Love Worth Fighting For, Part 4

(Vicky heads for the house, and Jake runs after her.)

Jake: Vicky, wait!

(Vicky continues for the house, ignoring Jake's pleas. She runs upstairs, into her bedroom, closing and locking the door behind her. Jake proceeds to go upstairs, but is stopped by Donna.)

Donna: Let her be alone, Jake.

Jake: Donna, you knew about this? You knew Vicky was alive and you didn't tell me?

Donna: Jake, I wanted to. I have been begging Victoria to call you since she got here, but she has refused.

Jake: How long have you known?

Donna: A couple of days.

Jake: (attempting to walk up the stairs again) I need to talk to my wife. I have to find out where she's been.

Donna: (taking hold of Jake's arm) Jake, you don't understand.

Jake: What don't I understand? My wife is back. Steven and Kirkland are home again. I can meet my twins and have a family again. (Donna looks away from Jake) What is it? (Donna walks over to the sofa and sits down. Jake follows, sitting down next to her) Donna, tell me. Is something wrong with Vicky?

Donna: Jake, I don't know how to tell you this.

Jake: (getting very agitated) What? What is going on, Donna?

Donna: Jake, when Victoria showed up here the other night, she was (pause) alone.

Jake: You mean -

Donna: I don't know what happened to the babies. And I don't know what happened to Victoria. She won't talk about any of it. I don't even know how she got back to Bay City.

Jake: (wiping his teary eyes) If she'll talk to anyone, its me. (stands up) I have to try.

Donna: (stands up and hugs Jake) I'm so sorry.

Jake: No, I am the one who should be sorry. This entire mess is my fault. And now Vicky is the one who is suffering the most. (He walks upstairs to what used to be his bedroom door. He knocks twice.) Vick? Honey, can I talk to you? (Silence) Sweetheart, please. I know you're mad at me, but I promise we can work this out. Together. (No answer) Vick, I'm going to be downstairs. If you feel like talking to me....(Jake turns to walk away, and the bedroom door opens. Vicky's standing in the doorway - her cheeks flushed and eyes bloodshot. Jake walks towards Vicky, ready to take her in his arms, but she backs away.)

Vicky: We can talk. But that's it.

Jake: (walking into the bedroom) Okay. I understand.

Vicky: (closes the door) I didn't mean for you to find out this way.

Jake: "Find out"? Were you ever going to contact me?

Vicky: Jake, I - I don't know. I'm different now. A lot has changed.

Jake: Vicky, I still love you. That hasn't changed. I haven't been able to think about anything or anyone else but you since that horrible night.

Vicky: I thought about you too. Everyday.

Jake: Then why can't we work this out?

Vicky: I wanted to. I thought we could. But after I went to Oakdale, I thought it would be better if you never knew about me.

Jake: Honey, what would make you think that? How could you think I wouldn't want to know you were okay?

Vicky: I went to the house we rented there. (Turns away from Jake)

Jake: Vick, why didn't you tell me you were there?

Vicky: (trying to hold back her tears) I saw you kissing that woman.

Jake: (confused) You mean Julia?

Vicky: I guess.

Jake: Vick, there is nothing going on with Julia. We're just friends. (putting his hand on Vicky's shoulder) Baby, I love you. You are the only woman I need in my life.

Vicky: (walking over to window) I just don't think you're being honest here. You were kissing her like -

Jake: Like I used to kiss you? That was because I wanted her to be you. Vicky, please don't give up on us because you think you saw something that meant nothing.

Vicky: Jake, I just don't know what to think anymore.

Jake: Vick, when we were outside by the swings you said you were over me. Is that true?

Vicky: (continuing to look out the window) Jake, you know I will always love you. My heart will always be yours. But I just can't come back here and pretend things are wonderful when I - when they're not.

Jake: You mean when you blame me for the death of our twins?

Vicky: (turns around and slaps Jake) I don't want to hear you to ever say that again!

Jake: Vick, I know its my fault. I'm the one who did this to us. (Gently wipes the tears off of Vicky's cheek with his fingertips) I know its the most selfish thing I could possibly do to ask for your forgiveness after what I have done. And I know I don't deserve you. I will never forgive myself for absolutely ruining our life together. (Beginning to cry) I am just so thankful that you are okay, and can be here for the boys again. (Jake, overcome by grief, leaves the room. Vicky sits on the edge of the bed and begins to cry.)

(Jake walks downstairs, where Donna is sitting on the sofa.)

Donna: Jake, what happened? Is Victoria okay?

Jake: (wiping his eyes) I don’t know, Donna. I can’t get her to talk to me about any of this.

Donna: You aren’t leaving are you?

Jake: I don’t know what to do. I can’t believe any of this is happening.

Donna: Jake, Victoria is not herself right now. You can’t give up on her.

Jake: (taking Donna’s hands) I can promise you one thing, Donna. I will never give up on Vicky. I’m going to love her forever.

Donna: Good, that is what I wanted to hear. Its just going to take some time, but things will work out.

Jake: I think I need to step out for awhile. And let all of this sink in.

Donna: Of course. I understand, darling.

Jake: (walking over to the front door) Do me a favor, and just make sure Vicky doesn’t leave. I can’t lose her again.

(Donna nods and Jake leaves the cottage. A few moments later, a shaken up Vicky comes downstairs and joins her mother.)

Vicky: (looking around the room) Did Jake leave?

Donna: Yes, he needed to get some fresh air. (Vicky sits down next to Donna) Victoria, what happened? Jake was very upset when he came downstairs.

Vicky: Mother, I told Jake that its over between us.

Donna: You can’t mean that. Jake loves you, and I know you love him.

Vicky: You don’t understand, okay? You probably never will. (Vicky stands up and rushes back upstairs)

(Jake walks into Carlinos and sees Paulina standing behind the counter counting money.)

Jake: (walking up to Paulina) Hey stranger.

Paulina: (running over and hugging Jake) Oh my goodness! Jake, what on earth are you doing here?

Jake: Gee, its great to see you too.

Paulina: (slugging him on the shoulder) You know what I mean. Its so great to see you!

Jake: Same here. I have been away too long. (Jake looks down)

Paulina: Ok, what’s wrong? I can tell something is going on with you. (They walk over to a table and sit down.)

Jake: It’s Vicky.

Paulina: (taking Jake’s hand) Oh, honey, I’m sorry. Things must still be so rough for you. If there is anything I can do -

Jake: Actually, its not what you think. I guess there is no way to prepare you for this but Vicky - well, she’s alive.

Paulina: (totally shocked) What?! Are you kidding me? When - how - I can’t believe this! This is the best news! You must be so happy! (hugging Jake) Oh, I can’t wait to see her! And the twins. Oh my goodness, this is so wonderful! (Jake takes a deep breath and crosses his arms) You don’t look happy, what’s going on?

Jake: Where do I start? When Vicky came back to Bay City, she was alone and she won't talk about where she has been or what happened to her or the babies.

Paulina: Oh, Jake.

Jake: She said she came to Oakdale, and she saw me kissing Julia. It meant nothing -

Paulina: What a second. Who is Julia?

Jake: (shooting Paulina a look) Its not what you think. Julia is a friend. We were having dinner and we ended up kissing. The next day we both knew we had made a mistake.

Paulina: But the damage was done.

Jake: Vicky saw it happen. She told me there isn’t a future for us anymore.

Paulina: She can’t mean that. You two were made for each other.

Jake: Unfortunately Vicky doesn’t feel that way. She just seems so far away, and yet she is right here.

Paulina: I can't believe she is ending things because of this. There has to be another reason she is pushing you away. She has to know that you love her and this one time kiss with Julia didn't change that. Why don't you let me talk to her?

Jake: No. But thanks. I know what I have to do.

Paulina: Jake, you aren’t going back to Oakdale, are you? You can’t just walk away from her. I won’t let you. (Jake is silent) Jake! Vicky needs you, whether she’s admitting it or not.

Jake: Paulina, I have no intention of leaving. I am going to stay in Bay City and do whatever it takes to get Vicky back.