"This is dinner?" Maura asked smiling as Jude spread out a blanket on the ground. It was growing chilly at night and Maura shivered in her light jacket. "If I'd known we were eating al fresco, I would have dressed appropriately." Jude smoothed a corner of the blanket and patted the ground.

"I think you look beautiful. Perfect just the way you are," he said. Maura shrugged and sat next to him.

"It's good someone thinks so." She helped him take the food out of the basket, inspecting as she did so. "Oooh, is this sesame chicken? You know I love this stuff."

"I know you do." He poured her a glass of wine and handed it to her. "This meal was specifically designed to make you happy."

"Okay, what's going on? No one ever does anything for me," she laughed.

"Can't a guy show a girl how much he likes her?"

"Yes, but there are other ways besides freezing her butt off!" Jude tilted his head and gave her a puppy dog look. "Okay, this is nice and I'm enjoying it."

"Much better. Now, it's been, what? Two days since I saw you last? Tell me what's happened in your life since then."

"Well, Joanie has a new boyfriend. Um, Dad had a doctor's appointment. Piper's play opens in two weeks...I can't think of anything else." She turned an expectant look to Jude. "Your turn."

"Right." Jude looked down at his food and set the plate aside. "Cynthia quit."

"What? She just quit? No reason?" Maura asked, astonished at the woman's lack of strategy.

"Aside from the obvious reason," Jude answered referring to himself. "No. None at all. She's a great lawyer but she's making mistakes left and right. I don't get it at all."

"She obviously has a plan to win you back, Jude. The question is, do you want to be won?"

"Not by her. And enough talk about Cynthia. Let's talk about us again. How much do you like me?" He asked leaning back on his elbow. "Enough to look at the stars with me?"

"My dinner will get cold," she commented dryly. "But okay, since the dinner is really only a perk for this evening. The real bonus is shivering out here with you."

"You my dear are a cynic." Maura lay next to him, resting her head on his arm and looking up at the clear night sky. The stars were just beginning to twinkle merrily in the sky and the moon rose up over the treetops shining a pale light down on them.  She couldn't imagine a more beautiful night.

 

Scene 2:

"What do you mean, she's left town?" Gwen asked, her voice tight with fury. "Where is she?"

Stephen shrugged and met her gaze. Something about Gwen always amused him and her reaction to his news was no different. "I don't know where she went, she wouldn't tell me, Gwen," he replied, making himself comfortable on her sofa. Gwen scowled and looked at the doorway where Maggie stood.

"What?" She barked at the poor girl. Stephen looked over at her, giving her a wink.

"I-I wanted to ask if Mr. Roth wanted anything," she stammered back. "I'm going to the kitchen anyway."

"He does not need anything, he won't be staying," Gwen said sharply. "Now get out and close the door behind you." Maggie nodded meekly, slipping out of the room. "Coming here was a bad idea, Stephen. You know Maggie can't think when you're around!"

"That's not my fault."

Gwen paced the room, clicking her fingernails together as she did so. "She has a new assistant, I'll just call her and find out where she is," she murmured, pausing at the window. "Of course, she won't have told such a new assistant. Luke perhaps..."

"Do you think she would actually tell the Boy Wonder? If you do, I think you underestimate Hallie. Be logical Gwen. She's trying to find information out about you. Where would that take her? It is your past after all."

"If I didn't know better, Stephen," Gwen said turning to eye him warily, "I'd think you were digging for information."

"Who me? No, I'm just the lackey. But you can't expect me to help you when I'm completely in the dark. How do I know that she hasn't already figured out your dirty little secret?" Stephen asked, thoroughly enjoying watching Gwen squirm.

"Because if she had, my dear young man, she'd be here knocking down my door and not traipsing off to God knows where!"

"Very true. But still, you could tell me a little. Like why this secret is so damned important," Stephen continued, ignoring Gwen's sharp words. "And when exactly is this technology division supposed to be incorporated? I work at ME and I haven't heard a thing about it. And you know how gossip is at ME."

"Yes, I do. And don't you worry about your division. You'll get it as long as Hallie stays out of my business. In fact, I think I might need a little insurance as far as Hallie is concerned. When she comes back to town, I want proof that the two of you are...together. Preferably pictures, but a tape of any sort will do. Now, if you'll excuse me Stephen, I have some phone calls to make."

Stephen left the room without another word. She wanted proof? Gwen was playing hardball now. Making love to Hallie was one thing, he enjoyed doing that...wanted to do that...but to hand over proof and embarrass Hallie? Well, Gwen had another thing coming. He had no intention of giving her real proof. He should have left Four Winds right then, but an idea, one he was sure Hallie would despise, occurred to him. Turning left at the front door, Stephen walked down the hallway to the kitchen, stopping in the doorway. He leaned against the door jamb watching Maggie as she poured herself a cup of coffee.

"Hello Maggie. How've you been?" He asked when she noticed him. Yes, Hallie would hate this.



Scene 3:

Hallie checked into the hotel and left as soon as her suitcase was deposited on the bed. She was meeting the man who had located Isabelle Allen. She was indeed on the right track and enjoying every minute of this. Stephen might learn Gwen's secret but she doubted that very much. Gwen would never spill something this important to Stephen. Luke had been a big help. But he was Luke. He didn't really grasp the situation anyway. Once she had her leverage, she wouldn't need Luke anymore and could go on her way.

Her taxi stopped at a sidewalk cafe, letting her off just at the gathering of wrought iron tables that cluttered the sidewalk. She scanned the patrons for the man she was looking for and found him at a table off to the side, drinking what she was supposed to be a mint julep. Taking casual steps towards him, she stopped at his table and smiled.

"Is that a mint julep? I've never seen one before," she said as they had agreed beforehand. His idea. Ridiculous, she thought.

"Yes, it is. Would you care for one?" The man returned pulling out a chair for her. Hallie rolled her eyes but took the offered seat. "Hello, Miss Lennox. What a pleasure to finally meet you."

"Mr. Rollins, I believe you have an address for me?" Hallie said cutting his pleasant chit chat off before it went too far. "If you'll just hand it over, you can have your money."

"Cut to the chase. I like that in a woman. All right, here you are. Miss Isabelle Allen...206 Sycamore. But be careful, she has a German Shepherd guarding the fence."

"You've been more than helpful, Mr. Rollins," Hallie replied taking an envelope out of her purse. "I've included an extra bonus for your silence. No one needs to know who you helped, right?"

"Ri-ight. Good luck there, Miss." The detective took the envelope and disappeared down the street.

Hallie stopped the waiter and asked for directions. To her surprise, Isabelle Allen was a mere two blocks from where she sat. Her heart pounding, Hallie walked the short distance to 206 Sycamore and stopped at the gate. Sure enough a large dog slept just inside the front gate. She pressed the intercom button and waited for a response.

"Hello?" A crisp southern voice echoed out to her.

"Yes...I'm here to see Miss Allen," Hallie said into the microphone.

Static crackled back at her for a moment before a voice replied, "Who wishes to see her?"

"My name is Hallie Lennox. Miss Allen is an old...friend of my aunt, Gwen Mason...."

"If Gwen told you I was her friend, she's losing her mind!" The voice cackled back at Hallie. "Come on in. Don't worry about Rex, he's sleeping off the valium I gave him after he went after a girl scout." The gate swung open and Hallie stepped inside and past the sleeping dog. The yard was well manicured...at one point in time. It had fallen into ruin lately and looked worn down...probably by that big dog. Just as she reached the wide veranda, the door swung open. A large woman with garish make-up and a ridiculous muumuu stood there staring at her.

"Well, what's up Gwen's butt now? I haven't spoken to her in years, so this had better be good," the woman warned.

 

Scene 4:

Noah finished taking the trash out. He washed his hands and picked up his coat. He would have just enough time to get home and take a shower before he had to pick up Dinah. He was meeting her parents tonight and he was more than a little nervous. He was just out the door when he saw her. Piper leaned against the door of her brother's car talking to Chase for the briefest of moments before climbing in and taking off. He shook his head, sadly, thinking for just a moment that she shouldn't even be talking to Chase Garrett. Chase lifted his eyes and met his gaze. Noah rolled his eyes and went on towards his car.

Chase gave Piper a quick kiss, noting Noah in his peripheral version. He really hated that kid. He waited till Piper drove out of sight to saunter over to Noah. He didn't appreciate his attitude. Throwing his jacket over one shoulder, he casually asked, "problem?"

"Nope. Just going home," Noah replied, stopping in front of his beat up car. He hated this guy. Not because he had Piper, but because he was so damn cocky.

"Then why won't you leave Piper alone?" It was easy to get details out of Piper. She tended to keep things inside, but if you pried she would open up.

"I don't know what you're talking about. I haven't spoken to Piper in weeks. Pretty much since she lowered her standards," Noah said crossing his arms over his chest. A stupid insult. But it was a good starting point.

"At least I wasn't stupid enough to let her go," Chase said calmly. He wasn't stupid, he knew Noah wanted more than just friendship out of Piper. He knew a lot more about the current situation than he let on. He also knew if the chance for Piper and Noah was ever there, Piper would go to Noah. Chase just had to work it out to his liking which would be fairly easy.

"Well, see, that's where you're wrong, Chase. I never had Piper. And if I had, I wouldn't treat her like property."

"Yes, but you had her so close," Chase said, moving forward, the same cocky, confident manner, infallible in him. "She was every bit in your reach, but you were too stupid to take the initiative. And then you dated her best friend and expected her not be upset. Or maybe you're just the asshole in this situation who wants the two girls to cry and fight over him."

"Not that it's any of your business, but Piper and I were just friends. That's all we ever were!" Noah snapped. What was so annoying about this guy was that he was essentially right. "I had no idea Piper felt anything for me at all. I'm not so sure she does now."

Chase grinned back at Noah's defense. He held up his hands in mock defeat, "Alright, I see you like to humor yourself."

"Man, she's your girlfriend." Noah jabbed a finger into Chase's chest. "Have a little more respect for her than that."

Chase looked down skeptically at where Noah had jabbed him. So he wanted to get physical? Chase tugged on the shirt slightly to get the wrinkle out. "I have plenty of respect for her. I'm just curious as to how you let her slip by and then you have the audacity to tell her who she should and shouldn't date. Maybe you're the one who needs to learn a thing or two about respect," Chase said, his cockiness turning into more of a threat towards his last sentence as he stepped slightly forward.

"And you'd be the one to teach me, would you?" Noah laughed. "You're an asshole. Piper deserves better than you."

Chase's eyes danced with amusement at Noah, as though he saw this as one big joke. "And I like to think of it as Piper's better than everyone, but I'm the lucky guy who got her." He said, his attitude swiftly darkened once again as he turned a threatening gaze on Noah, "I could be the one to teach you," he warned.

"You might just have to teach me that lesson then, because I'm not going to stop being Piper's friend. And if you don't like that, too fucking bad."

"Piper doesn't even want you around anymore," Chase said, grabbing Noah by the collar of his shirt. Both guys were of near equal size, but a Chase beating Noah to a pulp wasn't what he had in mind. In fact, that would work against him. "And I don't want you upsetting her more than you already do."

"Get off!" Noah barked, pushing Chase to the ground. He fell harder than what Noah thought he would but it made no difference one way or the other. He deserved what he got.

Chase easily got back up, tossing his jacket on the ground. He brushed himself off in an only slightly annoyed manner, watching Noah from the corner of his eye. This would be fairly easy. He moved to punch him, moving slow enough, anticipating a block from Noah. Hopefully the kid knew how to fight like a man.

Chase's punch took him in the side, just above his kidney. Grunting, Noah jerked back for a moment to catch his breath. So that was how the guy liked to fight? Dirty it was then. Noah rushed at him, catching him around the waist and knocking him to the ground again, landing a solid punch to Chase's nose. Blood poured from it as Noah heard something crack. Hopefully it was Chase's nose and not Noah's knuckles.

Chase was impressed by the punch. Evidence. Chase blocked Noah's next attempt at his face and with one forceful shove knocked him off him. Noah was back on his feet by this time, but Chase had his evidence and was ready to beat Noah into the ground.

He went at Chase again, all sane thought leaving his head. He wanted to hurt this guy, for no other reason than he was an ass. Just as he was about to tackle him again, Chase sidestepped him and pushed Noah to the ground. The wind knocked out of him, Noah lay there trying to catch his breath.
Chase looked down at him, slightly dabbing at his nose. Damn, that wasn't going to look good at work. Oh well. Chase looked down at Noah as though he were an ant he merely wanted to step on and get out of his life. An arrogant look of superiority, Chase delivered a blow with his foot directly into Noah's ribcage.

He felt the rib break, actually heard the bone snap. Wincing in pain, he rolled into a ball protecting himself from any more of Chase's kicks. Piper had no idea what kind of maniac she was dating.
Chase finally ceased, thoroughly having enjoyed getting out that aggression. If only he could completely get Noah out of the picture, he could completely have Piper. Knowing Noah could no longer move, Chase leaned down over him, "How's that for respect?"

On the next Episode of Secret Horizons...

Episode 57