Skye and the judge speak as Dobson pours Skye a cup of coffee.

Skye: Alexis is a disruptive presence in Kristina's life. I just -- I don't know how else to put it.
Dobson, do try to be more careful.

Judge Farmer: Do you feel Kristina's safety is compromised?

Skye: Kristina starts crying the moment Alexis arrives -- that is, if she even shows up at all.

Judge Farmer: You mentioned Alexis is missing visits.

Skye: Constantly. Now, the schedule is court-ordered, but she pays no attention to that whatsoever. She is so determined to do this on her own. She comes all hours of the day and night, demanding to see Kristina, and then she leaves before her time is even up.

Alexis tries hard not to speak up for herself.

Judge Farmer: Are the visits supervised?

Skye: Definitely, just -- just as you ordered. But I just -- I don't know if it's enough. I have to wonder -- has Alexis' alternate personality appeared again since she was found innocent?

Judge Farmer: Skye, that's privileged information.

Skye: I know. I just -- I can't imagine. If Alexis isn't to be trusted during supervised visits, what -- what is she going to do with the child when she's alone? I really don't think that she's going to be able to provide a stable home for Kristina.

Judge Farmer: In fairness to Alexis, I won't discuss future custody arrangements. At least not until her therapy's complete.

Skye: Judge Farmer, may I speak frankly?

Judge Farmer: Certainly.

Skye: Ahem. Dobson, that will be all.

Alexis: (As Dobson) Are you certain, ma'am?

Skye: That is why I asked you to leave.

Alexis: Of course, ma'am.

Alexis walks out but listens at the door.

Skye: I -- I am so sorry. We are having so many problems with that new butler. You must forgive us.

Judge Farmer: It's been a very long day.

Skye: Yes, so I will get to the point. What are Ned's chances at full custody if he were happily married?

Skye: Ned is a good father. He just wants to bring Kristina up in a more conventional family.

Judge Farmer: My only concern is the welfare of the child.

Skye: But isn't Kristina better off with a devoted dad and a loving stepmom as opposed to a mentally unstable, single biological mother?

Judge Farmer: We all want the best for Kristina.

Alexis hears Skye and the judge get up from the couch. She races to hide in the hallway as Skye leads the judge to the door.

Skye: Oh, I appreciate you coming all the way out here, Judge Farmer.

Judge Farmer: Kristina obviously has many people who care about her.

Skye: Oh, thank you again for your concern.

Judge Farmer: Good night.

Skye: Have a good evening.

The judge walks out and Skye starts to get ideas.

Alexis is just about to come out of the hallway when she hears Ned and continues to hide.

Ned: The gatehouse is really coming along.

Skye: Oh, yeah? It's beginning to look like a home now, is it?

Ned: Definitely. So, who just left?

Skye: A woman from A.A. She couldn't track down her sponsor, so --

Ned: So she came here?

Skye: Yeah. Kristina's helped me so much, I can actually help other people. Scary, isn't it?

Alexis rolls her eyes.

Ned: That kid's turned a lot of lives around. Is she upstairs?

Skye: Yeah, I was just about to go up and see her. But I wanted to ask you, did you hear about those -- those swim classes at the country club for babies?

Ned: If they involve throwing my little girl into a pool --

Skye: Oh, listen, I would drown the instructor first, believe me. It's just kind of interesting. I think they're called something like mommy and daddy and guppy and me or something. (Alexis cringes) I don't know. Is that something you'd be interested in, just -- just the three of us?

Ned: Might not be a bad idea.

Skye: Yeah? Great. Well, I'm going to go see Kristina, and I'll bring down a brochure.

Ned: Sounds good.

Skye: Ok. Well, give me a few minutes because I do love watching her sleep.

Skye runs up the stairs and Alexis rushes up to Ned.

Alexis: Mr. Ashton?

Ned: Yes?

Alexis: Speaking candidly, but I feel it is my duty to protect and serve the members of this family. Therefore, I feel compelled to tell you that every word that woman just said to you is a complete lie.

Alexis: Sir, Ms. Quartermaine was not visiting with a fellow alcoholic as she told you. She was shamelessly manipulating a certain Judge Farmer.

Ned: Judge Farmer was here?

Skye starts to walk down the stairs and hears Alexis tell Ned everything.

Alexis: Indeed, sir. Ms. Quartermaine was slandering poor little Kristina's mother by telling blatant lies. She actually suggested the two of you were going to seek permanent custody of the little girl and that you were on the verge of getting married.

Ned: That's enough.

Alexis: Oh, I understand --

Ned: That's enough.

Alexis: I do understand how upsetting it would be to hear something so awful.

Ned: Eavesdropping is a time-honored tradition in this household, but for the family, not the servants. Dobson, you are here to serve as the butler, to supervise cook, the gardener, and the maids. You're not here to spy or solve the problems of the Quartermaines.

Alexis: I do apologize, sir.

Ned: We prefer to deal with our family issues without the assistance of hired help.

Alexis: Certainly, sir.

Alexis walks away just as Skye reaches the bottom of the stairs. She catches Alexis before she leaves the room.

Skye: Ahem. I will expect lime and sparkling water in my room in half an hour.

Alexis gives her the evil eye and walks away.

Skye: Ned, I'm so relieved that you understood about the judge coming here. I was just trying to look at all the options --

Ned: You're completely out of line.

Skye: I'd given up on children 'til Kristina. All right, I know it sounds corny, but she made me actually believe that anything is possible.

Ned: I understand that.

Skye: I can't have children. I was -- I was in a car accident, badly injured years ago, and I'd just given up hope. But -- I don't know -- I thought that with Kristina, I -- I felt like something had changed.

Ned: Did you check with the doctor before you spoke with Jax?

Skye: Isn't that dumb?

Ned: Babies don't always inspire rational thought.

Skye: Yeah, so, anyway, the sperm bank did require a checkup, and I -- I know that I -- I can't have kids. There's no question.

Ned: I'm sorry to hear that, Skye.

Skye: There's still Kristina.

Ned: And it feels like she's really your child?

Skye: Who would've guessed that I would've ended up bonded to someone else's baby?

Ned: Believe me, I understand.

Skye: I think you do.

Ned: As long as I'm involved with Kristina, you'll be a part of her life. And I plan on being involved forever.

Skye: Thank you.

Ned's cell phone rings and he answers it.

Ned: Ned Ashton. Ok. Look, I have to take this conference call from Tokyo.

Skye: Oh, yeah, take it. I'm gone.

Ned: All right.

Skye walks out of the living room and spies Dobson dusting a table in the foyer.

Skye: Dobson? (Alexis turns around) You're fired.

Skye: I will not have a spy in this house.

Alexis: (Smugly) I'm merely setting the record straight, ma'am.

Skye: You look for any chance you can to undercut me.

Alexis: I carry out my duties as I see fit.

Skye: Yeah, well, not anymore you don't. I am sick of you lurking around, spying on me, working against me. You pack your bags and you get out.

Edward walks in.

Edward: Dobson will do nothing of the sort.

Skye: Grandfather.

Edward: See, spying and telling tales and generally lurking about are essential Quartermaine traits. I'm just impressed that Dobson caught on so quickly. (Alexis nods to Edward) You'll tell me the good stuff later, huh? (He chuckles)

Alexis: Certainly, sir.

Edward: Oh, and by the way, my dear, I think we should get things clear. You don't get to decide whom we employ in this house. And if you don't like the butler spying on you, (Alexis smiles at Skye) there's the door. (Punches Alexis' shoulder) Keep up the good work, Dobson.

Alexis: Thank you, sir.

Edward chuckles and walks away.

Alexis: Will there be anything else, Ms. Quartermaine?

Skye: Sooner or later, one way or another, I will get you out of this house.

Alexis: You're certainly welcome to try, ma'am.

Alexis turns around and flips her coattails at Skye.