Alexis sat on the sofa at her daughter's house as both of them pored over Sam's laptop. She'd gone over there bright and early the next morning bringing plenty of bagels with all kinds of toppings and some strong coffee.

Sam had been alone because Danny had spent the night with Grandma Monica and she'd kissed Patrick last night because he had to do double shifts because he had a young surgeon flown in from Paris to shadow him on some crash course internship.

Sam and Alexis snacked as they started researching the various Cassadine men who might be considering candidates for siring a male child thirty some years ago.

"We don't even have an exact age for him do we," Sam said, "Why don't we start with a block of time, say 1978 to 1983?"

Alexis shook her head.

"No the baby was a toddler by 1983, around the time of Kostas' memorial."

Sam flipped her hair back and nodded.

"Okay mom, we'll have the outer parameter be set at 1982 okay?"

Alexis bit into her bagel.

"That'll work. I don't why there's not much information online about him," she said,
"Besides a scant resume."

Sam sighed.

"Well mom he was recruited for the WSB after he got his MBA. That's why. It's the life of a covert operative."

Alexis nodded because she did understand that.

"I know but Cecelia doesn't seem to think his parents really died," she said, "and for some reason she doesn't want to discuss this with her brother."

Sam shrugged.

"It might be a very sensitive topic," she said, "If his backstory's not true, it might have been done for the right reasons, to protect and keep him safe, because you know better than I do how that family treats outsiders."

Alexis nodded.

"I do. I've been there myself but I had repressed memories of my mother's murder, the loss of my sister and so I never knew to challenge what I'd been told about my parents. With Max, he might just have been younger than me when he lost his parents so he might just not have the memories."

Sam brightened.

"That's what we'll find out mom," she said, "I'll do some digging and that includes Mikkos and his brothers. Then I'll move on to your two half-brothers…"

Alexis sighed.

"I have a third half-brother though I'm still not sure he exists at all."

Sam frowned.

"You mean Valentin don't you?"

Alexis paused feeling the familiar chill then nodded.

"I do. I've just heard stories about him. He's a legend of sorts in the family but I've never even seen photos of him."

Sam nodded.

"Okay I'll add him to the list but there wasn't much about him. So I'll get started."

Alexis sipped her coffee.

"Most of these men are dead," she said, "and I haven't seen Victor in years so I don't even know where he is right now."

Sam didn't seem concerned.

"I can find out enough information to start with," she said, "He has court records for when he wound up doing time in prison."

Alexis nodded.

"I'm sure he does though I think he took a deal," she said, "and somehow he parlayed that into being appointed director of the WSB. The irony behind that…it'd be funny if Victor weren't so ruthless."

Sam leaned forward.

"Did you know him?"

Alexis thought back to life growing up on the island surrounded by ruthless, yet borderline crazy alpha males. Of course Victor and his brother Tony were more beta males though that hadn't made them less dangerous. It just made them buy into Mikkos' insane plan so much easily and quickly.

She felt a memory try to push its way into the forefront of her mind. Something about Victor and Tony…two shadowy figures that loomed in the night, barely illuminated by the moon shining through a window between storm clouds. She tried to remember…but it eluded her.

Kevin might be able to help her rein in some of her more elusive memories if he ever returned to town.

"Mom…are you okay?"

Alexis blinked her eyes.

"I'm fine…I was just thinking about something I…don't know…a long time ago."

Sam smiled.

"It sounds like Maximillian at least is loved by the people who raised him," she said, "no matter who his parents turn out to be."

Alexis considered that. She often wondered what her own life would have been like if she'd been raised in a family that hadn't viewed her as among the lowest life forms on the planet. Acceptance and love within a family was utterly foreign to her until she built one of her own.

"I think he was. It could have wound up far worse for him," she said, "but for Milan and Cecelia taking him in as their own."

Sam hedged.

"But Cecelia has doubts and she wants us to look into them," she said, "so if we can help her with them."

Alexis felt apprehension as she did when she remembered life under the Cassadines.

"I think we might be able to do that…"

Julian walked into Kelly's to pick up some lunch after several hours of supervising the staffing of his new publications. Ava and a couple bodyguards followed him into the eatery.

He'd checked on Ava to make sure he was still alive and so he and she along with some guards were dining at Kelly's. Shawn manned the counter and just shook his head when he saw them sit at a table and pick up the menus. He sent one of his waitresses to handle it.

Ava had been hormonal all the way over trying Julian's patience but she'd said she had hesitated to partner up with Chimera Industries which provided him some relief. She said she was still wanting in on the action involving the bidding for the choice parcels on the waterfront. If not with Chimera Industries she'd find someone else. She wanted to develop more than a healthy nest egg for her baby.

Julian reminded her that she had to survive the experience of birthing her child and avoid being taken out by Sonny. Ava said she had a couple cards left to play and she'd take care of it. Julian remained unconvinced but didn't push the issue further.

She ordered a salad and a bottled water and he stuck with the burger plate special. He noticed that Ned and Olivia were dining at a nearby table. Ava put her napkin in her lap.

"Really Julian I'm more than capable of looking after myself," she said, "I'm not worried about Sonny."

He glanced over at her.

"You should be. He plans to execute you the moment either his son or grandson is born."

Ava shrugged.

"He can try but I'm sure I'll come up with a plan to stop that. But thanks for at least acting concerned about what happens to me."

He leaned forward.

"I do care about you and my future niece or nephew," he said, "That's why I advised you to keep a low profile when it comes to him and his goons like Shawn and to stay away from Chimera Industries."

She pouted.

"Oh Julian, that doesn't leave me much to do does it?"

He wondered if Ava knew how serious it had become in terms of her future. The baby's would be secured but she'd be expendable. He couldn't believe she didn't have a plan. He saw Shawn at the counter wiping it down but keeping a close eye on Ava. They were literally in enemy territory and yet Ava carried on as if nothing would touch her.

But then his other sister Olivia might have had more sense, but she'd wound up dead just the same.

He saw Milan enter the eatery through the front door and walk over to the counter to place his order with Shawn. Ava followed his gaze.

"Why are you looking at him," she said, "Honestly Julian he's just another Cassadine and not even from the interesting side of that family."

Julian kept his eye on Milan.

"He's trying to convince Alexis and our daughter that he's on their side," he said, "that he just wants to reacquaint himself with what family's left."

She smirked.

"And you don't believe him. You don't know him and besides it's up to Alexis and Sam to decide whether or not to have a relationship with their own family."

Julian shot Ava a look.

"What do you care? You've never been interested in either one of them."

Ava shrugged as the waitress brought their food.

"I'm just trying to give you advice older brother," she said, "Don't stick your nose where it might not be welcome."

Julian sighed as he put catsup on his fries.

"Alexis has barely survived numerous attempts on her life since he came to town," he said, "I'm not about to let anything happen to her or my family."

Ava's eyes flashed in amusement.

"That sounds so…noble but what does Alexis have to say about that? She's not the kind to be led around by some man."

Julian knew that.

"Milan is harboring secrets," he said, "I have no problem with that unless it impacts either one of them."

Ava chuckled.

"Julian this doesn't concern you. From what you told me, he's here to do business on the waterfront and he's got a grown son."

"It's not his son, it's his legal ward. There's a difference."

"To you but maybe not to him," Ava said, "If he's raised this ward as his own son, he'll likely view him that way regardless of his parentage."

"Maybe…"

She shook her head.

"No maybes Julian. I grew up in a foster family and I used to pretend that they gave a damn about me," she said, "but all I was to them was a monthly check they got from the government to take care of me."

Julian knew his younger sister's childhood had been much different from his own and that her biological mother hadn't proved to be anything but a disappointment.

"I don't think that's the case with Milan and Maximillian," he said, "but that doesn't mean that there's not questions about his background."

Ava dove a fork into her salad.

"Really Julian that's hardly your concern," she said, "You shouldn't get too involved in the messy family dynamics of other people. You have enough on your own plate."

Julian knew he had his own business to deal with but to ask him to turn his back on Alexis and their family together wasn't going to happen. He'd seen the impact that Milan's arrival had on Alexis and he knew it wasn't just about the Cassadines. There was no way he was staying out of it.

"It's not your business Ava," he said, "It's mine so no more editorializing on what I should or shouldn't do."

She threw up her hands.

"Whatever but don't say I didn't warn you then…"

Milan walked up to both of them. Julian put his burger down and glanced up at him while Ava just sat there, bemused.

"Hello Mr. Jerome."

Julian remained polite but guarded.

"Hello Mr. Cassadine…"

Milan smiled at him.

"I know you're close to my cousin Alexis and I appreciate that," he said, "I think she's been through some difficult times in her life."

Julian nodded.

"She's the mother of my daughter and grandmother to our grandson," he said, "She's family and nothing will ever change that."

"That's good. I can appreciate how you look out for her and Sam because there's someone in town that can cause harm to both of them."

Julian paused.

"Kostas Ivanov is that you mean?"

Milan nodded slightly.

"He's no friend to either one of them," he said, "and I don't want to see my family hurt."

Julian glanced at Ava who seemed more interested in her salad.

"That's not going to happen. I won't let anyone hurt anyone in my family."

Milan smiled.

"That's good. I feel the same way so I'm relieved we're on the same page."

Julian hedged.

"Not quite…see Kostas Ivanov told Alexis that you're really the father of Maximillian and not just this legal guardian."

Milan sighed.

"I see. I should have suspected as much but I assure you he's not speaking the truth," he said, "I wish that I were really Max's father but I'm not. I was entrusted by his care and I've raised him into a fine adult."

Julian's brow knit.

"Why then would Mr. Ivanov say such a thing? I know that he might have been trying to get an edge over you in business but why else?"

Milan paused.

"I don't know…but it's not true," he said, "I'm not Max's father. I can't elaborate more on that because I made a promise years ago not to compromise his safety. I intend to keep that promise."

Julian pursed his lips.

"Okay but why is Kostas telling Alexis that?"

"I'm sure he has his reasons. One I suspect is to try to pit my family against me so that he can carry through with his plans."

Ava spoke up.

"Really how do you know this isn't more about something that exists between him and Alexis?"

Both men looked at her and she shook her head.

"Really would be that so surprising? Excuse me, my bladder's calling me."

She got up to go to the bathroom. Julian turned his attention back to Milan.

"So you adopted him then?"

"It's not quite that simple," Milan said, "if he were my biological son, I'd claim him but since he's not my role was to make sure he grew up healthy and safe away from anyone who might have designs on harming him."

"You mean any living Cassadines?"

Milan nodded.

"Not that there's many of them left and they're scattered all over the world but you just never know about the Cassadines and their inability to stay dead."

Julian knew that so far that had been true about individuals outside the Cassadine family as well.

1982

Alexis slipped her clothing back on over her body afterward. Her dress appeared slightly wrinkled but she smoothed it out with her hands. She had to leave to head off to meet the man that Robert had sent. This arrangement with someone in the agency she despised left her feeling all kinds of doubts but she'd set the terms and he'd agreed to abide by them.

She had told Kostas while he fucked her that she didn't belong to him or anyone but he didn't pay her any mind. After all, she had followed him to the club house behind the main house, knowing what he wanted of her there.

Earlier they'd been in the main house where Stavros had been discussing plans with Kostas about his engagement with Analia Cassadine. Helena had been busy making all the arrangements including the customary Bacchanalia during the winter holidays between Christmas and New Year's Eve.

Lasha hovered in the background, looking as if she wanted to be invisible. Nikolas was in the nursery napping. Alexis had smiled at her but the other woman hadn't smiled back. She just looked as if she were many miles away most of the time. The only time she looked animated was when she held her baby or talked about him.

Alexis knew now her heart remained with someone else and that she hadn't wanted to marry Stavros. That maybe that man was dead.

She'd thought about that more often lately including now as she crawled out of bed and went to the bathroom to freshen up.

Her skin burned where Kostas' hands had touched it, and she still felt unclean even after she had cleaned herself up in the small bathroom. Did his scent still cling to her? She couldn't tell, if it had imprinted on her like everything else. She glanced at him sideways and saw him getting dressed. He slipped so effortlessly back into the businessman ready to head out to a meeting and not just like he'd taken a woman into his bed.

A woman that wasn't the one he planned to marry. She walked out to get dressed.

"I have to go…Stavros and Stefan are waiting for me in Athens."

Kostas slipped his shirt back on over his chest. The one that she had caressed with her fingertips, enjoying how his muscles twitched as she stroked him there before her hands slipped lower. A moment later, she'd been riding him shamelessly, undulating her body against him as he slid in and out of her. He'd cupped her ass to help control her rhythm and she'd leaned over enough so her breasts were near his face.

They'd been quite busy in the past hour or so, he'd been demanding of her, dominating her in ways that she needed. The thrill of his control over her and surrendering to his need to possess her had caught her in a tidal wave of pleasure and something bordering on fear.

"You'll go when I leave and you won't speak of this."

Meaning to her cousins notably Stefan…who did know but Alexis hadn't passed that information to Kostas.

She nodded because that could be the only way it would ever work. If Stefan knew why she'd been spending time with Kostas lately...but she was keeping all kinds of secrets.

"I spoke with him…"

Kostas didn't react; he sat on the bed and put his shoes back on his feet.

"He seemed quite upset and I'm not sure why," she said, "I think it has to do with Stavros and Lasha."

Kostas shook his head.

"Stefan's way too interested in her," Kostas said, "If I didn't know better I'd think he was in love with her."

Alexis frowned.

"I don't think that. I think she's just lonely because Stavros travels on business a lot…"

He shook his head.

"I think Stavros has something to be worried about with his younger brother," he said, "I've seen him spending a lot of time with her including before Nikolas was born."

Alexis narrowed her eyes.

"What's that about? Surely you're not saying or even thinking that Stefan would pursue his brother's wife for himself."

Kostas paused. She studied his face which was inscrutable most of the time but not now.

"You do think there's something going on between the two of them."

He smiled.

"Alexis…come on tell me you haven't thought about it yourself," he cajoled, "I know you're closer to Stefan than you are to Stavros…"

"That's certainly true but I know him and though he and Stavros argue a lot and seem at odds he does love him."

Kostas looked doubtful.

"That may be but Stavros might want to do a DNA test to prove that Nikolas is his son since he's heir to a great family fortune."

Alexis knew the rules of lineage and inheritance in the Cassadine family but what Kostas was saying was just not possible.

"I don't think that's necessary."

He smiled, his eyes studying hers. The way he did that, as if she were merchandise to be appraised by a buyer…or seller unnerved her. She sometimes felt as if she loved him but more often that didn't seem to be the appropriate words for what she felt. Since she wasn't even sure she was capable of love having grown up in its absence.

"I wouldn't be surprised if Stavros didn't have his own suspicions already."

Kostas left her soon after that and she knew he had headed to the launch to take a boat back to the mainland to meet Stavros and Stefan at a business meeting. She waited patiently after pouring a glass of Scotch from the wet bar. She sipped it slowly felting it relax her body, which had tensed up during the conversation about doubts that Stavros fathered Nikolas. Alexis felt that assumption to be preposterous on its face. Stefan might harbor feelings but he'd never act on them. He had too much honor for the Cassadine name to sully it.

She wondered if Kostas were playing an angle. Though she felt strongly about him she never entirely trusted him. She looked at her watch. She still had 30 minutes to go to the meeting point on the other side of the island.

A knock sounded on the door and she looked through the window to see Robert standing there. She opened the door quickly ushered him inside, her eyes widening in surprise.

"You can't let anyone see you here," she said, "You've taken a risk just by being on the island. Why are you here?"

Robert looked nonchalant as he often did.

"Is anyone else around?"

"Just the servants. Helena's still in Paris and Stavros and his brother are conducting business in Athens."

"What about…Lasha?"

"She's tending to Nikolas most likely. She's always got people around her when she's here alone without Stavros or Stefan."

"That makes things complicated."

Alexis' eyes sharpened.

"Who is she really? I know that she's not in love with my cousin."

Robert paused.

"I can't tell you who she is or where she really came from," he said, "It might jeopardize her safety."

Alexis frowned.

"From who? Stavros? He hasn't done anything to harm her as far as I can tell. He dotes on her and their son."

Robert's eyes wandered to the wet bar.

"I'll take some Scotch. Want me to refresh your glass?"

She looked at it and shook her head.

"I'm fine."

She watched as he poured his own glass and walked back towards her. She sipped from hers and relaxed as its warmth slid down her throat. Still she felt on edge as she always did around Robert.

"So why did you risk coming on the island to tell me?"

She sipped her Scotch watching him. He seemed a bit on edge himself.

"I need to find a way to get Lasha off of the island and back home"

She felt taken aback.

"Stavros won't let you do that nor will Helena."

He nodded slightly.

"I still need to figure out a way and I'm going to need your help."

Alexis recoiled. What did he expect from her? She'd given him the information he'd asked her putting herself at risk. Now he wanted to plan an escape for Lasha, assuming the woman was even willing.

"I can't help you. It's too dangerous. I risked enough just to give you the information you wanted."

"I know and it's proven very valuable."

She put her glass on the table and looked at him.

"We made a deal and I've delivered on my end but what about you? Any news yet on who has my baby girl?"

He paused.

"Alexis…what you want it's going to take time. Mikkos covered his tracks well when he gave your baby away and now that he's dead…"

"No thanks to you and this Luke Spencer you talk about…"

He sighed.

"I can still find information on her and her whereabouts. It's just going to take time."

She folded her arms.

"It's been over two years since I lost her. I've missed so much of her life already, her first steps, her first words. Somewhere out there she's calling someone else her mama."

The familiar pain filled her chest threatening to squeeze her throat. She was long past tears at this point but the aching for what she'd lost never went away.

"I just want to know if she's okay and she's happy," she said, "I know I'll never be able to see her again and I can live with that but not the uncertainty."

Robert just looked at her.

"I'm doing the best I can but I need your help here. I don't think Lasha's here by choice and she has a husband and family who hasn't seen her in over a year now."

Alexis wouldn't be surprised to see Stavros resort to such actions. The man was crazy and ruthless after all like almost everyone else in his family.

"I don't know what I can do. I've done enough and seeing as if you can't produce results on your end…"

She got up to leave and he stood up to block her path.

"Wait…okay I'll renew my efforts to find your daughter if you'll do me one favor."

She narrowed her eyes.

"What?"

Robert reached into his backpack and pulled out what looked like a faded newspaper, the Pt. Charles Herald and handed it to her.

"I need you to slip this to her. There's something in it she'll find most interesting and it's going to change everything."

"What?"

"Just give it to her."

Alexis shot a look back at him.

"I will and you will continue your search…"

"I will I promise."

She sighed.

"But before you go, I have one more term that you must agree to before I'll give this to her."

"What? I told you I'll continue the search."

She shook her head.

"It doesn't involve my daughter, it involves someone else….You do as I ask and I'll help you…"

Alexis left her office and walked down the steps towards her car. The streets were quiet and there weren't many people around. She smiled as she saw the Mustang and decided she could really get used to it.

She heard footsteps behind her and turned around. Kostas approached her and she knew what he wanted from her.

An answer to his proposition. She didn't even want to remember the past let alone relive it in the present.

"Alexis…"

She folded her arms.

"What do you want?"

"I want an answer from you on my proposition."

She pressed her lips together in a fine line and shook her head.

"So that's your answer? I could help you if you're interested in finding out the truth about Maximillian Cassadine."

She gave him a pointed look.

"You told me he was Milan's biological son and I don't believe you so why would I trust you about anything?"

He looked her a long moment and she almost stepped backward. She didn't because she gave him an inch, he'd take more.

"I'm sure after you hear what I'll have to say, you'll change your mind…"

She doubted that.

"Really, what could you say that could possibly change my mind?"

Kostas smiled.

"You want to find out the truth about Maximillian's background, I can do that for you…at a price."

She folded her arms defiantly.

"And might that be?"

He appraised her carefully and thoroughly.

"We'll come up with something," he said, "After all, he could still pose a threat to your family."

"How?"

"I can't tell you here. We can meet later some place private and I can tell you then."

She shook her ground.

"You can tell me now or I'll walk away. I'm not interested in any private meeting."

He smirked.

"That would be a mistake," he said, "and you'll know that when you hear what I have to say and to show you."

She heard the cunning in his voice and yet he did know something…if it involved her family….

No, she had no reason to suspect that Milan or Max Cassadine were threats to her family.

"I'm not interested…you can keep your information to yourself," she said, "I'm not your whore. Not anymore."

She turned to walk away from him and he grabbed her arm, pulling her closer.

"I'm giving you one last chance…"

She started back at him, as footsteps approached from the distance.