Episode 26

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Episode 26

Scene 1:

Jude stared down at the phone in his office, debating with himself. If he called Cynthia now, he was admitting some kind of responsibility. If he didn't, he might never know the truth. And he also ran the risk of the Senator being there. Maura was right though, he had to deal with it sooner or later, might as well be sooner. He picked up the phone and dialed Cynthia's office number. A pleasant female voice answered and he asked for Mrs. Mitchell, tapping his foot nervously until she came on the line.

"Cynthia Mitchell, how may I help you?" She asked in her soft Virginia lilt.

"Cyn...it's me."

"Jude?" He could hear the shock registering in her voice followed by panic. "What are you doing calling me at the office? Are you crazy?! Wait, are you okay? Is everything all right?"

"I'm fine," he said, smiling. "I...well how are you? I had heard..." He trailed off afraid to put it into words.

"Oh. I wondered if you would hear about it. Who told you? I didn't think any of my friends would do that. Must have been someone on Senator Jorgensen's staff. You know he and Derek are on opposite sides on that environmental bill. Honestly, I hate Washington sometimes."

"It wasn't anyone from D.C.," he replied trying to remain as objective as possible. "In fact it was a family member. She didn't know about us...at least I don't think she did. It was an offhand comment or meant to be at any rate."

"I wish people would just mind their own business," Cynthia remarked with a sigh.

"Cynthia, I hate to ask it," Jude continued. This would be the hard part. Hearing the answer either way would likely cut him to the quick. "Is there any chance that it's my baby?" There was a long pause on Cynthia's end. He heard nothing but her controlled breathing for a moment before she replied.

"Why would you think there was a chance? We've been over since you left Washington," she replied calmly.

"That was only three months ago, Cyn. And we both know I didn't leave by choice."

"This child is Derek's. You needn't worry about that," she said quickly.

"Is that the truth?" He asked. He knew Cynthia Mitchell all too well and she sounded as if she wanted to believe it more than life itself.

"Yes. I have to go now Jude....take care of yourself," she added softly before hanging up. Jude stared at the phone for a moment before replacing the receiver. There was his answer.

Scene 2:

"Rick, he's driving me crazy!" Phoebe announced slamming the door to Rick's office. Rick gazed at her without reply for a moment before leaning back in his chair. He crossed his arms over his chest and nodded politely.

"I see. And who is it that's driving you crazy?" He asked. Phoebe rolled her eyes and dropped into the chair across from him.

"Dane Lennox. He's always in my office pestering me about something. Can't you find someone else to baby-sit him?"

"No. He asked for you."

"Please?" Rick tilted his head and shrugged.

"I can't do it, Phebes," he replied. "Dane Lennox pretty much owns us. I wish I could help you out, but you'll just have to deal with it. Besides, it sounds like he has a crush on you. You should be flattered."

"Well I'm not!" She snapped back. "I don't think this is very funny Rick! Why not have your little pet Jillie show him around? I'm sure she'd love to do it."

"I suggested Jillie as a matter of fact. Dane wanted you. Now deal with it." Phoebe stood and stomped from the room. Whatever her problem with the Mason's owning the Observer was she was going to have to deal with it, he thought watching her leave. He turned his attention back to the picture he had been studying prior to Phoebe's entrance.

Someone on the staff had snapped a picture of Maura and Jude Fontaine leaving the ME dinner together. It had been a throw away shot but once he had seen the negative, he had insisted that it be printed and brought to him. A perk of being Editor-in-Chief he had reminded himself. Maura had looked wonderful that night but he had let her slip out of his grasp. She claimed she didn't love him but that wasn't true. Though he had no reason to doubt her, he simply knew she was lying. And yet, here she was with Jude Fontaine on a date, he told himself staring at the picture. A faint tapping on the door jerked him out of his thoughts. Looking up, his eyes came to rest on Jillie Conlan. She looked much like Maura had in college, he thought taking her in before standing.

"Jillie," he said at last, "come in. It's been a while since we spoke. How have you been doing?" He asked as she settled into the chair across from him. Yes, he thought as she opened her mouth to speak, she looked a lot like her sister.

Scene 3:

Hallie slipped into Luke's office unnoticed by his gossipy secretary. She was eager to tell him the news about Ellen's message. She closed the door behind her and turned only to be startled by a shadow behind her. She spun quickly and backed against the door.

"Stephen!" She exclaimed. "You scared the living daylights out of me!" She took a deep breath and pulled herself together. "What are you doing in Luke's office?" She asked narrowing her eyes.

"Waiting for Lover Boy to get back so we can discuss a development deal. What about you?" Steve replied not moving from where he stood.

"I don't think I need a reason to be here!" She snapped back.

"I see. It must be wedding news then. Tell me Hallie, how does it feel to have the biggest fake wedding of the season?" Steve inched away from her and leaned against Luke's desk.

"I don't know what you're talking about!" Hallie replied coldly.

"I'm talking about the fact that you aren't in love with Luke Conlan any more than I am."
Hallie rolled her eyes and crossed her arms over her chest protectively. "Oh really. As if you would know anything about it at all."

"I know that Conlan is marrying you for your name and money and that's about it. I also know you're marrying him to spite me. How is that for you?"

"Get over yourself. Luke loves me and I love him. He's much more of a man than you ever were Stephen. At least, he would never choose his work over me."

"Is that what you think? You think I chose this company over you?" He stood and moved toward her deliberately. "I did what I thought you wanted Hallie. I took the promotion because you told me too. The next thing I know, you're seeing Luke Conlan of all people."

"That is so not the reason we broke up."

"Isn't it? You wanted a man with credentials. Someone who would take you places. Remember? You told me that on our first date. I only did what I thought you wanted."

"You are a fool if you think I dumped you because I wanted someone with greater earning potential. We broke up because you didn't love me, Stephen. You told me so! How could I stay with a man who didn't love me?"

"I don't know. You're marrying Luke after all." Hallie flinched at his words but didn't respond. "Hallie, I never wanted us to break apart the way we did," he continued in a softer tone. "Give up marrying that fool Conlan and come back to me."

"Stephen....," Hallie started as the door behind her pushed inward throwing her onto his arms. Surprised, they both looked to the doorway to see Luke glaring at the both of them. Hallie pushed herself out of Stephen's arms and turned back to Luke. "I'm glad you're here!"

"Really? That's not how it looked to me," Luke remarked eyeing Stephen warily. "What's going on here?"