Brenda breaks away from Sonny’s side to go help Robin in the kitchen. Robin is taking food out of the refrigerator and almost drops a tray which Brenda laughingly catches. “Oh thank you Bren.”

“No problem Robin.” Brenda sets the tray of sandwiches on the table, “How’s it going? I would say your party is quite the success, minus Carly.”

Robin kicked the refrigerator closed. “Sorry about Carly, I couldn’t exactly kick her out when she showed up with Bobbie. Things are going great. How are things with you? How was yesterday? I never had a chance to ask you.”

Brenda sighed. “It was difficult. Ned and I are barely talking and it was so hard. I miss our friendship.”

“I know Bren. But you have to get the DNA established and then you and Ned can work out an agreement. It’s as simple as that. I know you two can do it.”

“I wish it was that simple.” Brenda poured herself a glass a wine. “But Ned’s sticking point is that I stay away from Sonny and I refuse to do that. Would you give up Patrick over this?”

Robin glanced over at Brenda, “Come on Brenda, you and Sonny and me and Patrick are different scenarios. They do not compare.”

Brenda said stubbornly, “I just wish I could have my son with Ned and my life with Sonny and everything would be fine. Why does so much drama have to be involved?”

Robin laughed, “Because you are Brenda Barrett.”

“Damn right about that!” The two laughed. Neither one noticed that Carly was lurking at the door.

Elizabeth was sitting on an armchair when Nikolas came up behind her with a plate of food from her. “Here you go Liz. You need to eat.”

Elizabeth smiled softly, “Thanks Nikolas. I am hungry and the food is so good. It is so good to be talking to everyone. I love this house.” Elizabeth babbled, embarrassed by the kiss that they had yet to discuss.

“What’s wrong Elizabeth?” Nikolas asked softly.

Elizabeth shook her head, her wavy hair falling over her shoulders. “Come on Liz, this is me you are talking to. You can tell me anything.” Nikolas said.

“I am, well, I am going to file for divorce.” Elizabeth looked up at her brother in law. “Lucky has proven to me that he will not forgive me. I can’t go on like this.”

Nikolas leaned back and gazed at Elizabeth, “Do you think you should think more about this? You and Lucky have been together for so long.”

“What about you and Emily? Are you two going to get back together?” Elizabeth retorted.

Nikolas hung his head, “That’s a lost cause Elizabeth and I think you know it.”

“Do I?” Elizabeth’s eyes widened.

“Yeah, I think you do.” Nikolas said. With that, he searched her eyes and smiled. He definitely liked what he saw in there.

Robert grabs a beer and makes his way through his daughter’s house. Up ahead in the foyer was Tracy, sipping a glass of wine and looking bored out of her mind. Sensing an opportunity, he strode up to her, “Tracy. How are you this lovely afternoon?”

Tracy looked at him scornfully, “Oh it’s you.” She sipped her wine and looked him up and down. “What the hell do you want?”

“What I want, well lady I don’t think you are woman enough to give me.” Robert flirted.

“Excuse me?” Tracy’s voice could have frozen blood.

“You heard me Tracy.” Robert leaned against the wall. He dipped his head towards her and whispered. “I think underneath that cold façade is a warm woman dying to get out. When was the last time that Tracy Quartermaine came out to play?”

Tracy pushed him back, “God Scorpio can’t you come up with something better?” She said drolly.

“I think you want to get out of here as much as I do. I love my daughter, but this is her party and I feel very old. Let’s blow this place and go get us some drinks. You on?” Robert smirked.

Tracy took a minute to think about it. She put down her glass and said, “Let’s go.” She regally walked past him towards the door.

“Ned!” Carly called out to him, “I need to talk to you.” Carly found him on the back deck by himself.

Ned turned around, a beer in his hand. “What do you want Carly?”

Carly grabbed a beer and popped the top off. She took a healthy sip from it before speaking. “I was just wondering how James was. You know, your son.”

Ned was about to drink from his beer when his hand froze, “What did you say Carly?”

“I asked you how your son was. I know that James is your son.” Carly smiled beguilingly. “Don’t even try to deny it. I heard Brenda talking about the DNA test with Robin. I just never thought that you were the mystery father. I credited you with better taste.”

“What do you want Carly?” Ned demanded impatiently.

Carly walked slowly around him, making sure that she wasn’t heard. “I am going to assume that we want the same things. You probably don’t want your son to be raised around Sonny as much as I want my sons to be anywhere near that tramp. I propose that we work together to reach our goals.”

“Go on.” Ned said neutrally.

“I will use everything in my power to break them up. If anyone can do it, I can. I will just need your help from time to time.” Carly said confidently. “I will get back to you on details. I know your DNA test is coming back soon. Are you sure that Sonny won’t interfere with the results? I can ensure that he won’t.”

Ned looked around uncomfortably. He didn’t want to make a deal with the devil but when it came to his son, he saw no other choice. “Not a word to anyone Carly. I will call you.”

Sarah left AJ talking with Edward and slowly made a beeline towards Robin. Catching her alone, she asked if she could talk to her. Robin agreed, and the two went to the kitchen. Once there, Robin turned to her with a welcoming smile, “Is something wrong Sarah?”

“Well Robin, I have a problem that has been bothering me and I was hoping you would be able to help me.” Sarah twirled a piece of her hair around her finger and smiled. “AJ told me you were an honest person and I could count on you for giving me good advice.”

“I think AJ is giving me too much credit.” Robin laughed, “but I would be happy to listen. Or would Elizabeth be a better person for you.”

Sarah shook her head, “No, I need to talk to you. I want to tell you about this relationship I was in before I met AJ. I was involved with a doctor. I was in love with him and I thought he was in love with me. He was so handsome, tall and dark with an arrogant edge to him. I thought I could cure him of that.”

“We had been living together in Santa Barbara for several months when he told me about a medical conference that he had to go to. Here in Port Charles. I kissed him goodbye and expected to see him in a week. Except he never came back. He left me alone, with all the bills, everything.”

Realization began to dawn on Robin, “Sarah, I don’t…”

Sarah kept going as if Robin hadn’t spoken, “And then I turned up pregnant. Pregnant and alone. I had to have an abortion and now I can’t have kids Robin. What do I do? How do I tell AJ?”

Robin swallowed and started to say, “Sarah are you talking about…”

“Yes Robin, she is talking about me.” Patrick said, anger pouring out of him as he stared down Sarah. “What the hell are you doing Sarah?”

Sarah smiled, “Game, set, match lover….” Robin fled from the room, Patrick racing after her.