All My Life
Don't own 'em.
Chapter 14
Iris felt sleep overcome her, before she shut her eyes, she looked up at the digital clock on the wall, 6:32.
***Iris's "dream world"***
She was in a white room, on a bed, the room was brightly lit but she couldn't see anything. She got off of the bed and walked around the room, the room was empty except for the bed she was on. There was no door either. She sat back down on the bed for lack of anything better to do. Suddenly, the wall opened. She looked up and saw Rolf enter the room.
"You've avoken?" Rolf asked.
Iris felt herself nod and wondered where she was; Rolf led her out of the room. She walked through the door and entered a series of corridors. After many twists and turns they wound up in, what appeared to be, a lab. She was directed to an operating table.
"What are you doing?" She asked. Her question was ignored and she felt a needle go into her arm. After a moment she was gone. She felt her body go limp and saw her eyes close. 'How can I be seeing this?!' Iris wondered.
Rolf had secured her to the table and then moved it so she was sitting up straight. He took out a scalpel and she winced as he cut the back of her neck.
Suddenly, she was transported to another time and place. Her father sat in his study going over notes. She walked into the room silently and stood next to his desk. He looked up and saw her there; she noted the look of surprise on his face. She had gotten to be so silent; even he didn't hear her anymore. He took her hand and she felt herself withdrawing.
"Iris, you are my legacy, but since you don't seem to enjoy following orders like I'd hoped, you will have to be forced into it." Stefano smiled.
Iris jerked her hand away, "I will not be forced into anything. I am fully aware of what you want from me and I told you that I will not do it. My mother's life may have been revolved around crime, but mine will not be. I am not your child."
Stefano looked unfazed by her remarks, but Iris knew she had hurt him. Everything she had done in the last few years was based on destroying her father's armor, link by link. And she would. "You are my daughter in every sense of the word. Your eyes are mine, your nose was my mothers and your attitude is purely DiMera. When you get older, you will thank me for this."
"For what?" Iris was wary. She heard footsteps and cringed when she saw Rolf enter the room.
"Vat iz it dat you needed?" Rolf asked.
Iris flinched; she'd hated Dr. Rolf all her life. She couldn't pinpoint why, but she knew that there was a special place reserved for him. It was right next to her father.
"It needs to be done tonight. Iris is getting too wild, so I need you to activate it tonight." Stefano said coldly.
"Activate it?" Iris asked. She knew that wasn't a good sign, her father rarely let Rolf be around her. Even if she hated both of them, Stefano DiMera always treasured her.
"Yes, I suppose since you will never remember this conversation I can tell you. When you were three years old, I had Rolf put a chip into you. I was determined to never have to activate it, but you've forced it upon me. If only you'd have listened to me. I didn't want to have to do this darling, but it's for your own good." Stefano said.
"You're going to BRAINWASH me?" Iris looked at her father and Rolf, "Not while I can still move." She ran out of the room past the 'good' doctor and into the hall. She ran until she reached her room. Ryan was sitting on her bed reading a book. He looked up when she entered.
"Iris, I thought you were talking to your father. He said it was important. What happened?" Ryan asked.
Iris looked at him suspiciously, "You knew, didn't you?"
"I knew? Knew what?" Ryan got off the bed and walked towards her, "Are you ok?"
"Stay away from me." Iris kicked him and he was flung across the room.
He got up quickly, "I trained you to fight, if you want a serious ass whopping you're going to get one. What's your problem?"
"You knew you sick demented BASTARD!" Iris screamed at him and she realized he was blocking her only means of escape, the trap door that was hidden in her closet. Only she knew about that door, it was her only was out of this prison, "Get out of my way or I will make you."
Ryan looked at her like she was crazy, "Ok, you keep yelling at me that 'I knew' something. But, I have no clue what you are talking about. Why don't you talk to me."
"There's not enough time. Now either get out of my room or I will make you!" Iris growled. She heard someone banging on the door.
" I have to protect you. Even if you don't trust me. What is going on?" Ryan asked.
"Get out of my way. I don't have enough time to explain it to you." Iris glared at Ryan, who refused to move, "Have it you way." Iris dropkicked him and then the two began fighting.
He pulled her down to the ground as he got back up. She back flipped up and kicked him in the face. The door burst open as Iris threw Ryan against the wall. He got up easily and he saw the fear in her eyes as Rolf entered the room. "Go, I'll hold them off."
Iris looked at him and realized she was wrong, she nodded and opened the closet, she hit the back wall and the door popped. She looked back and saw Ryan unconscious, being led out of the room. Get away or attempt to save someone. "God damn conscience." She stepped out of the closet. "Leave him alone. I'll do what you want."
Rolf smiled, "Good. Your father will be most pleased." Iris felt like she'd just sold her sold to the devil.
The scene dissolved into a lab. She was sitting, like a statue. She saw Rolf put a needle into Ryan's arm, she would have winced, but she knew no pain or disgust. She was simply there. She heard a voice, "When you awake you will not be Iris any longer, you will be who you were born to be. Iris DiMera. There will be no hiding from your past or future, it's who you were born to be."
***~~~
Iris awoke in her bed; she looked at the clock, 6:33. She blinked a few times, and sure enough it was indeed only a minute later. "That's not possible."
She shook off the sleep that still threatened to overtake her. She sat up and grabbed her coat, jogging would help. She left the room and kept her mind on jogging until she reached the park. She began running, running far and fast, away from the memories that threatened to overtake her. She wasn't real. She was a product of her father's sick and twisted mind. She was a puppet in this show and she had no control of who pulled her strings. She wanted to scream, she wanted to cry, but she was a DiMera and she wouldn't allow her emotions to betray her. She stopped running; she was out of breath and looked down at her watch, 8:00. Sure, she'd sleep for a minute and felt like it was hours, but she'd jog for hours and it felt like it was minutes. She sat down on a bench and played back the dream in her head. Ryan. She'd done this to him. She'd forced him to go through the pain. He'd never betray her because of what he father had done to him in that lab. She unconsciously touched the back of her neck. "How do I fix this?" She said quietly.
~*~
Belle and Ryan entered dotcom, and Belle noted that four or five girls were looking over her new cousin. "You're being checked out." Belle said grinning.
Ryan, surprised, stopped walking, "I'm sorry?"
Belle giggled, "There are about four or five girls in here who are looking at you like they want to jump your bones."
Ryan laughed, and looked around, he winked at a pretty blond and whispered to Belle, "I'm not really interested in anyone at this moment. But, it IS fun to flirt."
They ordered their drinks and Belle sat down at a booth, Ryan sat across from her.
Belle smiled at him, "I like you. You're not too serious and I feel a good energy."
Ryan was unsure what to say, "Um, thank you. Can I ask you something?"
"Of course."
"Why did you invite me out for coffee?" Ryan asked.
Belle looked at him questiongly, "I thought it was obvious."
Before Ryan could reply, a waitress came over and brought them their drinks. Her eyes took in Ryan's figure and she smiled at him seductively. As she walked away she swayed her hips.
Ryan looked embarrassed, "Um, so obvious?" He asked, trying to divert Belle's attention away from the forward waitress.
"Yes. I don't have a lot of family. I mean I do have family, but it's not like there's tons of us. I just thought that I should get to know you." Belle poured sugar into her coffee, and stirred it.
"Well, I'm glad. I didn't exactly get the warmest welcome from your father and I don't think your brother was too appreciative. It' s nice to have someone who wants to get to know me for me. Not for the information I have on the DiMera's." Ryan said honestly.
Belle frowned, "I don't think that that's what my father is doing. I know he wants to bring down the DiMera's; he's been obsessed with it for years. But, I think that you are more then just a means to an end."
Ryan looked up from his drink, "You really think so?"
Belle smiled, "I know my father. He may seem like he's all tough and evil on the outside, but on the inside he's really a great guy."
"Thank you."
They sat silent for a few minutes, thinking about things. "So, tell me about yourself." Ryan said abruptly.
Belle laughed, "Tell you about the infamous Isabella Black? Wow, no one has ever asked me that before."
Ryan smiled, "Well, then I'm the first. So, come on, tell me about you."
"Well, I'm 18, I go to Salem U, I've lived here all my life, I two older half-brothers, Brady and Eric. I also have a half-sister Sami. Eric and Sami are twins. I'm dating this amazing guy, Shawn Brady. He's the best, I love him more then anything." Belle smiled wistfully.
Ryan smirked, "Your eyes light up when you're talking about this Shawn fellow. Should I go and threaten him? I've never had family before, so I don't really know what to do."
Belle laughed again, and shook her head emphatically, "No, no, no. You don't have to worry about Shawn. The fear of God has been put into that boy. But, I want to know about you. What did you do before coming to Salem? Do you have a girlfriend?"
Ryan looked at his drink as though it held the answers to the universe, he finally spoke, "I've worked for the DiMera's since before I can remember. After my mother died, I was sent to France to care for Stefano's youngest daughter. I took care of her since she was 8 and it was almost inevitable that I'd fall in love with her. I'll never see her again and I'm still madly, crazy in love. It's really sad actually."
Belle looked at Ryan and felt her heart drop; he looked so sad, "Why won't you ever see her again?"
Ryan looked up, "Her family hates me. They'd probably have me killed if I was anywhere near her."
Belle's eyes widened, she'd known that the DiMera's were ruthless, but never heard firsthand, "I'm sorry. I can't pretend to understand, because I don't, but you can talk to me if you want."
Ryan smiled, "Thanks. I'll be alright though." Ryan glanced at his watch, "I've got to get going. I have a job interview in the morning. I'll call you or something."
Belle smiled, "Good, I'll see you." Ryan nodded and left.
~*~
Sami awoke and found herself in the oddest place, Austin's room. What was she doing in here? She felt someone stir beside her and the events of earlier flashed through her mind. The argument, the fighting, the kiss and of course the sex. Was that all it was though? She looked over and saw Lucas sleeping peacefully, previous experience told her that he wouldn't wake if she left. She fingered his hair and smiled, wistfully. She leaned down and kissed his cheek gently, then got out of the bed and got dressed. Glancing at the clock, she knew that Will would be home soon, and she didn't feel like explaining to her father, Kate and Will what went on. Especially because she was unsure herself exactly what had happened. She picked up her shoes and after one more look at Lucas's sleeping form, she left.
As she opened her apartment door, she heard the familiar "dinging" of the elevator; she looked over and saw her father, her son and Kate walking out. She fumbled with the lock and made it inside her apartment before they could see her. As she closed the door quickly, she heard a gentle knock.
"Sami?" She heard her father's voice through the door. She waited a moment and then opened it.
"Hey dad! Will!" She bent down to kiss her son and he jerked out of the way.
"Don't touch me!" Will glared at his mother.
Sami felt like someone had just ripped out her heart, her own son didn't want her near him. She took a step back and walked into her apartment.
"Will!" Kate reprimanded the boy.
"What?" The boy feigned innocence.
"It's fine Kate. Why don't you. . ." She stopped, she was going to suggest bringing Will to Lucas's, but she knew he was still sleeping.
"Should I take him to Lucas's?" Kate asked, as if though reading her thoughts.
Sami shook her head.
"Will, why don't you go to your room and watch TV." Roman suggested.
"But I want to go to dad's." Will whined.
Sami felt herself flinch, and she went back to the argument she'd had with Lucas earlier, "Will, I know you want to go to your father's, but he's not there. When he gets back, you can go over there, ok?"
Will, satisfied with the explanation, nodded and went into his room.
After Will left, Kate and Roman both looked at Sami with interest.
"You want to tell us what that was all about?" Roman asked.
"No." Sami answered.
"You're not acting like yourself Sami. What's wrong?" Roman prodded.
"Nothing, geez. I just want to be left alone. I'll se you tomorrow dad. Kate." Sami went into her bedroom.
"Want to go get some dinner?" Roman asked.
"Sounds good to me." Kate agreed.
Sorry the chapter's not so good. I kept rewriting it, and changing things. I'm still not 100% happy with it, but it'll have to do. If you're wondering why it's taking me so long to post new chapters, it's simply because I'm an idiot. I've started working on two Passions fics, before I finished this one. And, joy of all joys, I've got the flu. Bleak. Well, anywho, review, people. Please! It really helps me to know that people are reading this and enjoying it.
Don't own 'em.
Chapter 14
Iris felt sleep overcome her, before she shut her eyes, she looked up at the digital clock on the wall, 6:32.
***Iris's "dream world"***
She was in a white room, on a bed, the room was brightly lit but she couldn't see anything. She got off of the bed and walked around the room, the room was empty except for the bed she was on. There was no door either. She sat back down on the bed for lack of anything better to do. Suddenly, the wall opened. She looked up and saw Rolf enter the room.
"You've avoken?" Rolf asked.
Iris felt herself nod and wondered where she was; Rolf led her out of the room. She walked through the door and entered a series of corridors. After many twists and turns they wound up in, what appeared to be, a lab. She was directed to an operating table.
"What are you doing?" She asked. Her question was ignored and she felt a needle go into her arm. After a moment she was gone. She felt her body go limp and saw her eyes close. 'How can I be seeing this?!' Iris wondered.
Rolf had secured her to the table and then moved it so she was sitting up straight. He took out a scalpel and she winced as he cut the back of her neck.
Suddenly, she was transported to another time and place. Her father sat in his study going over notes. She walked into the room silently and stood next to his desk. He looked up and saw her there; she noted the look of surprise on his face. She had gotten to be so silent; even he didn't hear her anymore. He took her hand and she felt herself withdrawing.
"Iris, you are my legacy, but since you don't seem to enjoy following orders like I'd hoped, you will have to be forced into it." Stefano smiled.
Iris jerked her hand away, "I will not be forced into anything. I am fully aware of what you want from me and I told you that I will not do it. My mother's life may have been revolved around crime, but mine will not be. I am not your child."
Stefano looked unfazed by her remarks, but Iris knew she had hurt him. Everything she had done in the last few years was based on destroying her father's armor, link by link. And she would. "You are my daughter in every sense of the word. Your eyes are mine, your nose was my mothers and your attitude is purely DiMera. When you get older, you will thank me for this."
"For what?" Iris was wary. She heard footsteps and cringed when she saw Rolf enter the room.
"Vat iz it dat you needed?" Rolf asked.
Iris flinched; she'd hated Dr. Rolf all her life. She couldn't pinpoint why, but she knew that there was a special place reserved for him. It was right next to her father.
"It needs to be done tonight. Iris is getting too wild, so I need you to activate it tonight." Stefano said coldly.
"Activate it?" Iris asked. She knew that wasn't a good sign, her father rarely let Rolf be around her. Even if she hated both of them, Stefano DiMera always treasured her.
"Yes, I suppose since you will never remember this conversation I can tell you. When you were three years old, I had Rolf put a chip into you. I was determined to never have to activate it, but you've forced it upon me. If only you'd have listened to me. I didn't want to have to do this darling, but it's for your own good." Stefano said.
"You're going to BRAINWASH me?" Iris looked at her father and Rolf, "Not while I can still move." She ran out of the room past the 'good' doctor and into the hall. She ran until she reached her room. Ryan was sitting on her bed reading a book. He looked up when she entered.
"Iris, I thought you were talking to your father. He said it was important. What happened?" Ryan asked.
Iris looked at him suspiciously, "You knew, didn't you?"
"I knew? Knew what?" Ryan got off the bed and walked towards her, "Are you ok?"
"Stay away from me." Iris kicked him and he was flung across the room.
He got up quickly, "I trained you to fight, if you want a serious ass whopping you're going to get one. What's your problem?"
"You knew you sick demented BASTARD!" Iris screamed at him and she realized he was blocking her only means of escape, the trap door that was hidden in her closet. Only she knew about that door, it was her only was out of this prison, "Get out of my way or I will make you."
Ryan looked at her like she was crazy, "Ok, you keep yelling at me that 'I knew' something. But, I have no clue what you are talking about. Why don't you talk to me."
"There's not enough time. Now either get out of my room or I will make you!" Iris growled. She heard someone banging on the door.
" I have to protect you. Even if you don't trust me. What is going on?" Ryan asked.
"Get out of my way. I don't have enough time to explain it to you." Iris glared at Ryan, who refused to move, "Have it you way." Iris dropkicked him and then the two began fighting.
He pulled her down to the ground as he got back up. She back flipped up and kicked him in the face. The door burst open as Iris threw Ryan against the wall. He got up easily and he saw the fear in her eyes as Rolf entered the room. "Go, I'll hold them off."
Iris looked at him and realized she was wrong, she nodded and opened the closet, she hit the back wall and the door popped. She looked back and saw Ryan unconscious, being led out of the room. Get away or attempt to save someone. "God damn conscience." She stepped out of the closet. "Leave him alone. I'll do what you want."
Rolf smiled, "Good. Your father will be most pleased." Iris felt like she'd just sold her sold to the devil.
The scene dissolved into a lab. She was sitting, like a statue. She saw Rolf put a needle into Ryan's arm, she would have winced, but she knew no pain or disgust. She was simply there. She heard a voice, "When you awake you will not be Iris any longer, you will be who you were born to be. Iris DiMera. There will be no hiding from your past or future, it's who you were born to be."
***~~~
Iris awoke in her bed; she looked at the clock, 6:33. She blinked a few times, and sure enough it was indeed only a minute later. "That's not possible."
She shook off the sleep that still threatened to overtake her. She sat up and grabbed her coat, jogging would help. She left the room and kept her mind on jogging until she reached the park. She began running, running far and fast, away from the memories that threatened to overtake her. She wasn't real. She was a product of her father's sick and twisted mind. She was a puppet in this show and she had no control of who pulled her strings. She wanted to scream, she wanted to cry, but she was a DiMera and she wouldn't allow her emotions to betray her. She stopped running; she was out of breath and looked down at her watch, 8:00. Sure, she'd sleep for a minute and felt like it was hours, but she'd jog for hours and it felt like it was minutes. She sat down on a bench and played back the dream in her head. Ryan. She'd done this to him. She'd forced him to go through the pain. He'd never betray her because of what he father had done to him in that lab. She unconsciously touched the back of her neck. "How do I fix this?" She said quietly.
~*~
Belle and Ryan entered dotcom, and Belle noted that four or five girls were looking over her new cousin. "You're being checked out." Belle said grinning.
Ryan, surprised, stopped walking, "I'm sorry?"
Belle giggled, "There are about four or five girls in here who are looking at you like they want to jump your bones."
Ryan laughed, and looked around, he winked at a pretty blond and whispered to Belle, "I'm not really interested in anyone at this moment. But, it IS fun to flirt."
They ordered their drinks and Belle sat down at a booth, Ryan sat across from her.
Belle smiled at him, "I like you. You're not too serious and I feel a good energy."
Ryan was unsure what to say, "Um, thank you. Can I ask you something?"
"Of course."
"Why did you invite me out for coffee?" Ryan asked.
Belle looked at him questiongly, "I thought it was obvious."
Before Ryan could reply, a waitress came over and brought them their drinks. Her eyes took in Ryan's figure and she smiled at him seductively. As she walked away she swayed her hips.
Ryan looked embarrassed, "Um, so obvious?" He asked, trying to divert Belle's attention away from the forward waitress.
"Yes. I don't have a lot of family. I mean I do have family, but it's not like there's tons of us. I just thought that I should get to know you." Belle poured sugar into her coffee, and stirred it.
"Well, I'm glad. I didn't exactly get the warmest welcome from your father and I don't think your brother was too appreciative. It' s nice to have someone who wants to get to know me for me. Not for the information I have on the DiMera's." Ryan said honestly.
Belle frowned, "I don't think that that's what my father is doing. I know he wants to bring down the DiMera's; he's been obsessed with it for years. But, I think that you are more then just a means to an end."
Ryan looked up from his drink, "You really think so?"
Belle smiled, "I know my father. He may seem like he's all tough and evil on the outside, but on the inside he's really a great guy."
"Thank you."
They sat silent for a few minutes, thinking about things. "So, tell me about yourself." Ryan said abruptly.
Belle laughed, "Tell you about the infamous Isabella Black? Wow, no one has ever asked me that before."
Ryan smiled, "Well, then I'm the first. So, come on, tell me about you."
"Well, I'm 18, I go to Salem U, I've lived here all my life, I two older half-brothers, Brady and Eric. I also have a half-sister Sami. Eric and Sami are twins. I'm dating this amazing guy, Shawn Brady. He's the best, I love him more then anything." Belle smiled wistfully.
Ryan smirked, "Your eyes light up when you're talking about this Shawn fellow. Should I go and threaten him? I've never had family before, so I don't really know what to do."
Belle laughed again, and shook her head emphatically, "No, no, no. You don't have to worry about Shawn. The fear of God has been put into that boy. But, I want to know about you. What did you do before coming to Salem? Do you have a girlfriend?"
Ryan looked at his drink as though it held the answers to the universe, he finally spoke, "I've worked for the DiMera's since before I can remember. After my mother died, I was sent to France to care for Stefano's youngest daughter. I took care of her since she was 8 and it was almost inevitable that I'd fall in love with her. I'll never see her again and I'm still madly, crazy in love. It's really sad actually."
Belle looked at Ryan and felt her heart drop; he looked so sad, "Why won't you ever see her again?"
Ryan looked up, "Her family hates me. They'd probably have me killed if I was anywhere near her."
Belle's eyes widened, she'd known that the DiMera's were ruthless, but never heard firsthand, "I'm sorry. I can't pretend to understand, because I don't, but you can talk to me if you want."
Ryan smiled, "Thanks. I'll be alright though." Ryan glanced at his watch, "I've got to get going. I have a job interview in the morning. I'll call you or something."
Belle smiled, "Good, I'll see you." Ryan nodded and left.
~*~
Sami awoke and found herself in the oddest place, Austin's room. What was she doing in here? She felt someone stir beside her and the events of earlier flashed through her mind. The argument, the fighting, the kiss and of course the sex. Was that all it was though? She looked over and saw Lucas sleeping peacefully, previous experience told her that he wouldn't wake if she left. She fingered his hair and smiled, wistfully. She leaned down and kissed his cheek gently, then got out of the bed and got dressed. Glancing at the clock, she knew that Will would be home soon, and she didn't feel like explaining to her father, Kate and Will what went on. Especially because she was unsure herself exactly what had happened. She picked up her shoes and after one more look at Lucas's sleeping form, she left.
As she opened her apartment door, she heard the familiar "dinging" of the elevator; she looked over and saw her father, her son and Kate walking out. She fumbled with the lock and made it inside her apartment before they could see her. As she closed the door quickly, she heard a gentle knock.
"Sami?" She heard her father's voice through the door. She waited a moment and then opened it.
"Hey dad! Will!" She bent down to kiss her son and he jerked out of the way.
"Don't touch me!" Will glared at his mother.
Sami felt like someone had just ripped out her heart, her own son didn't want her near him. She took a step back and walked into her apartment.
"Will!" Kate reprimanded the boy.
"What?" The boy feigned innocence.
"It's fine Kate. Why don't you. . ." She stopped, she was going to suggest bringing Will to Lucas's, but she knew he was still sleeping.
"Should I take him to Lucas's?" Kate asked, as if though reading her thoughts.
Sami shook her head.
"Will, why don't you go to your room and watch TV." Roman suggested.
"But I want to go to dad's." Will whined.
Sami felt herself flinch, and she went back to the argument she'd had with Lucas earlier, "Will, I know you want to go to your father's, but he's not there. When he gets back, you can go over there, ok?"
Will, satisfied with the explanation, nodded and went into his room.
After Will left, Kate and Roman both looked at Sami with interest.
"You want to tell us what that was all about?" Roman asked.
"No." Sami answered.
"You're not acting like yourself Sami. What's wrong?" Roman prodded.
"Nothing, geez. I just want to be left alone. I'll se you tomorrow dad. Kate." Sami went into her bedroom.
"Want to go get some dinner?" Roman asked.
"Sounds good to me." Kate agreed.
Sorry the chapter's not so good. I kept rewriting it, and changing things. I'm still not 100% happy with it, but it'll have to do. If you're wondering why it's taking me so long to post new chapters, it's simply because I'm an idiot. I've started working on two Passions fics, before I finished this one. And, joy of all joys, I've got the flu. Bleak. Well, anywho, review, people. Please! It really helps me to know that people are reading this and enjoying it.