Life As It Should Be: Chapter 5
Saturday, 03-Jun-00 11:14:28

4.54.20.250 writes:
Chapter 5

Nikolas stared at his Uncle his mouth hanging open. He tried to answer his Uncle but he couldn’t push words out of his mouth.

" I asked you a question Nikolas…what are you doing in here," Stefan demanded again as he stalked into the room. His eyes cold with anger. He looked at the file lying on the floor and swiftly bent to pick it up. Nikolas came out of his shock at that moment and also bent down to retrieve the file before his Uncle could. Stefan was faster and he opened the file.
" Why are you looking through Caroline’s file and how did you get into my safe to begin with?" Stefan growled. The sound was eerie in its predatory tone.

" I was…I just…I needed to--" Nikolas stopped and cleared his throat. Stefan crossed his hands and waited. To say that he was angry would be an understatement. If Nikolas would have been anyone else at this moment he would have already had his throat slit. Stefan valued his privacy and his things and went to all costs to protect them. His study was off limits to everyone unless he was in it, Nikolas knew that. Yet he had invaded his territory anyway.

Nikolas knew his Uncle was mad. It was bad enough that he was in here, worse that he had broken into the safe. The only way he could get out of this was tell the truth. He drew in a breath and took a cautious step back even though he knew Stefan would never hurt him.
" I came here because I needed to find out who Caroline’s mother is" he answered nervously.

" You have never known who her mother was…never really cared as far as I could tell why do you want to find out who she is now?" Stefan snorted.

" I have always wondered who her mother was!" Nikolas denied…it was true he had wondered what kind of woman had abandoned his sister. " I am sorry for invading your study and safe. I just wanted to find out today because I heard Caroline tell Alexis that her mother was in this town," he explained warily.

Stefan’s eyebrows shot up in surprise. " What do you mean she is here in town?" pushing aside the fact that Nikolas had broken into his safe.

" That’s what Caroline said. I didn’t know whether or not she had found her so I decided to investigate by myself. " He explained feeling more comfortable when he saw that his Uncle was more concerned about the Caroline thing.

" When did you hear her say this?" Stefan demanded the wheels in his head turning.

" About four days ago" Stefan assimilated this information then he turned to his nephew in renewed anger.

" Why didn’t you come to me with this information? Why did you decide to just break into my study?" Well that preoccupation was short lived …Nikolas thought in dread.

" Well, Caroline made Alexis promise not to tell anyone so I figured she wouldn’t want YOU to know. It’s bad enough I know…I mean she didn’t want anyone to know," he explained desperately. Stefan watched him for a second
" Fine, I shall take care of it" He walked around his desk. Nikolas watched him warily.
" You’ll find out who her mother is…or do you already know?"

" I’ll find out who she is" Stefan glared then waved at him in dismissal " Tell Mrs. Landsbury to have Caroline come see me the moment she gets back" Nikolas nodded knowing that he had gotten off easy.
" I am really sorry, Uncle" he added. Stefan just nodded and waved him off already deep in thought. Nikolas retreated from the study in relief.

As he walked to his quarters he thought unhappily, Caroline would not be pleased at all.


Port-Charles Grill

Caroline stood at the entrance trying to spot her Aunt. She had just come back from the clinic. She had been lucky, they had been about to close when she arrived, but the power of the Cassadine name had quickly corrected that. She had been there for the past two hours. Dr. Campbell had informed her that the results would be in in two days. She was not satisfied but she had not been in the mood to push for faster results.

She finally saw Alexis and moved towards her table. She made her way quickly past the other tables unaware of the eyes that followed her. She sat plopped down on the seat next to her Aunt.

" You are late" Alexis put down her menu.
" I am always late. Besides you didn’t give me much notice," Caroline shrugged. Alexis had called her when she had been at the clinic and asked her if she wanted to join her for dinner. Since she had skipped out on the pizza Jason had ordered she had agreed to accompany her. Before Alexis could comment a waiter came to their table.

" Are you ready to order Ladies?"

" Give us a couple of minutes. " Alexis answered with a smile.

" Any drinks while you make your selection?" The waiter turned to Caroline since Alexis already had a full glass of wine in her hand.

" I’ll have a glass of your best scotch," She answered with a forced smile. Alexis raised a brow and waited till the waiter had left the table.

" What’s wrong?"

" Nothing much just found out that my mother is a Spencer and my lover’s ‘girl-friend’ is HIV positive," Caroline sipped her water with a shrug. Alexis frowned in further surprise.

" What do you mean your mother is a Spencer…the only female Spencer who could be your mother is….wait Bobbie?!" Alexis gasped. Caroline just nodded and took another sip. Alexis digested this then looked at Caroline’s blank face. She knew her niece was upset.
" I know it must be upsetting to finally find her…but from what I know of Bobbie she is a really nice person…you met her didn’t you?" Alexis said quietly.

" She is a Spencer" Caroline stated coldly. Alexis frowned and leaned forward.

" So what? You have never shared the Cassadines’ hate for the Spencers in fact you have always been indifferent to it. So why does it matter all a sudden that Bobbie is a Spencer?" Alexis questioned her niece.

" Because, I know what my mother did to me. That Bobbie is a Spencer only makes everyone in the family’s hatred for them now understandable!" Caroline hissed coldly.

Alexis sat back. She understood…Caroline finally had a face to the woman who had abandoned her. She could not even begin to imagine what she was feeling in that moment, so instead she turned to the other problem of the night.

" You didn’t know Robin had HIV?" Everyone knew Robin was HIV positive. They even knew how she got it! Yet no one had told Caroline?

" Nope." The waiter came back with her drink and asked if they were ready to order.

"Why don’t you order for me since you’ve looked through the menu." Caroline sighed as she took a long sip of her drink. Alexis nodded and gave their orders.

" Jason didn’t tell you?" Alexis demanded in anger.

" He didn’t want to worry me since he had gotten tested and he was fine." Caroline smiled sarcastically. Alexis looked at her niece’s carefully blank face. And thought unwillingly about Jason’s actions. She had met him a couple of times when she had to defend him or Sonny and he had never been one to put a person in danger purposefully.

" Jason thinks differently from most people Caroline. I am almost certain he didn’t do it one purpose. It was the wrong thing but he is probably regretting it at his very moment" Alexis pointed out reluctantly. She wasn’t thrilled that her niece has decided to hang out with a person in the mob. She was even less thrilled that he already had a girl-fried, but she was obviously and justifiably hurt by this thing. Since she could not really do much about the Bobbie thing she could at least ease her mind over this. Caroline sighed.

" I know he didn’t do it on purpose, I also know his mind works slightly differently. He honestly thought there was no point worrying me about nothing. Even though I know this, it still scared me and it really pissed me off " she said quietly as she swirled the liquid in her glass. Their food came and they sat in silence until the waiter left. After a few quiet moments Caroline spoke up.

" So Alexis what do you know about this Robin person? " Caroline asked concentrating on her food.

Alexis looked up at her sharply " Not all that much. She is a Scorpio, she and Jason have been going out for years, she was born and raised here, Your brother used to have a crush on her " " Nikolas?" Caroline raised a brow in amusement.

" Yes, Nikolas. Why do you want to know about her?" She knew it was logical question for a person in her niece’s position to ask but this was Caroline one never really knew what she was up to.

" Oh nothing, it’s just that I have neglected doing my homework on her and it’s about time I did it. It’s always good to know who your opponent is" Caroline smiled innocently.

" You DO realize she is Jason’s girl-friend right?" Alexis reminded, giving her niece a warning glance. She could see that sparkle in her eyes and she didn’t like it.

" Not for long she won’t be!" Caroline grinned mischievously. Alexis could only shake her head. She would have to tell her secretary to make allowances in her schedule in case of family emergencies. Hopefully there wouldn’t be murder involved.



Wyndemere next day 12:30….

Caroline walked into the dining room quietly she peeked around the room and was just about to let out a sigh of relief when a voice came from behind her.

" Looking for something Caroline?" Stefan leaned on the doorframe. Caroline sighed inside…she knew he wanted to talk to her but she wasn’t ready to talk to him. She wasn’t sure exactly what he wanted but she was sure that it would lead to her telling him about her ventures a couple months ago. She shrugged inwardly it was time to tell him anyway, he would find out by himself.

" Uncle, how are you this morning" she moved to him and gave him a peck on the cheek. Smile in check. Stefan just walked into the dining room and pulled a chair for her when she followed him.

" It’s afternoon," he muttered and sat down himself. " Mrs. Landsbury informed you that I wished to speak with you. " he stated. " Why didn’t you come to my study when you got back?" he quizzed.

" I was exhausted I had had a long day. Besides we can talk now can’t we?" She smiled cheerfully serving herself from the platters of food before her. Stefan shook his head.

" What is this about your mother being in town?" Stefan went straight to the point.
Caroline paused moving the roll she had in her hand away from her mouth.

" Looks like you’ve been busy Uncle dear…do tell who shared this little tidbit with you?" Caroline sipped her water, her mind racing.

" That is none of your concern just tell me what this whole thing is all about and why I don’t know anything about it?" Stefan demanded impatiently. All he had found out this morning was that Caroline had had Jason Morgan run some blood samples for her. How she had convinced the man to get involved was a puzzle to him. A puzzle he intended to solve this afternoon.

" There was no point in involving you I managed to find her on my own. Bobbie Spencer? You now her right? Your head nurse at the hospital? You guys had a thing in the past didn’t you?" Stefan choked on his wine.

"WHAT?" he sputtered. Bobbie? This couldn’t be right. He had almost married the blasted woman!! But of course his mother had interfered…..his mother, that old witch! He had always wondered about her overt interest in his affair with Bobbie. He should have known there was another reason beside her despise for the Spencers… she had spent too much of her time trying to sabotage the relationship. Too much attention even if Bobbie was a Spencer.

Caroline moved behind her Uncle and started heartily patting him in the back when he started coughing. " Are you okay?" she grinned when he pushed her offending hand.

" There is no reason for you to pound on my back. I am fine" Stefan composed himself.

" How did you even think of looking for your mother in this town?" he questioned taking a sip of water.
" Well, Grandmother suggested that I should take a trip here during the summer" Caroline resumed her seat with a shrug.

" You were here? This is where you were when I dropped everything to go look for you in Europe?" Stefan almost shouted. His face pale in anger. He should have known his mother had been part of it!

"Now, now calm down, we don’t want you choking again" Caroline took a bite of her food calmly ignoring the glare that her Uncle was sending her way. Stefan placed the delicate glass he held with exaggerated care back on the table. He was a man who was usually cool under all circumstances. He never shouted he never lost his calm, usually he just got colder the more irritated he got. Except when it came to dealing with his niece. The woman was infuriating! If he wasn’t fond of her he would have strangled her by now! He continued to glare at her waiting for her answer.

" Oh come on, I didn’t tell you to go looking for me! It was sweet but I never expected you to do that?" She defended calmly. Stefan scrawled. He knew that it was exactly what she had intended. She had let one of her friends make a call to her parents filled with concern for her knowing word would get back to him. And that he would be away from port-Charles trying to find her himself when the search seemed fruitless.

" You had Marian raise the false alarm so I could leave town" Stefan scrawled further.

" Oh please, I never told or gave Marian any reason to believe that I was in trouble," I just hinted that I might be ditching the guards and exploring Asia on my own, then left. Good old Marian…girl never could keep a secret.

" Then you had your dimwitted friend run around Europe and Asia with your credit card to keep me busy!" Stefan stated coldly. He was angry that he had even fallen for such a thing to begin with. It insulted his intelligence.

" Ana is not dimwitted! She is just a bit slow," she laughed defending the girl. She still couldn’t believe that Ana had gone around buying her clothes all over Europe. When she knew that Caroline had zillions of clothes. She supposed her friend was a bit shallow when it came to clothes and she had taken advantage of it. She must remember to send her something to thank her.

As it sunk in that his nice had been in town for a while he began to think of the things she might have done.

" What did you do?!" He demanded. His food forgotten.

" What are you taking about?" She smiled then at his frown she sighed and answered him

"Let’s see…. I tried to teach Tony a lesson since he was cheating on Bobbie with that gossip Amy. Of course then I liked her, but now I think I shouldn’t have bothered. I also made great friends with Jason Morgan. Have you met him? He’s in the coffee business you know" she paused looking at her Uncle questioningly, amusement in her eyes. He glared back and she continued.

" I think I cut on Monica Quatermaine a couple times, she was mad about the whole Tony thing. But I don’t think that is a great loss she is a pain anyway. Oh…I gave AJ Quatermaine a spiked drink at some hospital social" At Stefan’s gape she added with a shrug "…I didn’t know he was alcoholic, I just thought he needed a drink since his family kept screaming at each other. It was giving ME a headache and I had only been there half an hour...he had been there for two!" She sat back and waited for her Uncle to comment she knew he would have loved to kill her at that moment.

" Anything else?" Stefan asked tightly.

" Well….I also commented on how skinny Emily Quatermaine was….I didn’t know she was anorexic though. No one but Monica heard me, so I don’t think you need to worry" Caroline winced…that one she really regretted. She liked the girl and Jason adored her. She hadn’t been trying to be malicious she had just made a quiet observation and just her luck Monica had been standing right behind her.

" So let me get this. You probably helped ruin Bobbie’s marriage who also happens to be your mother, you are ‘friends’ with a local mobster, you’ve insulted two Quatermaines. Made enemies with one of them and probably made her son return to drinking." He rehashed the events. She nodded quietly. Stefan looked at her in disbelief…he should not have been surprised but he was.
" I am just glad you haven’t killed anyone!" He stated.

"Actually…"

"WHAT?" Stefan stood up abruptly. Caroline jumped up " Calm down I am just kidding" At his unsure look she reassured him " I really haven’t killed anybody" she laughed. He was so easy to bait when he was mad. Stefan was not amused.

" Well since you find this all so amusing you should find the Nurses ball real fun this weekend" Stefan sneered.
" Nurses Ball?" Caroline quickly asked, uncomfortable with the look her Uncle was giving her.
" Yes, the Nurses Ball, the yearly event which most of Port-Charles residents attend. I am sure though that all you’re victims will be present" He smirked.
" What makes you think that I will be going?" She huffed.

" You are a Cassadine…we are all going...and it is for a good cause. You are always complaining about going to those nonsensical socials…here is one that actually helps people you wouldn’t refuse to go just because a few unpleased people will be there too would you?" Stefan raised his brow knowingly. He had her he knew that. Her Cassadine pride would never stand such taunting.

" I’m not put off by a few unpleasant people, especially if it is for a good cause" Caroline said with a fake smile.

" Good. You will even get to meet your ‘friend’ Mr. Morgan’s girlfriend there. You haven’t already met her have you?" Stefan taunted looking at her sharply and she shook her head no " Well this will be a good time to meet her…she is always a regular at the Nurse’s Ball" Stefan smirked as he walked out of the dinning room. Lunch forgotten.

Caroline stayed behind. This was going to be an ….interesting weekend. She would be going out as a Cassadine to mingle with these people…to say it would be an interesting weekend was probably understating it.



mikmi