Breaking Ties: An Ensemble Story (Read 250,347 times)

[Kpatch]

I have been waiting for Brianna and Hannah to become friends.

Who is Shane holding and who's the special visitor? I keep thinking it's Joy who went rogue but I think Shane is referring to someone else. Maybe Kristen?

[heroicmuse]

Week 512 - 3
“Now for the hard part,” Sydney said to Allie after she had filled out her form. “Getting Mom to sign it.” She rolled her eyes.

“You could wait for my dad,” Allie pointed out. “I mean, he’s your stepdad, so legally he can.”

“Yeah, but he’s not gonna keep it secret from Mom, and there’s no way I can all year either. So I guess it’s better to get it over with now. That way, I can get my internship.” Sydney sighed. “I hope it won’t take too much time. The internship, I mean, not getting Mom to sign. “Cause I wanted to join the track team, and Will was encouraging me to check out the school paper, and there’s the Students For A Sober Future club, and the Salem Community Service Club, and — “

“Whoa,” Allie said. “You do know you have four years in high school, not two months, right? Cause you don’t have to do everything all at once.”

“I know,” Sydney said. “I just don’t want to miss anything, that’s all.” She glanced at her computer. “If I send this to Mom in email, will she see it? Or do I need to print it out and give it to her?”

“Fifty-fifty,” Allie said. “If you email her, she could delete the email or pretend not to have seen it to stop you from doing what you want. If you print it out, she could rip it up in front of her.”

“Why can’t she just sign it? ARGH.” Sydney flopped back on her bad, aggravated.

“Who says she won’t?” Allie said. “I mean, you might have to sit through a lecture about what you should be doing with your life, but she’ll cave in the end, especially if my dad talks to her. He’s on your side, Syd, you can trust that.” She sat down on the bed next to Sydney. “What did you choose, anyway? Can I see?”

Sydney nodded. She showed the form to Allie. Allie looked it over.

“Community theatre’s your first choice? Really?” she said. “I mean, there’s nothing wrong with it, but you’re so shy and quiet I can’t imagine you acting.”

“I want to do set design,” Sydney said, her cheeks reddening.

“Let me see the list,” Allie said. “Cause I’m pretty sure this one is for people who want to get mentored by experienced actors and get into some plays.”

Sydney handed her computer over. Allie started looking at it.

Sydney said, “I can’t believe I was so stupid.”

Allie said, “It’s a long list and confusing. But that’s what you have a big sister for, so let’s try this again.” She patted the bed next to her and Sydney came over and sat down.


Philip and Chloe were waiting for the family’s desserts to arrive when Lucas came up to them. “Philip!” he said. “I thought that was you, brother.” He held out his hand and when Philip stood to shake it, they hugged too. “How are you?”

“We’re good over here,” Philip said. “The kids got back from camp today and we’re having a little celebration that we’re all back together.”

“But we start school soon,” Charley interjected.

“Yeah,” Parker said. “I’m gonna be in the eighth grade.” He made a face.

“And what, pray tell, is wrong with the eighth grade?” Lucas asked Parker.

Parker shrugged. “Some guys at camp said it was super hard and it all gets worse from here.” He turned toward Charley. “You don’t know how lucky you are to still be in elementary school.”

“I want to go to the big kids’ school,” Charley said. She turned toward Chloe. “Mom? When I go to middle school, will kids from Brookville be in my school?”

“No, honey,” Chloe said. “Brookville has their own school.”

“Oh,” Charley said, her face falling. She’d hoped she and Izzy would be together when they got to sixth grade.

Lucas said, “You obviously have a lot to catch up on, and I don’t want to interrupt, but, um, can I borrow you for a sec?”

“As long as it’s not relationship advice,” Philip joked, “cause I don’t think anyone can tell you anything helpful when it comes to Sami.”

“Very funny,” Lucas said, rolling his eyes. He gestured for Philip to follow him to an empty corner of the restaurant.

“So what’s up?” Philip said.

Lucas crossed his arms. “I know you don’t have a lot of time, and I don’t want to ruin your night out, but it’s Mom. She’s trying to ruin what Sami and I have even though we’ve been married for years, and I needed to talk to someone who would understand.”

Philip raised his eyebrows, not quite sure what to say.

[André DiMera]

Glad Allie’s helping Sydney with this.

Sounds like Parker’s nervous about school. Too bad Charley and Izzy won’t be in the same school. Glad Lucas is asking Philip for advice.

Great chapter, heroicmuse!

[Kpatch]

I love that Lucas turned to Philip for support. Maybe Philip doesn't have to say anything, just be supportive. I hope that's all that's bothering Parker.

[heroicmuse]

Week 512 - 4
Philip crossed his arms. “Wow. I’m sorry, brother. I mean, I don’t know what to say. Nothing surprises me about Mom, or at least, nothing should, but that’s a new low, even for her.” He lowered his voice. “Rafe didn’t fall for it, did he?”

“Not a chance. He’s the one who told me about it.” Lucas’ eyes narrowed. “Thank God Sami wasn’t with me. Can you imagine the havoc that would be wreaked? That’s a word, right? Wreaked? It sounds weird but…”

“Wreaked is right,” Philip said. “Though, it’s too bad Sami didn’t know about it. You’d think you marrying her would stop this sort of crap.”

“With Mom? Come on.”

“No, listen,” Philip said. “You forget I was in the Marines. We talked a lot about mutually assured destruction in our training. Like, if two countries both have nuclear weapons in their arsenal, neither is gonna use them cause it would end up destroying them both. We hope, anyway. It’s the same thing with Mom and Sami. If Mom goes too far, Sami’ll go too far back and it’ll be a whole big thing. So it shouldn’t be worth it for either of them to start with each other.”

“Right,” Lucas said, “which is why she didn’t start with Sami. She started with me.”

“Yeah, but that’s the key to stopping her,” Philip said. “Look, if she forgot Sami’ll give back as good as she gets, she just needs to be reminded.”

Lucas said, “You want me to sic Sami on her?” He laughed. “You do, don’t you?”

“Nah,” Philip said, “though I’d pay good money for a front-row seat to that train wreck if it happened.”

“Uh huh,” Lucas said, pointing. “So you admit it.”

“I do, but I didn’t mean sic Sami on her. Not yet, anyway. But you could threaten it. I mean, Sami doesn’t know what Mom’s been up to, and if she wants it to stay that way, she’ll back off.”

“Oooh, a little blackmail, huh?” Lucas said. “I’m not usually that kind of guy… well, not anymore, but I have to admit when it comes to Mom, it’s tempting. After all, she started a war, and I bet you anything she wouldn’t like it one bit if Roman found out what she’s been up to lately.” He looked over his shoulder to make sure Roman wasn’t coming up behind him, but for once, nobody was eavesdropping or walking up to him.

Charley came running up. “Daddy!” she said, tugging on Philip’s sleeve. “Our desserts are here and your ice cream will melt if you don’t come sit down right now.”

“In a minute,” Philip said, “and don’t interrupt, please. Daddy was talking about something important with Uncle Lucas.”

“Nothing could be more important than ice cream,” Lucas said. “I think I’ll go get some myself and think things over. Thanks for the chat, Philip.”

He and Philip shook hands. Philip watched him go, frowning.

“What’s wrong?” Charley asked, hopping on one foot.

“Nothing. Nothing.” Philip sighed as he took Charley’s hand to go back to the table. “Daddy’s just afraid Uncle Lucas might do something crazy, that’s all, but I’m sure I just have a very big imagination.” He squeezed his daughter’s hand, smiling at her affectionately as they went back to the table.


“It’s getting late,” Sydney said after she and Allie had redone her form with several internship options she had not considered before that would fit her better than the ones she had chosen. “Lucas isn’t home yet, so we’re gonna have to go to Mom.”

Allie sighed. “Give him a few more minutes. Maybe he’ll be back soon.”

“I guess.” Sydney flopped back on the bed. “Do you think I”ll get a partner this year?”

“You mean like a lab partner?” Allie said. “They usually assign those.”

“I mean like dating.” Sydney sighed. “I’m not sure if I like boys or girls.But some people say ninth grade is the year girls get their first boyfriend… or girlfriend, whatever. So do you think I will?”

“I think it’s not something you get,” Allie said. “You’re talking about dating like going to the store for a carton of eggs or something. If you meet someone and they like you as much as you like them, and you’re not too scared to tell each other so, and you can get around Mom and Lucas, especially Mom… then, sure, you might date this year. But it doesn’t just fall in your lap.”

“Right.” Sydney swallowed hard. “I was just talking about the first step. You know, meeting someone cute and agreeing to go out.”

“It could happen,” Allie said. “Is that what you want to happen?”

“Kind of yes, kind of no.” Sydney sighed. “The idea makes me nervous but I’m fourteen, so it’s time.” The front door opened and she jumped up. “There’s Lucas. Let’s get our forms signed.”

“Okay…,” Allie said, shaking her head before she followed Sydney out of the room.

[Kpatch]

I don't know why Sami wouldn't sign the form for the girls. It's for school.

I really don't think Kate is scared of Sami and threatening her with Sami's wrath won't mean much. I think Lucas should go to--or threaten to go to--Roman if he wants Kate to back off.

[André DiMera]

Hopefully Lucas will take Philip’s advice.

It makes sense that Sydney is a bit nervous about dating. Hope Lucas will sign the forms.

Great chapter, heroicmuse!

[krw627]

A Sami/Kate showdown will be fun; but, Roman would be stuck in the middle.

I don't see why Lucas can't just sign the forms for the girls.

[heroicmuse]

Week 512 - 5
The next morning, Ruby looked around as she got off the bus at the high school. Today was orientation day, so the only other people here were all the other new freshmen. Ruby didn’t see a single familiar face, and most of them looked small to her even though she was only a year older.

“Here goes nothing,” she said to herself, reaching under her shirt for her lanyard with her student ID so that she could check in. She assumed there was a security guard or something that would be checking them.

At juvie, all the inmates stood in line after breakfast, their heads bowed slightly and their hands behind their backs. Ruby had learned the first week that refusing to adopt this submissive posture was more trouble than it was worth, as she’d lost her rec room privileges more times than she wanted to think about and occasionally had been put in a solitary, padded cell meant for kids who were acting out violently just because she refused to bow her head or she kept her hands at her side instead of behind her back. Being disrespectful was apparently as big a crime as fighting someone in the cafeteria here, so she’d given up after a fwe days and now she made herself small just like everyone else.

The line moved slowly forward and each prisoner had to show their prisoner ID to a security guard, who told them which room to go to for class. There was another line for each classroom and you had to show your ID to another guard in front of the classroom when you got there. When you got inside, you had to find the desk with your name and picture on it and stand next to it in the same stupid submissive pose until the teacher came down the row and checked your ID against the picture on your desk’s nametag. Failure to show ID at any of these points or to stand properly waiting meant being removed from the line or classroom and then you had to make up the lesson during rec room time in addition to being locked in your cell or in solitary confinement for the entire morning.

Ruby blinked hard now, realizing someone was calling her name. She turned to see the girl who had been nice to her in the middle school library last year. She couldn’t remember her name.

“Sorry,” she said to the girl. “I was… um, just worrying about what would happen if I ever lost my ID.”

“Probably nothing,” the girl said. “I mean, I think you have to pay $20 for a new one and you probably would want to do it right away cause you can’t get your lunch without it, but no big deal. Anyway, you won’t lose it if you keep your lanyard around your neck so no worries.”

Ruby turned bright red. “Right,” she said, hoping the girl wasn’t judging her. “Um, I’m Ruby. I-in case you forgot.”

“Sydney,” the girl said. “I’m one of the peer leaders as well as an incoming freshman, see?” She showed Ruby her lanyard, which had a blue sticker on the right-hand corner. She only held it up for a second, but Ruby could see that it said SYDNEY DIMERA HORTON on her ID card.

“Come on,” Sydney said. “Let’s get breakfast and maybe we’ll meet some other cool people.”

“K,” Ruby said. She smiled to herself as she followed Sydney into the cafeteria. She knew the name Dimera belonged to a super powerful family, so if one of them was being nice to her, today might be her lucky day after all.


Meanwhile, Saxon had come to the holding cell, where Nat was sitting on her bunk. She came up to the front of the cell and pressed her head against the bars. “What gives?” she said. “I thought that judge said after 24 hours I could go back to court.”

“She did,” Saxon said, “but since you no longer have a bail agreement in place and are a ward of the state pending the outcome of your trial, you’ll be escorted into court in cuffs.”

Nat scowled. “So when are you going to do something about that?”

Saxon crossed his arms. “I don’t know if I can, Nat,” he said, trying to be as gentle as possible so that he wouldn’t trigger her wrath. “Look, you made a deep fake video of a DA and you threatened multiple prosecution witnesses with bodily harm to themselves and their loved ones if they testified. Two young women had to attend court from the safety of a hidden, remote location, for God’s sake. No judge was going to allow you to be free on bail under those circumstances.”

Nat swallowed hard. “Can’t you tell the judge I learned my lesson after being locked up here all of yesterday? People get second chances, right? Hannah did, so why can’t I?”

“Hannah Martin did not act out violently to try to prevent her trial from happening,” Saxon said. “It’ll be difficult to — “

“I don’t care! That’s what I pay you for, isn’t it?”

Saxon sighed. “Nat. I’m on your side. You know that. But actions have consequences and I just don’t think the judge will give you another chance, especially when you’re throwing a tantrum where the guards can hear you because you don’t like being held without bail.”

Nat took a deep breath. Lowering her voice, she said, “Please file a motion or whatever it is you do to get the judge to consider changing her mind. Please. I know it’s a long shot but if there’s any way she’ll let me have my freedom… I’ll do anything she wants if she’ll give me a second chance.”

“I wouldn’t suggest saying that to her,” Saxon said. “If I file a motion to restore your bail, which I’m not promising right now, I will be the one doing all the talking.”

“Fine.” Nat’s face fell. “But why do you say ‘if?”

“Two reasons. One, it takes time to draft a motion so I will not be able to do it this morning. And two, I want to see how you behave in court before deciding whether I can, in good faith, tell the judge I think you deserve a second chance at following the terms of your bail agreement.”

Nat scowled, but just then the guards came up to the cell. “Sorry, sir,” one of them said to Saxon, “but we need to escort her now.” Saxon stepped back and the guard told Nat, “Turn around. Put your hands behind your back and lean against the cell door.”

Nat’s eyes narrowed, but she did what she was told, allowing the guard to cuff her without making a fuss.

I have to go along for right now, she thought. At least til I can figure out what buttons to push to make the judge do what I want, and my lawyer too.

[André DiMera]

Glad Sydney’s being nice to Ruby.

Not how this works, Nat. Can’t say I’m at all sad to see her like this.

Can we please have previews, heroicmuse?

[Kpatch]

I didn't realize Sydney took Lucas's last name. That's sweet.

[heroicmuse]

Thank you André DiMera, Kpatch, and krw627 for your comments this week.

Next week, a sad event happens that I did not want to write about but had to include because of Drake Hogestyn's real-life passing. However, that will not be the only thing that happens, and it will be balanced with other stories.

Coming Up on Breaking Ties...

Eric knows Eve is not telling him the truth and pushes her to say what's really wrong. But their discussion of Marlena and her issues is interrupted by a call delivering devastating news they never expected to hear.

As the news spreads, look for several touching scenes, most especially Shawn supporting Belle through her grief.

Elsewhere in Salem, life is going on, with Ruby and Sydney getting to know each other while Ruby goes through the orientation program, JJ asking Jennifer for advice about raising Mariposa, and Nat continuing to attempt to manipulate her lawyer to get what she wants (in this case her chance to speak on the stand).

[André DiMera]

I wonder what this news is (I have a feeling I know, but I may be wrong), and how far Eric and Eve get in their discussion.

Glad we’ll have some Shawn and Belle scenes.

So glad Sydney is being friendly to Ruby. Can’t wait to hear Jennifer’s advice! Yes, put Nat on the stand so she can run her mouth and dig herself into an even deeper hole.

Thanks for the previews, heroicmuse!

[Kpatch]

I'm guessing John is going to die in your story.

[heroicmuse]

Week 513 - 1
Saxon had had the cops take Nat to a conference room next to the courtroom so he could explain to her what their strategy was right now. Nat had her hands cuffed in front of her and cuffed to the table.

“I’ve been doing damage control while you were behind bars,” Saxon said. “And now —”

“Is that what you call it?” Nat said, staring at her cuffed hands. “And can you make them take these off me? It’s considered, what do you call it, cruel and unusual punishment, don’t you think?”

“Someone has been hitting the law library at Salem City Jail.” Saxon smiled, but Nat didn’t smile back. His faded, and he said, “Seriously, though, unfortunately, the Eighth Amendment doesn’t apply to restraining prisoners who are being transported to court. I wish it did. But when we get in the courtroom, the cuffs will come off. I will make sure of that. If they are not removed, I will argue that it prejudices the jury against you to see you in chains.”

“Better work,” Nat said. “I watched you on CCTV while I was locked up, you know. What the hell was that when Abe Carver testified? You have a secret crush on him or what? I mean, I can’t blame you, he’s fine, especially for an older guy, but still. You barely asked him anything.”

“That was strategic, trust me.” Saxon crossed his arms. “After your outburst, the jury is inclined to dislike you, and I needed to fix that. The best way I could do that was by acting as civilly as possible during the remainder of the trial. And Abe Carver is a popular Commissioner, second only to Frank Reagan, so — “

“Who?” Nat said.

“Never mind. The point is, when you have a witness who is that popular, it won’t do to attack them too hard. You just come off looking like an asshole, and that’s not the impression we want to leave the jury with.”

“If you say so,” Nat said. “You were better with Kenneth Hansen, I guess.” She shakes her head. “Can’t believe my brother stooped so low as to take Hannah’s boyfriend. All Marcel ever did was bring heat on us that we didn’t need.”

“Did he, now? So you weren’t involved in the abduction?”

“That was all Marcel, I swear.” Nat sighed. “I mean, yeah, I told Hannah I was gonna take her in that loser boyfriend’s place, but that was only cause she asked for it. She called me, okay, and told me she’d surrender if only Marcel would let her precious boy toy go. Marcel wasn’t gonna free him out of the goodness of his heart, you know. He’d need another prisoner in exchange. And since Hannah offered, I took her up on it. But I wasn’t gonna hurt her, I swear.”

“Those are all aspects of the defense that might play well with a jury,” Saxon said.

“Course they will. So when do I take the stand?”

Saxon frowned, not sure what to say.



Sydney had taken Ruby to the cafeteria, where all the new ninth graders and their peer mentors were eating.

Ruby looked around as she came in. It was way bigger than the one in juvenile hall, with enough room that people could spread out and didn’t have to fight over who was sitting where.

“No turnstile,” she said under her breath. In juvie, there was a turnstile at the front of the line to get food. You had to scan your jail ID to make it move and then go through it. That stupid turnstile made the line super slow, and sometimes people got desperate and climbed over it, setting off an alarm. Ruby had learned early on not to do that because when she did, she was quickly tackled and handcuffed before being dragged to a solitary cell to wait for her breakfast alone.

“Sorry?” Sydney said as she hadn’t quite heard.

“Nothing,” Ruby said. “Just talking to myself. I do that a lot.” She laughed. “So, we buy food here or what?”

“Actually,” Sydney said, “we have a new free breakfast and lunch program. Instead of having to prove you’re poor to get food for free, this year, everyone gets it. The only catch is you can’t go back for seconds. If you want to get more food after you get your first round, you have to pay for it.”

“Oh,” Ruby said. “Even if someone knocks your tray down from under you and steals your food?”

“That’s not going to happen,” Sydney said softly. “Did that happen to you last year?”

Ruby nodded, then decided she’d better not stay anything else.