Chapter 8 “Stefan? Stefan, wake up. Stefan… come on… please…” Laura insisted, concern evident in her voice. After waking up around three Laura hadn't been able to get back to sleep. She had been considering going down to the hotel restaurant and getting some hot chocolate when she heard Stefan moaning and calling her name. Knowing immediately what was wrong, she woke him as gently as possible. “Lasha…” Stefan cried, forgetting momentarily his resolution to call her ‘Laura'. She wrapped her arms around him, making soothing noises in his ear. “I'm sorry…” He said, after a few moments. “I didn't mean to wake you. It was just…” “I know… I know.” Laura said, reaching up to smooth his hair. “The same dream?” “Yes.” He whispered. “I'm sorry… I'm so sorry. Shhhh… God, I want that woman dead.” Laura said, surprised to find tears rolling down her cheeks. “Not just for everything she's done to me. If that were all, I wouldn't hate her half as much as do. But for what she's doing to Katrina… and most of all… what she did to you.” “You remembered.” He seemed surprised. “I mean… of course I knew you would remember, but…” “How could I forget?.” Laura asked, placing a hand on his chest, and making little circles. “It broke my heart… to hear you telling me about the terrible things she did to you. The things that you went through for that ungrateful little…” Laura stopped herself, deciding it would be wise not to criticize Alexis right now. After all, Stefan and she did seem to have a truce… however temporary. However, Laura was still suspicious about the fact that Alexis was in Pairs. “She doesn't know what to think… she thinks I cheated her… she's hurt and… she's confused.” he excused his sister, holding Laura close. “Do you think you'll be able to get back to sleep?” She asked. “I don't know.” He sighed. “You go back to sleep, though Laura. There's no reason for you miss sleep. I'm fine.” “No you're not. You're overly exhausted, you're worried about Katrina, and weather you'll admit or not, you're still frightened. Let me help you, Stefan. I love you so much… just… just let me do something.” “You already have.” He murmured, burying his face in her hair. “You always do.” ------------------------------------------------------------------------ “Ugh! What is this stuff?” Alexis made a face as she tasted the food Luke had brought up from the restaurant a few minutes ago. Uneasy about sharing the bed with Luke again, Alexis had decided to simply stay up all night… claiming she wasn't tired. Luke had declared that if she wasn't sleeping, he wasn't sleeping, and he had ended up going downstairs to get something to eat. “It's… it's… I can't think of the word I'm looking for, but it fits the way this food tastes perfectly.” Luke paused. “It's… damn! It's on the tip of my tongue!” “Nauseating??” Luke motioned for her to keep going. “Disgusting?” “Closer!” “Revolting…?” “Come on, your getting warm!” “Repulsive?” “No… not quite.” “Crap?” She asked, defeatedly. “*That's it!*” Luke cried, clapping his hands together. “You sure do have a way with words, Natasha.” “Who cooks this stuff?! I've never tasted anything like it… even on the island. Maybe we could order take out.” Alexis suggested. “Nah… it's too late. I'm not hungry anyway.” He said, pushing his plate away. “Well, I am!” She replied testily. “There's a vending machine right down the hall. Here's some change.” He dug in pocket then tossed her fifty cents. “Go get a candy bar.” “Luke… please? I'm really hungry.” Alexis whined. “Oh… all right.” He smiled. “Here's another quarter… go get a bag of chips.” “That's not exactly what I had in mind.” “No? You want some sprite too?” “You're not amusing.” Alexis said. “Forget it! I'll just go down to the hotel restaurant and get some… soup! What can they do to soup?.” “You're going downstairs? In that?!” Luke asked, referring to her less than modest bathrobe. Alexis looked confused for a moment, then glanced down at her attire. “Oh my God! I forgot I was wearing this… close your eyes!” Alexis demanded. “What did you think you were wearing?” Luke asked, ignoring her command. “I was taking a shower when you brought the food up, remember? I just threw this on… now close your eyes!” Alexis turned and retreated back into the bathroom. “I'm going to get changed and then go down to the restaurant, do you want to come?” “Nah… I'll just… listen to the radio awhile.” He said exaggeratedly. “There is no radio.” She reminded him. “God, what a cheap hotel.” “I'm talking about the recorder, princess… Helena… hello? Has your hunger clouded your thought process?” “Very funny.” Alexis said, emerging in a white, slip dress that came to her ankles. “And here I wondered why you were ogling me when I came out of the bathroom to eat. I was wearing lingerie.” She said to herself. “What? You wanted a gay partner?” He asked, laughing. “Oh, wait, that sounded dirtier than I intended.” “Shut up… just shut up!” Alexis rolled her eyes, grabbing her purse. “Sorry… I'm really trying here.” He said, suddenly sincere. “Sure you are, Luke.” Alexis replied, trying to keep the mood light. “I'll be back in a bit.” ------------------------------------------------------------------------ “Are you still awake?” Laura whispered after they had tried to sleep for about fifteen minutes. “Mmm Hmm. I wish you would try to get some sleep, Laura.” Stefan turned so he was facing her. “Why do you suppose Helena called?” Laura asked, biting her lip. “I mean… if she wanted to kill Katrina, she wouldn't have bothered contacting us… would she?” “I don't know,” Stefan replied, gently brushing a strand of loose hair from her eyes. He began to bring his hand back down, but Laura held it to her cheek. “Its going to be ok, Laura.” “I suppose she'll contact us?” “I suppose.” Stefan agreed, pulling Laura into an embrace. They were silent for a few minutes. “There's no way I'm going to be able to sleep tonight.” She sighed. “In all honesty, I probably won't be able to get back to sleep either.” “I think I'll go down to the hotel restaurant and get something to eat.” Laura said, kissing him quickly, and getting out of bed. “Would you like to come or do you want me to get you something, or…? Laura asked, walking toward the bathroom. “I'm really not terribly hungry.” “You haven't eaten since we got here, Stefan. You really should.” “If you insist.” Stefan answered, half-heartedly. He stood and turned on a lamp. “I'll be back soon.” Laura came out, wearing a pants suit. “All right.” Stefan said, kissing her on the forehead. “I'll be here.” “You better be.” Laura smiled.