Thursday - 1/28
BRADY PUB
SHANE: Yes, I rather believe we do. Judging by the expression on your face, Theresa has filled you in on the situation.
BRADY: Damn right she has!
SHANE: Shall we perhaps take this outside? The whole Pub doesn’t need to know our dirty laundry, yes?
BRADY: Lead the way.
Shane and Brady walked outside.
BRADY: I don’t like this situation. I don’t like it one bit!
SHANE: Nor do I. And I can understand why you’re upset. You must believe me though, Brady, that if I thought there were any other safer option, I’d take it. I truly believe that Theresa and Tate will be safest in D.C. And you’re more than welcome to come along. We’d love to have you back at Donovan Manor.
BRADY: Yeah, well that’s not really an option at the moment. Things here are finally going good for me, and I can’t turn my back on my grandfather or Philip now.
SHANE: I understand completely, but I just want you to know that it’s an open-ended invitation.
BRADY: And you’re absolutely sure that this’ll work?
SHANE: I am. I have some of my best agents on the case, and I’ll be meeting with them tomorrow morning for a final debriefing. I am confident that they will get the job done as quickly as possible, and we’ll have Theresa and Tate back home here in Salem before you know it.
BRADY: You’d better. ‘Cause I don’t wanna spend a second more away from them than I have to, especially after all this time. So you’d better hope these guys catch Drew quickly.
SHANE: I’m sure they will. Believe me, Brady, I don’t like this situation anymore than you do. If there’s one person who wants my wayward brother caught, it’s me.
BRADY: How long do you think it’s gonna take?
SHANE: Honestly, I don’t know. I cannot give you a definite answer on that. What I can tell you is that my agents and I will work as hard as we can to make sure our family is safe, and that Drew is caught in a timely manner.
BRADY (under his breath): They better.
SHANE: Now, shall we return inside before they send out the cavalry to search for us?
BRADY: Sure. I just hope catching this s.o.b. gets done quickly.
SHANE: As do I, my friend. As do I.
Shane and Brady went back inside.
STEVE & KAYLA’S HOUSE
All four of the Johnsons were sitting around the dining room table, eating dinner.
STEPHANIE: This is really good!
KAYLA: Thank you, sweetheart. Joey, are you okay? You’ve barely said anything since you got home.
JOEY: Well, actually, there is something I need to talk to you guys about.
STEVE: I figured as much from your text earlier. What’s on your mind, Joe?
JOEY: I found out something a few days ago, and it’s been bugging me ever since, so I thought you guys would be the best people to tell first.
KAYLA: What’s going on?
JOEY: Erebus is back. As in, back in Salem.
STEVE: How’d you know about that?
JOEY: You know? Oh, of course you do, you’re ISA.
STEVE: Shane told me and John a day or so ago, that’s why he’s stayed in town a couple weeks past Christmas. I was planning to tell you all tonight. He’s not the only one either.
KAYLA: Not Nyx, as well.
STEVE: We think so. Drew Donovan, as well.
STEPHANIE: Uncle Shane’s creepy brother?
STEVE: That’s the one. Shane’s called in some reinforcements to help us track ‘em down while he and Kim keep Theresa and Tate safe. We’re expecting them tomorrow. Now, Joe, I’m sorry to interrupt, go on with what you were sayin’. You actually see Erebus?
JOEY: It’s fine. That’s good to know, actually. And yeah, I did. I saw more of him than I’d like to. I also found out that he’s Alanis’ father.
KAYLA: What?
STEVE: Orpheus Jr. is Nightingale’s father?
JOEY: Apparently. The other day, Al said that her dad was coming to town and wanted to meet me. We went to meet with him and Erebus showed up.
KAYLA: Does Alanis know? About your history, I mean?
JOEY: No. That’s the thing, I’ve been trying to think of a way to tell her about it.
STEPHANIE: Joey, her dad kidnapped you to get back at Mom and Papa. She needs to know.
JOEY: I know that! But it’s not like I can just say, “Oh, by the way, your dad’s a psycho who tried to kidnap me a few years ago”.
KAYLA: No, that wouldn’t be the best way to handle it.
JOEY: Anyway, things there are a bit complicated. Al thinks that her dad is an ISA agent, but that he’s always off on some mission and never seems to have time for her or her mom. Like I said, she doesn’t know that her dad is actually a wanted criminal who’s been on the run or in jail for most of her life. Obviously, she still loves her dad, but she kinda feels abandoned by him, and is a bit sensitive about the whole topic.
KAYLA: That does make sense. I think almost anyone would be in that situation.
JOEY: Don’t get me wrong, she’s not fragile or anything, and I know that. I’m just not sure how to bring up the issue in the first place.
STEVE; Let me ask you somethin’, knowing all this, does it change how you feel about her?
JOEY: No, of course not! Al’s nothing like her dad, not at all. She’s still the most awesome girl I’ve ever known, and I tell her that.
STEVE: Good. ‘Cause when you know you’ve got a good thing goin’, you gotta hold onto that. I’m sure I don’t need to tell you that it hasn’t always been smooth sailing for your Mama and I. But, when challenges do show up, we’ve gotten through them with a lotta work and love.
KAYLA: Exactly. Joey, I think that the best way to talk about this is to be honest. Find some time where it’s just you and Alanis, and have a conversation. Tell her about what you know about her father, but also let her know that what happened between you and Erebus doesn’t change your feelings for her. Also, understand that it’s a lot to digest, and let her know that you’ll be there for her in whatever way she needs, even if what she needs is space or time.
JOEY: And I totally will. I’d do anything for her. That makes a lot of sense. Thanks. I really needed to hear that.
KAYLA: Of course.
STEVE: Anytime you need advice, you can always come to us.
JOEY: I know. Thanks. I love you guys.
KAYLA: We love you, too.
Joey got up and hugged Kayla and Steve.
