Tears streamed down Jennifer's cheeks, blurring her vision. She glanced at her watch, distressed to see how late it had become. The daylight had long since turned to night, and she'd been driving for hours with no sign of Jack.

Oh God...what could have happened to him? He was hurting and they needed each other... desperately.

She needed help, but she didn't have anywhere to go. Her brother Mike was working and Bo and Hope were on a second honeymoon in Paris.

There was only one thing she could do...

She drove down the dark street until she came to the small yellow house. She pulled into the driveway and turned off the engine. Consumed in thought, she sat in the car.

I shouldn't be here. I should be home, waiting for Jack. He's probably there now...

Just as she put her key into the ignition, she heard someone yelling.

"Hey! What are you doing in my driveway? Get out of here before I call the cops!"

When the car didn't move, he came closer peering into the foggy mirror.

"Damn it! Are you deaf? I said GET OUT OF HERE!" He yelled, waving a stick that he'd picked up off the ground.

Shaken, Jennifer slowly got out of the care, her face streaked with tears.

"I-I'm so-sorry Steve. I didn't know where else to go."

Steve dropped the stick he was holding and ran to his sister in law. "Oh my God! Jennifer, I'm so sorry! I thought you were another one of those punks from down the street again."

"I-It's okay, Steve." Jennifer said, trying to keep her voice steady. "I-I really should go." She opened the car door, but Steve stopped her from getting in by putting his hand on her shoulder.

"Oh Baby, what's wrong?"

At the question, Jennifer began to sob.

"Come on." Steve said, slamming the car door. "Let's sit over here and talk. You're in no condition to drive like this."

Reluctantly Jennifer followed him to the porch swing and they sat down.

Steve put his arm around Jennifer and rubbed her shoulder. "Okay, what's this all about?"

"It's Jack."

"What about Jack?" Steve looked at his watch. "It's late! Where is he anyway?"

"H-He's gone." Jennifer said, brushing the blinding tears from her eyes.

"Gone? You mean he left you and my niece? That son of a b-."

"He didn't leave us, Steve. He was very upset. He couldn't take it."

"Couldn't take what? What happened? Did you two have a fight?"

Jennifer shook her head. "No, it's about Kayla."

Steve was taken aback.

"Kayla? What's she got to do with this?"

Jennifer swallowed hard. "Well, someone at Abby's school told her about Jack raping Kayla."

"WHAT?" Steve yelled.

"Um, yeah. See, Abby had been acting strangely toward Jack, and-."

"Acting strangely? How?"

"Well, she wouldn't go near him, and whenever he tried to touch her, she would start screaming. She's really scared Steve, and I don't know how to explain it to her."

"All because of some damn punks at school." Steve said, clenching his fist.

Jennifer couldn't help but smile at Steve's tough demeanor.

"E-exactly, and when I confronted her about what was bothering me, she asked if it was true. Jack must have overheard and the next thing I know he was gone."

"So where is Abby now?" Steve asked.

"She-She's at home asleep." Jennifer replied. "Your mother's with her."

"Jo?" Steve asked incredulously. "What did you tell her?"

"I told her there was an emergency at the paper. I-I hated lying to her, Steve, but I-."

Steve smiled. "No, that was good thinking. How long has Jack been gone?"

Jennifer looked at her watch. "It's been hours now. Oh God, Steve! What-what if something happened to him? He's got to be absolutely devastated. There's no telling what he'll do. I can't lose him again! I just ca-."

Suddenly her emotions broke apart and she began to sob harder than before.

Steve took her in his arms and let her cry on his shoulder.

"That's a good girl. Just let it all out. Everything will be okay. You and Happy Jack have been through Hell and back together. You'll get through this, too. And as for my brother, he's a father now. He's not going to do anything crazy. He has Abigail to think about. We'll find him, I promise."

Jennifer raised her head and smiled. "Thank you, Steve."

He kissed her cheek. "Yeah...no problem, Baby."

When he stood, Jennifer grabbed his arm. "Wait, what are you doing?"

"Well, I'm going to go find that brother of mine. You wait here with Kayla."

"No, Steve. I'm coming with you." Jennifer said, rising to her feet. "I have to know that he's okay."

Steve sighed. "Happy Jack always said you were feisty. All right, you can come. But on one condition. That you let me do the looking. I don't want to be responsible for you getting hurt. Got that?"

Jennifer wrapped her arms around her brother in law and held him tightly.

"Thank you so much..." she whispered.