Episode 89

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Episode 89

Scene 1:

He couldn't stop watching her. Any time Maura found her way into his line of sight, Jude's eyes strayed to her. Stephen continued to pitch his idea but Jude was thinking about something else. He was thinking about what might have been. What might have been if it hadn't been for Rick Upton and her ties to him. Jude's sensible side reminded him that those ties wouldn't allow a lasting relationship between himself and Maura. His romantic side, though, wasn't so easily convinced. The romantic side wanted to sweep Maura up into his arms and forgive her for everything and beg forgiveness for himself. Of course, he thought with a miserable sinking feeling, that wouldn't happen.

"Jude?" Stephen waved a hand in front of his face. "Hello? You still with me?" He cast a glance over his shoulder at the bar where someone was handing Maura the phone and turned back with a smile on his face. "Did I ever tell you I went to high school with Maura Conlan?"

"I thought you were from New England," Jude replied, a frown creasing his forehead.

"Technically, yes. My mother was from the Glen. When my parents divorced, we moved here. In time for my sophomore year," Stephen replied taking a sip of coffee. "Maura was in my homeroom class. Showed me around the school too."

Jude could no more pretend indifference than he could sweep Maura up into his arms. "What was she like then?" He asked, curiosity getting the better of him.

"A lot like she is now. Bossy...demanding, overly critical," he rattled off before a secret smile passed over his face. "Funny, smart as a whip, generous to a fault. Pretty much the same as she is now. It's none of my business, Jude, but you haven't taken your eyes off her since we sat down. You want to talk about it?"

Jude leveled a disinterested gaze at Stephen. "No," he said flatly.

"Come on, Jude. You'll have to get it out eventually," Stephen prodded unsuccessfully. "All right then, but if you need to..."

"Why do you want to be my best friend all of a sudden, Roth?" Jude interrupted, caving to his suspicious curiosity. "It isn't like we've been on the best of terms recently."

Stephen shrugged. "I've been there, man. I know what you're going through. Sometimes a friendly ear is all that you need." He dropped his napkin on the table. "But you don't want to talk, that's fine. You know how to reach me if you do. In the mean time, a bit of advice for you? Get your mind on something else. Business even. Otherwise, you'll make yourself crazy thinking about it." He slid out of the booth and picked up the check. "On me. You can get the next one when you tell me you're on board."

"All right," Jude answered amicably, his suspiciousness fading. "I'll be in touch." He shook Stephen's hand and buried himself in the file. Or tried to. A shadow fell across the floor plan of a dance club that he was looking at and he looked up fully expecting to see Roth back to offer more advice. But it wasn't Stephen. It was Gwen. He hadn't seen her since the day at Four Winds and wasn't thrilled to see her towering over him now.

"May I sit with you for a moment, Jude?" She asked. He could see the dark rings of exhaustion under her eyes even though her make-up was perfect and every hair in place. He continued to stare at her, though, unable to respond at all. She took his silence as acquiescence and slid into Stephen's vacated seat. "I've been worried about you, Jude," she said as way of starting a conversation.

"Oh." He couldn't think of anything to say to her.

"I have. No one will tell me how you are." She dropped her eyes to her hands that were folded neatly in her lap. "I know you don't want me in your life, but don't cut yourself off from Jamie."

That made his eyes widen. What did Jamie have to do with anything? "Jamie," he repeated. "I haven't spoken to Jamie since he asked me to deny any claim to his inheritance."

"Oh, you misunderstand him, Jude," Gwen said, her voice placating. "He was concerned about Christopher. But that's all over now...that dreadful woman has disappeared for good I hope. There is no more custody case. Jamie loves you like a br..." She broke off realizing what she was about to say. Jude quirked an eyebrow at her and finished her sentence.

"Like a brother?" Jude closed the file he was looking at and leaned back in the booth, Maura and the Project forgotten for the moment. "Jamie made his decision on my place in his life, Gwen," he said emphasizing her name. "Just like you did. I'm through hiding out because of what you chose to keep from me. But I don't want you in my life. Nor do I want Jamie there right now. That may change in the future if Jamie's attitude changes. But Gwen, I don't ever want you there. Don't think you can just sit down with me in a public place and chat with me like everything is all right."

"Jude, I didn't mean to imply that it was just a matter of time..."

He held up a hand silencing her. "Really, I don't want to hear it. I'm moving on with my life. You should too."

Scene 2:

He almost didn't want to answer the phone. He was right in the middle of the practice MCAT and answering it would distract him. But he did. He snagged the phone knocking over a stack of book sin the process.

"Damn," he muttered, watching the books fall over before adding tersely, "Hello?"

"Noah?" Piper asked trembling voice. Oh, it was so good to hear his voice, she wanted to cry. "Noah." If only she could form thoughts. Why was it so hard to think and feel? "Fairchilds mansion on Fairview Lane. D-d-do you know where?"

Her voice was panicked and it sent a wave of fear through him. "Yes, I know it. Are you all right? God, I'll be right there!"

Piper couldn't make her lips form a bye, she merely hung up with a sort of stammered reply. It felt colder in the broken down shack than it did outside. The road. Piper forced her small, frozen body up off the floor of the shack. She could remember seeing the rows of slave huts along Fairview Lane on her many visits to the Fairchild plantation with Chase. It hurt to think, it hurt to move, Piper had no idea what it was, the chemical still in her system, the cold, or the desperation she currently felt. Should have kept the dress.

Piper groaned, pushing the door of the shack open. The winter air attempted to push her back in, but she reentered the tree covered area. It was nearly an hour drive out here, Piper realized suddenly. She groaned again, falling back into the cabin. Should she keep moving or remain here where it wasn't much warmer? Would it be a good idea to stop moving or would she stop all together and not be able to move again or pass out? Keep going. And Piper did, she pressed on, thoughtlessly though, only thinking of the road and moving.

Noah wasted no time. He ran to his car and drove as fast as he could to the area just beyond Four Winds. It was a lonely stretch of land without much to mark it. During the early years of the 1800's, the land had been part of the grounds of Four Winds, but the Masons had lost it after the War. He slowed down on Fairview Lane, watching the road carefully and wondering where Piper had called him from. He almost didn't see her. She was stumbling down the side of the road towards him, dressed in something quite voluminous. He pulled the car over and climbed out, running towards her.

"Piper!"

If she had the energy to cry she would and as soon as Noah's arms were around her, she solely relied on him for physical support.

"Must leave." Her lips were swollen from the cold and she tasted dried blood in her mouth from where Chase had hit her. It was hard to enunciate syllables in that state.

He touched her face gently where her eye was swelling shut and her lip where dried blood crusted. "Piper," he practically moaned at the sight of her. "What happened? Did he do this to you?" She was shaking with cold and for the first time, he noticed what she wore. If Chase had done this to her, he was certifiable. "Come on, lets get you to the hospital."

"No!" Piper protested with a small amount of strength. "Your place, please, Noah."

"Piper, you need to see a doctor..." He felt her knees start to give way beneath her and caught her up in his arms, cradling her there. "You're in no condition to be stubborn about this."

"No doctor!" She wasn't going to the hospital where everyone would think, 'the youngest Conlan's cry for attention.' "I'm f-f-ine." That wasn't true, but she knew as long as she made it to a warmer place and her thoughts cleared up, she would be okay.

"Piper, you have to," he started to say but gave up when he heard a car coming towards them. "Shit," he muttered carrying her to his car and laying her across the back seat. "Okay, no doctor, for now but when we get home, if I find any broken bones..." Or anything else, he thought, his thoughts taking an immediate and fearful leap to what Chase might have done to her. "You go to the hospital."

Piper nodded, all she wanted now was a warm place, nothing currently mattered except her not catching hypothermia.

He got in the car, throwing it into drive and doing a sharp U-turn. He needed to get her out of this area before Chase came round looking for her. Piper was quiet for now, he hoped she was sleeping. Try as he might, he couldn't get the image of Chase hurting her out of his head. They had warned her about him, but she hadn't seen it. Or she had chosen not to and Chase had taken advantage of her. A strange bitter taste rose in his mouth at the thought.

"Piper," he said softly as the lights of Four Winds came into view. "Can you tell me what happened?"

"Hmm?" Piper asked, trying to figure how to get the extra petticoats off, now that she could think clearer...though not as clear as normal. And it took a lot of energy, that she didn't have an abundance of at the moment, but she was going to get the hideous lace off if it killed her. There was a long rip as she ripped the first petticoat straight down the seam. Sticking her tongue out in concentration, Piper said, "we were at the coffee shop and I told him I wanted to break up." She struggled for the right words, her mind still quit jumbled. "And he said okay, real calm, then we left. I made sure we were close to lots of people...just in case...," Piper moaned, falling back in the seat. She was so stupid! "I don't know. Somehow he pulled me out of sight of people...he used some sort of chemical...inhale...and I passed out...I woke up and didn't have much control over my body..."

"He kidnapped you?" Noah asked as they drove past Four Winds. "Christ, Piper, when was this?"

"Tonight," Piper snapped. Of course, she had no idea what time it was, or what day it was. Another petticoat ripped with her fury. "He's fucking crazy," she mumbled under her breath.

"No shit, Piper," Noah snapped. He was angry now. Just who did Chase Garrett think he was?
Piper frowned and sunk back down into the backseat. She hated herself now. She had known all along there was something wrong with Chase, but she hadn't been bright enough or strong enough to leave him early on.

Scene 3:

The halls of Mason Enterprises were surprisingly empty, Jory noted as he roamed around the executive wing looking for his brother. Hallie really cleaned house; Luke wasn't kidding. The Barracuda made good on her promise to take over though, he had to admire her for that even if he thought the way it was done was sneaky and underhanded. More than that though, he was just glad it wasn't him that was stuck with her for the rest of his life. Luke had made a bad choice in marrying her and it seemed like the whole world knew it but Luke.

He stopped at Luke's office and ducked his head inside. "Luke?" He said, though it was obvious no one was at home. More than likely, he was upstairs in Hallie's office, Jory thought turning away. He looked up the hallway, seeing a familiar face. Liza Gennaro leaned over the receptionist desk, picking up a stapler. She might know where Luke was, Jory decided and closed in on her.

"Excuse me," he said startling her. Her eyes widened in surprise but only for a moment, replaced by a pleasant smile. "I didn't mean to scare you," he added apologetically.

"It's okay," she answered. "This place is like a morgue today. I wasn't expecting to see anyone."

"Yeah, I noticed how dead it is...what's going on?"

"Um...from what I heard on my way up? I think it's some sort of weird protest." She smiled again, giving him a quizzical look. "You're Luke's brother right?"

"Yes, Jory. I'm glad you remembered...it might have been awkward if you hadn't." She giggled in response. "Have you seen Luke by any chance?"

"No. Not in a long time...Hallie's keeping him pretty busy from what I understand..."

Jory blinked, confused by her response. "I meant in the last hour or so," he said. He saw a flicker of realization in her eyes and her lips formed a small 'o.' "You thought I meant...?"

She shook her head, "I don't know. To answer your question, I haven't seen him, but if I do, I'll tell him you're looking for him." Jory thanked her, noting to himself how Liza's eyes gave away what she was thinking more than anyone he'd ever met. Even Maura knew how to shield her thoughts. "Can I ask you a question?" She asked, drawing him back to her.

He shrugged and grinned, "Absolutely. Ask away."

"Is Luke sincere?"

"Luke?" That took him aback. Luke sincere? That was a tough one. "It depends. I can usually tell when he is. Is there something specific you want to know about?"

"I don't think I should be discussing it with anyone," she said, biting her lip.

"But you want to. Spill," he ordered, leaning casually against the counter.

"I don't know why I'm doing this...but...you promise not to repeat any of this?" Jory crossed his heart making her grin. "Okay...well, he told me that his marriage was a sham, that Hallie was sleeping with another man and that he had feelings for me."

"He told you?" It was Jory's turned to be surprised. "Man...I never thought he would have the nerve!"

"So it's true? He was sincere?"

"Honey, you and I should go out for coffee some time. It is true. He doesn't love Hallie...who could? But he made a deal with her. I don't know about the affair bit...but he does like you. So, yes, he is sincere in that respect."

"Thank you Jory. I've been wondering." She picked up her file, holding it to her chest. "We should go out for coffee...I could use a friend."

"You should meet my sister Jillie then as well. She needs friends too. If you see my brother, tell him I'll be waiting for him in his office." He gave her a wink and headed back down the hall to Luke's office. He paused a moment just inside the door, a small rustling catching his attention.
"Hello?" He called into the room. No answer. He stepped further into the office. It smelled strange...almost like an old gas station. That wasn't right at all. "Is there someone..." He didn't have time to finish the question though. A sharp crack filled the air and he had just enough time to wonder what was going on before he slumped to the ground enveloped in darkness.

Scene 4:

"So you see, Ms. Cameron, my position here as CEO depends upon the favor of ME's wonderful staff." Luke rolled his eyes at Hallie's statement, wondering who wrote her speeches. It certainly wasn't him. And he doubted that her staff was all that enamored of her just now either. "I like to think so far, there have been no complaints," Hallie continued. "I made the necessary adjustments and have moved on to make Mason Enterprises more successful."

"And what do you say about the recent criticism that you're laid off more than was necessary simply to add your own staff?" Luke's mouth twitched. This reporter was right on the money about Hallie. "Do you have a response to Don Morgan's claim that you're feeling spiteful towards your family just now?"

"No," Hallie replied with an icy tone in her voice that made it clear her response was none of Ms. Cameron's business. She shifted uncomfortably in the chair and glanced sideways at Luke. "My family is behind me 100%."

"Even though you basically ousted the previous CEO who is also your cousin?" He tried not to smile at the way Hallie was cornered, but it was hard. Hallie's body went stiff and her eyes narrowed.

"I did nothing of the sort, Ms. Cameron. Jamie resigned all on his own. I was just there to..."

"Vote for the termination of Stephen Roth and press his resignation? I have read the minutes of the meeting," Phoebe pointed out.

"Then you'll know that it wasn't me who decided Stephen had to go. All I did was vote my conscience. Now," she said standing. "I really have to get back to work. Thank you for stopping by."

Phoebe stood and picked up her purse, tucking the recorder into a side pocket. "Sorry, Hallie...part of the job, you know," she explained. Hallie waved the apology off and stalked to her desk, finding something of interest to stare at on her desk. Luke shrugged and shook Phoebe's hand, seeing her to the door.

"That was very classy, Hallie," he remarked once the door was safely closed. She glared at him, a angry glint in her eyes.

"I don't know what she was thinking!? Grilling me like that," Hallie returned through gritted teeth. "I invite her here for an exclusive interview and she treats me like a criminal! What does Dane see in her anyway?"

"I imagine he sees an intelligent woman who knows how to handle herself and is quite attractive," Luke replied dropping into the chair Phoebe had just vacated. "More importantly, she's usually pleasant to people. Unlike you who has to be rude if the situation isn't to your liking."

"What is your problem?" Hallie snapped. "You've been a total jerk for the last three months. Is there something wrong with you? Because I am really tired of this attitude you seem to have developed." Luke raised an eyebrow but kept calm. Hallie didn't like his attitude? Well, that made it even. "The next thing you'll be telling me is what a mistake it was to make Stephen Roth leave!"

"No, I don't think that was a mistake," he countered. "But the way the whole thing happened Hallie. You're acting like a spoiled brat and I don't like the brat very much."

"Oh too bad, Luke." She tossed her hair over her shoulder, leveling a harsh glare at him. "You knew what you were in for when you agreed to marry me. Did you have some romantic idea of what our marriage would actually be like? I should have married Stephen instead of you. You're pathetic."

That was truly the last straw. He stood, leaning over her desk, the anger boiling just below the surface. His face felt flushed with it. Hallie pulled back as he inched closer to her. "Am I? I suppose that I am for putting up with you and your adultery with Roth. I am in all actuality a fool for agreeing to marry a lying slut like yourself." Hallie stood and leaned over the desk, her face just inches from his. He could see the fury in her crystal eyes, though her expression was placid.

"Lying slut? You can't do any better than that? I'm disappointed in you, darling," she returned, making the endearment sound like an insult. "And here I thought you were my equal. I haven't changed Luke. You're the one who's changed. All you're doing is making me out to be the bad guy. And I assure you, I have done nothing that you didn't know I would do any way. So perhaps, you should just rethink whatever it is that you think I've done."

"You mean like cheating on me before our wedding? And then lying to me about it?" Luke returned sharply. Hallie's mouth opened to say something but she was cut off by the sound of the door opening. They both turned to look at the intruder.

"Hallie," Liza said not even looking up as she entered. "I have this donation request I need you to sign..." She trailed off as she stopped and raised her eyes to the confrontation in front of her. "Oh...I'm sorry, I'll come back."

"No," Hallie said breaking the close contact with Luke and backing away. "Luke was just leaving."

"Yes, I was," Luke added. "Good bye Hallie." He jerked away from the desk and stormed towards the doorway. Hallie could have Roth as far as he was concerned. All he knew was that he had made the biggest mistake of his life agreeing to marry Hallie Lennox and seeing Liza Gennaro standing next to Hallie was only proof of that. At least, he comforted himself, Jory wasn't around just now to say I told you so.