Chapter 14

Chad and Rebecca receive information. Eve learns the truth.

The next day,Teresa opened the door to her mother's home, only to come face to face with Austin Reed, who was about to ring the bell. He had come over to ask her in person if she would join him in Salem today for the barbecue.

He knew he was taking a big chance, considering that he was asking Teresa, at the last minute, to go out with him. And little Ethan was welcome to come along too.

But when Teresa opened the door, her eyes were red rimmed. Something was wrong.

'Teresa? What is it?'

'Austin?' she sniffed. 'How did you find me?'

'What do you mean?'

'I mean who told you I was here?' she asked.

'Don't you live with your mother?'

'No, I have an apartment...never mind! Why are you here?'

Austin ignored her surly tone.

'What is it, Teresa? Can I come in?'

Teresa nodded and stepped aside. Austin walked past her, then turned to face her. Teresa closed the door and looked at him.

'My mother did not come home last night! Grace Bennett called me. She said that she was supposed to get together with my mother and do something. She then said she watched the house, especially when Charity got a premonition.'

Austin blinked hard.

'Okay, slow down. Who is Charity and what does she have to do with your mother?'

Teresa swiped at one of her eyes.

'Charity is Grace's niece. She has psychic powers...she sees things.'

Austin tried to smother a grin. He was not successful.

'What the hell is so funny?! I just told you my mother is missing and you're laughing!'

Austin reached out and took both of her hands in his.

'I'm not laughing, and I'm sorry. Tell me what's going on. Why do you think your mother is missing?'

Teresa was somewhat mollified by his tone.

'Grace Bennett watched the house, almost all night! Mama did not return home. Her car is missing and then Charity saw my mother...falling.'

Austin was still confused.

'Falling where?'

Teresa shrugged.

'That was all she could see. But Charity is never wrong! Never! Mama would not stay out all night somewhere!'

'Does she have a boyfriend?'

Teresa snatched her hands from his! Austin got the feeling that his questions were making things worse!

'Of course not! Mama has never wanted any other man but my father!'

'But I thought your father had left or was missing?'

Teresa closed her eyes briefly.

'Get out!'

Austin sucked in a breath.

'Teresa I didn't mean to insult you! Why do we always get off on the wrong foot here?'

'Because you always ask stupid questions, Austin! Like that one a couple of days ago...about Julian and I? If you work for Crane Industries, then you know that there is nothing between us!'

Austin looked down, then lifted his head to stare into her eyes.

'Teresa, I just wanted to know if I had a chance. Yes, I knew Julian wasn't competition. What I needed to hear was that Ethan Winthrop wasn't either.'

Teresa looked away. Austin's heart sank. The doorbell rang. Teresa turned away from him, without answering his question, and opened the door. It was Luis and Sheridan.

'Oh Luis!' Teresa cried out, hurling herself into her big brother's arms. Sheridan looked at Austin. Who was this?

Luis stroked Teresa's hair and eyed Austin. His look was not friendly. He let go of Teresa.

'What are you doing here?' Luis asked Austin gruffly. Sheridan touched her husband's arm.

'Luis!' she said warningly.

'Sheridan, this is a time for family! I need to speak to my sister alone!'

Sheridan walked up to Austin.

'Let's go outside for a bit.' she said, pulling on his arm. A dumbfounded Austin let himself be pulled out of the house, while watching Luis and Teresa. As soon as Sheridan closed the door behind her, Austin peppered her with questions.

'What's going on? Has something really happened to their mother?'

Sheridan half looked back at the door.

'I suppose you heard about the kidnapping from the other day?'

Austin shook his head.

'I'm sorry...I usually keep up with current events better than this.'

'Two people were kidnapped, in broad daylight, right across the street over there.'

Austin's eyes widened, and he looked across the street, then back at Sheridan.

'The man that lives in that house over there, T.C. Russell, was knocked out and thrown into a a car while trying to prevent a kidnapping. It was a woman that may have ties to a criminal.'

'That's terrible, but, what, you think these same people came back and kidnapped your mother-in-law?'

Sheridan shook her head.

'I can't get into it now. It goes beyond that. But the authorities think that Stefano DiMera is behind it.'

Austin backed away from Sheridan a bit.

'Is something wrong?' she asked.

'Mrs. Lopez-Fitzgerald...'

'Call me Sheridan, please.'

'Sheridan...I'm from Salem! Believe me, that creep terrorized my in-laws for years! Who was this woman that was kidnapped?!'

Sheridan shook her head.

'I really don't remember. But she was from Salem, so you probably would know her. Luis probably remembers her name.'

'But I still don't understand what Stefano DiMera has to do with your mother-in-law?' Austin asked. He then moved around Sheridan and walked back into the house, before Sheridan could stop him.

Luis looked angry. Teresa's expression was one of shock. Austin put a hand up.

'Look, Officer, I know you wanted privacy with your sister, but if Stefano DiMera is involved, then I want to help. That man terrorized people that I love for years! Please, let me help!'

Luis had secretly had Austin checked out anyway, once he sensed his interest in Teresa. He had married into the Brady family, the primary target of DiMera's wrath. Luis himself had actually worked a case with Bo Brady, of the Salem P.D., a few years back, on an undercover thing. Brady was a good guy.

Luis calmed down a bit. Austin Reed was sincere, but there was nothing he could do at this point. Luis reached out to touch Teresa's hair, but she jerked back. She then looked at Sheridan, who had come back inside the house as well.

'Could you please watch Little Ethan for a bit? I need some air!'

'Teresa this changes everything! We need to talk about this!'

But Teresa brushed past everyone, grabbing her purse off of a table near the door. Austin turned and followed her out of the door. Sheridan stopped Luis from going after them.

'Let them go, honey. I get the sense that Austin is just what she needs right now.'

Luis's eyes widened!

'How can you say that?! We both just learned that our mother is an FBI agent! That our father was one too! And we would've never learned any of this, if Stefano DiMera hadn't struck again!'

Sheridan touched her husband's face.

'You can't think like that. Pilar is still alive.'

Luis reached up and touched her hand.

'Hopefully Commander Carver and his wife are alright as well. Though I can't understand DiMera harming his own daughter!'

'The FBI will contact us when there is a lead. For now, we have to go on with our lives and keep an eye out.' Sheridan warned.

'Who are you telling?! There's no telling who DiMera might snatch next!' Luis hissed, walking over to the window and peering out. He saw Sam pull up in his drive way and get out.

'Sam's home. I wonder if he's learned anything new? God! This whole thing is so screwed up! My mother's missing, T.C. is gone...not to mention everything he went through with Eve's dying and finding out about her and Julian!'

Sheridan looked away. Luis was sensitive to her silent defense of Julian.

'Look honey, I'm sorry to have to talk about your brother like that. I know you said something about the two of you being closer these days.'

Sheridan nodded.

'Honey, I know how you feel about Julian...he's done a lot to earn to yours and a lot of other people's contempt. But he told me something the other day...about himself and Eve.'

Luis raised a brow.

'What?'

Sheridan cleared her throat.

'He said that he and Eve were in love and...'

'Oh, what a load! If she was involved with him, it was because she was young or he probably forced himself on her or something!'

'Luis!'

'Sheridan, I''m sorry! Frankly, I could never understand why T.C. couldn't have just understood that and forgiven Eve. I mean, she didn't tell T.C. because she was ashamed! Does that sound like she was in love with your brother?'

'Believe me, Luis, I was skeptical too, but you had to have seen him, he's really mourning for her. He loved her.'

'That's all well and good. But Eve didn't love him. Look, I'm going over to the Bennett's to see what I can find out, okay?'

Sheridan nodded, letting her husband get the final say. It would do no good to debate the point. But, she had to disagree with Luis. Julian had never been the type to mistake what a woman genuinely felt for him. And, she had never heard such gentleness in her big brother's voice. That must be what love sounded like coming from Julian Crane's lips. Sheridan smiled sadly, as she watched her husband head out of the house. It was too bad Julian and Eve couldn't have had a second chance to prove this town wrong.

****

John came down the stairs carrying a tray. It was still full of food. He shook his head at Grace, who was waiting at the foot of the stairs.

'How is she?' Grace asked.

John sighed, handing her the tray of food he had taken up to Simone.

'It's no good. She won't eat. I'm starting to get worried, Mom.'

Grace set the tray down and hugged her son.

'It will be alright. We just have to keep telling ourselves, and Simone, that the authorities are going to do all they can to find T.C.. '

'I know. I've tried talking to her, but she just won't speak. I think she's in some sort of shock or something. I don't know what to do.'

Grace smiled sympathetically. She didn't remember giving birth to John, or her marriage to his father, David. But she was so proud of her boy. He was caring, gentle and sensitive...no thanks to her. Grace liked to think that John would've turned out the same way had she raised him anyway.

'Simone just needs time...and to be surrounded by people that love and care about her. Why don't you go and spend some time with your other friends?'

John shook his head.

'I don't know...'

'Then go and get a breath of fresh air. It will do you good to get out a bit.'

John was about to answer, when Sam walked into the house. Grace looked over at him.

'Hi, honey. What's wrong?'

Sam gave John a tolerant smile.

'John, I need to talk to your mother for a bit, do you mind?'

John nodded.

'I was just heading out.' he then looked at Grace.

'Thanks. Maybe I'll head over to the Book Cafe or something. I'll bring Simone something back.'

Grace nodded, then watched as John walked out of the front door. Sam watched as he closed the door behind him.

'Sam, what is it?'

Sam put his hands on his wife's shoulders.

'Things are bad, Grace.'

Grace took his hand and pulled him towards the couch. They both sat down.

'Tell me what's going on, Sam. Are you any closer to finding T.C.?'

Sam shook his head.

'The FBI came in and took over.'

'Well, that's good, isn't it?'

Sam squeezed her hand.

'Grace, Pilar is an FBI agent.'

Grace said nothing for the longest moment.

'Excuse me?'

'Honey, believe me, I found it hard to believe as well. Apparently her and Martin were a team. Pilar had not been active for years, until she found out that Stefano DiMera may have been responsible for Martin's disappearance.'

Grace squinted at him.

'Stefano DiMera? That creep from Salem?'

Sam nodded, let go of hand, then stood up.

'Luis went ballistic. He's telling Teresa now. The woman that T.C. was trying to help is linked with DiMera. It looks like T.C. just jumped into something bigger than him. And of course, the feds aren't sharing information.'

Grace stood up again.

'I don't understand this. I mean, was Pilar taken from here or....'

'She was in Salem undercover. DiMera kidnapped her, along with his daughter and son-in-law.'

'Good God!' Grace cried.

The doorbell rang. Sam sighed and walked over to the door. He peered out, then opened it. Luis was standing out there.

'Anything?' Luis asked.

Sam shook his head.

****

SALEM

Julian carried a cup of coffee and a bag containing a danish, into the hospital waiting area. He knew Eve had spent the night here, and could not have been very comfortable.

He did not see her right away, and for the slightest second, panic set in. It was his intention to never let her out of his sight again.

But then Julian walked by Tony's room and peered through the glass window. Eve was sitting by Tony's bedside. It was obvious that she still believed the cretin was innocent!

Julian turned away. He then walked back over to the waiting area and set the coffee and danish down. He was about to sit down and wait for Eve to come out, when John and Marlena Black walked up to him.

Julian sighed outwardly, but smiled on the inside. He could tell by the looks on their faces, that he was about to get into a battle with them.

The previous night, John and Marlena had come from God knows where, and offered to pick the baby that Eve was so fond of, up from the DiMera mansion. Apparently the little tyke was staying with them. Julian had been pleased with this news. It would not do for Eve to become attached to DiMera and someone else's child!

Eve had thanked them, telling the couple that she was going to stay all night at the hospital with Tony. She had actually said that quite loudly, as if to inform him of this fact as well.

It was after Eve went to stare at Tony through his glass window, that the Blacks approached him, telling him that they knew who Eve was. They demanded to know what his intentions were as far as restoring her to her family.

Julian lied through his teeth, telling them that it was 'intention' to inform Eve of her rightful identity, then take her back to Harmony.

Julian had thought that had appeased them. But, from the look on their faces, they must've had time to sleep on his bald faced lie.

'John, Marlena. Have you come to inquire about Tony?'

'No, actually we've come to inquire about you, Crane.' John said in a low, somewhat threatening voice.

'Pardon me?'

Marlena took over.

'Look, Mr. Crane...'

'Julian, please.'

'Fine. My husband and I have lost parts of our lives because of Stefano DiMera. And while he may not have caused Eve's initial accident, what Tony has done to her is unspeakable.'

Julian folded his arms.

'I would agree.'

John raised a brow.

'See, something isn't right here, JULIAN. If your intention was indeed to restore Eve to her family, then why take the trouble to buy a home here?'

Julian had to refrain from rolling his eyes. John Black became more of an impostor with each year that went by. Julian had done a bit of research as well.

First Black is really Forrest Alamain, now he's somehow related to DiMera. And in between then, he walks around acting as if he really doesn't remember who his people are, or where his family roots lay. Julian always found it quite curious that every couple of years, when these 'new revelations' about his background came out, Black's status improved financially!

But Julian didn't have time to fend off these interlopers. He decided to put a scare into them.

'Look, my only concern here is for Eve, and getting her reacquainted with her family.'

John shook his head. Marlena looked at her husband.

'Yes, well, no thanks to DiMera, Eve's husband is missing! I know the FBI is involved in this and it won't be long until your little scam to seduce Eve is exposed! They'll come knocking on her door and tell her the truth.'

Julian raised a brow.

'Aren't you all forgetting one thing?' he asked.

Marlena sniffed.

'What?' she asked.

'Stefano DiMera, of course. He has a rich history of going to extraordinary lengths to make sure that his children's wants and needs are met. And if or when Tony comes out of that coma, he is still going to want Eve. Are you both ready to do battle with Stefano again? Because from what I know of both of your pasts with him, he will wind up the winner. I can protect Eve.'

'Shut-up!' Marlena half yelled. 'I'm talking about the fact that both yourself and Tony, have done nothing to improve Eve's amnesia by trying to 'court her' while she's in this condition! She has two daughters that don't know that their mother is still alive! I lost YEARS with my children...years I can't get back! Now, I'm going into that room and telling Eve the truth!'

John stepped closer to Julian.

'Then we're going to take her back home.' he said.

Julian was trapped. Or was he?

'Please, you are so right. I love Eve...and yes, I did act selfishly. Please, let me be the one to go in and tell her the truth. You can watch from the window, if you like.'

John eyed his wife. Frankly, he would prefer that someone else do the dirty deed.

Marlena looked unsure, but she finally nodded.

'Alright. But we will be waiting out here! Then, I'm going to question Eve when she comes out here. No funny business Julian, or else!'

Julian nodded. He then turned and walked into Tony's hospital room.

****

Eve looked up when he walked in. She was holding Tony's hand. She dropped it when Julian walked in. She then stood up. She didn't speak, but just stared at him.

'How is the patient?' Julian asked, struggling to include a caring note to his voice.

Eve shrugged.

'Still comatose. I thought if I talked to him, it might help.'

'It will. You should know.'

Eve gave him a blank look.

'You are a doctor, Eve.'

'Yeah, right!'

'I'm not saying it to be saying it Eve, you are a doctor. Your name is Dr. Eve Russell and you are not from Minnesota. You are from the same town I am from, Harmony. It's few hours away from Salem here.'

Eve sighed.

'I can't listen to this right now.' she said, and moved past Julian to walk out into the hallway. Julian tried to reach out to grab her, before she could reach the hallway and get the truth from the meddlesome Black's. But he missed her arm and did not manage to stop Eve before she got to the hallway.

Not that it mattered. Julian looked around. John and Marlena were not in the hallway. He surreptitiously looked around. He didn't see them anywhere! Maybe it was a sign. Maybe they were both called away. Whatever it was, it bought Julian some time.

'Who are you looking for?' Eve asked.

'Uh, no one. Listen to me, my dear...'

'I'm not your dear! Look, I was upset and confused last night. Everything happened so fast...Tony's collapse and your showing up, then that man making all of those awful accusations against Tony...'

'Eve, he's a police officer. He knows what he is talking about. And he thinks you know more than you're telling.'

'I don't!'

Julian stepped closer to her.

'I know you don't. But my dear, you have to be practical. I know for a fact that the authorities are looking through the DiMera mansion because I live next door. I have seen them from my property. You'll need a place to stay until this is all worked out.'

Eve's eyes widened.

'And you're suggesting what? That I move in with you? I barely know you! And what I do know I don't like!'

'You barely knew Tony and you've lived with him all of this time.' Julian pointed out.

'That's different!'

'How?'

'What do you mean, how? Tony is kind and gentle. He has never tried to force himself on me...'

'Neither have I.' Julian said, moving closer to her.

'What do you call that....that...'

'Kiss?'

'Yes, Julian, that kiss you gave me last night! While Tony lay fighting for his life and...'

Julian then kissed her on the nose! Eve cried out with frustration and took a step back.

'That's what I'm talking about! I was recovering from an accident! Tony never would've taken such liberties with me!'

Julian began to smile. Eve looked him up and down.

'What is so amusing?!'

'So, after you fully recovered, did Tony take liberties with you then?'

'Of course not! He would...that is none of your business!'

Now Julian was grinning! He should've have guessed it anyhow. When he thought back to what he had viewed through the telescope(the thought of seeing Eve naked came rushing back to mind) and he felt weak for a moment.

Eve noted that Julian looked momentarily dizzy. She instinctively put a hand on his arm.

'Are you alright? Come, let's sit over here.'

Eve walked with Julian over to the chairs. As she sat down beside him, she noticed the coffee and the danish bag.

'Someone left their breakfast here.' she noted aloud.

Julian, who was coming out of his lustful sway over Eve, looked at it.

'Oh, I bought those for you. I forgot all about them.'

Eve looked at him, then looked at the food. She picked up the coffee, then peeked into the bag.

'Oh, a cherry danish. I like those.'

'I know.' Julian said.

Eve's eyes went to his again. She did not comment, but bit into the danish. Julian looked away for a moment, continuing on his train of thought over Tony and Eve's lack of intimacy.

They had been in separate rooms getting ready for dinner. Granted, Ivy and him had had separate bedrooms, but, that had been to keep them from killing one another! Plus, Eve was so staunch in her defense of the ever noble DiMera( a DiMera noble, what a joke!), that Julian believed nothing sexual had happened between the two. He could only thank God that Alistair imparted the news of Eve's being alive to him, when he did. Because their relationship would not have stayed platonic for much longer!

Julian looked at Eve again.

'Can I ask you a question?'

Eve took a sip of coffee, then set it down again.

'Maybe. What is it?'

'Last night, when you first laid eyes on me at the DiMera mansion, did you recognize me, at all?'

Eve looked away. She then began to stand up.

'I need to get back to Tony.'

My, he had hit a nerve! Julian thought. He stood up quickly and blocked her way.

'Eve? Am I going to get an answer?'

'Ms. Lincoln?'

Eve turned from Julian to see that awful Roman Brady standing before her. Julian moved beside her.

'How is Tony this morning?' he asked.

'What do you care?' Eve asked him in a snippy voice.

'I care because I need to question him...and you. An FBI agent was kidnapped from your home yesterday.'

Julian raised a brow, looking at Eve. Eve looked clueless and disgusted!

'You people will stop at nothing to ruin Tony's good name! I was at home all day yesterday! I didn't see anyone get kidnapped!'

'Well the property is big, Ms. Lincoln, you probably didn't see it.'

Eve looked him up and down. Julian stepped in again.

'You'll be hearing from Ms. Lincoln's lawyer. Don't contact her again.'

Roman Brady smiled.

'Ms. Lincoln, hey? Ms. Lincoln, did you know that your boyfriend was on to you?'

Eve backed away a bit. Julian put a hand on her shoulder.

'What are you talking about now?'

'We found a file DiMera had on you. He knew that your real name was Eve Russell...a doctor at that. It must've been hard last night...you know...pretending like you didn't know how to help him.'

'What are saying?' Eve asked, feeling as if her knees were going to buckle. Roman then waved a file in front of her. But she blacked out before he could say anything else. Julian caught her and yelled for a doctor.

But Eve pulled herself together quickly! Julian still had his arms around her. She snatched the file from Roman, pulled away from Julian, then walked over to the waiting room chairs.

Julian turned on Roman!

'I'll have you know that Dr. Russell has amnesia and is a victim of DiMera's as well! He told her that her name was Eve Lincoln and other such fallacies!'

'Yeah, right!' Roman snarled.

'Oh, you don't believe me? Well then you'd better speak to the Black's then. They know all about it!'

Roman's face fell. He then backed away and walked down the hallway to Marlena's office. He would not find her or John there.

****

HARMONY

Rebecca walked back into the Crane mansion, her suitcases in tow. She had decided she had been too hasty in walking out on Julian.

Yes, those Eve CD's still bugged her! But Eve was dead, right? Julian would have no choice but to get over her eventually.

A maid walked out into the hallway.

'Mrs. Crane, welcome home.'

'Thank you. Is Mr. Crane around?'

'Uh, no, he's out of town. But Mr. Crane Sr. left a note for you.'

'Alistair?' Rebecca asked. So much for that cute exec's theory about her father-in-law being missing.

She wondered why Julian was not here though. She had received a message from him at her hotel. It had said he loved her and wanted her to come home. Well why wouldn't be be here then? And what was this note Alistair had for her?

Rebecca opened it. It read that if she wanted to save her marriage to Julian, then get to Salem right away. And that Julian had purchased the Alamain estate there.

Rebecca frowned. Why would Julian purchase a house in that god forsaken town?! But, she shrugged, then looked at the maid.

'Pack another set of clothes for me.' she asked.

****

Chad sat alone at a table at the Book Cafe. His mind was where it always was these days...on Whitney.

He didn't want to think about how she could just throw away what the two of them had, and run off with Fox Crane! He knew they were out of town somewhere, where, he could not quite ascertain.

Chad also didn't want to think about how he may have run her into Crane's arms. He kept thinking back to that night at the Crane Mansion, when Whitney had slapped him. He shouldn't have insulted her mother's memory like that. But the lot of them, the Cranes, really made him angry! Julian has used Whitney's mother, now Fox was gearing up to do the same thing to Whitney...and she couldn't even see it!

Chad was stirring his coffee cup, when he thought he overheard someone say that Pilar Lopez-Fitzgerald had been kidnapped. Pilar?! No way! Jesus Christ! First Whitney's dad and that strange woman, now Pilar?! What the hell had Pilar ever done to anyone?!

Chad saw John Hastings standing in line at the bar and got up from his chair. He walked over to him. John gave him a blank stare.

'Hey, John! Listen, how is Simone holding up?'

'What do you care?' John asked.

Chad was a bit taken aback by that response.

'Hey, c'mon John, we've always been cool. I just thought I'd stop by to see how she's doing.'

John shook his head.

'Don't stop by.'

'Hey man! What the hell is wrong with you?'

John glared at him.

'Simone is going through a really hard time...'

'And I understand that! I would like to see how she's doing.'

'Why? Chad, if you see her, I guarantee you, you will give her false hope again.'

Chad was silent. John plunged on.

'You know, I don't blame you for wanting to be Whitney. But when you couldn't be with her, you should've been alone, or used someone else instead of Simone. And you shouldn't have lead her on. Come by if you want, Chad, but if you want to still be with Whitney, then you'd better make that very clear to her sister.'

John then turned away from Chad to order. Chad backed away. He didn't want to admit it, but he didn't really like to think about Simone. He had used her, and had just hoped she would get over it. Still, it wasn't as if he didn't care about what happened to her or her family. Chad turned away and returned to his table. When he got back, there was an envelope, addressed to him, standing against his coffee cup.

Chad looked around. He didn't see anyone that could've put the envelope there. He picked it up and opened it.

It was a plane ticket to Bermuda. There was also a note...from Whitney! It read that she was alone down there, that Fox had run off with another girl, and that she loved him. She wanted to be with him!

Chad shook his head. That goddamned Fox! He knew he was no good! Hell yes he was going down to Bermuda! Finally, Whitney and him were back together!

****

SALEM

Eve calmly closed the the file. Julian watched her from across the waiting room. When he saw her close the folder, he walked over to her and sat down. She looked away.

'Eve, I want you to come home with me.'

'I just bet you do!' she said bitterly.

'Not for salacious reasons! Eve, come home and just rest. I actually had furniture delivered in the middle of the night! So, there is a room and clothes...all for you.'

Eve said nothing, but stood up. She left the file on a chair. Julian stood up as well.

'Tell me what you're thinking?' he asked quietly.

Eve shrugged, but looked through the glass at Tony.

'Why? Why didn't he tell me the truth?'

Julian took a deep breath. God help him, he was going to defend DiMera!

'I think when he first saw you, he fell in love with you. I think he was afraid you would go home to your husband and children if you knew the truth.'

Eve turned away from the window.

'And you? Why are you here? You're married for God's sakes!'

Julian raised a brow.

'It says that in there?!' Julian was annoyed!

But Eve turned away and looked at Tony again. Julian walked up to her.

'Come home with me. I won't force my attentions on you or anything. Just come home and sleep. You've been up all night. Then, after, you can decide what you want to do.'

After what seemed like an eternity, Eve nodded. She walked back inside Tony's room and picked up her purse. She didn't look at him, but Julian could see her eyes were bright with tears. He reached out for her and pulled her into his arms. She then broke down.

'Shhh! It will be alright. You just need rest, that's all.'

Eve pulled away from him, swiped at her eyes and nodded. She didn't look at Julian, as he quietly crept over to the waiting room chairs and picked up her file(wouldn't want to leave a thing like that lying around!). He then walked back over to her and held out his hand.

Eve swiped at her eyes again, then took his offered hand. She hoped she wasn't walking into the lion's den!

****

Marlena felt someone shake her. She opened her eyes to find John's face above hers.

'Oh John!' she cried out, throwing her arms around him. She then began to look around.

'What happened?! Where are we?!' she squeaked.

John held on to his wife tightly. The last thing he remembered was a nurse walking up to the both of them, telling them that their daughter Belle was waiting in Marlena's office, upset and needing to talk to both of them. They both rushed from outside of Tony's room, to Marlena's office.

When they opened the door though, there were two thuggish men waiting for them. John saw one of them grab Marlena and chloroform her. As he moved to help her, he was knocked over the back of the head!

John awoke first and saw they were in the cargo hold of an airplane. He also had no doubt that Stefano was behind this. He wondered if Lexie and Abe had been on this plane as well.

'Are we on an airplane?' Marlena asked, her arms sliding from around him.

'I think so. Hold on, Doc, we'll get out of this.'

Marlena nodded lovingly, scared to death. Her eyes then moved from John's, to something behind him. John turned quickly.

Two men, in Jerry Springer masks, were standing there. One of them had a gun.

The one without the gun, moved to the airplane door and opened it. Marlena screamed!

'What's going on?! Who are you?!' she yelled, hanging on to John. She saw he had a parachute on his back. Marlena then realized that something was on her back as well.

The Jerry Springer with the gun, walked over quickly and tried to pull on Marlena. John jumped up and began tussling with him!

'Stop it!' Marlena screamed, standing up. She eyed the Jerry Springer without the gun.

But John knew he was fighting for their very lives! He had his doubts that all of the people that had made this trip before them, had survived. For even if they did have parachutes, what good would they do them if they landed in water?!

John and the Jerry Springer with the gun teetered near the door's edge.

'Be careful!' Marlena screamed.

But the Jerry Springer punched John, and he fell out of the plane, but not before pulling the gunman out with him!

The second Jerry Springer cried out, then grabbed Marlena! She began to drag her feet, and grab onto things. But it was to no avail. He shoved her out of the plane, then closed the door quickly, to drown out her screams.