Chapter 9
Eve keeps warm in a surprising place. Sam asks Grace for a favor.
TWO DAYS LATER
'So, no one has seen my father in days?' Fox asked.
Whitney rubbed his hand. She was just so happy he was finally getting up and around, that she really didn't want to think of the troubles that lay ahead.
But, Whitney did answer him.
'No. After his fight with my father, he apparently got on a plane and left the country. I think he went to rescue Mom.'
Fox squeezed her hand.
'I know he did, honey. I just hope that when he finds her, he doesn't come back to a jail cell.'
Whitney let go of his hand.
'Why would he? Daddy didn't die.'
'No, thank God for that. But Whitney, all we have is Lexie Carver's accusation that my father shoved your father off of that balcony.'
Whitney shook her head.
'Celeste said that it was an accident, that my father was about to attack Julian, when Julian ducked. I love Daddy, but I believe Celeste.'
'And so do I.' Fox said, watching her.
'Then why would Lexie lie? And you know something else? I've been thinking back to something.'
'What?' Fox asked, concerned at how his wife looked. She obviously hadn't slept, worrying about him and her father, plus putting up with Simone's crap! For while T.C. Russell did not die, it looked as if he may be in a wheelchair, for the rest of his life.
'The night you were first brought in here, after the fire. Julian was here when Daddy and Lexie showed up.'
'Oh. Sparks must have flown between my father and your father even then, hey?'
Whitney stood up and walked to the middle of the room. Her arms were folded. She turned slightly to look at him.
'No, not at first. But it was funny, because now that I think back, your father kept making little remarks to Lexie about my mother's disappearance. It was as almost as if he was hinting that she knew something about it. I don't know how I could've forgotten about that. But then Daddy got me out of the room...and Lexie and Julian were in here with you alone. I wonder if Julian said something about Lexie again? But why?'
Fox sighed. This was the last thing he needed to wake up to! Whitney had no idea that Julian had arranged to have Lexie, Theo and Liz kidnapped last year, or that he himself, had known about it the whole time!
And the fact that neither Lexie, nor Celeste were broadcasting this fact, meant that they needed for it to stay a secret, for some reason. He looked at Whitney.
'Tell me about this woman that was living with my father?'
Whitney shrugged and headed back towards Fox's bed.
'Celeste said the woman attacked her at her apartment, and that she had to hit this woman to defend herself. But, when Sam and Luis got there, the woman was gone. I hope Julian knows where my mother is, because the police don't seem to have a clue.'
Fox opened his arms and Whitney bent down to hug him back. They stayed that way for a moment, holding one another, when the door opened. They let go of one another and looked to see who their visitor was. It was Ivy.
Whitney looked uncomfortable. She didn't think Fox knew about Ivy's condition, but as she glanced at him, she could see in his eyes, that he knew something was wrong with his mother. Maybe now was the time for the two of them to talk.
Whitney turned towards Fox.
'I'm going to go and check up on my father.'
Fox nodded, dragging his eyes off of Ivy, back to his wife.
'Okay. But if Simone starts any crap with you, walk away. You don't need anymore stress.'
'I promise.' she said, kissing him lightly. She then turned, eyed Ivy without comment, then left the room.
Ivy watched her daughter-in-law leave the room, then turned to Fox.
'Well, you look like you're coming around.' she noted.
Fox nodded.
Ivy took a step closer.
'I know that you must've been shocked to wake up and find me sitting at your bedside. I thought we could talk.'
'About?' he asked coolly.
'About what's going on in that house. What were you thinking, climbing the trellis like that? You could've been killed!'
Fox rolled his eyes. He was too old for her to play the concerned mommy now.
'I'll tell you what? Why don't we cut the crap? What's wrong with you?'
Ivy just stared at him.
'What do you mean? I'm here because believe it or not, I do care.'
'That's not what I mean and you know it! You're walking around here looking like a damned skeleton, and it's not due to the 'South Beach Diet'! You're sick, aren't you? That's why you suddenly care about me, isn't it?'
Ivy walked over and sat down in the chair Whitney had vacated.
'I do have ovarian cancer. And my chances of survival are about 75%. And I'm not going to lie, yes, it was this disease that made me want to do right by the people that I've wronged. I never gave you a chance Fox, because I was so damned angry during my marriage to Julian. You were his child and I hated Julian, thus I...'
'Hated me, right?' Fox asked, somewhat bitterly.
Ivy did not answer him. But, she stood up again.
'I know that letting me into your life again, would be a lot to ask, especially in light of how I have wronged Whitney. But all I'm asking is that you think about giving me a chance? Maybe?'
Fox turned away.
'I will. I'm tired now.'
Ivy stared at her son's profile, then nodded slightly. She turned and walked out of the room.
Outside of Fox's room, Sam was standing by the nurse's station, when he saw a dejected looking Ivy come out of Fox's room. He immediately went to her.
'What is it? Are you alright? Let's sit down over there.'
Sam took Ivy's hand, and guided her towards a row of waiting room chairs. They sat down in them. Sam watched as a single tear ran down her cheek. He reached out and wiped it away.
'Talk to me, Ivy.' he urged her.
Ivy sniffed.
'I was just wondering how I got to this point in my life? How I could not be invited to my son's wedding? How a child of mine could look at me as if I were the enemy? Well, I know how. I just don't know how to fix anything.'
'Give Fox some time.'
'I may not have much more!' Ivy sniffed again, then stopped abruptly.
'I'm sorry. I told myself I wasn't going to think like that. My doctor says I have a good chance, it has just been so hard...'
Sam took her hands in his.
'My mother died of breast cancer.'
Ivy squeezed his hand.
'I'm sorry, Sam...I didn't know. Actually, I never had the privilege of knowing your mother. I was too ashamed to be seen with you...'
She then began to cry. Sam pulled her into his arms, just as Grace was walking up. Sam let go of Ivy. Ivy saw Grace and wiped her eyes.
Grace scowled at Ivy, then looked at Sam.
'Have you been up to see T.C.?' she asked him, ignoring Ivy completely.
'Uh, I was just headed up there now.'
'You could've fooled me.' Grace said wryly. Ivy stood up.
'I'd better get going. I hope T.C. is doing better.'
Ivy then looked at Grace.
'It was nice seeing you, Grace.'
Grace said nothing, as Ivy turned and walked towards the elevators. Sam half watched her, then turned his attention to Grace.
'You know she's really going through a rough time of it, honey...'
'No, Sam, I don't know that. None of us even know for sure that she has cancer!'
'Grace!'
'Oh, don't you Grace me! She has cancer, just like she was paralyzed all of that time too, huh? Yeah, and look at you! How many more times am I going to find that woman in your arms before you get a clue?!'
'Grace, I know Ivy had been underhanded before...'
''Underhanded'? Oh, boy that's a good one!'
'Would you let me finish please? Have you really taken a hard look at Ivy? How could she be faking that kind of terrible weight loss? She's trying to make amends to people that she's hurt and fight for her life. Could you just cut her some slack? Please?'
Grace rolled her eyes. She walked up to her husband and kissed him.
'Let's not talk about Ivy anymore, okay?'
That was not the answer Sam hoped for, but he decided not to push it. Grace put an arm around his waist, and together, they headed towards the elevators to go and see T.C.. When they pressed the up button, the doors opened. Sam's eyes widened, and he took a step back. Grace looked up at him.
'Honey? What is it?' she asked. She then looked in the elevator. There was a Black man standing there that looked like...
'Abe. Abe Carver.' Sam quietly said. T.C.'s life had just gone from bad to worse!
****
Lexie sat outside of T.C.'s room, as two doctors examined him. She sat next to Simone, who looked angry. Lexie touched her hand.
'We have to keep the faith, Simone. We have to believe that everything is going to be okay.'
Simone stood up. Her chest heaved up and down in anger.
'How is it ever going to be okay, when my father can't walk?'
Lexie stood up and put a hand on her shoulder.
'We don't know that his paralysis is permanent. We have to keep his hopes, and our own, up.'
'How, Lexie? Julian Crane has ruined my father's life, yet again! First he drives him off of the road, just because he knew he wasn't good enough to beat my father in tennis, all those years ago! Then he steals Mom from us! Then he damned near blinds him and now this...'
Simone began to cry. Lexie held her. That was how Whitney found them when she arrived. She cleared her throat. Simone saw her and turned away in anger. Lexie smiled weakly at her.
'Whitney. How is Fox?'
'Better.' she answered, her eyes moving from Lexie to Simone.
Lexie glanced back at Simone.
'The doctors are in with your father now. Why don't you come back in a few minutes?'
Whitney eyed Lexie. She still thought this woman knew more about what happened than she was letting on. She made a mental note to speak with Celeste.
'I know you're just trying to keep the peace, Lexie, but he is my father...'
Lexie suddenly grabbed her arm, hard! She then pulled her a few feet away from Simone. Simone did not see this, as she was trying to peek in the door window of T.C.'s room.
'What the hell do you think you're doing?!' Whitney snapped, pulling her arm away.
'Simone hates the sight of you, Whitney! Now I'm sorry for that, I really am! But the last thing T.C. needs right now, is two brawling daughters! You need to stay away from here when Simone is here, is that clear?'
Whitney looked Lexie up and down.
'Who the hell do you think you are talking to? You aren't even married to Daddy, but you're handing out orders as if you're someone important!'
'I'm important to T.C.. Theo and I both are.'
Whitney nodded quickly.
'Oh, I'm not disputing that. But I don't trust you. And I don't believe that Julian just shoved my father off of a balcony!'
Lexie put a finger in her face!
'Now you see, that's why Simone is so angry with you! Where is your loyalty? Are you so blinded by the Crane money, that you would take their side over your own flesh and blood?'
Whitney gasped quietly. But she did not waver.
'Julian thought you had something to do with my mother's kidnapping. He's probably off looking for her now. For your sake, you'd better hope that he doesn't find her, or that he has no proof. Because I don't care what my father says, if he finds out that you've done something to the mother of his children, your ass is going back to Salem!'
Whitney turned to leave, when she bumped head on into a man! She then heard a wail from behind her. Whitney turned back to see that Lexie had fainted! Simone ran over to her, then eyed the man.
'Oh my God!' Simone cried. She had seen pictures of this man before. He was Lexie's dead husband, Abe Carver.
****
Herb flew the helicopter towards the compound. Julian Crane sat calmly next to him. Herb glanced over at him, before shaking his head.
'I can't believe this is your plan! I think it sucks.'
'It may very well, 'suck' as you put it. But, it was the only thing I could think of on such short notice.'
'Well you should have thought harder!' he snapped. Julian looked over at him.
'Why Herb, you sound almost...afraid?'
'I'm not afraid, Mr. Crane! I'm annoyed! You approach me about taking you to the DiMera compound, throw a ^%^$%# load of money in my face, I'm kind enough to find you a guide that will take us to a high enough spot, so I can helicopter you in, and then, instead of my being able to just drop you off and leave, I have to lie now too!'
'Herb, you'll still be able to leave! All you have to do is tell Stefano is that you found out I was in Nepal asking a lot of questions, you captured me and brought me to the compound. Then you'll be out of there! My God! I'm the one taking all the risks here!'
'Yeah, which I don't understand!'
'I love my wife! That's all you need to know!'
Herb sighed, as the top of the compound became visible.
'I understand that! What I'm saying is your plan sucks! You may find your wife, but neither one of you will be able to leave! It's not like I'll be around to helicopter you out!'
'Herb, you are giving me a headache! Just do as I say, and you, and my money, will be home free!'
Herb said nothing else, leaving Julian to think. The guide had told them about the avalanche up here, and Julian was just glad to see that the compound itself, seemed to have sustained no damage whatsoever. That meant Eve was safe.
Herb soon landed on the helipad. Two men came running out, as the helicopter appeared to wind down. Soon, Herb and Julian got out. Herb grabbed Julian by the arm.
'I found this guy asking questions about Mr. DiMera!' Herb shouted to be heard over the wind.
One of the guards snatched Julian. The other one nodded to Herb. The four of them went inside the compound.
****
Liz smirked and ate an apple, as Julian stood before a seated Stefano. Tony was there as well, glaring at him. Herb was long gone.
Julian eyed Liz. She was wearing a black, leather two piece suit. Her hair was an atrocious color of blonde.
Liz licked her lips, walked up to Julian, wiped her hands on the front of his coat, then threw away the apple! She then walked back over to stand next to Stefano.
'My, my. My son's murderer is standing before me. What do I owe this pleasure, Julian?' Stefano asked.
'I think you know why. I want my wife back. And I think it was quite unsporting of you, to renege on our deals.'
'Oh, you mean the one where I keep your father here with me, and help Eve and you evade the law? I believe I did keep up my end.'
Julian rolled his eyes.
'Is Alistair in on this too? Never mind! I want to see Eve! How in the hell you thought that that poorly developed woman, that you tried to substitute her for, would ever fool me, is beyond comprehension!'
'She looked exactly like Eve! I inspected her myself!' Tony hissed.
Julian smirked over at him.
'If I hadn't already known that you had never slept with my wife, I would've guessed it from your ignorant comment now! If you had ever lain next to Eve, or had the pleasure of touching her exquisite body, you would've known that that woman, was not her! But, I heard she's running loose somewhere, you might want to look her up, since that is as close to the real thing as you will ever get!'
Tony leaped at him! Julian and him fell backwards. Two guards broke it up. Liz smiled. Stefano stood up and walked up to both of them.
'Eve is no longer with us.'
Julian stared at Stefano, then at Tony. Tony sniffed. My God! Was that bastard crying?!
'What the hell have you done to Eve?! Tell me!' Julian almost screamed, unnerved at the sight of Tony, who was now openly crying.
Liz picked up another apple, and began chomping down on it, rather noisily. Stefano was about to say something, when he looked over at her. Julian and Tony did as well. It sounded as if she were sucking the insides out of it or something!
'Uh, darling, could you please eat that somewhere else?' Stefano asked
Liz stopped abruptly. She walked over to Stefano. He leaned down and licked the juice off of her mouth. Both Julian and Tony turned away, slightly repulsed.
'I don't know what it is, honey, I've just been craving apples.'
'Yes, well it's a good thing we have that supply in the storage room. Now, run along darling, I'll meet you later...in bed.'
Julian coughed with disgust. Liz glared at him.
'Eve's dead, Julian! Her stupid ass jumped out of a window and ran off into the elements!'
Julian looked her up and down. Tony glared at Liz as well.
'That's enough from you! Father get your wife out of here! I won't listen to someone who was unkind to my fiancee!'
'Your fiancee?!' Julian yelled, looking Tony up and down. Tony sniffed again and wiped away a tear.
'That's right! Eve agreed to be my wife, shortly before the incident.'
Julian peered at Tony. Had the man lost his mind?!
'So, if Eve was so happy to become your 'wife', then why did she jump out of a window?'
'Nerves, I suppose. That and I'm sure Abe said something to her.'
Stefano frowned at the mention of his name. Julian squinted at everyone around the room.
'Abe who?' Julian asked.
Liz got one more dig in.
'Lexie's Abe. He didn't die on that island. He had a thing for Eve.' she said slyly.
Stefano looked at her.
'I still don't quite understand how he managed to escape?'
Liz and Tony looked at one another shiftily. Julian caught the look. Good God! Abe Carver had been alive all of this time? He couldn't understand why Lexie chose to return without him then? Unless she was truly in love with T.C. and just didn't want to be bothered?
Julian shook his head.
'Did you search for Eve?' Julian asked Tony. Tony began to tear up again.
'We did. But one of the fool guards tried to shoot her. He missed, causing an avalanche...'
Julian gasped! Good God! He had forgotten all about that! His Eve had been caught in that avalanche?!
'We haven't found her, but I don't see how she could still be alive...it's been two days...although maybe she could have made an igloo or something...' Tony cried.
'Oh please!' Liz snapped. 'Out of what? Eve wouldn't know how to make any damned igloo!'
Stefano, not liking the effect his wife's harsh words were having on Tony, grabbed her arm.
'Leave us now, Liz!'
Liz smiled up at him.
'Come and teach me a lesson then, Stef-Daddy!'
Julian thought he would hurl! Maybe his poor Eve was the lucky one! He would prefer to die in a nice avalanche, then listen to those two run on!
Stefano nodded to the guards.
'Put him in the storage room!'
One of the guards grabbed Julian by the arm and dragged him from the room. Tony sat back down on the couch and began to weep silently.
Stefano turned to Liz and rested his hands on her waist.
'What is the matter with you? You're bitchier than normal...and you've been eating so many apples!'
Liz sighed.
'I think I'm pregnant.' she replied, in a monotone voice. She wasn't quite sure how she felt about it yet.
Stefano picked her up and whirled her around. Tony watched them and sobbed harder, for his poor Eve.
****
Julian was thrown into a cold storage room. He fell against a bag of apples. He slowly stood up and dusted himself off.
He had to get out of here and look for Eve! Julian couldn't believe his beloved had tried to escape in these conditions! What the hell had she been thinking?
But Julian suspected he knew. Eve hadn't agreed to marry Tony, and didn't know if anyone would ever find her. She would've rather died trying to find a way off of this mountain, then stay stuck here. He knew how she felt because he would've done the same thing.
'Julian?' he heard someone whisper. Julian looked around.
Eve peeked her head up from behind a wooden crate! Julian's eyes widened, as he rushed over to her! Eve wrapped her arms around him. He was holding her so tightly, she thought she would break!
Eve pulled away from him.
'Julian? I can't believe you're here!'
'I can't believe you're here either! Those cretins told me about the avalanche! They think you're dead! Why are you in the storage room here?'
'Oh, Julian! It was so cold! And it didn't take me long to realize that there is nothing around here...and I thought I heard a wolf!'
'A wolf?'
'Yes! And I saw a pair of yellow eyes...so I snuck back here. Someone had left the back door to the compound open and I've been living down here for two days! All I've had to eat is apples! Oh Julian!'
Julian pulled her into his arms and kissed her hard. He then reluctantly let go of her.
'We'll find a way out of here, I swear! But first, I want you to hide again, while I demand heat. Then we'll have an apple picnic down here..until we can figure a way out of here.'
Eve sniffed and nodded. They kissed again.
Eve keeps warm in a surprising place. Sam asks Grace for a favor.
TWO DAYS LATER
'So, no one has seen my father in days?' Fox asked.
Whitney rubbed his hand. She was just so happy he was finally getting up and around, that she really didn't want to think of the troubles that lay ahead.
But, Whitney did answer him.
'No. After his fight with my father, he apparently got on a plane and left the country. I think he went to rescue Mom.'
Fox squeezed her hand.
'I know he did, honey. I just hope that when he finds her, he doesn't come back to a jail cell.'
Whitney let go of his hand.
'Why would he? Daddy didn't die.'
'No, thank God for that. But Whitney, all we have is Lexie Carver's accusation that my father shoved your father off of that balcony.'
Whitney shook her head.
'Celeste said that it was an accident, that my father was about to attack Julian, when Julian ducked. I love Daddy, but I believe Celeste.'
'And so do I.' Fox said, watching her.
'Then why would Lexie lie? And you know something else? I've been thinking back to something.'
'What?' Fox asked, concerned at how his wife looked. She obviously hadn't slept, worrying about him and her father, plus putting up with Simone's crap! For while T.C. Russell did not die, it looked as if he may be in a wheelchair, for the rest of his life.
'The night you were first brought in here, after the fire. Julian was here when Daddy and Lexie showed up.'
'Oh. Sparks must have flown between my father and your father even then, hey?'
Whitney stood up and walked to the middle of the room. Her arms were folded. She turned slightly to look at him.
'No, not at first. But it was funny, because now that I think back, your father kept making little remarks to Lexie about my mother's disappearance. It was as almost as if he was hinting that she knew something about it. I don't know how I could've forgotten about that. But then Daddy got me out of the room...and Lexie and Julian were in here with you alone. I wonder if Julian said something about Lexie again? But why?'
Fox sighed. This was the last thing he needed to wake up to! Whitney had no idea that Julian had arranged to have Lexie, Theo and Liz kidnapped last year, or that he himself, had known about it the whole time!
And the fact that neither Lexie, nor Celeste were broadcasting this fact, meant that they needed for it to stay a secret, for some reason. He looked at Whitney.
'Tell me about this woman that was living with my father?'
Whitney shrugged and headed back towards Fox's bed.
'Celeste said the woman attacked her at her apartment, and that she had to hit this woman to defend herself. But, when Sam and Luis got there, the woman was gone. I hope Julian knows where my mother is, because the police don't seem to have a clue.'
Fox opened his arms and Whitney bent down to hug him back. They stayed that way for a moment, holding one another, when the door opened. They let go of one another and looked to see who their visitor was. It was Ivy.
Whitney looked uncomfortable. She didn't think Fox knew about Ivy's condition, but as she glanced at him, she could see in his eyes, that he knew something was wrong with his mother. Maybe now was the time for the two of them to talk.
Whitney turned towards Fox.
'I'm going to go and check up on my father.'
Fox nodded, dragging his eyes off of Ivy, back to his wife.
'Okay. But if Simone starts any crap with you, walk away. You don't need anymore stress.'
'I promise.' she said, kissing him lightly. She then turned, eyed Ivy without comment, then left the room.
Ivy watched her daughter-in-law leave the room, then turned to Fox.
'Well, you look like you're coming around.' she noted.
Fox nodded.
Ivy took a step closer.
'I know that you must've been shocked to wake up and find me sitting at your bedside. I thought we could talk.'
'About?' he asked coolly.
'About what's going on in that house. What were you thinking, climbing the trellis like that? You could've been killed!'
Fox rolled his eyes. He was too old for her to play the concerned mommy now.
'I'll tell you what? Why don't we cut the crap? What's wrong with you?'
Ivy just stared at him.
'What do you mean? I'm here because believe it or not, I do care.'
'That's not what I mean and you know it! You're walking around here looking like a damned skeleton, and it's not due to the 'South Beach Diet'! You're sick, aren't you? That's why you suddenly care about me, isn't it?'
Ivy walked over and sat down in the chair Whitney had vacated.
'I do have ovarian cancer. And my chances of survival are about 75%. And I'm not going to lie, yes, it was this disease that made me want to do right by the people that I've wronged. I never gave you a chance Fox, because I was so damned angry during my marriage to Julian. You were his child and I hated Julian, thus I...'
'Hated me, right?' Fox asked, somewhat bitterly.
Ivy did not answer him. But, she stood up again.
'I know that letting me into your life again, would be a lot to ask, especially in light of how I have wronged Whitney. But all I'm asking is that you think about giving me a chance? Maybe?'
Fox turned away.
'I will. I'm tired now.'
Ivy stared at her son's profile, then nodded slightly. She turned and walked out of the room.
Outside of Fox's room, Sam was standing by the nurse's station, when he saw a dejected looking Ivy come out of Fox's room. He immediately went to her.
'What is it? Are you alright? Let's sit down over there.'
Sam took Ivy's hand, and guided her towards a row of waiting room chairs. They sat down in them. Sam watched as a single tear ran down her cheek. He reached out and wiped it away.
'Talk to me, Ivy.' he urged her.
Ivy sniffed.
'I was just wondering how I got to this point in my life? How I could not be invited to my son's wedding? How a child of mine could look at me as if I were the enemy? Well, I know how. I just don't know how to fix anything.'
'Give Fox some time.'
'I may not have much more!' Ivy sniffed again, then stopped abruptly.
'I'm sorry. I told myself I wasn't going to think like that. My doctor says I have a good chance, it has just been so hard...'
Sam took her hands in his.
'My mother died of breast cancer.'
Ivy squeezed his hand.
'I'm sorry, Sam...I didn't know. Actually, I never had the privilege of knowing your mother. I was too ashamed to be seen with you...'
She then began to cry. Sam pulled her into his arms, just as Grace was walking up. Sam let go of Ivy. Ivy saw Grace and wiped her eyes.
Grace scowled at Ivy, then looked at Sam.
'Have you been up to see T.C.?' she asked him, ignoring Ivy completely.
'Uh, I was just headed up there now.'
'You could've fooled me.' Grace said wryly. Ivy stood up.
'I'd better get going. I hope T.C. is doing better.'
Ivy then looked at Grace.
'It was nice seeing you, Grace.'
Grace said nothing, as Ivy turned and walked towards the elevators. Sam half watched her, then turned his attention to Grace.
'You know she's really going through a rough time of it, honey...'
'No, Sam, I don't know that. None of us even know for sure that she has cancer!'
'Grace!'
'Oh, don't you Grace me! She has cancer, just like she was paralyzed all of that time too, huh? Yeah, and look at you! How many more times am I going to find that woman in your arms before you get a clue?!'
'Grace, I know Ivy had been underhanded before...'
''Underhanded'? Oh, boy that's a good one!'
'Would you let me finish please? Have you really taken a hard look at Ivy? How could she be faking that kind of terrible weight loss? She's trying to make amends to people that she's hurt and fight for her life. Could you just cut her some slack? Please?'
Grace rolled her eyes. She walked up to her husband and kissed him.
'Let's not talk about Ivy anymore, okay?'
That was not the answer Sam hoped for, but he decided not to push it. Grace put an arm around his waist, and together, they headed towards the elevators to go and see T.C.. When they pressed the up button, the doors opened. Sam's eyes widened, and he took a step back. Grace looked up at him.
'Honey? What is it?' she asked. She then looked in the elevator. There was a Black man standing there that looked like...
'Abe. Abe Carver.' Sam quietly said. T.C.'s life had just gone from bad to worse!
****
Lexie sat outside of T.C.'s room, as two doctors examined him. She sat next to Simone, who looked angry. Lexie touched her hand.
'We have to keep the faith, Simone. We have to believe that everything is going to be okay.'
Simone stood up. Her chest heaved up and down in anger.
'How is it ever going to be okay, when my father can't walk?'
Lexie stood up and put a hand on her shoulder.
'We don't know that his paralysis is permanent. We have to keep his hopes, and our own, up.'
'How, Lexie? Julian Crane has ruined my father's life, yet again! First he drives him off of the road, just because he knew he wasn't good enough to beat my father in tennis, all those years ago! Then he steals Mom from us! Then he damned near blinds him and now this...'
Simone began to cry. Lexie held her. That was how Whitney found them when she arrived. She cleared her throat. Simone saw her and turned away in anger. Lexie smiled weakly at her.
'Whitney. How is Fox?'
'Better.' she answered, her eyes moving from Lexie to Simone.
Lexie glanced back at Simone.
'The doctors are in with your father now. Why don't you come back in a few minutes?'
Whitney eyed Lexie. She still thought this woman knew more about what happened than she was letting on. She made a mental note to speak with Celeste.
'I know you're just trying to keep the peace, Lexie, but he is my father...'
Lexie suddenly grabbed her arm, hard! She then pulled her a few feet away from Simone. Simone did not see this, as she was trying to peek in the door window of T.C.'s room.
'What the hell do you think you're doing?!' Whitney snapped, pulling her arm away.
'Simone hates the sight of you, Whitney! Now I'm sorry for that, I really am! But the last thing T.C. needs right now, is two brawling daughters! You need to stay away from here when Simone is here, is that clear?'
Whitney looked Lexie up and down.
'Who the hell do you think you are talking to? You aren't even married to Daddy, but you're handing out orders as if you're someone important!'
'I'm important to T.C.. Theo and I both are.'
Whitney nodded quickly.
'Oh, I'm not disputing that. But I don't trust you. And I don't believe that Julian just shoved my father off of a balcony!'
Lexie put a finger in her face!
'Now you see, that's why Simone is so angry with you! Where is your loyalty? Are you so blinded by the Crane money, that you would take their side over your own flesh and blood?'
Whitney gasped quietly. But she did not waver.
'Julian thought you had something to do with my mother's kidnapping. He's probably off looking for her now. For your sake, you'd better hope that he doesn't find her, or that he has no proof. Because I don't care what my father says, if he finds out that you've done something to the mother of his children, your ass is going back to Salem!'
Whitney turned to leave, when she bumped head on into a man! She then heard a wail from behind her. Whitney turned back to see that Lexie had fainted! Simone ran over to her, then eyed the man.
'Oh my God!' Simone cried. She had seen pictures of this man before. He was Lexie's dead husband, Abe Carver.
****
Herb flew the helicopter towards the compound. Julian Crane sat calmly next to him. Herb glanced over at him, before shaking his head.
'I can't believe this is your plan! I think it sucks.'
'It may very well, 'suck' as you put it. But, it was the only thing I could think of on such short notice.'
'Well you should have thought harder!' he snapped. Julian looked over at him.
'Why Herb, you sound almost...afraid?'
'I'm not afraid, Mr. Crane! I'm annoyed! You approach me about taking you to the DiMera compound, throw a ^%^$%# load of money in my face, I'm kind enough to find you a guide that will take us to a high enough spot, so I can helicopter you in, and then, instead of my being able to just drop you off and leave, I have to lie now too!'
'Herb, you'll still be able to leave! All you have to do is tell Stefano is that you found out I was in Nepal asking a lot of questions, you captured me and brought me to the compound. Then you'll be out of there! My God! I'm the one taking all the risks here!'
'Yeah, which I don't understand!'
'I love my wife! That's all you need to know!'
Herb sighed, as the top of the compound became visible.
'I understand that! What I'm saying is your plan sucks! You may find your wife, but neither one of you will be able to leave! It's not like I'll be around to helicopter you out!'
'Herb, you are giving me a headache! Just do as I say, and you, and my money, will be home free!'
Herb said nothing else, leaving Julian to think. The guide had told them about the avalanche up here, and Julian was just glad to see that the compound itself, seemed to have sustained no damage whatsoever. That meant Eve was safe.
Herb soon landed on the helipad. Two men came running out, as the helicopter appeared to wind down. Soon, Herb and Julian got out. Herb grabbed Julian by the arm.
'I found this guy asking questions about Mr. DiMera!' Herb shouted to be heard over the wind.
One of the guards snatched Julian. The other one nodded to Herb. The four of them went inside the compound.
****
Liz smirked and ate an apple, as Julian stood before a seated Stefano. Tony was there as well, glaring at him. Herb was long gone.
Julian eyed Liz. She was wearing a black, leather two piece suit. Her hair was an atrocious color of blonde.
Liz licked her lips, walked up to Julian, wiped her hands on the front of his coat, then threw away the apple! She then walked back over to stand next to Stefano.
'My, my. My son's murderer is standing before me. What do I owe this pleasure, Julian?' Stefano asked.
'I think you know why. I want my wife back. And I think it was quite unsporting of you, to renege on our deals.'
'Oh, you mean the one where I keep your father here with me, and help Eve and you evade the law? I believe I did keep up my end.'
Julian rolled his eyes.
'Is Alistair in on this too? Never mind! I want to see Eve! How in the hell you thought that that poorly developed woman, that you tried to substitute her for, would ever fool me, is beyond comprehension!'
'She looked exactly like Eve! I inspected her myself!' Tony hissed.
Julian smirked over at him.
'If I hadn't already known that you had never slept with my wife, I would've guessed it from your ignorant comment now! If you had ever lain next to Eve, or had the pleasure of touching her exquisite body, you would've known that that woman, was not her! But, I heard she's running loose somewhere, you might want to look her up, since that is as close to the real thing as you will ever get!'
Tony leaped at him! Julian and him fell backwards. Two guards broke it up. Liz smiled. Stefano stood up and walked up to both of them.
'Eve is no longer with us.'
Julian stared at Stefano, then at Tony. Tony sniffed. My God! Was that bastard crying?!
'What the hell have you done to Eve?! Tell me!' Julian almost screamed, unnerved at the sight of Tony, who was now openly crying.
Liz picked up another apple, and began chomping down on it, rather noisily. Stefano was about to say something, when he looked over at her. Julian and Tony did as well. It sounded as if she were sucking the insides out of it or something!
'Uh, darling, could you please eat that somewhere else?' Stefano asked
Liz stopped abruptly. She walked over to Stefano. He leaned down and licked the juice off of her mouth. Both Julian and Tony turned away, slightly repulsed.
'I don't know what it is, honey, I've just been craving apples.'
'Yes, well it's a good thing we have that supply in the storage room. Now, run along darling, I'll meet you later...in bed.'
Julian coughed with disgust. Liz glared at him.
'Eve's dead, Julian! Her stupid ass jumped out of a window and ran off into the elements!'
Julian looked her up and down. Tony glared at Liz as well.
'That's enough from you! Father get your wife out of here! I won't listen to someone who was unkind to my fiancee!'
'Your fiancee?!' Julian yelled, looking Tony up and down. Tony sniffed again and wiped away a tear.
'That's right! Eve agreed to be my wife, shortly before the incident.'
Julian peered at Tony. Had the man lost his mind?!
'So, if Eve was so happy to become your 'wife', then why did she jump out of a window?'
'Nerves, I suppose. That and I'm sure Abe said something to her.'
Stefano frowned at the mention of his name. Julian squinted at everyone around the room.
'Abe who?' Julian asked.
Liz got one more dig in.
'Lexie's Abe. He didn't die on that island. He had a thing for Eve.' she said slyly.
Stefano looked at her.
'I still don't quite understand how he managed to escape?'
Liz and Tony looked at one another shiftily. Julian caught the look. Good God! Abe Carver had been alive all of this time? He couldn't understand why Lexie chose to return without him then? Unless she was truly in love with T.C. and just didn't want to be bothered?
Julian shook his head.
'Did you search for Eve?' Julian asked Tony. Tony began to tear up again.
'We did. But one of the fool guards tried to shoot her. He missed, causing an avalanche...'
Julian gasped! Good God! He had forgotten all about that! His Eve had been caught in that avalanche?!
'We haven't found her, but I don't see how she could still be alive...it's been two days...although maybe she could have made an igloo or something...' Tony cried.
'Oh please!' Liz snapped. 'Out of what? Eve wouldn't know how to make any damned igloo!'
Stefano, not liking the effect his wife's harsh words were having on Tony, grabbed her arm.
'Leave us now, Liz!'
Liz smiled up at him.
'Come and teach me a lesson then, Stef-Daddy!'
Julian thought he would hurl! Maybe his poor Eve was the lucky one! He would prefer to die in a nice avalanche, then listen to those two run on!
Stefano nodded to the guards.
'Put him in the storage room!'
One of the guards grabbed Julian by the arm and dragged him from the room. Tony sat back down on the couch and began to weep silently.
Stefano turned to Liz and rested his hands on her waist.
'What is the matter with you? You're bitchier than normal...and you've been eating so many apples!'
Liz sighed.
'I think I'm pregnant.' she replied, in a monotone voice. She wasn't quite sure how she felt about it yet.
Stefano picked her up and whirled her around. Tony watched them and sobbed harder, for his poor Eve.
****
Julian was thrown into a cold storage room. He fell against a bag of apples. He slowly stood up and dusted himself off.
He had to get out of here and look for Eve! Julian couldn't believe his beloved had tried to escape in these conditions! What the hell had she been thinking?
But Julian suspected he knew. Eve hadn't agreed to marry Tony, and didn't know if anyone would ever find her. She would've rather died trying to find a way off of this mountain, then stay stuck here. He knew how she felt because he would've done the same thing.
'Julian?' he heard someone whisper. Julian looked around.
Eve peeked her head up from behind a wooden crate! Julian's eyes widened, as he rushed over to her! Eve wrapped her arms around him. He was holding her so tightly, she thought she would break!
Eve pulled away from him.
'Julian? I can't believe you're here!'
'I can't believe you're here either! Those cretins told me about the avalanche! They think you're dead! Why are you in the storage room here?'
'Oh, Julian! It was so cold! And it didn't take me long to realize that there is nothing around here...and I thought I heard a wolf!'
'A wolf?'
'Yes! And I saw a pair of yellow eyes...so I snuck back here. Someone had left the back door to the compound open and I've been living down here for two days! All I've had to eat is apples! Oh Julian!'
Julian pulled her into his arms and kissed her hard. He then reluctantly let go of her.
'We'll find a way out of here, I swear! But first, I want you to hide again, while I demand heat. Then we'll have an apple picnic down here..until we can figure a way out of here.'
Eve sniffed and nodded. They kissed again.