Mr. Immigration Man II, Chapter 18





Bobbie and Jerry awaken under the sunrise.

" Morning, Jerry."

" Good morning, Ms. Spencer. How are you?"

" Fine. Why wouldn't I be?"

" I don't know. After the story that you told me last night, I should know that you'd be fine."

" You didn't find my tale of woe too gruesome?"

" No, not at all. I thought it was bad for us, being as poor as we were. But, sometimes I forget that we had Mum and Dad. And what a blessing they were."

" Yes, parents are supposed to be a blessing. So, now what?"

" I don't know. It's not up to me. You're running this show."

(laughs) " Not such deep conversation. I was asking about breakfast."

(laughs) " Well, if it's your tum doing the talking, I know this little cafe...."

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Stefan is in his robe drinking coffee when a minion comes in.

" They spent the night atop of a cliff, sir. There was nothing...intimate about the setting."

" Thank you. That will be all."

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Bobbie is back in the stateroom getting dressed to meet Jerry when Stefan comes in.

" Barbara."

" Stefan. As you can see, I'm getting dressed."

" Yes, that's obvious. You're going to meet HIM again.."

" What excellent powers of observation, Stefan. Now, if you don't mind." Bobbie begins to leave when Stefan grabs her arm. " Let go of me, Stefan."

" Not yet, Barbara. How much more of this do you expect for me to take."

" I don't know or care about your expectations, Stefan."

" You know me, Barbara. This situation is becoming intolerable."

" You know, that's the first thing you've said that I completely agree with. Now, let me go." Stefan lets go of her arm.

" Do you want a divorce, Barbara."

" I told you that when we got married, it was going to be permanent, Stefan."

" Then, I am to sit around while you have your indiscreet dalliance in front of my face?"

" Sit, stand, makes no difference to me."

" This is OUR honeymoon. And you MUST make time for us."

" I MUST. You know, you and my brother have so much in common. Always telling me what I MUST do. Don't you know by now, that THIS woman doesn't handle that MUST stuff very well. As for time for US. Is there an US, Stefan? I wonder. I know my reasons for the marriage, but I still haven't quite decided what yours are. So, call me suspicious of anything and everything that comes out of your mouth. But, let's make a deal. You want time for us, this is what we'll do. Tomorrow, WE'LL spend time together. But, under these constraints."

" What constraints."

" That the entire day has to cost you no more than $100. Oh, you're good at the romance stuff with all your money Stefan. But, I have to wonder if there's any kind of imagination with you. So, can you plan a day on a budget?"

" Does the $100 include transportation costs?"

" No. But, it does include housing costs. So, are you game?"

" I accept your challenge, Barbara."

" Fine. See you tomorrow then."

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Bobbie and Jerry spend the day doing water sports. Swimming, Waterskiing, Jet skiing. They are sitting on Jerry's yacht, eating a late lunch after all their activities.

" I didn't know I was this hungry."

" I don't know why not, you attacked each sport as an Olympic event."

" Suppose it's the Jacks in me. Have you had a good time?"

" One of the best in a long time. OUCH!"

" What's wrong?"

" Oh, bad cramp in my calf."

" Put it over here, in my lap." Bobbie hesitates. " Come on.."

Bobbie puts her calf over to Jerry. He begins to massage it. Slowly. With tenderness. The motions repetitive and soothing. Bobbie closes her eyes. She feels Jerry's hands rubbing her..his touch so tender, so warm, so welcome. She realizes that he is slowing down. She opens her eyes to see Jerry looking at her. As an automatic reflex, Bobbie puts down her leg, sits up in the chair and leans over to Jerry. He meets her half way and they kiss. Slow, long, deep. Bobbie pulls away.

" I'm sorry."

" I'm not. I wanted to do that since I saw you in that Leger dress."

" Jerry, this is wrong."

" Why is it wrong?"

" Because I am married."

" If you love him, then why are you here? No, don't answer that. I don't care, Bobbie. You're married. To HIM. So what. I know that this is real, and that being married to him is a mistake."

" How could you call my marriage a mistake?"

" Isn't that what it is?"

" I had definite reasons for marrying Stefan."

" Which were?"

" None of your business."

" Ok...Ok.... You want to be the married woman and have me as your plaything. I can accept that. I suppose because I know that you know it's more."

" I can't deal with more."

" Fine. Nothing else to say about the subject, except that I am patient, but I won't wait forever."

" I never asked you too."

" I know that. Just stating my terms."

" Fine. Well, I have to go."

" Running already? That afraid, are you?"

Bobbie glares at him. She gathers her things and goes. She spends hours walking around the city. Going into this shop and that one. Not buying anything, just looking. Wondering what the hell she was getting herself into...AGAIN! She thought about Jerry, with whom she had clicked from the beginning. The man was dangerous and a rogue, she knew that. It excited her. There was a connection. An undeniable one at that. And he didn't have any of the Spencer/Cassadine garbage.

And then there was Stefan. She thought back to their wedding night. The intimacy between them. What he made her feel. How he went into that section of her heart that she had walled off after that disastrous night of the drugging. Even as he spewed those vile invectives at her, Bobbie didn't blame Stefan. She looked at him and saw that she had genuinely hurt him. She had listened to Luke for so long that she believed that Stefan couldn't have cared about her. So, his behavior of a lover scorned only compounded the depth of Bobbie's pain, as she realized that Stefan did care for her.

Bobbie had thought that there could be a chance for a real marriage between them. Until she heard that phone call with Stefan and Alexis. And how, once again, he was trying to use sex to control her. It was like deja vu all over again. But, then he seems genuinely jealous. Bobbie hates the confusion about it all. She wished that there was a way to see if the man is best con-artist she's ever known, or if it's real. She gets back to the yacht late and goes directly to another stateroom to sleep.

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The maid awakens Bobbie at barely dawn and tells her that Stefan will be ready to go in an hour. Bobbie enters the salon to find Stefan there. But, gone in his usual conservative dress. In its place, conservative leisure ware. Bobbie is aghast.

" Barbara, is there something wrong?"

" No. I just didn't think you knew the way to the JCrew store."

" This is not JCrew, whoever he is. I have leisure clothes, Barbara."

" Since when?"

(smiles) " Alright, since yesterday. Shall we go?"

" Go where?"

" On an adventure."

Bobbie sees that overnight bags have been packed for the two of them. " Are we staying overnight?"

" Possibly...."

Stefan opens the door for Bobbie to exit. They make it to the Helicopter, and then onto the Cassadine Jet.

" Remember, Barbara, you said that transportation does not count."

" I remember."

They are on the plane for a while, and then it lands. Stefan has a cab meet them, not a limo. He tells the driver to take them a destination. He blindfolds Bobbie.

" I will apologize that I include the cab in transportation for now. Once he has accomplished his tasks, he will no longer be of service to us."

They make one stop. Stefan gets out for a few minutes, and then returns. Bobbie has not taken off the blindfold. Because she is intriguiged by the mystery. They arrive at a second destination, and get out of the cab. Bobbie hears Stefan pay off the driver, and then he comes to her and takes off the blindfold. Bobbie is shocked. They are standing in front of the Eiffel Tower.

" We're in Paris?"

" Yes. Surprised?"

" Quite. So what do you have in mind, Mr. Cassadine?"

" A day of Paris....by bridge."

" By bridge?"

" Yes. Shall we go?"

Bobbie and Stefan start their tour of Paris at the nearest bridge to the Eiffel Tower. As they make their way down the Seine, Stefan tells these incredible tales of the bridges and their signifance to Paris and it's development. Sometimes, the story deals with history, other times its romantic myths about the bridge and of lovers past. Each tale is more romantic and magnificent than the last. The tour, which takes a little over four hours, leaves both of them famished.

" Where will we eat?"

" Certainly not in the usual establishments. But, I have it on excellent authority of a cafe nearby."

When Bobbie and Stefan get to the cafe, they take the last available outside table. They get, between them, the late afternoon special: a potato omlette, salad, fruit and cheese plate, and split a coke and perrier. Stefan tells Bobbie of his time spent in Paris, when he was 'at the university.' Bobbie is struck by how light Stefan looks, how they were such good memories for him. It was a side to him that she only hoped existed before today. Their lunch was long and leisurely. Stefan paid the check, "See, Barbara, only $20. Including tip."

" I'm impressed. Where to next?"

" Dancing."

Bobbie and Stefan took the walk to the Eiffel Tower. They did have to pay the $10 to get to the top. It was a clear day, and Bobbie could see forever. Stefan pointed out in the distance the Palace of Versailles which Louis the XIV built. It was as if you could feel all the energy of Paris right there at your fingertips. Bobbie put money into the viewfinders and Stefan took her on a tour of the monuments. Stefan left Bobbie for a few minutes. When he came back...he taps Bobbie on the shoulder.

" Barbara...."

Bobbie turns around to see an old-fashioned organ grinder, complete with monkey on the shoulder.

" This gentleman has been coming to the Eiffel Tower around this time, everyday for the past 25 years. I just paid him for his services for the next hour. Shall we?" He extends his hand out to Bobbie. She takes it and they begin to dance. Slowly, to the music of the organ grinder. Bobbie didn't know what the songs were. She didn't care. As she was cheek to cheek with Stefan, there wasn't another place in the world that she wanted to be. He stopped her after a while. They turned and looked at the sunset over Paris. How, in the twilight, as the sunset, all of Paris seemed afire and aglow. There was a burst of life, and then peace. The sun reflecting off buildings that had been there for centuries. The old fashioned glass everywhere and its colors. The lights and water in front of the Palait De Chaillot bursting with color. Bobbie thought that she could hear Stefan's heart beat. She knew that she heard her own.

" Why don't we go?" Stefan whispered in Bobbie's ear.

They made their way down to the streets. Stefan took Bobbie's hand. They walked a while, until they wound up in what Bobbie could only consider to be a not so nice neighborhood. They went into this alley, and up to this door. A burley looking gentleman opened the door. He and Stefan spoke and then they entered. The club was small, smoke filled. There were women standing around, dressed in costumes. They were dancers for hire. All the club was built around the dance floor, which took up more than half the space of the club. Stefan led Bobbie out onto the dance floor. The music started. It was the tango. " Shall we?"
Bobbie and Stefan danced for hours, until the club closed.

Walking back, Bobbie asked, " Where did you find that club?"

" My Argentine dance instructor told me about it. Are you cold?"

" No....but I am starving."

" Well, we're on our way to the hotel. I'll find us something to eat."

" At this time of night?"

" There's always a way in Paris."

Bobbie and Stefan walk until they come up a nondescript old building. They ring the bell, and an old man comes to open the door. Stefan makes apologies and they are let in. The motel, if you could call it that was very plain. But clean. There was a little area downstairs for no more than 4 couples where you could get something to eat. They got on the elevator, if you could call it that, for it was so small, and got out on their floor. It was pitch black. Stefan explained that the French are conservationists, so lights never run all day long, especially in motels like this. They were on timers. They made their way to the room. It was all burgandy. The walls, the carpet, the bedspread. There was a little chest at the foot of the bed and a nighttable on one side of the bed with a lamp on it. Over across the room, there was a chaise lounge, of plush burgandy velvet. The room was poorly lit, and Bobbie quickly realized that it was on purpose. She walked around the room and came to the full length window that opened onto a small terrace. The view was of the left bank. She could see a special slice of Parisian life from this window. There was an intoxicating feel to the room, and Bobbie imagined two lovers, wrapped in one blanket, watching the sunrise after a full night's lovemaking.

" Barbara, I'm going to go and find us something to eat. I'll be back as soon as possible."

Stefan leaves and Bobbie decides to take a bath. She relaxes in it and dozes off. She awakens when she hears the door open and close.

" Barbara. I will have things set up in just a few minutes."

Bobbie finishes her bath, dries off and puts on her nightgown. When she opens the door, she is surprised. Stefan has pulled the chest into the middle of the room. On it is a little vase with a candle in it. There are two paper plates set out, with crepes on them. In another plate are assorted cheeses and crackers and fruit. There is a loaf of bread. And one container of salad. There is a bottle of wine, with plastic cups. Stefan has changed into his pajamas.

" Where did you get all of this?"

" I promise that I was well within my budget."

" Were you?"

" OK. I did use the Cassadine name to gain entrance to shop. It is owned by a woman that has been servicing the Cassadines for years. I insisted that she keep me within my budget. But, when I saw that her grill was still on, I could not resist ordering these crepes. So, are you hungry?"

" Famished."

Bobbie and Stefan eat the food. Bobbie begins to laugh.

" What's so funny?"

" The sight of you drinking from a plastic cup. Will wonders never cease?"

" I suppose not. I am almost afraid to ask.."

" You afraid? Never...Ask about what?"

" How was the day?"

" It was wonderful. You surprised me, Stefan. In a most pleasant way. I haven't enjoyed being with you this much since the night we met on the stoop."

" You remember it?"

" Of course I do. I remember a lot of things..."

" About us, I would suppose that most of them are bad."

" You would suppose wrong. A lot of my memories with you are good. It's that last one that packs a whallop."

" Barbara....."

" Stefan, ssshhhh..." By this time, Bobbie has moved over on the floor, next to Stefan. She puts her fingers on his lips to quiet him. Then, she replaces her fingers with her lips. They begin to kiss passionately, and then Stefan pulls away.

" No, Barbara."

" Why?"

" You once said that all we were was just sex. I disputed you then. If we go to bed now, you'll believe that this entire day was just one long foreplay session. And that's not what it was. So, I'll sleep on the chaise. You take the bed."

Stefan kisses Bobbie on the forehead and gets on the chaise. Bobbie gets in the bed. The lights are off, but neither one falls asleep.

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Stefan finally fell asleep. He was awakened by Bobbie pulling the blanket up and joining him on the chaise.

" Barbara, what do you think that you're doing?"

" Stefan, you're a big boy. Don't you know what I am doing?"

" But, what I said."

" I heard you, Stefan. Loud and clear. And I get your point. I really do. I just believe that both of us sometimes take making a point to the extreme. And I was getting lonely all by myself in the bed. So, I just decided to come over and have some company."

" And somewhere along the way your nightgown was lost?"

" Yep. Little gremlins took it. So, am I to be banished back over to the other side of the room...All alone...by myself...Where it's sooooo cold.."

" It's cold?"

" I'm shivering. Can't you tell?"

" Maybe. Do you have a remedy for it?"

" I was thinking that you might have one. "

" I never went to medical school, Barbara."

" No, but playing doctor I think is one of your specialties."

Bobbie and Stefan make love, and wind up watching the sunrise from the window, sharing a blanket.