Marcie sat in the waiting area long after the others had left. She had a thousand thoughts racing through her mind.

"Marc..." Michael slowly approached her. "Can we talk?"

"About what?" Marcie said sedately.

"Please, Marcie," he said. "What I told you..."

"You killed somebody," Marcie said. "Michael... why didn't you tell me?"

"It's not something that comes up in conversation." Michael said. "Hi, I'm Michael McBain, I'm a Pieces, I like long walks on the strip, oh and I killed a man."

"This isn't funny!" she said.

"I'm not laughing. Marcie, honey, I'm not trying to be funny. I'm serious. I'm dead serious."

"Bad choice of words."

"Marcie, I wanted you to know." Michael said.

Marcie shook her head. "It's just... it's too much to understand right now. Way... too much, Michael."

"Please don't run away from this."

"I need to... I need to let this settle... in my brain" Marcie said nervously. "Please don't follow me."

Marcie turned from him and stepped out of the hospital, leaving Michael standing there, alone.

>>>>>>

Babe had arranged to meet Helen at the Solomon home later that afternoon. She had to do what she had come to Llanview for. To see Kevin Buchanan. She had to see the little boy, baby Ace. She had to know that he was OK.

Babe made her way up to the doors of the Buchanan mansion, knocking loudly. She wrapped her arms around herself, holding her pick coat closed. She waited as the door swung open.

Kevin stood before her. He shook his head. "We had an agreement." Kevin said. "You shouldn't be here."

"I just want to see him, Kevin." babe pleaded. "I don't want to take him. Please. I was so worried about that little boy."

"Ace is just fine," Kevin said. "He's sleeping in the nursery."

"I won't wake him," Babe said.

"You really shouldn't." Kevin said "Look, Babe... I'm sorry you came all the way to Llanview."

"Five minutes," Babe begged. "Oh, Kevin, please. Five minutes."

Kevin sighed, watching Babe's face. "Five minutes," he said. "Come on."

Babe followed Kevin upstairs to the nursery, saw the crib sitting against one of the walls. Ace had awoken, was propped up, watching the door with wide eyes. Babe's face lit up when she saw the child. She slowly stepped away from Kevin towards the baby.

"Oh... hello Sunshine." she cooed softly, lifting Ace into her arms. "I am so happy that you're OK. I am so so happy that your Daddy has you back now." Kevin felt himself softening to Babe's words. "And I saw your happy little face in the paper," Babe continued. "You're a regular little celebrity. That's right. You're a little star." Babe kept the tears from falling down her cheeks. "I am so very happy that you're OK." She sniffled a bit, kissing Ace's forehead before setting him down in the crib again. She turned back to the door. "Thank you." she said softly. "Thank you for... for being so good to him."

"I love Ace" Kevin said. "I would do anything for him."

"I know" she said. "I can tell." Babe paused. "I can... I can show myself out..."

Kevin took a deep breath as Babe began to step away from him. He didn't know why, but something inside him acted instinctively. "Why don't you stay." he said. Babe paused. "I was just going to feed him so... why don't you stay."

Babe smiled widely. "I'd like to." she said "Yeah."

"OK,"

"Thank you," Babe said again. "Thank you Kevin. This means... this means so much to see Ace, to spend some time with him."

Kevin nodded. "Why don't you get him... we can set everything up downstairs." Kevin watched as Babe took the baby into her arms once again, he smiled softly. "Down this way." he said leading her downstairs.