Previously...

Alex feared that Seth was going to kill her, so she locked herself inside her house.  Terrified, she called Jordan who discovered the lock had been tampered with.  He spent the night when he realized how terrified she was.  Seth warned Leigh and Kenny to keep quiet about what they knew about Stratotech.  Stormy confronted Brett about his involvement with Stratotech, becoming distracted upon learning of his marriage to Heather.  Meanwhile, Miranda learned of the marriage and admitted she was concerned for her step-sister's well-being.  Brett found the surveilance videotape of Adrienne's house the day of her murder in Logan Mackenzie's belongings, and blackmailed Seth into giving him fifty percent of the money made from Costa Mesa.  Begrudgingly, Seth agreed.  Leigh tried to get James to leave town with her, but he declined, then admitted that he was in love with her.  Stormy and Eddie broke into the office trailer at Costa Mesa and learned that Stratotech was selling arms to Panama, not oil.  Kenny revealed a discrepancy in the books at Blackthorne-Reynolds, prompting James to confront Alex, who admitted she had used it to buy the land at Costa Mesa.  James blasted her for her involvement, then revealed to a startled Alex the truth about what Seth Walker was doing.  

Episode 72

"Can You Forgive Her?"

Brooke Taylor-Blackthorne was in turmoil.    She was free of James and his anarchy, free of the love that she convinced herself she had for him for two years, and free of the lies about her son Michael.  On top of that, she was also finally free to be with Ethan after a long separation.  They’d shared a connection since before she and James were even married.  The secret glances, the stolen moments of intimacy, and a romantic rendezvous in the Caribbean where their son was conceived.  Yes, she now could live the life that she was supposed to.  The only problem was, she didn’t know what that was.  Since she and Ethan had reunited, she struggled to regain that passion that she once felt for him.  While he was the same man as he always was – loving, caring, intelligent, strong, handsome, and an exceptional lover – part of her didn’t know how to carry on with him without the drama and without the constant yearning.

During a weekend in Crystal Lake they got close – almost as close as they were that glorious night in the Caribbean.  But since returning it had been much the same.  He pressured her for a commitment and she found excuse after excuse to put him off.  Her gut told her that wasn’t a good sign.   But they were supposed to be together, weren't they?

“I already told you.  I don’t think it’s right that I move into your house.  Michael is confused enough already.”

“Michael’s only two years old.  I doubt very much that any of this is going to scar him for life,” Ethan said, pacing back and forth before the fireplace in Brooke’s suite at Hotel Terranova.  “And might I remind you that Michael is my son.  What’s so confusing about a boy living with his mother and father in the same house?  It isn’t like I’m asking you to marry me for God’s sake.”

“What does that supposed to mean?” Brooke asked and bounced Michael in her arms while he fussed about this way and that.  “You say it like us getting married is such a ridiculous idea.  My divorce from James will be final in three months.”

Ethan ran his fingers through his thick brown hair and pushed up the sleeves on his shirt.  “You can’t even say that you love me, Brooke.  It’s obvious you’re not ready to think about marriage again.  At the very least I thought we could live together until you were.”

“I’m not saying it’ll never happen.  This just isn’t the right time.”

He ran his fingers along the top of the bar, staring at his reflection in the mirrored service tray.   “It’s hasn’t been the right time for two years.  You married James knowing the way you felt about me, not once but twice.  Well now you’re free.  You can be with anyone you want.  Now tell me, Brooke.  Who do you want to be with now?”

She looked at him blankly.  Of course she wanted to be with him.  Didn’t she?  She was the mother of his child.  They had history together.  They had chemistry.

“Brooke?” Ethan asked.  He got the feeling that she was someplace else.   When she didn’t respond, he shook his head in frustration and kissed Michael on the cheek before heading to the door. 

“Wait.  Where are you going?”  Brooke asked.

“Home,” was his parting shot before leaving and closing the door behind.

Brooke set Michael in his crib and buried her face in her hands.  Yes, she and Ethan had history and they had chemistry.  But if that were all true, why did she feel further from him than she ever had before?

Downstairs, Leigh made her way through the lobby and entered the lounge.  She ordered a glass of wine at the bar and took a seat just as Miranda approached with a grin and a carefree kick in her step. 

“I hope that you’re not planning on spending the evening alone,” she said and sat down across from her.

A forced smile spread across Leigh’s face as she took a sip from her glass of chardonnay and tapped her fingernails on the table top.  “Would that be so wrong?” she asked.

“When my father is at home by himself, then yes it is.”  Miranda regarded her carefully and patted her hand.   “You know, I think you’re the best thing that’s happened to him in a long time.”

“You do?”

She nodded.  “I do.  After that disaster with Brooke, it’s nice to finally see him happy for once.  I think he really feels something for you, Leigh, and I couldn’t be happier for both of you.”

“Your father’s a very special man,” Leigh said distantly.  “I love spending time with him.”

Miranda sensed sadness in her voice and in her eyes.  “Then why aren’t you with him now?”

Leigh realized that hers was a complicated question.  To break it down was simple.  The closer she got to James, the worse she felt about herself.  Her alliance with Seth Walker could easily be James’ downfall.  When he learned the truth he would never forgive her.  But why she continued to see him, yet said nothing about the danger they were all in was not so simple.  Her feelings were confusing.  She was selfish.  She wanted to pretend there was nothing standing in their way of being happy. 

“Leigh?” Miranda said.

She quickly shook the paranoid thoughts away and forced another smile.  “Your father’s got a lot going on right now.  Business.  I thought I’d give him the night off.”  She quickly changed the subject to avoid further awkwardness.  “What about you?  I hear you’re getting pretty close to David Jenner.  He’s such a catch.”

Miranda gushed happily.  “Yes, he is,” she said.  “We’re meeting a little later this evening.  Dinner and dancing.  Oh, by the way, Daddy tells me you’re going as his date to the Filmmaker Awards tomorrow night.  Maybe David and I will join you if you don’t mind.  We could double date.”

“Sounds perfect,” Leigh replied.  She only hoped that she and James would make it that long.  At that moment he was strategizing with his partners on how to handle Seth and Stratotech.  The truth was out.  And it was only a matter of time before that truth included her involvement.

The slap came fast and without warning.  Alex reached her hand to her cheek instinctively, glaring heatedly at Renee who stood before her, her hands planted firmly on her hips.

“How dare you,” Alex seethed, reeling from Renee’s assault.

“How dare you put us and our company in jeopardy,” Renee spat.  “What the hell is going on in that head of yours?  Or is the soundtrack from Fame playing too loudly in there for you to think?”

“If you hadn’t tried pushing me out of the business then none of this would have happened,” Alex insisted.  “Besides, I’m just as much a victim as you and James.  Seth came to me, not the other way around.  And he said nothing about selling arms to Panama.  I thought we were drilling for oil.  You can’t begrudge me for wanting to expand on the business.”

“I can when you did it at the expense of Blackthorne-Reynolds.  You defrauded us, Alex.  This is a partnership, and James and I had no idea that you were using funds from the company to start up your own terrorist campaign.”

“That does it,” Alex said and charged toward her.

“Knock it off,” James ordered, standing between them and pushing them apart.  “Throwing blame around isn’t going to help us out of this mess.  Now we’ve got a serious problem.  If Seth makes that first shipment of illegal weapons to Panama, we’re as good as ruined.”

“So how do you suppose we stop it?” Renee asked sarcastically.  “You heard Alex.  Two people are dead because they knew what.  If we march into his office and tell him to stop the shipment he won’t hesitate to kill us too.”

“I know, why don’t we just send you in there to do it for us?” Alex said with a snarl.

“Do you enjoy the prospect of going to prison again?” Renee shot back.   “Because I have no problem leaving you to twist in the wind."

“Enough!” James insisted, tired and aggravated.   “This isn’t helping any of us.  Now I have a plan, but I need the two of you to cooperate in order for it to work.”

“What do you have in mind?” Alex asked. 

James looked at them and picked up the phone.  “Remember how we tricked Nathan with the jets?” he asked as he dialed the phone.   “It's the same principal, only this time we’re dealing with weapons instead of a child molesting pervert.”

“I still think the weapons are less dangerous,” Alex murmured as she gave him and Renee a thoughtful look.   “So what are we supposed to do?  I can’t go on acting like everything is fine.”

“That’s exactly what you have to do,” James said.  “Go to the Filmmaker Awards tomorrow night.  Don’t let on that anything is up.  There’s no telling what Seth might do once he finds out what I’ve got planned.”

Heather laughed and flopped down on the bed in a pair of lacy pink bikinis and a matching bra.  Brett climbed on after her and kissed her tenderly on the lips. 

“I love you,” he said and stroked her hair away from her face.  “I really do.”

Grinning, Heather traced her finger along his washboard stomach, exploring the defined ridges of his muscular body.  “Good,” she said and exploded into a fit of giggles when he climbed on top of her and held her tightly in his arms. 

“I’m going to make such a perfect like for us, Heather,” he said softly.  “And I’m going to do it on my own.  Without your father’s help and without the help of the Blackthornes.  We’re going to be so happy.  Wait and see.”

“I know,” she said and kissed him passionately.

Brett slowly undressed her, taking his time as he felt himself growing aroused by her intoxicating scent.  He loved the way she smelled after she took a bath.  So soft and so feminine. 

Yes, he was on top of the world.  And after he got the fifty percent of the profits from Stratotech, they’d be the most recognizable couple in all of California.  Happy, wealthy beyond their wildest dreams, and perfectly in love.

After their refusal to move into the mansion, Alex and Renee got her very own bodyguards, courtesy of James.  While Alex half expected Kevin Costner, she was a bit disappointed when it turned out to be a burly man in his late fifties doused in cologne and too many gold chains around his neck.

When she arrived at her door, Jordan was waiting.  The bodyguard, Cliff, roughed him up sufficiently until Alex protested and declared his innocence.

“What’s with the walking meat locker?” Jordan asked with a frown while Cliff unlocked the door and inspected the house before signaling the all-clear.

“Just for protection,” Alex replied, wanting to forego the long explanations.  Jordan didn’t need to know the trouble she’d gotten herself into.  It was bad enough that James and Renee thought she was an incompetent.  She didn’t need Jordan to as well.

“Does this have anything to do with the other night?” he asked and followed her into the living room.  “Alex, is somebody after you?  Is that what this is all about?  Please, you have to tell me.  I want to know.”

“I don’t need you to protect me,” she insisted and lit a cigarette.  “I am not Renee DeWitt.  I don’t need a man to chase away all the bad things in my life.  Now what are you doing here, Jordan?”

He looked awkwardly at the bodyguard and then back a Alex.  “It’s kind of private,” he said.  “Can we be alone for a minute?”

She looked at Cliff and gave him a nod, signaling him to leave the room.  After he’d gone, she turned back to Jordan and shrugged.  “So what is this about?”

He sighed.  “It would be a lot easier if you weren’t in such a hurry to get rid of me.  I thought we were getting close again.  You called me over here the other night and things seemed to be like they used to be.”

“Just because we made love doesn’t mean things were like they used to be,” Alex said and poured herself a glass of brandy.  “We’ve made love a lot since we divorced and we’re still divorced.  Besides, I haven’t forgiven you for taking up with Renee and then acting like you were doing me a favor by coming back to me.”

“Alex, would you just stop it,” he said.  “I’m trying to say something here.”

She let her guard down, looking into his eyes and fighting to keep from growing weak in the knees.  He still had that affect on her. 

“I came here tonight because I…”  He paused, reaching into his blazer and removing a small velvet box.  “I wanted to ask you to marry me again.”

The innocence in his eyes went straight to her heart.  She gazed down at the magnifiscent ring, overwhelmed with emotion.  She thought it was even bigger than the first one he gave her. 

“Jordan, I-“ she began.  “I don’t know what to say.”

“I know it’s sudden,” he said.  “Our marriage didn’t work the first time.  I didn’t trust you.  It was partly my fault.  But I still love you, Alex.  I never stopped.  We belong together.”

The truth was she wanted nothing more than to be married to him again.  She never even wanted the divorce in the first place.  But things right now were too complicated.  This business with Seth and Stratotech.  James and Renee were furious with her.  She didn’t think she could take on anything more. 

“What do you say?” he continued, taking her hand in his.  “I know you love me as much as I love you.”

She looked at the ring and then back at him.  “Ask me again sometime,” she said softly.  “But right now I can’t give you an answer, Jordan.  I’m sorry.”

He nodded solemnly, slowly closing the ring box and placing it back in his pocket.  “Sure,” he said before turning and walking back to the door.

“Jordan-“ she called after him.  But he closed the door behind, leaving her alone with the guilt over breaking his heart. 

Sighing in despair, she turned and walked to the terrace doors, taking in a breath of fresh ocean air.  Why did it have to be so difficult, she thought to herself.  Why couldn’t Jordan have asked her months ago before any of this happened?

Brooke left Michael with the nanny and went downstairs to the lounge to have a drink and to calm her nerves.  Her blowout with Ethan was enough to ruin an otherwise mediocre day.  She didn’t know why he pushed so hard.  Didn’t he know that she was trying as best as she could?

“Care for some company?” asked a voice from behind her. 

She turned and spotted David hanging back with a boyish grin and his hands dug deep in his pockets.  A brief shake of her head and a vague smile before she turned back to her drink.  “I’d actually like to be alone if you don’t mind,” she said.

But David persisted.  He approached and sat down beside her. 

“Look, I don’t know if you’re hard of hearing or you just don’t know how to take a hint, but I don’t want any company,” Brooke snapped, her voice full of hostility.  “And this stalking routine of yours is getting a little old.”

David raised an eyebrow, surprised by her sudden outburst.  He started to get up again when Brooke reached her hand out and pulled at his arm.

“I’m sorry,” she said.  “I didn’t mean to snap.  It’s just been one of those days.”

David sat back down and looked at her warily.  “I’m a pretty good listener,” he said with a shrug.  “Feel free to unload on me all you want.”

Brooke offered a faint smile, pushing her wine glass back and forth on the table by the stem.  “I think I’ll pass,” she said.  “I don’t know you that well and I’m afraid you’d think I was crazy if I told you.”

David chuckled.  “Sometimes what we feel inside is much worse than others perception of it.”  He tilted his head and regarded her carefully.  “Try me.’

Sighing, she took a sip of her wine and traced a finger along the bar top.  “Relationships,” she said enigmatically and turned to him.  “They’re not easy, are they?”

He scratched his head and creased his eyebrows together in an exaggerated look of concentration.  “Relationships.  Hmm, let’s see.  Well, I’ve blown my way through about a dozen a year since I graduated college and they’ve all ended badly.  Some my fault, some theirs.  I think I’m probably the last person on earth you’d want to get advice from on that front.”

Brooke couldn’t help but smile.  “I told you,” she said and turned back to her drink.  “What about Miranda?  How’s that going?”

Miranda.   David had almost forgotten about their date.  He looked briefly at his watch.  “I’m sorry.  I have to make a phone call.  Would you excuse me for a minute?”

She nodded and watched as he made his way through the lounge and then disappeared around he corner.  Once he was safely out of view, he reached into his pocket and removed his cell phone.  He quickly dialed, nervously jiggling his keys in his pocket while he waited for an answer.

“I thought you were picking me up at eight,” Miranda said from her bedroom at the mansion.  “Or did I get my wires crossed?  Was I supposed to meet you at the hotel?”

David bit his lip and shook his head guiltily.  “No, no, you didn’t get your wires crossed.  But listen, something’s come up and I can’t make it tonight.  I’m sorry.”

Miranda didn’t bother to hide her disappointment.  Standing before her dressing mirror in a sprayed-on black dress, she dropped her free hand to her side and began pacing in aggravation.   “What’s so important that you have to cancel?” she demanded.  “David, I’m already ready to go.”

“I’m sorry,” he said again.  “It’s just that a problem with one of the hotels has come up and apparently no one can handle it but me.  I promise I’ll make it up to you.  We’re still on for the Filmmaker Awards tomorrow night, right?”

Pursing her lips in anger, Miranda rolled her eyes and kicked her shoes off in a huff.  “Right, whatever,” she said, clicked off her phone and threw it carelessly onto the bed. 

David pocketed his phone and made his way back to the lounge where Brooke was collecting her purse and heading for the door.  He quickly approached and flashed a toothy grin in her direction.   “Sorry about that,” he said.  “You aren’t leaving already are you?”

She shrugged indifferently.  “I need to get back.  I just came down for half an hour of adult time.  My son is up with his nanny.  I’d like to kiss him goodnight before he goes to bed.”

Disappointed, David put his hands in his pockets.  “Why don’t I come up?” he asked.  “We could finish talking.  Adult time doesn’t have to end just because you’re going upstairs.”

Brooke knew it was a bad idea.  Her attraction to him was a powerful thing, and could lead to even more confusion if she spent time alone with him.  Even still, twenty minutes later they were upstairs, Brooke had tucked Michael in and sent the nanny to her room, and she and David were sharing a glass of wine in front of the fire.

“There’s something I’ve got to ask you,” she said and tossed her long blond hair over a shoulder.  “Did you really see me at the makeup counter at the department store three years ago?  Or was that just a line?"

David smiled vaguely and grew into a daze, his vision blurred while he stared into the bright glow of the fire.  “No, it wasn’t a line,” he replied.  “I did meet you at the makeup counter.”

Brooke nodded slowly.  “Oh.  Well, I’m sorry that I don’t remember.  I don’t mean to sound immodest, but is it possible that it meant more to you than it did to me?”  She covered the awkwardness with a laugh.

“Yes, it did mean more to me,” he explained.  “I thought you were someone else.  Someone that I knew a long time ago.  That’s why when I saw you again that day at the police station I remembered the makeup counter.”

“Who did you think I was?”

“A girl I knew,” David replied.  “She was a local girl up in Big Bear.  Every summer my family would go there and she would always come around.  She was young, just a little girl, probably ten years younger than me.  Everyone called her Babydoll.  And before you go there, there wasn’t anything sick going on, so don’t even think it.  She was just a sweet, vibrant little girl who was full of life and laughter.  Blond hair and pigtails and blue eyes.  When I saw you you reminded me so much of her.  It took me back, that’s all.”

Brooke looked into his eyes and for the first time since meeting him she saw something other than the cocky, arrogant guy with deceptive good looks and a killer smile.  His honestly was refreshing, and she hated herself for feeling attracted to him.

“Thank you for telling me,” she said.  “It certainly makes you sound like less of a psycho.”

David grinned and nudged her playfully.  “Funny.”

“So whatever happened to her?” Brooke asked.

“I don’t know.  Her family moved away.  She’s probably out there somewhere spreading sunshine with that smile of hers.”

“Or working at a makeup counter in the Valley?” Brooke joked.

“Exactly,” David said.  “You reminded me of her, but now not so much.”

“What do you mean?” Brooke asked.

He shrugged.  “You seemed so happy back then.  Now you seem sad.  I guess it goes to show that money doesn’t buy happiness.”

“That’s the truth,” Brooke said thoughtfully.  Now it was her turn to stare into the fire.  Before she knew it, David was inches away, his lips brushing tenderly against hers.  For a second, she found herself kissing him back.  Butterflies tripped through her stomach and she closed her eyes briefly.  Seconds later she opened them again and pulled away in protest.

“Brooke, I-“

“I’m sorry.  You should go.”

“I didn’t mean to confuse you,” David said.

She shook her head and went to the door.  “Kissing you isn’t quite enough to confuse me, David, but please, if that makes you feel good and if that makes you feel like a man, then be my guest, think it all you want.”

“All I meant was that I know you have a lot going on right now and I don’t want to add to that,” he said.  “I’m sorry.” 

After he’d left, Brooke shut the door and buried he face in her hands.  She was crawling out of her skin with frustration.  How could she be having