Breaking Ties: An Ensemble Story (Read 243,759 times)

[Kpatch]

David was wrong that Nat is just bluffing. At any rate, it's important that Valerie and David are there to support their daughter.

[heroicmuse]

Week 491 - 2
“What happened to your girlfriend?” Jennifer asked Jeremy as they walked up the driveway to Julie’s house. “What’s her name again, honey?”

“Chanel,” Jeremy said, “and she’s coming. She wanted to spend time with her mom, but the Hansens’ll be here eventually so she will be too.” He squared his shoulders. “So you like her?”

“She seems like a nice girl,” Jennifer said.

“And she seems right for you,” Mike added. “I see the way your eyes light up whenever she’s around. I’ve never seen you that happy… well, to be honest, I’ve never seen you happy at all. So in my book, she’s good for you, and that makes me want to get to know her better.”

“I agree with your dad,” Daniel added, “not that you asked me. But Chanel, she seems good for you, and the two of you, you’re both living out your second chance.”

“Yeah,” Jeremy said. “We just need to get past this court case she has to testify in so — “ He cut himself off as a car pulled up behind theirs in the driveway. “Oh, no,” he said, gesturing. “Looks like a certain person who got the court to order me to stay away from her or else is gearing up for Round 2.”

Everyone turned to look as Stephanie got out of the car. She locked eyes with Jeremy, then looked away.


Mr. Woods looked up as Ruby came into his office. “Ah, Ruby. Good. I’m glad you’re — “

“Whatever it is you think I did, I didn’t do it!” Ruby said. “I swear I didn’t! I know I messed with Allie Horton, but my uncle was really disappointed so I promised him I wouldn’t do that anymore and anyway she isn’t even here.”

“Ruby,” Mr. Woods said softly. “If you would allow me to get a word in edgewise, I could tell you that you are not in trouble.”

Ruby’s eyes widened. “I’m not? Then why did you call me down here?”

“Believe it or not, I wanted to talk to you.” Mr. Woods’ voice was still soft. “That’s something I think is very important in my school, Ruby. I don’t want to just be the big, bad principal that everyone is afraid of. As your principal, I want to be someone you can trust to help you when things go wrong, and I do that by talking with my students and getting to know them.”

Ruby pushed her hair behind her ear. “Oh. I don’t know why you’d want to get to know me. I’m not very interesting other than having been in juvie.” She looked away, embarrassed. “I’m surprised you even want me in your school. Do you know what I got arrested for?”
“I’m aware,” Mr. Woods said. “But this school is a place where everyone has the right to learn, as long as they are not interfering with others’ rights to a safe educational environment. I know you have done some bad things in the past, but that has nothing to do with what is happening now.” Mr. Woods leaned forward. “I have a big question for you, and one that I don’t know if you know the answer to. But I am committed to ensuring you have a positive experience here, so I’m wondering how I can help you adjust to being back in a regular high school after the time you spent behind bars.”


Valerie and David pulled up to the curb across the street from Julie’s. “All right,” Valerie said, glancing in her rearview mirror at Hannah, who was hugging herself. “We’re here and Abe’ll be with us in a minute.”

Hannah nodded but said nothing.

Valerie sighed. She climbed over the back seat and sat down next to Hannah. “I probably should know better than to ask, but are you okay?”

Hannah blinked hard. “I’m trying to be. This is like when that Darren shot up the house all over again, and on Grandpa’s funeral day too.” Her voice shook. “I thought Abe said he had eyes on us, so how does someone get close enough to bump the car without getting caught?”

Valerie shook her head. “That’s one more thing for us to ask him. I just hope after you talk to him you can clear your head enough to be there for your grandmother.”

“Mom has enough people surrounding her,” David said. “Maybe we should go home and tuck Hannah into bed.”

“It’s not like I have the flu, Daddy,” Hannah said. “I’m not crawling into bed and hiding from the world over this. That’s what Nat wants. Besides, as much as Grandma’s got all these other people around her, she needs us. You think she’s gonna be happy if we bail on her, especially if we don’t tell her why?”

“Hannah’s right,” Valerie said. “Soon as Abe takes our statement we’re walking into Julie’s with our heads held high. That Natalie Simmons has taken enough from our daughter. She’s not taking her freedom to pay her respects to her grandfather’s memory too.”

David held up his hands. “Just saying, if Hannah needs to duck out…”

“I said I don’t!” Hannah snapped. “Stop treating me like I’m a little glass doll that’s about to get shattered into a million tiny little pieces.”

Valerie squeezed her shoulder. “Don’t take it personally,” she said to David. “She’s had a shock.” She took a bottle of water out of her purse. “Here, baby, drink this. You need to keep your hydration levels up.”

Hannah grabbed the water out of her hand, annoyed, but she did what she was told. She flinched as someone knocked on the window.

“Abe,” Valerie said, rolling the window down a crack. “Thank God.” She crossed her arms . “As you can see, my baby’s in bad shape thanks to that accident-on-purpose. So how about you tell us how you’re going to keep her safe, and we want details this time.”

[André DiMera]

Glad Jennifer, Mike and Daniel are supportive of Jeremy. Hopefully Stephanie won’t cassie more of an issue.

Wonder what Ruby will say.

It’s understandable that Hannah is shaken up by this. Can’t wait to hear what Abe says.

Great chapter, heroicmuse!

[heroicmuse]

Week 491 - 3
Abe said, “I would prefer not to discuss it in the middle of the street. May I come into your vehicle for a minute?”

“Only if you have some type of guarantee for us that our daughter is going to be safe,” Valerie said.

“Or, maybe,” David added, “you can talk her out of testifying so that this goes away.”

Hannah’s eyes flashed. “I already told you, I’m not letting her win.”

“Hannah is correct about that,” Abe said, “but again, we cannot have this discussion in a manner that risks others overhearing.”

Hannah leaned over and unlocked the door. Abe thanked her and came into the car. He closed the door and said, “Please put on some music so that there is no chance of us being overheard.”

“I could do without the cloak and dagger nonsense,” David said, but he turned on the car radio anyway.

“Thank you,” Abe said. “I apologize for the cloak and dagger nonsense, as you put it, but as you can see, we can’t be too careful. Now, what I want to do is move Hannah to a safe house after the wake.”

“A-a safe house?” Valerie stammered. “Cut off from us?”

Abe nodded slightly. “There are times I’m grateful my wife was a Dimera,” he said quietly. “Stefano gifted her some property that I can guarantee you no one knows exists.”

“Where?” Valerie said. “In Timbuktu?”

“That would be impractical if Hannah’s testifying in the US,” David said. “Right?” He glanced at Abe.

Abe nodded slightly. “I can’t tell you exactly where Hannah will be staying. But I can tell you it is in the United States. Hannah will be safe there and we will set it up so that she can testify online via secure Wifi so that there is no opportunity for Nat’s associates to locate her or disrupt the proceedings.”

Valerie put her hand to her throat. “A-and after it’s over? Will it be safe then? Or will my baby have to be in hiding the rest of her life so that no one will retaliate?”

“When Nat is finally put in a maximum security environment, the Fire Lions will be left leaderless,” Abe said, “at least temporarily. We expect there will be some violence when Nat is first incarcerated, but it will die down and Hannah will be safe and able to come home then.”

Valerie nodded. “And — ”

“Stop asking questions,” Hannah said. “It isn’t up to you. It’s up to me.” She crossed her arms. “I’ll go on one condition. I want Kenneth by my side. I won’t have him sitting around worrying I’ve been kidnapped like he was or worse, thinking I ghosted him cause I gave up on us.”

Abe sighed. “The more people we have to protect, the more risky this is.”

“I mean it,” Hannah said. “I’ll tell Kenneth what’s going on at the wake. And if he’s willing to give up everything for me, I’ll do it. Otherwise, I’ll take my chances and if Nat gets to me, so be it.”

“Hannah, baby,” Valerie said. “I don’t think you know what you’re saying.”

“I know exactly what I’m saying,” Hannah said, “and I keep telling you, it’s up to me, not you. So that’s my terms.” She glared at Abe, daring him to contradict her.

“That may be,” Valerie said, “but it’s not just you that’s affected. All of us were in this car when Nat decided to have someone bump us to scare you, and she could ocme after our whole family if you insist on being out in the open while this trial is going on. Stop this nonsense and just do what Abe tells you.”

Hannah’s eyes narrowed. “I don’t want to put you at risk,” she said, “and Grandma Julie either. But I won’t be away from Kenneth for months with no communication. I won’t have it be like when I was little and you were here and Daddy was there, only worse cause there’s no summer vacation to go visiting with. I know we’re not married, but he’s family far as I’m concerned and anyway if he’s out in the open while I”m in hiding they’ll probably target him just like when Marcel got him.” She shuddered. “So I’m not doing a thing til I talk to him and if he’s not willing to live in hiding then I don’t know what I’m going to do.”

“It seems her mind is made up,” Abe said to Valerie. He turned toward Hannah. “All right. Go to the wake with your parents and talk to Kenneth. But please, be discreet.”


Dani swallowed hard. “Say what on the record, exactly? The cops were just doing their job, and I don’t want Officer Wesley to regret letting me go.”

“Oh, I wasn’t planning on making the cops look bad,” Alison said. She pushed her hair behind her ear, a gesture which Dani couldn’t help thinking was cute. “But if that guy that was messing with you was really a Fire Lion, that means the gang’s on campus, and students have the right to know that. They told us at the assembly it was all precautionary and obviously that was a lie because they weren’t surprised that guy was a Fire Lion and they told you they were after him.”

Dani put her hand to her chin, thinking. “Not necessarily. Maybe they just saw him trying to shove a weed pipe in my face and wanted to arrest him for bothering me.”

“Dani. She questioned you about whether he ever tried to recruit you. They knew.”

Dani’s heart pounded. “My God, what was I involved with?” she said. “I used to get drunk with him and some other kids and I had no idea he was a Fire Lion.”

“Which is weird,” Alison said. I mean, I'm not an expert on these things. My brother ruined his life with alcohol without being in a gang, and that’s about the extent of it, except what I see on TV. But I’d think if they were all Fire Lions except you, they’d try to recruit you. Did they give you free stuff, or did you pay for it?”

“I paid for the fake ID that I got arrested with, but that was doubly stupid cause I could have gotten free booze and weed from them any time I wanted.”

“Exactly,” Alison said. “Like I said, not an expert, but I’d think after a while they’d tell you you have to pay for the free stuff one way or the other. Like, try to make you work for them cause they gave you stuff.”

“Maybe I got arrested before it got that far.”

“I guess.” Alison took a sip of her coffee. “Anyway, want to tell me what you know about it on the record so I can tell Salem the truth about gang activity at Salem U?”

Dani swallowed hard. “I will, but not yet. First I need to find an AA meeting to go to cause talking about this makes me feel like drinking.” She took out her phone to search, her hands trembling.

[Kpatch]

I cannot picture Valerie climbing over the back seat. LOL.

I sure hope Stephanie wasn't planning to confront Jeremy. The fact that she looked away makes me think she is not.

[André DiMera]

Glad Abe has a plan, and eventually agreed to Hannah’s terms.

Alison makes a good point. Glad they didn’t recruit Dani. Hope she does tell Alison everything after a meeting.

Great chapter, heroicmuse!

[heroicmuse]

Week 491 - 4
Daniel said quietly to Jeremy, “Just keep walking. No need to give her the opportunity to say her piece.”

“Right.” Jeremy said, shoving his hands into his pockets. HE turned and shuffled into the house.


Behind them, Maggie said to Stephanie, “Remember, we’re here for Julie, and Jeremy and his family are too.”

“I know.” Stephanie sighed. “I guess since I went to all the trouble of taking out a restraining order I should stop getting in his face.”

“That would be a good start.” Maggie patted her shoulder. “I”m sure Julie could use some help putting out all the food we sent over, so how about we get in the kitchen and do that?


Meanwhile, Eric and Roman pulled up in a delivery truck. THey had also brought food.

“Julie won’t have to cook for the next few days, that’s for sure,” Roman said, smiling. “One less thing for her to have to worry about.” He opened the back of the truck. “Sure could use some extra pairs of hands, though. There’s a lot of it and it might be too much for just the two of us.”

Eric shielded his eyes as he watched Jeremy going toward the house. “I have an idea,” he said. “Be right back.” He jogged up to him. “Jeremy!” he said. “I thought that was you.”

“Oh, hey,” Jeremy said, shaking hands with Eric. “Thanks for doing the service. It was beautiful.”

“My pleasure. I only wish I didn’t have to officiate such a sad occasion,” Eric said. “Listen, my father and I could use your help. We have a lot of food to bring into the kitchen for the wake and we could use a third set of hands.”

“If it’s all right with my folks,” Jeremy said, glancing at Mike.

“Go for it,” Mike said. “It’s so good to see you wanting to do something to help.” He patted Jeremy’s shoulder. “We’ll be inside when you’re done.”

Jeremy followed ERic to the truck, where ERic said, “FOund us another worker.”

“So did I,” Roman said. “My niece is in the kitchen unpacking stuff.”

Jeremy froze. “Which niece?” he asked nervously.

“This one,” Stephanie said, coming out to get more stuff.

Jeremy swallowed hard as he glanced at her, then away.


Meanwhile, inside, JJ had found Steve.

Steve said, “I still a disappointment to you or what?”

JJ looked away. “I’m sorry about that, man. I spoke out of turn.”

Steve shrugged. “Not like I didn’t have´ it coming. Look, maybe I did overstep, but you gotta know, it’s cause I give a damn about you.” JJ stiffened and Steve held up his hand. “Don’t start,” he said. “I’m not saying anything one way or the other about Jeremy. All I’m saying is, you’re one of the good guys and you got a big heart, and I don’t want to see anyone take advantage of that, cousin or no cousin.”

JJ glared at him, but then he asked himself what the guy he most wanted to be would do. He wouldn’t hold a grudge, that was for sure, even if Steve did have it all wrong. “I get it,” he said. “I don’t like what Jeremy did to Stephanie any more than I like what I did to that bookstore window. And I guess I can admit if that freaking Ben Weston came crawling around claiming he changed, I’d be the first to sock him in the face for what he did to Abigail.”

“Yeah,” Steve said. “I’d be right there in line behind you.”

He laughed and so did JJ. JJ had to admit, it felt good to be on the same side again. JJ said, “Maybe we better agree to disagree about Jeremy. I just don’t see him the same way as Ben.”

“Course not, dude. He’s your cousin.” Steve crossed his arms. “Look, I don’t wanna be right about this, okay? I’d love nothing more than for Jeremy to have turned himself around. But even more than that, I don’t want whatever happened between him and my little Sweetness to come between you and me. You know I’ve been crazy about you since you were born, Happy Junior, and I’m just tryin’ to do what I think your dad would have wanted me to do for you.”

“I get it.” JJ bit his lip. “It’s always gonna be hard, you know? HIm not being here, I mean. He can’t tell us what he’d want us to do so we gotta keep guessing.”

“Yeah.” Steve squeezed JJ’s shoulder. “I heard Roman brought over some of those tiny little hot dogs for the wake. What do you say we go see if they’re ready yet and grab us something to drink to remember Doug by?” He held up his hands. “Non-alcoholic for both of us if it makes it easier for you.”

“Nah,” JJ said. “I learned a long time ago the world doesn’t revolve around me and my problems. I can avoid booze even if you don’t.”

“I’ll hold you to that, then,” Steve said. “Come on.” He and JJ walked off together.

[Kpatch]

I love how Steve and JJ "patched" things up. Good talk.

I hope Jeremy and Stephanie can learn to coexist. I thought Mike should have offered to help out too. Would make it faster to get the food inside.

[André DiMera]

Well, Jeremy and Stephanie’s plan of ignoring each other didn't last too long. Hopefully neither will cause another issue.

Glad J.J. and Steve made up!

Great chapter, heroicmuse!

[heroicmuse]

Week 491 - 5
Ruby’s eyes widened with surprise. “I don’t know,” she admitted. “I’ve been kind of reluctant to get ot know people because who wants to be friends with someone who robbed people at gunpoint?” She looked down at her shoes. “I wasn’t really going to shoot that girl I robbed,” she said, her voice shaking. “I don’t even know if there were bullets in the gun.”

Mr. Woods said, “What you did could have seriously hurt someone. But fortunately, it did not, and in any case you have done your time and you have the same right to a safe educational experience as everyone else. We do have a school counselor and a school social worker. If you think either of those people could be beneficial, I would be happy to introduce you to them.”

“I guess.” Ruby swallowed hard. “I mean, they had a social worker at juice but it was kind of aj oke cause everyone knew you couldn’t trust her not to snitch to the guards.”

“Well, that is not what the social worker here does. We take confidentiality seriously.”

“K,” Ruby said. “But I don’t want anyone to know I’m going to talk to someone like that. I don’t want people to have any more reason to laugh at me than they already do.”

“We have a zero tolerance policy for bullying here,” Mr. Woods said. “But I do understand the need for privacy. We can work something out so that nobody knows what you are doing when you talk to one of our counselors, I’m sure.” MR. Woods crossed his arms. “There is also something else I’d like you to consider. You may not be ready for this but I do want to bring it up.”

Ruby’s head shot up. “What?”

“Nothing terrible, I assure you.” Mr. Woods smiled slightly. “But I was thinking… as you may know, we are working on making sure the Fire Lions do not recruit anyone else from this high school. And one of the best ways we can do that is by having someone who has experienced the gang life talk in front of the other students about what they experienced and why it was a mistake.”

Ruby’s face reddened. “Get up there and tell everyone I was in the Fire Lions and did terrible things? That’s like, social suicide.”

“I understand why you would feel that way. And I know it may be too soon to consider this. But I’d like you to take some time to think it over.” Mr. Woods stood. “Now, if you wouldn’t mind coming with me, I’d like to introduce you to our social worker.”

“K,” Ruby whispered. Her heart pounded as she slid off her seat.


“There you are,” Kenneth said when Hannah came in with her parents. He hugged her. “I was getting worried.”

“You had reason to be,” Hannah said flatly. She reached for his hand. “There’s something I need to talk to you about in private.”

“Sounds serious,” Kenneth said. “Okay. Let’s find someplace my sister’s not going to overhear.”

“Theo’s here now, hopefully he’ll keep her busy,” Hannah said. “I’m more worried about getting this out the way before Grandma realizes something’s up.”

“Let’s go, then,” Kenneth said. He and Hannah went into an empty corner by the stairs. Kenneth said, “Now, what’s up?”

Hannah swallowe dhard. Lowering her voice, she said, “Easiest way to explain is that Nat made a move on the way over, had someone bump our car and speed off cause she thought that’d get me to tell the judge I changed my mind about testifying.”

“You should tell the judge what she’s up to if you ask me,” Kenneth said. “Or the DA. Can’t they put her in jail for trying to intimidate witnesses?”

“I’ll ask my lawyer on trial day,” Hannah said. “I don’t tihink I’ll have the chance before.” She squeezed Kenneth’s hand. “The thing is, Abe thinks the best thing to do is to put me somewhere isolated til after the trial so Nat can’t get to me.”

“A safe house?” Kenneth asked. “IT’s really that serious?”

“I guess,” Hannah said. She sighed. “I told him there’s only one way I’m doing it, and that’s if you come with me. I need you by my side and anyway I don’t want you left vulnerable to whatever Nat tries next. You already suffered enough with what Marcel put you through that other time.”

“Right,” Kenneth said flatly.

“So?” Hannah said. “You willing to go into isolation with me til the trial’s over or what?”

Kenneth bit his lip, thinking about it.

[André DiMera]

Glad Ruby agreed to talk to the counselor. Hopefully she’ll eventually come around on the other stuff, as well.

Wonder what Kenneth will say.

Can we please have previews,heroicmuse?

[Kpatch]

I hope Kenneth agrees and doesn't let his feelings about sex get in the way of supporting his woman.

[heroicmuse]

Thank you André DiMera and Kpatch for your comments this week. I'm excited for what comes next. Read on for spoilers...


Coming Up on Breaking Ties...
Stephanie seems to be softening toward Jeremy. It surprises him, but he's not sure he can trust her and wonders if this is some new trick to get him in trouble for breaking the restraining order. Could he be right?

Meanwhile, Hannah is relieved by Kenneth's answer about going to the safe house, though she agrees his mom and sister should know why he's disappearing and that he will be safe. What they don't know yet is that there's another person in need of protection too who they might not be thrilled to be stuck with.

Elsewhere, Dani is intrigued by something Alison tells her about Alison's past, and Alison might finally begin to get answers to something that has been bothering her a long time if she lets Dani help her. And Horowitz and Prescott interrogate Snake, but will they get anything useful out of him?

[André DiMera]

Hopefully Stephanie’s being genuine and not trying to get Jeremy in trouble.

Glad Kenneth agrees to go to the safe house with Hannah. I’m guessing the person they don’t want to go with is Ruby.

Hope Alison will let Dani help. I doubt Horowitz and Prescott will get much from Snake.

Thanks for the previews, heroicmuse!

[Kpatch]

I hope Stephanie isn't scheming to trap Jeremy.