Breaking Ties: An Ensemble Story (Read 240,880 times)

[André DiMera]

I doubt Valerie is interested in Abe in that way, and I hope she tells David so. Valerie is obsessed with Nat. I’m not saying she’s wrong, but she just can’t stop talking about her.

Of course she’ll get overly involved with Hannah, because that’s what Paige does. All that talk of getting better basically goes out the window the second she feels one of her friends needs to be “saved”.

Glad Abe knows Roman isn’t racist, but it’s gonna take a while before this friendship is repaired.

Sadly, there’s little chance Sydney’s father could be anyone but E.J. I’m glad she gets to spend some time with Nicole.

I hope everyone behaves at this sleepover.

Not surprised that Johnny is trying to run away. That sounds like something he’d try to do.

Wonder what the surprise is. Glad Victor and Melissa call a truce. I really hope Kayla figures outwho the Jane Doe is and that she, Thorpe and his girlfriend get sent down!

Thanks for the previews, heroicmuse!

[heroicmuse]

Week 241 - 1

In their bedroom, JJ was helping Paige get undressed. “I hope you had a happy birthday,” he said, kissing the back of her neck as he took her necklace off for her. He played with the zipper on the back of her dress. “You wanna make it even more special?”

Paige nodded. “I love you so much,” she said, “and not just because you organized this whole surprise concert for me. From the minute I met you I knew that you were going to push me out of my comfort zone and you do, every day, and I’m better for it. If it hadn’t been for you I wouldn’t have driven us there today. So yes, sweetheart, please undress me.”

“Gladly.” JJ gently pulled Paige’s zipper down. She swallowed hard, remembering being made to face the wall in jail while a guard ran her fingers through her hair and then down her back, searching under her bra clasp. Biting her lip, she said, “Stroke my hair. Please.”

JJ did. Paige closed her eyes as she hugged him, letting herself feel the love in his fingertips, willing herself to erase the memory of the guards searching her and replace it with JJ touching her lovingly.

“No fair if you’re undressed and I’m not,” JJ said. He kissed Paige’s ear. “How about you do something about that for me?”

Paige unknotted JJ’s tie for him and threw it away, then started on his shirt. She unbuttoned it and peeled it off him. They hugged again and JJ ran his hand down Paige’s back as they kissed.

“Uh uh,” Paige said as JJ played with her bra clasp. “Get on the bed first.”

Excitement shot through JJ. He let Paige pretend she was pushing him down onto the bed as he lay back, falling onto it and letting her lie down on top of him. They kissed while he undid her bra and peeled it off her. Paige lay kisses all the way down his neck to his chest, then played with his belt buckle. He nodded and she took it off him. He put his hand over hers and they opened his pants together.

When they were naked except for their underwear, Paige kissed JJ’s ear. “Close your eyes.” She played with his chest hair. “You’re not the only one with a surprise.”

“Intriguing.” JJ closed his eyes halfway, then tried to look as Paige turned towards the night table. She giggled and put her hand over his eyes. “No peeking!” She opened the nighttable drawer, quietly, and took out a bottle of lotion. Putting some on her fingertips, she said, “I’ve always wanted to bathe you, but this’ll have to do.” She put the lotion on the center of his chest and rubbed it, making JJ shiver and make a soft sound of pleasure. She rubbed the lotion all over him and followed it up with kisses.

“Let me return the favor,” JJ said softly. He hugged Paige as she took her hand off his eyes. She handed him the bottle and he put lotion on her back. She shivered as he rubbed it in, going slowly from her back to her butt, then sliding his hand under her panties and massaging her butt as he pushed them down off her.

JJ kissed the side of Paige’s neck. Then they kissed for real as they rolled over so he was on top of her.


Abe crossed his arms. “After all the years we’ve worked together, I would like to think I know you,” he said. “How can you - “

“Cause IAB sure as hell thinks so,” Roman said. “I’m probably gonna lose my job, Abe, and not cause I’m past retirement age. Cause a black girl went to jail for a year who should have got off with a fine and a couple days community service.” He turned his back on Abe. “I did it to myself. I get that. I was so obsessed with nailing Paige for Jill’s murder I ruined her life, and Hannah’s too. I had to look those two girls in the eye and see pure fear starin’ back at me cause I helped send them away when neither of ‘em deserved it. But what I didn’t do was take a look at Hannah Martin’s mug shot and say to myself it doesn’t matter what happens to her cause of the color of her skin.”

“Of course not,” Abe said. “No one thinks that, Roman, no one thinks you deliberately sent a girl to jail because she’s the same color I am.” He sighed. “Racism is more insidious, more subtle than you realize if you’ve never experienced it. I think it took Wolfe by surprise too when he took a look at that footage and realized that he didn’t even see the lighter-skinned suspect standing right next to him because he was so quick to zero in on the dark-skinned one. And you… you never questioned for a second whether Hannah Martin was guilty of the minor offense she was dragged into the station for, never mind whether being dragged in in handcuffs was the appropriate response to a young girl holding an open container of beer she hadn’t even drank from. I don’t think that you set out to deliberately make her life harder and I don’t think Wolfe did either, but can either of you honestly say you would have reacted the same way if Hannah Martin had been white?”

Roman glared at him. “Dammit, Abe, I’m the godfather to your son and I pulled every string there was to get Lani Price a second chance when you thought she was your daughter. And now you’re standing here telling me you think I treated a black kid any different than I would a white one? How can you - “

“Because no matter how out of control Sami was, you never once had to sit her down and warn her to be on her best behavior around the police, that’s why!” Abe’s voice rose. “After I learned that Hannah was arrested partially because she tried to explain herself to the police instead of cooperating silently, I had to call Theo in for a difficult conversation that I knew I’d have to have with him sooner or later. I had to look my son in the eye and tell him that even though his father is a cop, there are some police officers who would shoot him dead after merely suspecting him of a crime and that he is doubly in danger because he is not only dark skinned but has Autism. I had to make him scared of officers that I work with every day, officers that I respect and that I think respect me, because even though they may be good people they may have the same prejudices that Wolfe and Stone had and they just might reach for their gun when they see a black kid doing anything remotely suspicious.”

“No one shot Hannah Martin,” Roman said, “and I’d like to think no one would shoot Theo either. The only time we use force is when a suspect’s making us fear for our lives and you know that as well as I do.”

“Yeah,” Abe said, “but after recent events I’ve got to wonder what the hell it is that makes some cops so afraid.” He crossed his arms. “Hannah was forced to admit in court she resisted arrest because she told Stone that the beer wasn’t hers. What if he had been ‘afraid for his life’ because she raised her voice and he’d been told by dispatch that she was a possible gang member? And another thing. Those strings you pulled for Lani… her commanding officer was ready to fire her because she shot someone by accident. How often do you hear that happen in any of these cases where a white officer shoots to kill? Now, I don’t go around with this us vs. them mentality. I don’t even talk about race most of the time. And when Lani was arrested for deliberately shooting at a suspect to shut him up, I told her to stop crying racism where there wasn’t any. But tonight I had to send a few officers to arrest Julie’s next door neighbor because she saw Hannah walking into this backyard and called 911 to report an intruder. So don’t tell me that what happened at the S-Mart was an isolated incident. We have a racism problem in Salem and we have to be part of the solution.”

Roman frowned. “I get why you’re out of sorts. If someone called 911 on some Irish immigrant kid over and over I’d be mad as hell too. But your problem’s not with me cause I’d never - “

“If we’d arrested Hannah again tonight, would you have reviewed her case this time?”

“Course I would have. I just met her, she’s the sweetest thing and I don’t wanna see her get messed with again.”

Abe’s phone buzzed. “I’m not saying you did it on purpose,” he said as he picked it up, “but…” He frowned. “Damn it. Something’s just come up on what was supposed to be my day off.” He sighed. “I hope Julie doesn’t mind watching Theo tonight until I get back.”

“I can keep an eye on him,” Roman offered, “unless maybe you don’t want me around him.”

“No,” Abe said, “I’d appreciate it. Look, Roman, this isn’t about me thinking you’re a bad person or even a bad friend. I know you too well for that. I just think that you have biases you’re not even aware of and that’s part of why this unfortunate situation happened.” He sighed. “Excuse me while I go tell Theo of the change of plans so he doesn’t freak out.” Abe patted Roman on the shoulder before he walked away. Roman stared at his back, frowning.



Hannah sat on the couch, flipping through the photo album. “You know what we could do?” she said. “We could digitize some of these and I could make a video slldeshow, set them all to music and everything. Maybe we could put it on Ewe Tube so the whole family can see it any time they want.”

“Is that a lot of work?” David asked. “I don’t want you to go all out for this, Mom and I have lots of photos we could put in here. In fact, I have a whole box of photos coming from California.”

“I wouldn’t mind doing it,” Hannah said. “We can wait til we get your photos, I wouldn’t want to make the video without them even if it has been mostly me and Mom for six years.” She looked away.

“I’m sorry that I’ve been in California for so long.” David squeezed Hannah’s shoulder. “But I’m here now, and I’m not going anywhere.”

“Not even after I’m off probation?”

David shook his head slightly. “Being gone for so long was a mistake. You and Mom were butting heads all the time and I wasn’t here to help guide you. I was selfish, darling, I wasn’t thinking about what it was doing to you for your father to be thousands of miles away. Now, Mom says you got mixed up with the wrong friends and - “

“If she means Nat, I did not,” Hannah said, her eyes very narrow. “I mean, she didn’t stand up for me when I was arrested but that doesn’t mean she’s the spawn of Satan either.”

“Do you have to exaggerate?” Valerie interjected. She was in the kitchen making her lunch for tomorrow. “I never said THAT, baby, I just said she wasn’t a good influence. And obviously I was right because you wouldn’t have been arrested if you’d listened to me and stayed clear of her.”

“I wouldn’t have been arrested if the cops hadn’t been assholes!”

“Hannah! What kind of way is that to talk?”

“It’s not any worse than how you talk about my friends. You spend all that time with Abe Carver like Daddy doesn’t even exist and I don’t say anything about that, do I?”

Valerie slammed a jar down. “All right,” she said. “Since you’re going to act immature, I guess I have to send you to your room to think about the way you talk to me like I used to when you were a child.”

Hannah’s eyes flashed. David said, “Mom’s right. What kind of way is that to talk to her?” He took the photo album away, gently. “I think you owe her an apology.”

“You’re as bad as the cops!” Hannah didn’t know why she was so angry and she didn’t like it, either, but it was like she’d been simmering for a long time and now she was boiling over. “Okay, fine, I apologize for standing up for myself. Happy now?”

Valerie said, her voice very quiet, “Go to your room, young lady, and be grateful I’m not locking you in like they did in jail.”

“I don’t want to be in here anyway!” Hannah hurried down the hall, slamming her door so hard the house shook.

“Well,” Valerie said. “That was some display of temper. What are we going to do?”

“We’ll talk about that in a second,” David said. “But first I need to know… is there any truth to what Hannah just accused you of? Do you have eyes for Abe Carver?”

[André DiMera]

That’s a nice surprise! So glad J.J. and Paige got to have that special night!

I’m glad Abe explained this to Roman. A lot of people don’t get it.

While it is clear Nat is not a good influence, I think Valerie’s a bit stuck on talking about that. Hannah had an interesting reaction to how angry she is. And, David, I think your daughter is a bit more important than Valerie’s nonexistent feelings for Abe.

Great chapter, heroicmuse!

[Kpatch]

Paige had a very special birthday. I'm glad she was able to push past her demons to be with JJ, at least for now.

[lumiforeverandalways]

Good chap

[heroicmuse]

Week 241 - 2
Valerie laughed nervously. “Me have eyes for Abe? Honey, that ship sailed about 30 years ago. Abe is nothing more than a good friend, you can’t seriously think - “

“I don’t know what to think. I arrived at Hannah’s hearing just in time to overhear Kayla ask Abe if he thought he and you might pick up where you left off!”

“Kayla probably didn’t know you and I were still married. Besides, that was her opinion, not mine, and certainly not Abe’s. And in case you didn’t notice, he was there with a date.”

“Right.” David crossed his arms. “So if Abe was available you’d still write him off?”

“I’m still wearing my wedding ring after six long years of being thousands of miles apart. Don’t tell me that doesn’t mean anything to you.” Valerie took a step closer. “David. Asking me if I have feelings for Abe because of what your ex-girlfriend said…”

“Kayla and I were never meant to be,” David said. “It was so long ago I almost forgot we were ever together.”

“That’s what I’m trying to tell you. I’d no more leave you for Abe than you would leave me for Kayla. So stop reading so much into one off-hand comment.”

“It’s not just that,” David said. “It’s…” He bit his lip. “You asked him for his opinion about how Hannah was behaving at her hearing and I had the feeling it wasn’t the first time. And tonight when he told you he would look out for Hannah… that wasn’t just because it’s his job. He’s doing that for you.”

“He is not! And if he is, then he’s wasting his time. I didn’t beg you for six years to come home so that I could carry on with Abe Carver right under your nose. Yes, I’ve asked him his opinion about Hannah. But that’s because I needed someone to talk to, someone who was actually here and could see what was going on with her. And there’s things Abe understands that you don’t. I love you with all my heart, but you don’t know what it’s like to be a black parent raising a black child on your own.”

“Hannah is mixed race. She’s half mine, remember?”

“I know who her father is.” Valerie crossed her arms. “I’m just saying that Abe has a different perspective than you. Not better or worse, and I’m certainly not trying to replace your role in Hannah’s life. But he knows what I’ve been trying to navigate with her, all of it.”

“You could have talked to me.”

“You weren’t even here!” Valerie let her breath out slowly. “I don’t know why you don’t trust me. I have been nothing but faithful and if it weren’t beneath me to point out which one of us cheated all those years ago… but none of that matters now, David, because our daughter -- our beautiful daughter who just spent nearly a year behind bars for the most ridiculous of crimes -- was returned to us so full of pain and anger that she’s at risk of being sent right back to that jail for something even stupider if we don’t find a better way of guiding her through this stupid probation than we just did. It doesn’t help her for us to argue over the pettiest of nonsense, and for once in our lives we both have to put her first.”


Hannah could hear her parents’ argument from her room, thanks to the stupid thin walls in this apartment. Daddy said, “When have I failed to put her first? You’re the one who moved her out here and you’re the one who let her sit in jail!” and Mom replied, “This is exactly what I mean, David! We have to put all this aside, we can’t let what either of us did in the past derail us because otherwise Hannah will pay the price.”

She threw the book about filmmaking she was reading down and walked over to the window. It looked out on an ugly alley.

Lights flashed in the alley as she stared out at it. Cop lights.

Hannah was walking by herself, trying to make it across town to Paige’s house on foot when she heard the sound of a police siren approaching. She turned, scared, as a cop car pulled up next to her. “Police! Don't move!” one of the cops said through a megaphone. 

Hannah put her hands up. The cops got out of the car, surrounding her. One of them said, “It’s awful late at night to be wandering around the streets of this neighborhood. You out here looking for drugs?”

"No! I swear. I was just walking."

"Uh huh. Walking where?"

"I was trying to clear my head, that's all!"

"If you say so. All right. Let's have some ID."

Hannah blinked back tears as she slowly opened her purse and got her ID out. "You’re gonna find out anyway so I might as well tell you. I’m on probation, I’m breaking my curfew.”

The cop barely glanced at her ID. "Turn around. Hands behind your back." He got out his cuffs as Hannah obeyed. "Hannah Martin, you are under arrest for violating your probation." He cuffed her, making the cuffs too tight on purpose.

She shook her head. “Can’t do that, I’ll get caught.” Her parents were talking in lower voices and she strained her ears, but couldn’t hear anything. “Sure hope that’s them making up,” she said to herself, “cause if Daddy leaves again cause they’re fighting about me I don’t know what I’m gonna do.”


Lucas pulled up a chair. “You might have noticed that Allie has some special needs.”

“Special needs?” Ciara smirked. “You mean like - “

“I mean she has special needs.” Lucas’ voice was firm. “Now come on! Would you laugh at Theo like that?”

Ciara’s eyes flashed. “No, and no one else better either.”

“Well, then don’t do it to your cousin.” Lucas crossed his arms. “Look, Allie doesn’t have Autism like Theo but she does have some problems. She was traumatized by seeing a prank Johnny played go really wrong. Her friend almost died and ever since she’s been having a hard time. So don’t be part of the problem, all right?”

“Got it.” Ciara played with her soda can. “What was the prank? Was it a good one, at least?”

“No,” Lucas said, “but that’s not the point. See, Sami and I are letting Allie sleep over at your house to try to get her mind off things. It’s supposed to be fun for her. So don’t let us down by being a little punk, understand?”

Ciara bit her lip. “Y-you’re sending her there so you and Sami can have a date, you mean.”

“Maybe,” Lucas said, “but either way, if we hear that you were bullying her, there is going to be hell to pay.” He turned towards Chase. “Or you either.”

“I would never!” Chase said. “She got mad at me cause I told Ciara off about teasing her.”

“Tattle tale,” Ciara said.

Chase scowled. “What can I do to help Allie? I’d do anything, Mr. Horton, I just want to make her smile.”

“You can start by not calling me Mr. Horton. We’re about to be cousins. Lucas is fine. And just treat Allie like you would any of your other friends, all right? No teasing and no treating her like she’s made out of glass.”

“I will,” Chase promised.

Lucas raised his eyebrows. “Ciara?”

“Me too.” Ciara stared at the table.

“Good. That’s all I ask.” Lucas patted CIara’s hand before he walked away.

Ciara giggled. “‘I just want to make her smile’,” she mimicked. “Could you be any more obvious?”

“About what?” Chase asked.

“That you like Allie. Duh.” Ciara leaned forward. “I might put a good word in for you, but that’ll cost you. First some free advice. Keep your feelings closer to your chest, especially around Lucas. He’s too protective of Allie as it is, if he thinks you’re getting anywhere close to dating her he’s probably going to show up at our door with a shotgun or something.”

Chase’s eyes widened, remembering the man with the gun who had kidnapped him last year. “Y-you don’t mean that literally, do you?”

Ciara shrugged. “He’s married to Sami and she’s nuts, so he has to be kind of crazy too.”

Chase swallowed hard.


Meanwhile, Nicole and Rafe pulled apart. “What’s wrong?” Nicole asked Sydney.

“Nothing,” Sydney said, bouncing on one foot. “Lucas is leaving, he said to come find you since I’m sleeping over tonight.” She grinned. “Is Rafe sleeping over too?”

“Ah, the innocence of children,” Nicole said. “No, sweetie, tonight is going to be about you and me.”

“But first we’re gonna watch the fireworks,” Rafe said. “You get some cake, Sydney?”

“I already had a big piece and all of the frosting from Theo’s. He’s anti-frosting.”

“Yeah?” Rafe said. “Theo, huh?” He smiled slightly.

Sydney blushed. “We’re just...cousins.” She sighed.

“She’s only 11,” Nicole said. “Too young for matchmaking with completely off-limits boys.”

Rafe shrugged. “I wasn’t the one who said it. Go get yourself a soda, Sydney, Nicole and me wanna finish up what we were doing real quick.”

“K.” Sydney turned, then paused. “Wait a sec. Does MOMMY know that you’re with Mommy Nicole?”

“No,” Nicole said, “and you don’t look like Zoe Browning to me, so let me be the one to tell her, okay?”

“I won’t,” Sydney promised. “Can I get ANOTHER piece of cake?”

“Go for it,” Rafe said.

“She’s going to have the world’s worst stomachache when she comes down off the sugar high,” Nicole said, “but whatever it takes so we can have a few more minutes under the stars, right?”

“Right.” Rafe put his arm around Nicole. “I wanted to spend as much time with you as possible before she lets slip to Sami what’s what and all hell breaks loose.” He kissed the top of Nicole’s head.



Victor laughed. “Maggie’s been after me to get my hearing checked and now I know why. I thought I heard you attempting to blackmail me.” Melissa crossed her arms and Victor said, “In all seriousness, while I hold a grudging respect for your willingness to engage in the kind of stupidity that masks itself as courage, this course of action is doomed to failure. You see, my dear, I have far more faith in my relationship with your mother than you do. I presume that even if she were to be upset about what I did in the name of saving Sarah, she would eventually come to see it for what it is: an act borne out of the best of intentions, meant to save her daughter from herself.”

“By having her attacked. Do you even believe a word that comes out of your mouth?”

“I am not a saint and your mother knows that. But neither am I the chief among sinners that you make me out to be in your mind.” Victor glanced at his tablet. “Tell me, Melissa, if you truly believe I am the most vile creature to ever walk the Earth, why would you want to inflict me on Philip?”

Melissa bit her lip. “I think you’re probably a better father than a stepfather. Besides, he needs you more than my mom does, how could you abandon him like this?”

Victor raised his eyebrows. “It seems the root of the problem is that I am with your mother. You’re as desperate to get rid of me as your sister is to get her hands on a bottle of booze.”

Melissa shrugged. “Maybe. But don’t you think - “

“I’ll tell you what.” Victor raised his voice slightly to drown out Melissa’s. “I won’t tell your mother about your attempt to blackmail me if you won’t tell her about what you believe I’ve done to your sister.”

“What you confessed to, you mean.”

“A minor difference in detail,” Victor said. “The fact remains that she would not be happy with how you talked to her husband.”

“Not as unhappy as she’d be with your behavior,” Melissa argued.

“Does it do anyone any good for both of us to be in the proverbial doghouse?”

“I guess not.”

Victor smiled. “Don’t feel too bad. You went up against the one person who has been threatened so often he’s immune to it. I assure you, your scheme would have worked perfectly against a lesser mortal.”

“Thanks?” Melissa rubbed her temples. “I really do think Philip needs you. Mom told me how he begged you to come back for the surgery.”

“My son did not beg. He is a Κυριάκης, after all.”

“Still…” Melissa’s phone buzzed. “Mom’s done talking to the doctor,” she said. “We should both head over to meet her.”

“I’ll be there in a moment,” Victor said. “There’s something I need to do first.”

“I assume it’s not just washing your hands in the restroom.”

“That too,” Victor said. “Go ahead, I’ll be right there.”

Melissa turned and walked away, but she stood in the doorway and watched to see what Victor was up to.

Victor took out his phone and made a call. “I’m sure you’re surprised to hear from me. I know I am not your favorite person, but I need you to do me a favor. Philip’s daughter is having surgery tomorrow and I can’t be there in person for reasons I can’t go into right now. Would you please sit with him in the waiting room in my absence?”

[André DiMera]

Glad Valerie said that to David. Even though she says she can’t, I hope Hannah doesn’t get any ideas about leaving because of overhearing her parents fight.

I hope the kids listen to Lucas about being nice to Allie.

Glad Sydney’s gonna spend time with Nicole! Hope she doesn’t tell Sami about what she saw.

Loved the confrontation between Victor and Melissa! Wonder who Victor called.

Great chapter, heroicmuse!

[Kpatch]

Very curious as to who Victor called to support Philip. Marlena maybe?

LOL at Lucas calling Ciara a punk.

[lumiforeverandalways]

Loved the talk between Lucas,Ciara and Chase
Hope they listen to Lucas
Loved Lucas calling Ciara a punk
Good chapter

[heroicmuse]

Week 241 - 3

Hope turned towards Chase as the girls all climbed onto the living room couch. “Go find your dad,” she said. “Hopefully he isn’t on the phone for once so he’ll be able to do something with you while the girls are watching their movie.”

Chase glanced at Allie, then away. He had been hoping to be able to sit next to her. “Why can’t I watch the movie too?”

“Cause it’s a girl movie, duh,” Ciara said.

“Let’s leave the attitude out,” Hope told her. She turned towards Chase. “Ciara’s right. You’re not going to be interested in watching a romance with a tragic ending.”

“Says who?” Chase objected. “Maybe I’m a romantic at heart.”

“Chase.” Hope’s voice was firm. “This is the girls’ sleepover. They’re not going to want you hanging around. Go take advantage of some one-on-one time with your dad.”

“I don’t mind if he stays,” Claire interrupted. She pushed her hair behind her ear. “W-we didn’t get to talk much at the party, I want to change that.”

Ciara rolled her eyes. “Well, I DO mind. I have to put up with him every day, why can’t I get one night off?”

“Hey!” Chase said. “I thought you liked having me as a stepbrother.”

“I do,” Ciara said, “but I want my girl time. Please, Chase?”

Claire pouted. “What do you think, Allie?”

“Huh?” Allie had been staring into space.

“Ciara wants to kick Chase out of the room and I want him to sit next to me,” Claire said. “So you’re the tiebreaker.”

Chase turned towards her. Say yes, he thought. Please say yes.

“Um,” Allie said. “I don’t care, really.”

Chase’s chest felt heavy. All that playing he’d done with JJ and Allie didn’t even care if he was in the same room with her or not.

“That’s that, then,” Hope said. She put her hand on Chase’s shoulder. “Go find your dad.”

“Fine.” Chase sighed. He shuffled out of the room, not bothering to lift his feet. In the doorway he turned and gave Allie one last, longing look, but she was facing the TV and didn’t see him. He watched her for a second, thinking about how she was more beautiful than ever because of the way the light from the TV hit her face, then turned and hurried away before she could turn around and tell him to stop staring.


“Let’s make sure you have everything,” Nicole told Sydney as she helped her unroll her sleeping bag. “Here’s a blanket in case you get cold and your water is on the table. She put the blanket next to Sydney, who was lying on top of her sleeping bag instead of inside it. “Oh, and here’s a flashlight in case you have a burning need to read a book when you’re supposed to be fast asleep.”

Sydney giggled. “It’s summer, Mommy Nicole!”

“Well, flashlights are also good for vanquishing monsters if any come out from under the bed.” Nicole put the flashlight next to the glass of water. She kissed the top of Sydney’s head. “Are you missing anything else besides your hug for Mommy Nicole?”

Sydney hugged Nicole. “I wish you could stay up all night with me. Allie’s having a big girl sleepover and I bet they’re not going to bed any time soon.”

“Well, then Allie’ll be cranky tomorrow and you won’t. That’s no fun!” Nicole’s smile faded as Sydney sighed. “Is something on your mind, sweetheart?”

“Kind of, but it’s stupid.”

“No such thing.” Nicole sat down on the floor next to Sydney. “Go ahead and pour your heart out.”

Sydney sighed. “I wish Lucas was my daddy instead of EJ.”

“No one wishes that more than me, believe me.” Nicole put her arm around Sydney. “Your father caused a lot of trouble for me when we were together and a lot of trouble for your mom too. But you know what? You have the last laugh because he’s gone and now you have two Mommies that love you and Lucas is the best step-daddy anyone could ever ask for.”

“And if you marry Rafe he’ll be my stepdad again too.” Sydney bit her lip. “But that’s not why… I mean, I barely remember my dad, all I know is Mommy and you and the whole world say he was a bad guy.”

Nicole pulled Sydney onto her lap. “He was… complicated,” she said. “He had a lot of bad in him but he also had some good in him. He loved his family, especially you, and he would do anything to make them smile. I think he gave you all the good parts of him without any of the bad.”

“I guess.” Sydney bit her lip. “If EJ wasn’t my dad, Theo could be my boyfriend.”

“Oh, so that’s what this is all about.” Nicole stroked Sydney’s hair. “You really like Theo, huh?”

Sydney blushed. “It doesn’t matter if I do. His mom and EJ were brother and sister. Unless…” She sighed. “If he was such a bad guy, how do you know he didn’t trick everyone to think I was his daughter when I wasn’t?”

“Anything’s possible,” Nicole said. “Your mom was the original DNA switcheroo trendsetter and then everyone else jumped on the bandwagon after, switching DNA results all over the place so no one can trust the hospital lab anymore. And EJ was more than capable of it. But it takes two people to make a baby and I don’t think your mom had done any babymaking activities with anyone other than EJ at the time.”

“Oh.” Sydney sighed. “So I really am a Dimera, I guess.”

“More than likely,” Nicole agreed.

“And Theo’s mom was really a Dimera too?”

“Unless Abe likes tormenting himself by letting Theo go over there for no reason.” Nicole hugged Sydney. “No more questions. It’s bedtime.”

“Okay.” Sydney sighed. She got back on top of her sleeping bag and lay her head on her pillow. Nicole said good night to her and left the room. Sydney lay flat, her eyes wide open, and said to herself, “EJ can’t be my dad. He can’t be. I just have to find some way to prove it and Theo won’t have any reason not to be my boyfriend.”


Paige lay her head on JJ’s chest, hugging him while he stroked her hair. “Good end to your birthday?” he asked.

“Perfect.” Paige kissed his chest. “I love you so much, JJ.”

“I love you too.” JJ stroked her back. “Hey, did you ever talk to your shrink about getting time off from therapy so we can go to New York?”

“Oh. Yeah. I can skip a week if I tell her in advance, but no more than that.” Paige ran her fingertips down JJ’s chest. “All you need to do is win the contest and we can go.”

“Oh, we’re gonna go either way,” JJ said. “I got the date of the awards banquet right here, tell your shrink you’re gone the last week of October.” He held Paige close. “Win or lose, I’m gonna show you a good time.”

“Then you’re a winner no matter what.” Paige kissed him. “I’m so proud of you.”

One of their phones buzzed. Paige glanced at the clock. “I doubt that’s the award committee at this hour.” She sat up. “Besides, that was my phone.” She picked it up and glanced at it, her smile fading and turning into a frown.

“What’s up?” JJ asked.

Paige bit her lip. “All I want to do right now is hold you til I fall asleep, but I think I’d better call Squeaky first.” She showed JJ the text:

OMG my mom’s already ruining my mood & on top of that her and my dad are fighting. I swear if I didn’t have this dumb curfew I’d be gone.

JJ frowned. “That’s not cool. But at least she’s got the sense to stay put for now.”

“I hope so.” Paige bit her lip, remembering Squeaky telling her that she’d thought about killing herself when she was sent to the hole. “She’s so fragile,” she said, not wanting to betray Squeaky’s confidence. “More than me, even.”

JJ patted her hand. “She’ll be okay. Tell her we’re both sending her hugs and that I said she’d better not be blaming herself for her parents getting into it cause it’s totally not her fault.”

“I will.” Paige stared at the phone, thinking. She wanted to check on Squeaky but if she asked her if she was suicidal again, would that make her think about it? She let her breath out slowly and texted her:

It’s going to be okay. <3 <3 <3 JJ and I love you so so much and so do all the people you met today. HANG IN THERE!!!

Squeaky texted back right away:
I wish you could come over since I’m not allowed out…

Paige sighed, wishing she didn’t have to tell her No. She texted back: I can’t tonight but how about coffee tomorrow morning after my therapy session?

Her phone buzzed again. JJ watched as Paige sat on the edge of the bed, texting back and forth with Squeaky, telling himself to stop being petty cause his cousin needed Paige right now.

[André DiMera]

Personally, I think Chase should focus more on Claire, since she seems interested, but you can’t help who you fall in love with. I hope the girls have a nice sleepover.

Much as I would love for Lucas (or really anyone other than E.J.) to be Sydney’s father, sadly, I don’t think that’s the case. Also, Sydney’s a bit young for Theo. I loved seeing her and Nicole bonding!

While it’s nice that Hannah can talk to Paige, I hope this doesn’t become a pattern, or impact Paige and J.J.’s relationship.

Great chapter, heroicmuse!

[lumiforeverandalways]

The sleepover has had a different kind of start.
Wonder if Allie's going to be ok.
I love how Nicole wishes Lucas was Sydney's Dad and she said EJ's a bad guy - If only the showrunners did it so Lucas was her father.
Love it

[Kpatch]

I feel bad for Sydney, although in the olden days it wasn't unheard of for cousins to marry.

[heroicmuse]

Week 241 - 4

Aiden jumped three of Chase’s checkers in one move. Taking them off the board, he said, “You’re off your game tonight. What’s up?”

Chase shrugged. “Nothing.”

“Nothing, or nothing you want to share with your dad?” Aiden crossed his arms. “Believe it or not, I was once 14 too and instead of my head being full of laws and statutes and how to make sure the system’s fair, my mind had only enough room for one thing: girls.”

Chase moved a checker, tentatively. Keeping his finger on it, he said, “Like Mom?”

“No,” Aiden said. “Mom came later. Uh uh. In those days my heart belonged to Dee Wilson. I’ll never forget her. She was soft-spoken and petite and she had these gorgeous gold curls. Goldilocks we called her.” He smiled to himself.

“So she was the opposite of Hope?” Chase pulled his checker back and moved a different one. “I bet she would have let me stay in the room with Allie - I mean, with the girls.”

“There’s no telling. She moved to the other side of the world. Never saw her again.” Aiden slid a checker forward. “So, Allie, huh?”

Chase blushed. “She was just an example.”

“Uh huh. In court that’s what we call an evasive response.” Aiden smiled. “So what do you like about her?”

“Dad!” Chase jumped Aiden’s checker.

“Non-responsive, huh?” Aiden smiled. “Lucky you, having an in with Ciara. I’m sure she’ll put in a good word for you.”

“I’m sure she won’t,” Chase said. “She agreed with Hope about not wanting me in the room. Besides, she and Claire are best friends and Claire has a big crush on me.”

“Look at you turning heads,” Aiden said. “I take it you don’t return Claire’s feelings?”

Chase shrugged. “Claire’s pretty and she can sing. But she’s not Allie.” He thought suddenly of the way Allie pushed her hair behind her ear all the time and of how big her eyes were. “But maybe I’m better off that way,” he said. “Ciara said Allie’s mom might come after me with a shotgun if I get too close.”

“Ciara,” Aiden said, “is not as versed in the ways of the world as she thinks.” He jumped another one of Chase’s checkers. “Don’t settle, buddy. Go after the girl you really want. And king me.”

Chase bit his lip, thinking, as he put a second checker on top of Aiden’s to make a king.


After the movie, the girls had gone to Ciara’s room, where they were all sitting cross-legged on the floor. “Truth or Dare?” Ciara asked Claire.

“Truth,” Claire said. “I don’t dare take your dares.”

Ciara smirked. “I wouldn’t be too hard on you. Okay, fine. How many boys did you kiss back in Hawaii?”

“Zero,” Claire said, “and you knew that already.” She sighed. “You’d think a girl as talented as me would turn heads but no. Boys never see me as anything but a friend.”

“Boys, or Chase?” Ciara teased.

Claire turned bright red and said, “Moving on. Truth or Dare, Allie?”

Allie fidgeted, thinking. If she said Truth, Claire might ask her why she was so weird about food or something else equally embarrassing. But if she said Dare, Claire could make her do something she didn’t want to do. Johnny always came up with awful dares and Allie was the one who got in trouble when she got caught doing them.

“It’s not a hard question,” Ciara said. “Come on, Allie. Truth or Dare.”

“Truth, I guess,” Allie sighed.

“Okay,” Claire said. “Um, do you like any boys?”

“Lame,” Ciara said. “I would have asked her what her most embarrassing moment is.”

“Good thing it isn’t your turn, then,” Claire said. “Go ahead, Allie. Tell us about the boys you like.”

“I-I don’t.” Allie added to herself that there was no boy, in Salem or anywhere else, who would want a girl who had to cut her food into tiny pieces like she was a baby.

“Do you like a GIRL, then?” Ciara asked hopefully. “I mean, it’s okay if you do.”

“No.” Allie crossed her arms across her chest. “I don’t like anyone, okay?”

“Not even someone on TV?” Claire asked. “You know, someone you fantasize about even though you know it’s impossible.”

“Nope.” Allie’s voice was flat. “I’ve never had a crush in my life.”

“Yeah, right,” Ciara said. “Everyone has crushes. I had my first crush on a boy when I was five.”

“Yeah, Theo,” Claire said. “We all know about your epic love story. It’s your turn to ask someone, Allie.”

“I don’t want - “ Allie began, but Ciara’s eyes narrowed and she was sure Ciara would call her a baby if she stopped playing now. She sighed. “All right. Truth or Dare, Ciara?”


“Listen to that,” Sami said as she leaned on Lucas.

“I don’t hear anything.”

“Exactly. That’s the glorious sound of no kids. Though I should call Syd and say goodnight. You know how freaked out she gets in new places. And Nicole isn’t going to call us if anything goes wrong, she’s going to try to handle it herself.”

“Sami,” Lucas said. “The whole point of doing this was so that you and me could have an evening off from having to watch the kids.”

“Except for Johnny,” Sami said.

“Right. How were things with him?”

“Let’s just say that the only fireworks tonight weren’t the ones we’re about to watch.”

Lucas raised his eyebrows. “Do I want to know?”

“Probably not,” Sami said. “At least not til after our date. He’s locked in his room right now just like he would be if he was in juvenile hall and when he’s ready to appreciate his freedom he can come out. Or tomorrow morning at breakfast, whichever comes first. So let’s let him sit there and stew while we enjoy the fireworks show.” She turned on the TV and hugged Lucas. He ran his hand through her hair and then they kissed.

Meanwhile, in his room, Johnny was trying to get his window open. It had been superglued shut by the last people who lived in this house.

“There has to be a way to break the seal on this thing,” Johnny said to himself.He got one of his toy soldiers and tried to slip it in between the window sill and the window to scrape at the glue. “And once I do, I’m out of here.”


Abe had arrived at Kayla’s office. She said, “Thank you for coming so soon.”

“Of course,” Abe said. “Your message sounded urgent. What can I do for you?”

Kayla sighed. “We have a Jane Doe for you. EMS got an anonymous 911 call about a possible overdose. They found the victim in an empty warehouse. She was unconscious and her pulse was weak.”

Abe nodded. “Did she make it?” he asked softly.

“She’s...relatively stable. EMTs were able to do CPR and now she’s in and out of consciousness. We’ve restrained her because she keeps trying to scratch imaginary bugs on her skin and she’s exhibited hostility towards staff during those times she’s awake. What we haven’t been able to do so far is identify her, just the drugs she used.”

“Which are?”

“Crack cocaine,” Kayla said. “But I didn’t call you in to arrest her. As you know, crack is as popular as it is fatal, and I don’t want the next person who is overdosing to refrain from seeking lifesaving treatment because of fear of going to jail.”

“Right,” Abe said. “The law is the law, so I will have to take her into custody as soon as she is well enough to be transported. However, I will keep her arrest quiet and I will do my best to make a deal with the DA to get her treatment, especially if she gives us information leading to the arrest of her dealer.” He crossed his arms. “I’m curious, though, Kayla, if you didn’t call me in to arrest her, what did you hope would happen here?”

“I was hoping that you could match her to a missing persons report,” Kayla said. “She has no ID on her and if she does have any family, I want to notify them.”

Abe nodded. “I’ll call a technician in to fingerprint her and take a DNA sample,” he said, “as well as photographs we can run through facial recognition. Now you said someone called 911 on her behalf?”

“They did, but whoever it is didn’t leave their name and wasn’t there when EMS got to the scene,” Kayla said. “I’m guessing it was a fellow drug user who was afraid of being arrested.”

“Right. Well, I’ll have an officer contact dispatch and get us the 911 call. Maybe that’ll shed some light on this.”


Thorpe had met Wanda at the docks and taken her to the hospital, where they were sitting in a car in the underground parking lot. Thorpe hugged Wanda, who had tears running down her face. “I hate that we can’t just go up to the hospital and wait together for news about Paula,” he said. “This is terrible enough without you being unable to even see your daughter.”

Wanda shook her head. “We can’t risk it, Alan,” she said, sniffing. “As it is Paula has that warrant out for her arrest that you refused to squash. There’s no way she won’t be arrested as soon as they identify her. And once they do, the whole thing’ll fall apart. You know Paula, she doesn’t have any sense. She’ll say whatever she thinks she needs to to get out of trouble, even ratting out our relationship or - “

“Or the fact that you share the kickbacks you’re getting with me.” Thorpe kept his voice very low. “Paige Larson. Hannah Martin. And whoever the hell else I sent your way when a case could have been made for her freedom.” He crossed his arms. “I did nothing wrong. The law was on my side, there was reason to lock up those young women. But if they find out about the money and about our relationship…”

“They’ll spin a web of corruption out of thin air. And that is why we can’t be seen together, Alan, more so now than ever. Even if it means not knowing if my child is alive or dead.” Wanda’s voice broke.

Thorpe held her. “She is going to make it. I didn’t grant her leniency all that time ago so she can die on a warehouse floor. We need to solve the immediate problem of finding a way for you to see her without getting caught. And then we have to figure out what to do about Paula’s impending arrest. I will try to get her case again, but Henry is likely going to block it.”

“Not necessarily,” Wanda said. “Remember our Plan B.”

“I don’t like it,” Thorpe said.

“No, me either. But after we put the first step into motion, Walston backed off of Hannah Martin’s case. So now we just need to keep the pressure on.”

“As long as he doesn’t trace it back to me. We’ve been friends a long time, I don’t want him to think for a second I would - “

“Don’t be selfish,” Wanda said. “We do what we have to to protect ourselves. That’s why you did that favor for me last time Paula was arrested, right? So now just do one more for me and everything will be fine.”

Thorpe took off his glasses so he could rub his temples. Putting them back on, he said, “Okay. What do you want me to do?”


Kelsey waved to Alison as Alison came into the coffee shop. “You look gorgeous,” she said. “Did you do that just for me?”

“I did,” Alison said, crossing her arms. “But before you give me any more compliments, I need to know… why are you pushing me away, Kels?”

“I don’t know what you mean.”

“Yes, you do.” Alison’s voice rose. “You told Rubin you were sick of doing it and afraid I’d leave you and she said she would protect me once she got elected so that we could be together again. So you’d better tell me what the hell’s going on and you’d better do it now or we’re done.”

Kelsey’s phone buzzed. Alison said, “If that’s work you’d better let it wait.”

“It is,” Kelsey said. “ADA Turner needs me to do some research for her before tomorrow. But first…” She reached over and took Alison’s hand. “Look at me, Alison. Look into my eyes.” She leaned forward. “I love you so much and I will explain everything as soon as I can. But right now I need you to trust me, I need you to let me do what I need to do to keep you safe.”

“And not even tell me what it is you’re keeping me safe from?”

Kelsey shook her head. “You’re a journalist. If you uncover it on your own I can’t do much about it, but I really hope you’d just trust me and wait for me because otherwise…” She swallowed hard. “I’m dealing with people with a lot of power who don’t mind abusing it and if you think they wouldn’t hurt you to keep me in line you’d better think again.”

“What do you mean?”

“I can’t say. I shouldn’t even be here, I told Spota we broke up and if he finds out I lied…” Kelsey put Alison’s hand in between hers. “Just trust me, okay? We’ll be together again as soon as we can.” She got up and hurried away.

“That’s a whole lot of nothing,” Alison said to herself. “Looks like it’s time I investigate my so-called girlfriend and decide if she’s worth keeping.”

[lumiforeverandalways]

Loved the scenes between Chase and Aiden, Allie ,Claire and Ciara and Sami and Lucas
Cant wait to see what the future brings
Great Chap