Chapter 23 Caroline burst out laughing. “You're kidding! Joanna and Isabelle did that to Raymond? Oh I can't believe it!” Shane laughed along with her, and picked up the dinosaur which Michael had dropped. “Believe it. C'mon, Raymond's our friend, but he deserved it. He should have known not to fool around with both of them. But I feel bad for Jo and Isa. That was going on for months.” “So wait a minute. They knocked him out, stripped him, and left him in the closet during Joanna's party?” “Uh-huh. About one hour after the party had stared, Joanna said that she heard a knocking noise on the closet door, so Mark opened it. And out came Raymond . But get this… not only was he in his birthday suit… he was also in handcuffs. Joanna and Isa had also left him with his shoes on… but had tied the laces together. You should have seen him… naked, handcuffed, and tripping. To top it all of, Isabelle took pictures while everyone laughed and stared.” Caroline opened her eyes wide, and opened her mouth. “Oh that's so cruel! Mind you… if I was there I would have rushed for the camcorder… but that's so cruel! All of us have been friends for years. I fell so bad for Ray. He was an asshole, I admit, but still…” “Yeah, well, he got over it, and Jo and Isa got their revenge. Now he's dating some girl named Kimberly. AND Jo and Isa seem to be pretty chummy with her.” “Oh no!” Caroline laughed. “You've got to help him! “Yeah, well, I try. But he got himself into this mess by thinking that he was greater than Casanova.” Caroline finished off her fries and took a sip of her ice tea. “I miss everyone back in Florida… Jo, Isa, Ray, Mark… everyone.” “You could always go back,” Shane volunteered helpfully. “Maybe someday.” “Well hello you two!” came a woman's voice. Caroline and Shane turned to see Bobbie standing a few feet away from them. “Hi Bobbie” Caroline said. “Hello Ms. Spencer,” Shane said, standing up. “Hi. Hello Michael,” Bobbie said, kissing her grandson. “Would you care to join us?,” Shane asked, pulling out a chair. “Are you always this polite and sweet?” Bobbie asked with her eyebrows raised. “Only to drop dead gorgeous women,” Shane replied with a grin. Bobbie laughed. “Oh, so the fact that I'm related to Caroline has nothing to do with your flattery?” she asked with a twinkle in her eye. Shane looked at Caroline with adoring eyes, and bent down to kiss her. “Well, the fact that you are related to Caroline, just makes you even more special,” he said softly. Bobbie smiled warmly as she saw the slight blush which colored Caroline's cheeks. Her motherly instincts were kicking in, and she realized that she was happy that her daughter had someone who loved her. Caroline pretended to be tough and untouchable, but when she was with Shane, she seemed so innocent and vulnerable. Caroline cleared her throat, uncomfortable at Bobbie's stare. She wasn't the type to blush, but it had been a long time since anyone had said anything that sweet about her in front of anyone else. “Um, Bobbie, why don't you sit down?” “Actually I'd love to, but I have to get to General Hospital. I do however have a small favor to ask. Luke came over this morning, and he forgot some invoices relating to his club. I think that they're important, but I don't have the time to return them. So I was wondering if you could…” “You were wondering if I could return them for you?” Caroline interrupted. “Well, yes.” “Bobbie, you know, I would love to help you out… but unfortunately I just ate. I'm afraid that I would be forced to show the world my lunch if I saw him.” “I know the two of you don't get along, but I'm sure that this is important.” “Can't you just blow one of those high pitched whistles, and have him come running, along with all the other canines in Port Charles” Caroline replied, rolling her eyes. Bobbie gave her a look. “Please. All I'm asking you to do is hand him the papers. That's all.” Caroline sighed. “Fine, I'll do it. But you owe me.” “I promise I'll baby-sit Michael whenever you want,” Bobbie said handing her the papers. “Thank you so much. Listen, I've got to go, or I'll be late. I'll see you later. Thanks again.” Caroline watched her mother wave goodbye, and exit the restaurant. She picked up the papers and sighed again. “Looks like we have to make another stop.” “So we're going to see Luke? Your wonderfully deranged uncle? Can't wait to meet him,” Shane said with a laugh. “Oh yes, you can. Luke he's… well he's… eccentric. He's no sweetheart, and he loves to play the devil's advocate. He's okay I guess… but normal people wouldn't want to annoy him. I guess I don't count, because if he ever touched me, Bobbie would never speak to him again. And although he prides himself in having such a strong family, you wouldn't see him as a family man.” Oh. So you don't think that he's a nice guy?” Shane asked amused. “I guess it depends on if you're on his side or not. It’s always his way or nothing” Shane fought hard to control his smile. “Caroline, don't take this the wrong way, but… it seems to me that you and Luke are *very* alike. From what you've told me from before, you're both headstrong and stubborn. In a good way,” he quickly added. “You know what? I'm going to pretend that I didn't hear that. The only similarity that Luke and I possess, is that we share blood. Nothing more, nothing less.” Shane smiled. “If you say so Caroline.” ***************** Caroline walked into the club, holding the papers, followed by Shane, who had Michael. She spotted Luke behind the bar, serving drinks and laughing with some customers. “Why hello there *uncle* Luke! How are you today?,” Caroline said, her voice dripping with false sweetness. “Hello, my sweet Caroline. I'm just as happy as a Cassadine on Halloween. So, why have you decided to grace me with your own, um… charismatic presence?” “Well, I decided that I hadn't even come close to pissing off the number of people which I normally do… so here I am… Caroline Benson reporting to spread her usual mixture of anger and charm.” “Yes, I feel blessed,” Luke said dryly. “Glad to see that the loony bin didn't mess you up that much. Honestly, I expected you to come out more screwed up then you were going in. So tell me, what will it be more of: Anger or Charm?” Caroline smiled. “Well, I guess it depends on how much I have to drink.” “Well, it won't be much, since Jason would kill me if I let you get drunk in the afternoon. So, I guess it will be anger, since I can only picture you as charming if you're intoxicated.” Caroline feigned a hurt expression. “Oh Uncle Luke, I thought for sure that we could try and be nice to each other.” “Oh, baby girl, I'm nice to everyone. You know that,” Luke said with a wink. “So is this a new bodyguard?” he asked, nodding to Shane. “No, I'm actually a fan of talking. Bodyguards… or at least Jason's… are only ‘yes boys,’ and it will be a cold day in hell before I ever act as one,” Shane interrupted, coming closer. “Shane, meet Luke Spencer. Luke meet Shane,” Caroline started to say. “…Shane Roberts, right. Almost didn't recognize you… Shane Alexander Roberts. Born January 21, 1973 at Miami General, along with twin sister, Carly Grace Roberts. Lived with parents, Jane and Brian until they got divorced. Lived with mother most of the time after that. Sister died in car accident at age 17. Graduated from University of Miami. Had a child, Eleyna Grace Roberts who died two weeks later with ex-fiancé. Fiancé’s name: Caroline Elizabeth Benson,” Luke recited. Caroline and Shane starred at Luke in shock. “How the hell did you know all of that?” Caroline demanded. Luke looked at her. “When I found out who you really were, I made your business my business. Started digging in your past, and found out about your ex-fiancé. So naturally, I wanted to know all that I could about the man you had once thought of marrying.” Caroline took Michael from Shane and hugged him close. “Did my mother tell you about Shane?” “A bit… but not that you and him were once engaged. She just kept mentioning Shane's name. How he helped you, how he loved you, and how you loved him. And how he was Carly Roberts' twin brother. I saw a picture of you with him, and I took it. From there I just kept on digging deeper and deeper.” “So you found out about Shane, and you found out about Eleyna. You never mentioned it to me,” Caroline said quietly. Somehow the fact that Luke had known about them disturbed her. Luke's eyes softened visibly. “I wasn't going to give you grief over a lost love, and a dead daughter. That baby was family, plain and simple. Barbara Jean's granddaughter. Besides, I didn't care what you did, I just wanted to get an idea about your life.” Caroline nodded, but didn't say anything. Shane sat down beside her, and took the papers. “Here,” he said to Luke. “Bobbie said that you left these at her house this morning.” Luke took the papers, and glanced at them. “Ah, thanks. I wondered where I had put them. I swear, I thought that I was going senile. Anyway, it’s nice to meet you Shane,” he said while putting the papers behind the bar. “So, do you two want a drink?” “I'll have a rum and coke.,” Shane said “And you sweet Caroline?” “Vodka.” Luke looked around the bar, and found the bottles and the glasses. “So, how's life in the penthouse? Everything still standing, and intact?” “Why wouldn't it be?” Caroline said with a smile. “Oh, I don't know. Maybe because you and Robin in the same room is more dangerous than being in the middle of nuclear warfare?,” Luke said sarcastically. “Well, don't worry, the little evangelist is fine. Physically, of course. Mentally, I'm not sure. She seems to think that everything and everyone belongs to her. Jason's hers, Michael's hers, and the penthouse is hers. Actually, she's quite possessive about it. Honestly, I have to stay out of the penthouse a lot, because every time she sees me, she pees all over, marking her territory.” Shane spit out his drink, but Luke didn't even bat an eye. He grinned at her, and reached for Michael, over the bar. “Oh, don't worry Caroline, competition's good.” “What competition? Michael is my son, and the penthouse belongs to Jason.” “And Jason?,” Luke asked, his eyebrows raised. “Jason can be with whoever the hell he wants. He's not my problem anymore, I'm with Shane.” Luke looked over at Shane and stuck out his hand. “Well Shane, good luck. Spencer women are dangerous. They can melt your heart and break it within the same minute.” Shane grinned, and looked at Caroline. “Well, what can I say? I love playing with fire.” He leaned over and kissed her slowly. “Hey! C'mon now, not in front of the kid!” Luke said rolling his eyes. “Which one? You or Michael?” Caroline asked, separating herself from Shane. “You know what? I should have killed you when I had the chance.” Luke said. Caroline burst out laughing, and put some money on the counter. She took Michael from Luke, and blew a kiss to her uncle. “Bye Luke!,” she said walking out, and grabbing Shane's hand. Luke watched as Caroline, Michael and Shane walked away, and shook his head. His niece always seemed to surprise him. “Just like Barbara Jean,” he said to himself. “Just like Barbara Jean.”