The Melaswen Paradox (Read 319,234 times)

[Kpatch]

I have a feeling Noelle is using Joey and his friends don't like it. Thanks for the previews!

[André DiMera]

Chapter 415

SALEM HIGH
JOEY: Noelle is not Jade. She's nothing like her.
CIARA: I hope you're right.
JOEY: I am. Just chill, okay? Look, I get Noelle can be a handful sometimes-
CIARA: That's an understatement.
JOEY: But she doesn't mean to be. Look, I'll talk to her. Maybe I can get her to see sense.
CIARA: Well, I guess it's worth a try. I mean, the least she can do is say no, right?
JOEY: She won't. Like I said, maybe I can get through to her.
A bell rang.
JOEY: Gotta get to class. See you later.
Joey walked away.
CLAIRE: I hope Joey's right about Noelle.
CIARA: I hope so, too. But I have a feeling he probably isn't. I hope I'm wrong, though.

ALAMAIN INDUSTRIES
HADLEY: Wow. I'd get to be your personal assistant. That sounds really cool. Okay, yes. I'll do it.
NICHOLAS: Excellent! I'm glad to hear that! I'll have Ivan draw up the paperwork this afternoon. Though, of course, after you sign up, that'll be something I'd ask you to do.
Nicholas pushed a button on the underside of his desk.
HADLEY: Okay, cool. You said there were other things you wanted me to do. What are they?
NICHOLAS: Oh, just general things. Make sure I know what's going on around here. Transferring calls, scheduling appointments and meetings, keeping up to date on everything. As I said, it shouldn't be terribly different from what you already do, just with a bit more responsibility.
HADLEY: Right. That sounds really good. Thank you so much, Mr. Alamain! I won't let you down.
NICHOLAS: I know you won't. I'm looking forward to working with you, Hadley.
Ivan walked in.
IVAN: Sir?
NICHOLAS: Ivan, I'm pleased to announce that Hadley has agreed to my job offer. Please have the paperwork drawn up and assist her in moving her things into my office.
IVAN: Of course, sir.
Ivan nodded to Hadley, who got up.
HADLEY: Thank you again so much, Mr. Alamain!
NICHOLAS: You're quite welcome. Take some time to move your things in. I'll see you this afternoon.
HADLEY: Thank you.
Hadley followed Ivan out of the office.

BLACK PATCH
STEVE: You know, if we're gonna do this, we're gonna need back up.
JOHN: Of course. Situation like this, nobody should go in there alone. Even members of the ISA. That's why I took the liberty of making a few calls.
The door opened and Billie walked in.
BILLIE: So, it's off to Melaswen again, huh?
STEVE: Certainly looks that way.
JOHN: Glad you could make it.
BILLIE: Well, living in Salem does have its perks, aside from being close to my daughter and Scotty's father and grandparents.
STEVE: Did John fill you in on everything?
BILLIE: Yep. Standard search and rescue mission.
STEVE: Well, from my experience, nothing is standard when it comes to André DiMera, or Melaswen.
JOHN: That's a fact.
BILLIE: True. Plus, I hear we'll be joined by Tony's wife, Anna.
JOHN: Yep. She's probably the only person who can accurately identify the difference between Tony and André.
STEVE: Which is something we're definitely gonna need.
BILLIE: Great. So, when do we leave?
VOICE: As soon as we can.
Everyone turned as Shane walked in the door.
SHANE: Morning, everyone.

[heroicmuse]

I'm glad Billie is joining the mission.

Noelle is bad news. I hope Joey doesn't learn the hard way.

Great chapter André DiMera

[André DiMera]

Chapter 416

BLACK PATCH
BILLIE: Director Donovan.
Shane chuckled.
SHANE: Not quite yet. I don't become Director until late this May. For now, I'm still Special Agent Donovan.
BILLIE: Well, whatever you are, it's good to see you.
SHANE: You as well.
John walked over to Shane. He looked him up and down.
JOHN: Tell me something, where does the gentleman live?
SHANE: Rainbow Creek.
John smiled. He and Shane shook hands.
JOHN: Good to see you again, partner. Had to make sure, you know.
SHANE: Oh, believe me, I do. I'd be disappointed if you didn't.
STEVE: So, now that we're all here, we ready to get this show on the road?
SHANE: We should be prepared for takeoff very soon. I have one of the new ISA SuperJets waiting for my command.
ANNA (voice): Wait for me!
Everyone turned as Anna ran in, her arms full of suitcases.
ANNA: Oh, good. You haven't left yet.
SHANE: No, not just yet.
ANNA: Well, what are we waiting for? We've gotta go save Tony!
JOHN: Shane, if you would, please.
SHANE: Right. This way, everyone.
John, Steve and Billie followed Shane, with Anna taking up the rear.
ANNA: Could someone please give me a hand with these?

SALEM HIGH
That day at lunch, Joey sat with Noelle.
JOEY: All I'm saying is, there's really no reason to keep this going. We've already explained the reasons.
NOELLE: Tough. I can't help how I feel.
JOEY: So, you're not even gonna consider being nicer to Ciara? I mean, really, aside from one percieved slight, which she's apologized for a million times, what has she ever done to you?
NOELLE: Look, just because she's your cousin doesn't mean I have to like her. It's not like we're even dating or anything.
JOEY: No, but it would be nice if you at least stopped giving her a death glare every time you walk past her in the hallway. I mean, we're all in the same year of school, and Ciara's kinda cool once you get to know her.
NOELLE: I just hate how she acts like she's untouchable. It's like she's perfect or something. Her and that Aussie girlfriend of hers.
Joey tried in vain to stifle a laugh with a cough.
JOEY: Okay, now I know you don't know Ciara very well if you think she thinks she's perfect. Believe me, she's well aware of her faults, and she's never tried to hide them. She's done some stuff you wouldn't believe.
NOELLE: Whatever. Did you see the poster on her locker the other week?
JOEY: What, the one where someone posted a still from a freakin' porno but swapped the heads with Ciara and Tripp? Yeah, I saw it. It sucked.
NOELLE: Oh, I dunno. I may not be great at photoshop, but I didn't think it looked that bad.
JOEY: No, I mean it was a crappy thing of whoever...wait, what? Noelle, did...oh my god. I thought it was Dirk or one of those other jerks on the team, but I was wrong. You put that gross picture on Ciara's locker, didn't you?

[heroicmuse]

Okay Joey needs to turn Noelle into Mr. Woods and be done with her.

I'm glad Anna is joining the mission. I loved her running up like that lol.

Great chapter André DiMera

[fluffysmom]

I'm happy to see Shane and Billie joining the mission.

LoL at Anna and all of her suitcases.


Did Noelle actually admit to creating the nasty picture?

[André DiMera]

Chapter 417

SALEM HIGH
JOEY: Why would you do something like that? I mean, seriously. What the hell?
NOELLE: It was something to do.
JOEY: No, that's crap. You don't just do something like that because it's something to do.
NOELLE: Well, that's my reasoning. You don't have to like it.
JOEY: Oh, I don't. I cannot believe you. You know, I kept trying to convince Ciara and Claire that you weren't so bad. Or maybe I was just trying to convince myself. I don't know anymore. Maybe they were right about you.
Joey got up.
NOELLE: Joey, come on-
JOEY: No, you come on! I mean, I get you being a little bit upset for a day or two. But to keep holding this grudge for nearly two years, for something that wasn't even Ciara's fault, and then to go do something like this? No. That's a really crappy thing to do. And I'm not gonna put up with it.
NOELLE: Joey, if you do this, if you tell on me, it's over between us.
Joey shook his head.
JOEY: No, Noelle. It never started.
Joey walked away. Claire, Chase, Ciara and Trix were getting their things from their lockers. Joey walked over to Ciara.
JOEY: We need to talk.
CIARA: What's up?
JOEY: You need to know the truth about who put up that disgusting picture of you the other week.
CIARA: We already know it was Dirk. He was trying to get back at me because his best friend got kicked out.
JOEY: That's what I thought, too, but I just found out I was wrong.
TRIX: What?
JOEY: Yeah, it turns out it wasn't Dirk or any of the other guys. It was Noelle. Looks like you guys were right about her, after all.
Noelle walked into the hallway. Ciara, Claire, Trix, Chase and Joey all turned and glared at her.

ISA SUPERJET
The group had made their way onto one of the ISA's new SuperJets. Billie, Shane, John and Steve were helping Anna with all of her suitcases.
JOHN: How many suitcases did you bring?
ANNA: Oh, just a few. Enough to fit all of the essentials.
SHANE: A few essentials? For what, a full army? Anna, you do realise we're going on a search and rescue mission, not a holiday, right?
ANNA: Of course I do. I'm not stupid, you know. No, I just needed to bring all of this stuff with me. I'm sure, once we find Tony, he'll need some proper clothes. No doubt André has not provided him with the kind of clothing he's accustomed to.
STEVE: When and if we do find Tony, I think he'll be more concerned about getting off the island and back to civilization than a bunch of clothes.
ANNA: Still, there's no reason he can't be stylish while escaping from an island.
Everyone else rolled their eyes.
BILLIE: Well, that's the last one.
JOHN: Looks like we're all set to go, then.
Shane nodded.
SHANE: Right. Well, everybody, welcome to the new ISA SuperJet. Please take a moment to buckle yourselves in. We'll be taking off momentarily.

[heroicmuse]

Lol at Anna. I'm glad she's preparing for a live Tony and not to dress up his urn.

Noelle is totally delusional. I'm glad Joey kicked her to the curb and told Ciara what happened.

Great chapter André DiMera.

[Kpatch]

LOL at Anna's suitcases. Melaswen is not a resort!

So it was Noelle! I wasn't expecting that. She worries me.

[André DiMera]

Chapter 418

SALEM HIGH
It hadn't escaped Noelle that everyone was glaring.
NOELLE: What? Have I got something on my shirt?
Nobody said anything.
NOELLE: Wow. You guys are looking at me pretty hard, there.
JOEY (whispering): I'll let you deal with this.
Ciara nodded. Trix kissed her on the cheek.
TRIX (whispering): Good luck.
Trix and Joey walked away. Claire crossed her arms and stood next to Ciara.
CIARA: What the hell? What the actual hell did you do?
NOELLE: No idea what you're talking about.
CIARA: Oh, sure. Play dumb. That's always a good idea, right? Pretend that you know nothing about the fact that it was you who put that freaking porn picture on my locker.
NOELLE: Joey ratted on me, then.
CIARA: Yeah, because deep down, Joey is a decent person. Sure, he makes a lot of mistakes, but at the end of the day, he eventually does what's right. So yeah, he ratted on you.
NOELLE: Well-
CIARA: Don't. Don't even try to explain this. I don't want to hear it. I get that you were upset that we lost contact. So was I. But I have explained it over and over and over again, more times than I can count. Yet you still have this chip on your shoulder.
Ciara shook her head.
CIARA: You know, I thought that maybe you'd evetually come around and we could go back to being friends like we were before you had to leave for Ireland. I really, really wanted that. Well, that's not gonan happen now. I'm done.
NOELLE: Ciara-
CIARA: No. It's done. Stay away from me, and I'll stay away from you. That's what you wanted, right, to get me out of your life? Congratulations. You've finally gotten your wish.
Ciara turned to Claire.
CIARA: I'll see you at work tonight?
Claire nodded. Ciara walked over near the gym. Trix was getting her things from her gym locker.
TRIX: Hey. You okay?
Ciara shook her head.
CIARA: No, I'm really not.
TRIX: How can I help?
CIARA: I'm gonna need you to convince me not to go back over there and ripping Noelle a new one. And maybe hold me?
Trix put her arms around Ciara.
NOELLE: Can you believe that?
CLAIRE: Yeah, I can, actually. What you did was really crappy, Noelle. Actually, it was beyond crappy. It was sick. Like Ciara said, I used to think you were a decent person. But this is the kind of nonsense that Jade Michaels used to pull.
NOELLE: It was supposed to be a joke.
CLAIRE: Do you see anyone laughing?
NOELLE: I...I just wanted-
CLAIRE: You wanted what? To embarrass her? To humiliate her?
NOELLE: No, I wanted everyone else to think that she wasn't perfect.
CLAIRE: Noelle, nobody thinks that Ciara is perfect. Especially not Ciara. Almost everyone here has grown up with her most of their lives. They know she isn't perfect.
NOELLE: She is, though! Everything about her is perfect! She's got a great family. Her grades are good. She's one of the most popular girls at school. She's got the perfect best friend and the perfect girlfriend.
Claire's eyes widened.
CLAIRE: Oh my gosh. It all makes sense now. Noelle, you're jealous of Ciara, aren't you?

[heroicmuse]

I thought Noelle was jealous. That is really not the way to handle it, though. How could she think that was appropriate or funny?

I'm glad Ciara stood up to her.

Great chapter André DiMera.

[Kpatch]

Jealousy can make people do awful things. Ask Sami. Noelle needs to grow up.

[André DiMera]

Chapter 419

ISA SUPERJET
Shane walked from the cockpit to the main part of the SuperJet.
SHANE: Well, chaps, I have good news. The pilot has informed me that he can see land. We should be arriving at our destination momentarily.
ANNA: Thank God for that.
STEVE: Gotta say, this fancy SuperJet here's pretty fast.
SHANE: That's the plan. The ISA wanted the fastest, and yet safest, jet possible.
BILLIE: Just how fast does it go?
SHANE: Let's just say it could lap Victor's Titan Jet. Twice.
Steve whistled.
JOHN: Impressive.
Shane took a seat.
SHANE: So, once we're on the ground, we need to stick together. The worst possible thing we could do is split up. Steve, you and I will flank Anna. John and Billie, you two will be our backup.
Everyone nodded, except Anna.
ANNA: Why do I need to be flanked by anybody?
SHANE: It's potentially dangerous for you to go on ahead of the group, and we figured you wouldn't want to take up the rear.
JOHN: Shane's right. We have no idea what kind of traps André's got planned for us once we get there.
STEVE: But, Shane and I'll be able to detect anything before it becomes a threat.
SHANE: The important thing to remember is this. Don't break formation. And if and when we find Tony, be on your guard. For all we know, this could be a wild goose chase.

SALEM PLACE – MELASWEN
A short time later, the SuperJet had landed, and everyone had gotten off. As had been arranged, Steve and Shane stood on either side of Anna, while John and Billie walked a few paces behind. So far, nothing was out of the ordinary. Then, they heard footsteps. Shane put a hand up, and the group stopped walking. They looked ahead and saw a figure walking towards them. After a moment, they realized the figure was Tony.
TONY: My God. Anna. John, Billie, Shane, Steve. I didn't know if I would ever see you again!
Tony made his way towards Anna, but was stopped by Shane and Steve.
STEVE: Not so fast, big guy.
TONY: What? What's the problem?
SHANE: I think you know by now.
Tony sighed.
TONY: André. The very reason that I'm here.
STEVE: We're gonna have to check one or two things before we believe that you're really Tony DiMera.
TONY: Of course. Do whatever you have to do.
Shane and Steve both pulled out devices which looked like wands and pointed them in Tony's direction. Shane's emitted a blue light while Steve's was red. Steve put his wand back after a minute.
STEVE: He's clean.
TONY: Of course I am. It's not as if André would be stupid enough to provide me with any sort of weapon.
Shane looked at his wand and pocketed it.
SHANE: Anna, if you please.
Anna stepped forward.
ANNA: I hope to God that you are the real Tony.
Anna kissed Tony. After a moment, the kiss became passionate.
ANNA: It's you. It's really you!
TONY: Oh, Anna!
Anna put her arms around Tony.
SHANE: He checks out.
ANNA: Oh, my love, I have missed you!
TONY: You've no idea! But, it's alright. We're together again now.
JOHN: Tony, how exactly did you end up here?
TONY: André, of course. Around the time that Elvis tried to start a hostile takeover, I was called away on a business trip for a few days. You remember, Anna?
Anna nodded.
ANNA: Of course I do.
TONY: Only it wasn't a business trip. It was a setup. I got on the plane, next thing I knew, I was on this island.
BILLIE: And André was back to pretending to be you.
TONY: Exactly.
STEVE: Well, it's good to have the real you, back.
TONY: Yes, well, now that you're all here, we need to make a rather hasty retreat. The others have probably been alerted to your presence already.
ANNA: Others?
SHANE: Who else is on this island?
MAN: Who indeed?
Everyone turned as a familiar face stepped out of the bushes.
STEVE: Oh my...
MAN: I figured that you would come looking for Tony eventually, so my benefactor and I took the liberty of installing him with a tracking device. I knew that he would eventually lead me right to you. I only wish Marlena were here.
JOHN: Erebus.
Sure enough, Erebus, the son of Orpheus, stood in front of the group.
EREBUS: Hello, Roman. Or should that be John Black? I can never seem to keep your identity straight. Hello to you, as well, Steve. I am so happy to see you again. I only wish Marlena and Kayla were here to share in the fun.

[heroicmuse]

Oooh what a great cliffhanger! I can't wait til Monday to see John and Steve face off against Erebus! So glad the real Tony has been found (assuming there's no other trick up Andre's sleeve). LOL at Erebus not being able to keep straight whether he's dealing with Roman or John. Great line!

Great chapter André DiMera. Will there be previews?

[Kpatch]

So happy Anna and Tony are reunited!