Robin wanted to turn away from the scene in front of her, but that would mean turning her back on her best friends and that was not something she had ever felt comfortable doing. No, she would stand here and she would watch it all go down. She would remember every detail, point out every irregularity, so that later, when she was called to testify, she could tell the courts what a bitch Lisa Grimes was and how she had torn her grandson away from the only home and family he had ever known to get revenge on a devoted father. She would bring up Tony's paranoia over Lucky being involved in Jess' death and she would find a way to link the reporters to the Grimes' once and for all.

As Cameron begged to stay with his father and his "Lizzie," Robin unconsciously dropped her hands to her stomach, willing herself not to cry. She couldn't imagine anyone taking her baby, was still trying to understand how someone she had loved could take her little boy with the intention of possibly never bringing him back. Patrick pressed his hands over hers and she had to bite her bottom lip to fight back the trembling. She could go on and on about what was fair and how bad things happened to the most wonderful people, but would that take the smug look off of Lisa Grimes' face? No. It would solve nothing at all. She would give the woman ammunition and that wasn't about to happen. She would be there the day she was called to testify and nothing was keeping her from that witness stand.

"How can this be happening?" She whispered to Patrick even though she knew he was just as horrified as she was. They had both known this was happening today, but that didn't make it any easier to handle, to watch.

"It's just temporary." He answered in an almost desperate fashion.

"What if it's not?" Robin wanted to know. "What if those monsters get to keep him?"

"Keep your voice down." Patrick warned her.

"I will not keep my voice down." Robin growled at him.

"We will talk about this later." Patrick demanded.

"You don't get to tell me how to feel." Robin snapped trying to pull out of his grasp.

"I'm not trying to tell you how to feel: I'm begging you not to make this worse." Patrick insisted.

"Lucky is a good father." Robin said almost not hearing him. "He doesn't deserve this. I have to do something. We have to do something." She stressed each word.

"We are doing something." Patrick explained. "We are letting Cameron get out of the crossfire before we all break down."

"That's not enough. This is not enough." Robin shook her head.

"This is all we can do." Patrick told her. "This isn't just about your pain."

Robin released her hold on her bottom lip and let him see her entire body shudder. "You can be so cruel sometimes." She accused.

"Have you ever stopped pushing before I hurt you? Ever? No. You have to push and push until everybody sees your side...or says something to make you stop. That's my role in this relationship. That's all you've left me with." Patrick clarified angrily.

Robin sucked in a breath when she saw Elizabeth start to cry. "Alright." She said. "Alright."

"Look," Patrick held out his hands in surrender, palms facing up. "I don't want to fight with you. I don't want this to be the last conversation we have before you leave."

"Neither do I." Robin agreed, watching Lisa convince Cameron to go with her. Once they were out of sight, she spoke again. "I'm going to see if they need anything."

Patrick grabbed her wrist gently. "Give them a minute."

Robin met his eyes and found them light and somber. She couldn't stay mad at him any more than she could keep this ridiculous argument going. "I'm sorry. I just never thought this would be happening."

"Neither did I, but better for it to happen now so that the courts can see how wrong they were in their decision. After this, I have a pretty good feeling Lucky's going to cut them out of Cameron's life..."

"No." Robin countered. "No, he's better than that."

"Yes, he is. I'm jealous." Patrick's attempt at a joke might have failed, but at least he got Robin to smile a little. "I know this is hard. Imagine how it must be for them."

"You would never..." Robin treaded lightly. "You would never try and take this baby away from me." Maybe if she didn't phrase it like a question, she wouldn't notice the hurt in his eyes.

If he didn't know Robin Scorpio as well as he did, he might let her question fuel his trigger temper, but he had heard plenty of stories, and been around for a lot of them, to know that she was justified in her worry. He wasn't her father, but he knew of the custody situation between her parents and how it could have turned sour had their love not conquered their pride. "I would never, ever take our baby away from you."

*****

Pacing nervously in her hotel room, Kate took a deep calming breath. She had put this off far too long and it was time she faced the music. While she had been surprised to meet Ric's latest flame, there was still no reason for her to act the way she had. She had meant what she had repeatedly told Ric, she wanted them to be friends. There was still Charlotte to consider, plus the years of memories and friends. "Come on Kate. Bite the bullet and just call him at the office. You know he's there." Kate told herself sternly as she pressed in the number she had gained from the hospital's web page. "And you know he's there since he's not answering at home or his cell."

The ringing mocked her and she had to keep repeating her manta silently. "You can do this. Ric will understand. You can do this. Ric will understand." She had almost convinced herself it would all be ok, when Ric's curt voice cut through the line.

"Ric Lansing." Ric's tired voice greeted her.

"Ric?" The tremble in her voice betrayed her nerves when she wanted to appear confident. As always Ric had the uncanny ability to reduce her to the blushing college freshman she had been when they first met. "It's Kate."

Her timid opening reminded him of the last time they had seen each other and all of the headaches that spawned from it. He wasn't mad anymore, maybe never had been, but that didn't mean he had completely forgiven her for acting like a petulant child. "Hello."

"Hi." She whispered. He hadn't hung up immediately. It had to be a good sign right? "How have you been?"

"What can I do for you Kate?" Ric interjected rubbing his forehead in exhaustion. His last delivery had last eighteen hours and the two before that were a combined six. He hadn't been home yet, hadn't had a bite to eat, and he had been stupid enough to answer his office phone.

"I wanted...." Kate paused, trying to figure what exactly was the best way to say this. She didn't consider any decision a mistake, just a learning opportunity, so she rarely apologized. Judging by the way her stomach was doing flip flops right now she doubted she would do this again willingly. "I wanted to apologize."

"Why?" Ric was interested. She had never apologized before.

"Because...because I knew you had moved on. Charlotte had told me earlier. No matter how surprised I was, I shouldn't have said what I said. I know you better than that."

"It's over." Ric said. "There's no need to rehash it."

"No. I need you to know how truly sorry I am." Kate insisted. "There was no excuse for how I behaved or what I said. I keep telling you I want to be your friend; I need to act like one, don't I? While it probably would have been ok for a scorned ex-wife which I have no right to be, it definitely wasn't ok for a friend."

"Do you really think we could be friends?" Ric wanted to know.

"We were friends before." Kate pointed out. "I don't think we can go back, but I'd like to try to go forward."

"If we're going to be friends, there's something you should know." Ric cautioned her.

"What's that?"

Ric took a breath. "Maxie isn't going anywhere."

"I..." Whatever she was about to say was lost as her call waiting sounded in her ear. "Ric, I want to continue this conversation, but I have to get rid of this person first. Can you hold on for just a second?"

Ric nodded before he remembered she couldn't see him. "Yeah."

"Good. One second." Kate breathed out gratefully as she clicked over to her second line. "Kate Howard." She answered annoyed at the untimely interruption.

"Kate..." Charlotte breathed a sigh of relief when her friend answered. "Do you know where Ric is?"

"At his office. I'm actually on the other line with him." Confusion settled over her. Why would Charlotte call her looking for Ric? Hadn't her friend been consistent in telling her she should stay away from Ric and move on to better, richer men? "Why are you looking for him?"

"Daddy's had a heart attack." Charlotte explained in a shaky voice. "And I haven't been able to find my brother."

"Oh my god." Kate gasped out. The Colonel had a heart attack? He had always been the strongest man she had ever met. Almost a superhero. "When? Where? How are you?"

"Last night. He was fixing up the guest house...he fell off the ladder and the gardener found him an hour later. I'm not that great." Charlotte answered very quickly, willing herself not to cry.

"Oh sweetie." Kate murmured. "What do you need me to do?"

"Tell my brother for starters. Tell him to get his ass down here, because I can't handle this. Did you know our father put me as his power of attorney?"

"No I didn't. How dare he choose an actual attorney for that?"

"Are you making fun of me?" Charlotte asked through a sea of tears.

"No. Not at all." Kate assured her friend. "I was trying for a joke, but obviously it was a bad idea. I'll tell Ric and then I'm on the first plane down to you ok?"

"I don't want you to put your life on hold. We can handle this." Charlotte assured her.

"I'm not putting my life on hold. And you're my family too. I'm coming."

"Okay." Charlotte wasn't about to argue with her. "Don't tell my brother what a mess I am."

"Never." Kate swore. "I'll see you soon."

"Thanks Blossom. Call and let me know your itinerary."

"I will Peanut." Kate clicked off and said a quick prayer Ric was still on the line and hadn't been called off for another delivery. "Ric?"

"Yeah, I'm still here." Ric was frustrated that she could keep him on the line even when he had more pressing matters to handle, like sleeping.

"It was Charlotte."

"What did my lovely sister want?"

How could she do this? Why had Charlotte asked her of all people to do this? "She wanted me to tell you something. About your father."

Ric scoffed. "Is she finally seeing him clearly?"

"No...Ric, he had a heart attack. He's in the hospital."

"Is he alright?" Ric didn't want to admit to caring about the old bastard but, save Charlotte, the old colonel was the only family Ric had left.

"I don't know. Charlotte's pretty messed up. She needs you Ric. She needs you right now."

"Why didn't she call me herself? When did it happen?" Ric could have strangled his sister. Something about their family, and she went running to Kate?

"She said she tried to call you. You're not answering your phone and you're awful at returning messages. It happened last night."

"Last night." Ric echoed. "Okay, thank you Kate. I have to make arrangements."

"You're welcome. I'll see you soon."

"What's that?" Ric had his jacket in his hand.

"I told Charlotte I was coming. I'll see you soon."

"Okay." Ric hung up and said a silent prayer that one his father was okay and two Maxie wouldn't find out about Kate tagging along.

*****

Two cellophane cups of coffee in his hands, Steven was silent as he entered the tiny hotel room. Georgie was hunched over a suitcase, no doubt re-packing it for the umpteenth time. He had assured her over and over that he didn't have to take everything he owned with him, but she refused to listen to his logic. What if he needed this particular item and it was here? He couldn't exactly come all the way back for it, now could he? He supposed that was one of the ways that a man and woman differed: He could survive with a toothbrush and a clean pair of socks and underwear.

He could announce his presence, but it was much more fun to startle her and collect her in his arms. Her golden-brown hair was shoved into a little clip most of it spilling in front of her face. Several times, she pushed it back behind her ears in frustration. She might have mentioned something about not having to attend class, but he could hardly tell which way was up anymore to know for sure. Her outfit of cut-off jeans and a puffy white blouse with blue flowers backed up his suspicion since he had never known her to wear anything but blouses, dress pants, skirts, and the occasional pair of boot-cut jeans.

He closed the space between them and she spoke up, surprising him. "Don't even think about it."

"I don't know what you could mean." Steven muttered with a smirk.

"You're trying to distract me yet again." Georgie turned around to face him. "You need to go home."

Steven lifted an eyebrow at her. "Don't I live here?"

"For now. The shoot is over and your family needs you." She pointed towards his cell phone that he had left laying on the nightstand. "They've called another four times since you left."

"I don't want to be in the way." Steven explained matter-of-factly.

"Chicken."

"I'm not a chicken." Steven touched Georgie's nose. "I just happen to know it's going to be the fight of the century when I get there. Is it wrong to put that off a little longer?"

"Only if you are a chicken."

"Why are you trying to get rid of me? You have some Frenchmen hidden under the bed?" Steven teased.

Biting her lower lip, Georgie turned her attention back to his suitcase, trying to keep him from noticing her twisting her engagement ring on her finger. "So did you book the ticket yet?" She asked, forcing lightness into her tone.

"This morning. I leave in about two hours. I have enough time to get there and get my bag checked. It's not that heavy. I might just carry it on." Steven considered.

"Yeah. That's good." She answered distractedly. "I'm sure it will be fine whatever you decide."

He didn't like the sadness her tone had taken on. "What's the matter pumpkin?"

"Nothing. I'm just going to miss you is all." She tried to smile, but knew it probably wouldn't fool him.

"You know," Steven winked at her, "I bet I could have you as my carry-on."

"Cute. Very cute."

"It's not forever. I promised Elizabeth I would get my parents to back off. She told me that Cameron's grandparents took him on a temporary basis because of the story in the paper. I've got to do damage control." Steven said.

"I know that. And you're being a good big brother. The best. I guess....I don't know what I am right now."

"What do you mean?"

Closing her eyes, Georgie ran her hand haphazardly over her disarrayed strands. "What are you planning on telling your family?"

"Well I thought I'd start off with, 'I'm Steven. Remember me?'"

"You know what I mean Steven." She said seriously, crossing her arms. "Does damage control include telling them about me? About us?"

"I thought you wanted to be there when we told them."

"I do. It's just...." She blew out about a sigh. "I have a confession to make."

"You're a spy aren't you?"

"No but I'm related to one. Robin's coming to Paris."

"When?"

"Later tonight."

"Tonight?"

"Yeah. Apparently her dad is in town and he wants her and Morgan to visit."

"That's great! Now I don't have to worry about leaving you alone."

"Yeah. I know she'll be looking in on me. I just don't know how I'm going to lie to her."

"Who says you have to?"

Georgie shot him a puzzled look. "We agreed to be together when we drop the married bomb. You won't be here. So of course I'll be lying to her."

"I don't want you have to lie to your family. Besides, if you tell Robin, then it won't be as bad as you envision when we go home." Steven rationalized.

"Steven, I love you but you couldn't be more wrong."

"How's that?"

"You haven't met my dad so I'll try to explain it to you. He's not going to react well to me eloping with a guy he's never met. We both know that. But if he finds out that Robin knew and didn't tell him? I just made it worse for her and us. I can't tell her."

Steven held her face between his hands. "You should be able to share this with the people you love. Your dad can get over it."

"He's my father. He's not going to just get over it."

"So tell Robin not to tell. How else would he find out she knew?" Steven challenged.

"I know Robin. She'd jump to defend me and Dad would figure it out. It's some sick cop instinct he has that kicks in when one of us is lying." Georgie responded.

"It shouldn't be like this. I should have married you in Port Charles." Steven chided himself.

"No. Our wedding was perfect. If we waited, there would be an entire town of people lining up to tell us we are crazy."

"We're still going to have that same town of people telling us that. You're still going to get hurt." Steven pointed out.

"And you're not?" Georgie cried out incredulously. "You're going to get hurt worse than me."

"There's a subtle difference. At the end of the day, I don't care what my family thinks."

"And what about my family? Don't you care what they think of you?"

"Yes." Steven nodded. "But I care more about what you think of me."

"I love you. I want them to love you. Is that wrong?" She wiped at the tears that had started to gather in her eyes.

He could have made the argument if she hadn't started to cry. Damn it. "No, that's not wrong." Suddenly, he had to have her in his arms. He made his way quickly toward her and let her rest her head against his heart.

"I know telling them isn't going to be easy. And I know my dad will come around eventually." She wrapped her arms around him securely. "I just don't want to give him any more ammunition to hate you than he already has."

"He hates me already huh? Shouldn't he wait until he knows me?"

"So you were Lucky's biggest fan when you first heard about him then?"

Steven rolled his eyes. "Fine. Point taken."

Georgie tried to hide her laugh. She knew she had him on that one. Looking up into his blue eyes, she smiled. "This wasn't exactly the way I wanted to spend our last minutes together you know."

"Did I mention I have an hour before I have to be at the airport?"

"I've already packed for you. And a lot can be done in an hour."

Previews:

"I'll give you the signal." She promised sliding out of the car.

"Right. The signal." Harper swallowed thickly against the fear that suddenly welled up in his throat.