Chapter 8
Whitney and Simone get into it at the hospital. Julian discovers the location of Stefano's compound.
Whitney was horrified to be pulled from her husband's room, only to discover that her father was fighting for his life in surgery!
Sam had come to Fox's room. Whitney was relieved to see that he was just about to wake up, when Sam burst in and told her that T.C. and Julian had had another fight, and that T.C. had fallen off of one of the balcony's!
Ivy, who was sitting on the other side of Fox's bed, told Whitney to go on. She told her that she would see to Fox. Whitney, not really liking the idea of her husband waking up and looking at Ivy's rotten face, really didn't have much of a choice. She rubbed Fox's arm, telling him she would be right back. Fox murmured something, as Ivy touched his other arm. Fox stared at his mother, uncomprehending for the longest while.
Meanwhile, John and Simone, who were still a couple, hurried off the elevator, along with Teresa. They met Whitney and Sam in a hallway. Simone glared at Whitney accusingly.
'What happened to Daddy, Whitney?' Simone asked in an accusatory tone.
Teresa moved to stand next to Whitney. She could tell by Simone's tone, that she was itching for a fight!
'Simone, either you watch your tone, or you can just get out of my face! I am not in the mood for it tonight!'
Grace stepped off the next elevator and hurried over. She smiled at Sam, then stood between Whitney and Simone.
'Girls, stop it! Now is not the time to be acting like this! You two need one another!'
But Simone pointed a finger at Whitney, then looked around at everyone.
'I'm not the one that forgot my family, Grace! I'm not the one that dumped my boyfriend, just to take up with a Crane! I'm not the one, that didn't encourage my mother to leave her scummy husband before something bad happened! I've been the only one loyal in this family!'
'Simone!' John admonished.
Teresa glared at her.
'So now your mother's kidnapping is somehow Whitney's fault too, hey?'
Simone looked Teresa up and down.
'I saw Ethan's car around here. Why don't you go chase him or something?'
Teresa moved to step up to Simone, but Whitney lay a hand on her arm and looked at her.
'I will take care of this,' she said to Teresa, in a low voice. 'But go to Fox, will you? Ivy is in there playing the concerned mother. I'm not buying it.'
'Ivy is with Fox?' Grace asked, eyeing Sam. Sam cleared his throat.
'Ivy is sincere about wanting to make amends with her family.' Sam answered, even though no one was talking to him. Grace was still looking at him. Would her husband ever stop defending that woman?
Whitney heard Sam, but chose to ignore him.
'Just please go and watch her, okay?'
Teresa nodded. Ivy didn't have a heart, and she herself, doubted that even one of her children dying, would turn that woman around!
'Which room is he in?' she asked Whitney.
'604.' Whitney answered, returning her attention to Simone, who was now being spoken to by John.
'Simone, I think you're really out of line.' John told her.
'Oh, of course you do! Why can't you just support me on this?'
'Honey, I do support you! I know how much your family breaking up hurt you. But Whitney has suffered a double whammy here tonight. You two need to support one another for the sake of your father.'
'That's right, Simone. Let's just let bygones, be bygones...at least until we know Daddy is going to be okay.' Whitney said.
Simone said nothing to her. She then looked at Sam.
'Where are Lexie and Celeste?' she asked him.
'Outside of surgery. I'll take you to them.'
Simone nodded and ignored Whitney. John gave her a sympathetic look, and followed. Simone had already decided, that if her father did not make it out of surgery, she would make Julian and all of the Cranes, pay for his death...her sister included.
****
Julian could not believe his good fortune, as he parked his car near one of the Crane jets. He had kept the cell number of the pilot that had flown Lexie, Theo and Liz out of here, one year ago. At the time, the pilot had made it clear, that for a higher price than what DiMera paid, his services could be purchased as well. Unfortunately for Stefano DiMera, the man's loyalty was negotiable as well.
The pilot knew exactly where the DiMera Compound was in the Himalayas. He told him though that during this time of year, the roads were pretty undriveable. Most people helicoptered into the compound, which was on a mountain.
Julian considered the location. It would be hard for anyone to escape a snowy mountain top. So he knew for sure, that Eve had not tried to make a run for it. It didn't matter. The pilot said he knew people that could not only get him to the compound, but could get himself and his wife, out of there. When Julian questioned how that would be possible, the pilot slyly told him that many of DiMera's guards had 'loyalty issues' as well.
Julian had dropped Evan and Erin off at Luis and Sheridan's. Sheridan promised she would take care of getting the damage to the mansion fixed. Julian had just nodded. He was now beginning to wonder, if their family home was the right place for Eve and him to be living with their family? Once he had Eve safe back in his arms, Julian planned to have a serious discussion with her about moving someplace else. Not out of Harmony, but maybe they could have another house built. One of their very own.
And of course, he hated leaving the twins, though he had tried to be strong about it, as he handed them over to Sheridan. Luis had been called to the hospital about T.C., and was not there. If Sheridan knew that the police were probably looking for him, she did not comment on it. Evan and Erin were so distracting, that Sheridan had muttered good luck to him, as she began communicating with her niece and nephew. Julian knew the babies would be in good hands.
Herb, the pilot(if that was indeed his real name!), walked over to Julian's car, just as he was getting out. Julian had a small suitcase and duffle bag with him.
'I'll take those for you.' Herb offered.
Julian eyed him.
'Uh, no. Thank you though. I must say, you're very calm.'
Herb shrugged.
'Why shouldn't I be? Like I've told you before, Mr. Crane, my services, and loyalty, go to the highest bidder.'
'Yes, well I understand that. What I don't quite grasp is your lack of fear. If the DiMera's find out that you've betrayed them, there won't be enough money in the world to protect you from them.'
Herb shrugged.
'I'm pretty scrappy.'
Julian sniffed.
'Yes, well, 'Herb' dealing with the DiMera's is more than just about being 'scrappy'.'
'Yeah, yeah, they're killers, I know. Let's get going, hey?'
Herb handed Julian an itinerary. Julian glanced at it.
'What's this?' he asked.
Herb glanced over at him as they walked towards one of the Crane jets.
'One we get to Nepal, I found a couple of guides willing to take you up the mountain to DiMera's compound. I have to say Mr. Crane, I can't believe you're going to take those people on without some sort of back up.'
'I'll worry about that. Let's just get going.' Julian answered briskly, looking around. The only thing that could stop him now, was the Harmony Police department, wanting answers regarding the accident of one T.C. Russell.
Once Julian and Herb were on board, Herb walked into the cockpit. Julian stood nearby. Herb began writing on a clipboard. He was also chewing gum very loudly. He looked up from the clipboard and grinned.
'Don't you even want to know what you're walking in to?' he asked.
Julian sighed. The doors to the plane were locked and all that was left was for Herb to get runway clearance. He didn't want to shoot the breeze with this guy! If he had been this talkative the first time, Lexie, Theo and Liz, would've been rescued before he could've taken off!
'Alright, Herb. Tell me what I'm 'walking in to'?'
Herb's grin spread even wider.
'First of all, that extra woman you told me to take with you...uh...what was her name again?'
'Liz.' Julian said, as if he wanted to spit.
'Yeah, well she's the new Mrs. DiMera.'
Julian looked the pilot up and down.
'What do you mean, she's the new Mrs. DiMera? Tony finally took a wife? Thank God! It's rather sad, now that I think about it. He was unable to get his hands on my wife, so he had to settle for her less attractive sister. Oh well!'
Herb snickered.
'Uh, no. Yeah, Anthony DiMera is there, but no, this Liz woman married the big fish himself.'
Julian made a face!
'Liz married Stefano? Stefano married Liz? What the hell were either one of them thinking? And I thought Stefano wanted Marlena Black? Are you telling me her kidnapping was a waste of time?'
'I don't know about all of that! But, apparently, this new Mrs. DiMera wears the pants in that family. Look, I've got to get ready to take off, so go and make yourself comfortable.'
Julian nodded, backing out of the cockpit. His face was still scrunched up, as mental images of Liz and Stefano's wedding night, came to mind!
He went and sat down on a couch, eyeing the suitcase and duffle bag he had brought along. His mind then wandered back to Liz and Stefano.
The more Julian thought about it, the more he was sure, that that damnable woman, had everything to do with that Alicia creature pretending to be Eve, and attempting to ruin his life. She was probably the reason Stefano reneged on his word about keeping Alistair, not some sort of misplaced love for a son he never knew.
Chad. Julian closed his eyes briefly. He honestly thought the boy was better off dead. For if or when, Stefano had gotten his hands on him, Chad's life would have been pure hell.
Julian's thoughts then moved to Eve. If Tony had so much as laid a hand on Eve's head, he was going to shove a snowball down that fiend's throat, until he choked! Julian stood up, feeling restless. He was angry with himself. For it had been his complacency, that had caused all of this. He should've known that when it came to revenge, the DiMera's never gave up.
His cellphone rang. Julian pulled it out of his suit pocket and looked at the number. He rolled his eyes, then picked up.
'Hello, Rebecca.'
'Pookie? Pookie you were right, big time!'
Julian sat down on the couch again.
'I heard Marlena made a reappearance in Salem. But I could find no titillating details in the paper, and I know there were some. So, spill it!'
'Well,' Rebecca sighed, 'I finally convinced John that sex with me would be a good thing. And it was. That is until we found out that Marlena had been home the whole damned time!'
Julian was confused.
'I don't quite understand, darling.'
'You don't understand? My, marriage to Eve must be duller than you anticipated.'
'Leave my wife out of this, Becky. Oh, by the way, she's missing, no thanks to Stefano! Don't be surprised if your beloved John is snatched any day now!'
'Oh, Julian, nothing is going to happen to John. That thing that's going on with Stefano and you now, is about Eve and Tony and other stuff. Now, are you going to listen to my story or what?'
'I'm sorry dear. Please, go on.'
'Thank you. Anyway, Marlena was upstairs in the shower, and it must have been a long one, because John and I had been down in the living room for almost over an hour, when she came out of nowhere! Do you know, Julian, that that woman had the nerve to be outraged?'
Julian rubbed the back of his neck.
'Well, no, I'm not surprised, really...'
'Well it doesn't matter what you believe! Why can't you just take my side for once?'
'Rebecca, why are you going off on these tirades? Did Marlena tell John about what you pulled?'
'Yes, but I don't think he believed her.'
'You don't think?'
'Well, I haven't spoken to him in a couple of days. I'm sitting here at Basic Black, right now, cleaning out my desk. I figured I'd give him some space...though...'
There was a funny catch in her voice, that piqued Julian's curiosity.
'What is it, Rebecca?' he urged.
'I really care for him, Julian. More than I ever have for anyone. I don't think I could continue to live here in Salem, if he goes back to Marlena. And Marlena is angry with him...because of me. This is my window of opportunity. If I'm going to make John Black mine, then I've got to do it now.'
'But?'
'But I don't have all of the history and God knows what else, that Marlena has with him. I don't know what I'm going to do.'
Julian didn't know what to say or what to tell her. He was not the most honest person himself, so he couldn't advise her to admit Marlena had been right.
'Rebecca, he does feel something for you. I mean, John Black doesn't strike me as a man that just sleeps around. You'll just have to build on that, for now. But I know you won't give up the good fight. Now, I have to go and rescue Eve from the clutches of the DiMera's. So, keep me posted, alright?'
'Okay. Well good luck with your rescue. Goodbye.'
'Goodbye.' Julian said and hung up. He then felt the plane begin to move. He leaned back on the couch and closed his eyes. He then let his mind take him back to the time that they were being kidnapped by Stefano's 'Jerry Springer' thugs, and thrown out of that plane. Julian could still see Eve jumping out of the plane, parachuteless, all to be with him.
Julian would brave cold, animals and the DiMera's, to find Eve. He just prayed she could hold on until he found her.
****
Eve landed in a pile of snow, jumped up and tried to run. But the snow was so deep, that she didn't make much progress, but realized she had no choice but to just forge on ahead.
Abe had been right about the conditions out here, of course! But she wasn't about to sit around and do nothing, AND get stuck being married to Tony!
What the hell had happened to that man? Did he really think he could get away with marrying a woman that was already married?!
And Liz? God, Eve had wanted to puke, as she remembered how Stefano's hands had roamed up and down Liz's back earlier, during 'dinner'. The idea of sitting across a table from those two every night, was alone, enough to make her want to risk her life!
Eve saw a wooded area a few feet ahead and headed towards it. She realized she wished she had not been too busy at the hospital, to accompany T.C., Whitney and Simone on those school camping trips they used to go on. Maybe she would've learned something from them.
Just as Eve slipped into the woods, she heard a strange noise. She turned around and saw three men on skis, heading towards her. One of them aimed a gun at her!
Tony, who was one of the men, yelped when he saw the gun pointed at his beloved. He skied closer to the man and grabbed his arm!
'How dare you aim a gun at my fiancee!' he screeched.
But, the motion of Tony's hand coming down on his arm, startled the guard so much, that his gun went off!
'No!' Tony screamed, knowing what was coming next.
Eve, who had stopped to hide behind a tree before she could get shot at, heard the low rumble, that soon turned into a deafening one!
'You fool!' Tony screamed. 'You've started an avalanche!'
Eve turned and tried to run, but the snow was so deep. She knew she wouldn't stand a chance, but she was going to die trying to get away from that snow...and Tony.
****
Abe looked out of the window and saw the avalanche. He then sat down in a chair. His heart was heavy.
Why had Eve done this? Granted, yes, sometimes he could be a bit slow, but he would've thought of a way of here, eventually. Eve's way was suicide! And when he escaped here, it wouldn't be to die on some God forsaken mountain, it would be so he could see his wife and son again.
The door to his room opened, and Abe looked up to see Liz walk in. She was wearing a pink, terrycloth robe. She had brought him a drink, but he silently refused it. She set it down, then lay down on his bed.
'Are you sure you don't want to join me?' she almost purred.
Abe glared at her.
'Surely you can hear? There was an avalanche! Eve could be dead!'
'And?'
Abe shook his head at her.
'What did a beautiful, sweet woman like Eve, ever do to you?'
Liz sat up and smiled.
'Oh, Abe! It breaks my heart to run in to, yet again, another man fooled by my sister's pretty face and soft voice. She's a whore at heart!'
'And what are you?' Abe asked, turning to look out of the window again.
Liz jumped off the bed and walked up behind Abe. She wrapped her arms around him.
'I could be yours.'
Abe removed her hands, then turned and shoved her away! Liz smiled, then dropped her robe. Ordinarily, maybe, Abe might have been turned on. But there was something about the idea of going somewhere that Stefano DiMera had been, that he found highly distasteful.
'Sorry, Liz.' Abe said, and turned away again.
But Liz would not be deterred.
'Stefano has left the compound. He went with the search party, which consists of most of the staff here, to go find Tony and my worthless sister. We're all alone.'
Abe turned to look at Liz, yet again.
'I love Lexie.'
Liz bit her lip.
'How about this, Abe? How about you make love to me, here and now, and once we're done, I'll help you blow this place? How about that?'
Abe raised a brow.
'What do you mean?'
'I mean, what you think I mean, Abe. I mean that once our interlude is over, I will have the helicopter waiting, to take you out of here, and back to your precious Lexie.'
Abe folded his arms.
'Why would you do that for me?'
'Because I won't be able to be a good wife to Stefano, with you hanging around. And I do so want to be! Besides, Tony really wants you gone too. He doesn't like the way you've been eyeing Eve.'
Abe didn't ask what Stefano wanted, as he peered at Liz. Liz smiled at him, then opened her arms wide. Abe took a deep breath, then muttered, 'God help me'.
Two hours later, Abe sat in the helicopter next to the pilot. He stared down at the mountains, as he was flown away, and hopefully, to the nearest airport. Whatever was going on with T.C. and Lexie, was going to stop right now!
Abe tried not to think of Eve. He hoped she survived the avalanche. When he returned home, he would contact the authorities here about finding her. But for now, all he could think about was Lexie.
****
Eve coughed, and looked around. The force of the avalanche had pushed her up against a very high tree. So, she wasn't buried.
But the force of being shoved into the tree, had caused a small branch to impale in her leg. She closed her eyes. Great! Either she could die from her infected wound, or, live and end up an amputee or, die from exposure! Maybe Abe had been right. Maybe she shouldn't have escaped the way she did.
But Julian came to mind. Julian, Evan, Erin, Whitney, Simone....Grace and Sam...and everything and anyone else, that had ever meant anything to her.
Eve felt herself becoming sleepy. She knew she couldn't sleep, and pulled herself up, so that she could stand. That impostor woman had better not harm a head on her hubby or babies, or there would be hell to pay!
Eve then looked around, picked a direction, and began to gently hop. Hopefully, she would be rescued(and not by the DiMera's), or she would find the strength to get help.
Whitney and Simone get into it at the hospital. Julian discovers the location of Stefano's compound.
Whitney was horrified to be pulled from her husband's room, only to discover that her father was fighting for his life in surgery!
Sam had come to Fox's room. Whitney was relieved to see that he was just about to wake up, when Sam burst in and told her that T.C. and Julian had had another fight, and that T.C. had fallen off of one of the balcony's!
Ivy, who was sitting on the other side of Fox's bed, told Whitney to go on. She told her that she would see to Fox. Whitney, not really liking the idea of her husband waking up and looking at Ivy's rotten face, really didn't have much of a choice. She rubbed Fox's arm, telling him she would be right back. Fox murmured something, as Ivy touched his other arm. Fox stared at his mother, uncomprehending for the longest while.
Meanwhile, John and Simone, who were still a couple, hurried off the elevator, along with Teresa. They met Whitney and Sam in a hallway. Simone glared at Whitney accusingly.
'What happened to Daddy, Whitney?' Simone asked in an accusatory tone.
Teresa moved to stand next to Whitney. She could tell by Simone's tone, that she was itching for a fight!
'Simone, either you watch your tone, or you can just get out of my face! I am not in the mood for it tonight!'
Grace stepped off the next elevator and hurried over. She smiled at Sam, then stood between Whitney and Simone.
'Girls, stop it! Now is not the time to be acting like this! You two need one another!'
But Simone pointed a finger at Whitney, then looked around at everyone.
'I'm not the one that forgot my family, Grace! I'm not the one that dumped my boyfriend, just to take up with a Crane! I'm not the one, that didn't encourage my mother to leave her scummy husband before something bad happened! I've been the only one loyal in this family!'
'Simone!' John admonished.
Teresa glared at her.
'So now your mother's kidnapping is somehow Whitney's fault too, hey?'
Simone looked Teresa up and down.
'I saw Ethan's car around here. Why don't you go chase him or something?'
Teresa moved to step up to Simone, but Whitney lay a hand on her arm and looked at her.
'I will take care of this,' she said to Teresa, in a low voice. 'But go to Fox, will you? Ivy is in there playing the concerned mother. I'm not buying it.'
'Ivy is with Fox?' Grace asked, eyeing Sam. Sam cleared his throat.
'Ivy is sincere about wanting to make amends with her family.' Sam answered, even though no one was talking to him. Grace was still looking at him. Would her husband ever stop defending that woman?
Whitney heard Sam, but chose to ignore him.
'Just please go and watch her, okay?'
Teresa nodded. Ivy didn't have a heart, and she herself, doubted that even one of her children dying, would turn that woman around!
'Which room is he in?' she asked Whitney.
'604.' Whitney answered, returning her attention to Simone, who was now being spoken to by John.
'Simone, I think you're really out of line.' John told her.
'Oh, of course you do! Why can't you just support me on this?'
'Honey, I do support you! I know how much your family breaking up hurt you. But Whitney has suffered a double whammy here tonight. You two need to support one another for the sake of your father.'
'That's right, Simone. Let's just let bygones, be bygones...at least until we know Daddy is going to be okay.' Whitney said.
Simone said nothing to her. She then looked at Sam.
'Where are Lexie and Celeste?' she asked him.
'Outside of surgery. I'll take you to them.'
Simone nodded and ignored Whitney. John gave her a sympathetic look, and followed. Simone had already decided, that if her father did not make it out of surgery, she would make Julian and all of the Cranes, pay for his death...her sister included.
****
Julian could not believe his good fortune, as he parked his car near one of the Crane jets. He had kept the cell number of the pilot that had flown Lexie, Theo and Liz out of here, one year ago. At the time, the pilot had made it clear, that for a higher price than what DiMera paid, his services could be purchased as well. Unfortunately for Stefano DiMera, the man's loyalty was negotiable as well.
The pilot knew exactly where the DiMera Compound was in the Himalayas. He told him though that during this time of year, the roads were pretty undriveable. Most people helicoptered into the compound, which was on a mountain.
Julian considered the location. It would be hard for anyone to escape a snowy mountain top. So he knew for sure, that Eve had not tried to make a run for it. It didn't matter. The pilot said he knew people that could not only get him to the compound, but could get himself and his wife, out of there. When Julian questioned how that would be possible, the pilot slyly told him that many of DiMera's guards had 'loyalty issues' as well.
Julian had dropped Evan and Erin off at Luis and Sheridan's. Sheridan promised she would take care of getting the damage to the mansion fixed. Julian had just nodded. He was now beginning to wonder, if their family home was the right place for Eve and him to be living with their family? Once he had Eve safe back in his arms, Julian planned to have a serious discussion with her about moving someplace else. Not out of Harmony, but maybe they could have another house built. One of their very own.
And of course, he hated leaving the twins, though he had tried to be strong about it, as he handed them over to Sheridan. Luis had been called to the hospital about T.C., and was not there. If Sheridan knew that the police were probably looking for him, she did not comment on it. Evan and Erin were so distracting, that Sheridan had muttered good luck to him, as she began communicating with her niece and nephew. Julian knew the babies would be in good hands.
Herb, the pilot(if that was indeed his real name!), walked over to Julian's car, just as he was getting out. Julian had a small suitcase and duffle bag with him.
'I'll take those for you.' Herb offered.
Julian eyed him.
'Uh, no. Thank you though. I must say, you're very calm.'
Herb shrugged.
'Why shouldn't I be? Like I've told you before, Mr. Crane, my services, and loyalty, go to the highest bidder.'
'Yes, well I understand that. What I don't quite grasp is your lack of fear. If the DiMera's find out that you've betrayed them, there won't be enough money in the world to protect you from them.'
Herb shrugged.
'I'm pretty scrappy.'
Julian sniffed.
'Yes, well, 'Herb' dealing with the DiMera's is more than just about being 'scrappy'.'
'Yeah, yeah, they're killers, I know. Let's get going, hey?'
Herb handed Julian an itinerary. Julian glanced at it.
'What's this?' he asked.
Herb glanced over at him as they walked towards one of the Crane jets.
'One we get to Nepal, I found a couple of guides willing to take you up the mountain to DiMera's compound. I have to say Mr. Crane, I can't believe you're going to take those people on without some sort of back up.'
'I'll worry about that. Let's just get going.' Julian answered briskly, looking around. The only thing that could stop him now, was the Harmony Police department, wanting answers regarding the accident of one T.C. Russell.
Once Julian and Herb were on board, Herb walked into the cockpit. Julian stood nearby. Herb began writing on a clipboard. He was also chewing gum very loudly. He looked up from the clipboard and grinned.
'Don't you even want to know what you're walking in to?' he asked.
Julian sighed. The doors to the plane were locked and all that was left was for Herb to get runway clearance. He didn't want to shoot the breeze with this guy! If he had been this talkative the first time, Lexie, Theo and Liz, would've been rescued before he could've taken off!
'Alright, Herb. Tell me what I'm 'walking in to'?'
Herb's grin spread even wider.
'First of all, that extra woman you told me to take with you...uh...what was her name again?'
'Liz.' Julian said, as if he wanted to spit.
'Yeah, well she's the new Mrs. DiMera.'
Julian looked the pilot up and down.
'What do you mean, she's the new Mrs. DiMera? Tony finally took a wife? Thank God! It's rather sad, now that I think about it. He was unable to get his hands on my wife, so he had to settle for her less attractive sister. Oh well!'
Herb snickered.
'Uh, no. Yeah, Anthony DiMera is there, but no, this Liz woman married the big fish himself.'
Julian made a face!
'Liz married Stefano? Stefano married Liz? What the hell were either one of them thinking? And I thought Stefano wanted Marlena Black? Are you telling me her kidnapping was a waste of time?'
'I don't know about all of that! But, apparently, this new Mrs. DiMera wears the pants in that family. Look, I've got to get ready to take off, so go and make yourself comfortable.'
Julian nodded, backing out of the cockpit. His face was still scrunched up, as mental images of Liz and Stefano's wedding night, came to mind!
He went and sat down on a couch, eyeing the suitcase and duffle bag he had brought along. His mind then wandered back to Liz and Stefano.
The more Julian thought about it, the more he was sure, that that damnable woman, had everything to do with that Alicia creature pretending to be Eve, and attempting to ruin his life. She was probably the reason Stefano reneged on his word about keeping Alistair, not some sort of misplaced love for a son he never knew.
Chad. Julian closed his eyes briefly. He honestly thought the boy was better off dead. For if or when, Stefano had gotten his hands on him, Chad's life would have been pure hell.
Julian's thoughts then moved to Eve. If Tony had so much as laid a hand on Eve's head, he was going to shove a snowball down that fiend's throat, until he choked! Julian stood up, feeling restless. He was angry with himself. For it had been his complacency, that had caused all of this. He should've known that when it came to revenge, the DiMera's never gave up.
His cellphone rang. Julian pulled it out of his suit pocket and looked at the number. He rolled his eyes, then picked up.
'Hello, Rebecca.'
'Pookie? Pookie you were right, big time!'
Julian sat down on the couch again.
'I heard Marlena made a reappearance in Salem. But I could find no titillating details in the paper, and I know there were some. So, spill it!'
'Well,' Rebecca sighed, 'I finally convinced John that sex with me would be a good thing. And it was. That is until we found out that Marlena had been home the whole damned time!'
Julian was confused.
'I don't quite understand, darling.'
'You don't understand? My, marriage to Eve must be duller than you anticipated.'
'Leave my wife out of this, Becky. Oh, by the way, she's missing, no thanks to Stefano! Don't be surprised if your beloved John is snatched any day now!'
'Oh, Julian, nothing is going to happen to John. That thing that's going on with Stefano and you now, is about Eve and Tony and other stuff. Now, are you going to listen to my story or what?'
'I'm sorry dear. Please, go on.'
'Thank you. Anyway, Marlena was upstairs in the shower, and it must have been a long one, because John and I had been down in the living room for almost over an hour, when she came out of nowhere! Do you know, Julian, that that woman had the nerve to be outraged?'
Julian rubbed the back of his neck.
'Well, no, I'm not surprised, really...'
'Well it doesn't matter what you believe! Why can't you just take my side for once?'
'Rebecca, why are you going off on these tirades? Did Marlena tell John about what you pulled?'
'Yes, but I don't think he believed her.'
'You don't think?'
'Well, I haven't spoken to him in a couple of days. I'm sitting here at Basic Black, right now, cleaning out my desk. I figured I'd give him some space...though...'
There was a funny catch in her voice, that piqued Julian's curiosity.
'What is it, Rebecca?' he urged.
'I really care for him, Julian. More than I ever have for anyone. I don't think I could continue to live here in Salem, if he goes back to Marlena. And Marlena is angry with him...because of me. This is my window of opportunity. If I'm going to make John Black mine, then I've got to do it now.'
'But?'
'But I don't have all of the history and God knows what else, that Marlena has with him. I don't know what I'm going to do.'
Julian didn't know what to say or what to tell her. He was not the most honest person himself, so he couldn't advise her to admit Marlena had been right.
'Rebecca, he does feel something for you. I mean, John Black doesn't strike me as a man that just sleeps around. You'll just have to build on that, for now. But I know you won't give up the good fight. Now, I have to go and rescue Eve from the clutches of the DiMera's. So, keep me posted, alright?'
'Okay. Well good luck with your rescue. Goodbye.'
'Goodbye.' Julian said and hung up. He then felt the plane begin to move. He leaned back on the couch and closed his eyes. He then let his mind take him back to the time that they were being kidnapped by Stefano's 'Jerry Springer' thugs, and thrown out of that plane. Julian could still see Eve jumping out of the plane, parachuteless, all to be with him.
Julian would brave cold, animals and the DiMera's, to find Eve. He just prayed she could hold on until he found her.
****
Eve landed in a pile of snow, jumped up and tried to run. But the snow was so deep, that she didn't make much progress, but realized she had no choice but to just forge on ahead.
Abe had been right about the conditions out here, of course! But she wasn't about to sit around and do nothing, AND get stuck being married to Tony!
What the hell had happened to that man? Did he really think he could get away with marrying a woman that was already married?!
And Liz? God, Eve had wanted to puke, as she remembered how Stefano's hands had roamed up and down Liz's back earlier, during 'dinner'. The idea of sitting across a table from those two every night, was alone, enough to make her want to risk her life!
Eve saw a wooded area a few feet ahead and headed towards it. She realized she wished she had not been too busy at the hospital, to accompany T.C., Whitney and Simone on those school camping trips they used to go on. Maybe she would've learned something from them.
Just as Eve slipped into the woods, she heard a strange noise. She turned around and saw three men on skis, heading towards her. One of them aimed a gun at her!
Tony, who was one of the men, yelped when he saw the gun pointed at his beloved. He skied closer to the man and grabbed his arm!
'How dare you aim a gun at my fiancee!' he screeched.
But, the motion of Tony's hand coming down on his arm, startled the guard so much, that his gun went off!
'No!' Tony screamed, knowing what was coming next.
Eve, who had stopped to hide behind a tree before she could get shot at, heard the low rumble, that soon turned into a deafening one!
'You fool!' Tony screamed. 'You've started an avalanche!'
Eve turned and tried to run, but the snow was so deep. She knew she wouldn't stand a chance, but she was going to die trying to get away from that snow...and Tony.
****
Abe looked out of the window and saw the avalanche. He then sat down in a chair. His heart was heavy.
Why had Eve done this? Granted, yes, sometimes he could be a bit slow, but he would've thought of a way of here, eventually. Eve's way was suicide! And when he escaped here, it wouldn't be to die on some God forsaken mountain, it would be so he could see his wife and son again.
The door to his room opened, and Abe looked up to see Liz walk in. She was wearing a pink, terrycloth robe. She had brought him a drink, but he silently refused it. She set it down, then lay down on his bed.
'Are you sure you don't want to join me?' she almost purred.
Abe glared at her.
'Surely you can hear? There was an avalanche! Eve could be dead!'
'And?'
Abe shook his head at her.
'What did a beautiful, sweet woman like Eve, ever do to you?'
Liz sat up and smiled.
'Oh, Abe! It breaks my heart to run in to, yet again, another man fooled by my sister's pretty face and soft voice. She's a whore at heart!'
'And what are you?' Abe asked, turning to look out of the window again.
Liz jumped off the bed and walked up behind Abe. She wrapped her arms around him.
'I could be yours.'
Abe removed her hands, then turned and shoved her away! Liz smiled, then dropped her robe. Ordinarily, maybe, Abe might have been turned on. But there was something about the idea of going somewhere that Stefano DiMera had been, that he found highly distasteful.
'Sorry, Liz.' Abe said, and turned away again.
But Liz would not be deterred.
'Stefano has left the compound. He went with the search party, which consists of most of the staff here, to go find Tony and my worthless sister. We're all alone.'
Abe turned to look at Liz, yet again.
'I love Lexie.'
Liz bit her lip.
'How about this, Abe? How about you make love to me, here and now, and once we're done, I'll help you blow this place? How about that?'
Abe raised a brow.
'What do you mean?'
'I mean, what you think I mean, Abe. I mean that once our interlude is over, I will have the helicopter waiting, to take you out of here, and back to your precious Lexie.'
Abe folded his arms.
'Why would you do that for me?'
'Because I won't be able to be a good wife to Stefano, with you hanging around. And I do so want to be! Besides, Tony really wants you gone too. He doesn't like the way you've been eyeing Eve.'
Abe didn't ask what Stefano wanted, as he peered at Liz. Liz smiled at him, then opened her arms wide. Abe took a deep breath, then muttered, 'God help me'.
Two hours later, Abe sat in the helicopter next to the pilot. He stared down at the mountains, as he was flown away, and hopefully, to the nearest airport. Whatever was going on with T.C. and Lexie, was going to stop right now!
Abe tried not to think of Eve. He hoped she survived the avalanche. When he returned home, he would contact the authorities here about finding her. But for now, all he could think about was Lexie.
****
Eve coughed, and looked around. The force of the avalanche had pushed her up against a very high tree. So, she wasn't buried.
But the force of being shoved into the tree, had caused a small branch to impale in her leg. She closed her eyes. Great! Either she could die from her infected wound, or, live and end up an amputee or, die from exposure! Maybe Abe had been right. Maybe she shouldn't have escaped the way she did.
But Julian came to mind. Julian, Evan, Erin, Whitney, Simone....Grace and Sam...and everything and anyone else, that had ever meant anything to her.
Eve felt herself becoming sleepy. She knew she couldn't sleep, and pulled herself up, so that she could stand. That impostor woman had better not harm a head on her hubby or babies, or there would be hell to pay!
Eve then looked around, picked a direction, and began to gently hop. Hopefully, she would be rescued(and not by the DiMera's), or she would find the strength to get help.