CBH 2

    Colin/Brad/Hailey   


Rebellious rich kid Colin Davis is still in love with poor girl Hailey Carter (whom he dated in high school behind the back of his parents, who had longstanding animosity with Hailey's family), but Hailey is also in love with his older brother Bradley, who is dashing and handsome. A confident charmer, Brad easily gets whatever he wants. Hailey is engaged to Brad and we begin the story at their engagement party, where Colin confesses to Hailey that he still loves her and is heartbroken when Hailey refuses to end the engagement and go back to Colin. Hailey is still in love with Colin but hasn't trusted Colin since their last year together in high school when Hailey found Colin in a compromising position with Nina Wilson, a friend of theirs from school who was drunk. The situation was a misunderstanding, but Hailey remained unconvinced and while Colin and Hailey reconciled, Hailey's doubts about the nature of Nina and Colin's friendship eventually ended their relationship. Hailey ran to longtime friend Brad for comfort and the friendship turned to romance, but Brad's expectations of Hailey to become a wife and mother were definitely not Hailey's ideals, with Hailey wanting to get into become a famous singer.

Brad's a bit of playboy, and unbeknownst to Hailey, is also having sporadic affairs with various women about town, including a semi-regular fling with Hailey's good friend Gina.

Colin doesn't believe Hailey no longer loves him and persists, showing up at just the right moments to speak with Hailey and interfere with her and Brad. Eventually, Hailey relents after an argument with Brad and Colin and Hailey end up in bed together, after Hailey searches around town for Brad to no avail (Brad getting drunk at a local bar). Hailey calls the tryst a "mistake", and explains to Colin how important her upcoming marriage to Brad is. Colin, though desperately in love with Hailey, understands, and really just wants Hailey's happiness.

Jackson Davis has other plans. He loathes the idea that his eldest son, whom he plans to pass on Atlantic Motor Co. to, is marrying the daughter of a blue collar "piece of trash" like he views Hailey to be. He also cannot stand Joe Carter, as he has slowly moved his way up the factory worker's union and has been a general nuisance for quite some time as the new head of factory operations at his local plant. He plots to separate the pair, and keep Joe Carter out of his hair permanently. He arranges for a promotion for Carter, having him oversee a new plant opening in Texas, and arranges a huge raise in pay and arranges for his family's expenses to be covered for the move.

Carter is immediately suspicious of the plan, considering Davis' almost-constant hostility towards him since he took over operations at the local plant, but sees the opportunity for himself and his family to get away from the city and away from the Davises. However, his wife, Anna, doesn't see it that way. She has been born and raised in the city and is loath to the idea of leaving her mother, sister Ella, and all her nieces and nephews behind. She also knows that Hailey is young and has never lived on her own before, and despite being newly married, the idea of Hailey being without her family and with a husband that expects her to stay at home and work a traditional lifestyle will do a number on the normally free-spirited Hailey. She wants to stay in Two Harbours and help Hailey and Brad get on their feet emotionally if not financially. After discussing it with Anna, Carter tells Jackson that he can't take the promotion, to which Jackson tells Carter that he accepts his refusal, but will keep the offer open, in case he changes his mind, and Jackson certainly intends to make Carter change his mind.

Hailey hears of the plot, and knows immediately what Jackson's up to, and confronts him about it. Jackson naturally denies all of it, but demands that Jackson stay out of her family's business before he tears her family apart, as well as his own, knowing that Brad would support his wife before he supported his father, who he already knows to be conniving and ruthless when he wants something. She tells Jackson that Brad is all too aware of his disapproval of their marriage, and that Brad will catch on if Jackson makes any more moves to separate them. Jackson warns Hailey that Brad isn't quite the perfect husband she believes him to be. He knows that Brad's always been a bit of a ladies' man, and that Hailey should expect no less of him now or after they're married. Hailey refuses to buy into it and defends her husband, but the seed of doubt is implanted. At the same time, Jackson realizes that to separate them, he'll have to be slightly more under the radar about it, and sets about devising a new plan, though he's already set in motion his new plan by making Hailey doubt her fiancee's fidelity.

Colin, estranged from his father for a long time due to his involvement in left-wing politics and his rejection of his father's business (as evidenced by his involvement in environmental groups at his university), is visited by Jackson one day at his work (the local diner where Carter's wife Anna works). By chipping away at Colin little by little, father and son begin to get closer. Eventually, Colin goes to his father and tells him that intends to break Hailey and Brad apart, and needs his father's help doing so, but will not say why, as he knows of his father's contempt for Hailey. While Jackson agrees to help Colin separate Hailey and Brad, he is well aware that his son's love for Hailey has never waned, and is simultaneously plotting to keep Colin and Hailey apart as well, as he'd rather keep the Carter clan out of his family completely if he can help it. He attempts to pay off Hailey if she convinces her father to pack up the family and go as well. When Hailey refuses, Jackson is undeterred, but realizes that in order to stop the marriage from happening, he'll have to pit his sons against each other for Hailey's affections, and hope that the tug of war drives Hailey away from both men.

Jackson plants a seed in Colin's head that Brad is mistreating Hailey, and hammers home in Brad the idea that marriage is a lifetime commitment, and that there will be no room for infidelity once he marries Hailey, and that he has to leave all the other women behind him. This doesn't sit well with Brad, who loves Hailey, but is a natural skirt-chaser.

One evening, Jackson walks in on Gina and Brad in the middle of a rather passionate round of desk sex, and demands answers. Gina apologizes profusely, and Jackson orders Gina to wait in his office. Brad, knowing that Jackson doesn't want him to go through with the wedding, pleads with Jackson not to tell Hailey about what he's seen. Jackson agrees, knowing that Hailey would be unlikely to even consider that Jackson was telling the truth. He insists that it's up to Brad to tell Hailey, and asks whether Brad's having second thoughts about marrying Hailey. Brad confesses he's still a bit nervous about taking the leap into marriage, but doesn't want to concede to Jackson that he may be right about Hailey, and tells him that he loves Hailey and that he will go through with the wedding. Jackson encourages him to think long and hard about it, and if he's feeling drawn to another woman, Brad should maybe explore that further before committing to Hailey. Brad is dismissive of this, but thanks Jackson for the advice and for keeping quiet, before shooing him out of his office.

 Jackson confronts Gina in his office, and Gina is immediately apologetic for her actions, expecting Jackson to be livid with her. Instead, Jackson sits her down, and thanks her. Gina is confused, but Jackson asks what her feelings are for Brad. She admits she really likes him, and is sexually attracted to him, but that she can't entertain the thought of fully pursuing a relationship with her best friend's fiancee. She admits that she's attempted numerous times to break things off between herself and Brad, but is always lured back. She knows that she isn't the only woman he's having sex with either. This colours her thoughts as well. Jackson is surprised by Gina's rationality and control in this situation, but encourages her to go for Brad fully, and emotionally. Gina wonders why Jackson would want his son to lose his fiancee. Jackson explains that he feels that Gina would be a much better match for Brad than Hailey, and that she has his full blessing to pursue Brad, even inviting her to join the family for dinner soon. A relieved Gina thanks Jackson for his support and heads out of the office. Jackson prepares to make his next move.

Jackson calls Hailey, and invites her to dinner at the Davis mansion (not telling her it's the same night that Gina will be there). He tells her to come by early so that they can have a chat alone. Hailey warns Jackson that if he threatens, or attempts to blackmail her or her family again, the answer will remain "no", and she will tell Brad all the things he's been doing to try to separate them. Jackson attempts to calm Hailey's fears by telling her that it's nothing to do with business, or to try to cause problems for her, but it's still very important. Hailey's suspicious, but goes to the house anyway.

Upon Hailey's arrival, Jackson sits her down and tells her that he is concerned for her relationship with Brad. Trying to tread as softly as possible, Jackson implies that Brad may not be as committed to Hailey as she believes. Hailey, of course, sees this as another attempt to cause problems between them, but Jackson assures her that he only wants to make sure that Hailey goes into this marriage with both eyes open. He suggests that Hailey look closely at Brad, and consider his past as a playboy. He suggests that Brad's promiscuous nature hasn't and won't subside simply because a ring's on his finger. Hailey asks if Jackson's seen or heard anything that would lead him to think something's going on, which Jackson denies. She flatly refuses to hear anymore and ends the conversation.

As Hailey prepares to leave, the doorbell rings and Gina arrives at the door. Gina appears a bit panicked, but Jackson greets her warmly and has Gina join him and Hailey in the living room. After some small talk, Jackson leaves the room for a moment, and Hailey tells Gina about her conversation with Jackson. Gina appears exceedingly uncomfortable throughout Hailey's story, and tries to pass it off as nothing, hoping to keep Hailey calm and keep her suspicions at bay. The rest of the family gathers for dinner, and when Brad arrives and greets Hailey with a warm embrace, Gina looks on with a pang in her heart, realizing that her affection for Brad runs deeper than she believed it did.

During dinner, things are extremely tense for all the family, but Gina, Jackson, Brad, Colin and Hailey all manage to keep their thoughts to themselves, though their minds are running a mile a minute.

From this point onward, Hailey begins to study Brad's every move, and becomes somewhat jealous of the women in his life, projecting her own insecurities of infidelity onto him. This, of course, pushes Brad away, and eventually, Brad's infidelities become more and more frequent. One night, Brad and Hailey come to blows about her doubts about Brad's fidelity, and Brad takes off to the bar to drink away his trouble. Hailey heads to Colin's to talk out her troubles. Colin convinces Hailey to head to the bar, grab Brad and talk things out. Hailey takes this advice, but Brad has run into Gina at the bar and as she enters, she sees Brad and Gina mid-liplock. Hailey runs off in tears and heads back to Colin's. Colin rejects Hailey's advances in spite of his own desires, knowing that Hailey's brash spiteful desires are not what he wants from her. He gives her his bed to sleep on, and sleeps instead on his small loveseat, an uncomfortable choice, but one he insists upon.

Jackson's wife Marian comes to Colin's apartment for her semi-regular visit the next morning (she is the only family member to visit regularly, and the other Davis kids have long complained about Marian's unusual closeness to Colin), when she arrives at Colin's and sees Hailey in his bed with Colin making breakfast, shirt off. Misunderstanding the situation, she is aghast to an extreme degree, and once Hailey's in the shower, Colin sits down and explains what happened. He also confesses that he and Hailey did sleep together since he's been in town, but it was only once and he didn't want it to happen again, thus he didn't do anything with Hailey the previous night. Despite his placation, Marian is quickly stirred into a panic. Marian sees Hailey's closeness to Colin as a threat, as there's clearly still a strong sexual attraction between the two of them, and their close friendship plus Brad's infidelity raises a big red flag for her. Marian has kept a secret all these years from everyone and now it is coming back to haunt her. But what is the secret and why does Colin's relationship with Hailey stir this up in her? Marian arranges a test with the hospital, and begins sneakily stealing toothbrushes. She steals Jackson's toothbrush, then, while visiting Colin, steals his. When confronted by both men, she justifies it by saying that it was time they had new ones anyway. They find it incredibly weird but shrug it off.

Hailey is now so hurt by Brad's clear unfaithful behaviour that she gives him the cold shoulder. She hangs up on Gina, and is generally unhappy, but intends on staying with Brad, as she feels as though she's being punished for her indiscretion with Colin. Brad tries repeatedly to get close to her, but Hailey will have none of it. Once Brad presses Hailey to find out why, Hailey tells him that she saw he and Gina together. Hailey wants to know if she's the only one Brad's been with since they've been together. Brad confesses that she isn't, but says they were always one-offs and that none of it meant anything. Hailey explains that she just needs time to get past it, and that she still loves him, but she can't be intimate with him right now. She pleads with Brad to also stop sleeping around with Gina, and whoever else he may be sleeping with. He vows to do so, but finds it incredibly hard, and finds Hailey's rejection unbearable.

Once Jackson discovers that Hailey knows the truth yet is still staying with Brad, he begins to push Colin to rekindle his affair with Hailey, hoping this will be the final push that pulls Hailey and Brad apart. He sends Brad away over a weekend a few weeks away for a conference in Europe, and invites Hailey and Gina over for a small party to celebrate Colin's graduation, and intends to encourage Colin to invite a few close college friends as well. He plans to tell Marian of the plan once he's finalized things with Colin. He first starts to set up the catering and arrangements first before informing Colin of his plans.

But Marian's test results come back and confirm her worst fears, but she doesn't want to reveal the results until she figures out how to cause as little damage as possible, concerned that the test result will end her marriage and leave her out on the street penniless. Though she's educated (Marian completed a BA in English History), she's essentially without any practical work experience and has been out of university for over 20 years. Finding work will be incredibly difficult. She is also concerned for Colin's welfare. The life he's led has been cushier than her other children, but they are unaware of this, and Colin, though sworn to secrecy about the extra money Marian supplies him with, is unaware as to why Marian provides him with the extra funds, theorizing that Jackson's animosity towards him and his left-wing politics and involvement with environmental groups at school mean that Jackson's benevolence is stunted when it comes to Colin.

Colin's involvement with the university-funded Environmental Protection Group (EPG) has been a thorn in Jackson's side for ages, and Jackson also hopes that by getting closer to Colin and possibly supplying him with a place in the company will lessen and eventually remove his involvement in the EPG, an organization who he knows has targeted his company in the past and whom Jackson sees as a threat to his livelihood. But Jackson also hopes having some of Colin's college friends to the house will allow him to get to know certain faces from the EPG, allowing him an opportunity to infiltrate the EPG, and break them. The group is slowly becoming more and more extreme, due to the influence of certain new members, and slowly Colin's feeling alienated by the group. They also are encouraging Colin to become more involved at Atlantic, but so they can have inside information to undermine the company. Colin's ambivalent, but is convinced by his best friend Trey, who is also a longtime member of the group and knows how important this would be for the group. As a result, Jackson arranges to offer Colin a position as a low-level executive position with the company, with his sister Jenn as his mentor, but he'll leave that as a surprise for Colin until the party.

Hailey confronts Gina, who explains that Brad was very persuasive, and that the relationship was entirely physical. Gina pleads with Hailey to forgive her, but Hailey can't. She sees Gina sleeping with her fiancee as the ultimate betrayal, and leaves Gina's, no longer angry, but simply sad at the realization that Gina is not the friend she thought she was. Gina breaks down in tears, but tells Hailey as she leaves that if she ever needs anything, that she will be there for her. Hailey punctuates her departure by telling Gina that she doubts that'll ever happen.

Gina, meanwhile, is so broken up about the rejection by both Brad and Hailey, that she spirals into a deep depression, barely leaving the house and becoming increasingly clumsy in her job. She begins unwittingly leaking important corporate info to her brother Tommy, who is involved in the Superior University Environmental Protection Group, the same EPG that Colin is involved with. Her computer and e-mail left vulnerable as she increasingly is working from home.

Hailey's continued rejection of Brad builds up a strong resentment in Brad, who drinks more and more to deal with his guilt and sexual frustration. Eventually, after one night of heavy drinking, Brad runs into Hailey heading back from visiting her mom at the diner. She spots him trying to get into his car to drive home, and stops him, steals his keys and takes him home. Once she gets him home and into his bed, he makes his move on her, which she rejects. Brad, in a bit of a rage now, attacks Hailey and rapes her. Once Brad falls asleep, Hailey quietly gets her things, collects herself and drives herself to the only person she can trust, Colin. Colin is entirely accommodating,and accepts Hailey's request that she not go to the hospital, knowing that her sister is a doctor there and if she found out, her whole family would know. Feeling an intense guilt and shame, she couldn't deal with the ramifications she feels would occur if her family found out about the rape. Hailey, surprisingly, doesn't want Brad to go to jail for this, as she feels a sense of responsibility for what took place. Colin insists none of what happened was her doing, and offers to take her to a women's clinic instead to get checked out. Hailey reluctantly agrees, but only after Colin assures her that she'll remain anonymous there.

On the way to the clinic, Colin is unsure what to do. He wants to keep his word to Hailey, but also is enraged by his brother's actions, and wants Brad to pay for what he's done, protecting Hailey from Brad as well. He decides it best confront his brother about it after Hailey's seen a doctor. Her checkup is a traumatic experience for Hailey, but Colin supports her once it's over, and brings her back to his apartment, hiding her from the world for as long as she needs.

Once Hailey's in bed, Colin decides to head to the Davis house and confront Brad. Before he leaves, he receives a telephone call from his father, telling him that they've arranged a graduation party for him, and that they have a special surprise for him at said party. Colin's response is polite but reserved, as he's suspicious as to what this gift could be, and the motives behind it. Hailey asks that Colin not reveal that she's at his place when he comes over, and he promises that he won't.

After Colin agrees to come to the party, Jackson explains the situation to Marian, and details what his plan is. Marian demands that Jackson stop the plan immediately, but won't explain why. Jackson and Marian get into a heated argument, and finally Marian reveals the truth, that Colin and Hailey are brother and sister. Jackson can't believe the news, and Marian tries desperately to explain herself to Jackson. Her affair with Carter happened many years ago and did not last long, ending shortly after Colin was conceived. Jackson doesn't want to hear a word of it and demands that Marian leave the house. Marian convinces him to give her the weekend to make arrangements. He agrees, but unbeknownst to either of them, Colin has overheard the crucial piece of information. He keeps quiet about it, but pushes Hailey away. He doesn't want to emotionally damage Hailey further than she already is at such a vulnerable time, and pushes Hailey into telling someone in her family, at the very least her mother. Someone who will be able to provide comfort for Hailey in her time of need.

Colin contacts Stephanie, who is the only person Hailey will allow him to contact on the subject, and even then, it takes Hailey a lot of convincing to do so. She also calls her family to let them know she's alright, and that she didn't stay with Brad the night before, and will be at Stephanie's for awhile. As Hailey split her time between the Davises and the Carter house, this is puzzling, and Anna asks if something happened with Brad. Hailey doesn't want to talk about it, but tells her mother that she and Brad are through for good.

In shame, Brad heads off for the conference, but tells his father that he'll be in Europe for quite awhile longer, and that he's taking a leave of absence. Jackson is confused as to why, but Brad says that Jackson will find out sooner rather than later, and asks him not to try to get ahold of him after the conference. Brad says he needs to clear his head, and that he and Hayley are officially through. Convinced his plan worked in spite of everything else, Jackson is satisfied.

With all the revelations coming out at once, Colin realizes that it's best to keep a lid on things between Hailey and Brad until Hailey is ready to talk, but still wants to confront Brad about it. Unfortunately, Brad has slithered his way out of the country before Colin has a chance to confront him. Colin sends a text to Brad, warning him that when he returns, there will be hell to pay.

At the party, Colin, Trey, and Tommy are all in attendance with the Davis family. Jackson makes an effort to chat with Colin's friends and plays nice with them. Eventually, the room makes a toast to Colin, and the announcement is made that Colin is being offered an entry-level executive position at Atlantic Motors. Colin makes the toast, but isn't sure about taking the position. He asks to talk to his mom in private, confessing to hearing her conversation with Jackson about his paternity. She confirms that it's true, and though Colin's mad that his mother lied to him about it, he's been dealing with the news for a few days and understands why nothing had been said. He also knows that their marriage has been toxic, and that he understands why Marian had to find an escape, as Jackson always seemed more married to his work than to his wife. He tells his mother that if she has nowhere else to go, she can stay with him, but Marian explains that unless she finds work right away, he can kiss that apartment goodbye, as it's been Jackson's money that she's been giving Colin to cover his expenses. Unless Colin takes the job at Atlantic, both he and his mother are in deep trouble. Colin tells his mother that he'll think over taking the Atlantic job. Marian informs him that he has until tomorrow night to give an answer, otherwise Marian will be out on the street.

Colin mulls things over with Trey the next day, who continues to insist that Colin take the job, if only to infiltrate Atlantic for the benefit of the EPG. Colin isn't sure, and thinks that, with Jackson knowing that he isn't his son, the job offer may be a trap, if not for him, but for EPG or for Marian. Trey says there's only one way to find out for sure, and he'd have the EPG's backing if he needed help getting himself out of the mess. Colin decides to take the job, despite his reservations, and heads over to the Davis house to give Jackson his confirmation.

At the house, Marian makes one final appeal to Jackson to stay in the house, and stay together. Jackson feels he hasn't heard a single compelling argument as to why he should do so, and tells her as much. Marian pleads with an ice cold Jackson to stay, all the while having difficulty speaking, but Jackson will have none of it. Chalking up Marian's trouble speaking to blubbering desperation and hysterics, he heads to the intercom, and asks the maid to pack Marian's things for him. Marian's cries behind him, but feels dizzy and slumps over on the ground behind him. When Jackson turns around, he's shocked to find Marian's body on the ground. He immediately calls the ambulance, and walks over to Marian's body, looking down in subdued horror. Colin arrives at the door at this moment, and is shocked at what he's walked into.

Colin demands to know what's happened, and Jackson explains. Colin doesn't believe Jackson's accounting of events, and demands that he, not Jackson, accompany Marian to the hospital in the ambulance, reasoning that with all his money and cars, he can find a way to the hospital, while Colin would have to take a bus.

At the hospital, Colin, Jackson, Jenn and Rob stew over Marian's health. Colin takes the time to inform Jackson of his refusal to take the position. He tears a strip off of Jackson for what his workaholic nature has done to his family, and tells Jackson that he's proud that he isn't his son. Colin also is going to keep his paternity a secret for two reasons, neither of which are to do with Jackson: a) to spare his mother the humiliation of becoming tabloid fodder, and b) to spare Hailey any more suffering. When Jackson fails to understand, Colin informs him of Brad's rape of Hailey, holding it up as another sterling example of Davis family values. He also says he won't tell anyone about Brad raping Hailey, not to protect Jackson or Brad, but because Hailey asked him not to, and that if he has any respect for any woman in his life, he'll keep quiet about it too. Jackson agrees not to say anything, and heads out to think for awhile.

When Marian wakes up, she is met with her husband's concerned face greeting her. She is barely able to move, let alone speak, as she's still very weak. Her husband's affection is not lost on her, however, and once he leaves, she quickly realizes that as long as she is vulnerable, she still has a chance to keep a place in Jackson's heart and home.

Jackson is still extremely hurt and angered by Marian's deception, but feels guilty for the stress he caused her, leading to her stroke. He vows to see her through her recovery, not wanting to throw an invalid out on the street. He arranges to provide the best care for Marian, though once she has recovered, he still plans to divorce her.

Marian knows that her best chance at staying in the family is to appear to never get better, and thus fakes complete paralysis while the family is around. On the first evening Marian returns home from the hospital, she has trouble sleeping, and gets out of bed to think and look out upon a beautiful, starry sky and a full moon. Outside, Marian's son Robbie and family friend Dr. Michael Lewis are having a rather intimate talk on the property. Thinking they're alone, they are unusually physically close. Marian is confused by this, not realizing Robbie is in fact in a relationship with Michael. Robbie and Michael's sexuality has been expertly hidden from the family up until this point. Marian can't quite get a clear picture of what's going on, but now dedicates any time alone to figuring out what the nature of Robbie and Michael's relationship is.

Jackson is quickly becoming a very attentive husband in the way he hasn't been in years, reaffirming Marian's position. Jackson immediately sets Marian up for physio. This makes Marian incredibly nervous until Jackson reveals that he's setting her up with the same doctor that Robbie used after being hit by a car: Dr. Michael Lewis.

Later in the week, Marian convinces the family that she needs a nap when the family is heading out for a dinner at the Grand Hotel. They put her up in her room and head out for dinner, making sure Janine, their maid, keeps an eye on her. Janine checks on Marian once when the family first leaves, then makes a beeline for the kitchen, where she stays the rest of the evening, chatting with the cook. Marian immediately sneaks out of her room, carefully wheeling herself into Robbie's room. She begins snooping and once in his computer account, uncovers letters and conversations between Robbie and Michael. Marian prints out a copy of an e-mail Michael sent Robbie, and brings it back to her room, hiding it away.

Marian is shocked by the revelation that her son is in a relationship with a man. The entire Davis family is a very conservative lot, and give to many right-wing causes. Marian is not taking the news well, but can't even confront Robbie about the situation, and it very quickly drives her to formulate false ideas in her head about what led to Robbie and Michael's relationship. Everything from coersion on Michael's part, to indoctrination during Robbie and Michael's therapy sessions. She is so enraged she wants to have him sued for malpractice and removed from the hospital board. But, confined to a wheelchair and supposed paralysis, she can only keep it inside. Instead, she hatches a plan.

Upon entering regular therapy, she confides in her doctor (Dr. Michael Lewis) of her plan. He is immediately shocked at the fact that she can speak at all, and predictably rejects her plan. But once Marian reveals what she knows about Michael and Robbie, Michael realizes that he has no choice but to carry out the charade. At least until he can convince Robbie to finally come out to his family and the world at large. He gives into Marian, and agrees not out her secret to her family. Marian's family is convinced, and her plan goes off without a hitch...for awhile.

Marian is one night at home after Colin agrees to visit with her for awhile. He's recently picked up a car (an electric car, of course) after having entered into business with Hailey and her mother Anna, converting the now-closed diner into a more posh cafe. The car is nothing special, but is a big help to Colin with regards to being able to see his supposedly-paralysed mother. After the usual confrontation upon his arrival with his siblings, he helps get Marian upstairs to her room (Jordan's old room, as Jackson has separated their bedrooms, which of course, aids Marian in her plan). He stays to talk with his mother for a bit, putting his hat down on her dresser. He has a heartfelt chat with her about how he wishes she were able to talk with him about all the good changes that have happened in his life since her stroke. Colin cries a bit, but when Marian responds with a tear and not much else, Colin hugs her and heads out of the room to head home. Upon his departure, Marian chokes up and curses her situation. While it's keeping her in the Davis house, it's keeping her from enjoying her life as she once did. She starts to get up from her wheelchair, when Colin walks back in, having forgotten his hat. He catches Marian in the act of getting up and demands answers.

Marian explains why she's doing what she's doing, and Colin curses the fact that no matter how many underhanded tricks his mother pulls, he always totally understands them. Marian apologizes for not having come to him with them. Colin wishes she'd come to him with her troubles, and Marian admits that she consciously knows that she should, but she worries that if more people know about her plans, the greater the chances word will get out, and she knows Colin has loose lips when under duress, despite having good intentions. Colin admits that Marian's right, but still wishes she'd trust him. Marian says she no longer has much choice. Colin does not, however, approve of keeping his mother's marriage to Jackson together, noting how unhappy Marian has been in the past in this arrangement. Marian realizes but feels trapped by the fact her children are there, and are more loyal to Jackson than to her. They share a tender moment where Colin tells her that no matter what, she is their mother, and will come around no matter what. He also reiterates that he will take her in if it comes to that. Marian thanks him, but insists that it's best for her to stay in the Davis house, no matter the cost. With that, Colin leaves, concerned but willing to go along with the situation until his mother comes to her senses.

Hailey, meanwhile, finally is working through her problems regarding her rape, and eventually tells her mother about it, whom she swears to secrecy. Her mother can't believe that this happened, but Hailey explains to Anna her feelings of shame and that it was somehow a punishment for her affair with Colin. Anna reiterates that it wasn't at all Hailey's fault, and that she won't say a word to anyone unless Hailey's alright with it.Anna, however, is filled with rage against Brad for what he's done. She speaks with Colin about it, but Colin doesn't know where Brad's gone. Anna's next stop is Atlantic HQ, where she pushes right past Gina, who's trying to stop her from getting in, and confronts Jackson. Jackson tells Anna that Brad is in Europe on a conference, and he doesn't know when he'll be back. Anna makes it very clear that if Brad comes anywhere near Hailey again, he will be brought up on charges, and she will go to every news source to ruin his name. Jackson calls her bluff, knowing that if Hailey wanted to world to know, she'dve spoken up by now. Anna doesn't back down, but leaves the office, reiterating her threat. Once Anna's gone, Jackson once again tries to contact Brad, who again doesn't pick up.

Jenn arrives in the office at this point. Jackson asks her to do him a favour and go to the conference where he's sent Brad, to check up on him and his progress. Jackson fears that Brad has disappeared, either running away from his trouble, or going on a drunken bender and gotten into trouble. Jenn arranges to be on the first flight out.

Colin's involvement with the EPG continues to increase, despite Colin's refusal to take the job at Atlantic. He's become increasingly concerned that the group is moving in an extreme direction, and he and his good friend Trey are desperate to find out what the new executive team in the organization are planning. Trey discovers plans by the group to infiltrate Atlantic's unveiling of their newest vehicle: a line of pickups and SUVs called the Frontier division. They plan to take the entire party hostage and demand that Atlantic cancel the line, investing instead in electric vehicles and bicycle infrastructure. Colin can't figure out who would have access to this type of information, but Trey, after some digging, discovers that it's Gina (Jackson's secretary) who is leaking information unknowingly to her brother Tommy, an EPG member. Trey heads over to Colin's apartment to warn him, but Tommy is aware of what Colin and Trey's investigating and beats Trey to it, confronting Colin at his apartment with a gun. Colin tries to reason with Tommy but to no avail. Colin grabs the gun and they struggle with it. They crash through Colin's plate-glass window and the gun goes off. Tommy is injured from the fall (breaking his arm, rib and leg in the fall) but put into police custody, but Colin has been shot, cut, and injured from the fall, breaking some bones as well. Colin has lost a lot of blood, and needs a transfusion.

The hospital calls Jackson, who, still attempting to avoid a scandal, calls upon Carter, who is still at work. He tells Carter it's an emergency, and goes with him to the hospital. Once there, Jackson takes Carter to a private area and, reluctantly tells him the truth. That Carter is Colin's father, not Jackson. He explains why he hasn't said anything to Carter about this until now, and though Carter's enraged by the deception, and demands to know exactly what happened and when. Jackson tells him what he knows, but as Marian is paralyzed, he only knows so much. Carter is also holding back his desire to lash out physically at Jackson as his newfound son needs him most right now, and breaking Jackson's face would do no good. Jackson cannot stop reiterating what a favour he's supposedly doing Carter by not saying anything to his wife about the situation, a fact Carter dismisses, knowing full well that if there weren't anything in it for Jackson himself, he wouldn't be doing so.

At the hospital, the situation is explained to the doctors, and Carter heads in to donate blood, as he and Colin are indeed a match, and Jackson is indeed found not to be. Hailey hears of the confrontation with Tommy from Anna, who was working at the cafe below, and the two of them head to the hospital to check on him. At the hospital, Carter is in a nearby room giving blood, while Jackson is in the cafeteria buying a "god-awful coffee". The nurse explains that Colin's in critical condition and only family may visit, but that his father is just finishing up giving blood now and that he should be out any minute. Hailey can't bear to see Jackson and heads to the cafeteria herself (not knowing Jackson's actually down there), while Anna sits down nearby to wait for Jackson to emerge. She wants to surprise him on his way out of the room and confront him for all the lousy things he and his family have done to hers. However, the man who emerges from the nurses told her Colin's father was in isn't Jackson at all, but Carter. Overhearing the conversation Carter's having with the nurse about "his son", Anna keeps out of Carter's sight, but close enough that she can hear them. She's filled with even more rage now, but keeps quiet about it, as she knows this is neither the time nor the place.

Hailey, simultaneously, runs into Jackson in the cafeteria, and asks him why he's there and not upstairs giving blood like the nurses said. Jackson thinks quickly on his feet and dismisses it, remembering his pledge to Colin to keep Hailey in the dark about his paternity. He says that he only just got down here and that he'd already finished up giving blood. Hailey isn't sure whether to believe him or not, but Anna quickly comes down and finds Hailey. Jackson greets Anna warmly, and Anna is cordial, but not especially warm, asking only how Marian is. Jackson says there's been no change and that she has remained exactly the same. He excuses himself, saying that he needs to go bring Marian to the hospital for her boy.

Anna and Hailey stay at the hospital through Colin's surgery, and the doctors inform Jackson, Marian and the Carters that Colin will be alright, but remains in a coma. Jackson and Marian stay overnight at the hospital, while the Carters go home. Overnight, Jackson brings Marian to the chapel with him, and he prays that Colin be alright, admitting that despite everything, he loves Colin and Marian, and will always see Colin as his son, regardless of what biology says. Marian is elated to hear this, and realizes that her manipulation has worked. Jackson takes her hand and holds it in his, and Marian squeezes it, the first real movement Marian has made since her stroke. Jackson's faith is renewed, and he looks forward to his wife's as well as his son's recovery.

The next day, Anna returns to the hospital alone (Hailey is on duty at the cafe) to check on Colin. The nurse okays her visit, but says that there's family in with him at the moment. She sees Jackson outside the room, and assumes he's done. Jackson has brought Marian into the room with him to see her son, but has stepped out for a minute with a phone call from Jenn in Europe. She interrupts momentarily to check and see if it's okay to go in, and Jackson says that it's fine, and that Marian's just in there with Colin. Jackson steps away and continues his phone call.

Jenn informs Jackson that Brad never showed up to the conference, and she's having trouble tracking him down, but she will get on it. Jackson asks if she needs help locating him, offering to pay Ella to fly over and investigate. Jenn flatly refuses, saying there are plenty of PIs in Amsterdam that aren't as useless as Ella. Jenn will find one and keep Jackson posted. As for the conference, Atlantic's European wing is on the verge of collapse, with factory workers in their Eastern European plants prepared to strike, and with American workers not far behind if that happens. Jackson wants Jenn to do whatever she has to to prevent that from happening. She promises to keep Jackson posted on her progress.

Anna opens the door to the room and sees Marian, out of her wheelchair, kissing her unconscious son on the forehead. In shock, Anna stares for a second, before closing the door quickly (and quietly) before Marian sees her. Anna quickly turns to Jackson, who is now off the phone. When asked why she didn't stay in the room, Anna asks Jackson about the party for the Frontier line launch. Jackson admits that it's been postponed until Colin recovers, but it is indeed going ahead. He says that he hopes Brad will be returning from Europe for it, reassuring Anna that Brad will try his best to stay away from Hailey. Anna feigns being reassured by this, and also asks about the proceeds from the gala going towards a foundation in Marian's honour, which Anna is interested in overseeing. Jackson thinks its an excellent idea, and invites Anna to come to the party to make a speech for it. Anna agrees, and makes a point of telling Jackson how great it is how, despite all the animosity between their families over the years, they can come together in times of need and work things out.

Jackson is slightly suspicious of Anna's intentions, but shrugs it off, certain that a nice woman like Anna would only have the best of intentions.

Anna goes home and prepares her speech, staying up through the night on it. She plays dutiful wife with Carter, but refuses to let him touch her, making up excuses each time. She has her sister Ella do some digging, and finds out definitively that Marian had a DNA test done on Colin to determine that Jackson was definitively not Colin's father, and becomes obsessed with her speech, worrying Carter, Hailey and Stephanie. Anna even makes the time to have a heart-to-heart with Hailey, asking her if she would be okay going public with her rape. Hailey is quick to say no, but Anna insists that it will be worth it for her to do so, she explains how important it would be to use the gala as an opportunity to raise awareness so that other women don't go through what Hailey has gone through. Hailey refuses, and worries about what is in her mother's speech. She warns her mother not to use the Foundation speech as an excuse to ruin Colin's family. Hailey may hate many things they do, but she's come to accept them as part of her life, and doesn't want to be forced to pick a side. Anna assures Hailey that once her speech is done, Hailey will change her mind.

Trey visits Colin in the hospital. He warns Colin that something major is happening within the EPG and that he really needs his help to prevent something major from occurring. They discuss the EPG's opposition not only towards Atlantic's environmental record, but also their increasing reliance on cheap foreign labour. Neither Trey nor Colin disagree, but the violent intentions of the group's younger members worries Trey. Trey hopes that Colin reconsiders Jackson's offer, simply so he can infiltrate Atlantic and move things in a positive direction without the violence, hoping that the younger set in the EPG can see that good can come from within the organization when they all work together. Colin is still on the fence, but won't tell Trey why. He does, however, tell Trey about Tommy's attack. Trey knows, and mentions that Tommy is wanted by the police, but on the run.

Colin's release comes soon afterwards, and arranges to go to the gala with Hailey and her family.

Jenn calls home and tells Jackson that she's found Brad. He was on a bender in Amsterdam and was sent to hospital after being hit with alcohol poisoning. After Jenn pressed him to find out what's caused him to disappear, he told Jenn about the rape. Jenn convinced him to come home. She also warns Jackson that unless major changes are made in the European plants, a strike is imminent.

At the gala, Colin corners Brad on the terrace, and warns him to stay as far away from Hailey as possible. Brad tries to convince Colin that he's broken up about what happened, but never claims responsibility himself for raping Hailey, which infuriates Colin. Colin tells Brad that he's dead to him, and to stay away from him and from Hailey, or he will press charges.

Jackson makes a rousing speech about the Frontier line, and how it will bring his company to the next level, all thanks to his son Brad. Brad is in attendance, which unsettles Hailey, but she is surrounded by her family, and by Colin, which helps keep her feeling safe. Next, Brad makes a speech about the future of the company, and the future of the Frontier division, which he will run. He also brings onstage his mother, to whom he pays a rousing tribute, before Jackson returns to the stage to provide yet another rousing tribute, as well as news that Marian has finally made progress, having started to move on her own. This shocks and pleases the audience and his family. He also introduces the Marian Davis Foundation, committed to helping finance the recovery of stroke victims, as well as funding breakthroughs in stroke recovery. He calls upon Anna Carter to make a speech, as chair of the foundation.

When Anna steps onstage, she notes Marian's movement in the chapel at the hospital, but tells the crowd that that's just a drop in the bucket. Anna, surrounded by microphones and TV cameras, prepares to drop a bomb that would ruin everything for Marian. But before she can, a group of young men in the middle of the crowd call out and draw guns. People in the room are shocked and horrified, and some scattered screams are heard.

Tommy, having gotten into the event in disguise, takes the microphone and puts a gun to Anna's back, pulling her arms behind her. He announces that he is part of the EPGX, an offshoot of the EPG, and that they demand Atlantic end their contribution to the destruction of the planet by their production of gas-guzzling trucks and SUVs, and their underpaying employees abroad and taking advantage of foreign lax labour laws. He blames everyone in attendance for helping them achieve this end, and lets them know that unless their demands are met, there are explosive devices throughout the ballroom that will set off in two hours.

MORE to come in THE EPGX CRISIS