When Paulina arrived at the Cory Mansion, she found the FBI already there. They were installing a tap on the phone.

"As soon as the ransom call comes in, we can trace it." they said.

"But - what if whoever kidnapped Rachel doesn't want a ransom?" Paulina wondered.

(Alexander Nikos had not wanted ransom - he had wanted revenge!)

****

Rachel had set some candles on the windowsill, until the sunshine softened the wax into malleability. When Stark came in, she was putting the finishing touches on a small portrait head.

"I needed something to do, to keep from going mad with boredom." she said.

"I've been remiss. I hadn't considered that you would lack occupation." said Stark, "I do beg your pardon." He looked at the sculpture, "What a delightful cherub!"

"She gets into too much mischief to qualify as a cherub." said Rachel, "It's Elizabeth - my daughter."

"Elizabeth -"

"Please - let me go home!" said Rachel, "She and Cory are just babies! They need me!"

"I'm sure they are being well taken care of." said Stark dismissively, "I need you more than they do, Amalie."

"My name is Rachel!"

***

"I'll prepare a room for Captain Carlino and yourself," said Claudia, "And another for Dante."

"Captain Carlino won't be coming." said Paulina, "And I think I should be as close to the nursery as possible."

"Shall I make up the Master Bedroom?" said the housekeeper.

"I don't think I could sleep in Rachel's bed." said Paulina, "Could you put a cot in her dressing room?"

"Right away."

"Joe's not coming?" said Matthew.

"No." said Paulina, "He doesn't care about Rachel at all - and she's always been so kind to him!"

"He made it pretty clear last year that he despises all of the Corys."

"I'm a Cory!" said Paulina, "I need my family a lot more than I need Joe!"

"I'm glad you're here." said Matthew. They hugged each other.

"I don't see why you feel you have to move in here." said Amanda.

"I'm doing it for the Grubs."

"I think they're too young to understand what's going on." said Amanda.

"Yes!" said Paulina, "Exactly! Their whole world has fallen apart, and they don't understand why!"

"They're lucky to have you." said Matthew."Now that I have a daughter, I'm beginning to understand Mom a little more. I'd do anything for Jasmine, just like Mom would do anything for us - all of us."

Paulina hoped this meant Matt's attitude towards Cory and Elizabeth was softening; if he and Amanda had been twenty years younger, their sibling rivalry with the two toddlers might have made sense, but for two supposed adults to be jealous was simply ridiculous. They acted as though Rachel had only a finite amount of love to give, and any that she gave to the twins - or to Carl - meant less for the two of them!

****

"I've brought you something to read." said Stark.

"Thank you." said Rachel, "I'd prefer a cellphone, so I can call home and ask how my children are!"

"I'm sure they miss you terribly," said Stark, "but I cannot permit any contact with your old life until you have accepted the new one."

****

Cory and Elizabeth would not be comforted. "Mommy! Want Mommy!" they cried.

"It tears me apart to see them like this." their nanny told Paulina, "It's just as bad as when Mr Hutchins - "

"Rachel is alive!" said Paulina, "She's going to come home! We have to believe that, Debra!"

"I hope you're right."

Finally, the twins cried themselves to sleep.

( 'I may just do the same myself!' Paulina thought.)