Robert Bale turned off his cell phone as he stood in the kitchen next to his son, Alec, and his soon to be ex-wife, Felicia. They were having a small family conference while Robert's niece and nephew were in the dining room setting the dinner table.

"This is not a joke, Alec," Robert said. "Your mother and I will tell Darren about our separation when we feel it's necessary."

"Well, that'd better be tonight," Alec said. "Because odds are, the newspaper will have yet another embarrassing article about my mother's supposed affair with Michael Hanley, and my father moving in with his mistress."

"That's enough, Alec."

"I've got newspaper clippings upstairs if you guys want to do a show and tell thing," Alec continued.

Robert grabbed his son's arm. "I don't know what's gotten into you lately, but I won't have you talking to me or your mother that way, do you understand?"

"Why not?" Alec demanded. "You've said even worse to mom."

"What are you talking about?" Robert demanded, shooting a glance in Felicia's direction.

Felicia frowned. "Yes, what are you talking about, Alec? Your father and I don't argue around you."

"Oh, give me a break," Alec said. "I'm not retarded or deaf. Sara and I could hear you two arguing at Christmas, when Robert here said you got rid of Melissa's baby. I wonder how much the tabloids would pay for that little tidbit."

Robert slapped Alec across the face and glared at him. "Watch your mouth, Alec."

"Oh, so beating up on me is your solution?" Alec demanded, pulling his arm away from his father. "You're both pathetic, you know that? Our entire family is falling apart and you two want to pretend it isn't? No one's buying the goddamn Stepford act!"

"Hey, what's going on in here?" Darren Reynolds asked, emerging from the dining room. "Uncle Robert? Is everything okay?"

"Everything's great," Alec said, patting his father on the back. "Things will even better, I'm sure, once my parents finally go through with their divorce. Right, dad?"


MADDOCK HOME

Melissa Maddock dialed Robert's cell phone number and waited patiently for him to answer. She was sitting on the living room in the couch, waiting for him to come over so they could celebrate New Year's Eve together. When she heard Robert's voicemail message, Melissa sighed loudly.

"Robert, it's Melissa," Melissa said. "Call me when you get this. I thought we were spending the night together, and you're not at the office."

Melissa hung up the cordless phone and set it down on the couch, wondering what she would do while waiting for Robert to call back. Normally, she'd be talking to her daughter, Erin, but she could no longer do that. Not since her daughter had been murdered.

"Maybe I could call Aaron," Melissa said, thinking of her cousin. She hadn't talked to him much since her miscarriage, and so it would probably help. He was a psychiatrist, after all, and she found it always helped to talk to Aaron.

Fortunately for Melissa, he hadn't yet discovered that she'd stolen money from him a few months ago in order to pay off Hugh Rogers and make him leave town after blackmailing her. That could certainly put a damper on their relationship.

"Okay, so maybe I won't call him," Melissa said softly. She planned on paying the money back before Christmas, but she had found herself preoccupied. She just need to get it back before Aaron noticed.

Melissa rose to her feet and walked toward a picture of Erin that was resting on the mantle above her fireplace. She picked up the picture frame and pressed it against her chest. As she closed her eyes for a moment, and then turned back around to head to the couch. When she opened her eyes, Melissa was startled enough to drop the frame onto the floor.

"Oh my God," Melissa gasped.

"Hello mom," Erin Maddock said, standing before Melissa. "I've missed you."


GREGORY BLACK'S APARTMENT

Julia Mitchell walked through the hallway with her mother, Anna, carrying a large plate covered in aluminum foil. Gregory Black had invited them to spend New Year's Eve with him and his family, since Julia's uncle Duncan would be there as well.

"Too bad dad couldn't come," Julia said.

"Well, your father doesn't like holidays very much," Anna replied.

"Or his brother," Julia muttered. "I wish they could get along. Because I'd hate for our family to end up…well, like most of my friends' families."

"That's just how life is, honey," Anna said. "I doubt your uncle and your father will be getting along anytime soon. As long as we can keep them from killing one another, we'll manage to make it through another year."

"Why aren't you helping me?" Kelly Crane demanded, glaring at Duncan.

He was standing in the bathroom in Gregory's apartment, talking to Kelly, once again. The fact that she had died over twelve years ago no longer fazed Duncan, and while he had no idea why Kelly's ghost seemed to be visiting him, he was now resigned to it.

"Kelly, trust me, I'm going to help you," Duncan said. "I just can't do it tonight. It's going to take some time."

"Well, it's taking an awfully long time," Kelly said. "What if you don't find the person who killed me? What if they kill someone else?"

"It would really help if you could tell me who killed you," Duncan snapped. "Stop being so damn cryptic about all of this. Just give me a name, Kelly."

Kelly sighed. "Fine. If you want a name, I'll give you a name."


BALE HOME

"Alec, go to your room," Felicia said. "Now."

"Fine," Alec said. "This night sucks anyway."

Alec brushed past his cousins and left the kitchen, heading toward the stairs leading to his bedroom. Felicia and Robert exchanged nervous glances at Darren stared at them in confusion.

"Are you two getting divorced?" Darren asked.

"I'm afraid so, Darren," Felicia said.

"Oh," Darren said. "Is that the big secret?"

"You got us," Robert said.

"Well…it took long enough," Darren said.

"What?"

"He already knew," Sara said, resisting an urge to smile. "I'm sorry, but Darren asked me not to tell you both that he knew already."

"You knew?" Robert demanded.

"It's in the papers," Darren said. "I think everyone knows."

"Well then, this is a little awkward," Robert said softly.

"I'm sorry," Darren said. "But you know, if that's what you two want, it's fine with me."

Robert remained silent for a moment.

"Is someone going to say something?" Darren asked.

"How would you like a job?" Robert asked.

"Okay, that's not what I expected."


GREGORY BLACK'S APARTMENT

"Thanks for coming," Gregory said, opening the door so that Julia and Anna could walk inside. "Duncan's in the bathroom, he should be out in a minute."

"No, thank you," Anna said. "It's always nice to be invited places other than…well, nowhere. I'm usually working, so I don't get out often."

Anna and Gregory continued talking as they walked into the kitchen, while Julia noticed Timothy Black, Gregory's brother, sitting on the couch reading a magazine. Julia smiled and walked over to the couch, plopping down next to him.

"Hey Tim," Julia said.

"Hey," Tim said, lowering the magazine. "What's up?"

"Not much," Julia said. "Not as interesting as your life, anyway."

"What do you mean?"

"Dating Jessica Reyes? That's an adventure in itself."

"I'm…I'm not dating Jessica," Tim said. "We're just friends."

"That's good."

"Why's that so good?" Tim demanded.

"Well, Jessica's not a very good person to get involved with," Julia said. "She tends to break hearts. Cheat on people. Have them arrested for stalking. You know, the usual."

Tim frowned. "Are you serious?"

"Oh please, I'm just getting started," Julia said.


BALE HOME

Alec snuck down the stairs, after quickly changing clothes. Since his mother would expect him to be in his room all night, she wouldn't notice if he left and found a New Year's party that was actually interesting.

"My night will be so much better if I'm plastered," Alec muttered, opening the front door and preparing to leave.

As he walked out the door, however, he ran into someone he hadn't expected to see — Michael Hanley.

"Mr. Hanley," Alec said. "What the hell are you doing here?"

"I've come to visit your mother," Michael said. "Is that a problem?"

"Don't you mean you've come to romance my mother?" Alec demanded.

"I won't dignify that comment with a response, Alec."

"I'm sorry, should I have used a four-letter word instead?" Alec asked.

Michael ignored Alec and stepped into the house, closing the door.

"Where do you think you're going?"

"To see your mother," Michael said. "Of course, I could ask you the same thing. You seem to be in quite a hurry."

"Nope," Alec said, smirking. "I'm not missing this show. My mom's in the kitchen."

"A job?" Darren repeated. "Really?"

"Well, I was just looking for something to say, but why not?" Robert continued. "You've graduated from law school. Why not come to work for me?"

"As a paralegal?" Darren asked.

"Sure," Robert said. "I'm sure my brother would love the fact that I've given his son his first job out of college."

"If he were around, that is," Sara muttered.

"Don't worry, sis," Darren said, placing his arm around her shoulder. "Looks like I'll be moving back home."

"Well, that's quite the news," Alec said, entering the kitchen.

"Alec, I told you to go to your room," Felicia said.

"I come bearing a guest," Alec replied.

Michael entered the room as Alec spoke, smiling at Felicia. Felicia smiled back nervously, as Robert's face fell.

"What are you doing here?" Robert demanded.

"Like son, like father," Michael muttered. "I came to visit my sis…my friend. I came to visit Felicia, is that a problem?"

"No, of course it's not," Felicia said. "Thank you for coming, Michael. Would you like to join us for dinner?"

"No, he wouldn't," Robert insisted.

"I'd love to," Michael said.

"Is there something else going on I'm not aware of here?" Darren asked.

"I thought you were reading the papers," Sara remarked.

"Is anyone home?"

Everyone turned to the doorway, as Ricard Branch emerged from the dining room with a perplexed look on his face. He was carrying a bouquet of flowers and dressier than usual.

Sara smiled. "Ric!"

"The door was open, so I thought I'd come in," Ric said. "You said you'd be over here tonight, so…"

"I invited him," Sara said. "I hope you don't mind."

"We do," Alec insisted.

"Of course we don't, honey," Felicia said, ignoring Alec. "The more the merrier, I suppose."

Alec rolled his eyes and stormed out of the kitchen.

"You've taught your son well, Robert," Michael remarked. "He reminds me so much of you."


MADDOCK HOME

"Oh my God, Erin," Melissa gasped. "This…this can't be you."

"It's me, mom," Erin insisted. "It's really me."

Tears began to stream down Melissa's face as she shook her head defiantly. She turned away from Erin in disbelief, knowing that she couldn't really be staring at her daughter. Her daughter was dead, she'd been murdered. Melissa had identified the body in the morgue herself.

"This can't be happening," Melissa said.

Erin stepped forward to touch Melissa, resting her hand on her shoulder. "I've come to tell you that I'm fine."

"This isn't happening," Melissa repeated. "It can't be. You're dead."

"I know I'm dead," Erin said. "That man…he stabbed me. And he kept stabbing me, even when I started crying…but that doesn't change anything. This is still me, I'm here."

"What do you want from me?" Melissa demanded.

"I want to tell you to move on," Erin said. "I want you to move on, and stop grieving over me."

"I can't do that," Melissa said.

"But you can," Erin said. "There's no reason for you to cry anymore."

"I lost you, Erin!" Melissa cried. "You were the only thing that mattered in my life!"

"Mom, you have Robert," Erin said. "And Uncle Aaron. You have people who care about you. And you haven't lost me…I'll always be with you. In your memories."

"That's not enough," Melissa insisted.

"It will have to be," Erin said. "Hold onto the memories and what you have now. Like your son."

"My son…I don't have my son, Erin," Melissa replied. "I lost my child, because of Felicia."

"You haven't lost your son," Erin insisted. "You just need to find him."

"What's that supposed to mean?" Melissa demanded.

"I can't…I can't stay any longer," Erin said softly. "I'm fading."

"Erin, don't leave!" Melissa cried out, reaching for her daughter. "At least tell me the name of the man you killed you!"

Erin opened her mouth to respond, but she vanished from the room before she was able to speak. Melissa balled her hand into a fist and sank to her knees on the floor, slamming her fist against the coffee table and screaming.

"Erin, come back!" Melissa cried. "Somebody bring my daughter back!"


GREGORY BLACK'S APARTMENT

Kelly stepped forward and kissed Duncan on the lips, wrapping her arms around his waist. He tried resisting so that he could get an answer to his question, but the feeling of having Kelly back in his arms was too much for him to resist.

"I love you, Duncan," Kelly said softly, gasping.

"What do you want from me?" Duncan demanded.

"To make love to you," Kelly replied, reaching for Duncan's belt buckle.

"Stop it!" Duncan cried, pushing Kelly away from him. "I can't…I can't do this."

"I'm sorry," Kelly said. "Then I can't help you."

Kelly disappeared from the room, just as Duncan heard a knock at the door. He took a deep breath and walked to the door to open it. He found Gregory standing outside in the hallway.

"Are you going to stay in there all night?" Gregory demanded.

"Sorry," Duncan said. "I was fixing my contacts."

"Hurry up, you're going to miss the ball dropping," Gregory said.

Duncan nodded and left the bathroom, taking one last glance before he left. He and Gregory joined Tim, Julia, and Anna in the living room. They stared at the television screen, where the clock from Times Square in New York showed that there were only ten seconds left before 2005 commenced.

As everyone began counting down, the front door opened and Kimberly Black hurried inside. She was still wearing her nurses' uniform from work, and was out of breath from racing up the stairs to her brother's apartment.

"Did I miss the countdown?" Kimberly asked.

"Not yet," Duncan said, beckoning for Kimberly to join him next to the couch.

She closed the door and hurried over to Duncan, wrapping her arms around him as she turned to the television screen for the countdown.


BALE HOME

"Happy New Year!"

Everyone yelled in unison as they watched the ball drop in Times Square. Once everyone was finished cheering, Robert rose from the couch and crossed over to his nephew who was standing behind the couch.

"Thank you so much for the job, Uncle Robert," Darren said.

"Oh come on, Darren," Robert said. "I think you're old enough to call me Robert."

Darren smirked. "Can do, boss."

"It's so great be starting a new Bale legacy," Robert said. "One that's not a part of the Hanley family."

Off Robert's comment, Felicia shifted uncomfortably on the couch as Michael opened his mouth to say something. He decided against it and instead took Felicia's hand as they continued watching television.

Darren excused himself to use the bathroom, as Robert noticed Sara next to the stairs talking to Ric. He walked over to them and rested his hand on Ric's shoulder.

"Can I have a moment with Ricard?" Robert asked.

"Sure, Uncle Robert," Sara said. "I need to make a call anyway."

Sara disappeared to the kitchen, prompting Robert to turn and face Ric.

"How's it going?"

"Fine," Ric replied. "Come to talk to me about hanging out with your niece?"

"No," Robert said. "Sara's a big girl. She make her own choices…and I trust you've left your past behind."

"I have," Ric said. "Trust me."

"Good," Robert said. "But while we're discussing it — have you spoken to Chris Server lately?"

"Not really, why?" Ric asked.

"Just wondering about this whole thing with Kelli," Robert said. "I'd hate for you to be somehow involved."

"I wasn't there," Ric snapped. "I swear."

"I certainly hope so," Robert said.

As Robert spoke to Ric, neither of them noticed that Alec was sitting at the top of the stairs listening to their conversation. Alec glared at them, knowing that Ric had to be lying to his father. There was no way someone like Ric was as squeaky clean as he wanted everyone to think he was.

"First resolution of the year is to make sure that my family stays intact," Alec said. "I'll get rid of Michael Hanley and make him leave my mother. Then I'll take care of my father's whore of a girlfriend. But first, I have to protect my cousin…and destroy Ricard Branch."