I know Philip wasn't born back during the Spring Fling time, but with soras he should have been.

As soon as he heard the news, Philip knew where he had to go. Sure, Belle could have used him to lean on. He wanted to be there for the girl he loved, although he wasn't actually sure it was love. He was definitely attracted to her and she had some really cute quirks that he found adorable, but did that constitute love? He and Shawn always had a sort of rivalry, all throughout their friendship, could this be part of it? Maybe he was just confusing love for a friend who he found attractive for true love. But now was not the time to think about his love life, who knows what Lucas was doing.

Phil made the 20 minute drive in 10 and almost left the car running he was so anxious to stop his brother from self destructing. He skidded to a halt in front of the elevator, jamming the up button with his finger. He stood there for a few seconds before his impatience bubbled over and he headed for the stairs. Finally at apartment 34, he knocked loudly, until he noticed a thud come from across the hall. Sami's apartment. Cautiously, he approached the door and eased it open. The sight before him confirmed all of his fears. This was the reason he rushed over here, but it looked as though it was too late.

Lucas was sitting on the floor leaning against the couch, what Philip heard was apparently him falling. The apartment smelled like a strange mixture of Sami's perfume, whiskey, and Jack Daniels. Lucas was in his boxers, completely unkempt and there was a box full of pictures spilled all around him. Somehow he got a hold of alcohol, because there were two empty bottles in the sink, along with a half empty bottle he was taking a swig of right now.

"Hey, bro." he knelt down next to Lucas to help gather the pictures.

"She's dead."

"I know," he hesitated briefly before continuing, "I'm really sorry, man. I know you loved her."

"Love her, Philip, not 'loved'. It's present tense, even if she is gone."

"Your right, I didn't think before I spoke." he soothed. It wouldn't do for him to be drunk and angry.

Lucas lifted up another photo to put in the shoe box, glanced at it and froze. Phillip sat down next to him and looked at the picture. It was of a very young Lucas and Sami in a house he didn't recognize. Sami was wearing a red dress, her hair was curled and pulled back, and a white corsage was on her wrist. She still had a little baby fat left on her face, but she was cute. Hell, he would have hit on her if he had been old enough then. Lucas was in his old military school uniform, looking very scrawny compared to now. He had an arm around her waist and they were smiling for the camera. Lucas's husky voice surprised him when he began to speak. It seemed like he was holding back tears as he struggled to explain, but he let him speak. He needed to get it out.

"Roman and Marlena took that picture right before the Spring Fling in 93. I was so mad at her; she tricked me into going to some kiddy dance. Of course we couldn't have a normal school dance, so drama was provided. That's the night I found out that Mom had been lying to me my whole life. The whole story of my father that I had been told since I was old enough to wonder was fake. I found out that it was Bill later." He gave a dry, humorless laugh. "I left her at the dance to go drink my problems away, but she came to find me anyway. She didn't care that I'd abandoned her; she came to make sure I was okay. Not many people got to see the sweet side of Sami, and now no one will. She's dead and it's all my fault!" Lucas turned tortured eyes to him, tears flowing freely now. It was unbearable to see his tough big brother cry.

"No, Lucas it's not your fault. You didn't know what would happen."

"You don't understand, kid, she committed suicide. There was a note left saying had no one left! She wanted me to take care of Will, make him understand! I abandoned her because I was jealous, I left her all alone. She already believed that everyone she loved left her eventually and now I'm in the same category."

Philip cringed at the self-loathing in Lucas's voice, but couldn't think of anything comforting to say. There was no way to relieve the pain his brother was in, but as he caught a glimpse of a picture of Will in the pile of photographs he knew he had to do something. He loved his nephew, the kid was awesome. He was going to be heartbroken, and Will would need his father.

"Lucas, I need you to get up. I'm going to help you get sobered, because you have a son who is going to need his father very soon. Sami would want you to be there for your son."

He helped his brother up, to prepare him for one of the worst moments of his life.