"So what have you learned?" Madame Chappelle asked Luc on his return from town.

"Madam Hart has survived the crash but is suffering from amnesia. She didn't even remember her husband."

"I guess that is good for now. What is her prognosis?"

"No one seems to know. She is supposed to undergo some tests to see if there is permanent brain damage."

"I am uncomfortable leaving our future in the hands of someone who could at anytime report our crimes."

"I can take care of it for you, Madam," said Luc who's obsession with Madam Chappelle made him loyal to a fault.

"See that you do Luc. There will be a reward for your success," she responded seductively.

"Mr. Hart?" Jennifer said somewhat curtly as Jonathan entered her room the next morning.

"Miss Jennifer," he greeted.

"So what are you going to help me with?" she demanded sarcastically.

"You sound agitated."

"You would be too. I have no memory of anything. You know, we are nobody without our memories. And no one here seems to be able to tell me anything about who I am."

"I can," Jonathan stated not sure if he should.

"So who am I, then?"

"Well your doctors felt it best that you remember on your own."

"If I could remember on my own I wouldn't be in this predicament, I would be.... Well I don't know where I would be but it wouldn't be here with all you people," she glared at Jonathan.

"Maybe we could just start new."

"Fine," she answered not really caring.

Jonathan tried to think of something they could talk about that wouldn't require Jennifer's knowledge of her past. "It's very nice in this part of France now, don't you think?"

"I wouldn't know. I have been stuck in this room for two days. And, oh yeah, I don't remember ever not being in this room."

Jonathan took a deep breath. He wanted to tell her he loved her. He wanted to tell her she would be drinking champagne and making love right now if she wasn't hurt. He wanted to kiss her and make all this go away.

Jennifer watched Jonathan's expression. "I can't do this."

"Do what?" Jonathan asked.

"Look at you looking at me. You know a lot, maybe everything about me but you won't tell me. Looking at you just now only accentuated the fact that I know nothing. I can't be around someone who knows God knows what." Her angry retorts tore at Jonathan's heart.

"Why?"

"Because it makes me look and feel stupid. Each time I look at you I am going to wonder what secrets do you know about me? What intimacies have we shared? Every one else here doesn't know me and didn't know me before. What they see is what they get. They have no expectations..."

"I can do that."

"You are lying. You want very much for me to remember. What, were we lovers or something?"

"I do want you to remember. And, I am sure you would like to remember too. I can help you with that."

"I think it would be easier if I just accepted this and started with a blank slate...or mind."

"Is that what Dr. Suché suggested?" Jonathan asked aware of Dr. Suché attraction to Jennifer.

"He agreed that some people have to do that."

"What about your life? You are willing to give that up, just let it all go with out at fight?"

"Fight for what. For all I know I had a terrible life. It couldn't have been that great, someone tried to kill me. And, right now I don't seem to have a choice."

"This isn't like you."

Jennifer laughed wryly. "So what is like me, Mr. Hart? I don't have a clue."

Jonathan's frustration was at an all time high. He felt like grabbing her and planting a huge kiss on her lips...that would make her remember. Or maybe just shaking her. Something, anything to stop her from abandoning her life...his life... their life.

"I would like for you to leave," Jennifer said, her voice firm and final.

"Please don't...." Jonathan pleaded. "Don't do this."

Dr. Suché smiled at what he was hearing. He opened the door to Jennifer's room, "How is everything going in here?" He walked over to Jennifer's bed and took her hand.

"I am just so frustrated, Dr. Suché," Jennifer said taking his hand in both her hands and pulling it up to her chest as if she were holding on for dear life.

"Yes, yes. I know it is hard," he said rubbing her forehead with his other hand. "But, we are about ready for those tests. How about you?"

Jonathan's mind whirled. It couldn't be possible that his wife not only didn't remember him but also was accepting the affections of another man. He shuddered at the thought. His anguish turned to rage as he watched Dr. Suché kiss Jennifer's hand. Jonathan suppressed the urge to attack the doctor and instead he left without a word.

"Mr. Dubois?" Jonathan asked poking his head into his office.

"Yes, Mr. Hart. Please come in."

"I was wondering if that offer to help was still available?" he asked in a low tormented voice.

"Yes, it is. Please sit down. You don't look well."

"I don't feel well. I think my wife is falling for Dr. Suché." Mr. Dubois shook his head. He knew his bedside manner. He had no doubt that Dr. Suché was instigating Jennifer's affections.

"Well, it is not unusual for patients to be grateful to their doctors." He responded to cover up.

"Not only that but I am told not to help her remember but she is so lost without her memory. She can't even stand the site of me because it makes her feel stupid and exposed."

"It makes her feel left out that you know things she doesn't."

"I'll tell her what ever she wants to know," he said in desperation.

"Yes, but having factual information such as your name, marital status, occupation, isn't the same as having visual pictures about who you are. People are a result of their experiences. Our memories give us our personal histories of who and what we are. Telling her she is married to you won't make her fall madly in love with you. Do you see the difference?"

"So I am just supposed to let her go. I can't do that."

"Well, it is early yet. She may still regain her memory. Her tests today will help us better understand the level of trauma suffered by the brain."

"And what if she doesn't remember?"

"You won't be able to rely on memories to bring her back. But, that doesn't mean you can't start fresh. Tell me, is Jennifer's personality any different?"

Jonathan thought for a minute, "It's hard to tell. Today she was angry. She doesn't seem to have the will."

"Well, she fell in love with you once, why not again? You need to do what ever you did the first time you won her heart."

"You mean like date?"

"Yes, exactly."

"I could do that, if she will let me."

"Her letting you may take some effort but, I am sure what ever charm you used before will work again. Just reassure her that you can let the memories go too; that you don't have expectations. And of course, you really do need to let go of any expectations."

The next morning Jonathan went to Jennifer's hospital room shortly before lunch. Waving a white rose in surrender, he poked his head in her door.

"Truce?" he asked.

"Mr. Hart is that you?" she asked.

"Yes," he said entering her room. "You remember me....from yesterday," he teased smiling.

"Yes, I do. Come in," Jennifer said finding it impossible not to return his disarming smile.

Jonathan entered the room, dropped a basket near the end of her bed and handed her the flower

"Its lovely. Mr. Hart, I am so sorry about yesterday. I just was feeling so out of it."

"Its Jonathan and I understand. I once had amnesia."

"Really?"

"Yes, it was a little different than yours but, I do remember the frustration at not knowing what the hell was going on."

Jennifer nodded.

"I thought that maybe we could start, as you say with a clean slate. Only the present and future," he offered.

"I guess I could try that. I mean here you are a good friend, at least I think we are good friends and I acted so rotten to you. I owe you a chance."

"Great," he said picking up the picnic basket and setting it on the bed. He sat at the end of the bed towards Jennifer.

"What is this?"

"This is lunch. I went to the best boulangerie, the best charcutrie and all the other -ries to get lunch," he said in horrible French while laying down a cloth on the bed. He emptied the basket of an array of cheeses, breads and pates.

"Do I like all this?" Jennifer asked watching him unpack the picnic basket.

"I don't know. You'll have to try it and see." He smiled. She smiled back, his arresting good looks totally capturing her attention. When they finished the meal, Jonathan took out some strawberries and chocolate dip.

"Ah that looks scrumptious," Jennifer said.

"See what you do is, dip the strawberry in the chocolate, like this and then, eat it," he said holding the strawberry up for her to eat. She was warmed by his gentleness and was thoroughly enjoying all the wonderful tastes, smells and textures he was introducing her to for the first time.

"What is this?" Dr. Suché asked entering Jennifer's room.

"I brought lunch. You don't have problem with that do you?" Jonathan challenged the doctor.

"She is in the hospital. We have food for her here."

"I have had your food and its not that great," Jennifer replied. Jonathan laughed, now that sounded like Jennifer.

"You yourself said she wasn't physically hurt. So what is the problem with having some authentic French cuisine."

"It's not authorized."

"Yes, it is," said Mr. Dubois entering the room attempting to assist Jonathan in his quest to win Jennifer back.

"You cannot authorize such a thing."

"Sure I can. I felt it was good for Jennifer's morale. And I can see that it has been," Mr. Dubois argued.

Dr. Suché, exasperated left the room. The three remaining had a good laugh.

"You two enjoy," Dubois said leaving the room.

"So what else have you got in that basket?" Jennifer asked thoroughly enjoying the surprise.

Jonathan pulled out a deck of cards.

"I am going to teach you how to play Gin."

"Do I play that?"

"Not very well," Jonathan laughed thinking of all the money she lost to Max Sr. "Perhaps I can teach you better this time."

"This time, eh?"

Jonathan dealt the cards. Holding her cards up Jennifer said, "Now all I need is a cigar."

Jonathan cocked his head.

"What?" she asked.

"It was just interesting what you said."

"Why?"

"We had a good friend who smoked cigars and beat you mercilessly at Gin."

Jonathan and Jennifer played cards for several hours. Before he left he gave her some books he bought for her that morning.

"Do I like to read?"

"I don't know," he said, "But you need something to do when I am not here to entertain you." Jonathan bent over and kissed her on the cheek. As he did, Jennifer instinctively reached up with her hand to touch his face. She felt something stir in her as his scent enveloped her.

"I'll see you tomorrow," Jonathan said.

"Okay," she smiled.

Jonathan felt much more himself. He smiled. There was something sort of titillating about courting his wife.

Jennifer fell asleep early with the help of some medication. She dreamt that she was in a room filled with people who were talking but she didn't know what they were talking about. She was frightened and confused, turning around to find an escape she started to run. As she ran, she saw Jonathan holding a hand out for her. She tried to reach him but the room got dark, and stuffy. She couldn't breath. She started gasping for air. Jennifer awoke and found it was no dream. Someone had a pillow on her face. She could feel the fibers of the pillow burn her nose as she tried to breath. She struggled; flailing her arms and legs everywhere. She felt her arm hit something that crashed to the floor.

"What's going on?" a nurse asked. "Oh my God."

All of a sudden the pressure was off Jennifer's face. She pulled the pillow off and gasping for air.

A team of doctors ran into her room.

"What happened?"

"Someone tried to kill me!"

There was definitely a skip in his step and a song in his heart when Jonathan entered the hospital the next day for his visit. When he reached Jennifer's room he found her bed empty.

"Where is the patient in room 314?" he asked the nurse.

"There was an incident last night. She has been moved."

"Where?" Jonathan asked growing alarmed.

"See, Dr. Suché. Try the next floor up."

Jonathan flew up the stairs to the next floor. He found a hall full of offices.

"Monsieur?" a woman stopped him. She proceeded to tell him that everyone was in a meeting and he would need to come back later. Not understanding French, Jonathan didn't understand and didn't care. He burst into each room until he came to a conference room where the doctors and hospital staff were meeting.

"Mon dieu!" cried one of the doctors.

"Monsieur Hart. We are in a meeting. You will need to wait." Said Dr. Suché.

"Just tell me where my wife is and I will be on my way."

"There was another attempt on her life and we had to move her for her safety."

"Tell me where she is." Jonathan demanded.

"I am sorry I cannot do that. How do I know you are not the one who wants her dead?" asked Dr. Suché.

"Don't even try," Jonathan threatened.

"I will show you where she is," Mr. Dubois said getting up from his seat.

"She is my patient and I determine who comes and goes to her room."

"Don't think that I don't know you are trying to seduce my wife," Jonathan accused. All the other doctors looked at Dr. Suché questioningly.

"Don't be ridiculous," he stated.

"Mr. Hart? Mr. Dubois will show you where your wife is," the chief of staff stated glaring at Dr. Suché.

Jonathan didn't realize how much negative energy he was carrying until he burst into Jennifer's new room, startling her.

"Jonathan?" she said, "Are you trying to scare the memories out of me?"

"I am very sorry," he stated sitting near her on the edge of her bed.

"I hear you had some trouble?" he continued.

"Oh, it was horrible. I woke up with a pillow on my face. I couldn't breath. I guess in my struggle I knocked something over because someone came in and the person ran out."

Jonathan took her hands in his. He looked straight into Jennifer's eyes. "Do you trust me?"

Jonathan's gaze spellbound Jennifer.

"Yes," she answered without even thinking.

"Then I am taking you out of here. I brought you some clothes thinking we might go for a drive."

"I have no place to go."

"Yes you do, you are coming with me. It is the only way I can protect you." As if entranced, Jennifer obeyed. She got out of bed.

"Can you excuse me while I put these on?"

"Oh, ya sure," he said going to stand outside her door.

"Mr. Hart, I see you found your wife," Dr. Suché said.

"I am taking her out of here. Get whatever papers you need."

"You can't take her from here. She is a patient."

"I will take her with or without your consent."

"What does Jennifer think of this?"

"She is getting dressed as we speak."

"I am ready," Jennifer said as she opened the door. "Oh, Dr. Suché, Jonathan is being kind enough to take me in. I hope that is alright."

"And if it isn't?" Dr. Suché asked Jennifer.

"Well, I think Jonathan is right. I will be safer somewhere else. The hospital is so public."

"Very well," he said. "Be sure to stop by once a day so we can see how you are progressing. Be advised though that we can not be responsible for any medical problems once you leave."

Jonathan and Jennifer nodded.

"Where are we going?" asked Jennifer once they were in the car.

"Paris."

"Is it close?"

"It is about 45 minutes. We will stop at the hotel and get the rest of your stuff."

"Why so far?"

"I think it will be easier to keep you hidden in a big city," he said. Realizing that Jennifer probably felt frightened and vulnerable he asked, "Are you afraid?"

"Nervous," she answered. Jonathan looked at her and then touched her hand.

"You never need to be nervous or afraid of me."

"No... I guess I don't," Jennifer stated as the touch of his hand stirred emotions in her.

They arrived in Paris late in the morning.

"It beautiful here," Jennifer exclaimed.

"Yes it is," Jonathan said beginning to relax now that he was away from the Loire Valley, Dr. Suché and whatever dangers lurked for Jennifer.

"Hey, how about we make a day of it. We can site see, have a nice dinner, maybe ride on the Seine river... if you are feeling up to it."

"I would like that."

Jonathan drove straight to Versailles.

"What a beautiful palace," Jennifer exclaimed.

"Yes, it was built by a king named Louis who liked to wear tights and high heels."

"Really?"

"Yes. He was actually a good king although vain." In the past, Jennifer had been Jonathan's guide though Versailles and other historic sites but this time they took a guided tour of the palace.

"Look at the beautiful picture in that bed," Jennifer exclaimed. She starred at the bed as an odd feeling of familiarity came over her. Jonathan watched her face. Does she recognize it? Probably not without the flowers.

At the end of the tour they took a stroll through the gardens. Jonathan found himself doing most of the talking since Jennifer, with only 2 days worth of experiences, had little to talk about. Still, he made every attempt to include her in the conversation. He asked her what she thought of the different flowers and plants. What aspects of the tour interested her most and so on. Jennifer was keenly aware of Jonathan's attempts to make her feel comfortable and adjust to her new life.

"Have you always been like this?" she asked as they sat on a bench over-looking the gardens.

"Like what?"

"Kind, funny, charming...."

"Always," he smiled.

Jennifer smiled back, "I bet you're right." They sat in silence.

"What am I like?" she finally asked.

"Well, since meeting you two days ago, I would say you are beautiful, headstrong, enchanting, brave... very brave."

"What about before that?" Jennifer asked.

"The same." They sat watching the people walk by.

Jennifer broke the silence, "While I was in the hospital, I thought my life must not be so great that one, I would forget it so easily and two, that someone would be trying to kill me. I figured that maybe it was an omen to start over."

"And now?"

"And now, I wonder what kind of woman I am to have such a wonderful friend as you. I think that maybe my life was good and worth trying to regain."

Jonathan stared lovingly into Jennifer's eyes, encouraged by her words. Jennifer blushed. Every time his gaze met hers, her heart turned in response.

"You know, maybe if you gave me some tidbit of information, it could trigger my memory."

Jonathan looked at her pensively. "I guess one tidbit won't hurt. Animal rights and conservation."

"What?"

"Animal rights and conservation."

"What kind of tidbit is that?"

"It's a good one. If your idea worked, you would have remembered that you dedicate much time and energy to these issues."

"Oh," Jennifer said disappointedly. "Well, I suppose if my idea was going to work, just spending time with you would have triggered my memory."

"It will come," Jonathan comforted Jennifer.

"Mr. Dubois thinks I am crazy."

"No he doesn't. He told me that you had a scare and this amnesia is your brain's way of protecting you."

"Well, its not doing a very good job." Jennifer looked over at Jonathan and noticed he was deep in thought.

"What? You have a funny look in your eyes," she said.

"Perhaps the best way to get your memory back is to figure out who wiped it clean."

"You mean find out who tried to kill me?"

"Yes."

"My brain is trying to keep me safe. Hunting down someone who wants to kill me doesn't seem safe. My brain may fail all together."

Jonathan took her hand. "You said you trusted me."

"I know it's just that your plan will be dangerous."

Jonathan gazed into her eyes. "You know I would never let anything happen to you," he said softly but beguilingly.

Jennifer smirked. "I know what you're trying to do, Jonathan Hart and it won't work."

Jonathan smiled broadly. "You know that I am right."

Jennifer rolled her eyes, "Oh alright."

Jonathan kissed her hand, "Tomorrow we will get started on this mystery. Tonight is all yours."

After their visit to Versailles, Jonathan took Jennifer to the hotel to get some rest. During that time he called home to let Ruthie and his staff know what was happening and that it would be a little while longer before he would return. He and Ruthie agreed to not tell Max of his mother's condition for now. He then made reservations at a quiet restaurant.

"What a wonderful little place," Jennifer said as they were seated. Jonathan watched her as she soaked up the ambiance of the restaurant. He enjoyed experiencing the world through Jennifer's eyes.

"You are going to have to decipher the menu for me," Jonathan informed her.

She smiled, "How would you ever eat with out me?"

"I would never eat with out you."

Jennifer eyed him. She was struck by how his words seemed to carry extra meanings though she could not figure out why.

As they waited for their meal, Jonathan asked Jennifer to dance.

"I don't know how." Jennifer's voice was both apprehensive and excited.

"You don't need to know how. In dancing, the man leads." Jonathan winked.

Jennifer agreed to give it a try. Jonathan held her but not too close and began to guide her around the room.

"This is wonderful," Jennifer sighed enjoying the feeling of gliding about.

"You are a terrific dancer," he said

"Are you talking past or present?" she asked.

"Both."

Jennifer let Jonathan hold her and lead her through several songs. He felt so strong but warm. She found herself not wanting it to stop.

After dinner, he took her on a riverboat ride to see the city lights. All the wonderful sights, sounds and experiences Jonathan was introducing to her overwhelmed her senses. She was hypnotized by Jonathan's charm and kindness and aroused by his mysteriousness and mischievousness. She was disappointed when he said they should call it a night.

Jennifer was more tired than she realized and was asleep as soon as her head hit the pillow. She began to dream. She was driving down a narrow, windy road. She was driving quickly with a car behind her. The car hit her, driving her off the road. But, as she headed over an incline, her car changed. Now she was in a little yellow convertible. Still on a treacherous road, she was driving behind a little red convertible. The wind was flowing through her hair and a thrill ran through her body as she tried to pass the red car. As she came along side of it, she looked over. Jonathan turned to her and smiled. Then there was a crash but it wasn't her, it was him.

Jennifer woke up. The room was dark but she could see Jonathan leaning against the window. She found herself feeling slightly aroused at the site of Jonathan in his pajama pants but no shirt.

"The couch not comfortable?" she asked.

He looked at her, his gaze as soft as a caress. "I couldn't sleep."

Jennifer got up and walked over to stand by the window with him. "I had the strangest dream."

"Really what?"

"Well I was driving up a road and a car was chasing me. It drove me off the road except I didn't go off the road. All of a sudden I was a little convertible chasing a red car with you in it. You are the one who crashed."

A terrific grin came over Jonathan's face.

"What?" Jennifer asked.

"Well the second part of your dream really did happen."

"I drove you off the road?"

"Well, not really. There was some construction and I ran into a police car," he said. "I bet that means the first part is true too. You had a dream about your accident. Can you remember any details? The kind of car? What the driver looked like?"

Jennifer thought for a moment but nothing came to her. "No, I can't remember anything." She shook her head. All the fear, frustration and confusion welled up in her and she began to cry.

"It's ok. It is a good sign that you had that dream." He reached out to comfort her. Jennifer relinquished herself to him resting her head on his chest. The scent of him overwhelmed her senses. Could she be in love with a man she knew only two days? Or did her physical body remember things her brain didn't? All she knew is that being near him created a wealth of wonderful sensations of safety, warmth, joy and even arousal. Whether these feeling were new or lingering somewhere in her past, she knew she loved him.

They stood in silence for a time. Jonathan was grateful to be able to hold her close. His heart beat faster reminding him of the time they first met and the nervousness that goes with early love. His mind drifted to all the many wonderful memories he had with her. And as he did, he felt his desire for her grow. He wanted to kiss and caress her. And though he felt like a brute for his lustful thoughts, he wanted to feel their bodies joined as one. Starting to feel overwhelmed by his thoughts, Jonathan brought his head up, biting his lower lip and closing his eyes, fighting his urges.

All of a sudden, he felt soft flesh touching his lips. He opened his eyes to find Jennifer kissing him. Jennifer pulled away, embarrassed.

She shook her head, "I ... I'm sorry."

"No, no don't be sorry," he said. Putting one hand behind her head and the other around her waist, he pulled her to him, pressing his lips to hers. Without resistance, Jonathan began to explore her mouth with his tongue, holding tightly not wanting her to ever get away again. Then, fearing he may have gone too far, he released her. They stood looking at each other, not sure of what to say.

"Well, I guess I will go back to bed," she finally broke the silence.

Jonathan smiled, "I will see you tomorrow."