"Not you too," Sonny replied.
"Maybe that should tell you something," Dante said, "If I'm not the only one that's questioning whether or not you have the situation with the business handled."
"I know how it looks," Sonny said, "But that doesn't mean."
"It means you've lost power," Dante said, "And you need to figure out what you're going to do about it or someone will for you. Do you even want to run the business anymore?"
"Why wouldn't I?" Sonny replied.
"You tell me," Dante said.
"It's my business, of course I'd run it," Sonny said.
"What if you didn't have to?" Dante asked, "Did you ever consider that when you got your memory back? Jason was running things."
"When I didn't remember who I was," Sonny said, "Part of me was horrified to learn who I was. I wonder if I maybe didn't want to know because of that. Like some part of me knew. But then I got my memory back."
"But it didn't change what you went through as Mike, how you felt as Mike," Dante said.
"No, but when the memories came, I was still well me," Sonny said, "Same ambition, same desires."
"But you've gotten careless," Dante said, "I know you don't want to hear that. But we both know if this continues, someone else will get hurt, will get killed the way this is going."
"Maybe," Sonny said, noticing Kristina walk in, "Hey, Kristina, why don't you join us?"
"Dante," Kristina said, then tensing up, "Dad."
"What brings you here?" Sonny said, "Last I knew you were traveling all over the world…"
"Until I was in a shootout on the island," Kristina said, "Where my sister's father-in-law died. I came home to support Kellie for the funeral and of course see my family."
"Look I'm sorry about the shootout on the island," Sonny said to Kristina, "I'm so glad that you're okay."
"I know that there are risks related to the business," Kristina said, "Even you have to admit that an I'm sorry can't fix this."
"Here we go," Sonny said, exasperated.
"I want to be on your side, Dad," Kristina said, "I really do, even after you bought Charlie's out from under me. But from everything I saw and heard before Cyrus attacked on the island, it's making it really hard for me to be able to. Selina Wu showing up to talk to Kellie about the business and you. I know about the slip with your medications."
"You shouldn't be involved in any of that," Sonny said, "It certainly doesn't excuse your sister's betrayal."
"I have no idea what Kellie did that you consider betrayal. But for months, I have been watching my sister do everything she can to keep her kids, her family safe," Kristina said, "all while being separated from Jason. I know I was not on board with Kellie and Jason getting together at first. But he and their family made her happy again. I know that I don't always understand how fraught your relationship with Kellie has always been. But for the life of me, I cannot figure out how you've been able to sit back while this latest mob war continues to force her to pay the highest price out of any of us. Her father-in-law. Her marriage to Jason has been at stake."
"What do you mean her marriage to Jason is at stake?" Dante asked, "I thought they were solid."
"They are," Kristina said, "But I can't help but think if she thought it would have helped, that leaving Jason to protect the kids would have been on the table no matter how much she loves him. Jason might have let her walk away if it came to that."
"Kellie might be safer," Sonny started to say.
"But she's not," Kristina said, "Not when everyone gunning for you and Jason is gunning for her too to keep her from taking your places. As I was saying, I'm starting to understand Kellie's perspective on your relationship. You've claimed to want to do better and protect her from the business, but you've done everything but that. Ever since you got back, she's gotten closer and closer to well something I'm not entirely sure she wants for herself, but if she thought it was the only to keep everyone safe at this point, I don't think anyone could stop her. What exactly did she do that's a great betrayal?"
"I wouldn't consider it a betrayal so much as a smart business decision," Selina Wu said, having overheard the last of Kristina's comments, "I hope there no hard feelings after I was voted the new head of the families and your daughter obviously felt you weren't well the best choice."
Kristina looked surprised and Dante muttered under his breathe, "That answers that question."
"Don't take this the wrong way, Selina," Sonny said, "But I do plan on that being revisited in the future. In the meantime, you know me. I will do what needs to be done."
"Of course," Selina said, "Remember you also have a deadline. Now if you'll excuse me, I'll leave you to enjoy your time with your family." Selina walked away.
Dante and Kristina both looked at Sonny.
"Obviously, Kellie was the deciding vote against you," Dante said, "And Selina is now in charge."
"For now," Sonny said.
"Does that mean you're actually going to do what needs to be done," Kristina said.
"Don't you worry about that," Sonny said.
"What deadline was Selina referring to?" Kristina asked.
"It's an overreaction," Sonny said, "Now if you'll excuse me, I have somewhere I need to be."
"Dad, just one more thing, if Kellie was voting on that," Dante said, "Did she take a seat at the table?"
"No, but Selina and the others offered her a spot," Sonny said, "Last night was supposed to be a one off, a tie breaker, and Kellie was there to inform us about her new company."
Sonny left without another word, leaving Kristina stunned and Dante let out a deep breathe.
"Oh, this is bad," Kristina said.
"I knew something had gone down with all the rumors at the station and even suspected Kellie of being involved in the vote against Dad," Dante said, "I thought I'd ask Dad and try to…."
"Play peacekeeper," Kristina said, "I mean if anyone could through to Dad it would be you or possibly me. But I don't think we can. He doesn't seem to understand how bad his position is. What do you think the deadline Selina is referring to is about?"
"My best guess, for Dad to get his act together," Dante said, "Theoretically, Selina being the new head and Johnny Zacharra taking over the Buscema territory would be stabilizing."
"Wait isn't Johnny Zacharra in prison?" Kristina interrupted.
"Just got parole and picking up where his family left off," Dante said.
"I didn't think he was ever supposed to get parole," Kristina said.
"Apparently, his good behavior got him out," Dante said.
"More like someone pulled strings," Kristina scoffed.
"I'd offer to stay and have coffee, but I have to meet Lulu at Rocco's school for an assembly," Dante said, "He's getting student of the month."
"You must be so proud. Tell Rocco Congratulations," Kristina said, "I think I'm going to go check on Kellie."
"Give her my best," Dante said, "And tell her not to take that offer."
"Like she'd listen," Kristina said.
Jason and Kellie's House
"I've got no idea if Michael realizes how questionable his actions may be," Kellie said
"So what do you have planned for today?" Jason asked, stroking Kellie's hair.
"No idea, other than meeting Monica to go over funeral arrangements this afternoon," Kellie said, "Other than that I hadn't really thought past last night."
"I can't say I really thought much past last night either," Jason said, "Right now I'm waiting on some calls. I need to talk to Sonny obviously. But I don't know if he's cooled down enough yet."
Kellie collapsed against Jason and he wrapped his arms around her.
"I could stay here for awhile," Kellie said, "Pretend the chaos that waits for us outside the house isn't there for awhile."
"We haven't played pool yet since you got home," Jason said, "I'm sure Francis will keep Kelsey occupied for a bit."
"Strip pool?" Kellie asked, kissing Jason.
"If you want," Jason said.
Kellie moved and stood up, grabbing Jason's hand as he stood up to follow her.
Once entered the room with the pool table, Kellie shut the door.
Before they'd made it to the pool table, they were kissing and Kellie was pulling Jason's shirt off.
"I missed you," Kellie said.
"I take it we're not playing pool," Jason said, taking Kellie's shirt off.
"Not yet," Kellie said, "I want you first."
"We could have just gone back to bed," Jason said.
"Less talking, more kissing," Kellie said, pulling Jason back with her until she backed into the pool table.
They continued kissing as Jason lifted Kellie onto to the pool table.
A short while later, one of the guards let Kristina inside the house.
"Kellie, Jason," Kristina said and there wasn't an answer.
She wandered through the house and heard noises from the other side of a door. Kristina was about to open the door when Francis stopped her.
"I wouldn't open that if I were you," Francis said, holding Kelsey.
"I'm sure they're just playing pool," Kristina said.
"When the door to that room is shut," Francis said, "It usually means, they're playing a private game of pool."
Kristina looked confused for moment and then it clicked.
"Ohhh," Kristina said, "I think I'll wait in the living room or the kitchen. How long do you think they'll be?"
Francis shrugged, "They were separated for months. I can't really say. Jason doesn't have anywhere urgent to be at the moment. Kellie's free until this afternoon."
Kristina considered her options and then knocked loudly on the door.
"It's Kristina," she yelled, I'll be in the kitchen giving Kelsey ice cream, whenever the two of you have a moment to spare. Although if you're not out in ten minutes, I'll reconsider opening this door then."