KAYLA HOUSE/LOS ANGELES. JACK IS ON THE TERRACE, LAYING ON A CHAISE LOUNGE, LOOKING OUT TOWARDS THE OCEAN AS THE SUN RISES. HE IS DEEP IN THOUGHT, BUT WITH HIS RIGHT HAND, HE PLAYS WITH HIS WEDDING BAND. MUSIC SWELLS, WE HEAR VAN MORRISON'S, "WHY MUST I ALWAYS EXPLAIN." MONTAGE: JACK AND JENNIFER ON THE CRUISE, AS HE WATCHED OVER HER IN THE CAVE, WHEN SHE WAS ILL; JACK AND JENNIFER IN THE POND ON THE ISLAND; JACK LOOKING OVER THE EDGE OF THAT CLIFF AND POURING OUT HIS HEART AS JENNIFER LAY ON THE LEDGE; JACK AND JENNIFER ON THE LEDGE, KISSING; JACK AND JENNIFER OUTSIDE IN THE SNOW, JENNIFER TRAPPED IN THE BLIZZARD, DURING THE TRAIN DISASTER; JACK MAKING SNOW PEOPLE FOR JENNIFER; AND FINALLY, JENNIFER THROWING JACK OUT OF THE HOUSE, EP. 4, FADE OUT OF MONTAGE TO JACK'S FACE.

HOLD ON JACK'S FACE.

CUT TO: JACK/JENNIFER HOUSE. JENNIFER IS SITTING ON THE SOFA, ABIGAIL IS IN HER ARMS. JENNIFER IS STARING AT THE WEDDING PICTURE THAT SITS ON THE TABLE.

THE DOORBELL RINGS. JENNIFER GOES TO ANSWER IT AND PUTS ABIGAIL IN HER PLAYPEN. WHEN SHE OPENS THE DOOR, JENNIFER IS SURPRISED TO FIND HER FATHER, BILL HORTON, STANDING THERE.

JENNIFER GIVES HIM A HUG.

BILL: I was in the neighborhood and I thought I'd stop by.

JENNIFER: The neighborhood? Dad, you live in Chicago.

BILL: Well...

JENNIFER: Never mind, I'll bet I can guess, Grandma called you.

BILL: Guilty as charged.

JENNIFER: She shouldn't have bothered you.

BILL: My Jennifer Rose a bother? Never.

JENNIFER: What did she tell you?

BILL: Just that maybe you could use a fatherly shoulder right now.

JENNIFER: You're right, I could. I think I've made a mess of my marriage.

HOLD ON BILL'S FACE.

CUT TO: CARVER DETECTIVE AGENCY. ABE AND LEXIE ARE GOING THROUGH SOME FILES, DEEP IN CONCENTRATION. BO, UNNOTICED, STANDS IN THE DOORWAY.

ABE AND LEXIE LOOK UP, STARTLED. THEY BOTH LAUGH. ABE JUMPS UP AND BEGINS TO USHER BO INTO THE OFFICE.

LEXIE SWATS ABE WITH A FILE FOLDER. BO PERCHES ON THE EDGE OF THE DESK.

BO: Well, I just wanted to see how things were coming along with the investigation on Alamain.

ABE: (GESTURES TOWARDS THE FILES) We were just getting started. Do you have a new lead?

BO: No, it's just that Carly is getting nervous. She thinks Larry might find out about her plan to fight for custody.

ABE: Well, that's understandable. Lawrence is one person you don't want to cross. Unless, of course, you've got Carver & Carver working on the case.

BO: (SLAPPING ABE ON THE BACK) I knew I came here for the right reason.

LEXIE: Bo, do you think it would help if I talked to Carly? You know, as a friend? Calm her down a bit?

BO: Oh, Lexie, would you?

LEXIE: I'll go over to the boat right now. Besides, maybe Carly will remember something that will help us get the investigation moving.

LEXIE STANDS UP AND KISSES ABE ON THE CHEEK. SHE TURNS TO LEAVE.

ABE: Bye, hon.

BO: Thanks Lexie, I appreciate it.

LEXIE WALKS OUT.

BO: Ah, Daniels will get over it. He's all bluster. I'm not due to go on duty for another hour, so I'll go and have a look now.

ABE: Great. Don't worry, buddy. We'll find something. Then it will be Lawrence's turn to worry.

AND OUT BO'S FACE.

KAYLA HOUSE/LOS ANGELES. KAYLA IS IN THE KITCHEN MAKING COFFEE, WHEN MARCUS JOINS HER.

KAYLA: (POINTING TOWARDS TERRACE) No, he's out there.

MARCUS: What's he doing?

KAYLA: I'm not really sure, he was sitting out there when I got up.

MARCUS: Did you talk to him?

KAYLA: He looked like he wanted to be alone. If I were to guess, I'd say he was thinking about Jennifer.

MARCUS: Do you really think their marriage is over?

KAYLA: I don't know. I haven't seen them together in a while, but based on what I know of them, I'd say no.

MARCUS: That's what I'd say. Jack can be... well... Jack is Jack. But he does love Jennifer.

KAYLA: I know. And this whole mess seems to really be hurting him.

MARCUS: Do you think we should talk to him?

KAYLA: Couldn't hurt. Want to give it a try?

MARCUS: Why me?

KAYLA: You were his best man...

MARCUS: That's not much of a reason.

KAYLA: How about because I asked you?

MARCUS: Oh, OK... Wish me luck.

MARCUS GOES OUT TO TERRACE WHERE JACK IN RECLINING ON CHAISE.

JACK IS SILENT.

SILENCE FROM JACK.

JACK: Marcus, I can hear you just fine.

MARCUS: Well, why didn't you say so?

JACK: I was trying to think of an answer to your question.

MARCUS: What question?

JACK: You asked how I am. (BEAT) I'm not sure I know how I am.

MARCUS: Is it the backer for the paper? Are you worried?

JACK: Maybe. The paper means a lot to me. It was the one thing I was really good at, but...

MARCUS: (PRODDING) But...

JACK: But I've been sitting here thinking. I should be excited Julie found a backer. I should be thrilled I might get the paper back.

MARCUS: And you're not?

JACK: All I keep thinking about is Jennifer. She and I have been through so much. She's put up with a lot. You know, in the beginning, she was the one who, well, went after me.

MARCUS: Yes, I vaguely remember that. We all thought...

JACK: Go ahead, finish the sentence. You all thought she was nuts, or you all thought she was making a colossal mistake.

MARCUS: Jack, considering your past...

JACK: I know. I agreed. I didn't think I was good enough for Jennifer, but she pushed and pushed and just wouldn't give up on me.

MARCUS: She's one special lady.

JACK: She is. And I don't tell her that enough.

MARCUS: Maybe you should try.

JACK: Try? No, I can't try. I have to do it. After being without her these past few days, I understand how much she really means to me. (BEAT) Marcus, do you know what a Pyrrhic victory is?

MARCUS: What?

JACK: I asked if you knew what a Pyrrhic victory was?

MARCUS: Jack, what are you talking about? I thought we were discussing Jennifer.

JACK: I am. Pyrrhus was a king, he beat the Romans in a couple of battles. And back then, this was 200-something B.C., no one beat the Romans. But he did.

MARCUS: (AT A LOSS) That's nice...

JACK: No, it wasn't. He won the battles, but with such heavy losses that it nearly destroyed his kingdom.

MARCUS: And...

JACK: Don't you see? What price is the victory, if I win the paper and lose Jennifer?

BEFORE MARCUS CAN ANSWER, KAYLA STEPS OUT ON THE TERRACE.

JACK: What did she want? Is it the backer?

KAYLA: Julie gave me this address and office number and told me to make sure that you got there by 2:00 today.

KAYLA HANDS SLIP OF PAPER TO JACK.

KAYLA: All Julie said was get there on time and ask for a Mr. Cooper. She said all your questions would be answered.

MARCUS: Sounds like she's being awfully mysterious.

JACK: I don't care if she hired a magician to pull this guy from a hat, as long as I can get back the paper.

MARCUS: Jack, what was that you were saying about that king?

JACK: Marcus, don't worry, the minute I get this settled, I'm going straight back to Salem... to Jennifer.

HOLD ON JACK'S FACE.

CUT TO: CARRIE'S APARTMENT. CARRIE IS SITTING ON THE COUCH, SORTING THROUGH MAIL. ON THE TABLE IN FRONT OF HER IS A CALCULATOR, HER BANK BOOK, HER WALLET AND LOTS OF CHANGE.

SHE THROWS THEM DOWN IN DISGUST.

SHE PICKS UP THE BILLS AGAIN, PUNCHES MORE KEYS ON THE CALCULATOR AND SIGHS. SHE LOOKS AT THE BANK BOOK AGAIN, COUNTS THE CHANGE AND GOES THROUGH THE WALLET AGAIN.

SHE GETS UP, WALKS OVER TO THE REFRIGERATOR AND OPENS IT. IT IS EMPTY SAVE FOR A JAR OF MAYONNAISE, A FEW SOFT DRINKS AND SOME MYSTERY FOOD IN TUPPERWARE. CARRIE TAKES A SODA AND CLOSES THE REFRIGERATOR.

SHE LEANS AGAINST THE REFRIGERATOR.

SHE WANDERS OVER TO THE WINDOW.

THERE IS A KNOCK ON THE DOOR. CARRIE ANSWERS IT, JONAH COMES IN.

CARRIE: I'm dirt poor is the problem!

JONAH: What about your job at Ballistix?

CARRIE: I quit. Everyone was staring at me.

JONAH: What about your student loans, shouldn't they be coming in for the new semester?

CARRIE FLOPS DOWN ON THE COUCH.

JONAH: Lexie just read me the riot act for putting stuff on Abe's credit card. She said I have to get a job!

CARRIE: There's an opening at Ballistix...

JONAH: Very funny. I don't know how I can get a job, this semester is going to be really tough.

CARRIE: Well, maybe there's a job where you could study at the same time.

JONAH: Like what?

CARRIE: I don't know. Taking tickets at the movie theater... maybe a security guard or something...

JONAH: You're kidding, right?

CARRIE GETS UP AND RUMMAGES THROUGH A CABINET.

JONAH: Ok. And use lots of butter and salt. If we're going to drown, I want to go out with a smile on my face.

CARRIE: (AS SHE PUTS POPCORN IN PAN) How long can you put off paying your electric bill before they turn it off?

JONAH: Don't they use your deposit or something? Abe was just complaining about how much they wanted to turn on the power at the agency.

JONAH SUDDENLY SMILES AND JUMPS UP.

CARRIE: Sure. What...?

JONAH: You'll see, you'll see.

CUT TO: JACK/JENNIFER HOUSE. JENNIFER AND BILL, IN PROGRESS.

BILL: Haven't you tried to talk to him?

JENNIFER: Jo told me that he phoned her to see how we were and that he's staying with Kayla.

BILL: Then why don't you call him?

JENNIFER: And say what?

BILL: That you love him or... hate him?

JENNIFER: Sometimes I think it's both. He can make me so angry...

BILL: That probably means you still care about him.

JENNIFER: I know. I just haven't decided what to do about it.

BILL: Don't you think you'd better decide.

JENNIFER: But he hurt me.

BILL: Jennifer Rose, I'm going to offer you a piece of unsolicited, unwanted and probably unappreciated fatherly advice... grow up.

JENNIFER: What?

BILL: I know you and Jack have had your problems. I know Jack can be, may as well be blunt, a jerk. But nobody's perfect. You married Jack warts and all. And instead of facing up to your problems, talking to Jack, you threw him out.

JENNIFER: But I was hurt, he...

BILL: I know what he did. I'm not saying he's right, I'm saying you have to stop running away, you have to meet your problems head on.

JENNIFER: But...

BILL: No "buts." You are an adult, you're a mother, you have got to make the hard decisions.

JENNIFER: Dad... You're... you're... right.

BILL: (RELIEVED) I have to be, it's part of the father's handbook.

JENNIFER: I didn't know there was one.

BILL: You bet. Any problem, you just look it up and the book tells you how to solve it.

JENNIFER: I wish they had an edition for wives and mothers.

BILL: They do. And one for grandfathers. (BEAT) I have an idea, why don't I take that beautiful Granddaughter of mine over to see Mom and Dad and you can take the time to think.

JENNIFER: You know, Dad, sometimes you're the best.

BILL: Just take the time to think, Jenn, decide what you are going to do and tell Jack.

AND OUT ON JENNIFER'S FACE.

CARRIE'S APARTMENT. IN PROGRESS. JONAH IS TALKING ON THE PHONE, ONE-WAY. CARRIE IS SITTING ON THE COUCH, IT IS LITTERED WITH POPCORN. SHE IS THROWING POPCORN IN THE AIR, TRYING TO CATCH IT IN HER MOUTH AND MISSING.

JONAH HANGS UP THE PHONE AND DOES A LITTLE DANCE. CARRIE SITS UP AND THROWS POPCORN AT HIM.

JONAH: That was Abe.

CARRIE: I guessed that. Did he let you off the hook?

JONAH: No... but he did agree to...

CARRIE: What? What?

JONAH: (LAUGHING) You have to guess.

CARRIE: (THROWING MORE POPCORN) Tell me!

JONAH: Ok, ok! He agreed to hire you as the receptionist at Carver & Carver.

CARRIE: A job! Abe gave me a job? Yippee! I'll be free of debt in no time!

JONAH: (PUTTING HIS HANDS OUT) Whoa, Carrie. It's only minimum wage, you know. And it'll probably be kinda boring.

CARRIE: It beats unemployment. And what's a little boredom among friends? (SUDDENLY FROWNS) I don't know if I'll be able to afford this place anymore, though.

JONAH: Let's deal with that later.

HE PULLS OUT HIS WALLET AND LOOKS INSIDE.

CARRIE GRABS HER JACKET AND PURSE.

JONAH: With the big money you'll be making, you can treat me to a burger and fries.

CARRIE SHOVES HIM AS THEY GO OUT THE DOOR LAUGHING.

CUT TO: LOS ANGELES COURTHOUSE. JACK WALKS IN, PAPER WITH ADDRESS IN HAND. HE LOOKS AROUND, PUZZLED.

JACK WALKS DOWN THE HALL AND FINDS THE CORRECT ROOM NUMBER. HE KNOCKS ON THE DOOR.

JACK OPENS THE DOOR AND ENTERS THE OFFICE.

COOPER: That's Agent Cooper, Mr. Deveraux.

JACK: Agent?

COOPER: Yes, Special Agent Cooper, FBI.

JACK: Julie told me to meet an FBI agent? I thought...

COOPER: No time for idle chatter, Mr. Deveraux, if you could just come with me.

JACK: But...

COOPER STANDS AND OPENS SIDE DOOR.

JACK: (SOTTO VOCE) Leap of faith? I feel more like Daniel entering the lion's den...

JACK AND COOPER EXIT.

CUT TO: BO'S BOAT. CARLY IS STRAIGHTENING UP, PUTTING SHAWN-D'S TOYS AWAY, PICKING UP LAUNDRY, ETC. LAWRENCE ENTERS FROM ABOVE, VERY AGITATED.

CARLY CONTINUES TO FOLD CLOTHES.

LAWRENCE: You know what I am talking about, Katerina!

CARLY: I have no idea what you're talking about, Lawrence.

LAWRENCE: Vivian warned me about you...

CARLY: You should have been warned about Vivian.

LAWRENCE: I had this dream image of you... My perfect woman.

CARLY: That was a long time ago Lawrence. That part of our lives is over.

LAWRENCE: You bet it is. Vivian tried to tell me what you really were, but I wouldn't believe her. Now I see she was right. I was such a fool. I must have made it seem so easy to you. You thought you could just weave your spell and I'd give you Nikki.

CARLY: What do you mean?

LAWRENCE: You can stop playing the innocent, Katerina, I know all about your little scheme to steal Nikki from me.

CARLY: How...

LAWRENCE: Does it matter? I know you're going to sue for sole custody of Nikki. I know that you want to take my son away.

CARLY: Lawrence, I'm not trying to hurt you. I'm only thinking of Nikki. It's unhealthy for him to grow up in that house surrounded by greed and power and evil.

LAWRENCE: You're only thinking of yourself, Katerina. I am Nikki's father. I love him, he belongs with me.

CARLY: (FURIOUS) No! He belongs with me. Vivian stole him. He is my son, not hers. And I will fight anyone and everyone to get him back!

LAWRENCE: (THREATENING) Don't be a fool, Katerina. You don't want me for an enemy. We could have been a family, the three of us. I wanted that. But if you continue with this farce, it will be all-out war.

CARLY: If you want a war, I'll give you one. Nikki is mine and I'll fight you until my dying breath.

LAWRENCE: (LAUGHING) You and what army? Or do you think you and the wonder cop can get the job done alone?

CARLY: Bo loves me and he'll stand by me. Everyone will side with me, especially the judge!

LAWRENCE: You really are a fool, Carly. No one can win against me. People better than you have tried and failed. I win. I always win. Remember that.

LAWRENCE STORMS OUT.

HOLD ON CARLY'S FACE. AND OUT.

BO'S BOAT. CARLY IS WALKING OUT ON DECK, JUST AS LEXIE COMES ON BOARD.

CARLY: I'm OK.

LEXIE: What did he want?

CARLY: It seems he found out that I want custody of Nikki. He was so angry... He said he'd fight me.

LEXIE: (PUTTING HER ARM AROUND CARLY) Don't worry, Carly. Lawrence will never take Nikki away from you. All this means is that Carver & Carver will have to step up their investigation.

CARLY: Do you think you can find something? What if Lawrence...

LEXIE: No "ifs," "ands," or "buts." No one will let Lawrence hurt you and no one will let Lawrence keep you from your son.

CARLY: (HUGGING LEXIE) Thank you. What did I do to deserve so many wonderful friends here in Salem?

LEXIE: (LAUGHING) Just lucky, I guess. Now how about one of those friends takes you to lunch?

CARLY: No thanks, I have something I've got to do.

HOLD ON CARLY'S FACE.

CUT TO: ALICE'S RESTAURANT. CARRIE AND JONAH ARRIVE AT THE RESTAURANT AND SEE A SIGN IS HANGING OUTSIDE "HELP WANTED -- ASK INSIDE." THEY ENTER THE RESTAURANT AND SEE ALICE.

ALICE: Carrie, darling. How are you? And Jonah, so nice to see you. Can I get you a table?

JONAH: Nice to see you, too. We saw the "Help Wanted" sign out front...

ALICE: Well, we're in need of a dishwasher and waiter right now. With Maggie over at Wings these days, I can use all the help I can get. Jonah, are you interested in the job?

JONAH: (VISIBLY UNCOMFORTABLE) Um... well... menial labor really isn't my gig...

CARRIE: (LAUGHING) You said it. We're really here to celebrate my new job.

ALICE: New job? Aren't you still at Ballistix?

CARRIE: No, I've moved up in the world. I'm the new receptionist at Carver and Carver Investigations.

ALICE: That's wonderful! Congratulation!

JONAH: It sure is. Abe and Lexie got the best. (TO CARRIE) Ready for some donuts?

CARRIE: Yes, that sounds great. We'll just sit at the counter. Thanks, Mrs. Horton.

AS CARRIE AND JONAH SIT AT THE COUNTER AND ORDER, JOHN WALKS IN, NOT NOTICING CARRIE. HE SITS IN A BOOTH IN THE FAR CORNER. JOHN SEEMS LOST IN THOUGHT. ALICE SEES HIM AND WALKS OVER.

JOHN: (SOMEWHAT STARTLED) Huh? Oh, hi Alice. Sure. Come on... have a seat.

ALICE: You look like you could use a shoulder. Can I help?

JOHN: How do you do that? You always seem to know when someone needs you.

ALICE: Old Horton family secret... now tell me what's wrong.

JOHN: To be honest, I'm not sure. Something has been on my mind... You know, gnawing at me, but for the life of me, I don't know what it is.

ALICE: Does this have something to do with your past?

JOHN: Could be, could be. It's like I ought to remember something, something important, but I just can't put my finger on it.

ALICE: (CONCERNED) John, don't worry too much. Sometimes when you stop thinking about the problem, the answer just falls into your lap.

JOHN: Maybe you're right...

ALICE: (SMILING) Of course, I always am. Now, how about some pancakes? You need some strength to carry that Brady around. He is getting to be such a big boy!

JOHN: (PROUDLY) Yup, my slugger's almost a year old!

ALICE: Time does fly... (STANDING) I'd better get those pancakes for you. I'll be back with them in no time.

JOHN: Thanks for the shoulder...

ALICE: Anytime.

ALICE WALKS TOWARD THE KITCHEN AND PASSES CARRIE AND JONAH ON THE WAY.

JONAH: No... no!

CARRIE: Come on... ASK her!

ALICE: Ask me what?

JONAH: Well I was thinking... Since you really need someone to work here...

ALICE: Are you applying for the job?

JONAH: It's not exactly what I had in mind, but I guess I need to pay this month's rent.

ALICE: So do you have any experience being a waiter?

JONAH: Um... No...

CARRIE: But I know that he'll be a hard worker. Won't you Jonah? Please, Mrs. Horton. He'll do a good job for you.

ALICE: Well... (BEAT) (SMILING) You're hired! You can start tomorrow for the lunch crowd. I think this will be a good learning experience for us both.

JONAH: Thanks... I think...

JONAH SHAKES HER HAND, BUT LOOKS DOUBTFUL. HOLD ON JONAH'S FACE.

CUT TO: LOS ANGELES COURTHOUSE. COOPER AND JACK ENTER A COURTROOM.

JACK: The ISA?

COOPER: Yes. It seems the Williams did a favor for the ISA, the ISA did a favor for me, and now I'm doing a favor for them.

JACK: Julie called in the ISA? What...

COOPER: Please, Mr. Deveraux, don't waste my time with frivolous details, let's cut to the chase.

JACK: What chase?

COOPER: Mr. Deveraux, is it or is it not true that in October 1991, $5 million in bonds was stolen from you?

JACK: Yes.

COOPER: These bonds were untraceable and you thought you would never see them again?

JACK: Yes, yes, but what's the point?

COOPER: The point? The point is that this was true before I got on the trail. Mr. Deveraux, I'm pleased to tell you that I have something for you.

JACK: What?

COOPER HAND JACK A LARGE STACK OF PAPERS.

JACK: (STUNNED) How? Where? When? What?

COOPER: (HANDING JACK ANOTHER PAPER) And if you could just sign this release, verifying I've turned the bonds over to you.

JACK: Would you please tell me what the hell is going on?

COOPER: I thought you knew, it's the end of the trial and we no longer need the bonds for evidence.

JACK: What trial? Whose trial?

COOPER: Howard Alston Hawkin's, who else?

OUT ON JACK'S STUNNED FACE.

LOS ANGELES COURTROOM. COOPER AND JACK, IN PROGRESS.

COOPER: Yes, we finally tracked him down. We got lucky. One of his partners, Chauncey Powell, tried to contact the grandson, Hawkins III, in prison. We nabbed Powell and he sang like a proverbial canary. We got Hawkins and used Powell's testimony to convict him.

JACK: But why didn't he spend my money?

HOWARD: I think I can answer that, Jack.

JACK TURNS AND IS STUNNED TO SEE HOWARD HAWKINS THERE. HE IS BEING LED IN BY A DEPUTY. HE IS HANDCUFFED.

HOWARD: We meet again, Jack.

JACK: Much to your surprise, I'm sure.

HOWARD: No, Jack, no real surprise. We all get caught sometimes, don't we?

JACK: I have no idea what you mean.

HOWARD: I'm sure you do, Jack. I'm sure you do... Tell me, how is the lovely Jennifer? She was always so good to me.

JACK: None of your damned business, you con man.

HOWARD: Please Jack, there's no need to be unpleasant, you have your money back and that's all that matters, isn't it?

JACK: There are a lot of things that matter to me, Hawkins, but I won't bother discussing that with you.

HOWARD: Jack, you really need to calm down... learn to stop and smell the roses...

JACK: It looks like you'll have a lot of time to do that... providing there's a prison garden.

HOWARD: Caustic as ever... I'm surprised someone as sweet as Jennifer is still with you.

JACK: Can we just drop the subject of Jennifer?

HOWARD: As you wish...

JACK: Fine. Then you can tell me why you haven't spent the bonds.

HOWARD: I really am a candy magnate, you know, Jack. I have millions.

JACK: Then why did you con me out of my money?

HOWARD: For the thrill of it, of course.

COOPER: Gentleman, can we please wrap this up? Deputy, return Mr. Hawkins to County Prison.

HAWKINS: Good-bye, Jack, until we meet again.

HOWARD IS LED OUT BY THE DEPUTY.

COOPER: Please, Mr. Deveraux, no displays. I'm just an FBI agent doing my job. And, now, good-bye, I have to get back to Langley, the Agency wants to send me out on special assignment.

JACK: Thank you again, Agent Cooper.

JACK AND COOPER SHAKE HANDS AND COOPER WALKS OUT THE DOOR. JACK STARES AFTER HIM.

JACK LOOKS AT THE BONDS IN HIS HAND AND SUDDENLY LETS OUT A CHEER AND KISSES THE BONDS.

HOLD ON JACK'S FACE.

CUT TO: CARVER & CARVER DETECTIVE AGENCY. ABE AND BO ARE SURROUNDED BY FILE FOLDERS. JOHN ENTERS.

ABE: (LAUGHING) But it is exciting. Each one of these folders you see here contains a mystery. And it's our job to unlock their secrets.

JOHN: Yeah, sure. I'm glad I didn't give up my day job for this.

BO: You'd be here with us in a heartbeat, if you gave it more than a second's thought. You know it.

JOHN: (GRIMACING) I didn't come here to talk about my career choices. How are things going? Any luck?

BO: Not much. Larry covers his tracks well, I'll say that for him.

ABE: We had a few really good-looking leads, but the trail was too cold to follow.

LEXIE ENTERS WITH DELI BAGS.

BO: How was Carly?

ABE: Food! What did you bring?

JOHN: Carly? What's going on?

LEXIE: (LAUGHING) One at a time, one at a time.

SHE SETS THE BAGS DOWN.

BO: Was she upset? What did Larry say to her?

LEXIE: She didn't seem to be. Lawrence knows about the custody suit, though, she said that much.

BO: Abe, will you be ok with this on your own for awhile? I want to go check on Carly.

ABE: (WAVING BO OFF) Sure, go. Tell her we're hard at work.

BO: Great! Thanks. John, you can have my sandwich.

JOHN: (LAUGHING) Gee... thanks.

BO GRABS HIS JACKETS AND WALKS OUT THE DOOR.

LEXIE: It will work out. We'll find something on him.

CLOSE-UP ON JOHN'S FACE. HE LOOKS UNDECIDED ABOUT SOMETHING. HIS FACE CLEARS AND HE STRAIGHTENS HIS SHOULDERS.

ABE: What do you mean?

JOHN TAKES PAPER AND PEN OUT OF HIS JACKET POCKET AND BEGINS TO WRITE SOMETHING DOWN.

ABE: And?

JOHN: And brother Larry has been screwing up people's lives too long. Blood or not, this has got to stop and stop now.

JOHN HANDS ABE THE PIECE OF PAPER.

JOHN: Call it and see. You may get the answers you need.

HOLD ON ABE'S PUZZLED FACE.

ALICE'S RESTAURANT. ALICE IS RINGING UP A BILL WHEN BO ENTERS.

BO: Hey, Mrs. H. Sorry I haven't been by lately. Things have been a little crazy.

ALICE: Well, you sit right down and I'll get you a slice of that apple pie you like so much.

BO: That'd be great, Mrs. H. Say, you haven't seen Carly today, have you? I just went by the boat but she wasn't there.

ALICE: No, I haven't. You seem worried about her.

BO: I am worried. Carly is going to sue for custody of Nikki and Lawrence found out somehow. He's furious.

ALICE SETS DOWN A PIECE OF PIE AND COFFEE IN FRONT OF BO.

BO: He's capable of anything. Lexie was over at the boat earlier and Lawrence had just left.

ALICE: (CONCERNED) Be careful of him, Bo. I've seen his tricks and evil deeds first hand.

BO: Abe and John and I are trying to come up with something we can use to put him away once and for all. Or at least keep him away from Carly and Nikki.

ALICE: I hope you find it. That man has hurt too many of the people I love.

ALICE PATS BO ON THE SHOULDER.

BO: I know you will, Mrs. H. (HE GRINS) But before I call in the big guns, I'll see what Abe and John come up with.

ALICE: Ok, but I'll be at the ready.

BO: Thanks, Mrs. H. What would we ever do without you?

ALICE: You'll never have to find out. I plan on never leaving.

HOLD ON ALICE.

CUT TO: ALAMAIN LIVING ROOM/FOYER. THE DOORBELL RINGS. VIVIAN IS IN THE SOLARIUM, PRUNING HER ORCHIDS, SHE HEARS THE BELL.

THE BELL RINGS AGAIN.

VIVIAN GOES TO OPEN THE DOOR HERSELF. IT'S CARLY. CARLY STORMS PAST VIVIAN WITHOUT STOPPING AND GOES STRAIGHT INTO THE LIVING ROOM.

CARLY: I came to see you, Vivian.

VIVIAN: How dreary. What could you possibly want with me?

CARLY: I want to know what you said to Lawrence about my getting custody of Nikki.

VIVIAN: Ahhh... so that's it. I wouldn't worry, dear, all I told Lawrence was the truth.

CARLY: Your version of the truth.

VIVIAN: My version? I told Lawrence, the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth. I can't help it if the truth offends you.

CARLY: Truth? What do you know about truth or decency or morality?

VIVIAN: More than you, my dear Katerina. Remember, the truth will set you free. And I think this particular truth has finally freed Lawrence from your spell.

CARLY: You lying, conniving bitch, I don't care what you say or what you do, I will never, never let you raise my son.

VIVIAN: Raise your son? I have raised Nikki and he is my son in every way.

CARLY: No, you stole him from me.

VIVIAN: For which Nikki is only grateful. I love Nikki. I've shown him the world, I've let him sample all the infinite possibilities of the universe. I've given him a life most people only dream about.

CARLY: All you've ever given him is lies, Vivian. I am his mother.

VIVIAN: Mother? You don't know the meaning of the word. You want Nikki for your own selfish reasons.

CARLY: He is my son!

VIVIAN: And he hates you. But he loves me.

CARLY: He'll love me once I tell him the truth about what you did. And once I get custody, I'll never let you see him... never...

NICHOLAS WALKS IN ON THE LAST SENTENCE, RUNS OVER TO STAND NEXT TO VIVIAN AND BEGINS TO SHOUT AT CARLY.

HOLD ON CARLY'S STUNNED REACTION. AND OUT.

ALAMAIN LIVING ROOM/FOYER. IN PROGRESS. VIVIAN HOLDS THE CRYING NICHOLAS TIGHTLY. CARLY LOOKS ON, TIGHT-LIPPED.

NICHOLAS: I hate her, make her go away... please... Auntie Viv...

LAWRENCE WALKS IN AND HEARS WHAT THE CRYING NICHOLAS SAID.

VIVIAN: Carly came by to... discuss Nikki.

NICHOLAS: Lawrence, I heard her, I heard her say she is going to take me away from Auntie Viv.

LAWRENCE: Is that what she said?

NICHOLAS: I won't go, I won't go. I want my Aunt Vivian. I'll run away before I ever go with her. (HE POINTS AT CARLY)

LAWRENCE: Vivian, why don't you take Nikki upstairs and wash his face? It will give me some time to talk to Kater... Carly alone.

NICHOLAS: I don't want to go.

LAWRENCE: It will be all right, Nikki. I promise no one will take you from Aunt Vivian.

NICHOLAS: Do you swear?

LAWRENCE: I swear.

NICHOLAS: All right...

VIVIAN LOOKS AT LAWRENCE, THEN TAKES NICHOLAS' HAND AND THEY WALK UP THE STAIRS HAND-IN-HAND.

CARLY: But he's my son.

LAWRENCE: And he obviously wants nothing to do with you.

CARLY: That's because of all the lies Vivian's told him. That's why I want to get him away from here, from this... this Alamain prison...

LAWRENCE: Prison? No. Alamain? Yes. Nicholas is my son and my heir. He will inherit the Alamain empire one day. He must be trained, molded... He will stay with me.

CARLY: What kind of a man are you, Lawrence, that you would keep a mother from her son?

LAWRENCE: Carly, this is a trap of your own making. You could have been a part of this family, but you made the choice to fight me, now you have to live with it.

CARLY: Fight you? Yes, I'll fight you, I will never let you have Nikki, no matter what I have to do.

LAWRENCE: You're powerless against me. I am giving the staff orders that you are no longer welcome in this house.

CARLY: But I must see Nikki.

LAWRENCE: No... you only upset him and I will not have that.

CARLY: You can't keep me away from him.

LAWRENCE: Of course, I can. Money and power can buy anyone or anything. You should know that... I think perhaps I once bought you...

CARLY SLAPS LAWRENCE. LAWRENCE GRABS HER BY THE SHOULDERS AND SHAKES HER.

CARLY: You've always disgusted me. You're not a man, you're a machine.

LAWRENCE: Get out!

CARLY: Not without my son.

LAWRENCE: Your son? (LAUGHS) You're lucky you're leaving with your life.

CARLY: You wouldn't hurt me, Lawrence.

LAWRENCE: Wouldn't I?

CARLY: You're all talk...

LAWRENCE: Am I? Why don't you ask your best friend exactly what I'm capable of... or have you forgotten?

CARLY: You're despicable.

LAWRENCE: Perhaps. But everything I am, I am because of you. Everything I do, I do because of what you've done to me. So if you condemn me, make sure you take your share of the responsibility for what I am.

CARLY: My share? I'm innocent.

LAWRENCE: Not since the day you were born.

CARLY TRIES TO SLAP HIM AGAIN, BUT HE GRABS HER HAND BEFORE SHE CAN STRIKE HIM.

LAWRENCE: I'm sure you do. But, frankly my dear... (SMILE) I don't give a damn.

LAWRENCE HALF DRAGS CARLY TOWARDS THE FRONT DOOR.

CARLY: I'll leave for now, but I'll be back.

CARLY SLAMS OUT THE FRONT DOOR.

HOLD ON LAWRENCE'S THREAT.

CUT TO: KAYLA HOUSE/L.A. KAYLA AND MARCUS ARE SITTING ON THE SOFA, IN PROGRESS.

MARCUS: I know, he was so excited about getting back the money.

KAYLA: I don't think he quite believed it.

MARCUS: Can you blame him? After all this time...

KAYLA: I wonder what kind of favor the ISA owed Julie?

MARCUS: We might never know. All that really matters to Jack is that he's got the money for the Spectator.

KAYLA: He does love that paper...

MARCUS: Do you think he'll finally talk to Jennifer and they'll be able to get past this?

KAYLA: I hope so. You know, Jack and I have been through a lot, but I really do wish him well.

MARCUS: I know you do...

KAYLA: I think Jack will do the right thing. He truly loves Jennifer and Abigail. I know what it's like to lose someone you love, and so does Jack...

MARCUS: So do I...

KAYLA: I think we all still miss Steve. (BEAT) But sometimes Jack seems so alone to me. He really doesn't have many friends, Justin and Adrienne are in Texas, I'm here with Stephanie...

MARCUS: Now it sounds like you're speaking from personal experience. Are you lonely here, Kay?

KAYLA: I have my work and I have Stephanie, but sometimes I miss my family and friends...

MARCUS: Then what's keeping you here?

KAYLA: What do you mean?

MARCUS: What's stopping you from getting on the plane with me and coming back to Salem?

KAYLA: For a visit?

MARCUS: No, to live.

KAYLA PAUSES, THEN GETS A HUGE SMILE ON HER FACE.

OUT ON KAYLA'S SMILE.

CARVER & CARVER DETECTIVE AGENCY. JOHN HAS LEFT. LEXIE SITS NEAR ABE. ABE IS ON THE PHONE, ONE-WAY.

ABE HANGS UP THE PHONE AND STARTS TO REDIAL.

ABE: This could blow the lid off the whole case! I wonder if John knew just how big this is...

LEXIE: So fill me in already!

ABE: I'll go into details later, Lex. Right now I've got to get to Bo before it's too late.

HOLD ON ABE'S FACE AND THE SOUND OF THE PHONE RINGING.

CUT TO: JACK/JENNIFER HOUSE. JENNIFER IS SITTING ON THE SOFA, EATING CHERRY PIE. SHE IS WATCHING THE TV, WE HEAR THE THEME FROM FRANCO ZEFFERELLI'S, "ROMEO AND JULIET." JENNIFER IS CRYING. SHE PUTS DOWN HER PIE, GRABS A BUNCH OF KLEENEX, BLOWS HER NOSE AND DRIES HER EYES. SHE TURNS OFF THE TV WITH THE REMOTE.

JENNIFER SITS FOR A MOMENT, THEN REACHES OVER AND PICKS UP A PICTURE OF HERSELF AND JACK. JENNIFER STARES AT THE PHOTO AND SIGHS.

JENNIFER HUGS THE PHOTO TO HER CHEST, AND WE HEAR JACK'S VOICE.

JENNIFER: Damn it, Jennifer. You know what you want. You've always known what you want. You want Jack, you always have. So stop sitting here talking to yourself and do something about it. (BEAT) "That dares love attempt," indeed Mr. Deveraux...

HOLD ON JENNIFER'S DETERMINATION.

CUT TO: AIRPLANE. JACK IS SITTING ON THE INSIDE SEAT, LOOKING OUT THE WINDOW. THE STEWARDESS WALKS UP TO JACK.

JACK: Nothing, thanks.

JACK CONTINUES TO STARE OUT THE WINDOW.

JACK: Yes, it reminds me...

STEWARDESS: From the look on your face, I'd say that moon reminds you of someone you love.

JACK DOESN'T ANSWER AND THE STEWARDESS LEAVES.

OUT ON JACK'S DETERMINATION. FADE TO BLACK.