DAYS #159: "Crystal Clarke" reports for duty, Laura asks Liam some tough questions (09/26/14)

EPISODE 159

Written by A. Washington-Beeby
Story Consultants: C. Nathaniel Richardson & Nick Monarco

Sheryl sits in the mirror at the seedy Lakeview Motel, where she's been hiding out for the past few days. Her long, light brown hair now a short bob of vibrant strawberry blonde, Sheryl sits before the hotel room vanity, finishing up her makeup. She closely studies the makeup of the picture of Crystal Clarke RN, who, with the help of similar facial features, she is attempting to emulate as closely as possible.

Sheryl hears a knock at the door, and immediately puts down her eyeliner, running to the window to see who's there.


After confirming who's there, she opens the door to find Jerome. Jerome steps quickly inside, as Sheryl closes the door behind him.

SHERYL: Oh good, you're here.
JEROME: Yeah, well, I don't know if I should be. People see me keep coming in here, they're gon' start getting suspicious.
SHERYL: Oh please, this hotel leases out so few rooms, I doubt anyone's seen you.
JEROME: You better hope you're right.

Sheryl sighs, as she walks back over to finish her eye makeup. Jerome sits down at the edge of the bed, preparing to get down to business.

JEROME: So...you ready?

Taking on Crystal's southern twang, Sheryl responds slightly louder than neccessary.

SHERYL: You bet ah am!

Jerome replies dryly.

JEROME: You're hilarious.

Sheryl gives a knowing smirk as she answers him, still looking into her mirror as she outs on the last of her eyeliner.

SHERYL: I try.
JEROME: So you're gonna go down to the hospital, do her orientation, then you're gonna find Jordan and get her out of here, yes?

Sheryl turns suddenly, having finished her makeup. She looks at Jerome with a bit of nervous anticipation.

SHERYL: That's the plan. At least ideally.
JEROME: And what if she's not going? You know she's so taken with this Rafe dude that she could tell him everything to throw us under the bus.
SHERYL: She could, but she won't. Little Miss Virtuous is so afraid of everything, she would never take a risk like that, especially if it potentially opens her up to so many problems. Like losing Rafe, her freedom. Her life?

Jerome looks on, unsure if he agrees with Sheryl.

SHERYL: Trust me. Look, maybe she won't budge the first time I talk to her, but we'll just...keep at her until she gets back on side, we'll get our revenge against Nick, and we'll be out of here. Simple.
JEROME: Yeah. Simple.

Jerome looks away, not remotely convinced by Sheryl's "fool proof" plan.

---


Sonny stands with Will in Sonny's office at Club TBD. Will having just told Sonny about Nicole's TV special.

SONNY: Nicole wants to use her special to bulldoze Nick? Okay, but how does that impact you?
WILL: It does because I'm the one credited with writing the PR and the info sheets on the EnerNext project.

Will turns and begins to pace the room, deep in his own thoughts, as Sonny looks on, trying to sort through the information his fiancé is giving him.

SONNY: Right, and that info is a lot of PR spin for an oil company. Hardly anything unusual.
WILL: It will be now that it's a political football. Anjelica Deveraux is campaigning on it, and the governor wants the entire project shut down. And after that show airs, if I don't keep this job, my name is going to be attached to that for the rest of my career. I don't know if I can live with that.

Sonny takes a moment, before solemnly responding to Will.

SONNY: Even if that's the only way we can win against Nick?

Will turns aburptly to look at Sonny, both Sonny and Will looking concerned.

---


Laura steps into the Horton living room, where Jennifer, Liam, and JJ are assembled. Having been in an intense conversation, Laura has caught the family off guard with her arrival. She appears with arms crossed, a stern look on her face.

LAURA: You know, I was expecting my daughter to ask these questions, but I figure now is as good a time as any to ask. What with JJ leaving for Berkley and whatnot.

Laura stops standing next to her grandson, somewhat accusational tone in her voice.

LAURA: Where did you get that $50,000 from to give to JJ, Liam?

Liam looks stunned at Laura's steely eyes. Her sudden resolve making even JJ a bit nervous.

---

---

Laura stands, putting on a brave face, as JJ looks at her, intense eyes with a hint of discomfort in them, as Jenn and Liam look on, surprised by Laura's question.

JENNIFER: Mom, I...do you really think...
LAURA: I think, Jennifer Rose, that I need to feel comfortable with where all this money is coming from before I allow my grandson to live off it for the next four years.

Laura's eyes quickly dart toward Liam, who looks uncomfortable with Laura's line of questioning, but remains silent. Laura steps slowly toward Liam, arms still folded in front of her.

LAURA: I'm going to be totally honest with you, Liam. I don't know you all that well, and I am not overly comfortable with how quickly your relationship with my daughter has developed, considering how little I know about you.
JENNIFER: Mom...
LAURA: Maybe Jennifer knows you a bit better, but you still remain a little too much of a mystery to me. So let me just be clear with you. If I don't feel comfortable that you got that $50,000 through legitimate means, I will not allow JJ to live off it while he goes to Berkley, and I will reimburse you for the tuition payment he made using the money. Do we understand each other?

JJ jumps in, stunned by his grandmother's decision. 

JJ: Grandma!

Laura quickly turns to JJ to stop him continuing.

LAURA: JJ. Don't...argue with me.

Her voice drops to barely a whisper, as she finishes her thought in tones only JJ can comprehend.

LAURA: (whispers) I know what I'm doing.

Liam begins to respond, causing Laura to turn back around, and JJ and Jennifer to turn their attention back his way.

LIAM: Alright. Okay, if it'll make you feel better about me, I'll do it. I'll tell you everything you want to know about me. Including where the $50,000 came from.

Laura looks back at JJ, giving him a knowing look. Jenn looks at Liam, surprised that he'd capitulate to Laura's demand.

---

Will looks away from Sonny, as he contemplates the question Sonny's put to him regarding Nick.

WILL: I don't know, Sonny. Can I handle having my career taken away from me in exchange for having Nick out of our lives?

Will sighs, taking a moment to come up with answer. He turns his head to face a sympathetic Sonny.

WILL: Maybe.
SONNY: Regardless, you have a lot of people on your side in this. We'll be there for you if you take the hit.

Sonny puts his hand on Will's shoulder, squeezing his tense shoulder as Will turns to face his fiancé.

SONNY: You know that, right?

As Will turns around, Sonny wraps his other arm around Will's other shoulder. They look lovingly at each other, as Will cracks a smile.

WILL: I do.
SONNY: Good.

Sonny stops a moment, while Will stands silently, his smile fading almost as quickly as it had appeared. This alarms Sonny.

SONNY: So...why do I feel like something else happened that you're not telling me about?
WILL: Because...there is something else. But...I don't really know what to make of it.
SONNY: Oh?
WILL: I went to check on Ari for a sec, and...Nicole just...vanished. I mean...it's probably nothing but...I feel like something was off when I came back in the room. Like...

Sonny's arms drop to his side, as Sonny tries to figure out what happened.

SONNY: Well...was something out of place or...
WILL: No. No, nothing was off, I checked. But...I dunno, Sonny. Something tells me she didn't just come to the house to warn me about the story. She was up to something, and I need to figure out what.

---


Nicole walks along the path approaching the Brady Pub, cautiously. She hears her text tone go off on her phone and opens her bag, to see a message from Eric.

i love you. thank u for being here today. Dinner 2nite?

Smiling, she texts back.

I'd love to. Meet @ Chez Rouge, 8pm?

Putting her phone away, she breathes in deeply, as she pulls out something new from her bag, a box of handgun ammo. She looks at it momentarily, before putting it back in her bag. She reaches back into her bag, and grabs her phone again, calling Nick.

NICOLE: (into phone) Nick. I need to see you ASAP.

---


Jordan sits at her office desk as University Hospital, alone, as Sheryl's words spin around in her head, over and over.

There’s no way out Jordan. Even if you back out now.

The words echo over and over, overlapping until they become a deafening chorus in Jordan's head. Wincing as she holds her head, the voice in Jordan's head grows louder until Jordan picks up her coffee mug and hurls it against the opposite wall, smashing it into pieces.

Suddenly the room is quiet, as Jordan breathes a sigh of relief.

JORDAN: You're not gonna win, Sheryl. I won't let you.

---


Outside, in the 6th floor lobby, the elevator doors open up. Sheryl steps out, dressed as Crystal Clarke. She smiles as she steps over to Maxine at the nurses' station. She speaks in her best southern drawl.

SHERYL: Hi, I'm...sorry, I'm new here, it's mah first day. Could you direct me to Dr. Grant's office?

Maxine smiles, as she looks up at Crystal over her reading glasses.

MAXINE: Sure thing, honey. I'll page Dr. Grant now. What was your name?

Sheryl smiles wryly, as she answers Maxine's question.

SHERYL: I'm nurse Crystal Clarke.

---

DAYS #158: JJ prepares to leave Salem, Will tells all to Sonny (09/25/14)

EPISODE 158

Written by A. Washington-Beeby
Story Consultants: C. Nathaniel Richardson & Nick Monarco

Jennifer and Liam walk downstairs at the Horton house to find JJ walking in, suitcases and a couple boxes by the door. Jenn looks on shocked, as JJ smiles.

JENNIFER: JJ, what are you...?
JJ: Hey, Mom. I ah...sorry, I didn't wanna wake you guys but...I decided to leave today instead of tomorrow for Berkley.

Jenn's face drops, as Liam pulls Jenn in close.

LIAM: Well that's...that's a surprise, JJ. I think your mom and I were hoping to spend some more time with you before you go.

JJ looks at Liam, not entirely confident that Liam's being genuine.

JJ: Well, I'm not leaving right away. I did wanna spend some time with you guys before heading off. Besides, I had a few things I wanted to discuss...mostly with you, Liam.

Both Liam and Jennifer look at JJ with confusion, as JJ shuffles uncomfortably.

---


Will emerges from Gabi's bedroom, having settled Ari down and back to sleep. He speaks out as he closes the door to Gabi's room behind him, assuming Nicole is still in the living room waiting for him.

WILL: Hey, sorry about that, I just had to...

Will looks around to find no sign of Nicole, and her jacket and purse gone. He looks confused as he calls out to her.

WILL: Nicole?

Will sighs, confused and a bit worried by Nicole's sudden disappearance.

---


In the park near Town Square, Noelle and Eric remain on the bench, finishing their coffees.

ERIC: I'm sorry I put all my problems on you like this.
NOELLE: Don't worry about it. Sometimes you just need an outside voice to...inject some reason back into your life. You know?

Eric looks at Noelle, and smiles warmly.

ERIC: Yeah, I do.
NOELLE: Look, I'm sure once this special airs, things will go back to normal between you and Nicole, and you'll probably laugh at how stressed out you were about this.
ERIC: (sigh) I hope you're right.


Noelle puts a hand on Eric's shoulder, as Nicole walks quickly into the bushy area where Eric and Noelle are sitting. Caught off guard, they both look up suddenly, as Nicole stands startled to see them together.

---

---


Jordan gets up from behind her desk at University Hospital, taking the patient files Maxine has brought her to her filing cabinet. As she opens the drawer, Maxine, sitting in front of Jordan's desk, turns to face her, visibly concerned.

MAXINE: Honey, I'm serious. Rafe Hernandez just proposed marriage to you and you look like you're about to hold a funeral for that man. Now what is wrong?

Jordan puts the file folder away and closes the drawer with a light slam. She turns around, holding her head in her hands. She resists the urge to scream.

JORDAN: It's...it's nothing, okay? I just...there's a lot going on and I just...I don't know if I can marry him.
MAXINE: Honey, what are you talking about? That man loves you more than anything in this world.

Jordan begins to calm down, her arms dropping to her side as she nervously walks back toward her desk.

JORDAN: I know but...Maxine, I...I've done a lot of things in my past that Rafe doesn't know about.

Jordan sits down in her office chair, looking toward the ceiling, clearly frustrated.

MAXINE: We all have! Come on, now. I'm sure it's nothing he wouldn't understand.
JORDAN: Ohhh I don't know about that.

Maxine looks at Jordan, unimpressed. Her tone deepens as she answers Jordan.

MAXINE: Try me.

Jordan sighs, knowing Maxine will keep digging if she doesn't give her something.

JORDAN: He doesn't know about my ex-boyfriend. He doesn't know that I got dumped when I told him I was pregnant.
MAXINE: So?
JORDAN: He doesn't know I ended the pregnancy after he dumped me because I couldn't raise a baby on my own.

Maxine sits back in her chair, sighing heavily. She takes a moment to mull her thoughts over before answering Jordan.

MAXINE: Honey, I'm sorry. 

Jordan turns away from Maxine, opening her drawer to pull out a pen.

JORDAN: Well, there's not much you can do about it now.
MAXINE: Look, I don't know if I would've made the same decision you did under the same circumstances, but that man loves you with everything in him. Even if he had a hard time accepting what you did, he would try to understand it.
JORDAN: Maxine, I don't know. What I do know is that I've tried very hard to move on with my life, and every time I turn around it gets harder and harder to do that.

Jordan becomes more and more agitated, as Maxine faces Jordan with a look of curiosity.

MAXINE: What do you mean? Has something happened?
JORDAN: It's nothing, Maxine.
MAXINE: No. Girl, you need to tell me what's happened?

Jordan looks down at her desk, as Maxine persists.

MAXINE: I can't help you, Jordan, unless you tell me what's going on.

After a tense moment, Jordan sighs and fesses up.

JORDAN: My ex- is back in town, and I know he's up to no good, and if I'm not careful, he may just tell Rafe all about my past.

Jordan begins to tear up, as she continues to tell Maxine about her situation with Jerome.

JORDAN: And I don't know if I can handle that, Maxine. I really don't know.

Maxine looks on as Jordan breaks down in tears. Slowly getting up from her seat, she takes Jordan's hand and pulls her up into a tight hug, Jordan crying on Maxine's shoulder.

---


Will walks into Club TBD, searching for Sonny. Not seeing him, Will walks over to T, who is bartending.

WILL: Ah, hey, T. Have you seen Sonny at all?
T: Hey! Yeah, he's just in the office. Go ahead.
WILL: Great. Thanks, man.

Will looks over before walking quickly over to the office, and knocking on the door.



Inside, Sonny sits at his desk, looking over a spreadsheet on his laptop.

SONNY: Come in!
Will opens the door, and quickly closes the door behind him. He makes a beeline to Sonny, who gets up from his desk with a smile and kisses Will on the lips as a loving greeting.

WILL: Hey!
SONNY: Will! Hey! What's up? Everything okay at the apartment?
WILL: Yeah. Yeah, I um...I dropped Ari off with Marlena for a bit. I had to...I had to tell you about something that happened that's....got me a bit worried.
SONNY: Why? What happened?

Will turns away from Sonny momentarily, trying not to let him see the worry in his face, but Sonny can tell, regardless.

WILL: Well, Nicole had been trying to get ahold of me, and so I had her come over.
SONNY: Nicole? What did she want?
WILL: That's what I wanted to know. She was...digging for information on Nick and Titan, and...
SONNY: Uh oh. 

Will turns around, almost laughing as he nods emphatically at Sonny.

WILL: Yeah, exactly. Uh oh.  Sonny, I don't know who else to turn to, so just...
SONNY: Yeah, don't worry. You can always tell me anything, you know that.

Sonny puts his hand on Will's shoulder. Will smiles half-heartedly.

SONNY: So what did she say then?
WILL: Well, that my mom gave her permission to bulldoze Nick, but that...I may get caught in the crossfire. Professionally speaking.

Sonny looks at Will, seeing the worry in Will's eyes does the same to him.

---

Nicole stands startled, as Noelle rises from her seat on the park bench next to Eric.

NOELLE: Hey, Nicole.

Nicole looks at Noelle, a faint smile on her face, as she senses she's interrupted a moment.

NICOLE: Hey.
NOELLE: I ah...was just catching up with Eric, but...I do need to go. Can we ah...can we get together this weekend sometime? Maybe a double date at Club TBD or something?
NICOLE: I'd like that.
NOELLE: Great. Eric, it was good to see you.

Noelle puts her hand on Eric's shoulder, as Eric looks up and smiles back at Noelle, before she takes off.

NOELLE: Nicole.

Nicole smiles half-heartedly as Noelle leaves the park, leaving Nicole alone with Eric.

ERIC: I'm sorry I ran off like that.

Nicole slowly steps over to Eric, and sits down beside him on the park bench.

NICOLE: It's okay. I figured you needed some time to...decompress. Be alone, although, I guess you weren't completely alone, but...
ERIC: Noelle just...happened to be walking by. Offered me a coffee for my thoughts.
NICOLE: I'm glad she was there.

Nicole looks at Eric, who looks out at the park before him, never once turning to face Nicole.

After a moment's silence, Nicole pipes up.

NICOLE: Eric, if...if I made you feel like you were coming second to my work, I'm sorry. I didn't mean--
ERIC: No! No, Nicole.

Eric turns suddenly, now looking Nicole's way, his gaze focused on her.

ERIC: You have something so important to say right now. Your job is to inform the people of this city about something incredibly...pressing to their lives and their health. It was selfish of me to react the way I did to it.
NICOLE: But Eric, you're allowed to feel that way. I wasn't there with you on our wedding night. The first night of our lives together and I spent it sitting at my desk trying to build a case against Nick Fallon. I...Nick isn't important enough to make me waste away a night that should've been so special.
ERIC: There will be so many more of those. Besides. We haven't had our big wedding yet. 

Eric and Nicole both smile at each other, as Eric leans back in his seat, his gaze never leaving his new bride.

ERIC: You know, the one we talked about with all our family and friends there.
NICOLE: Oh, I remember.
ERIC: I'm so happy to be your husband, even if we did kinda...rush to the altar.

Nicole furrows her brow slightly.

NICOLE: What do you mean?
ERIC: Well, I mean...you didn't force my hand or anything, I think it was my idea to get married right away, but...
NICOLE: But...

Eric sighs, knowing he may have hit a nerve. He looks away again before continuing.

ERIC: I worry that we got married in a hurry because I was running from something.
NICOLE: Like what?
ERIC: I dunno. The rejection of losing my vocation. Of all the...judgmental people that look at me with contempt like I've done something horribly wrong.
NICOLE: But you didn't. And if I thought for a minute that that was why you were marrying me, Eric? I would have stopped you from marrying me the moment I realized.

Eric smiles, as he puts his arm around Nicole.

NICOLE: Truth is, yeah, I was insecure about our relationship for awhile. I...thought that maybe...if you were cleared and the church wanted you back that...that you'd want to leave me. That I was some sort of...consolation prize.
ERIC: Nicole, I would never--
NICOLE: I know. I know that now. I know you love me...more than anything in this world. Hearing the way you stood up for me at our wedding? How you made it clear to your mom and your sister that...that I was the most important thing in your life, and that nothing they could say, or do was gonna change that. I know there's nothing that could keep us apart now. I believe it with everything in me.

Eric leans in and kisses Nicole, as Nicole wraps her arms around her husband. They hold each other as they kiss each other gently, but passionately.

---

JJ, Jennifer and Liam step into the Horton living room, as Jennifer and Liam sit side-by-side on the sofa. JJ takes the armchair, as he leans in, looking seriously.

JENNIFER: Okay, I don't like the look on your face, JJ. What's wrong?
JJ: Mom, it's...just that I have some concerns about things here at the house right now.
LIAM: What do you mean, JJ?

JJ sighs, unsure how to phrase his thoughts.

JJ: I just...Mom, I know you and Liam have been seeing each other for awhile, and...you know, you seem very happy. And I want that for you guys, but...I have...concerns.
JENNIFER: What do you mean? JJ, if this is about Daniel--
JJ: It's not...It's not about Daniel, Mom. I understand, things are over between you and him. And that's my fault.

Jennifer reaches over and takes JJ's hand in hers. She speaks emphatically to him.

JENNIFER: JJ, it is NOT your fault things didn't work out between Daniel and I. You have got to let that go, honey.
JJ: I won't. Mom, I let you down too many times when I came back to Salem. I was in a lot of pain and I hurt you a lot. And I will never be able to say I'm sorry enough times.

Jennifer smiles wistfully, as she squeezes JJ's hand.

LIAM: You know your mother's so proud of the changes you've made recently, JJ. Don't think I haven't noticed either. That's why I offered you that money to go to college at Berkley. I think you're ready.

JJ breathes in, as he musters his courage.

JJ: That's...that's actually one of the things I wanted to ask you about...I probably should have asked sooner, but...
LIAM: Sure, go ahead.

JJ looks up, hiding his fear as he asks Liam his question.

JJ: Where did you get all that money from, anyway?
LAURA: That's something I'm dying to hear, myself, actually.


Liam, Jenn, and JJ all turn with a start toward the archway leading into the living room, as Laura walks slowly into the room, a stern look on her face.

LAURA: Just where DID you get $50,000 from to give away to my grandson, Liam?

Laura stands, staring straight at Liam, her arms folded accusingly.

---

DAYS #157: Nicole finds the gun, Jennifer reaches out to Liam (09/24/14)

EPISODE 157

Written by A. Washington-Beeby
Story Consultants: C. Nathaniel Richardson & Nick Monarco

Liam sits upright in Jenn's bed, as Jenn stands over him, arms folded, still dressed in overalls in preparation to paint Liam's house.

JENNIFER: Liam...
LIAM: I'm sorry. Jenn, I didn't mean--
JENNIFER: You said it wasn't like before when we lived together. Now, I know that you and I never lived together, so the only thing that can mean is that you're fixating on your ex-wife again.

Liam tries to interject, hoping to stop Jenn from becoming even more agitated.

LIAM: Jenn--
JENNIFER: No, just stop, Liam. Okay, you have got to let go of the anger feel toward her.

Liam stops himself from speaking. Instead, looking down as Jenn continues to speak.

JENNIFER: You know, I held onto my anger when I thought Jack left us in Africa. I thought he just...disappeared on some walkabout, and
I kept that anger for years. It made me bitter, and...and...miserable.

Liam looks up at Jenn, as Jenn sits down on the edge of her bed, and looks tenderly at Liam.

JENNIFER: But I realized that that anger and that bitterness was just making it impossible for me to...to move on with my life. 

Jenn takes Liam's hand in hers, she holds it close to her chest.

JENNIFER: You have so much generosity in you. I've seen that in how you've handled JJ, and the way you are with Abigail and I. Liam...don't lose that because you're still holding onto this...this rage within you from what happened with your wife before.
LIAM: Jenn, I'm not, I'm--
JENNIFER: No. You are. I can tell. Just...let me help you, we can talk to my mom, she can refer you--

Liam cuts Jenn off, something approaching terror in his voice as he almost jumps out of the bed.

LIAM: No no no, I am NOT talking to your mother about this. Okay?

Jenn looks on, confused and disappointed by Liam's strong reaction.

---


Eric sits on a park bench, deep in thought. As he sits, silently, staring off into space, Noelle walks by, a tray with two coffee cups in her hand.

Stopping a moment, she looks down at Eric, who barely notices she's there.

NOELLE: Rough night?

Eric looks up at Noelle, a troubled look on his face, before looking back down.

ERIC: Could say that.
NOELLE: Well...if you wanna talk about it, I'm here.

Noelle sits down beside Eric on the bench, a thoughtful smile on her face as she does. Eric remains looking away.

ERIC: Not much to say really. Just got a lot on my mind.
NOELLE: This is...not how I expected you'd be acting the day after your wedding.
ERIC: Yeah, same here. But then, I didn't expect my bride to spend our wedding night in her office working on a news story. 

Noelle puts her hand across Eric's shoulders, giving him a comforting hand, before reaching over to pull one of her cups of coffee from the tray.

NOELLE: Well...it looks like you haven't slept much. So...here. Triple Shot Espresso Caramel Macchiato.

Eric looks over as Noelle extends the coffee cup to him. Reluctantly, he takes it.

NOELLE: It's supposed to be for Alex, but...I can always double back to the Java Cafe and get another one.

Eric looks down, before taking a sip. He manages a faint smile.

ERIC: Thanks.
NOELLE: Don't mention it. So...where's Nicole now?

Eric looks out again, before shrugging, and turning to face Nicole.

ERIC: To be perfectly honest, I have no idea.

---


Nicole rings Will's doorbell, and stands outside Will's door, waiting to be let in. She's anxious as she waits.


Will opens the door, and ushers Nicole into the apartment.

WILL: Hey Nicole.
NICOLE: Hey.

Closing the door behind her as Nicole steps in, Will stands by and offers a hand to Nicole.

WILL: Can I take your coat?

Nicole looks back, smiling as she sets herself down on the sofa.

NICOLE: So polite. You sure you're Sami's kid?

Will is momentarily amused by Nicole, before quieting down quickly again. He shrugs sheepishly.

WILL: I guess I get it from my grandma.
NICOLE: Let's go with that.

Will nervously steps toward the kitchen area.

WILL: Did you ah...did you want anything? Tea? Coffee?
NICOLE: No. No, I'm fine. Thanks. I don't really have that much time. Just...I had some things to go over with you regarding Nick.
WILL: Right. You said on the phone. I a...

Will sits down on the sofa next to Nicole, looking at her in an attempt to be firm.

WILL: I ah...as I said, I can't tell you much about the inner workings of my job, since...a lot of what I work on is pretty confidential, but...
NICOLE: That's fine. Look, I know this isn't going to be pretty but...Sami found out that Nick took over as CEO at Titan, and...she basically gave me license to bulldoze Nick. At all costs. 

Will looks at Nicole seriously. A bit worried about what she would say next.

WILL: Okay.
NICOLE: So...what that means for you, then...(sigh) your press releases for EnerNext. They were...from what a lot of very reliable sources tell me, heavily biased, and the sources you used were, can I say, flat out wrong.

Will tenses somewhat, responding slightly more curtly.

WILL: I used the data I was given, nothing more.
NICOLE: I figured as much. 

Nicole looks down, sighing as she continues.

NICOLE: Will, I'm not trying to...hurt your career or throw you under the bus, but...your press releases may be a big part of my report tomorrow night, and...are you going to be okay if you're implicated in this?

Will looks up at Nicole, worried and slightly confused by Nicole's question.

---

---


Jordan sits in her office, playing with her engagement ring. As she stares at it, her mind wanders to the night Sheryl and Jordan had their falling out. Sheryl's words haunt Jordan.

***

FLASHBACK TO EPISODE 105
 

Jordan stands in Sheryl's office, and looks down, arms still folded in discomfort as she tries to hold herself back. Sheryl looks on, standing behind her desk. Jordan sighs heavily, as she wordlessly listens to Sheryl’s emphatic words.
 
SHERYL: You can pretend like you have this great future with Rafe, Jordan, but we both know that once we launch that virus tonight, the ISA and the Salem PD are going to be onto us, and you and I will have to leave town and take on a new identity. There’s no way out Jordan. Even if you back out now.

***

Jordan snaps back to reality thanks to a knock at the door. Jordan adjusts herself, trying to clear the mist from her eyes as she calls out.

JORDAN: Ah, come in!


Maxine steps into the office, a patient file in hand. Maxine announces her arrival as she spots Jordan's emotional expression mid-sentence.

MAXINE: Morning, Honey. I brought...your patient files.

Jordan clears her throat as she reaches her hand out to take the files from Maxine, who gives Jordan a stern, concerned look.

JORDAN: Thanks, Maxine.
MAXINE: What's wrong.
JORDAN: Nothing.

Maxine sits down in the guest chair across Jordan's desk. She folds her arms expectantly.

MAXINE: Come on, Girl. Out with it. You are engaged to be married to the man of your dreams. So why you been crying?

Jordan sighs, knowing Maxine won't back down.

---

Jennifer stands up from the edge of her bed, watching as a frustrated Liam begins to get dressed, incensed by her suggestion that he seek therapy.

JENNIFER: Liam, I wasn't implying you go to therapy with my mom, I just...

Liam turns around suddenly after having put a t-shirt on, the simmering rage in his voice.

LIAM: No, you just think I'm crazy.
JENNIFER: I do not. I just...I know what it's like to feel betrayed by someone you love. Okay. Jack....isn't the first person who's let me down, I mean...I was married before to a man who broke my trust in so many ways, I can't begin to go into it. He...he abused my trust for...for years before I finally realized what he was really like.

Liam looks at Jenn, almost feeling heartbroken as he listens to her speak. He becomes more and more tense as she continues, trying to hold in his rage.

LIAM: Jenn, please, don't--
JENNIFER: ...And I thought I couldn't trust anyone ever again after that. But...I had family that loved me, and a man who was patient with me, and loved me enough to take his time and rebuild my trust.

Liam tries desperately to hold it together, as Jenn looks lovingly at him.

JENNIFER: Jack was that person for me after Peter hurt me so badly. I want to be that person for you, Liam.
LIAM: I...

Jenn walks over to the other side of the bed, and puts her arms around a tense Liam. She holds him tenderly, and he reluctantly embraces her, all the while holding in so many emotions, but finally being unable to hold in a tear.

JENNIFER: Let me be that person for you.

Liam breathes deeply, suppressing his anger as he embraces Jennifer.

---

Noelle sits with Eric on the park bench, as they enjoy their coffees. She looks interested as Eric tells her about his wedding.

ERIC: So once my mom and Sami knew I wasn't backing down....well...they took the hint.
NOELLE: Right, but...I mean, obviously that's gonna cause a huge rift between you and your family. I mean, I don't know Nicole well but it sounds like your family's...I mean, they have their reasons not to like her.

Eric sighs, looking down at the ground as he speaks.

ERIC: I know. Doesn't mean they have any right to judge her. As though she's completely incapable of personal growth.
NOELLE: Well, some people change, a lot don't.

Eric looks up at Noelle, who holds Eric's gaze. Noelle smiles, as Eric holds his serious look.

ERIC: I've known Nicole a very long time, and...in our time working together at St. Luke's...I saw a change in her. A huge change. It's...it's almost impossible to describe. But...I'm worried she's slipping back.
NOELLE: What do you mean?
ERIC: I mean since she's been working on this story...it consumes her. I understand it's an important story to tell, but she behaves as though nothing else matters. She tells me she loves me, and I believe her, but it's almost as though she's working to...protect our relationship somehow. As though us being together would somehow destroy what we've built. 

Noelle looks at Eric, her expression thoughtful.

NOELLE: That sounds...complicated. Are you sure it's not just a...temporary thing. I mean, you said yourself, the special airs in a day or two. I've known some people who work in the news and when a big story's about to break, it eats a lot of their time.

Eric shakes his head, getting up from his seat, and beginning to pace in front of the bench.

ERIC: No. No, there's....there's something different about this. And I can't put my finger on what it is. Even how we got married felt strange. I...admit, I raced into it, but...
NOELLE: But you felt a kind of...pressure?
ERIC: I don't know. Maybe. I just know something is wrong, and I can't get Nicole to tell me what it is.

Noelle stands up from the bench, and puts a hand on Eric's shoulder in comfort. Eric turns his head to look at Noelle, still looking pensive.

---

Will paces in front of the sofa, where Nicole is still sitting.

WILL: Nick didn't commission the report, Nicole. I mean, if anything, he's trying to stop the EnerNext project.
NICOLE: I know that. I'm actually hoping to get him to commit to an interview on air tomorrow night. Hopefully catching him live on TV, he won't be able to escape the questions. 

Nicole pauses for a moment. Will stops and turns to look at her as she continues.

NICOLE: But we all know Nick is...extremely volatile.
WILL: Especially lately.
NICOLE: Oh I realize! Believe me. We don't know what he'll come out with, and...since you were the one whose name is on those releases...you may be putting your writing career at risk if he names you as being responsible for the report. I want you to be prepared for that.

Will looks on, thoughtfully, though uncomfortable with what could potentially happen.

WILL: Thanks for the head's up. Gabi, Sonny, and I...we've been preparing. Nick can be...extremely dangerous.

As Will finishes the thought, Ari begins to cry from the next room. Nicole is startled for a moment, as both her and Will suddenly turn to look into Gabi's room, where Ari is sleeping in the crib.

WILL: I should...
NICOLE: Yeah, go!
WILL: Just, ah...sit tight, I'll be back in a sec.

Nicole nods, a faint smile on her face as she watches Will dart into Gabi's bedroom, closing the door behind him.

As he does, Nicole gets up from the sofa, and makes a beeline for the desk by the front door. Ever-so-quietly sliding open the middle drawer, Nicole searches for whatever information she can.

As she flips quickly through, one eye on the door, and one on the papers in Will's desk, she sees nothing. Quickly, she closes the top drawer and opens the next drawer to the right. 

Her mouth opens, as she spies the pistol EJ has left for Gabi. 

Pulling it out, Nicole looks over toward the door, before holding it up, nodding slowly.

NICOLE: Well, that's one way to be prepared, Will.

Nicole chuckles to herself as she holds the gun up right in front of her face, giving a wry smile as she studies it like a preserved artifact.

---