But he couldn't blame her, try as he might.  She had done something he had been afraid to do.  She had tried to put her stamp on ME while he had tried to be his father.  Why had he wanted so desperately to be like a man who was his polar opposite?  Jamie was unlike either of his parents.  Where they had always been conscious of appearances and public opinion, Jamie was inclined to do as he pleased regardless of others.  His father had wanted a son who would follow in his footsteps and Jamie wanted a father who would let him be who he was with no questions.  Many arguments had erupted over that one simple difference.

And yet, he had come home to run a business he had sworn he would never be a part of only to give it up at the first sign of defiance.  Jude should have been the one to take over ME.  If Jude hadn't been denied his birthright, he would be the CEO and this wouldn't have happened.  But then, who was to say it wouldn't have?  He shook his head, trying to shake himself out of the morbid mindset.  Looking for blame would do no one any good. 

"Looks terrible doesn't it?"  Hallie's voice startled him, making him jump.  "Sorry, I didn't mean to creep up on you."

"It's okay," Jamie replied blowing out the breath he had been holding.  He swept a concerned gaze over her still bruised face as the spring breeze picked up her hair, gently blowing it across her cheek.  She pulled it away and tucked it behind her ear just like she always did when they were kids.  He smiled at the memory of Hallie always wanting to tag along no matter where he and Jude and Dane might be going. 

"What's so funny?"  She asked catching the grin.

"Oh...I was remembering what a pest you used to be," he returned, gazing at her.  "You always had to be where we were."

 "That's because you guys were always going off and leaving me and Ellen."  She tossed her hair over her shoulder.  "And you never let us come if you remember." 

"I remember."  He shifted his gaze back to the ruined building.  "I'm sorry about all this.  I wish there was something I could have done." 

"Jamie...there wasn't anything anyone could do.  I'm kind of glad it happened here, you know.  I realize that sounds stupid.  I mean, if it was someone I angered...well, let's face it," she said with a shrug, "there are a lot of people who dislike me.  But if it hadn't happened now and here, it would have been Four Winds or anywhere I happened to be." 

He nodded in agreement.  It was rare that he and Hallie saw eye to eye on any issue, but he had thought the same thing and thanked God that no one in his immediate family was hurt.  "I know," he answered.  "I'm just glad Father isn't here to see his building like this." 

"Me too," Hallie replied in a meek voice.  "I've been thinking though, I think it should be rebuilt." 

"What?"

"Listen, I know we lost some employees in this fire and maybe it isn't exactly right...  I can't just let someone take this away from me or you or Gwen even.  ME is ours and we should let people know that it'll take more than fire to break us down."  Her eyes sparked as she spoke, giving Jamie an odd feeling of pride in her attitude.  "I know you and I haven't always gotten along.  But I was hoping you might support me in this.  If for no other reason than I need you." 

"You don't need me Hal.  You can do whatever you need to and it'll be fine.  I've seen you work and how you deal with people.  You're not that bad." 

"Thanks."  She rolled her eyes at his back handed compliment.  "Seriously Jamie.  People like you.  They don't always like me.  I mean, I'm not the nicest person in the world.  But you, you're like a god at ME.  If you would just back me up, Jamie, it would make all the difference." 

Jamie fell silent, thinking.  She seemed sincere.  Then again, Hallie was always able to twist things to her advantage.  He wanted to trust her too.  After everything, the family needed each other.  He kicked at a loose stone on the ground in front of him.  What was she asking for really?  For him to stay neutral, more than likely.  And not oppose her publicly, he added after a moment. 

"All you want to do is rebuild ME?  No ulterior motives?"  He asked the suspicion evident in his voice. 

"I promise no ulterior motives.  All I want is to rebuild ME," she said, crossing her heart seriously.   

Suppressing a grin at the girlish gesture, Jamie nodded.  "Okay, you have my support." 

Scene 2:

 "I can't get away, Noah," Dinah sighed leaning against the wall as she spoke. "Dad has me following him and helping out around here. He's even asked this new nurse to watch me. Like I was five!" She had managed to sneak a few minutes to herself to make this phone call though. Every one had to use the restroom after all.

"He's not getting any better," Noah replied. "He still has a fever in fact."

"Well, isn't there anything we could give him to make it go down? What about aspirin?"

"Did that. Look Dinah, you have to get over here somehow. I promised Piper I would pick her up from the hospital today and I don't think Ty should be alone."

Dinah chewed on her lip, desperately trying to come up with a way out of her father's sight. Her mother was on his side this time around. She would be no help. There was always Liza but Dinah hated dragging her into it. "I don't know how but I'll manage it," she said at last. "When do you have to be here?"

"Five. Are you sure? Maybe I should bring him back to the hospital with me..."

"No!" Dinah exclaimed. "You can't do that. I promised him we'd help him, Noah. If you bring him here they'll call the cops."

"Christ," Noah muttered. "Do you know how much trouble we'll be in if they find him here? Aiding and abetting a fugitive is not kid's play."

"I know that...I'll think of something, Noah. Just trust me okay?" She spotted her father's nurse, Georgia, rounding the corner, looking irritated. "Crap. Gotta go. I'll be there." She hung up the phone and ducked into the ladies room. She turned a faucet on and stuck her hands under the stream of cold water just as the nurse poked her head inside.

"There you are!" She exclaimed, stepping into the restroom completely.

"I told you I was going to the bathroom," Dinah covered, shaking excess water off her hands.

"Usually, bathroom breaks don't take fifteen minutes," Georgie returned with a trace of skepticism. "But if you're finished I have a project for you." Dinah dried her hands and tossed the paper towel in the trash can.

"Okay fine. What menial task has my father set aside specially for me?"

Georgie rolled her eyes. "Hardly menial. Dr. Gennaro has some charts that need to be filed and his assistant is out sick today. You get to help me file for him." Dinah's eyebrows shot up in surprise. Galen? Why hadn't she thought of him earlier? Galen would help for the right information. And she bet he would be most interested in all those bills her father paid for Kelly. She smiled pleasantly, nodding her head as she passed the nurse. This was her first break all day.
 

Scene 3:

 "All right Roth, you have a deal."

Stephen looked up from his meal, meeting Jude Fontaine's placid gaze. "Well, good news at last. Have a seat." He nodded to the empty chair across from him. "I feel like a loser having dinner alone. Join me?"

"For a bit," Jude replied pulling the chair back. "I'm meeting someone here for dinner." Stephen arched an eyebrow in question. "Yes, I'm meeting Maura Conlan. Keep your high school stories to yourself."

"Suit yourself," Stephen grinned. "But if you want to hear how she did in the senior play, I can help you there. But for now, let's discuss our business deal. I think you've made an excellent choice in signing on, Jude. In fact, I've just signed a contract with Cole Construction to begin work on the main square. Not to mention Mark Guthrie has agreed to design the square."

"Mark Guthrie?" Jude repeated, his eyes watching the doorway. "I don't think I've heard of him."

"That's okay. He's just one of the best architects on the east coast right now. Look, Jude. I'm glad you're on board. More than glad. I'd go so far as to say that you were the one final piece to make this project a success. With you on board, I know we'll be a success."

"That remains to be seen," Jude shrugged. "I want some assurances from you though. This has to be a venture free of any interference from my family. Do you understand?"

Stephen nodded seriously, masking his amusement. If only Jude and Jamie realized how much they sounded alike. And if they didn't have anything in common before this, he had news for them now. He could certainly keep their involvement from each other. Or at the very least Jamie's involvement from Jude.

"Of course I do, Jude. I know your family hasn't been the ideal for you lately. Of course, I'll keep them out of it. And anyway, it isn't as if I am anyone's favorite at Four Winds," Stephen reminded him.

"Oh right. Well, you and me both then." Jude offered a brittle laugh at his own expense. "However, I think it's safe to say we have different enemies in that house. And in case no one says anything to you at all, I know that they're all grateful for what you did for Hallie."

"Something I had to do," Stephen replied waving off Jude's appreciation. "And I think I see Maura," he added nodding off to the side where she stood searching the room with her eyes. Jude stood, raising a hand in greeting. "Go on. We can finish this later."

"All right, later it is," Jude replied already distracted by the sight of Maura moving towards them. Stephen shook his head, returning back to his meal. Jude Fontaine was in over his head. Anytime a woman held that much sway, it was time to move on and say goodbye. Hallie had had far too much influence over him and he had walked, several times. Of course, somehow, he realized, he always went back. Not this time though. This time he was through for good. Hallie could find someone else to make miserable. Like her husband. 
 

Scene 4:

"I shouldn't be here Jude," Maura said almost immediately. Jude's eyebrows drew together questioningly. "I should be at the hospital with Jory," she added catching the question in his eyes. "What if he comes out of it and I'm not there?"

"Then they'll call you," Jude replied pulling a chair out for her. "You need to eat sometime. Besides, it's not like we're somewhere you've never been. This is your restaurant; everyone here knows you and knows what is going on. If something happens, you'll know."

Maura nodded, looking unconvinced. "I know, but Jude, if something should happen."

"Nothing is going to happen and if it does, you'll know," Jude repeated taking her hand in his. "Besides, you have to eat and your father asked me to make sure you did, so come on now…" He nodded to Joanie who approached carefully, looking as if she would cry at any minute.

"Hi Maura," she said timidly. "We're all so sorry about Jory." Maura nodded, smiling gently. "You know about Dusty Parrish too? I had no idea she was Noah's sister!"

"Hey Joanie, Maura could use some lunch do you think you might bring us a couple of today's special back to her office?" Jude interrupted. No sense in letting Joanie depress Maura even more, he decided quickly leading Maura back to her empty office. He shut the door behind them, moving to her desk to clear a space for them to eat. When he finished, he turned back to Maura who was staring at a shelf of pictures.

"Jory was always the one who settled arguments between us," she murmured. "When Jillie and I fought, he would break it up just by telling a joke or he would physically drag one of us off somewhere until she had calmed down. He was always the nicest one of us," she added, her voice trembling. She sighed heavily, burying her face in her hands. "I'm sorry, Jude. This has just been one of the worst weeks of my life."

"I know." He moved quietly to her side, looking at the collection of photographs.

"When my mother died," she went on, swiping at a tear on her cheek. "I thought, 'I've lived through the worst thing that could ever happen to me.' I never even entertained the idea that one of my brothers or sisters would get hurt or die. We're supposed to be invincible. It just makes everything else seem so petty in comparison." She turned a tear stained face to him, her eyes searching his. "I've been just terrible in the last year...God; I've been a tyrant to poor Piper and just wretched to Jillie. And you you were always so sweet and nice to me and look how I treated you!"

"I haven't been the best guy in the world either, Maura. Don't beat yourself up over me. I'm not worth it," he replied, cupping her chin. "But Piper knows you were just watching out for her. And Jillie isn't innocent. You're far too hard on yourself."

"Am I?" She hiccupped holding back a sob. "I can't do anything about how Jillie and Piper feel about me. They have every right to dislike me. I can try to make at least one thing right can I at least change how you feel about me?" She took a step away from him, backing up ever so slightly. "I let you down because I couldn't bring myself to tell you the truth about my past with Rick. I hurt you when you needed me. You're here now, I know, out of pity. I know you hate me. But can't I change that?"

"Oh Maura," he said, his gaze dropping to the floor. "I don't hate you."

"Then why won't you look at me?" He forced his gaze back to hers, seeing all the hurt reflected in his face. "I'm not perfect Jude, not at all.  I'll tell you everything...anything you want to know."

"Maura don't." He closed the distance between them, but keeping his hands pinned to his side. If he touched her now, he wouldn't stop and this was neither the time nor the place. "I don't hate you, far from it. Maura, when Jillie told me about your past, I thought that you had betrayed me in some way. I was so wrong. I felt sorry for myself and I took it out on you. If anything, I should apologize to you for my behavior. I don't hate you Maura, in fact, I..."

There was a sharp knock at the door interrupting him. The door opened without acknowledgment. Joanie's face peered in, concern and fear etched in her eyes. "I'm sorry for interrupting, Maura. Jillie's on the phone...she says you need to come to the hospital now."

On the next Episode of Secret Horizons...

Episode 98