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The Ties that Bind, Part 22

Setting: The apartment in NY the next morning.

We look around the apartment and see clothes strewn about, towels on the floor, leading to the bedroom. We see Jake and Vicky in bed, their arms wrapped around each other. Both of them looking peaceful, at home in each others arms. Jake slowly wakes up, looks around and sees Vicky.   He remembers last night, the water, him and Vicky, he shakes his head, runs his hands through his hair and looks at Vicky

Jake: What have I done? (looking at Vicky) I'm sorry, Vick, I'm so sorry.

He kisses her on top of the head, slowly gets out of bed, trying not to wake her. He gets dressed, heads to the living room then goes and stands out on the balcony, looking out over the city, rubbing his hands across the stubble on his face.   He takes a deep breath..

Jake: What have you done, Mckinnon?  You fool!  (talking to himself he can't believe what he allowed to happen last night.. He rests his hands on the rail of the balcony looking down on the street.)

Vicky:  Good morning (coming up behind him and wrapping her arms around his waist, she kisses his back)  I couldn't sleep without you there"

Jake:  Ummm … Morning.. I,  uh …I'm sorry if I woke you.  (He grabs her hands and removes them and turns around and steps back from her.)

Vicky: What's wrong Jake?

Jake: (turns his face away) Vicky, please don't…

Vicky: But I thought after last night…

Jake: It was a mistake…I'm sorry…

Vicky: What??

Jake: (Turning to look out at the city not wanting to look at Vicky) I'm sorry Vick, I didn't mean for that to happen…I'm sorry I ..… I didn't know what I was doing...

Vicky: STOP..saying Sorry…why are you sorry?   It means you still love me and you don't have to be sorry for that…

Jake: (Looking at Vicky)  But it doesn't change anything…don't you see.. I can't let the pain go, I just can't let you suck me in again, like you did last night. I wont let you.. (he walks back into the apartment)

Vicky: (Following him)  Jake, answer me one question…Why did you come to New York?"

Jake: What??

Vicky: Why did you come to New York?

Jake: You know why..to get away from Bay City, the memories……you..

Vicky: But did you really get away?

Jake looks at her.

Vicky: Jake, running to New York isn't going to get me out of your heart, your head…after all the things we've been through you're going to let this come between us?  how many times did you tell me that nothing would come between us, nothing?   I know that last night doesn't fix everything but it's a start...

Jake: I didn't let anything come between us…you did!

Vicky: (Trying to remain calm)  Yes..yes, I did, I made a mistake but are you going to stand there and tell me that because of one stupid mistake that you don't love me …that..that you don't want to be with me anymore…the way we were together last night, it was just you and me, Jake…

Jake: Vick..I don't…

Vicky: . Jake, my heart cant hurt anymore than it already does… how can I try and convince you that we belong to together?   do you think I, the one person who knows you better than anybody, cannot see that you're hurting, that it killed you finding out that I went to see Shane and lied about it… I know what I did to you, I made you lose faith in me, in us..

Jake: Then lets stop the hurt for both of us….

Vicky: NO!  Let me finish… do you remember when I thought you were dead and I found you at the swings in Lassiter and we started kissing?

Jake: I should never have come back then, I wish I hadn't regained my memory.

Vicky: (Continuing on)  Do you remember me telling you we didn't do that anymore and you couldn't figure out why? I told you I felt like I couldn't breath without you around, I should have known back then, Jake, but I don't think we were ready. There was too much going on, Jake, but deep in my heart I knew it was you and me…always you and me, and I know I've messed that up right now, but…

Jake: (remembering that time)…I should have quit then….

Vicky: But don't you see you didn't, you kept after me and as much as I tried to push you away and tell you no….I was scared Jake so scared..

Jake: (Softly)  But why?

Vicky: Why?  Oh Jake, now as I look back on it I see why…it was you.  Jake, I was scared to be happy because I knew with you I would have it all.

Jake: Remember when you proposed to me Vicky at the swings in Lassiter? (a tear beginning to form in his eyes) Man, I thought I was the luckiest man alive to think that you would want me..Jake…Jake, the snake

Vicky: I do want you..

Jake: You told me you were going to make all my dreams come true..and you did Vicky ….I thought I was strong enough to make you forget him, I thought our history, the history of you and me would be enough to make that happen, but I was wrong.

Vicky: You weren't wrong then, Jake..

Jake: Oh, I was, Vicky ….but don't you see, Vick, I cant just pretend that nothing happened, that you didn't lie to me, that you choose Shane over me that night, that you…

Vicky: I DIDN'T choose Shane…Jake, even when we got married I was still scared to be happy, all my life you've known me and you know how when I get scared I mess things up, you've seen it..but there is one thing Jake, (walking closer to Jake, she gently puts her hands on the side of his face) one thing that I know in my heart and my soul and that is… I love you, I know you think those are just words, but last night I showed you how much I loved you and now I'm telling you Jake, I'm telling you!

Vicky grows quiet waiting for a response from Jake, looking at him trying to read his expression, finally bringing his eyes up to meet Vicky's.

Jake:  Vicky, if you loved me…… you'd let me go.


EXIT


Scene 2
Setting: The Herald, early morning.. Derek is sitting in Jake's chair, chewing on a pencil, thinking about Amanda and last night, the game, the kiss, how he took her home they kissed again and he told her he would like to see more of her on a personal basis rather then professional, how she said…"well see"

Maria: Excuse me, Derek, there is a call on line 1 for you, it sounds kind of important..

Derek: Sure, patch it through… Hello?…..Hi honey…yeah, yeah, I miss you too, how are things going..okay…okay I'll practice….

Amanda walks in and sees Derek is turned in the chair his back facing the door he's on the phone so she doesn't say hi, she goes to her desk, but she can hear the conversation..

Derek: Je regrette beaucoup ton absence chrie oui, oui, que je veux d'tre avec toi aussi, bientt, pourtant, trs bientt.

Amanda stops short of what she was doing…

Derek: (turns around after hearing Amanda enter the office)  Okay, I've got to run, I'll call you tonight okay…bye. (he hangs up the phone)

Amanda: You didn't have to hang up on my account.

Derek: Oh that's alright we were done anyway.. …

Amanda: Sounded kind of personal..

Derek: Oh, it was nothing..

Amanda: Didn't sound that way to me…. Listen I'm not into threesomes..so if you don't mind you can leave me out of your little games

Derek: (stands up)  What are you talking about??

Amanda: (Slamming her papers on the desk)  Men..ugh…. (she turns on her heels, and leaves but stops at the door turns around and says)  Oh, by the way, Derek, Votre fermeture éclair c'est détruire.

Derek: What?



Scene 3
Setting: Sally's, we see Nicole standing in shock that JT is there right before her, all that can come out of her mouth was "what the hell are you doing here?"

JT: I'm back and I've come to….(before he can get the rest of the words out Nicole slaps him in the face.)

Nicole: Don't you dare…

JT:  (rubbing his face from the slap Nicole just delivered)  I see you still have a good right….

Tom: (Coming up between them Tom says) Easy now, Nicole, we have customers looking..

Sally: (Interrupting them looking at JT then Tom)  Easy for you to say…come on, Nicole lets go get a drink..

Anne: (Between songs)  Well, folks, the entertainment usually comes from the stage, so maybe if those folks can take their argument somewhere else we can continue with the music…

Shari: Anne sure has a way with words, I see you didn't get the reception you were hoping for JT, what did you think she was going to welcome you with open arms?

JT: (Still rubbing his face)  No I didn't, but I'm not backing down.

Tom: Let me buy you a drink, JT …Shari, if you don't mind I'll take what JT is having..

Shari: Tom, don't you want to go after Sally?

Tom: Sally is old enough to take care of herself, sometimes Shari you have to listen to all sides before you choose..

Shari: Listen, sonny, I have a husband at home already I don't need you telling me..

JT: Hey guys, I didn't mean to cause all this trouble, I just want to talk to Nicole..

Shari: Well, she doesn't want to talk to you..

Tom: Shari..would you please?

Shari: Okay, Okay whatever…(walks away)

JT: (shaking Tom's hand) It's good to see you Tom.

Tom: Good to see you again, I thought you would have called first..

JT: I just got back in and I couldn't wait.  I had to come.  I see Sally hasn't changed, fighting for her friends till the end, so what's going on between you and her that I don't know about.

Tom: You really want to hear my problems?

JT: It would be good for me to hear someone else's instead of mine for a change..

Tom: (taking a drink).. Right now, nothing is going on between us… but you know we've been friends for a long time. It started about a 6 months ago when we went down to Chicago for that Blues Festival looking for some new acts. One night we stayed out late, had a few too many, started really, I mean really talking we opened up to each other ….one thing led to another…..but being down there with her made me realize that we were more than friends that it goes deeper than friendship. I want more but she thinks it would just end up ruining us so basically were at a stalemate. I want to go forward and she wants to forget.

JT: If my memory serves me correctly Tom, you've got one tough nut to crack, but knowing you, there is'nt anybody else who could do it. One thing I've learned since I've been gone is you can run, and try to hide but it always, always catches up with you.

Tom: I'm not running anywhere, I intend to see this one to the end.

JT: (lifts his glass) Me too!


EXIT



Scene 4
Setting: Carlinos, Nick and Linda took Steven and Kirkland to the movies and now have come to Carlinos for some dessert.

Nick: Wasn't that a cool movie guys?

Steven: Ya it was fun, thanks for taking us..right Kirk?

Kirkland quietly says: ya it was fun, but Jake promised us he would take us..

Linda: You know what Kirkland I don't think Jake would have minded if we took you, in fact I'm sure he would be happy that you and Steven are having a good time.

Nick: Yep that's right Kirk, and you know what I bet your Mom will be home real soon.

Kirkland: Really? And Jake too?

Nick looks at Linda not knowing what to say

Linda: Kirkland that I don't know about that, but we can never give up hoping that he will return with your Mom.

We see Sophia and Paulina behind the counter..

Paulina: So are you going to go over there and take their order or what?

Sophia: Who's that sitting with them?

Paulina: That's Linda she works at the Herald.

Sophia: Oh, he doesn't look to heart broken since..

Paulina: What? are you saying now that you regret breaking it off with Nick??

Sophia: No, no of course not, I just thought he wouldn't bounce back so fast.

Paulina: You can't have it both ways Sophia..

Sophia: Oh I know that….(she heads over to the table)

Nick: Linda I didn't think you were so squirmy about movies…

Linda: Hey I'm not squirmy… I just don't enjoy scary movies is all..

Nick: Listen I don't mind, I think I will get the feeling back in my arms from you griping them so hard…..right guys. (they all start laughing)

Sophia: Excuse me can I take your order?

Nick: Oh Hi Sophia, yep you sure can, what will you guys have?

Steven & Kirkland: Chocolate Sundaes!!

Nick: Sundaes it is…Linda?

Linda: Oh just tea for me please..

Nick: All right..three Sundaes and one tea for little miss squirmy over there!

Linda: Nick! (punching him in the arm)

Sophia: (taking this all in) So how are you Nick?

Nick: (a little nervous he coughs)..fine, fine and you?

Sophia: I'm doing good…I haven't seen you around in a few days where have you been?

Nick: New York actually Linda and I went to New York..

Sophia: (surprised) Oh really..and this must be Linda..

Nick: Sorry about that…Linda this is Sophia,…Sophia this is Linda she works at the Herald now.

Linda: Nice to meet you Sophia

Sophia: (After an awkward silence)  I guess I'll get your order then

Nick: (ignoring Sophia) Okay..thanks... So Linda why don't we drop the boys off and you and I go to Sassy's ?

Linda: Sassy's what's Sassy's

Nick: A little more grown up how about that, come on now you cant say no..

Linda: Certainly not with that smile..



Scene 5
Setting: Sally's office, Nicole is sitting on the couch with Sally sitting next to her.

Sally: Come on drink this it will make you feel better..

Nicole: (sipping the drink)  I never thought I'd see him again…

Sally: Are you alright? .. your hands are shaking…

Nicole: Yeah, I'm fine he just took me by surprise…what do you think he wants?

Sally: You.

Anne comes bursting through her door..

Anne: Okay, okay who is he and what happened. I nearly forgot what I was singing..
(sitting on the chair across from Sally and Nicole)

Sally: Anne, really don't you ever knock..

Anne: (Ignoring Sally and continuing on)  Now I've been here a while but apparently not that long so come on tell me who is he??

Nicole: Anne!  Slow down..if you would give me a minute I will tell you.

Sally: Who's on stage Anne?

Anne: Hey I get a break every once in awhile don't I??

Sally: (rolling her eyes) What am I going to do with you?

Anne: Come on, Nicole, dish…

Nicole: It was a long time ago, before you came..

Anne: I already figured that out…

Sally: let me Nicole…Anne if you must know, his name is JT and he and Nicole were an item..

Anne: … and?… I don't see many friends greet each other they way Nicole greeted him…nice right you have there Nicole.

Nicole just rolls her eyes and puts her head in her hands.

Sally: Anne its something that is between the two of them, all you need to know is they were close very close and something happened that shouldn't have okay. Will that quell your curiosity for now?

Anne: (getting up to leave)  I tell you getting information from you two is like squeezing juice out of a potato.. I gotta get back…


Scene 6
Setting: Apt in New York,

Vicky: (Her hands still on Jake's face, looking him directly in the eye)  No, Jake, I wont let you go, it's because I love you that I'm not letting you go..don't you see that??

Jake: (taking her hands away from his face) What I see is you pushing and pushing, can't you for once, not just push so hard?

Vicky: Who taught me how to push?  Who taught me in that school yard that you gotta fight for what's yours, now after all these years you want me to stop pushing?  Jake I don't know how, especially when my whole life depends on it, you can't expect me not to give up can you?

Jake: Do you think I'm going to come back if you keep pushing?

Vicky: It worked last night didn't it?

Jake:  (turns around walks over to the window and looks out over the city) That shouldn't have happened…

Vicky: But it did and you can't deny it, I tried denying what we have for years and it never went away.

Jake: What is it going to take Vicky? To get you to go..go home where your kids are, where they need you..

Vicky: They need you too Jake, you're the only real father both of those kids have ever known, you're the only father I WANT those boys to have. That's why I'm not giving up, that's why I'm not quitting so you might as well get used to it Jake, you and me…Jake and Vicky forever. (the doorbell rings)

Vicky: I'll get that…..turning back to Jake… Jake, think about it, think about what's in your heart, you will realize it, I just know it. (Jake turns and steps out on to the balcony)

(she opens the door)

Emily: Oh, you're still here, (walking past her)..

Vicky:  YOU I don't like!

Emily: Little pistol, aren't we?…Were's Bun?

Vicky: Excuse me? (grabbing her arm) I don't believe I invited you in..

Emily: You know you are beginning to annoy me…Jake doesn't want you back don't you get that! He doesn't want you around, he can't stand to be in the same room as you are…he doesn't love you…he...

Jake: EMILY!!  enough..(coming forward into the room) You don't know anything about Vicky, what's she's like, nobody talks to my wife that way…so leave her alone!

Vicky: Wife?  (turning around to look at Jake)

Emily: I'm sorry, Bun..I mean Jake.. I just thought..

Jake: That's it you didn't think did you!

Emily: (looking at Vicky) I'm sorry, I guess I was wrong..

Vicky: You got that right, you were wrong about Jake and me...

Jake: Vicky…could you leave us alone for a sec?

Vicky: But we're not done..

Jake: For now we are.

Vicky: All right …fine.. (she heads towards the bedroom)

Jake: (Waiting until he thinks Vicky has left the room, he turns towards Emily grabbing her arm)  I'm going to tell you once, nobody talks to my wife that way, she's off limits to you.."

Emily: But Jake I thought you were done with her.

Jake: I've known Vicky all my life..we will never be done, okay?

We see Vicky standing by the door hearing what Jake has just said, A smile spreading across her face.

Scene 7
Setting: Kris's apartment

Kris is in her apartment, talking on the phone to her editor about her story, sipping on coffee and trying to type on her computer.

Kris: Yeah, yeah I'm on it, in fact I would like to interview some more people for the story. Yes, yes, I will get the final to you by 3:00 so it will make tomorrows paper.. (hangs up) finally off my back! Now to my story (she starts typing away) the doorbell rings..

Kris: Jake? What are you doing here?

Jake: I just dropped off a friend and was in the neighborhood.…

Kris: Well, come on in, you look like you could use some coffee, I have some on would you like some?

Jake: Yeah sure, so how are things going with you?

Kris: fine…fine..and you?

Jake: (trying to sound positive) Oh great, wonderful, just great..

Kris: Are you trying to convince me of that or yourself?

Jake: It's all over my face isnt it?

Kris: As plain as day Jake….what are you doing here?

Jake: What?  I can't come to see an old friend, see how you're doing?

Kris: Here take this coffee, drink, sit down and tell me what happened. I tell you between you and Vicky I wont get any work done.

Jake: Can we not mention her name…please?

Kris: Well, Jake, you look like hell, so come on tell me what happened.

Jake: Something that shouldn't have, why did she have to come here Kris..why?

Kris: Because she loves you Jake..you know that..

Jake: But she also loved another man, too.  What am I supposed to do about that?   She never loved me like I loved her, I loved her my whole life, I changed for her Kris, I..

Kris: Jake, love is not measured in equal parts you know that, sometimes people love more than the other, it doesn't mean that they love any less. You changed for her Jake.   Or did she change you?

Jake: But don't you see I lived for her, you know since the first time I met her, I don't remember how, but she entered within me and stayed there. She's always been right here with me, that's what hurt so bad Kris.

Kris: And it hurts like hell what she did to you right?

Jake: right!

Kris: So what are you going to do about it, you can't cut Vicky out of you like some disease can you?  Trying to drink away the pain isn't helping, is it? Jake didn't you ever do something that needed forgiving?

Jake: You cut right to the chase, don't you?

Kris: Listen, Jake, I wasn't there so I don't know all the facts but I've listened to Vicky I've heard her side and I've heard your side and you wanna know how I see things.

Jake: No, but I have a feeling your gonna tell me..

Kris: Remember, I'm from Lassiter too, I remember the school yard, the swings so I'm going to give it to you straight. The way I see it Jake you've got two choices, you can forgive her and move on or you can't . . . or won't it's that simple.  But I want you to think about some things first….if Vicky didn't love you, she wouldn't have married you, she doesn't do anything that she doesn't want to do, you know that?  Do you think she would have married you because..

Jake: She married me because I …..because I was comfortable..

Kris: Comfortable? Jake? You?  Comfortable?  I doubt very much that she married you because you were comfortable and before you say it neither were you safe. Jake, she married you for love, she choose happiness and that happiness was with you. Your problem is you can't see that right now because you're hurt that she lied to you. So until you let go of that pain you cant forgive her. (the doorbell rings) let me get that..
(she opens the door)

Kris: Vicky?

Vicky walking in: Hi Kris, I called your office and they said you were at home, I can't wait to tell you…(seeing Jake sitting on the couch) Jake?

Jake: (standing up) WHAT are you doing here?

Vicky: what?

Jake: Cant you stop following for me one minute?

Vicky: I didn't know…

Jake: Right!

Vicky: Kris is my friend too, I don't have anybody else here in New York….Why aren't you out with that Emily, or your new friends at that Sally's?

Jake: Why don't you go home then, go home to Bay City.

Kris: Excuse me, you two! Why don't you calm down Jake, Vicky didn't know you were here…why don't you two just sit down and talk instead of fighting..

Jake: Yeah, I'll bet..Listen, Kris thanks for the coffee, but I have to go..I can't stay here.

Vicky: But Jake…

Jake: Listen Vicky either you be gone by time I get back to that apartment or I will..

Vicky (grabbing his arm as he passes by) Wait, Jake..just listen to me..

Jake: I've done enough listening…now, I meant what I said…go Home!

He walks out the door.

Vicky: (turns to Kris)  I guess I did it again, didn't I?

Kris: Come on, sit down and take a breather.

Vicky: Thanks, all of a sudden I feel tired, Kris . . .  real tired.

Kris: have you had anything to eat?

Vicky: No, I'm fine..I'm not hungry..in fact the thought of food right now is making me feel sick.. (she feels her stomach) I haven't been feeling well all morning..and I've kinda of got this pain in my stomach.

Kris: Are you alright, Vicky?  (going over to sit by her on the couch)

Vicky: Yeah, yeah, I'm fine…(she goes to stand up and sits right back down and grabs her stomach)..Ouch…maybe not, Kris. I'm not feeling …ouch…(she doubles over in pain)

Kris: I better get you to the hospital.