{Laura opens the front door and Bobbie enters the house}

Bobbie:  "I waited a day for you to call and then decided you wouldn't."

Laura:  "Well, I haven't heard anything from Luke, so--"

Bobbie:  "Care to comment on that?"

Laura:  "What do you want me to say?"

Bobbie:  "That's how it always works, doesn't it, Laura? You tell us what we want to hear whether it's true or not."

Laura:  "Who is 'we', Bobbie?"

Bobbie:  "My brother for one. Did he know that you and Stefan were in touch? Did you ever let him in on the tiny, little fact that you were at the Wyndemere ball? Did you tell him that you witnessed Katherine’s death?"

Laura: {Sarcastically} "And you wonder why I haven't called you."

Bobbie:  "He didn't know, did he? Not until you took the stand. He was completely unprepared, and you don't see anything wrong with that, do you?"

Laura:  "I’m not going to discuss my marriage with you."

Bobbie:  "Is there anything left to discuss?"

Laura:  "I’m not going to fight with you, either." {She heads for the door}

Bobbie:  "Or admit you did anything wrong."

Laura:  "Bobbie--nobody's perfect, not even you. The rest of it is between Luke and me."

Bobbie:  "No, it's between you and Luke and Stefan. So where does that leave your kids? Haven't figured it out yet?" {They stare at each other, both furious, and Laura opens the front door, opens the screen, and steps out on the front porch holding the door open for Bobbie to leave. As she motions for Bobbie to go, Stefan walks up on the porch. Bobbie looks from him to Laura, knowingly}

Stefan:  "Barbara."
 
Bobbie:  "Well, what a coincidence. When I hear from my brother, I’ll be sure and tell him I saw you." {She leaves}

Laura: {Laura looks at Stefan and waves her hand} "Don't ask." {She goes back into the house and Stefan follows}

Stefan:  "You're shaken."

Laura:  "I usually cover it up better than this." {Putting her head in her hands}

Stefan:  "I know how judgmental Barbara can be."

Laura:  "I don't care what she thinks. It's Luke. It's--it's my marriage. It's my family. I'm trying to hold on to all of it against the odds. I'm as alone in this house as I was on that island all those years ago."

Stefan:  "Is there anything I can do to help?"

Laura:  "Yes, as a matter of fact, there is. {He looks at her expectantly but she moves to sit on the couch} Could you please keep your distance?"

Stefan: {Obvioiusly not happy, but trying to cover} "You've grown fond of solitude, have you?"

Laura:  "I want my husband to come back, and anything that stands in the way of that I want to go away."

Stefan:  "Including our son?"
 
Laura:  "No, Nikolas is a part of me. I'll work him into my life, the life that I’ve built with Luke and Lucky. We share a past, you know. It's a distant past, and it's been over for a very long time, and I--I don't want Luke or anybody else to think that there's more between us than there is." {He looks at her unmoving}
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Stefan:  "Well, I didn't come here to impose myself on you." {He starts for the door}

Laura: {Following him} "I’m not implying that you were. I--"

Stefan: {Turning back} "Helena was arrested for Katherine’s murder. I thought you'd care to know."

Laura:  "I was too harsh. I'm sorry."

Stefan:  "No, no, you were perfectly clear. You want me to retreat."

Laura:  "I’m not saying that you have to act like you're a stranger or anything."

Stefan:  "Unless that is what Luke requires. {They look at each other}  I will respect your wishes and leave you now. Future contact will be initiated by you. Unless, of course, this is our last. {He looks disturbed}  In which case, then, I wish you well." {He finishes quickly, turns and walks out the door. He pauses on the porch and then continues}