EPISODE 15 - The Aftermath

 

 

 

 

In one area of the now demolished Channing living room, Bobby Ewing lies on the floor, appearing to be unconscious.  Beside him lays his wife, Ann, also unconscious.  

 

 

 

Next to them is Bobby's son, Christopher, and his girlfriend, Courtney Wapner.  As the victims of the explosion begin to come to and wake up in the aftermath, screams, moans, and cries can be heard around the smoke filled room.

"Dad......Dad, what the hell happened?"  Asks a disoriented Michael.

 

"I'm not sure, son.  Some kind of explosion."

 

"Elena!"  Michael says frantically.

 

Richard looks over and sees Elena lying next to Michael, appearing to be unconscious.  "There she is."

 

Michael looks to his left, and seeing his wife, he struggles to sit up and turn to her.  "Elena, honey?"  He turns her over onto her back, but she is unconscious. "Elena, oh God,"  Michael cries.  "Elena, hold on, baby."

 

"Michael, just stay still, I'm gonna check on your brother,"  Richard says.  He manages to stand and makes his way through the rubble over to Kevin, who lays with Emma under some debris.  Richard moves the debris off of the young couple.  "Kevin," he says, kneeling and touching his son's face.  "Kevin, wake up.  Emma?"  But neither responds to him.

 

Across the room, John Ross wakes up after having been knocked unconscious for a few minutes by the force of the blast and falling debris.  He coughs, and looks around, stunned and disoriented, and it takes him a few seconds to come to his senses and focus his eyes through the smoke.  Seeing his son Alex Walton, laying a few feet away on top of his friend, Alex Lord, John Ross struggles to get to his feet to check on the boys.  He coughs several more times.

 

 

John Ross makes his way through rubble and debris to where the two boys are laying.  "Alex!"  He calls.  "Alex!"

 

Slowly, the teenager wakes up and opens his eyes.  "John Ross,"  he says, coughing.

 

"My God, are you alright?"  John Ross asks.

 

"Yeah, I think so.  Alex!"  

 

Alex Walton sits up and touches the other Alex on the shoulder.  He, too, slowly begins to wake up and cough.

 

"Are you alright?"  John Ross asks Alex Lord.

 

"My......my shoulder hurts,"  Alex Lord says, grabbing his left shoulder and wincing in pain.

 

"Okay, you boys just hang tight.  I'm gonna check on everyone else,"  John Ross says.

 

Meanwhile, Bobby, Ann, Christopher, and Courtney have awoken and are sitting up.  A few feet from them, Ann's sister-in-law, Sharon Smith, is seeing if her teenage son, Shawn Smith, is hurt.

 

"Mom, I'm okay," the boy says through his coughs.  "Dad....."  Shawn points to his father, who is laying several feet away from himself and Sharon.  Mark Smith is unconscious and laying under what appears to be part of the collapsed ceiling.

 

"Mark!"  Sharon calls to her husband.  She and Shawn crawl over to him.  Together, Sharon and Shawn begin to push the debris off of Mark as best they can.

 

In another area of the room, not far from where Richard is comforting his daughter and two sons, Lance Cumson digs his daughter Gabby from under a lot of rubble.  "Gabby, are you hurt badly?"  Lance asks.

 

"No, Daddy, I'm okay.  Where are Mom and Eric?"

 

"I don't know,"  Lance replies.  He looks around and sees his son under still more rubble, apparently debris from the collapsed ceiling.  He and Gabby scramble over to him.  "Eric?  SON!"

 

The young man opens his eyes and starts to cry out in pain.  "Dad.  Dad, help me!"  He begs.

 

"Just hang on, son, I'm gonna get you out,"  Lance says.  He and Gabby begin to push and remove the debris from Eric.  

 

"AAHHHHHHHHH!!!!!"  Eric screams in pain as his father uncovers him from the debris laying on top of him.

"Eric, what is it, son?"

 

"My arm,"  Eric cries.  "I think it's broken!  God it hurts!!!"

 

Gabby looks at her brother's right arm, and the bone is protruding through his skin.  "Oh, God, Daddy, look," she tells Lance.

 

"Honey, keep your brother still,"  Lance says to his daughter.  "Don't let him move his arm much.  I gotta find your mother."  Lance stands and looks around the room full of chaos.  Several feet away, laying against the wall, is Pilar.  He hurries over to his wife, who is unconscious.  "Pilar?"  He calls, touching her face.  "Pilar?"

 

"Lance?"  Calls his Aunt, Emma Channing, who is sitting nearby with her daughter Angela.  "Pilar, is she......"

 

"She's alive, Emma,"  Lance says.  "Thank God, she's alive.  You two okay?"

 

"We're fine,"  Emma says.  "Just shaken up."

 

Nearby, Jonathon Lord, blood running down his arm from a cut, manages to find his younger brother Alex through all the chaos of the smoke-filled room.  "Alex, are you hurt bad?"  Jonathon asks.

 

"No, I think I'm okay.  Where are Mom and Dad?"  The boy asks.

 

"I don't know.  We'll find them."  As Jonathon and Alex take a few steps, Jonathon looks down and finds their brother Austin Wentworth pinned under a fallen ceiling beam as well as other rubble.  "Alex, it's Austin!  Come on, help me get this off him!"

 

Together, Jonathon and Alex manage to lift the beam off of Austin, then Jonathon begins uncovering Austin from other debris.

 

Meanwhile, Bobby Ewing makes his way over to where Richard is sitting with Michael.  Kevin and Emma Ryland are on the floor, both still unconscious.

 

"Emma!"  Bobby says.  

 

"They're alive,"  Richard says.  "Help's on the way."

 

"EMMA!!!"  Ann screams as she comes over to her daughter.  

 

"Honey, don't move her,"  Bobby tells his wife.  "We don't know how badly she could be injured."  Bobby looks over at Michael, who is beside an unconscious Elena.  "Is she alive?"

 

Michael looks at Bobby and nods affirmatively.  

 

"Ann, stay with Emma,"  Bobby says.  "I'm gonna see how bad the rest of the family's hurt."  Bobby stands and makes his way through the rubble and the victims to Christopher and Courtney, both of whom are sitting up, Courtney rubbing the back of her head.  "Are you both alright?"

 

"I think we're fine,"  replies Christopher.  "Courtney's neck is hurting a little."

 

As Bobby is about to say something, he, Christopher, and Courtney hear a woman sobbing from behind them.  Bobby turns around and sees Sharon Smith a few feet from them, crying as she cradles her husband Mark in her arms, the couple's 17-year-old son looking on in tears.  Bobby crawls over to them.  "Sharon....."

 

"Mark,"  Sharon says in tears.  "He's dead." 

 

 

 

"Oh my God,"  Bobby says.  "Sharon, I'm so sorry." Bobby looks up into the face of Mark and Sharon's teenage son.  The tears, and the pain in the boy's face tearing at Bobby's heart.

 

 

 

 

 

By this time, sirens can be heard in the distance as several emergency vehicles race toward the Channing mansion.  

 

"What?  Bobby, what are you tellin' me?"  Ann asks in tears.  "My.........my brother's dead?"

 

"Yes, honey.  I'm so sorry."

 

 

 

 

"Oh my God......NO!!!"  Ann cries as Bobby embraces her.

 

"Honey, I'm so sorry.  But look, we've got to get out of this house now."

 

 Crying, Ann nods.

A short time later, the ambulances arrive at Queen Of The Valley Medical Center.  Moments later, Pilar is wheeled into the trauma unit, an oxygen mask on her face.

 

"How bad is she?"  Asks a nurse, meeting the paramedics.

 

"She's in bad shape,"  one of the paramedics.  "Head trauma, possible internal injuries."

 

Right behind Pilar, Austin Wentworth is wheeled in, Katherine at his side, Jeremy, Vicky, Jonathon, and Richard following behind.  Alex Lord is wheeled in on a stretcher.

 

"Austin, sweetheart, you're going to be alright,"  Katherine says, holding her son's hand and trying to reassure him.  "Just hold on!"

 

"You'll have to wait out here, ma'am,"  says a young doctor as Austin is wheeled into emergency.  

 

Richard embraces his wife as Katherine begins to cry, deeply worried about her son.

"It's YOUR house, Channing,"  Bobby says angrily.  "Could it have been a bomb?"

 

"Look, Ewing, I assure you, I intend to do everything in my power to find the cause of that explosion."

 

"Answer my question, Channing.  Could it have been a bomb?  I ask because a house usually doesn't just EXPLODE for no reason."

 

Richard turns and looks at him.  "Yes, Ewing, I suppose it could have been a bomb or some type of explosive."

 

"And just who would hate you that much that they would blow up your home with your entire family inside?"  Bobby asks.

 

"And what makes you assume that, if in fact this was some type of explosive, that this assassin was after me?"  Richard asks.  "After all, the Ewing family was there, as well.  This could very well have been one of the many enemies you and your family have made over the years."

 

"You really are a real piece of work, Channing.  I assure you, if someone planted a bomb in YOUR home, they were NOT after any member of my family."  Bobby gives Richard and angry look, then turns and walks out of the waiting room.  

 

Vicky stands and walks over to her former brother-in-law.  "Richard, could it have been a bomb?  Could someone have hated you enough to do this?"

 

Before Richard is able to answer, Cole and Chase walk into the room.  Vicky walks over to her brother and hugs him.

 

"Cole, are you two alright?"  Vicky asks.

 

"Yeah, we're fine,"  Cole replies.  "Just a few cuts and bruises, that's all."

 

"And Joseph?"

 

"He has a concussion, so the doctor wants to keep him over night for observation.  How's Alex?"

 

"He seems okay.  The doctor is checking him over now."

 

Cole lets out a deep sigh.  "Thank God we all made it out of there okay."

 

"Amen to that,"  Chase says.

 

"Not everyone did,"  says Vicky.

 

"What do you mean?"  Cole asks.

 

"Pilar suffered some serious injuries.  She's in pretty bad shape.  And her and Lance's son Eric suffered a pretty bad concussion, and a broken arm.  Kevin and Emma, the girl he was gonna marry have some serious injuries, so do Michael, his wife Elena, and Jeremy's son Austin.  And.......... both the minister and Bobby Ewing's wife's brother were killed."

 

Cole and Chase exchange looks.  "Damn,"  Cole says.  "Richard, any idea what caused that explosion?"

 

"No, Cole, but as soon as I have any answers, you'll be the first to know,"  Richard replies sarcastically as he continues to stare out the window.

 

Jeremy looks at Richard, then stands from his seat and walks over to his wife and her brother.  "Darling, would you excuse me?  I need to go and check on Austin."

 

"Of course,"  Jeremy says.  He kisses Vicky, then walks out of the room.  

 

 

Down the hall, Jeremy takes his cell phone from his pocket.  He dials a number.  On the second ring, a man answers.  "This is Jeremy.  I have a job for you.  Yes, yes, I'm fine.  That's why I'm calling.  I need you to find out what caused that explosion at Channing's house.  And if it was a bomb.......I want to know who planted it, and why.  And hurry on this.  I want to know before Richard Channing finds out who was behind this."

 

As Jeremy is walking down the hall talking on his phone, a dirty and bruised Katherine, a bandage on her left hand and a gauze on her forehead, passes him in the hall.  She stops and looks at her former husband as he walks away from her, then she proceeds into the waiting room where Richard still stands at the window, and Cole, Vicky, and Chase are seated on the sofa.

 

"Richard," she says as she walks over to her husband.

 

"How're you feeling, darling?"  

 

"I feel fine.  I'm just so worried about Austin and Jonathon."

 

"No need to worry about me,"  comes Jonathon's voice as he, too, walks into the waiting room.  "I'm okay.  Just a little shaken up."

 

"Jonathon, thank God,"  Vicky says as she stands and walks over to her stepson.  "Your father just walked out of here."

 

"Yeah, I saw him heading down the hall."

 

"He went to check on Austin."

 

"Jonathon, are you sure you okay?"  Katherine asks, walking over to her son.  "Should you be up and walking around?"

 

"Really, I'm fine,"  Jonathon says.  "I just got the wind knocked out of me back at the house.  How's Austin?"

 

"Not good.  He's still unconscious and they won't let me see him yet until they do all these tests on him,"  Katherine says.

 

Jonathon looks at his stepmother.  "And how's my kid brother?"

 

"Alex should be fine,"  replies Vicky.  "The doctor is with him now."

 

At that moment, a female doctor walks into the room.  "I'm looking for the family of Austin Wentworth," she says.

 

"I'm Katherine Wentworth Channing,  Austin's mother,"  Katherine says.  "How is my son?"

 

"Just a minute, please," Vicky tells the doctor.  "Austin's father should be in here for this."

 

"This is none of Jeremy's business,"  says an angry Katherine.

 

"Jeremy is that boy's father,"  Vicky says.  "You kept Jeremy away from his son from the time Austin was born, and I am NOT gonna let you do it again."  Vicky goes into the hall and spots her husband at the end of the hall.  "JEREMY!"  She calls to him, motioning for him to come back.  

 

"How DARE she talk to me like that, the bitch!"  Katherine says to Richard.

 

"Now, just calm down,"  Richard tells his wife.  "Now isn't the time for  a catfight with Vicky Lord."

 

A moment later, Vicky returns with Jeremy.  "You're my son's doctor?"  Jeremy asks.

 

"Yes, I am.  I'm Dr. Sara Collins."

 

"You have something to tell us about my son,"  Katherine says.

 

"Yes,"  Dr. Collins replies.  "Austin is in a coma."

 

"A coma?"  Katherine asks.

 

"Yes.  He received a blow to the head which has caused a subdural hematoma, which is bleeding inside the brain."

 

"What can you do about that?"  Jeremy asks.

 

"Right now, we're waiting, and hoping that the swelling caused by the bleeding goes down on its own."

 

"And if it doesn't?"  Jonathon asks.

 

"If it doesn't........then our only option is surgery."

 

"Surgery?  On his brain?"  Asks a tearful Katherine.  

 

"Yes.  Many times in cases of head trauma, the swelling goes down on its own, depending on the severity.  But at this time, Austin has some other injuries that make him a poor candidate for surgery."

 

"You make it sound like if you operate on my brother, he won't survive the surgery,"  Jonathon says.

 

"He's very weak right now, which makes surgery even more risky than it would be already.  Listen, I understand you're all worried and upset.  But for the time being, all we can do is keep Austin's condition closely monitored.  We're doing brain scans every hour to monitor whether the swelling is going down."

 

"You said he's in a......in a coma,"  Jeremy says.  "How long will he be in the coma?"

 

"I can't answer that.  Austin could wake up at any time, or tomorrow, and sometimes patients remain comatose for days or longer."

 

"And sometimes, they never wake up,"  says a visibly upset Jonathon.

 

"Try and have faith,"  Dr. Collins says.  "We're doing all that we can."

 

"I want to see my son,"  Katherine says.  

 

"And so do I,"  says Jeremy.

 

"Alright.  Come in this way,"  Dr. Collins says.  

 

Jeremy kisses Vicky, then he and Katherine follow the doctor from the room.

 

"Eric had a bad concussion, and his arm is broken pretty bad,"  replies Lance.  "They're doing surgery on him now.  Pilar, she.........her injuries are more serious."

 

"The doctor is doing some tests and scans,"  Emma Channing says.  "He said he's going to be out to let us know something soon."

 

"Oh my Lord,"  Julia says.  She walks over and takes a seat beside her granddaughter.  "Oh, sweetheart."  She puts her arm around Gabby and the girl lays her head on her grandmother's shoulder.

 

A moment later, a male doctor of about 50 comes into the room.  "Mr. Cumson?"

 

"Yes,"  Lance says, standing.  "How's my wife?"

 

"Pilar has some internal injuries.  She's bleeding internally.  We have to operate to stop it immediately."

 

"Is my Mom going to die?"  Gabby asks in tears.

 

"I can't answer that, honey,"  the doctor replies.  "But I'm going to do everything I can to make sure that doesn't happen."

 

"What are her chances?"  Lance asks.

 

The doctor looks at Gabby, then back at Lance.  "I'm not going to lie to you.  Her condition is critical.  Her chances aren't good, Mr. Cumson, but, surgery is our only option.  I'll need you to sign a consent form."

 

"Yes, of course,"  Lance says, almost as if in a daze.

 

"This way,"  the doctor says, walking out of the room.

 

"Lance, is there anything we can do?"  Emma Channing asks.

 

"Yes, Emma, there is.  Ummm.......here, take my phone.  Call Pilar's brothers Tommy and Gabriel.  And.......call our daughter Lisa. They all need to know."

 

"Yes, I will,"  Emma says.

 

"Daddy,"  Gabby says, crying.  Lance pauses, hugs his daughter tightly for a few seconds, then leaves the room to sign the consent forms for Pilar's surgery.

 

"No, it's fine,"  John Ross says.  "Come in."

 

Angie walks over to him.  "How is your son?"

 

"I hadn't heard anything in a while.  Doctor didn't think his injuries were too serious.  Just worried about the rest of my fam'ly.  How's your fam'ly?  And...... what about Elena?"

 

"Kevin has a head injury.  Emma.........."  Angie starts to cry.  "She might lose the baby.  Michael is just bruised up really bad, and he has some smoke inhalation.  Elena......last I heard she was still unconscious.  It's weird, isn't it?"

 

"What's weird?"  John Ross asks.

 

"Our two families.  Just a few hours ago, the Channings and the Ewings were two feuding families who hated each others' guts, declaring war on each other.  Now, here we are, hours later, in this hospital.  We all could have died in that explosion, and in the face of this tragedy, the feud between our families doesn't seem so important, does it?"

 

John Ross sighs.  "No, it duttin'," he says as Christopher walks in.

 

"John Ross,"  Christopher says.

 

"You heard  from the rest of the fam'ly?"  John Ross asks, standing to his feet.

 

"Yeah.  Dad and Ann are fine.  Courtney has some cuts and abrasions but she'll be okay.  Ann's brother........he was killed."

 

"Sorry to hear that."

 

"I'm very sorry,"  Angie says.  

 

"Thank you."

 

"I'm gonna go check on Alex," John Ross says.  "Angie, thanks."

 

"Yeah, I'll come with you,"  says Christopher.  As he and John Ross walk into the hall, John Ross's mother, Sue Ellen Ewing, approaches them.

 

"John Ross, Christopher,"  Sue Ellen says, embracing her son.  "Thank God you're alright."  

 

"We're fine, Mama,"  John Ross says.

 

"What about the rest of the family?"  Sue Ellen asks.

 

"Oh my God, poor Ann.  Where are she and Bobby?"

 

"They're down the hall."

 

"And, John Ross......what about the boys?"

 

"Little John's fine.  I left him at the hotel with his nanny.  Alex is bein' checked by a doctor right now.  I think I'll go see how he's doin'."

 

"I'll be there soon,"  says Sue Ellen.  "I want to go and see Ann.  See how she's doing."

 

"Okay."

 

"John Ross, thank God you weren't seriously hurt or killed,"  Sue Ellen says, embracing her son.  "I don't know what I would do if I lost you.  I love you."

 

"Love you, too, Mama,"  John Ross says, pulling out of the embrace.  He nods, looks at Christopher, then turns and heads down the hall.

 

"My God, I've spent this entire weekend in a hospital,"  Sue Ellen says.

 

"What do you mean by that?"  Christopher asks.

 

Sue Ellen looks at him and sighs.  "I didn't want to tell John Ross just yet but, Justin was in a very serious accident yesterday.  He and Jimmy had gone camping at the Smithfield family's cabin, and somehow, Justin took a fall over the cliff.  I was at the hospital all night with Amanda and Cally and Jill, waiting."

 

"Good God, how is he?"  

 

"Not good.  He finally woke up just a little while ago, right before I got news of this explosion you were all in out here.  But, he can't move his legs.  He's paralyzed from the waist down."

 

 

 

"Damn,"  Christopher says.  "The Ewing curse strikes again, huh?"

 

Sue Ellen puts a comforting hand on her nephew's shoulder.

 

Meanwhile, his hand bandaged and a bandaid on his left forehead, Alex Walton is sitting on a bed in the emergency room when Alex Lord walks in.  "Hey dude,"  Alex Lord says.

 

"Hey, what's up?"

 

"Nothing much.  How're you doing, man?"

 

Alex Walton puts his hand to his head.  "I'm okay.  Just a cut finger and a cut head, and some bruises.  How about you?"

 

"I'll live,"  Alex Lord says.  "That was pretty damned scary, huh?"

 

"Definitely.  That's not something I wanna try again."

 

Alex Lord smiles.  "Yeah, me neither.  My brother Austin, the brother I just met, he's hurt pretty bad."

 

"Sorry to hear that, man."

 

 

"Me, too,"  Alex Lord says sadly as John Ross comes in.  

 

"Boys,"  John Ross says.

 

"Mr. Ewing, how are you?"  Alex Lord asks.

 

"Just fine, Alex."

 

"Well, Umm, Alex, dude, I'd text you later, but, my phone kinda got lost in that explosion," says Alex Lord.  "I guess that's what I get for having it out texting during the wedding, and not in my pocket."

 

Alex Walton laughs slightly.  

 

"Well, see you both later," Alex Lord says.

 

"See ya, man,"  says Alex Walton.  "I'll definitely hit you up before we leave for Dallas."

 

Alex Lord smiles, then walks out.

 

"Well, he seems like a nice kid,"  John Ross says.

 

"Yeah, he is,"  replies Alex Walton.

 

"Guess he must take after his mama.  Say, listen, Alex, I just wanted you to know.......I'm so thankful that you weren't seriously hurt.  Your grandmother's here.  And she just told me that she didn't know what she'd do if she ever lost me."

 

"Of course,"  says Alex.  "You're her son."

 

"That's right.  And you're MY son.  Alex I never really realized how much bein' a father meant to me until today.  Knowin' I coulda lost you in that explosion..... I now know how my Mama feels about me, and how my Daddy always felt about me.  I hadn't been a father for too long, but I don't know what I would do if I ever lost you or Little John.  And even though I didn't meet you until you were a snotty nosed, bratty teenager, my love for you and your brother runs ever bit as deep as if I'd been there to watch you draw your first breath.  And I just wanted you to know that."

 

Alex lowers his head for a second, then looks at John Ross.  "Y'know, when I first met you, I hated you.  I thought you were the biggest jerk in the world.  And when I found out that you were my father, I hated that. I thought it was one of the worst things that's ever happened to me.  But then I got to know you, and I don't feel that way anymore.  I know you've done your best at being a dad.  Not easy when your kid is already 15-years-old when you meet him.  And I know that you didn't have the best examples growing up of what parents should be like.  But so far, your best has been pretty damned good."

 

"Well, how 'bout I see if I can find a doctor and get you checked out so we can go back to the hotel and see your baby brother?  I'll be back in a minute."  

 

"John Ross,"  Alex calls to him as he starts to leave.  John Ross stops in the doorway and turns back to him.   "I love you, too, John Ross."

 

John Ross smiles with pride upon hearing his son's words, then he walks out.

 

 

"Yeah, just some minor stuff, and a sprained wrist,"  Chase says.  "Courtney, I still can't believe I ran into you after all these years, and especially at my Uncle Kevin's wedding."

 

"Yeah, same here,"  Courtney says.  "Small world."

 

"I think that's putting it mildly.  So, you were there at the wedding with that Christopher Ewing guy?"

 

"Yes.  Emma, the would-be bride, is Christopher's stepsister, and........cousin."

 

"Stepsister AND cousin?" Chase asks.

 

"Christopher's family is pretty complicated,"  says Courtney.

 

"Sounds like mine,"  Chase says.  "Courtney it's really good to see you after all this time.  You know, we never did actually resolve anything as far as our relationship went.  One day you were just..... gone, and I never knew why."

 

"I had my reasons, Chase."

 

"Well don't you think I deserve to know what those reasons were?"

 

"Look, that was a long time ago.  We were just kids."

 

"Yeah, we were just kids, but, that doesn't mean my feelings for you were any less.  I loved you, Courtney, and one day you just walked out of my life with no explanation.  Not even so much as a goodbye."

 

"Chase, my life back then, well, it was a mess.  You know that.  My parents had just divorced, I was confused.  I never meant to hurt you."

 

"But you did, Courtney.  You hurt me a lot."

 

"And I'm sorry,"  Courtney says.

 

"So, what happened?  You went back to Texas, right?"

 

"Yes.  Back to live with my Mom,"  she replies as Christopher walks in.  He is surprised to see Chase.

 

"Hello," Christopher says.

 

"Hi.  Chase Gioberti."  Chase extends his hand.  

 

"Christopher Ewing,"  says Christopher, shaking hands with Chase.

 

"Well, ummm, I'd better go see how my brother's doing,"  Chase says.  "Courtney, it's really great to see you again." Chase looks at her, then at Christopher, and then leaves the room without another word.

 

Confused, Christopher takes a seat at Courtney's bedside.  "What was that all about?  That guy, he was at the wedding, wasn't he?"

 

"Yes."

 

"You know him?"

 

Courtney wipes a tear from her cheek.  "Yes, I know him."

 

"How?"

 

She looks at him.  "Christopher.......Chase is my ex-boyfriend.  The one I told you about."

 

"What?  THAT'S your ex-boyfriend?  The guy you dated when you lived in Florida as a teenager?"  Christopher asks.

 

"Yes."

 

"He's the one you were dating when you got pregnant?"

 

"Yes.  And his older brother Joseph........is the father of my son,"  Courtney replies in tears.

 

Christopher is stunned to hear Courtney's revelation.

 

"This is ridiculous,"  Michael gripes.  "I should be with Elena."

 

"Elena is in good hands,"  says Richard.  "I just checked on her.  She woke up earlier, but she was in some pain, so they sedated her.  She'll probably sleep for the rest of the night."

 

"So she's gonna be okay?"

 

"She's going to be fine."

 

"Kevin and Emma?"

 

"Your brother has a pretty serious concussion.  He's still pretty out of it.  Emma, she's........not so good.  The doctors are worried about the baby.  They're keeping her mildly sedated to keep her calm for the baby's sake."

 

"Is there a chance she'll lose the baby?"  Michael asks.

 

"Unfortunately, yes,"  Richard replies.

 

"What happened, Dad?  What caused that explosion?"

 

"I don't know, son, but you can be damned sure I'm gonna find out."

 

Michael  looks at his father.  "Could it have been a bomb?  Our family has made quite a few enemies out there over the years, especially you.  Could it have been someone out to get you?"

 

"No one I can think of.  If someone wanted to get me, then they'd just go after me and not try to blow my whole family to kingdom come."

 

"Maybe an old enemy from years back?"

 

"Michael, I honestly do not know.  If this was a bomb plant, then it could be just about anybody.  As you said, I've made my share of enemies through the years, and so has just about everyone in that room, including Jeremy Lord, Lance Cumson, probably Cole Gioberti, too, and not to mention the whole damned Ewing family."

 

"But it was OUR house, Dad.  YOUR house.  I honestly don't think that someone would plant an explosive to kill Jeremy Lord or one of the Ewings in Richard Channing's home."

 

"Michael, alright, I admit that whoever did this, may have been targeting me, but, you know, son, there's a possibility that I wasn't the target.  Maybe you were."

 

"Me?"  Michael asks.

 

"That's right.  What about your old friend, Josh McQueen?  You confronted him earlier today about his double crossing you by working for John Ross Ewing and Jeremy Lord."

 

"No.  Josh wouldn't have the guts or the brains to pull something like this off."

 

"You're speaking awfully naive words, son.  Josh McQueen is a private investigator.  Ya have to have brains to pull off that kind of a career."

 

"Josh McQueen is a private investigator because I set him up in that career,"  Michael says.

 

"Nevertheless, McQueen is at the top of my list of suspects,"  Richard says.  "And if I do find out he was behind that explosion.........I'm going to kill him, and I promise you that."  Richard turns and walks out of his son's room.

 

"You won't have to, Dad,"  Michael says after his father leaves.  "Because if Josh was the one who did this....... I'll kill him myself."

 

"Thanks,"  Shawn says, his tone sounding almost as if he's in a daze, still unable to believe or process the day's horrible events.

 

"Sharon, if there's ANYTHING we can do for you, please, let us know,"  Sue Ellen says.  "Anything at all."

 

"Thank you,"  Sharon says.  "Come on, sweetheart."  Sharon and her son walks past Sue Ellen, John Ross, and Alex, who watch as the Smiths proceed down the hall and through another set of doors leading to the hospital exit.

 

"Poor Shawn,"  Alex says.  "I know what he's going through.

 

"Come on,"  John Ross says.  "Let's go."

 

"Why?"  Jonathon asks.

 

"Why?"

 

"You never wanted anything to do with me before now?  You left me when I was 5-years-old.  Why would you want to have any part of  my life now.  I'm 27.  I've done very well up until now without a mother."

 

"Have you?"  Katherine asks.  "Have you really? Jonathon, please believe when I say that, if I'd had any choice at all, I never would have left you.  Never.  But I didn't have a choice.  I was a fugitive from justice.  I had been on the run for years, and after I married your father, it was so hard to stay out of the spotlight, and out of the public eye.  You deserved better than that.  And then your father.......he threatened me. If could have done so, I would have taken you with me.  But your father never would have allowed that.  And if he'd known Austin was alive, he would've come after me and tried to take him away from me, too.  Jeremy would have sent me to prison.  I couldn't lose both my boys."

 

As Jonathon is about to say something, Austin's heart monitor suddenly flatlines, startling Katherine and Jonathon.  "What's happening?"  Jonathon asks.

 

"I.....I don't know,"  Katherine replies as she and Jonathon stare at the heart monitor in shock.  

 

Suddenly, Austin's doctor and a team of nurse's rush into the room.  "I'm sorry, you're going to have to step out,"  the doctor says.  "Code blue!"

 

Katherine and Jonathon reluctantly step outside of Austin's door.

 

"Doctor, I'm not getting a pulse,"  says one of the nurses.

 

"He's gone into full cardiac arrest,"  Dr. Collins says.  

 

 

 

Through the window from the hallway outside of Austin's room, with Jonathon at her side, Katherine watches in horror as the medical team fights to revive Austin by shocking his heart back to beating.

 

Once again, the doctor places the pads on Austin's chest and attempts to shock his heart.  Fortunately, on the fourth try, Austin's heart begins beating again and his monitor goes back to normal.  

 

 

 Gabby begins to cry.  The girl doesn't need to be told the horrible news.  She already knows......her beloved mother is gone.  After a moment, and after he tries to compose himself, Lance opens the door to his son's room and sees his teary-eyed daughter standing before him.

 

Lance walks over to his daughter, tears in both their eyes.  No words are needed as father and daughter look each other in the face.  Gabby nods her head, as if to indicate to her father that she already knows the horrible news he has for her.  Lance puts his arms around his daughter and the two embrace, crying together, both wondering hoe they will face life without Pilar....

 

 

 

 

 

END OF EPISODE 15....