"Are you having fun over there?"

"I'm certainly trying."

Kristina bit her bottom lip, trying not to giggle. She stood outside Kelly's, gently tugging on her yellow tank top strap to fix it. The air was cool and warm, a gentle breeze blowing strands of her hair to her left. She knew her family was waiting inside, and she stole a glance through the window, seeing Alexis and Molly seated at the table. No one looked her way.

"Are parties not your thing?" Kristina asked, looking back.

"I mean, I like a good small gathering," Dex replied, the breeze picking up through the speaker, "but something like what the Quartermaine family put together…it's a little too much for me."

"Well, you're not there as a guest, you're there as help for my dad."

"And Mrs. Quartermaine invited me to stay, so…"

Kristina laughed, "Try not to go crazy over there. Enjoy it for what it is: raising money for the hospital, which is a good cause."

"I'll do my best."

"I've got to go; I'm meeting with my family for lunch. I'll talk to you later."

"Talk to who later?"

Kristina whipped her head around, relaxing when she saw Sam roughly a foot away. The older woman looked her sister up and down, raising an eyebrow.

"Sam!" Kristina beamed, opening her arms wide, "So good to see you!"

"Same," Sam smiled, hugging her, "I didn't meant to startle you while you were on the phone."

"No, no, you're good. I was just…wrapping things up."

"Who were you talking to?"

"Just…someone."

"Who?" Sam asked, her hands on her hips as the front door opened. Molly smirked at the sight before her.

"Well," she said, "what's going on out here?"

"Nothing," Kristina replied quickly, walking by her. Molly looked at Sam, who opened her mouth and widened her eyes. The youngest sister giggled before waving at Sam to come inside.

"There are my girls," Alexis grinned, clasping her hands under her chin. Each woman rolled their eyes and smiled before taking their seats.

"I caught these two," Molly pointed between her older sisters, "outside talking."

"Oh? What about?"

"Kristina was on the phone with someone and she said she'd talk to them later," Sam explained, "I asked her who she was talking about and she got defensive."

"I wasn't defensive," Kristina swiped at her, "I just didn't think naming the person was important."

"I, for one, would love to know," Alexis pointed out, "Was it your father?"

"No."

"Michael? Willow?" Sam asked.

"No."

"Valerie?" Molly questioned, "Ooh, or maybe Ethan? It has been awhile…"

"No and no."

"...Okay," Sam blinked, "maybe it's someone new? Someone we haven't met?"

"Did you meet someone?" Alexis raised her eyebrows. Kristina sighed gently, her eyes cast down towards the middle of the table.

"So it's someone new," Sam replied, examining her posture.

"What part of 'not important' do you guys not get?"

"...Maybe not."

"Oh come on, Krissy," Molly scoffed, "Throw us a bone! We'd love to know what guy or girl's got you so…oh."

"Oh?" Alexis looked her way.

"Oh," Molly smirked playfully. Kristina gently bit the inside bottom right of her lip.

"You can't say 'oh' and not elaborate," Sam glanced at her youngest sister.

"Krissy knows what, or who, I'm thinking about."

"Molls," Kristina shot her a look, gritting her teeth.

"Honey, there's nothing to be embarrassed about. This is a judgment-free zone," Alexis gestured around the table, "You can tell us who you were talking to."

"It was just a phone call-"

"Are you sure?" Molly cocked her head to the side, "Was it really just a phone call? Or are you trying to cover the fact that you were chatting with Dex?"


He'd never been in a place as nice as the Quartermaine mansion. Dex walked the grounds, hands in his front jeans pockets as he observed the groups of people and games that unfolded in front of him. Beanbag toss, barbecue goods on a picnic table, horseshoe in a corner, and a fun time had by all. He walked towards the picnic table, grabbing the pitcher of lemonade and pouring a cup.

"You do know this is a formal event, right?"

"Excuse me?" Dex looked to his right, tensing up when he was greeted with Michael's shocked yet angry face.

"Why are you here?" he asked.

"I had to drop off some things; your dad asked me to."

"That doesn't mean you get to stay."

"Mrs. Quartermaine insisted I did."

"Olivia," Michael groaned, pinching the bridge of his nose, "Of course she did."

"If it's that upsetting to you, I'll go."

"No, no, she invited you to stay. You should…you should honor that."

"Then I'll do so."

"I-" Michael looked around before grabbing Dex by the arm, "Come with me."

The men turned a nearby corner, hiding behind one of the brick wall fences of the property. When they stopped, Dex ripped his arm from Michael's grip.

"What?" he asked.

Michael looked him up and down, "Are you trying to get us caught?"

"What did I do?"

"Dressing…casually at a charity picnic, for one. And showing up in front of my family."

"I was doing my job as Sonny's employee. I didn't beg Mrs. Quartermaine for an invitation."

"You could've dressed better."

"Who are you, the Fashion Police?"

"Dex," Michael's voice was sharp, "this is serious. This mission can't fall apart, do you get that?"

"Yes-"

"Then you showing up at my place can't happen again after today."

"I didn't go out of my way to bother you, Michael. Take it up with your family."

"Just…keep a low profile. Don't mix it up with anyone here."

"I might as well just leave."

"Why would you do that?"

Both men turned around to see Brook Lynn a foot or two away, hands crossed in front of her torso.

"Brook Lynn," Michael huffed.

"Michael," she nodded, "Dex."

"What are you doing?"

"I saw you talking to Sonny's guy. I figured I'd see what was going on."

"Everything's fine," Dex said quickly.

"Is it? Seems like my cousin's bothering you."

"He was just…making sure I was behaving."

"Behaving?"

"It doesn't concern you, Brook Lynn," Michael rolled his eyes.

"Well," Brook Lynn widened her eyes, putting her hands up, "excuse me."

"You know what," Dex stepped away, "it was really nice of your stepmom to invite me to stay, but this isn't really my scene."

"You don't have to go just because Michael's giving you a hard time."

"It's fine, thank you," Dex began to back away, "I hope you both have a good time."

Brook Lynn scowled at her cousin as Dex turned the corner. She stepped closer to Michael, "So is this what you do now? You harass people?"

"I wasn't harassing him."

"I get that you don't like Uncle Sonny anymore, but you don't need to take it out on his workers," Brook Lynn walked by him, "Try not to be a jerk next time."

Michael stood in place, running a hand down his face as the breeze whipped by him. He stuffed his hands in his pockets, looking back at the path Dex and Brook Lynn took back into the picnic, unsure of what to do next.


Part of Kristina wanted to melt into the floor just so she could escape.

"Dex?" Sam asked, an eyebrow raised, "Who's that?"

"Sonny's new guy," Molly answered.

"So…you made a new friend."

"Well, that's what she says, but I think otherwise."

"You think otherwise?" Alexis questioned.

"He came to the trivia night at Charlie's a few days ago and she couldn't help but stare," Molly cooed, making a face. Kristina felt her cheeks heat up, "They got all chummy at the bar, and then she was splitting her time between working and texting on her phone."

"God, you're really exaggerating everything," Kristina laughed her off, "We're just friendly."

"You're still using that?"

"Okay, okay," Sam put her hands up, "Molly, if Kristina says that she and this 'Dex' guy are friends, then that's all."

"Thank you, Sam," Kristina smiled before turning to Alexis, "Mom?"

"...I thought you said nothing was going to happen," Alexis responded.

"I…" Kristina paused, "That's still true!"

"Were you talking to Dex outside?"

"...Yes."

"Told you."

"Molly."

"Kristina," Alexis sighed, crossing her arms, "you assured me you two wouldn't be crossing paths all that often."

"I didn't 'assure' you for your benefit," Kristina pointed out, "I said it because I didn't think much of Dex."

"And you still don't?"

"Well…no. He seems cool; I think he'd be a decent friend to have around."

"Decent friend?" Molly groaned, shaking her head, "She's hopeless."

"Hey! Mind your business!"

"Need I remind you that Dex is part of the mob," Alexis said, "Getting caught up in him is only going to lead to trouble."

"I'm not going to get 'caught up' in Dex, Mom. I'm not doing anything with him! We're just talking!"

"And that 'talking' will turn into meeting up and then kissing and then-"

"Mom," Sam held out a hand to stop her mother before looking at her sister, "...just wants you to be mindful of how things are going with this guy."

"I am! Things aren't going anywhere!"

"And I'm sure Mom and I said the same things at one point with the men we were involved with."

"Yes," Alexis nodded, "I'm not trying to rain on your parade, Kristina, I'm just giving you some advice-"

"Advice that I don't need and didn't ask for."

"I've been with mob men, so has Sam. We've been crazy about them and the craziness has always bitten us back. I just don't want that to get you."

"It won't. You fell for Julian and Dad, and Sam and Jason were a love for the ages. You both had genuine feelings for them, which I don't have with Dex. He's just an acquaintance, maybe a friend."

"For now."

"I appreciate your concerns, but they're all baseless. And even then, let's say I am into Dex. Let's say there's something there. Whatever I do with him, whatever way I feel about him is my business. Your opinions aren't needed nor wanted."

"Kristina-"

"We're here to enjoy each other's company, not to speculate on the love life of a woman in her late 20s. I should be hearing about what Danny and Scout are up to, or whatever crazy case landed on Molly's desk. I shouldn't be hearing people pass judgment on my life when it's not at all welcome."

"Krissy, we're just interested, that's all," Molly remarked, "There's nothing to be ashamed about."

"If that's true, then Mom and Sam wouldn't be giving me cautionary tales."

"We love you and we're just-"

"Looking out for me," Kristina got up, "I've heard that one before."

"Where are you going?" Alexis asked, "We haven't even ordered."

"I'm heading out. I'm done hearing your takes on my feelings for someone."

"Come on, Kristina, we're not trying to put you on the defensive."

"Oh yeah? Well, you did it anyway," Kristina scoffed before exiting the diner. The remaining women looked at each other, frowns present on their faces.

"Well, that was rude," Molly sighed.

"We were cornering her over Dex," Sam replied.

"She's just oblivious to how she feels."

"And getting in her face won't make her realize it faster."

"Mom, help me here!"

"Something's going on," Alexis concluded, "even if she doesn't know it. And the concern I feel for what's to come is something I can't describe."


It's so damn dark back here…

Dex tried to focus on the road ahead of him as he came from the back. Cars were littered up and down the dirt street, showing up in the headlights as he drove by. After a while, he managed to find an open spot in the grass, a small white car parked a foot away. He pulled out his phone, pressing down on the screen.

"Come on, boss," he muttered, the device against his cheek, "Pick up."

The line went to voicemail.

"Alright fine," he sighed, "I'll guess I'm going in."

As he walked through the grass, following the lights up towards the mansion, he thought about where to go first. The kitchen nook? The backyard grounds? Somewhere else in the building? He knew that he shouldn't be showing up on the property, but he was Sonny's employee just as much as he was Michael's. As much as he didn't like it, Sonny took priority.

"Ugh! God!"

Dex felt a body run into him at near-full force. The figure was shorter than him by a head or so, dressed in all black with a black mask to match.

"Move!" the voice was hard to make out, but sounded slightly feminine. They rushed past Dex, disappearing behind the corner of his SUV. He continued up the path, a sense of relief hitting him as he saw a small shack on an elevated wooden patio. The closer he got to the structure, the more he could see.

The sight before him was horrifying.

"Mrs. Cassadine?!" Dex gasped out, sprinting onto the platform. Ava laid beneath him, her white shirt heavily stained with blood. Her body shook, her hands elevated as she took in the mess on her hands.

"Help…" she croaked, "Help…me…"

"Hang on," Dex replied, rushing to the shed. He kicked the door open, grabbing the first set of towels he could see. He ran back to her, dropping to one knee.

"Okay, okay…" he breathed out, ripping strands off the towel in his right hand. He gently lifted Ava up and began wrapping her wound, the other towel pressed against her side as he tied it.

"Ow…" Ava huffed in pain, "Oh…"

"You'll be okay," Dex repeated, unsure of whether he was convincing her or himself, "it'll be okay…"

"Who…are you…?"

"Not the person who did this, that's for sure."

"I…was…stabbed…"

"With what?"

"...Sharp…"

"Okay," Dex sighed as he finished tying the towel. He stopped for a moment as Ava leaned against him, her head on his chest, "okay. Um, we…we can't wait for an ambulance."

"We…ugh…"

"Come on, come on," Dex slowly got Ava to her feet, gingerly walking her down the path and to his SUV. He could feel her blood beginning to soak his white T-shirt, "I'll get you to the hospital…and I won't break any traffic laws while I do it."

"Thank you…" Ava's voice trembled as they moved through the brush. Dex felt a loud voice tickle his ear, a man calling out for Ava, from where they used to be on the patio. Eventually, they made it to his car, and he gingerly laid her across the backseat, strapping the seatbelts as an extra precaution.

"Seatbelts…?" Ava gasped out as Dex was closing the door. He walked to the front of his vehicle, getting into the driver's seat.

"It's not the most practical thing," he said as he started the car, "but it'll have to do while I get you help."

"Thank you…" Ava breathed, her body slightly moving as Dex began to drive away, "Who…are you…?"

"Dex Heller."

"Oh…you work…for Sonny…"

"I do. You two share a daughter, right?"

"Avery…"

"Nice name," Dex smiled, "Tell me about her."

"...Why…?"

"It'll keep you engaged and awake."

"Okay…" Ava breathed, looking up at the ceiling of the car, "She's…five…she loves animals…"

"Go on…" Dex nodded, "What kind of animals?"

"Cats…owls…anything with spots…"

"I used to have a cat."

"Did you…"

"Zara. She was the family pet. Very affectionate and sweet. Kind of clingy. I loved her."

"That's…nice…"

"Does Avery want to do something with animals when she grows up?"

"She…talked about it…"

"Maybe she can be a vet," Dex replied as he parked the SUV in front of the emergency room, "which is as good as being a doctor."

"Are we…here…?"

"We are," Dex got out of the car just as a few nurses approached him. Before they could speak, he opened the back door and undid the seatbelts. One nurse ran inside for a gurney as the others helped Dex gently carry Ava out.

"How did this happen?" another nurse asked as Ava was laid down on the leather surface. She stood by Dex as the woman was rushed inside.

"She said she was stabbed."

"Is that all?"

"That's all she said to me."

"Okay," the nurse sighed before rushing into the hospital. Dex stood still for a moment, processing the scene a bit before getting back into his vehicle. He thanked the universe for a nearby open spot, parking his car perfectly before rushing into the building. He made it in time to see Ava being rolled behind a corner, a manual ventilator over her nose and lips. He looked around the hospital before looking down at his clothes, stained and spotted with blood. He looked around one more time before gingerly taking a seat on the nearby sofa. He pulled out his phone, scanning his contacts. For a moment, he wanted to try Sonny's number again, but selected his keypad instead. He pressed down rapidly on his screen, the device soon against his ear once again.

"911, what's your emergency?"

"I'd like to report a crime: Ava Cassadine was stabbed at the Quartermaine mansion."