"I don't need forgiveness. I never asked for it and I don't want it," Gwen interrupted from the doorway. "Perhaps a little understanding might be nice though." Jude froze as if caught in the act at something illegal. "Do you think that would be possible Jude?"

"Mother, I don't think Jude is ready...," Ellen began before Gwen interrupted.

"And I don't think that is your decision to make, Ellen. May we have a moment alone, Jude?" Gwen asked, turning a cold cheek to Ellen. Ellen's mouth opened to reply but snapped shut again.

"You know what Jude? I think you were right. But actions can be forgiven even if people can't," she said, aiming her words at Gwen. She left the room, slamming the door behind her. Neither Gwen nor Jude flinched at it.  

"Will you hear me out?" Gwen asked in the silence that followed. The spell broken by Gwen's question, Jude shifted away, turning his back to her and back to the garment bag on the bed. Hear her out? His stomach turned at the thought.

"I'm packing," he answered, zipping the garment bag.

"That's not necessary, Jude. Four Winds is your home..."

"It used to be. Not anymore." He went back to the closet, determined to get this over with so that he could leave as quickly as possible. One more suitcase, he decided. The rest could wait. The next time, he would have to bring Maura with him to stand guard.

"I intend to tell you everything whether you choose to actively listen or not!" Gwen announced. He cast her a black look over his shoulder, shrugging unconcerned.

"Feel free to talk all you want. Just don't expect me to care much," he told her, throwing the remaining suitcase on the bed.

"This doesn't have to be so horrible! I've talked myself blue in the face with Jamie. I expected as much from him. He was always a bit unforgiving of the people he loved. But you have always been more understanding. I expected more from you."

"Are you disappointed?" Jude bit back.  

"Yes, I am, frankly! Jude, I never meant for you to find out this way. I had every intention of telling you when James died. I did!" She cried at the look of skepticism on his face. "But Jamie needed help with that awful woman and you were involved in Washington. The time never seemed right."

"Was the time right when my...your brother died? Leaving me behind without even a mother or a sibling? Was the time right when I turned 18 and should have come into my inheritance? Somehow, I don't think you ever would have found the right time," he told her.  

"How can you say that? I was young when I had you. Jimmy had just come into his inheritance when we broke up. I couldn't tell him then. It would have looked like I was just a gold digger! And I assure you, I most certainly was not! Bella! She was the gold digger. She took Jimmy from me and I had too much pride to tell him about you. And Mr. Mason would never have allowed us to marry if he had known about a child born out of wedlock. He was a wretched man."

"So, I was the sacrifice for your happy life and Jamie?" His tone was bitter and filled with the pain he had been feeling for the last week. How was it that she did all of this to him, but still had her "son" in Jamie? She had taken away his life and given it to Jamie. He loved Jamie, but right now he envied him with every ounce of his being. "Excuse me if your reasoning seems a little faulty."

"I did what was best for you, Jude! And you were never far from me your entire life. When Doug and Jenny died, you came here! You came here despite what Jenny's family wanted because you are my son and I wouldn't have you raised by someone else's family!" Gwen's eyes appeared a trifle misty, Jude noted but he wasn't buying it.  

"Oh really? So when your brother died, that was when you decided to claim me? Gwen, you make me sick." He slammed his suitcase shut, keeping his anger just simmering under the surface. He wouldn't let Gwen get the best of him now. "I'm leaving. I would appreciate it if you left me alone." He snagged his garment bag, slinging it over his shoulder.  

"Jude! I did the best that I could given an impossible situation!" She cried, leaping forward. She pulled at the suitcase in his hand trying to set it down. "Please, don't leave things like this!"

Without thinking, he jerked backwards, freeing himself from her grip. She lost her balance and fell to her knees in front of him. He gazed dispassionately at her as the sobs broke from her chest. "Gwen get up," he said quietly. He couldn't fight someone who was so pathetic. And he didn't want to feel sorry for her either. "You made your choice when I was born. You'll just have to deal with it," he said leaving her behind as he left the room.


Scene 2:

"Jamie you sound like a petulant child. Let Jude deal with this how he has to. Okay? "

"I won't walk away from him. I won't let him be the one who gets hurt. I promise."  

Maura sighed, picking her pencil up again. "That's very noble, Jamie. But he is already hurt. And you can't help him."  

She was right, Jamie thought turning away from her, letting her go back to her work. Jude was hurt. And he had forced a public humiliation of his cousin...brother. He was pleased with that small word. Brother. They had always been close, but now they were truly brothers. If only Gwen hadn't screwed things up so royally, Jude might be happy with it too. If he could just find Jude to talk to him...

He turned back to Maura whose head was bent over a notebook. "Will you tell me where he is?"    

Maura glanced up briefly, biting her lip. "He went to Four Winds to get some of his clothes," she admitted. "But if you really have to talk to him...," she hesitated for a moment, seeming to weigh his sincerity. "If you have to speak to him, he's staying at the ME condo tonight. I expect he should be there by now." Jamie smiled gratefully, murmuring a thank you to her. He would work this out tonight.  

He hurried from the diner to his car, parked just behind the building in the parking lot, fumbling for his keys as he did so. A shadow fell across the car and he turned slightly catching sight of Kerri before she spoke.  

"What do you want?" He asked tersely. He didn't have time for her crap.  

"And hello to you too," Kerri replied.

"I don't have time for any games right now, Kerri. Just tell me what you want so I can leave." He crossed his arms over his chest protectively.  

"I just wanted to congratulate you."

"For what?" He asked, wary of anything that came out of her mouth.

"Well, I understand there is a new addition to the Mason family." Her mouth twisted into a cruel smile. "I know you must be thrilled by the news. But, tell me Jamie, if Jude is older than you and the Mason heir, what does that make you? Oh wait, I know! It makes you nothing in this town. And it also makes me one very lucky woman."

He went white with anger, barely controlling himself from slapping the smile from her face. "It makes me exactly who I have always been. Nothing changes, Kerri! You won't ever win Chris back. No judge in his right mind would let you care for my son!"

"Really? And what judge would let my son be raised in an atmosphere like the one your family lives in? Lies, deceit, blackmail. I believe we are about equal right now. That is a wonderful feeling." Her laughter echoed in the parking lot as she walked away from him. Her words had cut deep. But she was wrong. He was still James Mason III. That held some sway in this town at least. He still had that. There was no way she could win. He would rather die.


Scene 3:

He hated the house. Hated it because it had been Roth's. But Hallie had insisted that they live here. Luke unlocked the door and poked his head inside. A light was on in the living room.

"Hello?" He called through the house, which in retrospect might have been real stupid he thought. If it were burglars and he walked in on it, he was in trouble. Then again it might be Maura or Jory. He'd given them a key before he left in the hopes they would move his stuff for him.

"Hello?" A female voice called back. He knew the voice but it wasn't a sister. He moved to the living room, coming face to face with Liza Gennaro and a small boy, he assumed must be her son. "Oh! Thank god, it's just you!" She said breathing a sigh of relief.

"Were you expecting someone else?" He asked, his mouth twisting into a grin.

"No, it's just...well, I didn't think you'd be here so soon!" She exclaimed. He nodded and looked from her to the boy. Quite a lot of her in him, he saw, and probably just enough of the father to remind her. "I'm sorry. Hallie gave me a key and asked me to make sure the house was ready before you came home but Matty has been sick and this was the first chance I had to come over."

"This is your son?" Luke asked, dropping his keys on a table by the door. "He looks like you."

"Do you think so?" Liza's face lit up with pleasure. "I just see his father when I look at him." She smoothed Matty's black hair away from his face.

"Nah. He's your son. It's too obvious." He looked around the room, taking in the bottle of champagne chilling at the bar and the dim lights. Couldn't be Hallie's idea of getting the house ready. "The house looks great," he commented. "You've done a great job."

"Thank you. But where's Hallie?" She glanced to the hallway with an expectant look on her face.

"At Four Winds. She wanted to see how the family was doing after...well, you know."

"Yeah. It's all over town," Liza added. "That guy could have picked a better time to spill the beans don't you think?"

"That guy is a jerk. He was trying to...well, I'm sure he was doing his damnedest to make sure our day was ruined," Luke replied bitterly, picking up a framed wedding photo Liza had placed on a table.

"Did he ruin it?"

"Not for Hallie. She enjoyed it," he admitted, setting the picture back down. "Look, why don't you sit for a while. Hallie isn't going to want that champagne. Will you share it with me?"

"I shouldn't...I've got to drive Matty home and put him to bed. He's exhausted. And I'm not going to drink and drive."

"I'm not asking you to. This isn't one of those television commercials about drinking and driving. If you won't have a glass, sit with me while I do. And if you decide you want one after all. I'll call a cab to take you home. How does that sound?"

She looked uncertainly from Matty to Luke. "Okay, I'll stay just a little longer." Luke beamed at her and took the bottle to the kitchen to pop it's cork. She lay Matty down on the couch and sat next to him, caressing his forehead as he nodded off to sleep. Luke returned with a glass of champagne for himself and a glass of water for her. She thanked him and took a sip. "You said Hallie enjoyed that awful scene at her own wedding. How could anyone enjoy that?"

"You remember my brother, Jory?" He asked raising the glass to his lips. She nodded. "Jory calls Hallie 'The Barracuda.' He seems to think she has no feelings. When it comes to certain things, she doesn't. Her aunt being of them." He was being candid with her. Something, he realized, he hadn't even been with his own family. "She gets a bit of joy out seeing Gwen Mason squirm."

"What about you?"

"I thought it was pretty ugly," he admitted, shrugging his shoulders indifferently. "But, if it hadn't been at the reception it would have been another time, another place."

"I didn't realize she was so heartless," Liza murmured.

"She's not. She just wants what she wants."

"Can I ask you a question, Luke?" Liza set her glass on the table, leaning forward a little. Luke nodded and smiled in response. "Maybe I'm out of line here, but...well, do you...I mean...god this is so stupid, but are you in love with Hallie? Because you don't sound like you are."

Luke pulled away in surprise. No one had ever asked him that. Jory knew he wasn't. He had a sixth sense about stuff like that. And the girls had never asked, though he was sure they knew as well. But no one had asked him that out loud. No one had asked him to say it out loud. He met Liza's gaze and realized he had two answers he could give her. There was the answer that was non-committal and just enough to be interpreted how she pleased. And then there was the truth. Dropping his eyes to the glass, he made his decision.

"No," he said raising his eyes. "I'm not in love with Hallie."


Scene 4:

Hallie's mouth fell open at the sight of Jude on the staircase. She hadn't expected his presence to welcome her home from her honeymoon. Luke had taken their suitcases to their new home and left her to see what had happened in their absence. She smiled sweetly at him, but was only favored with a sour scowl. Apparently it wasn't all sweetness and light, she thought, catching sight of his luggage.

"Going somewhere?" She asked. Jude paused at the bottom of the stairs, tilting his head watching her warily.

"I always knew you were smarter than Gwen gave you credit for," he replied with a touch of sarcasm. Though it sounded like an insult, she was fairly certain he was referring to her battle with his mother. Oh that was delightful to think!

"I guess this last week hasn't been easy for you. "

"How'd you guess? I have to go..." Hallie nodded, her expression a mixture of sympathy and concern.

"Jude. If you need anything at all. You come see me. I'll help you. I can be loyal too," she added as Gwen appeared at the top of the stairs looking stricken with grief. Jude jerked his head in, what Hallie hoped, was a nod of ascension. She could be wrong about that though. You never knew with Jude. He had always been hard to read. Gwen made a strangled noise from where she stood, spurring Jude's exit. Nothing was right in Gwen's house and Hallie liked that just fine.

"Hello Gwen!" She called merrily to her aunt. "I guess things haven't gotten much better since we left." Gwen's demeanor changed suddenly from despair to outrage at Hallie's words.

"This is your fault!" She raged at Hallie, descending the stairs to face her. "If you hadn't been so hell bent on hurting me, none of this would have happened!"

"You reap what you sow," Hallie retorted. Gwen's hand flashed out, laying a sound slap across Hallie's cheek. Her rings bruised Hallie's cheek and the stone of one bit into her flesh, drawing blood.

"You bitch!" Hallie cried, her own hand rising to the cut.

"This is all your fault," Gwen repeated, calmer now. "You were so bent on hurting me, didn't you ever stop to think what it would do to your family? Of course not! All you cared about was what you wanted! All you cared about was what you thought we owed you!"

"All I ever wanted was what I deserved! None of this would have happened if you hadn't been so intent on having your precious Jamie back to take over the business! I could have done that!" Hallie cried. "If you had just taken a moment to realize that I could have done a thousand times better than Dane you wouldn't have had to beg Jamie to come back!"

"He would have come back without my asking," Gwen replied haughtily.

"You live in that dream world Gwen. Jamie wouldn't have come back. Ask him!"

"I don't have to! This is Jamie's home and he would have come back to it eventually." She lifted her chin higher, looking down on Hallie. "But you! You would take away what belongs to my sons because you are petty and vindictive!"

"ME!? Wait a minute, you old prune! I'm not the one who let Stephen in here to ruin my wedding reception! Yeah, MY reception! In fact, I'm the reason he didn't ruin the wedding. Someone let him in here and it wasn't me."

"And if you think I invited him inside this house you are mistaken. But as long as we are on the topic of Stephen Roth. You think he loves you don't you? That is so pathetic."
Hallie's eyes narrowed to small dangerous slits. "What are you talking about? I don't care about Stephen."

"Yes you do! But I'll let you in on a little secret. The only reason Stephen changed his tune about you is because I promised him he could have the new electronics division at ME if he got your mind off your stupid vendetta."

"You're lying," Hallie said, her lips pressed together.

"But I'm not! He doesn't love you and neither does your trophy husband. Poor Hallie, no one loves her. Not even her family."

Hallie flinched as if she had been slapped again, the color draining from her face. Stephen did love her! He said so. They said and did awful things to each other, but they never lied. Not once. She drew herself up and gazed squarely back into Gwen's face.

"Then we're more alike than you realize. Because your family despises you now too. And if what you say about Stephen is true, I would watch my back if I were you. Because if you think what I've done up to now has been awful, just wait until I'm through with you. You'll wish you'd never treated me like a second class citizen."

On the next Episode of Secret Horizons...

Episode 73