What a difference a day makes. Eighteen hours earlier there had been laughter as her daughters went from store to store, helping to pick out furniture for their new home. Alexis had enjoyed herself so much that she refrained from telling her daughters about her imminent retirement from law and her new career as chief executive at an international conglomerate. There would be questions and prying, and she didn't feel like explaining herself. She saved the news for today, when in the midst of Nikolas's memorial service the girls would already feel concern for her. It was easier to answer their worried questions in a single session.

But before she could prepare for her sorrow, there was the practical problem of getting Julian out of prison. The PCPD couldn't hold him any longer without charging him, and there wasn't any evidence in support of abetting Ava's disappearance. She hoped that they would cut him loose fairly quickly so she would have enough time to pull herself together before what would guarantee to be one of the hardest days of her life. On top of mourning Nikolas, she would need to enforce a temporary truce between the Spencers and her uncle, and then somehow keep enough sanity to perform for Victor. A day that was supposed to be about remembering her nephew's life was morphing into a day of dealing with the fallout of his death.

-"You can't see her."

Julian stalked across the room angrily. "I still don't see why not."

Diane cast a sidelong look at Robert. "Because she's not your lawyer anymore, Julian. That's the way you wanted it."

-"So I can only see Alexis if she's my lawyer? When did that happen?"

Robert stepped in. "You can't see her, Julian, because you'll tell her about Ric. Which is basically a confession. You're pleading 'not guilty' in this whole mess, so you can't have any statements about the case they can trace back and bring up in court."

-"What if I don't say it? What if I don't say anything about Ric?"

Diane mumbled under her breath, "Why should today be any different?"

Julian snapped, "What was that?"

-"You heard me. Look, I may have a legal obligation to protect you, Julian. And I hold that obligation very dear to my heart. But the other part of my heart, the one that belongs to my good friend Alexis? It makes me want to scratch your eyes out."

He sighed. "I didn't have a choice."

-"No? You had to frame Molly's father? Couldn't frame anyone else for this? Not Faison, or Larry Ashton? How about a Cassadine-everyone would have believed that. No, you picked Ric. You knew she'd believe it-we all believed it. You created a wedge between Alexis and her daughter. And now...I can't…"

Robert put a hand on her shoulder. "Calm down, Diane."

Julian spoke quietly. "If it's too hard to represent me, Diane, you don't have to do it."

-"Yes she does." There was a finality in Robert's tone. "You are in for a world of hurt, Julian. You refuse to cut a deal and insist on moving forward with a trial. The only hope you have is to have the best trial lawyer available, and that's Diane. So this matter is settled."

-"Unless I quit."

Robert eyed her. "Are you quitting?"

Diane shook her head.

-"Good. Then I reiterate: it's settled. Julian, meet your new attorney."

-"There's still the matter of my old attorney."

-"I've taken care of it."

Alexis sat waiting for the desk sergeant to bring Julian up from his holding cell. She glanced at her watch to make sure she was on schedule. Her mental walkthrough of her daily calendar was interrupted by the approach of Det. West.

-"Ms. Davis?"

-"Oh, hi. Is Mr. Jerome in the interrogation room?"

Nathan shuffled his feet. "No. He's not."

-"OK. It's been almost two days, Det. West. You haven't charged him, so you need to release him."

-"We have charged him."

Alexis sighed. "With what? He doesn't know where Ava is. You're just mad because he mouthed off to you. Believe me, I know it's annoying when he gets like that, but you can't imprison him for it, Detective."

-"We charged him with something unrelated."

-"OK. Any time you want to share it, I'm ready to listen." Nathan was silent. Alexis nudged him. "Kind of have to know the charge so I can defend my client, Detective."

-"He's not your client."

-"Excuse me?"

-"I said, 'he's not your-"

She took a step closer. "No, I heard what you said. How am I not his client?"

-"He requested a new lawyer. He was granted one."

-"Who?"

-"I can't tell you, Ms. Davis. That's between Mr. Jerome and his attorney."

Alexis was stunned as she felt the anger rise. "So you mean to tell me, that Mr. Jerome has been charged, I've been fired and you're the messenger? You realize I can't take your word for it. I need to hear it from my client."

-"Look, Ms. Davis. This wasn't my choice. I would prefer not delivering this." He pulled a piece of paper out of his pocket and handed it to her. She ripped it open, and scanned the contents.

-"Diane? Diane is his attorney? And she didn't bother to tell me?"

Nathan shrugged.

Alexis noticed the lost puppy look on the detective's face and willed herself to take a deep breath. "Look, Detective...Nathan...I didn't mean to take it out on you. I just...today's Nikolas's memorial service, my daughter's father is in jail...I'm juggling a lot right now, you know? If I could just see Mr. Jerome for five minutes. That's it."

-"I'm so sorry for your loss, Ms. Davis. I am. But I can't let you see him. I'm under explicit instructions to not let anyone see Mr. Jerome except for his attorney."

-"Can you at least tell me the charges?"

-"I can't."

Alexis rolled her eyes in frustration. "Fine. Can I see Diane, then?"

Nathan shook his head. "She's in with her client. I was told they were not to be disturbed."

-"Please, Detective. Just ask."

He didn't move. "Ms. Davis, no one called to tell you that Mr. Jerome was firing you, did they?" She shook her head. "So they knew you'd show up this morning. And they've worked to make sure they're busy all morning. For whatever reason, they don't want you to see Mr. Jerome or know anything about what's happening this morning."

Alexis stood silent. Nathan pulled a small piece of paper out of his pocket and handed it to her. "I think Mr. Jerome is a terrible person. But I really like you, and I feel awful about the last few weeks you've had. I know what it's like to lose someone you love."

She put his hand on his arm. "Thank you. And I didn't know your sister, but I am sorry."

-"It's ok. Anyway, the reason I said that is because Mr. Jerome begged me to give you this note. Please don't tell anyone I did. It's innocuous to the police, but probably means a lot to you."

-"You've read it?"

He smiled sheepishly. "I had to before I'd agree to give it to you. Just take it and focus on Nikolas. Mr. Jerome is a problem that can wait for another day."

She nodded her head as she felt the tears start to build behind her eyes. She turned to walk away.

-"And Ms. Davis?" Alexis turned to see a pale, stricken Det. West. He continued with a quiet earnestness, "I just want you to know: I'm really, really sorry."

Alexis was confused. "I know. You said that."

Nathan looked at her blankly a moment before understanding. "Right. I suppose I did."

Alexis walked out of the station shaking off the detective's enigmatic statement and headed straight to her car. She opened the folded piece of paper and read Julian's scrawl: "I meant it all."

The mood at Wyndamere was subdued as guests milled about the great room onto the patio outside. At Alexis's request, Victor was an inconspicuous presence in a remote corner, far from where the Spencers gathered. Kristina sat with the family's namesake discussing horses, and Elizabeth spoke with Lucky. Sam kept close to Patrick and Emma, and for the first time Alexis noted how protective her former surgeon was of her daughter. She smiled to herself wondering if their friendship was progressing to something else. It would be something to look forward to, anyway.

Her eyes-bright now with matchmaking-scanned the room until she found Molly with Victor. Alexis sighed, as the world turned dull again. She knew that her daughter would seek Victor out-Molly always felt everyone should be included, the outcasts most of all. And no one was more on the fringes of this particular gathering than Victor. Of all the pieces of the plan she'd put together, her greatest fear was Molly insisting on living in Wyndamere. Davis Castle-as the girls had dubbed their new home-was purchased in part to keep that from happening. But there was little she could do to keep her away, and Alexis would need to maneuver carefully.

With everyone engaged, it seemed like a good moment to steal away, and she left the room to work her way across the foyer to the library which had always been Stefan's favorite. She sat on one of the seldom used couches and remembered when Stefan would plot and plan at the far table while Nikolas would entertain his step-cousin, Lucas. Her eyes focused on the spot on the floor where she found Stefan hunched over a collapsed Nikolas the night of the stable fire. Had that head injury started it? The weakening of his blood vessels, the turmoil within his cranium that would lead to his death? "Oh, Nikolas," she whispered to herself as she felt the tears fall.

A small voice interrupted her, "Aunt Alexis?"

She turned, recognizing the voice as belonging to Spencer. Alexis quickly wiped the tears off of her cheeks. "Yes, sweetie." She patted the spot on the couch next to her. "Come sit by me."

-"Father didn't come into this room a lot," he said matter-of-factly.

She smiled. "No. I don't suppose he would have. We stopped using it when your Uncle Stefan died."

-"Sometimes thinking of Stefan made my father sad."

-"I think that's because he missed him."

The boy looked glum. "I don't always want to be sad when I think about my father."

Alexis wrapped her arm around her grand-nephew. "You won't be forever. Now you're sad because it hurts so much. But over time it will lessen, and you'll be able to smile when you think of him again."

-"I'm scared, Aunt Alexis."

-"I know." She kissed the top of his head. "It's scary."

Spencer looked down at his hands. "Can I ask you a question?"

-"You can ask me anything, sweetheart."

-"What was it like for you? When you were an orphan?"

Alexis felt a tear slide down her cheek, and she hugged him tighter. "Oh, baby." She turned him to face her. "It was sad at first. I was lonely because the people I loved were gone. And I was so sad about that I forgot about all the other people who loved me-I had Stefan and other friends who took care of me. And you have Aunt Lulu, and Uncle Lucky and Uncle Dante, and your grandmother, and Molly, Kristina, and Sam. And me."

-"My Dad said that you were his touchstone. I don't really know what that means, though."

She smiled sadly-even in death Nikolas was kinder to her than she deserved. "A touchstone is someone you go to when you're unsure of yourself. When you're not sure the decision you're making is the right one. A touchstone helps you figure it out."

-"Can you help me figure something out?"

Alexis smiled. "Of course I can."

-"I miss my home. I love Aunt Lulu. I love Uncle Dante and Rocco, but I miss it here."

-"You can come visit whenever you want."

-"Really? I'm afraid Aunt Lulu will be sad. That I'll hurt her feelings."

-"Any time you want to visit, you let me know. You'll always be welcome at Wyndamere. When you get older this will all be yours."

-"I'm just afraid of leaving it alone. Who will take care of the horses? And pay Chandler? Or make sure Alfred is OK and has his tea in the morning?"

-"I will do that, Spencer. I promise. You just focus on being a 10 year old. And when you're ready to be the prince this will all be here for you."

He wrapped his arms around her. "I"m afraid if I'm not here, I'll forget my Dad."

She hugged him tightly. "You won't, sweetheart. I promise."

After their time alone, Alexis and Spencer returned to the main reception. Lulu and Dante were preparing to leave, and exited to take the Cassadine scion home. The rest of the guests took that as their cue and had just started to excuse themselves when there was a commotion at the front door. Dante re-entered the room and signaled over to Alexis. "Alexis, can I speak to you in the hall for a moment?"

As she began to make her way towards the door, Dante was brushed aside and her ex-husband entered the room. She stood frozen as waves of conflicting emotions washed over her: surprise, confusion, relief, resentment, love, panic. The tide was halted by the squeal of "Daddy!" Molly flew across the room to her father's arms. Alexis looked across the room and caught her uncle's eye and the smirk on his face. Victor was not surprised; he had known Ric was alive.

She felt the room start to spin, but steadied herself for the first wave of nausea. With all eyes on the recently resurrected, Alexis quietly withdrew to the bathroom and locked herself in as she wretched into the toilet. She stood to splash water on her face, but she was shaking so hard she had to hold on to the sides of the sink to steady herself.

Sam stood, mouth agape as her former step-father reunited with her sister. Her heart swelled with joy for Molly but as the seconds ticked by, the questions started. How was Ric still alive? Who knew? If Nathan said he shot him, it must have been the police. But why would they fake Ric's death? They'd only do that if he was a witness or they were trying to flush out the real boss. But if Ric wasn't the boss, that meant…

As the realization hit her she turned to look for her mother, and caught the back of her jacket and chignon exiting through a side door. Sam discreetly turned to follow, but lost her in the cavernous hallway. The faint glow beneath one of the doors and the sound of running water tipped Sam off to her mother's location. She gently rapped on the door. "Mom? Are you OK?"

Alexis stood in panic. She wasn't ready to speak to Sam, but she knew her daughter the P.I. wasn't going anywhere. This was the lie she never covered. She'd known Ric wasn't the boss, but she hadn't had time to clear his name. And then there was Victor. He clearly knew Ric wasn't guilty, and yet he never tipped his hand. His expression at Ric's arrival was one of victory and warning. He knew more than he said or even than he gave away.

She took two deep breaths. Sam was a momentary problem, but the real act had to be for Victor. As far as Alexis knew, he wasn't aware she knew about Ric's innocence, although by now he had to assume. He would also assume that she was at this moment putting together that her lover had lied to her. The natural reaction would be a combination of indignance, shock and anger. Julian should be her key target. But Julian was in jail, and Molly was with their other guests. She would go with her first instinct: make sure Molly was alright, then rage at Julian. That was believable. That's what Alexis would do. Indeed, that's what Alexis DID weeks ago.

-"One second, Sam." Alexis took a last look in the mirror, straightened her hair and wiped the mascara that leaked beneath her eyes. She opened the door to her daughter's tear-rimmed eyes.

-"Mom, if they faked Ric's death-"

-"-then he's innocent."

-"But that means Dad's-"

-"-a liar." Alexis took Sam's hands. "I know that this has repercussions for your father. But he's in jail, and-"

-"Wait, Mom. Why is Dad in jail?"

Alexis sighed. "Originally for mouthing off to the cops. Then because he claimed ignorance as to Ava's location. Now? I'm assuming the answer is hugging your sister right now."

Sam shook her head. "No, Mom. There has to be an explanation. You *have* to see him. You're his lawyer-you have to do something."

-"First, I'm not his lawyer. He fired me, and he's insisted they keep me out of his jail cell. Second, what I have to do is see your sister."

Her eldest child blushed. "Of course, Mom. Molly comes first. But why did Dad fire you? Why would he shut you out?"

Her mother shook her head. "For the same reason. Molly comes first."

Sam walked in ahead of Alexis, who stood in the doorway eyeing the reunion in front of her. Her heart was bursting with joy for Molly. Ric's presence complicated her own life, but she would take all the complication in the world to see that smile back on her daughter's face. When she felt she could no longer remain hidden, she quietly returned to the room. Only a handful of guests remained: her daughters, her uncle, Dante, Lucky and Elizabeth. Ric had moved from his daughter to his second great love, hugging her close. For a brief, mean moment Alexis wondered if Elizabeth would have traded Ric's resurrection for Nikolas's, then realized that she was projecting. She was too busy chastising herself to realize her uncle had walked up behind her until he whispered in her ear, "This is most surprising, Alexandra. Is it not?"

Alexis turned her cheek slightly in his direction and whispered over her shoulder, "It's an absolute shock."

-"Of course you realize that if Ric's alive-"

-"-that Julian lied. Yes. I've put that equation together, Uncle," she added sharply.

His tone was offended: "Tsk, tsk. There's no reason to be snippy, Alexandra."

-"Really? I can think of several." Alexis walked away from her uncle before she said something she regretted. Unfortunately, this meant moving towards the one place she wanted to avoid: Ric's orbit.

He turned to look at her, and she felt a tear slide down her cheek. "You're really alive?"

-"Afraid, so."

-"I'm so, so glad." She was shocked by how sincere she felt in this sentiment.

-"Are you?"

-"Of course I am, Ric. I would never wish you dead."

Kristina took a step towards her mother. "Of course she is, Ric. We all are." For a moment, Ric's attention was pulled away from Alexis. "My God, Kristina? You're all grown up."

His niece nodded her head, "I am. It's been a long time, Ric." She moved closer and they, too, embraced.

Alexis, on the other hand, stood rooted in place. Alexis felt Sam's hand entwine with her own, and she heard a whispered, "Mom, maybe we should give them some time."

Ric apparently also heard Sam's entreaty, and intervened. "No, I'd like Alexis to stay." He approached her, and Alexis felt a tingle in the back of her neck. When Ric died, she opted to remember him in the good times-when he defended her to Sonny, stood by her when Kristina was sick or sat with her through Molly's birth. But the Ric in front of her now had none of his tenderness. He wore his hard eyes-the ones that accused her of cheating, that blamed her for his own affairs and that Molly away from her. "I have a question for you."

-"OK," her voice was small.

-"Did you know?"

Alexis was momentarily confused, "That you were alive? No, how would I? I don't even understand what happened."

He smirked, "Oh, it's obvious what happened. The cops faked my death to protect me as they set up your boyfriend. That's not what I want to know."

Kristina stepped in. "Ric, this isn't a great time. This is Nikolas's memorial service. Why don't you spend time with Molly and Elizabeth and we can talk about this tomorrow."

-"I just have one question, then I'll go." Ric turned back to Alexis, his eyes hurt. "Did you know I was innocent?"

Alexis was rocked by the question. How could he think that? Didn't he know her better than that? As she started to answer, her eyes fell on Molly and she stopped herself. Alexis slowly looked around the room until her eyes reached Victor. Victor, who favorited Molly, who insisted on seeing her, who was looking forward to her relocation to Wyndamere, and who would cut her to pieces the minute her mother stepped out of line.

Her head snapped back to Molly and Ric. Ric was a bad father. He had abandoned his daughter and betrayed her mother. But he loved their girl and had been making an effort. Even at his worst, he was infinitely better than Victor.

She could just lie and say yes. Molly would cut Alexis out of her life, and that would mean cutting out Victor. But would Victor believe it? Would he see through it? Would he then punish her?

-"It's a simple question, Alexis. Did you know I was innocent?"

Alexis looked at her hands unsure how to answer, and then it came to her in a flash-the hundred dollar bill she'd taken out of Julian's wallet. "I know it's a simple question, I just can't answer it."

Molly stepped in, "Of course you can, Mom. Just tell Dad the truth-that you didn't know any of this." Alexis looked at her hands, "You didn't, right?"

Sam stepped in, "Molly, of course she didn't."

Ric responded, "You'll excuse me, Sam, if I don't take your word for it. I'd like to hear from my former wife and the mother of my child. Alexis, did you know I was innocent?"

-"I can't answer you because I'm bound by attorney-client privilege. Any conversations I may have had with Julian about his business are privileged."

Ric shook his head, agitated. "You were his lawyer, too? What-was it Sonny all over again? Maybe that's why we didn't last. I never retained your services."

Elizabeth grabbed his arm, "Ric, this isn't the time."

-"You should go, Ric," Kristina moved closer to her mother.

Molly moved to Alexis with tears in her eyes and grabbed her hand. "Mom, please tell me it's not true."

-"Molly, I can't talk about it. You know that."

-"You don't owe him anything! He framed Dad. He blew up our house, Mom. You know he's probably the reason why Sam was arrested. Why are you protecting him? Why are you still choosing him over us?"

-"I'm not choosing anyone, Molly. I'm not seeing Julian anymore. But I was his lawyer, and the vow of confidentiality holds no matter what."

-"As Ric well knows," Sam snapped.

-"Sam, stop." Alexis moved to Molly. "I'm not saying 'yes' and I'm not saying 'no.' I can't say anything."

Molly shook her head. "OK, well. We've all had a long day, and if it's alright with you, I'd like to stay with my father tonight."

Ric intervened. "Molly, I don't have a place to stay right now, so you should go home with your mother."

-"We have a huge house, Dad. Right now it's mostly air mattresses, but you can stay there. Can't he, Mom?" Molly asked pointedly.

-"Of course. Ric, you're welcome to stay. I was planning on spending the night here at Wyndamere, anyway. Please, stay at the house."

The burning seared down her throat, depositing it in a stomach occupied by two or three canapes. Alexis poured herself another shot from the cold bottle, enjoying the way the vodka hurt and soothed. It was such a Russian beverage, one that gave as it took away.

She was well on her way to shot number three when a droll voice intoned, "I believe you've had enough, my dear."

-"Oh, Uncle. I have not had nearly enough." She pulled out a glass and offered him a shot. "What shall we drink to, Victor?"

-"Alexandra, I said I think you've had enough."

Alexis smiled. "What are you worried about, Victor? Natasha doesn't drink. We're giving a goodbye to Alexis and Nikolas. And you can't have a funeral without vodka. You know that."

-"I suppose I do." He held out his glass to her, and held it in salute after she filled it. "To the Cassadine."

-"To the Cassadine," Alexis downed the glass and hurled it across the kitchen.

Victor looked at her and clucked his tongue. "That was quite unnecessary, Alexandra."

-"We need a fireplace in here," Alexis mumbled. She looked at her uncle. "So, how long did you know my ex-husband was alive."

-"I never knew he wasn't."

Alexis looked at the bottle, contemplating drinking straight from it. But she was drunk enough and Victor didn't need any more of an advantage than he already had. "And how did you know about this police plot?"

-"Who said it was a police plot?"

-"Nathan obviously didn't shoot him. Ergo, he lied. Ergo, police plot."

-"The Port Charles Police Department is hard-pressed to put a gangster of 30 years in prison, never mind fake a prisoner death."

-"What does that mean?"

Victor smiled. "Never mind. Come, Alexandra. It's time for bed. You've quite a big day tomorrow. We wouldn't want you looking all puffy and hungover."

-"No we wouldn't." She went to the freezer, found a cucumber and chopped off two thick slices.

-"Hungry?"

Alexis opened the freezer and dropped in the slices. "Nope. Prepping for my close up."