Breaking Ties: An Ensemble Story (Read 247,261 times)

[André DiMera]

It makes sense that Marlena would be affected by Doug’s death like this. Dr. Lewis makes some good points. Wonder what Marlena will say.

Thank goodness Rubin can prove that that video was fake! She absolutely should press charges!

Can we please have previews, heroicmuse?

[Kpatch]

If it's reasonable for Marlena to be this griefstricken about Doug's death, then it is exponentially more understandable for Rest of Our Lives Chloe to be rocked by her own child's death.

[heroicmuse]

Thank you André DiMera and Kpatch for your comments this week.

I'm so excited about my camp story and some other developments coming up!

Coming Up on Breaking Ties...

Everyone waits anxiously for the judge's decision in Nat's case, especially Hannah. When she learns there's a chance of a mistrial, she panics, unable to see how she can survive more time in the safe house and a second round of testimony if they have to start all over again.

Meanwhile, Chanel makes a major decision while waiting for news, but is it the right one or is she acting out of fear?

Elsewhere, Judge Walston makes a partial decision in Rafe's probable cause hearing, one that is helpful to Rafe's case, and now it's his turn to testify and try to convince the judge that there's not sufficient reason to go to trial.

In non-court news, the girls' camp experience kicks off with an ice cream social, but Charley worries that Ari will get herself into trouble, while Marissa's mother is not happy with what Marissa has to say when she returns home. Plus, Marlena goes out of her comfort zone to find out what's really going on with her.

[André DiMera]

Can’t wait for the judge’s decision! Hopefully it’s not a mistrial!

Wonder what Chanel does.

Glad Judge Walston makes a partial decision that helps Rafe.

Wonder why Charley thinks Ari will get herself in trouble. What’s up with Marissa’s mom? Hope Marlena figures out what’s going on.

Thanks for the previews, heroicmuse!

[Kpatch]

I wonder if Marlena is getting dementia. Or maybe she is starting to feel her mortality.

Sweet Charley is such a worrier. I think she may be too young for camp, if not age-wise, then maturity wise.

[heroicmuse]

Week 503 - 1

Chanel opened the door to her room a crack and stared out.

“All done?” Paul, who was guarding the door to make sure no one else influenced her testimony, asked her. “That was fast.”

She shook her head. “It’s postponed til the DA reaches out. Something happened.” She let her breath out slowly. “S-some girl burst into the court yelling about a mistrial and now I don’t know what’s going to happen.” She hugged herself. “What’s that mean, mistrial?”

“I’m not a lawyer,” Paul said, “but from what I’ve seen on TV, it means something was so wrong they have to start all over again.”

“Start all over again?” Hannah said, coming out of her room. “No. I can’t do this again. What… what happened?”

Paul held his hand up. “I can’t let you and Chanel talk til she’s testified,” he said. “The judge called a recess cause of some girl disrupting everything.”

“Course she did.” Hannah crossed her arms. “Nat’s behind this. That’s all she’s got, dirty tricks.”

“Yeah, well, hopefully they won’t land,” Paul said.

“Better not.” Hannah’s eyes were wide. “We’re supposed to be able to go home after this trial ends and after being locked up here a month and having to put up with that joke of a lawyer on top of it… I know it’s the only way to put Nat away for good but I just don’t know that I can go through it a second time.”

Chanel gulped. She hadn’t even had her first time yet. She hoped when she did, she could get through it.


Rubin said, “I’ll make some calls. I can’t try the case myself when I’m the victim, but hopefully I can get my office on board. I’d like to be able to offer this girl, whatever her name is, a deal. If she testifies against Natalie Simmons…”

Judge Hildebrand held up her hand. “Say no more. I can’t listen to a preview of any case against this defendant or the one in front of me. I don’t want to have to recuse myself.”

“Yes, your Honor. I apologize. I’ll go make those calls now.”

Hildebrand nodded. “I need to talk to Mr. Saxon, so I will do that while you are taking care of business.”

Rubin left. A few minutes later, the bailiff escorted Saxon in.

“I assume you’ve reviewed the evidence, your Honor?” he said, smirking.

“Yes.” Hildebrand’s voice was hard. “I have.” She crossed her arms. “That evidence was phony. The girl used AI to make a fake video.” She leaned back in her chair. “What I want to know, Mr. Saxon, is how much you knew about this dirty trick ahead of time. And in addition to that, the real video shows that the reporter was concerned because he had heard rumors that your client was threatening ADA Rubin. So. You have some explaining to do, and if you are considering telling the slightest falsehood… I would recommend you reconsider.”


Marlena thought about what Dr. Lewis had said as she went into the area of the hospital where Kayla’s office was.

“It’s up to you, of course,” Dr. Lewis had told her. “But it seems to me that if you do need to take a step back, it’s better that your Chief of Staff know about the possibility ahead of time. Furthermore, it will be easier to find out if there is anything to be concerned about if you see a doctor who knows you well.”

Marlena sighed “I suppose I have to walk the talk,” she said to herself. She opened the door and walked into the waiting area, where she went up to the receptionist.

The receptionist smiled at her. “Hello, Dr. Evans,” she said. “Were you looking to consult with Dr. Johnson on a patient?”

“I suppose you could say that,” Marlena said. “Except… the patient is me. Can she squeeze me in today?”

“I’ll see. GIve me a minute.” The receptionist called Kayla, then hung up and said, “It happens she had a cancellation this morning, so she can see you right now if you’d like.”

“Oh. That fast.” Marlena made herself smile. “Yes, of course. Thank you.”

She sank down in a seat to wait, but within a minute, Maxine was already calling her back into an exam room so that Kayla could look at her.

[André DiMera]

Hopefully Chanel and Hannah won’t have to go through with a mistrial and new trial.

So glad the judge is confronting Saxon!

Can’t wait to see what Kayla says about Marlena’s condition.

Great chapter, heroicmuse!

[Kpatch]

I'm glad Marlena is seeing her physician. Kayla knows her medical history so she's the right doctor for this.

[heroicmuse]

Week 503 - 2
Izzy came over to where the other girls were. “Um, did you guys already choose your beds?” she asked.

The girls all looked at each other. Ari said, “Doesn’t matter to me as long as Charley and I are next to each other. We already know each other, so…”

“How about you two take this bunk bed and Izzy and I can take the other one?” Jaiyi suggested. “I hope the beds are big enough for me when I’m so freaking tall.”

“Maybe you should take the top,” Izzy suggested, “cause your legs’ll be more comfortable if they aren’t as close to the ground.” Her voice was very soft, even softer than Charley’s.

“Um, yeah, okay,” Jaiyi said. She pulled herself up onto her bed, not bothering to use the ladder.

Sydney came over to them. “Impressive,” she said, “but this isn’t an Olympic training camp. Use the ladder next time so you don’t get hurt.” She turned to the other girls. “Everyone settling in okay?”

Charley nodded. Ari said, “We’re all good except Charley seems to have forgotten how to talk.”

“Don’t tease her,” Izzy said and added to Charley, “You are a her, right?”

“Yeah,” Charley said. “It’s short for Charlotte but no one calls me that except my grandma.”

“Looks like you found your voice again,” Sydney said, “which is good because we’re having an ice cream social in five minutes so that everyone at camp can get to know each other. Finish putting your stuff away and meet me at the cabin door.”

“Ice cream?” Charley said, surprised, as Sydney moved onto the next group. “Wow, that seems so normal. I guess camp won’t be so bad.”

“Told you,” Ari said.

Izzy gulped. “I hope everyone else is as nice as you,” she said. “My parents had to homeschool me last year cause the bullying got so bad.”

The other girls exchanged glances. “Don’t worry,” Ari said. “I have two dads and my mom taught me not to take any nonsenseabout it or anything else from anyone. So if someone’s going to start something, they’d better not do it in front of me.”

Charley said, “But you have to be careful, Ari! I heard one of your dads say you’d better not get in trouble this year like you did last year.”

Ari shrugged. “If it’s for a good cause, they’ll understand. Besides, Sydney’s my cousin so…” She smiled at Izzy. “Come on. Let’s go line up for ice cream.”

Charley’s eyes darted back and forth nervously as she followed the other girls to the door so Sydney could take them to the ice cream social.


Judge Walston was cross-examining Montague. In the audience, Nicole thought to herself: I wish Gabi was still here. I can’t stand listening to this creepozoid by myself.

She took out a pad and pen to take notes since phones weren’t allowed in the courtroom and wrote down an idea that had occurred to her.

Meanwhile, the judge said to Montague, “I have heard you testify that you were shot after climbing out a cabin window and running across a field full of law enforcement personnel. Is that correct?”

Motangue’s eyes shifted back and forth. “I wasn’t running, exactly,” he said. “I needed to get some supplies for Johnny and I knew I couldn’t go out the front so…”

“Let’s not split hairs,”the judge said, “or make excuses. Is it or is it not true that you were evading law enforcement at the time you were shot?”

“Yeah, I guess if you wanna put it that way…”

The judge’s eyes narrowed almost as much as Nicole’s did. “Now, before you were shot, did any police officer or anyone else tell you to stop running?”

Montague cocked his head to the side. “Come to think of it, I heard a lady’s voice. She said ‘Is that the scum that took Johnny?’ or some BS like that. Then BANG and I was down.”

“So you heard a woman’s voice but no police officer ordering you to stop or to surrender?”

“No, sir. I’d have known if she was one of them. I got a radar for them.”

“And you were shot in the back of the leg, correct?”

Montague nodded. “I can show you the bandage if you want.”

“That won’t be necessary.” Judge Walston leaned forward. “From wha you’re telling me, you never saw the person who shot you. You only heard someone make a comment in passing. And you did not see or hear Agent Hernandez during the incident. Is that correct?”

“Yeah. Just the lady.”

“And you do not know her name either or whether she had any relationship with Agent Hernandez?”

“Nah, but she was a hater so…”

“That’s enough,” Judge Walston said. “You are dismissed. Bailiff, prepare this witness for return to prison, please.”

Several guards surrounded the witness stand so that they could cuff Montague and put chains on his legs before taking him away.

Judge Walston said, “I have not yet made my decision about whether there is probable cause to proceed with Agent Hernandez’s trial. That will come at the end of this hearing. However, after talking to this witness, I believe he knows nothing of value that would be relevant to this case. He does not know who shot him. He did not see or have any interactions with the defendant. Therefore, I am ruling that this witness’ testimony is to be excluded from trial, should we proceed to one.”

Sloan jumped up. “Your Honor, with all due respect, he’s the victim in this case. He got shot and Agent Hernandez covered it up.”

“I am well aware of your theory of the case, Ms. Petersen,” Judge Walston said, “but this witness provides no evidence that furthers it. If in the future that changes, you are welcome to file a motion for reconsideration. Now, do you have any other witnesses?”

Sloan shook her head. “We rest, your Honor.”

“In that case, Mr. Kiriakis, do you have any rebuttal witnesses to present?”

“Just one,” Justin said. “I call my client, Agent Rafael Hernandez, to the witness stand.”

[André DiMera]

Glad the girls are, so far, being nice to Izzy. And that Charley’s warming up to the idea of camp.

Well, at least we won’t have to hear creepy Montague talk again during the trial, if there is one. Hopefully Rafe’s questioning goes well.

Great chapter, heroicmuse!

[Kpatch]

You are writing Charley really well. I can so relate to what she's feeling. I was such a shy little girl. One year my family went to a hotel in the Catskills and I ended up at the teen table so I could sit with my older sister. I didn't say one word until the day we were leaving, and someone at the table pointed that out.

[heroicmuse]

Week 503 - 3
Hannah paced back and forth around the kitchen of the safe house, breathing hard. “I’m not supposed to talk about my testimony,” she said to Kenneth. “Not til Chanel’s done, and even then… depending how it goes the DA could still want you to testify about her being there when Marcel kidnapped you. But it was… rough, even rougher than I thought it was gonna be and now… if Nat messes it all up so we have to start all over…”

Kenneth put his hands on her shoulders. “Listen to me, baby, all right?” He squeezed her shoulders. “Chances are Nat’s not getting away with this. ADA Rubin’s smart and so’s the judge, right? So — “

“I dunno about all that. That’s the same judge that put me on that ridiculous probation.”

“Even better.” Kenneth’s voice was calm, even, which irritated Hannah cause she didn’t get how he could be, under the circumstances. “If she wanted to throw the book at you cause you had an open beer you didn’t even drink, there’s no way she’s gonna put up with Nat’s nonsense.”

“I guess you’re right.” Hannah let her breath out slowly. “Whoo-ee. Sorry I got all crazy.”

“I get it. Nat’s this monster who’s got away with a lot of stuff she shouldn’t have. She should have been the one sitting in jail for a year over that beer, not you, and that’s the least of what she’s done to you.”

“At least I had the sense not to get jumped in. Chanel didn’t.”

“She learned the hard way.” Kenneth shook his head. “I thought when I found the girl who framed me for Marcel’s murder, I’d want her to get everything she got coming and then some. But I don’t know if it’s cause she turned out to be my cousin or cause Nat did her even worse than she did you, but I can’t hate her. If anything, I’m mad that Nat screwed with her on top of what the system did. I keep going back to, if we’d known all along that she was alive, if we’d been raised together like it was supposed to be instead of year after year of being thrown out like yesterday’s trash by one person after another who didn’t want her…” Kenneth shook his head. “Nat kicked her when she was down, you know? He found a 14-year-old orphan who was desperate for a family and used that against her. And the worst thing is, she wasn’t even an orphan at all but some damn hospital screwed up and it rippled outward til she was so messed up she fell for Nat’s lies and ended up in a gang.”


“Not like I didn’t make stupid choices too,” Chanel said, coming out of her room. Tears were drying on her face. “I hope that testifying’ll let me make up for it, but now I don’t know if I’ll get the chance.” She blinked hard. “I know one thing. When this is all over, I’m changing my name back to Brianna Hansen like it was supposed to be. I told Jeremy the other day I was thinking about it but now I”m for sure cause I… I don’t want to be associated with that person I used to be.”
“You sure?” Kenneth asked. “About the name, I mean, not the rest of it.”

“I think?” Chanel sighed. “I just want to make amends, that’s all I know.” Chanel threw herself on a stool by the kitchen counter.

Paul came in. “I don’t mean to be nosy,” he said, “but part of my job right now’s to make sure you’re not talking about Chanel’s testimony.”

“We’re not, believe me,” Hannah said. “Nat’s trying hard enough to get the case thrown out without us helping her.”

Paul nodded. “As long as you don’t say a word about what it was like for you and she doesn’t talk about what she plans to say, we’re good.”

“Sure wish the DA would get back to us about whether the case is going on,” Chanel said, reaching for an apple from a bowl on the counter. “Can I say that much?”

Paul nodded. Chanel tried to put on her bravest face, but Hannah could tell she was close to tears as she bit into the apple.


“Hi!” Marissa called brightly as she came into the apartment she shared with her mother.”Mom?”

“In here, darling,” her mother called.

Marissa came in. Her mother was sitting up in bed, doing a crossword puzzle like she always used to before she got sick. She was still a little too thin from the cancer, but otherwise she looked healthier than she had in months.

Marissa took a step back, not sure what to make of that. “You’re looking good,” she said.

“And feeling good,” her mom said. “Who knows, maybe the chemo worked. I’ll find out after my next scan next week Anyway, how was your afternoon?.”

“All right, I guess. I ran into Rory.”

Her mother took her reading glasses off and sat up straighter. “And?”

“And, there’s a chance we’ll make it. We haven’t decided anything but…” Marissa crossed her arms. “It would have been easier for us if you’d let me tell him you had cancer but whatever. He knows now, so…”

“He WHAT?” Marissa’s mother raised her voice. “I told you I didn’t want anyone to know outside of the family! How could you violate my privacy like that?”

[André DiMera]

It makes sense that there are so many conflicted feelings about what happened, particularly from Kenneth. I like Chanel’s idea about reclaiming the name she was supposed to have.

This isn’t going to go well with Marissa’s mother.

Great chapter, heroicmuse!

[heroicmuse]

Week 503 - 4
Marlena sat on the exam room table, waiting for Kayla to come in. Maxine had already taken her vitals and asked her what the reason was for her visit. Now she just had to wait.

Her p hone beeped. She glanced at it.

Text from John
Hey honey <3 I was in the mood for a surprise lunch date so what do you say I swing by in about an hour with some Thai food?

She stared at it, shaking her head. “I wish I could guarantee I’d be out of here within the hour. I”d much rather be with John than here.”

Kayla knocked and Marlena pushed her hair behind her ear and called, “Come in.”

Kayla came in, holding a folder. “Marlena. Hi.” She gave Marlena her biggest smile, then sat down next toher. “I know how hard it had to have been for you to come in and see me, especially after this morning. I know you’ve been experiencing sluggishness and difficulty concentrating. Are there any other symptoms that concern you?”

“Gosh, it’s hard to think,” Marlena said, rubbing the back of her neck. “I suppose that’s a symptom. Brain fog.”

Kayla nodded. “I don’t want you to panic,” she said. “There are lots of conditions that could cause these symptoms, and many of them are very treatable. I’d like to ask you some other questions to see if we can figure out what’s going on, okay?’ She waited for Marlena to nod her consent before going on, “Have you had any instances of more frequent urination?”

“Not more than is expected given my age,” Marlena said. “I rarely make it through the night without having to use the bathroom.”

“Right, of course. Excessive thirst?”

“Not at all.”

“Any dizziness or shortness of breath?”

“No, thank goodness.”

Kayla went through a bunch more questions. Then she said, “All right. So like I said, this could be one of a dozen or more issues, most very treatable. What I’d like to do is start with some blood tests and see what comes up for us. It’s very likely that your symptoms could be coming from something easily fixed, such as a thyroid condition or an iron deficiency.”

“Of course.” Marlena sighed. “But I do know my medicine as well. It’s also possible that these symptoms are early warning signs of something much more serious, isn’t it?”

“Possible but not probable. Let’s hope for the best.” Kayla patted Marlena’s shoulder before she went to get Maxine to take some blood.


The judge had called a short recess so that Justin could confer with Rafe.

Justin told Rafe, “This is our time to shine. I’ll be asking you questions that are aimed at demonstrating that they have no case and that Sloan Petersen and Melinda Trask are weaponizing the court against you as part of some petty revenge scheme because Nicole caused Trask to lose her license. Now, if this were trial, you’d have to deal with Sloan afterward, but because of the rules of this hearing, the judge will cross-examine you and I’m sure he will be fair. So all you need to do is stay calm and answer the questions.”

“I can do that,” Rafe said. “Long as I don’t have that idiot throwing a thousand accusations my way, it’s easy. What about my sister? You get her to behave?”

“Gabi had to leave, thank God,” Justin said, “though don’t tell her I said that last part. And hopefully without someone to bounce off of, Nicole won’t get any crazy ideas either.”

“We can only hope,” Rafe agreed. “All right. I’m ready, or at least as ready as I’m gonna be.”

A few m inutes later, the judge was back and Rafe was on the stand being sworn in.

“Go ahead, Mr. Kiriakis,” Judge Walston said. “Ask your first question.”

Rafe straightened his tie as Justin stood. Slaon and Trask were whispering to each other and he couldn’t help wondering what they had up their sleeves now.


Charley looked around at all the kids at the ice cream social, her eyes wide. She wished she could find Parker, but there was no way she could in this huge crowd.

She stared at the top of Ari’s head as she followed her to the table where all the ice cream was set up.

“What kind do you like?” Izzy asked from behind her, making Charley jump. “I hope they have cheesecake flavor.”

“Oh. Uh…” Charley’s heart pounded and she pushed her hair behind her ear. “At home we have a box that has vanilla, chocolate, and strawberry all in it.” Her cheeks flushed red.

“Strawberry’s good too,” Izzy said. “Maybe we could get cones and have more than one flavor.”

It was Charley’s turn. She looked over all the flavors, her heart pounding so hard she could barely speak. She looked over all the choices and decided she wanted mint chocolate chip. She pointed at it, too shy to ask for it.

“What’s wrong with that freak?” some kid said from behind her. “Why doesn’t she talk?”

Charley’s eyes filled with tears. She stared at the ice cream scoop as the counselor gave her two scoops of mint chocolate chip ice cream, wondering if he had heard and if he was going to bother to do anything about it.

[André DiMera]

Hopefully Kayla’s right and it’s something easily treatable.

Glad Rafe doesn’t have to be questioned by Sloan, though I’m sure she and Trask will be trying something.

Kids can be so mean. Glad Izzy’s trying to be nice to Charley. Hopefully one of the counselors will intervene.

Great chapter, heroicmuse!