Week 8
Episode #786- Airdate: Monday, February 21

CAST: A.J., ANTONIO, BEN, BENJY, CAITLIN, CARMEN, COLE, GABI, JUDE, LISA, MARIA, MEG, PAULA, RAE, RICARDO, ROSS, SARA AND TESS

MINOR CAST: CLAUDINE, KYLE

TIME: SUNSET BEACH: MORNING

"Jude, I need to confess something to you." Caitlin says.

"I still feel very awkward about when I walked in on you the other day," Caitlin tells him.

"Don’t worry about that, Caitlin," Jude says.

"All right, it’s just strange because I find you so attractive," Caitlin says, "I can’t believe I just said that out loud."

"It’s ok. I think that you are attractive too. But I love Annie." Jude reminds her,

"And I love Cole." Caitlin says, "But I can’t get out you of my mind."

Caitlin approaches Jude and kisses him passionately. Cole is walking in the building, and is about to approach the office.

***

Gabi is making breakfast, but is still unable to stop thinking about the night before when Antonio came close to killing. She remembers that he was brainwashed and that Antonio is not after her anymore. Gabi begins to walk toward the table with a plate of pancakes. Antonio comes walking in the day, and Gabi drops her plate.

***

Sara is sitting on the couch and has a flashback of when she saw Casey and Rae together. She can’t get the image out of her mind. There is a knock at the door. She gets up to answer it, and at the door is Rae.

"Hi Sara, I think that we need to talk." Rae says.

Sara just looks at her angrily and then slaps her across the face.

***

Maria, Ben, Meg and Kyle are sitting on the couch talking.

"So Tess and Ross just kidnapped your son!" Kyle says in shock.

"Well, he is Tess’ son, but she doesn’t deserve him after everything she did," Maria tells him.

"Like what?" Kyle asks.

The door opens and it’s Tess. They all stand and face her. Tess is shocked. Ross soon comes in, and is also taken aback. Everyone gives each other angry glares…

***

OPENING CREDITS

"Kyle, you let these people in. These are very bad people! They are trying to kidnap Benjy!" Tess exclaims.

"That’s not true, you kidnap him from us!" Maria yells back.

Benjy and Lisa come running through the door with Claudine behind them.

"Mommy! Daddy!" Benjy exclaims.

Benjy goes to hug them and Meg looks melancholy at the sight of this.

"Well, apparently, Benjy seems to think that these are his parents," Kyle says.

"Mother, why don’t you take Benjy and Lisa upstairs to bed," Tess orders Claudine.

"Sure, come on children," Claudine says.

"But I want to stay with my Mommy and Daddy!" Benjy exclaims.

"Well, talk to you later, Benjy, ok?" Maria tells him.

"Don’t worry, it won’t be long, son." Ben assures him.

They go up the stairs, and Ben looks at Tess.

"Now, it’s time for you to hand Benjy back over to us!" he demands.

Ross pulls out a gun from a desk, which is near the front door, and says in an evil tone, "I don’t think so, Ben."

***

SCENE 6- CARMEN’S SHOP

Paula comes walking into the shop calling out Ricardo’s name.

"I wonder where Ricardo is," she says aloud.

From inside the closet, Carmen hears Paula’s voice and calls out for help. Paula hears her and opens the closet door.

"Paula!" Carmen exclaims, "thank you! I can’t believe it! I haven’t seen for a very long time!"

"No, you haven’t, what happened?" Paula asks.

"Antonio-," Carmen lets out, but is unable to speak.

***

"What the hell?" Rae yells angrily.

"That’s what you get, you slut for what you’ve done!" Sara screams.

"What have I done, Sara?" Rae asks with curiosity.

"You know what you did, and you are nothing but a whore who couldn’t keep her hands off an engaged man!" Sara returns viciously, "I could kill you!"

Sara lunges toward Rae, and pulls her hair, and a catfight ensues. They fall to the floor and continue to claw at each other.

***

Cole walks toward the office door, but A.J. approaches and calls Cole before he can reach the door.

"What are you doing here, Cole?" A.J. asks.

"I was driving home, and I say the driver outside and he said that he was waiting for Caitlin, so I was just wondering what she was doing here." Cole answers.

"I think that she’s in there with Jude," A.J. tells him.

"Really?" Cole says, "We’ll let’s head in, shall we?"

Cole opens the door, and his mouth opens in surprise.

***

"Gabi, it’s ok. I’m not here to hurt you." Antonio assures her.

"I know, I know. It’s just hard to look at the person who one minute is trying to kill me, and the next is back to the man he was before all this happened," Gabi explains.

"Gabi, I can’t tell you how sorry I am." Antonio says.

Gabi tells him that he knows that he’s sorry, but it will take some time for her to get over all of this. Just then, Ricardo walks into the loft and says that he and Jude are going to be heading up to the monastery later that day.

"Great," Gabi exclaims, "We need to find those bastards who did this!"

"I couldn’t agree more," Ricardo replies.

"Oh my god!" Antonio exclaims.

"What is it, T?" Ricardo asks.

"It’s Mama," Antonio says, "I have to go."

Antonio runs out the door panicked, and Ricardo and Gabi look at each other wondering what is going on.

"Here, Tess. Take this gun while I go upstairs and get the other one." Ross says and then walks up the stairs.

"I can’t believe how stupid you are to come here and think that you would take Benjy away from me!" Tess exclaims.

"He’s not your son. You are a terrible mother and he deserves better." Maria says angrily.

"Like you? Please, Maria." Tess returns coldly.

Ross returns with another gun, and asks Tess what they are going to do with all of them.

Meg, Ben, Maria and Kyle just stand there like a still life, and are fearful.

"Tess, why don’t you just let me go, and give them Benjy back," Kyle says.

"I don’t think so, Kyle! Ross get him out of here!" Tess yells.

Ross escorts Kyle out of the room at gunpoint.

"I’ve always wanted to kill all of you- for many things, but now for what you all did to Derek! You killed the only man that I’ve ever loved!" Tess screams, "So who is going to die first?!"

***

Carmen and Paula are sitting at her table.

"Thank you, I will be sure to tell Ricardo how gracious you were in saving me." Carmen says.

Carmen takes Paula’s hand.

"It was nothing," Paula says modestly.

"Dos mio," Carmen says, "Oh my goodness! It was you!"

"What do you mean?" Paula asks.

"You are the evil that has taken over my Antonio! I can feel it!" Carmen says.

"What in the world are you talking about?" Paula says shaking.

"You are shaking," Carmen says, "it is you!"

"Stop it! You are not going to tell anyone that, you old hag!" Paula yells.

"Who’s going to stop me?" Carmen asks.

Carmen tries to get around Paula, but she won’t let her. Carmen tries to escape. Paula grabs Carmen’s crystal ball and knocks it on her head. She says that she is going to take her to a place where she can get help. She empties one of Carmen’s chest, and puts Carmen inside of it, and then carries the chest out of the shop.

***

SCENE 12- RICHARDS MEDIA CENTER- OFFICE

"Caitlin, are you okay?" Jude asks.

Caitlin is still imagining kissing Jude, and then comes back to reality.

"Yeah, I’m fine," she says.

"Well, turn around," Jude says, "because your husband is here."

Caitlin turns around and greets Cole.

"What are you doing here?" Cole asks Caitlin.

Caitlin says that she wondered why Jude was here, and came to say hello. Cole and Caitlin decide to leave and go home and say good-bye to A.J. and Jude, who are having a conversation. Cole and Caitlin exit.

"Well, I found a new managing director of the Liberty Corporation," A.J. tells Jude.

"Great. Who?" Jude replies.

"Her name is Jessica McCloskey, she is from New York, and she is the most qualified for the position. She is moving here with her fiancé later this week." A.J. says.

"I’m glad that you found someone, and I’m sorry to have left you in a lurch." Jude says.

"Don’t worry about it," A.J. replies, "You enjoy your new job, Detective."

"I will," Jude says.

A.J. exits the room, and Jude continues packing.

Sara and Rae continue fighting. They are on the floor clawing at each other, and then Sara gets up and forces Rae to get up, and then punches Rae’s face. Rae falls to the floor.

Antonio walks in and sees that there are clothes and accessories all over the floor. He notices that the chest is gone, and then walks over to the closet and sees that Carmen is not there.

"Where the heck is she?" Antonio asks aloud worriedly.

Tess has the gun on Ben, Meg and Maria and says that it is time for them all to die. On the staircase, Benjy watches and sees that Tess has a gun and wonders if she is going to hurt his mommy and daddy. Tess points the gun at Maria, but Meg throws a vase at Tess, who falls to the floor. On the ground, Tess fires the gun at Meg, just as Benjy comes down the stairs…

CAST: ALEC, BEN, BENJY, CASEY, JUDE, MARIA, MEG, PAULA, RAE, RICARDO, ROBIN, ROSS, SARA, TESS AND VIRGINIA.

MINOR CAST: MCGALLUM.

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA: LATE EVENING

SCENE 1- ON THE ROAD

Jude is driving with Ricardo in the front seat.

"Well, it’s about 200 more miles to Gresham," Ricardo says.

"Do you think that we will find anything worthwhile at this so-called monastery?" Jude asks.

"We better after what they did to my brother." Ricardo replies with a determined look on his face.

***

Paula knocks on the door with the chest in front of her. She knocks again, and McGallum opens the door.

"What took you so long?!" Paula demands.

"I’m sorry, Ms. Miller, but-," McGallum answers.

"Never mind," Paula interrupts, "there’s a woman inside here who could destroy us, so I knocked her out, and thought that we could keep her here."

"For how long?" McGallum asks.

"For the rest of her live," Paula tells him.

Virginia is sitting looking out at her window as usual wondering what it would be like to experience the world again. Virginia hears her name, and turns around to Alec, who says that he is a surprise for her.

"What is it?" Virginia asks anxiously.

***

Rae is on the floor holding her cheek. The door is opened, and Casey comes in and is surprised to see Rae on the floor.

"What the hell is going on here?" Casey asks shocked. Casey helps Rae off the floor.

Rae and Sara each other give each other ugly looks, and try to catch their breath. Meanwhile, Casey is looking at them to answer his question.

Tess has the gun on Ben, Meg and Maria and says that it is time for them all to die. On the staircase, Benjy watches and sees that Tess has a gun and wonders if she is going to hurt his mommy and daddy. Tess points the gun at Maria, but Meg throws a vase at Tess, who falls to the floor. On the ground, Tess fires the gun at Meg, just as Benjy comes down the stairs. Realizing that the bullet is headed straight for Benjy, Maria jumps forward and pushes him back towards Tess, and takes the bullet. Ben watches in horror and Meg screams.

***

OPENING CREDITS

"Well, I’ve been looking over your progress for the last year, and you have improved tremendously, so I was thinking maybe it is time for you to get out of here." Alec tells Virginia.

Virginia gets up and jumps up and down and does the Selita Dance again.

"YES!" she exclaims loudly.

"But there are certain terms, Virginia." Alec adds.

Virginia then loses her excitement and sits back down. "That figures," she says,
"so what are these terms?"

"Well, you are going out on a work release program, which means that we will keep track of everywhere you go and what you do. You make one false move, and you are back in here." Alec tells her.

"I see," Virginia says.

Virginia looks outside and sees Robin.

"Isn’t that your wife?" Virginia asks.

Alec turns around and says yes. He goes to greet Robin. Virginia watches with jealousy, and then Alec brings Robin into the room.

Alec introduces them, and Robin is very cordial to Virginia.

"Virginia is going out on a work-release program," Alec tells his wife.

"All thanks to your husband," Virginia tells Robin.

"Well, my husband is pretty remarkable," Robin says.

"He sure is," Virginia adds.

"Well, I have to get back to work. I will see you at home," Robin tells her husband.

They kiss good-bye and Robin leaves.

"That’s right, Robin. Everything is fine now, but when I am out, I am going to make damned sure that Alec is mine." Virginia thinks to herself.

***

"Well, I am waiting," Casey says.

"Rae came over here to brag about you and her," Sara says.

"That’s not true," Rae says, "I wanted to see what you know or what you think you know."

"I know what I know. I know that you and Casey were having sex on the couch at Surf Central last night!" Sara exclaims.

"What?" Casey says, "We weren’t having sex!"

"I saw you!" Sara screams.

"No, what you say was Rae trying to seduce me. It didn’t work. I would never make love to her, not when I love you the way that I do."

Sara softens and smiles. "Really?" she says.

They share a kiss, and an angry Rae walks out the door.

Rae watches them from outside as they reconcile. "It’s not over yet," she says, "Not by a long shot."

"No!" Meg screams.

Maria is lying on the floor motionless, and Tess drops the gun and grabs Benjy.

"Benjy, you could have been killed!" Tess screams.

Tess holds on to Benjy for dear life, as Ben rushes over to Maria to see if she is ok. He checks for a pulse.

"Oh, God, no!" Meg exclaims.

***

Ricardo and Jude are outside the so-called monastery, and they knock on the door. McGallum comes to the door, and welcomes them.

"What are you doing here, my sons?" he asks.

"We’re here on official police business," Ricardo informs him.

"Oh, please come in." McGallum says.

Paula closes the door of a room inside, and says to herself and says that it ought to shut Carmen up for a while. She begins to walk down the hallway, and panics when she sees McGallum being questioned by Ricardo and Jude.

"Well, I am going to go, and arrange for your release," Alec tells Virginia.

"Great!" Virginia replies enthusiastically.

"Well, you might as well start planning your future since you are going to be out in the big ol’ world," Alec tells her.

Alec leaves the room and Virginia says to herself aloud, "You don’t know it yet, Alec, but my future is with you."

***

Casey and Sara are still kissing. Sara asks Casey to come sit on the couch, so they can talk.

"I am so sorry about this misunderstanding," she tells him.

"I can see how you would think that after what you saw," Casey replies, "I was tempted and then I thought of you and how much I love you, and I couldn’t do it."

"I am so lucky to have you," Sara says.

They move in for another kiss, and Rae is still outside the window watching.

"This is disgusting!" Rae exclaims, "I’m out of here!"

Ross comes into the room.

"I heard a gun shot. What happened, Tess?" he says. Tess doesn’t say anything and continues to hold on to Benjy, who begins to scream "Mommy! Mommy!"

Ben is still tending to Maria, and he checks her pulse.

"Ben, is Maria going to be okay?" Meg asks.

Ben looks at Meg with a look of despair on his face.

Episode #788- Airdate: Wednesday, February 23

CAST: ANTONIO, BEN, BENJY, CARMEN, CASEY, GABI, HANK, JOAN, JUDE, LISA, MARIA, MEG, PAULA, RICARDO, ROSS, SARA, AND TESS.

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA: VERY LATE NIGHT

SCENE 1- SUNSET BEACH POLICE DEPARTMENT

Gabi is sitting at her desk working, when Antonio storms in. He says her name, and Gabi jumps.

"What is going on, Antonio?" Gabi asks.

"It’s Mama," Antonio tells her, "she’s gone."

"What do you mean she’s gone?" Gabi asks.

"She just disappeared," Antonio tells her.

"I don’t understand. Where on earth could she be?" Gabi wonders.

***

Carmen is lying on a bed in chains. She awakens, "Dos Mio!" she exclaims.

Scene changes to the hallway.

Paula is walking down the hallway, and panics when she sees McGallum being questioned by Ricardo and Jude. She hides quickly before they can see her.

"If they find me, I’m finished," Paula says to herself softly.

***

Casey and Sara walk into the Shockwave hand in hand, and Joan and Hank are puzzled. Joan asks Sara what is going on and Sara explains that it was all a misunderstanding. Joan and Hank are pleased.

"I got some good news," Joan tells Sara.

"What’s that?" Sara asks.

"It’s great news, actually." Hank corrects Joan.

"I got a call from Keith yesterday, and he’s moving to Sunset Beach!" Joan exclaims.

"That’s wonderful!" Sara exclaims as she puts her hands together.

"Who’s Keith?" Casey asks.

"My younger brother," Sara tells him, "I’m sure that I’ve mentioned him."

"Actually, none of you have ever mentioned the any of the other Cummings by name." Casey informs them.

Sara, Hank and Joan have blank looks on their faces and they all say, "Hmm" at the same time.

***

"No!" Meg screams.

Maria is lying on the floor motionless, and Tess drops the gun and grabs Benjy.

"Benjy, you could have been killed!" Tess screams.

Tess holds on to Benjy for dear life, as Ben rushes over to Maria to see if she is ok. He checks for a pulse.

"Oh, God, no!" Meg exclaims.

Ross comes into the room.

"I heard a gun shot. What happened, Tess?" he says. Tess doesn’t say anything and continues to hold on to Benjy, who begins to scream "Mommy! Mommy!"

Ben is still tending to Maria, and he checks her pulse.

"Ben, is Maria going to be okay?" Meg asks.

Ben looks at Meg with a look of despair on his face.

OPENING CREDITS

"I don’t know," Ben said. He looks at Tess. "She better be okay."

Tess just sits there and continues to hold Benjy in her arms. Ross walks over to Tess, and then he announces that he is going upstairs to check on Lisa.

Ben tries to bring Maria back to life, Maria opens her eyes to assure Ben that she is okay. She closes her eyes and continues to play dead. Ben knows that Maria is up to something, and decides to go along with it.

"I am sorry but there’s nothing that I can do," Ben announces, "she’s dead."

"Oh my god!" Meg exclaims, "This isn’t happening!"

Tess just sits there not knowing what to say. Benjy runs to Ben and holds on to him. She gets up with the gun in her hand, and opens the door. Suddenly, Maria rises and runs towards Tess attacking her. They fall out the door, and roll down the hill in front of the house.

***

Paula goes back into Carmen’s room, before Ricardo and Jude can find her and notices that she has woken up.

"Why have you brought me here?" Carmen asks her.

"Shut up," Paula tells her, "just shut up." Paula puts a hanker chef in Carmen’s mouth.

Jude and Ricardo are walking down the hallway with McGallum asking questions.

"And what are in this rooms?" Ricardo asks McGallum.

"These rooms are sanctuaries for priests- a place for them to meditate and to help them." McGallum.

"Archbishop McGallum, I was wondering if we could check out one of this rooms." Jude asks him, "how about this one?"

Paula hears them outside, and realizes that they are talking about the room that she and Carmen are in.

"Where is Ricardo?" Antonio asks, "He has to help me find Mama."

"Ricardo and Jude went up to Gresham to investigate the so-called monastery up there," Gabi tells him.

"Those people are dangerous! They might be in trouble!" Antonio exclaims.

"Antonio, I’m sure that you are making too much out of this." Gabi says with an air of reassurance.

"They didn’t lock you up and brainwash you," Antonio replies, "I just have to find Mama. Will you help me?"

"Antonio, I can’t. I’m working," Gabi tells him.

"Well, I am going to go look for her. I will call you if I hear anything." Antonio tells her. He then runs out of the station.

"Keith should be here this evening. His fiancée got a job here," Joan says.

"That’s great! I can’t wait to meet her!" Sara exclaims.

"Me either," Joan says, "I’m so glad that the two of you were able to work out your problems."

"Yeah, so are we." Casey says.

"Casey, do you mind if I talk to my parents for a second?" Sara asks.

"Sure," Casey says, "I’ll just go sit outside."

Casey walks out.

"Your parents?" Hank says.

"Yeah, well. You are my parents. I guess what I’m trying to say is that I forgive you both for keeping the truth from me. I know that you had your reasons, and I’ve learned to accept them. So, I’m sorry." Sara tells him.

"We’re sorry too," Joan tells her.

"Do you have any idea how relieved we are to have our daughter back?" Hank tells Sara.

The three share a warm hug, as Casey looks on.

***

"These rooms are undergoing renovation," McGallum announces before Ricardo can open the door.

Inside, Paula sighs in relief, while Carmen tries to make noise to get Ricardo’s attention, but Paula pulls a knife out to shut her up.

"Well, thank you for your time," Jude tells McGallum, "We’ll be in touch."

Jude and Ricardo walk out the door.

"I can’t believe it," Ricardo says, "we didn’t find anything useful there. I just know that the place gives me the creeps."

"Me too," Jude says, "don’t worry, we will find a way."

Jude and Ricardo get into the police car and drive away, as Paula looks out the door.

***

Antonio runs in and starts looking for clues to see if he could figure out where Carmen went. He looks through everything and finds nothing.

"Mama, where on earth are you?"

Ben, Benjy and Meg run outside as Tess and Maria roll down the hill. Ross comes down the stairs and sees Ben and Meg with Benjy outside and goes next to them to see what is going on. Tess and Maria are struggling for the gun.

"You bitch, Maria. I wish that you had died!" Tess says.

"Well, you are out of luck this time, Tess. You’ve lost, and I am going to take Benjy back!" Maria replies angrily.

"Never!" Tess yells.

They continue to struggle and the gun falls between them and goes off…

Episode #789- Airdate: Thursday, February 24

CAST: A.J., ALEC, ALEXIA, ANNIE, BEN, BENJY, BETTE, CAITLIN, CHRISTINA, COLE, ELAINE, EMILY, GREGORY, MARIA, MEG, OLIVIA, ROBIN, ROSS, SEAN, TESS, AND VIRGINIA.

MINOR CAST: CLAUDINE, DARA, JOSHUA SLOANE, JUDGE DICK SEAMAN, KYLE.

TIME: SUNSET BEACH: MID-AFTERNOON

An announcer says: Vanessa Dorman returns to the role of Caitlin Richards-Deschanel.

The Richards, including A.J., Bette, Annie, Christina and Emily are walking into the courthouse for Gregory’s trial. Robin and Alexia are walking by, and Sean runs into Alexia.

"Hey, what are you doing here?" Sean asks.

"I came to watch my mother in action- she’s the D.A., ya know?" Alexia informs him.

‘The D.A.?" Sean says.

"Here we go," Olivia says.

"Don’t worry, it will be fine," Christina assures her.

"I hope so, Gregory needs to get everything that he deserves," Olivia states.

"That’s for sure," Bette says with agreement.

"Gregory is going to rot in hell for what he did," Annie adds.

"For once, Annie. I hope you are right," Olivia says.

Caitlin looks upset by the latest remarks.

"What’s wrong?" Cole asks her.

"It’s just," Caitlin begins whiningly. "I can’t stay and watch this." She lets out and then runs toward the exit. Cole runs after her past Sean.

"That’s right, my mother is Robin Jensen, the district attorney. She’s a one hell of a lawyer. I came to watch her in action," Alexia informs Sean.

"Well, my dad is the defendant." Sean says.

"I know," Alexia says.

Emily sees them talking and comes over. "Hi Alexia," Emily says.

"Hi, Emily, right?" Alexia replies.

"Right," Emily says.

"We should probably get in there, they’ve already gone in." Sean says as he lets Alexia and Emily in front of him.

***

Alec comes in with a smile on face and exclaims to Virginia that her work release has been approved. Virginia jumps for joy, and then hugs Alec. They soon fall to the floor and Virginia is on top him. They laugh, and get up.

"Thank you so much, Alec!" Virginia says joyously.

"You’re welcome," Alec says, "Now come we have some paperwork that we have to sign."

***

Benjy runs to Ben and holds on to him. Tess gets up with the gun in her hand, and opens the door. Suddenly, Maria rises and runs towards Tess attacking her. They fall out the door, and roll down the hill in front of the house. Ben, Benjy and Meg run outside as Tess and Maria roll down the hill. Ross comes down the stairs and sees Ben and Meg with Benjy outside and goes next to them to see what is going on. Tess and Maria are struggling for the gun.

"You bitch, Maria. I wish that you had died!" Tess says.

"Well, you are out of luck this time, Tess. You’ve lost, and I am going to take Benjy back!" Maria replies angrily.

"Never!" Tess yells.

They continue to struggle and the gun falls between them and goes off…

Meg screams after the gunshot, and Ben and Ross both have terror in their eyes, as Benjy begins to cry for his mommy.

OPENING CREDITS

Caitlin is walking very fast out the door.

"Caitlin? Caitlin? Will you just slow down for a minute?" Cole urges.

Caitlin turns around with tears in her eyes and says, "I don’t know if I can do this, Cole."

"Yes, you can. You are such an incredibly strong person, I know that you can." Cole assures her.

"I know that Daddy did some terrible things, but I still love him!" Caitlin says as she begins to cry.

Cole takes Caitlin in his arms and holds her, and Elaine comes up to them.

"Oh, Caitlin, are you all right?" Elaine asks with genuine concern.

"Yeah, I’ll be fine." Caitlin replies.

"Ok," Elaine says, "I just came to support Olivia. I’m going to go inside."

"Wait one second," Cole says.

"Are you ready?" he asks Caitlin.

"I think so," Caitlin replies.

Cole walks his mother and his wife inside the courthouse.

Tess and Maria are on the ground perfectly still. Ross and Ben run over, while Meg tends to Benjy, who is still crying for Maria. Meg tells Benjy not to worry. When Ross and Ben arrive over, Maria gets up off the ground, and a very severely wounded Tess is revealed.

"You bitch!" Ross screams, "You shot my sister!"

Ben comforts Maria, as Ross goes down and holds Tess’ hand, and tells her that everything is going to be all right, and that she is going to be fine. The police begin to arrive and run over to the scene. Tess is barely able to speak but manages to say to Maria, "Please take care of my son and tell him that I’ve always loved him." Maria promises that she will. After hearing Maria’s promise, Tess succumbs to her injury and dies.

Ross screams in his grief, and Claudine runs out in her night gown and tells Meg that she called the police when she heard the first gun shot. Maria and Ben run over to Benjy and hug him. The police are over by Tess and Ross.

Alec tells Virginia that she is a free woman after signing the paper work. Virginia is thrilled. Alec places a tracking device on her wrist and tells her that they need to know where she is at all times. Virginia seems less than pleased by this, but complies. Alec says that he is going to take her to her new apartment. Virginia is thrilled, and they walk out of the hospital.

Cole and Caitlin walk into the courthouse with Elaine, and go and sit with the rest of the bunch. Gregory is sitting up front with his attorney, Joshua Sloane. Robin and the assistant district attorney, Dara are sitting on the other side of the court.

"All rise," the bailiff begins, "The Honorable Judge Dick Seaman presiding."

"Dick Seaman?" Olivia says with a giggle to Christina, who laughs silently.

"You may be seated," the judge says.

"Would council please introduce themselves," the judge asks.

"Robin Jensen for the prosecution, your honor." Robin says.

"Dara Tyson, your honor." Dara states.

"Joshua Sloane for the defense," Joshua says.

"Now, would the defendant please rise." The judge orders.

Gregory and Joshua rise, as everyone awaits for Gregory’s plea.

"Mr. Richards, you have been charged with the murder of Francesca Vargas. You have also been charged with impersonating Tobias Richards, your late uncle for the purposes of keeping your estate. How do you plead on both accounts?" The judge asks.

Everyone anxiously awaits Gregory’s answer.

***

Inside, Ross is being handcuffed and read his rights, while everyone else is sitting on the couch recovering. Kyle is back and talking to Ben and Meg, while Maria is rocking Benjy in her arms. Claudine is talking to a police officer, and is very upset about Tess’ death and Ross’ arrest.

Benjy asks Maria, "What’s going to happen now, Mommy?"

"I don’t know, sweetheart," Maria tells him, "I’m not sure myself."

Virginia is strolling down the street with Alec, and has flashbacks of everything she did in the past. She is completely ecstatic. She exclaims, "I’m back, baby!"

***

"Your honor, I plead guilty on the account of impersonating Tobias to keep control of my estate." Gregory tells him.

"And the murder of Francesca Vargas?" The judge asks.

"I plead not guilty," Gregory states.

Everyone in the courtroom is completely stunned…

Episode #790- Airdate: Friday, February 25

CAST: A.J., ANNIE, BEN, BENJY, BETTE, CAITLIN, CASEY, CHRISTINA, COLE, ELAINE, EMILY, GREGORY, HANK, JESSICA, JOAN, KEITH, LISA, MARIA, MEG, OLIVIA, SARA, AND SEAN.

MINOR CAST: CLAUDINE, KYLE, JOSHUA SLOANE.

SPECIAL NOTE: This episode marks the debuts of Forbes March as Keith Cummings and Josie Davis as Jessica McCloskey.

TIME: SUNSET BEACH: EVENING

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA: MORNING

SCENE 1- THE CUMMINGS HOME

Casey and Sara are sitting on the couch watching TV, while Joan is going around making sure everything is perfect. Hank comes over to her and tells her that the place looks great, and that she shouldn’t worry about what it looks like. Joan tells him that she just to make a good impression on Jessica. The doorbell rings. Sara announces that she will get it, and she opens the door. A young man is standing there, and behind him a strikingly beautiful woman.

"Keith!" Sara exclaims.

They hug, and Joan and Hank look thrilled to see their son.

Gregory is behind bars talking to Joshua Sloane, his lawyer.

"It’s going to work, Gregory," Joshua assures him, "I promise you."

"It better," Gregory says, "Or else I will make your life a living hell."

The whole gang from the courtroom comes in after Gregory’s indictment. They are all still in shock about Gregory pleading not guilty to Francesca’s murder.

"Well, today was certainly interesting," Bette says.

"That’s the understatement of the year, Bette." Olivia replies.

"Olivia, is there anything that you need?" Elaine asks.

"No, thank you, Elaine." Olivia replies graciously.

They all sit down in the living room, and Bette keeps getting a nervous vibe when she is with Elaine. Sean, Emily, Caitlin, and Cole are talking, and A.J. goes up to Olivia and asks her if she is okay. Olivia assures him that she will be fine and not to worry.

"After all, Gregory did kill Francesca and he will pay," she says.

SCENE 4- SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA- THE ENGLISH HOME

It is a new day in Australia, and Maria walks down the stairs after trying to get some rest, but she is still unable to shake the events of the previous evening. Kyle is down there, and she looks at him and smiles.

"Coffee?" he asks.

"That sounds great," Maria replies.

As Kyle pours Maria a cup, they glaze into each other’s eyes.

OPENING CREDITS

"You have beautiful eyes," Kyle tells Maria.

Maria returns the compliment, and the two sip their coffee as Ben and Meg come down the stairs.

"What’s going on down here?" Meg asks.

Joan and Hank both greet and hug Keith, and Sara introduces Keith to Casey. Afterward, Keith brings Jessica in his arms.

"Everyone, this is my fiancée, Jessica McCloskey." He says.

Joan shakes her hand, and says that it is nice to meet her. Hank, Casey and Sara do the same.

"So where’s Meg?" Keith asks, "I was hoping that she would be here too."

"Uh, well, Meg is on a trip right now with her husband in Australia." Sara tells him.

"Wow, is she still on her honeymoon?" Keith asks.

"Not exactly," Sara says, "she and Ben had to take care of something."

"Ben?" Jessica says.

"Yeah, her husband." Sara replies.

"It’s just every time I hear that name, I think of someone that I knew once." Jessica says.

"Well, there are a lot of Bens in this world, aren’t there?" Sara replies.

"I guess," Jessica answers.

"Well, sit down and let’s catch up," Hank suggests.

Bette takes Olivia aside, and tells her that Elaine is giving her the hibbie jibbies. Olivia asks why. Bette says that she thinks Elaine might know something.

"What could she know?" Olivia asks.

Elaine is eavesdropping on them.

The scene changes over to Annie, who is sitting on the couch. Cole has come back into the living room.

"So where’s Caitlin?" Annie asks.

"She wasn’t feeling well, so brought her up to bed." Cole informs her.

"Too bad," Annie says sourly.

Annie then walks towards the door, and Cole follows her.

"What is your problem?" Cole asks.

"Well, my soon to be ex-husband just pleaded not guilty to a murder that he committed," Annie says, "I am just wondering what on earth he is up to."

"Me too. We could find out." Cole replies.

"Cole, are you suggesting that we team up again?" Annie asks.

"Trust me, Gregory," Joshua says, "it will work and you will be out and free as bird."

"Once I get out of here, I am going to take MY son, and get my daughter away from that bastard husband of hers, and start fresh," Gregory says, "And no one is going to get in my way!"

"So what kind of job did you get, Jessica?" Casey asks.

"A really great one- as managing director of the Liberty Corporation." Jessica replies.

"The Liberty Corporation? Ben, my sister’s husband is a partner there." Sara informs Jessica.

"Really?" Jessica replies.

"Yeah, Ben Evans is his name," Sara says.

Jessica’s eyes widen, "Ben Evans?" she says in complete surprise.

***

"Nothing." Maria and Kyle say simultaneously.

Benjy and Lisa come running down the stairs with Claudine. Claudine says good morning and takes Lisa into the kitchen.

"Good morning, Mommy and Daddy!" Benjy exclaims.

"Hi sweetheart," Maria replies, "are you ok?"

"I guess," Benjy says, "what happened to Tess and Uncle Ross?"

Meg, Ben, Maria and Kyle all look at each other.

"That wasn’t what I was suggesting, Annie?" Cole tells her.

"Are you sure?" Annie asks.

"Yeah," Cole replies.

Annie and Cole look at each other and wonder why they are feeling so attracted to the other.

Back to Olivia and Bette’s conversation.

"I’m just afraid," Bette says.

"Afraid of what?" Olivia asks.

"That Elaine will find out that we helped Del steal Cole away from her." Bette whispers.

"Excuse me?! Elaine exclaims, "Did you just say what I think you said, Bette?!

Elaine reels from the news that Olivia and Bette assisted Del in stealing Cole from her, and A.J. takes Elaine’s side and is furious with Bette. Will Elaine finally succeed in winning A.J. back? Meanwhile, Gregory’s trial begins, and Robin is having a hard time prosecuting him. Virginia uncovers some dirty secrets from Robin’s past. What will she do with this information?

Meg, Ben, and Maria decide to stay in Australia for a few more days. During that time, Kyle and Maria grow very close. Maria then asks Ben a favor that will change his and her life forever.

Carmen is still missing, and Ricardo, Antonio and Gabi go searching for her. Paula offers to help, but she is really trying to keep them off track from finding Carmen. Meanwhile, Carmen manages to get away from McGallum and the hoodlums at the "monastery". Is Paula done for?

Annie and Cole continue to grow closer, and they agree to find out what Gregory is planning, while Jude begins to realize that his feelings for Caitlin are not what he had thought.

Next week