Jessica felt a pang of sadness as she watched her daughter Bonnie feed pieces of chocolate chip cookie to Stefan Cassadine. His attention was focused solely upon her, and Bonnie smiled at him with the innocent trust only children possessed. It was almost a perfect scene. Almost.

Years of training allowed Jessica to remove any hint of expression from her face. She rounded the sofa and stood looking down at the duo seated there. "You are going to be covered with crumbs."

"A few crumbs are a small price to pay for such a delicious treat." Stefan smiled and tapped Bonnie's nose lightly. "Wouldn't you agree?"

She giggled and burrowed her face into his shoulder. Stefan, who had not enjoyed such easy affection since Nikolas' childhood, caught his breath. He shut his eyes against the flash of regret that raced through him, and briefly hugged the tiny form.

Jessica did not miss the unguarded moment. She felt as though she had been given her first true glimpse of the complex man who threatened her emotional security. As she stared at his handsome face, Stefan opened his eyes. And their gazes locked.

A series of quick taps was followed by the opening of her front door. Jessica tore her eyes away from Stefan's brilliant green ones and watched as her neighbor and law partner Tom Hughes stepped into the house.

"Uncle Tommy!" Bonnie's excited cry rang out. Wriggling down off Stefan's lap, she ran with outstretched arms to the newcomer. Tom swept her up into his arms and kissed her soundly.

"I'm sorry I'm late, Jess," he apologized as he walked to where she stood.

"That's alright, Tom. We had company." With her head, Jessica indicated Stefan, who rose from his place on the sofa and outstretched his hand. "Tom Hughes, this is Stefan Cassadine. Stefan, this is my partner Tom Hughes."

Not so subtly the two men sized each other up. Jessica was hard-pressed not to smile. "Come on, Sweetheart. Let's go and get your things." Absently Tom lowered Bonnie to the floor. Jessica grasped her hand and led her from the room.

Tom folded his arms across his chest. "Jessica told me all about her trip to Port Charles on your behalf. I hope your legal situation has improved since then." Tom's carefully couched words left no doubt in Stefan's mind that they were a warning to him where a certain beautiful lawyer was concerned.

"I assure you," Stefan replied firmly, "that presently my only dealings with the legal system and its representatives are of a personal nature."

Tom frowned. Instinctively he knew that Stefan Cassadine was the type of man accustomed to getting whatever he wanted. No wonder Jess was so hesitant about him.

"We're back." Jessica and Bonnie returned to the room. Bonnie carried a colorful plastic bag and made a beeline for Tom. "Be good," her mother instructed.

"Are you sure you don't want to grab your suit and join us?" Tom asked.

"I'll be fine. Go."

Bonnie released her grip on Tom's hand and crossed the room to hug her mother's neck tightly. That done, she moved to stand in front of Stefan. Her small fingers beckoned him down and she placed a feathery kiss upon his cheek.

Deeply touched, Stefan straightened slowly and watched the little one as she left with Tom Hughes. He could do nothing but shake his head as he realized that the first heart lost in this battle he had orchestrated was his own.

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