Keeping Up With The Deverauxes

by Jennifer-Lynn D'Anna

Episodes 16 - 20

Episode 16

IT IS THE NEXT MORNING. JACK AND JENNIFER ARE LEAVING FOR IRELAND WITH HOPE IN A FEW HOURS AND ARE TRYING TO GET EVERYTHING TOGETHER AND TO TELL ABBY.

Scene 1: Jennifer is setting up the table for breakfast. She is already dressed and is wearing jeans and a light blue sweater set. Jack is walking down the stairs with Abby in his arms. She is still in her nightgown but he is dressed in jeans and a dark blue button-up shirt.

JACK: (NOTICING JENNIFER SMILING AT THEM. TO ABBY) Say "hello Mommy."

ABBY: (LOOKING AT JENNIFER) Hello Mommy.

JENNIFER: (WALKING OVER TO THEM AND KISSING HER FOREHEAD) Hello, Baby. Did you sleep well?

ABBY: Yes. (JACK SETS HER DOWN) What's for breakfast?

JENNIFER: (WALKING OVER TO THE TABLE) Eggs, bacon, pancakes, sausage..

JACK: (TO HIMSELF) In other words, a coronary on a plate.

JENNIFER: What was that, Jack?

JACK: Nothing...nothing...(HE SWOOPS ABBY UP AND PUTS HER IN A CHAIR IN THE DINING ROOM) All aboard.

ABBY: (SETTLING INTO THE CHAIR) You're so silly.

JENNIFER: (SITTING DOWN AND REACHING OVER TO CUT ABBY'S PANCAKES) Baby, (GLANCING AT JACK WHO IS NOW SITTING DOWN READING THE PAPER) Daddy and I have something to tell you.

ABBY: (SIPPING HER ORANGE JUICE) I know already. Daddy told me.

JENNIFER: (RAISING HER EYEBROWS AT JACK) He did?

ABBY: Yes. He told me that you two are going away for a little bit to help cousin Hope and that Grandma Jo and Vern are going to stay here with me.

JENNIFER: (LOOKING AT JACK SMUGLY) Well, that was very nice of Daddy. Baby, are you okay with this?

ABBY: I'm fine. You are coming back, aren't you?

JENNIFER: (CONFUSED AT THE QUESTION) What kind of question is that, Baby? Of course we're coming back?

ABBY: Both of you?

JENNIFER: (LOOKING AT JACK FOR HELP) Both of us.

ABBY: (EATING) Good. I didn't want Daddy to go off on another one of his business trips and I didn't want you to run away from Daddy.

(JENNIFER AND JACK LOOK SADLY AT EACH OTHER, KNOWING HOW THEIR IMMATURITY AFFECTED ABBY)

JACK: (PUTTING DOWN THE PAPER AND LEANING FORWARD TO BRUSH HER CHEEK) Princess, Daddy will not be going on one of his business trips. The only business he cares about now is you.

ABBY: (TURNING TO JENNIFER) And what about you, Mommy? You're not going to get mad at Daddy and leave again, are you?

(JENNIFER LOOKS VERY HURT BY THIS QUESTION)

Scene 2: Abby has just asked Jennifer if she was going to run away from Jack again.

(SEEING HOW HURT JENNIFER IS BY THIS QUESTION, JACK JUMPS TO HER DEFENSE)

JACK: Abigail, Mommy loves you very much. (LOOKING AT JENNIFER) She never meant to hurt you and neither did I. Do you understand that?

(JENNIFER SMILES AT JACK)

ABBY: I know, Daddy.

JACK: Good. Just know that Mommy and Daddy will be coming back here together. Better than ever. And while we're gone, we want you to be on your best behavior.

ABBY: I will.

JACK: That means no talking to strangers.

(ABBY LOOKS BACK AND FORTH AT THEM AS THEY SPEAK)

JENNIFER: And no opening the door without Grandma Jo or Vern.

JACK: And no answering the phone.

JENNIFER: And never ever going anywhere without them.

ABBY: I know. I know.

JENNIFER: Baby, we know you know. We just want to make sure you're safe.

JACK: And just to make sure you're safe, we're going to have Grandma Jo and Vern drive and pick you up from school.

ABBY: But I want to take the bus with Sam.

JENNIFER: Honey, there's only a few more weeks of school left. It won't be that bad.

ABBY: But I like riding the bus.

JACK: (LOOKING AT JENNIFER FOR HELP) Abigail, what do you say if we ask Sam's parents if Jo-Grandma Jo could drive and pick her up too? Would that be okay?

ABBY: That would be great. Thanks, Daddy. (SHE HUGS JACK) I'm going to get dressed (SHE RUNS UP THE STAIRS).

JENNIFER: (CALLING AFTER HER) Baby, you didn't finish your break-(QUIETLY) fast.

(JACK HAS TURNED TO WATCH ABBY RUN UP THE STAIRS AND IS SMILING. HE TURNS AROUND SMILING AND THEN STOPS ABRUPTLY WHEN HE SEES JENNIFER'S FACE)

JACK: (CUTTING HIS PANCAKES) She's adorable. Isn't she?

JENNIFER: I wish you hadn't done that.

JACK: What, tell her that she could bring a friend along to school? I think that she liked the idea bett...

JENNIFER: (GETTING UP AND CLEARING THE TABLE) No. You know what you did, Jack. You made me look like the bad guy.

JACK: I did no such thing.

JENNIFER: You most certainly did. I try to be firm and explain something and you go back and make it all better.

JACK: I thought I was helping.

JENNIFER: Like you helped when you told her that we were going away? Did you ever think that I wanted to be there when you told her, Jack? (SHE GRABS HIS PLATE)

JACK: I just thought it would be too hard for you. Jennifer, I didn't mean to (HE NOTICES SHE IS TAKING HIS PLATE AND LEAVING WITH IT). Hey, I wasn't finished!

JENNIFER: You are now. (SHE TAKES THE PLATES AND GOES INTO THE KITCHEN)

(JACK SINKS BACK INTO HIS SEAT AND SIGHS. HE DOESN'T KNOW WHY SHE IS SO MAD AT HIM. JUST THEN THE DOORBELL RINGS)

JACK: I just can't get a break, can I? (HE GETS UP TO OPEN THE DOOR)

Scene 3: Jack opens the door to his past.

(THE DOORBELL RINGS AGAIN)

JACK: Coming! Coming! (OPENS THE DOOR TO JO, WHO IS BEAMING AT HIM)

JO: Son! I cannot tell you just how great it is to see you (SHE PINCHES HIS CHEEKS AND PULLS HIM CLOSE) Let me look at you. (SHE MAKES HIM STAND BACK AND TAKES A GOOD LOOK) Um, um. You look a little skinny here. Has Jennifer been feeding you?

JACK: (LOOKING VERY UNCOMFORTABLE) Hehehehehe. It's, um, nice to see you too, Jo. (HE LOOKS BEHIND THEM NERVOUSLY INTO THE HOUSE AND STEPS OUTSIDE AND SHUTS THE DOOR) Let's just have a moment to talk about Jennifer.

JO: Oh, I know all about it.

JACK: (SMILING NERVOUSLY) You do?

JO: Yes. Vern was kind enough to tell me all about it on the way from the airport (SHE LOOKS BACK AND WAVES AT VERN) He looks mighty fine, doesn't he? And I tell you what, I don't believe a word of it.

JACK: (CONFUSED) You don't?

JO: You heard me-I don't. This mess about Jennifer loving another man and running off to Ireland. I have one word for it and that's bull. The Jennifer I know and the Jack I know would never let another man come between them. Before long, you two will be closer than ever, mark my words.

JACK: I'm glad you think so.

JO: And you don't?

JACK: No, no, I don-I don't know what I think. It's...Jennifer's a different person now. Nothing, nothing seems to work.

JO: Son, have you told her how you feel?

JACK: How I feel about what? About her running off to Ireland with some Lucky Charms Boy? How she left me in Africa alone without our daughter? Yes, yes, I have.

JO: No. Jack, have you told her about what you feel in here (SHE TOUCHES HIS CHEST WHERE HIS HEART IS). How you still feel in here?

(JACK LOOKS PAINED AT THIS SUGGESTION THAT HE STILL LOVES JENNIFER)

Scene 4: Mr. Devereaux tells the truth, sort of.

JACK: What I feel in here? (HE TAPS HIS CHEST) Tell me, how do you know what I feel in here? (HE TURNS AWAY)

JO: Please, Jack. It's written all over your face. You still love Jennifer.

JACK: (TURNING BACK TO FACE JO) I do not.

JO: Jack, don't lie to yourself. You're not fooling me or anyone else. Even Vern said-

JACK: (LOOKING AT VERN AND PULLING A FACE) What does Vern know?

JO: He knows enough to know that you still love Jennifer, Jack.

JACK: Loved Jennifer. There is a big difference between love and loved. A big difference.

JO: Honestly, Jack.

JACK: Honestly.

(VERN COMES UP THE WALK WITH JO'S BAGS)

VERN: I think that's the last of them. (SMILING AT JO) You sure packed a lot, Josephine.

JO: (SMITTEN WITH VERN) Well, you never know how long I'll be here.

VERN: I hope I'm not being selfish, but I'm hoping a really long time.

JO: (GIGGLING. TOUCHING VERN'S ARM) Well..

(JACK LOOKS SICKENED BY THIS EXCHANGE)

JACK: Shall we go inside? Please.

(HE OPENS THE DOOR AND THEY WALK IN. JENNIFER AND ABBY ARE SITTING ON THE COUCH PACKING ABBY'S BOOKBAG. JENNIFER STANDS UP WHEN THEY ENTER)

JENNIFER: (SMILING) Jo! (SHE HUGS HER) You look great! I've missed you so much.

JO: So do you. Gosh, Jennifer, it's been so long. (SEEING ABBY) Now, I know who that is. Come here and give your grandma a hug.

(ABBY JUMPS UP AND HUGS JO, WHO SCOOPS HER UP)

You look so much like your daddy.

JENNIFER: (SMOOTHING ABBY'S HAIR WITH HER HAND AND LOOKING AT JACK) She certainly does.

JO: (SETTING ABBY DOWN AND THEY BOTH SIT ON THE COUCH) Oh, Abby, we're going to have so much fun. We're going to color and tell stories and I'll make you my famous green noodle casserole. It's your daddy's favorite.

(JENNIFER AND JACK SMILE GOOFILY AT EACH OTHER AT THE MENTION OF THE CASSEROLE)

VERN: Jenny-girl. Where should I put these?

JENNIFER: Oh, Vern. Upstairs in Jack's room should be fine. Jo will take my room.

JACK: (TO JO) Be sure to lock your doors at night. You can never be too safe. (TO VERN) Same for you, Vernon. Shall we? (THEY GO UPSTAIRS WITH THE BAGS)

JO: (SEEING THAT JACK AND VERN HAVE LEFT, SHE GETS UP AND WALKS OVER TO JENNIFER) Good, they're gone. Now that we're alone, I'd like to ask you one thing, Jennifer. What on earth is going on with you and my son?

(JENNIFER LOOKS WORRIED AND SURPRISED AT JO'S QUESTION)

Scene 5:

JENNIFER: (SURPRISED BY JO'S QUESTION) What's going on with me and Jack? Jo, I really...

JO: You can't blame me for asking, Jennifer. It's not like I'm used to getting calls in the middle of the night asking me to fly in and watch Abby for awhile.

JENNIFER: (RELIEVED THAT JO WASN'T ASKING ABOUT THEIR RELATIONSHIP) I...Jo, (GLANCING OVER AT ABBY WHO IS CAUGHT UP WITH PLAYING WITH HER DOLLS ON THE COUCH) you heard about what happened to my cousin Hope, right?

JO: Yes. Vern mentioned it on the way over. But what does that have to do with you?

JENNIFER: Well, Jack and I found out that Lexie and Hope's baby are not dead. That they are living over in Ireland and that Stefano was behind this whole thing.

JO: So, you're going back to Ireland? (NOW KNOWING WHAT JACK MUST BE FEELING)

JENNIFER: (TURNING HER BACK TO JO) To help Hope, Jo.

JO: Oh, I see. Stefano DiMera is a dangerous fellow to be mixed up with. Are you sure that you and Jack know what you're getting into?

(JUST THEN JACK AND VERN COME DOWN)

JACK: Yes, we are sure. We are more than capable of fending for ourselves, aren't we, Miss Horton? (HE LOOKS AT HER INTENTLY)

JENNIFER: (MATCHING JACK'S GAZE) Yes, we are.

JACK: And in keeping with the protection theme...(HE NOTICES ABBY ON THE COUCH) Abigail, why don't you run upstairs and get that picture that you drew for Jo? I'm sure she'd love to see it.

ABBY: Okay. (SHE RUNS UP THE STAIRS)

JACK: (MAKING SURE SHE IS GONE) As I was saying, due to the high risk factor, the child's protection is of utmost importance. That's why we asked you two to stay here. (HE LOOKS AT VERN AND JO). There have been arrangements made for at school, but at all other times of the day, she is to be watched like a...like a...(HATES THE WORD) hawk. That means do not let her out of your sight for one minute, one second, one nanosecond.

JENNIFER: What Jack is trying to say is that we trust that you'll take very good care of her while we're gone.

JO: You have my word. Nothing will happen to Abby with me here.

VERN: She's like one of my own.

JACK: Good, good. Then you have no problem with taking her and picking her up from school everyday? Oh, and you may have to take her friend Sam to school too. (HE SHOOTS A LOOK AT JENNIFER)

JO: I have one question, though. Who will take care of you two?

Scene 6:

JENNIFER: We will be fine, Jo.

JACK: We'll take care of each other. It's the least we can do, right? (HE LOOKS AT JENNIFER HOPEFULLY)

JENNIFER: (LOOKING BACK AT JACK HOPEFULLY) The least.

JO: I don't know about this. It just seems too dangerous.

JACK: (WAVING IT OFF) Danger, schmanger. We've done it before. (SEEING ABBY COMING DOWN THE STAIRS) Did you get the picture, Abigail?

ABBY: I couldn't find it.

JENNIFER: That's alright. I'm sure you can find it later. (SHE LOOKS AT HER WATCH) Oh, look it's time to go to school.

ABBY: You're not going to be here when I get home, right?

(BOTH JENNIFER AND JACK KNEEL DOWN IN FRONT OF ABBY. THEY DO NOT WANT TO LEAVE HER. JO AND VERN JUST STEP BACK AND WATCH THEM WITH GREAT LOVE)

JENNIFER: Yeah, Baby, we'll be gone when you get home. But we'll miss you.

JACK: More than life itself.

JENNIFER: We love you Abby. You're going to be good for Grandma Jo and Vern, right?

JACK: And we'll call you every chance we get. We'll be home before you can say "Princess Abigail".

ABBY: Daddy, will you sing for me?

JACK: Sing for you? Well, what do you want me to sing?

ABBY: The song.

JACK: Oh-the song! (HE GETS UP) I can do better than that...(HE GOES TO THE ENTERTAINMENT CENTER AND POPS IN A CD AND WHEN IT STARTS PLAYING WALKS BACK OVER TO JENNIFER AND ABBY) Abigail Johanna Deveraux, may I have this dance? (HE STRETCHES OUT HIS HAND TO HER)

ABBY: (PUTTING HER HAND DAINTILY IN JACK'S) Certainly.

(THEY BEGIN TO DANCE TO JOHNNY MATHIS' "WONDERFUL" WITH ABBY STEPPING ON JACK'S FEET. HE IS SINGING TO ABBY. JENNIFER STANDS THERE AND WATCHES WITH TEARS IN HER EYES. ABBY WHISPERS SOMETHING TO JACK AND HE MOUTHS "WHAT?" AND SCOOPS HER UP IN HIS ARMS WHERE SHE WHISPERS SOMETHING IN HIS EAR. HE LOOKS UP IN WONDER AT JENNIFER AND THEN WALKS OVER AND OUTSTRETCHES HIS HAND TO JENNIFER, WHO STARES AT IT FOR A FEW SECONDS AND THEN TAKES IT AND THEY DANCE AND SING WITH ABBY BETWEEN THEM. JO AND VERN SMILE AT THEM)

(AFTER A FEW MOMENTS OF DANCING, ABBY HAS JACK PUT HER DOWN AND THEN KISSES THEM ON THE MOUTH, GRABS HER BOOKBAG, AND WALKS TO THE FOYER. JACK AND JENNIFER ARE STILL DANCING. SHE WAVES TO THEM AND THEY WAVE AND SMILE AT HER AS SHE EXITS WITH JO AND VERN. THEY CONTINUE TO DANCE AND EXCHANGE LOOKS OF FEAR, SADNESS AND LOVE)

Episode 17

It is a few hours later. Jack, Jennifer, and Hope are seated on the plane. Jack is sitting in the window seat, Jennifer is in the middle, and Hope is sitting in the aisle seat. Jack is fiddling away on his laptop and has headphones on. He is working intently and chewing a pencil. Hope is looking at him strangely.

HOPE: (GLANCING AT JACK) You know, Jenn, I really don't know how you did it.

JENNIFER: (LOOKING UP FROM HER MAGAZINE) Did what, Hope?

HOPE: (NUDGING HER TO LOOK AT JACK) Stayed married to him as long as you did.

JENNIFER: (LOOKING AT JACK AND SMILING A LITTLE. HE IS OBLIVIOUS TO THE FACT THAT THEY ARE TALKING ABOUT HIM) The sad part is I once found him endearing.

HOPE: (SHAKING HER HEAD) What's he doing anyway?

JENNIFER: Twenty-to-one, he's day-trading. That, or working on a budget.

HOPE: He's really into making money, isn't he?

JENNIFER: Always has been, Hope. Always has been. (SHE GLANCES BACK TO JACK, WHO IS STILL TYPING AWAY)

(JUST THEN THE FLIGHT ATTENDANT COMES OVER WITH THE BEVERAGE CART)

FLIGHT ATTENDANT: Can I get you ladies and gentleman (SHE LOOKS OVER AT JACK WHO DOESN'T EVEN REALIZE SHE IS THERE) something?

HOPE: That sounds great. I'll have a glass of white wine.

JENNIFER: Make that two.

FLIGHT ATTENDANT: And for the gentleman? (SHE LOOKS AT JACK)

JENNIFER: (LOOKING AT JACK, WHO IS NOT RESPONDING) Actually, could you bring him a martini, straight-up. Oh, and could you put two olives in that for him?

FLIGHT ATTENDANT: (NODDING) Two olives. I'll be back in a moment with your order. (SHE LEAVES)

HOPE: (LOOKING AT JENNIFER SMUGLY) Uh-huh.

JENNIFER: (EYES WIDENING AT HOPE'S COMMENT) Uh-huh?

HOPE: (SETTLING BACK INTO HER SEAT AND OPENING HER MAGAZINE) Ordering for Jack now, I see.

JENNIFER: Hope, there is nothing odd about me ordering for Jack. Along with learning and living with his quirks, I learned what he drinks.

HOPE: Whatever you say, Jenn, whatever you say. (SHE SMILES AND STARTS TO READ HER MAGAZINE)

(JENNIFER OPENS HER MOUTH WIDE AND GOES TO SAY SOMETHING BUT DECIDES NOT TO. INSTEAD SHE SITS BACK IN HER SEAT AND READS HER MAGAZINE. SHE IS ANNOYED AT HOPE'S INSINUATION, BUT SHE CANNOT HELP GLANCING OVER AT JACK, WHO IS HARD AT WORK. SHE GLANCES OVER THREE TIMES BEFORE GETTING A REACTION. ON THE THIRD GLANCE, JACK LOOKS UP SLIGHTLY AND SMILES NERVOUSLY AT HER AND WAVES. SHE SCRUNCHES UP HER NOSE AND WAVES BACK AND THEN SETTLES BACK INTO HER SEAT. SHE IS WONDERING WHY HE STILL GETS TO HER)

SCENE 2: THE FLIGHT ATTENDANT BRINGS BACK THEIR DRINKS.

(HOPE AND JENNIFER ARE STILL READING THEIR MAGAZINES AND JACK IS POUNDING AWAY AT THE COMPUTER. JENNIFER CANNOT HELP BUT LOOK OVER AT JACK. HOPE CANNOT HELP BUT SMILE AT THE WAY JENNIFER IS LOOKING AT JACK.)

FLIGHT ATTENDANT: Here you go. (SHE HANDS HOPE AND JENNIFER THEIR DRINKS) What shall I do with the gentleman's drink?

JENNIFER: (LOOKING OVER AT JACK WHO IS STILL OBLIVIOUS AND THEN BACK TO THE FLIGHT ATTENDANT) You can give it to me. You have to excuse the gentleman. He's not very social today.

FLIGHT ATTENDANT: (HANDING JENNIFER JACK'S MARTINI) That's a shame.

(JENNIFER LOOKS AT HER ODDLY)

FLIGHT ATTENDANT: (NOTICING JENNIFER'S LOOK) I'm sorry. Are you two together? I just assumed since he wasn't wearing a ring.

(HOPE LOOKS AT JENNIFER, WHO IS OBVIOUSLY JEALOUS)

JENNIFER: (COVERING) Together? Us? No, no...not together..not anymore at least.

FLIGHT ATTENDANT: (SMILING) Good. Since you two are not together, would you mind giving him my number (SHE WRITES DOWN HER NUMBER ON HER ORDER PAD AND THEN HANDS IT TO JENNIFER). I'm based in Salem most of the time. (COOING) I bet I could get his attention away from that computer (SHE NODS TOWARDS THE LAPTOP). He really is quite the looker.

JENNIFER: (SMILING WIDELY. SHE IS SEETHING AND TRYING TO REMAIN CALM) Quite. (TO HOPE) Hope, did you want anything else?

HOPE: (LETTING OUT A BIG BREATH, KNOWING THAT JENNIFER IS UPSET) No. No, I think we're done here.

FLIGHT ATTENDANT: (NOTICING THE TENSION) Okay. I'll be over there if you need me (GESTURING TOWARDS THE BACK OF THE PLANE AND WALKING OFF)

JENNIFER: (MOCKINGLY) If I need you...(SHE LOOKS DOWN AT THE NUMBER AND BALLS IT UP)

(HOPE IS AMUSED AT ALL THIS)

HOPE: Jenn, aren't you going to give that number to Jack? It could be your ticket out of that house. Maybe if Jack were to find an attractive woman to settle down with...

JENNIFER: (LOOKING AT HOPE ANNOYED) Attractive? You thought she was attractive?

HOPE: (SMILING) I can't believe this. You are jealous.

JENNIFER: I am not.

HOPE: (SMILING) Yes, you are. You are greener than grass right now, Jenn. Jealous over another woman's interest in your ex-husband.

JENNIFER: I am not. Oooh. (LOOKING AT JACK AND THEN BACK TO HOPE) I am anything but jealous, Hope. This is going to be the longest flight ever. Now, if you'll excuse me (SHE PICKS UP JACK'S MARTINI AND SLAMS IT ON HIS TRAY NEXT TO HIS LAPTOP, CAUSING HIM TO JUMP AND WONDER WHAT'S GOING ON. SHE THEN HANDS HOPE HER DRINK AND TAKES OFF TO THE LADIES' ROOM)

SCENE 3:

JACK: (TAKING OFF HIS HEADPHONES AND LOOKING AT HOPE) Tell me I didn't do that.

HOPE: (A LITTLE SURPRISED AT JENNIFER'S REACTION) No, not purposely, anyway.

JACK: (NERVOUS BECAUSE HE DOESN'T LIKE BEING ALONE WITH HOPE) Hehehe. (BEAT) Long flight, huh? (HE SIPS HIS DRINK)

HOPE: Jack, you don't have to make small talk. I don't hate you.

JACK: One can never be too safe or too sorry. At least with the Horton crowd.

HOPE: Jack, please don't judge me by the actions of my sister. Julie is not a reflection of how I feel.

JACK: Okay, the bitter greeting I got from your half-sister-slash-stepmother aside, how do you feel about me?

HOPE: (SETTING JENNIFER'S DRINK DOWN ON HER TRAY) Well, I certainly don't hate you. I don't like what you made my cousin feel, though.

JACK: And how was that?

HOPE: How was what?

JACK: How did I make your cousin-Jennifer-feel?

HOPE: You honestly don't know, do you?

JACK: If I knew, I wouldn't be asking. Truth is, I'm actually grasping at straws here. One minute we were fine in Africa. I'd come home and we'd laugh and play with Abigail, and then one day she was gone.

HOPE: From what I understand, Jack, it was you that were gone all the time.

JACK: Hehehehe. For good reason, I assure you.

HOPE: What reason is good enough that you leave your wife and young daughter alone for months at a time?

JACK: The reason...the reason is...I'm not going to tell you. It was very important, though...trust me.

HOPE: (INTRIGUED BY JACK'S RESPONSE) Jack, Jennifer trusted you. She trusted you to come home and be with her and Abby every night. She trusted you to tell her, to show her, that she was needed.

JACK: Do you think I liked being gone? Do you think I wanted to be away from them? Do you?

(HOPE IS SURPRISED TO SEE THIS ANGRY, PASSIONATE SIDE OF JACK. SHE KNOWS THAT HE IS TELLING THE TRUTH)

HOPE: Jack-

JACK: (NOT HEARING HER. HE IS NOW FACING THE BACK OF THE SEAT IN FRONT OF HIM, RANTING) You know I thought I could do it. I thought that if I went away that Jennifer would be there when I got back. I was wrong. I don't really blame her, though. I mean, how many times did I leave her in the past? I just thought it would be different this time. We had it all-a nice home, fairly stable income, Abigail was healthy. We even had friends. She seemed to spend a lot of time with them. There was that Mary lady, the teacher from Chicago, they enjoyed each other's company, Eve and Francoise would visit from time to time, and then there was that guy friend of hers, the one that worked with her father, she liked helping him out. What was his name? Corbin? (HE RUBS HIS CHIN) Carlin? No. Colin. That's it.

(HOPES EYES FLY OPEN AT THIS)

Colin, she liked helping him out with his work. Point is, she seemed happy. And then I go off and screw it up. I thought if I can do this one last thing, do this one last job, I would come home and that would be it. I would just settle down and Jennifer and Abigail and I would be the ideal family. Well, what do you know? Too little too late. I should've known better. Jack Deveraux, the guy who screws up everything.

(HE FINISHES OFF HIS DRINK IN ONE GULP AND TURNS TO LOOK AT HOPE)

(HOPE JUST LOOKS AT JACK SADLY. SHE KNOWS THAT IT WOULD KILL HIM IF SHE KNEW ABOUT JENNIFER AND COLIN. SHE ALSO BELIEVES THAT HE REALLY WAS GOING TO CHANGE AFTER HIS LAST JAUNT)

SCENE 4:

JACK: (LOOKING AT HOPE) I'm sorry. I didn't mean to go on like that.

HOPE: It's alright, Jack. You've been keeping it in for awhile.

JACK: (SARCASTICALLY) Could you tell?

HOPE: (SMILING) A little (SHE HOLDS HER FINGERS UP TO SHOW A LITTLE).

JACK: (SMILING BACK) Hehe. It's crazy. I know I screwed up, but I was not alone here.

HOPE: I never said Jenn was without fault, Jack.

JACK: Good. That's the most reasonable thing a member of the Horton clan said to me in a long time, sans Grandma H., or course.

HOPE: I'll take that as a thank you. (BEAT) You're welcome, Jack. (BEAT) So you and Jenn had quite a few friends in Africa, huh?

JACK: They were more of Jennifer's friends, but yes.

HOPE: That's good. I was worried that you two would be all by your lonesome out there. And a guy friend, Jack? I'm proud of you.

JACK: You should be. I was never one to bond with the fellows. I always think back to that hackneyed baby shower that the Brady gentlemen threw me. (HE SHIVERS AT THE THOUGHT OF IT) But Colin, (TO HIMSELF) it was Colin wasn't it? Yes, Colin, I liked him. He was smart, but not smarter than I, funny, but not as funny as I,and he did seem to care a great deal about Abigail and Jennifer.

HOPE: (INTRIGUED) And this didn't bother you?

JACK: I'd be lying if I say it didn't at first. But after awhile, though, it didn't. It was weird. I kind of equated him with Steve. I mean, I'd bounce ideas off of him, and stuff.

HOPE: (A LITTLE WORRIED THAT JACK WAS CLOSE TO COLIN) So you thought of him as a brother?

JACK: In some ways, yes. In fact, when I went away that last time, he assured me that he would look after Jennifer and Abigail. (BEAT) I guess Jennifer was too much of a force to be reckoned with. You know how she is when she makes up her mind to do something. Unfortunately for me this time, that something was leaving me.

HOPE: And you never saw Colin again?

JACK: No, no. Actually, I saw him when I got back from my excursion. He was working with Bill, like always.

HOPE: (CONFUSED) He was?

JACK: (NARROWING HIS EYES AT HOPE. HE IS NOTICING JUST HOW MUCH SHE IS ASKING ABOUT COLIN) Hey, why do you want to know so much about Dr. Colin Murphy?

(HOPE JUST SITS THERE SPEECHLESS AND WORRIED)

SCENE 5:

HOPE: (COVERING) Interested? Really, I'm not. I just found it interesting that you, Jack Deveraux, would have a male bonding moment. You always seemed kind of affeminent to me.

JACK: (ANNOYED AT THIS COMMENT) Hey! So I know a few things about good wine and literature and not football, and baseball and RBA's--

HOPE: RBI's, Jack.

JACK: That's what I meant. I am all man, here, I'll have you know. (HE GOES TO TAKE A SIP OF HIS MARTINI AND THEN REALIZES NOT ONLY IS IT EMPTY, BUT IT REALLY IS NOT A MANLY DRINK. HE CALLS OUT TO A FLIGHT ATTENDENT WHO IS PASSING BY) Can I get a brewskie over here? (HE NERVOUSLY SETS HIS EMPTY GLASS DOWN)

HOPE: Jack, I'm not saying that it's a bad thing. Not everyone has to drink beer and know a sport to be manly.

JACK: (MEEKLY) I could tell you about golf or maybe polo.

HOPE: Jack, it doesn't matter to me what you like. It mattered to Jennifer.

JACK: So you're saying that it doesn't matter that I'm not Bo Brady, He-man, the Master of the Universe (HE GRUNTS AND FLEXES HIS BICEPS)?

HOPE: (LAUGHING) No, it doesn't. And Bo is not like that. He is a really sweet man when he wants to be.

JACK: A really sweet man that just happens to have pure testosterone running through his veins.

(THEY BOTH LAUGH AND JENNIFER COMES BACK)

JENNIFER: (SMILING ODDLY) What's so funny?

HOPE: Nothing. Nothing. (SHE LOOKS AT JACK WHO MAKES ANOTHER BICEP FLEX AND LAUGHS EVEN HARDER)

JACK: We were just talking (HE GIGGLES) talking (GIGGLES) about muscle men and the women who love them.

(HOPE GUFFAWS AND LAUGHS EVEN HARDER. SHE IS WIPING HER EYES IT IS SO FUNNY. JACK IS TRYING TO STOP LAUGHING)

JENNIFER: (LOOKING AT THEM AND FINDING THE SITUATION VERY ODD) Okay. (SHE STEPS OVER HOPE AND SITS DOWN)

JACK: (FINALLY STOPPING LAUGHING) No, we were talking about our friends in Africa.

HOPE: (CHANGING THE SUBJECT FROM COLIN) Jack was just telling me that Frankie and Eve visited a few times.

JENNIFER: Yeah, they did. I can't believe that they are still together. (SHE SIPS HER DRINK)

JACK: Yes, I really didn't give them very long myself. I mean after all, it was Bundt Cake that he fell in love with.

(JENNIFER SMILES AT THIS REFERENCE)

JENNIFER: Did you tell her about the time that we took Eve to the tarpits? Hope, it was sooo funny.

HOPE: What happened?

JACK: Well, Francoise and Eve had come over to visit and we decided...

(THE SCENE ENDS WITH JACK LEANING IN ACROSS JENNIFER AND JENNIFER AND JACK TELLING HOPE THE STORY. THEY KEEP INTERRUPTING EACH OTHER AND LAUGHING LIKE OLD TIMES. WHEN THE FLIGHT ATTENDANT BRINGS JACK'S BEER, HOPE AND JACK STIFLE THEIR LAUGHTER)

SCENE 6:

(IT IS SOME TIME LATER. JACK HAS FALLEN ASLEEP AND IS COVERED BY AN AIRPLANE BLANKET. HE IS LEANING HIS HEAD AGAINST THE WINDOW. JENNIFER AND HOPE ARE STILL AWAKE AND ARE PLAYING RUMMY)

JENNIFER: Hope, have you thought about what you're going to tell Bo when you see him in Ireland?

HOPE: I'll think of something. I always do. (SHE PUTS A CARD DOWN)

JENNIFER: But he's going to be mad, isn't he? (SHE PUTS A CARD DOWN)

HOPE: He cannot honestly expect me to sit at home and not do anything. He'll be mad, but he'll get over it. (SHE PUTS ANOTHER CARD DOWN)

(A FEW SECONDS OF SILENCE PASS)

JENNIFER: I'm sorry about earlier.

HOPE: About earlier? (SHE PUTS DOWN HER LAST CARD) Rummy.

JENNIFER: (PICKING UP THE CARDS AND SHUFFLING) Yeah. I didn't mean to blow up at you. I'm just so confused.

HOPE: Don't worry about it.(SHE CUTS THE CARDS) I tell you, though, you're not the only one who is confused (SHE COCKS HER HEAD TOWARDS JACK).

JENNIFER: (LOOKS BACK AT JACK AND THEN BEGINS TO DEAL) Jack? What about Jack?

HOPE: (LOWERING HER VOICE) Jenn, you didn't tell me that Jack knew Colin.

JENNIFER: (LOOKING WORRIED) What happened, Hope? Did he tell you that he suspects something?

HOPE: (PICKING UP HER HAND AND LOOKING AT IT) Calm down. No, he doesn't know anything. I just think you're playing with fire.

JENNIFER: How, Hope? (SHE PICKS UP HER HAND)

HOPE: How? Jenn, they knew each other. It's bound to come out. It's better if it comes from you. Don't hurt him anymore than you have to, Jenn.

JENNIFER: Him? Jack Deveraux has hurt me enough. He will not find out about this, I swear to it. There will be no exchanges, there will be no coming clean. Jack Deveraux and I will never see Dr. Colin Murphy again.

HOPE: How can you be so sure?

JENNIFER: I'm not. I just don't think it will happen.

HOPE: I really think you should tell him, though, Jenn. There might be a chance for you two yet.

JENNIFER: (LOOKING BACK AT JACK WITH LOVE IN HER EYES AND THEN BACK TO HOPE) No, Hope, it's over. (SADLY) We can't take it anymore.

HOPE: (SEEING HOW MUCH JENNIFER REALLY LOVES HIM) Fine. I still think that you should try, though. (SHE GETS UP)

JENNIFER: Where are you going?

HOPE: To the ladies' room. (SHE TOUCHES HER SHOULDER) Just think about what I said, huh? (SHE WALKS AWAY)

(JENNIFER PUTS HER CARDS DOWN AND SIGHS. SHE IS SO TERRIBLY CONFUSED RIGHT NOW. SHE DOESN'T WANT TO HURT ANYMORE AND THINKS THAT IS WHAT SHE WOULD DO IF SHE TOLD JACK. SHE SINKS BACK INTO HER SEAT AND LOOKS OVER AT JACK, WHO MOVES IN HIS SLEEP AND RESTS HIS HEAD ON HER SHOULDER)

JENNIFER: (TO HERSELF. SOFTLY, SHE DOESN'T BELIEVE IT HERSELF) We can't take it anymore.

JACK: (STILL ASLEEP) Hmmmmm?

JENNIFER: Nothing (SHE STROKES HIS HEAD). Nothing. (SHE BEGINS TO CRY SILENTLY)

Episode 18

Scene 1: JACK, JENNIFER, and HOPE arrive at their hotel room.

(HOPE, JENNIFER, and JACK have just entered their hotel room. It is very modest with two double beds. JACK looks disappointed with the lodgings and is looking around and dusting off the furniture)

HOPE: (SETTING HER SUITCASE DOWN ON ONE OF THE BEDS) Well, it's quaint.

JACK: (SCRUNCHING UP HIS NOSE IN DISGUST) If that's what you could call it.

JENNIFER: (PUTTING HER SUITCASE DOWN ON THE BED NEXT TO HOPE'S) It's not that bad.

JACK: Yes, I suppose it could be worse. We could actually have a clean room (HE HOLDS UP HIS FINGER WHICH IS GRAY WITH DUST).

(HOPE AND JENNIFER JUST LOOK AT HIM)

JENNIFER: Jack, I told you that we had to stay somewhere inconspicuous.

JACK: (OPENING THE CLOSET AND CRINGING) You never said run-down.

JENNIFER: (GETTING UP AND CLOSING THE CLOSET DOOR) Jack, just deal, okay?

JACK: You put us in the worst no-tell motel and you want me to deal? Jennifer, that cave we stayed in when we were stranded was better than these accommodations.

JENNIFER: (GOING BACK OVER AND BEGINNING TO UNPACK) It's not like I had a great budget to work with, Jack.

JACK: (HIS MOUTH OPENS IN SHOCK) Are you saying that I'm cheap?

JENNIFER: (TAKING HER CLOTHES AND PUTTING THEM IN THE DRAWER WITHOUT LOOKING UP AT HIM) Cheap, egotistical, and full of

(JACK'S EYES WIDEN. JENNIFER CATCHES HOPE'S EYE AND CORRECTS HERSELF)

Cheap and egotistical, Jack.

JACK: Well I never-

JENNIFER: (STOPPING TO LOOK AT HIM) You never what, Jack? You never heard the truth?

HOPE: I hate to break this up, you guys, but do you mind telling me one thing?

(THEY BOTH LOOK OVER AT HER)

JACK AND JENNIFER: What??

HOPE: Could someone please tell me what the plan is? And why exactly we're all sharing one room?

(JENNIFER LOOKS UP AT JACK, EXPECTING HIM TO EXPLAIN. JACK LOOKS DOWN AT HER AND NERVOUSLY SMILES)

SCENE 2: THE PLAN

JENNIFER: Well, Jack, you heard the lady, what's the plan, big guy?

JACK: (MOUTHING "BIG GUY?" TO HER) The lodging situation is, well, as Jennifer explained, for budget reasons.

(JENNIFER STANDS BEHIND JACK AND MOUTHS "CHEAP" TO HOPE AND POINTS AT JACK. HOPE SMILES AND JACK TURNS AROUND TO LOOK AT JENNIFER, WHO PRETENDS TO JUST BE STANDING THERE)

(TURNING BACK AROUND TO HOPE) I figured that you two ladies would sleep in one of these lovely beds. And I, (SITTING DOWN AND BOUNCING ON THE EMPTY BED A LITTLE) I would just rest here. (HE LEANS BACK ONTO THE PILLOW AND CLOSES HIS EYES) Just like this. Ahhh.

JENNIFER: (CREEPING UP NEXT TO HIM AND GETTING RIGHT IN HIS FACE) And the plan?

(JACK JUMPS AT HER VOICE)

JACK: The plan? (HE SITS UP) Ah yes, the plan...

(JENNIFER SITS ON THE OTHER BED WITH HOPE. THEY ARE BOTH NOW LOOKING AT JACK WHO IS FACING THEM ON THE OPPOSITE BED)

JACK: Well, actually, I've been meaning to talk to you about that...You see, I really, I really, I really haven't got one. (HE LOOKS AT THEM GUILTILY)

SCENE 3:

JENNIFER: (GETTING UP FROM THE BED AND PACING) What do you mean, Jack? You don't have a plan?

JACK: I don't have a plan. It's as simple as that.

JENNIFER: As simple as that? Jack, you always have a plan.

JACK: Well this time I don't. A guy can't be prepared all the time.

JENNIFER: Jack, you were born prepared. Ill-prepared, but prepared.

HOPE: (WATCHING JENNIFER PACE) Okay, so we don't have a plan. We'll make one. We'll just sit back and figure something out. We can do that, right?

JENNIFER: I suppose. (SHE SHOOTS JACK A LOOK)

JACK: (CROSSING HIS ARMS) I saw that.

JENNIFER: (PLAYING DUMB) Saw what, Jack?

JACK: That, that, I don't-want-to-work-with-him look. I've seen it enough times in my lifetime to recognize it, thank you very much.

JENNIFER: I was not giving you a look.

JACK: Yes you were.

JENNIFER: No I wasn't.

HOPE: Okay, okay (SHE STANDS UP AND PUTS HER ARMS OUT TO SEPARATE THE TWO OF THEM) Clearly we are not going to get any work done with you two arguing. (SHE IS ANNOYED) I'm going to just go outside and call my husband on my cell phone. Maybe if we know where Bo is we can figure out where to go from here.

JENNIFER: Hope, you don't have to go.

HOPE: (ANGRY ABOUT THEIR CHILDISHNESS) No, Jenn, I do. You two need to talk and I, I, need to get some air and get away from this (LOOKING DISAPPOINTED AT THE TWO OF THEM) this, child's play. (SHE GOES TO LEAVE BUT PAUSES AT THE DOOR) When I come back in here, I expect this to be resolved. Or else...(SHE LEAVES)

(OUT IN THE HALLWAY, HOPE CALLS BO ON HIS CELL PHONE. SHE LIES AND SAYS SHE IS IN SALEM, BUT HE HAS A FEELING THAT SOMETHING IS UP. IT TURNS OUT THAT JOHN, ABE, AND BO DON'T KNOW WHERE TO START EITHER. UPSET THAT SHE HAS LIED TO BO, HOPE DECIDES TO TAKE A WALK AFTER HANGING UP)

SCENE 4:

(JACK AND JENNIFER ARE STILL IN THE SAME PLACES THEY WERE WHEN HOPE LEFT. JACK IS ON THE BED WITH HIS ARMS CROSSED AND JENNIFER IS STANDING UP WITH HER ARMS CROSSED NOW. THEY ARE NOT SPEAKING TO EACH OTHER)

JACK: (BREAKING THE SILENCE) Mommy (REFERRING TO HOPE) seems a little mad.

JENNIFER: (UNCROSSING HER ARMS) Well, Jack, she should be. We're really not making any progress jumping down each other's throats.

JACK: (UNCROSSING HIS ARMS AS WELL) Well, you started...

(JENNIFER HOLDS A FINGER UP AT HIM)

(SOFTLY) Well, you did.

(JENNIFER SITS DOWN ON THE BED NEXT TO JACK)

JENNIFER: That's beside the point, Jack. Hope needs us to stand united right now.

JACK: (SMILING. HE LIKES JENNIFER BEING SO CLOSE TO HIM) I can do that.

JENNIFER: (SMILING BACK AT HIM) I can too. At least I could try.

JACK: (SMILING SARCASTICALLY) What do you say we try by doing something we always did so well together? I mean, it's the perfect place for it.

(JENNIFER'S EYES WIDEN AT THIS SUGGESTION)

Well, we've done it before. It's familiar territory.

(JENNIFER'S EYES WIDEN EVEN MORE)

(ENJOYING TEASING HER) Good. That way it wouldn't be awkward. And it will get our mind off of how much we despise each other right now. You always did have the magic touch. (JENNIFER'S MOUTH DROPS OPEN. SHE CAN'T BELIEVE WHAT JACK IS "SUGGESTING".)

Who knows? We might still be good at it. Let's see...I think I still have the equipment. It is necessary in this day and age, you know (HE GETS UP AND GOES TO HIS SUITCASE WHERE HE PULLS OUT THE LAPTOP. HE SMILES WIDELY, KNOWING HE GOT JENNIFER) A man should always come prepared.

(JENNIFER LOOKS EMBARASSED. SHE CAN'T BELIEVE WHAT SHE THOUGHT HE WAS TALKING ABOUT)

SCENE 5:

JACK: What? You look disappointed.

JENNIFER: (FLUSTERED) Um, well, I...I'm just thinking that work would be a great idea right now. (SHE WALKS OVER AND GRABS THE LAPTOP FROM JACK AND GOES BACK TO THE BED AND SETS IT UP)

JACK: (GLAD THAT JENNIFER IS NOW BEING CIVIL TO HIM) Yeah, well I thought that maybe when we get through this little adventure of ours we could maybe write a series of articles on it for TIME or LIFE. Or maybe MAD magazine, knowing the way you write. (HE SITS DOWN ON THE BED NEXT TO HER)

(JENNIFER SHOOTS HIM A LOOK BUT THEN SMILES)

And we could maybe add a Pulitzer to our list of awards. Not that it isn't impressive already. I mean between us we've got Ferraros and Peabodys. (HE PUTS HIS ARM AROUND HER AND WAVES HIS ARM) Picture it, "and the Pulitzer goes to Jack Harcourt Deveraux and Jennifer Rose Dever, um, (CORRECTING HIMSELF) Jennifer Rose Horton for their piece "THE DOWNFALL OF THE DIMERA EMPIRE".

JENNIFER: (SMILING) "THE SAGA OF STEFANO"

JACK: (SMILING. HE IS ENJOYING THIS CLOSENESS) "BABY SWITCHING FOR THE MILLENIUM. WHAT NOT TO DO"

JENNIFER: (GIGGLES, THEN STOPS HERSELF) Well, Mr. D., I hate to tell you this but there will be no crime solving and no story, unless we get down to work. Do you have anything here on the DiMera's already (SHE LOOKS DOWN AT THE COMPUTER)?

JACK: (SCOOTING HER OVER AND LEANING IN REAL CLOSE TO WORK) Well, actually you see right here I have a few files that a few of my friends from Washington were kind enough to send down. Being that I'm a Deveraux and all

(THE SCENE ENDS WITH THEM HUNCHED OVER THE COMPUTER LIKE OLD TIMES. JENNIFER IS VERY AWARE OF HOW CLOSE SHE AND JACK ARE AND IS NOT BREAKING AWAY)

SCENE 6:

(IT IS A SHORT WHILE LATER. JACK AND JENNIFER ARE STILL WORKING FURIOUSLY. THEY ARE STILL LOOKING DOWN AT THE COMPUTER AND JENNIFER KEEPS SNEAKING PEEKS AT JACK)

JACK: (ALSO NOTICING HOW CLOSE HE AND JENNIFER ARE. ALTHOUGH LIKING IT, IT SCARES HIM. HE LOOKS AT HIS WATCH) Shouldn't Hope be back by now?

JENNIFER: I told you, Jack, she called and said that she was going to get a bite to eat.

JACK: Eat? I could go for some grub right now (HE RUBS HIS STOMACH) Does this place even have room service (HE GETS UP AND LOOKS THROUGH THE DRAWERS)?

JENNIFER: I don't think so, Jack. (SHE GETS UP AND LEADS HIM BACK TO THE BED TO THE COMPUTER) I think I saw a pub around the corner. I could get their number and call them if you like (SHE GOES TO THE PHONE).

JACK: (NOT WANTING TO INTERRUPT THEIR QUALITY TIME PUTS HIS HAND OVER HERS) No.

JENNIFER: (SMILING. KNOWING WHAT HE IS UP TO) I thought you said you were hungry, Jack.

JACK: (NERVOUSLY SMILING) I, I, I can manage. Probably all potatoes anyway.

JENNIFER: Now that you mention it, Jack, I am getting a little hungry. (SHE GRABS THE PHONE AGAIN)

JACK: (PUTTING HIS HAND OVER HERS TO STOP HER AGAIN) Jennifer, I...I.

JENNIFER: (PLAYING WITH HIM) What, Jack?

JACK: I'm just saying...if you eat now, you'll spoil your dinner.

JENNIFER: Dinner, Jack? I'm hungry now. Maybe I'll just get a little something to gnosh on (SHE GOES TO GRAB THE PHONE)

JACK: I mean you'll spoil our dinner.

(JENNIFER LOOKS AT HIM CONFUSED)

Yes, OUR dinner. Don't look at me like that. It's the least I can do. I mean, with seeing as I came in here with no plan and all.

JENNIFER: (SMILING) Jack, that's so sweet. You're going to take me and Hope out for dinner?

JACK: (NOT PLEASED WITH HOPE COMING, BUT COVERING) Yes, you,...you and your cousin.

JENNIFER: (TEASING HIM) How nice.

JACK: (SMILING WIDELY) Nice. (BEAT) Did you see the floor plans that Vern sent us? (HE POINTS TO THE COMPUTER) DiMera's gotta have 40 rooms here.

JENNIFER: (SITTING DOWN NEXT TO JACK AND LOOKING AT THE COMPUTER) The better to store his daughter in.

JACK: (REPEATING WHAT JENNIFER SAID) The better to (HE LOOKS AT HER ODDLY) That made no sense.

JENNIFER: It was supposed to be funny, Jack.

JACK: Oh. (HE LOOKS BACK DOWN AT THE SCREEN) Now if we can only figure out a way to get in there.

JENNIFER: What about here, Jack? (SHE LEANS IN TO POINT IT OUT) Do you really think that all the entrances will be guarded at all times? I mean, they just moved in. (HER HAIR IS RIGHT IN JACK'S FACE)

(THE SCENE ENDS WITH JACK SMELLING JENNIFER'S HAIR AND HER LOOKING AT HIM SLIGHTLY AND SMILING. SHE HATES TO ADMIT IT, BUT SHE LIKES IT.)

(MEANWHILE, HOPE HAS RUN INTO BO, JOHN, AND ABE. SHE TRIED TO RUN AWAY BUT THEY FOUND HER. BO IS MAD AT HER FOR COMING. THEY ARE GOING BACK TO THE HOTEL ROOM TO SEE JACK AND JENNIFER)

SCENE 7:

(STILL WORKING AND LIKING IT, JENNIFER AND JACK HAVE SPREAD OUT ON THE BED. THEY ARE ON THE FOOT OF THE BED ON THEIR STOMACHS AND ARE LOOKING AT THE LAPTOP AND GOING THROUGH PAPERS)

JENNIFER: Jack, did you find the blueprints?

JACK: (LOOKING THROUGH PAPERS) No, but I did find a rather long rap sheet of Stefano's henchmen. You'd think that he would surround himself with smarter company.

(JUST THEN THE DOOR OPENS AND HOPE WALKS IN)

JENNIFER: (JUMPING UP) Hope, you're back.

JACK: (JUMPING UP AS WELL. PERTURBED THAT THEY WERE INTERRUPTED) Yes, you're back.

HOPE: And I'm not alone.

JACK: You're not al--?

(JOHN, BO, AND ABE WALK IN. JACK AND JENNIFER'S FACES DROP)

I guess the, pun not intended, jig is up.

BO: I'd say so, Jack.

JOHN: What the hell we're you two thinking?

BO: I'd like to know the answer to that myself.

HOPE: Bo, don't start with them. It was my idea. They came along to keep me company.

BO: (STARING AT JACK) Looks like they're doing a good job. You walking around by yourself out there. Fancy Face, you could've been killed out there. The Bradys are not very liked in these parts.

HOPE: Bo-

JOHN: The question is, what do you three plan on doing now?

(JACK, JENNIFER AND HOPE LOOK AT EACH OTHER. THEY DO NOT KNOW WHAT TO SAY)

SCENE 8:

HOPE: I tell you what I'm not going to do. That's leave. I'm here now Brady, like it or not.

JENNIFER: And we're not going anywhere. Isn't that right, Jack?

JACK: (SCARED OF BO AND JOHN. STEPPING IN FRONT OF JENNIFER) What Jennifer means by anywhere (JENNIFER KICKS HIM) Ow. Like the lady said, we don't plan on going anywhere.

ABE: (LOOKING THROUGH THE PAPERS ON THE BED) Actually, that might not be such a bad idea.

BO AND JOHN: What?

ABE: (TURNING TO THEM) You heard me. It might not be such a bad idea. Jack has the ability to get some information that we can't get without involving higher authorities and Jennifer, Jennifer knows the area pretty well.

BO: But what about Hope? She doesn't need to be here, right?

ABE: I wouldn't be so sure of that, Bo. I mean we may need her.

JOHN: Need her for what?

ABE: In case I can't talk to Lexie. (TO HOPE) You and Lexie were really close. I might not be able to get to her and you may.

HOPE: Abe has a point, Bo.

BO: I don't like it.

JOHN: Neither do I.

HOPE: It doesn't matter. I'm staying. (TO JACK) Tell us what you got, Jack.

JACK: Well, (HE PICKS UP SOME PAPERS) you see right here...

(THE SCENE ENDS WITH THE SIX OF THEM GOING OVER SOME PLANS)

SCENE 9:

(JACK AND THE GANG HAVE JUST FINISHED GOING OVER THE PLANS)

BO: So we're settled. No one makes a move until it's agreed. That means you two also (HE LOOKS AT JACK AND JENNIFER). I don't want you leaving this hotel room without us.

JACK: Well, we could get something to eat right? I'm really starving now---

(JENNIFER NODS BEHIND HIM)

BO: I don't even want you breathing without us, Jack. (JACK AND JENNIFER LOOK WORRIED) We'll have the pub send something up for you two. Fancy Face, let's go.

JACK: Go?

HOPE: Yeah, I'm going to go back with my husband, Jack. I hope that's okay (SHE LOOKS AT JENNIFER).

JENNIFER: It's fine, Hope. Jack and I will manage...won't we? (SHE LOOKS AT JACK)

JACK: (GULPING) We will? We will.

BO: (GRABBING HOPE'S BAG) I'm serious. No leaving. (THEY ALL EXIT)

(AFTER THEY LEAVE, JACK TURNS TO JENNIFER)

JACK: I'm sorry, I didn't hear him, did he say something about not leaving?

JENNIFER: (ROLLING HER EYES) Whatever. (SHE WALKS TO THE BATHROOM)

SCENE 10:

IT IS LATER THAT NIGHT. JENNIFER AND JACK ARE GETTING READY FOR BED. JENNIFER IS ALREADY IN HER BED. JACK IS COMING OUT FROM THE BATHROOM.

JACK: I just remembered how much I hate potatoes. (HE GOES OVER TO THE MIRROR AND TAKES OFF HIS PAJAMA TOP)

JENNIFER: (LIKING WHAT SHE IS SEEING) What are you doing?

JACK: It's hot in here. Hottest June on record. (HE GOES TO HIS BED) Goodnight, Miss Horton. (HE TURNS OFF HIS LAMP)

JENNIFER: (ROLLING OVER TO LOOK AT HIM FROM HER BED) Jack?

JACK: Yesss?

JENNIFER: I'm scared.

JACK: It's just the dark, Miss Horton. You can leave your lamp on if you like.

JENNIFER: No, Jack, I'm scared of what might happen. (BEAT) Bo sounded serious.

JACK: What clued you in? (BEAT) I'm sorry. What do you want me to do about it?

JENNIFER: Could you tell me a story, Jack? It always works for Abby.

JACK: I could try. No promises, though.

JENNIFER: (SETTLING UNDER HER COVERS) No promises.

JACK: Okay. There was once this little princess with hair as golden as the sun, with cheeks as white as the snow...

(THE SCENE ENDS WITH JACK LOOKING UP AT THE CEILING TELLING THE STORY. JENNIFER IS IN HER BED LOOKING AT HIM LOVINGLY.)

SCENE 11:

(JACK IS STILL TELLING THE STORY)

JACK: And then the dragon was slain and (HE HEARS JENNIFER SNORING) Jennifer? Miss Horton, are you there? I'm just getting to the good part... Why'll (HE GETS UP TO SEE IF SHE'S ASLEEP). I know I'm long-winded, but this is ridic-(HE STOPS SEEING JUST HOW BEAUTIFUL HE LOOKS)ulous.

(HE LOWERS HIS VOICE) Jennifer? (HE WAVES HIS HAND IN FRONT OF HER FACE TO MAKE SURE SHE'S ASLEEP) I know you can't hear me right now or maybe you can, but you have really nothing to be scared of. I just wanted to tell you that I, I once stood in front of our family and friends and promised you something...something I, I still intend to uphold. I won't let anything, anything, happen to you, as long as I'm still on this earth. Hell, I wouldn't let anything happen to you if I wasn't still on this earth. I cared, I care, so much about you. I always will (HE TOUCHES HER CHEEK AND SHE STIRS A LITTLE)...I always will. (HE LOOKS AT HER SOMBERLY, TURNS OFF HER LAMP, AND GOES TO BED, WISHING SHE STILL FELT THE SAME WAY ABOUT HIM)

Episode 19

SCENE 1: IT IS THE NEXT MORNING. JACK AND JENNIFER ARE WAKING UP IN THEIR HOTEL ROOM AND PREPARING FOR THEIR FIRST FULL DAY OF ADVENTURE.

JENNIFER: (SITTING UP AND LOOKING AT JACK, WHO APPEARS TO BE ASLEEP STILL) Good morning, Mr. D. (GOING AND OPENING THE SHADES SO THAT THE SUN POURS IN ON THEM) Rise and shine.

JACK: (OPENING HIS EYES AND THEN SQUEEZING THEM SHUT AT THE SUN) Morning, Mrs. D, um, Miss H.

JENNIFER: (TURNING TOWARDS HIM AND SMILING AT HIS SLIP-UP) Did you sleep well?

JACK: (SMILING WITH HIS EYES STILL CLOSED) I was sleeping well.

JENNIFER: I just wanted to say thank you for the story last night.

JACK: (OPENING ONE EYE) For my story? Oh, the story. How much of it did you actually hear? You seemed to be pretty much gone by the time I got to the (WEAKLY) climax.

JENNIFER: (SMILING AT HIS DOUBLE ENTENDRE) Jack, I could never sleep through your climaxes. I heard enough. (SHE GETS UP AND GOES OVER TO THE DRESSER AND PULLS OUT HER TOOTHBRUSH AND OTHER NECESSITIES)

JACK: (SITTING UP IN BED AND LOOKING AT HER CURIOUSLY) Hehehehe. Enough?

JENNIFER: Enough, Jack. (SHE CARRIES HER ITEMS INTO THE BATHROOM SMILING)

JACK: (TO HIMSELF) Enough? (HE GETS UP AND GOES TO THE BATHROOM DOOR) What do you mean by (HE HEARS THE SHOWER TURN ON AND HE TURNS AWAY) enough? (THE SCENE ENDS WITH JACK WONDERING WHAT EXACTLY JENNIFER HEARD AND IF IT MEANT ANYTHING TO HER AT ALL)

SCENE 2: JACK IS MAKING HIS BED WHEN JENNIFER WALKS OUT OF THE BATHROOM IN A TOWEL.

JENNIFER: (WALKING OUT OF THE BATHROOM, WET) I was thinking that maybe today we'd go (NOTICING JACK'S LOOK) What?

JACK: (NERVOUS, BUSYING HIMSELF BY FLUFFING THE PILLOWS AND LOOKING DOWN) Um, nothing. It's just that you...you seemed to have forgotten to put on your clothes.

JENNIFER: (SMILING AT HIS REACTION) I came out to get some, Jack. (NOTICING SOME FOOD ON A SMALL TABLE) What's this?

JACK: (LOOKING AT THE FOOD) Oh, well, your cousins decided it would be apropos to feed us this glorious morning. More potatoes, you will see.

JENNIFER: (PICKING UP A CROISSANT AND PINCHING OFF A LITTLE TO EAT) Jack, have you tried this? It's fantastic. (SHE PINCHES OFF A LITTLE MORE AND MOVES TOWARDS HIM)

JACK: (STEPPING BACK) No, thank you. Just my morning coffee. (HE RUBS HIS BELLY) I do have to watch my girlish figure.

JENNIFER: (STEPPING TOWARDS HIM MORE) Come on, Jack. Just a bite.

JACK: (STEPPING BACKWARDS AWAY FROM HER. HE IS NERVOUS) I really am not hungry. (HE REALIZES THAT HE IS AGAINST THE WALL) You, however, are probably famished. (HE RUNS AROUND HIS BED AND IS NOW STANDING BETWEEN THE BEDS) You should probably hold onto that in case Ho and Bope-Bo and Hope-forget to feed us later.

JENNIFER: (CRAWLING ONTO THE BED TOWARDS HIM) I don't think they'd do that.

JACK: (STEPPING ON THE BED AND RUNNING ACROSS IT TO THE OTHER SIDE) Forgive me for doubting you, but you've been wrong on more than one occasion. Why don't you finish your breakfast like a nice little girl and

JENNIFER: (CRAWLING BACK TOWARDS HIM) And what, Jack?

JACK: And...and...(LOOKING AROUND FOR A WAY OUT. FINALLY HE JUMPS ON THE BED AND BEGINS TO RUN TO THE OTHER SIDE)

JENNIFER: Oh no you don't, Jack Deveraux (SHE GRABS HIS LEG AND PULLS HIM DOWN) You are going to try this.

JACK: (TRYING TO GET UP ONLY TO BE PULLED DOWN AGAIN BY JENNIFER) Jennifer...Jennifer...

(JENNIFER FINALLY PINS HIM AND CRAWLS ON TOP OF HIM)

JENNIFER: What, Jack?

JACK: (LOOKING AT THE ROLL) Do you have any butter for that?

(JENNIFER STUFFS THE ROLL INTO JACK'S MOUTH AND SMILES)

SCENE 3:

JENNIFER AND JACK ARE SITTING ON THE BED AGAINST THE HEADBOARD AND ARE ENJOYING THEMSELVES. JENNIFER IS FEEDING JACK THE CROISSANT.

JENNIFER: You know what this reminds me of, Jack?

JACK: (PINCHING OFF SOME OF THE CROISSANT HIMSELF) It kind of reminds me of a crepe...light and buttery, but not...

JENNIFER: Not the croissant, Jack. The way we're eating it. It reminds me of when we lived across from Jo.

JACK: (SMILING. KNOWING WHAT SHE IS TALKING ABOUT BUT NOT LETTING ON) The rat trap, you mean?

JENNIFER: It wasn't that bad, Jack.

JACK: Yes, the roaches did enjoy our company (HE POPS A BITE INTO HIS MOUTH)

JENNIFER: No, Jack, when we'd eat stale muffins that we pinched.

JACK: (SMILING SLIGHTLY) How could I forget? My favorite dessert. It ranked right up there with your meatloaf.

JENNIFER: (PULLING A FACE) You didn't like my meatloaf?

JACK: Well, Jennifer, cooking was never your strong suit.

JENNIFER: (MOVING IN CLOSER TO HIM) Than what was, Jack?

JACK: (SMILING NERVOUSLY) What was?

JENNIFER: (MOVING IN CLOSER AND SMILING) What was I good at, Jack?

JACK: Well, I could think of one thing...(HE BRUSHES HER FACE WITH HIS HAND AND THEN MOVES IN TO KISS HER)

(SUDDENLY THERE IS A KNOCK ON THE DOOR)

JACK AND JENNIFER HAVE JUST MOVED IN FOR THEIR FIRST KISS IN MONTHS WHEN THERE IS A KNOCK ON THE DOOR.

JENNIFER: (TURNING AROUND AND LOOKING AT THE DOOR) Did you call the front desk?

JACK: (ANNOYED THAT HE WAS THAT CLOSE TO KISSING HER) No. (HE CUPS HER FACE AND TURNS IT TOWARDS HIS) Ignore it.

JENNIFER: (WHISPERING) Jack, what if it's Bo and Hope?

JACK: (MATCHING HER WHISPER AND LOOKING AT HER WITH DEEP LOVE IN HIS EYES) It's probably just the maid and although we desperately need her services, she can come back. It's not Bo and Hope. (THEY MOVE IN AND ARE ABOUT TO KISS)

(FROM OUTSIDE THE DOOR THERE IS ANOTHER LOUD KNOCK)

BO: Jack. Jennifer. Are you in there? It's Bo!

HOPE: And Hope!

(JENNIFER JUMPS UP AND JACK LOOKS AT THE DOOR VEHEMENTLY)

JACK: (STANDING UP AND HANDING JENNIFER HIS ROBE) You get the door. I'll get the shower. (HE WALKS TO THE BATHROOM AND THEN TURNS AROUND AND LOOKS AT HER LOVINGLY FOR A MOMENT) Jennifer, I...

JENNIFER: (TOUCHING HER LIPS THINKING ABOUT WHAT MIGHT HAVE HAPPENED) Jack...

(THEY BOTH GIGGLE AND BO AND HOPE KNOCK LOUDER)

JACK: (GLANCING AT THE DOOR) You better get the door.

JENNIFER: (NOT WANTING THIS MOMENT TO END) Yeah, I better. (SHE WALKS TO THE DOOR AND OPENS IT TO FIND BO AND HOPE ABOUT TO WALK AWAY)

BO: (TURNING AROUND TO LOOK AT JENNIFER) We were about to start looking for you two. (HE WALKS IN THE ROOM)

HOPE: (FOLLOWING BO AND TURNING TO JENNIFER) Yeah, what took you so long getting the door?

JENNIFER: (SHUTTING THE DOOR AND LOOKING FORLORNLY AT THE BATHROOM DOOR WHICH IS CLOSED) Nothing. I guess I didn't hear you, that's all.

(THE SCENE ENDS WITH BO AND HOPE LOOKING AT EACH OTHER WONDERING WHY SHE IS ACTING SO STRANGELY)

SCENE 5: LET THE GAMES BEGIN.

JACK IS NOW OUT OF THE BATHROOM AND DRESSED VERY CASUALLY. HIS HAIR IS STILL WET AND SLICKED BACK. BO AND HOPE ARE WAITING FOR JACK AND JENNIFER IN THE LOBBY. JENNIFER IS GETTING DRESSED IN THE BATHROOM.

JACK: (PACKING UP THE LAST OF HIS LUGGAGE WHEN JENNIFER COMES OUT OF THE BATHROOM) Your cousins decided to wait for us downstairs.

JENNIFER: (NERVOUS BECAUSE SHE DOESN'T KNOW WHAT'S GOING ON BETWEEN HER AND JACK) Oh, okay (SHE GOES TO HER SUITCASE AND BEGINS PACKING).

JACK: (LOOKING UP AT HER STRANGELY. TRYING TO MAKE SMALLTALK) You know those two are quite the PDA supporters.

JENNIFER: (STOPPING WHAT SHE IS DOING TO LOOK AT HIM) What, Jack?

JACK: PDA's...Public Displays of Affection...all that lovey-dovey stuff.

JENNIFER: (PACKING AGAIN) I think it's sweet, Jack.

JACK: (WONDERING WHY SHE IS ACTING SO WEIRDLY) Sweet, eh?

JENNIFER: Yeah, Jack, sweet. They enjoy telling the whole world how much they love each other.

JACK: By petting each other like hormonally challenged teenagers?

JENNIFER: (TURNING AROUND AND LOOKING AT HIM) You don't get it, do you?

JACK: Get what? I just am not fond of putting on a show for others. Some stuff should be saved for the privacy of one's home.

JENNIFER: (SHAKING HER HEAD) Jack, why do I try?

JACK: Try what? Jennifer, you've got to give me something to go by here. One minute, you're fine, wanting to move to the next level... feeding me pastry and the next moment you're biting my head off for a comment I made...

JENNIFER: Welcome to my world, Jack. You try living with you. (SHE GOES BACK TO PACKING)

JACK: (CONFUSED) Living with me? Jennifer, I am not the bad guy here.

(JENNIFER IGNORES HIM AND CONTINUES PACKING HER CLOTHES)

Jennifer? Jennifer, will you listen to me?

(JENNIFER HUMS LOUDLY)

Dammit! (HE WALKS OVER TO HER AND GRABS HER ARM)

JENNIFER: (DROPPING HER CLOTHES AND LOOKING AT HIM WIDE-EYED) Jack, what are you doing?

JACK: I'm doing something I should have done a long time ago. Telling...no, asking...no, demanding to know what exactly I did to make you so angry at me. What's with your attitude? You're hot, you're cold...

JENNIFER: (TAKING JACK'S HAND OFF HER ARM) I'm done, Jack.

JACK: (TAKING A SECOND TO ABSORB IT ALL) Done?

JENNIFER: (ON THE BRINK OF TEARS) Done, Jack. Done trying to make this work. I can't live with you making me feel this way. You drive me crazy...

JACK: (SADLY) I thought you liked when I drove you crazy, Jennifer.

JENNIFER: Liked, Jack. (SHE GOES BACK TO PACKING) I can't Jack.

(THE SCENE ENDS WITH JACK LOOKING AT JENNIFER WITH A LOOK OF COMPLETE DEVESTATION. HE NEVER AVERTS HIS GAZE FROM HER)

SCENE 6: CAN'T = WON'T

JACK: (STILL STARING AT HER AS SHE PACKS) You can't? No, I think you mean you won't.

JENNIFER: (STILL NOT FACING HIM) Just go, Jack.

JACK: No.

JENNIFER: (TURNING AROUND AND FACING HIM) No?

JACK: (STANDING HIS GROUND) You heard me...no. I am not going anywhere till you tell me that you won't.

JENNIFER: I won't what, Jack? I won't make myself want to wait around for you, I won't make myself want to cry when you are gone for months at a time or when you miss a birthday or anniversary? No, Jack, it's not a matter of won't. It's a matter of can't. I cannot do this...this "Last Tango in Salem" or Africa, or Ireland with you anymore...I can't.

JACK: I was gone for the family. For you and Abigail. How many times do I have-

JENNIFER: Business before pleasure, Jack.

JACK: (STARTING TO LOSE IT) The business was important to us...it was necessary for our pleasure.

JENNIFER: (ANGRY. RAISING HER VOICE) I don't consider being ripped from my husband for months at a time pleasure, Jack. Neither did our daughter.

JACK: Jennifer, it was for the ISA. I didn't want to do it.

JENNIFER: But you did, Jack. Just like you had your reasons in the past. When you left me during that whole Hawk situation, when you ran away to Italy when we were getting close, when you left because of Abby being sick, when you sent me to New York.

JACK: Wait a minute, you went to New York.

JENNIFER: On your insistence, Jack. You didn't have to take this job for the ISA. You could've said no.

JACK: I had my reasons. Can't you just trust me on this, Jennifer? I did this for you and Abigail.

JENNIFER: Did you really, Jack? Was there money involved?

(JACK LOOKS DEJECTED)

Nevermind. Don't answer that. I already know the answer. Jack, can't you see? I can't do this anymore.

JACK: You knew this when you married me, Jennifer. I don't come with any warranty. I deal from the bottom of the-

JENNIFER: --Deck, Jack. I know. For that I'm wrong...for believing that I could be enough for you...that our daughter and our house and our modest little livings would be enough...Jack, it's not the physicality of you being gone, although it has a lot to do with it. You are not there for me emotionally...

JACK: Then I'll change, I'll talk to you, I'll listen. Jennifer, just tell me what I can do...

JENNIFER: (SITTING DOWN ON THE BED AND BEGINNING TO CRY) Nothing, Jack. You can't do anything.

JACK: (STUNNED THAT IT MIGHT REALLY BE OVER) There's got to be something. We always find a way...

JENNIFER: Found a way, Jack...found a way. My heart can't take it Jack.

(JACK JUST LOOKS AT HER)

SCENE 7: YOUR HEART AND YOUR MIND

(SEEING HOW UPSET JENNIFER IS JACK MOVES IN TO HOLD HER)

JENNIFER: (UNABLE TO LOOK AT HIM) Don't, Jack.

JACK: (PULLING BACK AND STANDING UP) I'm...I'm sorry (NERVOUSLY BRUSHING HIS HAIR WITH HIS HANDS).

JENNIFER: Go down to the lobby, Jack. Tell Bo and Hope I'll be down in a minute.

JACK: Jennifer...I-

JENNIFER: (NOT LOOKING AT HIM) Go, Jack...just go.

JACK: Fine. (HE SLOWLY GETS HIS BAGS TOGETHER ALL SNEAKS LOOKS OF CONCERN AT JENNIFER WHILE DOING SO. HE WALKS TO THE DOOR AND THEN STOPS AND TURNS BACK SPEAKING QUIETLY AND FULL OF EMOTION) For what it's worth, Jennifer, I think you're a liar.

JENNIFER: (LOOKING UP AT HIM WITH TEARS IN HER EYES) What?

JACK: (THICK WITH EMOTION) A liar. (BEAT) You see, the Jennifer Deveraux, the Jennifer Horton, I knew doesn't know the meaning of the word "can't". She was "can't's" antithesis. She walked into my office some twelve years ago and taught me everything that she knew. I taught her journalism. She taught me life. I thank her for that. I wonder where she is sometimes. I see flashes of her now and then...when she's reading to Abigail, or laughing with her cousin. Hell, I even see it sometimes when she's with me. Not very often, though. You can lie to your family, Jennifer. You can lie to your friends. But you cannot lie to yourself or to me, for that matter. You can't try? You won't. Your heart says that you can't take it anymore? No, it's your head.

(JENNIFER LOOKS AT HIM SADLY)

The Jennifer Horton I knew and loved never listened to her head. If she did, there would have never been a Jack and Jennifer Deveraux. No, she took everything that was in her head and disregarded it. Her heart was her compass. She threw caution to the wind and gave into her feelings, no matter how loudly the voice in her head was yelling. You lost yourself somewhere, Jennifer. I may have aided and abetted the loss by being gone but I did not cause it. I just hope that you find yourself before it's too late. Not for me, but for yourself. Use your heart, not your head. Don't won't or can't. Will and can. That's what you would do.

(HE OPENS THE DOOR AND THEN STEPS BACK INTO THE ROOM AND LOOKS HER DEAD IN THE EYE) Oh, and Jennifer? I said it once and I'll say it again...search the world over and you'll never find anyone who compares to us. No one will ever, ever love you the way I love you. No one.

(HE CLOSES THE DOOR AND LOOKS BACK AT IT SADLY. HE DOESN'T WANT TO LEAVE HER. HE GOES TO KNOCK, BUT THEN DECIDES TO LEAVE. INSIDE, JENNIFER BREAKS DOWN ON THE BED AND CRIES INTO HER PILLOW. SHE KNOWS THAT JACK WOULD NEVER UNDERSTAND ABOUT COLIN AND DOESN'T WANT TO HURT HIM OR HERSELF ANY LONGER. SHE KNOWS THAT EVERYTHING HE SAID WAS TRUE AND DOES NOT BELIEVE THAT IT CAN BE FIXED)

(A MUSICAL MONTAGE TAKES PLACE WITH ALL THE RESIDENTS OF SALEM AND THEIR LOVED ONES. JACK AND JENNIFER ARE FEATURED)

(JENNIFER IS SEEN TRYING TO PACK BETWEEN TEARS AND THEN DROPPING JACK'S LETTER OUT OF HER LUGGAGE. SHE LOOKS AT IT AND CANNOT BELIEVE THAT IT IS STILL THERE FROM MONTHS AGO. SHE WONDERS IF SHE SHOULD READ IT)

(JACK IS SEEN IN THE ELEVATOR AT THE HOTEL BY HIMSELF WANTING TO CRY. HE FINALLY STOPS THE ELEVATOR AND BEGINS TO WEEP. JENNIFER'S REJECTION IS JUST TOO MUCH FOR HIM AND HE CANNOT BELIEVE THAT HE JUST LAYED HIS HEART ON THE LINE TO NO AVAIL)

(THE LAST SHOT IS OF JACK IN THE LOBBY WITH BO AND HOPE AND JENNIFER COMING OFF THE ELEVATOR. THEY LOOK IN EACH OTHER'S EYES BRIEFLY AND THEN LOOK AT BO AND HOPE WHO ARE KISSING. THEY DO NOT SPEAK.)

Episode 20

SCENE 1: It is the same day. Jack, Jennifer, Bo, Hope, John, and Abe are in a van driving to their destination-the DiMera estate. Bo is driving, Hope is in the passenger seat, John and Abe are in the back going over the blueprints and Jack and Jennifer are sitting in the backseat, still not speaking. Jack is drumming his fingers on his laptop case, which is on his lap. It is annoying Jennifer greatly.

BO: (LOOKING IN THE REARVIEW MIRROR) Any luck, John?

JOHN: (LOOKING INTENTLY AT THE BLUEPRINTS) Not much. Stefano's probably been tipped off that we were coming. Knowing him, he's beefed up security.

JACK: (DRUMMING HIS FINGERS) If there anything like his other henchmen, we should get in with no problem.

JENNIFER: (GRABBING JACK'S FINGERS AND GLARING AT HIM) Bo, did you get a hold of your cousin?

BO: (LOOKING BACK AT HER IN THE REARVIEW MIRROR) No. I tried everywhere he could be, too. (TO HOPE) I should probably call Pop and see if he knows where to get in touch with him.

JACK: I thought you said your cousin was going to help. You don't think he skipped the light fantastic out of here, do you?

BO: (TRYING TO LOOK SURE, BUT REALLY NOT) No, Jack. A Brady never would do that. Never.

(THE SCENE ENDS WITH ALL OF THEM CATCHING BO'S UNSURE LOOK, BUT NOT COMMENTING. LITTLE DOES BO KNOW THAT COLIN, HIS COUSIN, IS REALLY A DIMERA.)

SCENE 2: THE ARRIVAL

(THE GANG HAS JUST ARRIVED AT AN ABANDONED DIRT ROAD. THEY PARK UNDER A TREE)

JACK: (LOOKING OUT THE WINDOW) Unless Stefano's an Ewok, we are definitely not at his home.

JOHN: (OPENING THE VAN DOOR) We can't very well park in his driveway, Deveraux. Everybody out. Fall out soldiers.

(JACK AND JENNIFER LOOK AT EACH OTHER ODDLY AT JOHN'S LAST COMMENT AND RELUCTANTLY FOLLOW THE OTHERS OUT)

BO: (LOOKING DOWN THE ROAD) Abe, how far up the road is DiMera's place?

ABE: According to our calculations some five miles or so. Shane said that in order to distract Stefano, we should probably split up and try different routes.

JOHN: After we camouflage this van. We can't look suspicious.

HOPE: Okay, Jenn and I will get some branches. (TO JENNIFER) Come on.

BO: (TO THE WOMEN) Stay close. Yell if you see anything.

JACK: (WATCHING JENNIFER WALK OFF) After hiding the vehicle, then what do we do?

JOHN: There's only one thing we can do. BEAT) We wait.

(ABE, BO, AND JACK LOOK AT JOHN)

SCENE 3: MAYBE

(HOPE AND JENNIFER ARE GATHERING BRANCHES FOR THE VAN)

JENNIFER: (PICKING UP A BRANCH) This reminds me of when we were on the island after the cruise.

HOPE: Without the sand or the water (SHE SITS DOWN ON A LOG AND SIGHS).

JENNIFER: (SITTING DOWN BESIDE HER) Hope, what's wrong?

HOPE: (RUBBING HER TEMPLES) Nothing. Yes, something. Jenn, what if this isn't true? What if we came here for nothing? I buried one son, I don't want to bury my husband or leave my other son without his parents. Maybe this was a big mistake.

JENNIFER: Hope, how can you say that? Lexie and Isaac are here, we know it.

HOPE: What if they're not, Jenn?

JENNIFER: They are. And before long, you and Bo will have your baby back. And we'll be back in Salem eating Gram's doughnuts.

HOPE: Jenn, I don't know when it got so complicated.

JENNIFER: (RUBBING HOPE'S BACK) You miss JT, don't you?

HOPE: I know he's not mine, but I'll always love him. Jenn, you don't understand what it feels like to lose a child. It feels-

JENNIFER: (QUIETLY) Like a part of you is missing.

(HOPE LOOKS AT JENNIFER WONDERING IF MAYBE, JUST MAYBE, SHE KNOWS MORE ABOUT IT THAN SHE IS LETTING ON)

SCENE 4: THE WAITING GAME

(JOHN HAS JUST INFORMED JACK, ABE, AND BO THAT WAITING IS THEIR ONLY OPTION)

JACK: What do you mean (IMITATING JOHN'S VOICE) "wait"? We know they're there. Why can't we just go in, grab the baby, and bid them adieu?

BO: Jack, what John is trying to say is that they're not going to invite us in for dinner. We have to go under the cover of night.

ABE: It's safer, Jack.

JACK: But won't that be what they're expecting? I mean it's likely that Stefano knows we're here. Besides, they're probably setting up all kinds of traps for us that we can't see in the night. I, for one, don't want to get my foot caught in any bear trap.

BO: You know what, Jack? You're onto something. (TO JOHN) What do you think John? Do you think we should move out sooner?

(THEY ALL LOOK AT JOHN)

JOHN: (THINKING BACK ON A PREVIOUS MISSION WHERE HE AND HIS MEN WERE CAUGHT OFF GUARD BY SNIPERS AT NIGHT) Good thinking men. We should head to our objective as soon as possible. At least a couple of us should.

(BO, JACK, AND ABE LOOK AT EACH OTHER. JACK MOUTHS "OBJECTIVE" AS IF IT'S LUDICROUS)

Abe, do you still have the map?

ABE: Yeah. (HE HANDS IT TO JOHN, WHO KNEELS DOWN TO LOOK AT IT)

JOHN: (READING THE MAP) Gather round troops, this is going to be a dangerous mission.

(JACK LOOKS AT ABE AND BO AND MOUTHS "TROOPS" AND THEN SHRUGS. THEY ALL KNEEL DOWN TO READ THE MAP)

SCENE 5: SECRETS

(HOPE THINKS THAT JENNIFER KNOWS MORE ABOUT LOSING A CHILD THAN SHE IS LETTING ON)

HOPE: Jenn, did you lose a baby while in Africa? I know I asked you if you wanted more children, but you never mention-

JENNIFER: (TURNING AWAY. LYING) Hope, don't be silly. I would've said if that happened. (TURNING TOWARDS HOPE AGAIN) I was just thinking back when Abby was sick, that's all. I felt like my whole world was going to end, that I should be the one sick, losing the battle. If it wasn't for Jack-

HOPE: (KNOWING THAT JENNIFER IS LYING TO HER) What about Jack?

JENNIFER: I don't know, Hope. He was like a rock. I mean, to me he was. He couldn't talk about his feelings, but he assured me that everything would be okay. He was just being Jack, Hope.

HOPE: Is this the same Jack who made you so upset earlier?

JENNIFER: (FIDDLING WITH HER PANTS) I wasn't upset. I don't know what you're talking about.

HOPE: Jenn, you both looked like you were going to cry on the way here. Talk to him...he'll understand.

JENNIFER: Hope, I...I wish I could...I just can't.

HOPE: Why, Jenn?...Why?

(BO CALLS THEM FROM THE CLEARING)

HOPE: (SHE LOOKS AROUND AT THE PEACEFUL SETTING) Paradise lost. (SHE GETS UP AND TOUCHES JENNIFER'S SHOULDER AND LEAVES TO REJOIN THE MEN)

JENNIFER: (FOLLOWING HOPE AND THEN PAUSING TO STOP AND LOOK AT JACK. TO HERSELF) Paradise regained?

SCENE 6: THE BEST LAID PLANS

(THE GROUP HAS JUST FINISHED GOING OVER THE PLANS. JOHN IS PUTTING AWAY THE MAP)

JOHN: So everybody's clear? Nobody varies from the plan...(LOOKING AT ALL OF THEM) Nobody.

HOPE: So Jack and Jenn are going ahead

JENNIFER: Under the premise that we are doing a story.

JACK: While we're there we ask questions, play reporters, but most importantly...

BO: Keep DiMera and his pals distracted.

JOHN: (TO JACK AND JENNIFER) Can you two handle that?

JACK: (SMILING AND STEPPING BEHIND JENNIFER AND PUTTING HIS HANDS ON HER SHOULDERS) I think that we can handle that, thank you very much.

JOHN: Good. Any variation from your orders will be frowned upon.

(JACK LOOKS CONFUSED AT JOHN'S ARMY SPEAK)

ABE: Stick to the plans you two. And if you run into any trouble, call us. (HE HANDS THEM WALKIE-TALKIES) We'll call Shane and get help if anything goes down.

(A FEW SECONDS OF SILENCE PASS)

JACK: (LETTING OUT A BIG BREATH) Okay, Miss Horton, whaddya say we get this show on the road?

JENNIFER: (LOOKING AT HIM) Yeah. We should go. (SHE HUGS HOPE)

HOPE: (HUGGING JENNIFER) Be careful, Jenn. I want to see you eating Gram's doughnuts, too. (BO AND JENNIFER HUG WHILE HOPE HUGS JACK, WHO IS UMCOMFORTABLE) You too, Jack.

(BO AND JACK SHAKE HANDS)

BO: I wish...I wish I had something brotherly to say, Jack. (BEAT) What would Steve say in this situation?

JACK: (SMILING SLIGHTLY AT STEVE'S MENTION) Hehe. He would probably say that I should...that I should keep my head up and my eyes open, actually. Oh, and he'd tell me to take good care of Jennifer.

BO: (THICK WITH EMOTION) Okay, then. Jack, keep your head up and eyes open. Oh, and take good care of Jennifer.

JACK: (TEARING UP A LITTLE) I will. I will. (HE LETS GO OF BO'S HAND AND PUTS HIS ARM AROUND JENNIFER, WHO HAS BEEN WATCHING THIS EXCHANGE WITH GREAT LOVE)

ABE: (NODDING TO JACK AND JENNIFER) Take care.

JOHN: (NODDING TO JACK AND JENNIFER ALSO) Godspeed.

(JACK AND JENNIFER LOOK AT EACH OTHER ODDLY AT JOHN'S COMMENT. THEY THEN CLIMB INTO THE VAN)

SCENE 7:

(JACK AND JENNIFER ARE IN THE VAN HEADING TO THE ESTATE. JACK IS DRIVING AND JENNIFER IS LOOKING OUT THE WINDOW NERVOUSLY)

JACK: And what's with the army speak? I feel as if I should be dressed in camouflage and carrying around an machine gun or some (HE LOOKS OVER AT HER AND REALIZES SHE IS NERVOUS) Jennifer?

JENNIFER: (LOOKING AT HIM) Huh?

JACK: Are you okay? I mean, besides being in the clutches of danger that is.

JENNIFER: I'm fine, Jack. I am a little nervous about all this, though.

JACK: (HE PARKS THE VAN) There's no need to worry. I promise. You trust me, right? (HE LOOKS AT HER WITH DEEP LOVE IN HIS EYES)

(JENNIFER NODS)

I would never let anything happen to you. You mean too much to Abigail...(QUIETLY) And to me.

JENNIFER: (TEARING UP) You always know how to make me feel better, don't you?

JACK: (SMILING) It kind of comes with the territory.

JENNIFER: Thank you, Jack.

JACK: It's nothing. I just don't like seeing you upset, that's all.

JENNIFER: No, Jack, it's more than that. I have been awful to you since we saw each other at the coronation and you, you've been nothing but supportive. (SHE STARTS TO CRY) I'm an awful person.

JACK: (NOT KNOWING WHERE THIS IS COMING FROM) No, no, no...Jennifer, you are not an awful person.

JENNIFER: Yes, I am. (SHE CRIES INTO HER HANDS) All I do is yell at you.

JACK: (REMOVING HER HANDS FROM HER FACE AND CUPPING HER CHIN) Look at me. Jennifer, look at me. It's alright. It's alright. I don't care.

JENNIFER: (SURPRISED) You don't?

JACK: No, I don't. I'll admit, it's not my favorite thing, but the way I look at it...the way I look at it...an angry, bitter Jennifer is better than no Jennifer at all. (HE STROKES HER HAIR)

JENNIFER: (STILL CRYING) Yeah?

JACK: (SMILING. STILL STROKING HER HAIR) Yeah. You have every right to yell at me, too. Jennifer, I know I was wrong. I shouldn't have taken that job. I should've talked to you. I'm so sorry for ever leaving you and Abigail. I know you'll probably never be able to forgive me, but I am sorry.

JENNIFER: Jack-

JACK: No, Jennifer. I missed you so much when you were gone. Do you know how much I missed Abigail...and you?

JENNIFER: And me?

JACK: Yes, you. How could I not? (HE BRUSHES HER FACE WITH HIS FINGER) You were my girls. You're still my girls. (HE MOVES IN TO KISS HER)

JENNIFER: (MOVING IN TO KISS HIM AND THEN REMEMBERS SOMETHING) Jack, the baby-

JACK: (PLACING A FINGER TO HER LIPS) Shhhhhhh. Isaac can wait. (HE BRUSHES HER LIPS WITH HIS) I, however, cannot.

(JENNIFER BEGINS TO KISS HIM BACK WHEN SUDDENLY THERE IS A LOUD KNOCK ON THE SIDE OF THE VAN. THEY BOTH JUMP BACK IN SURPRISE)

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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