Gina Cates Williams spotted her mother immediately as she entered Port Charles International Airport through arrival gate 56.

"Oh, sweetheart, it is so great to have you home! Your dad is still at the hospital, some of his cases got pushed back but I figure worst case scenario he can just change at the hospital and come upstairs," Melody Williams gushed as she wrapped her arms around her daughter.

Gina hugged back. Her mother made it all sound so simple and perhaps from her perspective it really was. Unfortunately, Gina was anything but sure that her father being delayed in the OR and them missing the reception altogether wouldn't be for the best, especially if her brother's girlfriend, Robin Scorpio was in attendance. That had been the question she really should have asked Karen. But somehow, she hadn't been able to bring herself to ask.

Gina's trepidation and wariness only increased as she followed her mother through the airport. She clearly remembered another celebration of her brother that she and Robin had both attended. That had been, in a word, disastrous.

September 22, 1995

Gina took a deep breath as her mother pulled up to the top of the Quartermaine's driveway. Her mother must have sensed her discomfort because she said, "I can call your dad and tell him to go ahead and find something he can read the directions for and microwave and I can stay."

"No, I'll be ok. I'm just a little tired from the soccer game I think."

"You know you don't need to stay long. I'm sure your brother will understand if you're tired."

Gina knew her mother was just trying to be supportive. But she wasn't about to explain to her brother that she was tired from running around on the soccer field for less than two hours when he was exhausted just from the reality of life. "I'll call you when I'm ready to come home," Gina said and got out of the car before her mom could say anything else.

She made her way up the front walk and stood tensely on the porch until Dr. Quartermaine pulled the door open. "Gina, come in, we're so glad you could come," Dr. Alan Quartermaine greeted her warmly.

"Thanks, I know I'm a little late, but we had a soccer game."

"That isn't a problem, actually Alli and Em haven't been home from practice for long. I think Emily is still in the shower."

"They play tennis, right?" Gina asked.

"Emily is running cross country, but Allison is playing tennis."

"Ok, I saw Allison the other day I guess when Port Charles had their match at Shepperd."

"Yes, I missed that unfortunately I got a little tied up at the hospital. Anyway, everyone is out on the side patio by the pool," Alan said starting to lead her through the house.

When they stepped onto the patio Alan said, "Why don't we find you some food? I'm sure you're starving."

"Well, not really starving, but I could eat," Gina said.

"Good because there is plenty of food," Alan said as AJ came over holding the cordless phone.

"Dad, it's for you. I guess the nurses in the SICU must have missed you," AJ said as he extended the phone.

"Excuse me just a minute, Gina," Alan said turning away from them to have his conversation.

"Come on let's find you a plate," AJ said.

Gina followed him. AJ was Dr. Quartermaine's oldest son and a sophomore at PCU. He and Robin had graduated from Port Charles High together the year before. "Thanks, AJ," Gina said absently.

"No problem. So, are you feeling better? Stone mentioned you were in the hospital."

"Yeah, I'm fine. You know I saw one of your photographs in the paper, that was a cool angle. I'm still doing well if I get everyone's head in the frame," Gina said.

"Well we all have our talents I suppose," AJ said.

"Of course, and some of us are just talented at making others feel awful," Robin said coming up to the buffet to grab a soda.

"Robin!" AJ said.

Gina cringed at her words. They hurt but she supposed she understood them. She hadn't meant to turn her back on her brother, she just couldn't exactly override her parents either. Things were better, but Robin loved Stone and knew that he had been hurt. "I never meant to make Mike feel badly," she finally said.

"I don't know who you're talking about," Robin sneered.

"Right, umm Stone, sorry. He was Mike first but I'm trying to remember it's just hard and names stick. Trust me I'm not exactly a fan of being called Genie Beany anymore but Jagger still does it and he's not trying to bug me, it's just familiar."

"So, Jagger is an acceptable nickname, but Stone isn't."

"Jagger was named after our dad, John. He's been Jagger as long as I can remember. Michael was always Mike. I know you don't like me, Robin, but I do love my brother so it would be nice if we could try to get along for Stone's sake at least," Gina said.

"No, I don't like you, but more than that I don't trust you. You don't love your brother; you are just playing the martyr role because it's convenient. Well you may have cast Stone away but he has other people who love him and we're not going to let you hurt him anymore," Robin said. Then she picked up a second soda, turned, and stalked across the patio to where Stone was sitting with Sonny and Brenda.

Gina turned back towards the buffet willing herself not to cry. "Wow is that lasagna?" she asked. It was the first thing that popped into her head, she didn't want to think about, or talk with AJ about her confrontation with Robin.

"Yes, with spinach do you want some?" AJ asked.

"Sure," Gina said.

AJ handed her a plate with a generous piece of lasagna. "I also recommend the bread sticks. Plus, we're supposed to be rationing Grandfather," AJ said.

Gina laughed. "Well, I guess I should do my part," she said as she picked up a breadstick.

After she grabbed a bottle of water AJ led her to a table where he had been sitting with his cousin Jason Morgan, Jason's girlfriend Keesha Ward, and another young woman he introduced as Kaylee Reynolds another student at PCU.

"So, you're Gina Williams. Finally, I can associate a face with a name," Kaylee said.

"Yes," Gina said with trepidation. If Kaylee was AJ's friend, she probably was Robin's friend so she was afraid whatever impression Kaylee had formed was probably not positive.

"I'm sorry, you probably think I'm some kind of a stalker or something. I assure you I'm harmless. I'm also dating Raoul Gomez."

"Ah, my genetics lab partner who hates fruit flies. I think we all do by this point. Technically though he was the first to say it," Gina said.

"Well, or write it, right?" Kaylee asked.

"Yes. For genetics our lab instructor decided to pair us by pulling names out of a hat. He also made us write one statement about ourselves. Raoul's was that he hated fruit flies."

"What was yours, Gina?" Keesha asked.

"Oh, mine was lame. I play soccer," Gina said.

"Well there is a reason to live right there," AJ quipped.

"Oh, definitely because midfielders rule," Gina said.

Gina knew AJ had gone out of his way to make her feel comfortable. At the time it had surprised her a little since she knew AJ and Robin were close friends. Of course, AJ had also been Stone's friend and despite their years apart Gina knew that Stone had just wanted her to be safe and loved. She suspected AJ had sensed that and that was why he had been kind to her. Or perhaps AJ was just his mother's son and he was kind to everyone. Gina's experiences in the years that followed would support that theory.

Unfortunately, the years that followed had done little if anything to diffuse the tension between her and Robin. Gina didn't want to fight about who had loved Stone more, who missed him more. She doubted that would make either of them feel better. She understood that Stone was, and perhaps always would be the love of Robin's life. Stone would want her to be there for Robin, she had even promised him she would do as much. Yet, it was pretty impossible to be there for someone who just pushed everyone away. Perhaps that was what had brought Robin and Jason Morgan together.

Gina had to admit she hadn't seen that relationship coming. She had thought that Jason loved Keesha almost as intensely as Stone had loved Robin. She had been surprised to see the two of them and her face had registered surprise not criticism; even if Robin had never accepted that explanation.

April 5, 1996

"This is not the safest part of town, sweetheart, that is all I am saying," Dr. Roger Williams said as he drove down Elm Street. "I agree with the mission of the Ward House I just wish that they had held this fundraiser at the Port Charles Grille or something."

"The Port Charles Grill isn't exactly a Blues Club, dad," Gina protested.

"She does have a point, dear," Melody Williams said.

Dr. Williams smiled as he pulled his BMW up in front of Luke's Blue's Club. "You know I can't disappoint both of you at the same time. I guess I'll just have to accept that we're spending a night out in the warehouse district."

Gina smiled back at her father. "I guess you will," she said as she opened the door to the back seat as she climbed out of the car behind her mother. In spite of her father's concerns about the neighborhood she kind of liked it. It was where her brother Jagger had lived while he lived in Port Charles. He had rented a room above Kelly's Diner which was across the street and a bit further down. Stone had originally lived in an apartment over the club they were standing outside. Gina had never been allowed to visit him there as her parents felt it was unsafe.

Gina heard her father audibly clear his throat. She followed his glance and saw that the valet was ignoring him lost in a kiss with some girl with a short skirt and dark brown hair. When they separated and the girl turned around Gina could only gasp as she realized she was face to face with the former love of her brother Stone's life, Robin Scorpio. As she swallowed hard, she realized that the man she was kissing looked familiar too. He looked a lot like Jason Morgan, AJ Quartermaine's cousin.

Robin seemed to glare back at her and uncomfortably Gina averted her eyes. She glanced at the somewhat startled blue eyes that at least weren't glaring at her. "I'm sorry, you looked like a guy my brothers used to know, I didn't mean to stare," she said. Once the words were out, she realized she probably still needed to address Robin but she wasn't sure how to. The scene before Stone's funeral was still fresh in her mind, she didn't want a repeat of that. "Hello, Robin," she finally said.

Robin didn't speak but continued to glare.

"You know them?" Robin's blue-eyed suitor asked.

"Not really, Gina just thinks she knows everyone and that the whole world must revolve around her," Robin said without breaking her glare.

Gina felt her mom wrap a protective arm around her shoulders. "Why don't we meet you inside, Roger?" she said as she nudged Gina in the direction of the door.

"Of course, you wouldn't want to hear the truth about your precious daughter," Robin spat back.

"Ms. Scorpio, we truly are sorry for your loss, but I cannot allow you to take your grief out on an innocent child, especially not one who is grieving herself" Dr. Williams said.

Robin laughed bitterly. "Grieving?" she asked with a roll of eyes. "What exactly could Gina be grieving? Did you take away her credit card or something?"

Gina took a deep breath. She didn't have a credit card to be taken away but that was so beyond the point and she suspected even Robin grasped that. As she exhaled slowly, she decided that silence was probably her best option. There was nothing she could say that would make Robin understand they were meant to be on the same side, and Stone wouldn't want her to say something hurtful.

"You can't expect me to believe she was grieving her brother's death considering that she was celebrating at the Port Charles Grille not even forty-eight hours after the Memorial Service," Robin added.

Gina winced. Technically Robin was correct. She had learned the day after Stone's Memorial Service that she had been accepted to Stanford. In many ways it was a bittersweet accomplishment.

"Sometimes we have to celebrate the joys along with the sorrows. We were very proud of Gina that she got accepted to Stanford and felt that we needed to acknowledge her accomplishments. There isn't necessarily a right or wrong way to grieve, Robin," Melody Williams said.

"Or maybe Gina is just a heartless brat who has never been able to see past her own self interests. Don't you dare tell me how to grieve!" Robin said as she stalked off.

The blue-eyed valet looked a bit shell shocked, but he took another look at them and then jogged off after Robin.

"See, this time I didn't even say anything to him before he ran off, Lila!" Edward Quartermaine said as he helped his wife out of the black stretch limo that had just pulled up at the curb.

"I see that, dear, but I told you that Jason would be uncomfortable with us being here. I knew we should have just given a generous donation and stayed home. Do you really think that Alan, Monica, and Ryan all just happened to be on call tonight? I think they were trying to give Jason his space. Good evening Dr. Williams, Melody, Gina, are you here for the benefit?"

"That was Jason?" Gina asked.

Gina regretted the question when she saw the way Lila just looked down at her lap in her wheelchair. She hadn't meant to be rude or nosy but the Jason Morgan she knew was in love with Keesha Ward and wore collared shirts with ties and khakis. The guy Robin had been kissing was wearing a leather jacket with jeans. She supposed his new wardrobe fit more with the ambience and environment of the club but she was curious what had happened to his other career. She wondered if he was involved in some undercover operation. Yet, that seemed impossible and Lila seemed truly hurt.

"The Morgans were killed in a bad accident a few months ago, honey. I didn't want to tell you while you were still grieving for Stone, and really grieving for your parents all over again." Melody Williams said.

"I'm sorry," Gina said. She hated that her mother still tried to decide what she could and could not handle.

"I saw Dr. Quartermaine the other day when I was volunteering at the hospital. He was very happy to hear that you were going to make it to the dedication of your brother's wing," her mother said as they finally reached her Volvo in the parking garage.

Gina forced herself to let go of the memories that had been playing in her head. She reached to lift the back hatch and deposited her backpack inside and then lifted up her carryon suitcase. "Did he mention who else was going to be there?" she asked as she closed the hatch again.

"Oh, don't worry, honey, Alan completely understands that Jagger is doing the Lord's work in his own way," her mother said as they got into the car.

Gina decided that she didn't have the heart to try to pry more information out of her mother. It was probably better if she braced herself for Robin's attendance and the awkward encounter that would follow.

XXXXXXXX

In Judge Lombardi's Court Room, Chase Murdoch was conflicted. Justus Ward's overly thorough, and exceedingly long, cross examination of his PCGH Security Guards left him set up to call his next witness just before 2:30 on a Friday afternoon. That was hardly going to win him any favor or potential future beneficence from Judge Lombardi. Fridays were always a delicate dance because it was very frowned up for Superior Court Judges to adjourn before three-thirty, but it was perfectly acceptable if the prosecutor or defense requested an early adjournment if they felt that their questioning of the next witness would be lengthy. He had made that request a week earlier right before three because he felt that it could easily take more than a hour to get through PCGH's Head of Security, Gordon Ross's, testimony as he needed to introduce several security videos into evidence and it was also most equitable to allow defense counsel to perform his cross examination on the same day as the original testimony, especially in the lead up to a three day weekend.

A week later, due to the Columbus Day Holiday; a bomb threat that had fortunately been a false threat; Judge Lombardi's usual Wednesday court dark day; and a court conflict invoked by all the other delays, he was still working his way through the witnesses he had originally intended to call three days earlier. Plus, he knew that his final witness was a medical student who had already missed an entire day of classes on standby in the witness preparation room. Was it fair to make him spend an entire weekend in Chapparal County and then repeat the whole process on Monday? Was it fair to put the financial burden of all of that and the extensive trial delays onto the taxpayers of Chapparal County and New York State?

"The state calls, Raoul Gomez," Chase said with as much confidence as he could muster.

Justus Ward rose from his seat. "We would request this witness be delayed until Monday to allow us sufficient time to prepare," he said.

Judge Lombardi seemed to consider the request. Chase was sure he had some weekend plans that would be impeded by court staying in session until five o'clock.

"Are you suggesting that this witness was not on the state's witness list?" Judge Lombardi asked.

"We were not anticipating this witness today," Justus said.

"In that case, then the state may proceed," Judge Lombardi said. However, he glared at Chase as he spoke.

XXXXXXXX

Raoul Gomez made his way to the front of the courtroom with overwhelming dread. He didn't believe, he couldn't believe, that his girlfriend had anything to do with Dr. Pierce Dorman's death. When he had originally received the prosecution's subpoena he had wanted to ignore it, then he wanted to adamantly refuse to testify, but finally he had accepted reality that neither of those actions would actually help Kaylee and they might literally destroy his life. That had led him to a period where he tried to convince himself that he could help Kaylee by telling the truth. Wasn't the truth supposed to set everyone free?

Unfortunately, life was so much messier than that. Raoul was well aware of that as he raised his right hand and pledged to tell the truth. When he was allowed to sit down, he found himself unable to meet Kaylee's eyes.

"Good afternoon, Mr. Gomez, I would like to thank you appearing today. Before we get started can you introduce yourself to the jury and then spell your first and last name for the court stenographer," Chapparal County Prosecutor Chase Murdoch said.

Raoul looked warily at the prosecutor and then deflected his eyes towards the jury box. "My name is Raoul, R-A-O-U-L, Gomez, G-O-M-E-Z," he said.

"Thank you, Mr. Gomez, can you tell us about your current occupation?" the prosecutor asked.

"I work part time as a pathology assistant at University Hospital of Brooklyn and I am a full-time medical student at SUNY Downstate," Raoul said. He noted the way that some blonde girl on the jury giggled at his statement and then didn't even have the sense to appear at all embarrassed about her outburst in spite of the stern glare of reproach coming from Judge Lombardi.

"That is very impressive, good for you," the prosecutor said.

For a brief moment Raoul wondered if Chase Murdoch really believed his words. He also wondered if he was expected to respond to them. Was he expected to say thank you? He also saw the way Jimmy Lee Holt sneered at him. He had briefly worked for Holt Construction over the summer in between his junior and senior years of high school. He remembered how Holt had referred to the Latinx members of his crew as Wetbacks and Spics. One summer of that had been more than enough.

"How long have you worked at University Hospital of Brooklyn?" the prosecutor asked.

"About two months, I started there in August when I started my first year of medical school," Raoul answered.

"Who was your employer prior to August of 1997?"

"Port Charles General Hospital; I worked as a pathology assistant for about eighteen months from January 1996 through July 1997," Raoul said. He took a deep breath and released it slowly. He knew where the line of questions was leading.

"Could you explain to the jury what some of your duties were as a pathology assistant?"

"As a pathology assistant when I worked at General Hospital?"

"I meant in general, however, if your responsibilities were different at General Hospital than at University Hospital then let's focus on your time at General Hospital."

"A pathology assistant assists the pathologist by helping prepare specimens and slides. At General Hospital I worked mostly in the morgue, so I assisted the physician with postmortem examinations. Sometimes I also logged in and tagged gross specimens that came from the OR for frozen section because that was also done by whoever was the Anatomic Pathologist on call that day. At University Hospital of Brooklyn, I am assigned to the Hematology Lab, so I assist with peripheral smear preparation and do a lot of specimen logging. I also recently completed my phlebotomy certification so I will start doing some STAT lab draws next month as well."

"Thank you. So, you said that you spent most of your time at Port Charles General Hospital assigned to the Morgue. Was that where you were assigned on June 13, 1997?"

"I assisted Dr. Chen with a postmortem examination first thing in the morning and then I spent most of the rest of the morning retrieving frozen section samples from the Main OR for Dr. Addison," Raoul said.

"So, nothing outside of the usual?" Chase asked.

Raoul was almost certain there was a trap in the question. He just wasn't sure exactly where it was. "Can you clarify what you mean by usual?" he asked.

Chase Murdoch's countenance didn't change. "I just meant that it was a typical day, unless you feel it wasn't and then could you explain why?" he said.

Raoul shrugged his shoulders. "Ok, I suppose it was a typical day," he said.

"Fair enough, so on a typical day when did you usually get a lunch break?" Chase asked.

"Sometime around noon, although if I was processing frozen sections I would work around that, it is time sensitive because the patient is under anesthesia and the surgeon is waiting on the results to decide what he or she does next," Raoul said.

"Do you know when you went to lunch on June 13th?"

"Off the top of my head no, but on review of my time clock records it appears that I clocked out at 12:10 and clocked back in at 1:05 so that is what I must have done," Raoul said.

"Were you supposed to meet anyone for lunch that day?"

"I met my girlfriend, Kaylee Reynolds, at the Recovery Room," Raoul said. He took a deep breath. He knew what was coming.

"Was that planned ahead of time?" Chase asked.

"Yes, it was her birthday, so I wanted to take her to lunch."

"Was the original plan to meet at the restaurant?" Chase asked.

"Originally I had told her she could meet me in my office in the morgue. I was finishing up processing a gross specimen in the lab and she decided to go on to the restaurant. She called me and told me about the change in plans," Raoul said.

"Did that seem odd to you at the time?" Chase asked.

"No, in fact, I felt like I should have never suggested that she meet me in the morgue in the first place. I wasn't thinking because we had done it before but never after her brother died. She had to identify his body because her parents just couldn't do it. I should have thought of that," Raoul said. He should have thought about that. If he had then Kaylee would have never been in the wrong place at the wrong time.

XXXXXXXX

Steffi Alden set the jeans back on the display pallet and made her way towards the exit of The Buckle one of the trendy shops of Port Charles' Riverwalk. She had led Cooper to believe that her photo shoot was likely to take all day, but they had been done before noon. Knowing that Cooper had planned to meet up with his cousin Trisha and take the kids to the Great Adventure Theme Park in nearby Merrimack she had opted to take the sub terrace exit from the hotel onto the Port Charles Riverwalk. If Cooper asked later, she would say she went shopping which was technically true.

As she exited the shop, she felt herself collide with someone. That jarred her from her thoughts enough to mumble a hasty apology. Then she realized who she had bumped into…Brenda Barrett.

"No worries, it was likely my fault anyway, so I'm sorry as well. Oh wait, you're Steffi, right? You're the new Deception Cosmetics Spokesmodel, congratulations!" Brenda said.

Brenda's warmth surprised Steffi a little. She more knew of than truly knew Brenda, but Katherine Bell had certainly not said favorable things. Of course, Katherine might be retaliating. After all, Brenda had ended her Deception Cosmetics contract and signed with Jacks Cosmetics.

"Umm, thanks," Steffi said uneasily.

"You must be in town doing early shoots for the Christmas Campaign. That was definitely a process, and definitely one I won't miss," Brenda said.

"What do you mean?" Steffi asked. She wondered if Brenda had really hated modeling for Deceptions as much as she just hated modeling. Steffi thought she could understand the latter which was painfully ironic given how hard she had fought Cooper to return to modeling in the first place.

"Oh, I suppose like most projects it took way longer than projected. Like I said, I'm definitely not going to miss the experience this year. I swear each year was more tedious and time consuming than the year prior, so I really do both sympathize and empathize with your plight," Brenda said.

Steffi shrugged her shoulders. "It seemed fine this year, in fact, we're done," she said.

Brenda laughed. "I hope you are, but, just fair warning, unless the absolute last-minute deadline has already passed, you likely aren't done. I have reshot so many things that were perfectly fine, but Katherine decided just would not do, usually at the most inconvenient time as well," she said.

"I see, well, this year Amy Morgan, coordinated and oversaw everything," Steffi said.

"In my experience, that only makes it more likely that you will need to reshoot. Katherine has a hard time allowing others any version of decision-making capacity. I'm sorry I must sound so pessimistic. Who knows, maybe Katherine has changed or maybe it was more that she truly hated me than that she was a merciless micromanager. For your sake, I hope it was," Brenda said.

Once again, Brenda's warmth surprised Steffi. Against her better judgment she asked, "Do you really think everything will have to be redone? My husband will hate that!"

"I guess you won't know until Katherine has been released from the hospital and is back at Deceptions. Maybe she will decide to focus on her health and just let it go," Brenda said. Yet, her face revealed her skepticism.

"Katherine is in the hospital?" Steffi asked.

"Yes, she fell on the Locke Street Pier last weekend. Perhaps that isn't supposed to be common knowledge, but there was an article in the Port Charles Herald this morning. Edward was grumbling about the potential downstream adverse PR fallout for ELQ," Brenda explained.

"I didn't realize that. I guess I just presumed that most CEOs didn't personally coordinate the photo shoots for their ad campaigns," Steffi said.

Brenda laughed. "That is a good point, and you're probably correct, at least in general. I think Katherine just has a hard time giving up even the smallest locus of control. I was about to grab a milkshake from Café Decadence, would you like to join me, my treat," she offered.

Steffi hesitated. She couldn't remember the last time she had consumed a milkshake. She had convinced Cooper she was lactose intolerant. Perhaps Brenda would believe the same white lie. "Umm, ok," she said uneasily.