Author's Note: Hope you're all having a wonderful weekend. Usually, I'd say happy reading, but this is not a happy chapter and may require tissues. Consider yourself forewarned.

"Get your hands off my son," Kellie growled, still holding her gun at her side, contemplating her next move.

Cyrus moved his gun closer to Jamie, "I suggest you and your cousin drop your weapons before someone gets hurt."

Kellie and Sam looked at each other, then slowly put their guns on the floor.

"Do you think I'm stupid enough to believe you'd only carry one weapon," Cyrus said, "drop the rest of them too."

Kellie pulled out another gun.

"I just have the one," Sam said.

Out of the corner of her eye, Kellie caught sight of Charles showing the first signs of struggling to breathe.

"My father-in-law needs medical assistance sooner rather later," Kellie said before Cyrus could say anything else, "And we know it's not my son you want. I'm sure you know at this point, you won't get out of here in one piece unless I say so. The only way that happens if you leave my son here and take me as a hostage elsewhere."

"And you mistake me as someone who gives a damn if anyone unfortunate to take a bullet for you lives or dies," Cyrus said, "Besides, there's no way I'm taking you as hostage without someone you care about to keep you in line. You'll stab or shoot me in the back the first chance you get. I think right here will give you the most incentive to do what I tell you."

"I think you're going to end up being disappointed," Kellie said, inching closer to Cyrus and Jamie.

"That's a lot of tough talk for someone not in position to be making demands," Cyrus said, "And frankly I have to admit to being immensely disappointed in you, Mrs. Corinthos-Morgan. I certainly didn't take you for being one to go into hiding while your father's business falls apart in Port Charles. You were so intrusive when you thought he was dead and your husband made a pathetic attempt to run things. I found it surprising I had to track you down here of all places."

"Get to the point, what do you want?" Kellie said, taking a slight step closer.

"For us to work together of course," Cyrus said, "You ease my way back into Port Charles society and have your foundation accept my business proposal."

"You seem to have forgotten, the matter of your arrest warrant, for attacking Gladys Corbin, shooting Curtis Ashford, and holding Laura Spencer and Portia and Trina Robinson hostage," Kellie said, trying to inch her hand subtly where he'd hidden a knife, "I can't imagine the authorities will overlook any of that. Not to mention all of your other crimes."

"I'm sure you can make it go away," Cyrus said, "Especially if you want to ensure your son remains alive."

Cyrus shot a bullet towards Kellie, intending to miss her. Kellie flinched.

"Hands where I can see them," Cyrus said. Jamie tried to use the distraction to move away from Cyrus. But Cyrus gripped him tighter.

"My hands are right here where you can see them," Kellie said, holding them in the air. She caught a glimpse of Kristina entering the court yard. She locked eyes with her briefly and turned her attention back to Cyrus so as not to give Kristina away.

"That's better," Cyrus said, "Now where were we before you rudely reached for what a toy knife. You were going to what throw it at me like your sister did in your studio? How pathetic when none of you obviously knew how to wield a knife assuming you were her teach…."

Cyrus was stopped mid-sentence as the knife Kristina threw penetrated his back.

"Why you little?" Cyrus cried out, disoriented and stunned as Kristina entered his line of sight.

"I'll have you know my sister is a great teacher," Kristina replied, "I've been practicing."

Jamie seized the opportunity to elbow Cyrus in the gut, causing the gun to fall out of his hand. Kellie rushed Cyrus, pulling Jamie away and shoving Cyrus backwards. Cyrus fell backwards, his head hitting the floor hard, rendering him unconscious.

Everyone stood absolutely silent except for Charles whose breathing was extremely labored. Sam recovered her gun and Kristina pulled one. Both sisters trained the guns on Cyrus who just lay still on the floor.

Kellie pulled Jamie against her and the inspected him for any further injury.

"I'm fine, but I don't think Grandpa Charles is," Jamie said.

Kellie looked at Charles and then at Monica, her eyes brimming with tears, as she held Charles's hand. Drew was trying to keep pressure on the wound.

"Kristina, get Jamie's wound looked at and send help in here," Kellie said.

Kristina nodded, lowered her weapon, and went to get Jamie.

"But Mom," Jamie said.

"Jamie, please," Kellie said.

"C'mon," Kristina said to Jamie, "We need to get help,"

Jamie followed and looked back at Charles one last time.

Kellie ran and knelt beside Charles, opposite of Monica.

"Help's almost here okay," Kellie said, "You just have to hold on a little bit longer okay."

"Kellie," Charles struggled to say with his last breaths, "I'd love nothing more. But I don't think it's in the cards."

"Don't say that," Kellie said, looking again at Monica who shook her head.

"Listen to me," Charles said, "You aren't blame yourself and that's an order."

"Well, you of all people know I don't take orders well," Kellie said, through tears.

"Consider it my dying wish," Charles said, his voice growing fainter and his breath rattling.

Kellie opened her mouth to protest, but Charles attempted to make a shhhing sound.

"It'll be okay. You'll see, Kellie Girl," Charles said and then turned his attention to Monica.

"I love you," Charles said, "Thank you for making my life so much brighter than it was. I'm so sorry, we didn't get more time"

"Me too and I love you," Monica said, kissing Charles's hand, as he took his final breaths.

Cops and paramedics came rushing in. The cops took over guarding Cyrus as paramedics attended to both Cyrus and Charles. Cyrus remained unconscious. Drew tended to Monica as she relayed information to the paramedics. Sam had pulled Kellie away from Charles.

The paramedics tried to revive Charles before calling time of death.

Off in the corner, Kellie struggled to hold it together.

"No, please keep trying," Kellie begged, as Sam held her back, "Please, he can't be. He can't."

"I'm sorry, kid," Johnny said, coming in sporting a gauzy bandage around his head where Cyrus had hit him, "He's gone."

"I don't want him to be," Kellie said, sinking down, causing Sam to struggle supporting her weight.

"I know, kid," Johnny said, helping Sam ease her to down to the floor.

"What about the kids, are they safe?" Kellie asked.

"All of them are with Francis and Kristina in your office," Johnny said, "Jamie's all cleaned up."

Kellie nodded.

"Let's get you out of here, kid," Johnny said, "Think you can stand back up now."

Kellie shrugged, "I guess I need to figure out how to tell the kids."

"You don't need to worry about that right now," Sam said, "They'll find out soon enough. Why don't you let Johnny and I take care of you for right now, okay? Johnny and I are going to help you to your feet."

Kellie let Johnny and Sam helped her up and led her out of the court yard.