Before Caroline could knock on the door it opened revealing an attractive yet understated middle aged woman.

"Good afternoon. My name is Caroline Spencer. I do not have an appointment but would like to meet with Mr. Cassidine if he is available."

Mrs. Lansbury took her in discreetly. She was confused. The young woman revealed as Barbara Spencer's daughter during that unfortunate kidnaping scandal did not fit the picture of the woman standing before her. Mrs. Lansbury was never one to gossip and did not stoop to reading sensationalist journalism but their might have been a copy of the Inquisitor about. Something purchased by one of the younger members of the staff that she happen to peruse from time to time. She knew what she read and she knew what the general opinion was from some people in the city. This woman was dressed elegantly and tastefully in an expertly tailored navy blue Channel pantsuit, little make-up, short perfectly manicured nails, hair back in a delicate chignon, and simple shoes. No jewelry other than a wrist watch. She was not sure what to make of it.

Unsure of the reason for the visit but certain Mr. Cassidine would want to see this for himself, she stepped aside to allow entry.

"Miss. Spencer, if you will wait here I will let Mr. Cassidine that you here."

"Thank you, Mrs. Lansbury."

She turned in search of Stefan but only took five steps before she realized Caroline knew her name. She isn't head of staff to a Cassidine estate for nothing and barely interrupted her stride.

"I beg your pardon?"

"Miss. Caroline Spencer is waiting in the day room, sir."

"Why?"

"I did not inquire and she did not offer. She simply said that she would like to speak with you if you are available."

Very intrigued by that. He has rarely seen her outside the hospital as they do not travel in the same circles. Learning her identity was...amusing. And surprising but then he considered the family and decided it was not. He wondered when she started referring to herself as Caroline Spencer. He knew Carly Roberts was an alias just as the others. But when she was exposed, or rather exposed herself 7 months ago, she allowed others to continue to call her Carly. But a relative of Luke Spencer's knocking on the front door instead of trying to break in? This was something he decided he had to see for himself.

"Very well, you may show her to the Conservatory. I shall join her directly."

"Yes sir."

Caroline felt his eyes on her first. In her line of work, a six sense was crucial. Knowing when someone is watching is essential to staying alive. She did not turn around so that he could continue his inspection at his own pace. There was not much time but she wanted him to feel confident and that he had the upper hand in their conversation. Then she remembered that he did have the upper hand in their conversation and all the reason in the world to feel confident. Once it was complete,

"Miss. Spencer."

She turned and smiled disarmingly.

"There is no need for formality today. Please continue to call me Caroline."

Intrigued was not the word for it. The clothes, hair, speech were one thing. But the demeanor was something else. He did not know this woman. He never met this woman before and he wonders how many others have. There is something dangerous but not malicious or sadistic. Not like the Cassidine dangerous. Simply dangerous. He also realizes she has come for a specific purpose. Her mother is on indefinite leave of absence, the other Spencers are gone. Yet, she remained.

"Caroline. How may I help you?"

She produces a manilla envelop and hands it to him. Stefan makes no move to open it and does not even look down after accepting it.

"First, time is of the essence for me but I understand that you will need to verify the contents of that packet. The information is as much a surprise to me as it will be to you.

Second, I am not interested in any of the activities that members of my family have participated in with members of yours. The information that pertains to you is not my concern at this time. If you take a moment to consider my associations in Port Charles when you read that, you should be assured that there is only one name of interest to me.

Third, I would like your assistance with entry onto the Cassidine Island in Greece."

Then she shut up. He was listening to her veiled but informative words. She was definitely on a

mission. Her second point was interesting until she got to the end and then he was lost. The third point made him stop and stare at her very hard. A Spencer voluntarily going to the island is one thing and ridiculous. A Spencer requesting a Cassidine take them to the island was not possible. The eyes were telling. She did not flinch or turn away. She had nothing to hide and no secret agenda. This was not one of Luke Spencer's games. Most people crumbled under his gaze. Even Luke was known to look away. The only person he'd ever met who pulled this off was Jason Morgan. That's when it hit him. He made no comment and simply opened the envelop. He wasn't going to waste time with her, she did not waste it with him.

Fascinated was not the word for Caroline at that point. Luke called him Count Vlad and she guessed she could see that but not really. She really had no room to judge considering her wardrobe. She did not know the other Cassidines and had no desire to but she sensed something different about this one and it confused her. She's always been good at reading people. Even Jason Morgan. This one was a complete mystery but she found nothing distasteful or uncomfortable about it. She'd had little dealing or interaction with him. Carly Roberts a few times. Caroline Spencer hadn't.

She had to admit the man was good. Nothing gave him away. Not a twitch, sound, or even a hardening of the eyes. She wondered if that was Cassidine training or a personality quirk. Even her eyes went cold. Jason's too. His expression never changed. Neutral. He read each page of the report carefully. Stefan understood what was going on. For some reason, her paramour was searching for Sonny Corinthos and it lead him to the Cassidines. He also understood why she was here. It meant she could not contact her uncle for assistance. Stefan is well aware of each time Luke snuck onto the island to check up on Helena. He did not mind as it saved him the trouble. Obviously, they were both fooled. Helena was faking. Yes, there was a grave problem. Still, he did not understand what she wanted from him.

He looked back up at her.

"I am unsure what form of assistance you require."

She decided to play it straight.

"Stefan, I have a job to do and that means making contact with the person listed in that file. The fact that he is located on that particular Cassidine property was surprising but not an insurmountable task for me. Learning that your mother is quite well and in some—association with him on the same island makes my job more difficult."

Stefan realized it was much more complicated than he first suspected. Not simply trying to locate the man for business or personal reasons and being afraid of Helena. He knew the business they were in. What he did not realize was that she was in the same business as well. That seemed highly unlikely considering all he'd seen and heard of her in the past. Then again, he'd never seen this person before.

"You wish to extract him by force?"

"By any means necessary."

"You are quite free with matters that perhaps you should not be."

"You are a Cassidine. I am a Spencer. There is no reason to pretend."

He actually smiled. She was as beautiful, strong and savvy as Barbara. She was probably as wicked as Luke but not as flashy or crass. And that's when it hit him. The alias wasn't the only fake thing about her when she came to Port Charles. The personality was as well.

"True. You realize that I must still verify this information?"

"Of course. As I said, time is crucial. I know that puts you at an inconvenience but it cannot be helped."

"The nature of assistance you require?"

"Clandestine access that will not alert either party of my arrival. Please be assured, there is only one item on that island of interest to me. I am not on an fact finding mission for...anyone else."

Then she couldn't suppress the crooked smile.

He smiled in return. They both knew she meant Luke.

"And if you should meet resistance?"

"The laws of physics will apply."

They both laughed at that one. He liked her.

"I shall inform Mrs. Lansbury to serve tea while I make a few calls."

"Thank you."

Once he left she did not relax or snoop. For all she knew the place was loaded down with security cameras. How she would grab Sonny and get away without getting nabbed by Helena she had no clue and hoped Jason was working on that part of the plan 'cause she had nothing.

Not until he was secured in his study did Stefan allow the full weight of this revelation to hit him. Of course he would verify, but he knew it was the truth. At least four months ago, Helena was traveling off the island. The staff knew. The staff would have to go. He wondered momentarily if this was the reason the other Spencers left but knew that could not be the case. She would not have come to him now. Luke and his family left weeks ago. Barbara, almost two weeks. Something else was in play. And, Helena was most definitely planning something. She would be coming for him as well. No doubt about it. He had to make plans of his own to be ready.

He took a few minutes to consider the situation carefully. Caroline going would not alert Helena of his awareness of the situation should she be caught. Helena would never suspect he assisted a Spencer. This particular Spencer's presence would also not worry her as much as Luke's. Then she would step up her plan. But, Helena would also be prepared for his knowledge once she returned.

"By any means necessary?"

Stefan wondered if Caroline would solve his problem for him. He also hoped it would not lead to a thawing of the cold war currently in place. He had his own life. Spencer/Cassidine engagements were not a part of it. It took some time for Luke to realize that after his arrival. He knew, Luke watched him just as carefully as he watched Luke. Neither man was stupid enough to be caught unaware by the other. Both managed to be duped by Helena. Stefan also realized that Helena had someone in Port Charles. He would have to start working quickly to locate them. Cassidine was not a favored name in certain circles. Very few circles. Port Charles to be exact. But, Stefan managed not to be counted among those in disfavor. He had no desire for that to change anytime soon.

Not wanting to keep his guest waiting, he hurried to make his inquires. He stopped to wonder why he thought of a Spencer on his property as a guest. Then dismissed it as he had work to do.

Rey never saw Jason like this. Johnny hadn't either. Not even when Michael was missing. He was worried, scared and angry. Mostly angry. This was something more and that scared them both. Jason wasn't angry. He was still Jason so business as usual with him applied. But he was...nervous. They said nothing but Jason's demeanor set them both on edge.

"I need the best. The team has to be the best. Nothing can go wrong. Things always go wrong but they have to have Caroline's back."

Rey was scared to ask but he had to know for several reasons. He also wanted to know what could drive Jason to this state.

"Sure. We'll start working on it. Where is Sonny?"

"The Cassidine island in Greece."

He blew out a surprised whistle and sat forward.

"How did he manage that?"

"Helena was faking. She isn't paralyzed or suffering from a stroke. She was traveling at least four months ago and that's when Sonny made contact with her."

Johnny and Rey got it. It freaked them both out. They heard the stories. Some were so outrageous Rey had to pull old new footage and newspaper reports for confirmation. It was all true. Amazing. Caroline is a Spencer. They weren't sure what would happen if she got caught on that island with the woman there and in perfect health. They were going to make sure it didn't happen. Johnny said he was going with her.

Emily came downstairs just as they were wrapping up who they would pull together and getting the planes ready. They had a plan, they just had to get onto the island unseen. Jason had three back up plans just in case. He also had Rey prepare an extraction team for Caroline if she did get caught. Rey just nodded. He knew it had to hurt Jason to say that.