Chapter 1

*(Marlena, John, Sarah, Melissa, Nathan, and Philip have all moved back to Salem. Also Melanie and Philip are not married.)

"Alright Melissa, I'll see you after work. Okay, goodbye, love you!" Maggie said as she ended her phone call with Melissa.

"Mrs. Kiriakis, a Marlena Evans is here to see you." Henderson said walking into Maggie's office.

"Send her in Henderson."

"Welcome home Marlena!"

"Thank you so much, I had almost forgotten how much I loved this place especially in the winter. I have missed its beauty, along with my best friend." Marlena gushed.

"Why thank you, I'm so glad you're back!"

"I am so spry I wasn't able to be at the wedding, but with John's condition there was no way of getting away."

"Marlena, don't worry I completely understand."

"I'm so glad. Now let me see that rock!"

"Maggie! It's gorgeous, he done well!"

"Yes he did. I'm the happiest I've been since Mickey."

"That's wonderful!"

"Maggie, can I ask you a question?"

"Sure."

"As close as you and Caroline used to be why was she not at the engagement party last night?"

"Well, I'm not exactly Caroline's favorite person right now. See she told me Victor was no good for me and that I would only get hurt in the long run and when I didn't listen she decided we could no longer be friends. And that's that."

"Have you tried talking to her about this?"

"Of course I have. But it's hard to talk to someone that won't take my calls, voicemails, emails, and when I go into the pub she won't even wait on me she gets someone else."

"I'm actually on my way over there right now why don't you go with me and we will both talk to Caroline."

"Marlena, I know you mean well but I just don't think going with you will help."

"It couldn't hurt. Now get your coat!"

"Okay." Maggie said agreeing but still a little hesitant.

At the Pub

"Maggie, stay out here for a few minutes. I'm afraid if Caroline sees you with me when I tell her I want to talk she won't say yes. When you see us sit down then come in."

"Okay, do you really think this is going to work?"

"Don't doubt me."

Marlena then proceeded with her plan and walked into the pub not sure if it would work but still having hoped that it would.

"Marlena, it's great to have you home."

"Thank you, it's great to be back. Caroline could we talk?"

"Sure, sit down. Is something wrong?"

"No, nothing is wrong I would just like to discuss something with you." Marlena explained as she noticed Maggie walking into the pub.

Maggie walked in and looked around as she was looking for someone and then headed in the direction of the bar not making it obvious of her and Marlena's plan. As Maggie passed the table Marlena and Caroline were at Marlena spoke to Maggie.

"Maggie, would you like to join us? I was actually just to talk to Caroline about something and I think you should hear."

"Marlena, with all due respect I would rather not talk to her at the moment. Maybe we can talk later." Caroline said as she stood up from her seat, only for Maggie to grab her arm.

"Caroline, we need to talk now sit down." Maggie said as she had enough of Caroline ignoring her. She was ready to talk.

"Fine you want to talk? We will talk!" Caroline said in a slightly louder tone than usual all while throwing her hands in the air, which was pretty normal and sitting back down.

Maggie pulled up a chair, relieved Caroline was finally going to talk to her, but hesitant about what was about to be said.

"Caroline, would you please tell me why you hate me?" Maggie asked in a soft tone hoping for a soft reply but knowing she wasn't going to receive one.

"Do you really want to know?" "Yes I do!" "Well fine I will tell you. First it was Mickey and now Victor? You destroyed my life. You took both loves from me. I looked over Mickey because I could see how much you all belonged together but I just couldn't get over Victor. I love him. I will never stop. So see I only told you he would hurt you to maybe scare you off because I wanted him but you just don't listen to anyone do you, you went ahead."

Maggie sat in shock.

"I don't know what to say first but I sure as hell have a lot to say so get comfortable. I guess I should start with Mickey. You loved Mickey? And you didn't even bother to express to me that for years you had been drooling over my husband. Caroline, I came and told you that I had feelings for Victor and you too weren't even seeing each other but Caroline that was my husband. The love of my life and you were in love with him? Also you had your chance with Victor. Before he was ever with Vivian he came into the pub asking for a second chance with him and you wouldn't even get the man the time of day. So that gave me a HUGE hint that there wouldn't be a problem. I thought well since she wouldn't be with him apparently she don't love him. But you know what Caroline, you can have Victor. I will not have another Vivian Alamain chasing my husband, so here it seems you need this more than I do." Maggie said slipping off her ring and handing it to Caroline and storming out but before she did she had one last thing to say. "Oh, and Caroline when you lay down tonight and think to yourself 'I have finally won' remember they both chose me! You can just have my leftovers. " She winked; smiled, and walked away with her head held high nothing had felt that good in a long time.

Marlena didn't really know what to think. She couldn't help but giggle at Maggie's last words.

"Okay, I am stunned about everything that has just been said but Mickey? You were in love with her husband?"

"Yes I was. He was the perfect man. I have always been so jealous of her. First she had Mickey and now she has Victor. ANs well she is gorgeous."

"Okay Caroline, you can't hold her marriage to Mickey against her. They were soulmates! She didn't take him from you wasn't seeing you, actually you two never even dated."

"What about Victor?"

"She didn't take him from you either. Like she said she came and talked to you. You gave up your chance to be with Victor. It wasn't her fault you two are not together it's your own."

"Marlena, I can't help it. I can't get Victor out of my mind. I can't even sleep at night for thinking of him. And the worst part is I have let my feelings and pride ruin my friend ship."

"Yeah, you probably have lost Maggie's friendship. But I mean do you blame her. But I have to go find her before she does something stupid like file for divorce." Marlena said grabbing her coat and leaving.

In the Town Square

"Can we talk?" A stranger with light brown hair and a long light brown beard to match asked.

"Umm, who are you?" Maggie asked.

The strange man grabbed Maggie's arm and led her to a quite bench behind some trees. Maggie wiggled and tried to get loose but that man had a death grip on her arm. When they got to the bench she asked again who he was. The man removed the fake beard and asked, "Do you know me now?" Most certainly knowing the man Maggie's face turned deathly white as her hands covered her mouth. She acted as thought she had seen a ghost.