Chapter 2
Rebecca has her eye on John Black. Whitney and Simone have it out
The Bennett living room became horribly crowded, as loved ones of Pilar and T.C., gathered inside, to speak to Sam about what was being done to find them, and the missing residents of Salem.
Only, Sam was not there. Him and Luis were at the station. Sam had told Grace that two members of the police force from Salem, Bo and Hope Brady, were coming to help them with the investigation on their end.
Grace sniffed her tomato soup cake, that was cooling down. She was a bundle of nerves. And for a very good reason.
Before Sam left for the station, he had taken a call from someone in Salem. Apparently, it now looked as if Eve had been kidnapped, and not killed in a car accident, all of this time! Worse yet, there had been some sort of scuffle that took place at the DiMera house. Someone from a neighboring estate with binoculars( the person sounded like a peeping tom to Grace), saw burly looking men dragging people out of the house!
When the police in Salem checked out this report, they found a car registered to Austin Reed parked out front. Grace vaguely knew him as a young man she had seen around town with Teresa. Unfortunately, poor Austin was nowhere to be found!
When Sam told Luis this news, he went ballistic! Austin was last seen with Teresa! Sheridan and him were caring for little Ethan! Luis had called Teresa's cell phone and got no answer. It was safe to say that the two of them, were probably some of the people that were dragged away!
The news then seemed to get worse! The Peeping Tom said that one of the people he knew to be dragged from the house, was the new neighbor on the other side of the DiMera property. When the Salem police checked into that, they found out that Julian Crane was the owner!
Sam had then worked the phones from their house, calling over to the Crane estate to see if anyone there knew of Julian's whereabouts. The maid answered that Rebecca had went to Salem to be with her husband. It didn't take long to verify that the estate was empty, but luggage belonging to Rebecca Crane was still sitting in the foyer of the Crane second home. That meant that she had probably been taken as well.
Finally, in a conversation with Captain Roman Brady, Sam discovered that Tony DiMera had investigated a woman he was living with. A woman who's real name was Dr. Eve Russell.
At that point, Sam had wanted to tear his hair out! What in the living hell was going on here?! How could they have not known that Eve had been kidnapped and not killed? Though, this Brady guy didn't seem to think Eve was any kind of victim, and hinted strongly that he thought she was in cahoots with the DiMera family. Sam didn't even bother to respond to something so ludicrous.
Grace nervously looked towards the kitchen door. Whitney and Fox had shown up. Grace didn't know if Fox knew his father had been kidnapped. And Sam had asked her not to say anything about Eve until they knew for sure she was alive.
Grace could barely look at Simone or Whitney, knowing that she couldn't tell them that their mother may be alive. What a stressful secret to have to keep!
****
John watched as Simone and Whitney disappeared upstairs. Fox noticed John watching them, and moved away from Miguel and Charity.
'You think they'll need referees?' Fox asked jokingly.
But John was in no mood for jokes.
'I just hope Simone can put aside her petty resentments. She and Whitney need one another.'
Fox nodded. This John guy was a real Pollyanna!
'Yeah, well I hope so too. Whitney doesn't need her sister's crap right now.'
John looked from the stairs, to Fox.
'What does that mean? Simone has been suffering while Whitney's been off galavanting around with you!'
Fox raised a brow. It was obvious this guy cared for Simone. He had no doubt that Simone still had the hots for Harris though!
'Hey! You're the one that said that Simone was being petty. I was just agreeing with you. Chad Harris isn't worth their relationship.'
John was slightly mollified.
'I agree.' he said. Fox rubbed his hands together, looking around. He then stopped and rolled his eyes. John noticed this.
'What?' John said, and turned towards where Fox was looking. He too took a deep breath.
Ivy Winthrop and Chad Harris had been let in by Tabitha. Fox and John looked at one another, shaking their heads.
****
Simone closed her door, then faced Whitney.
'Simone, I have been so worried about you.'
Simone folded her arms.
'Well don't be. Look, I brought you up here because I didn't want to make a scene. Things are bad enough around here already.'
Whitney looked sad.
'Why does there have to be a scene at all? We need each other, Simone. I want you to come and stay with Fox and me at the Crane mansion.'
Simone's eyes widened!
'Daddy could be dead, and you would disrespect him by not only living in the house of people he hates most in this world, but now you're going to invite me there as if you're the lady of the house?!'
'It's not like that, Simone!' Whitney snapped, tired and stressed. She was getting very sick of defending her living arrangements, and her friends, to people. Especially people that were supposed to be family!
'What is it like then, Whitney?'
'Fox can protect us there! Every person that's been taken from Harmony has lived in this neighborhood, or in Salem. Simone, Fox's father had business in Salem today. He hasn't heard from him in hours.'
Simone rolled her eyes.
'So? Who cares? If Julian Crane has been kidnapped, then someone is finally getting it right!'
'Simone!'
Simone stuck a finger in Whitney's face.
'Oh yeah, I guess you were too busy romping on some beach somewhere, to hear the news: Julian almost knocked Daddy's eye out! He had just been released from the hospital and was wearing an eye-patch when he was taken! He needs surgery on it! You think the kidnappers are going to operate on his eye, Whitney? Hey? Nothing to say?!'
Whitney backed away. There was no getting through to Simone. And she refused to believe that the Julian Crane she knew, just walked up to her father and punched his eye out!
'Goodbye Simone. Call me if you need anything.'
'I won't! Not from the Cranes! Not ever!'
Whitney turned and hurried from the room, tears slipping down her face. Simone stopped to stare after her, when something broke. Whitney was her sister. And her mother would've wanted them to pull together. The important thing was to find Daddy and Pilar.
'Whitney!' Simone cried out, calling after her. She ran from the room and hurried downstairs, when on the third step from the bottom, she stopped in her tracks.
Chad was here! And he was making his way towards Whitney, who was sobbing in Fox Crane's arms. John hurried towards her.
'Let it go, Simone. Look, let's go get some fresh air.'
Simone nodded, as tears began to blur her vision. Kay hurried over and almost knocked John out of the way.
'Honey, you need to cool off. I know you want to kick butt here, but now is not the time.'
John pushed her away.
'She knows that Kay. We were just going to go for a walk, if that's alright with you!'
Simone broke away from both of them and ran towards the front door. John started after her, but was held back by Kay!
'Get your hands off of me!' he snapped.
But Kay grinned at him.
'Do you really think that you can make Simone forget someone like Chad? There's Chad, hot body and all, then you! Hmmm! Who would I want if I was Simone?'
Miguel and Charity closed in on the two of them.
'Knock it off, Kay! Now is not the time!' Miguel hissed. His mother was missing and Kay was still starting trouble. The house was too small to be breaking up fights around here!
He looked at John.
'Go and get Simone back here, John. We don't know if it's even safe to go outside.'
Charity nodded, rubbing his arm.
'Miguel's right, John. She can't go out alone.'
John didn't answer, but left after Simone. Kay shrugged. Charity shook her head at her.
****
'Whitney, I think you should stay with me at my apartment.' Chad said, trying not to let Fox get to him. He had witnessed Whitney go running into his arms as if they belonged together. He noted that Ivy had been watching this display as well.
Fox said nothing and looked at Whitney, who had disentangled herself from him. She stared at him, wiping her face.
Fox had to restrain himself from saying anything. Whitney would have to decide what she wanted to do. She was already in a vulnerable enough state as it was. He would have to prepare himself not to react, if Whitney decided to leave this house with Harris. Fox wasn't going to push her. Harris would do a great job of that himself!
'I'm going back to the Crane mansion, Chad. Fox can protect me there. I need to get some water, excuse me.'
Whitney rushed away and towards the kitchen. Fox looked at Chad.
'What apartment?' he asked.
'The apartment I had before I left.'
'Oh. You mean the Crane Studio?'
Chad folded his arms.
'It doesn't matter. I'll find another place for Whitney and I.'
Fox rolled his eyes.
'Why don't you stop thinking about yourself for a minute? We don't know what's going on here! I can hire the security to keep Whitney safe.'
'I can keep Whitney safe, Crane.'
'My, my, my!' Ivy interrupted, her expression very cat-like. 'This almost reminds me of the infamous fights T.C. and Julian used to have...though they were never really fights...T.C. wiped the floor with Julian.'
Chad walked away. Fox took a deep breath.
'Hello, Mother.'
Ivy smiled.
'Whitney rushed right into your arms. You really have pulled a number on her, haven't you?'
'Mother please...'
'Whitney loves Chad Harris. I think it is wrong of you to take advantage of her when she's so vulnerable.'
Fox smirked.
'Like Father did to you? You know, when you had the hots for Chief Bennett?'
'Don't be so crude! But, yes, your father and you are cut from the same cloth. Look, I need to talk to you. I have sources that tell me that your father and Rebecca may be missing. If that piece of good news is true, then I want to move back into the mansion.'
'No!'
'Fox, it would just be temporary! My God! The DiMera's are kidnapping people right and left! Surely you want me to be as safe as possible, don't you?'
Whitney came back upon them, sipping a bottled water. Chad watched them from across the room.
'Fox, of course you have to let your mother come back with us. No one knows what's going on. And with Julian missing...'
'And Rebecca too, maybe.' Ivy said.
Whitney stopped drinking her water and looked at Fox.
'When did that happen?'
Fox moved Whitney away from his mother.
'Whitney, nothing is known for sure.'
'Fox, I know how you feel about your mother, but you would never forgive yourself if you didn't try and protect her too. So, let her come back with us. I'll be by your side every step of the way when she becomes difficult.'
Fox stared into Whitney's eyes. He fully believed that Whitney loved him, and just didn't realize it. Whatever was going on, he couldn't refuse her this request.
He put and arm around Whitney and turned around to face Ivy.
'Come home with us, Mother. It'll be safer there.'
Ivy smiled.
'Why thank you dear. I'll meet you at home. I need to stop by the police station first.'
Ivy turned and walked out of the house. Grace had just come out of the kitchen and overheard Ivy say she was going to the police station. She wondered if she would ever be able to not worry about Ivy trying to steal her husband!
Chad glared at Fox and Whitney, before following Ivy out. He stopped short when she turned to face him.
'Do you know what your problem is, young man?'
'Your son?'
Ivy smirked.
'Yes...and no. What you need is equal footing, so to speak.' Ivy took out a card and handed it to Chad.
'That's my private line. If and when you decide you really want to fight for Whitney, give me a call.'
Ivy turned and walked towards her car. Chad stared after her, then looked down at the card.
****
ISLAND
Julian, Rebecca, Eve and Austin, watched as Pilar and Teresa had an emotional reunion. Julian looked around. This was not a bad bit of paradise they had been kidnapped to. Julian inched away from the group and found a locker with his name on it. He then stood behind a palm tree and took off his clothes, putting on only a pair of Hawaiian print shorts. He then made his way to the bar. There was a voodoo mask sitting on the counter. He picked it up.
'This could come in handy.' he murmured, eyeing Eve. A muscular man wearing one of the voodoo masks, handed him a drink. Julian eyed him suspiciously, before sipping it.
His eyes moved from the crowd on the beach, to Pilar's locker. He almost choked!
'Agent Pilar Lopez-Fitzgerald? What an absurd concept!' he sniffed aloud, and began guzzling his drink. He wondered where T.C. Russell was? And someone else was missing from the fray as well, though he could not remember who at the moment.
Julian looked at the mask again. He wondered what the sleeping arrangements were on their little island/prison? For it was coming to mind that Eve and himself could have quite a bit of fun with this mask!
He then sighed, his eyes falling, once again, on Pilar's locker. Julian then looked the other way. There was a locker that read, Dr. Marlena Black.
Yes, Julian thought, Marlena was a psychiatrist. He then got off of the barstool and walked so that he could see directly behind the bar. One of the voodoo masked guards looked his way.
There was a locker there that said, Commander Abe Carver! Julian then looked back at Pilar's locker, then over at Pilar and Teresa. Good Lord! How long had his longtime maid really been an FBI agent?! He never even dreamed of having her references checked, since her, and Martin. had come from the Winthrops!
Damn that Ivy! Julian wondered if that cursed woman had known Pilar's true occupation all of these years! The two used to be thick as thieves!
Rebecca made her way over to the bar. Julian saw her and joined her, hopping back up on to a barstool.
'Did you see Pilar's locker?' he asked.
Rebecca nodded and waved a hand.
'Stefano DiMera is trying be funny, that's all! I could probably outrun Pilar's bullet!'
'So you don't think it's true?' Julian asked, still suspicious.
'Oh, Julian! Really! This is PILAR we're talking about! Why in the world would she stay a maid all of these years, if she really had another occupation? And one that probably paid better than what you gave her?'
'I doubt that! The Cranes are always very generous with the help.'
'Yes, of course Pookie. Listen, since Tony DiMera is not an option anymore for me, how about telling me all you can about John Black?'
Julian picked up the drink he had abandoned.
'Why? Good Lord, Rebecca! Surely you're not thinking you can get him?!'
Rebecca gave him and angry, sideways glance.
'Why not?'
'Well...' Julian began to sputter. He then decided to just be honest.
'Dear, what he and Marlena have...not many people have been able to keep them apart, at least not for long. They always find their way back to one another. And Black there, doesn't seem to have a roving eye, but...'
'But what?'
Julian took a deep breath.
'I do know that Stefano DiMera erased his memory and held him captive for many years. If you could provide him with information about his past, you would have the one thing that his wife doesn't have for him...answers. It would be a draw, a way for the two of you to connect, so to speak. But I don't know where you'd find answers on this island. Now, if you had a private eye....'
But Rebecca had tuned her husband out. His idea had been brilliant(before he began rambling on and on!). She would first have to take the opportunity to introduce herself to John...and Marlena. The poor thing might as well be introduced to her successor!
****
While Pilar and Teresa were crying in one another's arms, Eve and Austin moved away from them. Abe looked at Celeste.
'So, are you planning on telling Eve who you really are?' he asked.
Celeste raised a brow.
'I suppose we'll have all the time in the world. I don't think it would hurt for her to know.' Celeste surmised.
Abe looked at the picture in her hand. 'What's that?'
Celeste looked from Eve to Abe.
'Oh. Pilar asked me to look at this. It's a picture of her husband. She thinks Stefano might have kidnapped him long ago.'
John and Marlena made their way over to them.
'May I?' John asked. Celeste shrugged and handed him the photograph. John looked at it, then dropped it quickly! He grabbed his head!
'John?' Marlena asked, rubbing his shoulder.
'What is it?' Abe asked. Eve and Austin walked over to them. Eve touched John's arm.
'John, I'm a doctor. What's going on? How are you feeling?' she asked.
'I ...I just had a flash of pain when I looked at that photograph. I think I remember that man from somewhere!'
Pilar and Teresa joined them. Pilar picked up the photograph from the sand. Her heart began to beat really fast!
'You know my Martin?' she asked.
Marlena did a double take!
'Austin? Austin Reed?'
John's pain subsided and he stared at Austin. As did Abe and Celeste.
'How did you get mixed up in this?' Marlena asked, pulling him aside. The two walked over by the ocean.
Meanwhile, Pilar waited patiently for an answer from John. Eve watched her friend. She hoped that John Black could give Pilar the answers that she sought. She had always thought Pilar was too pretty to hold up her life for a man that probably wasn't alive.
'Pilar, I'm sorry. My memories always come back in bits and pieces. And when they do, they never make much sense.'
'But,' Abe interrupted, 'when you get those headaches, it almost always has to do with your past with Stefano.'
Pilar nodded at both of them, excited! She was on the right track, she just knew it! John knew Martin, he just didn't know how. It was a start.
****
Celeste touched Eve's arm. Eve smiled at her.
'Celeste, I'm sorry for all the trouble I caused. You must have been so frightened.'
Celeste gave Abe a look. Abe walked away from John and Pilar, and moved to join them. Abe smiled at Eve, who was looking as beautiful as ever.
He reached out and rubbed her arm.
'Celeste and you need to talk about a few things. If either of you need me, I'll be right over there.' he said, indicating a lounge chair. Eve gave him a puzzled smile, but nodded. Celeste looked at Eve.
'Let's walk down the beach.' she suggested.
****
Julian slammed down his drink!
'Did you see that?!' he hissed to Rebecca.
'Yeah, my poor John looked like he was having some sort of attack! Now may be my chance to get to know him. After all, he's only talking with Pilar.'
'No, no! Commander Carver, dear! Did you see the way he was looking at Eve?! My Eve! And that little rubbing of the arm thing he did! He was practically molesting her!'
Rebecca rolled her eyes.
'It really wasn't all that serious. I think you're making way too much of this.'
Teresa joined them at the bar. Rebecca rolled her eyes again.
'We don't need company dear.' she sniped.
Teresa ignored her and looked at Julian.
'Tell me you're not going to run around like that.' she said.
Julian looked down. He was in a pair of shorts and shirtless.
'Yes, it's hot. You have a locker as well. I suggest you change into a cute little bikini or something.'
'Yes,' Rebecca opined, 'that is, if you want to attract that Reed boy. Once he finds out your true nature, he'll probably leave town.'
Teresa looked her up and down.
'Oh shut up! I saw you looking at that man my mother is talking to. His wife his ten times better looking than you! She's probably ten years younger as well!'
Rebecca's mouth dropped open. Julian grinned. He loved cat fights!
But Teresa returned her attention back to Julian.
'I wonder where Mr. Russell is? Because all of that leering your doing at Dr. Russell is going to stop when he gets here...and if it doesn't, that's okay too. Because I would love to see him whoop your....'
'My God, Teresa! So much hostility! Is this all because Ethan preferred Gwen to you or what?!'
Teresa shook her head and pointed a finger at him.
'I just don't want to go blind, okay? Put on a shirt while you're here!'
'My dear, in that case, I won't wear any shorts tomorrow either. What do you think of that, sweet Teresa?'
Teresa almost gagged and flounced off. Rebecca and Julian began to giggle. Julian then stopped, and stared off into the direction Eve and Celeste were.
Celeste was probably telling Eve about their linked pasts....and hopefully about Liz and her damnable lies.
****
Lexie waited in a luxurious living room. She picked up a picture of herself and Tony, and had no doubts that her father was behind this whole thing.
Stefano DiMera came out from another room. He swept his daughter into a big bear hug. It was an embrace that was not returned.
'Alexandra darling...'
'Don't you Alexandra me! You've kidnapped me! Tony and you betrayed me! My baby is still in Salem!'
'Not for long, darling. I have made arrangements for my grandson to be brought here as we speak.'
'Why does he have to be brought here? Why can't Abe and I leave?'
Stefano pulled on her hand and sat her down on a couch.
'Are you sure you want to do that?'
'Do what? Leave? Father, Tony was wrong to go about winning Eve this way! Tell him to tell her the truth!'
Stefano squeezed her hand.
'Darling, Tony can't do much of anything now. He's in a coma.'
Lexie jumped up!
'What?! When did this happen?'
'The same night Tony spirited your husband and you away.'
'Kidnapped!'
Stefano stood up as well.
'Your brother's blood illness returned, months ago. Only Tony decided to tell no one.'
Lexie turned away from her father. It could have been that very illness that caused Tony to go to such extremes. She turned back to her father. He nodded.
'I thought the same thing as well. Darling, he was not in his right mind. We have to keep him from going to jail.'
Lexie folded her arms.
'I agree. Is he at the Salem hospital?'
'No. I had him taken to better facilities. I was going to have Eve flown there as well, but, things got complicated.'
Lexie didn't like the sound of that! She took a deep breath.
'Father, what have you done now?'
Stefano reached his hand out to her. She took it and he lead her into the other room. It was filled with TV monitors. Lexie gasped!
'You've been watching us?!'
'Darling, I...'
But Lexie gasped again and began squinting at the monitors.
'Who are all of those extra people?! Wait a minute! Is that Eve with my mother?'
Lexie looked up at her father.
'Answer me!'
Stefano sighed and clasped his hands together.
'I told you Alexandra, there were complications. Eve's memory returned. Julian Crane moved in next door, and other interlopers showed up at the house. I couldn't take any chances.'
'So, Eve knows that Tony betrayed her?'
Stefano shrugged.
'I don't know if she sees it that way.'
'I'm sure she does, Father. Look, my marriage is on shaky enough ground as it is...'
'So I've seen. I don't appreciate Abe Carver's attitude.'
Lexie said no more. Her father's tone was low and deadly.
'Let me handle my marriage, okay? Now, where is T.C.?'
'Ah, Mr. Russell. I like him. There is nothing passive about him...I do wonder what he's going to think when he sees his wife and Crane here together.'
'Father, T.C. doesn't need to do anything that might jeopardize his sight, specifically fighting.'
'I agree. That's why I plan to keep him up here to recuperate. I think you should stay as well.'
Lexie raised a brow.
'Father...'
'Alexandra, I had no intention of allowing you to continue sleeping in a hut! You may invite your husband and mother to come up, if they'd like. I do plan on inviting Marlena, of course.'
'She's rather choke on seaweed, I'm sure.' Lexie said, shaking her head.
'We'll see, my darling.' Stefano said, looking from her to the monitors. This was a promising group. A promising one indeed!
Rebecca has her eye on John Black. Whitney and Simone have it out
The Bennett living room became horribly crowded, as loved ones of Pilar and T.C., gathered inside, to speak to Sam about what was being done to find them, and the missing residents of Salem.
Only, Sam was not there. Him and Luis were at the station. Sam had told Grace that two members of the police force from Salem, Bo and Hope Brady, were coming to help them with the investigation on their end.
Grace sniffed her tomato soup cake, that was cooling down. She was a bundle of nerves. And for a very good reason.
Before Sam left for the station, he had taken a call from someone in Salem. Apparently, it now looked as if Eve had been kidnapped, and not killed in a car accident, all of this time! Worse yet, there had been some sort of scuffle that took place at the DiMera house. Someone from a neighboring estate with binoculars( the person sounded like a peeping tom to Grace), saw burly looking men dragging people out of the house!
When the police in Salem checked out this report, they found a car registered to Austin Reed parked out front. Grace vaguely knew him as a young man she had seen around town with Teresa. Unfortunately, poor Austin was nowhere to be found!
When Sam told Luis this news, he went ballistic! Austin was last seen with Teresa! Sheridan and him were caring for little Ethan! Luis had called Teresa's cell phone and got no answer. It was safe to say that the two of them, were probably some of the people that were dragged away!
The news then seemed to get worse! The Peeping Tom said that one of the people he knew to be dragged from the house, was the new neighbor on the other side of the DiMera property. When the Salem police checked into that, they found out that Julian Crane was the owner!
Sam had then worked the phones from their house, calling over to the Crane estate to see if anyone there knew of Julian's whereabouts. The maid answered that Rebecca had went to Salem to be with her husband. It didn't take long to verify that the estate was empty, but luggage belonging to Rebecca Crane was still sitting in the foyer of the Crane second home. That meant that she had probably been taken as well.
Finally, in a conversation with Captain Roman Brady, Sam discovered that Tony DiMera had investigated a woman he was living with. A woman who's real name was Dr. Eve Russell.
At that point, Sam had wanted to tear his hair out! What in the living hell was going on here?! How could they have not known that Eve had been kidnapped and not killed? Though, this Brady guy didn't seem to think Eve was any kind of victim, and hinted strongly that he thought she was in cahoots with the DiMera family. Sam didn't even bother to respond to something so ludicrous.
Grace nervously looked towards the kitchen door. Whitney and Fox had shown up. Grace didn't know if Fox knew his father had been kidnapped. And Sam had asked her not to say anything about Eve until they knew for sure she was alive.
Grace could barely look at Simone or Whitney, knowing that she couldn't tell them that their mother may be alive. What a stressful secret to have to keep!
****
John watched as Simone and Whitney disappeared upstairs. Fox noticed John watching them, and moved away from Miguel and Charity.
'You think they'll need referees?' Fox asked jokingly.
But John was in no mood for jokes.
'I just hope Simone can put aside her petty resentments. She and Whitney need one another.'
Fox nodded. This John guy was a real Pollyanna!
'Yeah, well I hope so too. Whitney doesn't need her sister's crap right now.'
John looked from the stairs, to Fox.
'What does that mean? Simone has been suffering while Whitney's been off galavanting around with you!'
Fox raised a brow. It was obvious this guy cared for Simone. He had no doubt that Simone still had the hots for Harris though!
'Hey! You're the one that said that Simone was being petty. I was just agreeing with you. Chad Harris isn't worth their relationship.'
John was slightly mollified.
'I agree.' he said. Fox rubbed his hands together, looking around. He then stopped and rolled his eyes. John noticed this.
'What?' John said, and turned towards where Fox was looking. He too took a deep breath.
Ivy Winthrop and Chad Harris had been let in by Tabitha. Fox and John looked at one another, shaking their heads.
****
Simone closed her door, then faced Whitney.
'Simone, I have been so worried about you.'
Simone folded her arms.
'Well don't be. Look, I brought you up here because I didn't want to make a scene. Things are bad enough around here already.'
Whitney looked sad.
'Why does there have to be a scene at all? We need each other, Simone. I want you to come and stay with Fox and me at the Crane mansion.'
Simone's eyes widened!
'Daddy could be dead, and you would disrespect him by not only living in the house of people he hates most in this world, but now you're going to invite me there as if you're the lady of the house?!'
'It's not like that, Simone!' Whitney snapped, tired and stressed. She was getting very sick of defending her living arrangements, and her friends, to people. Especially people that were supposed to be family!
'What is it like then, Whitney?'
'Fox can protect us there! Every person that's been taken from Harmony has lived in this neighborhood, or in Salem. Simone, Fox's father had business in Salem today. He hasn't heard from him in hours.'
Simone rolled her eyes.
'So? Who cares? If Julian Crane has been kidnapped, then someone is finally getting it right!'
'Simone!'
Simone stuck a finger in Whitney's face.
'Oh yeah, I guess you were too busy romping on some beach somewhere, to hear the news: Julian almost knocked Daddy's eye out! He had just been released from the hospital and was wearing an eye-patch when he was taken! He needs surgery on it! You think the kidnappers are going to operate on his eye, Whitney? Hey? Nothing to say?!'
Whitney backed away. There was no getting through to Simone. And she refused to believe that the Julian Crane she knew, just walked up to her father and punched his eye out!
'Goodbye Simone. Call me if you need anything.'
'I won't! Not from the Cranes! Not ever!'
Whitney turned and hurried from the room, tears slipping down her face. Simone stopped to stare after her, when something broke. Whitney was her sister. And her mother would've wanted them to pull together. The important thing was to find Daddy and Pilar.
'Whitney!' Simone cried out, calling after her. She ran from the room and hurried downstairs, when on the third step from the bottom, she stopped in her tracks.
Chad was here! And he was making his way towards Whitney, who was sobbing in Fox Crane's arms. John hurried towards her.
'Let it go, Simone. Look, let's go get some fresh air.'
Simone nodded, as tears began to blur her vision. Kay hurried over and almost knocked John out of the way.
'Honey, you need to cool off. I know you want to kick butt here, but now is not the time.'
John pushed her away.
'She knows that Kay. We were just going to go for a walk, if that's alright with you!'
Simone broke away from both of them and ran towards the front door. John started after her, but was held back by Kay!
'Get your hands off of me!' he snapped.
But Kay grinned at him.
'Do you really think that you can make Simone forget someone like Chad? There's Chad, hot body and all, then you! Hmmm! Who would I want if I was Simone?'
Miguel and Charity closed in on the two of them.
'Knock it off, Kay! Now is not the time!' Miguel hissed. His mother was missing and Kay was still starting trouble. The house was too small to be breaking up fights around here!
He looked at John.
'Go and get Simone back here, John. We don't know if it's even safe to go outside.'
Charity nodded, rubbing his arm.
'Miguel's right, John. She can't go out alone.'
John didn't answer, but left after Simone. Kay shrugged. Charity shook her head at her.
****
'Whitney, I think you should stay with me at my apartment.' Chad said, trying not to let Fox get to him. He had witnessed Whitney go running into his arms as if they belonged together. He noted that Ivy had been watching this display as well.
Fox said nothing and looked at Whitney, who had disentangled herself from him. She stared at him, wiping her face.
Fox had to restrain himself from saying anything. Whitney would have to decide what she wanted to do. She was already in a vulnerable enough state as it was. He would have to prepare himself not to react, if Whitney decided to leave this house with Harris. Fox wasn't going to push her. Harris would do a great job of that himself!
'I'm going back to the Crane mansion, Chad. Fox can protect me there. I need to get some water, excuse me.'
Whitney rushed away and towards the kitchen. Fox looked at Chad.
'What apartment?' he asked.
'The apartment I had before I left.'
'Oh. You mean the Crane Studio?'
Chad folded his arms.
'It doesn't matter. I'll find another place for Whitney and I.'
Fox rolled his eyes.
'Why don't you stop thinking about yourself for a minute? We don't know what's going on here! I can hire the security to keep Whitney safe.'
'I can keep Whitney safe, Crane.'
'My, my, my!' Ivy interrupted, her expression very cat-like. 'This almost reminds me of the infamous fights T.C. and Julian used to have...though they were never really fights...T.C. wiped the floor with Julian.'
Chad walked away. Fox took a deep breath.
'Hello, Mother.'
Ivy smiled.
'Whitney rushed right into your arms. You really have pulled a number on her, haven't you?'
'Mother please...'
'Whitney loves Chad Harris. I think it is wrong of you to take advantage of her when she's so vulnerable.'
Fox smirked.
'Like Father did to you? You know, when you had the hots for Chief Bennett?'
'Don't be so crude! But, yes, your father and you are cut from the same cloth. Look, I need to talk to you. I have sources that tell me that your father and Rebecca may be missing. If that piece of good news is true, then I want to move back into the mansion.'
'No!'
'Fox, it would just be temporary! My God! The DiMera's are kidnapping people right and left! Surely you want me to be as safe as possible, don't you?'
Whitney came back upon them, sipping a bottled water. Chad watched them from across the room.
'Fox, of course you have to let your mother come back with us. No one knows what's going on. And with Julian missing...'
'And Rebecca too, maybe.' Ivy said.
Whitney stopped drinking her water and looked at Fox.
'When did that happen?'
Fox moved Whitney away from his mother.
'Whitney, nothing is known for sure.'
'Fox, I know how you feel about your mother, but you would never forgive yourself if you didn't try and protect her too. So, let her come back with us. I'll be by your side every step of the way when she becomes difficult.'
Fox stared into Whitney's eyes. He fully believed that Whitney loved him, and just didn't realize it. Whatever was going on, he couldn't refuse her this request.
He put and arm around Whitney and turned around to face Ivy.
'Come home with us, Mother. It'll be safer there.'
Ivy smiled.
'Why thank you dear. I'll meet you at home. I need to stop by the police station first.'
Ivy turned and walked out of the house. Grace had just come out of the kitchen and overheard Ivy say she was going to the police station. She wondered if she would ever be able to not worry about Ivy trying to steal her husband!
Chad glared at Fox and Whitney, before following Ivy out. He stopped short when she turned to face him.
'Do you know what your problem is, young man?'
'Your son?'
Ivy smirked.
'Yes...and no. What you need is equal footing, so to speak.' Ivy took out a card and handed it to Chad.
'That's my private line. If and when you decide you really want to fight for Whitney, give me a call.'
Ivy turned and walked towards her car. Chad stared after her, then looked down at the card.
****
ISLAND
Julian, Rebecca, Eve and Austin, watched as Pilar and Teresa had an emotional reunion. Julian looked around. This was not a bad bit of paradise they had been kidnapped to. Julian inched away from the group and found a locker with his name on it. He then stood behind a palm tree and took off his clothes, putting on only a pair of Hawaiian print shorts. He then made his way to the bar. There was a voodoo mask sitting on the counter. He picked it up.
'This could come in handy.' he murmured, eyeing Eve. A muscular man wearing one of the voodoo masks, handed him a drink. Julian eyed him suspiciously, before sipping it.
His eyes moved from the crowd on the beach, to Pilar's locker. He almost choked!
'Agent Pilar Lopez-Fitzgerald? What an absurd concept!' he sniffed aloud, and began guzzling his drink. He wondered where T.C. Russell was? And someone else was missing from the fray as well, though he could not remember who at the moment.
Julian looked at the mask again. He wondered what the sleeping arrangements were on their little island/prison? For it was coming to mind that Eve and himself could have quite a bit of fun with this mask!
He then sighed, his eyes falling, once again, on Pilar's locker. Julian then looked the other way. There was a locker that read, Dr. Marlena Black.
Yes, Julian thought, Marlena was a psychiatrist. He then got off of the barstool and walked so that he could see directly behind the bar. One of the voodoo masked guards looked his way.
There was a locker there that said, Commander Abe Carver! Julian then looked back at Pilar's locker, then over at Pilar and Teresa. Good Lord! How long had his longtime maid really been an FBI agent?! He never even dreamed of having her references checked, since her, and Martin. had come from the Winthrops!
Damn that Ivy! Julian wondered if that cursed woman had known Pilar's true occupation all of these years! The two used to be thick as thieves!
Rebecca made her way over to the bar. Julian saw her and joined her, hopping back up on to a barstool.
'Did you see Pilar's locker?' he asked.
Rebecca nodded and waved a hand.
'Stefano DiMera is trying be funny, that's all! I could probably outrun Pilar's bullet!'
'So you don't think it's true?' Julian asked, still suspicious.
'Oh, Julian! Really! This is PILAR we're talking about! Why in the world would she stay a maid all of these years, if she really had another occupation? And one that probably paid better than what you gave her?'
'I doubt that! The Cranes are always very generous with the help.'
'Yes, of course Pookie. Listen, since Tony DiMera is not an option anymore for me, how about telling me all you can about John Black?'
Julian picked up the drink he had abandoned.
'Why? Good Lord, Rebecca! Surely you're not thinking you can get him?!'
Rebecca gave him and angry, sideways glance.
'Why not?'
'Well...' Julian began to sputter. He then decided to just be honest.
'Dear, what he and Marlena have...not many people have been able to keep them apart, at least not for long. They always find their way back to one another. And Black there, doesn't seem to have a roving eye, but...'
'But what?'
Julian took a deep breath.
'I do know that Stefano DiMera erased his memory and held him captive for many years. If you could provide him with information about his past, you would have the one thing that his wife doesn't have for him...answers. It would be a draw, a way for the two of you to connect, so to speak. But I don't know where you'd find answers on this island. Now, if you had a private eye....'
But Rebecca had tuned her husband out. His idea had been brilliant(before he began rambling on and on!). She would first have to take the opportunity to introduce herself to John...and Marlena. The poor thing might as well be introduced to her successor!
****
While Pilar and Teresa were crying in one another's arms, Eve and Austin moved away from them. Abe looked at Celeste.
'So, are you planning on telling Eve who you really are?' he asked.
Celeste raised a brow.
'I suppose we'll have all the time in the world. I don't think it would hurt for her to know.' Celeste surmised.
Abe looked at the picture in her hand. 'What's that?'
Celeste looked from Eve to Abe.
'Oh. Pilar asked me to look at this. It's a picture of her husband. She thinks Stefano might have kidnapped him long ago.'
John and Marlena made their way over to them.
'May I?' John asked. Celeste shrugged and handed him the photograph. John looked at it, then dropped it quickly! He grabbed his head!
'John?' Marlena asked, rubbing his shoulder.
'What is it?' Abe asked. Eve and Austin walked over to them. Eve touched John's arm.
'John, I'm a doctor. What's going on? How are you feeling?' she asked.
'I ...I just had a flash of pain when I looked at that photograph. I think I remember that man from somewhere!'
Pilar and Teresa joined them. Pilar picked up the photograph from the sand. Her heart began to beat really fast!
'You know my Martin?' she asked.
Marlena did a double take!
'Austin? Austin Reed?'
John's pain subsided and he stared at Austin. As did Abe and Celeste.
'How did you get mixed up in this?' Marlena asked, pulling him aside. The two walked over by the ocean.
Meanwhile, Pilar waited patiently for an answer from John. Eve watched her friend. She hoped that John Black could give Pilar the answers that she sought. She had always thought Pilar was too pretty to hold up her life for a man that probably wasn't alive.
'Pilar, I'm sorry. My memories always come back in bits and pieces. And when they do, they never make much sense.'
'But,' Abe interrupted, 'when you get those headaches, it almost always has to do with your past with Stefano.'
Pilar nodded at both of them, excited! She was on the right track, she just knew it! John knew Martin, he just didn't know how. It was a start.
****
Celeste touched Eve's arm. Eve smiled at her.
'Celeste, I'm sorry for all the trouble I caused. You must have been so frightened.'
Celeste gave Abe a look. Abe walked away from John and Pilar, and moved to join them. Abe smiled at Eve, who was looking as beautiful as ever.
He reached out and rubbed her arm.
'Celeste and you need to talk about a few things. If either of you need me, I'll be right over there.' he said, indicating a lounge chair. Eve gave him a puzzled smile, but nodded. Celeste looked at Eve.
'Let's walk down the beach.' she suggested.
****
Julian slammed down his drink!
'Did you see that?!' he hissed to Rebecca.
'Yeah, my poor John looked like he was having some sort of attack! Now may be my chance to get to know him. After all, he's only talking with Pilar.'
'No, no! Commander Carver, dear! Did you see the way he was looking at Eve?! My Eve! And that little rubbing of the arm thing he did! He was practically molesting her!'
Rebecca rolled her eyes.
'It really wasn't all that serious. I think you're making way too much of this.'
Teresa joined them at the bar. Rebecca rolled her eyes again.
'We don't need company dear.' she sniped.
Teresa ignored her and looked at Julian.
'Tell me you're not going to run around like that.' she said.
Julian looked down. He was in a pair of shorts and shirtless.
'Yes, it's hot. You have a locker as well. I suggest you change into a cute little bikini or something.'
'Yes,' Rebecca opined, 'that is, if you want to attract that Reed boy. Once he finds out your true nature, he'll probably leave town.'
Teresa looked her up and down.
'Oh shut up! I saw you looking at that man my mother is talking to. His wife his ten times better looking than you! She's probably ten years younger as well!'
Rebecca's mouth dropped open. Julian grinned. He loved cat fights!
But Teresa returned her attention back to Julian.
'I wonder where Mr. Russell is? Because all of that leering your doing at Dr. Russell is going to stop when he gets here...and if it doesn't, that's okay too. Because I would love to see him whoop your....'
'My God, Teresa! So much hostility! Is this all because Ethan preferred Gwen to you or what?!'
Teresa shook her head and pointed a finger at him.
'I just don't want to go blind, okay? Put on a shirt while you're here!'
'My dear, in that case, I won't wear any shorts tomorrow either. What do you think of that, sweet Teresa?'
Teresa almost gagged and flounced off. Rebecca and Julian began to giggle. Julian then stopped, and stared off into the direction Eve and Celeste were.
Celeste was probably telling Eve about their linked pasts....and hopefully about Liz and her damnable lies.
****
Lexie waited in a luxurious living room. She picked up a picture of herself and Tony, and had no doubts that her father was behind this whole thing.
Stefano DiMera came out from another room. He swept his daughter into a big bear hug. It was an embrace that was not returned.
'Alexandra darling...'
'Don't you Alexandra me! You've kidnapped me! Tony and you betrayed me! My baby is still in Salem!'
'Not for long, darling. I have made arrangements for my grandson to be brought here as we speak.'
'Why does he have to be brought here? Why can't Abe and I leave?'
Stefano pulled on her hand and sat her down on a couch.
'Are you sure you want to do that?'
'Do what? Leave? Father, Tony was wrong to go about winning Eve this way! Tell him to tell her the truth!'
Stefano squeezed her hand.
'Darling, Tony can't do much of anything now. He's in a coma.'
Lexie jumped up!
'What?! When did this happen?'
'The same night Tony spirited your husband and you away.'
'Kidnapped!'
Stefano stood up as well.
'Your brother's blood illness returned, months ago. Only Tony decided to tell no one.'
Lexie turned away from her father. It could have been that very illness that caused Tony to go to such extremes. She turned back to her father. He nodded.
'I thought the same thing as well. Darling, he was not in his right mind. We have to keep him from going to jail.'
Lexie folded her arms.
'I agree. Is he at the Salem hospital?'
'No. I had him taken to better facilities. I was going to have Eve flown there as well, but, things got complicated.'
Lexie didn't like the sound of that! She took a deep breath.
'Father, what have you done now?'
Stefano reached his hand out to her. She took it and he lead her into the other room. It was filled with TV monitors. Lexie gasped!
'You've been watching us?!'
'Darling, I...'
But Lexie gasped again and began squinting at the monitors.
'Who are all of those extra people?! Wait a minute! Is that Eve with my mother?'
Lexie looked up at her father.
'Answer me!'
Stefano sighed and clasped his hands together.
'I told you Alexandra, there were complications. Eve's memory returned. Julian Crane moved in next door, and other interlopers showed up at the house. I couldn't take any chances.'
'So, Eve knows that Tony betrayed her?'
Stefano shrugged.
'I don't know if she sees it that way.'
'I'm sure she does, Father. Look, my marriage is on shaky enough ground as it is...'
'So I've seen. I don't appreciate Abe Carver's attitude.'
Lexie said no more. Her father's tone was low and deadly.
'Let me handle my marriage, okay? Now, where is T.C.?'
'Ah, Mr. Russell. I like him. There is nothing passive about him...I do wonder what he's going to think when he sees his wife and Crane here together.'
'Father, T.C. doesn't need to do anything that might jeopardize his sight, specifically fighting.'
'I agree. That's why I plan to keep him up here to recuperate. I think you should stay as well.'
Lexie raised a brow.
'Father...'
'Alexandra, I had no intention of allowing you to continue sleeping in a hut! You may invite your husband and mother to come up, if they'd like. I do plan on inviting Marlena, of course.'
'She's rather choke on seaweed, I'm sure.' Lexie said, shaking her head.
'We'll see, my darling.' Stefano said, looking from her to the monitors. This was a promising group. A promising one indeed!