MY NEXT BIG VENTURE

September 23, 2011

Angie speaks under a montage showing PV births and relationships between parents and children. We see Erica being born, Erica giving birth to Bianca; we see Martins and Hubbards, babies born and babies growing up. Angie continues, saying to share their lives with each other over the years and watch children grow up and share their lives is a gift. And then we see David on a chair at the police station, Angie and Cara at his side, Jesse glowering. It truly is a gift, David echoes. David and Cara lock eyes, smiling secret smiles. That doesn’t excuse David from breaking the law, Jesse reminds everyone. Angie says they can’t take miracles for granted. Cara waxes poetic, saying David is performing miracles and changing lives. He’s giving people back what they’d thought they lost forever. Second chances, Cara tells Jesse, are important. To have someone brought back is the ultimate dream come true. Under Cara’s words we see Tad and Dixie enjoying life. We see Marian reunite with Stuart. We see the Kanes David has saved and Ryan and a healthy Greenlee and Emma in the park. Cara stands protectively over David, her hand on his shoulder. Jesse says he won’t argue that. Miracles are beyond his line of duty. But releasing David—no one can keep people alive forever. That’s the point, Angie counters. Everyone dies for good one day. What if today is that day?

Meanwhile, JR fondles a gun at the airport and later has a vicious argument with Tad and Dixie, unloading on his mother. He pretends he’s leaving PV. And Brooke tells Adam she bought the mansion back for him.
Back at the police station, Liza materializes, telling everyone Adam was so grateful David saved Stuart, he got his judge friend to grant David bail. David’s thrilled. Incredible, Cara bubbles. Let’s go! David caresses her cheek, saying to wait just a minute. He faces Angie. He’s gone up against a lot of people in PV, David says lightly, but he has to say Angie’s given him the greatest run for his money by far. Angie dimples. She shouts it from the rooftops, if she feels strongly. Yes, she does, David agrees. He thanks her for trusting in him when she had no reason in the world to do so. Maybe it took being blind, Angie banters, to get past the sneer and the ego to see the good in him. David chuckles. Don’t knock the sneer. He doesn’t fool her anymore, Angie tells David. Saving Stuart proved he’s not Dr. Doom. Stuart is one of PV’s best, Jesse agrees. And what David did for Angie—Jesse can’t believe he’s saying this, but thank you, Dr. David Hayward. Looking gratified, David says wow. Trust him, he’s going to remember this moment.

Meanwhile, a party gathers at the Chandlers while JR pretends to file a flight plan and flashes back to his enemies Adam and Scott, muttering he has a party to crash. Winifred serves appetizers, the PVites gathering in all their glitter, Hubbards to Matins to Kanes. Randi may be pregnant, Brot and Natalia are engaged, Madison and Scott are together, and Angie tells Greenlee, Ryan, Kendall, and Zach she can see. Kendall tells Zach and Griffin she’s thrilled David is out of their lives forever! At which moment David strolls through the front door, casually dressed. Krystal looks at him as if a housefly just blew in. Who invited him? He didn’t know there was a party, David says unapologetically. He needs to talk to Adam. Krystal warns David that Ryan and Zach are out and about. If he doesn’t want his head chewed off, LEAVE. She flounces away. David shakes his head, looking around, intent on finding Adam. Meanwhile, JR lurks in the tunnels, spying on Adam and Dixie saying maybe it’s best JR left town. He toys with his gun, watching toasts at the party.

David finally corners Adam. Don’t worry, he cuts, about not inviting him to the party. Even though Stuart is thriving because of him. Doctor, says Adam, he doesn’t know how to thank him. “Cash is always a good way to say I love you,” David hints. Adam eyes him. What is David up to now? Meanwhile, JR watches Marissa and Bianca arrive, thanking Scott for the text to come on over. But Scott never sent a text.

In a bedroom, Adam hands David a fat envelope of cash. David happily holds it up. This will be a huge help for his next big venture. Thank you. David needles Adam, telling him he doesn’t expect he’ll wish him well. Good, Adam snarls, leaving. David drops his smug smile and sighs, eyeing the ceiling as he tucks the money away. Before he can leave the room, Dixie finds him. David sarcastically tells her to restrain herself from showing her gratitude by throwing her arms around him. No problem, Dixie says. But she wants to know who the other patient is? JR left PV partially because David tortured him it was Babe. She knows she saw someone else. If it wasn’t Babe, who was it?! She wouldn’t believe him if he told her, David says. Is it someone they care about? Dixie presses. Trust him, David says cryptically. That’s something she doesn’t need to know. He stalks out. Meanwhile, JR spies on Jack and Erica arguing about the movie versus the wedding.

Tad gives a toast. To neighbors, family, and friends. The camera cuts back and forth from JR’s point of view to PV’s finest glowing at Tad’s words about their wonderful town, a place where people work and love and hope together and come through tragedy and triumph. David materializes, parking himself behind Krystal and Winifred, listening. JR clicks the hammer as everyone toasts to PV and claps. Adam proposes to Brooke, who’s thrilled to say yes. Cut to Erica admitting to Jack she doesn’t want to get married. Jack walks out on her. Erica bursts into the merry gathering, running after Jack who’s heading for the door. She yells not to go! She needs him! Jack pauses at the door. Frankly, he drawls, he doesn’t give a damn what she needs. JR watches, raising the gun and scanning the guests and his enemies through the cracked-open door. Jesse and Angie. Adam. Scott and Madison. Marissa and Bianca. Erica flies after Jack, crying out she will get what she wants! The camera rapidly flashes past the same people in JR’s line of vision all over again. And then we hear a BANG …

SHOCK AND AWE

September 22, 2011

Adam and Brooke rush into PVH. Adam tells Cara Angie called about a member of his family! Cara takes them to the cubicle, calling out to wait, there’s something she needs to– But Adam dashes in. He sees David urgently ordering a dopamine infusion, working over … Stuart. Adam freezes, shocked. Meanwhile, at Kendall’s, Greenlee toasts to love conquering all, even death and David Hayward. Later, Ryan tells her Hayward is finally behind bars. Life is good.

Adam sputters it can’t be! Griffin says the drugs are having no effect. David takes Adam to the side. Adam is furious, thinking this is a joke. It’s no joke, David says. He takes Adam by the shoulders. He saved Stuart after he was shot. But he will lose him if Adam doesn’t get out of there! Someone get him the hell out of there! David cries. Brooke hustles Adam away. Angie tells Adam David saved her sight, and he will save Stuart. Jesse fills Cara in on what happened. Adam says he killed his brother. And back in the cubicle, David instructs Griffin to inject 2.7 cc’s exactly. Too much or too little will be fatal! David leans over Stuart. We’ve come too far, he urges. He didn’t save all those people to lose the heart and soul of PV now. Brooke, Jesse, and Adam stare through the glass doors as David works over his patient.

Dazed, Adam watches through the window as David and Griffin work on Stuart. Brooke tells Angie she doesn’t think Adam will get through this if they lose him again. At that moment, Griffin says he’s in distress. David says they have V-tac! Adam watches, terror on his face as the monitor goes off.

Tad arrives at PVH, shocked to hear the Stuart news from Cara. He sourly observes she’s still a David fan when she says he’ll save Stuart with Griffin. David performs miracles, Cara says, smiling. And he hurts as many people as he saves, Tad grumps. So it’s karma. She needs to dial down the hero worship. Cara grins. David’s given her a new life, too. Meanwhile, David and Griffin apply the paddles to no effect, upping the shocks. C’mon, c’mon, David urges Stuart. Adam moans his brother needs him. On impulse, Angie guides Adam into the cubicle, David aghast. Get him the hell out of there, he cries. There’s no time. David’s the only one who can save him! But Angie argues Stuart needs something David can’t give him. He needs his twin. The other half of his heart. Adam’s his only hope. David and Griffin reluctantly step back. Adam takes Stuart’s hand and begs him to come back. He loves him, and he needs him. It’s him, Adam, his brother. Stuart opens his eyes, his heart stepping up. He looks at Adam, confused. David and Angie eye each other, David’s face suffused with wonder and elation.

Tad is shocked. Cara’s pregnant? She assures she’s thrilled, and she’s glad she told David. So no lectures. Tad backs down. She deserves kids and will be a great mother. And if anyone can slap Hayward around, it’s her. The stethoscope around David’s neck, he’s awestruck, watching Adam tell Stuart he’s home. Brooke and Angie hug, Angie telling her and Jesse medicine saves lives, but love and faith work miracles. Scott sprints in to see his father.

At the nurses’ desk, Angie congratulates David on saving another life. She’s so proud of him. She knew what Stuart needed, David marvels. David knew, too, Angie says. Jesse clears his throat. Um, he’s gotta hand it to David, saving his life like that. But it’s not a get-out-of-jail card. It’s time to go. David hands the stethoscope to Angie, putting a hand on her shoulder. Jesse escorts him away. As they walk in front of Adam and Brooke, Adam takes note, his eyes following their path. Later, Scott tells Marian the news. And Adam begs Stuart’s forgiveness, saying David didn’t tell him everything. He was drugged, and he hated himself. He shot Stuart. Stuart tells Adam there’s nothing to forgive.

David sees Cara and Griffin in the hallway. Cara is ebullient. She knew David would save him! Cara kisses David on the cheek and throws her arms around him. They hug each other tightly, Griffin watching with distaste. He wanders Tad’s way. Tad says Dixie is sure she saw another woman in the lab. Stuart is only one Griffin saw? Griffin confirms that. If there’s someone else, he doesn’t know who it is.

CRITICAL CONDITION

September 21, 2011

Jesse leads a handcuffed David into the interrogation room. He’s only doing this, Jesse snaps, because Griffin says it’s life or death. Jesse leaves. David looks at Griffin in surprise, growing agitated. What’s he doing here? His patient’s in critical condition! He needs David to tell him what to do, Griffin says. Or he’ll lose the patient for good.

The drugs had no effect on the patient, Griffin says. Is he conscious? David asks. Yes, Griffin says, but his vitals are weak. Tell him what to do. David paces, rubbing his hands over his eyes. He can’t! It can be one of a million reasons. He needs to see the patient to diagnose the problem. Short of breaking out, Griffin notes, he can’t make that happen. David watches Jesse speaking to an officer through the window. That’s exactly what he needs to make happen then, he says grimly. Meanwhile, JR is heartbroken to discover Babe is merely a vision. She hints maybe David tried to save her, and it didn’t work.

David thanks Angie for coming. Did he think she wouldn’t? Angie asks. She’s glad to finally see Griff, who says he heard about the great news. Due to his mentor, Angie notes. So what’s the problem? David explains, saying he needs to get to PVH in time to save the patient’s life. He needs her to convince Jesse to let him go. Angie turns to Jesse, who says an emphatic no. David’s using Angie to make his break, he claims. That’s not what he’s doing, David protests. Jesse demands to know who the patient is. David stubbornly looks at Angie. Angie appeals to David. He’s come this far. Desperate, David says fine. He’ll tell Jesse.

Impossible, Jesse says. There was a police investigation, a coroner’s report. Like Zach and Dixie, Griffin notes. Look, David says, trying to hold onto his patience, he’ll be happy to explain later. A life is hanging in the balance. If he doesn’t get there in time, he’ll die. Jesse doesn’t believe him. Oh, my God, David groans. Then believe her, Angie challenges. She knows what David’s capable of, good and bad. Lives can be changed for the better by saving this one person. She couldn’t forgive herself if she did nothing. And deep down, Angie counsels Jesse, she knows he wouldn’t either.

At the Chandler mansion, Brooke tells JR Adam stayed away from PV because he couldn’t handle losing Stuart. Adam advises JR to leave PV. And at his place, Tad happily tells the Martins David’s going away for a long time. Later, JR loads his gun and flashes back to his enemies: David, Marissa, Bianca, Scott, Adam. At PVH, Jesse hustles David in, still cuffed. David jerks away. If Jesse leaves the cuffs on, he’s useless. The ambulance is almost there! Griffin materializes, David anxiously asking if the patient is still alive? It’s been touch and go, Griffin says. They’re bringing him in now. David implores Jesse to take off the cuffs. Does he want the patient’s death on his hands? The EMT’s rush the gurney in! And back at the Chandlers’, Adam mourns Stuart’s death, because of him. Adam suddenly jerks up. He could swear Stuart said here I am. Just like he used to do when they played hide ‘n’ seek.

David tries to examine the patient, having a hard time. Dammit, he tells Jesse, get these cuffs off, or he’ll die! Jesse finally unsnaps them, David saying C’mon, c’mon. We see Stuart, wearing an oxygen mask, Griffin and the EMT’s working over him. David urgently examines Stuart, pleading with him not to give up. Does Stuart hear him? Stay with him, David begs. After everything he’s done to bring him back, he has to fight! Does Stuart hear him? It’s time to come back!

THE FIGHTER

September 20, 2011

JR and Griffin tussle at David’s lab, Griffin finally stabbing JR with a drug-filled needle. While he’s down, Griffin wheels out a gurney. Later, JR staggers up.

David’s tying his shoe, hearing the cell-block door open for a visitor. He sees JR and continues tying his shoe. JR snarls he found David’s lab. His boy Griffin had a patient there. David saunters to the bars and studies JR’s face. His voice silky, David tells Junior he’s been in a fight. David smiles. Nice bluff. “You have NOTHING.” JR demands to know where Babe is. Does David want his grandson to grow up with two vindictive lesbians? David grows heated. One of those vindictive lesbians is his daughter. “Guard!” he calls out. This conversation is OVER. But JR reaches through the bars and grabs David by the collar. He’ll be in hell sooner than he thinks, JR hisses. David glares at him.

The guard rushes in, JR yelling at David he’ll bury him! He’ll never see AJ again! The guard pulls JR off David. David yells back that’ll be two of them! Marissa was right to keep him away from AJ. She and Bianca are ten times the parent JR will ever be! As the guard manhandles a struggling JR around the corner, David follows them in his cell. Let him tell JR something, he shouts, jabbing a finger at him. David may be behind bars right now, but JR’s the loser in all this. And he’ll tell him something else, too, David yells. He will never ever, ever, ever see Babe again. Take that to his grave, the worthless scum! JR’s finally out of sight, the door’s slam echoing. David swipes a hand over his forehead, breathing hard.

JR threatens Marissa and Bianca, following them to the Slaters, He’s confronted by Erica, whom he also threatens, and is thrown out by Zach. Back at the mansion, JR finds his gun. He looks up to see a vision of a smiling Babe.

ESPECIALLY LIKE HIM

September 19, 2011

David matter-of-factly tells Griffin he doesn’t know when he’s getting out of prison. This can’t wait. Just do what he does. Make a person healthy. And send them home to their family. Meanwhile, at ConFusion Cara runs into Liza who tells her an attorney friend of hers arranged a plea bargain for David. Good behavior and out in eighteen months. Liza’s not sure what his incentive for good behavior will be though. No one’s waiting for him. Cara says someone will be. She’s carrying David’s child. They discuss whether it’s a good idea for Cara to be a single mother. Liza says David loves his children. And it’s nice to have someone to share the moments with when you’re raising a child, even David. But with David, Liza sighs, Cara may need more luck than the world holds.

David says Cara told him she’s having his baby. Griffin says David’s lucky they’re in a police station. David tries to turn that to his advantage, saying Griffin is always the big brother. and that’s exactly what he’s trying to do with his patient. Griffin accuses David of playing God. That’s his deal. He’s right, David admits. He went above the law, man’s and God’s. It cost him his freedom. This person in PO, they have loved ones. They shouldn’t have to pay for David’s crimes. Griffin’s about to leave, but David warns he knows Griffin. He’s a man of conscience. If he doesn’t treat this person, their blood will be on his hands. Griffin storms out, David helpless. Later, Griffin and Cara argue, Cara saying Griffin has to treat this patient! Griffin says Cara is sounding like David. Come with him and fly away from PV and away from David. Cara says it’s too late for that. And PV is their home. David’s patient has loved ones. Either treat that patient, or get on the plane.

David whirls around when the door opens. He’s shocked to see Angie, wearing sunglasses. He rubs his eyes wearily. Angie says he looks surprised to see her. He was hoping it was Griffin with a change of heart, David admits. Wait—how did she know how he looked? Was it the tone of his voice? Angie slips the glasses off. She saw his face, she says emotionally. She’s not blind anymore … Dr. Hayward. He made her see again. David smiles, the gratification showing through.

David cups Angie’s face gently, looking deep into her eyes, as if to be sure. Angie throws herself into his arms in a huge hug, crying. They pull back, David in awe, telling her this is extraordinary. What? Angie teases. The great David Hayward had doubts about delivering another miracle? His hands on her shoulder, David says they did it. Both of them. He’s very happy for her. “Thank you,” David says humbly. He’s thanking her? Angie asks. For sharing this moment with him, David explains. Angie asks what happened with Griffin, thrilled to learn David’s has given up a patient. She assures David he did the right thing, and so will Griffin. Life is gift, he’s giving people, Angie praises. Most people don’t get a second chance. She did when she opened her eyes to see Jesse. David guesses she forgave him, and Angie confirms it. She’d thought she was alone, but Jesse was with her the whole time. Later, Jesse tells Angie he’d do anything for her. And Angie tells Jesse they owe David, big time.

Cara enters the cell block, greeting David with a big smile he mirrors. Long time, no see, Cara jokes. David notes he thought they said all there was to say? Cara thought so, too. But David gave Griffin a patient’s name … He did, David says. Griffin turned it down. He wants nothing to do with David. Or his work. He was wrong, Cara says. “I was wrong,” she adds sheepishly. In a poignant moment, Cara confesses she wants the baby to know its father. Hope suffuses David’s face. He moves closer to the bars. Even though the man is like him? Cara beams. “Especially because the man is like him.”

Up close and personal, eyes locked, David says she’s heard all about his record as a parent. She has Cara says. People change. He better step it up a bit she teases. And here he thought the world lacked optimists David banters. She’s not speaking out of optimism Cara confesses. Her whole life, she’s made decisions based on her father not being around. She doesn’t want her baby looking at the door, wondering whether its father was coming home. Don’t think she mock warns, she’s not going to hold David to high standards. After all these years David says, looking down into her eyes, maybe it’s welcome. Maybe she’ll visit him from time to time Cara flirts, skating a finger down David’s cheek to his chin. “Someone has to keep an eye on you.” David mittens Cara’s hand, gently tugging her towards him. His other hand on her chin, he leans in for a tender kiss on the mouth, Cara reaching out to clasp his neck. They smile into each other’s eyes. David rasps he hopes to see her soon. Cara murmurs a soft goodbye, David a happy man.

THE GIFT

September 16, 2011

Wonder lights up David’s face. She’s carrying his child? Is she sure? Cara smiles. “I’m positive.” David’s face breaks into a smile, hope dawning.

He’ss going to be a father again, David says, elated. Cara tells him she knows it wasn’t expected. David washes a hand over his face, pacing. She has no idea what this means to him. He had only a few months with Leora. He didn’t know Babe and Marissa existed. When he did know, Babe was angry half the time and Marissa, he pushed her away. He never had the chance to be the father they needed, the father they deserved, David goes on, lost in his world. Cara watches him in dismay. David sits on his cot, overwhelmed. He looks up at Cara in awe.  “This is a beautiful gift.” A second chance to be the father he knows he can be! Cara gently tells David her feelings. She’s not at a place in her life where she can accept him as a full-blown parent to this child.  “This is my baby. Not yours.”

David walks to the bars. He takes her hand. Faltering, Cara says she doesn’t want to hurt him. Does he understand? Yes, David says quietly. He does. He’s a control freak father who’s done more damage than good. But not anymore. David brushes his knuckles over Cara’s face, fondling her chin. “You are an amazing woman,” he says tenderly.  “This baby is one lucky child.” Moved, Cara smiles through her tears. It comes from a brilliant father. Which means they made a remarkable baby.

David beams down at Cara. Look at her! Cancer free. Reunited with her brother. A baby on the way. David sighs happily. Does he want to know what she sees? Cara asks, locking eyes with David. What does she see? he teases. She sees a man who got her through a cancer scare, Cara says softly, caressing David’s face through the bars. He’s full of kindness and generosity.  “Lets hope our child,” David says lightly, “has better character judgment than you.” Cara bursts into laughter.  She’ll be a wonderful mother, David says happily, and a– The guard tells David he has a visitor. David’s not interested. JR materializes, slightly drunk. He better get interested.

David tells the punk to leave, but JR refuses. Cara advises David to talk to him. Five minutes says David. He asks Cara to stay in touch. She says she will. They exchange a secret smile, David thanking her. For everything. As she leaves, David asks Cara to please take care of herself. Exchanging one last intimate glance, she leaves. The tension ratchets up, David wanting to know if JR came to thank David for bringing his mother back to PV to clean up his mess? JR demands Babe back. David retorts he has a short memory. Babe died in the tornado. Because JR dragged her back to town. JR says Dixie saw a blond woman in David’s lab. David plops himself on the cot. He tells JR he turned his daughter’s life into a living hell. He’d keep her away from JR forever, if he had the chance. When JR says he loved her, David snaps he gutted her. More than once. He made mistakes, JR slurs. They were going to get married again. If only his daughter could see him now, David says with contempt. Bankrupt, homeless, and drunk. What about AJ? JR demands. David loves him. Would he deny his grandson a life with his mother? David angles JR a stony look.

David got Babe away from him, JR says bitterly. He got his wish. Hmm, David says, studying the ceiling, not quite. He’s still here. He’s got nothing to lose, JR grates. Here it comes, David drawls. The threats. Give Babe up, JR warns, or David will rot in hell long before he does. Yeah, yeah, yeah, David says. Bye-bye. David waves goodbye, JR slinking away. After he’s gone, David’s eyes shift, thinking rapidly.

David meets Griffin in the interrogation room. Grimly, he slides him a folded sheet of paper. A doctor never abandons his patients, David says. He obviously can’t finish his work. Griffin knows what to do. He’s the only one. “Lives are counting on you, doctor.” Griffin opens the note.  “My God,” he says.  Now he understands, David says cryptically.

And Angie argues with Jesse over David, believing he’s tortured, complex, has suffered, and should not be charged as an accessory to attempted murder. He saves lives! And he has two more patients to bring back. As they pack up Lucy’s playpen, crying, Angie suddenly realizes she can see!

LET THERE BE LIGHT

September 15, 2011

Weary, David covers his eyes. What does Angie want from him? Honesty, Angie says. David gives a hoarse chuckle. The point? David, Angie says, is the point. Life. If David continues stringing the world along and playing God for fun he’ll never get what he wants. He’ll play, says David. What does he want? What else? asks Angie. “Love.”

Does she think he sits around in his free time pining for love? David asks, his guard up. He grew up in a cruel world, says Angie gently. A mother who didn’t deserve the name. A father who killed himself. His brother and two daughters dead. Why believe in love? But, says Angie—and this is what makes David different—he DOES. Maybe more than anyone else David needs to feel connected. It’s why he does what he does. She must mean the horrible, evil, prison-worthy things, David interjects. He’s brilliant, Angie says. But he’s also desperate for love, and control. He’s had so much taken, he’ll be damned if he’ll let it happen again. That’s why he manufactures the ultimate power over life and death, Angie says softly. It’s genius. But sad. Because he’s still alone. David reflects on Angie’s words, getting up to pour himself a cup of coffee. It doesn’t have to be that way, Angie says. David wants to know if she’s offering friendship? She’s offering a way out, Angie tells him. David’s not the only one who’s suffered loss that hurts so hard you can’t catch your breath. He’s sorry about the loss of her daughter, David rasps. Angie says it’s torture, but it taught her the only way to deal with pain is to stare it down with the help and support of those who love you. David broods, taking it in. Patiently, Angie tells David she thinks he’d realize that if he dropped his guard. He’s come close with her. But it always goes back up. Let her in, Angie pleads. He won’t regret it. A lone tear trickles down David’s cheek.

David sinks into a chair across from Angie. Why is she doing this? he asks, bone tired. Believe it or not, Angie says, she gives a damn. David thinks she’s talking about her sight, and he reassures her he’ll treat her without or without friendship. She gives a damn about him! Angie cries. David apologizes. That’s not something he hears a lot. If at all. So … why? Because he was a hurt boy and a man who’s lost so much and is still struggling to stay afloat, Angie says. She admires that and she relates to it. This can’t be, she presses, how he envisioned his life? No, no it’s not, David admits, eyeing the ceiling. Then make a change, Angie urges. Stop withholding from everyone. Not just his patients. Stop withhold who he is! And who’s that? David asks. A man carrying his heart in a thousand tiny pieces, Angie says emotionally. A man who cringes to admit it, but a man who needs help to heal.

David slumps in his chair, silent. Angie asks if he’s still there? David rubs his forehead. Even he wouldn’t run out on a blind woman, he croaks. See, Angie teases, there’s hope for him yet. There could’ve been, David says, but not now. He’s going to prison. She’s wasting her time on him. But Angie doesn’t think so. He needs to pay for his crimes, but he doesn’t need to go off with his tail between his legs. Let the world see he’s human. They’ll respond. No, David says tonelessly. It’s too late. It’s never too late, Angie implores. Give PV the people he’s holding back. “Including yourself.”

She meant what she said, Angie tells David. She feels the good in him. He stepped up about getting her sight back. He cares. That’s stretching it, David says wryly. “You CARE,” Angie insists. Maybe a little, David admits. Frankie enters, not looking at David and hustling Angie out of there. Before she’s out the door, David calls her name. Tentatively, he asks Angie if she’ll visit him in the Big House, or what? “You haven’t seen the last of ME,” Angie says. David is smiling as she leaves.

Cara and Griffin bicker about David, Cara not believing he should be behind bars, Griffin glad she’s done with him. When she says she’s pregnant, Griffin wants her to get rid of the baby. When she’s adamant about being thrilled and absolutely keeping it, Griffin urges her to never, ever tell evil David he’s the father. Later, Cara bounces in to visit David in his cell. He springs up from his cot in surprise. They smile at each other, keeping up a playful banter. He wants to know how he looks? Cara says he’ll do pull off the vertical stripe thing. She’s come to say goodbye. David teases about not waiting in a long line to get in to see him. It was good seeing her, David says bravely. He was a good friend, Cara falters. She’ll always remember. All he did, David says lightly, was point out a few clouds, right? Cara hesitates briefly and then she plows on. Actually, David did more. What is it? David asks, sensing her pause. Did she read the test results? Is it bad news? Just the opposite, Cara says, tearing up.

David gave her something that she thought might never happen, Cara tells him. Sorry, David says gently. He’s not following. “You have a right to know,” Cara says forcefully. To know what? David asks, bewildered. Cara smiles. That she’s pregnant. “With your baby.” David’s mouth drops open and his eyes widen, as he tries to process the information. And at the Hubbards, Angie sees light.

THE GANG’S ALL HERE

September 14, 2011

Dixie has a dream she’s in her OH clothes and finds Babe on a gurney in the lab, David suddenly grabbing her arm. Awake, she tells Tad she must go see David. He has to bring Babe back! David paces in the interrogation room, in a very bad mood. When Brot opens the door and says he has a visitor, David grumbles he doesn’t want a visitor. He wants a lawyer. Liza swaggers in. No self-respecting lawyer would take the case, she says. That’s why she’s here. Cut to Angie and Jesse discussing her eyesight and David. Angie wants to talk to David. Some good has to come out of all this. He has to return his two patients. He’ll listen to her, Angie thinks, even though Jesse warns David won’t give up his bargaining chips.

David tells Liza his defense is short and sweet. Ryan, Griff, Zach, Kendall, and Greenlee conspired against him to entrap him. Liza argues that David broke the law and he got caught. He played God for the upteenth time, and he can’t do that anymore. David buries his face in his hands. What she should be saying is that he cleaned up God’s mess! He corrected His mistakes and now everyone wants to crucify him for it. Liza holds her ground. Some might say that’s blasphemy. Let’s talk about David’s conspiracy, she suggests. With Ricky Torres and the casino criminals who brought down Zach’s plane. Was he cleaning up God’s mess then, too? He had no idea they would go that far, David says emotionally. Anyway, there’s no way to prove he knows the plane was sabotaged. Liza doesn’t buy it. She wants no lies between client and lawyer. No more excuses. Don’t play her, she urges. David angles her a stony look.

Liza declares she won’t take the case. David is taken aback. What’s she talking about? She’s always been there for him. Their friendship means something to him, David tells her. Liza says she’s not that person anymore. David gets it. She has a new-found morality, hmm? She expects more for herself, Liza affirms. David sinks into a chair. It was nice knowing her, he says wearily. Liza says she’s still rooting for David. She hasn’t given up on him. David thinks that’s very funny, but Liza says he still has a chance to learn something. Tad and Dixie arrive just as Liza is leaving. Liza wishes her old friend good luck. David leans back in his chair, a dull gleam in his eye. So, what can he do to enhance Tad and Dixie’s lives? Uh, right, he mocks. He’s already done that. Dixie comes out with it. Tell her if he has Babe.

That’s jumping to conclusions, David drawls. All he said is that two more patients were under his care. What makes them think he owes them an exclusive? Dixie glibly says David saved her life and she’s grateful. Now he can save JR’s life. David is astonished as Dixie tells him JR’s life is falling apart. He’s lost his home, his son, his company. David notes he predicted that long ago. So Dixie thinks Babe is JR’s salvation? Yes, Dixie says eagerly. She’s begging David to admit he has Babe. David leans over the table, speaking softly. Dixie really believes he’d save Babe to help JR destroy her all over again? He turned her life into a living hell! If JR was on fire, David says, quietly furious, he wouldn’t hand him a glass of water. Does that answer her question? Tad intones from on high if David’s not willing to do it for JR, do it for Babe.

Why should he tell him anything? David asks. Because they’re such good friends? Tad reams David out. Krystal’s a good woman. She deserves to know, not be tortured by him. David’s an arrogant S-O-B, Tad spits. David glares right back, facing off with Tad. Neither he nor anyone else deserves answers. Tad threatens to send David back to his cell with a makeover. Answer the question! David calls for the guard. Brot breaks them up. Before Tad leaves he asks one more time, giving David one last chance to do something right in his life. David shakes his head. Why couldn’t Tad and Dixie just be grateful? If they really cared about the people he helped bring back, why couldn’t they defend him when he was set up? Dixie laughs in David’s face. This is his fault. He’s responsible for everything happening in his life. Just like always. They leave, David eyeing the ceiling, his eyes moist.

Liza tells Colby she thinks she got through to David. He’s no monster. He’s performed miracles. Hopefully, he has a few more. Cut to David, banging on the door and asking Brot to take him back to his cell. David is surprised to see Angie glide in after Brot. He immediately wants to know if she’s seen light yet? No, Angie says. “But I hope you’re about to.”

LAB RATS

September 12, 2011

Supposedly shot, Ryan refuses to let David treat him and turn him into a “monster.” Zach grabs David’s phone when he tries to call for help, insisting they can’t let the authorities in on this because they’ll close PO down. David goes nuts. PO saves lives; it doesn’t destroy them! He tries to help Ryan and Zach jerks him away. Is he going to let Ryan live, Zach grates, and let the others die?

David pleads with Zach to stop this, but Zach says David is getting soft. Ryan moans he’s willing to die to stop David. David gets crazed, yelling how WRONG this is! Zach isn’t happy David’s developing a conscience. Ryan accuses David of creating a maniac in Zach. Zach snatches away Greenlee’s cell when she tries to call for help.

David has had enough. He braves Zach’s gun to circle back to Ryan. “This stops now!” What’s Zach going to do, let Ryan die and kill Greenlee? Yeah, Zach says. Put down the damn gun! David shouts. His partners were right to want Zach dead. He should’ve let it sink the second he knew Greenlee wasn’t on it. David knew they were right when they hired Ricky.

He was part of it, Zach says. Part of the casino mess, laundering money, the plane sabotage. A sweet deal so he wouldn’t lose his project. He didn’t crash his plane, David clarifies. He was a silent partner. David says Zach should claim he shot Ryan in self-defense. It’ll be their word against Greenlee’s. David knew they were going to kill him, Zach presses. But he thought Greenlee was on the plane, and he was there to save her. But he saved Zach, David points out. Which leaves them with the question, Zach asks, of who’s going to save David? Zach points the gun and shoots.

Still alive and not bleeding, David figures out it was a con. Greenlee happily plays part of the tape back to him. Ryan smirks, Greenlee smirks, and Zach smirks. Griffin pops up and he smirks, too. As they gloat, Zach tells David he heard talk during his recovery. David knew where to be when the plane went down. Greenlee is gleeful. Someone’s awfully quiet, she mocks. What does she want him to say? David asks quietly. Meanwhile, Cara tells Kendall she’s pregnant with David’s child, only to be advised by Kendall never to tell David. She fills Cara in on evil David, and then she suddenly gets a text.

David faces his enemies. They’re so proud of themselves, he says defiantly. Yeah, they all say in unison, beaming. It’s painfully obvious, David says softly, they can’t see past their petty grievances to the amazing work he’s done with PO. That’s the real tragedy that played out today. When he turns to leave, Zach asks where he’s going? What’s he going to do to him? David dares. Shoot him? As David heads for the door, Kendall and Cara burst in.

Cara hugs Griffin. He smirks. Let David tell Cara all about everything. Cara says Kendall’s already told her the story. David appeals to Cara. She knows how they’re all against him and their work. Let him take her somewhere and explain– It’s all over, David, Greenlee bubbles. PO saved her life, David says. She’ll always be grateful, Greenlee says glibly. Now tell them who else he has. Who are the other two? David shakes his head. He guesses he’ll take that secret to the grave. Jesse enters. Not if he has anything to do about it.

I’M PREGNANT!

September 9, 2011

Ryan tells Jesse what David is doing in those labs is illegal, but Jesse says they have no proof. Ryan wants David stopped, even though Jesse points out David’s helped perform some miracles. Cut to David, brooding in the PVH locker room. He recalls Cara looking up at him, telling him she thinks her cancer has returned. He barely notices when Zach stomps in, bragging about his loyalty and stopping anyone who wants to shut PO down. That’s what worries him, David says darkly. Cara needs her brother. Stop jerking him around, and tell him what he did with Griffin.

Zach wants to know if David’s going soft on him over a woman? David asks again where Griffin is, and Zach stonewalls, saying David told him PO comes first. The project, David storms, is all about helping people. Not making them suffer. And Cara is suffering without her brother! Get him back, David demands, from wherever Zach stashed him. A little late for that, Zach says. David gets worried. What did Zach do to him? Zach assures David it can’t be traced back to him. It’s what he wanted. No! cries David. Not if it means hurting people! He doesn’t want Griffin or Cara hurt. When Zach points out Griffin was going to the FDA, David argues they went their separate ways, but Griffin was a huge help. He– Zach blurts out a tirade about Griffin’s betrayal and Zach and David’s partnership and his loyalty to David. David looks at him as if he’s nuts.

David watches Cara offer to help Jake and Amanda adopt. As she almost crumbles from a pain, he dashes in to help distract Jake and Amanda and says he needs to speak to her. Once alone, he gently guesses the lab results are in? Cara says she hasn’t read them yet. She’s struggling with this because Griff has always been there for her, her rock. David says he’s doing what he can to find him. Cara is wide eyed. Does David know something she doesn’t? She thought Griff was with DWB. Meanwhile, at Krystal’s, Ryan tells Jesse he knows there’s something at David’s lab that will put him away for good. He’s doing human experimentation in hiding, committing crimes against humanity for his demented project.

David soothes Cara. He was just trying to get an exact fix on Griff’s location. Because he knows she wants him there when the test results are read. Cara marvels how well David knows her. She’s not that hard to read, he says. He knows how close she and Griff are. And he was there during her last cancer bout don’t forget. Teary, Cara says she doesn’t even have to see Griff. If she could just hear his voice … David caresses her cheek. He cares about her, he rasps. He knows she wants this to be just professional, but he feels more for her than a colleague. He just had to tell her that, he admits. Cara teases David should be careful about hanging out with her. He’s losing his edge. David smiles, skating his fingers over Cara’s jaw. “I’m happy to take my chances.” Cara looks up into his eyes. A few seconds later, Cara says she’s ready to do this. David suggests they go into his office to open the envelope. He doesn’t want to take an incoming call, but Cara urges him to. David sighs when it’s Erica. She reams him out for sending her on a wild-goose chase to LA after Mike Roy. If he has any decency left in him, tell her the truth. Mike Roy is dead, David says.

Erica reams David out. He’s a monster. He lies to people. He torments people. He told her Mike Roy was alive! David Exasperated, David says the part about a loved one being alive is the truth. It just wasn’t one of her many lovers. He’ll never do a nice thing for her again. Erica goes through the roof. Nice? David needs a taste of his own medicine! He needs someone to torture him someone being dead or alive until David doesn’t know the truth from the reality! David rolls his eyes, holding the phone away from his ear and looking at it with distaste. A second later, he finds Cara and says no good deed is unpunished. Next time he gets the impulse to do something nice for Erica, slap him silly. Okay, Cara says brightly, she will. She doesn’t have to look like she’d enjoy it, David laughs. He wants to open the envelope with Cara now, but she decides she wants to do it alone. David protests, Greenlee suddenly intruding and demanding David call Zach off! He’s out of control. Cara takes the opportunity to escape, David’s eyes lingering on her, barely hearing what Greenlee is saying. David’s about to go after Cara, when Greenlee grabs his arm, demanding he pay attention to her! If he cares anything about her at all, she’s begging him to stop Zach before it’s too late.

They arrive at the lab, seeing Zach standing over a corpse under a sheet. David is anguished, telling Greenlee he never intended for this to happen—go! Instead, Greenlee whips the sheet off Griffin’s body with a gasp, just as Ryan materializes.

Cara opens the lab report. Her eyes widen in shock. “Omigod. I’m pregnant!” And Ryan tells a horrified David to tell the truth. His project has resulted in a dead man! Zach proudly takes full credit, David crying he took it too far! And he’ll stop Ryan, too, Zach says. Zach whips out a gun, David telling him to put it down. Ryan rushes Zach, and a shot goes off.