A/N: Thanks for the reviews...this is a day or two after "Pretending".

I grab a leather carry on bag from a closet shelf. I pull two simple shells, one blue, one emerald green, a black suit jacket and some matching slacks. Since I'm not sure what she's currently wearing I select a pair of black flats too. In her bathroom I rummage around until I find a travel bag—Alexis ever efficient—has it stocked. I feel odd opening dresser drawers looking for underwear and hose. It takes 3 tries before I find what I think she'll need.

In her sitting room I find a blank legal pad. I write

Alexis,

This is not your fault. Don't let anyone tell you it is. I don't hate you. Come home soon.

Sam

P.S. xoxo's from Krissy and Molly

I was the first down for breakfast or so I thought. The Port Charles Herald was laid out neatly next to the Wall Street Journal. The headline caught me off guard.

Skye Chandler Quartermaine Kidnapped!

Ms. Quartermaine, granddaughter of business Mogul Edward Quartermaine and rumored girlfriend Lorenzo Alcazar, was discovered missing from the Quartermaine Mansion late last night. Police Commissioner Malcolm Scorpio was tight lipped, but confirmed there were signs of a struggle and the prime 'person of interest' is Manuel Ruiz. The District Attorney's office declined comment citing it would be premature to speculate.

Ms. Quartermaine is the last in a string of victims Ruiz is the suspected perpetrator in. Most notably he is wanted for the murder of former District Attorney John Durant, the murder of Ms. Quartermaine's cousin, attorney Justus Ward, and the attempted murder of Caroline Benson Corinthos, Durant's daughter, and Samantha McCall, daughter of interim District Attorney Alexis Davis. Ironically Ms. Davis was Ruiz's defense in January of this year.

"Ah, you've seen it." My cousin walked up behind me.

"Um, yeah…when did this happen?"

"I have a message from Lexis on my cell, it was date stamped today at 4:34 am. She was at work then, told me to expect security when I woke up. There must be ten guys at least."

"Police?"

"No…I think they might work for Jason actually." Nikolas ignored my surprise. "She probably left you a message too."

I rushed to my room and unearthed my cell. Sure enough I had a message.

4:26 AM ALEXIS

"Sam" her voice was strained. "It's Mom, I'm at work, not sure when I'll be home. If you've seen the paper you probably hate me…okay…its okay…Everyone else does...Hell I hate me too right now…Could you please stay at Wyndemere, close to the girls. This is going to be very long and very ugly, could you maybe pack me a small bag and have it sent to my office. I love you, got to go."

"She wants me to bring her a change of clothes." I told Nikolas.

"No she doesn't…She specifically asked me to make sure you stayed put." Nikolas countered.

"Nikolas, she's a wreck." I argued. "I need to see her."

"I know, but she'll feel better if her girls are together." I glared at him, but he only shook his head. "Sam, I understand, but I agree with Alexis. Manny has publicly declared you a target. He almost killed you, you are still in recovery. Go ahead and pack the bag. Write her a note if you want, but I'm taking it to her."

"Fine!"

I stare at my message then add.

And me too.

"All set?" Nikolas asks.

"I hope, I wasn't really sure what she'd want."

"I'm sure its fine, look I'll be back in about an hour. Let's plan something fun for the kids today."

"NO, NO, NO!" I hear Kristina screaming across the hall, I run into her playroom. "I don't want to go to the cove, you promised we would go to the park!"

Viola looks a bit desperate. "Kristina please don't shout, you'll scare Molly." She begs.

Kristina knocks a doll delibrately to the floor. "I hate Molly and I hate you and I want to go to the PARK."

"Kristina! Don't say that…ever. You love Molly and you love Viola." I chastise.

She turns her fury on me. "I don't, I don't! They're dumb and I hate them and you too and Daddy Ric and Mommy."

"No Krissy." Her face is red, eyes brimming with tears, she throws herself at me, hitting me with tiny clenched fists.

"You lie, you all lie!"

"Krissy, no one has lied to you."

"Viola said we'd go to the park and now she says we can't go. And Daddy said he'd be at my recital and he didn't come and you didn't either, and I want Mommy." She goes limp in my arms and begins to sob. I glance at Viola, who nods and leaves with Molly. I pull Kristina closer, stroking her hair and shushing her gently. She cries long and hard for Mommy. Finally she is quiet, I look down to see if she has cried herself to sleep, but her eyes are open, puffy, and red.

"You okay?"

She shakes her head vigorously. "I'm sad."

"It's okay to be sad. It's okay to be mad too."

She looks at me briefly, I add "But you know what isn't okay?"

She bites her lower lip, nods slowly and answers "hitting."

"Yep…and saying you hate people isn't very nice, but I know you don't really hate them."

"Yes I do." She insists.

I have to suppress a grin. "Oh that's too bad because we all love you."

"Nuh nuh."

"Viola loves you…and Molly thinks you are the best thing ever."

She looks at me suspiciously "Molly can't even talk."

"You don't have to be able to talk to be able to love. You are her big sister, she loves you so much."

"Like I love you?" She asks.

"Oh, you love me now?"

Kristina nods quickly. "Uh huh, I'm sorry."

"It's okay. I love you too. I know that you are disappointed that I didn't go to your recital. You were great and I really missed out."

She nods solemnly.

"But Mommy went and she taped it for me and Sonny and Ric. She's so proud of you. Especially how brave you've been."

"Brave?"

"There have been a lot of changes lately and you've tackled them all. You have a new baby sister, a new big sister, we live in this big house, and Mommy has her new job."

"Mommy is always working." Kristina adds softly.

"I know, Mommy's job is important, and a lot of people need her."

"We need her. Me and Molly and you."

"Me?" I ask

"Uh huh, you have sad eyes." I'm startled by her observation. I pause to recollect my thoughts.

"You know Mommy needs us to take care of each other when she's busy. Do you think we can do that?"

She nods and leans back against me. "I love you Sam, its okay if you are sad and mad too."