Breaking Ties: An Ensemble Story (Read 248,005 times)

[André DiMera]

Glad Chanel (or Brianna) is thinking about this stuff now.

Justin makes a good point, since there’s no crime, it’s ridiculous that Rafe is being charged for covering up one. Hopefully Judge Walston will take that into consideration.

Great chapter, heroicmuse!

[heroicmuse]

Marissa said to her mother, “Look, I know you wanted your privacy but — “

“But you told a boy who wasn’t worth anything in the end, who broke your heart.”

“That is not true!” Marissa’s voice rose. “Rory and I had a misunderstanding is all, and that was partially your fault because you wouldn’t let me tell him what was going on. He didn’t understand why I was spending all this time alone with you while he was dealing with his dad’s death, and so he withdrew from me, and I was so mad I withdrew from him and it was… well, it was a mess. And all that because you practically made me sign an NDA about your stupid cancer instead of letting the man I love help support us.”

Marissa’s mother stared at her. “Don’t talk to me like that,” she said quietly. “You know how ill I am. Let’s not have regrets right at the end.”

“The end isn’t yet,” Marissa said, crossing her arms. “What’s the big deal with Rory knowing, anyway?”

Marissa’s mom coughed. “He’s not part of this family,” she said. “And I thought you wanted it that way.”

“No.” Marissa shook her head. “You wanted it that way. I was forced to have it that way because I thought that was how to respect my dying mother. And I almost threw away the best thing that ever happened to me because of it. Do you know what Rory did when I told him? He offered to pay for your medical treatment.”

“That’s nice, but it’s just words, honey. He’s a barista at a coffee shop. He doesn’t have the kind of money —”

“Doug left him a big inheritance. But I told him no. That’s not why Doug gave him that money. Anyway, the point is, he would do that for you and you’re busy being angry that he knows that you’re sick. Tell me how that makes sense.”

Marissa’s mother was silent for a minute. “Maybe it doesn’t make sense,” she said slowly, “but you don’t understand what it’s like to have this kind of disease, to know that your body is failing you and that it’s only a matter of time, that treatment is likely just delaying the inevitable. I know you don’t understand this, but it’s…. Shameful.”

“Why?” Marissa asked. “It’s not like you chose to get sick.”

“It’s not thing I can explain. It’s just how I feel. I don’t want people to know because I don’t want them to look at me and think that I’m just a sick old woman who’s going to die.”

Marissa shrugged. “But keeping it secret doesn’t make you live longer. It just makes it so no one can help you.”

“I suppose.” Marissa’s mom sighed. She reached for Marissa’s hand. “So from how you’re talking… are you and Rory back together?”

Marissa swallowed hard, not sure how to answer that question.


Nat had been brought back into Judge Hildebrand’s courtroom, where she was sitting at the defense table with her lawyer. Rubin was at the prosecution table.

“All right,” Judge Hildebrand said. “First things first. I have reviewed the evidence offered by Ms. Melanie Clayton and have spoken to both attorneys. I have determined that this evidence is phony and that it was created using some sort of AI application to make it appear that Ms. Rubin had spoken about the case to a reporter. Considering this information, I have determined that this evidence is irrelevant and inadmissible and the motion for a mistrial is therefore denied. It is of great concern that these outlandish accusations were made in front of the jury; however, I will instruct them to disregard it when it comes time for them to deliberate.

“I have also spoken with Mr. Saxon and have determined that he did not engage in any behavior worthy of sanctions. Ms. Simmons, this type of behavior and attempt to interfere with your trial is unacceptable. I have warned your attorney that even the appearance of supporting such behavior could get him sanctioned or worse. Now I must warn you that if the DA’s office chooses, they could press additional charges against you for attempting to obstruct justice. Do you understand?”

“Yes, your Honor,” Nat said, looking down in an effort to seem contrite.

“Good. Ms. Rubin, are you ready to proceed?”

“In a minute,” Rubin said. “First, I’d like to put forth two motions. One, I am indeed ready to press additional charges, so I would like to file a motion to add charges for obstruction of justice via falsifying evidence and conspiracy to disrupt a legal proceeding as well as obstruction of justice by attempting to intimidate witnesses, as Ms. Martin just testified to.”

“Your Honor!” Saxon said, jumping up, but Hildebrand held up her hand and said, “I already said that I would support the filing of additional charges, so the motion is granted. Anything else, Ms. Rubin?”

“Yes,” Rubin said, her eyes very narrow. “Ms. Simmons has proven over and over that she is a danger to those who would testify against her and broke half a dozen laws with this fake video. For both of these reasons, I ask that you revoke her bail and remand her to Supermax for the duration of this trial.”

[André DiMera]

This is a complicated situation with Marissa’s mother. Wonder what Marissa will say.

So glad the judge threw out that stupid video, and agreed to add additional charges! Hopefully she’ll agree to the res5 of Rubin’s requests!

Great chapter, heroicmuse!

[Kpatch]

I think Marissa got through to her mother, at least I hope so. It's very sad that she thinks having the disease is shameful.

[heroicmuse]

Week 504 - 5
“I wonder what we’re actually going to get to do at camp,” Ari said, taking a spoonful of butter pecan ice cream. “I mean, it’s cool they gave us ice cream but it’s not exactly exciting.”

Charley stared into space, saying nothing. Ari said, “Charley? Hello? You with us?”

Charley flinched. Her head jerked up and she said, “Sorry. Just thinking about that girl. I hope she doesn’t come over here.”

“She’d better not,” Izzy said, “but if she does you have a posse. That’s what my mom taught me when I first came out. She said that I need to find the people who will stand up for me right away cause that way, when I cross paths with someone who has nothing better to do than tear others down, I know there’s people who have my back.”

Charley nodded but said nothing.

Ari said, “That’s us. We’re each others posses.” She grinned. “It sounds like something out of an old Western, doesn’t it?”

Charley mumbled, “I don’t watch Westerns.”

“My uncle Johnny likes classic movies. He showed me some,” Ari said.

“That’s cool,” Izzy said. “Did you know that a lot of trans people lived on the frontier? Since it was like, all new land, and far away from people who disapproved, they could be themselves.” She glanced at Charley, who was staring into space again. “But we shouldn’t leave Charley out. We’ll have to wait til we’ve shown her some Westerns to continue this conversation.”

Sydney came over just then. “How are you all doing so far?” she asked.

Ari said, “Fine but bored.”

“Hey!” Izzy said.

“Not with you,” Ari said. “I was just wondering what activities we’ll be doing.”

“You guys will get a sign up sheet in a little bit,” Sydney said. “There’s swimming, horseback riding, archery, and hiking, and we just need to know who wants to do what so we can organize the groups.” She glanced at Charley . “Hey. You’re awfully quiet.”

Charley shrugged.

“A mean girl made fun of her in the line,” Izzy said, “and she’s barely spoken since.”

Charley reddened, embarrassed, as Sydney turned toward her and said, “What mean girl, Charley? What happened?”


Trask and Sloan had gone to the courthouse cafeteria while they were waiting for Judge Walston to make his decision.

Trask said to Sloan, “THis is going our way, right? There’s no way that judge will dismiss the case?”

“If he does, we’ll appeal, because that would just prove that he’s biased. He should have recused himself. He was the one who sanctioned you at Gabi Hernandez’s hearing, so in what universe is he impartial? If we bring this to an appellate judge, he’ll be smacked down and that’ll hurt his reputation. He’ll start having people saying he’s lost his touch and he should retire. And he knows it and that is why he will rule in our favor.”

“”I sure hope so.” Trask wrapped her hands around her coffee cup. “Rafe Hernandez has gotten away with so much. What we’re accusing him of barely scratches the surface. If he gets away with this too…”

“He won’t,” Sloan said. Her phone beeped. “Hopefully not, anyway, but we’re about to find out. Judge is back.”



In the safe house kitchen, Jeremy was cracking some eggs into a bowl when Kenneth walked into the kitchen.

Jeremy looked up. “Hey, man,” he said. “I’ll be out of your way in a sec.”

“It’s cool,” Kenneth said. “Hannah needs some water is all.”

Jeremy nodded. He watched as Kenneth got a bottle of water out of the fridge. “Hey,” he said. “How’s she doing?”

Kenneth shrugged. “She’s hanging tough, or trying to. This is hard on her, being stuck here.”

“I get it.” Jeremy crossed his arms. “I’m in here scrambling some eggs cause I don’t know what the hell else to do. I mean, I can’t do anything for Brianna, so —”

“Brianna?” Kenneth said. “She… that was the name she was supposed to have.”

“I know.” Jeremy smiled slightly. “She asked me to call her that. I don’t know if it’s gonna stick once we’re out of here, and honestly, I don’t know if it should.”

Kenneth frowned. “That’s her birth name. It was stolen from her like everything else when they told my mom… um, my aunt… that her baby girl was dead.”

Jeremy held his hands out. “I wasn’t trying to knock who she is. I just meant, the way she talks… she thinks Chanel is the bad girl and that if she changes her name back she can separate from her past and there’s something in the way she talks that’s not healthy, you know?”

Kenneth shrugged. “She just wants a clean break is all. And she knows all this pain she was in, that wouldn’t have happened if she wasn’t taken from us at birth, so…”

“I get it. I just think being locked up here’s taking as much of a toll on her as it is on your girl, you know? And having to be on pins and needles not knowing whether she can testify or not isn’t helping.”

Chanel came out just tne. “I have an update about that,” she said. “The DA’s in court right now trying to get sanctions on Nat for messing with the trial, but they’re gonna be calling me any minute.”

[André DiMera]

Glad Izzy and Ari are there for Charley, and that Izzy told Sydney about Charley being bullied.

Hopefully this won’t go the way Sloan and Trask think.

Interesting conversation. Glad Kenneth understands Chanel wanting to change her name. Hopefully Chanel testifying will go well.

Can we please have previews, heroicmuse?

[Kpatch]

I would like to see Kenneth and Brianna bond since they should have grown up together. They were also both lied to about their true parentage.

[heroicmuse]

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

Coming Up on Breaking Ties...

Coming Up on Days of Our Lives...

The courtroom crackles with tension as Judge Walston makes his ruling. And after it's finished, Nicole is tempted to misuse her position, but gets support from an unexpected source, one who she's given similar advice to in the past.

And in the other courtroom, Saxon is flustered as he struggles to explain why Nat shouldn't be remanded to Supermax, but will the judge listen to him anyway?

Meanwhile, John's instincts tell him that something is wrong and he pushes Marlena to tell him the truth about her health scare, and is surprised and shocked by what she says.

And finally, Rory pours out his heart at Doug's gravesite, Hannah and Brianna bond while waiting for Brianna to be called to testify, and Sydney offers support to Charley, who is reluctant to admit she's being bullied.

[Kpatch]

Looking forward to Rory, Hannah and Brianna and Charley! Thanks for the previews.

[André DiMera]

Wonder who Nicole gets support from. Can’t wait for Judge Walston’s ruling!

Hopefully the judge doesn’t listen to Saxon.

I hope Marlena opens up to John.

Glad we’ll see more of Rory. And that Hannah and Brianna will bond. Thank goodness Charley tells Sydney what’s going on!

Thanks for the previews, heroicmuse!

[heroicmuse]

Week 505 - 1

Saxon stood. “Your Honor, my client is innocent until proven guilty, just like any other criminal defendant. Thus, to remand her to custody would be to incarcerate her ahead of having been convicted of any crime. Aren’t there enough people of color being held in jails and prisons for spurious reasons?”

Rubin’s eyes narrowed. “While Mr. Saxon is attempting to manipulate the court by suggesting the only way not to be seen as a racist is to deny this motion, the court has to make decisions based in law regardless of how it may be perceived. The fact of the matter is that bail is granted only under certain conditions, and if those conditions are not met, the bailee risks being held in jail while their case is being prosecuted. And one such bail condition that is standard in every criminal case is that the defendant will refrain from committing further criminal offenses. This defendant did not. This defendant has been attempting to tamper with witnesses and just recently conspired to falsify evidence in order to obtain a mistrial she was not entitled to. Therefore, her bail should be revoked. Furthermore, the nature of these crimes is such that the defendant presents a clear danger to others, and for that reason she should be held in Supermax rather than at Salem City Jail.”

Nat rolled her eyes. “That girl did that on her own. You can’t punish me for that.”

“Nat,” Saxon said under his breath. “Remember what I told you. I do the talking in here, not you.”

Nat glared at him but said nothing.

“Do you have any further arguments, Mr. Saxon?” Judge Hildebrand said.

“Yes, your Honor,” Saxon said. He straightened his tie. “We, um,... while there may be merit to the bail revocation, um… the fact is she is only alleged to have committed these new crimes, and anyway, um… even if you remand her, Supermax is extreme. It’s, uh, uncustomary to send pre-trial detainees to such a restrictive environment, e-especially if, I mean since,, that would be extreme punishment without, you know, any conviction, and, um…”

“Let’s put you out of your misery, Mr. Saxon,” Judge Hildebrand said. “Your argument is that it is unusual to hold pre-trial detainees in Supermax prison, yes? I take your point as well as Ms. Rubin’s about these very serious charges. Go get some water and take some deep breaths; this will be a short recess for me to think things over, and then I will be back with my decision.”



The waitress was taking John and Marlena’s orders. Marlena ordered a salad with shrimp and John ordered a burger and fries. After the waitress left, John said, “Shrimp salad? That doesn’t sound like you, Doc.”

Marlena smiled slightly. “I thought, why not try something new? After all, life is too short not to take risks, right?”

“That’s a fact.” John leaned forward. “Now, about those pictures of our granddaughter…”

Marlena’s jaw tightened and she was already regretting the lie she had told. “Later. RIght now is supposed to be about you and me, not you, me, and our phones.”

“I suppose you’re right.” John lifted his water glass. “Or… could be that that’s not what you were lookin’ at all. Come on, Doc. You married a detective, you really think I’m so lousy at it I can’t tell when the person I know best is lying to me?”

Marlena swallowed hard. “I’m not lying, exactly. I’m… well, I suppose I was trying to protect your feelings. The thing is, I don’t know anything yet and I don’t want you to fret for no reason whatsoever, so…”

“Hold on, hold on,” John said. “I’m gettin’ half a story here. You don’t want me to worry about what? And what don’t you know yet? Doc… are you dying?”

“Goodness, no. At least, I don’t think so.” Marlena sighed deeply. “But there is a more-than-zero chance that in a couple of years, I won’t know you anymore.”

“Won’t know… what are you talking about?”

The waitress came back with their food just then. Marlena turned toward the colorful salad, with its fresh peppers, tomatoes, and lettuce, as soon as the waitress was gone. “Oh my, this looks wonderful.”

“Yeah, it does,” John said, “but don’t think I forgot what we were talking about. Now, what’s goin’ on Doc? Come on, didn’t we take vows to love one another in sickness or in health?”

Marlena stiffened. “We did.”

“Then whatever it is that’s wrong with you…”

“I don’t know how to say this.” Marlena blinked hard. “You see, I’ve been having lower energy lately and even coffee isn’t doing the trick.”

“Yeah, cause you’re working too damn hard.”

“Maybe. I went to Kayla and I had some tests done just in case and, well, my iron and vitamin B12 are low. That’s why I ordered shrimp salad, because shrimp is one of the very best sources of iron, and eating more raw vegetables won’t hurt either.”

“Sounds like a plan,” John said, “but what is this about you losin’ your mind?”

“That’s the thing. There could be many causes for these deficiencies. But sometimes… not always mind you… but in some cases, low iron and B12 in older people can be an early warning sign of dementia.”

[André DiMera]

Hopefully Judge Hildebrand will make the right decision. Saxon sure didn’t help Nat’s case (thankfully!).

Glad John kept pushing to get Marlena to tell him what’s going on. Wonder how he’ll react.

Great chapter, heroicmuse!

[heroicmuse]

Week 505 - 2
Rory came up to Doug’s grave, holding a bouquet of flowers, some purple lilies, some white. He put them carefully on Doug’s grave and then sat down by it.

“I hope you like the flowers,” Rory said. “You were never a flower guy as far as I know, but in all the movies and everything, that’s what people always do, so I got you a bouquet. The flower lady said bright colors like these will make your gravesite pretty and show everyone who’s passing by that someone cares about the person in this grave, so…” He blinked hard. “I feel silly sitting here talking to a gravestone but it’s the only way I got left to talk to you.” He pulled his knees to his chest, sighing. “I miss being able to ask you for advice. You always knew what to do about everything, especially girls. I could talk to Julie, I guess, but it’s not the same without you butting in to stop her from going off the deep end.” He smiled slightly, then let the smile fade. “I sure could use some of your advice right about now. It’s about Marissa. You remember her, right? Yeah, that’s right, the girl I was crazy about. Still am but…” Rory looked up at the sky. “I screwed it all up,” he said, his voice shaking. “I thought she didn’t want me anymore so I stopped talking to her and then when you died, I didn’t know how to tell her I needed her. I thought it was over, dude, and I like, just accepted that instead of fighting for her.

“Only now I met her in the Square and it was like, what did you used to call it? That thing that started with a P that was like fate? It felt like it cause that’s how her and me began all those years ago. You remember? You and Julie took me to get clothes right after you took me in, and I ran into Marissa in the Square? A-after that dude who worked in Barrons thought the only reason I’d be in there was to steal something. Julie ripped them a new one and I ran away and later you told me… you told me not to let what anyone thought of me get me down and that I’d show them by staying on the right path no matter what they said…” Rory’s voice cracked. “L-look at me crying like a big baby,” he sniffed. “My point is, after I left that fancy pants store I met Marissa for the first time and now I met her again today a-and we had coffee but I don’t know if it’s going anywhere or if it’s too late a-and you’re not here for me to ask…”

Rory’s shoulders shook and he began to cry.

He felt a hand on his shoulder and looked up.


Nicole sat back down in her seat in the spectator area of Judge Walston’s courtroom. She glanced up at the ceiling and said, “I know I’ve said I don’t think You exist, but I’m praying anyway. Rafe’s innocent and he can’t go to jail over this. He can’t. Please let the judge throw out the case so that he and I can stop worrying about this hanging over his head. Please.”

JJ slipped in next to her. “Don’t worry,” he said. “This judge is tough but he’s fair. I know cause he put me through the wringer when I had my Certificate of Good Conduct hearing all those years ago, but in the end he came through for me.”

“I know you have 50 million reasons to trust him,” Nicole said. “And if there was any justice in this world the judge would throw this case out and slap Sloan and Trask with a hefty fine. But so many crazy things have happened I’m afraid to hope, you know?”

“You gotta focus on the positive,” JJ said. “Didn’t you used to tell me that?”

“Look at you, throwing my words in my face.” Nicole smiled slightly. “Hey, you sure it’s all right for you to be here? If your boss thinks we’re sharing secrets…”

JJ shrugged. “Long as I report on this case, I’m good. I can’t help it another member of the press was doing the same thing, right? Besides, we both care about Rafe so how can we not support each other through this.”

Nicole’s face trembled slightly, but she made herself smile. As the bailiff announced the judge coming in, she thought Thank goodness. I needed to get out of this conversation.

Everyone stood for the judge. When he was settled, they all sat down and he said, “All right. I took my time with this decision because nothing is more important than ensuring that any trial that goes forward is fair. This is a cornerstone of justice, to make sure that the only cases that move forward are those supported by enough evidence of guilt that the defendant needs to stand trial. The court must not hold people over for trial based on speculation or on emotion, nor must the court ever be used as a weapon to get revenge over those who the prosecutor does not like for one reason or another.”

Judge Walston gave Sloan and Trask a look. Then he said, “There were several things that concerned me about this case. There are very few people who know what happened the night that Bill Montague was shot. It seems that the prosecution provided only one witness to the shooting itself, and that was Agent Cooper. They did not subpoena Ms Roberts, the alleged shooter, and the victim did not see who shot him. That left me to wonder why the prosecution persisted in calling witnesses who had seen nothing. The best witnesses against the defendant were here by subpoena, reluctant to testify against him, and one was here solely to establish that he had engaged in similar behavior a decade ago.

“On the face of it, it seemed to me that this case was extraordinarily weak. The entire case rests on the defendant’s partner’s testimony that the defendant used his discretion to decide not to charge the alleged shooter and another witness’ testimony that many years ago, the defendant covered up another shooting for the sake of a woman he loved who behaved irresponsibly.

“However, I must look at all the evidence in total and ask myself if there is sufficient cause to hold this defendant over for trial. On the one hand, there is a weak, but not non-existent case on the prosecution’s side. On the other, there is the defendant’s own testimony, and there was one thing in that testimony that gave me pause. The defendant, in my view, had a strong alternative explanation for much of the evidence against him, such as his meetings with the alleged shooter. However, there was one piece of evidence which, though his explanation is plausible, the prosecution could challenge it. And that is the fact that he told the police that he had shot the victim even though the truth was that he was inside the cabin with Johnny Dimera when the shots rang out. The defendant, of course, has an explanation for this, but I find that the prosecution has a case for their contention that the defendant lied. And the fact of this inaccurate statement, more than any other, is the evidence on which this case rests. If the prosecution is successful in demonstrating to the jury that Mr. Hernandez lied for the purpose of interfering with any prosecution of his friend for the shooting, he must be found guilty. If instead, the jury decides that he simply misspoke, he must be found not guilty. I have my own opinion, of course, but that is not relevant. The fact that the defendant gave this inaccurate statement, in conjunction with the testimony of his partner that he declined to arrest the alleged shooter, is probable cause to hold him over for trial on the charge that he gave false testimony with the aim of stopping the arrest and prosecution of his friend. I do not, however, find there is sufficient evidence that he conspired with the alleged shooter, either ahead of time or after the fact, to cover up the truth about the shooting. Therefore, I dismiss all charges on these grounds except for the charges of obstructing justice through giving false testimony and the charge of making false statements to a police officer.”

Justin straightened his tie and started to stand up.

Judge Walston held up his hand. “I have not forgotten your further motions, Mr. Kiriakis. Of the two arguments you made, I believe the claim of vindictive prosecution is the stronger. It is true that Ms. Roberts was not charged with the shooting. However, the charges against your client are for obstructing justice for the purpose of stopping her from being charged. Therefore, it would not be logical to dismiss the case out of hand because Ms. Roberts was not charged with the crime your client is accused of covering up, because it is possible the lack of charges is because he was successful in obstructing justice. And if that were the case, dismissing the charges would simply reward him for successful criminal behavior. This does not mean, of course, that I am assuming guilt. Mr.. Hernandez has the right to presumption of innocence. I simply mean that it does not logically follow that he cannot be guilty of covering up a crime because the person he was covering for was not charged with the crime.”

Judge Walston sighed. “Now, for the vindictive prosecution charge. I must admit that there is much to concern me here. It is clear that Melinda Trask lost her law license because of attempting to gain evidence in this case in an illegal and unethical manner, and some of the behavior in this courtroom has come close to crossing the line. However, regardless of this issue, the fact still remains that there is probable cause for the reasons I have already explained. Therefore, at this time, rather than dismiss the case, I will say this: Ms. Petersen, as the attorney of record, you are responsible for your behavior in the courtroom. I am not going to dismiss the case at this time; however, I must warn you that if you do not follow the rules of courtroom decorum or are overly antagonistic in your approach, I reserve the right to reconsider.”

Sloan’s eyes narrowed, but she said, “Yes, your Honor.”

“Very good,” Judge Walston said. “One last thing. Ms. Trask is not ilcensed to practice law in this state. Therefore, it is not appropriate for her to be sitting second chair on this case. I will not bar her from watching the trial if she so wishes, but she is not to be part of the proceedings from this point forward.Are we all clear on this point?”

The judge waited for Trask to mumble her understanding before saying, “I know this has been a long explanation. So in summary, my order is as follows: Rafael Hernandez, I order that the charges of obstruction of justice via providing false testimony and lying to a police officer are upheld, but the charges of conspiracy to cover up a crime and abuse of your power as a law enforcement officer are dismissed. I further order that your bail agreement continue, which means you are free to go as long as you follow all requirements of the bail agreement. Finally, I will set a date for a pre-trial conference for one month from now. At that conference, you will have an opportunity to make a deal with the prosecutor rather than proceeding to trial. Please be here at 9 AM on September 12. That is all.”

Rafe’s shoulders slumped as the judge banged his gavel. Sloan was smirking.

[André DiMera]

Glad Rory talked to Doug’s grave. Wonder who put their hand on his shoulder.

Well, at least the charges of covering up a crime have been dropped, and Trask was reminded she’s not actually a lawyer anymore. Sucks that Rafe will still be put on trial, though.

Great chapter, heroicmuse!

[Kpatch]

It's sweet that Rory wanted to talk to Doug. I hope it's JJ that came up behind him.