It is a few days later. JACK and JENNIFER have left Ireland and are arriving home. COLIN has also decided to return to Salem, mainly to clear his name and to help BO with his investigation on DIMERA, considering BO is still rather wary of him.

Scene 1: INT.-AIRPLANE-MORNING

IN on JENNIFER, who is sitting in her seat and looking, rather annoyed. COLIN is seated next to her and is trying to make conversation, but JENNIFER is not paying attention, but rather keeps sneaking looks a few rows up.

COLIN: And then she gave me a-(NOTICING JENNIFER IS NOT PAYING ATTENTION) Jennifer? Jennifer? Did you hear me?

JENNIFER: (SMILING NERVOUSLY AND TRYING TO PRETEND LIKE SHE DID) Yeah. I mean, yeah.

COLIN: (NOT LIKING THAT HE CAN'T KEEP HER ATTENTION) Okay, then, what did I just say?

JENNIFER: Uh....that the weather was nice?

COLIN: (ANNOYED) No. I was telling you about what my mum gave me for Christmas when I was ten.

JENNIFER: (FEIGNING KNOWLEDGE) Oh, that's right. Christmas. (BEAT) What did she give you?

COLIN shakes his head in annoyance.

JENNIFER: I'm sorry, Colin. I guess I just have other things on my mind.

COLIN: More like other people.

JENNIFER: (SMILING WEAKLY AND LOOKING PENSIVELY A FEW ROWS UP) Yeah, I guess you can say that.

CUT to JACK, who JENNIFER had been sneaking hopeful peeks at, typing away at his laptop. He can feel her looking at him, but cannot bring himself to look back. He is almost determined to ignore her. He continues to pound words out on his computer screen.

CUT to JACK'S computer screen:

WHY I AM NO GOOD FOR JENNIFER
1. CANNOT OPEN UP. TRY BUT CAN'T.
2. AM IRRESPONSIBLE.
3. AM NOT THERE FOR HER
. 4. HURT HER.
5.

JACK sits back and ponders the next reason. He is clearly annoying the woman next to him, who is watching him with daggers in her eyes.

WOMAN: (GLANCING AT THE SCREEN AND THEN LEANING OVER TO JACK) You forgot annoying.

JACK: (SMILING NERVOUSLY AT HER) Hehehe. Annoying? Annoying! How could I? OUT on JACK going adding "AM ANNOYING" to his list.

SCENE 2: INT. AIRPLANE-MORNING

IN on JENNIFER, who is still peeking over at JACK, hopeful that he will turn around. COLIN is visibly annoyed at the fact that she STILL won't listen to him.

COLIN: Jennifer? Jennifer Rose? Sheesh, I'm beginning to think that I'm not good company.

JENNIFER: (COMING TO) Colin, I'm...I'm sorry. (BEAT) You were saying?

COLIN: (READING HER TO SEE IF SHE WILL PAY ATTENTION AND THEN GOING AHEAD) I was saying how I never really had been to the States before. I was wondering if you could sho-

JENNIFER: (SMILING AND PUTTING HER HAND UP TO STOP HIM. SHE CANNOT STAND THE FACT THAT JACK WON'T LOOK AT HER) I'm sorry, Colin. Can you hold that thought for one moment? (UNBUCKLING HER SEATBELT AND GETTING UP) I really have to take care of something.

JENNIFER walks down the aisle and over to JACK'S row. She has to get past the other passengers in his row to get to him since he is in the window seat. They are very ticked off with her. Behind her, COLIN knows what she is doing and shakes his head in disgust and in confusion.

JENNIFER: (SMILING TO THE OTHERS) Excuse me. Excuse me. Really, I'm sorry. (THE LADY SEATED NEXT TO JACK SIGHS AND GETS UP) Thank you, really.

JACK spots her and nervously scrambles to close up his computer.

JENNIFER: (SITTING DOWN AND GETTING COMFORTABLE. SMILING WIDELY TO HIM) Hi Jack.

OUT on JACK nervously waving his hand at her.

SCENE 3: INT.-AIRPLANE-MORNING

IN PROGRESS

JACK: (NERVOUSLY SMILING) Jennifer, Hi. So nice to see you. How's your flight been so far?

JENNIFER: Very funny, Jack. Almost as funny as you trading tickets with Colin.

JACK: (AVOIDING THE SUBJECT) Well, I figured that you two might want to get re-acquainted, you know. And even though I would've opted for a first class seat, we do have a college fund to remember. Where do you think Abigail would want to go by the way? Harvard? Yale? I mean...

JENNIFER: (SMILING AT HIS ATTEMPT TO CHANGE THE SUBJECT) This is not about Abby right now, Jack. This is about her mommy and her daddy.

JACK: Well, Daddy would rather talk about his daughter if you don't mind.

JENNIFER: I do mind, Jack. We've got to talk about us, you and I-(GESTURING FROM HIM TO HERSELF)

JACK: Jennifer, there is no you and I (GESTURING FROM HER TO HIM). There is just YOU (GESTURING TO HER) and I (GESTURING TO HIMSELF).

JENNIFER: Why do you do this? Why do you close up whenever I want to talk about our relationship?

JACK: (HOLDING HIS FINGERS UP LIKE QUOTATION MARKS) "Our Relationship"? Jennifer, we don't have a relationship, unless, of course you want to take into consideration our relationship as exes who share a daughter.

JENNIFER: We share much more than Abby, you know that, Jack.

JACK: (FLIP) Yes, we also share a house and the electric bill, and the water bill...Speaking of which, it would be nice if I found a job to pay for all that with. My bank account is running rather dry. (OPENING THE LAPTOP UP)

JENNIFER reaches over and slams the laptop shut. Her hand is resting atop JACK'S and neither one of them wants to move it. OUT on JACK staring nervously at their entwined hands and JENNIFER smiling happily at the fact.

SCENE 4: INT. AIRPLANE - MORNING

IN PROGRESS

IN on JACK and JENNIFER who are making no effort to move their hands. JENNIFER smiles triumphantly at JACK, who is looking nervous at their closeness.

JACK: (SOFTLY) Jennifer-

JENNIFER: (THINKING SHE MAY HAVE BROKE THROUGH TO HIM) Yes, Jack?

JACK: (PULLING A FACE) Jennifer, you hurt my hand. JENNIFER: (DISAPPOINTED AND ANGRY AT HIM) Hurt your hand? Hurt your hand? I'll hurt your hand, Jack Deveraux.

All of a sudden the pilot's voice comes over the loudspeaker. As the pilot speaks, JENNIFER and JACK stare at each other. JENNIFER wants JACK to listen to her and JACK wants her to think that he's over her.

PILOT: (V.O.) Ladies and gentlemen, we are approaching the Salem International Airport. We want to thank you for choosing to fly with us and are hoping that you'll choose our airline again in the future. At this time, we'd like to ask that you remain seated and that you fasten your seatbelts. Approximate landing time is fifteen minutes. Thank you once again.

Behind them, the woman who was seated next to JACK clears her throat. JENNIFER looks at JACK dejectedly and they both look up at the woman.

JENNIFER: (SADLY) I...I'm sorry. (GETTING UP) I'll see...(TURNING TO JACK, WHO IS STARING STRAIGHT AHEAD TRYING TO IGNORE THE SITUATION) I'll see you when we land, Jack.

JACK: (NOT LOOKING AT HER) Will do, Miss Horton. Will do.

JENNIFER stares at him sadly for a moment, expecting him to say more. When he doesn't, she walks away and the woman sits down next to JACK. On her way back to her seat, JENNIFER continues to stare at JACK.

WOMAN: (TO JACK) I don't know who that Jennifer person is, but that little girl right there really loves your annoying little self.

OUT on JACK, smiling sadly and weakly at the woman. He wishes he could be with Jennifer, but knows he is no good.

SCENE 5: INT. SALEM AIRPORT-MORNING

IN on JENNIFER who is stepping out of the terminal and spots JACK going down the escalator. She adjusts her bag and COLIN comes running up behind her.

COLIN: Jennifer Rose, I tried to stop you, but you ran out of there so fast. Here, you left this (HE GOES TO HAND HER HER BOOK)

JENNIFER: (NOT LOOKING AT HIM BUT TRYING TO FOLLOW JACK WITH HER EYES) Sorry. (SHE GRABS THE BOOK WITHOUT LOOKING AT HIM) Colin. (SHE TURNS TO HIM) Colin, I'm so awful. Do you even know where the Brady Pub is? I'm assuming that's where you're headed. I'm sure Vern could give you a lift since he's picking up Jack and I. (NOT REALLY WANTING HIM TO TAKE HER UP ON THE OFFER)

COLIN: (UNSURE OF WHETHER OR NOT IT IS A GOOD IDEA TO LET HER AND JACK RIDE TOGETHER, BUT DECIDING AGAINST TAKING A RIDE) I wouldn't dream of it. I'll take one of those taxis you Americans are always talking about. Go...go be with your daughter.

JENNIFER: (SMILING IN RELIEF) Okay, if you're sure? Alright, I'll give you a call later, okay? (SHE ADJUSTS HER BAG AND RUNS OFF DOWN THE ESCALATOR IN HOPES TO FIND JACK)

COLIN stares at her back vehemently. He does not know how to get close to JENNIFER if she still believes that she and JACK have a chance.

CUT to JACK, who is waiting by the luggage carousel and reading a copy of THE SPECTATOR and shaking his head at its contents.

JENNIFER spots him and walks up beside him. He does not see her.

JENNIFER: (SMILING) Hi Jack.

JACK: (JUMPING BACK A LITTLE IN SURPRISE) Jennifer, (CLUTCHING HIS CHEST) you shouldn't do that. I'm not nearly as young as I used to be. I mean I only act four.

JENNIFER: (SMILING AT HIS REACTION) Whatcha doing?

JACK: (STRAIGHTENING HIMSELF UP) I think its called reading. You should try it sometime.

JENNIFER: (WALKING OVER AND READING OVER HIS SHOULDER) The classifieds? Apartments? (IN SHOCK) Jack, you're not thinking about moving out, are you?

JACK: No thinking. Thought.

JENNIFER: (WORRIED) But what about Abby?

JACK: She'll be fine and no worry, I will still be paying my share of the bills (HE GOES BACK TO READING THE PAPER).

JENNIFER: No, Jack. I'm not talking about financially.

JACK: (GLANCING BRIEFLY UP AT HER) Not to worry, Miss H. , I'll be there emotionally as well.

JENNIFER: (TEARS WELLING UP) Jack, don't. (SHE TOUCHES HIS ELBOW)

JACK: (LOOKING UP AND TRYING TO HIDE HIS PAIN) Don't what?

At that moment, VERN notices them and walks over.

VERN: Jack, Jenny-Girl. Boy am I glad to see-- (HE SHAKES JACK'S HAND AND HUGS JENNIFER BUT NOTICES SOMETHING IS WRONG) What's going on? You two look like you just lost your best friends.

JACK AND JENNIFER: (STARING AT EACH OTHER, KNOWING THAT THEY ARE LOSING THEIR BEST FRIENDS IN A SENSE) Nothing.

OUT on Vern looking oddly at JACK and JENNIFER and wondering what is really going on.

SCENE 6: INT. VERN'S CAR

IN on VERN who is driving and looking over at JACK, who is now circling things in the paper. VERN also sneaks peeks at JENNIFER, who is sitting with her arms-crossed in the backseat looking sadly at JACK. It is silent. VERN wants to speak, but doesn't know what to say. He decides instead to turn up the radio.

VERN: Oh, I love this song...(HE STARTS TO HUM THE SONG)

JACK hears the song and stops looking at the paper for a moment and looks out the side mirror at JENNIFER who sees him and stares. After a moment, the pain is too much and they lose themselves in the song. JENNIFER envisions herself in Africa, staring at the phone wondering where JACK is and JACK envisions himself about to call her while in Africa and at the last minute being pulled away by BILL, her father. The scene ends with JACK and JENNIFER staring at each other in the mirror, each one wanting the other to make it alright.

So Far Away

by Carole King

So far away
Doesn't anybody stay in one place any more?
It would be so fine to see your face at my door
Doesn't help to know you're just time away

Long ago I reached for you and there you stood
Holding you again could only do me good
Oh, how I wish I could
But you're so far away

One more song about move along the highway
Can't say much of anything that's new
If I could only work this life out my way
I'd rather spend it being close to you

But you're so far away
Doesn't anybody stay in one place any more?
It would be so fine to see your face at my door
Doesn't help to know you're just time away

Traveling around sure gets me down and lonely
Nothing else to do but close my mind
I sure hope the road don't come to own me
There's so many dreams I've yet to find

But you're so far away
Doesn't anybody stay in one place any more?
It would be so fine to see your face at my door
Doesn't help to know you're just time away

END OF EPISODE 31

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