Dan Scott entered his penthouse suite in the luxurious Waldorf Hotel. He felt quite satisfied with himself. He lived to control, it was just his way. He was a man of vision and one who got what he wanted. Nothing or no one ever stood in his way. The sooner his family accepted that, the better off they all would be.

"Judging by that big grin on your face, I'd say someone is in a good mood."

The voice in the dim light startled him. He jumped a little but quickly composed himself. A wide smirk spread across his face.

"Fancy seeing you here", he commented.

"Seeing as though my whole family jumped ship and ran off to New York, I figured I'd come and see what the fuss was all about."

Dan nodded as he poured himself a drink from the bar and one for Megan as well who gladly accepted it.

"How curious of you."

"You could say that, I guess, Dan."

"Interesting. I'll say that things are definitely picking up around here, so to speak but it's nothing for you to worry your pretty little head about."

"Is that right?"

"It is. Nothing of your concern, my dear."

Megan nodded as she took a sip.

"My husband cheats on me in the Dominican Republic, in the midst of a tsunami, nonetheless, and ends up knocking up his famous ex wife. Now their child is dying. I'd say that is enough information to raise a tiny little red flag in my head."

"And how did you find all that out?"

"You're not the only one with sources, Dan."

He laughed.

"You're just full of surprises now, aren't you, Meg?"

"I don't think I'm the only one."

"Nathan made a mistake, you know. That's all Haley James has ever been, a relentless, gnawing cancer in our family. Only he was too stupid to ever see it that way."

"I think the only mistake Nathan made was not patching things up with Haley when she left him eight years ago. And marrying me…that was his second mistake.'

"Ready to throw in the towel so fast?'

She shook her head.

"That towel was thrown in a long time ago way before the fight even started. I never had a chance, Dan."

"You're a Scott by name and a Powell by birth. Two of the most prominent, successful and powerful families in the state of North Carolina. Pride, power and prestige. You're beautiful, educated and you're a society woman, Meg. You're willing to turn your back on what is rightfully yours because of a no talent, second rate pop star?"

"What is left for me to fight for? I mean, be real, Dan. Everything I had that really meant anything to me anyway is already gone. The money and the family names and the education and society and country clubs…it means nothing to me. Where has it gotten me really?"

"Don't be ridiculous."

"Where did it get my mother? Did you know she is a talented writer? I mean it. Poetry, short stories, novels, children's books…you name it. She did it all and was brilliant at it too. She could have been an award winning script writer. Or an acclaimed journalist. Or a celebrated author. But what is she? What is she really? I'll tell you. Nothing more than a crooked Congressman's pretty socialite wife who caters to my dad's every need and want, the highlight of her life keeping up with the other wives just like her to see who can do the most charity work or whose kids got into what school or country club. It's pathetic really. And you know why she's stuck in that life? Because she was raised to be a good little Catholic girl who would grow up to be a good little Catholic wife with no real goals or aspirations of her own except to be someone's wife or mother. Image is everything and it's so sad."

"Cry me a river", Dan laughed.

"What about Deb?"

That question wiped the smirk off of his face.

"What about her?"

"Do you think she's happy? Or do you think she dreams about what her life would have been like if you'd married Karen instead, or better yet, if she hadn't met you at all."

"Deb loves me", he shrugged. "She's happy."

"I don't think she knows what true happiness is anymore. God knows I don't. I lost myself this year. And I lost life as I know it. My daughter is dead and my husband is as good as gone."

Dan stirred his drink with his finger.

"Let me tell you a little story, Megan. When I was in high school, Karen got pregnant. And a few months later in college, guess what? Deb gets knocked up too. How do you think that was for me? An 18 year old kid with a bright future to look forward to hampered by two kids on the way. I was conflicted. A lot was at stake. I had decisions to make and it was a very scary time. But I got through it. I kept my head and it all worked out."

"Thank you for that little trip down memory lane but what does all that have to do with me?"

"Everything. Don't you see? Life is one big test. There are plenty of obstacles in the way but you can overcome it."

"Dan…"

"Listen to me. What if I told you I could give everything back to you?"

"Dan…"

"I'm serious."

"Okay. Let's say that you are. I dare to ask how…but why? Why would you do that for me?'

"Because you're the right choice for a wife for Nathan. I've always known it."

"Nathan isn't happy. He doesn't love me…or at least like he loves her."

"What does love have to do with it, Megan?"

"Everything."

"That's where you're wrong. Nothing. It has nothing to do with it."

"Maybe in your world."

"As I recall, your world was fine until Haley James sauntered back into it. Am I wrong?"

"The feelings were already there. She just awakened them. It was bound to happen sooner or later."

"You and Nathan were happy once. This is all her fault. She did this."

"Well, it doesn't matter because it's done, Dan."

"What if I gave it all back? Made it all better? What if you and Nathan could have your lives back and raise your daughter?"

"Yoanna is dead."

"That she is. And we can't bring her back but you can still be a mother, Meg."

Megan laughed bitterly.

"Yeah right. And what are you going to do, Dan? What, take Haley's baby so Nathan and I can raise her."

He shrugged with another gulp.

"Not a bad idea."

Megan's eyes bulged.

"I was being sarcastic. Tell me you're joking. Tell me you're not as twisted as I think you are."

"Nathan loves his child. You both miss yours that died. Haley is a waste of human space. Why not do her kid a favor? You'd make the better mother anyway. And this kid would have a better life. What do you say?"

"I say you're crazy."

"Megan, it's simple…"

"You're really serious, aren't you? Oh my God. That's the scary part."

"Life was cruel to you, Meg. Everything was taken away and I have the chance to give it all back to you. I can save your marriage and I can make you a mother again. I know you want it. You need it. I know you want to be happy with Nathan again and hold a baby in your arms."

"Stop it! Look, you can't play God!"

"I am God, Megan. I have the power to give you a second chance. And I am the only one who can save Haley's child. I'm the only bone marrow match."

"Then why are you here talking to me? Shouldn't you be in surgery?"

"I haven't decided yet…"

"What is there to decide? A child is dying and you can save her. Wait, don't tell me you're thinking about not…"

"Of course not. I'm not that heartless. It's not the kid's fault her mother is trash and her father is an idiot. Yes, I'm going to go through with the transplant."

"Does everyone know?"

"Not yet. But the beauty of it is, after the child is saved, Haley will hand over custody to me."

"Dream on."

"It's true."

"If she has half a brain, why would she do that?"

He smiled.

"I sort of blackmailed her into thinking that was the only way I'd do the transplant was if she signed over her parental rights."

"Dan!"

"What?" he shrugged innocently.

"Does Nathan know?"

"Of course not. He doesn't need to. And by the time you and he raise your child, and please God give her a new name by the way, it won't even matter. You'll be on with your lives and all this unnecessary heartache will be nothing more than a mere bad memory."

"Dan…"

"And don't worry that it isn't your natural child. Big deal. You and Nathan will have the rest of your lives to have more."

He was so nonchalant and he had it all figured out. How could one be so mean…and so casual about it?"

"You just don't get it, do you?"

"What?"

"This isn't TV. It's real. It's not a game. You're not some fictional villain. This is real life with real people, people you're supposed to care about. How can you do this? What about your son?"

"I'm doing this for his own good."

"Nathan's or yours? Because it sounds to me like you just want to control everything."

"Oh Meg, you're so naïve…"

"What about, Haley, Dan? Huh? Have you thought about her? She's a mother. She almost lost her child, now you're scheming to take her away for good? Haley loves that little girl. She needs her. And that child needs its mommy."

"What are you smoking?" he laughed. "And whatever it is, pass the pipe if you don't mind. Gee, Meg, I didn't know you joined the Haley James fan club. How noble and debutante of you to defend and forgive the woman who ruined your life. The woman trying to take away your life."

"Dan…"

"Don't you hate her? Come on. You can tell me the truth. You hate her, don't you?"

"Yes", Megan answered quietly. "Yes, I do."

"Then why are you so concerned?"

"Because I know what it's like to be a mother and I know what it's like to lose a child. And there is no other pain worse. It's indescribable. And it's something I wouldn't wish on my worst enemy…even if it is Haley James."

"You're making a mistake."

"No, Dan. You are. Just let it go. Let them be. And this baby…give her a chance. For once in your life, do the right thing."

He smirked as he poured another glass.

"I'll think about it. I'll weigh the options. I suggest you do the same, Megan."

She shook her head as she exited the room.

"You are the most contemptible, wicked, depraved, low down excuse for a man to ever walk the earth. You don't know how to love. All you do is cause destruction and leave a trail of pain wherever you go. It's sad really. But you will pay for it, whether it be this life or the next. I'm a firm believer in karma, Dan. What goes around comes around and boy are you going to get yours. I just hope I'm around to see it."

"I doubt it, darling."

"Oh payback is a bitch and it's coming for you, Dan. And when it does, you can run but you can't hide."

He laughed.

"What should be my punishment, Meg? Should I be sent to bed without supper?" he smirked. "Oh wait…I should lose all my money…go to jail, even? What?"

"No, that would be too easy. Someone should slip something in your drink, because God knows you drink enough, and while you're foaming at the mouth and your eyes are rolling back in your head, just when you can't move, they should douse the room with gas and light a match and watch your ass burn until you look like a curly fry from Arby's. That's what you deserve, Dan."

Without another word, she turned to leave.

"Looks like I'm not the only one who is harsh, Meg. Wish we were still playing for the same team. I always knew you had it in you, kid."

She shook her head sadly.

"You don't know me, Dan. You don't know me at all. You never did."