Chapter 6

Stefan was sitting in the office of Dr. Tony Jones awaiting to hear the latest 
results concerning Katherine's recovery.  When Katherine awoke just days before 
and looked into his eyes, he had felt an instant connection to the woman he 
loved and the mother of his child.  He had thought she had felt the same 
emotional attachment.  However, he had been wrong.  Katherine had felt nothing 
towards him except confusion.  In fact, she had not even recognized him.  Now, 
it had been two days since he had last seen her.  Two days had gone by since 
Katherine had asked Gail Baldwin three questions about Stefan Cassadine:  "Who 
was that man?  Do you know his name?  Do I know him?"

Ever since Katherine had asked those fateful questions, she had been undergoing 
a battery of tests to determine the extent of her memory loss.  In addition to 
another CAT Scan and MRI being performed, Gail Baldwin had asked Katherine 
questions about her past.  The answers to those questions revealed that she had 
no memory of her life after the summer of 1996.  For the summer of 1996 was when 
the Cassadines came to Port Charles.  Consequently, Katherine had no memory of 
him or any other member of his family.  As far as Katherine Bell was concerned.  
Stefan Cassadine did not even exist.

As Tony entered his office, he found Stefan waiting for him.  It was not so long 
ago that he had discussed with Stefan in this very office about Katherine's 
chance of awakening.  Now, they would be discussing the chance of her regaining 
her memory. Tony did not relish the news he had to give to Stefan.  However, 
there was no point in prolonging the inevitable.

"I will get straight to the facts Mr. Cassadine.  Katherine suffered bruising to 
the cerebral cortex when she incurred her head injury.  Unfortunately, the 
cerebral cortex is the part of the brain that deals with memory.  According to 
all of her latest test results from her CAT Scan and MRI, there is still damage 
to this area of the brain."

In an irritated tone of voice, Stefan responded, "You never once mentioned the 
possibility of memory loss in any of our many previous discussions about 
Katherine's recovery.  Why am I just learning of it now?"

Tony knew that his medical career once again was in jeopardy. In a fit of anger, 
Stefan could remove him from the neurology department and revoke his hospital 
privileges.  He was tired of bowing to the whims of Stefan Cassadine.  In fact, 
he had had enough of the Cassadines altogether.  However, he knew he had to keep 
his wits about him or else he could lose everything.

"Frankly, I did not bring up the possibility of Katherine suffering from memory 
loss because I did not know myself the extent of her head injury.  No one could 
have known if memory loss would occur until after she regained consciousness."

Stefan forced himself to speak calmly.  "So, from a medical standpoint, exactly 
what are the chances of Katherine regaining her memory?"

Referring to some of his notes, Tony began to explain the situation.  "Katherine 
simply has what is called retrograde amnesia.  Patients with this condition have 
difficulty in recalling events which occurred prior to the onset of their memory 
loss.  In Katherine's case, she has lost all memory of her life occurring after 
the summer of 1996.  Actually, this is quite a large time span for a person with 
retrograde amnesia to lose. However, it is not uncommon."

Stefan was becoming increasingly impatient.  "I did not ask you to give me a 
dissertation about retrograde amnesia.  I asked if Katherine would regain her 
memory."

"Most patients with retrograde amnesia do regain their memory. However, it does 
take time: days, weeks, and sometimes years." Tony became uneasy by what he was 
about to say.  "In Katherine's case, I have to admit that I am not very 
optimistic.  She has suffered a severe head injury.  Even though the oxygen 
treatment she has been receiving has repaired a great deal of the damage, I am 
afraid a part of her memory may be gone forever."

Stefan put his head in his hands trying to absorb what Dr. Jones had just told 
him.  Katherine's memory of their time together had been erased.  To her, Stefan 
Cassadine was a stranger.  Then, in those few brief moments, he realized that 
this situation could very well be a godsend.

When Katherine was still in her coma, he had spent countless hours in her room.  
During that time, he had watched her and had thought about how would he ever 
explain all the wrongs he had committed against her.  Katherine would ask 
questions about the night of their engagement party and about Laura.  How would 
he ever make her understand that the dress she had worn and the ring he had 
given her had not been an attempt to turn her into the image of Laura?  Because 
in reality, that is exactly what he had tried to do.  He had attempted to turn 
Katherine into Laura Spencer.  However, if she did not remember the 
circumstances around that fateful night, he had an opportunity to right the 
wrongs.  Fate had stepped in so that Stefan Cassadine could make atonement.

Tony was leaning across his desk when he asked, "Are you all right?"

Stefan looked up.  "Of course… I am fine.  I was simply trying to absorb the 
enormity of the situation.  It is hard to fathom that Katherine has lost all 
memory of over the last 2 ˝ years of her life.  Isn't there anything that can be 
done such as drugs or hypnosis?"

"I will be honest with you," Tony began.  "I can't say for 100% that Katherine 
will never regain any memory of that time in her life.  There is always that one 
in a million chance.  However, it has been over nine months since that accident.  
Her brain has repaired itself as much as it possibly can.  As far as using any 
type of drug or hypnosis, those options are only effective if the patient lost 
their memory due to an emotional trauma.  Those patients do not have a true 
brain injury.  Katherine does have a brain injury which has healed itself as 
completely as it is going to heal."

"So, what am I suppose to do?"  Stefan asked coldly.  "Katherine does not even 
remember me.  I am an absolute stranger to her.  How is she going to react when 
she finds out that she has given birth to a complete stranger's baby?"

Tony took a drink of water that was sitting on his desk.  He had to admit that 
this situation was becoming more and more complicated.  "I have talked at great 
length with Gail Baldwin about the situation.  Gail has been at Katherine's side 
constantly the past two days.  Therefore, we feel it would be best if she, Gail 
that is, were to explain to Katherine privately in a one on one setting about 
you and Samantha."

"Exactly what are you suggesting that Katherine be told?" Stefan asked.

"Gail thinks it would be best if Katherine was told that you are her fiancé and 
that she fell during an accident at your engagement party.  Consequently, she 
has been in a coma until just a few days ago.  Finally, Gail would tell 
Katherine that the two of you have a baby girl which is almost two weeks old.  
Hearing those facts should be enough of a shock."

Stefan nodded his head in agreement.  "I agree with you and Gail Baldwin.  
Explaining who I am and about Samantha is all that Katherine should be told at 
the moment."

"I am glad to hear that we are all in agreement.  Gail plans on speaking with 
Katherine this afternoon," Tony replied.

After a few more comments were made, Stefan arose from the chair and left the 
room.  He headed down the hallway to his own office to await the moment when he 
would be reintroduced to Katherine.

As he was about to open the door to his office, his secretary came up from 
behind.  "Mr. Cassadine, I am so relieved to catch you before you went into your 
office."

"Is there something wrong?"

His secretary looked around and then whispered, "Mr. Scorpio, the police 
commissioner, is in there.  He has been waiting in there for almost an hour.  I 
told him that I would give you any message.  However, he said that he had 
private matters to speak with you about."

Stefan just shook his head.  The last thing he wanted was to be interrogated by 
the police.  He had had enough of that while in jail for Katherine's murder 
during the previous summer to last him a lifetime.  He opened the office door 
and walked in saying, "Well, Commissioner Scorpio what can I do for you today?"

Mac was sitting in a chair across from Stefan's desk.  As Stefan sat down, Mac 
thought about how he had never liked or trusted that man.  Stefan Cassadine was 
a consummate liar who could lie without skipping a beat.  Why Katherine had ever 
gotten herself mixed up with the likes of him was beyond his comprehension.

"I am here to inform you since Katherine is awake that I will be reinvestigating 
several unsolved cases that involve Katherine.  In fact, all these cases seem to 
have one other common variable, you Mr. Cassadine."

Stefan leaned back into his chair and asked, "Exactly, what cases are you 
referring to?"

Mac reached into his inside coat pocket for his police notebook. As he flipped 
through the pages, he listed the cases that were going to be reinvestigated.  
"For starters, Katherine's shooting on Spoon Island is still an open, unsolved 
mystery.  Then, there is Katherine's fall from the parapet at Wyndemere which is 
another unsolved mystery.  However, the case that I really want to crack is, who 
murdered Lauren Masters?  I feel if this case is solved then the other two cases 
will fall into place."  Mac looked up from his notes to see if Stefan's reaction 
to this news would betray him.  However, he looked as calm, cool, and collected 
as he always did.

Stefan's voice was without emotion as he spoke, "Commissioner Scorpio, Katherine 
was shot by an unknown assailant.  I have never forgiven myself for not finding 
the culprit.  As far as Katherine's fall from the parapet, I was acquitted of 
that crime. I have made many enemies in my business dealings over the years. Any 
one of those enemies could have loosened the railing.  I truly believe that I 
was the intended target and not Katherine.  Lastly, as far as the murder of 
Lauren Masters, we all know that my mother is the murderer."

As Mac watched Stefan rationalize why he was not connected to any of those 
unsolved mysteries, he knew without a doubt that the man was lying.  Stefan was 
a good liar, but Mac knew that he was lying.  So, he decided to play along with 
the little game.  "Have you seen or heard from Helena?"

"Absolutely not.  I have no idea where my mother is.  I have had my own private 
detectives working on tracking her down. Nothing would give me greater pleasure 
than to hand her over to the authorities and watch her die in a prison cell."  
The discussion of his mother only filled Stefan with contempt.

Mac looked back down at his notes and then glanced back up at Stefan with a 
skeptical look on his face.  "Well Mr. Cassadine, you have not told my anything 
that I already do not know.  I have to give you credit.  You do keep your 
stories consistent.  You never let anything slip.  Perhaps, now that Katherine 
is awake, she will be able to shed some light onto those cases."

Rage started to build up in Stefan.  If he had his way, Katherine would never be 
told about her shooting, his arrest for her murder, or the murder of Lauren 
Masters.  Finding out about those cases could very well drive her away before he 
had a chance to regain her love and trust.

"Katherine has been through a severe trauma.  As I am sure that you already 
know, she has lost a portion of her memory.  The last thing she needs is you 
hounding her with questions about events that are better left forgotten.  In 
addition, I do not appreciate your insinuations that I am a liar."

Mac cracked a laugh with that statement.  "I would never suggest that you are a 
liar Mr. Cassadine.  You are part of that old world nobility who deeply guard 
their code of honor.  Why if I were to make such an insinuation, you might 
actually challenge me to a duel."

Stefan had just about enough of this conversation as he drummed his fingers 
along the arm of his chair, and he intended to put an end to it immediately.  "I 
do not find your mockery amusing.  It is quite evident you have something to say 
that is in a personal nature.  So, say it."

Mac returned his notebook back to his inside coat pocket.  "All right, I will be 
perfectly blunt.  When you walked into port Charles several years ago, you acted 
as though the residents of this city were equivalent to the dirt on the bottom 
of your shoes. You throw around that old world charm of yours in an attempt to 
conceal who you truly are."

Stefan gritted his teeth as he spoke, "Precisely, who would that be?"

"You, Mr. Cassadine, are a liar and a murderer which I plan to expose to the 
world.  Katherine fell under your charm just like she fell from your parapet.  
Both of which have had disastrous consequences.  Katherine has always put on a 
good front acting as though she is invincible.  In actuality, she is a very 
vulnerable person.  You took advantage of that fact and used her over and over 
again.  I can promise you that will not happen again."  

Mac arose from the chair and walked towards the door in order to leave.  Before 
he left, he turned around.  "Katherine has always been a hopeless romantic.  
Somehow, she saw you as her Prince Charming.  At the Bacchanalian Ball, I had 
actually hoped for her sake that you were that person.  However, you showed your 
true colors soon enough.  The facts are that you are simply a fraud, and you 
don't deserve Katherine or that baby.

For several moments Stefan stayed sitting at his desk contemplating what Mac 
Scorpio had just said.  Then, he lowered the lights to his office.  He revolved 
his desk chair around so that the back of the chair was towards the door, and he 
faced his bookshelf.  The second tier of the bookshelf held two pictures. The 
first picture was of Samantha on the day that she was born. The second picture 
was of Katherine.  He hoped that he would soon be able to add another picture 
which would be of all three of them: Katherine, Samantha, and himself.  

Stefan leaned back into his chair and closed his eyes.  Then, he thought of 
those last few words that Mac Scorpio had just spoken, that he did not deserve 
Katherine or their baby. The police commissioner was right.  He did not deserve 
them, but he couldn't let them go either.  Katherine was alive and awake.  He 
wouldn't lose her now not when he was so close to having her back. However, he 
had so many secrets to keep.  Those secrets would surely drive Katherine away if 
she ever learned of them. Mentally, he began to list those secrets to himself.

Secret number one was that he was the man who accidentally shot her on Spoon 
Island.  Katherine could never learn again that he was the unknown shooter.  
Secret number two was that when they were living together at Wyndemere, he had 
obsessed over another man's wife.  Katherine could never discover his connection 
to Laura Spencer or of his attempt to mold her into the image of Laura.  Lastly, 
there was secret number three.  The most important secret of all to keep was 
that he had murdered Lauren Masters. For Lauren Masters had impersonated 
Katherine from the time period of August to December of 1998.  It was this 
imposter who had walked into the courtroom of August 28, 1998 in order to save 
Helena Cassadine from a murder charge, not Katherine Bell.

As Stefan thought back to that time period, he wondered to himself, how could he 
have been so easily fooled.   Now, it was so obvious to him that Katherine Bell 
and Lauren Masters were two different people.  They were like night and day. 
Perhaps, those who did not know Katherine very well had an excuse for being 
deceived.  However, he had loved Katherine, planned to marry her, and have a 
child with her.  No one should have known Katherine Bell better than himself.  
What was his excuse?  It was simple. He had been so completely overwhelmed with 
the desire to win Laura Spencer away from her husband that he had not given the 
woman impersonating Katherine a second thought.

What had driven Stefan Cassadine to murder this woman?  Quiet simply, this 
imposter who was merely Helena's puppet had seduced Nikolas.  When Stefan had 
found out about the seduction, he had flown into a violent rage and strangled 
Lauren Masters to death. However, at the time, Stefan had not known that she was 
an imposter.  When he had murdered Lauren Masters on December 10, 1998, Stefan 
had believed that he was actually strangling to death Katherine Bell.