CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE: A FEELING OF BETRAYAL



A/N: This is the first time that I've stuck one of these in here and I'm doing it now because I want to apologize to the people that have been reading this story and waiting forever for an update. I got stuck a while back and never really got unstuck, except to extend the last scene a little. This chapter is still unfinished, so if any of you have an idea, please let me know, because I check almost every day for new reviews.



"Does anyone know where Jeff went to?" Matt asked about the same time that Jeff was sitting down to talk to Eve's parents. "The van's gone and he didn't leave a note."

"Maybe he went out to get something to eat," Lita said as she passed the milk to Eve.

"Can't be that," Derek said as he poured a cup of coffee for himself. "There's dishes in the sink. He's already eaten."

Eve was suddenly struck by a feeling of dread. Had Jeff heard her and Dee talking about her parents yesterday? She hadn't been sure, but she could have sworn she'd seen a fleeting look of guilt on Jeff's face as he'd walked into the room. She tried to dismiss the feeling. Jeff didn't know her parents' first names and there was nearly a hundred listings for Roberts in the phone book. It would take him days to go to each address - if that's what he was even up to right now.

Lita leaned over and waved her hand in front of Eve's face. "Earth to Eve. Hello in there."

Eve snapped out of her daze and turned to face Lita. "Sorry, did you say something?"

"Yeah. I asked if Jeff had said anthing to you last night or this morning about going out somewhere. He may be reckless in the things he does, but he's always responsible enough to let us know where he's going."

"He never mentioned anything. I know you guys have to catch that plane home this evening. He's gotta be back before you have to leave for the airport."

Somehow the words weren't very comforting.





"Is she alright?" Those were the first words out of Theresa's mouth as soon as the door had shut.

Jeff briefly considered the worried look on the older woman's face before answering. "Yeah, she's fine."

Theresa showed Jeff where to hang up his coat. "Don't bother taking off your shoes," she told him as he bent down to unlace them.

"Is your husband home?" Jeff asked as he followed Theresa into her kitchen.

"No. He's away on a business trip right now, but I expect him back tomorrow evening. Can I get you something to drink, Mr. Hardy? Tea? Coffee? I think there's a bottle of brandy in Wade's study, if you'd prefer that."

"Please, call me Jeff. Coffee would be great if its not too much trouble. I drink it black."

Theresa nodded her head, as if in approval, and left Jeff with the feeling that he'd just passed some kind of test.

No more words were spoken until they sat facing each other across the table, a steaming mug placed before them both. Jeff thoughtfully considered the cartoon pig on his mug - it seemed so out place in this elegant home - before he reaised his gaze to look at the mother of the woman he loved.



A/N: Extra stuff I was talking about at the beginning gets added here.



"So why are you here?" Theresa asked. "I can't help but think that Eve has no idea about this visit."

"No, she doesn't," Jeff admitted, his gaze falling to his coffee. "It's just... I'm kinda at my wit's end, y'see. I promised Eve the time to deal with her stuff in her own way and on her own, but in the whole time we've been together, I haven't seen her make any effort to change things so I just..."

"Decided to interfere?" Carol asked with a raised eyebrow. Jeff looked up and back down quicly, then nodded once. "Don't worry about it. At least you did something. I've been waiting for six years hoping that my stubborn daughter and my equally stubborn husband would come to their senses and forgive each other. Eve wasn't the only one that ran away that day, we all did."

"I love her," Jeff blurted out.

"I guess. But I'm still not clear on how you managed to find this place.

Jeff had the grace to look ashamed.



A/N: Well, what do you think? Any ideas? Whoever helps gets credit on this.