03x15 - Up a Tree

[bunniefuu]

Previously on Dynasty... Heidi?

"I'm sorry, but it's your turn to be the parent now."

I poisoned Jeff Colby, and I did so at the request of my father.

The fire department cleaned up and left the scene.

It's being reported as an accident.

They won't find anything that can lead them back to us.

After all of that crap about how you thought of me as your own child, you go and screw my boyfriend?!

With all that publicity, I was able to sell House of Deveraux.

Good morning.

It was. Vanessa, come on.

You can't avoid me forever.

It's a big house.

I know I made a mistake.

Calling someone the wrong name is a mistake.

You slept withmy boyfriend.

You taped it, and you released it.

I told you, we were drunk.

It was bad judgment.

And I don't even knowhow it got out.

I must have been hacked.

Why would I believe anything that you say?

After everything I've done for you?

I got you a record deal, this roof over your head, that croissant.

Oh, you want this back?

Here, take it!

What the hell's going on here?

Cut! Can we take that again?

Just fromthe croissant throw.

Who are you?

This is Abby, one of the producers of this documentary project of ours.

We're calling it House of Deveraux.

What do you think?

I think this is the house of me, not some movie set.

And I don't want any of this anywhere near me.

You're in my chair.

Why don't we pick this up later?

Sure.

Sweetheart?

Have you spoken to Michael?

Not since the party.Wait.

Vanessa...

House of Deveraux is your story.

And that story started before that tape, and Michael was a part of it.

The world needs to know that you had a good relationship.

What do you want me to do?

Reenact my life before you ruined it?

Pretend that me and Michael are still together, that I don't know you slept with him?

That's my girl. I knew you'd get it.

And it's only been a day. How far could Heidi have gotten?

Well, I talked to the detective, and she hasn't turned in her rental car.

Which I'm hoping means she didn't get on a plane.

Or the car is sitting in some airport parking lot, and Heidi is on a beach in Capri.

That lucky bitch.

Well, I hope not.

There's only so long Connor will believe his mom's on another job interview.

Liam?

Can I have some chicken fingers?

Didn't you just havescrambled eggs and-and yogurt and, like, three of the sugar packetsfrom my coffee?

Chicken fingers.

Coming right up, okay?

Do you thinkhe has a tapeworm?

Can you call room service? Got to go check in with my guy.

Okay, but if your guydoesn't find anything, we are gonna need a lot morethan room service.

Like a nannyand a really good shrink.

Oh.

Kids are pretty resilient.

The shrink was for me.

Uh-uh.

Dr. Sherman to 324.

Dr. Sherman to 324.

Mm-hmm.

Mm-hmm.

Oh, passionfruit. My favorite.

Here, let me pour you some coffee.

Uh, no, thanks.

I'm having tea this morning.

What kind of tea?

It's an herbal blend.

Would you pass me the salt, please? Sure.

There you go.

What's this for?

You just asked for it.

No, I asked for sugar for my tea?

Of course.

My mistake.

How do you feel?

Mm, uh, great, actually. Uh...

You know, Blake buying that pharma company might have been a blessing in disguise.

I don't see how that's possible.

They were at least a decade awayfrom any sort of treatment.

I don't have ten years to wait, so what was I really chasing?

Let Blake have it. And what are you gonna do?

Well, I'm doing it.

Nature's pharmacy.

I've been reading up online, andmy acupuncturist hooked me up with this amazing doctor who specializes in all this stuff.

Hey, I am all forthe holistic approach, but Western medicine...

I'm feeling good, Alexis.

Better than I have in a long time.

I thought you'd be happy for me. Of course.

I... I am.

Good.

I understand your concern, but that tape was made without my consent and has nothing to do with the Atlantix.

Now, I can assure you, this is stilla family-friendly organization.

Well, y... I-I hope that you'll reconsider.

Of course.

They won't reconsider.

That's the eighth sponsor that we've lost.

And there's three moreon hold, but... you have a visitor.

Vanessa.

I didn't expect to see you here, at least not without a w*apon.

Oh, I considered it.

I wanted to scream at you, maybe punch you, until I realized it wouldn'tchange anything that happened.

What's done is done, and...

I just want to move forward. Well, that's incredibly mature of you.

Well, don't look so surprised.

Look, I don't wantthat tape to define me.

And right now, I have a chance to tell the rest of my story.

And, like it or not, you're a part of it.

So, I was hopingthat you could help me?

Well, of course.

I mean, anything I can do.

So, we're actuallyshooting something.

It's kind of a documentary about my music.

We have a producer, a camera crew, all of that.

We? You mean Dominique?

She helped put it together.

Why am I not surprised?

Vanessa, you do not need Dominique pushing you into some reality show.

You are smart.

You're talented.

Do you know how many smart and talented singer-songwriters there are, just in Atlanta?

Most of themnever make it, and I don't want to be a bartender forever.

Look, I know thatDominique made that tape, but she didn'tmake it alone.

And you saidyou wanted to make things right.

Of course she didn't.

And of course I do.

I'm not asking you to be some reality star or for us to get back together.

I'm just asking for one day to pretend like the tape never happened.

It's the least you could do.

So then he goes, "Well, at leastl don't have cancer."

I appreciatethe warm welcome.

It's really good to bepracticing medicine again.

Um, speaking of which, I should get back to work.

I'll see you soon.Thanks.

Don't you look handsome in your white coat.

Mother, what are you doing here?

I didn't know who else to talk to.

I think Jeff is getting worse.

This morning at breakfast, he asked for the salt instead of the sugar and didn't even realize it.

Doctor.

It's aphasia. Is it the first time it's happened?

Well, that I've noticed.

But he's been taking all these weird herbs and teas.

What kind of herbs? I just told you... weird.

Well... And they're clearly not helping.

I don't know what Blake's new drug company has been working on, but whatever it is, it's got to be better than this.

Okay, what do you want me to do?

Jeff needs a real doctor, which you are... sort of.

And I don't need to remind you that if anything happens to him, the blood is on your hands.

Okay, okay, let's notget too dramatic, and can you pleasekeep your voice down? Adam, you con...

You confessed to poisoning him, Adam, on video.

If that gets released, you will go to jail.

And you'll be left in the cold.Exactly.

We need to get Jeff better, Dr. Carrington, or we're all gonna pay the price.

Hey, I got something.

Me, too. I think it's an ulcer.

Heidi's debit card was used at a gas station in Montgomery.

What? Alabama?

The investigator's trying to get there to see the security footage.

Now, if it was Heidi, she couldn't have gotten far.

It'll only take three hours if I leave first thing tomorrow morning.

Whoa. Whoa, whoa, whoa.

I mean, can't he just, you know, like, bring her back here?

Why do we have to go to Alabama?

To find her. But, obviously, I...

I can't bring Connor to look for his runaway mom.

So what are you gonnado with him?

I thought you could stay here with him.

It won't be more than a day.

By myself? Have you seen me with that kid?

I mean, what if he asks me where you are?

I'll tell him I have to work.

Fine. Okay, okay.

Just please be back before 8:00, because Vanessa's single comes out tomorrow, and I'm supposed to go to the release party.

You're a hero.Okay.

No, no, not on the algae.

Mmm. Wow.

Well, good morning to you, too.

Mm. I like to check my cardio off early.

Does that mean we get to stayin bed the rest of the day?

Mm.

I wish.

I should really get moving.

I still have to pack.

Pack? For what?

Mexico.

My friend Adriana's bridal shower tomorrow?

I told you weeks ago.

You said to use the plane.

Oh. Well, it musthave slipped my mind.

Well, lucky for you, it's ladies only.

So... you're off the hook.

I don't know. It sounds like fun.

Braiding each other's hair, lingerie pillow fights.

Uh, you're thinking of a sleepover, not a bridal shower.

And you've clearly never been to either.

It's mostly just board games and junk food.

But then you have pillow fights?

Very funny.

Coffee, babe?

Uh, yes, please.

And pancakes are done.

Ooh, you are the best.

Aw. You guys areso sweet together.

It's actually hard being aroundsuch a happy couple, while I, a single, wealthy hotel owner, am back on the market and ready for a good time.

Speaking of which, we should move this partyto La Mirage.

Oh, God.

Please don't tell me this issome kind of sex tape sequel.

Cut.

Oh, oh. Is it... is it a music video?

For the single? Because I have some thoughts.

Uh, it's a series, actually.

About my lifeand music.

And Dominique. She's trying to be the next Kris Jenner.

I guess Vanessa's Kim but with kind ofa Kylie twist.

So that makes Culhane... Kanye?

No, more of a Travis Scott.

What about the S-E-X T-A-P-E?

Mm.

I can spell.

And I'm hungry.

Where's Liam?

Working.

Okay.Hey.

You eat pancakes, don't you?

With syrup? Sure.

Look at that.

Yum, yum, yum.

Ew.

What? This syrup tastes weird.

I want the kind my mom buys.

Oh, you meanthe high-fructose corn syrup that comes outof a plastic bottle?

No, this comes fromthe finest trees in Vermont.

I can takethe top one off, all right?

You can eatthe ones underneath.

It got on all of them.

Really?

Fine. I see your point.

Look, let's forgetabout the pancakes.

Why don't we go watch a movie.

I'm still hungry.

Okay. Well, we'll make popcorn, all right?

I mean, I'm not gonna make popcorn, but maybe someone will.

Ready when you are.

We're just waiting for one more.

What?

Who?

I didn't invite anyone.

Blake. Uh... What are you doing here?

Surprise.

Look, I know the shower'sjust for you and your girls, but I thought we could continuethe pillow fight after in a beachfront villasomewhere.

I told Anders to hold my calls.

Beto? What-what's hedoing here?

What happened to him?

Maybe a movie wasn't the best idea.

Hey!

Why don't we go down to look at the horses?

You know? Burn off that sugar with a nice brisk walk.

Or some chloroform.

You have real horses?

Of course.

You're looking at the Southeast Regional Junior Show Jumping Champion, 2009.

I can jump. Want to see? Not particularly.

Hey, hey, hey, hey! Hey, hey.

I'm a horse.Stop. What are you doing?

Hey. Hey, hey. Connor.

Oh, my God. Well, this is winter white.

What is the matter with you?

Oh, my God! Connor!

Connor! God.

Is this what your mother's been dealing with for ten years?

No wonder she ran away.

My mom ran away?

I didn't say that.

Yes, you did. Where is she?

Uh... Okay, that's a fair question.

No, no, no, no, no, no, no. Please don't cry.

Please don't cry. I'm not good with feelings, yours or mine.

Connor! Wait!

Wait! Come back here!

He came to surprise me. He was on his way into Fallon's partywhen the expl*si*n happened.

My God, why didn't you say something?

I-I just found out yesterday.

And he called me from the hospital when the police came to ask him questions.

I told them what I could remember.

I-I left the car, I was walking to the party, and, boom, I woke up on the ground.

Wrong place at the wrong time, I guess.

But the police might not think that.

Especially with our last names.

And I couldn't risk him staying here and getting blamedfor something that he didn't do.

You should have told me.

I didn't want to put it on your plate, with everything else.

So I lied about the bridal shower.

You don't ever have to lie to me.

We're a team, remember?

Now, let's get him home.

Ready, Mr. Carrington?

Yeah.

Thank you.

I can't believe someoneis serving me drinks here.

Wasn't long ago thatl was standing behind that bar.

Yeah. And now you're about to record your first album.

I think I already know what the first single's gonna be.

Have I heard it?

Nobody has.

But you can bethe first.

♪ Do you want ♪ Do you want

♪ Do you want me?

♪ Oh, you know ♪ What you do to me

♪ You know the way I feel

♪ You knowthe way I feel... ♪ Brava!

Ay, Vanessa.

I-I knew you had something special from the moment I hired you.

I don't want to say I discovered her, but, uh, remember who gave you your firstgig here in Atlanta.

Monica?

The point is that I'm a patron of the arts, okay?

Speaking of which, how's the album coming?

I go into the studio next week. No, no, no, no. Cut, cut.

How come no one told me that my shirt looked like this?

You can't just yell cut, Sam.

Well, no one told me that, either.

Can we just take it again?

From my entrance? Sure.

You know what...

I don't think this is the right shirt.

I'm gonna go change. It'll be quick.

Look, so, I don't knowwhat you're up to tonight, but we're having a little partyfor the single release.

And I just figured, since you were a part of the whole album coming together, you should celebrate with us.

If you want to.

Okay. Ready.

Thank God. Let's roll.

How did you get all this?

I just called the company and said I was Mr. Carrington.

I didn't say which Mr. Carrington.

Mmm. You mighthave Blake's name, but you gotyour resourcefulness from me.

So, it turns out that Chlorcyte was onto something for neurotoxicity.

Jeff said they were years away. Well, the dr*gs they were studying are already on the market, just for other uses. The problem is, the potential side effects, when taken together, are too risky for the FDA to approve a human trial.

Which is why none of his doctors brought it up.

But I think this is the best chance we have to stop his decline. Can you get the pills?

Not legally.

I'd have to find a wayto steal them from the hospital, and if someone found out, I'd lose my license for good.

Not to mention, this is still a risk for Jeff.

If the disease doesn't k*ll him, the treatment might.

But I think it's worth it.

I can explain it to him.No.

Maybe I should do that.

He's not exactly your biggest fan, and, well, I have a very good bedside manner.

Connor?

Connor, I don't know if you can hear me, but I-I really, really didn't mean what I said earlier.

I mean, I... I meant it at the time, but you can have all the candy you want if you just come out.

Connor?

Fallon. What are you doing here?

Well, I... Right now, looking for a missing child.

Have you seen Connor? No. what happened?

Oh, no, no, no. Nothing, nothing.

We were just, uh, playing hide-and-seek.

Oh, darling. That's what the help is for.

Okay, well, it was his turn to hide, and I'm afraid he might have gotten lost.

So I know he went this way.

Maybe if you take the south side and I can take the north?

Uh... Oh, I'm sorry.

Unless you have something more important you have to do.

Of course not.

Great. I'll meet you by the pond.

Connor?

Come out, come out, wherever you are.

Really?

Well, I think that went great. Don't you?

This print? So much better.

I'd say it was the best part.

You're joking, but, uh, I'm not gonna let Dominique milk this whole thing herself.

All right?

I am performing a public service here, if you think about it, and if it happens to help the hotel or get me laid, I'll take it. See?

You don't even need a wingman.

Speaking of which, Vanessa invited me to her single release party.

She wants you to stay on the show?

I don't know what she wants.

When she asked me to be a part of this, she made it pretty clear thatwe're not getting back together, and now I'm getting mixed signals.

Must have been the pancakes.

Bro.

I'm being serious. I can't tell who's asking, whether it's Vanessa the reality star or Vanessa the person.

And if she is actually reconsidering us, the cameras are still gonna be there, and do I want to be a part of this show more than I already am?

And this close to Dominique?

Whoa, whoa. Slow down, superstar.

Just take it one party at a time.

So you think I should go?

Well, I think that every relationship has its baggage, and if you're not ready to let Vanessa go, then don't let Dominique scare you away.

Come on, man.

Well, did you look in your olddoll room or the g*n closet?

I mean, I could go look. Yeah, yeah.

Why don't you check thewine cellar while you're at it?

Maybe he needed a drink.

Well, excuse me for trying to help.

I'm not the one who lost him.

I-I had to close my eyes.

Okay? Peeking duringhide-and-seek is a fundamental violation of the social contract.

How do you know which direction he went?

Fine, Sherlock.

We weren't playing hide-and-seek.

I might have accidentally let it slip that his mother abandoned him. Heidi's gone?

Yes. She left a note and disappeared, which, in the scheme of things, is way worse than what I did.

Not something to brag about.

I am not the guilty one here, okay?

And if there's anyone to blame about my lack of maternal instincts, it's you. Oh, here we go again.

I'm here now, aren't I?

Despite pressing business of my own, not that you asked.

No, but I should have guessed. Because even when you were here, you were never really here.

Why don't you just go.

Fallon... No, no, no, no, no. I mean it, okay?

I have figured things out without you before.

I can do that now.

Connor?

What are you doing up there?

We should be on the ground in Mexico in 30 minutes.

Uh, honey, hey.

It's a small plane. He'll be okay.

Beto? Hey.

Beto? Hey, hey.

Can you hear me? He's not breathing.

Oh, he's not breathing!

He's choking on something.

Oh, he's breathing.

What are you taking in there?

Pain pills.

He must have been trying to take more.

Am I interrupting something?

I don't want to havethis conversation again, Alexis.

All right? I need to concentrate.

Damn it.

I lost count again.

I'm sorry.

I didn't mean to be dismissive, and I didn't mean to yesterday.

I'm just worried about you. Yeah, well, I'm a grown man, okay? I know.

And I know that this isa pragmatic arrangement, but you're my husband.

Well, I appreciate that.

Uh...

I'm just not used to being taken care of.

You're usually the onelooking out for everyone else.

And you've made itthis far.

I just don't want you to miss out on something that could help you.

Including traditional medicine.

Look, I told you, traditional medicine is at least a decade away from helping me.

What if Chlorcyte was closer than you thought?

What do you know about Chlorcyte?

Adam got his handson their research.

The dr*gs that they'relooking at are out there.

It's just a matterof putting them together.

It's a risk, of course, but he can get the pills.

So, you want me to accept controlled substances from the guy who already poisoned me?

I thought we were past that.

How do you get past that? Okay, but he wantsto make things right.

He is willing to riska lot to help you.

This is my life, Alexis.

And there's no way I'm putting it in his hands.

You can't stay up there forever.

Leave me alone.

Look, as much as my neck hurts, and I can barely feel my toes anymore, I'm pretty sure this qualifies as child endangerment, so...

Aren't you cold?

Maybe I can take you inside and leave you alone there?

No. I want my mom.

Yeah. Not as much as I do.

But your, uh... Liam is going to get her.

He said he was working.

Yes. On that.

And I promise, he is gonna bring her back here...

Fallon.

What's going on?

Though maybe not today.

Um, well, it's actually a really long story, um...

Fallon said my mom ran away.

Okay, so maybe it's a shorter story than I thought.

I really... I didn't mean to.

I told you, this is way above my childcare pay grade.

Hey, Connor, buddy?

I think there's been a misunderstanding.

I actually just talked to your mom.

She got lost on her way back from an interview.

Is that true?

:No. We missed her.

I want to talk to her.

Okay, well, come down, and we can call her.

No.

Call her now and put her on speakerphone.

You see? This is what happens when kids get too much screen time.

Okay, hey, hey. I'm-I'm calling her right now.

:It's worth a try.

Hi. You've reached Heidi.

Sorry I missed you.

I knew it! You were lying!

Okay, now what?

Hey, I'm coming up thereright now so we can talk, okay?

No. Get away.

We should be back on the groundin Atlanta in just under four hours.

Yeah, let's hope the return flight's less eventful.

Yeah, we deserve a drink after the last few hours.

No, a toast.

Honey, Beto is with the best doctors in Mexico.

And if something comes up with the police, we'll deal with it. All right?

He didn't do anything.

Right.

To us.

No matter what life throws our way, we always make the play.

It's a baseball thing. I know what it means.

Then what's going on with you?

I want to help, but if you don't tell me, I can't.

I thought we were on the same page.

Nothing but the truth from now on.

The expl*si*n wasn't an accident.

I mean, it was, kind of, but...

Beto wasn't in the wrong place at the wrong time.

He was trying to plant a b*mb.

It went off too early.

A b*mb?

Why?

To blow up Alexis's car.

And k*ll her.

Becausel asked him to.

You tried to k*ll Alexis?

After what she'd done to us, I just couldn't move on.

I needed to make her pay.

And then I almost k*lled my own brother in the process.

Hey, hey, nobody d*ed, Cristal.

Beto's okay. Alexis is okay.

But I wanted to k*ll her.

Do you know how many times I wanted to k*ll Alexis?

How could I blame you after what happened with Mack?

How could you not?

It's not okay, Blake.

None of it is okay. And I don't want it to be.

Well, what's b*ating yourself up gonna do?

You sound just like my father.

Justifying one thingafter another until nothing's ever wrong.

It's why I had to get away from my family.

And then I just walked right back into the same thing with you.

Oh, that's not fair.

Maybe not.

But... I have to break this cycle.

Even if I have to do it alone.

Sorry. Took a littlelonger than expected to get everything I needed.

Had to tie up the pharmacy techin the broom closet.

You what?!

I'm kidding.

But seriously, the less you know, the better.

Adam, stop.

Jeff isn't gonna do it.

Because of the side effects? No, more because of you.

Maybe we should just give him some more time and let him see the herbs don't work.

The sicker he gets, the less these dr*gs will reverse the damage.

If he can't see the forest for the trees, maybe we need to do it for him, and then... he can thank us later.

You want to drug him without his consent?

I'm guessing this is not the first lie you've told him, and at least this is for his own good.

You mean ourown good.

Everybody wins.

And it's really simple. Look.

I wrote it down.

Here, um... This one is one capsule every morning on an empty stomach.

You can put it in his tea.

And then these two are both with food.

Um, avoid alcohol with all of these.

You want to protect the liver.

And you can start with these today.

But he's on his way to Vanessa's party.

I'm sure you'll find a way.

I hear you're very resourceful.

♪ Walk once, where did everything go? ♪

♪ If it feels good...

I mean, I grew up listening to Whitney, so...

I showed her The Bodyguard when she was 12, and now here we are celebrating her debut.

Why is, like, everyone at this party hot?

It's honestlykind of stressful.

Uh, you're one to talk.

I can count your abs through your shirt.

Mmm. You look like some sort of sexy superhero.

Why, thank you.

I call him Sammy Ho.

Sam, would you liketo get a drink?

The bar's rightover there, darling.

Well, I was hopingone of these Adonises would ask me, but I guessthey can get the next round.

Have you seen Fallon?

I'd like for her to introduce your performance.

No, not yet.

I'll be back.

You came.

Well, it's not every day thatyou release your first single.

And I'm kind of Sam's standing wingman, so...

Uh, can I get you a drink?

Yeah. Why don't I go with you?

Can you give us a minute?

Well, I mean, I don't want to take you away from your own party. Please do.

Vanessa, where are you going?

It's almost time for you to sing.

They'll wait.

It's getting pretty cold, Connor.

What do you say we go inand get some hot chocolate?

Yeah, I tried the same thingthree hours ago.

I'm not going with you.

With exactlythe same result.

Connor, come on.

No. You're a liar.

You're right. He is.

Seriously? We both are.

Look, Connor, we, uh... we were tryingto protect you by not telling you the truthabout your mom, but I mean, now you don't have much reason to trust eitherof us, do you?

Yeah. All right, look, I'm gonna tell you something, but you have to promise me you will never repeat it to anyone. Okay?

The truth is I know exactly how you feel.

Because my mom ran away, too.

Now, I was a little olderthan you, but I was still a kid.

And I remember how scary it was.

But your mom is here.

Yeah, well, she came back, eventually.

And I'm sure your mom will, too.

But in the meantime, it is okay to feel scared, and it's okay to feel mad.

And it is definitely okay to come down from that tree.

Come on.

I want to get down.

Okay, I'm coming to help you, bud. Go get him.

What was that? He's gonna fall.

Connor!

He can't swim. Hang on! Oh, my God.

Connor.

I got you, buddy, I got you. I got you. Hang on to me.

Got to calm down. Hang on.

Connor... You got to calm down, okay?

Connor, Connor, Connor, come here.

Liam! Liam. I heard yelling. What happened?

He fell in, he fell in.

Get him!

Connor, I got you.

Calm down.

I got you. I got you. Grab his arm.

Yeah, yeah. Get him.

Come on. Just grab his arm.

Here you go.

Connor. Are you okay?

Come on, buddy. He's freezing.

Let's get him inside.

Okay. Yeah. And call a doctor.

I still don't even know what we're doing here.

You hate Dominique. I'm just here to support Vanessa.

And pee in Blake's pool.

Where is Vanessa?

And what on earth is going on out there?

I don't know. Something by the lake, it looks like.

Oh, God. It's not Fallon, is it?

She was down there earlier.

Will you go see what's happening?

I'll wait for your seltzer.

♪ She looking in my eyes

♪ Sucking the straw in her cup... ♪

We need to get him dry.

Okay, okay. I'll get some towels.

Do we really not have any towels in this place?

I got it. ADAM: How is he?

Well, he's freezing. We need to warm him up.

Towels. Thank you.

Whoa, oh, oh, oh. It's okay. It's okay. Hey.

He's a doctor. Sort of.

All right. He's not hypothermic.

And his pulse is strong, so that's good.

He's okay? He will be. Are you?

Thank you. For everything.

You're okay, bud.

Fallon's fine.

Connor fell in the lake, and then Liamwent in after him.

And then Culhane went inafter both of them.

Well, are they okay? I think so.

Adam's checking Connor outin the kitchen.

Fallon's gonna k*ll me for leaving her.

I'll be right back.

Champagne?

Yes, sir. Right here.

Of course. Thirsty?

Why not?

Cheers.

Uh, hold this.

Who the hell are all these people?

Dominique invited them.

I don't care who invited them.

I want everyone out of my house!

Especially you.

Out!

Can we watch a movie?

Aren't you tired? We've all had a long day, buddy.

Aw, let him have ten minutes. Yes!

Oh! Ooh. Connor.

Uh, sorry.

That's okay. That's all right. Listen.

The first one up the stairs gets to pick the movie.

Mom?

Hi, sweetheart.

Oh, my God, I missed you so much.

Heidi?

Where the hell have you been?

I'm sorry, I just... needed to clear my headfor a minute, you know?

A-After ten yearsof doing this all by myself, I-I wasn't even surewho I was anymore.

I-I panicked.

So, you dumped him with tworelative strangers and took off?

Hey, buddy. Why don't you go over there and let me talk to your mom for a second?

You guys have a good life, and I thought Connor could have a better one here with you.

But it didn't take longfor me to realize that I can't have a good one without him.

I... I'm his mother.

I really am sorry for putting you through all this stress.

Us? What about your son?

I'm so sorry, baby.

We're going home, and I'm not going anywhere ever again.

She can't just take him.

She's his mom.

Okay, well, you're his dad.

And I'm his cool stepmom.

We're not justgiving up on him.

No. Not without a fight.

Are you sure you're okay?

Yeah. Everyone made itout in one piece.

Except your clothes.

Good thing they had someextra uniforms laying around.

Sorry about the party, though.

You didn't even get to sing.

Everybody's heard it anyway.

But it was supposedto be your moment.

The moment's definitely over.

You can get that.

What's wrong?

It's actually good news.

One of our biggest sponsors was going to bolt yesterday after everything, but they've just decided to keep our deal.

That's amazing. Yeah, apparently, they saw a video of what happened tonight?

Down at the lake. I don't know how.

But they've decided the Atlantixare family-friendly after all.

Michael Culhane saving a little kid's life sounded like something people needed to see.

It was you?

You're more than that tape.

I just thought that they should know that.

It has been a rough road so far.

I know that you're worried about all this.

My stepmom, the show.

But it's not all bad.

I just thought you should know that.

In case you were thinking of giving this another sh*t.

Were you?

I wouldn't say no.

Are they all gone?

Finally.

I told Dominiqueto pack her bags, too.

It was just a party, Blake.

Do you think she deserves a second chance?

Everyone does.

At least, I hope so.

Me, too.

I don't want to lose you.

I wasn't trying to give you an ultimatum.

I don't want to make you dosomething you don't want to do.

I want to do better. With you, if you'll let me.

But if you want to be alone, if you're trying to get out of this marriage...

I love you, Blake.

It's me that I can't live with.

Not like this, at least.

You're the best thing in my life, Cristal.

I'll do whatever I can to make yours better.

You just tell me how.

Well, I was thinking of working with patients again, at a clinic.

And if we got the Carrington Foundation involved, we could do even more.

Like, a program at the hospital for patients who can't afford to pay.

Well, that's exactlythe kind of thing the foundation is for.

You see?

We're already better together.

I'll take one of those.

Did Michael leave?

I just walked him out.

Well?

Is it done?

He is in. For the moment, at least.

Well, that certainly calls for a drink.

To House of Deveraux'snewestcast member Michael Culhane and the whole new audience he opens up for us.

And to my girl, for doing whatever it takesto keep him on the show.

I'm gonna make some tea. Would you like some?

Uh...

Actually, I-I think I should go to bed.

I'm-I'm not feeling so well.

What's wrong?

I don't know. A little dizzy, I guess.

I only had a few drinks at the party, but... they must have hit me pretty hard.

You were drinking?

It was a party.

Let me get you some water.

Nah, I'll-I'll get it. Don't be silly.

Have a seat. I'll be right back.

Get it together. Okay.