Also, I'd like to note that I do not own ABC's One Life to Live or General Hospital or the characters and I will NOT be receiving any payment whatsoever for writing this story. It is intended for entertainment purposes only.
This story is AU. It includes Todd, Blair, John, and Starr which are the characters planning to move to Port Charles when OLTL ends, but several other OLTL characters are included in my version as well. Look for Marty, Cole, Tea, Sam, Hope, Dani, and Victor (and perhaps other OLTL characters) to appear throughout this story as well.
*~o~*
It was Marty Saybrooke's first day at her new psychiatric practice in Port Charles, New York. After the tragic death of her husband Patrick, she had gone to Port Charles to be closer to her son, Cole Thornhart, his girlfriend, Starr Manning, and her precious little granddaughter, Hope. Thankfully she had been able to clear her name of all her past crimes back in Llanview considering it had been discovered that Irene Manning, Mitch Lawrence, and Alison Perkins had been the ones actually responsible for causing the breakdown. Irene, Mitch, and Alison were responsible for so much heartache and Marty wasn't the only one who had suffered at their hands. As painful as it was, Marty was trying to get back on her feet again. Work kept her busy and to her, it was a means of keeping her mind off all her troubles.
She looked at her watch as she prepared for her first client of the day. She was eager to get back to work. She loved her career, helping others. It kept her mind off her own nightmare-past. As she looked up, the door opened, and there stood someone from that nightmarish past staring her in the face.
"Todd?" she said in surprise when he just walked in announced.
Todd had escaped arrest for his brother's murder and had gone to Port Charles with his ex-wife Blair and his nephew Sam. He had been in hiding for some time, until it was discovered that his brother was actually alive and being held prisoner in Port Charles by Alison Perkins. Once Todd's name was cleared, he had laughed in John McBain's face. John too had settled in Port Charles, considering he had spent months there searching for Todd. Victor had remained in Port Charles as well. His wife Tea and niece Dani had joined him after he had been rescued. Tea had recently given birth to a healthy baby boy.
"What are you doing here?" Marty questioned Todd.
"I was hoping you might have a few moments to talk," Todd said as he took a seat in a chair inside her office.
Marty glanced at her watch. "I have a few minutes... but I have a client arriving very soon. What did you need to see me about?"
Todd let out a heavy sigh. "I have a lot of issues..."
When he paused, Marty just shook her head. "Todd, are you here for counseling... or...?" Marty questioned.
"Maybe, I dunno..." Todd said with a heavy sigh. "Nahhhh, I think it's more personal."
"Does this have something to do with Starr or Cole? Or is something going on with you and Blair?"
Todd shook his head. "No, it's actually all those things and more."
"Could you please be more specific?"
"When I brought Cole to you, I got this feeling..."
Marty frowned. "What sort of feeling?"
"Patrick. There was something about him. He had changed."
Marty let out a long, heavy sigh. "The horrible things your mother did to Patrick all those years, the abuse and the torture; it left him a broken man. He died defeated. It hurt me so much to see him like that, so weak and defenseless at the time of his death," Marty spoke in a painful voice. "But fate reunited us and thanks to you, he got to see Cole again. There's just one thing..."
"What?" Todd asked.
"Patrick had a death-bed request," Marty said softly. "Actually, he wanted me to give a message to Blair."
"Blair?" Todd said in surprise.
"Yes, they did have a 'thing' for each other once, you know," Marty stated.
Todd rolled his eyes. "Don't remind me. So what did he want you to tell Blair?"
"I think that's personal, Todd. I know she hates me, but I hope she will give me a chance to talk to her."
"Maybe you should tell me, and I'll convey the message. I wouldn't want her to bite your head off. She despises you."
"Todd, I'm not going to tell you Patrick's deathbed message for Blair. Could you please leave now? It's time for my client to arrive," Marty prompted.
"Alright. We'll talk later," Todd said with a heavy sigh. "We do have a lot to talk about."
"Good bye, Todd," Marty said as she watched him leave. Ever since she had settled in Port Charles, she had seen Todd quite often. When she went over to Cole and Starr's apartment, he always seemed to be there as well. And he always had a knack for showing up wherever she may be no matter what the circumstances. It was strange, but most of the time she didn't find meeting up with him uncomfortable. Many years had passed since those dark moments from their past, and she was able to see above and beyond it. She just didn't understand Todd. He was always having conversations with her that seemed to lead to no where. He seemed lost in a sense, but she had no clue how to help him find himself. It was difficult as she had her own issues she was trying to work through.
As Todd left Marty's office, he bumped into her client, an aging man with sparce, silvery hair and sky-blue eyes. "Hey, watch where you're going," the man spoke in a gravelly voice.
"Hey, I've heard of you. You're Luke Spencer. I've seen your face in all the papers," Todd remarked.
Luke shrugged. "And who the hell might you be?" Luke demanded.
"I'm Todd Manning. I've been in all the papers, too."
"Well, I don't read the papers. What exactly have you done?"
"I was accused of killing my brother. But I didn't. I've done a lot of other despicable things... but that was one crime I did not commit."
Luke actually grinned. "I've been accused of a few despicable things, too... and most of them are true. You should stop by my club the Haunted Star sometime."
"Thanks. And have a nice time spilling your guts to the shrink," remarked Todd with a wink before he left.
Minutes later, Luke had been seated in Marty's office. "Mr. Spencer, what can I help you with?" Marty asked. "What brought you here to see me today?"
"Ohhh several things," Luke responded. "First of all, I have a drinking problem. When I can't handle life, I tend to disappear into the bottle. I got behind the wheel of my car when I was drunk one night... and unfortunately I hit my own grandson. He did not survive. It's been hell for me, but I finally gave up drinking. I hated how it was destroying my life; how it was hurting my wife, Tracy and my three kids..."
"I'm sorry to hear about your grandson," spoke Marty as she instantly related with his struggle with alcohol. It was her greatest temptation.
"Please tell me more," Marty prompted.
"When I was a kid, my dad used to beat me and my little sister. He abused my mother, too. My life was hell, and I had all this pent-up rage. I met this amazing young woman named Laura, and I guess you could say it was love at first sight. But I totally fucked it up and destroyed something good..."
"What happened?"
"One night at the disco, I raped her. I thought I was going to lose her- lose everything, even my own life; and I just snapped. I lost my mind. And she paid the price. I still remember her screams and all her tears."
Marty just stared at him, completely mesmorized with his story. "Wh- what happened next?"
"It's all very complicated, but eventually, after several months she learned to trust me again. It was a long difficult road, but we ended up together, and we had two children."
"After all the pain you put her through, she still wanted to be with you?"
"Yes, she loved me too, and she chose to forgive me. She's a remarkable woman. But all I ever do is hurt her. Over and over again. I'm not talking about rape. I'd never hurt her that way again. I'm talking about abandoning her and the kids whenever the whim arises and going on one adventure after another... and cheating on her more times than I can possibly count. I even have a son from one of my many affairs. When she found out, she was crushed."
"Is she with you now?"
"No, but she's just recently returned to Port Charles... and my current wife feels threatened. And matters have become even more complicated because my son's mother, Holly Sutton has also returned because she'd like to get to know him. Every time I see Laura, I want to talk to her. I miss her desperately, but I know I don't deserve her. She's better off without me," Luke explained. "Hell, all I want to do is leave town and get away from all of this..."
"You shouldn't run. You need to stay and face it. Have you tried talking to Laura?" Marty asked.
"Yes, but we always skirt about the issues. Part of me wants her back... but I know I'd just end up hurting her again. I couldn't bear to hurt her..."
"What about your wife?"
"She knows a part of my heart will always belong to Laura. I think she's known that all along, and she's deeply afraid."
"Do you think there is a chance for you and Laura?"
"There could be... if she could forgive me for all the hell and heartache I put her through. If I could somehow make it up to her..."
"The question is: Are you willing to try? Does it mean that much to you?" Marty asked. "How much do you love her?"
"I'll always love her. I just don't know if I have the strength to fight for us- I don't even have the strength to fight for myself," responded Luke.