Chapter 12

Ryan checked his watch. Less than an hour before the jet landed in Pine Valley. He glanced back at the seat behind Tad. Kendall was still slumped against the wall, fast asleep. A long time ago, after talking with Zach, she headed towards the bathroom, looking visibly upset. When she came out later, her eyes were red. She sat down in that seat, obviously wanting to be alone, and had fallen into a troubled slumber. Ryan looked over at Zach every once in awhile, and saw that he didn't look any happier. In fact, he looked like a caged tiger - shifting restlessly in his seat, pretending to read a magazine and then tossing it down. He spent a lot of time on his cell phone, until a little while ago when the pilot asked that they all turn their cells off. Sometimes Zach would crane his neck, looking in the general direction of Kendall's seat, even though he couldn't see her from where he was. What had gone down between them? He must have reacted badly to Kendall's news about the baby, because she was clearly heartbroken.

Ryan shifted in his seat. He couldn't let it stay this way. He couldn't let Slater make the same stupid mistake he had. He looked over at Greenlee, who was also sleeping. She had tried to give him something special and he tossed it away. He couldn't seem to make right what he had done. They had gone past the point of no return. But maybe, just maybe it wasn't too late for Zach and Kendall and their baby. Ryan unbuckled his seatbelt and went over to sit across from Zach. Zach gave him a look that probably struck terror in his casino employees. "What do you want, Lavery?" Ryan leaned towards Zach. "What happened between you and Kendall?" Zach looked away in annoyance, then looked back. "I would say its none of your business, but I guess that's not true. I told Kendall that when the jet lands, I'm going to hop a flight to Haiti for a quickie divorce."

Ryan's eyebrows shot up. "A divorce? Are you crazy? Why in hell would you do such a thing?" Zach cocked his head. "To give Kendall her freedom, of course." Ryan rubbed his hand over his hair. "I don't believe this." Zach tapped his fingers on his arm rest. "Why do you look so upset? I would have thought this is what you wanted." Ryan blinked. "What I wanted? You know what, Zach, you have never made any sense to me at all, and nothing has changed." Zach smiled mirthlessly. "And you have always had every good and wonderful thing dumped in your lap. Nothing has changed." Ryan shook his head. The intercom clicked on and the pilot told them they were starting their descent into Pine Valley.

"Zach, you say that every good thing is dumped in my lap. I would have to agree that I've had some wonderful things happen to me. But look what I've done with it – I've pissed it all away. Now its your turn to have something wonderful happen to you. Don't fuck it up, like I did." Zach looked at him incredulously. "Now you're the one not making any sense. You should be going back in time to give me that advice. I did have something wonderful happen to me and I've already fucked it up." Ryan nodded. "Yes you did! By telling Kendall you're going to divorce her. You still haven't told me the real reason why you did that. It makes no sense. I know you have feelings for her. When you saw me hugging her, I noticed the look on your face – it was like someone punched you in the gut. You…" Ryan stopped and thought about that for a moment. "You saw us hugging…and then you brought up the divorce to her. You said you wanted to set her free. I don't believe this. You think she wants to be with me and so you're stepping aside?"

Zach gripped the arm rest until his knuckles turned white. "I think she's making a big mistake, but since when has that ever stopped Kendall? I turned myself inside out trying to convince her not to be a surrogate to your child, but she did it anyway. And why was that? Because she worships you. I wasn't around when you two were together, but I saw plenty of the devastating aftermath. I was there when she followed you around like a puppy dog in Las Vegas, begging for attention and getting slapped down for her trouble. I was there when you and Greenlee treated her horribly at the murder game, and she was so miserable she tried to drown herself. I was there when she tried to get over you by convincing herself she was in love with my son, only for him to betray her, too. I was there when she became sucked into Greenlee's plan to reform you by giving you a baby, and then later when she came up with the bright idea to become a surrogate. It positively thrilled her to have a piece of you growing inside her. Now the 'whole you' is back from the dead, and since Greenlee doesn't want you anymore, you're fair game. Kendall's dream come true. She is carrying your baby, and now she can have you, as well. So, I could refuse to divorce her to protect her from you, but it would be an empty gesture. She can divorce me without my consent, at any time. So all I can do is give her what she wants, and watch you like a hawk. If you hurt her, then I really will kill you."

Ryan stared at Zach as the jet jolted upon landing. This had to be the most words that have come out of Zach's mouth at once. He didn't just care about Kendall. He was clearly in love with her. As the jet hurtled down the airstrip, Ryan realized why Kendall kept putting off telling Zach about the baby – and obviously she still hadn't told him. She was in love with Zach, too. Unbelievable. These two were crazy about each other, and they didn't even know it. Ryan remembered that he had married Greenlee for convenience, and eventually they fell in love. The same thing apparently happened with the Slaters, but they were about to be blown apart if someone didn't set them straight, immediately. Ryan looked outside and saw that the jet was taxiing towards the gate. It was now or never. He looked at Slater speculatively, and decided to have a little fun with him.

"Y'know, I really appreciate this, man. Kendall and I are going to have a blast together. You think once the divorce goes through, she'll marry me? I want to make sure the kid is legally mine. No chance for Greenlee to come snatch it away. It's a shame that she hates me so much. She really is the love of my life. Kendall is great, but, meh, she isn't the main prize. I don't know, maybe I shouldn't marry Kendall after all. What if Greenlee changes her mind? Oh, that would be awesome. Two women who worship me. Sweet!" Zach was over into the seat next to Ryan in a flash. He grabbed a fistful of Ryan's shirt and pulled him closer. "I don't know what the fuck you're rambling on about, but one thing is very clear. You're playing some sort of game, amusing yourself at my expense, and I will not tolerate that. You think you'll be able to play with Kendall's emotions right in front of me? It's not going to happen. I was going to be magnanimous, but I see that's a ridiculous concept where you're concerned. I'm not going to divorce Kendall. I'll do whatever it takes to keep her away from you."

The jet came to a stop, and the co-pilot came through to give them instructions for deplaning. Zach let go of Ryan's shirt, and Ryan unbuckled his seatbelt. Ryan tried not to smile. That worked amazingly well. The passengers lined up to exit the plane. Zach was first, with Ryan behind him. Then Aidan, Greenlee, Tad, and finally Kendall. As they filed through the opening and into the tunnel that led to the gate, Ryan overheard Zach talking on his cell phone. He was canceling his flight to Haiti. Ryan contemplated ways that he could work on Kendall next.

He stopped short when he caught sight of Livia waiting at the gate. She looked very grave, and she was flanked by two police officers. Reality came back to Ryan in a flash, and he rushed over to her. "Livia, thanks so much for representing Jonathan. Why the men in blue? Where's Erin? She was going to meet me here." Livia took a deep breath. "Erin is at the hospital. Something has happened to Jonathan. About an hour ago, another prisoner shanked him during an argument. He lost a lot of blood before the guards could get to him. He's in surgery now, but…he's not expected to live." Ryan stared at her in horror. It was his worst fear come true. He took a deep breath. "Lets hurry…we need to go. I need to see him, to talk to him before its too late." She nodded. "That's why the men in uniform are here, to expedite our trip to the hospital."