Though she'd been happily married to Michael for several months now, she still remembered why she'd married him in the first place. And ever since the reading of Kevin Hanley's will, Leslie had been suspicious that Michael had some type of ulterior motives as far as his father's fortune was concerned.

Although, at this point, Leslie was hoping her search was all for naught and that Michael wasn't hiding anything from here. It would make it all that much easier. Especially considering that the fact that she had indeed fallen in love with him.

Leslie pulled up the desktop on Michael's computer, but before she could continue her search, she was going to have to figure out his paper. She smiled and typed in her own name, but her smile turned to a frown when that particular name was an invalid password.

"Shit," Leslie grumbled.

"Leslie...what are you doing in here?"

Leslie, startled, looked up at the front door and found Felicia Bale standing in the doorway, holding a stack of folders. Surprisingly enough, Felicia's appearance wasn't enough to turn Leslie's frown back into a smile.

"Everytime they turn the lights down," Felicia said. "You're always up to something."


SIX YEARS AGO

Victor nodded and approached the chair in front of Michael's desk. He slid into the leather seat and crossed his legs, awaiting to hear why Michael had summoned him to the office in the middle of the day.

"How's my father?" Michael asked, a rather innocuous question.

"Still no signs of improvement," Victor replied.

"That's unfortunate," Michael replied. "That means we're going to have to move ahead with our plans in the event that my father actually kicks the bucket this time."

"Got a plan?"

"Yes," Michael said. "I'm ready to kill Sean Moore."

"Is there a reason you should be startled?" Felicia asked.

Leslie forced a laugh. "No, of course not. What's up?"

"Leslie, you've never been a good liar," Felicia said, walking toward the desk and setting down the folders she had in her hand. "It's how we always knew you were using again, and how I know you're not telling me the truth right now."

Leslie narrowed her eyes at Felicia. "Did you really just say that?"

"I'm sorry," Felicia apologized. "I didn't mean to — look, what I'm just trying to say is...you don't have to lie to me."

"There's nothing to lie to you about!" Leslie insisted.

Realizing that Felicia wasn't backing down, Leslie quickly decided to backtrack.

"Okay, I'll level with you," Leslie said. "I was planning a romantic night for Michael and myself, and I was just looking at his calendar to see if he's free this week."

Felicia smiled. "Oh, so you were using the calendar?"

"Yes," Leslie nodded.

"That's odd, because no one knows Michael's password," Felicia said, approaching the computer and running her fingers across it. "Not even the boys in IT know his password. And if you were really using the calendar, as I assume you weren't, then the computer would not only be warm, but on."

"Felicia, you're far too suspicious for your own good," Leslie said. "Remember when we used to be friends? We knew each other so well."

"Which is why I know you've been lying to me for months."

"About what?" Leslie demanded.

"This marriage, this whole thing with Michael," Felicia said. "You've accepted Michael in your son's life, I accept that. But marrying him? Falling in love with him? You've always blamed him and his father for Sean's death."

"You're right," Leslie said softly. "And I still do."


MOORE HOME
FIVE YEARS AGO

"Believe me, I'm gonna try," Sean said. "Kevin Hanley might think he's already won, but I'm going to put up a fight. I won't let him destroy those people's homes."

Vincent Moore entering, with his sister, Akilah, following. "Good for you, dad."

"Well thanks, Vincent," Sean said. "I'm glad I have my family's support. I don’t want to make things uncomfortable between you and your friend Matt."

"Oh, he hates his grandfather too," Vince said. "It's all cool."

"I think everyone in that family hates Kevin," Leslie said.

"At any rate —" Sean stopped talking as he checked his watch. "Oh, I'm late. I need to meet Robert, have a little pow-wow with him."

"Can you drop me off at the movies first?" Vince asked.

"I'm not taking the car," Sean said. "I'm just meeting Robert at his house."

"But I have a date!" Vince insisted. "Jessica and I are meeting Alec at the movies."

"Can't you have Alec pick you up?"

"He's already there, it's his part-time job," Vince said.

"Alec?" Akilah piped up. "I thought it was a date."

"It is, sort of," Vince said. "But Alec's my best friend, so we don't mind."

"You should take me," Akilah said. "So that Alec isn't a third wheel."

"Rather hang out with a third wheel than a flat tire," Vince muttered.

Akilah hit her brother in the back of the head. He retaliated by grabbing at her hair. Leslie sighed and separated them before their argument could escalate. "Can you two act like civilized human beings for a chance?"

"He's human?" Akilah shot back.

"Dad, it's only ten minutes away," Vince said. "And mom is cooking dinner."

"I'll drop you off, Vincent," Sean said, caving. "But hurry up and get ready."

Vince nodded and hurried up the stairs to his bedroom. Once he finished getting dressed, Vince dabbed on some cologne. He peered out his bedroom window and saw his father walking to the car.

"Vince, hurry up!" Leslie said. "You're going to make your father late!"

"I'm coming," Vince shouted back. As he reached for his coat, it was if everything from that point on occurred in slow motion. He heard a loud explosion that rocked the foundation of their house, causing it to shake. Next, a burst of flames licked the air and Vince could feel the heat even from inside his bedroom.

He rushed to the window and looked down at the driveway once again, this time, seeing only the charred remains of the family car. Vince's mouth with went dry. He couldn't speak, he couldn't scream...all he could do was listen to his mother's screams coming from downstairs.


HANLEY ENTERPRISES
THE PRESENT

Leslie folded her arms. "I am not going to stand here and discuss my marriage with you."

"You just said that you blame Michael for your husband's death."

"None of this would have happened if the Hanleys hadn't been involved," Leslie said. "We both know that. Part of me will always want to blame someone for what happened to Sean, but there's a stronger part of me that loves Michael and knows he didn't have anything to with Sean's death."

"Because it was Derek," Felicia reminded her. "It was Sean's brother who killed him. He confessed everything before he —"

"I don't need a recap of my life, Felicia," Leslie snapped. "I'm well aware that Derek killed Sean. But you know what? I can tell when people are lying too. You were at that will reading — tell me that you honestly believed Michael's reaction. That entire thing felt orchestrated."

"Orchestrated? You have all of Kevin's money at your fingertips!" Felicia cried. "I was left with nothing."

"Not less than a week after the will reading, Michael offered to legally adopt Vince and Akilah."

"Because you're married. Because he loves your kids."

"That I don't doubt," Leslie said. "But I'm sure it's not the primary motivation."


HANLEY HOME
FIVE YEARS AGO

"We'll be ready to begin the process soon enough," Victor said. "We've finally gotten over the hump of faking the dental records. Everyone thinks Sean is dead, we can move forward."

"Good," Michael snapped.

He glared at Sean's glassy eyes.

"Did you think I'd really let you come into my family and take what's owed to me?" Michael demanded. "I am the only heir to the Hanley fortune. After all of the bullshit I've had to go through? Do you think I'm going to let some street kid come in and ruin all of that? Just because my father has some sick fucking sense of humor?"

Victor walked toward Sean and began to rub down his body with alcohol.

"I want all of his memories gone," Michael said. "Wipe it all out."

Michael stormed out of the laboratory, back upstairs to his home. He closed the panel that was inside his study and took a deep breath before emerging into the living room where he had a guest waiting.


HANLEY ENTERPRISES
THE PRESENT

"Jessica, we're in the middle of—" Leslie stopped briefly. "What are you even doing here?"

"My daughter-in-law works at Hanley Enterprises now," Felicia said.

"Who authorized that?" Leslie demanded.

Felicia rolled her eyes. "I wasn't aware I had to run decisions by you, Leslie."

Jessica nervously glanced back and forth between the two women. "I can wait outside."

"Please do," Leslie said.

Jessica frowned and handed the folder off to Felicia before exiting the office. Felicia closed the door slowly and then turned back to face Leslie.

"What in the hell was that?"

"I'm sorry," Leslie said. "I shouldn't have reacted like that, but you can surely understand my misgivings. That girl is nothing but trouble."

"Trouble?"

"That girl put my son through the ringer," Leslie said. "After what's put Alec through, I can't believe you're defending her."

"In case you've forgotten, your son was the one arrested for stalking her," Felicia said.

"She is a new mother," Leslie snapped. "She needs to be at home raising her child. And getting an education."

"Oh please, even with a kid on her arm, she's an exceptional earner!" Felicia insisted. "You're a mother, you know that."

"I don't have time for this," Leslie said. "I'm going to get back to work. Maybe you remember what that's like?"

Leslie strode out of the office, allowing the door to slam behind her and she walked down the hall toward the nearby elevator.



HANLEY HOME
FOUR YEAR AGO

"Why is this taking so long?" Michael demanded, striding into the lab. "Sean should have new memories already! I need to get him out of Marquette Cove."

"This is going to take time," Victor said. He stuck the syringe into Sean's IV and turned to face Michael. "His memories are gone right now. Now we just need to continue the process of giving him new ones. I don't work for the government, I can't do this overnight like Clockwork Orange."

"You hurry this up, do you hear me?"

"What's the goddamn rush?"

"I have a new guest moving into the mansion," Michael said. "I would rather not have eyebrows raised."

"And who exactly —"

Before Victor could finish, they both heard the doorbell ringing upstairs. Michael raised a hand to cut off Victor and then he quickly hurried up the stairs. Michael took a moment to catch his breath before he went to the front door and opened it.

"Vincent," Michael said, greeting the young man on his doorstep.

"Hey, Mr. Hanley," Vince said. "I didn't...I didn't want to go home right now."

"Of course," Michael said, nodding. "Please, come in."


THE PRESENT

"This is a pleasant surprise," Michael said. "What can I do for you?"

"I need to talk to you in private," Felicia said, as she exited her car. "Leslie isn't here, is she?"

"No, she had to stay at the office to finish up a project."

"Good."

Michael opened the front door and stepped aside so Felicia could enter first. He followed her inside.

"What's this all about? What's with all the secrecy?"

"I want to...actually, I don't know if I should tell you now," Felicia said precariously. "It's none of my business."

Michael sighed and entered the living room, approaching the bar. "That's never stopped you before. A drink?"

Felicia frowned at Michael's offer.

"Oh!" Michael said, grimacing. "I'm so sorry. I'd almost forgotten about that AA business. You know, for what it's worth, I never thought you were an alcoholic. The only problem you had was a Robert Bale problem."

"We both made mistakes in our relationship," Felicia said.

"Well, if you truly believe that, then maybe you're right," Michael said. "Your mistake is defending that idiot. And after everything he did to you. I never thought you'd be so ignorant, Felicia."

"You're certainly one to talk," Felicia muttered.

"What's that mean?" Michael demanded.

"You can't even see what's right in front of your eyes," Felicia snapped. "But you're ready to accuse me of being ignorant."

"Felicia, whatever in the hell are you talking about?"

"I saw Leslie going through your files in your office," Felicia said. "And when I confronted her about it, she lied to me. Obviously, your wife doesn't trust you as much as you might think."

"Felicia!"

Felicia spun around to find Leslie standing in the doorway, glaring at her.

"You just can't leave well enough alone, can you?" Leslie demanded.


THREE YEARS AGO

"I'm sorry, Michael," Riley Schaefer said, stepping into the living room where his employer was currently pacing back and forth drinking a glass of bourbon. "But killing Derek Moore could create more problems than we need right now."

"Derek is trying to blackmail me," Michael said. "He's trying to blackmail me!"

Michael threw his glass across the room and it shattered like a fire bottle bursting when it slammed into the wall. Riley flinched before sitting down on the couch and crossing his legs.

"Should I call the maid to clean that up?"

"This isn't funny," Michael said. "Do you realize all that I've been through in the past year? Vince is living in my mansion now, he finally trusts me. Leslie is out of the picture, things are right where they need to be. But Derek...he's going to ruin all of it."

"Who knew," Riley said. "You've actually begun to care for that little brat."

Michael frowned. "Believe me, I've tried not to. He's like the son I never had."

"You have a son."

"That I wish I never had."

"I'll take care of Derek," Riley said, removing his gun from his waistband. "How would you like it done?"

"Put that thing away," Michael said. "I don't want him shot. We're going to use a little dramatic irony. He killed his brother with a car bomb — or rather, he thought he did. Let's give him the same gift."

Riley smirked. "When?"

"Well, I did want to do something special for the mother of my soon to be born son," Michael said. "An explosion at the wedding would be an excellent send-off if I do say so myself."


THE PRESENT

"Wait in my office, Felicia," Michael said.

Felicia nodded and walked past Leslie, diverting her eyes. Once she was in Michael's office with the door closed, Leslie shook her head in disgust.

"I can't believe her," Leslie said.

"You were going through my files?" Michael asked.

"I was in your office," Leslie said. "Not going through your files. I was going to log onto your computer and check your schedule so I could plan a romantic evening for us."

Michael raised an eyebrow. "A romantic evening?"

"Yes, just the two us," Leslie said. "But of course, Felicia came in an interrupted me. And I didn't think it was any of her business what I was doing. It's none of her business. At any rate, your computer has a password on it, so I never got to plan anything. But now, I hope you know that I'm your biggest fan. I haven't been sneaking around, as Felicia would suggest."

"Of course not, honey," Michael said, kissing Leslie. "But it's a good thing you didn't plan anything, because I already have plans for us."

"You do?"

"Yes, the entire family," Michael said. "Before classes start up again, I want to take you and the kids to New York for the weekend. Take in the sights. I know how much you wanted to honeymoon there, but our plans got sidetracked and..."

"Michael, that's wonderful!" Leslie cried. "I can't wait!"

"Let me be the one to tell Vince and Akilah," Michael said.

"Of course," Leslie said. "Of course. I think they're upstairs."

"Well, I'll go and tell them now," Michael said. "If you'll excuse me."

Michael walked out of the living room and headed for the stairwell. Leslie's smile quickly faded as she turned her attention to Michael's office. She walked toward the door and pushed it open, starting Felicia who was sitting on the edge of the desk.

"Where's Michael?" Felicia asked.

Leslie narrowed her eyes at her. "Are you sure you want a piece of me, Felicia?"


SUNNYDALE APARTMENTS, FORDHAM BAY
TWO YEARS AGO

"I'm sorry to ambush you," Michael said, closing the door to Sean's apartment. "But you've been compromised, Sean — um, Simon."

Sean, still reeling from Michael's announcement, didn't pay much attention to his slip of the tongue, so Michael breathed a sigh of relief. He still needed Sean believing his name was Simon Price, and he very much needed him to know Michael only as Bruce Eastcott, his liaison in the witness protection program.

"You're going to have to move to Paris, immediately," Michael said. "By the weekend. I've already booked you a flight."

"You've already booked me...but I don't...I have a life here, Bruce," Sean insisted. "I've started dating someone. Denise Robertson, she's one of my neighbors. We've gotten close, her son has even started to like me."

"Simon, the men who tried to kill you…they've figured out your identity," Michael said. "Your former family —"

"I can't even remember them!" Sean cried. "I have amnesia, my memories are no threat to them. I have tried contacting anyone from Marquette Cove."

"You can't contact them even if you wanted, Simon," Michael said softly. "They've been killed."

Michael handed Sean a clipping of a newspaper report — incidentally, it was one that was true. One of Vince's rivals at school, Mark Zane, had become unhinged and began blackmailing Michael when he discovered the truth about Sean. He then tried to kill Vince by setting his house on fire. Michael knew he needed to get Sean out of Fordham Bay before his lies began to collapse under their own weight.

"In a fire?" Sean asked, his voice quaking. "I wish...I wish I could remember them."

"Congratulations, honey," Leslie Moore said, leaning forward to give Sean a kiss. "I know you're going to do a great job working with Robert."

"Believe me, I'm gonna try," Sean said. "Kevin Hanley might think he's already won, but I'm going to put up a fight. I won't let him destroy those people's homes."

"Simon...are you okay?" Michael asked, noticing the blank stare on his face.

"Huh?" Sean asked. "Did you just call me Sean?"

"No," Michael said, remember his earlier slip-up. "I called you Simon."

Sean sighed softly. "I'll go. If it will protect Denise and her son from...I'll go."


HANLEY HOME
THE PRESENT

"I didn't mean for it to come out," Felicia said.

"I never thought your husband would be right about anything," Leslie said, smirking. "When we first found out you were a Hanley, he told me that he felt like he had to protect you from becoming one of them. But look at you, you're the spitting image of Kevin Hanley."

"That's not true," Felicia said. "But Michael is the only person who has been there for me."

"What about your family?" Leslie demanded. "You've all but ignored them to hang out with Michael and Valerie, the dynamic duo. Even Michael sees how toxic is sister is, except for you."

"The way you talk, it's really as if you're not in love with Michael," Felicia said. "This is a means to an end for you."

"So what?" Leslie asked. "Are you going to run and tell Michael? So what? I'm tired of being sad over the stupid freaking things that you do, Felicia. I'm done!"


SUNNYDALE APARTMENTS, FORDHAM BAY
TWO YEARS AGO

"I'm moving," Sean said, emerging from his bedroom. "Sorry, I don't really have a lot of time to talk."

"You're moving?" Derek asked. "When did this happen?"

"Just sort of came up," Sean said.

"Does Denise know about this?"

"I haven't had the chance to tell her," Sean said. "I won't be able to."

"Simon, what's going on?" Derek demanded. "This is really weird. Are you seeing another woman or something?"

"No," Sean said. "If Denise wants to know, tell her I'm alone. I'm not running off to be with someone else. It's just complicated, is all."

Derek approached Sean and grabbed his arm, staring into his eyes. "There's something you're not telling me."

"Derek, just leave it alone!" Sean snapped.

Derek lowered his hand, taken aback by Sean's use of his real name. This was the first time he'd ever used it.

"What did you just call me?" Derek asked.

"Derek, of course," Sean said. "You're my brother, stop being so stupid."

"I'm your bother?"

"Huh? What are you talking about?"

"You just said I was your brother," Derek said.

"Oh...I don't know why I did that," Sean said. "I'm sorry. My mind's been sort of crazy lately. I think my amnesia isn't as amnesiac lately as it's been, if that makes any sense."

"You're getting your memories back?" Derek asked.

"Yeah," Sean said. "Looks like."

"That's...that's great news," Derek said softly. He walked into the kitchen, a solemn look on his face. "So you said that no one knows you're moving?"

"No," Sean said. "I've got a flight booked tonight."

"That's unfortunate," Derek said, drawing a knife from one of the drawers. He hid the knife behind his back and quickly moved to the front door. Derek closed and locked the door.

"Look, I don't mean to be rude, but I kind of need to finish packing," Sean said, still attempting to shove things into his suitcase.

Before Sean could say anything else or even turn around, Derek rushed forward and shoved the knife into his back. Sean cried out in pain and slid onto the couch. Derek pulled the knife from his back and flipped Sean over. Sean screamed in pain, prompting Derek to cover his mouth with his palm.

"We're alone, you don't have to be scared," Derek said. "This will be quick."

Sean bit Derek's hand, causing him to recoil in pain.

"Why are you doing this?" Sean moaned, bracing himself to endure the excruciating pain he was in.

"You should have stayed dead you son of a bitch!" Derek cried. "Michael betrayed me! I should be the one that's the heir to the Hanley fortune, not you!"

Derek raised the knife into the air and tried to bring it down on Sean's neck, but Sean kneed Derek in the groin. Derek howled and fell off the couch, colliding with the coffee table. The edge of the table shoved into his spine, inflicting more pain. Sean gritted his teeth and shot forward, grabbing the knife from Derek's hands.

"I'll kill you!" Derek cried. "I'll fucking —"

Sean shoved the knife into his Derek's chest, thrusting with force. Derek's eyes rolled back in his head as his body convulsed. Blood trickled out the corner of Derek's mouth. Moments later when he stopped moving, Sean collapsed in a heap on top of his brother's lifeless body.


HANLEY HOME
THE PRESENT

Leslie fought back tears that were forming in her eyes. "I'm doing what I have to do to protect my family."

"Michael is not evil, Leslie," Felicia insisted. "You don't need to protect your family from him. You should stop listening to Robert."

"Do you have any idea the things that Michael has done?" Leslie demanded. "Like, what about helping Valerie ruin Melissa's life by hiring a man to impersonate Victor Lopez?"

"Michael didn't..."

"He did," Leslie said.

"There's a lot you don't know about Valerie, what she's been through," Felicia said.

"You such a dope," Leslie.

"And you're lying to yourself."

"No, I'm not," Leslie said. "If I'm not married to Sean, it really doesn't matter who I'm with."


ONE YEAR AGO

A part of him wanted to see if he was doing the right thing...if his family was really fine without him. After everything with Derek, he knew that Michael had been lying to him. How much, he wasn't quite sure, but Michael at least knew who he really was. And now his family was living with Michael.

But the fact still remained that he didn't remember his life with Leslie. He remembered bits and pieces from his childhood, things up to right before he met his wife. But the times he'd shared with her...his children...were still a blank. And now that Sean had fallen in love with Denise, it wasn't fair to destroy two women's lives in one fell swoop.

He took a closer look at the window and saw Leslie sitting on the couch, Michael's hand resting on her knee.


"What is it, Michael?" Leslie asked. "You're being so cryptic."

"Whenever I look at you, Leslie, my heart starts beating faster," Michael said. "Almost as if I were in a race, jumping a hurdle, it's never slow when I'm with you. And I love that feeling." "Michael...what are you saying?"

"What I'm saying is..." Michael slid off the couch and dropped to one knee. He removed a small box from his jacket pocket. "...will you marry me?"

Leslie's eyes widened at Michael's proposal. Thousands of thoughts were swirling in her head at once, but only one prevailed — "Yes! Absolutely, yes."

Michael slid a diamond ring onto Leslie's finger and stood up, kissing her.

"I love you, Leslie," Michael said.

"I...I love you too, Michael."


Sean looked down at the engagement ring in his own palm. Now he could return to Fordham Bay and give the ring to Denise — without any guilt. Leslie was happy. She was in love again. That's all he'd wanted to know.


THE PRESENT

"No," Leslie said. "I won't do that. Not after all this time. Not when I'm so —"

"So what? Close?" Felicia demanded. "Close to what, Leslie? Close to what?"

"I need answers," Leslie snapped. "And I am not going anywhere until I get them. So you can either keep quiet or...actually, there's only one option. Keep quiet and stay the hell out of my business."

Felicia advanced on Leslie. "You made it my business when you —"

Leslie grabbed Felicia's arm and gripped it tightly. "I don't want to fight with a friend, Felicia. But when it comes to my family, if you're not on my side...then you are no friend of mine."

As Felicia winced, Leslie released her grip and stared deep into Felicia's eyes. Once she was sure Felicia understood her, Leslie turned around and walked toward the door. "I'll let Michael know you had to leave and that you'll speak with him later."

Felicia angrily pushed the chair next to Michael's desk, flipping it over. Breathing heavily, she leaned against the desk to compose herself. Even though she'd kept quiet about Robert continuing to cheat on Melissa, she knew she couldn't live with herself if she kept lying to Michael.

"I have to tell him the truth," Felicia said, sighing.

She leaned over to pick up the chair, accidentally bumping one of the legs into something hard underneath the desk. Felicia was startled as she heard a loud cracking noise behind her. She spun around to find that the bookshelf in Michael's study was sliding to the right...revealing an entryway behind it.

"What in the hell?"

Felicia cautiously approached the wall and realized there was a stairwell hidden behind the bookshelf. She glanced over her shoulder quickly to see if she was alone, and then she slowly descended the steps.

"So this is where Michael always disappears to when I can't find him in the mansion," Felicia wondered aloud. "What does he have hiding down here?"

Amused, Felicia walked past a row of flickering lights that led her to a door at the end of the stairwell. She reached for the door and pulled it open, revealing a vast white room. It was a laboratory. Bewildered, Felicia noticed what appeared to be an operating table in the center of the room. She approached the table, which had a folder resting on top of it.

Felicia picked up the folder and brought it to eye level. As she read the name on the folder, she gasped. "Sean Moore?" Felicia dropped the folder onto the floor and spun around, taking in everything in the room with even more confusion. "Oh, Michael..."