Mr. Immigration Man II, Chapter 19




She opens the door to the house. Everything is perfect. Too perfect. The furniture is in place. But everything is still. Quiet. She walks up the stairs, slowly. She opens the first bedroom door. All is well. As are the second and the third bedrooms. She gets to the end of the hall. She opens the nursery. All seems in order. She walks over to the crib. It is perfectly made up, the sheets in order. There is no baby, but only some papers. She picks them up.

Decree of Divorce...Anthony Jones and Caroline Bensen.

There is a post it note: As per the Pre-Nup, I get the kid. Don't call me, I'll call you if ever I decide you'll see our child ever again.

Carly panics. She rushes to the closets. Empty. The dresser. Empty. She looks for the favorite book and blanket. Gone.

She sees that the baby monitor and the favorite bunny are gone. Carly rushes to her bedroom and calls GH.

" Dr. Tony Jones, please."

" I'm sorry, but Dr. Jones no longer works for General Hospital."

" Then, tell me where he does work. Mercy? Where?"

" Dr. Jones left General Hospital without informing us of his future whereabouts."

" SOMEBODY must know something!! Give me Amy Vining."

" Nurses Station. Amy Vining."

" Amy, this is Carly. Do you know where Tony is?"

" No. All I know is that he had the good sense to get away from you. And that he took the baby. I hope that he is in Belize by now. Since Tony's not there for you anymore, I won't pretend to like you at all, Carly. Bye."

Carly sat on the floor. She was sobbing, holding a pair of booties, crying, "Where's My Baby? Where's My Baby? Where's MY BABY?"

"NNOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!", Carly screamed in horror as she woke up.

" Carly, what's wrong? Is it the baby?", Tony said as he burst into her bedroom.

" No, Tony. The baby's fine.", Carly says with bitterness in her voice. " Not that you'd care if anything was wrong with me."

" And that surprises you? I've made no illusions as to why I am in this marriage. It's for my child. Nothing else."

" Glad to know that I could be of use to you as a brooding mare. So, if you don't mind, I'd like for you to get out. I need my rest. Wouldn't want anything to happen to the baby, would we?"

Tony leaves. But, Carly does anything but get sleep. She stays in the bed, her eyes wide open.

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Bobbie is sitting on the deck of the Cassadine Yacht, when she feels something on her shoulder. It's a rose.

" A rose for your thoughts, Barbara."

" I thought it was a penny."

" That's for others. I'm a Cassadine."

They both laugh. " I was thinking about our trip to Paris. I didn't think that you could surprise me, but you did. The entire day. You want to know what I enjoyed the most?"

" The dance at the Eiffel Tower?"

" No. Being in your arms that night." Bobbie looks away.

" Barbara, what's wrong?"

" What's wrong? Stefan, you're pulling out all the stops since Paris. Each moment between us has been more wonderful than the last since Paris."

" And this BOTHERS you?"

" Yes.......I have to go.."

" Where?"

" Just somewhere. I'll be back in time for Dinner."

Bobbie leaves the yacht. Stefan places a phone call. " Follow her."

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" Hello, Stranger."

Jerry turns around to see Bobbie there.

" Bobbie? I thought you had abandoned me."

" Any why would you think that?"

" Oh, because I haven't heard from you in days."

" I was busy. But, if you don't want to see me...."

" NO. No. I do want to see you. Sit down. Right here." Jerry pulls Bobbie into his lap.

" Jerry."

" Sshhh." He places his finger on her lips. " I can't help it if I've missed you. You leave a gaping hole with your absense."

(quietly) " You really missed me?"

" Absolutely. Bobbie, I know that we haven't known one another long. But, I'm not 20 anymore. I KNOW what I want. And it's you."

" Things are so simple with you, Jerry. There are no complications."

" And that's how it should be with people like us. Who connect, right away. That connection was simple and deep."

" Kiss me, Jerry."

Jerry kisses Bobbie. Deeply. And she responds with all sorts of force. Jerry then pulls away.

" What?"

" Uh, Bobbie, I think that you should leave."

" Why?"

" Because I'm not going to let you use me."

" Jerry, I'm not...."

" I admit, in the beginning, hey, I was willing to sleep with you, because of Stefan. I was going to get a thrill out of it. But, then, the night under the stars happened, and something changed. And we went beyond that. The first time we kissed it was because you wanted to be with me."

" But, I do...."

" No. This time, when you kissed me, that wasn't for us, for me, it was for you trying to forget Stefan. All this time, when you said that you had 'reasons' for marrying Stefan, I made them up in my mind : money, position, status, power. That kiss told me something that I didn't want to know: that you married Stefan because you love him."

" Stefan and I never discussed love when getting married."

" Even if that's true, I guess, for you, at least, the rules changed. Don't get me wrong, Bobbie. I don't do noble well. And I'm sending you away because I think, honestly, that if you gave me a chance, I could make you happy. Correct that. WE could make each other happy. So," Jerry takes Bobbie's hands and kisses them, " A bientot, mon amour. We will meet again."

Bobbie gets up and leaves the yacht, even more confused than when she came. Bobbie walked around the city for hours. She thought about what Jerry had said. And she realized that he was right. She tried denying it, but it was of no use. She HAD fallen in love with Stefan...again. The realization didn't exactly make Bobbie's heart flutter with excitement. More with uneasy dread. HOW, could she find herself in this position all over again? If Stefan realizes that she cares for him, then it will give him the upperhand in whatever plan he has. She has to play it cool and distant with him. She resolves to maintain her control. " Remember, Barbara Jean, he's a snake."

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Stefan was sitting in bed reading when Bobbie came back.

" Barbara? Is everything alright? I was concerned when you didn't return for dinner."

" Everything is fine, Stefan. I was walking around and exploring."

" All afternoon and evening?"

" For most of it. I did go visit Jerry though."

" Oh?"

" Yes. To say goodbye."

" I see."

" Fine. If you'll excuse me, I'm going to go and take a shower."

" Certainly."

Bobbie goes into the shower. Good Lord, she thought, the shower on here is larger than some bathrooms. She turned on the water to where it was almost scalding. She adjusted the showerheads to pulse. She let the water run over her, relaxing her. Hitting those joints and muscles. Her mind was wandering to how she and Stefan could be placed on this path, once again. She thought of Lucas, and how he saved him. The trip to Chile, and that awful night when she learned the truth about Carly. How, he understood what tormented her that night. She thought about the wedding and the tango. And then their wedding night. Then, there was Jerry, who was so easy to be with and so much fun. And just when Bobbie had given up all hope, Stefan took her to Paris. And revealed more of himself than Bobbie could have imagined. But, it comes back to what Jerry said. However this began for Bobbie, she was back to where she didn't think she wanted to be: in love with Stefan. And as if he has ESP, " Do you need help with your back?"

Bobbie was startled by Stefan's voice. He had already begun to lather up her back. In slow motion. The strokes long and smooth. His touch like electricity to her. She turned to face Stefan. He was standing there, sponge in hand, with that oh so seductive smile on his face. She knew what was on his mind, sometimes Stefan was very obvious about what he wanted.

" Who said that I needed help?"

" Barbara, ALL of us need help, everyonce in a while."

" Do you?"

" Yes."

" And what do you need help with, Stefan?"

" For you to aid me in getting rid of all this bottled up energy that I have. I can't sleep."

" Poor baby. What can I do. Being a nurse and all. I am sworn to help those in need. And you're in need?"

" Dire need. Can't you see how much need I have, Barbara?"

" Ah yes. Your need is prominent and obvious. And wicked."

Bobbie comes over to Stefan, and begins to lather him up. From top to bottom.

" Now what, Barbara?"

" We see how well you can get the soap off of you from down here." Bobbie pulls Stefan to the floor of the shower. And they begin their own form of aqua-aerobics.

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Carly was in the park on a bench. She looked the mothers pushing their babies in the carriages. She saw them pick them up, hold them, bond with them. She wondered what her baby would be like. If they would have moments like this. As she drifted into space, she was brought back by:

" Hi Carly."

" Lucas! What are you doing here?"

" Nikolas and I were just playing frisbee over there. How is my Daddy? And why doesn't he call anymore?"

" Your daddy has been very busy, Lucas. And he told me the other day how much he wanted to talk to you. He'll call you soon."

" Lucas...Lucas...." Nikolas comes running up. " I had wondered where you had run off to....Oh, hello, Carly."

" Nikolas."

" Well, Lucas was just keeping me company."

" I see. Well, we have to go and prepare."

" Prepare?"

" For Bobbie and My Uncle's homecoming. Goodbye. Come on, Lucas."

" Bye Carly. Tell my Daddy, I miss him."

" I will, Lucas." Carly looked as Nikolas and Lucas walked away. Nikolas put a protective arm around Lucas....like Brothers, Carly thought. Like brothers. Like a family.

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" Have you two prepared everything for their arrival?", Alexis says as she enters the Conservatory.

" As much can we can, Aunt Alexis."

" Well, Lucas, I think that you have done a good job. Where's Nikolas?"

" He went to see if Mrs. Lansbury had prepared lunch. "

Bobbie and Stefan enter. " Well, how's my favorite boy?"

" MOMMY!" Lucas runs and hugs Bobbie.

" Hello, Lucas."

" Hi Uncle." Lucas gives him a hug.

" I heard that you had arrived", Nikolas said as he came into the room.
" Welcome back." He gives Bobbie a polite kiss and nods to Stefan.

" Welcome home, cousin,", Alexis says as she goes over to Stefan. " Did you have a good time?"

" Yes, Alexis. I think that Barbara and I had an excellent honeymoon. Wouldn't you agree, Barbara?"

" It was very interesting."

" So, Mommy, did you bring me anything?"

" Did I bring you anything? Yes, I have gifts for all three of you. Why don't we sit on the couch and open them."

" Barbara, I have to go into town and take care of some business."

" Stefan...we just got back."

" And I am sure that I have more than my share of work that has backpiled. You enjoy your time with the boys and Alexis, and I will be home for dinner. Bye." Stefan kisses Bobbie on the cheek and leaves.

Nikolas comes up to Bobbie after Stefan has left. " Did you really enjoy yourself?"

" Yes, Nikolas. I know that you are skeptical, but I think that your uncle and myself, connected on this trip. And that we are both determined to make it work. I know that I have to prove it to you, and I will."

" I'm glad that you enjoyed yourself, Bobbie. I want to welcome you home."

" It's good to be home."

Stefan reached for his cell phone and makes a call. " I am back. You know where to meet me."

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Stefan was sitting on the edge of the bed in his towel.

" Stefaannn. Please dont' leave. I haven't seen you in ages. I'm sure that if I got just a bit of rest, I would be ready for another wonderful time with you."

" I want to stay, Katherine. But, I promised Barbara that I would spend time with Lucas. It's important that I keep Barbara happy, or...."

" The Immigration People might think that your marriage is the scam that it is. I know that you have to placate Bobbie, but what about making me happy?"

" Katherine, you knew that this would not be an easy road for us to travel. But, look at all that we have overcome in this relationship. You must have some patience."

" I'm sorry, Stefan. Of course, you're right. I'll try to be more understanding. You must go, now. But, I'll see you later?"

" Certainly."

" When?"

" I'll call you when it is possible."

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Nikolas, Lucas and Bobbie are in the Conservatory when Stefan arrives with a large box.

" Well..well..Mr. Cassadine. What did you do that you have to bribe your wife with a gift so soon after the honeymoon?"

" I'm sorry to disappoint you, Barbara. But, this present is for Lucas."

" For me?"

" Yes. Why don't you open it?" Lucas tears open the box to see his own set of Kung-Fu Jammies.

" You would like for me to teach you Tai Chi, wouldn't you Lucas?"

" Yes, Uncle."

" Well, why don't you change into the proper attire and meet me in the garden. Nikolas, would you consider joining us?"

" As a matter of fact, I will. Come on Lucas, let's get ready for our lesson." Nikolas and Lucas go upstairs. Bobbie comes over to Stefan and kisses him.

" What was that for, Barbara?"

" For being considerate of Lucas. When you said that you were going to work, I must admit that I was unhappy about it. But, here you are, hours before I expected you, and you want to do something with Lucas."

" I promised you that I would help you with him."

" I know you did. And I am happy that you did. Especially...."

" What happened Barbara?"

" Well, Nikolas told me that they ran into Carly in the park. And that Lucas asked Carly to tell Tony to call him."

" I see."

" Yes. It's still all a mess. Lucas misses his father, yet I can't tell him the truth as to why he's not with his father, and...."

" And you love your son. And are pained that the reason that Lucas and his father are apart is your daughter."

" Yes. My daughter. Well, enough of this. Did you see Lucas' eyes light up when you mentioned the lessons? You should get upstairs and change."

" You are correct. Well, I will see you after the lesson." Stefan kisses Bobbie and goes upstairs to change.

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Bobbie awakens to find that Stefan has already left. After dinner, he was distracted, but still passionate in their lovemaking. She wonders what is wrong with him, and decides to get help. She gets dressed and goes into town. Bobbie wants to see Mac and Felicia. When she gets to their office, she sees a new face.

" Hello."

" Hi. May I help you?"

" I'm here to see Mac and Felicia. I've seen you around. But, I've forgotten your name."

" I'm Venus Ardenowski."

" Venus, I'm Bobbbie.."

" Cassadine. I saw the writeup about your marriage in the paper and on TV."

" Yes. Well, didn't you used to work for Jax?"

" That I did. But, I saw that that job wasn't going anywhere. Besides police work is my first love. And until I get accepted at the PCPD, Mac and Felicia are letting me keep my ears wet with detective work."

" That's great. Is Felicia in?"

" Yes. Just go right in."

Bobbie enters the office. " Hi stranger."

" Bobbie! When did you get back from your honeymoon?"

" Yesterday."

" How was it?"

" Interesting. Felicia, I need your help."

" OK. I'm listening."

" I need for you to watch Wyndermere for me."

" Watch Wyndermere?"

" Yes. I want to know who goes there, while I'm not there."

" Bobbie, are you looking for something or someone specific?"

" I don't know. I guess I'm looking for an explanation as to why Stefan married me."

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Jerry Jacks was atop of the cliff where he and Bobbie had spent the night. Bobbie had been all on his mind. She never left his thoughts. He was remembering the night at the craps table. The night on the mountain, the kisses that they shared. He took out his cell phone.

" Matthew. I want you to gas up the Jet. I think it's about time that I visited me little brother."