Matt is seen talking to Frank and Mary Scanlon at the Recovery Room. He tells them that he has to go back to General Hospital to talk to his Orthopedist before he leaves for the night. He leaves with Mary Scanlon. Someone enters the bar and shoots Frank.









Frank is rushed to General Hospital. It is assumed that Frank was shot by mobsters because of heavy gambling debts. The police commissioner, Mac, approaches Matt at a party and tells him that he'd like a few private words with him. Matt follows Mac out to the terrace.






Mac advises him that the bullet that hit Frank was meant for him. Matt immediately thinks that it's his father, Sal Mancusi, but Mac tells him that it is one of his father's rival mob factions that wants to get to Sal by killing his only son, Matt. Mac tells Matt that he must immediately leave Port Charles. "Not the Witness Protection Program," Matt says in anger and disbelief. "I won't do it." "You will if you want to live," Mac tells him.










Matt later confides in Joe, and Joe says, "But we can protect you." "But who will protect you if I stay," Matt asks Joe. Matt realizes that by staying he will put all his friends in danger.

He sees Karen in the On Call Room, and as she leaves, he realizes that he can't tell her
goodbye. A look of regret and sadness crosses his face. He then goes to Frank's room, and he
tells Frank that he is so sorry that Frank had to suffer by getting hit with a bullet meant for him.
Frank is unforgiving, and on that note, Matt leaves, knowing that he'll never see his
former friend again, and regretting perhaps that he'll never have the chance to
redeem himself in Frank's eyes.

As Matt leaves Frank's room, Sonny Corinthos, the local crime czar, offers to protect Matt. "I wouldn't go along with my own family, what makes you think I'll go along with yours?" Matt refuses. Sonny shakes his head in disbelief.








Later, Joe enters the On Call Room, and finds Matt talking to an FBI agent. The agent tells Matt that he is being sent to a place where he will be able to continue his Spinal Cord Injury research with the Parastep - and, as Matt hands him an envelop, that they will continue looking for Ellen with the information Matt has given them. The agent leaves.









There is a poignant goodbye scene between Matt and Joe, friends since they first came to General Hospital together as interns. Joe tells Matt, "We'll see one another again." Matt says, "I don't think so, Joe." And Joe says, "Hey, you walked down that corridor - anything can happen."

We see Matt making his way down the halls of General Hospital to the elevator.
He pauses by the elevator and looks around, remembering his hopes and dreams
and all that had happened to him there - his friends, and Ellen - so many emotions
evident on his face and in his eyes. The elevator opens, and Matt backs in.
As the elevator door slowly closes, Matt's face lights up and he smiles - knowing
that in spite of the sadness of leaving, that there's an exciting future out there for him.