Dex wasn't sure what was in the air as he walked into the Jerome Gallery. There was a quaint sterility to the place, placid gray walls causing the purples, yellows, and blues of the hanging pop art to stand out. Ava sat at her desk, eyebrows in the air as she saw the man approach her.

"Oh good," she said, standing up, "you're here. Right on time."

"I wouldn't be anywhere else," Dex took a breath, flashing the handgun tucked in his jeans, "and I'm prepared just in case things go south. Is the PCPD in position?"

"It appears so. Dante told me there's cops patrolling almost every inch of the place, ready to catch Esme when she breaks in. Do you think she was watching you when you drove here?"

"I hope so."

The two stood in silence, Dex meandering around the main room of the gallery. His eyes fixated on one photo behind the main desk: mellow blues and browns pop off the image and a text box with Fais de beaux rêves, lolita! printed in the upper right-hand corner, a blonde woman with a gun pointed up filling most of the canvas from the lower left.

"Sweet dreams, lolita."

"Hm?" Dex turned around to see Ava nearby. She stood right next to him, shoulder to shoulder, inches apart.

"It's a special commission straight from France," she explained, "Ottilie Quincy: a brilliant young artist. In fact," she looked around the room, "most of these are from her."

"Were they all special commissions?"

"No, just this one. The others are part of her standard portfolio."

"They're lovely," Dex kept his eyes on the custom print.

"Maybe when this is all done, I can get her to commission something for you. As a gift."

"That's not necessary."

"Oh come on, Dex," Ava looked up at him, "You deserve it after everything you've been through, especially because of this bitch."

"She's definitely put me through hell, I won't deny that, but it's still unneeded. You getting through this unharmed and Kristina's attacker finally being caught is enough of a reward for me."

"Why not make it a gift for Kristina?" Ava prodded, "Give her something to uplift her mood."

"...I'll consider it."

Ava responded with a smug smirk. The pair fell quiet again, biding their time by walking around and taking in the collection of images on the walls. He stopped at another image, one of a couple wrapped up in a tight embrace, forehead against forehead and nose against nose, a text bubble with Pour toujours tu as mon cœur, mon amour… going from corner-to-corner across the top.

"Hey, Ava," he turned her way. She met his gaze from her seat at the desk, "how about this one?"

"Forever you have my heart, my love," she responded, "Do you want me to have her commission one for you?"

"If you don't mind."

"Oh, please, Dex, I was the one that offered! I'll get on the paperwork now," Dex smiled at her as he approached the desk, taking a seat on the open surface. He watched her fill in the boxes and lines with addresses and descriptions, a part of him sparking joy when he caught her noting his blue eyes and Kristina's brown hair.

"Thank you," he said softly.

"You are quite welcome," Ava smiled at him before going back to the documents, "You love her quite a bit."

"I do," Dex took a seat across from her, "Finding her like that…it absolutely broke my heart. The fact that Esme found it fit to break into my apartment and target her for no good reason, it's aggravating to say the least. And it's not just that: she almost took you from your daughter, she killed Sonny's cousin, she tried to kill Trina's lawyer. If we can't kill the lunatic, life in prison is the next best thing."

"I wish I did kill her…" Ava muttered.

Dex raised an eyebrow at her, "What?"

Ava gave him a look, "What?"

"You said you wish you did kill her," he scooted closer to her, "and something tells me you might've tried."

The woman stared at him, her mouth shut. She bit her bottom lip, looking him over as she debated what to do next. Dex kept his gaze on her, waiting for her to talk.

"Well," she began, "it's no secret that Esme and I are adversaries. She's given my family a lot of grief and harmed so many others, and that's not even counting what's happened since she's come back."

"Right."

"Trina's trial was the straw that broke the camel's back, so-to-speak. What she's done to me is one thing, but what she's done to her is something else, and I'd argue it's far worse. I mean, Esme commits this…heinous crime and she tries to ruin Trina's life by framing her for it! There is no bottom with her."

"Clearly," Dex crossed his arms, "Revenge porn is…a choice. The sooner we get rid of her, the sooner everyone can heal and things will be better," he leaned forward, "and if only you did, right?"

Ava stayed quiet, giving him a sharp look.

"You can tell me," he whispered gently, "We're in this together."

She relented, "...This stays between us, got it?"

"Got it."

"After the trial ended, when the jury went in for deliberation, I found Esme at Wyndemere."

"The castle on Spoon Island?"

"Yes. She was living there at the time, and I caught her scrambling to pack her things."

"What happened?"

"We…got into it. She shot off at the mouth and I smacked the taste out of it. We tussled and ended up on the castle's parapet."

"And…what, she fell over?"

"If you can believe it, she did. The second I let go of her wrists, she stepped backwards and fell over the edge."

"How steep is the fall?"

"I don't know, sixty feet, maybe? She would've landed in the lake regardless."

"Okay," Dex nodded slowly, "so there's a slim chance she survived a fall like that, especially if she landed in the water."

"If that's the case, and not that it matters, where was she all this time? Was she stalking me, waiting for a chance to strike?"

"Maybe, but she would've had to wait until she recovered from the fall to really start."

"True."

"Well," Dex sighed, "we know why she went after you."

"That much was obvious," Ava replied, "what wasn't was how she was provoked into doing this in the first place."

"It's not your fault."

"Oh, I know. It's all on Esme."

"Actually, it's all on you."

Dex and Ava whipped their heads towards the back hallway, watching in nervous anticipation as Esme strolled in, stopping under the archway. She dressed in all black, a form-fitting trenchcoat with matching leggings and boots to complement it. A wicked smirk was on her face as she looked between the two.

"How did you get in?!" Ava snapped.

"Oh come on," she rolled her eyes, moving closer, "Did you really think a few cops could stop me?"

"A mob goon certainly can," Dex rested a hand on the gun behind him in accordance with Ava's words.

"Right," Esme smacked her lips as she spoke, "Dex Heller, one of the…many thorns in my side."

"I'm honored," Dex scoffed with a smirk.

"Well, I'm here. I'm right where you want me," the young woman outstretched both of her arms.

"So it was you," Ava growled.

"Of course it was. And you know damn well why I did it: you pushed me off that parapet."

"No, you fell."

"I remember it differently, considering I'm the one you tried to kill. I'm the victim here-"

"You killed a person and injured three others," Dex chimed in, "You are no victim."

"I don't remember asking you."

"Going after me is one thing," Ava said, "but going after Brando Corbin, Diane Miller, and Kristina Corinthos-Davis is another. They're innocent in all this."

"Diane got your precious angel Trina acquitted of the charges against her," Esme sneered, "charges she was guilty of-"

"Charges you were guilty of," Dex cut in.

"Again, no one asked you."

"What about Brando and Kristina?" Ava asked, "Why go after them?"

Esme kept her mouth shut, a hard glare in Dex's direction. Ava glanced between the two, waiting for someone to break the silence.

"Why don't you ask the man next to you?" Esme finally answered.

"Your actions aren't my responsibility," Dex snapped.

"Is that so? If not for you, I'm pretty sure that Brando would be with his family right now. I'm also sure that Kristina wouldn't be laid up in the hospital."

"If not for you, they'd both be perfectly fine."

"Oh, how is Krissy, by the way?" the young woman faked her pout, "I'm sure it must've been so hard for her to fight for her life after her boyfriend abandoned her."

"Shut up."

"And poor Brando: a sad case of mistaken identity," her eyes were full of venom as they remained on Dex, "I thought he was you, I wish he was you."

"You're depraved," Ava said, scowling.

Esme shrugged in response.

"Brando died for nothing," Dex's nostrils flared, "and you stalked me so you could try and kill me."

"And I got your girlfriend instead. I know, I was there."

"All this over some petty revenge?" Ava shook her head.

"It's not petty! You almost killed me!"

"You fell! I did not push you!"

"Regardless," Esme pulled out the fishing hook, pointing it at Ava, "I'm here to finish what I started, and lucky for me, I can kill two birds with one stone."

"We'll see about that," Ava remarked. She proceeded to leave through the entrance hallway just as Dex pulled the gun from his jeans, pointing it at the young woman. The two stood firm, moving in a paced circle, anticipating the other's move.

"How would it look if you shot me, Dex?" Esme's question dripped with fake sadness, "I haven't laid a finger on you, and you'd choose to fire anyway."

"You killed an innocent man and hurt the woman I love. I don't think I care."

"How would it look to Brando's family? To find out it was you that should've died…they'd want the roles swapped in a heartbeat. And Krissy too-"

"Don't call her that."

"What would she think if you shot me unprovoked? That you took the law into your own hands? Maybe she won't care since her father is a mobster, but she would at least be disturbed by her boyfriend being a bit too trigger-happy."

"You're not going to break me, Esme," he stood firm.

"Hmph," she scoffed, lowering the hook, "fine."

Dex mirrored her in lowering his gun, slowly approaching her to take her weapon. When he was close enough, she swiftly lifted the object and swung downward. He moved his arm up, the blade scratching his skin as it moved downward. He stumbled back, examining the thin, red scar that ran across the inside. He saw her swing again and grabbed her wrist, the gun hitting the ground in response. He absent-mindedly kicked the weapon under the desk, hiding it from her.

"Bastard," Esme hissed through her teeth, her other wrist caught in his other hand. They wrestled in place, pushing against one another. He forced her a few steps backwards, trying to push her against the wall. She was mere inches away when she stepped on his foot, her heel forceful and hard as she attempted to break the bone. He hissed in pain as he let go of her, dropping to his knees. He barely got a hand up to stop her downward swing of the hook. She kicked him in the stomach in response, pushing him down against the floor. She hovered over him, the handle of the hook locked in her tight grip.

"Time to go," she said, raising the object up. His hands shot up to stop her, the blade scraping his palms. He tried pushing against her, blood staining her hands and wrists in tiny droplets.

"That's her!"

Esme froze, turning her head towards Ava. Two PCPD officers stood on either side of her, guns pointed out. She glared at the woman, pulling back from Dex to charge at her. The officers stepped forward, guns aimed at her.

"I wouldn't do that if I were you."

Commissioner Jordan Ashford walked in, between the guards and in front of Ava. Esme scowled at her, standing firm with her weapon. Ava looked past her to see Dex on the ground, specks of blood by his arm.

"Dex," Ava called out, "Dex?"

"I'm…fine," he replied, his breathing a bit heavy. He reached for his gun, sliding it towards him.

"Drop the weapon, Esme," Jordan commanded, a hand on the gun in her holster, "You don't want to escalate this further."

The young woman doesn't respond, looking at Ava, hook raised in the air. Ava took a step closer to Dex, moving at a snail's pace. The women's eyes met, and as Ava picked up her pace, Esme charged in her direction.

"Get her!" Jordan ordered, the two officers picketing their guns and surging towards the women. Just as Ava dropped to her knees by Dex's head, Esme raised the hook in the air. She barely swung down as both arms were caught.

"Let go!" she screamed as an officer handcuffed her from behind.

Jordan approached the young woman, a firm determination in her face, "Esme Prince, you are under arrest for the murder of Brando Corbin as well as the attacks on Ava Cassadine, Diane Miller, Kristina Corinthos-Davis, and Dex Heller."

"This isn't over!" she cried out as the officers led her away.

"Oh, it is very over," Ava said, looking back at Dex. She and Jordan looped their arms with his own as they helped him to his feet, "Are you okay?"

"I will be," he looked at his bloody palms and arm, "Are you okay?"

"I'm fine. I'm just glad that bitch was finally caught."

"And we have you two to thank," Jordan smiled, looking between them. She eyed Dex's injuries, "Let's get you to the paramedics."

"No, that's okay. I have some bandages at home."

"Dex," Ava laid a hand on his back, "listen to her. GH can patch those up in no time," she gave him a playful glare, "Plus, you'll get to see Kristina."

"That is true…" he sighed gently, nodding in Jordan's direction, "Are they outside?"

"Yes," she gestured to the entrance hallway, "I'll walk you out."

"Thank you."

The paramedic took his time looking over his arms and hands, doing his best to clean the scars he found as they rode to the hospital. Dex watched everything intently, hissing and flexing his hand out as the man wiped the scar on his right palm

"You know," the paramedic spoke up, "you'd make a great EMT."

"What?" Dex looked at him.

"I've kept up with the Hook case whenever The Invader drops an article on it. They talked about what you did to save those three women, and it's pretty admirable what you managed to do with just a few towels. You'd be incredible with the materials we have."

"Really? You think I could do this for a living?"

"I don't see a reason why you can't," the EMT shrugged as he dried off Dex's hand, "You reacted fast and saved three lives without causing any further injury. Plus, the more paramedics, the merrier."

"I see."

"What do you currently do?"

"I work for Corinthos Coffee."

"You work for the coffee business or the coffee mogul himself?"

Dex didn't respond, which gave the paramedic an answer.

"Well," the man sighed, "if you ever get bored of that, this career's a good one to pivot to."

Dex hummed to himself, resisting the urge to say that he'd consider it. Working for Roman Hume had its benefits and drawbacks, more often than not on a severe scale, and his moonlighting as a Corinthos mob goon was just as chaotic. Kristina abruptly enters his mind, softening at her presence for a brief moment before being reminded of the fork in the road he'd eventually encounter. The paramedic proceeded to wrap his arm in firm white gauze, moving onto both of his palms.

"Well," the man said, "the initial wrap is on. Once you're booked into an exam room, they'll better secure the wounds so you can heal."

"Thank you," Dex replied as the ambulance came to a stop. The paramedic got to his feet, grabbing a flattened wheelchair. The doors opened and he stepped out, setting the chair up. Dex gingerly stepped onto the asphalt himself, sitting down and cruising towards the entrance. The pair got a few feet inside when he saw a flash of familiar brown hair.

"Kristina?" he called out. The young woman turned around, a hand on her mobile IV and a bright smile on her face. They met each other in the middle of the lobby, between the reception desk and the elevators, "What are you doing down here?"

"I went for a walk," she answered, "The doctors think I'm healed enough to do it."

"Wouldn't it be better if you walked around the second floor?"

"I already did that, so now I'm down here," she observed his bandages, "What happened?"

"Esme Prince happened," he lifted his arms, "but it's all good."

"How so?"

"She's been arrested."

"Why?"

"She was the Hook."

"Oh my God," Kristina clapped her hands together, "thank God she's been caught! Are you going to be okay?"

"He will be," the paramedic cut in, "I'd hate to interrupt, but I need to get the patient to an exam room."

"Right, sorry," she replied sheepishly before looking down at Dex, "We'll talk later."

"That we will," he smirked. She bent down slightly, his lips crashing into hers as he slightly stood up to meet her. They pulled back after a minute or two, sharing a glance as Dex was wheeled off towards the other end of the hall, thankful that the nightmare was finally over.