{Laura comes up to her house carrying groceries and finds Alexis on her porch}

Alexis:  "Hi. Can I help you?" {Motioning to the groceries}
 
Laura:  "I can manage."
 
Alexis:  "I hope you don't mind. I was waiting to speak to you."

Laura:  "This isn't a very good time." {Starting to go past her}

Alexis:  "I was hoping that we might be able to look for something together."

Laura: {Turning} "And what might that be?"

Alexis:  "Common ground."
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Laura: {Coming back into the room} "Sorry to keep you waiting. I went over to the neighbor's to check on my daughter."

Alexis:  "Is everything all right?" {Getting to her feet}

Laura:  "Mm-hmm. She's fine. She'll be home for lunch, though, in just a few minutes."

Alexis:  "Look, this won't take long at all. Look, I know that we got off to a bad start when Stefan was facing trial, and I want you to know that it wasn't personal. My sole objective was to protect Stefan and uphold the concept that Stefan was in love with Katherine."

Laura:  {Making a face} "'The concept'?"

Alexis:  "Sorry. That was a poor choice of words."

Laura:  "And from an attorney, no less."

Alexis:  "Laura, I know that you don't trust me, but I’m really trying here. I want you to know that you have my complete support."

Laura:  "For what?"

Alexis: {Throwing out her hands} "Visiting Wyndemere, visiting Stefan, whatever. I have no intention of doing anything to stand in your way. {Laura's eyes have gotten huge} That's all I came to tell you. Thanks for listening." {She turns and starts to leave}

Laura:  "Hold it. {Alexis turns back, surprised} You're not going anywhere yet."
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Laura: {Coming over to her} "My only reason for going to Wyndemere or being in the company of your brother is to visit my son, Nikolas. I have no feelings for Stefan other than gratitude for the way he has cared for my son."

Alexis:  "All right, I stand corrected."

Laura:  "I also have a husband who has a great deal of hostility towards Nikolas. He doesn't need a reason for any more, so I would really appreciate it if you would not assume that there is anything romantic between me and Stefan when there isn't." {Her voice raises towards the end}

Alexis:  "I’m sorry. I didn't mean to upset you. I came here, honestly, to try to mend fences between us. I certainly had no intention of upsetting your husband. He's not home, is he?"

Laura: {Looking at her knowingly} "You already know the answer to that. Otherwise you wouldn't be here. Why are you here, Alexis? Who are you spying for? Not Helena. Stefan told me yesterday that Helena was arrested for Katherine’s murder."

Alexis:  "Stefan came here straight from the police department?"

 
 
 
 
 
 

Laura:  "Of course Stefan came here. He knew what it cost me to take the stand--which I did for Nikolas. And he just wanted to thank me, nothing more."

Alexis:  "Of course."

Laura:   "You know, I don't have to make explanations to you. You're not my friend, and you are not Nikolas' guardian, Stefan is, which means that he is part of that package, and I will see him accordingly. It does not mean anything else. Is that clear?"

Alexis:   "You bet." {She shakes her head as if to clear it and walks out the door}