It's Time For Me To Know The Truth

The next day Teresa took Zachary and Jess's kids to the nearby playground. She sat on a bench and opened a book. Madison and Zachary played on a quilt while the boys ran to the slide. Teresa looked up from her book periodically to check on the children. She noticed a strange guy in the distance watching Toby and Joe on the playground.

xxxx

Cade's father ran down the hall as Nicole and Jess stepped off the elevator with his son. "Thank you. Thank you so much for finding him."

"No problem, Mr. Prescott. It's what we do," Jess said.

"The paramedics checked him out," Nicole told him. "He's fine. You can take him home."

xxxx

Teresa closed the book as the strange man approached her. "Can I help you?"

The guy reached out to shake her hand. "James."

"Teresa."

"I didn't mean to startle you. I haven't seen him in a while," he said looking at the boys.

"Who? Nathan or Joe?"

"Joe. He's my son."

xxxx

Jess and Nicole walked into Kemyss's office. "You wanted us, Sir?" Nicole asked.

"Sometimes God smiles down on us, Agents. I have some good news. The Maryland serial killer has been apprehended. Thanks to you, Agent Massey."

"Me? I didn't do anything."

"That vision you had last week that we thought was a dead end. The lead agent in the investigation ran it again. It brought him face to face with the killer, who is now in maximum security. Congratulations."

"I'm just glad it's over. Maryland can relax now."

xxxx

"Look," Teresa said. "I don't know who you are, but Joe's mother has never mentioned you."

"That's because she prefers to believe that her ex-boyfriend is Joseph's dad, rather than some guy who she had one drunken night with."

"That may be true, but until I get the okay from Jess or Nathan I cannot allow you to speak with their children."

xxxx

Later that day Nathan stopped by Nicole's to pick up his kids. "How was your day?" Teresa asked Nathan.

"I'm beat. Completely exhausted…what?"

"Nothing. I'll discuss it with Jess. You're tired."

"Tell me."

"We were at the park this morning and a man claiming to be Joe's father approached me."

"Colin?"

"No. James. I told him that if he wanted to have anything to do with Joe that he had to clear with you and Jess first."

"What did he say?"

"He gave me this number and told me to tell Jess to call him, then he left."

"Thank you."

xxxx

Jess and Nicole happily left the office that day. As they got in the elevator they heard the TVs blaring with the news coverage of the capture of the Maryland killer.

"So how long is Antonio going to be in Texas?"

"Only a few days," Nicole said. "He wants to be with Elias while he gets adjusted."

xxxx

"Hey, I just saw the news. You must be relieved," Nathan said as Jess walked through the door."

"One of the best days I've had in a long time." She kissed him, but noticed some resistance. "Is something wrong?"

"Who is James?"

"James?" She really didn't know who he was talking about.

"Joe's father. I thought Colin was Joe's dad."

"Where did you hear that name?"

"Teresa met him in the park today."

"I don't understand. I never told him about the baby. I never saw him again after the night Joe was conceived."

"Well he knows now. Who is he? Why didn't you tell me about him?"

"I didn't see the point. I never thought I would have to deal with him again…Did Joe meet him?"

"No. Teresa wouldn't let him. So were you dating him when you were with Colin?"

"The night Colin and I broke up I went to a bar and got completely wasted. I woke up in his motel room."

"So it was an isolated event."

"Yeah. I never told him about the baby, just like I never told Colin. It's been over two years. Why is trying to get involved now?"

"Call him and ask him."

xxxx

"You didn't call him, did you?" Nicole asked. Jess went over there when she couldn't bring herself to tell Nathan the whole truth about James. "Please tell me you didn't."

"I didn't."

"Good."

"What do you think I should do?"

"Are you kidding? This is an easy one. We go over to his place and tell him if he ever tries to get near you or Joe you'll tell the police-"

"Tell them what?" Jess interrupted. "That I was drunk when I was with him?"

"He drugged you."

"We don't know that. I had a lot to drink that night, Nicole. I could have just been with him and passed out. He might not have done anything wrong. And if he didn't I don't want to get him pissed. Maybe if I kiss his ass I can make him see it's in Joe's best interest for him to have one father."

"If he's not even the father you don't have to make him see anything."

"I told you I don't. want. a. paternity. test."

"Because you know he could be the father and you know what he did. That's my point. If we confront him he will back off."

"What if he's been watching me ever since I had Joe?"

"That looks even worse for him…he has been stalking you to see his son, but never had the guts to approach you. That screams guilty, Jess."

"I have always been really good at reading people. I think if I meet with him and talk with him I'll be able to tell what kind of person he is. It's time for me to know the truth."

"And then what?"

"If I think he didn't do anything wrong I guess I'll have to have a D.N.A. test. I already got rid of Colin, so if James isn't the father nothing will change. If he is maybe I can talk him out of wanting to be in Joe's life."

"And if you find out he did drug you?"

"I'll make sure he stays away from my son."

"How?"

"I shouldn't even be talking to you about this."

"Tell me."

"I'm sure there is something Nathan can do to "take care" of this."