Jack & Jennifer Alternate Days Story

Part Ten

(Written by Sandra)

Jennifer has a disappointed look on her face as she realizes the truth behind John’s words. The reality is that Jack and her cannot get married until they manage to find Peter and convince him to sign the divorce papers.

"John, you’re right," Jack says, "We have to find Peter. We have to bring him back to Salem and make him pay for what he’s done to me and to my family." Jack pauses for a moment as a look of anger appears on his face. He continues, "When I think of how I sat in prison for almost a year for a murder that never even happened, it just…"

"Jack, it’s okay," Jennifer says, as she places her hand on his shoulder to comfort him. "I feel as furious about it as you do. We have to track down Peter and have him arrested for faking his own death and obstructing justice. The only thing that worries me is that Peter will likely never agree to sign the divorce papers."

Mickey interrupts Jennifer. "Actually, Jennifer, once we find Peter and have the police bring him back to Salem, you could go to court and petition for a divorce. Even if Peter decides to fight the divorce, I’m certain that any judge would grant your petition after hearing about your past history with Peter and all his lies and schemes. It shouldn’t be a problem at all."

Jack has a very concerned look on his face and says, "Yeah, you know, that’s great and all. But how the hell are we ever going to find him? He could be hiding on any one of Stefano’s countless islands. He might never turn up." Jack pauses for a moment, then continues, "But you know. It doesn’t matter how impossible it is. We have to find him. I won’t rest until we have that monster locked away for good in prison. Who knows how dangerous he could become after he hears that I’ve been released from jail and have reunited with Jenn."

Jennifer looks extremely worried as she realizes that Jack could be in a lot of danger right now. It suddenly dawns on her that Peter has nothing to lose and everything to gain if he seeks revenge on Jack – revenge that could involve murder.

John decides to give Jack a suggestion. "Well, partner, I’ve been thinking about that too. Before your trial started last week, I decided to contact Shane to see if the ISA could give us any leads on Peter’s whereabouts. Unfortunately, they didn’t have any good leads for me. However, Shane was telling me that the ISA could do surveillance on Stefano’s islands and help pinpoint where Peter is hiding. Once they’ve done that, and found the location, it’s just a matter of going to his island hideout and arresting him."

"But John," Jack responds, still looking concerned, "you know as well as I do that nothing is ever that simple with the DiMera’s. If we’re gonna track down Peter and go to his hideout to capture him, we better make damned sure that we do it fast enough before Peter has a chance to discover us there and escape."

Jennifer interrupts Jack and sounds confused and worried, "What do you mean ‘we’, Jack? I seriously hope you’re not thinking of going with the police to the island when they finally track down Peter and try to capture him."

"Of course I’m going, Jenn. Like I said, I can’t rest until I find that creep and have him locked up behind bars. Until that happens, I can’t be assured that you and Abby will be safe from him."

"Jack, NO!!" Jennifer yells. "If they track him down, I don’t want you going there with the police. It’s too dangerous! You’re finally home now with Abby and me, where you belong. I don’t want you to put yourself in danger like that. I love you too much to lose you again!"

"And I love you, Jenn," he responds back to her, sounding very desperate and worried. "That’s why I’m going to do this. I need to help the police find Peter because yours and Abby’s safety is my number one priority!"

Jenn doesn’t respond to Jack and there’s a noticeable and uncomfortable silence in the room. The party guests are standing around and feel extremely embarrassed to be there while Jack & Jennifer are arguing like this. A few seconds later, Hope tells Jennifer, "Look, it’s been a really long day. You two must be so tired. I think it would be a good idea if we gave both of you some privacy and time to rest."

Jennifer feels embarassed, "Oh no! Please don’t feel obligated to leave. We love having all of you here. Honestly!"

Hope smiles and responds, "Jenn, don’t worry. We’ll speak to you tomorrow, okay?" She hugs Jennifer and walks to the door to leave. Other people begin to follow Hope’s lead and start to leave the party. Jennifer and Jack are politely smiling at their guests as they’re leaving, telling them how grateful they both are to all of them for being so supportive. As John is leaving, Jack whispers to him, "Listen, John, I’ll give you a call tomorrow to discuss the matter about Peter." John nods his head to agree and says goodbye to Jack & Jennifer. Jennifer overhears Jack’s comment to John and becomes furious. But she decides to keep quiet until the guests leave. After everyone has left, Laura hugs Jack & Jennifer, excuses herself and goes upstairs. Jack and Jennifer are now alone.

"Jack, listen. If you’re so desperate to go and find Peter, then I’m going with you."

"You what?! Are you crazy, Jenn?!?! No way are you going with me! It’s way too dangerous for you…"

"Yes I am, Jack! And you can’t stop me!"

"Jenn, no…"

"Yes Jack! I am going!" she says with tears in her eyes. " I just don’t understand how you can expect me to sleep at night not knowing where you are. Not knowing if Peter has hurt you or even worse, killed you. I have to go with you.."

"No you can’t, Jenn. I can’t put you in that kind of danger. Besides, what about Abby? You can’t just leave her here while you go traipsing around the world with me, searching for Peter."

Jennifer pauses for a moment because she never considered that possibility. But then she continues, "Mom, Maggie, and Grandma could watch Abby. Mom is so good with her. And Abby loves her so much. Jack, believe you me, the last thing I want to do is leave Abby. But I’m doing this for her – for her future and her safety and well-being. Like you said, until we find Peter, none of us are safe. We must find him. And I think that if I came with, Peter would be more likely to turn himself in. Maybe I could reason with him – appeal to his human side…"

"Jenn, Peter doesn’t a human side."

"Yes he does, Jack. I know he’s done some really horrible things. And I’ll never ever forgive him for that. But deep down I know that hearing me speak to him, convincing him to do the right thing and give himself up to the police, might be the only way to get through to him"

"Jenn, I’m sorry, but there’s no way I can allow you to go to that island and put yourself anywhere near that creep. He might try to kidnap you."

"So staying here in Salem is better, right?!" Jenn says sarcastically. "What makes you think that Peter won’t try to kidnap me here in Salem while you’re off searching for him? No matter where I am, there’s always that risk."

Jenn pauses to hear Jack’s response to her. But he doesn’t answer back for a moment. Finally he says, with a cool and serious tone to his voice, "Jenn, I’m gonna go upstairs right now to say goodnight to Abby, okay? We can discuss this later."

Jack leaves the room and walks upstairs. Jennifer stands there feeling very upset with tears forming in her eyes. This was Jack’s first night as a free man – it was supposed to be a happy and romantic evening for them. But all they’ve been doing is arguing. "I may as well get ready for bed," she says with a sad and disappointed look on her face. She heads upstairs to get ready for bed.

Meanwhile, back at the prison…

Kristen arrives at Stefano’s prison cell to speak to him. Stefano refuses to speak to her and tells her to get lost.

"I’m not going anywhere, Stefano! I came here to get some answers. I want to know where Peter is. I need to speak to my brother."

"You really have a nerve, Kristen! You just helped to destroy your brother – your own flesh and blood. And now you want to speak to him?! You must be insane to think that he’d even want to speak to you!"

"He’s my brother, Stefano!" she shouts. "How can you even say such horrible things like that to me?! It’s not my fault that this happened! Sure.. I could have kept my mouth shut and pretended that he was dead. But what good would that do?! I couldn’t stand it anymore! I just couldn’t stand being the "Town Pariah" anymore. And I certainly couldn’t stand the thought that I was partly responsible for separating an innocent family. I love Peter, dammit, but I can’t allow my love for him to legitimize keeping an innocent man from his family!!!"

"An innocent man?! AN INNOCENT MAN?! Jack tried to KILL Peter! What does it matter whether he was successful or not. He deserves to pay for what he has done to your brother."

"Jack did NOT try to kill Peter! You know as well as I do that the shooting was a complete accident. Jack went to Jenn’s house to protect her from Peter who was about to kidnap her. Jack and Peter got in a gun struggle and the gun went off accidentally."

"GET OUT! GET OUT! GET OUT!!!" Stefano yells viciously. "You make me sick! You sound like that imbecile, Jack Deveraux with this "the gun went off accidentally" nonsense!! I don’t want to even look at you anymore. As far as I’m concerned, you are no longer my daughter!"

Stefano turns away from Kristen and walks to the other side of his cell. Kristen stands there with complete shock on her face. She feels so completely alone right now. Not only has she alienated the entire town of Salem, but now, her father, her only ally left, has disowned her. She walks away with her head bent down in complete despair. She’s unsure of where to go or who to turn to.

Stefano finally turns around after realizing that Kristen has left. He picks up his cellphone and starts dialing. A few seconds later…

"It’s me," Stefano says to the caller.

"So any news on Jack’s latest appeal?" the caller asks.

"That’s why I called you. I’m afraid it’s not good news, son."

"What do you mean, ‘not good news’??? Don’t tell me that louse, Deveraux, managed to free himself from prison!"

Stefano pauses for a moment and then answers, "Peter, I’m sorry…"

"Oh my God!!! How could this happen?! You promised me he’d go back to jail!"

"I don’t know how to tell you this, Peter. The truth is that your sister, Kristen, has betrayed you."

There is a long pause as Peter absorbs that shocking information.

Stefano continues, "Kristen admitted in court that you’re alive."

"No!! No!!" Peter responds in horror. "That can’t be true! Krissie’s my sister. I know she’d never betray me like that! Never!"

"I’m afraid she has, son…"

Peter is so horrified that he feels like fainting. "I don’t know what to say," he tells Stefano. "I’m shocked, mad and very confused. This is so unbelievable to me."

"I know, son. I know," Stefano says in a calm and reassuring voice.

Peter takes a few seconds to allow this information to sink in. Then he finally responds in a furious voice, "So now I suppose Deveraux’s one happy man, huh?! He’s probably upstairs in MY bedroom right now, making love to MY wife. Well, damn him!!! I won’t allow him to win! So help me, when I’m finished with him, he’ll be wishing he was dead!"

"That’s the spirit, son!" Stefano responds, very proud of Peter’s fierce determination and confidence. "And I promise you that I will do everything in my power to help you achieve that goal. I won’t let Jack Deveraux get away with this."

With that comment, Peter and Stefano say their goodbyes and hang up the phone.

Meanwhile, back at Jack & Jenn’s house…

Jennifer is now upstairs in her bedroom, getting ready for bed. Jack is still in Abby’s room reading her a bedtime story. Jennifer is still quite upset about the argument she just had with Jack. But she doesn’t want her and Jack to go to bed mad at each other. Especially not tonight. Suddenly it occurs to her that she should stop crying about her argument and do something to make this night with Jack the way it was supposed to be – very happy and very romantic.

Minutes later, Jack walks into the bedroom and begins to talk to Jennifer without really looking at her. He’s staring at some pictures on the dresser.

"Umm… I just tucked Abby into bed," Jack says. " Now, if you don’t mind, I was hoping we could continue discussing this matter about Peter. There’s some things that…"

Jack turns around and notices Jennifer standing there wearing a white silk nightgown, her hair just neatly brushed. He is breath-taken by her beauty. Forgetting what he just said, for a moment, he says in a loving voice, "Jenn… You look so beautiful…." He walks towards her and gently caresses her cheek with his hand.

"Thank you," she says modestly, with a smile on her face.

"Isn’t that the nightgown you wore the first night we…" He stops for a moment, as Jennifer nods her head in agreement. This was the same beautiful white nightgown his wife wore the night they made love for the first time after they reunited. It is almost as if he feels as though this is their "first night" again. But suddenly he remembers how worried he was about Jennifer’s safety. He realizes that he has to resolve this matter about Peter tonight.

"Listen, Jenn. I think it’s important that we clear up that matter that we were discussing downstairs. As I said before, I don’t want you to…"

"Jack, no," Jennifer says gently as she places her hand on his mouth, attempting to silence him. She leans her face close to his face and begins kissing him gently, first on his cheek and then on his lips.

"Jenn, this is important to me…" he says quietly, as he desperately tries to keep himself from becoming passionate with Jennifer.

Jennifer, however, is not listening. She kisses him again on his lips. Then she slowly begins to take off his tie. Then her hands travel to his shirt and she slowly begins to unbutton his shirt while kissing him on his face.

"Jenn… no… come on….. we need to discuss this now …. " She interrupts him by passionately kissing him again on the lips. Then her hands travel to his shirt and she slowly takes his shirt off, all the while gently kissing his chest and arms. Her lips travel towards his mouth and she kisses him again. This time Jack is no longer able to resist his obvious passion for her. He places his hands on her legs and gently lifts her up, carrying her to their bed. As he gently places her on the bed, he moves his hands to her nightgown and slowly begins to undress her. Then he begins to intensely kiss her. As they are making love, they push all their problems and worries to the back of their minds. Tonight is Jack’s first night of freedom and they are not going to let anyone or anything ruin it for them….

An hour later….

Jennifer is quietly sleeping, resting her head against Jack’s chest. Jack is looking at his beautiful Jennifer Rose, lying so peacefully and calmly next to him. He can hardly believe he was able to be so close to her again – he never thought it could happen after the judge first sentenced him back to jail. But it has happened. He’s finally free. A smile begins to form on Jack’s face as he remembers that wonderful moment when the judge announced to the court that he was finally a free man. Suddenly, a loud knock is heard which interrupts Jack’s pleasant thoughts. Jack realizes the knock is coming from the door downstairs.

"Who could be knocking on our door at this hour?" he quietly asks himself. He gently gets up from the bed and puts on his robe. Jennifer is still sleeping, completely unaware of the noise downstairs. Jack walks downstairs and turns on the lights to their living room. He slowly opens the door and is amazed to see Kristen standing there.

"Kristen!" he says angrily. "Isn’t it a little late for you to be making social visits? Besides, you’re the last person I’d want to talk to.…"

He’s about to shut the door in her face when she puts her hand on the door to stop it from closing.

"No, Jack! Wait! I need to talk to you right now. It’s very important!"

"I have nothing to say to you, Kristen," Jack says bitterly, "If you think I’m going to thank you for finally coming to your senses and admitting the truth about your brother, you’re sadly mistaken!"

"Please, Jack. Just hear me out! I came here tonight to make you an offer."

"What kind of offer?" Jack says angrily and with a confused look on his face.

"I want to help you and Jennifer."

"Jennifer and I don’t need help from people like you…" he says as he tries to shut the door again.

"Jack, for God’s sakes, will you let me finish what I have to say?!"

Jack is a bit shocked by Kristen’s outburst and doesn’t respond.

Kristen continues, "I came here to give you an offer.... I know you’re planning to search for Peter. I overheard it as I was standing near the open window, eavesdropping on your family party. That’s when I decided what I had to do."

"Oh really!" Jack smiles sarcastically, "Please tell me what it is that you are so graciously willing to do for both Jennifer and myself."

"Alright. I'll tell you. I want to help you find Peter," Kristen says matter-of-factly.

Jack looks shocked. He stands there speechless, unsure of what to make of this unexpected offer from Kristen…

to be continued...

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