A/N: I realized that I was operating under an assumption that a certain character was out of the picture and yet never actually said that, so I fixed it in this one. Reviews always welcomed!

I don't want to do this, but my instructions were clear. I carry the tray and tiptoe into her room. I set the tray down, move to the window and adjust the blinds so that sunlight slips into the room. Alexis groans and rolls onto her side.

With the exception of occasional press conferences, I haven't seen her in 3 days. The news of Skye's rescue and Manny's demise hit the late news, but well after midnight there was still no word from Alexis. The press had been brutal. Never missing an opportunity to remind the citizenry of Port Charles that Alexis Davis was the one who 'got Ruiz off.' Mayor Floyd, Edward Quartermaine, and Lorenzo Alcazar had all called for her resignation. Alexis told them where they could put that idea without batting an eye. At least publicly.

This morning there was a large note pinned to my door. "Do Not Let Me Sleep Passed TEN. I MEAN IT." I had already disobeyed. It was close to 10:30 and I was just staring at her.

"Alexis." I whisper, hating disturbing her.

"Mmmmmm"

"Alexis…" I say a little louder.

"Fivemoreminutes." She slurs.

I don't respond. It's a perfectly reasonable request in my opinion.

Alexis opens one bloodshot eye. "Don't you know?" She asks hoarsely, "You never give into the five-more-minute-plea?"

"Sorry." I shrug. "I brought you some coffee and toast…don't worry Alfred made it. Viola took the girls to Kelly's for breakfast, they'll be back in a little bit." Alexis forces herself into a sitting position, as I bring the tray over. Her eyes fall instantly to the papers on the side.

"What's all this?"

"Kristina made you a card." Alexis gets a little misty as she reads "We Love you Mommy, Krissy, Molly and Sam."

"The girls really missed you."

"Thank you for taking such good care of them…" She stops when she notices the envelope hidden beneath Kristina's card. "This is addressed to you."

"I know, but it's for you…sort of."

She tears at the seal and reads "Dear Ms. McCall…" her voice trails off. "Oh Sam! Get this tray off me." I lift the tray and look at her with confusion. "Put it down." I set it back on the table. "Get over here." She stretches out both arms, and I run into them. "I'm so proud of you….I knew you could do it."

Alexis scooches over and I climb onto the bed next to her. "But I'm a little mad too."

"I know, I don't know why it took me so long to actually do it…"

"No, that's not it…I know how these test work…The GED is computerized now, they tell you immediately if you pass or not."

"Yeah…"

"So why am I just now finding out about it?" She smiles, she's not really mad. I breathe again. She doesn't ask what I'm planning next. She just enjoys the moment. "It's so nice to have some good news."

"Is Skye okay?" I ask tentatively.

"Physically, she's a little dehydrated, she's been admitted to GH for observation. The pregnancy was the big worry, I guess the baby is alright." Alexis sighs, "But Emotionally? I have no idea." Tears slip from Alexis' closed eyes.

"Alexis…"

"I'm okay, really. It's just been a long couple of days. I've missed you and the girls and I'm really, really, really tired."

"Where's Ric? He only came to visit the girls once this whole time. Kristina doesn't understand…"

"I not sure I can help her with that, considering I don't understand either. He insists Sonny 'needs' him. Last week when he blew off the recital, we got in a really, really ugly fight. I told him I thought his priorities were skewed, and he told me that I didn't understand him. And that he supported me when you were hurt and why can't I understand that Sonny needs him now the way you needed me then."

"Has he moved out?"

"Between you and me…pretty much. It's not 'official', I'm not even sure it's permanent and I wanted to explain it to you and Kristina, but then this whole Manny thing blew up again."

"I think Kristina knows…she's been really stressed out."

"I'll talk to her, I shouldn't have put it off. I asked Ric to stay close to the girls while this was going on, but he told me Sonny was taking it personally, blaming himself….Which is funny, because everyone knows it's my fault!" Alexis rolls her eyes. She weighs the matter in her hands. "Your forty year old brother, with a live in girlfriend and a staff of hundreds versus your five year old step-daughter and your infant daughter who's only other parent is out of the picture for days. Yeah of course Sonny won that one."

"I'm sorry…" I don't know what else to say. "Have some toast…do you want anything else? Eggs, yogurt, a full body massage?"

"My girls…I really need you." She gives me a sad grin.

"I'll call Viola and tell her to head back…Do you have to go to work soon?"

"I have some work to do, but I'm not going into the city today. I'll deal with the rest of it tomorrow. Manny's dead so there's really no rush…"

Later I will ask about Manny, if the rumors were true and it an unknown individual (Jason) and not Lucky who actually killed him.