Chapter 4

"Thank you both for coming in today. I know divorce is a painful process and I will try to make this as quick as possible," said Alexis as she sat down at her desk.

"I'll make this even quicker. She can have everything. So, where do I sign?", replied an aloof "Kevin".

Laura scoffed. "How can you possibly be that cold to me? I just don't understand your complete personality change. It's like I left one husband and came back to another."

"Kevin" responded, "While you were gone, Ava caught my eye. It's as simple as that. Ava and I are kindred spirits."

"In what universe are you and Ava kindred spirits?! My God, Kevin! The Kevin I left was kind, gentle, caring, and all around wonderful. This Kevin is cold, aloof, and just plain cruel."

"That's life. So, where do I sign?"

Laura rolled her eyes and clenched her teeth in utter frustration and pain.

"I haven't drawn up the paperwork completely yet. Today, we were just discussing who gets what and how much. Since you are giving Laura everything, I'll probably have the papers drawn up in three days. The two of you will have to come by my office, separately if that's what you prefer, and sign the final divorce decree," replied Alexis, who was also wondering what was up with Kevin's strange behavior.

"Kevin" stood up to leave Alexis's office and said, "Thank you. Oh, are you sure you don't want to continue our therapy sessions? I felt as if we were close to a break through?"

"No. I'll find a new psychiatrist. I prefer not to open my deepest thoughts to a man who cheated on his wife and is cold to my dear friend. Find another brain to pick at because you won't have mine anymore," replied Alexis with conviction in her voice.

"Kevin" rolled his eyes and exited her office.

"I don't understand, Alexis. Kevin is so different. He's cold and when I look into his eyes, I see nothing. It's like he is dead inside. That man is not the man I fell in love with," cried Laura.

Alexis frowned. "I don't understand it either. It's almost as if he's acting like he did when he had his breakdown all those years ago after Ryan died, but he isn't doing any of the stalking and illegal stuff."

"I just wish I knew how to help him, but he's pushing me away so I can't help him."

Alexis passed Laura a tissue to dry her tears. "It's his loss, Laura. He doesn't know what he's giving up."

Laura sniffled and dried her tears. "Alexis, do you think he is having a breakdown? I just don't know what I did for him to treat me and everyone but Ava so rudely."

"I have a suggestion. I'm not telling you what to do, but with my experience with Kevin I feel as if this is an option."

Laura replied, "What?"

"Have him committed. The both of you haven't signed papers yet because I have to draw up the official paper work. You are still legally his spouse. Have him committed to Ferncliffe for an evaluation," said Alexis.

"Do you think that would be the right thing to do?"

Alexis nodded. "I do. I was there Laura when Kevin had a break down almost 23 years ago. The Kevin who was just in this office is not the Kevin I know. I agree with you. When I look into his eyes, I don't see the man who I've known and loved like a brother for decades."

Laura wiped a falling tear from her cheek. "He isn't the man I married. His eyes are dark and unfeeling. Its like his heart is gone."

Alexis nodded in agreement. "Would you like me to draw up the papers to have Kevin committed?"

Laura took a deep breath. "Yes. And at this point, this isn't about me trying to keep him as my husband. Its about figuring out what's wrong with the man I love."

"I'll get right on that. We're going to figure out what's wrong, Laura. I promise," replied Alexis, squeezing Laura's hand as a sign of support.

"How was your meeting with Collins and Alexis?," questioned Robert as he set the table at Laura's apartment for dinner he was sharing with her and Spencer.

Laura, walking in with the salad bowl, replied, "Kevin was just so cold. If he was acting like the real Kevin and explained why he wanted a divorce, I would have no problem signing the papers. But he's so different, so Alexis suggested that I commit him to Ferncliffe."

Robert scoffed. "Love, I get that you love to save the men you love, but do you really think that you should commit this douche bag?"

Laura replied, "Yes, Robert. At this point, committing him is not about saving my marriage. Its about saving Kevin. He's not himself. Maybe he's having a breakdown again. I don't know, but something is off with him and I want to help him."

Robert nodded. "Whatever you say, Love. If there was one thing about you that I can always count on, its your ability to save people. I just don't want him or Ava coming after you for doing this. Because, Laura, I would knock them out and hide them in a dungeon in Wyndemere for you."

Laura smiled. Although Robert can be a little extreme, she knows he cares and doesn't want anything to happen to her. "Thank you for caring, Robert. Now, can you please bring the steaks in here while I go get Spencer from his room?"

"Whatever you say, boss."

After dinner was over, Robert and Spencer offered to wash the dishes while Laura took a shower. The first couple minutes of washing dishes the two remained silent until Spencer broke the silence and asked, "So, Agent Scorpio, what are your intentions with my grandmother?"

"What are your intentions with my granddaughter?", replied Robert raising his eyebrows.

"I asked first."

"I'm older."

"Emma and I are great friends and I would never do anything to hurt her. Now, answer my question as it is more prudent to current times. What are your intentions towards my grandmother?"

Robert replied, "She's my oldest and dearest friend. I would never do anything to hurt her. She's sad right now. I just want to cheer her up."

"Then you could have called her on the phone. Why are you back in Port Charles at the snap of her finger tips? Why do you take her on lunch dates and come over for dinner? Don't you have a brother and ex-wife in town to visit?"

"You have a smart ass mouth, Spencer."

Spencer shrugged. "I'm part Cassadine. Its in my nature. Grandmother tries to eliminate it, but I feel like this situation calls for it."

"Why?"

"Because, Agent Scorpio, I don't have to tell you how amazing my grandmother is. She's strong, funny, brilliant, and beautiful. And those are just some of the many qualities she possess. I watched her fall in love with that sanctimonious jerk Doctor Kevin Collins. And I grew attached to him too. The three of us became a family. Then, he broke her heart. She doesn't deserve pain. Ever. You may be her oldest friend, but I have to protect her. I would never call her fragile, but her heart is. I need to know if you are interested in just being friends or you are waiting to make your move. I'm asking you this because I learned my lesson. I should have protected her against Kevin. So, Agent Scorpio, I ask again, what are your intentions with my grandmother?"

Robert stared at the boy for a few moments. He may look like a Cassadine and some of his words come off like a Cassadine, but deep down this boy is all Laura. "She's my friend. My best friend. I love her. She's special to me, but I am not here to make a move. When Laura called me, I heard utter sadness in her voice. I jumped on a plane and came here. I do consider the one who got away, but I am not here to slide in when she's free. I just want to be a supportive friend."

Spencer nodded. "Thank you. I'm sorry for being blunt. Its not only in my nature, but after this whole Kevin debacle, I want to make sure no one can hurt her ever again."

Robert held out his hand. "Listen, kid. I want the same thing. If someone hurts her, you and I will make them pay. Deal."

Spencer put his hand in Robert's and shook it. "Deal."

"So, Spencer just told me something very interesting as I was leaving his room," said Laura as she sat next to Robert on her couch.

"Hmm?", questioned Robert.

"He told me that he thinks your a good friend for me. What did the two of you talk about in the kitchen?"

"Nothing. We were just talking about our hatred for Collins."

Laura frowned. "Robert, please. Kevin has been the only father figure Spencer has had since Nikolas died. I don't want Spencer hating him if something is actually wrong with him."

Robert replied, "But what if there isn't, Laura? What if Kevin Collins is not the nice, kind town shrink everyone thought he was? What if he really is a dick?"

"Then, let me find that out for myself! If something is really wrong with him, I don't want to have any regrets with not helping him. Wouldn't you do the same for Anna or Holly?", responded Laura.

"Yeah, I would... Why are you always right? Huh?"

Laura laughed. "Because, Robert Scorpio I know you better than most. You try to keep a tough exterior, but on the inside you are a gummy bear."

"Excuse me, I may be close to seventy, but this body doesn't look a day over fifty. So, gummy bear my ass," replied Robert laughing.

Laura lightly hit him on the arm. "Come on, let's watch this movie before you head back to the Metro Court. What movie is it?"

"Its called Last Vegas. Its about these old guys going to Vegas to celebrate their friend marrying a young bimbo. It looked funny and I wanted to take your mind off today and Doctor Dick Head."

Laura sadly smiled. "Thank you. I really appreciate this. More than you know."

"I have to get out of here. I can't stay in here while Ryan is out there killing people and ruining my life," said Kevin aloud in his small room at Ferncliffe.

He paced back in forth his two by two room. "I need to find a way to convince people that I am me and he is a phony. I mean, come on, Laura needs to realize that something is off about me. I would never cheat on her and leave her. I would never divorce her. My first vow to her was that I would always be faithful and I meant it. I need her to figure this out. Ryan has the whole staff here fooled. Ryan, for how awful he is, is smart. He's staying away from everyone who could catch a clue."

Kevin thought back to the pictures Ryan showed him of Laura and Robert. They are just friends. He knows it. Laura wouldn't do this. "Laura wouldn't cheat on me. That's not in her nature. Robert is just her good friend. They are affectionate like that. Ugh! I hate Ryan. I hate what he's doing to Laura! He's making her think that I don't love her. My God! If Ryan would have any brains, he would know that once you love Laura, you always love Laura. Scott and Luke could back me up on that one. Ava? Really? I haven't spoken more than five words to her in my life and now people think I'm in love with her. My God! Can someone just get a clue?"

Kevin ran his hands through his dirty, unruly hair. He hasn't showered in days. The drugs Ryan have been prescribing him are awful. Some days he doesn't even know his name. The nurses here are awful. Every time he realizes who he is and where he is, he attempts to beg them to listen to him, hoping someone would believe him. No one does. They call Ryan and tell him that the patient is agitated. Ryan prescribes a higher and higher dosage. If he doesn't get out of here soon, he might not make it out alive.

Kevin sat on his cot and put his head in his hands. Kevin groaned in frustration and found tears springing to his eyes. "I'm such a wuss, but I don't care any more. I don't belong in here. I belong out in the real world with Laura... Laura. Laura, I know you believe in this hokey connection thing, but I hope you can feel me calling out for you. Laura, I'm stuck in here. I need you to figure Ryan out soon. I know you. You fought mobsters and Cassadines... This should be a piece of cake. I love you so much. If someone would have told me twenty five years ago that I would end up loving and marrying you, I would have called them nuts. I know what your thinking, 'Kevin, you hate using "nut" as a term to describe anyone.' You're right... but its true. I would have never put us together, but we are and it has been one of the greatest joys of my life. So, I need you to feel me. I need you to feel that I need you to save me. You told me how you were always able to feel when Luke, Lucky, or LuLu needed you. I know I'm not a Spencer, but I'm yours. I need you to save me. Please," cried Kevin to an empty room.

"Well, that was a cheesy but funny movie. What did you think?", questioned Robert as he was putting on his jacket getting ready to leave.

"It was cute. It wouldn't win movie of the year, but it made me laugh."

"Well, Love, thank you for dinner. I'll call you tomorrow and we can meet for lunch. If you're free, I mean."

Laura hugged Robert and whispered, "Thank you for sticking around. I'm going to need you, especially during the next few weeks. I really love having you back home."

Robert smiled. "Anything for you. I mean that."

Laura nodded. "I know."

Laura walked Robert to the door and was about to open it when Robert said, "OH! Um, Spencer and I did talk about one more topic while we were cleaning up."

Laura was intrigued. "What about?"

"You... and me."

Laura gulped. "What about us?"

Robert replied, "He asked me what my intentions were towards you. He's a good kid, Laura. He just wants to protect your heart."

Laura whispered, "What are your intentions, Robert Scorpio?"

"I just want you to be happy, Laura. Spencer and Collins broke your heart. You don't deserve that. I just want to see you smile. Its the prettiest smile I've ever seen in my life."

Laura shocked Robert by grabbing his face and planting a kiss on him.