Here - Chapter 25

Sonny opens the door to the penthouse, surprised at his visitor, "Come on in." He does not smile in greeting, he just gestures toward the sofa .

Luke nods, walks inside, but does not take a seat.

Sonny shuts the door and puts his hands in his pockets. Then he touches his ear and asks, "What can I do for you, Luke?"

"We need to talk," Luke says to his former partner and friend.

Sonny steps past Luke and sits in an armchair, "About what?"

Luke waits a beat, then says, "Caroline."

Sonny's eyes sharpen cautiously and he looks at Luke, "What is it? Something happen to her?"

Luke waves him off, "No, no. Nothing's happened to her. Not yet anyway..."

Visibly relieved, Sonny exhales, "So what's the problem?"

Luke begins carefully, looking around the room. It has been a long time since he's visited the penthouse and the place still looks the same. He rubs his chin with a hand and says, "I don't know if she's told you this or not, but AJ's been giving her some trouble."

Sonny's face hardens, "Trouble? What kind of trouble?"

"Trouble about you, Sonny."

Sonny stares at him, waiting.

Luke explains, "He doesn't want her seeing you. He thinks it puts the kid in danger."

Sonny hears the words, lets them sink in, then looks away. He runs a hand over his face. The last thing he wants is for Carly to lose her child because of him. Why didn't she tell me this?? he wonders. He clasps his hands in front of him, leans forward, elbows on knees, and purses his lips. "Okay...?"

"He's got a lawyer working on it and everything, man," Luke adds.

Sonny leans his cheek on a fist and looks at Luke, "And what do you want me to do about this, Luke?"

Luke narrows his eyes, shakes his head at him in disbelief, and snaps, "I want you to stay away from Caroline."

Sonny blinks, then holds Luke's gaze, seeing that the older man is completely serious. Sonny stands up, walking toward the door to show Luke out, "I think that's up to Carly."

Luke does not budge, "Caroline doesn't know what she's doing half the time, man!" He points a finger at Sonny, "You're gonna have to take the lead on this one."

Sonny scratches his neck, standing at the door with his hand on the knob, "So...what? You want me to dump her, Luke?"

Luke shrugs, "If that's what they're calling it these days. Yeah."

Sonny smiles bitterly, shaking his head at Luke, "AJ has no legal say in what Carly does. Any lawyer could tell you that. You know that as well as I do." He looks pointedly at his guest, "This is just an excuse to get me away from her." He points a finger at Luke, "You don't like me. That's the problem. It's not AJ."

Luke is insulted. He really believes he is doing what is in his niece's best interest, "You're going to let that girl lose her son, Corinthos? But that's right! Misery loves company!"

Luke approaches the door, closing the distance between them until there are only inches between their faces. He says quietly, "There are thousands of women in this city. And you could have your pick of them. But you choose Caroline, a woman you know is in love with your best friend. You screw her and drive the love of her life out of town. And now you want her to lose her son. You just want to destroy her like you destroyed yourself."

Sonny stares at Luke coldly, his face darkening. He opens the door and waits for Luke to leave.

Luke shakes his head and starts through the door. He murmurs under his breath, "That is cold, man. Cold."

Sonny waits until Luke is in the elevator, then allows himself the luxury of slamming the door shut.

He pounds his fist against the door, sniffs, then walks to the bar. He pours himself a drink and takes a painful gulp of the hard liquor, sucking air through his teeth.

As the liquor burns its way down his throat, Sonny wonders if Luke is right.

****

Carly arrives at AJ's lawyer's office clad in her one decent dress, a grey cotton sleeveless shift with a matching lightweight jacket. Her black shoes are scuffed despite the magic marker she'd used on them earlier.

She is awed by the luxury of the reception area and hears herself speaking softly for no reason, "I'm Caroline Benson?"

The receptionist recognizes her name and tells her politely to take a seat in one of the numerous leather club chairs around the room.

Carly slips into a seat and clears her throat. She reaches for the pile of magazines and looks nervously through a recent copy of Saveur, not the least bit interested in how french fries are made in Tuscany. Her eyes dart around the room, sneaking peeks at the perfectly-coiffed receptionist who answers the discreetly ringing telephones in a soft, melodious alto.

Carly watches the entryway, hoping Aubrey will appear. Yet also hoping he won't show up. She does not want to be humiliated in front of AJ by having a slovenly attorney show up in this environment.

"Ms. Benson?" the receptionist says pleasantly.

Carly looks at her.

"They're ready for you."

Carly frowns at the thought of AJ and his lawyer sitting in the attorney's office making her wait.

She stands, straightens her dress, then follows the receptionist through a set of double doors. She is led to a suite of inner offices, and then to the last door on the right.

The receptionist knocks softly, then opens the door and announces, "Ms. Benson." She steps aside to let Carly through the doorway.

Carly takes a deep breath and walks into the office. The office is as decadent as the reception area. And just as impersonal. Carly gets the feeling that any one of the lawyers in this firm could use this office.

Both AJ and his lawyer stand when she enters. AJ's lawyer extends his hand, "Ms. Benson, I am Benjamin Matthews. It is a pleasure to finally meet you."

Carly takes the man's soft hand suspiciously. The man is young, thin, in his early thirties. With his bland, handsome features and perfect dark brown hair, he looks like an actor playing a lawyer. To Carly, his personage is not nearly as imposing as his name.

He gestures to a chair and she sits down. The men follow suit. AJ nods to her in greeting, somewhat nervously she thinks.

"I'm sorry your lawyer wasn't able to make it," Harrison offers.

Carly manages a weak smile. Right.

Then there is another soft knock on the office door. The receptionist announces, "Mr. Harris?"

Carly closes her eyes, preparing herself for the worst. Then she turns and watches Aubrey enter the office.

She has to blink twice. If it weren't for the knowing smile he gives her, she would not have even recognized him.

He is impeccably clad in a Reed & Taylor suit (his only good suit). His shoes are perfect: well worn but obviously expensive oxfords (he has not worn them since Harvard and they hurt). Even his thin hair has been trimmed and is brushed discreetly (straight from the barber).

Aubrey offers his hand to Matthews, whose eyes are wide with stunned recognition. "Aubrey??? Is that really you????" Matthews steps from behind his desk and grasps Aubrey's hand in both of his, "I thought - we thought -" Matthews is at a loss for words, "It's been years!! Not since the Law Review! You vanished off the face of the earth!"

Aubrey laughs, the telltale yellow teeth showing, "I've been around."

AJ is shocked as well. Who the he!! is this guy?? he wonders, worriedly watching the dwindling confidence on Matthews's face.

"Please, have a seat!" Matthews bumps into his desk as he returns to his seat, looking as if he's seen a ghost. Which, to Matthews, he has.

Aubrey shakes AJ's hand, then pats Carly on the shoulder and takes the empty chair next to her.

She stares at him, still amazed by the transformation.

Once the initial surprise wears off, Matthews begins to show his nervousness. He clears his throat, "Aubrey, we're here to simply have a discussion..."

Aubrey interrupts him with a laugh. "I know why you're here. What I can't figure out, Ben, is why my client is here. She has no obligation to listen to a word you or Mr. Quartermaine say about her personal life. I find her presence here highly commendable and illustrative of how far my client is willing to go to ensure her child's well-being. You know very well you have no standing here, Ben. Unless you file a motion in court, there is no need for my client to set eyes on you." Aubrey's eyes twinkle, sharper than Carly has ever seen them. He adds, "Any further harassment of - or threats toward - my client and you will be slapped with a restraining order."

Matthews opens his mouth, but can think of nothing to say. From what AJ Quartermaine had told him, Matthews had expected to be able to intimidate Caroline Benson's attorney, maybe even buy him off. He is completely taken aback.

Aubrey continues, still smiling easily, "I think this is going to be the shortest discussion you've ever had."

Then he stands abruptly, motions to Carly, who dumbly rises also. Aubrey says, "Gentlemen," and leaves the office, Carly following closely behind.

Once they are out of the building, Carly grabs Aubrey's arm and spins him toward her, "I can not believe how great you were in there!"

He remarks drily, "I could see you were a little thrown."

"A little??" she laughs.

He adds, "I think your mouth hanging open - and staying that way the entire time - was my first clue."

She lets out a relieved breath, "So...is that it? Will AJ leave me alone now?"

He nods, "He should. Unless he wants things to get ugly. Or unless he wants to take you to court over this, which I don't think he will since he has no grounds."

It is not until this moment that Carly realizes this is the first time she's seen her attorney in the sunlight. "Thank you so much," she says earnestly.

"Not a problem."

"How much do I owe you?"

He makes a face, "Eh...to get back at that prick Matthews? That's a freebie." He coughs, "I should be paying you."

She starts to argue, thinks about how little money she has in her bank account, then lets it go. "Thanks."

****

Bobbie sits at the counter at Kelly's, discussing the inventory with Tammy.

"Eggs," Tammy notes, "I'm thinking we need to start re-stocking sooner. The breakfast crowd is really starting to grow. Especially with the classes going on at the college."

Bobbie nods and writes the suggestion down in her notebook, "All right." She closes it and looks at Tammy, "You are doing a great job with this place!"

Tammy grins, pleased, "Thanks!"

Bobbie gives her a conspiratorial wink and whispers, "Going straight isn't so bad, is it?"

Tammy looks thoughtful, then says, "Weellll...the money's not so good..."

Laughing, Bobbie replies, "Are you hitting me up for a raise or something?"

Tammy is truly surprised, "Oh no, Bobbie! I wouldn't do that! I really do appreciate you and Luke giving me this chance."

Bobbie tries to reassure her, "It's all right, Tammy. The way business is going, I think we can afford to give you a raise." Bobbie qualifies quickly when she sees Tammy's eyes widen, "A very small one!"

"Anything would be great!" Tammy enthuses.

Bobbie walks around the counter and heads for the kitchen, "I'm going to check the stock of beans and rice. I'll be right back."

Tammy nods to her employer, still glowing about the praise and the pay hike.

Emily and Liz walk in, wave to Tammy, and take a table near the counter.

Tammy calls to them, "Can I get you two anything?"

Emily nods, "Can I have a Diet Coke?"

"Sure," Tammy looks at Liz then.

Liz demurs with a shake of her head and Tammy disappears to retrieve Emily's drink.

"So," Emily begins anxiously, leaning toward Liz, "you have to tell me this story again. I just can't believe it!"

Liz shakes her head, pretending not to be too happy to spread gossip. "Well," she says, her hands moving, "my friend Marla is in the Accounting 101 class. And she told my other friend Dana all about what happened!"

Emily urges Liz on, "And Dana told you, right?"

Liz nods. "Okay, so listen to this. Everyone's sitting in class, right? The professor is talking and everything. Then all of a sudden, she walks in! I mean, my friend said she made such a scene when she came in!"

Emily widens her eyes, "What kind of scene??"

Liz lowers her voice, "I guess she was wearing some kind of, like, just maybe a bra and these really, really short shorts or something..."

Both girls make faces. Emily mutters, "Figures!"

"So, anyway," Liz goes on, "Dana told me that Marla told her that Carly walked all the way to the front of the class and kind of made eyes at the professor!!! With everyone watching!"

"Oh my God! How gross!!" Emily is disgusted, but hungry for more.

"So I guess she finally takes a seat and everybody's settled down and then, you'll never believe this part!" Liz's eyes are bright.

Emily waves her hand in a 'go on' motion, "What? What???" not breaking eye contact with Liz even when the soda and a glass are placed in front of her.

Liz finishes with a flourish, "Sonny shows up!!"

Emily's hand flies to her mouth, "What?? What was Sonny doing there?"

Liz shakes her head, "I don't know, but my friend Marla says he handed Carly a bag." Liz lowers her voice even more, "Marla thinks it may have been drugs..."

Emily shakes her head, "No way. Sonny and Jason don't have anything to do with drugs."

"Well," Liz counters, "I know Jason didn't. But, really, who knows what Sonny's doing now that Jason's not around to keep him in check..."

Emily takes a deep breath and feels she must agree. Although she has a hard time believing that Sonny would deal in drugs after what happened to Stone and Robin. Of course, she never believed he would actually sleep with Carly either.

Bobbie is standing frozen at the girls' table, having just delivered Emily's soda. "What did you just say? Sonny is giving Carly drugs??" What has Carly gotten herself into now???

Liz and Emily both look up at Bobbie, extreme embarrassment flushing their faces. Liz's mouth is open in surprise. Emily then looks away and pours some Coke into her glass, clamping her lips shut tightly.

"Well," Liz begins, gathering herself and trying for damage control, "that's just the rumor around campus...nobody knows for sure what was in that bag..."

Bobbie pulls up a chair and has a seat, concerned and confused, "Campus? What bag??"

"Uh," Liz looks at Emily, who is still staring unhelpfully into her glass. Liz goes on valiantly, "um, well, I guess Sonny brought a bag to Carly's class for her." She adds hastily, "Nobody knows what was in it though..."

Bobbie's eyes are clouded, but she zeroes in on the rest of the sentence, the part that has nothing to do with drugs. Bobbie repeats slowly, as if she is speaking a foreign language, "Carly's...class...?"

Liz nods, frowning at Bobbie's consternation, and explains, "Yeah. Her accounting class?"

Bobbie's eyes are narrowed and her brows are stuck in a furled position, "Uh-huh..." She nods, then echoes Liz again, "Accounting...Carly's accounting...and you did say class...?"

Emily feels safe enough to look up now and watches Bobbie as she attempts to absorb the information being presented to her. Emily jumps in and provides, "At PCU."

Bobbie closes her eyes tightly, then scratches her head. She looks at the girls hard and queries, "Are you saying that Carly is in an accounting class at PCU...? The college right down the street...?"

Liz blinks, "You didn't know?"

Bobbie stands and pushes the chair under the table. "Thanks," she says abruptly to the mortified young women.

Bobbie is in a daze. She can not believe that Carly would actually be in college without telling her.

Bobbie knows she has some investigating to do.