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Continued...

Rick Preston shakes his head in disbelief. He still can't believe what is coming out of Liz's mouth. Did Emily Landon really have the audacity to insult Liz in her own home. Knowing Emily all too well, he begins to see that it makes perfect sense- after all, Emily would certainly find a way to place the blame on someone else. Kayla was perfect in her eyes, and there was no conceivable way that she could ever make such a decision on her own.

"So I'm telling you, Rick?" Liz takes a sip of her water while shaking her head. "That bitch comes back to my place and it's going to be on."

"I don't blame you. She's just a typical Landon though- all high and mighty above the clouds and she has to put everyone else around her down."

"Then why, if I may ask, did you marry one? I mean, didn't you know what you were getting yourself into?" Liz questions. "I don't know, Liz. She just seemed so different in the beginning, ya know? I couldn't fathom that she would ever abandon her family like this. I couldn't have dreamed that she would have gotten so jealous and hysterical over my friendship with you. I just couldn't see any of it..."

"And now? Now you see everything?"

"I don't want to believe it, but yes...I'm certainly seeing things a lot differently now- especially seeing the look on that little girl's face when she asks where her mommy is. It breaks my heart, Liz."

"I can imagine. At least your sister has been able to stick around and help out."

"Yeah, I don't know what I would do without Val. She's really been my rock through some hard times."

"Well, she is your twin. It's kind of a requirement," Liz smiles. "Although my friendship certainly isn't a requirement- I'm just happy to be here whenever you need me."

"And I really appreciate that, Liz. You've really been amazing."

"And you know I'm always only one quick call away."

"Oh, I know." Rick returns with a smile and a wink.

Suddenly the two are interrupted by a loud knock at the door.

Rick and Liz both look at each other as if trouble is lurking on the other side.

"It's your house," Liz finally says as she ushers for him to get up and answer it.

"Alright," Rick replies as he rises and walks towards the door. He takes a deep breath and opens the door to find none other than Emily Landon standing before him.

"Oh, well isn't this a surprise." Rick greets her with a sarcastic smile.

"It's always lovely to see you," Emily replies as she rolls her eyes.

"Now, I do have to warn you- Liz Bryant is here. I know this might not be her house and therefore you might not be as aggressive with her this time, but please refrain from using any of the kitchen knives. I really don't want Haylie to witness her first murder."

"Oh, you're just so funny, little Ricky. May I come in? And don't worry, I'll be on my best behavior."

Rick smirks and ushers her in.

Emily and Liz quickly have a stare-off as Rick stands in the middle between the two. The awkward silence cuts through the room and quickly penetrates Rick.

"Okay then...Emily, what can we do for you?" Rick finally breaks the silence.

"Can't I just stop by and see my beautiful little niece?" Emily smiles.

"Haylie is sleeping. We finally got her down." Liz cuts in.

"Oh, I see. Well, you didn't waste any time in coming in and stepping into Kayla's shoes, now did you? Do you have Haylie calling you mommy yet?"

"That's enough, Emily." Rick commands.

"Oh no Rick, I can handle this witch on my own. Look Emily, I am here because I have a kind heart and I want to make sure that the child in that room knows she is loved by those around her. If you remember, I'm actually the one who saved Kayla in the quake and helped deliver Haylie. I'm also the child's godmother and made a promise to be there for her. I have every damn right to be here, you understand me? You on the other hand? I don't think there's anyone in this town that wants you walking through their front door."

"Wow, that was pretty harsh," Emily says as she tosses back her blond wavy hair. "Well, then you'll be glad to know I'm leaving- perhaps for good."

"Excuse me?" Rick breaks in.

"I'm going to France to try and find Kayla since you won't do a damn thing about finding her. One of us certainly has to try all we can, and it's going to be me. I have a hunch where I think she might be and I fly out tomorrow morning."

"How long do you think you will be gone? As much as I would love for you to leave for good, Haylie doesn't need another familiar face disappearing from her life." Rick points out.

"I can't answer that, Rick. I simply have some business to take care of and I have a hunch Haylie will be just fine now that she has some other women in her life." Emily shoots a quick glare in Liz's direction.

"What about your house? The company?" Rick inquires.

"Vanessa will be staying at the house and overseeing things there. I'm sure she'll be here periodically to see her granddaughter. I have a dear friend taking care of things at work, so I have all my bases covered."

"Well, please do let us know if you find out anything. Any leads would be great." Rick says.

"Rick, stop the act. We both know that Kayla leaving was the answer to your prayers. Now you can carry on the relationship that you were secretly having with this she-devil over here. You're not fooling anyone, Rick. On that note, I really do wish you both everything that you deserve. I'm just sure you'll get it in due time..."

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Scene: The Summers Residence.

Steve Summers glances at an old photo on the mantle that was taken several years ago. Kimberly and Jason had to be in high school at the time and he remembers how happy he and Diane seemed to be. Although appearances can be quite deceiving, this particular time encompassed a level of happiness and he and Diane had craved for many years.

He sets two plates on the table and swiftly walks back to the kitchen to check on the dinner he's preparing. He knew Kimberly's favorite was grilled salmon, and he could only imagine the look of surprise on her face when she came home to find that dinner was prepared for her. This was certainly a momentous occasion, Steve thought to himself. Today not only marked three months that Kimberly had been with the company, but she also just happened to land one of their biggest new clients.

To ensure his dinner would be a surprise, he left the office a bit early today and put his car in the garage so that Kimberly wouldn't know he was at the house. He simply couldn't wait to see the look of happiness on her face when she walked through the door...

Meanwhile, Kimberly nears the Summer Estate in her car and when the house finally comes into view she realizes there is no turning back. She has to leave Pac Heights and she has to destroy anything that meant something  to her in the past- that included her childhood home.

She quickly scopes out the neighbor's houses and luckily no one seemed to be home. Although she couldn't care less about getting caught at this point, her only fear was that she would inflict damage on an innocent life. Indeed, lighting her house on fire meant that there was a great possibility that other homes in the neighborhood could receive damage as well- and perhaps innocent people could even lose their lives.

"Stop Miss Kimberly...there is no turning back now. You must not fear what you know you have to do. This house has to be destroyed and everything in it must burn...only ashes will remain of the many memories you so dearly want to forget..."

As she steps out of the car, she takes the gasoline with her and throws her purse in the passenger seat. She then takes one last look at the home and she nearly stops herself before she realizes all the times she came home crying because of her dreadfully low self-esteem. She remembers the fights she would have with her brother and she remembers feeling so inadequate in her mother's eyes.

The time had come. It was now or never- and Kimberly realized that everything needed to go.

She slowly pours the gasoline on the front porch until all the contents are on the ground. She then digs deep in her pocket and pulls out a match- a move that will inflict more damage than she could have ever perceived.

She takes a deep breath, closes her eyes, and quickly flicks the lighted match on the ground. Within moments a passionate fire is ignited as Kimberly watches for a moment. She then realizes she can't bear to look at the house go down and she walks quickly back to her car. After starting the vehicle, she takes one last glance at the house as it goes up in flames.

Tears begin to stream down her face as she slowly presses on the gas and begins to drive off. There is no going back now and there is no future for her in Pac Heights. She finds it's truly time to move on and embark on a new journey...but little does she know the damage she has truly inflicted on someone she once treasured so much- he was the man she called his father, and that very man was now fighting for his life as the flames surrounded him inside...

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Scene: Pacifica Heights General Hospital.

"You're going to do just fine, Ashley. I know you have the courage in you to do this!" Diane's words of encouragement were the last thing she heard from her mother before she was wheeled into the room with Joe at her side.

She soon met the doctor, a man who seemed very young. Extremely young, she thought, to the point where it made her uncomfortable. Did he really have what it took to deliver this child? There were certainly doubts in Ashley's mind as she continued her breathing.

She can feel Joe wince in pain as she grabs his hand tighter and tighter...the pain is becoming unbearable. She begins to scream in agony as those around her try to assure her that everything will be just fine. They continue to tell her to push, yet they are commanding her to do something that is putting her in agonizing pain. Do they not realize what she is going through? Can they not see the pain written all over her face?

She continues pushing and she hears the nurse and doctor whisper to each other as she continues screaming. She tries her best to make out what they are saying, but for the life of her, she simply can't. She tries to read Joe's facial expressions and he too seems to realize that something is wrong.

Ashley then looks to the doctor and asks if everything is okay. When he simply looks back at her without a word, she begins to scream and yell profanities. What was actually going on? Were they not there to support her and deliver this baby properly? She continued to mull over these questions and grew angrier each moment.

When she felt she couldn't push anymore, she realizes the pain has subsided and she finally stops screaming.

Silence. Utter silence...

Why wasn't the baby crying? Where was her child?

She begins to panic as she looks to Joe for answers. Tears begin to form in Joe's eyes as she can sense the doctor is telling him something horrific.

"Damn it, what is going?! Where is my baby?" Ashley demands answers from anyone that will listen.

Her heart begins to pound rapidly and her breathing gets deeper with each passing moment.

"I'm so sorry," The doctor says as he looks into her fearful eyes. "The child didn't make it. Your baby was stillborn."

She looks to Joe who is covering his face. She then looks back to the doctor and screams.

Screams of a pain she never realized she could have filled the room. This had to be some horrific nightmare. She slowly rests her eyes and lays back in the hospital bed. The only thing she can do is pray with everything in her that she wakes up from this awful moment...it's either that or to face the most horrifying news she's ever received- that the baby she carried and loved for nine months was stillborn.

To be Continued...

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Now your thoughts...

• Will Steve escape the fire- or will he meet a dreary end? 
• Is Ashley's baby really stillborn- or is it all a horrifying nightmare?
• How will Jason find the courage to tell his family he's positive?
• Will Emily find the answers she looking for in France?
• How will Felicia manage to run Landon Points?
• Will Terrence find his sister- and what secrets does her past contain?
• Is Valerie really ready to give up her clients and pursue a relationship with Terrence?
  
  Please let us know your thoughts and any other feedback you have in the Pac Heights Forum!