"What do you mean you couldn't find anything? You're supposed to be one of the best!" Kate snapped at the nondescript man seated across from her, "I contacted you weeks ago."

"I am very good at what I do. But I can't find what does not exist. I went through her records, medical, dental, school, driving, even her taxes. All clean. She does not smoke, drink excessively, gamble or do drugs." Flipping open a folder he pushed it across the desk to her, "Her emails are generally work related unless they are to family and friends. Her social life seems to revolve around your son and one Nicole Walker, though she does occasionally spend time with other friends. Honestly, for her to be so well-known her life is pretty mundane."

Rifling through the papers Kate hissed angrily, "That little bitch has to be hiding something. No one is this boring. What about her life before she came back to Salem?"

"As you know, her ex-husband was using illegal drugs. The group of friends that she introduced him to only included one or two recreational users, he seems to have sought out his own connections at some point which led to some unfortunate consequences for Ms. Lane." Reaching across to flip the folder shut he said reprovingly, "I was very thorough and I found nothing to indicate that you have any reason to be concerned about Ms. Lane's involvement with your son."

"I'll be damned." She shook her head as she said wonderingly, "You've never even met her and she's got you wrapped around her little finger. How does she do that?"

"He's not blind, like me he can see what you refuse to accept." Victor said firmly as he walked into the room, "Philip loves her and whether we like it or not, they are going to be together."

"Mr. Kiriakis, I wasn't aware that you were part of this...situation."

"I'm not. I was informed that you were here, and I thought perhaps I'd forgotten that we had a meeting."

"Ah, well I'm done here unless you need me for anything?"

"No, thank you."

Kate sat fuming until the investigator left, "So, now you've fallen for her routine too?"

Sighing heavily he took a seat across from her, "Philip is a grown man. He is also very different from his brothers. They tolerated your machinations, but he is not like Austin or Lucas. If he'd walked in on this conversation..."

"He'd be upset, but eventually he'll understand that I'm trying to protect him." Leaning forward, she pointed at Victor, punctuating each word with a gesture, "You may have lost your mind, but I'm going to protect my son."

"Protect him from what exactly? You heard the report, what exactly is she doing that has you convinced you need to intervene? Especially now when Lucas is about to marry Sami again?"

"If I thought it would do any good I would move heaven and earth to get Sami out of my son's life. But no matter what she does to him, he just keeps going back to her." She slapped her hand on the desk, "I can stop Philip from following in Lucas' footsteps."

"How?" He cocked his head expectantly, "What grand plan are you trying to hatch now? There's no secrets to dig up that will run him off, and even if you were planning to try to make her look guilty of something, he would know it wasn't real. Face it, there's nothing we can do."

"You mean there's nothing you want to do." She sneered, "If it were your precious Brady you would step in, but for my son...you won't lift a finger."

He chuckled drily, "Before everything happened I was trying to come up with something that would get him to walk away. But, there is nothing I can do or you can do that will make that happen. Because much like his brother, she could do anything to him and he'd still be there for her. I know the feeling and I'm warning you, if he catches you trying to hurt her, really hurt her? He'll cut you out of his life and never look back."

Her lips pressed together tightly, Kate rose to her feet, jabbing the top of the folder with her finger she hissed "I will figure out way to get that little bitch out of his life before she hurts him again."

"You are the only woman I know that will go out of her way to ruin her own life." He grabbed her hand, "Destroy your own happiness at your leisure, but leave Philip's alone."

"And what did she do for you that's turned into her latest champion?" Kate sneered, "I know Caroline Brady's a little long in the tooth, but I thought you'd draw the line at pawing at your son's girlfriend."

Victor's face flattened, and he drew his hand away. "We've been through a lot together, and I promised myself that I would always honor you as Philip's mother. I had thought you would accord me the same courtesy. Clearly I was wrong."

"Victor...I didn't mean to..." She pressed her hands against her face, "I went too far. I'm sorry, I know you wouldn't do that to him. But, you must see that she's all wrong for Philip."

"Remember when we thought Belle was the perfect woman for him?" He held up his left hand to halt Kate's response, "Just think about how that turned out every time you get this idea that you can dictate his love life. Before you do anything else, at least spend some time with them so you can see how happy he is right now."

She gave a sharp little nod, and sat back down . Closing her eyes and leaning back in the chair, she said softly "I just want to be sure that he's okay when I'm...not here any more."

"What is that supposed to mean?" Concern laced his voice, "I thought this new medication was helping you."

"It makes me feel a little better but," A sad smile crossed her face, "It is a treatment of last resort. I'm probably not going to be here to watch my grandchildren grow up."

"You can't think that way. We'll get you into any clinical trials and I can certainly import the best doctors."

She got up and walked over to him, placing her hand on his cheek she bent and kissed his forehead gently, "I know that you'll help me fight, and I have no intention of giving up. I will try to give Chloe a chance, but if I'm not here and I'm right about her..."

"I'll take care of Philip." He laid his hand over hers, "I'll take care of all the kids."

A look of understanding passed between them, before she straightened her posture and said briskly, "I have some calls to make. I'll talk to you later?"

"Of course. Be sure you get some rest too." He watched her walk out of the room, his face pensive. He was still sitting there musing when Henderson showed Lucas into the room.

"I take it I was right about Mom? She was trying to come up with a way to break up Philip and Chloe?" Lucas asked, his gaze falling on the open folder and its contents.

"She is concerned. About all of you, but I think she focused her energies on them because they have had such a...tumultuous relationship." His voice trembling slightly, Victor said "I know she can be frustrating, but you should be patient with her. Bring the kids to visit more often, maybe take some time out to spend with her one on one."

Lucas frowned, "What's wrong? Did the doctors say something?"

"The medicine is doing its job. But...nothing is guaranteed." Spreading his hands, he said quietly "Spend some time with your mother. Get your siblings back here and your son. The whole family should be together."

Lucas swallowed nervously, "Is there something you're not telling me? They're going to want to know what's going on."

"I don't know anything, but your mother has been gravely ill. It would do her good to see everyone. Tell them...tell them it is time to come home."

Lucas rushed out, leaving Victor to stare out the window and brood. When Caroline found him the room was dim, and she asked hesitantly "Is everything okay? Did something happen?"

"I think we should throw a big party." He rose slowly to his feet, "I'd like to invite all of our friends and their families to celebrate with us. Perhaps you could convince Shawn and Belle to bring Claire home? Lucas is contacting Austin now so that Will can be home too."

Caroline smiled brightly, "It would be so nice to see them. I'll talk to Bo and Hope too. Are you sure you're ready for a mass invasion?"

"Of course." He reached into his pocket, pulling out a small velvet box "That way they can all hear the news at the same time."

She gasped, "Victor, is that what I think it is?"

"I've been carrying it around for days trying to come up with the perfect way to ask, but I think I'm too nervous to be creative." He opened the box, revealing a beautiful emerald ring "Will you do me the honor of finally being my wife?"