Breaking Ties: An Ensemble Story (Read 251,891 times)

[Kpatch]

I agree that Eve should have given Paige advance notice but Paige overreacted. I guess Eve just triggers her.

I'm glad to hear Sami is on her way.

[heroicmuse]

Week 516 - 5
JJ and Paige were coming down the hall toward Marlena’s penthouse when Eve came out of the elevator.

“Here comes my mom,” Paige said under her breath. She frowned. “Where’s Eric?”

JJ shrugged. “Guess maybe he’s already here.”

The other elevator dinged and Eric came out with Sami, who was blinking back tears still. JJ said to Paige, “Guess we got our answer to that.”

“Yeah.” Paige crossed her arms. “The only question is, will either of them have enough sense not to start with each other when the point of being here is to pay our respects after John’s death?”

Sami turned just then and locked eyes with Eve, who refused to look away.


Meanwhile, downstairs, Nicole was waiting while Rafe spoke on the phone with Justin. “You sure I’m off the hook for today?” Rafe said. “Yeah, thank God for Judge Walston. I figured if anyone would understand, it’s him. Yes, I will be there Monday bright and early so we can get this over with. Um, what kind of offer is Sloan Petersen planning on making me, anyway? No, you’re right, we don’t need to talk about that right now. It’s just, it’s hanging over my head, you know? Look, I get it, but even the thought of having to listen to her… yeah, you’re right. We’ll talk about it after I’m finished here.”

Rafe rubbed his temples as he hung up.

“If it wasn’t in such poor taste, I’d say you looked like someone just died,” Nicole said. “Seriously, what nonsense does Sloan think she’s selling?”

“Justin wouldn’t say, exactly,” Rafe said. “It doesn’t matter, and I know it doesn’t. Justin’s explained I don’t know how many times that this is how the game’s played. They gotta meet with me 3 separate times to try to get me to take a deal before we go to trial. So as long as she offers something in good faith and I act like I’m considering it, we go to trial. Still, there’s no freakin’ way I’m doing time, not when I’m innocent, and the idea that she’s gonna try to tell me to take 10 or 15 years instead of rolling the dice at trial… it’s just a reminder of why she’s doing this and what she’s hoping she’s gonna do to me.”

Nicole squeezed his shoulder. “She’s not used to someone saying no and meaning it, that’s all. If you ask me, she’s tipping her hand too early with all this nonsense. Her case has to be extraordinarily weak if she’s that desperate to get you to agree to jail without her having to do anything.”

“I dunno about that. Like I said, this is how the game is played. Maybe you’re right, maybe she’s giving away that she’s got nothing, but maybe she’s just trying to lull me into a false sense of security.” Rafe sighed deeply. “Let’s just forget it for now. I’m here cause John is gone and Marlena needs her friends around her. Come on.”

Nicole looked concerned as Rafe took her hand so they could go upstairs.


Joy was on a police cart, patrolling the campus, when her radio buzzed. “10-59, 10-59, Grayson Residence Hall.”

She pressed a button on her radio. “This is Unit 1108. I’m two minutes away, headed there now. Over.”

“Be careful, Officer. Room 1512, reported break-in. Call came from a Samira Pindera. Meet on site.”

“Copy,” Joy said, and put the siren on on her cart before rushing across the campus.


Dani was walking across campus, talking to Alison on the phone. “Yeah, so Sally had me look into Josh’s record. This wasn’t his first arrest, but a lot of them were bogus. DId you know it started with him being arrested in 2012 for drug trafficking?”

“Drug… what?” Alison said. “Josh isn’t a drug dealer. That has to have been bogus too.”

“I don’t know what the story was,” Dani says, “cause it’s sealed and Sally doesn’t think we can unseal it. I found a couple articles that said he claimed he was just dropping his friend off somewhere and they arrested him for trafficking because the friend was apparently buying drugs in the building he stopped at.”

“Gosh, my brother has the worst luck,” Alison said. “That was obviously BS just like this latest thing. You said it was sealed?”

“Yeah, but I think it’s cause — ”

Just then, a siren blew. Dani turned as Joy pulled up beside her. “Dani, right?” Joy said. “I just got a call your room was broken into. I’m headed there now; mind coming with me so we can talk about who might have done this?”

“I gotta go,” Dani told Alison. Her heart pounded as she approached Joy’s cart so she could get in.

[André DiMera]

I really hope Sami and Eve don’t start something at John’s memorial.

Glad Rafe isn’t planning to take a deal, and that Nicole is there for him.

Wonder who broke into Dani’s room. Glad Joy is on the case.

Can we please have previews, heroicmuse?

[Kpatch]

Sami and Eve both need to grow up, especially at a time like this.

[heroicmuse]

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

We're coming close to the end of Nat's trial, finally, but that doesn't mean we don't have a lot of raw emotion coming up! Plus, a tribute to John later in the week. Read on for spoilers.

Coming Up on Breaking Ties...
Judge Hildebrand has an emotional conversation with Mrs. MacGregor, who doesn't realize that Chanel was put into a safe house and thinks she was arrested for drugs. Hildebrand debates whether to tell her the truth while listening to her love for her young client, but will this conversation help her make the right decision about Nat's future placement?

Meanwhile, the safe house residents are upset to hear that Nat might be going to the halfway house, especially Brianna, who is afraid she will never be able to put her life as Chanel behind her or even be safe in the world. Hannah, too, is upset. Will the safe house residents ever be allowed to go home? And will their mental health be intact if and when they do?

Elsewhere, Eric and Paige stop Sami and Eve from confronting each other at John's memorial, and the memorial itself finally gets underway.

All this and more on next week's Breaking Ties!

[André DiMera]

I really hope the judge tells Mrs. MacGregor what’s going on.

Hopefully the safe house residents can go home eventually.

Glad Eric and Paige stop Sami and Eve. I’m sure the memorial will be moving.

Thanks for the previews, heroicmuse!

[heroicmuse]

Week 518 - 1
“Coffee?” Judge Hildebrand asked, pouring herself a cup from a machine near her desk.

“Oh, no thank you,” Mrs. MacGregor said. She fidgeted with her hands in her chair. “You said you had some questions about Chanel Dupree?”

“Yes,” Judge Hildebrand said. “I knew I could trust you to be both objective and discreet. I need to make some decisions in a case I am considering right now. So I need to know how Ms. Dupree has done in your program.”

Mrs. MacGregor sighed. “She was doing well, before she relapsed and was arrested.”

“Arrested?” Judge Hildebrand said, confused.

“About two months ago. She was pulled over and they found drugs on her. I was shocked, to tell you the truth. I know how insidious addiction can be but Chanel, she seemed in it for the long haul. She was clean, she got her GED and was thinking about whether she wanted to get a college degree or join the workforce, she did all her chores without complaint, she had a boyfriend who was sober and supportive of her… it just didn’t make any sense that she would turn to drugs again.”

Judge Hildebrand took a sip of her coffee to buy herself time while she debated whether to tell Mrs. MacGregor the truth. It seemed cruel to let her think that her star client had relapsed to the point where she had gotten herself arrested. But it was a security risk to tell Mrs. MacGregor, not because she would tell anyone who could hurt Chanel, but because the more people who knew, the more likely it was that Natalie Simmons would somehow find out where Chanel was.

“You seem quite taken with this young woman,” Judge Hildebrand commented.

“Oh, I am. She is one of my biggest success stories, or was. She even took full responsibility for shooting that drug dealer who had traumatized her. I took her to the police station myself a-and watched them put that sweet girl in cuffs for something that I consider self-defense. The things that man did to her, the ways her ruined her life, the ways he tormented her…” Mrs. MacGregor’s voice was hard. “She was so brave, turning herself in wit the full awareness that she could go away for years, maybe even for the rest of her life. But the DA worked something out with her. She was supposed to testify against the woman who had started her down this path, and then two days before the trial began she relapsed.” Mrs. MacGregor shook her head. “I suppose I’m missing a step in my old age. I should have known with the stress of the trial, she was at risk and intervened.”

Judge Hildebrand patted her hand. “Don’t be so hard on yourself. Sometimes there is more to these things than meets the eye, and it’s easy to miss the signs.” She took another sip of her coffee. “She did testify, so you know. She appeared in my courtroom by closed-circuit television.”

“Is that why you are asking about her? Are you considering dismissing the charges against her since she continued to cooperate after her arrest?” Mrs. MacGregor’s eyes were wide.

“Something like that.” Judge Hildebrand said. “Now the terms of her probation is that she was supposed to be with you for five years, correct?”

Mrs. MacGregor nodded. “To tell you the truth, I was kind of hoping she would stay voluntarily after her sentence was over. She wouldn’t really need to, but, well…” She crossed her arms. “For the longest time, Chanel had no mother. She had supposedly been abandoned at the hospital as a newborn, and many of her problems stemmed from having never had a family. I was… well, until we learned that her mother was not only alive and well but that a terrible clerical error had robbed them both of the chance to bond before she became a young woman… I was considering adopting her myself.”

“She’s special to you,” Judge Hildebrand said. “I could see why, when she testified. There was an honesty about her.” She took another sip of coffee. “Thank you so much for sharing your perspective, Mrs. MacGregor.”

“Of course. Anything I can do to help.” Mrs. MacGregor stood. “You know, it’s strange. They wouldn’t tell me where she was being held. They said it was maximum security, which doesn’t make much sense if her only crime was that she had drugs on her person that she hadn’t used yet. I feel like there has to be something they are not telling me.”

Judge Hildebrand’s jaw tightened while she considered again whether to tell Mrs. MacGregor the truth.


Dani’s eyes were wide as she climbed into the police cart. “What’s going on?” she asked, and then turned her head away, blushing. Even saying that much to Joy made her feel shy and nervous.

“I just got a call someone broke into your dorm room.” Joy tried to keep it strictly professional, but she felt so silly talking to Dani that way she had to bite her lip to stop from laughing at a situation that was not funny at all. “I don’t want you to panic,” she added, talking more like herself. “Or to get hurt. So when we get there, I’m going to check with some other officers to make sure your dorm is safe before you go up, okay? And then you can look at your room and tell me if anything’s missing, but I’m gonna need you to keep from touching anything.”

Dani’s eyes got even wider. “Someone… but who would do that? I don’t have much worth stealing. I mean, I have a laptop but they sell them at a discount at the Salem U store, and there’s nothing else valuable in my room.”

“Nothing at all?”

Dani shook her head. “I have all e-textbooks, not that anyone would steal my textbooks. I mean, you can buy them used for like $10.” She realized she was talking too fast and made herself take a deep breath, not wanting to seem ridiculous in front of Joy.

“Hmm,” Joy said. “Anything on your laptop that someone might find valuable? Top secret information or anything?” She turned bright red, realizing how silly that sounded.

“No,” Dani said, “but maybe someone thought I did.” She patted her phone. “I was just at the newsroom helping look into something, so if they thought I had info on my computer…”

“They could try to steal it. Okay, that’s something.” Joy pulled up to the curb in front of the dorm. “Okay, we’re here. Sit tight til I tell we’re good to go.”

Dani nodded. She watched Joy hop out of the cart, tracing her slender figure with her eyes and smiling to herself even though the idea of someone having broken into her room scared her to death.

[Kpatch]

It was nice of Mrs. McGregor to go to bat for Chanel.

[André DiMera]

I wonder if the judge will tell Mrs. MacGregor the truth.

Seems like both Dani and Joy are nervous around each other. Glad Joy is checking things out first.

Great chapter, heroicmuse!

[heroicmuse]

Week 518 - 2
“I see,” Andrew said on the phone. “Yes, I’ll tell her. Thank you for letting me know.” He hung up and sighed to himself before he went down the hall and knocked on the door.

“Chanel?” he called.

“No one here by that name!” Brianna called and Jeremy added, “She wants to use her birth name. Brianna.”

“Right, sorry.” Andrew sighed deeply. “Listen, can you come out into the common area? I’m going to get the others too. I have some news I need to share.”

“Uh oh,” Brianna said. “Is it something that’s going to give us nightmares?”

“No comment,” Andrew said, “mostly because I can’t control what gives you nightmares. Just come out, please.” He walked away to go knock on the other bedroom door.

A few minutes later, the safe house residents were sitting on the couches in the living room. Jeremy had his arm around Brianna and Kenneth was holding Hannah’s hand.

“Please don’t tell me we’re going to be stuck here for longer,” Hannah said. “It’s been months already of us being the ones locked up when we’re not the criminals.”

“I know,” Andrew said. “It’s been difficult for me too. Paul had to go to his father’s memorial without me because someone had to stay here protecting you.”

“Making sure we don’t escape is more like it,” Hannah said bitterly. “The only difference between here and jail is we don’t have to put up with being searched for no reason whenever you guys want.”

Andrew raised his eyebrows. “We’re really not trying to treat you like prisoners, and we do care about your safety,” he said. “Believe me, I’d rather we all could go home right now.” As Hannah leaned against Kenneth,, who stroked her hair, Andrew went on, “Now, as I was saying, I do have some news, or rather, a message from Abe Carver. The news is both good and bad, in my opinion.”

“What is it?” Jeremy said. “Don’t keep us in suspense, man.”

“Sorry. I was trying to get my thoughts together.” Andrew sighed. “Okay, this is what Abe told me. Nat’s case was continued because the defense plans to call Marlena Evans and she’s not available because of the death that has rocked our family’s world.” He blinked hard.

“So we are stuck here, then,” Hannah said.
“Possibly, though I hope not,” Andrew said. “The judge is considering what to do with Nat while they’re waiting. Full freedom is not an option. Her bail was revoked for a reason. However, the judge is considering sending her to a halfway house rather than jail. If she does do that, it’s most likely she will end up at the Second Chance Home For Women.”

Brianna stiffened. “No way! That’s where I live. By court order, but still. It’ll never be safe for me to come back if she does that. Even if we stay here til the trial’s over and she eventually goes to jail, she’ll ave turned so many people against me that someone’ll stab me for being a snitch or something! And I can’t just move out cause the court says I gotta be there three more years! Plus even if it didn’t, they’d know where to find me if I left. I wouldn’t be able to be with my mom now I found her cause they’d come after her too.” Brianna’s voice shook. “It’s all impossible. My life is over cause of that one bitch. I wish I’d turned the gun on her instead of Marcel or maybe in addition to.” She began to sob.

Jeremy held her. “Don’t ever say that,” he said. “My great-grandma Alice always said that as long as you’re still breathing, there’s hope for a better tomorrow. We’ll figure something out.” He rubbed her back. “Does Abe have any plan for us or did he just want you to deliver this bombshell and let us figure it out?”

“I’m sure that if it comes to it, he’ll figure something out. He always does.”

Brianna crossed her arms. “So… no plan, then. Got it.”

“Well, right now it’s still up to the judge. DA Rubin is trying to convince her that sending Nat to a halfway house is a terrible idea. The judge is also considering whether releasing you from your sentence early so that you can live somewhere else is a viable solution.”

Brianna raised her eyebrows, not sure what to say about that.


Meanwhile, Nat was back in court. Judge Hildebrand had just come in and all parties had risen.

“All right,” Judge Hildebrand said. “You may all be seated.” Everyone sat down and Judge Hildebrand said, “Before I make my decision about Ms. Simmons’ situation, I first want to ask…Mr. Saxon, have you found another expert who is willing to evaluate the prosecution witnesses and your client?”

“No, your Honor,” Saxon said, straightening his tie. “The truth is, thre aren’t many people who have the expertise that Dr. Evans has, and certainly not anyone else who is local, so it would take considerable time and expense.”

“I see,” Judge Hildebrand said. “Here is the problem, as I see it. I am not about to call Dr. Evans while she is hosting a memorial for her late husband to ask her when she anticipates being ready to return to work so that she may testify in this case. I therefore have no way of knowing when that would be. There is no other witness available to take her place. Therefore, we have two choices here. We can suspend the trial indefinitely or we can proceed without this testimony. I have considered the potential value of this testimony and I have concluded that it is unnecessary. The jury have heard the witnesses on both sides. They can decide for themselves what they believe, which is the point of this trial. Therefore, unless you have other witnesses to call, we will proceed to closing arguments tomorrow.”

“Your Honor…” Saxon began.

“This is my decision. Do you have another witness?”

Saxon looked away. “No, your Honor.”

“Then,” Judge Hildebrand said, “this matter is settled and now we will move on to the other one. If the defendant will please rise, I will give you my decision in the matter of where she is to be held pending the outcome of this trial.”

[André DiMera]

Tough news for Andrew to deliver, but it had to be done. Hopefully the judge will make the right decision.

Nice for Marlena that she doesn’t have to testify while she’s mourning. Can’t wait for the judge’s decision!

Great chapter, heroicmuse!

[Kpatch]

Brianna should lighten up about the name thing. Just because she's decided her name's not Chanel doesn't mean everyone is going to snap to it right away.

[heroicmuse]

Week 518 - 3
“She’s here?” Sami said to Eric. “That… woman has the nerve to show her face while our family is in mourning?”

“That woman,” Eric says quietly, “is my fiancee, soon to be my wife, and she is here to give our mother support and love just like you are. Now come on, Sami! I don’t care how brokenhearted you are, you know that John wouldn’t want you being so petty at a time like this.”

“It’s not like it would be different than any other time,” Eve said. “Petty is practically that girl’s middle name.”

“Mom!” Paige said. “Do you really need to pour fuel on the fire?” She crossed her arms.

“Don’t bother trying to reason with her,” JJ said. “You know how she is when she gets this way. Think of her as like Mari when she needs a nap and won’t take one.”

Paige giggled, though Eve glared and said, “I know you didn’t just compare me to a two-year-old child. Of all the nerve…”

“Let’s go inside,” JJ said to Paige. “We’re here to pay our respects, not get sucked into any of your mom’s drama.”

“Or yours,” Eric said to Sami. “Stop it, both of you. There are bigger issues to worry about than your ridiculous war with each other.”

“He’s right,” Eve said quietly. “We’re not exactly being respectful.”

“You’re just saying that to get on Eric’s good side,” Sami said. “Though I have to admit you have a point.”

“We’d better go in while we can,” Paige said. “That’s the best you’re going to get out of my mom, trust me.”

“Or my sister,” Eric agreed. “All right.”

Eve looked away, her face trembling, and so did Sami, as Eric took out his spare key so he could open the door.



Dani stood in the doorway of her room, watching, as the police walked through it. Everything had been torn apart. Her drawers had been pulled open and things thrown all over the floor, and her mattress had been stripped bare.
“You all right?” Joy asked her, coming over after talking to some uniformed cops. “I know this is a lot to take in, and I’d guess you’re feeling pretty violated around now.”

“I guess.” Dani bit her lip. “Whoever it was, they were serious about finding something, but what?”

“I don’t know,” Joy admitted. “We’ll figure it out.” She patted Dani’s shoulder. “You said the only valuable you keep in here is your laptop?”

Dani nodded.

“What about jewelry?” Joy asked.

“Not really. I have a necklace with a D on it , that’s about it.” She swallowed hard. “I hope they didn’t take it. The charm was originally from my dad, when I was a little girl and he actually lived with us.”

“If they did, we’ll get it back. Describe it to me.”

Dani shrugged. “There’s not much to say. The chain was silver and the charm was a green letter D. It didn’t even look expensive.” She blinked hard.

Joy wrote that down. “Like I said, if a thief has it in their possession, we’ll find them.” She took out her phone.. “I want to ask you something else. We talked to a few people down the hall and they said they saw an overweight girl wearing a ski mask coming out of your room. Why they thought that was normal, I don’t know, but anyway… does that description ring any bells?”

Dani shook her head. “I don’t know anyone like that.” She hugged herself. “Um, OFficer Wesley?”

Joy turned toward her. “What’s up?”

“I was just wondering, where am I going to sleep tonight?” Dani hugged herself. “I can’t stay here with the cops crawling around, no offense. Besides, look what they did to the bed.”

Joy put her hand on Dani’s shoulder, making Dani shiver with desire despite how upset she was.

[Kpatch]

That was an ugly encounter. And JJ's comparison to Mari could have been aimed at either woman. Eve shouldn't assume the comment was meant for her.

[André DiMera]

Not surprised that Sami and Eve started fighting. Glad Eric and Paige put a stop to it, for now. This isn’t the time.

Wonder what Joy will say to that. Glad she’s there for Dani.

Great chapter, heroicmuse!