Breaking Ties: An Ensemble Story (Read 250,340 times)

[André DiMera]

I hope Nat does take the stand, and rubs her mouth so much that she gets a nice long sentence. Love the Blue Bloods reference!

That food program sounds nice. Makes sense that Ruby is comparing stuff with how it was in julie.

Great chapter, heroicmuse!

[Kpatch]

Hopefully Ruby will get used to not being in juvenile detention.

[heroicmuse]

Week 513 - 2

“Well?: Nat said, crossing her arms.

“I’m not sure that putting you on the stand is our best strategy,” Saxon said.

“Yeah? Then what are you gonna do then? And don’t tell me rest your case without putting up a single witness.”

“Why not? Saxon said. “The prosecution’s star witnesses, except for Abe Carver, are criminals. So it speaks volumes if we point out they haven’t made enough of a case for us to need a defense.”

“That’s BS,” Nat said. “I swear, sometimes you act like you want me to go to jail.” Her eyes narrowed. “It’s true, isn’t it? You’re half-assing this cause you want me to lose.”

“Of course not. You’re being paranoid, Nat.”

“Am I?” Nat pulled against the cuff binding her to the table, angrily. “Prove it then. Put me on the stand and let me tell my side of the story.”

Saxon frowned, thinking about it.



Eric said, “You’re this upset because Paige wants to buy her dress online?”

Eve tucked her hair behind her ear. “Of course I am. You never can trust these online companies. They might be shipping from the other side of the world and take two months to get here.”

“I’m sure Paige will figure it out. She’s a smart girl.” Eric crossed his arms. “Come on, Eve, you don’t expect me to believe that’s what’s really on your mind, do you? Whatever it is, just tell me. Don’t backslide into when we first met and you were so scared of breaking my heart that you kept major secrets that ensured that exactly what you feared would happen.”

“It isn’t anything like that,” Eve said. “I just don’t want to upset you when it may be nothing.”

“Eve… what are you talking about? What could possibly upset me to that degree about you buying a dress with my mother and cousin?” Eric’s’ eyes widened. “My mother. She was too exhausted to participate, wasn’t she?”

“So you already know.” Even sighed. “She got about two feet into the store and then she had to stop and rest. Paige was sweet enough to get her a wheelchair, bless her heart. But your mother said… and you’d better not tell her you know because my lips were supposed to be sealed…”

“What?” Eric reached for Eve’s hand. “Eve, you’re trembling. What is it? Was my mother rude to you?”

“Not at all.” Eve blinked back tears. “She’s just so afraid if she doesn’t get this under control, she won’t be able to dance with you at our wedding, that’s all. And she doesn’t want to disappoint you. She wants so badly to be the energetic, vibrant woman she was before all this started. Oh, Eric, I do hope we haven’t waited too long to get married. I want so much for her to be able to participate.”

“I’m sure she can. She should know better than to think I would think any less of her if she has to improvise a rolling dance with her wheelchair.” Eric took out his phone. “I’d better call her.”

“Don’t,” Eve said. “She’ll know I…”

Eric’s phone rang.

“That’s her,” he said, “so we might as well have this out.” He answer. “Hi, Mom. Eve and I were just… what? Slow down. When?”

Marlena’s voice came through the phone loud enough for Eve to hear. “I don’t understand this,” Marlena said, tears in her voice. “John was perfectly fine when I left and in fact, I was a little annoyed because he was so worried about me. A-and then when I came back h-he was passed out on the floor and I couldn’t wake him.” She breathed in sharply. “He’s gone, Eric. He had a massive brain aneurysm and it took him from me while I was out dress shopping.”

Eric and Eve stared at each other in shock.

[André DiMera]

Go ahead, Saxon. Put Nat on the stand so she can run her mouth and really lose this case for herself!

Oh man! What a shocking phone call to get, especially given what Eric and Eve were talking about. So sad that John's gone!

Great chapter, heroicmuse!

[heroicmuse]

Week 513 - 3

The new students had gone into the auditorium for an assembly after the tour. Ruby swallowed hard as the administrative team came onto the stage: Dean Lindstrom, Assistant Principal Jefferson, and Principal Woods.

Those were the people who would be punishing her if she got in trouble.

Mr. Woods came up to the podium. “Welcome, new students!” he said. “My name is Malcolm Woods and I will be your principal for the next for years. I want you to get to know me and not to be afraid of me or my team. We are here because we want to see you succeed beyond your wildest dreams and we want to do everything we can to help that happen. So I thought what we would do is tell you a little bit about what each of us does. As I mentioned, I am the principal. It is my job to keep the school running and ensure that you all have a safe and productive environment in which to learn. Part of my job is to get to know each of you, and that is why during this orientation week, you will all be having a one-on-one meeting with me. Now I know you all love to do things on your phones, but I am old fashioned and will be sending a sign-up sheet around during this meeting.”

Ruby gulped. What would she say to the principal? Was it possible that he would actually like her and be glad she was in his school?

Mrs. Jefferson stepped up. “I am the assistant principal, Tonika Jefferson,” she said, speaking loudly and firmly. “Mr. Woods and I share the workload to help the school run effectively. I am the person you will see if you have ideas for clubs and activities that you’d like to get off the ground. Unfortunately, if you misbehave, which I hope you will not, I am also the person you will see to discuss what happened and what needs to be done about it.”

Ruby slumped down in her seat. Sydney, who was at the end of her group’s row, leaned over and whispered, “Ruby! Sit up properly so you don’t give them something to say.”

Ruby sighed deeply as she sat up. She didn’t want to give Mrs. Jefferson the wrong idea, but what did it matter? She was sure Mrs. Jefferson would get to knwo her very well, because even if she wasn’t doing anything, she was going to get in trouble. It had happened over and over at juvie. Someone else threw food in the cafeteria or started a fight, and she was the one dragged off in handcuffs to the padded solitary cell.

This isn’t jail, she reminded herself, looking around and trying to ignore how hard her heart was pounding.


Brady sat on the edge of his bed, staring at the phone. He heard the shower turn off, but barely, because he was thinking about the call he’d just gotten from Eric:

I don’t know how to tell you this, Brady. My mom… my mom came home and found your dad passed out on the floor and not breathing…

“Just like Victor,” Brady said to nobody in particular. “Only… Victor was old and it wasn’t entirely unexpected. But my dad… this can’t be happening. It can’t…”

Sarah came into the room from the bathroom, wearing a white robe. “Shower’s all yours,” she said. She frowned when Brady didn’t answer. “What… what’s wrong?”

Brady shook his head slightly. “I… I don’t have time to shower. I have to get dressed and get out of here right away.”

“Why?” Sarah put her arm around his shoulder. “Talk to me. Don’t go out drinking somewhere.”

“Drinking? No, I’m not gonna…” Brady gulped. “I mean, my dad wouldn’t want me to and… and once you go to heaven you’re like a guardian angel, right? That’s what he always said about my mom, so…”

Sarah froze. “What… what are you talking about?”

“I got a call, Sarah.” Brady tapped the phone. “My brother Eric. He was soft spoken and kind and said he was keeping me in his prayers but the thing is, the thing is that Marlena, um, Marlena f-found my dad… she found him… not breathing and… um, I know how this plays out cause we went through it with Victor and… he’s gone, Sarah. I feel it in here.” He patted his chest. “My dad was my rock and now… he’s gone.” His voice shook.

Sarah hugged him, not knowing what to say.

[Kpatch]

Brady and John were very close. This is going to be hard for him.

[André DiMera]

Hopefully Ruby will eventually be convinced that she won’t get in trouble for everything like in juvie.

I feel so bad for Brady. The bond he and John had was amazing.

Great chapter, heroicmuse!

[krw627]

Brady is breaking my heart.

[heroicmuse]

Week 513 - 4

After the assembly, the new ninth graders had been taken to their lockers to make sure they could unlock them. The school must have gotten a grant or something, because they had these cool-looking digital locks. The student touched the lock to turn it on and then typed their combination into it to open the locker.

“Way cool, huh?” Sydney said to Ruby, who unlocked hers easily.

“I guess,” Ruby said. “Much better than… last year, huh?” She bit her lip, hoping that Sydney hadn’t noticed she’d almost said juvie.

“Yup,” Sydney said. “Hey, check it out, mine’s right across from yours.” She grinned as she opened hers. “We’re going to talk about internships next,” she added. “Did you fill out your form yet?”

Ruby shook her head. “I got really overwhelmed when I saw it. I didn’t understand what this was all about.”

“That’s okay. That’s what peer mentors are here for,” Sydney said. “Though between you and me, I only understand the form cause my sister showed me. It was kind of confusing.” She closed her locker as the bell rang. “Come on. We’re meeting in Guidance so the guidance counselors can explain it.”

As Ruby threw her backpack over her shoulder, she looked away and said, shyly, “Um, so what’d you put on yours?” Maybe I can just copy her, she thought, and then at least I know I’m doing it right.

Sydney turned her head over her shoulder as she hurried down the hall. “Art studio!” she called, smiling widely.

Ruby’s heart pounded. For the first time, she realized how beautiful Sydney was. Her cheeks went red as she hurried to follow her, telling herself to stop being ridiculous. A girl like Sydney would never be into her, so she might as well forget it.



Belle had gotten in her car to pick Claire up from the library so that they could go support Marlena. She’d started the car, but instead of driving, she picked up her phone and stared at a recent photo of her with John, both of them smiling widely.

A sob escaped her throat, just one. “How could God have taken you from me so suddenly?” she said. “From us, really.” She breathed in hard, realizing she had to calm down enough to drive.

There was a knock on her window, startling her, but it was Shawn. She rolled the window down. “Hey,” she said, sniffing. “I thought you were at work.”

“I was,” Shawn said, “but did you think I’d let you deal with your dad’s death yourself? You were there for me when mine left us, and you said, I couldn’t think so you’d do the thinking for both of us. So now I want to return the favor. Go ahead and get in the passenger seat and let me drive, okay?”

Belle nodded. She gave Shawn a watery smile and said, “I don’t know what I’d do without you.” She released her seatbelt and climbed over the gear shift to the other seat, not feeling like getting out of the car. “C-claire’s at the library,” she said. “I… I don’t know if she knows her grandpa John…”

Shawn nodded. “You call her?”

“Phones aren’t allowed in the library,” Belle said, “so we just have to hope she got my text telling her there’s a family emergency and we’re on the way. I… I didn’t want to say over text that he was gone. It seemed so cold and impersonal.”

“No argument there,” Shawn said as he pulled away from the curb. He drove with one hand on the steering wheel, holding out his other for Belle to take.

She squeezed it, smiling slightly at him. “I’m glad at least you’re here with me.”

“No place else I’d rather be.” Shawn squeezed Belle’s hand back. “I hate to bring this up at a time like this,” he said, “but, um… has anyone told your sister?”

Belle shrugged. “I guess I should call her just in case. I mean, Eric probably told her. But if he didn’t and she thinks she was cut out of being told in a timely manner… I don’t even want to think about it.”

“Maybe try Lucas,” Shawn suggested. “Let him be the one to break the news.”

“I feel so cowardly. I mean, yeah, she was horrible to me when we were kids, starting with, you know, trying to sell me on the black market. But we’re adults now and she grew t-to love my father eventually and… well, I’m her sister so I should be able to call her and try to support her through this, but this is Sami we’re talking about and I just don’t have the bandwidth.”

“I know. That’s why I suggested call Lucas.” Shawn signaled right. “Unless… you think we should get Claire first? Cause we’re here.”

“I’ll text her to come out,” Belle said, “a-and if she doesn’t I guess we’ll have to go look for her. But while we’re waiting, I’d better make this call.”

Shawn put his hand on Belle’s shoulder as she picked up her phone.

[André DiMera]

Sounds like Ruby has a crush on Sydney.

I totally get why Belle is hesitant to call Sami. Until the last few years, they didn’t have a great relationship. Neither did Sami and John. Hopefully Claire will come out soon.

Great chapter, heroicmuse!

[heroicmuse]

Week 513 - 5
JJ kissed Jennifer on the cheek at the door. “Mari’s napping,” he whispered. “For once. But come on in.”

“Oh.” Jennifer also kept her voice down. “You’re sure we won’t disturb her?”

“I’m sure we will,” JJ said, “but I still want you to come in. All those times you told me someday I’d have a kid just like me and then I’d be sorry… well, I dunno about the sorry part but I sure did get one just like me. She sleeps for like, five minutes at a time.”

Jennifer reddened. “I hope you know I didn’t mean it all those times I said it. It was frustrating having a little boy who ignored anything I said if it didn’t match what he wanted to do, but you are a very special person and I wouldn’t trade you for any other son in the world.”

“I know.” JJ blushed. “That’s kind of why I invited you over.” He gestured toward the couch. As they sat down, he said, “I feel like I don’t know what I’m doing half the time, especially right now.”

Jennifer frowned. “I’m sure you’re doing better than you think, honey. What exactly are you worried about?”

JJ shook his head slightly. “It’s all this school stuff. Paige wanted her to go to preschool early, right, and since we couldn’t do that, we both wanna help her get a head start at home so when she goes next year she’ll be ahead of the game, but honestly, I don’t have any idea how to do that. And I remember you doing stuff with me, reading me books, playing with puzzles on the floor… I got the puzzle part down but the rest of it, I dunno.”

“Don’t push her too hard, sweetheart,” Jennifer said. “She’s a smart little girl but you don’t want her to feel like you don’t approve of her unless she’s learning something. At this age, it should come naturally. I mean, yes, giving her educational toys helps. She should have puzzles with the alphabet, shapes, colors…”

“We got her a couple of those,” JJ said. “She’s got the alphabet and music notes.”

“That’s a good start, honey,” Jennifer said. “Does she have a shape ball?”


“A what?”

“You remember,” Jennifer said. “You had one when you were her age. It’s a 3D puzzle, I guess that’s how you’d put it. It’s a ball that has slots for different shapes to go in. That’ll help her learn her shape names.” She smiled. “She has a birthday coming up. If I can’t find yours in the attic maybe I’ll buy her a new one.”

“You don’t have to…”

“I want to.” Jennifer patted JJ’s hand. “My grandmother always said that if God didn’t want older people showering younger ones with love, he wouldn’t have invented grandparents.” She smiled widely.

JJ made himself smile back, but he was freaking out between Jennifer wanting to spoil Mari and him not knowing any more about what he should do than he did before he talked to his mom.



Court was in session. Nat was escorted in, her hands cuffed behind her back, and a guard took the cuffs off before she sat down in her space. She rubbed her wrists, looking around the room and trying to catch the eye of a juror, but the jury was not here yet.

The bailiff announced the judge’s arrival. Nat scowled as she pushed her chair out.

“Get that look off your face,” Saxon said. “Remember, she holds all the cards right now. If you want a chance in hell of not spending tonight behind bars, you have to be on your best behavior.”

“I’m not scowling at her,” Nat said. “I’m scowling at you cause I want you trying your hardest for me. No more weakness.”

Saxon didn’t believe that. But he also didn’t believe Nat was just talking. And if she really thought he was against her… well, there was no telling what she might do to him. “I am trying my hardest,” he said. “Believe me. Now when she starts the bail hearing, if she asks you to rise, you stand with your hands behind your back and be respectful and contrite.”

“I know how to act,” Nat said. “Don’t worry.”

The judge said, “Before we resume the trial, we have something we need to discuss, and that is what the defendant’s status will be for the remainder of the trial. I have not called the jury in for this part of the hearing because it does not concern them and could prejudice them against the defendant to hear us discuss whether or not she should regain any of her freedom. Now, Ms. Simmons, on Friday I revoked your bail as well as ordered you held in contempt for the weekend. You have now been granted the privilege of returning to this courtroom, but do not take it for granted. The next outburst will result in you being held in contempt for the duration of the trial, which means spending your days in a holding cell watching the proceedings on CCTV until such time as the trial is over. Do I make myself clear?”

Nat bowed her head. “Yes, your Honor.”

“Very good. Now, your attorney has filed a motion to restore your bail. I will remind you that your bail was revoked because of the threats you made against the witnesses who planned to testify against you, and, not satisfied with threatening mere civilians, you also attempted to use a fake video to impugn the reputation of the prosecutor trying your case and force me to remove her. I am under no illusions that a few days in a holding cell has cured you of this offensive habit; however, I am willing to entertain the possibility that I am wrong. Therefore, I want you to now explain to me what has changed that should give me confidence that you will no longer engage in this type of behavior should you be granted bail.”

[André DiMera]

That’s nice of Jennifer. Glad she gave J.J. good advice.

Hopefully Nat will attempt (unsuccessfully) to cause more trouble and get held in contempt.

Can we please have previews, heroicmuse?

[heroicmuse]

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

There are some more sad scenes ahead as the news about John spreads, but also some other interesting developments. Read on for spoilers...

Coming Up on Breaking Ties...

Belle interrupts Ciara and Claire's conversation about their futures to give them the news, but not before Ciara tries to convince Claire that she's worrying too much about what she will do after high school. Later, tensions run high in the car as Belle, Shawn, Ciara, and Claire try to navigate their grief on the way to Marlena's penthouse to support her.

Elsewhere, Roman has a surprising reaction to learning about Kate's manipulations when he drops by Sami and Lucas', but the conversation turns serious when they change the subject to John's death and how Sami is and isn't dealing with it.

At the safe house, Andrew struggles with being here watching the witnesses instead of supporting Paul while Paul heads back to Salem to say his final goodbyes to John, and Hannah has a reaction to the surprise Paul left for them that Andrew doesn't appreciate.

Elsewhere in Salem, the judge makes a decision about whether to restore Nat's bail, Rafe hopes Justin can get his next hearing postponed so he can stop by Marlena's to offer his support, and Dani doesn't realize someone is watching her as she gets an update from Alison about the investigation in Chicago.

[André DiMera]

It'll be so hard for Claire and Ciara to hear the news. Well, all of them, really. Hopefully they'll be able to help each other through their grief.

Wonder how Roman reacts to what Kate did.

Curious what Hannah's reaction is.

I hope the judge doesn't restore Nat's bail. Hopefully Rafe's hearing can be postponed. Wonder who's watching Dani.

Thanks for the previews, heroicmuse!

[heroicmuse]

Week 514 - 1
In the library, Ciara rolled her eyes as Claire came back to the table with a bunch of books about how to decide what college to go to.

“You don’t need any of that now,” Ciara said. “We’re not applying to college til next year, remember? Besides, we’re probably all going to Salem University so that our parents don’t have to pay for flights and room and board and stuff.”

“Even if I go to Salem U, I’m living in a dorm,” Claire said. “Don’t you want to grow up, live on your own?”

“Of course I do! But don’t rush it, okay? Two years from now, we might all be moving away, a-and Johnny will probably meet some other girl who makes him forget all about me, so I want to enjoy being with him while it lasts.”

“Oh, Ciara.” Claire patted Ciara’s hand. “Johnny’s not going to cheat on you. He’d be crazy to throw you away. Besides, who says you won’t go away to college and meet someone who makes you forget all about him?”

“Never!” Ciara snapped. “He’s my one true love, why doesn’t anyone get that?”

Claire held her hands up. “I’m just saying. If things change, they change.” She pushed her hair behind her ear. “And yeah, we don’t have to apply until next year, but I don’t want to first start figuring it out then.”

“You worry too much, you know that? Seeing you all stressed out gets me stressed, and I don’t want to be stressed when school doesn’t start for another week. So…” Ciara trailed off as Claire’s phone lit up. “That’s like, the fifth time. Who is it who’s so desperate to get ahold of you?”

“Huh?” Claire picked up her phone. “Oh. My mom called…. Five times. What the hell?” She hit the button for visual voicemail and stared at it, frowning. “S-she says there’s a family emergency. Oh God. You don’t think something happened to Grandma Marlena, do you?” Her face trembled.

“Not Grandma,” Belle said, coming into the room. “I’m glad you finally looked at your phone,” she said softly. Her voice shook just a little. “Something horrible did happen, Claire.”

“It’s not my mom, is it?” Ciara asked nervously. “It can’t be my dad since he’s already dead, and you said it’s not Marlena, and I know it’s not Shawn 'cause you’d be too upset to drive if something happened to him.”

“Ciara!” Claire said. “Stop playing guessing games and give my mom a chance to tell us.” She turned toward Belle. “Is it a medical emergency, like someone in the hospital?”

“Worse than that.” Belle swallowed hard. “I don’t know how to say this, and I wish your dad was here with me to say it, but he didn’t have any change for the meters in the lot, so he had to try to find parking on the street. Anyway… sit down, girls, both of you.”

The girls both sank back into their seats. Belle said, “Um, you remember last year when Ciara’s Grandpa Doug passed away, and I told you never to take anyone for granted?”

“I remember,” Claire said flatly. You said we were blessed that Grandpa John was in really good health and that we shouldn’t take him for granted because Mr. Williams was here one day and gone the next, and you just never know what could happen.”

“Yeah.” Belle blinked hard. “Well, I was more right than I wanted to be.” She took Claire’s hands. “E-earlier today, your Grandpa John…”

“No…” Claire’s voice shook. “What happened? D-did someone poison him?”

Belle shook her head slightly. “From what my mom said, he had an aneurysm. It was the kind of thing no one could have predicted. W-we all thought he’d be here at least another 20, 30 years because he seemed so healthy and full of life, but… I guess it was his time, sweetheart.” She squeezed Claire’s hands. “Grandma didn’t want them to take him to the hospital because there was no point, he was gone. S-so a doctor came to the house to pronounce him dead a-and she’s still there right now. I think… I think we should go support her.”

“His body isn’t still in the living room or something, is it?” Ciara said. “That would be creepy.” She shuddered.

“I’m sure they did what they had to do,” Belle said. “Anyway, how about we find out where Shawn is, and both you girls come with us? We all need to get through this together. That’s what he would have wanted.”

“Okay,” Claire said flatly, staring at the tear that was rolling down Belle’s face. “Come on, Ciara.”

Ciara nodded slightly. Her eyes were wide and she was blinking back tears as she got up. “I said I didn’t want everything to change and I meant it,” she said under her breath as she followed Claire and Belle out of the library.

Claire had not closed her book in her hurry to leave with Belle. It was open to a page titled "DECIDING IF YOU WANT TO GO TO SCHOOL FAR AWAY FROM HOME."


Lucas opened the door to Roman. “Roman!” he said. “I’d say this is a nice surprise, but I’m afraid my mom might have sent you.”

“Actually, she doesn’t know I’m here,” Roman said, “cause if she did, she’d beg to come with me, and unfortunately, this is not a situation that her presence would be helpful for.”

Lucas crossed his arms. “So you know about her possible arrest and her crazy plan?”

“Bogus arrest warrant, yes. Crazy plan, no. But I’m sure you’ll enlighten me.”

Lucas gulped, not sure what to say to Roman or if he should say anything at all.