1990: Sarah Roberts's life begins on shaky ground, when mom Tina learns that she is pregnant and believes the child is lover Johnny Dee's. Reunited with ex-husband Cord, they agree to raise the child together, but when Johnny finds out about Tina's pregnancy, he tries to kidnap her from Llanfair and is shot by Viki (as Niki Smith). However, when Johnny Dee's father, Carlo Hesser, learns of his son's murder, he vows revenge on Viki and the Buchanans. While on the run from Hesser in Texas, Tina gives birth to Sarah during a blizzard and later discovers that Cord is indeed the child's father.

1991: Daddy Cord is presumed dead while searching for Jake Harrison in the Middle Eastern city of Jaba, where he is shot in the chest and falls into the Jaba River.

1993: Cord returns to Llanview and shocks wife Tina, who has already moved on with Cain Rogan.

1994: Sarah and big brother C.J. encounter a fugitive Todd Manning in a shed at Llanfair and believe their new friend is a genie. When a police cruiser taking Todd to Statesville Prison crashes with Marty's car, Todd rescues C.J., Jessica and Marty and receives a pardon for his heroic act.

1997: Despite C.J. and Sarah's wishes for a family reunion, Tina and Cord fail to reconcile, so Tina takes the kids away from Llanview when she accepts a job in Baltimore.

February 2003: Sarah returns to Llanview as a teenager with sticky fingers: She first encounters Joey Buchanan when she is caught stealing from the Angel Square Community Center's donation box. Using the name Flash, she doesn't reveal her identity, but befriends Joey and is curious about the whereabouts of her "friend" C.J.

May 2003: As the singer for a band called Midnight Logic, Sarah/Flash comes down with a mysterious illness that affects her voice. Nora takes the girl under her wing and helps her seek medical care. Joey and Flash share a kiss.

June 2003: Jealous of Flash's growing interest in Joey, Jennifer goes through Flash's things and discovers her real identity: Sarah Roberts. When Joey finds out that Flash lied to him, he says his feelings have changed. Flash explains that she didn't want Viki to contact her mother, Tina, because she ran away from Tina when Tina wouldn't let Flash sing for a living. Meanwhile, her friend and bandmate, Riley, writes her a love song.

July 2003: Flash/Sarah's identity is exposed and she reunites with family members Asa and Viki. Flash stumbles upon Mitch Laurence's body on the docks. When Midnight Logic finds out their single is an underground hit, Riley kisses Flash. Her throat trouble continues as she sings against the doctor's orders.

August 2003: Asa buys Flash's record label and offers to take her to London to see a throat specialist. Riley and Flash start dating, much to the dismay of his father, Daniel Colson.

January 2004: After barely surviving an attack by the Music Box Killer, Flash departs for London with Cord, leaving Riley behind. Midnight Logic disbands.

September 2004: Riley receives a letter from Flash in London asking if they have a chance at reconciling, but he's already moved on with Jen.