Chapter 52
LaBoulaie, late morning

Viki and Dorian are near the patio doors.

Dorian: When I come to (Dorian looks into Viki's eyes) I am in the infirmary. (Dorian feels her stomach as she did at that moment years ago) Something is wrong! I look into the doctor's eyes (Dorian starts crying. Viki comforts her) Wrong! My baby! Clint's baby is dead! (Viki continues to comfort her for awhile. Eventually, Dorian looks up at her.) Is my son alive, Viki?

Viki: Yes.

Dorian (attempts to regain her composure): How?

Viki: I do not know.

Dorian: Who is he?

Viki: Dorian your son is, is Nash Brennan.

Dorian is stunned. She walks away from Viki and toward the sofa. She sits on the sofa.

As Viki approaches the sofa, Viki remarks, "I had no idea until Asa told me about your son on his deathbed!" She sits across from Dorian.

Dorian repeats, "Nash? How is that possible? I don't understand."

Viki: I am afraid I do not understand all the details myself.

Dorian: Nash was in the hospital. He was in the hospital. He was gravely ill, critically injured. I donated, I donated blood to him. (Looks at Viki) And you--you were there! (Stares) You knew the truth then! You kept it from me! Why?

Viki: Oh God Dorian you must understand! I had my reasons! It was not the time best time for any of us to have to deal with it!

Dorian (screams): It wasn't the RIGHT time, Viki?! Nash was gravely ill! He could have died and I never, I never would have known that I had a son who was alive! Was that the plan--to keep the truth from me in hopes that I would see me son lowered into the ground and the truth buried with him?!

Viki: No! No! NO! I was afraid, AFRAID!

Dorian: You always were a coward!

Viki: Dorian you have every right to be angry.

Dorian: Thank you for giving me permission.

Viki: But just think how everyone's lives would have been turned upside down at this revelation!

Dorian: And Clint! Clint. Clint was looking for Nash's mother when she was, (Dorian buries her face into her hands as the realization begins to sink in. Viki reaches for her. Dorian senses her closeness, looks up and yells.) You get away from me! (Viki moves her hand away.)

Dorian stares and recalls being in the hospital when Jessica gave birth the James Clinton. Dorian visited Nash in his hospital room:

Nash awakens and notices Dorian at his bedside.

Dorian: Nash, I didn't mean to disturb you.

Nash: You didn't. Jessica, how's Jessica?

Dorian: She's fine... She was given a shot to stop the contractions.

Nash (gets tearful): I should be, be with her.

Dorian (smiles): You are with her. You are in the hospital with her and are with her in mind and spirit.

Nash: I'm going to be a dad. I can't believe that I created a baby.

Dorian: But you did. And Jessica's father should be arriving shortly, in time to hold his newly born grandson.

Nash: MY BOY! Thank you. (He balls his fists and enthusiastically raises them to the Heavens)

Dorian (laughs): It's good to see you so happy.

Nash: I just wish I could...be with Jessie.

Dorian: I know. Nash, Clint went to California to find your mother. I'm afraid he wasn't successful.

Nash: I had heard that. I could have told him he was wasting his time.

Dorian: Your mother is no stranger to me.

Dorian gasps. She walks toward the fireplace. Viki calls, "Dorian?" She ignores her. Dorian's thoughts return to her time with Nash in the hospital.

Nash: What do you mean?

Dorian: Well that she was here in Llanview. I met her for a short while. That's all, all that I mean.

Nash: My mom, my mom never stayed anywhere for very long. She was always involved in something .. um, questionable. I love her and everything. Don't get me wrong.

Dorian: Of course you do.

Nash: When I said that about my mom, you just looked...

Dorian: I wish it had been better for you.

Nash: Why do you care?

Dorian: I, I don't know. It's strange isn't it? Maybe it's because we share the same blood type. And maybe it's because I know what it's like to want to have stability when you're a child and to have it be somethng that's not within your control because you are a child.

Nash: I heard about that.

Dorian: What? About what?!

Nash: That we share the same rare blood type, antigens and everything... that we were a match and you donated blood at a critical point in my care. Thank you.

Dorian (stands): You are welcome. Now I should go and let you get your rest. (She turns to leave and he grabs her hand; she looks emotionally moved by the touch. Nash notices and releases her hand. He says, "Sorry." and she reacts) No, I...

In the present, Dorian stares, caresses her hand where he touched her as she returns to her thoughts.

Nash: No. I mean. Dr. Lord, I want you to check on Jessica and to tell me how everything is going. I'm kinda going nuts in here.

Dorian (smiles): That's easy, I promise to do that. (She then walks to the door, turns to look at him and leaves)

Viki sees Dorian leaving his room. She approaches and demands, "Dorian, just what do you think you're doing?"

Dorian replies, "Isn't it obvious?" before she walks away from her. Viki follows Dorian to a waiting area and she asks, "Did you upset him?"

Dorian: Viki, I am a doctor.

Viki: Big surprise there!

Dorian: Yes it may surprise you to also know that I care about that young man in there.

Viki: You care about him? Why? Dorian you don't even know him. Are you sure it isn't Clint who you care so much about?

Dorian: I don't know. I feel connected to him and I don't know why?

Viki has a disturbed expression.

Jessica's doctor enters the area and says to Viki, "Well she's about to be wheeled into the surgery room. You may want to see her now." Viki rushes past the doctor. Dorian introduces herself as Dr. Lord, former COS at Llanview.

Dr. Blake: I know who you are Dr. Lord.

Dorian: Is Jessica going to be OK? I mean I heard there were complications, which necessitates a caesarean delivery.

Dr. Blake: I can't go into detail but it has been a stressful pregnancy. I have to prep for surgery. You'll excuse me?

Dorian: Yes, of course. (Sighs, sits. Has her head down momentarily, looks up and sees Clint get off the elevator. She immediately flies toward him. He asks, "Jessie?" and Dorian replies) Viki's in with her. They are getting ready to wheel her into surgery.

Clint: Oh dear God! What room?

Dorian informs him. He is about to rush off; instead, he turns goes back to her and kisses with passionate enthusiasm and exclaims, "I'm gonna be a grandpa!" before he races toward Jessica's room.

Viki: Dorian you have to understand it wasn't my intention to hurt you.

Dorian: At the hospital, you questioned why I was there. You acted as though I was somewhere I didn't belong and I was where I needed to be. It wasn't about Clint.

Viki: Oh really. You did not know Nash was your son but you were there and rubbing it in my face that you and Clint were together. Jessica was pregnant Dorian. It was a difficult pregnancy. I could not risk, I could not risk her losing another, another baby.

Dorian(long pause): I regret what happened to Megan.

Viki (snaps): So do I!

Dorian (long pause): I see. Was this a retaliation?

Viki: Oh Dorian do not be absurd!

Dorian(long pause): Really. So you reacted to me with such spite in the hospital because of Jessica?

Viki (sighs): Once, once the crisis had passed I had every intention of telling you what I knew.

Dorian: But you didn't. Instead you waited and waited.

Viki: Dorian, in hindsight, in hindsight I know now that I made a mistake.

Dorian: But you had your daughter to think of. I believe you... that you regret not telling me.

Viki (appears relieved): Oh Dorian I was not even sure of the truth myself until Echo came to Llanview and confirmed it.

Dorian(squints eyes): Echo knew that I was Nash's biological mother? (She has a cold stare.) And the two of you, you discussed this while I was on the brink of losing him?

Viki: Dorian, this is bigger than you! It was not as simplistic as you state it now!

Dorian: Right. Jessica. My child, Clint's child was alive and not dead!

Viki: Jessica was pregnant with your son's baby!

Dorian: And your child had to be protected at all cost, including denying me the right to know that I had a son whom I mourned daily! You may have been afraid and you may have been thinking of Jessica....but I don't know... there is something missing.

Viki: Missing?

Dorian: After Jessica gave birth to James Clinton and Nash seemed out of the woods, you could have come to me and told me the truth. Why didn't you?

Viki: Dorian I am telling you now! In fact, I implore upon you to share the truth, to share the truth with Clint.

Dorian: Ah, Clint. Now it all makes sense.

Viki: What? What makes sense?

Dorian: Echo threatened to tell Clint about what you knew and when so you decided to tell me.

Viki (gulps, long pause): Dorian what is important is that you have your son!

Dorian: You knew about the night Clint and I slept together and that I was pregnant.

Viki: What?

Dorian: So it would stand to reason that you knew about me losing my son.

Viki stares.

Dorian: Don't bother trying to deny it. I can tell by the look on your face.

Viki: Maybe. (Face is flushed.) Maybe somewhere in my subconscious I knew of the truth. Dorian now is one of those times that we must put aside our differences to protect our families! (Dorian is staring at her, which causes Viki to rub her neck) Dorian?

Dorian: Don't you tell me how to protect my family! I had a son! I have son that you knew about and denied my knowing he was alive!

Viki: All right! Yell at me! Berate me! Get it all over with Dorian! But when the dust settles, the dust settles--you will see that I am still here! You are not alone.

Dorian walks away from Viki again. She sees Clint in her mind and recalls the tender kiss he placed on her lips that morning before leaving LaBoulaie. Dorian says, "I have to tell Clint."

Damn that's good.

And as always you might pull the wool over Dorian's eyes for a few minutes but it won't last long! Loved how fast she was able to recoup and figure out what Viki had done.

Hey the flashback was great. I'm totally back in with their connection.