Kristen woke up. She coughed so much she almost threw up from all the smoke she had in her lungs. She gasped for air. She sat up and saw the house in ruins after the explosion. Kristen called out for her mother. She didn´t get a response. She got up on her feets, she was groggy but was still able to walk up to the remains of the house. She was in chock. What had happened? Where was Stephanie? And how did she get out of the house? And how did the fire start? Tears ran down her face. Suddenly she heard something behind her. She turned around with a start. She saw a man with blonde hair and a very built body lying in the grass, trying to get up. Without a thought, Kristen ran to him. She thought he was responsible for the fire and for her mothers death, if she was dead. She was furious with him. She started shaking him and screamed "why?!". He was groggy and he had a cut on the back of his head from the explosion, not to mention all the smaller cuts and bruises.
Casey: Kristen, he said in a loud voice to get her to stop beating him.
Kristen looked surprised at him. How did he know her name? Was he working for Sheila?
Casey took hold of her hands, she tried to get free. She acted though she was fighting for her life, to get away from him.
Kristen: Let me go, she screamed at him.
Casey: Take it easy. I´m here to help you. You and your mother.
Kristen stopped fighting Casey and calmed down.
Kristen: You´re here to help me?! How do I know that?
Casey: Ask your sister. Where is she? Felicia!, he called out.
That proved that he was telling the truth, the mentioning of her sister.
Kristen: Felicia? Is she here?
Casey: Yes. Do you see her?
They got up from the grass and looked around for Felicia. At first they didn´t see her, but Casey spotted her legs under some bebris further away. He ran to her. Kristen wasn´t far behind. Together they digged her out. She was unconscious, had cuts and bruises and torn clothes. Kristen got down on her knees beside her sister and caressed Felicia´s forehead.
Casey: I´ll call 911. Stay here.
Casey ran to his car where he had left his cellphone and called for help. After he returned to the sisters.
Kristen: Could you please look for my mother?
Casey knew that there was no way that Stephanie could have survived, if she was inside the house when it exploded that is. But he did as she asked him. He couldn´t find anything. Two ambulances, a firetruck and a policecar arrived after 15 minutes. It had taken them long to get to the remote house. Casey hadn´t given them so much to go on since he didn´t exactly knew where they were. There was nothing that the firemen could do but to make sure the fire was completely out. The policemen questioned Casey as the ambulancemen lifted Felicia up on a streach and lifted her into the ambulance. Kristen jumped in with Felicia. The police stayed at the scene as the firetruck and the ambulance drove off with Casey driving behind in his car. The policemen started investigate the burnt down house.
Annie and Ben checked in on Benjy. He had fallen asleep after many attempts of getting him to do that. He missed his mother. He hadn´t seen Maria very much lately. Today´s quick visit by his mom only made a small difference. Ben and Annie went back out to the livingroom where they had been sitting and talking for a couple of hours. They had talked about some of the good times they have had years ago, before Ben fell in love with Annie´s then room-mate Maria. And after that, to the horrible boating accident when everyone believed that Maria had died. After that, everything had just gotten worse and worse and Ben had shut himself away from everyone, except from Annie. After checking in on Benjy, they returned to the livingroom.
Annie: I´m in the mood for a midnight swim, how about you?
Ben: That sounds like a good idea.
Annie: Did you bring your swimsuites? I don´t mind if you didn´t...
Ben laughed and went to his suitcase and dragged of a pair.
Annie: Too bad. It´s much more fun with skinnydips.
Ben threw his swimsuite to his suitcase. Annie smiled. She went to get two towels and they got undressed. Annie went to get a flashlight since it was so dark outside, she picked up her keys from the table and they headed outside. They ran on the sand till they got to the water. They tossed away their towels and jumped into the water. It wasn´t that warm but very refreshing. They started splashing water on each other and laughed. They were behaving like a couple of teenagers. They had a lot of fun, unaware that Benjy had woken up yet again and was watching them through a window. He had a sad look on his face. It got even sader when Ben and Annie embrased and started kissing passionatly. A tear ran down Benjy´s face.
Eric was lying in his and Stephanie´s bed, sleepless. He hadn´t slept since Steph disappeared. He quickly picked up the phone as it rang. It was Kristen.
Kristen: Dad..., she said with a shaken voice.
Eric: Kristen? Is that you?
Kristen: Yes.
Eric: What´s the matter? Where are you?
Kristen: I´m at the hospital.
Eric: The hospital? What happened?
Kristen: I´m here with Felicia.
Eric: Felicia? Is she hurt? Eric was getting more worried for every word they said.
Kristen: Yes, she is. But it´s not so bad according to some doctor.
Eric: What happened?
Kristen thought of everything that had happened and started to cry.
Eric: Kristen?!
Kristen dropped the phone. It fell to the floor. Kristen sat down on the floor. She started crying hysterically. Casey ran to her side. They hugged. Eric called Kristen´s name again. Casey picked up the phone.
Casey: Hello?
Eric: Who is this?
Casey: I´m Casey Mitchum. A friend of Kristen´s. Who is this?
Eric: I´m her father. How is she?
Casey: Not so good, Mr. Forrester. I think you´d better come down here right away. There´s been a horrible accident.
Eric: What happened?!
Casey: It´s not such a good idea to talk about it over the phone. Come down here. And hurry, please. Casey told Eric where he could find them and they hung up.
Eric got out of bed and as quickly as he could he got dressed. He´s feet still hurt to much to walk on so he had to take the wheelchair. He wheeled into Ridge´s room and quickly told him about the call and father and son headed to the hospital. Gregory and Olivia heared how they rushed off and wondered what was so important.
Olivia: I hope nothing´s wrong.
Gregory: Maybe they found Stephanie.
Olivia: God, I hope so. That Sheila character isn´t someone to play with...
They decided not to talk about that and wait for news instead. In the meantime they got ready for bed.
Gregory: I almost forgot to tell you. I spoke to Maria this afternoon. She told me where to find Annie.
Olivia smiled. Finally Gregory could get his divorce from Annie and marry her! She threw herself in his arms and kissed him.
Olivia: Do you think that things finally are starting to go our way? I mean after everything bad that has happened lately?
Gregory: I think they might, Liv, I think they might. They smiled at each other and kissed again.
Eric and Ridge arrived at the hospital. They got to the floor Casey had told Eric that they would be on. They spotted Kristen with some guy they presumed was Casey, sitting on a sofa. Ridge wheeled his father over there.
Ridge: Kristen...
Kristen looked up. She looked horrible. Her eyes were swollen and red and tears was speeding down her face.
Eric: It´s that bad? He said with a shakey voice. Kristen nodded.
Kristen: I don´t know how to tell you, dad... This isn´t fair. You just lost your son!
Eric: Don´t tell me...
Kristen: Mom is dead. Kristen started crying again hysterically and leaned towards Casey´s shoulder.
Eric and Ridge was in chock. They weren´t prepared for this kind of news. Ridge had to sit down.
Ridge: Are you sure?!
Kristen: I was there.
Eric stayed silent. He wasn´t able to speak. The thoughts that had been running around in his mind since he talked to Kristen and Casey on the phone just stopped. Kristen leaned over to her father and hugged him. He didn´t even seem to notice. He just kept staring into the wall.
Teresa: I’m sorry, but do I know you?
Antonio: What are you talking about, Francesca? You just called me ‘father’, of course you know who I am.
Teresa: I don’t know why I said that. It just came out of me.
Antonio: Well, I used to be a priest in the past. I’m sorry but… Are, are you saying that you’re not Francesca Vargas?
Teresa: I’m Teresa Cole.
Antonio: And you’ve never heard of Francesca Vargas?
Teresa: I’m not sure… Could you come in for a while? I’d like to talk to you. Things are a bit complicated, but since you referred me to a woman named Francesca… Who knows, maybe I am her after all.
Antonio didn’t understand a thing.
They sat down in the sofa.
Teresa: You see, I have amnesia.
Antonio: Amnesia?
Teresa: Yes, I don’t know who I am. I took the name Teresa Cole to just simply have a name.
Antonio: Cole?
Teresa: Yes, is there something strange about that name.
Antonio: If you are the woman that I think you are then there isn’t a surprise you took the last name Cole.
Teresa: No?
Antonio: You… Francesca was very much in love with a man named Cole. There wasn’t anything she wouldn’t do to be with him.
Teresa: Well, did she? Did she get to be with him?
Antonio: No, she didn’t.
Teresa: Oh…
Antonio: Now, tell me more about you. I need to know as much as possible to know if you’re who I think you are. It is very important.
Teresa: What I do know about myself is that I had some head damage that caused my memory loss. I know that because I had this awful headache at the time. I just sort of imagined that when the headache disappeared I would get my memory back.
Antonio: But it didn’t.
Teresa: No, it didn’t. – she looked at Antonio and saw how shocked he was – Are you all right?
Antonio: I’m fine, it’s just that you even talk like her. If you’re not Francesca then you have to be her twin sister.
Teresa: I don’t know, I suppose it’s possible. Wait a minute, I just thought of something.
Antonio: What?
Teresa: After my accident I was told I was in Sunset Beach. Is that any help?
Antonio: It is, definitely. That’s from where I think I know you. You don’t remember anything from your past.
Teresa: No, but last night, I found a ring in Thorne’s bedroom. His fiancée is the one letting me stay here.
Antonio: You know Brooke?
Teresa: Yes, I met her at the beach a few days ago. She just lost her son and I have lost my memory. We sort of connected. She’s a wonderful woman. Do you know her well?
Antonio: No, not yet.
Teresa: Well, once you do speak to her, I mean really speak to her you will be a very happy man for knowing someone like her. Anyway, I saw this ring in Thorne’s bedroom.
Antonio: And?
Teresa: It was so beautiful, and I couldn’t resist putting it on. But as I did, a shock ran right through me. And I had some sort of flashback. At least it felt like something that had actually happened. I know, it wasn’t just my imagination.
Antonio: What did you see?
Teresa: I saw jewels, lots of jewels. The ring had a huge diamond in it and that’s what I saw, diamonds.
Antonio: Just diamonds?
Teresa: No, there were rubies and emeralds there too. And those blue ones… what are they called?
Antonio: Sapphires.
Teresa: Yeah. The strange part though was that it scared me. It’s like I’m afraid to remember. I’m afraid of what I might find out about myself.
Antonio: Well, the jewels do have something to do with Francesca. And I can see why you would be scared of them.
Teresa: Was I… was I a bad person?
Antonio was reluctant to answer.
Antonio: Teresa… we don’t even know if you are in deed Francesca Vargas.
Teresa: No, we don’t. How will we find out if I am?
Antonio: I’m not sure, but I promise that I will be here to help you. If you want me to.
Teresa: I would actually. Thank you, you’re so kind. Especially since I realize you and Francesca weren’t close.
Antonio: How do you see that?
Teresa: It’s in your eyes.
Antonio: Yeah, well… do you know what I see in your eyes?
Teresa: No.
Antonio: I see a young woman who desperately wants to live the life she has lost.
Teresa: I do want that. And I think I will, with your help. Thank you…
Jude: Jason, what are you doing here?
Jason: That’s a nice welcome.
Jude: I’m sorry, I was just surprised to see you.
Jason: Surprised, I can understand that. But are you happy to see me?
Jude: Of course I am.
They hugged.
Jude: So, what are you doing in LA?
Jason: Well you know me, always drifting around. And now I ended up here. And I gotta tell you, I like it. So far, anyway.
Jude: But for how long? Jason, I gotta tell you man… you need to start living a life.
Jason: I am living a life, a really good one. It might not be the way yours is, but it’s my life. And I enjoy it.
Jude: OK, I won’t start getting on your case. At least not now.
Jason: Speaking of cases… have you had any exciting ones lately?
Jude: No, not really.
Jason: How about in the ladies department? How did it go with that… what was her name? Amy?
Jude: Annie.
Jason: Yeah, when’s the wedding?
Jude: It’s over.
Jason: I thought that was kinda serious. What happened?
Jude: Got a few days?
Jason: No, but a few hours. And I am starving. So… what do you say, big brother? Feel like buying me some dinner?
Jude starred at the phone. Obviously she wasn’t going to call.
Jude: Sure.
They left and just when they shut the door, the phone started ringing.
Bridget: Giovanni will meet you tomorrow morning and take some pictures.
Paula: Great.
Bridget: Yeah. Listen, I’ve been thinking.
Paula: Thinking what?
Bridget: That I’ll miss you when you start working again.
Paula: I’ve been thinking of my role on ‘All my Children’ too. Actually, I’ve been thinking about it a lot.
Bridget: And just what are your thoughts?
Paula: Going off to New York again, just doesn’t feel right. And I spoke to my agent about it yesterday. I only have two months left of my contract. He suggested that if I still want to do soaps I can audition for another soap.
Bridget: Is that something you want?
Paula: I have never really thought about it before, but now that I’m here in LA… I love it here. It really feels like home. It’s much more like Sunset Beach than New York is.
Bridget: Does this mean you’re thinking about staying?
Paula: It does.
Bridget: Oh Paula, that’s wonderful! – the two friends hugged.
Kimberly: So?
Macy: He didn’t answer.
Kimberly: What?
Macy: He didn’t answer the phone, Kimberly.
Kimberly: Macy, that’s impossible. He knew you were calling.
Macy: Maybe he changed his mind and didn’t want to talk to me. Maybe I was a fool to even considering calling.
Kimberly: Don’t say that, it’s obvious that you care for him. And I know he has feelings for you. I didn’t before, but after talking to him earlier, the sound of his voice, I know.
Macy: No, you don’t know. I’m sorry, but you don’t. If he did have any feelings for me I doubt that he would have just gone out like that.
Kimberly: Maybe he got tired of waiting and is on his way over. Maybe he was called away on work.
Macy: There are too many “maybes” in this picture, Kimberly. Way too many.
Megan’s cell phone started ringing. She was fast to answer it so she wouldn’t wake up Giovanni.
Megan: Hallo?
Reese: Megan, is that you?
Megan: Yes, who is this?
Reese: It’s your mother.
Megan moved the phone off her ear with a shocked impression on her face.
Julian sat down at a table with his computer.
Julian: OK, ladies, here I am.
Two hours later he was still sitting chatting with mysterious girls on the Internet. This was an obsession that he couldn’t get past, and one that he didn’t know if he wanted to get past.
Maria: So, what do you think of the place?
Antonio: I like it.
Maria: I think it’s great. And there are other kids living in the building. It will be great for Benjy.
Antonio: Yeah, how’s all of that working anyway?
Maria: It’s fine. I’m not so sure Benjy’s too much in love with Annie though. But I think that when they get to know each other, it will be better.
Antonio: And you?
Maria: Me?
Antonio: How’s your life without Ben?
Maria: It’s working out just wonderful. – she thought of Thorne.
Antonio: That’s great.
Maria: It is, isn’t it? And you? I know you’re living at Thorne’s. You know you’re welcome here if it gets too hard over there.
Antonio: Hard?
Maria: Yes, Thorne has told me that he and Brooke are having problems.
Antonio: Well, I haven’t seen too much of them. I’ve been talking most to Bridget, Brooke’s daughter.
Maria: Well, I sure hope it ain’t too serious. Their problems, I mean.
Duh, like she meant it!?
Paula: Hi honey, how was your day?
Antonio was caught up in his thoughts of Teresa.
Paula: Antonio?
Antonio: I’m sorry, what was that?
Paula: Never mind. Why don’t you just crawl into bed with me, huh?
Antonio: I’m not really in the mood.
Paula: Well, that can change…
She got up from the bed and went to stand next to him.
Paula: You know I always make you feel better…
She started kissing his neck.
Antonio: No! I said, I’m not in the mood.
He broke loose and left the room.
Megan put the phone up to her ear again.
Megan: How did you get this number?
Reese: I called your work. You’ve really gotten somewhere, working at Forrester Creations. I’m very proud of you, honey.
Megan: Spare me, mother. I don’t need to know what you think of me. It’s enough with what I think of you.
Reese: Megan, it’s been a long time since we saw each other. Can’t we please just try and work things out.
Megan: It’s too late for that.
Reese: No, I will not believe that. It is never too late.
Megan: Then I guess we don’t see eye to eye on that, but then again we never did on anything. Please just leave me alone and don’t call again.
She turned off the phone and started to cry.
Giovanni: Who was that?
A teary-eyed Megan turned around to face a the eyes of a concerned Giovanni.
Jude: … we found her and Ben here last week.
Jason: Are they all right?
Jude: Yeah.
Jason: If I were you, man, I wouldn’t care at all about that Annie Douglas woman. She sounds like a real slut.
Jude: You should know better than to say things that you don’t know anything about.
Jason: All right, all right. So, who’s the new one?
Jude: New one?
Jason: This is me remember? Jason, your little brother. The one who knows every side there is to you.
Jude: And just what is that suppose to mean?
Jason: You’ve never been the kind who doesn’t have at least one woman in his life. There has to be someone new.
Jude: There is someone. But I doubt that she’s too interested in me. I screwed it. But that is something I really don’t want to talk about.
Jason: That’s fine with me.
Jude: Well, how about you? What’s happened in your life since we last met.
Jason: I met this girl, Chastity. It wasn’t too serious though.
Jude: When has it ever been with you?
Jason: Thanks a lot, bro. Anyway, she had this underwear catalog going on. And what can I say? She liked my body.
Jude: So, you’re a model now?
Jason: Not really, but I could be if I wanted to. No, right now I’m not even sure where to live. Unless of course…
Jude: What?
Jason: If maybe I could stay with you at the hotel.
Jude: Jason…
Jason: Come on, just for a few days. I take it that since Sunset Beach’s a total mess since the earthquake you’re planning on staying here and maybe getting a place of your own?
Jude: Maybe, I don’t know.
Jason: So, what do you say? Can I stay with you for a while? It will be like old times.
Jude: That’s what I’m afraid of.
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