EPISODE 19 - Out With The Old, In With The New

"You're in an awfully good mood this morning, Daddy, Angie says.  

"Of course, I am.  It's 2017, a brand new year, and one I feel is going to be the best this family has ever had."

"At least for SOME of the family,"  Emma says.

"You're still upset with me for taking Falcon Crest away from Lance, aren't you, Emma?"  Richard asks.

"Well it was pretty rotten thing to do, Richard.  Lance and Pilar put their heart and soul into running Falcon Crest all these years since Mother died."

"And they did the best job that they could, I'm sure.  But Emma, let's face facts.  Under Lance's tenure, Falcon Crest was in deep financial trouble, which was what allowed a man like Jeremy Lord to take advantage in the first place and gain control of Falcon Crest.  I saved this winery from Lord and kept it in the family."

"And if you'll recall, Emma, dear, Richard DID ask Lance to stay on and help him run the winery,"  Katherine says.

"Richard asked Lance to stay on as an employee, which I don't blame Lance for not wanting to do."

"I asked Lance to stay on as part of a team responsible for making this winery great again," Richard says.  "Lance made the decision himself not to stay on.  But it wasn't for lack of my trying."

"You offered him a job here,"  Emma says.

"And what was Richard supposed to do, Emma?"  Katherine asks.  "Offer to give Lance half of Falcon Crest?  Honestly, I think you're being too hard on your brother, Emma."

"You're still very new around here, Katherine,"  Emma says, giving her a stern look.  "You don't yet know how this family operates.  And besides, this is between my me and my brother, so stay out of it."

"Now just a minute, Emma......"

"Hold on, now,"  Richard says, interrupting his wife and sister before their argument escalates. "That's enough of that.  Emma, I do appreciate your loyalty to Lance.  But Falcon Crest does belong to me now.  I gave up the newspaper that our father left to me in order to save this winery, and it's mine.  That's just something that you and Lance and everyone else is just going to have to get use to."

Emma Channing looks at her brother angrily, then she and Katherine exchange angry looks, tension heavy between them as it's clear that there will be some rivalry between these two women for some time to come.

"You know what I'm talking about,"  replies Lisa.  "You stay in this room all the time. Never spend time with the family anymore.  And look at you.  That beard.  Your appearance is so......unkempt."

"So?  Since I never go out or see many people, I have no reason to look a certain way."

Lisa sighs.  "Lance, look, I know these last few months have been pure hell for you. Losing Pilar, and then losing Falcon Crest so soon after......I know what that did to you.  But, what is THIS accomplishing?  It's like you've given up on life.  Resigned yourself to spending the rest of your life in this room, living like some hermit."

"Maybe, sometimes, when you've lost everything, giving up is the only thing left for you to do," Lance says.

"But you haven't lost everything,"  says Lisa.  "You still have a son and a daughter who need you very much.  TWO daughters who need you very much, and two grandchildren who need for their grandfather to pull himself together and be the patriarch of this family."

"Eric is.......a young adult.  Gabby.......she has you."

"Gabby is my little sister and I lover her, but I'm not her parent, Lance.  YOU are."

Lance walks across the room to the fireplace, hesitates a moment, then turns back and looks at his daughter.  "I can't, Lisa.  I can't do this.  I've been through a lot of tragedy in my life.  Had a lot of loss.  A lot of sadness.  But nothing, and I mean NOTHING hit me as hard as losing your mother.  Pilar was my third wife, but she was the love of my life.  I spent over 27 years married to her, longer than I ever thought that I would be with anyone.  When I lost her, I.......I wasn't prepared.  Not the way that it happened.  I'm 56-years-old, Lisa.  I don't wanna face the thought of spending the rest of my life without her.  Or the rest of my life alone, which could be another 20 or 30 years.  But I can't imagine ever being with anyone else. And losing Falcon Crest right after Pilar.............losing that winery would be so much easier to bear if she were here by my side."

Lisa walks over to him.  "Pilar is here with you.  Maybe not physically, but she's here.  In spirit.  I feel her.  And Lance, I know losing Falcon Crest was hard.  That's been your home since......well, since forever.  But you have lost control of Falcon Crest before, and always managed to get it back.  And at least THIS time, it's still in the family."

"Family?"  Lance asks.  "Richard Channing?  I don't consider that snake to be family."

"The man saved Falcon Crest from being taken over by Jeremy Lord by giving up his newspaper.  And then he offered you a job there."

"Lisa, I don't want a JOB at Falcon Crest.  I was born to own and run that damned winery.  From the time I was born, that was my grandmother raised and groomed me for.  All my life I was promised that Falcon Crest would be mine one day.  I did EVERYTHING I could to earn it. I married Melissa Agretti because my grandmother wanted me to.  I did my grandmother's dirty work for YEARS.  I loved my grandmother, don't get me wrong.  I did.  But I waited around for years for her to either die or sign Falcon Crest over to me, but when she finally did die, do you know what she did?  She basically left ownership of the winery to my Aunt Emma, and left to run it.  I RAN Falcon Crest, but I didn't own it.  So all these years, I worked the winery.  Did my part, only to have Richard Channing swoop in, take control, and offer to keep me on as one of his employees.  Well I'm done, Lisa.  I'm DONE."

"With your  money and your knowledge of the wine industry, you could start your own winery."

"It's not the same,"  Lance says.  "Lisa, I don't expect you to understand, because you didn't grow up here.  But Falcon Crest is our family's heritage.  Our legacy.  I was supposed to pass it down to my kids, and you, Eric, and Gabby were supposed to hand it down to your kids.  Now, Richard's kids, my cousins, are gonna have it."

"So what do you plan on doing for the rest of your life?"  Lisa asks.  "Sitting around, pouting and mourning until you're old and gray and you've wasted a lot of years you can't get back?  Do you really think that's what Pilar would want?  Because I don't think it is.  Pilar loved you.  What do you think she would say, or think, if she could see you now?  Maybe you should give that some thought.  I'll check back on you later.  I have to go and get our rooms ready.  Ben is bringing the kids back today, and a little later, I'm gonna take them out apartment hunting.  Or, house hunting, who knows?  But just think aboutt what I said."  Lisa walks to the door, then turns back and looks at him.  After a brief pause, she walks out.

After his daughter is gone, Lance turns and looks at a photo of himself and Pilar on the mantle.

"Kevin, how long is this gonna go on, man?"  Josh asks.  "Dude, you've gotta realize that this is completely insane.  You and Michael, you've kept me here in this room for weeks now."

"Really?  Has it been that long?"  Kevin asks with sarcasm.

"You can't keep me here forever."

"Can't we?"

"You and your brother are just getting yourselves deeper into trouble,"  Josh says.

"Trouble?"  Kevin asks.  "You're the one who sent a bomb to my wedding and almost killed everyone there, and you talk to ME about getting into trouble?"

"I already told you I did NOT send that bomb!"

"And you expect me to believe that?"

"Damn it!"  Josh says, angrily getting up from his seat on the bed.  "This is kidnapping, and when I get outta here, you and Michael are gonna pay for this!"

"Y'know, Josh, you really are ungrateful,"  says Kevin.  "You should be thanking me.  It's because of me that you're still alive at all.  My brother.......he wanted to just kill you, but I said, nah, Michael, we can't do that.  We may be a lot of things, but we're not cold blooded killers.  Not like you, Josh."  The anger showing on his face, Kevin walks over to Josh and grabs him by the throat.  "You.....you ARE  cold blooded killer.  Pilar Cumson died in that explosion.  My fiance, Emma.....her uncle died in that explosion.  The minister died.  You killed a man of God, Josh.  But even worse than that, Emma could've died, and she almost lost our baby!  That's why Michael wanted to kill you.  Because his wife DID lose their baby!!"  Kevin shoves Josh down on the bed.  

Josh looks up at him, tears in his eyes as he grabs his injured throat.  "Kevin, please, dude.  You gotta believe me......I didn't send that bomb."

"You were angry at my brother, and you were angry at John Ross Ewing, and you were angry at Jeremy Lord.  THREE MEN that you had a reason to hate and wanna see dead were in that house, and you expect me to believe that you didn't do it?"

"Kevin, come on, man,"  Josh says.  "How would I have the money or ability to pull something like that off?"

"Josh, you really think I'm stupid?  You've worked for my brother for years.  In all that time I know he's paid you a small fortune for all the jobs you've done for him.  And as a P.I., you've got connections.  Not to mention the money you were probably paid by Jeremy Lord and John Ross Ewing to double cross my family.  No one else had a motive."

"So......if you think I did it, then why keep me here?   Why not just turn me over to the cops?"

Kevin looks at him and smiles.  "Josh, you've known us a long time.  You know we prefer to take care of things our own way."

"Kevin, what are you and Michael gonna do with me?"  Asks a frightened Josh.  "How long are you gonna keep me here?"

"As long as we want.  We own this building, so no one else is gonna be coming here.  Your parents are back east and they don't give a damn about you.  You don't have any friends.  My brother was the one friend you had to your name and you stabbed him in the back.  So who the hell is gonna come looking for you or even miss ya, Josh?  So far, no one has even made any inquiries into the disappearance of Joshua McQueen.  And I find that really sad and pathetic that a guy your age, 28-years-old, is so totally alone in the world that no one even cares that he's dropped off the face of the earth.  Better eat your damned lunch before it gets cold."  Kevin walks to the door.

"Kevin?"  Josh says in tears.  "Are you gonna kill me?  You said that you told Michael that you aren't killers.  So if you're not gonna kill me, then what?  Just keep me here for the rest of my life?"

Kevin thinks about the question for a few seconds, then looks at him.  "Well, Josh, I meant it when I told Michael that we aren't killers.  But, since then, every time I look at Emma and think that she could've lost our baby.........I wanna kill you myself.  Who knows?  I don't think that I could actually kill you myself, but, I may just turn my back and let my brother take care of that.  Michael.......y'see my brother......now HE is cable of killing under the right circumstances, and you're responsible for the death of his and Elena's baby.  And of course there's the other option.  We could just stop feeding you and let you gradually starve to death right here in this room.  Eat your lunch.  Never know when it might be your last one."  Kevin walks out of the room, closes the door and locks it behind him.

Once Kevin is gone, Josh lays down on the bed and begins to cry, terrified for his life, realizing that the possibility that he would never again see the light of day was very real, and knowing that his one time friends now hated him enough to want him dead.

"I brought you some lunch," she says, placing a basket on the table.

"Oh, it smells so good."

"I hope you like it,"  says Elena.

"I know I will if it was made by my beautiful wife,"  Michael says, kissing her again.

"So how's it going?"  Elena asks.

"Ah, it's.........going,"  Michael replies with a smile.  "I still have so much to learn about running this winery."

"But I have faith that you'll learn fast,"  Elena says.  "And obviously your father had faith in you, or else he wouldn't have put you in charge."

"Yeah, well, I was his second choice.  He was hoping Lance would stay on and run the winery, but, I didn't expect him to.  I just never thought that I would ever be running this place.  Y'know, Elena, when I was a kid, my grandmother use to bring me in here and she would try to teach me a few things about how Falcon Crest works, what's done here, the whole process of turning grapes into wine.  I thought it was so interesting."

"And now here you are."

"Yes,"  Michael says.  "Here I am.  From newspaper tycoon to wine maker within a month, that's SOME transformation, huh?"

"Well I would love you even if you were a street sweeper,"  Elena says, kissing him on the cheek.  "Now, I'm gonna get out of here and let you eat your lunch.  I'm gonna go into town for a while."

"Okay.  Thank you so much for the lunch."

"You're welcome, my sweetheart, Elena says.  The two kiss again, and Elena starts to leave.  As she opens the door, she turns back to him.  "Michael, I was just wondering......"

"Wondering what?"  Michael asks.

"About Josh McQueen.  Has there been any progress in finding him?"

"Why, uh, why would you ask about him?"

"Well, you said that you weren't gonna stop until you found him, but you haven't mentioned McQueen or the search for about a month now, not since a couple of weeks before Christmas.  I was just curious."

"Umm, no,"  Michael replies, nervous to be lying to his wife.  "No word on him yet, but, ya know what?  Josh is probably long gone by now.  He's probably out of the country.  We're gonna keep looking though, but, chances of finding him are getting slimmer with more time passing."

"It'd really be a shame if he just got away with what he did,"  Elena says.  "Well, I love you, and I will see you tonight.  Don't work too late."

I won't, and have fun in town."

Elena nods, smiles, then walks out.  

Michael sighs after his wife leaves.  "Don't you worry, Elena," he says quietly.  "Josh McQueen is NOT getting away with what he did.  He's gonna pay for the life of our child.  I promise you that."

"Yes, I saw the boys when I came in,"  Reynolds says.  "Which one is yours?"

"The dark haired one,"  replies Vicky.  "The other boy is his best friend.  Unfortunately, he's sick.  Cancer."

"Yes, I saw he had no hair.  I'm very sorry to hear that."

"So am I.  I was watching my son, and thinking how I don't know what I'd do if that ever happened to him."

"I know what you mean, Mrs. Lord,"  Reynolds says.  "I have two boys of my own.  17 and 14.  Now then, you said you wanted me to find the child you gave up for adoption?"

"Yes,"  Vicky replies.  "In 1988, I gave birth to a son.  Maybe I should back up and start from the beginning.  I had met and fallen in love with a man named Eric Stavros, and we got married.  But almost from the start the marriage was very troubled.  Eric was a man with a lot of problems.  Spoiled, rich punk always trying to earn his father's love and respect, any way he could.  Well, one of Eric's problems was a gambling addiction and a tendency to get himself mixed up with some really bad people.  And in 1988, he got involved with this group of international criminals, a group that called itself The Thirteen.  This group's main goal was to basically take over the United States and eventually, the world."

"Oh, wow,"  Reynolds says.  "Sounds like some plot to a really bad movie."

"Yeah, tell me about it.  Only it wasn't a movie plot, it was real.  And it was my life.  This group had tried to recruit Richard Channing as a member, but Richard was secretly working with the government to bring this group to justice.  And that's where my husband, Eric Stavros came in.  Desperate for money to pay off some gambling debts, Eric got involved with The Thirteen, and they recruited and then brainwashed him.  Using mind control, The Thirteen programmed Eric to kill Richard Channing.  Richard, however, had learned of their plot and turned the tables on them.  Eric's gun was loaded with blanks when he shot Richard.  Eric soon suffered a complete mental breakdown and had to be placed in a mental hospital in Europe.  I was pregnant with his child when all of this happened.  With my husband in a mental hospital, and pretty close to an emotional breakdown myself, I didn't feel that I was capable of raising a child.  So when my son was born, I put him up for adoption."  Vicky picks up a folder on the table in front of her. She hands it to Reynolds.  "In here, is all the information you should need to get started.  My son's original birth certificate, the name of the hospital where he was born, and the orphanage that handled the adoption."

Reynolds takes the folder, opens it, and looks at the contents.  "I'll get started on this today."

"Thank you, Mr. Reynolds."

"You're very welcome, Mrs. Lord.  One question........what happened to Eric Stavros?"

"After I gave my son up, I divorced Eric and moved to England, where I eventually met the man who is now my husband. I heard that Eric recovered from his psychological problems after a few years.  Last time I heard of him was in.......1994, when his father, Peter Stavros, died.  After that, I lost touch with him, and I have no idea where he is now or what became of him.  I don't even know if he's still alive.  I've never tried looking for him, not even online."

"Well, I'll get started on this search, and I'll be in touch on a regular basis,"  Reynolds says, standing.

Vicky also stands from her seat.  "Thank you so much, Mr. Reynolds.  My son is 28-years-old now, and I don't even know what he looks like."

"If your son is anywhere on the planet, Mrs. Lord, I'll find him,"  Reynolds says.  

At that moment, Alex and Nick walk into the room.  Alex is surprised to see a strange man in their home.

"I'll show myself out, Mrs. Lord,"  Reynolds says.

"Thank you, Mr. Reynolds,"  Vicky says as the man leaves.  

"Mom?  Who was that man?"  Alex asks.

"That was Mr. Allen Reynolds.  He's a business associate."

Alex looks at his mother and nods, not really sure he believes her explanation.  

"You boys hungry?"  Vicky asks.

"I am a little,"  replies Nick.

"Good.  How about I go and fix some lunch?" Vicky asks.  "How does Chicken Teryaki sound?"

"Yeah, sounds good, Mom,"  says Alex.

"Coming right up."  Vicky smiles, then walks out of the room.  

"Alex?  You okay, bro?"  Nick asks.

"Yeah, dude, I'm fine, I'm just........just wondering who that guy was."

"Your Mom just said he was a business associate."

"That's kind of a lame explanation, man,"  Alex says.  "I mean, what kind of business associate?  My Mom doesn't do anything, so what business?"

"Why're you so worried about it?"  Nick asks.

"Didn't you see how weird she was acting?  Something's up, dude.  And I'm gonna find out what it is."

"Yes, this was totally my fault,"  Ben says.  "We got a later start than we should've, and traffic was a nightmare coming back from L.A.  You know, people heading back home after the holidays and all."

"Yes,"  Lisa says.  "So, I guess you guys had a good time?"

"We sure did, Mom,"  Caleb says.  "Dad took us to the beach."

"The beach, in the middle of winter?"

"It was 85 degrees in L.A. over the weekend,"  Ben says.

"Why don't you two go and unpack your things and get changed?"  Lisa suggests.  "I'd like to have a word with your father."

"Uh-oh,"  Katelyn says.  "Come on, little brother.  I think that's our cue to get lost."

"Yeah, that's Mom's way of saying she's about to bawl Dad out for bringing us home late,"  Caleb says.

"Go on, get outta here,"  Lisa says with a smile.  

"You guys say a prayer for me," Ben jokes as the kids leave the room.  

After the kids are gone, Lisa gives Ben another angry look.

"You're angry, I can tell,"  Ben says.  

"You're damned right I'm angry, Ben.  You were supposed to have them back almost two hours ago."

"I know, but like I said, we started late, and traffic was terrible."

"You could have called, or at least answered your damned cell phone," says an angry Lisa.

"I know, and I'm sorry,"  Ben says.  "I'm just terrible, and I'm sorry, and it'll never happen again."

"God you have become so irresponsible, Ben.  Just how long is this mid-life crisis of yours gonna last?"

"That was a low blow, Lisa."

"It's true.  You were always one of the most level headed, responsible men that I had ever known.  Until you reached the age of 44, and then, it's like all your hormones went crazy and you completely lost your mind.  Now you're no more responsible than one of our kids."

"Lisa, that's not fair.  Okay, I admit, I could've called.  I could've even left home earlier this morning to get the kids back here on time.  But maybe, just MAYBE, Lisa, I didn't want to because I wanted to spend more time with my children whom you've uprooted and moved here."

"And you know exactly why I moved here with the kids."

"Yeah, to get away from me,"  Ben says.

"Yes!  That's exactly right!  To get away from YOU."

"I'm not willing to give up on us, Lisa.  You and those kids mean far too much for me to just let you go."

"Y'know what, Ben?"  Lisa asks.  "You should've thought about that BEFORE you decided to go out and have an affair with another woman."

"Maybe I wouldn't have had to find some intimacy outside of our marriage if I'd gotten any affection or intimacy from my wife."

"So now you're blaming ME?"  Lisa asks angrily.

"STOP IT!"  Caleb yells as he runs out of the bedroom.  "JUST stop it!  You guys are always fighting.  You both say you love us, but you sure don't act like it sometimes.  I hate all this fighting every time you guys get together!"  Caleb runs out of the suite.

"Caleb, wait!"  Lisa yells after her son.  

"Mom, you should let him go,"  Kaitlyn says.  "He's right.  Every time you and Dad get together, all you do is fight and yell at each other, and you have NO idea how hard that is for us to hear.  Especially Caleb."

Lisa and Ben exchange looks, both of them now feeling a tremendous amount of guilt for the pain their behavior is causing their children.

"Well, no, I don't,"  says Jonathon.  "But I do know your grandfather, Lance Cumson.  I'm his cousin, Jonathon Lord.  And it's real nice to meet you, cousin Caleb.  Now, why don't you tell me what's got you so upset?"

"I don't wanna talk about it."

"Okay, but it might help.  Y'know, when I get upset, it really helps me to talk it out with someone.  Or, sometimes I just like to head here to the gym, and use that punching bag over there.  You know how to box?"

Caleb shakes his head no.

"I could teach you, if you want,"  Jonathon says.

"I don't really feel like it."

"Okay.  But if you change your mind, I'm always available. In the meantime, you sure you don't wanna tell me what's bothering you?  Is it your parents?"

"How'd you know?"  Caleb asks, wiping his tears.  

Jonathon laughs.  "Because I've got parents, too, and I know what a pain they can be sometimes.  So why don't you tell me what's going on?"

"My Mom and Dad.  They're getting a divorce, and every time they're together, all they do is fight and yell at each other."

"And they were fighting today?"  Jonathon asks.

Caleb nods.

"I'm sorry, Caleb.  That really sucks when parents argue in front of their kids.  They don't mean to hurt you, but they do without even realizing it."

"Did your parents do that when you were a kid?"  Caleb asks.

"Yeah, they did when I was very little," replies Jonathon.  "When they were together."

"They divorced?"

"Yeah, they did.  Actually, my Mom left us when I was 5-years-old.  She just came back into my life a few months ago, after more than 20 years.  Caleb, sometimes, parents just can't get along with each other.  But that has nothing to do with you.  I'm sure that both your Mom and your Dad love you very much."

"I know they do,"  Caleb says.  "I just wish they didn't hate each other so much."

"I know.  I'm an adult, and I wish MY parents didn't hate each other so much, but.......unfortunately, they do.  And there's nothing I can do about that.  And neither can you.  Maybe it would help if you talked to them.  Told them how you feel, how much it hurts you when they fight."

"I've tried.  They don't listen."  

"Well, then, maybe it would help if someone else talked to them.  Your parents must be worried sick about you.  Do you live around here?"

"Yeah.  Upstairs."

Jonathon smiles.  "Oh, you live here in the spa.  Cool.  Come on, buddy.  I'll take you home."

Ben is annoyed by Jonathon's meddling.  "Look, I don't know who the hell you think you are, trying to tell us how to raise our kid, but this is none of your damned business."

"You're absolutely right,"  Jonathon says.  "This really isn't any of my business, and as for who I think I am........I'm just someone who happens to care about your son, and I'm also someone who's life has been deeply affected, and in a negative way, by the actions of my parents.  Mr. Agretti, I have no right to tell you how to raise your kid, but, you're only hurting Caleb by doing all this fighting in front of him."

"Get the hell out of here, you punk, and stay away from my kid,"  Ben says.

"No, wait,"  says Lisa.  "Ben, he's right."  She looks at her two children, standing in the middle of the room, tears streaming down Caleb's face again.  "Baby, I'm sorry," she says, walking over to him.  "Your father and I both love you.  And Jonathon, thank you for finding him and bringing him home."

"Yeah, you're welcome,"  Jonathon says.  "Bye."

"Jonathon, wait,"  Caleb says, walking to the door.  

"Yeah, what is it, buddy?"

"Thanks again."

Jonathon smiles at the boy.  "You're welcome, Caleb."

"Can I see you again?"  Caleb asks.

"Sure, anytime you want.  I live downstairs, room 1-11, two doors down from the gym.  Come see me anytime."

Caleb smiles.  "I will.  Bye."

Jonathon pats the boy on the head, then turns and leaves.  

"Well, looks like you made a new friend,"  Kaitlyn says with a big smile.  "And he's GORGEOUS, too."

"Don't even think about it, young lady,"  Ben says.  "That guy is WAY too old for you."

"Come on, Daddy, you're what, like, seven years older than Mom."

"Forget it, sis,"  says Caleb.  "Jonathon is Grandpa Lance's cousin."

The smile quickly disappears from the girl's face.  "Figures," she says.  "How come ALL the good looking guys in this stupid town turn out to be related to me?"

Ben and Lisa look at each other, smile, then laugh at their daughter's remark, the first time they'd shared a laugh in a long time.

Michael and Kevin walk into the office at Falcon Crest that night, Kevin closing the double sliding doors behind them.  

"Okay, what was so important you had to drag me in here as soon as I get home?" Michael asks.

"Michael, we need to talk about Josh," Kevin says.

"What about him?"  

"How much longer are we gonna keep in that room?  And what are we gonna do with him afterward?"

"Well, what do you think should be done with him, Kevin?"  Michael asks.

"I think it's time we turn his ass over to the cops."

"We can't do that."

"Michael, this has gone on long enough.  When we first grabbed Josh, I thought we were just gonna hold him for a while, maybe work him over a little, but it's been WEEKS."

"I told you we should've gone with my first plan and just kill the bastard."

"No way in HELL, man,"  Kevin says.

"That son of a bitch killed mine and Elena's child,"  says Michael.  "What if Emma or YOUR baby had died?  Would you still want him to live?"

"Michael, believe me, I've thought about wanting him dead, but I CAN'T.  And neither can you."

"Why, Kevin?"  Michael asks.  "Are you getting cold feet, little brother?"

"You know DAMNED well why," Kevin says.  "Josh is Vicky's son, Michael.  Vicky's our sister."

"No, Vicky Lord is YOUR sister, NOT mine!"

"Mom adopted you, man.  That makes Vicky your sister, same as she is mine.  Michael, I know you hate Josh for what he did, and you have every right to.  But we have to turn him over to the cops."

"And what do you suppose is gonna happen when we do that, little brother?" Michael asks.  "I'll tell you what's gonna happen.  Josh is gonna turn US in for what we did.  We kidnapped him.  Punched him around a little.  Then kept him locked away in that room downtown in the Channing building for more than a month.  Do you think Josh McQueen is just gonna forgive and forget after what we did to him?  Hell, no, he's not.  He's gonna be sitting in one cell, and you and I are gonna be sitting in the next cell."

"Damn, it, DAMN IT!"  Kevin says angrily.  "I never should've let you talk me into this.  Now we've gotten ourselves into something we're not gonna be able to get out of."

"No,"  says Michael.  "WE didn't get us into anything.  I got us into this, Kevin.  I got YOU into this, and I'm gonna get us out of it."

"And just how are you gonna do that?" Kevin asks.

"Just let me worry about that.  Kevin, you're my kid brother.  I've always looked out for you and had your back, ever since we were little kids.  I'm not gonna stop looking out for you now, just because we're grown men.  You're still my little brother, and I promise.......you're not gonna get in trouble for this."

"Michael, I'm not gonna let you take the rap for this alone,"  Kevin says.  

"Kevin, just chill.  I'll take care of this.  I promise."

Kevin looks at his brother for a moment.  "Yeah......but what worries me is WHAT you're gonna do to get us out of this," he says, then turns and walks out of the room.

Michael lets out a deep sigh of frustration.  

Michael is getting dressed as Elena comes into their bedroom from the bathroom the next morning.  

"Michael, I've been thinking,"  Elena says.

"Oh?  About what?"

"What if I came to work with you in the winery?"

Michael turns to her.  "You wanna come to work in the winery?"

"Yes, I do,"  Elena says.  "I really need a distraction right now.  Besides, I'm tired of just sitting around this old house all day with no one to talk to.  I mean there's your Aunt Emma, but, after a while we run out of things to say.  Your cousin Angela and your sister are never home, and the OTHER Emma, well, she and I have about as much to say to each other as Donald Trump and Rosie O'Donnell."

Michael laughs.  "Well, you could always spend the day hanging out with my new stepmother."

"Katherine?  Yeah, I think I would rather spend the day hanging out with a rattle snake."

"Well, if that's what you want, sweetheart, then we'll make it happen,"  Michael says.  "I would love to have you working in the winery with me.  I'm ashamed I didn't think of it myself.  Ummm.....what do you know about wine?"

"Well, nothing, but, I do know about business, so I could be invaluable on the business end."

"Yes, I think you could,"  Michael says, kissing her.  "Come down to the winery a little later, uh, say, around 11:30?  And we'll put you right to work."

"11:30?  Why can't I just come with you this morning after breakfast?"  Elena asks.

"Because I'm not going directly to the winery this morning.  In fact, I don't even have time for breakfast."

"Why?"

"Because I have to go into San Francisco,"  Michael says.  "I have something to take care of.  Business."

"Oh, well, alright,  11:30 then."

Michael kisses his wife, then finishes buttoning hi shirt.

"Sure you don't have time for a little breakfast?"

"I'm sure," he replies, grabbing his jacket.  "I love you, and I'll see you at 11:30."

"I love you, too, and see you then,"  Elena says.  Michael kisses her again then leaves.

Katherine comes down the stairs and walks into the living room at Falcon Crest later that morning and goes over to the book shelf and begins looking at the various classics contained on the shelves.  Richard had told her that these books had belonged to his mother, and that Angela Channing was an avid reader, going through at least three chapters in her book of choice every night before bed.  Finally, Katherine's eye strikes a book she is interested in, and takes it off the shelf.  She walks over to the sofa, takes a seat, opens the book and begins reading.  Just then, a very pregnant Emma Ryland comes down the stairs.  Sitting on the sofa in the living room, Katherine sees her niece.

"Emma," she calls to her.  

Emma stops in the foyer, pauses, then walks to the doorway.  "Katherine," she says, coldly.

"Why don't you come in and have a seat?"  Katherine asks.

"Why?"  Emma asks.

"So we could talk.  You and I have barely exchanged more than a few words since we've both been living here.  I thought the two of us could get to know one another a little.  After all, you ARE my brother's daughter, and not only that, you're engaged to my stepson."

"No offense, Katherine, but, that's not gonna happen,"  Emma says.  "Aunt or not, after all I've heard about you, I really have no interest in getting to know you any better than I already do.  Sorry."  Emma turns and starts to walk out.

"Well, aren't WE  a little hypocrite?"  Katherine says, standing from her seat on the sofa.

Emma stops, then turns back to her.  "Meaning?"

"Meaning, that you aren't exactly a saint yourself, from what I've heard, darling.  Having an affair with John Ross Ewing while he was married to your own half-sister."

"Katherine, for your information, when John Ross and I were sleeping together, I had no idea that Pamela and I were half-sisters.  And, besides that, I never tried to KILL my half-sister's husband.  Can you say the same?"  Emma smiles, then turns and walks out of the house.

A look of intense anger comes over Katherine's face.  "Stupid little twit," she says.

"How much longer, Michael?"  Josh asks.  "How much longer are you and your brother gonna keep me here?"

"What's the matter, Josh?  Impatient?  Restless?  Goin' a bit stir crazy locked away in this room with no windows and no way out?  I swear you're looking pretty pasty white, too.  I guess that can happen when you don't feel the sun on your skin for more than a month."

"Look, man, if you're gonna kill me, why don't you just go ahead and do it and get it over with?  I really don't care anymore."

the foyer.  Hearing his mother, his curiosity is aroused, so he stops and listens to her end of the conversation, as Vicky believes she is alone in the house:  "So, you've been to the orphanage?"  She asks the person on the other end of the line.  "And?  Any luck in finding anything?  Yes.  Yes, I have a pen and let me get a piece of paper."  Vicky walks to the desk and picks up  a piece of paper, then walks over and takes a seat on the sofa.  "Okay, I'm ready.  Yes, go ahead.  La Prada Orphanage in Switzerland?  And do you know the name of the couple who adopted him? Yes, I understand.  Mr. Reynolds, please, keep looking.  This is very important to me, and I really would like to know very soon who the adoptive parents were. Thank you, and please, keep in touch.  Bye."  Vicky ends the call and puts her cell phone down.  Standing, she walks back to the desk and picks up a piece of paper.   She begins to cry as she looks at the paper.  "My baby boy," she says quietly to herself.  "I will find you.  I don't care if it takes me the rest of my life, I swear I WILL find you."  Vicky puts the paper into a fashion magazine, then places the magazine in the middle of several others on a shelf above the small desk, Alex watching her from the foyer.  After wiping her tears, Vicky leaves the room, still unaware that her son is even on the premises.  

Once he makes sure his mother is gone, Alex sneaks into the living room.  Looking at the shelf above the desk, he locates the magazine he had seen his mother place there just seconds earlier.  Taking the magazine from the shelf, he opens it and finds the folded piece of paper in the middle.  He picks up the paper and opens it and sees that it's a birth certificate.  A birth certificate for a baby boy, born February 18, 1989, in Geneva, Switzerland.  Scrolling down the page, Alex is stunned when he sees the names of the child's parents......FATHER:  Eric Stavros.  MOTHER:  Victoria Gioberti Stavros.  Alex gasps in shock.  Hearing his mother coming, he quickly stuffs the birth certificate into his pocket and replaces the magazine on the shelf.  He then hurries out of the room and quietly exits the house just as Vicky returns to the living room with a glass of ice tea.  

Outside the house, Alex stops in the front yard.  Alex reaches into his pocket, takes out the birth certificate and looks at it again.  He stares at his mother's name on the certificate, barely able to believe what he's seeing.  This means that his