The Melaswen Paradox (Read 329,030 times)

[heroicmuse]

Well, I was close, thinking Nyx was an ISA agent. The ISA used less than stellar judgment in training those kids and giving them the tools to use against them.

Great chapter André DiMera.

[Kpatch]

Interesting!

[André DiMera]

Chapter 466

SALEM PLACE
STEPHANIE: I think my brother asked you a question.
Jade scoffed.
JADE: I’m not following you.
JOEY: Right, so it’s just a total coincidence that you just happen to appear wherever I am?
JADE: Actually, it is.
Stephanie chuckled slightly.
JADE: Is something funny?
STEPHANIE: I’m sorry, it’s just...Joey’s right. Now, I may have only come to town a few days ago, but it seems to me that you have an interesting habit of turning up wherever Joey is. That’s gotta be more than a coincidence.
JADE: Look, you guys can believe whatever you want. I was just trying to take a walk with my daughter. Sorry if that bothers you.
Jade turned and walked away.
STEPHANIE: Well, that was interesting.
JOEY: That’s Jade for you. Be lucky you weren’t around when we were dating. She was, like, a thousand times worse.
STEPHANIE: I see.
JOEY: What?
STEPHANIE: Nothing.
JOEY: No, seriously, what? You’ve obviously got something to say, so go ahead and say it.
STEPHANIE: I don’t know. Like I said, I haven’t been in town very long, or very often while you were growing up. And I know as much about Jade as you and Mom have told me, but…
JOEY: But what?
STEPHANIE: I don’t necessarily think she was following you.

ISA HQ - WASHINGTON D.C.
ROMAN: So, you’re telling me that the only reason Erebus and Nyx are even as great of a threat as they are is because they received ISA training from childhood into their late teens?
Tarrington nodded.
SHANE: Well, one thing’s for sure, we’ll definitely be beefing up security around here.
STEVE: Still one thing I’m not getting. When they first showed up in Salem, John and I looked in their ISA files. There was never anything on there about them being trained.
TARRINGTON: There’s a very simple explanation for that, Agent Johnson. After they went rogue, Vaughn was crushed. He couldn’t believe he had been so wrong about them. He realised his mistake, but it was far too late. One evening, he accessed their files and wiped them, giving them completely new backstories.
JOHN: So nobody would know what he did.
TARRINGTON: Nobody but the Board and Vaughn, and we were all sworn to silence. We were wrong to do so. Mistakes, potentially deadly ones, have been made on our part. Even on mine. It was foolish of me to believe that the twins wouldn’t come back one day to seek revenge. I became careless. That is why I chose to step down. I said in my letter that my age was beginning to show, just not in the way most would think.
JETT: I see.
TARRINGTON: I am sorry to dampen the mood of what should be a celebratory occasion, but you wanted the truth. There it is.
SHANE: Right. Well, now we know. And, it looks as though I have some work to do. Excuse me.
Shane turned to leave.
TARRINGTON: Shane.
Shane turned back.
TARRINGTON: Congratulations again. If I may be so bold as to offer one last piece of advice before I leave...do better. Be a better director, a better man, than Vaughn and I were.
Shane nodded.
SHANE: Good luck.
TARRINGTON: You as well.
Shane and Tarrington shook hands and clapped each other on the shoulder.

[heroicmuse]

I am so excited to see the direction Shane takes the ISA in!

I think Stephanie is right. Jade wasn't following Joey.

Great chapter André DiMera

[Kpatch]

I don't think Jade was following Joey either. He's being a bit paranoid or maybe full of himself. Glad Stephanie is setting him straight.

[André DiMera]

Chapter 467

HORTON CENTER
Since she no longer had to be under protective custody, the Horton Center had provided Jade with a small laptop. Emmy was already in her crib for the night, and Jade was looking at something on the internet. Every now and then, she would write something down on a pad of paper. After a while, she closed the laptop.

JOHNSON HOME
Joey and Stephanie had walked home.
JOEY: You can’t be serious! You’re actually on her side?
STEPHANIE: This isn’t about sides.
JOEY: The hell it isn’t! You know what she did to Claire, what she tried to do to me.
STEPHANIE: Yes, I know.
JOEY: And what was all that before about you telling her to get lost?
STEPHANIE: I asked her to leave because I could see her being there was going to be a problem for you.
JOEY: I just can’t believe that you actually believe her!
STEPHANIE: I didn’t say I was on her side, all I said was that I don’t necessarily think she was following you. Maybe I’m wrong. Maybe she was. I don’t know. And what about you? Do you not remember our talk at the party? What about being the bigger person?
JOEY: Of course I remember that. It’s just...Jade and I have too much history. She just really gets to me.
STEPHANIE: Because of what she did to you and Claire, or…
JOEY: Or what?
Stephanie sighed.
STEPHANIE: Look, don’t bite my head off, okay? I’m just trying to assess the situation as best as I can. Are you sure that the way you’re acting is because you hate Jade?
JOEY: Of course it is! What other reason would I have?
STEPHANIE: I don’t know. Is it possible that somewhere, deep down, a small part of you still likes her?
Joey snorted.
JOEY: No way! There is no way that I’d ever put myself through that again!
STEPHANIE: I’m not saying you would. It’s just a question.
JOEY: Well, the answer is no. I stopped being interested in Jade at all when I figured out that she was using me and put up a naked video of Claire at the Last Blast two years ago. I feel nothing for her!
STEPHANIE: Okay. Then, why not just ignore her?
JOEY: I already told you, she bugs me! I can’t stand her! I mean, if one of your exes walked in here, are you telling me that you’d just ignore them?
STEPHANIE: Some of them. I mean, sure, there are one or two that I would be at least cordial to, but there are a few that I wouldn’t give the time of day. Ever. Look, all I’m saying is there is a fine line between love and hate.
Joey hesitated.
JOEY: I know. Steph, if I tell you something, promise you won’t spread it around?
STEPHANIE; Of course. I mean, what are big sisters for if not to keep secrets, right?
JOEY: Look, I don’t necessarily hate Jade, okay? I want to, but I don’t. That doesn’t mean I like her either, though. I mean...we dated all throughout our first two years of high school. She was my first girlfriend.
STEPHANIE: Ah. we never get over the first one.
JOEY: Right. I mean, maybe some small part of me will always feel something for Jade. Not love. Never again. Just something. But, I am not gonna put myself through that again.
STEPHANIE: That’s understandable.

[heroicmuse]

I'm glad Stephanie and Joey are bonding. I think Joey is protesting too much and has more feelings for Jade than he admits. I don't know how I feel about that. Jade has reformed but when it comes to Joey, she seems capable of getting crazy again.

Also I wonder what she is doing with that laptop.

Great chapter André DiMera.

[Kpatch]

I love Stephanie as the voice of reason. I'm glad Joey is softening a little.

[André DiMera]

Chapter 468

ISA SUPERJET
The next day, John, Steve, Billie and Philip were on one of the SuperJets. Steve was on his phone.
STEVE: All right, Sweetness. I’ll let you know when we get home.
Steve hung up.
JOHN: Kayla having a good time with Kim and Roman?
STEVE: Sure is. All three of ‘em together, they’re gonna have a nice week together.
JOHN: And Andrew’s staying for a little bit to see if he can help Shane and Kim with anything.
Steve nodded.
STEVE: I still can’t believe that Vaughn would let Orpheus’ spawn be trained as agents.
JOHN: I know. It’s an interesting situation. Tarrington says Vaughn thought he was doing what was best, but instead he gave them the very weapons they needed to infiltrate us.
STEVE: I mean, how did Vaughn even think that that would be a good idea?
JOHN: You got me, partner. I can’t begin to understand his thought process on that.
STEVE: Or any of the other stuff that led to his downfall.
John nodded.
JOHN: I just hope this is the last we’ve seen of them, but I get the feeling that it may not be.
STEVE: I sure hope you’re wrong on that.
JOHN: Me too.
Philip took a seat next to Billie.
PHILIP: So, when do I start this mission?
BILLIE: How soon can you?
PHILIP: All I need to do is appoint a temporary CEO at Titan, and then I’m good to go.
BILLIE: Who did you have in mind?
PHILIP: That’s the thing, I’m still trying to think of who the right candidate would be. I mean, Brady’s not in any condition, mentally, to do it. Not when he’s still coming out from Andre’s brainwashing. Sonny’s not a businessman, or at least not the type of business Titan is. Justin’s too busy being the D.A. And Alex’s off being a captain for a cruise liner.
BILLIE: Don’t Sonny and Alex have two other brothers?
PHILIP: Yeah. And they do work at Titan’s Dubai office. I mean, I’m all for it. I’m just not sure how Victor would feel about this.
BILLIE: He brought in Deimos, and he didn’t even work at Titan.
PHILIP: That was a favor for his brother, and look how well that turned out.
BILLIE: Hey, it’s just an idea.
PHILIP: I’ll think about it. I mean, I’m gonna need someone to take over for me while I’m undercover.

HORTON CENTER
Eric sat in his office, looking at pictures on his camera. He looked up when he heard the door open, and saw Jade come in.
ERIC: Morning.
JADE: Hey.
ERIC: How’re you doing today?
JADE: I’m okay, I guess. You?
ERIC: I’m good, thanks. Just looking at some pictures I took the other day at the graduation party.
JADE: Cool.
Eric put the camera down.
JADE: Um, Eric, can I talk to you for a minute?
ERIC: Sure. What’s up?
JADE: I’ve been doing some thinking over the last few days and…
Jade took a deep breath.
JADE: Sorry, this is kinda hard for me.
ERIC: It’s okay. Take as much time as you need. Would you like a seat, maybe?
JADE: No, thanks. Like I said, I’ve been thinking lately and last night I finally came to a decision.
ERIC: Okay. About what?
JADE: I’m leaving Salem. Today.

[heroicmuse]

I wonder where Jade thinks she's going, and whether she's leaving because of Joey.

I'm interested in who Philip appoints and how his mission goes.

Great chapter André DiMera. Will there be previews?

[Kpatch]

I'm with Steve, I can't believe the ISA head trained Orpheus's children as ISA agents.

Philip should appoint Xander!

Aw, I think it's a little sad that Jade is leaving Titan. I bet Eric talks her out of it.

[André DiMera]

Thanks for reading and commenting!

---

Next week...

Philip reaches out to his replacements...
PHILIP: So, you'll do it?

And later informs Victor of his absence.
PHILIP: I have to go away for a while.

Meanwhile, Vivian begins making plans.
VIVIAN: Don't worry, Nicky, I'll save you from yourself. '

And as Jade prepares to say goodbye, can Eric convince her to stay?
JADE: I have to do this.

All this and more next week on THE MELASWEN PARADOX!

[heroicmuse]

I wonder who Philip is choosing, and what Victor's reaction to all this is going to be. I hope he's proud of Philip for once (if he even knows the whole story.)

Vivian making plans is always fun!

I hope Jade doesn't run away.

Thanks for the previews André DiMera.

[fluffysmom]

I'm guessing Victor won't be thrilled that Philip is taking a leave of absence.

How can Jade leave town? Does she have any money?

I liked Stephanie and Joey hanging out together.

[André DiMera]

Chapter 469

ISA SUPERJET
Philip was on the phone.
PHILIP: So, you’ll do it? Great. How soon can you get out here? That quick, huh? Okay. Yeah, I’ll let him know. Thanks.
Philip hung up his phone.
PHILIP (thinking): Now to let father know about my temporary departure.

HORTON CENTER
Eric stood up.
ERIC: You’re leaving?
Jade nodded.
ERIC: May I ask why?
JADE: It’s for the best. I...I just can’t stay here anymore.
ERIC: Of course you can. Jade, I told you when Shawn finally caught Jan, you’re welcome to stay for as long as you want.
JADE: No, I mean I can’t stay here in Salem anymore.
ERIC: Why do you feel that you can’t stay in Salem anymore?
JADE: There are just too many bad memories associated with this town.
ERIC: This wouldn’t have anything to do with Joey, would it? With the way he was acting around you at the graduation party?
JADE: No.
Eric raised an eyebrow.
JADE: Okay, maybe a little. But, he’s not the main reason. The main reason is me.
ERIC: How so?
JADE: I don’t want to become the old me, the me that I was before I had Emmy. Eric, you never knew me before I came to the Horton Center, scared that Jan was gonna try to kidnap me and Emmy and force me to go along with her plan, but I was not a very nice person. I’m sure you heard all about what happened to Claire at the 2016 Last Blast Dance.
ERIC: I may have heard something about that.
JADE: That was me. That’s the reason Joey and I broke up. I was a terrible person. I had this vendetta against anyone that I didn’t like, and that was a lot of people. Claire never did anything to me, but I made it my mission to make her life a living hell.
ERIC: Well, she doesn’t seem to hold it against you.
JADE: Only because she’s way too nice to ever do that. And it’s not just her. I’ve hurt so many people throughout high school.
ERIC: Jade, that’s not who you are anymore. You’ve changed. I may not have known you before you came here, but even I can tell that you’ve changed. You’re not who you were back then.
JADE: Thanks to Emmy. She’s the only good thing I’ve ever done in my life.
ERIC: Do you honestly think that that’s the only reason you’ve changed?
JADE: No. Part of it is Jan, actually. When I first found out that she was my real mom, I was over the moon. I’d heard stories about the stuff she got up to in high school, and I wanted to be just like her. Only, I eventually found out that she was a psycho. I thought that she was just gonna help me win back Joey and then she’d steal Shawn from Belle...but then she started talking about wanting to kill Belle and Claire and...it scared me. Like, really scared me. Not just because of what she was planning to do, but because I could see that I was becoming her. I didn’t want to turn out like her. I may not have liked Claire, but I didn’t want her dead. That’s why I ran.
ERIC: It sounds to me like you’re trying to run again. But, Jade, you don’t have to. You are not that girl anymore. You have changed, I can tell. Becoming a mother and getting away from the toxic environment that you were raised in, that Jan tried to rope you into, it’s changed you for the better. Whatever’s going on, it can be worked out, I promise.
JADE: Eric, why are you so nice to me?