"Thank you for coming." Lucas told his family, addressing them as a whole. Tracy, Bobbie, Cruz, Edward, Luke, and Laura glanced up giving him their full attention. "This isn't easy." Dillon was with Lance now. They had decided Lucas would be the one to explain to their families what was going on, what the doctor had said. It had taken a few days to work up to it, days spent wishing, praying, and hoping for a change, any positive change, but it was clear to them that there wasn't going to be one. That didn't make it any easier to face.

Tracy was the first to break the silence. "What happened?" Any other time, he would have found inspiration in her demanding tone. Not right now.

"What did the doctor say?" Bobbie added, squeezing Cruz's hand tightly.

"Lance...Lance has entered End Stage in his illness." Lucas forced out. "Without a transplant, he won't make it much longer." Tears raced down his cheeks before he had even finished the sentence.

"End Stage?" Edward repeated. "Then a transplant. Were none of us matches?"

"Because Lance has a rare, AB negative blood type, he doesn't match any of us." Lucas confirmed solemnly.

"So we're completely useless to him?" Laura asked, leaning into Luke's shoulder.

"Don't think it about it that way. This is no one's fault. I just...it was time to tell you." Lucas replied adamantly.

"What about that mother of his? Has she come forward?" Tracy asked, her voice rising.

"Sage wasn't a match and neither was her cousin, Diego." Lucas bit the inside of his jaw to keep himself together.

"Is Lance in any pain?" Laura wanted to know.

Lucas shook his head. "Dr. Wexler assured us that the amount of medication Lance is on keeps him basically immune to the pain. The longer he's without a transplant, the more likely he'll lose total control of his kidneys...or an aneurysm."

"Then we have to find him one." Bobbie decided, standing up. "We have to find a donor. Someone with the same blood type...there are plenty of people in this hospital. Surely if we explain the situation to them..."

"They'll what, Mom? Offer up a kidney for a stranger? And the son of two same-sex parents? That's a little unlikely." Lucas countered, pressing his lips together.

"Don't you give up hope!" She screamed at him. "Lance is still alive! He's fighting. How would he feel to know his parents have given up on him?"

"We haven't given up!" Lucas shot back.

"You aren't exactly looking for alternatives." Tracy pointed out.

"And what alternative would work, Tracy? Huh? What could we possibly do that we haven't already done?" Lucas shouted at her.

"Excuse me?" Dr. Wexler interrupted, stepping in front of Lucas to get his attention. "I have some news."

"Is it good?" Lucas asked. He didn't want to hear more bad news.

"We found a match." Dr. Wexler verified.

"Who?" Bobbie insisted. "Who is it?"

"Let the doctor talk." Cruz suggested calmly, putting his arm around her waist.

"The match for Lance is—?"

"Match?" Robin echoed, running up. "You've found a match?"

"Yes. And she was just about to tell us, so kindly be quiet." Edward snapped impatiently.

"I'm sorry." Robin quickly apologized.

"Dr. Wexler." Lucas persisted.

"Morgan Corinthos." Dr. Wexler stated, unable to meet Robin's eyes.

"Morgan?" Robin asked.

"Well isn't that an interesting turn of events." AJ said slowly as he wandered into the assembled crowd.

"What do you want?" Robin snarled back at him.

"I have a right to be here Robin. You know that."

"I don't know anything until those test results come in." Robin argued vehemently.

"Ah yes. I thought you might still be in denial." AJ sat down, grinning right at her. "That's why I didn't wait for your invitation."

"I got your court summons you bastard." Robin assured him. "And until the judge says otherwise, Morgan will be staying with me. His welfare is not your concern."

"Robin." Lucas interrupted, touching her arm.

"But it is. And since I predicted this response from you, I took the liberty of having this prepared." AJ pulled a large envelope from the inside pocket of his suit jacket.

"What the hell is this?"

"It's an injunction. In very legal terms, it basically means you can't make any decision regarding Morgan until the tests are complete and the judge makes her ruling. That covers everything from where you live to any medical procedures."

"What?"

AJ stood up and moved toward Robin, never letting the smile leave his face. "You can't do anything without involving me. You try and you'll find yourself in jail. I'm sure your uncle will love the headlines that would make."

"Don't threaten me. And don't you threaten my family either."

"Oh I don't threaten Robin. You know that. So you see, I really do have every right to be here."

"I don't mean to interrupt you." Dr. Wexler promised. "But time isn't on our side right now."

"You'll forgive me Dr. Wexler. While I am not unsympathetic to Lance's situation, you understand that I have to act in the best interest of my son."

"You can't do this." Robin whispered. "Lance will die without it."

"And Morgan may be harmed by a risky procedure. His life has been in harm's way because of reckless decisions of the people who raised him more than once. You'll understand that I am a little cautious."

"You stole him from his school! Don't you tell me about dangers MY son has been through!"

"You have no proof of that."

"I will." Robin assured him. "Don't you worry about that."

*****

"David that's not how you play." Kristina scolded with a shake of her head, her ponytail flying. "Barbie doesn't arrest people."

"Well I'm sorry." David laughed. It was certainly a night for the record books when the least intimidating part of his night was playing Barbie's with a little girl. He had been more than a little surprised Samantha wanted to accept the dinner invitation, even more surprised he had been invited as well. He had not missed the barely disguised interest in Alexis Davis's eyes when he followed Samantha into the house. Even the Commissioner had gotten into the act, giving what David assumed was the gruff concerned look he had given many a boyfriend over the years. "What exactly does Barbie do?"

"She's a vet silly. She cures the animals." Kristina laughed. "Right Daddy Mac?"

"That's right Princess." Mac crooned to her, giving David an amused look. "But I don't think David's ever play Barbie dolls before. He's a boy."

"Well he should learn if he's coming over with Sam more."

"That's a good point." Sam agreed, hiding a smile behind the rim of her iced tea glass.

"I might learn faster if someone would be willing to teach me." David taunted, winking in Samantha's direction.

"I never played Barbie's." Sam admitted. "But even I know, the whole point of playing is to dress them up and make them pretty. Right, Kristina?"

"That's right. So help me dress her up David."

"I have terrible taste." David warned. "Why don't you choose and I'll do what you say?"

"Dinner's ready. Kristina, why don't you show David where the toys go." Alexis prompted, leaning against the doorway.

"OK!" Kristina said happily, pulling on David's arm. "Come on follow me."

Sam laughed at David's worried expression as he followed dutifully behind her baby sister. "She's got him trained."

"I think you're the one who's got him trained." Alexis countered with a smile.

"I don't know about that." Sam answered, moving toward the kitchen. "Can I help with anything?"

"Nope. Kristina added the noodles and I did the sauce. All you need to do is find a seat and tell me what you want to drink." Alexis promised warmly.

"I can get it. Just tell me where it is." Sam offered.

"Sit down Sam." Alexis repeated.

"I'll sit down." Sam agreed awkwardly.

Mac noticed David and Kristina first. His sweet little daughter sauntered over to the table and chose the seat closest to him while David took the chair next to Sam. Mac was proud of his wife for arranging their seating without anyone immediately realizing. "I see you got the toys put away." He teased David, bringing a pitcher of iced tea to the table and smiling at Alexis when she barely missed running into him en route.

"Always follow what a woman asks you to do. That's my motto." David explained with a smile, squeezing Samantha's hand under the table.

"I thought your motto was 'Drink all of the juice and then put it back.'" Sam pestered.

"No. That's my philosophy on how to get out of doing the dishes."

"Oh, is that how it goes?" Sam asked lifting an eyebrow.

"You're welcome to do them here." Alexis chimed in, placing the pan of spaghetti in the center of the table.

"It's the least I can do after you made such a delicious looking meal for us Mrs. Scorpio."

"But I want to do the dishes." Kristina argued, pouting. "You said I could do them." She added accusingly.

"You can help me." David offered. "Your sister claims I always screw them up."

"How is that possible?" Mac wanted to know.

"I have no idea." David shrugged.

"He doesn't understand the system." Sam told them. "Plates go a certain place and then the bowls and then the cups."

"Apparently the world will end and chaos will reign if you put the cups first." David stage-whispered to Mac.

"Am I crazy?" Sam wondered, throwing up her hands in mock irritation.

"Not at all. It takes years to train them properly."

"Is that right Commissioner?" David asked laughing.

"Garlic bread anyone?" Mac replied instead, holding up the plate.

*****

"So, Alexis tells me you and Sam live together?" Mac figured it was as good a conversation starter as any. With Kristina asleep and her mother and sister off elsewhere, it was either this or watch a game.

"Yes." David looked at Mac out of the corner of one eye. He had known the suggestion they watch the game was a trap.

"Huh. And how long has that been going on?"

"A few months give or take."

"Sounds serious." Mac threw a piece of popcorn into his mouth, his eyes glued to the tube.

"Well we weren't exactly seeing each other when I moved in."

"Excuse me?"

"It may have been more of a business arrangement than a relationship."

"May have been." Mac parroted. "What kind of business arrangement?"

Too late David realized his mistake. If he was doubtful Mac would approve of Samantha's role in his investigations before, now he was positive Mac would disapprove of it. "She needed a roommate and I needed a place to crash. Landlord/tenant."

"So you paid her rent?" Mac stuffed a few more pieces of popcorn into his mouth.

"Yes."

"You'll have to forgive me, but this is kind of a strange situation. I'm assuming the apartment has two bedrooms."

"No. I sleep on the couch."

"You're paying rent to sleep on the couch?"

"Good apartments are hard to come by."

"I'll bet. Though, I guess you're not still on the couch."

"Sometimes. It depends on if I've screwed up."

Mac laughed. At least he was honest...or a really good liar. "That we have in common."

"So is the game supposed to be good tonight?"

*****

"It's awfully quiet." Sam concluded, stretching further back in her chair to hear. She and Alexis had slipped into the den so there was very little chance of being overheard. A double-edged sword it seemed because she couldn't tell what they were talking about.

"You worry too much. They're watching the game." Alexis promised, patting Sam's hand.

"Which game?" Sam wanted to know.

"I didn't ask."

"You mean he didn't tell you. He's probably up there right now, getting rid of the evidence."

"Looks to me like David can take care of himself." Alexis countered with a grin.

"That he can." Sam admitted, slumping deeper into the chair.

"I have to say, I was a little surprised he showed up."

"Why?"

"Because your stepfather can be a little intimidating. Add that to the fact that he's David's superior…I had my doubts that he would."

"Mac invited him." Sam reminded her. "Besides, he would have starved to death if I'd left him alone."

"So has anything changed since our last discussion? I remember you saying that there was some tension."

"I let it go."

Alexis could tell there was more, but she didn't feel comfortable pushing. Sam had obviously edited for some reason. "I'm glad to hear that. The good guys are few and far between."

"I'll let him know you like him." Sam said on a sigh.

"I've never seen your sister take to a man the way she has with him."

"He's good with kids I guess. Who knew?"

"Are you sure there's nothing else?"

"Like what?"

"Nothing I guess."

"We should get back to them. It's past his bedtime."