Ian managed to make it through the day without Georgia on duty, though how he had done so was beyond him. Rita, the nurse Georgia had picked to be charge nurse when she was off, was competent but lacked the firm hand and capabilities that Georgia possessed. Plus, he had to admit, Georgia was much easier on the eyes.

He had taken to watching her when she wasn't looking; noting the way she moved and thinking back to their nights together. He would gladly show up at her door that night if it weren't for her mother who had claimed residence with Georgia until she moved out. Ian wasn't about to press his luck with Gina Corelli. He could lay low for a while at any rate, pretend the relationship was over to appease the old bat. But he had no intention of letting Georgia slip away.

She was by no means what he had told his mother he was looking for in a wife. Which wasn't to say she wouldn't make a fine wife to someone. Georgia just didn't have the...credentials to back herself up with. She certainly had other attributes but a wealthy family or a showy background was not one of them. Unfortunately, those were a requirement for Ian.

He signed his last chart and handed them over to Rita for filing, grabbing his coat to leave. He nodded to a few of the residents as he passed them on the way to the exit. A hard work out at the gym would get his mind off of Georgia Corelli, he decided.

"Ian!"

He turned his head at the sound of his name, wincing visibly as Ellen Mason appeared behind him. "Ellen," he returned casually, trying not to break his stride.

"I was hoping I would run into you," she smiled. Ian stopped, raising an eyebrow in silent question at her. "Well, all right. I came here with the purpose of seeing you. Is that better?"

"It is, but I haven't got time right now Ellen. Another day perhaps?" He returned.

"This will just take a minute. Please?"

He turned his wrist over checking the time. "All right, but I want to get to the gym before seven if I can."

"Of course. I'm not really sure how to broach this...well, you know Jamie runs the hospital obviously. Did you know my mother has a seat on the board here?"

"No, I don't think I did," Ian returned, wondering suddenly how exactly he got this job at all with the Masons running the show.

"Well, my brother wants her to give it up. He asked her to give it to me. You know how my mother is with me...she just wants to get along and all that nonsense. Plus, she'd do anything Jamie asked her to."

Oh that was a documented fact, Ian thought to himself but nodding in agreement with Ellen. "So?"

"Well, she gave it to me all right. But I don't want it. At least, I don't want to have to come here and vote in matters I know nothing about," Ellen continued. "I thought maybe I should have a proxy. Someone who could vote for me."

Now, this was getting interesting. Ian smoothed his annoyed expression away, replacing it with a look of concern. "Of course. Makes perfect sense."

"I'm glad you think so. Because I want you to take my place on the board."

"Me? Ellen," Ian began, trying not to sound as annoyed as he felt. "You know as well as I do that your brother simply will not allow that. After the history there, I am lucky to have a position here at all. It would be foolhardy to think that he would suddenly change his mind as far as I was concerned. Besides, one of the conditions of my even being here was that I was to stay as far from you as possible. But..."

"I'm not making that very easy am I?" Ellen finished for him. "I've talked to a lawyer, you know. He says Jamie can't stop you from voting my proxy. And he can't fire you for it either. What do you say?"

Ian studied her for a moment, wondering exactly where this offer would lead. Granted he and Ellen had never had an easy relationship. Her feelings for him had always run deeper than what he was comfortable with. Yet, she was offering him something he had wanted since agreeing to come back to St. Joe's. Surely she would want something in return, he decided cautiously.

"Let's say I take this proxy for you. What do you get out of it?" He asked, his eyes guarded.

"Good question and I'll be blunt. I get a little bit of you, Ian." Ian pulled back shaking his head. "Now wait, hear me out." He folded his arms over his chest, scowling deeply at her. That would be the catch. "I don't think it's a secret that you and I weren't meant for each other...before."

"Once again, Ellen, you are the queen of understatement."

"Ian...I've grown up a lot. You may not see it, but I have. And I'm ready to prove it to you. Of course, you just have to let me."

"You can't buy me," Ian returned sharply. He didn't have time for Ellen's games. He turned on his heel, prepared to leave her where she stood when she said something that stopped him.

"I'm not buying you. You want that proxy more than I want to give it to you. I'm just...bargaining for your time. Got your attention have I? I've got a lot more to offer than you think I do. I meant it when I said I'd grown up." Her lips curved into an innocent smile, but Ian saw deception in her eyes for the first time. "All you have to do to get the proxy is take me to the Moonlight & Roses Ball."

"Be seen at the highest profile charity and social event of the season, you mean." She had grown up. And learned some of her mother's tricks it seemed. "Why? Why now and why me?"

"For lack of a better reason, Ian...it'll drive my mother crazy and because I don't think we finished what we started."

He was asking for trouble. But he wanted that proxy and it was just one stupid party. "Fine. I'll go. You are your mother's daughter after all, Ellen Mason," he told her carefully before leaving her alone in the empty hallway.


Scene 2:

He hated the doubts he was having about the woman he loved. But Stephen knew the twisted mind of Hallie Lennox better than she likely did herself and this story about Luke pushing her was hard to swallow as the truth. As much as he disliked the guy, Luke Conlan was not capable of hurting a woman. It wasn't in him. Or in his upbringing.

Stephen paused outside Hallie's hospital room, tucking the roses he had brought behind his back before entering. Hallie was sitting up in bed, reading a book...a very un-Hallie thing to do, he noted. She smiled as he entered, welcoming him with a warm gaze.

"About time you got here. I've been waiting for you," she admonished. Stephen shrugged but smiled back. "What do you have there, Stephen Roth?"

"Oh...these?" He returned revealing the red roses. Hallie smiled again and held her hands out like a greedy child. "These are just a little something I picked up for you from Maxim's. A get well bouquet and an I'm sorry bouquet all rolled into one."

"What do you have to be sorry about?" She took the flowers from him, cradling them in her arms to admire them. "You didn't put me here."

"I might as well have," Stephen muttered darkly. "I should have been there when I said I would, Hallie. But I had a meeting with the bankers and I meant to call...."

"It's okay, Stephen. Don't beat yourself up over it," Hallie sighed. "You had no idea Luke Conlan would come over and be such a monster."

The image of Luke bending over Hallie with concern stamped on his face assaulted Stephen's memory. He hadn't looked all that monstrous to at the time. "That's something we need to talk about Hal," Stephen said pulling up a chair. "Are you sure Luke pushed you?"

Hallie shrugged and set the flowers aside. "Why wouldn't I be sure? I was there wasn't I? And I don't have amnesia," she added with a roll of her eyes.

"I know...but I saw Luke there. He looked genuinely concerned about you."

"Stephen, he came there with the express purpose of hurting me. If you'd been there even five minutes before I fell, you would have seen that. Have you talked to him?" She asked narrowing her eyes dangerously.

"No. I wanted to wait until you could tell me everything that happened before I went over there in a blind rage." He raised an eyebrow questioningly. "Unless...that is exactly what you wanted me to do?"

Hallie shifted uncomfortably on the bed, looking away from him. "Of course not."

"Hallie," he said sternly. "I think we've had this discussion. I can't help you when you don't trust me and shut me out like you have. And tricking me into beating the hell out of Luke isn't my idea of a trusting relationship."

"I'm not tricking you into anything. If you want the truth, I'll give it to you!" Hallie snapped. "Luke came over accusing me of breaking up his little affair..."

"So he isn't as dense as you think he is," Stephen cut in.

"You wanted to know this," she pointed out. "All I did was deny it. He threatened me and pushed me against the table. I fell. That is the truth."

"So it was an accident. Why couldn't you have just told me the truth from the start? I'm not someone you can use like everyone else in your life, Hallie," Stephen said quietly. "Do you understand that it makes me feel as if we don't really have a relationship? It makes me feel a little like Luke Conlan and I'd rather not feel that if it's all the same to you."

"I wasn't using you...," Hallie murmured sounding guilty as hell.

Stephen sighed and shoved the chair back. "All right. If that is what you want to believe then I don't think there is any reason for me to be here. If you can't trust me, Hallie, we don't have much of anything between us besides sex. And if I wanted that, I would find some idiot blonde or Maggie Stewart." He got to his feet, ignoring her expression of astonishment etched into her eyes. "Until you decide that you can trust me..."

"I do trust you. Luke Conlan scared the hell out of me yesterday. He's the reason I'm here. That's the truth. Don't leave like this, Stephen!" She pleaded reaching for his hand. "I swear I am not lying about this. And I'm not using you."

Dammit, he cursed silently. Why was he doubting her? They rarely lied to each other. Even when they were apart, they were honest with one another. Still...

He let a smile emerge at last and sat down in the chair. "Okay. Now, have I mentioned today how much I love you?"


Scene 3:

"Luke, go away."

"Liza, just let me talk for a minute," Luke begged from the other side of her front door. The last 24 hours had been pure misery for him but at least he knew, or thought he knew, why she had ended their relationship so quickly.

"No...go away."

"Liza, please. I saw Hallie today. I know she put you up to this. Tell me what she did and we can work it out together." There was a brief pause before he heard the chain scrape on the other side of the door. Liza peered out at him, taking in his unkempt appearance. "I look like hell, I know. Haven't slept," he managed with a wry smile.

"Luke, I said all I had to say yesterday. Give yourself some dignity...go back to your wife."

"No!" He exclaimed forcefully. "I'll never go back to Hallie. How could I? I love you." He waited for some type of response but her face remained impassive. "We can sort this out, I know it. I talked to Hallie. She's threatened you somehow...I don't know with what, but if you tell me maybe we can turn it around to our advantage."

"She didn't threaten me," Liza responded dully. "There isn't a future for us. Why can't you see that?"

"Because I do see one! I see you and me together with Matty. Before I met you, I thought my future was with Hallie. I thought I was destined to live for myself and my career. But then you came along and all I could think about was loving you and taking care of you."

"But-"

"And Matty. Whatever you care about is what I care about, Liza," Luke interrupted, cutting her off. "Hallie is angry with me and using you to get back at me. But if you let me, I can get rid of her. Or at least her threats. You have to believe that I only want what's best for you and Matty."

She bit her lip, chewing at it unconsciously, looking as if she would break and give in to his demands. Damn Hallie, he cursed under his breath watching the uncertainty in Liza's eyes. He would make her sorry she interfered with Liza's life. He heard a car pull into the drive behind him and glanced over his shoulder. Galen Gennaro stalked towards them, looking as pissed as Luke had ever seen him. Liza's attention shifted to her brother as he pushed past Luke to her side.

"Why are you even talking to him?" Galen demanded. "Do you have any idea what this man is really like?"

"W-what are you talking about?" Liza stammered her gaze shifting between Luke and her brother.

"Liza, his wife is in the hospital because of him," Galen raged, glaring darkly at Luke. "Couldn't leave well enough alone, could you?" He asked Luke.

"I didn't touch her," Luke returned giving Liza an imploring gaze. "I went there to confront her and she tripped. That is the truth. I swear."

"Don't believe him, Liza. I spoke to Hallie myself. This bastard went there acting like a lunatic and when she didn't tell him what he wanted to hear, he pushed her down. She hit her coffee table pretty hard and had to have stitches."

"Hallie's twisting the truth to suit her needs," Luke flared back angrily. "You know she is, Liza."

Doubt flickered in her eyes as she looked between Galen and Luke. "Are you sure Hallie is telling the truth, Galen?"

"Why would she lie? Besides, Stephen Roth was there. He saw Luke bending over her," Galen returned sending an accusing stare at Luke.

"I was trying to make sure she was all right!" Luke argued, his temper getting the better of him. Liza flinched at the tone of his voice and shied away from him, closer to Galen. "Please, Liza," he added softening his tone. "I would never hurt her. Or you. Just give me another chance."

"I think you had better go," Galen said firmly stepping between Luke and Liza.

"I'm not leaving until Liza tells me to!" He lifted his chin defiantly.

"She's not going to, Luke. If you knew my sister half as well as you claim to, you would know that. Just leave or I'll call the cops." Luke caught Liza's fearful gaze and nodded lamely. What other choice did he have?


Scene 4:

"I think you'll be out by August, Jory," Georgia grinned reading his chart. "That's good news! Quit looking so sad."

Jory Conlan frowned at his friend, annoyed with her for the moment. "Georgia, I need to be out of here now. I'm fine and you know it. The doctors know it too but they want to milk my insurance for all they're worth."

"Not true!" Georgia returned. "You still have at least a week of physical therapy and another surgery on that arm. You're not going anywhere until the doctor is satisfied. Besides, the insurance theory doesn't work since Jamie Mason is paying your bill."

"Jamie Mason? Why is he paying my bill?" Jory asked, still confused by his lack of memories surrounding the fire.

"You saved his cousin's life. And he feels guilty would be my guess," Georgia replied.

"Great, just what I need." Jory rolled his eyes turning to stare out the window. Where was every one these days? Jillie hadn't been by in days. Piper had stopped by but she was distant and troubled and definitely not very talkative. Luke, apparently, had more pressing matters. Even Maura had made herself scarce for the last week. Jory was worried. It wasn't like them to just ignore him; he was the pet of the family, the one they turned to in times of trouble. He definitely had to get out of here to find out what was going on with them.

There was a short knock at the door. Georgia went to the door and answered it for him. She let the visitor in, giving him a soft prod to make him turn. Ellen Mason smiled sheepishly over a basket of what looked like junk food.

"Hi. I hope you don't mind me stopping by," she said nervously shifting the basket in her arms. "But I had to come to the hospital today and I thought I would drop in on you as well."

"Hey, I can always use visitors," Jory grinned setting aside his concern for the moment.

She pushed the basket towards him. "This is for you. I thought you could use something besides the food they give you here."

Jory took the basket laughing at the array of candy bars and cookies she had packed into it. "Well, thank you, Ellen. It's very nice of you. I'm being rude...have you met my friend Georgia?"

"No, I haven't," Ellen replied turning towards Georgia. The picture of the two women was enough to make Jory smile. Where Ellen was petite and mousy, Georgia was willowy and exotic. Total opposites in personality as well.

"Ellen Mason, my friend Georgia Corelli," Jory began with his introductions. "Georgia was my first nurse here...she's moving in with Jillie...sometime!" He added with a wink. "Georgia, Ellen Mason. She's Hallie's cousin and best friend."

"Pleased to meet you," Georgia offered, smiling graciously. Ellen nodded in return, her eyes guarded and wary. Jory watched the brief exchange with curiosity, wondering if Ellen was threatened somehow by Georgia.

"I had another reason for stopping by," Ellen said to Jory. "I'm sure you've heard about this Ball Liza Gennaro has come up with for the Foundation?"

"Yes," Jory returned giving Georgia a pointed stare. She had talked about it nonstop on her last visit and frankly, he was tired of hearing about it. "What about it?"

"I spoke to your doctor and he thinks you'll be out of the hospital by then. I want you to be there."

"Why?"

"A lot of reasons...but the big ones are Jamie and Hallie. Jamie's having a rough time right now and I think it would do him some good to see you healthy again."

"But I barely know Jamie," Jory protested.

"I know. But he knows you and he's helped you since the fire. He doesn't want repayment but I thought supporting his family might be a good way to show him some appreciation," Ellen returned carefully.

Jory had to hand it to her, she could be manipulative when she wanted to be. "All right, I can understand that. Why Hallie?"

Ellen's face changed slightly, flushing with embarrassment. "Well, you know that she and Luke are getting a divorce right?" Jory frowned but nodded. "She has to be there. And Luke will likely show up with Liza Gennaro. She could use some support too."

"Wait a minute, why do I have to be the one to show her support? I don't even like her all that much," Jory shot back angrily.

"She doesn't need your support so to speak. I guess I chose the wrong word. I think Hallie will want to show you her gratitude for saving her life. And after the shoddy treatment she's received at the hands of your brother...I think you should let her have that moment."

"That's the stupidest thing I've ever heard!" Georgia interrupted hotly.

"This has nothing to do with you," Ellen said coldly, not taking her eyes from Jory. "If you won't come for Hallie, then be there for me."

Jory sighed, secretly relieved that at least one dysfunctional person in the world still needed him. What would he do if no one needed his help? "All right. I'll go. So I'm what? Your date, escort? What?"

"Oh. Well, actually, I have a date," she grinned happily. "But maybe you could bring Georgia here. Or another friend."

Georgia rolled her eyes at Jory showing him what she thought about Ellen's suggestion. He stifled a laugh and tried to keep his expression serious. "A date already huh? So. Who is Cinderella's prince at this Ball?"

"He's a doctor here actually. We dated a couple of years ago but nothing came of it. He's only just moved back and I thought it might be worth another try. Maybe you know him," she said turning towards Georgia for the first time. "Ian McCormick?"

Jory watched as the color drained from Georgia's face. She nodded her head indicating that she did indeed know him. Ellen continued to chatter on about Ian, but Jory was too concerned about Georgia to pay much attention. He could see her heart breaking yet again over this man who had, in the few short weeks he'd known her, managed to hurt her more than any other man. Jory would have to put a stop to that as well. Georgia was far too special to be treated as nothing more than a toy.


Scene 5:

"Are you following me?" Maura replied whipping around to face Jude who stopped dead in his tracks at her question.

"Your dad told me to. I think he set us up," Jude replied. Jude had the decency to look sheepish at least, Maura thought watching him through tears.

"Set us up?" She swiped away a tear that had rolled down her cheek. It was a stupid thing to get upset over. Her dad was an adult and he had a life to lead. She should be happy that he had found someone new. After all, Maeve had been dead for ten years, ten very long years, and Maura hadn’t seen him this alive since before Maeve was ill. "What do you mean he set us up?"

"Kevin thinks you and I should get back together," Jude responded quietly. He looked away quickly avoiding her eyes altogether.

"How do you know that?"

"He told me as much when you were in New York."

She leaned against her car, shaking her head. "I’m sorry. Dad shouldn’t have interfered."

"It’s okay, Maura. He told me a few things that I already knew but that I needed to hear again," Jude remarked matter-of-factly.

"What else did he say?"

"May I?"  He asked gesturing to the spot next to her. She nodded and inched over giving him room next to her. "He said you didn’t smile very much...after your mother died."

"No, that’s true, I didn’t. None of us did."  It had been a painful year and the years that followed weren't a whole lot better. "He didn't either. And I'll bet when your parents died you didn't joke around a lot."

"No...I didn't," he replied with a trace of bitterness. "But I was young...younger than you were...and I was a stupid kid. I thought if I didn't think about it, then I'd get over it."

"Didn't work did it?" She asked without the least bit of sarcasm. Jude shook his head and stared off into the setting sun. "Luke was like that for a while. Must be a guy thing."

"Maura, I'm not saying this to be unkind...but maybe your problem with Gina is your mother," Jude offered, kicking at a rock on the ground. Maura turned round eyes at Jude, surprised that he would even think that of her.

"No! Dad shouldn't have brought her into that meeting!" She exclaimed hotly. "It was a business meeting and he's only just met that woman. She had no right being there."

"I agree with you, Maura. I don't think she had any right being there. But look," he said straightening. "Kevin obviously wanted her to be a part of it. That's why he chose to bring her into it. I'm not saying it's right; all I'm saying is that it was his decision and you should have respected it."

"You sound like her," Maura replied sourly.

"No, I sound like me." He gave her a gentle nudge with his elbow, offering her an infectious grin. "Wasn't I always the voice of reason before?"

"You were...you are," she grinned back. "I always hated that about you."

"Oh really? It seems to me, you rather liked my level headedness. Or was it my devastating good looks you fell for instead?"

Maura blinked in surprise. Jude was flirting with her! Or she hoped he was. It would make up for the disaster with her father and Gina if he was. Maura lowered her eyes, letting her lashes graze her cheek demurely. She could flirt back just as well, she decided.

"It was both actually. Who could resist that combination?" She smiled and gazed up at him through hooded eyes. A shadow flitted across his face momentarily and he looked away uncomfortably. "What?" Maura asked sensing the change in mood. "Did I say something wrong?"

"No...you asked me a question before and I didn't answer you," Jude began. Maura's stomach lurched nervously but turned her body to face him. "I'll answer your question, Maura. But before I do, you have to answer my question."

Maura bit her lip nervously. "All right. Ask your question."

"What do you want my answer to be?"

"Jude," Maura began slowly forming the sentences in her head before she said them. "I want your answer to be the truth. No matter what it is, I need to hear it."

"The truth? I can't stop thinking about you. It makes me crazy to stand next to you and not touch you. The truth is, Maura, I don't know how to turn my feelings for you off," he added sounding angry. Maura nodded keeping her gaze on him. He turned to face her, his hand raising slightly. "The truth is, I love you and I would like nothing more to take you in my arms and show you how much I love you. But I can't."

"Why not?" She asked breathless at his confession.

His hand fell back to his side. "I can't because you've already made your decision, Maura. You decided to let me go even though it wasn't what I wanted."

"Jude I was wrong! I can't stop thinking about you either...I love you too!" She exclaimed, laying her hands on his chest. Jude's brows pulled together into a frown, gazing at her with a look of sorrow etched into his eyes. He placed his own hands over hers and held them for the sparest of moments.

"I wish you had said that a month ago. I wouldn't have walked away so easily if you had," he replied.

"But you know now! I'm sorry! I made a mistake. You were right the whole time about Rick and me. Please, you know how I feel now, you could give me a second chance...you won't walk away again, will you?"

"As much as I don't want to, I am."

Maura's eyes filled with tears as she stared at him. She'd bared her feelings and he could walk away, she thought bitterly before reminding herself that she had done the exact same thing to him just weeks before. "Why?"

"Maura, stop crying and listen to me," he told her softly, lifting her chin and wiping a tear away with his thumb. "You wouldn't listen to me the day I told you that I loved you. That hurt and I'm not sure I'm ready to let you hurt me again. But I'm not worth crying over."

Maura shook her head fiercely through her tears. "You are," she whispered.

"It's nice to hear that...but I assure you, I'm not. Now, go back inside and talk to your dad. Okay?"

"But-"

"No, come on Maura. I'm not ready to talk any more about this than we already have. You have to give me some time," Jude insisted taking a step back.

Maura wiped her eyes and lifted her head. She could give him time. Hadn't she given Rick Upton ten years of her life just waiting? Jude Fontaine surely deserved as much, she thought miserably. She glanced over her shoulder towards her father's diner. Jude was wrong about Kevin though. She couldn't talk to him about Gina and what had happened in the office until she understood it herself. And right now, she was consumed with thoughts of Jude and how to win him back. When it came to men, Maura thought suddenly, there was only one person she could think of who would know what to do. Jillie.

On the next Episode of Secret Horizons...

Episode 124