Part IV - Casting the Truth:

Part B:

Jason listened intently and without interruption as Mimi ran through ex-love Rex Brady and his twin sister Cassie's arrival in Salem. He mentally patted himself on the back for remaining quiet during her rundown of history. Some of the things she told him, like how they were thought to be aliens, then thought to be DiMeras, then ultimately revealed to be part of the Brady clan had his head spinning. Then he reminded himself that it was Salem…and anything that could happen in Salem…usually did.

When she began to speak about their relationship, finally getting to how everything began, he noticed how her voice carried a small hint of pain. Focusing his eyes to look at her instead of concentrating on her words, he saw the hurt in her eyes. Someone who loved as deeply and intensely as Mimi did, hurt just as much. He could remember telling her in high school that she had no backbone. That she was tagalong and Belle, Shawn, Chloe, Philip or whomever she had aligned herself with at the time was her protector. He knew even then that it was wrong; only said it to hurt her, to prey on her insecurities. However, now, he was realizing just how wrong he was. She was one of the strongest people he ever knew.

When she came to the part of how they moved in together, with Belle and Shawn across the hall, though Shawn was truly Rex's roommate, his heart broke for her. She had only loved two men in her entire lifetime. And both times, she lost them. He wondered how she carried on. Where she found the strength to pick herself up and go on with her life, full of pain, the ache of the empty void they created growing with each passing second; but thought it better not to ask her. It would remain a great mystery surrounding her.

"And then he walked away." - Mimi had just finished recanting the tale of how Rex found out about her abortion. Jason again focused on her eyes. They were so impossibly dark, glazed with anger, remorse, and regret. "He sent my letters back and everything. I tried so hard to apologize, you know. Just wanted him to know how…" - she swiped at a tear falling down her reddened cheek. "…how sorry I was for everything. Should have known he wouldn't accept them. His face…that day…when he found out." - she closed her eyes and tried to dislodge the memory. "I knew then it was over."

"Why didn't you tell him about the baby?" - Jason asked. He winced when he saw another tear slip down her cheek; sure, there was a gentler way, but he couldn't think of it.

Noticing the regret in his eyes at his brashness, Mimi offered him a small smile and he knew he was forgiven. "I don't know why." - she said. "When I found out I was so…scared, you know. But I was also…happy. I was having a baby with the man I loved. The man I knew…" - her voice fell. "…that I was going to marry." - she took the tissue he extending to her and smiled her thank you. "But when I asked him how he felt about us having children so young…or right now…he said that it wasn't the time. That it would be a bad thing, I think he said." - she lied, she remembered every word he said; it hurt just as much now as it did then. "That's when I decided not to tell him. I got it in my head that if I did tell him that he would only stay with me because I was pregnant. Then my mother found out and came up with the idea of aborting the baby. I didn't want to, but then…another evil thought entered my mind. What if I told Rex and he accused me of trapping him, not that he would have, but what if that's what he thought? What if someday in the distant future…he began to resent me?" - she shook her head at her own insecurities. They always did get the best of her. "You've met my mother before. Imagine that harping on your every fear." - silence fell. "I blamed her for a while, too. Blamed Belle for having such a huge mouth. Truth was, I just hated myself. It was my baby just as much as it was Rex's. Whether he wanted it or not, whether it was time or not…it was my baby and it deserved a chance at life. I let my own fears and insecurities and stupidity…my own brand of self-hatred cause me to kill my baby."

Silence fell between them again. Jason was awestruck in her presence. He knew that she had changed. Knew that she wasn't the same girl he grew up with. Hell, he had always known that she had an inner strength that would surface someday and give her the courage to do the right thing even in the face of tragedy. However, looking at her now, he truly believed she was the strongest woman he ever met. Yes, many women had been in her position before…but he didn't know any of them. He didn't know their history of insecurity. Their history of feeling like they never belonged. But he knew Mimi's...and he knew now that he couldn't have been prouder of her for picking herself up and carrying on with life.

"How did things with you and Shawn happen?" - he asked softly.

"We started to grow closer through our misery. He let me stay in the apartment with him after Rex moved out. It was after everything that happened with him, Jan, Philip and Belle." - at Jason's hitched eyebrow, "It's a longer story than this one and I'll tell it to you later. Anyway…" - she continued on. "Philip and Belle were married and she was pregnant and just had everything I ever wanted…but that's beside the point. She told Shawn that she couldn't be with him. That it wasn't fair to Philip…that she loved Philip, was his wife, carrying his child, and didn't want to hurt him that way. Shawn just gave up. We started spending time together. At first, commiserating. Then…we found our friendship again. We developed feelings for one another." - she shook her head and cleared her throat when she thought the sob would escape. "To make a long story short, Shawn and I decided to get married. Because of our relationship, though I'm not sure if this is at all possible, our relationship sparked something in Belle that brought on Post-Partum Depression. While she was struggling with that, Claire got really sick and through an accidental death, Shawn's little brother Zack saved her life." - nodding at Jason's stunned and saddened gaze, Mimi continued. "That's when I put two and two together. Shawn himself had turned out to be a match for the baby. I knew that he was her father. Kate Roberts and my mother figured it out, too."

"Shawn is the father of Belle's baby." - Jason stated, not sure he fully believed it. Mimi studied his eyes, waiting to see the hatred fill them. It never came.

Mimi nodded. "I knew it long before we got married and I didn't tell him. I let my mother and Kate badger me into not saying anything. Kate didn't want Philip to lose his wife; you know how she is when it comes to her children." - Jason nodded. "And my mother didn't want me to ruin my one chance at happiness."

"Those were their reasons," - Jason began softly. "What were yours?"

"Same reasons I had for not telling Rex about the baby. I was scared. I told myself that once Shawn found out he would leave me for Belle. I didn't believe he loved me enough. I knew he loved me…just…not enough. I had no faith in his love. In his ability to choose whom he wanted to be with. I had no faith in myself."

"But you do now." - Jason told her. "Otherwise you wouldn't have said anything. I admire you, Mimi."

Scoffing, "For what? I lied to him. Kept the truth about his daughter from him. He deserved to know. As did Philip and Bo and Hope…and everyone. No one deserves to be lied to like that. What could you possibly be admiring me for?"

"Your strength." - he told her. When she shot him a disbelieving glance, "You can deny it all you want, and I know you probably will, but one day you will see just how strong you are. It takes courage to do what you did, Meems. Yeah, you should have told him the truth. I can't say that your decision not to was right or wrong, it's not my place to. That's something you have to come to terms with on your own and I think you have. I think you made the right choice in finally telling him, because you're right, he does deserve to know. That itself took great courage. Even with your doubts and your fears, you thought enough of him to tell him the truth. It doesn't matter when you decided to do it, you did it. That's more than Belle can say, and I'm sure, as smart as she is, she knew the truth as well." - when Mimi simply looked away, Jason knew he was right. "And then, you did something not a lot of people would ever do. You walked away from your life. When so many people have walked away from you, it takes even more strength to do it yourself."

"I walked away because I knew he was going to go to Belle. They're going to be a family like they have always wanted. I couldn't stand to see that. I walked away for my own selfish reasons."

"I don't think so." - Jason countered. "You're not a selfish person. Yeah, you have your moments where you want what you want, but everyone does. I think you walked away to finally give Shawn the chance to make up his mind. Whether he wants a life with you or a family with Belle."

"Shawn and Belle have always loved each other. They belong together."

"See, that right there…that bitterness you conveyed just then shows me that you don't believe it. You know that Shawn isn't with a person unless he wants to be with them. He chose you, Mimi. For whatever reasons that only he and God know, he chose you. That says something. And the fact that you would step aside…again…to let him and Belle be together when you love him shows just how selfless you are."

"I want him to be happy."

"But you don't think that he can be with you?" - Jason asked. He tilted his head to the side and studied her. "You and Shawn have good moments in your marriage? Moments where it was just the two of you depending on one another?" - Mimi nodded reluctantly. "You and Shawn had a life, Mimi. A life he chose. I think you walked away because you're not sure if he 'chose' you because he really wanted you or because he couldn't have Belle. And you want to give him the chance to make up his mind."

Unable to hold it in any longer, Mimi let the tears flow. Jason wrapped his arms around her and pulled her close. "I'm so lost, Jason. I've never felt so lost before. I don't know how to face life on my own. I don't know if I can." - she cried against his chest.

"Shh," - he soothed her. Running his fingers through her hair, "You can. You're the strongest person I know, Meems. You'll handle anything life throws at you. You'll be okay. Whether Shawn chooses you or not, you'll find a way to carry on. You have too much vivacity to just give up."

"My heart…" - a powerful sob tore from her lips.

"Shh. I know your heart is broken. It's still breaking. But it'll heal, honey, I promise." - he rocked her gently. "Shh, don't cry. I hate to see you cry." - finally having had enough of being serious, "Besides, this is an expensive shirt and I don't want you ruining it with your tears."

Her sobs turned to laughter against his chest. Raising her head, she patted at the wet spot her tears created. "You rich boys and your expensive clothing. You're all spoiled."

Shrugging, Jason tossed her a charming, warm grin. "Hey, have to look good for the wife. Can't have her losing interest."

"She'd be crazy to leave you, Jase. You tell her I said it, too." - Mimi challenged.

"You can tell her when we land. She's picking us up at the airport."

"Us?" - Mimi questioned. "No, wait, hey, Jason, I don't think…"

"Miriam, you're a friend. I'm not going to let you start a new life in a place you've never been all alone. There are some really bad parts of town."

Mimi knew he was serious. That was the only time he said her full name. Still, she found herself protesting. "But you and your wife…"

"Have a huge house." - he cut her off. "Not to mention a guest house. We do entertain occasionally when we're not busting our asses at the hospital. You can use it for as long as you like." - Mimi bit her bottom lip, trying to find a way out. "And it's not charity. Just help. Everybody needs a little help now and then. Don't be so proud that you can't accept it from me."

Mimi smiled again, sure her face was about to start hurting from all the smiling and crying she was doing. She pulled him into an embrace and held him close. She thanked God for putting him on that plane. She was sure she didn't deserve any mercy after all that she had done, but God had given her an angel when she needed one the most. "Thank you, Jason." - she whispered against the shell of his ear.

"For what?" - he asked, shrugging off her gratitude.

"For helping me put my life into perspective. For giving me answers where I couldn't find any." - she pulled back to look into his eyes. "For listening to me."

Jason stared at her for a second. His heart swelling with pride at her conviction. She was a lot stronger than anyone gave her credit for. He leaned forward a little and kissed her cheek softly. "You're welcome, Miriam."