Circle of Love-9

by Kathleen

AUTHOR'S NOTE: Thank you for all the feedback on this story. Please continue to let me know what you think.

RATING: "PG"

The "NC-17" version of this chapter has been forwarded for distribution via the "NC-17" mailing list (HelenO@aol.com). You can also contact me directly at kathsheeh@aol.com to receive a copy.

CHAPTER 9 -- The Calm Before The Storm

Monday, April 30, 2001

The Jacks Homestead -- 1:00pm

Charlie Chan had just arrived from Hong Kong and everyone was gathered in the living room to discuss the latest findings of his investigative team. Finally there was some news.

Jax stood behind the sofa where Jane and Julia sat. "What can you tell us?"

Charlie looked over the reports that had just been faxed over to him. "We have found a tie between Peterson and a Melbourne company."

John's eyes narrowed. "What Melbourne company?"

Charlie looked up from the materials. "Australian Alliance."

Jerry shook his head. "That name again?"

Charlie looked at Jax and Jerry. "What have your past dealings with the company been?"

Jax leaned his arms on the back of the couch as he spoke. "It was associated with the mine workers strike in Melbourne four months ago. Alliance came in at the last moment and threw its support to the workers and the strike lasted three weeks instead of three days."

John leaned back in his chair. "That strike cost us thousands of dollars a day and enabled our competition to move in and negotiate better deals with the distributors. In the end, that cost us even more."

Julia spoke up. "Those labor problems were immediately after the shake-up in Hong Kong."

Jerry nodded. "They sure were." He then turned to Charlie. "How far back can you a trace a relationship between Peterson and Alliance?"

Charlie cleared his throat. "Five months and we are digging to see if we can find anything further back than that."

Jane sighed. "So the relationship began shortly after Peterson was removed from his position in Hong Kong?"

"Exactly."

Julia tapped her finger against her cheek. "I bet it is not a coincidence that those two problems were back to back."

"Julia, I am sure you are right." Jax sat down in a chair next to Jerry. "Charlie, we looked into Alliance after the strike and it was owned by a small holding company with very few other assets. Our investigators could never trace the holding company back to anything but a dummy corporation."

Charlie looked at the report again. "Yes, it is just a shell but two money transactions have been traced and that could give us an opening. My contact is awaiting information from the banks. We should know more by tomorrow."

Jax made a quick phone call to Port Charles and had Addie begin pulling everything she could find on Alliance. She would send it to him at the end of the day. Jerry called Paul Hogan, J & J Jacks' eyes and ears in Melbourne, and asked that he start researching Alliance from the local perspective when business hours began in a few hours. This way all the data could be compared once it had been compiled from all sources.

John tapped his fingers against the arms of the leather chair. "What about Peterson and the security measures?"

Charlie closed the folder. "My men are convinced he is still in China. We should have an exact location within a day or so. In the meantime, security measures are in place in all the headquarters and the breach detection software is being installed and then un-installed at a different time each day after the close of business on all networks."

John nodded and then spoke to the group. "Okay, what do we know thus far?"

Jerry folded his arms in front of him. "Hong Kong develops problems, Peterson becomes involved with Alliance and the labor strikes begin in Melbourne within a few month time frame."

Julia chimed in. "And then supplier contract problems develop in Ontario."

Jax rubbed his hands together. "And now a threat to western Europe and the continuing problems in Asia."

Jane took a deep breath. "A concerted effort I would say."

John nodded. "You are right Lady Jane. But why this approach?"

Jax exhaled deeply. "Someone has a point to prove, or at least thinks he or she does."

John waved his finger at Jax. "Yes, my boy. Whether we are dealing with one or more adversaries, this is someone who feels as though he or she has an ax to grind."

Julia interjected. "And someone who enjoys a good game of chess. Extreme patience has been shown thus far."

Jax nodded. "Yes, but there is some recent sloppiness here which is just what we need. We know that the Hong Kong office is the only one thus far to have had a breach of the computer network. It could be because the game is being run from there or it could be just the opposite. That way if the breach is detected, the location would be the furthest from the operation center and therefore more difficult to trace. In this case, my gut tells me we are dealing with the latter situation here."

John took his glasses off. "That is my feeling as well. This is not an amateur by any means. This is not being run from Hong Kong, we are just supposed to think it is."

"Dad, I agree with both you and Jax." Jerry then loudly sighed. "But our hands are still tied until we have figured out who we are dealing with."

Jane looked at John. "Maybe we should concentrate more on past competition and adversaries rather than just recent competitors."

Julia turned to Jane. "I think that is a good idea especially since nothing has turned up in the search thus far based on the recent transactions."

Charlie spoke out. "You get me any name and I will have an investigator on it immediately."

John fingered his beard. "Fine. We will pull the data and get you more names." He then looked over at Jax and Jerry. "I would also include anyone that may have a bone to pick with you in connection with your personal lives."

Jax's eyes met John's stare. "Magnum has kept a close watch on Miranda so there is no reason to suspect she has anything to do with this. Charlie has ruled it out in his investigation any way."

John cleared this throat. "What about Corinthos?"

Jax clenched his jaw. "Charlie has already checked into any possible ties to Sonny Corinthos and he has found none. This is not Corinthos' style anyhow and from what I understand, he has his hands full trying to stay alive in Puerto Rico."

Julia decided to inflect some levity into the situation. "Now Jerry on the other hand and his list..."

Jerry rolled his eyes as John chuckled. "That is enough Julia. You are just jealous of all those women from my past?"

Julia sighed. "Yes, all those female police officers, IRS agents, customs officials, prison matrons..."

Jerry glared at Julia as Jane patted her on the hand. "My dear, you certainly know my son very well."

Jax shook his head. "And it is unbelievable that she still agreed to marry him. I still think that Julia must have suffered a head injury right before she accepted his proposal. It is the only thing that would make any sense."

Julia, John and Charlie burst into laughter as Jerry just shook his head. "Who needs enemies when this is how you are treated by the people who call themselves your family and associates?"

Jax tapped Jerry on the shoulder. "It was not my idea to call myself your family, I got stuck with that misfortune when I was born and Mum and Dad had to break the terrible news that you were my brother." Jax loudly sighed. "I will never forget how remorseful they were when they first told me about you."

Jane decided it was time to step in before her refereeing duties had to be put into use for the ten thousandth time between her two sons. "Okay, I think now would be a very good time for lunch."

Jax stood up. "Sure Mum and then afterwards we can gather the lists of names for Charlie to investigate for potential ties to this attack. Of course Jerry's list will be in the form of an encyclopedia."

Jerry slapped Jax on the back as he followed him out of the living room. "Little brother, one day you are going to need some advice and you will come to me and the do not disturb sign will be on my door. Then you will be up the proverbial creek without a paddle and who can you turn to for the advice?"

Jax shrugged. "That's okay, I can always ask Jillian. It would be better advice any way."

Jerry rolled his eyes again as Jax chuckled loudly and went into the kitchen. Julia came up behind him and put her hand on his shoulder.

"Don't worry dear, I am here for you. I knew you were a lunatic and essentially useless when I married you."

Jerry grinned. "A lunatic? Well, I have to keep up my image." Jerry then grabbed Julia and threw her over his shoulder.

Julia laughed as Jerry carried her into the kitchen. Life was always an interesting experience around the Jacks crew.

The Jacks Homestead -- 8:30pm

Dinner was over and John was working in the office. Jerry and Jax had left the house to accompany Charlie to one of the guest houses on the property. No new information had been found in the past several hours but the business days were in full swing in both Hong Kong and Australia so more details were expected overnight.

Julia was in the living room looking at the latest photos of Jillian that were scattered around the room. Next to one of the photos, hung the framed set of Jillian's hand prints that Jillian had given Jane as a birthday gift. Julia lifted her index finger to the frame's glass and lightly traced Jillian's small hands. Julia sighed deeply as she remembered how Jillian's angelic face had lit up when Jane had hung the framed hand prints on the wall.

Julia took a deep breath as she sat down on the couch. The thought of never having her own little angel looking up at her with wide-eyed innocence made Julia's chest feel as if a cinder block was sitting on it. Jillian's laughter from the phone call late this afternoon sounded in her head. Jax had put Jillian on the speaker phone so that she could tell everyone what she saw at the zoo when she had gone with Laura and Lulu and some of the children from the Ward House. Jillian had laughed and excitedly described to them just how big a baby giraffe was and how the sea lion barked just like Lady did.

Julia remembered the bright smile on Jerry's face when Jillian spoke to him about seeing a baby kangaroo peeking out of his mother's pouch. Jerry had tried to explain to her that the baby kangaroo was called a joey but Jillian kept telling him that the zoo lady said it was a baby girl kangaroo and that joey was a boy's name so the baby was not a joey. Julia felt the weight press against her chest again as Jerry's bantering with Jillian echoed in her mind. Julia looked down at the coffee table and saw the photo of the entire family at the penthouse for Christmas. Her hands trembled as she picked it up. As she looked at it, Julia could not help thinking that Jillian may be the only little angel standing in front of the tree in the family photo.

Jane walked out of the kitchen with a tray of coffee and saw the sad expression on Julia's face. Jane cleared her throat. "Here is some coffee for us while we wait for Jerry and Jax to come back."

Julia was pulled out of her deep thoughts at the sound of Jane's voice. "Thank you Jane."

Jane sat down next to Julia. "That is such a lovely picture."

Julia forced a smile. "Yes, it is." As Julia placed it down on the coffee table, her trembling fingers prevented her from standing the frame up properly and it fell against the table. "Damn, look at me."

Jane grabbed Julia's hand and helped her set the frame back in place on the table. She then took Julia's other hand in hers as well. "My dear, is there anything I can do to help you?"

Julia lowered her eyes as she shook her head. "No, unfortunately not."

"My dear, I am so sorry for everything you are going through. I know all of this trouble is not making things any easier."

Julia looked up and met Jane's eyes. "Actually, the only good thing about all this mess is that it gives me something else to worry about."

Jane patted Julia's hand again. "If you want to talk about it, I am here."

Julia sighed deeply. "It's Jerry."

Jane tightened her grip on Julia's hand. "What about Jerry?"

She took another deep breath. "You see the way he is around Jillian. He lights up with her, even when he is talking to her from thousands of miles away on the telephone like tonight."

"He loves her a great deal."

Julia continued. "It is the same with Ned and Lois' children. He is such a kid at heart himself, he just seems to be so drawn to them."

Jane nodded. "Yes, he is wonderful with them."

Julia's voice was choked with emotion. "He should have his own children and that is not likely to happen with me."

Jane exhaled slowly. "Julia, don't do this to yourself. You and Jerry are going to get through this and whatever decisions that have to be made, you will make together."

Tears brimmed Julia's eyes. "I really do understand that but there is still this little part of me that thinks he is going to walk out the door and find someone who can give him a family."

Jane sighed as she shook her head. "Julia, my son loves you. He loves you with all of his heart and nothing is going to change that."

Julia wiped a tear from her cheek. "I know he loves me but it is still so hard at times not to wonder if he would not be happier with someone else."

Jane hugged Julia. "Dear, put that thought right out of your head. I have never seen my son as happy as he has been with you. When I watched him exchange vows with you a year and a half ago, I knew he had found the peace he had been looking for his whole life."

Julia took a few deep breaths before finally releasing Jane from her embrace. "Thank you Jane. Some days I just need a little reassurance."

Jane smiled brightly at her. "That is what I am here for."

Julia returned her smile. "You certainly are. Brenda has told me how comforting you have been to her with everything she and Jax have been through. I know she has her own share of apprehension on this subject."

Jane passed Julia a tissue. "Yes, she is concerned that Jax is sacrificing something because of her fears about ever having another child."

Julia dabbed her eyes. "Yes, she has talked to me about it and I have told her that Jax loves her and that the most important thing to Jax is that she and Jillian are happy."

Jane nodded. "And the same thing can be said about Jerry in reference to you. He just wants you to be happy."

The sound of footsteps coming up the front walk was heard and Julia quickly blew her nose. Jerry and Jax came through the door as Jane and Julia were drinking their coffee.

Jerry took off his jacket and looked at Jane and Julia. "Well, what have you two been plotting?"

Julia put her cup down. "Wouldn't you like to know?"

Jax moved across the room. "Where's Dad?"

Jane looked up. "He is in the office checking the stock trading."

Jax walked toward the office. "I am going to go check with him about the latest."

The phone then rang and Jerry picked it up. "Hello. Nuts R Us."

Brenda shook her head. "Hello Jerry."

Jerry sat down on the arm of the chair. "Are you calling to tell Jax that you took your evening dose of antibiotics? I am surprised he has not had the concierge count your pills every morning to make sure you have taken your daily dose. You know Jax has a real problem with being away from you. I think we need to get him some help."

Brenda rolled her eyes. "He needs no help thank you. He is perfect the way he is."

Jerry smirked as he saw Jax come out of the office. "I hate to break this to you, but he is not. You see, he has been feigning all of this concern about your health. He has just been acting concerned so you would not be suspicious of his relationship with this new female investigator.

Brenda shook her head again as she sat down on the bed in the hotel suite. "A new female investigator?"

Jerry nodded. "Yes and she is beautiful and built and available. Brenda, I am sorry but my little brother is just a cad. He is..."

Jerry's speech had been interrupted as Jax's arm had clamped Jerry's head in a head lock. Jax took the receiver from Jerry's hand. "I will take over in speaking to my wife now."

Jax released his grip on Jerry's neck and Jane and Julia shook their heads. "As I said Jane, just a big kid."

Jane nodded. "Yes and one that still needs to be punished quite often."

Jax put the phone to his ear. "Hey sweetie."

Brenda immediately smiled. "Hi honey. I hope you put him in a head lock."

Jax grinned. "Anything for you, my lady."

Jerry sat down in the chair and spoke loud enough for Brenda to hear him. "Oh please. You both should be committed."

Brenda laughed. "Tell Romeo there I consider that a compliment."

Jax chuckled again. "Sweetie, hold on while I go upstairs." Jax put the call on hold and then turned to Jerry. "Brenda says thanks for the compliment."

Jane smiled as Jax walked by her on his way up the stairs. "Say hello for all of us."

Jax reached the bedroom and picked up the extension. "I am back. How are you?"

Brenda softly sighed. "Okay. McKenzie and I just arrived at the inn an hour ago. It will be a hectic few days before the finals on Friday but both Cyclone and Dream look great. What about you? What did Charlie find?"

Jax sat down on the bed. "We now have a few leads both on Peterson and some ties to the problems in Melbourne. Tomorrow we should finally start to get some answers."

"Good. I know how difficult this has been for all of you."

Jax spoke quietly. "For all of us."

Brenda bit her bottom lip. "Jillian said she spoke to all of you."

Jax smiled. "Yes, she told us all about the zoo. And even better than that, she totally frustrated Jerry."

Brenda laughed softly. "Robin told me about the joey debate."

Jax chuckled. "It was priceless. I think she really had a good time."

Brenda's voice was almost a whisper. "Yes, she did."

Jax took a deep breath. "Sweetie, are you all right?"

Brenda swallowed hard. "Yes."

Jax's eyes mirrored the sadness in his heart. "Brenda."

Her voice wavered. "I miss her. I miss you. The days are full but the nights are so empty."

Jax nodded. "I know baby. You will be back home with her in just a few days."

Brenda laid back against the pillows on the bed. "Yes, just four more nights after this one. Until then it will be just me and the radio."

Jax grinned. "Well, you can always call into one of those late night radio programs."

Brenda giggled. "I don't think so."

"Try it, you might like it." Jax's voice changed to a perfect imitation of a radio call-in show host. "Hello America, this is Wolfman Jax coming to you from QFIX, that's Quick Fix radio, number 911 on your FM dial. Lines are now open. Callers please identify yourselves."

Brenda fought back her laughter as she joined in on the game. "Hi Wolfman. This is Lonely and Alone, calling you from Carmel."

"Well, hello, Lonely and Alone. What seems to be the problem?"

"Well, I'm hanging out here in a lovely hotel suite away from my loving husband and our precious daughter and I'm having a hard time getting through the night. You got a quick fix for that?"

"Well, speaking as a celebrated chat show host, I listen to lots of different voices every night, so I'm a pretty good judge of character. My guess is that both your husband and your daughter are missing you just as much are you are missing them. As a matter of fact, judging by the warm and caring sound of your voice, it is hard to imagine any man crazy enough not to be desperate without you."

Brenda smiled. "You know, Wolfman, I have this man in my life who owns my heart and soul. He is my husband and he reminds me a little bit of you actually. He tells me that patience will bring rewards for us since we will hear the angels sing when we are back together again."

"This husband of yours, is he a psychic?"

"No, but he knows me better than anyone else in this whole entire world, so I take his advice to heart."

Jax face brightened. "Lonely and Alone, then you should get ready to give up that name soon because you will hear the angels sing."

Brenda beamed as she continued to speak to him. How ever far away from her he was and for however long, he was in her heart. And there was no way she would ever let him escape it.

Tuesday, May 1, 2001

The Jacks Homestead -- 3:00pm

It was the start of the business day on Wednesday in Hong Kong and Australia. Charlie was awaiting information from the Melbourne bank concerning the two money transfers which had been traced to Australian Alliance. The business day for the European holdings had ended several hours ago and all was quiet. The same was true thus far today for the North American businesses.

Jax and Jerry had spent the late morning and early afternoon reviewing the materials that Addie and Paul Hogan had faxed over about Australian Alliance. On paper, it was apparent that the company could not pose any type of realistic threat against a conglomerate the size and power of J & J Jacks. It was obvious that Alliance was acting as a front for a much more powerful adversary.

In their review of the documents forwarded to them, Jax and Jerry were able to determine that a subsidiary corporation of Alliance held a major interest in Empire Holdings. The data showed a specific pattern of activity for Alliance and Empire. Over the past five months, there had been a series of subtle, calculated movements against the Australian holdings of J & J Jacks. Contracts had been lost, supply lines had been disrupted and labor problems had been initiated. The problems were small when examined on an individual basis but collectively, they had caused J & J Jacks to suffer some significant losses in the Australian markets.

Jax was speaking to Addie on the phone while checking information on the computer about Alliance and Empire. Jerry was on the phone with Paul Hogan in Melbourne discussing Empire's latest maneuvers. Jane and Julia were cross-referencing the dates of withdrawals from the Empire accounts with the time frame of the union troubles for J & J Jacks. John was checking the stock exchange when Charlie's contact telephoned to say that the information about the Alliance bank transactions was being faxed immediately.

Charlie quickly perused the information. "One deposit had been traced directly to the Melbourne National Bank but it has been determined that it is unrelated to Alliance's actions against J & J Jacks."

Charlie handed the paper to John. John scanned it and then looked up at Charlie. "What about the other one?"

Charlie smiled. "We have pay dirt here. The other deposit was traced to Melbourne National Bank but additional research showed that the transaction had actually originated from a New Zealand bank the day before. Further investigation has found that the funds were wired from an account held under the name of ABC, Inc.

Jax began punching the information into his computer. "ABC, what can we find out about you?"

Jerry stood behind Jax and spoke out loud. "ABC, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Imperial, Inc."

John folded his arms in front of him. "What do we know about Imperial, Inc.?"

Jax typed in the name and hit the enter key. "A holding company headquartered in Bora Bora." Jax muttered under his breath. "Damn, it's another shell."

Julia stood up. "Bora Bora?"

John looked over at Julia. "Julia, what are you thinking?"

Julia grabbed the phone book from her purse and walked over to Jerry. "Give me your phone."

Jerry handed her the phone. "What is it?"

Julia spoke as she dialed. "Peter Hudson, Barrett's former legal counsel, moved to Tahiti several years ago. He has since retired but not before becoming an expert on every corporation domiciled there."

Julia reached Peter and he promised to call her back in five minutes after he got a quick update on the latest information involving Imperial."

Five minutes later, the phone rang and Julia picked it up. "Okay Peter, what do you have for me?"

Julia listened and jotted down some notes. She then gave Peter the fax number to the house and thanked him for the information. She smiled as she hung up the phone.

Jerry let out an exasperated sigh. "Julia, are you going to keep us waiting forever?"

Julia rolled her eyes at him. "Imperial, Inc. is a subsidiary corporation of Melbourne Mining of Australia. Melbourne Mining is owned by..."

John finished her sentence. "Frank McBride."

Jane gasped softly. "Frank McBride? After all these years?"

Charlie spoke up. "Who is Frank McBride?"

Jax rubbed his temples as he recalled how the trouble with McBride and the subsequent explosion had almost destroyed his life ten years ago. It had all been brought up again six years later when Miranda had appeared in the Quartermaine foyer. It was then rehashed again when Miranda had been caught up in her web of deception. Now it was back rearing its ugly head again and Jax swore it was not going to cost him anything now.

Jax took a deep breath and then spoke. Traces of pain were clearly heard in his voice. "A reminder of the past."

Jerry swallowed hard at the sorrowful sound of Jax's voice. Jerry paced behind the couch as he provided further information to Charlie. "Ten years ago, J & J Jacks and McBride were in the midst of a major battle over control of a number of opal mines. Unfortunately measures were taken by both sides that were later regretted."

John rubbed his hands together. "Obviously McBride thinks he still has a score to settle."

Charlie looked over at John. "Have you had any connection with McBride over the past ten years?"

John shook his head. "No. He has been out of opal business and our paths have not crossed."

Julia sighed. "Until now."

Jane saw a look of sadness creep into Jax's eyes as he spoke. "Well, now it has to end. Once and for all."

Charlie jotted down some notes. "What has McBride been doing in terms of business over the past ten years?"

Jerry rested his palms on the back of the couch. "He has kept some business interests here but Melbourne Mining is just a shadow of what it used to be. He does not have the resources to fund a complete take-over operation. He would have the resources to cause the preliminary problems but not anywhere near enough to undertake the entire mission alone."

John nodded. "Jerry is right. There is no way McBride is handling this alone. Someone else has the major purse strings and is calling the shots. This is not McBride's style, he is not a chess player. He could never be this patient."

Julia cleared her throat. "Peterson is in the same situation. He does not have the resources to conduct a full fledged assault, only enough to create some preliminary chaos as has already occurred."

Charlie looked at John. "Now we need to find the treasurer in this little game."

Jax checked his computer again for information. "We need to find Peterson. He can lead us to the information we need."

Jerry threaded his fingers through his hair. "And the clock is ticking."

Jane exhaled slowly. "We all need to do what we can now to stay in the game."

Charlie called his associates in Melbourne and asked that they begin an immediate investigation on Melbourne Mining and Frank McBride. He then contacted his Hong Kong office about the search for Peterson. In the meantime, Jax called Paul Hogan in the Melbourne office and briefed him on the latest developments and then called Addie.

Jax put down the phone. "I am going to head to Melbourne tomorrow morning to meet Paul. We will see what we can find out about McBride and I can monitor the situation in the company there. We know the next attack is coming and that is the likely target."

Charlie hung up the phone after making plans with his Hong Kong office. "My contacts are convinced that Peterson is still in China, probably in the vicinity of Shanghai. It will be soon. Tomorrow, I will head to Hong Kong to coordinate things and then I will go to Shanghai myself to assist with the search."

Jerry sat next to Julia on the couch. "Charlie, I am coming with you. Hong Kong is still so vulnerable and I want to be there when Peterson is found."

Julia took Jerry's hand. "I will go back to Port Charles and monitor the European situation."

John nodded. "Jane and I will watch over the North American holdings and monitor all the security procedures. The rest of the afternoon we will review the priorities for each location and then coordinate our telephone meeting schedules for the next few days."

Jerry sighed. "Okay. Sounds like a plan."

Jax looked over at John. "That will cover everything."

John pointed his finger at Jax. "Yes, and now that we have some information, we can be better prepared for whatever comes at us. This war has just begun."

They worked through the afternoon and then into the early evening determining the strategy for maintaining control over each region of J & J Jacks. Everyone knew what had to be done until more information could be obtained to stop the assault. It was essential that no further damage be sustained before an offensive plan could be initiated against McBride, Peterson and the other adversaries.

As the evening began, Jane prepared to start dinner while John took the opportunity to get some rest. Julia passed Jax in the hallway upstairs as she searched for Jerry. She did not find him in either the living room or office but then spotted him standing outside the house. Julia put on her jacket and opened the front door and walked outside.

Dusk was just beginning as the final colors of the sunset were quickly fading away in the sky. The temperatures had begun to drop without the warmth of the bright sun that had shined upon the homestead all afternoon. Julia stood on the porch as Jerry stood several yards away with his back to her. Jerry was oblivious to her presence as the gentle breeze swept through his hair.

Julia stepped off the porch and approached him. She quietly said his name. "Jerry."

Jerry showed no signs of hearing her. He was lost within his own thoughts and the memories of years ago when things were so different.

Julia touched Jerry on the shoulder and spoke to him again. "Jerry."

He was immediately brought back to the present. "Julia."

Julia moved in front of him. "Are you all right?"

Jerry continued to stare at the sky. "That's a tough question."

Julia raised her hand to his cheek and cupped it so that he was looking at her. "Tell me what else is troubling you? There is more here than the business being under siege."

Jerry closed his eyes. "Do you think it is possible to ever truly leave the mistakes of the past where they belong?"

Julia sighed softly. "You are worried about Jax, aren't you?"

Jerry began pacing. "You saw how his whole face changed when he found out that McBride was linked to this. My parents saw it too. There is still so much pain there."

Julia took Jerry's hand. "Jerry, I don't know all the details of what happened with McBride and the mines ten years ago and I don't need to know them. I do know that this is a very difficult time for all of you."

Jerry sighed in exasperation and regret. "We never meant to hurt him or cause him any pain but in the end, that is all we did. And now it will be relived again -- the mines and McBride and Miranda and all the lies."

"Jerry, you know that Brenda and Jillian will be there to support him every step of the way. And so will the rest of us. Everything is going to work out."

Jerry sucked slightly on his bottom lip. "Well, I am not sure about how helpful the rest of us will be, but Brenda and Jillian will be there for him. You saw the difference in him after he spoke to Brenda this afternoon and told her about the link to McBride."

Julia nodded. "He loves her and she loves him and that will get them through all of this."

Jerry gazed at Julia. "Until you came into my life, I never believed that loving someone and being loved back could wield that much power."

Julia smiled. "It can and it will. I love you and we're going to be here for each other."

Jerry brushed his fingers against the skin under Julia's chin. I love you and I'm going to miss you. I saw how hard it was for Jax to be away from Brenda in all this and now I will be away from you again."

Julia's eyes shined brightly. "I am going to miss you terribly but the sooner we figure this out, the sooner it will be over."

Jerry cradled the back of her head with his hand. "I know we have implemented additional security measures as a precaution but promise me, you will be careful. I don't want you going into the parking garage alone or staying in the office late without the night guards knowing you are there..."

Julia brought her fingers to his lips. "Shhh. Jerry, we have been over this. There is no need to worry."

Jerry shook his head. "I do worry. There will never be a time that I don't worry that something I did or could do will affect you or potentially bring harm to you. Besides my family, no one has ever been close enough to me for me to have reason to worry."

Julia leaned her forehead against his. "We are going to get through this. I promise."

Jerry's arms moved around Julia's waist and they held each other as the first stars of the night sky became visible. The stars twinkled brightly above as the love glimmered in Jerry and Julia's hearts.

Highlands Inn -- 10:00pm

Carmel, California

Brenda sat down on the bed as she rubbed a towel over her wet hair. She picked up a hairbrush from the nightstand and began whisking it through her hair. She closed her eyes and a tremble went through her body as she envisioned Jax massaging the back of her neck. She could feel the warmth of his breath against her shoulder blade. Her body shuddered as she imagined his fingers touching hers as he took the brush from her. The brush swept through her hair sending tingles from her head to her toes. Her breathing became more shallow as sparks of fire shot through her. It was...

"Insane," Brenda said out loud as she opened her eyes and shook her head. "I am losing my mind."

Brenda fell back onto the bed as a tear crept from the corner of her eye. She missed him so much that now she was imagining things. It had been more than two weeks now and it felt like it had been a year since she had last seen him. They had not been away from each other this long since Jillian had been born and it was killing her. Brenda fanned herself. It was only May but it felt as though the sweltering hot days of August were here. Brenda sighed as she realized it was probably more from heat raging within her rather than from the weather.

Brenda stood up and walked over to the dresser. She opened the lid to the container of body powder and lifted out the fluffy puff. She dropped the towel which had been wrapped around her and began to powder her neck, chest and arms. The scent from Forbidden Passion, the latest fragrance from her own line of products at Jacks' Cosmetics, filtered through the air. Brenda loudly groaned as she thought back to the last morning she and Jax had been together in Orlando and how he had stroked the puff over her whole body after they had showered together. He had then proceeded to enjoy the scent as he explored every inch of her body one last time before they had to say good-bye. The flames burning inside her engulfed her and she quickly put the powder puff back into its container.

Brenda braced herself against the chest of drawers. She muttered out loud. "Forbidden Passion, how appropriate these days."

Brenda opened the top drawer of the dresser and pulled out the satin chemise that Lucy had given her as a belated birthday gift. It was perfect for the sultry heat that her body was emitting. She lifted her arms to slip the chemise over her head. It shimmied down her body and fell to the middle of her thighs. Brenda turned off the lamp on the dresser and crawled into bed. She looked at the clock and knew that Jax would call at any moment. She took a deep breath to calm the need inside her. The last thing that Jax needed was to hear the intensity of the yearning in her voice.

The soft ringing of the phone interrupted her thoughts. "Hello." She struggled to keep her voice level.

"Hey." It was a single syllable but the rawness to Jax's voice sent a shiver through her. "What are you doing?"

She wanted to blurt out that she was losing her mind from being away from him. "Waiting for your call. How are you?"

Jax swiftly raked his fingers through his hair. He wanted so badly to tell her that it was like hell being without her. "I have just been waiting to call you before I get ready to pack for my trip tomorrow morning."

Brenda leaned deeper into the pillows. "Did you find out any more information since this afternoon?"

Jax sighed. "Charlie is still working on the latest leads on Peterson. Charlie will travel with Jerry to Hong Kong before they head to Shanghai while I meet with Paul Hogan in Melbourne. How was your day?"

"Good. McKenzie had a great work-out with Cyclone and Dream." Silence followed. Brenda brushed a strand of hair from her forehead. "It's hot here."

"Spring is just beginning here." Jax leaned his head against the headboard of the bed. Silence ensued. "How is the view from your suite?"

Brenda stammered as tears crept from the corners of her eyes. "Beautiful, but it reminds me of spending time with you and Jillian at the beach."

There was another long silence. Jax swallowed hard. "Brenda, if I could be two places at one time, I would be with you." The words fell from his lips as if they were being spoken straight from his soul.

Brenda's bottom lip quivered. "Are you all right?"

"No." His voice sounded as tortured as his heart felt. "I miss you like hell."

Brenda closed her eyes as her body trembled from the craving of his touch. "I miss you." Her voice was choked with emotion and it gave away the depth of her pain. "God help me, I miss you so much."

He felt as if his heart was being ripped out of his chest. "Where are you?" Jax asked, his voice was almost a whisper.

"In bed."

Jax's breath shuddered. "What are you wearing?"

"A chemise that Lucy gave me last week as a belated birthday gift."

Jax wet his lips. "What's a chemise."

Her voice cracked. "It is similar to a teddy."

Jax shifted the pillows behind him as the heat between his legs intensified. "Describe it to me."

Brenda's lips quivered again. "It has spaghetti straps..."

Jax's voice shook as he interrupted her. "Like the white one?"

Brenda cleared her throat. "Yes, only thinner. And it is black with lace over...over my breasts."

Jax gasped softly. "Is it soft?"

Brenda's voice shook. "It is satin."

Jax's throat tightened as he spoke. "Tell me just how long is this satiny chemise."

Brenda's heart pounded against her chest. "It goes to just below my hips."

Jax's heart fluttered like a little bird learning to fly. "What are you wearing under it?"

Brenda took a deep breath. "Nothing." Blazes of fire seared through her body. "Where are you?"

"In bed. I'm wearing jeans, he uttered. "The ones with the knees cut out."

The image in her head caused her to tremble. "Are they snapped?"

"No." Jax felt the intensity of his arousal as he strained against his jeans.

Brenda's body felt as if she were melting into the sheets. Without realizing it, a moan escaped her throat. "Jax?"

"What?"

She knew it was an unfair thing to say but her desires took over. "I need you."

Jax closed his eyes as he muttered under his breath. They were over a thousand miles apart and the heat between them easily transcended the distance. Jax moved his hand to his forehead and felt the moistness dripping from it. In her bed overlooking the ocean, Brenda clung to the phone as if it were her lifeline. Both were lost in their own desires.

Jax opened his eyes and his voice was filled with the control that his body lacked. "Touch your lips."

"What?"

"Put your finger to your lips." Jax could feel her hesitation. "Do it, please."

Brenda raised her fingers. Her lips trembled at the feel of her touch; her breath was ragged.

Jax took a deep breath. "Are you touching them?"

"Yes."

Jax's voice shook as he spoke. "What do they feel like? Tell me."

Her voice wavered with desire. "Soft. Wet. They are trembling."

Jax closed his eyes as he moaned loudly. "God, I love your mouth. It is so soft under mine. I wish I were kissing your mouth now. I want to feel your lips on mine. That is all that I can think about now. I want my tongue inside your mouth. I want to taste you. I want..."

Brenda gasped. "Please stop. This is insane."

Jax whispered. "Does that feel good?"

"Jax."

"It's all right. We are just making love a different way. Does it feel good?"

Brenda licked her lips. "Jax, I want you so much. I need us to be together. I want..."

"Brenda, I can't be with you. Please let me do this for you. Let one of us feel good."

"No, I..."

His instructions were explicit, breath-stealing explicit, but given with intense tenderness. They were the instructions of her lover, the man she loved. Slowly and hesitantly she obeyed his pleading whispers. Brenda surrendered each step of the way at the pleasure he was unleashing in her.

"It's okay sweetie. Let it happen. Let it happen for both of us."

"Jax."

"Please Brenda. Don't fight it."

The dam burst as Brenda's body fell against the soft pillows.

"That's it baby." Jax's voice was labored as he struggled to prevent the heat in his body from consuming him. "I love you. Do you hear me? I love you Brenda."

"Jax, Jax.." Her voiced was strangled. Brenda gasped and then silence followed. Slowly she rolled to her side and curled into a tight ball. A thousand miles away, Jax also rolled onto his side, hoping it would ease the ache. It didn't.

When Jax finally spoke his voice was comforting. "Are you all right? Did it feel good?"

"Yes, but I am blushing." Brenda unconsciously buried her smiling face into the pillow.

Jax grinned. "Why darling?"

She groaned. "Do you know what I just did?"

"Exactly what I asked you to do. That means we were making love."

Brenda's head remained buried in the pillow. "Technically."

"We made love." Jax sighed. "Well, at least one of us did."

Brenda frowned as she sat up. "Honey, I'm sorry. I..."

He interrupted her. "Hey, I knew what I was doing. I will live." Jax rolled onto his back as the ache continued. "Maybe I will."

"Jax."

"What?"

Brenda swallowed hard. "It felt good. It was satisfying but emotionally.." Her voice cracked. "I want you, I want you beside me. I want to feel your arms around me. I want to feel your touches and kisses."

Jax's voice was choked. "I want that too baby. I will be with you as soon as I can."

Brenda whispered. "I know you will be." She hugged a pillow against her chest. "I am sorry. I love you so much."

Ten minutes later, they hung up. It was so difficult at times to hear each other's voices but then be unable to be any closer than at the end of a telephone line. Brenda laid down and slipped under the sheets. Finally she fell into a restless sleep. Jax wasn't so lucky. He laid on top of the comforter as his longing overwhelmed him. A half hour later he got up and marched into the bathroom and turned on a cold shower. His still aroused body shuddered as he stood under the chilling stream of water. Jax placed his hands against the wall of the shower and groaned. The torture was unbelievable and he knew that there was only one way to put an end to it. And that was what he was going to do.

Wednesday, May 2, 2001

Highlands Inn -- 2:15am

Brenda quickly sat up as she heard the creak as the front door to the hotel suite opened. She flicked on the lamp beside her and got out of bed as she heard the sound of footsteps approaching the closed door to the bedroom area of the suite. She was in the center of the room when she heard the sound of an angel.

"Brenda, it's me."

Her voice was a faint whisper. "Jax!"

Suddenly her bare feet seemed to become glued to the carpet as her body was saturated with feelings of complete surprise and utter joy. She could not move to the door but, after what seemed to be an eternity, it flew open.

The faint light from the bedside lamp glimmered from his face and his eyes sparkled as if they were filled with diamond dust. They stood gazing at one another for a moment before Brenda finally found her voice. "Am I still dreaming?"

Jax remained in the doorway as he too was almost afraid that moving would somehow destroy the image of her before him. "You're not dreaming sweetie. But the desk clerk downstairs thought he was when I threw five thousand dollars on the counter to get your room key."

Words involuntarily came out of her mouth. "Five thousand dollars?"

He flashed her his trademark grin and she knew he was real. "I would have given him the plane for that key." He lifted his eyebrow. "Of course, the plane may not be what he would want now since it somehow developed these "mysterious" engine problems on the way to Australia and the pilot just had to land at the closest airport and wouldn't you know, it just happened to be Monterey."

Brenda trembled as she stood there with the light shining behind her. "Jax. You're here."

He stepped closer to her and dropped his bag with one hand while the other closed the bedroom door. "Yes, baby. I'm here to finish what I started."

Her body seemed to become weightless and she floated toward him. Jax held out both of his arms and Brenda leapt into his warm embrace. Her legs wrapped around his waist as her fingers clutched at the back of his hair. Jax hugged her tightly to him as his mouth overtook hers. Her breasts swelled under the satin material of the chemise at the feel of his strong chest against her. Jax's hands cradled the roundness of her bottom as the chemise edged up her back. Brenda whimpered as waves of fire seared through her.

Jax walked toward the bed as his lips moved over hers again. "Is this a chemise?"

Her tongue traced the outline of his lips. "Yes."

Jax gasped. "Thank God I didn't know. Thank ...." He was silenced as her tongue delved into his mouth.

They reached the bed and Jax gently put her down. The satin material hovered at her waist uncovering her lower body. Jax sighed as his eyes roamed from the silkiness of her legs to her pleasure zone. His clothing was quickly shed and he stood over her with the soft light cascading around him. Brenda's breathing became labored as she trembled with desire at the sight of him.

His voice was filled with yearning. "I want you so much."

Brenda held out her hand to him and he laid down beside her. He bypassed turning off the light and chose instead to allow it to continue to shine on them. He wanted to witness every moment of their precious time together.

Jax nuzzled her neck. "Oh, you smell just like you did in my dreams."

Brenda licked her dry lips. "It's Forbidden Passion."

Jax nibbled on her earlobe. "Thank God, that does not apply to us tonight. Tonight it will become Unbridled Passion."

Brenda softly moaned as her hand caressed the back of Jax's neck as his tongue tickled her ear. "Oh, Jax."

Jax lifted his head and their eyes met. The fire burning inside both Jax and Brenda radiated through their eyes and their bodies then met in a blaze of unbridled passion that few had ever achieved. They could not get enough of each other as their tongues, teeth, lips and bodies took part in a complete exploration. Moans and gasps of pleasure echoed throughout the room as Brenda's fingernails scraped against his muscular chest.

The pleasure he was giving her was earth shattering. Brenda's toes curled as she attempted to dig her toenails into the bed. She whimpered again as she was consumed by their passion. Brenda forced open her eyes and looked up as Jax moved over her. His eyes were clouded with desire and passion while also shining with intense love. She knew that her eyes reflected the same emotions.

A groan from deep within him fell from Jax's lips as the inferno that raged inside them broke free and ecstasy came to both of them. It was as if a volcano had been living deep within them and it had just erupted. Heat and flames flooded their bodies as they called out each other's names. They collapsed amidst the glow of moist brows and glistening bodies. As murmurings of love were exchanged, their lips met in tender kisses.

A plea fell from Brenda's lips. "Please hold me. Hold me until we have to be apart again."

Jax wrapped his arms around her for a moment before he stretched to turn off the lamp. Brenda laid with her back against his chest as Jax's hands cradled her.

He kissed her behind the ear. "I miss you so much baby, you have to know that."

Brenda snuggled deeper into his embrace. "I do Jax. I love you and I am sorry about how desperate I sounded on the phone earlier about needing you."

He whispered back to her. "Shhh. I love you too." He rested his cheek against her head. "Get some sleep. I am not going anywhere and I will hold you the rest of the night. I promise."

Brenda closed her eyes and sleep came quickly. Her mind and body were in need of rest after being satiated by the man who had completely captured her heart.

Sleep would not come for Jax. He was not about to lose a minute of the feel of her in his arms. There was no woman in the world who could ever feel like she did to him, whether it be in his arms or in his heart. Nothing could ever feel as incredible or as perfect.

Brenda shifted and peacefully sighed. Her hips moved against the inside of his thigh. It was as if she was trying to draw closer to him even as she slept. As the warmth of her hips nudged against him, he was again aroused. He needed the close connection just as Brenda did. Jax moved his hand to her hip and slowly angled her leg forward. She was still so warm from the intensity of their passion. Jax kissed her forehead and then edged himself closer to her. They were one again.

Brenda mumbled. "Jax?"

He cradled her in his arms. "Shhh, sweetie. Go back to sleep. I just wanted to be as close to you as possible."

Brenda shifted her hips and deepened their union. Her hand moved to touch their joined bodies and she sighed softly. "Perfect."

"Perfect," he echoed as he kissed her hair. Jax rested his chin on top of her head and sleep unexpectedly overtook him.

They held each other the rest of the night but this time it was reality rather than a dream.

Highlands Inn -- 9:00am

The inn sat atop a series of cliffs over the Pacific Ocean. Brenda's suite had a large deck which overlooked miles of rugged coastline. The smell of the salty sea filtered through the air as the morning sun glistened off the deep blue water. The sound of waves gently breaking against the shore completed the backdrop of the picturesque scene.

Brenda sat on Jax's lap in the lounge chair as the morning sun shined upon them. Jan and Brenda had been sitting on the deck for half an hour and no words had passed between them. They simply had basked in the emotion of being together again. They had awakened before dawn and made tender love to one another and then shared breakfast in bed before showering and getting dressed. They had not been out of each other's arms for more than fifteen minutes since Jax had arrived late last night. Now it was almost time for Jax to begin his trip to Melbourne and Brenda to head to the training courses to meet McKenzie.

Brenda kissed the side of Jax's face and then lifted her head slightly as she spoke to him. "I love you Jax."

Jax's fingers stroked her behind the ear. "I love you too sweetie. What are you thinking?"

Brenda sighed. "I'm hoping and dreaming."

Jax's arms held her tightly around the waist. "Hoping and dreaming?"

Brenda nodded. "Do you remember that morning when we watched the sun shine over the water?"

Jax smiled brightly. "I will never forget that morning. The start of the first day of our married life."

"Yes. The beginning of my happiness."

Jax caressed her cheek with his palm. "And mine as well."

Brenda turned her cheek into his palm and kissed it. "It was only then that I allowed myself to hope and to dream."

Jax took her hand and softly kissed it. "What are you dreaming of now?"

Brenda rested her cheek against his. "I am dreaming that I can somehow save these past several hours forever so I could relive them over and over again when we are apart."

Jax cradled her face with both of his hands. "Do you know if I had one wish, it would be that I never had to be away from your or Jillian.

Brenda bit her bottom lip in an attempt to stop the tears that were building up inside her. "I know."

Jax pulled her against his chest as the tears came. "It's okay baby. It's all right."

Brenda snuggled against his chest. "I promised myself I would not do this. I am sorry."

Jax rubbed her back as he fought back the emotion in his own voice. "You are going to be home with Jillian in a few days and I will be back with the two of you as soon as I can. We are going to get through this."

Brenda lifted her head. "I hate that you have to relive the pain of the past again. I should be there with you so you are not alone."

Unshed tears gleamed in Jax's eyes. "Brenda, I am not alone. I will never be alone again. You are always with me and I know that I have your love and support every moment of every day."

Brenda wrapped her arms around Jax's neck and hugged him as tightly as she could. "You do, every second of every day. Don't ever forget that."

Jax cradled the back of her head with his strong hand. "I would sooner forget my own name."

Brenda buried her head into his neck. "And you have Jillian's love and support as well."

Jax kissed the top of her head. "I know baby."

After a few moments, Brenda finally pulled away slightly from their embrace. She looked at her watch. "It is after twelve in Port Charles. Maggie should have Jillian back at the house now for lunch and for her nap."

Jax wiped away a stray tear from Brenda's cheek. "We'll call her and we'll tell her how much we love her and that we will all be together again soon."

Brenda took a few deep breaths to get her emotions in check. "Okay, I'm ready."

Jax handed Brenda the receiver to the bedroom phone which he had brought out onto the deck when they had come out a half hour ago. He leaned over and dialed the number to the house on the phone. Corrine answered the call and Brenda asked her to have Maggie bring Jillian to the phone. Brenda then handed the receiver back to Jax and he hung it up as he hit the speaker feature on the telephone.

A minute later, her little voice could be heard. "Mommy, it is me. I am here."

Brenda's face immediately began to beam. "Hello sweetie. How are you today?"

Jillian giggled. "Good. Maggie took me to the park and we saw the ducks."

Brenda smiled. "That sounds like so much fun. Mommy has a surprise for you today."

Jillian's voice immediately became very excited. "What is my surprise? Tell me Mommy, pleeaasse."

Jax shook his head and mouthed to Brenda. "She is worse than you are."

Brenda softly laughed. "Your surprise is that you won't just be talking to Mommy on the phone now. Daddy is here too."

Jillian shrieked. "Daddy?"

Jax deeply laughed. "I'm right here princess."

Jillian was very animated in her tone. "Are the horses there too?"

"Not right here princess. It is just Daddy and Mommy and now Daddy has to go to Australia for a few days."

Jillian innocently asked, "To see the kangaroos?"

Brenda smiled. "Sweetie, your Daddy has to go to Australia before he comes home again. Mommy will be home very soon and then we will wait for Daddy together."

Jillian's voice became much less animated. "How many more days until you come home Mommy?"

Brenda's voice shook. "Just four more days. Then Mommy will be there with you. Aunt Robin and Maggie say you have been such a good girl. Mommy and Daddy are so proud of you."

Jillian's voice perked up. "I have been a good girl but Lady has been very bad."

Jax cleared his throat. "What did Lady do?"

Jillian let out an exasperated sigh. "She took my popsicle and ate it all up."

Jax choked back her laughter. "She ate all of it?"

Jillian sighed again. "Yes. I told her she could have one lick and she took it all. She did not share."

Jax composed himself. "I will have to talk to Lady about that when I come home."

Jillian exhaled slowly. "I told her she would be punished but she still was bad."

Brenda grimaced. "Jillian, I think it is a very good idea if you and Lady do not share food. Lady has her food and you have yours. You can share your fun time but not eating time. Do you understand that?"

Jillian nodded. "Yes Mommy. Her food is yucky. I spit it out when I tasted it."

Jax started to laugh and Brenda elbowed him as she groaned. "Jillian, no more of Lady's food for you or your food for Lady. You and Lady have germs and Mommy and Daddy don't want either of you to get sick."

Jillian bobbed her head up and down. "I am not sick. I can even show my throat like I do with Dr. Simone." Jillian opened her mouth as wide as she could and stuck out her tongue. "Aaaahhhh."

Brenda shook her head as Jax had to cover his mouth so that his hysterics were not heard. "Jillian, I am glad you are not sick."

"Mommy, are you still all better?"

Brenda smiled. "Yes, sweetie. I am all better."

Jillian's voice became very determined. "Did you take your medicine this morning?"

Brenda softly laughed. "Yes, I took my medicine."

Jillian spoke to Jax. "Daddy, Mommy took her medicine. I remembered to ask her just like you wanted me to."

Jax grinned. "Very good princess. And thank you for helping Daddy make sure Mommy gets all better."

Brenda rolled her eyes. "What are the two of you going to do after tomorrow when my ten day supply of antibiotics ends? Are you going to start double-checking my vitamin intake?"

Jax kissed Brenda on the nose. "You will just have to wait and see." He then spoke to Jillian. "Princess, Daddy has to get ready to go to the airport but I will call you later tonight before you go to sleep."

Brenda took a deep breath. "And so will I sweetie. Only four more days and Mommy will be back home."

Jillian sighed softly. "Okay. I will tell Lady and Roo-Roo."

Jax swallowed hard. "I love you princess."

"I love you Daddy."

Brenda closed her eyes momentarily. "I love you baby. Now you have a good nap and I will pet Cyclone and Dream for you."

"Bye Mommy and Daddy."

Brenda's lip quivered. "Good-bye Jillian. Sweet dreams."

The call ended and Jax depressed the speaker button on the phone. Brenda clung to him as Jax gently stroked her hair. "Only four more days, right?"

Jax rested his chin on top of her head. "Yes, four more."

Brenda pulled herself away from him. "Now I have to say good-bye to you."

Jax traced his finger along her jawline. "Farewell, not good-bye." Never good-bye."

Brenda smiled as tears clung to her eyelashes. "Thank you Jax. Thank you for these past glorious hours; thank you for Jillian; and thank you for the past five years of my life. We may not have had our share of hoping and dreaming prior to that morning on the yacht but the past five years have given me a lifetime of hope and dreams."

Jax lifted her chin. "Thank you for never letting go."

They clung to one another for the few precious moments that they had before the intrusions of life separated them in the physical sense. However, nothing in life could ever separate them in their hearts.

Monday, May 7, 2001

Shanghai, China -- 7:30am

The past few days had flown by as Jerry and Jax had initiated their own investigations in Hong Kong and Melbourne respectively while John, Jane and Julia had worked to preserve the status quo in North American and European holdings. Jerry and Charlie had instituted some additional control mechanisms in Hong Kong before leaving for Shanghai yesterday morning. The Asian quadrant was stable for the moment and Peterson's whereabouts had been traced to the Beijing area and Charlie expected him to be found within the next twenty-four hours.

Meanwhile in Melbourne, Jax and Paul Hogan had discreetly dug for information on McBride in an attempt to predict his next move. A clandestine operative had been strategically placed inside one of McBride's subsidiaries and another contact was established with McBride's biggest supplier. Two major contracts for J & J Jacks were coming up for renewal in less than a month and Jax speculated that McBride would interfere with those contracts and then cause a disruption in the labor force immediately thereafter to create chaos on both the labor and supply front. McBride's stronghold had to be stifled before then or the Australia holdings would become a major casualty.

Finally, some real progress was beginning to be made. As Charlie had predicted, his contacts had moved in on Sam Peterson last night. Peterson was found outside of Beijing and was being brought to one of Charlie's safehouses outside of Shanghai. Late last night, Jax had left Paul to handle matters in Melbourne and flown to Shanghai to meet Jerry and Charlie. Peterson was due at the location this afternoon.

Jax poured himself another cup of coffee as he sat at the table in the living room area of the house. The day they had been waiting for was just beginning. Jax looked at his watch and his thoughts drifted to Port Charles. Since Shanghai was thirteen hours ahead of Port Charles, it was just after 6:30pm there and the weekend was winding down. Jax took a deep breath as he thought that at least Brenda's time away from home was now over. She had left Carmel early the morning Pacific time and had arrived in Port Charles two hours ago. Jax had called the airport when he awoke to ensure that she had arrived safely. He wanted her to have some uninterrupted time with Jillian so he was waiting to call the house until it was time to say good night to Jillian in a half hour.

Jax rubbed his weary eyes as Jerry came into the living room. Jerry walked over to the couch and sat next to Jax. "You look like hell Jax."

Jax sighed in exasperation. "Thank you so much."

Jerry's expression became very serious. "I mean it Jax. When is the last time you had any decent sleep?"

Jax felt his jaw tighten. "Since I have spent one night of the past three weeks in my own bed and have seen my daughter for thirty-six hours and my wife for eight hours during that time, I would say that getting any decent sleep is rather a lofty goal at this time."

Jerry lowered his eyes. "Jax, it is more than that and you know it. All this resurrecting of the past..."

Jax interrupted him. "Jerry, drop it."

Jerry shook his head. "Jax, this is eating you alive and it needs to be addressed before it destroys you anymore than it already has."

Jax abruptly stood up. "Jerry, that's enough."

"No, Jax. You need to get this out. I am here now and Mum and Dad are not around nor are Brenda and Jillian so just let it go."

Jax spoke through clenched teeth. "Jerry, what do you want me to do?"

Jerry rose from the couch. "Scream, yell, throw things, whatever. For God's sake, hit me if it will help."

Jax laughed sarcastically. "Jerry, if I had hit you every time I wanted to over the past several years, I would have an open invitation from an orthopedic surgeon for my hand."

Jerry's voice became louder. "Jax, I know you forgave us when everything came out after Miranda arrived in Port Charles but I know you still carry around the hurt and the pain. It is not something that can be easily forgotten."

Jax voice had an angry edge to it. "That's for damn sure, especially since the whole fiasco is coming back to haunt all of us. AGAIN."

Jerry sighed in frustration. "I realize that."

Jax continued. "And Brenda has to be put through this mess again, the whole episode with Miranda and that difficult time for us. She is worried about me and I am worried about her and it just haunts us over and over again."

"Jax, I know how hard this must be for all of you..."

Jax felt his jaw tighten even more. "Do you? Do you know what it did to me to have to have my own home searched for listening devices? Do you know what it felt like for me to have to insist that Virgil be with Jillian every moment she is away from the house? Or what it felt like to have to put additional security at the house and the stables and with Brenda now? I promised that I would take her away from that life and give her and our children a safe, happy home."

Jerry felt an ache deep within his heart as he heard the pain in Jax's voice. "I'm sorry Jax. I wish I could change what happened but I can't."

Jax's voice was faintly above a whisper. "No, you can't."

Jerry walked over to Jax. "Jax, I can't comprehend completely everything you are going through. But I know how worried you are about Brenda, I have gone through the same concerns about Julia. And maybe one day I will truly understand what it is like to have those same worries about a child."

Jax immediately regretted what he had just implied. "Jerry, I'm sorry. I did not mean to bring up..."

Jerry nodded his head. "I know you didn't."

Jax sat back down on the couch. "I understand that this is difficult for everyone. Jerry, once we figure out what the game plan is here and mount an offensive attack on it, maybe we can bury this forever."

Jerry took a deep breath. "I hope so." Jerry then patted Jax on the shoulder. "But Jax, whatever happens, you have to know that no one could have given Brenda and Jillian a happier life than you have. Do not spend another moment thinking otherwise or I will just have to get on the phone to Port Charles and get your wife on this. And you know what happens when she is on a mission."

Jax laughed for the first time in days. "Yes, I do." He then looked at his watch and saw that is was just after 7:00pm in Port Charles. "Speaking of Port Charles, I guess it is time for me to touch base there."

Jerry nodded. "Okay, I will leave you alone while I check with Charlie about this afternoon. Say hello to both Brenda and Jillian for me."

Jax smiled. "I will. Thank you Jerry."

Jax grabbed his briefcase and lifted out the Federal Express package Brenda had sent him over the weekend before he had left for Shanghai. He dialed the number to the house and Brenda answered it on the second ring. "Hello."

Jax automatically grinned at the sound of her voice. "Hey sweetheart. How was your trip?"

Brenda smiled. "Too long but it is so wonderful to be home. Robin and Jillian came to the airport with Virgil to meet me. How are you? You sound exhausted."

Jax felt his jaw completely relax as the tightness from a few minutes ago immediately dissipated at the sound of her voice. "I am okay. I'm just anxious to have this all over and get back to you and Jillian. How is my princess?"

"Great. Let me put you on the speaker. She is just finishing up brushing her teeth." Brenda put the phone on the speaker and then called for Jillian. "Sweetie, are you finished? Daddy is on the phone."

Jillian came out of the master bathroom and ran over to the bed. "Daddy, I am here."

Jax chuckled. "I heard. So did you brush your teeth?"

Jillian climbed onto the bed. "Yes, up and down and all around." Jillian then sat on Brenda's lap. "Daddy, Mommy is home."

"I know princess and I know how much she missed you."

Jillian nodded. "I missed her and I miss you Daddy."

"I miss you too princess."

She then began giggling. "Mommy brought me lots of ribbons to see. The horses were very good."

Jax laughed. "They sure were and Mommy and McKenzie did a very good job. We will have to give them a special treat when we see Dream and Cyclone the next time."

Jillian grinned. "We can bring some apples. They really like apples Daddy."

Jax nodded. "We will do that."

Jillian then loudly whispered to Brenda not quite understanding that Jax could still hear her. "Can I tell Daddy about my surprise Mommy?"

Brenda kissed her on the cheek. "Yes, you can tell him."

Jillian was beaming. "Daddy, Mommy said I could sleep with her in her bed tonight as a special treat."

Jax smiled again. "She did?"

Jillian bobbed her head up and down. "Yes, me and Roo-Roo. We are in the bed now and after my story, Mommy is going to put on her pajamas and then go to sleep with me."

"Jillian, that is wonderful. I am sure you and Mommy will have a very good sleep."

Jillian excitedly spoke again. "And Mommy brought me a new book for my story tonight."

Jax innocently responded. "She did? What book did Mommy buy you?"

Brenda leaned over to Jax's side of the bed and picked up the new book and handed it to Jillian. "A new book about Mickey and Minnie. They go the beach with Pluto and Goofy."

Jax took the book out of the Federal Express package. "To the beach? Is Minnie wearing a pink bathing suit on the front of the book?"

Jillian giggled. "Yes, with her big pink shoes."

Jax put the other two Disney books back in the Federal Express package. "And is Mickey carrying a beach umbrella and wearing red sunglasses?"

Jillian's jaw dropped and she looked up at Brenda with wide eyes. "Yes Daddy. You guessed right."

Brenda squeezed Jillian shoulder. "Jillian, Daddy has a surprise for you tonight too."

"Daddy, what is my surprise?"

Jax chuckled. "Jillian, I have the new Mickey and Minnie book right here with me. Mommy sent it to me in Australia."

Jillian looked up at Brenda. "You gave Daddy a Mickey book too?"

Brenda nodded. "Yes, so now if you want, Daddy can read you his book and Mommy can help you turn the pages on yours."

Jillian clapped her little hands together. "Oh yes, I want Daddy to read. Daddy, now you can read me my bedtime story just like when you are home."

Jax took a deep breath. "Yes, just like when I am home. Now you get under the covers with Mommy and I will read you your story."

Brenda helped Jillian slip under the covers. Jillian then rested her head on Brenda's lap as Brenda placed the book out in front of her. "Okay Daddy, we are ready."

Jax smiled as he began reading the story. Brenda ran one hand through Jillian's curls as she helped Jillian turn the pages of the storybook. It was just one small moment in their life together but right now as they were separated by distance, not too many other moments had ever meant more to any of them.

Shanghai, China -- 4:00pm

Jerry slammed the door closed as he walked into the office area of the house. He knew that he would have killed Sam Peterson with his bare hands if he had not left the downstairs area where Charlie's men were watching over Peterson. The door opened and Jax and Charlie entered the room.

Jerry sat down and shook his head. "I am going to kill that bastard if he is not careful."

Jax sighed. "I gathered."

Jerry pounded his fist against the table. "We did not spend weeks searching for him just to hear that he does not know who the hell he is working for?"

Charlie leaned against the wall. "Jerry, you know the guy better than anyone, do you think there is any chance he is telling the truth?"

Jax sat down at the table. "Jerry, he certainly did not back away from his position even when he thought you were going to blow."

Jerry rubbed his eye. "Damn, I am beginning to believe the guy myself and that is just not acceptable. He is the closest thing we have to a contact in the operations center."

Jax drummed his fingernails on the table. "Well, Peterson is certainly not high up in the chain of command. The man has essentially been underground for the past two months."

Charlie nodded. "That is for certain. I have had surveillance on his home and it is obvious that his family knew nothing of his whereabouts. His attempt to contact his ex-wife is what lead us to Beijing."

Jax tapped his finger against his cheek. "He must know more than he is telling us, even if it is not specific to the identity of the leader of the assault. He just needs to be persuaded to give us any clue he has."

Jerry saw the wheels turning in Jax's head. "Jax, what are you thinking?"

Jax turned to Charlie. "Refresh my memory on Peterson's specific family situation?"

"Divorced father of two. Son is ten, daughter is seven. Ex-wife and children recently made a hasty exit from Auckland. They are no living very quietly on Pamilican Island."

Jerry's eyes widened. "The Philippines? Miranda lived there for years."

Jax nodded. "Yes, but she has not been back there since she left the Port Charles almost four years ago. But I know enough about Pamilican Island from Magnum and my one visit there to be able to create some stress."

Charlie nodded. "You want to play the family angle?"

"Yes, let's give it a try. He was not persuaded with a threat to his own health but his family may be a different story."

Jerry shook his head. "Jax, he will see right through that. Peterson knows how you conduct business well enough to know you would never carry out a threat like that."

Jax grinned slightly. "No, it is not going to be a threat from J & Jacks. He would never go for that but a threat from McBride is another story. If he is sold out to McBride, he will believe his family will be as well."

A gleam appeared in Jerry's eye. "The same tactic which you used against Miranda about the threat not from you but from the Cassidines."

Jax feigned a Cockney accent. "By George, I think he's got it."

Charlie thumbed through his report. "Wife is Alicia, son is Brian and daughter is Patty. House is on the beach, typical security system and there are also two dogs there."

Jax stood up. "Okay, let's give this a shot. Just follow my lead."

They all left the office and re-joined Sam Peterson. Jax walked over to the chair Sam Peterson was sitting in and pulled a chair up beside him.

Peterson sat with his arms folded against his chest. "So it is your turn now?"

Jax smiled. "I guess you could say that. I understand that you were slightly dismayed at my brother's tactics. You have to understand that we are all very angry and frustrated about the current situation."

Peterson simply shook his head. "So you are the good cop?"

Jax sarcastically laughed. "No, this is not NYPD Blue and there are no good cops here. I am not a patient man Peterson, especially when my family is involved."

Peterson turned to Jax. "I have told you and your brother that I have no information which could be of any help to you."

"I think we need to be the judge of that."

Peterson shrugged. "I have nothing that you need."

Jax smiled slightly. "Peterson, we need your information but we will get it with or without you. It will just take us a little longer which means my patience will wear severely thin."

Peterson rolled his eyes. "And I guess now I am supposed to be shaking."

Jax ignored the remark and turned to Charlie. "Do you have the contacts ready in Melbourne?"

Charlie nodded. "Just awaiting your call."

Jax stood up and walked over to Charlie. "What about on Pamilican Island?"

"Surveillance has been maintained on the house."

Jax nodded. "Okay, we need to keep everything in place until we find out who McBride is working with."

Jerry watched Peterson out of the corner of his eye and there was a momentary tremble. Jerry looked at Jax. "Are you sure we want to do this? We can't trust McBride as far as we can throw him."

Jax turned to face Peterson. "But we will give McBride something that he wants, or should I say someone."

Peterson cleared his throat. "Threatening to sell me out to McBride will not get you your information any faster."

Jax walked toward Peterson. "I'm not sure how we will handle it. I can't decide between you or a simple address on the beach on Pamilican Island." Jax then turned to Charlie. "Just a security system and the two dogs?"

Charlie nodded. "Yes, security won't be a problem for McBride."

Jax faced Peterson. "Does your ex-wife have any idea what danger you have put Brian and Patty in?"

Peterson abruptly rose from his chair and Jax shot him a look which sent daggers into him. "Sit down or your family will be in even more danger before you take three more steps."

Peterson clenched his jaw as he sat. "You bastard. My family has nothing to do with this."

Jax stood over him. "You tell my wife and daughter that."

Peterson leaned back in his chair. "You're bluffing."

Jax shrugged. "Can you take that chance? I am well aware of what McBride and anyone he is working with would be capable of, are you?"

Jerry chuckled softly. "I think he is, otherwise why would he have attempted to hide his family and go underground himself?"

Jax sat back down. "And then of course we have the money and power supplier of the group. You may not know who he or she is but I bet you can imagine how well the news will go over that you sold them out."

Peterson sighed in frustration. "I did not sell anyone out."

Jerry laughed. "You mean except us?"

Jax nodded. "I don't think it will be hard convincing McBride that you double-crossed him. I mean he knows your track record of double-crossing us." Jax folded his arms. "It is your choice. Help us help you or roll the dice with McBride and the leader of the pack."

Peterson felt his jaw tighten. "Like I can trust you?"

Jax leaned toward him. "What choice do you have?"

"Can you get Alicia and the children out of the Philippines?"

Jax nodded. "If you help us, we will help you. We can do whatever you want for your family."

Peterson's eyes were like steel. "I want them out of there and safe. You do that and I will tell you everything I know but it is not a lot."

Jax motioned to Charlie. "Do what you have to do."

Charlie spoke to Peterson. "We can move them out before dawn if you give me the go ahead."

Jax turned to Peterson. "I suggest you start providing us with what you know while Mr. Chan's associates make the necessary arrangements. If I have even the slightest indication that you are lying to me or withholding information, the deal is off."

"What do you want to know?"

Jerry sat in front of Peterson. "Who contacted you and when?"

"It was an associate of McBride and it was immediately after I left J & J Jacks almost six months ago."

Jax licked his dry lips. "Did you then meet with McBride?"

Peterson shook his head. "No. We formed the partnership for the take-over but I have only actually met with him once and that was three months ago."

"Why did you meet then?"

"To talk about the ongoing pressure on Hong Kong. There was a supply problem going on in another quadrant and McBride said we had orders to maintain the pressure on all fronts."

Jerry turned to Jax. "Ontario's supplier contracts problems were three months ago."

Jax nodded. "So your mole in Hong Kong kept the pressure on and you continued to get your orders passed on by McBride?"

"Yes but I have not spoken to him in the past few weeks."

Jerry rubbed his temples. "And you have no idea who you and McBride were taking orders from?"

Peterson shook his head. "None. I threw my money into the partnership with McBride and the partnership funded the troubles in Asia and Australia. McBride took our orders from another party."

Jax's eyes widened. "Another party? You mean other than the money supplier for the actual take-over?"

"Yes, there were three people--me, McBride and the third party and we were all working for the person who would be bankrolling the final stages. I never met the third person but I did hear him with McBride once when we were on the phone."

Charlie spoke. "What can you tell us about him? Did he have an accent or a specific speech pattern?"

Peterson shook his head. "I only heard a few sentences but there was no distinctive accent. I thought he was American."

Jax brushed a strand of hair from his forehead. "Did McBride ever give you a clue or any speculation about a motive?"

"Not really."

Jax looked at Peterson. "What does that mean?"

Peterson took a deep breath. "I surmised from what McBride said that he and I were chosen because of our problems with your father and your brother. So I figured that the third party..."

Jax finished Peterson's statement. "...was my adversary in this equation. So there are three parties in the field, each one being an adversary of one of us, and then a fourth person or entity in charge."

"Yes. I think you are still looking for two parties."

Jerry continued the questioning. "Do you know what the ultimate goal of this plan was?"

"To weaken each division and then come in with a lethal strike against the whole conglomerate."

Jax nodded. "So that we are cut off at our knees?"

"Yes. I know McBride was licking his chops waiting to see the mighty fall. He was consumed by the notion of destroying your father."

Jerry raised his eyebrow. "As opposed to you?"

Peterson shook his head. "I was more interested in the money than the end result. I put up my original share of the money and I wanted to get it back with a healthy return on my investment and then get out. I did not get the impression that the others felt the same way. They definitely thought they had a point to prove."

Jax tapped his fingers against the chair. "What can you tell us about a time frame?"

"Nothing. I was never given any of the specific details. I never even knew what areas of the company were being targeted at any given point."

Jerry rubbed his forehead. "So we now are looking for two names and we have no idea of a time frame or a next step?"

Peterson shrugged. "I told you that I was never briefed on what the specific plans were."

Jax sighed in frustration. "Do you have any idea how the confidential information about J & J Jacks' holdings was generated?"

"There is an insider who is feeding all the data to the various parties."

Jerry's teeth clenched. "How do you know?"

"I saw some of the data and it was definitely generated from the internal networks of the company.

Jax took a deep breath. "Do you have any idea which office?"

Peterson shook his head. "No. There were no names or corresponding identification numbers on the reports. But I did not recognize the format from the Hong Kong office. It was incompatible with the network there."

Jax shook his head. "That is what I was afraid of." He then looked at Charlie. "Get all the employees screened again and this time, include their significant others and spouses in the investigation. I want every computer terminal and phone checked as well as new access codes placed on each secured network and office."

Jerry grimaced. "Charlie, include any employee who has been let go over the past year as well in case there is a partnership here with a current employee."

Jax looked over at Peterson and then at Charlie again. "Charlie, first call your contact in Pamilican Island and set the plan in motion for Peterson's family to get out tonight. When your contact is ready to go in, call us so that Peterson can speak to his ex-wife to tell her what is happening."

Charlie nodded. "I will call them right now."

Jax stood up in front of Peterson. "That is all for now but you keep thinking about any detail which may be of help to us. You should be comfortable here until things are resolved. You are much safer here than anywhere else."

Peterson looked up at Jax. "All I want is my family safe, I don't care about the rest of it."

"They will be. Now you just keep your end of the bargain and we will all be happy."

Jerry got up from his chair and followed Jax out of the downstairs apartment in the safehouse. Two of Charlie's men were permanently stationed at the entrance to the lower level.

Jax walked into the living room and poured two glasses of scotch. he handed one to Jerry. "Jerry, we are in for the fight of our lives."

Jerry nodded. "And we are going to have to defend ourselves against our own teammates for the time being."

Jax clinked Jerry's glass with his. "Let the games begin."

Wednesday, May 9, 2001

The Jacks Residence -- 8:30am

Jillian sat at the dressing table as Brenda stood behind her and combed through curls. Brenda glanced at her watch for the sixth time in the past fifteen minutes hoping that somehow it would force time to move faster. Jax was on his way home and her heart felt as though it were beating at twice its normal rate.

Brenda sighed softly as she thought back to the events of the past few days. Jax and Jerry had gotten as much information as they could from Sam Peterson and they had left Shanghai after Jax had said good night to Jillian last night. Charlie Chan and his investigators were working around the clock to discover the source of leak but speculation was that it was from one of the US offices. As an additional precaution, Jax and Jerry had ordered more security for all the residences and Brenda had worked at home and kept Jillian with her for the past two days.

Jillian was fidgeting in her seat. "Mommy, are you done yet?"

Brenda picked up a brush and quickly swept it through Jillian's hair. "All done. Now, which bows do you want to wear today?"

Jillian picked up a barrette which had lace and long pink ribbons fastened to it. "This one."

Brenda put down the brush. "Sweetie, that is the ribbon you wear for special days when you wear your party dress."

It is a special day, Daddy is coming home."

Brenda smiled. "Yes, Daddy is coming home."

Jillian returned Brenda's smile. "And Daddy says the ribbon really makes me look like a princess."

Brenda sighed in defeat. "Yes, he did. Because it is a special day, you can wear the ribbon until nap time but then the ribbon has to go back in the drawer."

Jillian nodded. "Okay Mommy."

Brenda put the ribbon in the back of Jillian's hair. "You are ready."

Jillian shook her head so that she could see the tails of the ribbon swing around her. She grinned and then looked up at Brenda. "How many more minutes until Daddy comes home?"

Brenda again looked at her watch. "Less than an hour now."

Jillian frowned slightly. "I wish we could see Daddy when the plane stops on the road like when Aunt Robin took me to see when you came home."

Brenda swallowed hard as she remembered the sound of Jax's voice when he had asked her to stay at home as much as she could until he came back to Port Charles. He had attempted to hide his anguish from her but Brenda knew the whole issue was killing him. Her own heart had broken at the thought of the pain he was experiencing.

Brenda helped Jillian down from the bench. "I know you like the airport but this way Lady can be here too when we see Daddy. Lady would not be able to come to the airport."

Jillian's face immediately brightened. "Now we all can be together when Daddy comes home."

Brenda smiled as she nodded. "Yes we can."

Jillian turned to Brenda as they walked into the hallway. "We can put bows on Lady's ears so that she looks pretty for Daddy."

Brenda laughed softly. "I don't know about bows in Lady's ears. Remember how Lady likes to chew up your bows."

Jillian sighed. "Yes and then she throws up the plastic."

Brenda took Jillian's hand as they started down the stairs. "Maybe we can put a ribbon around Lady's neck instead."

Jillian brightly smiled. "Oh, that would look sooo pretty. A pink one just like the color of my ribbons."

They reached the bottom of the stairs. "We will do that in a little while right before Daddy comes home. What would you like to do right now while we are waiting?"

"I want to help you play the song again."

They walked into the living room and Brenda helped Jillian onto the piano bench. She then lifted the cover and sat down next to Jillian. "Do you remember which key it is?"

Jillian bobbed her head up and down as she pointed to the "E" key on the middle scale of the keyboard. "I remember."

At that moment the sound of a car door slam was heard. Jillian scooted off the piano bench and she scurried over to the front window. "It's Daddy."

Brenda looked at her watch again and knew Jax was not expected to be home until about 10:00am. She grabbed Jillian as Jillian started racing toward the door. "Virgil and Sean will help Daddy and open the door for him. We need to make sure we are all ready."

Brenda lifted Jillian into her arms and walked over to the mirror "Let's take one more look at that ribbon." Brenda kept one eye glued to the mirror to see the reflection of the doorway while the other watched Jillian fluffing her curls."

Jillian spoke excitedly. "All ready Mommy."

Brenda began walking toward the foyer as the front door opened. Jax walked into the house with Virgil behind him. "Where are my princesses?"

Jillian began squealing and she extended her arms out toward Jax as Brenda walked toward him. "Here Daddy."

Jax held out his arms and Brenda melted into them. Brenda held onto Jillian as Jax put his arms around the two of them. "You are early."

Jax rested his chin on the top of her head. "I could not stand to be away from the two of you for another minute."

A smile radiated from Brenda's face. "We have missed you so much."

Jillian leaned her head against Jax's shoulder. "I love you Daddy."

Jax grinned. "I love you too princess and you are wearing Daddy's favorite ribbon in your hair."

Jillian beamed as she looked at Jax and then Brenda. "Daddy likes my ribbon, Mommy."

Meanwhile Jose was in the kitchen while Lady barked at the side door. Jose let her in the house and Lady began barking and crying at the closed kitchen door.

Jillian lifted her head from Jax's shoulder. "We forgot to get Lady. And we don't have her pink ribbon."

Brenda laughed. "You are right. Daddy surprised us with being early so we did not have Lady ready. We will put her pink ribbon on tonight."

Jillian smiled. "I'll go get her."

Jax released his hold around them and Brenda put Jillian onto the floor. They watched Jillian skip to the kitchen and pushed open the door. Lady came scampering out and began barking and crying at Jax's feet.

Jax bent down and petted Lady. "Hello girl. Have you been behaving yourself at all?" Lady barked and then laid down and rolled over so that Jax could rub her stomach.

Jillian giggled as she knelt next to Jax and rubbed Lady's stomach as well. "Daddy, she loves you too."

Brenda rolled her eyes. "Just another female throwing herself at you."

Jax chuckled and then whispered to her. "It works when you want me to rub your stomach."

Brenda lifted her eyebrow at him. "That's enough."

Jax stood up and smirked. "That is the first time I have ever heard that from your lips." Jax then kissed Brenda fully on the lips.

Jillian took Jax's hand. "Daddy, I want to show you my surprise."

Jax took Brenda's hand and the three of them walked into the living room. "What surprise do you have princess?"

"Sit down Daddy and Mommy and I will show you."

Jax sat down on the couch and Brenda and Jillian walked over to the piano. Jillian peeked around the corner before she sat down. "Listen Daddy." She looked at Lady sitting at the entrance to the living room. "You too Lady."

Brenda began playing the opening measures of the music and then she and Jillian began singing the song together.

Do, a deer, a female deer

Re, a drop of golden sun

Brenda stopped playing and singing as Jillian then hit the one note for the next line and sang it solo.

Mi, a name I call myself

Jillian grinned and then Brenda continued the rest of the music and she and Jillian finished singing the verse together.

Fa, a long, long way to run

Sol, a needle pulling thread

La, a note to follow sol

Ti, a drink with jam and bread

And that brings us back to do

Brenda played the last note of the measure and Jax began clapping. Jillian scooted off of the piano bench and ran over to Jax.

"Did you hear me Daddy? I played it all by myself."

Jax lifted Jillian into his arms and sat her next to him as Brenda walked over to the couch and sat on the other side of Jax. "I heard you princess and you were fabulous."

Jillian turned to Brenda. "Mommy helped too."

Jax gave Brenda a lopsided grin as he shook his head. "I see you have recruited another groupie of The Sound of Music. How many times have you shown her the movie since I have been gone?"

Brenda exhaled loudly. "It is an Academy-Award winning movie and a classic."

Jillian touched Jax on his face. "We saw it lots and lots of times Daddy. Everybody sings and dances and then they play with the goat puppets and make clock sounds."

Jax rolled his eyes. "Goats and clock sounds. A true classic. I can see how useful that will be for her later life."

Brenda swatted Jax on the arm. "Jillian understands the story. She has already gained some historical and cultural perspective from it."

Jax chuckled. "I think you are imagining things."

Brenda folded her arms in front of her in mock disgust. "You are treading on thin ice about my favorite movie of all-time."

Jillian shook her head. "No Daddy, I learned lots."

Jax looked down at Jillian. "What have you learned from Mommy's obsession?"

Brenda elbowed Jax who laughed as Jillian spoke. "Daddy, I will tell you what happens in the movie."

Jax had to bite the inside of his mouth to stop from laughing. "Tell me princess."

Jillian waved her finger in the air. "The Daddy and all the children were sad because there was no Mommy. Then Maria came to take care of the kids and she was the new Mommy. Then they all climbed over the mountain and everyone was happy because they were away from that mean man with the scary flag."

Brenda had a huge grin on her face and Jax let out an exasperated sigh. "What do you have to say for yourself now?"

Jax rolled his eyes. "You have it ingrained into her head. She has been hearing it since she you were pregnant with her."

Brenda swatted him with the pillow. "Mr. Jacks, I have warned you about making negative comments about The Sound of Music."

Jax shook his head in defeat. "Fine. It is a classic film and Jillian has attained some knowledge from it." He then looked at Jillian. "Is that right Miss Jillian?"

The words tumbled out of her mouth as if she were saying her ABC's. "When we go to visit Salzburg, you can call me Fraulein Jillian. Daddy, that is how they talk in Austria."

Brenda covered her mouth with her hand as Jax covered his eyes with his hand and shook his head again. Brenda then hugged Jillian. "Fraulein Jillian, your Mommy loves you so much. Tonight you can have whipped cream when you eat your pudding."

Jillian clapped her hands together. "Yummy. What will Daddy be eating?"

Brenda barely got the words out since she was still in hysterics. "Daddy will be eating his words."

Jax lunged for Brenda and pinned her against the couch. Brenda continued laughing and called to Jillian. "Jillian, get Daddy."

Lady came into the living room and began barking. Jillian started giggling and wrapped her arms around Jax's neck. "I got you Daddy."

Jax sat up and pulled Brenda into his lap. She then lifted Jillian into her arms and Jax wrapped his arms around both of them. Lady laid down on the floor beside the couch. The Jacks family was together again and it was truly home sweet home.

The Jacks Residence -- 1:30pm

Jax and Brenda had not spoken about any of the issues involving the crisis at J & J Jacks since he had returned home this morning. Brenda could see that he was struggling with all the emotions he was going through. The joy from his return home and the love for his family were joined by his concern over the well being of his family and his frustration regarding the predicament. And most upsetting of all, the fact that one of his own employees was working against the company.

Jax and Brenda had spent the rest of the morning with Jillian before putting her down for her nap a half hour ago. It had been a beautiful spring morning and Jax had pushed Jillian on the swings and later helped her climb the steps of the sliding board so that Brenda could catch her at the bottom. They had a picnic lunch in the yard and then Jax had read Jillian a short bedtime story before her nap.

Brenda and Jax were taking advantage of the quiet time as Jillian napped. Corrine listening for Jillian in case she awoke early while Jax and Brenda spent some time outside. They were walking through the gardens as spring was blossoming all around them. Jax and Brenda stopped as they came upon the pink and white tulip gardens which were in full bloom.

Brenda sighed. "They are so beautiful."

Jax leaned over and picked the most vibrant pink tulip in the flower bed and handed it to Brenda. "A beautiful flower for a beautiful lady."

Brenda smiled brightly. "Thank you my darling."

Jax entwined his fingers with hers and they sat down on the bench between the tulip gardens and Jamie's tree. Brenda leaned her head against Jax's shoulder as they sat there enjoying the signs of spring as well as each other's company.

Brenda brushed the petals of the tulip against her cheek. "Everything looks so gorgeous especially the tulips."

Jax kissed the top of her head. "They are blooming for you and Jillian so they have to be extraordinary." Jax then looked over at the pine tree. "And Jamie is watching over them."

Brenda lifted her head up to look at Jax. "Do you see how much the tree has grown?"

Jax smiled. "Yes. I think it has grown six inches over the past five months."

"When Jillian and I were out here my first morning home, we saw the most beautiful little white bird perched on one of the top branches. I saw it again the past two mornings fluttering its wings above the tree."

Jax brought Brenda's hand to his lips. "Was it singing?"

Brenda nodded. "Yes and it was the most melodious singing I have ever heard."

Jax caressed the back of her neck. "I am sure it was beautiful."

They got up from the bench to continue their stroll in the bright sunshine. As they passed the pine tree again, Brenda gently touched one of its branches before she and Jax headed toward the grove of fruit trees.

Brenda saw the strain on Jax's face as they followed the stone path to the grove. "Honey, I'm here whenever you are ready to talk about it."

Jax held Brenda's hand as they walked. "I know you are, sweetie."

Brenda laced her fingers through his. "I wish I could make this all go away for you."

Jax stopped and turned to face Brenda. "Do you know how much that means to me?"

Brenda's eyes reflected the love overflowing from her heart. "I do. I hate what this is doing to you."

Jax took her face in his hands. "I hate what this is forcing you and Jillian to do."

Brenda placed her hands over his. "Please stop worrying about us. So we have a few more security measures in place as a precaution, it doesn't matter. All that matters is that you find out what you need in order to resolve this." Brenda then tilted her head and smiled. "And you will."

Jax leaned his forehead against Brenda's. "I could never have gotten through this much without you and our little sleeping princess. I love more than I ever even knew."

Brenda pulled away slightly from Jax and flashed him a huge grin. "Well, I think you owe me a reward then."

Jax chuckled. "A reward?"

Brenda nodded. "Yes, a reward."

Jax sighed in mock exasperation. "I am going to have to learn to keep my mouth shut next time."

Brenda shrugged. "We will deal with the next time later. Now I think I would like my reward."

Jax shook his head as he grinned. "Okay, what do I owe you?"

Brenda coyly smiled. "A certain porch swing has our name on it."

Jax laughed and then scooped Brenda up into his arms. He carried her to back up the stone path and climbed the steps to the terrace. Jax walked over to the large white porch swing and sat down with Brenda. She sat sideways on his lap with her legs stretched out on the seat of the swing.

Brenda wrapped both of her arms around Jax's neck. "I am so glad you are home."

Jax gazed into her eyes. "I don't think I have ever missed anything as much in my life as the feeling of being here with you and Jillian."

Brenda massaged the back of Jax's head with her fingers. "Wherever you are, just never forget that you are the best thing that has ever happened to Jillian and to me."

Jax lovingly stroked her cheek with the back of his hand. "And because of that, I could lose all of my worldly possessions tomorrow and I would still be the richest man on this earth."

Brenda nuzzled against his neck. "I love you honey."

Jax lifted her chin with his hand. "I love you too baby." He then brought his lips to hers and captured them in a kiss filled with love and tenderness.

The next few precious moments were spent simply being together, as the early afternoon continued. The sweet singing of the birds and the rustling of the leaves from the gentle breeze were then interrupted by the sound of the french doors opening from the living room entrance to the terrace.

Jax and Brenda looked up to see Jerry and Charlie walk out of the house. Jax immediately saw the look in Charlie's eyes. Jax felt his jaw tighten for the first time since he had returned home. Brenda automatically took his hand as she felt his body tense up.

Jax swallowed hard before he spoke. "What is it?"

Charlie looked directly at Jax. "I asked Jerry to meet me here so I could give you both some information. We found the leak."

Jerry clenched his teeth. "Where?"

Charlie took a deep breath. "Port Charles."

Jax fought to keep his voice even. "Who?"

It was a simple question but the ramifications of its answer would create an upheaval of emotions in all of them. The calm would now be lost, the raging storm would arrive.

Charlie cleared his throat and then the name fell from his lips. "Addie."

To be continued

SONG CREDITS: "Do, Re, Mi" by Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II