It was Ava's third martini of the day.

She casually sipped her glass, sitting at the Metro Court bar. The restaurant was mostly empty, which Ava found a bit absurd. The shift in ownership was still relatively new, but she assumed that the dramatics of it all wouldn't impact the consumer base. She only saw a couple of pairs seated at the slick black tables when her eyes scanned the room.

"Enjoying your stay?"

Ava whipped her head back to the bar, Nina Reeves's curious eyes greeting her. A smile slowly spread across Ava's face.

"It's lovely," Ava replied, taking another sip, "Nothing's changed with the new management, I see."

"So far it hasn't," Nina sighed, "I have so many ideas to make the Metro Court better, but Olivia's been very resistant."

"I can imagine. She and Carly are quite close."

"I get that, but Carly doesn't co-own the hotel anymore. I'm in her place now, and Olivia has to accept that."

"Give it time, Nina," Ava sighed with a smile, "Olivia will work with you one way or another."

"You're right," Nina smiled back, "I'm just glad you're enjoying yourself. But I have to ask - is everything okay at Wyndemere?"

"Things are…rocky."

"Are you and Nikolas heading towards divorce?"

Ava paused, biting her bottom lip gently. She felt the sting of Nikolas's revelation as the moment flashed in her head, quickly morphing into her bitterness over Victor's orders to leave the castle. The words were right on her lips, and part of her desperately wanted to let them be heard.

"Things…haven't improved. We're taking this as a…trial separation."

"So you're not going to divorce?"

"Not currently, but that could change in the future."

"...You know I want the best for you," Nina said softly, laying a gentle hand on top of Ava's, "whether you and Nikolas repair your marriage or go your separate ways. I want you to be happy."

"I know," Ava laid her other hand on top, "Thank you."

As both women pulled back, their eyes caught the elevator doors opening. A warm smile spread across Ava's face as she saw Dex step out and walk towards the bar.

"Dex," Ava spoke up, straightening her posture, "lovely to see you again."

"Ava," Dex nodded, sitting down at the bar, "Ms. Reeves."

"Everything okay?" Nina asked, "Is it Sonny, or your room-"

"Oh, no, everything's fine. I was hoping I could speak with Ava, actually."

"...Well, that's my cue to get back to work," Nina said, stepping back from the bar, "I'll talk to you later, Ava."

As Nina walked away, Ava turned to the young man beside her, "What would you like to discuss?"

"I just want to clear some things up about my visit to Wyndemere."

"I thought Sonny sent you."

"I wasn't talking about me."

"Oh?" Ava raised an eyebrow, "Then who is it?"

"You."

Ava felt a chill swiftly run down her spine. Dex's green eyes were stern and sharp, and she felt a tinge of sweat on the back of her neck. Her face was firm and unbothered as she slowly averted her gaze.

"What could I possibly clear up for you?"

"What happened to Esme Prince?"

"You saw what happened."

"C'mon, Ava. You know I'm not stupid."

"I told you that Sonny knows what happened. You can ask him."

"Sure, but it's not Mr. Corinthos's story to tell."

"You don't have to know."

"I kind of do," Dex retorted coolly, "I found her. I'm just as involved as Mr. Corinthos, if not moreso."

"Yes, you found her. That doesn't mean you're entitled to know how she fell."

"...I didn't say she fell."

Ava froze. Dex's gaze burned her skin, and he leaned in closer to her. Ava slowly turned her head to meet his eyes, still as sharp as they were before.

"How did she fall?" Dex asked softly.

"She just…fell."

"From where?"

Ava was silent, her eyes shimmering with a silent defeat. Dex's face softened and he slowly leaned away.

"Did you push her?"

"No," Ava rushed out, "I did not push her. She fell."

"And where did she fall from?"

"Why are you asking me this?" Ava whispered, "What do you want from me?"

"The truth," Dex replied, "Something about it just felt off to me, and I wanted to see exactly why Mr. Corinthos had me find Esme."

"So now what? You're going to throw me in jail for a crime I didn't commit?"

"What? No! At least, not if you're telling me the truth."

"...Excuse me?" Ava said, a rough rasp in her tone, "Is that a threat?"

"Well, if you're telling the truth, there's nothing to worry about, is there?"

"And what do you have to worry about? Do you think I'd throw you behind bars over this?"

Dex pursed his lips, his expression dropping. He looked down at the bar, eyeing the granite top his left hand rested upon. He caught Ava leaning towards him in his peripheral vision, the hairs on the back of his neck raising up in response.

"Oh Dex," Ava said coolly, "you think so low of me. I wouldn't dream of upending your life after what you've done for me."

"And I wouldn't dream of doing the same to you."

"I'm glad we're in agreement," Ava smiled, slowly leaning back, "and I hope you have some kind of closure for your confusion."

"It'll have to do," Dex muttered under his breath, looking down at his lap before locking eyes with Ava. They sat in silence as a few other people entered the restaurant. Ava finished the last few drops of her martini, calling over the bartender to refill her glass.

"And for you?" the bartender asked, looking down at Dex.

"Nothing for me, thank you," Dex smiled half-heartedly.

Ava looked at him with surprise, "Not a drinker?"

"It's not that; I'm heading out shortly."

"Where?"

"Volonino's."

"Right, I should've guessed as much from the track jacket," Ava replied, looking Dex up and down, "Seems like you've got a busy day today."

"Mr. Corinthos gave me the day off; I plan to enjoy it."

"As you should," Ava nodded as Dex rose from his seat. He dusted himself off, smoothing out his clothing. Ava watched him curiously, catching a speck of black on his right middle finger.

"What's that on your hand?" Ava pointed down. Dex followed her finger.

"Oh, this?" he raised his hand, showing off the ring that sat on his middle finger. Ava took in the jewelry: a sleek black head expertly welded with a gold band. She took in the crest on the head, a design she was all too familiar with. Her eyebrows raised in intrigue, her eyes darting between Dex and the ring.

"Where did you get that ring?" Ava asked sharply.

"It was a gift from my mother."

"Your mother?" Ava got to her feet, approaching Dex, "Wow…it's, it's quite a lovely ring. Do you know where she got it?"

"No. I just know it belonged to her."

"Have you ever asked her?"

"...No."

"How come?"

Dex paused, his eyes gazing downward, "I…have no way of reaching her."

"Oh, I'm sorry," Ava placed a gentle hand on Dex's shoulder, "If I may ask, why can't you reach her?"

"I'd rather not say."

"...Okay," Ava nodded, dropping her arm, "Do you happen to know why your mother gave that ring to you?"

A pensive look appeared on Dex's face. Scattered memories flashed in his mind, and he felt his hand clench into a fist, "She wanted it to be a reminder of her. I think she mentioned something about her side of the family too, but I don't really remember."

Ava raised her eyebrows, "Do you know anyone on your mother's side of the family?"

"No."

"...Have you ever wanted to?"

Dex laid a hand on the bar seat, ruminating on Ava's question. His mind jumped to the phone call with his father last night, his curiosity dying as the man shot down his question. It was the same song and dance between the two: the more Dex pushed for answers on his mother, the more his father grew defensive. He knew deep down that giving up was the best course of action, but he wasn't one to give up so easily.

"...I have," Dex nodded.

"Well, maybe I could help you with that."

"How?"

"The symbol on your ring," Ava pointed to the item, "I think I saw something very similar to it at Wyndemere. If they match, maybe that can give you some information?"

"Well…" Dex paused, biting his lip gently.

"I know you're going to Volonino's in a bit, but maybe you could take a slight…detour before you go?"

"...I suppose I could-"

"Great," Ava clapped her hands together. She finished the last bit of her fourth martini before dragging Dex out of the hotel by his wrist. After a bit of debate, Ava agreed to have Dex drive his SUV to the pier. Silence filled the car as Dex drove through town, and Ava looked at him with skepticism. Her eyes danced between his face and the ring on his middle finger, her thoughts in a state of slight disarray. The silence remained as they took the ferry to Spoon Island.

"So…" Dex said slowly as he and Ava stepped foot into the Wyndemere great room, "what are we looking at?"

"What I'm thinking of is likely in the study," Ava replied, "You stay here and I'll go find it."

Silence greeted Dex again as Ava walked off. He wandered around the room, taking in the old-fashioned furniture and relatively modern art on the walls. He approached the window left of the fireplace, looking down to the beach below.

"It's a pleasant view, isn't it?"

The hairs on the back of Dex's neck stood up. He quickly turned around to see Victor a few inches away from him, a smirk on his face.

"Mr. Cassadine," Dex sighed before nodding.

"Wonderful to see you again, Dexter," Victor greeted, "What brings you to Wyndemere?"

"Ava."

"Oh? Why's that? Is she in trouble again?"

"No, she was-"

"Found it!" Ava said triumphantly, walking back into the room. She stopped in her tracks upon seeing her elder relative, "Oh, Uncle Victor. I didn't expect to see you here."

"I'm usually here," Victor grinned, "Now, what was it that you found?"

"Oh," Ava's mouth hung open, "it's…it's really meant for Dex."

"I'm sure you can tell me as well, right?"

"I-"

"We're just comparing something," Dex spoke up, brushing by Victor and standing next to Ava. They turned their back to the Cassadine patriarch, examining the images they held.

"This is the Cassadine family crest," Ava said in a whisper, "Your ring seems to have the same design."

"They do look similar…" Dex said slowly, glancing between the crest and his ring.

"Ring?" Victor asked out loud, approaching the pair, "May I see it?"

"Why?" Dex asked upon turning around.

"I'm curious. What's this about your ring matching our family crest?"

"With all due respect, Mr. Cassadine, I don't think you're entitled to that information."

"Oh, Dexter," Victor stepped closer to the young man, "there's no need to be so…difficult."

"I'm not being difficult."

"...Mind telling me why you're both here, Ava?" Victor gazed down at the woman.

"I was…helping Dex with something."

"And what would that be?"

"It doesn't concern you," Dex snapped.

"Actually, my dear boy," Victor huffed before swiftly grabbing Dex's right upper arm, yanking it upwards in a tight grip. He examined the ring, observing the crest on its head, "it does."

"Let…go of me…" Dex hissed.

"Why do you have our family ring?"

"What?" Ava asked softly, looking between Dex and Victor. She studied Dex's ring before seeking out Victor's, noting their near-identical appearances.

"How did you come into possession of this ring?" Victor asked aggressively, squeezing the young man's arm tightly, "Only members of the Cassadine family own this."

"It was…from my mother…"

"Your mother?" Victor raised an eyebrow curiously. He stopped squeezing Dex's arm, but maintained hold of it, "How did she get the ring?"

"I don't know."

"Well, maybe I'll pay her a visit and get the truth myself-"

"Good luck with that," Dex scoffed, "She's been dead for a decade."

"...Oh?" Victor smirked. His mind began to subliminally check things off the more he studied Dex, "Is that so? That's quite unfortunate."

"We're here to…get some information about her," Ava said, still processing the information Dex relayed, "Maybe this discovery can…answer some questions."

"I think it already has," Victor said coldly. He stared directly into the young man's green eyes and began to squeeze down on his upper arm again, "at least for me. But I'm sure there's plenty more unknowns to fill in, so why don't we fix that?"

As Dex resisted Victor's grip, he found the old man's face an inch or two away from his, "Time to talk; who are you, really, Dexter?"