Michael hears knocking at his door. He was just about to head out. He opens it to find Starr leaning against the door jam. She smiles at him, hello Michael. He is surprised to see her. They had not spoken or seen each other since their break up. He smiles brightly, hi Starr. Are you going to ask me in, she says. Sure, he answers. Before he says the words, Starr is walking past him and into the room. He closes the door. It's good to see you Starr, how have you been? I have been absolutely wonderful, says a smiling Starr, how about you? Michael shrugs, okay I guess. Just okay, says Starr, that's too bad. Michael notices that Starr doesn't sound like herself. Starr are you alright? She gives him a funny look, I told you Michael, I have been wonderful. She takes her coat off and walks around the room, hmmm, not much has changed in here since I left, she says. No, says Michael, why would it? I thought maybe a good looking guy like yourself would have another girl in here by now. Michael is confused. No, he says, no one. She walks up to him and smiles, did you miss me? You know I did, he answers. She is just inches from him, they look into each other's eyes. Michael feels the impulse just to grab her and kiss her, but she turns away from him. She walks to his desk, it looks like you were headed out tonight, am I right? Yes, says Michael. Oh, she says, looking at the desk. She sees a copy of The Sun laying on it, her father's picture in the upper left hand corner with the words Todd Manning, Publisher underneath. There is something poking out from underneath the paper, something shiny. She looks at Michael, did you know someone tried to kill my father? Michael is thrown, what is wrong with Starr, he thinks. Yes, he answers, I heard it on the news and read about it. Did you know the guy who tried to kill him was wearing a hoodie? Just like the hoodies you wear all the time and just like the one you're wearing now?
Michael feels like he has been sucker punched. Wait a minute Starr, are you seriously asking me if I tried to kill your dad? Did you, she asks. Hell no, he exclaims, why in the hell would I want to do that? Well you were pretty angry at him after he beat you up and you did want to go after him or did you forget? Dammit Starr, I don't know what is wrong with you, but I didn't try to kill your dad. Then why are you hiding this, she says, as she moves the paper from the desk and revealing a silver 9mm Glock.
Michael heads to the desk, Starr grabs the gun. Starr give me that, you're going to hurt yourself. She holds it behind her back. Who are you going to shoot with this Michael? Who? He is trying to get it from her, he finally pins her against the wall and wrestles it out of her hands. It's none of your business, he says. So you're working for your dad Sonny after all, shouts Starr. Did he tell you to go after my dad? I told you already Starr, I didn't try to kill your father. It would make sense though, continues Starr, I held your dad at gunpoint once, so why wouldn't you want to do the same to mine. Look Starr, I don't know what the hell is wrong with you, but if you don't believe me then that is your problem. There is nothing wrong with me, exclaims Starr, I'm just not the same person I was before. What is that supposed to mean, shouts Michael. I'm not the same girl you knew before we broke up Michael, things happened after that night and the real me returned. I'm not sure I like the real you, says Michael. Yeah well get used to it because I am here to stay. The old me didn't want you involved with your dad and the mob, but now I find it kind of intriguing. If you want to avenge Jason then I fully understand. No one, but no one has the right to hurt the people we love and if we can do something about it, then I say go for it. She walks up to Michael, again dangerously close. He is still holding the gun. Starr runs her fingers over the smooth shiny metal, so tell me again Michael, did you miss me? Michael can resist no more, he places the gun back on the desk. He grabs Starr and kisses her. As they part lips, Starr says, I'll take that as a yes. She rests her head on his shoulder as he kisses her neck, all the while she has her eye on the gun.
The next morning I head downstairs. I hear movement in the kitchen. It is Todd making breakfast. What is all this, I say. There it all is on the table. Food everywhere. Todd are you serious, who is going to eat all of this? We are, he answers. Todd you can't, remember you have to follow a strict diet now. No, no, he says shaking his head, I want this stuff here, as he points to the table. No you can't, I say, as I stop him from shoving a pancake in his mouth with his bare hands. Awww, he exclaims. Todd you and I will have fruit this morning alright? Well aren't you going to at least eat some of this, he asks. No Todd, if you have to eat healthy, then I will eat healthy too. We'll do it together. Do it together, he repeats, I wish we could do something else together. I turn and look at Todd, I told you I can't, not yet. What, says Todd innocently, you know what Dee, you have a dirty mind, I wasn't talking about that. Then what, I ask. I meant head downstairs to our offices together like we used to. I give him a look as he smiles playfully. Yes, I'm sure that's what you meant. I look at the table, maybe Starr will want some of this food. If I would have known that I was wasting my time in the kitchen, I would have stayed in bed, says Todd. I didn't get much sleep. I missed you beside me. I couldn't sleep either, I say, but I promise you Todd, I will get through this. Todd puts his arms around me, I know he says, but can you kind of hurry it up. I pinch him hard. Ouch, he exclaims. We laugh as we are in each other's arms. We kiss, we part lips, Todd you taste like maple syrup, I like it. Well maybe I should pour maple syrup on my whole body, would that bring you back into our bedroom? Now I give him a serious look, this isn't funny anymore Todd. I can't help the way I feel. I know and I'm sorry, really, and I meant what I said last night, take all the time you need. I have to go Todd, Crimson is waiting. Maybe I'll head downstairs later and check on things at The Sun, says Todd. No absolutely not, I say sternly to him, remember no work, not even on the laptop, no stress, Doctors orders. What am I supposed to do here all day, he asks in a frustrated tone. Watch T.V., take up needlepoint or painting, build a ship in a bottle, I don't know, I answer, but I don't want you anywhere near The Sun, do you hear me? Okay, alright, you don't have to go all dictator on me, he says with a frown. Just then the front door opens and Starr walks in. She sees us, oh hey good morning. Good morning Shorty, says Todd, eying her suspiciously. I notice she is still wearing the same clothes she had on the night before. Are you just getting home, asks Todd. Starr looks nervously at her father, yes I am, she answers. I thought you were upstairs, says Todd angrily, where the hell have you been? Out, she says. Obviously, says Todd, doing what? Starr's facial expression changes from nervous to a mad frown. None of your business dad, she answers. Todd and I are surprised by her retort. I knew she said she wasn't going to be a goody two shoes anymore, but this is going to take some getting used to. If this is what she was like as a little girl then Todd is going to be taken back in time. But will he still think it is funny? She turns to head up the stairs. Wait a minute Starr, I'm not done here, says Todd, frustration in his voice. Starr stops as she is headed up the stairs, she turns and faces her father, well I am done dad, now I have to go shower and change and get to work. And with that she disappears at the top of the stairs. Todd is standing there with his mouth open. He turns to look at me. I just shrug my shoulders. What the hell was that, he says. Or better yet, who the hell was that? Todd, you're getting upset, get in here and take your pills. His face is scrunched, he downs his meds and drinks down a whole bottle of water in one gulp. He slams down the empty bottle on the table, I'm going to talk to Starr. No Todd, I say, as I grab his arm, please. Just let her be. But she didn't even come home last night, says Todd. I know, but she is an adult and we can't control her every move. She is living under my roof and I have a right to say something, he shouts. Todd, you don't want to drive her away, you know you don't want that. No I don't, he says, but she never has talked to me that way. Well actually she has, but it usually is when I've done something wrong and she is scolding me, says Todd. I smile at him, it will be alright. Starr has come back downstairs, she heads for the front door. She stops and turns to us, sorry for the way I acted earlier. Dee, are you ready to head downstairs? Head downstairs, says Todd, where are you working Starr? At Crimson, she lies. I grab my bag and head out of the door with her. We leave Todd standing in a state of confusion. On the elevator ride down Starr is silent. Don't you think you were a little rough on your father this morning, I ask. Dee, dad has to get used to the fact that I am a grown woman, I love him but he has to pull back a little. I heard what he said about me living under his roof and all. I think maybe I should get a place of my own. Then I can come and go as I please. Starr that would break his heart, I say. Well maybe when he is better, she says. The elevator door opens and I step out into the Crimson offices. Have a good day, Starr says, as the doors close. A good day? I think to myself, I won't be able to concentrate knowing that Todd is upstairs alone in the penthouse getting into all kinds of domestic trouble.
Starr is sitting at her father's desk. Jacob Turner is going over possible lead stories for the next edition of The Sun. She has a far off look in her eyes, she cannot concentrate. Miss Manning, Miss Manning, are you even listening to me, asks Jacob. Starr snaps out of her gaze, what, I'm sorry Jacob, but I have a terrible headache. I think I'm going to leave. You can handle this, right? Yes Miss Manning, of course, but I was hoping that maybe. Maybe what, asks Starr. That I could take you out to lunch. Starr smiles slightly at him, I would really like that Jacob, but maybe some other time, like I said, I have the worst headache. Can I have a rain check, she asks. Jacob smiles, sure. Oh and Jacob, you don't have to keep calling me Miss Manning, call me Starr. Okay he says, I hope you feel better soon, Starr. She leaves.
Starr gets in her car, her cell phone is ringing. She checks it. It is Michael. She sends him to voice mail. He calls several times, each time she does not answer. Starr thinks about the night before and she and Michael making love. She missed him, but she is definitely not the same person she was before their breakup. She went to see Michael because of her want for him, but ended up in bed with him purely as a distraction. She needed to distract Michael, he had something she wanted and she took it. At a stop light, she looks over at her bag. She reaches inside and retrieves Michael's silver 9mm Glock.
My phone is ringing every few minutes. Yes Todd what is it this time, I say. What are you doing, he asks. The same thing I was doing the last five times you called, I'm trying to put together an editorial for next month's issue of Crimson, but someone keeps calling me and interrupting. Really, who, he asks seriously. Some guy named Todd Manning, I answer. Todd really, I have to get this finished. Let Maxie do it, I'm lonely and bored, come upstairs, he says. Todd, Maxie is not the editor, I am, so let me finish and I promise I will head upstairs, okay? Okay, he says, but hurry, oh and can you bring me a coffee from the little shop on the pier? Why don't you just make some coffee yourself Todd? Uh well um, I tried but I broke the coffee maker, he says. What, it's so simple to use Todd. Hey, he says, I run a media empire, but I don't make coffee, that's woman's work. Oh you did not just say that, I exclaim. I am going to come up there and set you straight mister. Really, says Todd, I can't wait, you're in that purple suit I like with those heels, with your hair up and your little business glasses. Oooo, hurry up here now, I need for you to take some dictation and don't forget the coffee. I laugh to myself, that is so stereotypical Todd, you are such a male chauvinist. He laughs, yes I am, but you love me anyway. Todd seriously, I have to finish this editorial, I'll see you later and don't break anything else. Alright, he says, I'll try. I'll just wait for my sexy business woman to get home so I can chase her around the desk, the doctor says I have to exercise anyway. Goodbye Todd.
I finally finish my editorial. I leave Manning Enterprises and walk to the pier. The little coffee shop is bustling. I order and wait. As I go to pay, I hear a voice. It's alright Mrs. Manning, it's on the house. I turn to see Sonny Corinthos smiling at me. Thank you, but I want to pay, I reply. No, he insists, I'm just returning the kindness for you letting me share your table at Kelly's diner. That was a while back, I say. It doesn't matter, he says, just let me do this. He is touching my hand. I pull back. Alright, I say, thank you. By the way, do you own this shop? He smiles, I can't seem to look him in the eyes, I just see dimples. Yes I do, he answers, I am in the coffee import business and I own several coffee shops in Port Charles. I am thinking to myself, sure, coffee import business. I know that it is all a front for his illegal mob activities. Well that is something, I say, well thank you again for the coffee Mr. Corinthos, but I have to get going. I wish you would call me Sonny, he says. I'm sorry, I say, I don't know you that well and it wouldn't be appropriate. Besides I continue, I don't think my husband would like it very much. Ah yes, says Sonny, how is Todd by the way, I hear he's home. How does he know that, I think to myself. Yes he is home and he is doing fine, I reply. Sonny looks at me and rubs his chin, did they ever find who tried to kill him? That word sounds so awful, kill. No, is all I say. There is an awkward silence between us as I feel his eyes on me. What is going on with this guy? I have to go, I say, as I move past him. It was nice to see you again Mrs. Manning, he says as I walk away. I turn and say goodbye quickly, but I manage to catch him looking me up and down with a smile on his face. I rush out feeling an uncomfortable uneasiness with this little meeting with Mr. Corinthos. I'm sorry Todd, I know you like the coffee from this place but this afternoon I am running out and buying a new coffee maker and dammit Mr. Manning, you are going to learn how to use the darn thing.
Cars are honking behind Starr. The light has turned green but she just sits holding the gun in her hand. Starr finally shakes her head and snaps out of her trance like state. She steps on the gas. Her heart is racing, she finally pulls over. She looks down at the gun again, I have to do this, but not yet. I need to think it through. I can't go home, she thinks, I can't go to Michaels, he knows I took this, he is no doubt looking for me. Think Starr think. She starts the car and hits the road heading out of Port Charles. It's been hours, she is like a robot, just focusing straight ahead. Finally she sees the familiar sign, now entering Llanview, Pennsylvania. She forges on, she is not headed to La Boulaie, her Aunt Dorians home. She has not let her mother Blair know that she is in town. She heads for the hills, up to Llantano Mountain, to hide away for a while, in her Aunt Viki's cabin.