CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE

BACKSTAGE, CEDAR POINT AMUSEMENT PARK:

Ned; What do you mean when was the last time I talked to Alexis? If you’ve done anything to her, I’ll kill you.

Helena: (throws back her head and chuckles)You men and you’re threats. If you harm a hair on my head your precious Alexis will die.

Ned: Where is she? What have you done with her?

Helena: Mr. Ashton, you’re about to have a very big dilemma dropped in your lap. You will either be able to stay here and stop me from telling Emily that I’m her grandmother or you can save Alexis. You won’t be able to do both. A choice about who is more important to you will have to be made. And time is of the essence. You see, Alexis doesn’t have much of it left.

Ned: What is that supposed to mean? What have you done with her?

Helena: If you choose to save Alexis, when you get to the location of where she is my meaning will become self-evident. So what will it be, Mr. Ashton? Will you stay here and protect Emily from the big, bad she-wolf or will you rush off to save your damsel in distress.

Ned: Where is Alexis? You tell me now.

Helena: Do I take that to mean your choice is Alexis?

Ned: Yes, I choose Alexis. All you want is to tell Emily she’s your granddaughter. She’ll be able to handle it. So where is Alexis.

Helena: You know, you’re the only one who has ever put Alexis first. You’re a fool.

Ned: Just tell me where Alexis is. If you don’t tell me, this instant, you won’t be breathing in the next.

Helena: Very well. Andreas, take Mr. Ashton to Alexis.

Andreas: Yes, Madam.

Ned(looks back at Helena as he follows Andreas)You’d better not have harmed one hair on Alexis’ head, because unlike all the other men who’ve threatened you in your life, I will kill you.

SONNY’S PENTHOUSE:

Carly(as Sonny sets the table for dinner)I’m sorry Bobbie pulled that, again.

Sonny: It appears when I marry you, I’m also going to be marrying your mother. And she’s going to be one of those mother-in-laws men are always complaining about.

Carly: Sonny, she’s not that bad.

Sonny: She isn’t? I like your mother, I really do, but let’s just say I’m getting a little sick of the Spencer Siblings. If your uncle isn’t going around trashing me, then your mother is coming to me thinking I’m God and I can fix all the problems in her life.

Carly: Maybe we should change the subject.

Sonny: Lets. So you like reading historical romance novels. Why?

Carly(sighed)I guess because it just seems like it would have been so romantic to live in those times. Wearing all those fancy clothes. Waited on hand and foot by servants. Living in some big stately mansion being address as your ladyship. Always going to some ball in a horse-drawn carriages. Men fighting duels over you. It just seems more romantic than the times we live in.

STEFAN’S ROOM, GENERAL HOSPITAL:

Tony(enters)Hello, Stefan.

Stefan: So, Dr. Jones, have you found out yet if Alexis will be a compatible kidney donor for me.

Tony: I’m sure there’s not a problem, but Alexis never showed up for us to perform the tests on her.

Stefan: Why not? Did she call and tell you the reason?

Tony: The last time I saw Alexis she seemed very anxious to do them. In fact, she was on her way upstairs to have the tests performed but she never showed up.

Stefan; My mother!

Tony: What about Helena.

Stefan: Somehow she found out Alexis was planning to donate a kidney to me and she’s done something to prevent her from doing it.

BACKSTAGE, CEDAR POINT AMUSEMENT PARK:

Emily(looking around for Ned) Ned! Has anyone seen Ned. He’s supposed to go on-stage in a minute.

Helena(comes up to her)Hello, my dear.

Emily: Mrs. Cassadine, what are you doing here.

Helena: I came to see you.

Emily: Why?

Helena(sighs sadly)I want you to know, my dear, I never had any intention of revealing this to you. I thought it best you never knew the truth. But now my son, Stefan, is ill, and I have no choice but to reveal this to you since you could be the only one who may be able to save his life.

Emily: What are you talking about? How could I save your son’s life.

Helena: Emily, my dear, you are my granddaughter.

A CEMETERY ON THE OUTSKIRTS OF PORT CHARLES:

Ned(as he and Andreas walk amongst the headstones)What are we doing here?

Andreas: I’m taking you to Ms. Davis.

Ned: Helena stashed Alexis here?

Andreas: In a matter of speaking. (he stops in front of a headstone)Here we are.

Ned: What? Is this some kind of joke? Where’s Alexis?

Andreas: She’s right here.

Ned(grabs Andreas by the throat)I’ve had enough of your games. You tell me where Alexis is right this second

Andreas(gasps)She’s right there(he points at the grave)Look at the headstone.(Ned stares at it in horror Here lies Natasha Cassadine. The bastard daughter of Mikkos.)You’d better start digging. She doesn’t have much air left.