“Bobbie, I am so glad you could meet me today. I apologize for having to cancel last week, but with the Cassadine case everything is going nuts.” Mac sat down across from Bobbie at Metro Court where they had decided to meet for lunch. “Might I say you look lovely?”

“Yes you can.” Bobbie says pertly. “How are you Mac? What’s going on with the case? Have you been able to find Sam yet?”

Mac picked up a menu and started perusing it. “We have some leads, but nothing concrete yet. This case is taking over my life.” Mac said. “Your brother is turning into my shadow.” Mac cracked.

“Laura’s scheduled to be discharged today so I doubt you will see Luke today. Bobbie said as she and Mac ordered. “She’s doing surprisingly well. She is itching to get out and start her job as mayor.”

Mac played with his napkin and said easily, “I will be much happier working with her than with Scott or Ric. I think she will do a great job. And may he rest in peace, but Laura will be a lot more competent than Floyd ever was.”

“Now Mac.” Bobbie said as their food was placed in front of them, “Scott isn’t a bad person, he is just misunderstood.”

Mac laughed, “If you say so.”

“I say so!” Bobbie chewed her salad thoughtfully and waved her fork. “How are you dealing with everything?”

“You know what Bobbie? I don’t want to talk about it. Not because I am avoiding anything, it’s just that I am getting to a place where I am not thinking about my mistakes all the time.” Mac put his fork down and took a sip of his water. “So I would rather just sit here, have a nice conversation, and enjoy your company.”

Bobbie smiled, “I think we can handle that!”

Jason opened the door of his penthouse to discover an impatient Carly there. “Hey Jase, I need to talk to you.” Acting like she owned the place, she sailed past him and into his living room. She turned around. “Oh, Ava’s here?”

“Yes. What do you want Carly?” Jason said, stoically sitting down.

Carly sank down in a chair, “Jason, I am really worried about you. How are you doing with this whole thing with Sam? You don’t even mention her. At least to me. Have you talked to Sonny about her? I know you have to feel something and you have to get it out.”

“Carly, I don’t want to talk about it.” Jason replied. “I appreciate the concern, but I am not in the mood.”

“This is me Jason, your best friend.” Carly crossed her legs, “You know you can tell me anything.”

Jason set his jaw tightly, “I know I can Carly, but talking about Sam is off limits. At least for now. But I know that I can talk to you if I need to.”

Carly was slightly mollified. “Come on Jason. You thought she was dead, we all did. Now she is alive and we don’t know what is going on with her. That has to make you feel something Jason. I just don’t want you to keep it bottled in.”

Jason raised his voice. “Don’t you think I know this Carly?”

Footsteps could be heard running from up above. Curious, Carly asked, “Who else is here?”

“Jason, I need to get a snack for Cameron.” Elizabeth ran down the stairs and stopped short. “Oh, I didn’t realize you had company.”

Carly whipped around to Jason, “Were you going to tell me that she was here? Jesus Jason. Is she living here or something?”

“Last time I checked, Jason didn’t have to answer to you Carly.” Elizabeth remarked.

“For the time being, Elizabeth is staying with me until Sam is found. I want my daughter safe.” Jason explained.

“But..”

“Carly you can either accept it or you can leave. Your choice.” Jason crossed his arms and looked at Carly. Elizabeth went into the kitchen, got Cameron’s snack and silently went upstairs.

Carly raised her chin and faced Jason, “I can accept it but I don’t have to like it! Promise me she will be gone when Sam is safe?” Jason nodded. “Ok. Look, I have to go. Give me a hug.” The two embraced. “Jason, you are still my best friend and if you ever want to talk, you know I will drop everything to help.”

“I know Carly. I just have to work through this Sam thing myself.” Jason said as Carly walked out the door.

Robert was heading into the hospital to meet Robin for lunch. It had been a while since he had seen his daughter and they didn’t have the best relationship. He wanted to repair that so meeting for lunch was a start. While waiting for the elevator, his cell phone rang.

“Scorpio.” Robert said brusquely.

“It’s Tracy. Meet me at Metro Court.”

“Now why would I want to do that?” Robert said smoothly.

Tracy’s voice came across the line, “I want a repeat. Room 416 and be here in a half hour.

“Should I bring a bottle of wine?” Robert asked.

“Of course. Remember this Robert, I am an impatient woman.” Tracy hung up the phone.

All thoughts of Robin forgotten, Robert turned and headed towards his car. He didn’t notice that his daughter was on the roof, watching him leave.

From the heavy trees and bushes lining the Spencer property, Sam watched as the Spencers pulled into their driveway. She saw Luke, Lucky and Nikolas help Laura out of the car while Lulu jumped excitedly up and down. She watched as Laura hugged each of her children and kissed her husband. Sam gazed intently as Lulu wrapped her arms around her mother.

Sam heard Luke ask Nikolas to unlock the house. “This wasn’t supposed to happen this way” Sam thought as she watched helplessly. Nikolas jogged up the walkway and took the steps two at a time. In front of the door was a brown package. Looking at it, Nikolas knew instantly what it was and who it was from. He just didn’t know how much damage it would incur. He turned and started to run down the stairs, yelling at his family to hit the ground.

An explosion filled the air and Nikolas was knocked to the ground, unconscious.