Taylor @ soapcentral.com

 
I posted a couple of blogs back, that I was concerned about how AMC was portraying Taylor and the war/PTSD story. Jake had very 'real' sounding reasons for opposing the war in Iraq. Taylor, when she was yelling hers at him, sounded like an idiot with no ground to stand on. A story this important ought to be able to show both 'sides', with characters being in character. As it began to unfold I felt it was just going to be a one sided sermon.

 I love complex stories with complex characters. But especially when dealing with issues of importance... spare me the sermon and just tell the story. I was very glad... VERY GLAD... to hear Taylor on Friday's show. She finally gave some reasons (to Angie) that I've heard from real soldiers returning willingly to Iraq. Agree or not, she was sounding "real".

 NOW I'm finally interested in Jake/Taylor. Because now both seem more like real people. Of course, it was not just the one set of lines. Taylor has been fleshed out over the past two weeks. She's gone from near cartoon to someone who I can believe 'exists'. Now I care what happens to her, what she is going through, and what she is saying. Now I have some hope for her story.

Bianca continued to scream. This was her nightmare come to life. Michael Cambias was suppose to be dead, she had shot him.

“Arent you happy to see me?” Michael asked. “I’m sure our daughter Miranda will be very happy to see her dear old father.”

“You will never get near my daughter.” Bianca forgot the horror of seeing him and went straight into protective mother mode.  “If you come within ten feet of her I will shoot you again.”

“That’s not very nice.” Michael replied, try ingot get under her skin with his innocent school boy act.

“I don’t care.” Bianca turned away, but Michael grabbed her. “Take your slimy hands off of me.”

“I thought we were old friends,” Michael tried to put his hands around Biancas waist again. “We after all did make Miranda together.”

“No you raped me.” Bianca stated “You will no longer be allowed to hurt any person in my life, because if you do I will kill you.”

*************************************************************

“How could that woman turn me down?” Ryan asked incredulously “Look at me I’m a catch.”

“Do you hear yourself talk?” Annie asked her ex husband. “Im locked up here in Oakhaven, and you have this idea that you’re Gods gift to women. That is an injustice.”

“You’re locked up in here because you killed Richie.” Ryan reminded her gently, hoping that he wasn’t about to induce another psychotic break in his ex-wife. 

“Yes I did, and I accept responsibility for that. However Ryan you need to accept responsibility for all those women you have hurt, all of you’re supposed soul mates. We all live in the shadow of Gillian.”

“That’s not true.” Ryan protested but was silenced when Annie stood up.

“Theres a visitor I actually want to spend time with.”  She ran over to Aidan.

*************************************************************

“Shes unstoppable.” Kendall complained again to Zack. They sat in silence for a moment. “How do I take control of Fusion back?”

“How much stock do we still own in it?” He asked. He was still reeling from Taylors visit but he had been assured that there was nothing that she could get from him.

“I have my 30 percent, and then whatever Cambias owns.” She sighed loudly. This was taking  a toll on her and she feared her marriage.

“”How much did Erica say she owned?” He asked taking a sharp intake of breath. He didn’t have the heart to tell Kendall that according to his business manager someone had managed to get their hands on Fusion shares.

“She didn’t, she just said that she owned enough to take control.” Kendall fidgeted in her seat.

“We’ll take care of this.” Zacks mind was racing. Why was Erica doing this to her own daughter? And how in the world was she able to convince his business manager to sell Cambias’ shares without consulting him.

*************************************************************

Taylor had watched the scene with Michael and Bianca unfold. Why was he acting so familiar with her? She tried to get as close as possible but not be noticed, so she was only able to make out a few words. Bianca threatened to kill him. If they were friends, as Michaels body language had suggested why would she react so badly at seeing him? Maybe he had slept with her and dumped her and that was what turned her into a lesbian. No she remembered reading about Biancas coming way before Michael moved to Pine Valley and took up with that harlot Kendall. This relationship must be a bit more complex than what she was seeing unfold right now. There was definitely something more to it. She would have to investigate and fins out more later.

“Why are you watching my sister?” Josh asked, jogging up to the tree, where she was hiding.

“Shouldn’t you be more concerned with the fact that the man up there has upset your sister, pretty boy?” Taylor shot, checking Josh out again. He ran over to Bianca.

*************************************************************

“Everything ok?” Josh asked approaching Bianca, keeping his eye trained on Michael.

“Bianca and I are old friends.” Michael said lecherously. “Very good friends, who are you?

“We are not friends,” Bianca sneered. “Josh this is the man who raped me.” Before she could say anything else Josh punched Michael.

"What the hell do you think you're doing mother?" Kendall demanded, staring at Erica.  She and Zack had decided that the best approach with Erica was asking her directly.

"Whatever do you mean?" Erica asked innocently. She shuffled some papers and avoided eye contact with her daughter. "I'm simply trying to get some work done."

"Why are you going after Fusion?" Kendall was trying to control herself, but she was losing the battle very fast. "Why are you doing this to me?"

"Because Fusion is mine!!" Erica declared. "You owed me for letting you use my home and Greenlee had no right to the company to begin with."

"I thought you did everything out of love for me," Kendall cried.

"This has nothing to do with the fact that you're my daughter, and everything to do with business." Erica smiled her Erica Kane smile.

*************************************************************

"How do we get my company back?" Greenlee asked Jack. They were having lunch. "Erica can not get away with this."

"I'm looking into it, however the contract you signed with her seems to be ironclad." Jack informed his daughter. He was actually holding back all the information he had: The contract that Greenlee had signed was not only ironclad but wasn't with Enchantment but rather Erica herself. "There may be nothing you can do."

"She can not get away with this!!!" Greenlee raised her voice. "I wont let her get away with this."

"Honey, don't go up against Erica, there are cemeteries littered with bodies of her enemies." Jack advised, wisely.

"You're still in love with her." Greenlee shook her head. "Its incredible, she's the devil incarnate and you just cant get enough of her."

*************************************************************

"You love Greenlee?" Tad exclaimed, it wasn't the news he was hoping to hear from his brother.

"Tad, its not like this is news." Jake said trying to read his brothers reaction. He knew that part of the reaction was coming from the fact that Tad and Aidan were best of friends. "When Greenlee chose Leo over me I went to desperate lengths to get over her."

"Why are you getting back on the merry go round?" Tad asked "You know she's going to pit you and Aidan against one another."

"That's definitely not going to happen mate." Aidan joined their table without asking. "I have no desire to jump back on the Greenlee roller coaster, not after I found the love of my life."

"Whose that?" Tad and Jake asked together.

"Annie McDermott Lavery." Aidan grinned like an idiot.

*************************************************************

Ryan stared at the blonde. She was most definitely his type and he knew that he was hers. After all, the women of Pine Valley couldn't get enough of him.  Annie, Kendall, Greenlee, Mia, Liza, they'd all had a ride on the Ryan train and they all had come wanting more. 

"Hey gorgeous, how about I take you out to dinner?" Ryan put on his best charm.

"Do I know you?" Taylor asked. She surveyed Ryan, he was attractive in his own way, but he was also way to full of himself. She had a god instinct when it came to men.

"No that why I asked you to dinner before I give you the pleasure of sharing my bed." Ryan  grinned.

"You're disgusting!" Taylor exclaimed, pulling out a ten dollar bill. "Here go buy yourself a hooker and leave me alone."

"Most women would be flattered that I even look in their direction." Ryan was offended by the way she was acting, yet he found himself quite turned on by her.

"Then they are idiots." Taylor shrugged her shoulder and left.

*************************************************************

Bianca was still reeling from her dinner with Erica. She couldn't believe how her mother was acting, it was appalling. She decided that a late evening jog was just the thing she needed. She left Miranda with the nanny and changed into her work outfit. She decided to leave her cell phone at home because she didn't want any of her families drama to touch her. Silently she was kicking herself for even coming back to Pine Valley, there were so many things she should be taking care of in Paris. Having let her mind wander she didn't notice another jogger heading towards her, until they connected.

"I'm sorry." Bianca said composing herself, she looked up at the person she collided with and felt a scream building up in her throat.

"Hiya Binks." Michael Cambias smiled. Bianca let go of her scream.

"Who does that woman think she is?" Greenlee said slamming the penthouse door shut behind her. She was fuming, she had a dinner date with her father, he was going to see if maybe he could have the lawsuit dismissed.

"Who?" Jake asked, still reeling from his dream about Greenlee. Even when she was angry she was the most beautiful woman he'd ever seen.

"Erica Kane." Greenlee sneered. She threw her coat, and picked up a vase. Jake ran over to stop her., he grabbed her wrist.

"What did she do?" He asked, not knowing.

"She's suing me for Fusion!" Greenlee screamed. She found herself looking at Jake as if for the first time. A sudden wave of passion over took her and she kissed him.

*****************************************************

"How are we dealing with your mother?" Zack asked his wife.

"I don't know. Maybe she was trying to help me oust Greenlee." Kendall answered, thankful her husband brought up the subject.  Apparently they had plenty to discuss. "What was up with that blonde bitch who came to see you today?"

"Taylor Thompson, she was married to Michael a very long time ago." Zack answered truthfully. "They married straight out of high school and now she thinks she's entitled to Cambias Industries."

"I guess we both have our hands full." Kendall said, then realized that  Erica may not have the best of intentions. "What do you make of my mothers power move?"
Zack shook his head. "I have no idea."

*****************************************************

Bianca met her mother for an early dinner. She had just heard the news that was rocking Pine Valley and she wanted to know first hand what was going on.

"Hi mom." She greeted brightly. She noticed that her mother was looking even thinner than normal, she'd have to make a comment on it, if her mother didn't eat a good portioned dinner.

"Hello sweetheart." Erica greeted. She also took a look at her daughter and was pleased with what she seen. Her beautiful, darling Bianca. She was so proud of the woman she had become. "Where is your daughter Miranda?"

"When are you going to call her your granddaughter?" Bianca was annoyed that her mother couldn't come to terms with her age.

"Bianca do not say that to me, what have I ever done to you to use that sort of language?" Erica was truly appalled that anyone would dare utter that word in her presence.

"Mom, its time you accepted that you are no longer 25," Bianca decided now was the time to talk to her about this, it had to be addressed. "I'm 24 and Kendall is almost 32."

"And I'm pushing 45." Erica shook her head. "What is wrong with you?"

"Nothing is wrong with me." Bianca was astonished that her mother could act like this. "Please at least think about acting your age, for my sake. For Mirandas sake. For your sake."
*****************************************************

Taylor was fuming. Her meeting with Zack had not gone as planned. He had grown a backbone since he faked his own death. Damn now she was going to have to resort to something that she had hoped to avoid, but being in the military had taught her anything it was to always have a back up plan. Smiling to herself she thought that her back up plan was even better than the main one but had scrapped it because it was costly and she didn't have a lot of capital. Sighing she knew she would have to come up with money fast. First she had to make the call.

"Hello." She said sternly when she heard someone answer the phone.

"Hello," A voice grumbled. "Whadya want?"

"We're back in business." Taylor answered, hoping that she wasn't making a big mistake. "Get to Pine Valley as soon as possible." Soon everything would fall into place and she would have everything she ever dreamed of.

Greenlee walked into the penthouse, and looked over at Jake. He stared back at her and felt familiar stirrings.

"Come here," He said, his voice low. He was trembling, not knowing why exactly.

"What do you want Martin?" Greenlee asked, unbuttoning her blouse.

"You Smythe." He grabbed her and they began making love.

    Jake awoke with  a start. Why was he having erotic dreams about Greenlee now? Damn there was no way he could have feelings for her again.

************************************************

"What did Erica just say?" Zack asked Josh. Both grabbed for the remote to turn the volume up.

"What she said cant be true." Josh said, scanning for a recap of what his mother just said.

"She wouldn't do this to Kendall," Zack began calculating the damage and had a string urge to call his wife. "What would she gain out of it?"

"Who knows with Erica." Josh wasn't sure whose side he should be on, or if there was even a reason to worry about a possible family feud. "Maybe she did this for Kendall."

"No," Zack shook his head. Before he could say anything more, there was a knock on the door. "Come in."

"Mr. Slater there is a woman claiming to be Mrs. Cambias here to see you." His sectary informed him.

"Show her in." Zack said. Confused as to why Kendall would resort to calling herself Mrs. Cambias. Taylor walked in.

"Hello Alex." She arched her eye brow.

************************************************

"What the hell is your mother up to?" Greenlee demanded. She watched Kendall as she struggled to come up with an answer.

"Greenlee I have no idea." Kendall answered honestly. "How was she able to amass enough stock to take over?"

"That's a very good question." Greenlee shot, wanting to believe her best frienimie. Given Erica's history is wasn't totally out of the question that she was pulling this scam off by herself.
"We need to hold our own press conference." Kendall said, jumping into PR mode.

************************************************

Erica ended her press conference right after her announcement. She wasn't going to answer any questions until after her attorneys had a chance to talk to Greenlee and Jackson. Erica let her mind wander to Jack for a minute. Things could have been different had Jack acted like she expected him to., but no he had to go and pretend to have a back bone. Sighing, she smiled, well since he wanted a backbone, it was time to see what he would do for his precious daughter.

************************************************

"The name is Slater. Zack Slater." Zack responded.

"How James Bond of you." Taylor shot. "Can pretty boy please leave."

"I have a name." Josh defended himself. "Its Josh Madden."

"Yea, yea, yea." Taylor was bored with him. "The infamous unabortion, made famous by Erica Kane and Dr. Greg Madden. Ive done my homework."

"Josh, excuse us for a minute." Zack said hoping to get rid of this intruder.

"Sure." Josh left without another word.

"What do you want?" Zack asked, eyeing this woman.

"What's rightfully mine as Mrs. Michael Cambias." Taylor answered.

************************************************

"Greenlee Smythe?" The man asked. He knew who she was, Erica had prepped them very well.

"That's me." Greenlee piped up, wondering what the hell was going on.

"Consider yourself served." He said. He was one of Ericas lawyers and was told to wait until Greenlee opened the envelope in case there was any question that this was real.

"What?" Greenlee asked, tearing open the envelope. She quickly scanned the document&183;  "Erica is suing me for my shares of Fusion, under the guise of breach of contract?"

"Not under the guise of, ma'am." That was one of Ericas requests, that they treat Greenlee as though she were an older woman. "You broke your contract with Ms. Kane when you created Fusion while still working at Enchantment Cosmetics."