Chapter 16
Eve goes about the task of setting things right.
For Eve, Julian's and her arrival back in Harmony, seemed to spell the beginning of more trouble.
Julian was nonchalant, when they both went to Luis and Sheridan's home to pick up Evan and Erin, only for Luis to slap handcuffs on Julian!
Luis, who had to hide his hatred for Julian from Sheridan and Eve, stoically told them that he had no choice, and that T.C. had insisted on pressing charges. Luis had been secretly happy that T.C. had not backed off on this. The only thing he had not been pleased with, was to see Lexie Carver back at T.C.'s bedside. It was so obvious, that Lexie had 'suddenly' decided that a man that may not ever walk again, was better than a monster!
But Eve, kept her cool throughout all of this. She walked up to Julian and kissed him. She then told him that T.C. was going to drop the charges, and that she would take care of it. Julian had smiled at her, as if he were reassured, but he was not. Eve had had a wild look in her eye when she had said those words to him. It was the same wild look she wore during their wilder lovemaking sessions, and he feared that she may actually hurt someone!
But, Julian also sensed, that now he would have to trust in his wife to fix things, instead of vice versa.
Julian then asked that he and Eve be allowed to hold their babies, before he was taken away. Luis shrugged, then followed Sheridan into the room where the babies slept. Luis had been relatively sure, that Julian would not make a run for it.
Sheridan brought out Erin, while Luis handed Evan over to Eve. He smiled at both of his parents, as if he knew they had been away, and was glad to see them. The sight made both Julian and Eve smile.
Erin, per the norm, was fussy with Eve, but melted when Julian held her. Erin was definitely a Daddy's girl.
After what seemed like too short a time, Julian and Eve handed their children back over to Luis and Sheridan, then prepared for the worst. Luis came back out first, and put Julian in handcuffs.
Once Luis took Julian away, Eve turned to Sheridan and asked her if she could keep the twins a few hours longer. Sheridan had no problem with it, but asked Eve what she intended to do? Eve had only smiled, then thanked Sheridan again, before leaving the house. Sheridan had walked over to a window, and watched Eve get into the limo, that had brought her brother and sister-in-law, back from God knows where. She hoped Eve knew what she was doing, otherwise, her and Luis could end up raising Evan and Erin!
Sheridan suddenly gasped! She had forgotten to tell Julian and Eve that Alistair had been kidnapped by the Sasquatch! Luis would probably tell Julian, and she guessed Eve would run into someone who would break the news to her. Sheridan sighed and turned away from the window.
Meanwhile, Eve sat in the backseat of the limo, her chest tight with anger! She had no doubts whatsoever, that Julian and T.C.'s fight had went down, just as Julian said it had! Julian, God bless him, was not a fighter. And if he could get out of being punched, kicked or slapped in anyway, he would do it.
And she knew T.C.. When it came to Julian, T.C. was just a man out of control. Eve could almost see how the whole altercation had happened. Julian, ducking to avoid the onslaught of violence that was sure to come, T.C., not expecting Julian to duck, going over the balcony.
Eve laid her head back against the seat, as the driver turned into their affluent neighborhood. She was going to see how bad the fire had damaged the house, then go and see if Whitney and Fox were home, then go to the hospital to get her job back, and see if there was any hope of not only T.C. walking again, but that he would drop the charges against Julian.
The limo stopped, and Eve realized she had been so lost in her thoughts, that she hadn't even noticed that they were home. She peeked out the window. Her eyes widened. The front part of the mansion looked as if it had seen better days! The driver came around and opened the door for her. Eve got out and murmured a 'thank-you'.
'It really isn't as bad as it looks, Mrs. Crane.' the limo driver said.
Eve tore her eyes away from the sight. Her eyes had moved up to one of the upper floors, the one where Evan and Erin had slept. If Julian hadn't saved them, they surely would've died. Her chest felt tight again!
But she looked at Leo, that limo driver, and gave him a weak smile.
'No, it isn't. What is all of the staff been doing?'
'Oh, there is a good part of the house that was unaffected by the fire, probably because the fire department got here quickly. Your sister-in-law has been coming over and supervising them. I always liked Mrs. Lopez-Fitzgerald. She's one of the reasons I couldn't feel bad about what happened to Mr. Crane Sr.'
Eve had been about to look back at the house, when she whipped her head back towards Leo.
'Alistair? Oh yes...Leo, I was kidnapped before I knew what happened to him. Julian put him in a home, right?'
'Yeah, Mrs. Crane, but the Sasquatch creature that's been running around town here, kidnapped him last night!'
Eve's mouth dropped open!
'Abe kidnapped Alistair?'
Leo nodded.
'Yeah, or so that's what the witnesses said. No one has seen him or the creature for hours. Anyway, I remember how crappily Mr. Crane Sr. used to treat Mrs. Lopez-Fitzgerald. I couldn't work up any tears for him.'
Eve shook her head.
'Neither can I, Leo. Listen, I'm going to look around here and...'
'Mrs. Crane, what's left is so unstable...and the rest of us have been using some of the side entrances...'
Eve rested a hand on his arm.
'I'll be careful. But go on in. I won't be needing you for the rest of the day. I'll be taking my own car.'
Leo nodded, somewhat reluctantly, then slowly walked off, towards the side of the mansion. Eve turned from him, towards the damaged structure, and began walking towards it.
The front hallway had not been repaired from Chad's suicide through here, so it looked especially horrific. There was also yellow crime scene tape around the damaged parts. Eve coughed, gingerly stepping through rubble and looking around. She then shook her head. Oh, what her and Julian have been through!
Eve was about to turn and leave, when she heard a loud, dry cough! She looked around, eyeing all of the rubbled areas. She decided it was coming from one near where Julian's study, still stood, outside of the door. Eve peeked around it and gasped!
For laying there, shivering and cold, was a naked Abe Carver.
****
Eve, once ascertaining that Abe was alright, made her way back to the more livable parts of the house, said hello to the servants that were there, then snuck out with some clothes of Julian's, that she had found in one of his suite of rooms that he had lived in, when he was married to Ivy.
They would not fit Abe, probably, but it was the best she could do for him, right at this moment. Eve hurried back to the damaged part of the mansion, told Abe to go into the study to change, and that she would be in when he was finished. He smiled weakly at her, then did as he was told, closing the door.
Eve sighed deeply. She could still remember the names of those medications, Roy Boon had been taking, back in the Himalayas. Now that she thought about it, Eve now wondered if the man had been trying to cure himself of the beast within?
'Eve?'
Eve turned towards the door.
'Yes?'
'It's safe to come in!' he called out.
Eve opened the study door, then closed it quickly. No, the clothes did not fit, but, they covered, which had been the whole point in the first place!
Eve walked up to him.
'Tell me what's happening to you, Abe?'
Abe reached out to touch her hands.
'First, tell me that you're not angry with me.'
Eve titled her head.
'For what?'
'For being such a damned coward! For not looking for you, after the avalanche?'
Eve shook her head.
'Abe, I suspect I know what getting out of that compound cost you.' she said, looking into his eyes, knowingly.
Abe shook his head and turned away. Eve stared at his back.
'Liz told you?' he asked.
'Uh, actually Tony told all of us.'
Abe turned back to face her.
'What?'
Eve walked up to him.
'I survived the avalanche, though my leg could use some looking at. Anyway, I decided I wasn't going to wander out in the mountains looking for help. I went back to the compound.'
Abe's eyes widened.
'What?!'
'Yes, though I thought Stefano did not know I was there. I hid in one of the stockrooms, on the lower level. I had no plan, I just needed a warm place to be, until I could find a way to escape. Then Julian arrived.'
Abe looked away again. Eve kept talking.
'The both of us stayed there, until Stefano made it clear that he was going to cast us out in the elements, where we would probably freeze to death...look, to make a long story short, Tony told Stefano about Liz and you. I don't know how he knew, he just did. Liz tried to lie her way out of it, but Stefano wasn't buying anymore of her lies. Stefano then threw the four of us out into the snow.'
Abe turned back to her.
'Stefano threw Tony and Liz out too?!'
'Yes. None of us would've survived...' Eve had to stop herself. Liz, and probably Tony too, didn't survive.
Abe could see that she was upset by her ordeal. He was glad Julian had been with her. He had done what Abe himself, had been unable to do for Eve....rescue her.
'Eve, you really don't have to talk about it.'
'No, Abe, I have to talk about it, because part of this story could concern you.'
'Because of Liz and me? Look, did she come back with you? Because I would die if Lexie ever found out about that.'
Eve looked down, then back up at Abe again.
'Abe, we found a cabin. It was owned by a man named Roy Boon. Do you remember meeting him?'
Abe stared at her. He then slowly nodded his head.
'Dr. Boon. He gave me monthly check-ups. For the first six months of my imprisonment, I always felt like I was coming down with the flu or something. Dr. Boon would give me a flu shot, then I would be fine. One day he was just gone. Someone said he had quit. I had always wondered if Stefano had killed him.'
Eve bit her lip. She had no doubt that there was no flu remedy in those injections! And somewhere down the line, either Dr. Boon had injected himself, or Stefano had done it for him!
'He killed him, just not in the way you would think.'
'Eve, tell me what's going on!'
Eve picked up Abe's hands again, then squeezed them hard.
'Dr. Boon turned out to be some creature. Julian and I believe we were one of the few that escaped that mountain with our lives.'
Abe snatched his hands away, his face fearful.
'Eve, I don't remember anything from last night! I mean, the last thing I do remember, was going to the police station to...' Abe decided against telling Eve that he had tried to swear out a complaint on her two daughters. Now was probably not the time to get into it.
'What, Abe?' Eve asked.
'I don't remember. Next think I know, I wake up here, wherever here is, and find you standing over me.'
'Well, here is my home, or what was my home. Apparently Alicia tried to burn it down when she was impersonating me.'
'Good God, Eve! Was anyone hurt?'
Eve shook her head.
'Not that I heard. But Julian and our twins, Evan and Erin, barely survived.'
'Oh, Eve! I'm so sorry. Where is that woman now?'
'Hopefully, far, far, away. But forget her. We need to deal with you and what's happening with this creature that...'
'You were going to say the creature that I'm turning in to, weren't you Eve? God! I hope I didn't hurt anyone! You said that Dr. Boon turned into one too?'
Eve rubbed the side of her face.
'Yes. I'm thinking those flu shots you were receiving, are probably the reason this is happening. Dr. Boon had some odd medications in his medicine cabinet. I want to take you to the hospital and see what we can do for you.'
'Eve, I know I probably caused some sort of damage to something. I need to turn myself in first.'
Eve bit her lip. Abe peered at her.
'What?'
Eve blew out a breath.
'Okay. People are saying that this creature...'
'You mean me.'
Eve looked at him sympathetically.
'No, I mean the creature. The Abe Carver I know, is not capable of harming a hair on anyone's head. The creature was spotted by witnesses, kidnapping Alistair Crane.'
Abe's mouth dropped open! He began to back away.
'Alistair Crane...your father-in-law and the man that owns Harmony?!'
Eve just nodded.
'Abe, believe me, the police will understand, especially once we explain that you are just as much a victim as Alistair is! Do you remember what you did with him?'
'Eve...I don't remember anything at all of last night! Nothing! I don't know where the man is! I didn't even know I kidnapped him! What if he's dead?! Oh my God!'
Eve put her arms around him.
'It will be alright. It will be alright. Look, stay here and keep quiet, until I figure out what we should do. Okay? I'll bring you some food.'
She let go of him and he nodded. She then backed away and turned and walked out of the study, closing the door behind her.
First Julian, now Abe! She rubbed her hands together nervously, as she made her way out of that part of the mansion. She had decided not to tell Abe about what Roy Boon's creature had done to Liz. Not only did Eve not think Abe was ready to hear that the thing he was turning in to, could possibly rip a human being to shreds, but thoughts of his doing the same thing to Alistair, would surely haunt the poor man.
****
Eve decided to bring Abe back a sub sandwich, with soup and two Sprites, from a local restaurant. It just seemed too dangerous to go nosing around the kitchen during this time.
She left Abe, who greedily began gulping down his food. She then made her way down to Fox and Whitney's residence on the grounds. She had to inform her daughter, and Julian's son, about what was going on. Eve also hoped they may have some insight as to how to handle T.C.. For God knows, she was married to the man for almost 20 years, and still couldn't understand him!
Eve knocked on their door, looking around a bit at the grounds. They had certainly been kept up. The door opened, and Eve was shocked not to look into the faces of Whitney or Fox, but of Ivy Winthrop!
Eve looked her up and down. Ivy gave her a tentative smile. Eve returned it, taking in her very thin and weak looking appearance.
'Uh, I was looking for Whitney or Fox...'
'Mom!' Whitney cried out, coming out from another room. She ran over to her mother and gave her a big hug, one which Eve returned. Ivy moved out of the way, and sat on a couch. Eve eyed her again, from over Whitney's shoulder. Eve let go of Whitney. Whitney pulled her in and closed the door.
'I'm sorry if I interrupted something here.' Eve said, looking at Whitney. Whitney looked over at Ivy, who stood up again.
'Eve, you must be wondering what I'm doing here?'
Eve looked from Whitney to Ivy.
'Yes, I am. But if neither one of you wants to get into it, I'll respect that.'
Ivy cleared her throat.
'Actually, Fox and Whitney have been kind enough to allow me to stay here. As you can well see, I don't look like the healthiest human being walking around Harmony. I have ovarian cancer, and am currently undergoing chemotherapy.'
Eve eyed the woman that had blackmailed her for years, and schemed to ruin her good friends, Grace and Sam Bennett's marriage. Ivy did not look like a force to be reckoned with, no. But, still, for her to be living with Fox, a child she never gave a damn about, and Whitney, a daughter-in-law she had never accepted, made Eve uneasy.
Eve already had two problems on her plate already. But she had already decided, that when she got to the hospital, and got her job back(if she could!) she was going to check Ivy's medical records, a/o talk with her doctor, and find out what the woman's chances at survival really were.
She looked away from Ivy, because for one brief moment, she was ashamed of herself. Ivy needed support, and maybe Fox and Whitney reached out to her, in some sincere effort to not waste any time, if Ivy was running out of it. Eve was worried that taking care of a sick woman, would be too much of a burden on Whitney. That, and for some reason, she still didn't trust Ivy.
But, Eve covered her doubts.
'Whitney, I really need to speak to you alone. Why don't we take a walk on the grounds?'
'Actually,' Ivy interrupted, 'why don't you two stay here and I'll take that walk.'
Before Eve or Whitney could protest, Ivy had opened the door and closed it behind her. Whitney stared after her.
'Whitney, where is Fox?'
Whitney walked over to the couch and sat down. Eve joined her.
'Fox is at Crane Industries. I didn't want him to go back to work so soon, after getting out of the hospital, but he really wanted things to be in tip top shape for when Julian returns. Mom, Fox hasn't said this out loud, but I think he is thrilled that he finally has relationships with both of his parents. I just hope that when Ivy beats this thing, her and Fox will continue to build a relationship.'
Eve peered at her.
'But you have your doubts?'
'I don't know, Mom. I mean, so far, Ivy has been the perfect houseguest. She's been kind and polite. And she just looks so weak and small...'
Eve nodded.
'I had noticed that.'
'Anyway, forget Ivy. Where is Julian? How are Erin and Evan?'
Eve decided to just jump right into the story.
'Whitney, when Julian and I went to pick up the babies, Luis arrested Julian.'
Whitney gasped!
'No! Tell me Daddy isn't going to still press charges?'
'Honey, I thought you would know that better than I.'
Whitney's expression went from surprise to a decisive frown. Eve took a deep breath.
'Alright, Whitney. What has happened now?'
Whitney rolled her eyes.
'The last time I spoke to you, on the phone, I thought Daddy and Lexie had broken up. But Simone and I went to visit him this morning. Lexie is back at his side... and she's glued there!'
Eve stood up.
'Since when?'
Whitney also stood up.
'I suspect, since she realized that her husband was a Sasquatch. Daddy is being used and is just too blind to see it!'
Eve turned away from Whitney. An idea was forming in her head. A way to get Julian off of the hook for T.C.'s accident.
Eve turned back to Whitney.
'I'm going over to the hospital now. I plan to get my job back, talk to your father and...and I'm going to speak to Ivy's doctor.'
Whitney looked puzzled.
'Why?' she asked.
But Eve covered.
'I want to know what Fox and you will be dealing with. Ivy could be headed towards the end stages of her illness. You two will need to know what to expect. Please don't say anything to Ivy about it. I'm not her doctor, and I doubt she would appreciate the invasion of her privacy.'
'Alright, I won't. Well good luck with Daddy and your job. Call me if you need anything and be careful!'
'Why?'
'Oh, Mom! Abe Carver is still running around loose somewhere in this town! Alistair Crane, no matter how loathsome, has probably been murdered! You know Abe tried to attack Rebecca too?'
'Rebecca? I thought she lived in Salem?'
'She does or did. I don't know the story there, but I'm just saying that you have to be careful.'
Eve kissed Whitney's cheek.
'I will. I'll call you with any news. I love you.'
'I love you, too, Mom.'
Whitney walked Eve to the door. Eve looked back at Whitney once more, before walking outside. Now, she had Julian's freedom to deal with, Abe's cure, and making sure that Ivy was being straight with Fox and Whitney. Would the fun ever end?
****
One hour later, Eve had her job back at Harmony Hospital. She had had little to no difficulty, since everyone knew that Alicia had been a double. Eve had been somewhat surprised that she hadn't had to do more to prove her true identity.
Eve then found out what room T.C. was in. She waited for an elevator, that came relatively quick. As soon as the doors opened, Eve tensed up. Celeste was stepping off.
'Oh, Eve! Is that really you?' Celeste cried out, throwing her arms around Eve.
Eve did not reciprocate the embrace, something Celeste was quick to notice. Eve then turned and walked towards a row of chairs in the waiting area. Celeste followed her over there.
'Eve? Is everything alright?'
'No, Celeste. It isn't. Liz told me something very interesting, during our ordeal.'
Celeste rolled her eyes.
'Darling, Liz is a liar and always has been. Whatever lies she's told you, don't let them bother you. Her and Stefano deserve on another.'
'DESERVED, would be the word, Celeste. Liz is dead.'
Celeste said nothing, but backed away slightly.
'How?' she almost whispered.
'Stefano left her to die at the hands of some wild animal...specifically the same thing that Abe has been turning into.'
Celeste gasped!
'God, no...I mean, Liz and I never got along...but...for that to happen to her...what do you mean by, 'Stefano left her to die'?'
'It's too long a story to get into now, Celeste. But what I want to ask you about, is something Liz told me. She said that Stefano killed our father. Is it true? And did Stefano kill him over you?'
Celeste rubbed her hands together nervously.
'Eve, darling, it was so long ago...'
'Is it true?'
Celeste took a deep breath, then nodded. Eve shook her head and began to walk away. Celeste grabbed her arm.
'Eve, please! Let me explain!'
'Explain what? Why you never told me? Just please tell me you weren't sleeping with that man while you were married to my father?'
'No! No, Eve! I swear it! Stefano has always been very possessive of his women, that's all! I...I...can't tell you how guilty I have always felt about that. Marrying your father was my way out of Stefano's world. Your father was innocent. He knew nothing of Stefano or what I used to be like. Your father never stood a chance.'
Eve blinked.
'Fate is such a funny thing. Stefano DiMera ended up ruining almost everyone in my family. I pray the Sasquatch killed him.'
Celeste's eyes widened.
'You have reason to believe this?' she asked.
'Julian and I saw the creature carrying him off into some woods. Who knows if he's alive or dead?'
'And Tony?' Celeste asked.
Eve looked down.
'His fate was left up in the air as well. I have to get going. I need to see how T.C. is doing.'
'Uh, actually, Lexie is with him.'
Eve gave Celeste a cold smile.
'I'm counting on it.'
Celeste said nothing, and watched as Eve walked over to the elevators and pressed a button. One of the doors opened, and Eve stepped on. Celeste turned away. This was Alexandra's fight now. She would not be able to help her daughter anymore.
****
Lexie fluffed T.C.'s pillows, then sat down beside him. He reached out for her hand.
'I feel better than I have in days.' he said.
Lexie smiled at him.
'So do I, honey.'
This morning, some of the feeling in T.C.'s lower extremities, had returned. Dr. Parks had examined him, and ran a few tests. She was pretty sure with therapy and hard work, T.C. would be walking again in no time.
For Lexie though, that news was not the best part of the day. It was seeing the look of rage on Whitney and Simone's faces, once they saw that she was back in their father's life. Next chance she got, she was going to do some snipping of her own, on both Whitney and Simone's hair!
Lexie picked up the remote and turned on the TV. The news was on and a picture of Alistair Crane came on screen. T.C. and Lexie watched, as the reporter spoke of how the billionaire was still missing, along with the Sasquatch. T.C. looked over at Lexie.
'I know you must be worried about Abe, honey. You wouldn't be the kind, loving woman I fell in love with, if you weren't.'
Lexie smiled back at him. It turned into a shocked stare, when a voice interrupted their moment.
'But she isn't a kind, loving woman, T.C. And I don't think she's worried about her husband, either.'
T.C. and Lexie looked over at the door. Eve stood in the doorway, then walked in, uninvited, slamming the door behind her. T.C. sat up.
'If this is about Julian, you can forget it! Your husband tried to kill me and almost did.'
Lexie stood up.
'That's right, Eve. I'm sorry you had to come home to such a shock but....'
'Liz is dead.' Eve interrupted.
T.C. gasped! Lexie looked over at him, then at Eve.
'What?!'
'Yes, you see, we were up in the Himalayas, well, you know that, don't you Lex? Anyway, first Stefano locked Liz out of the compound, in nothing but her bra and underwear. The temperature is below zero up there, you know. Anyway, when she tried to beg him to let her back inside, one of those creatures, you know, like the one Abe is, ripped her to pieces!'
T.C.'s mouth dropped open! Whatever his problems had been with Liz, she did not deserve to die like that! He looked up at Lexie. Lexie shook her head wildly. Eve smiled coldly, looking at T.C.
'There is much, much, much more to the story, T.C. And I think you should hear it.'
Lexie suddenly grabbed Eve's arm and pulled her out of the door, without a word, or so much as a backward glance to T.C.. Eve, on the other hand, smiled at T.C. as she was being hauled away.
'I'll be back, T.C.. You wait right there!'
As soon as the two women were out of the room, Lexie faced her down. Eve eyed her hair.
'Nice hairdo!'
'Thank you! I have your bitch daughters to thank for it. Why are you here and what do you want?'
'I think you know. Julian is not going to prison for this. And if he does, I will make damned sure your life won't be worth living!' Eve hissed.
Eve goes about the task of setting things right.
For Eve, Julian's and her arrival back in Harmony, seemed to spell the beginning of more trouble.
Julian was nonchalant, when they both went to Luis and Sheridan's home to pick up Evan and Erin, only for Luis to slap handcuffs on Julian!
Luis, who had to hide his hatred for Julian from Sheridan and Eve, stoically told them that he had no choice, and that T.C. had insisted on pressing charges. Luis had been secretly happy that T.C. had not backed off on this. The only thing he had not been pleased with, was to see Lexie Carver back at T.C.'s bedside. It was so obvious, that Lexie had 'suddenly' decided that a man that may not ever walk again, was better than a monster!
But Eve, kept her cool throughout all of this. She walked up to Julian and kissed him. She then told him that T.C. was going to drop the charges, and that she would take care of it. Julian had smiled at her, as if he were reassured, but he was not. Eve had had a wild look in her eye when she had said those words to him. It was the same wild look she wore during their wilder lovemaking sessions, and he feared that she may actually hurt someone!
But, Julian also sensed, that now he would have to trust in his wife to fix things, instead of vice versa.
Julian then asked that he and Eve be allowed to hold their babies, before he was taken away. Luis shrugged, then followed Sheridan into the room where the babies slept. Luis had been relatively sure, that Julian would not make a run for it.
Sheridan brought out Erin, while Luis handed Evan over to Eve. He smiled at both of his parents, as if he knew they had been away, and was glad to see them. The sight made both Julian and Eve smile.
Erin, per the norm, was fussy with Eve, but melted when Julian held her. Erin was definitely a Daddy's girl.
After what seemed like too short a time, Julian and Eve handed their children back over to Luis and Sheridan, then prepared for the worst. Luis came back out first, and put Julian in handcuffs.
Once Luis took Julian away, Eve turned to Sheridan and asked her if she could keep the twins a few hours longer. Sheridan had no problem with it, but asked Eve what she intended to do? Eve had only smiled, then thanked Sheridan again, before leaving the house. Sheridan had walked over to a window, and watched Eve get into the limo, that had brought her brother and sister-in-law, back from God knows where. She hoped Eve knew what she was doing, otherwise, her and Luis could end up raising Evan and Erin!
Sheridan suddenly gasped! She had forgotten to tell Julian and Eve that Alistair had been kidnapped by the Sasquatch! Luis would probably tell Julian, and she guessed Eve would run into someone who would break the news to her. Sheridan sighed and turned away from the window.
Meanwhile, Eve sat in the backseat of the limo, her chest tight with anger! She had no doubts whatsoever, that Julian and T.C.'s fight had went down, just as Julian said it had! Julian, God bless him, was not a fighter. And if he could get out of being punched, kicked or slapped in anyway, he would do it.
And she knew T.C.. When it came to Julian, T.C. was just a man out of control. Eve could almost see how the whole altercation had happened. Julian, ducking to avoid the onslaught of violence that was sure to come, T.C., not expecting Julian to duck, going over the balcony.
Eve laid her head back against the seat, as the driver turned into their affluent neighborhood. She was going to see how bad the fire had damaged the house, then go and see if Whitney and Fox were home, then go to the hospital to get her job back, and see if there was any hope of not only T.C. walking again, but that he would drop the charges against Julian.
The limo stopped, and Eve realized she had been so lost in her thoughts, that she hadn't even noticed that they were home. She peeked out the window. Her eyes widened. The front part of the mansion looked as if it had seen better days! The driver came around and opened the door for her. Eve got out and murmured a 'thank-you'.
'It really isn't as bad as it looks, Mrs. Crane.' the limo driver said.
Eve tore her eyes away from the sight. Her eyes had moved up to one of the upper floors, the one where Evan and Erin had slept. If Julian hadn't saved them, they surely would've died. Her chest felt tight again!
But she looked at Leo, that limo driver, and gave him a weak smile.
'No, it isn't. What is all of the staff been doing?'
'Oh, there is a good part of the house that was unaffected by the fire, probably because the fire department got here quickly. Your sister-in-law has been coming over and supervising them. I always liked Mrs. Lopez-Fitzgerald. She's one of the reasons I couldn't feel bad about what happened to Mr. Crane Sr.'
Eve had been about to look back at the house, when she whipped her head back towards Leo.
'Alistair? Oh yes...Leo, I was kidnapped before I knew what happened to him. Julian put him in a home, right?'
'Yeah, Mrs. Crane, but the Sasquatch creature that's been running around town here, kidnapped him last night!'
Eve's mouth dropped open!
'Abe kidnapped Alistair?'
Leo nodded.
'Yeah, or so that's what the witnesses said. No one has seen him or the creature for hours. Anyway, I remember how crappily Mr. Crane Sr. used to treat Mrs. Lopez-Fitzgerald. I couldn't work up any tears for him.'
Eve shook her head.
'Neither can I, Leo. Listen, I'm going to look around here and...'
'Mrs. Crane, what's left is so unstable...and the rest of us have been using some of the side entrances...'
Eve rested a hand on his arm.
'I'll be careful. But go on in. I won't be needing you for the rest of the day. I'll be taking my own car.'
Leo nodded, somewhat reluctantly, then slowly walked off, towards the side of the mansion. Eve turned from him, towards the damaged structure, and began walking towards it.
The front hallway had not been repaired from Chad's suicide through here, so it looked especially horrific. There was also yellow crime scene tape around the damaged parts. Eve coughed, gingerly stepping through rubble and looking around. She then shook her head. Oh, what her and Julian have been through!
Eve was about to turn and leave, when she heard a loud, dry cough! She looked around, eyeing all of the rubbled areas. She decided it was coming from one near where Julian's study, still stood, outside of the door. Eve peeked around it and gasped!
For laying there, shivering and cold, was a naked Abe Carver.
****
Eve, once ascertaining that Abe was alright, made her way back to the more livable parts of the house, said hello to the servants that were there, then snuck out with some clothes of Julian's, that she had found in one of his suite of rooms that he had lived in, when he was married to Ivy.
They would not fit Abe, probably, but it was the best she could do for him, right at this moment. Eve hurried back to the damaged part of the mansion, told Abe to go into the study to change, and that she would be in when he was finished. He smiled weakly at her, then did as he was told, closing the door.
Eve sighed deeply. She could still remember the names of those medications, Roy Boon had been taking, back in the Himalayas. Now that she thought about it, Eve now wondered if the man had been trying to cure himself of the beast within?
'Eve?'
Eve turned towards the door.
'Yes?'
'It's safe to come in!' he called out.
Eve opened the study door, then closed it quickly. No, the clothes did not fit, but, they covered, which had been the whole point in the first place!
Eve walked up to him.
'Tell me what's happening to you, Abe?'
Abe reached out to touch her hands.
'First, tell me that you're not angry with me.'
Eve titled her head.
'For what?'
'For being such a damned coward! For not looking for you, after the avalanche?'
Eve shook her head.
'Abe, I suspect I know what getting out of that compound cost you.' she said, looking into his eyes, knowingly.
Abe shook his head and turned away. Eve stared at his back.
'Liz told you?' he asked.
'Uh, actually Tony told all of us.'
Abe turned back to face her.
'What?'
Eve walked up to him.
'I survived the avalanche, though my leg could use some looking at. Anyway, I decided I wasn't going to wander out in the mountains looking for help. I went back to the compound.'
Abe's eyes widened.
'What?!'
'Yes, though I thought Stefano did not know I was there. I hid in one of the stockrooms, on the lower level. I had no plan, I just needed a warm place to be, until I could find a way to escape. Then Julian arrived.'
Abe looked away again. Eve kept talking.
'The both of us stayed there, until Stefano made it clear that he was going to cast us out in the elements, where we would probably freeze to death...look, to make a long story short, Tony told Stefano about Liz and you. I don't know how he knew, he just did. Liz tried to lie her way out of it, but Stefano wasn't buying anymore of her lies. Stefano then threw the four of us out into the snow.'
Abe turned back to her.
'Stefano threw Tony and Liz out too?!'
'Yes. None of us would've survived...' Eve had to stop herself. Liz, and probably Tony too, didn't survive.
Abe could see that she was upset by her ordeal. He was glad Julian had been with her. He had done what Abe himself, had been unable to do for Eve....rescue her.
'Eve, you really don't have to talk about it.'
'No, Abe, I have to talk about it, because part of this story could concern you.'
'Because of Liz and me? Look, did she come back with you? Because I would die if Lexie ever found out about that.'
Eve looked down, then back up at Abe again.
'Abe, we found a cabin. It was owned by a man named Roy Boon. Do you remember meeting him?'
Abe stared at her. He then slowly nodded his head.
'Dr. Boon. He gave me monthly check-ups. For the first six months of my imprisonment, I always felt like I was coming down with the flu or something. Dr. Boon would give me a flu shot, then I would be fine. One day he was just gone. Someone said he had quit. I had always wondered if Stefano had killed him.'
Eve bit her lip. She had no doubt that there was no flu remedy in those injections! And somewhere down the line, either Dr. Boon had injected himself, or Stefano had done it for him!
'He killed him, just not in the way you would think.'
'Eve, tell me what's going on!'
Eve picked up Abe's hands again, then squeezed them hard.
'Dr. Boon turned out to be some creature. Julian and I believe we were one of the few that escaped that mountain with our lives.'
Abe snatched his hands away, his face fearful.
'Eve, I don't remember anything from last night! I mean, the last thing I do remember, was going to the police station to...' Abe decided against telling Eve that he had tried to swear out a complaint on her two daughters. Now was probably not the time to get into it.
'What, Abe?' Eve asked.
'I don't remember. Next think I know, I wake up here, wherever here is, and find you standing over me.'
'Well, here is my home, or what was my home. Apparently Alicia tried to burn it down when she was impersonating me.'
'Good God, Eve! Was anyone hurt?'
Eve shook her head.
'Not that I heard. But Julian and our twins, Evan and Erin, barely survived.'
'Oh, Eve! I'm so sorry. Where is that woman now?'
'Hopefully, far, far, away. But forget her. We need to deal with you and what's happening with this creature that...'
'You were going to say the creature that I'm turning in to, weren't you Eve? God! I hope I didn't hurt anyone! You said that Dr. Boon turned into one too?'
Eve rubbed the side of her face.
'Yes. I'm thinking those flu shots you were receiving, are probably the reason this is happening. Dr. Boon had some odd medications in his medicine cabinet. I want to take you to the hospital and see what we can do for you.'
'Eve, I know I probably caused some sort of damage to something. I need to turn myself in first.'
Eve bit her lip. Abe peered at her.
'What?'
Eve blew out a breath.
'Okay. People are saying that this creature...'
'You mean me.'
Eve looked at him sympathetically.
'No, I mean the creature. The Abe Carver I know, is not capable of harming a hair on anyone's head. The creature was spotted by witnesses, kidnapping Alistair Crane.'
Abe's mouth dropped open! He began to back away.
'Alistair Crane...your father-in-law and the man that owns Harmony?!'
Eve just nodded.
'Abe, believe me, the police will understand, especially once we explain that you are just as much a victim as Alistair is! Do you remember what you did with him?'
'Eve...I don't remember anything at all of last night! Nothing! I don't know where the man is! I didn't even know I kidnapped him! What if he's dead?! Oh my God!'
Eve put her arms around him.
'It will be alright. It will be alright. Look, stay here and keep quiet, until I figure out what we should do. Okay? I'll bring you some food.'
She let go of him and he nodded. She then backed away and turned and walked out of the study, closing the door behind her.
First Julian, now Abe! She rubbed her hands together nervously, as she made her way out of that part of the mansion. She had decided not to tell Abe about what Roy Boon's creature had done to Liz. Not only did Eve not think Abe was ready to hear that the thing he was turning in to, could possibly rip a human being to shreds, but thoughts of his doing the same thing to Alistair, would surely haunt the poor man.
****
Eve decided to bring Abe back a sub sandwich, with soup and two Sprites, from a local restaurant. It just seemed too dangerous to go nosing around the kitchen during this time.
She left Abe, who greedily began gulping down his food. She then made her way down to Fox and Whitney's residence on the grounds. She had to inform her daughter, and Julian's son, about what was going on. Eve also hoped they may have some insight as to how to handle T.C.. For God knows, she was married to the man for almost 20 years, and still couldn't understand him!
Eve knocked on their door, looking around a bit at the grounds. They had certainly been kept up. The door opened, and Eve was shocked not to look into the faces of Whitney or Fox, but of Ivy Winthrop!
Eve looked her up and down. Ivy gave her a tentative smile. Eve returned it, taking in her very thin and weak looking appearance.
'Uh, I was looking for Whitney or Fox...'
'Mom!' Whitney cried out, coming out from another room. She ran over to her mother and gave her a big hug, one which Eve returned. Ivy moved out of the way, and sat on a couch. Eve eyed her again, from over Whitney's shoulder. Eve let go of Whitney. Whitney pulled her in and closed the door.
'I'm sorry if I interrupted something here.' Eve said, looking at Whitney. Whitney looked over at Ivy, who stood up again.
'Eve, you must be wondering what I'm doing here?'
Eve looked from Whitney to Ivy.
'Yes, I am. But if neither one of you wants to get into it, I'll respect that.'
Ivy cleared her throat.
'Actually, Fox and Whitney have been kind enough to allow me to stay here. As you can well see, I don't look like the healthiest human being walking around Harmony. I have ovarian cancer, and am currently undergoing chemotherapy.'
Eve eyed the woman that had blackmailed her for years, and schemed to ruin her good friends, Grace and Sam Bennett's marriage. Ivy did not look like a force to be reckoned with, no. But, still, for her to be living with Fox, a child she never gave a damn about, and Whitney, a daughter-in-law she had never accepted, made Eve uneasy.
Eve already had two problems on her plate already. But she had already decided, that when she got to the hospital, and got her job back(if she could!) she was going to check Ivy's medical records, a/o talk with her doctor, and find out what the woman's chances at survival really were.
She looked away from Ivy, because for one brief moment, she was ashamed of herself. Ivy needed support, and maybe Fox and Whitney reached out to her, in some sincere effort to not waste any time, if Ivy was running out of it. Eve was worried that taking care of a sick woman, would be too much of a burden on Whitney. That, and for some reason, she still didn't trust Ivy.
But, Eve covered her doubts.
'Whitney, I really need to speak to you alone. Why don't we take a walk on the grounds?'
'Actually,' Ivy interrupted, 'why don't you two stay here and I'll take that walk.'
Before Eve or Whitney could protest, Ivy had opened the door and closed it behind her. Whitney stared after her.
'Whitney, where is Fox?'
Whitney walked over to the couch and sat down. Eve joined her.
'Fox is at Crane Industries. I didn't want him to go back to work so soon, after getting out of the hospital, but he really wanted things to be in tip top shape for when Julian returns. Mom, Fox hasn't said this out loud, but I think he is thrilled that he finally has relationships with both of his parents. I just hope that when Ivy beats this thing, her and Fox will continue to build a relationship.'
Eve peered at her.
'But you have your doubts?'
'I don't know, Mom. I mean, so far, Ivy has been the perfect houseguest. She's been kind and polite. And she just looks so weak and small...'
Eve nodded.
'I had noticed that.'
'Anyway, forget Ivy. Where is Julian? How are Erin and Evan?'
Eve decided to just jump right into the story.
'Whitney, when Julian and I went to pick up the babies, Luis arrested Julian.'
Whitney gasped!
'No! Tell me Daddy isn't going to still press charges?'
'Honey, I thought you would know that better than I.'
Whitney's expression went from surprise to a decisive frown. Eve took a deep breath.
'Alright, Whitney. What has happened now?'
Whitney rolled her eyes.
'The last time I spoke to you, on the phone, I thought Daddy and Lexie had broken up. But Simone and I went to visit him this morning. Lexie is back at his side... and she's glued there!'
Eve stood up.
'Since when?'
Whitney also stood up.
'I suspect, since she realized that her husband was a Sasquatch. Daddy is being used and is just too blind to see it!'
Eve turned away from Whitney. An idea was forming in her head. A way to get Julian off of the hook for T.C.'s accident.
Eve turned back to Whitney.
'I'm going over to the hospital now. I plan to get my job back, talk to your father and...and I'm going to speak to Ivy's doctor.'
Whitney looked puzzled.
'Why?' she asked.
But Eve covered.
'I want to know what Fox and you will be dealing with. Ivy could be headed towards the end stages of her illness. You two will need to know what to expect. Please don't say anything to Ivy about it. I'm not her doctor, and I doubt she would appreciate the invasion of her privacy.'
'Alright, I won't. Well good luck with Daddy and your job. Call me if you need anything and be careful!'
'Why?'
'Oh, Mom! Abe Carver is still running around loose somewhere in this town! Alistair Crane, no matter how loathsome, has probably been murdered! You know Abe tried to attack Rebecca too?'
'Rebecca? I thought she lived in Salem?'
'She does or did. I don't know the story there, but I'm just saying that you have to be careful.'
Eve kissed Whitney's cheek.
'I will. I'll call you with any news. I love you.'
'I love you, too, Mom.'
Whitney walked Eve to the door. Eve looked back at Whitney once more, before walking outside. Now, she had Julian's freedom to deal with, Abe's cure, and making sure that Ivy was being straight with Fox and Whitney. Would the fun ever end?
****
One hour later, Eve had her job back at Harmony Hospital. She had had little to no difficulty, since everyone knew that Alicia had been a double. Eve had been somewhat surprised that she hadn't had to do more to prove her true identity.
Eve then found out what room T.C. was in. She waited for an elevator, that came relatively quick. As soon as the doors opened, Eve tensed up. Celeste was stepping off.
'Oh, Eve! Is that really you?' Celeste cried out, throwing her arms around Eve.
Eve did not reciprocate the embrace, something Celeste was quick to notice. Eve then turned and walked towards a row of chairs in the waiting area. Celeste followed her over there.
'Eve? Is everything alright?'
'No, Celeste. It isn't. Liz told me something very interesting, during our ordeal.'
Celeste rolled her eyes.
'Darling, Liz is a liar and always has been. Whatever lies she's told you, don't let them bother you. Her and Stefano deserve on another.'
'DESERVED, would be the word, Celeste. Liz is dead.'
Celeste said nothing, but backed away slightly.
'How?' she almost whispered.
'Stefano left her to die at the hands of some wild animal...specifically the same thing that Abe has been turning into.'
Celeste gasped!
'God, no...I mean, Liz and I never got along...but...for that to happen to her...what do you mean by, 'Stefano left her to die'?'
'It's too long a story to get into now, Celeste. But what I want to ask you about, is something Liz told me. She said that Stefano killed our father. Is it true? And did Stefano kill him over you?'
Celeste rubbed her hands together nervously.
'Eve, darling, it was so long ago...'
'Is it true?'
Celeste took a deep breath, then nodded. Eve shook her head and began to walk away. Celeste grabbed her arm.
'Eve, please! Let me explain!'
'Explain what? Why you never told me? Just please tell me you weren't sleeping with that man while you were married to my father?'
'No! No, Eve! I swear it! Stefano has always been very possessive of his women, that's all! I...I...can't tell you how guilty I have always felt about that. Marrying your father was my way out of Stefano's world. Your father was innocent. He knew nothing of Stefano or what I used to be like. Your father never stood a chance.'
Eve blinked.
'Fate is such a funny thing. Stefano DiMera ended up ruining almost everyone in my family. I pray the Sasquatch killed him.'
Celeste's eyes widened.
'You have reason to believe this?' she asked.
'Julian and I saw the creature carrying him off into some woods. Who knows if he's alive or dead?'
'And Tony?' Celeste asked.
Eve looked down.
'His fate was left up in the air as well. I have to get going. I need to see how T.C. is doing.'
'Uh, actually, Lexie is with him.'
Eve gave Celeste a cold smile.
'I'm counting on it.'
Celeste said nothing, and watched as Eve walked over to the elevators and pressed a button. One of the doors opened, and Eve stepped on. Celeste turned away. This was Alexandra's fight now. She would not be able to help her daughter anymore.
****
Lexie fluffed T.C.'s pillows, then sat down beside him. He reached out for her hand.
'I feel better than I have in days.' he said.
Lexie smiled at him.
'So do I, honey.'
This morning, some of the feeling in T.C.'s lower extremities, had returned. Dr. Parks had examined him, and ran a few tests. She was pretty sure with therapy and hard work, T.C. would be walking again in no time.
For Lexie though, that news was not the best part of the day. It was seeing the look of rage on Whitney and Simone's faces, once they saw that she was back in their father's life. Next chance she got, she was going to do some snipping of her own, on both Whitney and Simone's hair!
Lexie picked up the remote and turned on the TV. The news was on and a picture of Alistair Crane came on screen. T.C. and Lexie watched, as the reporter spoke of how the billionaire was still missing, along with the Sasquatch. T.C. looked over at Lexie.
'I know you must be worried about Abe, honey. You wouldn't be the kind, loving woman I fell in love with, if you weren't.'
Lexie smiled back at him. It turned into a shocked stare, when a voice interrupted their moment.
'But she isn't a kind, loving woman, T.C. And I don't think she's worried about her husband, either.'
T.C. and Lexie looked over at the door. Eve stood in the doorway, then walked in, uninvited, slamming the door behind her. T.C. sat up.
'If this is about Julian, you can forget it! Your husband tried to kill me and almost did.'
Lexie stood up.
'That's right, Eve. I'm sorry you had to come home to such a shock but....'
'Liz is dead.' Eve interrupted.
T.C. gasped! Lexie looked over at him, then at Eve.
'What?!'
'Yes, you see, we were up in the Himalayas, well, you know that, don't you Lex? Anyway, first Stefano locked Liz out of the compound, in nothing but her bra and underwear. The temperature is below zero up there, you know. Anyway, when she tried to beg him to let her back inside, one of those creatures, you know, like the one Abe is, ripped her to pieces!'
T.C.'s mouth dropped open! Whatever his problems had been with Liz, she did not deserve to die like that! He looked up at Lexie. Lexie shook her head wildly. Eve smiled coldly, looking at T.C.
'There is much, much, much more to the story, T.C. And I think you should hear it.'
Lexie suddenly grabbed Eve's arm and pulled her out of the door, without a word, or so much as a backward glance to T.C.. Eve, on the other hand, smiled at T.C. as she was being hauled away.
'I'll be back, T.C.. You wait right there!'
As soon as the two women were out of the room, Lexie faced her down. Eve eyed her hair.
'Nice hairdo!'
'Thank you! I have your bitch daughters to thank for it. Why are you here and what do you want?'
'I think you know. Julian is not going to prison for this. And if he does, I will make damned sure your life won't be worth living!' Eve hissed.