Thursday - 8/22
KIRIAKIS MANSION
PHILIP: What kind of business proposition?
NICHOLAS: It seems that you and I have a common enemy. Whoever did this to Melanie needs to pay.
PHILIP: I can tell you who did this to Melanie - the DiMeras.
NICHOLAS: How do you know that?
Philip sighed and ran a hand through his hair. He checked to make sure the door to the study was closed.
PHILIP: Look, this stays between you and me, okay? It doesn’t leave this room.
NICHOLAS: Of course.
PHILIP: You know E.J. DiMera was arrested for assaulting and causing harm to his son and daughter, right?
NICHOLAS: Yes, and last I heard, he was out on bail.
PHILIP: That’s true. However, he broke his parole and is currently in England.
NICHOLAS: And you know this how?
PHILIP: I know this because I am the one who had him sent there. At the request of a third party-
NICHOLAS: Sami Horton, you mean.
PHILIP: Who it is doesn’t really matter.
NICHOLAS: Oh, come on, Philip. It’s not hard to figure out. I barely know Sami and even I know how much she hates E.J., that she’d do anything to keep him away from her kids. I’m not going to expose her, if that’s what you’re worried about.
Philip laughed without humor.
PHILIP: Oh, I’m not worried about Sami. She can more than handle herself. Anyway, as I was saying, I took care of getting E.J. out of the country. I can only imagine that the DiMeras retaliated by nearly killing Melanie. They would have succeeded, too, if Steve and Kayla hadn’t found her in Stephanie’s closet.
NICHOLAS: That’s the other thing I’m curious about, why Stephanie’s closet? What was she doing there? Mel and Stephanie don’t exactly get along.
PHILIP: That they don’t. As for the why, who knows? Perhaps they know that Mel and Steph don’t get along and were going to try and frame Stephanie for the attack. Which is, of course, ridiculous. She may not like Melanie very much, but nobody would ever suspect that Stephanie would try to kill her. Especially because she’s been out of town until last night when Melanie was found.
Nicholas rubbed his chin.
NICHOLAS: It’s a bit of a stretch.
PHILIP: Yeah, but it’s hardly the most convoluted scheme the DiMeras have come up with, isn’t it?
NICHOLAS: I’ll give you that.
PHILIP: Anyway, back to this business proposition you mentioned.
NICHOLAS: Right. As I was saying, you and I have a common enemy. If you are correct in your assumptions, the DiMeras. We’ve already agreed to a truce for Melanie’s sake. I know how much you love her, and I should hope you know that I also care deeply for her.
PHILIP: She’s incredibly fond of you, as well.
NICHOLAS: As her older brother, I feel the urge to protect her. I know you feel that same urge as her husband. And as we’ve both expressed, the person or persons who did this need to be dealt with. Therefore, I propose that we team up. With our combined resources, think of what we could do. The DiMeras wouldn’t know what hit them.
Philip rubbed his chin thoughtfully, considering.
PHILIP: I never pictured myself teaming up with an Alamain.
NICHOLAS: Nor I with a Kiriakis, but needs must when the devil drives.
PHILIP: This would only be until we know that a message has been sent and that Melanie is safe.
NICHOLAS: Naturally.
Philip extended his hand. Nicholas took it and they shook hands. They stopped abruptly when they heard the door to the study open. Dani ran inside and wrapped her arms around Philip’s leg.
DANI: Daddy!
Philip bent down and picked Dani up.
PHILIP: Hey, my princess.
He kissed her forehead.
PHILIP: Now when exactly did you get big enough to open that door, huh?
Dani giggled and shrugged.
DANI: I dunno.
PHILIP: Oh, you don’t know. Right. Anyway, how is my little girl this morning?
DANI: Good!
PHILIP: Good.
DANI: When’s Mommy gonna come home?
Philip hesitated.
PHILIP: Hopefully soon. I wish I could tell you exactly when, sweetheart, but I don’t really know.
DANI: Why?
PHILIP: Because she needs to be with Grandma Carly right now.
DANI: Why?
PHILIP: She needs some help right now. You know how Grandma Carly helped you when you hurt your knee the other day?
Dani nodded.
PHILIP: Well, something like that happened to Mommy, but she needs a little more help than for a hurt knee.
DANI: Oh. Can we see her?
PHILIP: Not yet.
DANI: Why?
PHILIP: Mommy’s asleep right now. But, once she wakes up, I will take you to see her, and I’m sure she will be so excited to see you!
Philip kissed Dani’s neck. Dani giggled again.
DANI: Uncle Nicky!
Dani tried to struggle out of Philip’s arms, so he let her get down, and she ran over to Nicholas. Nicholas knelt down so he could be at eye level with Dani.
NICHOLAS: Hello, darling.
He gave Dani a hug.
NICHOLAS: Now, you listen to your daddy, okay? He’s a very smart man. And I agree with him, Grandma Carly will help your mommy feel all better, and then she will be so happy to see you. But until then, I’d like you to listen to your daddy. Think you can do that for me?
Dani nodded.
NICHOLAS: Good girl.
DANI: Wanna see my toybox?
NICHOLAS: I would love that! Let’s go!
Nicholas stood up, took Dani’s hand and allowed himself to be led out of the room, stopping to glance back at Philip as he left. Philip nodded.
SALEM UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL
Carly was pouring a cup of coffee. Daniel walked over.
DANIEL: Did you get much sleep last night?
CARLY: Probably about as much as you. Don’t get me wrong, I’m relieved that Melanie’s okay…
DANIEL: But as her mother, it’s hard to see her like this. I feel that, too.
CARLY: I’m sure you do.
DANIEL: Where’s Philip?
CARLY: I’m sure he’ll be here shortly. I said I’d update him if I heard anything.
Daniel nodded. Suddenly, a boy in his early-mid teens ran in.
BOY: Where is she?
Daniel blinked in surprise.
DANIEL: Parker?
PARKER: Yeah. Where’s Melanie? Where’s my sister?
