Laura went back inside Luke's room. There was still
no change in Luke's condition. She sat by him in silence for a long
time, holding his hand, trying to make some sort of connection. After
a long while, she started to talk to him.
"Luke, come on. You never let anything get in your way. You never let anyone take your life from you. Not Frank Smith, not anyone. How many times did I believe it impossible that you could survive, yet you always did. You told me once you would never leave me... please, this time mean it."
Luke was in total darkness. He had no idea where he was. There wasn't even a glimpse of light anywhere and he knew he had to find a way out. He started to walk in a direction, hoping it was leading him to a way out. As he continued to walk, he could hear a voice... very faint, but comforting. He didn't know who it was yet, but he trusted the voice completely. He followed in the direction of the voice, knowing that at least he would get a clue to where he was.
As he got closer and closer, he recognized the voice as Laura's. He heard her words and then suddenly felt a sensation on his chest. She was crying and resting her head on his chest, her tears falling on him. He didn't understand why she was crying, but out of instinct, he raised his hand and laid it on her head.
Laura felt something on her head, and when she looked up, she noticed that Luke's hand was on her. He had moved! She didn't know what to do. She wanted to scream out for joy, but nothing came out of her mouth. She got up and went to the door. "Bobbie, come in here. Luke moved his hand!"
Laura ran back inside and Bobbie soon followed. Bobbie checked his vitals and didn't look optimistic.
Laura: He's going to be alright, isn't he?
Bobbie: I wish I could say for certain. His vitals show no improvement, Laura. He hasn't waken up yet.
Laura: I didn't imagine this, Bobbie. He really did move his hand.
Bobbie: You're sure it wasn't a reflex?
Laura: You think I'm going crazy, don't you? You think I'm imagining things now. I'm telling you that I haven't felt saner in my life, Bobbie.
Bobbie: Just tell me what happened.
Laura: I was talking to Luke, and all of a sudden I had this huge overwhelming feeling of loss come over me and I rested my head on his chest and started to cry. Before I knew it, he had his hand resting on my head. He always does that when I cry. I know he's in there, Bobbie. I know he can hear me and I know he's just hiding away.
Bobbie: Okay. I believe you. I can't really do anything at the moment, though, because even with that breakthrough, he did go back to wherever he was. All we can do is wait and see.
Laura: I'm tired of waiting, Bobbie. I can't just sit by my husband's bed, waiting to see if he is going to live or die. I have to do something.
Bobbie: There is one thing you can do. You have to continue to talk to him. You're the best person for him at the moment, so if you just talk to him, he might listen
Laura: I'll do that.
Laura goes over to Luke again and Bobbie leaves them alone. Laura looks at Luke, wishing he were well. She hated seeing him this weak. She knew Bobbie was right. Laura had to talk to Luke and make sure he'd listen too.
"Luke, honey, wake up. Please, just wake up for us. We need you. We love you... all of us. Please."
Laura saw that there was no reaction to her words. They were meaningless now if Luke wouldn't listen. She decided to take a different approach, hoping it would work.
"Luke, listen to me and listen to me good. Stop hiding in there and come out. Wake up. I'm not going to sit here and let you destroy what life you have in there. I know you're strong, so prove it. I understand why you did this, but that doesn't make it right. If you want to make up for the rape, then come out of this alive. I won't have my children grow up without their father in their lives and I will not live my life as a widow. Do you understand what I'm saying? I'm not going to let you ruin our family just because a moment of our past showed itself. So stop hiding wherever you are hiding and wake up. You're not a coward, so stop acting like one now."
Luke heard Laura's voice again. This time it was different, more stern. He walked towards it, trying to hold himself back, but the urge was too strong. He continued to get closer and closer until he saw a little light. He didn't know what it was, but that was where the voice was leading him. The closer he got to it, the more he was able to recognize. He looked and saw Laura looking at her hands.
Laura was trying to find something else to say. She looked up, thinking that his face may help her find the words and noticed him looking at her.
Laura: Luke? Luke, you're awake!
Luke: What? Where am I?
Laura: At GH. Do you remember anything?
Luke: Not much. I remember trying to find a way to tell you something, but after that, I'm a complete blank.
Laura: We'll talk about that later. (She goes to the door) Bobbie, he's awake!
Bobbie and Monica rushed into Luke's room.
Bobbie: Well, big brother, you gave everyone a scare.
Luke: So I figured. What happened?
Monica: You've been shot, Luke. Almost hit in the heart.
Luke: Huh?
Laura: We'll discuss this later, Luke.
Monica: Well, he looks like he might make it. Something got his will to live come back... or someone, I should say. I want to keep you in ICU for another night, but with these improvements, you'll be in a private room as early as tomorrow night.
Laura: Thank you, Monica. Thank you for saving his life.
Monica: I think you had a huge part in that too. If you'll excuse me, I'll let you catch up a little, but I want him to get his rest. If there is any problem, page me right away.
Bobbie: I think I'll let the two of you be by yourselves. Thanks for coming back, Luke. I love you. (Kisses him on the forehead)
Luke: I love you too, Barbara Jean.
Bobbie and Monica walk out and Laura sits back down in her chair.
Laura: So you don't remember a thing?
Luke: What I remember is something I don't want to discuss in a hospital room.
Laura: I know that Lucky knows about the rape. (Luke looks at her shocked) Sonny told me what happened. He also told me you shot yourself and that's why you're here now.
Luke: Some of it is coming back to me. I remember asking Sonny to kill me, but he wouldn't. I tried to think of a way to tell you what had happened, but there was no way for me to tell you without breaking your heart.
Laura: Do you think that I'm made of glass or something? How are we supposed to get through anything unless you inform me about things, whether or not I get hurt or angry by them?
Luke: I know. I started drinking and I don't know. I blanked out. The next thing I remember is waking up in here.
Laura: You don't remember trying to shoot yourself?
Luke: Not precisely. I do remember thinking about doing it. I just thought it would be the best way to solve your problems. I'm always the cause of them. I wrote a letter to you. I tried to explain my feelings in that. I'm sorry for it all.
Laura: We'll discuss it more later. I'm just glad to have you back. You need your rest so I'll leave you alone. I love you.
Luke: I love you too, angel.
L&L kiss and Laura leaves Luke to try to get some rest.
