Chase turns to him.  "Joseph, what do you want?"

 

"You up for a game of one on one, like we use to?"

 

"No, thanks,"  Chase replies.  "Just shooting some baskets to clear my head."

 

"What's the matter, little brother?"  Joseph asks.  "Afraid I'll still kick your ass the way I did when we use to play?"

 

"Okay, then, you're on,"  Chase says.  "Put your money where your big mouth is.  Let's see if you're still as good as you THINK you are."

Joseph pulls off his shirt and Chase tosses him the basketball.  "Oh, so you wanna play for some stakes, huh?"  Joseph asks.  "Okay then, let's make this interesting.  $50?"

 

"You're on,"  Chase says.  

 

"Great.  Let's see what you got,"  Joseph says.  "Make it, take it?"

 

"Go for it."

 

Joseph dribbles, then shoots his first basket to see who has the first shot in the game.  Joseph's shot swishes through the net without touching the goal, then he looks at his brother with a smile.  "I guess that means I got the first shot," he says, gloating, much to Chase's annoyance.  Joseph makes his first shot, and the game between the brothers is on.  Joseph makes more shots than he misses.  Even though Chase is good, he has a hard time keeping up with his more athletic and toned older brother.  

 

"Well, little brother,"  Joseph says.  "Two games in a row.  Guess I'm still the champ."

 

"Yeah, well, whatever,"  Chase says, breathing hard.

 

"Hey, Chase, what's going on with you?"

 

"Nothin' going on with me,"  Chase replies sarcastically.  

 

"Little brother, you got a problem with me?  Ever since the other day when I told Dad I wanted to come back to work at the company, you've acted strangely toward me.  Does my coming back to Gioberti and Sons piss you off or something?"

"You wanna know what my problem is?"  Chase asks.  "You walked out on the company four years ago because you wanted to do your own thing.  Because Gioberti and Sons bored you.  So I stepped in and took your place at Dad's side. And for the last year and  a half I've been practically running that company on my own.  And what have YOU been doing, big brother?  First, you were traveling around the country trying to 'find' yourself, and then you were out here in California fixing up this old house of your mother's, and I'M the one who's been keeping Gioberti and Sons going."

 

"Oh my God,"  Joseph says.  "You're jealous.  You're actually jealous of me.  You're afraid that I'm gonna somehow outshine you in Dad's eyes at the company.  Chase, I'm not out to do that, bro.  All I want is my won place in the company that Dad started a long time ago.  A company I was working at while you were still in middle school."

 

"A company that you deserted,"  Chase says, bitterly.

 

"I had a lot going on in my life.  I had to get my head together.  To find out who I am and who I wanted to be."

 

"Yeah?  Well, who have you decided you wanna be, big brother?  A businessman?"

 

Joseph looks at his brother for a few seconds.  "You know, it must be real nice to be so PERFECT that you have all the answers. or maybe you just haven't lived enough to ever find yourself confused and unsure about anything."  Joseph tosses the basketball to Chase, then picks his shirt up from the ground and walks back to the house.

 

Michael and Elena are waiting near the playground at San Francisco that afternoon, as they are expecting John Ross to bring Little John for Elena's scheduled visitation with the baby.

 

Elena paces around impatiently. She sighs deeply.  "Where are they?"  She asks.  "John Ross was supposed to be here with my son at 3:30 sharp.  God I hate this. Having to see my son like this, supervised visits, with John Ross and that wife of his looking over my shoulder.  The one thing I feared.......the one thing I wanted to prevent when I lied to John Ross about my son has come true, and now, John Ross is raising my child with his new wife, corrupting him."

 

"Elena, don't worry,"  says Michael.  "One day, you're gonna have your son.  That, I promise."

 

"How can you be so sure?  I thought I would win that case the first time.  God, where are they?"

 

"Elena, they'll be here.  It's only a little after 3:30.  John Ross knows he has a court order to allow you to see your son, and if he violates that even once, we can take him back to court and sue for custody.  Here they come now."

 

Elena turns around as John Ross, Krystina (carrying Little John) and John Ross's 16-year-old son Alex walk up to them.  "John

Ross, where the hell have you been?"  Asks an angry Elena.  "You were supposed to be here at 3:30 SHARP."

 

John Ross looks at her.  "Hello to you, too, Elena," he says.  

 

"Traffic held us up,"  Krystina says.  

 

"My baby,"  Elena says, taking the child from Krystina's arms.  "Oh, Drew, I've missed you so much."

"My son's name is John Ross Ewing IV, and you need to get that through your thick head, Elena,"  says John Ross.

 

"Maybe for now,"  Elena says. "But as soon as I get my son back I plan to undo all the damage you've done to him, including giving him that cursed name of yours."

 

"As soon as you get him back?"  John Ross asks.  "Elena that sounds like a threat to me.  You plannin' on kidnappin' my son or somethin'?"

 

"Go to hell, John Ross,"  Elena says, taking the baby and walking toward the playground.

"John Ross, don't worry,"  Krystina says.  "Just go to your business meeting, and I'll keep an eye on things here.  Everything will be fine."

 

"Right, darlin',"  John Ross says.  Krystina kisses her husband, then walks away.

 

"Alex, you gonna stay here with Krystina and Little John?"  

 

"Yeah, sure.  If I get bored I can just take a cab back to the hotel."

 

"Yeah."

 

Alex looks at John Ross and at Michael, then walks past them and follows Krystina to the playground.  

 

"You heard your wife, John Ross," Michael says.  "Everything's under control here, so you can just run along."

 

John Ross looks at him.  "Y'know, Channing, you really do bore me to tears.  I know Elena itn't the most excitin' woman in the world, but how in the hell she can stand bein' with somebody like you is beyond me.  If you're as borin' in the bedroom as you are out of it, it's only a matter of time before Elena cheats on you.  She does, after all, have a very healthy sexual appetite, even if she is terrible in bed."

 

"Elena has no reason to cheat on me because I give her all the excitement and passion she can handle. And she is VERY passionate with me.  If there was a problem with passion and excitement when you were with Elena, then the problem obviously was with you and not her.  She did tell me that being with me is like Heaven after being with you dull Ewings boys.  I would tell you what else she said about your less than satisfactory bedroom skills, but, I won't waste my time on the likes of you.  Now why don't you get out of here and let Elena have this time with her son."

 

"I have to go anyway.  Oh, just one more thing, Channing.  I know you got a brother........good lookin' guy from what I remember.  You might wanna keep a close eye on that little wife of yours, and your brother.  After all, Elena has been known to go from one male member of a fam'ly to another.  Just somethin' for you to think about."  John Ross smiles at Michael, then turns and walks away, leaving Michael fuming with anger.

"Well, I'm sorry, Lance,"  Julia says.  "I certainly never meant to alarm anyone.  I simply left the convent because I didn't want to live there any longer.  My sentence was up two years ago, so I thought there was no reason to remain at the convent."

"But you were always so happy and peaceful there."

 

"Yes, I was.  But not anymore.  Now, I want to be at home, here at Falcon Crest, surrounded by my family.  I guess coming back here for Christmas made me realize just how much I love and miss Falcon Crest, and my family.  So I came home."

 

"Isn't it wonderful?"  Emma asks.  "We're all together again, just like in the old days."

 

Lance and Pilar exchange  worried looks, neither of them sure of how to feel about Julia's sudden  arrival.

 

 

"Lance, I REALLY don't know about this,"  Pilar says after she and Lance are alone in the foyer a little while later.  "I mean, your mother just up and leaving the convent after all these years, without telling anyone, including YOU, that she was leaving or had left.  Then, she shows up here after all these weeks with no plausible explanation as to where she's been all this time except to say that she's just been having some time away to herself to do some thinking.  Lance that doesn't make sense."

 

Lance sighs deeply.  "I know, it doesn't."

 

"And you're actually thinking about letting her stay here?"  Pilar asks.

"Honey, what choice do I have?  This is her home."

 

"Lance, I know Julia is your mother, and I know this was her home for many years, but I don't know if I feel comfortable with her in this house with our family.  With our children.  Lance, she......."

 

"Pilar, my mother is perfectly fine now.  The crimes Julia committed were many years ago.  She's spent almost thirty years living in that convent in Oregon, and every time she's come home on a visit, she's been absolutely fine."

 

"A visit is one thing, but living with us is something else entirely,"  says Pilar.  "Lance, why did she leave the convent after so many years?  And where has she been all these weeks while we were here worried sick about her?"

 

Lance look at his wife in silence for a moment.  "I don't know.  But I'm sure as hell gonna find out."

 

"No problem, John Ross, I know you said you had to drop your son off with his mother,"  says Ted Griffin, an older man in his mid-60s with a head fill of white hair.  "I'm just glad we could have this meeting.  It's been many years since I've done any business with the Ewings.  Last time, your mother and your Uncle Bobby were running Ewing Oil.  That must be 15 years ago."

 

"I've heard a lot of stories of deals you and my Daddy did together back in the day, when he was at the helm at Wesar,"  John Ross says.  

 

"I was real sorry to hear about J.R.  He was one of a kind.  How are Sue Ellen and Bobby?"

 

"They are just fine, runnin' Ewing Oil again with me and Bobby's son Christopher right there by their side."

 

"That's good to hear,"  says Ted.  "I really need to get back to Texas for a visit sometime and see some old friends."

 

"Ted......you mind if I call you Ted?"

 

"Not at all,"  he replies.

 

"Ted, mind if I ask why you moved the main operation of your comp'ny outta Fort Worth all the way out here to San Francisco?"

 

"I don't mind at all,"  Ted replies.  "My wife is actually from the San Francisco area.  I met her when I was in the service and stationed out here in the mid-1970s.  I married her and took her back to Texas with me.  Well, my wife's father was diagnosed with cancer ten years ago, and Diane wanted to be near her parents.  Commuting between here and Dallas became a hassle and I very well couldn't run my company from San Francisco.  So, I did the logical thing and moved Griffin Shipping out here to San Francisco.  And I don't regret it.  I love California."

 

John Ross smiles.  "Yeah, it does have its charm, but, nothin' can beat Texas, at least for me."

 

"Now then, enough small talk.  Let's get down to business, shall we?  What proposal is Ewing Oil offering me?"

 

"Well, Ted, with so many of the older comp'nies in Texas either changin' hands or goin' outta business completely, Ewing Oil needs a good, reliable shippin' comp'ny to do business with to ship our crude.  As I explained to you on the phone when we set up this meetin', my wife's family's comp'ny, Denver-Carrington, is in partnership with Ewing Oil on some wells in the Gulf, and we'd rather do business with an old friend rather than a stranger, even if that old friend is no longer in Texas."

 

"I really appreciate that, John Ross.  I shipped many barrels of crude for Ewing Oil and for your Daddy when he was running Westar, that's for sure.  I see no reason why Griffin Shipping can't do business with Ewing Oil again."

 

"I'm glad to hear that,"  John Ross says.  As he looks past Ted, he sees Katherine Wentworth walk into the restaurant and go up to the bar.  "Well, well," he says quietly.  "Look at what the cat just dragged in.  What in the hell is SHE doin' in San Francisco?"

 

"Who?"  Ted asks, turning around to see who John Ross is talking about.  "That pretty brunette who just took  a seat at the bar?

"Yep."

 

"Who is she?  She looks familiar."

 

"That is my Uncle Bobby's ex sister-in-law, Katherine Wentworth."

 

"Katherine Wentworth?"  Ted asks.  "I thought she was still on the run from the police."

 

"Oh, no, Ted, you're a little behind on all the Dallas news.  Katherine was pardoned a year ago and made a triumphant return to our fair city."

 

"Oh, I see."

"Ted, would you excuse me while I go and say hello?"  John Ross asks.

 

"Of course."

 

"I'll be right back."

John Ross gets up from his seat and walks over to the the bar.  "Well, you just never know who ya might run into in California," he says.

 

Katherine turns and looks at him.  "Oh, my Lord," she says with a slight smile.  "John Ross Ewing.  What in the world are you doing in San Francisco?"

 

"I was just about to ask you the same question,"  John Ross says as Katherine's body guard walks over.  

 

"It's alright,"  Katherine tells the man.  "I know him, from Dallas."

 

"Hmmmm......a personal bodyguard?"  John Ross asks.  "What's the matter, Katherine, somebody finally gunnin' for YOU for a change?"

 

"Very funny.  A woman can never be too careful these days."

 

"So what the hell are you doin' here?" 

 

"Personal business.  Seems that most of Dallas is turning up in San Francisco these days.  My niece is here, also."

 

"Yes......Emma."

 

Katherine looks at him and smiles.  "Yes, that's right," she says.  "So......now I know why you're in San Francisco.  You really ARE just like your father.  You came here to see sweet little Emma, and continue your tawdry little affair with her."

 

"Wrong, Katherine.  I hadn't even seen Emma here.  And, as a matter of fact, my wife came out here with me, and this is a BUSINESS trip."

 

"Handsome, and a smooth liar like J.R.,"  Katherine says.  

 

As the two are talking, Jeremy Lord walks into the restaurant.  Spotting Katherine, he walks over to the bar.  "Katherine," he says.  

 

She looks at him angrily.  "Jeremy, what the HELL do you want?"

 

"Sorry to interrupt this.......intimate looking little chat.......but I need a word with you."

 

"I have nothing to say to you, and if you try anything, my bodyguard will be over here faster than you can spit."

 

"Bodyguard?  My, my, we are afraid, aren't we?"  Jeremy turns his attention and looks at John Ross.  "Hello.  I'm Jeremy Lord."

 

"John Ross Ewing."

"Pleasure to meet you, Mr. Ewing,"  Jeremy says.  "Now would you mind if I had a private word with Miss Wentworth?"

 

"Not at all.  I was just leavin', anyway.  Katherine."  John Ross smiles at her, then turns and walks away.  

 

"What happened?"  Jeremy asks.  "Did you throw Richard Channing over for that MUCH younger man?"

 

"Jeremy, you and I have absolutely nothing to say to one another."

 

"Yes, we do, as a matter of fact.  I warned you to leave town."

 

"I am not going anywhere without seeing my son,"  Katherine says.

 

"Katherine, you're a damned fool if you think I am going to allow that to happen."

 

"You don't have any choice, Jeremy.  Jonathon is a grown man.  My son is 27-years-old, and you have no say in whether or not I see him."

 

"Jonathon, I'm afraid, has left town,"  Jeremy says. 

 

"Left town?"

 

"Yes.  He had to leave town rather suddenly on business.  And he won't be back.  So, you might as well go on back to Dallas and leave my son alone.  Because you will never, ever get to him, Katherine.  I can promise you that."

 

"You son of a bitch!"  Katherine says angrily.  She starts to slap Jeremy but he grabs her hand.  At that moment, her bodyguard hurries over and grabs Jeremy's hand, forcing him to release Katherine from his grasp.

 

"Is there a problem here, Miss Wentworth?"  The bodyguard asks.

 

"Yes, Franco, there is very definitely a problem here.  Mr. Lord was just leaving this establishment.  And make sure he doesn't come anywhere near me again."

 

"You can't throw me out of here.  I am a guest at this hotel,"  Jeremy says.

 

"Do you wanna argue about this, or do you wanna come along peacefully?"  Franco asks menacingly.  

 

"I'm going,"  Jeremy says, pulling his hand out of the man's grasp.  "Katherine," he says, looking at her.  "Consider this your FINAL warning.  Leave town.  You do NOT want to start a war with me."

 

"Get him out of here,"  Katherine orders her bodyguard.

 

"Let's go,"  Franco says, forcing Jeremy out of the restaurant as John Ross watches from his table with great interest.

"That's not enough time,"  Elena says, near tears.  "I'm sorry, I'm just not hungry tonight."  She gets up and starts to leave the room just as Kevin and Emma Ryland walk in.  

 

"Well, good evening, everyone,"  Kevin says with a smile.  "Dad, I hope you don't mind, but I asked Emma to join us for a family dinner tonight."

 

Richard looks at his younger son with an annoyed expression.

 

"Elena, hello, how are you?"  Emma asks.

 

"Hello, Emma.  I'm.........excuse me."  Elena quickly rushes out of the dining room and heads upstairs.

 

"Wow, what's the matter with her?"  Kevin asks.

 

"It's probably MY being here,"  Emma says.

 

 

 

"No, this has nothing to do with you,"  says Michael.  "Elena saw her son today, and it always makes her feel worse when she has to let that child go back with John Ross.  Somehow, I've got to find a way to get custody of that baby for Elena."

 

 

 

Julia walks to the mirror in her bedroom at Falcon Crest the next morning and begins putting on her makeup, beginning with lipstick, when a knock comes at her door.  

 

"Come in," she says.

 

Lance walks into her room.  "Morning, Mom," he says.

 

"Lance, good morning darling,"  Julia says, walking over and hugging her son.

 

"How'd you sleep?"  Lance asks.

 

"Like a baby,"  Julia replies.  "Oh, Lance, it's so wonderful to be home, back at Falcon Crest.  Last night I had my best night' sleep since I visited here with Emma during Christmas."

 

"Mom, we need to talk."

 

"Oh?  What about?"

 

"About where you've been all this time."

 

"Lance, I told you last night.  I just needed some time to myself.  Time to think.  Away from that convent.  I should've left there and come home as soon as my sentence was up."

 

"Are you........are you absolutely sure this is what you want?  Y'know, Mom, life is a lot different outside the walls of that convent than it is there.  You've been there a long time.  The world is a lot different now than it was when you first went to the convent back in '86."

 

"Lance, I know that.  You almost sound as though you don't want me here.  Like you'd rather I just go back to the convent."

 

"Mom, of course I want you here.  I'm just worried about you, that's all."

 

Julia smiles as she puts her arm around her son.  "Well there's no need to be, sweetheart.  I am better than I've been in years.  And happier, here with my son and my grandchildren."

 

Lance looks at his mother and hesitates a moment.  Then he nods.  "Okay," he says, kissing her in the cheek.  Lance turns and walks out of the room.

 

 

 

 

Chase looks at his brother, and at his father, then gets up from the table.  "Well, I'm not very hungry this morning," he says.  "I'll be back later, Dad."  Chase again looks at his brother, then walks out of the kitchen.

 

 

 

 

"Is everything okay between you two, Joseph?"  Cole asks.  "I've noticed some pretty serious tension between you and your brother the last few days."

"Honestly, Dad, I don't think little brother is too happy about me coming back to work at Gioberti and Sons,"  says Joseph.

 

"Why not?  Gioberti and Sons is a FAMILY company."

 

"I think he's jealous.  Afraid that I'm gonna try to take his place at the company or something.......or take his place with you."

 

"That's ridiculous."

 

"I know it is."

 

"I'll talk to him,"  Cole says.

 

"No.  I can handle this, Dad."

 

"You sure?"

 

"Absolutely."

 

"Good.   I want all three of us working together at that company, PEACEFULLY.    So handle it.  Make your brother realize that his fears are unfounded."

 

Joseph looks at his father and nods.

 

 

 

As Alex rides down an escalator at the Omni Hotel later, he takes his cell phone from his pocket and speed dials the number of his older brother, Jonathon, for the third time that morning.  Once again, his voice mail answers:  "Hey, this is Jonathon.  I am unable to answer your call right now, but if you leave your name, number, and a brief message, I'll get back to you as soon as I can."

 

Alex waits for the 'beep,' then leaves him a message:  "Jonathon, bro, where are you?  I've been calling and texting you for the past couple days.  Dude, get back at me.  Let me know you're okay.  You were supposed to go with me to that game last night.  Anyway, just hit me up."  Alex ends the call and puts his phone away as he reaches the bottom floor of the hotel.  He walks into the lobby as Gabby and her boyfriend, Nick Fairchild, walk into the hotel to meet him.  "Hey, guys,"  Alex says.

 

"Hey, Alex,"  says Gabby.

 

"So, what are we gonna do?"  Nick asks.  "Go out and do something, or hang around here?"

 

"We could go in the lounge and shoot some pool,"  says Alex.  "Then maybe go out to the OTHER pool and take a swim when it warms up later."

 

"Sure,"  Gabby says.  

 

"Yeah, dude, I'll beat your ass in a couple games of pool,"  Nick says as the three teens head down a hall to the lounge.  

Julia walks onto the front porch at Falcon Crest and looks around.  Then she walks to the far end of the porch, takes another look around, then takes a deep breath in.  As she looks all around the property and at the winery down the hill in the distance, memories come flooding back to her.  The smile disappears from Julia's face as she remembers her mother, and all the years she lived in this house under her mother's tyrannical thumb.  A strange look comes over Julia's face, almost as if she goes into a trance.  Then the strange look is replaced by one of anger.  Her trance-like state is only broken by the sound of a motorcycle driving up to the house.  Julia watches as her grandson Eric rides his bike up to the house and comes to a stop in front of the porch.  

 

 

 

 

 

Eric gets off the bike and takes his helmet off.  

 

"Well, my handsome grandson,"  Julia says, her smile returning upon seeing the young man.

 

"Hi, Grandmother,"  Eric says, walking onto the porch and kissing her on the cheek.

 

"Darling, you scare the life out of me on that thing."

 

"Ah, Grandmother, it's perfectly safe."

 

"Well, I just don't want anything to happen to you.  Not only are you my grandson, but you're also the future of this family and the future of Falcon Crest."

 

"Yeah, so everyone keeps telling me,"  Eric says.  

 

"That doesn't make you very happy, does it?"  Julia asks.

 

"I dunno, Grandmother.  I use to not care about this place.  I use to think that this family.......ALL of us.,........would be happier if Falcon Crest were just........gone."

 

"I use to feel that way.  But you don't anymore?"

 

"When I went to work in the winery, and saw everything that went into running this business, I guess I gained a new respect for what my Dad does.  That, and seeing cousin Angela slithering around here ready to take Falcon Crest away from Mom and Dad."

 

"Oh, yes......my dear niece Angela,"  Julia says angrily.  "You know, darling, I love my sister Emma to death, but, that daughter of hers........she reminds me way too much of the Angela she was named for."

 

Eric looks at his grandmother curiously.  "You and your mother didn't get along very well, did you?  Sometimes the way you talk about her, it's almost as if you hated her."

 

"No,"  says Julia.  "I never hated my mother.  Although I had good reason to.  I once thought I hated her.  I blamed her for ruining my life."  Julia pauses for a moment, then looks off into the distance.  "Eric, darling, would you excuse me?  It's such a lovely day I think I'll go for  a walk down to the winery, and then to the pond."  

 

"Sure,"  Eric says as his grandmother walks past him off and off the porch.  He watches her as she heads off in the direction of the winery.  

 

Lance comes out of the house.  "Hey, where's your grandmother off to?"

 

"I dunno, Dad,"  Eric replies.  "Have you noticed anything strange about her?"

 

"Strange?  Like what?"  Lance asks.

 

"Just, the way she acts.  The way she talks.  She gets this weird look in her eyes when she's talking."  Eric walks past his father and into the house as Lance watches his mother as she walks off into the distance toward the winery.  A look of worry comes over Lance's face.

Back at the Omni, Alex Lord has beaten Nick Fairchild at their first game of pool.  

 

"Now, what were you saying earlier, dude, about kicking my ass in a game of pool?"  Alex asks with a smile.  

 

"Yeah, yeah, bro, I just let ya win that first round.  Practice round."

 

Gabby laughs at her boyfriend's comment.  

 

The boys' attention is then turned to another teenage boy shooting a solo game of pool on a nearby table.  The other boy is John Ross Ewing's 16-year-old son, Alex Walton, who is making almost every shot he takes.  Nick and Alex Lord walk over to him.  They watch as he makes another impressive shot.  

 

"Hey, you're pretty good, dude,"  Nick says.

 

"Thanks,"  replies Alex Walton.  

 

"You staying here at the hotel?"  Alex Lord asks.

 

"Yeah, for the weekend."

 

"Cool.  I'm Alex.  And these are my friends, Gabby Cumson and Nick Fairchild."

 

 

 

"Hi.  My name's Alex, too.  Alex Walton."

 

"Great to meet you, Alex Walton,"  says the other Alex as the two boys shake hands.  "Always cool to meet another Alex."

 

"So what brings you to town?"  Gabby asks.

 

"I'm here with my Dad and stepmother,"  Alex Walton replies.  "He came on business and brought my little brother to see his mother, who lives not far from here in some.....Valley or something."

 

"The Tuscany Valley?" Gabby asks.

 

"Yeah, that's it."

 

"Wow, that's where I live.  So, is your Dad's ex anyone I might know?"

 

"Maybe.  Elena Ramos.  Or......Elena Channing, since she got married."

Gabby's mouth falls open in pleasant shock.  "Oh my God.  Elena!  She's married to my cousin, Michael Channing."

 

"Really?"   Alex Walton asks.  "Oh wow.  Small world."

 

"It sure is."

 

"Hey, bro, are you as good playing with someone else as you are by yourself?"  Nick asks.

 

"Mmmm.....maybe,"  Alex Walton says.

 

"Well, why don't we find out?  The four of us?"  Nick asks.  "Maybe teams?  Me and Gabby against the two Alexs."

 

Alex Lord and Alex Walton exchange looks, then smile.  "You're on,"  Alex Walton says.

 

"Yeah, just hold on a sec,"  says Alex Lord, taking his phone from his pocket.  He looks at his text messages, but still none from Jonathon.  He sighs with disappointment.

 

 

 

"Alex, are you okay?"  Gabby asks.

 

 

"Yeah,"  Alex Lord replies.  "I'm just worried about my brother, Jonathon.  I haven't heard from him in a couple days, and he hasn't been answering my calls or texts."

 

"Dude, I'm sure your brother's fine,"  Nick says.  "Probably just laid up somewhere with a hot chick.  From what I hear, your big brother's a real stud.  Now come on, let's get this game on."

 

"No,"  the other man replies.  "This isn't about ransom."

 

"Then why am I here?"

 

"Your father has asked us to.......detain you for a few days.  There's been a kidnapping threat, and he wanted to make sure that you were out of harm's way."

"My father?"  Jonathon asks.  "You're telling me that my FATHER had me kidnapped?"

 

"You haven't been kidnapped, Mr. Lord,"  the man says.  "You've simply been detained."

 

"Kidnapped, detained......what the hell's the difference?"

 

"Look, consider this a vacation.  You have cable television, a nice comfortable bed.  Just sit back and relax and as soon as the danger's passed, you're free to leave."

 

"Gee, thanks,"  Jonathon says sarcastically.  

 

The man smiles.  "Eat your lunch before it gets cold," he says, then turns and walks out of the room.  

 

After he leaves, Jonathon stands and walks over to the door.  Angrily, he punches the door.  "Damn it," he says to himself.  "Is my father really behind this?"

 

"Well, I wish you all the best,"  Richard says.

 

"Not to worry. I will definitely be back.  And soon.  After all, I have a son here.  Jeremy may have spirited Jonathon out of town to keep me away from him, but he won't be able to keep us apart forever.  I WILL see my son."

 

"I'm quite sure you will."

 

"In the meantime, Richard, would you please keep an eye on Jonathon for me?  Last thing I want is for his father to ever hurt him."

 

"Consider it done,"  Richard says.  "Both my sons are quite fond of young Jonathon, so, I'll be more than happy to keep an eye on the lad for his mother."

 

Katherine smiles.  "Thank you.  Well, I must be going.  My plane is at the airport waiting."

 

"I'll see you soon."

 

"Yes,"  Katherine says.  She kisses Richard, then turns and leaves.  

 

Richard walks to the bar and pours himself a drink.  He takes a sip.  "Jeremy Lord," he says to himself.  "Now where have you sent your firstborn in order to keep him away from his mother?  And what are you up as far as business is concerned?"

"Elena, you lost custody of your son because you lied to his father and told John Ross that his son had died at birth,"  Krystina says.  "You have no one to blame for that but yourself."

 

"I simply wanted to protect my child from John Ross and from the influence of the rest of the Ewings."

 

"Yeah, well, that didn't work out too well for you, now did it?"

 

"You can be smug with me all you want, Krystina,"  Elena says.  "But eventually, you WILL find out the truth.  Eventually, John Ross is going to do the same thing to you that he did to me, and to Pamela.  And God help you if you ever have his child."

 

Before Krystina is able to say anymore, a knock comes at the door.  Krystina gets up, walks to the door and opens it to find Michael there.  "Come in.  Your wife is in there with the baby."

 

"Thank you,"  Michael says, walking in.  "You know, I wanted to thank you.  You've been more than gracious as far as Elena is concerned."

 

"I appreciate that,"  says Krystina.  

 

"I think you're far too good for that jackass you're married to,"  Michael says with a smile.  He walks into the living room, followed by Krystina.  "Hey, sweetheart,"  he says to his wife.  

 

"Hey.  Hey, Little Drew, look who's here,"  Elena says, holding the baby up and waving his little hand at Michael.

 

"Elena his name is Little John,"  Krystina corrects.

 

"I named MY son after my brother.  I'll call him whatever I want to call him, no matter what you and John Ross have decided to call him."

 

"Don't you think that'll just confuse him?"

 

John Ross walks into the suite at that moment.  He pauses when he sees the Channings, then sighs.  "Well, I was really hopin' 

you two'd be outta here before I got back," he says.  

 

"Yeah, so was I,"  Michael says.

 

"Well, Channing, no one's keepin' you here."

 

"Elena, we really should be going,"  says Michael.  

 

"Alright," she says with a deep sigh.  "Sweetheart, I love you," she tells her son.  "I'll come by and see you tomorrow morning.  I promise."  Elena kisses her son, then hands him over to Krystina.

 

"Come on, sweetheart,"  Michael says to his wife.  

 

With tears, Elena kisses her child on the head, then walks away to the door.  She stops and looks at John Ross angrily.  Then walks out.  

 

"Channing?"  John Ross says as Michael walks by him.  Michael stops and turns to him.  John Ross looks at him with a smile.  "You think about what I said yesterday?  About keepin' an eye on your wife and your brother?"

 

"You're really a sorry piece of garbage, you know that, John Ross?  That kid who ran you down last year........too bad he didn't back up over you and finish the job.  One day, someone's going to."

 

"Threatening me, Channing?"  John Ross asks.  "I'm not sure you're the kinda man who needs to be around my son.  Maybe the judge should hear about this.  Get Elena's SUPERVISED visitation revoked.  Now wouldn't she just love you for that?"

 

Michael looks angrily at John Ross for a moment, mustering all his self control, then turns and walks out of the suite.  John Ross laughs after he's gone.

 

Krystina walks over to her husband.  "Was that really necessary?"  

 

"Yes it was, my darlin'.  Sooner that guy snaps and takes a swing at me, the sooner I can take Elena back to court and keep her away from my son, the same way she woulda kept me away from Little John if she'd had the chance.  Speakin' of sons, where's Alex?"

 

"Out at the pool.  He met some friends today in the hotel.  Three kids, and he's been hanging out with them all day."

 

"Good.  Well, I'll be back in a little while, darlin'."

 

"Where are you going now?"  Krystina asks.

 

"I got a little more business with Mr. Griffin.  I'll be back soon."  John Ross kisses his wife, then walks out of the suite.

 

 

That night, Lance Emma Channing knocks on Julia's bedroom door at Falcon Crest.  "Julia?  Julia, are you alright?"  Emma calls to her.  "It's time for dinner. Julia?"  Emma opens her sister's door and walks in to find no Julia.  "Julia?"  A worried look coming over her face, Emma walks out of the room and downstairs, where Lance, Pilar, Eric, and Angela have gathered for dinner.

 

"Emma, where's my mother?"  Lance asks.

 

"I don't know, Lance,"  Emma replies.  "She wasn't in her room."

 

"She wasn't......did anybody see her at all this afternoon, after she took her walk?"

 

"I didn't,"  says Pilar.  

 

Lance sighs.  "Damn.  I'd better go out and look for her."

 

"I'll come with you, Dad,"  Eric says.  The two men get up from their seats and leave the room quickly as Pilar and Emma look on with worry.

Outside of the Omni Hotel, near the pool area, Gabby, Nick, Alex Lord and Alex Walton have just finished passing around a marijuana blunt.  Nick finishes off the blunt, then puts it out.  "Dude, that was the best weed I've ever had."

 

"Hell yeah,"  Alex Walton.  "Guys, I'm like super high right now."

 

"Yeah, so am I,"  says Alex Lord, standing to his feet.  "But I'd better be getting upstairs, or my Mom is gonna be looking for me."

 

"Oh, God, I didn't realize what time it is,"  Gabby says.  "Nick. I need to get home."

 

"Okay, babe, let's go."

"You sure you're okay to drive?"  Alex Walton asks.

 

"Yeah, man, I'm cool,"  Nick says.  "Alex W., it was really awesome meeting you."

 

"Yeah, same here, man."

 

"So you're leaving tomorrow?"  Gabby asks.

 

"Yeah, but, since my Dad's baby mama lives here, I'll probably be coming back with him sometimes."

 

"Dude, that'd be awesome,"  Nick says, but suddenly, a stream of bright red blood runs from his nose down his face.  

 

"Oh God, Nick,"  Gabby says.  "Another one."

 

"Damn these nosebleeds,"  Nick complains.  

 

"Dude that looks pretty bad,"  Alex Walton says.  "You get those often?"

 

"Almost every day now,"  Nick replies, holding a piece of paper towel to his nose.  

 

"Come on.  I'll drive,"  Gabby says.  "Night, boys."

 

"Night, Gabby. Nick,"  Alex Lord says as the other two teens walk away.  The two Alexs exchange worried looks, then head back into the hotel.

 

 

 

"Phase one of our plan is set in motion,"  Jeremy says to his mysterious guest.  "Soon, phase two will begin.......the complete and utter destruction of Richard Channing and the Channing family."

 

 

Jeremy's mysterious partner is revealed to be none other than John Ross Ewing, sitting in a chair in Jeremy's office!  "That's good,"  John Ross says.  He stands to his feet and walks over to Jeremy.

"I told you,"  Jeremy says.  "Everything is proceeding as planned.  Except for one small detail."

 

"Katherine Wentworth,"  John Ross says.  "An unexpected hindrance.  And why the hell didn't you tell me that Katherine Wentworth is your ex-wife?"

 

"I didn't find it relevant."

 

"Lord, now you listen to me.  I don't want anything, and I mean ANYTHING to interfere with my plan to destroy Richard Channing and his son Michael.  And I know you have a grudge against that whole fam'ly, buy my main concern is Richard and Michael.  Do I make myself clear?  Don't forget, I know a helluva lot about you that I could expose to the whole world."

 

"Stop with the threats, John Ross,"  says Jeremy.  "We both have a common goal, and THAT is to bring my arrogant, self-righteous half-brother to his knees, along with his family."

 

"Good.  Now I'll take care of Katherine Wentworth just as soon as I get back to Dallas,"  John Ross says.

 

"I'll drink to that,"  Jeremy says, raising his glass in a toast and smiling.