Breaking Ties: An Ensemble Story (Read 248,050 times)

[Kpatch]

The non court part is my favorite. Looking forward to more of Chloe and Philip and seeing how Rory handles his encounter with Marissa.

[heroicmuse]

Week 500 - 1

Ruby was still in her pajamas, watching the trial unfold on her phone. DA RUbin was giving her opening statement.

“There are a lot of charges here,” Rubin said, “and I’m sure you’re wondering whether we just threw in everything but the kitchen sink in the hopes that something would stick. The short answer is, no, we did not. I wish I could say that Natalie Simmons has not beein committing one crime after another for the past decade. I wish she hadn’t committed them so that I didn’t have to stand here listing crime after crime, piece of evidence after piece of evidence. Convicting her on all of these charges won’t undo the pain for all the people she has hurt. Her own brother… dead at her orders. Her best friend… testifying from a secure location so that Ms. Simmons can’t hurt her any more than she already has. The children she took under her wing… they’re all either in jail as a consequence of the serious crimes she had them commit or at home trying to put their lives back together while living with the memories of what they did to please her. And that doesn’t even count all of the people who died of overdoses because of the drugs that she directed the Fire Lions to supply or all the children in East Salem who lived in fear for years because going to school or to the store was like stepping into a war zone. The Fire Lions owned the streets and they would not hesitate to shoot for any reason or no reason, and that was all at Natalie Simmons’ direction.

“You might think I’m exaggerating, but the evidence you are about to hear will speak for itself. You will hear testimony from two brave young women who managed to escape her iron grip, but not until they’d committed horrendous crimes in her name. You will hear evidence that she not only plotted her own brother’s murder, but used force to ensure it was carried out and couldn’t be traced back to her. You’ll learn how she terrorized a young woman who was supposed to be her best friend, her involvement in at least one high-profile kidnapping, that she was the mastermind behind the robberies that kept Salem frozen with terror the Christmas before last...”

Harris knocked on Ruby’s door, interrupting what she was doing. “Ruby! Hurry it up or you’re gonna miss the bus.”

Ruby opened the door a crack. “I’m not going to camp today.”

Harris frowned. “Why? You sick?” Ruby shook her head and Harris said, “Let me in, sweetheart. You’re not gonna just declare you’re not going to camp and have that be that. Uh uh. Around here, when you make statements like that, I get to come in and check out what’s really going on.”

Ruby sighed deeply. “You don’t understand, Uncle Harris.”

“Then make me understand,” Harris said, his voice soft, but firm. “Let me in.”

Ruby bit her lip. She knew by now he wouldn’t beat her like her dad had done, but she didn’t know what he’d do if she pushed too far. She opened the door before throwing herself down on her bed.

“Thank you,” Harris said. “Now, first things first, let’s make sure you don’t have a fever.” He put his hand on her forehead. “Don’t feel warm to me. Do I need to get the thermometer anyway?”

Ruby shook her head slightly. “I’m not that kind of sick.”

“Okay,” Harris said. He sat down next to Ruby on the bed. “I’ll bite. What kind of sick are you?”

“Sick with worry over this stupid trial,” Ruby said. “The DA is busy talking about how Natalie Simmons ruined everyone’s life, and actually it was Olive that ruined mine but anyway… people at school already know I used to be in the Fire Lions, so they will at camp too, and I’m never gonna hear the end of it and worse… the Fire Lions know I defected so if they want to make trouble because they’re mad this girl is on trial, guess who’s going to get hurt?”

Harris frowned. “Someone’s been threatening you, that what you’re telling me?”

“No, not exactly.” Ruby hugged her pillow to herself. “I mean, I haven’t gotten any texts or messages or anything. It’s just the way people look at me. I got a feeling. And Mr. Woods wants me to speak at some dumb anti-gang thing he’s doing when school starts again, and that’ll just seal the deal.”

Harris squeezed her shoulder. “You don’t have to go along with Mr. Woods’ idea if you don’t want to. But honestly, if I were you… don’t let what other people think determine what you do. You be who you are and if someone messes with you over it… well, you got people who have your back now.” Harris stood. “That said, some loser girl going on trial’s not a reason to miss camp. I’ll be back in five minutes and I expect you to be dressed and ready for me to take you to camp since there’s no way in hell you’re going to make that bus now.”

Harris left, closing the door behind him. Ruby sighed deeply as she opened her dresser to take out her clothes.


Chloe was washing dishes when Philip came into the kitchen. “You’re at it early,” he said.

“Yeah, well,” Chloe said. “Dishes aren’t going to wash themselves, you know. I love that we had this party and maybe we should make it a tradition, but next year let’s see if Maggie is up to having it at her house so we can ask the servants to do all the cleaning up.”

Philip kissed the back of her neck. “You got me to help. And the kids. Where are they?”

“I let them sleep in. They were exhausted after the party,” Chloe scrubbed a dish. “Good thing camp doesn’t start for them til next week.”

“It’s sure gonna be quiet around here once we drop them off,” Philip said. “Although we can take advantage of that.”

“We can,” Chloe said. “I just hope we’re making the right decision. Parker can handle himself, but having to look out for his little sister while they’re away from home… I don’t know.”

“They’ll be fine. I know Parker teases Charley a lot, but bottom line, she’s his sister and he loves her. He’ll rise to the occasion. You’ll see.”

Chloe nodded, but she had a faraway look in her eyes as she hugged Philip.

[André DiMera]

Harris gave Ruby good advice. It’s understandable that she’s worried about the trial.

Hopefully Philip’s right. I’m sure he is.

Great chapter, heroicmuse!

[Kpatch]

Harris is a great uncle.

Chloe, use the dishwasher. Just as efficient as the servants.

[heroicmuse]

Week 500 - 2
Parker came in while Charley was supposed to be making her bed. Instead, she’d folded the blanket halfway so it was the shape of a tent and now she was pretending to swim on the mattress next to the blanket.

“What are you doing, Goofy?” Parker said, giggling.

Charley reddened. “I was pretending we’re at camp already. This is the swimming place, and then at night I sleep in the tent.”

“It’s not like when we go camping up north,” Parker said. “We’ll be staying in cabins, not tents, with beds and stuff. And during the day we’ll be doing all kinds of stuff, like maybe sports some days or a kite flying contest. It won’t be all swimming in a river and stuff. In fact, we’ll probably be swimming in a pool.”

“Oh.” Charley’s face fell. “I wanted to have an adventure like on TV.”

“We’ll have plenty of adventures, don’t worry.” Parker grinned. “Only eight more days til we go.”

“Yeah.” Charley pulled her legs up to her chest and hugged herself. “Mommy and Daddy are really going to leave us there alone?”

“That’s the whole idea of sleepaway camp,” Parker said. “It’s exciting, it’s like we’re living on our own even though we’re not grownups yet.”

“Yeah,” Charley said, “but who’s gonna read me a story before bed?”

“Well, they might let Mom call us,” Parker said. “It’s not like we’re going to jail for the summer. But you’re gonna be in fourth grade. You have to get used to not getting a story. Pack a book so you can read to yourself.”

Charley’s eyes widened. “I don’t wanna.”

Parker shrugged. “Suit yourself. You have to grow up sometime, you know.”

Charley hugged herself tighter. I don’t wanna grow up, she thought. Not yet, anyway.


Justin had taken Rafe into a conference room by himself before the hearing resumed. “I don’t mean to be mean,” he said, “but I”m not convinced that your sister supporting you in court is a good idea.”

Rafe sighed. “I told her, she’s gotta behave herself. She understands.”

“Does she? She seems like the kind of person who would call a press conference to broadcast her personal problems with the judge to the whole world.”

“She won’t,” Rafe said. “She and Nicole are keepin’ each other in line.”

Justin raised his eyebrows. “You trust that?”

Rafe hesitated. “I’m tellin’ myself that this is a brilliant plan. Neither she or Nicole’ll have any self-control on their own but they’re both real good at telling the other to cut it out, so…”

“But you’re not sure you believe that.”

Rafe shook his head slightly. “Look, man, I don’t have a choice. Gabi, she doesn’t take no for an answer under the best of circumstances, and this time… look, she was comin’ with me whether I liked it or not, so the best I can do is hope Nicole keeps her from doing anything that tanks my case.”

“I hope so too,” Justin said. “Let’s hope that if she gets thrown out of court, the judge doesn’t use it against you.” His phone beeped. “Time for court,” he said. “Let’s go.”


Paige sighed as she looked through a website on her computer. She turned as JJ came in.

“What’s up?” he asked.

Paige shook her head. “Nothing. I’m just getting really overwhelmed, that’s all. Mariposa’s going to be three in November and —”

“We still got plenty of time to plan a birthday bash,” JJ said.

Paige glared at him. “You’re interrupting, and that was not what I was going to say.”

“Sorry. Old habit.” JJ sighed deeply. “Do over. What were you saying about Mariposa, baby?”

“We have to start thinking about preschool,” Paige said. “The public preschools are already full for next year and I’m not sure if they’d take her anyway since she won’t be three until almost halfway through the school year. And I don’t have any idea how to figure out what the best private preschool is.”

“Didn’t Bev go through this with Mason?” JJ asked. “She’s gotta know someplace, right?”

“Her dad wanted to send him to some hoity-toity preschool that cost a billion dollars and they rejected Mason because they didn’t think Bev was the kind of mother who would fit in with these snobby women at their tea parties.” Paige rolled her eyes. “I think she ended up going public.”
“Maybe that’s what we should do, then,” JJ said. “Would it really be the end of the world if we waited an extra year for Mari to be three going on four before she started?”

Paige frowned, thinking.0

[André DiMera]

Can’t believe Charley’s gonna be in fourth grade already! It makes sense that she’s nervous about going to camp overnight for the first time.

Hopefully Rafe’s right and Nicole and Gabi will keep each other from doing anything stupid.

J.J. has a good point about waiting.

Great chapter, heroicmuse!

[Kpatch]

I agree that Mari is young to be going to preschool. Paige has a nanny. No need to rush.

I'm with Charley. I don't want to grow up either.

[heroicmuse]

Week 500 - 3

Rory was walking across the Square to the coffee shop to start his shift when he heard someone calling his name.

He turned around and Marissa was standing there.

She crossed her arms. “I guess we had to run into each other sooner or later,” she said. “So… are you going to tell me what I did wrong that you’re avoiding me, or are you going to keep being a coward and run into the coffee shop without saying a word?”

Rory gulped, not sure what to say.



Rubin had finally finished her opening statement. Now it was time for Nat’s lawyer, Saxon, to make his.

He straightened his tie as he got up and then faced the jury. “Ladies and gentlemen,” he said, “what you just heard is the best effort at scapegoating in the history of our city. To hear Ms. Rubin tell it, my client is responsible for everything wrong with Salem. Crime. Drugs. People throwing gum wrappers on your lawn instead of in the trash.

“It would be nice if we could snap our fingers and fix everything that’s wrong with our city, wouldn’t it? Just put one person behind bars, and all the problems go away. But here’s the thing. Natalie Simmons is not responsible for all the drugs and crime in Salem, and the prosecution can’t prove that she can. They can only try to confuse you.

“Once this trial begins, you’ll quickly discover that all of the so-called evidence against Natalie comes from unreliable witnesses. Take t heir star witness, for example, the girl who supposedly was ordered by Natalie to kill Natalie’s brother. That girl has a criminal record as long as all of our arms put together. Drugs and crime were her bread and butter for years. She went too far when she shot Natalie’s brother in the back while he was being escorted into this very courtroom, and when she got caught, she didn’t want to do hard time. So what did she do? She amde up this story that Natalie forced her, that Natalie demanded that she gun down Marcel Simmons and leave the gun where someone else would be blamed for it.” He leaned forward, making eye contact with one of the jurors. “That was my client’s brother, whom she loved with her whole heart. And some girl with every motive to lie makes up a story that Natalie is the one who wanted him dead, and the prosecution runs with it because they want an easy-as-pie solution to the crime and violence that plagues Salem to this day.

“It’s unconscionable and I know you will see that.”

Saxon walked behind Nat. “Has my client made mistakes?” he asked. “OF course she has, some of them bad ones that she deeply regrets. She bought beer using a fake ID, shoplifted once or twice… you know, the kind of stupid things that teenagers do sometimes.” He patted Nat’s shoulders. “You’ll hear from her former best friend, but what you won’t be told, at least not by the prosecution, is that that so-called friend has an ax to grind. The girl spent a year behind bars and she blames Natalie for it. It was all a misunderstanding. They were both teenagers, and as we’ve already established, teenagers do stupid things. In this case, Natalie handed her friend an open beer on the street, just before the cops rolled up. The cops saw a girl with a beer in her hand and they arrested her, and that is the entire reason she is testifying against Natalie today. Revenge. Anger that she went to jail when it wasn’t her beer, even though she was the one who was holding it and in the eyes of the law, she was the one who did something wrong. And to send Natalie Simmons to prison over that… well, it doesn’t make things even. A second injustice doesn’t erase the first.

“And that’s it. That’s the prosecution’s whole case. Two girls with criminal records and reasons to lie. They say a lie can go around the whole world before the truth can finish putting its boots on. Don’t let the prosecution’s lies walk right into your brain. Listen with an open mind. I’m sure if you do, you’ll see very soon that there is no case against my client and that she should not even be on trial, never mind in prison. Thank you.”

Saxon turned away from the jury as he sat down. As soon as they couldn’t see his face, he smirked.

[André DiMera]

I really hope Rory talks to Marissa!

Saxon’s a creep. Hopefully the jury won’t believe his lies.

Great chapter, heroicmuse!

[Kpatch]

Hope Rory realizes he was wrong, that Marissa didn't want to end things. And I hope Rory can be honest about how her behavior has made him feel unwanted. Maybe then they can work things out.

[heroicmuse]

Week 500 - 4
Rory shifted his weight. “It’s not you, all right? We just… I always knew in the end you’d wake up one day and realize you could do way better than dumb ol’ Rory, and you kind of proved it, running off to your mom’s all the time.”

“I proved it? What?” Marissa scrunched up her forehead. “I’m not the one who ghosted you. Yeah, I’m spending more time with my mom. I guess I finally grew up enough to not hate her, and not a moment too soon cause…”

“Cause you realized you wanted more than me?”

“No! Cause she’s sick, okay? She, um… I don’t want to gross you out but she has bleeding down there that she shouldn’t have and she had all sorts of tests and she’s waiting to hear back whether it’s cancer.” Marissa blinked back tears. “Which you would have known if you had asked me instead of assuming I was going to see her because I didn’t love you anymore.”

Rory’s eyes widened. “The big C? Wow.” He swallowed hard. “I was caught up in stuff too cause of Doug… you know he died, I told you that much, right?”

“Yeah.” Marissa’s voice was flat. “Sorry I wasn’t there for you. I was kind of busy worrying my mom could die too.”

“I get it.” Rory crossed his arms. “So, um, seems like it’s been months and months and we just kinda ghosted each other. Double ghost, I guess, cause we both did it. So what are we now?’

Marissa pushed her hair out of her eyes. “I… don’t know. I mean, I get that you were caught up in your stuff and I guess I was caught up in mine too but it’s like… I odn’t know you anymore and I got used to you not being in my life and now you’re here again and I want you but I don’t.”

Rory said, “I only got half of that. Still kinda slow, you know.”

“You are not!” Marissa’s voice rose. She let her breath out slowly and said, “Look, whether we’re together or we’re not, I hate for you to beat yourself up. You’re different just like I’m different. That’s why I want… um I wanted…” She blinked hard. “I’m not exactly in a space to have a relationship with anybody, but it’s not cause you’re too slow for me. I’m just… I spent a lot of years being annoyed with my mom and now I’m afraid I’m going to lose her and I can’t think about anything else.”

Rory automatically reached over to hug her. She didn’t pull away.


Roman had taken the stand again and now Judge Walston was questioning him.

In the spectator section, Gabi hissed under her breath, “I can’t believe he’s stabbing Rafe int he back like this. Some mejor amigo he is.”

“He was subpoenaed,” Nicole said. “Do you really think Roman Brady would go to jail over this?”

“It’s called loyalty!” Gabi said. “A true friend would pay any price not to be made to turn against his amigo.”

“Okay, then.” Nicole held her breath out. “You’re better as a friend than an enemy. Duly noted. But shush. It won’t do Rafe any good if the judge stops the proceedings to tell us to keep our thoughts to ourselves.”

“Fine,” Gabi mumbled. Her jaw was tight and her lips pressed together.

Roman finished taking the oath that he had already sworn the day before. Judge Walston turned toward him and said, “I’m sorry that we have to take you away from your busy schedule for a second day. I promise I will be brief. You last worked with Agent Hernandez several years ago, correct?”

“Yes, your Honor.” Roman leaned forward into the microphone.

“When exactly was the last time you worked together?”

“I’d have to check my calendar to be sure, but I think it’s been about five years. After he helped bring down some corrupt cops that were messing with JJ Deveraux, the FBI snatched him up and that was that.”

Judge Walston nodded, pushing aside his memory of awarding JJ 50 million dollars for the way those cops had treated him. He said, instead, “During that incident or any other after you reinstated him, did you see any evidence that Mr. Hernandez regularly covered up civilian shootings?”

“He’d have been gone if he did. I gave him a second chance but I wasn’t playing around.”

The judge nodded. “Why did you hire him back?”

Roman straightened his tie before he answered. Then he said, slowly, “Rafe’s a good cop. And when push came to shove, even though I didn’t like what he did, I understood it. It was my daughter he was protecting, and I couldn’t punish him for that even if it wasn’t police protocol.”

“I see.” Judge Walston fingered his gavel. “Do you have any specific knowledge of what happened the night William Montague was shot?”

“Only what my wife told me. She was there.”

Judge Walston thanked Roman and excused him.

“I guess that wasn’t that bad,” Gabi said.

“You missed yesterday’s excitement,” Nicole said. “But yesterday’s gone so maybe we’d better not talk about it.”

Gabi crossed her arms. “Now you have to tell me. You know I can’t stand it when someone knows something I don’t.”

“Fine. I’ll tell you. But over drinks at the Pub after this, not during court.”

Gabi pouted but she said, “FIne.”

The bailiff called the next witness: “The proseuction calls William Montague to the stand.”

[André DiMera]

Oh man! Despite their rocky relationship, sorry to hear about Marissa’s mom. Sadly, I think this looks like the end of Rory and Marissa.

Glad Nicole is trying to keep Gabi calm. Not looking forward to Montague testifying.

Great chapter, heroicmuse!

[heroicmuse]

Week 500 - 5
Paul had set up Hannah’s video chat connection so that she could testify. “All right,” he said. “Keep it propped up here and when you’re ready, let me know and I’ll signal the DA to start the session.” He crossed his arms. “Put on the noise canceling headphones. I gotta stay right here so I can attest to the fact that nobody fed you any answers, and Andrew’s right outside making sure no one else is listening in or trying to get in here.”

Hannah’s eyes narrowed. “So I’m a jailhouse witness. Got it.”

“It’s not that.” Paul sighed deeply. “It’s more, look, she’s got the kind of lawyer who’s gonna play games, all right, and we can’t let anything go wrong. If he manages to convince the judge that something was wrong with your testimony, it gets thrown out and I don’t know, maybe she walks. So I’m sorry if you feel like we’re treating you like you’re the criminal. We’re trying to keep you safe in eveyr way that counts, not just physically but also safe from her walking or you having to do this all over again if she manages to get a mistrial.”

“Yeah, I know. It’s not you. It’s the whole situation she caused.” Hannah let her breath out slowly. “I just gotta remember, she tried to put a bullet in me to shut me up and I survived, so all this, it’s peaches and cream compared to that.”

“That’s the spirit,” Paul agreed. “”You can do this, and soon it’ll be all over and you can go home.”

“Good,” Hannah said, “She’s the one who belongs behind bars, not me, and I’ve already lost enough time to her nonsense.” She smoothed her hair down. “I look presentable for court?”

“You’re fine,” Paul said. “Ready to get this started?”

“Ready as I’m gonna be.”

Paul said something into his walkie talkie and then clicked a button.

ADA Rubin appeared on the screen, as did the bailiff. THe bailiff said, “Hannah Martin, do you swear to tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth, so help you God?”

“I do,” Hannah said, her voice stronger than she expected it to be.

The screen switched to Rubin as she came up to the camera to ask Hannah her first question.


Charley had taken out some toys. “Let’s build camp,” she said to Parker. “Here’s the bus to get to it, now show me what else will be there.”

“K,” Parker said. “Um, get the Lincoln Logs out and I’ll build the kind of cabins we’ll be staying in.” As Charley handed him the canister, he added, “It’s usually all girls or all boys in each cabin so I won’t be in the same one as you, plus you’ll be with other fourth graders.”

Charley gulped. “How far away will you be?”

Parker shrugged. “It’s not like you’ll be alone,” he said. “I’ll be in a cabin somewhere, probably the biggest one cause thirteen is the biggest age that’s allowed to go. Next year maybe I’ll get to be a counselor!” He grinned. “Anyway, you’ll have a cabin master, see?” He took one of the Lego figures that Charley had and showed it to her. “That’s a grown-up who watches all the kids in your cabin.”

“How many will there be?” Charley asked. “200?”

“In one cabin?” Parker asked. “Don’t be silly. There’ll be four or five other kids, that’s all.”

“Oh. Phew.” Charley breathed out slowly. “What else is there besides cabins?”

“There’s the swimming pool, of course,” Parker said, “and the activity center where we have arcade games and stuff, and the dining hall. Oh, and here we have horses if you want to learn to ride, and here’s an arts and crafts area…”

Philip and Chloe were watching from outside the room. Chloe said, “It’s so sweet how Parker is supporting his little sister and helping her feel better about going to camp.”

“It is,” Philip said. “But why is Charley so anxious? Camp is supposed to be fun. I loved being away for the summer, being outdoors, away from my father…”

“Yeah, well, Charley is not growing up with Victor and Kate for parents,” Chloe said. “No offense. And she’s always been a little clingy, so I think being away from us for the first time… it’s just a little scary for her.”

“I get that, I guess. But this level of anxiety… I don’t know, it seems all out of proportion.”

“She’s fine,” Chloe said. “And she will be when she gets to camp, too. I hope, anyway.” She leaned her head on Philip’s shoulder.

[André DiMera]

Can’t wait for Hannah’s testimony!

It’s always a little tough the first time a kid goes away to camp, but Charley will be fine. Glad Parker is there for her.

Can we please have previews, heroicmuse?

[heroicmuse]

Thank you André DiMera and Kpatch for your comments this week. I'm ridiculously excited about my upcoing camp storyline as well as some big developments elsewhere.

Read on for spoilers.

Coming Up on Breaking Ties...

Hannah's testimony isn't easy for her. She has to admit to her entire unsavory past in order to implicate Nat in guiding her toward a life of crime when she was a teenager, and it's humilitating and shameful for her. To make matters worse, Nat attempts to cause chaos in the courtroom with a bizarre request that will turn the cross-examination into a circus. Will the judge allow this to happen?

Elsewhere, Chanel and Jeremy share a tender moment as Chanel faces her fears of testifying and a thought about a major change for her future.

Finally, Chloe and Philip see the kids off to camp, while Marissa turns down a generous offer from Rory before the couple takes a baby step toward reconciliation.