BRAVA OFFICES/SAME DAY

CARL faces AMANDA, as DAVID stands smiling behind them.

CARL
Mr. Halliday is right. He has partial control over Cory, so, unfortunately, he is entitled to bring on new employees.

AMANDA
Even known criminals?

CINDY
Hey, I've never been convicted of anything.

VICKY
That's because you always end up in the looney bin first.

DAVID
(looks at his watch)
I have a meeting to get to. You ladies have a nice day. Don't work too hard.

David leaves.

CARL
I'm sorry, Amanda. I have an appointment as well. I will talk to you later to see if the situation here has improved.

Carl leaves.

VICKY
(looks at paper on her desk and smiles)
Well, we better put you right to work, Cindy. I have your first assignment right here.

CINDY
What is it?

VICKY
Oh, I would rather you read about that yourself. Amanda and I have a little something to discuss.

AMANDA
What might that be?

VICKY
(Looks at Cindy and rolls her eyes)
I think for once we are finally going to agree about something, Amanda.

Vicky leads Amanda out as we:

FADE OUT

FELICIA'S APARTMENT/SAME DAY

FELICIA looks surprised at the sudden animosity from Lorna.

FELICIA
Lorna, I was the one who offered help to Hayley.

LORNA
I just find it strange that you just met her and she's pouring out her heart to you.

HAYLEY
I know it seems weird....really. It's just that it's been so long since anyone's cared what happens to me...I guess I just embrace that easily.

LORNA
(sighing)
I should understand that...I'm sorry. I just get a little paranoid sometimes. (She looks at her watch) I have to go to work for awhile. Mom, can I leave the baby with you?

FELICIA
Sure, honey. We'll be waiting for you when you get back.

LORNA
And I'm sorry again, Hayley.

HAYLEY
(smiling)
It's okay.

Lorna leaves, and Hayley and Felicia smile at one another.

FELICIA
She's just very protective. You'll have to excuse her.

HAYLEY
I don't blame her. These days, you have to be careful.

FELICIA
As far as this adoption goes....I have a friend who's an attorney. He's not an adoption attorney, but he may be able to point you in the right direction.

HAYLEY
I want to start adoption procedures as soon as possible. I want to be able to make sure my baby is going to have the perfect parent.s

FELICIA
As hard as we try, Hayley, no one is a perfect parent. But I'm sure you can find a couple who will love your baby with everything they have. Let me call my friend, okay?

HAYLEY
Okay. Thanks, Felicia.

As Felicia picks up the phone and dials Cass' office. Cut to his office, where he answers the phone. We:

FADE OUT

OUTSIDE OF CARLINO'S/SAME DAY

REMY turns her back to TITO and he moves her to face him again.

TITO
There was a time when money was more important to you than finding your family.

REMY
Never, Tito! Never! You never knew me if that's what you think. I have dreamed of meeting my mother since I can remember. There is no excuse for what you did.

TITO
I'm not trying to make excuses. I just want you to understand.

REMY
You know, in a sick way, I do understand. I understand that feeling of desparation. I understand what it's like to feel alone and just want to get away. What I don't understand is how you could purposely hurt me.

TITO
That wasn't supposed to happen, Remy. You were never supposed to know.

REMY
So because I wasn't supposed to know, it made it okay that you stole my locket and kept me away from my mother?

TITO
No, I mean, yes. Look, it all made sense at the time.

REMY
And the car accident, did that make sense too? Nick and I could have been killed, Tito!

TITO
You weren't supposed to be in that car! When I found out you were, I almost died myself. Peaches, I'd give my own life before I hurt you like that.

REMY
There was a time when I believed that.

TITO
You still believe it. Deep down, you believe me, Remy.

REMY
I don't believe a word you say anymore.

TITO
You have to give me another chance, Remy. (Remy turns away). We're all we've got and you know it.

REMY
(turning to him)
Not anymore. I have a family now.

TITO
Don't cut me off, Remy. We need each other, we always will.

REMY
I won't be able to count on you. I know that now.

TITO
That's not true.

REMY
It is true. Because there was a time when I thought you were always going to be upfront with me. I thought that no matter who else you scammed and who else you used, I could trust you to be honest with me. Now I'm always going to wonder what you're up to - what the motives are for anything you do.

TITO
I screwed up, but I never stopped caring about you. We grew up together, Remy. You're the only one who's always been there for me. Don't turn your back on me now. Please, Peaches.

PAULINA walks outside and sees Tito and Remy talking. They look up at her.

FADE OUT