Note: This story takes place right after Laura returned in 1983. Stavros has just died and Laura now feels it's safe to tell Luke about Nikolas.


Chapter 1

Luke and Laura walked back into the Mayor's mansion. Luke noticed the far away look in Laura's eyes.

"What's wrong?" he asked her with concern.

"Nothing," she said. Luke could tell from the sound of her voice that she wasn't telling the truth.

"Laura, I know something is wrong. There's nothing for you to be afraid of now. Stavros is dead. He can't hurt you any longer."

"I know," she said weakly.

Luke put his arm around her and led her to the sofa. He sat down beside her.

"He did hurt you didn't he?"

Laura nodded as tears filled her eyes.

"Come on, Angel. Tell me about it," he said. He could see the hesitation in her eyes. "Laura, it might help to talk about it." He put his hand on her cheek and wiped the tears from her eyes.

"After Stavros and I were married, he forced his way into my bed almost every night. He was so rough and..." she stopped and broke down into tears again.

"It's all right. If it upsets you, we don't have to talk about it," Luke said stroking her hair with his hand.

"No. I have to tell you Luke," she said. Laura took a deep breath before she continued. "I tried to resist him but he... he hit me."

She looked at Luke and saw the pain in his eyes. She knew that it upset him to think of her being hurt, but she knew she had to tell him everything.

"He didn't just hit me. Several times he beat me badly enough that a doctor had to be called."

Luke stood up and turned his back towards her. Laura saw his clenched fists. She knew that he was trying to control his temper. He turned around and faced her.

"If that monster wasn't dead, I would kill him myself. When I think of what he did to you..."

Luke stopped speaking when he saw the look on Laura's face. His expression changed from anger to concern as he sat back down beside her.

"Laura? There's more isn't there. Tell me the truth. I can see it in your eyes."

"Yes. There's more."

"What is it?" Luke put his arm around her shoulders. "Laura you can tell me."

"I'm afraid."

"Of what?"

"I'm afraid of what you might think of me."

Luke pulled her closer to him. "Angel, there is nothing you can say that would change the way I feel about you. Now tell me what happened."

Laura gave him a weak smile. "I had a baby Luke. I had Stavros Cassadine's son."