Rot Soaps - From Here to There Parts 20 & 21 >From Here to There Part #20 - Bye Bye Baby By: A Editor Extarordinaire: Emily The day dawns; Blake stirs on the sofa as the aroma of coffee lulls her into consciousness. She opens her eyes, but quickly closes them again as a drum starts beating in her head. Ross:(gruffly) Drink this. As he shoves a steaming mug of coffee in her direction, she looks at him for a moment, attempting to focus and trying recall how long he had been at the house. He sits down the tray. Ross:(in a more soothing tone) Better take these first. He hands her a glass of juice and a couple of aspirin. She takes them gratefully. Blake: What are you doing here? Ross: I stayed last night. Blake: Why? (wincing as her head pounds) Ross: To keep you from burning the house down. Blake:(the spark coming back in to her eyes) You didn't need to do that. I am perfectly capable of taking care of myself. Ross:(sarcastically, relieved to see her looking much better) I noticed. Do you suppose you can make yourself presentable for the hearing this morning? Blake:(sheer panic takes over as she remember what day it is) Oh, god. Ross: Get ready; I'll drive you over. Blake: Why would you do that? Ross: I am not totally inhumane, besides I have to go. I've been called as a witness. Blake:(head still pounding but able to think more lucidly) Leo called you? He never told me. Ross: Actually, I was called by the good doctor's lawyer. Blake:(she recoils back from him as though slapped, the anger, hurt and fear surfaces) When the hell are the two of you going to stop punishing me and MY children? Ross:(quietly) I am not punishing you, and, for the record, I've been called as a hostile witness. Blake:(buoyed momentarily until she thinks it through) For all the difference that'll make. Ross: It won't be that bad. (telling himself he is trying to soothe her frazzled nerves, he would do the same for any client) Blake: No, it'll be much worse than bad. I give it about five minutes, up to the part where Rick gleefully recounts how I slept with him and then did you a few hours later. Ross cringes at her crudeness. Blake: And there you will be, ready to collaborate every sordid detail. God, what was I thinking? I should have settled. Ross: Why didn't you? Blake:(gets up off the couch and starts pacing) When I got over the initial guilt, I could see what this mess was doing to Kevin. Rick agreed to keep quiet in the first place, because he thought Kevin deserved a real family. Even though we are "officially" divorced, when I see you with the boys I know in my heart, biology or not, Kevin is your son. He doesn't deserve the chaos and the conflict. I guess Rick's petition was the last straw; someone had to fight for my son. So, here we are. **************************** In the car on the way to the courthouse, Ross and Blake have maintained an uncomfortable silence. She has dressed demurely, hoping she looks the part of the perfect mother. "Are you sure I look ok?" Ross:(reassuring her) You're fine. Blake:(needing to hear more) I know we're... Well, we are officially ex's now. God, I can't believe that happened so quickly. Ross:(trying to keep her focused) What is it you want, Blake? Blake: I'm sorry for putting you in this position, but it isn't as though I have a best friend. And, I didn't have time to call Mom, but I really need someone who will listen. Do you mind? Ross: Say whatever is on your mind. Blake: I'm really scared that I am on the brink here. I haven't been doing so well with the loses... changes in my life recently, and I am really afraid if things go against me today, I won't be able to find my way back. He can hear the terror in her voice. She looks so pale and insecure. She looks at him, her eyes pleading. Blake: I need you to tell me it is going to be ok; lie if you have to. I can't lose him, Ross. I know you don't understand, but they are both my sons, and I love them equally and unconditionally. He thinks how he knows exactly how she feels. Ross: Calm down. Excepting defeat before the battle has begun is counterproductive. Blake: Counterproductive? God, Ross, are you that unfeeling? This is Kevin's life we are talking about. Ross: I know, but it isn't as if Rick is suing you for full custody. Blake: Who knows what will happen in there today. Things between Rick and me have spiraled out of control. He did threaten me... How do I know he won't make good on those threats? Ross: Come on, Blake. Even (contemptuously) Rick Bauer knows you are a good mother. (he pauses wanting to say more, but remaining silent) ********************** They arrive at the Courthouse. He parks the car and gets out. She doesn't budge, so he walks around to her door. "You are going to be late." Blake:(panic stricken) I can't, Ross. I can't do this. They are quickly engulfed by a swarm of media. Blake remains still, a lost soul, alone. He extends his hand to her. Once she is out, he takes her arm and whispers in her ear. "Take my arm. Look confident. Shoulders back. Head high." She grips his arm. Her lips are quivering; she desperately fights back the tears. He can feel her body trembling. With a few expert maneuvers, he gets her by the press and into the courthouse where they are greeted by Leo, Roger and Holly, all whom look relieved to see her. Before he lets her go, he looks into her fear-filled eyes and squeezes her hand. "It's going to be all right, Blake. I promise." She musters a half smile as Roger and Leo whisk her off. ************************** >From Here to There Part #21- Bauer vs. Thorpe by A editor extraordinaire Emily Court has opened and Rick has been sworn in. Blake sits, with the tears falling down her cheeks, as he vividly describes their night together, exposing the most intimate details for all to hear. His arrogance and presumptuous account revive her anger. She stares fixedly at him; he looks away. As Leo prepares to cross-examine, Rick shifts sightly in his seat. An easy smile rest on his face, and he exudes confidence. Leo lets Rick get comfortable with few easy questions before he sets about on his quest to illuminate for the court Rick's true nature. "How is it, Dr. Bauer, that you learned Mrs. Marler, Blake, was pregnant?" Rick:(easily) Blake had been experiencing symptoms of being pregnant. It wasn't difficult to figure out. Leo: Oh, I see. You confirmed that Mrs. Marler was pregnant, with what you contend was your child, because she had symptoms? Did Blake tell you she was pregnant? Rick: No. Leo: Well, how did you find out then? Specifically. Rick: She had a pregnancy test done at Cedars Hospital. I read her results. Leo:(moving closer to the witness box) Oh, I see. You're Mrs. Marler's personal physician? Rick: No. Leo: Are test results privileged information, Doctor? Rick:(unbothered) Yes. Leo: If you weren't her doctor, how did you access them? Rick: I got her records from her OBGYN's office. Leo: Oh, is that standard hospital policy? Margaret Sedwick, Mrs. Marler's doctor, had no problem giving you this information? Rick: Margaret didn't know. Leo: Are you saying you not only violated doctor-patient confidentiality, but you broke into a colleague's files to do it? Rick:(defensive) I had the right to know! Leo:(moves away and looks into the courtroom) You claim to have many rights, Doctor Bauer. I think it's best we leave that to the court to decide. (looking back at Rick) Is it true that you used undue influence over Mrs. Marler to get what you wanted, Doctor Bauer? Rick: Are you suggesting I got Blake drunk on purpose to impregnante her? Leo: No, but since you brought it up, did you? (not waiting for an answer, he continues) I was referrring to after the fact. After you slept with Blake, and after you violated her privacy and discovered that she was pregnant, did you ever threaten Mrs. Marler? (pauses) Specifically, Doctor, did you threaten to go to her husband with the truth of that night unless she concede to undergo an invasive DNA testing procedure? Rick:(looks from Leo to Ross) I wanted to go to Ross with the truth. I thought it would be better for everyone. Leo: Answer the question. Did you "convince" Mrs. Marler to take a CVS test? Rick: I suggested she take it. Leo: Is it not true you harassed her for days, going so far as to call her while in-flight, to demand she take the test? Rick: I had the right to know if that was my child she was carrying. Leo: Did she take the test? Rick: Yes. Leo: Were you not aware, Doctor, that the CVS test could have harmed the unborn child... children? Rick: The risks were minimal. Leo: Really? Why would you proceed with such a test when the procedure has been know to cause a "miscarriage"? Rick: That only happens in two to three percent of the cases. Leo: I see. You were willing to risk the lives of those children to establish your "right" as their father? Rick's lawyer objects; Leo grudgingly withdraws the question. Leo: What were the results of the CVS test? Rick:(feeling smug, knowing things are going his way) She told me both boys were Ross', but she doctored the test results. (grins) No pun intended. Leo:(frowns) I assume you are saying that my client altered the results somehow? That's a serious accusation. Do you have proof? Rick: She used the alias Fern LaPlante. She then had a nurse on staff help her change the DNA results. Leo: Do you have a copy of these test results? Rick: No. Leo: Why not? Rick:(with disgust) She had them destroyed. Leo:(looking amused) This story is getting better and better, Doctor. You expect the court to take your word for this? Rick: It can be corroborated by Annie Dutton Lewis. She is the nurse that helped Blake change the results and later deleted the Fern LaPlante records from the hospital files. (he looks at Blake, her gaze does not waver) Leo: For the record, Doctor, no trace of the alleged CVS test under the name of Blake Marler or Fern LaPlante has been found. How do you explain that doctor? Rick:(annoyed) If you were listening, I just explained that. Blake looks across the room at Dr. Sedwick, who is looking grim. Leo: Doctor Bauer, approximately five years ago, were you suspended from practising medicine at Cedars Hospital for falsifying a death certificate? Rick: That has nothing to do... Judge: Just answer the question, Doctor Bauer... Yes or no? Rick: Yes. Leo drones on, effectively exposing Rick as an obsessive, obnoxious bully with a past of unethical medical practices. As the day wears on, Blake feels neither hope nor despair. It isn't until Ross is called to the stand that her heart drops. From the moment he takes the stand, her eyes don't leave his. Ross looks comfortable and completely at ease. To a casual observer, it might appear as though he were actually enjoying the proceedings. Rick's lawyer proceeds to ask questions. "When did you discover that Doctor Bauer was the father of one of your wife's twins?" Ross:(carefully, controlled) Doctor Bauer came to me after he had performed surgery on Kevin claiming to be his biological father. "Did you have reason to believe him?" Ross: Not at first. I was so stunned that he would make such a claim. "But, eventually you were convinced?" Ross: Yes. "Isn't that why you subsequently left, and divorced, the defendant Ms. Thorpe?" Ross: I divorced my wife, because she betrayed our marriage by sleeping with Dr. Bauer... "Did she admit it to you?" Ross: Could you clarify that please? Admit what? That she had slept with Rick? Yes. "Did Ms. Thorpe admit to you that Dr. Bauer was Kevin's biological father?" Ross: She admitted it. That is true, (pauses before adding) but she was wrong. "I'm sorry, Mr. Marler, I didn't quite hear you. Could you repeat that?" Ross: Blake believed that Rick had fathered Kevin, but she was wrong. (Ross changes his gaze to Rick, his look is one of sheer triumph) As it turns out, I am Kevin's biological father. Blake looks at him questioningly, wondering what the hell he is trying to pull. Roger and Leo stare on intrigued. Judge:(sounding impatient) Please, Mr. Marler, tell me this isn't another case of evidence under the name of a potted plant that subsequently, mysteriously, disappeared. (a couple chuckles from he courtroom) Ross:(seriously, but unable to contain a grin) No, your Honor. I have the indisputable evidence with me. (he hands the judge an officially sealed envelope) I had a second set of DNA tests run over at Clayton General Hospital; as I suspected, Rick Bauer did not father either Kevin or Jason. They are both my biological sons!! (shoots Rick a look of contempt) Judge:(sighs, removes his glasses) Now, I'm confused. Ross: It's a rather long story, but the short version is this: The nurse Dr. Bauer mentioned, Annie Dutton Lewis, who is consequently spending time at the Midland Hills facility in order to undergo a psychiatric evaluation, led both Ms. Thorpe and Dr. Bauer astray. It was a twisted little mind game in fact. She was aware of Blake's dilemma, and she was responsible for altering the test results, eventually leading Blake and Rick to think that Kevin was Rick's biological son. She would later use the altered results as something to blackmail Ms. Thorpe with, and it proved to be a very effective threat. Later, when Dr. Bauer ran interference in Mrs. Lewis's life, she decided to keep him otherwise occupied by revealing that he was Kevin's father. It was a very twisted ploy, but Mrs. Lewis is a very sick, young woman, and she is finally getting the help she needs. You can confirm this by speaking with Mrs. Lewis at Midland Hills. Apparently, confessing everything has set her on the road to recovery. The name of the doctor and technicians who ran the second set of tests are in the envelope. Rick stands up screaming. "He is lying! He hates me so much for sleeping with his wife that he would do or say anything!" Judge:(sternly) Dr. Bauer, sit down! (to Ross) This is certainly compelling testimony you have given. (to the court) I'm calling a fifteen minute recess. As soon as the judge exits, Ross steps down from the stand. Rick meets him. "What the hell are you trying to pull? Kevin is my boy. Do you hear me? My boy!" Ross:(so coldly the feeling chills the entire room) Get your hands off me, Dr. Bauer, before I sue your ass for assault!! (Rick is contemplating decking him. Ross just stares at him levelly, daring him.) Just try me, Doctor! Rick's lawyer grabs his arm and pulls him away. Blake is sitting stunned, not daring to hope and sure it is all a cruel hoax. The judge returns and court resumes. Judge: I spoke to the parties at Clayton General, and I then had a short, but enlightening, conversation with Annie Lewis. I am therefore satisfied that the evidence Mr. Marler brought before the court today is valid. Each of you were pawns in a rather bizarre story, concocted by a very sick, young woman. I can only hope that you can all move on from here, and that the child in question will be brought up in a loving, nurturing home. In light of the evidence, I have no choice but to deny Dr. Bauer's petition. "Court is adjourned." Rick buries his face in his hands, devastated. Blake just looks around, waiting to wake up from her dream. Holly comes to her side and hugs her enthusiastically. "Darling, it's over. This awful paternity nightmare is finally over, and you have your family back! Now, you and the boys can get on with your lives." Roger comes over and hugs her. Roger: You did it, honey!! Didn't I tell you everything would work out? Blake:(smiles) Yes, you did. (she is looking around the courtroom, but can't find Ross) Roger: This is indeed cause for a Thorpe family celebration. What do you say, honey, the Towers good enough? Blake:(finally allowing the good news to sink in) Sounds good to me. But, if it's ok, I'll meet you there a bit later. I want to go home, give the boys a big hug and tell them the good news! (she cannot contain a big smile as the reality sets in) Roger:(kisses her cheek) Don't be too long. Rick walks over; his face is tear stained. Rick:(bitterly) I hope you're happy! You've ruined my life. Blake:(feeling badly for him) Rick, I'm... Rick: Save it! First you cost me Abi, now my son! But, I guess you always end up on your back! Don't you, Blake? Roger turns around and swiftly delivers an uppercut, knocking Rick to the floor. "Don't you EVER speak to my daughter that way, Bauer! Do you hear me?" Holly and Roger walk Blake out of the courtroom, leaving Rick to nurse his bloody lip. *************************************** >> >"Republicans understand the importance of bondage between mother and child." >--Former U.S Vice-President Dan Quayle on Republican Family Values. >> >"Republicans understand the importance of bondage between mother and child." >--Former U.S Vice-President Dan Quayle on Republican Family Values.