It's now eight o'clock at night and Jack & Jennifer are back at home.  Jack is upstairs in Abby's bedroom, tucking her into bed, and telling her a bedtime story.  The story is finished and Abby is still awake.  Despite the small smile on his face, Jack is feeling pain.  He's thinking about the fact that he'll be leaving Abby and Jennifer yet again.  After being separated from his family for so long, while he was in jail, even one day apart from them is too much for him to bear.  And as afraid as he is to admit it to himself, he knows full well the enormous danger he's facing by searching for Peter.  As these painful thoughts cross his mind, tears begin to fill his eyes.....
 

"Why are you crying Daddy?" Abby innocently asks him.
 

"It's nothing for you to worry about, Sweetheart," he says reassuringly.
 

"But you look so sad," she replies.
 

Jack is heartbroken.  He wants to tell his daughter the truth.  But how can he break her heart like that, he thinks.  Especially after he had been separated from her for so many months.  But then he realizes that it's better to be honest with her.  So he decides to tell her about his "trip" as gently as possible.
 

"Abby, honey, you know your Daddy loves you more than anything.  And you know that nothing makes me happier than to spend all my time with you and your Mommy.  But unfortunately, in a couple days from now, I have to take a quick little trip."
 

"But I don't understand," she cries.  "I thought you and Mommy were getting married.  Why are you leaving us again?"
 

Jack's heart is tearing up.  He can't stand the thought that he's caused so much pain for his beautiful daughter, this past year.  "Why must life be so cruel to him?" he thinks.  But he has to look for Peter, he thinks to himself reassuringly.  As painful as it will be to be separated from his family once again, it'll be worth it when he finally finds Peter and puts him in jail.  At least, he thinks, his family will be safe that way.
 

"I'm so sorry, Sweetheart," he says holding back more tears.  "I don't want to leave you and your Mommy again.  Believe you me.  But I promise you, Abby.  I promise I'll be back before you know it.  And when I do, your Mommy and I are definitely going to get married.  You can count on that."
 

"But I'll miss you so much, Daddy," she says with tears in her eyes.  "I don't want you to leave me again.  Please Daddy!  Let Mommy and me come with you on your trip!!"
 

"Abby," he says, choking back tears.  "You know your Daddy is going to miss you and your Mommy more than anything.  But I have to do this, sweetheart.  And as much as I wish you and your Mommy could come with, it just can't be.  But please don't be sad.  Just remember how much your Daddy loves you.  And think about how much fun we'll all have when I return home and you get to be a flower girl at my wedding to Mommy."
 

"Well, okay, Daddy," she says more calmly.  "But I hope you come back home very soon."
 

"I will, Abby,"  Jack says reassuringly.  "I promise you I'll be home before you know it."
 

Abby's eyes begin to close as she gets sleepy.   Jack looks at his daughter and feels enormous pain.  He wonders if he'll be able to fulfil his promise to her.  He looks up and quietly prays to ask for protection and safety for both himself and his family.
 

"I love you, Abigail,"  he says after his prayer, as he stares lovingly at his daughter's beautiful face.
 

Jack leans over and gives Abby a gentle kiss goodnight on her forehead.  He turns off the light and leaves his daughter's room.  As he makes his way towards the top of the staircase, he hears the sound of a conversation between Jennifer and Laura in the living room....
 

"Mom," Jennifer says fearfully.  "I'm so upset!  I'm so worried about Jack's safety.  What if Peter tries to...."
 

Jennifer can't even bear to express her worst fears.  The thought of Peter hurting Jack is too horrible for her to even think about.
 

"Oh Darling!" Laura replies.  "You can't think like that.  Jack is a smart man.  He can take care of himself.  Besides, the police will be there with him.  So you can be sure Jack will stay as safe as possible."
 

"I hope you're right," Jennifer tells her mother.  "I couldn't even stand the thought of Jack being apart from us for all those months while he was in jail.  If something happened to him, it would..... it would just kill me."
 

Tears fill Jennifer's eyes.  Laura leans over and gives Jennifer a consoling hug.  Laura tries to think of words to say to reassure her daughter.  But she also has many of the same fears that Jennifer has about Jack's safety.  Laura looks up as she's hugging Jennifer and notices Jack standing there on the staircase with a terribly worried look on his face.  Laura looks at Jack to let him know she sees he's there.  She slowly releases herself from her embrace with her daughter, as Jack begins to approach the couch.  Jennifer turns around to see who her mother is staring at.  Jennifer looks at Jack with tears in her eyes as Jack places his hand on Jennifer's shoulder to comfort her.
 

"Listen, Darling," Laura says to Jennifer.  "I'm kind of tired.  And now that Jack is here, I think it would be a good idea for you to spend some time together and talk things over."
 

"Thank you, Mom."  she replies.   "Have a good night."
 

"You too, Jenn," Laura says.
 

Laura says goodnight to Jack and Jennifer and heads upstairs.  Jack & Jennifer are now alone in the living room.  Jack takes a seat next to Jennifer on the couch and begins to gently stroke Jennifer's face.
 

"Jenn, you know I can't stand the thought of being separated from you and Abby again.  Even if it's only for a short little while.  I just wish things were different.  But I have to do this.  I have to find Peter and put him behind bars.  None of us will be safe until that happens."
 

"I know, Jack.  I know you're right.  But still, I just wish that you didn't have to go.  It frightens me to know that you'll be putting yourself in so much danger like this.  I'm so scared that you may never......"
 

Jennifer can't even complete her sentence.  It's too painful for her to admit her worst fears.  Terror begins to fill her face as she imagines, for a brief second, the police arriving at her door to tell her that Jack has died.  Tears quickly fill her eyes as these horrible thoughts haunt her mind.  Jack notices this fearful look on Jennifer's face.  He knows exactly what she's thinking.  In an effort to comfort her, he leans over and places his arms around her while gently stroking her back.  Jennifer wraps her arms around Jack and holds him tight.
 

"Don't let go of me, Jack.  Just hold me in your arms...."
 

"Jenn," he says, as tears are filling his eyes.  "I just can't stand to see you in so much pain like this.  But you have to stay optimistic.  You have to believe that everything will work out for us...."
 

"I don't know if I can believe that, Jack" she replies, still holding him tightly.  "I just don't know.  All I know is that tonight... tonight I just need you to hold me in your arms.  I need to hear you tell me that everything will be okay.  I just... I just need to feel you close to me...."
 

Jack continues to hold Jennifer in his arms, while stroking her back to console her.  He stares ahead at the empty room and feels so sad and worried.  All he wants to do is make Jennifer's sadness and fear disappear.  After a minute or so, he releases himself from his embrace with Jennifer to look directly into her tear-filled eyes.  Jennifer stares back into Jack's blue eyes which are also filled with tears.
 

"You and Abby are the two most important things in the world to me," he says to her.  "Nothing else matters to me, except ensuring yours and Abby's happiness.  And now... to think that I'm the cause of all your tears..."
 

"No, Jack!" Jennifer cries.  "How can you think that?  It's not your fault.  All our pain is because of Peter!  It's because of him!"
 

"You're right, Jenn.  I know.  But I just can't stand to see you, the woman I love more than life itself,  with so much pain in your heart.  I would do anything right now to see your beautiful smile.  Please, Jenn.  Please have faith that things will go our way.  Just think how wonderful it will be when we finally catch Peter and get him behind bars."
 

"But I worry about your safety, Jack," she says with great fear.
 

"Yeah, Jenn.  I know you do.  But as I've told you before, I'm not going there alone.  I'm going to have the police helping me in my search.  I'll stay safe.  I promise."
 

Jack pauses for a moment, then decides to change the subject.
 

"Listen, Jennifer.  I really think we shouldn't waste our time crying like this.  We still have a couple days until I leave.  Why don't we enjoy the time we have together, alright?"
 

Jennifer pauses for a moment, unsure of what to think.  She realizes that, as worried as she is about Jack's safety, she doesn't want to waste her last few days with Jack, crying endless tears.  She gives him a very tiny smile to indicate her agreement.
 

"There's that beautiful smile I've been waiting for!"  he says to her as he gently wipes the tears off her face.  "You know what?  I have an idea.  Why don't you go upstairs and freshen up?  And then when you come back down here, we can have a nice romantic dinner together.  How about that?  Let's make the most out of this night, okay?"
 

"You're right, Jack,"  she answers back, wiping the tears from her cheeks.  "We still have a bit more time together before you leave.  I don't want to waste a moment that I have with you."
 

Jennifer leans over and gives him a quick kiss on the lips.  She gets up from the couch and walks upstairs.  Jack watches her head up the staircase.  "Nothing is going to stop us from enjoying our last couple of days together, Jenn," he thinks.  "Even if it may be a long time before I come back home again...."
 

Meanwhile, at the DiMera Mansion, Kristen is on the telephone talking to one of her contacts in the Carribean.  She's trying to find out information about Peter's whereabouts....
 

"So tell me," Kristen says to the person on the line.  "Do you have any idea where my brother could be on that island?"
 

"I'm not sure, Ms. Blake," the female caller replies.  "I thought I might have seen someone on this island that matched your brother's description.  But I can't honestly be sure if it was really him."
 

"When was it that you thought you saw him?"  Kristen asks the caller.
 

"Well, about a month ago, I was walking with my husband on this beach.  It was starting to get dark and the sun was beginning to set in the horizon.  The beach was very quiet -- only a few people here and there.  And then, off in the distance, we saw a man sitting by himself.  My husband and I both looked at each other and thought it was rather strange that this man was sitting by himself on such a quiet beach.  As we walked towards him, we glanced at him for a moment.  He acknowledged our presence by saying a quick hello to us.  We said hello back to him and then proceeded to have a small conversation with him.  He seemed rather friendly.  Then, I noticed he was holding a picture in his hand and I asked him who was in that picture.  At first, he seemed very hesitant to tell me.  But eventually he admitted that it was his wife and daughter."
 

"Did you get a good look at the picture?"
 

"Well, not exactly.  The man didn't seem to want to show us the picture directly.  But while he was speaking to my husband, my curiosity got the better of me.  I leaned over slightly to get a better look at the photo.  His wife looked quite beautiful in that photograph.  She was wearing a summer dress and she had shoulder-length, blond hair.  And his daughter was just as beautiful as his wife.  She also had blonde hair, but it was much longer."
 

"Hmmm... your description of the people in that picture sounds similar to Jennifer and Abby.  But there's a lot of people out there that could fit that description.  What about the man?  Do you think it was Peter?"
 

"Well, Ms. Blake," the caller replies.  "As I told you before, I can't be one-hundred percent sure.  But I've seen many pictures of Peter Blake in different newspapers.  And the man I saw did look like Peter.  I'd say I'm 95% certain it was him."
 

"So where exactly did you see this man?"
 

"It is hard to explain to you the exact location.   But it was on this island, not far from where I live."
 

"Would you be able to pinpoint the location to a search party if you went with them?" Kristen asks.
 

"It's quite possible."
 

"Well, that would be great.  I am, in fact, intending to fly down to the island to help in the search for my brother.  And you sound like you could be a very big help to us.  I think what I'll do is give you a call when I arrive there with the search party.  Would that be alright?"
 

"Certainly.  I'm more than willing to help you out.  I'll speak to you then, when you get here."
 

"Thank you," Kristen says to her contact.  "I look forward to seeing you there."
 

Kristen hangs up the phone.  She feels a great sense of relief knowing that she has finally got a great lead on her brother's whereabouts.  She wants to tell Jack & Jennifer the great news right away.  But then, as she's about to pick up the phone to call them, she notices the clock says it's past nine in the evening.  So she decides to tell Jack & Jennifer the good news tomorrow.
 

Meanwhile, back at Peter's Carribean island hideaway....

 
Peter is sitting by himself at the place he now calls "home."  He notices a picture of Jennifer and Abby on one of his tables.  He walks towards that picture and picks it up.
 

"Oh Jenn," he says with great sadness, while staring at the picture.  "I miss you and Abby so much.  One day, my love.  One day we will be together again.  It's only a matter of time.  And soon..... soon I will make you forget about Jack.  You will remember the happiness and love that we once shared together before that jerk showed up.  It's because of him that I'm suffering like this!!  But I'll make him pay!!!!  Jack Deveraux will pay dearly for all my misery!  So help me -- I'll make him sorry he ever returned to Salem!!"
 

Just then, the phone suddenly rings.  Peter places the picture of Jennifer and Abby back on the table.  He picks up the phone to answer the call...
 

"Hello?"  Peter says.
 

"Peter, it's me, Larry."
 

"Larry?  Larry who?"
 

"The same "Larry" that works for Stefano.  Remember?"
 

"Oh Yeah.  I remember.  So what do you want?  You have any news on Deveraux?"
 

"Yup!  I got news alright.  Seems one of our informants had a little conversation with your sister."
 

"Oh really?"  Peter asks with great interest.  "So what did Kristen say to the the informant?"
 

"Seems your sister was quite desperate to find out information about your whereabouts."
 

"Yeah.  I'll bet she is," Peter replies bitterly.  "Probably so she can help that scum, Deveraux, find me.  So what did the informant tell her?"
 

"Well, the woman told Kristen exactly what you were hoping she would tell your sister.  She told Kristen you were living here on this island."
 

"Good.  That's precisely what I wanted to have happen," Peter says with a smile.  "Let them all come down here to find me.  It's really too bad for them that their little trip won't go exactly the way they planned.  Yeah, they're definitely gonna be in for a big surprise when they show up here.  It's just a shame I won't be here for the 'main event.'"
 

"Yeah," Larry replies.  "Too bad you won't be here to celebrate when we finally give Deveraux  exactly what he deserves."
 

"Yup!"  Peter says confidently.  "A trip straight to Hell!  HA!HA!HA!"
 

Larry laughs along with Peter.  Then, Peter continues his thought....
 

"Well, as much as I'd love to be here to witness the destruction of my worst enemy, there are other plans that I have to take care of."
 

"No problem, Boss.  We'll all get the job done for you.  You can count on us."
 

"You better!"  Peter replies with a serious voice.  "Because the success of my plans depend on Jack Deveraux not walking off this island alive.  Got it?"
 

"Yes, Boss.  I read you loud and clear."
 

Larry and Peter end their conversation.  Peter hangs up the telephone and walks towards that same picture of Jennifer and Abby he was looking at only minutes ago...
 

"Soon, my love," he says quietly to the picture.  "Soon, we will be happily reunited.  Nothing and nobody will stop me from being with you again.  And I'll make sure of it by doing something I should have done long ago.  I'm going to get rid of the one obstacle that has always been standing in the way of our happiness.  And when that happens, Jenn, we'll finally be together once again.  Only, this time, it will be forever..."
 

To be continued....
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