MARQUETTE COVE MEMORIAL HOSPITAL

Matt Holden lets the final drops of his flask splash into his coffee before downing the lukewarm excuse for caffeine the hospital is constantly trying to push. Luckily, the scotch will give it a slight kick in a more manageable direction.

Just the kind he needs this morning after yet another tedious therapy session with Dr. Maddock.

But if it will keep the wrecked semblance of a family that he has together, it's worth it. The latter part of the therapy session unfortunately turned toward the return of Matt's biological father, Kyle Maddock. That is not a subject Matt wants to discuss.

Kyle isn't his father. He has no kind of feelings toward him, and he wishes that he wee still dead. He's made that perfectly clear and thankfully, Kyle hasn't made much of an effort to bother Matt either. As far as Matt is concerned, neither Kyle nor his wayward mother have any role in his life.

Matt takes a swig of coffee and grimaces as he spots his cousin, Alec Bale. Alec exits the elevator with a rather grim expression on his face as well. As usual. He's the mopiest person Matt has ever met.

"Hey cuz," Matt says.

"Stop calling me that," Alec says, attempting to breeze past Matt.

Matt steps in front of him and blocks his way down the corridor, grinning. This should prove to be an enjoyable diversion for a few minutes. "Why do you hate me so much?"

"Maybe because of all the crappy things you've done to Vince?"

"You two aren't even friends anymore," Matt points out.

Alec frowns and uncomfortably glances away.

"See? I'm right."

"Whatever." Alec pushes past him.

"Here for your meeting with Aaron?"

Alec stops. "Yeah."

"What a tool, huh?"

Alec turns around, almost cracks a smile. "Uber."

"See, we're already connecting," Matt laughs. "That's two things."

"Three, I guess," Alec continues. "I mean, don't forget that we've both, um...shared Akilah."

Without warning, or even realizing he's doing it, Matt's fist flies out and punches Alec in the face. Alec cries out and falls back, slipping onto the floor. Matt looks down at his fist, then to Alec.

"Uh...sorry," Matt says, unsure what exactly to say at that moment. "I don't know why I did that."



OUTSIDE SEAN MOORE'S ROOM

Leslie Hanley paces back and forth in the waiting room outside Sean's hospital room. She fidgets with a stray piece of fabric on her dress in attempt to put her mind elsewhere. It isn't working.

"Hey sweetie."

Leslie looks up and sees Felicia Bale approaching her. Despite everything they'd been through over the past year, Leslie has greatly appreciated having her best friend around during all of this mess with Sean's return.

"Felicia, you didn't have to stop by," Leslie insists.

"I brought Alec in for his therapy session," Felicia says. "So I figured I'd stop over, see how you're doing. Do you need anything?"

"No, I'm fine. I just...the doctors are in there with Sean again, and it's all just so much stress."

Felicia hugs Leslie and then leads her to a nearby row of chairs. "I know."

"And with all of this stress, I just don't want to..." Leslie stops herself. Way to go, girl. She can't keep a secret for anything.

"Don't want to what?" Felicia asks.

"Nothing," Leslie says quickly.

Felicia narrows his eyes. "You're lying to me. Remember? I know these things."

Leslie takes a deep breath. "Right. Well, there's...something I've been meaning to mention. I haven't told anyone, actually. With everything going on, it just seems so..."

"Tell me, Leslie." She gently rests her hand on Leslie's.

"I'm pregnant," Leslie says finally.

"Oh! And you don't know who the father is?"

Leslie snaps her head back. "Excuse me?"

"I'm sorry! That's not what I...I mean, it's Michael's, of course," Felicia says. "I just...with Sean here, I forgot. My mind went to...I'm sorry."

"I don't think Elizabeth is all that attracted to me."

Felicia smiles. "You made a joke. I haven't heard you make one of those in a while."

"I don't know why I did," Leslie says. "Felicia, I'm pregnant. But with Sean back...if he gets his memory back, what am I supposed to do, Felicia? And then, what about Michael?"

"What about me?"

Leslie and Felicia turn abruptly to find Michael standing a few feet away from them.

"Michael...how long have you been standing there?"



AARON MADDOCK'S OFFICE

"It's a lot more difficult than that," Dr. Anderson says, precariously staring at a paperweight on Aaron's desk. "There are procedures we need to go through and precautions that need to be taken."

"I don't give a fuck about procedures," Aaron says, snapping. "The only thing I have left of Melissa is that...that girl. She's locked up in some mental ward, for no good reason."

"For no good reason? She kidnapped a child, tried killing several people, and actually did succeed in killing one of her teachers!"

Aaron sighs. "Be that as it may, she needs medical treatment. Not imprisonment. It's what Melissa would have wanted."

"Maybe you're taking on too much."

"I know what you're referring to, Cyrus, and perhaps you should butt out," Aaron insists.

"You're trying to take Melissa's estate from her husband, Aaron. Don't you think that's a bit much?"

"Trust me," Aaron answers. "Whatever Robert gets, he deserves."

"What I'd like to get is your head on a silver platter."

Aaron recognizes the voice coming from his doorway almost immediately. Looking toward it, he confirms that the voice belongs to Robert Bale. Fantastic.

Cyrus stands and greets him. "Robert. How are you?"

"Just fine," Robert says. "Can I have a moment with my former cousin?"

"Of course," Cyrus says. He narrows his eyes at Aaron before he exits, "We'll talk about this later."

Cyrus goes out the office. Robert closes the door slightly and approaches the desk. "What the fuck is your problem?"

"Asks the child molester?" Aaron shoots back.

"You're a fucking quack, you know that? You're going after what Melissa left me in her will for what reason?"

"You're a Bale. You've already got enough money."

"You've already all but destroyed my public image, even though you know I never did a single thing to my son! This hypnosis crap is bullshit! It's not even admissible in court!"

"I'm trying to help Alec remember his memories," Aaron says. "And when he remembers them on his own, you'll get what's coming to you."

"You've already accomplished that. My family, my friends? They're all gone," Robert insists. "Now you want to take the home I had with Melissa?"

Aaron stands up and stares at Robert dismissively. "Let's face it, you never really had many friends to begin with."

"Something is wrong with Alec," Robert says softly. "Whatever he's remembering, it's not real. You stayed with us, back when you and Melissa's house was going through repairs. Years ago. You've seen first-hand how much I love my son."

"I'm done having this conversation," Aaron says. "You can see your way out."



REYES HOME

"Mama, did you see where I put Phillip's pacifier?" Jessica Reyes says, carrying her son into the kitchen as her mother prepares dinner on the stove.

"I don't know," Natalie says. "Did you look on the couch?"

"Si. This place is a mess."

"No me diga," Natalie says, smiling.

"Alright, I've got the hint," Jessica says. "You're working all day and baby-sitting now that Melissa is gone, I know. But I have a job too. I work nine to six every day at Hanley Enterprises. "

"I work there too. Cleaning up after your co-workers."

"They may not be my co-workers for long...I'm completely in over my head, Mama," Jessica says. "All of this stuff with Alec and thinking about divorcing him...I've just been so distracted."

"What do you mean thinking? You are divorcing that boy, Jessica."

"I...I don't know."

Natalie turns wearily and takes Phillip from Jessica's arms. "Look at this boy, mija. This beautiful baby boy. Do you think he deserves to be brought up in a marriage with a man who...a man who beats you?"

"You know what Alec has been doing through!" Jessica says. "What his father did to him!"

"Si, but I know what you've been through. Hospital bills, physical therapy, meetings with Dr. Maddock? He didn't just hit you Jessica, he shot you."

"He's already facing murder charges. He's got enough —"

The doorbell interrupts their conversation, giving Jessica the respite she needs. She goes into the living room and opens the front door, finding Darren Reynolds outside.

"Darren, what are you doing here?"

Darren forces a smile, though Jessica can tell he's anxious. "Your mother asked me to bring over new divorce papers. The ones that you had Melissa working on, you obviously need new representation now."

"Last I heard you quit Bale & Maddock."

"I did. But I can still practice law," Darren says. "And I can do a favor for a friend."

Jessica takes the envelope from Darren, nervously gripping it. She stares at him then toward the door and takes a deep breath.

"I can't do this," Jessica says. "Not yet. There's someone I have to see first."

Jessica grabs her purse from the coffee table and shoves the envelope inside. As she heads out the front door without so much as a goodbye, Natalie emerges from the kitchen.

"Darren, what are you doing here?" Natalie says, more than a little confused.



MARQUETTE COVE HIGH SCHOOL

Akilah Moore enters the school ministry office, searching for Father Grady. Instead, she finds Detective Jamie Grady leaning across his brother's desk.

"What the hell's going on?" Akilah says.

Jamie glances up at the crucifix on the wall, then pointedly makes eye contact with Akilah. She doesn't flinch.

"I'm here to speak to you about your disappearance," Jamie says.

"Kinda late, isn't it?" Akilah says. "I've been back for weeks."

"I asked Jamie to stop by," Father Grady says, entering the office behind Akilah. "From our meetings, I thought it might help if you talked to an officer. Maybe we could locate the person who kidnapped you."

"I wasn't kidnapped," Akilah snaps.

"I know you've said that, but there were signs of a struggle," Jamie says. "There was an investigation after you disappeared, and..."

"I just dropped my cell phone, that's all. I'm sorry."

Father Grady reaches out to touch Akilah's arm. "Akilah, please just —"

"Don't touch me!" Akilah says, almost growling at him.

The crucifix on the wall rattles slightly, falling from its place and breaking on the floor. Jamie and his brother turn to the crucifix out of concern, then back to Akilah.

"I'm sorry," Father Grady says.

"Nothing happened to me, okay?" Akilah says. "I ran away from home. Period, point blank, bottom line."

She pushes her way out of the office, leaving the two men alone. Father Grady sighs and picks up the fallen crucifix from the floor.

"Is she always like that?" Jamie asks.

"Lately? Yes."

Jamie smirks. "Maybe she takes after her brother more than I thought."

Feeling a sudden rush of heat from the broken crucifix, Father Grady drops the two pieces onto the floor again. He cries out in pain and stares down at his palm.

"What's wrong?" Jamie says.

Father Grady turns back toward the entrance, watching the fading figure of Akilah as she goes down the hall. "I think there might be something wrong with Akilah."

"Like, about the kidnapping?"

"No..." Father Grady says, his voice trailing off. "Something worse."



MARQUETTE COVE MEMORIAL HOSPITAL

Alec rubs his jaw as he trudges through the hospital corridor. A run-in with Matt, and now a therapy sessions with Aaron, what a fantastic day. He stops to check his cell phone, as he's done nearly every hour for the past few weeks.

Hoping he'll get a call from Jessica. Hoping she'll want him to come over and let them be like things were. He hasn't seen her since Melissa's funeral. When he has visitation with his son, Vince drops Phillip off at the house.

All these years, and it looks like Vince has finally gotten what he wants. His ultimate revenge on Alec has been replacing him in Jessica's life, replacing him in Phillip's life.

Now all Alec looks like is a murderer. A killer.

But it's not as if Vince set out to do it. Alec knows that, at least. He was merely taking advantage of everything done to him by...

Robert.

Alec stops when he hears his father's voice coming from inside Aaron's office. He leans against the slightly cracked door and listens in.



AARON MADDOCK'S OFFICE

"You can't just end a conversation like that," Robert says, glaring at Aaron. "This conversation is far from over."

Aaron points an angry finger at Robert. "Get the hell out of my office, I have a meeting with Alec."

Robert's eyes light up. "Alec? He's coming here?"

"He doesn't need to see you."

"I'll see my son if I want," Robert snaps.

"I'd say the restraining order says otherwise."

"I could tell him how his brother's doing," Robert says, not hearing a word Aaron is saying. "Hunter's doing so well. He's such a beautiful baby. I care about him as much as I care about Alec. I could never...never hurt either of them."

Aaron's hardened face goes soft for a brief moment. He walks around the desk and rests a hand on Robert's shoulder. "Maybe you should go home."

Before Robert can respond, they hear a commotion outside the office. Robert rushes to the door and pulls it open, hoping it's his son. But when he steps into the hallway...it's empty.

There's no one there.



OUTSIDE SEAN MOORE'S ROOM

"Not long," Michael says. "What are you two gals talking about?"

"Sean," Leslie answers. She stands and goes to embrace him. "We were talking about Sean. How is he?"

"I haven't heard anything, the doctors are still in with him."

"I should go in there," Leslie says, breaking away from Michael.

"No, just wait," Michael says.

Leslie frowns. "Why?"

"Michael's right," Felicia insists. "We should just let the doctors take care of him right now."

"I don't see what help they're being," Leslie snaps. "He should be at the mansion with me, so I can take care of him."

Michael shakes his head. "That's probably not a good idea."

"Well, no one asked you," Leslie snaps.

Taken aback, Michael throws up his hands in defeat and sits down. Leslie continues to pace, prompting Felicia to grabs her arms and stop her.

"Leslie, everything will be fine," Felicia says. "Everything will be fine."

Leslie wipes the tears from her face. "I just want my husband back, Felicia."

Having had enough, Michael stands and clears his throat. "I'm going to get going —"

"Let me in there! My husband is in there!"

The three adults turn to see a tall, attractive black woman outside Sean's hospital room, arguing with an orderly. Leslie immediately goes toward the woman with Michael and Felicia in tow.

"You can't keep my husband away from me!"

"Excuse me, who are you?" Leslie demands. "What are you doing here?"

"My husband has been missing for weeks," the woman answers. "We...we live in New York, and he disappeared one night. I hired a private investigator to find him, in case...in case something horrible had happened to him."

Felicia and Michael trade horrified glances, though beneath Michael's is the fear that yet another one of his lies is beginning to unravel before his eyes.

"We tracked him down to Chicago, and then here...and I found out he's in the hospital," she continues. "And there are doctors in there doing God knows what to him! I realize I probably sound crazy to all of you, but...please, I need to find out who's in charge, so I can —"

"I think you're at the wrong room," Leslie says, utterly confused. "That man in there. Sean, he's not your husband."

"The hell he isn't! My name is Denise Price, and that man in there is my husband!"