BCUH-ER WAITING ROOM/NIGHT

LORNA is sitting in the waiting area with MATT, her face terrified. TITO is on the other side of the room, KC next to him, but neither is speaking. Matt reaches out a hand to comfort Lorna.

MATT
Do you want anything? Coffee?

Lorna shakes her head.

LORNA
Just some news. What could be taking them so long?

MATT
She's going to be fine. Why don't you let me go get you some coffee. I think you're going to need it.

Lorna nods, and Matt stands, leaving down the hallway to the cafeteria. Tito watches him leave, then walks tentatively over to Lorna. She looks up at him as he approaches but doesn't say a word. He stands in front of her for a minute, then attempts to speak.

TITO
Look…

LORNA
(coldly)
I'm not trying to be rude, but I have no interest in what you have to say.

TITO
I know that you probably don't think much of me---

LORNA
Of course I do! You got my little sister pregnant and then deserted her. Who wouldn't think the world of you?

TITO
It wasn't exactly like that. She never told me that she was pregnant. If I had known-

LORNA
(laughing sarcastically)
---Don't tell me. You never would have killed Grant Harrison, you'd have become a model citizen, offered to marry Hayley, and raised your baby together.

TITO
I'm trying to explain things to you, if you'd just give me a chance.

LORNA
I'm not really interested in your explanations. Hayley has gone through hell in the past month trying to make a decision about the adoption.

TITO
She didn't even ask me.

LORNA
Why should she? You are in absolutely no condition to care for this child. You're not exactly a poster child for fatherhood.

TITO
(growing angry)
So that's it? You condemn me before hearing my side?

LORNA
Fine. You've got about twenty seconds. (She looks at her watch) Go.

TITO
I'm not going to fight Hayley on this. I'm going to let her do what she thinks is best. But I DO want to be involved in the adoption in every step.

LORNA
That's Hayley's decision.

TITO
So after she's out of surgery, we'll talk to her.

LORNA
(Silent for a minute)
All right. We'll talk to her.

TITO
(smiling at her)
See? I'm not so bad.

LORNA
That's yet to be determined. I've got to go call Gary and Josie. Excuse me.

She stands and walks to a phone. Tito turns around to go back to KC, but he notices that she's gone.

CUT TO:

CORY GATEHOUSE/NIGHT

ALLI stands by the Cory gatehouse, looking around nervously. A stuffed backpack is at her feet. As Sean comes up behind her, she jumps.

ALLI
Sean! You scared the crap out of me!

SEAN
Sorry. I figured there wouldn't be anyone else coming down here this late, so you'd know it was me.

ALLI
How'd you get here?

SEAN
Hitchhiked. Caught a ride with some college kids.

ALLI
That's dangerous.

SEAN
Get used to it. We aren't exactly heading off on a Club Med vacation. So...have you got cash?

ALLI
(nodding)
About six hundred. My dad keeps sending it to me and I just stashed it away. Plus, I have a credit card.

SEAN
Cool. I've got four-fifty. We can catch a train out of Bay City.

ALLI
To where?

SEAN
Where do you want to go? We can go anywhere we want, Al.

ALLI
I don't know....

SEAN
(noticing her uncertainty)
You're not having second thoughts, are you?

ALLI
No...it's just...

SEAN
Just what?

ALLI
My mom's been through a lot...leaving her now...

SEAN
Your mom's been ignoring you for ages. It wasn't just Cameron's death. You've got to show her that you're tired of it.

ALLI
(slowly)
All right....but I want to at least call her and tell her I'm okay in a few days.

SEAN
All right...but let's go...I want to catch a train before dawn.

As Alli picks up her backpack, she follows Sean.

CUT TO:

CORY MANSION/NIGHT

CARL is standing over his desk, a thin file in his hands. As he opens it, he hears Rachel's voice approaching and closes it quickly.

RACHEL
Carl? Cory and Beth are asking for their father to tuck them in...

CARL
They are, are they? Well, we can't keep them waiting.

As he slides the file into the desk, he begins to walk out. Rachel puts a hand on his arm.

RACHEL
Carl. Is that about Reginald?

CARL
(sighing)
Yes, love, it is. I'm just concerned if he returns, everyone involved will be in danger.

RACHEL
Do you really think he'll return? Especially after his plan killed two innocents?

CARL
I don't know. I never know when it comes to Reginald. All I know is that he's determined to get his revenge, and if he's got another agenda....then God help us all until he's caught.

RACHEL
What's the other agenda?

CARL
I can't...I'm sorry, Rachel...I'll tell you soon, but we must get to the bottom of this first. And to be honest, I would feel much better if you and the twins were somewhere else right now.

RACHEL
Carl, I'm not leaving. We'll be fine right here.

CARL
Don't go out alone then, all right?

RACHEL
(with an angry sigh)
All right. I'm not happy about being kept in the dark, however.

CARL
Once it comes out, Rachel, you'll understand why I kept it a secret.

RACHEL
I'm sure I will. And I trust you, Carl.

CARL
Now....don't I have twins to put to sleep?

RACHEL
(smiling)
They've been looking forward to it for hours...

Arm-in-arm, they walk towards the stairs.

FADE TO OPENING CREDITS