"I know who you are, Mr. Jacks. May I ask what you are doing here? It's my understanding that your presence is not wanted on these premises." Matthew stood his ground, refusing to shake Jerry's outstretched hand.

"I see you've been hearing stories about me. Believe me, Mr. Rollins, most of what you've heard from my brother is untrue, and I'm sure that which does contain some semblance of truth has been greatly exaggerated. As you can see, I am not John Dillinger reincarnate.

"As to why I'm here... Well, as I'm sure you're aware, Jasper is my baby brother. Having read in the papers that he and that new wife of his had purchased such an old house in a neighborhood with a less than savory reputation, I felt it my duty to check the place out. It's our mum, you see. Jasper has always been her favorite and when she found out where he had bought a house, she immediately became concerned. So, being the ever-dutiful son, I offered to come check out the house and grounds for her. Just to reassure her, you understand, that her baby boy would be safe in his bed at night." Jerry couldn't resist the urge to smile to himself; this was going much better than he had expected. The old fool had not thrown him out and seemed to be listening to the garbage he was spewing.

Before Matthew even answered, three unmarked cars pulled up in front of the house. Six uniformed Jacks International guards walked up the driveway toward them, weapons drawn. At just that moment an additional car pulled up. This one contained Travis Clark. Travis walked quickly up the driveway to where the guards had encircled Matthew and the intruder. He couldn't believe his eyes when he saw who it was. "As I live and breathe, Jerry Jacks! What are you doing here? Haven't you figured out that this is the last place on the planet you want to be found?"

Jerry had lost the superior air he had assumed with Matthew. Seeing six guards with weapons drawn and pointed at him had shaken even the unshakeable Jerry Jacks. "Why, Travis Clark, are you still playing policeman for my little brother? I'll tell you what, when you feel like getting a real job, give me a call. I'm sure dad and I could find a place for you at J&J Jacks." Jerry tried a soft laugh to give Travis the impression that he was not impressed by this show of force, but the laugh only came out sounding forced and unnatural. "Not that I don't like a party or anything, but who invited you anyway? I was just having a nice discussion with my friend, Matt, here, and all of a sudden, you guys come storming up like a military invasion."

"I sent for them, Mr. Jacks, and the name is Mr. Rollins to you, 'Jer'. Travis, nice response time. I'm glad to know that the panic buttons you gave each of us really work." He looked at Travis with the same smug grin that Jerry had tried on him at the beginning of their conversation. "Mr. Jacks here was telling me that he's 'worried' about his little brother and wanted me to show him the house so that he could reassure his poor, worried mother that her baby was going to be -- how did you phrase it -- 'safe in his bed at night.'" Matthew's dislike of the arrogant man standing in front of him was apparent. He had a better idea now of why Jax was so suspicious that the strange occurrences could have been this man's work.

Travis chuckled at Matthew's putdown of the self-righteous Jerry Jacks. "Matthew, does Jax know he's here?" Suddenly Travis was all business. Either Jerry was a bigger fool than either he or Jax had thought, or he was up to something.

Matthew shook his head slowly. "No, the concerned brother here waited until he saw Jax and Brenda -- that's the wife's name, 'Jer' -- drive away. Then he pulled in, blocking my leaving. What do we do with him now?" Matthew really didn't want to disturb Jax and Brenda. They had been so happy when they left tonight that he wanted to let them have a peaceful evening. "Do we have to disturb them? Brenda was really exhausted when they left here. Can we just deal with this and tell Jax about it tomorrow morning?"

Jerry was becoming nervous. The last thing he needed was to get arrested for trespassing. He was still on probation for the money-laundering charges and had also been served with an order of protection prohibiting him from going within 500 feet of Jax, Brenda, or their home. If these rent-a-cops hauled him down to the police station and charged him with trespassing, he could end up in jail for 20 years. What he had planned to be a scouting expedition to get information about Jax's new life had suddenly gone very wrong, and he was looking at prison. "You guys can't be serious with all this fire power! All I wanted to do was make sure that my brother and his wife were going to be safe. In spite of what you may have been told about me, I really do care about Jax. I may be a business opponent now, but that doesn't change the fact that he is still my brother and I really did come here to give my mother peace of mind."

Panic in Jerry's voice was becoming evident. Travis couldn't resist the urge to gloat. "Jerry, Jerry, Jerry... I thought you were smarter than this. You know there is restraining order against you coming anywhere near Jax or Brenda. Why would you show up here?"

"I don't see either of them anywhere around here. How can I possibly be a danger to them if they aren't even here? Come on, Travis, you know this is all just a big act to impress your boss. Now let me just get into my car and drive away, and we'll all forget this ever happened." With that Jerry reached for the handle of the car door. Just then a large hand reached out and grabbed his hand.

"Just a minute, Mr. Jacks. Mr. Clark hasn't said you can leave. What do we do with him, Mr. Clark?" The large guard holding Jerry looked to Travis for instruction. The other five had not yet put away their weapons but had lowered them. When Jerry reached for the car door, they had all brought them to bear once again on him. "Do we let him go or take him to the PCPD?"

Travis and Matthew looked at each other before Travis spoke, "Let him go. Jerry, you're a very lucky man. This time I'm going to let you go. But you hear me good. If you come ANYWHERE near Jax, Brenda, or this house ever again, I will personally see to it that not only are you charged for your current crimes, but that your parole is revoked and the full force of the law brought down on you." With that said, Travis signaled the guards to holster their weapons and allow Jerry to leave.

"Just one question before I go -- why? You had me dead to rights trespassing. Why are you letting me go?" Jerry was grateful but also confused. There was no love lost between him and Travis, and letting him go went against everything Travis stood for.

"It's very simple, really. If we take you down to the station and charge you, that would mean we'd have to disturb Jax and Brenda at home. Now as much as Jax would enjoy seeing you behind bars again, I don't want to ruin the evening for them. They've had precious little happiness lately thanks to you and the rest of that family of yours, so anything I can do to protect them from further unhappiness, I will do. But don't worry, first thing tomorrow Jax will have a full report of this incident, and if he decides to press charges at that time, my men and I will support him to the utmost. Now get out of here!!"

Jerry quickly jumped into his car and backed out of the driveway. He wasn't exactly sure why Travis had let him go, but he wasn't going to question it. He'd have to find another way and time to check out the house. For all of his public blustering about lack of concern for Jax, he truly did care about his safety and happiness, as did their mother. He had made a Christmas promise to her that he would do whatever it took to get at least her back into Jax's life. Now all he had to do was figure out how.

It was almost 11:45 before Brenda woke up. She did not even remember going to bed last night. When she and Jax had gotten home from the house, their dinner was waiting for them. Nothing fancy, just a nice, old-fashioned meal. After dinner they had cuddled on the couch in front of the fire. That was the last thing she remembered until she awoke in bed, in her nightgown. She rolled over, expecting to find Jax still beside her. When all she found were cold sheets, she sat up suddenly. It was only then that she glanced at the clock to see what time it was. She jumped out of bed, grabbing Jax's white terrycloth robe from the chair and headed off to find him. She hoped he was still home. He had said last night that he was going to work at home this morning, so she hoped he was still here.

The first place she tried was his study, but it was empty. When she heard his voice coming from the living room, she headed there. As she approached she saw he was on the phone with his back to her. Whoever he was talking to, Jax was not pleased. She had grown very good at reading his body language, and his body spoke loud and clear of anger, even though she could barely hear what he was saying (an obvious attempt not to disturb her) or see his face. Finally, he turned around and saw her. He quickly ended the call and came up to her.

"Well, hello there, sleeping beauty. I was beginning to wonder if you were ever going to wake up." He looked at her with a look of pure love, a total contrast to the Jax she had just seen on the phone. In all the time they had been together, she had never been able to figure out how he was able to do that.

"Who were you talking to on the phone? What's wrong? Something happen at the house?" She looked at him as a feeling of dread began to creep up her spine. She knew that look on his face. he had something to tell her that he knew she wasn't going to like. Might as well just get it over with.

"Okay, what's wrong? I know that look, and it usually means trouble. Did something happen at the house again? Jax. . . ?" He just kept staring at her, not really sure how to answer her question.

"Well, I guess you could say something did happen at the house. It seems we had a visitor last night after you and I left."

"Who? Oh, God -- Jax, did something happen to Matthew? To the house? What?????"

"Oh, no, honey, nothing like that. Apparently just after you and I drove away, a car pulled in the driveway blocking Matthew from leaving. When the driver got out it was none other than Mr. Jerry Jacks himself!!!" Jax spit out his brother's name with an intense feeling of hatred.

"What? What on earth was he doing there?" Brenda was unable to believe how either incredibly stupid Jerry was to come to their house, or brave. She really couldn't decide which.

"Well, the excuse he gave Matthew, Travis, and the security guards, who responded to Matthew's panic button, was that when Jane found out we'd bought a house in that neighborhood, she became concerned for our 'safety,' so he volunteered to come check out the house to make sure we would be safe in our bed at night." By this point Jax could not help but laugh at the stupidity of his brother.

"He told them that? He really said that and expected them to believe it? How did you find out about it?"

"I was talking to Travis when you came downstairs. So if I looked angry or upset when you saw me that's why."

"What did they do with him? Turn him over to the authorities?" She really hoped that they had let him go. Not because she had any sympathy for Jerry. In fact, just the opposite. He had caused Jax more pain and embarrassment in the past two years than anyone. A fact that she would not soon forget nor forgive. She just did not want Jane to be publicly humiliated again because of Jerry's actions. Regardless of all that had happened between them, Brenda still loved Jane. She had been the only mother Brenda had ever known, and in a way she could almost understand why she had gone along with John and Jerry in keeping Jax in the dark about everything. She didn't want to lose him. In the end she lost him anyway. Brenda hoped with time and a little influence from her, Jax would come to forgive at least his mother for her part in the deception. That was an issue to deal with at another time.

"No, Travis and Matthew decided to let him go with a warning. But they told him that if he was caught anywhere near us or the house they would arrest him. They also told him that it was up to us about what to do about last night. We have 24 hours to press charges. What do you want to do?" He looked at her for insight into what she was thinking, but for some reason he could not read her.

"I think we should just leave it alone. I don't want our names in the paper again connected to something criminal that your brother did. Okay?" She looked into his eyes to let him know that should he decide to press charges she would support him.

"Okay. I guess you're right. Things have finally started to cool down for us in the press. The last thing we want is Jerry to drag us back into the media spotlight. I'll go along this time. I also told Travis to have the security cars patrol more often past the house. If he was stupid enough to do this once, he's bound to try it again."

Brenda pushed Jax down onto the couch and sat herself in his lap, "So, my dear husband, what do you have planned for the rest of the day? Any chance of getting you to spend the it here with me?" She looked at him with that little girl look that always melted his heart. "Hmmm??"

"I'm afraid not, sweetheart. I have to be at the office in about two hours for a meeting with the representatives of a German syndicate that we are attempting to buy a biomedical engineering firm from. I do have enough time though to have brunch with my beautiful bride, if she'd like that?" He looked at her kind of wistfully. "Besides I thought you were anxious about those deliveries to the house today? You haven't even asked if Matthew called about them, so I guess they must not be for our bedroom." He looked at her with a sly grin that just infuriated her -- for about 10 seconds.

"Oh, my God! I completely forgot! Did he call, Jax? Did everything arrive? Was everything okay? Come on, Jax, tell me!!" She jumped up from his lap and ran across the room to grab for the phone. If Matthew hadn't called yet, there must be some kind of a problem. Just as she reached for the phone, Jax caught up to her and pulled the phone out of her reach.

"Yes, Matthew called. In fact, he called about 9:30. He said to tell you that the entire shipment had arrived and it looked like it was in good shape. He said he'd call you back this afternoon after everything was uncrated and assembled to let you know for sure. He also said to tell you that the installers were there and have hung the draperies in the library and will hang the curtains in the last of the guestrooms as well. He didn't foresee any problems, so he suggested that you stay home and relax today." Jax wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her closer.

"I guess I could stay here for a couple more hours, but I really do want to go to the house this afternoon to see the deliveries and how the last of the drapes look. Jax, can you believe it? In just about a month, we'll be in our own home with our own things!" Her excitement showed in her face.

Jax had to admit that the thought of moving had never appealed to him as much as it had recently. Watching Brenda each day going over floor plans and accessory shipments had actually brought him peace of mind. For the first time in their relationship, there was no one to put a damper on her happiness. Sonny was out of the picture for good, her health concerns had been resolved in their favor (The thought of a little Brenda sliding down the banister in the house came to mind.), and even the financial and emotional devastation of his family's activities had finally been resolved. He had managed, with Brenda's help, to start a new life. They had risked the last money they had -- her savings from her modeling assignments -- on a gambling fling with Thao in Monte Carlo. Between his luck and her support and love, they had managed to do the unimaginable -- they had broken the bank at Monte Carlo. They had won, because of it being a private high stakes tournament, in excess of 10 million dollars on one turn of the card. Money, which he had quickly turned into a financial boom, by high-risk investments in high-yield ventures. By the time they had been married in November he had turned the original 10 million into over 10 times that, and it was still growing. Jacks International had been the end product of this growing good fortune. He had created a company that could not be mistaken for, or affiliated with, either his brother or his father. It was a company staffed by the top executives in their fields, all carefully screened for their tactics, skill, and integrity, before being hired.

More importantly, he had managed to rebuild his professional reputation, thanks in large part, to Mac Scorpio making public the facts of the federal charges against him and his family. Mac's public exoneration of him and his actions had done a great deal to improve his name in the business community. Prospective business partners had actually begun calling him with opportunities. It had not taken him long to develop a new reputation as being both ruthless and HONEST! Something that many in the business community claim, but few actually are.

"Jax? Did you hear what I said?" Brenda looked at him with concern on her face, "Are you okay, honey?"

"Yes, I'm fine. I was just thinking of how much you've done for me lately," he said as he pulled her closer to him.

"How much I've done for you? Don't you have that backwards? What have I done for you?" She couldn't help but be confused. She could not think of one thing she had done for him -- other than love him. While he, on the other hand, had stood by her during some of the toughest times of her life. Her mental breakdown after Sonny had deserted her, her financial problems (which he had wanted to fix but allowed her to resolve on her own), the rebuilding of her modeling career, and, on top of all that, he had given her the one thing she had been missing her entire life: her own home. He had stood by her and loved her unconditionally. He had taught her what it meant to love someone, and she was never ever going to forget what she had learned.

"Brenda, you took a chance on me after everything about my family came out -- things that I didn't even know about. You would have had every right to pick up and walk away, especially after everything you went through with Sonny and his 'profession.' But you stood by me. You even invested your future with me when we went to Monte Carlo. You took a big gamble, and I don't just mean at the gaming tables. You could have lost everything, but you did it anyway. That is something that I will never forget!"

"Jax, don't you know that anything I've done for you was just as much for myself? I will always stand by you and support you. There would be no Brenda without Jax. As to taking the gamble with you in Monte Carlo, I don't think I had ever had more fun or felt more alive than I did when we were gambling there. The idea of our future riding on the turn of a card was . . . I don't know -- scary and exciting at the same time. Besides, I knew nothing would go wrong. We were together, so nothing could defeat us!" With that said, she stood on tiptoes to kiss him gently on the lips. "Why don't you order brunch, while I go shower. When you leave for the office, I'll head out to the house to check out the newest arrivals. Okay?"

"Sounds like a deal to me. Oh, just one thing. Until Travis can figure out what Jerry wanted at the house, I want you to have a driver. I know you think it's crazy and unnecessary, but humor me, will you? I don't honestly think Jerry would do anything to hurt you, but who knows whom he's working with these days or what they might want. Will you do it?" He looked at her with a look that let her know he was not taking no for an answer.

"Okay, just tell Travis to make sure that he doesn't get in my way. I'll go along with it for now. But as soon as we figure out what Jerry is up to, the driver goes, agreed?"

"Agreed. And Brenda . . . Thanks, for everything. I don't just mean agreeing to the driver."

"I know. I love you, too, Jax." With that said, she ran up the stairs to shower and change, nearly tripping over the hem of Jax's robe as she did.

Jax stood looking after her for a minute, realizing how lucky he was and how happy they were going to be in the house -- as soon as they figured out what Jerry was up to and how to stop him from doing it. He made a mental note to schedule a meeting with Travis this afternoon to review the security plans for the house. After calling room service to order brunch, he called Travis to tell him Brenda had agreed to the driver and to have the car in the garage in about 90 minutes. He would escort Brenda down to the car, after which she would be the responsibility of the driver. Travis agreed and promised he had selected someone Jax would approve, someone from outside the company who had a record beyond reproach and who would put Brenda's safety above anything else when she was in his care. This gave Jax a sense of security for some reason. There had not been any direct threats against Brenda, but something about all the unexplained activities at the house and Jerry's unexpected visit had unnerved him more than he had realized.

After brunch, Jax walked down to the garage with Brenda. He was headed into the office for the buyout meeting, while she was headed to the house to check out the deliveries. When they got to the garage, Jax saw Travis waiting for them next to one of the unmarked company cars. Inside the car was a driver Jax could not see clearly. As they approached the car Travis tapped on the roof and the driver got out. Jax stopped dead in his tracks. This couldn't be who he thought it was!

Travis noticed the expression on Jax's face and couldn't resist the urge to smile. He had known his choice of bodyguard for Brenda would surprise Jax, but he hadn't expected it to shock him. "Jax, I told you he was from outside of the company. Admittedly, I didn't tell you he was also from outside the country. Brenda, I'd like you to meet your new driver, Thomas."

Thomas walked around the back of the car and extended his hand to Brenda, "Nice to finally meet you, Brenda. I've been hearing about you from Jax here for years now and never had the chance to meet you. I'm looking forward to spending this time with you.

"Jax, don't you have anything to say?"

"You son of a…! Why didn't you tell me?" Jax suddenly lunged at Thomas and engulfed him in a hug. Brenda was pleased but also confused. Who was this man that Jax was so pleased to see, and why did he know about her and she didn't know about him? "Ahh, Jax, would you mind a little explanation here?" she asked.

"Oh, I'm sorry, Brenda. This is Thomas Abenela. Remember the first time we went to Malibu, and I showed you my good luck charm? You know -- the one that we hang on the Christmas Tree? I told you that my friend, Thomas, made it for me before he went on his walkabout… Well, meet Thomas!!"