All rise for the Honorable Judge Walters entering the court...everybody rises and the judge hits the gavel on his bench.

Judge: "Good morning...we are here this morning to hear from both sides of this custody suit. and Ms. Miller, are you ready to begin?"

Diane & Alexis: "We are your Honor."

Judge: "Please begin with your first witness."

Alexis: "Thank you, your Honor...I would like to call Ms. Elizabeth Webber to the stand. Elizabeth stands and goes over to tell her side of the story.

Bailiff: "Do you swear to tell the whole truth and nothing but the truth, so help you god?"

Elizabeth: "I do."

Alexis: "Ms. Webber, can you please tell the court why you believe that Miss Emma Grace Scoropio-Drake would be best taken care of by her father and step-mother, Dr. Patrick Drake and Mrs. Sabrina Drake."

Elizabeth: "Sure...well, I've known both Patrick and Robin personally and professionally for over a decade. I know that they both love their daughter very much and are committed to making Emma happy. On that note, the reason I feel that Emma is more secure with Patrick and Sabrina has to do with their stable home life. They currently have two children of their own. They are excellent parents and love their children very much. They are also very well respected in our work community at the hospital where they both have prominent practices. Patrick, being the top neurosurgeon in the country and Sabrina being one of the best nurses to come to Port Charles in quite some time, she smiles at her friend who winks back to Elizabeth. I believe with all my heart that Sabrina will love Emma as if she were her own. She already does."

Alexis: "Do you feel that Emma is in any potential danger if she were to be placed in the care of her mother, Dr. Robin Scorpio?"

Elizabeth: "Danger, no...I feel that her mental state is not where it should be and for that reason I feel that Emma would be better suited in the care of her father and step-mother."

Alexis: "Thank you Ms. Webber, no further questions."

Judge: "You may step down. Ms. Miller, your witness?"

Diane: "Your Honor, I would like to call Dr. Robin Scorpio to the stand."

Patrick leans over to Alexis

Patrick: "She's calling Robin already?"

Alexis: "I guess...it's not smart in strategy to call her so fast, she whispers back...let's just see what happens.

Bailiff reads Robin her rights.

Diane: "Dr. Scorpio, we are here today to tell the court why you should be awarded custody of your daughter, Emma Grace Scorpio Drake."

Robin: "Plain and simple...I was kidnapped, held against my will, kept from my family...for almost 3 years, now I am paying for it. My daughter belongs with her mother...the woman who gave birth to her. The only reason we are here is because of my kidnapping. Had I not been taken, I would still be married to Patrick and none of this would be happening, but sadly it is. I don't deserve to be taken from my daughter and I don't believe I am a danger to her whatsoever. My actions were caused by Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and I believe I can be cured with therapy. I am not a threat to Emma and never will be. I love her more than anything in this world."

Diane: "Is that all?"

Robin: "Yes...that's all..."

Diane: "No further questions."

Judge: "Ms. Davis, would you like to cross examine this witness?"

Alexis: "Yes...I would your Honor," she stands and walks over to the witness stand. Robin, do you doubt that Sabrina Drake loves your daughter?"

Robin: "Not at all...I know that she does."

Alexis: "Don't you agree, then, that for now, at least...she would be taken very good care of while you were away?"

Diane: "Objection...speculative."

Judge: "Sustained...Ms. Davis, please refraise your question."

Alexis: "My apologies...Robin...Your ex husband, Dr. Patrick Drake, she points to him, has been an excellent father to Emma has he not?"

Robin: "Absolutely wonderful, yes," she puts her head down and tears form.

Alexis: "Than, my question is, do you trust him enough to make the right choices for your daughter while you are unable too?"

Robin: (pauses) "I, um...yes, of course I do," she finally answers.

Alexis: "No further questions."

Robin steps down.

Judge: "We will take a 15 minute recess...he bangs his gavel."

Bailiff: "All rise!"

Everyone stands and leaves the court room for a break.

Patrick: "Hey, you okay?" He tries getting Sabrina's attention..."Hey", he taps her shoulder to snap her out of it.

Sabrina: "Oh, hey...Yea, I'm okay..."

Patrick: "Where were you just now?" He says stroking her hair.

Sabrina: (sighs) "I was having second thoughts."

Patrick: About?

Sabrina: "I think that we should drop the other charges...Patrick, Robin did have a point."

Patrick: "That was Diane's point bringing her on the stand so early...she's trying to manipulate our feelings babe..."

Sabrina: "And it worked...Patrick, listen to me...she takes his hand...I happen to believe that Robin was suffering from PTSD after being returned home...that can cause all kinds of hell in your brain. I still want custody of Emma, yes...more than anything in this world, but I think Robin needs psychiatric help and not jail time. Do you think we can get Alexis to drop the kidnapping and hit and run and all the other charges? Before it's too late?"

Patrick: "Are you really sure you want to do that? You were the one who insisted on it and I have to agree...babe she's put us through hell and back. Who can't say she won't do it again. She's the reason Liam was born 3 months early."

Sabrina: "Patrick, I know...believe me, I know...and I thought I wanted her to pay for her actions, but she's really paying enough as it is not being able to be near Emma," she says with tears..."I don't know, this is just all hitting me and I just."

Patrick hugs his wife and holds her close to calm her down.

Alexis: "Is everything okay?"

Patrick: "Actually, we were just talking."

Alexis: "About?"

Patrick: "We still want the custody suit to continue, but do you think we can revoke the other complaints against Robin before it's too late?"

Alexis: "Why would you want to do that?"

Sabrina: "I believe Robin needs psychiatric help...not jail," she says clearing her face.

Alexis: "I can see what I can do, but it might be too late...I already filed the paperwork last week...let's finish up today and we'll take it from there..."

Bailiff: "All rise."

Alexis: "I'd like to call my next witness, Miss Emma Grace Scropio-Drake...Felix brings Emma into the court room.

Robin: "What!?"

Diane: "I object! This is outrageous!"

Robin: "She's just a little girl, she doesn't know what is going on here!"

Judge: "SILENCE!" He bangs his gavel on the bench. "Silence in my court room. "

Diane: "Your honor, sir...Emma was not on the list of witnesses that was sent to me."

Alexis: "That's why they call it a surprise witness," she mocks.

Judge: "It's alright...she can testify..."

Alexis: "Hi Emma," she says talking gently to her as Felix brings her to the stand and sits with her.

Emma: "Hi!" She smiles.

Alexis: Thank you for helping and being such a big girl today...

Emma: "Your welcome, she says cutely," the judge smiles...

Alexis: "Do you mind telling us what happened when you were taken from your daddy and Sabrina both times?" She is careful at how she states the question.

Emma: "At first I was happy to see my mommy because she was gone for such a long time," everyone gets teary..."but one day I was home and she was came over to see me and my little brother Noah to see if we were okay...Liam wasn't born yet," she smiles at the judge who smiles at her back..."she said we were going on a trip but I said why does Noah have to come and she said because I want to make Sabrina worry," she says sadly..."I didn't want to go but she said I had too...so I did...we were gone a long time and then when daddy found me mommy had already hurt Sabrina," she starts crying.

Sabrina jumps up from her chair and runs to the bench...

Sabrina: "We can't let her continue she's too upset," she cries...

Judge: "Mrs. Drake, please...have a seat...I'll take care of this..."

Sabrina: "But, your Honor..."

Patrick stares at his wife to obey the judge.

Sabrina: "Okay...I'm sorry...I was just concerned for my daughter...she says, stroking Emma's hair..."You okay sweetie?" She kisses her forehead.

Emma: "I can continue...I'm okay," she smiles.

Alexis: "Okay...that's a girl, Sabrina please...we'll be finished soon, really."

Sabrina steps down and Robin stares at her with anger.

Robin: "She's my daughter you BITCH! NOT YOURS!" She reaches and lunges towards Sabrina to hit her.

Diane: "ROBIN! She pulls her back, are you crazy!?"

Sabrina: "Probably! She needs help! Your honor, if I may request Ms. Scorpio be placed in psychiatric care and drop the other charges against her...in light of what just happened you have to agree she is unstable and completely unfit to be anywhere near Emma." Emma had run by Sabrina and clutched to her knee, petrified.

Judge: "Sighs out of frustration! Listen, we'll break for today. I will sit on your request Mrs. Drake, and we will reconvene tomorrow morning at 9:00 a.m. I suggest you all get your act together. We are adjourned."

They all rise and everyone leaves...Robin is taken back to her cell in tears.

Sabrina: "Patrick, we need to get Emma home! She's shaking," she cries, picking her up as Emma wraps her arms around Sabrina's neck.

Alexis: "You did such a great job today Emma," she says rubbing her back trying to console her..."I am so proud of you!"

Patrick: "So are we! Let's get you home babe." He says trying not to worry.

Patrick and Sabrina leave the courthouse and take Emma home.

Drake residence

Sabrina: "Patrick, Emma hasn't said anything since we left the courthouse, "she says worriedly.

Patrick: "I know, I'm a little worried, but let's just see how she is after her nap."

Sabrina: "Your dad was bringing Noah home today have you heard from him?"

Patrick checks his phone for any missed messages and sees that there was one from his dad.

Patrick: "He said that they should be home within the hour, he looks at his watch."

Sabrina: "Okay...good...maybe he wouldn't mind staying with Emma tomorrow while we are in court?"

Patrick: "Emma, sweetie...would you like Grandpa to stay with you tomorrow?"

There is no response...Patrick looks at Sabrina with worry.

Sabrina: "Let's get her to bed for a nap, maybe she'll feel better after she rests. Come on sweetheart, Emma clutches Sabrina tight not wanting to let go...Sabrina looks at Patrick.

Patrick: "I've never seen her like this," he says to himself with worry.

The doorbell rings.

Noah: "Hey, here's my name sake safe and sound," he jokes.

Patrick just stares at his son smiling.

Noah: "Hey...earth to my son! Can we come in? It's freezing!"

Patrick: "Oh, of course, yea, here...I'll take him."

Noah: "He slept the whole way," he brags.

Patrick: "That's great...he must be ready for a bottle...I'll fix one for him."

Noah: "He's having one right now son...hey...are you okay? You are acting strange even for you. What's going on?" They both sit.

Patrick: "We had the first round of court today."

Noah: "And? How'd it go?"

Patrick: "As you can tell from my expression not well."

Patrick explains everything that went on in court and Emma's reaction.

Noah: Oh son...wow, I'm sorry. Do you think it's going in our favor?"

Patrick shrugs his shoulders.

Patrick: "Honestly dad...I have no clue, but the judge is going over Sabrina's request to drop the other charges. We'll find out tomorrow."

Noah: "I'm staying! You need my support in that court room son."

Patrick: "I'm glad that your staying, but I really need you to stay here with Emma and the boys...if you don't mind? I can't put Emma through watching anymore of that fiasco...especially if she is not responsive when she wakes up," he breaks down.

Noah: "I'm sure she'll be as good as new in the morning Patrick, he tries to reassure him.

Sabrina returns

Noah: "There's my beautiful daughter-in-law," he says giving her a big hug.

Sabrina: "It's so good to see you!" She forces a smile. "There's my baby boy!" She picks up Noah who was playing in his car seat. "Was he good for you guys? I hope!"

Noah: "He always is...Bobbie just loves when he comes to visit! He smiles. And so does Grandpa!"

Sabrina: "I gather my husband filled you in on the events of the day?"

Noah: "He did, he says solemnly. He did. I'm here to stay as long as you need me!"

Sabrina: "Oh really!? That's fantastic!" She hugs him again. "We could really use another set of hands for a few days she finally smiles. You can have our room," she offers.

Noah: "Oh, no no...I booked a room at the Metro for a few days. But thanks! I'm going to head there now...I'll be back first thing in the morning!"

Sabrina: "Emma will be happy to see you," she smiles, opening the door for her father-in-law.

Noah: "As will I! Try not to worry too much you two!" He winks, "Love you!" He leaves for the night and heads to the Metro.