EPISODE 224 - The Outing

 Bobby, Bum, John Ross, Christopher, and Miguel come out of Bobby's office at Southfork, closing the door behind them.  The men walk into the living room. "Well, Bobby's office was the best place in the house to plant this new bug,"  Bum says.  "Less traffic in there, and you can stage conversations in there any time you'd like to give Shawn Smith an earful."

 

"You're right, Bum,"  says Bobby.  "If that bug were planted in here again or any other room in the house, there's no telling what Smith would hear with this crowd."

 

"Miguel, you go and meet with Shawn, and tell him you planted the bug here in the living room,"  Christopher says.  "And then we'll take it from there."

 

"You sure Smith took the bait you tossed him concernin' that deal with Chambers and Harwood?"  John Ross asks.

 

"Yes, he took the bait,"  replies Miguel.

 

"John Ross, are you sure Samantha Chambers and Brandon Harwood are on board with helping us with this?"  Bobby asks.

 

"100%, Uncle Bobby.  Both Chambers and Harwood Oil have been screwed over by Westar since that little jackass took over that comp'ny, and they're itchin' to put Shawn Smith in his place almost as much as we are."

 

"Miguel, you'd best be goin',"  Bobby says.

 

Miguel nods, then quickly leaves the house as his mother, Lucia Trevino, comes down the hallway and into the living room.  Lucia pauses as she watches her son leave.  

 

"Morning, Lucia,"  Christopher says.  "Sleep well?"

 

 

"Not very.  Christopher, all night I was thinking about what you are having my son to do.  And I still do not like this."

 

"Lucia, he's gonna be okay,"  Christopher.  

 

"What we're asking Miguel to do isn't dangerous, Mrs. Trevino,"  says Bobby.  "Not as long as Shawn Smith still thinks that Miguel is workin' for him."

 

"And what if something goes wrong?  If this Shawn Smith suspects that Miguel is betraying him?"

 

"He won't,"  Christopher says.  "Miguel is very good."

 

"Good at what?"  Lucia asks.  "At deceiving people?  An unfortunate trait Miguel inherited from his father."

 

"Lucia, it won't be for long, I PROMISE,"  Christopher says, taking Lucia by the hand.  "We NEED Miguel for this.  And once it's all over, once Shawn Smith is right where we want him, Miguel will never have to do anything like this again."

 

"I hope you are right, and this is over soon,"  Lucia says.  Christopher puts his arm around the woman and 

embraces her as Courtney comes down the hall and starts into the living room.  She stops in the doorway when she sees her husband embracing Lucia Trevino.  Courtney watches Christopher and Lucia for a moment, a worried look on her face.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A wooded area near Southfork....

 Miguel is again waiting in the wooded area he and Shawn have chosen as their meeting spot a couple of miles from Southfork. It is a cold morning, and Miguel shivers when a cold breeze begins to blow through the woods. He nervously looks at his watch.  Just then, Shawn's car drives up and comes to a stop.  Shawn gets out of the car and walks over to him with a smile.  

 

"Well, good morning, Miguel,"  Shawn says.  "So, tell me some good news."

 

"I planted the bug in Southfork.  I replaced the failed bug with the new one in the lamp,"  Miguel says.

 

"Excellent.  And today, I'm gonna check out that deal you told me about that Ewing Oil is trying to get into with 

 Chambers and Harwood Oil."  Shawn laughs happily.  "Damn, can things possibly get any better for me right now?  My grandfather just changed his will, naming me as his sole heir, I've got you keeping tabs on the Ewings for me, and if all continues to go my way, I could steal this deal right out from under the Ewings.  Soon, Miguel.  Very soon, the Ewings are going down, and both of us are gonna get our revenge on that family."

 

"Yes......soon,"  Miguel replies.  

 

"Well, I gotta get going.  Gotta get a shower, change, and get to the office,"  says Shawn.  "I've got a real big day ahead."  Still smiling, Shawn walks back to his car and gets in.  He waves at Miguel, then turns his car around, and drives off.

 

"Yes, Shawn, soon.  Only you will be the one going down, and not the Ewings," Miguel says as he watches Shawn drive away.

 Christopher comes into the dining room the next morning, late to breakfast, as Bobby, Ann, Courtney, Jacob, Lucas, Heather, Michael, John Ross, Krystina, and Alex are already at the table.  "Morning,"  he says.

 

"Well, good morning yourself,"  says Bobby.

 

"Christopher, it's not like you to oversleep like that,"  Ann says.

 

"Yeah, I know, I haven't done that since college.  I was exhausted, though."

 

"No wonder,"  Courtney says.  "You were up pretty late last night.  What time did you finally come in and go to bed, anyway?"

 

Christopher looks at his wife.  "I'm......not sure. Around 2 or 2:30, I guess."

 

"Christopher, what in the world were you doin' out that time of night?" John Ross asks.  "Out partyin' or somethin'?"

 

"John Ross, for your information, I was helping Lucia and the boys get settled into the cottage."

 

"At 2 in the morning?"  Lucas asks.

 

"Yeah.  Well, you know that cot Antonio was sleeping on had a hole in it, so we went to the store last night and bought him a bed.  Miguel and I were setting it up."

 

"Hmmm,"  John Ross says.  "You bought the kid a bed.  Sounds like the Trevino clan is plannin' on stayin' at Southfork for a while......or, indefinitely, maybe?"

 

"John Ross, I told Lucia that she and the boys could use the cottage for as long as they wanted to,"  says Bobby.

 

"Oh,that's real nice,"  John Ross complains. "Nicolas Trevino tried to destroy this family and our comp'ny, and he even tried to kill your own son, and now we let his widow and sons move in lock, stock, and barrel just because Christopher feels guilty about killin' the son of a bitch in self defense.  The two of you ought to qualify for sainthood."

 

"John Ross, you'd better watch your mouth,"  Christopher says.

 

"Alright, that's enough,"  says Bobby.  "Don't start that this morning."

 

"Christopher, how do you think your wife feels about you spendin' so much time with Lucia Trevino?"  John Ross asks.

 

"John Ross, I'm telling you, get the hell off my back,"  Christopher says.  "I'm in no mood this morning."

 

"Well, I wish you would both just shut up,"  says Lucas.

 

"I'll second that,"  Ann says. 

 

"Well, it's nice to see that everybody's in such a good mood around here on a Friday morning,"  Bobby says with a slight smile.

 

The family continues eating breakfast in uncomfortable silence for a while.  Michael looks around the table, and 

  Debra Lynn is in her bedroom at the Beaumont home that morning folding some of little Eve's clothes to put away, when suddenly, she is stricken with an almost unbearable pain in her right side.  "OHHH!!!"  She yells out in agony.  The pain is so bad that she is unable to move, and almost falls to the floor.  She grabs onto the bed and then manages to take a seat on it.  She begins to cry, realizing that her pains are coming more frequently, signaling that her time is growing ever shorter. She reaches over to the nightstand, opens the top drawer and takes out her medicine and syringe.  Nervously, she fills the syringe, then injects herself with the pain medication. A terrible fear grips Debra Lynn as she also realizes that she and Eve are here all alone.  Jimmy is at work and Ashley is in class at SMU.  What is Eve needs her and she is unable to care for her 4-year-old daughter.  Two minutes pass, then three, and the pain fails to subside as it usually does.  After almost another full minute, she begins to feel a little better.  She puts the medicine and syringe back into the drawer.  The doorbell rings.  Debra Lynn struggles to stand, then she has to steady herself before making her way to the bedroom door and out into the hall.  

 

A moment later, as the doorbell rings a second time, Debra Lynn slowly comes down the stairs, but, mid-way down, she suddenly stops, the pain becoming almost unbearable again.  She begins to feel as if she is about to pass out.  Her head spins.  The doorbell rings a second time.  As Debra Lynn tries to make her way down the rest of the stairs, she loses her balance and falls, tumbling down the steps and landing at the bottom with a loud THUD.  

 

On the front porch, Mitch hears Debra Lynn fall.  Becoming alarmed, he pounds on the door.  "HELLO?  DEBRA LYNN?  IS ANYONE HOME?"  He yells.  When no one answers, Mitch tries the door and finds it unlocked.  Rushing in, he finds Debra Lynn unconscious at the bottom of the stairs.  "Oh my God.  Debra Lynn!"  He runs to her and kneels beside her.  He tries to wake her.  "Debra Lynn?"  Mitch feels for a pulse, then takes his cell phone from his pocket and dials 911.  "Yes, this is Dr. Mitch Cooper, I'm chief of staff at Texas Health Presbyterian in Dallas.  I need an ambulance at 142 Kent Road in Braddock.  A woman is unconscious, possible fall down a flight of stairs.  Hurry!"  Mitch touches her face.  "You hang on, Debra Lynn."

Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital....later....

 

 Jimmy, Ashley, and Dylan rush into the emergency department at Texas Health Presbyterian a short while later and approach the nurse's desk.  "Excuse me,"  Jimmy says.  "Mrs. Debra Lynn Beaumont was brought in here earlier by ambulance."

 

"Are you a relative?"  The nurse asks.

"Yes, I'm her son, and this is her daughter."

 

"One moment, I'll page Dr. Cooper.  He said to let him know when Mrs. Beaumont's family arrived."  The nurse picks up the phone at the desk.  

 

"Oh my God, Jimmy, what could be wrong with her?"  Ashley frantically asks.

 

"I dunno.  But I knew something has been wrong with Mom for a while now."

 

A minute later, Mitch walks through a set of double doors at the end of the hall and approaches the three.  "Jimmy, Ashley,"  he says.

 

"Dr. Cooper, how is our Mom?" Jimmy asks.

 

"What's wrong with her?"  Ashley asks.

 

"She's resting comfortably right now,"  Mitch asks.  

 

"What about our little sister, Evie?"  Ashley asks.  

 

"Don't worry, Eve is fine.  I called Ann and she rushed right over and took her back to Southfork with her."

 

"Dr. Cooper, what's wrong with her?"  Jimmy asks. "When the nurse called me, she said Mom collapsed."

 

"Yes, that's true."

 

"WHY did she collapse?"

 

"Dr. Cooper, please, tell us what's wrong with her,"  says Ashley.

 

"Your mother, she wanted to tell you this herself.  And I still think it should come from her."

 

Jimmy and Ashley exchange worried looks.  "Can we see her?"  Jimmy asks.

 

"Yes, in a few minutes.  I'm having your mother admitted for some tests.  And then when you see her, she'll explain everything."

 

Jimmy puts his arm around his younger sister and the two embrace as Dylan silently looks on, worried that Debra Lynn's time is growing shorter.  

Dallas-Love Field Airport....

 Justin is waiting at one of he terminals in Dallas-Love Field Airport when he spots Jill and Casey.  Smiling, Justin makes his way through the crowd to them.  "Hey, Jill,"  he says.

 

"Justin,"  Jill says, greeting her brother with a hug and kiss.  "Oh, it's great to see you."

 

"Great to see you, too, and look at this kid here.  He's grown at least two more inches since Christmas."

 

 Casey smiles.  

 

"Justin, thank you for meeting us at the airport,"  Jill says.  

 

"Hey, I'm glad to do it, and I'm real glad to see you both.  Now, why don't we go get your bags, and get the heck outta this airport?"

 

"Sure,"  Jill says.  "So tell me about our new sister, Lila.  I've been very curious to meet her ever since you called and told me about her."

 

"Okay, I'll fill you in when we get in the car,"  Justin says as they walk toward baggage claim.  "She's quite a character, and I'm sure you're gonna like her a lot.  And the best thing is........she REALLY rubs John Ross the wrong way."

 

"Really?"

 

"Oh yeah, he hates the idea of havin' another sibling, and it's drivin' him CRAZY,"  Justin says with a smile.

 

Casey laughs.  "Boy, I'd love to see that,"  he says as they proceed toward the baggage claim area.

Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital....

 Jimmy, Ashley, and Dylan walk into Debra Lynn's hospital room, where she is laying in bed hooked to an I.V. and a pain pump.  Jimmy and Ashley are completely stunned to see their mother this way.  Debra Lynn opens her eyes and looks at them.  She smiles.  "Hello, my sweethearts,"  she says in a weak voice.

 

Ashley rushes over to her mother.  "Mom.  How do you feel?"

 

"Better now that you're all here.   Where's.......where's Evie?  Where's your sister?"

 

"It's okay, Mom, she's with Ann at Southfork,"  Jimmy replies.

 

"Oh, thank God."

 

"Mom, what's going on?"  Jimmy asks.  "What happened to you.  They said you collapsed.  Dr. Cooper said he found you."

 

Ashley takes her mother's hand.  "Mom, we know something has been going on.  It has been for a while now.  Mom, are you sick?  If you are, please tell us."

 

"I think I should wait outside,"  Dylan says.  

 

"No, Dylan,"  says Debra Lynn  "Please stay.  This concerns you, too."

 

"Mom, you're really starting to scare me,"  Ashley says.  

 

Debra Lynn looks up at her daughter and her son.  "Yes, baby.  I AM sick."

 

"What's wrong with you?"  Jimmy asks.

 

Debra Lynn wipes a tear from her eye.  "It's cancer, Jimmy.  I have cancer. "

 

"Cancer?"  Jimmy asks.  

 

"Oh my God, Mom,"  Ashley cries.

 

"Wha.....what kind of cancer?"  Jimmy asks.

 

"Pancreatic, and liver. "

 

Jimmy bites his bottom lip as he struggles to hold back his tears.  "How long have you known?"

 

"Since before I came back to Dallas last summer.  That's why I came back.  I saw my doctor in Boston, and he ran some tests.  And then I came to Dallas, and saw another doctor, a specialist.  He ran some more tests, and came up with the same diagnosis."

 

"So, what are they doing to treat it?"  Ashley asks.  "Have you been taking chemo secretly?"

 

"No, baby,"  replies Debra Lynn.  "The cancer is stage 4.  Terminal.  In fact, my doctor in Boston, and the one here in Dallas didn't expect me to be around this long.  They only gave me a few months, but, the cancer hasn't grown and progressed as fast as they expected."

 

"Then, maybe there's something that can be done,"  Jimmy says as a knock comes at the door.  

 

Dylan opens the door, and Mitch walks into the room.  "Debra Lynn,"  he says.

 

"I just told them.  I just told my children that I have cancer."

 

"Dr. Cooper, please,"  Ashley says.  "Isn't there anything that can be done for my Mom?"

 

"Ashley, I don't know,"  replies Mitch.  "That's why I was coming out to see your mother this morning.  I have a friend who specializes in alternative and non-conventional treatment of cancer that other doctors have deemed hopeless.  His name is Dr. Myron Philbin, and he has a pretty high success rate.  Debra Lynn, I contacted Dr. Philbin and told him about your case, or at least what I knew of it, and I asked him to come to Dallas to see you.  And he's agreed.  He'll be arriving in Dallas tomorrow morning."

 

"Do you think that he can help my Mom?"  Jimmy asks.

 

"If anyone can, it's Dr. Philbin.  Now, I don't wanna give any false hope here, but, this is at least worth a try to see what Dr. Philbin has to say."

 

"Dr. Cooper, how did you know that my Mom has cancer?"  Jimmy asks.  "Have you consulted on her case?"

 

Mitch hesitates for a moment before answering.  "No, Jimmy, I haven't."

 

 

"I told him,"  Dylan confesses.  

 

Ashley and Jimmy look at him in surprise.  "What?"  Ashley asks.

 

"I.......I told Mitch about Debra Lynn."

 

Ashley walks over to him.  "Dylan, what are you saying?  You KNEW about my Mom having cancer?"

 

"Yes, I knew, but, Ashley......"

 

"Oh my God.  You KNEW about this and you didn't say anything?"

 

"Ash, I'm so sorry,"  Dylan says.

 

"I can't believe this.  How could you have kept this from me?"

 

"Ashley, listen to me,"  says Debra Lynn.  "I told Dylan about the cancer after he saw me taking my pain medication.  I begged him not to say anything.  He didn't wanna go along with keeping this secret, but, I made him."

 

"Ashley, Dylan came to me after he had done some research online and found an article about Dr. Philbin,"  Mitch says.  "Dylan is the one who asked me to get Dr. Philbin to come here."

 

"Dylan, thank you for that,"  Debra Lynn says.

 

"Debra Lynn, are you in pain right now?"  Mitch asks.

 

"No.  At least not much.  The medication is helping.  But, I'm just feeling very tired and weak."

 

"I think we should all get out of here and let her get some rest,"  Mitch says.  "Jimmy, Ashley, you can visit your mother later.  Right now she needs to conserve her strength and sleep."

 

"Mom, get some sleep and Ashley and I'll be back in a little while."

 

"Jimmy, check on your little sister for me, will you?"  Debra Lynn asks.

 

"Of course we will."

 

"Mom,"  Ashley says in tears.  

 

"Ashley, baby, it'll be alright,"  Debra Lynn says.

 

Ashley embraces her mother and cries for a moment.

 

"Ash, come on,"  Jimmy says.  "Let her get some rest."

 

"I love you, Mom,"  Ashley says.

 

Debra Lynn looks up at her daughter and smiles.  "I love you, too, baby.  I love both of you.  And you, too, Dylan."

 

"Debra Lynn, if you need anything, just call the nurse."

 

"Thank you, I will."

 

Jimmy, Ashley, Dylan, and Mitch all leave the room.  "Dr. Cooper, what are the chances that this Dr. Philbin can help her?"  Jimmy asks, once they are out in the hallway.

 

"Jimmy, I'm afraid I can't answer that.  Not until Dr. Philbin does some tests and gives his opinion.  But, even if the chances are small, it's better than nothing."

 

"He's right,"  Dylan says.  "Any hope, no matter how small, is better than no hope."

 

"I'll check in on your mother later,"  Mitch says, then walks away.

 

Jimmy sighs.  "I can't believe this is happening.  This morning, I went to work, thinking this was gonna be just like any other day.  And now, just a few hours later, everything has changed."

 

"I know,"  Ashley says in tears.  "I feel like this is a nightmare that I'm gonna wake up from."

 

"Well, come on.  We need to go and check on Evie,"  says Jimmy.

 

"Ash, do you want me to come with you?"  Dylan asks.

 

Ashley turns to Dylan and looks at him.  "No, I don't,"  she angrily says.

 

"Ashley, I know you're angry with me, and you have every right to be, but....."

 

"Angry?  ANGRY?  Try FURIOUS!  All this time you've known that my Mom had cancer, and you kept it from me.  We could've been there for her all this time, Dylan.  We could've done something!"

 

"Ashley,"  Jimmy says.

 

"Dylan, I'm grateful that you told Dr. Cooper and that he contacted that other doctor.  But you should have told ME!"

 

"Your mother begged me not to.  What was I supposed to do?"

 

"You supposed to tell me that my mother was sick and maybe dying!  Dylan, just......just leave me alone right now,"  Ashley says.  She turns and walks down the hall away from him.

 

"Jimmy, please, try to make her understand,"  Dylan says.

 

"Dylan, I'll talk to her, but, I'm not sure I understand myself.  You should've told us,"  Jimmy says, then he also walks away.

 

 

 

Hurt and riddled with guilt, Dylan closes his eyes and tries to hold back his tears, worried that his keeping this secret has damaged his relationship with Ashley beyond repair.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Southfork....afternoon....

 Ann is in the den watching Little John, Logan, Ellie, and Eve as the children play on the floor.  Krystina comes down the stairs and walks into the room.  "How's Alex feelin'?"

 

"Pretty bad.  And, he's also pretty grumpy that he had to miss this camping trip with the other men this weekend."

 

"Yeah, it's a shame he had to get sick now."

 

Krystina looks at the kids playing on the floor and smiles.  "Oh, it's great to see the kids all playing together like that."

 

"Yes, it is,"  Ann says.  "Next generation of this family."

 

Bobby and Lucas walk into the room..  "Well, we're all ready to go.  Christopher's loadin' all the stuff into the back of the truck, and we're headin' off to pickn up the boys from school."

 

"Alex feeling any better?"  Lucas asks Krystina.

 

"Unfortunately, no.  He still has a fever, and he's pretty disappointed he can't go."

 

"Well, we'll do this again soon, and hopefully next time he'll be able to go,"  Bobby says.  

 

Ann walks over to her husband.  "You all be careful.  I'm gonna miss ya."

 

"Gonna miss you, too,"  Bobby says, kissing her.  "And don't worry, we'll be fine."

 

"Good luck,"  says Krystina.  "Hope you guys bring back a lot of fish, and some birds."

 

"Yeah, I hope so, too.  Bye,"  Lucas says, he and Bobby walking out.  

 

A minute later, the men come out of the house and walk out to the parking area, where Christopher and Heather are finishing loading the truck with camping gear.  "Well, we're all set,"  Bobby says.

 

"Okay, well, y'all have fun,"  Heather says.  "And Lucas, watch Michael close around that water."

 

"Honey, don't worry, I will.  And Michael DOES know how to swim real well, ya know."

 

"I know, I just can't help but worry."

 

Courtney comes out of the house and walks over to them carrying a bad.  "I made some sandwiches and put some snacks in here in case you guys get hungry on the road."

 

Christopher looks at her and smiles.  "Thank you.  I love you."

 

"I love you, too.  And, I'm sorry about this morning."

 

"It's okay."

 

"You guys have fun, and take care of Jacob."

 

"You know I will,"  Christopher says.  He kisses her, then the three men get into the truck.  

 

"Bye, have fun,"  Heather says.

 

"We will,"  says Bobby.  Heather and Courtney watch as the men drive away.  

The Cryder mansion....

 Jill unlocks the front door of her mother's home in Dallas, and she, Casey, and Justin walk into the house.  "So this is where you grew up?"  Casey asks as they enter the home's stately foyer.  

 

"Yep, this is it.  When I wasn't shipped off to boarding school, anyway."

 

"Can I look around the place?"  Casey asks.

 

"Oh, sure, honey, feel free,"  Jill replies.  "After all, we do own the place.  For now, at least."

 

Casey smiles, then hurries up the stairs.

 

"Jill, are you sure you wanna do this right now?"  Justin asks.

 

"Yes, I am.  The sooner I put this place on the market and get it sold, the better.  I just want a clean break from all the memories here.  My Mom is in prison for a long time and she's turned everything over to me to do with as I please.  I think she realizes that she may never get out of prison at her age."

 

"Is it hard for you, comin' back here?"  Justin asks.

 

"A little.  But, despite so many bad memories in this house, I do have some good ones."  Jill walks into the living room, and Justin follows.  "You see that spot over there by the fireplace?  That's where we use to have our Christmas tree every year.  I remember I use to come running down those stairs on Christmas morning, very excited to open all my presents and see what Santa brought me."

 

Justin smiles.  "And I'll just bet you were spoiled rotten."

 

"Well, that's a bet you'd win  I WAS spoiled rotten.  On Christmas Eve, my parents would always entertain.  They'd have guests here all dressed up.  Mostly Westar board members and people like that.  Then after all the guests would leave, Wilson Cryder........the man I thought was my father then......he would dress up like Santa and my Mom would always make sure that I saw him placing my presents under the tree.  They kept this up until I was about 9, and then........everything changed."

 

"Like what?"  Justin asks.

 

"For years, the only thing that held my mother's and Wilson's marriage together was me.  Wilson knew that I wasn't his daughter, but, he loved me anyway.  But then,over time my mother constantly threw that fact in his face, and Wilson came to resent not only my mother. but me, too.  Eventually, they split up.  And the rest of my childhood was.......not so happy.  I came to view this house like a prison, and then when I was 12, Mom shipped me off to boarding school.  I hated it.  Then, she took me out and brought me home when I was 15."

 

 "This really is a beautiful place,"  Justin says.  "You have any other good memories here?"

 

"Oh, yes, a few more.  Like, upstairs in my bedroom."

 

Justin smiles.  "I won't ask what happened in there."

 

"Craig use to sneak over here at night when we were in high school.  There was a ladder that was always in our garage in back.  Craig would quietly take that ladder out of the garage, bring it around to the side of the house, and climb up to my window and crawl in."

 

"You're kiddin'.  That never woke your Mama up?"

 

"No,"  Jill says.  "Mom was addicted to tranquilizers and sleeping pills, and once she went to bed at night, she was dead to the world until the next morning.  I think I could've had a wild party in my room and it wouldn't have woken her up.  Besides, her bedroom was on the other side of the house, anyway.  Casey was conceived in that bedroom.  But, it was also to this house I came after I gave birth to him and my mother and that damned crooked doctor she paid told me that my baby had died.  I mourned my baby in this house, never knowing that he was alive and had been stolen from me.  The soner I sell this place and get rid of it, the better."  Jill begins to cry.

 

"Shhhhh, it's okay,"  Justin says, putting his arms around Jill as she cries.  Meanwhile, Casey is standing on the 

balcony above them overlooking the living room, watching them and listening.  A sad look is on Casey's face as he hears his mother speak of the grief she was put through after he was born, thinking that he had died shortly after birth.  A tear falls down the boy's face.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Martin Creek Lake in East Texas....late afternoon....

 A white Southfork pickup truck drives into the Martin Creek State Park in East Texas late in the afternoon and comes to a stop, Christopher driving.  He, Bobby, Lucas, and the boys get out of the truck and stretch their legs.  

 

"Boy, that was a long trip,"  Michael says.  

 

"Yeah it feels like we were riding forever,"  says Jacob.

 

"Come on, fellas, it was only about 2 and a half hours,"  Bobby says.

 

"I agree with the boys,."  says Lucas.  "After that long drive, it feels good to get out and stretch my legs."

 

"Can we go down to the lake?"  Michael asks.

 

"Yeah, go ahead, but don't wander off too far,"  Christopher replies.  "We're gonna unload the truck and then we're gonna need you boys to help us set up the tents."

 

"Okay,"  Jacob says.  He and Michael run off toward the beautiful lake.  

 

Lucas looks around.  "This sure is a beautiful place,"  he says.

 

"Yeah, and it still looks the same as I remember,"  Christopher says.

 

"How long's it been since you were here?"

 

"It's been at least 16 or 17 years since we were here, hasn't it, Dad?"  Christopher asks.  

 

"Closer to 18,"  Bobby replies.  "If I remember right, the last time we were here was in.......October of 2002.  I remember because you had just started your senior year in college and we came up here when you came home one weekend."

 

"Just look at that view of that lake,"  Lucas says.  

 

 

"Yeah, it definitely is breathtaking,"  Christopher says.  "I remember coming here with Dad when I was a teenager.  I think I was about 12 or 13 the first time we came here.  Remember, Dad?"

 

"I sure do,"  Bobby replies.  "Now, how about you two come over here and give me a hand unloadin' this truck?  We need to get our camp set up before dark."

 

Lucas and Christopher exchange smiles.  "Sorry, Dad,"  Christopher says.  

 

"HEY BOYS!"  Bobby calls to Jacob and Michael down by the lake.  "COME GIVE US A HAND UNLOADIN'.  THEN ONCE WE GET CAMP SET UP, WE'LL GET SOME FISHIN' IN BEFORE DARK!"

 

Michael tosses a small rock into the lake, skipping it across the water, then he and Jacob head back to where the men were about to set up camp.

Justin and Pamela's apartment....that evening....

 Pamela and Jill are setting the table at Justin and Pamela's apartment that evening for dinner.  "Thanks for your help,"  Pamela says to Jill, a distinct tone of unfriendliness in her voice.

 

"You're welcome.  Least I can do, I suppose."

 

"You're right, it is."

 

Jill looks at her.  "Pamela, I know that you and I have never been friends, and I doubt we ever will be.  But, you've been particularly hostile to me since Casey and I arrived today, and I'd like to know why.  You were also nastier than usual when my family was in town for Christmas, too."

 

"Okay, you want the truth?"  Pamela asks.  "Well, since you asked, I'll give you the truth.  Jill, I've never liked you, and I'm sure the feeling's mutual.  We've had our share of problems over the years, beginning with Tripp.  But if you wanna know why I'm angry with you now, well, it's because I really resent you pushing that Westar stock onto Justin and putting him square in the middle between Westar and Ewing Oil.  Or, more specifically, between John Ross and Shawn Smith."

 

"Pamela, not that I feel like I owe you any explanation, which, I don't, but I gave those shares to the one person I trusted more than anyone else.  The one person I trusted would hold on to those shares and not allow them to be used in the war between Westar and Ewing Oil, or used to hurt Ewing Oil."

 

As Pamela is about to say something, Justin and Casey walk into the room.  "Hey somethin' smells real good,"  Justin says.

 

"Thank you.  Dinner will be ready soon,"  Pamela says.

 

"Good,"  Justin says, looking at his watch.  "Lila and Cass should be here any minute now."

 

Meanwhile, in the hallway outside, Cass, Lila, Jasmine, and Cory step off the elevator down the hall from Justin and Pamela's apartment.  Cass looks around at the numbers on the apartment doors.  "It's down this way," he says.  The four walk down the hall until they come to Justin and Pamela's apartment.  Cass starts to ring the bell.

 

"Cass, wait a minute,"  Lila says, stopping him.

 

"Lila, what's wrong?"

 

"Just give me a second."

 

"Nervous, Mom?"  Jasmine asks.

 

"Well, of course I'm nervous.  I'm meetin' my half-sister for the first time.  What if she doesn't like me?"

 

"Mom, why wouldn't she like you?"  Cory asks.

 

"I dunno, honey, but, John Ross didn't."

 

"That guy John Ross is a jerk,"  Cory says.  "Don't worry about him.  The rest of your new family likes you."

 

"Cory's right,"  Cass says.  "Justin, Bobby, everyone else has been great since they found out you were a part of their family.  From what I've heard about John Ross from Jay and a few other people, he doesn't like anyone.  So come on.  Let's get in there and meet your sister."

 

Lila looks at him and nods.  Cass rings the doorbell.  A few seconds later, Justin opens the door.

 

"Hey, guys, come on in,"  Justin says.

 

"Justin, how's it going?"  Cass asks, walking into the apartment.

 

"Great.  Lila, how ya doin'?"

 

"Just fine, thanks,"  Lila replies as Justin greets her with a kiss on the cheek.

 

"Justin, I didn't wanna come empty handed, so....."  Cass says, handing Justin a bottle of wine.

 

"Cass, you didn't have to do that."

 

Pamela, Jill, and Casey walk into the room.  "Hi,"  Pamela says.

 

"Evening, Pamela,"  says Cass.

 

"Umm, Cass, Lila, Jasmine, and Cory, I'd like for you to meet my.........Lila, OUR......sister, Jill Anderson, and her son, Casey."

 

The two daughters of J.R. Ewing look at each other, neither of them saying anything for a few seconds.  "Lila, it's very nice to finally meet you,"  Jill says.

 

"Jill, the pleasure's all mine.  I've heard so much about you from Justin."

 

"Well, I've heard a lot about you, too."

 

Lila looks at Casey.  "And this is your son?  My, what a handsome young man."

 

"Thank you, I think so,"  Jill says.

 

"Casey it is?"  Lila asks.

 

"Yes, ma'am,"  the boy replies.  

 

"Casey, these are your cousins, Jasmine and Cory."

 

"Hey, what's up?"  Casey asks.

 

"How ya doin', man?"  Cory says.

 

"Well, everyone, dinner is ready,"  says Pamela.  "Casey, would you mind going to get Hunter and Randall?"

 

"Sure,"  Casey says, leaving the room.

 

"Okay, everyone, let's make our way to the table, and we can all get better acquainted over Pamela's delicious and very special bourbon chicken,"  Justin says. 

The Krebbs home....

 Dylan is sitting at his desk in his darkened room that night thinking about what Ashley had said to him at the hospital this morning.  After a moment, he picks up his cell phone and dials her number for the 10th time today.  After several rings, Ashley's voicemail answers.  Dylan decides to leave her yet another message:  "Ashley, look,  know you're real upset with me right now, and you're right, I shouldn't have kept your mother's condition from you, and I'm sorry.  Ash, I'm really worried about you.  I'm worried about US.  So please, give me a call and let me know you're okay.  A call, a text, or something.  Ash........I love you."  Dylan ends the call and puts his phone down just as someone knocks at his door.  "Come in,"  Dylan says.

 

Donna walks into the room carrying a tray.  "Hey.  Missed you at dinner."

 

"Yeah, I just wasn't hungry."

 

"I brought you up a couple sandwiches and two snack cakes."

 

"Thanks."

 

Donna  walks over and takes a seat on the bed.   "Still haven't heard from Ashley?"

 

"No, I haven't,"  Dylan replies.  "She won't return my calls or my texts.  I even sent her a message on Facebook and she hasn't even looked at it."

 

"Ashley's upset right now, and worried to death about her mother,"  Donna says.  "Poor girl probably feels like the rug has been pulled out from under her, like her whole world has been turned upside down in just one day, and truthfully, it has."

 

"I'm so worried about her, Donna.  What am I gonna do?  What if I've lost the best thing that's ever happened to me?"

 

"Dylan, I'm sure that when Ashley calms down, everything will be alright.  She's gonna need you now more than ever."

 

"If she ever speaks to me again,"  Dylan says.  

 

"Y'know, I'm not blaming Debra Lynn, but she did put you in an awkward position of having to keep her secret."

 

"It was my own fault.  If I'd just minded my own business when I saw her taking her pain medication that day, I wouldn't have been IN the position of having to keep the secret about her cancer."

 

"Oh, sweety, you were tryin' to help her,"  Donna says.  "And I'm sure that Ashley will realize that you were only trying to honor her mother's wishes."

 

"I sure hope so."

 

"Well, even though it's Friday night and still early, I think I am gonna go to bed.  It's been a long and busy week."  Donna stands, walks over to Dylan, and kisses him on the head.   "I'll see you in the morning."

 

"See you in the morning,"  Dylan says as Donna walks to the door.  "And thanks your the sandwiches."

 

Donna looks at him and smiles.  "You're welcome.  EAT,"  she says, and leaves the room.

 

After she's gone, Dylan again picks up his cell phone and starts to call Ashley, but instead decides to send her a

 Meanwhile, Ashley is sitting at Debra Lynn's bedside in her hospital room as her mother sleeps, when she receives Dylan's text.  Feeling her phone vibrate in her lap, Ashley picks it up and looks at it.  Seeing the text is  

from Dylan, she reads it, then looks at her mother.  Ashley begins to cry.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Justin and Pamela's apartment....

 Back at Justin and Pamela's apartment, the small family dinner is continuing with Justin, Pamela, Jill, Casey, Cass, Lila, Jasmine, and Cory.  The entire group erupts into laughter as Cass finishes telling a funny story.  "Cass it sounds like you've led a real interesting life,"  Justin says.

 

"Oh, Justin, that's putting it mildly,"  Cass says.  "I've had some adventures and experiences that would curl your hair."

 

"No one could ever accuse Mom and Cass of being boring,"  says Jasmine.

 

"Jill, it's a shame that your husband couldn't come with you to Dallas,"  says Cass. 

 

"Justin tells me your husband is a detective, umm, with the Los Angeles Police Department?"  Lila says.

 

"Well, actually, Craig is with the Knots Landing Police Department,"  Jill says.  "Knots Landing is a small suburb of L.A."

 

"And he was with the Dallas P.D. before you guys moved to L.A.?"  Cass asks.

 

"That's right."

 

"Justin told me a little of your story,"  says Lila.  "About how you and your husband met in high school, you got pregnant, and then you were separated from each other and from your baby for years, then you were reunited."

 

"Really?"  Jasmine asks.  "That happened to you?"

 

"Yes, it did.  Craig and I were reunited with Casey just last year, and then Craig and I were married and we moved to Knots Landing."

 

"Wow, that's so cool,"  Jasmine says.  "And so romantic."

 

"Well, I can't wait to meet that detective husband of yours,"  says Lila.

 

"Well, hopefully next time we make a trip back to Dallas."

 

"And maybe you guys can come to California and visit us sometime,"  Casey says.

 

 

"Yeah. that'd be great, too,"  Jill say.

 

"Thank you, we might just take you up on that sometime real soon,"  Lila says.

 

Meanwhile, Cory receives a text on his phone.  Picking the phone up from the table, Cory looks at it and sees that it's from Daniel.  He smiles, then lowers the phone to his lap to secretly type a reply text.  Sitting next to her brother, Jasmine looks over to try to see the text Cory is typing.

 

"Cory, I understand that you just started school at the University of Texas in Austin,"  Jill says.

 

Cory looks at her.  "Umm, yes, ma'am."

 

"He sure did, and Cass and I couldn't be prouder,"  Lila says.

 

"Well, Cory, have you dated any beautiful girls down in Austin, yet?"  Justin says.  "The university must be full of 'em."

 

"No, not......not yet,"  Cory replies, awkwardly.

 

"My little brother's too busy with his studies, I'm sure,"  says Jasmine.  "He always was real dedicated to school."

 

Cory looks at his sister.

 

"Casey, what grade are you in?"  Cass asks.

 

"8th."

 

"Wow, you look so much older and mature,"  Lila says.

 

"Casey will be 14 in May,"  Jill says.

 

"Kids mature so much faster these days than they use to,"  Pamela says.

 

"Speakin' of kids, Pamela, those two little boys of yours are really adorable,"  says Lila.

 

Pamela looks at her and smiles.  "Well, thank you.  Justin and I are very proud of them."

 

"If you guys ever need a babysitter, you can always call on me,"  Jasmine says.

 

"Jasmine, we appreciate that,"  Justin says.

 

"Well, if everyone is finished, I'll just clear the table, and you all can go into the living room and get comfortable."

 

"Pamela, I'll help you,"  Lila says.  

 

"Oh, no, Lila, you're a guest, you don't have to."

 

"No, I insist."  Lila motions for her daughter to also help with the dishes.  

 

"I'll help, too,"  Jill says.  As the three women begin clearing the dinner dishes, Cass, Justin, Cory, and Casey get up from the table and go into the living room.  Jill gathers the dishes used by herself and Casey, and goes into the kitchen.  Lila also picks up some of the dishes from the table and follows, the two women placing the dishes into the kitchen sink.  "Lila, how are things between you and John Ross?  Justin told me that he hasn't been very friendly or accepting to you."

 

"Well, that's kinda puttin' it mildly.  Couple times he's been downright nasty."

 

Jill turns to her.  "Well, listen, don't let him get to you.  And more importantly, don't let him intimidate you.  John Ross is that way with everyone.  He and I didn't hit it off at first, either, and we have our problems even now.  When Justin first came to Dallas and revealed his identity as J.R.'s son, John Ross even went to court to overturn J.R.'s will to keep Justin from getting the inheritance J.R. had left for him."

 

Lila sighs.  "Yeah, Justin told me about that.  John Ross is terrified of losin' what he's got, huh?"

 

"Oh, yes, he definitely is.  But like I said, Lila, don't let him get to you.  You're a member of this family now, and John Ross is just gonna have to get use to that."

 

Lila looks at her and smiles.  "Jill, thank you.  You've made me feels  so much better.  I gotta tell you, I was real nervous about meeting you tonight.  I mean, OFFICIALLY meeting you, since we didn't actually exchange any words at Christmas."

 

"Well, there were so many people at Southfork there that day.  And, truthfully, I was a little nervous about meeting you, too.  But I'm very glad that we HAVE met."

 

"So am I.  Y'know, Jill, I've always wanted a sister.  I grew up alone,and well, now I'm glad I have a sister."

 

"I grew up as an only child, too, and I'm happy to finally have a sister.  I look forward to us getting to know each other."

 

"Me, too,"  Lila say with a smile.  The two newly found sisters hug.

Martin Creek Lake....

 Bobby, Christopher, Lucas, Michael, and Jacob are sitting around their campfire at Martin Creek Lake that night after finishing the dinner of catfish they had caught from the lake earlier.  "Boy am I full,"  Jacob says.

 

"No wonder," says Christopher.  "You ate 3 big pieces of that fish."

 

"Leave him alone, he's a growing boy,"  Bobby .  "Besides, I remember one time when you were about Jacob's age when you ate FOUR of those catfish we pulled outta this lake."

 

Christopher laughs.  

 

 

"This trip sure has been fun, and it's only the first day,"  Michael says.  

 

"And tomorrow's gonna be even better,"  Bobby says.  "We'll get up early and do some more fishin' and then after breakfast we'll see if we can't get us a couple quails."

 

"And tomorrow afternoon, we can go for a hike around the lake,"  Lucas says.  "By the way, where does that trail I saw go?"

 

"It circles around the lake,"  Bobby replies.

 

"And, if I remember right, there's a waterfall and some rapids in the creek on the other side,"  Christopher says.

 

"Boy, I can't wait,"  Jacob says.

 

 "Yeah, me either,"  says Michael.  "Hey, Grandpa, tell us one of your stories."

 

"Dad, tell us about the time you and Grandpa Jock and Uncle J.R. and Uncle Ray went hunting and those men started that fight in the bar,"  Christopher says.

 

"Yeah, Grandpa, tell us!"  Michael says with excitement.

 

"I've never heard this story, either,"  says Lucas.   "What happened?"

 

"Alright, alright,"  Bobby says.  "A long time ago, before Christopher was even born, my Daddy decided that all us men should go on a huntin' trip to this little town where he use to take us huntin' when I was a kid.  A little town on the Texas/Louisiana border called Landowne.  So, one weekend, Daddy, and me, and J.R. and Ray all packed up and headed to Landowne.  Well, when we got to town we went to the store and bought a few supplies, and then headed over to a bar for a few drinks before we started off for the woods to set up camp.  And while we were in the bar, just drinkin' and listen to one of Daddy's stories, in walks these three men, one of them older, about my Daddy's age, and two younger ones.  Well, this old guy, ummmm, lemme see, what was his name........Tom.........oh, yeah, Tom Owens, he had an old grudge against my Daddy for somethin' that had happened about 30 years earlier......."

 Cory is in his bedroom the next morning picking up some of his clothes and tossing them into a laundry basket beside his bed when someone knocks on the door.  "Come in,"  he says.

 

Jasmine walks into the room.  "Well, good morning, little brother."

 

"You're up early for a Saturday morning."

 

"I couldn't sleep too well last night.  I woke up around 6 this morning and couldn't get back to sleep.  So how'd you like our new aunt and cousin last night?"

 

"I like them,"  Cory replies.  "Jill seems really nice, and Casey's pretty cool.  It's kinda hard to get use to all these new relatives we have now.  Hard to keep them all straight."

 

"Yeah, it is,"  Jasmine says, looking at her brother.  

 

Cory goes on about his task of putting his dirty clothes into the clothes basket.  After a moment, Cory realizes that his sister is staring at him strangely.  He looks at her.  "Jasmine, why are you staring at me like that?"

 

"Oh, I was just thinking about something."

 

"About what?"  Cory asks.

 

"Well, I was just wondering how much longer you're gonna keep your secret from Mom and Cass,"  replies Jasmine.

 

Cory looks at his sister nervously.  "Secret?  What secret?"

 

"The secret that you're gay."

 

Cory's heart sinks.  "Jasmine, I.........have no idea what you're talking about.  Gay?  That's crazy."

 

"Come on, little brother.  You could never hide anything from me.  I saw you texting some guy last night.  And later, I saw your phone, and, well......"

 

"Jasmine, what the hell?  You spied on me?"

 

"Okay, yeah, I spied on you.  So shoot me, okay."

 

"Jasmine, look, it's not what you think, I......"

 

"Cory, come on,"  Jasmine says.  "So, you're gay.  So what?  I'm not gonna judge you."

 

Cory sighs.  "Jasmine, please, Mom and Dad can NOT find out about this.  So what do you want from me to keep this to yourself?  I'll give you anything.  I'll DO anything.  But you can't tell them about this."

 

Jasmine looks at her brother and nods.  "Well, that's an interesting offer, and if I weren't the loving big sister that I am, I could have a lot of fun blackmailing you right now, but..........I'm not going to."

 

"Then what do you want?"  Cory asks.

 

"I don't want anything."

 

"Jasmine, you ALWAYS want something."

 

"Not this time."  Jasmine walks over to her brother.  "Cory, don't you think you should tell Mom and Cass?"

 

"NO!  No way."

 

"Cory, they're your parents.  Mom is the woman who gave birth to you, remember?  The woman who diapered your dirty bottom, cleaned up your vomit and even dealt with your bedwetting until you were 9.  After all that, she's not gonna disown you because you're gay."

 

"Jasmine, look, Mom might not have a problem with it, but, Dad's a different story.  I just want them to be proud of me, not disappointed."

 

 

"How could they NOT be proud?"  Jasmine asks.  "You won a scholarship to the University of Texas.  Do you have any idea how many people would kill to win a 4 year scholarship like that?  Mom and Cass are very proud of you."

 

Cory lowers his head, a tear falls down his face.  

 

"Hey, what's wrong?"  Jasmine asks.

 

"There's something else.  Something else no one knows.  "

 

"What?"

Cory pauses before replying.  "Heck you already know one of my big secrets, I may as well tell you the other one.  I got kicked out of school in Bay City, and I lost my scholarship."

 

Jasmine looks at her brother, stunned at what he's just told her.  The girl's mouth falls open in shock.  "Cory........WHAT?  You lost your scholarship and got kicked out of school?"

 

"Yeah,"  Cory says.

 

"My God, what happened?"

 

"I was dumb.  There was this guy that, well, he and I kinda......"

 

"Okay, you don't have to go into detail about that,"  says Jasmine.  "What about the scholarship?"

 

"Well, this guy, Jared, we had this big exam coming up.  Finals.  And Jared was scared to death that he was gonna fail history, and so was I.  So, he talked me into stealing the answers for the questions that were gonna be on the final."

 

"And you got caught?"  Jasmine asks.

 

"Oh yeah.  We both got kicked out, and I lost my scholarship.  I had to hide all the letters that the community college sent home so Mom wouldn't see them."

 

"But, you're AT school in Austin all week."

 

"Well, I'm in Austin, anyway,"  Cory says.  He sighs deeply.  "Jasmine, you have no idea how hard this has been for me. I go down to Austin, and Mom and Dad think I'm in class all week.  I have a small apartment near the campus, and I fill my days by working part time at a bookstore near campus.  On Fridays, I come home carrying books and a laptop, and Mom and Dad are none the wiser.  On Sundays I head back down to Austin to live a lie for another week."

 

"So, you've been doing this ever since early January, when the semester started at the University?"

 

"Yep."

 

"Cory, why on Earth haven't you told Mom and Cass about this?"

 

"Jas, you saw how proud they were when I got that scholarship.  How could  I hurt and disappoint them by telling them that I lost it?  You see how they brag about me whenever they tell someone that I'm going to the University on a scholarship."

 

"Well, how long do you think you're gonna be able to keep up this charade?"  Jasmine asks.  

 

"I dunno, Jasmine.  But, I have to keep it up for as long as I can.  At least til the end of the semester.  After that, I'll.........well, I'll worry about that when it comes.  God, Jasmine, I feel like such a failure.  And a big fat disappointment to Mom and Dad."  Cory takes a seat on the bed and begins to cry.  

 

Feeling sorry for her younger brother, Jasmine walks over to him.  She takes a seat beside him on the bed, puts her arms around Cory, and embraces him.

Martin Creek Lake....

 At Martin Creek Lake, Bobby, Christopher, Lucas, Michael, and Jacob are fishing in the creek that feeds into the larger lake when Jacob suddenly gets a bite.  "Hey, I got one!"  He says.

 

"Alright, careful, now, don't let him get away,"  says Christopher.  "Start reeling him in slow."

 

Jacob does as he's told and begins slowly reeling the fish in slowly, but the large fish offers some resistance.  

 

"Jacob, you can do it.  Don't let him get away,"  Lucas says as Michael looks on.  

 

"Jacob, you've got this,"  Christopher tells his stepson.  

 

For a minute. Jacob struggles with his fish, until finally he is able to pull his catch in.  When Jacob pulls the fish out of the water, everyone, including Jacob himself, is amazed at how big the fish is.  "Whoa!"  Jacob says in aww.

 

"Well, would you look at that?"  Christopher says. 

 

"Now THAT'S what I call a fish,"  says Lucas.  "Congratulations."

 

"Thanks."

 

Meanwhile, Michael looks on unhappily, jealous that Jacob had so far caught the biggest fish on the trip.  

 

Christopher walks over, and together he and Jacob take the hook out of the large catfish's mouth, then Christopher places the fish into a large cooler filled with ice.  

 "Congratulations, Jacob,"  Bobby says with a smile.  "Fellas, how about we go and put these fish back at camp, and then grab our guns and walk around the lake, see if we can spot some quail?"

 

"Good idea, Dad,"  Christopher says.  "Come on, boys.  Jacob, I'm real proud of you for that catch."

 

 

 

"Thanks.....Dad,"  Jacob says with a smile.  

 

Christopher looks at the boy with a smile, his heart filled with pride to hear Jacob call him 'Dad'.  

 

Michael, however, is not so pleased at Jacob's big catch, nor at hearing him call Christopher 'Dad', as he is jealous not only that Jacob  

has caught a far bigger fish than he has so far, but also at the praise he is receiving from Bobby, Christopher, and even his own father, Lucas.  Michael lags behind as the others walk the short distance from the creek up the hill to their campsite, the men still praising Jacob's big catch as an envious Michael watches from afar.

 

 

 

 

 

Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital....

 Jimmy, Ashley, and Dylan are sitting in silence in a waiting room at the hospital early in the afternoon as they wait for Dr. Myron Philbin to complete tests on Debra Lynn.  Jimmy and Ashley are sitting on one sofa, while Dylan sits across the room.  After a while, Dylan stands and walks over to Jimmy and Ashley.  "Can I get either of you anything?"

 

"Thanks, Dylan, no,. I'm fine,"  Jimmy replies.

 

"No, thanks,"  says Ashley.  "Jimmy, how long have they been in there?"

 

Jimmy looks at his watch.  "About an hour and a half."

 

"This waiting is driving me crazy,"  Ashley says.  

 

"Well, Ash, why don't we take a walk?"  Dylan asks.  "I'd like to talk to you."

 

"Dylan, no.  I don't wanna talk right now.  All I can think about is my mother in there, and what those tests are gonna show."

 

A sad Dylan nods, then turns and walks back across the room, retaking his seat.

 

"Don't you think you're being a little hard on him?"  Jimmy asks his sister.

 

"Dylan lied to me, Jimmy.  All these weeks he kept the truth about Mom's condition from me, when I could've been there for her."

 

"That's not what Mom wanted, Ash."

 

Meanwhile, Ray, Donna, and Conner walk into the room.  "Hey, y'all,"  Ray says.

 

"Hey, what are you guys doing here?"  Dylan asks.

 

"We came to see how Debra Lynn is doing, and to wait with you,"  replies Donna.

 

"Thank you guys for coming,"  Jimmy says.

 

"Is your Mom still having tests?"  Conner asks.

 

"Yeah,"  Jimmy replies.

 

"Where is Evie?"  Donna asks.

 

"Ann's taking care of her today,"  replies Ashley.  

 

Ray, Donna, and Conner take seats in the waiting room with the others.  A couple of minutes of silence follows.  Finally, Ashley stands and walks to the window.  

 

"How much longer are we gonna have to wait?"  She asks.

 

Dylan stands and walks over to her.  He tries to put his arm around her, but Ashley pulls away from him.  

 

"I'm going out for some air,"  Ashley says, then walks out of the room, leaving Dylan once again hurt.  Donna gets up from her seat and walks over to Dylan.

 

"It's okay, sweety,"  Donna says.  "I'll go talk to her."  She kisses Dylan on the cheek, and leaves the room.  A moment later, Donna walks out of the emergency department entrance of the hospital and finds Ashley standing alone, crying.  Donna walks over to the girl and puts her arms around her.  

 

"Aunt Donna, I'm so scared,"  Ashley says.

 

"I know.  I know you are.  But from what I understand, that Dr. Philbin is the best in his field."

 

"But what if he isn't able to help her?"

 

"Then, it's in God's hands,"  Donna says.  "We have to pray, Ashley.  Real hard."

 

"I have been."

 

"Good, then you're doing your part.  Y'know, Ashley, Dylan loves you very much."

 

"If he loves me so much, then why did he keep this from me?"

 

"Because your mother asked him to.  Sweety, he thought he was helping her.  Dylan never meant to hurt you, and he never would.  He wanted so much to tell you, but, he also didn't want to betray Debra Lynn's trust."

 

Ashley turns and looks at Donna, her face wet with her tears.  "Why did she tell Dylan and not Jimmy or me?"

 

"Dylan found out by accident, and that's when your mother begged him not to tell you or Jimmy that she was sick."

 

"But Dylan should've told me, even if she begged him not to.  How can I ever trust him again?  How can I trust him to not keep something else really important from me?"

 

"Well, I think that's something that you're gonna have to decide for yourself,"  Donna says.  "Sweety, every couple goes through these times where the relationship is tested.  Where trust is tested.  You know, Ray and I went through something like this last year.  A test of our trust.  Ray kept a secret from me about his heath, and it nearly tore us apart, but we got through it.  We're even stronger because of it.  Ashley, Dylan loves you.  I've seen such a change in that young man's life since you became a part of it.  And I've seen how happy you are with him.  Honey, I'm not telling you that you don't have a right to be upset and a little hurt that Dylan kept this from you.  But don't throw away what the two of you have over this."

 

Ashley looks at her and nods.  "Thank you," she says.  

 

Donna gently touches the girl's face and smiles.  "You're welcome,"  she says.  "Why don't we get back in there?"

 

"Okay."  As Donna and Ashley start to go back into the hospital, Clay is rushing from the parking lot to catch them.

 

"Ashley!"  Clay calls.  

 

The two women turn around as Clay walks up to them.  "Clay,"  Ashley says.  "I didn't know you were coming."

 

"Well,. when you told me what was gong on with your mother, I had to come."

 

"I'll see you back inside,"  Donna says, then she turns and walks back into the hospital.

 

"Are you okay?"  Clay asks.

 

"No,"  Ashley says, shaking her head.  "Clay, I'm scared."

 

"It's okay,"  Clay says, embracing Ashley as she begins to cry.  

 

Meanwhile, Donna returns to the waiting room, where Dylan meets her at the door.  "Is Ashley alright?"

 

Donna looks at him and smiles.  "She's fine.  She'll be right in.  Clay came up while we were talking."

 

A second later, Ashley and Clay come down the hall and walk into the waiting room.  Ashley looks at Dylan for a moment, then walks over to him.  Ashley begins to cry again, then Dylan embraces her as Ray and Donna look on smiling.  

 

Mitch and Dr. Philbin walk into the room.  Jimmy, Ashley, Dylan, Clay, Ray, Donna, and Conner all gather around them.  

 

"Well, we've completed a battery of tests on Debra Lynn,"  Mitch says.  "And  I'll let Dr. Philbin tell you the rest."

 

"Well, as Mitch said, beginning last evening, we ran a complete battery of tests on Mrs. Beaumont,"  Dr. Philbin says.

 

"And?"  Jimmy asks.  "Can you help her?"

 

"Mrs. Beaumont's cancer is in the pancreas, in areas of the liver, and has spread to the surrounding lymph nodes.  The cancer is stage 4, but, Debra Lynn does have one thing in her favor.  I've reviewed her medical file from her doctor in Boston and the physician she saw here in Dallas last summer.  At that time, Debra Lynn was only given a few months to live.  Fortunately, the cancer's growth has not been as rapid as doctors originally predicted.  Now, with conventional treatments, I have to be honest........Debra Lynn's case would be hopeless.  But, with my alternative treatments, your mother may have a chance."

 

"How much of a chance?"  Ashley asks.

 

"I won't lie to you.  Your mother's illness is very, VERY serious.  I also don't wanna give you any false hope.  I'm going to be honest with you, as well as honest with Debra Lynn.  I don't know that I can help her.  But I'm willing to try, if she's  willing to take part of a clinical trial of a new treatment I'm developing.  I have a clinic in Miami, and Debra Lynn would have to go there for the treatments."

 

"Miami?"  Jimmy asks.

 

"Yes,"  Dr. Philbin replies.  "Now I'd like to get Debra Lynn to Miami and start on these treatments immediately.  We've lost some valuable time.  I wish that I had known about this case months ago, so, we have no time to lose.  If Debra Lynn agrees, I'd like to leave first thing tomorrow."

 

"Have you talked to my Mom about this?"  Jimmy asks.

 

"Not yet.  Debra Lynn is still heavily sedated right now, so I wanted to talk to you, her family, first.  As soon as she's awake and alert, I'll discuss this with her.  And it may be up to her family to convince her to give this treatment a chance."

 

"Dr. Philbin, what's involved in this treatment?"  Ashley asks.  

 

"Alternative medications combined with various herbal treatments.  I'll discuss this with you in detail when I talk to your mother about it."

 

Jimmy looks at Mitch.  "Dr. Cooper, what do YOU think?  Do you recommend that my mother try this?"

 

"Yes, Jimmy, I do,"  says Mitch.  "Your mother's prognosis, as it stands right now, is extremely bleak.  In fact, it's about as bleak as it gets.  If nothing is done, your mother will die.  She could have as little as 2 or 3 months left at best.  What Dr. Philbin is offering is a tiny ray of hope.  This treatment may work, and it may not.  It may only prolong your mother's life by weeks or months, but, I think that any amount of hope, no matter how small, is better than none at all."

 

Ashley nods.  "Yes, you're right.  Mom has to do this.  She has to."

 

Jimmy puts his arm around his sister.

 

 

Marti Creek Lake....

                                                                                                                                                Bobby, Christopher, Lucas, Michael, and Jacob are walking the beautiful trail around the lake in the afternoon. "This is some of the most beautiful scenery anywhere,"  Lucas says.

 

"You should see it in the fall, when the leaves are changing,"  says Bobby.  

 

"Maybe we can come back next fall?"  Jacob asks.

 

"I don't see why not,"  Christopher replies.  "Maybe when you boys are out of school on fall break."

 

"Michael, you're awful quiet over there,"  Bobby says.  "Somethin' wrong?"

 

"No, I'm fine, Grandpa.  Dad, can I go exploring the trail on my own?"

 

"It's okay with me, but just make sure you don't stray too far, and meet us back at the camp site in.......oh, about an hour and a half,"  says Lucas.  "You remember how to get back to camp?"  

 

"Yeah, I just follow the trail around the lake,"  replies Michael.  

 

"Right.  Okay, take off, and be careful,"  Lucas says.

 

"Wait up, I'll  come with you,"  Jacob says.  

 

"No, I wanna be by myself,"  Michael abruptly says, then walks away by himself.  

 

 

"What the heck is HIS problem?"  Jacob asks.

 

"I think I know,"  replies Christopher.  

 

"What?"

 

Christopher smiles.  "Well, Jacob, ever since we've been up here, you've been outdoing Michael.  Kind of outshining him in everything.  You built the fire last night, brought in more firewood than he did, caught more fish than him.  And then that big one you caught this morning and we all bragged so much about it.  I guess it made Michael feel a little......left out."

 

"Michael's also been feelin' kinda down for a while now because he hasn't grown much, and his voice hasn't started to change yet,"  says Lucas.  "I mean, you two are the same age, and a year ago you were the same height, and now, you're at least 2 or 3 inches taller, and your voice is deeper."

 

"So Michael's jealous?"  Jacob asks.

 

"Yeah,"  replies Christopher.

 

"But I can't help that I hit puberty before him, or that I'm better at stuff than he is."

 

"We all know that, Jacob, but Michael just feels kinda left behind,"  Bobby says.

 

"Yeah, yesterday when we went to pick the boys up at school, did you see some of those kids that came outta the middle school?"  Lucas asks.  "Some of them looked like college freshmen instead of middle schoolers."

 

Jacob nods.  "Yeah, Michael is one of the smallest kids in school.  They're a couple who are smaller than him, though."

 

"I guess I should go find him and have a talk with him,"  Lucas says.

 

"Uncle Lucas, let me go find him,"  says Jacob.  

 

"Alright, thank you, Jacob."

 

"Don't forget, you and Michael meet us back at camp in about an hour and a half," Christopher says.

 

"Okay, we will."  Jacob walks away from them to find Michael.  Christopher watches his stepson with pride as Jacob walks away from them.

 

"Jacob sure is a fine boy,"  Lucas says. 

 

"And so's Michael."

 

"Yep.  We've both got reasons to be proud."

 

"Well nobody around here has more reason than I do to be proud,"  Bobby says.  "Not only do I have the two best sons any man could ever ask for, but the two best grandsons, as well."

 

Christopher and Lucas looks at each other and smile.

 

"I guess the three of us may as well head back to camp and start cleanin' those fish we caught this mornin'," Bobby says.

 

Meanwhile, Jacob follows the trail for quite a way until he finds Michael sitting beside a tree by the creek.  "Hey,"  Jacob says, approaching him.  

 

"What are you doing here?"  Michael asks.  "I told you, I wanna be by myself."

 

"Yeah, I know what you said."

 

"Then why'd you follow me?"

 

Jacob sighs.  "Look, I know why you're mad.  It's because I caught that big fish this morning."

 

"I don't give a crap about your stupid fish,"  Michael angrily says.

 

"You're jealous, why don't you admit it?"

 

"Jealous?  ME, jealous of YOU?  Don't make me laugh."

 

"You ARE jealous, that's why you're so mad right now.  Why you came off by yourself, to pout like a little baby."

 

Michael stands to his feet to face him.  "Shut up!"

 

"Dude, I can't help that I'm bigger than you, or that my voice changed before yours.  So why don't you just stop acting like such a baby?"  Jacob says, then he turns and walks away from him.

 

"Yeah, well at least I'm a real Ewing,"  Michael cruelly says.  

 

Jacob stops and looks back at him.  "What did you say?"

 

"You heard me.  You called Christopher 'Dad.'  But he's not your Dad.  He's not even your adopted Dad, just your stepfather.  So you're not even a real Ewing.  You're a.......what's your real Dad's name?  Gioberti?"

the ground, exhausted.  

 

"Michael?  You okay?"  Jacob asks.

 

"Yeah.  But........I'm freezing."

 

"Me, too."

 

"My......my phone,"  Michael says.  "I lost my phone."

 

Jacob reaches into his pocket.  "Damn, so did I.  They must have fallen out of our pockets in the creek."

 

"You idiot!"  Michael says.  "This is all your fault, you pulled me in."

 

"You're the one who pushed ME in the creek, and I'm the idiot?"

 

Michael looks around.  "Where do you think we are?"

 

"I don't know.  The current took us way down the creek.  We could be miles from our campsite now,"  Jacob says, getting to his feet.   "We better get out of some of these wet clothes."

 

"Get out of our clothes?  It's already freezing,"  Michael says, shivering.

 

 

Jacob takes off his jacket and tosses it to the ground, then takes off his top shirt, leaving on his T shirt.  "Michael, our wet clothes are just gonna stick to our bodies and make us colder, especially with these heavy jackets on."

 

"Where do you think we are?"  Michael asks.

 

"Dude, you asked me that not 30 seconds ago,"  says an annoyed Jacob.  "And I STILL don't know where the  heck we are."

 

"What are we gonna do?"

 

"The only thing we CAN do is try to find our way back to camp."

 

"We'll never find our way back,"  Michael says, near tears,  "Do you even know which way downstream we came?"

 

"That way, I think,"  Jacob replies, pointing to his right.

 

"You think?  You THINK we came down that way?  But you don't know, do you?"

 

"No, I don't know."

 

"We could be lost out here forever.  This is all YOUR fault.  If you hadn't grabbed me!"

 "If this is anybody's fault, it's YOURS,"  Jacob says.  "You're the one who started the crap with your smart mouth, so just shut up at me.  Now, I'm gonna start walking that way and try to find my way back to camp.  You can come with me, or you can stay here.  Right now, I don't care WHAT you do!"  Jacob picks up his jacket and top shirt and behind walking away from Michael, who angrily watches him for a few seconds while still sitting on the ground.  After a moment, cold, alone, and scared, Michael quickly leaps to his feet, picks up his shirt and coat, and runs to catch up to Jacob.

 

 

 

Back at the campsite.....later....

 Back at camp more than an hour later, Lucas is standing at the edge of the creek looking toward the walking trail, looking at his watch as he worries about Michael and Jacob.  Christopher walks down to the creek and stands beside his brother.  "Chris, they should've been back by now,"  Lucas says.  "We told them an hour and a half and it's been more than that."

 

"Yeah, I'm startin' to get worried myself.  Think we ought to go looking for them?"

 

Lucas nods.  "Yeah, I do.  They could've gotten lost."

 

"I don't see how if they stayed on he trail,"  says Christopher.  "But, then again, they might've strayed off the trail to explore the woods.  Let's go."

 

Bobby walks over to his sons as they head toward the trail.  "Hey, where are you two goin'?"

 

"To look for the boys,"  Christopher replies.

 

"Yeah, they should've been back by now,"  says Lucas.  "We were thinkin' they may have gotten lost."

 

"Okay, I'll come with you,"  Bobby says.  The three begin walking down the trail leading around the lake.

Meanwhile....

Michael and Jacob are hiking through the woods alongside the creek as they continue to search for familiar territory and the way back to camp.  "We gotta stay close to the water, so we don't lose our way.  If we keep following the creek, we're bound to find the spot where we fell in,"  Jacob says.

 

"I hope so,"  says Michael.  "I'm really freezing."

 

Jacob stops walking.  "Yeah, me, too.  Hey, I got an idea."

 

"What?"

 

"We need to get dry and warm, so, we should build a fire.  Maybe our Dads and Grandpa will see the smoke and come looking for us."

 

"Yeah, that's a good idea.  But how are we gonna build a fire?  We don't have any matches."

 

"Dude, we don't NEED matches,"  Jacob says.  "I can do it with sticks.  I learned how to do it in Boy Scouts.  If you'd gone with me to Boy Scouts, you'd know that."  Jacob looks around on the ground until he finds two decent size sticks.  He takes the sticks to a small clearing, away from any trees or brush, and kneels.  As Michael watches, Jacob begins rubbing the sticks together with both hands, hard enough to create friction.  After almost a full minute, sparks are created from the friction and then the sticks begin to smoke.  Jacob is successful at starting the fire.  

 

"Hey, you did it!"  Michael happily says.  

 

"Yeah, I told you I could.  Now we can get warm and dry our clothes."

Meanwhile....

  Bobby, Christopher, and Lucas continue walking the trail in search of the boys. 

 

"JACOB!  MICHAEL!!"  Christopher loudly calls out as Lucas is trying to call Michael's phone, but it goes straight to voice mail. 

 

"Damn it, where could they be?" Lucas asks.  "Michael's not answering."

 

"Try Jacob's phone,"  Christopher says.  

 

Lucas dials Jacob's cell number, but it, too, goes directly to voicemail.  "Same thing.  Straight to voicemail."

 

"Son, just calm down, they're probably just not gettin' a signal out in here in these woods,"  Bobby says.  "We'll find 'em."

 

"I never should've let Michael go off by himself,"  Lucas says.  "Now they both may be lost."

 

"Lucas, it's not your fault,"  Christopher says.  "The boys had to have wandered off the trail or we would've spotted them by now."

 

"Maybe we should split up, we can cover more ground that way,"  Bobby suggests.  

 

"I think that's a good idea,"  agrees Lucas.  "It's gonna be gettin' dark pretty soon."

 

"Okay,  I'll stay on the trail here,"  Bobby says.  "Christopher, you go in that direction, and Lucas, you go that way.  You both got your phones?"

 

"Yeah, but not sure how good of a signal we'll get out here,"  says Christopher.  

 

"Well, we'll try.  And keep tryin' to call the boys on their phones, maybe they'll get a signal. soon,"  Bobby says.  The three men each go off in different directions.

 

"MICHAEL!  JACOB!"  Lucas calls as he begins hiking through the woods.  

A short time later....

Michael and Jacob are sitting by the fire Jacob built.  "That fire sure feels good," says Michael.  

 

"Yeah it does.  It's gonna start getting dark soon.  We're a lot drier now, so we need to start trying to find our way back again."

 

Michael sighs.  "Jacob?'

 

"Yeah?"

 

 Michael looks at him.  "I'm sorry.  Sorry for what I said."

 

"Don't worry about it, dude.  I said some things I didn't mean, too."

 

"You were right, y'know,"  Michael says.

 

"Right about what?"  Jacob asks.

 

 

 

 

Jacob looks at him and smiles.  "Thanks, Michael.  Now come on.  Let's get this fire out and get a move on."  The two boys begin tossing dirt onto the fire to extinguish it, causing smoke to rise.

 

 

 

Meanwhile....

 

 

"JACOB!!!  MICHAEL!!!"  Christopher calls as he continues searching for the boys.  "JACOB!"  Looking around, Christopher sees some smoke rising above some trees in the distance.   He immediately takes off running along the trail in the direction of the smoke.  

 

 

 

 

 

A few minutes later....

 

 

"Now that we're away from that fire, I'm cold again,"  Michael says.

 

"Yeah, me, too.  Our clothes didn't get fully dry, but if we keep moving, maybe we'll stay warm."

 

"I thought we'd be back to the point where we fell in by now."

 

Jacob sighs.  "So did I.  If only we had our phones, we could call our Dads."

 

"I'll bet they're really worried about us by now.  How long do you think we been gone?"

 

"I dunno.  Two or three hours at least,"  Jacob says.

 

Just then, the boys hear a man's voice calling their names in the distance.  "JACOB!  MICHAEL!!"  Christopher calls to them.  

 

 The boys stop walking abruptly.  "Hey, that.....that's my Dad!"  Jacob says.  

 

"Yeah, it is,"  says Michael.

 

"DAD!!!"  Jacob yells.

 

"CHRISTOPHER!"  Michael also yells.

 

"BOYS, WHERE ARE YOU!"  Christopher calls.

 

"DAD, WE'RE HERE!"

 

A moment later, Christopher comes down the trail and sees the boys.  He smiles.  Jacob and Michael also smile, happy to have been rescued.  Jacob and Christopher quickly run toward each other and embrace.  "Oh, thank God,"  Christopher says.  "We were so worried.  Where have you two been?  And why are your clothes wet?"

 

"We fell in the creek and got swept downstream.  It's a long story."

 

"You guys okay?"  Christopher aks.

"We're fine.  Just glad you found us,"  Michael replies.

 

"Come on, let's get you back to camp and outta those wet clothes."  Christopher takes his cell phone out and dials Lucas's number.

Meanwhile....

Lucas is walking in the woods, still searching, when his phone rings.  He takes it out, sees it's Christopher and quickly answers.  "Christopher, you find something?"

 

"Yeah, I found the boys,"    Christopher replies.  "They're okay.  They fell in the creek and got swept downstream by the current, but they're fine."

 

"Thank God,"  Lucas says, breathing a sigh of relief.  

 

"I'm bringin' 'em back so, just ,meet us back at camp."

 

"Alright,.I'll see ya there,"  Lucas says.  He immediately dials Bobby's number.  "Dad.  Christopher found the boys.  They're fine.  They're gonna meet us back at camp, so I'm headin' that way right now."  Lucas ends the call, puts his phone away, and smiles happily.

The campsite....later....

 A half an hour later, Bobby and Lucas are anxiously waiting at the campsite, Lucas pacing around, when they see Christopher and the boys walking up the trail toward camp.  Lucas begins walking toward them.  When Michael sees his father, he starts running toward Lucas, the two meeting at the edge of the trail and embracing, Lucas relieved to have his son brought safely back to him as Bobby, Christopher, and Jacob look on, all of them smiling.

END OF EPISODE 224....