Scene 1: Outside of Abby's bedroom door. Jack has just tucked her in and is leaving the room when he bumps into Jennifer.

(Jack is closing Abby's door gently when Jennifer comes out of her room. They are both in their pajamas. Jack is wearing a robe.)

JENNIFER: (LOCKING HER DOOR) She asleep?

JACK: Like a baby. She had quite the day with your Aunt Maggie today.

JENNIFER: Yeah, Maggie said they looked at pictures and that she talked to Sarah and Melissa on the phone.

JACK: That's good. How are Melissa and Sarah anyway?

JENNIFER: Good, good. Melissa is in the studio working on a new album and stays pretty busy touring and Sarah is in her second year of law school.

JACK: Just like her father. (BEAT) I suppose you just got off the phone with your other cousin. Did you give Hope my condolences?

JENNIFER: Actually I gave them to Bo. He said Hope's not taking it very well. I told him we were sorry we couldn't make it.

JACK: The flat tire story worked, then?

JENNIFER: For now. I don't know how long I can keep that lie going. Jack, you're not the type to change a tire yourself.

JACK: Are you saying I'm not manly? I'll have you know that underneath these silk pajamas is a man of steel.

JENNIFER: (SMILING) A man of steel who would sooner eat glass than get his suit dirty.

JACK: (SMILING) Well, you know...

(JENNIFER SMILES AND THEN GETS VERY SAD)

Hey, why don't you get out of here for awhile?

JENNIFER: What?

JACK: You look a little...a little upset. Why don't you go over to Hope's and be with her for a bit? I think it'll do you a world of good.

JENNIFER: (SURPRISED AT JACK'S SUGGESTION) Are you sure, Jack? What if Abby wakes up?

JACK: Then I'll tell her you'll be back soon...You will be back soon, won't you?

JENNIFER: Yeah. (BEAT) Thanks, Jack. (SHE GOES TO UNLOCK HER DOOR)

JACK: (WAVING HER OFF) Ah fugetaboutit.

(JENNIFER ENTERS HER ROOM AND SHUTS THE DOOR. SHE STANDS BEHIND IT THINKING TO HERSELF)

JENNIFER: (TO HERSELF) Jack, what's gotten into you?

(MEANWHILE JACK IS OUTSIDE THE DOOR)

JACK: (LOOKING AT THE DOOR. TO HIMSELF) Jack, what's gotten into you?

(HE LOOKS AT THE DOOR PAINED FOR A MOMENT. GOES TO KNOCK AND STOPS. HE THEN SIGHS AND TURNS TO WALK DOWN THE STAIRS)

Scene 2: Jennifer and Hope talk about what "happened" between Jack and Jennifer that day.

(THE SCENE OPENS WITH JENNIFER STANDING OUTSIDE BO AND HOPE'S DOOR. SHE RINGS THE BELL)

BO: (FROM INSIDE) I wonder who that could be. (HE OPENS THE DOOR) Jenn.

JENNIFER: Bo. I'm sorry. I should've called. I just wanted to see how Hope was doing.

BO: (MOTIONING FOR HER TO COME IN) No, no problem. Come on in. I'll get Hope. (HE RUNS UP THE STAIRS)

(JENNIFER LOOKS AROUND THE HOUSE AT THE PICTURES OF BO, HOPE, SHAWN, AND J.T. WISTFULLY. AFTER A FEW SECONDS, HOPE COMES DOWN)

HOPE: Jenn?

JENNIFER: Oh, Hope. I was just looking at the pictures.

HOPE: They're nice, aren't they?

JENNIFER: They are. (BEAT) How are you doing? (SHE GRABS HER SHOULDERS)

HOPE: (HUGGING JENNIFER) Better since you're here. (SHE PULLS AWAY) I won't lie to you, Jenn, it was hard today, but it's getting better. Bo and Shawn have been great and everyone else--

JENNIFER: I'm sorry I couldn't get there. We got a flat and Jack tried to change it.

HOPE: It's okay...Really, it is. You're here now. Come on, sit. (SHE SITS DOWN AND PATS THE SOFA) I want to hear about you.

JENNIFER: Hope, I didn't come here to talk about me. I wanted to be here for you.

HOPE: I know, Jenn, I know. I'd just rather talk about something other than me for today. I hope you understand.

JENNIFER: I do.

HOPE: Good. So, tell me, how are you? More importantly, how are you and Jack doing living under the same roof? It must be good since you rode to the (TEARS UP) service together.

JENNIFER: Actually, Hope, it has been good.

(THE SCENE ENDS WITH JENNIFER SMILING SLIGHTLY AT HOPE)

Scene 3: Meanwhile at the house Jack gets a visitor.

(JACK IS DOWNSTAIRS ON THE SOFA. HE IS DRINKING SOME COFFEE AND READING THE WALL STREET JOURNAL INTENTLY. STILL IN HIS PAJAMAS, HE HAS HIS FEET ON THE COFFEE TABLE)

JACK: (TO HIMSELF) What...down two points?!

(THE DOORBELL RINGS AND JACK GETS UP)

Jennifer, did you forget your (HE OPENS THE DOOR TO SEE GRETA) keys?

GRETA: Well, Jack, I didn't know I was supposed to have a set.

JACK: Not only is she royalty, she is humorous as well (HE BOWS). To what to I owe this visit, dear princess? (HE MOTIONS FOR HER TO COME IN)

GRETA: (WALKING PAST JACK) Actually, I need something I never thought I'd be asking for...

JACK: Well, if you're looking for gems and baubles and other worldly goods, I'm afraid to say I'm fresh out. But if you're looking for-

GRETA: I'm looking for advice, Jack.

JACK: Advice? I think I have some of that to spare. What do you need my advice on? Tailors, the best restaurants in town, how to write a scathing editorial?

GRETA: On men, Jack.

(THE SCENE ENDS WITH JACK LOOKING AT GRETA WITH GREAT CONFUSION)

Scene 4: Greta seeks Jack's advice. In turn she gives him some.

JACK: On men, your heiness? Surely you could pick one worthy of yourself. I'm really not sure I could be of any help.

GRETA: (GOING TO LEAVE) You're right. On second thought, I should just go...

JACK: (STOPPING HER AND MAKING HER SIT DOWN ON THE SOFA) No, no, no. I mean...I'm not the best at this type of advice, but I can try dispensing some. (HE SITS DOWN ON A CHAIR) So, tell me Princess, what's on your mind?

GRETA: Well, it's just...well, I didn't have anyone else to turn to...(LOOKING AROUND) Where's Jennifer?

JACK: Oh, she's at her cousin's.

GRETA: And you let her go? You really do surprise me sometimes, Jack Deveraux.

JACK: Well, I'm not entirely selfish. Only ninety-nine percent of the time. (HE SMILES) Now I suppose this has to do with one Mr. Austin Reed, does it not?

GRETA: (SMILING) Austin...men in general, Jack. (BEAT) Okay, I'll just come right out and say it. Do I strike you as..as...sexless?

(JACK LOOKS FLABBERGASTED AT HER QUESTION)

Scene 5: Back at Hope's Jennifer tells her what "happened" between her and Jack today.

HOPE: (SURPRISED AT JENNIFER'S REACTION) Good? Jenn, what could possibly have happened to make you change your mind? Just the other day you wanted to kill him.

JENNIFER: I don't know, Hope. I don't know. Remember how the other day I told you about the man I met in Ireland?

HOPE: I remember something of it...kind, gentle..yeah...

JENNIFER: Well, I think that one of the main reasons that I fell for him was, was out of reaction to Jack. He was involved with this African princess-

HOPE: Whoa, what do you mean by involved, Jenn?

JENNIFER: No, Hope that's what I thought too. And today...today I found out that I was wrong. Jack wasn't involved with this princess, he was doing a job with the ISA.

HOPE: Okay, well that explains this absence. But what about the rest of the absences, Jenn? Where was Jack all those times?

JENNIFER: (THINKING IT OVER) You're right. You're right. I don't know what I was thinking. It's just...

HOPE: You know what, Jenn, I'm not telling you what to do--I'm just saying that you and Jack can't expect a miracle cure. How do you know he's not lying to you?

JENNIFER: Hope, Jack would never lie to me.

(HOPE JUST LOOKS AT JENNIFER QUESTIONINGLY)

JENNIFER: No, he might keep stuff from me, but he'd never lie.

HOPE: Okay. Say Jack didn't lie to you and he was doing all this as a favor to Shane or something. What about this guy in Ireland?

JENNIFER: Colin?

HOPE: What about Colin, Jenn? Are you willing to admit your feelings for another man to Jack? Are you willing to admit that your feelings were nothing to yourself? What if you and Colin were to meet again? Are you sure that your feelings would not still be there?

(JENNIFER JUST LOOKS AT HOPE SADLY)

Scene 6: Back at Rancho Deveraux, Greta has asked Jack if he thought she was sexless.

JACK: (COMPLETELY FLUSTERED AT GRETA'S QUESTION) Sexless? Sexless! (HE GETS UP TO WALK AROUND) Princess, I really-

(GRETA IS AMUSED BY JACK'S REACTION)

GRETA: Jack, I normally wouldn't have asked you, but I couldn't ask Austin. It's just I've never..I've never..slept with anyone before.

JACK: (STILL WALKING) You never? You never! (TO HIMSELF) What is it with women telling me this stuff all the time?

GRETA: What was that?

JACK: Nothing, nothing. Okay (HE SITS DOWN ON THE SOFA NEXT TO HER). Princess, I don't think of you as...as... as sexless. I think you are a beautiful, intelligent, (PICKING UP A THROW PILLOW TO SHOW TO HER), tasteful woman.

GRETA: With no sex appeal whatsoever.

JACK: I didn't say that. I mean, sex appeal only gets you so far. Believe me, I know.

GRETA: Jennifer is a very sexy woman. You wouldn't call her sexless.

JACK: (THINKING ABOUT JENNIFER) Yes, yes, she is. But you see, Jennifer, Jennifer...I don't love...I didn't love Jennifer for that. I loved her for other reasons.

GRETA: So being sexless doesn't matter?

JACK: No, no. You're missing the point. It took me a long time...a really long time to admit that I was falling for Jennifer. I mean I always knew it. I just, I just had a hard time saying it. I saw her as this, this person who deserved to be with someone better...who deserved to be with someone who I thought could cater to her every whim, who could tell her these things on a daily basis. Luckily for me, she thought otherwise. I fell in love with Jennifer's mind long before I fell in love with her body. In fact, you could say that she was quite inexperienced when we first met.

GRETA: So you're saying that sex appeal plays only a minute part in a relationship?

JACK: Yes, I guess that's what I'm trying to get at. Might I ask what dark force put that idea in your head? Was it oh--Miss Sami Brady?

GRETA: No, actually, it was Nicole Walker.

JACK: I don't believe I had the pleasure.

GRETA: There is no pleasure, believe me. (BEAT) You know, Jack, you really are going to be great someday when it comes to have a talk with Abby about the birds and the bees.

JACK: If I'm still alive by then.

GRETA: (SMILING) What do you mean by that?

JACK: Well, Abigail will be about ninety-five by then. (BEAT) Could I interest you in a spot of tea?

GRETA: Actually, I'd love that. (BEAT) Are you expecting Jennifer back anytime soon?

JACK: (GETTING UP TO GO MAKE TEA) I really...I really don't know. (HE LOOKS SAD)

GRETA: (GETTING UP ALSO) Jack, do you want to talk about it?

JACK: First the tea, then my woes. Perhaps I'll put a little Bailey's in it to make the woes seem a little less daunting. (REMEMBERING JENNIFER'S TIME IN IRELAND) On second thought, none of that Irish stuff. If you'll give me a moment...(HE WALKS INTO THE KITCHEN)

GRETA: Jack, let me help...

JACK: (FROM THE KITCHEN) You'll do no such thing. Now sit your little sexless self down and relax.

GRETA: (SMILING) That I will. (SHE SITS DOWN)

Scene 7: Hope asks Jennifer if she can forget about Colin and go on with her life.

HOPE: Tell me, Jenn, that if you saw this Colin man again that you could forget about what lengths you went to for him? To get up and leave the love of your life, the father of your child, in the middle of the night and go to a foreign country is a pretty big step. I know you say nothing was there, but I have a feeling otherwise.

JENNIFER: You know what, Hope, it doesn't matter what happened then. It's over. I'll never have to see Dr. Colin Murphy again, God-willing.

HOPE: So, what do you plan on doing, Jenn? Going back to the house and telling Jack you love him? Can you do that?

JENNIFER: No, no, no. I don't know what I'm doing, Hope. I just know that I have to be by myself for awhile.

HOPE: In a house with your ex-husband?

JENNIFER: I know it's not an ideal situation, but I want to feel this out before I make any decisions.

HOPE: Do you think Jack can take the truth, Jenn? Do you think that he could still love you knowing that you were with another man?

JENNIFER: Hope, I....I really don't see any need in telling him.

HOPE: Jenn, don't do this. Be honest with him. If you think there's a chance for you, be honest. You don't want secrets looming over your head. They are bound to come out someday. They'll be worse then.

JENNIFER: Why do I get the feeling that you're not talking about just me here, Hope?

Scene 8: Jack comes back with tea and discusses his long-lost family.

(JACK RETURNS TO THE LIVING ROOM WITH A TRAY OF TEA. GRETA IS LOOKING ON THE SHELVES AT THE PICTURES)

JACK: (SNEAKING UP BEHIND HER) Find anything interesting?

GRETA: (JUMPING A LITTLE, THEN HITTING JACK) You really should not sneak up on people like that. (BEAT) I was just admiring your lovely family.

JACK: (SETTING DOWN THE TEA ON THE TABLE BEHIND THE SOFA AND WALKING BACK OVER TO GRETA LOOKING AT THE PICTURES) They're okay...as family's go.

GRETA: (SMILING) Jack, you are awful. (POINTING TO A PICTURE) That's Jennifer's brother, Mike, isn't it? And that's his wife, Carrie Brady?

JACK: Uh-huh. Austin's ex-wife. She really is a nice girl. That's his son Jeremy right there (HE POINTS TO ANOTHER PICTURE).

GRETA: (POINTING TO ANOTHER PICTURE) And that?

JACK: (NARROWING HIS EYES TO TAKE A BETTER LOOK) Oh, that's my sister, Adrienne, and her husband, Justin Kiriakis', Victor's nephew. And that's their brood.

GRETA: Lots of boys.

JACK: Yes. That's (POINTING) Alexander, Victor, Joseph, and little Jackson.

GRETA: After you?

JACK: Who else?

GRETA: And this little girl (PICKING UP A PICTURE)?

JACK: My niece Stephanie. She and her mother Kayla live out in California. She was my brother Steve's daughter. There's a picture of my brother Steve and Jo, my, um, mother, right there (HE LOOKS AT THE PICTURE WITH GREAT SADNESS).

GRETA: (SETTING DOWN THE PICTURE OF STEPHANIE) You were adopted, weren't you, Jack?

JACK: (POURING THE TEA) I was a lot of things. Adopted was one of them.

GRETA: (WALKING OVER TO GET HER TEA) And you didn't meet your mother until you were an adult, right?

JACK: (HANDING HER A CUP) Yes.

GRETA: How was that? I mean this may sound strange to you, but I've known since the coronation who my birth father is. I just don't know if it's worth telling him.

JACK: (SITTING DOWN ON A CHAIR) Telling him that he has a beautiful, intelligent albeit sexless daughter? I think he'd be thrilled.

GRETA: I just don't know if I'll be thrilled, Jack. I mean he never had anything to do with me. (SHE SITS DOWN ON THE COUCH)

JACK: Let me tell you something about parents, dear Princess. And listen up because it is very important that you realize this before you are one. I didn't until I had that little girl upstairs to think about. (BEAT) We screw up. Sometimes we do things that seem like the best thing for the child and it isn't so.

GRETA: I can't imagine that you could ever do anything that wrong with Abby.

JACK: Oh, I did. I suppose you know that I've had quite the shady past now, don't you?

GRETA: I've heard something to that effect.

JACK: And I'm not to say that I should be forgiven for all my actions (REFERRING TO KAYLA'S RAPE) but, but...did you know I left Jennifer and Abigail when she was very young because I felt guilty over something I had done that may have hurt her? I felt guilty so I left them to fend for themselves. I thought that Jennifer would be better off without me here and that I would always hurt her or our daughter. (BEAT) I was wrong. I've learned that leaving was the worst possible thing I could do. The point is, we make mistakes. My mother made a mistake giving us up, but she had her reasons and Jo.. Jo and I have an understanding now. I think that any father would be an idiot to be less than thrilled to have you in his life especially now. (BEAT) Words spoken by a once reluctant father.

GRETA: Jack, do you want to have more kids?

JACK: Well, I...one is fine. I do remember Abigail talking about wanting a baby brother though. (BEAT) Heheheh, I don't think that's going to happen.

GRETA: What if you and Jennifer got back together? Would you want kids then?

JACK: Well, that, Princess, is not going to happen. Not by a long shot.

Scene 9: Hope covers for herself.

(JENNIFER HAS JUST ACCUSED HOPE OF KEEPING A SECRET) JENNIFER: Hope, are you keeping something from Bo? Is that what this is about?

HOPE: (FLUSTERED) No. (SIGHING) Jenn, I'm just saying that relationships should be built on honesty.

JENNIFER: Like yours and Bo's?

HOPE: Well...well...yes. (LOOKING AT THE CLOCK) Wow, it really is getting late.

JENNIFER: I'll take that as my cue to leave (SHE GRABS HER PURSE).

(THEY BOTH GET UP AND GO TO THE DOOR)

Are you sure you don't want me to stick around so you could talk? I feel bad leaving only talking about myself.

HOPE: No, don't. I really needed to hear something other than "I'm sorrys". I got enough of them today at the service. I just, I just...(SHE STARTS TO CRY)

JENNIFER: Oh, Hope (SHE HUGS HER). How's Abe? He must be broken up too.

HOPE: He's dealing. Jenn, I tell you it's a good thing Stefano didn't show up at the service today. I think Abe would've done something rash.

JENNIFER: Wait...Stefano didn't show up to his own daughter's funeral?

HOPE: No. I mean I was a little surprised. Lexie and he had gotten so close in the past year. I guess it was for the best.

(JUST THEN BO COMES DOWN THE STAIRS)

BO: What's for the best?

HOPE: I was just telling Jenn how good it was that Stefano didn't show up at the service today.

BO: (PUTTING HIS ARMS AROUND HOPE) Yeah. Speaking of DiMera, I just got off the phone with my cousin in Ireland. He said that it looks like they're getting DiMera's estate ready in Ireland for some reason. It looks like he might be taking a little jaunt.

HOPE: Well, it makes sense. The only thing holding him in Salem was Lexie and now that she's gone (SHE CRIES).

BO: (HUGGING HER) Let's just hope it's a permanent vacation.

(JENNIFER MOTIONS BYE TO BO AND SHUTS THE DOOR. OUTSIDE SHE PAUSES)

JENNIFER: (TO HERSELF) I've got to tell Jack about this (SHE RUNS UP THE WALK)

Scene 10:

GRETA: But, Jack, you said that you and Jennifer we're getting along better.

JACK: I did? I meant to say we weren't brandishing sharp knives every time we come into contact.

GRETA: You know, Jack, I really hope that this works out. From what I understand, you and Jennifer were perfect together.

JACK: Were perfect. Past-tense. (HE GETS UP AND WALKS BEHIND THE COUCH)

GRETA: ( FOLLOWING JACK WITH HER EYES) What makes you so sure that there isn't any magic there?

JACK: Let's just say that Jennifer doesn't need any magic when she has Lucky Charms Boy to play with.

GRETA: Are you saying that there was another man in Jennifer's life?

JACK: One with a brogue, yes.

GRETA: And that's why she left you in Africa?

JACK: I'd bet my insignificant life on it.

GRETA: Have you asked her about her time in Ireland?

JACK: (TURNING TOWARDS HER) Have I asked her about it? Do you think she'd tell me if I did? It's really none of my business.

GRETA: Jack, the Jennifer Horton I know about would never leave unless she suspected things were over.

JACK: She thought I left her for another woman.

GRETA: Did you?

JACK: Did I? Of course I didn't.

GRETA: Then why would she think that?

JACK: (TURNING AWAY) I was gone. I'm always gone. I mean, I mean.. I don't have the best track record with Jennifer. I also don't have the best record when it comes to knowing what she wants or needs. I just thought she understood that...that...that's how I deal with things. I would never leave her for another woman...never. I just figured that when I came home I could tell her what happened and she'd throw her arms around me and we'd put on Johnny Mathis records and dance. But...

GRETA: But it never happened.

JACK: That's beside the point. I thought you came here to talk about you and your Austin troubles.

GRETA: Jack, you're changing the subject.

JACK: No, I'm actually adding to it. (BEAT) You know what my advice to you is, Princess? Fight. No, don't run out and ruin your pretty little manicure on Samantha Brady. Tell Austin how you feel...tell him how you feel...before it's... (HE TURNS HIS BACK TOWARDS HER) it's too late.

(THE SCENE ENDS WITH GRETA LOOKING AT JACK CONCERNED AND JACK LOOKING AWAY BROKEN-HEARTED)

Scene 11:

GRETA: (WALKING TOWARDS JACK) Contrary to what you say, Jack, I don't believe it's too late for you and Jennifer.

JACK: Well, I thank you for your extreme overconfidence. I'll be sure to write it down in my diary tonight before I retire.

GRETA: Jack, you are unbelievable...you really are.

JACK: You should see my second act.

GRETA: (LOOKING AT HER WATCH) I'd love to stay and observe but I really have to get going. (BEAT) Will you kiss Abby for me? (SHE SETS DOWN HER CUP AND MOVES TOWARDS THE DOOR)

JACK: (WALKING WITH HIS ARM AROUND HER) I must apologize with my lack of mind-blowing advice. I'll try to brush up on my quotations and fables for next time.

GRETA: Jack, you helped me more than you'll ever know.

JACK: (STOPPING HER) I can help even more, you know.

GRETA: (AMUSED) You can?

(JACK REACHES DOWN AND UNBUTTONS ANOTHER BUTTON ON HER TOP AS GRETA WATCHES HIM WARILY)

JACK: (SMUGLY) Instant sex appeal. A little does go along way.

GRETA: Jack, you are crazy (SHE HITS HIM), but thank you so much for everything (SHE HUGS HIM).

JACK: Well, you know...

(JUST THEN THE CAMERA PANS OUT TO JENNIFER WHO IS IN THE WINDOW. SHE HAS BEEN THERE EVER SINCE JACK WALKED GRETA WITH HIS ARM AROUND HER TO THE DOOR. SHE IS VERY JEALOUS.)

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