From: Dex (6:58 PM)
Hey.
I'm sorry that I upset you.
I know you're worried about my safety.
Can we talk? Please?

Kristina scowled at her phone screen as she sent her response.

To: Dex (7:02 PM)
I'm busy w work

She looked out at the bar floor, watching as a mix of patrons attempted to take their seats. Another trivia night was taking place, the topic being "potpourri," and the building saw double the turnout.

"Hey, sweetheart," Sonny tapped a finger on the countertop. Nina stood right by him.

"Dad," she forced a smile, "Nina."

"This place seems pretty…busy," Nina remarked, looking around.

"Double the turnout compared to last time. It helps when the trivia topic isn't a super specific niche."

"I see," Kristina's phone buzzed.

"Yeah," another buzz, "Anyway, are you guys here for a drink or to play the game?"

"Both," Sonny grinned, "I'll take a Tom Rose."

"And I'll have a Merlot," Nina followed with.

"Sounds good," Kristina replied, ignoring the buzzing. She poured the drinks as it went on.

"Uh, Kristina?" Nina asked, "Aren't you going to answer your phone…?"

"Don't worry about it."

"It's going off a lot."

"I know," Kristina placed the glasses in front of the couple, "Don't worry about it."

"If it's your mom or y-your sisters, you should answer it," Sonny chimed in.

"It's not them," Kristina shook her head, pointing to a table in the middle of the floor, "They're all here."

"So then who is it?"

"Just…someone."

"Who, though?" Nina leaned in as Kristina wiped the counter down, "Is it a friend of yours like Valerie? Or a co-worker?"

"It's not really any of your business."

"Oh," Nina clamped her mouth shut, looking the young woman over, "okay."

"C'mon," Sonny gently tugged her arm, "let's find a table," he nodded at Kristina, "It's always good to see you, Kristina."

"Likewise," she smiled as the pair walked off. She looked around the room, noting all the people she knew that dropped by: her father and Nina, Michael and Willow, and…

"Krissy," Josslyn grinned as she approached the bar, "hey!"

"Joss," Kristina beamed, "nice to see you. Are you here for trivia night?"

"Yep. Trina and I are a team."

"That's great."

"I know we're going to win it here. We did a lot of reading up on topics, so expect to give us the win."

"I mean, I won't be participating-"

"You should."

"I have customers to serve."

"Your co-workers can do that."

"Joss," Kristina cocked her head, "come on."

"What? Is it so bad that I want you to have some fun?"

"One day, whenever you get a job, you'll see things from my perspective."

"Mm, no," Josslyn shook her head.

"...Alright fine," Kristina sighed, "I'll try and play the first round on my break."

"Great!" Josslyn clapped her hands together before dropping her joy, "Oh, wait, you need a partner."

"Yeah…" Kristina mumbled as she heard the door open. She and Josslyn looked to see the man standing on the steps. Josslyn scowled at him while Kristina felt a deepening dread: …Great.

"What is he doing here?" Josslyn frowned just before Dex approached the counter.

"Hi, Dex," Kristina said flatly, "Here to order something?"

"I'm here to talk to you," he replied.

"I'm busy."

"So you can leave," Josslyn cut in, pointing to the door. Dex scowled at her before turning back to Kristina.

"I'm sorry," he began, his voice soft as he leaned in, "I didn't mean to upset you with the whole incident and article-"

"Incident?" Josslyn cut in, "What, you mean what happened to Ava?"

"Dex…" Kristina said, "was the one who got Ava to the hospital."

"And who's to say he only did that to cover his tracks?"

"I didn't hurt her," Dex snapped, "I get that you don't like me all that much, but I wouldn't ever do something like that."

"Oh, you'll just commit nonviolent federal crimes for a monster instead," Josslyn rolled her eyes.

"Joss," Kristina chimed in, her voice sharp, "he didn't stab Ava. He likely saved her life."

The young girl blinked, "...And you're sure about that?"

"Yes, I am," Kristina stared at Dex, "Avery gets to, hopefully, keep her mom because he stepped up. He wouldn't have done so if he did it."

"Hmph, whatever," Josslyn looked Dex over, pursing her lips before walking away, her eyes still on him.

Dex moved to where she used to be, taking a seat, "Thank you."

"For the record, I'm still frustrated."

"I know, I know. And I know you said you're busy, but I was hoping we could talk about it-"

"There's nothing to talk about. You made your decision."

"I just…I don't want you to hate me over it. I mean, you get where I'm coming from, right? I just want people to be safe."

"I understand that," Kristina replied as she cleaned a few glasses.

"Okay," Dex paused for a moment, "then you get why I'm okay with places like The Invader releasing my name."

She didn't respond.

"Kristina," Dex frowned, "I'm more than capable of taking on Ava's attacker. I'm going to be fine. I know you're angry at me and you have every right to be, but that's just…what it is."

She set a glass down, looking at him, "I'm not angry at you."

Dex blinked rapidly, "You're…you're not-"

"I mean, I'm not thrilled about a target being put on your back, but I'm not angry with you over it. I'm angry at the circumstances. I understand why you're okay with my mom printing your name, even though I don't like that she will."

"Oh…"

"I'm sorry that I made you think I was pissed at you. I was just concerned."

"It's okay," Dex smiled half-heartedly, "I'm just glad that we could clear the air…and that you're not really mad at me."

Kristina grinned in response. The two stared at one another for a moment or two, the world growing distant as time ticked on.

"Um…" Dex cleared his throat, "well, I should go-"

"Don't."

"I'm sorry?"

"I mean," Kristina gulped, "you should stay. We have another trivia night going on, and this one's pretty general."

"General how?"

"The topic's a free-for-all. Nothing super niche or specific."

"Oh, I see," Dex looked around, "I mean, I can do a round or two, but it looks like I'll need a partner."

"Well, lucky for you, I'm about to go on break," Kristina winked, turning to Johnny, "I'm clocking out for a round. We'll be over at that table," she pointed to one by the corner window, "Bring a Manhattan when you get a chance."

The man nodded as he stood in her spot. Dex got up from his seat and joined her at her chosen table, a whiteboard and black marker waiting for them.

"So, how does this work?" he asked as he sat down.

"Well, we have a team name, and then we draw a big 'X' on the board. If we hold it up first, the MC will come over and give us the mic and we say the answer. Most points wins."

"Sounds like a lot of work," Dex remarked as he picked up the whiteboard, "Why not just write the answer?"

"They want it to be more interactive, they could miss something, I don't know," Kristina shrugged, watching someone move out of the corner of her eye, "Ooh, it's starting!"

"Hello, Port Charles!" the MC bellowed in a thick Southern accent, "Are we ready to kick off tonight's trivia tournament?"

Applause and cheers filled the room while a few patrons were served their drinks. Kristina glanced at Dex as he took a large sip.

"Excellent! Tonight's topic is 'potpourri,' meaning anything that can be asked will be asked! I hope y'all are ready!"

"You ready?" Kristina whispered as Dex finished off his glass.

"Let's kick some ass."

"First question is about: the military," the MC looked around, "We've all heard about Area 51 a few times in the national news over the past few years. What state is Area 51 located in?"

It was a matter of nanoseconds before a board shot up with an X. Kristina was almost mystified at Dex's speed.

"The team in the back," the MC pointed and sauntered over to them. She placed the mic in front of Dex, "What's your answer?"

"Nevada."

The MC looked at the card, "Correct! Point goes to Team…"

Dex looked at Kristina, studying her surprise. He took another large sip from his second serving before he cleared his throat, "Team Destina."

"Team Destiny!" the MC beamed before going back to where she stood before.

"Destiny?"

"She misheard me," Dex gulped down the second glass, waving at Johnny.

"What did you say?"

"Next question!" the MC shouted, "Topic is: food! Obviously, we are all in a bar, so it's fitting to ask - this alcohol's name is derived from the Slavic word for water!"

The same board shot up first.

"Team Destiny again!" the MC came over.

"Vodka."

"Correct again! You two are on a roll!"

"Dex," Kristina gently grabbed his forearm as he put the board down, a third Manhattan placed on the table, "you're burning through those Manhattans pretty fast. I can get you some pizza to water it down-"

"No, I'm good," he replied, taking a sip, "I need the liquid courage."

"Why?"

Dex stared at her for a moment, looking her up and down before grabbing the whiteboard once more. The questions continued to come out, with topics ranging from pop culture to history to more niche areas, and frontrunner teams showed themselves as time ticked by.

"They're killing it," Nina remarked as she watched Dex and Kristina. He downed another drink as she answered the question.

"Yeah," Sonny sipped his second beer, "but…I don't like how much he's drinking."

"Worried he might hurt her?"

"Dex is still a massive wildcard. I don't trust the guy, certainly not around my daughter."

"Well, she doesn't seem to mind…" Nina narrowed her eyes as she watched Kristina throw her head back in laughter. Dex giggled as well, teeth bared as he joined her, "Hmm…"

"Next question! Topic is: pop music! We all know the Jonas Brothers are currently roaring back with their new music and look, but in another lifetime, namely another movie, they went by a different name."

A new board was first: "Team JT!"

"Connect 3," Josslyn answered, a smile on her face.

"Correct!" the girls high-fived in response as the MC moved their names into second place, "Well, look at that! Keep it up and you might overtake Team Destiny over in the back!"

Josslyn shot a look their way, the smugness on her face dropping as she saw the toothy grin on Dex's face. She looked at Kristina's similar expression for a moment before going back to Dex, feeling something tug at her heart.

"Joss, hey," Trina snapped her fingers, "you okay?"

"Hmm?" Josslyn turned around, "yeah, yeah."

"Trying to intimidate your competition?"

"Maybe…"

"I doubt it'll work. Those two have been a well-oiled machine all night."

"Yeah…" Josslyn looked back at Dex, "maybe I was wrong…"

"Wrong about what?" Trina looked past her friend, "Dex?"

"I thought that he was just another Sonny goon, meant to break laws and cause nothing but trouble. But, after tonight, maybe that's not the case."

"Joss, he drinks a lot and is apparently good at trivia. I'm not sure how it makes him good-"

"He saved Ava."

Trina blinked for a moment, taking the information in, "He what?"

"You know what happened to her," Josslyn began, "how she was stabbed-"

"Don't remind me."

"Well, Dex found her and took her to the hospital. He saved your boss, Avery's mom…he saved a life."

"He did?" Trina looked at the man, "Well, when he's sober, I'll be sure to thank him."

"Yeah…" Josslyn muttered, ducking her head down, "With him, there's clearly more than meets the eye…"

An intermission swiftly followed, leaving two teams up for a sudden death challenge. Dex took another Manhattan just as Michael approached him.

"Trivia, huh?" he asked.

"What?"

"You're a boozehound and a trivia whiz all of a sudden?"

"I'm off the clock, Michael. What do you want?"

"Leave my sister alone."

"I'm keeping my distance from Joss-"

"And that's good, but I meant Kristina."

"Oh, um, no."

"No?"

"Krissy and I are having a good time," Dex responded, his words slurring together, "You can…mind your business and have fun yourself for once."

"She is my family and I told you they're off-limits."

"You don't dictate what I do off-the-clock, and, uh, I'm pretty sure Krissy is a grown woman-"

"Stop calling her that."

"There's nothing wrong with what I'm saying," Dex got up. He immediately felt dizzy as his knees stiffened, his hands on the table for support, "I'm not hurting her in any way, and do you really want to cause a scene and out yourself right here, right now?"

Michael looked around, seeing Sonny and Nina cozying up and Josslyn chatting with Trina, "...Fine. After this, though, you'll leave Kristina alone. Or else."

"We'll see," Dex sat back down as his boss walked away. Kristina appeared simultaneously, taking her seat.

"You okay?" she looked him over.

"Yeah, yeah," he ran a hand down his face, "I'm just…the alcohol's really messing me up."

"Do you think you can power through the final round?"

"Okay! Here we go!" the MC clapped, "The final round and the final question! Team Destiny and Team JT are tied for 1st, so the next person to buzz in and get the answer right is our champion! Are both teams ready?"

Josslyn and Trina nodded triumphantly. Dex and Kristina exchanged a glance, a part of Dex melting away before they both nodded as well.

For the winning team, what was asked was child's play: "Topic is: current events. Well, maybe not super current. Port Charles has seen its fair share of criminal groups running amok in town, but this one? Let's just say this one was more…methodical in its approach, as if it was rising above to erase the shadows with sunshine. What was the name of this group?"