"Maybe you don't care about what you look like when you leave the house," Akilah shoots back. "Maybe you'd get it if you were gay. Ask your roommate."

"Vince should know. I'm sure he and Blake have hooked up already."

Vince turns around to find Eric Hanley leaning against the door. He rolls his eyes and ignores Eric.

"Yeah, I'll bet he gives it to Blake on the regular," Akilah joins in. "Or maybe Vince is the one who gets it."

"That's quite enough," Vince snaps. "You two are like a couple of schoolgirls, you know that?"

"Yes, because I am still in school," Akilah says matter-of-factly. "And whatever. I'll stop being a bitch if you stop trying to rush me, okay?"

"Fine, I'll go wait downstairs," Vince snits. He removes his cell phone from his pocket and backs out of the bathroom.

Eric slaps Vince on the ass as he exits, causing him to jump in surprise. "Have a good day, tiger."

Vince displays his middle finger for Eric and steps out into the hallway to find his fallen cell phone. He sees that the phone has rolled to the end of the hall, so he goes after it and picks it up.

As Vince bends over to pick up his phone, he hears what sounds like someone moving in a room at the far end of the hallway. Vince follows the noise to the bedroom at the hallway's end. It's a room Vince himself has never been in, save for exploring the mansion when he first moved in.

"Is someone there?" Vince calls out.

He reaches for the doorknob and tries to turn it. It's locked.

"Hello? Is there anyone there" Vince repeats.



On the other end of the door, Sean Price stands against it, breathing heavily. He locked the door just in time to prevent Vince from entering. He knows that Michael had him lock the door when he arrived at the mansion and was hauled off to this room that no one ever visited, but a restless Sean wanted to venture out of the room.

Thank God for small miracles like hearing Vince's voice in the hallway before he tried to exit. That could have been close.

I can't let Vince see me... Sean goes back to his bed and sits down. He silently stares out the nearby window. I can't let anyone know that I'm back in Marquette Cove.

"I here to say goodbye to Kelli before she leaves for South Africa," Chris responds. "Can you stop talking to me? Or better yet, just go away altogether?"

Damon frowns and perches on the edge of the table. "Someone's in a bad mood."

"Maybe because my ex-boyfriend killed you and yet I'm the one you've chosen to follow around endlessly?" Chris offers, dusting off his hands and looking in Blake's direction. "No, don't know why I'm in a bad mood at all."

"Who are you talking to?"

Chris glances to his right where Kelli approaches, holding a bowl of tortilla chips. She sets the bowl on the table and returns her attention to him.

"No one," Chris says. "Just thinking out loud."

"Well, try not to cause a scene," Kelli says. "Blake's been through enough with getting out of the hospital and —"

"Blah blah blah, poor fucking Blake," Damon groans loudly. "Everyone's always whining about how much he's been through. What about me? What about the person who got their heart ripped out with a rusty scalpel?"

"All right, already!" Chris snaps.

Kelli is taken aback by Chris' sudden outburst. "Well then...okay." Kelli wanders away from the table.

Chris turns to Damon. "You're going to have everyone thinking I'm crazy!" Chris hisses.

Damon shrugs. "You sure you're not?"


MARQUETTE COVE MEMORIAL HOSPITAL

"He's a quack is what he is," Matt Holden says loudly, following his father Simon into his office. "This therapy bullshit is pointless."

Simon sighs loudly and goes to his desk. He removes a stack of books from a cardboard box and places them on a nearby bookshelf. Matt perches on the edge of the desk and directs his father's attention back to him.

"I'm not going to keep seeing Dr. Maddock."

"Yes you are," Simon says. "That's the stipulation, remember? You meet with Aaron once a week, you continue going to your meetings, and I will remain in Marquette Cove."

"You know, fathers aren't supposed to emotionally blackmail their children."

"Children aren't supposed to drug their fathers," Simon says.

Matt frowns. "I apologized for that already."

"Somehow, I don't think you're really sorry. Gone are the days when you could do whatever you want without consequences, Matthew. Your mother is dealing with her own consequences right now. Do you want to end up like that?"

"Well, I'm not planning on torching some place, so I think I'm good," Matt mutters.

"What did you —" Before Simon can continue, there is a knock at the door. He glances up and sees Rebecca Li standing in the doorway. "Hi. Can help you?"

"I see you're taking over my husband's office," Rebecca says coolly, a unsubtle bitter tone in her voice.

"You must be Rebecca," Simon says. "Aaron mentioned you."

"You mean that man who was practically salivating over my husband's death?" Rebecca asks. "I'm at least glad someone else is in his office."

"To be fair, it was my dad's office first," Matt interjects.

Simon glares at him. "Matt, wait outside."


ALEC BALE & DARREN REYNOLDS' APARTMENT

Darren Reynolds nods as he leans against the wall, arms folded. "You sure you didn't forget anything?"

"No, I'm good."

Darren hands off a roll of duct tape to Jack. Jack tapes up the box and hands back the roll.

"Great," Darren says.

"Look...I know we've already had it out, and I've apologized a ton of times but I still just want to say..."

"I know," Darren says. "And the fact that you saved Blake's life has played a huge factor in this. But there's still the fact that you lied to me about being HIV-positive. That's not just some regular lie, Jack...that's one of the worst things you could ever do to someone. And as someone who's gay, you should certainly know better."

"Well, I'm glad that's all cleared up," Jack says sarcastically.

Darren isn't in the mood to argue with Jack anymore. "Where are you going? Back home?"

"No," Jack says. "I'm staying right here in Marquette Cove. I found an apartment on the south side. So you'll be seeing a lot of me."

"Somehow, I doubt that," Darren replies. He steps into the living room when he hears the front door open. Alec walks into the room, a frustrated look on his face. "Hey."

"Hey," Alec says. "My dad's bitch of a wife is keeping Jessica under lock and key. She won't even let me see her."

"Maybe she doesn't want to see you," Jack suggests, following Darren into the living room.

"No one asked for your opinion, douchebag," Alec snaps.

"Just give it time," Darren says cautiously. Part of him still thinks that Alec might have had something to do with Jessica's brutal attack a few weeks ago, but he still wants to believe Alec and Jessica are telling the truth. "She just needs to recuperate."

"She should do it at home," Alec says.

"Then why don't you go and tell her that? She's at Kelli's big send-off party," Jack says.

Darren glares at Jack as Alec doesn't even bother to respond. He grabs his keys from the kitchen counter and heads out the door.

"Thanks for that," Darren says angrily.

Jack shrugs. "If you're dealing with your lousy cousin, at least you won't have time to annoy me anymore. You'd better hurry after him, though," Jack says through a wide grin. "It smells like he's been drinking."


ANDERSON HOME

"Definitely a black people event," Vince says.

"Thank God for that," Akilah whispers. "I'm tired of eating all that damn food I can't pronounce at home."

Kelli walks toward them. "Vince! Akilah! I'm glad you two could make it!"

"I couldn't let you go off to South Africa without saying goodbye, could I?" Vince smiles.

"Well, not just me now, actually."

"Who else?"

"Sara Reynolds," Kelli replies. "She was here earlier, she got into the program too. But she's leaving tomorrow, so she has to finish packing tonight."

"That's great news," Akilah says. "I know she's been hoping to get into the program."

Vince gives Kelli a long hug. "I'm really going to miss you. I'm glad we became friends again this year."

Kelli nods. "Me too. It's a been a rough year. I don't know how I could have gotten through it without my friends."



Chris taps Blake on the shoulder. "Can we talk for a second?"

Blake turns around, a biscuit stuffed in his mouth. He takes a bite from it and nods, going to the nearby table to sit down with Chris.

"How are you?" Chris asks.

"Better," Blake says. "Darren said you visited me in the hospital. Thank you."

Chris laughs. "Well, I do work there."

"I know that," Blake says. "Which brings me to something else I wanted to ask you...but I'll let you speak first."

"I was just going to ask how things are with you and —"

"Okay, I figured as much," Blake cuts in. "This is about me and Darren. So I know I'm right, now."

"Right about what?" Chris asks, attempting to remain calm.

"Were you the one who switched Jack's tests for him? Did you help him lie to Darren?"


MARQUETTE COVE MEMORIAL HOSPITAL

Aaron narrows his eyes at Matt. "You know, it's not very conducive to a helpful therapy session to leave in the middle of it."

"Conducive to a helpful therapy session? What are you, a fag?" Matt shoots back. "You probably just want to stick your hand down my pants."

"Trust me, you're not my type."

Matt snorts loudly. "Small favors."

Simon's office door opens before Aaron can respond. Rebecca exits the office with Simon in tow.

"You," Aaron says, glaring at Rebecca. "I ought to kill you."

"What's the matter now?" Simon demands.

"This bitch stole my spot on the hospital board," Aaron snaps.

"My husband's will bequeathed me his spot on the board," Rebecca says. "I stole nothing."

Simon smirks. "So you're the woman. He's been quite angry all morning."

"I can gather," Rebecca says. She doesn't bother to hide the smile on her face.

"I'd like a word with you." Aaron grabs Rebecca's arm and drags her into Simon's office.

"No, I wasn't planning on using my office," Simon calls after them. Almost in response, the door locks. "I guess I'll take a break from unpacking."



SIMON HOLDEN'S OFFICE

"How much do you want?" Aaron demands.

"I am not about to be bought off," Rebecca insists. "And I don't think that type of behavior is going to get you a spot on the board. Assuming someone else relinquishes their spot."

Aaron steps forward and grips her arm again. "I'd think twice about antagonizing me if I were you. No one's heard heads or tails about you at all. And you all of a sudden show up in Marquette Cove? You're not running things, miss. You're a newcomer. A nobody."

"You'll find that I'm very much someone," Rebecca replies. "A someone who will remain a thorn in your side if you continue to ruin my eyesight."

Aaron raises his hand to slap Rebecca, but calms himself down.

"Are you kidding me?" Rebecca laughs. "Are you fucking kidding me?"

Aaron slowly lowers his hand, leaving him off guard as Rebecca swings and punches him in the face.

"I always have the upper hand," Rebecca informs him.

He grabs Rebecca by her shoulders, but instead of reacting violently, he pulls her into a kiss. She is not taken aback by the kiss. She welcomes it eagerly and aggressively.

Aaron shoves the box off Simon's desk and lifts Rebecca into the air, setting her on the edge of the desk. She looks back at the box as Aaron lifts up her dress. "This is Simon's desk."

"Trust me," Aaron says, lowering his pants and thrusting into Rebecca. "He deserves it."


ANDERSON HOME

"Yeah, are you going to answer him?" Damon asks, resting his hands on Chris's shoulders. "Inquiring minds. All that bullshit."

Chris doesn't know how to respond. He knows that the lie is over. But he also knows that there's much more to it than a simple lie. "I...I...I paid him to come to town."

"The car you sold," Blake realizes.

Chris nods. "I'm..."

"Don't apologize," Blake says, holding out a hand to keep his distance from Blake. "I've gotten really tired of hearing the word 'sorry' in the past few weeks. Just when I thought I was getting able to trust you...I find out that I can't. Story of my life."

"Blake —"

"No," Blake says, careful not to raise his voice. "I'm done with you Chris. I'll tell you what. Darren and I are not back together. I know that's what you were fishing for. But just so you know, there is not a chance in hell of me ever getting back together with you. You disgust me, Chris. I want you out of my life. And this time, I want you out for good."

Damon leans forward and whispers in Chris' ear. "Now would be the time to start crying."



Jessica cries out as someone violently grabs her arm. She spins around to find that Alec is the one holding on to her as she were a life raft. "Alec! What are you doing here?"

"I need to talk to you," Alec says. "Why have you been hiding from me?"

"I think you know why," Jessica whispers. "Can you please just leave, you weren't invited?"

"But you said that I didn't..."

"Do you think I have amnesia or something?" Jessica demands. "I didn't say you weren't responsible for my attack because I forgot, Alec. I didn't press charges against you because I just don't want to deal with you anymore. I just want all of this to be over."

Alec's lips tremble. "Are you saying you want a divorce?"

"Alec! Stop!"

Alec turns to see Darren rush into the backyard. Everyone else at the party notices as well. Chris and Blake break apart from their conversation and approach Jessica and Alec. Kelli and Vince wander toward them as Akilah and Julia follow.

"Alec, let's go home," Darren says, taking his cousin by the arm.

"Let go of me!" Alec shouts, shoving Darren. "I'm not a fucking twelve year-old."

"Alec, I think you need to leave," Vince says. He steps forward and wraps his arms around Jessica.

"You know what, Vince? It is taking everything in me not to call you out like the fucking nig —" Alec is cut off when Darren covers his mouth.

"Alec, that's enough!" Darren shouts. "We're leaving. And so help me God, I will break your neck if you say another word."

He pushes Alec back into the house and leads him away from the party in the backyard. Jessica turns away from the house, her face bright red. All she wants to do is for the party to resume so she can forget about what just transpired.

But she knows she can't. Not with everyone staring at her.