AMC Transcript Monday 3/1/04

All My Children Transcript Monday 3/1/04

Provided by Suzanne
Proofread by Gisele

Tad: What the hell is wrong with this girl? Why can't she just once meet a guy and shake hands? Or better yet, just, you know, walk away?

Simone: You're welcome.

Tad: What?

Simone: Well, the least you could do is thank me. I mean, I did find you your paper. I mean, granted, I did almost knock you over the head with a knick-knack, but the least you could do is share.

Tad: Oh, trust me, Simone, somebody's been sharing enough for all of us. Babe is right about one thing -- this little piece of paper could mess up her life but good.

Joe: The test results you've all waited for.

Adam's voice: That baby is not my grandchild! That baby is not --

Jamie’s voice: If the baby is mine, I'll take care of it. If the baby is mine, I’ll take care of it.

J.R.'s voice: We're going to settle this baby's paternity once and for all.

[Voices echo]

Krystal: You look like you're halfway to Mars. Are you all right?

Babe: Mama?

Joe: The results you've waited for.

Jack: Morning.

Erica: Jack.

Jack: I'm sorry.

Erica: Jack, I thought that you went home last night. Listen, you really can't keep this up. You have to get some rest.

Jack: Well, you know, Erica, your guestroom is not exactly roughing it. I slept like a baby. How about you?

Erica: Well, don't I look rested? I mean, I haven't slept this late in ages.

Jack: You look absolutely gorgeous. But, then, you always do. And I'm glad you got your sleep, though, because you're going to need all your energy for what I’ve planned for us today because we, my dear, deserve a little "us" time.

Erica: Oh, Jack, I -- I would love that, I really would, but I have to get to the office. I mean, I have to put Kendall in place at Enchantment. She's going to take over Enchantment. Who knew that giving up control would be such a headache?

Jack: Erica, I’m talking about one day here. It's one day that we need and we should take.

Erica: But today, Jack -- today is the day that I start my new beginning. I mean, today is the day that I let go of the past. You wouldn't want me to put that off, would you?

Jack: Well, I'll tell you one thing you won't be letting go of, my dear, and that would be me.

Kendall: Picture it, David -- you, me, no courtship, no trust, no pesky emotions in the way.

David: That is the third time that you've propositioned me.

Kendall: Yes, and I’m going to keep asking you until you give me an answer. So, you up for it or what?

David: You, me, and a heartless affair, huh?

Kendall: Mm-hmm.

David: What the hell? I'm game if you are.

Ryan: It's true, I -- I heard you. I heard you calling me. And -- and these flashes -- your face would just appear there no matter who I was talking to. It was as if that you, like, crawled into my head or -- or I don't know, I crawled into yours. It was pretty spooky, actually. And then --

Greenlee: You knew that I needed you and then you found me. So what about now? Can you still read my mind? Block everything out, just focus on me. What do I really want, Ryan? You can do it. Tell me what's swirling around in this crazy head of mine. What do I want?

Ryan: A quart of oil.

Greenlee: That would be a no.

Ryan: Oh, I guess I got my vibes mixed up with my bike instead.

Greenlee: I shouldn't push my luck. I want you to know how sorry I am. You threw that ring down that hole and you were about to get on your bike and head out of town, and you wouldn't have done all that if you and Kendall were still together.

Ryan: Now, I know you really want to get this off your chest, but I'd rather open up a can of soup with my teeth, Greenlee.

Greenlee: I can't pay you back for saving me and I can't thank you enough. But at least let me try and fix things between you and Kendall. Here, hand me your cell.

Ryan: What? No, no, no, no. This is not your problem, Greenlee.

Greenlee: No, I will give Kendall no choice but to believe me. You never betrayed her and you want her back.

Ryan: Look, just shut up and listen. Forget Kendall.

Kendall: Oh, Ryan.

David: Of all the dirty words you could've called me -- "Ryan"? "Ryan" has to be the worst.

Kendall: Oh, God, I’m sorry. I'm so sorry.

David: Hey, I’ll try not to take it too personally.

Kendall: Oh, God, why did I do that? God, what is wrong with me? What is wrong with me? Oh. Oh. I'm stuck.

David: Your car is fine. It's right there.

Kendall: No, no, no. I mean, I'm -- I’m stuck, me. I don't know, where am I -- where am I supposed to go?

David: Home always seems a safe bet.

Kendall: Yeah, and do what? I'm not fighting for my life. I -- I have no idea what to do with myself. Before -- I remember what it was like before Bianca gave me a reason to wake up in the morning. If I’m not the girl whose sister needs her --

David: Trust me, I know firsthand. There are other things to live for.

Kendall: No, it's too late now. Ryan is long gone.

David: Hey, it happens. I guess it's time to move on, huh?

Kendall: Yeah, but Ryan’s just not done with me. I mean, he's -- he's gone for good. I mean, he left Pine Valley, maybe even the U.S. When I get ditched, I do it right.

David: I wish him bon voyage and I hope he never comes back. I'm just sorry he didn't leave before he strung both you and Greenlee along. Come on. This identity crisis isn't just about how to fill a day. With Ryan gone, you don't know what to do with yourself, do you?

Tad: Baby girl certainly learned from the best. Mama taught her how to dress, how to flirt with men, and how to pull a major fast one.

Simone: Wait, you sound a little annoyed.

Tad: Try furious.

Simone: With Krystal?

Tad: Yeah, the one and only.

Simone: Well, what did she do?

Tad: For one thing, she lied, she cheated, and she all-around snaked me.

Simone: Oh, well, that's absolutely unforgivable. Someone ought to teach her a lesson.

Tad: I warned her --

Simone: Yeah.

Tad: Not to do anything that would mess with my son's life, and obviously she didn't care enough to listen. It's time I made her regret it.

Simone: Oh, yeah. Wait, now?

Tad: Yes, now.

Simone: No, wait, wait. Can I at least, you know, watch?

Tad: No, absolutely not. If I know Krystal, this is going to get ugly real fast and I don't want you caught in the middle.

Simone: But I love ugly! Oh, please let me come.

Tad: No.

Simone: I can be your backup.

Tad: No, ok? Thank you for helping me find this. I owe you one.

Joe: Here we go.

Krystal: You're sure she doesn't need an MRI?

Joe: No, no.

Adam: What she needs is some new material.

Jamie: What is that supposed to mean?

Adam: Only that a fainting spell at the moment of truth is cliched at best.

Jamie: Shut up! You don't even have any business being here anyway.

J.R.: Why don't you back off, Jamie. He's got as much right to be here as anybody. More.

Jamie: You want to boss me around, too? Try it. See what happens.

Babe: Ok, every-- you guys just stop. I'm ok.

J.R.: Ok.

Babe: Dr. Joe, can we just please get this over with?

Joe: Yes, yes, we certainly can. Ahem.

Joe: The test results confirm that the father of Babe's child is J.R.

J.R.: Oh, our baby.

Adam: It's a mistake or a lie. Either way, it's not true.

Joe: Don't be ridiculous, Adam. This is a cutting-edge science. I mean, the margin of error is practically nonexistent.

Adam: You must be very proud of yourself to have faked such a complicated test.

Krystal: Oh, boy, you just don't know when to quit!

J.R.: Yes, he does. It stops right there.

Adam: No. Let the Martins get away with this? No, not a chance. We all know why you did this -- to protect your grandson. Now tell us how.

Krystal: My baby doll doesn't need to hear one more nasty word of this.

Joe: Adam, the only person in this room who's ever tampered with paternity records is you. But what's important is this -- your son has fathered a child. There's no doubt about it. I've given you proof I would stake my reputation on.

Adam: For all that's worth.

Joe: Ok, you can fight me if you want, but you'll only be denying your own flesh and blood. And if you're not careful, Adam, the only child you will ever have in your life will be Colby, and soon enough she's going to be old enough to walk away herself. Now, can you really afford or want to lose your son and grandchild?

Babe: Jamie, wait.

Jack: I think it's a splendid start to the day, don't you?

Erica: Jack, it's very nice, but I --

Jack: When you hear what I have planned -- well, you may want to give me a little kiss in advance. Go ahead.

Erica: Jack, it's very sweet that you made plans, but, honestly, if you could see my book, you would see that I have back-to-back meetings. I mean, I have got to put Kendall into place there at Enchantment. And as for all the food, I mean -- truth is, I just don't think I could eat a bite.

Jack: Sweetheart, it's my job to look after you. Sit down. Sit, please. Now, I know you didn't eat a thing last night. As a matter of fact, I don't think you ate anything all day yesterday. And yesterday was one --

Erica: Is over. It's a brand-new day, Jack. Look at it out there. Listen, if you let me get my work done, then maybe we could make plans for tonight, you know. But right now I've got to put all this energy to good use.

Jack: I heard you last night, up pacing.

Erica: I thought you said that you slept all night.

Jack: Well, so did you, but I heard you.

Erica: Well, I'm sorry if you didn't sleep well, but you must be mistaken. I didn't leave my room.

Jack: No, no, actually, I heard you. I opened the door, and I saw you standing in the hallway, deep in thought. I didn't want to disturb you, but I would like to know what you were thinking about.

Erica: Is that why you stayed here last night instead of going home? So you could spy on me?

[Knock on door]

Erica: Opal.

Opal: Well, hello there, honeybunch! Look at you, looking all bright and perky. I don't mean to be barging in or anything, but I've been missing you, you know, and -- oh, and I missed breakfast, too. Not that I mean to intrude. I hope I’m not.

Jack: No. May I take your coat and purse there?

Opal: Sure, thanks.

Erica: No, Opal, go ahead. Go sit. Really, sit.

Opal: Oh, well, thank you.

Erica: And maybe you can help save me from this big spread that Jack has out here. I mean, it's so much food, as if I could eat that all myself.

Opal: Mmm.

Erica: Can I get you something to drink, Opal?

Opal: Drink? Well, no, no. Petey challenged me to an OJ chugalug on an empty stomach. Well, I won, of course, but I am paying.

Erica: Well, I wish I’d known you were coming. I could've made some mimosas. I guess this'll just have to do. They say this is a wonderful Pinot Grigio, but you tell me. Oh, this is really good. Ok, girlfriend, why don't you just talk to me because I have been out of the loop for a very long time. I'd like to know what's new and exciting in your life.

David: Ah, the silent treatment. I know it all too well. You know, maybe I didn't give Ryan enough credit. I seem to have pushed one hell of a button.

Kendall: No, you pushed the "I hate when men tell me how they think I know how I feel and then proceed to tell me about it" button. There is no "Ryan" button. Where Ryan is concerned, I've flat-lined.

David: Should I get my bag?

Kendall: Not even you can help, David. Where Ryan’s concerned, it's dead and buried.

David: Great. So you and I can both move to bigger and better things.

Kendall: The years I wasted on that man, the tears, the angst, and two -- count them -- two broken engagements -- not to mention all the countless bed romps.

David: Whoa. New topic. Would you like to take more potshots at my decor?

Kendall: Don't worry. Ryan is off my lips for good. I'm fine now. I'm fine. And why shouldn't I be? I have Bianca. I have my niece-to-be. I've got -- I have Enchantment. Erica turned that puppy over to me, and I’m going to take it into the stratosphere. My life's a damn embarrassment of riches.

David: So I guess that means a no-go with our would-be affair, huh? No time in your busy schedule.

Kendall: You're making fun of me again.

David: Kendall, you barged into my home in the middle of the night, you drank my liquor, you got plastered in my living room, and then you passed out on my couch. At the very least, yes, I do find you amusing. So relax.

Kendall: Don't -- don't do that whole "relax, calm down" thing with me. That's what people say to you when they want to hold you back. Well, I'm not going to relax, I'm not going to calm down, and I sure as hell won't let any man ever hold me back ever again.

David: Hey, I wouldn't dream of it. I still want my appendages.

Kendall: Yeah, well, no more Michaels destroying my life, no more Ryans wasting my time. This is a solo act from now on.

David: And I say go for it. Shout your independence from the highest rooftops. Heaven knows that's what I did. Who cares if no one listened? No matter what I do, I still get sucked into other people's lives.

Kendall: You mean me? That was subtle. Well, you can cross me off your list. I won't show up on your doorstep ever again.

David: I never said I minded.

Kendall: Well, I'm too busy anyway. I have too much to do. I'm a mogul in training. Next time you see me, I will be on the cover of "Fortuna 500."

Greenlee: You're mad at me. You wanted me to drop the whole Kendall breakup issue, and I wouldn't let go, which is an annoying habit that I’m trying to break -- one of many. I just don't see why you won't let me call Kendall and try and fix this.

Ryan: Greenlee, Greenlee --

Greenlee: I owe you, Ryan.

Ryan: You can't fix it because you didn't break it. You understand? Kendall didn't trust me. She never did. All right, you could've handcuffed yourself to a chair in that courtroom, you could've stapled your mouth shut, and Kendall and I would still be where we are, which is nowhere. Do you understand? Did you hear me? Good. Consider yourself off the hook.

Greenlee: I'm glad. Not that it's over -- just that it's not my fault. Not that I’m what matters here. I'm making this worse, aren't I?

Ryan: Not making it better, Greenlee.

Greenlee: I just don't see how she doesn't trust you, Ryan. I mean, you're you. Not to mention the fact that you've saved her butt more than a dozen times. I mean, maybe there's something more to this. I mean --

Ryan: Hey, do you want to end up back in the -- do you want to end up back in the hole?

Greenlee: No.

Ryan: Then no more Kendall.

Greenlee: Ok. Fine. I'll just sit here, quietly. Forget I even said anything. Will you ever forgive me, Ryan?

Babe: We just need to forget about all this meanness and focus on what's really important here. You two are brothers, and nothing's ever going to change that.

Jamie: Something already has. Isn't that right, bro?

Babe: We can forget about this. We can do this. We can let go of all the misunderstandings and the fights. Do you really want to lose the only brother that you have? Either of you? Is this the lesson you want to teach our child -- just to walk away from the people that you love without looking back?

Babe: Jamie?

Tad: Somebody want to fill me in?

J.R.: Go ahead, James. Tell Tad how happy you are to be an uncle. I'm sorry, Babe. He'll come around, ok?

Krystal: See, Tad? It's just like Babe and I said all along. J.R. is going to be a daddy.

Tad: Is that right?

Krystal: Mm-hmm. Straight from your daddy's mouth. So everything's fixed and all right with the world.

Tad: By all means, why don't you give yourself a big, old pat on the back.

Krystal: Oh, Tad, I just had a little faith, that's all.

Tad: Don't be so humble. You did a lot more than that. You went out of your way to fix things but good, didn't you?

Ryan: I told you --

Greenlee: Not for what happened with Kendall. For what I did to you.

Ryan: What have I got to do with it?

Greenlee: You told me to leave it all up to you. You promised that you'd see that I didn't lose out. I didn't believe you. I broke my promise to you, and I'm really sorry.

Ryan: It's ok.

Greenlee: No, no, it's not. It was terrible of me, so tell me how bad I was. I'm getting stronger by the minute. I can take it. Big surprise -- I have a selfish motive in all of this. I'm just -- I'm afraid that you'll hold it against me if you don't give me what-for now.

Ryan: Blow.

Greenlee: Excuse me?

Ryan: It's hot.

Greenlee: There's a big, wide world outside that door. Where will you go?

Ryan: Around.

Greenlee: You could get a yacht, cruise in the pacific. With all that Cambias cha-ching, you could buy an island or two.

Ryan: I meant "around" in the tank-full-of-gas kind of way. I signed all the Cambias cha-ching over to a trust for Bianca’s baby.

Greenlee: You gave it all away?

Ryan: Wasn't mine to give. Besides, I got a C-note in my pocket. It's burning a hole there. That'll do me just fine. What?

Greenlee: I remember when you came back to town. The prodigal big shot returns. You still had the Lavery swagger, but it was different. You had billions behind you. You had money, respect, power. You had everything you always wanted.

Ryan: I helped a decent man live out his final days. And, yes, the money was a hell of a bonus, but what made it worth it was knowing a man who believed in doing the right thing. And, besides, if I need money again, it'll come to me. It always does.

Greenlee: You were going places.

Ryan: I still am going places, eventually. Anyway, the place I'm in right now -- it's not so bad.

Greenlee: Please.

Ryan: Oh, what, you don't believe me?

Greenlee: This is what you want? No money, no Kendall, no Pine Valley? I mean, Ryan, you just turned your back on everything you ever cared about.

Erica: And then I thought to myself, why limit myself to the face when a woman is so much more than that? What women need is -- is the entire package. So I will reinvent the concept of total beauty while I reinvent myself. And I may base my headquarters abroad -- Milan, Paris. I mean, inspiration is the key. And Enchantment will still play a major part, but it is way bigger than that. Now, I just want to ask you -- I want to run this by you. Tell me if you think this is just too way over the top, but what if -- what if I let a documentary film crew follow the evolution of my company? I mean, think of the press.

Opal: Forget about the press. Forget about Milan. Forget about Paris. Forget about the whole thing. You haven't said one single word about what is happening right here. You are not ok, you hear me? Not one single bit.

Erica: Why would you say that? I mean, don't you like my news?

Opal: I'm a little more concerned about that glass of wine you happen to be holding, sitting there as if it's just the most normal thing in the world.

Erica: This? This isn't a problem. I mean, people drink wine all the time.

Opal: Not people in recovery, no. And you happen to be one of those. If you are drinking wine like it's no big deal, then you can just bet your trip to Betty Ford that we got a problem.

Erica: Thank you for being so concerned. I really can understand how this could look strange after so long. But, Opal, you know very well that my addiction was to prescription drugs. Alcohol was never an issue.

Opal: Yeah, well, tell that to the folks working the program. I think they might tell you that that is splitting some dangerous hairs.

Erica: Opal, really, this is ok. Alcohol is the same for me as it is for you. I mean, you like a good Manhattan, and this is just a little glass of wine now and then, nothing more.

Opal: Yeah, it is a lot more, darling. You are hurting. How could you not be after all that's happened? But you don't have to hide it from us. We love you. If you keep going on like this, I mean, it's going to be gnawing away on your insides until it makes you sick.

Erica: What would you prefer? Would you prefer that I fall apart? Would you like me to put on some display of histrionics and hysteria? I mean, really, I'm just fine. And frankly, I thought that my friends would be really happy that I’m holding up so well.

Opal: Yes, I would be if I thought for a minute that it was the truth.

Erica: Opal, take it from me. Yes, we are closing a very ugly chapter, but that gives us a chance for a new beginning. I mean, I was just telling Jack that this morning, wasn't I, Jack?

Jack: Yes, yes, you did. You said it was time to let go.

Erica: And you see, that is going to be part of my concept in my new company -- that it is never too late or too soon to let go, to start a whole new life. Come on, you two. I mean, your support means more to me than anything. And I always knew I could count on you. And I've told that to Jack, too, many times. Haven't I, Jack? And, you see, that's why Jack knew that he could count on you, too. When did you call Opal, Jack, to come on over here and look in on me? Did you call her last night or this morning?

Jack: I called her this morning.

Kendall: You stood by me when I needed you, and when it was all over, I shut you out. Boyd, I'm sorry. I'm so sorry. Now, I know I can never make it up to you completely, but maybe we can start over.

Boyd: Start over? Why? I mean, come on, Kendall. There's no more dead body to hide, no big wedding to fake. Think about it -- what's the point in having me around now?

Kendall: Well, Erica and Bianca have asked me to run Enchantment, which means you'll get to write your own ticket. Now, come on, Boyd. Think about it. Think about it, now. You and I together, we can make over Enchantment.

Boyd: Big plans. You sure you can handle that?

Kendall: Well, the only reason why I’m not scared out of my mind is because I know you and I will make an amazing team.

Boyd: God, you're amazing. You never did take me seriously, did you?

Kendall: Of course I have. You're brilliant. I mean, you're the best in the business.

Boyd: Oh, don't lay that on me, Kendall. This isn't about business. It never was. You knew you could play me because of what I felt for you, what I hoped you felt for me. That's it.

Kendall: No, I never meant to lead you on.

Boyd: The hell you didn’t. I mean, come on, how else were you going to get me to do your grunt work, right?

Kendall: No, I came to you because you're my friend.

Boyd: No, you came to me because you saw "chump" written all over my forehead. Well, guess what -- that sign's gone.

Kendall: Well, then maybe we can move forward.

Boyd: I have. I'm free. I cut a deal. I'm free to leave the state. Lucky for me, the penalty for tampering with evidence is only probation. Seems being in love with you is only a misdemeanor.

Kendall: Well, I'm sorry they charged you with anything at all. If I could take it away, I would.

Boyd: Yeah, well, you don't have to worry about that now because I'm the one who's going away. Yeah, got a new gig. Hooked up with an experimental lab that works with burn victims. Turns out I can relate. I guess I have you to thank for that, too, huh?

Kendall: What can I do? Boyd, please -- what can I do to change your mind?

Boyd: Just save it, all right, Kendall? I'm sure you'll be able to put those powers of persuasion to good use. Bianca owns an empire now, right? I'm sure you could snow her into letting you take that over, too.

Kendall: No, I don't want it. I never wanted it.

Boyd: Oh, save it, Kendall, all right? You're going through life with your hands open, grabbing at anything you can. You always have.

Kendall: I'm sorry you see me that way. Boyd, I know what it's like to be betrayed, and I'm sorry that you think I did that to you.

Boyd: You are unbelievable, you know that? Even now, with all of this, it's still about Ryan. You know, I heard he couldn't get out of town fast enough either. Who knows -- maybe I’ll cross him on the road. We'll stop, have a drink, talk about how lucky we both were to make it out alive. Congratulations, Kendall, really. You'll be running the world in no time, and you won't have to share it with anybody, just like you always wanted.

Ryan: You need to go back to sleep.

Greenlee: I'm not tired.

Ryan: Well, then sit quietly and rest.

Greenlee: Why don't they have any books, TV, or radio? Want to play cards? Charades? Ignore the girl in the blanket? You know, I was destined for the stage. Standup comedy, in fact. Of course, I was 7 when I honed my craft, so my set may be a little stale, but here it goes. Ladies and germs -- I never understood why "germs" was so funny anyway. Ladies and germs, what's the difference between cats and frogs? A cat has nine lives, but a frog croaks every night -- ba-da-bump. Why did the cook get arrested? Because he beat up an egg. Is this thing on? Why do fish live in saltwater? Because pepper makes them sneeze. Hey, you there by the fire -- yuck it up. It's either this or my ventriloquist act, and you don't want to know where I have to stick my hand. Hey, you there on the front row. It's good to see a smile again.

Jack: I thought maybe Opal could get through to you.

Erica: Get through to me how? To what?

Opal: To the truth, honey, to what you are really feeling. It's killing me to see you like this.

Erica: Opal, honestly, this is all there is. Yes, we have all come through a very painful time. And that time is slowly drifting away, and what is left is a new day -- oh, a day that has really gotten away on me.

Opal: Erica --

Erica: No, sit. Please, sit. And don't you dare let Jackson eat all that by himself, ok, because I would never hear the end of it. We'll catch up later, Opal. And, Opal, thank you for coming by. I really am touched.

Jack: Is it me? Am I reading her wrong?

Opal: Oh, no. Are you kidding? You pegged it dead on. Drinking wine like it's no big deal and talking to us like we got the sense of a couple of mules. It scares the bejeebies out of me.

Jack: She can be so calm. She can be so calm, so lucid -- I mean, sometimes I think it's me.

Opal: I know what you mean, I know. But it isn't you, Jackson. She is in serious trouble.

J.R.: We're going to have to talk sometime. It better be now.

Adam: What is there to say?

J.R.: "Congratulations. Sorry, son, I was wrong. Babe, well done." You know, I don't really care what you come up with, just not one word about the result being a lie. And not one word about Babe other than how much of a loving mother she is.

Adam: Have you completely forgotten what brought us here in the first place?

J.R.: This is it, Dad. This is it. My wife is having my baby, and we'd love to have you part of our Norman Rockwell picture -- the doting grandfather with the bouncing baby on his knee. But if you can't do that, if you can't even begin to acknowledge mother and child, then I --

Adam: Then what?

J.R.: Then I’ll tell you to go to hell, and I’ll take my family and leave. Trust me on this one, Dad. I will not look back. Joe was right. You think long, you think hard about this decision. Because if you're not careful, you're going to lose a son and a grandchild.

Krystal: You and J.R. are going to love and cherish this little baby. That makes him the father in every way that counts.

Babe: Mama, he just --

Krystal: Would you listen to me? Honey, you have the man that you love back in your arms. That's all that counts. Jamie Martin does not exist for you anymore.

Tad: You all right?

Jamie: They have no idea what's waiting for them. Some will be loved and some will be ignored. Doesn't matter if they were planned or not. Some mom, some dad won't be able to love them right, no matter how much the baby deserves it.

Tad: Jamie, don't do this. I'm sure that baby is going to have all the love in the world.

Jamie: I'm sure Babe thinks so, too, probably, but, I mean, she's convinced herself that everything's ok with J.R., that I was the only thing standing in their way. But it was never about me, Dad. J.R. treats Babe like ice one second, and then he's pawing all over her the next.

Tad: Son, the fact is that nobody but the people involved ever really know what happens inside a marriage.

Jamie: I know enough that it makes me sick. J.R. is Adam Jr. In every way. Now that he's got his proof that the baby is his, he'll never let Babe go. There's no way out for her.

Tad: You wanted the baby to be yours.

Jamie: Dad, would you wish your worst enemy a lifetime in the Chandler household? You fought like hell to get J.R. out of there.

Tad: I wanted to give him a choice.

Jamie: That's what I wanted for this baby -- a shot at a good, happy, normal life. That's what I wanted for Babe, too, but it's too late. Babe is stuck in that marriage and this baby is stuck in that family forever.

Tad: Maybe not.

Adam: Babe, I owe you an apology. Clearly, you were carrying J.R.’s child, and I was wrong to doubt it. And I was also wrong not to make you feel more welcome in what is of course your own home. What you said about giving Jamie a second chance was very moving. I hope you can find it in your heart to do as much for me because I want to be part of this family's future if you'll have me.

Babe: If it's what J.R. wants. Well, babies should have all the love that they can get. I'd hate for my baby to miss out on any of it. So if you want to start over, I'm willing to give it a try.

Adam: What the devil do you want?

Tad: I don't want anything. I just think there's something you should know about. Apparently, there's been more than one secret floating around lately, something that should have seen the light of day a long time ago.

Ryan: Well, then color me grateful.

Greenlee: No, color me. I haven't exactly been the model patient. I keep bringing up stuff you don't want to talk about.

Ryan: Greenlee --

Greenlee: Now I've got you hanging around this drafty cabin when you could be on your bike with wind in your hair -- helmet, whatever.

Ryan: It's ok. It's no big deal.

Greenlee: No, it is. Ryan, you're here because you feel obligated. It's not your fault that I got trapped in that hole. You let me off the hook, so let me return the favor. If it weren't for you, I might still be at the bottom of that thing, you know.

Ryan: Stop, stop. I don't want to hear about that.

Greenlee: I just -- I just want you to know that you're not to blame. You know, you're -- you're as free as a bird. Fly away, young man.

Ryan: Hey, Greenlee, I am not here out of guilt, out of penance, out of obligation, ok? I'm here because I want to be here. Hell, where else would I go anyway?

Erica: How dare you, Jackson Montgomery. Well, you can go straight to hell!

Joe: I read you the results, folks. I'm afraid there's nothing more to hear.

Tad: Not quite.

Joe: What's this about?

Adam: It's about the Martins' inability to graciously accept defeat.

Tad: You're wrong, Adam. This little neglected tidbit is the God's honest truth, and it's high time you knew about it.

>> On the next "All My Children" --

Krystal: Tad and I are getting married.

Adam: You're taking her off our hands?

Tad: Married?

Erica: I am perfectly, fantastically fine.

Kendall: You are anything but fine.