.”

” Actually, no. I don’t. Sasha’s asleep, and the nurse said she probably wouldn’t be ready for visitors until the morning.”

“ Well then, why don’t we discuss things.”

“ What things?”

” Things like the trip that I owe you.”

“ Oh, those things. Yes...let’s....”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

“ BOBBIE!”, Nikolas screams. He says it again. Slowly Bobbie turns to Stefan and Nikolas and faces them. She has a dazed look on her face. Nikolas and Stefan move towards Bobbie.

“ Don’t”, Bobbie says.

“ Barbara, what are you doing here?”

“ Bobbie, come on. You’re scaring me with you up there. I’ll come help you..”

“ Stop, Nikolas. You can’t help me. No one can.” Bobbie turns slightly and begins to speak. It’s obvious that she’s talking to herself.

“ I can’t believe it. I’m such a fool. A fool to love. To trust. To believe in anything. Everything I touch eventually leaves or dies on me. There’s nothing to believe in. Nothing that matters anymore.  I created my own worst enemy. The hatred in the eyes, I made that. Nothing that I love lasts....eventually it’s destroyed. I’m either poison, or stupid to whatever I come in contact with. The foundation of my life is gone. All built upon lies, deceit, treachery. I think everyone would be better off without me. “ Bobbie turns once again towards the ledge.

“ I WOULDN’T BE BETTER OFF WITHOUT YOU”, Nikolas yells. Bobbie turns her head to look at him. Nikolas is keeping Bobbie occupied, while Stefan inches closer to Bobbie.

“ Not me, Bobbie. I don’t know what’s wrong, but whatever it is, it can be fixed.”

“ No, Nikolas. This can’t be fixed.”

“ Well then, I’ll help you through it.”

“ Nikolas, please, stop.”

“ How can I stop, Bobbie? How can you think of leaving me, Bobbie? One after the other, I’ve had people leave my life after I’ve grown to love them. I know that we haven’t been close lately, but, Bobbie, I thought I’d have the chance to work through my anger with you. I NEVER stopped loving you, Bobbie.”

“ Nikolas, I’ll only wind up ruining you.”

” No. Not you. Never you. Even when I was angriest with you, I still saw it in your eyes: the depth of love that you feel for me. Bobbie, I’ve lost my Mother, and my Father, please don’t leave me, Bobbie. I couldn’t stand it. I love you, Bobbie.”

“ How could you?”

“ How could I not? Bobbie, whatever it is, I’ll help you. In whatever way I can. I need you....LUCAS needs you...”

Bobbie seems to be jolted somewhat back to reality...” Lucas?”

“ Yes, Bobbie, Lucas. He wouldn’t be better off without you.”

” Maybe he would.”

“ No. I know for sure that Lucas needs you. Even more than I do, and that’s saying something.”

” No, Nikolas. I’ll just hurt him the same way that I hurt you and.... it’s better this way.”

Just then Stefan grabs a hold of Bobbie’s ankle, but due to a reflex action, Bobbie jerks away and falls from the ledge. Due to Stefan’s quick reflexes, he still is holding Bobbie’s arm as she dangles from the building.

“ Stefan, do us both a favor. Let me go. You hate me. Let me go.”

“ Sorry, Barbara. I DON’T hate you. And, I won’t let you go. Nikolas is correct. Lucas needs you. Without you, what will he have? Barbara, please. Give me your other hand.”

Bobbie gives Stefan her other arm. He pulls her up over the edge with Nikolas’ help. Once Bobbie gets back onto the roof, she slides down to sit, with a completely blank look on her face.

Stefan and Nikolas walk away from Bobbie to talk.

“ Uncle, what are we going to do? Take her downstairs to the hospital and get help?”

“ No, Nikolas. I think we should take her back to Wyndemere.”

” Wyndemere? You know, I think you’re right. Bobbie needs some rest. And, she can get it there.”

Bobbie and Stefan approach Bobbie. She looked as if she didn’t even recognize that they were there. Stefan picked up Bobbie and they made their way down the stairs to the service elevator, where Nikolas had arranged for the chauffeur to meet them. No one said anything  on the ride back to Wyndemere. Stefan took Bobbie back to the Master Bedroom. He made sure that she was standing in front of the fireplace. She didn’t move an inch from where Stefan let her down from his arms. He was gone for a few moments. He returned with his pajama top. Stefan reached out to touch Bobbie. Slowly, he removed Bobbie’s clothes down to her underwear. Yet, Bobbie never gave any recognition to what Stefan was doing. He put the pajama top on Bobbie, and buttoned it. After she was dressed, he brought Bobbie back to the bed, which had already been turned down. He got Bobbie into the bed, and put the covers on her. After which, he went into the bathroom and changed into his own pajama bottoms and put his robe on. He went to check on Bobbie before he was going to the guest room. Stefan checked that the covers were on her properly. As he was beginning to walk away, Bobbie reached out and grabbed his arm. He looked into her eyes, and he understood. He took off his robe, and climbed into bed with Bobbie. He held her. And, although he couldn’t hear any sobs, he felt the wetness of the tears streaming down Bobbie’s face on his chest. Stefan held Bobbie like this until she fell asleep.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The morning after at Wyndermere. Bobbie awakens first. Trying to recall where she is, but instantly remembering all. She doesn't know what to do. She is thinking of leaving when Stefan rolls over awake.

" Good morning, Barbara."

" Is it?"

" I don't know. Why don't you tell me?"

" What am I doing here?"

" Don't tell me that you are suffering from amnesia."

" No. Not at all. I remember the events from last night all too clearly. "

" It was quite a night."

" One that I will never forget. I suppose I should thank you Stefan."

" For.."

" Saving my life. Twice last night. First, on the roof, and then, later on, here. If you had not been there..."

" There is no need to thank me. I was settling a debt to you."

" A debt?"

" Once, when you didn't have to, you stepped in front of a gun for me. No one had ever done that type of bravery, or thought me worthy of it before."

" I thought you felt it was all a fake. Even that action."

" I did once upon a time. But, no longer. The image of you being willing to take a bullet for me is one I won't soon forget."

" Well...if I knew then, what I know now..."

Both Stefan and Bobbie burst out in laughter. Bobbie looks at Stefan..

" What Barbara?"

" I was just thinking, I almost forgot that you knew how to smile or laugh."

" Strange, I was thinking the exact same thing."

" Stefan, why were you full of rage? What had you boiling over?"

" Betrayal, Barbara."

" Well, get in line behind me. You never did ask me why I was willing to take a leap off General Hospital. "

" I didn't think..."

" As a matter of fact, the reason that I didn't let go was the complete look of understanding in your eyes. You KNOW, don't you?"

" About Ms. Roberts, yes."

" For how long?"

" Since before we were married."

" Why didn't you use it against me?"

" I thought about it seriously. It was an incredible weapon. But, in the end, I decided against it."

" Why?"

" Because I knew that the truth would come out. I had guaged correctly what could possibly be your response. And, there was not the possibility that I was going to be responsible if you had succeeded in your attempt. My conscience, small as it is, didn't need that."

" Thank goodness for small favors. So, you understand when I talk of betrayal."

" Of Luke, to you. Yes."

" I bet you love that for irony, don't you? I betray you for him, all the while, he's stringing me along hiding the biggest betrayal of them all."

" The thought has crossed my mind. What will you do?"

" I don't know...OH,MY GOD, LUCAS!"

" Lucas is fine. I sent Nikolas over to be with him."

" Thank you. This is such a nightmare. How's that for being the Master of Understatement?"

" You do quite well. Barbara, if you did love me, why did you turn against me?"

" Stefan....all I can say is that I was worn down. You wouldn't tell me the truth about Katherine. I went to see her once, and I saw the look in her eyes, even as she didn't have the respect to tell me the truth about the two of you. All I could think of is that I gave yet another man my heart, and he stomped on it. Isn't a great feeling. I guess I was ripe for the picking when Luke came along. It was like Chinese Water torture, drip by drip, wears down the resistance."

" I would have never left you, Barbara."

" And I wanted more than just you and your "honor" keeping you shackled to me. You broke my heart, Stefan. I gave up much more to be with you than anyman I've been with. Even when Brock was beating me, at least I had my family to lean upon. But, I thought it was worth it."

" Why?"

" Because I thought I had found a place to be. I knew what kind of a man you were, Stefan. I loved you anyway."

" Aren't you scared of me, Barbara?"

(laughs) " NOPE"

" Not even that night."

" No, not even that night. I sometimes act before I think about consequences. And that was something that I would entirely do over. Oh, not that I wasn't mad and would not have gotten to you. No, my mistake, and I realize it now, was bringing Luke into all of this. Luke had no place in our marriage, and I guess I'll apologize to you now, Stefan, for allowing him into it."

" That's quite a statement, Barbara. I don't know how to comprehend it."

" I don't know if it's up for you to comprehend, it was just for me to say."

" Do you believe in evil, Barbara?"

" After the childhood that I had, I would say to you, "Is that rhetorical? Why?"

" Just an issue that I have been contemplating."

" I didn't think you contemplated much of anything, Stefan." Bobbie sees a strange look in Stefan's eyes. " Stefan, I'm just kidding. You're not evil, Stefan. Despite what you might think, and what rantings my brother has said, even when I thought the very worst of you, I never thought THAT of you."

" That's very kind of you, Barbara."

" No. Not kindness. Just cut the bull time."

" Barbara, if you had those experiences as a child, then what saved you? What saved your heart?"

" Well, chalk one up for the irony/Twisted Fate/ Dimented Gods file. The thing that saved my heart was my little girl. Spending those months, having her grow inside of me, filled me with more love than I thought possible. Even if giving her up left a hole inside. Oh well, just another strain of Bobbie Spencer luck."

" Barbara, I...."

And guess who enters into the bedroom? None other than Katherine.

" Stefan? What is Bobbie doing here?"

" I don't know, Katherine. Maybe because I am his wife. Did you EVER remember that?"

Bobbie gets up and wraps a sheet around herself as she goes into the bathroom.

(to Stefan) YOU handle her."

" Why are you here?"

" I came to see you. And I was worried about you. Stefan, would you like to explain why Bobbie is here and in your bed?"

" Frankly, Katherine, No. I don't think I need to explain. Barbara was correct in announcing that she IS my wife, and I find it more than a bit insulting that you would question me in My bedroom about me having marital relations with her."

" Marital relations? You SLEPT with her? You've been saying that you love me all these months."

" Yes, well, I don't recall ever telling you directly that I loved you."

" All those conversations..."

" And no, love never came up. Why are you further humiliating yourself Katherine? Do you not even know how to spell the word dignity?"

" Why are you doing this? I know you better than anyone else. Bobbie is but a roll in the hay for you?"

" I do believe that's enough from you, Katherine. What I do in MY bedroom and with whom is not your concern. And I will not dignify the gutter remark about Barbara that you spoke. Go...NOW!"

Katherine leaves.

Bobbie comes from the bathroom, fully dressed.

" Barbara.."

" Stefan. The less said, the better." And she leaves.

Bobbie was barely gone when Katherine returns.
 

“ I can’t believe you. I really can’t. I come to see you, your WIFE is in your BED, and you’re completely dismissing me. Who do you think I am?”

” Katherine....”

“ Wait. What a stupid question. I know who you think I am. Why am I having the most serious attack of deja vu right here. I can’t believe it. I’ve turned into my mother. What the hell have I become? You have shot, paralyzed me, humiliated me, lied to me, harmed my professional reputation, and basically treated me anyway you wanted to. And, what the hell did I do? Smiled, and said, You LOVED me. And, because you did, nothing else mattered. My pride and self-esteem certainly didn’t matter. Why shouldn’t you treat me like dirt? I’ve been treating myself no better. What a complete fool I’ve been. But no more. Katherine the Dishrag is gone. Find someone else to shoot and to get to fall in love with you.”

And, with that, Katherine leaves.