"Hey."

The voice is all-too-familiar to Kristina, a dreadful familiar, and she slowly looks up to meet the source. TJ stands over her table at Charlie's Pub, gazing at her hunched posture and half-eaten cheese pizza.

"...Hi," she swallows, wiping her face clean, "This is a surprise."

"Yeah...um..." TJ looks around, "Can I join you?"

"Are you going to bite my head off?"

"No. At least, I don't plan to."

"Then sure," she gestures to the open seat, which he takes, "Is Molly joining us?"

"No. She's tied up in depositions today. It's just us," he proceeds to scan the bar, taking in the decor, "...This place hasn't changed much since you left, has it?"

"Not that I can tell. Phyllis still owns it and Johnny was promoted; I figured they'd let Charlie's keep its charm."

"I'm glad they did. I have a lot of fond memories here. I know you do too."

"I do," Kristina gives him a small smile, "So what prompted you to want to talk to me? Did Molly's bitching get to you?"

"No, uh, if you can believe, she's cooled off."

"Really," she takes a sip of her soda, "She's gone from complaining about me to...what?"

"Well, she has talked about wanting to see Ciara, but that's only been in passing. She's...moved on? Mostly? That's the best was I can describe it."

"'Mostly.' Okay," she shakes her head, laughing, "Maybe when she actually apologizes, she'll get to see her niece."

"...Right," TJ sighs, a hard frown on his face, "um, how are you doing?"

"I'm...better. Work is getting easier, and so has spending time with my family."

"Yeah, Dex told me you guys got back together."

"We did. He asked, if you can believe it," she giggles, "I assume things are still going strong with your friendship?"

"Oh, yeah, for sure," he smirks, "I actually went to see him and Ciara yesterday."

"Aw, I'm sure Ciara loves her Uncle TJ."

"That she does."

"I'm glad," Kristina smiles sweetly.

"Yeah! She's great, he's great, life's great: I'm moving up the ranks at the hospital. One day I'll be lucky enough to head the neurology department."

"Neurology, huh? That's what you settled on?"

"You call it 'settling,' I call it 'deciding.'"

"Why neurology?"

"The brain is fascinating to me. I mean, it's such a massive, important organ that we rely on to survive, and there are so many parts to it that we use every single day. Plus, the nervous system controls a lot of our actions and reactions, giving it more complexity than other systems we possess, even though they're all equally important."

"So you picked that field because the brain is cool?"

"Well, if you want to be that reductive about it, then yes, I did. Bite me."

"I'll pass."

The pair stares ahead at one another before bursting out into laughter. While TJ attempts to swiftly compose himself, Kristina continues on, biting into another slice of pizza.

"You never answered my question," she eventually says, swallowing the piece.

"What?" he asks.

"What made you want to talk to me again?"

"Well, Dex and I are close," he begins, "We're a big part of each other's lives, and not to point out the obvious, but you and I are still family."

"Uh huh."

"And truthfully, I've thought about everything that happened with you and me and Molly, and I just…I've sort of made peace with it. Don't get me wrong, it still hurts that 'Morgan' wasn't ever real, but…" he shakes his head, "I'm proud to have Ciara as my niece, and I wouldn't trade my friendship with Dex for anything."

"Is that so?"

"Yes. Partly so, at least. While I won't ever be happy with what you did…it wasn't malicious. You and Ciara almost died, you got attached: I believe you when you say it had nothing to do with us. Hell, had you not endured precipitous labor, you probably still would've given Ciara up," TJ stifles a small chuckle, "Of course, thinking about all of it helped me realize that."

"Right."

"And…I'd be lying if I said I didn't want a favor."

"A favor?" Kristina raises an eyebrow.

"Well, maybe not a 'favor,' per se. I need your opinion on something. And no, it's not about Molly. Not completely anyway."

"You want my opinion? As…what? As a relative?"

"No, as the head of Corinthos-Davis House," TJ leans closer to his sister-in-law, "How would you feel about someone adopting, or even fostering, a resident?"

The words hit her slowly, blinking to process the gravity of the question, "I mean, uh, I'd be…that'd be fine."

"Really?"

"Yeah. Those kids lost their families because of bigotry, and while they're free to live their own independent lives at the shelter, joining a new family that loves and accepts them for who they are is just as good. Do you know someone who's thinking of adopting a resident?"

"I do. In fact, you're talking to him right now."

The realization swiftly hits Kristina, a big, bright smile appearing on her face, "Oh my God, you want to adopt Jasmine!"

"I do," TJ matches her expression.

"Oh, TJ, that's awesome! She'll be so happy with you!"

"She deserves a good home and a family that embraces who she is. I talked it out with Molly and we're looking into it."

"She didn't try to 'lawyer' you out of it?"

"She had concerns, but when I got her to step out of that mindset, she was on board."

"I'm happy for you guys. You both deserve a chance at being parents, regardless of how you get there," Kristina holds a hand up before TJ responds, "and I know, it's rich that I'm saying that."

"As long as you recognize it," TJ laughs, "And thank you, I appreciate it."

"Of course. Is there anything I can do to help? If you want it, of course."

"As long as you cooperate with the lawyers as the head of Corinthos-Davis House, that's good enough."

"You don't need any character witnesses or…?"

"We're fine on that front. We just need you to do your job."

"...Oh," Kristina nods slowly as TJ gets to his feet, "Okay."

"Thanks, Kristina," he says, "I really do appreciate your help."

"Just doing my job," she forces a smile.

The young man nods, walking away from the table. He stops at the front door, looking back at her with a firm, determined face, "I stand by what I said earlier. The favor is the favor, and you did what you did, but you're still a big, important part of my life, and I owe it to both of us to try and help you repair that burned bridge."

I can't believe I'm doing this.

If Dex could, he'd utter every swear word he could think of. The apartment complex just around the corner from the Metro Court sits in what looks to be a seedier area of town, corporate grays and orange stiff on the architecture.

He's on the…third floor? Dex enters the building, looking around at the browns and blacks that only enhance the coldness of the location. He presses the elevator button, stepping into the more lively brown machine. After a few turns to the left, rounding the corners decorated with a light blue, he makes it to a door situated closer to the right end of the hallway. A few knocks with the back of his knuckles grants him entry.

"Greetings…Dexter?" Damian Spinelli cocks his head to the side, "What brings you to my humble abode?"

"I need your help," Dex responds, "I was wondering if you could look into something for me."

"Are you here on official business?"

"Sort of. Semi-official."

"I would think Brick would handle any technological requests-"

"He doesn't know I'm here," the young man cuts him off, "and he and I…run Sonny's business together."

"I see. That's certainly a twist."

"It's what Sonny wanted."

"Gotcha," Spinelli nods, "How exactly did you know where to find me?"

"Are we going to play 'twenty questions' or are you going to help me?"

"Why do you want my help?"

"Because I think it could help track down who killed Sonny."

"...Okay," Spinelli gestures backwards, "come in."

"Thanks," Dex enters the confined space, pulling out the black business card. He hands it over just as Spinelli settles into the desk chair nearby, "Here you go."

"Ooh," the man looks at the item, "it's quite…colorful."

"I went with some men to sweep the watchtower the sniper was in. I don't think the police looked hard enough, so I went up there on my own."

"And you found this?"

"I did. I was hoping to get some answers off of it."

"And you're doing this to find Sonny's killer, as you said-"

"But?"

"It just seems there's more than one reason."

"Well, I'd be lying if I said I didn't want closure. Not just for me, but for my family as well."

"Right. Sam told me about you and Kristina. Sweet Ciara too."

"Mhm. I want to get answers."

"Well, let me see what I can do."

"Thank you," Dex sucks in his lips, staring at the card. Time ticks by as Spinelli taps his fingers against the keyboard, a number of windows and tabs opening and closing. The pit in his stomach returns with a fury, the three lines smacking him in the face.

Please don't be it… he thinks to himself, Please don't be what I think it is…

"Hm," the tech wiz hums, "nothing is immediately coming up."

"Maybe it's a dark web search? Something more covert?"

"That was my next angle…" keys click against the plastic board as he digs through more pages. Dex feels electricity shoot through his nerves, anxiety filling him whole. A number of colors flash on the screen, each one displaying the familiar colors until they all surface at the same time.

"Yes!" Spinelli claps, "Finally!"

"What is it?" Dex asks, his throat dry.

"It looks like this card is tied to a covert mercenary operation: a private security firm," he turns to the young man, "Cazador."

"I see…" Dex does his best to project a poker face, "Any other relevant intel?"

"That might take me some time, but I can certainly look into it."

"Yeah, if you can, that'd be great," Dex forces a smile, "And I'll pay you whatever you ask for."

"Much appreciated, Dexter," Spinelli gives him a toothless grin, "I'll see what I can find and report back to you."

"Thanks," Dex rushes out of the apartment, a buzz in his pocket as he approaches the elevator. He swipes right on the device, "Hey, TJ, what's up?"

"Are you busy right now?" the young man asks.

"Uh, no. I just got out of a meeting. What's up?"

"I don't know if I told you yet, but, uh, Molly and I are adopting."

"That's great, man! I'm happy for you!"

"Thank you!" TJ chirps, "Her name is Jasmine, and she's just…she's amazing. But, uh, there's another reason I'm calling you."

"Lay it on me."

"Jasmine is with Corinthos-Davis House. She moved in after her parents attacked her, and they still have their rights even though they're in prison. I was wondering if you'd be willing to testify as a character witness on my behalf."

"I'd be honored to," Dex beams, "Whatever you need me to do, I'll do it."

"Thank you, dude. I owe you one."

"You don't owe me anything. You deserve to be a dad."

"You're the best, Dex. Truly. Thank you so much."

"Anytime, man. Just let me know what I need to do to help you adopt Jasmine."

"Will do. I'll talk to you later, okay?"

"Sounds good," Dex hangs up the phone. He takes a deep breath before realizing just how far he's walked, looking around the parking lot for his SUV. Once he settles into the driver's seat, his phone buzzes again.

"Hello?" Dex answers the call through the car, proceeding to pull out of the parking lot.

"Dex, it's me," Brick's voice is deep as he responds to the question, "We need to talk."

"About?"

"The business. Are you free?"

"I'm just driving home. Where should I meet you?"

"I'm not in town, but it's nice to know I have your half-divided attention."

"What do you need to discuss?"

"...Kristina's taken over."

Dex immediately slams on the brakes, pulling over, "She's what?"

"I told you both that I couldn't take over full-time like Sonny wanted, and there's no way in hell I'd let you take the reins."

"So you gave it to Kristina?!"

"The business needs to be run by someone so close to Sonny it's uncanny. You and I both know she's practically Sonny's mini-me."

"Brick, she's running a shelter for homeless LGBT youth. She has a one-year-old who needs her mom. This is not a good idea!"

"You seem to manage the work just fine while raising Ciara. Hell, you're technically the more present parent thanks to the courts. And I already promised Kristina that Corinthos-Davis House would receive the best security possible."

"That doesn't make a difference-"

"Dex, I'm not asking for your opinion or approval. This is not up for a discussion."

"It should be!"

"It's not. This is what I decided. Don't forget that Sonny made sure that I still ranked above you. This was a courtesy call."

"Brick-" the line goes dead. Dex slams his hands against the steering wheel, screams leaving his mouth the harder he smacks the leather. He runs a hand through his short, dirty blonde hair, letting out an exasperated sigh before merging back onto the road. The penthouse is empty when he arrives, scanning the numerous images on the wall involving him, Ciara, and Kristina. The picture Scout drew hangs above the television, perfectly secure in a black frame. He falls face-first onto the couch, turning onto his side before drifting off into a deep sleep.

The front door eventually opens, a sleeping Ciara slumped against Kristina's shoulder. After she lays the baby down in the nearby playpen, she drops to her knees by the sofa and plants a kiss on the young man's forehead. One thought lingers in her mind as she leaves father and daughter alone to rest: Birds of a feather.