On soaps, they're as much a staple as back-from-the-dead spouses and evil twins - those love affairs with one too many participants. And when it comes to the torrid triangle, you know there are always three sides to a story...

THE TRIANGLE:
Megan/Ryan/Lexi
(MELROSE PLACE)

SIDE ONE:
Ryan and Megan
     When Kyle's brother, Ryan, came to town, he set his sights on Megan. Too bad the ex-prostitute had given up on love, thanks to her heartbreaker ex-hubby, Michael. Ryan was thisclose to winning over Megan when she caught him in a compromising position with Lexi. But Megan forgave the indiscretion and to Lexi's dismay, Megan and Ryan celebrated in the shower. And on the sofa...

SIDE TWO:
Lexi and Ryan
     The fact that Ryan exposed Lexi's plan to destroy Amanda did little to dampen Lexi's ardor. When a future with Megan seemed hopeless, Ryan succumbed to Lexi's advances, and the naughty duo consummated their relationship on Amanda's desk. It wasn't long before they were caught half-dressed in a restaurant bathroom by Megan. Ryan claimed he'd been manipulated by sexy Lexi, who vowed to change her ways. But Lexi still has the hots for him and isn't about to let him go without a fight.

SIDE THREE:
Megan and Lexi
     Naive Megan is the only person who stood by lyin' Lexi. And what did Megan get for her loyalty? Boss lady Lexi demoted her, then demanded that Megan use her call-girl expertise to locate a dream man for Lexi. Megan has been promised a partnership in the company if she succeeds, but she refuses to accept that Ryan is Lexi's perfect love match.

DOES THIS TRIANGLE SQUARE?
     Megan and Ryan's blossoming relationship nearly got nipped in the bud by Megan's new assignment. Her "manly" pursuits led Ryan to believe that his gal was on the lookout for new "johns." Megan convinced Ryan that she's more saint than sinner, but strangely, Ryan's still been unable to commit to her. Will the future find Ryan back in Lexi's wicked web?

By Shaun Yudelson