Before James Warwick could tell Eric Forrester about his wife's numerous crimes, Sheila Carter and her criminal colleague Mike Guthrie (Ken Hanes) kidnapped him, holding him in the basement of her house. Per Soaps, Sheila had feelings for James, and with no recourse left, he pretended to return her feelings. James eventually managed to escape and inform the Forresters of her misdeeds. Feeling that everyone had hurt her, Sheila held a gun on Lauren, James, and the family and ultimately swallowed poison. After surviving this, she was sent to a mental institution and was eventually set free.

The court ordered James to keep treating Sheila after her release. Maggie Forrester (Barbara Crampton) made the mistake of befriending Sheila. When it was revealed that Sheila had poisoned Stephanie Forrester, Maggie and Sheila became bitter enemies. The two would take turns kidnapping and attempting to kill each other over the years (via Soap Hub). James and Maggie were planning on getting married. When Maggie ran away just before their impending nuptials, James got drunk and awoke the next day to find himself in Sheila's bed. Maggie eventually returned, and the two tried tying the knot again. However, Sheila waltzed into the ceremony, informing them that she was now pregnant as a result of their tryst. James and Maggie still got married, and Sheila eventually had the baby, naming it Mary. She allowed the couple to adopt Mary and left Los Angeles, according to Soap Central.