Monica lays Kristina down in the bassinet.

Judge Farmer: She's an adorable little girl.

Monica: Yes, she is that.

Judge Farmer: Then what seems to be the problem?

Monica: Problem?

Judge Farmer: I assume that's why I'm here -- to address some sort of problem.

Monica: Oh -- oh, I'm -- I'm sorry if I led you to believe that. No, actually, I really wanted to tell you that I -- I applaud your decision. I think that -- that having Kristina here with this family is the only viable solution to this unfortunate situation. And I really wanted you to know that you had made the right choice.

(Camera switches to the terrace)

Ned: Well, I have to admit, it's one hell of a setup. Definitely did not see it coming. I detect your hand in the details, grandfather. Alan -- he's not diabolical enough, and, well, we all know junior's not smart enough to come up with the idea of having me ticketed for public indecency while someone torches my home.

Edward: Now, just keep your voice down.

Ned: I presume Kristina was in the main house when -- I'm just taking a wild guess here -- A.J. set the fire? Even you would never endanger a child. No, not your heir, for god's sake. You only want to steal her. Well, I'm warning all of you -- you're not getting away with this.

Edward: Oh, congratulations, Ned. Ooh, boy, you're sharp as a tack. You've got this whole thing figured out, haven't you? Listen -- Judge Farmer and Monica and your baby are right in there. Why don't you just burst in and you can tell them the whole thing.

Ned: Judge Farmer? What -- what is she doing --

Edward: You can go in and convince them that no one in this family is fit to supervise a child. Ooh, and you will feel so good about yourself. But you won't get Kristina back. No, you see, the judge feels that you are even less fit than we are, hmm? No, I'm afraid that little Kristina will be placed in foster care. Is that what you want, hmm?

Ned: You know damn well I would never allow Kristina to be placed into foster care. So, for now, I have no choice but to leave her with you.

Edward: That's my boy.

Ned: I am not your boy. And don't think for a minute that this is a permanent situation. I intend to clear my name and get my daughter back.

A.J.: Not if the judge takes her.

Ned: Why would she?

A.J.: Mom found out we set you up. She's furious, threatened to tell the judge what we did and turn Kristina over to the authorities.

Ned: No, no, no, no, no. She can't do that.

Alan: Monica won't do that. She won't. Even though she thinks that we're pond scum, when it comes to the crunch, she'll side with the family.

Edward: We can only hope that you're right.

(Camera switches back to the Q living room)

Monica: Thank you so much for coming over. And, again, I am so sorry if I alarmed you.

Judge Farmer: I'm glad you called. It means something to know I was able to place Kristina in a loving family environment. Could be some time before either parent is found competent to have custody.

Monica: Yes, well, Kristina will have a loving and giving family right here for as long as the situation calls. So, can I show you out? Ok.

Monica walks the judge out the door. The Q men come in the French doors. Edward heads straight for the baby and is about to pick her up when Ned pushes him away.

Edward: Oh. Hello, baby.

Ned: Oh, no, you don't. (Picks up the baby) Oh, yes. Hello, Kristina.

Edward: Congratulations, sweetie. Look at that. You have passed the last hurdle, hmm? Clearly. And now you are officially a Quartermaine.

Monica: Now, we have all agreed that the only solution to this mess that you have created is to have Kristina stay in the house. But that does not mean that you are going to isolate Ned from seeing his daughter. If need be, I'm going to move Ned in this house and boot the rest of you out on your sorry collective butts.

Edward: Monica --

Monica: Don't "but" me.

Ned: I appreciate that.

Big Alice walks in followed by Cameron.

Alice: Dr. Lewis.

Edward: Oh, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey. Now, look, if you have come here to pave the way for a visit by that lunatic patient of yours, it's not going to happen.

Cameron: May I be allowed to speak for myself? (Looks over at Ned) Ned, I need a word with you in private.

Ned: Of course. Can you give us a minute, please? It's the least you can do since I no longer have use of my own home anymore.

Edward: All right.

Ned: Thank you.

Ned waits for everyone to leave.

Ned: What happened to Alexis? Is she all right?

Cameron: I was hoping you could tell me. She's desperate for even minimal contact with Kristina. She said she was going to the child's father for help.

Ned: (Sighs hard) No. No, no, no. She can't do this. She's going to make everything worse.

Sonny and Carly are sitting on the couch when Max knocks and walks in.

Max: Alexis Davis. She says it's important.

Alexis walks past Max.

Carly: No, no, no. Alexis, this is not a good time.

Alexis: I apologize profusely for interrupting. (To Sonny) Can we have a moment alone, please?

Sonny: What makes (chuckles and walks toward her) -- what makes you think I'm interested in anything you have to say, Alexis? You barge in here, right, past my guard. You dismiss the mother of my children.

Alexis: (Confused) "Children"?

Sonny: Yeah. Carly's pregnant. She's having my baby.

Alexis: Congratulations, Carly. I can only imagine what this means to you. Actually, it's the reason why I'm here.

We need to discuss Kristina.

Sonny empties the decanter of Scotch into a glass and leans drunkenly on the bar.

Sonny: I -- I assume that when you say "Kristina," you mean your daughter, not the sister you accuse me of killing? (Takes a drink)

Alexis: Yes.

Sonny: (Walks toward her) How does it feel to be wrong, Alexis? I didn't kill Kristina -- Alcazar did. And then you killed him. An eye for an eye. Nice touch. Especially the insanity plea. But you know what? I wish you'd have copped to it sooner. That way Jason and Brenda didn't have to spend that time in the courts, you know what I mean? That's just my opinion. (Yells) You were not insane!

Alexis doesn't react.

Sonny: You're a smart lawyer, and you found a defense that allows you to get away with murder, and it worked. You don't have to serve any time.

Alexis: (Quietly) You don't think I'm being punished? They're taking away my daughter.

Sonny: You mean the daughter you tried to insist was mine?

Alexis: I wanted to tell --

Sonny: (Interrupting) I don't want to hear it.

Alexis stands frozen.

Sonny: I don't want to hear your excuses. I do believe that you thought Kristina was mine till the D.N.A. test came. You should -- you should thank your lucky stars.

You should get on your (raises his voice) knees and thank god that I'm not the father of that child.

(A tear falls down Alexis' cheek) I don't want to say anything more. I'm done, ok? (She wipes her face) So can you please say what you've got to say and then leave?

Alexis: The Quartermaines have custody of my daughter, and I know that you have leverage with them -

Sonny: That I'd give to you?

Alexis: (Quietly) I was hoping that you would --

Sonny: The only leverage I have with the Quartermaines is Michael, and I would never exchange my child for yours.

Alexis: I would never --

Sonny: (Yelling) What am I supposed to do? What am I supposed to do? Just forget that you looked down on me? You accused me of having blood on my hands? Am I just supposed to forget that? Now your hands aren't clean, are they? Let me tell you something -- you should be grateful. (Fighting back tears) You should be grateful that you have a baby that is alive and waiting for you.

Alexis starts to sob. She can't speak anymore so she runs out the door.

She reaches the elevator doors.

Alexis: God.

She leans against the wall and cries.

(Camera switches back to the penthouse)

Carly: You ok?

Sonny: (He leans on the bar) Yeah. Ahem.

Carly: How did you know that Alexis was faking the alternate personality?

Sonny: It was in her eyes. You didn't see it?

Carly: No.

Sonny: Alexis is afraid of losing her child, but she's not afraid of losing herself. She doesn't fight every minute not to slide into this bottomless pit where the pain (he starts to cry) -- she doesn't -- she doesn't -- she doesn't know what that's about. I'd have recognized it because I do know. I know.

Carly: I know.

Alexis walks out of the Harborview Towers just as Ned arrives.

Ned: Alexis -- did you tell Sonny?

Alexis: No.

Ned: Thank god.

Alexis: I have to go.

She starts to walk away but Ned takes her arm and turns her around.

Ned: No. No, no, you have to listen to me, ok? You have to start thinking clearly from here on out. Otherwise, we are both going to lose Kristina forever.

Alexis: Your family's going to file for permanent custody?

Ned: I'm sure they'll try, but they won't win as long as you complete the court-ordered therapy.

Alexis: Where have I heard that before?

Ned: From Cameron, and he's absolutely right. Now, listen -- you need to get better, ok? And you can't skip any steps. What were you thinking? What were you hoping Sonny would do if you told him the truth? You know that he was almost murdered yet again. There are people in the mob who want to kill him. And we can't stop that. That's just part of his life, and that's exactly the life that we're trying to keep Kristina from, remember?

Alexis: Which was precisely my objection with you and Faith.

Ned: Forget about Faith, ok? That's over. She set me up.

Alexis: What?

Ned: I don't know how long she's been working with grandfather, but I know she is.

Alexis: What are you talking about?

Ned: Faith lured me down to the docks, where she started groping me, and I couldn't stop her. That's when Scott showed up with the cop.

Alexis: I've heard all that, Ned. What?

Ned: You don't know the whole story. While I was down at the docks, somehow grandfather got rid of the nanny, took Kristina up to the main house, while Junior -- the family arsonist -- set the fire. It was all a setup. Kristina was never in any danger. It was all a classic Edward Quartermaine manipulation to control his next heir.

Alexis: That man will never get custody - (she starts to walk away again)

Ned: (Taking her arm again) No, no, no, no. You're going to leave him to me. I have been battling my grandfather for years. I know how to win this fight. But I need your help. And this is what I need you to do -- I need you to stop tearing around, trying to get to Kristina. You just have to find a way to accept the fact that you are temporarily separated from her.

Alexis: That is easy for you to say, Ned. I've been cut out of my daughter's life for six months. You get to see her anytime that you want. You told me that you would take care of her, and you let her slip through your fingers.

Ned: I told you, I was set up. But together, we are going to get her back because you have to --

Alexis: Ned, there isn't anybody else that I can trust, apparently. I'll get her back on my own.

Alexis storms off.

Right click and "save target as" to view scene

Alan sits holding Kristina as Edward and A.J. smile and watch on.

Monica: I don't know why I'm doing this. By rights, none of you should be allowed near that child.

Edward: Oh, nonsense. We -- we love our littlest Quartermaine. We only want what's best for her.

A.J.: Good luck, kid. Growing up in this house, you're going to need it.

(Camera pulls back to show Alexis looking in at them through the French doors)

(Camera switches to Cameron on the phone at the hospital.)

Cameron gets Alexis' answering machine. It beeps.

The Alexis theme music begins to play.

Cameron: Alexis, it's Cameron. Where are you? I've looked everywhere, including the Quartermaines'. You have to call me as soon as you get this message.

(Camera switches back to Alexis. We hear Cameron's voice.)

Cameron's voice: Look, I know how badly you want to hold on to Kristina, but you can't do it alone. I'm here to help you. Please, Alexis. Trust me.