Keeping Up With The Deverauxes

by Jennifer-Lynn D'Anna

Episodes 1 - 5

EPISODE 1

Jennifer has agreed to move in with Jack for Abby's sake and it is now moving day

(THE SCENE OPENS TO THE FAIRLY EMPTY LIVING ROOM OF THE NEW DEVERAUX HOUSE. MOVERS CAN BE SEEN COMING IN AND OUT CARRYING BOXES CLEARLY MARKED JACK, JENNIFER, AND ABBY. JENNIFER ENTERS BEHIND ONE OF THE MOVERS AND QUICKLY ASSESSES THE MASS OF BOXES IN THE LIVING ROOM, SHE THEN WALKS OVER TO A PICTURE IN THE DINING ROOM AND TAKES IT DOWN ONLY TO REPLACE IT WITH ONE OF HER OWN. SHE IS SECRETLY MAD BECAUSE SHE AND HOPE THINK THAT JACK AND GRETA ARE MORE THAN FRIENDS AND DID NOT APPRECIATE JACK LETTING GRETA DECORATE)

MOVER: (PUTTING DOWN THREE RATHER LARGE JENNIFER BOXES FOR A MOMENT) Okay, Mrs. Deveraux, where would you like these?

JENNIFER: That's Miss Horton. Since myself and Mr. Deveraux are no longer married, I prefer to be addressed by my maiden name.

MOVER: Horton Schmorton. Look, lady, I don't care if you wanna be called the queen of Sheba, I just want to know where to put the last of these boxes. I got another job in a half-hour and me and the boys would like some lunch today.

JENNIFER: Yeah, I'm sorry. Um, could you just place those last three in the master bedroom upstairs.

MOVER: Whatever (HE WALKS UPSTAIRS WITH THE LAST THREE BOXES)

JACK (WHO HAD WITNESSED THE WHOLE EXCHANGE FROM THE DOORWAY, UNBEKNOWNST TO JENNIFER): Well, Mrs. Horton, I can see that you are your usual charming self today (he comes in and looks down at the boxes on the floor). And once again, as usual, you packed ever so lightly.

JENNIFER: You know what, Jack, you're lucky I didn't pack lightly this time. Now I'll have to search for a place to put your body when I finally do kill y--

MOVER: (DESCENDING THE STAIRS AND HEARING THEIR FIGHT) Ah, there's the happy couple now.

JACK: Hehehehe (SMILING HIS BEST FAKE SMILE WHILE JENNIFER GLARES AT HIM)

MOVER: Well, that just about does it for us. If it is alright with you, we'll be on our way.

JACK: Here (TAKING OUT A BILL AND HANDING IT TO THE MOVER), a little something for your trouble. Maybe you and the boys could get that lunch that you so deserve.

MOVER: Thanks, Mr. D (TAKES THE BILL AND THEN LEANS TO JACK AND SPEAKS RATHER LOUDLY) You know I can see why you divorced her. She may be pretty, but her attitude could use some work.

JACK: Hehehe (NERVOUSLY LAUGHS AS THE MOVER EXITS THEN TURNS TO JENNIFER, WHO IS STANDING THERE WITH HER ARMS CROSSED, LOOKING VERY TICKED OFF).

It is some time later. Jack is upstairs in the master bedroom going through some boxes and pulls out some women's panties, a camisole, and a teddy. Jennifer walks in as he is staring at the teddy in disbelief.

JENNIFER: WHAT DO YOU THINK YOU'RE DOING? (SHE GRABS THE TEDDY AND THE OTHER LINGERIE)

JACK: What do you think I'm doing? I'm looking for my stuff. Funny thing is, I keep running across women's apparel. And while I do think that I do look smashing in a dress, I really don't think that people will take me seriously.

JENNIFER: Very funny, Jack, very funny (SHE SETS THE BOXES SHE WAS CARRYING ON THE BED). Perhaps you should try down the hall in the guest room. I hear that they have plenty of things in your size.

JACK: (MOUTH AGAPE) If you think for one moment that I am staying in that guest room, you have another thing coming. My God, my office at THE SPECTATOR was larger than that.

JENNIFER: If you think that I'm staying in there, you are the one that is wrong, Jack Deveraux. Now just step aside and let me in the closet (SHE GOES TO MOVE AROUND HIM, BUT HE IS NOT BUDGING).

JACK: I FOUND THE HOUSE.

JENNIFER: I HAVE MORE CLOTHES.

JACK: I PAY THE RENT.

(JACK AND JENNIFER ARE UNAWARE BUT GRETA IS AT THE DOORWAY AND SHE IS ENJOYING THEIR BANTER. IT IS EVIDENT TO HER THAT THEY STILL SHARE A DEEP LOVE).

GRETA: Um, um (SHE CLEARS HER THROAT TO TELL THEM SHE IS THERE).

(BOTH JACK AND JENNIFER STOP THEIR ARGUING AND STARE AT HER).

JACK: Why, Fair Princess, how long have you been standing there? You must forgive us--we did not hear the trumpets.

JENNIFER: (LOOKING UP AT JACK) Um, hi Greta.

GRETA: I was actually on my way over here to bring you two a housewarming present when I ran into Mrs. Horton at Salem Place. I told her I'd walk Abby from school so that she could sit with Lucas this afternoon. I hope you don't mind.

JENNIFER: No, not at all (FEELING VERY UNCOMFORTABLE AROUND GRETA). Abby's downstairs, then? I'm going to see how her day was. (TURNS TO JACK) I'll deal with you later (SHE LEAVES THE ROOM).

GRETA: (WALKING IN THE ROOM) She hates me.

JACK: (BRUSHING HIS HAND TO THE SIDE) Who? Miss Horton? Nah. Despite her recent state of frigidness, she could never hate anyone. My charming self included (HE HOLDS A FINGER UP TO HIS DIMPLE AND SMILES).

GRETA: Well, that was a huge argument that I interrupted. Maybe I should go.

JACK: No, no, come in, make yourself comfortable. I know it's not a castle, but it's the least a commoner could do for you, your heiness. (POINTS TO THE BED)

GRETA: You really are something else, Jack Deveraux.

JACK: Did you expect anything less?

Greta is seated on the bed and Jack is still looking through the boxes, trying, in vain, to find his stuff. He has just finished telling her what his and Jennifer's latest fight was about.

GRETA: So, this is all over the master bedroom. Wow, you two looked like you were really going at it.

JACK: It was this time. Princess, you've got to understand something about the fair Miss Horton and I. This, as unbelievable as it may sound, is how we communicate.

GRETA: By slinging insults at each other?

JACK: Well, we'd like to think of it as having a difference of opinion.

GRETA: (LOOKING CONFUSED) And you two think that living together is GOOD for Abby's sake?

JACK: Yes, yes, we do. That little girl needs us as much as we need her. Jennifer and I may not love each other anymore but--

(GRETA SCOFFS AT THIS IDEA)

What?

GRETA: You and Jennifer. Not loving each other anymore? Even I, and I barely know either of you, have a hard time believing that one

JACK: Not be I that argues with a princess, but I think, no, I know that you are wrong on that count.

GRETA: Are you honestly going to stand there and deny how you felt about Jennifer Horton? About how you still feel about Jennifer Horton?

JACK: Yes, I am. Things between Jennifer and I have changed (TURNING AWAY FROM GRETA, LOOKING FORLORN, AND ALMOST WHISPERING). They've changed (BEAT) for good.

Jack and Greta come walking down the stairs and see Jennifer and Abby sitting at the dining room table doing Abby's homework.

ABBY: (DELIGHTED TO SEE JACK, SHE RUNS OVER AND JUMPS IN HIS ARMS) Daddy! I love the house. I'm so glad you and Mommy and me--

JACK: (CORRECTING HER) And I...

ABBY: And I are going to be living here together. Forever.

(THE CAMERA PANS OUT TO THE FOUR OF THEM. JENNIFER IS STANDING BY THE DINING ROOM TABLE, ARMS CROSSED, LOOKING VERY NOSTALGIC, ALMOST AS IF SHE WISHES THEY COULD BE A REAL FAMILY AGAIN AND GRETA IS LOOKING AT JACK, WHO IS LOOKING VERY UNCOMFORTABLE AND SMILING AT HER AND JENNIFER)

The scene picks up where it left off. Jack has just set Abby on the floor and Jennifer is trying to gather Abby's homework and not look at Jack, Abby, and Greta, even though she can't help it. She doesn't like how close Jack and Greta have become and hates the fact that Abby likes her so much.

GRETA: (FEELING VERY UNCOMFORTABLE) Well, it is getting kind of late and I bet you can't wait to get forever started, can you, Abby? (SHE KNEELS DOWN IN FRONT OF ABBY). How 'bout later on this week, you and I and your Daddy and Mommy (LOOKS AT JENNIFER) have dinner over at my house and I'll let you try on those tiaras that will look so pretty on you?

ABBY: I'd love to. Daddy (LOOKS AT JACK), can we go to Princess Greta's for dinner this week? Please.

(JACK LOOKS OVER AT JENNIFER FOR AN ANSWER)

JENNIFER: (WALKING OVER TO ABBY AND PUTTING HER ARM AROUND HER) Sure, baby, we'll go. (SHE STANDS UP AND LOOKS AT GRETA) We'd love to (THIS ALMOST KILLS HER BECAUSE SHE IS SURE THAT JACK AND GRETA ARE INVOLVED).

GRETA: Well, that's great. I can't wait to see you there. (TURNING TO JACK) I'll call you later this week. (TURNS TO JENNIFER AND NODS) Jennifer.

ABBY: Goodbye, milady (SHE CURTSYS AND GRETA SMILES).

GRETA (AS SHE'S WALKING OUT THE DOOR) Oh, by the way, I put your housewarming gift on the coffee table. I hope you like it. (SHE EXITS)

JENNIFER (SWALLOWING HER TEARS AND TRYING TO ACT COMPOSED) I'm sure we will.

It is now later that night. Jack is sitting in the living room in his pajamas and robe and has his slippered feet on the coffee table. He is reading THE SPECTATOR.

JACK (TO HIMSELF): This is awful (COMMENTING ON THE SPECTATOR'S CONTENT).

(JENNIFER WALKS INTO THE ROOM AND SITS DOWN ON A CHAIR AND SIGHS)

JACK (PUTTING THE PAPER DOWN ON HIS LAP): Did you finally get her to sleep?

JENNIFER: (QUIETLY) Yes. She just had so much to say. She's so excited about us being together (BEAT) I really just hope we're doing the right thing.

JACK (NOTICING JUST HOW WORRIED AND HOW BEAUTIFUL JENNIFER LOOKS): We only want what's best for Abigail. (BEAT) Listen, I was thinking about the bedroom sit

JENNIFER (PAYING NO ATTENTION TO JACK BECAUSE SHE HAS JUST NOTICED THE PRESENT FROM GRETA ON THE COFFEE TABLE): I can't believe we forgot to open this. (SPITEFULLY) It was really nice of Greta, after all.

JACK (PUSHING THE GIFT TO JENNIFER): It was, wasn't it? Here, you do the honors.

JENNIFER (LEANING FORWARD AND TEARING OFF THE CARD AND READING) "To Jack and Jennifer, may" (SHE FLINGS IT BEHIND HER WHILE JACK JUST LOOKS AT HER) Oh, I wonder what it could (SHE STOPS, LOOKING INTO THE BOX WITH HER MOUTH OPEN) be (SHE IS COMPLETELY SHOCKED AT THE GIFT)

Jennifer has just opened Greta's housewarming gift to them and is shocked and at a loss for words at what it is. Jack is growing impatient with her and wants to know what the princess got them.

JACK (TRYING TO PEEK INTO THE BOX): Well, what is it? It's not a dog, is it? I don't think the real estate people would be too happy about that. Well, don't just sit there, Miss Horton, are you going to tell me what it is or am I--

JENNIFER (LIFTING OUT A PLANT OUT OF THE BOX): It's a plant, Jack (BEAT)...a jade plant (SHE SETS IT ON THE COFFEE TABLE AND HER EYES WELL UP WITH TEARS)

JACK (STARING AT THE PLANT WITH PAIN IN HIS EYES) No, it can't be (FEELING VERY UNCOMFORTABLE ABOUT SEEING THIS PLANT AND NOTICING JENNIFER'S GROWING PAIN AND ANGER). Maybe a cousin of the jade, but not exactly a jade plant (TAKES A CLOSER LOOK AT THE PLANT TO TRY TO EASE THE SITUATION).

JENNIFER (THINKING JACK TOLD GRETA TO GET THEM A JADE PLANT): You did this on purpose, didn't you, Jack? Hope was right--you conned me. You got me to move in here, you got me thinking that this might actually work. (BEAT) YOU CONNED ME. Well, let me tell you something, Jack Deveraux, it isn't going to work-not if you were the last man on earth. And NO amount of CONTRAMUNDUMS, or SHELL RINGS, or JADE PLANTS will ever make me fall in love with you again (SHE STORMS UP THE STAIRS).

JACK (STARING AT THE PLANT, NOT KNOWING WHAT TO DO AND COMPLETELY FLABBERGASTED THAT GRETA WOULD PICK THE WORST POSSIBLE GIFT WITHOUT ANY PRIOR KNOWLEDGE OF THEIR PLANT). (TO HIMSELF) Well, it's not like I knew about it. (TO JENNIFER) ARE YOU SURE IT'S NOT A COUSIN OF THE JADE PLANT? (TO HIMSELF) Well, at least it's not delphiniums.

Feeling guilty about the jade plant, even if it wasn't his fault, Jack goes to the master bedroom to talk to Jennifer.

JACK (KNOCKING ON THE DOOR TO THE MASTER BEDROOM): Jennifer? Jennifer, will you at least open the door and talk to me? I didn't kn--

(SUDDENLY JENNIFER SWINGS OPEN THE DOOR SO THAT HE FALLS INSIDE)

JENNIFER (WHISPERING RATHER LOUDLY): Will you be quiet? Abby will hear you. I don't want her first night back with both her parents to be her last, you know.

JACK (STRAIGHTENING OUT HIMSELF AND STANDING UP): About the plant (BEAT) You've got to believe me, I didn't te--

(SUDDENLY ABBY IS HEARD OUTSIDE THE DOOR)

ABBY: Mommy? Daddy? Is everything okay?

JENNIFER (OPENING THE DOOR AND KNEELING DOWN TO ABBY): Baby, everything's okay. What's the matter with you? You can't sleep?

ABBY: No, I was sleeping just fine until I heard you and Daddy. You two aren't fighting, are you?

JACK (KNEELING DOWN NEXT TO ABBY TOO): No, Abigail. We weren't fighting. Jennifer, um, Mommy and I were just shouting because we are so happy to be here with you in one house.

JENNIFER (LOOKING AT JACK AS IF HE WERE CRAZY): Yeah, baby, it's been so long that we forgot it was like. We will try and keep our voices down, baby. Now run along back to bed and Daddy will come tuck you in in a minute.

ABBY: But I want to sleep with you.

JENNIFER (LOOKING SURPRISED) With me, baby?

ABBY: No, with both of you.

(JACK AND JENNIFER JUST LOOK AT EACH OTHER)

Scene 8

The scene picks up with Jack and Jennifer staring at each other warily because Abby wants to sleep with both of them. Jack gets up and lifts her into his arms.

JACK: (IN HIS TRADEMARK JACK TO ABBY VOICE) Now, now Miss Abigail. It has come to my attention that this is your first night in your new house. Is that correct?

(ABBY NODS)

Now it is to your knowledge that in order to change your address with the Tooth Fairy, Santa Claus, and the Easter Bunny, one must spend the first night in her new house in her own bed. If you do that, your change of address form will get there faster than the pony express. So what do you say? Are you willing to give up direct access to yourself or would you rather Santa have to send out a search party for one Miss Abigail Deveraux come Christmas time? (HE SMILES AND HOPES SHE BUYS IT)

ABBY: Daddy, you're so silly.

JACK: Then we're in agreement, eh?

(HE SETS ABBY DOWN)

Now, if you'll be on your way. Daddy will be in to tuck you in your very own bed in just a few minutes.

ABBY: Okay. Goodnight Mommy.

(ABBY KISSES JENNIFER AND SHE LEAVES THE ROOM, SHUTTING THE DOOR BEHIND HER)

JENNIFER (relieved): Thank you, Jack.

JACK (PUTTING HIS HANDS IN HIS POCKETS AND LOOKS DOWN): You're welcome.

(A FEW SECONDS OF UNCOMFORTABLE SILENCE ENSUES)

JACK (STILL LOOKING DOWN AND SPEAKING VERY QUIETLY): You know that's not going to be able to work, for long.

JENNIFER (LOOKING DOWN AND ALSO QUIETLY): I know.

(THEY BOTH START TO SPEAK AT ONCE)

JACK: You know...

JENNIFER: I think...

(THEY STOP, LAUGH UNCOMFORTABLY, AND STARE RIGHT AT EACH OTHER, STILL VERY MUCH IN LOVE)

JACK: I was about to suggest that I set my alarm clock for an hour before Abigail gets up, and then, if it is alright with you, come in here. Of course, we'll have to retreat to bed together at night to keep up the ruse.

JENNIFER: And you can keep your clothes in here and other stuff so that she won't get suspicious.

JACK: No, we wouldn't want that, would we?

JENNIFER: So you're saying I can keep the room?

JACK: Yes, I guess I am.

JENNIFER: Why, Jack? Is there something you're not telling me?

JACK: (LOOKING AT HIS SHOES AND PLAYING WITH HIS SLIPPERS) No, I mean, the good princess and I were talking and (COUGHS) well, she told me a few things about land treaties and I figured that she knew what she was talking about. And--

JENNIFER (ANNOYED AT THE MENTION OF GRETA): Forget it. I don't care why or how, Jack. Thank you for that at least.

JACK (LOOKING STRAIGHT AT HER): You're welcome. Then we're in agreement? (HE HOLDS OUT HIS HAND TO SHAKE) I'll see you around six a.m.?

JENNIFER (PLACES HER HAND IN HIS TO SHAKE): Six a.m. it is, then.

(THEY HOLD HANDS FOR A FEW SECONDS AFTER THE SHAKE UNTIL THEY BOTH GROW UNCOMFORTABLE)

JACK (SCRATCHING HIS NECK) Well, I best be going....Abigail awaits. (STARTS TO HEAD TO THE DOOR) And Jennifer, just for the record, the jade pl

JENNIFER (CUTS HIM OFF) GOODNIGHT JACK.

(HE SHUTS THE DOOR AND STANDS OUTSIDE IT)

JACK (TO HIMSELF, SADLY)): Goodnight Jennifer.

(THEY ARE BOTH THINKING ABOUT ONE ANOTHER ON OPPOSITE SIDES OF THE DOOR. JENNIFER'S FACE IS CONFUSED AND SAD, AS IS JACK'S)

SCENE 9

MEANWHILE, ABBY IS IN HER ROOM PRAYING.

ABBY (LOOKING AT THE CEILING): And thank you, God, for bringing my parents together (BEAT) even if it took a little help. Thank you also to Princess Greta for the jade tree and to Great Grandma for telling me about it. This is the only thing I want more than anything in the world (BEAT) for daddy and mommy and me (BEAT, CORRECTING HERSELF)) and I to be a family again.

(JACK WALKS IN ON THE LAST WORDS AND SMILES AT THE FACT THAT SHE CORRECTED HERSELF AND PROCEEDS TO TUCK HER IN, BILLY JOEL'S "LULLABY" PLAYS AS HE WATCHES ABBY SLEEP. THE SONG CONTINUES TO PLAY AS HE LEAVES HER ROOM AND PEEKS IN ON JENNIFER, WHO IS ASLEEP AS WELL. HE SHUTS THE DOOR QUIETLY AND GOES TO THE GUEST ROOM).

Episode 2

Jack and Jennifer

Scene 1: It is early the next morning and Jack is waking up to go sneak in the bed with Jennifer so that Abby doesn't get suspicious of the two of them.

[THE SCENE OPENS TO A DIMLY LIT BEDROOM. THE CLOCK ON THE NIGHTSTAND READS 5:59AM AND THE PERSON IN THE BED IS SNORING DEEPLY. IT SEEMS THAT HE OR SHE IS WEARING A BLACK SATIN EYEMASK]

[SUDDENLY THE ALARM CLOCK RINGS AND THE FIGURE SITS STRAIGHT UP IN THE BED AND PULLS OFF THE EYEMASK. IT IS JACK, WHO APPARANTLY WAS IN THE MIDDLE OF A VERY ODD DREAM]

JACK: WHOA, WHOA-I SAID I WANTED PINK LEMON--

(STOPS AND REALIZES HE IS DREAMING, HE LOOKS OVER AT THE CLOCK)

JACK: (TO HIMSELF) Well, well, Miss Horton. Let's get this show on the road.

[HE CLIMBS OUT OF THE BED AND PUTS ON HIS SLIPPERS AND ROBE, NOT REALIZING THAT HE STILL HAS THE EYE MASK AROUND HIS HEAD, HE QUICKLY MAKES THE BED AND WALKS TO THE DOOR, FINALLY RIPPING OFF THE EYE MASK AND TOSSING IT ON THE FLOOR]

[THE SCENE JUMPS TO JENNIFER'S ROOM, SHE COMES OUT OF THE BATHROOM WHERE SHE HAS CHANGED INTO A REALLY UGLY FLANNEL NIGHT GOWN. WHEN SHE HEARS JACK'S LIGHT KNOCKING, SHE HURRIES UNDER THE BED TO PRETEND LIKE SHE WAS SLEEPING]

JENNIFER: (SOFTLY) Come in.

[JACK ENTERS AND SEES THAT JENNIFER HAS CHANGED. HE CANNOT HELP BUT SMILE. SHE HAS NO IDEA THAT HE PEEKED IN ON HER LAST NIGHT]

JACK: (PLACING HIS HANDS IN THE POCKETS OF HIS ROBE) I trust you had sweet dreams?

JENNIFER: They'd be even sweeter, Jack, if you weren't here when I woke up.

JACK: (GOES TO GRAB THE DOORKNOB TO LEAVE) Your wish is my command.

JENNIFER: (SITTING STRAIGHT UP IN THE BED AND WHISPERING LOUDLY) JACK! WHERE DO YOU THINK YOU'RE GOING?

JACK: Look, Jennifer, as much as I love the thought of waking up next to your pretty face every morning, I would rather wake up to one sans scowl. Now if you don't think we could be civil to each other for a mere hour, I shall be retreating to my quarters (GOES TO GRAB THE DOORKNOB AGAIN). Of course, Abigail will be quite disapp-

JENNIFER: (GETTING VERY ANNOYED AND WHISPERING EVEN LOUDER) JACK DEVERAUX! YOU GET BACK IN THIS BED THIS VERY SECOND!

JACK: (SMILING SLYLY ANDPRACTICALLY LEAPING INTO THE BED) Well, when you put it like that...

JENNIFER: Very funny, Jack. We are doing this for Abby's sake, remember?

JACK: For the child

(JENNIFER HAS TAKEN ONE OF HIS TWO PILLOWS AND PUT IT BETWEEN THEM IN THE BED. JACK IS STARING AT HER)

Hey! What do you think you're doing?

JENNIFER: (TURNING AROUND TO FACE HIM) What does it look like I'm doing, Jack? Separating us. I don't want you to get any ideas like you did with that plant last night.

(JACK JUST LOOKS AT HER)

For the child, remember? The child and that's it. It's bad enough that we are co-habitating , but sharing a bed too? Remember this is for Abby and Abby only. And if it takes a pillow to separate us, so be it. That's the deal, Jack. Separate lives, separate sides. Now if you don't mind, I'd like to get some more sleep.

(SHE TURNS AROUND SO THAT HER BACK IS FACING HIM. HE IS LEFT SITTING IN THE BED, ASTOUNDED AT HER TREATMENT)

JACK: (TO HIMSELF, SOFTLY) For the child.

[THERE IS A KNOCK ON THE DOOR. IT IS ABBY, WHO HAS JUST WOKE UP]

Abby: Mommy? Daddy? Can I come in?

JENNIFER (SITTING UP IN THE BED AND HITTING JACK TO MAKE HIM SIT UP): Yeah, Baby, come on in.

[THE DOOR OPENS AND ABBY BOUNCES IN AND JUMPS IN THE BED BETWEEN THEM, SHE IS DRESSED IN A PASTEL BLUE NIGHTGOWN AND IS CARRYING A STUFFED BEAR. BOTH JACK AND JENNIFER CATCH HER IN THEIR ARMS]

JACK: (LOOKING DOWN AT HER) Well, Miss Abigail, (IN A TERRIBLE SOUTHERN ACCENT) I do declare-those gymnastics lessons are paying off!

(JENNIFER LOOKS AT JACK LIKE HE HAS LOST HIS MIND)

JENNIFER: So, Baby, how did you sleep? Do you like your new room?

ABBY: I do. I think that it's perfect. You know what makes it perfect?

JENNIFER: What makes it perfect?

ABBY: That you and Daddy are here. I can't wait to tell my friends all about it (SHE BOUNDS OFF THE BED AND TURNS TO FACE THEM) Daddy, are you going to make me breakfast?

JACK: (GETTING OUT OF BED AND PUTTING ON HIS ROBE) Breakfast, I guess I can do that. What would you care for today, Miss Abigail? Daddy's famous scrambled eggs or maybe some oatmeal or maybe even

ABBY: (GRABBING HIS HAND AND LEADING OUT OF THE ROOM) Pancakes. (BEAT) the ones with the smiley faces. You can write my name on them

(SHE LOOKS BACK AT JENNIFER WHO IS STILL IN THE BED, OBVIOUSLY REMEMBERING JACK'S "I'M SORRY" PANCAKES)

Hurry up, Mommy! Daddy will make you a pancake, too. Won't you, Daddy?

JACK: (LOOKING DOWN AT ABBY AND THEN AT JENNIFER, THINKING ABOUT THE "I'M SORRY" PANCAKES AS WELL) Hehehehe. I certainly will.

JENNIFER: (GETTING OUT OF THE BED) Good. I'd love that. (UNCOMFORTABLE ABOUT JACK AND HER RENEWED FEELINGS) Tell you what, why don't you and Daddy go on down and get started on those pancakes and I'll be down in minute.

ABBY: Okay

(SHE GRABS JACK HAND AGAIN AND HE GLANCES AT JENNIFER BEFORE THEY BOTH EXIT)

JENNIFER: (BEGINNING TO MAKE THE BED) I'll eat those pancakes, Jack Deveraux, but I won't like them. I won't like them at all.

[THE SCENE ENDS WITH JENNIFER STANDING AT THE BED, CLUTCHING JACK'S PILLOW TO HER CHEST. SHE LIKES LIKE SHE WANTS TO CRY]

JACK: So nice of you to join us.

[JENNIFER JUST IGNORES HIM AND SITS DOWN ACROSS FROM HIM AT THE TABLE AND POURS HERSELF A GLASS OF ORANGE JUICE]

ABBY: Daddy made you some pancakes too, Mommy. Don't you think that they are pretty?

[JENNIFER LOOKS DOWN AT HER PANCAKES AND REALIZES THAT JACK HAS ALSO WRITTEN HER NAME ON THEM]

JENNIFER: (TO ABBY) Yeah, they are very pretty, Baby.

ABBY: (LEANS FORWARD TO WHISPER SOMETHING INTO JENNIFER'S EAR) Tell Daddy thank you.

JENNIFER: (ADJUSTING HERSELF BACK IN HER CHAIR AND FEELING VERY UNCOMFORTABLE) Thank you, Jack. The pancakes are very pretty.

ABBY: (LEANS FORWARD TO WHISPER SOMETHING INTO JACK'S EAR) Tell Mommy that she's welcome.

JACK: (ADJUSTING HIMSELF BACK IN HIS CHAIR AND FEELING VERY UNCOMFORTABLE) You're welcome, Jennifer. (TURNING TO ABBY) So, Abigail, what do you have planned today? How many hearts do you plan to break at school today?

(JENNIFER SMILES AT THIS)

ABBY: Daddy, you are so silly-boys are icky.

JACK: Abigail, in case you haven't noticed, I am a boy. And I most certainly am not icky.

(ABBY LAUGHS AT THIS)

ABBY: I'm finished (GETS UP). I'm going to go get changed for school (SHE BOUNDS OFF UP THE STAIRS LEAVING THE TWO OF THEM ALONE).

JENNIFER: (CALLING TO HER) I put your clothes on the bed! (TURNING TO JACK) Well, that was a pleasant start to this morning.

JACK: (CONTINUING TO EAT) What, the uncomfortable silences or the mere fact that she had to force us to be nice to each other?

JENNIFER: (PUTTING DOWN HER FORK AND KNIFE AND LEANING IN SO THAT ABBY WON'T HEAR) Jack, now do you see what I mean? Hope was right. No child should be subjected to this. We're going to wind up hurting Abby, not helping her. I mean, we can't even spend one night together without killing each other. And you know what, Jack...Abby's a smart kid, she's going to be on to us if she isn't already.

JACK: (PUTTING DOWN HIS FORK AND LEANING INTO SPEAK TO HER) Well, what do you suggest we do, Jennifer? Take away the family she's just happy to get back together? I don't know about you, but I will not hurt my daughter that way.

JENNIFER: Jack, how many times do I have to tell you? I would not hurt my daughter. And as much as I hate to admit it, you are right. I would never do anything to hurt my daughter.

JACK: (VERY ANGRILY) Does that also include spiriting her away from her father in the middle of the night? Does that include taking her over a thousand miles away without a single note? I mean, Jennifer, a simple line would've sufficed.

JENNIFER: (WAGS HER FINGER AT HIM) DON'T YOU DARE BRING UP AFRICA, JACK! YOU HAVE NO IDEA-

JACK: (THROWING DOWN HIS NAPKIN) No, you're right. I don't. I don't have any idea what you were thinking at that moment. I just know what you are thinking about at this moment and it's not our daughter.

JENNIFER: (CALMING DOWN AND RUBBING HER HEAD) You know what, Jack? I don't have the time or the patience for this. Let's just deal with the question at hand, what do you suggest we do for Abigail?

JACK: (SEETHING, YET CIVIL) Well, the way I see it there is only one solution.

Scene 4: Jennifer and Jack have just had another heated argument where he suggested that there is only one solution that will make this situation bearable for Abby. She is awaiting his oh-so-brilliant idea.

JENNIFER: Well...

JACK: (EATING AGAIN) Well, what?

JENNIFER: (ANNOYED) Well, are you going to tell me your oh-so-brilliant idea?

JACK: Ah, yes...my idea (STOPS EATING, PUTS HIS NAPKIN DOWN, AND CROSSES HIS HANDS). Well, it's really quite obvious. To me, anyway. You and I, as Abigail's parents and utmost supporters, have really got to brush up on our acting skills.

JENNIFER: (LIVID) Our acting skills, Jack? Our acting skills? You know you really are crazy, Jack Deveraux.

JACK: Oh, come on. It's not like we've never done it before. Baby Howie, the foster agency, your maid to my porter. As I recall, we made a helluva team. Ranked right up there with the greats (HIS HANDS ARE UP AS IF MAKING A SPEECH)...Hepburn and Tracy, Scarlett and Rhett...

JENNIFER: (SHE WANTS TO HATE THE IDEA BUT ACTUALLY LOVES IT DEEP INSIDE) Abbott and Costello.

JACK: (FROWNING) So be it. What do you say, Jennifer? Shall we give it the old college try? You did make a fetching heiress (REFERRING TO HER STINT AS KATERINA VON LEUSCHNER)...

JENNIFER: You know what, Jack? Abby is right.

JACK: If you mean that I am fetching and charming and have a great sense of humor-

JENNIFER: No, Jack. What she said about boys-you are icky! (SHE THROWS DOWN HER NAPKIN AND IS ABOUT TO GO TO THE KITCHEN WHEN ABIGAIL COMES DOWN THE STAIRS DRESSED FOR SCHOOL, COMPLETE WITH A BACKPACK).

Oh, hi Baby (UNCOMFORTABLE AND HOPING THAT ABBY DID NOT SEE THEM FIGHTING).

You're ready already? Just give me a minute and I'll be ready and I'll-

(JACK HAS COME AND PUT HIS ARM AROUND JENNIFER)

JACK: (WHISPERING) There's no better time than the present.

JENNIFER: I mean, we'll, take you to school. Okay?

ABBY: (HEADING TO THE DOOR) That's okay. I think I want to take the bus today. My friend Sam rides it and she says it's fun.

JENNIFER: (HURT, KNEELING DOWN TO SPEAK TO HER) You don't want Mommy

JACK: (ALSO HURT, KNEELING DOWN NEXT TO JENNIFER) And Daddy

JENNIFER: To take you to school?

ABBY: No, really. I'll be fine (LOOKS OUT THE WINDOW) Oh, there's Sam now. Bye Mommy (KISSES JENNIFER). Bye Daddy (KISSES JACK). I'll take the bus home so that you can have more time to unpack and talk

(GOES TO WALK OUT THE DOOR)

Oh, and don't worry. I will be fine.

JENNIFER: What about your lunch?

ABBY: In my backpack. I'll be fine. Really.

[ABBY EXITS, LEAVING JACK AND JENNIFER HURT AT THE REALIZATION THAT THEIR BABY IS GETTING OLDER]

JENNIFER AND JACK: Bye.

Scene 5: Abby has just left the house and caught the school bus. Jennifer, realizing how quickly Abby has grown up, is sad and is watching her from the window with her arms crossed. Jack is standing behind her, still in his pajamas, watching her with great sadness.

JENNIFER: There she goes, Jack. My, OUR, Baby. (SHE TURNS AROUND WITH HER ARMS STILL CROSSED AND IS NOW LOOKING DOWN VERY SADLY)

JACK: (SEARCHING FOR THE RIGHT WORDS TO SAY) She's become quite the little independent woman, hasn't she? (LAUGHS NERVOUSLY)

JENNIFER: (FORLORNLY) Yeah, I guess she has (SHE MOVES TO THE COUCH AND SITS). It seems like yesterday she was placed in my arms.

JACK: (MOVING OVER AND SITTING BESIDE HER WITH HIS ARM ON THE BACK OF THE COUCH) By yours truly, nonetheless.

JENNIFER: (LOOKING AT HIM) I remember that, Jack. How could I forget? You were so nervous.

JACK: (GETTING EXCITED AT THE FACT THAT JENNIFER IS NOT ACTUALLY YELLING AT HIM) Me? No, I was the picture of calmness. You, however, as I recall, practically refused to give birth at that cabin.

JENNIFER: (SMILING) Me? (BEAT) I guess I was pretty scared, huh?

(JACK JUST SMILES)

(THERE ARE A FEW SECONDS OF UNCOMFORTABLE SILENCE)

JACK: Do you remember her first day of school?

JENNIFER: When they had to practically call in security to make us leave? Or how 'bout when I taught both you and Abby to swim?

JACK: Correction-when you taught Abigail to swim. All I remember was tons of water rushing in my mouth and nose and the unmistakable sound of my wife and daughter's giggling.

JENNIFER: (UNCOMFORTABLE ABOUT HEARING THE WORD WIFE) You know, I've got to go get changed (GETS UP TO LEAVE)

JACK: (SAD THAT SHE IS GOING AND GENTLY GRABBING HER HAND) Wait!

JENNIFER: (PULLING HER HAND AWAY FROM JACK) What, Jack?

JACK: (PUTTING HIS HAND NERVOUSLY IN HIS LAP) Um, what's the rush? This was actually, really, um, nice....I mean, walking down memory lane with you.

JENNIFER: (NOT WANTING TO ADMIT THAT SHE WAS LOVING RELIVING THE STORIES) Yeah, Jack I guess it was, but that was then, this is now. Now if you'll excuse me (SHE WALKS UP THE STAIRS AND GLANCES AT HIM SADLY FROM THE TOP).

JACK: (SOFTLY, TO HIMSELF) The question is, Jennifer, how did we get to now?

[THE SCENE ENDS WITH JACK PICKING UP A PHOTO FROM THE TABLE BEHIND THE COUCH. IT IS OF HIM , ABBY, AND JENNIFER ON WHAT APPEARS TO BE GRASSLANDS IN AFRICA. IN IT, JACK IS HOLDING ABBY ON HIS HIP AND HAS HIS ARM AROUND JENNIFER. THEY LOOK VERY HAPPY AND VERY MUCH IN LOVE]

[UPSTAIRS IN HER ROOM, JENNIFER IS UNPACKING A FEW THINGS LOOKING FOR SOMETHING AND SHE COMES ACROSS ANOTHER PICTURE OF THEM. IN THIS ONE, SHE, JACK, AND ABBY ARE UNDER WHAT APPEARS TO BE MISTLETOE AT A CHRISTMAS PARTY. BOTH SHE AND ABBY ARE KISSING JACK ON THE CHEEKS AND HE IS UTTERLY HAPPY. THE FRAME ON THIS PICTURE SAYS SIMPLY "MY TWO GIRLS"]

JENNIFER: (TO HERSELF) Where did we go wrong, Jack?

Episode 3

Jack and Jennifer remember their special relationship.

[IT IS A FEW DAYS LATER AND JENNIFER AND HOPE ARE AT SALEM PLACE SHOPPING. THEY ARE RESTING FOR A MOMENT AND HAVE DECIDED TO STOP AT THE CAFÉ FOR COFFEE]

HOPE: (SITTING DOWN) Wow, it sounds like Abby is loving this house situation.

JENNIFER: Yeah, she is. (SITTING DOWN ACROSS FROM HOPE) Hope, I cannot tell you how good it feels to see that smile of hers. Jack and I were talking the other day about old times and

HOPE: (SMUGLY SMILIING) Uh huh.

JENNIFER: What?

HOPE: (OPENING HER MENU AND LOOKING DOWN) You.

JENNIFER: Me?

HOPE: (LOOKING AT JENNIFER) Yeah, you. Jenn, have you even listened to yourself at all lately? In the last fifteen minutes you have mentioned Jack at least twenty times.

(JENNIFER JUST STARES AT HER)

Scene 2: Meanwhile, Greta is at the florist shop. She is buying flowers to bring to Lucas when Jack walks by. He is whistling a tune from "Peter and the Wolf" when he spots Greta through the window. He decides to go in.

JACK: (GESTERING TO GRETA WHO IS HOLDING A BOUQUET) For me? Princess, you shouldn't have.

GRETA: You know, I'm really starting to think that you are following me, Jack Deveraux.

JACK: Never. I just happened to be walking along in search of a decent newspaper in this town and well, we know that's not going to happen, when I happened to peek in this lovely shop and spotted your heiness. (HE BOWS) Dare I ask who the lovely array of flora is for?

GRETA: Actually, Jack, they are for Lucas. I figured that that old hospital room needed some cheering up. Even if Lucas couldn't see them, someone could enjoy them. Like Kate or

JACK: Or Austin.

GRETA: (SMILING) As a matter of fact I think Austin would like them also.

JACK: Yes, I'm sure he will. If, of course, he likes your run-of-the-mill bouquet.

GRETA: What is wrong with my bouquet?

JACK: Nothing, of course. It just lacks a little joie de viv, a lust for life, if you will.

GRETA: I'm sorry, Jack, I didn't realize that you were a flower connoisseur. What do you suggest I get?

JACK: Ah, yes. Newspaper man by day, closet florist by night. I mean, what you have there is fine, but you want something spectacular, something that says "Your girlfriend is no good for you, please choose me." See, right over here we have the rose which for years has been known go stand for lo--

[THE SCENE ENDS WITH JACK PUTTING HIS ARM AROUND GRETA AND WALKING HER THROUGH THE STORE POINTING OUT DIFFERENT TYPES OF FLOWERS]

Scene 3: Hope has just basically accused Jennifer of falling for Jack hook, line, and sinker. Jennifer tries to justify herself to Hope.

JENNIFER: Hope, are you trying to accuse me of falling for Jack? I mean, I know that I may have mentioned him quite a bit today, but we do share a daughter and now a house together, but if you think for one moment that I am falling back into Jack Deveraux' arms, you are terribly wrong.

HOPE: (ALOOF) Whatever you say, Jenn.

JENNIFER: No, Hope, I'm serious. Jack and I are over, done, finished, finito. There is nothing in this world that could make me fall for his lines all over again. That may have worked when I was young and naďve, but not now

HOPE: (SMILING) Jenn, if there's anyone I know better than Bo, it's you. And I also know that we've heard this whole story before. When Jack left because of Hawk, when he left because he thought he hurt Abby. Do you remember those times, Jenn? (BEAT) You've got to understand that my reason for doubting you comes from your history together. Come on, this is the same guy who told you to marry someone else and then kidnapped you on a firetruck to stop you from making that mistake.

(JENNIFER SMILES AT THIS)

What you two had, Jenn, was never conventional. I didn't understand it, Grams didn't understand it. In fact, no one did. But you two somehow made it work. When you looked into Jack's eyes and said that you'd take him for better and for worse, you knew what you were getting into. And after all that's passed, Jenn, after everything Jack did wrong, you forgave him. What's stopping you now? What did Jack do in Africa that's so horrible that you can't forgive him this time?

(JENNIFER IS SILENT AND LOOKS VERY SAD)

Scene 4: Jack and Greta are still in the flower shop. He has just finished telling her what all the different types of flowers are when they come across the delphiniums.

GRETA: Oh, delphiniums. I've always thought these were pretty. Maybe Lucas would like these, Jack. What do you think?

(JACK HAS JUST SEEN THE DELPHINIUMS AND IS SPEECHLESS. HE KNOWS THAT THEY ARE JENNIFER'S FAVORITE FLOWERS AND IS SADDENED BY THE SIGHT OF THEM)

Hello? Earth to Jack?

JACK: (BREAKING HIS SILENCE BUT STILL VERY UPSET) Wh-wh-what was that?

GRETA: (CONFUSED AT JACK'S REACTION) Delphiniums, Jack. I was thinking about getting delphiniums for Lucas' room. So, tell me, what do they mean?

JACK: (PUTTING HIS HANDS IN HIS POCKETS AND LOOKING AWAY) Actually, I don't know anything about delphiniums.

GRETA: You mean to tell me that you, Mr. Newspaperman by day, closet florist by night, do not know something? You know I should really write this down for posterity's sake.

JACK: (VISIBLY SHAKEN) Yes, maybe you should. You can list it under the "Rare and Abnormal Occurences" section at the library, right next to love at first sight and three-legged livestock (MOVING TO THE DOOR) Now, if you'll excuse me, I'll be waiting outside. (HE LEAVES LEAVING GRETA WONDERING WHAT THE HELL IS WRONG WITH HIM)

GRETA: (CONFUSED, TO HERSELF) I wonder what that was all about.

Scene 5: Greta has just left the flower shop and has decided to buy delphiniums, much to Jack's chagrin. He is seated on a bench outside the florist shop at Salem Place when she comes out. She notices that he looks sad.

GRETA: (SITTING DOWN NEXT TO JACK AND SPEAKING QUIETLY) You know, I had no idea that buying something as beautiful as flowers could put someone in such a bad mood.

JACK: (FORCING A SMILE) Who me? I'm just dandy. High as a kite, free as a bird. Don't mind me, after a while the smell of the flowers just gets to me that's all-all that nature packed in a little space. Sometimes it's a bit much for this city boy to take.

(HE NOTICES SHE BOUGHT THE DELPHINIUMS)

Ah, I see you went with the delphiniums. At least they are nice (GETTING FLUSTERED). I remember one time I tried to buy them for Jennifer and they were the most gorgeous shade of blue. Kind of in between the color of the sky and

GRETA: (SEEING HOW UPSET THE FLOWERS MADE HIM AND KNOWING THAT THEY MADE HIM THINK OF JENNIFER) Jack, are these Jennifer's favorite flowers?

JACK: (HURT AND LYING) No, no. Miss Horton? She wouldn't know a rose from a ragweed. I mean-

GRETA: They are, aren't they? These are Jennifer's favorite flowers.

JACK: Well (BEAT) well (HIS FACE DROPS) yes.

GRETA: Jack, I'm sorry. I can go get another bouquet (SHE STARTS TO GET UP)

JACK: (GRABS HER ARMS AND SITS HER BACK DOWN) No, you most certainly will not. I mean, there is no rule about not being able to buy certain types of flowers just because one's ex liked them. At least I haven't heard about it.

GRETA: You know what I think, Jack? I think you need to talk to somebody about this.

JACK: About the fact that I can't stay in flower shops very long because of the smell of them? I really don't think that talking about it could help much? Maybe a simple operation on my adenoi-

GRETA: No, Jack. I'm serious. About the fact that you still love your ex-wife.

[THE SCENE ENDS WITH JACK JUST LOOKING AT GRETA AS IF SHE HAD OPENED AN OLD WOUND]

Scene 6: Hope and Jennifer are still sitting at their table at the café and Hope had just asked Jennifer what Jack did wrong in Africa. Jennifer is very uncomfortable with the question.

JENNIFER: You know, Hope, you are not going to let this die, are you? You are still convinced that no matter what I say or do that I am still in love with Jack. Well, if you must know, Jack did nothing wrong in Africa-nothing out of the ordinary, that is. It was me, sweet little old Jennifer. Predictable Jennifer, butter-would-melt-in-her mouth-Jennifer. Me, Hope! Do you understand that? Now if you want to, you can hold onto these illusions of me and Jack getting back together-about us finding out that we can't live without each other-but if I were you, I'd get rid of them (BEAT) That's what I did. (GETS UP TO LEAVE)

HOPE: (GRABS HER HAND) Jenn, don't leave. I'm sorry, I won't talk about it anymore...

JENNIFER: (REGAINING COMPOSURE AND FEELING VERY BADLY FOR BLOWING UP AT HOPE) No, no, I'm sorry, Hope. I shouldn't have blown up at you like that. I just really think I should go. I just want to be alone right now.

HOPE: Are you sure?

JENNIFER: Yeah, I am (GATHERING UP HER BAGS AND LOOKING AS IF SHE WANTS TO CRY). I'll call you later, okay?

(HOPE NODS AND LOOKS VERY SADLY AT JENNIFER AS SHE WALKS AWAY)

HOPE: (TO HERSELF) Oh, Jenn.

JACK: That's the most ridiculous thing I've ever heard of. Jennifer and I are divorced (GETS UP AND PACES). Things are over between us.

GRETA: Jack, just because your divorced, it doesn't mean you don't love each other still.

JACK: (GLARING AT HER) Are we quite through with this drugstore psychology?

GRETA: (STANDING) Hey, hey, don't get mad at me. I was just trying to help.

JACK: Well, help is the last thing I need on that subject. Decorating my house---now, that, that could use the h-word. Now, back to the reason I accosted you at the floral shop, I was thinking about a patio set for the warm weather. Nothing metal or wicker, something tasteful. What do you think?

GRETA: So that's it, huh? The subject of you and Jennifer is closed?

JACK: (HURT)) I didn't realize it was even open. Hehehe. (PUTS HIS ARM AROUND HER) Now, shall we?

(GRETA AND JACK WALK AWAY FROM THE BENCH AND JACK CAN BE OVERHEARD TALKING ABOUT THIS PATIO SET THAT HE WANTS)

Scene 8: Jennifer, upset, has left Hope and is wandering around Salem Place. She is growing more upset by the moment because there are people all around her very much in love. She sits down on a bench in the middle of the court and sighs.

JENNIFER: (TO HERSELF) It was me that messed up. It was me.

SHE STARTS TO THINK ABOUT HER AND JACK'S RELATIONSHIP

SHE THINKS ABOUT WHEN THEY WENT TO ATLANTIC CITY AND HE GOT DRUNK

SHE THINKS OF THEIR FIRST KISS IN STEVE AND KAYLA'S SECRET ROOM

SHE THINKS ABOUT WHEN JACK SHOWED UP AT HER GRANDMOTHER'S DRESSED IN ALL LEATHER

SHE THINKS ABOUT WHEN HE WHISKED HER AWAY FROM HER WEDDING ON THE FIRETRUCK AND WHEN HE BROUGHT HER THE LEATHER DRESS TO WEAR IN THE MOUNTAINS

SHE THINKS ABOUT WHEN THEY WERE ON THE LORETTA DRESSED AS ARTHUR AND GUINEVERE

SHE THINKS ABOUT THEM JUMPING OFF THE SHIP AND THEN MAKING LOVE IN THE CAVE

[MEANWHILE, JACK IS WAITING OUTSIDE A STORE FOR GRETA AND IS HOLDING THE DELPHINIUMS FOR HER, HE SMELLS THEM AND BEGINS TO THINK ABOUT JENNIFER]

HE THINKS ABOUT WHEN THEY ARE BATHING TOGETHER AFTER MAKING LOVE FOR THE FIRST TIME

HE THINKS ABOUT WHEN THEY WERE OUTSIDE THE LEDGE OF WARNER BAYER'S ROOM AND HOW HE HID IN THE CLOSET DRESSED AS A DIGNITARY

HE THINKS ABOUT HOW HE FOLLOWED HER TO NEW YORK AND HOW HE DANCED WITH HER AT THE BALL

HE THINKS ABOUT THE SWORD FIGHT WITH LAWRENCE AND HOW HE TOLD HER TO TELL EVERYONE HE LOVED HER AND SHE DID

HE THINKS ABOUT PROPOSING TO HER ON THE ROOFTOP

HE THINKS ABOUT THEIR WEDDING AND HOW BEAUTIFUL SHE WAS WHEN HE LIFTED HER VEIL

HE THINKS ABOUT THE BIRTH OF ABBY

HE THINKS ABOUT WHEN HE LEFT ABBY AND JENNIFER

HE ALSO THINKS ABOUT A SERIES OF SCENES WE HAD NEVER SEEN:

Scene 9: Flashback of a never before aired scene. Jack has sneaked into Abigail's nursery about 6 months after he left Jennifer.

[THE SCENE OPENS TO A DIMLY LIT NURSERY. A FIGURE IS SNEAKING IN THROUGH THE NURSERY WINDOW. HE IS DRESSED IN ALL BLACK AND HAS A BLACK SKI CAP ON. AFTER MUCH GRUNTING, HE MAKES IT THROUGH THE WINDOW, STOPS TO BREATHE FOR A SECOND, AND THEN WALKS OVER TO THE CRIB WHERE ABBY IS LYING AWAKE. BY THE NIGHTLIGHT, WE SEE THAT IT IS JACK]

JACK: (LEANING OVER TO PEEK AT ABBY AND WHISPERING) Hello Abigail. How are you today? (BEAT) Ah, not up for talking? Well, that's fine. Have you been taking good care of your mother? (BEAT) Good. She needs you, you know. (KNEELS DOWN TO BE CLOSER TO HER) (BEAT) I need you. And you know what? I need her too.

(BEAT)

Listen, I know that you're not going to understand this now and when you're older, you're probably going to understand this even less, but I am going to be here for you (BEAT) No matter where you are, I will be there. Given, I may be lurking in the catacombs, but I will be there. I'll never leave you. You'll always have me right there in your heart (TOUCHES HER CHEST). Just like I have you and your mother in mine. (TOUCHES HIS HEART) Right here.

(JENNIFER HAS WOKEN UP AND NOTICES A FIGURE IN THE ROOM WITH ABBY. SHE GRABS AND UMBRELLA OUT OF THE HALL CLOSET AND COMES IN AND STARTS BEATING HIM, NOT KNOWING IT IS JACK)

JACK: (FENDING OFF JENNIFER) HEY, HEY! WHAT'S THE BIG IDE-

JENNIFER: (DROPS HER HANDS TO THE SIDE, STILL CLUTCHING THE UMBRELLA) JACK!?

(HE TURNS AROUND AND FACES HER AND YOU COULD SEE THE IMMENSE LOVE IN THEIR EYES. JENNIFER PICKS UP THE UMBRELLA AND BEGINS BEATING HIM AGAIN)

[A FEW MOMENTS AFTER JENNIFER HAS REALIZED IT WAS JACK IN THE NURSERY, THEY ARE NOW IN THE LIVING ROOM OF THEIR OLD HOUSE]

JENNIFER: (VERY MAD AT JACK, YET STILL LOVING HIM) HOW LONG?! HOW LONG JACK!?

JACK: Jennifer, I...

JENNIFER: HOW LONG JACK!? HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN SNEAKING INTO OUR DAUGHTER'S ROOM?

JACK: Maybe you should sit down..I'll get you some tea. Do we still keep it in the cupboard by the--

JENNIFER: (CRYING AND SHAKING) NO! THE LEAST YOU CAN DO IS ANSWER ME! HOW LONG?!

JACK: Well, I guess about 6 months now. Since I (BEAT. HE IS ABOUT TO CRY SEEING HOW HURT SHE IS) left.

JENNIFER: (CRYING AND SHAKING MORE VIOLENTLY) Since you left? Since you left me Jack? Since you left me and your newborn daughter? Do you know what that feels like, Jack? To have the one person in the world that you trusted, that you loved more than life itself, to not be there when you woke up?

JACK: (LOOKING AS IF HE WANTS TO CRY) As a matter of fact I do. (HE SITS DOWN AND LOOKS AT HER WITH GREAT LOVE IN HIS EYES) I love you, Jennifer. I never stopped loving you or Abigail I love you both more than anything else. I just couldn't-

JENNIFER: (CRYING VIOLENTLY) YOU COULDN'T?! YOU COULDN'T?! AND I COULD? WHY, WHY DO YOU DO THIS TO ME, JACK? I DON'T KNOW HOW YOU DO IT, BUT I CAN'T EVEN BEGIN TO UNDERSTAND THIS. YOU LOVE ME?. I LOVED YOU, JACK DEVERAUX, AND YOU, YOU....

JACK: (SHAKEN BY HOW OUT OF CONTROL JENNIFER IS AND KNOWING THAT HE MADE HER FEEL THAT WAY) I felt responsible. It was me who got Abigail sick. I didn't know how you could look at me after that. (BEAT ) I couldn't even look at me.

JENNIFER: AND YOU THINK I COULD LOOK AT YOU NOW? AFTER YOU LEFT ME AND YOUR DAUGHTER TO GO FIND AN ANSWER GOD KNOWS WHERE?

JACK: (GETTING UP TO LEAVE) Maybe I should go.

JENNIFER: (CALMLY) No.

JACK: No? (HE STOPS TO LOOK AT HER)

JENNIFER: No, Jack. You are not going anywhere. For the first time in your life, you are going to have to stay, Jack. You are going to have to deal, because, because (BEAT, SHE IS CHOKING ON HER TEARS) Jack, if you really do love me and have any intention of us ever being a family, you have got to listen to me. If you walk out that door right now, you give up and everything (BEAT) everything we ever had never mattered. I never gave up on you, Jack. What did you think you were going to do if I didn't catch you. Sneak in and visit your daughter until she's eighteen, Jack? You left me and I was beyond mad, Jack, you will never know how much I wanted to (BEAT) how much I wanted to hate you.

JACK: (STANDING BY THE DOOR LOOKING AT HER) How much you wanted to hate me? You don't hate me now? Jennifer, I---

JENNIFER: (INTERRUPTING HIM, GOING ON WITH WHAT SHE WAS SAYING) When you left the first time, I defended you. I held on to what little shard of hope I had because I knew, in my heart of hearts, that you would be back. And when you (BEAT) when you, came back that Christmas, I wanted to kill you and at the same time I wanted to put my arms around you and never let go. I thought we could do it, Jack. I thought it was you and me against the world. Remember, contramundum? And as strange as it may seem, that's exactly what I feel right now. I want to kill you for what you did to me and Abby. I look at you and I know that's it's you, Jack, and that I married you knowing this is how you are. I just thought we got passed this, I thought I could trust you to do the right thing. And then I remember how your idea of the right thing is anything but. How could you do this to me, Jack? How can you do this to her? She needs her father. She needs you. I don't want to, I should hate you. I should stand right here and tell you to leave and never come back. When I got the divorce papers, Jack, I have never felt as empty as I did at that moment. All my hope just left, and yet I knew you weren't far. The mysterious phone calls, the anonymous leads on stories, the deposits into Abby's savings account and the presents left at the daycare. I knew you were there, Jack. I just don't...

I don't want this and yet I do (TEARS START STREAMING DOWN HER FACE). I look at you, Jack, and I know how it must've hurt you, but you will never have any idea how much it hurt me. I know why you left, I went to Victor, and I know that the Old Jack came back and he was like a wolf knocking on the door. You were afraid. But, why, why couldn't you talk to me? Why? And why did you have to come here and make it hurt all over again? Why couldn't you have just stayed away? I don't want to look at you and be in love with you, Jack I want to hate you, Jack Deveraux, I want to hate you.

(SHE FALLS INTO HIS ARMS CRYING. HE WRAPS HIS ARMS AROUND HER)

JACK: Jennifer, I...(BEAT) I never meant to hurt you or Abigail. I just couldn't take it anymore. The guilt (BEAT) I thought you'd hate me for harming our child. (BEAT) I have been watching you. You are such a strong woman, Jennifer. (BEAT) Do you know how many times I have wanted to reach out and just tell you that I was there with you? Do you know how many nights I have been in here watching you, watching Abigail? I can't do it anymore, Jennifer. I would give anything to be back here. I want to be able to reach out and tell you I was here with you (BEAT) To be able to watch you and Abigail and you know I was there. I just didn't think that you would want me

JENNIFER: (STEPPING BACK AND LOOKING AT HIM STILL CRYING) I always knew you were there, Jack and I always wished you would walk back through that door and it would be over. This bad dream would be over. You would wrap your arms around me and tell me that we've got to be a family, that you were sorry, that you (BEAT) would change. And now you're here and I know that it can never be the same (BEAT) but I want it to be. Am I wrong for wanting that, Jack? Part of me wants to throw you away just like I threw everything that reminded me of you. The other part of me just wants to jump into your arms and tell you that we can work this out. Can we? Is it possible? After all the hurt and pain, can we actually do it? (BEAT) I just don't know what to do. (SHE TURNS AWAY FROM HIM) I don't know what to do, Jack.

JACK: (SOFTLY AND PUTTING HIS HANDS ON HER SHOULDERS) I'm not going anywhere, Jennifer. Just tell me what you want and I'll do it. I owe it to you and to our daughter.

[THE SCENE ENDS WITH BOTH OF THEM LOOKING AT EACH OTHER AND CRYING]

Scene 11: The next scene, also unaired, takes place a few months later. Jack, Jennifer, and Abby are at Alice's house where they have just told the family that they were moving to Africa and making a clean break from Salem.

MAGGIE: (SURPRISED) AFRICA! Oh my, that's great! I'm so surprised.

MICKEY: (ALSO SURPRISED, BUT WARY OF JACK STILL) Wow! All the way there! I mean, that's about as far away from Salem as you can get (LOOKS AT JACK) Are you sure you two can survive out there?

JACK: (KNOWING MICKEY IS NOT TALKING ABOUT THE JUNGLE, BUT RATHER THEIR RELATIONSHIP) Hehehehe. I'm sure we'll be just fine.

MICKEY: Are you sure, Son? I mean, we don't want you running away every time you hear a growl or something (PUTS HIS ARM AROUND JACK, WHO KNOWS HE'S STILL TALKING ABOUT HIS AND JENNIFER'S RELATIONSHIP)

JACK: (LOOKING OVER AT JENNIFER AND ABBY WITH GREAT LOVE, WHO ARE TALKING TO MAGGIE AND ALICE) You know what, Mickey? I think I couldn't run if I tried. My heart, um, feet, wouldn't let me.

Scene 12: The scene ends and moves back to the present. Jennifer is still sitting on a bench, crying, and thinking about Jack.

JENNIFER: (TO HERSELF) It was me who messed up this time, Jack. I gave up.

(SHE LOOKS UP AND OVER TO A SHOP WHERE SHE SPOTS JACK WHO IS STILL OUTSIDE WAITING FOR GRETA TO COME OUT. SHE NOTICES THAT HE IS LOST IN THOUGHT SMELLING A BOUQUET OF DELPHINIUMS, HER FAVORITE FLOWER. HER HEART LEAPS A BIT. JUST THEN GRETA COMES OUT OF THE SHOP AND CATCHES JACK LOST IN THOUGHT. HE TURNS AROUND AND HANDS HER THE FLOWERS WHICH HE WAS HOLDING FOR HER AND PUTS HIS ARM AROUND HER AND SPIRITS HER OFF, STILL TALKING ABOUT THE PATIO. JENNIFER CANNOT BELIEVE WHAT SHE IS SEEING AND IS VERY HURT.)

Episode 4

The night the lights went out in Salem

[IT IS NOW LATER ON THAT NIGHT AND A STORM HAS SET OVER SALEM. ABBY AND JENNIFER HAVE JUST GOTTEN BACK FROM VISITING ALICE. JACK IS ALREADY HOME AND IS SITTING ON THE SOFA READING THE PAPER.]

JACK: (TO HIMSELF AS HE IS TURNING THE PAGE ON THE SPECTATOR) Awful....awful.

[JENNIFER AND ABBY HAVE JUST COME RACING THROUGH THE FRONT DOOR AND ARE BOTH SOAKING WET. JENNIFER IS CARRYING ABBY'S BACKPACK AND A BAG FROM SALEM VIDEO]

ABBY: That was fun! We should race more.

JENNIFER: (HELPING ABBY TAKE HER JACKET OFF) We should, Baby. Only when it is more dry outside. Boy, is it really coming down out there.

JACK: (STEPPING OUT TO GREET THEM) My, is that my little Abigail there? Could it be? It kinda looks like a (NOTING HOW WET SHE IS)...well, it kinda looks like a fish. Can you step up here for a moment? I want to get a better look at you (KNEELING TO GET A BETTER LOOK). Yup, yup, just as I suspected. Gills. What have we got here? What do you have in your gills? (HE REACHES UP BEHIND HER EAR AND PULLS OUT A QUARTER) Have you been swimming in the wishing wells again?

(JENNIFER IS SMILING AT ALL THIS)

ABBY: Daddy, you are so funny! It's raining out, silly. Mommy rented some movies for us to watch and tomorrow she said we might go to the zoo. You want to go to the zoo with us, don't you, Daddy?

JACK: I'd go to the moon with you, Abigail. Now run along and change into some dry clothes. We don't want you catching cold now do we?

(ABBY GOES TO RUN OFF BUT JACK CALLS HER BACK)

UH-UH.

(HE HANDS HER THE QUARTER)

For your piggybank. Remember what I taught you.

ABBY: A quarter saved is a quarter earned. When trading, buy low, sell high.

(BOTH JACK AND JENNIFER LAUGH AT THIS AS ABBY RUNS OFF TO CHANGE. JACK STANDS UP AND LOOKS AT JENNIFER. HE NOTICES THAT SHE IS SOAKING WET AND IS WEARING A NEARLY SHEER SHIRT)

JACK: You had a good day, I suppose?

JENNIFER: (WALKING PAST JACK TO THE LIVING ROOM AND SETTING DOWN THE VIDEO BAG) Yeah, I did, Jack. Hope and I did a little shopping. I can't believe how much Salem has changed since we left. The new shopping center is great.

JACK: (REALIZING THAT SHE WAS PROBABLY AT SALEM PLACE WHEN HE WAS AND HOPING THAT SHE DIDN'T SEE HIM WITH GRETA) So, you were at Salem Place today?

JENNIFER: Yeah, Jack. Where else would I go? (BEAT) What did you do today? (REALIZING THAT SHE ACTUALLY CARES AND DOESN'T LIKE IT) Actually, you know what? Never mind on that, Jack. I don't want to know. I don't actually care. It's like I said--"Separate Lives". (SHE TURNS AROUND SO THAT HER BACK IS TO HIM)

JACK: Actually, Jennifer, I was doing a little shopping today myself. (STEPPING TOWARDS HER) I, too, was actually down at Salem Place and I ran into the Princess Von Amburg. You do remember her, don't you?

JENNIFER: (STILL FACING AWAY FROM JACK AND GETTING ANNOYED AT THE MENTION OF GRETA) How could I forget Jack?

JACK: (SMILING BECAUSE HE KNOWS SHE IS JEALOUS) As I was saying, I ran into the Princess and we started talking patio furniture. I'm thinking that since summer is coming, it would be nice to have somewhere to sit outside and bask in the sun. Maybe you could plant some flowers out there if you'd like. Delphiniums would be nice, don't you think? I know you like those.

JENNIFER: (TURNING AROUND TO FACE HIM) They are my favorite flowers, Jack.

JACK: (SCRATCHING THE BACK OF HIS NECK) Yes, yes, I remember now. Actually the princess was buying some today for your brother Lucas' room. That's what made me think of them.

JENNIFER: (SMILING AND RELIEVED THAT THE FLOWERS WERE NOT FOR GRETA) Oh, so you didn't buy any flowers today, Jack? You just tagged along?

JACK: (NOT KNOWING THAT JENNIFER SAW HIM WITH THE FLOWERS) No, I...well, why would I? You know I never really liked flowers. They die so quickly. Sure they are nice and smell...

(SUDDENLY THERE IS A LOUD CRACK OF THUNDER AND THE LIGHTS GO OUT. ABBY SCREAMS FROM UPSTAIRS. JENNIFER, OUT OF HABIT, JUMPS INTO JACKS ARMS).

Scene 2: The lights have just gone out in Salem. Jennifer and Jack are in each other's arms and Abby is upstairs. She is frightened and has just screamed.

JACK: Wha...wha...what was that? (NERVOUS BECAUSE HE HAS JUST NOTICED THAT JENNIFER IS RIGHT UP AGAINST HIM AND IT HAS BEEN SO LONG SINCE SHE HAS BEEN THERE)

(ABBY SCREAMS AGAIN. JACK YELLS BACK TO HER)

ABIGAIL! ABIGAIL! CAN YOU HEAR ME?

ABBY: DADDY?! I'M SCARED!

(JENNIFER IS LOOKING AT JACK WITH GREAT CONCERN. SHE IS SCARED AND DOES NOT BUDGE)

JENNIFER: (WHISPERING) Jack, we've got to get to her.

JACK: (ALSO WHISPERING TO JENNIFER) I know. I know. Give me a second. (YELLING TO ABBY)

ABIGAIL! (THERE IS NO ANSWER) ABIGAIL? ABIGAIL, ANSWER ME!

ABBY: DADDY! I'M SCARED! I WANT TO BE WITH YOU AND MOMMY!

JACK: (LOOKING AT JENNIFER WITH CONCERN AND THEN YELLING BACK TO ABBY)

ABIGAIL, YOU STAY PUT! JUST STAY WHERE YOU ARE! DADDY (LOOKING AT JENNIFER) WILL BE RIGHT THERE. DO YOU UNDERSTAND ME? STAY WHERE YOU ARE!

ABBY: HURRY DADDY! I DON'T LIKE THE DARK!

JACK: (KNOWING HOW SCARED ABBY IS AND SCARED FOR HER) OKAY, ABIGAIL, THERE IS NOTHING TO BE SCARED ABOUT. DO YOU REMEMBER THAT GAME WE USED TO PLAY WHEN WE WENT SWIMMING? THE ONE I TRIED TO PLAY? WHERE I SHOUT AND THEN YOU ANSWER ME?

ABBY: Uh huh.

JACK: WE'RE GOING TO PLAY THAT NOW. ARE YOU READY? YOU START!

ABBY: OKAY. (BEAT) MARCO!

JACK: (SMILING THAT SHE REMEMBERS AND THAT JENNIFER IS RELIEVED) Hehehehehe. POLO!

(HE STARTS TO MOVE TOWARDS THE STAIRS BUT JENNIFER GOES WITH HIM)

(WHISPERING TO JENNIFER) What do you think you're doing?

JENNIFER: (WHISPERING BACK) Going with you, Jack. She needs both of us. I'm not staying by myself down here.

JACK: Well, it is certainly not going to work with me trying to find her backwards. Give me your hand...No, no, that's not going to work, I need those to feel the wall. (BEAT) Okay, okay, I got it. Get on my back.

JENNIFER: Jack-

JACK: Look, it's the only way. All aboard (HE PATS HIS BACK).

(JENNIFER, SMILING, GETS ON JACK'S BACK AND HE LETS OUT A GRUNT)

My chiropractor is going to hate me for this.

(THE SCENE ENDS WITH JACK AND JENNIFER MOVING TOWARDS THE STAIRCASE AND ABBY AND JACK CALLING MARCO POLO TO ONE ANOTHER)

Scene 3: Jack and Jennifer are on their way to find Abby. Upstairs, they find her and to pass the time she asks them to tell her a story.

JACK: (LABORING FOR BREATH BECAUSE JENNIFER IS STILL ON HIS BACK) My turn. MARCO!

ABBY: POLO!

(JACK AND JENNIFER ENTER ABBY'S ROOM WHERE SHE IS SITTING IN THE BED. JENNIFER RUNS OVER AND HUGS HER. JACK TRIES TO CATCH HIS BREATH AND IS RUBBING HIS BACK AS HE MAKES HIS WAY OVER TO HER)

JENNIFER: Baby, don't cry. Daddy and I are here now. It's all better, you see?

JACK: (SITTING DOWN ON THE BED WITH THEM AND HUGGING HER) The lights just went out, that's all. Sometimes lots of thunder and lightning does that.

(THUNDER CRASHES AND THEY ALL JUMP A BIT)

(SEEING HOW UNEASY JENNIFER AND ABBY ARE, JACK DECIDES TO MAKE THE BEST OF THE SITUATION)

You know, what? This might not be so bad after all. (HE SCOOTS OFF TO BED TO FACE ABBY) Abigail, you know who the Indians are, don't you?

(ABBY NODS)

Well, then you know that the Indians, they live in teepees, right?

(ABBY NODS AND JENNIFER JUST LOOKS AT JACK WONDERING WHAT HE'S UP TO)

And these Indians (STARTS TO PICK UP A SHEET AND APPEARS TO BE MAKING A TENT WITH IT) they didn't have any electricity, either. So, you know what they did? They sat around in the teepees at night and told stories.

(HE FINISHES THE TENT AND STANDS BACK TO SHOW IT OFF)

Abigail Johanna Deveraux, may I present to you your very own teepee

(THE SCENE ENDS WITH JACK SMILING NERVOUSLY AND JENNIFER AND ABBY SMILING AT EACH OTHER)

Scene 4: Jack, Jennifer and Abigail are now in the teepee that Jack built. Jack has rustled up three flashlights and some peanut butter and jelly sandwiches and is returning to the teepee. He has tied his tie around his head and has placed a feather from a duster in it to make a headdress. Jennifer and Abby have braided their hair.

JACK: (OPENING THE TEEPEE FLAP AND ENTERING) Well, it's not buffalo, but it will do (HE SETS THE PLATE OF SANDWICHES DOWN). And for a little beverage refreshment (HE BRINGS OUT THE MILK AND PAPER CUPS). And the piece de resistance....war paint! (HE HOLDS OUT JENNIFER'S LIPSTICK AND EYELINER)

JENNIFER: (SMILING) My makeup, Jack?

JACK: Hehehehehe. Well, it's not as if I had a lot to work with here. Now if we could. (HE PAINTS SOME ON HIS FACE AND THEN TURNS TO ABBY AND PAINTS HERS)

ABBY: Don't forget Mommy, Daddy. She needs some too.

JACK: Oh, yes. (HE NERVOUSLY LOOKS AT JENNIFER) May I? (HE BEGINS TO DRAW ON HER FACE AS THEY BOTH LOOK AT EACH OTHER WITH LONGING. HE SUDDENLY GETS NERVOUS AND BREAKS AWAY, EMBARRASSED) Well, that does it. Now on to the stories. What would you like to hear about Abigail? Bears, Clowns, You name it, you got it...

ABBY: I want to hear about you.

JENNIFER: About Daddy, Baby?

ABBY: No, about both of you. I want to hear about how you fell in love.

JACK: (NERVOUSLY LOOKING AT JENNIFER) Are you sure about that, Abigail? It is rather boring...hehehehe.

ABBY: But you said I could hear about anything I wanted...

JACK: That I did, but....

JENNIFER: We'll be happy to tell you, Baby.

JACK: (LOOKING AT JENNIFER AS IF SHE WERE CRAZY) We will?

Scene 5: Jack and Jennifer are reluctantly telling the story of their love to Abby. Both are very nervous about this.

JACK: Well, Abigail, you see...your mommy used to work for me. I was her boss.

JENNIFER: Was my boss. We worked together at a newspaper called THE SPECTATOR. Daddy was a really hard boss-

JACK: Only because I knew that mommy had potential. She was a good reporter, you see. I only wanted what was best for her.

JENNIFER: Only what Daddy thought was best was for me to go away and work somewhere else.

ABBY: I want to know about when you fell in love, not when you worked together. When did you two fall in love?

JACK: Well, Abigail, that's the thing. We (BEAT) we're in love, even then.

ABBY: (LOOKING AT JACK) You were? Why did you want Mommy to go away then?

(JENNIFER IS MOVED WITH EMOTION WITH THIS STATEMENT)

JACK: Well, I...well (BEAT) I didn't want her to know how I felt. I didn't know if she loved me back.

ABBY: (LOOKING AT JENNIFER) But you did love him back. Didn't you, Mommy?

JENNIFER: Yeah, Baby, I did. Daddy and I just didn't do things the normal way. (BEAT. LOOKING AT JACK) We never did.

ABBY: Like now. You two are not married but living together. That's not normal.

(JACK AND JENNIFER ARE TAKEN BACK BY THIS STATEMENT AND TRY TO EXPLAIN THEIR SITUATION TO ABBY)

JENNIFER: Baby, I don't think you understand-

JACK: Abigail, Mommy and Daddy lo-

ABBY: It's okay. You don't have to explain. I want to hear more of your story.

(JACK AND JENNIFER LOOK WARY ABOUT CONTINUING BUT DO)

JACK: As Mommy was saying , I wanted her to go work somewhere else...

JENNIFER: So I did.

JACK: But Daddy didn't like that, so-

[THE SCENE ENDS WITH JENNIFER AND JACK RECOUNTING THEIR LOVE STORY TO ABIGAIL, WHO IS LOOKING BACK AND FORTH AT THE TWO OF THEM AND EATING HER SANDWICH. IT IS OBVIOUS THAT SPEAKING OF THIS BOTHERS JACK AND JENNIFER, BUT THEY DO IT ANYWAY)

Scene 6: Jack and Jennifer finish their love story, or so they say.

JACK: And then you were born. You came into our lives in that cabin and we were never so hap-

JENNIFER: Jack.

JACK: py. You were the most perfect baby.

JENNIFER: Jack.

JACK: (FINALLY REALIZING THAT JENNIFER IS SPEAKING) Jennifer, could you please? I'm trying to finish a story here.

JENNIFER: Jack, she's asleep.

JACK: What?

JENNIFER: She's asleep.

JACK: (LOOKING AT ABBY WITH GREAT LOVE) So she is. How long has she been out?

JENNIFER: (SMILING) Since the jade plant, Jack.

JACK: Well, I told her it was boring (BEAT) You should've told me. I would've shut up.

JENNIFER: Jack Deveraux, you never shut up. Besides, I wanted to hear it.

JACK: You should wait for the movie. It's much better than the book.

JENNIFER: I know, Jack. I lived the movie.

JACK: I guess you did, huh? (BEAT. LOOKING DOWN TO ABBY TO AVOID LOOKING AT JENNIFER) It seemed to pacify her, though.

JENNIFER: Yeah (LOOKING DOWN AT ABBY ALSO AND THEN TO JACK). It seems like so long ago.

JACK: It does, doesn't it? (BEAT) It also doesn't seem like the same lead characters.

JENNIFER: (UPSET AT THIS COMMENT) Well, you know what they say, Jack. People change. (SHE LAYS DOWN NEXT TO ABBY) I'm going to try and get some sleep now. You should try to do the same.

JACK: (LAYING DOWN ON THE OTHER SIDE OF ABBY. CONFUSED BY JENNIFER'S ACTIONS) Yes, I should if I plan on being a hundred percent for the zoo tomorrow.

JENNIFER: Oh and Jack?

JACK: Yes, Miss Horton?

(THEY BOTH SMILE AT THIS REFERENCE)

JENNIFER: You were an awful boss.

[THEY BOTH GO TO BED SMILING AT THIS COMMENT, KNOWING THEY ARE GROWING CLOSER ONCE AGAIN AND SECRETLY ENJOYING EVERY MINUTE OF IT].

Episode 5

Scene 1: It is early the next morning. The lights have come back on revealing Jennifer, Jack, and Abby who have fallen asleep in the makeshift teepee. Abby is between Jack and Jennifer who are facing each other. Their hands are on her back.

(ABIGAIL AWAKES AND NOTICES THAT HER PARENTS ARE ASLEEP BESIDE HER. SHE SMILES AND VERY QUIETLY SCOOTS OUT FROM UNDER THEIR HANDS AND SLIPS OUT OF THE ROOM. THE CAMERA ZOOMS IN TO JACK AND JENNIFER'S HANDS. THEY ARE TOUCHING)

[THE NEXT SHOT IS OF ABBY WALKING DOWN THE STAIRS AND THEN PICKING UP THE PHONE AND DIALING]

ABBY: (VERY QUIETLY) Hi (BEAT). It's me, Abby.

Scene 2: Abby has just picked up the phone and called someone. The screen splits in two and reveals that she has called Alice Horton, Jennifer's grandmother.

ALICE: Abigail! What ever are you doing up at this hour? Are your parents alright?

ABBY: They're fine (BEAT). I just wanted to call and say everything is working.

ALICE: Oh, you mean the plan. That's good dear. Is there anything else?

ABBY: We're going to the zoo, today. And I was wondering if you could do me a favor.

ALICE: Anything dear. I just hope it works

ABBY: It has to. (BEAT) Bye.

(THEY HANG UP THE PHONE AND THE SCREEN TURNS TO ALICE WHO IS STANDING BY THE PHONE CONTEMPLATING)

ALICE: (TO HERSELF) Abigail Johanna Deveraux, you are such your parents' daughter.

Scene 3: Jack and Jennifer begin to stir in Abby's room. They have no idea that they are alone-or do they?

(ABIGAIL HAS LEFT JACK AND JENNIFER ASLEEP HOLDING HANDS. JACK BEGINS TO WAKE AND ROLLS OVER TO PUT HIS ARM AROUND JENNIFER. ALTHOUGH HE IS STILL ASLEEP, HE SMELLS HER HAIR AND SMILES)

JENNIFER: (SETTLING HERSELF INTO JACK'S ARMS, STILL ASLEEP) Hmmmm. (HER EYES OPEN WIDE AND SHE JUMPS UP) JACK! What are you doing?

JACK: (STILL SLEEPING AND SMILING AS THOUGH IN A PLEASANT DREAM) What does it look like I'm doing? I'm smelling your hair. I always loved the smell of your hair. It's kind of like...

JENNIFER: You're an idiot, Jack. (SHE PICKS UP A PILLOW AND HITS HIM WITH IT)

(JACK SITS UP, STILL DRESSED IN HIS MAKESHIFT HEADDRESS AND LOOKS AT HER)

Remember what we said, separate lives?

JACK: Could you please enlighten me? What are you talking about?

JENNIFER: You (BEAT) Me. Your arm (BEAT) my body. (SHE IS POINTING TO THE FLOOR WHERE HE SNUGGLED UP TO HER) The last time I checked spooning doesn't exactly separate people.

JACK: (STANDING UP AND STRAIGHTENING OUT HIS CLOTHES) You didn't seem to be shying away from it now did you? I just rolled over and there you were. In fact, if I weren't so sure I'd say you actually liked it.

JENNIFER: Liked it? Is that what you think, Jack? Do you think I like it when my ex-husband decides to cuddle with me? Ooohh. (BEAT) You know what, Jack, I am not going to do this. I am going to go and find our daughter and cook her breakfast (SHE GOES TO LEAVE THE ROOM)

JACK: Jennifer...

JENNIFER: (SHE TURNS AROUND TO FACE HIM) What, Jack?

(HE REACHES OVER AND PULLS ONE OF THE FEATHERS FROM HIS MAKESHIFT HEADDRESS OUT OF HER BRAID)

JACK: (HOLDING THE FEATHER UP TO SHOW HER) You had a feather in your hair. (BEAT) You wouldn't want to be a slovenly little Indian squaw now would you?

JENNIFER: (SHOWING EMOTION AT JACK'S TOUCH AND THEN QUICKLY FLASHING TO ANGER) Ooooohhh (SHE KNOCKS HIS HEADDRESS OFF HIS HEAD AND STORMS OUT THE DOOR) (THE SCENE ENDS WITH JACK STANDING THERE SMELLING THE FEATHER FROM JENNIFER'S HAIR)

JACK: (TO HIMSELF) I always did love your hair.

Scene 4: Jack and Jennifer have just had a heated altercation and Jennifer has stormed off to find Abigail. She finds Abigail coming out of the bathroom in her towel. Jennifer bends down to talk to her.

JENNIFER: Good morning, Baby. Why didn't you wake me up? I would have made you breakfast.

ABBY: It's okay. I had cereal. (BEAT) You two looked so tired. You didn't mind did you?

JENNIFER: (LOOKING OVER HER SHOULDER TO ABBY'S ROOM WITH GREAT CONCERN) No, Baby, I didn't mind. Mommy's just going to go downstairs and get some breakfast herself. You run along and get dressed and I'll meet you downstairs, okay?

ABBY: Okay. (SHE GOES INTO HER ROOM)

(THE DOORBELL RINGS)

JENNIFER: (LOOKING AT HER WATCH) Who could that be?

Scene 5: Jennifer and Jack go to get the door, still in their Indian garb. It is Bo, Hope, Shawn, and J.T.

(JENNIFER IS WALKING DOWN THE STAIRS MUTTERING TO HERSELF. JACK IS FOLLOWING HER AND HE HAS PUT HIS HEADDRESS BACK ON, MUCH TO HER CHAGRIN)

JENNIFER: You know, Jack, I am capable of answering the door all by my lonesome.

JACK: And capable of shutting one, as I recall. On countless occasions I have had one shut, I mean, slammed, in my face.

JENNIFER: (GLARING AT JACK BEFORE OPENING THE DOOR) Bo, Hope, Shawn, what are you doing here? (SHE IS VERY SURPRISED TO SEE THEM) Look, Jack, it's my cousin Hope and her family (SHE GIVES HIM A LOOK THINKING HE CALLED THEM OVER).

JACK: (WAVING HIS HANDS TO INDICATE HE DID NOT CALL THEM) Ah, yes, hello Officer Brady, the lovely Hope Brady, and Shawn-Douglas, I presume. Come in. (TO SHAWN) My, you have gotten so big. Why when we left Salem you couldn't be more than....(THIS IS AN INSIDE JOKE SINCE THE CHARACTER OF SHAWN DOUGLAS WAS A VICTIM OF SOAP OPERA RAPID AGING SYNDROME)

(HOPE, BO, AND SHAWN LOOK AT THEM VERY CONFUSED)

HOPE: You had no idea that we were coming over, did you?

JENNIFER: No, actually, we didn't. (BEAT) We didn't have plans did we? Oh, Hope, I'm so sorry-

HOPE: No, Jenn, don't be sorry. We didn't have any plans. Grams just called us this morning and said that you guys would be going to the zoo and that Abby would love it if we came along.

BO: Yeah, and seeing as this little guy (WIGGLING J.T.'S FEET) hasn't ever been to see all the monkeys and lions and bears, we thought it fitting to come along. Besides, it'll give him time to get to know his cousin Abby.

JACK: Yes, Abigail. (BEAT) Where is the little princess? Hehehe. (WALKING TO THE STAIRWELL TO CALL TO ABBY) ABIGAIL! ABIGAIL, WILL YOU GET DOWN HERE FOR A MINUTE? YOUR COUSINS ARE HERE TO SEE YOU?

(TURNING TO THE FAMILY)

She should be down shortly.

HOPE: You had no idea she called, did you? I mean, Jenn, if it's a problem, we could get out of here.

JENNIFER: No, Hope, it's not a problem. Jack (SHE TOSSES A LOOK HIS WAY) and I would love for you guys to come along with us to the zoo. We'll make a day of it. Just give us a bit and we'll be ready.

BO: No, I think you guys should definitely go like that. (BEAT. HE SMILES AT BOTH OF THEM) The warpaint might actually make some of the animals feel at home.

(THEY ALL LAUGH AND JACK AND JENNIFER NERVOUSLY LAUGH WITH THEM. THE SCENE ENDS WITH JACK TAKING OFF HIS HEADDRESS AND JENNIFER FIDDLING WITH HER BRAIDS).

Scene 6: It is some time later. Jack, Jennifer, Abby, Bo, Hope, Shawn, and J.T. are at the zoo. Jack, Abby, Bo, Shawn, and J.T. are looking at the elephants and Jennifer and Hope have decided to sit down on a bench and rest.

JENNIFER: You know what, Hope, I'm glad that Abby asked you guys to come along today. It does her a lot of good to be around family. HOPE: Yeah, I'm glad we came along. (LOOKING OVER AND SMILING AT BO, SHAWN, AND J.T.) I sometimes wonder how I got so lucky.

JENNIFER: (LOOKING OVER AT JACK AND ABBY) Yeah, so do I.

HOPE: We're not just talking about Abby here, are we?

JENNIFER: (SHOCKED AT HOPE'S INSINUATION THAT SHE'S TALKING ABOUT JACK) Hope, you know how I feel about Abby. This is for her. Jack and I...

HOPE: Jenn, there is nothing wrong with feeling anything towards Jack. What you two had was special. It's perfectably understandable if he makes you feel something. He was very special to you at one time.

JENNIFER: (SMILING TO HERSELF) You know, Hope, that's the problem. At one time. Don't get me wrong, there is a big part of me that will always love Jack, but that part of me, Hope, (BEAT) it's dead and buried. Buried so far deep that I couldn't begin looking for it if I tried.

HOPE: And have you tried, Jenn? Have you forgotten how he gets to you?

JENNIFER: No, Hope. I did try. I tried as hard as I could. And now being around him...

HOPE: Makes you hurt even worse because you know that it can't be fixed.

JENNIFER: Yeah. (BEAT) Jack is a wonderful father, he's funny, he's charming, and he remembers everything....

HOPE: He remembers everything about you, Jenn.

JENNIFER: Hope, don't be getting any ideas there. Jack and I have been through so much hurt, so much pain together. Lord knows how many times he hurt me and time and time again, I forgave him and when I hurt him, he forgave me. This time it's different, Hope. (BEAT) This time it's unforgivable.

HOPE: Unforgivable? Jenn, was there another man in your life besides Jack?

(JENNIFER LOOKS AT HER AND IS SILENT. SHE KNOWS HOPE IS RIGHT)

[MEANWHILE, JACK IS STILL WITH BO AND THE KIDS LOOKING AT THE ELEPHANTS. HE HAS TURNED AROUND AND IS NOW WATCHING JENNIFER AND HOPE, WHO ARE DEEP IN CONVERSATION. HE IS INTRIGUED AND WONDERS WHAT THEY ARE TALKING ABOUT]

BO: (TO JACK) It makes you wonder, doesn't it?

JACK: (REALIZING WHAT BO IS SAYING) What?

BO: I said, it makes you wonder what women talk about all day, doesn't it? C'mon, Jack, get with the program here.

JACK: Yes, the program. (BEAT) Speaking of programs, what's next? On to the giraffes or the monkeys?

SHAWN: Actually, Jack, it's on to the snack bar. I think Abby and I would love some juice right now. Do you mind if I take her?

JACK: No, no, that's okay. Just keep an eye on her.

SHAWN: (LEANS OVER TO TALK TO J.T., WHO IS IN BO'S ARMS) What's that, J.T.? Huh? You want to go with big brother Shawn and cousin Abby to the snack bar, too? Well, I think that can be arranged (HE TAKES J.T. AND THE DIAPER BAG) We'll be back in a minute. Do you want anything?

BO: No, that's okay.

JACK: All full up from the morning's coffee, thank you very much.

(SHAWN, J.T., AND ABBY WALK OFF LEAVING JACK AND BO ALONE. JACK IS VERY UNCOMFORTABLE ABOUT THIS)

JACK: He's very lucky, you know.

BO: Who, J.T.?

JACK: Yeah. I mean he's very lucky to have an older brother like that. One who loves him so much.

BO: Yeah, he is. (BEAT) You know what, Jack, we're lucky guys, too. I mean we both had older brothers like that.

JACK: (PAINED, REMEMBERING STEVE) Yeah, I guess we are, aren't we?

BO: (NOTICING JACK'S PAIN) You know Steve loved you very much, Jack.

JACK: (QUIETLY) Yes, yes, I do.

BO: Do you think about him often? (BEAT) I'm sorry I didn't mean to pry. I just know that when I thought Roman was gone all those years, I thought about him a lot. About what he would do in certain situations, about what he would say...

JACK: (LOOKING DOWN. HE IS IN A LOT OF PAIN THINKING ABOUT STEVE) Everyday. (BEAT) I think about him everyday. (BEAT) I think about what he would say if he knew about Abigail...if he knew that I quote unquote "got the girl". (BEAT) And I wonder what he would say if he knew that I lost the girl. (HE LOOKS OVER AT JENNIFER SADLY).

BO: You know, Jack, I know what he'd say. He'd say that you were a good father and that you love Abby more than anything in the world.

JACK: And about Jennifer?

(THE SCENE ENDS WITH BOTH BO AND JACK LOOKING OVER AT JENNIFER)

Scene 7: Hope and Jennifer are still sitting on the bench discussing Jack and Jennifer's relationship. Hope has just asked Jennifer if there was another man in her life. Jennifer's silence speaks volumes.

JENNIFER: (RECOVERING FROM THE SHOCK OF HOPE'S QUESTION) Another man, Hope? I can't believe that you would ask me that.

HOPE: Jenn, it's a perfectly logical question. Especially if Jack wasn't giving you the attention you needed. Maybe you turned to a friend...

JENNIFER: Hope...

HOPE: And then wound up falling for him and following him to Ireland...

JENNIFER: Hope, Hope listen to me. (QUIETLY) There was another person, Hope, but it wasn't like that. He was kind and nice and treated me well. Abby loved him and he was good with children and...

HOPE: What happened, Jenn? Where was Jack when all this happened?

JENNIFER: (AVOIDING THIS QUESTION) He was off, Hope. Off on one of his exciting business adventures. You know Jack and his plans, Hope. He was off gallivanting God knows where thinking he could find the next big money maker. In search of the almighty dollar...

HOPE: And so you and this man grew closer and Jack had no idea. Just how close did you two get?

JENNIFER: It wasn't like that, Hope. Co--(corrects herself), this guy, he was slow and patient and incredible with Abby. We were friends, Hope. Good friends. The point is, he was stable. He was there and Jack wasn't. Is it wrong of me to want companionship? To want someone who doesn't always have a plan? To want someone who was there?

HOPE: Jenn, does Jack know about this? Is that why he was threatening for custody of Abby?

JENNIFER: No, Hope. He doesn't. He knows I was in Ireland and that's about it.

HOPE: And you went to Ireland with this guy? Did you even try and talk to Jack about this first?

JENNIFER: (SILENT AS SHE HAS A FLASHBACK OF HER AND JACK IN AFRICA)

[THE SCENE OPENS TO A DUSTY ALLEYWAY IN AFRICA. JENNIFER IS PEERING AROUND THE CORNER AT THREE FIGURES WHO ARE IN THE ALLEYWAY. ONE OF THEM APPEARS TO HAVE A GUN]

GUY WITH GUN: You'll get the money when the job is done!

(HE POINTS THE GUN OVER AT THE TWO MEN, WHO ARE NOW SHOWN TO BE JENNIFER'S FATHER, BILL AND JACK, WHO HAS GROWN A BEARD)

OR ELSE--

JACK: Or else what? You'll sick a cheetah on us? Let me tell you something, you might not think these legs are very much, but I can run like the wind. In high sch--

GUY WITH GUN: (LEANING IN CLOSE AND PUTTING THE GUN TO JACK'S HEAD) Or else that pretty little family of your might just be broken up. I've always wanted a little blonde for my collection.

(JACK LOOKS TERRIFIED AT THIS THREAT)

(JENNIFER WHO IS STANDING AT THE CORNER OF THE ALLEYWAY UNBEKNOWNST TO THEM GASPS AND THEN COVERS HER MOUTH, CRYING AND RUNS AWAY)

(THE FLASHBACK ENDS)

JENNIFER: (SHIVERING AT THE FLASHBACK) You know what, Hope? The point is that Jack wasn't there. If he cared about our family, he would've been with us. You know what else? I've talked enough about this for today. (BEAT) Now, what's going on with you? Did J.T. have his blood test yet? I know Lexie must be relieved that Isaac is not Glenn's baby.

HOPE: Yeah, she is. J.T.'s blood test is tomorrow. I really don't know why we had to do this. Bo says it's just procedure that they are testing all of the babies born that day in the hospital. I'm not worried, though. J.T. is our son and we have nothing to worry about.

(ELSEWHERE IN SALEM, BRANDON HAD "SWITCHED" THE DNA TESTS FOR LEXIS SO THAT GLENN WOULD NOT BE REVEALED AS ISAAC'S BIOLOGICAL FATHER AND ALL THE BABIES BORN THAT DAY ARE GOING TO BE TESTED IN CASE THERE WAS A BABY SWITCH)

Scene 8: Bo and Jack have just talked about Steve and Jack asked Bo what Steve would say when he found out he lost Jennifer.

BO: (NOTICING THE FORLORN WAY THAT JACK IS LOOKING AT JENNIFER) You really do still love her, don't you?

JACK: (LYING) No, no. Love is definitely not in the air for Miss Horton and I. A mutual bonding of genetics and a mutual hate for each other is all we have left.

BO: (KNOWING JACK IS LYING) Listen, Jack, like it or not, I believe that there's still hope for you and Jennifer.

JACK: (SMILING) You think?

BO: I know. If Hope and I can make it, anyone can. We've had everything thrown at us and we're still going strong. I won't lie to you, Jack, there were times when I thought it would never happen, but looking back, I knew it always would. She is my soulmate, just like Jennifer is yours. And you know what else I know, Jack?

JACK: What's that?

BO: I know exactly what Steve would tell you right now. (BEAT) He'd tell you to fight, Jack. He'd tell you to find out why Jennifer took off to that Emerald Isle and to fight to get her back. Fight like he and Kayla did, fight like Hope and I did. You'll be sorry if you don't.

(HE WALKS AWAY TO BE WITH JENNIFER AND HOPE)

JACK: (TO HIMSELF) Maybe I will...maybe I will.

Chapters 1 - 5 *** Chapters 6 - 10 *** Chapters 11 - 15 *** Chapters 16 - 20 *** Chapters 21 - 25    Chapters 26 - 30 *** Chapters 31 - 35 *** Chapters 36 - 40 *** Chapters 41 - 45 *** Chapters 46 - 50  Chapters 51 - 55 *** Chapters 56 - 60 *** Chapters 61 - 65 *** Chapter 66 

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