It took several days to sort out exactly what had happened at Zach and Kendall's house and at the casinos. Ethan's chief accomplice had been J.R. Chandler in devising a scheme that, if it had worked, would have destroyed Zach's hotel-casinos while allowing Ethan to kidnap Kendall and claim the baby for his own. He had intended to strip Zach of everything that mattered to him… and J.R. would have been standing by in Pine Valley to assist with misdirection and keeping Ethan informed of Zach's devastation.

Ethan had first approached J.R. Chandler for help when he found himself no longer able to exert influence and control under the terms of his new inheritance. Zach and Bianca had done a masterful job of tying his hands, and he was stripped of the one thing he valued most—unadulterated power. Ethan called upon J.R. to repay him for the many favors he had made to him in the past—and reminded him of how useful his funds and influence had been in gaining and keeping sole custody of his son. In addition, Ethan had told J.R. that Zach had blackmailed Kendall into their marriage, and was kidnapping his child. Since J.R. had his own animosity toward Zach for returning control of Chandler Enterprises directly to his father Adam, he found it easy to believe Ethan's story. Once J.R. was convinced that Ethan's child was being stolen just as his own son had been, he was more than willing to assist in Zach's downfall.

Through a cunning programmer employed by the computer firm Adam had given J.R. to run for Chandler Enterprises, they had been able to obtain a virus that would cause all of the electronic gaming equipment in Zach's casinos to pay out large sums beginning at a specific day and time. Since Zach's security measures at the casino were so stringent, they had infiltrated the firm he used for equipment maintenance and gained access to the computers through that channel. To get to Kendall, Ethan pretended to be tampering with her car and drew the attention of the bodyguard, luring him behind the garage where J.R. waited to disable him. Before he could call for backup, J.R. had used a heavy wrench to render him unconscious and the two men left him bound and gagged inside one of Zach's cars. Once the bodyguard had been neutralized, Ethan had entered the house and waited in Kendall's room for a signal that the gaming equipment had begun to malfunction while J.R. monitored the situation from the casino. Ethan had been planning to take Kendall out of the country and hold her captive at a remote estate he had purchased in Austria. Unfortunately for Ethan and J.R., the success of their plan was dependent on Zach's need for wealth and power being as great as their own. When Zach chose being with Kendall over saving his businesses their plan was doomed to failure.

J.R. had been arrested on several felonies, and was currently residing in the Pine Valley jail. Adam Chandler had been making substantial noise to have his son released on bail, however, Zach—with the help of Jackson Montgomery—had ensured that J.R. was considered a flight risk and remained incarcerated until his trial. If all went well, J.R. would be spending several years in prison for his crimes. He had even briefly considered extending his arm of retribution toward the father, but decided against it when no evidence could be obtained that he was aware of his son's foolish choices.

Ethan was not to be as fortunate as J.R. Zach believed that Ethan may have suffered a psychotic break, and felt that he shared some blame by not recognizing what was happening to him. Despite all that Ethan had done, though, he was still Zach's brother and must be dealt with accordingly. Zach did not trust the justice system to adequately punish him for his crimes, and feared that a plea of insanity might allow him to be eventually released to once again wreak terror against his loved ones. He could not allow Ethan to become another Michael. So Zach made his own provision for Ethan's future. He had arranged for Ethan to be hospitalized, ostensibly to recover from the beating he received from Zach. After a few days in the hospital, heavily sedated and under armed guard, Zach had Ethan transferred to a facility in Switzerland—a maximum-security clinic that specialized in long-term treatment of the insane. This facility was specifically designed to provide a permanent residence, and once admitted there a patient would never be released. With his wealth and connections, Zach would make sure that Ethan lived out his days in circumstances that would adequately punish him for threatening the people he loved. There would be no hearing, no trial and no appeal. Ethan could have had the world, but instead he only found joy in ruining the lives of others… Zach made very sure that he would never be able to do that again.

Zach did not keep secret from Kendall any of the choices he made regarding Ethan or of his plans for J.R. Chandler's punishment. She had given her blessing to Zach's plans for Ethan, and found herself feeling very grateful that she had never made herself his enemy. In addition, they had discussed persuading the family court to re-address the custody of Adam Chandler III in light of his father's illegal activities. Despite the fact that Arabella Carey had kept Bianca and Miranda apart for the early months of her life, they wondered if it might be better that the boy not be raised by either Adam Chandler. Kendall had a long discussion with Bianca and Zach, realizing what might happen to another generation growing up in that house—a situation brought into stark reality through the examples of Michael and Ethan Cambias, and of J.R. Chandler himself. If she had fought them on that point, Zach would not have pursued it… but Kendall had a new perspective now that she was to become a mother and was considering what might be best for that small boy.

Before she agreed to Zach's plans for J.R., though, Kendall had insisted on visiting him in jail, and nothing Zach could say or do would talk her out of it. She and J.R. had been friends for years—when no one else would have anything to do with either of them, they had stuck by each other. She felt so hurt and betrayed that she had to confront him and have it out face to face. Zach understood her need for closure and agreed as long as she was not left alone with him. She allowed him to accompany her to the confrontation but made him promise to remain quiet, no matter what J.R. said or did.

When Kendall and Zach arrived, J.R. stood and looked at them arrogantly, "Enjoy the show while you can, because I won't be here for long. My father will make sure that I never do a single day of hard time and I'll be able to sue you and everyone else in this town for false arrest."

"J.R. shut up and listen for a change!" Kendall began the conversation. "You are going to prison… the D.A. has an airtight case. Daddy can't get you out of this mess, and you're going to have to pay for your crimes. You took on a man with more wealth and more power than you and your father ever dreamed… there's no way that you're walking away from this one."

"Says Kendall, the woman who was smart enough to latch onto all that wealth and power," J.R. smirked. "What did it feel like going through the brothers Cambias? …Always staying with the one who wielded the most power? You must really get off on that rush…"

"You will not speak that way to my wife," Zach said low and menacingly. He didn't make any move toward the cell or act physically threatening, but J.R. stepped back feeling apprehension at his tone and the look in Zach's eyes.

"Fine… whatever…" J.R. answered, throwing out his hands. "Go away, Kendall… I don't want you here."

"Not until I'm finished with you," She answered stridently. "I don't understand you at all. I was your friend. I was always there for you—even when my sister and my mother hated you. I applauded Zach's decision to return Chandler Enterprises to your family… and this is how you paid us back? You helped Ethan to try and kidnap me and tried to ruin my husband? You actually tried to help Ethan steal his brother's child! After what you went through with your own son… that you could still do that to another man means that I never knew you at all.

"Everyone told me that you were past saving, and that you had turned into your father. Well I'm here to tell you that you're worse than your father… You are the lowest form of human being, and I hate you. I hate you for putting my child at risk. I hate you for trying to ruin my husband," she continued, her voice breaking with unshed tears. "I hate you for what you did to Miranda. I hate you for what you did to Bianca, because I now realize that you probably did push her off that balcony. And I hate you for using me… and for using our friendship against me. I hope you rot in hell."

After saying her piece, she turned and walked out of the room, followed by Zach who only smiled implacably at J.R. as they strolled by. Once they were out of earshot, she looked at her husband and said quietly, "Do it… save that little boy from the Chandlers."

Her mother and Jackson were waiting for them in Derek's office, and she sobbed quietly in Zach's arms for a moment before pulling herself together. "You know what? I'm sick of crying… Zach, let's go to the casino and do some gambling. I'm feeling lucky tonight!"

Zach laughed out loud at Kendall's comment, but quickly realized she was serious. Recognizing that they could all use a relaxing evening after the harrowing events of the previous days, he invited Erica and Jackson along as well as calling Ryan, Greenlee, Myrtle and Opal to join them. They spent a carefree evening enjoying dinner and a show… and making a very public display of their love and resiliency. Even Erica was impressed by the relaxed and almost genial man that Zach was becoming… once again forced to modify her assessment of this mystifying man that both of her daughters loved so much.


"Do you want to explain to me why this is necessary?" Zach asked Kendall as they drove to Erica's penthouse. "Our child already has more of everything than it will ever need… what is the purpose of having a baby shower if you're going to buy everything that strikes your fancy the minute you see it?"

"Its tradition… a way for us all to celebrate the baby before it arrives. And Binks and Miranda are coming… all the way from Paris," she smiled. "We should have had it at least a month ago, but Binks couldn't get away. Okay… if you don't think it's a baby shower, how about we call it a baby party."

Zach laughed, "I don't care what you call it, I'm just glad that Bianca could come and that she arranged to stay for a few weeks; I know how much you want her with you when the baby's born. May I come up and say hello? Or are men banned from these tribal rites?"

"You can stay, if you like. We've never been a traditional couple… why stand on ceremony now? Would you like an insider's view?" she asked slyly.

"Sure… why not? It'll be an adventure," he answered. She looked at him sharply, wondering if he was up to something and then decided she didn't care.

They were the last to arrive, and Erica was none too pleased when she realized that Zach wasn't leaving. She pulled Kendall to the side and asked her to please remove her husband. When Kendall refused, Erica tried to get Bianca to do it and met the same resistance.

Erica then decided to take the direct approach, "Zach… we really do need to get started. I don't know if you're aware, but men don't usually stay for baby showers."

Zach smiled tolerantly at Erica, holding Miranda who was busily pulling his tie from his collar, "Oh, I'm well aware of the custom Erica… it's just that I don't give a damn. I'd like to stay here and visit with Miranda and see all the pretty baubles you've bought for our child."

"Zach," Erica huffed, "I know that recently we've been able to come to an understanding, but really…"

"Can I interrupt darlin'?" Myrtle said as she approached them. "I think it's a fine idea for Zach to stay… I always enjoy the company of a handsome gentleman."

"There's the rub, Mrs. Fargate," Zach said to her with a twinkle in his eyes and a smile playing about his mouth, "… I'm no gentleman."

"Even better," she answered him with an appraising look.

"Well… I never…" Erica sighed. "Oh, alright, stay if you must. Go sit next to Kendall and do try and stay out of the way."

Over the course of the next few hours, Kendall opened presents and they all chattered excitedly. Zach sat quietly playing with Miranda, or observing Kendall with pleasure. He was content not to interfere, and made no comments until the subject of the baby's gender and name was introduced.

"Well… Zach says…" Kendall began.

"Zach says," he interrupted her, "that we're having a beautiful daughter. We will be carrying on the tradition of bringing another strong Kane woman into the world."

Kendall rolled her eyes and looked at him in exasperation, "And when you are presented with a bouncing baby boy, what are you going to say then?"

His eyes sparkled, "I guess I'll say, hello there little man."

"Good save, Zach," Bianca said laughingly. Miranda had fallen asleep among the empty boxes and was snoring softly near her mother's feet. Zach glanced around the room, at these women he loved so much, and looked forward to having another charming enchantress in his life.

"Have you picked out a name yet?" asked Opal Cortland.

Zach answered quickly, "In the same tradition, our daughter will be named after a Shakespearean heroine. We've decided on the fair Rosalind."

"It means 'little rose'," Kendall commented, trying to ignore the strangled sound coming from the direction of Greenlee's seat on the sofa.

Erica, however, was quite touched that Zach would agree to name the baby in a way that meant so much to her. Both Kendall and Bianca looked at their mother and realized she was holding back tears, and that Zach had gotten to her. They smugly shared a glance before Kendall leaned over to kiss her husband.

"Well, I'm certainly glad we don't have to follow any silly traditions in naming this baby," Greenlee commented while patting her tummy. "Our son's name will be strong and manly… I just had to promise Ryan that we wouldn't choose an Irish name… too many bad memories." She continued, wrinkling her nose in obvious distaste, "With a first name like Rosalind, what on earth are you going to do for a middle name?"

Kendall and Zach laughed together, before she replied, "An Irish name—Keagan. Zach wants her to have a name that begins with a 'K'… for Kendall and Kane."

He laughed and pulled her close, "It means 'fiery'… just like my wife. We already know that our daughter will be a little spitfire… and I wouldn't have it any other way!"


As they drove home in a companionable silence, Kendall looked lovingly at her husband, "Will you be okay?

"Sure I'm okay… why do you ask?" he said with an indulgent smile.

"No… I mean… it might be a boy… will you be okay? I know why you're afraid of having a son… but it's not going to happen," she answered.

"What's not going to happen?" he asked.

"You're not going to turn into your father… and our son won't turn into Michael or Ethan. You know what love feels like… they never did," she answered softly.

"Yes, I will be okay… there is no Cambias curse… or if there is, I'm not a part of it. Of course, it helps that I'm not a Cambias… I'm a Slater… and we're a very pragmatic lot," he smiled. "I love you for thinking you have to say it… but I love our baby, boy or girl. You can't blame me for wanting another ravishing Kane woman in my life, though, can you?"

Kendall giggled with delight, "Zach Slater, you charmer. Isn't that what Myrtle would say?"

"Mrs. Fargate has excellent taste," he answered with a smile. "Please don't worry about me… you need to concentrate on taking care of yourself until the baby comes. I promise that there's no cause for concern."

"Thank you," she answered, stifling a yawn and laying her head against his shoulder.

"You're welcome," he answered softly, laying a kiss on the top of her head.