Emily walks out of the living room with Monica and Alan behind her. Emily leaves.

Ned: Is Emily all right?

Monica: Um -- yeah. Emily's just having a little trouble dealing with this.

Monica and Alan walk out.

Alexis: (As Dobson) If you'd like to check with Emily, sir, I'd be happy to watch Kristina.

Ned: No, no, that's not necessary. Kristina has Alice.

Alexis: Very good, sir.

Alexis starts to walk away and mutters under her breath.

Alexis: (In her normal voice) She'd have a mother, too, if you'd let her.

Ned: What did you say?

Alexis: Simply clearing my throat, sir. Forgive me for being curious, but why is it that the child can't spend more time with her mother?

Ned: Why do you care?

Skye receives news from Dr. Meadows that she can't carry a baby to term. She sits alone in the hospital lounge.

Skye gets up to leave and Cameron sees her.

Cameron: Skye. You all right?

Skye: Yeah, just par for the course, you know. Another dream up in smoke.

Cameron: That sounds kind of alarming.

Skye: Yeah, well, if you're taking that as a cry for help, don't. Considering the staggering progress of your star patient, Alexis, I'll pass.

Skye storms off. Dr. Ryan approaches Cameron just as he moves to leave.

Dr. Ryan: Oh, Cameron, I need to speak to you.

Cameron: Rachel. How did your session with Alexis go?

Dr. Ryan: Well, that's just it. She was a no-show. I'm going to have to notify the court unless you can tell me where she is.

Cameron: I have no idea.

Ned: Kristina's mother has limited visitation because of a court order. She's also under a doctor's care for a mental disorder.

Alexis fusses with things as she speaks.

Alexis: I understand, sir. May I ask, have you ever considered it from the little one's point of view?

Ned: I don't think Kristina's really old enough to have a point of view.

Alexis: Years ago, I worked for a divorced man, the father of a teenage girl, Marianne. They were quite wealthy, really. Marianne -- she wanted for, well, nothing, except in some basic way seemed empty. One day, she told me that she was plagued by images of a mother that she yearned for. Those images were little more than an infant's memory of a tearful, she recalls, loving face. Without a mother's love to anchor her, Marianne attached herself to passing servants and girlfriends of her father. None of those relationships ever lasted, of course. And in the end, she felt isolated and filled with pain and self-doubt.

Ned: What happened to her?

Alexis: The police said that she slipped off a curb into traffic, but her father -- well, he knew the truth.

Alexis' cell phone rings.

Ned: That's fine. You can answer your cell phone.

Alexis: Not at all, sir. Nothing is more important than the subject of little Kristina. The caller can surely leave a message.

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

Cameron: Alexis, it's Cameron. Rachel told me you missed your session today. That means you're in violation of the court order. You need to call Dr. Ryan as soon as possible. Then call me.

Alice comes down the stairs.

Alice: Time for Kristina to go to bed.

Ned: One moment, Alice. Dobson, I would like nothing better than to see Kristina's mother get well again and start spending more time with her. But you really don't need to worry because Kristina's welfare is really Alice's concern.

Alice: I'm sorry, that was my fault. I understand that Dobson's duties take priority. Sorry.

Alexis: As you wish, sir. If you'll excuse me, I will check my service.

Ned: Good.

Alexis steps aside and listens to Cameron's message.

Cameron's voice: Alexis, it's Cameron. Rachel told me you missed your session today. That means you're in violation of the court order. You need to call Dr. Ryan as soon as possible. Then call me.

Alexis heads for the door just as Edward walks in.

Edward: So, exactly how much time do you expect to have off? Put away that damn cell phone.

Alexis: Yes, of course, sir. I'll make sure the ringer is on vibrate.

Ned tries to call Alexis. Just then Alexis' cell phone vibrates.

Edward: (Looks up at an anxious Alexis) What the hell is wrong with you now?

Alexis: I occasionally get a twinge in my lower back. But I assure you, it will not interfere with the performance of my duties.

Edward: Why don't you go see a doctor during one of you copious times off, huh?

Alexis: Excellent suggestion, sir.

Edward: Mm-hmm.

Alexis: Excuse me, sir.

Alexis' cell phone vibrates again.

Ned: (On the phone) Alexis, the last message I left you was cut off, so I'm leaving you another one. I'm starting to think that -- that Kristina needs to spend a little more time with her mother, more than the court-approved time, (Alexis looks at Ned hopefully) so give me a call. (Hangs up)

Edward: Ned, have you completely lost your mind? You should be doing everything you can to cut that lunatic out of the child's life.

Ned: No, that would be you, grandfather. Look, I happen to believe that a baby needs her mother.

Edward: Sure, a mother figure. But it doesn't have to be Alexis. Did you ever get one ounce of love or affection from Tracy, huh? Tell me, did you? Can you honestly tell me that you missed her one bit? Face it, Ned. Your mother is a dragon, and you are far better off away from her.

Ned: You're right. I was.

Edward: Mm-hmm. Just as Kristina will be far better off away from that knife-wielding psychotic who calls herself a mother. Look, Kristina will get everything she needs right here, just like you did. Young man, i want you to start acting like a real father and do what is right for your child. Now, you think about what I've said. Thank you.

Skye walks in.

Skye: Oh, hey, Ned.

Ned: Hi. Perfect timing. I need your input on Kristina.

Skye takes a white bonnet out of one of her shopping packages.

Skye: Look, the boutique just got this in from Italy. Isn't it just the sweetest?

Ned: You've been very generous with Kristina.

Skye: Well, I think we both agree that she's irresistible, haven't we?

Ned: Yes, she is. The problem is she's starting to count on you, and there's just really no guarantee --

Skye: Ned, I swear, I'm not drinking now, and I'm not going to start again.

Alexis listens from a safe distance.

Ned: I believe you. And it's not really your sobriety that I'm worried about. Kristina is starting to know who you are. She responds to your voice, to your touch. And with Alexis not really around, you're the only real maternal presence in her life. So what happens to Kristina when you move on?

Skye: Whatever you might think of me, whatever my place is in this family, there's never going to come a time when I'm going to move on from Kristina. I love that little girl as if she were my own child.

[Next scene}

Ned: I need Kristina to be able to count on you.

Skye: She can. You know, my own mother was a bit erratic, to say the least, and I'm living proof of that emotional damage. I want better for Kristina. She may not be able to rely on Alexis, but she can rely on me.

Alexis moves the empty pram across the room.

Skye: I am in this for the long haul. I want to be as close to a mother to that little girl as you and this family will allow.

Ned: Well, that's exactly what Kristina needs -- a mother. And, of course, that is Alexis. But I'm really starting to wonder whether Alexis will ever fully recover.

Alice comes down the stairs holding the baby.

Alice: I'm sorry to butt in, you guys, but the baby's being really fussy and I just can't seem to get her to go to sleep.

Skye: Oh. Come here. Give her to me.

Alice: Ok, thanks.

Skye: (Takes the baby from Alice) Come here, little princess.

Alice: There you go, honey.

Skye: Oh, my little sweetie pie. It's ok, pumpkin.

Ned: You must have missed us. Is that it?

Skye: It's all right. Your daddy and Skye are here now. Huh, precious?

Ned: Hello there, sunshine.

Skye: Should I sing you a little song?

Ned: Sweet little thing.

Alexis gets chocked up and bolts for the door. She walks out crying and bumps into Cameron.

Cameron: Dobson? Have you been crying?