IN on MARY, working at her desk. The door opens and JENNIFER walks over.

JENNIFER: (NERVOUS) Um, hi.

MARY: (LOOKING UP) Oh, hi, Miss Horton. I didn't realize you had an appointment today (THUMBING FRANTICALLY THROUGH HER CALENDAR). What time did I book you?

JENNIFER: Actually, you didn't. I'm just here because something came up. I was wondering if Marlena, Dr. Evans, has a minute or two to spare?

MARY: (NOTING JENNIFER'S NERVOUSNESS) I see. Well, let me see what I can do. (EXAMINING THE CALENDAR AGAIN AS JENNIFER PEERS OVER HER). You can have a seat, Miss Horton.

JENNIFER: Oh, yes. Thank you. (WALKING AND SITTING DOWN NERVOUSLY WITH HER PURSE IN HER LAP AND HER HANDS BENEATH HER LEGS, WHICH ARE BOUNCING) (VOICEOVER) Look at her...she thinks I'm some sort of a nutcase. Oh, Jennifer Rose, what have you done to get here?

MARY: (HANGING UP THE PHONE) Miss Horton?

JENNIFER: (STANDING UP) Yes?

MARY: Dr. Evans will see you now.

OUT on JENNIFER, looking at MARLENA'S office door, wondering if she should go in.

SCENE 2: INT. MARLENA'S OFFICE

JENNIFER enters to find MARLENA working diligently at her desk. She peeks her head inside and MARLENA looks up.

MARLENA: (SMILING) Jennifer, how nice to see you.

JENNIFER: (SMILING NERVOUSLY AND WALKING OVER) Hi, Marlena. I really do appreciate you fitting me in here.

MARLENA: I'm glad I could. Have a seat. I see you're alone today.

JENNIFER: (SITTING DOWN) Oh, you mean without Jack?

MARLENA: Yes, without Jack. (NOTICING JENNIFER'S NERVOUSNESS) Jennifer does that bother you?

JENNIFER: That you find it odd that Jack's not here? No.

MARLENA: I wasn't talking about that. Does it bother you that he isn't here?

JENNIFER: Well, no....should it?

MARLENA: No...I just thought you were rather opposed to coming to sessions alone.

JENNIFER: I mean, I don't like the idea of coming here by myself but...Marlena, I came here not for myself, really. I need to talk about things.

MARLENA: Things you can't talk about with him?

JENNIFER: No, not really.

MARLENA: And why do you think that is?

JENNIFER: Well, because it's about a subject Jack hates to talk about.

MARLENA: How do you know? Have you tried?

JENNIFER: On countless occasions. Marlena, what I need to talk about...well, I need to talk about Jack.

MARLENA raises an eyebrow at the subject matter.

SCENE 3: INT. MARLENA'S OFFICE

IN PROGRESS

MARLENA: You want to talk about Jack?

JENNIFER: Yes, well not Jack in general, just a problem he's having. I'm sorry, is that a problem?

MARLENA: No, it's just that I think it would be more effective if you spoke about these things with him, that's all.

JENNIFER: I can't. Trust me on this one.

MARLENA: Okay. (GETTING UP TO POUR SOME COFFEE). So, where do you want to start? (BEAT) Jennifer, would you like some coffee?

JENNIFER: (WATCHING MARLENA INTENTLY) Coffee? No...I'm fine.

MARLENA: (WALKING BACK OVER AND SITTING DOWN) What's up with Jack lately?

JENNIFER: I wish I could tell you.

MARLENA: You wish you could tell me? Jennifer, has Jack been around?

JENNIFER: To see Abby off to school and to tuck her in but that's about it.

MARLENA: You mean you two haven't been talking?

JENNIFER: We've been talking alright. "Jennifer, would you like some cookies?", "Jennifer, I think we should order out tonight", "Have you seen the paper this morning, Jennifer?"

MARLENA: (LOST) You mean you two haven't been talking about anything we've discussed here?

JENNIFER: Actually, we've been avoiding it like the plague. Okay, he has. Marlena, I've tried talking to him but every single time-

MARLENA: Something comes up. And what about you?

JENNIFER: What about me? I've been...I've honestly been the most open I've been in months.

MARLENA: And he's been closing himself up. That must really be hard on you.

JENNIFER: It is and it isn't. I'm used to it. Wow, that sounds really unhealthy, doesn't it?

MARLENA: Not really. (BEAT) I just don't seem to understand, Jennifer, we were making such headway here with him. Did something happen that would set him back a few steps?

JENNIFER: (GETTING UP) You know, maybe I will have some of that coffee you were talking about. (FIXING HERSELF A CUP)

MARLENA: (STANDING UP AND WALKING OVER TO WHERE JENNIFER IS) Jennifer, did something happen between you to scare him? Did you two make love for the first time in months?

JENNIFER: (NEARLY CHOKING ON HER COFFEE) No...that's not it. We barely kiss now. To make...to do that...well, I don't know, but that definitely wasn't it.

MARLENA: Then what is it, Jennifer? Something must've happened to cause Jack to act this way.

JENNIFER: (WALKING PAST MARLENA AND SITTING DOWN) Why do you think that, Marlena? Maybe Jack just decided he doesn't love me anymore, that he didn't want to try to work things out.

MARLENA: You know that's not true. We've already established that significant emotional events trigger these responses in Jack. He feels unworthy.

JENNIFER: I don't know, Marlena. Will you quit giving me the third degree about it?

MARLENA: (WALKING OVER TO HER DESK AND SITTING ON THE CORNER OF IT) Jennifer, this is not like you.

JENNIFER: (BOWING HER HEAD TO AVOID HER EYES) I don't know what you're talking about.

MARLENA: You're lying. You are keeping something from me.

JENNIFER: I am not.

MARLENA: (THINKING FOR A MINUTE ABOUT HOW TO PROCEED) Jennifer, you came to me for help. I offered it, but as your psychiatrist and as your friend, I can only help as much as you let me. If you want to get through this, if you want to deal with this demon you've been harboring for so long, you are going to have to tell me.

JENNIFER: (VOICE CRACKING) Marlena-

MARLENA: Jennifer, what did you say or do to Jack to make him react like this? What are you feeling so bad about?

OUT on JENNIFER, biting her lip to avoid telling her "secret".

SCENE 4: INT. MARLENA'S OFFICE

JENNIFER: (GETTING UP AND WALKING OVER TO THE COFFEE MAKER) I need more sugar.

MARLENA: You need more time to figure out an excuse.

JENNIFER: (OPENING THE SUGAR PACKETS AND TRYING TO CHUCKLE) That's ridiculous.

MARLENA: Is it?

JENNIFER: Marlena, I'd really wish you'd-

MARLENA: You'd wish I'd stop asking questions you don't want to answer. Jennifer, that's what therapy is about.

JENNIFER: I wish you'd understand how hard this is for me.

MARLENA: I know how hard this is for you. Jennifer, do you think it's not hard on me to watch someone I care about suffer so much? I'm trying to help.

JENNIFER: (SIGHING AND THEN CHANGING HER TONE) I know you are. Marlena, I...You're right. I did something that caused Jack to do this. I guess I already knew he'd react this way, but I hoped...

MARLENA: You hoped you'd be wrong.

JENNIFER: Yeah. (BEAT) Marlena, do you think I'm a bad person?

MARLENA: No, I think you're someone who needs a little help muddling through some confusing spots right now.

JENNIFER: (LOOKING AT HER COFFEE AND STIRRING IT) Thank you for saying that.

MARLENA: No thanks are needed. I'm telling the truth. (BEAT) Now why don't you tell me the truth about what went on between you and Jack.

JENNIFER: (TAKING A DEEP BREATH AND STARTING) The other night at my birthday, we were so happy.

MARLENA: (SMILING REASSURINGLY) I remember.

JENNIFER: Well, then Colin showed up and Jack got all weird and...

MARLENA: Does he have a reason to be "all weird", Jennifer? You followed Colin to Ireland, remember?

JENNIFER: I know, but...Marlena, Colin was a good friend to me.

MARLENA: I'm sure he was.

JENNIFER: No, I mean...Do you remember the other day how you asked me if Jack and I wanted more children?

MARLENA: (CONFUSED) Yes.

JENNIFER: (NEAR TEARS) What would you say if I told you that I was pregnant while in Africa and that I lost the baby? What would you say if I told you I wanted to lose the baby? And what would you say if I told you that the one person I trusted more than anyone in the world was the one I couldn't tell about this and now that I have I've probably lost him forever? (BREAKING DOWN)

MARLENA: (SHOCKED. AFTER A MINUTE) I'd say that that explains a lot of things. I'd also say that we have a lot of work to do. (WALKING OVER AND HITTING THE INTERCOM BUTTON) Mary, will you cancel all my appointments for this afternoon? I'll be in with Miss Horton for some time.

MARLENA looks up at JENNIFER, who smiles weakly through her tears, which are now streaming down her face.