Lance stands alone on the front porch at Falcon Crest in the morning when Pilar walks onto the porch.  She watches her husband for a moment as Lance stares off into the horizon.  Finally, Pilar walks over to him.  She puts her hand on his shoulder from behind.

 

"You didn't sleep at all last night, did you?"  She asks.

 

"No."

 

Pilar sighs.  "Neither did I."

 

"This has been my home for my entire life, Pilar.  I've only lived away from Falcon Crest for a couple months in my whole life.  How the hell am I gonna adjust to not living here now."

 

"Lance, don't give up hope.  We've been through this before, and we came out of it."

 

"When have we EVER been through anything like this?"  Lance asks.

 

"Has your memory gotten so short?  Remember when Michael Sharpe took Falcon Crest away from us?"

Lance nods.  "Yeah, and as I recall, it was Emma that got us into that mess.  Now, we have her daughter to thank for this latest catastrophe."

 

"The point is, we did manage to get Falcon Crest back from Sharpe."

 

Lance turns to face his wife.  "Because of Grandmother.  SHE was the one who got Falcon Crest back. Now, she's gone, and I don't have a clue what to do."

 

"We could go to Richard."

 

"Pilar, no......"

 

"Lance, I know how you feel about Richard.  But he IS a member of this family, Lance.  Richard is your uncle, and he also owns a portion of Falcon Crest.  He has a vested interest in helping us."

 

"Yeah, but at what cost to us?"  Lance asks.  "You know Richard Channing ALWAYS has a price.  And this time, we have nothing to pay."  Without another word to his wife, Lance walks away from her and off the porch.  He starts to get into his car.

 

"Lance, where are you going?"  Pilar asks.

 

Lance looks at her.  "To talk to Grandmother.  Maybe, just MAYBE, she'll tell me what to do to save Falcon Crest from Jeremy Lord and his son."  Lance gets into his car, and Pilar watches as he drives away.

grandmother's name on her headstone.  He sighs deeply, then a smile comes to his face.  "Hello, Grandmother," he says.  "I'm sorry that I don't get out here to visit you as often as I should.  I have no excuse, except that Falcon Crest keeps me busy.  But soon, I won't have that excuse anymore.  Because it looks like the family is about to lose Falcon Crest.  I'm sorry, Grandmother.  It looks like I blew it.  You wanted me to be in charge of running the winery.  I should've paid more attention to what was going on.  Damn it!  Why couldn't I have been the man you wanted me to be?  God, Grandmother, I wish you were here now.  We could all use your help, and your guidance.  This family is in a worst state than we've been in in a long time.  Not only are we about to lose Falcon Crest, which has been in our family for generations, but now, my daughter is going through a terrible heartbreak.  This boy that Gabby has fallen in love with, Nick Fairchild.  You remember his parents, Mark and Susan.......well, Nick has cancer.  And he may not make it.  And I don't know how to help my little girl deal with that on top of everything else that's going on.  I need you, Grandmother.  Somehow, you always knew what to do, and what to say."  Lance's mind travels back in time to a conversation he had with his grandmother many years ago....

 

Lance looks down at the grave of Cole's mother, Maggie, just a few feet away from Angela's grave.  

 

"What are you doing here?"  Cole asks.

 

"Just came to talk to Grandmother.  Somehow, she always knew what to do or what to say in any situation."

 

Cole smiles.  "Yeah.  So did Mom."

 

"Well, I'll be seeing you, Cole,"  Lance says.

 

"Yeah, you too, Lance,"  Cole says as Lance walks away.  

 

 

 

Richard is working at his desk later that morning when his cell phone rings.  He picks the phone up and answers.  "Hello?"

"Richard, we need your help,"  Pilar says.  

 

"Oh?  And what sort of help are we talking about here?"

 

"It's about Falcon Crest.  We're about to lose it."

 

"Have a seat, Pilar,"  Richard says.  "I think you'd better start from the beginning."  She takes a seat across from Richard's desk.  "Now, what's this all about?"

 

"I assume you know Jeremy Lord, or you're at least familiar with him?"  Pilar says.

 

"Yes, I do know Mr. Lord.  When he first arrived in San Francisco he made me an offer to buy this newspaper.  What does Mr. Lord have to do with Falcon Crest?"

 

Pilar sighs.  "A while back, Falcon Crest ran into some major financial problems.  We were deeply in debt, and needed a sizable loan to save the company from bankruptcy.  And, Angela managed to secure a loan for the full amount of $4.5 million to pay off our debts."

 

"Don't tell me....my niece got a loan from Jeremy Lord,"  Richard says.

 

"Yes.  However,  none of us knew where she got the money."

 

"You nor Lance didn't ask where the money came from?"

 

"We did, but Angela wouldn't reveal where she got the money.  I know, we were stupid not to press her for answers.  But last night, Jeremy Lord's son, Jonathon, showed up at the house with the contract his father had Angela sign.  There is a clause that states that Lord could demand repayment for the entire amount of the loan at any time, which he's done."

 

"And if you don't repay the entire amount by a certain date, Lord takes control of Falcon Crest,"  Richard says.

 

"Yes."

 

"And how long did he give you?"  Richard asks.

 

"Until noon tomorrow,"  Pilar replies.  

 

"That's not much time at all."

 

"Tell me about it.  And to make matters worse, we've had to recall an entire shipment of wine that went out a couple days ago because of contamination.  Lance believes this whole thing sounds too suspicious....Jeremy Lord giving us this ultimatum at EXACTLY the time when we had to recall the wine at a huge loss to the company."

 

"Damn it, this whole thing is a setup,"  Richard says.  "Jeremy Lord orchestrated this whole thing so he could get his hands on Falcon Crest.  Pilar, why didn't you and Lance come to me about this in the first place?"

 

"I did suggest to Lance that we ask you for help, but......"

 

"But, your husband is still holding on to his resentment of me and too damned stubborn to ask for my help, so he'd rather let Falcon Crest go down the toilet,"  says an angry Richard.  

 

"Richard......what can we do?"  Pilar asks.  

 

"Pilar, I don't want you to worry about this.  Let me handle Jeremy Lord."  Richard stands from his seat and walks to his window, looking out over the city.  "Lord came to this Valley with an agenda.  And now I'm more determined than ever to find out what the hell that agenda is, and why it includes Falcon Crest."

 

"Dad, are you back from your trip to Dallas?"  Jonathon asks.  

 

"Yes, I am.  I'm at the office.  I came straight here from the airport.  I'd like for you to drop by in a bit.  Shall we say, in an hour?"

 

"I'll be there,"  Jonathon says.  "I wanna update you on the situation with Falcon Crest.  I think you'll be pleased."

 

"Yes, I'm quite certain I will,"  Jeremy says.  "And there are some things I need to discuss with you as well.

 

"Sounds pretty serious,"  Jonathon says.  "Does it have anything to do with your business trip to Dallas?"

 

"I'll see you when you get here,"  Jeremy says, then hangs up his phone.  A moment later, Janet buzzes his intercom.  "Yes, Janet?"

 

"Mrs. Lord is here, sir."

 

"Thank you.  Send my wife in, please."  Jeremy stands from his seat and walks over to greet Vicky as she walks in.  "Hello, my darling," he says, kissing her.

 

"I'm glad you're back,"  Vicky says.  "But why did you come straight to the office before coming home?"

 

"Because I needed to take care of some things."

 

"Did you see Austin?"  Vicky asks.  "Did you see your son?"

 

"Yes, I did,"  Jeremy replies.  "And he is a wonderful young man."

 

"And what about your ex-wife?"  Vicky asks, almost afraid of her husband's answer.

 

"I saw Katherine.  And I told Austin everything.  The entire story of how his mother kept his from me since the day he was born.  But don't worry, Victoria.  I did not deal with Katherine as I wanted to.  I wanted to wring that witch's neck for what she did to me and to my sons.  But I will deal with her.  In my own way."

 

"And what does that mean, Jeremy?"

 

"It means that I intend to strip Katherine Wentworth of everything.  Austin knows the truth about what kind of woman his mother is."

 

"But what about Jonathon?"  Vicky asks.  "Jeremy, now that you and Austin know about each others' existence, you're gonna have to tell Jonathon the truth about his mother being alive."

 

"Yes, I know,"  Jeremy says.  "Jonathon is coming here in a little while.  And somehow, I have to find a way to tell him the truth.  I only pray my son doesn't hate me for lying to him."

 

"Jeremy, I'm sure he won't.  Not when he finds out what his mother is, and what she did to you."

 

Jeremy looks at his wife for a moment.  "Alexander will have to be told as well," he says.  "Our son should know that he has another brother."

 

"And we'll tell him,  Vicky says.  "Together."

 

 

 

Alex steps off the elevator at the hospital that afternoon and makes his way down the hall to Nick's room. He pauses outside the door for a moment, then knocks lightly.

 

"Come in," he hears Nick say.  

 

Alex walks into the room and finds Nick sitting up on the side of his bed.  Alex stops in the door way for a few seconds and looks at his friend, surprised by Nick's gaunt appearance after only two treatments of chemotherapy, but even more shocked by Nick's shaven head.  

 

"Hey, bro, you just gonna stand there, or are you gonna come in and sit down?"  Nick asks in his usual manner.  

 

Mustering a smile, Alex walks over and takes a seat.  

 

"Dude, I know I look like hell,"  Nick says.  "But this is the quietest I've ever seen you since we met."

 

"I'm sorry, man.  Just....."

 

"The hair, huh?"  Nick asks.  "Well, the doctor said it was all gonna start falling out soon anyway, so, I got my Mom to give me this buzz cut.  Like it?  Not me, is it?"

 

 

 

 

Alex sighs.  "Dude, I don't see how you can be so calm, and joke around and everything," he says.  "If it were me, I'd be climbing the walls, freaking out right now."

"What, you think I haven't?"  Nick asks.  "The first night after my parents told me I was sick.......told me I had cancer......bro, I cried all night.  I made them leave because I didn't want them to see me fall apart.  But as soon as they left, I did fall apart, totally.  I cried and couldn't stop.  I was angry.  Angry at God.  Angry at life.  Angry at how unfair this is.  If you want the truth, I was even angry with my friends, even you.  I thought it was so unfair that all my friends would get to finish high school, and go on to college.  Get married, have kids, and I probably won't get to."

 

"Nick, don't say that.  You're gonna beat this thing."

 

"Come on, Alex.  I have acute.....something.....leukemia,"  Nick says.  "The survival rate isn't that high, and mine has spread.  I asked my parents not to keep anything from me.  I told them and the doctor that I wanted the whole truth, no matter how bad it was.  And the cancer has spread into my bones, dude.  There isn't much they can do except pump my body full of poison to try to slow the cancer and hope that the chemo doesn't kill me before the cancer does. And all this is gonna do is help me live just a little longer.  So, with the chemo I could live six months instead of three."

 

Alex fights back tears upon hearing his friends' news.  "It......it's really that bad?"

 

"Yeah.  It's that bad.  You asked me how I can be so calm?  Because.......what choice do I have?  Alex, I can spend what time I have mad at God and the world and everyone who doesn't have cancer and just dwell on how unfair this is, but I'm not gonna do that.  I wanna be happy for however long I have.  A couple years ago, there were these two kids who went to Tuscany Valley High.  Brent Davis and Adam Wheeler.  They were seniors.  One night, in the fall, after one of the football games, those two guys left the game and were headed to some party in San Francisco at the home of one of the players on the team.  They never made it.  Some college girl who was texting and not paying attention to her driving, ran a red light and crashed into them.  Adam was on the passenger side, where the girl hit them.  He was killed instantly.  Brent died the next day.  Adam was my cousin.  He was only 17.  same age I am now.  Crazy, huh?  But, see, man, Adam was taken instantly.  He didn't have a chance to say goodbye to his friends or his family.  He never got to look at the world one more time.  I have that chance.  And I'm not gonna waste it by being angry because I have cancer, or sad because I may not see another Christmas.  I mean, who knows?  A terrorist bomb could hit this hospital and I could be killed tomorrow.  Some people get a chance to set some things right, and enjoy life a little longer when they know their time is short.  Others, like Adam and Brent.......they don't get that chance."

 

By now, Alex is in tears.  "Nick, I.......I'm sorry, man.  Sorry about your cousin."

 

"Alex, I haven't told Gabby everything.  She doesn't know how bad this cancer is.  I don't want her to know.  Not yet, anyway."

 

"I'm not gonna say anything, dude.  I promise."

 

"Thanks, bro,"  Nick says.  

 

Alex reaches over and takes his friend by the hand.

 

 

"Thanks,"  Jonathon says.  "Dad, what's going on?  You don't seem yourself.  What happened on your trip to Dallas?"

 

"That's why I called you here, son.  To discuss my trip to Dallas."

 

"Okay.  From the look on your face, I'm guessing your business there didn't go as planned?"

 

"Actually, it did.  But now there are.......other implications."

 

"I don't understand,"  says Jonathon.  "What are you talking about?"

"Jonathon, what I'm about to tell you will come as a great shock.  It came as a shock to me, as well.  I didn't go to Dallas on business.  My visit there was strictly personal."

 

"Personal?"  Jonathon asks.  "What kind of personal business could you have in Dallas?  Do you even know anyone there?"

 

"Yes.  Your brother is there."

 

"My.......my what?  My brother?  What brother?"

 

"Jonathon, this is very difficult for me to say.  But when I was in Dallas, I also saw your mother."

 

Jonathon's mouth falls open in shock.  "My mother?  No, Dad, that's impossible.  You must have gotten too much sun when you were in Texas.  Mom died when I was 5-years-old.  She died when my brother was born."

 

"No, son.  Your mother is very much alive and well.  And so is your younger brother.  Your mother lied to me and told me that the baby had died.  She kept him from me for 22 years."

 

"And what about her?  You told me she died.  Are you saying you lied to me?"

 

Jeremy stands and walks across the room.  "When I met your mother, she was a fugitive.  She was from Texas, and had lived in Dallas.  While she lived there, she committed some crimes, and had to flee the United States.  I married her, and  helped her hide her past.  Helped her create a new identity as Andrea Lord."

 

"You're telling me that Andrea Lord wasn't even her name?"  Jonathon asks.

 

"No.  Your mother's name is Katherine Wentworth."

 

"Katherine Wentworth,"  Jonathon says.  "What was she on the run for?  What crimes did my mother commit?"

 

Jeremy looks at his son for a moment before answering.  "Attempted murder.  She tried to kill a man named Bobby Ewing in Dallas.  Ewing had been married to your mother's sister.  Our lives were very difficult because of having to hide Katherine's true identity.  By the time she was pregnant with Austin....."

 

"Austin?"

 

"Yes.  That's your brother's name.  Austin Wentworth.  By the time Katherine was pregnant with Austin, our marriage had deteriorated to the point of no return.  Katherine planned to leave me and take you and the baby with her once he was born.  The night she went into labor and gave birth, I swore she would never take you away from me.  So, Katherine exacted a very sick and twisted revenge against me by telling me that our newborn son had died at birth.  She falsified a death certificate.  Even paid a member of the hospital staff to go along with her fraud.  And then, she was just.....gone.  I came home to check on you, and when I went back to the hospital, Katherine had checked herself out and left.  But not before she had paid to have a dead infant given to me in place of my son Austin, so that I would be certain beyond a doubt that my son had died."

 

"Oh my God,"  Jonathon says, standing to his feet.  "What kind of a woman would do that?"

 

"The kind of woman your mother was......IS.  Several weeks ago, I happened to see her, here, in San Francisco, with none other than Richard Channing."

 

"Channing?"

 

"Yes.  I learned that Katherine was living in Dallas.  At the time I still had no idea that Austin was alive.  Until someone told me of Katherine's deception, and that my son was alive and well and living with his mother in Dallas."

 

"My mother......and my brother.  They're both alive?"

 

"Yes.  Jonathon, I am very sorry  I lied to you about your mother's death.  But at the time......the night I came home from the hospital, you were waiting for me on the stairs.......

 

"Daddy,"  Jonathon says.  

 

"Hello, son,"  Jeremy says to the child.

 

"Where's Mommy?"

 

Jeremy looks at his 5-year-old son for a moment, then holds his hand out to him.  "Jonathon, come.  Let's have a seat and talk."

 

The boy takes his father by the hand and the two walk into the living room, taking a seat on the sofa.  

 

"Son, this is going to be very hard for you hear,"  Jeremy tells the child.  "You know that your mother went to the hospital to have the baby, right?  Your baby brother?"

 

 

"I know,"  Jonathon says.  "Is Mommy coming home soon with my brother?"

 

"I'm afraid not, son,"  Jeremy replies.  "I'm afraid that.......I'm afraid that your mother is never coming home."

 

"But why?  Is Mommy dead?"

 

 

Jeremy looks at the child for several seconds before answering. "Yes, Jonathon,"  Jeremy finally says to his son.  "Mommy.......is dead."

 

"When you asked me that question,"  Jeremy says, returning to the present.  "Is Mommy Dead?  I didn't know what to say.  I was caught completely off guard.  Perhaps I was wrong for lying to you all these years, but, at the time, I thought it was better than having you know the truth, that your mother had walked out on you.  On BOTH of us, with the lie that your brother had died."

 

"I don't.........Dad, I honestly don't know what to say, or what to feel right now."

 

"I understand,"  Jeremy says, standing from his seat.  "This is a lot for you to take in.  It was for me, as well."

 

"My brother,"  Jonathon says.  "You saw him while you were in Dallas?"

 

"Yes, I did.  And he's an extraordinary young man, just like yourself.  I have three very extraordinary sons."

 

"Channing,"  says Jonathon. "Richard Channing.  What was she doing with him?  Do you suppose he knows who she is?"

 

"Yes.  Richard knows."

 

"Is it possible?  Could Channing have found her and brought her here to cause trouble for you?"

 

"I have thought about that possibility,"  replies Jeremy.  "And it is very clear that Katherine and Richard are working together for some purpose which only they are aware of."  Jeremy walks over to his son.  "Are you alright?"

 

"I'm fine,"  Jonathon says.  "I just.......I have to go, Dad."

 

"Jonathon, I'm very concerned about you."

 

"You don't have to be.  I'll be fine.  I'm glad I finally know the truth.  My mother didn't die, as I've believed all these years.  She abandoned me."  Without saying another word to his father, Jonathon walks out of Jeremy's office.  He quickly leaves without saying anything to his father's secretary, Janet.  He proceeds down the hall to the elevator, which opens, and two women step off.  Once the women have exited the elevator, Jonathon gets on, and pushes the L1 button.  After the elevator doors close, the young man begins to cry.  The emotions that he had been working hard to hide from his father after learning the truth about his mother, begin to come out.  

 

"Richard, Falcon Crest belongs to your family, doesn't it?"  Katherine asks.

 

"Yes, it does."

 

"Then why didn't they just come to you for the money instead of going to Jeremy?"

 

"Because, not only is my nephew Lance Cumson a stubborn fool, but he also hates my guts.  And it almost seems as if Jeremy Lord was counting on that."

 

"Jeremy is nothing if not smart,"  Katherine says.

 

"He may be smart, but that still doesn't explain why he wants to get his hands on Falcon Crest.  I have my private investigator working around the clock to try and find any dirt on Lord.  And I'm gonna need you to tell me everything you know about your ex-husband."

 

"I'll be happy to, Richard.  No one wants to see my ex-husband brought to his knees more than I do.  And there is one thing I have to do while I'm in San Francisco.  I have to see Jonathon.  I have no idea how Jeremy has poisoned my son's mind against me for the past 22 years.  I just hope I can undo the damage Jeremy has done."

 

"Lance, I know how you feel about Richard, but he IS family, and he has the money to help us.  Would you really rather lose Falcon Crest that to ask Richard for help?"

 

"You know what kinda man Richard Channing is, and you know his history of double dealing.  We accept help from him, then he owns us, Pilar!  Jeremy Lord may not gain control of Falcon Crest, but Richard Channing will."

 

"If that happens, at least Falcon Crest will still be in the family instead of owned by strangers, which would probably cause your grandmother to spin in her grave."

"You know, I could wring my cousin Angela's NECK for getting us into this mess,"  says an angry Lance.  

 

"So could I,"  Pilar says.  "But we're IN the mess, so, the only way I see out of this is to accept Richard's help.  After all, he does own a share of Falcon Crest and this is part of his children's inheritance."

 

As Lance and Pilar talk, they are unaware that Angela is standing at the top of the stairs listening, a worried look on her face.  Angela realizes she got the family into this mess, and she is bound and determined to get them out.  She turns and heads back up to her bedroom.

 

"Well that's just too damned bad, because I have a few things to say to you."

 

"Okay.......shoot,"  Jonathon says.

 

"You and your father are causing my family a lot of pain and trouble right now.  Are you really going to take Falcon Crest away from us?"

 

"I have nothing to do with that.  That's strictly up to my father."

 

"That's bull and you know it,"  says Angela.  "Your father trusted you enough to leave you to do his dirty work as far as Falcon Crest is concerned.  You can't tell me you don't have influence on him.  You could get him to extend that deadline."

 

"Even if I wanted to, I couldn't,"  Jonathon says.  "He's already made his decision."

 

"Why?  Just tell me WHY.  Your father is an international businessman.  He owns a billion dollar company.  What could he possibly want with Falcon Crest?"

 

"Maybe he's branching out into the wine business, who knows."

 

"I think YOU know.  So tell me.  Why Falcon Crest?  Was this part of his plan all along?"

 

Jonathon turns to her.  "I dunno.  Why don't you ask him?"

 

"Because I'm asking his henchman,"  Angela replies.

 

"If you will excuse me, I have to go,"  Jonathon says, getting up from his seat at the bar.  

 

"Jonathon,"  Angela says, standing to face him.  "When I first met you, I thought you were an arrogant, conceited jerk.  But once I actually got to know you, I thought you were a nice, decent guy.  But you know what?  My first impression was right.  You ARE a jerk."  After giving him an angry look, Angela turns and walks angrily away.

Richard and Katherine walk into the living room of the Channing mansion late that afternoon.  "Just make yourself at home,"  Richard tells her.  "Fix yourself a drink.  In the meantime, I'm gonna go make a couple phone calls, and I'll be back in a few minutes."

 

"Take your time, Richard.  I'll be fine,"  Katherine says.

Richard nods, then walks out of the room.  After he leaves, Katherine walks around the room, then goes to the bar and fixes herself a drink.  

 

As she takes a sip of the drink, Elena walks into the house.  Seeing Katherine in the living room, she walks in.  Katherine's back is to her, so she doesn't see Elena when she walks into the living room from the foyer.  "Hello?"  Elena says.

 

Katherine turns to her.  "Well, hello.  Elena, isn't it?"

 

"Yes."

 

"And I'm....."

 

"Katherine Wentworth, yes, I know.  What are you doing here?"

 

"I'm here as a guest of Richard Channing.  I must say you're looking lovely."

 

"Thank you. I didn't realize that you and Richard were such good friends."

 

Katherine smiles.  "We've become very good friends over the past few months.  Working together toward a common goal."

 

"Destroying the Ewings?"  Elena asks.

 

"That's something that would benefit you as well, my dear,"  Katherine says.  "The Ewings did, after all, take your son away from you.  Something you and I have in common."

 

"Excuse me?  The Ewings took your son away from you?"

 

"No.  My son's father did.  Jeremy Lord."

 

"Jeremy......you mean Jonathon Lord's father?"

 

"That's right.  Jonathon is my son."

 

"Oh, wow,"  says a surprised Elena.  "Small world."

 

"It certainly is,"  Katherine says as Richard returns.  

 

"Well, Elena,"  he says.  "I take it you know Miss Wentworth?"

 

"Yes."

 

"Elena and I were just chatting about all that we have in common,"  says Katherine.

 

"I see."

 

At that moment, Richard's daughter Angie comes down the stairs and walks into the room.

 

"Hi,Dad,"  Angie says, approaching her father.

 

"Hello, sweetheart,"  Richard says.  "I don't believe you've had the pleasure of meeting Miss Wentworth here.  Katherine, this is my lovely daughter, Angie."

 

"Hello,"  Katherine says.  "Your father has told me a lot about you."

 

"Has he?  Well, it's nice to meet you."

 

"Angie, would you and Elena excuse Katherine and myself?  We have some business to discuss."

 

"Yeah, sure, Dad,"  Angie says.  She looks at her father and then at Katherine, curious about this woman her father has brought into their home.  Then she turns and walks out of the room, followed by Elena.  

 

Richard walks over and closes the double doors that separate the living room from the foyer.  "I just got off the phone with my private detective.  He's doing some digging into Jeremy Lord's past in London.  His childhood, everything.  I wanna find out all I can about this man.  I also phoned Jeremy and asked him to meet me at Falcon Crest at 8 o'clock tonight.  I'm paying off the loan my niece got from Lord.  I'll be damned if I let that man take Falcon Crest away from my family."

 

"I'll do all I can to help, Richard.  Meanwhile, I want to see my son."

 

"You think that's wise right now?"  Richard asks.  "Lord is most likely going to do everything he can to keep you from seeing the boy, and I think we both know your ex-hubby is a very dangerous and determined man."

 

"I'm not afraid of Jeremy,"  Katherine says.  "Not anymore."

 

Richard looks at her and smiles.  "You're a lady with a lot of spunk.  I like that.  In some ways, you remind me of my mother, Angela Channing."

 

"I remind you of your mother?"  Katherine asks.

 

"Yes you do, but in a good way.  My mother was a very tough and determined woman.  She never let anyone stand in the way of something she wanted.  I see that same quality in you.  I think that you and I could make an excellent team."

 

Katherine smiles.  "I thought we already were an excellent team."

 

"Business wise, yes we are.  But I'm talking about something else.  Something much more personal."

 

"Personal?"

 

"Katherine, I'm going to be honest with you,"  Richard says, walking over to her.  "Truth is, I find you to be a very attractive and exciting woman. Can you honestly tell me you don't feel something for me, too?"

 

"I thought our relationship was supposed to be strictly business."

 

"We have a very successful business relationship.  But I see no reason why we can't mix a little of that business with pleasure."  Richard moves closer to Katherine and begins kissing her.

 

 

"A meeting at Falcon Crest?"  Vicky asks.  "What kind of meeting?"

 

"My darling, we are about to have Falcon Crest, and the Channings and Cumsons, exactly where we want them."

 

"Okay, you're gonna have to explain that one to me."

 

"A few weeks ago, Emma Channing's daughter, Angela St. James, borrowed some money from me to save her beloved Falcon Crest from bankruptcy and total financial ruin.  I gladly loaned the little twit the money, but with one stipulation inserted into the contract."

 

"Which was?"  Vicky asks.

 

"I could demand repayment of the loan in full at any time, which I have.  Or, rather, I had Jonathon do it for me while I was in Dallas."

 

"And Lance nor Angela are able to repay the loan,"  says Vicky.

 

"Unfortunately for them......no.  Which gives me all the leverage I need to get everything I want.  Richard Channing phoned me, and he wants to meet with  me at Falcon Crest at 8 o'clock tonight, at which time, I shall use Falcon Crest as a bargaining tool to get what I'm really after........and to get what rightfully belongs to you and our son."

 

Vicky looks at her husband and smiles.

 

After a few seconds, Emma pulls out of the kiss.  "Hey, what's wrong?"  Kevin asks.

 

"Kevin, we have to talk."

 

"Can it wait?"  He asks as he begins kissing her again.  

 

"No, actually it can't,"  Emma says.

 

"Come on, Emma.  I haven't seen you in days.  I've missed you."

 

"I missed you too, Kevin.  But this is important."

 

 

 

 

 

"Okay, Emma,"  Kevin says.  "You seem upset about something.  What is it?"

 

"Kevin......I'm pregnant,"  Emma says.

 

A look of total shock comes over Kevin's face upon hearing Emma's news.

Chang-Li walks into the foyer at Falcon Crest that evening to answer the ringing doorbell.  He opens the door to Richard and Katherine.

 

"Good evening, Mr. Channing,"  the boy says.

 

"Evening, Chang-Li,"  Richard says as he and Katherine walk into the house.

 

Lance, Pilar, and Emma Channing come into the foyer from the living room.

 

"Hello, Richard,"  Emma says.

 

"Emma.  Lance, Pilar.  I would like you all to meet the lovely Katherine.  Katherine, this is my sister, Emma Channing.  My nephew, Lance Cumson, and his wife Pilar."

 

"Hello, everyone,"  says Katherine.  "It's good to meet you all."

 

"Richard,"  says Pilar.

 

"I take it Mr. Lord isn't here yet,"  Richard says.  

 

"No, he isn't,"  Lance replies as Eric and Angela come down the stairs.

 

"Well, here are two more members of the family,"  says Richard.  "Katherine, may I present my niece Angela St. James, Emma's daughter.  And Lance and Pilar's son Eric."

 

"Richard, who is this woman, and why is she here with you?"  Lance asks.

 

Richard smiles.  "Lance, I'm very glad you asked that.  Family, I have an announcement to make.  Allow me to present.........my wife.  Katherine and I were married half an hour ago.  We came straight here from the Justice Of The Peace."

 

"You're.....you're married?"  Emma asks, walking over to the couple.  "Congratulations, Richard."

 

"Thank you, Emma, my dear,"  Richard says, kissing his sister on the cheek.

 

"Katherine, welcome to the family."

 

"Thank you very much, Emma."

 

"Well, I guess congratulations are in order,"  Lance says, insincerely.  "I hope the two of you will be very happy."

 

"Thank you, Lance, even though I know you don't mean that,"  Richard says as the doorbell rings.  

 

"That must be our other expected guest, Jeremy Lord,"  Pilar says.  

 

Richard smiles.  "Please, allow me," he says, walking over to the door.  He opens the door to Jeremy, Vicky, and Jonathon.  "Well, looks like the gang's all here.  Jeremy, Vicky, do come in and join the party."

 

The Lords walk into the house, Jeremy stopping short when he sees Katherine.  Katherine, meanwhile, is stunned to see her firstborn son Jonathon.  "What the HELL is she doing here?"  Jeremy asks.

 

 

 

"Katherine is here with me,"  replies Richard.  "She's my wife."

 

"Your wife?"  Vicky asks.

 

"That's right.  We were married just a little while ago."

 

"Wait a minute, Richard, how does your new wife know Jeremy Lord?"  Lance asks.

 

"Jeremy and I use to be married,"  Katherine replies, looking at her son.  

"You're my mother?"  Jonathon asks her.  

 

"Yes, Jonathon.  I'm your mother,"  Katherine says.

 

"Richard, what is going on here?"  Emma asks.  "I don't understand any of this."

 

"Then allow me to explain,"  Jeremy says.  "Now that, all the key players in our little drama are present and accounted for, I think it's time you all knew the truth."

 

"And what truth is that, Jeremy?"  Richard asks.

 

"The truth of why I loaned the lovely and enchanting Miss St. James the money to save this decrepit old winery.  The truth of why my family and I came here in the first place.  The reason for my coming to California was to claim what should have been mine in the first place."

 

"What the hell are you talking about?"  Lance asks.

 

"I'm talking about part of the Channing fortune, and empire,"  Jeremy replies.  "You see, I have something in common with you good people.  And that, is blood.  Douglas Channing was my father."

 

"What?"  Emma asks, stunned.

 

"You're lying,"  says Richard.  

 

"No, Richard, I'm not.  You, I, Emma, and Julia share the same father."

 

 

 

A shocked Angela looks at Jonathon, completely blown away by this news which means that she and Jonathon are first cousins!

"My mother was a woman named Madeline Lord,"  Jeremy says.  "She was Douglas Channing's mistress for a number of years."

 

"So is that what this is about?"  Richard asks.  "You plotting to take what you perceive to be rightfully yours?  But why Falcon Crest?  That was never part of the Channing empire.  This winery belonged to my mother's family, not to Douglas Channing."

 

"You're absolutely right, Richard.  However, my wife, was a Gioberti, and entitled to this land, part of which once belonged to her grandfather.  But, I am willing to make a deal with you."

 

"What sort of deal?"  Richard asks.

 

"When I first arrived in San Francisco, I offered to buy your newspaper.  The newspaper that was started by our father.  You refused.  So now, I will trade you.........half of Falcon Crest, for the newspaper."

 

"And if Richard refuses?"  Katherine asks.

 

"Then Victoria and I will own ALL of Falcon Crest,"  Jeremy replies with a smile.  "So the ball is in your court big brother.  Which will you choose?  Your father's legacy?  Or your mother's?"

 

All eyes fall on Richard, as everyone in the room.......Lance, Pilar, Emma, Angela, Eric, Katherine, Vicky, Jonathon, and Jeremy.......all wonder what Richard's answer will be.