Michael arrives at the penthouse. The Mannings own security is stationed outside the door as well as an officer for the PCPD. They call Starr to let her know of his arrival. She opens the door and lets him in. She falls into his arms. Starr, what happened, I was worried after you called. I don't think I can take any more of this, says Starr. What, asks Michael. My dad, he went crazy when he got home. What do you mean crazy, says Michael. He flew into a rage and started yelling at the top of his lungs and breaking things upstairs in his bedroom. Did he hurt you, Starr? No, she says, but I tried to stop him and you should have seen him Michael. The look on his face, it was so scary and he yelled at me so loud and horrible that I ran out. Where is he now? I stopped and peeked in his bedroom on the way down, it was quiet and he is fast asleep. Starr, your dad is acting out because he's hurt and angry, but he shouldn't have yelled at you, says Michael. I know all that, says Starr, but I can't take it anymore. I love him, but I have become like his mother, not his daughter, I'm tired. I don't want to be here anymore. Please, Michael, let me move back in with you before I start screaming and breaking things too. Michael looks her in the eyes, yes of course you can move back in with me. Thank you, says Starr as she hugs him again. But not right now with your father this way, says Michael. No, not at this very moment, I can't leave him alone, but I don't want to be alone either. I'm here now, says Michael, you're not alone. He notices Starrs eyes. Have you slept at all, asks Michael. She nods no. Well you need to before your dad wakes up. Starr takes his hand and leads him up the winding staircase. It suddenly occurs to Michael that he has never been in the penthouse and he marvels silently at its grandeur. She leads him down a hall. So many rooms. They pass a room with a food tray sitting outside of it. He concludes that it is Todds room. Finally they arrive at Starrs bedroom door. Michael pulls back from Starr. What's wrong Michael, what is it? I don't think your dad would like it very much if he knew I was in your room. Starr looks down the long hallway, don't worry, he's practically in another wing and besides I don't care what he thinks. Well I do, says Michael, I don't want your dad beating the hell out of me again. He won't, says Starr, and she pulls him into her room and locks the door behind him. Michael is nervous and with good reason. Todds mental state is shaky at the moment and he would surely kill him, but Starrs mental state is not doing well either. He decides, the hell with Mr. Manning. Starr crawls onto her bed and lays back. She looks at Michael. He walks over to her and lays next to her, his arm cradling her head. He strokes her blonde locks which are still damp from her shower. He wants to take her away at this very moment, but she is exhausted. Thank you for coming, she says in a sleepy voice, I knew you would find me Cole. Michael lays there stunned. This is the second time she has called him that. He looks down at her to say something, but she has fallen into a deep slumber. Starr needs help, he thinks, I need to help her. From the bed he can see the picture on Starrs dresser. The three of them, Starr, Hope and Cole, smiling happily. He stares at Coles face and realizes that he himself sort of resembles him. Is that why Starr is confusing me with him? But she never called me that until recently, after Mrs. Manning was shot. It has to be the stress of this whole situation that is weighing on Starr, he thinks. She is caring for her father and forgetting about herself. Yes, that has to be the reason, stress. He closes his eyes and decides to let it go. I'll help her, I have to. Maybe after she sleeps she will feel better and call me Michael.
After a few hours, Todd begins to stir. He opens his eyes and lays there staring at the ceiling. He pulls my pillow to him tighter and takes a deep breath. He sits up and looks around the room seeing all the destruction he caused lying about. He gets up, but before placing his bare feet onto the floor, he stops at the sight of all the shattered glass. He moves over to his side of the bed and pulls on his socks and shoes. He steps over the mess and into the washroom. He splashes his face with cold water and realizes he forgot to shave. He proceeds to do so. He had slept in his jeans and t-shirt and he sees that they are all rumpled. He doesn't care. He brushes his teeth. He looks at his reflection and sees his hair hanging over his forehead and almost in his eyes. He wets his hands and runs his fingers through his hair, slicking it back. A totally different look for him. Dee doesn't like hair in my face, he says aloud to himself. He exits our bedroom and sees the tray of food sitting there. Starr obviously had left it. He looks down the hall and begins to make his way to her bedroom. Once outside he knocks, Starr he calls out. He knocks again. Michael awakens, but Starr is out. Starr are you in there? Michael shakes Starr awake. Starr your dad is at the door, he whispers. She is groggy but comes out of it quickly when she hears her father call for her again. She runs to the door and turns to Michael putting her finger to her lips. Ssshhh. She then motions for him to hide. Michael runs into her closet. She opens the door and steps into the hall. What is it dad, are you okay? Todd sees his daughters face. You were asleep, he says, I didn't mean to wake you. Um, it's alright, says Starr. No says Todd, it's not. Can I come in? Uh no dad, my room is a mess. More than mine, exclaims Todd, in a surprised tone. Starr just gives her dad a look. Listen Starr, I am so sorry for yelling at you and that you saw me that way. No excuses, he says, I just lost it and I shouldn't have, I'm sorry. It's fine dad, it's over and I don't blame you for venting. Raging is a better word, replies Todd. The two stand there and Todd notices that Starr is holding her door closed carefully. He looks over Starrs head and then back at her. I'm heading back to the hospital, are you coming? Uh, I think I want to try and sleep a little more and maybe meet you there later, is that okay? Todd looks at her door again, sure Shorty. He kisses the top of her head and walks off. Starr quickly reenters her bedroom, shuts the door behind her and locks it. Todd stops midway down the hall and looks back at her door after hearing the lock click. Starr Manning, I'll bet my billions that mobster junior is in there with you. Normally Todd would have burst in and given him a good ass kicking. Instead he turns and continues down the hall. He smirks and mutters to himself, besides he's small potatoes and not one of the ones I intend to get even with. Not now anyway.
Todd steps out of his limo and heads back up to ICU. He is still tired, but nothing like he felt before. He rushes to my room and finds Viki sitting with me. She is reading a copy of The Sun. She looks up as he enters. She goes to him. You look so much better, she says to him. He walks past her and to my bedside. I wish she did, he says, as he touches my hair. Viki goes to his side, Todd there has been no change, but the doctors did check her. They said she is healing well from the surgery. What does it matter if she isn't waking up, he says. I want her to wake up. Viki looks upon me, I want that for you too. We have to believe and pray. Todd looks at his sister. Pray? Why would I do that if God is the one who allowed this to happen? Viki shakes her head, no Todd, that's not the way he works. No Viki, I don't pray, he says. Have you ever been truly afraid, Todd? He frowns, Viki, I am afraid every day, what kind of question is that? Todds voice is becoming a little louder. Keep your voice down Todd. Just then Nurse Liz Webber enters my room. Mr. Manning, I'm here to check Mrs. Mannings vitals and change her dressing. I will need you to step out for a few minutes. I just got here, he says, I'm not leaving. Viki grabs Todds arm, let the nurse do her job, you are coming with me. Viki pulls Todd along and they come to a stop in front of a door with stained glass. Todd sees the sign marked Chapel. No Viki, he exclaims, I'm not going in there. Viki opens the door, tell me what you are afraid of at this very moment? That lightening is going to strike this hospital and I'll be blamed for yet more misery, he answers. Viki shakes her head slightly, Todd, seriously, say what you feel. She gently pushes him in. His feet feel like he is walking in quicksand. Sit down Todd. The chapel is empty except for he and his sister. He sits reluctantly. I don't know how to do this, he says. Just say what you feel, replies Viki, if it makes you feel more comfortable, then talk to me, tell me. He sits silently for a few minutes. He closes his eyes. I'm afraid that I'm going to lose Dee. Our baby is gone. I don't want to lose Dee too. I'm so afraid. Viki takes his hand, then pray and there will be no reason to be afraid. Todd shakes his head, no I can't. Yes you can, says his sister softly. Why would God listen to me, after every awful thing I've done in my life, says Todd, his head hanging down. God listens to everyone, says Viki. Todd looks at his sister. She sees the sadness in his eyes and a desperation. He turns and looks at the cross over a small mantle. Please save my wife, he says, don't let her or my family suffer anymore because of the things I've done. Bring her back to me, please. He lowers his head and is quiet. Viki sits silently next to him. She knows her baby brother has just taken a giant step. They sit there for a while longer, then Todd speaks. I want to go home, he says. You just got here Todd, but if that's what you want, we will call your driver and... No Viki, says Todd, I don't mean to the penthouse, I want to go home, to Llanview.
Todd, are you serious? You said to say what I feel, and that is part of what I feel. I want to go home to Llanview. But you have started your life over, here in Port Charles, says Viki, you have a wife and The Sun is here. And what about Starr? I know all of this, but since the day I set foot in this town, everything has been a disaster, he replies. That's not true, says Viki. Alright, says Todd, not everything. Having Starr here has been wonderful and meeting Dee is the only thing I've done right. But she is in that hospital bed because of me. Because someone hates me enough to want to kill me, and you know Viki, that the list of people who hate me is long. Todd, you have family that loves you too. Well if they do, they have a funny way of showing it, besides where are most of those people, in Llanview. When Dee wakes up and gets better, I'm taking her away from this town. Viki decides to stay silent and let Todd talk. The Sun here in Port Charles is just a branch, it can stay up and running. I can go back and run the home office again. I can re locate Crimson Magazine there too. I would love to give Dorians horrible Craze magazine a run for its money. I am so done with Port Charles. He gets up and walks towards the chapel doors, thanks Viki. For what, she asks as she turns towards him. For bringing me in here and for listening. I have to get back to Dee. Todd walks out leaving his sister sitting in the Chapel alone. He takes a few steps and then leans against the wall. I'm sorry Viki, he says to himself, but that will be the first and only prayer I ever say. He looks upward. If you really exist, then you know what is in my head and in my heart. I am going to make everyone that has crossed me pay. If someone has to be punished in the end, let it be me. Leave my wife and family out of it. Todd looks around. He walks back into my room and sits by my bedside. Please Dee, if you can hear me, open your eyes. He waits a few minutes, just watching me, but I don't open them. It's okay he says, I'll wait forever if that's what it takes. He takes my hand, sits and watches me closer than ever.
Viki arrives at her suite in The Metro Court. She decides to walk next door and check on Natalie and Liam. She knocks and Natalie answers sleepily. Hi mom, come in. Oh sweetheart, I didn't mean to wake you, says Viki. As she enters the room, she sees John fast asleep on the couch. Viki is totally surprised. She turns and looks at Natalie. What is John doing here, she whispers. Natalie smiles, Liam and I invited him over, she whispers back. Viki looks back at John, well I will come back later. Natalie walks into the hall with her mother and closes the door behind her softly. I am so glad he is here, says Viki. How did he react to seeing you both? Surprised as all out heck, replies Natalie. I'm so glad I came to Port Charles with you. We spent the night talking and it looks like we might be able to work through this mess we've both made. Well for Liam's sake, I hope you do. You look happy, says Viki. Happy and hopeful, replies Natalie. But mom you don't look so hot, how is Todd's wife? She is still unconscious and not out of the woods. How are Todd and Starr, asks Natalie. They are both absolute wrecks, answers her mother, especially Todd. I know how that feels, says Natalie, thinking back to when she almost lost John all those years ago. Viki looks at her daughter, well I think you better get back in there and I will talk to you later. I am going to call Clint, then soak in a nice long bath and take a nap. Alright, says Natalie. I'll go back to the hospital with you later so I can see Todd and Starr. What about Liam, asks Viki. I think poppa John would just love to spend an afternoon alone with his son, smiles Natalie.
Michael and Starr sit in the kitchen of the penthouse having a couple of sandwiches. You haven't said much, says Starr. What's the matter? Oh I don't know, says Michael. Just the fact that I had to hide in a closet to keep from getting killed by your father and the fact that my girlfriend called me another guy's name, again. Starr looks at him with surprise, what? You called me Cole again, says Michael. I did not, replies Starr. Yes you did Starr and you were not dreaming this time. I don't remember, says Starr. I'm sorry, it must be because I have been so exhausted, it won't happen again. Michael is silent. Really Michael, she says, it won't happen again. How do you know that, he asks. Now Starr is silent. That's just it, says Michael, you don't know. Starr I really think you need to talk to someone. Are you saying I need to see a therapist? My step mom is one, Michael. Your step mom is in a hospital, she isn't much help to you right now, besides she isn't practicing anymore. Starr frowns, I know all of that and don't talk about her as if she's gone already. I wasn't, says Michael, that's not what I said at all. Starr is getting angry. I don't need to talk to anyone, I thought you could help me but maybe you can't. Michael takes a deep breath, Look Starr, I'm worried about you and I do want to help you. Then stop talking to me like I'm crazy, I'm just tired. Starr gets up and heads for the stairs. I'm going to get ready and head back to the hospital, are you coming with me? Yeah, I'll drive you, answers Michael. Starr turns and goes up. Michael sits there. What am I going to do? This isn't my Starr.
