'Where is Eve?' Julian asked, as he sat up in his hospital bed. Whitney and Fox had brought Evan and Erin to the hospital to be with their father. Amanda and Ethan stood in the background as well. Julian had eyed her earlier. She looked like a younger version of Ivy. Julian could only hope that that was where the similarities ended!
'Mom said she was flying to Arkansas to look for clues on your disappearance. I've been trying to call her cell phone, but I haven't had much luck. I think she must've turned it off.'
Julian smiled, then touched little Erin's arm. Both babies were sitting on the bed with Julian.
'She went to look for clues? Oh, that's so cute! I mean, don't get me wrong. I applaud her efforts, but Eve is not the 'looking for clues' type. And in order for her to try, she must've been beside herself.' Julian said quietly.
'We all were.' Fox said. 'I mean it was like you disappeared into thin air.'
'Oh believe me, no one was more surprised than me! I originally went to Hastings office to fire him. I mean, I had no idea he was the Store Manager until Teresa told me.'
'And he probably wanted to fire her, to keep her from learning about that room.' Whitney theorized.
Julian shook his head.
'I told him he was fired, that escalated into a fight, next thing I know, I was maced and thrown into a room with Ivy and Kay Bennett, who by the way, did not shower one damned day!'
'Mother?' Fox asked. 'That's not like her.'
'No, Fox! That surly Bennett girl! God! The way she carried on! Though I guess I should be thanking her for saving us. How is she?'
Ethan stepped forward.
'Madder than hell. You know, I think Hastings was lying about Grace. I just can't see her being involved in something like this.'
Whitney nodded in agreement.
'Yeah, Julian, I've known her all of my life! And let's face it, David had that room built, and it looks like he pulled something creepy back in Arkansas...I just think that by then, he'd lost his mind, and convinced himself that Grace not only still loved him, but was his accomplice.'
Fox eyed Julian.
'What is it?' he asked.
Julian shook his head.
'I don't know. I mean, if you had asked me before this all happened, if I thought Grace Bennett was capable of being involved in any of this, I would've laughed. But Alistair seemed sure she was involved as well.'
'Yeah, I can't believe he knew the whole time! And at the same time, I feel as if I should have known.' Fox said.
Julian looked at him.
'We have to be careful of him. There's no telling what he's tried to pull since I've been out of commission. And I hate to say it, but I'm having my doubts about his ever being convicted, for all that he's done.'
Whitney gasped!
'Of course he will be! How can you say that?'
Fox looked at Whitney.
'How long has that damned jury been out? They should've come back with a guilty verdict by now.' he noted.
Whitney looked around the room. Poor Amanda looked clueless! She then looked back at Julian.
'Do you really think it might be possible, that Alistair could get off?'
Julian's face grew dark.
'Whitney, you had to have heard him through that wall. He was crowing! He just didn't sound like a man that was worried about going to prison. In fact, he assured me that he wouldn't be. So he probably has done something.'
Ethan coughed.
'Listen, Amanda and I are going to go visit Mom. Julian, I'm glad you're alright.'
Julian smiled softly at his former son.
'Thank you, Ethan. Amanda, it was nice meeting you. I hope everything goes well with Ivy.'
Amanda smiled at him.
'Thank you, Mr. Crane. I hope so too.'
Ethan and Amanda, then turned and left the room. Whitney eyed them, before turning back to Julian and Fox.
'Uh, Julian, I forgot to tell you, I offered to let her stay in the mansion. It was just so lonely there, without you, and now Mom. But she can stay with us down at the cottage.'
'Ivy's daughter is staying under my roof?' Julian asked, raising a brow. Erin began to kick. Evan sat quietly.
'We didn't know when you'd be coming back. We just figured the mansion would be more homey with more people there. Besides, she may be Cowell's daughter, but she's nothing like him.' Fox said.
Julian sighed.
'I'm sorry. You're right. The poor girl has never met Ivy. It's just so unfortunate that her mother is a total bitch! We all know that that young woman is going to be sorely disappointed. I do think it is better though, if she stays down at the cottage with the two of you. 'Julian sniffed.
Whitney nodded in agreement. Fox said nothing. Julian peered up at him.
'What, Fox?'
'Uh, actually, I was thinking about what you said before, about how Alistair has a thing for Grace, and all of that. Do you think Preston knew about any of this? They are bosom buddies now.'
Julian reached over to stop Erin's leg from kicking. He then shrugged.
'I don't know. I don't know Preston. He hasn't given either Eve, or myself, much of a chance to. But, I do know of his adopted parents, the Hart's. I doubt very much they would have raised your brother to behave in such a distasteful manner.'
Fox gave Whitney a look. Julian caught it.
'What?'
'I'm sorry, Father. But Preston has been such a total bastard! And Grandfather can be persuasive.'
Whitney linked arms with Fox.
'I have to agree, Julian. I mean, he's seen so much proof of Alistair's guilt, yet he still chooses to believe that Alistair is 'misunderstood' or something. And he upset Mom earlier today.'
'What do you mean?' Julian asked.
'Well, from what I understand, she asked him to ask Alistair what he knew about your disappearance, and he refused. I'm sorry, Julian. I mean, I know he's your son, and my half-brother, but he's just too stupid for me to be bothered with.'
Fox nodded.
'I have to agree with my wife, Father. I mean that 'Grandpa Alistair' crap really gets on my nerves. I just don't see the two of us being friends anytime soon.'
Julian said nothing, as he pulled both babies closer to him. He decided to let the subject drop for now.
He looked back up at Whitney and Fox.
'Will one of you try to get ahold of Eve again? Maybe she can get the pilot to turn around before she gets to Arkansas.'
Fox nodded.
'I'll go outside here and call the plane from my cell this time.'
'Thank you.' Julian said gratefully. Whitney reached down and picked up Erin. Julian held Evan close. This homecoming was not complete yet. The sooner he could hold Eve in his arms again, the better he was going to feel.
Ivy sat on the side of her bed, staring into a hand held mirror. Luckily, she did not look a day older. Good. She wanted to look good for Sam.
Surely, he would be coming to question her about that damned room, and WHY she had been put in there in the first place, wouldn't he?
And of course, Grace would have to come here, if she wanted to look like the good wife of the Chief of Police, and the long suffering mother of Kay.
The door opened, and Ivy put down the mirror and smiled...briefly. Ethan was standing there. It was always nice to see her handsome boy. But the other person that was standing next to him, was someone quite unexpected.
Ivy slid off of the bed.
'Uh, hello. Ethan. Amanda.'
Amanda walked up to her.
'Hello, Mummy.'
Ivy coughed! Ethan hurried over to her nightstand to pick up a cup. He then walked into the adjoining bathroom and turned on the faucet. He hurried back out, then handed his mother the water. She took it from him and drank it all down in one fell swoop. Ivy then handed the glass back to Ethan.
'My, one would've thought that was some form of liquor, the way you swilled that down.' Amanda noted wryly.
Ivy gave her a chilly smile.
'My, you do have your father's wit.'
'Okay,' Ethan interrupted. 'Look, Mother, Amanda came when she heard you had been kidnapped. We're just all glad to see that you're alright.'
'Yes, I am. No thanks to Grace Bennett! Where is your father?'
'Why?' Ethan asked.
'You know why! Your father needs to know what a traitorous bitch he's married to! Grace belongs in prison, and that's where she's going! Now please, Ethan! Go and find your father right away!'
Ethan walked over to her.
'I'm going to go and find Dad. Until then, try and get to know your daughter...my sister.' he said in a soft whisper. Ivy placated him with a smile, touching his cheek, then watched as Ethan walked out of the room.
That left mother and daughter alone. Ivy eyed her. She was a rather lovely looking young woman.
'So...it was nice of you to come and see about me.' Ivy acknowledged, looking towards the door. Where the hell was Ethan?!
'I can tell you're thrilled to death.' Amanda said sarcastically.
Ivy looked from the door to her daughter.
'You listen to me, missy! If you came over here to pull that abandoned daughter/guilt act, you've got the wrong woman here! You had a good home! It's not like I left you in a trash bin or something!'
Amanda's mouth dropped open. She then shut it quickly, running a hand over her face.
'You know, Uncle Simon warned me about you.'
'Did he now? I don't suppose he had anything bad to say about himself, did he?' Ivy snapped.
Amanda walked up to her.
'I've known Uncle Simon all of my life. His public persona is a lot different from the real Simon. He's a wonderful man.'
Ivy snorted!
'If he's so wonderful, then why didn't he raise you as a single father? Look, I know you have a certain fondness for him. But for me, your father was no more than a form of sexual release, that's it.'
Amanda shook her head.
'Sexual release. So, you didn't want it from your husband at the time...that would've been Julian Crane, correct?'
'God yes!'
'I just met him. He seems like a lovely man.'
'My, you weren't raised with a whit of common sense, were you?'
Amanda smiled softly.
'On the contrary. I came here to see if my mother was alright, and to meet you. I've met you, and now know that I was much better off not knowing you. But I do have two lovely brothers that I've met so far. And I do think I'll be staying around a bit, just to get to know them both better.'
Amanda turned and began to saunter out of the room. Ivy stared after her, unblinking. Strangely enough, her daughter's words had actually hurt!
Suddenly, Amanda stopped and turned back to her.
'By the way, I do have to tell you, your obsession with this Sheriff person...'
'He's the Chief of Police, dear.'
'Whatever. I think it's truly pathetic.'
'So is your father. Goodbye.' Ivy said with a cold smile. Amanda turned and slammed out of the room. Ivy shoved the unpleasant encounter from her mind. Where was Sam?
John and Simone asked a nurse where David Hastings room was. The nurse pointed towards a room with a guard outside of it. John and Simone looked at one another, before heading in that direction.
The guard saw them, and blocked their way.
'I'm John Hastings, my father is in there!' John began to yell. This was such horse$!!! His father had been locked in that damned room with the others! How could he have been behind anything?!
'John?'
John and Simone turned to see Sam and Kay walking towards them. Simone rushed over to hug Kay. She had managed to bathe some since her ordeal.
'Maria is being taken care of.' Simone assured her. Kay smiled wanly.
'Thanks. That's good to know.' Kay said, before glaring at John.
'Kay, there must be a mistake...'
'There's no damned mistake! Your loser father kidnapped me and my mother was his accomplice!'
'What???' John and Simone said in unison. Simone eyed Sam. Sam wasn't saying anything. Was it possible there was any truth to this?
John looked from Kay, who was a proven liar, to Sam.
'Sam, what is going on here?'
Sam cleared his throat.
'I don't know yet. I won't know anything until I speak with your father.'
'My father didn't do this! He was found in the room with Julian, Ivy and Kay here!'
'Only because Alistair threw him in there! And Alistair is after my mother! He told us so!'
Simone looked Kay up and down.
'Did you hit your head when you were in that room?' she asked her friend.
'I wish to hell I had! Then I wouldn't have had to listen to Julian and Ivy's bickering! Alistair knew what David had been up to! He even said something about him doing something illegal in Arkansas!'
John pointed at Kay.
'You, shut-up! You're making this whole thing up!'
'Oh, why would I do that, huh, John?'
'Because that's what you do, Kay! You lie and make people's lives miserable!'
Sam stepped in.
'That's enough, John! Now I'm sorry if this hurts you, but the fact is, there is no way that that room could've just been there, without your father's knowledge.' he said. He then turned to Kay.
'And honey, I know you're angry, but David's word can't be trusted. He's obviously insane. Your mother wouldn't conspire to hurt you or anyone else.'
'She hates Ivy, Dad!'
'But she doesn't hate you. And whatever your mother feels about Ivy, she wouldn't do something like this. She just wouldn't. Now, I'm going in to talk to Hastings. We'll see if we can get the truth out of him.'
Sam then walked up to the guard. He moved aside, so that Sam could go into David's room. Kay tried to peek around the guard. She then turned to look at John and Simone.
'Your father is guilty you know!'
'Damnit, Kay!' Simone cried out. 'Can't you see how much this is hurting John?'
'Hey! I'm hurt too! My mother is just as crazy as his father!'
John glared at Kay.
'Alistair Crane, for some reason, has framed both my father and Grace! I can't believe you can't see that!'
Kay looked him up and down.
'Your father maced me twice! He jeered at Ivy and me...then at Ivy, Julian and me! He gave us things he had stolen from around the store, for us to wear and sleep in, plus horrible take-out to eat! You just need to accept the fact, that after the truth came out about your father's deception, all that time ago, your father went nuts!'
John was about to say something to her, when he noticed Kay's gaze had turned ferocious! And she was not looking at him. John, and Simone, turned to see Grace walking towards them.
NOTE: Things get a bit strange here and I am sure movie fans will recognize the introduction of this new character, in this tale, for a temporary run!
Eve coughed up water, as she dog paddled to land. Tony used a smooth breast stroke.
The Crane Jet, had crash landed, then sank, in a lake surrounded by woods, someplace. It was getting dark and now that they were both wet, plus, it was quite chilly.
Eve collapsed onto the ground, as did Tony. They lay there for a moment, Eve in shock, Tony in heaven. For he had planned the whole crash. He had killed the pilots, drugging their coffee when their backs had been turned.
And no one had jumped out of the plane. Tony had made that part up as well. He had opened the plane door, then closed it quickly.
He had always known, that if Eve and him could have real alone time together, she would see that he was the same man she had come to love, all that time ago, back in Salem.
Eve sat up suddenly, looking around.
'I wonder where we are?'
Tony sat up again as well.
'I'm not sure. Look, there's a dock here. I'm sure there's probably cabins around. We should try to go for help. Soon we won't be able to see a thing.'
Eve nodded, standing up. Tony did as well.
'I'm sorry, Eve. I know this is not how you envisioned your day ending.'
Eve smiled at him.
'You saved our lives, Tony. When that plane was going down, I envisioned this day ending, and my never living to see another one. So, let's see if we can find someone around here.'
Tony nodded, and began to walk ahead, smiling. They would find a cabin, then get out of these wet clothes...maybe they could use one another for body warmth...
Eve meanwhile, followed after Tony, looking around the forest as they walked. She wondered how Julian was holding up, wherever he was. She wondered if the twins were asleep right now. Eve knew Whitney and Fox were taking good care of them, but the sooner she could get to a phone and call home, the better she was going to feel.
Eve looked down. She had been about to step on a wooded sign. She stopped walking to pick it up. Tony turned to look at her.
'What is that, Eve?'
Eve looked at the sign. It read, 'Camp Crystal Lake'.
'It's some sort of sign. Probably the name of this place. Now I know we'll find a cabin soon.'
Tony reached for the sign and looked at it. 'Camp Crystal Lake'. Good. So there were people around. He dropped the sign back down onto the ground.
'Well, now we know where we are. Let's keep going. It's getting dark fast.'
Eve nodded, then hurried to walk beside him. She felt strange walking in the woods, in the middle of nowhere, with Tony DiMera, who really was a sworn enemy. He had done so much...yet, she wouldn't still be alive now, if he hadn't taken over when the pilots had been killed. She sighed.
Tony looked over at her.
'What?'
'I was just thinking about how much I still have to get done. I know that the secret to finding Julian, is in Arkansas! I just know it! But now I'm going to be at least a good day behind...it's one more day that keeps me away from Julian. That and I still don't know who tried to kill me...though I suspect it was probably Alistair.'
Tony nodded.
'Well, if Alistair drugged the pilots with hemlock, then he probably knows something about the kidnappings as well.' he said.
Eve stopped walking suddenly. Tony stopped as well.
'What is it, Eve?'
'How do you know what the pilots were poisoned with, Tony?'
Even though it was getting dark fast, Eve could see the lust glittering in Tony's dark eyes!
'DAMNIT, TONY! WHY?!'
'Why do I always do what I do? I love you, Eve!'
'I don't want to hear this!'
'You have to! Eve, no matter who I try and be with, it always comes back to you! I curse the fates that made me collapse that night in the mansion...that night when we most certainly would have made love!'
'Shut-up, Tony! Just shut-up!' she hissed, and began to walk away from him. But Tony pulled on her arm, bringing her back to him. He then kissed her! She shoved him away, and was about to slap him, when the sound of a twig, breaking behind them, stopped her! They both looked in the direction the sound had come from.
'Hello?' Eve called out.
They couldn't see anyone, but Tony could swear he heard deep breathing! He pulled on Eve's arm again.
'Come on! Let's find a cabin.' he said, suddenly feeling fearful, but unsure as to why.
Eve felt the same way, as they began to move again. Someone had STEPPED on that twig, she was almost sure of it! And the fact that the person had not made themselves known, when they were called out to, made the whole situation all the more sinister!
Tony suddenly stopped and pointed ahead.
'Look! There's light ahead! Surely it must be coming from a cabin!' he cried, now wondering what had possessed him to do this foolish thing! Much like Eve, he had sensed someone in the darkness behind them too, just now! And the sooner they found other people, the better!
They hurried towards the cabin. There was a light on inside. Just as they hurried towards the doors, Eve looked over to her right, and saw that there were four cars in a clearing nearby.
'Tony, look! Maybe we can get out of this mess that you made, tonight!'
Tony was about to answer that, and not in the politest manner, when something made him to a double take. He moved away from the cabin door, and towards the cars.
'Tony! Tony, come on! Let's get help before something happens!' Eve cried out, looking around shiftily. She didn't know what it was she expecting to have happen, but she just didn't like being in woods, with Tony, at night!
But Tony moved towards the first car. His gaze then fell upon the others. Every damned tire had been slashed! He looked back towards the cabin. Did the people inside know that their cars had been vandalized?
He hurried back over to Eve. He touched her arm.
'What, Tony? What is it?'
'Someone has slashed all of the tires on those cars. I doubt the owners will be able to drive us anywhere tonight.'
Eve looked over at the cars. She then looked around, at the woods.
'Tony, I don't like this!'
Tony looked around as well. This place, this Camp Crystal Lake, had a bad aura about it.
'Let's just see if anyone inside can help us, okay?' Tony suggested. Eve nodded, looking around again.
Tony knocked. No one answered. Tony knocked again. Eve moved around to a window and peeked in. She then looked at Tony.
'No one seems to be home.' she said. Tony looked at her, before reaching for the door knob. He turned it. The door opened, and he stepped in. Eve walked in after him, glancing behind her nervously.
When they got inside, Eve began moving around the cabin. She saw a phone and hurried over to it. Tony looked at her.
'What's the hurry, Eve? It's not like anyone can come for us tonight. Let's just stay here. I'll start a fire and...'
'Are you out of your damned mind?! Where are the owners of this place, Tony? I mean, surely they didn't damage their own cars!'
Tony walked over to her.
'Maybe when they realized what had happened, they left out of here on foot to get help. Either way, they'll be back. And if they come back with the Sheriff or something, then we can tell him about your plane. Eve, everything will be alright.'
'I'm going to make sure it is, by calling home!' Eve snapped, feeling more and more unnerved! Something was not right here! Tony moved away from her, then walked over to the fireplace. He got the feeling that Eve was not in the mood for lovemaking this evening!
She picked up the phone and dialed the mansion. One of the maid's picked up.
'Hello, Crane residence?'
'Oh, Lillie, it's Mrs. Crane! How are the twins?'
'Mrs. Crane! Oh, everyone's been trying to find you! Mr. Crane and the others were found!'
Eve's eyes widened!
'Oh my God!'
Tony looked over at her, as he began to light the fire. Eve turned her back to him.
'Is Julian alright, Lillie?'
Suddenly, the phone line went dead!
'Lillie? Lillie?'
Tony walked over to her.
'What is it?'
'The phone line is dead!' Eve cried, slamming down the phone. She hurried over to a window and looked out. Tony picked up the phone and listened. Yes, it was dead indeed!
Meanwhile, Eve looked out of the window. She saw nothing, but she just felt as if her and Tony were not alone up here! Then, as she began to look away, something caught her eye.
The phone box, was on the ground, a few feet away! Eve then looked down, close to the house. She could see wires dangling!
Eve turned back to Tony.
'Tony! Tony, someone pulled the phone box off of the cabin here! Just when I was on the phone here! Julian has been found and... what the hell are you doing!?'
Tony began to take off his wet clothes.
'Eve, darling, we don't know that the phone wasn't disconnected when we got here. That could've been another reason, why the people that were here, left.'
Eve blinked hard!
'Did you hear what I said?! I told you I was ON the phone when it disconnected! Someone did this just now! So, when we have to run for it, you'll need to have your clothes on!'
'Eve, I'm convinced you're just tired. You know, I had my doubts too, in the woods, and when I saw the cars...but I'm now convinced that we've just come across a bad camping situation. We'll be fine.'
Tony removed the rest of his clothes and stood naked before Eve. She clenched her fists together! Damnit! What did she do in this life, to deserve being in the situation she was in now?! Tony was naked, and from what she could see, he had plenty on his mind! And there was a damned killer stalking them, she could just feel it!
'Tony, we REALLY don't have time for this!'
The fire Tony had made, began to crackle, and he began to move towards her.
'Eve, don't you see? We were meant to be together, in this cabin, right here and now. Let's get those wet clothes off of you, and then we can spend the evening making love...I swear, you won't want to return to Julian after our night together.'
Eve's mouth dropped open, at his sheer gall. It then stayed open, when the dead body of some man, came crashing through the window!
'JESUS CHRIST!!!' Tony screamed. Eve turned and ran to the front door. She whipped it open, and was about to run through it, when the man responsible for the dead body, illuminated the doorway. He was wearing a hockey mask and carrying a machete!
Eve screamed, then turned and ran, ignoring Tony! She hurried over to the window where the dead body was. The poor man had several nails in his face, and his eyes had been gouged out! She stepped over him and ran for the woods...and her life. She ignored Tony's screams of fright, as she ran off into the night. Her one thought, surprisingly, was that Tony should've listened to her and kept his clothes on!
