Foreword (what the episode was about up until the point that I decided to rewrite it. )
Sydney couldn’t stop thinking about Jimmy. He seemed like the only guy who truly understood her. Eight years ago when he pulled her over, she had known she was attracted to him. She had attempted to seduce him, but it became clear that he was happily married and the friendly conversation they had shared was just that—friendly.
But today during the photo shoot, she had detected some unhappiness in the sheriff, and by the way he was being so gentle and attentive she knew that his marriage was on the rocks.
Sydney sat in her hotel room and tapped her nails on the desk thoughtfully. She was lonely tonight. He husband was out drinking beer with the photographers. He probably wouldn’t be at the hotel until early morning. She picked up the phone and dialed his number. She almost hung up when she realized the time—almost 11:00. Her thoughts were interrupted by a voice.
"Hello?" A tired voice filled Sydney’s ear. She panicked. It sounded like his wife—middle-aged and lonely.
"Is—May I please speak to Sheriff Brock?" Suddenly, she felt like a complete fool.
"May I ask who is speaking?" The voice asked calmly.
"Tell him Sydney called—it’s really not that important."
"Okay.. how is your injury? You really should come tomorrow so I can see how you’re doing." Suddenly, Sydney felt very guilty. Here his wife was worrying about her welfare and all she could think about was licking every inch of his body. "He decided to work late…you can reach him at the office, he won’t mind" Sydney thanked Jill and hung up. What was she going to do? She thought no more about it. She grabbed her coat and keys and headed for the sheriff’s department.
When she arrived, she found the office empty, the only light was coming from Jimmy’s office. She stood in the doorway and knocked. He looked up. Her heart melted. He looked so tired. She just wanted to embrace him.
"I called your house and your wife told me you were working late," she explained. Jimmy rose. He quickly covered what he was working on—a page with hearts drawn all over it and "Sydney" penciled in big letters. The real reason he had to stay late was he hadn’t been able to get any work done—he had been thinking about Sydney all day.
Sydney explained her conversation with Waumbaugh. She hugged herself and took a step closer.
"I don’t understand why people in this town treat me like… I’m special. I mean, you, of all people, can see me for what I am—a lousy actress with a centerfold and a few commercials on my resume," she stepped closer. "Too bad not every man is like you."
"Listen, I am happily married—" Jimmy began. She leaned in. "You’d better go," Jimmy whispered. Their lips met. They kissed. Then they kissed longer.
"No," Jimmy pleaded. They stopped. "No"
Sydney took a step back.
"This shouldn’t have happened," Jimmy whispered
. "Maybe it was meant to," Sydney replied.
"I’m a happily married man," Jimmy said.
"You keep saying that," Sydney said, "It sounds like your happy marriage is on the rocks."
"This is none of your—"
"I am attracted to you, Jimmy Brock," Sydney interrupted. She moved closer. "Ever since—"
"Ever since that night eight years ago," Jimmy continued, "You were—wearing a green sweater. You had your hair pulled back in a—"
"A french braid. We talked for an hour. I knew you had to get back to your family—"
"But you were so lonely." Jimmy leaned in. Their lips met. Jimmy began to unbutton her shirt. They fell to the ground. Hungrily, he ripped off her jeans.
Suddenly, the office light went on. Startled, Jimmy and Sydney looked up.
Standing in the doorway was an obviously surprised deputy Maxine Stewart.
"I—I’ll go," Sydney stuttered, grabbing her clothes.
"Listen—Max" Jimmy began. Maxine rushed out of the room. By the time he scrambled to his feet, she was already gone. He sighed.
The next day at work, Max acted as if nothing had happened. When they had a free moment, she knocked on his door. Jimmy stood up.
"Listen…Max. What you saw last night…"
"I don’t want to hear it," she put her hand up, "I know you have a reason for… what you did, but I don’t want to hear it."
"Max, you can’t tell Jill, you can’t tell anyone," Jimmy pleaded.
"Why shouldn’t I? Jimmy, you were ripping the clothes of another woman off in the middle of this office when you should have been home with Jill. Why should I keep it from her? She has a right to know."
"Sydney… she means nothing to me. I was weak, Sydney looked so sad… then she kissed me." He took a deep breath, "You have to know. In fifteen years, I have been totally faithful. But lately… it’s not been going too well. I know it will never happen again. Trust me. Why should we hurt Jill when there’s no reason?"
Max took a deep breath. She looked at Jimmy. She took a step forward and slowly, tenderly, she kissed him. Surprised, Jimmy pulled away. As he examined Maxine thoughtfully, he suddenly saw her in a new light. Here she was: intelligent, beautiful and sexy. Jimmy had always thought of her as a daughter, but now, at this moment, he looked upon her differently. His instincts as a husband, a sheriff told him "no!" but as a man, a human being, every part of him was shouting "yes!".
He reached a hand out and touched he hair. It was so very soft and perfect. He buried his face in it and began kissing her.
It was all Max could do to keep from ripping off all his clothes at that moment: everything just felt right. He was so gentle and so soothing. Her feelings for him had existed for quite some time, but she had always tried as hard as she could to suppress them. It was widely known that Max resented Jimmy for treating her like a daughter. And that was true. To some extent. The truth was, all along, that she desired to be treated not as a daughter, but as a lover.
Max began unbuttoning his shirt. Gently, she ran her tongue down his chest. Jimmy looked with wonder at this beautiful young woman. He had always felt some kind of affection, but he just assumed that his feelings were fatherly emotions. He now realized that there was much more. He stroked her hair and she nibbled at his ears. With the moon as their only witness, they went all the way and it was every bit as sweet as Maxine always imagined it would be.
Look for the consequences of their actions in "Supreme Courting"
This episode originally aired on November 26, 1993 which was in the second season of Picket Fences. It was called "DAIRY MAID".