BO'S BOAT/INT. BO STANDS IN THE GALLEY, MAKING A POT OF COFFEE. SHAWN-DOUGLAS IS ASLEEP IN HIS BED. HE IS RESTLESS, TOSSING AND TURNING. FADE INTO SHAWN-D'S DREAM. CARLY AND BO EMBRACE, WE HEAR A GUNSHOT. CARLY AND BO FALL. FADE OUT OF THE DREAM AS SHAWN-D CRIES OUT. BO RUNS INTO THE ROOM AND KNEELS BESIDE HIS SON'S BED.

SHAWN-DOUGLAS AWAKENS, TERRIFIED, AND THROWS HIS ARMS AROUND HIS FATHER.

SHAWN-DOUGLAS CRIES AS BO ROCKS HIM IN HIS ARMS.

SHAWN-DOUGLAS BEGINS TO RELAX AS BO ROCKS HIM AND STROKES HIS HAIR.

SHAWN-D'S SOBBING SUBSIDES. BO REACHES FOR A TISSUE FROM THE SIDE TABLE AND HOLDS IT TO SHAWN-D'S NOSE.

SHAWN-D OBLIGES.

SHAWN-D: Better...

BO: Did you have another nightmare?

SHAWN-D: Yes, Papa...

BO: Can you tell me what it was about?

SHAWN-D: I was dreaming about Carly and the night she was shot.

BO: What happened in your dream?

SHAWN-D: I remember watching you and Carly hugging and then there was a loud noise... like a fire cracker...

SHAWN-DOUGLAS BEGINS CRYING.

SHAWN-D: I want to...

BO: Ok, what happened next?

SHAWN-D: I heard the loud noise... I saw you and Carly fall down. I smelled something burning... I looked around and I couldn't see... It was dark... (SOBBING) I'm scared, Papa...

BO HUGS SHAWN-DOUGLAS, STROKING HIS HAIR.

HOLD ON BO, A TEAR RUNNING DOWN HIS CHEEK.

CUT TO: JACK/JENNIFER LIVING ROOM. ABIGAIL IS IN HER HIGH CHAIR, ROSIE IS SITTING NEXT TO HER, SPOON FEEDING HER SOME CEREAL. JENNIFER IS SITTING ON ABIGAIL'S OTHER SIDE, WEARING A BATHROBE. JACK RUSHES IN, A PIECE OF TOAST HANGING FROM HIS MOUTH.

JACK: Jennifer, have you seen the Perkins file?

JENNIFER: I put in your briefcase last night.

JACK: Thanks.

JACK BEGINS LOOKING AROUND THE ROOM, UNDER PILLOWS, ETC.

JACK: Does anyone know where my car keys are?

JENNIFER: Coat pocket.

JACK: Thanks.

JACK WALKS OVER TO THE CLOSET.

ABIGAIL COOS. JACK CLOSES THE CLOSET DOOR AND TURNS AROUND.

ROSIE: Do you two go through this every morning?

JACK: No, we do not.

JENNIFER: (TO ROSIE) This is Jack's first full day back at work since my accident. (TO JACK) Isn't your coat in Abby's room? I think you left it there when you went in to check on her last night.

JACK: I knew that...

JENNIFER SMILES INDULGENTLY AS JACK EXITS UP THE STAIRS.

ROSIE: (ABSENTLY) Mmmm mmmmm.

JACK WALKS DOWN THE STAIRS, WEARING HIS COAT AND CARRYING HIS BRIEFCASE. HE KISSES JENNIFER GOOD-BYE AND PATS ABIGAIL ON THE HEAD.

JENNIFER: Have a good day. And don't worry about us, we've got it all under control. Right, Rosie?

ROSIE: Mmmm mmmmm.

JACK: I wouldn't doubt you two for a second. Call if you need anything.

JENNIFER: I will. (GRINNING) Kiss Vern for me...

JACK: In your dreams...

JENNIFER: You are... every night...

JACK SLIGHTLY STUNNED, SMILES, SALUTES JENNIFER, AND WALKS OUT THE DOOR WHISTLING, "HEIGH HO, HEIGH HO, IT'S OFF TO WORK WE GO." JENNIFER LAUGHS AND SKAKES HER HEAD.

ABIGAIL LOOKS AT HER MOTHER AS ROSIE STARTS TO EAT THE BABY'S CEREAL, IGNORING ABIGAIL.

ROSIE: Mmmm. (BEAT) What? (STIRRING THE CEREAL)

JENNIFER: You seem... distracted. Is everything all right?

ROSIE: Oh, it's nothing.

JENNIFER: (FIRMLY) Rosie...

ROSIE: (SIGHING) Did you know it's your parents' anniversary today? I was thinking about your Mom... and your Dad.

JENNIFER: Oh no... I forgot... It's been so long...

ROSIE: Do you remember them when they were together?

JENNIFER: A little... I have their wedding picture. They look happy and in love.

ROSIE: They were. They loved each other more than any two people I'd ever seen.

JENNIFER: How did things get so messed up, Rosie?

ROSIE: I don't know, honey. When your mom got so ill... (BEAT) Somewhere deep down, I think Laura still loves Bill with her whole heart. And I know your Dad will love your mother with his last breath.

JENNIFER: (HER EYES WELLING WITH TEARS) I can't imagine my Dad's pain... The mere thought of losing Jack...

JENNIFER REACHES OVER AND HUGS ABIGAIL, THEN LOOKS AT ROSIE.

ROSIE: I think that is a good idea, Jennifer Rosie... a very good idea...

HOLD ON JENNIFER.

CUT TO: BRADY PUB. JOHN AND CARRIE ARE SEATED IN A BOOTH, HAVING BREAKFAST. IN PROGRESS.

CARRIE: And Danielle didn't tell you?

JOHN: Not until I found her in Europe. She wasn't planning to tell me the truth until she knew Carly couldn't hurt her, or me.

CARRIE: I'm sorry... It sounds like you still care about her... Danielle, I mean.

JOHN: I do. I feel like we were cheated out of our chance to be happy...

CARRIE: Are you going to see her again?

JOHN: Not right away. I've got plenty of things to sort out about myself before I go getting involved with anyone. I have to resolve this business about Carly, and put it to rest.

CARRIE: It's so hard to believe. I never would have thought that Carly was capable of those things.

JOHN: You're not the only one. I'm meeting with a group of people today at Carver and Carver to try to figure out just who Carly Manning was and what she was up to.

CARRIE: What people?

JOHN: Well, Abe and Lexie of course. And Captain Yamada from the Salem P.D. And Jack Deveraux, Shane... and Mrs. Horton.

CARRIE: Mrs. Horton?

JOHN: Yup. Apparently, she's back to sleuthing.

CARRIE: That's quite a group...

JOHN: Well, I'm not the only one who's been digging up dirt on Carly.

CARRIE: I guess not. (SIGHING)

JOHN: What's wrong?

CARRIE: I was just thinking... This news about Carly was a shock to me and I didn't know her that well. What's it going to do to Jennifer? Or to Bo? He's going to be crushed...

JOHN: I know. Dealing with her death has been hard enough on him. Now this... He's gonna need the family's support when he does find out.

CARRIE: We'll be there for him... (SMILES) Won't we?

JOHN: (SMILING) You bet we will.

CARRIE: John?

JOHN: Yeah?

CARRIE: Do you... Do you think Lawrence had anything to do with Carly turning bad the way she did? I mean... I know, first hand, how he can manipulate people.

JOHN: I know. (BEAT) Actually, I think this is one thing that Lawrence wasn't responsible for. I think Carly was that way since she was a little girl. (BEAT) Hmmm... maybe she and Lawrence did belong together, after all.

CARRIE: It sounds like they were made for each other.

JOHN: I think you might be right. (STARING OFF INTO SPACE) They're both trouble...

CARRIE: John, what is it?

JOHN: Sorry... I was thinking about Nikki.

CARRIE: Poor kid. Does he realize what kind of monster he has for a father?

JOHN: He might. In fact, he might know too much. I'm worried about him.

CARRIE: What do you mean?

JOHN: Lawrence is very possessive of Nikki... to the point of obsession. He's not about to let Nikki go.

CARRIE: Uh-huh...

JOHN: I'm afraid that Nikki knows enough about his father that he would want to leave. If that's true, Nikki could be in danger. And so could Vivian.

CARRIE: I thought she was like Lawrence. Why would she be in danger?

JOHN: She is like Lawrence... in some ways. But there's no love lost between them. Remember, she kept Nikki from him for eight years. Lawrence isn't going to forget that.

CARRIE: What do you plan to do?

JOHN: I don't know yet. I'm going to drop by today, to see how they're all acting.

CARRIE: Promise you'll be careful.

JOHN: I promise.

CARRIE: Good. (BEAT) So, you have this meeting about Carly, and you're going to the Alamains. Sounds like a busy day...

JOHN: And there's more. I should drop by EcoSystems, and I'm fishing with Bo this afternoon. (SMILING) Want to trade places for a day?

CARRIE: I don't think so. I'll stick with my studies and work, thank you very much. Compared to your life, that must seem simple.

JOHN: Yeah, I am wearing quite a few hats right now, maybe too many. (BEAT) But, they're all important to me. I don't think I can take off any of them.

CARRIE: Well, I know how busy you are, and I really appreciate you coming to talk to me.

JOHN: (TAKING CARRIE'S HAND) Hey, I promised you that you'd be the first to know everything.

CARRIE: I know. That means a lot to me.

JOHN: It means a lot to me, too, Punkin.

OUT ON JOHN.

LEIGH'S OFFICE. LEIGH IS SITTING AT HER DESK, SIPPING A CUP OF HOT TEA, AS PATRICIA KNOCKS ON THE DOOR.

PATRICIA: It's Patricia, Ms. McCloud.

LEIGH: Come in.

PATRICIA ENTERS, CARRYING AN APPOINTMENT BOOK.

LEIGH: I'm trying to confirm my appointment with Mr. Black.

PATRICIA: I did put you on his calendar, but...

LEIGH: (IMPATIENTLY) But?

PATRICIA: Well... to be honest, I don't know if he looks at his calendar. Half the time he doesn't bother to show up! (DEEP BREATH) Sorry... that was unprofessional...

LEIGH: I understand. It's hard working for someone who doesn't seem to care.

PATRICIA: (SIGHS) Exactly. Sometimes I wonder why I bother.

LEIGH: Mr. Black certainly has a unique way of running a business.

PATRICIA SNORTS AND TURNS AS THERE IS A KNOCK AT THE DOOR. LEIGH LOOKS AT PATRICIA, EYEBROW COCKED.

VICTOR: Victor Kiriakis.

LEIGH: Victor! Come in!

PATRICIA TURNS TO LEAVE AS VICTOR OPENS THE DOOR AND WALKS IN.

LEIGH: Thank you.

PATRICIA EXITS.

VICTOR SITS DOWN, ACROSS THE DESK FROM LEIGH.

LEIGH: You know, Victor, I'm starting to think you had an ulterior motive in persuading me to take this job.

VICTOR: (INNOCENTLY) Oh?

LEIGH: May I speak plainly?

VICTOR: Of course.

LEIGH: Please understand that I'm not trying to insult your son-in-law. It's just that he... well, he has no business sense. To be blunt, I wonder if he cares about this company.

VICTOR: What makes you think he doesn't care?

LEIGH: From what I've observed and what I've been told... He rarely comes into the office, he seems to enjoy playing detective, and he almost never makes a business decision. Do you know how far profits have fallen since he took over?

VICTOR: Are you finished?

LEIGH: (SIGHS) Yes. I'm sorry. But his apparent lack of concern for the company and all the people he employs upsets me.

VICTOR: John is a good man, but he lacks... education. He knows little about business in general and less about running a company. He's spent his life being a police officer and a manual laborer. Frankly, I think he's uncomfortable in an office environment.

LEIGH: (BITING HER LOWER LIP) Hmm... That would explain why he avoids the office.

VICTOR: That's why I hired you. You are an intelligent, capable businesswoman. I think you are exactly what John and this company needs.

LEIGH: Define "needs."

VICTOR: Be his mentor, his guide... Show him the world of business.

LEIGH: You mean you want me to teach him what to do?

VICTOR: Exactly.

LEIGH: Victor, I don't know if that's such a good idea.

VICTOR: I don't have bad ideas.

LEIGH: This may be a first. I'm an entrepreneur, not a teacher.

VICTOR: You're a woman who knows what she wants and how to get it. I think you can... enlighten John Black.

LEIGH: I don't know...

VICTOR: Think of the challenge...

LEIGH: I...

VICTOR: Think of the rewards if you succeed.

LEIGH: I... (DEEP BREATH) I can try.

VICTOR: Good.

LEIGH: Goodness might have nothing to do with it. This could be interesting...

HOLD ON LEIGH.

CUT TO: JACK'S OFFICE. JACK IS SEATED AT HIS DESK. HE PICKS UP THE PHONE AND DIALS, ONE-WAY.

JACK HANGS UP THE PHONE AND BEGINS LOOKING THROUGH A FOLDER OF PAPERS ON HIS DESK. THE DOOR OPENS AND VERN WALKS IN.

JACK: Come in, Vern. Sit down.

VERN SITS IN A CHAIR IN FRONT OF JACK'S DESK.

JACK: (HANDING THE FILE FOLDER TO VERN) This.

VERN: (OPENING THE FOLDER) The Manning file.

JACK: Yes, the Manning file. I'm meeting with the Carvers and the Salem P.D. today to exchange information, and I want to make sure I have everything here.

VERN: (HANDING THE FOLDER BACK TO JACK) Let's see... You have the information from that school in France?

JACK: Yes.

VERN: And you have a copy of her records from St. Genevieve?

JACK: Yes.

VERN: Did you talk to Jennifer about Carly, maybe find out something about her school years?

JACK: No, I've avoided the subject with Jennifer. She's not yet ready to handle the truth about Carly... And I don't have all the facts. (BEAT) When I have the whole story, and Jennifer is fully recovered, then I'll discuss it with her.

VERN: That's probably for the best. (BEAT) Do you have my notes from the conversation with that doctor in Tahiti?

JACK: (SHUFFLING THROUGH THE PAPERS IN THE FOLDER) I'm sure I do, I... Yes, there they are. By the way, Vern, I wanted to tell you...

VERN: Yes?

JACK: You... you did a good job on this. Thank you for following up on this while I was out.

VERN: You're welcome, Jack. I figured that the best way for me to help you and Jenny Girl was to keep things running smoothly here, so you could take care of her.

JACK: And you figured correctly. I appreciate it.

THERE IS A BRIEF, UNCOMFORTABLE SILENCE.

HOLD ON JACK.

CUT TO: JANET'S OFFICE. JANET AND MORGAN ARE SEATED, LOOKING AT THE STACK OF INFORMATION ON CARLY THAT IS SITTING ON TOP OF JANET'S DESK.

MORGAN: I think you did. Abe, Lexie, and John were three of the best cops the Salem P.D. ever had. I don't think John would have called this meeting unless he had something good.

JANET: I hope you're right. (BEAT) In the meantime, we have something else to think about...

MORGAN: What's that?

JANET: (MOTIONING TOWARD THE STACK OF FILES) How much of this are we going to divulge to them? My last exchange with Jack Deveraux and the Carvers felt pretty one-sided.

MORGAN: Maybe so, but I think this time will be different. Jack's wife was Carly Manning's best friend. Maybe he's found some things we wouldn't even have known to look for.

JANET: You're certainly optimistic.

MORGAN: I know the parties involved. They're good people. We can trust them.

JANET: Are you saying we should tell them everything we've found?

MORGAN: I don't see why not. I think they'll tell us everything they know.

JANET: (STILL SKEPTICAL) Well... If you think everyone else will lay out all of their cards, I guess we can chance it...

MORGAN: I think we should. This is a tough case. The more cooperation we have, the better chance we'll have of solving it.

JANET: We'll see, Morgan... We'll see.

HOLD ON JANET.

CUT TO: ABE'S OFFICE. ABE, LEXIE AND JOHN ARE SEATED, DISCUSSING THE MEETING. IN PROGRESS.

LEXIE: Good. I hope we can get some clear answers and figure out this mystery surrounding Carly...

JOHN: And find out who murdered her, and why...

ABE: And maybe find something to link Lawrence Alamain to the break-in here.

LEXIE: I don't know, Abe...

JOHN: It's possible. If it turns out that Lawrence is responsible for Carly's death, then maybe we can prove that the break-in here was related.

ABE: Both crimes being committed in order to stop Carly's custody suit.

JOHN: Right. (BEAT) Of course, it would be a lot easier to nail Lawrence if I had a good relationship with someone on the inside.

ABE: Like who? Someone who works for him? Someone at Gencon?

JOHN: I'm thinking of someone closer to home. I've been getting along pretty well with Nikki... I think that it's time to get closer to Vivian.

LEXIE: Do you think you can?

JOHN: There's a definite tension between Vivian and Lawrence. I think she might be genuinely afraid of him.

ABE: And if you could be there to help her...

JOHN: Then she just might return the favor.

HOLD ON JOHN.

CUT TO: ALAMAIN DINING ROOM. VIVIAN, NICHOLAS AND LAWRENCE ARE SITTING AT THE TABLE EATING AS IVAN STANDS PROTECTIVELY BEHIND VIVIAN.

NICHOLAS: I still feel kinda queasy. But my stomach doesn't hurt as bad.

VIVIAN: I'm sure the medicine helped.

NICHOLAS: Yeah, but it tasted so yucky. (SHUDDERS)

LAWRENCE: You're sure you don't want to go to school?

NICHOLAS: No! I mean, what if I'm contagious? I don't want to make everyone sick.

VIVIAN: Nikki, that's very thoughtful of you. Don't you think so, Lawrence?

LAWRENCE: Yes, I do. I think we could all learn to be more thoughtful.

VIVIAN: Oh?

LAWRENCE: For instance, we could stop putting pressure on others. Stress can lead to illness, you know.

VIVIAN: Oh. Yes, that is true. Stress can cause people to behave... strangely.

NICHOLAS: (TRYING TO BREAK THE TENSION) I think I'll go back to my room and lie down for a while.

LAWRENCE: Would you like me to go with you?

NICHOLAS: That's okay.

NICHOLAS LEAVES. VIVIAN NODS TO IVAN AND HE FOLLOWS NICHOLAS UP THE STAIRS.

LAWRENCE: I'm concerned, Vivian. Things have been stressful lately, and I'm afraid it may be taking its toll on my son.

VIVIAN: Maybe if you didn't insist on locking Ivan and I in the attic and treating us like prisoners...

LAWRENCE: You tried to kidnap my son. You should be grateful you're even alive.

CUT TO: NICHOLAS ROOM/CORRIDOR. IVAN AND NICHOLAS STAND IN THE CORRIDOR IN FRONT OF NICHOLAS' DOOR.

NICHOLAS: No, thanks. I feel fine. I... I worry about leaving you and Aunt Viv here alone with Lawrence.

IVAN: That's very brave of you.

NICHOLAS: Aunt Viv's taken care of me all my life. Now it's my turn to take care of her.

OUT ON NICHOLAS.

DONOVAN DINING ROOM. EVE IS SITTING AT THE TABLE AS SHANE BRINGS OUT 2 BOWLS OF OATMEAL AND A PLATTER WITH BACON, SAUSAGE AND TOAST.

SHANE: I thought you might like it. I noticed all the frozen dinners you had crammed in the freezer.

EVE: I'm not good at cooking... Besides, I've got to watch my figure. I can't eat too many dinners like that Thanksgiving orgy the other night.

SHANE: Ahhh... Haven't recovered from Caroline's Thanksgiving feast?

EVE: My system's still in sugar shock from all the sappy drivel... Ugh.

SHANE: Don't you think you're being... I don't know... What's the word I'm looking for?

EVE: How would I know?

SHANE: Prickly? Cynical? Defensive?

EVE: (SOTTO VOCE) Here comes the lecture...

SHANE: Darling, I'm not trying to criticize...

EVE: But...

SHANE: "But" is right. You seem to have a problem dealing with other human beings, especially women.

EVE: I just don't get along with people. No big deal...

SHANE: I know you, Eve. Underneath the witticisms and the cynicism, you're a wonderful person.

EVE: Dad...

SHANE: But you've been neglected all your life. You keep people at a distance because you're afraid they'll hurt or disappoint you.

EVE: Dad, I think you've been listening to Kimberly too long.

SHANE: Eve, I don't have to fly back to Europe yet. The ISA owes me a vacation. I'd like to stay here and take care of you.

EVE: Does that mean I can quit my job?

SHANE: That's not what I meant by "take care" and you know it.

EVE: Oh well, thought I'd give it a shot.

SHANE: Do you want to quit your job?

EVE: Well... no. Not really. Doug's okay...

SHANE: That's what I thought. (BEAT) Eve, the choice is yours, do you want me to stay Salem?

EVE: (LONG BEAT) You'd do that for me?

SHANE: Of course. I love you.

EVE: And I...

HOLD ON EVE.

CUT TO: JANET'S OFFICE. JANET SITS BEHIND HER DESK, BO STANDS IN FRONT OF HER. IN PROGRESS.

JANET: Was he dreaming about Carly again?

BO: Yes, but this time he remembered hearing the gunshot and smelling something burning.

JANET: Something burning? Gunpowder?

BO: That's my guess.

JANET: If your son remembers the smell of gunpowder, the killer must have been near him.

BO: I know...

JANET: Did he say anything else?

BO: Only that it was dark and he couldn't see. The poor kid is terrified.

JANET: I can't blame him. You know what this means, don't you?

BO: I do...

JANET: It means your son may have seen the killer.

OUT ON BO'S HORROR.

ALICE'S RESTAURANT. BILL AND JENNIFER ARE SEATED IN A BOOTH, EATING. IN PROGRESS.

JENNIFER: Abby's just fine.

BILL: Rosie isn't spoiling her too much, is she?

JENNIFER: (SMILING) No more than you would, Dad.

BILL: Just checking. I'm not about to give up the position of "chief spoiler." That's a grandpa's job, you know.

JENNIFER: And you do it so well...

BILL: I try. (BEAT) How are you getting around?

JENNIFER: I'm fine. I still get a little tired in the afternoon, but I feel good. I've graduated from spending all day on the couch...

BILL: (SMILING) Jack certainly had you set up and equipped, didn't he?

JENNIFER: Yes, he did. I know he meant well, but he was starting to drive me a little crazy. He would hardly let me blow my own nose...

BILL: (CHUCKLING) Doctor Jack to the rescue. At least you know that he cares.

JENNIFER: Yeah, I'm really lucky to have him.

BILL: Luck, nothing. You deserve it. You worked hard to make this relationship work... Against the odds, against everyone's advice... Now you can enjoy the rewards.

JENNIFER: I know. I do.

THERE IS A BRIEF SILENCE.

BILL: What do mean?

JENNIFER: I'm talking about you and Mom.

BILL SIGHS AND LOOKS DOWN AT HIS PLATE.

BILL: I didn't want to upset you...

JENNIFER: Don't worry about me. I've been dealing with this for a long time now. If you want to talk about it, you can talk to me.

BILL: (TAKING JENNIFER'S HAND) Thank you.

JENNIFER: How are you doing today?

BILL: It's always a difficult day for me. (BEAT) You know, I've been sending roses to her every single year on our anniversary. And every year...

BILL PAUSES AND TAKES A DEEP BREATH.

JENNIFER: (TEARS WELLING IN HER EYES) I'm sorry...

BILL: So am I...

JENNIFER: It still hurts, after all this time. Doesn't it?

BILL: I don't think it ever stops completely.

JENNIFER: How do you do it?

BILL: Do what?

JENNIFER: How do you make it through? (BEAT) I can't even imagine going through life without having Jack by my side. How do you cope without Mom?

TEARS FALL DOWN JENNIFER'S FACE. BILL TAKES A NAPKIN AND WIPES THEM AWAY.

JENNIFER: And that's enough?

BILL: (SIGHS) You'd be surprised how much memories like that can help. Your mother and I loved each other as much as two people possibly could...

BILL WIPES HIS EYES.

JENNIFER: And she still loves you that much. I know she does.

BILL: I know it, too. She just... can't communicate it.

JENNIFER: I wish there was something I could do... Something to help you...

BILL: There is... and you've done it. You've given me a wonderful granddaughter, and that makes me very happy. (BEAT) It means so much to have you nearby again... You, and Abigail, and Jack.

JENNIFER: I'm glad. I'm happy that you're back home, and that we can all be together, but...

BILL: But...?

JENNIFER: I want you to have a full life.

BILL: Believe me, Jenn, I do. I'm back at University Hospital, back in Salem. I have my family around me... What more could a man ask for?

JENNIFER SMILES WEAKLY. BILL SQUEEZES HER HAND AND TRIES TO GIVE HER A REASSURING SMILE. HOLD ON BILL.

CUT TO: EUTERPE. MAGGIE AND JULIE ARE SEATED AT A TABLE, EATING. WE SEE DOUG AND MARTY IN THE BACKGROUND AT THE PIANO.

JULIE: Me, too. And wait until you see the cover! It's gorgeous.

MAGGIE: Which picture did you decide on?

JULIE: You'll have to wait and see. Editor's prerogative, darling. But I didn't ask you to lunch to talk about Midsummer.

MAGGIE: Of course, you didn't. I'd like to think it's because of our (SINGING) Friendship, friendship."

JULIE: (LAUGHING) That was fun at the Benefit, wasn't it? (SUDDENLY SERIOUS) Actually, you've hit it right on the head, Maggie. There's something I need my best friend to do for me. Something no one else in the world could do.

MAGGIE: (CONCERNED) Julie? What is it? If you need anything...

JULIE: I do. Maggie Horton, best friend (BEAT) will you be my Matron of Honor?

MAGGIE SQUEALS AND THROWS HER ARMS AROUND JULIE.

JULIE: We were thinking of the Spring. That way we could have it at the house, in the garden.

MAGGIE: Oh, that's perfect! There's that perfectly beautiful arbor...

JULIE: Exactly!

DOUG APPROACHES FROM BEHIND AND GIVES JULIE A KISS. HE SITS DOWN.

MAGGIE: That's right, Doug. I'm so happy for you both.

DOUG: We are, too. Aren't we, Fair Lady?

JULIE: Yes, darling. Tell Maggie your idea about the festivities.

DOUG: We'd like to have a combination wedding/family reunion. Get all the far-flung Hortons, Bannings, and Olsons together all in one place. What do you think?

ROBERT WALKS UP TO THE TABLE.

DOUG: Robert, just the man I wanted to see. Sit down, sit down.

ROBERT: Certainly. (NODDING TO JULIE AND MAGGIE) I always love to sit with beautiful women.

DOUG: We're discussing our wedding plans.

ROBERT: I am so glad that you two stubborn mules are finally getting back together. And it had better be for good this time!

DOUG: Oh it will be. But I'll need your help.

ROBERT: (LAUGHING) Doug, mon vieux. Since when do you need my help with the ladies?

DOUG: I don't, you French devil. But I do need a Best Man. And I can't think of anyone else I'd rather have stand up with me. Can you stay around Salem for awhile?

ROBERT: I would be honored and proud to be your Best Man, Doug. I am deeply touched. Thank you.

JULIE: And Maggie's agreed to be my Matron of Honor.

ROBERT KISSES MAGGIE'S HAND. SHE BLUSHES.

MAGGIE: This is going to be the wedding of the year!

HOLD ON THE HAPPY FOURSOME.

CUT TO: ALAMAIN LIVING ROOM/FOYER. IVAN OPENS THE DOOR TO JOHN AND SHOWS HIM IN THE HOUSE.

JOHN: That's not necessary, Ivan.

IVAN: (INSISTENT) It would be my pleasure, sir.

JOHN: No really...

IVAN: Sir, it is my job...

JOHN: (SLIGHTLY PUZZLED) All right...

AS JOHN HANDS HIS COAT TO IVAN, LAWRENCE ENTERS THE FOYER FROM THE LIVING ROOM.

JOHN: I like to keep you on your toes, Lawrence.

LAWRENCE: Very well. What can I do for you?

JOHN: I came by to see Vivian, but if she's busy, I could stop by later.

LAWRENCE: No, that won't be necessary. Come, Vivian and Nicholas are in the living room.

JOHN AND LAWRENCE WALK INTO THE LIVING ROOM. VIVIAN AND NICHOLAS ARE SITTING ON THE SOFA AND VIVIAN IS SPEAKING TO HIM IN HUSHED TONES.

STARTLED, VIVIAN JUMPS UP AND WALKS BEHIND THE SOFA.

JOHN: Hey there, Nikki! What are you doing home from school?

LAWRENCE SITS ON THE SOFA NEXT TO NICHOLAS.

JOHN: (CONCERNED) Have you seen a doctor? There's a rotten flu bug going around.

NICHOLAS: I'm starting to feel better, thanks.

LAWRENCE: Vivian, John came here to see you.

VIVIAN: Oh really? What is it?

JOHN: (EVASIVE) It was business. It can wait. (HE LOOKS AT VIVIAN) I hope everything is okay.

LAWRENCE: Why shouldn't it be?

LAWRENCE PUTS HIS ARM AROUND NICHOLAS, WHO STIFFENS SLIGHTLY. STILL BEHIND THE SOFA, VIVIAN TRIES TO VISUALLY CONVEY HER DISTRESS TO JOHN, WHO APPEARS TO UNDERSTAND.

LAWRENCE: Let me assure you, my family is perfectly fine.

JOHN: If you say so. I'd better get going. Vivian, why don't we meet for lunch soon. Then, I could go over some of those business matters I mentioned.

VIVIAN: That would be fine. John, you really should stay for dinner some time.

NICHOLAS: Yeah! Uncle John, can you stay tonight?

JOHN: Sorry, Nikki. I'm having dinner with Bo tonight. Another time?

JOHN NOTICES NICHOLAS' SMILE FADING.

NICHOLAS: Would I!

LAWRENCE: (SLIGHTLY IRRITATED) We'll see how my son feels next week. (STANDS UP AND WALKS TOWARDS THE DOOR.) Thank you for stopping by, John. Ivan will show you out.

JOHN: Vivian, we'll talk later. See you, Nikki.

LAWRENCE WALKS JOHN TO THE FOYER, THEN EXITS UPSTAIRS. IVAN HANDS JOHN HIS COAT. IVAN SHOWS JOHN OUT THE DOOR. AFTER JOHN LEAVES, IVAN WALKS INTO THE LIVING ROOM.

VIVIAN: You did what? What if Lawrence caught you? (BEAT) What did you say?

IVAN: I told him of our recent problems with Mr. Alamain and asked if he could help.

VIVIAN: Thank goodness Lawrence didn't catch you. (SHE LOOKS IN THE DIRECTION OF THE STAIRS.) Let's hope John Black is willing to help.

OUT ON VIVIAN.

EUTERPE. TOM AND ALICE ARE SEATED AT A TABLE, EATING. IN PROGRESS.

ALICE: That young man was certainly embarrassed about it afterwards. And his wife didn't help any, teasing him the way she did...

TOM: Well, there she was, giving birth, and he passes out, and the nurse has to take care of him! I can see why she'd rib him a little...

CALLIOPE COMES OUT FROM BACKSTAGE, SPIES THE HORTONS, AND JOINS THEM. SHE'S IN "LITERARY" MODE TODAY, WEARING A SHORT DRESS WITH A DESIGN OF PRINTED QUOTES FROM VARIOUS GREAT NOVELS, PENCIL AND ERASER EARRINGS, AND A BARRETTE OF A TINY BOOK, OPEN AND FACE-DOWN, HOLDING BACK HER HAIR.

ALICE: Calliope, dear, so good to see you! How are you doing?

CALLIOPE: Great! I love being back in Salem, seeing old friends, dancing with old partners... Doug's keeping me busy right now, designing stage curtains...

TOM: So busy that maybe you'll stay a while?

CALLIOPE: We'll see... it's not beyond the possible, that's for sure.

ALICE: Well, I'm delighted you're back, and I hope you stay a good long time! (SHE CHECKS HER WATCH) Oh, no... I'm nearly late for the hospital volunteers' meeting.

TOM: (HURRIES TO FINISH HIS LUNCH) Wait, I'll go with you.

ALICE: Nonsense, darling, finish your meal! I'm sure Calliope will be happy to entertain you... Won't you, dear?

CALLIOPE: You're very brave, Alice, leaving this terrific hunk of man in my clutches... but I'll try and restrain myself...

ALICE: (MOCK STERN) See that you do, young lady...

ALICE AND CALLIOPE GIGGLE, AS TOM LOOKS ON, EMBARRASSED. ALICE GIVES TOM A LINGERING KISS GOOD-BYE.

TOM: (SMILES) Oh, you can bet I'll be good, with that kind of incentive.

CALLIOPE PRETENDS TO POUT FOR A MOMENT, THEN IS BACK TO CHATTERING BRIGHTLY.

TOM: You can say that again.

CALLIOPE: She's some... (LAUGHS) Seriously, remember all our sneaking around back in the Beat Bar days?

TOM: When I was hiding my identity as Norm de Plume? I certainly do. It nearly got me into very hot water.

CALLIOPE: Ahh, but it was such fun. And the clothes were great! (BEAT) Hey, I have an idea...

TOM PRETENDS TO DUCK AND COVER, AND CALLIOPE LIGHTLY PUNCHES HIM IN THE ARM.

TOM: That's what I'm afraid of.

CALLIOPE: I think Salem needs a little beat bar flavor again. Yes, definitely. I think that Euterpe should have a weekly poetry night, headed up by the famous Norm de Plume!

TOM: Norm? Oh, good heavens, be Norm again?

CALLIOPE: Now, don't be a party pooper

CALLIOPE SPOTS DOUG AND WAVES HIM OVER AS TOM WATCHES IN GROWING TREPIDATION.

CALLIOPE: They'll bring down the house, Doug, but that's not why I called you over. I have a great idea for Euterpe?

DOUG: And what, pray, is it?

CALLIOPE: I think Euterpe should have a weekly Poetry Reading night. And I think you should have specials on exotic coffees and capuccinos, and encourage folks to come and read their work, and inspire other poets (HER ENTHUSIASM MOUNTS) And we can wear berets again... And it can be headed up each week by Norm de Plume!

DOUG: (HESITATING) I'm not sure, do you think Salem is ready for another Poetry experience?

DOUG IS WORKING TO SOUND SKEPTICAL, BUT HE FLASHES AN ASIDE WINK TO TOM, WHO SMILES.

DOUG: What do you think, Tom?

TOM: I suppose Norm could be persuaded to come out of retirement, if you really want him...

CALLIOPE: (IMPATIENT) You two are pathetic. Can't you see how great this idea is?

DOUG AND TOM SHARE A SMILE, AND CALLIOPE UNDERSTANDS. ALL SHARE A LAUGH.

TOM: I think "his" calender is open.

DOUG: Then next Wednesday begins Poetry Night, starring Norm de Plume.

HOLD ON CALLIOPE'S SATISFIED SMILE.

CUT TO: RECEPTION AREA, CARVER AND CARVER. TWO SMALL TABLES HAVE BEEN PUSHED TOGETHER. SEATED AROUND THE TABLES ARE ABE, LEXIE, JOHN, MORGAN, JANET, SHANE, AND JACK. EACH OF THEM HAVE A STACK OF PAPERWORK IN FRONT OF THEM. THE SIZES OF THE STACKS VARY GREATLY. JANET AND MORGAN HAVE, BY FAR, THE LARGEST. IN CONTRAST, ABE AND LEXIE HAVE A SINGLE FOLDER BETWEEN THEM.

A FEW MEMBERS OF THE GROUP NOD THEIR APPROVAL.

JOHN STANDS AND GOES TO THE DOOR. HE OPENS IT AND ALICE ENTERS, SLIGHTLY OUT OF BREATH.

JOHN: It's all right, Mrs. H. We were just getting started. Please, sit down.

ALICE TAKES A SEAT AT THE TABLE. JOHN CLOSES AND LOCKS THE DOOR AND TURNS THE WINDOW SIGN SO THAT THE "CLOSED" SIDE FACES OUTWARD. JOHN RETURNS TO HIS CHAIR.

JANET: Where do you suggest we start, Mr. Black?

JOHN: Well, Captain Yamada, let's start with her childhood. I was able to question, at length, Ms. Danielle Stevens. Ms. Stevens' mother was employed as a housekeeper in the Von Leuschner household. Ms. Stevens knew Katerina Von Leuschner, a.k.a. Carly Manning, at a young age.

JOHN PAUSES TO TAKE A SIP OF WATER FROM A GLASS IN FRONT OF HIM. JACK IS FURIOUSLY WRITING IN A SPIRAL BINDER, MAKING NOTES OF EVERYTHING SAID.

ALICE: How awful...

JOHN: Now, I'll turn the floor over to Captain Donovan...

SHANE: Thank you, John. In her early teens, Katerina Von Leuschner was seen socializing with several of Europe's most notorious crime figures. While we were unable to determine the nature of her relationship with these men, we know that she spent a great deal of time with them, and that all of them showered her with extravagant gifts.

JOHN: During this time, which lasted roughly three or four years, Katerina found Danielle, and hired her to steal jewelry.

MORGAN: She hired a thief? That doesn't make any sense. She could have bought all the jewels she wanted.

JOHN: I agree, it doesn't make sense. Danielle couldn't explain it either. My guess is that Carly got some kind of thrill out of the whole thing. Anyway, that's how Danielle Stevens became Romulus, the notorious thief. She was working for Katerina the whole time. (JOHN TURNS TO JACK) Jack, didn't Katerina and Jennifer room together in boarding school during this time?

JACK: (FINISHING SCRIBBLING IN HIS BINDER BEFORE REPLYING) Ummm... Yes, that's right.

JOHN: Did you have a chance to ask Jennifer about what Katerina was like as a roommate?

JACK: I'm sorry, I didn't. Jennifer still hasn't recovered fully from the accident. I didn't want to bring up Carly's... er, Katerina's name. I didn't want to upset her.

LEXIE: That's okay, Jack. We understand.

JACK: I do have something else. In the spring of 1982, Katerina attended a prestigious school in France. She enrolled under the name "Kathryn Von Leis." She seemed to have a great interest in theater and drama. Such a great interest that she failed almost every other subject.

ABE: So she flunked out?

JACK: Not exactly... It seems that she also had a difficult time relating to her fellow students. If "Kathryn" didn't get along with someone, that someone was usually the victim of a very nasty and tragic "accident." "Kathryn" was dismissed for disciplinary reasons. Of course, because of her powerful father, everything was kept hush-hush.

SHANE: Yes, that fits the pattern. She had the same kind of problems at every other school she attended, including St. Genevieve's, where she roomed with Jennifer.

JOHN: Yeah, that was a weird situation. Shane and I visited St. Genevieve's and interviewed the headmistress, who was there when Jennifer and Katerina were students. Apparently, the girls started out as next-door neighbors. Almost immediately, Katerina dyed her hair blond, so it would look just like Jennifer's.

SHANE: The headmistress said that Katerina appeared to be obsessed with Jennifer. It wasn't long before Katerina's original roommate, suddenly and mysteriously left the school. Then, Jennifer's roommate's parents were killed in an auto accident, and she left. This allowed Katerina to move in with Jennifer.

JANET: You think Katerina was responsible for the accident?

JACK: (SOTTO VOCE) They seem to follow her wherever she goes...

JOHN: There's no proof, but it's an awfully strange coincidence.

SHANE: Her academic career is full of such coincidences.

ALICE: It's also full of holes.

JOHN: What do you mean, Mrs. H.?

ALICE: I was looking into Carly's past as a favor to Jennifer. I was trying to help clear her name, but I only found something incriminating...

MORGAN: What is it?

ALICE: I was looking through her school records at University Hospital. Carly had told everyone that she attended the Sorbonne. If you recall from the Lombard trial, we had tried to get a copy of her transcripts from the Sorbonne, but they had apparently been destroyed in a fire.

SHANE: How convenient...

ALICE: The only document verifying her attendance there was a letter from her faculty advisor. He said in his letter that she attended the Sorbonne from the fall of 1983 to the spring of 1987.

JOHN: (SURPRISED) That's impossible...

ALICE: Well, very highly improbable, at best. Carly gave birth to Nicholas in the Fall of 1984, which would have been the beginning of her sophomore year. (BEAT) Completing a pre-med program in four years is difficult enough, but with giving birth to a baby? I just don't think she could have done it.

JANET: So you're saying that she never attended college?

ALICE: I don't think she did. Which means, of course, that she never attended medical school either.

ABE: Unbelievable.

JOHN: Well, Katerina wasn't in college in 1985, that's a fact.

JANET: How do you know?

JOHN: Because I was married to her at that time.

EVERYONE AT THE TABLE, EXCEPT SHANE, IS SHOCKED.

JOHN: Yes... briefly.

JACK: How...?

JOHN: It's a long and complicated story... I'll give you the short version. Danielle and I met in 1983. We fell in love, and were married in 1984.

ABE: So she was telling you the truth before. You two were married.

JOHN: Yeah. It's kind of ironic. I was working as a P.I. at the time, and Romulus was my number one case. Little did I know I was married to the very person I was trying to catch.

EVERYONE IS SILENT, UNSURE OF WHAT TO SAY.

ALICE: Was this the party where Carly ran out on Lawrence?

JOHN: Yes. She told everyone that it was because that was the night she discovered who Lawrence really was. The truth is, she didn't want him to find out about her. She apparently didn't realize what kind of a man he was, and she was afraid of him finding out about her past and dumping her.

ABE: Now that's ironic... He probably would have approved.

JOHN: So, Katerina showed up a year later. This time she threatened Danielle. She said that Danielle had to leave, or she would tell me who Romulus was. Danielle left that day, without saying good-bye, and I didn't see her again until she showed up in Salem over a year ago.

ALICE: How terrible... What did you do?

JOHN: I searched for her, of course. After a few months, I gave up. About that time, I bumped into Katerina.

JACK: (LOOKING UP FROM HIS NOTE PAD) I think I see where this is going. That was no chance meeting, was it?

JOHN: No, it wasn't. Although I didn't find out until just a few weeks ago, when I talked to Danielle. Katerina was after me... or, more specifically, my money. She had found out that I was really Forrest Alamain. Since she had blown her chance with Lawrence, she tried to win me over.

LEXIE: Do you know this for sure?

SHANE: Yes, we have proof. We found several letters to Katerina, in the Von Leuschner house in Vienna. She apparently had some kind of "tutor," if you will, helping her plan how to win John's heart and steal his money.

JANET: Do you know who this person was?

JOHN: No, the letters were only signed with a letter "P," and the I.S.A. was unable to trace the handwriting. Whoever he was, though, he was a good coach. After a couple months, I had my marriage to Danielle annulled, and I married Katerina.

JACK: Heaven help you...

JOHN: Yeah, well, it didn't last long. She kept pressuring me to make a claim to the Alamain fortune, to assume my "rightful place in society." I wasn't interested in all that, and she got angry. Soon, I figured out that she was just after money, and I told her that I was thinking about divorcing her and maybe bringing her up on charges.

ABE: Oh, boy. What did she do?

JOHN: I don't really know. The last thing I remember is a huge argument we had. After that, it's all a blank. I figure that I was captured and brainwashed by Stefano DiMera soon after that.

JANET: Perhaps there's a connection between Katerina and DiMera?

SHANE: We considered that, but we couldn't find any evidence to support it.

JOHN: It seems to me that my kidnapping and brainwashing was because of what was going on between Stefano and Roman Brady.

MORGAN: When were you kidnapped?

JOHN: Near as I can figure, late 1985.

JANET: If I may, I'd like to take a turn here. I think I can pick up the story at this point.

JOHN: Certainly. Go ahead.

JANET: I've done an exhaustive amount of reading on Katerina Von Leuschner. Interpol had extensive files on her activities between 1986 and 1990. She had over ten aliases, and several of them had criminal records. She was charged with embezzlement, extortion, conspiracy to commit fraud, and a host of other crimes.

SHANE: But no convictions.

JANET: No. I have all the details about her companions, her aliases, and the crimes she was charged with. I'll make these available to any of you that want to look at them.

JOHN: So, she's back to hanging out with crime figures. She causes trouble around Europe for a few years, and ends up in Tahiti.

JACK: There's an interesting story behind that, as well.

SHANE: Do tell...

JACK: We just discovered this a day or two ago. There was a doctor in Tahiti, a general practitioner... His name was Carl Manning.

THE ROOM IS SILENT. EVERYONE IS LISTENING INTENTLY TO JACK.

JANET: Very clever...

JACK: The real Dr. Manning closed down his practice during his absence, but I suspect that Katerina used his office, and his name, to convince Justin and Adrienne that she was a doctor.

ALICE: So they help her move to Salem...

JOHN: And she immediately falls for Bo.

MORGAN: Why Bo?

JOHN: I'm sure she knew that he's Victor Kiriakis' only son.

JANET: Another conquest.

ALICE: She did attach herself to him rather quickly, now that I think about it.

SHANE: Well, she had missed her opportunities to get her hands on the Alamain fortune. I guess she moved on to the Kiriakis empire.

ALICE: But then, she married Victor. Why?

JACK: (WRYLY) Perhaps she didn't want to wait until Victor died to get her hands on his money.

JOHN: Or she figured out that Bo wouldn't have anything to do with Victor or the Kiriakis fortune. I'm not sure if we'll ever know exactly why...

ABE: (NODDING TOWARD LEXIE) Well, I know that we've been doing a lot of listening here. We do have one piece to contribute.

JOHN: Go for it, partner.

ABE: We checked with every medical organization in the U.S. and in Tahiti, and none of them ever registered a Dr. Carly Manning, or a Katerina Von Leuschner. She was no doctor. At least, not legally.

JOHN: Well, I guess we have a pretty good idea what she really was. (BEAT) A disturbed, deceitful, evil woman who was overcome by greed for money and power.

SHANE: Indeed, that seems to sum it up.

JOHN: Yeah. Carly Manning, this was your life...

HOLD ON JOHN.

CUT TO: BO'S BOAT. BO PACES THE DECK, CARRYING A PORTABLE PHONE. HE IS SPEAKING TO ROMAN, TWO-WAY. IN PROGRESS.

ROMAN: Sounds like Yamada is a good Captain.

BO: She is. I think she's almost as worried about Shawn-D as I am...

ROMAN: How is the little guy?

BO: Well... that's why I called.

ROMAN: Why? Is something wrong with Shawn-Douglas? If there's anything...

BO: Roman... You know that I told you Shawn-D has been dreaming about Carly?

ROMAN: That's not surprising... She was like a mother to him...

BO: I know, but... This morning his dream was different.

ROMAN: Different?

BO: He told me he heard a shot, saw Carly and I fall, smelled something burning...

ROMAN: Shawn-D saw you fall? Smelled... gunpowder?

BO: That's what Yamada and I think that "something burning" is.

ROMAN: Bo... oh my God... That means we were wrong when we assumed the killer hit Shawn-D so he wouldn't see anything.

BO: I know... It means he hit Shawn-D because he did see something.

HOLD ON ROMAN'S SHOCK.

CARVER & CARVER DETECTIVE AGENCY. ABE PUTS DOWN HIS FILE, AND SITS BACK IN HIS CHAIR. IN PROGRESS.

SHANE: It is amazing what can happen when everyone pools their resources.

MORGAN: I've gotta hand it to you. You've all got some kind of sleuthing skills.

LEXIE: Yes, and Mrs. Horton, I didn't realize you were so good at this.

ALICE: I don't just make donuts, you know.

EVERYONE LAUGHS.

JACK: Yes, all the information ties together nicely.

ALICE: (WORRIED) You know, I wonder how the truth is going to affect those who were the closest to Carly? Like Jennifer... and especially Bo.

SHANE: Alice is right. We want to be very careful how we disperse this information.

ABE: How do you propose it be handled?

JOHN: I'm going to be seeing Bo later today. I'll feel him out to see if he's ready to know the truth.

SHANE: Good idea. And Jennifer?

JACK: I'll talk to her and see how open she is to this.

ALICE: Thank you, Jack.

JACK: But, I wouldn't hold out much hope yet. She's just gone through a traumatic experience and I'm not sure she's ready for another one.

JANET STANDS UP AND WALKS A FEW STEPS BEFORE TURNING AROUND TOWARDS THE OTHERS.

LEXIE: What's that?

JANET: We still don't know who killed her.

HOLD ON JANET.

CUT TO: EUTERPE. EVE IS GOING OVER THE LUNCH RECEIPTS, WHEN IAN COMES FROM BACKSTAGE WITH SOME CD'S TO TAKE TO THE SOUND BOOTH. EVE LOOKS UP AND SEES HIM.

IAN: I thought I'd do a retro-70's kind of thing for the dinner crowd tonight. Which do you prefer, the Bee Gee's, or Tony Orlando and Dawn?

EVE: Oh, you must be kidding. (SHE CATCHES THE GLINT IN IAN'S EYES) You are kidding, you beast!

IAN: Well, if I'm Beast, does that make you Beauty?

EVE: With these bags under my eyes? You apparently need glasses, your Beastliness!

IAN: Hard time sleeping?

EVE: Yes... (SOFTENS) I didn't have a good night's sleep last night... or the one before, for that matter...

IAN: Can I help?

EVE: Not rea... (EVE STUDIES IAN) Well, ok, here's the situation. My Dad flew in from England for the Benefit...

IAN: Oh, right. Shane of "Hymn to Him" fame. He seems like a cool guy.

EVE: He is. He's offered to stay in Salem for a while. Sort of... sort of to support me. Not financially, but emotionally. He seems to think I've had a rough time, and he wants to help.

IAN: Have you? Had a rough time, I mean?

EVE: (SOFTLY) Yes.... I really have.

IAN: And does your Dad make you feel better?

EVE: He does. He has this way of talking to me... there's this tone in his voice that makes it seem like he really does care...

IAN: I saw the way he looked at you the night of the Benefit, Eve. He does care, as much as any man I've ever seen, for his daughter.

EVE: Really? So you think I should accept his offer... ask him to stay a while?

IAN: I do. Accept with your whole heart, Eve. You get damn few chances in life to be loved, and you should never turn one down, if it feels right.

EVE: Sounds like you have some experience in the area...

IAN: I do, believe me. I've been pretty lucky in love in the last few years.. but that was after a very rocky start.

EVE: Sounds like a story in there...

IAN: There is. Maybe we'll talk about it sometime. (BEAT) But for now, suffice to say, I started out looking for love, but finding sex instead. Sex and being used...

EVE: It appears, Ian, that we have more in common than just working at this place. Maybe more than I ever thought....

HOLD ON EVE.

CUT TO: JACK/JENNIFER LIVING ROOM. JENNIFER AND ROSIE ARE PLAYING WITH ABIGAIL. IN PROGRESS.

ROSIE: I'm glad. I was worried about Bill, especially with today being his and Laura's wedding anniversary.

JENNIFER: He tried to look like it wasn't bothering him, but I could tell that thinking about her really affects him.

ROSIE PLACES A TIGER PUPPET ON HER HAND AND MOVES IT AROUND AS IF IT WERE DANCING. ABIGAIL TRIES TO GRAB THE PUPPET AND STARTS CHATTERING.

ROSIE: I think she's trying to say "kitty"!

JENNIFER: Good girl, Abby!

JENNIFER GIVES ABIGAIL A KISS AND STANDS UP.

JENNIFER PICKS UP THE PHONE AND STARTS DIALING, ONE WAY.

ROSIE PICKS UP ABIGAIL AND STANDS UP, AS JENNIFER HANGS UP THE PHONE.

JENNIFER: (PUZZLED) No, Vern said he was out of the office at a meeting. But, he was evasive about the whole thing.

ROSIE: Is there something wrong?

JENNIFER: I don't think so... But I'm a little suspicious. It's almost as if Jack's keeping something from me.

ROSIE: Oh, I doubt that. I've seen the two of you together. Your husband loves you so much, that he would never try to hide anything from you.

JENNIFER: No, you see, that's exactly why he would keep something from me.

OUT ON JENNIFER.

PIER. JOHN IS SITTING WITH BRADY IN HIS LAP, HELPING BRADY "FISH". SHAWN-DOUGLAS SITS NEXT TO JOHN, WITH BO ON HIS OTHER SIDE. JOHN, BO AND SHAWN-D HOLD FISHING POLES. SHAWN-DOUGLAS APPEARS SUBDUED.

BO: Well, you're welcome to dine with us. My Sailor-man has caught us a feast.

JOHN LOOKS AT SHAWN-D'S FULL BUCKET OF FISH.

SHAWN-D: No secret...

BO: (CONSPIRATORIALLY TO JOHN) I think the fish just like Shawn-D better.

SHAWN-DOUGLAS SMILES, BUT DOESN'T CHEER UP MUCH. JOHN SETS ASIDE HIS POLE, SO BRADY CAN "TALK" TO SHAWN-DOUGLAS.

JOHN TAKES BRADY'S HANDS AND MAKES LITTLE PUNCHING MOTIONS. SHAWN-DOUGLAS BRIGHTENS AT THE ANTICS.

SHAWN-DOUGLAS GIGGLES.

SHAWN-DOUGLAS LAUGHS AND BO SMILES BROADLY.

SHAWN-D: OK. It helps if you put your worm on loose, so it can wiggle...

JOHN: Brady, we'll just have to give that a shot, since we heard it from the Master Fisherman.

JOHN SETS BRADY IN HIS BABY SEAT WHILE HE RE-BAITS THEIR HOOK.

BO: What, son?

SHAWN-D: I'm getting hungry. Can I have a snack?

BO: I think that's a great idea. Tell you what, there's sodas in the fridge and some of Grandma's home-made peanut butter cookies in a bag on the counter. Why don't you grab some for all of us?

JOHN: All right! Caroline's PB Cookies! Definitely a good idea, Shawn-D.

SHAWN-D: Thanks, Papa. I'll be back in a few minutes. I'm going to call Nikki, too. I promised I would.

BO: That's fine, son, we'll be here.

SHAWN-DOUGLAS RUNS BACK TO THE BOAT, AS JOHN AND BO WATCH HIM GO. BRADY HAS FALLEN ASLEEP, SO JOHN COVERS HIM LIGHTLY, THEN LOOKS AT BO.

BO: He is, I'm afraid. The sessions with Dr. Ector are helping his overall mood, but he still has those damn nightmares, and it scares him pretty bad.

JOHN: How are you? You've looked tired the last few times I've seen you.

BO: Well, Shawn-D's nightmares wake me up, and I sit with him, sometimes most of the night. And... (LOOKING AROUND TO SEE IF SHAWN-D HAS RETURNED) And I have some serious news about the shooter...

JOHN: What...

SHAWN-DOUGLAS RUNS UP WITH THE COOKIES AND SODAS.

JOHN: OK... (TO SHAWN-D) Hey kiddo, want to help Brady fish for a while?

SHAWN-D: That would be great.

SHAWN-D TAKES JOHN'S PLACE BESIDE BRADY. JOHN MOVES TO SIT BY BO. BO STARES OFF INTO THE DISTANCE, ACROSS THE WATER.

BO: It's everything I told you...

JOHN: But there's more. Give...

BO: (SOFTLY) There's Shawn-D... And... (DEEP BREATH) today's the anniversary of our... of Carly's and my Mayan wedding...

JOHN: Oh, man, I'm sorry...

BO: It's rough...

JOHN: I can sympathize, Bo. It's hard all the time, but special occasions are really tough.

BO: You know, for all that's happened, we've both been damned lucky. We've had these amazing women in our lives. You had Isabella, and I had Carly. Two loving, caring, beautiful, hell... perfect women. We were lucky to have them...

HOLD ON JOHN'S CONCERN.

CUT TO: SALEM FLORIST. BILL IS AT THE COUNTER, SPEAKING WITH JEANNINE, THE FLORIST.

BILL: Thanks, Jeannine. I don't know why I came in to check. I know I can always count on you.

JEANNINE: That's all right, Dr. Horton. I know how important anniversaries are. And we certainly don't want to lose a good customer like you.

JACK ENTERS AND IS SURPRISED TO SEE BILL.

BILL: Hello there, Jack.

JACK: (TO JEANNINE) Are those flowers I ordered ready?

JEANNINE: I have those delphiniums in the back, Mr. Deveraux. I'll go and wrap them up.

JEANNINE EXITS TO THE BACK OF THE SHOP.

JACK: They are Jennifer's favorites.

BILL: I know...

JACK: You would. Ummm... what brings you here?

BILL: I was checking to see if some flowers got delivered.

JACK: Not for Jennifer, I hope. I've seen the floral displays you send, my delphinium will never compete...

BILL: No, they're not for Jennifer... they're for her mother...

JACK: But her mother is in... I mean... Would she appreciate... I... (DEEP BREATH) Dr. Horton, let me extract my foot from my mouth and start over.

BILL: It's all right, Jack. Yes, I do send flowers to Laura at Bayview.

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

BILL: Today was a special day... It was our anniversary.

JACK: Happy Anniversary... I mean... (SIGH) It must have been a... difficult... day for you.

BILL: It always is. But Jennifer helped me.

JACK: Jennifer helped?

BILL: We had lunch together and had a celebration of our own, if you could call it that, reminiscing and talking about Laura.

JACK: I'm glad Jennifer was there.

BILL: So am I.

JACK: I... You... With Jennifer's accident, thinking that I'd lose her or she could be... well... she might never really come back to me... I think I can understand how you must feel to be without Mrs. Horton today.

BILL: Thank you, Jack. I do believe that you can. Probably more than most.

JACK: I realize more and more every day how lucky I am to have Jennifer in my life.

BILL: Remember that, Jack. Just keep remembering that and you'll do fine.

HOLD ON BILL'S SADNESS.

CUT TO: EUTERPE. VICTOR AND LEIGH ARE ENJOYING A FRIENDLY MEAL. IN PROGRESS...

VICTOR: Have you ever known me not to have everything in place, regardless of the situation...

LEIGH: Only once, Victor, only once...

VICTOR: You're not going to bring up that presentation mix-up...

LEIGH: When those bankers realized that the data they were seeing did not match the information you were discussing...

VICTOR AND LEIGH LAUGH, REMEMBERING.

VICTOR: Leigh, you're being too hard on him. Not everyone was born with your business acumen...

LEIGH: I was born with some of it, I confess. I think it was passed through the genes from my father. But the rest I worked for.

VICTOR: I know, some of those years were spent learning from me. You had great potential and I'm glad to see you're putting it to good use.

LEIGH: Do you think so? I know I've done good work at EcoSystems, but I'm afraid that John might undo it with a misplaced signature.

VICTOR: I'm assuming you screen all his paperwork? At least for the time being...

LEIGH: As much as humanly possible. But I still worry. Honestly, Victor, I sometimes think that man has no aptitude whatsoever.

VICTOR: John's going through a difficult time right now...

LEIGH: Wasn't it you who chided me for letting my personal life get in the way of business?

VICTOR: This is different... This is complicated... John has no memory of much of his life before 1985. He's trying to piece together his past. I can't say I blame him for not paying strict attention to business. That's why you were hired.

LEIGH: I honestly didn't know he had problems of that magnitude. It does make his inattentiveness to business easier to understand. Besides, he must have some redeeming qualities... he's got you pretty firmly in his corner...

VICTOR: You should know by now, Leigh, I only back quality.

OUT ON VICTOR.

EUTERPE. JACK AND JENNIFER ARE ENJOYING A ROMANTIC DINNER TOGETHER. THEY ARE QUIETLY EATING AND SMILING AT EACH OTHER. SUDDENLY, JENNIFER PUTS HER FORK DOWN, AND LEANS OVER THE TABLE AND KISSES JACK SWEETLY ON THE LIPS.

JENNIFER: Because of the beautiful flowers. And because I'm glad you suggested dinner tonight. But, most of all, because I love you.

JACK TAKES JENNIFER'S HAND IN HIS.

JENNIFER: I think I like your ideas, Mr. Deveraux.

JENNIFER CARESSES JACK'S FACE WITH HER HAND.

JENNIFER: Of course. She loves Abby, and I think the feeling is mutual. Besides, it gives us some time for each other tonight.

JACK TAKES A BITE FROM HIS MEAL.

JACK STARTS TO CHOKE ON HIS FOOD.

JENNIFER: How come you couldn't get one of the reporters to cover it instead?

JACK: Oh, they were all busy with the NAFTA story, or with the big deal over that ball player being traded. Besides, it's healthy to continue covering stories.

JENNIFER: (SKEPTICAL) Whatever you say, Jack.

JACK SHIFTS UNCOMFORTABLY IN HIS CHAIR.

JENNIFER: Yes?

JACK: Remember the talk I had with Bo a while back about his being Abigail's godfather?

JENNIFER: Yes, he offered to let us choose someone else if we wanted.

JACK: Right. I think we should keep Bo as our daughter's godfather.

JENNIFER: I agree. But, I'm a little surprised you would think so. You and Bo don't see eye-to-eye on most issues.

JACK: True, but I believe that Bo would always have our child's best interests at heart. I've noticed some significant changes in him lately. Besides, who am I to judge?

JENNIFER: It's settled then. (BEAT) But, we do need to decide on a new godmother for Abby.

JACK: True.

JENNIFER: We'll want to be careful. It should be someone who can fill Carly's shoes, if that's possible. Who could be as wonderful as Carly?

JACK GRIMACES, BUT JENNIFER DOES NOT NOTICE.

JENNIFER: That's a good point and definitely something to ponder over. After all, it's going to have to be somebody who was as good and kind as Carly.

HOLD ON JACK'S UNEASINESS.

CUT TO: ALAMAIN ATTIC. VIVIAN IS PACING THE ATTIC AS IVAN SITS ON A RICKETY CHAIR AND LOOKS ON PATIENTLY.

IVAN: This is true, Madame.

VIVIAN: What if he lost the note? What if he never saw it?

IVAN: That we cannot affect.

VIVIAN: Oh, God. What if Lawrence saw you? He didn't see you, did he?

IVAN: No, Madame. I was careful.

VIVIAN: What if Lawrence got to him first?

IVAN: I believe Mr. Black's antipathy toward Mr. Alamain is stronger than his anger toward you. In addition, Mr. Alamain is not a mind reader. He cannot know what I did, and so he cannot do anything to prevent Mr. Black from seeing the note.

VIVIAN: I know, I know...

IVAN: Mr. Black will find the note. He will choose how and when he contacts us.

VIVIAN: I know. I just despise waiting like this...

IVAN: You mustn't upset yourself this way, Madame.

VIVIAN: I'm sorry, Ivan. I'm such a mess. I don't understand what's happened to this family. I don't understand how I feel about Lawrence any more. I'm tired of being afraid, of worrying about losing you and Nikki. I want this all to be over.

VIVIAN STOPS PACING AND LOOKS BLEAKLY AT IVAN. IVAN WALKS UP TO HER AND HOLDS HER AT ARMS LENGTH, HIS HANDS ON HER ARMS.

VIVIAN: How can you be sure, Ivan?

IVAN: I am sure, because this situation has clarified my feelings about many things... and many people...

OUT ON IVAN AS HE STARES AT VIVIAN. FADE TO BLACK.