Chapter 4

Tragedy strikes again. T.C. invites Lexie to a family dinner. Simone invites Tony DiMera.

Julian felt as if he were dragging Eve towards the front door of the mansion. He stopped abruptly and turned to look at her.

'You really don't want to come back here, do you?' he asked.

Eve could see that Julian's feelings were hurt. She tried to put aside her doubts.

'Honey, I'm just not sure what we're going to tell Chad.'

Julian touched her cheek.

'After today, it won't matter.'

Eve didn't like the sound of that! She sighed and pulled out her cellphone.

'Are you expecting a call?' Julian asked.

'No, but I should call the hospital in Boston and tell them I won't be coming to work for them.'

Julian had almost forgotten about that! They had probably called Eve's apartment after they left it. He reached out and took the phone from her.

'Darling, I will take care of all of that. Let's just get you settled, alright?'

Eve just nodded, and allowed Julian to pull her towards the front door. Julian hoped that serious rest would perk Eve back up. But in the back of his mind, he was remembering how his own mother had looked when she was carrying Sheridan. He also remembered how she never fully recovered from his sister's birth, something Alistair blamed Sheridan for all of her life.

Julian didn't want that to happen with Eve. He had already decided to call in a specialist to look at her. Hopefully he or she, would tell them that Eve just worked too much and needed to cut back.

When they opened the door, Chad was standing in the hallway. He was facing them, as if he had been expecting them. Eve smiled at him. Julian did not. He saw that young Mr. Harris had a bunch of papers in his hands! A chill ran through him.

Eve noticed that Chad wasn't saying anything. But the look he was giving both of them...she knew she should've never come back here with Julian!

Eve looked at Julian, who was staring at Chad.

'What is that you have there, son?' he asked calmly.

Chad cleared his throat. He then spoke in a calm voice.

'What I have, is a bunch of papers that require me to sign over my half of the Crane fortune to you. Why would papers like this be coming to you, Father?'

Eve bit her lip and looked away. She didn't need to be in the middle of this crap right now!

Julian moved towards Chad. He then took a deep breath. God help him, he was just going to confess all!

'Chad, it was my intention to get you inebriated, thus lowering your defenses. Then I was going to have you sign over your half to me.'

Chad emitted a short laugh!

'And how did you plan to trick Austin?'

Julian looked at Eve, then back at Chad.

'Son, obviously you've noticed that one doesn't need to 'trick' Austin Reed! My God! You could rob him in broad daylight and the lad wouldn't know a thing!'

'Julian!' Eve cried out.

'Well it's true, Eve!' Julian said, raising his voice. 'And you don't know what you're doing, Chad! My father left you what he did to get back at Fox and myself. Neither yourself, nor Austin Reed, have the know how to run an empire of this size!'

'I have every right to run Crane industries and anything related it to it! Alistair was my grandfather! I am your son! Now I'm sorry for Fox, and yourself, but if we worked together, we could all share the power! What you're pulling here is just low!'

Eve walked up to him and rested her hands on his shoulders.

'Honey, I am not your mother.'

Chad lurched away from her!

'What is the matter with you?! Am I just so unlovable that you can't stand the idea of my being your son?!'

Julian didn't like his tone, and he could see that this was upsetting Eve, something she did not need to deal with at this time.

Julian stepped forward and linked his arm through Eve's.

'Chad, Eve is telling the truth. She is not your mother.'

Chad stared at him, unblinking.

'Okay...so you had an affair with another Black woman...who is she?'

'No, Chad. I had the DNA results doctored so that people would believe that I was your father. It was always my intention to get you to sign the fortune back over to me. I just thought it would be easier if you thought you were giving it back to your own father.'

There was a long and heavy silence, as Chad began to back away from them. He looked at Eve.

'You knew about this?'

Eve thought her heart was going to break!

'Chad, honey, I always told you the truth....I knew, but you didn't really want to hear me...'

'No! What you said was that you weren't my mother! You never said that was because this bastard here at fixed the DNA tests!'

Tears began to form in Eve's eyes. She swiped at them.

'Honey, this isn't the end of the world! We can help you find your parents!'

'That's right,' Julian chimed in, 'and with the Crane resources at your disposal, it will take you no time at all to find out where you really came from!'

Chad stared at both of them.

''Where I really came from'? You used the one thing that you knew I always wanted, against me.'

Eve said nothing more. What was there to say? She had once again, participated in yet another despicable act. She couldn't look at Julian, who was still hanging on to her arm.

Chad, who was still holding the papers, produced a pen, walked over to a table, and signed them.

Julian's eyes widened, and he let go of Eve to walk over to Chad.

'What are you doing?' he asked.

'What you wanted me to do all of this time, 'Father'!'

Chad then flung the papers at Julian and walked past Eve. He hurried up the stairs.

Julian looked at the papers. Chad had signed on the appropriate lines. He then looked at Eve. Eve looked devastated. He walked over to her.

'Darling, he will forgive us in time. I don't want you thinking about this now. You need your rest.'

'How am I supposed to rest, when we've turned someone else's life upside down?!'

Julian set the papers down on a table and pulled her into his arms.

'I'm sorry that Chad is hurt. But we can't dwell on him right now. I am worried about you, and my main concern is that you deliver a healthy baby. Our baby.'

Eve couldn't help but smile when he said that. She rested her head on his shoulder.

Chad came hurrying down the stairs and soon, appeared before them. He was carrying a duffle bag.

'I'm leaving with what I brought here...which was nothing! I hope you both rot in hell!'

Neither Julian or Eve, said anything, as they watched him leave. He didn't close the door behind him. He then jumped into one of the Mercedes and zoomed off!

'He didn't come here in that!' Julian snapped, letting go of Eve and walking towards the door.

'Oh, Julian! He's driving so fast!' she noted, watching Chad speed off.

Julian closed the door and turned back towards her.

'He just has to blow off some steam. I'll get in touch with him later. We will work something out. Maybe I can find him something to do at Crane Industries.'

Eve didn't answer, but nodded. Julian kissed her cheek.

'Why don't you go on up? I'll call Chad on the car phone to see if he's calmed down by now.'

Eve smiled and patted his cheek. She then headed towards the stairs. Julian watched until she disappeared from view. He then hurried over to the papers that Chad had signed, picked up a nearby pen, and signed them.

Julian then stared at the signatures. He would have to find a way to get Austin Reed's John Hancock on similar papers as well. He then took out his cell and dialed Fox's number.

****

CRANE JET

Whitney, Teresa, Austin and Fox were mid-air on the Crane Jet. Fox thought it was 'nice' of Austin to let them have the use of it!

Fox's cell rang, and he excused himself. He answered it.

'Hello?'

'Fox? It's your father.'

Fox looked back at the threesome, then moved to another part of the cabin.

'What's up? Tell me you have good news for me.'

'I do indeed, son. Chad has signed his share back over to me.'

Fox's eyes widened, and he surreptitiously glanced over at Austin, who was immersed in conversation with Teresa and Whitney.

'How the hell did you pull that off?'

'It's too long a story to get in to over the phone. I'm really calling, because I know that Austin went with Whitney and you to the 'American Idol' try-outs. First, how are things going?'

Fox smiled.

'Whitney advanced to the next round.'

Julian smiled as well.

'Well congratulations! I'll tell Eve, and you tell Whitney not to worry about any sordid stories about her and Chad coming out. Chad already knows the truth. Soon, everyone else will as well.'

'Chad knows you're not his father?'

'Yes, that part was not so great, but it had to be done.'

'Whoa!'

'Yes, 'whoa'. Anyway, I think you should start working on your end to get Austin to sign back over what's rightfully ours.'

'Send me the paperwork and I'll make it happen.'

Julian smiled again.

'Good boy. Remember, time is of the essence. We don't need Victor Kiriakis or Kate Roberts warning him about Chad. It will just make what we have to do harder.'

'Enough said. So, Dr. Russell and you are on friendly terms then?'

'Better than that! She's moved back here and...and we're expecting a baby.'

Fox's eyes widened! Good God!

'I guess congratulations are in order.'

'You guess?'

'Well, come on Father. I mean, how many illegitimate children will this be?'

'My child will not be 'illegitimate'! As soon as my divorce from Rebecca comes through, and Eve's divorce from T.C., we will be married. And that will happen BEFORE the baby is born!'

'There's no need to throw a *&^$@ fit! I was just making an observation.'

'If that was an apology, it was a damned poor one! Pass along the good news to Whitney, and wish her luck for me.'

'I will. Goodbye, Father.'

'Goodbye, son.'

Fox hung up, then turned back towards the group. Whitney was already in front of him! Fox almost jumped.

'Whitney!'

'Was that Julian you were talking to?'

'Uh, yeah. He says congratulations.'

'Okay, Fox, what's going on back at home? What was that about illegitimate children?'

'Well, my father and your mother are back together...and your mother is going to have a baby.'

Whitney just stared at him.

'What?' he asked.

'My mother is pregnant?'

'Yes, that's what I said! What's wrong?'

Whitney shook her head.

'Nothing...I guess. I suppose that explains why she's been looking so tired. I guess I just feel kind of funny about it. I mean, Simone and I are grown, and now we could be expecting a little brother or sister.'

'You mean your mother is old, right?' Fox asked knowingly.

'Well...'

'She's younger than my father. And I kind of like the idea.'

'You do?'

Fox nodded and put his arms around her.

'I wonder what their 'son' Chad will think?' Whitney said sarcastically.

Fox shrugged. He decided it was best that Whitney not know anything about Chad, just yet. He didn't want anything distracting her from this competition.

****

Teresa rubbed Austin's arm.

'C'mon, Austin! You can tell me!'

'Nothing is bothering me, Teresa, I swear.'

'Austin, I know that look. We got to know each other pretty well on the island, didn't we?'

'Not as well as I would've liked.' Austin said, then instantly regretted it.

Teresa looked away and over at Fox and Whitney. She was just going to pretend she never heard that! She looked back at Austin again.

'Austin, all I'm saying is that you were fine before Whitney went in to sing. Then after, you became really quiet. I just wondered if something happened.'

Austin took a deep breath. What did it matter if he told Teresa about Sami? The fact checkers at 'American Idol' would find out about Sami eventually.

'I ran into Sami Brady.'

Teresa pursed her lips.

'The woman from Salem you were engaged to, right? She's Mrs. Black's daughter.'

Austin nodded.

'Well, why would she be at the try-outs?'

'Because she was a contestant. And from what I found out, we will be seeing her in Hollywood too.'

Teresa reached out and touched his hand.

'I'm sorry, Austin. I wanted this to be a fun time, and now you have to look at someone that made you so unhappy.'

'Teresa, seeing her doesn't bother me. It's...'

Teresa looked deep into his eyes.

'It's what?' she asked.

'Sami just turned 25. She is not eligible to be on the show. But she's not going to say anything. I guess I could wait until the show finds out, but, she could be taking someone else's place that is eligible. Her being such a liar, is what broke us up for good. It just bugs me that she hasn't changed not one bit!'

Teresa reached out and hugged him. Austin buried his face in her glossy hair. Teresa had already decided to warn the judges herself! The less competition Whitney had, the better chance she had to be the next American Idol!

****

'Thanks, Grace, for helping me with dinner.' Simone said, peeking into the oven.

Grace Bennett smiled at Simone.

'It's no problem. This night has been a long time in coming. How do you feel about it?'

Simone shrugged and set down an oven mitt.

'Not as bad as I thought I would. I like Lexie, really I do. And I just love little Theo! But, I feel kind of sorry for Daddy.'

'Because Lexie is still hesitating about moving here, right?'

Simone nodded.

'Yeah. I can see that Daddy is trying to understand, but it still upsets him.'

Grace nodded.

'Yes, but remember what used to happen when he'd get upset? It's like he went to an anger management class or something!'

Simone nodded in agreement.

'T.C. just has to give Lexie time. Maybe she's not ready to move on without Abe. He really hasn't been dead that long.'

Simone nodded again. John came into the kitchen. Grace put an arm around him.

'How is the table out there looking?' she asked her son.

'Good. Of course I've had to do it by myself. T.C. and Sam are watching a game.'

Simone walked up to him and touched his chin.

'I'm glad you chose to rise above the temptation to be lazy!'

John smiled. Grace smiled at both of them and excused herself, going out into the living room. As soon as she left, the couple kissed. Simone pulled away.

'You know, everyone knows we're a couple.' John said.

Simone shrugged, then peeked into the oven again.

'I know.'

'Okay, then we don't have to hide how we feel about one another from everyone.'

'I'm not!'

'Stolen kisses in the kitchen?'

Simone closed the oven door and looked at him.

'I just feel funny about it in my father's house.'

'Then we can go back to my dorm room.' he suggested.

Simone could not help but smile. John's dorm room was where they had first made love last weekend. Maybe that was why Simone felt so funny. She just felt as if people could look at her and tell what she had been doing!

Kay was already suspicious! She had point blank asked her if she had let that 'geek' touch her! Simone had told her that she shouldn't refer to her own brother as a geek! Kay had sniffed and said that she didn't consider John her 'blood brother'. Simone was still curious as to what she had meant by that.

'I might take you up on that...to hide out.'

John gave her a look.

'Why? What's going on?'

Simone rubbed her hands together.

'I...I invited Tony DiMera to dinner tonight.'

'Christ, Simone!'

Simone put a hand over his mouth!

'John! Do you want everyone to come running in here?'

Simone took her hand away.

'Everyone is going to know soon enough anyway!' John hissed.

'Why are you looking at me like that?' she asked him.

'I don't like that man! I think he's interested in you!'

'Oh, John! Come on!'

'And,' John continued, 'did you stop to think about Lexie? You saw what happened between them at the airport? She thinks he killed her husband! I do too!'

'John, Tony said he didn't do it. I believe him.'

'But it's not for you to believe him, Simone! Lexie is going to freak when she sees him!'

'John, Tony really wants a chance to make up with his sister. How is he going to get to do that if she won't give him the time a day?'

'She won't give him the time a day because he's a murderer! I'm going to warn your father and Sam!'

'John!' Simone cried out and followed him out of the kitchen.

****

Lexie got out of her car, then hurried over to the passenger side, to unstrap Theo.

She felt good about tonight. It would be nice to eat with people that she knew cared about her.

Not that her mother and her friends in Salem, didn't care. But T.C. was here in Harmony. T.C. and Simone. And somehow, she always felt as if she belonged when she came to visit.

Lexie hoped that T.C. would not ask her about moving here again. Leaving Salem would be like leaving Abe. And she wasn't ready to do that. Not yet.

She reached in and pulled Theo out. She then slammed the door and turned around. She then gasped!

Tony was standing before her, dressed in a suit and bearing flowers. He smiled at both of them, then reached out to touch Theo's little hand. Lexie stepped back, so that Theo was beyond his reach.

'Hello, Alexandra. It's been too long.'

'What are you doing here?'

'I was invited. Simone Russell and I have struck up quite the friendship.'

Lexie looked him up and down.

'Right! She's just another way to get at Eve! Get out of my way!'

'Alexandra, you are my sister and I love you. Please, please don't shut me out of your life this way! Tell me what I need to do to make for all of the pain and suffering I've caused?!'

The door to the Russell home swung open! T.C. came running out towards them. He put an arm around Lexie.

'Are you alright?' he asked, glaring at Tony.

Lexie just nodded. Grace came over and pulled Lexie and Theo towards the house. T.C. looked at Tony.

'I don't care who invited you here, get off of my property before I help you off! And stay away from my daughter!'

T.C. turned to go back into the house. Tony smirked at his back. He would see Simone whenever he felt like it! And there wouldn't be a damned thing some high school coach, could do about it!

Sam came running out of the house. He hurried over to T.C..

'I have to go! There was an accident at the Crane estate.'

'Who cares?' T.C. sniffed.

'Eve has moved back there.' Sam said quietly. T.C. looked back towards the house. Simone was standing on the porch. She was staring at Tony.

'I'll call you if it's serious.' Sam said, watching T.C. watch Simone, watch DiMera. T.C. nodded.

T.C. suddenly looked back at Sam.

'I don't want to worry Simone just yet.'

Sam put a hand on his shoulder.

'Like I said, I'll call you if it's serious.'

T.C. nodded and looked over at Tony DiMera again.

****

When Sam pulled up to the Crane mansion, he jumped out of the car, got out and just gaped!

The paramedics were carrying out a body in a bag. It was the body of the driver of a mercedes, that had crashed through the front of the house!

Sam ran up to the house itself and stepped through the gaping hole. Julian was next to Eve, who was being taken away on a stretcher. She was sobbing.

'My God! What the hell happened here?!' Sam cried out.

His brother Hank walked up to him.

'Chad Harris...'

'You mean Crane, don't you?' Sam corrected him.

'From what I understand of this, Chad found out that he was still a Harris. He freaked out, stole a mercedes, then came back and crashed the car through the house. Eve was hurt...and it seems she's pregnant!'

'Good God!' Sam hissed, watching as Eve was put into the back of the ambulance. Julian jumped in as well. The ambulance sped off.

Sam then looked at the covered body being taken away.

'So, this is...'

Hank nodded.

'Chad Harris. Killed on impact. We'll have to do an autopsy to see if he was drunk, but I have a feeling from the gibberish Julian managed to spit out, that Harris crashed that car on purpose.'

Sam nodded. The Cranes could affect a person that way.