EPISODE 151 - Checkmate!

"I enjoyed that,"  Jimmy says.

"Yeah, so did I,"  Emma agrees.  "It really helped me clear my head, and I actually feel a little better now."

"I'm glad.  You're a really good rider, too.  I was impressed at the way you handled yourself on that horse."

"Well, I used to ride in competitions all the time."

"Really?"  Jimmy asks.  "Well, now I AM impressed," he says.  "So, why'd you stop?"

"Life just kind of got in the way.  It was mostly when I was living in England with my grandmother, or......the woman I THOUGHT was my grandmother."

"Your life sounds about as complicated as mine."

"I guess everyone's life is complicated,"  Emma says, walking over to a rail and leaning on it.  "And it never seems to get any better."

Jimmy looks at her for a moment, then walks over to her.  "I wish I knew something to say to make you.......well, to make your pain a little less."

"I'm not sure even time can do that.  So what about you, Jimmy?"

"Me?  What about me?"

"What's your story?"  Emma asks.  "Why are you here, at Southfork?  It's pretty obvious you're going through something.  So what is it?"

Jimmy remains silent as he walks over and picks up the saddle he had taken off his horse when he and Emma returned.  

"Whatever it is, it might help to get it off your chest,"  says Emma.

Jimmy turns back to Emma and looks at her.  "I guess you're gonna hear about what happened soon enough, so I might as well tell you.  I was kidnapped.  I was held in a cage in a dark basement for, I don't even know how long.  By the time the cops found me, I was badly dehydrated, and, if I'd been there much longer I would've died."

"Oh my God,"  Emma says.  "I'm sorry.  That's terrible.  I hope they arrested the person who did it."

"No, they haven't yet.  In fact, you know one of the people responsible."

"I do?"  Emma asks, surprised.  "Who was it?"

"Katherine Wentworth, and her daughter, Katelyn Spencer,"  Jimmy replies.

Emma's mouth falls open in shock upon hearing that her deranged Aunt Katherine and her daughter had been the ones who kidnapped Jimmy.

 As dusk settles over Southfork that evening, Sue Ellen comes onto the back porch and finds Catlin on the porch, leaning against one of the columns.  She walks over to him and puts her hand on his arm.  "You should have some dinner," she says.

"I can't even think about eating right now,"  Catlin says.  "All I can think about is my son."

"We have to believe that he'll be alright."

"I really don't like this, Sue Ellen.  Involving Bum and Bobby in this.  Peter made it very clear that Eric and I were to come alone, with NO police involvement."

"Bum is very experienced in dealing with this sort of thing,"  says Sue Ellen.   Ray and Bobby also have dealt with similar situations before.  They all know what they're doing.  "They won't leave anything to chance. "

"But what worries me is that Peter Love is scared, and he has nothing left to lose."

As Sue Ellen is about to say something, one of the French doors leading into the living room opens and Bum comes onto the porch.  "Catlin, can you come in?  We need to go over our plan one more time, to make sure that we have everything down pat."

Catlin nods.  "Sue Ellen, you coming?"

"I'll be in in just a minute," she replies.

Catlin kisses her, then follows Bum into the house, closing the door behind them.  

Sue Ellen looks up to the evening sky and closes her eyes as she begins to pray for the safety of the man she loves.

 Bobby, Ann, Sue Ellen, Catlin, Ray, Bum, and Eric Love are meeting in the living room at Southfork later that night, as the time nears for Catlin and Eric to leave and meet Peter.  

"Okay, now are we all set on what everyone has to do?"  Bum asks.

"Yeah, all set,"  says Catlin.  "I'm just anxious to get this underway."

"Eric, do you understand what you have to do?"  Bobby asks.

"Oh yeah, I understand," Eric replies in an angry tone.  "I understand that you people want me to betray my own father and help send him to prison for the rest of his life."

"Eric, your father is a murderer who's holding my son hostage," says Catlin.  

"And Eric, the longer your father stays on the run, the more likely he is to harm someone else, or for him to be hurt or killed,"  Bobby adds.

"Bobby's right, son,"  Ray says.  "Your Daddy duttin' have a chance of gettin' out of this."

"Eric, we all understand how you feel,"  Sue Ellen says as the doorbell rings.

"No, Mrs. Ewing,"  Eric says.  "You DON'T."

Sue Ellen looks at the young man, her heart going out to him.  Meanwhile, Ann goes into the foyer and opens the front door.  Donna Love, her daughter Marley, and granddaughter Bridget McKinnon are there.

"Mrs. Ewing, I'm not sure if you remember me, but I'm Donna Love.  I understand that my nephew, Eric, is here,"  Donna says.

"Yes, of course I remember you.  Please come in,"  Ann says.  The three women walk into the house.  "Everyone's in the livin' room.  This way." 

The women follow Ann into the living room where the others are gathered.

"Donna, what are you doing here?"  Catlin asks.

"Catlin, after I spoke with Eric on the phone, we had to come."

"Eric, I thought I told you not to tell Donna about any of this,"  says Catlin.

"It's not his fault, Catlin,"  Marley says.  

"No, it's certainly not,"  says Donna.  "Eric phoned me and told me that he had received a call from Dallas.  We knew that the call had to have come from Peter."

"Aunt Donna called me after I spoke to you, Mr. Ewing,"  Eric says.  

"And Eric told us about C.J., and that he was on his way here to see you."

"Why the hell didn't you tell us this?"  Asks an angry Catlin.

"Because when you told me not to tell Aunt Donna about this, and after my father had said not to contact her, I didn't wanna say anything about talking to her."

"Catlin, look, we're not here to cause any problems,"  says Marley.  "We're here to help, any way we can."

"There's nothing you can do.  Peter was very explicit in his instructions."

"Well, we can at least be here,"  Donna Love says.  "Peter is my brother, and.......I need to be here, however this turns out."

Bobby and Ann exchange looks, then Ann looks at the other women.  "You're more than welcome to stay here and wait with us," Ann says.

"Thank you,"  Donna Love says.

"You haven't by any chance spoken to your brother, have you?"  Bum asks Donna Love.

"No, I haven't.  I'm one of the last people in the world Peter would want to talk to right now."

Ray looks at his watch.   "It's almost time for Catlin and the boy to leave," he says.

Bum looks at Catlin and Eric.  "You all set?"

 "Well, let's get the wires on you both,"  Bum says.  "We have one hour before you're to meet Love."

"Catlin, for God's sake, be CAREFUL,"  Sue Ellen says, placing her hands on his face.  

"Don't you worry, Sue Ellen.  I will be."

"Please don't do anything crazy.  Don't provoke Peter Love."

"Sue Ellen, don't you worry,"  Bobby says.  "Ray, Bum, and I are gonna be close by, listening at every word."

"And we'll move in at the first sign of trouble,"  adds Ray.

Catlin looks at his two cousins.  "Bobby, Ray, I can't thank you both enough for what you're doing for me tonight, and for my son."

"Catlin, you don't have to thank us,"  Bobby says.  "This is what family is for."

"You got that right,"  Ray says.

Ann walks over to her husband.  "I am SO afraid for you."

"It'll be alright, honey."

John Ross, Krystina, and Alex walk into the room.  "Hey, what's goin' on here?"  John Ross asks.

"Nothing, John Ross," Sue Ellen replies.

"Well somethin' sure as hell is,"  John Ross says.  "Why are you all here like this?"

"I'm going to get my son back,"  Catlin replies.

"You're goin' to face Peter Love?  All by yourself?"

"Catlin, you can't be serious,"  says Krystina.

"I am."

"He's not gonna be alone,"  Bobby says.  "Ray, Bum, and I are be close by."

"And John Ross, this is Eric Love, Peter's son,"  says Catlin. "He's coming with me, and I hope that Eric can convince Peter to let Eric go and turn himself in."

"You really think this is gonna work?"  John Ross asks.

Catlin looks at him.  "It's GOT to work."

"Let's go,"  says Bum.  

"Eric, you be careful,"  Donna Love tells her nephew.

"Don't worry, I will.  Besides, my Dad would never hurt me."

"I certainly hope that's true, Eric,"  Sue Ellen says.  "But at this point, you have no way of knowing what your father's capable of."

"Main thing is to not antagonize him while you're there,"  Bum says.  "Let's get you two set up."

Catlin turns to Sue Ellen.  "I'm coming back tonight, and with my son," he says.

Sue Ellen embraces him.  "I'm holding you to that."

Catlin pulls out of the embrace, kisses her, then leaves the room with Bum.  Bobby kisses Ann, then he and Ray follow.  As Sue Ellen begins to cry, Ann puts her arm around her.

 As Christopher comes out of the bathroom after taking a shower in his and Courtney's hotel room in Los Angeles that night, Courtney is on the phone talking to Phyllis.  "Well, are you sure you're okay, Mom?"  Courtney asks her mother.   "Alright, well, Christopher and I will be back in Dallas as soon as we can.  Hopefully we can get this custody case taken care of in the next couple of weeks and be back home.  In the meantime, I'm glad you have Sly with you, and I told her to contact me if anything, and I mean ANYTHING in your condition changes.  I love you too, Mom, and I'll call you tomorrow.  Goodnight."  Courtney ends the call and puts her phone down.  

"How's Phyllis?"  Christopher asks.

"She's feeling much better and the doctor said that she can leave the hospital day after tomorrow."

"That's great."

"Yeah,"  Courtney says.  "Sly is gonna be staying with her for a while until we get back to Dallas."

"Good, I'm glad she has Sly, with her."

"So am I,"  Courtney says sadly.

"Hey, what's wrong?"  Christopher asks.  "You don't sound too happy about your Mom being released from the hospital."

"It's not that, it's just that......."

"You're worried about this custody case?"

"Yeah, I am,"  Courtney replies.  "This whole thing seemed so simple at first, especially after finding out that Adam Reed's family has ties to organized crime. We were gonna take them to court, and get my son back.  But then I was forced to tell Jacob's father about him.  So Chase got involved, and the whole situation has turned into a big mess.  God, if I hadn't lied to Chase and told him that he was Jacob's father....."

"Then we might be dealing with his brother Joseph instead."

"Christopher, if you wanna back out of this now, I'll understand.  This isn't what you signed up for."

"Courtney, I'm gonna say this again.  I am in this with you 100%,"  Christopher says.  "Courtney, when you and I went to the Reeds that day and we saw Jacob, I felt something for that little boy.  Then, when we saw him in the hospital.  Courtney, Jacob is very special to me, and I am COMMITTED to helping you win custody of your son so you can be the one who raises him.  You both deserve that."  

"Thank you so much, Christopher."

"There's only one thing that really concerns me about this whole thing, and that's the truth coming out about Joseph Gioberti being Jacob's father, and not his brother Chase."

"There's no way that can come out."

"Courtney, secrets like that always have a way of coming out sooner or later."

"Then somehow, we just have to make sure that it never does,"  Courtney says.  "I don't want anyone hurt in this.  Not Chase, and not Joseph, and least of all, not my son."

"I don't want you hurt either, Courtney,"  Christopher says, putting his arms around his wife.  "I'll do anything to protect you and Jacob."

Dallas....

 long now.  Your old man just texted and said he and my son are on their way."

C.J. looks at Peter and makes an attempt to say something, but can't because of the gag in his mouth.  

"Oh, you're trying to tell me something, aren't you, Junior?"  Peter sarcastically asks with a smile.  "Well, let's just hear what you have to say."  Peter pulls the gag down from C.J.'s mouth.

"You're really out of your mind, Love,"  C.J. says.  "You'll never get away with this.  You belong in prison."

Peter smiles.  "You know you have a big mouth, just like your mother.  Anyone ever tell you that, kid?"

"If my father doesn't kill you, then I will,"  C.J. says.

Peter laughs.  "Awfully big words for a guy who's all tied up.  You know, you're very much like Brittany.  Contrary to what you might think of me, I really did love your mother."

"Yeah, you loved her so much that you stabbed her to death,"  C.J. says.

"Brittany had that coming,"  says Peter.  "She was going to destroy my life.  But I did love her.  I loved her for more than half my life.  It's really a shame that things turned out the way they did for us.  If Catlin Ewing hadn't come into the picture, Brittany and I could've made a happy life together.  But he took her away from me, and took you away.  You could've been my son if Brittany hadn't cheated on me with him."

"If you'd been my father, I think I would've killed myself a long time ago,"  C.J. says, his words angering Peter, who stares at him for a moment.

"You self righteous little punk,"  Peter says.  "You think you're so much better than me, don't you?  In that way, you're just like your father.  Holier than thou.  But Catlin Ewing started from nothing.  His mother was a tramp, did you know that?  She cheated on her husband, and from what I understand, for years, everyone believed Catlin to the bastard son of his mother's affair with another man.  Yep.  Old Jeanne Ewing abandoned her husband and her first two kids, Larry and Blaine, and raised Catlin on her own.  Left Larry and Blaine with a drunken, abusive louse of a father."

"Well, from what my Dad told me, your family was no picnic, either,"  C.J. says.  "Wasn't your father a criminal or something?  He fell to his death from the roof of his own building while trying to murder Marley's father, Michael Hudson?"

"How the hell did you know about that?"  Peter angrily asks.  "Catlin told you?"

"He didn't have to.  I did my own research on you when I found out you were the man who murdered my mother.  I guess psychopaths run in the Love family, don't they, Peter?  Like father, like son."

"You shut the hell up, you little bastard."

"You're no better than Reginald Love.  In fact, you're worse.  At least the man he tried to kill was someone he hated, and not someone he claimed to love."

"SHUT UP!"  Peter yells, striking C.J. hard across the face.  He angrily takes the gag and places it back over C.J.'s mouth to keep him quiet.  "I am really gonna enjoy this.  Enjoy what?  You're probably thinking."  Peter leans down to C.J., his face just inches away from his captive's face.  "I'm going to REALLY enjoy seeing you and Catlin squirm, each wondering when I'm going to kill the other."  Peter walks back over to the table, picks up his bottle of whiskey

 and pours himself a glass, a dazed C.J. watching him, fearing that his father was walking into a trap.  Somehow, C.J. thinks to himself, he has to find a way to free himself from the ropes and get that gun away from Peter before Catlin arrives!

Southfork....

Ann walks over to her friend.  "I know how you feel, Sue Ellen.  I'm just as worried as you are."

"I am SO afraid,"  Sue Ellen says.  "But in addition to that, I want a drink SO badly.  The cravings haven't been this strong in a long time.  Marley saying she wanted a drink didn't help."

"That's to be expected, you know that.  You're under an incredible amount of stress right now."

"Knowing it doesn't make it any better,"  Sue Ellen says.  "Ann, if anything happens to Catlin tonight, I don't know what I'd do."

"Sue Ellen, you can't think like that.  Neither of us can.  We have to believe that our men will be alright."

"I wonder why Donna isn't here,"  Sue Ellen says.  "She must be as worried about Ray as we are about Bobby and Catlin."

"Well, she would be, except that......Ray didn't tell her what he was doin' tonight."

Sue Ellen sighs.  "She's lucky.  I wish that I were ignorant of what was happening right now."

John Ross and Krystina walk into the room.  John Ross approaches his mother.  "Any word yet?"

"No,"  replies Sue Ellen.

Ann looks at her watch.  "They should be gettin' there soon."

John Ross puts his arms around Sue Ellen and embraces her as Ann and Krystina look on.  Krystina is about to say something when her cell phone vibrates once, indicating an incoming text.  Taking her phone from her pocket, 

Meanwhile....

Alex and Bridget are on the back porch, looking up at the clear night sky.  

"Did you ever see so many stars?"  Bridget asks.

"Yeah.  Right here almost every night," says Alex.

"It's so different here than it is up north,"  Bridget says.  "The sky is so much clearer."

"Where are you from?"  

"Bay City, Illinois.  Lived there most of my life, except when my sister and I were babies."

"Is that your Mom?  The blonde lady with your grandmother?"  Alex asks.

"No, that's my Aunt Marley.  My Mom is dead.  Both my parents are dead," the girl says sadly.

"Oh, Bidget, I'm sorry."

"It's okay.  I don't even really remember them.  My Dad, I remember a little, but my Mom, she died from injuries in a plane crash right after my sister and I were born."

"You and your sister......you're twins?"  Alex asks.

"Yes.  My sister's name is Michelle."

"Where is she?"

"She's back in Bay City.  She was the smart one, so she had a chance to do early college enrollment.  She's taking summer classes.  So what about you, Alex?  How come your last name is Walton is your father is a Ewing?  Is Walton your Mom's name?"

"It's my Mom's married name.  I was born out of wedlock.  My Mom and John Ross, you see, they, they kinda grew up together and then they had a one night stand.  She got pregnant with me then.  But she married a man named Phillip Walton, and he raised me.  I didn't even know John Ross was my father until about two and a half years ago, after my Mom moved back here with me to be close to my grandmother."

"She and your stepfather divorce?"  Bridget asks.

"No.  He died.  Three years ago."

"I'm sorry."

"So we've both lost parents,"  Alex says.  

Bridget turns and looks up at the night sky again.  "I sure hope my Uncle Peter doesn't hurt anyone else.  He's already in pretty deep."

Alex looks at the girl.

Dallas....

 "Alright, we're almost there,"  Bobby says.  "Catlin. we'll let you and Eric off a couple blocks from the motel Love told you to meet him.  We have another car waiting, just in case Love is watching when you arrive."

"Then we'll stake out right outside the motel,"  Bum says.  "And we'll be listening to every word."

"If we hear anything that sounds like things are goin' even remotely wrong, we'll move in,"  says Ray.

"Eric, I know you're only here to try and help us,"  Bum says.  "And hopefully convince your Daddy to turn himself in.   But you'll be real sorry if you even think about double crossin' us.  We're gonna be listening to every word that's said, so if you try anything funny or try to tip your father off........then you'll go down with him.  I'll see to it that you're charged as an accessory and that you're sittin' in prison right along with him.  And if that itn't a scary enough thought, I'm sure the Ewings would want a chance to deal with you, too.  Understood?"

"What is there to understand?"  Eric asks.  "I'm being held hostage, too.  Just like Mr. Ewing's son."

"Eric, you're not being held hostage."  Catlin says.  "Not yet, anyway.  You're just a vital part in our plan to get my son back from your father."

Bobby turns the car into a deserted parking lot and comes to a stop beside a black Ford Fusion.  "Okay, here we are," he says.  "Catlin........be careful."

"Don't worry, Bobby.  I will.  Eric, let's go."

Reluctantly, Eric gets out of the car with Catlin.  The two get into the Ford Fusion.  A moment later, Catlin drives out of the parking lot.  After waiting a few seconds, Bobby follows, hanging far enough behind so as not to look as if he is following Catlin.  

Southfork....the cottage....

"Lucas, what are you doing here, and......holding my son?"  Emma asks.

"I was out taking a walk, and I heard the baby crying."

Emma walks over and quickly takes the baby.  "Yeah, he needs changing.  I was just getting some diapers from the bathroom."

"He seems to have calmed down now,"  says Lucas. 

"Yeah, I have to change him."

"He sure is a cute little guy."

"Thank you,"  Emma says quickly.

"You really are lucky, Emma,"  Lucas says.  "To have such an adorable baby."

"Well, you have a son of your own."

"Yeah, I do.  I love Michael and I couldn't be any more proud of him, but, it really hurts me sometimes that I missed THIS part of his life.  I wasn't there when Michael was born, and I never got to hold him, or change his diapers, or watch him grow up.  Sometimes I think that's one of the most important times for a parent to be there.  I missed out on so much with him."

"Maybe you and Heather will have another child and you'll get to do all that this time,"  Emma says nervously as she proceeds to change the baby's diaper.  

"I hope so.  Emma, I know I haven't told you, but, I really am so sorry about Kevin.  I can't imagine what you're going through right now.  I know it must be even harder with the baby, having to raise him alone now."

"Yeah, well, I'll get by."

"Listen, if there's anything you need.  Anything at all, just let me know."

"I really don't think your wife would appreciate you helping your ex,"  says Emma.

"Heather understands.  She trusts me, and she knows that our relationship was over a long time ago.  Well, I guess I'll get back to the house.  See what's going on."  Lucas walks to the door and starts to leave.  He pauses for a second and turns back to her.  "Emma, if you ever wanna just get out, and Ann's busy, if you need someone to keep the baby for you, Heather and I will be happy to do it."

"Thank you, but, I'm not sure that would be such a good idea."

"Okay, well, the offer's open.  Night, Emma."

"Night, Lucas,"  Emma says as he leaves.  Emma finishes with the baby, then picks him up and walks to the window.  She looks out and watches Lucas as he heads back to the house.  Emma continues to watch him until he disappears into the darkness, then she hugs her son tightly and begins to cry, the guilt over her lie tearing at her heart.

A motel in Dallas....

"Dad, please,"  Eric says.  "This has gone on long enough.  You have got to end this."

"End it, Eric?"

"Yes.  Turn yourself in.  Please, Dad, before anyone else gets hurt.  Before YOU get hurt or worse."

Peter looks at his son.  "Hurt or worse?  What could be worse than this?  Eric, I'm looking at spending the rest of my life in prison.  Maybe even the death penalty.  So it doesn't matter what happens to me.  My life is over, any way you look at it."

"It doesn't have to be that way."  Eric says.  "Dad, you need help."

"Help?  HELP?  You think I'm crazy?  I don't need any help, son.  There were only two things that I need tonight.  I needed to see you one last time, so that I could finally tell you the truth.  And second.......I needed to face this man, Catlin Ewing, one last time.  Because he's the cause of all of this.  But before we get started on telling truths and revisiting the past, Catlin, you can take off that wire you're wearing."

Meanwhile.....outside....

Sitting in Bobby's car on the opposite side of the motel, Bobby, Ray, and Bum hear Peter tell Catlin to take off his wire.  The three men exchange worried looks, afraid that their plan may be hitting a snag.

Back in Peter's room....

"Wire?"  Catlin asks.  "I don't know what you're talking about."

"Oh, the hell you don't.  Come on, Catlin.  I wasn't born yesterday.  I know you didn't come here without wearing a wire.  I'm sure that you've probably got someone nearby listening to what we're saying right now.  So, before we go any further.......to whoever is listening to this........if there is ANY police involvement, or any kind of problem here, Catlin Ewing and his punk of a son will DIE!  Now, Catlin......take the wire off."

Catlin looks at his arch enemy for a few seconds.  Then he slowly and reluctantly unbuttons his shirt, revealing the wire that Bum had placed on him before the group left Southfork.  

"Now......take it off and hand it to me."

Catlin does as he is told and removes the wire, giving it to Peter, who takes the wire and destroys it.  He smiles and looks at Catlin, holding the gun to him.  After a moment, Peter walks over to C.J. and removes the gag from his mouth.  

"Dad,"  C..J. says in tears.

"Are you alright, son?"  Catlin asks.

"Yeah."

"Don't you worry.  I'm gonna get you out of here.  I promise,"  Catlin says, looking from Peter to C.J.

 "Are you, Catlin?"  Peter asks with a smile.  "Are you gonna be able to get your boy out of here?  Or......."  Peter pauses as he points the gun directly at Catlin's head.  "Or is your boy gonna watch you die tonight?  Or maybe....... you will watch your son die."

Catlin looks at Peter with an expression of fear mixed with hate, terrified of what this madman would do.

Perry's Steak House and Grille....

"I dunno,"  Shawn replies.  "Couple weeks, I guess."

"A couple of weeks?"  Sharon asks, surprised.  "I thought the two of you had been gettin' pretty close, and you kept in touch more than that."

"Mom, I've been busy, and I'm sure Tripp has, too,"  Shawn says, knowing the real reason he had not been in touch with his brother was the fact that he feared Tripp suspected him of planting the listening devices in his apartment.  

"Well, maybe you should give your brother a call one day this week, and see what he's doing.  Maybe the two of you could get together."

"Yeah, sure, Mom,"  Shawn says, his voice lacking any enthusiasm for the idea.

"Daniel, you're bein' awful quiet over there tonight,"  Sharon says to Mitch's son.

Mitch looks at the boy.  "Daniel, is everything okay?"

"Yeah, Dad, I'm fine,"  Daniel says, managing a fake smile.

"You sure?"  Sharon asks.  "You haven't said two words all night.  Didn't you like that movie?"

"The movie was fine."

"Maybe he's no more in the mood for this little family night out than I am,"  says Shawn.

Sharon looks disapprovingly at her son.  "Now what is that supposed to mean?"

At that moment, Lucy and one of her friends walks by, and, noticing Mitch, Sharon, and the boys, Lucy walks over to them.  "Well, good evening, Mitch,"  Lucy says.

"Oh, Lucy, hello,"  Mitch says, standing from his seat.  

"How are you?"

"Just fine, and you?"

"I........couldn't be better,"  Lucy lies.  "Mitch, this is my friend, Marcy.  She and I went to high school together in Braddock."

"Hello, Marcy,"  Mitch says, looking at the other woman with a friendly smile.

"Well, you must be the Mitch that Lucy was married to."

"Yes, I am."

"Oh, my, Lucy, he's even more handsome than you told me he was,"  Marcy says, a statement that arouses Sharon's jealousy.  Sharon interrupts by clearing her throat.

"Oh, I'm sorry,"  Mitch says.  "Lucy, of course you know Sharon and her son, Shawn."

"Yes, of course,"  Lucy says.

"And Sharon, this is Lucy's friend, Marcy.  Marcy, this is Sharon, her son, Shawn, and my son, Daniel Cooper."

Marcy looks at Daniel and smiles.  "Your son?  Mitch, he's as handsome as you are."

"Well, we're sorry if we disturbed your evening,"  Lucy says.  

"Oh, not at all,"  Mitch says.

"Take care, Mitch."

"You, too, Lucy, and Marcy, it was very nice to meet you."

"Nice meeting you all, too,"  Marcy says, then she and Lucy walk away.

Mitch retakes his seat.  

"How you can be so nice to Lucy Ewing is beyond me,"  says Sharon.  "Especially after she kept the news from you that you had a son for over thirty years."

"I was angry about that for a long time,"  says Mitch.  "But Lucy truly regrets the secret she kept from me about Jesse.  And she's paid for it enough."

Meanwhile, Lucy and Marcy exit the restaurant, Marcy noticing a sadness having come over Lucy after seeing her ex-husband.  "Lucy, are you okay?"

"I'm fine."

"Seein' Mitch kind of upset you, didn't it?"

"Not seeing Mitch.  But seeing him with THAT woman."

"Sharon?  Not jealous, are you?"

Lucy looks at her friend.  "Is it that obvious?"

"You're still in love with him?  Even after all these years?"

Lucy remains silent, Marcy guessing the answer by Lucy's failure to deny that she's still in love with Mitch.

"Well, honey, if you ARE,"  Marcy says.  "Then you'd better tell him, and soon.  Before that Sharon woman sinks her claws any deeper into the good doctor."

Peter Love's motel room....

 "It's a good thing Love probably wouldn't figure Eric would be wearin' a wire,"  Bobby says.  "He'd never think his own son was workin' against him."

"I hope you're right, Bobby,"  Bum says.  "But I just don't trust the kid.  Let's hope and pray he doesn't try to double cross us to help his father."

Peter's room....

"First of all, I want you to know that I loved Brittany,"  Peter says.  "I truly loved her."

"You loved her, so you murdered her?"  Catlin asks.  "What would you have done if you'd hated her?"

"I told you to shut the hell up!  I'm speaking to my son now,"  Peter angrily tells Catlin, pointing the gun at him.  After a few seconds, he turns back to Eric.  "I first met Brittany many years ago, when I was in love with another woman.  A woman named Sally Frame.  But, Sally and I didn't have a chance, and do you know why?  It was because of THIS man right here, Catlin Ewing. He came breezing into Bay City to find his family, and then he proceeded to sweep Sally off her feet.  She left me for this sorry son of a bitch.  That's when Brittany came into the picture."

"You mean that's when you brought Brittany to Bay City for the sole purpose of breaking up me and Sally,"  Catlin says.

"Yes.  That's exactly what I did.  Because you didn't deserve Sally."

"And you did?"  Catlin asks.

"Damn right, I did.  But, it didn't work.  Catlin ended up marrying Sally, and I........well, I ended up with Brittany.  But, guess what happened next.  This..........this MAN right here, not only was he content stealing Sally away from me, but then, he bedded Brittany, as well.   In the barn, wasn't it, Catlin?  And the result of that literal roll in the hay 

is sitting right over there."  Peter points to C.J.  "Brittany got pregnant with C.J. and then she tried to pass him off as my son.  She married me, but not for love.  Oh, I loved her, but Brittany only loved my money.  Her heart belonged to Catlin Ewing.  I lost Sally because of him.  He married her and then she died in a car accident."

"Sally's death was no accident and you damned well know it,"  Catlin angrily says.  "Your psycho father, Reginald Love, caused that car crash that killed Sally."

"Regardless, I lost her.  I lost all the time I could've had with her to you,"  Peter says.  "I lost Brittany to you, and then......."  Peter stops and turns to C.J.  "Then I lost the child I thought was mine.  A son who had been named Peter Love, Jr.  And, again, technically it was my father who cost me my son.  When Reginald found out that Brittany's son was fathered by Catlin and not by me, he couldn't stand it.  He decided to punish me for failing him again.  For failing to give him a legitimate Love heir.  So he took the baby and handed him over to Catlin to humiliate me.  I lost everything because of Catlin Ewing.  He stole my son's name.  Renamed him Catlin Ewing, Jr.  What the hell kind of a name is Catlin, anyway?  Who would name their kid Catlin?  Your mother must've been drunk when she named you.  He took everything from me.  My wife.  My son.  My dignity.  Catlin took Brittany and the baby and left town.  That was the last I saw of Brittany for a few years.  Then, fate brought us back together."

"Dad, what do you mean?"  Eric asks.  

Peter turns to his son.  "Eric......I'm so sorry.  I'm so sorry I lied to you all these years."

"You......you keep saying that, but what did you lie to me about?"

"About your mother,"  Peter replies.  "Eric, your mother didn't die, as I told you she did."

"What?  Dad, what are you saying?"

"All those years you were growing up, and I told you that your mother was dead, she was very much alive and well. But she couldn't be with us."

"Why?  Why couldn't she be with us?"  Eric asks.

"Because.  Because she was with THEM,"  Peter says, looking at Catlin and C.J.

"What the hell are you talking about?"  C.J. asks.

"Brittany,"  Peter replies.  "Eric........Brittany was your mother.  You and C.J. are half-brothers."

Eric's mouth falls open in shock, as does C.J.'s, the two young men exchanging stunned looks.  "Dad, that can't  be true,"  Eric says.

"It's true, Eric,"  says Peter.  "Brittany and I began an affair.  She would come to see me on a regular basis in San Francisco."

"My mother was never pregnant with another child!"  Says an angry C.J.  "I was young, but I would've known.  I would've remembered that.  My Dad would've known!  He was married to her, for God's sake!"

"No, we wouldn't have, son,"  Catlin says.  "You were young, but, remember that year your mother went to Wyoming?  Supposedly to care for her sick aunt?"

"Yes, I do, but......."  C.J. pauses, a look of shock on his face.  "Oh my God.  Mom was......she was with YOU?"  He asks Peter.

"Yes she was,"  Peter answers.  "I thought Brittany and I were going to finally have a life together that time.  But, once again, it wasn't to be.  Eric, after you were born, your mother handed you over to me and walked out of our lives.  She went back to Catlin and her firstborn son.  She never gave us a second thought, at least not for a number of years."

"Oh God,"  Eric cries.  "Why didn't you ever tell me any of this?"

"I didn't want you to know that your mother had abandoned you."

C.J. looks at Catlin.  "Did you know about any of this?"

"No,"  replies Catlin.  "Not until very recently.  And I had no idea that Eric was Brittany's son.  Not until just now."

"Brittany was a real mistress of deception, wasn't she?"  Peter asks.  "She and I talked, maybe three times over the next 15 years after she left Eric with me and went back to you, Catlin.  Then, a couple of years after that, I got a call from her wanting to meet me.  So, we met up in Los Angeles.  Brittany didn't wanna take a chance of coming to San Francisco again because your sister Blaine lived there.  This time, it seemed that I would finally have that life with her that I had wanted for so long.  I wanted to tell Eric about her, but, Brittany didn't want to, not just yet."

"That would've been around the time Brittany walked out on me, wouldn't it?" Catlin asks.

Peter looks at him and smiles, then laughs.  "Yes, Catlin, it was.  Really ironic, isn't it?  Twice, Brittany left me for YOU.  But that time around, after all those years, the shoe was on the other foot.  That time, Brittany left you for me. I wanted so much to tell you, Eric.  But, you were away at school, and Brittany didn't want you to know that she had walked out on you when you were just an infant.  So, for a few years, we kept our relationship a secret, and Brittany remained......underground.  I ran into some very bad financial difficulties, and Brittany used some of her money to help me, but it wasn't enough.  So, I got involved in some illegal schemes.  Insider trading, and illegal arms trading to terrorist groups."

"I DO NOT believe what I'm hearing!"  Eric asks.  "Not only are you a killer, but you sold weapons to terrorists?"

"Eric, I had to.  Love International was going down the drain, and I was on the verge of financial ruin, both business wise and personally.  My father's long held belief that I was a loser and would never amount to anything was proving true.  So I did what I had to do.  This made me enough money to keep myself and my company afloat.  Then, last year, Brittany was tracked down by some private detective working for John Ross Ewing.  Ewing.  I figured with that last name, he had to be some relation to Catlin.  This P.I. paid Brittany a very handsome sum of money to come here to Dallas.  Basically for the same reason I brought her to Bay City back in 1985.  This John Ross Ewing wasn't at all happy that Catlin was dating his mother, and I can't blame him.  So, he wanted Brittany to break them up.  She came to Dallas, leaving me behind in San Francisco.  Eventually, I trailed her  here, only to find out that she was sleeping with not only John Ross Ewing but also a guy named Brad Stone.  C.J. as much as I loved your mother, even I have to admit that Brittany was a bit of a tramp."

"You......you killed my mother?"  Eric asks in tears.

"I had to, Eric.  I had no choice."

"Had no CHOICE?!"  Catlin yells.

"No, I didn't.  Brittany knew about all of my illegal activities, and she threatened to blow the whistle on my arms trading.  I couldn't let that happen.  We had a very angry confrontation the day she was killed.  Brittany threatened me....."

"You really are a pathetic excuse for a man, Peter,"  Brittany says.  "Why I ever left Catlin for you is beyond me."

 

"You KNOW why," Peter says angrily.  "You and I not only share a long history, but we also share something else.  Something you never wanted Catlin or your son to find out about."

 

"And why should I even care, anymore?"  Brittany asks.  "Catlin wants a divorce from me anyway, so why should he even care about the time we spent in San Francisco all those  years ago?"

 

"And what about your son?"  Peter asks.  "How do you think Catlin, Jr. will take it when he finds out just what kind of a woman his mother really is?"

 

"You listen to me, Peter.  You say ONE word to my son about any of this, and I swear, I'll blow the whistle on all your dirty little schemes.  I'll make sure you spend the rest of your miserable life where you belong......in prison!"

 

Peter angrily grabs Brittany by the arms.  "You even THINK about doing that and I can promise, it'll be the last thing you EVER do, Brittany."

 

"Let go of me, Peter, you're hurting me!"  Brittany says, struggling against his grip.

 

"You keep your mouth shut or I'll do more than just hurt you.  I'll KILL you!"

"Bum, I don't like the sound of  that,"  Bobby says.

"Think maybe we ought to move in?"  Ray asks.

"Let's go,"  Bum says, taking his gun from its holster.

The three men quickly get out of Bobby's car and head toward the motel, making their way around the building to the front, where Peter's room is located.  

Back in Peter's room....

Peter holds his gun to Catlin's head.  "This has been a long time coming, Catlin," he says.  "You and I both know that."

"DAD!!!!"  C.J. yells.  "LOVE, IF YOU DO THIS I SWEAR TO GOD, I WON'T REST UNTIL I KILL YOU MYSELF!!!"

"Dad, stop it!"  Eric pleads.  

"You ready to die, Ewing?"  Peter asks.  "Or maybe........maybe dying is  too easy for all you've taken from me.  Maybe you should watch your son die."  Peter quickly turns the gun on C.J.

"Dad, STOP!!!"  Eric yells.  "You can't kill him.  He's my brother.  And not only that, you once believed he was your own son!"

"Yes, but Catlin stole him away from me,"  Peter says, now sounding completely unhinged.  "Now, it's time for me to take him away from Catlin."

Peter points the gun at C.J.'s head.  C.J.'s heart begins to pound with terror.  

"DAD, NO!!!!"  Eric yells.

As Peter looks at his son, Catlin quickly leaps to his feet and lunges at Peter, grabbing his hand with the gun.  Tackling Peter, Catlin and Peter fall against the wall.  The gun goes off, firing a shot into the opposite wall.  The two men wrestle for control of the gun as Eric rushes over to untie C.J.  Bobby, Bum, and Ray burst into the room.  Peter manages to get the better of Catlin by grabbing him around the neck.  He points the gun at the others.

"Stay back, or he dies,"  Peter says.  

"Love, it's over,"  Bobby says.  "Just turn yourself in before anyone else gets hurt or killed, including you."

"You think I give a damn at this point?"  Peter asks.  "My life is over already.  And I intend to take Catlin Ewing out with me."  Using Catlin as a shield, Peter begins moving slowly toward the door.  

Now having been untied by Eric, C.J. leaps into action.  Very quickly, he lunges for Peter and grabs him.  Peter releases his grip on Catlin, who falls to the floor.  C.J. wrestles with Peter for the gun for only a mere second, and the gun goes off.  C.J. is struck by a bullet to the abdomen.  As he falls to the floor, Catlin rushes toward him.  Bum points his gun at Peter, but in the confusion, Peter quickly takes a shot at Bum, narrowly missing he and Bobby.  Peter then makes a break and flees from the room.  Bum goes after him, taking a shot as Peter flees into the night.  

Catlin, Eric, and Bobby rush to C.J., who is bleeding from a wound to the left side of his abdomen.  "My God, no,"  Catlin cries.  "C.J., son?"

"Dad,"  C.J. says, his voice weak.  "I'm okay."

"Eric, Bobby, stay with him."

Catlin grabs Bobby's gun, and quickly rushes out after Peter while Ray uses his cell phone to call for an ambulance. "Hello, I need an ambulance over at the Four Seasons Motel,"  Ray tells the 911 operator.  "There's been a shooting."

Outside, as Bum searches one side of the motel for Peter, Catlin searches the other.  A crowd, having heard the shots and commotion, begins to gather outside the building.  

Catlin quietly slips around one corner of the building, his gun drawn, ready to meet the man who had murdered his wife and kidnapped his son.  Catlin makes his way to the end of the building.  As he does, Peter is hiding behind some bushes, watching him.  As Catlin walks by, Peter jumps at him, tackling him.  The two men wrestle around.  Peter punches Catlin across the face, then Catlin manages to get off a punch, knocking Peter backwards.  Catlin draws his gun on him, but Peter kicks the gun from Catlin's hand, then takes off running again.  

As Peter flees, Bum steps out, his weapon drawn.  "HOLD IT, LOVE!  FREEEZE!!!"  Bum yells.

Peter looks at him, but continues running.  Extremely fast, Catlin picks up his gun, points it at a fleeing Peter, and fires, striking Peter in the back.  The bullet fails to stop the fugitive, who staggers, but continues to flee.  Bum takes a shot at him, but misses.  Catlin fires a second shot, this one striking Peter in the shoulder.  As Catlin and Bum race toward him, a disoriented Peter, still attempting to get away, staggers into the street.  The next sound that can be heard is the sound of screeching tires as Peter stumbles directly into the path of an oncoming car.  The car strikes Peter, sending him flying onto the vehicle's hood and crashing into the windshield, shattering it, before rolling off the car and onto the street, landing face down.  Catlin and Bum reach Peter as the driver of the car, a woman, gets out of the vehicle and screams hysterically. Catlin grabs Peter's shoulder and rolls him over, his face bloodied from the collision with the car.

"You son of a bitch!"  Catlin says to the unconscious man.

 Bum feels for a pulse, then he and Catlin exchange looks.  "It's over, Mr. Ewing,"  Bum says.  "It's finally over."

"I.....I have to get back to my son,"  Catlin says.  He quickly takes off running back to the motel as Bum stays with Peter.  A crowd of onlookers begins to gather, and the sound of sirens approaching can be heard in the distance....

END OF EPISODE 151....