Chapter 4

T.C. and baby Theo bond. Fox gets a call from Alistair.

Lexie watched as the guard set her items down in the living room. She looked around. She did not see Stefano anywhere.

She soon wandered around, and found T.C. sitting up in his bed. He was reading a scandal rag. He set it down when Lexie walked in and sat down on the edge of his bed. She looked great in yellow.

'Hey! How are you feeling? How's the eye?' she asked.

'Won't know until the doctor says the bandage can come off.' He then pulled away his eye patch. His eye was bandaged underneath it. He set the patch aside.

'What brings you by? How is everything going on the beach?'

Lexie pursed her lips. She couldn't help but notice Abe's staunch defense of Eve earlier. It bothered her.

'T.C., there is something you need to know.'

'Okay. What is it?'

'There are more people here.'

'You mean more people that were shoved out of an airplane?! My God! Who are they?'

'Well, I didn't get to see too many people. I was talking to my father until almost late until the night. But he told me who everyone was.'

'Okay...who?'

'Well, Pilar's daughter is here.'

'Teresa? Christ! What did she do to deserve this! She's my daughter's best friend...oh God! Tell me neither one of my girls is here?!'

Lexie grabbed T.C.'s hand.

'No! No! Neither one of your daughters are here. But, a guy that Teresa had been seeing, Austin Reed, was kidnapped with her. He used to live in Salem, so I know him.'

'Well, at least she's not alone. She has Pilar and a young man with her. Who else?'

'Uh, Rebecca Crane.'

'Good God! Why? Are you telling me that Teresa, this Austin guy and Rebecca all knew that Eve was alive?'

'Yes, T.C.. And that's not all.'

'What else could there be?' T.C. asked, troubled by her expression.

'T.C., Julian Crane AND Eve are here as well.'

T.C. just stared at her for a moment.

'Julian knew Eve was alive?'

'I don't really know.'

'But we all agreed, Lexie, that the common thread here was that everyone knew my wife was alive! Then why is Eve even here then? Didn't you tell me that Tony wanted to keep her with him?'

Lexie squeezed T.C.'s hand.

'Listen to me: don't go getting yourself upset over Eve. She's not worth it.'

T.C. let go of her hand.

'What do you mean by that?'

Lexie stood up.

'Forget I said anything, okay? Just rest and get your strength back. Now that Eve is here, maybe you can talk some things out.'

There was a sudden knock on the door. An unmasked guard brought baby Theo in the room. Lexie squealed and reached her arms out for the boy. T.C. smiled at the sight.

The guard left the room. Lexie turned back to T.C., the baby in her arms. Theo smiled at T.C..

'Theo, I want you to meet T.C. Russell.'

T.C. smiled as Lexie brought the baby closer. Theo was a good looking boy. Probably because he looked like Lexie.

'Hey there, Theo! How was your trip?'

Theo reached out to T.C.. T.C. was pleasantly surprised. He looked to Lexie.

'May I?'

'Oh yes, of course! He likes you, I can tell.'

Lexie placed Theo in T.C.'s arms. For the briefest moment, holding Theo in his arms, had seemed natural to T.C..

'I always wanted a son. Eve was unable to have anymore children after Simone. Abe is a lucky man.'

Lexie gave him a shaky smile.

'I just hope he still remembers that.' she said. T.C. looked from Theo to Lexie. That goddamned Carver had done something to Lexie again! He didn't deserve her!

Another guard stepped into the room.

'Your father would like to see you.' he said.

Lexie nodded and turned to T.C..

'You don't mind watching Theo for a bit, do you?'

'Not at all.' T.C. smiled, bouncing Theo. Theo grinned. Lexie felt strangely at ease, leaving her baby with this man she had only known a few days. She smiled back and left the room. T.C. looked at Theo.

'We're buddies, aren't we, Theo?'

Theo gurgled.

****

Lexie found her father in the TV monitor room. She saw him hand a package to a guard, before turning his attention to his daughter. He kissed her cheek.

'How is my grandson doing?' he asked.

'He doesn't look any worse for wear. Who was keeping him?'

'Belle Black and Sean Brady. They apparently found the poor boy alone in the Black penthouse.'

'Oh. Father, about what you had did to Abe...'

Stefano put a hand up in a halting motion.

'Alexandra, I don't want to discuss your poor excuse for a husband! If he dares to manhandle you again, he's going to get much worse. Now, I have something to tell you.'

Lexie raised a brow.

'What?'

'Tony is awake.' Stefano said grimly. 'And he's not pleased.'

Lexie began to pace the room. She briefly glimpsed Abe, Austin and John sitting together on one of the monitors.

'What does this mean, Father?'

Stefano did not answer that directly.

'Alexandra, he has no memory of what he has done.'

'No memory? Oh, Father! Surely you don't believe that!'

'It doesn't matter what I believe. Your brother remembers Eve Russell, but does not remember the actions he took to ensure that she never regained her memory. When he was made aware of these facts, your brother seemed genuinely appalled.'

Lexie almost breathed a sigh of relief. Of course Tony was ashamed! The Tony she knew, would be.

'What about his illness?'

'A Dr. Case, was flown in and started him on treatments. If Tony had been keeping up with him the first place, his illness wouldn't have progressed this far.'

Lexie touched her father's arm.

'What does this mean for us?' she asked.

Stefano gave her a grim look.

'If you would like to return to Salem with Theo, you may do so.'

Lexie smiled. She then stopped.

'And Abe?'

'Of course, darling. And your husband.'

'And the others, Father? God, please don't keep Marlena here! Leave her alone! No one would be able to find you, or this place, ever again anyway! You could still keep your freedom.'

'We'll see. Go now and play with your son. I have work to do.'

Lexie didn't like that answer. But, it was better than nothing. Stefano watched as his daughter left the room. He smiled.

Stefano loved Alexandra, but he was firmly convinced that she would be better off without Abe Carver...as would his grandson.

And he had seen the way T.C. Russell looked at Alexandra. Stefano sat down and turned on a monitor. He watched T.C. and Lexie play with Theo...as if he were their very own.

Stefano decided that Abe Carver would not be leaving the island. He had also decided that he was going to extend an offer to Mr. Russell, one that Stefano was sure, he would not be able to refuse.

****

HARMONY

Fox stared at the bar in his father's study. He felt like he needed a drink, badly!

First, Whitney and him were sleeping in separate rooms. It wasn't as if he hadn't expected, that what was going on with both of their parents, wouldn't put a damper on their burgeoning romance. But, Fox also didn't think for a moment that any of these people were dead, his father included. And with each passing day, Fox was unable to convince Whitney that that might no be a possibility. Fox did wish he could talk to his father, though. Julian would tell him what to do.

Second, his mother had been a total pain in the ass! But Fox had expected that as well. It was just that he hadn't lived under the same roof with Ivy for years. He now realized why.

Lastly, when it was announced that Dr. Eve Russell was alive, and a kidnapping victim as well,AND that Teresa had been snatched...it was almost as if Whitney began to fall apart.

Fox decided that he had to do something, anything, to find everyone and get them back here. But how?

Fox walked over to the bar. He had decided he was going to have a drink! Just as he picked up a glass, the phone rang.

A maid walked in.

'Your Grandfather is on line one.'

Fox set the glass down and threw up his hands, mouthing towards the heavens, 'why?'.

Fox took a deep breath, then walked over to the desk and put Alistair on speaker phone.

'Hello, Fox. My, you look stressed.'

'You have anything to do with this crap, Grandfather?'

'Fox, I'm hurt!'

Before Fox could reply to that insincere comment, his attention was drawn to the hallway. The doorbell had rung, and no one had answered it. By the third ring, Whitney appeared in the hallway and moved to open it herself. Fox frowned. He did not want his future wife doing stuff like that! He made a mental note to find out where the other servants were.

When Whitney opened the door, Fox saw Ethan standing there. He shook his head, walked over to the study door, then eased it shut. For now, he had to concentrate on Alistair.

'I'm sure you are, Grandfather. I don't suppose it bothers you at all that Father and Rebecca have now been kidnapped?'

There was a silence. Alistair coughed.

'Okay. Then tell me this, what would it take for you to help me find father and the others?'

'You know what.' Alistair said sternly.

Fox stared at the speakerphone. Why Alistair had made that deal with himself and Father, he would never know!

'You want me to give up Whitney.'

'Fox,' Alistair's voice said tiredly, 'she would be perfectly fine as your mistress or something like that. But you have to think of the family blood line. We can't have it polluted by....'

Fox walked over to the phone and hung it up! This could not go on. His father had had the right idea in the first place. The only way anybody in this family was going to get to live their own lives, and be happy, was if Alistair Crane was dead.

The door opened, and Whitney and Ethan walked in. Ethan had his arm around a teary eyed Whitney. Fox nodded to Ethan.

'What brings you by?' he asked wearily.

'Gwen is upset about Rebecca. Have you heard anything?'

Fox shrugged.

'Your father is the Chief of Police. You should be telling us something.'

'Fox!' Whitney admonished. 'This is hard on everybody.'

Fox sighed. He walked over to her, pulling her away from Ethan.

'You look tired. Why don't you go get some rest?'

'I can't sleep, Fox. You know that.'

'Then take a walk in the gardens or sit by the pool. I'll tell you what? I'll rent a movie for later on...something that will get your mind off of all of this stuff.'

'If that's possible.' Whitney said, but nodded. She hugged Fox. Ethan eyed the two of them. Whitney then turned and hugged Ethan.

'Rebecca is going to be alright. Rebecca and Teresa.' she said, trying to be positive. Ethan nodded and she left the room. Ethan watched until she had reached the staircase, before he slowly turned to face Fox.

'What's going on, Fox? Why is Whitney living here?'

'Because I love her and intend to marry her.'

Ethan's eyes widened!

'Whoa! Where is this coming from? Whitney is in love with Chad Harris...who happens to be a friend of mine!'

'Big whoop, Ethan! Whitney loves me...she just doesn't realize it yet.'

Ethan just stared at him.

'What are you looking at?'

Ethan shook his head.

'How do you plan to get past Alistair on this?'

Fox looked around Ethan and saw no one in the hallway. He walked over to the door and closed it. He turned to face Ethan.

'On that, I could use your help.'

'What can I do to change Alistair's bigoted ways?' Ethan said hopelessly.

Fox walked up to him.

'Nothing. But I do think that he knows something about what's happened to everyone...including Teresa. She is why you're really here, isn't she, Ethan?'

Before Ethan could launch into a parade of denials, Fox blurted out everything. Why Whitney was living in the mansion, Julian's own love for Eve Russell, the deal Alistair made to the two of them, and now, his obvious intention on reneging on the promise.

'Don't you see,' Fox said, 'that Father being kidnapped works in Grandfather's best interests? The deal was for BOTH of us to get Whitney and Dr. Russell to say yes to our marriage proposals. One of us succeeding doesn't work. And with Father and Dr. Russell disappearing off of the face of the earth, that puts me in clinch. I think Grandfather is in on whatever is going on.'

Ethan folded his arms.

'You think Alistair and DiMera are in cahoots?'

'I wouldn't put it past him. Ethan, if I don't find everybody, Grandfather already has someone lined up for me to marry! And after I lose the deal, if I even look Whitney's way, Alistair has as much said he'd kill her. The same goes for Father and Dr. Russell.'

Ethan just stared at him. He then laughed shortly and shook his head.

'Fine, Ethan! Whatever! Just forget the fact that we were raised as brothers! I thought you at least still cared about Teresa?'

Ethan stopped laughing and walked up to him.

'I do. Gwen was angry that I came here. She feels I'm more concerned about Teresa than her mother. It's true. Yes, I will help you find everyone. But, I won't help you with Whitney.'

Fox said nothing. He then nodded. That was fair enough. But he was curious.

'Fine. I can deal with that. But what's your real problem with Whitney and I? And don't give me any of that bull about being buddy, buddy with Harris.'

Ethan stared at him.

'Fox, Julian and you will never change. The solution to your dilemmas are right in front of your face.'

Fox looked clueless. He shook his head slightly.

'What?'

Ethan put a hand on Fox's shoulder.

'All of the threats Alistair made, he made them assuming that what was most important to you was the Crane name...and all the money and power that came with it. If both of you cut yourselves off from him, it won't matter who you marry or what kind of lives you choose to live. If either of you really love these women, then you should be prepared to leave this house, and everything that comes with being a Crane, behind. The fact that neither of you has figured that out yet, tells me that Whitney, and Dr. Russell, deserve better.'

'You sanctimonious sonofabitch! Maybe Father and I want the women we love to live well, did you ever think of it like that? Did you ever think that none of us should've ever been penalized, just because the women we loved weren't in our same social class, or God forbid, weren't the same color?!'

Ethan backed off.

'I'm sorry, Fox! I know you're right. I know that. But I think you should be realistic. Do you really want to spend the rest of your life thinking of ways to outwit Alistair? Let him have it all! He doesn't have anyone left to bestow his fortune on anyway. We both know he thinks nothing of women. So neither Sheridan or your sisters are going to get anything. Just walk away. That's the only way Julian or you will ever be truly happy.'

Fox said nothing. Ethan clapped him on the shoulder again.

'Oh, by the way...uh...who is this guy that was taken with Teresa? The papers say his ex-stepfather is Victor Kiriakis?'

Fox smiled.

'Now that's the Ethan I know!

'What????'

'His name is Austin Reed. He's a Junior V.P. at Crane Industries.'

'Oh. Well, you know I'm worried about everyone.'

'Yeah, just don't let Gwen hear how worried you are!'

Ethan rolled his eyes.

'Too late. Look, I'll give you a call later, okay? We'll figure out a way to find everyone.'

Fox just nodded. An idea had actually come to mind from something his half-brother had said. Ethan turned and walked out of the study, passing right by Ivy, who had been listening. Tears shimmered in her eyes. Ethan never saw her as he left the mansion

Maybe it was time someone outwitted Alistair Crane, Ivy thought. And no, while she and Fox were not close, the thought of Alistair Crane picking out a mate for one of her children made her want to vomit! Ivy crept away from the study. She would have to rethink some things.

****

Bo and Hope Brady walked into the Harmony Police Station. Luis looked up when he saw them. He got up from his desk and smiled. Bo was the first to shake hands with him.

'Luis! Long time no see! You remember, Hope?'

Luis looked at the beautiful, raven haired brunette, that he knew to be Bo's wife and partner.

'Of course, Hope. How are you doing?'

Hope gave Bo a glance.

'I'd be doing better if half our town wasn't missing!'

Luis nodded.

'Same here. We have nothing!'

Hope took her purse off of her shoulder and sat down. Bo pulled up a chair from another desk and did the same. Luis sat behind his. Hope spoke.

'All we do have is Kate Roberts, that's Austin Reed's mother, telling us that she spoke to her son shortly before he was kidnapped. She had apparently invited him back to Salem for a barbecue, that we all thought Tony DiMera was throwing.'

Bo cleared his throat.

'We were invited to that shindig. Word was that Mr. DiMera had met the woman of his dreams and wanted to introduce us to her. That's where you come in.'

Luis nodded.

'Dr. Eve Russell. We all assumed she had been killed in a car accident. It was a rainy night and her car went off of the town bridge. But, when you look at a map of the Harmony River, you can see it runs right into the Salem one. I'm betting that's how Eve ran into Tony DiMera.'

Bo nodded.

'So, he nurses your Dr. Russell back to health, all the time, becoming more and more infatuated with her.'

Hope interjected.

'So, we're really not talking about a kidnapping, are we?'

Luis sighed.

'She had amnesia, from what I understand from your brother, Bo. He also informed us that it looks as if DiMera had a file on Eve and never gave it to her. She would've probably made a life with that creep, if my mother hadn't seen her.'

'Your mother and Abe and Lexie. I know Abe couldn't have known the truth. Lexie is a bit iffy.' Hope said.

'Anyway,' Bo continued. 'We know about what time these last set of kidnappings happened, because of Kate Roberts. We also have a woman in custody. Her name is Lola Streaks. But she had been going by the name of Hilda Duff. She was working as Julian Crane's maid on his estate.'

'Has she talked?' Luis asked.

Bo shook his head.

'Nada. And unfortunately, I think she's our best bet for finding everyone.'

Luis rubbed his face.

'I want to talk to this Hilda. We don't want the DiMera's killing off any potential witnesses. I'm going to pack a bag, then return to Salem with the two of you. I'll run it by my chief. Look, why don't you both stay with Sheridan and me tonight? Then we can get a fresh start tomorrow morning.'

Bo and Hope stood up. Bo put an arm around Hope.

'That sounds like a plan.' he said.

'Okay. Let me find my Chief, then we can get going. I'll fix dinner for all of us tonight. I'm a great cook!'

Hope smiled. Bo raised a brow. He wondered why Sheridan wouldn't be cooking?

****

ISLAND

Eve sat out on the beach, staring out into the ocean. Austin and Teresa were out there horsing around. Eve smiled. Maybe they were trying to take their minds off of the danger they were facing.

Eve had made Julian put on a pair of shorts. And while his running around naked didn't bother her, it clearly made everyone else uncomfortable.

He was lying next to her on a beach towel. His eyes were closed. Eve had also asked him to please put on sun lotion. Julian has smiled and said she sounded like a wife already! But he did as he was told.

Eve looked over by the beach bar. Rebecca, who had just gotten up, was sitting on a bar stool, staring at John and Abe. Austin has left Teresa, who was still in the water. He joined John and Abe. They soon appeared to be immersed in heavy conversation. Eve then looked the other way. Celeste, Marlena and Pilar were talking on another part of the beach.

Eve was wearing a pair of shorts and a tube top. She looked over at Julian.

'Julian?'

'Hmmm?' he asked, opening one eye.

'I overheard Celeste telling Pilar back by the huts, that the men were thinking of an escape plan. Are you going over to join them?'

Julian closed his one eye again.

'Eve, darling, nothing they think of will work. I don't mean to sound pessimistic, but look over by them for a moment.'

Eve frowned. Julian was lying on the sand with his eyes closed. How did he know there was anything to look at? But, she did as he suggested. What she saw caused her to frown.

Two of the voodoo masked guards walked over to the three men with guns, shooing them away from one another. Eve looked at Julian.

'You see,' he said, his eyes still closed, 'we're being watched like hawks, dearest. Three men huddled in a group like that just reeks of 'escape plan'. They should try writing notes in the sand.'

'I see your point. I wonder why it's taking Lexie so long to talk some sense into her father?'

Julian did not answer that. He sat up though and looked around. His gaze settled on Teresa in the water.

'I'm going to have that Reed lad fired.' he grumbled. Eve looked over at him, then suddenly took notice of the marks on his neck.

'Julian? What happened to your neck?' she reached over and began to gently inspect the marks.

'It's nothing. That Reed fellow tried to strangle me this morning by the shower. I think he thought I had less than honorable intentions towards Teresa.'

Eve rubbed the marks, then looked away. She began to stare out at the sea again.

'And of course, Father would not tolerate such disrespect from an employee.' Julian added.

Eve froze. She looked over at Julian. He looked from Teresa to her.

'What? What is it, Eve?'

'I guess I just suddenly remembered Alistair. He's not going to be pleased about us.'

Julian reached for one of her hands.

'It will be fine. Father will learn to live with it.'

But Eve snatched her hand away!

'No, no he won't. And I have to tell you, it bothers me that you think it won't.'

Julian sighed. What was he supposed to tell her? He couldn't tell Eve about the deal he had made with Alistair! The deal that his father reneged on when he sent Rebecca to him.

'Darling, let's not think about him now, alright? I'll tell you what: let's go back to the huts and spend some quality time alone, okay?'

He leaned over to kiss her, but Eve pulled away and stood up.

'I think I'm going to go talk to Celeste and the others. I'll see you later.'

Eve then walked away very quickly. She suddenly had such a heavy heart. Julian had sounded so much like a daddy's boy just now! He sounded as if he was still under Alistair Crane's thumb.

Eve began to wonder if she could really count on a future with Julian? Alistair would surely disinherit him. Could Julian live without the Crane money and power? Could he give it up for her? She liked to think that he could. He did in that fog vision they had witnessed last year. But it had been only a vision. Eve told herself that Julian was not the same man he was all of those years ago. In her heart of hearts, she knew he wasn't. But still, Alistair could not be ignored.

****

Julian stood up and kicked at some sand! Rebecca made her way over to him.

'My, my! Lover's spat?'

Julian looked at her. She was wearing some sort of bathing suit, with a sheer cover up around her waist.

'Nothing that I can't handle.' Julian answered coolly. But, privately, he was worried...and hurt. It was clear that Eve didn't trust, or believe, that he could stand up to Alistair this time.

And Julian conceded that he and Eve had only truly been together a short time. Here on this island, they were far from his father's reach. But it would not be like that forever.

And there was the matter of Alistair reneging on their deal. There were two options: be disinherited, and live like a pauper, or at least exist on some hellish middle class level with the woman he loved, or, kill Alistair. Julian liked the second version much better. But how to make the old man's death stick this time?

'Julian?'

Julian turned his attention to his wife.

'Rebecca dear, how goes your plan to snare John Black?'

Rebecca sipped a drink from a straw, then sat down in the space vacated by Eve.

'Quite well, thank you very much.'

Julian raised a brow and sat back down.

'Do tell.'

'I gave our Mr. Black a little sneak peek of what life with me could be like...last night on the beach.'

Julian nodded with understanding.

'Did you perform that little gymnastic number on him?'

'Yes, I did! Of course, I made him believe I was sleepwalking.'

Julian grinned.

'And you know, he was actually concerned that I might get hurt. He was very sweet. He even gave me his pajama shirt to put on.'

Julian rolled his eyes. He had never been into THAT kind of chivalry! Offering a bare breasted woman his shirt! But he did peer at Rebecca.

'You really do have it bad for him, don't you?'

Rebecca, who had been staring at John from afar, looked at Julian.

'Don't be ridiculous! If we are to break up our great partnership, I will need someone that can take care of me financially...and not be too bad to sleep with, as well.'

Julian nodded.

'Oh, by the way, what was all of that ruckus this morning? God, I had to sleep an extra two hours to make up for all of that noise!' Rebecca complained.

Julian waved a hand rudely towards Teresa, who was now dog paddling in the ocean. A wave hit her.

'I just wanted to take a shower before Teresa used up all of the hot water, which she did, of course! She freaked out over nothing. Austin Reed turned into a pit bull and manhandled me! The whole thing really was blown out of proportion.'

'As long as he keeps her away from Ethan, I think he's doing us all a service.' Rebecca said, looking briefly at Teresa.

One of the voodoo masked guards walked up to the two of them. Julian and Rebecca tried to hand himm their glasses for re-fills. He ignored them.

'Mr. DiMera requests both of your presences for dinner tonight. Dr. Russell as well.'

The voodoo masked guard then turned and walked away. Julian and Rebecca stared at one another, open-mouthed. Julian then looked over at Eve, who was standing with Celeste, Pilar and Marlena. Maybe they were finally going to find out just what Stefano DiMera wanted from them.