Part 10: Charles Silver At Wyndemere Charles smiled. Charles: What are you doing here? That's all you have to say to your old friend… let me rephrase that, your *young* friend whom you haven't seen in years? Stefan: Forgive me for my rudeness, I just haven't been expecting you. You have not kept in touch for quite a while, as a matter of fact. Charles: You could have picked up the phone too, you know. But, let us forget that now… why do you look like that? You look like you just walked out of a burning building. Stefan had to smile at that… How often did someone make a statement like that and be right on? Stefan: As a matter of fact, I did just walk out of a burning building. His smile faded. Stefan: There was a bombing at the hospital and I was stuck inside. The building started on fire and we had to make out escape… it's a long story. Charles: Well, I'm starved… could you tell me this story over a meal? Stefan: Very well. Charles: Good. *They both head to dining room* Will your nephew and Lex be joining us this evening? Stefan stopped and looked at Charles. Stefan: You have truly been out of touch too long… *^* Lark entered the Scanlon house carrying two large paper sacs. Julie and Frank were sitting on the couch and Chris and Eve were talking to Karen. Eve saw Lark struggling with them and pressing her back against the door to close it. Eve: Lark, need help? Lark: Yes, definitely. Eve took a sac and they sat them down on the coffee table (I'm not sure if there actually is one in the living room… but if there isn't, there is now!). Frank: What is that? Lark: Well, I saw that there wasn't much in the fridge so I went to the Recovering Room to get a meal for dinner. Frank: Thank you. Julie: *a bit sarcastic* Yes, thanks Lark. Lark rolled her eyes as she stared unpacking the sacks and handing everyone something to eat. She offers Karen a sandwich. Karen: No thanks, I'm not hungry. Chris: Come on, Karen, you gotta eat. Karen: Look, I'm just not very hungry. Lark: All right… Karen, I'm really sorry about Joe. Karen: Thanks. Julie listened and shrugged. She looked at Frank. Julie: That girl is some piece of work. Your brother is dead and all she can do is worm her way around here… Frank: Julie… not now. For the love of God, don't even bother right now. I just lost my brother today in a bombing, so if you even start attacking Lark… Julie: I don't attack Lark, I just see her for what she is. Frank looks at her and can't believe it. Frank: I think maybe I'm starting to see you for exactly what you are. Julie: Exactly what is that supposed to mean? Frank: Nothing, just forget I said anything. Julie kept silent, in fear that if she pushed him too far, she might lose him. Lark: Julie, could you help me put the bags in the kitchen? Julie: Sure, why not! They went into the kitchen and set the bags down on the table. Julie: All right, they're here, so I'll go back in the other room. Lark: Wait… Julie, I wanted to ask you something. Julie: *hostile* What is it, Lark? Lark: Let's… call… let's just call a truce for a little while, okay. Frank has enough to deal with without the two of us at each other's throats. Julie: And who's fault is that? Lark: All right, look, when I first came here, I was a brat, I know, I did things, bad things, but I've changed and I've apologized. Julie: Oh, yeah, you've apologized… well, gee wiz, Lark, sorry just isn't good enough, especially considering you haven't changed a bit. Lark: What is with you!? I haven't done anything wrong… well, lately… and yet I'm still getting all these attacks from you. Julie: Oh, poor little Lark, you know, you are a great performer, I should give a hand for you. Lark: Julie, you are… *calms down* All right, fine, you don't want a truce, but if you want to argue, you can do it by yourself. *Starts walking away* I'm sorry I tried to call a truce. *Turns around and to face Julie* I just thought you cared enough about Frank, but obviously not! Lark starts to head back to the living room, but Julie grabs her and spins her around. Julie: No, you can't just walk away from me. Lark: Boo hoo, Princess Julie… watch me walk away. Julie grabs hold of her arm. Lark: Let go of me! Julie: No way, you little tramp! You should really learn to respect your authorities. Now, I live in this house, I have to put up with you, I am above age, so I am an authority. Lark: *looks Julie in the eye* I told you to let go of me! Julie: No… you know, you are such a brat… it's no wonder your mother had to slap you. Lark stopped struggling, standing still. She was shocked to hear that come out of Julie's mouth. She knew Julie was a bitch, but she didn't think she could be so cruel. Lark: You bitch… Frank: Julie? Julie and Lark looked at Frank. Lark took this opportunity to get her arm free from Julie. Julie: Frank… I, uh… Frank: *cold* Get out. *^* Charles and Stefan were eating dinner. Stefan had taken a shower and changed first, of course, and has had the time to tell Charles everything that has happened… well, a few details here and there may have been left out. Charles: My, my… Lexi, what have you done? How is she now? Stefan: Well, I met her outside the hospital, we talked a little and I left. She was apparently stuck in an elevator because of the bomb and had spent an hour or so in there, but she's all right now. Charles: How about the old witch, how have you taken care of her? Or haven't you, yet? Stefan: Revenge is a dish best served cold. Charles: Stefan, it's so cold right now, it's almost not even worth eating, and she's reheated it for you plenty of times. Stefan: Interesting way to put it. Charles: You know, seriously, Stefan, you should have let me kill her when I had the chance. Stefan: At the time you suggested… even now, it just did not seem right. Charles: Stefan, she had poisoned you. She's done a lot worse before that, after that, and now she hurt you’re… she hurt Nikolas. You should just let me finish the job. Stefan: Charles, you are always too quick… Charles: Are you forgetting, Stefan? This is the woman who killed my mother and had an affair with my father? The only thing holding me back is you. Stefan: Charles, death is a far too easy and painless revenge. Charles smiled. Charles: True… So what else do you have in mind? Stefan: Her weakest point is my nephew, Xavior. Charles: All right, so how do you plan to use it to your advantage. Stefan: First things first… now, let me say… what judge in their right mind in the entire world do you think would award custody to my mother after I tell them a story about a childhood like mine. Charles starts laughing. Stefan: Not to mention fraud of Nikolas' identity and Alexis' daughter's kidnapping. Charles: You're going to sue for custody of Xavior! Stefan: Yes, that is my plan. Charles: I love it!… *stops laughing*… Stefan, Helena is an extremely influential woman, how do you know she won't find a way out of this. Stefan: I know she'll try, but I think I can get the upper hand this time. After all, I was able to keep custody of Nikolas for all this time. Charles: The thing is, Stefan, she didn't need Nikolas. Stefan realized he was right. Stefan: I will still go through with it. I need something to hold over her head. Charles: Well, if you ever need my help, you know I'll help a hand. Stefan: That I do.