EPISODE 24 - The Cradle Will Fall

Meanwhile, over at the Gioberti home, Cole and Joseph are having breakfast when Chase comes down the stairs and joins his father and older brother.

 

"Morning,"  Cole says.

 

"Dad.  Joseph."

 

"Is Josh coming down?"  Cole asks.

 

"Yeah, I heard him in his room.  I yelled through the door and told him breakfast was ready, and he said he'd be right down."

 

"Good."

 

"Dad, it was awfully kind of you to let that guy stay here as a favor to Aunt Vicky,"  says Joseph.  "But are you sure about this?  Sure you're doing the right thing?"

 

"No, Joseph, I'm not sure.  But, your Aunt Vicky was desperate.  And, Josh is her son."

 

"I know, but the guy could be responsible for that bomb that almost killed this entire family last summer,"  Joseph says.  "What if he IS the one who sent that bomb?"

 

"Vicky is convinced he's innocent."

 

"But what about YOU, Dad?"  Chase asks.  "How do you feel?  Do you think he's innocent?"

 

"I don't know.  I think that he should be presumed innocent until proven guilty,"  replies Cole.  "But look, if having Josh here makes the two of you uncomfortable, then, I'll ask him to leave."

"No, Dad, don't do that,"  Chase says.  "The guy has nowhere else to, and Aunt Vicky can't take him in because of that jackass she's married to.  And if he doesn't have anywhere to go, or, someone to keep an eye on him, it violate the terms of his bail.  So, for now, I say let him stay."

 

"You gotta be kidding me,"  Joseph says.

 

"The guy's our COUSIN, Joseph."

 

"A cousin that we never even knew existed until recently.  And not only that, but a guy who, for all we know, may have been the one who almost killed me, you, Dad, and everyone else at Richard Channing's house last summer.  Three people did die in that explosion, little brother, as well as Elena Channing's unborn baby."

 

At that moment, the three men look up and see Josh standing there, having heard what Joseph said.  "I'll get my stuff," he says as he turns and starts to head back upstairs.

 

"Josh, wait,"  Chase says, getting up and walking over to him.  "Look, man, my brother, he......"

 

"Yeah, I get it,"  Josh says.  "He thinks I'm guilty."

 

"Are you?"  Joseph asks.

 

"No, I'm not.  I did NOT send that bomb.  Brian Jeffries did."

 

"Yeah, a dude who was working for YOU."

 

"Okay, I don't need this crap,"  Josh says.  "I'm sorry I came here."

 

"No, wait,"  Chase says.  "Josh, can you blame us for being suspicious?  I mean, after all, we'd never met you until a couple days ago.  And never even heard of you.  Look, as far as I'm concerned, you're welcome to stay.  I think my Dad feels the same way.  Stay here, and prove to us and to everyone that you're innocent."

 

"I want to,"  Josh says.  "But I don't know how to prove my innocence until Jeffries is found.  And he's probably outta the country by now."

 

"Josh, we want you to stay,"  Cole says.  "Your mother is my sister, and, I promised Vicky you could stay here until your trial.  Unless you give me a reason to ask you to leave.  So far, you haven't.  So.......why don't you sit down and have some breakfast?"

 

"Yeah, come take my place,"  Joseph says sarcastically.  "I have some things to do anyway."  He gets up from the table and quickly leaves the room as Josh watches him go.  

"Honestly, under the circumstances, not so good,"  Elena replies.  

 

Emma notices Elena's half-packed suitcase on the bed.  "Oh, you're packing to go somewhere?"

 

"Yeah.  I'm going to Mexico for a few days to visit my mother, and then after that, I'm going to Dallas for a few days.  I miss my son and I wanna see him."

 

"Elena, I am SO sorry about everything that's happened,"  says Emma. 

 

"Thank you, Emma."

 

"And I understand part of how you feel right now.  I am so angry with Kevin for keeping what he knew about Josh McQueen from me, too."

 

"How could they do it, Emma?"  Elena asks.  "Michael, he not only kidnapped McQueen and held him prisoner for weeks, but he and Kevin lied to both of us about it.  I thought I knew the man I was married to, but obviously, I was wrong.  What Michael did........that's something John Ross would've done.  I thought Michael was different, but he's the same as John Ross.  I guess I have no one to blame but myself."

 

 

"What do you mean?"  Emma asks.  "How can you blame yourself for any of this?"

 

Elena walks to the window and looks out.  After a momentary pause, she looks at Emma.  "Because I had a good man.  I had a VERY good man in Christopher, and I threw that away when I walked out on him.  I let my fear and my disdain for John Ross overshadow my love for Christopher, and I've paid for it ever since."

 

Emma walks over to her.  "Elena, are you still in love with Christopher?"

 

"Part of me will ALWAYS love Christopher.  But I also love Michael, and that's what hurts so much right now.  Christopher has moved on with his life with his new wife, and.......as much as I still love Michael, I'm not sure I could ever live with him again.  Not after all the lies."

 

Emma looks at her, Elena's words hitting home as Emma is reminded of her own lie she is living.

 

 

 

 

Angela is walking down a street in the Tuscany Valley that afternoon, talking to Danny Carrington on the phone.

 

"I really miss you,"  Angela says.

 

"Yeah, I really miss you, too,"  says Danny.  

 

"So, when are you coming back to see me?"

 

"Well, you know, you COULD come to Denver and pay ME a visit this time,"  Danny says.  "I really wanna see you.  But right now, I can't get away from work.  We're doing a major contracting job, and my Dad needs me.  So, since you aren't doing much these days to keep you tied down there, why don't you just hop on a plane bound for Denver, say.......in the next five minutes?"

 

"Of course I can come,"  Angela says.  "But, probably not for a couple of days.  My Mom is in bed sick with something like a cold, or allergies, I dunno.  I'm just on my way back to Falcon Crest after picking up some medicine for her.  But as soon as she's feeling better, I'll be in Denver before you can bat an eye."  As she continues walking, Angela glances across the street and she is surprised to see her Aunt Julia coming out of one of the shops.  Angela watches Julia as she heads down the street on the opposite side.  "Uhh, Danny, I'll have to call you back.  Yeah.  I'll talk to you real soon.  Bye."  Angela puts her phone into her purse, and quickly crosses the street at the crosswalk.  She rushes to catch up to Julia, who is heading toward a car parked on the street.

 

"Aunt Julia!"  Angela calls out.  "Aunt Julia!"

 

Julia is about to unlock her car when she hears her niece call to her.  She turns around just as Angela walks up to her.  "Well, hello, Angela."

 

"Aunt Julia, hi.  I'm surprised to see you."

 

 

"I just got back into town,"  Julia says.  "Lance told me that he just bought a new house, so I just stopped off to buy a little housewarming gift before I go over there."

 

"I see.  So, where have you been all this time?"

 

"I needed some time away after what happened with Falcon Crest, so, I returned to the convent for a while.  I could always find peace there when I couldn't find it any place else.  How's my sister?"

 

"Mom is sick in bed.  Her allergies."

 

"Poor Emma.  Every year she has this problem."

 

"Yeah, I just picked up some medication for her,"  Angela says.

 

"Well, I won't keep you,"  says Julia.  "I hope that helps her.  I'll drop by Falcon Crest sometime this evening."

 

"Fine."

 

"Bye, dear,"  Julia says, getting into her car.

 

"Bye,"  says Angela, a suspicious look on her face as she watches Julia drive away.  

 

 

 

Nick is standing in the driveway of his home that afternoon looking up at his basketball goal.  After a few seconds, he begins looking around on the ground until he finds his basketball near the garage, behind a trash bin.  He walks over and picks the basketball up, then returns to the driveway.  Bracing himself, he shoots the ball, and rings the goal. Proud of himself for this accomplishment, he walks over, picks the ball up, and makes another shot.  As he retrieves the ball again, Alex's car pulls up to the house and comes to a stop.  Nick walks over to him as Alex gets out of his car.

 

 

"Hey, bro,"  Alex says.

 

"Alex, what's up, man?"

 

"Not much, dude.  Sunday and I was kinda bored.  Just thought I'd ride over and see what you were up to.  Hey, your hair's starting to come in.  I see some fuzz on your head."

 

Nick smiles.  "Yeah.  Hopefully, at this rate, in a couple weeks I'll have a full head of brown hair again after almost a year of total baldness."

 

"I see you were shooting some hoops."

 

"Yeah,"  says Nick.  "Been so long since I played any basketball, I wasn't even sure I could hit the goal anymore, much less ring it, but......two in a row so far."

 

Alex smiles.  "Not bad,"  Alex says, a tone of sadness in his voice.  

 

"I'm really sick of my parents, man,"  replies Alex.  "They're not even speaking, and when they do, they're yelling at each other.  I have this half-brother I never met who's accused of trying to blow up my whole family at my uncle's wedding.  Josh McQueen, my Mom's SECRET son.  Nick, I'm really afraid my parents are gonna split up over Josh.  My Dad wants him to go to prison for that bomb, but my Mom is convinced the guy's innocent, I dunno, I guess because she gave birth to him.  But she gave him up right after he was born, so she doesn't even know him.  She doesn't know what kinda person he grew up to be."

 

"I'm really sorry, man.  You wanna crash here tonight?"  

 

"You think I could?"  Alex asks.

 

"Sure, long as you want,"  says Nick.

 

"Thank, dude.  I just don't think I can stay at my house while my parents are waging World War III."

"So you didn't even want my own father to know about me?" Josh asks.

 

"No, I didn't,"  Vicky replies.  "If you knew just what kind of man your father was like.  Eric Stavros was not a good man.  Especially toward the end of our marriage.  I was afraid of him.  Afraid of what he would do when he got out of that hospital and found out that I'd given birth to his son.  And I wanted to sever all ties to him.  Josh, I've told you this before, but I don't think I can say it enough.  Not a day went by, all those years, that I didn't think about you or miss you."

 

"And yet you waited 28 years to try and find me,"  Josh says.  "And didn't even bother to tell your second husband about me."

 

"My third husband,"  Vicky says.

 

"What?"

 

"Jeremy Lord is my third husband.  Your father was my second, and my first husband was a man named Nick Hogan."

 

"Any kids by him that you haven't mentioned?"  Josh asks.  

 

"No,"  Vicky says, looking at him.  Before she can say anymore, Cole walks in.  

 

"Vicky, hi,"  he says, entering the living room.

 

"Hi, Cole.  I just stopped by to see how Josh was doing."

 

"Oh, good,"  Cole says.  He looks at Josh.  "Hey, would you mind getting your feet off my sofa?"

 

Josh switches off the TV and sits up.  He looks at Cole.  "Your wish, is my command," he says.  "You sure you didn't call her over here to check up on me while you were gone?  Make sure I didn't try to flee the country or something?"

 

Cole and Vicky silently look at him.

 

Josh stands to his feet.  "Well, think I'll go outside and take advantage of that basketball goal by the garage," he says, then walks out of the room.  

 

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to drive him outta here,"  Cole says.

 

"No, it's fine, you didn't.  Our conversation wasn't going very well anyway. He's so angry and bitter."

 

"Yeah, he really does seem to have an attitude problem."

 

 

 

"Cole, look, I know how big a sacrifice I've asked you, Joseph, and Chase to make in having Josh stay here,"  Vicky says.  "And you have no idea how much I appreciate this.  I just didn't know what else to do."

 

"Hey, sis, it's no problem, really."

 

"How......are things?"  Vicky asks.

 

 

"A little tense,"  replies Cole.  "It would help if Josh wasn't so angry and sarcastic all the time, but, under the circumstances, I guess that's to be expected."

 

"Cole, please.........try to get through to him for me.  Josh is my son and I've failed him so miserably."

 

"Vicky, you didn't fail him.  You did what you thought was best for Josh at the time."

 

"But what I thought was best was probably the worst possible thing I could have done for my son.  And that was giving him up.  Jeremy may not have been perfect, but he and I always tried to provide a loving, stable home for both Alex and Jonathon.  Maybe if I had kept Josh, then, he would've been raised in that same loving home.  The loving home that is now in shambles."

 

"What do you mean?"  Cole asks.

 

Vicky looks at her brother, tears in her eyes.  "Not only did I fail my firstborn son, but I've also failed my other son as well. Things are so tense at home between me and Jeremy, that Alex would rather live with his friend Nick's family than with ours.  God, Cole, why couldn't I have been the kind of mother that OUR mother was?  It's almost like I didn't inherit any of Mom's traits at all.  I wouldn't happen to have been adopted, was I?"

 

"No, absolutely not,"  Cole says, embracing his sister.  "I was only 2-years-old, but I can remember the night you were born," he tells her as he holds her close.

 

 

Chase is talking on his cell phone to someone when Joseph comes to his brother's slightly open office door, knocks, and peeks in.  

 

"Yes, Mr. Grier, I will look over the contract and discuss your bid with my father and my brother, and I'll get back to you on that by the end of the week,"  Chase says.  "Well, I definitely don't see a problem.  Yes, sir.  Thank you, Mr. Grier, and I look forward to talking to you again, as well.  Yes.  I will, and you take care, also.  Have a good day.  Bye."  Chase ends the call and hangs up.

 

"Was that Mike Grier?"  Joseph asks.

 

"Yeah, he faxed over a copy of the proposed contract and his company's bid,"  Chase replies.  

 

"Good.  I like Grier.  Seems like a good man, and we need more business contacts like him here on the West Coast."

 

"I agree."

 

"I was just letting you know that I'm leaving for lunch,"  Joseph says.  "I have some errands to run."

 

"Joseph, can I talk to you for a second?"  Chase asks.

 

"Yeah, sure, what's up?"  Joseph asks.  

 

"I wanna talk to you about Josh."

 

"Chase, look, I have nothing more to say on the subject of Josh McQueen.  Both you and Dad know how I feel about having that guy in our house."

 

"That GUY is Aunt Vicky's son, Dad's nephew, and our first cousin, man."

 

"Yeah, and it's like I said before.  Josh McQueen may share our DNA, but none of us know the first damned thing about him, not even Aunt Vicky.  The only ones who do know the guy are Kevin and Michael, and Michael's the one who pushed Josh over the edge in the first place.  If it hadn't been for him, Josh might never have felt the need to strike back by sending that bomb to Kevin's wedding that almost killed us all, and DID kill Pilar, Michael and Elena's unborn baby, and two other people."

 

"Alright, what makes you so sure that he's the one who did it?  The cops are looking for this other guy in connection with the bombing, this.....Brian, whatever his name is.  Maybe Josh is telling the truth."

 

"Little brother, if you wanna believe that, then fine,"  says Joseph.  "But I think you're a damned fool.  Of course Josh is gonna deny what he did and try to pin it on someone else.  But y'know what, even if he DIDN'T directly send that bomb, the other guy was working with him so Josh is STILL responsible.  He set this whole thing in motion, little bro.  And it's time you got your head out of your ass and faced the fact that we have a murderer for a cousin."  Joseph turns and walks out of the office, leaving Chase frustrated.

 

 

 

 

"Welcome home, Mrs. Channing,"  the young butler says.  

 

"Thank you, Chang-Li.  Would you bring my bags in?"

 

"Of course, ma'am."

 

As Katherine is about to head onto the stairs, Richard comes out of the house, followed Emma Ryland.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

"Well, hello, my darling,"  Richard says, greeting his wife with a kiss.  "I'm sorry I couldn't come to the airport with Chang-Li to pick you up, but I had some pressing business to take care of."

 

"Oh, it's quite alright, Richard."

 

"Why on earth did you cut your trip so short?"  Richard asks.  "I thought you were going to stay in Dallas for a few days visiting your son Austin."

 

 

 

 

"I was just wondering the same thing,"  Emma says.  "Did something unexpected come up to bring you home to Falcon Crest earlier than you had planned, Katherine?"

 

Katherine gives the young woman one of her most evil looks as the anger rises up inside of her at the very sight of Emma.  "No,"  Katherine replies after a moment. "Of course not, I just wanted to come home.  I missed my husband."

 

"Did ya, now?"  Richard asks with a smile.  

 

"Yes, I did,"  says Katherine.  "Is that so hard to believe?  By the way, what's been going on around here since I left on Friday?"

 

"Oh, only the usual,"  replies Emma.  "A few lies, a few secrets uncovered.  A couple of long lost children were discovered."

 

As Katherine continues to glare angrily at her niece, Richard laughs while Emma seems to take great pleasure in tormenting Katherine.  "Emma's only joking, now, come on in the house.  Katherine follows her husband onto the porch.

 

"I'd love to have a nice chat later, Auntie,"  Emma says as Katherine walks past her.  "I wanna hear all about how my cousin Austin is doing, and everything about your trip."

 

Katherine glares at her.  "Oh, you can COUNT on it,"  she says, then walks into the house with Richard, leaving a gloating Emma on the porch.

 

"And did Dad also tell you WHY I'm staying at Nick's instead of at home?"  Alex asks.

 

"I know it's because of Dad and Vicky's problems."

 

"Problems?  Jonathon, what Mom and Dad have now goes beyond PROBLEMS.  They never even speak to one another anymore, except to yell at each other.  I couldn't take it anymore.  Nick's parents said I can stay with them as long as I need to."

"Alex, you know you could always come and stay with me,"  Jonathon says.  

 

"Yeah, I know.  But, I like it at Nick's house.  He's my best friend.  And, I think my being there really helps Nick, y'know, with his health the way it is and all."

 

"How's he doing?"

 

"He finally finished his chemo a few weeks ago.  His hair's even starting to grow back, so, hopefully, he'll be okay."

 

"That's great, I hope so,"  Jonathon says.  "Well, you know if you ever need anything........I'm always here for you, Alex.  And I mean that."

 

"Thanks.  That really means a lot, Jonathon."

 

"Hey, it's what big brothers are for, man.  By the way, have you met your new half-brother yet?"

"No, and I don't want to,"  replies Alex.  "Dad is real sure that Josh is the one who sent that bomb to Kevin's wedding.  We all could've been killed.  Austin almost died, and Gabby's Mom DID die."

 

"I know.  And I guess your Mom thinks Josh is innocent?"

 

"Yeah, and that's why Mom and Dad are fighting.  Dude, she bailed that guy out of jail.  He's living with Uncle Cole.  I just don't see how Mom could do that, even if he is her son.  I wouldn't even go so far as to say that he's her son.  She gave birth to him, but that's all.  She gave him away because she was terrified of Josh's father.  I guess Josh ended up turning out just like his Dad."

 

As Jonathon is about to say something, he hears someone calling his name.  "Jonathon!"  Comes a voice from behind him. He turns around and sees Caleb Agretti running over to him, followed by his sister, Kaitlyn.  

 

"Caleb, hey, buddy, what's up?"  

 

"I thought this was you over here,"  Caleb says.  

 

"Yeah, so how ya doing?"  Jonathon asks.

 

"I'm good.  We had a half day at school today."

 

"Yeah, so I heard.  Hi......Kaitlyn, right?"

 

"Yeah, that's right,"  the girl replies.

"Ummm, Kaitlyn, and Caleb Agretti, this is my little brother, Alex Lord,"  Jonathon says.

 

"Hey, what's up?"  Greets Alex.

 

"Hi,"  Caleb says.

 

"Alex, I've seen you around school,"  Kaitlyn says.

 

"Yeah, I've seen you around, too.  You're new at school, right?"

 

"Well, I've been going there a few months, but, yeah, new this year."

 

"I know how it is,"  says Alex.  "I transferred here last year, so I remember what it was like being the new kid.  If you ever need anything, I'm around."

 

"Thanks, I may take you up on that.  Come on, Caleb, we have to go."

 

"Do we have to?"  Caleb asks.

 

"Yes, we do.  Mom's waiting."

 

"Okay.  Bye, Jonathon, see ya later."

 

"Yes, see ya later, buddy,"  Jonathon says.  

 

"Alex, it was nice meeting you,"  Kaitlyn says.

 

"Yeah, it was nice meeting you, too.  I'll see you around at school."

 

Kaitlyn smiles.  "Bye," she says. then walks away with Caleb.

 

Alex watches as the two leave.  Jonathon notices a smile on his brother's face as he watches Kaitlyn, a look of interest on Alex's face.  "Little brother, before you start getting any ideas about Kaitlyn Agretti, I'd better tell you.  She's Lance Cumson's granddaughter."

 

"Yeah, so?"  Alex asks.

 

"Lance Cumson is our cousin, which means that Kaitlyn, his granddaughter, is also your cousin."

 

The smile quickly disappears from Alex's face.  "Great.  Figures," he says.

"I don't owe you any explanation, but since you've stuck your nose into my business, I'm going to give you one,"  says Katherine.  

 

"I'm listening."

 

"It's true.  Yes, I did give birth to triplets.  My marriage to Jeremy during my pregnancy was barely hanging by a thread.   I wanted out of the marriage but Jeremy refused to let me go.  So I never told him that I was expecting triplets."

 

"So he never even knew about the other two babies?"  Emma asks.

 

"No."

 

"What happened to them?"

 

"I gave them away right after they were born.  A friend who helped me fake Austin's death so that I could get away from that monster I was married to.  She agreed to take my other two babies.  It was the only way.  Jeremy was told that Austin had died, and I knew that Jeremy ever found out the truth, that one baby would be easier to hide from him than three.  So I made the hardest decision of my life.  I made the decision to give up two of my children in order to keep them safe and as far away from Jeremy Lord as possible."

 

"So you never kept in touch with them?"  Emma asks.

 

"No.  I couldn't.  It wasn't safe, too.  It was hard enough to remain in hiding with Austin.  So you see, Emma?  I had no choice but to give my babies up.  I was a fugitive.  If Jeremy knew that Austin was alive, or that Brian and Katelyn existed, he would've had me sent to prison and he would've taken my babies.  I had already lost Jonathon to that bastard, I wasn't about to let Jeremy get his hands on the other three."

 

"That's a really nice story,"  Emma says, a tone of disbelief in her voice.  

 

"It's the truth.  And now, let's you and I talk about where we are now,"  says Katherine.  "You know my secret, and I know yours.  We both have something to lose here, Emma, but ask yourself this.......who has more to lose?  Me?  Or you and your mother.  If Bobby and Kevin find out the truth about your baby's paternity, you and Ann will lose them both.  I've known Bobby Ewing a lot longer than you have, and he is NOT a man who will tolerate being lied to.  And what about Lucas? He's Bobby son and he was lied to his whole life about who his father was.  If he finds out you've kept his son from him, do you think for one minute that he wouldn't take that baby away from you faster than you can bat an eye?  We both know how the Ewings feel about children and family.  So, it looks like we have each other by the throat.  Now, here's what we're going to do.  I keep my mouth shut about your little secret, and you do the same about mine."

 

"Deal,"  Emma says, realizing she has no choice.

 

"Good.  I'm glad that we understand each other.  At least your smarter than your father."  Katherine walks to the door and starts to leave the room, then turns back to her.  "Remember, Emma.......you breathe one word about this to ANYONE, and I promise I will blow you and Ann out of the water.  You'll lose everything."  Without another word, Katherine walks out of the room.

 

 

 

 

 

"It's not that simple,"  Emma says quietly after Katherine has left.  "I don't trust you to keep your mouth shut, Katherine, and as you said, I have much more to lose than you do.  So does my mother.  So I'm gonna have to try and find SOME way to neutralize you.  Or better yet.......get rid of you all together."

 

"Hey.....Gabby,"  Alex says, feeling awkward.  "Ummm, I should just......go."

 

"No, dude, you don't have to,"  Nick says.

 

"Alex, you stay,"  says Gabby as she stands.  "I really have to get going.  I still have some homework to do."

 

Nick smiles.  "I'm so glad you came by," he says, kissing her again.

 

"Me, too.  I'll see you guys at school tomorrow."

 

"Bye,"  Alex says as Gabby walks past him and leaves the room.

 

"Sorry,"  Alex says to Nick after she leaves.  "I didn't mean to interrupt.  I should've knocked or something."

 

 

"Nah, bro, it's cool,"  Nick says.  "She had to leave anyway."

 

"Oh,"  Alex says, taking a seat on his bed.  

 

"So, did you have fun with your brother today?"

 

"Yeah, I did.  We went and had a couple burgers over at Gott's Roadside......"

 

"Oh, I love that place,"  Nick says.

 

"Yeah, me, too.  And then we went and played some pool."

 

"I'm glad you had fun."

"Thanks,"  Alex says.  "Umm, Jonathon said that, if I needed to, I could come and stay with him."

 

"Oh?  You thinking about taking him up on it?"  Nick asks.

 

"Well, I mean, not if it's okay for me to stay here.  I don't wanna crowd you, man.  I know you need your privacy."

 

Nick smiles.  "Dude, what are you talking about?  We have THREE other bedrooms in this house if either of us gets tired of the other.  Besides, I love having my best friend around.  It's nice to have someone to talk to at night before going to sleep."

 

"Yeah, it is,"  says Alex.  

 

"My parents are crazy about you, and they already said you can stay here as long as you want or need to.  And as far as I'm concerned, you can say here forever."

 

Alex lowers his head.  "That means a lot, man.  I think I'm gonna go take a shower.  I have some reading to do for school tomorrow."

 

"Okay."

 

Alex reaches over and unzips his bag on the floor.  He takes out a pair of socks and a pair of boxers, then walks to the door to leave the room.  After a brief pause, he turns and looks at his friend.  "Nick," he says.

 

"Yeah, man?"

 

Alex again pauses.  "Thanks.  For everything."

 

"No problem, brother."

 

Alex nods, then walks out of the room, closing the door behind him.  In the hallway outside, he leans against Nick's bedroom door.  His bottom lip begins to tremble as he struggles to fight back tears.  But, unable to, the tears come and he begins to cry.  A few seconds later, he proceeds down the hall and into the bathroom.  

 

 

 

Chang-Li walks into the foyer at Falcon Crest to answer the ringing doorbell.  He opens it and Julia is there.

 

"Mrs. Cumson,"  he says.  

 

"Hello, Chang-Li.  Is Mr. Channing at home?"  Julia asks.

 

"Yes, he is.  Please come in."

 

"Thank you."

 

"Julia, hello,"  Richard says, walking into the foyer from his office. He greets his sister with a hug and a kiss on the cheek.

 

"Hello, Richard."

 

"I didn't even realize you were back in town."

 

"I just got back a couple of days ago,"  says Julia.  "Richard, I need to speak with you.  It's very important."

 

"Oh, certainly,  Step into my office."

 

"Can I get you anything, Mrs. Cumson?"  Chang-Li asks.

 

"No, thank you, I'm fine."

 

"Chang-Li, make sure we aren't disturbed,"  Richard says as he and Julia go into the office.  He closes the sliding glass doors behind them.  "Well, now what's so urgent?"

 

"Richard, I need your help,"  says Julia.  "I've been having these nightmares for a while now.  For months, but lately, they're becoming more and more frequent."

 

"And what are the nightmares about?"  

 

"Falcon Crest.  Richard, I've been having flashes of........I dunno, memories, I suppose.  I think my nightmares are memories, and I'm afraid.  I am SO afraid."

 

Richard walks over and takes her hand.  "Now just calm down, Julia, and tell me........what are the memories of?"

 

"I think that........dear God, Richard, I think that I am the one who sabotaged the wine at Falcon Crest.  I remember it so clearly, but, only bits and pieces.  What it's true?  What if I did do something to sabotage that wine?  I could be the one responsible for Lance losing Falcon Crest."

 

"Julia, now that's just ridiculous.  Why on earth would YOU want to sabotage the wine at Falcon Crest?"  Richard asks.

 

Julia looks at him, her eyes filling with tears.  "Because someone forced me to."

 

"Who, Julia?  Who forced you to tamper with the wine?"

 

"I don't know, Richard.  But, for some reason I cannot explain........I think it was Jeremy Lord."

 

"Jeremy Lord?"  Richard asks, his anger rising up inside of him.  

 

"Richard, I don't even know if any of this is real.  What it isn't?  What if I'm just losing my mind like I did years ago?"

 

"Julia, now you listen to me.  You are NOT losing your mind.  This sounds exactly like something our dear half-brother would be capable of doing.  Don't you worry.  We're going to find out what's going on, and I promise you, if Jeremy Lord did something to you, I'm going to make that sick son of a bitch pay."

"Elena never tells me anything these days, except how pissed she is at me,"  Michael says.  

 

"I'm really sorry, Michael,"  Kevin says.  

 

"It's not your fault, Kevin.  It's mine.  Y'know, man, all I wanted to do was help Elena get her son back.  I also blame Josh McQueen for this.  He double crossed me."

 

"I still have a hard time believing that Josh is actually Vicky's son.  After all the years we've known him.  I just can't help but to wonder if we had known that back when we were all growing up, how different things might've been.  If only Dad hadn't kept that from us all those years."

 

"Dad did what he had to do, Kevin.  I guess he was trying to protect Josh and his adoptive parents from the truth.  And, possibly Vicky, too."

 

"So what are you gonna do about Elena?"  Kevin asks.

 

Michael looks at his brother.  "I love my wife, man.  And I'm gonna fight like hell to get her back.  Any way I have to," Michael says with determination. 

"Yes, as a matter of fact, we have,"  Sheriff Griffin replies. 

 

"You've found Brian Jeffries?"  Josh asks.

 

"No, we haven't found Jeffries, and we never will.  McQueen, Brian Jeffries doesn't exist."

 

A look of confusion and frustration comes over Josh's face.  "What?  What do you mean, he doesn't exist?"

 

Sheriff Griffin hands Josh a piece of paper with a photo on it.  "Is this the young man you knew as Brian Jeffries?"

 

 

Josh takes the paper and looks at the photo.  "Yes, that's him.  That's Brian Jeffries."

 

"No, it's not,"  Sheriff Griffin says.  

 

"What the hell do you mean, it's NOT?" Asks an angry Josh.

 

"Brian Jeffries is an alias,"  Whitaker replies.  "His real name is Brian Manning.  23-years-old, and he's had a few minor scraps with the law in the past, mostly during his late teenage years."

 

"Well now that you know Jeffries's real identity, it should be easier for you to find him,"  Vicky says.

 

"We have a nation wide all points bulletin out on Manning, aka Jeffries," Whitaker says.  "We have reason to believe Manning may be in Texas."

 

"Texas?"  Lisa asks.  "Why, Texas?"

 

"Brian Manning was spotted at a bus station in Dallas several days ago,"  Whitaker says.  "We've alerted the authorities there."

 

"Why would Jeffries, or Manning, or whatever his name is, go to Dallas, of all places?"  Josh asks.

 

"Maybe Manning figured Dallas is as good a place as any to hide out for a while."

 

"Is it possible he knows someone there?"  Lisa asks.

 

"Don't know, but we're sure gonna find out."

 

"I really can't get over the irony in this,"  Vicky says.

 

"What do you mean, Mrs. Lord?"  Sheriff Griffin asks.  

"Several of the people who were injured in that explosion at Richard Channing's house last summer were from Dallas," Vicky replies, arousing the curiosity of everyone in the room.  

"I don't know how you managed it, Jeremy, but I know you were behind what happened to that wine, and what happened to Julia,"  Richard says.  "All those weeks last year that Julia was missing after she left the convent, you probably had her stashed away somewhere, brainwashing her to do your dirty work.  But the truth is about to come out, brother, because Julia is starting to remember."

 

"You're really listening to the ravings of a woman who spent more than thirty years locked away for murder?"  Jeremy asks.

 

"Julia remembers bits and pieces of what happened to her during those missing weeks," says Richard.  "And it's only a matter of time, with the help of a therapist, before Julia remembers everything, and when that happens........I swear if it's the last thing I do, I'll make you pay.  I'll make you regret the day that our father met your mother."

 

"Get out!"  Jeremy says angrily.  "Get the HELL OUT OF MY OFFICE OR I'LL THROW YOU OUT MYSELF!"

 

"You seem awfully nervous for a man who claims to be innocent,"  Richard says.  He walks to the door, then turns back to his half-brother.  "Your days are numbered, Jeremy.  I'm bringing you down, and hard,"  he says, then leaves.

 

After Richard is gone, Jeremy is fuming with anger.  He walks to his desk, his drink in his hand.  He stares at the glass of bourbon in his hand for a moment, then, unable to control his rage, he hurls the glass across the room, smashing against the door.  He picks up his cell phone from his desk and dials a number.  On the third ring, a man answers.  "This is Jeremy Lord.  We have a very serious problem. Or I should say, YOU have a very serious problem.  You assured me that Julia Cumson would never be able to remember anything about being brainwashed to do my bidding, and yet now, it would appear that Julia's memory of that time is returning.  Take care of this, IMMEDIATELY, or I can promise you that I will take care of YOU in a way that you aren't going to enjoy."  Jeremy ends the call, then puts the phone down, a look of pure rage on his face....