"I really don't know, Mrs. Fairchild,"  Alex replies.  "We were talking, and we were about to get a table and order some food, then Nick had another nosebleed.  As he started to the bathroom to clean it up, he just passed out."

 

"Oh my God.  ANOTHER nosebleed.  He's been having them more and more often lately."

 

At that moment, Gabby and Pilar rush in and Gabby rushes over to them.  "Mrs. Fairchild, how's Nick?"

 

Susan sighs.  "Gabby, I don't know.  I just got here myself."

 

"The doctors have been in there with him for a while now,"  Alex says.

 

"Hello, Susan,"  Pilar says.

 

"Hi, Pilar."

 

"Is there anything I can get for you?"  Pilar asks.

 

"No, thank you.  I'm fine.  I just wanna know how my son is."

 

"I'm sure they'll let us know something soon."

 

Meanwhile, a doctor comes through the doors leading into another hall and the emergency examining rooms.  He walks up to the nurse's desk and the nurse points to Susan Fairchild down the hall.  The doctor thanks the nurse, then walks over to the group.  "Excuse me, which one of you is Nicholas Fairchild's mother?"

 

"I am," Susan says.  "My son.....how is he?"

"He's conscious and resting comfortably,"  the young doctor replies.  "Nick's preliminary blood tests indicate that his white blood cell count is very high.  I've ordered some further tests to determine the cause.  Mrs. Fairchild, has your son been sick lately?  Any infections?"

 

"No, nothing."

 

"What about his nosebleeds?  Has he had them often?"  The doctor replies.

 

"Yes.  Seems he has one almost every day now.  Sometimes twice a day.  Doctor, what do you think could be wrong with my son?"

 

"We won't know until we get the results of all our tests back.  But, it could be a lot of things, including a bad infection somewhere.  I'll let you know as soon as we find out anything.  In the meantime, I'd like to admit Nick for a couple days while we do the tests, so we can keep an eye on him."

 

"This sounds serious,"  says a worried Gabby.

 

"Let's hope not,"  the doctor says.  "Mrs. Fairchild, we'll get your son upstairs to a room, and then we'll do a couple tests."

 

"Can I see my son?"  Susan asks.

 

"Yes.  Follow me," the doctor says.

 

"Susan, do you want us to wait for you?"  Pilar asks.

 

Susan  turns to her.  "No, Pilar.  You all may as well go on home.  I called my husband, and he'll be here soon.  I don't know how long this'll take.  Thank you."

 

"Of course,"  Pilar says, and Susan turns and follows the doctor through a set of double doors and down a hall.  

 

"Mom, I don't wanna leave,"  Gabby says.  "Not until I know that Nick is alright."

 

"Honey, there's really nothing we can do here,"  Pilar says.

 

"I at least wanna see him.  Please, Mom."

 

Pilar looks at the girl for a moment.  "Alright, we'll stay.  I'll talk to the doctor and see if Nick can have visitors as soon as they get him settled in a room."

 

Gabby nods.  At that moment, Vicky and Jeremy walk in.  Seeing them, Jonathon and Alex walk over and meet them.

 

"Alex, what happened?" Vicky asks her son.  "Is Nick alright?"

 

Alex sighs.  "I don't know, Mom.  He had one of those stupid nosebleeds, and then he just passed out."

 

"Has the doctor said anything?"  Jeremy asks.

 

"They're gonna keep him here for a couple days,"  Jonathon replies.  "Run some tests.  They don't know what's wrong yet."

 

"Are you ready to go home, honey?"  Vicky asks her son.

 

"Yeah.  Just let me say something to Gabby."

 

"Okay, we'll wait."

 

Alex walks over to his cousin.  "Gabby, try not to worry," he says to her.  "Nick's gonna be fine.  I know he is."

 

"Thanks, Alex,"  Gabby says, hugging him.  

 

"Call or text me later and let me know if you see him, and how he's doing, okay?"

 

"I will."

 

Alex smiles at her, then turns and walks out with his parents and Jonathon.  

 

 

As Michael is coming down the stairs at the Channing mansion that evening, his cell phone rings.  Taking the phone from his pocket, he looks at the screen, then quickly answers.  "Josh, what's up?  What's the scoop on John Ross and Krystina Ewing?"

 

 

 

"Krystina Ewing just returned home to Dallas,"  says Michael's friend Joshua McQueen, calling him from a bar in Dallas.  "She's been in Denver for the past few days with her family, after some sort of accident involving her nephew."

 

"I know I'm probably going to regret asking this, but, why do we need a private detective?"  Elena asks.

 

Michael looks at her and hesitates a moment before answering his wife's question.  "I hired him to keep an eye on John Ross and Krystina for a few days."

 

"I knew I would regret asking.  Michael, you did WHAT?  I thought we had this discussion, and I made my feelings very clear on this.  It's a very BAD idea to antagonize John Ross right now."

 

"Sweetheart, I know how you feel about this,"  Michael says, walking over to Elena and taking her hand.  "But just trust me.  It's only a matter of time before John Ross screws up.  And when he does, then is your chance to get custody of your son.  That IS what you want, isn't it?"

 

"You know I want nothing more,"  says Elena.

 

"Then trust me.  This is gonna work.  I promise."

 

Elena sighs.  "I hope you're right,"  she says, embracing him.

 

"The doctor still doesn't know yet,"  Susan replies.

 

"But the doctor did some tests, and he should have those results by tomorrow,"  Mark tells his son.

 

"I just don't understand why I feel so drained,"  Nick says.  "I haven't even done anything to be this tired."

 

"Well, just lie back and get some rest,"  Susan says.  

 

"Gabby.  Did she leave?"

 

"Yes.  She wanted to stay but her mother and I both insisted that she go home."

 

Mark Fairchild smiles at his son.  "That's quite a girl you've got there, sport.  Hard to believe she's actually Lance Cumson's daughter."

 

Nick slightly laughs at his father's comment as the doctor walks in.  

 

"Well, Nick, how're you feeling?"  The doctor asks.

 

"Very tired."

 

"That's to be expected.  You just relax and try and get some sleep tonight.  Mr. and Mrs. Fairchild, could I have a word with you?"

 

"Of course,"  Mark replies.  "Son, we'll be right back."

 

"Sure, Dad,"  Nick says, closing his eyes.

 

Mark and Susan follow the doctor into the hallway, closing Nick's door behind them.  In the hall stands another doctor.  "Mr. and Mrs. Fairchild,"  the first doctor says.  "This is Dr. Casey Williams.  He's one of our best staff physicians."

 

"Dr. Williams,"  Susan says.  "Have you found out yet what's wrong with our son?"

 

"Yes, Mrs. Fairchild, we have,"  Dr. Williams replies somberly.

 

"And?"  Mark asks.  "What is it?"

 

"I'm afraid..........Mr. and Mrs. Fairchild, your son has leukemia.  A very aggressive form."

 

"What?"  Susan asks, stunned.  "Leukemia?  No......no, oh my God, no!"  She begins to cry and buries her face in her hands.

 

"No, that can't be true,"  Mark says.  "You see, Nick, he, he's just been a little tired lately.  And the nosebleeds, he's had a sinus condition ever since he was a little kid.  That's why his nose has been bleeding."

 

"I wish that were the case, Mr. Fairchild,"  Dr. Williams says.  "But we ran one of Nick's blood tests twice, and there's no doubt about this diagnosis.  It's Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia, a disease that causes the bone marrow to malfunction and rapidly produce cancerous white blood cells, which quickly spread throughout the body to other systems, potentially causing cancer where they settle.  Our tests indicate cancer in the cartilage of Nick's right knee."

 

"Okay, so, now that you know what it is, what can you do about it?"  Susan asks in tears.  "How do you treat this?"

 

"With very aggressive chemotherapy,"  Dr. Williams says.  "I've already called in Dr. Paul Fitzgerald.  He's one of the top oncologists in the San Francisco area.  I faxed him a copy of Nick's test results, and he agrees with me.  We have to begin Nick's treatment as soon as possible.  With your consent, first thing tomorrow morning, we'll transfer Nick to San Francisco General Hospital.  There, they have the facilities and a cancer treatment center that we just don't have here.  Dr. Fitzgerald will take over Nick's case."

 

"So, what..........what are my son's chances with this chemo?"  Mark asks.

 

"I can't tell you that, Mr. Fairchild."

"Come on, surely you have to know what the odds are.  I wanna know.  I NEED to know.  Is my son gonna die?"

 

The doctor looks at the man for a moment.  "I won't lie to you.  Your son's condition is very, VERY serious.  This type of leukemia still has a very high mortality rate, even with all the advances we've made in medicine.  But Nick as a lot going for him.  He's young, and he's strong, and that's a big part of the battle.  Now, the chemo is gonna make him very sick.  He'll lose his hair.  There might even come a time when he won't even be able to walk."

 

"Oh dear God,"  Susan cries.

 

"Isn't there something else you can do?  So that my kid doesn't have to go through that?"

 

"Believe me, Mr. Fairchild, I wish there was.  But, unfortunately, chemo is the only treatment option."

 

Mark and Susan exchange looks, the expressions on their faces ones of emotional agony, then the grief stricken couple embraces.

 

"Telling me what news?"  Gabby asks, startling her parents.

 

"Oh, honey, we didn't know you were there,"  Pilar says, quickly standing.

 

"Obviously,"  says Eric.  "Sounds like you guys were in deep conversation about something."

 

"What news is it you have to tell me?"  Gabby asks.  "Is it about Nick?"

 

Lance and Pilar exchange looks.  "Yeah, honey, it is.  Come in."

 

"Well, I think that I am just gonna go on in to breakfast,"  Emma says, standing.  "Eric, join me?"

 

"No, actually, Eric should hear this, too,"  Lance says.

 

Emma nods, then leaves the room.  

 

"Mom, Dad, what is it?"

 

"This sounds serious,"  says Eric.

 

"You guys are scaring me,"  Gabby says.

"Honey, sit down,"  Pilar says.

 

"No, I don't wanna sit down,"  Gabby says.  "Just tell me.  What's wrong with Nick?  Is he gonna be okay?"

 

"Nick is a very sick young man."

 

"Sick......how?"

 

"He has leukemia, sweetheart,"  Lance says.  "Your mother talked to Nick's mother just a few minutes ago.  They're moving Nick this morning to San Francisco, where he can begin chemotherapy treatments."

 

"No.  Leukemia?  That's like cancer, right?"

 

"Yeah, honey,"  Pilar says.  "Leukemia is a form of cancer."

 

"Oh my God.  NO!"  Gabby cries.  

 

Pilar reaches for her daughter.  "Gabby....."

 

"No, Mom.  Please, just leave me alone."  Without another word, Gabby turns and runs out of the house.

 

"Gabby!"  Pilar calls to the girl as Gabby runs out of the front door.  Pilar starts after her.

 

"Mom, don't,"  Eric says.  "Please, let me go after her."

 

Pilar nods as she places a hand on her son's shoulder.  Then Eric quickly leaves to go after his sister.  After he's gone, Lance puts his arms around Pilar and the two embrace.

Walking out of the house, Eric finds his younger sister on the front porch in tears.  He walks over to her.  

 

"You okay, kiddo?"  Eric asks.

 

"What do you think?  I just found out my boyfriend has cancer.  How do you THINK I feel?"

 

"You really do like the guy, don't you?"

 

Gabby looks at her brother, tears streaming down her face.  "Eric, I love him.  I love Nick so much."

 

"I'm so sorry.  Look, I wish there was something I could say that would make your pain disappear.  I know I never really got along with Nick, but, that was because of me, not him.  He's a good kid, Gabby.  And I hate to see you going through this pain. I just want you to know, I'm here for you.  Whatever you need."

"Oh, Eric, I'm so scared,"  Gabby says, embracing her brother.  "I don't wanna lose him."

 

"I know, sis.  I know," Eric says as he holds his sister and comfortingly strokes the back of her head.  

"First of all, I am going to need your undivided and unquestioned loyalty, as my son."

 

"You've always had that, Dad.  You know that."

 

"Good.  Because I'm counting on your loyalty now,"  Jeremy says.  "The second thing I need from you, I have to go out of town to take care of a little.......business.......and I need for you to fill in for me here at the office."

 

"You.....Dad, you want ME to run the office while you're gone?"  Jonathon asks, stunned.  

 

"My secretary, Janet, will be here to help you in any way that she can.  I'm not certain how long I'll be away, but it should be no more than a few days."

 

"Well, where is it you have to go?"  Jonathon asks.

 

"Dallas,"  replies Jeremy.

 

"Dallas?  Why Dallas?  I didn't know you had any business interests there.'

 

"Oh, yes.  I have an interest in Dallas that is very near and dear to me."

 

"Well, look, Dad, why don't you let me go to Dallas and take care of what it is?"

 

"No,"  says Jeremy.  "This is something I must attend to personally."

 

"Okay, well, then, I'll take care of things here at Lord Enterprises."

 

Jeremy smiles at his son.  "I knew I could count on you."

 

"You said there were three things you needed.  What's the third?"

 

"The third thing I need.......is Falcon Crest."

 

"Falcon Crest?"  A confused Jonathon asks.

 

"Yes,"  Jeremy says, standing from his seat.  He walks to the front of his desk and looks down at his son.  "Very soon, Falcon Crest will default on its loan, and I want you to.......speed up the process."

 

"Speed it up, how?"

 

"By implementing the clause in our contract with Falcon Crest.  The clause giving us the power to call in that loan, IN FULL, at any time we so choose."

 

"So.......we call in that loan, Falcon Crest is unable to pay, and when they default, we take over?"

 

"You definitely are learning.  I want this done by the time I return from Dallas.  I want to be ready to make my move."

 

"Why the urgency all of a sudden?"  Jonathon asks.

 

"Richard Channing has allied himself with another of my enemies," says Jeremy.  "Someone who has caused me a great deal of pain and loss."

 

"Wait, Dad, this sounds more personal than business."

 

"This is very personal, Jonathon.  Which is why I need you by my side.  My eldest son.  The son I can depend on."

 

"Don't worry.  I won't let you down.  I'll take care of Lord Enterprises, and by the time you get back from your trip to Dallas, Falcon Crest will be ready to take over."

 

"Wonderful.  Wonderful,"  Jeremy says with a smile.

 

 

"Transferred him?  Why?  I thought they were just gonna run some tests and let him go home today.  Gabby, what's going on?"

 

 

 

 

Gabby turns to her cousin and fights back tears.  "My parents told me this morning, Alex.  My Mom spoke to Mrs. Fairchild.  Alex........"  Gabby starts crying and pauses for a moment.  "Alex......Nick has leukemia.  He's very sick."

 

"Leukemia?"  Asks a stunned Alex.  "No.  No, that can't be.  He seemed fine, at least until he passed out."

 

"He's been having those nosebleeds for a long time."

"Oh my God, I can't believe it,"  Alex says.  "Poor guy.  Gabby are you okay?"

 

"No.  I'm scared.  Alex, I don't wanna lose him."

 

"Yeah, I know.  Neither do I.  I mean, I haven't known Nick that long, but, the guy has become my best friend."

 

Gabby reaches across the table and takes Alex by the hand.

Lance and Carlos are examining a vat of wine that has been opened.  Lance looks around and sees numerous other vats lined up beside the opened vat, but the others had not been opened.

 

"Is this the only vat that was contaminated?"  Lance asks.

 

"We don't know yet,"  replies Carlos.  "The only way is to open each vat and test a small sample from each one."

 

Lance sighs deeply.  "Damn it!"  He says angrily.  "Carlos, how the hell could this have happened?"

 

"Lance, I swear, I don't know,"  says Carlos.  "I personally checked each vat before it was sealed.  I don't know how this could have happened."

"Well, luckily, we managed to catch this before any of this shipment left the winery."

 

"Lance......not exactly."

 

"What do you mean 'not exactly'?"  

 

"This is only part of our latest series.  We already one shipment of this series leave yesterday for distribution."

 

"And you didn't double check it?"  Lance asks angrily.

 

"No.  I'm sorry."

 

"Sorry. A lot of good that's gonna do us if any of this contaminated wine gets sold and someone gets sick from it......or worse."

 

At that moment, Eric and Angela walk up to them.  "Dad?"  Eric says.

 

"Lance, what's going on?"  Angela asks.

 

Lance looks at the two.  "We have a problem, guys.  A MAJOR problem."

 

Angela and Eric exchange worried looks.

"He's, uh, he's taking his first chemo treatment right now,"  Mark replies.

 

"I'm so sorry."

 

"Yeah, me, too.  They sure didn't waste any time starting him on these treatments.  Doctor said we didn't have any time to waste.  Do you know what it's like, Pilar?  To have to tell your 17-year-old son that he has cancer, and that he has to start taking these treatments that are gonna make him real sick and make all his hair fall out?  That was the hardest thingI've ever had to do in my life.  The look on my kid's face when we told him, it was........I'm not even sure if it sunk in."

 

"Mark, is there anything that Lance and I can do?"  Pilar asks.  "Anything at all?"

 

"Unless you have some magical powers to take this all away.  Unless you have the power to take this cancer from my son and give it to someone like Charles Manson, or someone like that who really deserves it, then no.  I can't think of a thing."

 

Susan walks into the room.  "Hi, Pilar," she says.

 

"Susan."

 

"How is he?"  Mark asks his wife.  

 

"A little nauseated.  They gave him a shot of Zofran for it."

 

"Susan, as I was telling Mark, if there's anything that Lance and I can do, please let us know,"  Pilar says.

 

"Thank you, Pilar.  That means a lot,"  Susan says as Alex and Gabby walk in.

 

"Mom,"  Gabby says.

 

"Honey, what are you doing here?"  Pilar asks her daughter.

 

"We got a ride over from Heather's mom.  Alex and I wanted to see Nick."

 

"Is it okay if we see him?"  Alex asks.

 

"Umm, look, kids, I really don't think that's such a good idea right now,"  says Mark.

 

"Mark, I think it would do Nick good to see them,"  Susan says.  

 

"You're right, Susan,"  agrees Pilar.  "Nick needs to know that his friends care about him."

 

"Come on,"  Susan says.  "I'll take you kids to his room."

 

"Honey, I'll wait, and I'll take you home,"  Pilar says.  "Alex, I'll give you a ride, too."

 

"Thanks,"  Alex says as he and Gabby follow Susan from the room.

Nick is laying in his room a few minutes later when the door opens and his mother walks in.  "Honey, how do you feel now?"

 

"Pretty awful, Mom."

 

"Do you feel up to a couple of visitors?"

 

"Visitors?"  Nick asks.

 

"Yeah.....me and Alex?"  Gabby says, walking into the room.

 

Almost immediately, Nick's face begins to light up and he manages a weak smile.  "Yeah, come in."

 

"I'll leave you alone,"  Susan says as Alex and Gabby walk over to Nick's bedside.  Susan leaves the room and closes the door behind her.

 

"Hey bro," Alex says.  "I've heard of people doing all sorts of things to get out of going to school, especially with exams coming up, but don't you think you're taking it a little too far?"

 

Nick smiles.  "Yeah, I guess I am."

 

Gabby and Alex take seats at his bedside.  Gabby takes Nick's hand.  "Your Mom said they just gave you your first chemo treatment.  Do you feel sick?"

 

"Kind of.  They gave me somethin' for it, though."

"So, did the doctor say how long you're gonna have to stay here in the hospital?"  Alex asks.  

 

"No, he didn't,"  Nick says.  

 

"Dude, you scared the crap outta me when you passed out,"  says Alex.  

 

"Yeah.  Scared me, too,"  Nick says, his voice getting weaker as his medication is making him sleepier.

 

"Nick, we won't stay any longer and tire you out,"  Gabby says.  "But, I'll come back and see you tomorrow, I promise.  And if you feel better later tonight, and feel up to talking, call me.  Or text me."

 

"Yeah, and same goes for me, too, bro,"  Alex says.

 

"I will.  Thanks for coming, guys."

 

"I love you, Nicholas Fairchild,"  Gabby says as she leans over to kiss him.

 

"And I love you, Gabrielle Cumson," Nick says.  "Gabby, could I have a word with Alex, alone?"

 

"Yeah, sure,"  the girl replies.  Gabby stands from her seat, leans over and kisses Nick again, then walks out of the room.  

 

After she's gone, Nick looks at Alex.  "I really appreciate you comin' by, man."

 

"Hey, no problem.  That's what friends are for, man."

 

"Alex, I'm scared, dude.  Really, really scared."

 

"Yeah, who wouldn't be?"

 

"I didn't want Gabby to hear this, but, Alex, if anything happens to me......."

 

"Dude, don't even go there.  You're gonna be fine.  You're gonna beat this."

 

"Maybe.  Maybe not.  I have cancer, Alex, not a bad cold.  If anything happens to me, I want you to take care of Gabby.  I know she has her family.  Her parents, and her brother.  But what I mean is.....be a friend to her."

 

"Dude, you don't even have to ask that,"  Alex says.  "I mean, you got it.  Of course I'll be there for Gabby.  But bro, we need YOU.  You gotta fight this thing and get better."

 

"Well, you can bet your life that I'm gonna do my best, brother.  Alex, thanks."  Nick holds out his hand to his friend.

 

Alex looks at Nick's hand for a moment, then takes it.  "Get some rest, okay?  And Gabby and I'll be back tomorrow."  Nick nods, then closes his eyes.  After a few seconds, Alex stands to his feet, then quietly walks out of the room.  In the hallway outside of Nick's room, Alex pauses, then leans against the door.  His bottom lip begins to tremble as he fights back tears, terrified of the prospect of losing this boy he had only known a few months, but had nonetheless become his best friend.

"You know what that woman did to me, Victoria,"  Jeremy says as he continues to shave. "I will not let Katherine get away with what she's done to me, and to Jonathon.  The bitch let me believe for 22 years that my son was dead."

 

"So, what exactly are you gonna do when you see her?"  Vicky asks.  

 

Jeremy turns and looks at his wife for a moment without answering her question, then he resumes shaving.  

 

"Jeremy, you're in no fit state of mind right now to go and confront Katherine about this."

 

Jeremy puts his razor down, then picks up a wet face cloth and wipes the remaining shaving cream from his face.  He then walks out of the bathroom and looks at his wife.  "Victoria, my state of mind is as good as it will EVER be when it comes to my former wife."

 

"I'm just worried about you, Jeremy.  Worried about what you might do."

 

"Darling, I have another son out there.  A 22-year-old son I have never laid eyes.  A son whose existence was kept from me by a woman who will regret the day she ever heard my name."

 

"Is it ABSOLUTELY necessary for you to go tonight?"  Vicky asks.  "Why can't you wait until tomorrow morning?"

 

"Because........the sooner I get to Dallas and take care of Katherine, the sooner I can get back here to you and to our son, and to take care of other matters."  Jeremy walks over to her.  "Victoria, I love you.  And I don't want you to worry.  I promise you, I won't do anything stupid.  I have no intention of harming Katherine physically, although every instinct within me wants to wring her neck for what she's done.  But I do intend to destroy that woman, and her partner in crime, Richard Channing."

 

Vicky looks at her husband with a concerned expression, then embraces him.  

Meanwhile, over at Falcon Crest, as Pilar, Angela, Emma, and Eric look on, Lance is on the phone with one of the winery's distributors.

 

"Look, somehow we have got to recall that wine that was shipped out of Falcon Crest yesterday,"  Lance tells the person on the phone.  "We checked some of the vats from that series that didn't get shipped, and it contains lead.  I have no idea how this happened, but the important thing is......it HAS happened, and we have to try and get that wine recalled before any of it's sold to the public.  Just get it done, ASAP, and give me a call back."  Lance ends the call and puts his phone down.  

 

"Is this situation really that bad?"  Eric asks.

 

"Oh yeah,"  replies Lance.  "It's definitely THAT bad."

 

"How the hell could this have happened?"  Pilar wonders.

 

"Your guess is as good as mine."

 

"Question is, what are we going to do about it?"  Emma asks.

 

"About the only thing we can do right now is recall all the wine that was shipped out yesterday, and hope we can get it all back before any is sold,"  Lance says.

"And what if we're too late?"  Eric asks.  "What if some of the wine has already been sold?"

 

Lance looks at his son.  "Then we'd damned well better pray that no one gets sick from it......or worse."

 

"If that happens, we could get sued for everything we're worth,"  says Angela.  "And not only that, but this is a major setback for Falcon Crest.  Having to recall all that wine means a delay in selling, not to mention the extra time and cost of making sure the rest of our wine is safe.  And we don't have that kind of time, guys.  How could this have even happened?"

 

"Angela, no one knows how it happened,"  says an angry Lance.  "It could've been any number of things that caused this.  My main concern right now is not why or how it happened, but getting it fixed before anyone gets sick or dies from wine contaminated with lead poisoning."

 

As the group is talking in the living room, Julia stands on the stairs listening to every word.  She smiles with satisfaction, knowing that she had successfully sabotaged the wine.......and Falcon Crest itself.

 

The doorbell rings at that point.  "Damn it, who could that be?"  Pilar wonders.  She walks over and opens the door to find Jonathon on the porch.  

 

"Good evening, Mrs. Cumson,"  Jonathon says.  "May I come in?"

 

"Jonathon, I'm sorry, but this really isn't a good time."

 

"It's important. And it'll only take a minute."

 

"Fine, come in,"  Pilar says.  She steps aside, Jonathon walks into the house, and Pilar closes the door.  

 

"Jonathon, what are you doing here?"  Angela asks, walking into the foyer.

 

"Good evening, Angela.  Everyone.  I'm here on business, on behalf of my father."

 

"Business?"  Lance asks.  "What kind of business could you or your father possibly have with us?"

 

"The loan that Angela got from my father to keep Falcon Crest afloat,"  Jonathon says.

 

"Loan?"  Pilar asks.

 

"What loan?"  Lance asks, looking at his cousin.  

"It's all right here,"  Jonathon says, reaching into his pocket and taking out the contract Angela had signed with Jeremy.  "Angela borrowed a very sizable amount of money from my father to pay Falcon Crest's debts and keep the company running for the time being.  And a clause in that contract states that Lord Enterprises can demand payment on that loan in full at any time."

 

"Let me see that thing,"  Lance says, grabbing the contract from Jonathon's hand.  He begins reading.  After a few moments, he looks angrily at his cousin.  "I don't believe this.  You borrowed money from Jeremy Lord to save Falcon Crest?  Did you even read this thing and look at the fine print?  Did you know about this clause?"

 

"Of course I knew, but someone had to do something,"  says Angela.  "Falcon Crest was about to go under, and Jeremy Lord was more than willing to help us."

 

"Why didn't you at least tell us where you got the money?" Pilar asks.

 

"Because I knew what your reactions would be.  And I never expected Jeremy Lord to demand his loan back this soon, in full.  Jonathon why are you doing this?"

 

"My father simply wants his money,"  Jonathon says.

 

"There's no way in hell we can pay this loan back in full,"  Lance says.  "At least not now."

 

"Okay, well, since my father is out of town on business at the moment, leaving me in charge of Lord Enterprises, here's what I'll what do, just to prove that I'm not heartless.  I can give you until noon day after tomorrow to repay the loan."

 

"And if we can't pay by then?  Then what?"  Pilar asks.

 

"In that case, then, Falcon Crest will become the property of Lord Enterprises."

 

"Get out,"  says an angry Lance.  "I want you the hell OUT of my house!"

 

"Okay, I'm going.  But, unless you can repay that loan by noon day after tomorrow, Cumson, this won't be YOUR house much longer.  I'm sorry, folks.  This isn't personal.  It's business."

 

Angela walks over to Jonathon and slaps him across the face as hard as she can, almost knocking him off his feet.  "Not personal, my ass.  Now GET OUT!"

 

Jonathon rubs his stinging cheek.  "Remember.......noon, day after tomorrow."  Without another word to the group, Jonathon leaves.  

 

"This all fits,"  Lance says.

 

"What fits, Dad?"  Eric asks.

 

"Our wine is sabotaged so we can't make sales, and now Jeremy Lord is calling this loan in at the same time.  Coincidence?"

 

"You think Jeremy Lord was behind the wine being tainted?"  Angela asks.

 

"Yes, I damned sure do.  And you, cousin dear, have probably just handed our family's business and legacy away on a silver platter!"

 

Angela looks at Lance near tears, for the first time, the young woman was showing a bit of vulnerability.

Meanwhile, as his private jet takes off from San Francisco International Airport that night headed for Dallas, Jeremy settles back into his seat, contemplating his revenge not only on his half-brother Richard and the rest of the Channings, but also on his former wife, Katherine Wentworth.  He picks up his phone and opens his photos.  Opening up the photo of Austin Wentworth he had saved on his phone from the internet, Jeremy smiles.  "My son," he says in a quiet voice.  "Oh, Katherine.  You made the biggest mistake of your pathetic life when you kept my son from me.  And now, you will pay......very dearly."