Chapter 16
Lexie meets up with another Harmony Resident. The power in Harmony goes out.
Lexie Carver gulped her third drink down, as she stared at the next stripper to come on to the stage.
She had been on her way out of town, her mood melancholy, at best. She didn't know what had made her go off on T.C. and her mother. She knew nothing was going on between them. Lexie knew her mother would never betray her like that.
But Tony was so good at pushing her buttons! And he had this way of talking, that was so convincing! He had acted like he had actually seen T.C. and Celeste in bed himself!
Lexie set her glass down on her table and leaned her head back. 'Donkey's Bells' was the name of this place. And unfortunately, it wasn't taking her mind off of her problems. Specifically Abe.
For what was really bothering her, was the way Abe just seemed to drop out of sight. No creature sightings had been reported anywhere. And with each passing day, Lexie was getting the nagging feeling, that that was because Abe was dead.
She just didn't think it was likely, that Abe had just stopped turning into that Sasquatch, after he left this town. And everyone knew there was a cure waiting for him here. Why didn't he come back?
Because he couldn't. He was dead, yet again. Lexie motioned for the waitress to bring her another drink.
It was at that moment, that an announcer came on stage, and said that 'Babilicious' would be coming out next. A few women up near the front, began to squeal with excitement. Curious, Lexie looked towards the stage.
'Babilicious' came gyrating out, wearing a leather vest and what looked to be leather shorts, boots and a lone ranger mask. He also had a whip that he held in between his teeth.
Lexie smiled, then burst out laughing, as the stripper/dancer, pranced around to Donna Summer's 'Last Dance'. Oddly though, Lexie realized she was laughing, not so much at the stripper himself, but at his music choice. It seemed inappropriate for his routine.
Just as she was pondering what song would be good for 'Babilicious', the stripper made two mistakes: one, he whipped his boots off, hitting one female patron in the head! Lexie scooted her chair back, even though she had been way out of range of the boot.
The other women didn't care, and kept throwing money up at the stage! The waitress brought Lexie's other drink, as 'Babilicious', then took the whip out of his mouth, then cracked it, hitting another woman!
'Christ!' The waitress hissed, shaking her head. 'The boss said if anymore female patrons got hurt, that was it for him!'
Lexie raised a brow.
'I don't think he did it on purpose.' she said, feeling somewhat better. The liquor was loosening her up.
'No,' the waitress agreed. 'I don't think so either. But his act is so half-assed. His music selection sucks! Babilicious could be a real star if he'd just get his act together.'
Lexie nodded, as the waitress moved away. She then looked up at the stage again. The music had stopped.
Lexie watched, as poor Babilicious, insisted on dancing anyway, without music. He ripped off his leather shorts, showing that they weren't so much leather, but velcro.
The women went wild. Lexie turned away. She downed her drink, then went up to the bar to pay. That was all she could get away with drinking. She still had to drive back to Salem.
But when she reached the bar, the TV was on, and the news wasn't good. Lexie watched with genuine horror, as a reporter from Salem, broke into the regular programming to tell them that Stefano DiMera had escaped from the Salem jail. Worse, pictures of his children, including Lexie, were posted up on the TV.
The waitress that had waited on her, looked at her, then the TV, then her again.
'Christ! Look at what we have here! That creep's daughter is here!'
Lexie blinked. That didn't sound too friendly.
'I'm just going to pay for my drinks and leave, okay? I don't want any trouble.'
'But you and your damned family bring trouble wherever you go!' another woman patron shouted.
Lexie threw her money on the bar and turned to leave. She then felt herself being shoved from behind! She fell against a table. Lexie whirled around and stood up.
'What the hell is wrong with you people?!' she yelled.
'Your damned family is the problem!' shouted yet another woman. 'You're all murdering ^%$#$$! I bet that monster husband of yours will be growling around here next!'
'I bet she's helping her old man somehow!' a male patron shouted. Lexie did not have time to ponder why he was in a woman's strip club. She realized the crowd was getting ugly! Why had she stopped in this God forsaken place again?
'Look, just let me leave, and there won't be any trouble.' Lexie said calmly. She began to back back towards the doors, but two women, who could've easily passed for high school gym teachers, blocked her way. Now Lexie was frightened! Would she get out of here alive?
Suddenly, 'Babilicious', appeared from off stage, and shoved the two women out of the way. One of the women made a face.
'Why is he so shiny like that?!' she asked.
The other woman began wiping her hand on her pants.
'I think he's wearing vaseline!'
'Babilicious' grabbed Lexie and hurriedly pulled her out of the door, still dressed in his leather attire. He had half managed to put his velcro shorts back on, and there were tens and twenties flapping from inside of them.
'You'd better get out of here. They'll be coming after you soon.'
Lexie reached up and peeked under his mask. She then tilted her head.
'Don't I know you?'
Antonio/Babilicious nodded.
'Yeah. My name is Antonio Lopez-Fitzgerald. I was a friend of Liz's. You're Lexie Carver, aren't you?'
Lexie nodded, now recognizing him. Liz and her were not the best of friends, but she always sensed that Antonio's opinion, was the one that mattered to Liz, most in the world.
Lexie nodded.
'Yes. Liz kept a picture of you in a drawer in her room...back when we were prisoners of my father's.'
Antonio just nodded. It was kind of an uncomfortable moment. Antonio then cleared his throat.
'So, as you probably saw, I was kind of busy on stage. What was going on with those women?'
Lexie smiled, looking him up and down.
'My father escaped again...I guess people think I helped him. Look, thanks for helping me out in there...you're a good dancer.'
Antonio laughed!
'No I'm not! I guess the ladies can overlook my cheesy dancing, if I just take my clothes off for them, hey?'
Lexie was surprised at the sadness she heard in his voice. She smiled gently at him.
'I do think you're good dancer, Antonio. I just think that you're choice of music needs a little work.'
'I'll tell you what? I have a change of clothes in my car...why don't you let me buy you dinner someplace decent? You know, like the Lobster Shack or something.'
Lexie was stunned into silence. Babilicious, a.k.a. Antonio Lopez-Fitzgerald, wanted to take her out to dinner? Maybe it wasn't such a good idea.
Antonio sensed her hesitation. He didn't know why he'd asked her to dinner himself. Maybe he sensed she was lonely. He had been lonely for quite some time now, ever since Sheridan left him for Luis. Ever since Liz disappeared.
'I'll follow you in my car.' Lexie relented. What the hell! It's not like she could really go back to Salem anyway! Not with her father on the loose!
'Oh my God!' Lexie cried out.
'What? What is it?' Antonio asked, touching her shoulder. He left vaseline on her jacket shoulder. He gasped and apologized.
'Oh! I'm sorry about that....I use it for the act...'
'No, it's okay. I forgot about my little boy. He could be in danger!'
'Well let's go!' Antonio said.
'Go where?' Lexie asked, confused.
'Let's go back to Salem together. That way if your father is on the loose, I'll be around to protect you.' he grinned at her.
Lexie could not help but grin back!
'Why? Why would you want to help a total stranger? A stranger that is connected to such an awful criminal...why?'
Antonio suddenly kissed her! Lexie didn't have time to be shocked. Yes, she could feel the vaseline sliming her clothes, but, it felt natural to be kissing this man. This man that took off his clothes in an establishment called, 'Donkey's Bells'.
When they came up for air, Lexie looked into Antonio's eyes and nodded.
'Okay. Get your clothes, we'll take my car.'
As they began walking over to his car to get his clothes, the streetlights suddenly went out. Antonio looked up at the lights.
'Uh oh. Looks like the power is out around here.' he said.
****
Sam Bennett and Luis Lopez-Fitzgerald, had to tell T.C. to keep back, when they arrived at the DiMera house to speak with Simone. Celeste was caring for John back at the house. T.C. was disgusted by the youth's constant whining.
'Look, the only proof we have of this, is John Hastings word. And he did live in a box for months.' Sam said.
Luis looked at Sam. He knew his boss still had hard feelings towards David Hastings, and his offspring. But, John had been just as much a victim, as Grace.
Sam couldn't believe it! Simone Russell had killed Gwen and injured Ethan? And that she would just drive off after doing something so horrible, was absolutely unbelievable!
He had left Ethan and Ivy at the hospital, after he took the call from T.C., naming Simone as the other driver. He told no one of what he learned, not even Grace, who was forced to wait out in the hall, because Ivy did not want her in the room with Ethan. Surprisingly, Grace just bore the insult, sensing now was not the time to get into it with Ivy.
Sam's mind jumped back to Simone. The fact that she went running to DiMera, instead of calling for help, or confessing right away, was proof to Sam, that her intention had been to cover her butt the whole time. But at the same time, she was a DiMera wife now. That had to have affected her personality in many ways. But still...
The gate had been open when they pulled onto the estate. What they found when they reached the front door, was even more ominous.
The door was wide open. Sam and Luis, drew their guns and told T.C. stay back.
'Damnit you two! This is my daughter we're talking about! I'm coming with you!'
Luis knew there was no talking T.C. out of anything, when he decided to do something, so he just waved him along. The three men crept into the house.
Sam waved Luis down a hallway, while T.C stuck close to Sam. Fifteen minutes later, they were able to ascertain, that no one was in the mansion at all, not even servants! Sam took out his phone.
'Who are you calling?' T.C. asked.
'Harmony Airfield. I'm going to find out if the DiMera jet is still there.'
While Sam did that, Luis rested a hand on T.C.' s shoulder.
'I'm sorry T.C.. This whole thing has got to be a nightmare for you.'
T.C. nodded.
'You can't imagine. I mean, turning my little girl in was not an easy decision...but the fact is, when she did this thing, that she went running to DiMera, instead of coming back home and telling me...I mean, the Simone I knew, would've never run away from something like that! She would've stayed and faced her punishment...then again...she is pregnant, maybe she was just feeling vulnerable.'
Luis's eyes widened!
'Simone is pregnant with DiMera's child? Oh God, T.C.! Eve and you have to be so upset!'
T.C. rolled his eyes.
'I don't know what Eve is! As usual, she's too busy dealing with that weasel Crane, to pay any attention to her daughter. Simone has suffered from Eve's neglect for years!'
Luis said nothing to that. He liked Eve and knew the real deal, but also knew it was just better to let T.C. vent. He wouldn't want to hear that Eve had her own issues to deal with concerning Julian...with that business with Rebecca and Teresa.
'And', T.C. continued to rage, 'this isn't easy for me either! You think I want to turn my little girl in like this? It kills me!'
Luis patted T.C.'s shoulder again.
'You couldn't keep quiet about this, T.C.. Simone will just have to face the consequences of her crime.'
'Yeah, Luis, but she is pregnant. I mean, the thought of my grandchild being born in prison...maybe I didn't do the right thing here.'
T.C. then sniffed. Luis peered at him. He didn't think he'd ever seen T.C. Russell cry.
Sam got off the phone.
'The DiMera jet took off twenty minutes ago. Worse yet, Stefano DiMera escaped from the Salem jail!'
T.C. shook his head in despair!
'Oh good God! My little girl is a fugitive now! I may never see her again, and that maniac father-in-law of hers is on the loose too! Who's to say that he isn't with Simone and Tony?! Could this get any worse?!'
Just as T.C. said that, the power went out in the DiMera house. The three men looked around.
'What the hell caused that?' Sam griped. There was no time to answer. A flashlight beam suddenly landed on Luis's shirt. Sam and Luis drew their guns. Sam pulled T.C. back, as they perched behind a couch, and watched a figure make their way through the room. The figure tripped, then cursed, as they fell.
T.C. jumped up!
'Lexie?'
The flashlight beam hit him in the face.
'T.C! What are you doing here? Who is that with you?'
'Chief Bennett and Officer Lopez-Fitzgerald. What are you doing here? Tell me you didn't help Tony get away?!' T.C. demanded.
'Tony is gone? No, he can't be!'
Luis took a step forward.
'What's going on? Why are you looking for him? Does it have to do with your father? Have you heard from him?' Luis demanded.
Lexie flashed the light on Luis.
'Actually, I'm glad you're here, Luis. I'm glad you're all here. You'd better come out to my car.'
Lexie then turned and walked out of the front door. Sam looked at both Luis and T.C.
'What's out in her car?' he asked.
Luis shrugged. T.C. shook his head.
'I don't like this.' he said.
'Neither do I. But let's just see what she wants, then we can go about the business of trying to get Simone back here, okay?' Sam suggested.
T.C. nodded miserably, but began feeling his way towards the door. Sam and Luis followed.
When they reached the outdoors, Lexie's car was visible. She was standing with some man with a very hairy man, wearing a leather vest.
T.C. stopped and squinted.
'Who the hell is that she's with?' he asked, backing up a bit.
Sam shook his head.
'I don't recognize him from around here.' he said.
But Luis walked all the way up to them. The man, had a very thin layer of body hair, covering him, yet, it did cover his whole body, like a light blanket. He was wearing a leather vest and underwear.
Luis squinted, then snatched the flashlight from Lexie. He pointed towards the leather underwear. There were 10 and 20 dollar bills hanging from them!
'Who is this Lexie?' Luis asked, though something in him, told him he knew already.
'That's why I especially wanted to see you, Luis. This is your brother, Antonio.'
Luis's mouth dropped open!
'The pills DiMera gave us didn't work?' Luis asked, angry.
'I guess not,' Antonio answered. 'Even worse, I wasn't angry this time. What the hell am I going to do?'
'Tony must have given him the wrong pills.' Lexie stated.
Luis gave her a dirty look!
'Yeah right! By the way, you're brother and his new wife are on the run. You haven't seen him, have you?'
'Why would Tony be on the run? Rebecca admitted she lied about his raping her.'
Luis waved a hand towards her in disgust. All the damned DiMera's were born liars!
'Never mind that now! How are we going to change Antonio back to his normal self?' Luis asked, heartbroken that his brother was going through this. He then pointed the flashlight at his leather shorts again.
'Why are you wearing leather shorts? And how much money is that sticking out of them?'
Meanwhile, T.C. and Sam inched closer. Sam looked at T.C..
'Did I hear Luis call that hairy guy Antonio?'
T.C. nodded. Poor Antonio! He looked like a walking chia pet!
****
It was Eve that had to scramble to find lanterns, when the power went out in the Crane mansion. Julian, knew nothing of these type of matters, and especially did not know where such mundane things as lanterns, candles, extra toilet paper, etc., were kept!
Eve hoped Fox and Whitney were at the hospital by now. There was a generator there, so everyone would be alright there.
She walked into the lantern lit study. Julian had spread a blanket on the floor. Erin was sitting on the floor, wide eyed. Evan was in Julian's lap. He clapped his hands. Eve smiled. There was nothing to be happy about, yet, her son was clearly thrilled with the situation. Eve suspected that Erin knew something was amiss, but just didn't know how to react.
Eve stared at the three of them. Her family. It was at times like this, that none of the problems Julian had between them, mattered.
But they did have problems. Serious ones. And after this little power outage was over, her and Julian were going to have to decide some things. Mainly, about Alistair's 'deal'.
Julian looked up, when Eve came in. She sat down on the blanket, and pulled Erin into her lap. For once, the child sat still.
'What were you thinking just now?' Julian asked.
Eve looked over at him in surprise.
'What do you mean?'
'I mean just now, when you were standing in the doorway. What were you thinking about?'
Eve shrugged.
'I wasn't really thinking anything.'
'Oh, come on!'
Eve smiled.
'Okay, okay. I was thinking how at this moment, here in the dark, with just you and the twins...I was thinking how perfect this moment was.'
Julian smiled back.
'The power is out, Eve. And we have no servants.'
'Well, I think it's a perfect moment. And who's fault is it that there are no servants?'
Julian did not respond. Eve nodded at him, knowingly. Julian then looked down at Evan and clapped his son's hands together, before speaking again.
'Eve?'
'Yes?'
'Let's make a promise to one another.'
Eve eyed him in the semi-darkness. His expression, and tone, were dead serious.'
'Okay. What is it?' she asked.
'Let's promise never to let a problem, get so bad between us, that we would leave one another, before talking it out first. We almost lost one another. And we spent too many years apart, to get to this point now, just to turn around and lose what we have here. It would kill me if that happened again.'
Eve just nodded. She then reached out and touched his hand. Julian clasped it. Then, miraculously, Evan put a small hand on his parents hands. Erin just stared up at Julian.
Julian laughed.
'Now, if only Erin had put her hand on top of Evan's! That would've completed our pact.'
Eve smiled softly at him, and looked down at Erin. She then looked over at Julian again.
'Julian?'
'Yes, darling?'
'I was wrong to ask you to accept Alistair's deal.'
Julian's eyes widened! Never in a million years did he think he would hear that from Eve!
'You don't have to say that, Eve. I know how much you want to find our son.'
'No, Julian, I mean it. I mean, I've really given it some thought. I don't know what I was thinking. That man would've never told us the truth. He probably lied about our son being famous.'
'What brought about this change of heart?' Julian asked softly.
Erin began to get a bit restless, but Eve held on to her tightly.
'I guess when I really started to think about it, I remembered who exactly we were dealing with. This man had no qualms about having our son kidnapped. Then he tried to murder Evan and Erin. I will always love our son, whoever he may have turned out to be. But when I think about how we were both ready to walk away from the family we have here now....then compare that, to what would've happened if Alistair had drowned Evan and Erin...'
Eve sniffed, to compose herself. Julian scooted close to her, with Evan still in his lap.
'I know it seems as if I say this every other moment, but we will find our son, Eve. Without Alistair's help. And he will be put behind bars. When the power comes back on, we will go to Sam together, and I will tell him that I saw Rebecca push Teresa down the stairs.'
Eve tilted her head.
'You would really do that?'
'Of course I would, darling! What we have here means everything to me. Everything. And I should've never put Rebecca before that. But still...I'm not scared of having charges pending against me. I have enough money in this town to not have to go to jail for something like this. But, I do hate doing this to Rebecca, especially in light of what's happened.'
Eve looked down. Gwen was dead. Simone had killed her.
Julian continued to squeeze her hand.
'You know, Tony will get Simone the best lawyer money will buy.'
'Yes, but will she be able to hold her head up around here? Julian, I don't want Evan and Erin to be judged by our misdeeds. Simone's baby is going to have a hard enough time as it is. Her mother, and probably her father, have killed people. Someday, someone will find that out and judge him or her. It just seems like a never ending spiral. And I'm worried about John. I hope he didn't confront Tony tonight.'
'I'm sure he didn't. But John doesn't strike me as the type of young man that would like for Simone, no matter how much he loved her. Eve, I've said this many times before: Simone is a grown woman. You've done all you can do for her. If she wants to change her life, she will have to seek us out. We have our own family to think of now.'
Eve nodded again, though this time, it was some what sadly. Julian moved his face over to hers, to kiss her. Erin began to squeal. Eve was about to close her eyes, when movement outside one of the side doors out to the pool, caught her eye.
Eve pulled back quickly!
'Julian! Someone is out there!'
'Oh great!' he hissed. It was bad enough that they were sitting in lantern light, but now some unknown person was lurking about the property!
Julian stood up, picking up one of the lanterns. Eve pulled Evan next to Erin and stayed on the floor with them. Julian walked over to his desk. Eve squinted, as she heard the click of a gun.
'Julian! I can't believe you keep a gun in here!'
'Please darling, spare me the lectures now! You should be glad to see this gun at this moment!'
Eve said nothing and held the twins close, as Julian moved towards the door. He held the lantern up, then swore, more out of fright, than anger.
'What, Julian? What is it?'
Julian hurried back over to them, setting down the lantern.
'It's that damned Abe Carver!'
'What???' Eve asked, shocked. She then snatched up a lantern and stood up, leaving Julian with the twins.
'Eve! For God's sakes, don't go over there! Maybe he'll go away if we just don't answer.'
'Julian he saw you looking at him and...'
Eve then began to understand what Julian was trying to say, as she rushed to the door, holding up the lamp. A Sasquatch was staring back at her.
'Eve! Get away from there! For Christ's sakes, you don't even know that that's Abe really!'
'Oh Julian! Who else could it be?'
'I don't know! But the point is he's dangerous! We should just be glad he hasn't smashed the door in! Now come back over here, now!'
But Eve ignored Julian and opened the door.
'Eve! For the love of God, don't open that door!'
But Eve opened it, because she could see that the Sasquatch/Abe, was hurt. He had been shot in the arm. The Sasquatch tilted his head as he looked at her. Eve could see it was Abe. There was something in his eyes.
The Sasquatch then emitted a loud, mournful cry of pain. Eve reached out to touch him. Julian rolled his eyes and looked at the twins.
'Great kids! Mommy's boyfriend is back!' Julian hissed sarcastically. Because deep down, Julian knew that somewhere deep inside Abe, he had come back here, to this house, because he was drawn to the one person he felt he could trust...and the one woman he had had the hots for since they had all been kidnapped on Stefano's island....his wife!
Lexie meets up with another Harmony Resident. The power in Harmony goes out.
Lexie Carver gulped her third drink down, as she stared at the next stripper to come on to the stage.
She had been on her way out of town, her mood melancholy, at best. She didn't know what had made her go off on T.C. and her mother. She knew nothing was going on between them. Lexie knew her mother would never betray her like that.
But Tony was so good at pushing her buttons! And he had this way of talking, that was so convincing! He had acted like he had actually seen T.C. and Celeste in bed himself!
Lexie set her glass down on her table and leaned her head back. 'Donkey's Bells' was the name of this place. And unfortunately, it wasn't taking her mind off of her problems. Specifically Abe.
For what was really bothering her, was the way Abe just seemed to drop out of sight. No creature sightings had been reported anywhere. And with each passing day, Lexie was getting the nagging feeling, that that was because Abe was dead.
She just didn't think it was likely, that Abe had just stopped turning into that Sasquatch, after he left this town. And everyone knew there was a cure waiting for him here. Why didn't he come back?
Because he couldn't. He was dead, yet again. Lexie motioned for the waitress to bring her another drink.
It was at that moment, that an announcer came on stage, and said that 'Babilicious' would be coming out next. A few women up near the front, began to squeal with excitement. Curious, Lexie looked towards the stage.
'Babilicious' came gyrating out, wearing a leather vest and what looked to be leather shorts, boots and a lone ranger mask. He also had a whip that he held in between his teeth.
Lexie smiled, then burst out laughing, as the stripper/dancer, pranced around to Donna Summer's 'Last Dance'. Oddly though, Lexie realized she was laughing, not so much at the stripper himself, but at his music choice. It seemed inappropriate for his routine.
Just as she was pondering what song would be good for 'Babilicious', the stripper made two mistakes: one, he whipped his boots off, hitting one female patron in the head! Lexie scooted her chair back, even though she had been way out of range of the boot.
The other women didn't care, and kept throwing money up at the stage! The waitress brought Lexie's other drink, as 'Babilicious', then took the whip out of his mouth, then cracked it, hitting another woman!
'Christ!' The waitress hissed, shaking her head. 'The boss said if anymore female patrons got hurt, that was it for him!'
Lexie raised a brow.
'I don't think he did it on purpose.' she said, feeling somewhat better. The liquor was loosening her up.
'No,' the waitress agreed. 'I don't think so either. But his act is so half-assed. His music selection sucks! Babilicious could be a real star if he'd just get his act together.'
Lexie nodded, as the waitress moved away. She then looked up at the stage again. The music had stopped.
Lexie watched, as poor Babilicious, insisted on dancing anyway, without music. He ripped off his leather shorts, showing that they weren't so much leather, but velcro.
The women went wild. Lexie turned away. She downed her drink, then went up to the bar to pay. That was all she could get away with drinking. She still had to drive back to Salem.
But when she reached the bar, the TV was on, and the news wasn't good. Lexie watched with genuine horror, as a reporter from Salem, broke into the regular programming to tell them that Stefano DiMera had escaped from the Salem jail. Worse, pictures of his children, including Lexie, were posted up on the TV.
The waitress that had waited on her, looked at her, then the TV, then her again.
'Christ! Look at what we have here! That creep's daughter is here!'
Lexie blinked. That didn't sound too friendly.
'I'm just going to pay for my drinks and leave, okay? I don't want any trouble.'
'But you and your damned family bring trouble wherever you go!' another woman patron shouted.
Lexie threw her money on the bar and turned to leave. She then felt herself being shoved from behind! She fell against a table. Lexie whirled around and stood up.
'What the hell is wrong with you people?!' she yelled.
'Your damned family is the problem!' shouted yet another woman. 'You're all murdering ^%$#$$! I bet that monster husband of yours will be growling around here next!'
'I bet she's helping her old man somehow!' a male patron shouted. Lexie did not have time to ponder why he was in a woman's strip club. She realized the crowd was getting ugly! Why had she stopped in this God forsaken place again?
'Look, just let me leave, and there won't be any trouble.' Lexie said calmly. She began to back back towards the doors, but two women, who could've easily passed for high school gym teachers, blocked her way. Now Lexie was frightened! Would she get out of here alive?
Suddenly, 'Babilicious', appeared from off stage, and shoved the two women out of the way. One of the women made a face.
'Why is he so shiny like that?!' she asked.
The other woman began wiping her hand on her pants.
'I think he's wearing vaseline!'
'Babilicious' grabbed Lexie and hurriedly pulled her out of the door, still dressed in his leather attire. He had half managed to put his velcro shorts back on, and there were tens and twenties flapping from inside of them.
'You'd better get out of here. They'll be coming after you soon.'
Lexie reached up and peeked under his mask. She then tilted her head.
'Don't I know you?'
Antonio/Babilicious nodded.
'Yeah. My name is Antonio Lopez-Fitzgerald. I was a friend of Liz's. You're Lexie Carver, aren't you?'
Lexie nodded, now recognizing him. Liz and her were not the best of friends, but she always sensed that Antonio's opinion, was the one that mattered to Liz, most in the world.
Lexie nodded.
'Yes. Liz kept a picture of you in a drawer in her room...back when we were prisoners of my father's.'
Antonio just nodded. It was kind of an uncomfortable moment. Antonio then cleared his throat.
'So, as you probably saw, I was kind of busy on stage. What was going on with those women?'
Lexie smiled, looking him up and down.
'My father escaped again...I guess people think I helped him. Look, thanks for helping me out in there...you're a good dancer.'
Antonio laughed!
'No I'm not! I guess the ladies can overlook my cheesy dancing, if I just take my clothes off for them, hey?'
Lexie was surprised at the sadness she heard in his voice. She smiled gently at him.
'I do think you're good dancer, Antonio. I just think that you're choice of music needs a little work.'
'I'll tell you what? I have a change of clothes in my car...why don't you let me buy you dinner someplace decent? You know, like the Lobster Shack or something.'
Lexie was stunned into silence. Babilicious, a.k.a. Antonio Lopez-Fitzgerald, wanted to take her out to dinner? Maybe it wasn't such a good idea.
Antonio sensed her hesitation. He didn't know why he'd asked her to dinner himself. Maybe he sensed she was lonely. He had been lonely for quite some time now, ever since Sheridan left him for Luis. Ever since Liz disappeared.
'I'll follow you in my car.' Lexie relented. What the hell! It's not like she could really go back to Salem anyway! Not with her father on the loose!
'Oh my God!' Lexie cried out.
'What? What is it?' Antonio asked, touching her shoulder. He left vaseline on her jacket shoulder. He gasped and apologized.
'Oh! I'm sorry about that....I use it for the act...'
'No, it's okay. I forgot about my little boy. He could be in danger!'
'Well let's go!' Antonio said.
'Go where?' Lexie asked, confused.
'Let's go back to Salem together. That way if your father is on the loose, I'll be around to protect you.' he grinned at her.
Lexie could not help but grin back!
'Why? Why would you want to help a total stranger? A stranger that is connected to such an awful criminal...why?'
Antonio suddenly kissed her! Lexie didn't have time to be shocked. Yes, she could feel the vaseline sliming her clothes, but, it felt natural to be kissing this man. This man that took off his clothes in an establishment called, 'Donkey's Bells'.
When they came up for air, Lexie looked into Antonio's eyes and nodded.
'Okay. Get your clothes, we'll take my car.'
As they began walking over to his car to get his clothes, the streetlights suddenly went out. Antonio looked up at the lights.
'Uh oh. Looks like the power is out around here.' he said.
****
Sam Bennett and Luis Lopez-Fitzgerald, had to tell T.C. to keep back, when they arrived at the DiMera house to speak with Simone. Celeste was caring for John back at the house. T.C. was disgusted by the youth's constant whining.
'Look, the only proof we have of this, is John Hastings word. And he did live in a box for months.' Sam said.
Luis looked at Sam. He knew his boss still had hard feelings towards David Hastings, and his offspring. But, John had been just as much a victim, as Grace.
Sam couldn't believe it! Simone Russell had killed Gwen and injured Ethan? And that she would just drive off after doing something so horrible, was absolutely unbelievable!
He had left Ethan and Ivy at the hospital, after he took the call from T.C., naming Simone as the other driver. He told no one of what he learned, not even Grace, who was forced to wait out in the hall, because Ivy did not want her in the room with Ethan. Surprisingly, Grace just bore the insult, sensing now was not the time to get into it with Ivy.
Sam's mind jumped back to Simone. The fact that she went running to DiMera, instead of calling for help, or confessing right away, was proof to Sam, that her intention had been to cover her butt the whole time. But at the same time, she was a DiMera wife now. That had to have affected her personality in many ways. But still...
The gate had been open when they pulled onto the estate. What they found when they reached the front door, was even more ominous.
The door was wide open. Sam and Luis, drew their guns and told T.C. stay back.
'Damnit you two! This is my daughter we're talking about! I'm coming with you!'
Luis knew there was no talking T.C. out of anything, when he decided to do something, so he just waved him along. The three men crept into the house.
Sam waved Luis down a hallway, while T.C stuck close to Sam. Fifteen minutes later, they were able to ascertain, that no one was in the mansion at all, not even servants! Sam took out his phone.
'Who are you calling?' T.C. asked.
'Harmony Airfield. I'm going to find out if the DiMera jet is still there.'
While Sam did that, Luis rested a hand on T.C.' s shoulder.
'I'm sorry T.C.. This whole thing has got to be a nightmare for you.'
T.C. nodded.
'You can't imagine. I mean, turning my little girl in was not an easy decision...but the fact is, when she did this thing, that she went running to DiMera, instead of coming back home and telling me...I mean, the Simone I knew, would've never run away from something like that! She would've stayed and faced her punishment...then again...she is pregnant, maybe she was just feeling vulnerable.'
Luis's eyes widened!
'Simone is pregnant with DiMera's child? Oh God, T.C.! Eve and you have to be so upset!'
T.C. rolled his eyes.
'I don't know what Eve is! As usual, she's too busy dealing with that weasel Crane, to pay any attention to her daughter. Simone has suffered from Eve's neglect for years!'
Luis said nothing to that. He liked Eve and knew the real deal, but also knew it was just better to let T.C. vent. He wouldn't want to hear that Eve had her own issues to deal with concerning Julian...with that business with Rebecca and Teresa.
'And', T.C. continued to rage, 'this isn't easy for me either! You think I want to turn my little girl in like this? It kills me!'
Luis patted T.C.'s shoulder again.
'You couldn't keep quiet about this, T.C.. Simone will just have to face the consequences of her crime.'
'Yeah, Luis, but she is pregnant. I mean, the thought of my grandchild being born in prison...maybe I didn't do the right thing here.'
T.C. then sniffed. Luis peered at him. He didn't think he'd ever seen T.C. Russell cry.
Sam got off the phone.
'The DiMera jet took off twenty minutes ago. Worse yet, Stefano DiMera escaped from the Salem jail!'
T.C. shook his head in despair!
'Oh good God! My little girl is a fugitive now! I may never see her again, and that maniac father-in-law of hers is on the loose too! Who's to say that he isn't with Simone and Tony?! Could this get any worse?!'
Just as T.C. said that, the power went out in the DiMera house. The three men looked around.
'What the hell caused that?' Sam griped. There was no time to answer. A flashlight beam suddenly landed on Luis's shirt. Sam and Luis drew their guns. Sam pulled T.C. back, as they perched behind a couch, and watched a figure make their way through the room. The figure tripped, then cursed, as they fell.
T.C. jumped up!
'Lexie?'
The flashlight beam hit him in the face.
'T.C! What are you doing here? Who is that with you?'
'Chief Bennett and Officer Lopez-Fitzgerald. What are you doing here? Tell me you didn't help Tony get away?!' T.C. demanded.
'Tony is gone? No, he can't be!'
Luis took a step forward.
'What's going on? Why are you looking for him? Does it have to do with your father? Have you heard from him?' Luis demanded.
Lexie flashed the light on Luis.
'Actually, I'm glad you're here, Luis. I'm glad you're all here. You'd better come out to my car.'
Lexie then turned and walked out of the front door. Sam looked at both Luis and T.C.
'What's out in her car?' he asked.
Luis shrugged. T.C. shook his head.
'I don't like this.' he said.
'Neither do I. But let's just see what she wants, then we can go about the business of trying to get Simone back here, okay?' Sam suggested.
T.C. nodded miserably, but began feeling his way towards the door. Sam and Luis followed.
When they reached the outdoors, Lexie's car was visible. She was standing with some man with a very hairy man, wearing a leather vest.
T.C. stopped and squinted.
'Who the hell is that she's with?' he asked, backing up a bit.
Sam shook his head.
'I don't recognize him from around here.' he said.
But Luis walked all the way up to them. The man, had a very thin layer of body hair, covering him, yet, it did cover his whole body, like a light blanket. He was wearing a leather vest and underwear.
Luis squinted, then snatched the flashlight from Lexie. He pointed towards the leather underwear. There were 10 and 20 dollar bills hanging from them!
'Who is this Lexie?' Luis asked, though something in him, told him he knew already.
'That's why I especially wanted to see you, Luis. This is your brother, Antonio.'
Luis's mouth dropped open!
'The pills DiMera gave us didn't work?' Luis asked, angry.
'I guess not,' Antonio answered. 'Even worse, I wasn't angry this time. What the hell am I going to do?'
'Tony must have given him the wrong pills.' Lexie stated.
Luis gave her a dirty look!
'Yeah right! By the way, you're brother and his new wife are on the run. You haven't seen him, have you?'
'Why would Tony be on the run? Rebecca admitted she lied about his raping her.'
Luis waved a hand towards her in disgust. All the damned DiMera's were born liars!
'Never mind that now! How are we going to change Antonio back to his normal self?' Luis asked, heartbroken that his brother was going through this. He then pointed the flashlight at his leather shorts again.
'Why are you wearing leather shorts? And how much money is that sticking out of them?'
Meanwhile, T.C. and Sam inched closer. Sam looked at T.C..
'Did I hear Luis call that hairy guy Antonio?'
T.C. nodded. Poor Antonio! He looked like a walking chia pet!
****
It was Eve that had to scramble to find lanterns, when the power went out in the Crane mansion. Julian, knew nothing of these type of matters, and especially did not know where such mundane things as lanterns, candles, extra toilet paper, etc., were kept!
Eve hoped Fox and Whitney were at the hospital by now. There was a generator there, so everyone would be alright there.
She walked into the lantern lit study. Julian had spread a blanket on the floor. Erin was sitting on the floor, wide eyed. Evan was in Julian's lap. He clapped his hands. Eve smiled. There was nothing to be happy about, yet, her son was clearly thrilled with the situation. Eve suspected that Erin knew something was amiss, but just didn't know how to react.
Eve stared at the three of them. Her family. It was at times like this, that none of the problems Julian had between them, mattered.
But they did have problems. Serious ones. And after this little power outage was over, her and Julian were going to have to decide some things. Mainly, about Alistair's 'deal'.
Julian looked up, when Eve came in. She sat down on the blanket, and pulled Erin into her lap. For once, the child sat still.
'What were you thinking just now?' Julian asked.
Eve looked over at him in surprise.
'What do you mean?'
'I mean just now, when you were standing in the doorway. What were you thinking about?'
Eve shrugged.
'I wasn't really thinking anything.'
'Oh, come on!'
Eve smiled.
'Okay, okay. I was thinking how at this moment, here in the dark, with just you and the twins...I was thinking how perfect this moment was.'
Julian smiled back.
'The power is out, Eve. And we have no servants.'
'Well, I think it's a perfect moment. And who's fault is it that there are no servants?'
Julian did not respond. Eve nodded at him, knowingly. Julian then looked down at Evan and clapped his son's hands together, before speaking again.
'Eve?'
'Yes?'
'Let's make a promise to one another.'
Eve eyed him in the semi-darkness. His expression, and tone, were dead serious.'
'Okay. What is it?' she asked.
'Let's promise never to let a problem, get so bad between us, that we would leave one another, before talking it out first. We almost lost one another. And we spent too many years apart, to get to this point now, just to turn around and lose what we have here. It would kill me if that happened again.'
Eve just nodded. She then reached out and touched his hand. Julian clasped it. Then, miraculously, Evan put a small hand on his parents hands. Erin just stared up at Julian.
Julian laughed.
'Now, if only Erin had put her hand on top of Evan's! That would've completed our pact.'
Eve smiled softly at him, and looked down at Erin. She then looked over at Julian again.
'Julian?'
'Yes, darling?'
'I was wrong to ask you to accept Alistair's deal.'
Julian's eyes widened! Never in a million years did he think he would hear that from Eve!
'You don't have to say that, Eve. I know how much you want to find our son.'
'No, Julian, I mean it. I mean, I've really given it some thought. I don't know what I was thinking. That man would've never told us the truth. He probably lied about our son being famous.'
'What brought about this change of heart?' Julian asked softly.
Erin began to get a bit restless, but Eve held on to her tightly.
'I guess when I really started to think about it, I remembered who exactly we were dealing with. This man had no qualms about having our son kidnapped. Then he tried to murder Evan and Erin. I will always love our son, whoever he may have turned out to be. But when I think about how we were both ready to walk away from the family we have here now....then compare that, to what would've happened if Alistair had drowned Evan and Erin...'
Eve sniffed, to compose herself. Julian scooted close to her, with Evan still in his lap.
'I know it seems as if I say this every other moment, but we will find our son, Eve. Without Alistair's help. And he will be put behind bars. When the power comes back on, we will go to Sam together, and I will tell him that I saw Rebecca push Teresa down the stairs.'
Eve tilted her head.
'You would really do that?'
'Of course I would, darling! What we have here means everything to me. Everything. And I should've never put Rebecca before that. But still...I'm not scared of having charges pending against me. I have enough money in this town to not have to go to jail for something like this. But, I do hate doing this to Rebecca, especially in light of what's happened.'
Eve looked down. Gwen was dead. Simone had killed her.
Julian continued to squeeze her hand.
'You know, Tony will get Simone the best lawyer money will buy.'
'Yes, but will she be able to hold her head up around here? Julian, I don't want Evan and Erin to be judged by our misdeeds. Simone's baby is going to have a hard enough time as it is. Her mother, and probably her father, have killed people. Someday, someone will find that out and judge him or her. It just seems like a never ending spiral. And I'm worried about John. I hope he didn't confront Tony tonight.'
'I'm sure he didn't. But John doesn't strike me as the type of young man that would like for Simone, no matter how much he loved her. Eve, I've said this many times before: Simone is a grown woman. You've done all you can do for her. If she wants to change her life, she will have to seek us out. We have our own family to think of now.'
Eve nodded again, though this time, it was some what sadly. Julian moved his face over to hers, to kiss her. Erin began to squeal. Eve was about to close her eyes, when movement outside one of the side doors out to the pool, caught her eye.
Eve pulled back quickly!
'Julian! Someone is out there!'
'Oh great!' he hissed. It was bad enough that they were sitting in lantern light, but now some unknown person was lurking about the property!
Julian stood up, picking up one of the lanterns. Eve pulled Evan next to Erin and stayed on the floor with them. Julian walked over to his desk. Eve squinted, as she heard the click of a gun.
'Julian! I can't believe you keep a gun in here!'
'Please darling, spare me the lectures now! You should be glad to see this gun at this moment!'
Eve said nothing and held the twins close, as Julian moved towards the door. He held the lantern up, then swore, more out of fright, than anger.
'What, Julian? What is it?'
Julian hurried back over to them, setting down the lantern.
'It's that damned Abe Carver!'
'What???' Eve asked, shocked. She then snatched up a lantern and stood up, leaving Julian with the twins.
'Eve! For God's sakes, don't go over there! Maybe he'll go away if we just don't answer.'
'Julian he saw you looking at him and...'
Eve then began to understand what Julian was trying to say, as she rushed to the door, holding up the lamp. A Sasquatch was staring back at her.
'Eve! Get away from there! For Christ's sakes, you don't even know that that's Abe really!'
'Oh Julian! Who else could it be?'
'I don't know! But the point is he's dangerous! We should just be glad he hasn't smashed the door in! Now come back over here, now!'
But Eve ignored Julian and opened the door.
'Eve! For the love of God, don't open that door!'
But Eve opened it, because she could see that the Sasquatch/Abe, was hurt. He had been shot in the arm. The Sasquatch tilted his head as he looked at her. Eve could see it was Abe. There was something in his eyes.
The Sasquatch then emitted a loud, mournful cry of pain. Eve reached out to touch him. Julian rolled his eyes and looked at the twins.
'Great kids! Mommy's boyfriend is back!' Julian hissed sarcastically. Because deep down, Julian knew that somewhere deep inside Abe, he had come back here, to this house, because he was drawn to the one person he felt he could trust...and the one woman he had had the hots for since they had all been kidnapped on Stefano's island....his wife!