Ali held Sam's hand as they sat side by side in the spacious office of Spencer Stellen.

Her father's confidant and Stinson Studio's board member was a tall, thin man whose once light brown hair had never had a chance to grey before it fell out. His steel-rimmed glasses shared the gleam from his bald head. Today he was dressed in a light blue suit with a matching blue tie featuring white polka dots. He had always been a calming presence in Ali's life, an antidote to her father's hot temper and her mother's dramatic episodes.

"What can I do for you, Alexandria?"

"I want to talk about options... to remove Jack as acting Chairman of Stinson Studios."

In typical Spencer fashion, he took her words in and considered them before speaking. Leaning back in his chair, Spencer didn't comment, but asked a clarifying question, "And who would you replace him with?"

"I could do it."

After airing their respective secrets yesterday, Sam and Ali spent most of the evening discussing how to remove Jack's dirty fingers from all things Stinson related. The easiest and fastest was the company. It was a matter of getting enough votes from the shareholders and the board to oust him. The key to securing those votes would be finding a viable candidate to replace Jack as CEO.

Sam had suggested she take the position first. Ali had been considering it, wondering how to broach the subject with her fiancée. It meant staying who knows how long in California. Hopefully, her father would wake up from his coma soon. But the doctors had warned of potential life-altering complications from the stroke. Recovery could be months. Or longer.

That's if Daniel Stinson woke up.

What would this mean for Sam and Ali? For their relationship? Sam had a full life back on the east coast. Reconnecting with family, coordinating Leif Stewart's political campaign and his new responsibilities at the foundation. The meeting this morning had been successful via conference call but that would not always be the case. There were times when Sam would be required in New York.

Ali knew to successfully run Stinson Studios her presence would be needed here. There were simply aspects of the business needing a hands-on approach. You had to inspect the craftsmanship, feel the sample fabrics, talk face-to-face with the designers. Like her father had.

The thing was, she wanted to do it. Run Stinson Studios. Revive the company. Renew it's potential. The more they talked about it, the more it felt right. What she had to do. What she was meant to do.

Just as strong was her knowledge her future was with Sam. A full life. Not stolen weekends where one of them had to sacrifice for them to be together. The couple didn't know how to make it work. Despite hours of talk, no solution had presented itself. In the end, they agreed to take things one step at a time. Step one was getting rid of Jack.

Spencer was regarding her with his grey eyes. When at last he spoke, it was not what Ali expected.

"That wouldn't work."

A little stunned and hurt by the lack of support, it took Ali a moment to respond. Sam beat her to it.

"Why not. She's smart."

Spencer swivelled his gaze to Sam and then back to Ali. "I agree. Alexandria, I know you know this business. You know the staff, the product. And what you don't know about the financial side of things, I'm sure you could quickly learn."

"But..." Ali could all but see the word hanging between them. Was this going to be the old excuse, she wasn't a man.

"No one else knows that. The suppliers, the wholesalers, the creditors. They simply don't know you or what you are capable of. In their eyes, you're only the daughter of the owner. It would buy you some clout, but I'm afraid not enough." He leaned forward. "They do however know Jack Blackhorne. In the last year, he has been seen at your father's side. He's been here."

There it was again. Ali felt she was being punished for wanting a life of her own. If she hadn't met Sam, she wouldn't have resisted Jack's blackmail attempts on the dance floor of that fateful charity ball. Wouldn't have suggested Jack get more involved in the business. Wouldn't have moved to New York. Things would have been different. She could have prevented Jack from getting this far. Insisted her father train her as his successor, not Jack.

"That's why I voted for him in your absence."

"You should have waited for me," Ali grumbled.

"It wouldn't have mattered. I still would have chosen Jack."

Ali didn't want to hear the rest but forced herself to listen. To understand.

"He's the stability this company needs right now. Like it or not, he's keeping this company going. Your father has made some... disappointing choices over the years. This is the consequence."

"But there must be some way to change that," Sam interjected.

"In due time. Alexandria, you could go back to school, get a business degree. While apprenticing at the company. Work with Jack-"

"No." Sam spat the word out.

Ali gave his hand a little squeeze. "How long would that take?"

"You'd need to build up trust with all the players. A few years...maybe less."

Sam shifted in his chair. But he didn't object.

A few years. So far Ali hadn't even been able to make it through drinks with her ex-husband, never mind work with him for years. And what about Sam? A few years would be a lifetime apart.

"Are there any other options? Someone else?"

A remorseful look took over Spencer's face. "You could sell the business."

Ali's stomach roiled. A Stinson Studios without a Stinson? It seemed impossible.

"No." The denial was out of her mouth before she could stop it. Spencer met her gaze, a kind of pity on his face. He knew what this business meant to her family. Still, she appreciated his candid answer. "Not yet at least."

"What about you? Would you take over?" asked Sam of the other man.

Shaking his head, Spencer looked around his office. "Even if I was any good at it, I have my own affairs to look after. None of us are getting any younger here."

A spark of inspiration hit Ali. "What if we found a partner?"

Spencer adjusted his glasses and regarded Ali with interest. "What kind of partner?"

"I... I'm not sure. Yet. But a company... or investor that would show our shareholders, suppliers etc. there's a reason to have confidence with me at the helm." Ali looked at Sam for support. "Something complimenting what Stinson Studios has to offer."

Sam returned her gaze and gave a slight nod of approval. Then they both waited for Spencer's response. The other man twiddled his thumbs, maybe mimicking the wheels turning in his mind.

"It might work," he offered at last. "If we could retain a controlling interest in the company... get an influx of cash to stabilize the..." Spencer's eyes flashed to Sam, "issues. Entice new buyers..." Spencer was cautiously nodding.

With each bob of the man's shiny head Ali's sense of this being the right move strengthened. Butterflies fluttered in her stomach. Excitement mixing with anticipation.

"You'll need to look at the financials' first Ali. You must know what you're dealing with. In the meantime, I'll put out some feelers... quietly. Gauge the mood, see what I can shake-up." Spencer was pulling his phone out of his jacket inside pocket. "This might work."

"That' won't be necessary," pipped up Sam. "I got it covered."

Of course, Sam was offering his family as the solution. The butterflies rose into her throat.

"No, Sam."

Sam gawked at her, her least favourite crinkle in his forehead making an appearance. "Yes. My parents will want to support their future daughter-in-law. Us Harrington's stick together."

"And I'm eternally grateful. It's an extremely generous offer. Your parents have already done so much for me. For us. Us Stinson's got ourselves into this mess and we need to get ourselves out of it." Ali rubbed her thumb over the top of his hand. "I have to try to do this myself. For me. Okay?"

The muscles in Sam's face relaxed and the crease melted away. "Okay."

A polite coughing noise from Spencer reminded the couple they were not alone. "I feel it prudent to advise you to seriously consider all your options, Alexandria. The Harrington name is a recognizable brand."

Ali opened her mouth to object but Spencer held up his hand. "I admire your intentions. I'm simply pointing out the facts. That's what I do."

"And I appreciate the voice of reason. I hope you'll continue to provide such sage counsel when I'm CEO."

In a rare gesture, Spencer chuckled. "I'm quite looking forward to it."