"The Course of True Love..." Part Fifteen

"The course of true love never did run smooth." William Shakespeare 

The next morning at Kevin and Lucy's house, Lucy is on the phone, pacing back 
and forth. She is smiling broadly, and waving some papers around. Kevin enters 
the room with a coffee mug in each hand, sets them on the coffee table, then 
sits on the sofa. 

L: Soo, You can do it? I want a lot of it. Uh-huh, Uh-huh. O.K. Great! And you 
have the number of the person who will rig it up? Good. O.K. Well, thank you! 
She hangs up the phone, then bounces onto the couch next to Kevin, causing him 
to almost spill his coffee.

Kevin looks at her suspiciously. 

K: What was that all about? 

L: Ohhhh, just planning a little revenge for Kathy. 

Kevin raises an eyebrow at her. Neither of them are aware that Katherine is 
pregnant, because they left the party before the announcement was made. 

L: (remindingly) For the Nurses' Ball. Every year since it started she has 
gotten the best of me, but not this year. 

K: Are you sure that's such a good idea? 

L: (indignant) Yes! Yes, I think it's a good idea. She thinks she's so special, 
because her rich husband is going to pay for the Ball this year. If she wants to 
M.C. it - FINE. But when I'm through with her, she'll wish she hadn't been so 
high and mighty. 

K: I'm afraid to ask what you're planning. 

L: Well, you took *her* side last night, so I'm not telling you. You'll just 
have to wait and laugh at her with the rest of the audience. But I will tell you 
it's going to be big, HUGE! The scales will finally be balanced. 

Lucy grabs her coffee and the papers, and heads upstairs. Kevin is left shaking 
his head. 

K: (under his breath) Until next year. 

Alexis is in her office at ELQ. She is thinking back on last nights party for 
Katherine and Jerry. Alexis was surprised at how nice a couple Katherine and 
Jerry made. The low point of the evening was when she saw Stefan staring in the 
window, with that look he gets, which is a mixture of pain, anger, and sorrow. 
It saddened her that her brother was, once again, without the woman he loves. 
She wanted to go out to console him, but thought better of it. The high point of 
the evening was having the opportunity to see Ned sing and dance. She still 
didn't quite understand why Helena wanted her to be there. Helena could have had 
one of her spies go in as a waiter, but Helena has her reasons for everything. 
The phone rings, and she answers it. 

A: Alexis Davis. 

Helena: So, my dear, tell me about the party. 

A: Good morning, and the rumors were correct; Katherine is pregnant. 

H: Any reason to believe the baby is not Mr. Jax's? 

A: (slowly) Not from what I could see. They seemed like an ordinary, happy 
couple. I was actually surprised at how "in love" they were. In fact, I don't 
think she married him for his money. 

H: (suspiciously) What makes you think that? 

A: I did a little digging and found out they signed prenuptial agreements before 
they left for Las Vegas. 

H: Hmmm. So they hadn't really planned on marrying? 

A: I suppose it could appear that way. If I hadn't seen them with my own eyes I 
might not have believed it myself. 

Alexis suddenly realizes why Helena sent her to the party. She knew Katherine 
better than any of Helena's other spies, and would be able to detect any deceit 
on Katherine's part. 

H: Ahhhh, so you doubted her motives, also. What did she do to change your mind? 

A: If she… they had been acting I would have seen it. They would have touched 
too much, or looked awkward when they did touch. They put their arms around each 
other, exchanged smiles and winks from across the room, and kissed like any 
newly married couple would. 

H: Anything else? 

A: Yes, the last dance was a slow dance. He picked a lovely ballad. The way he 
held her, the way she looked at him, and the way they didn't stop dancing even 
after the music finished, THAT really proved it to me. 

H: Very good. I may have an assignment for you in a few weeks. Don't leave town. 

Helena hangs up, and Alexis is left staring at the phone. Alexis is once again 
wondering how much longer she can tolerate Helena's bullying. 


Katherine wearily walks out to the kitchen table, and sits in a chair. Jerry is 
cooking eggs, when he turns around and sees her. 

J: Good morning, Lois. You're looking a little green around the gills this 
morning. 

K: Yeah. What are you cooking? 

J: Eggs. Did you want one? 

K: No. In fact, the smell is making me nauseous. 

She gets up from her chair, and flees to the nearest bathroom. When she's 
finished she goes to the living room, and curls up on the couch. Jerry goes to 
dining room and gets a package wrapped in pretty paper, toped with a bow. He 
takes it to Katherine, and hands it to her. 

K: What's this? 

J: Call it a wedding present. 

Katherine opens the package slowly. It is a book. 

K: "What to Expect When You're Expecting". (Smiling) Thank you, Jerry. 

J: I thought it might answer some of your questions. I want to read it when 
you're finished. 

K: (puzzled) You do? 

J: Well, Lois, if I'm going to help you through this pregnancy, I'll need to 
know how city women deal with having babies. From what I learned in the jungles 
of the world, all you do is just squat in a field. 

K: Oh? Well, you can be sure *I* won't be "squatting" in any field. I want to be 
surrounded by a crack team of doctors, who are willing to supply me with massive 
quantities of drugs, so I don't feel any pain at all.

J: What? (With humor) No wife of MINE is going to be drugged up. 

K: Really? Well, *husband*, you can give birth to this baby, and I'LL sit by, 
pain free, and tell YOU to breath. 

They both try to stare the other one down with glowers on their faces. Jerry's 
facial expression changes to one of sorrow. 

J: Oh, darling, this is our first fight. 

K: No, DEAR, it's not. 

J: Yes, SWEETUMS, it is. 

K: No, SNOOKUMS, we had that argument in Italy, *remember*? 

J: (confused) Babycakes… I don't recall a cross word between us the whole trip. 

K: (containing a smile) Well, BIG DADDY, then your memory is slipping, because I 
distinctly recall a rather heated debate about my wanting to buy a *few* shoes 
while we were in Rome. I believe it ended with you calling me a "spoiled 
American WASP queen". 

Jerry's eyebrows raise slowly as the memory of their argument trickles back into 
his consciousness. 

J: (cautiously) While I MAY have said something like that, HONEY BUN, it was 
because you wanted to buy *50* pairs of shoes. I just wanted you to be thriftier 
with your money. And besides, I believed you called me an "uncouth Australian 
jungle jerk". 

K: (smiling) Well, if the shoe fits. 

Jerry cringes at her, rubs her arm, then leans in and kisses her on the 
forehead. 

J: (mock sincerity) Let's never fight again, my little sugar dumpling. 
(Earnestly) Did you take your vitamin this morning? 

K: Not yet. 

J: What say I get you some crackers and your vitamin, Hmmm? 

K: That sounds good to me. 

Jerry leaves, and Katherine rubs her belly and sighs. She wonders if Stefan 
knows about her marriage, the baby, and what he's thinking. 


At Wyndemere, Stefan is sitting at the table staring at his laptop computer. The 
screen is blank. Nikolas comes downstairs, walks up behind Stefan, and sees the 
blank screen. 

N: Hard at work I see. 

Stefan slowly comes out of his daze. 

S: Yes. (Shaking off his trance) I'm sorry, what did you say? 

N: What's wrong? 

S: Nothing. 

N: Come on Uncle. Is it about the party for Katherine and Jerry? You didn't go, 
did you? 

Stefan stands up and walks over to the serving cart, and pours himself a glass 
of water. 

S: Yes and Yes. 

N: Sooo? What happened? 

S: (after swallowing) She did marry him. 

Stefan is mesmerized by the water, swirling in the glass. Much like the way his 
mind was swirling at the idea of being a father… again. Swirling at the idea 
that his Heart was sharing the precious moments of her pregnancy with another 
man. Questions like why and how and what were swirling, too. 

N: I knew that. The whole town knew that, thanks to Amy. Is she? 

S: (dazed) Is Amy what? 

N: You are really starting to worry me. Is Katherine pregnant? 

S: (even toned) Yes. The baby is due in early January. 

N: Did you ask her *why* she would marry *him*? Uncle you have to know Katherine 
is carrying YOUR child, not HIS. 

S: I am aware of that. 

Nikolas can't believe that his uncle is so calm, so unaffected by this 
revelation. Nikolas had been used to seeing his uncle hide his emotions before 
Katherine came into their lives. She brought out a more sensitive, and at times, 
even humorous side of his uncle, that he rarely saw growing up on the island in 
Greece. Katherine was carrying a *Cassadine* after all. This was *family*, and 
Nikolas had been raised to respect and cherish the Cassadine family, warts, 
grandmother, and all. 

N: This is ridiculous. I'm going to talk to her. 

S: (sternly) No! This is between Katherine and me. It is not your concern. 

N: Not my concern? That's MY cousin she's carrying. A Cassadine. That baby 
should be born with the Cassadine name, NOT Jax. 

Stefan smiles at Nikolas, proud of him. Gladdened that Nikolas is proud to be a 
Cassadine. 

S: (reassuringly) Let me handle Katherine. 

N: How? 

S: To be honest, I'm not exactly sure yet. I hurt her. (Resolved) I will double 
my efforts to make up to her the pain *I* have caused her. 

Stefan reaches out to Nikolas and takes a firm hold of Nikolas' head in both his 
hands. Stefan looks intently into Nikolas' eyes. 

S: I promise you this - that baby *will* be born with the Cassadine name. 

Stefan then leaves the room to go upstairs. 

Liz and Lucky are sitting on the couch at the Spencer household. They are trying 
to look remorseful, but really want to bust out laughing. Audrey and Laura have 
been taking turns expressing their outrage at the way Liz and Lucky snuck out, 
attended a party they weren't invited too, AND didn't get home until two in the 
morning when the party was over at eleven thirty. Luke is on the phone with 
Katherine. 

Luke: So they weren't invited, but YOU let them stay. Uh, huh… Uh, huh… Well, 
Blondie, in the future, if my kid crashes one of your SOIREES, I'd appreciate it 
if you let me know. Yeah… Yeah… Good-bye. 

Laura: So SHE did let them stay? 

Luke: Yup. Katy enjoyed their "boldness". Of course, this coming from a woman 
who ''crashed'' the Q's household. 

Lucky: See dad, mom, I told you there was no reason to freak out about it. 

Liz: Yeah, Gram. No need to have a cow. 

Audrey: DON'T take that tone with ME. Even if Katherine let you stay, you 
shouldn't have been home at that hour. I was worried sick. 

Liz: I'm sorry Gram. We were walking along the docks, got to talkin', and lost 
track of time. 

Audrey: Well, I'm sorry to have to do this, but you're on restriction for three 
weeks. 

Liz: BUT… 

Audrey: NO, buts about it young lady. You will go to school and work, then you 
will come home. No parties, no visitors, and (looking at Lucky) NO phone calls. 
Get your coat, let's go. 

Liz: Can I at least say good-bye to Lucky? 

Audrey: Yes. 

Liz: Alone? 

Audrey: No. 

Liz stands up, yanks her coat off the couch, and rolls her eyes at Lucky. 

Liz: Bye. 

Lucky: Bye. 

Liz and Audrey walk to the door. Liz opens the door and storms out. Audrey turns 
and looks at Luke and Laura. 

Audrey: (with a sigh) Well, I would hope that this will be the last time 
something like this happens, but knowing Lizzie… 

Laura: AND Lucky. (Stage whispering) Lucky gets it from Luke's side of the 
family. 

Luke: HEY!!! 

They all laugh, and Audrey leaves. Laura then walks over to where Lucky is still 
sitting. 

Laura: I think that the punishment Liz received was appropriate, don't you Luke? 

Luke: Welllll… 

Laura: DON'T YOU, Luke? 

Lucky looks pleadingly at Luke, hoping his father will stick up for him. Luke 
looks between Lucky and Laura, rubbing his hands over his head. He knows if he 
sides with Laura, Lucky will be angry for a week. If he sides with Lucky, Laura 
will be angry AND deny him sex for at least a week. She WAS in Switzerland a 
*long* time. 

Luke: I have to go with your mother on this one, champ. 

Lucky glowers at both of them, then runs upstairs. Laura smiles at Luke. 

Laura: Did you side with me, 'cause you knew it was the "parental" thing to do, 
OR 'cause you knew I wouldn't satisfy your *manly* urges for at least a week? 

Luke: Darlin', whichever answer will let me see you naked tonight. 

Laura giggles, then leans in and kisses him. 

It's later on that afternoon. Katherine is dressed and sitting on the bed. She 
is on the phone when Jerry walks in and plops himself on the bed next to her. He 
picks up the book he gave her, and begins flipping through it, stopping at 
certain passages, and reading them. As she discusses business, she can't keep 
from yawning. 

K: Alright. Yes, that'll be fine. 

She hangs up the phone and looks over to see what Jerry is reading. 

K: Anything interesting? 

J: Well, Lois, is says that you need to take time for a nap each day. "Your body 
is going through many changes and you will need the extra rest." 

K: (yawning) That's ridiculous. 

They both giggle. 

J: Did you talk with the doctor? 

K: I have an appointment to see him next week and an appointment for an 
ultrasound in three weeks. The same day as the Nurse's Ball. (Quietly) Which 
reminds me, I need to call Lucy and be sure she's doing everything right. That 
woman always overlooks something. 

J: (thinking) I'll be out of town next week on business, but I'll be there for 
the ultrasound. 

K: Good. Oh, by the way, (she leans over and kisses him on the cheek) thank you 
for last night. The party was wonderful. And you and your brother didn't hit 
each other. 

J: Yes, I think everyone enjoyed themselves. 

Jerry begins to think of last night and how Japer and he almost came to blows. 
Jasper pulled Jerry outside, followed by their father, and proceeded to call 
Katherine a money grubbing harlot. Jerry took a swing at him, but their father 
intervened. Jerry told Jasper that Katherine and he signed prenuptial 
agreements, so the Jax family fortune was in no danger. Jasper got a look in his 
eyes that Jerry knew well, then Jerry told him that, no, the Jax Corporation 
could not get its hands on Deception, either. They managed to apologize, and 
then enjoy the rest of the evening. 

J: OH! My parents want us to have dinner with them tonight. Is that all right 
with you? 

K: (yawning) Yes, that's fine. 

J: Lois… 

K: Yes? 

J: (smiling) Take a nap. 

K: (yawning) If you insist. 

Katherine lies down, and closes her eyes. Jerry reaches down to the end of the 
bed and pulls a blanket over her. He kisses her on the forehead, then gets up 
and leaves her to her napping.