A/N: I swear, if I take one more test or turn in one more project, I'm going to burn down my school. Okay, I might not do all that, but I'm so annoyed with school right now. Anyways, I'll try to update as soon as possible and with summer vacation on the way, I'll have a lot of time to write. Thanks again for the reviews and the kind words y'all. Keep it real!
Shannon looked over her shoulder for what felt like the millionth time, before climbing the north fence. It probably would've been easier to go out the front gate, but she couldn't risk the help dragging her back to those demented people. She had no idea where she was going, but whatever was on the other side of the fence seemed a lot better than standing around being judged by a group of people that didn't know her from Adam.
Years of running after Sly and his friends paid off. She could climb fences in record time and land on her feet with only minor aches in her ankles. She dusted her tennis shoes off and surveyed her surroundings. She didn't bring her glasses, so she had to narrow her eyes in order to see a few feet ahead. Her eyes grew wide at the breath taking landscape. A wide, sparkling green lake surrounded perfectly trimmed grass and tall willow trees. There was a boathouse and little boats tied up along the docks. Shannon looked over her shoulder again and was surprised to find no one around. Grinning with victory, Shannon ripped off her tennis shoes and ran down to one of the docks.
The water was cold, but she really didn't care. She twirled her feet around in the water and leaned her weight on her arms. The sun would be setting soon and the air would grow colder, but for now she decided to just sit and watch. She reached in her pocket for her cell phone to call her mom, but rolled her eyes when she remembered Lulu had taken it.
With the exception of Luke, who barely said anything to her, Shannon couldn't name a single person on the estate that didn't get on her nerves. Everyone had a selfish reason for wanting her around or wanting her gone. Even Lulu, her trusty teenage ally, only wanted her there to keep her company. She couldn't get a read on Dillon yet. He seemed to legitimately care for her, but he'd been raised by their mother with Quartermaine values. If she went on Angela's advice, Quartermaines are liable to turn on you at the drop of a hat. Ned, on the other hand, didn't seem to care rather she stayed or went. He'd taken up for Jenny and denounced Tracy for bringing her, but she didn't trust him either. Shannon kicked the water hard, creating a ripple. She didn't want to spend the last year and a half of her childhood trying to weed out which one of her family members would eat her alive.
Tracy: Aren't you cold?
Shannon spun around and found a smirking Tracy with her left hand on her hip and her shoes in her right. Shannon rolled her eyes and sighed, there was no escaping these people.
Shannon: How'd you find me?
Tracy: A rule to note: when trying to be inconspicuous, do not climb a fence in a hot pink sweater.
Shannon: You were following me?
Tracy: Obviously. Oh, the next time you decide to come here and pout, you can just follow the path from the front door.
Shannon follows Tracy's finger and glares at the concrete path.
Shannon: If you knew there was a path, why'd you let me climb the fence?
Tracy: You were obviously having a good time being stealthy, why burst your bubble?
Shannon: Don't you have something to do? Like a husband to entertain or a psychotic father to argue with?
Tracy: Luke's probably entertaining himself at a greasy watering hole. Rather or not I decide to entertain my husband has yet to become your concern. And while your grandfather has his Alzheimer's moments, he isn't psychotic.
Shannon: Really? Then why'd he start accusing me of trying to send him to the mental hospital, where I firmly believe he belongs, and call in that wrestler to murder me?
Tracy steps onto the dock and sits down next to her daughter.
Tracy: He and I have an interesting relationship.
Shannon: Interesting like you've actually schemed to have him committed?
Tracy: He was having a rough patch.
Shannon: Okay...
Tracy: The family didn't mean any harm. That's just our way of welcoming you. Dillon got the same warm welcome when he came to town.
Shannon: Being dragged by the scruff of your neck and treated as though you don't have your own personality doesn't strike me as a nice way to encourage people to bond with your family.
Tracy: Exactly. It keeps gold-diggers and freeloaders out of our mist. Alan seems to have trouble with strays, but everyone has a weakness.
Shannon: No wonder the wealthy are inbred.
Tracy laughed slightly and dropped her feet in the water.
Tracy: Whoa that's cold! How can you stand it?
Shannon: You'll get used to it after awhile.
Tracy: Think of the family as though it was the lake.
Shannon: Huh?
Tracy: It might be a little cold a first, but just dip your feet right in and after awhile you'll get used to it.
Shannon: I'll try.
Tracy: It's getting chilly out. Grab your shoes and come inside. Maybe you can get Dillon to show you around the town.
Shannon: I'd like that.
Tracy: Good. Hurry up before we freeze to death.
Shannon helps her mother up and the two walk back up to the main house.
Shannon: Wanna jump the fence?
Tracy doesn't dignify her with an answer as they head towards the path.
Shannon walked into the living area relieved to find Dillon and Lulu talking on the couch. She walked over to the bar and grabbed one of Lulu's cokes. She cracked open the glass bottle and joined her brother and stepsister.
Lulu: Well, you're not dead.
Shannon: Thank you Dr. Obvious.
Dillon: Seriously, you were pretty pissed when you ran out of here like a bat out of hell. How'd our not so sentimental mother manage to cool your engine?
Shannon: She explained the Quartermaine bonding ritual and gave me tools to come out with my sanity in mint condition.
Lulu: The Stepwitch actually said something comforting?
Dillon: Stranger things have happened. So, do you think you'll ever forgive Mom for bringing you here?
Shannon: Hell no! I'll never forgive her or forget that she ruined my life to brighten her own. We may have bonded, but by the end of this month, she'll escort me to my front door herself.
Dillon: I love you and I'm sure your evil side isn't a force to be reckoned with, but Mom's got you beat by a few decades.
Shannon: I may lose, but she'll know she's been in a fight after I get finished.
Lulu: What are you planning?
Shannon: I haven't figured that out yet.
Dillon: Well you'd better start soon because it's going to take more than you acting out to get Mom to give you what you want. If she finds out you're playing her, even in the slightest way, she'll stop at nothing to knock you back into your place.
Shannon: I thought you cared about what I wanted!
Dillon: I do, but fighting a grease fire with water isn't the smartest thing.
Shannon: I knew it!
Dillon: Knew what?
Shannon: You think what Tracy did was okay.
Dillon: No I don't, but scamming doesn't help anything. If you want to learn anything from our mother, learn that blackmailing and scheming doesn't make matters any better.
Shannon: You're just like the rest of them.
Lulu: Hey, what crawled up your ass and died? Dillon's only trying to help you.
Shannon: This is a race horse conversation, no jackasses allowed.
Lulu: I suggest you step back inside of your box before I have to knock you back into it.
Shannon: I wish you would. When I get finished with you, you'll be the only Spencer in Heaven with a wheelchair.
Dillon: Oh grow up, will you? Your guys aren't helping anything. Shannon, I know you're angry and I know your confused, but pounding Lulu unconscious isn't going to make all of this go away. Lulu, try to remember how you felt when Luke up and left you and all you had was a woman that berated you at every opportunity. Remember how hurt and angry you were?
Lulu: I know what you're going through.
Shannon nods slowly and sips her coke.
Shannon: I just miss my Mom.
Dillon: I know. How long did Jenny say you'd be here?
Shannon: She said Samuel would probably have a date in six months.
Dillon: Well you've got six months to get to know a brother that wants nothing more than to build a real relationship with you. You've got six months to get know your other family and learn more about yourself in the process. You've got time to get to know a mother that loves you.
Shannon: Tracy doesn't love me.
Dillon: I'm serious as a heart attack! If our mother didn't love you or want you in her life, you can rest assure you'd still be in San Francisco.
Shannon: You want me to roll over and accept this?
Dillon: I just want you to give Mom a chance. She'll never be perfect and her antics aren't always right, but you can learn so much from her. You'll learn to love and forgive her, despite the hurt she causes you.
Shannon: I don't want to be here and I'm not going to pretend to want her around. I just want to go home. I will not allow her to get away with ripping my life apart for her own benefit. Maybe that makes me pessimistic or a horrible person, but she had no right to do what she did.
Shannon downs the last of her soda before tossing it in the wastebasket. She grabbed her jacket from the arm of the couch and headed for the door.
Dillon: Where are you going?
Shannon: Exploring.
Dillon: Look, you and I might be in disagreement about how to be with Mom, but that doesn't mean we can't spend any time together. I promised you a good time here in Port Charles, right?
Shannon: Yeah...
Dillon: Well let me show you where to go. Living here may not compare to San Francisco, but if you know the right places to go you can take your mind off of what you're missing.
Shannon: Where does our tour start?
Dillon: Kelly's. I'll buy you dinner and show you where Georgie and I live.
Shannon: Sounds like a plan. Hey Lulu, you coming?
Lulu: Yeah, I could use a burger.
The three of time pile into Dillon's car and head down to Kelly's.