Franco paces in his cell. Carly arrives. She finds it reassuring to see him in a cage. He thinks she got what was coming to her. Carly wishes she'd killed him and rails about how awful he is. She keeps threatening him. He points out that he's likely headed to Pentonville... which means the only person he can hurt now is Sonny. She trashes him and Nina. He defends the latter. Carly declares that they are both 'screwed' and clomps out. Franco calls the guard and tells him he needs the toilet. Down the hall, Nina frets to herself about her baby needing her. This is annoying Ava in the cell next door. They call for the guard and each demands to see their baby. The women yell at each other until the guard gets annoyed and leaves. Ava wants to strangle Nina, who begins taunting her about killing Connie and framing AJ. Nina is sure that she will get custody of the child. The blond thinks she's delusional. Ava mocks her. Nina throws a chair and insists she will be a family with Franco. He's brought by. He can't promise Nina that they will be a family again. They hold hands for a moment and then the guard drags him away. Ava is smug.
At the hospital, Morgan and Kiki fuss over the baby. He worries about how quiet she is. Silas informs them that the child is in perfect health. Morgan requests a paternity test but the doctor can't do it without the guardian's consent. Kiki realizes that's her since she's the closest relative. Silas can live with that. Carly shows up and tells her son that she won't be seeing Sonny again. The doctor explains that a simple blood test won't work. They have to run extensive tests and it could take weeks to get a definitive answer. He asks Carly if they can test her as well to hurry things along.
Liv wanders into the Metro Court restaurant and spots Ned sitting with Alexis. He tells the lawyer that Julian is bad news and she shouldn't have to see him alone. She doubts he'll be out any time soon. Liv interrupts and guesses what they want for breakfast. She pointedly suggests Alexis wants her eggs over-easy and chuckles as she walks off. Alexis wonders if Ned's noticed the friction in the air. Ned's clueless. Liv returns with the meal and explains she added some lox for the lawyer because she reminds her of cold fish. With some prodding, Olivia tells them that they don't belong together. She belongs with Ned. That turns out to be a fantasy. Liv keeps her mouth shut and comps their meal. After Alexis leaves, Ned asks Olivia what's really going on.
Julian is brought into court. He sees Carlos sitting there and wonders who he is working for now. Carlos is working for Johnny. The Zaccharas want to take over the entire eastern seaboard. Julian wants out of the mob. Carlos mocks his obsession with Alexis and insists that men like them don't get a happy ending. He instructs him to plead not guilty. The hearing begins. Julian thinks of Alexis but pleads not guilty. The bail is set and posted. The judge lets Jerome go. Carlos tells Julian they will be the next kings of Port Charles. He walks off as Alexis arrives. She guesses what just happened. Julian reminds her that she already said they don't have a future.
Sonny interrupts Johnny's weightlifting at Pentonville to demand some answers about Ric. As he tries to choke Johnny, two Zacchara thugs run over and drag him off. Johnny explains that he knows where Ric is and that Lansing was just a patsy for Faison. He hands him evidence and explains that Ric's life is in his hands. "You have to play ball," Johnny suggests. Corinthos refuses so Johnny threatens to kill Ric. Sonny wonders if his brother is just partnering with Johnny. "You'll have to trust me," Johnny says with a smirk. He makes it clear he's not really giving Sonny a choice.
*December 16th, 2014*
At Metro Court, Olivia tells Ned that she has feelings for him, and she wonders if there is a chance for them. Ned tells Olivia that he likes her a lot, but he and Alexis have a history together. He feels he owes it to himself to take this second chance with Alexis. All Ned can offer her for now is his friendship. Olivia tells Ned that she can’t go back to just hanging out and being friends, as the more time she spends with him, the more she wants to be with him. Ned says then this is goodbye and he heads off, leaving Olivia in tears.
At Wyndemere, Spencer is giving his father the silent treatment. Spencer however breaks his silent treatment to tell Nikolas that Britt left Port Charles, and he explains how he almost left with her but Grandma Helena stopped him. Nikolas plans to call security about Helena, but before he can Helena walks out of a secret passage in the wall. Nikolas sends Spencer off to his room so that he can be alone with Helena. Helena demands a hug. He gives her a hug, but then says he’s calling security. Helena says everything she has done is to safeguard the family and Cassadine future. She wants Nikolas to embrace his birthright and act like the prince he is. Helena says if he does not then everything he owns will disappear.
Outside of the PCPD, Sam ignores a call from Patrick. Inside, Dante is trying to determine who the gunman is from the surveillance footage. Lulu is with him, but she leaves for the courthouse for Maxie’s hearing. Sam shows up to ask Dante if he has any leads on the gunman, but he doesn’t. Sam tells Dante that she has a suspect in mind, Jake. Sam thinks she can help Dante and that Spinelli is enhancing the video for her. Dante says he needs to have a chat with Spinelli about the legalities of hacking the police force’s system, but for now decides to work with Sam. Thanks to Spinelli they get a clear shot of the gunman’s eyes and Sam is sure it is Jake.
At General Hospital, Jake has a brief run-in with Obrecht, who once again reminds him of his bill. Jake finds Elizabeth and the two have lunch. Elizabeth confides in him that Sam suspects he is the gunman. Jake becomes upset and asks Elizabeth if she believes Sam. Elizabeth assures him that she doesn’t. Jake thanks her for believing in him.
At the courthouse, Maxie video chats with Nathan over the phone. Maxie is waiting for her custody hearing to begin and Nathan wishes her luck. She hopes to see Nathan soon and hangs up. Lulu arrives and keeps Maxie calm. Mac and Felicia aren’t coming as they are caught up at the courthouse due to the mayoral race recount. Maxie panics when Diane texts that she cannot make it either due to being stuck in another trial. Fortunately Alexis shows up to take Diane’s place. Judge Walters takes the bench and is surprised to see Alexis defending Maxie given their history in this courtroom, but Alexis says her job today is to show that Maxie has demonstrated herself to be a fit mother. The judge notes that Maxie has done everything required to regain custody of her daughter, except she has failed to stay away from Nathan West. Alexis says this directive was not in the documents she reviewed. Walters says he gave it to her verbally, and he has several recorded accounts of Maxie being spotted with Nathan West. He denies her visitation and says they will revisit this in sixth months. Alexis finds this outrageous and plans to file an appeal.
Back at General Hospital, Obrecht checks on Nathan as he is hanging up with Maxie. Obrecht senses something is going on between them, but doesn’t understand why Maxie is not with him. Nathan explains the judge’s orders forbidding Maxie from seeing him. Later Obrecht tells Nathan that Britt left town with Faison, and that this must all be off the record. Obrecht tells Nathan she was to go with them, but she stayed because of him when she learned he was shot. She says she left him once, and she couldn’t leave him again. Obrecht knows he must use this information, but swears she doesn’t know where they are. Nathan is more focused on the outcome of Maxie’s hearing at the moment.