<HR>

“Where am I?” Holly tossed in her bed and laid her eyes on Ed sitting in the chair asleep. “Where have you taken me?” She shouted at him.

Ed rubbed his forehead and yawned, “Good morning.”

“I asked you a question Ed Bauer!” Holly bolted from the bed, “Where am…you brought me to Cedars?” She finally realized.

“You needed to be here Holly. After what happened last night I didn’t know what else to do.”

“And what…what happened last night Ed? I told you our relationship was over and you what kidnapped me? I never expected that from you of all people.”

“That’s hardly the case Holly.” Ed defended, “Do you not remember anything about last night.”

“I remember plenty.” She sneered. “An uninvited, unwelcome visitor, the rain storm and you…you refusing to leave. So tell me, how did we end up here?”

Ed popped his fingers and thought of the right words. “Holly something else happened last night after you ran out of Hollybend.” He took a long pause.

“Well? I’m listening please tell me how I’ve ended up here of all places!”

“You sped away from Hollybend and I followed you. After about fifteen minutes of driving you stopped at the railroading crossing and that’s where you parked your car Holly.”

She looked across the room in a blank stare. “You’re making that up. I think I would remember parking my car on railroad tracks Ed.”

“You would think, yes. But you weren’t thinking last night Holly. You locked your doors and refused to talk to me. The train was coming and you wouldn’t let me in your car so I had to break the window and pull you out.”

Holly toyed with her fingers. “So you left me car on the side of the road and brought me to Cedars, very responsible of you Ed.”

He threw the morning edition of The Journal on the bed and shouted at her, “Read it! Look at the picture Holly! There is no car…the train smashed into and it if that wasn’t enough it exploded! Damn it Holly do you realize what could have happened to you?”

“Don’t you dare…” her voice cracked, “don’t you dare raise your voice to me Ed.”

“If that is what it will take to get your attention then that’s what I’m going to do Holly! I’m going to yell, scream and shout because you’ve got to realize what happened last night. You could have died and what’s even scarier about the whole situation is that I don’t think you even care!” Ed paused and touched her shoulder.

She pulled away, “I don’t remember any of that.”



“Of course you don’t.” He replied. “Let me ask you a question Holly. Did you want to die last night? Because what you did has suicide attempt written all over it and I just need to know…”

“You don’t need to know anything Ed, you’re not my husband!” She screamed at him, “Do you understand that? You seem so concerned that I understand what I’ve done, what about what you’ve done! I don’t remember much but the one thing I do know is that I asked you to leave, I told you to leave my house but you refused, so yes I left last night, that I do remember.”

“Holly…” he said in a sympatric voice.

“Don’t you pity me. Don’t!” Holly reached for the door and found it locked. “You’ve locked me in here? Where have you taken me?”

“You’re in the psychiatric ward.” Ed revealed.

Holly’s hand landed against Ed’s cheek startling him. “I don’t even know you anymore!” She said in a hushed voice. “I want to talk to my daughter, right now or you’ll have far more to worry about that a slap across the face.”

<HR>



“Everything okay in here?” Dr. Felicia Boudreau shut the door behind her. “I could hear the two of you halfway down the hall.”

“That’s because everything is not okay in here.” Holly announced. “Felicia, I haven’t been Mrs. Ed Bauer in many, many years so tell me on what grounds does he have to admit me to the psychiatric ward of this establishment.”

“Because of his prominence with this establishment, Ms. Reade and his reputation in Springfield we admitted you under his care. From what Dr. Bauer explained you had made careless, dangerous and life threatening choices during the storm last night.”

“Well I also have a reputation among Springfield, good and bad.” Holly retorted. “And my former son-in-law is one of the most prominent attorneys in this town so I swear to God in Heaven above if I don’t speak to my next-of-kin in the next ten minutes I will bring so many lawsuits against this hospital that at the end of the day I’ll own it.”

Felicia left to make the call and Holly turned to Ed. “You forced me into the psych ward, huh? How very noble of you Ed.”

“Don’t make this about me Holly. There is something the matter with you and you need help.” He touched her shoulders. “Don’t you know that I just want to be here for you, to help you through all of this.”

“I don’t know how many more ways I can say this Ed.” She sat down on the bed and leaned her head down. “I feel like I’m saying the same words over and over and over again, I’m tired. And the reason I feel like I’m repeating myself is because I am.”

“You could have killed yourself.” He told her harshly. “Do you realize that?”

“And this I will admit, I have been in a very bad place these last few months. It just seems that everything collided all at once. Reva and Blake thinking that I was sleeping with Ross and then…”

“Roger.”

“Yes, Roger.” She wiped her face with the palm of her hand. “Am I thankful that you were there last night? Of course, words will never begin to express my gratitude but don’t think that you’re a hero in all of this. You pushed me to that point last night, if anyone is to blame it’s you.”

“You don’t need a hero right?”

“I think you’re finally catching on Ed. We have to be over, for now at least. I’m speaking straight from my heart now, no yelling or screaming, no running out into the stormy night.” Tears fell down her cheeks. “You have this prince-charming complex about you, it’s romantic and it’s sweet but you don’t know when to stop. You don’t know when you’ve gone to far. Ed you always think you have to save someone, but there comes point when we have to save ourselves.”

Ed walked over to the door. “I never meant to drive this wedge between us. You know how much I care about you Holly, you always have.” He pulled open the door. “You’re the first woman since Eve that I truly loved, I hope you know that. And I hope you also know that I never meant to do anything that would ever hurt you.”

Without a reply from her Ed shut the door and walked down the hall with small tears in his eyes.

<HR>

“Oh Felicia there you are.” Blake said, “Do you know that you are a very hard woman to catch up with.”

“Yes, I know.”

“Anyway I got down here as quick as I could. Your message was very unclear as to what is going on.” Her eyes darted through the hall and she saw Ed leaving one of the rooms. “Ed!”

“Blake.” Ed opened his arms. “I’m so glad you’re here, Holly’s been asking for you.”

“Where is my mother?”

“I have to go.” Ed kissed her on the cheek. “Felicia’s going to get you up to date on everything and if you need me call me. Okay?”

“Okay?” Blake raised her eyebrow. “Ed what are you not telling me?”

“Blake let’s go into my office and talk.”

“As a matter let’s not Felicia. Is my mother on this floor?”

<HR>

As soon as the lock turned Blake was inside Holly’s room hugging her. “Look at me.” Blake held her face outward, “Are you okay? Felicia just told me what happened last night. Mom what were you thinking?”



“I’m fine.” Holly answered as she choked back tears. “Ed was there he save my life, I’m fine.” She reached up with her hand to wipe Blake’s cheeks. “Don’t do that.”

“I am so thankful you are all right.” Blake kissed her forehead. “I met Ed in the hallway he looked like he had um, something important to do. I’m sure he’ll be back later. Mom…”

“Actually he won’t. Ed and I have reached a mutual understanding if you will.”

“What does that mean?”

“It means that Ed and I are no longer seeing one another?”

Blake shook her head, “I don’t understand. He saves your life and you what dump him?”

“It’s a little more complicated than and I don’t want to get into all right now. All that you need to know is that it’s time your mother learn to stand up and be on her own for awhile.”

“Alone?” Blake questioned. “Who are you trying to convince with that act? You and I, were not alone, never again.” She interlaced her hand with Holly’s. “We have one another, we stand together.”

Holly laid her head on Blake’s shoulder. “I don’t know how I got so lucky.” The women heard a knock on the door, “I love you.” Holly whispered as Felicia entered.

<HR>

“So what’s wrong with me Felicia? Or am I just crazy?”

“No.” Felicia smiled, “Rest assured you’re not crazy. Holly I was reading in your chart and saw that you’ve suffered from Season Affection Disorder in the past, do you actively seek treatment?”

“I don’t. It’s not been that bad in the last few years. I sleep with a light on from time to time, the TV on it just depends. Felicia I know that I’ve been suffering from it this year, but never in all my life have I done something like I did last night.”

“We looked at the weather patterns and they broke around March 5, the disorder should have broke by that point.”

“But it didn’t?” Blake questioned.

“No. Holly your SAD rolled over into a depression and we have reason to believe that it’s turned into post-traumatic stress disorder.”

Holly turned away from Blake and her eyes filled with tears. “Oh God.” She struggled to hold her tears back and finally spoke softly. “Is this why I did what I did last night?”

“Felicia we need to know what the steps will be to start treating this, immediately.” Blake took her mother’s hand and locked eyes with her. “We’re going to get through this, okay?”

“Let me go get started on your discharge paperwork and I’ll be back in a few minutes.” Felicia walked towards the door, “Blake could I see you outside for a moment.”

“For what?” Holly asked. “Don’t do this Felicia, don’t start keeping secrets from me now.”

“Holly I would dare keep anything from you. Blake is your emergency contact and she’ll have to sign your release papers. Okay?”

“Mom why don’t you change clothes and I’ll be back in a few minutes.” Blake added, “Everything is going all right.”

“Is there something you’re not telling me Felicia?” Blake questioned once in the corridor. “I won’t keep secrets from my mother, you should know that upfront.”

“Trust me I don’t want you to keep anything from Holly. Dr. Bauer helped me review Holly’s medical history last night and early this morning, you know he’s very concerned about your mother.”

“Good I’m glad he was able to get you up to speed so quickly but my mother under no certain terms, does not want Ed consulting on this case.”

“Blake are you sure?”

“Very. She’s made it very clear as to where she stand with Ed and I have to respect her decisions. All right?”

“That’s fine. The one problem is that Holly’s a recovering alcoholic and it’s been my experience that many turn to the bottle to when they hear the word depression.” Felicia explained. “I’m going to prescribe a low dose Lexapro for Holly but I would strongly, again I strongly urge that you not leave Holly alone until she’s used to the medication.”

“Are you saying I should what move in with her?”

“Something along those lines, yes.” Felicia’s pager went off. “I have to answer this, excuse me.”

“Of course.” Blake sighed and glanced down at her watch.

“You know I could always move your mother into the house with me.” Ed announced.

“Oh God Ed!” Blake wrapped her arms his neck, “I don’t know how to thank you enough for what you’ve did.”

“I love your mother Blake. I would have done that and so much more if I had to. And I want to, you’re just going to have to convince her…”

“I’m going to stop you there and not let you finish that sentence. She’s depressed, not crazy. Ed she’s made her mind up and I know better than anyone how much you love and care about her but this isn’t about you or me, it’s about her.”

“I just want to help Blake.” His voice was soft, broken almost.

“Of course you do. It’s what you do best and I love you for it, but right know if you want to help do what she’s asking, step back and wait.” Blake kissed his cheek. “Are we clear here? You’ll respect her decision.”

“Of course. And if you need anything you’ll call?”

Blake shook her head yes. “I have to go back in.”

<HR>

“He didn’t convince you that I needed rescuing again did he?” Holly questioned. “I saw you taking to him in the hallway, I’m crazy not blind.”

“You’re not crazy, stop saying that you are.” Blake lectured. “And no Ed didn’t convince me of anything I actually in fact convinced him to give you some space.”

“Well thank God someone did. You know he came over to Hollybend last night during the storm and I told him to leave Blake, I did!” Holly explained. “I was on that railroad track last night not because of your father like Ed thinks, it was because of him.”

“Mom we’re going to move on okay? You’re going to start taking the medication that Felicia’s prescribing, you’re not going to park your car on anymore railroad tracks.”

“Of course not.” Holly replied. “I don’t have a car anymore.” She smiled.

“Yeah, good point we’ll put that on a list of things to do.” Blake paused, “There is one more thing.”

“What?”

“Clarissa and I are going to move into Hollybend for awhile.”

Holly rolled her eyes and shook her head. “No you’re not! Absolutely no Blake, no! You just said yourself I’m not crazy I will not have you babysitting me wondering if I’ll try something dangerously foolish again. No!”

“Well I didn’t think you would but now that you put it into words I’m a little worried.” Blake reached into her purse and pulled out the velvet box. “We’re moving in because Ross is having work done on the carriage house and I can’t parade around in my wedding dress if I’m there.”

“What?” Holly gasped and took the box out of Blake’s hand. “When? Where? Oh my God! You said yes right?”

“Of course.” She slipped the ring on. “I wanted to tell you first before I flashed around my huge diamond engagement ring. And he asked me last night during the thunderstorm.”

Holly shook her head. “The two of you and storms!” After the laughter died down Blake took a seat next to Holly on the bed.

“There’s something else and it’s about Daddy’s will.”

“What about it?”

“I read the letter he left me and inside was a proxy. Mom, he left me his voting shares of Spaulding Enterprises.”

“Oh Blake…what are you going to do?”



She shrugged her shoulders. “I don’t know because that’s not all. When I combined those shares plus the ones Alan-Michael and Phillip gave me…” Blake paused, “I think I’m the third highest ranking stockholder at Spaulding Enterprise.”

<HR>

:Fade to Black:

On the Next Episode…
- Tammy & Shayne receive news that changes the course of their life!
- Bill goes to Ross for advice!
- Mike leaves Springfield!