"I want you to listen to me, both of you," began Sam, as she pulled out of The Metro Court parking lot. "You may not agree with me here, but at least hear me out. I don't think any of us should say a word about this to Molly. It's not really our news to tell, anyway."

"If that is you deem prudent I will, of course, keep silent," agreed Spinelli.

"Kristina?"

"Why can't she know? Molly worships the thought of Uncle Stefan like he's a tragic hero out of one her novels. My God, she's read that book of Russian poets cover to cover, and maybe now she won't bore the two of us with conversations about Shakespeare, and novelists of the nineteenth century. She'll have an equal."

"Yes, but Kristina, Moll is fifteen, and her life is complicated enough dealing with her boyfriend and her schoolwork, not to mention Kate Howard's manuscript-stealing alter. The absolute last thing she needs added to her plate is the idea that Luke kept Stefan from us all these years...it will just resurrect a family feud between us and the Spencers that should stay buried. Besides, in case you didn't notice, Mom isn't totally thrilled with all of this, and she should really be the one to decide how much Molly knows or doesn't know."

"What, pray tell, do we know about the Goddess Mother's elusive sibling?"

"Not much," Kristina replied. "If I ever met him, I don't remember it. His supposed death happened when I was really young, before Sam came to town."

"Before I had a chance to meet him, anyway. Everything I know about him, I learned from talking to Nikolas.

"Which is what exactly?"

Kristina laughed. "Geez, Spinelli, I never knew you were this nosy. You're almost as bad as Sam."

"That, little sister, is the habit of a private investigator. It's the details you get from recon that have the potential to save or sink a sting."

"One can never be too careful when it comes to the welfare of the Davis goddesses and Small Stone Cold The Sequel.

"Stefan brought Nikolas to town when he was a teenager no older than Molly, to dangle him in front of Laura Spencer because Lulu was sick with something called aplastic anemia. I don't know what the hell that means, but apparently she needed bone marrow, and the best chance for a match comes from siblings."

"So The Blonde One owes The Princely One for facilitating her survival past childhood?"

"Pretty much," San nodded. "And Stefan never let the Spencers forget it. According to Nikolas, Stefan was awful to Laura for leaving Nik behind when she went back to Luke, but he also had some sort of thing for her. Stefan protected Laura from his older brother Stavros, when Stavros and Helena were holding her on Cassadine Island in Greece. Their friendship turned into an affair, and for a while Laura and Nikolas weren't sure if Stavros or Stefan was Nikolas's real father.

Spinelli whistled through his front teeth. "Your family tree has many gnarled and twisted branches," he chuckled, before getting out in front of McCall and Jackal PI, where Sam had pulled to a stop. "Farewell, ladies."

"He's right, you know," said Kristina as she swapped to the front seat, and buckled in. "Our family is completely screwed up!"

Sam shrugged. "Yeah, well, what did you think Mom was warning you about? This is exactly the kind of stuff we need to shield Molly from until and unless Mom decides otherwise. I mean it, Krissy, not a word!"

0o0o0o

Thirty Minutes Earlier

"Grandma! Good, you're on duty."

"Well, of course I am, Mike," Bobbie Spencer looked up from the medical file she was perusing. "When is the last time you saw me outside these four walls?"

"I haven't seen much of you at all lately."

"My point exactly," Bobbie replied coming around the desk. "Now, get yourself over here, and give me a hug."

"Can you reach?" Michael asked. The inquiry earned him a swat on the arm.

"'Can you reach?' he asks! Your mother got her height from me, I'll have you know." Bobbie stopped in the middle of what would have been a very impassioned speech to snort. "Ugh, that's not saying much, is it?"

"No, not really."

"Yeah, well." Bobbie shrugged. "And you really don't need to call me 'Grandma', Mike. I'm far too young for a name like that. Call me Bobbie."

"I don't know... that's just weird."

"Weird that I'm a G-word three times over," Bobbie supplied. "Tell me about, kiddo! It's kind of frightening, actually. A blessing and everything, but scary. After all, I'm only…you know what, never mind. What can I do for you, gorgeous?"

"I was wondering about the girl who was in the accident with me. I think her name is Ellie."

"Ellie Trout, yeah. She's a lab tech here."

"How is she?"

"She'll recover, Mike. Unfortunately that's about as much information as I can give someone who isn't a family member, but you can see her if you like. Come on, I'll take you...oh for God sake, not that woman!"

"Who?"

"Nurse Spencer, I'm going to need a peek at that file you were working on. Could you get it for me?"

"No, Dr. Westbourne, I couldn't. You have full use of your legs; unlike the patient I'm about to check on. Come on, Michael."

"Who the hell does that woman think she is talking to me that way?" Britt Westbourne muttered.

"Bobbie?" asked Patrick Drake, who had been observing the scene with an expression of amusement. "Clearly, she's the kind of person who has no problem throwing the crap you shovel right back in your face."

"To which I say, 'Brava, Nurse Spencer.'"

"Shut up, Felix!" Britt snapped over her shoulder. "Go somewhere, and make yourself useful! What on earth is so funny, Patrick?"

The outraged expression she wore only made him laugh harder. "Wow, it really gets under your skin that there are nurses around here you can't bully, doesn't it?

Britt scoffed. "Bobbie Spencer is only on staff here, because she and Dr. Quartermaine used to be family."
"Bobbie worked here ages before her brother ever even thought of Tracy Quartermaine, but nice try. I have rounds" And Patrick disappeared into the elevator, leaving Britt steaming in his wake.

"How wonderful for you, you overly-groomed, sanctimonious little…"

"Excuse me, Madam, perhaps when you are through with your infantile antics, you can assist me?" drawled a male voice. "I require information stored in the medical file of Alexis Davis, specifically her most recent address."

"Do I look like the 4-1-1 operator?" Britt snapped without looking up.

"You appear to be either new or slow," replied the man bluntly, "for these are the only two circumstances which might explain this dreadful lack of service. It is also clear that you have been sadly dispossessed of any good breeding you may have acquired in childhood, because you've yet to make eye contact while I am speaking to you."

Britt eyed the stranger critically. His features were aristocratic, his clothes well tailored and neat. "What's a man dressed like you doing in a place like this?"

"My attire is no concern of yours, Madam."

"Dr. Westbourne will do."

"Yes, of course." The man barely inclined his head. "Now if you will not give me the information I deserve as both a family member of Alexis, and newly reinstated chief trustee of this hospital, I will find someone who shall. I cannot say it has been pleasurable conversing."

"Oh my, oh my God!" Bobbie cried, grasping the support bar of the open elevator.

"Ah, Barbara Jean, yes, you'll do perfectly."

"St—Stefan? Stefan Cassadine?"

"Indeed."

"So, I guess it is true, only the good die young."

"Well, that does explain your brother's continued existence."

Bobbie rolled her eyes. "And what about your sister? Does Alexis know you're in town?" Hell, does Alexis even know you're alive?"

"As soon as I find out where she is residing, I intend to go to her and reveal myself."

0o0o0

"Wow, Danny, you were hungry!" Molly gushed as she sat in front of her nephew's high chair. "Mommy's going to be so proud of her big boy." The nine-month-old smiled, showing off his one tooth, as if it were a trophy.

"Okay, here we go." Molly undid the high chair tray with a grin, only to be slightly repulsed by what happened next. A knock sounded on the door at the exact moment an avalanche of baby food fell on Danny's mouth and down Molly's front. "Oh, great," Molly groaned, hoisting her nephew onto her hip, as she headed to answer the door. Well, I'm not exactly dressed for company, so I hope our visitor is here to see you. TJ, hi."

"Interesting look," her boyfriend chuckled.

"Mr. Mess over here doesn't know how to spit up before I take him out of the high chair. Cleanup would be easier that way."

"Some would mashed carrot spit up is the sincerest form of flattery."

"Well then, next time Uncle TJ can feed you, huh? Can you hold him while I change, please?"

"Sure, come here buddy. Are you sure your family doesn't mind my being over here while you babysit?"

"I don't see the problem. You've helped me watch Danny before." Molly pointed out untucking her hair from the neck of her sweater.

"I, however, am not as certain that your mother would approve of such an arrangement. It is far from proper for a young Cassadine to be in the company of her suitor without a chaperone."

TJ stood up with an expression of confusion. "Who are the Cassadines, and who the hell is that?"

"Why is the door open for all the world?" Sam called as she approached. "Danny might catch cold." As she took her son from TJ, her eyes travelled to the man still standing on threshold. He shared a number of features with her mother, except for an almost imperceptible white wisp running down the left side of his face, the evidence of what a good plastic surgeon can accomplish for those who have the money. "You beat us home."

"I have," Stefan came forward as Sam's free hand beckoned in invitation. "I received the address from the nurses of General Hospital."

"So much for 'not a word'," muttered Kristina, the last to enter, as she closed the door behind the whole party.

"There was nothing to keep from me, " Molly assured her. "I know who this is."

"You do?" chorused Kristina, and TJ. Stefan looked at Molly expectantly.

"Yeah, I do. He's Mom's brother, and he should have stayed dead!"

The last part of this little tirade was made to the background noise of keys jingling in the lock, and Alexis entered just in time to see her youngest take off up the stairs.

"Molly!" she called in alarm, looking from Kristina, to TJ, to Stefan for an explanation, while Sam tended to her crying son. "Molly!"