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Previously...

• After learning that he was HIV positive, Jason fell into a depression and broke off all contact with family and friends. He soon realized that he had to seek answers and started on his own mission to learn the truth about Keith. He soon found himself at the Michaels residence after entering the home with an old key that Keith had given him. After discovering a journal and phone list on the computer, Jason confiscated the items and returned home to do some research.
  
  
• To show her supposed gratitude to Liz for delivering her baby, Kayla planned a dinner party and invited her into her home. Kay was quickly back to her old ways though when she invited Terrence over just to make things awkward for Liz. Her plan backfired on her when Rick realized what she was up to. After speaking with Val, Rick realized that marriage counseling would be the only answer if they wanted things to continue.
  
  
• Kimberly's battle with the voices took an extreme turn for the worst when she created a new identity.  Calling herself 'Claudia Deauville', it was revealed that she was the person responsible for bringing Braden to Pac Heights. Plotting a company takeover, her new alliance meant that she would turn her back on the one man who was always there for her- Kimberly's own father.
  
  
  
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  Scene: The Summers Estate. 863 Oakshore Terrace.

Kimberly curls herself into a ball and begins humming to herself softly. She soon begins to exhibit a rocking motion and the humming becomes noticeably louder. She does her best to cast the voices away that are seemingly taking over her mind right before her.

She slowly rises to her feet and stares into a mirror that is hanging on the wall. Shaking her head with disgust, she remembers a time when this very reflection seemed to consume her every thought. Her eyes begin to grow heavy with tears, eventually they slide down each side of her cheek.

Kimberly is soon taken back to an image of herself as a teenager. Her long blonde hair was neatly tucked behind her ears. Her use of makeup made her look well beyond her years. She was in a stage in her life where acceptance from her peers meant everything in the world. However, acceptance and self-esteem were the biggest struggles for Kimberly. Instead, voices of anger tormented her every move.

In her mind, she walks out into the kitchen and sees her parents sitting at the dining table. Steve is reading the newspaper, while Diane is sipping some coffee out of her favorite mug and scribbling some notes on a piece of paper. Inside, Kimberly is so proud as she recently got her report card which announced that she had a 3.0 average. In recent years, she had seen herself fall behind in school and she had worked extremely hard this semester to bring up her grades.

A smile crosses her face as she nears her parents, although she soon notices her brother enter the kitchen as well. Jason presents a beaming smile and pulls out a piece of paper and quickly shows it to their parents. Diane and Steve seem so pleased after perusing the report and realizing Jason has received straight As. Kimberly's smile quickly disappears as she takes a few steps back and leaves the kitchen unnoticed. All the pent up excitement was now gone; she could never seem to compete with Jason. To Kimberly, he would always be their best and brightest.

She suddenly snaps back to reality when she hears the doorbell ring. She isn't quite sure who would be here at this time, but after a quick glance through the window, she realizes it's her father. Steve soon raises his hand to ring the bell once again. Kimberly instantly regrets parking her car in the driveway- after all that was going on recently, Steve was the last person she wanted to face. She couldn't bear to look into his eyes after what she was doing to him.

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Scene: The Davison Residence. 1562 Pacifica Blvd. 

Jason takes a deep breath before raising trembling hands to meet the door. He forces himself to knock, but quickly has second thoughts about his arrival. He is unsure who will greet him from the other side of the door, but prays to God that it's Ashley. She is, after all, the one who's been trying to contact him for weeks since they found out together he was HIV Positive.

He is quite relieved when Ashley eventually answers the door. She is completely surprised to see him and lets out a sigh of relief before embracing him tightly. After a firm caring hug that seems to last an eternity, Jason and Ashley both realize they are shedding tears. They smile at each other in unison and Ashley ushers him into the living room where they both meet again on the sofa.

"So, you're here." Ashley smiles with complete relief.

"Yes, I am. I'm so sorry. I needed-"

"Don't even explain. I understand, Jason. It was just so hard not to be there for you when I know you've needed the support." Ashley cuts in.

"And I really appreciate that, Ash. More than you know- trust me. I feel terrible about how I reacted...I kind of went off the deep end and did some foolish things when I found out..."

"Like?"

"Like breaking into Keith's place and retrieving his phone list off of his computer and taking his journal that I found."

"I seeand what was in the journal? I know you went through it, Jase."

"Of course I did. And I did find some interesting things- nothing concrete though that would elude to him cheating on me. He did mention a new guy in his journal a few times though that he apparently met last spring."

"Oh?"

"Yeah, his name is Lucas. I even called the guy on the phone and started grilling him...pretty crazy of me, eh?"

"I don't think it was crazy, Jason. I just think you're desperate for answers right now. I wouldn't feel bad about it."

"Well, answers I did receive...just not the ones I was hoping for. Not that I was wanting Keith to cheat on me, but it would have put some closure on the whole situation. I'm still left wondering, you know?"

"Well, if there were other men, I'm sure he wasn't stupid enough to write about them in the journal. You know those things always have a way of coming to light."

"True." Jason agrees.

"So, things are getting a little better?" Yes, or no?" Ashley inquires.

"Somewhat. Believe it or not, I'm thinking about checking out this support group in the City. Apparently there's quite a few to choose from. I know I'll be a nervous wreck though."

"Oh, you'll be fine...and it doesn't surprise me that there are more than enough choices in San Francisco. The area in general has a very high percentage of men that are living healthy with it. There's a huge number of guys in the area, Jason- you certainly shouldn't feel alone. You know, you have me too..."

"Yes, I do. I really appreciate you bring there for me."

Suddenly the door from the dining area creaks open, causing Jason to whip around. He soon sees his mother in the doorway and instantly regrets having this very conversation when others are so close by.

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