Bobbie and Alicia meet again for breakfast in Alicia's hotel room.

" So, Alicia, did you go over the material that I told you about Stefan."

" I most certainly did."

" And?"

" Bobbie, Stefan Cassadine does not intitmidate me in the least. I have dealt with his type before."

" And what type is that?"

" The "Master of the Universe" type. Ruling his domain with his will and force. No one else is allowed to do anything other than his wishes."

" Well, my my...you DO know Stefan Cassadine. So, what should I do next?"

" Take a vacation."

" Pardon?"

" The best defense is a good offense, Bobbie. You have the element of surprise because you are the only one who knows about the non-divorce. Now, the next thing is to keep Stefan out of his orbit and element for as long as possible while I plan my attack. What do you think will be his first reaction when he finds out the news?"

" After cursing my name, come and find me, and try and bully me into giving in."

" Exactly. And what do you think is going to happen when he CAN'T find you?"

" Go crazy a bit."

" You catch on quick. I would suggest, if at all possible, use phony names and pay in cash. I would also request that you don't tell me anything of your plans so that I can have plausible deniability when Stefan and his lawyer come after me. By the way, who is his lawyer?"

" A woman by the name of Alexis Davis."

" Alexis Davis? You're kidding."

" You know Alexis?"

" Well, top flight "A" list female attorneys are not as common as one would think. I had heard that she left New York for upstate work, but I had no idea that she was involved with the Cassadines."

" Gets better. She IS  a Cassadine. Stefan's cousin."

" The world is indeed a small place. So, is my advice understood?"

" Completely."

" Good. Don't worry about it from this end. Mr. Cassadine is about to get the surprise of his life. One more thing."

" What is it?"

" Well, if you were to.....say.....decide, on your own, that you would like to start something with your husband, I could not approve of it is your attorney. And could not be privy to it, but it could possibly help things."

" Start something?"

" You know....make sure that your husband doesn't forget you while you're gone."

" Oh......Yes. I think that I have an idea. Thanks. If I may say something.."

" Sure...what is it?"

" You don't look the type to be..."

" Coming from a blue-chip, WASP firm. Yes, well believe me, I'm the only one there who had a grandmother that was a domestic. BUT, my work speaks for itself. And whatever I am, I am a rainmaker. So, they allow for my 'eccentricities', as long as I am bringing in the cash."

" Isn't that how it always goes?"

" Yes."

" Well, I have  a trip to plan, and schedules to re-arrange. I'll see you when I get back."

" You do that, Bobbie. I will handle everything from this end."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The Quartermaines are all gathered down at the Q Boathouse. Alexis and Stefan have just arrived.

" Tell me again, Alexis, why we are here."

" We're here because you are the CEO of General Hospital, this is required schmoozing and because I happen to know for a fact that Nikolas will be attending. Monica told me that Emily was looking forward to Nikolas joining them today."

" May I say that I have deep apprehension about one of Nikolas' friends being a recent drug user."

" Emily is a charming girl, Stefan. She made a poor choice, but has turned her life around. She and Nikolas have a great deal in common, and I think that she is good for Nikolas."

" Things in common?"

" They both come from 'eccentric' families, have had very difficult blows placed on them, and are mature beyond their years. In my opinion, I would much rather have Nikolas be friends with Emily than that Sarah Webber girl."

" Oh? Why?"

" Because that girl was too simple. Too plain. Without a complex thought in her vacuous head. Not unlike another blond I know."

Stefan was distracted because he saw Katherine arrive with Nikolas. " What was that, Alexis?"

" Nothing. It would be best if you didn't stare at Katherine. The point of the matter is to turn her away."

" You don't have to tell me what the point of it is."

Katherine and Nikolas are making their introductions.

" Edward, Lila, I can't thank you enough for inviting Nikolas and myself to this function."

" Well, my dear, you are a ray of sunshine, as always."

" Oh, Edward, stop it. You are always so kind to me."

" So, Nikolas, how are things going for you at the hospital. Edward says that you are doing a fine job with the children's program."

" Things are fine, Mrs. Quartermaine. "

" Lila, please."

" OK, Lila. I really enjoy my job. Working with the kids is a great experience. If you'll excuse me, I see Emily over there."

" By all means. I think that Edward, Katherine and I can entertain ourselves."

Nikolas is on his way over to Emily when Stefan stops him.

" Hello, Nikolas."

" Uncle."

" How are you?"

" Fine."

" Well, I was wondering if you would like to attend the Bolshoi with Alexis and myself. They are coming to the Lincoln Center soon."

" I don't know. I may be busy that night."

" Alright. I will get back to you concerning the date. You wouldn't have to come alone, if that is what bothers you."

" No. I don't mind being alone with you and Alexis. If you'll excuse me, Emily is waiting for me. Goodbye, Uncle."

" Goodbye, Nikolas."

Nikolas leaves Stefan standing there. Alexis comes back.

" So, how is he?"

" Fine. He is unsure about the Bolshoi. Has to "check his calender". "

" Did you talk to him about leaving  Katherine's and coming back home?"

" No. That never entered our conversation. And before you start this discussion once again, let's go speak to the host and hostess, shall we?"

Alan, Monica and Ned are all standing around.

" Can someone tell me when Katherine Bell began being invited to Quartermaine family events?"

" Now, Monica, you know that Father has always had a soft spot for Katherine."

" Well, Edwards feelings for Katherine have nothing to do with SOFT spots."

" Monica, come on. Even though we may not agree, approve, or be able to stomach Grandfather's relationship with Katherine, I think that todays' invitation had less to do with Katherine, who Grandfather would not have invited because of Grandmother's feelings, and more to do with your daughter. Look over there."

Alan, Monica and Ned all glance towards Emily and Nikolas.

" Look at her, Drs. Quartermaine. I haven't seen Emily look that relaxed in ages."

" You're right. They're so cute."

" Monica, please, stop talking like a mother. Cute is when they're 7 or 8 and the guy hits the girl cause he can't tell her that he likes her. These two are teenagers. And he happens to be more experienced than Emily."

" Alan! More experienced? Don't you sound like a paranoid father."

" Monica, come on. What kind of teenage boy becomes the roommate of Katherine Bell? What do you think he's thinking with?"

" Alan...ick...I don't think much of my ex-wife, but that she and the Cassadine scion have something going on? You can't believe it."

" The whole situation is suspect. I would have thought Stefan would have better control over that boy."

" Oh, like we had over Emily 3 years ago when she and Lucky Spencer took off across the country?"

" Touche, my darling. Well, I am going to keep an eye on Nikolas Cassadine. A father can't be too careful you know."

" Emily is lucky to have you as a dad."

" I don't know how lucky she is to have us as parents. But, I do know that our lives would be worse without her."

" Isn't that the truth. Speaking of fathers...Ned, how's Bro.. Where did Ned go? Do you see him?"

" Nope."

Behind the boathouse, Ned and Alexis are talking.

" So, Mr. Ashton. Why did you drag me behind here. You know, I didn't do this sort of thing when I WAS a teenager, so understand my apprehension now."

" You didn't do this as a teen. Shame. Sneaking away from a party was something of a fine art form for me at boarding school."

" And if it was an art form, did you earn the reputation as a Grand Master?"

" Of course."

" Ned, why are we here?"

" For this." Ned plants a big kiss on Alexis, to which she most definitely responds.

" You certainly do know how to take a girl's breath away. And was that ALL you took on those excursions during boarding school."

" A gentleman never kisses and tells."

" I know that. But we were talking about you."

" I've missed you. When can I look forward to having the pleasure of your company once again?"

" I don't know maybe..."

" ALEXIS! Ah, here you are. I have been looking for you. I just received a call. There is trouble in one of our business concerns. You and I must return to Wyndermere at once."

" Now?"

" Yes, Alexis. Now."

Alexis turns to Ned. " I'll call you later."

" You better."

Stefan and Alexis leave.

Emily and Nikolas are at the top of a giant slide.

" So, Nikolas, are you ready?"

" I cannot believe that your grandfather installed something like this. This is completely amazing."

" I know. When he gets ideas like this in his head, he just goes with them. One of the benefits of having money. To be able to indulge in whims like this."

" I guess so. Who's going first?"

" Since you've never been on one, You have the honors."

" Now, what do you do?"

Nikolas eyes the slide with trepidation. He hesitantly goes towards the slide, trying to figure out the best way to do down.

" You know what Nikolas?"

" What?"

" Sometimes, you just gotta say what the heck!" And with that, Emily pushes Nikolas on the slide and down he goes saying..."Emily Quartermaine, I'm going to get youuuu.."

Emily jumps on the slide and heads down herself..

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Dara and Jax have both spent their days doing business. Jax got tickets to the fundraiser being held at the Lincoln Center. Dressed to the nines, the two of them enjoy box seats and the latest staging of  O'Neill's "Long Day's Journey Into Night" with Julie Harris, Jason Robards, Brendan Fraser and Daniel Day-Lewis.

Dara noticed that Jax was quite quiet on the ride back to the hotel. She leans up to the driver and whispers something into his ear. The limo does an U-turn.

"What did you say to the driver? Where are we going?"

" You'll see."

After a while, the limo stops. Jax and Dara get out. Dara starts walking and motions to Jax. "Come on."

" You can't be serious."

" Yes. I most certainly am. For your money, there isn't a better tourist attraction in New York City. And this one is all on me."

" How generous. Big spender you are."

" Only the best."

Dara and Jax come up to the window.

" Two please." Dara pays.

Dara and Jax go through the gates and get on the S.S. John F. Kennedy, the Staten Island Ferry. They go to an empty deck and stand against the railing.

" THIS is one of the best tourist attractions in New York?"

" Absolutely, Mr. Jacks. Oh, it has none of the glamour of the more showy sites, but you can get the pulse, the beat, the heart and soul of New York on the Staten Island Ferry. Look at that skyline as we move away from it. The lights, the beauty of all that concrete and steel. The overwhelming magnitude of the scope of New York. And yet realizing that it is only an island, isolated unto itself. Seeing all the power of it, yet not hearing the noise, the voice of it. You can create it all yourself. When I was a little girl, this was my favorite thing to do when I came to visit my Aunt Minnie during the summer. She would bring a lunch for myself and my cousins. We would ride the ferry. Get off at Staten Island. Eat lunch there, and she would tell us stories about great people of New York and how the city was built. She was a librarian, and New York City history was her specialty. She knew the history of the buldings, and neighborhoods. My aunt believed in New York City. Believed in its promise, it's wonder. We'd come in the morning, when all the commuters were on board. And she'd talk about working to make a better life for yourself. In the afternoon, it would be about the fellow tourists and why they wanted to ride the ferry. At night, it was about seeing each of the lights on the skyscrapers as little stars. And we were to alternate between making wishes and setting goals for ourselves. God, can a I blather or what? I'm sorry, for getting you involved in family nonsense."

" I would say that it was anything but nonsense."

" I saw that you were increasingly uncomfortable as the performance continued.."

" I guess you could say that it hit a little too close to home."

" I don't mean to intrude. But, I had heard things about Brenda's drug addiction."

" Yes. I saw myself with the sons in the play. There were the signs with Brenda, but I ignored them. And you want to know what's even more pathetic?"

" What?"

" When we broke up, I convinced myself that Corinthos was just temporary. That she loved me. You know she slept with Corinthos when they were in the catacombs.."

" No..."

" Yes. And it gets better. She never had the guts to tell me, but I told myself it was because of our deep love. How's that for being blind. And then, to add insult to injury, she told me that our entire relationship had been because of the drugs. That she was doped up the entire time."

" OUCH!"

" Yes. Quite a whallop from a Five Foot supermodel. Don't you think?"

" Well. If you want my opinion, and you didn't say you did, but I think that she's a fool to want Mob Man over you."

" Thanks for saying so."

" No problem. Why don't we sit and take in the beauty of New York City."

Dara and Jax sit down on a bench on the deck. In silence, they take the Ferry several times, back and forth. In the car on the way back to the hotel, Dara speaks.

" Hey, I was wondering. Do you want to make a Friday Club with me?"

" What's a Friday Club?"

" In college, the girlfriends on my dorm hall got together. And those of us who were alone on Friday nights did something. Whether movies, a fancy dinner that we planned, pajama parties, book readings, camping. You name it, we did it. So, instead of feeling bad or down, we could be each other's standing Friday reservation. Of course, if one of us is fortunate enough to get 'offers', the other would understand. Are you game, Mr. Jacks?"

" Definitely. This is the best proposition that I have had in a while."

" Well, it has to be sealed with the Friday, Pinky Club Shake. Give me your Pinky finger."

Jax and Dara link Pinky fingers and shake on it.