Episode 1: "The Best Laid Plans...."

In shock, Hawk stared at the gun in his hand then looked at Jennifer as she lay sobbing against Jack.

"Jack, please," she begged. "Say something. Say anything! Just please. . . Jack. . . !"

Cold memory slammed into Hawk. He had shot Jack. He was the reason Jennifer shook her husband in desperation and begged for a response that wasn't coming. "Jack can't be dead," Hawk argued in disbelief.

She reared back and glared with a searing mixture of shock and horror. "You shot him!"

"But...."

She ignored Hawk and turned to the still form of her husband. "Jack," she cried brokenly, "I tried to stop you. I tried to warn you...." tears streamed down her face as she pressed her lips to his cheek "....Jack, please.

Hawk dropped the gun on the bed as he knelt beside Jennifer and placed his hand on her shoulder. "Jennifer, I don't know what to say."

She pulled violently out of his reach and lunged toward the bed clumsily grabbing the gun. "Don't touch me!" she screamed. "Get away! Don't touch me." Her hands shook as she pointed the gun at Hawk then climbed to her feet. "Now, move away from Jack."

"Maybe Jack's not dead," Hawk reasoned. "Maybe he's ...."

Jennifer shook her head, her face streaked with tears. "Not now," she begged. Not now."

Both men stood transfixed as Jennifer held her scarf against Jack's side and caressed Jack's cheek crooning softly to her fallen love. "It's not going to end like this," she told him. "Not for us. This isn't the way it's supposed to end." She threaded her fingers through Jack's hair. "Contra mundum, remember? Contra mundrum. . ."

Agonizing minutes had passed unnoticed with nothing but Jennifer's tear filled voice to break the silence. Brian touched her compassionately on the shoulder," Jennifer, step back. The paramedics are here. Let them take care of Jack."

It seemed to take a monumental effort for Jennifer to step back and allow someone else to take care of her husband. She gripped Brian's sleeve. "He's going to be alright, isn't he? Tell me he's going to be alright!"

The paramedics didn't have time to comfort a mourning spouse but quickly moved Jack to a gurney, raising it to the locked position and swiftly leaving the room. Still clutching Brian's arm, Jennifer stumbled after them. Brian wrapped his arm around her waist to support her as they followed the paramedics.

With Jennifer gone the room was suddenly deathly quiet. Hawk stood in the center of it surveying the damage done. A dark stain on the carpet silently testified to what had happened there.

Desirée rushed in breathlessly then stopped abruptly. She turned around and looked at Hawk, "What happened?" she asked. "Hawk, tell me what happened?" But she didn't need an explanation when she followed Hawk's gaze to the dark stain on the floor. She dropped to her knees and touched it then pulled back in shock and stared at her hand. "Is he alright?"

When Hawk didn't answer a panicked look filled her eyes. "Jack, is alright isn't he? He isn't. . .Man, oh man. This is bad. Tell me you didn't kill him. Tell me that, Hawk!"

"How the hell am I supposed to know if he's dead or not!" Hawk snapped. "Do I look like a doctor to you."

"Man, what have you done!. .. .What have I done?" She jumped to her feet and punched Hawk in the shoulder. "This was supposed to be a simple scam! Quick in, quick out. No one getting hurt. No one!"

"Don't worry, Desi. Don't worry," Hawk said distractedly. "We can still get out of this."

"We? What we? I'm already out, remember? This is your scam now. This is your mess."

"Desi, we got into this together...."

"Don't Desi me. I got in on a scam. Just business, remember. You're the one who made it personal. This is....

Hawk suddenly grabbed her and glared at her menacingly. "Shut up! I've got to think." He shoved her away. "I've got to figure a way out of this."

"The best way out of this is for us to get out of town. Now. You just shot Jack Deveraux. There's no way even you can explain your way out of that."

"Sure there is. Self defense. Jack came after me, remember?"

Desirée rolled her eyes, "And how can you prove that?"

"Everyone knows he was coming after me. It was why Jack bought a gun."

"Everyone knows that? Are you crazy! Man, stop and think for a minute. You got that out of Jennifer's diary! No one else knows a thing. What are you gonna say, you just happened to run across Jennifer's private...."

"Shut up!"

"I'm just tellin' you...."

"And I said shut your mouth. If Jennifer doesn't back me up that Jack was coming after me then I'll. . . I'll. . ." His eyes fell to the bed. "Jennifer picked up the gun."

"What?"

"Jennifer picked up the gun. She even fired it," Hawk said thoughtfully.

Desirée gasped, "Tell me you aren't thinking what I think you're thinking."

Hawk's smile was ugly. "Jennifer has had a number of fights with Jack lately hasn't she?"

"No one is going to believe Jennifer shot her husband."

"Why not? She's been threatening to leave him. He wasn't going to let her go. They had a very public battle just the other day at her grandmother's restaurant. These things happen every day. A 'marital dispute'," Hawk laughed. "She even shot the gun. If they tested her for gun powder residue...."

"Man, you are a real piece of work," Desirée said in disgust. "I thought you had an eye on her as your next little chickadee. Now you're gonna sell her up the river."

"Hey, if it's a choice of her hide or mine...."

"You pick your own every time. Yeah, I know. I've seen you in action before. You're the one whose been sayin' you'd change for luvvvv. Real inspirin' Hawk. " Desirée's eyes narrowed. "She never was anything but a target was she? You just wanted more from her than her money. You wanted her in your bed."

"I wanted her. I lov...."

"Oh give it up, Hawk! That ain't love." Desirée pointed to the stain on the floor. "That ain't love either. And pinning this mess on Jennifer.... that's just mean."

"But I wouldn't be pinning it on her."

Desirée frowned. "But you just said...."

"If Jennifer doesn't back up my story that I shot Jack in self defense.... I'll just have to say that she shot Jack in self defense. She was leaving him for me. He went nuts. She shot him in self defense. She's just too grief stricken and guilt ridden to admit it. I'll just have to admit it for her. I'm her hero. I saved her."

"What drugs are you on?!" Desirée shouted. "That's insane, Hawk. That'll never work. You think Jennifer is going to thank you for that? You think the police are going to buy that? Only an idiot would believe a story like that." She started pacing and shaking her head while talking to herself, " What kind of explanation is that?!"

"I don't know, but I'd like to hear it," Brian Scofield said from the doorway. "Sorry, I'm late." He looked at Hawk, "You didn't think I'd forget about you did you?"

Hawk assumed a concerned expression. "How is Jack?"

"I don't know. Maybe we'll have some information when we get to the station house." Brian produced a set of handcuffs. "And I think you'll be joining me. You have the right to remain silent. .. ."

Hawk's brain was fast at work as Brian read him his Miranda rights. First and foremost in his mind was how he was going to convince Mr. Keyston cop here to take him over to the hospital. Jennifer Deveraux's good, close friend Hawk needed to be beside her in her time of need. He shot a wicked smile at Desi. One way or the other this would still work out. Either Jennifer backed him up and said it was self defense or Jennifer was going to have some explaining of her own to do. Oh yes, it was all still going to work out. . . .

Jennifer walks into ER, she just had to get away; she just had too. Too much had occurred in the past few hours; the past few days; the past few months. A myriad of thoughts mixed around in her mind. She could not completely intellectualize what had just transpired. She just needed to see Jack. She walked to what had been Jack's ER gurney; he was gone. She felt weak, confused. She tried to piece together what had happened. She hated herself for defending Hawk. But that was part of the scam. She had to. After what Hawk had done to her, to them, to Jack.... Jack.... Jack was not there. She saw the stain from his blood, Jack's blood. She was dizzy. Jack.... At that instant her thoughts were interrupted by a voice.... A voice she knew all too well, Lawrence

"If it isn't the grieving widow," he said in his patent serpentine manner, outwardly he was all charm, but he and his words were meant to be deadly.

Jennifer could not concentrate, her mind still swimming with the events of the past few hours; she was not in the mood to tangle with Lawrence, yet she could not let it pass. Before she could reply Lawrence spoke.

"I just wanted to give my condolences. You must be devastated losing the love of your life."

Jennifer was in a rage. "H..." She got herself in control. She stopped herself from saying all she wanted. She had to; too much was riding on making this work.

Lawrence was enjoying this; he got a pleasure knowing that all the lines about her profound love for Jack were just that, a bunch of nothing. She was like all other women, one minute professing her love for some man and then a moment later running off with the first guy that came along.

"But you seem to be taking it so very well. And defending the man that murdered your husband."

The words hit Jennifer hard. Before she had a chance to respond Lawrence continued.

"Then it must have been a shock, thinking Jack was gone for good, and then having him return to interrupt your budding romance with that candy heir."

Jennifer angrily replied, "How dare you say that; that's a lie. I love Jack, I was always faithful to Jack!!"

"I don't know. You were spending a good deal of time with that Hawk fellow -- I believe that's his name. I remember him accompanying you on various occasions. And then one day not too long before Jack returned, you two were out riding together and seemed to be most comfortable together."

Jennifer didn't know what to say, the words struck hard. It wasn't true. She always loved Jack, even when she thought he left her. She just spent time with Hawk because she needed a friend, to try to get her mind off Jack abandoning her; however, forgetting Jack was never a possibility. Jack was always in her heart and mind. She felt guilty, Jack was alone, thinking she did not care, while Hawk was manipulating her.

"The lovely ex-Mrs. Alamain has no rebuttal? Maybe we should call the papers. Oh that's right the former publisher of The Spectator is lying on a slab in the morgue."

Jennifer tried to remain strong; she held back the tears. "I was never Mrs. Alamain, you raped me. Just go damnit, let me grieve the death of Jack alone."

Lawrence claps, "I applaud your little performance."

"But I am not like the loser Mr. Deveraux, I am not gullible, I am not fooled by your lines. You and I had a beautiful wedding night together, and when Mr. Deveraux found out, you lied and made it out to be something cheap, that I raped you."

"You did rape me. You even admitted it in court."

"I was tried and convicted before the trial began; everyone in this town had already painted me as the villain, unjustly of course. I was told by my arbitor that that was the best course of action. Interestingly, much like your husband, your former-husband."

Before she could make a reply, he continued, "You are very impressive Jenn. Let's see, you were engaged to me, but you were sleeping with Jack; then when you were married to me, you became engaged to Jack, but living with your former boyfriend Frankie; I bet there was more going on than just friendship there."

"That's a lie..."

"Come on, I am not Jack. The man was a loser just like everyone else in his family, his brother, his mother. They just couldn't control their emotions, could they...."

Jennifer wanted to defend Jack, but realized that she had to keep with the scam, it meant more to pay Hawk back then to argue with Lawrence.

"But let's see, there definitely is a pattern. It seems that, hmm, you were engaged to a Mr. Ramirez, the man who so unfortunately fell, no was pushed out of my attic by your cousin. Yes, you were engaged to him, but were off on some adventure with Mr. Jasper." Tisk, tisk.

Before Jennifer could say anything Lawrence, started to walk away. "Well, in his false chivalry, my dear I am late for an appointment, I just wanted to pay my respects." He stops as if thinking, "You know, I actually got off easy, I was only falsely convicted of rape by you; Mr. Deveraux wound up getting murdered."

Jennifer waits until he leaves. And collapses on the gurney.

Hawk had managed to get into the ER and find Jennifer. Since then he had taken over and got her in a cab to take her back to the penthouse. Nothing she said could get him to back off and leave her alone. She just wanted to be with Jack. The poisonous barbs that Lawrence had aimed at her had destroyed any confidence that she had in herself and only Jack's arms around her could help now. She was still worried about all the blood. Jack seemed okay in the ambulance but since then, she'd had no chance to find out exactly how badly he was hurt.

Hawk accompanied her up in the elevator and as she opened the door, he started to follow her inside."I would really like to be alone now Hawk." Her voice was broken and sad.

Hawk responded immediately in his usual charming drawl. "Jennifer, I hate leaving you like this. You know, I could just stay in that little old guest room and then you wouldn't feel so lonely and afraid. You know I'd do anything for you." He walked in as if it was his own home.

"No really Hawk. I need time to myself. I have to think. I have to try and understand what made Jack so angry that he would try to shoot you. I....I'm sorry. I've just lost my husband Hawk. I need time to think this through, to come to terms with the Jack's loss."

He found it hard not to gloat. He had won and Jack was out of the picture. Now if he just played his cards right he'd end up with the big prize, Jennifer. His words were full of cowboy charm. "Oh Miss Jenny, don't you go apologizing to me. It was Jack who did this. You have to understand that some men are just violent by nature. I guess it runs in his family. It's probably not my place to say this but Jack didn't always make your life happy, Jennifer."

Jennifer hated having to listen to all this and she became more insistent. "I know....I know Hawk. Thank you for your help."She took his arm and pulled him towards the door.

"Well....I guess I should be going....that is if you're sure? I'm quite happy to just sit with you." He touched her arm gently and she tried not to pull it away."I am Hawk, I really am. Goodbye."

Jennifer firmly pushed Hawk out the door and shut it. Relief at last; he had gone. This was harder than she thought. The day had been long and strenuous and the penthouse seemed dark and lonely. She walked out onto the balcony and looked up at the stars, trying to feel Jack's presence in her heart.

"Oh Jack!" Jennifer's words were breathy and full of love.

Out from the shadows stepped Jack. "You called?" Although his voice was a bit weak, he had that familiar glint in his eye when things were going well.

She spun around and was about to wrap her arms around him when she saw how hurt he really was. She stepped back to get a good look at him and her eyes filled with tears as she reached up gently and touched the bandage on his head. There was a small bruise forming under his eye and his shirt was still covered in blood. It was partly undone and she could see his chest was bandaged.

"Oh Jack, you're here. What happened? Are you badly hurt? Why is your head bandaged? And your chest? You have a bruise under...." She couldn't continue as she realized how close she came to losing him.

Jack looked a bit woozy and was obviously on painkillers. However, he tried hard to be excited and turned back into that little boy she loved so much.Oh I'm fine. Nothing serious. I.... I guess it really got to you, huh? I'm a pretty good actor, don't you think?"

He managed a proud grin at his performance but she could see that he really was hurt and needed to lie down and rest. All this only made her more aware of how scared she'd been when she saw his blood.

"Jack don't make light of this. This wasn't meant to happen. I thought for short while that I'd killed you."

"No such luck, eh?" He leaned back against the wall as his head spun.

She put her arm around him and led him inside to the couch where he sat down gingerly.

"I was scared Jack. What happened? You weren't supposed to get shot. When I fired that gun I aimed at the wall just behind Hawk. Then suddenly I saw you bleeding." She broke into sobs as she felt the pain of what it would be like to lose him.

His heart melted and he gently lifted her chin and wiped away her tears with the tips of his fingers. His touch was like a feather on her smooth skin and his voice was just as tender as his touch. "I....I'm sorry that you had to go through all this. I shouldn't have let you get involved. It was just a ricochet, or that's what Brian and Marcus have concluded. Just a graze or two. I do have some stitches though. Marcus said I might need a full-time nurse for a while."

Jennifer looked up in surprise that he was that hurt and then realized that he was joking.

"I guess I can't hire another nurse, eh?" Jack teased her gently.

Jennifer played along.

"Well I think I might be able to find a nice strong male nurse to give you a bath."

They looked in each other's eyes with relief that they were still able to play their games.

She took a deep breath to clear her mind as Jack continued. "Hey, you did look mighty comfortable firing that gun. A real woman with a vengeance. I did peek as you pointed it straight at that cowboy."

"Jack, I could have killed you. Are you sure we should continue with this?" Once again tears started to roll down her face and Jack wiped them away.

"Continue? What do you mean continue? We have just pulled off the best scam in the country. We are great. Once again the Deveraux duo wins the day! My getting shot was an accident and come to think of it, a very auspicious accident. Hawk really believes I'm dead. We have him hook, line and ten gallon hat!" Jack just managed to get out the words before he laid his head back to rest.

Jennifer gently stroked his cheek, not sure exactly where to touch him. He looked so fragile and hurt and she felt so helpless."Jack I think you should lie down in bed. Come on, I'll help you up."

He didn't move for a few seconds as her words got through to his foggy brain."What did you sa....I'm sorry Jennifer, I really feel very dizzy. I think it's all the painkillers and antibiotics that Marcus has filled me with. He said he would normally have kept me overnight but we couldn't take the risk that Hawk would find out so Marcus drove me home.

"She sucked in her breath as the severity of his injuries sunk in. She managed to pull him to his feet and into her arms. They stood together in their familiar pose with his chin resting on the top of her head and her arms wrapped gently around him for support.

He whispered gently, "I guess I should have done this alone. I hate seeing you this upset."

She looked up and gave him a big kiss which she wanted to continue. However he was far too hurt for anymore.

"Did I hurt you?" she asked as she pulled off his shoes.

"Well....only a little bit. I....I have this bruise on my foot you see."

"Oh Jack, where, I'm so sorry. Let me see."She bent in closely to look at his foot and then realized that he was teasing her. She was about to make a smart remark when she looked at his face and saw that he really was very dizzy. She pulled the covers over him, patting them down gently. He watched her closely as she fussed.

"By the way, I heard what Lawrence said." His words were quiet but strong.

"You did? Where were you hiding? I....I didn't know yu were there. I let him get to me Jack. I always let him get to me."

"Ignore him Jennifer. He just does it to get that reaction. He's an expert with words; words chosen to inflict the most pain."

No matter what Jack said, Jennifer felt guilty. She knew that she was responsible for a lot of the pain that she and Jack had gone through. Lawrence always managed to remind her that her stubborness was the cause of a lot of the trouble. Jack for always took the blame and she let him take it and that was another guilt that she lived with. She leaned over and kissed him gently on the cheek.

"What was that for?" Jack loved to ask why she kissed him.

Her response was tender."For being you. For always putting me first. For....for taking the blame when it isn't always your fault.

"Do I do that?" The little boy in him wanted to hear her confirm this but the man was reluctant to take the compliment.

Never one to give him too much, she replied slowly. "Well most of the time."

"Yeah, I guess I do.... most of the time."

His grin showed her that he understood the rules of their love games.

"I love you Jack."

"And I....put you first most of the time," he responded.

"You still can't say it, can you?" She raised her eyes as she listened him dodge saying the "L" word.

Jack put on his most innocent smile. "Say what?"

Part of her was always frustrated with Jack's inability to express emotion but another part loved the way she had to coax it out of him. She continued the game. "Well I guess I better sleep in the guest room if your foot is so sore."

"I don't like the sound of that."

"Jack, if you can't say it, and you're in too much pain to show me how you put me first, then what's the point in me staying here with you?"

"I....I don't know what you mean."She leaned up and whispered something in his ear and his eyes opened wide in surprise.

"Mrs. Deveraux! I....I'm....I'm shocked. I mean you're a married woman." He paused for a few seconds. "I guess that maybe we could....try?"

"I don't think so Jack. You are definitely not up to it."

"I'm always up to it." He grinned.

She retorted, "But not tonight Josephine as they say."

"I guess it would be a bit difficult. And I am feeling very faint. ....I mean, you know, you shot me and....and well, the pain and all that. I think it's best if you just hold me tonight."

"I'll hold you alright Jack Harcourt Deveraux!"

"Jennifer Rose Hor....Deveraux! Please, not in front of the children."

"What children Jack? We don't have any children.... Yet."

"The plant, the jade plant. You treat it like a child, always measuring and pampering it."

She jumped onto the bed next to him. "Jennifer, please, my head, my wounds."

"By the time I'm finished with you Jack Deveraux, you'll have more than just a bandage on your head and a fake limp."

"And don't forget the stitches in my chest. I'm a wounded man Jennifer. I need nursing....for weeks. Maybe even months ." He was trying to make light of it but she could see that he could hardly keep his eyes open.

"I don't think so Jack. Marcus wouldn't have sent you home if he thought you were in danger. I think I can cope with any nursing that needs doing."She reached over to turn off the lamp but he grabbed her arm. "But you have to examine my wounds."

She gave in to him. "Now where exactly are you sore?"

He grinned with delight. "Well let me see, it starts here", he pointed to his belt, "and it gradually goes down....."

Jennifer grinned back. "Jack I don't think Marcus would like you doing anything that would break open those stitches. It's sleep for you Mr. Deveraux."

"Okay, okay, but....but just before you stroke me to sleep, I think you should check my elbow."

She sighed, "It's going to be a long night."