Chapter 9
Pilar is forced to hunt down Julian and Eve. Whitney gets herself in a bad situation.
Two days later, Pilar walked into the Harmony FBI offices. She was called in by the new director, Jason Blair. She figured it had something do with finding and catching Spence Lowell.
Pilar wondered where he had run off to? Maybe Stefano DiMera himself was hiding the ex-FBI agent. Wherever he was, Pilar would not want to be him.
She walked into the Director's outer office. The secretary stood up and ushered her into Jason Blair's office. She closed the door once Pilar stepped in.
Pilar was startled to see that Director Blair was not alone. She blinked. There was another man standing next to him. One that was quite attractive. She shook her head. What the hell was she thinking? She was a married woman.
'Thanks for coming in, Agent Lopez-Fitzgerald. This is Shane Donovan, of the ISA.'
Pilar nodded and shook his hand. She had thought he looked vaguely familiar. The ISA handled international criminals, and Pilar knew that Agent Donovan had worked steadily at trying to capture Stefano DiMera for years.
'Agent Lopez-Fitzgerald.' Shane said, squeezing her hand.
Pilar just nodded, pulling her hand away. She looked at Director Blair, who motioned for her to sit down. She did. Shane did as well. Jason just sat on the corner of his desk.
'As you well know, Spence Lowell really made a mess of our case. We have found evidence, that he has been thwarting our attempts to catch DiMera for almost 15 years now.'
Pilar nodded.
'I wondered how long he had been dirty.'
'Yes, well believe me, he fooled us all. I'm just sorry that he dragged you into this mess.'
Pilar shrugged.
'To be honest, I'm still not sure what the connection is there. I also have to wonder why Spence lied about there being a new case against Stefano DiMera, when the only thing that could've came out that, was his getting caught. Now I don't know what to believe about my husband's whereabouts.'
Jason looked at Shane. Shane looked at Pilar.
'Pilar...may I call you Pilar?'
Pilar nodded. Something was up.
'There is a case against DiMera. Even bigger than before. We want both Stefano and Tony. And we need someone on the inside to help bring them both down.'
Pilar didn't even blink.
'Okay. Well, that sounds good, but if you're thinking that the inside person is going to be me, then you'll never catch them! We've been down this road before.'
Shane and Jason exchanged a glance again. Pilar rolled her eyes!
'Out with it already! What is it you need for me to do?'
Shane cleared his throat.
'You are aware of the trouble, Dr. Eve Russell is in, aren't you?'
Pilar didn't like the sound of this.
'Yes.' she said, drawing the word out.
Jason took over.
'We want you to find Dr. Russell and her lover, Julian Crane. Bring them in, then, we'll take over.'
Pilar just stared at them. What the hell was this all about?! She knew when she was being used, much like when Spence asked her to cozy up to that witch, Liz Sanbourne!
Of course, Pilar was worried sick about Eve. The tape of her burning down that old man's apartment, and the Blue Note, had been played on the news 24/7. Soap operas and regular scheduled programming, had been interrupted, to give updates on reports of the couple's suspected whereabouts. Usually, those reports were false.
Pilar had no doubt that Julian was the one that talked Eve into fleeing, instead of turning herself in. But, at the same time, she couldn't blame them. Eve's pregnancy was reportedly precarious enough as it was. For her to have to spend time behind bars, while she was expecting, then maybe, never see her children again if she was convicted...Pilar could understand why they had decided to run.
But, Eve had broken the law. And if Pilar was the one that talked them into turning themselves in, then the situation didn't have to get violent.
'Jason, Shane...I can call you Shane, correct?'
Shane nodded, smiling at her. She smiled briefly back.
'You have to understand what Eve and Julian are facing. The prospect of never getting a chance to raise their children...I mean now Julian is in trouble as well. I don't see how I'm going to convince them that coming back here is the right choice. And I won't shoot them.'
'You'll convince them,' Jason said, 'by offering them a deal.'
Pilar tilted her head.
'A deal? What the hell is really going on here?'
Shane spoke.
'It's quite simple really. We will drop all charges against Dr. Russell and Mr. Crane.'
'For?' Pilar asked, knowing this was not going to be good.
'For their cooperation in helping us finally bring down the DiMera's.' Shane said.
Pilar stood up now.
'How? I mean, what do you think they can do? I mean my God, we're federal officers and we haven't been able to keep Tony or Stefano in prison for any length of time! How can two regular citizens succeed, where we've failed?'
Jason walked up to Pilar.
'You are friends of both Dr. Russell and Mr. Crane, correct?'
'Of Dr. Russell. I don't care for Julian Crane!'
'Whatever, Pilar! You are the perfect person to find them, bring them in, then help us sell this to them. Not that we'll have to. They'll have no other choice. This will mean their freedom.'
Pilar looked from one man to the other.
'What exactly does this 'deal' entail?'
Shane cleared his throat.
'Dr. Russell is to use Tony DiMera's obvious infatuation with her, to get him to tell her of Stefano's whereabouts. We want her to spy on him for us.'
Pilar looked away.
'What?' Jason asked.
'Spy on Tony DiMera? The woman is pregnant with twins! She doesn't have time for that! Plus, Julian will go ballistic!'
'Julian's job will be to keep his distance from Dr. Russell.'
Pilar sucked in a breath!
'So, what you really want, is for Eve to use her womanly wiles on DiMera, to get dirt on him, right? Why don't you just send in a female agent?'
'You were it, before you got yourself kidnapped!' Jason snapped.
'Why you^%$#@!' Pilar hissed. Shane stood in between the two. He looked at Jason.
'Why don't you leave Pilar and I alone, okay?'
Jason said nothing, but pointed at Pilar, before leaving the office. Pilar didn't break eye contact with her new boss. What a creep!
Shane waved a hand in front of her eyes to get her attention.
'Pilar, we've had the local police stop their search for your friends. We know where they are and we want you to go and get them. We want them to come in here totally at ease.'
'They won't be once I tell them what's going to happen! Eve probably will agree to this, since so much is at stake, but Julian...'
'You just remind Julian that if he wants a future with Dr. Russell, and their unborn children, that he will not stand in the way of Tony's courting of Eve.'
Pilar closed her eyes. The couple were being offered a deal, which was more than what most people in their situation got. She nodded.
'Fine. Tell me where they are.' she said.
****
Lexie pulled the tiny t-shirt over Theo's head. It read RUN EVIAN RUN!. She looked over at T.C., who refused to wear one, John and Simone, who were both wearing matching EVIAN t-shirts as well.
They were all sitting in the living room, watching news reports. Someone claimed to have seen them in Germany. T.C. snorted.
'Everyone knows the police searched all of the Crane aircrafts. Now that's really stupid!'
Simone got up off of the couch and stalked into the kitchen. T.C., looked around at John, Lexie and baby Theo.
'I guess I've been insensitive, hey?'
'T.C., you could just put on a t-shirt, to show your solidarity.' Lexie said.
'Lexie, the woman was an arsonist, among other things! I feel as if I was married to stranger all of these years. So hell no, I'm not wearing that damned t-shirt!'
Lexie walked over to him.
'And now it's time to put aside how you feel and think about your children! My God! Have you been watching 'American Idol'? Whitney has a good chance to be in the final twelve! This news has got to be stressing her out!'
T.C. hung his head, ashamed. John stood up and walked into the kitchen. Simone was washing dishes. He walked up behind her and wrapped his arms around her. She turned off the water and set down the dish. She then turned in his arms.
'You know, maybe you should call Whitney? Or better yet, let's go out there.'
Simone shook her head.
'I can't leave here until I know my mother is alright. Whitney should have brought her butt back here the minute she heard about Mom.'
'Whitney is close to getting in the final twelve. I know this is a bad time for your family, but I am really excited for Whitney. I love that show!'
Simone looked him up and down like he was crazy!
'I need to be alone, okay?'
John frowned. Just the mention of Whitney seemed to make Simone push him away. He nodded though.
'Okay. I'm heading back to my dorm room...you can call me, or stop by, whenever...'
Simone nodded. John attempted to kiss her, but she turned her face and gave him her cheek. John slowly backed away, hurt. He then left out of the back kitchen door. Simone turned back to washing the dishes.
She had overheard Sam, the other day when he was over here, tell her father and Lexie, that the police had been told that the FBI was taking over now. It scared her.
Simone wondered if Tony could help? Maybe he could find her mother and that creep Julian? It might not hurt to ask.
T.C. entered the kitchen. He was now wearing a RUN EVIAN RUN t-shirt. He walked over to her.
'I'm sorry, honey. I know how rough this is on you. I'm sorry I was so insensitive.'
Simone put down a dish and turned off the water again. She smiled at his t-shirt.
****
LOS ANGELES
Whitney sat in the hotel bar. She knew she was slightly drunk and only getting drunker.
The news of her mother's newest crimes(or old, from what the media said), had not only made Whitney fodder for the media here, but it had inadvertently caused Fox to have to return to Harmony, when she needed him with her here.
Julian's running off, had put his half of the Crane empire in peril. Fox was determined to protect it. Whitney had thought she understood. In fact she had. But two things happened, that made her realize just how much her mother's actions, reverberated off of her. She had a fight with her roommates, and she had a fight with Teresa.
After Whitney and Teresa saw Fox off on the Crane jet( that Austin was so nice to send it back for them!), they returned to her hotel room, only to be welcomed by her two roommates, who had both been kicked out of the competition!
Sami Brady, from Salem, and Brittany Hodges, from Genoa City, were already glaring at both she and Teresa, when they walked into the room. Teresa was the first person to speak.
'Hey, what's up?' she had asked, looking from one girl to the other.
''What's up', Brittany had said snidely, 'is that Whitney now has this room to herself, though I don't understand why!'
'Yes,' Sami chimed in. 'After all, her ex-lover kills himself and her mother is a criminal. I tell a little white lie and I'm gone from here.'
'You're too old to be here! That's why you're gone, bitch!' Teresa snapped.
Whitney looked at Teresa, her expression one of shock! How did she know that? Whitney looked at Brittany.
'I'm sorry, I really am! Why are you being kicked out?'
'I used to work in a 'Gentleman's club'. I forgot to mention it.'
Teresa sniffed.
'So you used to be a stripper? Please! Both of you bitches get the hell out of here!'
'Teresa!' Whitney cried out.
But Sami hurried up to them and pushed Teresa! Teresa did a backward roll across one of the beds and onto the floor! Sami pointed down at her.
'I know you're cozy with Austin Reed, and he's the only one that would have known I lied! But, he has too much integrity and decency to deliberately ruin my chances here. You on the other hand...'
Teresa began moaning and crawling towards Sami and Whitney. Brittany backed away in disgust and looked at Sami.
'You might have hurt her, Sami. Maybe we'd better call someone.'
Whitney bent down to help Teresa, who continued crawling, until she was near Sami's foot. Then, her arms snaked out and held Sami's legs!
Sami, who was wearing a pair of shorts and tennis shoes, tried to kick Teresa off of her.
'What the hell are you doing?! Whitney, get your bitch friend off of me!'
'Teresa!' Whitney cried out, trying to pull her friend up. But it was to no avail. Teresa opened her mouth wide and bit one of Sami's legs! She drew blood.
'AAAAHHHH!' Sami screamed, kicked Teresa off of her and falling back onto another bed. Brittany screamed and hurried over to Sami! Whitney got Teresa up off of the floor, and began pulling her towards the door.
'Let's go, Teresa! Let's just let things cool off!' Whitney cried.
'That's right bitches!' Sami screamed. 'Get the hell out of here! I'm going to get you both, believe me!'
Brittany shook her head.
'We need to call a doctor!'
Whitney managed to drag Teresa to the door and pull her out of the room. Teresa was laughing!
'Teresa! What the hell was that all about?'
Teresa was almost out of breath. She gave Whitney a puzzled look.
'What do you mean? You've got less competition, that's what happened!'
'But how did you know about Sami Brady? I didn't even know. Was she right in there? Did you say something?'
Teresa looked at Whitney as if she were stupid!
'Yeah, Whitney, I did! And I don't think I like you're tone!'
'Teresa, the fact checkers would have found out sooner or later! What you did was wrong!'
'Oh gee, Whit! I don't get any thanks at all for narrowing the playing field for you, do I?'
Whitney didn't need this!
'I don't need any of your special brand of help, Teresa! Now you've made things worse! I have to get along with the people here, and if they think I'm getting a special deal...you've just made things worse, that's all! Why don't you ever learn?!'
'That's rich, considering what you did to Chad!'
It was quiet then, as they both knew that Teresa had hit below the belt.
'Honey, I'm sorry...' Teresa began.
'No! You're right! I should've tried harder to warn him about what Julian was up to!' Whitney sniffed. She thought she was getting past all of that!
Teresa reached out to touch her, but Whitney pulled away.
'I need to be alone!' Whitney cried, and turned and walked off. The hotel bar is where she ended up.
Whitney knew she had never handled liquor well, and decided that she was feeling sufficiently woozy enough, to call it a night. She swung her barstool around, so she could hop off of it, when she found Simon Cowell, standing right next to her. She could not hop off the stool, because he was right up on her!
'Simon.' she said, trying not to slur her words.
'Hello, Whitney. You do know that that stuff is not good for one's voice, do you not?'
Whitney tried to get off the barstool again, but his body was in the way. She said nothing and just waited for him to say whatever he had to say. She wished Fox was here.
'Sami is going to be alright. Is your beautiful friend still around?'
'Teresa?'
'Yes, her.'
'Uh...I haven't seen her.'
'Well, that's probably best, since Sami wants to press charges. But the show will take care of her medical bills and such. I'm sure it won't go the distance.'
Whitney just nodded sadly. Simon reached out to touch her hair.
'Why are you down here? Is it that unfortunate business with your mother?'
Whitney began to cry. Why had she told Fox to go back to Harmony? Why hadn't she made Chad listen to her? Why had Teresa said such mean things? Why?!
Simon pulled her off of the barstool and into his arms. He paid her tab, then put his arms around her waist, walking her out of the bar.
'Come now, love, nothing is that bad. We'll just go somewhere and talk, alright?'
Whitney just nodded. Everything was hazy, but it was nice that someone cared. She scarcely noticed when Simon took her out of a back way of the hotel, through an alley, and put her inside his Ferrari.
****
Julian threw down the picnic basket, then set the blanket down in the woods. He had picked the perfect hideout spot for them.
It was a charming, rustic cabin in a wooded area of Connecticut. The Crane family had connections there, so while they had been spotted, Julian had arranged it so he would get a call if someone was approaching their cabin.
If they weren't in so much trouble, Eve could've enjoyed herself more. But she marveled at how well Julian seemed to be holding up. She had dragged him into her mess, making him some sort of accessory/accomplice, and he had been cooking, pampering her and...and.. wanting to make love to her, every chance he got. But, Eve had been fending him off.
Dr. Parks said sex would be alright, and it was not that Eve did not want Julian. But something had happened in the past 48 hours, something she just didn't feel up to talking about.
Eve sat down on the blanket, opened up the basket, and took out three sandwiches. She knew that that seemed greedy, but she was feeling kind of hungry.
Julian eyed the number of sandwiches she had taken. He figured it was pregnancy cravings. He found it kind of cute, really.
Julian had picked this location, several yards away from their cabin, because he thought it would be a good spot for them to talk and make love. But, they needed to talk first.
'Darling, we need to talk about how many times you've rejected me lately.'
Eve swallowed the rest of her first sandwich. God, did they have to talk about this now?
'Julian, I...'
Julian slid over next to her. He set her sandwiches aside. She eyed them, then returned her focus to Julian.
'If you aren't feeling well again, and just aren't telling me, you need to let me know. I can have a doctor here, one that is discreet, within the hour.'
He was holding her hands. Eve smiled at him.
'No, it isn't that.'
'Then what is it? I mean, here, right now, would be such a perfect spot...' he began kissing her neck.
But, she pulled away.
'Outside? What if someone sees us? Do you really want to be caught in such an embarrassing way?'
Julian peered at her.
'Eve, my darling, we're not going to get caught. And even if we do, my sources will warn us so that we'll have a sufficient amount of time to get away. You have never been shy about making love outdoors or anyplace else for that matter!'
'I've changed, Julian. I mean, I was married to a man that just wasn't as adventurous as you. I guess my tastes have changed.'
Julian rolled his eyes! Eve's lies were even easier to read that Ivy's ever were!
'Eve, what's really...'
'ALRIGHT, ALRIGHT!' Eve suddenly yelled, unable to take his badgering! She knew she wasn't supposed to get upset, but this was really a sensitive time for her now! Either that or it was hormones! Whatever it was, she had never felt this unsure of herself when she was pregnant with Whitney or Simone!
Julian's mouth dropped open! He didn't think he could ever remember Eve really raising her voice! Sure, they had plenty of arguments over the years, but her voice never packed that true punch that it needed to sound genuinely loud! My God! She probably scared off all of the animals!
'Eve, darling, I didn't mean to upset you, I just...'
'Julian, I am starting to show, okay? And to be brutally frank, I don't think you're really going to like the idea of making love to a whale, okay?!' She then tried to stand up, but Julian pulled on her arms to keep her down.
'This is what this nonsense is all about? Eve, it's not like I've never seen a pregnant woman before!'
Eve gave him a look.
'I'm not talking about seeing one, Julian, I'm talking about being with one! T.C. always held off until after the baby was born.'
Julian shook his head and mouthed the word no to her.
'I'm not T.C., darling. And I'm not waiting nine months, either.'
'It's just that...'
Julian reached over and began unbuttoning her shirt.
'Eve darling, all of this is my fault. I had forgotten that you're a 'show me' type of woman. Soft words and cajoling don't work on you. So, I'm going to show you that I love, making love to pregnant women...especially the one right in front of me...'
Eve didn't know how this always happened! The man had both of their clothes off before she could say or do anything about it! One of these days, she would have to time him!
****
ONE HOUR LATER
Julian and Eve, had half put their clothes back on. Meaning, things were still unbuttoned and in disarray. They were still lying down, but Julian was kissing her bare stomach.
'This isn't whale like, dear, it's more like a tiny pouch.'
Eve burst out laughing. Julian did have a way with words!
'Yes, if you say so.'
Julian looked up at her. His face softened.
'Do you know, that I remember sitting next to you at a hospital board meeting, back when you would've been pregnant with Simone? Do you know that throughout that whole meeting, all I could think about was how beautiful you were, and how I wished the baby were mine?'
Eve smiled down at him, touching his hair.
'I remember seeing you pregnant with Whitney, at a hospital Christmas party. You never saw me. T.C. was at your side, the proud father-to-be. It was that night, that I decided to begin attending all of the hospital board meetings, just to be near you.'
Eve pulled her to him and kissed him. Julian groaned, and began trying to slip her shirt off again, when his cell phone rang.
Eve pulled away from him quickly, her eyes big and fearful. Julian answered it.
'Hello?'
Eve watched him, as he nodded a few times, then thanked the person on the other end. He then hung up, and pulled Eve up.
'One of my sources said that a woman, identifying herself as a federal agent, asked for directions to this cottage. We have to go!'
'A woman? By herself?'
'Darling, she may be by herself, but she'll have a gun! That's more than the two of us have between us!'
Eve nodded, and began packing up the stuff. But Julian grabbed her hand and pulled her along.
'There's no time for that! Let's go!'
Eve allowed Julian to pull her along back towards the cabin. He then veered off towards the SUV.
'Our things! Julian we'll need things to...'
'Eve, we will buy new things! Let's just get in!'
Eve, responding to the panic in his voice, did what he said, and jumped into the passenger side. Julian slammed her door, then ran around to the driver's side. He was grateful that he had brought his keys with him on their little outing! It had saved him a trip back into the cabin!
The drive was gravel. Julian put the vehicle in reverse and began to back very quickly down it. It was as he was near the road, that a vehicle pulled up very quickly and blocked him in.
Eve gasped, then squinted. She looked over at Julian.
'That's Pilar!'
Julian turned to stare at the woman, that was just getting out of the car. Pilar! The feds had sent Pilar Lopez-Fitzgerald after them?! How insulting!
Pilar is forced to hunt down Julian and Eve. Whitney gets herself in a bad situation.
Two days later, Pilar walked into the Harmony FBI offices. She was called in by the new director, Jason Blair. She figured it had something do with finding and catching Spence Lowell.
Pilar wondered where he had run off to? Maybe Stefano DiMera himself was hiding the ex-FBI agent. Wherever he was, Pilar would not want to be him.
She walked into the Director's outer office. The secretary stood up and ushered her into Jason Blair's office. She closed the door once Pilar stepped in.
Pilar was startled to see that Director Blair was not alone. She blinked. There was another man standing next to him. One that was quite attractive. She shook her head. What the hell was she thinking? She was a married woman.
'Thanks for coming in, Agent Lopez-Fitzgerald. This is Shane Donovan, of the ISA.'
Pilar nodded and shook his hand. She had thought he looked vaguely familiar. The ISA handled international criminals, and Pilar knew that Agent Donovan had worked steadily at trying to capture Stefano DiMera for years.
'Agent Lopez-Fitzgerald.' Shane said, squeezing her hand.
Pilar just nodded, pulling her hand away. She looked at Director Blair, who motioned for her to sit down. She did. Shane did as well. Jason just sat on the corner of his desk.
'As you well know, Spence Lowell really made a mess of our case. We have found evidence, that he has been thwarting our attempts to catch DiMera for almost 15 years now.'
Pilar nodded.
'I wondered how long he had been dirty.'
'Yes, well believe me, he fooled us all. I'm just sorry that he dragged you into this mess.'
Pilar shrugged.
'To be honest, I'm still not sure what the connection is there. I also have to wonder why Spence lied about there being a new case against Stefano DiMera, when the only thing that could've came out that, was his getting caught. Now I don't know what to believe about my husband's whereabouts.'
Jason looked at Shane. Shane looked at Pilar.
'Pilar...may I call you Pilar?'
Pilar nodded. Something was up.
'There is a case against DiMera. Even bigger than before. We want both Stefano and Tony. And we need someone on the inside to help bring them both down.'
Pilar didn't even blink.
'Okay. Well, that sounds good, but if you're thinking that the inside person is going to be me, then you'll never catch them! We've been down this road before.'
Shane and Jason exchanged a glance again. Pilar rolled her eyes!
'Out with it already! What is it you need for me to do?'
Shane cleared his throat.
'You are aware of the trouble, Dr. Eve Russell is in, aren't you?'
Pilar didn't like the sound of this.
'Yes.' she said, drawing the word out.
Jason took over.
'We want you to find Dr. Russell and her lover, Julian Crane. Bring them in, then, we'll take over.'
Pilar just stared at them. What the hell was this all about?! She knew when she was being used, much like when Spence asked her to cozy up to that witch, Liz Sanbourne!
Of course, Pilar was worried sick about Eve. The tape of her burning down that old man's apartment, and the Blue Note, had been played on the news 24/7. Soap operas and regular scheduled programming, had been interrupted, to give updates on reports of the couple's suspected whereabouts. Usually, those reports were false.
Pilar had no doubt that Julian was the one that talked Eve into fleeing, instead of turning herself in. But, at the same time, she couldn't blame them. Eve's pregnancy was reportedly precarious enough as it was. For her to have to spend time behind bars, while she was expecting, then maybe, never see her children again if she was convicted...Pilar could understand why they had decided to run.
But, Eve had broken the law. And if Pilar was the one that talked them into turning themselves in, then the situation didn't have to get violent.
'Jason, Shane...I can call you Shane, correct?'
Shane nodded, smiling at her. She smiled briefly back.
'You have to understand what Eve and Julian are facing. The prospect of never getting a chance to raise their children...I mean now Julian is in trouble as well. I don't see how I'm going to convince them that coming back here is the right choice. And I won't shoot them.'
'You'll convince them,' Jason said, 'by offering them a deal.'
Pilar tilted her head.
'A deal? What the hell is really going on here?'
Shane spoke.
'It's quite simple really. We will drop all charges against Dr. Russell and Mr. Crane.'
'For?' Pilar asked, knowing this was not going to be good.
'For their cooperation in helping us finally bring down the DiMera's.' Shane said.
Pilar stood up now.
'How? I mean, what do you think they can do? I mean my God, we're federal officers and we haven't been able to keep Tony or Stefano in prison for any length of time! How can two regular citizens succeed, where we've failed?'
Jason walked up to Pilar.
'You are friends of both Dr. Russell and Mr. Crane, correct?'
'Of Dr. Russell. I don't care for Julian Crane!'
'Whatever, Pilar! You are the perfect person to find them, bring them in, then help us sell this to them. Not that we'll have to. They'll have no other choice. This will mean their freedom.'
Pilar looked from one man to the other.
'What exactly does this 'deal' entail?'
Shane cleared his throat.
'Dr. Russell is to use Tony DiMera's obvious infatuation with her, to get him to tell her of Stefano's whereabouts. We want her to spy on him for us.'
Pilar looked away.
'What?' Jason asked.
'Spy on Tony DiMera? The woman is pregnant with twins! She doesn't have time for that! Plus, Julian will go ballistic!'
'Julian's job will be to keep his distance from Dr. Russell.'
Pilar sucked in a breath!
'So, what you really want, is for Eve to use her womanly wiles on DiMera, to get dirt on him, right? Why don't you just send in a female agent?'
'You were it, before you got yourself kidnapped!' Jason snapped.
'Why you^%$#@!' Pilar hissed. Shane stood in between the two. He looked at Jason.
'Why don't you leave Pilar and I alone, okay?'
Jason said nothing, but pointed at Pilar, before leaving the office. Pilar didn't break eye contact with her new boss. What a creep!
Shane waved a hand in front of her eyes to get her attention.
'Pilar, we've had the local police stop their search for your friends. We know where they are and we want you to go and get them. We want them to come in here totally at ease.'
'They won't be once I tell them what's going to happen! Eve probably will agree to this, since so much is at stake, but Julian...'
'You just remind Julian that if he wants a future with Dr. Russell, and their unborn children, that he will not stand in the way of Tony's courting of Eve.'
Pilar closed her eyes. The couple were being offered a deal, which was more than what most people in their situation got. She nodded.
'Fine. Tell me where they are.' she said.
****
Lexie pulled the tiny t-shirt over Theo's head. It read RUN EVIAN RUN!. She looked over at T.C., who refused to wear one, John and Simone, who were both wearing matching EVIAN t-shirts as well.
They were all sitting in the living room, watching news reports. Someone claimed to have seen them in Germany. T.C. snorted.
'Everyone knows the police searched all of the Crane aircrafts. Now that's really stupid!'
Simone got up off of the couch and stalked into the kitchen. T.C., looked around at John, Lexie and baby Theo.
'I guess I've been insensitive, hey?'
'T.C., you could just put on a t-shirt, to show your solidarity.' Lexie said.
'Lexie, the woman was an arsonist, among other things! I feel as if I was married to stranger all of these years. So hell no, I'm not wearing that damned t-shirt!'
Lexie walked over to him.
'And now it's time to put aside how you feel and think about your children! My God! Have you been watching 'American Idol'? Whitney has a good chance to be in the final twelve! This news has got to be stressing her out!'
T.C. hung his head, ashamed. John stood up and walked into the kitchen. Simone was washing dishes. He walked up behind her and wrapped his arms around her. She turned off the water and set down the dish. She then turned in his arms.
'You know, maybe you should call Whitney? Or better yet, let's go out there.'
Simone shook her head.
'I can't leave here until I know my mother is alright. Whitney should have brought her butt back here the minute she heard about Mom.'
'Whitney is close to getting in the final twelve. I know this is a bad time for your family, but I am really excited for Whitney. I love that show!'
Simone looked him up and down like he was crazy!
'I need to be alone, okay?'
John frowned. Just the mention of Whitney seemed to make Simone push him away. He nodded though.
'Okay. I'm heading back to my dorm room...you can call me, or stop by, whenever...'
Simone nodded. John attempted to kiss her, but she turned her face and gave him her cheek. John slowly backed away, hurt. He then left out of the back kitchen door. Simone turned back to washing the dishes.
She had overheard Sam, the other day when he was over here, tell her father and Lexie, that the police had been told that the FBI was taking over now. It scared her.
Simone wondered if Tony could help? Maybe he could find her mother and that creep Julian? It might not hurt to ask.
T.C. entered the kitchen. He was now wearing a RUN EVIAN RUN t-shirt. He walked over to her.
'I'm sorry, honey. I know how rough this is on you. I'm sorry I was so insensitive.'
Simone put down a dish and turned off the water again. She smiled at his t-shirt.
****
LOS ANGELES
Whitney sat in the hotel bar. She knew she was slightly drunk and only getting drunker.
The news of her mother's newest crimes(or old, from what the media said), had not only made Whitney fodder for the media here, but it had inadvertently caused Fox to have to return to Harmony, when she needed him with her here.
Julian's running off, had put his half of the Crane empire in peril. Fox was determined to protect it. Whitney had thought she understood. In fact she had. But two things happened, that made her realize just how much her mother's actions, reverberated off of her. She had a fight with her roommates, and she had a fight with Teresa.
After Whitney and Teresa saw Fox off on the Crane jet( that Austin was so nice to send it back for them!), they returned to her hotel room, only to be welcomed by her two roommates, who had both been kicked out of the competition!
Sami Brady, from Salem, and Brittany Hodges, from Genoa City, were already glaring at both she and Teresa, when they walked into the room. Teresa was the first person to speak.
'Hey, what's up?' she had asked, looking from one girl to the other.
''What's up', Brittany had said snidely, 'is that Whitney now has this room to herself, though I don't understand why!'
'Yes,' Sami chimed in. 'After all, her ex-lover kills himself and her mother is a criminal. I tell a little white lie and I'm gone from here.'
'You're too old to be here! That's why you're gone, bitch!' Teresa snapped.
Whitney looked at Teresa, her expression one of shock! How did she know that? Whitney looked at Brittany.
'I'm sorry, I really am! Why are you being kicked out?'
'I used to work in a 'Gentleman's club'. I forgot to mention it.'
Teresa sniffed.
'So you used to be a stripper? Please! Both of you bitches get the hell out of here!'
'Teresa!' Whitney cried out.
But Sami hurried up to them and pushed Teresa! Teresa did a backward roll across one of the beds and onto the floor! Sami pointed down at her.
'I know you're cozy with Austin Reed, and he's the only one that would have known I lied! But, he has too much integrity and decency to deliberately ruin my chances here. You on the other hand...'
Teresa began moaning and crawling towards Sami and Whitney. Brittany backed away in disgust and looked at Sami.
'You might have hurt her, Sami. Maybe we'd better call someone.'
Whitney bent down to help Teresa, who continued crawling, until she was near Sami's foot. Then, her arms snaked out and held Sami's legs!
Sami, who was wearing a pair of shorts and tennis shoes, tried to kick Teresa off of her.
'What the hell are you doing?! Whitney, get your bitch friend off of me!'
'Teresa!' Whitney cried out, trying to pull her friend up. But it was to no avail. Teresa opened her mouth wide and bit one of Sami's legs! She drew blood.
'AAAAHHHH!' Sami screamed, kicked Teresa off of her and falling back onto another bed. Brittany screamed and hurried over to Sami! Whitney got Teresa up off of the floor, and began pulling her towards the door.
'Let's go, Teresa! Let's just let things cool off!' Whitney cried.
'That's right bitches!' Sami screamed. 'Get the hell out of here! I'm going to get you both, believe me!'
Brittany shook her head.
'We need to call a doctor!'
Whitney managed to drag Teresa to the door and pull her out of the room. Teresa was laughing!
'Teresa! What the hell was that all about?'
Teresa was almost out of breath. She gave Whitney a puzzled look.
'What do you mean? You've got less competition, that's what happened!'
'But how did you know about Sami Brady? I didn't even know. Was she right in there? Did you say something?'
Teresa looked at Whitney as if she were stupid!
'Yeah, Whitney, I did! And I don't think I like you're tone!'
'Teresa, the fact checkers would have found out sooner or later! What you did was wrong!'
'Oh gee, Whit! I don't get any thanks at all for narrowing the playing field for you, do I?'
Whitney didn't need this!
'I don't need any of your special brand of help, Teresa! Now you've made things worse! I have to get along with the people here, and if they think I'm getting a special deal...you've just made things worse, that's all! Why don't you ever learn?!'
'That's rich, considering what you did to Chad!'
It was quiet then, as they both knew that Teresa had hit below the belt.
'Honey, I'm sorry...' Teresa began.
'No! You're right! I should've tried harder to warn him about what Julian was up to!' Whitney sniffed. She thought she was getting past all of that!
Teresa reached out to touch her, but Whitney pulled away.
'I need to be alone!' Whitney cried, and turned and walked off. The hotel bar is where she ended up.
Whitney knew she had never handled liquor well, and decided that she was feeling sufficiently woozy enough, to call it a night. She swung her barstool around, so she could hop off of it, when she found Simon Cowell, standing right next to her. She could not hop off the stool, because he was right up on her!
'Simon.' she said, trying not to slur her words.
'Hello, Whitney. You do know that that stuff is not good for one's voice, do you not?'
Whitney tried to get off the barstool again, but his body was in the way. She said nothing and just waited for him to say whatever he had to say. She wished Fox was here.
'Sami is going to be alright. Is your beautiful friend still around?'
'Teresa?'
'Yes, her.'
'Uh...I haven't seen her.'
'Well, that's probably best, since Sami wants to press charges. But the show will take care of her medical bills and such. I'm sure it won't go the distance.'
Whitney just nodded sadly. Simon reached out to touch her hair.
'Why are you down here? Is it that unfortunate business with your mother?'
Whitney began to cry. Why had she told Fox to go back to Harmony? Why hadn't she made Chad listen to her? Why had Teresa said such mean things? Why?!
Simon pulled her off of the barstool and into his arms. He paid her tab, then put his arms around her waist, walking her out of the bar.
'Come now, love, nothing is that bad. We'll just go somewhere and talk, alright?'
Whitney just nodded. Everything was hazy, but it was nice that someone cared. She scarcely noticed when Simon took her out of a back way of the hotel, through an alley, and put her inside his Ferrari.
****
Julian threw down the picnic basket, then set the blanket down in the woods. He had picked the perfect hideout spot for them.
It was a charming, rustic cabin in a wooded area of Connecticut. The Crane family had connections there, so while they had been spotted, Julian had arranged it so he would get a call if someone was approaching their cabin.
If they weren't in so much trouble, Eve could've enjoyed herself more. But she marveled at how well Julian seemed to be holding up. She had dragged him into her mess, making him some sort of accessory/accomplice, and he had been cooking, pampering her and...and.. wanting to make love to her, every chance he got. But, Eve had been fending him off.
Dr. Parks said sex would be alright, and it was not that Eve did not want Julian. But something had happened in the past 48 hours, something she just didn't feel up to talking about.
Eve sat down on the blanket, opened up the basket, and took out three sandwiches. She knew that that seemed greedy, but she was feeling kind of hungry.
Julian eyed the number of sandwiches she had taken. He figured it was pregnancy cravings. He found it kind of cute, really.
Julian had picked this location, several yards away from their cabin, because he thought it would be a good spot for them to talk and make love. But, they needed to talk first.
'Darling, we need to talk about how many times you've rejected me lately.'
Eve swallowed the rest of her first sandwich. God, did they have to talk about this now?
'Julian, I...'
Julian slid over next to her. He set her sandwiches aside. She eyed them, then returned her focus to Julian.
'If you aren't feeling well again, and just aren't telling me, you need to let me know. I can have a doctor here, one that is discreet, within the hour.'
He was holding her hands. Eve smiled at him.
'No, it isn't that.'
'Then what is it? I mean, here, right now, would be such a perfect spot...' he began kissing her neck.
But, she pulled away.
'Outside? What if someone sees us? Do you really want to be caught in such an embarrassing way?'
Julian peered at her.
'Eve, my darling, we're not going to get caught. And even if we do, my sources will warn us so that we'll have a sufficient amount of time to get away. You have never been shy about making love outdoors or anyplace else for that matter!'
'I've changed, Julian. I mean, I was married to a man that just wasn't as adventurous as you. I guess my tastes have changed.'
Julian rolled his eyes! Eve's lies were even easier to read that Ivy's ever were!
'Eve, what's really...'
'ALRIGHT, ALRIGHT!' Eve suddenly yelled, unable to take his badgering! She knew she wasn't supposed to get upset, but this was really a sensitive time for her now! Either that or it was hormones! Whatever it was, she had never felt this unsure of herself when she was pregnant with Whitney or Simone!
Julian's mouth dropped open! He didn't think he could ever remember Eve really raising her voice! Sure, they had plenty of arguments over the years, but her voice never packed that true punch that it needed to sound genuinely loud! My God! She probably scared off all of the animals!
'Eve, darling, I didn't mean to upset you, I just...'
'Julian, I am starting to show, okay? And to be brutally frank, I don't think you're really going to like the idea of making love to a whale, okay?!' She then tried to stand up, but Julian pulled on her arms to keep her down.
'This is what this nonsense is all about? Eve, it's not like I've never seen a pregnant woman before!'
Eve gave him a look.
'I'm not talking about seeing one, Julian, I'm talking about being with one! T.C. always held off until after the baby was born.'
Julian shook his head and mouthed the word no to her.
'I'm not T.C., darling. And I'm not waiting nine months, either.'
'It's just that...'
Julian reached over and began unbuttoning her shirt.
'Eve darling, all of this is my fault. I had forgotten that you're a 'show me' type of woman. Soft words and cajoling don't work on you. So, I'm going to show you that I love, making love to pregnant women...especially the one right in front of me...'
Eve didn't know how this always happened! The man had both of their clothes off before she could say or do anything about it! One of these days, she would have to time him!
****
ONE HOUR LATER
Julian and Eve, had half put their clothes back on. Meaning, things were still unbuttoned and in disarray. They were still lying down, but Julian was kissing her bare stomach.
'This isn't whale like, dear, it's more like a tiny pouch.'
Eve burst out laughing. Julian did have a way with words!
'Yes, if you say so.'
Julian looked up at her. His face softened.
'Do you know, that I remember sitting next to you at a hospital board meeting, back when you would've been pregnant with Simone? Do you know that throughout that whole meeting, all I could think about was how beautiful you were, and how I wished the baby were mine?'
Eve smiled down at him, touching his hair.
'I remember seeing you pregnant with Whitney, at a hospital Christmas party. You never saw me. T.C. was at your side, the proud father-to-be. It was that night, that I decided to begin attending all of the hospital board meetings, just to be near you.'
Eve pulled her to him and kissed him. Julian groaned, and began trying to slip her shirt off again, when his cell phone rang.
Eve pulled away from him quickly, her eyes big and fearful. Julian answered it.
'Hello?'
Eve watched him, as he nodded a few times, then thanked the person on the other end. He then hung up, and pulled Eve up.
'One of my sources said that a woman, identifying herself as a federal agent, asked for directions to this cottage. We have to go!'
'A woman? By herself?'
'Darling, she may be by herself, but she'll have a gun! That's more than the two of us have between us!'
Eve nodded, and began packing up the stuff. But Julian grabbed her hand and pulled her along.
'There's no time for that! Let's go!'
Eve allowed Julian to pull her along back towards the cabin. He then veered off towards the SUV.
'Our things! Julian we'll need things to...'
'Eve, we will buy new things! Let's just get in!'
Eve, responding to the panic in his voice, did what he said, and jumped into the passenger side. Julian slammed her door, then ran around to the driver's side. He was grateful that he had brought his keys with him on their little outing! It had saved him a trip back into the cabin!
The drive was gravel. Julian put the vehicle in reverse and began to back very quickly down it. It was as he was near the road, that a vehicle pulled up very quickly and blocked him in.
Eve gasped, then squinted. She looked over at Julian.
'That's Pilar!'
Julian turned to stare at the woman, that was just getting out of the car. Pilar! The feds had sent Pilar Lopez-Fitzgerald after them?! How insulting!
