"Have you got a minute?" Travis brusquely enters David's office and waits impatiently by the door for a reply.

"Sure." David resists the urge to gulp and remains calm as Travis approaches his desk. "What can I help you with?"

"Adrienne." After pulling out a chair, Travis sits down and places his hands flat on the desk. Staring at them, he continues in a low pitched voice. "I know she's having an affair because... I caught her in bed with another man. Do you know who it might have been?"

David feels a terrifying sensation as Travis looks up and stares at him. He knows. Oh my God…he knows it was me. "I don't…"

Travis waves a hand, "I'm sorry. Of course you wouldn't know."

"Well don't you? I thought you said you caught her in bed…"

"I did but I never saw the man's face."

Thank you God. "Perhaps it was just a one off thing. A fling. You should discuss it with Adrienne."

"No." Travis shakes his head. "I don't think so. We've barely talked since it happened. But I just wish to God I knew who she was sleeping with so I could take care of him once and for all."

Noticing Travis's hand clenching into a fist, David begins to sweat and starts to shuffle papers on his desk nervously. The uneasy silence only exacerbates the tension but Travis seems completely unaware of it.

Why isn't he leaving? "Okay Travis. I suggest you wait until your daughter goes back to England and then talk it through. You might be able to work your way past it."

"Is that the kind of thing you used to do with Stephanie?" Travis asks innocently, still blissfully ignorant of the truth behind the Elliott marriage.

"Something along those lines…yes."

"Maybe you're right. Thanks David." Travis lifts a hand to wave goodbye and exits the office.

David exhales sharply with relief and slouches down in his leather chair, the anxiety beginning to subside. He ponders whether it would be so bad if Travis found out. After all, it wouldn't be so bad to have an open relationship with Adrienne. But maybe what I really enjoy is the danger. The possibility seems to ring true for David and he starts to remember what Adrienne told him about visiting Stephanie. That is too much danger for him.

"I'll keep her under control." David reassures himself. "Even if it means keeping her locked up and throwing away the goddamn key."

San Francisco General Hospital: San Francisco

Pushing the door open, Lauren enters John's hospital room and finds him stood up fully dressed. He is leaning over a black overnight bag on the bed and packing his belongings into it. When he hears the door open he spins round to see who it is and Lauren stands there staring at the floor. She seems pale and her eyes look as though they are bloodshot. "Thank God you turned up. Isabelle just called and said you didn't make it to a board meeting."

"What?" The words don't register for Lauren and her face shows an expression of annoyance mixed with confusion.

"Are you okay?" John approaches her, his arms outstretched and he pulls her into an embrace. Her unusually tangled hair brushes against his cheek and he frowns when he notices how tense her body is against his.

"I'm fine." Lauren grits her teeth and roughly pulls away from him. She begins to wring her hands and closes her eyes, the throbbing headache returning.

"No you're not. Look at yourself!" John attempts to turn her towards a mirror but she shakes him off.

"Get off me! What do you care anyway?" The words slip out without any prior thought and even though Lauren knows that what she is saying is wrong, she cannot control the bitter tirade that she begins to direct towards her husband. "It's not as if I mean anything to you! I bet you've been having a grand time stuck in here. It gives you even more opportunity to see Mindy."

"She left town. You know that." John is frightened by this attitude and tries to reason with her.

Lauren shakes her head. "She…It was probably an excuse. Just so I wouldn't suspect anything."

"What are you talking about? This isn't you Lauren."

"Don't pretend you know me! You don't know who I am! You don't know what I've done!" Her arms flailing, Lauren inadvertently scratches John's face.

He puts fingers to his cheek and wipes blood away from the stinging wound. "You need help. I don't know what's wrong with you."

Lauren begins to compose herself and the foggy confusion leaves her mind. Running over what has just happened in her brain, she is shocked. Her voice even she attempts to make amends. "Jesus, John I'm so sorry. Let me look at that…"

John rejects Lauren's outstretched arm and goes to the bed where he grabs his overnight bag. "Don't bother. I've never seen you like this and I don't like it. So until you can sort out whatever the hell is wrong with you, I'll be sleeping in one of the guest bedrooms at home. And don't bother giving me a ride. I'll make my own way home."

"John don't…" Lauren runs after him as he leaves the room and her voice echoes down the corridor. "I'm sorry!"

She drops back against a wall and clenches her eyes shut trying to decide what she can do. "I can't let this control me. I didn't kill him, mother did."

"You helped her cover it up. You are just as responsible…Murderer!"

What is happening to me? She puts a hand to her mouth and fights the urge to let her tears flow.

Donna's Apartment: San Francisco

"Ugh." Donna runs a hand through her hair and shuts the door behind her. After being at the hospital since last night she feels like she needs to collapse. But first she needs to check her messages.

Stepping down the small enclosed hallway, she presses the retrieve button on her answering machine and listens as an electronic voice informs her that she has one message.

Michael soon begins to talk on the tape and Donna listens. "Donna we need to talk. It's your father. Call me right away."

Shocked, Donna turns the machine off and yanks the phone towards her ear, dialing Michael's number.

"Don't bother." A male voice suggests from behind her and she spins round to see Bobby sitting relaxed in a cream wing backed chair. He stares at her and grins coldly.

The phone she was holding drops to the wooden floor with a clatter and she backs up towards the table behind her. "How did you get in here?"

Bobby laughs, "I have my ways."

"Well I'd like you to leave." Rushing towards the front door, Donna opens it but she flinches as Bobby's arm appears at her side and slams it shut.

"There's no need for that my dear." He whispers in her ear.

"What do you want?" Donna wriggles her way past him and takes comfort in the airy open space of the living room.

"I've got news for you."

"Don't tell me. You killed someone right?"

"You always think the worst." Bobby picks up a small ornamental statue and begins to scan it with his eyes.

"So what is it?"

"Well you've been very reluctant about coming back to New York." Bobby slams the statue down and smiles when the head breaks off in his hands. Amused by the occurrence, he drops the head to the floor with a bang.

"With good reason." Watching her father take over her apartment begins to make Donna bitter and she crosses her arms protectively. The last thing she needs to do is lash out.

"So…I've bought an apartment here in sunny San Francisco. Would you believe it? Me living in the golden state? Because believe it or not sweetheart I'm anything but golden."

"I believe it. Why have you come here? Can't you just leave me alone?"

"If Mohammed won't come to the mountain then the mountain must come to Mohammed. Most people would be grateful to have their family around them."

Donna lowers her voice and responds testily. "I'm not one of them."

"That's a shame. Because I'm staying here…permanently." Stepping towards his daughter, Bobby kisses her on the cheek and she remains frozen to the spot with terror. Tilting her chin with his hand, he smiles menacingly at her before leaving the apartment.

Masters Mansion: San Francisco

"I know. It's going to be hell." Danielle leans back on the high, well-padded bed and shifts uncomfortably as a mountain of pillows. I should've known…Mom. She makes herself comfortable and grips the phone to her ear.

A smile appears as she listens to the response. "Yes you are lucky to be getting out of it. I know that flying home with me was a big sacrifice especially as you won't meet my family. You're not too upset are you? Good. Listen, my parents are going out tonight so why don't you come over?"

Her ears straining, Danielle hears footsteps coming down the hallway and she starts to panic, speaking in a whisper. "Someone's coming I've got to go. See you tonight. Love you." Dropping the phone down into the cradle, Danielle drops her head onto the pillows and shuts her eyes pretending to be asleep as her door opens. How did I know you wouldn't knock? Now it is obvious who it must be.

"Danni?" Adrienne whispers. "Are you awake?"

Resisting the urge to roll her eyes and snap back with a sarcastic retort, Danielle pretends to wake and pulls herself up into a sitting position. Adrienne places herself on the side of the bed and pushes her daughter's hair out of her eyes. "I just wanted to know whether you felt like coming to your grandfather's business dinner this evening. I'm sure he'd love to introduce you to some of his associates."

Danielle squints as if thinking about the idea. "No, I'm still too tired. The barbecue tomorrow will be enough."

"Alright I understand. You can have the place to yourself and get some rest so you're bright and cheerful for the party…It's so good to have you home."

"It's good to be home mom." Danielle replies sincerely and squeezes Adrienne's hand in hers.

"I just wish your brother could have come home too. Never mind."

"Yeah, he'll come home when he can."

"Okay, well I better go and get ready. Do you want to help me pick out something to wear?"

"Sure." Danielle jumps up and follows Adrienne down the hallway towards her bedroom.

Wheeler Estate: Napa Valley

On the verge of picking up the phone to call Donna, Michael is sidetracked when he notices Lauren storming in through the front door.

"John?" She screams out. "John?"

Michael runs out and stops her as she is about to run up the stairs. "Hey sis, whatcha doing?"

"Looking for John. Have you seen him?"

"Ah." The expression on Michael's face turns to discomfort.

"What do you mean ah?" Lauren steps off the staircase and confronts her brother.

"He wasn't too happy. He dumped all his bags in the guest bedroom down the hallway from yours and then went back out again. I don't know what happened…"

"Save it." Lauren snaps. "I don't want you getting involved."

"I wasn't going to." Michael attempts to remain conciliatory. "But it's obvious you need to find him and I was going to suggest checking the hospital. He might have gone back to see Adam."

"No. It's his problem." Putting a hand to her forehead, Lauren starts to run up the stairs and with a frustrated sigh Michael goes back to the drawing room.

He heads directly for the phone and picks it up dialing Donna's number. A few rings pass before she replies. "Hello?" Her voice is shaky.

"Donna? I've been waiting for you to call me. Didn't you get my message?"

"Yes. But my father was here."

Michael pauses, "What did he want?"

"Just to terrorize me again it seems. I can't handle this. I'm on the verge of skipping town…"

"You can't do that." Michael is adamant. "We've got to ride it out. Once he gets it into his head that you're not going back to New York he'll back off. I can't see him killing his own daughter."

"I can. And even if he didn't he might kill you." Donna replies bluntly. "Anyway that's not the problem now. He's moved to San Francisco permanently."

The words enter Michael's head like a thunderbolt. At first the shock prevents him from registering them but when he takes in what Donna has said, he tries to be positive. "I doubt he'll stay for long. Even if I did want to leave town with you…I couldn't. Things are too hectic around here and I'm worried about Lauren. She's been acting very strangely."

"I know. I'm just panicking."

"Well don't. Perhaps I can cheer you up anyway. Remember how much you enjoyed the last family gathering?"

Donna chuckles, "Enjoyed? It was the highlight of my life!"

"Then you'll be pleased to know we're having another one tomorrow night. You can come. I thought it would be perfect to make the announcement we've been planning."

There is a silent gap in the conversation. "Okay. Does anyone have any idea what we've got planned? I want it to be a surprise."

"I haven't told anyone. I didn't want your father finding out." Michael begins to think about how the secret they've been hiding for the past couple of days might inflame Bobby even further.

"We've just got to risk it. Tell your family we'll be making an announcement. I want them to be ready."

Palace Hotel: San Francisco

With a groan, Mindy tosses down the magazine she has been reading and jumps up to answer the door. When she pulls it open she is pleasantly surprised and her sour expression is replaced with a smile. "John? What are you doing here?"

"I need to talk to somebody."

"Sure…" Mindy is hesitant as John strides past her into the hotel suite and she shuts the door behind her before following him in. "Make yourself comfortable."

Without replying, John drops down onto a sofa by the window and looks around the suite as Mindy prepares him a drink.

"Is there something I can help you with?" She steps over and hands him a glass half filled with scotch.

"Have you said anything to Lauren…about us?"

"No…why?"

"Because she's got it into her head that we're carrying on some sort of affair behind her back. She came to pick me up from the hospital today and acted completely irrationally."

"You're back home?" Mindy begins to panic. If he's sleeping with Lauren again then I need to get the tape recorder out of her bedroom quickly.

"Yeah…in a separate bedroom. We had a huge argument and I left Lauren at the hospital."

"Separate rooms." Mindy tries to hide her smile. It's working out perfectly. "I don't want to tell tales out of school…but when you were in the hospital she was pretty aggressive towards me. Another doctor even had to calm her down."

John sits forward, "So it's not just me she's been acting crazy with?"

"Oh no. I sensed something very wrong with her too. Perhaps she's just feeling insecure. It can't have been easy for your ex-wife to just pop up out of the blue…especially with a son."

"But it's not just insecurity. It's as if…It's as if she's going insane." John feels a pang of guilt upon saying the words.

Mindy gets up from her seat and walks over to John perching herself on the table in front of him. "If it would help, you can stay here for tonight. There's a spare couch."

John shakes his head, "I can't. I know I've got to face Lauren. I can't run away from it."

"You know I am always here for you." Mindy slides forwards and passes her hand over his. He begins to breathe heavily as she gets closer.

"Yes. I know."

"Good." Mindy replies huskily.

Giving into his urges, John pulls Mindy towards him and kisses her passionately. She makes a small moan of approval and pushes him down onto the sofa, struggling to unbutton his shirt. After she pins him down, he suddenly jumps bolt upright and pushes her off.

"No!"

"What do you mean no?" Mindy pulls at her dishevelled clothes infuriated.

"I don't want to use you. You don't deserve it."

Use me god dammit! "You're not using me! It's what we both want!"

"No it's not." John gets up and shakes his head. "I can't betray Lauren just because we're having one little problem. I made that mistake before."

"With me?"

"That's not what I meant."

"Oh I think it is!" Mindy hisses and stands firm, her rigid demeanor making John anxious.

"I didn't want to argue with you. Just let it go."

"You can't just kiss me and then do this. I should've known. You won't have to worry about temptation any more because as soon as Adam is ready I'm moving back to Los Angeles and taking him with me."

The decision stuns John like a slap around the face and his mouth drops open. "Please…you can't."

"Why? Your name isn't even on his birth certificate. I don't think I'd have too much trouble in keeping you away."

"I'm sorry." John is almost begging. "Please…just don't take him away."

Savoring the moment of power, Mindy holds off from responding and watches John squirm. "Alright. Maybe I'm being hasty."

"Oh God. Thank you." John replies breathlessly.

"Now if Lauren is so damn important to you, I suggest you go home before I change my mind."

Without saying a word, John scurries to leave the hotel room and as soon as he has shut the door Mindy smiles at the success of her threat. Now she knows that she has got him under control. Just like Lauren.

Thinking of her changes Mindy's train of thought and she picks up the phone, dialing a number in San Diego.

"Hello? Barbara?"

"This is she." Barbara Sanderson answers haughtily. She immediately recognizes the voice.

"It's Mindy here. About what we discussed the other night. I've found a great way of getting better access to Lauren."

"And what might that be?" The tone of Barbara's voice indicates how superior she believes herself to be and Mindy rolls her eyes.

"I found out in the paper that the Wheelers are having a family barbecue. Of course Lauren will be there and thanks to me she's getting crazier and crazier. I think this little gathering would be the perfect opportunity to slip our plan into high gear."

"Give me the details."

Before replying, Mindy grins, satisfied. Oh Barbara. You're playing right into my hands…

Wheeler Estate: Napa Valley

"Mom. Shouldn't you be at home enjoying married bliss?" Michael kisses Isabelle on the cheek and leads her into the kitchen where Pilar is making him supper. He sits on a stool and gives the maid an appreciative smile. Pilar winks back.

"I would be but Greg's out to dinner and I thought I should come and check up on Lauren."

Michael's frown indicates that he doesn't have happy news. "She's in bed. She was tired apparently."

"Is that all?" Isabelle places her purse down on the kitchen counter and faces her son.

"No. I get the feeling she had a fight with John at the hospital. You know…she's been acting really strangely for the past few days."

"Yes I've noticed." Isabelle appears concerned. "Maybe I should go and talk with her."

As Isabelle stands, she hears screaming coming from upstairs and followed by Michael she races through the hallway and up the staircase towards the noise. It is coming from Lauren's bedroom. Throwing the door open she sees Lauren writhing around on the bed.

"It wasn't me! It wasn't me! Please!"

"Lauren!" Isabelle shouts and runs over. She shakes her daughter until she awakens.

"Mom! Help me…" Sobbing Lauren falls into her mother's arms. As Isabelle begins to stroke her hair she turns and looks at Michael standing in the doorway. They both exchange horrified glances and watch as Lauren shakes violently, tears falling down her face.

Masters Mansion: San Francisco

"That's it Travis. I'm not ending it like this." Julia talks to herself as she pulls her car up outside the mansion and frowns when she notices one light on through a front window.

Stepping out of the car, Julia heads towards the front door but curiosity gets the better of her and she sneaks across the gravel towards the window where two shadows can be seen on the wall. Crouching down to find out who is in there, Julia peers up over the window ledge and realizes that Danielle's back is towards her. But she seems to be talking to someone.

"Tell me Adrienne isn't here." Julia crosses her fingers and keeps watching. Suddenly, an arm cranes around Danielle's body and Julia smirks as she watches what is obviously an embrace. After a moment, Danielle moves backwards and parts lips with her lover causing Julia to gasp in shock when she sees the other person.

"Oh my God. It's a woman!"

Madison Central Sanitarium: San Francisco

Leaning back on her bed, Stephanie mutters to herself about the annoying lights that are keeping her awake. Why can't they turn the damn things off? She rolls over to face the wall but instinctively turns again when she hears a key being placed in the lock of her door. A muscular and angry looking guard enters.

"What is it?" Stephanie asks politely.

The guard does not reply and steps out of the way to allow someone else to enter.

"Hello Stephanie." David enters and fixes an icy glare on his ex-wife. "I think we need to talk. Don't you?"

Next on Power and Deception

-David gives Stephanie a warning and her doctors have news...

-Guy and Cassie put their plan into action with shocking results...

-Danielle is faced with a dilemma...

-Donna and Michael make their announcement...

-Julia and Bobby get closer...

-Thw Wheeler barbecue is thrown into chaos...