SCENE ONE: KAYLA IS STANDING IN THE LOFT LOOKING AT A WEDDING PICTURE OF HER AND JACK. HE CREEPS DOWN THE STAIRS BEHIND HER AND PUTS HIS ARMS AROUND HER.

KAYLA: You scared me.

JACK: You were asleep before I even got upstairs last night. This morning you were up and out of bed before I even knew what was happening, you know that.

KAYLA: Well I guess my sleeping schedule is a little messed up, that's all.

JACK: I'm worried about you Kayla.

KAYLA: Well don't be. I'm fine, really.

SOMEONE KNOCKS ON THE DOOR AND SHE MOVES AWAY FROM HIM. JACK WATCHES HER SUSPICIOUSLY.

KAYLA OPENS THE DOOR TO SEE MELISSA STANDING THERE.

JACK: Melissa! What are you doing here?

MELISSA: I just got out on bail. This is my first stop. I haven't even been home yet.

KAYLA: Come on in, sure.

MELISSA: Thank you.

KAYLA: Um, what can we do for you?

MELISSA: I just thought there were a few things we should get straightened out, between all of us.

JACK: Like what things?

MELISSA: Look I know this isn't easy, for anybody. Jack I did all I could to organize our unfinished business. (She hands him a large file.)

JACK: Melissa!

MELISSA: Here are your keys. I'm sorry it had to end like this.

JACK: Uh.... right!

MELISSA: I can't work for you anymore....of course. Um.... I just thought I should say so officially, you know.

JACK: (Sigh) Yes!

MELISSA: I hope it won't hurt your campaign. I mean you're the best man for the job. Everyone knows that. I guess all I can do for you now is vote for you.

JACK: Thanks.

MELISSA: Kayla I just want you to know that no matter what the situation is, I consider you a good friend and I care about you and I would never ever do anything to hurt you. I hope you believe that.

KAYLA: I want to believe it Melissa.

JACK: Look Melissa. I don't think we should be having this conversation.

SCENE TWO: JACK IS ON THE PHONE AT THE LOFT.

KAYLA: We'll both be ready for what?

JACK: For the press conference.

KAYLA: Pre.... today? Jack I don't know....

JACK: Look if you're not up for it Kayla, then we'll cancel but I have to be honest with you. This could make the difference in the campaign. Both campaigns, mine and dad's.

KAYLA: Yeh, yeh, I know that.

JACK: Look it's not easy, I know that but as Deveraux we have to be ready to air our private life with the public, specially after all these troubles. We have to show that the marriage is solid and that our commitment to the campaign and to each other is stronger than ever. You understand that don't you?

KAYLA: Yeh I guess I do.

JACK: Then we're on for this afternoon?

KAYLA: Well, if it's that important to you of course.

SCENE THREE: JACK IS DRESSED IN A DOUBLE BREASTED DARK GRAY SUIT AND IS ARRANGING HIS TIE AS HE PACES THE LOFT. KAYLA COMES DOWNSTAIRS.

JACK: I.... I just want to get it right.

KAYLA: Well it's perfect.

JACK: You're sure?

KAYLA: Yeh, I'm positive. It's great.

JACK: Great.... right.

KAYLA: This is very important to you isn't it?

JACK: Yeh, I guess it is! (Still fiddling with his clothes.)

KAYLA: I thought by now you'd be used to these press conferences.

JACK: I am! I'm just um....

KAYLA: What?

JACK: I really want to win this election Kayla!

KAYLA: Well I know that your political career is very important to you.

JACK: (Sigh) All my life, all I've wanted to do is make my dad proud of me and now I think I've almost done it.

KAYLA: You really love him a lot don't you?

JACK: We're....we don't show a lot of affection usually but next to you.... (Kayla looks uneasy) he's the closest person I have.

KAYLA: Well I think your dad is very lucky to have a son like you Jack.

JACK: (laughing) Well I think I'm the one who's lucky. I mean how much better can you do than being born a Deveraux. (Someone knocks on the door.) Well that's it. Time to meet the press.

KAYLA: Time to....

JACK: Ready?

KAYLA: Yeh.

JACK: Coming, coming....(He opens the door.) Hello!

REPORTER 1: Jack.

REPORTER 2: Assemblyman Deveraux

CANBY WALKS IN LAST.

KAYLA: Yes, of course.

SCENE FOUR: STEVE AND MARCUS ARE HAVING COFFEE AT SHENANIGAN'S AND MARCUS TELLS STEVE THAT HE SHOULD NOT RUN AROUND WITH ANOTHER MAN'S WIFE. STEVE TELLS HIM THAT AFTER THE ELECTION THEY WILL TELL JACK. MARCUS SAYS THAT IS OKAY FOR JACK BUT WHAT ABOUT BILLY. STEVE SAYS THAT JACK'S NAME IS THE MOST IMPORTANT THING HE HAS AND HE WILL NOT TAKE IT FROM HIM. MARCUS SAYS THAT HE SHOULD TELL HIM THE TRUTH. STEVE REFUSES BECAUSE JACK IS GOING PLACES. HE SAYS JACK IS NEVER GOING TO FIND OUT WHO HE REALLY IS.

SCENE FIVE: THE PRESS CONFERENCE IS UNDERWAY AT THE LOFT.

CANBY: (To Kayla) Is it true that you and Melissa Anderson have been close friends for a number of years?

JACK: Folks please, as far as the impending court case and the attempted murder of my wife, there's very little I can say at this time. All that we do know is that there was an attempt and I'm very grateful to have her back safe and sound with me again.

CANBY: Mrs. Deveraux, how do you feel about all this?

KAYLA: I'm a little numb.

CANBY: Glad to be back home with your husband?

KAYLA: Of course I am.

CANBY: Must have been rough being separated? But then it mustn't be easy being thrown into the middle of a political campaign? You must be very devoted to your husband.

KAYLA: Well I'm very proud to be a part of Jack's campaign.

CANBY: And his family?

KAYLA: Of course.

JACK: That about wraps it up I think. No more questions.

CANBY: Oh one more, one more. Mrs. Deveraux?

KAYLA: Yes, Mr. Canby?

CANBY: Right. Could you elaborate briefly on your past relationship with the local hero of the FBI, Steven Johnson? Mrs. Deveraux?

KAYLA: Uh....well Mr. Johnson is working on the low income housing project with my husband. That's the extent of our relationship right now.

CANBY: But what was the relationship?

JACK: (interrupting) Look please. She's a married woman and we're very happily married. I'm sorry to disappoint you all.

CANBY: Thank you very much Mrs. Deveraux.

SCENE SIX: JACK AND KAYLA ENTER SHENANIGAN'S.

KAYLA: No, no Thank you.

STEVE WALKS IN THE DOOR AND HE AND JACK EXCHANGE LOOKS.

KAYLA: Yes.

JACK: Look why don't you do me a little favor?

KAYLA: What's that?

JACK: Why don't we ignore Mr. Johnson's presence for once and enjoy our little lunch together?

KAYLA: Good idea.

JACK: I've got a lot of good ideas for us. Want to hear some?

JOEY: Hey check it out. You guys are on TV.

THE TV ANNOUNCER GOES ON TO EXPLAIN THAT THE FATHER AND SON DEVERAUX TEAM MADE THEIR FIRST APPEARANCE TWENTY-FIVE YEARS AGO WHEN HARPER FIRST RAN FOR OFFICE.

THE TV SHOWS A BLACK AND WHITE CLIP OF A YOUNG HARPER WITH BABY JACK ON THE LAP OF CAMILLE (HARPER'S FIRST WIFE). THE REPORTER ASKS HARPER IF THIS WAS THE BEST TIME OF HIS LIFE, AND HE TELLS HIM NO, THAT WHEN HIS WIFE GAVE BIRTH TO JACK AND JACK WAS FIRST PUT IN HIS ARMS. THE REPORTER THEN ASKS MRS. DEVERAUX IF SHE WANTED JACK TO GO INTO POLITICS TOO. SHE TELLS THE REPORTER,"WELL, I THINK I WOULD LIKE HIM TO LEARN TO WALK FIRST, THEN HE CAN RUN." 

JACK WATCHES THE OLD NEWS FOOTAGE OVERCOME WITH EMOTION, SEEING HIS DEAD MOTHER

STEVE: (He is watching too, and is tearing up seeing Baby Billy, whispering) Billy!

JACK: She was beautiful wasn't she Kayla?

KAYLA: Yes she was beautiful.

JACK: You know the name and the family carry a lot of responsibility with it. I want to live up to that responsibility.

STEVE AND KAYLA EXCHANGE WORRIED GLANCES AND STEVE HAS TEARS IN HIS EYES.

SCENE SEVEN: KAYLA SNEAKS OUT TO SEE STEVE IN THE PARK. THEY HUG AND KISS. STEVE ASKS HER WHAT SHE THOUGHT OF THE NEWS CLIP AND SAID HE CANNOT FORGET THAT IT WAS BILLY BUT JACK IS SO PROUD TO BE A DEVERAUX THAT THEY MUST BE DOING THE RIGHT THING NOT TELLING HIM THE TRUTH. KAYLA SAYS SHE THINKS THE WHOLE THING IS GOING TO BLOW UP IN THEIR FACES. THEY KISS AGAIN AND CANBY TAKES MORE PICTURES.

SCENE ONE: JENNIFER IS WITH ALAN IN THE PARK AND HE WANTS HER TO STAY FOR BREAKFAST. SHE IS WORRIED THAT SHE WILL NOT PASS HER EXAMS NOW THAT SHE AND FRANKIE HAVE BROKEN UP AND THEY DO NOT STUDY TOGETHER. ALAN SAYS HE IS SICK OF HER CONTINUALLY TALKING ABOUT FRANKIE EVEN THOUGH THEY HAVE BROKEN UP.

SCENE TWO: JENNIFER DAYDREAMS ABOUT THE GOOD TIMES WITH FRANKIE.

SCENE THREE: EVE ASKS JENNIFER TO TAKE HER SHIFT AS NURSES' AID AND SHE RELUCTANTLY AGREES. EVE HAS HEARD THAT ALAN HAS ARRANGED FOR JENNIFER TO MEET FRANKIE AT THE PARK AND WANTS TO GO HERSELF INSTEAD. ALAN ARRIVES AT THE HOSPITAL AND TELLS JENNIFER THAT FRANKIE IS WAITING. SHE CANNOT LEAVE BECAUSE OF WORK.

SCENE ONE: KAYLA ARRIVES AT STEVE'S PLACE AND HE LETS HER IN. JO SEES HER GO INSIDE. KAYLA TELLS STEVE THAT JACK IS LEAVING ON THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL WITH HARPER AND ANJELICA AND HE EXPECTS HER TO GO WITH THEM. JO LEAVES.

SCENE TWO: SHE ARRIVES AT SHENANIGAN'S FOR LUNCH WITH NEIL CURTIS. THEY ARE SITTING TALKING WHEN JACK WALKS UP.

NEIL: Hi Jack!

JO: Hi Jack, how are you?

JACK: Uh.... I'm pretty good. You haven't seen Kayla have you?

NEIL: I haven't. Jo, have you?

JO: (Nervously) No.

JACK: Oh, I'm sure....we didn't set a definite time to get together so I'm sure she'll be around here somewhere.

JO: I'm sure she will.

NEIL: Jack would you like to join us?

JACK: No that's alright. I'll take a table right over here. It's good to see you.

JACK WALKS OVER TO HIS TABLE AND MELISSA WALKS UP TO HIM.

MELISSA: Jack can I talk to you for a minute? I have to ask you something.

JACK: Uh.... I don't think that's such a good idea Melissa.

JACK: Uh.... ah.... um.... I'm at a loss for words and that's strange considering I'm supposed to be a politician.

MELISSA: I know this has been a tough situation for all of us. I won't be long. I'll get right to the point....Jack you know me. You know I'm not a murderer so I have favor to ask you.

ANJELICA WALKS UP BEHIND MELISSA.

JACK: I don't think you should be telling me this.

MELISSA: I want you to be a witness for me Jack, a character witness. I mean after all I did work for you and we spent a lot of time together.

JACK: Did your lawyer send you over here to talk to me?

MELISSA: No. In fact she told me not to. But I thought....Jack I always felt I could count on you.

JACK: Melissa....

MELISSA: We were friends weren't we?

JACK: Yes.

MELISSA: Who do you go to when you need a favor? A friend right? Jack I'm not asking you to lie for me. I just want you to say what you know about me that's all. Please will you do it?

JOEY: Telephone for Assemblyman Deveraux.

SCENE THREE: ANJELICA WALKS UP TO MELISSA WHILE JACK IS ON THE PHONE AND TELLS HER THAT NEITHER JACK NOR ANYONE OF THE DEVERAUX FAMILY WILL TESTIFY FOR HER AND THAT THEY DO NOT WANT ANYTHING TO DO WITH HER.

SCENE FOUR: JACK FINISHES HIS CALL AND RETURNS TO THE TABLE.

ANJELICA: Well so what! I'm not ashamed. She was the one....

JACK: I said, enough!

ANJELICA: Jack, you're not going to court and testify for this woman? Remember she tried to poison your wife!

JACK: No I'm not. (To Melissa) Now look, I'll answer any questions in court but I cannot testify on your behalf. That wouldn't be fair to Kayla. I'm sorry Melissa.

MELISSA: I understan.... No. I don't understand. I don't understand any of this.

JACK: Look you're putting me in a rather awkward position.

MELISSA: I'm putting you in an awkward position? Jack I'm being accused of murder.

JACK: I know that. My wife was the intended victim.

MELISSA: WELL NOT MY VICTIM! Jack I have done everything for you. I've practically devoted my whole life to you. Don't you think you owe me?

JACK: I don't owe you anything.... Melissa I appreciate the fact that you were my employee and my friend but Kayla is my wife. I'm sorry I can't help you.

SHE LEAVES.

SCENE FIVE: JO LEAVES NEIL AT SHENANIGAN'S AFTER OVERHEARING MELISSA TALK TO JACK. SHE GOES BACK TO STEVE'S WHERE KAYLA AND HE ARE TALKING. SHE TELLS THEM BOTH THAT THEY SHOULD NOT SNEAK AROUND BEHIND JACK'S BACK. STEVE TELLS JO THAT KAYLA KNOWS THAT JACK IS BILLY. JO THINKS THEY SHOULD NEVER TELL HIM THE TRUTH BECAUSE IT WOULD DESTROY HIM. KAYLA SAYS THAT IT IS HURTING EVERYONE BY NOT TELLING THE TRUTH. JO SAYS SHE TOLD STEVE NOT TO PLAY GOD WITH JACK'S LIFE BY GIVING HIM KAYLA. KAYLA ADMITS THAT SHE HAS NOT SLEPT WITH JACK BUT THAT SHE CANNOT LIE TO HIM ANY LONGER AND IF SHE GOES ON THE CAMPAIGN THEN SHE WILL HAVE TO SLEEP WITH HIM.

SCENE SIX: JACK AND ANJELICA ARE HAVING DINNER AT SHENANIGAN'S.

JACK: I don't why you're treating Melissa this way.

ANJELICA: Well I think I have every reason to and I don't understand your attitude.

JACK: Look whether Melissa did it or not, there is no cause for you to carry on like that at Shenanigan's.

ANJELICA: Jack, I wasn't aware that I was carrying on.

JACK: Well you were, believe me. I don't need you to fight my battles for me.

ANJELICA: You're right. I'm sorry. I did get a little carried away.

ANJELICA: Jack I didn't mean to embarrass you. It's just that I don't think of you as my step-son. I think of you as my son even though I didn't actually give birth to you and I guess I get a little over-protective at times. So shoot me!

JACK: No I'm going to shoot you yet. I'm going to keep you round for a little while.

ANJELICA: You're not mad?

JACK: No I'm not mad! As long as you pay for dinner?

ANJELICA: Oh okay.... I'll pay for dinner.

JO ENTERS SHENANIGAN'S AND ASKS NEIL FOR HIS HELP. KAYLA ARRIVES AND HURRIES OVER TO ANJELICA AND JACK.

JACK: Hi Kayla.

ANJELICA: Hi Kayla, you missed a lovely dinner. Jack pined away for you through the entire meal.

JACK: I won't deny that.

ANJELICA: Are you hungry? I'll call the waiter.

JACK: No, there's no time for that. You haven't packed yet have you?

KAYLA: No, I haven't. I guess we should go home and pack.

JACK: Uh, huh!

NEIL WALKS UP TO THE TABLE.

KAYLA: A phone call?

NEIL: Yeh your test results are in.

KAYLA: My test results?

NEIL: (To Jack) They say doctors and nurses don't make good patients but I'm glad to say that Kayla's exception. She wasn't feeling quite right and she came to my office this morning.

JACK: You didn't tell me that.

KAYLA: I didn't want to upset you.

JACK: What did the tests show?

KAYLA: Yeh. I'd like to know that myself.

NEIL: Well I'm afraid that Kayla isn't recovering quite as quick as we hoped.

JACK: I didn't know that.

NEIL: It's nothing too serious but she has been under a lot of stress lately with the pneumonia on top of the Atropine poisoning she's going to take a little time to bounce all the way back.

ANJELICA: Excuse me for interrupting but we're leaving on a campaign trip tonight.

JACK: Yeh.

NEIL: No, not Kayla. I wouldn't allow it. A campaign trip would be far too stressful.

JACK: You're telling me she shouldn't go?

NEIL: Absolutely not.

JACK: Then she won't go and neither will I.

ANJELICA: Oh Jack you've got to go. Jack, your father is running for President of the United States. If Kayla can't go that's excusable. If you don't show that would be horrible. Sweetheart your father is depending on you. You can't disappoint him.

JACK: Kayla, would you mind if I didn't go?

KAYLA: No I wouldn't mind....Well I would mind of course but if it means so much to your father then I think that you should go.... don't let me hold you back.

ANJELICA: Good it's settled. Let's go home and pack. Neil, nice to see you.See you again.

NEIL: Yes.

JACK: Goodbye Neil. (To Kayla) This way.

KAYLA: Why don't you two go ahead. I'll be right there.

SCENE SEVEN: KAYLA RETURNS AND ASKS NEIL WHAT IS GOING ON. HE TELLS HER THAT JO ASKED HIM TO FIND A WAY FOR HER TO STAY IN TOWN WHEN JACK LEFT. SHE THANKS HIM.

SCENE EIGHT: JO VISITS STEVE AND TELLS HIM SHE KNOWS HE'S FEELING LOUSY. HE TELLS HER THAT SHE IS SIDING WITH HER BILLY. SHE TELLS HIM TO HAVE FAITH BUT HE LEAVES.

SCENE NINE: JACK AND KAYLA AT THE DOOR OF THE LOFT AS HE PREPARES TO LEAVE ON THE CAMPAIGN.

JACK: Take the bags down to the car, Walter. I'll be right down....(To Kayla) Well! I'll call you every day!

JACK: I'll miss you every minute.

KAYLA: I'll miss you too Jack.

HE KISSES HER TENDERLY.

KAYLA: Goodbye.

JACK: It's so hard to leave.... Goodbye.... I love you.

WHILE JACK IS AWAY, STEVE TURNS UP ON THE ROOF OF THE LOFT AND HE AND KAYLA SPEND THE TIME TOGETHER WHILE CANBY TAKES MORE PICTURES OF THEM.

SCENE ONE: JENNIFER GETS JEALOUS OF FRANKIE'S RELATIONSHIP WITH PAULA, HIS TEACHER. SHE CATCHES EVE OUT IN A LIE ABOUT SPENDING TIME WITH FRANKIE.

SCENE TWO: JENNIFER TELLS HER FATHER BILL THAT SHE BROKE IT OFF WITH FRANKIE BECAUSE SHE THOUGHT SHE WOULD END UP IN A SANITARIUM LIKE LAURA.

SCENE THREE: STEVE AND KAYLA SPEND MORE AND MORE TIME TOGETHER INCLUDING TIME IN HIS ROOM. CANBY FOLLOWS THEM AND TAKES PICTURES.

SCENE FOUR: STEVE QUESTIONS MELISSA ABOUT WHO MIGHT WANT TO KILL KAYLA.

SCENE FIVE: MAX FALLS IN THE FISH SHOP AND CUTS HIS EYE BADLY.

SCENE ONE: A WEEK LATER, STEVE AND KAYLA ARE SITTING TOGETHER IN THE HOSPITAL LOUNGE ASLEEP WHEN JACK ENTERS.

JACK: What in the hell are you doing in here with her?

JACK GRABS STEVE.

STEVE: Relax junior.

JACK: I TELL YOU I'VE HAD ENOUGH. I'M NOT GOING TO RELAX. WHAT DO YOU MEAN YOU WANT ME TO RELAX?

KAYLA: JACK! JACK!

STEVE: Take your hands offa me!

KAYLA: JACK STOP, STOP IT! You made a mistake.

STEVE PUSHES JACK AWAY.

JACK: I was but then I got word about your little brother and I came back as fast as I could but it looks like you've already got more help than you can handle. (To Steve.) You still haven't answered my question. What are you doing here? I told you to stay away from her.

STEVE: Man this is a hospital what do you think I'm doing....

JACK: DON'T GIVE ME THAT KIND OF ANSWER. I'M WARNING YOU!

KAYLA: Jack!

STEVE: Look man, not that it's any of your business but my little friend Maxwell Brady happens to be in surgery all night. I'm waiting to see if he's alright. Now if you don't like that then that's too bad.

JACK: I TOLD YOU WHAT I DON'T LIKE. YOU BEING WITH MY WIFE!

STEVE: I told you man that there's nothing going on here.

JACK: I'VE HAD ENOUGH OF YOUR EXCUSES. THIS PLACE IS BIG. YOU COULD WAIT ANYWHERE NOT WITH HER.

STEVE: I was waiting for little Maxwell. I told him I wouldn't leave him.

JACK: Well obviously what we have here is a little failure to communicate. Maybe I can make it a little clearer for you. I WANT YOU TO WAIT OUTSIDE. GET OUT OF HERE. YOU UNDERSTAND THAT.

STEVE: Oh I understand that. We have a problem to communicate....

KAYLA: Steve, Jack! Steve was just waiting with me. I was upset after bringing Max in and we were up talking all night. I guess I just fell asleep for a few minutes that's all.

STEVE: I've done enough explaining here. I'll see you later Kayla.

STEVE REMOVES HIS COAT THAT WAS AROUND KAYLA'S SHOULDERS AND LEAVES.

SCENE TWO: MELISSA MEETS ALICE DOWN AT THE WHARF. SHE ASKS HER WHAT SHE SHOULD DO ABOUT A SECRET SHE KNOWS THAT MIGHT DESTROY SOMEONE.

SCENE THREE: THE HOSPITAL

JACK: So are you feeling better?

KAYLA: I'm fine. Why?

JACK: Thought maybe you'd be getting back to your old self. After what Neil told me that you couldn't go on the campaign trip I was really upset. But he was right, it's been a real grind and you would have gotten worse. But honey, while I was gone I missed you so much. (He hugs her.)

KAYLA: Jack it was very nice of you to come back early. I hope your father knows I appreciate that.

JACK: Of course he does. I told him I knew how worried you'd be about this and he immediately told me to get right home. You'd be amazed I mention your name, he drops what he's doing and helps you any way he can. He really cares about you. (Pause) So how did it happen? I mean I just got the word that Max had an accident.

KAYLA: Well if it's alright with you I'd really rather not talk about it right now. I brought Max in here and I'm still pretty shook up about it.

JACK: I don't want to upset you or anything, but I care about this too. I mean now he's part of my family now too and I want to do anything I can to support your dad, or your mom or Frankie or you.

KAYLA: You're always very sweet aren't you Jack?

JACK: No I'm not sweet, I'm in love!

KAYLA: You know Jack you really shouldn't have gotten so upset with Steve back there. He really was just trying to help.

JACK: I thought that maybe after everything that went on I had a lot of reason to be upset. Don't you think that?

KAYLA: Well yeh.... I guess so.

SCENE FOUR: JACK AND KAYLA ARE IN THE DOCTOR'S LOUNGE AND STEVE AND MARCUS COME IN.

STEVE: Kayla, Marcus watched Maxwell's operation.

KAYLA: Is it over?

MARCUS: Yeh.

MARCUS: Well.... I'd like to give you guys some hope but it's just a little too early to tell right now.

KAYLA: Well I'm going to find my dad and Frankie. They'd want to know that Max was okay.

JACK AND KAYLA LEAVE.