Sounds seem to swirl through Kyle's mind as he lies on the floor of David's hospital room and feeling himself drifting back into consciousness, he places a hand on the back of his head, wincing in pain. His golden blond hair is matted together by blood and a lump causes a dull throbbing sensation when he touches it.

"Mr Elliott!" A female voice chimes in his ear as a pair of hands clasp tightly around his shoulders.

"I…" He murmurs in response, his lips feeling too dry for him to talk.

"Wake up!"

"David." He forces the word out but keeps his eyes closed. "Someone was here."

"Did they do anything to your brother?"

"What? No…I…they had a syringe and…" Kyle opens his eyes and stares up at the face of the nurse who is trying to communicate with him. Her features are unidentifiable in the darkness of the room but Kyle can tell that there are other people to his side. One looks like a doctor.

"Did they use it? We need to know whether your brother was injected."

"No." Trying to ignore the drumming in his skull, Kyle pulls himself onto his elbows and quickly looks around to see his brother. "I managed to stop them in time but then I got knocked out…"

"I can see."

Kyle slowly gets to his feet and watches as the doctor performs a series of tests on David's comatose body. "Do you think they got a chance to do it afterwards?"

"Not after you were knocked out. The noise the two of you made got a security guard in here before any damage could be done. Now are you positive that your brother didn't get injected? If he did, this could be very serious."

"Yeah I know." Kyle snaps, losing his patience at the constant questioning. He glances again at David before confirming what he has already said. "Whoever it was that was in here…did not get the chance to use the syringe."

"He's not showing any signs of distress." The previously silent doctor adds to the conversation. He is flipping through charts on a clipboard and makes the comment without removing his gaze from them.

"We should call the police. And I need to get home…" Kyle takes a small step towards the door but his act of bravado turns to embarrassment when he loses his footing and grabs hold of David's bed for support. For a moment, the linoleum floor seems to jump up at him and he closes his eyes again to regain his composure.

"Not so fast." The nurse quickly leaps to his side and puts a hand on his arm. "The police are already on their way. But most importantly of all, we need to take a look at this knock you've taken.

"I'm fine…" Kyle protests but only because it seems the most likely response and requires less brain power. He knows fully well that he needs treatment.

"Give us a moment of your time and we'll find out whether that's true."

Wheeler Estate: Napa Valley

"What the hell are you talking about?" If she had had any idea that this bombshell would drop, Lauren would have prepared a better answer. Instead her voice is audibly annoyed and flustered.

"How was Megan?" John asks matter of factly.

"M…Megan?"

John raises his voice to her surprise and shoots back sharply, "Yeah you know, the daughter you've kept stashed away for coming up to…sixteen years now isn't it?"

"Where have you gotten this from? Mindy? Did she come back to town stirring up trouble whilst I was gone?"

"She didn't need to. You were careless enough to set yourself up. So are you going to answer my question because I'd really be fascinated to know."

Lauren scoffs, "This is ridiculous."

"That's exactly what I thought."

"What do you expect me to say when you just blurt it out like this? You couldn't just start an adult conversation about it like a normal person could you? It must be the actor in you."

Moving forwards, Lauren reaches the bar where she pours herself a large glass of scotch but before she can put it to her mouth, John's hand lashes out and swipes the glass to the floor. She watches for a moment in disbelief as the amber liquid seeps into the carpet before her head snaps up and she stares contemptuously at her husband.

"What do you think you are doing?"

"Trying to talk to you about this…this secret you've been hiding!"

"Then talk!"

"You're avoiding the issue."

"Really? Perhaps that's because it's not something I'm comfortable with discussing at a moment's notice."

"Not even with your husband." John replies bitterly and Lauren remains silent. "I trusted you more than I've trusted anyone in my life. I never expected anything like this from you of all people. Mindy maybe but you…you're so different. At least I thought you were…"

"Oh so I'm like her now am I? Don't you dare compare me to that woman."

"Why not? You're just as good at deception as she was. Having a child at fifteen..."

"I was raped goddamn it!" Lauren screams, her vision beginning to blur from the threat of tears. "Megan wasn't planned. Ian Sanderson pinned me down in those stables out there and raped me."

John's expression softens slightly but he refuses to back down, "You've still deceived me our entire married life. The circumstances of Megan's birth don't change that."

"How can you be so heartless? What about Adam? Do you think it was easy for me accepting him as your son? No. But I've done it and I don't see why it should be any different for you."

"I never knew Adam even existed, that's why it's different. Look at you. Look at you trying to weasel your way out of this, first by getting defensive and then by throwing my past back in my face. Well it's not going to work Lauren. It's not going to work." John storms past her towards the closed door but she races to his side, stumbling as she grabs his arm to stop him from leaving.

"Where are you going?"

"To clear my head."

"But I thought you wanted to talk." Lauren releases his arm from her grip and wipes a stray tear from her cheek.

"I don't even know how to discuss it."

"Please don't do this…"

"Do what?"

"Clam up on me now. You're right…we have to talk this through."

"I'm done with talking." John pushes Lauren away in disgust and buries his head in his hands.

Trying to regain some composure, she starts reasoning in the hope that it will bring him round to her way of thinking. "When was I supposed to have told you? During our first marriage? You know what a sham that was. And there's never been a good time since you came to the valley. I didn't want to risk losing you."

"Did it ever cross your mind that lying to me would be so much more damaging?"

"I never lied." Lauren yells defiantly.

"You hid the truth, it's the same thing."

As Lauren begin to form a response, the double doors leading to the dining room are flung open and Isabelle stands in the doorjamb, her expression a combination of anger and pity. "What are you two doing in here?"

"I told her I know the truth." John replies without even looking up and breathing rapidly, Lauren diverts her gaze quickly to her mother. They make eye contact and a sharp pang hits Lauren in the stomach.

"You know?" She cries incredulously.

"Yes I do and there are plenty of things I've got to say to you about it. But now is neither the time nor the place for this kind of discussion. Cassie and Guy are in the kitchen almost falling apart. They need our support and we can't let this…your daughter get in the way of it."

"Mother, I have to explain…" Lauren protests but is cut off by Isabelle raising a hand.

"No. I don't want to hear it now. Both of you come with me." Isabelle is confident that her words alone will be enough to coax the pair out of the living room and as she envisioned, they follow her through the dining room towards the kitchen.

As they get to the doorjamb, they can see Guy and Cassie discussing Lucas with the police. Guy is relatively calm but Cassie's eyes are raw from tears. Isabelle quickly steps over to comfort her daughter-in-law leaving a shell shocked Lauren to glance at John and wonder just whether her marriage can be saved.

Elliott House: San Francisco

"I went to the hospital trying to find you." Stephanie informs Tommy with regret as she places her purse down on a mahogany table. The room is only lit by one small table lamp and a television murmurs in the corner.

"Really?"

"Yeah. You never said you were going to come home this evening."

"Oh."

Stephanie closes her eyes for an instant to plot her next move before snatching the remote control from Tommy's hand and quickly switching off the television. "Would you pay attention to me?"

Tommy turns to her disdainfully, "I can't not pay attention to you mom."

"So it's come to this has it? You barely talk to me and when you do it's just to come out with smart remarks."

"What do you expect?"

"For my own son to believe in me."

"Jesus!" Tommy exclaims and jumps up from the sofa to face his mother. "You've been in a mental institution for months. You get released and out of the blue, Dad gets run down and left for dead."

"This is your father we're talking about. He's got enemies from here to the east coast. What about the Wheelers? Do you think they're above this sort of thing?"

"Oh you're not going to bring up that feud again."

"I just don't think they're as innocent as they paint themselves to be. Who else could have framed me for this? One of them has to be in on it."

"Yeah well Julia's in New York. So who's your prime suspect now? Lucas?"

"You still don't believe me do you." Stephanie shakes her head.

"I don't know! I've seen you try to kill before. I remember the look in your eyes when you were holding a gun to my girlfriend's head." The tone of desperate confusion in Tommy's voice is unmistakable and for a moment Stephanie has an urge to reach out and put her arms around him. But she knows he wouldn't want that…not now.

Instead, she places her hands on his broad shoulders and speaks softly. "You know your father and I didn't part on good terms. But you also know I'm not stupid enough to risk my freedom just for some petty revenge."

"When you got home the afternoon he was run down, you told me you were going to get even and then you stormed out. Where did you go?"

Surprised by the question, Stephanie takes her hands away and places them on her hips as she begins to pace the shadowy living room. "I just drove for a while. I needed to work off some of the anger."

"And you didn't go anywhere near Dad's offices?"

"No I didn't.

Before Tommy can reply, they are both distracted by the sound of the front door opening and turn to spy Kyle stepping into the hallway, supported by a solemn looking Mark.

"Kyle!" Stephanie cries breathlessly and runs over to him but he doesn't answer. She turns her attention to her brother, "What the hell happened?"

"Someone sneaked into David's room and…" Mark glances at Tommy, wondering whether he should hear it but decides to continue, "…they tried to inject him with poison. Luckily, Superman here was able to stop whoever it was but he got a knock on the head for his trouble."

Kyle can see all eyes in the room glaring at the bandages on his head but is in no mood to discuss it. The darkness and warmth in the house make him feel too groggy to talk at length at all. "I want to get to bed."

"Let me help you…" Stephanie surges forwards.

"No." Kyle replies sharply as he mounts the stairs with Mark behind him. He keeps his eyes focused on her and speaks slowly. "I'm fine."

Santadio Mansion: New York

Reaching across the wrought iron table, Julia picks up a piece of toast and drops it on her plate before furrowing her brow and wiping crumbs off the cuff of her blue silk blouse. She is situated on the patio of the mansion in direct range of warming sunlight and the subtle scent of roses drifts through the air.

Only a few days ago, guests were congregated at this very spot, sipping champagne and celebrating her so-called nuptials. The thought causes Julia to grimace for a moment until a figure swings round in front of her.

"Giorgio." She acknowledges him before adding pointedly, "I'd invite you to have breakfast with me…but I'm not keen on eating with people who have plotted my murder."

Giorgio smiles knowingly and removes his glasses as he takes a seat opposite her. "That's quite alright. I'm not hungry."

"You've had your blood fix for this morning then?"

"Something like that."

"Uh huh." Julia takes a bite out of her toast and sets it back down on the plate. "Well are you going to tell me what you are here for? Your beady eyes are unnerving me."

"We didn't get a chance last night to discuss all the arrangements and…implications of you inheriting Bobby's estate."

"What's there to discuss? I can do with it what I see fit can't I?"

"Donella will be equally involved in decision making…"

Julia waves a hand, "I'm not worried about Donna. She's hardly a chip off the old block is she? No…she's busy flouncing around a hospital trying to make herself feel important to be concerned with business matters."

Her companion grins, "You have a way with words. But the fact is that some aspects of Bobby's business dealings aren't exactly…legitimate. Knowing Donella, I would expect her to try to amend that."

"And you think I wouldn't?"

"It's a choice between money and scruples. You don't strike me as being the scruples type."

"Touché. When you say they're not legitimate…how illegal are we talking exactly?"

"The Santadio goes as far as it needs to in order to protect its interests."

"Ah. I see." Julia dabs her mouth with a napkin but looks up when she has a thought. "I'm not going to wake up to find any horse heads in my bed am I?"

Giorgio taps the table top lightly as he replies, "I'm fully aware of your previous business dealings Julia. And if you haven't had that problem already, I doubt it is about to start now."

"You…" She waves a perfectly manicured hand in his direction. "You're pretty smart aren't you? Perhaps you'll be useful to me if I ever learn to trust you."

"I don't think that will be so difficult."

"No? Does 'wife killing' mean anything to you? Because I could have been on the wrong end of that gun thanks to you and your scheming with my late husband."

Giorgio shrugs but is unable to feign innocence. Instead his gesture seems cold and emotionless. "I just follow orders."

There is a pregnant pause as Julia eyes him up and down before setting her breakfast aside. "All in a day's work, huh? I'm glad you're so diligent because now it's time for you to follow my orders."

"That's what I'm paid for."

"Handsomely I might add for a glorified personal assistant. Anyhow, is there anything else you need? I've got things to do."

"Actually yes. After the unfortunate incident between you and Bobby, I thought I would suggest redecorating the mansion. Obviously you need to consult with some interior designers…"

"There's no need for that." Julia answers without even looking at him.

"If you think you'll be comfortable here…"

"Oh God no. I think you're misunderstanding me."

Giorgio is visibly taken aback but seemingly intrigued and he clasps his hands together in anticipation of her explanation. "Then set me straight."

"I'm not going to live in New York and certainly not here."

"But if you're taking over the estate then you have the house."

"I'll sell the damn thing. I don't want it." Julia remarks flippantly.

"But the whole operation is in New York."

Pushing her hair behind her ears, Julia leans forward to be deliberately condescending. "And I'm going to run it from San Francisco. End of." She adds abruptly and gets up from her seat, irritated by Giorgio's expectation for her to rationalize her decision. "Now I'm going to pack because I'll be leaving this morning. Ciao."

Placing his finger tips together, Giorgio leans back in his seat and watches Julia saunter confidently across the patio to the house. A smile creases his face for a moment as he ponders the ramifications of having a new employer. I can tell she's going to be trouble already.

Highway: California

The sleek black Mercedes looks somewhat out of place as it glides down the dusty Californian highway towards its final destination. There are few other drivers about to identify it but Jake knows that he needs to take precautions if he doesn't want to get picked up by the police.

"Maybe I should have got a hire car." He laments to himself as he turns on the radio and looks over at Lucas in the passenger seat. "How you doing there buddy?"

Of course there is no answer from the baby who appears to be asleep. Jake watches his stomach rising up and down as he breathes and smiles. "I'm sorry you had to be involved in this. But it had to happen." His smile fades and he turns back to focus on the road in front of him.

"Guy and Cassie used me and they have to be punished. They tried to ruin my life by making me drink again and stealing my money. I always thought Cassie actually loved me. Boy was that a mistake. That gold digging bitch was just after one thing and how lucky for her that Guy could help her go after it."

Not realizing that he is speaking aloud, Jake's voice becomes louder, "When I found out Cassie was pregnant I…I was so happy. I thought maybe you could be the thing that would bring her back to me and get rid of Guy for good. Even before you were born I loved you…I knew that I was going to be a better father to you than mine ever was. You'd never know what it felt to be rejected…"

Jake squints at the tarmac in front of him as the memories come flooding back and all those feelings…the heavy despair in the pit of his stomach threaten to overwhelm him just like they always used to. Sighing, he grasps the leather of the car's steering wheel hard, his knuckles turning white. "I had a chance to prove him wrong and Cassie stole it from me but I guess I should have known, huh? I guess I should have known. I've got another chance with you Lucas. You should be mine…you are mine no matter what Guy and Cassie think. They tried to ruin my life and now I'm going to get them back."

Jake's voice trails off and his look of frustration is replaced by a smile as he drives further away from all the people who have tried to bring him down.

Elliott House: San Francisco

"Kyle. Kyle." Stephanie calls out softly from the end of the king sized bed. She is holding a tray covered with breakfast and looks at the pale yellow drapes, annoyed that she doesn't have a free hand to open them. She speaks again. "Kyle."

"What?" He suddenly sits bolt upright causing the bed's comforter to tangle around his legs. Seeing Stephanie, his eyes widen and he starts to pull at the bed clothes in an attempt to seem nonchalant about her presence.

"I'm sorry I didn't mean to startle you." She assures him but her own hands are a little shaky from his outburst and cautiously, she sets the tray down on the edge of the bed. "Shall I open the drapes?

"Sure."

Stephanie sweeps them open with two jerks of her hands, flooding the room with unwelcome daylight which makes Kyle squint. "I'm sorry. Is it your head? Let me close them again…"

"No. I just need a minute to adjust." Kyle puts a hand to his head. The bump is harder and more pronounced than it was last night, even through bandages, but the dull throbbing is exactly the same.

"Okay. I want to talk to you whilst you eat your breakfast." She pushes the tray towards him and sits down on the bed. "I thought we got things sorted out between us but I'm getting the impression again that you don't feel comfortable around me."

"Do we need to discuss this now? I've just woken up."

"No." Stephanie replies softly. "But I can't just ignore it. You're not even eating your breakfast, probably out of fear that I poisoned it."

"Don't be ridiculous."

"Tell me I'm wrong."

Kyle's silence is a glaring admission and Stephanie decides to end the discussion, "Thanks for your honesty." She gets up from the bed and moves quickly to the door but Kyle's voice stops her in her tracks.

"It's just the…coincidences."

Stephanie takes a deep breath and turns around, "I thought we established that someone must be trying to frame me. The police seem to believe me on that score so why don't you?"

"Well…take last night. You disappeared to find Tommy and not that much later, I found someone trying to kill David in his hospital room."

"Yeah a person who managed to overpower you and knock you out. Do you think I've got the strength to do that? Be reasonable."

"I don't know what you're capable of."

Stephanie's mouth becomes downturned at the corners and she responds bitterly, "Thanks a lot." With that, she yanks open the door to leave.

"No Steph wait. Come here." Kyle pats the bed beside him. "I shouldn't have said that."

She sits down and speaks as he takes her hand. "I can't cope with everybody doubting me like this."

"I know. It's just…last night took it out of me. You know…I guess I'm a little jumpy."

"You shouldn't be. You're a hero. David would be dead if it wasn't for you."

Kyle smiles and brings his former sister-in-law towards him for a hug, placing a bare arm around her shoulders. "I'm sorry for not believing you."

Masters Mansion: San Francisco

Greg cautiously opens the door to the living room and walks inside, closely followed by Travis. The two men immediately glare at the blond haired policewoman sitting on a sofa opposite Adrienne.

"Have you finished yet?" Greg asks testily and places his black leather briefcase down on a table. He has been in the city all morning but returned home to find out from Travis that the police were carrying out an interrogation.

"Yes I've questioned Mrs Wilder enough for now." The stern faced police woman glances at Adrienne as she puts a dictaphone in her pocket and rises to her feet.

"What kind of questions have you been asking?"

"I've just been establishing her whereabouts at the time of David Elliott's attempted murder. I'm Detective Harris by the way." She extends a hand, drawing attention to her ill fitting suit jacket but Greg ignores the introduction.

"My family is going through some very serious problems at the moment and we don't want to be involved in this investigation."

"I should imagine the Elliotts feel the same way." Detective Harris replies sharply, annoyed by Greg's apparent pomposity.

"I honestly don't mind." Adrienne steps towards the pair. "The police are just doing what they have to. I wouldn't want to stand in the way of them finding the person responsible for this."

"Neither would I." Greg admits and his tone becomes less harsh as he directs a question to the detective. "Are you able to tell us what kind of condition David is in?"

She pushes a wisp of hair from her face as she responds. "He's still in critical condition and until he wakes up from his coma to tell us who ran him down, we're going to have to keep investigating. That's if he wakes up."

Despite being seemingly uninterested by the exchange, Travis chimes in from behind the group. "You seriously think he might die?"

"I'm not a doctor Mr Wilder. But there is a possibility that might happen, especially if he fails to wake up soon."

"I'm surprised you need him to tell you who did this. It was clearly Stephanie's doing." Adrienne remarks haughtily.

"Oh." Detective Harris spins round, surprised. "You didn't mention your suspicions when I was questioning you. Do you have proof of this?"

"Why do I need proof?" Adrienne throws her hands in the air in exasperation. "She's clearly unhinged and the fact that she was just released from a mental institution is surely too much of a coincidence to ignore. How you could possibly let the woman out on bail is beyond me. She should be locked up as quickly as possible."

Why are rich people always so quick to attribute blame? Detective Harris thinks to herself. Probably a guilty conscience. "Fortunately, the law doesn't work like that Mrs Wilder. We need proof to keep someone in jail and we don't have that at the moment. Stephanie Elliott is innocent until proven guilty. But whoever did this will be caught. You have my word for it."

Wheeler Estate: Napa Valley

Julia stares out from the tinted windows of her limousine as it pulls up outside the mansion. Home, sweet home. She thinks to herself and with a grimace, prepares for whatever she is going to find inside. Isabelle foaming at the mouth? Donna ranting about Bobby?

"Could you take my things into the house?" She says to the driver who obediently switches the engine off and gets out of the limousine to retrieve the luggage.

Whilst the sound of his clapping footsteps can be heard at the side of the limousine, Julia places the strap of her handbag on her shoulder, running a finger nervously over the smooth leather. "Time to face the music."

Clutching her handbag, she opens the car door swiftly and steps onto the red bricked driveway. "Just leave the bags in the hallway. I'll get someone to take them upstairs." She calls out to her baggage laden chauffeur.

"Yes ma'am."

As he moves towards the front door, it is opened from inside to reveal Jessica who politely waits for him to take the load into the hall. When the coast is clear, she walks forwards and waits at the top of the concrete steps, placing her hands on her slender hips. "I'm glad you're home."

"So am I." Julia lies, convincingly as usual. She ascends the steps carefully and reaches out to kiss her daughter's cheek.

"Your hands…" Jessica notices bandages around the palms from cuts Julia sustained when she brought the porcelain vase down onto Bobby's head.

"Just war wounds. Nothing to worry about."

"I wish the same could be said for what's going on inside…" Jessica looks round at the house as if it were holding an unexploded bomb.

"I got news about Jake on the plane. I don't know what could have possessed him to do something like this. Especially if he ever wants a chance of getting custody."

Jessica shrugs, "Who can explain anything my brother does? I should warn you Cassie is distraught…understandably."

"That's debatable."

"Come on mother." Jessica replies with a roll of her green eyes.

"I'm sorry but if she wasn't playing stupid games then this would never have happened."

"That's a very callous attitude."

"You think so? Are you forgetting what that little tramp did to your brother?"

"No…" Jessica hesitates. "But she's family and Jake was never a perfect husband. I think you're being a little biased."

"I think you're being too forgiving for your own good. That's always been your problem."

Jessica's face is creased as she faces the sun but the flash of her eyes is unmistakable. "Before we go inside, I want you to ponder something. Which one of your children is a kidnapper and which one was waiting here for your safe return?

"I wasn't getting at you…" Julia protests, surprised by this sudden show of strength against her. Jessica has always been the quiet one who suffered in silence and did what she was told. She certainly never used to speak to her mother like that.

"Save it." Jessica quickly holds up a hand but uncomfortable with the atmosphere, she ensures it just as speedily makes its way to Julia's back, guiding her into the hallway. "Everybody's inside."

"Alright." Julia stares down the hallway as they get closer to the ironically light kitchen. She can see shadows moving frenziedly through the doorway but sounds are muffled.

As they finally reach the doorjamb, Jessica instinctively stands guard by her mother noticing the disapproving faces around the kitchen table. Isabelle is seated at the far end, her hands clasped together in front of her mouth. "I didn't expect you home so early."

"No I'm lucky I made it." Julia replies, her gaze wandering to Donna whom she expects to be staring at her. She is instead surprised to see her staring down at the pine table in front of her. Next, she looks over at Guy and Cassie. "Hello."

"Is that all you've got to say?" Guy seems disgusted by her greeting.

"Of course not. This is a very difficult situation for everybody…"

Cassie gets up from her seat. Her eyes are swollen and the absence of any makeup on her face allows the redness to be emphasized. "There wouldn't be a situation if it wasn't for Jake kidnapping my son."

"You can't shift all the blame onto him…" Julia makes the point as though it were the most obvious assumption in the world.

"You're blaming me?" Cassie points to herself, incredulously. "How dare you! You tell me where my son is! I want to know where he is!"

Julia looks around for help but none is forthcoming. Not even from Jessica who shifts uncomfortably at her side. Raising her head high, Julia decides to toughen herself and be firm with Cassie. "I don't know where he is."

"Bull." Her nemesis spits.

"I don't have to listen to this…" Julia shakes her head and pivots round to leave the room. Before she can make a step, a hand wraps around her arm and forcefully prevents her from moving. She turns back and rips herself free from Cassie whose voice booms through the kitchen.

"Do you really expect me to believe you don't know where Jake is? You two are as thick as thieves and he couldn't even pull this off without your help. Now you tell me where he is."

"Cassie. Calm down." Isabelle pleads but remains seated.

"No." Cassie's head snaps round to briefly address her mother-in-law but then she fixes her stare on Julia. "Not until she's told me the truth."

"I've already told you everything I know! I'm sorry about what's happened…"

"You're sorry?" Cassie grits her teeth. "You're sorry?" Without warning, the younger woman flies forward in a fit of rage, her hands reaching out for Julia's neck. As they lock around Julia's throat, Cassie pushes her backwards into the kitchen counter, knocking glasses and utensils to the floor in the struggle. "I'll make you tell me…"

Guy and immediately jumps up from the table to aid Jessica who is desperately trying to separate the two women. "Cassie! Please!" She screams.

"Tell me!" Cassie's powerful grip begins to choke Julia who gasps for breath. "I have to find my son!"

"Stop it!" Guy blares as he pulls his wife away. Her limbs thrash wildly as she attempts to break free, tears falling freely down her pale face.

"She has to tell me." Cassie stifles a sob. "Make her tell me."

Guy turns her round and holds her head to his chest, stroking her hair gently as her body convulses with sobbing. "Shush." He coaxes her gently. "Let's get you upstairs."

Julia rubs her throat and stands back as the pair leave the room, aghast at what has just transpired. "She's crazy." She mutters hoarsely and coughs, barely able to catch her breath.

"Do you have no compassion?" Isabelle speaks up. "The poor girl has lost her son! And you are one of the only people who might be able to help her find him."

"I already said I don't know where Jake is."

"Well you better be telling the truth. Because if you're not, I don't think anybody will stop Cassie next time."

Stunned by this attitude, Julia glances around the table once more knowing that she doesn't belong here…not in the same room as these people. Isabelle…Michael…Donna…John…Lauren. A family united. And one that she's no longer a part of.

La Vallee Restaurant: Napa Valley

Adrienne and Greg have both ordered and are now waiting for their lunch to arrive, seated by french windows looking out onto the terrace. The white material used for tablecloths and drapes gives the space a bright airy feel, which does not exactly reflect the mood.

"Do you mind?" Adrienne snaps Greg out of a trance he seems to have been in by pointing at the pitcher of water in front of him.

"Oh yes of course." He picks it up and passes it to her being careful not to spill a drop.

"I was thinking…" Adrienne begins as ice clatters in her glass, "You must be feeling a little left out not being at the Wheeler house with everything that's going on over there."

Greg sighs, "A little. But Isabelle didn't seem to want me there for some reason."

"You two haven't been arguing have you?"

"Not really. She has been a little cold lately though. I put it down to stress but…I'm not so sure."

"Hmm." Adrienne raises an eyebrow as she sets the pitcher down on the table and begins to sip her water.

"What's that supposed to mean?"

She shrugs, "I'm just agreeing with you. You know I've never been Isabelle's biggest fan but she's going through a lot right now. Especially with Jake taking off like he did. My God, what an awful thing to do. I know I'm not close to Guy but he is my step-brother. I feel sorry for him."

"So do I."

"But what should we expect? With a mother like Julia, it's no wonder Jake's turned into such a…well…fill in the blank."

Greg nods, "Thank God you've never had any serious problems with Will."

"Travis and I have been lucky. We've managed to raise two wonderful children despite the hurdles we've had to overcome."

"Do you think your marriage is back on track now then? You've been talking as though things are pretty much back to normal."

Adrienne runs a finger over the fine white stitching of the napkin in front of her and ponders her answer. "Yes I think so. Despite everything that's going on with David."

The broaching of that subject seems to unnerve Greg who shifts in his seat. "I suppose…it's very convenient for you that David is out of the way now."

The glass Adrienne is holding to her lips stops mid-air and she quickly places it back down on the table. "What are you insinuating?"

"I…nothing." Greg shrugs and tries to laugh off his ill-judged comment.

"No I want to hear it. Do you think I had something to do with what happened to him? Is that it?"

"Most certainly not. It was just a stupid comment that's all."

"You don't think I tried to kill him do you?"

"No of course I don't. Now let's change the subject."

"Fine." Picking up her glass shakily, Adrienne takes another sip of her water and decides to let it drop. But she still can't help but think Greg has his suspicions…

Wheeler Estate: Napa Valley

"Aren't you going to eat your yogurt?" Lauren calls out behind her as she chops carrots for tonight's dinner. Usually Pilar would take care of it but sometimes cooking can be useful therapy.

Adam scrunches his nose as he looks into the carton and replies disapprovingly. "It tastes like pee."

"I'm not sure how you can say that." Lauren raises an eyebrow and picks up the chopping board, sliding the orange mass into a saucepan. Ready to take a break for a moment, she turns round to see to her stepson. "Besides, it's strawberry. You love strawberry."

"It's got bits in it."

"They're good for you."

"I don't want it."

The defiance in Adam's voice makes Lauren sigh. She always thought she was good with children. There were plenty of times when she was in Los Angeles that she had to babysit for other people and none of the children were this difficult. "You need calcium sweetheart. Here let me help."

"No." Adam whines in protest as Lauren's fingers wrap around the carton and bring it closer towards him.

"Open wide…"

"No no no." Finally losing his patience, Adam flings an arm up which hits the carton and sends the pink colored contents all over Lauren's shirt causing her to gasp.

"Adam!" She grabs the dish cloth which has been resting on her shoulder and frantically begins to dab at the blue material which is slowly allowing yogurt to seep in. "What did you do that for?"

He remains silent, staring ahead of him and shaking her head, Lauren goes to the sink. "Fine. Just stay there." Turning on the tap, she puts her cloth under the steady stream of water and continues to pat away at the developing stain.

"What are you doing?" John's voice sounds from the doorway, making her jump.

"Oh I…Adam just threw yogurt all over me."

"Did you do something to upset him?" John replies immediately and goes to his son.

"I just tried to make him eat it.

"You shouldn't force him. Especially when he's barely been out of hospital a month."

Lauren slams her wet cloth down on the counter. "Do you really think it's productive to undermine me in front of him? Or is this about something else?"

"You seriously don't know?"

"I think I do. Adam go and play upstairs for a while will you?" Lauren runs a hand through her hair becoming exhausted.

"Okay." He obliges and leaves the room. The remaining pair stay silent until he is fully out of earshot.

John speaks first, "How long am I meant to stay quiet about this whole thing? I'm assuming that's what you want me to do seeing as the rest of your family don't even know that Megan exists."

"I would appreciate it."

"So when are you going to tell them your dirty little secret?"

"When the time is right. I don't think it's appropriate to mention it right now."

"Not convenient more like…"

"Oh John get a grip! The family is in turmoil and I am not going to bring it up whilst Jake is still on the run. Now until he returns…and if you have any feelings left for me at all…keep your mouth shut." Lauren spins round quickly and leaves the room, not turning back to see her husband's reaction.

Wheeler Corporation: San Francisco

Being back in these familiar surroundings comes as some comfort to Julia after the chaos of this morning. Remembering what happened causes her to rub her neck unconsciously and her secretary Marge is obviously able to see a look of concern on her face.

"It's great to have you back Mrs Wheeler. Is anything wrong?"

"No Marge I'm fine." Julia replies softly as she reaches the door to her office and places a hand on the cold brass handle. "Could you get me some coffee? I need something to perk me up."

"Of course. I'll bring it in."

"Thank you." Forcing a weak smile, Julia steps inside the office and quickly shuts the door, wanting to put a barrier between herself and the rest of the outside world. She knows that she won't be able to get any work done with Jake playing so heavily on her mind but at least the office is somewhere she can take solace.

The black leather chair behind her desk hasn't been used for weeks and she goes to it, falling back into its depths and rubbing her temples lightly.

As soon as she starts to relax, the intercom buzzes on her desk and she presses the 'receive' button with a polished fingernail. "Have you got my coffee?"

"No I'm afraid I didn't get the chance. Donna Wheeler's here to see you?"

"Perfect. Send her in." Julia rolls her eyes, resisting the urge to pull her finger off the intercom and drift back off into a trance. And her name's Hanson, you fool.

The dark varnished door opens slowly to reveal Donna who seems ill at ease with her surroundings…or perhaps Julia. "Nice to see you taking some time out. Couldn't you face me?"

"I let you in didn't I?" Julia snaps. "I didn't realize you craved my attention so badly."

Donna slips her cream colored handbag off her shoulder and places it on a chair which she stands behind, directly facing her new stepmother. "A lot has happened since you've been gone."

"Yes, Cassie made me all too aware of that this morning. But I get the feeling you're not here to discuss that particular drama."

"Actually I've got news for you. Michael and I came back from Las Vegas just before you decided to grace us with your presence and in case you're interested…we got married there."

The words hit Julia like a thunderbolt but she tries to act unaffected, not wanting to give Donna any more ammunition against her than she already has. "Congratulations. I hope you have the long and happy relationship with him that I should have had."

The response is enough to twist a knot in Donna's already churning stomach. "Do you think that's at all appropriate? How dare you after what you've done."

"So you came to talk about Bobby. Well you know what? I'm not going to say sorry for what I did. It would be just a little disingenuous to attempt sincerity after the man tried to kill me for my money."

"He was still my father!"

Julia jumps up from her seat and rages round her desk to confront Donna. Her temper flaring, she raises her voice. "Don't you lay that on me. I know he was never a crash hot parent to you. Why the hell would you even be in California if he was?"

"He was my father…my flesh and blood. Cutting my ties with him doesn't change that."

"But that's my point. You cut your ties with him so why are you trying to squeeze guilt out of me for what I did? Money perhaps? Now that the IRS have freed up his assets, perhaps you want to make sure you get your slice? But oh no…you married Michael didn't you. You've already found your cash cow."

Donna's frosty glare is almost enough to make Julia feel sorry for uttering the words. "I love Michael and money means nothing to me…nothing. I never wanted a penny from my father. Can you believe I was going to stop you from marrying him when I found out about his finances?" The blank expression on Julia's face suggests not and Donna continues. "Giorgio called me and told me about the situation my father was in but by the time I got to the airport to stop you, you were already on the plane."

"I wasn't aware of that." Julia admits sheepishly and curses inwardly for putting herself in the situation. Was it obvious to everyone except me? Backing down somewhat, she moves back to the other side of her desk.

"No I didn't think you were after the way you've treated me. But despite our feelings for one another…we're still partners now. I guess Giorgio told you that the inheritance has been split down the middle."

"He mentioned something along those lines." Julia says flatly.

"And the main reason I came here…was to warn you that I don't want anything to do with my father's criminal lifestyle. The way Bobby did business is not the way I'm going to do business."

"I have just as much a say as you do."

Donna raises an eyebrow, "True. But I don't think you have any idea what you're getting yourself into. I've lived it before but I'm not doing it again."

Crossing her arms in front of her chest, Julia takes a deep breath. "I'm not willing to discuss this now. My son is missing and I've got bigger things to worry about."

"Fine but I'm warning you. I am not going to let you continue the kind of business my father started. If you try…I'll fight you every step of the way."