Julian ascended the stairs as Molly headed to the kitchen. She returned to the living room the same moody teenager she'd been across the summer.

-"Did you have a good talk?" Molly asked. Alexis picked up the snide disapproval immediately.

-"Yes, as a matter of fact we did."

-"I don't understand why you—"

Alexis cut her off, "Look. I understand you don't like him, and I'm sorry. We've broken it off, and I don't know what else you want me to do."

-"That didn't look too broken to me." Alexis started to say something when TJ stepped in. "Molly, why don't we get some ice cream and go back to our research."

-"Sure." She looked at TJ, then her mother. Alexis thought she caught shame on her daughter's face as Molly retreated to the kitchen, and she considered TJ for a moment. He had been a part of their lives for so long, Alexis took the interactions between he and Molly for granted. Maybe she needed to start paying attention again.

Her thoughts were interrupted by the sound of Julian descending the stairs. "Back so soon?" Alexis asked with a raised eyebrow.

-"She's sleeping. I don't have the heart to wake her." Julian looked around the room. "Look, I should probably go. Can you let me know if anything happens tomorrow? You can call." The corners of his mouth rose a bit, "I remember our deal."

She offered a slight smile in return. "I promise if anything happens of consequence I'll let you know as long as it doesn't breach confidentiality. And I'll tell Sam—"

Alexis was interrupted by the knock at the door. Julian looked at Alexis and detected a fire in her eyes. She whispered "game time."

-"Do you want me to stay?"

-"May as well. It would probably look suspicious if you hightailed it out of here as soon as the PCPD showed up."

-"Strong point."

She looked over to Molly and TJ to tell them to go upstairs, but she stopped herself. Sam and Danny were out cold and both needed the sleep. The teens would be fine down here. She intended to make this visit brief.

Alexis walked over and opened the door to find Dante and a woman she didn't know.

-"Hello, Alexis"

-"Hi Dante. I would ask what you're doing here, but we heard the news. It's so unbelievable. How is Det. West doing?"

-"He's not doing well, as you can imagine. To just get your sister back and lose her again…it's incomprehensible, really"

Alexis was momentarily thrown by the similarity between Nathan's loss and the one she suffered decades earlier. "Sadly, it's not for me. It's a pain I wouldn't wish on anyone. Certainly not on someone who is as decent as Det. West."

Dante quickly looked uncomfortable and moved to change the subject. "Alexis, this is my partner, Detective Dina Nagy. Detective, this is Alexis Davis. She's our former DA and currently my father's attorney. She's also my…" Dante took a moment looking for the easiest way to describe the familial connection, "…sister's mother."

If his partner thought anything odd about the introduction, she didn't show it. She extended her hand, "Nice to meet you Ms. Davis. I'm sorry it's under these circumstances. We actually have a couple of questions for Samantha Morgan. Is she at home?"

-"Sam is Alexis's daughter," Dante explained. "We would really like to speak to her for a couple of minutes, Alexis. Would it be OK if we came in?"

-"Of course, where are my manners? Come in." Alexis stepped aside so they could enter. She had half-hoped she could put an end to the conversation in the hallway. She would have much preferred keeping the police out of the penthouse.

Molly saw Dante enter and came over to greet her cousin. "Hey Dante."

-"Hey Molly. How's your head feeling?"

-"Better, thanks." She quickly switched topics. "Dante, I'm so glad you're on this case. Silas saved Danny's life, and I feel like we owe him."

-"Um, maybe I should make some intros. This is my partner Det. Nagy. Detective, this is my cousin Molly and her boyfriend TJ. And this," Dante added with a bit of a flourish, "this is Julian Jerome."

Alexis watched the new detective absorb the names and relationships in the room without blinking. She was either extremely good at hiding what she was thinking or she had been thoroughly briefed on the family before she even got to the penthouse door. Normally Alexis relished the challenge of a new piece on the chessboard, but not when her daughter's freedom was potentially at stake. Her wariness at the impassive detective made her decision for her: there was no way she was going to let Sam speak to the police tonight.

Her thoughts were interrupted by Det. Nagy's voice. "So you're Julian Jerome the media mogul?" She waited for his nod before continuing, "Ahhh. I guess I'm curious, Mr. Jerome, as to why you're here."

-"Sam is my daughter, I came over as soon as I heard about Silas to see if she was OK."

Det. Nagy nodded her head catching Molly's exaggerated eye roll as Julian spoke. "So how would you describe your daughter when you arrived here?"

Julian took in the detective, noting that she hadn't seemed surprised by anything she'd heard. He'd remember that for when he'd have to lie to her later. He was sure that day was coming, but today he had the truth on his side. "Well, Detective, she hadn't heard when I arrived, so she was fine."

-"So how did she react when you told her?"

-"I didn't tell her."

-"Mr. Jerome, you came all the way over here when you heard your daughter's friend was murdered. Why wouldn't you tell her?" Det. Nagy's question was accompanied by an air of confusion that didn't ring true to Julian. Like it was a line she'd rehearsed for a play but she wasn't a good enough actress to sell it with her eyes.

-"I love my daughter, but we're not as close as she is with her mother. Alexis is better at handling the emotional stuff. I thought it was better if Alexis told her."

-"I see." Det. Nagy turned to Alexis, continuing her interrogation masked as curiosity while Dante looked on silently. "Ms. Davis, how did your daughter take the news of Dr. Clay's passing?"

-"She was inconsolable, as you can imagine."

-"Hmmm. I'm not sure I can imagine. Why was she inconsolable?" Dante interrupted abruptly, "Actually Alexis, we know this has been a hard day for all of you. Maybe if we could just have a couple of minutes with Sam, we can get out of your hair."

-"Sure Dante. Her father just checked on her and she was sleeping. Julian, would you mind checking on her again? See if you can rouse her?" She turned to Dante, "she cried herself to sleep and I'm wary of waking her."

Det. Nagy stepped in, "Of course. I can imagine it must be hard for her raising a child on her own." Alexis found that statement odd. What did being a single parent have to do with anything? She went with the flow though, careful to share nothing with Det. Nagy. "Yes, but we all pitch in, Detective. It takes a village, and we all adore Danny."

-"Was your daughter working today, Ms. Davis?"

-"Maybe? We didn't really talk about it. I didn't really have a chance to ask her about her day."

-"But she wasn't here?"

-"I'm not sure Det. Nagy." Alexis offered a friendly smile to hide her annoyance. "Because I wasn't here. But maybe you can ask her when you see her?"

-"Actually Mom, she was with Patrick this morning then she had a stakeout at the mall."

All eyes turned to Molly. Det. Nagy followed up. "Do you know which mall?"

Alexis immediately intervened, "You know, I think we should probably leave these questions for Sam. Molly, honey, I know that paper's due tomorrow so why don't you and TJ go work on it upstairs?"

-"Sure, Mom." Molly went to gather the laptop, looking back at her mother and wondering what she'd done wrong. Her mother masked it well in front of the police, but Molly lived with her mother long enough to know when she was in trouble.

Julian descended the stairs and looked around the room. Det. Nagy was still somewhat unreadable but Dante looked uncomfortable. Alexis was unmoved. Julian had spent a lot of time talking to the partner—time to test the waters with Dante. "Det. Falconieri, I'm sorry. She's still asleep." His face filled with fatherly concern, "She's had such a hard day, I'd prefer not waking her, if that's ok."

Alexis chimed in, "Dante is there anyway we can maybe do this first thing in the morning? I'm concerned about her well-being, too. She was a bit hysterical and the news has taken so much out of her."

Dante started to speak, but his partner cut him off, "Actually, we'd really just like to ask her one or two questions if that's OK. It's important—the sooner we get answers, the better chance we have at apprehending the killer."

Julian nodded in understanding, "look I'd love to wake her but I tried. She's out like a light. She probably took a sedative to sleep. I just don't know if it's possible." Alexis looked at Julian impressed: she was sure his temper would have been visible by now, but he was keeping it well hidden.

Dante jumped in, "you know what, that's fine. Is there anyway we can schedule something on the early side? Say 9 am or so?"

-"How about 10?" countered Alexis. "Gives me some extra time to get coffee down her so she's fully alert."

-"Sure, that works." He turned to Molly and TJ who were finally heading up the stairs, "Molly, TJ, have a good night." He stared at Julian, saying nothing. Looking to put an end to the awkwardness, Alexis offered to walk them to the door.

-"Thank you, Dante. We really appreciate you stopping by to tell Sam. I'm sorry she wasn't up to speaking with you. But I'll make sure she's ready to talk to you tomorrow. I know she'll want to do whatever she can to help you catch whoever did this to Silas and his wife." Alexis turned to his partner, "Det. Nagy, it was a pleasure to meet you. I'm sorry it's under such terrible circumstances, but welcome to Port Charles, just the same."

-"It was lovely to meet you too, Ms. Davis. I hope we run into each other again soon."

-"Me, too. Good night."

Alexis shut the door and bolted it. She turned to Julian and whispered, "Are Molly and TJ upstairs?"

-"Yup. What did you think?"

-"I think our girl is their number one suspect," Alexis stated flatly.

-"Yup. That woman didn't ask one question about Silas."

-"Nope," Alexis walked over to the sofa. "And did you notice her face when Dante was making introductions? There's no way Dante tries to explain his cousin and his sister's mother and you don't look completely confused or ask a follow up—unless you already know the key players in the room.

-"She's ambitious though, Alexis. Even Dante realized she overtipped her hand with that whole thing about being inconsolable. Too focused on getting the evidence—she doesn't see the big picture. That can be dangerous," Julian warned.

Alexis looked at Julian. "Well, so can I. The good news is that you were so effective at handling her questions that I got to play good cop. That'll help tomorrow when she realizes bad cop is sitting next to her suspect. So thank you for that."

Her gratitude was followed by a pause where each recognized the connection they continued to forge even though they were no longer together. As if the label "broken up" could stop the instinctive way they worked together. Alexis broke the silence.

"Well the bad news is that Sam is a suspect, but the good news is that we know that despite their best efforts to obscure it. Tomorrow we'll find out what evidence has them so convinced."

-"Alexis, I think that we should—"

-"Three days, Julian. You promised me three days." She smiled at him, "The good news is that I'm giving you a small reprieve. Today counts as day number one."

Julian left the penthouse shortly after the police did. Alexis was relieved he kept his distance physically, although she noted the strain on his face as he left. She was glad he was gone. It was late, she was tired, and she had one more conversation on her plate tonight.

She sat in the silence for another 15 minutes or so when TJ came bounding down the stairs, Molly following him cautiously. He turned to Alexis "G'night Mrs. Davis. I'm really sorry about Dr. Clay. If there's anything I can do for Sam—watch Danny, take care of errands—I'm happy to do it." He turned to his girlfriend and kissed her squeezing her shoulder for support. Alexis watched something silently pass between them. "It will be OK, Molls." He kissed her again quickly then walked out the door.

-"So. What was that about?"

-"What?" Molly asked.

-"That 'It will be OK.' What's going on?"

-"Nothing." Molly was nervous, "I'm going to go to bed."

-"Sit," Alexis's tone wasn't harsh, but it was clear to Molly this wasn't a request. "Again. What is the problem?"

Molly sighed. "I think you're mad at me, and I don't know why."

-"Really," countered Alexis. "Why would you think I'm mad at you?"

-"You're kidding right?"

-"Hmm" Alexis smiled to herself, "Let me rephrase. What's different about me tonight versus every other night this summer?"

-"I don't know. You're harder tonight? I don't know if that's the right word."

-"I'm not rolling over tonight, you mean," Alexis looked at her daughter. "Molly, I know that you don't like Julian. You've made that clear. Someone could come in here, not understand a word of English and be deaf and he would know how you feel about Julian. You've made that obvious."

-"Apparently not obvious enough. He's still around."

Alexis stared at Molly. "OK. We're going to get something straight right now. I'm your mother. I gave birth to you in a cave. I put a roof over your head, food on your plate and clothes on your back."

Molly started to interject before Alexis cut her off. "Did I say I was finished?"

-"No," Molly said meekly.

-"I have taken care of you when you were sick, dried your tears and cheered you on through every good thing you've done. You are my baby, my best girl. I would do anything for you."

-"I know," Molly whispered. Her eyes welled up with tears.

-"And this summer, I've been a terrible mother to you. I let you down."

-"It's OK, Mom."

-"Well, wait until you hear what I'm apologizing for before you start accepting it." Molly looked puzzled. "I'm not sorry that I didn't believe your father. I'm not sorry that I continued to see Julian. What I am sorry for is letting you act the way you have. You're overwhelmed with grief. You've taken so many hits this summer, baby. I didn't have the heart to fight with you. I just let you go and get it out."

Molly looked stunned, "so what's different now."

-"Well what's different now is that your sister is going into the PCPD tomorrow ostensibly to answer questions about Silas."

-"Of course they want to talk to her, Mom. He was just murdered."

-"Molly, two detectives from the PCPD were in our living room not 30 minutes ago. Think about the conversation."

Alexis watched as Molly replayed the discussion in her mind. Her face suddenly was puzzled. She turned to Alexis, "they didn't ask any questions about Silas. They only asked questions about Sam."

-"That's right."

-"But why would they do that? How does asking about Sam—" Alexis watched it dawn on her daughter. "Sam's a suspect."

-"Maybe," answered Alexis. "I'm not sure yet. But I will tell you one thing. You are under 18 which means the police cannot ask you questions without a guardian present."

-"Mom, I would never say anything to harm Sam," Molly was on the verge of tears.

-"Not intentionally. But jumping in and answering questions about her whereabouts only helps if you're right, Molly."

-"But Sam told me—"

-"I don't care what she told you. From now on information about Sam only comes from Sam, understand?" Molly nodded. "And that piece about a guardian present? You're not to answer any questions by the police without me there. I don't care if it's Anna asking if you want coffee or Dante asking what you want for Christmas, got it?"

Molly looked at her mother, tears streaming down her face. "Oh, God. Mom, did I do something to hurt Sam?" Alexis reached over and hugged a crying child for the third time in one evening. "No sweetheart. But it's really important that you do what I say. I can't have you fighting me on any part of this Molly, understand? I know your instinct is to fight me on everything right now, but there's too much at stake-I'm the adult and my word needs to be law. At least until we're sure Sam is OK."

Molly nodded and wrapped her arms around Alexis more tightly. Alexis finally broke free and looked at her youngest.

-"I love you. I love you to the moon and back. And I am so sorry for what you lost this year. But you are going to have to put it aside for now. I don't have the energy to spare arguing with you. And if you keep fighting me, I'm going to have to send you to Wyndamere to stay with Nikolas for a bit. And doing that would be like ripping out my heart. So please don't make me do it."

-"I won't Mom."

-"OK." Alexis smiled at her. "So I know that it sounds easy…" Molly laughed through her sob as Alexis continued, "but I have one more hit for you."

-"What Mom?"

-"Julian"

Molly's face turned grim. "Mom, you can't ask me to deal with him after what he did to Dad."

-"Yes I can. I'm your mother, so I can do what I want," she said lightly. Then she turned serious. "But Julian is Sam's dad. And while she may not be on the best terms with him right now, she's going to need him. And I can't have you as an obstacle to that."

-"It's not fair, Mom. How can you ask me to do that?"

Alexis went quiet and Molly watched her face in the silence. It seemed as though her mother was trying to make a decision.

-"You know, a long time ago when you were a baby and I was sick, Sam made a lot of sacrifices for you. I could go into them ad nauseum; suffice it to say that neither you nor I could ever repay her—not that she'd ever ask us to. It's what family does." Alexis thought hard about how to phrase the next part. It was a can full of worms and she only wanted to let one or two out.

-"Your father was not a saint, and he and Sam didn't get along. Not at all. And when I thought I was going to die, I asked Sam to set it aside. To work with your Dad to keep you and Kristina together." A tear started to fall down Alexis's cheek as she remembered all that Sam had done for her. "And she did it. And she hated every minute of it. But she didn't let me know—or she tried not to anyway. She pretended like it was all OK."

Molly asked quietly, "Why did she hate my father?"

Alexis looked at her. "I wouldn't say 'hate.' They had very different personalities. They weren't really friends before we knew she was your sister. Plus he was the DA and was going after Jason. It was a lot of little things that built up." She looked at her daughter who seemed satisfied with this response. "But she pushed through. She did what she had to do to keep you happy and safe. And I'm asking you Molly to do the same for her."

-"But I just can't like him, Mom."

-"I know, and I'm not asking you to do that. I'm asking that you not make it so hostile. That you don't berate him every chance you get, or roll your eyes or storm off. I'm asking you to be polite. I'm asking you to not be an obstacle between Sam and her father."

Molly wiped away a tear, "or between you and Julian."

-"Honestly, Molly? I don't know. We're not together now. But I may have to work with him."

-"I don't know, Mom. I don't know if I can do it."

Alexis looked at her daughter sadly. "Well, sleep on it, OK? If you really feel like you can't, then you can stay with Nikolas for a bit. Fair?"

-"I wouldn't say 'fair' exactly, but I'll think about it."

-"That's all I can ask for baby."

Alexis stood and stretched, exhausted. Her plans for reading had morphed into a game of cat-and-mouse with the PCPD, sharing terrible news with one child and cutting a deal with the other. And she wasn't even counting the energy fighting her attraction to Julian sapped from her.

-"OK, time for bed. Your sister and I have a big day tomorrow, and I believe you have a paper due."

Molly walked up the stairs ahead of her mother and stopped at Alexis's bedroom. She turned abruptly and gave her mother a hug. "I know I haven't said this enough, but I love you, Mom. I don't know why it's like this but I miss you." She started sobbing into her mother's shoulder.

Alexis was overcome. As the two sobbed together, she moved their entwined bodies into her room and sat on her bed. Molly eventually fell asleep where she fell, and Alexis turned out he light before curling up next to her youngest like she used to do when she was still her baby.