Stolen Lives, Loss Of Innocence - A Days Fanfic (Read 11,462 times)

[sevenna92]

SCENE 12 – DIMERA LIVING ROOM, MID-AFTERNOON

“Hey, Chad!” Natalie yelled as she walked into the DiMera mansion, looking for her cousin.

“Hey there, Nat,” Chad grinned as he went over and hugged her. “How are you?”

“I’m doing good, Chad,” Natalie replied. “I was hanging out with Theresa at Club TBD having drinks.”

“Are you all right? Do you need to sit down?” Chad inquired worriedly as he noticed Natalie stumbling a bit.

“Yeah, I’ll just sit on the sofa,” Natalie replied as she then plopped down on the sofa.

Chad then took a seat on the sofa chair and picked up his glass of wine.

“That was a great performance you and Theresa gave tonight,” he said. “I’m glad you got a regular gig at Mt. Olympus now.”

“Yeah, but it’s only for Friday evenings,” Natalie remarked. “And besides, I still have a teaching job at St. Luke’s. But I should be able to bring in more money now for the two of us. And Theresa gets to work with me too now that she got fired from the hospital.”

“That sounds really good, Natalie,” Chad smiled. “I’m glad your life is really starting to get on track.”

“Yeah, I really love living here,” Natalie replied. “Most of the people here seem friendly and this is such a nice little town. Now all I have to do is find someone and have kids.”

“And that someone might be Theresa?” Chad cocked his eyebrow, half-teasing.

“Yeah, but here’s the problem,” Natalie sighed. “Theresa’s dating Clint right now and I’m not about to break up their relationship. Plus there’s this issue with my parents. They are extremely devout Orthodox Jews. Like really religious. They want all of their children to be married off and have lots of kids.”

“They especially want this of me too or they’re afraid that I’ll turn out to be a failed adult. That’s why from the age of 13 I was betrothed to this boy that lived in the same neighborhood and our families would hang out together. I just didn’t understand why they were doing this and I didn’t want to hang out with him. But I guess they were hoping that somehow I would fall in love with him. It never happened.”

“Oh…” Chad pursued his lips and swished his wine glass thoughtfully. “So what do you think is going to happen if your parents find out about you being attracted to girls?”

“I would be the shame and disgrace of my entire clan. My parents might never speak to me again and my siblings would basically shun me. I’m going to be cast out from the whole community. If my parents basically reject me because whom I happen to love, I might never be able to live with myself. Especially if the woman I love happens to be a criminal. It would just kill me to know that the people that I have come to know as my family would just throw me aside like garbage because they don’t like the type of person I am.”

“Don’t worry, Natalie,” Chad replied tenderly. “Even if your family does turn away from you, I won’t. I might not have known you for too long but I do care about you very much as family.”

“Thanks, Chad,” Natalie smiled warmly. “That really means a lot coming from you.”

“No problem, cuz. Just come to me if you have anything you’d like to discuss,” Chad remarked.

Just then the cell phone rang and Chad picked it up. “Hello?”

“Hello, Chadwick,” an elderly male voice with a thick Italian accent answered. “How are you, my dear son?”

“Hello, Father,” Chad smiled. “Natalie and I are just talking.”

“Ah, dear Natalia isn’t that much trouble for you, is she?” Stefano smiled.

“Not at all, Father,” Chad shook his head. “She’s been nothing but the most hospitable guest.”

“Excellent!” Stefano beamed proudly. “Let me talk with her for a moment.”

“All right,” Chad nodded as he handed the phone over to Natalie. “Father wants a word with you.”

“Hello?” Natalie whispered as Chad walked out of the room.

Stefano then smiled tenderly at the sound of his niece’s voice. “Hello, my dear little Natalia. How are things in Salem?”

“Great, Uncle! I am really enjoying my job at St. Luke’s and I just got a position at Victor’s club as their featured lounge singer,” Natalie remarked.

“Really?” Stefano raised his eyebrow suspiciously in a miffed tone. “Why would you want to work for that horrible man?”

“Because he really liked my singing and I do need another job to supplement my income,” Natalie answered.

“Natalia, if you’re so hard up for a job, why didn’t you ask your cousin Chad? I’m sure he would have made arrangements for you to get a job at DiMera Enterprises. You don’t need to go work for those back-stabbing, treacherous Kiriakises,” Stefano replied.

“I hate to complain, Uncle, but I really love singing. It’s one of the many things in life that give me so much joy. I really don’t want to work at some boring job in your company,” Natalie frowned petulantly.

“Of course, my dear little niece. Whatever you want,” Stefano smiled warmly. “I’ll arrange for Chad to set up a karaoke station at Club TBD just so you won’t have to be anywhere near Victor.”

“Thank you so much, Uncle!” Natalie beamed.

“Now then…” Stefano mused. “I’ve been hearing some interesting things about you and Jeannie Theresa Donovan. You two seem especially close and that woman appears to have taken a special liking to you.”

“Well, you know me, Uncle,” Natalie chuckled good-naturedly. “I have a way with people.”

“Of course,” Stefano smirked darkly. “I think you must have a special effect on her. You seem to bring out a certain softness from her. That woman is usually very ill-tempered and vicious. But somehow you have a knack from turning her from a rabid dog to a sweet, innocent, docile kitten.”

“Where are you getting at, Uncle?” Natalie retorted, confused.

“Now I know that you two share a very close bond but I still like for you to be very careful with her. This woman may lead you to nothing but trouble. For years I have tried to destroy the Bradys but to no avail.”

“And at what cost? Almost all of my offspring are dead. You are one of my few living descendants. I’d like for you to carry on the legacy of the DiMeras in case anything happens to Kristen and Chad. Do not make the same mistake that Anthony and Elvis have made, especially Elvis. He chose the love of his dear and precious Samantha over the loyalty of this family, and look where that got him.”

“Oh my God,” Natalie whispered.

“You are very special to me, Natalia, and that is why I’ve tasked Chadwick with the job of protecting you. I believe that you may be next in line to be heir of my empire. You have enough smarts, cunning and charisma to be a true DiMera,” Stefano remarked.

“Uncle, can I ask you something?” Natalie frowned.

“Yes, my child?” Stefano answered.

“I’ve been having these strange dreams lately. There was this girl that was riding with my father and she was the product of an affair between a wine vineyard heiress and a street performer. She came from a very long line of winemakers apparently and they had a line called Livingston Wines,” Natalie explained.

“Ahhh… of course. I’m very familiar with that type of wine,” Stefano grinned. “I used to drink that all of the time. Now what are you getting at?”

“I believe the woman in my dreams may be my real mother,” Natalie replied. “But I’m looking for real, hard proof and I’ve asked Marlena to assist me. So far she’s uncovered nothing but I hope she finds something soon.”

“Hmmm… very persistent child indeed,” Stefano mused. “I do hope that you prepare yourself for what you may find. Sometimes the truth we find may be quite unpleasant.”

“What do you mean, Uncle Stefano?” Natalie demanded.

“I’ll tell you when you’re ready, but not now. The time will come of course. Just be patient,” Stefano remarked. “However, I do admire your bravery and tenacity, my dear sweet niece. But use those qualities well. I’ll contact you again in a few weeks time for more news. Take care.”

“Goodbye, Uncle,” Natalie said as Stefano hung up and she put the phone down. “I really hope that Marlena has some good news for me yet.”

[sevenna92]

SCENE 13 – DR. MARLENA EVANS’ OFFICE, MID-AFTERNOON

“Hey, Dr. Evans,” Natalie crowed as she walked into the office.

“Natalie! I wasn’t expecting you,” Marlena greeted her with a smile.

“Sorry to be on such short notice, Dr. Evans, but I just want to know how your investigation’s going.”

“Not too well. I’ve hit some dead ends. I really don’t have much info to go on. Sorry,” Marlena shrugged. “I wish I can help you more.”

“It’s okay,” Natalie replied sadly, a bit disappointed. She twisted her purse nervously, glancing down. “I’m just hoping that this doesn’t interfere with your other cases.”

“No it doesn’t,” Marlena replied. “But thank you for asking.”

“I actually remember some of the names of relatives from my dream the other day. I really wish I had mentioned them so you would have more to go on,” Natalie piped in.

“Okay. What are they?” Marlena queried.

“Well, Vernon and Marcy are the great-grandparents, and Lidia is the grandmother. Emma is definitely the mother of that 19-year-old girl. Their last name was Livingston,” Natalie remarked.

“Oh I remember that name. Livingston Wines. John and I used to buy them every year for our anniversary,” Marlena mused.

“That sounds nice,” Natalie grinned. “So how are you and John?”

“Just taking it one day at a time. Just taking it slow,” Marlena answered.

“All right then. Any plans for Valentine’s Day?” Natalie queried.

“Oh, well. John and I are going to Tuscany’s for dinner and then we’ll stay in and watch romantic movies together,” Marlena replied crisply.

“Sounds lovely. I don’t know what I’m going to do or what I’m going to buy. I hardly have any money as it is,” Natalie frowned sadly.

“It’s okay, Natalie. You don’t need money to show the person you care about them that you love them. Just let them know how much you love them,” Marlena advised her.

“Thanks for the advice, Dr. Evans,” Natalie smiled. “I think I know what to do now.”

She then walked over to the door and was about to head out. “Bye. Let me know if you find anything else.”

The moment she walked out of the office, Marlena sighed and spun around to face her computer. She then went on Ewe Search.

“Okay, Lee. Let’s see where in the world you are now.”

She then saw a newspaper article detailing an expensive wedding between Lee and a man named Rob Marshall, a real estate mogul. Then she noticed many more articles chronicling Lee and Rob’s many outings at several lavish charities and social events in Palm Beach, Florida.

“So that’s where you are now?” Marlena mused. “Time to get some answers.”

She then accessed Rob’s company’s official website and found the contact information. The elderly blonde woman then picked up her phone and used the number listed on the website. She then waited several minutes as the dial tone kept on ringing.

“Come on, come on…” she muttered.

Finally the dial tone stopped as a female elderly voice with a slight Southern accent spoke up.

“Who is this?” she demanded in an irritated voice.

“Hello? Is this Lee Dumonde?”

There was a tense silence as Marlena waited for an answer, hoping that the woman on the other end of the line didn’t hang up on her. She felt a huge wave of relief wash over her as she answered.

“Yes this is she… But I go by Lee Marshall now,” the elderly woman answered and there was a brief hesitant pause. “Do I know you from somewhere? You sound familiar.”

“Yes. I’m not sure if you remember but I’m Dr. Marlena Evans. We used to be friends when you were in Salem years ago. I was married to Roman Brady then, but not anymore. I’ve since remarried to another,” Marlena answered pithily.

“Of course. I do remember now. I’m terribly sorry to hear about you and Roman. I hope you and your husband are happy.”

“Well…” Marlena bit her lip hesitantly, not sure what to say. “We’re going through a serious rough patch right now but we should get through it.”

“I would hope so. You deserve to be happy. You were one of the few people in Salem who was ever nice to me. I know I wasn’t exactly the nicest person in the world back then. And I have plenty of regrets in my life and I wish I could take back every single mistake I’ve made,” Lee remarked in a weak, tired voice as she hung her head morosely. She then choked up in tears and sobbed heavily.

Marlena felt sorry for the woman as her face fell and her heart filled with sympathy.

“So… how are you and your husband?” she asked.

“Oh, my husband and I are currently separated. We’ve been having serious problems on and off for years. He’s had over a dozen affairs and he tends to spend so much money on expensive things. Of course I had those problems too, but that’s beside the point. We’ve also had cops visit our mansion numerous times because we tend to have these extremely violent fights. Anyways he’s living with his latest girlfriend and he’s considering giving me a divorce. He’s only giving me enough money to take care of medical bills and such but he’s keeping the rest of his fortune.”

“My children despise me and refuse to even speak to me or see me. I haven’t seen them in close to 10 years now. I haven’t exactly been the most ideal mother and I’ve made plenty of mistakes with them but I still love them with all my heart and soul. All I ever wanted for them was to be happy. The only time I ever hear from them now is whenever I get hospitalized for various health problems,” Lee explained.

“You see… I had a really bad stroke four years ago and I’m now confined to a wheelchair, but this time for good. I can’t feel my legs and my half-sister Erin had to move all of the way from Nevada just to take care of me.”

“I’m grateful for her help but I feel so guilty at the same time. I could have hired some help to care for me but Erin insisted on doing it herself. I guess she wanted to make up for so much lost time. We only just found out about 20-something years ago that we are really sisters. She is such a sweet and unassuming woman and I have such a terrible temper. We sometimes fight but we’d always make up. After all, all we have is each other. She’s all I have now.”

Lee then smirked sadly as she added, “I’m assuming you just didn’t call to hear the pathetic, woeful ramblings of an old woman.”

“No,” Marlena shook her head. “I have something very important to ask you, and I hope you can help me.”

“I’ll do what I can,” Lee answered.

Marlena then sighed deeply, running her hand through her hair. “Well, there’s this girl. Her name is Natalie Callaway. She’s been having these strange dreams lately. She says that the girl in her dreams mentioned some relatives. Her mother is named Emma Livingston and she supposedly had an affair with a street performer named Chekhov Carter. Does that ring a bell?”

“Oh, of course,” Lee smiled widely. “That’s Erin’s mother all right. Chekhov is my father’s name too. But what does that have to do with anything?”

“I’m asking because Natalie thinks that the girl in her dreams may be her real mother and she wants to find proof of whether or not that’s even true. I’m wondering if perhaps your sister had a daughter that she gave up for adoption,” Marlena explained crisply.

Lee then paused for several minutes and then lit up a cigarette holder. She then took a long drag and exhaled. She then chuckled deeply.

“She did, but the girl’s name was Annemarie. That was the name that Erin wanted for her. She gave her up to this middle-aged Jewish couple but I forget what their names were. But I do miss that sweet girl. I wish she were mine. At least I would have something to love and cherish. Everything I’ve ever held dear has been taken from me, including my dear sweet Renee. My beautiful little girl.”

She then broke down into sobs and began to weep. Marlena then sympathized with her as she waited for Lee to regain her composure. “I’m sorry, Lee. I knew Renee and she was a sweet and loving girl. You know, in a weird way, Natalie reminds me a lot of Renee sometimes. I thank you for your help.”

“No problem, Marlena. I’ll do whatever I can to assist you. It’s all I can do to repay you. I’ll search through the old family archives to see if I find anything important of value. I can even ask Erin. Perhaps she knows some info.”

There was a brief pause before she spoke again. “I got to go. My maid just came in. I need to go for my swimming exercises. I’ll call you again soon. It was nice talking with you.”

“Okay, bye,” Marlena nodded as Lee then hung up.

Marlena then narrowed her eyes as she pondered deeply in thought. “This can’t be a coincidence. I feel there has to be more to this.”

Lee then slammed down her cell phone and glanced over to a manservant. “I’d like to take a stroll in the garden and then take me out to the community pool.”

“Yes, Madame,” the man nodded as Lee was being rolled out of her room.

The elderly Southern woman then narrowed her eyes darkly.

“I know there’s something more to this girl than Marlena’s telling. My gut tells me that Natalie may be my long lost niece Annemarie. But I need proof, and hard proof. I will do whatever it takes to make sure I reunite my sister with her flesh and blood. I will find my Annemarie again.”

[gapeach]

Sure sounds like Annemarie and Natalie are the same person. Great story! Can't wait to hear more from Lee!

[sevenna92]

SCENE 14 – THERESA’S APARTMENT, MID-AFTERNOON

“Hello, Natalie? Nat? Nat?” Theresa hollered as she stepped into her apartment with a black shawl, a heavy brown coat and some sunglasses on her. She then went into her bedroom and put down a box of chocolates onto the bed. She also placed down three stuffed dolls resembling a Torctic, a Cyndaquil and a Fennekin. She also laid down a red and black checkered pajama outfit that had a soft, fluffy texture.

Theresa then paused as she rubbed her chin. “Hmmm… I’m forgetting a couple of things! Oh yeah!”

She then placed in three large stuffed animals resembling Stitch, Angel and Leroy and also three smaller stuffed animals resembling Yaarp, Sparky and Digger.

“And that does it. Just hope that nobody suspects I’m buying anything for Natalie.”

Just then her breath caught in her throat and she spun around at the sound of a large bang at the door. The door then swung open and a small dark gray miniature schnauzer then started barking and baying loudly.

Theresa then rolled her eyes as she tried to usher the dog out of her room. “Come on, Kerra. You know you’re not supposed to be here. Out! Out!”

Just then she heard footsteps and she quickly spun around, her heart pounding.

“Oh no! I better hide all of this stuff quick!” she hissed as she grabbed everything off the bed and stuffed them in her closet. Then just as she closed the closet door shut, she turned around to see Clint walking through the door.

“Oh my God, Clint!” Theresa exclaimed. “I didn’t expect you here this early!”

“Hello babe,” Clint retorted as he pulled her into a hug and kissed her. However, it was very brief and he quickly pulled away, causing Theresa to be very confused. “What’s wrong?”

“I’m leaving,” Clint announced.

“What?!” Theresa screamed, gawking in horror. “How could you be leaving? Why now? I was going to give you a Valentine’s Day present!”

“Save your money, babe. I’m going out of town and I’m not sure when I’ll be back. I need to do some business and it’s going to take a long time to take care of it,” Clint replied.

Theresa was shaking violently with her eyes widened and her jaw gaping, not sure how to comprehend this news. “But what about me? What about us?”

“Hey, darling,” Clint purred, placing a hand on her shoulder. “It was fun while it lasted, wasn’t it?”

“How dare you leave me like this? How dare you?!” Theresa screamed angrily. “You insensitive little jerk!”

Clint then laughed boisterously. “Did you honestly expect anything more from our relationship? You really should re-examine your priorities, honey. Maybe it’s time you did some soul-searching. In the meantime, I’m hitting the road. See ya.”

He then walked out the door and was gone.

Theresa then let out a loud scream and started trashing the room, ripping the bed apart, throwing things in the air and even smashing a lamp against the wall. She then stormed over to the kitchen and started taking several bottles of wine, brandy, tequila and other spirits. She threw down each bottle onto the ground with such a force that her fury was palpable.

Theresa then charged up one fireball and then tossed it at one cabinet, causing it to explode. She then started to throw several chain lightning bolts as they vaporized practically everything in sight. Just then Kerra dashed into the room, barking and whimpering fearfully.

Theresa then spun around angrily, her nostrils flaring and her eyes simmering with rage.

“Get out,” she snarled, her hands sparkling with lightning.

Kerra then whimpered and laid down on her belly.

“I said out! OUT NOW!” she yelled in a shrill voice and then tossed another lightning bolt at the ground, causing Kerra to run right out of the kitchen. Theresa then started sobbing violently as she collapsed onto the ground and curled up into a fetal position.

Over an hour later, Natalie returned home a bit chirpy and blissful as she examined her surroundings.

“Hello? Theresa? Hello?”

She then entered her bedroom and noticed that it was horribly trashed.

“Oh my God! What happened?” she gasped in horror.

She then rushed over to the closet to see if it was destroyed too and she was surprised to find some stuffed animals waiting for her.

“Oh my God,” Natalie whispered in astonishment yet joy as she eyed the Stitch doll, caressing its ear. “She bought them just for me.”

She then picked up the box of milk chocolates and smiled warmly. “I think I might share these with her.”

She then closed the closet door and exited the room. Natalie then entered the kitchen with the box of chocolates and was surprised to see that the kitchen was in even worse condition than the bedroom.

“Theresa? What happened?”

Theresa then sniffled as she sat up while hugging her knees, still crying.

“Clint’s gone. He left me,” she whimpered.

“Oh no! That’s awful. Do you want to talk about it?” Natalie frowned sadly.

Theresa then shook her head and hugged her knees even more tightly. “Just leave me alone, Natalie. I don’t want to talk to anybody right now. Just go. Have your fun. Leave me here in my tears and snot.”

“Theresa…” Natalie whispered as she tried to approach her.

“Just leave me alone, Natalie! Go! Get out of here! I don’t need you right now!”

Natalie then dropped her shoulders and sighed. “Okay, if that’s what you want.”

She then walked out of the kitchen and left. Theresa then continued to cry hysterically as she lay on her side all alone with the last of the sun’s golden rays shining down through the window.

Several hours later, as it got dark, Natalie was lying on the bed in Theresa’s room watching some T.V. Theresa then walked inside slowly with her face and eyes completely red from crying so much and so hard.

Natalie then glanced up to see her friend and smiled, hugging her Torctic doll and leaning against her Stitch doll.

“Hey. You okay now?” she inquired.

“Yeah,” Theresa sniffled, rubbing her eyes. “I’m so sorry about what happened earlier. I know that I acted pretty rude and nasty. But I just can’t believe that Clint would up and leave me. Why would he do that? I thought we were going great.”

“I’m sorry to hear that, Theresa,” Natalie sympathized as she patted on a spot next to her and Theresa sat next to her. “But maybe it’s for the best. That guy was a real creep if you asked me.”

“Whatever,” Theresa sighed as she lay down. “But what if he’s right? What if I’m really looking for more than just something casual? What if I’m really desiring more? I might not be ready.”

“I’m sure you’ll be ready when the right person comes along, believe me,” Natalie assured her.

“You really think so?” Theresa smirked demurely.

“Yeah, I know so,” Natalie replied empathetically and Theresa chuckled. She then pulled her into her arms and nuzzled her. Natalie then blushed as the two women cuddled close together and she lay in her arms.

“You’re so nice to cuddle up to,” Theresa giggled as she pushed all of the stuffed animals aside.

“Thanks,” Natalie giggled back.

“You are just so sexy and gorgeous,” Theresa murmured as she played with Natalie’s hair and Natalie shivered. “Come here. Let me keep you warm.”

Natalie then lay on top of Theresa as Theresa cradled her in her arms and held her. Theresa then stroked her hair and Natalie leaned against her shoulder.

“This is nice,” she whispered.

“Yeah,” Theresa smiled back. “Are you comfortable?”

“Of course,” Natalie whispered as her eyes started to close. “You know I always wanted to be close with you. Now that Clint’s gone, what’s gonna stop us now?”

“Yeah,” Theresa whispered back. “But I’d rather wait now. Because later it would be even more special.”

“I think you have a point there,” Natalie chirped. “But would you like to kiss me?”

“I’d like to,” Theresa blushed in a soft whisper as she rubbed Natalie’s shoulder, smiling.

“What’s going on, Theresa? I thought you’d be happy to jump into bed with me by now. What’s changed?” Natalie retorted with a puzzled expression as she sat up and looked at her.

“I don’t know,” Theresa sighed, shrugging. “Maybe I just don’t want to be alone anymore. Maybe I’m just tired of jumping into bed with every person I meet and never getting to actually know them. It just makes me feel empty and lonely.”

“You don’t have to be lonely, Theresa,” Natalie said with a smile. “You have me.”

She then grabbed her hand and held it tenderly. Theresa then looked down and flinched, surprised at the gesture. Natalie then snuggled up close to her and wrapped her arms around her body. She pressed her face close to hers and looked deeply into her eyes. Theresa then caressed her shoulders tenderly and peered at her lovingly. The two women then closed their eyes and leaned closer to kiss.

But then the door opened and Eve walked right into the room. Her mouth dropped in horror as she saw Natalie and her sister together.

“Oh my God!” she screamed as Natalie suddenly pulled away and looked over to see Eve. “Eve!”

“Why I don’t believe this!” Eve laughed sardonically. “I figured there was something strange going on between you two, but now it all makes sense!”

She then continued to laugh hysterically as Theresa bristled.

“Watch it, Eve! You better not breathe a word of this to anybody!” she snarled fiercely.

“Or what? I’ll ruin your little street cred? Relax, little Jeannie. There are plenty of female gangsters that are lesbians,” Eve scoffed disdainfully.

“Okay, first of all, I’m not a lesbian. And second of all, even if I do like girls, it doesn’t change the fact that I still like men!” Theresa shot back caustically.

“Big deal. So you’re bisexual. I know you like guys too. But I remember your mom telling me about that little ‘relationship’ you had with your little home girl Jade back in California,” Eve retorted briskly.

Theresa’s face flushed red as she began to fidget and tremble nervously. “I um…. It wasn’t anything serious! And so what if I have types I like? Is there anything wrong with that?”

“No but I know that I am going to enjoy the looks on your parents’ faces when they find out what their little girl’s really been up to,” Eve grinned with malicious glee.

“So what? It’s not like anything they haven’t seen or heard about before, and don’t you dare tell my parents!” Theresa yelled belligerently.

“Okay, I won’t say anything to Daddy and Kim,” Eve shrugged casually. “Just calm down. Your secret’s safe with me.”

“It better,” Theresa sneered. “Now get out.”

“All right, fine. Whatever,” Eve rolled her eyes as she walked out of the room.

“God, I got to get out of this apartment before more people continue barging right in,” Theresa muttered as she walked over to her bathroom to freshen up and fix herself up. “Let’s go.”

“Okay,” Natalie replied as she jumped off the bed.

Theresa then re-emerged with her fuschia dress and with light mascara, eye-liner and lipstick. She then walked over to Natalie and wrapped a protective arm around her.

“Come on. We’re going out to dance.”

“Does this mean we’re dating now?” Natalie asked.

Theresa then paused for a minute. “In a matter of speaking, yes.”

“Cool!” Natalie grinned.

“Don’t get too excited, kid. We’re not official yet. We’re just going to see how it goes,” Theresa admonished her firmly. “In the meantime, we can date other people and explore more options.”

“Oh wait…” Natalie frowned, puckering her lips and knitting her eyebrows in thought. “So is this kind of like an open relationship?”

“If you want to call it that,” Theresa shrugged.

“Okay… if you’re really up for this…” Natalie shrugged uncertainly.

“Of course I’m up for it. I’m just not ready to jump into anything serious yet,” Theresa retorted defensively.

Natalie then stared at Theresa incredulously. “Whatever you say, Theresa.”

“Look, Nat. I know that you’re stressed out about your family wanting you to settle into a relationship, but you are still so young. Why settle for one person when we can go out with so many other people? We’re young, hip and fun women, not old spinsters living alone in a old, creepy house with a dozen cats crawling around,” Theresa said assuredly.

“I think I get what you mean,” Natalie remarked pensively.

“Enough chitchat! Let’s move out!” Theresa declared as she and Natalie left the apartment.

[heroicmuse]

Ooooh... I like the dynamic between Theresa and Natalie, and having Eve in the mix is great. Good chapter!!!

[sevenna92]

SCENE 15 – SALEM UNIVERSITY, MID-AFTERNOON

Around the same time, classes had let out for the day and Myrna and J.J. were hanging out in an empty classroom.

J.J. was sitting on a desk while Myrna was looking at her computer tablet with an attachable plastic keyboard.

“Oh man, I really hope this research paper really boosts my grade up. The last thing I want to do now is flunk out of English,” J.J. griped. “I’ve missed way too many classes.”

“Don’t stress, J.J. You’re going to ace it, believe me,” Myrna assured him calmly as she began swiping on her screen. “I should get some information that might help us.”

“Yeah, we need to also get the proper citations too. You know that the professor’s going to look for that,” J.J. reminded her pointedly.

“I know that, J.J.! I was the one paying attention in class instead of daydreaming!” Myrna shot back curtly with a dirty look. She then noticed the troubled look on her new friend’s face and she quickly softened.

“You okay, Jay?” she whispered gently. “You’re not still worried about your crazy psycho ex, are you?”

“Yeah,” J.J. sighed. “I still don’t get why she won’t leave me alone. Why is she still so insistent on finding out why I dumped her even after I told her to bug off?”

“Maybe she’s just that hung over you because you were her first serious boyfriend,” Myrna replied. “I kind of feel bad for her. A girl like that with no prior romantic relationship, having no father figure in her life, and living with a single mom who is extremely overprotective… it’s a recipe for disaster. I’m amazed that she hasn’t wound up in a loony bin with the type of home life she has.”

“Well, she actually has turned out okay, despite of her faults,” J.J. sighed. “I just don’t like her hanging around Cole. He’s seriously bad news.”

“Maybe he has changed like he claimed,” Myrna suggested pithily.

“No,” J.J. shook his head vehemently. “Guys like him… they never change.”

“You know, people might say the exact same thing about you,” Myrna retorted sternly. “But I know you’re a good guy, despite of your faults.”

“At least you have both parents at home,” J.J. replied wistfully.

“Yeah… at least my dad is sober now. When he was drinking, I had a really hard time with it. I know that physically he was there, but emotionally, it was like he was never there at all… And while he was on the bottle I never knew what side of him I was going to get. My dad could be a really sweet guy but when he drank too much he could be extremely cruel. He used to say a lot of nasty and mean things when he was drunk. He used to make fun of my appearance and weight and tell me that I was so ugly that no one would ever like me or want to be my friend. After enduring months of that I finally had to go see a psychiatrist. It took more than a year to recover.”

“Wow, that’s really rough,” J.J. remarked. “At least my dad wasn’t that bad, but he did have a past. He used to be a different person back then and he raped my aunt Kayla while he was married to her. When I found out about that, I went nuts. I even trashed a window of a store in Horton Town Square at one point. I was running around doing drugs and getting into all kinds of trouble with Rory and Bev. We used to be so tight but now we don’t hang out anymore.”

“Oh, wow…” Myrna widened her eyes in amazement. “You’re such a different person. I can’t believe how much you’ve changed.”

“Yeah, and my mom and sister are so proud of me. But now I feel like I’m free-falling and I don’t know how to stop,” J.J. replied sadly. “I feel like I’m losing control.”

“It’s all right, J.J. Just focus and breathe. You’ll be fine,” Myrna replied calmly.

“Thanks, Myrna,” J.J. replied with a smile. “You know, you can come over and hang out at my place to work on the paper. I’ll let Mom know you’re coming.”

“Sure, I’ll ask my folks if that would be okay,” Myrna remarked. “I’ll be there in about an hour tops.”

“Cool, see you then,” J.J. grinned as Myrna turned off her tablet and walked off with all of her belongings.

Meanwhile, at a table in the outdoor section of the university, Paige was staring at her cell phone. Tears welled up in her eyes as she looked at a picture of J.J. and she began crying.

“Hey, Paige!” a female voice hollered and Paige turned around to see a dark-haired girl with long, silky yet flat hair with a brown headband and big, wide brown eyes and light tanned skin. She had a slender yet thin body with an oval-shaped, round face and large cheeks. It was Joy Wesley, Chloe’s kid sister who was also a freshman at Salem U.

“Joy!” Paige hollered, wiping her eyes quickly as Joy took a seat beside her. “What’s wrong? Still thinking about J.J.?”

“Yeah,” Paige sighed. “I just don’t get it. Why would he leave me? I thought he really loved me.”

“Paige, stop it,” Joy frowned. “J.J. is just another guy. A lot of them are like that. It’s just how they are. You’ll find someone new.”

“Yeah but I was going to give myself to him. I would have waited forever until we were ready to make love. And then he just dumps me the moment I flew off to California to visit my sick grandfather!”

Paige then slammed her fists down on the table, clenching her teeth. “I can’t sleep, I can’t eat; I can’t breathe. My chest is tight and my heart won’t stop racing! J.J. is all I think about every moment of every day. Not a minute goes by that he’s not in my thoughts.”

“Girl you’re getting really obsessed here,” Joy rolled her eyes. “You need to forget about J.J.!”

“No!” Paige yelled angrily, snarling at her younger friend. “I know he wouldn’t just break up with me without a reason! I know he won’t. It’s that new girl he hangs out with… Myrna Delaney. I mean, why would she just up and leave New York in the middle of the semester for the Midwest?”

“Um, maybe because her dad got a new job or something?” Joy shrugged sarcastically.

“No… I think there’s a more sinister reason for it. I think it’s too much of a coincidence that she just happens to show up and meet J.J. I think she’s been around longer than she says she has,” Paige whispered in a dark voice with a mad, wild look in her eyes.

“Um… what are you planning to do?” Joy retorted nervously as Paige snapped her fingers.

“Of course! I’m going to break into the student office and access her records. I’ll be able to divulge all of her dirty little secrets.”

“Um… you are seriously not considering breaking and entering, are you? Because if you get caught, you could get kicked out and even expelled,” Joy scoffed with an eye roll. “I really don’t think this is a good idea.”

“Help me here, Joy!” Paige pleaded desperately. “I need you to be my lookout while I look through the files and discover any pertinent information about Myrna. If you see anybody coming, we’ll bail out before we’re discovered.”

Joy then sighed exasperatedly and pinched the bridge of her nose. “All right, because I know you’re going to whine and beg before I give in anyway. But if we get caught, you’re on your own!”

“Thank you so much, Joy!” Paige squealed as she hugged her. “I know you won’t regret this!”

Less an hour later, Paige and Joy slipped into the student office as Joy leaned next to the doorway and poked outside. Paige slipped behind a desk as she approached a large shelf of plastic boxes filled with folders.

“Found anything yet?” Joy hissed.

“No,” Paige answered as she continued rummaging and pushing aside boxes. “Delaney, Delaney, Delaney, Delaney, aha! Here we go!”

Paige then laughed evilly as she took out a folder containing Myrna’s files. She then leafed through the pages quickly, desperate to find something of value.

“Please let me find something…” she muttered and then she came across one particular file. “Bingo!”

Joy then peeked out the door again and then quickly ducked back inside. “Paige, hurry! I think there’s someone coming!”

Paige then quickly scanned some of the info she saw on the file with an evil smile. She then put the file back in the folder and stuffed it back in the box. As soon as she pushed the box back onto the shelf, she and Joy ducked behind the desk just as someone entered the room. An elderly man with grey hair walked past them and went over to the other side. Paige and Joy quickly emerged from the desk and slipped out of the office.

Paige and Joy then dashed through the hallway as Paige bounded with glee. “I can’t believe we pulled it off!” she exclaimed.

“Me too!” Joy cried excitedly. “So what did you find?”

“Apparently in Myrna’s senior year of high school she had to have weekly sessions with the school psychiatrist. According to her file there were some problems at home and her dad appeared to be a drunk…” Paige explained and her voice trailed off and her face went blank.

Joy then looked at Paige nervously. “What are you planning?”

Paige then flashed an evil grin. “Let’s say that I’m going to start a little rumor all over the Internet. I’m going to claim that Myrna is a psycho who stalked and threatened her ex-boyfriend back at her old college and now she’s planning to make J.J. her next victim. It won’t be long before it catches on like wildfire and people see Myrna for the snake she is. Then once J.J. breaks things off with her, he’ll be sure to come back to me.”

Joy then gasped in astonished horror. “Oh my God, that’s so evil! Why would you do a thing like that?”

“Because J.J. is mine and mine alone!” Paige sneered. “He is supposed to be my true love and that ol’ witch can’t have her! I’ll do whatever it takes to make him come back to me.”

“You’re crazy. I’m out of here,” Joy shook her head in disgust as she walked away.

Paige then scoffed as she rubbed her hands together.

“Okay time to go to the library and send a message on social media.”

[sevenna92]

SCENE 16 – MT. OLYMPUS, EARLY EVENING

“Woohoo! This is awesome!” Natalie howled as she picked up a spoon containing some chocolate frozen yogurt with sprinkles and she stuck it in her mouth.

“That was a really great place,” Theresa remarked as Natalie nodded and then licked her spoon.

“Hello there, Natalie!” Abby greeted the older brunette woman in surprise and then gave Theresa a side eye. “I didn’t expect you to be here.”

“I didn’t expect to see you here either,” Theresa scoffed. “Now would you kindly please leave my table?”

“Gee, Theresa, you don’t have to be so rude. I was only talking to Natalie,” Abby rolled her eyes as she walked off.

Theresa then gave her an ugly glare as she watched her leave. Natalie then gave her a disapproving stare as she crossed her arms and frowned. Theresa then looked down shamefully.

Abby then shook her head as she ran into Sonny. “Hey, Sonny, where’s Will?”

“He’s with Ari tonight,” Sonny sighed as he took a sip of his beer.

“What’s the matter? You don’t look that happy,” Abby frowned worriedly.

“Will and I are separated right now. We’re trying to figure out what is going to happen with Arianna now. I’m in the process of filing a motion to legally adopt her as my own so I won’t have to lose her in case we divorce,” Sonny explained.

“Oh my God,” Abby gasped. “What happened?”

Sonny then took in a deep breath and sighed, drinking more of his beer. “Will cheated on me with an ex-boyfriend of mine. He’s Paul Narita.”

“Are you serious?” Abby gawked in shock. “Paul Narita, the famous baseball player?”

“Yep,” Sonny nodded. “The one and the same.”

“Wow, small world then,” Abby laughed softly as she gave her cousin a sympathetic smile. “I really hope you and Will work things out. I wouldn’t want you two to break things up because of what happened with Paul.”

“I sure hope so,” Sonny sighed.

“Hey, everybody,” T announced as he approached Abby and Sonny. Next to him was a very stunning and attractive 30-something woman with a pronounced and stark face and overflowing, curly dark hair. She also had dark brown hazel eyes and was wearing a dark maroon dress with a black denim jacket.

“This is Julia. We’ve been going out for 3 weeks now,” he said.

“Hi, Julia,” Sonny grinned.

“Hi, Julia,” Abby waved politely. “I’m Abby and this is my cousin Sonny.”

“How do you do?” Sonny said as he shook Julia’s hand. “Whoa, you got a strong grip for a woman.”

“Thanks, Sonny,” Julia chuckled in a husky, dark voice. “This is such a nice club and T is the most delightful and amazing boyfriend. You two also seem really nice.”

“Well, there are plenty of other people you can hang around with too,” Abby replied.

“So Abby, do you have a boyfriend?” Julia asked.

“Yeah. His name is Ben but he’s working late tonight,” Abby answered.

“Hello. Who is this lovely lady?” Chad purred as he walked into the gathering.

“Hey, Chad, this is my new girlfriend, Julia. Julia, Chad DiMera,” T replied as he introduced the two.

“Pleasure,” Julia purred as Chad kissed her hand. “So what is your last name?”

“Oh, you cad!” Julia chuckled, waving her hand. “Actually, my last name is Sullaway.”

“Cool,” Chad smiled.

“Ugh, I better stay away from that disgusting love fest,” Anne muttered as she walked over to Natalie and Theresa’s table. “Hey, ladies.”

“Hey, Anne. So glad you can join us,” Theresa beamed as Anne sat between her and Natalie. “Eh, I figured I had nowhere else to go. Besides, I really missed you, Theresa. We really should hang out more.”

“Yeah, we should,” Theresa nodded as she glanced over at Abby with contempt. “At least for now I don’t have to deal with Miss Perfect Abigail and her little clique.”

“Me too,” Anne nodded and then as a waiter passed them by she whistled and held out her hand. “Hey, waiter! I’d like a dozen shots of scotch for me and my two friends here!”

“Wow you seem eager to party,” Theresa chuckled dryly.

“Yeah, time to cut loose,” Anne laughed as the waiter showed up with a dozen shots of vodka.

Anne then grabbed one and gulped it down all in one sitting.

“Whoa, slow down, Anne! The drinks aren’t gonna run away by themselves!” Theresa exclaimed warningly.

“Come on, Theresa. Why don’t you share some with me?” Anne giggled as she continued drinking more of the shots.

“Nah, Natalie and I are all liquored out,” Theresa shook her head as she looked at Natalie.

“Really?” Anne scoffed as she peered at Natalie incredulously. “Natalie the big drinker here? I never took her for a lover of alcohol.”

“She doesn’t really drink all that often, you know,” Theresa scoffed. “She really loves her chocolate milk.”

“Hey!” Natalie frowned.

“Come on, Nat. You really should drink more often,” Anne mumbled in a slurred voice as she continued to consume more shots. She then flopped face down, laughing.

She then looked up at Theresa, smirking. “Come on, I dare you to do a magic trick.”

“What magic trick?” Theresa scoffed.

“I don’t know… turn people into animals?” Anne shrugged.

“Okay then… you asked for it,” Theresa sighed as she outstretched her hands and took in a deep breath. She then fired a dark blue energy and Anne was immediately transformed into an elephant. She then laughed while trumpeting through her trunk and flapped her ears.

“Oh… this is awesome!” Theresa giggled as she then looked right at Abby. She then tossed a dark blue energy beam at Abby and she transformed into a monkey. Abby then scratched her side and jumped excitedly as she began to tear wildly through the tables.

“Hey, what’s going on?” Melanie frowned as she started looking around.

“Oh no,” Brady shook his head as he watched Theresa create mischief. Theresa then shot a dark blue energy beam at Melanie and she transformed into a large gorilla. Melanie then let out a deep bellow and picked her nose.

“Dang it, Theresa! This has got to stop!” Brady yelled as he marched up to the table.

“Or what? What are you going to make me do?” Theresa smirked in a taunting voice.

“I can always hold up a mirror, deflect the beam from myself and have yourself turned into an animal,” Brady retorted in an as a matter of fact tone.

“Really? And where are you going to find a mirror?” Theresa laughed.

“I can get one from Melanie’s purse,” Brady retorted crisply.

“Great. You can be Melanie’s lap dog while you’re at it too. You’re so pathetic,” Theresa sneered with an eye roll.

“You know, sometimes I feel so sorry for you for having such a pathetic existence. I mean seriously, the only friends you have are Natalie and Anne, and Natalie’s autistic!” Brady shot back coldly.

“Do you have a problem against autistic people?!” Theresa snarled.

“No but I have a problem with you taking advantage of people that don’t know any better!” Brady yelled aggressively.

Melanie then started pounding wildly on the ground while shrieking.

Theresa then groaned while she rubbed her face deeply. “Look, Brady. I am not taking advantage of Natalie in any way. I don’t have to. She actually enjoys my company and she’s very pleasant to be around with. She’s really a lot of fun and is not such a wet blanket like you are!”

The young redhead woman then exhaled heavily and then pointed her hand at Melanie, Abby and Anne. She then blasted energy beams at all three of them, turning them back into normal.

She then turned back to face Brady. “I don’t know why I’m wasting my time with you. You obviously love Melanie more than you’ve ever loved me. Being with you was one of the worst mistakes I’ve ever made. I hope you have fun with your new girlfriend because I know I will!”

She then marched off as Brady looked on with sadness and pity in his eyes. He then looked over at Natalie talking with Anne and suspicion formed on his face.

It was then that Paul waved over to Theresa and she sat down next to him.

“Hey, Theresa. What’s wrong?” he asked.

“Everything. I’m crazy for a girl but I’m afraid to take the next step. I still have feelings for another man but he’s in love with someone else. My life is a mess,” Theresa growled angrily.

“Hey, it’s okay, Theresa,” Paul smiled warmly. “I’m sure things would get better.”

“I would hope so anyway,” Theresa sighed dejectedly. “I’m so glad I don’t have a baby with that loser Brady. I would have spent all of the money in the world to keep it from him for as long as I can, until he or she’s 18. He would have been a terrible father. I just don’t understand what I ever saw in him.”

“Well, there’s always more fish out there in the sea,” Paul shrugged. “You don’t have to pine anymore for Brady.”

“I wish it were that easy,” Theresa muttered, inhaling deeply and tears welling in her eyes. Then an idea came to her and she looked at Paul with a half-smile.

“You know, there is something I can ask of you.”

“What?” Paul asked.

“You’re a very nice guy, you’re very well-off, and you’re very independent and stable, everything that Brady doesn’t appear to be. I think it would be a wonderful idea if you could be the father of my first born child,” Theresa proposed.

“What? Are you serious?” Paul gawked in surprise, his mouth hanging open.

“Yeah, I’m serious,” Theresa nodded. “I think you would be a really great father and I’d like nobody other than you for the job.”

“Wow… that’s…” Paul stammered as he was left speechless and confounded. He then twiddled with his fingers and cleared his throat. “Look, I am really flattered and honored that you actually want me to be the father of your child, but I’m sorry. I have to turn you down. I just don’t think I’m ready yet. I need to get my life in order first. Besides, I’m still getting used to my life without baseball.”

“I understand,” Theresa sighed. “I know you don’t want to be a father yet but it’s something to think about. I really would like it to happen someday in the future. I would like to be a mom someday when I get my act together and my life’s more stable. I also would like to raise the baby with Natalie too. I want her to be the mother of my child.”

“Wow… you must really like her a lot,” Paul chuckled.

“Yeah… I think it’s beyond like at this point,” Theresa sighed as she played with her hair. “I don’t know. I might be in love with her. But I don’t want to do anything to screw it up at this point. Besides, I want time to figure things out before I jump into a real relationship with Natalie.”

“Take your time, Theresa. You got all of the time in the world. Also you need to listen to your heart. Only you know what you really want,” Paul advised her.

“I guess you’re right,” Theresa nodded as she got up. “Well, my offer still stands. I must get going now. I’m all drunk out.”

“Okay. Have a safe trip back home,” Paul replied as he watched Theresa leave.

Theresa then walked over to Natalie and she got up from her seat.

“Let’s go home. I’m in the mood for some movies and popcorn.”

“Me too,” Natalie chimed as she turned to Anne. “Bye, Anne. Have a safe trip back home.”

“Bye, ladies,” Anne mumbled drunkenly as she fell face down on the table.

“Come on, let’s go,” Theresa said as she and Natalie left the club.

[gapeach]

You gave a fantastic way of making the characters so likable. Am loving this story.

[sevenna92]

SCENE 17 – HORTON TOWN SQUARE, MID-EVENING

It was just after midnight when Brady, Melanie and Sonny exited Mt. Olympus and they were now walking through Horton Town Square. The snow was starting to fall quickly as a huge blizzard stirred through the air.

“Burr! It’s really cold out here,” Melanie shivered as she, Brady and Sonny were all bundled up.

“Yeah. It would be nice to play in the snow if not for the serious weather we’re having right now,” Brady chuckled.

“So where are you staying now, Sonny?” Melanie asked.

“I’m staying at the Salem Inn for the time being,” Sonny sighed. “I still have to go and find some housing to stay in.”

“Maybe we can help you find someplace to live,” Brady suggested. “I know some good places in the neighborhood you can check out.”

“Thanks, Brady,” Sonny smiled. “That means a lot to me.”

As the trio was talking, a mysterious, shadowy man was tailing them as he hid behind a bush. He then narrowed his eyes and he focused right on Sonny.

“No problem, man,” Brady smiled as he and Sonny hugged. “I’m here for you, you know that. And Mel too.”

“I appreciate it, Brady,” Sonny remarked as the man started approaching him.

“So Sonny, do you want to come over to the mansion and visit?” Melanie proposed.

“Sure. I won’t mind seeing Uncle Victor for a moment,” Sonny smiled as the man crept closer and closer to him, brandishing out a knife. Then just as he lunged right at Sonny, Melanie whipped around to see him.

“Sonny, look out!” she yelled.

Sonny then turned around and screamed as Brady charged right into the man. The two men then tumbled into the snow as they began to wrestle around the ground. The man then pinned Brady on the ground and stabbed him in the shoulder. Brady then let out a cry of pain as he held his stab wound and blood began gushing out.

“Brady, no!” Melanie shrieked as the man shot Brady in the chest and then took off into the night. Sonny then dashed after him to try and catch him but he lost him in the darkness. Sonny then ran over to Melanie and Brady as Melanie held a bleeding Brady in her arms.

“Oh God… Brady…” Melanie whimpered as she turned to Sonny. “Help me stop his wound now!”

She then grabbed her scarf and pressed it all over his wounds in order to stall the bleeding. She maintained the pressure by pressing her hands flatly on Brady’s body as Brady shivered and trembled.

“Melanie… Sonny…” he whispered, his face pale and his breathing ragged.

Sonny then whipped around and saw Maggie and Victor walking in from a distance.

“Maggie, Uncle Vic! Over here! Brady’s been badly hurt!” he hollered while waving his hand.

Maggie and Victor then rushed over to the scene and Victor drew back in horror at the sight of his gravely injured grandson.

“Brady!” he screamed.

“Oh God, no, Brady!” Maggie wailed.

“Somebody call 911!” Sonny barked and Maggie then took out her cell phone and dialed 911.

“Hello? My name is Maggie Kiriakis. I’m in front of Horton Town Square and there’s a man that’s badly injured. His name is Brady Black and he’s my step-grandson. Please you got to help me!”

“Brady, please stay with me. Don’t die on me, please,” Melanie wept as she wrapped her arms around him and cradled him .

Just then, a team of paramedics swarmed around the square as they approached Brady. They soon put him on a stretcher and quickly ushered him into a waiting ambulance. Melanie then watched Brady disappear into the vehicle with a worried and sorrowful look on her face.

Sonny then placed a hand on her shoulder.

“Come on, I’ll drive you to the hospital,” he said.

“Don’t you worry, Melanie. He’s not going to die, I promise you,” Maggie tried to assure her granddaughter as they walked over to Maggie’s car.

Meanwhile, in the ambulance, the paramedics were desperately trying to stabilize Brady as his blood pressure kept on dropping. There was a large gauze pressed against his wounds even as he had fluids administered to him and monitors hooked up to his body. Brady was groggy and confused as he was half-conscious.

“Come on, Mr. Black. Stay with us,” one of the paramedics said as he looked over at the I.V.

“We’re losing him! Keep on working on him!” another paramedic yelled.

Meanwhile, back at Mt. Olympus Paul was heavily bombed as he was sitting alone with the lights flickering and electronic music blaring. He then noticed his phone vibrating and he picked it up.

“Hello?”

“Paul?” Sonny’s voice croaked fearfully and Paul nearly jumped at the sound of his voice.

“Sonny? What gives? It’s late already as it is,” Paul scoffed.

“Paul, it’s really bad. Brady has been stabbed and shot and he’s being rushed to the hospital as we speak. Maggie, Uncle Victor and I are on our way there. You better go call Theresa and Natalie. They may like to know,” Sonny explained.

“Okay, Sonny. Thanks for the heads-up. See you later,” Paul said as he hung up and dialed another number.

[sevenna92]

Author's Notes:

This is the last scene for this chapter. So sometime next week after I'm done taking yet another anatomy test hopefully I'll upload a couple of chapters for the next chapter. I'm not sure how often I'll be able to write since I have so much to do in school now but I'll try to write as often and much as I can. Also in this chapter you'll be seeing the return of some important legacy characters, so look out for that. Also I'll be adding in some new previews for the next batch of scenes and that's it. 

SCENE 18 – THERESA’S APARTMENT, MID-EVENING

Meanwhile, back at Theresa’s apartment, Theresa and Natalie were sleeping in bed together as Theresa had her arms wrapped around Natalie’s waist tightly and snugly. She cuddled close to her body and she was caressing her leg with her foot. Theresa then nuzzled Natalie tenderly and Natalie purred.

Just then her cell phone started buzzing loudly and Theresa sat up groggily, rubbing her eyes. She then yawned loudly and reached over to the night table to grab her phone. She then picked it up and opened it.

“Hello?” she mumbled.

“Hey, Theresa. This is Paul,” Paul answered.

Theresa then sighed as she leaned back against the headboard, fondling Natalie’s head.

“So you changed your mind about spending the night with me after all?” Theresa purred demurely. “I always have room for one more.”

“No it’s not about that,” Paul said, shaking his head. “You and Natalie better come down to the hospital right now. Something bad’s happened to Brady. He was shot and stabbed in the chest in the square.”

Theresa’s eyes then popped open wide as she stiffened in horror. “What?”

After a moment of stunned silence, she took in a shaky breath and regained her composure, stammering.

“We’ll be right there in about 15 minutes. Just meet me there whenever you can.”

She then hung up and then placed it into her purse.

Theresa then shook Natalie awake as she grabbed her and ushered her out of bed.

“Huh? Where are we going, Theresa?” she mumbled.

“I’ll explain on the way there. Now let’s scram!”

[sevenna92]

Next time on "Stolen Lives, Loss Of Innocence"...

Theresa and Melanie are stunned when they get the shocking news about Brady.

Natalie debates on whenever or not she should confess her feelings for Theresa.

Abe hires some new members of the Salem Police force, and they all have ties to Theresa’s past.

Hope is shocked when she runs into someone from her past.

Sonny moves out of his apartment with Will and moves on his plans to divorce his husband and legally adopt Arianna.

A lonely and vulnerable Will strikes up a friendship with Jason and they hit it off.

Paul tries to mend things with Sonny but Sonny refuses to budge.

Tori Narita arrives in Salem determined to know what is going on with her son Paul.

Paige decides to spread a nasty rumor about Myrna online.

Natalie gets a shocking surprise when she receives a call from her mother informing her of her family’s impending visit.

Theresa and Sonny get a big surprise when their older siblings Andrew, Joseph, Victor Junior and Alexander come to town.

Myrna decides to join Salem U’s local women’s basketball team.

J.J. decides to form a band with some of his new college roommates.

[gapeach]

Good luck with your exams!!

Great chapter. Sure hope Brady is going to be okay. Looks like a whole lot is going to happen in the next chapter, can't wait to get re-acquanted with the siblings!!

[sevenna92]

Author's Notes:

Well, here's the next chapter! There's going to be some action packed stuff in the next couple of scenes, so watch out for that! Some parts are going to be very intense so I tried to make it as dramatic as possible. This should be really good. Whether or not Brady will come out of the hospital in one piece remains to be seen. Let's see where it goes. 

Chapter 3

SCENE 1 – SALEM UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL, MID-EVENING

Just an hour and a half later a huge crowd had gathered around in the waiting room as they anticipated some news about Brady’s condition. John was pacing around nervously as Marlena sat near him in a chair.

She then turned around to see Theresa and Natalie charging through the hallways madly with Natalie right ahead of her. Sonny then whipped around to see the women advancing towards them with a surprised look on his face at how fast Natalie was running.

“Natalie… Theresa…”

“Oh, Sonny!” Natalie cried as she lunged at him and threw her arms around him in a bear hug. The young dark-haired Kiriakis male then embraced her back to comfort her as she began shaking violently and whimpering softly.

“It’s good to see you too, Natalie,” Marlena said with a sad, worried smile as she watched her sob.

“I just hope Brady will be okay! I don’t want him to die!” she wailed.

“Calm down, Natalie. Brady is not going to die,” Theresa retorted shortly yet calmly as she turned to face John and Marlena.

“How is he?”

“Since when do you even care about Brady’s wellbeing?” John retorted irritably, crossing his arms with a snarl.

“Do I have to give a reason to care?” Theresa scoffed brusquely with her eyes blazing in rage.

“Stop it, you two,” Marlena interrupted as she gave pointed looks towards both of them and then gave Theresa an even more intense glare. Theresa then shrank back in fear as she looked about nervously.

“Look, if you want me to leave, I’ll just go. Apparently I’m not wanted here,” she retorted curtly as she stormed off.

Natalie then pulled back from Sonny and she turned around to see Theresa leave.

“Theresa, hold up!” she cried as she ran over to her. Theresa then grabbed her shoulder and looked at her.

“Look kid, you don’t have to leave on my account. It’s best if you stay here. You’ll be more help here than I could ever be anyway,” Theresa informed her gently.

“But Theresa…” Natalie pleaded.

“Please, Natalie. I don’t want to do this to you. You’re the more popular one in this town and people like you more because of your sunny deposition. I’m just a mean old grouch. I don’t know why I even stay around here in Salem,” Theresa interjected as she looked into her eyes with a gentler, softer, tender voice.

“Am I not enough for you, Theresa? Don’t you like hanging out with me?” Natalie whispered in a morose voice.

“Of course, darling,” Theresa whispered with a smile. “You’re the only good thing in this town.”

She then leaned close in her ear and added, “We can always fool around some more when we get home anyway. I’ll be waiting.”

She then walked away from Natalie as Natalie looked on with a heartbroken and disappointed expression.

Natalie then jumped and spun around to see Marlena and John looking at her. She then drew back and flashed a sheepish grin.

“It’s not what it looks like; I swear that there’s nothing going on between me and Theresa,” she insisted.

Marlena then raised an eyebrow incredulously as she stared wordlessly at her. John also directed a disbelieving stare at her and cleared his throat.

Natalie then glanced down sheepishly and made circles with the tip of her high heel.

“I really can’t convince you otherwise, can I?” she said with a guilty, pouty look on her face.

“Anybody would be a fool to think otherwise,” a male voice interrupted and Natalie jumped to see Paul approaching her.

“Paul! You came!” she said as she hugged him.

“Hey there, Nat,” he said. “How are you holding up?”

“I’m fine,” Natalie answered. “But I’m still pretty nervous. I wonder how Brady’s doing right now.”

“I’m sure things are all right,” Paul assured her gently. “You just have to think positive and have hope.”

“Thanks, Paul,” Natalie smiled as she then gazed at him quizzically with narrowed eyes. “But what makes you think that there’s anything going on between Theresa and me?”

“Well, you two are obviously close and it is apparent that you care so much for her,” Paul answered. “But then again I’m very well experienced in these things so I should know.”

“Well, you got to teach me then because I don’t know a thing about this stuff,” Natalie chimed with a laugh.

“Sure thing,” Paul nodded. “You are a lovely, charming and smart woman and you deserve the best.”

“Thanks,” Natalie grinned and then her face fell. “Wait a minute… What about Melanie? Isn’t she Brady’s girlfriend? Wouldn’t she be in the hospital right about now?”

She then turned around to see Melanie, Victor and Maggie huddled together and she walked over to the trio.

Melanie then looked up with tears streaking down her face and then Natalie hugged her tenderly.

“I’m so sorry, Melanie,” Natalie said. “I hope to God Brady pulls through.”

“So do I,” Melanie sniffled, wiping her nose. “Brady means the world to me. I don’t know what I would do if anything were to happen to him.”

“Now don’t you worry, Melanie,” Victor assured the young redhead woman. “Brady is a Kiriakis, and he’s a fighter. He’s not going to quit and he’ll keep on fighting to the bitter end.”

Melanie then exhaled deeply as she wiped her eyes with her sleeve. “I hope you’re right, Victor.”

“Now come on, Mel. We better get you something to eat,” Maggie replied as she brushed her hair with her hand. She then turned to Natalie with a smile. “I also would like it very much if you’d join us too.”

“I’d love to,” Natalie smiled. “But I’d like to stick around here for a little while longer if you don’t mind. I would like to talk to some of the other people here more. I might join you later.”

“Suit yourself,” Maggie remarked crisply. “We’ll be right in the cafeteria if you need us.”

She, Victor and Melanie soon walked out of the hallway as they headed for the cafeteria.

Marlena then sighed as she rubbed her eyes.

“I can’t believe this, John,” she said. “We might end up losing Brady.”

“Don’t worry, Marlena,” John replied with a smile as he squeezed her. “I’m sure everything will be all right.”

“I really hope so,” Marlena replied sadly as she gazed at him. “Brady just doesn’t deserve this. He finally kicks his drug habit, has a nice, lovely girl that isn’t roping him in for his money, and then this happens. He needs to pull through, not just for his friends but also for Melanie.”

“Yeah,” John nodded with a smile. “I wouldn’t mind having more grandchildren. Maybe when he and Melanie start having kids we can actually spend some time being grandparents.”

“Yeah, how about that?” Marlena replied as she smiled at him back.

She then squeezed his hand and the elderly couple looked back at each other in silence. John then dropped his head in his hands and took in a deep breath.

“I know how you feel though, Doc. I’m scared witless too. I don’t want to lose Brady either. He’s the only thing I have left from Isabella. If he dies, I don’t know what I’ll do…”

“You can’t think that, John. You have to believe he has to live,” Marlena remarked firmly. “I’m not giving up on him, and neither will you.”

“You know I never gave up on him, Doc,” John retorted back. “He’s my flesh and blood. Why would I turn my back on him?”

“He’s my son too,” Marlena rejoined briskly. “I raised him practically from the time he was in diapers. I love him just as much.”

“I know, Doc,” John remarked tenderly. “I know you’ve always loved him, even at his most difficult moments.”

Marlena then nodded as she turned away.

John then gave her a side glance as he became wistful. “You know I screwed up so badly, Marlena. And it was really foolish for me to do so. I shouldn’t have hurt you or Brady, but I did. But I did it because I wanted to save my son, our son. I didn’t want Brady to get burned by the same woman who has tormented us for all of these years. As much as I love him, it wasn’t worth losing you, the love of my life. I’m sorry, Marlena. I’m going to do whatever it takes to put our relationship back on track and be the way we were before.”

Marlena then threw her arms around him and embraced him tightly. She then let out a soft sob as she buried her face in his neck and he cradled her tenderly.

Sonny was leaning against the wall deep in thought when Will walked up to him with their daughter in his arms. Ari then cooed and hiccupped as she looked at her stepfather.

Sonny then noticed Will and glared silently.

“Oh, hey, Sonny,” Will said as he held Ari. “I heard about what happened with Brady. That was just awful. I really hope he’s okay.”

“Yeah, me too,” Sonny retorted grimly.

“You know, I was just thinking…” Will remarked pensively, rubbing the back of his head. “That could have been you right there. Melanie was just telling me of how Brady was so brave and he saved your life. I don’t know what I’d do if I lost you. I still love you; I hope you know that.”

“Yeah well…” Sonny shrugged coldly as he walked off. “I’ll be coming for my things by the end of the week. You’ll be receiving some paperwork from me real soon.”

“Wait, Sonny please don’t leave me!” Will begged as he ran up to Sonny and blocked him. “I know what I did was just stupid and wrong but we can work this out. I still love you and I don’t want to lose you. Arianna needs her daddy too. Please don’t go.”

“Will, I don’t want to talk to you right now,” Sonny retorted with a cold glare, his voice flat and uneven. “Now please leave me alone.”

He then stormed off and then Will sighed as he looked at Arianna. “Well, honey. Time to go home.”

Meanwhile, in the bathroom, Theresa was splashing water repeatedly on her face and then shut off the faucet. She then grabbed some paper towels and dried herself off before she looked right at the mirror. Her mind then started to drift off as she recalled the last conversation she ever had with Brady earlier that evening.

“Oh my God…” she whispered as she then leaned against the wall and began sobbing hysterically with her hands covering her face. “What have I done? Now if Brady dies I’ll never get a chance to apologize. I’ll never get a chance to tell him how sorry I am for everything. And how much I love him. I didn’t realize what a good thing I had and I screwed it all up. And now I might lose the chance to win him back… forever…”

Just then Anne entered the bathroom looking very inebriated and she was laughing hysterically.

She then looked at Theresa curiously.

“Why the long face?” she asked with a stupid grin.

“Didn’t you hear?” Theresa growled irascibly. “Brady’s in the hospital. He got stabbed and shot in the chest. He’s in surgery right now and I don’t know if he’ll be okay.”

“Oh, I’m sorry to hear that, kiddo,” Anne frowned as she placed a hand on her shoulder. “But hey, you can move on to another guy at least, right?”

“I don’t want to think about another guy right now, Anne,” Theresa snapped indignantly.

“Oh…” Anne’s eyes widened and she stepped back. “You seriously think you still have a chance with this dude after what you did to him and his father? I think it’s best if you move on. There is no way he’ll take you back even if he’s a vegetable.”

“Just shut up, Anne,” Theresa snarled as she got up and glared at her. “I don’t have time for this. I’m going home.”

“Oh, is your lover girl waiting for you at home, sweetie? I bet you can’t wait to make sweet love to her,” Anne taunted her younger friend as she continued to laugh at her with an evil grin.

“Just shut up!” Theresa screamed, bristling and clutching her hair. “Just shut up!”

“Ooh, did I hit a nerve?” Anne snickered, her grin growing even wider and her eyes glowing with malicious glee. “Just admit it, kiddo. You love this girl. You want to marry her. You want to have kids with her. I can just imagine you two living in a nice house somewhere on the river with a white picket fence with two dogs and three kids running around somewhere. Maybe Brady can join the party and be the daddy too. You might have a nice family right there, something that you’ve always wanted but could never have. Nobody would ever want somebody like you, because you are nothing but a treacherous, pathetic, loser…”

Anne was then interrupted as she felt a hard slap crack across her face and she flinched, holding her cheek in pain. She then gazed at Theresa in shock as she looked on with fury.

Theresa then clenched her hand and gritted her teeth, breathing hard.

“You’re so disgusting and pathetic. I’m done with you.”

She then stormed out of the bathroom as Anne watched her leave and shook her head disgustedly. “Well, good riddance. She was getting to be such an annoyance anyway.”

She then shrugged and also left the bathroom while her hysterical, uncontrollable laughter echoed all over the place.

Meanwhile, in the OR, there was a large team of doctors surrounding Brady, who was wearing an oxygen mask and hooked to several machines. They have managed to remove the bullet from Brady’s heart but have so far been unable to staunch the bleeding and he had lost a large percentage of blood.

“We’re losing him!” one doctor yelled as he glanced over at Kayla.

“We need to get some blood transfusions in pronto! His blood pressure and heart rate are dropping quickly!” a female doctor quipped sharply.

Kayla then heard a sudden series of beeps coming in from the heart rate monitor and saw that the numbers were beginning to decelerate rapidly. She then looked over at a dark skinned nurse with a tightly pulled dark ponytail and shimmering blue eyes.

“Maya, I need you to go and inform Brady’s loved ones. Tell them that we need some people to donate blood immediately or he will crash,” she said.

“Yes, Dr. Brady,” Maya nodded as she rushed out of the room.

Meanwhile, back in the waiting room, Natalie was talking with Nicole.

“Wow… I had no idea that you and Brady go way, way back,” Natalie whistled in amazement.

“Yeah, Brady and I used to be together. But that is ancient history as far as I’m concerned. Now we’re just good friends,” Nicole remarked with a chuckle. She then inhaled deeply, lowering her eyes dejectedly and blowing out of her mouth.

“I can’t believe it. He could be gone any minute now. I really hope he pulls through. It’s funny how much you take someone for granted. You don’t really appreciate them until they’re gone,” she said, shaking her head.

“Yeah,” Natalie sighed. “I need to go call my folks and check on them to make sure they’re okay.”

“Yeah, you do that,” Nicole nodded. “I wish my mom was still here.”

“What happened to her?” Natalie frowned, tilting her head to the left.

“Well…” Nicole paused, biting her lip. “She was murdered.”

“Oh,” Natalie replied softly, looking down. Nicole then glanced over at her with a smile.

Natalie then glanced back at Nicole and smiled. “You know, I’m not too sure why so many people here hate you so much. You don’t seem so bad.”

Nicole then burst out into a hearty laugh. “Trust me kid, I’m not sure if you’d want to get to know the old me. I don’t think you would like me back then at all. Believe me, I’ve done a lot of things that I’m not proud of. I was a totally different person back then.”

“Really?” Natalie raised an eyebrow.

“You better believe it, kiddo,” Nicole answered sassily. “If I could take back any of the horrible things I’ve done, I would. Some of the horrible mistakes I’ve made caused me to lose some of the most precious things I held dear, and I may never forgive myself for that.”

“Well I’m sorry to hear that, Nicole,” Natalie replied sympathetically. “I’m sure you’ll be okay.”

“Thanks for your sympathies, kid,” Nicole remarked with a gentle smile. “You’re a good egg. Don’t let anybody tell you otherwise.”

“Thanks,” Natalie grinned.

“Hello? Is this the family of Mr. Brady Black?” Maya hollered as she approached the group.

“Yes it is,” John answered as he advanced towards her. “So how is he?”

“I have some good news and bad news,” Maya replied crisply. “The good news is that we managed to patch up most of the wounds. Bad news is that he’s lost over half of his blood volume. Unless we can get him some blood transfusions within the hour, he will surely die. He’s still in surgery so I need to make this quick. He’s lucky he’s still alive and kicking at all at this point.”

“I’ll do whatever it takes,” John assured her. “I’ll find someone who can give the blood transfusion to Brady.”

“I’ll do it,” Sonny announced as he walked over to Maya.

“Excellent,” Maya nodded as she led Sonny out of the room. “Follow me.”

Natalie then trailed after the pair silently, wondering what they were going to do.

It was then that Sonny and Maya entered a small room and Sonny sat down in a chair. Natalie then hid next to the doorway as she listened in.

Maya then walked over to a counter and took out a jar filled with sterilized needles. She then fitted one and then prepared to administer it.

“Now I’m going to ask you a couple of questions. Are you gay or straight?”

“I’m openly gay,” Sonny replied.

“Have you had relations with any other man within the last year or so?” Maya inquired.

“Yes I have,” Sonny answered. “I’ve been married almost a year to my husband Will.”

“Well I’m sorry then,” Maya sighed as she put the needle down. “But the law dictates that men of your status cannot currently give blood. I’m going to ask you to leave.”

“What?” Sonny gaped his mouth in horror, gawking. “Are you serious?”

“I am terribly sorry for this inconvenience and I admire your noble attempt to save a life. I really do,” Maya continued to explain apologetically. “I do feel terribly awful for even saying this. But rules are rules.”

Sonny then groaned as he jumped off the chair and stormed off.

Natalie then slowly wandered into the room and looked right at the nurse shyly. “Hello.”

“Hello, ma’am,” Maya smiled as she gestured towards the chair.

Natalie then anxiously strolled over to the chair and sat down. She then clutched the sides tightly as she looked on fearfully at the nurse again.

“So what is it you’re going to do to me?” she whispered.

“I’m going to take your blood and then I’ll transfer it over to the patient so it will save his life,” Maya explained as she grabbed the needle and sterilized it again. She then prepared to administer it and walked over with the needle in hand.

Natalie then whined and quickly looked away, squeezing her eyes shut. “I don’t like needles.”

“I’m sure nobody does, sweetheart. But you’re doing a good thing here saving a life,” Maya remarked gently with a smile.

Natalie then flinched at the sight of the needle as her chest tightened and she felt like she couldn’t breathe. She then inhaled deeply and exhaled, steeling herself for what was going to happen.

Maya then went over to a counter and retrieved a bottle of rubbing alcohol before she dipped some on a cotton ball. She then sauntered over to her.

“I know this is really scary but just try to relax,” she said.

“Okay,” Natalie nodded, swinging her legs.

Maya then leaned over and rubbed the cotton ball on her arm. Then within a matter of minutes she injected the needle into her skin. Natalie then closed her eyes and whined as she fought hard not to scream in terror at the sensation of the sharp needle stabbing through her.

After a few minutes Maya removed the needle and placed a band aid on it. Natalie then vaulted off the chair as she left the room.

Natalie then ran into Paul as they walked back to the waiting room.

“Wow, Natalie. That was incredibly brave of you,” Paul said.

“It was pretty scary,” Natalie admitted. “I usually throw a fit whenever I’m around shots. But I wanted to do this just so Brady will have a chance to live, so I decided to suck it up this time.”

“That’s very mature of you,” Paul smiled warmly. “I’m sure once Brady wakes up and he gets better he’ll thank you.”

“I hope so,” Natalie remarked with a sad smile.

Meanwhile, back in the OR, Maya rushed over to the team of doctors with a bag of Natalie’s blood. Kayla then looked over at her underling with relief washed over her face.

“Not a moment too soon,” she replied.

“Thank God we got someone to donate blood when we did,” Maya remarked as another doctor hooked up the bag of blood onto the monitor and the transfusion soon began.

“I just hope this works,” Kayla sighed as she looked on at Brady’s vital signs, which were wavering. “If this transfusion doesn’t take, Brady won’t have a chance.”

“All we can do now is hope and pray,” Maya commented grimly and Kayla nodded, eyeing Brady’s monitor warily as the steady beep continued to ring in the air and the blood was now being absorbed into his body.

[sevenna92]

SCENE 2 – THERESA’S APARTMENT, MID-EVENING

It was about 2 in the morning when Natalie arrived back in Theresa’s apartment and stepped into her room.

“Hello? Theresa? Where are you?” she hollered as she clumsily stumbled into the room, holding her forehead. She suddenly felt very dizzy as the world seemed to spin around her.

She nearly collapsed onto the bed as she grabbed onto the edge. “Theresa?”

“Hey, baby,” a high pitched female voice purred and Natalie spun around to see Theresa strolling into the room wearing a loose black nightgown. She then clumsily advanced towards Natalie and then grabbed her.

“I was hoping you would show up,” she whispered, stroking her hair.

“Really?” Natalie raised her eyebrow, confused.

“Of course! You’re my best friend! Why wouldn’t I want to see you?” Theresa chimed, giggling hysterically.

“Have you been drinking?” Natalie retorted inquisitively and Theresa kept on laughing.

“No! What are you talking about? You look like you’re hung over yourself,” Theresa remarked briskly, holding her chin and peering into her eyes.

“Well, I have been drinking a lot tonight. I don’t feel so good,” Natalie groaned as she kept on rubbing her forehead.

“Well, looks like you need to learn how to hold your liquor, sweetie,” Theresa smirked as she sat Natalie down on the bed and walked out. “I’ll go get some tea.”

Natalie then nodded slowly and then flopped down on her back flat, lost in her thoughts.

It was then that the door opened and Eric arrived. Natalie then sat up in shock as she looked right at Eric.

“Eric!” she cried.

Theresa then returned to the room with two cups of tea in her hand and immediately stopped upon meeting eyes with her cousin.

“Eric! What are you doing here?!”

“Hey, Natalie. Theresa,” Eric greeted the two women as he glanced at Natalie. “Natalie, you don’t look so good. Are you okay?”

“I think so,” Natalie groaned as she held her forehead and started getting up. “I think I must have drank too much alcohol.”

She then collapsed as Eric rushed over to her and picked her up.

“Natalie! We need to get you to a hospital!” Eric yelled.

“Oh my God!” Theresa cried as she dropped the two cups of tea and rushed over to them. “We better call 911.”

Eric nodded as he took out his cellphone and dialed the emergency number.

“Hello? This is Eric Brady. I’d like to call for an ambulance. I think I may have a young woman in my hands that may be suffering from an acute case of alcohol poisoning. Please hurry.”

“Come on, Natalie. Stay awake. Stay awake. Please don’t die,” Theresa whispered as she slapped Natalie’s face, and Natalie opened her eyes halfway with a soft groan, only semi-conscious.

Minutes later an ambulance arrived as Natalie was rushed onto a stretcher and hauled into the vehicle. Theresa and Eric jumped into the back of the ambulance and sat down next to Natalie. Natalie was hooked up to several monitors with I.V. fluid bags connected to her.

One of the paramedics then looked over at Natalie’s arm and noticed a band aid right where Maya had drew blood from her earlier. She then turned to Theresa and Eric.

“Do you know anything about Ms. Callaway giving blood?” she asked.

“No… I-“ Theresa shook her head and she looked at Eric, who seemed just as puzzled. She then looked back at the paramedic.

“That must have been when she was at the hospital earlier. I thought she must have had too much to drink.”

“Well, she does seem to have some percentage of alcohol in her system, but not nearly enough for her to have alcohol poisoning,” the paramedic surmised. “However, it seems that judging by her size she must have given up over half of her blood volume. I’m going to need one of you to give blood so she can have a transfusion to replace the amount she has lost.”

“I’ll do it,” Theresa said as she glanced over at Natalie. “It’s the least I can do for her. Especially after she saved Brady.”

“How do you know she donated blood to Brady?” Eric asked.

“It’s the only logical conclusion, Eric,” Theresa retorted snappishly. “Who else would be in need of blood at this time?”

“Um, there are plenty of people at the hospital that need blood transfusions,” Eric shrugged nonchalantly.

Theresa then rolled her eyes and hung her head in annoyance. She then turned to Eric, her face having grown softer.

“Anyways, thanks for saving Natalie,” she said.

“No problem, Theresa. She’s a really nice girl. She really doesn’t deserve this,” Eric replied with a gentle smile.

“Yeah,” Theresa sighed deeply. “Somehow I feel like I’m just so lucky to have her in my life at all. She easily could have been friends with Abby and all of the other girls. She’s such a goody two shoes that it would have been absolutely no problem for her. But for some reason or another she chose me. Me, the bad girl from the wrong side of the tracks, the one that people always run away from, the one who is always mean, cruel and spiteful. I wonder if maybe the reason why she’s with me is because she feels sorry for me for being such a wretched, pathetic loser.”

“Well, I don’t really think it’s so much as her feeling sorry for you as is the fact that she really does care for you. She really wants to help you and you should let her,” Eric remarked.

“I want to let her in…” Theresa interjected as she closed her eyes, exhaling heavily. “I want so much to be with her. We’re such close friends now but lately I feel now it’s gone beyond that. I believe I might be developing some strong feelings for Natalie and she seems really enamored with me too. She defends me to anybody every chance she gets and she always gets anxious whenever I want to go somewhere else. It’s almost like she desires to be by my side, which is weird because people always run off whenever they see me at first sight. But not this girl.”

Theresa then let out a small chuckle and added, “You know, when I met her, I seriously wondered if this girl was brave or just seriously naïve. Maybe she’s a bit of both. You know, in a weird way, I kind of admire her. She’s gone through so much and yet she always manages to stay cheerful and optimistic. I wish I had the same kind of spirit she has. Maybe that’s what drew me to her. That hope. That hope and optimism that somehow I can actually turn over a new leaf and become a better person. Perhaps Natalie can teach me that. Maybe I won’t have to be Theresa anymore. I can be Jeannie again.”

“It’s never too late, Theresa,” Eric said, placing a hand on her shoulder. “You can change if you want to.”

“Even if I did, it would be just so hard. What if people still give me the stink eye and won’t accept me anyway like they do Nicole?” Theresa groaned, shaking her head. “I don’t know if it will be worth it.”

“Don’t give up,” Eric replied encouragingly. “It won’t be easy but it will definitely be worth it.”

“That’s something to think about, is it?” Theresa commented with a wry smile.

“Yes it is,” Eric nodded.

Theresa then turned to look at Natalie, who was still lying on the stretcher unconscious with the constant, steady beeps ringing in the air.

“Don’t you dare die on me, Natalie. I’ll never forgive myself if you do.”

[sevenna92]

SCENE 3 – NATALIE’S HOSPITAL ROOM, MID-EVENING

An hour had passed before Natalie finally came to at Salem University Hospital. She then opened her eyes and sat up in her bed, looking around in confusion. Natalie then turned her head and was astounded to see Theresa sitting next to her in a chair.

“Hey,” she whispered.

“Where am I?” Natalie queried as she glanced over at the I.V. bags and noticed that that there was another bag filled with blood hooked up to her body.

“You’re in the hospital, stupid,” Theresa retorted with an eye roll.

Natalie then rolled her eyes at her back and crossed her arms. “Seriously. What happened?”

“Well, long story short, you weren’t really supposed to donate blood because of your small stature so since you gave up about half of your blood volume, that’s why you were feeling dizzy and you collapsed at my apartment. If I hadn’t donated some of my own blood, you would have been dead by now.”

“Wow,” Natalie whispered in awe as Theresa uncurled her arm and showed a band aid plastered across the spot where she had her blood drawn.

Natalie then looked over to see a glass vase of tulips sitting on a table next to her and then looked back at Theresa. “So were you trying to seduce me or something?”

“Yeah,” Theresa chuckled sheepishly, rubbing the back of her head. “I guess I kind of mucked it up a bit.”

“Maybe,” Natalie giggled.

“You know, you really didn’t have to nearly die just to give blood for Brady,” Theresa quipped, narrowing her eyes darkly at her friend.

“But it was an emergency! The guy was ready to croak!” Natalie insisted.

“Anybody else would have been available to donate blood for Brady! Why do you have to be so stupid and go ahead and do that!” Theresa yelled angrily.

“Because I cared! I didn’t want him to die and feel like it was my fault that I stood by and did nothing!” Natalie shouted back furiously.

“Yeah, but did you have to almost die to do it?!” Theresa shrieked.

“Why are you being so selfish?!” Natalie snarled. “Don’t you care about Brady?!”

“Of course I care! I care enough that I hate the fact that stupid Melanie hangs around him so much!” Theresa growled indignantly. “But he’s an idiot. You didn’t have to give up your life for him. I care for you Natalie. If I didn’t have you, my life would be utterly miserable.”

“But what about Anne? Don’t you have her?” Natalie inquired curiously.

“Not anymore,” Theresa answered. “Anne wants nothing to do with me. Apparently she’s so jealous of our relationship. She was making cracks about us and how I wanted to live in a white picket fenced house with three kids and two dogs with you. And with Brady as our baby daddy.”

“Would you really want Brady as the baby daddy for our children?” Natalie queried.

“Yeah… if he can stop gawking at Miss Powderpuff Jonas Princess for one second to look in my direction! Maybe he might be a good choice…” Theresa scoffed with an eye roll as her voice trailed off.

Natalie then raised her eyebrow at her inquisitively as she recalled the last couple of times Theresa and Brady had altercations.

“Theresa, are you sure you really hate Brady? You really seem very preoccupied with him. Do you… have feelings for him?”

“Wait, what?” Theresa stammered nervously. “What are you talking about, Natalie? What makes you think I have feelings for him?”

“You seem really bothered that he’s moved on with Melanie. So that’s gotta mean something,” Natalie said with a shrug as she had a ‘duh’ look on her face.

“Maybe for you but Brady doesn’t mean anything to me…” Theresa scoffed, turning up her nose. “Not a thing. But you, however…”

She then sidled over to her bed and sat next to her, petting her hair.

“Are priceless. You’re very precious to me. I am not letting anyone take you away from me. Mark my words. You’re mine, and you’ll always be mine.”

“Oh, Theresa,” Natalie blushed.

“You know, I had an epiphany tonight. I think I’m really starting to realize now how very important you are in my life. You’re pretty much my only friend in Salem now. Even the woman that I thought was my friend has abandoned me. I need someone on my side and I hope I can count on you to be that person,” Theresa explained.

“Sure I can,” Natalie smiled.

“I hope I can find a guy someday to complete our little trio, but for now, I’ll choose you as my bride, if you’ll have me,” Theresa added.

“Of course!” Natalie exclaimed excitedly. “I would definitely want to be with you, Theresa. You mean the world to me.”

“You mean a lot to me too,” Theresa replied.

I love you, Natalie thought to herself and then grabbed Theresa, kissing her.

Theresa then froze in shock as she hesitated at first but then relaxed, kissing her back.

The two locked in a breathless kiss as Natalie wrapped her arms around her head and cradled her back. Theresa then stroked her head tenderly as she rubbed the small of her back.

Finally after a couple of minutes, they broke apart and Natalie looked at her with tender longing in her eyes.

“I want you to be mine,” Natalie whispered softly and Theresa kissed her again. After a couple of more minutes, she broke away and smiled.

“I know,” she whispered and then stroked her face before they started to make out heavily again.