David settled into a corner of the break room, a coffee in his hand. He was a doctor again, but it wasn't enough. He wanted more. He deserved more. He just wasn't sure how he was going to get it.

"David, I've been looking for you."

David looked up to see Jackson Montgomery staring at him.

"How can I help you?" he asked leaning back in his chair as he examined the serious expression on the other man's face.

"I want to talk to you about Erica." said Jackson. "I want you to help her."

David gave a derogatory laugh.

"And why would I do that?"

"Because, as I understand it, you would be able to save her with your Orpheus Treatment."

"What's in it for me?" David asked taking a sip of his coffee,

Jackson planted both of his hand on the table and leaned in to David, the aggression in his movement countered by his calm steady voice.

"How about staying out of prison?"

"I was acquitted."

"Jesse had no authority to do that. You were arrested for attempted murder, bringing back the dead doesn't change the fact that you tried to murder one of the men you saved."

"Nevertheless I don't think you could make that stick."

"Try me!" said Jackson, his tone suddenly harder.

David smiled as he suddenly saw the path to his future standing before him. Why hadn't he seen it before?

"Tell me something, while Erica is indisposed who is her executor? Kendall? Bianca? You?"

"Why do you want to know?"

"I have a compromise. I will help Erica but there is a price."

Jackson narrowed his eyes at that.

"How much?"

"Oh this isn't about money." said David a smug feeling growing in his chest. "I have money thanks to Orpheus. I want my hospital back. You sign over the hospital and I will save Erica."

Jackson scowled.

"Not a chance in hell!"

"Then Erica doesn't have a chance in hell either!"

Jackson starred hard at David, but he just countered with a confident glare of his own. He wasn't going to back down on this.

"What guarantees are there that this will even help her…" said Jackson angrily.

"No guarantees, you simply need to sign a piece of paper and leave the rest to me!" said David, a victorious smile on his face.

"I'll not get into any deal with you until Erica is completely healed."

"Orpheus isn't some overnight miracle cure…"

David saw a cloud pass across Jackson's face. He was close to a deal to get his hospital back and decided he had better not push Jackson too hard.

"Tell you what, how about a compromise. I will have Erica moved to my facility as a sign of good faith…"

"Why can't you treat her here?"

"Because I can't." said David simply, he wasn't going to go into the complicated detail of treatment and therapy.

"I thought your facility was shut down."

"You seriously think I could have created Orpheus in that tiny treatment lab. The real facility is still very much up and running. I'll transfer Erica there and you transfer the hospital deeds to me."

Jackson starred silently at David, his expression torn.

"You just have to ask yourself how much you want to save your beloved Erica Kane." said David, a wicked smile on his lips.

…