Blame Finals Week for the horrendous wait, I had to study. Anyway this chapter full of Davis girl goodness is dedicated to soapdemon34, who was wondering where our lovely ladies were during the set up chapter.

Kristina Corinthos-Davis pulled into the parking lot of St. Timothy's, and pulled the front visor down, so as to mop her eyes, before heading into the church. Though her vision was blurry, she could make out a familiar number on the screen of her blinking cell phone. "Michael, where are you? I'm at the church…" she faltered, and trailed off, absentmindedly ending the call.

Father Coates turned away from the taper candle he was lighting. "Is everything all right, Kristina?"

She sighed and sank into one of the pews. Molly had taken it upon herself to handle the decorations—wheedling some of the poinsettias Trey had loved to deliver to bedridden parishioners out of the local florist, and placing candles on so many surfaces that Kristina almost feared a fire. The star of scene, however was a stand baring an image of Trey, who was grinning at her from inside the frame.

"Everything about this seems so…final. I don't think I can do it, I can't just put my boyfriend…my husband in the ground, and leave him there."

Father Coates nodded, and came over to take Kristina's hand in both of his. "I understand how difficult this must be for you, but Trey was a child of a child of God, and a valued member of this community. Memorials aren't just celebrations of the deceased life, they are a forum where the grieving loved ones can find comfort in one another."

"Trey doesn't have any loved ones…living ones, anyway."

"He's got me," corrected Olivia, walking through the vestibule, her engagement ring in sharp glittering contrast with the simple black dress she wore. "And so do you, honey," Olivia moved in for a quick hug. "I may not have been there for Trey in life, but I can honor him in death, and he loved you, so anything you need, Kristina, anything at all."

Father Coates stood. "Olivia, so sorry for your loss."

"Thank you, Father."

"I though you weren't coming."

Olivia raised her eyebrows at Kristina's bitter tone, but said nothing about it, in respect of the girl's clear grief. "Well, you're right, when you were planning on having it in the hospital chapel, I wasn't going to come. Something didn't feel right about honoring Trey in a place where he had been pain, but I had another vision. His spirit was sitting right there in that back pew...well this one was pretty easy to figure out. I was supposed to come here, so I did, and here you are."

Kristina tried very hard not to let the fact that Olivia could apparently see Trey from beyond the grave while she did not have that luxury make her cry, and instead looked for something that would divert her attention. "Sam!"

"Hey, babe." Samantha McCall shifted her son to the other hip, so that she too could embrace her sister. "I'd ask how you are, but it seems like a stupid question."

"Yeah, it definitely would be," agreed Kristina, placing a kiss on her nephew's cheek. "Wouldn't this little peanut be happier staying with Alice at the Quartermaines?"

"It'll be fine, he's already had his nap. Besides we both wanted to support you didn't we, Danny? Can you blow kisses to Aunt Krissy? Blow her kisses."

"Kristina, there's a line forming outside."

"All right, Father. Sorry, Sam, I've got to go do this."

"Yeah, of course. We'll go find a seat. Come on, Big Guy."

0o0o0o

Ten minutes later Kristina reappeared and took a seat in the front pew with Starr, Michael, and Olivia. The turnout was bigger than she expected, but she knew few of them had really known or liked Trey. Steve sat respectfully in the back with Patrick, Monica, Epiphany, Elizabeth, and two nurses Kristina didn't know, but she was pretty sure one of them was Emma Drake's new babysitter. The hospital always sent over a contingent when a patient died, but Steve was the only one who didn't seem out of place. He was there as moral support for his fiancée, just like Olivia would be if Heather Webber did the world a favor and croaked. Spinelli seemed to be another genuine mourner, and Kristina knew his girlfriend would be there if Trey's bitch of mother hadn't paralyzed her. Other than that there was just Kristina's own mother, sisters, and nephew in the pew behind her. Father Coates cleared his throat to start.

"Welcome. We are gathered here today not only to mourn with heavy hearts the passing of a brilliant young man, but also to acknowledge the gift he gave each of us by touching our lives. This man's given name was Joseph Scully III, but he was better known to everyone sitting here today as Trey Mitchell. Trey wore many hats in this life: he was an adored friend, a cherished cousin, a treasured partner, and longest and perhaps most importantly, a valued and beloved son." Kristina would have scoffed more audibly, but for Michael's hand clasped around her wrist. Clearly the priest heard, however, because he said, "We may be feel confusion, sorrow, and just a little bit of…very understandable anger, as we contemplate why a truly loving Father would end so abruptly a life that had barely been lived. We may wonder why a gracious God would allow dusk to come upon the world, just as a new year and—" He nodded to Kristina—"A new journey were dawning. But Trey is at peace, and now those he left behind must set about the business of remembering, letting go, and moving on. At this time, Trey's girlfriend, Kristina Corinthos-Davis would like to say a few words."

Kristina could feel all eyes on her, as she made her way up to the pulpit. "Um, hi," she started clearing her throat. "I'd like to thank everybody for coming today. I'm sure Trey would appreciate it if he were here, then again, if Trey were here we wouldn't be. I—" She cleared the restrictive lump from her throat. "—Sorry…I'm sorry…"

"It's all right, honey," Alexis whispered, "Take your time."

"As most of you know, I met Trey during a really difficult time in my life. Everybody who had once been my friend was starting to say terrible things behind my back, but Trey really understood. I didn't realize until later that that understanding came from common ground and before any of you attack Trey for pitching the idea ofthe reality show, you should know that I was on board with anything that would get back at my parents."

Her eyes narrowed as the church creaked open. "Especially my dear old dad!" she spat, and there was a great rustling, as everyone turned around. Sonny was indeed in the doorway. Alexis sprung up, as if a tack had been placed on her seat, and ran up the aisle/.

"So, you're gatecrashing now?" Kristina scoffed. "I think this is a new low, even for you, Dad!"

"Don't do it, Sonny, don't rise."

"You think I don't know when I'm being baited, Alexis."

"I think that the knowledge doesn't curb your hotheaded tendencies, that's what I think. You need to remember that she's…

"Very curious to know why my father would show up where he is so obviously not wanted!"

"Make her stop," Molly hissed pleadingly to her cousin."

Michael doubted he could divert his sister from her current path, but he nevertheless approached her. "You've made your point, Kris, it's time to sit down." He took her arm, and guided her back to her seat.

Father Coates let out a poorly concealed breath of relief. "If no one else has anything to say, Starr Manning and Molly Lansing-Davis would like to sing a little something in Trey's memory."

"Before they do that, Father, I'd actually like to answer Kristina's question. I'm here to pay respects to Trey—"

"To do that you'd have to had respect for him in the place," she sniped back, pulling Starr back into a sitting position, and standing up herself.

"If you'd let me finish!"

"Sonny," Olivia warned, "Maybe this isn't such a good idea. Why don't you just go?"

"It's fine…I'm fine, Liv." He took a deep breath, and continued in a much calmer tone. "If you'd let me finish, honey, you'd hear me say that I came here to pay respects to Trey…for Kate, on her behalf, you know?"

"No, I don't know, because 'Kate' hasn't existed for months. There is no 'Kate' anymore, Dad, it's just Connie, and Connie isn't here, because she's actually where she deserves to be after causing the accident that paralyzed Ellie Trout, and killed her own son. And then, she wouldn't sign the forms to take him off life-support, so I'm the one who had to pull the plug! But none of that matters to you, does it? I bet the next thing that's going to come out of your mouth is that you…I don't know paid her bail, or…or something. Just go, Dad, please."

"Okay, I'll go. I…I love you, sweetheart."

Sonny's departure set off an uneasy silence, which swept through the church like an icy wind only to be broken when everyone revolved to face Alexis who had stood. "I think a change of scenery is a good idea for everyone. I know the medical staff probably has to get back, but anyone who can spare time is welcome to join us at Kelly's for a lunch in Trey's honor."

0o0o0o

"You arranged a lovely service, honey. I just don't think your sister was ready to say goodbye."

Molly smiled slightly as her mother turned the car onto Wharf Street, before furrowing her brow as a troubling thought came to her. "Do you think Kristina was right about Uncle Sonny putting up Connie's bail, Mom?"

"Moll, Connie is in jail for murdering Trey, kidnapping Johnny Zacchara, and assaulting Starr Manning, no judge on this planet, or any other would even entertain the notion of granting her bail."

"Then, why would Krissy think that?"

"Because your sister is angry, and grieving, and she looks for any reason under the sun to lay into her father. I really don't want to talk about this anymore, love. Go and warn Shawn he's about to ambushed while I park."

Molly hopped out of the car, and went into Kelly's. The tinkling overhead bell alerted TJ, who was wiping down the front counter. "Hey, I didn't expect to see you so soon. Take off your sweater, and stay a while."

"No thanks, it's been cold. In both temperature and temperament, that is."

TJ raised his eyebrows.

"Don't ask. Let's just say the memorial is now a lunch. Where is Shawn, anyway?"

"He's in the kitchen making food for some jet-lagged guy."

"You mean like a stranded traveller? That's so romantic! Who?"

"I've never seen him before. Hey, Shawn!" TJ called over his shoulder. "Get out here, we've got customers!"

"What do you call the man I'm serving, TJ," Shawn inquired wiping his hands on a dishtowel.

Molly rolled her eyes at the familiar display of banter, eyes that brightened and widened at the sound of a distinctly accented laugh from behind Shawn.

"Ethan, you're back!" she grinned hugging the man around the middle.

"Molly, you're…tall."

"I grew an inch since you saw me last."

"I'd believe it," Ethan laughed. "Now, I don't know what you're reading these days, but I bet it's thick as a tree trunk, and probably in another language."

"Actually, I'm so accustomed to the syntax and grammar of English, that it's kind of difficult to grasp any other language. Right now, I'm re-reading Little Women."

"Decent choice."

"It's a classic coming-of-age tale. Oh, Ethan, Krissy will be so happy to see you."

"Is she back?"

"Yes, she is. She's on her way in fact, separate car."

Ethan turned to face the speaking woman. "Alexis," he greeted, kissing the woman's knuckles.

"Very suave" she smiled graciously. "Embracing our Spencer side, are we?"

"Well, currently I'm fighting jetlag with the most amazing grilled cheese on the East Coast." Ethan toasted Shawn with his glass of water. "Actually I'm glad I ran into you. I need to talk to you, Alexis."

"Oh, yeah? What about?"

"My sister called me here. I don't know how long I'll be staying, but most likely it will be long enough to need pocket change. I was wondering if the caretaker position at Wyndemere was still open?'

Alexis sighed. "No, I haven't gotten another caretaker, and to be honest I'm not sure I'm going to. The place is an albatross; I don't even like going there more than I can help. Besides, if Helena were to come back, that's the first place she'd lurk. But listen, whatever job you do get, feel free to use me as a reference."

"Thanks, I'll do that."

"Why don't you just work here?" Shawn suggested.

"You mean it, mate?'

"Yeah, of course. You're a Spencer, so this is your restaurant anyway, you have Alexis and Molly backing you, and one of my servers just quit on me. Can you start tomorrow?"

"Tomorrow, all right I'll be here. If you ladies will excuse me, I should go by the Metro Court, and unpack my things." Ethan fished a bill out of his pocket, and plopped it on the counter."Kristina," he greeted on his way out the door. The twenty-year-old stared at his retreating back.