"Pilar, can you answer it?" Lauren calls out as she hears the doorbell ringing from the pool side. There is no response and acting with annoyance, Lauren grabs a white shirt from her side to wear over her bikini. I hope I don't scare them off. She thinks to herself, worried about her unsuitable attire.

As soon as she sees the identity of her visitor threw the glass panels at the side of the front door, she hesitates. "What the hell is she doing here?" Lauren says aloud and cautiously pulls the door open.

"Let me in." Mindy demands, her body shaking. Her hair is a mess and she is not wearing any make-up.

"What happened to you?" Lauren asks as she follows Mindy into the living room. She stands by the door having learnt her lesson from the fights they've had before. If she's desperate enough she'll try anything.

"Like you don't know you bitch!"

"Calm down. There are other people in the house." Lauren warns.

"I don't care." Mindy spits in response and clenches her hands into fists at her side. "I got the message from that psychopath you hired. I'm going back to Los Angeles."

"Psychopath? What are you babbling about?" Lauren is unable to resist the opportunity to taunt her nemesis. "You really should try to be more coherent Mindy. I speak from experience when I say that the smallest things will make people think you're crazy."

"Cute." Mindy sneers. "But I'm not here to spar with you. I've come to get Adam and go back to LA."

Any sense of security that Lauren has been feeling is quick to disappear. "Oh no. Adam's not here."

"Then I'll wait until he gets back. I'm not leaving without him."

"Yes Mindy you are. Adam may not be my son but there is no way in hell that I would let him live with you after everything you've done. You are dangerous and psychotic and you are not taking John's son away from him."

"He's my son!" Mindy screams back at her.

Lauren raises her voice, "You gave up any right you may have had to that child when you tried to kill me! His step-mother! Do you honestly think you could be a decent mother to him anyway? How could a woman as duplicitous as you possibly raise a child to be normal, healthy and well balanced?"

"I managed before!"

"Well you're not going to manage again! I don't know what the 'psychopath' you referred to had to say, but I can venture to guess that he tried to persuade you to leave town. I suggest you accept defeat and follow his very sound advice."

Mindy's eyes begin to fill with tears and her voice breaks but Lauren remains unmoved, convinced that it is an act. "You can't take my baby away from me."

"Cut the crocodile tears. This is John's decision as well as mine and we think that Adam would be better off staying here with us. So just go back home. Maybe if you get help, we can arrange visitation rights."

"I can't get another flight until tomorrow." Mindy wipes her eyes, slightly appeased by Lauren's offer.

"Then we'll just have to wait won't we. John will bring Adam to say goodbye at the airport. Don't try anything before then. I'm warning you."

"Fine." Mindy continues to dab at her eyes with a tissue as she moves through the house to the front door. "Goodbye Lauren."

Masters Mansion: San Francisco

"See? It was a good weekend wasn't it." Travis address Adrienne with enthusiasm as they enter the house despite the fact that she has forced him to carry her belongings.

"Yes it was very agreeable." Adrienne replies with as much sincerity as she can muster. She is interrupted from having to gush any further when Isabelle appears in the hallway and walks towards them.

"Hello you two. Had fun?"

"Yes it was wonderful." Travis fills what could have been a very awkward silence.

"Good. I've got some news for you which should make your weekend complete."

"You're leaving?" Adrienne remarks with a smirk.

"You wish." Isabelle grins back at her before turning to face Travis who seems to be much less hostile. "Greg and Danielle have finally buried the hatchet. They've sorted through their differences."

Adrienne's mood visibly brightens, "That's great. What caused it?"

"Somewhat unhappy circumstances unfortunately. Danielle found out that Courtney had been…uh…cheating on her and she went back to England with whoever this new woman was."

"She cheated on my daughter?" Travis is infuriated.

"Don't worry." Isabelle assures him. "Danielle and Greg are on their way to Oxford as we speak. Little Miss Perkins won't get off lightly."

"I should hope not. Hopefully my father will crush the little tramp."

"Yes…" Travis is obviously perturbed by his wife's remark and heads up the staircase to unpack. He beckons Isabelle to follow him and they begin discussing Danielle in greater detail. When they are out of sight, Adrienne picks up the phone and calls the Elliott house.

"Yo." Adrienne is surprised when a youth answers and tries to decide who it might be.

"Hello could I speak to David Elliott please? Perhaps I've got the wrong number…"

"No you haven't. I'll go and get him for you." Adrienne can hear Tommy shouting to get his father's attention. "Hey Dad, it's another one of your women on the phone."

Adrienne raises an eyebrow as David angrily snatches the phone away from his son. "Hello?"

"David, it's Adrienne. I'm back from hell."

"I knew you couldn't make your marriage work for long." David replies smugly. "You want to meet up?"

"Yes but not tonight. It will look suspicious. Meet me tomorrow at 6 at the Marriott."

"Sure. See you then."

Cotswold Lodge Hotel: Oxford

"It's quaint." Danielle says to Greg as they wait in the foyer of the hotel for someone to show them to their room. Off the foyer there is a small restaurant which is liberally filled with late diners and several middle-aged businessman sitting at the bar.

"It does have a certain charm." Greg agrees. "And it's close enough to the Perkins house so that we don't have to travel too far. You weren't planning on doing it tonight were you? I mean we can if you want to…"

"Oh God no." Danielle replies, rubbing her eyes. "I don't think collapsing from exhaustion is an effective way of dealing with Courtney, especially at midnight."

"You need to get some sleep." Greg urges with a concerned expression. "It's going to be even worse when we fly home."

Danielle groans, "Don't remind me. I just hope it's going to be worth the jetlag."

"It will be…" Before Greg can finish his sentence, a porter approaches them from behind and speaks quietly not wishing to make a lot of noise.

"I'll show you to your rooms now."

"Thanks." Danielle smiles at him. "I need all the sleep I can get."

Santadio Mansion: New York

It is the next morning and the lawn in the garden of the mansion is relatively quiet except for the trickle of water from a large ornate fountain. But several people are gathered by the swimming pool, silently listening as the unprepared wedding ceremony comes to a close.

"And by the power invested in me, I now pronounce you man and wife." The justice of the peace turns to face Bobby. "You may now kiss the bride."

Smiling, Bobby turns to Julia who is yet again wearing white and cups her face in his hands. Leaning forwards, he plants a kiss on her lips and the members of the small congregation behind them clap their hands with enthusiasm.

As Julia turns to mingle with her guests, Bobby turns to his best man Giorgio and grins. "All my problems are about to be solved."

"She may have signed the new will and married you Roberto, but the job's only half done. Remember that."

"I will." Bobby turns and flashes a smile at Julia across the lawn where she is talking to the justice of the peace. "But I may as well have some fun first."

Bay Café: San Francisco

"Over here!" Jessica waves a hand in the air as Donna enters the café and beckons her over to the table where she is sitting with Tommy.

"It's been a long time since I've been here." Donna says with a half hearted smile as she sets her purse down on the table and sits down. "Before you went to Australia I think."

"I suppose you've been busy." Tommy replies.

"Yes I have. But it's all worth it. The STD clinic is due to open in September if we keep on schedule and the hospital board has been a lot more supportive than I first imagined it would be."

"What about the budget?" Jessica queries. "Is that under control? If we need more money, I can get Cassie to draw up a proposal for the Wheeler foundation."

Donna allays her fears with a wave of her hand. "Money's fine. We haven't needed to do a lot of building work. You can come and visit the clinic if you'd like."

"That would be great." Jessica's smile turns into a frown when she remembers what happened this morning. "Um…by the way Donna. What was your phone call all about this morning when you were trying to find my Mom?"

"Oh that." Donna looks at Tommy to see if he is listening but seemingly disinterested by the turn in conversation, he is staring across the café. "I wanted to talk to Julia before the wedding."

"Why?"

"To be blunt I didn't want her to go through with it. It's too late now I guess."

Jessica taps the table top. "Yeah. It was an impulsive thing obviously. She did call me a few minutes ago though. She's enjoying the honeymoon period but she might get Jake to fly to New York in a few days."

At least he'll be able to protect her. Maybe there isn't anything wrong… "I guess it's just something we're going to have to live with." Donna replies, smiling weakly and noting to herself that thanks to the impromptu ceremony, she is now conversing with her step-sister.

Perkins House: Oxford

The car which Greg has hired is discreetly parked across the street from Courtney's home and he and Danielle have been sat there watching as Mrs Perkins steps out of the house.

"Spritely isn't she?" Danielle comments noticing the absence of any illness whatsoever.

Greg remains silent, watching as the woman hops into a modest sized car and drives off down the street.

Sure that the coast is clear, Danielle looks over at her grandfather, "Are you coming?"

"You know I can stay here if you want to do this alone." He offers.

"No." Danielle shakes her head. "I work fine with an audience. Besides, if she starts trying to claw my eyes out or something, I'll need someone there to help me."

Chuckling, Greg gets out of the and follows Danielle who is already half way across the quiet suburban street. When they get to the house, Danielle takes a deep breath and walks up the driveway before confidently pushing the door bell.

"Coming." They hear a female voice from inside the house and shortly afterwards the door is pulled open. Seeing Danielle's stony expression makes Courtney gasp. "Danni? What are you doing here?" She asks.

"Which member of your harem were you expecting? The one you were kissing at the airport?"

"Harem?" Courtney is visibly confused. "I think you better come in."

As if already anticipating the invitation, Danielle steps inside the house half way through Courtney's sentence. Greg follows and wrings his hands, unsure of what to do with himself.

"So." Danielle rejects an offer to take a seat. "Are you going to explain what's been going on?"

"I'm really not sure…"

Danielle sighs, "Yes you are. You told me you came home because your mother was sick and yet I just saw her leaving here looking positively bouncy with good health."

"She's better now."

"Please don't even bother lying to me. I know you didn't come home to be with your mother. Who was the girl I saw you with at the airport?"

"Pardon me?"

"As you were boarding the plane. Who was she?"

Courtney puts her head in her hands, "Danni, this has all been a mistake."

"Yeah." Danielle scoffs. "Because you got caught. All my life I've lived around people who have lied and schemed to get what they want. I never though you were one of them."

"I'm not. You know that." Raising her head, Courtney flicks her blonde hair behind her and stares at Greg obviously hoping he will step in and defend her. But he remains silent. "Can't we start again? You know you need me…"

"Oh you are arrogant aren't you? I do not need a two-timing liar in my life contrary to what you may believe and I'm not going to waste any time crying over you or feeling sorry for myself."

"Please don't be like this."

Danielle looks at her with disdain but struggling to retain her dignity, she stifles the harsh words she would like to mutter. "I know the truth and I've finished what I came here to do. Now I think it would be best if we didn't speak to each other again."

With a quick glance over at Greg, indicating for him to follow her, Danielle makes her way towards the front door.

"Danni wait!" Courtney catches up with them.

"Goodbye Courtney." Danielle replies with a glare and she hurries to leave the house.

Santadio Mansion: New York

Julia enters the master bedroom, glad that all of the guests have gone home and checks her appearance in the mirror. After brushing minute pieces of lint from her brilliant white suit, she runs a hand down her legs to smooth her stockings and glances around, bored with primping herself.

Bobby made a beeline for his study straight after the ceremony but promised that he will come up to the bedroom when he has finished the business he so urgently needs to take care of.

Thinking about what she is going to be doing for the rest of the day, Julia decides that now is as good a time as any to fill Jake in on the offer that Bobby made. She picks up the phone, dialing the number for the Wheeler Corporation in San Francisco.

"Hi could I speak to Jake?"

"Of course Mrs Wheeler."

Julia smiles but decides not to correct her. There is a moment of silence and then Jake answers the phone. "Mom?"

"Who else? You are now talking to Mrs Julia Santadio."

"You went ahead with it then." Jake surmises as he absent mindedly sorts through paper work.

"You could sound a little happier for me darling. It does affect you too."

Hearing the reference to himself, Jake gives his mother his full attention. "Me? What have I got to do with your shotgun wedding?"

"You're a part of the family now too."

"And which kind of family would that be exactly?" Jake asks, only too aware of the rumors surrounding the Santadio empire.

"The regular kind." Julia snaps with a roll of her eyes. "But I must admit Bobby's resources do have their…perks. One of which is that he is willing to protect us…if you bring Lucas here to live?"

"What?" Jake splutters.

"You heard what I said. If you get Lucas, you can bring him here to New York."

"Mom you're going to have to slow down a little. And I have a lot of paperwork to catch up on so I have to say goodbye. Enjoy your honeymoon."

"I will sweetheart." Julia puts the phone down and holds her hands out in front of her, checking her nail polish. When she is certain that every aspect of her appearance is perfect, she leaves the bedroom and saunters downstairs to fetch Bobby. She can hear his voice coming from his study and stands outside.

"This isn't peanuts Roberto. You owe over three million dollars. You've got to do it and do it now!"

"Ahem." Bobby clears his throat stunning Julia who has obviously been caught eavesdropping.

"I…I'm sorry I was just…" Julia tries to form an excuse. Ordinarily this would be no problem for her but what she has heard has put her on edge.

"No need to explain." Bobby raises a hand. "You must have come down to get me. Sorry I've been neglecting you."

"I should leave." Giorgio stares at Bobby and heads towards the door. Before he leaves he approaches Julia and takes her hand, kissing it gently. "Congratulations again Julia. I'm sure you'll make a splendid Santadio wife."

Wheeler Corporation: San Francisco

"You look busy." Lauren comments as she enters the foundation board room. Guy and Cassie are huddled together at the far end of the long mahogany conference table, poring over contracts and applications.

"Absolutely. But it's so damn hot I can't concentrate. It looks like a storm's brewing though." Cassie notes as she glances out of the window.

"Did you need something?" Guy asks, finally looking up from the papers.

"Actually I did. I need to ask a favor and I'm not sure how you're both going to take it."

Concerned Cassie urges her to continue, "What is it?"

"Recently I've been thinking a lot about…Megan." Lauren announces with a flick of her hair as she takes a seat. "I've decided it's time I went to visit her in Cleveland. I'm leaving tonight."

"Don't worry." Guy smiles. "If you came here to ask us not to say anything then you needn't have worried. We'll keep quiet."

"It's not that." Lauren hesitates. "I just don't feel that I can do it alone."

"Oh." Guy is surprised by the revelation and Lauren gazes in Cassie's direction.

"I was hoping that you might be able to come with me Cassie. Is that alright?" Lauren asks humbly.

"Um sure." Cassie had not expected to be the one Lauren would ask. "There's a lot of work to do here but I'm sure Guy can take care of that can't you?"

"Well…" Cassie nudges her husband in the ribs under the table. "Yes! Yes I can!"

"Good." Lauren joins her hands together and beams happily. "The flight leaves some time this evening."

"I'll go home and pack. And don't look so worried. It's no problem honestly." Cassie smiles to reassure her and decides to leave the board room.

San Francisco Airport: San Francisco

Oh thank God you came. Mindy thinks to herself as she sees a stony faced John walking towards her gate, Adam in his arms. They are both wet from the rain and Mindy looks out to catch a glimpse of the gathering storm. Fortunately for the Eriksons it's not serious enough to cancel her flight.

"Hello." John's voice is stilted as he reaches her and he keeps a tight hold of his son.

"Thank you for coming. It means a lot to me."

"I didn't do it for you." John snaps. "I did it for Adam. Lauren is the one you should thank for setting up this meeting."

"I won't thank Lauren for anything!" Mindy's temper rises but she realizes the scene she is making. "I'm sorry. I know I shouldn't lose my temper."

"Don't try anything like this again. Lauren is my wife now and all the baggage and secrets we've been carrying are finally out of the way. It's time to make a clean break and an honest go of our marriage."

"If that's what makes you happy." Mindy replies bitterly, her vision becoming blurred by tears.

"If you had more control over your emotions then perhaps this wouldn't be happening. Remember that."

"Are you going to let me say goodbye?" Mindy asks hopefully worried that if she reaches out for Adam, John will pull him away.

"If you want to." He gently passes Adam over and she closes her eyes as she holds him against her chest. Her heart begins to race and her eyes sting with salty tears but it is pointless begging any more. "Goodbye baby." She kisses Adam's forhead, her tenderness surprising John.

"I'm not saying you can't see Adam again. If you get psychiatric help when you get back to Los Angeles and you can prove to me that you are better, I'll start looking into visitation."

"Okay." Mindy blows a final kiss to her son who smiles at her. Clasping her ticket close to her chest, she turns her back on him and boards the plane.

Elliott House: San Francisco

Travis runs up the driveway. The heavy rain has little effect on him and he whistles to himself happily. but he frowns briefly when he notices that David's car is not present. Cautiously, he rings the doorbell and sees someone through the glass, jumping down the stairs into the hallway.

Soon enough the door opens and Travis is confronted by a blond teenager whom he has never met. "I'm sorry…I'm David's partner at the law firm, Travis Wilder. I don't believe we've met."

The teenage shakes his hand with a firm, confident grip and invites him in to the hallway. "I'm his son Tommy. I'm afraid if you've come looking for him you're out of luck."

"I am?"

"Yeah he left about half an hour ago."

Travis grimaces and raises his voice to compete with a clap of thunder, "Could you tell me where he is now? I thought we could have dinner. I've got a few personal things to discuss with him."

"Sure. He's at the Marriott Hotel. You know it?"

"I think so. It's on Fourth Street right?"

"That's the one. You should be able to find him there."

"Thanks." Preparing himself to go back into the rain, Travis leaves the house and jumps into his car as quickly as possible. It's time I thanked him for his advice.

Richardson House: San Francisco

As Cassie leans over the bed to pack her suitcase, Guy watches her and begins to whisle Only the Lonely.

"Cut it out." She giggles and flicks him with a towel. "I'm only going for a few days."

"But seriously I'm worried about you leaving with Jake sniffing around." Guy gets up from his seat and goes to her, placing an arm around her waist.

"If he gets out of line just give an exclusive to the National Enquirer. That way we've still got the more reputable newspapers up our sleeves. Besides…that could pay us well. Maybe we could get a hot tub or something. I know you enjoy them."

Guy pouts mockingly, "Only when I'm with you my love."

"Uh huh. Next you'll tell me you were a virgin when you married me."

"Well actually…"

They both grin and Cassie replies, "I can see I corrupted you."

"You sure did and so has Lauren." Guy's tone becomes more serious and he loosens his grip on his wife. "I'm not happy about lying to John."

"Oh get over it."

"Well what am I supposed to say if I see him? 'Oh they're both off looking for yet another illegitimate Wheeler child'? I think All My Children is the most fitting title available for our lives. Next we'll be finding out that Constance had a secret love child with Albert Prentiss!"

"Don't." Cassie chuckles and places her hands on Guy's chest. "If you're really upset, I think there's a way I can solve the problem."

"Continue."

"How about a goodbye gift?"

"That'll work."

Cassie pushes Guy down onto the bed and giggles as they begin to remove each other's clothes.

Wheeler Estate: Napa Valley

After leaving Adam on the sofa in the living room, content with watching cartoons on the television, John pulls off his soaking jacket and slops up the stairs to get a towel. Water squelches from his shoes with every step and he winces when a blaring crash of thunder makes one of the landing windows rattle.

As soon as he reaches his room, he is disturbed to find Lauren and voices his concern. "Where are you going?" He asks and goes to the bathroom for a towel, waiting for a reply.

Glad that she is not face to face with her husband, Lauren relays the story she has come up with. "I'm going to Cleveland with Cassie on foundation business. It's only a few days. You'll manage won't you?"

"I suppose so." John re-appears in the bedroom toweling his hair dry vigorously.

Lauren throws some more clothes into her suitcase. "I'm sorry to leave you in the lurch like this. It just couldn't be helped." She looks up to flash him a brief smile but deliberately fails to make eye contact.

"Don't worry." He assures her suspiciously. "I'll be fine now that the wicked witch has hopped back on her broom stick to Beverly Hills. And besides I may as well go through some scripts whilst you're gone."

"Did it all go okay at the airport? I expect Mindy was a little emotional."

"A few tears but she seemed to accept it. I forced her into agreeing to get psychiatric help."

"Good." Lauren replies, seemingly preoccupied. In truth, she simply can not bare to look at her husband after having lied to him. "She could do with getting some serious help. Right I'm packed. Off to Cleveland I go. Do you want to come and say goodbye at the airport? I know you've been there already this afternoon…"

"Sure." John kisses her head. "Let's go."

Marriott Hotel: San Francisco

Travis is thankful to get into the rotating entrance doors out of the rain and shakes himself self-consciously when he enters the lobby. Tommy didn't specify where to find David so he goes over to the front desk and waits until a matronly looking receptionist acknowledges him. Her uniform is not exactly complimented by her rimless glasses and old fashioned hairstyle.

"Can I help you?" She makes a pained expression which Travis interprets to be a smile.

"Yes. I'm trying to find David Elliott. His son said to find him here."

"Oh that's easy. He's in the restaurant with a…business associate I believe." There is a salacious glint in the woman's eye.

"Thank you for your help." Travis moves through the bustling foyer full of suited businessmen and stops when he reaches the entrance of the restaurant. He can see David immediately to his left. But that's no business associate he's dining with…it's Adrienne…

Unable to stop his urge, Travis moves backwards behind a plant pot and strains to listen to their conversation.

"Are you ready?" He hears Adrienne ask.

"I have been all weekend." David replies, his voice as smooth as silk.

Continuing to keep himself out of view, Travis watches as David leads his wife through the foyer but is horrified when he sees them kissing at the elevator. David then pulls out a room key and rushing forwards, Travis prepares to confront them but it is too late. They have already boarded the elevator and no doubt is left in Travis's mind about what they are going to do.

Masters Mansion: San Francisco

The sky is dark as Isabelle enters the house but is intermittently illuminated by flashes of lightning. The ominous roar of thunder makes her jump more than once and she quickly shuts the door, glad to see one of the maid's on the hallway.

"Hello. Is anyone home?" Isabelle asks as she removes her wet coat and hands it over.

"Only Mr Travis but he's been in his room for a long time. He didn't even have any dinner."

Isabelle frowns, "Not more amateur dramatics. Oh well…" She heads towards the staircase but the maid's voice causes her to pivot back round.

"There's a letter for you Mrs Masters. It's on the table by the door." She points in its direction before leaving to see to the wet coat.

"Right." Isabelle picks it up and studies it. There is no post mark so it has obviously been hand delivered. "I need to get out of these wet clothes." She says to herself, holding the letter away from her body so as not to get it wet.

When she reaches her bedroom she turns on the light and jumps again when she hears a clap of thunder. Slowly unzipping her dress, Isabelle prepares to step out of it but finds herself unable to continue, too interested in her special delivery.

She runs a fingernail underneath the seal of the envelope and pulls it open. A small newspaper clipping falls out and she picks it up. The woman's identity is unmistakable. Vanessa Masters.

Confused, Isabelle pulls out the accompanying letter but her movements become slower when she notices that the writing is made out of newspaper letters.

It was no accident. Greg killed her. And he'll get you too.

Treating the letter like a deadly animal, Isabelle throws it to the ground and puts her hands to her mouth. She slowly finds herself able to speak as the shock of the reading the letter subsides. "Oh my God no…"

Next on Power and Deception

-Stephanie's parole hearing is held...

-Bobby makes plans for Julia...

-Lauren prepares to meet Megan...

-Isabelle investigates the accusation...

-Jake's sceheme ends in tragedy...

-Travis confronts Adrienne...