Chapter 8
Julian is confronted with a dilemma. Simone says nothing about the baby.
A week later in Harmony, much had changed.
First, while Ivy Winthrop had awakened from her coma, she had been moved into the psychiatric ward. She made it clear that she didn't appreciate being locked up with 'loonies'!
Ethan, Fox, Gwen, Whitney and even Sam, to some extent, were shocked by this development. For while technically, Ivy had tried to kill herself, no one really thought she had intended to put herself into a coma! She was just pulling what she usually pulled, to get Sam Bennett's attention.
Simon Cowell's presence there was nerve wracking! The creep even began using his cell phone in Ivy's room! Finally, Whitney pulled him aside one day, and confronted him on his presence there.
Simon, had smiled when Whitney touched his arm. She had come to the hospital, alone one morning and found him there, about to go into Ivy's room.
'Whitney, before you tell me whatever it is you want to say, I want to finally apologize for my unspeakable behavior in L.A. last year.'
'Oh really?' Whitney asked sarcastically.
'Yes, really. You see, Ivy put me up to making you think that we had made love, so that she could blackmail you with the information to get out of Fox's life.'
There was a silence. Whitney raised a brow.
'I know all of that. Where's the apology?'
'Oh yes, well I'm sorry I really DIDN'T make love to you. You do forgive me, don't you?' he asked, and reached out to caress her cheek!
Whitney slapped his hand away!
'You really are the most unbelievable bastard! Look, I'm here to tell you that if you don't go away and leave us all alone, I'm telling Fox about your romp with his mother!'
Simon pretended to shake!
'Ooooh! I am petrified, Whitney dear! I really and truly am. But Fox, and Ethan, are going to have to face the fact that his mother and I have been intimate for years anyway.'
Whitney shook her head slightly.
'I don't understand.' she said.
Simon smiled down at her.
'You will soon enough. Just know I'm not going anywhere.' he answered, before walking down the hallway to the psychiatric ward. Whitney just stood there. What was really going on between Ivy and Simon? Why was he still here? And it was not because he 'cared' about her! Something else was up, but what?
Whitney turned and walked down the opposite hallway. Fox was getting more and more edgy, the longer Simon stuck around here. The new 'American Idol' try-outs were starting up soon. Why wasn't Simon off with Paula Abdul and Randy Jackson?
She reached the elevators and hit number one. Her mother crept into her thoughts. What she and Julian were going through was just terrible! If things didn't get better soon on that front, it may tear apart their new family.
****
Rebecca thanked Gwen, as she accepted a cup of tea from her daughter. Gwen then disappeared into another room. Rebecca set down the tea and took a deep breath.
The hardest past of this facade, was pretending to act like she had been assaulted! That and Gwen was so worried about her, it almost made her feel guilty for pulling this stunt. Almost.
John Black was coming to see her today! He had called the night Gwen and Ethan had brought her home from the hospital. Gwen had mentioned later on, that he had called while she was being examined.
Rebecca still marveled at how well everything had turned out! How a simple request to Tony, could've turned out so violent. He had no cause to choke her! None! And then Stefano showing up like that, uninvited! Those two bastards stood around, shooting the breeze like she was nothing! It was a good thing she had had that gun under her bed!
And God bless whoever had called that tabloids! The police were another matter, however. Although, Rebecca would allow, that once she fired the gun, the neighbors were bound to think that some sort of crime had taken place.
Rebecca had managed to hide the camera in a very special place, before the police arrived. If anyone had ever saw the tape she had made of her and Tony that afternoon, that monster would never had gotten charged!
Her mind briefly wandered to her Pookie. Blind! She just couldn't believe it, or what Alistair had tried to do. Alistair had disguised himself as a servant, just like Stefano. Both of those men were total weirdos!
She was thinking along those lines, when Gwen came back into the room and sat down beside her. She looked at her worriedly.
'What?' Rebecca asked.
'I see you didn't drink your tea.' she said.
Rebecca patted her daughter's hand.
'I'm alright, Gwen, really. I was just thinking, that's all.'
'About the rape?'
Rebecca looked at her with mild surprise.
'Honey, I've put that out of my mind.'
'Well don't put it too far out of it. You'll need to remember every detail you possibly can, when you testify against Tony DiMera in court!'
Rebecca nodded, looking away. Yeah, she had forgotten about that! While she would gladly lie under oath to that man put away, she did not relish looking at his face in open court, while doing so!
Gwen put a hand on her knee.
'What? What is it? It's what I just said, isn't it? About your testifying, right?'
Rebecca smiled wanly, then stood up and walked towards a picture of Gwen and Ethan. She picked it up and looked at it.
Gwen stood up.
'Mother, I hate that this happened to you! I really hate it! But because of this, you are probably the one person than can put those DiMera bastards away! Tony and Stefano! You have to find the strength to do this.'
Rebecca set the picture down and turned back to look at her daughter.
'Honey, I think we both know that I have a certain 'reputation' in this town. I'm seen as a home wrecker and worse. Tony DiMera might just be believed over me.'
'No! No I don't believe that! Besides, it looks like the D.A. is going to call in plenty of witnesses to back you up.'
'What do you mean?' Rebecca asked. 'No one else was there.'
'Yes, but Eve Crane and even Marlena Black to some extent, could help. Stefano is in the Salem jail, but he will be transported back here to be tried with Tony. Marlena is willing to testify that Stefano is indeed capable of rape!'
Rebecca looked away. Marlena was going to testify for her? Oh God! This was the last thing she needed...although...it would probably bring John closer to her. Hmmm...
The door bell rang. Gwen turned and left the room, to go and answer it. Rebecca clasped her hands together. It was a good think her and Tony had been having an affair. It was a good thing she hadn't showered after their tryst, not that there had been any time. Tony had been making love to her one minute, then choking her the next!
While the rape kit had come up positive with Tony's DNA, it hadn't shown forced entry. Rebecca had told a hell of a whopper to explain that. She said that she was so afraid of him killing her, that she thought if she fought him on the sex, he would just tighten his grip around her throat!
Gwen came back into the room, followed by John....and unfortunately, Marlena. Marlena had looked skeptical, until she saw the bruises on Rebecca's throat. Good God!
John hurried over to her, not thinking about what Marlena would think. He hugged her, then walked her over to the couch. Marlena sat on the other side of Rebecca.
Rebecca, who was annoyed by Marlena's mere presence in the room, focused in on John.
'How have you been? I'm sorry we couldn't get here sooner, but, everyone wants to make sure that Stefano goes down this time.' John said.
Rebecca nodded, then sniffed.
'No, I understand. Gwen and Ethan have been taking really good care of me.' she answered. She forced a few tears to appear. John pulled her into his arms. Marlena frowned.
Gwen, noting that the situation was uncomfortable, but was more concerned for her mother, than Marlena Black's comfort level, spoke.
'Marlena, could I see you out here for a moment?'
Marlena watched her husband embrace the woman that had almost wrecked their marriage, then stood up and left the room to speak to Gwen. Once alone, Gwen spoke.
'I told my mother that you might be testifying for her. I hope that's still true.'
'Of course it is. We all want the same thing here: for the DiMera's to finally pay for their crimes. But I will be quite frank with you, I still don't understand Tony and Stefano's breaking into her apartment like that. Did she say what she thought they might have wanted?'
Gwen didn't like the question, or Marlena's tone!
'What they wanted, was to rape my mother! Look, I know there is bad blood between yourself and my mother. So, if you can't be supportive here, then I don't think you should testify!'
'I'm sorry, Gwen. I didn't mean to imply otherwise. I guess I'm just having a hard time visualizing how this all went down.'
'I don't want to 'visualize' it! When I do, it makes me sick! You don't see John asking those kind of crappy questions!'
'No,' Marlena answered, her voice hard. 'But he wouldn't be so crass as to ask something like that of an alleged rape victim.'
Gwen folded her arms.
'Alleged?'
'Look, Gwen...'
'No, you look, Marlena! I'm not going to say anything to mother about your %$$#$ attitude, because she's upset enough as it is! She told me that she knows she has a reputation in this town, and that she thinks that that will be held against her! Now here you come, adding to her fears!'
John and Rebecca appeared suddenly, having heard the commotion.
'What's going on here?' Rebecca asked.
Gwen looked at Rebecca and John. She then focused in on John.
'Your 'wife' here thinks that my mother is lying!'
'I never said that, Gwen!' Marlena said, her tone defensive. She eyed John. John was aware of her doubts, but had not commented on them one way or the other.
John, for his part, had hoped that his wife could at least pretend to be supportive! She was out of line here and the more time he spent with Rebecca, the more convinced he was that she had been through hell! He himself, had never doubted for a moment, that Stefano and Tony were capable of this!
'Doc, let's go.' he said, grabbing her arm. But Rebecca put a hand on his arm.
'No, wait. Marlena, is this true? You think I made this whole thing up?'
John looked at Marlena. Please say you believe her, Doc! Rebecca was shaky enough as it was!
Marlena cleared her throat.
'I'm sorry Rebecca, but considering your track record with lying, I am willing to give Tony, and even Stefano, the benefit of the doubt. I'm sorry.'
'No you're not!' Gwen hissed. 'I want you to leave right now!'
John grabbed Marlena's arm, nodded to both Gwen and Rebecca, then left with Marlena. Once outside, Marlena snatched her arm back!
'What was that all about?! You could've backed me up in there! Now I look like a total ogre!'
'You're acting like one!' John snapped. 'Did you see her throat? My God, Doc! Whatever you think of Rebecca Hotchkiss, she was always a confident, self-assured woman! The woman I saw in there was a mere shadow of her former self!'
Marlena rolled her eyes.
'I didn't catch all of that, John. And I am a psychiatrist.'
'A psychiatrist who can't set her personal feelings aside! I thought you agreed to come with me today so you could help Rebecca?'
'I didn't 'agree' to come with you, remember? I caught you getting ready to sneak up here and see your former lover, then 'invited' myself along!'
John placed his hands on her shoulders.
'Doc, I didn't know if you were dead or what. I looked for you, Rebecca was there...once I found out what she did, I cut all ties with her...'
'I told you what she did when I first got back, John! But you had to hear it from her to finally believe it! Look, I can't in good conscience testify for her, when I have so many doubts about her story.'
John cleared his throat.
'I have no doubts, Doc. And I think you'd better get with the program, before you end up being responsible for letting the DiMera's get away again.'
Marlena backed out of his grip, then tilted her head.
'The unspoken message being, that even if Rebecca is lying, help her lie in court anyway, right?'
'Doc, we can't live the rest of our lives living in terror! Stefano and Tony have to be stopped!'
'Okay, fine. I'm taking the car back to Salem. You can stay here with your little girlfriend!'
Marlena huffed off. John sighed.
'Doc! Doc, come back here!'
John then ran after her. He did not see Rebecca peering from behind a curtain. She smiled, before dropping it.
****
Tony banged on the Russell door, for the umpteenth time. T.C. finally opened the door.
'What the hell do you want?!'
'You know what I want, T.C.. I want to see my wife!'
'Not in this lifetime you're not! Simone has nothing else to say to you!'
'I deserve the chance to explain my side of things to her!'
'There's nothing for you to explain, 'rapist'! Now, we've called a lawyer in to get Simone out of this damned marriage. After that, you'll be nothing but a bad dream to her!' T.C. and Celeste had agreed to keep Simone's pregnancy a secret, until Simone figured out what she wanted to do.
Tony backed away and looked up on the second floor. A curtain dropped.
'Simone! Simone! Stop acting so childish and come down here! I want you to come home with me this instant!'
John Hastings and Pilar Lopez-Fitzgerald happened to walk up at the same time. T.C. saw them first. Tony, seeing that T.C. was looking at something behind him, turned and saw them too, although, his main focus was on John.
'Well, well, well, if it isn't young, Mr. Hastings! It figures you'd come slinking about here, just when my wife and I were having a few problems.'
'Why aren't you in jail?!' John demanded.
'It's called bail, my dear boy! Tell me, John, how did you plan on supporting Simone, if she were to leave me, which she won't, by the way! I mean, is there room for two in that box you were living in?'
'Box?!' T.C. screamed, looking John up and down. 'What the hell is he talking about?!'
Tony raised a brow, a smirk tugging at the corner of his mouth. Pilar interrupted.
'T.C., now is not the time for this. John and I are both here for Simone.'
'Hello, Pilar. My, you look lovely today.' Tony said.
Pilar rolled her eyes, ignoring him.
'Can we come in?' she asked. T.C. nodded.
'Yeah, you can come in, Pilar, but John...I want to hear more about this damned box you're living in!'
'I'm not living in a box now, Mr. Russell. Whitney and Fox have been kind enough to take me in.'
T.C. eyed the boy, seeing him in completely different light, and not a good one!
'You're living with Fox and Whitney? Why? Why would they take you in?'
'T.C.', Pilar said, 'really, the front walk is not the place to be having this discussion.'
Celeste suddenly appeared in the doorway. Tony raised a brow.
'Hello, Celeste. My, you've certainly made yourself at home with my sister's former lover.'
T.C. returned his attention to Tony.
'Get the hell off of my property, before you find yourself facing a trespassing charge, in addition to rape!'
Tony backed away, his eyes sweeping upwards again. The curtain did not move this time, but he knew Simone was there, watching the melee on the porch. He needed her support! His lawyer, a man named Marshall Travers, who was notorious for getting the most nefarious of criminals off, had stressed that it would do him a world of good, if he could walk into the courtroom with his wife by his side.
Simone would not be able to hide forever. And the minute she stepped foot out of this house, he would have her back under his roof again...this time for good!
****
Simone looked away, as she watched Tony walk to his car. She didn't want to think about how stupid she had been. She cringed whenever she thought of it.
To think that she had actually thought the man had been mugged, when he had been coming back from raping someone! And even if it was only Rebecca Hotchkiss, the idea of being married to someone like that was just gross!
And of course, not to mention the fact that she now might be pregnant with Tony's child! She hadn't said anything to her father or Celeste, who had just assumed the child was Tony's. But, the morning of that terrible day that John and her had found out how Ivy, and her own mother, had deceived them all, John and her had been intimate.
Then, a few days later, she was married to Tony DiMera, and had obviously been intimate with him. Simone wasn't sure who the father of her baby was!
There was a knock on her bedroom door. Simone assumed it was Pilar or Celeste, since her father hated John now, and would not have allowed him to come upstairs and see her.
'Come in!' she called out, sitting back down on the bed.
Simone was more than a bit surprised, to see a meek looking John walk in quickly, then close the door.
'I had to sneak up here...you know...with your father on the rampage and all...'
Simone did not say anything. She suddenly felt tired.
'You didn't have to come by.' she finally managed to say.
John slowly walked towards her.
'I wanted to come, Simone. I've wanted to come to you all of this time...I didn't mean what I said that day about Kay...I was just so angry...and I was wrong to take it out on you.'
Simone nodded, but tears were falling down her face. She looked away and swiped at them.
'John, I just have so much to think about now...none of that matters anymore.'
John continued to ease towards her, until finally, he sat down next to her on her bed.
'I know you do. That's why I'm here. All of this is my fault. You wouldn't be married to that bastard now, if I had just been using my head.'
Simone sniffed, then shook her head.
'It's not your fault, John. I chose to go off to Las Vegas with him.'
'He knew you were vulnerable, Simone! You can't stay married to that creep! He's raped someone! Please, just tell me he never did anything that bad to you...I couldn't stand it...'
Simone looked up into his eyes. They were shiny with tears. She put her arms around him. His arms wrapped around her as well. They sat there for a moment, quietly holding one another.
Suddenly, T.C. burst in!
'I knew it! When I couldn't find your ass downstairs, I knew you had snuck up here!'
Pilar and Celeste were right behind T.C.. Celeste pulled on T.C.'s arm.
'Come on, T.C.. Let's give them a little privacy.'
But T.C. pulled his arm away!
'My daughter doesn't need any privacy with this boy! Get your hands off of my daughter and get out of here!'
Pilar stepped in between Simone and John, and T.C..
'John, let's go downstairs for a minute.'
John stood up, as he reluctantly let go of Simone. They stared at one another wordlessly, before John walked out. Pilar touched Simone's shoulder, before she too left the room. Celeste closed the door after them. She then turned to T.C..
'T.C., you are going to have to get ahold of yourself!'
'How can I?' he snapped, then looked down at Simone.
'Simone, I know you still have feelings for that boy, but you don't have time for him right now. We have to figure out what you're going to do about your baby.'
Simone nodded, tears forming in her eyes. T.C. sat down next to her and pulled her into his arms. Celeste shook her head sadly.
****
'GET OUT! GET OUT!'
Nancy Ward, a doctor at Harmony Hospital that worked with the blind, came scurrying out of the Crane study, much to Eve's embarrassment!
Eve, who had overheard the commotion, hurried over to her, as she slammed the study door behind her.
'What happened?' Eve asked, although she suspected she already knew.
Nancy touched her arm.
'Your husband was insulted when I tried to teach him Braille. I understand that his blindness may or may not be permanent, but he does need to prepare for the possibility that he may never see again.'
Eve nodded, the concept stabbing her insides.
'I understand that. I've tried to get him to see that, but he's not doing too well with the idea.'
Nancy nodded.
'I understand that, Eve. But maybe you won't be able to do this alone. And maybe I'm not the right person to get your husband to get off of his duff, and learn to live with his handicap.'
Eve didn't answer, but just nodded. The front door opened, and Teresa, who had began working as the nanny, wheeled in a double stroller with Evan and Erin in it. They both had snug little coats on. Erin's legs were kicking out. Evan looked as if he had some sort of chocolate substance around his mouth. Little Ethan came running in as well.
Eve smiled at them, then looked at Nancy.
'I will look into some other specialists, Nancy, I swear it. I have no choice. Julian has cut himself off from everyone. It's starting to take it's toll on his children as well.'
Nancy nodded sympathetically, before walking out, past Teresa, the twins and Little Ethan. Teresa stared after her, then looked at Eve. Eve shook her head.
Teresa walked up to her, glancing back at the kids.
'Was that the specialist?'
Eve nodded.
'That's the third one he's chased away.' Teresa noted.
'You don't think I know that? I don't know what to do.'
Teresa eyed the study door.
'I'm just going to say this: I won't be bringing Little Ethan back here...at least not until Julian can pull himself together.'
'Teresa, why?' Eve asked, clearly shocked.
'My son told me he was afraid of his father. I can't get it out of him as to what happened exactly, but before Julian's accident, Little Ethan never said anything like that about him before. I won't subject my son to any abuse, of any type, from that man!'
Eve's mouth dropped open. Yes, Julian had been short tempered, but it was due to stress. Yet, even though a week had went by, she knew she couldn't keep making excuses for him. Julian had now driven Little Ethan away. It wasn't right.
'Will you stay on, Teresa?'
Teresa looked down.
'I don't know. I'll really have to think about it. He threw something at me the other day, and told me that he knew it was me, because he had always hated my perfume!'
Eve closed her eyes, then opened them.
'I'll take care of this, Teresa. Please think about staying on here though, okay?'
Teresa nodded, albeit, reluctantly. Eve turned and walked towards the study. She then threw open the door.
'WHAT?!' Julian yelled, lifting his head up from the leather couch. He had been lying on it.
Eve slammed the door behind her and walked over to him. She pointed at him.
'First of all, don't you ever address me or anyone else that I care about, with that tone, or that word, ever again!'
Julian sat up, a sly smile tugging at his lips.
'Why, Eve darling, are you talking about that incompetent blind teacher you sent here? She's lying if she says I did anything to her! And I'm not Helen Keller you know!'
Eve sat down next to him. Julian, feeling her nearness, moved away from her and sat further down the couch. It hurt too much to be that close to her right now. They even had separate bedrooms now.
'Julian, I love you. And this problem that you're having could just be temporary...'
'And if it's not?' Julian asked drolly.
'If it's not, Julian, then I'm still going to still love you and be your wife. Let me help you get through this...'
But Julian stood up suddenly and tried to move away from her, and the sound of her voice. But he bumped into the corner of the coffee table, banging his knee!
Eve jumped up to help him, but as soon as he felt her touch, Julian pulled away roughly!
'Leave me alone, Eve! You don't have to treat me like an invalid!'
'Then stop acting like one and let the people that love you help!'
'How, Eve? I can't even hold Evan and Erin...I might drop them...' his voice cracked suddenly. The idea of never seeing what they would grow up to be, ripped his heart in two. Worse yet, never laying eyes on Eve's beautiful face again...he would rather live without them, then live everyday longing to see them again!
'Julian, you're not going to drop them! There are plenty of people that are blind and have children! And like all of the doctors said, this blindness you're experiencing is not permanent!'
'But no one has said that it isn't, have they? Go! Go! Get out! I want to be alone!'
Eve stepped away from him. She felt like she was staring at a stranger. The Julian Crane she knew, would never have let a little thing like blindness, keep him from the world. What was going on with her hubby?!
But, she respected his wishes and sadly left the study. She closed the door behind her. Maybe it would be best if Teresa and Little Ethan, did not come back here.
****
Julian felt for the leather couch and sat down. He hated hurting Eve like that, but she just didn't understand what he was going through. And while he had no doubt that she would stay with him, if his blindness was permanent, she still deserved to find love and happiness elsewhere. He wouldn't tie her to him. He loved her too much.
Julian suddenly felt a cool breeze, and realized his 'company' , had arrived.
Alistair Crane, out on bail(funds from some illegal offshore accounts were used), snuck into the study through one of the side doors.
'Hello, Father. To what to I owe a visit from such a wretched parent?'
Alistair smiled, then sat down behind the desk. His desk.
'I wondered if you had given any thought to our talk?'
Julian shook his head.
'You mean where I somehow pretend that you didn't cause me to go blind, and try to kill my children? That talk? Look, I'm only tolerating your sneaking in here, because I don't want anyone else to see you, least of all my wife. But...'
'Son, you're blind. How long do you think Eve Russell is going to go on living with you?'
'Her name is Eve Crane now, Father! And if you had just been able to accept that, I wouldn't be blind right now!'
'Hmmm, yes. I know, I know, Both Sheridan and you have the terrible habit of blaming every bad thing that has ever happened in your life, on me.'
'Every bad thing was your fault! Starting with your kidnapping of my son!'
'Oh, yes, your son. Let's talk about him.'
Julian didn't like the way this conversation was going, or the sound of his father's voice!
'What do you mean? Do you know where he is?'
'Oh, yes, Julian. I know where he is. You know where he is. Your son is actually quite famous.'
Julian slowly stood up.
'What do you mean he's 'famous'? Famous for what?'
'Oh, no, Julian. You see, before I tell you anymore, I'm going to need for you to change your story a bit.'
'What do you mean? Where is my son, Father?'
'I'm going to need for you to tell the police that I never tried to murder your brats.
'Are you insane?! Why would I tell them that?'
'It doesn't matter, Julian. Because you see, I'm going to take this same offer to your wife. I will offer her the name, and whereabouts of your son, if she tells the police something that might make the authorities drop the charges they have against me.'
'You're lying!' Julian hissed. 'You know nothing about the whereabouts of our son. Now get out! And if I find you've been filling Eve's head with this nonsense...'
Eve opened the door suddenly, having heard Julian yelling. She stopped short when she saw Alistair!
'I'm calling the police!' she shrieked, walking over to a nearby phone.
'Not if you want to know where your long lost son is, you won't!' Alistair thundered.
Julian is confronted with a dilemma. Simone says nothing about the baby.
A week later in Harmony, much had changed.
First, while Ivy Winthrop had awakened from her coma, she had been moved into the psychiatric ward. She made it clear that she didn't appreciate being locked up with 'loonies'!
Ethan, Fox, Gwen, Whitney and even Sam, to some extent, were shocked by this development. For while technically, Ivy had tried to kill herself, no one really thought she had intended to put herself into a coma! She was just pulling what she usually pulled, to get Sam Bennett's attention.
Simon Cowell's presence there was nerve wracking! The creep even began using his cell phone in Ivy's room! Finally, Whitney pulled him aside one day, and confronted him on his presence there.
Simon, had smiled when Whitney touched his arm. She had come to the hospital, alone one morning and found him there, about to go into Ivy's room.
'Whitney, before you tell me whatever it is you want to say, I want to finally apologize for my unspeakable behavior in L.A. last year.'
'Oh really?' Whitney asked sarcastically.
'Yes, really. You see, Ivy put me up to making you think that we had made love, so that she could blackmail you with the information to get out of Fox's life.'
There was a silence. Whitney raised a brow.
'I know all of that. Where's the apology?'
'Oh yes, well I'm sorry I really DIDN'T make love to you. You do forgive me, don't you?' he asked, and reached out to caress her cheek!
Whitney slapped his hand away!
'You really are the most unbelievable bastard! Look, I'm here to tell you that if you don't go away and leave us all alone, I'm telling Fox about your romp with his mother!'
Simon pretended to shake!
'Ooooh! I am petrified, Whitney dear! I really and truly am. But Fox, and Ethan, are going to have to face the fact that his mother and I have been intimate for years anyway.'
Whitney shook her head slightly.
'I don't understand.' she said.
Simon smiled down at her.
'You will soon enough. Just know I'm not going anywhere.' he answered, before walking down the hallway to the psychiatric ward. Whitney just stood there. What was really going on between Ivy and Simon? Why was he still here? And it was not because he 'cared' about her! Something else was up, but what?
Whitney turned and walked down the opposite hallway. Fox was getting more and more edgy, the longer Simon stuck around here. The new 'American Idol' try-outs were starting up soon. Why wasn't Simon off with Paula Abdul and Randy Jackson?
She reached the elevators and hit number one. Her mother crept into her thoughts. What she and Julian were going through was just terrible! If things didn't get better soon on that front, it may tear apart their new family.
****
Rebecca thanked Gwen, as she accepted a cup of tea from her daughter. Gwen then disappeared into another room. Rebecca set down the tea and took a deep breath.
The hardest past of this facade, was pretending to act like she had been assaulted! That and Gwen was so worried about her, it almost made her feel guilty for pulling this stunt. Almost.
John Black was coming to see her today! He had called the night Gwen and Ethan had brought her home from the hospital. Gwen had mentioned later on, that he had called while she was being examined.
Rebecca still marveled at how well everything had turned out! How a simple request to Tony, could've turned out so violent. He had no cause to choke her! None! And then Stefano showing up like that, uninvited! Those two bastards stood around, shooting the breeze like she was nothing! It was a good thing she had had that gun under her bed!
And God bless whoever had called that tabloids! The police were another matter, however. Although, Rebecca would allow, that once she fired the gun, the neighbors were bound to think that some sort of crime had taken place.
Rebecca had managed to hide the camera in a very special place, before the police arrived. If anyone had ever saw the tape she had made of her and Tony that afternoon, that monster would never had gotten charged!
Her mind briefly wandered to her Pookie. Blind! She just couldn't believe it, or what Alistair had tried to do. Alistair had disguised himself as a servant, just like Stefano. Both of those men were total weirdos!
She was thinking along those lines, when Gwen came back into the room and sat down beside her. She looked at her worriedly.
'What?' Rebecca asked.
'I see you didn't drink your tea.' she said.
Rebecca patted her daughter's hand.
'I'm alright, Gwen, really. I was just thinking, that's all.'
'About the rape?'
Rebecca looked at her with mild surprise.
'Honey, I've put that out of my mind.'
'Well don't put it too far out of it. You'll need to remember every detail you possibly can, when you testify against Tony DiMera in court!'
Rebecca nodded, looking away. Yeah, she had forgotten about that! While she would gladly lie under oath to that man put away, she did not relish looking at his face in open court, while doing so!
Gwen put a hand on her knee.
'What? What is it? It's what I just said, isn't it? About your testifying, right?'
Rebecca smiled wanly, then stood up and walked towards a picture of Gwen and Ethan. She picked it up and looked at it.
Gwen stood up.
'Mother, I hate that this happened to you! I really hate it! But because of this, you are probably the one person than can put those DiMera bastards away! Tony and Stefano! You have to find the strength to do this.'
Rebecca set the picture down and turned back to look at her daughter.
'Honey, I think we both know that I have a certain 'reputation' in this town. I'm seen as a home wrecker and worse. Tony DiMera might just be believed over me.'
'No! No I don't believe that! Besides, it looks like the D.A. is going to call in plenty of witnesses to back you up.'
'What do you mean?' Rebecca asked. 'No one else was there.'
'Yes, but Eve Crane and even Marlena Black to some extent, could help. Stefano is in the Salem jail, but he will be transported back here to be tried with Tony. Marlena is willing to testify that Stefano is indeed capable of rape!'
Rebecca looked away. Marlena was going to testify for her? Oh God! This was the last thing she needed...although...it would probably bring John closer to her. Hmmm...
The door bell rang. Gwen turned and left the room, to go and answer it. Rebecca clasped her hands together. It was a good think her and Tony had been having an affair. It was a good thing she hadn't showered after their tryst, not that there had been any time. Tony had been making love to her one minute, then choking her the next!
While the rape kit had come up positive with Tony's DNA, it hadn't shown forced entry. Rebecca had told a hell of a whopper to explain that. She said that she was so afraid of him killing her, that she thought if she fought him on the sex, he would just tighten his grip around her throat!
Gwen came back into the room, followed by John....and unfortunately, Marlena. Marlena had looked skeptical, until she saw the bruises on Rebecca's throat. Good God!
John hurried over to her, not thinking about what Marlena would think. He hugged her, then walked her over to the couch. Marlena sat on the other side of Rebecca.
Rebecca, who was annoyed by Marlena's mere presence in the room, focused in on John.
'How have you been? I'm sorry we couldn't get here sooner, but, everyone wants to make sure that Stefano goes down this time.' John said.
Rebecca nodded, then sniffed.
'No, I understand. Gwen and Ethan have been taking really good care of me.' she answered. She forced a few tears to appear. John pulled her into his arms. Marlena frowned.
Gwen, noting that the situation was uncomfortable, but was more concerned for her mother, than Marlena Black's comfort level, spoke.
'Marlena, could I see you out here for a moment?'
Marlena watched her husband embrace the woman that had almost wrecked their marriage, then stood up and left the room to speak to Gwen. Once alone, Gwen spoke.
'I told my mother that you might be testifying for her. I hope that's still true.'
'Of course it is. We all want the same thing here: for the DiMera's to finally pay for their crimes. But I will be quite frank with you, I still don't understand Tony and Stefano's breaking into her apartment like that. Did she say what she thought they might have wanted?'
Gwen didn't like the question, or Marlena's tone!
'What they wanted, was to rape my mother! Look, I know there is bad blood between yourself and my mother. So, if you can't be supportive here, then I don't think you should testify!'
'I'm sorry, Gwen. I didn't mean to imply otherwise. I guess I'm just having a hard time visualizing how this all went down.'
'I don't want to 'visualize' it! When I do, it makes me sick! You don't see John asking those kind of crappy questions!'
'No,' Marlena answered, her voice hard. 'But he wouldn't be so crass as to ask something like that of an alleged rape victim.'
Gwen folded her arms.
'Alleged?'
'Look, Gwen...'
'No, you look, Marlena! I'm not going to say anything to mother about your %$$#$ attitude, because she's upset enough as it is! She told me that she knows she has a reputation in this town, and that she thinks that that will be held against her! Now here you come, adding to her fears!'
John and Rebecca appeared suddenly, having heard the commotion.
'What's going on here?' Rebecca asked.
Gwen looked at Rebecca and John. She then focused in on John.
'Your 'wife' here thinks that my mother is lying!'
'I never said that, Gwen!' Marlena said, her tone defensive. She eyed John. John was aware of her doubts, but had not commented on them one way or the other.
John, for his part, had hoped that his wife could at least pretend to be supportive! She was out of line here and the more time he spent with Rebecca, the more convinced he was that she had been through hell! He himself, had never doubted for a moment, that Stefano and Tony were capable of this!
'Doc, let's go.' he said, grabbing her arm. But Rebecca put a hand on his arm.
'No, wait. Marlena, is this true? You think I made this whole thing up?'
John looked at Marlena. Please say you believe her, Doc! Rebecca was shaky enough as it was!
Marlena cleared her throat.
'I'm sorry Rebecca, but considering your track record with lying, I am willing to give Tony, and even Stefano, the benefit of the doubt. I'm sorry.'
'No you're not!' Gwen hissed. 'I want you to leave right now!'
John grabbed Marlena's arm, nodded to both Gwen and Rebecca, then left with Marlena. Once outside, Marlena snatched her arm back!
'What was that all about?! You could've backed me up in there! Now I look like a total ogre!'
'You're acting like one!' John snapped. 'Did you see her throat? My God, Doc! Whatever you think of Rebecca Hotchkiss, she was always a confident, self-assured woman! The woman I saw in there was a mere shadow of her former self!'
Marlena rolled her eyes.
'I didn't catch all of that, John. And I am a psychiatrist.'
'A psychiatrist who can't set her personal feelings aside! I thought you agreed to come with me today so you could help Rebecca?'
'I didn't 'agree' to come with you, remember? I caught you getting ready to sneak up here and see your former lover, then 'invited' myself along!'
John placed his hands on her shoulders.
'Doc, I didn't know if you were dead or what. I looked for you, Rebecca was there...once I found out what she did, I cut all ties with her...'
'I told you what she did when I first got back, John! But you had to hear it from her to finally believe it! Look, I can't in good conscience testify for her, when I have so many doubts about her story.'
John cleared his throat.
'I have no doubts, Doc. And I think you'd better get with the program, before you end up being responsible for letting the DiMera's get away again.'
Marlena backed out of his grip, then tilted her head.
'The unspoken message being, that even if Rebecca is lying, help her lie in court anyway, right?'
'Doc, we can't live the rest of our lives living in terror! Stefano and Tony have to be stopped!'
'Okay, fine. I'm taking the car back to Salem. You can stay here with your little girlfriend!'
Marlena huffed off. John sighed.
'Doc! Doc, come back here!'
John then ran after her. He did not see Rebecca peering from behind a curtain. She smiled, before dropping it.
****
Tony banged on the Russell door, for the umpteenth time. T.C. finally opened the door.
'What the hell do you want?!'
'You know what I want, T.C.. I want to see my wife!'
'Not in this lifetime you're not! Simone has nothing else to say to you!'
'I deserve the chance to explain my side of things to her!'
'There's nothing for you to explain, 'rapist'! Now, we've called a lawyer in to get Simone out of this damned marriage. After that, you'll be nothing but a bad dream to her!' T.C. and Celeste had agreed to keep Simone's pregnancy a secret, until Simone figured out what she wanted to do.
Tony backed away and looked up on the second floor. A curtain dropped.
'Simone! Simone! Stop acting so childish and come down here! I want you to come home with me this instant!'
John Hastings and Pilar Lopez-Fitzgerald happened to walk up at the same time. T.C. saw them first. Tony, seeing that T.C. was looking at something behind him, turned and saw them too, although, his main focus was on John.
'Well, well, well, if it isn't young, Mr. Hastings! It figures you'd come slinking about here, just when my wife and I were having a few problems.'
'Why aren't you in jail?!' John demanded.
'It's called bail, my dear boy! Tell me, John, how did you plan on supporting Simone, if she were to leave me, which she won't, by the way! I mean, is there room for two in that box you were living in?'
'Box?!' T.C. screamed, looking John up and down. 'What the hell is he talking about?!'
Tony raised a brow, a smirk tugging at the corner of his mouth. Pilar interrupted.
'T.C., now is not the time for this. John and I are both here for Simone.'
'Hello, Pilar. My, you look lovely today.' Tony said.
Pilar rolled her eyes, ignoring him.
'Can we come in?' she asked. T.C. nodded.
'Yeah, you can come in, Pilar, but John...I want to hear more about this damned box you're living in!'
'I'm not living in a box now, Mr. Russell. Whitney and Fox have been kind enough to take me in.'
T.C. eyed the boy, seeing him in completely different light, and not a good one!
'You're living with Fox and Whitney? Why? Why would they take you in?'
'T.C.', Pilar said, 'really, the front walk is not the place to be having this discussion.'
Celeste suddenly appeared in the doorway. Tony raised a brow.
'Hello, Celeste. My, you've certainly made yourself at home with my sister's former lover.'
T.C. returned his attention to Tony.
'Get the hell off of my property, before you find yourself facing a trespassing charge, in addition to rape!'
Tony backed away, his eyes sweeping upwards again. The curtain did not move this time, but he knew Simone was there, watching the melee on the porch. He needed her support! His lawyer, a man named Marshall Travers, who was notorious for getting the most nefarious of criminals off, had stressed that it would do him a world of good, if he could walk into the courtroom with his wife by his side.
Simone would not be able to hide forever. And the minute she stepped foot out of this house, he would have her back under his roof again...this time for good!
****
Simone looked away, as she watched Tony walk to his car. She didn't want to think about how stupid she had been. She cringed whenever she thought of it.
To think that she had actually thought the man had been mugged, when he had been coming back from raping someone! And even if it was only Rebecca Hotchkiss, the idea of being married to someone like that was just gross!
And of course, not to mention the fact that she now might be pregnant with Tony's child! She hadn't said anything to her father or Celeste, who had just assumed the child was Tony's. But, the morning of that terrible day that John and her had found out how Ivy, and her own mother, had deceived them all, John and her had been intimate.
Then, a few days later, she was married to Tony DiMera, and had obviously been intimate with him. Simone wasn't sure who the father of her baby was!
There was a knock on her bedroom door. Simone assumed it was Pilar or Celeste, since her father hated John now, and would not have allowed him to come upstairs and see her.
'Come in!' she called out, sitting back down on the bed.
Simone was more than a bit surprised, to see a meek looking John walk in quickly, then close the door.
'I had to sneak up here...you know...with your father on the rampage and all...'
Simone did not say anything. She suddenly felt tired.
'You didn't have to come by.' she finally managed to say.
John slowly walked towards her.
'I wanted to come, Simone. I've wanted to come to you all of this time...I didn't mean what I said that day about Kay...I was just so angry...and I was wrong to take it out on you.'
Simone nodded, but tears were falling down her face. She looked away and swiped at them.
'John, I just have so much to think about now...none of that matters anymore.'
John continued to ease towards her, until finally, he sat down next to her on her bed.
'I know you do. That's why I'm here. All of this is my fault. You wouldn't be married to that bastard now, if I had just been using my head.'
Simone sniffed, then shook her head.
'It's not your fault, John. I chose to go off to Las Vegas with him.'
'He knew you were vulnerable, Simone! You can't stay married to that creep! He's raped someone! Please, just tell me he never did anything that bad to you...I couldn't stand it...'
Simone looked up into his eyes. They were shiny with tears. She put her arms around him. His arms wrapped around her as well. They sat there for a moment, quietly holding one another.
Suddenly, T.C. burst in!
'I knew it! When I couldn't find your ass downstairs, I knew you had snuck up here!'
Pilar and Celeste were right behind T.C.. Celeste pulled on T.C.'s arm.
'Come on, T.C.. Let's give them a little privacy.'
But T.C. pulled his arm away!
'My daughter doesn't need any privacy with this boy! Get your hands off of my daughter and get out of here!'
Pilar stepped in between Simone and John, and T.C..
'John, let's go downstairs for a minute.'
John stood up, as he reluctantly let go of Simone. They stared at one another wordlessly, before John walked out. Pilar touched Simone's shoulder, before she too left the room. Celeste closed the door after them. She then turned to T.C..
'T.C., you are going to have to get ahold of yourself!'
'How can I?' he snapped, then looked down at Simone.
'Simone, I know you still have feelings for that boy, but you don't have time for him right now. We have to figure out what you're going to do about your baby.'
Simone nodded, tears forming in her eyes. T.C. sat down next to her and pulled her into his arms. Celeste shook her head sadly.
****
'GET OUT! GET OUT!'
Nancy Ward, a doctor at Harmony Hospital that worked with the blind, came scurrying out of the Crane study, much to Eve's embarrassment!
Eve, who had overheard the commotion, hurried over to her, as she slammed the study door behind her.
'What happened?' Eve asked, although she suspected she already knew.
Nancy touched her arm.
'Your husband was insulted when I tried to teach him Braille. I understand that his blindness may or may not be permanent, but he does need to prepare for the possibility that he may never see again.'
Eve nodded, the concept stabbing her insides.
'I understand that. I've tried to get him to see that, but he's not doing too well with the idea.'
Nancy nodded.
'I understand that, Eve. But maybe you won't be able to do this alone. And maybe I'm not the right person to get your husband to get off of his duff, and learn to live with his handicap.'
Eve didn't answer, but just nodded. The front door opened, and Teresa, who had began working as the nanny, wheeled in a double stroller with Evan and Erin in it. They both had snug little coats on. Erin's legs were kicking out. Evan looked as if he had some sort of chocolate substance around his mouth. Little Ethan came running in as well.
Eve smiled at them, then looked at Nancy.
'I will look into some other specialists, Nancy, I swear it. I have no choice. Julian has cut himself off from everyone. It's starting to take it's toll on his children as well.'
Nancy nodded sympathetically, before walking out, past Teresa, the twins and Little Ethan. Teresa stared after her, then looked at Eve. Eve shook her head.
Teresa walked up to her, glancing back at the kids.
'Was that the specialist?'
Eve nodded.
'That's the third one he's chased away.' Teresa noted.
'You don't think I know that? I don't know what to do.'
Teresa eyed the study door.
'I'm just going to say this: I won't be bringing Little Ethan back here...at least not until Julian can pull himself together.'
'Teresa, why?' Eve asked, clearly shocked.
'My son told me he was afraid of his father. I can't get it out of him as to what happened exactly, but before Julian's accident, Little Ethan never said anything like that about him before. I won't subject my son to any abuse, of any type, from that man!'
Eve's mouth dropped open. Yes, Julian had been short tempered, but it was due to stress. Yet, even though a week had went by, she knew she couldn't keep making excuses for him. Julian had now driven Little Ethan away. It wasn't right.
'Will you stay on, Teresa?'
Teresa looked down.
'I don't know. I'll really have to think about it. He threw something at me the other day, and told me that he knew it was me, because he had always hated my perfume!'
Eve closed her eyes, then opened them.
'I'll take care of this, Teresa. Please think about staying on here though, okay?'
Teresa nodded, albeit, reluctantly. Eve turned and walked towards the study. She then threw open the door.
'WHAT?!' Julian yelled, lifting his head up from the leather couch. He had been lying on it.
Eve slammed the door behind her and walked over to him. She pointed at him.
'First of all, don't you ever address me or anyone else that I care about, with that tone, or that word, ever again!'
Julian sat up, a sly smile tugging at his lips.
'Why, Eve darling, are you talking about that incompetent blind teacher you sent here? She's lying if she says I did anything to her! And I'm not Helen Keller you know!'
Eve sat down next to him. Julian, feeling her nearness, moved away from her and sat further down the couch. It hurt too much to be that close to her right now. They even had separate bedrooms now.
'Julian, I love you. And this problem that you're having could just be temporary...'
'And if it's not?' Julian asked drolly.
'If it's not, Julian, then I'm still going to still love you and be your wife. Let me help you get through this...'
But Julian stood up suddenly and tried to move away from her, and the sound of her voice. But he bumped into the corner of the coffee table, banging his knee!
Eve jumped up to help him, but as soon as he felt her touch, Julian pulled away roughly!
'Leave me alone, Eve! You don't have to treat me like an invalid!'
'Then stop acting like one and let the people that love you help!'
'How, Eve? I can't even hold Evan and Erin...I might drop them...' his voice cracked suddenly. The idea of never seeing what they would grow up to be, ripped his heart in two. Worse yet, never laying eyes on Eve's beautiful face again...he would rather live without them, then live everyday longing to see them again!
'Julian, you're not going to drop them! There are plenty of people that are blind and have children! And like all of the doctors said, this blindness you're experiencing is not permanent!'
'But no one has said that it isn't, have they? Go! Go! Get out! I want to be alone!'
Eve stepped away from him. She felt like she was staring at a stranger. The Julian Crane she knew, would never have let a little thing like blindness, keep him from the world. What was going on with her hubby?!
But, she respected his wishes and sadly left the study. She closed the door behind her. Maybe it would be best if Teresa and Little Ethan, did not come back here.
****
Julian felt for the leather couch and sat down. He hated hurting Eve like that, but she just didn't understand what he was going through. And while he had no doubt that she would stay with him, if his blindness was permanent, she still deserved to find love and happiness elsewhere. He wouldn't tie her to him. He loved her too much.
Julian suddenly felt a cool breeze, and realized his 'company' , had arrived.
Alistair Crane, out on bail(funds from some illegal offshore accounts were used), snuck into the study through one of the side doors.
'Hello, Father. To what to I owe a visit from such a wretched parent?'
Alistair smiled, then sat down behind the desk. His desk.
'I wondered if you had given any thought to our talk?'
Julian shook his head.
'You mean where I somehow pretend that you didn't cause me to go blind, and try to kill my children? That talk? Look, I'm only tolerating your sneaking in here, because I don't want anyone else to see you, least of all my wife. But...'
'Son, you're blind. How long do you think Eve Russell is going to go on living with you?'
'Her name is Eve Crane now, Father! And if you had just been able to accept that, I wouldn't be blind right now!'
'Hmmm, yes. I know, I know, Both Sheridan and you have the terrible habit of blaming every bad thing that has ever happened in your life, on me.'
'Every bad thing was your fault! Starting with your kidnapping of my son!'
'Oh, yes, your son. Let's talk about him.'
Julian didn't like the way this conversation was going, or the sound of his father's voice!
'What do you mean? Do you know where he is?'
'Oh, yes, Julian. I know where he is. You know where he is. Your son is actually quite famous.'
Julian slowly stood up.
'What do you mean he's 'famous'? Famous for what?'
'Oh, no, Julian. You see, before I tell you anymore, I'm going to need for you to change your story a bit.'
'What do you mean? Where is my son, Father?'
'I'm going to need for you to tell the police that I never tried to murder your brats.
'Are you insane?! Why would I tell them that?'
'It doesn't matter, Julian. Because you see, I'm going to take this same offer to your wife. I will offer her the name, and whereabouts of your son, if she tells the police something that might make the authorities drop the charges they have against me.'
'You're lying!' Julian hissed. 'You know nothing about the whereabouts of our son. Now get out! And if I find you've been filling Eve's head with this nonsense...'
Eve opened the door suddenly, having heard Julian yelling. She stopped short when she saw Alistair!
'I'm calling the police!' she shrieked, walking over to a nearby phone.
'Not if you want to know where your long lost son is, you won't!' Alistair thundered.