As Lucas walked around the square, he spotted a familiar blond head at one of the tables. Malcolm was happily having breakfast: a cup of milk and coffe, a cheese sandwich, some orange juice and, curiously, a brownie.

Remembering his initial hostility towards him, Lucas had finally concluded he had been unfair to the boy. His resemblance to the son he lost had made Lucas act, or try to act, as if Malcolm didn't exist. But he had to face the fact that the guy was staying, and that his son was not coming back.

So, with that in mind, he approached Malcolm's table.

"Hey" he said as he got there. "Mind if I sit here?"

Malcolm took a sip of his juice, ignoring the strange feeling in his chest, as he nodded. "Yeah, sure".

Lucas sat and awkwardly stared at him for a minute or two, trying to find a decent way to start a conversation. But it was a little hard to concentrate.

Malcolm looked at him again. "You know, people don't tend to just stare at someone while eating. Personally, it creeps me out".

"I'm sorry" said Lucas, shaking his head. "Actually, that's what I came to say".

"That you creep me out or that I creep you out?" he asked frowning.

"No! No, that's not..." Lucas sighed. "Look, I came to apologize. The few times we've met I've acted strangely, if not hostile, towards you. And I know it's not an excuse, but the fact that you look a lot like my son is painful, not just for me, but for Sami too. I know she's dealing with it better than I am, and I want to say I'm sorry for being a douche".

Malcolm took a bite of his sandwich efore frowning again. "No offense, but what the hell are you talking about?"

Lucas was taken aback, as his mouth held open. "Uh..."

"Lucas, there's nothing to apologize for" said Malcolm. "To be honest, I never noticed you were acting that way, but I appreciate the gesture".

Lucas looked down, smiling. He looked up. "Ok".

Malcolm nodded. "So, what brings you by?"

"Just walking around town" admitted Lucas. "Halloween is only a few weeks away, and my sister Jennifer is in charge of the party that will take place here, so I'll meet her in an hour".

"A party?" he repeated. "Like, with costumes, candy and lots of hyperactive children causing chaos?"

"More or less" Lucas chuckled. "Everyone in town comes, you should too".

"Maybe I will" he replied.

Lucas nodded, as Sami approached from behind him.

She looked at them and frowned a bit. "Well, this is unheard of".


"Ok, Abigail, take this to Dr Robbins, she must be at her office" said Kayla as she handed Abby some files.

"Will do" she replied.

Abby had started volunteering at the hospital as part of her and Gabi's plan. Her first task was to gain Kayla's trust so she could have access to the important rooms. It wasn't moral of her, but she knew it would pay off. Anything to have her cousin back.

Gabi and Abigail had decided not to tell anyone about her suspicions of Malcolm's "real" identity, because there could also be the possibility of being wrong.

Sadly, they didn't know they were.

On that note, Abby walked to Dr Robbins's office, only to stop dead on her tracks when a very much known voice said her name.

"What the... Abby?"

Abby slowly turned around, and gave her surprised husband Chad a nervous smile. "Hi, Chad"

Chad was staring at her, eyes and mouth open. "Uh... You're like... Volunteering here?"

"Yes?" she said.

"What about the Spectator?" he asked. "I thought you had a meeting..."

"That's tomorrow" she quickly said. "Thank God I didn't forget to reschedule".

Chad slowly nodded. "Ok... But, I mean... Don't think I don't support you, but, how, why..."

"Relax" Abby laughed. "I'm doing this as a favor for Dr Brady. I come here now and then, whenever I have time or feel like it".

"Oh" he said, chuckling. "Ok, then".

"Wait" she said. "What are you doing here?"

Chad put his hand in his pocket and took out a check, shaking it in front of Abby. "We still donate".

"Meaning you still give money in exchange for favors in the future?" she guessed.

"Hey, one of these days we could really need the hospital's support for anything?" defended.

"Just go leave your check" she laughed, shooing him away. Once he was gone, her smile faded as she turned around and went to the office.

"Close call".


Gabi walked slowly into the park, and sat on a bench, with her purse on her lap. Her face was emotionless, but inside, she was a nervous wreck. She knew she had to be extra careful in this mission so neither she or Abigail would land in jail.

A few minutes later, Andre appeared, spotted Gabi and sat next to her.

The two stayed in silence for a few more minutes before Andre spoke.

"You wanted to see me?"

"I need something" said Gabi, trying to sound intimidating and confident. "You're the only one I can go to".

Andre chuckled. "Well, this is new and odd. Even for you, Gabriela".

"Cut it off" she ordered. "If you want something in return, I'll do what I can".

Andre chuckled again. "You haven't even told me what is it that you want". He faced her. "But tell me, what am I good for?"

Gabi looked at Andre for a moment. Maybe this wasn't a very good idea. But she was there, and Andre was there. She had to keep going.

"I want a hitman" she finally said.

Andre looked at her puzzled. Then, he looked away. Finally, he burst in laughter.

Gabi glared at him. "I'm serious, Andre!" she protested.

Andre didn't even try to stop. "Oh dear, I just... Wow..." He laughed even harder.

Gabi crossed her arms, pissed off.

It took Andre a few minutes to collect himself and calm down a bit. "You, a detective's girlfriend, another detective's sister, want to take someone out. I'm sorry". He giggled. "But the irony is just too good".

"I don't want anyone dead" said Gabi.

Andre stared at her. "And what do you think hitmen do, Gabriela? Serve ice cream to homeless children?"

Gabi glared at him again. If this didn't feel important to her, she would stand up and leave with the tail between her legs. But she couldn't. "Are you done? I'm pretty damn sure I know what a hitman does".

"Haven't you learnt your lesson from your last crime, Gabriela?" asked Andre. "What could you possibly miss of prison that would make you want to go back there?"

"Andre!"

Andre held up his hands. "Ok, ok. Who do you want to take out?"

"I don't want to kill anyone" she repeated. "I just need someone hurt".

"Doesn't make it better" he commented. "Can I at least ask why? Who?"

"No" she spat. "This is private, and I don't trust you that much".

"Yet you come to me to ask for a favor, someone to do half their job" said Andre.

Gabi didn't answer. She instantly regretted having this meeting.

Andre nodded his head and took out a piece of paper and pen, wrote something on it and gave it to Gabi. "Maybe he'll fullfill your expectations".

He stood up and left.

Gabi stayed seated on the bench. She looked at the paper. On it, Andre had written a phone number.


"Well" said Sami as she sat down. "What's going on here?"

"Mr Worries here came to apologize for something I didn't care too much about" joked Malcolm.

"I just wanted him to know what my distrust towards him was about" said Lucas. "And that I was being unfair and irrational".

"Sounds smart" approved Sami. "But I can still sense tension in this table. What's really going on?".

Malcolm thought for a moment.

Suddenly, as if he felt the strange urge, he took out his wallet and took from it a photo of himself as a baby, the only one of his childhood he still kept. "Because if the entire past is forgotten, so is our identity".

He looked at it carefully. He thought about the surprised and suspicious looks he had received. Then, his eyebrows rose.

"Well" he said, surprised. "I guess it makes sense now".

"I'm sure it'll drift off" he said.

Sami nodded and sat with them.

"You know, I was just telling Malcolm here about the Halloween party" said Lucas.

"Oh, yes!" cheered Sami. "Ever since I heard I've been looking forward to it. We already know what we'll dress up as".

"We?" asked Malcolm.

"Kate and me, of course" she explained.

"Oh, God" lamented Lucas in dismay, hiding his face with his hands. "I swear the two of you together are not good for the world".

Sami rolled her eyes. "Don't be so dramatic. God". She turned to Malcolm. "This guy, I swear".

Malcolm chuckled. "What are your costumes gonna be?"

"Ah, ah, ah" she said. "It's a surprise".

"You don't have a clue, do you?" he guessed.

"That's not true!" she gasped, offended. Then, she sighed. "Ok, it's true".

"Lie detector" said Lucas, amused. "I approve".

"Ok, that's talent" admitted Sami. "When my kids come back, I'll call you everytime I have even the tiniest suspicion they are trying to fool me".

"I guess I'll start charging then" Malcolm joked.

"Oh my God" said Sami, turning to Lucas. "I like this guy".

"Hold on a second" said Lucas, raising his hand. "You said 'when the kids come back'. Are they coming back?"

Sami smiled at him. "Yes. Yes, they are".

Lucas exhaled, as a big smile formed in his face and hugged Sami.

Knowing what it meant to him to have his daughter back, Malcolm smiled at them.


"I don't have anger issues!" said Sonny for what seemed to be the hundreth time, as he paced in front of the couch in the living room of the mansion.

On said couch sat a very much unamused Paul, with his arms crossed. "And that outburst proves your point, doesn't it?"

"Would you stop?" he hissed. "I don't have time for this. I have a meeting with Deimos here in two hours".

"Enough time to at least make the first step on solving your problem: admit you have one" said Paul as he clapped his hands.

"I don't have a problem!" Sonny insisted. "I'm ok, I just need to be more tolerable and accept the fact that my ex-friend gets to hang out with my daughter because the mother is a friend of his".

"Not to mention the young hot blond secret agent who's driving you crazy" added Paul. Seeing Sonny's glare, he coughed. "Not in a dirty way".

"I just don't understand how come he gets along so well with her" admitted Sonny. "What the hell does my daughter see in him?"

"You mean step-daughter" said Paul before he could stop himself.

Sonny glared at him again.

Paul nodded. "Sorry".

Still with his jaw set, Sonny sat on the other couch. "I vowed I wouldn't let anything happen to her, and I won't".

"Sonny, I know you don't trust Chad anymore, or Malcolm for some reason, but you gotta admit they mean no harm" Paul tried to reason.

"We're in a war, Paul" he shot back. "If Chad is attacked with Ari anywhere near him then she could get hurt or caught in the crossfire. As for Malcolm, he's dangerous".

"Oh please" said Paul. "He's not that bad. Sure, he works with weapons and goes in missions that could cost him his life but he's smart. Ari's not related to him. They have nothing but an emotional connection and that's it. What, you think he's gonna take her on one of his missions to see some battlefield or something?"

Sonny gave him a dangerous/horrified look.

"That was a joke!" he quickly said.

"For some reason Ari and Malcolm are getting close" said Sonny. "Gabi doesn't seem to care but I do".

"And what are you planning to do about it?" asked Paul.

"If Gabi doesn't let me put some restrictions to Ari's 'social life', 'cause if it was up to me she would be far away from the DiMeras and Malcolm, fine, I won't" he resolved. "But I'll be watching. Every single step he takes".

"Sonny, try to think for a moment" pleaded Paul. "He's a secret agent, a genius, whatever you want. But you must remember he's an eighteen year-old teenager. I'm not an expert, but I believe the law protects him. Not to mention the CIA does too. Don't try to do anything too risky that could get you in a lot, and I mean a lot, of trouble".

Sonny looked at him for a moment. He hated when Paul was right. "Fine. But I'll be watching him. You work with him quite often, don't you? Make sure he knows".

He got up and stormed out. Paul sighed, and took out his phone to make a call. A few moments later, they answered.

"Hey, Marlena" he greeted. "Yeah, he was here. Well, I made him talk. Call that progress. Ok, I'll try. Thanks".


Gabi paced in front of the bench at the park, feeling worse than before her meeting with Andre. She felt like garbage. But still, she clutched the paper with the phone number Andre had given her in her hand, not knowing what to do, torn between making the call or not.

Suddenly, she startled a bit when Abby showed up, panting.

"Oh my God, did you run all the way from the hospital to the park?" she asked.

"I had to" panted Abby. "Look!"

She dug in her pocket and took out a pair of keys.

"What's that?"

"I got them" said Abby. "The keys to the room where they keep the blood reserves. Dr Brady gave me a copy today".

"Oh" said Gabi, still a little emotionless. "Right".

Abby looked at her. "What's the matter?"

Gabi sighed. "I had a meeting with Andre today". She gave Abby the paper. "This is the number of one of his henchmen".

Abby took the paper. "Oh".

Gabi nodded. "Yeah. It's not gonna be easy".

"Having second thoughts?" she asked.

"No" Gabi replied. "We are gonna do this".

"Ok" said Abby. "Then we better get ready. When are we... Striking?".

"Soon" said Gabi. "Really soon".


Malcolm walked into his apartment and turned on the lights, singing along to the song in his iPod in a low voice.

"Finished with my woman, 'cause she couldn't help me with my mind..."

He tossed his keys on the table and dropped himself on the couch.

"People think I'm insane because I am frowning all the time..."

On the armchair, he had left a copy of the Spectator of the day. He picked it up and read the headline.

SABOTAGE

Titan Industries shiploads were allegedly robbed and destroyed by vandals who claimed being looking for money for drugs. CEO Deimos Kiriakis blames business competitor Chad DiMera for the attack. No statement from DiMera Enterprises has been released.

"At least I get to keep myself busy" he mumbled.

He opened the newspaper and found an announcement:

REMEMBERING WILL

This Monday October 9th, the Horton and Brady families will celebrate a mass in honor of who in life was William Robert Horton at St. Luke's, in conmemoration of the second year after his sensitive death.

"Right".

Malcolm wondered if Lucas had forgotten to mention that or he just simply didn't want to. He understood. He couldn't even start to imagine how painful it must have been for him and Sami to lose a son. And maybe he had no reason to be invited. He wasn't related to the Hortons nor the Bradys anyway.

"I tell you to enjoy life, I wish I could but it's too late..."

The final guitar riffs were played, thundering in his eardrums, and the song ended. He took out his headphones, and put the newspaper away.

Suddenly, a sound startled him. Like something hitting the floor.

Malcolm raised an eyebrow. "I certainly don't have a pet, and I don't believe in ghosts. Only one explanation".

He slowly and quietly got up from the couch.

"But the lock hasn't been forced. Maybe whoever's in here entered through the window. It couldn't have been too dificult, I live in the first floor".

He adopted a cautious posture, and took out his gun. The sound had come from his own bedroom.

"Mental note: get a window lock. And change the curtains. And buy a new pillow. Maybe get a dog". He shook his head. "Concentrate, Cooper! You're about to kill the bastard who dared break in your place. Nobody messes with me".

With that in mind, he slowly walked towards his bedroom door.

Malcolm grabbed the knob and waited. The sounds coming from the room stopped. He stood still for about two minutes before opening the door abruptly and pointing the gun at whoever was there.

Malcolm's eyes widened just a little bit. He took a quick glance at the room and the person he busted. On top of the bed was the suitcase with rifles, guns, grenades and other military stuff he had brought with him open, his wardrobe was open too and made a mess, and Malcolm decided that, considerong past events, he couldn't be too surprised to be aiming a gun at Sonny's startled face.


"And how soon is... Well, soon?" asked Abby, frowning at her own question.

Gabi rolled her eyes. "I don't know. It has to be someday we can get them together. We can also make them meet, I don't know".

Abby thought for a moment, then snapped her fingers and grinned. "I know!"

"Really? What?"

"Does October 9th sound important to you?" Abby asked, playing with her hair.

"Oh, yeah, how can I forget it? One of the worst days of my life" replied Gabi, making a face.

"Exactly!" said Abby. "What better day to bring Will back than the day he was taken away from us two years ago?"

Gabi opened her eyes wide, and turned to her friend. "Oh my God, Abby, you're a genius!"

"Thanks" smiled Abby.

"We can reveal Malcolm as Will before, during or after the mass!"

"Oh, before the mass would be perfect. We won't have to mourn anymore".

"Ok then" said Gabi. "Then we'll go ahead with the plan".

"Yeah, I still don't like the part where we have to attack someone to reach our goal" said Abby as her friend took out her phone.

Gabi glared at her.

"Ok, I'll shut up".

Gabi shook her head, and dialed the number on the paper.

"Moore"

"Andre DiMera gave me this number" said Gabi, again trying to sound intimidating. "I got a job for you".

"Who?"

"First of all, how much will you charge me?"

"We'll discuss that later" said Moore. "Just say who".

"I-I don't even want him dead, I just want him hurt" rushed Gabi. "And it's not for now, I need it done for next Monday".

"Hurt?" chuckled Moore. "I'll charge you as if I had taken out the son of a bitch".

"Hey, no need to be rude!" scolded Gabi.

"You want me to do this or no?" Moore shot back.

Gabi looked at Abigail, who nodded. "Ok. But don't kill him".

"I won't" assured Moore. "Now say the name".

Gabi glanced at Abigail again and exhaled, giving herself some strenght.

"Lucas Horton".


"Well, Jackson" said Malcolm, aiming his gun. "We see each other again. You know, it's kinda funny, you keep acting like I'm the last thing you want to see in this world, yet next thing I know, you break in my apartment and look through my things".

He gave him a mocking look. "Has anyone told you you have some troubled mind?"

"What do you want?" asked Sonny, eyes never leaving the gun that was so terrifyingly close to them.

"What do I want-You can't be serious!" exclaimed Malcolm, throwing his arms to the air, turning around and walking into the living room, allowing Sonny to follow him. But when Sonny motioned to go to the door, Malcolm raised the gun again, making him stop.

"In case you didn't know, you're the one who invaded my privacy, so I should be the one asking what you want".

Sonny stared at him for a moment with his jaw set. "Privacy?" He pointed to the room. "You call that privacy? Some AK-47's, UZI..."

"UZI?" Malcolm frowned. "Why on Earth would I want an UZI when I have my own machine gun?"

"This isn't funny, Malcolm!" shouted Sonny. "Those weapons and photos of almost everyone in town can only mean one thing: you're some psycho stalker and that CIA crap is just to hide your real whereabouts".

Malcolm gave him a bored look. "Which would be?"

"You're not some agent out to save the world or some garbage like that" spat Sonny. "You're a terrorist".

Malcolm didn't know how to respond to that. He knew Sonny had issues with him, issues he tried to understand, but this was beyond crazy. Looking down and putting his gun away, he nodded slightly.

"Ok, here's what gonna happen" he said, taking out his phone. "I'm gonna enable the flashlight of my phone, you're gonna look at it and instantly forget everything that's happened".

Sonny frowned. "What?"

"Oh, I'm sorry, I thought it was 'talking crazy' time" replied Malcolm sarcastically. "But what's really gonna happen is that you're gonna leave". He stood closely to Sonny's face. "And get some help!"

And with that said, Malcolm opened the door, grabbed Sonny by the collar of his shirt and threw him out.

"You don't wanna mess with me, Jackson. I don't care about the problems you have with my resemblance to you-know-who, but I've had it" he warned. "You don't know what I'm capable of, so don't look for a showdown between us again".

He was about to close the door, but quickly remembered something. "Oh, you can spread the world about your little discovery, but trust me, no one's gonna believe you. And I know you haven't taken pictures because you must have been so excited or intrigued that you forgot".

He closed the door.

Sonny glared at the door, wanting to shout something but stopped himself. He had been acting stupid recently. A part of him wanted to blame Malcolm for everything, though.

"Real mature, Kiriakis".

Sonny walked away, as he suddenly remembered he had been so busy snooping that he hadn't taken any pictures of the weapons and other stuff.

But he wouldn't admit Malcolm was right.


In an unknown place, everything looked dark and foggy. Only the light of a torch illuminated a small portion of what seemed to be a door with a small, squared window.

Yes, it indeed was. A door in a dark hallway. Only the sound of the wind and footsteps far away were heard.

But nothing could be seen through that little window. Only a little blue light, more fog, and that was that.

The misterious door didn't have a knob, yet it seemed locked anyway. Two little shiny dots, one red and the other green, were next to it.

Then the fog in the little window seemed to fade away...

But suddenly, the silhouette of a hand was seen hitting the window, wide open, just once, and fell, as sounds of a heavy breathing was heard, and grew louder, and louder, and louder...

"AAHHH!"

Caroline Brady startled awake.

"Ma?" said Kayla as she rushed into the room, having heard the scream. "Ma, what is it?"

Poor Caroline was panting.

Kayla started to calm her down. "Ma, it's ok. Just breathe, in and out, in and out".

Caroline followed her daughter's instructions. Once she was calmer, Kayla got her a glass of water.

"Ma, are you ok? What happened?"

"Oh, dear, I just had the strangest dream" began Caroline. "I don't even know if it was a nightmare, but there was a lot of fog and silence, and I've never been a fan of mystery plots..."

"Ma, Ma, it's ok" said Kayla, joining hands with her. "It was just a dream, nothing to worry about".

Caroline looked at her for a minute, before nodding. "Oh, you're right, what a fool". She chuckled. "It's not real".

Kayla smiled at her. "Let's just go back to sleep, how about that?".

"Sounds like a plan" said Caroline, as she accomodated herself in the bed.

Once she was ready, Kayla kissed her forehead. "Goodnight, Ma".

"Goodnight, sweetheart".


Just a friendly reminder: every single detail counts in this story.

The song Malcolm was singing is "Paranoid" by Black Sabbath. On the sad note of their retirement, I decided one of their songs could feature here. Malcolm is a fan of classic, psychodelic and progressive rock and heavy metal. Yeah, why not?

Please review and thanks for reading!