A Gift for John – by Stephanie Linville

Introduction

I suppose I should start by telling you my name. My real name. When we met, I told you my name was Elizabeth, and that’s mostly the truth. My given name is Katharine, but my full name might surprise you. Katharine…. Elizabeth…. DiMera. I’m Stefano’s sister. I know what your feelings are about the DiMera’s, but I’m not evil like he is. I’m much more like our brother, John. Yes, John Black is our half-brother. I know you’ve been led to believe otherwise, but it’s not true. I owe John a debt I can never repay, so I’ve spent most of my life trying to protect him and his family from Stefano. Sadly, though, John doesn’t know I exist. But that’s a long and complicated story. Maybe I should start from the beginning. 

Prologue

My father was Santo DiMera. If you know his reputation, you know he was ruthless, ambitious, and would stop at nothing to get what he wanted. He was far from ethical and worked hard to make a great deal of money so that he could give his family everything. After his wife died and his children were grown, he began to reflect on his youth, and decided a great deal of it was misspent. Late in his life, he became involved with a young woman who worked for him. She was my mother, and when he found out she was pregnant, he promised her that this child would help him become the man he knew he could be, and that he would love us better than he had the rest of his family. But when she died in childbirth, he was left to take care of me on his own, and so he did. His son, Stefano, was much older than I, but was also there to help raise me. He and Papa treated me like a princess. I was often told that I was a ray of sunshine and that I brought joy where there had been none for a long time. 

As I grew, Papa was indeed a loving and devoted father, making good on his promise to my mother. When I was four years old, I was looking through the drawers in the library cabinets, and I found a picture of a beautiful woman holding a baby. I knew this wasn’t my mother or Stefano’s, so I asked Papa who it was. Tears came to his eyes as he saw the picture for the first time in years. That’s when he told me the story about Colleen, the great love of his life, and a child they’d had together. She ran away to a convent where she’d given birth to their son, unbeknownst to Papa, and had allowed him to be given up for adoption. After she died, Papa received a letter from her telling him all this, along with the picture, so he used his connections and influence to discover who had adopted the boy and where he was. I begged Papa to bring this son into our family now because it wasn’t too late, and selfishly I wanted another brother. Papa finally agreed, after a couple years of my constant pestering, but he made me promise not to say anything to Stefano about who the boy really was. Stefano saw what Colleen’s leaving had done to Papa and he hated her and her family because they tried so hard to keep them apart. Papa was afraid Stefano would seek revenge against the boy, so he made me promise to keep it secret. Papa had tried to make Stefano understand how much he regretted the horrible things he had done, but Stefano refused to listen and promised revenge on her family if given the chance. Despite Stefano’s feelings, John began to visit with us, under the guise of obtaining a position in the family business and became a member of our family. 

When I was thirteen years old, Papa died. Shortly after the funeral, Stefano found me writing in my journal about Papa dying and how I was so grateful he’d given me my “brother.” Stefano demanded to know what I meant, and I told him the story that Papa had told me about how John was the child born out of the love Papa had for Colleen Brady. Stefano became enraged, saying that it was not possible, and that it had never happened. He said to never speak of it, or he would disinherit me and throw me out of the house. I asked him why Papa would tell me that story if it was not true. He said that Papa was blinded by his feelings for her, that Colleen was a liar and a whore, and he never wanted to hear anything about that woman ever again, or I would live to regret it. He also said that all my visits with John were over now that Papa was dead. I became furious, screaming at him that he was jealous that John was a better brother than he ever would be, and he could never keep us apart. Then he said the words that haunt me to this day: “John is NOT your brother, or mine, and when I am through with him, he will never even know you existed.”

I vowed at that moment I would do everything in my power for the rest of my life to protect John from Stefano. He was a rich and powerful businessman by then, especially with his inheritance from Papa, and I was afraid of what he would do to John now that Papa wasn’t around to stop him. I didn’t see John again after that, but I did everything I could to figure out what Stefano had done. 

After three years, I finally discovered that Stefano had kidnapped John right after Papa died, erased his memory, and eventually replaced it somehow with that of a man named Roman Brady. He had sent my brother to a place called Salem and had started his plan to use my brother as his Pawn as his revenge for what Colleen had done to our father. I was ready at that point to go to Salem and find my brother myself, but Stefano found out what I was up to and, good to his word, he threw me out of the house without a dime and swore he would never speak to me again. He also told me that he’d made his henchman, Dr. Rolf, put a post-hypnotic suggestion in John during his memory erasure that would trigger itself if he ever discovered that I was his sister. It would make John completely lose all his memory and do irreversible damage if I ever told him we were related. He knew I loved John too much to ever allow that to happen, so, in essence, he made sure John and I would never be brother and sister again.

After Stefano threw me out, I was completely alone, had no money, and had no idea how to do anything. I lived on the streets for weeks until a girl named Corinna took me in, got her family to give me a job, and became my most trusted companion and ally. I never stopped thinking about John and what Stefano had done to him. I also never stopped trying to think of a way to protect him without revealing myself to him. I never doubted what Stefano said would happen if John found out about me. I knew he was ruthless enough, jealous enough and twisted enough to punish me and John, simply for being brother and sister. Regardless, I resigned myself to help him somehow. I had to atone for what Stefano did to him as my punishment for being loyal to him.

A few days after my eighteenth birthday, a man found me at the pub where I worked. What he told me changed everything. I was able to make a new identity for myself and for Corrie, who devoted her life to helping me. Now, my name is Elizabeth Ashe. Since the DiMera’s always rise from the ashes, I felt it was appropriate. I am now the head of several unrelated multinational companies with incredible resources. My companies create all the things I’ve ever needed to help John as much as I could without giving myself away. I also work to cause as much damage as possible to all of Stefano’s businesses and holdings, which has put my life in danger many times. He tried several times to kill me, not knowing it was me, of course, but I learned how to protect myself, with many forms of training and practice. I’ve been successful at keeping John alive, too, even though I haven’t been totally successful at stopping all of Stefano’s plans. Now that I believe Stefano is finally gone, I am going to Salem to help keep John and his wife, Marlena, safe from other threats, and maybe even make something of a normal life for myself in the process. If I plan well, and I’m careful, I might even get to see John up close. Just a chance to see his face in person would mean everything to me. 

No Longer a DiMera

I am sneaking down the hall towards Stefano’s office as quietly as I can. I know if I make a sound, he will discover me, and I can’t let that happen. I cannot imagine what he would do to me if he found me here, so I must be silent. I have a key to his office that I finally convinced one of the house staff to give me. I am praying it is the right one and that the money I paid them wasn’t wasted.

As I make it to the door, I hear a sound on the floor above me. If someone is awake, I will have to wait, but I’ve waited for three years already. I don’t know if I can stand waiting anymore. Fortunately, it is just the house creaking, and so I continue. I put the key in the lock and turn it slowly. The door opens, and I must stifle my excitement. I can’t believe my plan is working. I walk in and close it silently behind me as I cross the room to his desk. I look behind the statue on the bookshelf where I was told the desk key was, and it is there. Carefully, I open the desk and look through the files there. One of them is labeled “Pawn,” and I start with it. As I begin reading everything that Stefano has done to John these past three years, I am sickened. He had him kidnapped the day after Papa died, and it only got worse from there. I can hardly breathe reading the horrors that Stefano has inflicted on our brother. The guilt I feel for this is almost more than I can bear. I know that I pushed Stefano into this by being so atrocious to him, and I wish fruitlessly that I could take it back. 

After he kidnapped John, he hid him in the basement of a house he owned in Louisiana. There John was drugged and tortured relentlessly. He even made Dr. Rolf create mind-altering drugs and techniques that would take away his memory and identity so that Stefano could manipulate John into believing whatever he wanted him to. His plan was to use John as a mercenary and thief, and now he has been sent to a place called Salem to work for someone named Kiriakis. 

Now that I know all of this, I cannot remain silent. I decide to confront Stefano in the morning. I make sure everything is left as I found it so I can confront him when I am ready, but I keep the last page of the file so I can have the latest information about where John might be. I walk sadly back to my room and crawl into bed. Tears fall down my face and I whisper to the darkness, “I’m so sorry, John. I’m sorry I caused all of this. I promise you I will do everything I can to make this right.” I finally drift off into a trouble sleep, John’s face never leaving my dreams.

I awaken early and go straight to Stefano’s office. He is there working already and is surprised to see me. “Good morning, little one,” he says. “What on earth has you in here this early?” 

I cannot hold in my anger, and it bursts out violently. “What have you done!!!” I scream at him from across the room.

“Whatever do you mean, my darling?” he asks me sarcastically.

“Why have you done this?” I say angrily, holding up the paper I kept from the night before. I want him to know that I know everything. “You’ve not only kidnapped him, taken him away from his family and everyone he knows, but you’ve taken away all his memories, too? Why on earth do you hate him so much? He is, after all, our brother.”

Stefano jumps up angrily from his desk, walks towards me, and raises a finger menacingly at my face. “He is NOT my brother, or yours, my darling girl. And I will never hear you call him that again. I hate him because of all he represents—that horrible woman who was his mother, who nearly drove Papa to insanity over her. And you, my precious sister, the light of our family, put your loyalty with HIM more than any of your REAL family. You disgust me and so does he.” Stefano grabs the paper out of my hand and continues. “And now that you’ve proven where your loyalties lie, you are no longer welcome in this house. You are no longer a DiMera to me, and I want you OUT!”

I try to turn and run but he grabs me by the arm. “You have five minutes to gather what you can carry, and then you will be gone from here forever.” I don’t want to believe he’s serious, but the look on his face, the fury in his eyes, tells me differently. I run to my room and grab my duffel bag, stuffing in as many clothes as I can and all the money I can find. I also get my journal and, at the last second, my photo album. I would die if I left it behind. It’s the only proof I have that John is my brother, the only tie to him I have, and I treasure it. 

True to his word, Stefano returns in five minutes. “It’s time, Katharine,” he says as waits at the door for me to follow. I look one last time at the only haven I’ve ever known, my room since I was born, and walk out the door. He leads me slowly down the stairs to the foyer, and tears begin to fall down my cheeks. Silent tears of fear, regret, anger, and apprehension of the unknown that awaits me.

We get to the front door, and he opens it for me. I look at him, trying to find something that might tell me this is all some horrible joke, and that he is just trying to scare me, but there is only coldness and emptiness. “I can’t believe you’re making me leave our house like this. With nothing but a few clothes? Where am I going?” My lip trembles as I speak, and the tears sting my eyes.

“You will find that out soon enough. But know this, my dear Katharine. If you ever do find John again somehow, and tell him who you are, every memory he ever had will disappear. He will never remember you or anyone else ever again. His mind will be destroyed, and it will all be your fault.”

“But how is that even possible? I can’t believe even you could make something like that happen.”

“You would be amazed at the things Dr. Rolf can accomplish, my darling. Drugs and torture and post-hypnotic suggestions can work wonders… if you want them to.” He smiles at the memory of stripping John of his identity, and I know he is telling the truth.

I begin to cry harder now, but there is no softening in his expression. If anything, he seems pleased that he is having this effect on me. “Please, Stefano. You can’t do this. I’m your sister, and at one point not long ago, you did love me.” 

I reach out for him, trying to touch his face to make some connection, but he grabs my arm again before I can. He leans in closely and whispers coldly, “You have done this to yourself, Katharine. Never forget that. You have done this to yourself.” 

He walks back into the house and shuts the door in my face as I turn to see Matteo, one of his most trusted aides, standing at the car in the driveway. I walk down the steps as he opens the car door. I look at him, hoping for some reprieve from this nightmare, but he looks away. I almost think he feels sorry for me, but it doesn’t matter. He would never defy Stefano no matter how he feels. So, I sink into the backseat and look back as we drive away, sobbing quietly as I leave the only home I’ve ever known. We drive to the airport, and he puts me on a plane to Italy. I am hopeful Stefano might be sending me to our house in Tuscany, but when the plane touches down in Verona, I realize that is not the case. I get off the plane with my small bag and leave the airport. I begin walking aimlessly, not having any idea what to do or where to go. Finally, I sit down on a bench in a park to try and gather my thoughts. I sit there for hours, and, at some point, I fall asleep. It is fortunate that it is summertime because I can sleep outside in relative comfort.

The next morning, I wake up and realize how hungry I am. I’ve not eaten since breakfast yesterday and I’m starving. “Yesterday,” I whisper out loud to myself. Yesterday I woke up in my bed in my house. Today I am waking up on a park bench with hardly anything to my name. The irony of how quickly everything can change is not lost on me. I walk into to a small diner and buy the cheapest breakfast on the menu so that I can make what little money I have last. I ask them in my very broken Italian if they can possibly give me a job, and the answer is no. I walk around all day looking for a place to hire me to do anything, so that I might make some money, but no one will help me. 

Night falls again, and I am back on the bench at the park. As I try to sleep, I realize for the first time ever what true hunger is. I only allowed myself to eat breakfast today to try and make my money last as long as possible. I begin to cry at the thought of all that I have taken for granted in my life, and I would give anything to be back in my bed at home. Then another thought overtakes my mind: John. I remember that he is in some place called Salem and, thanks to Stefano’s manipulations, he doesn’t even know who he is. It is at that moment I make a vow to myself—that Stefano will not win, not against John and not against me. I silently swear that I will not allow myself to succumb to all the things that could happen to me, penniless and on my own, and that I will someday, somehow, see John again and protect him from Stefano’s treachery, even if it means he will never know me and even if it means my own life. I owe him at least that for causing this to happen. That promise gets me through the night, and the hunger, and I know somehow it will be ok. 

I’m awakened the next morning by a police officer shaking me and yelling at me in Italian to leave the park and get off the bench. I am scared he is going to arrest me, so I run away. He does not follow me, and probably thinks I am just some dumb American tourist. For that, I am grateful. I am determined to find some type of job today so that I can earn some money and keep on eating. 

I walk around more places and keep asking all day for some work, anything, so I can earn some money. At one point I almost have a job at a pub washing dishes because I’ve made friends with a girl who works there. Her father owns the pub, and her grandmother works there as well. But when she asks her dad to hire me, her grandmother comes out and starts yelling at him for wanting to hire a teenage girl and an American at that. I beg her to please reconsider and try to tell her that I’ve been thrown out of my home, but she won’t listen. Fortunately for me, my new friend, Corinna, sneaks me some food after her grandmother goes back to the kitchen. 

I continue for two weeks like this, looking everywhere for a job that doesn’t exist, and coming to see Corinna at the pub when I am completely desperate and starving. One night, her grandmother finds her sneaking me food again and she finally takes pity on me. I look horrendous, as I can’t really wash my clothes or myself at all, and my weight loss is noticeable. She takes me upstairs to Corinna’s room and tells me I can stay there. I will have to sleep on the floor, but I don’t care. I begin to cry with relief and promise her I will work harder than anyone she’s ever known. She tells me I will have to.

I go to work the next morning, busing tables, sweeping, whatever they tell me to do. I work harder than I’ve ever worked in my life and go to bed that night completely exhausted. But I am safe, I am fed, and I have a roof over my head. As I drift off to sleep, I think of John. I wonder where Salem is, who he might be with, and what he is doing. I pray that he is ok, and vow again that I will one day find the means to protect him from ever getting hurt by Stefano again.

Corinna wakes me early the next day to start all over again. I am sore from sleeping on the floor, and still tired from the day before, but I get right to it. I want to make sure her grandmother doesn’t regret her decision. As I go downstairs to get started, I overhear Corinna’s dad, Giovanni, and grandmother, Sofia, talking. I don’t know what all they are saying, but they stop as soon as they see me. “I’m sorry,” I say, “I didn’t mean to interrupt. I’ll get to work.” I walk into the kitchen and begin washing dishes. Sofia walks in, followed by Giovanni. He tells me that they are concerned about where my parents are and if they are looking for me. They think I am a runaway and don’t want to get in trouble with the police. I tell them my parents are dead and that no one will be looking for me. I have not run away, but my brother will no longer take care of me. This is as much of the truth as I am going to tell them. They look at each other, and then something amazing happens. Sofia comes over to me and puts her arms around me. I slowly put my arms around her and begin to cry. I can’t help myself, especially after never knowing my mother. She stands there silently and gently pats my back as I sob. When I pull myself together, I stand back and look at her and Giovanni. “Thank you both, so very much, for helping me.”

“You’re welcome,” she says in her sweet broken English. “You stay here… long as you need. We are your family now.” Then she smiles a gentle smile and wipes the tears from my cheeks. Giovanni pats me on the shoulder and smiles as well. As they walk out of the kitchen, I silently thank God for answering my prayers. I know I will be ok, at least for now. 

Insights into my Past

“Oh, Papa, do you mean it? Can I really meet my brother?”

“Yes, my darling. I’ve contacted his family and they’ve agreed to allow him to come visit. But you must keep our secret, now, remember?”

“Yes, Papa, I remember. Stefano will never know that John is actually my brother.”

I remember that conversation like it was yesterday. Corinna, who I now call Corrie for short, and I are sitting in her small bedroom upstairs from the pub after a long Saturday of work. But tomorrow is Sunday, and the pub is closed, so we are indulging ourselves with some late-night girl talk. I’m sharing with her how John first came to know our family. 

“So, you had known about him already?” She asks. 

“Yes,” I replied. “Papa had told me about Colleen when I was four. He told me that, even though he had been married before, she was the love of his life and he had wanted to be with her very much. But her family was Irish, and he was Italian, so, back then, they forbade it. They thought Papa was a gangster, which, in retrospect, I suppose he was. And they wanted their daughter to have nothing to do with him. So, Colleen and my Papa saw each other in secret for a time.”

“I’m guessing that didn’t work out too well.”

“No,” I say, “it didn’t. Her parents found out and, from what Papa said, it almost got violent. Colleen’s father and older brothers were furious that he had ‘defiled’ Colleen and threatened to disown her if she had anything else to do with Papa. She told them she loved him and wanted to be with him, so they left together. They got married, without any of her family there, and were happy for a time. Then, Papa’s older brother was killed, and he had to take over the ‘family business.’” And Papa became determined to expand their power once his brother was killed. It changed him inside to see someone so close to him die at such a young age, and it changed his relationship with Colleen. She didn’t like the violence and immorality of what the mafia represented but believed that since it was Papa’s brother who was the head of the family, her family could stay on the fringe and not be affected by it. She was wrong.”

“So, once he became the head of the family, she wasn’t happy anymore, was she?” Corrie understands as well as anyone the affect the mafia has on families. Being Italian, she has seen it up close. 

“No,” I say, “she wasn’t. They began fighting about it and she wanted to leave Italy, but he wouldn’t hear of it. He told me the power went to his head, as did his desire for revenge on those who killed his brother. It took over everything and he became focused on nothing but that. So, she decided to leave him.”

“Where could she go? She couldn’t get away from the family at that point, right?”

“She went to the only place she could go. She went to a convent. Her family disowned her and wouldn’t allow her to come home because she had gone against their wishes in the first place. Papa said he went after her, but she would have nothing to do with him. She was very devout, and felt that if her marriage was over, the only way she could do penance for it was to become a nun. She didn’t discover she was pregnant until she was already there. Stefano watched the torture Papa went through when she left and he swore that he would never let anyone make him feel like that, and that her family would one day pay for not allowing them to be together.”

“When did your father find out about John?”

“Not for a long time. Colleen sent Papa a letter and in it, she said that, if he was reading the letter, that she was dead. She told him about John, that he had been put up for adoption, and that she had been guilt ridden for the remainder of her life. Finally, she could stand it no longer and was going to commit suicide. Papa was heartbroken and vowed to figure out where his son was and make sure he was being taken care of. That was when they moved to America, and Stefano became very angry at Papa about that. It drove a wedge between them for a long time. He was convinced it was one more thing she did to torture him from beyond and that there was no son, or if there was it wasn’t Papa’s. But eventually, they reconciled. Until my mother came along.”

“And then Stefano thought it was Colleen all over again,” Corrie says. She already seems to know my brother well. 

“Yes,” I answer. “He became angry at Papa that he was getting involved with another woman. But Papa was much older and had been alone for most of his life. My mother worked for one of the businesses my family owned, so she knew all about their dealings and what they were part of. She didn’t care.”

“So that already made her different from Colleen.”

“It did, but Stefano never saw her as anything but another threat to his family. Papa said to me that he’d spent so much of his life being ruthless and getting revenge for his brother’s death that he’d never made a life for himself. He’d never been happy, never really been loved except by Colleen, and that he wanted there to be more for himself in his later years. Stefano was taking over most of the business, so it was time for Papa to take care of himself. But Stefano just wouldn’t accept it.”

“Why would he be so selfish when it came to his father’s happiness?” Corrie doesn’t understand it either. 

“I wish I knew. I think it hurt him so badly as a child to see his father so obsessed with a woman who didn’t want him that he just refused to allow it to happen to him or anyone he loved. His own mother died so early in his life, he probably doesn’t really remember what it’s like to be loved by a mother or a woman. I’m sure it’s damaged him, but that’s still no excuse for what he’s done.” 

“But he did love you in the beginning, right? Even though he hated your mother, too?”

“Yes, he did. When my mother died in childbirth, my father was heartbroken all over again. But having me to take care of gave him something to focus on besides the grief. And Papa told me when Stefano saw me, he realized I was innocent in all of it, and that I was a DiMera, too. Family has always been the most important thing of all to Stefano, and so he wouldn’t allow his sister, his only sister, not to be raised as a DiMera. After that, he and Papa spoiled me, loved me to no end, and I loved them the same. I had an idyllic childhood when I was a very small girl. I literally had anything I wanted, at a moment’s notice most of the time. Sometimes I think of how spoiled I really was and how much I took for granted in my life, how easy it was back then, and how much I would give for things to be that way again.” 

“But if everything had stayed that way, you wouldn’t have ever met John and wouldn’t know you had another brother, right?” She’s hoping this brings me out of this mood I’m slipping into and helps me keep things in perspective. 

I smile at her appreciatively. “Yes, that is completely true. And as wonderful as my life was back then, having John in it was even better.”

“So, what happened when John finally came to visit?” Corrie wants to move the conversation to happier topics, and I don’t mind the indulgence.

The thoughts of that day flood my mind and cover me like a warm blanket. I usually try to keep my thoughts of John at bay because they can be overwhelming and painful, but tonight I want to remember him and I want to share how much he means to me, even if it is bittersweet. “Well, I was very excited for his first visit. Papa had told Stefano that John was the son of a friend and was going to be visiting because he wanted a place in the family business perhaps. Stefano was immediately suspicious and angry and wanted nothing to do with it. He felt that no one except family should work for us or with us, and made his feelings well known to Papa. But Papa was the head of the family, and Stefano respected tradition enough that he went along with it and did not defy Papa’s wishes outright.”

“Your brother is an interesting mix of contradictions,” Corrie remarks. 

“Yes, but it worked to my advantage in this case.” I smile at this thought and continue with my story. “When John arrived, I was all dressed up and waiting by the door. Papa brought him in and introduced me to him. When I saw him there, my first thought was that he looked almost like Papa, but his eyes must really look like Colleen’s. I looked at Papa and I could tell it was true. Papa couldn’t stop staring at him. He almost looked like he was about to cry, but he smiled through it and tried not to let it show. And then John looked down at me and smiled. He came over to me and squatted down, so we were on eye level. He asked me, ‘Who is this pretty young lady?’ And I said, ‘I’m Katharine. It’s nice to meet you,’ and I held out my hand. And then he did something I’ll never forget.”

“And what was that?” Corrie asks.

“He said, ‘No, a handshake just won’t do for someone as pretty as you. I think I need a hug.’ He stretched out his arms wide, and I threw my arms around his neck. Then he wrapped his arms around me and picked me up as he stood up. He became my brother in that moment and I knew then and there that bond would be there for the rest of my life.”

Corrie smiles as she imagines the scene in her head. I never, ever talk about my brother like this, because it reminds me so much of everything I’ve lost. But for tonight, I’m going to enjoy the life we had before I must put those feelings away again. “That is a very special memory, Katharine,” she says. 

I smile at her and continue. “After a moment or two, I let go of his neck, but he just kept carrying me, talking to Papa, walking on into the house, looking around at everything. He was also talking to me, asking me about things he saw in the house, where my room was, all sorts of things. From the instant we met, he treated me like he’d known me all his life. That was what made the biggest impression on me. We hit it off right from the start, and I’ve never experienced anything like it since.”

“Well, now I understand better why it was so devastating to you when Stefano kidnapped him and said you couldn’t see him again. I just can’t believe anyone would do something like that.” Corrie can’t wrap her head around how atrocious Stefano’s was, and I don’t blame her. It’s always been beyond my comprehension as well.

“I know. But for several years, John and I were best friends. He began coming over regularly to learn from Papa, but he spent lots of time with me as well. He taught me how to play baseball in our backyard. He would play board games with me for hours in my room. He never got tired of me or frustrated with me, even though I could be very annoying.”

Corrie is getting sleepy at this point and begins to doze off. “That’s so sweet,” she says drowsily. I smile at her and turn off the light in our room. I lay my head on the pillow and as I begin to fall asleep myself, I remember when Papa finally said we could tell John the truth. 

 

We’d played all afternoon and I was tired, but I didn’t want to stop playing. We were in the living room, and I was trying to figure out something new to do. He said that maybe I needed a nap, but I didn’t want one, so I got mad at him and stormed upstairs to my room. He came after me, and told me that if I took a nap, maybe cook could find some ice cream after I woke up. I agreed, so I lay down on my bed. He sat beside me and stroked my hair gently for a moment until I calmed down, and before I knew it, I was sound asleep.

When I woke up, I felt much better, and went downstairs to find him. He and Papa were talking in the living room. I apologized for acting so horribly to him. As always, he just smiled and said he understood. Papa smiled and said it was time for John to go home. I was sad as usual, but John hugged me and promised he’d be back soon. We walked to the door, and he thanked Papa for all his help and instructions about his business and left. I turned to Papa after John was gone and asked, “Is John ever going to know that he is my brother?” 

Papa looked at me for a long time, and finally he said, “Yes, my darling. I think it’s time he knew the truth.”

 I was overjoyed and threw my arms around Papa’s neck. “Oh, Papa! Thank you! Thank you! I so want to tell him he’s my brother for real! Can I please be there when you tell him? Can we do it together?”

“Yes, my darling, you can. Whatever you want, my sweet girl!” 

And as I finally drift off to sleep, happy thoughts of Papa and John fill my mind. I sleep soundly that night, better than I have in a long time. 

The next morning, Corrie and I awake to the smell of fresh bread coming from Sofia’s oven. It is a warm, comforting smell, and I smile as I open my eyes. I see Corrie across the room opening her eyes as well. We look at each other for just a moment, then jump out of our beds at the same instant to head to breakfast. 

Giovanni is already eating as we sit down, and he asks us why we were up so late last night. “I saw your light on well past midnight. What on earth were you girls talking about?”

“Katharine was telling me about when she first met her brother, John,” Corrie tells him as she stuffs the warm bread into her mouth. 

“I see,” he says. “You don’t talk about him often, Katharine. Anything unusual prompt that conversation?”

“No,” I answer, “I just decided to talk about the happy times and focus on those instead of the sad parts.”

“Well, I’m glad to hear that.” Giovanni smiles as he takes a bite of bread.

“Do you have any other happy stories?” Sofia asks.

I look at them and feel more like I’m part of a family than I have in forever. I know I can trust them completely, and that sharing my life will only make us closer. “Well,” I say, “I could tell you about how John gave me my nickname.” I’ve never told anyone this, not even Corrie, and it is my favorite memory of him. 

John had visited with us a few times when he decided that my name was much too long and much too big for such a small little girl. We were playing a board game in my room one afternoon, and I was excited he’d agreed to play.

“John, it’s your turn!” He was looking at all my dolls and my four-poster bed and got distracted.

“Sorry, Katharine. I was trying to count all your stuffed animals and I lost count at a thousand.” He grinned mischievously as he teased me. He was right, I probably did have a thousand of them. 

“But I like them! And all of them are so special to me I just couldn’t part with any of them.” I looked around at them as John rolled the dice and moved his piece around the board.

“You know, Katharine, that’s a really long name you have.”

“Don’t you like it?” I was concerned as I thought there might be something about me John didn’t like.

“Oh, no, of course, I love your name! I just meant that it might be nice to have a special name for you, like a nickname. Something that no one else calls you.”

“Oh, John, that would be nice! What do you think it should be?”

“Well, I don’t know. Katharine is a beautiful name, but it’s a big name for such a little girl. Let’s think, now, what could it be? Kathy?”

I scrunch up my face at that one. “Ok, how about Katy?”

“No, I don’t really like that one either.”

“How about Kath?”

“That’s not very pretty. How about Kat?” I thought Kat sounded very grown up.

“I think that’s still a bit too big girl for you. I know, how about Lizzie? Since no one calls you by your middle name, that could be it.”

“Oh, that would be perfect! I love it!”

“And I think it totally suits you. So, from now on, you’ll be Lizzie to me, ok?”

“Thank you for my nickname, John. I sure love you!” The words came out before I’d realized it. It was the first time I’d ever said it, and it took us both by surprise. I looked down nervously at the game board, waiting to see what his response would be. He put his finger under my chin and raised my face to look at his. He smiled, and softly said, “I love you too, Lizzie.” I smiled a huge smile, and we both giggled. I’d never been as happy as I was in that moment. I didn’t know what it was about my big brother that was so special, and I didn’t care. He loved me too, and that was all that mattered. We were like souls that had probably known each other many, many times over, if you believe that sort of thing, and I knew we would never be apart. At least, I believed that then.

Giovanni and Sofia smile at each other as I finish my story. “That’s a wonderful story, Katharine.” Giovanni says. “I see now why you want so much to help him someday.”

“Yes, I do. I can’t believe how much Stefano has hurt him already. I must figure out a way to make it right.” I sigh and softly say, “Someday.”

I’m looking sad again, and it’s Sofia who comes to my rescue this time. “So how long was it until John found out you were actually his sister?” 

“Not long after that,” I say as I begin that part of the story.

A few weeks after John’s first visit, he and I were sitting on the back terrace of my house, looking out over the water behind us. The house sat near a lake, and we often went outside to look at the water or take our little boat out for a ride. We were planning to feed some of the ducks and geese at the lake when Papa came out to sit with us. Stefano was in town on business and would gone for most of the day, so Papa must have felt it was safe to have “the talk.”

“So, John, tell me about your family,” Papa began.

“Well, I was adopted as a baby as you know and…” 

Papa interrupted him. “No, I mean your real family.” 

John looked at him quizzically. “I don’t really know about my birth family,” he said, somewhat startled. 

Papa looked at me, and I was smiling, anxious to hear what he was about to say. “Would you like me to tell you?”

John was still unsure what was going on. “Do you know my birth family?”

“Yes, I do,” Papa said.

“How?”

Papa paused, hoping this wouldn’t make John upset. He looked at me and then back at John. “Because we are your birth family.” John looked back and forth between us, incredulous, as Papa continued. “I never knew about you until your mother had already given you up for adoption, or I would have taken you in immediately, just like I did Katharine.” It was important to Papa for John to know that he was wanted.

John sat for a moment deep in thought. He finally asked, “Is that why you wanted me to start visiting here?”

“Yes. And partially it was Katharine’s doing. I told her about you and your mother a couple years ago and she begged me to bring you into the family. I finally relented because all I want in the world is her happiness. And I realized that I wanted very much to get to know my son before it was too late.”

“Why didn’t you try to find me before that?” John was hurt, and Papa tried to explain.

“I was, and am, afraid that Stefano will not react well when he discovers that you are his brother. He was a small boy when I was married to your mother, and he hated her for hurting me. He could not realize that I was the one who caused all her pain and caused her to leave me. It’s taken me a long time to be able to admit that it was all my fault, but I know it now. Stefano, however, has never forgiven me or forgotten about the pain she or her family caused us. You are a living, breathing representation not only of the love she and I shared, but also all he hated about her. I don’t know what he would do to you if he found out, especially after I am gone. We must keep this a secret because if he discovered you were Colleen’s son, it might be dangerous for you, and maybe even for Katharine, simply because she loves you.”

John looked at me, and I smiled at him, hoping to show him how glad I was that he was my brother and was part of my life, regardless of how Stefano felt. He opened his arms wide, and I jumped from my chair to give him a hug. He still loved me, and that was all that mattered. He looked at our father and said, “I won’t say anything to Stefano about this, to make sure Katharine is safe. I would never do anything that might put her in harm’s way.” He looked at me then and smiled, and kissed me lightly on the back of my hand. It was the first of many times he would do that, and it became another of the special things we shared between us. 

I didn’t understand everything he and Papa talked about after that, but I didn’t care. It was grown-up talk, and it didn’t matter to me. All that mattered was that John was my brother, that he knew it outright, and that we were now family. 

The next several years continued in much this same way. John came to our house regularly and Papa began teaching him about business. John didn’t want to be part of the “family business,” but Papa had a great mind, lots of common sense and was incredibly intelligent. He wanted to teach John as much as he could about being successful. Stefano saw all this and made it clear he didn’t like it. 

As time went by, they began to argue more and more about John. Stefano didn’t trust him and didn’t want him in the business or in the house. He would always disappear when John was around, which was fine with me, but after each visit, Stefano began to put more and more distance between us. I tried to talk to him and play with him still, but he always made an excuse of being “too busy” or he “didn’t have time now.” I knew it was because he hated that I cared for John, and it was true that John and I were a better match as far as personalities went. But I still loved Stefano with all my heart. 

The older I got, the harder it was to maintain a relationship with him. But I tried because we were close at one time, and he was my brother. Family was as important to me as it was to him, but he kept pushing me away. Finally, as I approached my thirteenth birthday, Stefano barely spoke to me at all. Papa was planning a big birthday party for me at our house with several of my friends and John, of course. The day before my party, I found Stefano in the office in our house. I asked him if he was planning on coming. 

“No,” he replied curtly. “I have business in town. I will not be there.” He was putting papers into his briefcase and would not look at me. 

“But it’s Saturday, Stefano, how can you be working on Saturday?” I was hoping to convince him to come but could already see it was pointless. 

He finished packing his briefcase and finally looked up at me with an exasperated look on his face. “Because someone in this house has to work to maintain what we have, and I seem to be the only one who understands that.” With that, he closed his briefcase and headed towards the door. 

“Stefano please wait!” I called to him. He stopped and stood there but would not turn around. “I would like it very much if all my family were there to celebrate with me.” I tried to appeal to his family loyalty because it was the only card I had left to play. 

He turned slowly, but only enough to look at me over his shoulder. His eyes narrowed a bit, and his tone was firm but quiet. “You have enough ‘family’ there as it is.”

I realized as he walked out just how hurt and angry he was about my relationship with John. I heard everything he meant to convey, even though I was just a young girl. That one sentence told me how betrayed he felt that I’d chosen John to be family. It was a cardinal sin I’d committed in Stefano’s eyes. I didn’t know how to convince him that I loved him just as much, or if I even could, short of cutting John out of my life. But that was something neither he nor anyone was going to make me do no matter what the cost. I think I knew even then that my life would always be John and me against Stefano. 

As I finish up my breakfast and my story, I realize just how much my new little family means to me. They were there for me when no one else was. They saved me from starvation and who knows what else. They opened their home to me despite the danger it might be to them, and they have cared for me like one of their own. I know I will always be indebted to them, and I hope someday to pay them back in some small way.

The Best Day

Corrie and I spend that Sunday relaxing because our chores were, for once, caught up. We go for a walk around the little area of Verona where we live, sit in the park, feed the birds, and talk more about my life before I came here. “So, you were talking earlier about your thirteenth birthday,” Corrie said. “Was that near when your father died?” 

“Yes,” I say sadly. “I still miss him terribly.”

“I’m so sorry that happened so close to your birthday, Katharine. It must have been awful.”

“Yes, but it was what happened after that that was truly the worst part.” I share with her then what were the best and worst days of my young life.

The sun rose on the morning of my thirteenth birthday to me anxiously awaiting my party later in the day. True to his word, Stefano had risen very early and was gone into town, supposedly on business, but definitely to avoid me and everything else about this day. I was saddened by his choice, but I’d resigned myself to the fact that it was indeed his choice. I had tried everything to keep him at the house, to keep him at my party to help celebrate. But he left anyway, and I wasn’t going to allow that to ruin this day for me. 

I showered and dressed quickly and came down to breakfast. John had already arrived and was eating with Papa. I ran to him and sat on his knee for a moment at the table, which was considerably more difficult now than when I was six. “Good morning, Lizzie,” John said to me with a groan, acting as if I were breaking his leg. “Am I supposed to call you ‘Liz’, now that you’re so much older?” He was teasing me, and I knew it.

“No, I guess you can still call me Lizzie, if you really want to.” He knew very well that I still loved my nickname, but I played along with the game. I went to sit in my usual chair as I looked over at Papa. “What do we need to do to finish preparing for my party?” I asked.

Papa smiled, and said, “Not a thing, my sweet girl. Everything is taken care of. Your friends will be here in a few hours. The servants are busy preparing the food now as we speak. And there’s a little surprise for you outside.” My eyes opened wide with delight as I was not expecting a gift already.

I ran outside and looked around the terrace. “I don’t see anything, Papa,” I called to him.

“Look harder!” he said. Not knowing what he meant, I looked around the yard. Finally, I saw something beyond my wildest expectations. Down at the barn next to the lake was a horse. Not just any horse, mind you, but a beautiful Arabian stallion. He was absolutely magnificent, and I squealed with glee when I saw him. 

“Papa! Oh, my goodness! He’s AMAZING! Oh, thank you, thank you!” I ran back inside and gave Papa a huge hug. I loved riding the horses we already had, but none of them were mine alone, and none came close to being as beautiful as this one. He was solid black from head to hoof, and I couldn’t wait to ride him. “Can I please ride him? Please? Right now?”

“But your party will be starting soon, and your guests will be arriving,” Papa answered with a slight smile, knowing full well it was hours before anyone would be coming.

“Oh, Papa!” I giggled. I knew this meant I could ride all morning. “John, would you like to ride with me?” 

“Just so happens I brought my riding pants and boots, so I guess I can.”

“You knew about this! And you didn’t tell me??” I was incredulous at how he had kept it a secret from me.

“Actually,” Papa said, “it was John’s idea.”

My eyes opened wide again, and I just stared at John. He smiled, proud of his suggestion to Papa about my birthday present. “You told Papa to get me that horse?” I was astonished about such a generous gift.

“I thought you might like him. We saw him at the horse farm a few miles out of town and I thought he would be perfect for you. Papa agreed instantly, and that was that.” 

I was speechless, and so grateful. I didn’t think I could ever love them more than I did at this moment. I began to cry tears of joy as I hugged them both for the longest time. “Thank you both, so much,” was all I could make myself utter. 

“You’re welcome, my sweet girl,” Papa said. I could tell he was pleased at how much I loved my birthday gift.

After I wiped my face, I asked John if he was ready to go. 

“Absolutely,” he said. “Just let me go change.”

We rode all over the estate: by the lake, past the clearing, way out past the meadow and back. We raced and jumped logs and made bets on who’s horse could do what. After an hour or so we sat and rested for a bit and let the horses drink from the creek. We talked about the party that afternoon, and the boy I hoped would come. We rode for another hour when John finally said, “Lizzie, we’re going to have to go home. I think you’ve worn the horses out!”

I knew this was just the start to a wonderful day, so I was ready to go. “Ok,” I said, “I’ll race you back. Whoever loses has to clean up the horses and put them away!” And with that I took off from him, my horse easily galloping up the hill back into view of the house far ahead of him and his horse. When he got back to the barn, I had already taken off the saddle and was wiping my horse down. 

“That was not fair, Lizzie! I needed a head start,” he admonished.

“But why? I mean, you’re so much older than me, I would think you’d be a much better rider than I am.” I was teasing him now, and he smiled.

“Very funny,” John said. “You know that with that horse and your ability, you’re bound to beat anyone in the county, maybe even the entire state.

“Ok, you’re right. I’ll give you a head start next time.” We put up the horses together to save time and talked all the way back up to the house. I needed another shower after all the riding, so I headed upstairs. I saw the preparations for my party finishing up and smiled at how much fun today would be. 

I showered again quickly and hurried downstairs. A couple friends arrived a few minutes later, and I brought them to the terrace to see Papa and John. My girlfriends were fawning over John as usual, and I was a bit disgusted. Yes, he was handsome, but this was just embarrassing. He saw the look on my face as I was contemplating this thought and smiled a huge, mischievous smile at me. Oh, great. I knew what that meant. 

After my friends walked away to get some snacks, John came over to me and whispered in my ear, “I’m sorry they’re paying so much attention to me. After all, this is your party, not mine. I know how strong that green-eyed-monster in you is, so I don’t want to upset it.” He smiled his smirky smile and walked away to talk with Papa. I loved him and hated him simultaneously. 

The rest of the day was a blur of friends, food, playing in the lake, riding in the boat, and showing off my new horse. Everyone wanted to ride him, but I left him in his stall. After the morning ride I gave him, I knew he would be too tired anyway. I opened the gifts from my friends and laughed with them as we played a few silly games and listened to music in my room. After they left, John, Papa and I were sitting on the terrace. “That was a nice party, Katharine. You have some wonderful friends, and they all seemed to enjoy themselves,” Papa said. John chimed in. “Especially that one boy, what was his name?”

I smacked him hard on the arm for teasing me about the boy I had a crush on. “You know very well what his name was, and I’ll thank you to leave it be. As for the party, it was better than I’d hoped it could be. And thank you both again for my beautiful horse. It was a complete surprise, and I love him already!”

“But I haven’t given you my gift yet,” John said.

“I thought the horse was enough!”

“Well, technically that was from Papa. This is from me.” He handed me a small black box with a ribbon tied around it. It looked like something jewelry might come in. I looked at Papa, and he smiled. 

“Go ahead, my sweet girl. Open it,” Papa said. 

I couldn’t imagine actually getting a piece of jewelry, but when I pulled off the ribbon and opened the box, that was just what it was. It was a small gold ring, with a round garnet set in the middle with small diamonds surrounding it. It was small but elegant, and the band had a beautiful twist in it at the setting. I was shocked and surprised. 

“Oh, John, it’s beautiful! I mean…it’s just…. oh my.” I took it out and put it on the third finger of my right hand.

“It’s an elegant and old-fashioned little ring for my elegant and old-fashioned little sister. Now that you’re thirteen, it’s time for you to have a nice piece of jewelry.” Then, he took my fingers in his hand and admired it. “Just perfect,” he said.

“John, I don’t know what to say,” was all I could get out.

“You don’t have to say anything, sweetheart. The look on your face is thanks enough. Now, do you know why I chose a garnet ring?”

“Well, it is an old-fashioned stone, I mean, it was popular a long time ago. And it’s so pretty.”

“And,” he added with a smile, “it’s also my birthstone. So, this way, you have something of me with you, always and forever.”

I was crying now because this was a most precious and thoughtful gift. “Thank you, John. I’ll keep this forever.”

“You’re welcome sweet girl. Happy birthday.”

I look over at Papa, and small tears are streaming down his face. I go to him and ask, “Papa, why are you crying?”

“These are tears of joy, my sweet girl. The best tears I’ve ever shed. And this is the happiest I’ve ever been.”

“I love you so much, Papa,” I say as I hug him tightly.

“I love you too, my dearest girl.”

The sun is going down on Corrie and me as we sit in the park. “Katharine, that was the most beautiful story.” 

“I know. I took so much for granted back then. I had no idea how quickly every single aspect of my life could change.”

“So how soon was it that your father passed away?”

“The very next day.”

The Worst Days

Corrie is shocked to hear my reply. “Oh, Katharine, I’m so sorry! I didn’t realize it was that soon.”

“And if I’d known then what I know now, I would have run away with John when I had the chance.”

“What happened, Katharine? Why was it so awful?”

And so, I tell her about the worst day of my life.

The next morning, I awoke to the sunshine pouring into my room. I slept in a bit since yesterday was such a busy and fun day. I looked at my hand, at the ring John had given me the night before. I still couldn’t believe it was real. I held it up in the sun, and the diamonds caught the light a bit and made reflections on my ceiling. I smiled at them and lay in my bed a few more moments, enjoying how happy and perfect everything was. 

All at once, there were voices shouting in the hallway. I couldn’t tell whose they were, so I put on my robe and went to the door. Stefano was yelling at the butler to call an ambulance, call 911, do something I couldn’t make out because everyone was yelling. “What is going on?” I shouted over the din.

Stefano looked at me and barked out, “Go in your room, NOW!” He didn’t seem angry, but he frightened me with his tone, so I obeyed. I listened at the door, but I still couldn’t make out what was happening. A few minutes later, I heard sirens outside. I went to my window and saw an ambulance pulling in. I was very scared now, and decided I had to know what was going on. I opened the door slowly and watched as two paramedics ran into Papa’s room. I walked out into the hallway and stopped at Papa’s door. Inside, the men had Papa on the floor and were giving him CPR, putting monitors on him, and injecting him with medicine. I was terrified of what I saw, and looked up to see Stefano standing behind them, watching everything they were doing. He saw me and walked quickly over to me. “I told you to go to your room,” he said, somewhat calmer this time.

“What is happening! What’s wrong with Papa! Tell me, Stefano, tell me NOW!” Realizing I wasn’t a little girl anymore, he began to tell me.

“We think Papa had a heart attack. The paramedics are working to help him now, but we don’t know what is going to happen. He is breathing, and conscious somewhat now, but he was not when I came in here earlier. When he didn’t come down for breakfast, I became worried, so I came up to wake him and I found him on the floor.”

“Oh no! Oh, Papa! Please, please be alright!” I tried to go to him, but Stefano held me back. I didn’t know what to do or say, but I prayed that he would be ok. Finally, the paramedics got him stabilized and put him in the ambulance. Stefano went with them, and I got dressed to go as well, but he told me to stay home. I asked if I could come later, and he just said, “We’ll see.” As I watched them drive away, I knew I had to call John. 

I raced downstairs to the phone and dialed. He answered, and I told him all that had happened. He said he would be right there and to wait for him downstairs. When he finally arrived, John talked with the butler and the staff about what had happened. Then he came to me and held me tight. “It’s going to be ok, sweetheart. I’m sure they’re taking good care of him.”

“Can you take me to the hospital? I want to be there and know what is going on.”

“Of course,” he said, so off we sped to the hospital. We found where Stefano and Papa were, but when we got there, Stefano became angry that I was there, and that John had brought me.

“I told you to stay at home,” he said angrily to me. “And you have no right being here” he said coldly to John.

“She wanted to come, and I could see no reason not to bring her to see her father,” John answered calmly. 

“It is not for you to decide what she does,” Stefano shot back. His anger at John was increasing, and I knew this was going to be difficult.

“John, thank you for bringing me, but maybe you should go.” I knew Stefano would maintain his composure with me, but I was not sure he would at all with John around.

“Let me know if you need anything, Lizzie. I’ll always be here for you no matter what.”

“Thank you, John.” 

John kissed me lightly on the back of my hand and walked out of the hospital. I had a dreadful feeling watching him go. It was almost as if fate was telling me something awful was about to happen, but I wouldn’t understand it until years later. I shook it off, turned to Stefano and asked, “How is Papa?”

Stefano just stared at me for a moment. It almost seemed like he was contemplating what to tell me if anything. Finally, he said, “He is stable, but they are not sure if he will make it or not.”

I was very scared for my father, but I began to be more scared for myself. The weight of what might happen if Papa died began to flood my thoughts, and I realized that it might become dangerous for me if Stefano became my guardian. I knew John couldn’t take care of me because no one knew he was my brother, and he would never be given custody of me. Stefano couldn’t know or it would be dangerous. I knew it must remain secret, but the thought of a future without John in it terrified me. I prayed even harder for Papa to recover, for even more reasons now.

The doctor came to talk with Stefano at that point, and I sat in the waiting room. When he returned, Stefano had a very somber look on his face. “What is it?” I asked. “What did he say?”

“Papa is not going to recover. They are keeping him alive only with machines now, and that is not how Papa would have wanted to live. So, I have some decisions to make.”

I knew he was right, and that Papa would never have wanted to be kept alive by machines. He was strong and proud and believed when it was his time, he should be allowed to go with dignity. I knew already what the decision was. “When are we going to let him go?” I asked quietly. 

Stefano looked at me with kindness for the first time in a long time. I assumed he thought I would fight him about this decision, but I knew Papa well and was sure this was what he would want. “This afternoon,” he said softly as he stroked my face with his hand. I began to cry, and he pulled me close to him. I was so sad about losing Papa, but hopeful this might bring me and Stefano closer. 

After a moment, we walked into Papa’s room together, and I began to say my goodbyes. I told Papa how much I loved him; how grateful I was that he was my father and chose to keep me and take care of me after my mother died. Then I laid my head on his arm and held his hand. I tried to snuggle up against him one more time, and I cried silently as I realized this was the last time that my precious Papa would ever be next to me or be able to comfort to me. It would be the last time I would ever feel the warmth of his hand in mine or the softness of his shoulder under my head. I was so sad, I feared what would happen to me, and I was very lonely without John. Stefano came over to me and told me that it was time. I sat up and nodded slowly, wiping the tears from my face. He handed me a handkerchief, and I tried to gain some composure as I dried my face. He put his arm around my shoulder, and I leaned against his side as he stood next to me. “It will be alright, Katharine. I know you are sad, but it will be better for Papa. And I promise you will be alright.”

I looked up at him, and saw kindness in his eyes, but there was something more there I couldn’t figure out. I could tell Stefano was up to something, but I had no idea what. It would not be long, though, before I found out just what it was.

After the doctors came in and turned off the machines, Stefano and I sat in silence watching Papa take his last breaths. When he was finally still, I began to cry once again, and walked out of the room. I wanted to find a phone and call John, but Stefano came out after me. “Katharine, it is time for you to go home now.”

“I need to find a phone. I need to call John,” I sobbed.

“No, you need to go home now,” he said more sternly. I looked at him, trying to understand why he seemed angry at me.

“I need to call John,” I insisted. 

“You will not be calling John. Not today, not ever. Not anymore.” He was very cold and curt with me, and my heart began to pound with dread.

“What is that supposed to mean?” I was beginning to panic.

“John is no longer welcome in my house. John is no longer part of our lives. I am the head of the family now, and he will never be welcome again. It is time for you to realize who your real family is and where your loyalties lie. Papa has indulged you for far too long with this interloper. I’m putting an end to all that right now.”

“What do you mean, ‘your house’? It’s Papa’s house. It’s our house. And why are you saying these things about John?”

“Because John is an outsider and never had any place in our family. Now that Papa is gone, those decisions fall to me, and I have no intention of ever allowing him to bother our family again. You need to be prepared for that, and to respect my wishes as your brother and as the head of our family.”

“But John has been such a good friend to me! You can’t just say I’ll never see him again!” I was becoming distraught now, and real fear was starting to overtake me.

“I can say it, I will say it, and I have said it. He is not welcome in this family anymore. You will not contact him, you will not see him, and I will hear nothing more about it. Now, you will be taken home to rest while I make Papa’s arrangements.”

I didn’t hear anyone come up behind me, but when I turned around, one of Stefano’s aides was standing there. “Matteo, please take Katharine home now,” Stefano said to him. “Katharine, I will not ask again.” And with that, I was taken out of the hospital and driven home. 

When I arrived, I went at once to the phone, but when I dialed John’s number, nothing happened. I went to a different phone, and it was the same thing. Somehow, Stefano had already arranged that every phone in the house required a code to be put in before you could make a phone call. I couldn’t call John, I couldn’t do anything, except go to my room and cry. I was terrified of what Stefano said, because I knew it was true. I knew he had the power now to do anything he wanted, and if he wanted it, I would never see John again. All I could hope for is that once I turned eighteen, and received my inheritance from Papa, I could do what I wanted. Five years was a long time to wait, but at least it gave me hope.

The next few days were horrible because Stefano was very cold and distant with me and because I couldn’t talk at all to John. I had never gone this long without speaking to him since we met so many years ago, and I was beside myself trying to figure out how to cope. I wrote in my journal regularly, hoping it would help, but it didn’t. Eventually, Papa’s funeral came, and we said our final goodbyes. So many people were there, and in the house afterwards, and I felt totally lost in the crowd. Everyone was there for Stefano, showing their loyalty to him, so that he would remember them and show favor to them now that Papa was gone. I didn’t want any part of that, so I went upstairs to my room and began writing. I was writing so intensely about John and how much I missed my brother that I didn’t hear the door open, nor did I hear Stefano walk up behind me. I had no idea he was there until he said, “What do you mean, John is your brother, Katharine!” He had read what I wrote over my shoulder, and he was enraged. I was more fearful of him than ever, so I tried to lie.

“I just mean that, he is like a brother to me. That he is so kind and nice to me, and….” But he didn’t let me finish.

“No, you just wrote that you are grateful for Papa bringing your ‘brother’ into our family. You tell me right now what you mean by that.” I was afraid to lie anymore, so I told him the truth.

“Papa told me a story when I was a very little girl about the love of his life. Her name was Colleen, and he was married to her after your mother died. She left Papa when he became the head of the family and became a nun, but she was pregnant. She didn’t find out until after she’d left, so she had the baby and gave it up for adoption. Papa got a letter from her explaining it all many years later. I asked Papa for two years to please bring him into the family. He found him eventually, and it was John. That’s why John began visiting. Papa told me never to tell you because he was afraid of what you would do to John since you hated his mother so much. So, we never did. John also knew who he was but kept the secret from you as well. Please, Stefano, he is our brother. He is family. We must acknowledge that.”

“I acknowledge NOTHING!” Stefano screamed at me. “He is NOT our brother! He is no one. He will NEVER be part of this family and you will never EVER see him again I swear it!” I was terrified at his reaction and recoiled up against the pillows on my bed. He leaned over to me, putting his hand on the bed for balance, and looked me square in the eye, saying, “If you ever speak of this again, I will disinherit you completely. You will HAVE nothing, and you will BE nothing.”

“But why would Papa tell me that story if it wasn’t true?” I asked quietly, tears beginning to fall down my face. “Papa would never lie to me about anything.”

He stood back up, a look of disgust on his face and said, “Papa was completely blind when it came to that woman. He would believe anything she said, no matter how outrageous it was. She was a liar and a whore, and I never want to hear anything about Colleen Brady ever again, or you will live to regret it.” 

He turned to leave, but I couldn’t allow him to say those horrible things about Papa, so I got up off my bed to go after him. “Stefano wait!” He stopped and turned to look at me. I summoned all the courage I could find, and all my fear and rage about everything came bursting out at him. “Papa would NEVER lie to me about anything! He loved her and wanted to be with her, but he had to lead the family. She never wanted that, and eventually he didn’t want it either. He regretted all the bad things he did in his life, and he wanted to atone for them by bringing John to us and making his life better. He wanted to know his other son, and I wanted to know my brother.” I knew it was risky to speak this way, but I had to get him to believe me and change his mind. But Stefano remained steadfast.

“All your visits with John are over now that Papa is gone. That is my final word, and you will abide by it.” 

I became infuriated with him at this point and began screaming at him, saying all the horrible things I’d ever thought. “You’re just jealous that John is a better brother than you ever could be! He is more thoughtful and caring than you and you WISH you could be the man that he is! You hate him because I love him more than you! And I ALWAYS WILL! You will never EVER keep us apart!” I was breathless at this point, and I couldn’t believe I’d said it, because I knew what it could mean. But I couldn’t allow him to do this. I had to stand up to my brother because I couldn’t live in fear forever and I couldn’t allow him to take John away from me.

Stefano was shocked by my words, and the look on his face told me I had crossed a line I didn’t fully understand. He stood there just a moment, then slowly walked towards me, and looked right in my eyes. Barely above a whisper, he slowly uttered the words that would haunt me forever: “John is NOT your brother, or mine, and when I am through with him, he will never even know you existed.” I was frozen with fear as he turned and left my room, slamming the door and locking it behind him. Finally, I ran to it, and pounded on it for a long time, yelling at him to let me out, come back, anything. But he never came. I finally fell to the floor in a sobbing, overwrought heap and eventually cried myself to sleep.

When I awakened, it was dark. I checked the door, and it was unlocked. I opened it quietly and walked downstairs. The lights were all off and I had no idea how late it was, but there was a small light on in the kitchen. I walked in there, and there was a plate of food wrapped up on the counter with a note that said, “Eat something. S” I was surprised, but grateful, that Stefano had the cook make me something, so I ate the sandwiches and raw vegetables that were left for me. I sat there in silence, contemplating my life and how it had changed in the last few days. A week before, everything about my life was perfect. Now, I felt like I’d lost everything. I was sad again, but no tears came. Maybe I’d cried them all out, maybe I was past feeling anything, but as the thought of being without John entered my mind, another thought began to overtake it. “I can’t let Stefano win,” I thought. “I must get back to John somehow. And I know I can.” I slowly felt more and more confident that I would prevail over Stefano somehow. The bond John and I had was strong and nothing Stefano did could ever take that away. I decided that I would do everything I could to protect John from Stefano’s revenge, whatever form that took. At the tender age of thirteen, I had no idea how I would do that, but it didn’t matter. I was finally beginning to feel strong again, and not so sad anymore. I vowed to myself that from that day forward, Stefano would not harm John if I could stop it, and he would no longer control me. I decided that I would survive this and come out better in the end than I could possibly have imagined then. 

Bolstered by my new-found confidence, I put my plate away and headed back upstairs. I knew this would not be an easy battle with my evil brother. He was ruthless, and very powerful. And at that moment, I was only a child. But I was a DiMera, just like him, just like my father. And I was just as smart, cunning, and determined as they ever were. The difference was that I would use my strengths as a DiMera for nothing but good. I had learned that I wanted no part of the life that Stefano had, and that I would use whatever resources I could to protect John and save him from what Stefano might have in store for him. No matter what the cost, no matter how long it took, even if it took my entire life, I would make sure that John and I would be reunited someday and that we would be safe from Stefano’s machinations.

When I got to my room, I got on my knees next to my bed and prayed. I prayed for strength and guidance, determination, and intelligence to do all that was necessary to keep John safe. I prayed that John was protected wherever he was and that he always knew I loved him. I prayed for endurance to never stop trying, and I vowed on all that I believed to be holy that I would do this for my brother, who I now felt was my only family left. 

As I finished praying, I felt a comfort fall over me that I hadn’t felt in days. I felt assured that I would be able to do all that I wanted to do for John, and that someday we would be together again. 

It is now dark in the park, but Corrie and I have hardly noticed. She has a few tears streaming down her face as I finish my story. “Katharine, I can’t believe all that you have been through in your life already. I’m so sorry this has happened to you.” She puts her hand over mine and squeezes it. 

I look at her and smile. She is closer to me than any sister ever could be, even in the short time we’ve had. She now knows everything about me, and it feels wonderful being so close to someone again. “Thanks,” I say. “I wish things were different, but I promise, some day they will be.”

“I know they will, Katharine. I have no doubt. And if you want me to, I’ll be there to help you.”

“That’s wonderful of you to say, but it won’t be an easy life if it ever does happen.”

“All the more reason for me to be there.” 

I am so grateful to her, for everything she has done for me and everything she has become to me. We get up from the bench where we’ve been for hours now and head back to the Pub. I hope she means what she says about being with me in the future. But regardless, she is here for me now, and that means everything.

A New Future

I’m walking through my childhood home. It’s very dark, and I’m afraid because I can’t see anything clearly. Everything looks a bit strange as well. I hear a sound, and I turn quickly to see what it is. Stefano is walking towards me, and that should reassure me since I’m not alone, but it doesn’t. He makes me more and more nervous the closer he gets, and I begin to back away. Something is very wrong.

 “It’s done, Katharine,” he says menacingly. 

Hesitantly I respond. “I…I don’t understand. What’s done? What do you mean?” I’m frightened now.

As he gets closer, I see he is angry. I don’t understand why. I don’t know what has happened. “Why are you acting this way? I thought you loved me,” I say to him. He doesn’t respond. “What is wrong?” I yell at him. My back is to the wall, and I can’t retreat any farther.

He continues towards me until he is inches away from my face. Slowly he whispers, “When I am through with him, he will never even know you existed.”

I startle awake, drenched in a cold sweat. I’ve had that dream too many times to count, and it upsets me as much now as it did when I first had it two years ago. Stefano still haunts me even in my dreams. I get up to go down to the kitchen, and Corrie is already there, with a glass of warm milk on the table in front of my chair. 

“I heard you yelling in your sleep again and figured you’d be down here soon.” She knows me so well. I’m so grateful for her friendship and companionship since Stefano disowned me. I really don’t know where I’d be without her. 

“Yes, I had that ridiculous dream again.” I begin to drink the milk, and it calms me as it always does.

“The one about ‘he won’t even know you existed’?”

“That’s the one.”

“You’ve had that dream as long as I’ve known you.”

“Yes, I have. It started shortly after I came to Italy.”

“Why do you think that is?”

“I guess I’m always worried that Stefano will come back for me, that I can’t ever escape him, and that he’s making John suffer and I can’t help him.”

“You will be able to, someday.” Corrie is such a comfort to me. I finish the milk she’s made and thank her for it. We head back upstairs, and I crawl back under the covers so I can hopefully get a little rest before the hard work begins again tomorrow. I say a prayer for John’s protection and pray that somehow, I’ll be able to help him as I drift off to sleep.

And so, this is my life now. Some nights the nightmare comes, sometimes it doesn’t. But every day, I work at the pub with Corrie, Giovanni, and Sofia. They have become my family, and I love them dearly. Corrie has taught me Italian, and I have taught her to improve her English. We share all our hopes and dreams, and I have told her everything that has happened with John, my father and Stefano. I have sworn her to keep it secret from her father and grandmother, and she understands why. If for some reason Stefano comes back for me, it might be dangerous for them if they know everything. So, she keeps my secret and becomes my most trusted confidante. 

I’ve managed to save a little money as time has gone on so that one day I can go to Salem and try to protect John from Stefano’s evil. I have no idea how to help him, but one summer day, right after my eighteenth birthday, every aspect about my life once again changes in an instant.

It is an ordinary day when a man walks into the pub. I am in the kitchen and don’t know he is there, or I would have run away instantly. As it is, I walk out to the bar and stop dead in front of him. I recognize him instantly and know that Stefano has sent him. It’s Matteo, Stefano’s most trusted aide who drove me to the airport two years ago. I am terrified and frozen where I stand. “Hello Katharine,” Matteo says quietly.

“Why are you here? What does my brother want with me?” I ask this more defiantly than I’ve meant to, but he only smiles.

“Your brother wants you dead,” he says. No pretense. No emotion. Just cold, hard facts.

I stand there for a moment deciding how to respond. “Why?” I ask. “I’m no threat to him here. I’m just trying to find a way to survive. I have no connections, no money, no anything, and I’m not a danger to him or to anyone. Why can’t he just leave me alone?” I’m angry now, and it gives me strength. 

“Because there is a great deal that you do not know, and if you found it out you could indeed be very dangerous to your brother.”

“Why are you telling me this? Are you trying to taunt me before you kill me?”

“No, Katharine. Believe it or not, I’m trying to help you.”

I’m instantly suspicious. “If you help me in any way, Stefano will kill you.” I know very well what my brother is capable of. It makes no sense Matteo would want to help me.

“When he told me to come and kill you, I hesitated. I told him that I’ve done a great many things for him that I’m not proud of, but I couldn’t do this. However, you’re right. He told me if I didn’t, he would kill me and you. That’s when I knew what had to be done.” He looks at me intently, and I look for the coldness I expect to see, but there is only sadness in his eyes.

  “I don’t understand.”

“You’ve done nothing wrong, Katharine. You’re completely innocent. At least with other things I’ve done for him, I could somehow justify it in my mind. But this, killing an innocent young woman, is beyond comprehension. I told him you were no threat, that you’d never done anything to harm him. But he wouldn’t hear it. He became enraged and screamed at me that you’d committed the ultimate betrayal by being loyal to John over him. He said that you’d picked a stranger over your family, and that there is no greater dishonor or disloyalty than that.”

“I didn’t love one brother over the other. I loved them both. I wanted John to be part of our family along with Stefano. Papa wanted that too.” I’m getting upset talking about John with someone who actually knows him. It’s making it too real how much I’ve lost.

“I told him that. I reminded him that Santo wanted John to be part of the family also. He would not hear of it. He ordered me to come out here, find you, and kill you.”

“But why? Why now, after all this time?”

“Because you’re of age now.”

“What does that have to do with anything?”

“You can sue him for your inheritance.”

“But Papa left everything to Stefano. My trust fund is overseen by him, which means I get nothing. Father set it up that way before he died.” I often wondered why he left Stefano in charge of everything, knowing how much he hated John and how angry he was at me for loving him.

A smile begins to form on Matteo’s face. “That is what you were told, and that is what your father wanted everyone to think. Stefano is still afraid, though, that if you sued him over it, a judge might decide you did deserve something. But Stefano doesn’t know the truth.”

“What in the world are you talking about?”

“Your father knew that Stefano was angry about the relationship you and John had. He was afraid that once he was gone, Stefano’s rage would go unchecked, and that he might do something drastic.”

“Well, that’s an understatement.” Everything had happened just as Papa had feared it would.

“Exactly. So, your father made sure you would be taken care of.”

“What do you mean, ‘taken care of?’” I am confused, but my fear begins to subside.

“Your father wanted Stefano to believe that he controlled all the purse strings, so he would be content to think he’d won. But that’s not true.”

It’s beginning to dawn on me what this man is saying. “So, Papa did something else with his money? He didn’t leave all of it to Stefano?”

“Not at all.”

“What did he do with it?”

“He put it in several overseas accounts, all of them in your name. They would become yours once you became of legal age. And by my calculations, that was three days ago.”

I’m stunned. “And Stefano knows nothing of this?”

“Nothing. He believes your father left him everything, but he only left Stefano about thirty percent of his total holdings. Your father was much wealthier than your brother ever knew, and he kept Stefano in the dark on purpose. As you and John became closer, your father began moving more and more money into those accounts to make sure you would be taken care of. I think he even feared that your brother would do something to John when he had the chance.”

“Papa knew him too well.” I’m sad now, and missing Papa more than I have in years. “So, why have you told me all this?” I don’t think he’s here to kill me anymore, but I don’t have any idea what his intentions are.

“I couldn’t just end your life in good conscience. You are innocent. And your father knew I felt this way, so that is why he trusted me with all this information. You’ve never done anything but love your family, and your father knew I couldn’t justify doing what Stefano would want. But if I don’t kill you, he’ll surely send someone else to do it, and there are many men who work for him that have much less of a conscience than I.”

“Yes, I’m sure that’s true.”

“I will go back and tell him I killed you, but I won’t work for him anymore. Not after this. I am afraid, though, that he will go after me or my family if he ever finds out I didn’t complete the job.”

“I’m sure that’s true, too.”

“So, I want you to help me, just like I want to help you.”

“Me? How can I possibly help you? I have nothing, no resources, no anything.” He stares at me for a moment, and slowly I realize that yes, I do have resources. I now have many resources at my disposal, the extent to which I’m not even aware. It dawns on me what this means. “Or do I?”

“Yes, you do. And I will show you where all of them are, how to access them, and how to hide them from the world. I will show you how to make yourself disappear and become a completely new person.” Then, he seals the deal by saying “I will also show you how to find John.” 

That acknowledgement ignites a fire in me that has only burned as an ember for years. But now, with assets and means and information, it consumes me entirely. I realize that I can finally help John and protect him from Stefano. I can finally stop being powerless, stop being a victim and make a difference for my brother. I have purpose, drive, and direction like never before, and I’m hungry for it to begin.

“What do you want in return?”

“I want you to make me and my family disappear forever and keep us safe for the rest of our lives. There is no telling what Stefano will do if he finds out I have betrayed him, and no limit to the ends he will go to make sure I pay for it. I want you to use your resources to keep us safe.”

“I will. I’ll do whatever it takes to keep you all safe forever. I promise.”

“Good. Now. Let’s get started.”

My New Life Begins

A month to the day later, I am on a plane. The plane is mine, and Corrie is beside me. It was a hard decision for her to join me, but with encouragement from her grandmother, her father ultimately relented and gave his blessing for her to leave, knowing full well he would never see her again. I’m so thankful she is with me to help me through whatever is to come. The night before we left, I threw a huge party. I had also bought them a new house, renovated the pub, and made sure they were well taken care of. It was the least I could to for the people who saved my life. 

I’ve spent the last month learning how to hide all the money Papa left me. I can’t believe how much it actually is, and how well he’s hidden it from the world. I am wealthier than I ever imagined at the tender age of eighteen. After he went back and told Stefano I was dead, I sent Matteo and his family to live on an island in the Caribbean with new identities, constant security, and eternal gratitude from me. He taught me well in this last month about money and security and how to hide from Stefano; all skills I will need to pursue my ultimate goal of helping John.

“Where are we going again?” Corrie nervously asks for the tenth time. She’s never been outside of Italy, and her English is heavily tinted with her accent. 

“North Carolina.”

“Where is that?”

“The east coast of the United States. I know John is in Salem, which is in Illinois, but I don’t think I should be too close to him. It’s about ten hours away by car or less than two by plane. I can get there quickly if there’s a need, but I’m content to keep an eye on him from there. Plus, it’s similar to the landscape of Italy with the mountains. I thought you might like it there.”

“I hope so.” She is missing her father, and I hope she’s not regretting her decision.

“I can fly you home at any time if you decide to leave, but it will have to be sooner than later. Once you get involved with me in any real capacity, you’ll have to stay away from your family to keep them safe.”

“I know. I want to be here. I want to help you. There is not much of a future for me in Italy, and I can be of help to you here.”
“Corrie, I can’t tell you how much that means to me. I need a friend, an ally, and a partner to make all this work. It’s overwhelming to me right now what all my life entails, with businesses to run and money to manage. I don’t know how I can possibly do it alone.” She’s been part of every decision over the last month and knows I’m sincere. 

“I know it will be complicated for a while, and maybe forever. But you’re my best friend, and I want to help you.” Corrie has been on my side for two years now, and I can’t imagine getting through this without her.

“Thank you so much for everything you’ve already done for me. I would be dead by now if it weren’t for you. I’ll never forget that.” She smiles, and we hug. Neither one of us knows exactly what is going to happen, but at least we have each other.

Once we land, a car takes us to the house I’ve bought. I’ve spent two weeks having extensive security installed, and I’ve hired a man named David to help with everything. Matteo suggested him, and I’ve not been disappointed. He’s young, but experienced, and has thought of things I never would have dreamed of. I feel safer than I have in a long time. As Corrie and I drive up to the house, I see that the outer perimeter is up and functioning. There are gates there, and I can see places where men can stand watch or hide if necessary. Plus, there is a plethora of cameras and surveillance equipment if you know what to look for. We continue up the road to the main gate. The car goes right through because of the sensors that are installed in it, and the gate closes instantly behind us. As we pull up to the front, David walks out to meet us.

“Did you have a nice flight, ma’am?”

“Yes, very, and please don’t call me ma’am.” I’m unnerved at someone addressing me as ma’am, especially when they’re just a few years older than me. 

“Sorry. What would you like me to call you?”

“My name is Elizabeth.” I’m still getting used to it, but Matteo convinced me I had to change my name. I decided my middle name is enough of a change, even if he didn’t think so, and it is an homage to John, since he used it for my nickname. Matteo warned me that any connection to my former identity might be risky, but I will not completely change everything because of Stefano. 

“Ok then, Elizabeth it is.”

“Thanks, David. Is everything ready?”

“Yes. The outer perimeter is a mile radius under continuous surveillance. The inner gate is watched by two to three snipers at a time. There is a safe room in the basement with its own generator. The electricity runs under ground, the windows are bulletproof, and there are a few other things as well. You’ve definitely spared no expense.”

“Well, I don’t want to worry about anything here. How much is left to do with staffing?”

“We only have a couple more slots to fill. Corrie has done a great job getting all that taken care of. Once we have them in place, you’re all set.”

“Thank you. Corrie, I’m going to get settled. I’d like to meet with you, David, Jonas, and the housekeeper. What is her name again?”

“Avery.”

“Yes, that’s right. Can we all meet in the office in an hour?”

“You got it.”

I head upstairs with my bag, and I’m pleased with what I see inside. My dining room looks just like it did in my house growing up, and the living room looks warm and inviting. I smile, because I’m not sure who will ever be visiting, but at least they’ll have some place comfortable to sit. Once I get to my room, I put down my bag and collapse on my bed. It’s been a busy month, and I feel like I’ve met a thousand new people. I’ve personally hired security, household staff, financial planners and strategists, and various other people whom I need. Corrie has been helpful as well. She’s so organized and efficient, and it’s been much easier than if I’d had to do it alone.

I remember I have a meeting in less than an hour and I really need a shower, so I head to the bathroom to think about my next steps. I climb into the shower and finally relax a little as the hot water engulfs me. There’s nothing better to me than hot water because it helps me think freely and calms my senses. After today, I will be a new person in earnest, and I will start trying to undo what Stefano has done to John. I’ve put some people in Salem already and am anxious to see what they have to report.

I get out of the shower, wrap myself in a huge fluffy towel, and go to the mirror. As I stare at myself, I see my eyes reflecting back at me and I remember how much John liked my green eyes. I know that’s probably one more thing I’ll need to change in order to protect myself from Stefano and be less easy to recognize. I begin to feel a little sad that things couldn’t be peaceful between the three of us. It would have been so much easier if Stefano had just gotten along with John, or at least tolerated him, instead of doing all these horrible things to him. But I realize that isn’t to be, and pining for it doesn’t make it happen, so I finish getting ready and head downstairs to create my future.

Everyone is in the office sitting around the conference table, ready to get started. I sit down at the head of the table and begin asking questions to find out what my brother’s status is in Salem. “So, what is going on with John?” I ask David. He’s been in contact with my people there and knows that John is the priority above everything. He doesn’t know all the details yet, but that will come.

“He’s living in Salem with who he believes are his three children. He is raising them himself because his wife, Marlena, was killed in a plane crash two years ago.”

“He has three children?” I’m very surprised at this.

“He believes he does. He also thinks he is someone named Roman Brady.”

“Brady? As in Colleen Brady?”

“We believe so. Roman’s father is Shawn Brady, who we think is Colleen’s brother.”

“Why does he think he is Roman Brady? I thought he was working for someone named Kiriakis?”

“That was the original plan, but he escaped and began living in Salem. He met Marlena, who is a psychiatrist, and eventually he told her he couldn’t remember his past. She eventually discovered, or thought she did, that he was her missing husband, Roman Brady.”

“So that’s why Stefano sent him there. He wants John to hurt the Brady’s.”

“Actually, he is living as one of them. They are his family, he loves them, and things seem to be fine between all of them.”

“This doesn’t make any sense.”

“Why?”

“Well, if Stefano wanted to harm the Brady’s, he would have sent John there to do it. To kill them, to wreak havoc on the family. Not become part of them. There’s got to be more to it than that. What about the plane crash? What do we know about it?”

“It seems Stefano arranged for the crash to happen. A man who calls himself Orpheus kidnapped John’s wife, and Stefano paid Orpheus to get her. The plane crash was a ruse to make everyone think Marlena was dead so that no one would look for her. Stefano evidently has been holding the real Roman for a few years now as well.”

“Are we sure that Stefano has Marlena?”

“Yes, we just don’t know where.”

“David, I want you to concentrate everything we have on that plane crash and what happened afterwards. Why Stefano is responsible, everything. Understand?” This has got to be Stefano’s purpose, and possibly the reason he has left John alone to live as Roman Brady. If he has Marlena, and the real Roman, that may be what he is after. He’s using them in some way to hurt John, or to torture the real Roman. I’m more motivated than ever now to get her out of there and back to Salem.

“You got it.”

“Good. 

“Ok, Jonas. You’re up next. Where are we financially?”

As I begin to set things in motion for my new life, I have a nagging feeling in the back of my mind that there is much more to this plane crash than meets the eye. If Stefano wanted to hurt John, taking someone away he had grown to love would definitely do it. I hope that soon we can find out what’s going on, but it isn’t going to be easy. 

     A month later, my worst fears are confirmed. It’s taken David this long to find out what has happened to Marlena, and he finally has news. “She is definitely on Stefano’s island. He took her after the plane crash and has been keeping her in an induced coma-like state since then. We don’t know where the island is yet, but we know from our intelligence around the mansion that that’s what he’s done.”

“What a horrible human being. Why did he do it? What does he want?”

“He seems to have some kind of obsession with her. It started when she was with the real Roman Brady and it’s continuing now, even more so now that John thinks he’s Roman.”

“So, what do we do? How can we get her out of there?” 

“Well, it is going to be exceedingly difficult to get to her.”

“Why?”

“From what we’ve been able to gather it’s a small island and Stefano owns it. It’ll be nearly impossible to get there undetected and more impossible to infiltrate it if we can even find it.”

“Then I guess we’d better get started.”

David begins to work on the impossible, and I turn my attention again to finances. Jonas and I make plans to buy some companies that will enable me to help John and keep him safe. The first one I want is one that specializes in stealth communications. I need a way for my security to be in instant contact with me and each other, and I need it to be discreet and dependable. After that, it’s a new company that makes advanced technological weapons. My security needs some better firepower, and I think the one I’m looking at has it. Corrie also suggested one that specializes in medicines for neurological disorders since we don’t know what Stefano has done to John to make him lose his memory. Finally, I’m thinking about one that deals in transportation: special cars, helicopters, etc. These companies would make it possible to keep us safe, protect John, and maybe one day, restore his memory. I’m feeling more in control and more optimistic than I have in a very long time about fighting all that Stefano has done to so many people. And I can’t wait to get started. 

A Victory, Finally

“David, why in the hell do you keep telling me we can’t get there? We have every piece of technology known to man at our disposal, we have advanced weapons to use, and we have all kinds of transportation to get us anywhere in the blessed world and you tell me we can’t land on some stupid little island inhabited by twelve people!! What the hell is wrong with you and all those incredibly expensive security people you oversee that you can’t go to a small island and take someone off of it?? We’ve been at this for over TWO SOLID YEARS now and are no closer to getting Marlena back than the day I moved here!”

“I’m sorry,” is all David says. 

I stare a hole through him. I am angrier than I’ve almost ever been. We’ve made three attempts to remove Marlena from DiMera island. All of them have failed. Once we finally found where the island actually was (which took almost a year), we discovered how hard it was going to be to infiltrate. All the people there were immensely loyal to Stefano, for what reason I could never figure out, and we couldn’t get a foothold. It took us three months just to bribe enough people to help us even get a boat out there. So, we tried three different times just to sneak on the island and covertly steal her away. Every time, we were discovered, and we lost two men in the process. I’m angry, frustrated, and worried because she’s been away from her kids for so long and because John is beginning to move on with someone else. Then, I realize I’m taking all of this out on David. I take a deep breath and sigh. “I’m sorry, too, David. This is not your fault and I know Patrick was a good friend of yours. I’m sorry we lost him. What can we do at this point?”

“I’ve been thinking that maybe we need to work on the nurses more than the security. Maybe they’re more apt to turn, especially if we can put someone in there with them.” This is definitely a tactic we haven’t tried yet, and very different from anything we’ve thought of before. I’m optimistic at the thought of it.

“You mean put a spy on the island to be a nurse for Marlena? Could that work?”

“We could try.”

“Then I want to be the one to do it. I don’t want to endanger anyone else anymore.”

“You know how risky that is.”

“It’s my family. It’s my responsibility. I need to go.” I have been working these past two years not only on my businesses and financial security, but also on my own training. I’m never going to allow myself to be a victim again, and I’ve worked hard to make sure that I’m not. I’ve spent hours with trainers in martial arts so that I can protect myself. I’ve worked closely with David to understand tactics, weapons and combatives, and strategies for security like threat recognition. I’ve even taken classes in defensive driving and physical conditioning. I feel prepared to go to the island and do whatever I can to get Marlena out of there.

Two weeks later, I’ve made it on the island. We’ve bribed the two key people we needed to:  the head nurse and the head doctor. We’ve convinced them that it is not right keeping a mother away from her children, and finally, they have relented and let me in. I’m now dressed in a nurse’s uniform, and my job is to administer Marlena’s medication. It’s the concoction Stefano has been using to keep her in her induced coma. Once I got here, I was quickly versed on how important it was to keep this medication in her system. After I sent a sample to my medical experts, they told me it would be fine to stop administering it completely. So, that’s what I’m doing. I’m praying I can last here long enough for her to regain consciousness. As long as Stefano himself doesn’t come here, I should be ok.

After another four days in my care, she is finally beginning to wake. I don’t think anyone else has seen her waking up, or else they’d be more concerned. I, however, have seen her nearly awake twice. I’ve been put on as her head nurse by the doctor I’ve bribed, and if I can keep the other nurses out, I may be able to get her awake enough to get her out of here.

Finally, after one more week, she is fully conscious. This is my chance, and I’ve got to make something happen now. I decide to give Stefano’s coma concoction to the other nurses. When they come around to check on Marlena, I surprise them and inject them both. It works quickly, so I hide them in the linen closet. They are sound asleep and will be for hours. As I close the door on them, I hear that Marlena is up out of her bed. I don’t want her to see me if I can help it, but if she gets dizzy or too confused, I’ll have to help her. I don’t want her to remember that someone here helped her get free, just in case Stefano gets to her. He can’t know that there was a spy on the island, or it will make him extremely curious. If she leaves on her own, it will be better for everyone.

I go outside to disable the security guards. She doesn’t see me but does find the clothes I’ve left for her. She puts them on and heads outside. She manages to also find the boat we’ve left for her. I watch her crawl in and start up the engine. When she’s headed out, I get David on my earpiece and tell him to be on the lookout for her. It’s not a short ride and can be tricky if you don’t know where to go. Somehow, she manages it and lands on the mainland. She gets out and wanders into town before anyone knows she is gone. David and I keep a close eye on her as she gets help from the townspeople and makes her way back to Salem. We’ve alerted key people in town about how to help her and made sure we’ve made it worth their while. 

Once she finally makes it to Salem, she is ecstatic to be home, but hesitant to go right to her house because she sees John there with his new girlfriend, Isabella. I’ve tried so hard to get Marlena back quickly so that she could just walk back into John’s arms, but no such luck. I have several members of my security detail in Salem to make sure Stefano doesn’t come back for her, and they keep me informed of what’s going on. They tell me that she is leaving clues for John to find that will remind him of her. The reports I’m getting from David tell me that it’s working so well, in fact, that I decide to fly up there to hopefully see their reunion. Finally, John goes down to the pier one night instead of going to his engagement party. I’ve decided that I want to see what happens, so we charter a boat at the pier and put a camera on them so I can watch. 

As I’m sitting in the boat a quarter of a mile off the pier, I watch them finally see each other. John’s there, looking out into the water. He turns to see a woman in the mist but doesn’t know who it is. She walks up and calls his name. He turns again to see her walking towards him and can’t believe it’s actually her. She stops in front of him, and as he touches her face to see that she’s real, they cry and embrace. I’m crying now, watching them finally find each other again. I can see even from so far away that they truly are in love, and I’ve accomplished what I’ve been struggling to do these past two years. My joy is overwhelming, and I’m so happy that they are together. I know the road ahead of them is going to be hard, but if they have each other, I really feel like they can get through anything. It’s my first victory over Stefano, and hopefully it won’t be my last.

Orpheus

As we watch John and Marlena walk off the pier together, all of us on the boat collectively sigh in relief that she is finally back home. Two years of work, two casualties, and a great deal of money are what it took, but in the end, it seems to have been worth it. We head back to the pier and as we are getting off the boat, several men with guns appear out of nowhere. We’re caught off guard because we had no intelligence that Stefano was up to anything. At that moment, we believed he was on the island. David and my men instinctively shove me back on the boat out of the way and draw their weapons. 

“You need to put those away,” David barks at them. 

“I don’t think so,” one of them replies. He motions towards me and says, “She needs to come with us.” 

David says, with a menacing tone, “Not on your life.” All my security begins to move towards the other men to gain control of the situation. Unbeknownst to any of us, another man has slipped onto the boat with me. He knocks me across the back of the head, rendering me unconscious. 

When I awaken, I’m in what looks like a dungeon. It’s dark, wet, and there is a small window with iron bars running the length of it. I’m lying on the ground in a heap, and as I try to rise, I realize my wrists have heavy metal cuffs around them attached to chains secured to the wall. My head is throbbing, my hip is hurting, and I can barely see it is so dark. I look around for anything and notice a camera lens and a small screen on the wall. There’s a red light on the camera that is blinking, but the screen is dark. I’ve no idea what has happened or where I am, but I know this is very, very bad. If Stefano’s men have captured me, it’s only a matter of time before I’m dead, so I try to get up and figure a way out. When I put my feet under me and try to stand, an incredible pain shoots through my leg and I discover my hip is probably broken. I cannot stand, I have nothing with which to defend myself, and I have no idea how to get out of here. My mind is racing and I’m trying not to panic as I hear the door across the room squeak open. I turn my head quickly to see who is coming, and it’s a man I don’t recognize. 

“Who are you? What do you want with me?” I yell defiantly. I’m angry this has happened, and I want to know why.

“If you don’t stop yelling at me, I’ll break your other hip.” This man has a coolness about him that instantly unnerves me. At first glance, he is handsome, but he reminds me of a snake as he walks slowly towards me. I have no doubt he is the one who has hurt me and won’t hesitate to do it again. What I don’t understand is why.

“What do you want with me?” I ask again, calmer and quieter.

“That’s better. Now. First things first. Why did you take Marlena off that island?”

“I don’t know what…”

“Don’t even try it. I know it was you. I know you were there. I know you made it possible for her to escape. What I want to know is why.”

I’m trying to size him up and figure out what he is capable of before I answer. I’m scared and unsure of what to do, so I try and stall. “She deserved to get back to her husband and family.”

Evidently that was the wrong thing to say, because at that moment he pulls some type of bar out from behind his back and hits me full force on the thigh. Lightening shoots through my leg, and I scream in pain. My thigh and leg are now bent at an unusual angle and pain is ripping through my body, clouding everything else out.

He turns and leaves and locks the door. I am crying and screaming in pain and praying for it to subside when it finally overtakes me, and I pass out. 

I dream of the pier and John and Marlena’s reunion. I am smiling and happy, but then a snake slivers around my leg and looks up at me. It opens its mouth wide and plunges its fangs into my thigh. I startle awake and realize I am on a hospital bed. I’m handcuffed, but otherwise clean and sterile, with my leg in a cast up to my thigh. I look around again, but there is no one and nothing familiar. I search for something with which to call the nurse, but there is nothing. “Hello!” I call out to no one in particular. Immediately the door opens, and a nurse comes in. She looks at me for a moment, then leaves again. “Wait!” I call out, but a few seconds later, the man walks in. I’m terrified again but try not to let it show. 

“Well,” he says. “Feeling better?”

I don’t answer this time for fear of angering him again. “Aww, cat got your tongue? Or are you finally wising up?”

“Please tell me what you want from me.” I hope diplomacy will produce better results than the last time we spoke. 

“Now that’s a start. Ok little girl, I’ll tell you. I want to know why you got Marlena off that island and sent her home.”

“I already told you that. But that wasn’t the answer you wanted to hear.” I’m not sure at all who this man is, but I have a strong feeling he has nothing to do with Stefano, at least not directly.

“Fair enough. What’s it to you that she’s home with her family?” I still can’t get any indication of who he is, but Marlena must be important to him for some reason.

“I just couldn’t figure out why she was being held on that island and kept away from her husband and children. Was it you that was keeping here there?” Maybe I can convince him that I don’t know as much as I think I do. It’s my only hope at this point.

“No, it wasn’t me. But I did have a vested interest in her staying there. And I’m a bit upset that she’s home.”

“Why is that?”

“Oh, I think you know.”

“I honestly don’t. I don’t know who you are or what you want with me.” At least that much is true.

“That’s interesting. So, you have no idea why exactly Marlena was on that island?”

“No.”

“You’re lying. And I would think you would realize at this point that it’s a bad idea to lie to me. So, we’re just going to keep on with this until you come to your senses.” He turns and walks out the door. I’m in real fear for my life for the first time, and I hope I can survive whatever is to come.

A week later I am moved from the hospital back to my dungeon. My leg is beginning to heal, and I can move a bit without pain, but I cannot put weight on it, so I am forced to stay on the makeshift bed that has been put in my dungeon. I’m not cuffed now, because I am immobile, so at least there’s that. I still don’t know what is happening and I haven’t seen my punisher since he left my room a week ago. But I’m fed and well except for my leg, so my will is strong. 

Another two weeks go by, and I’m taken back to the hospital. They tell me they’re removing my cast, and I am incredulous because I know my leg is not healed yet. However, all my protestations fall on deaf ears as they saw into the plaster and tear off my cast. My leg is bruised all over and my hip begins to hurt again as they wheel me out, handcuffed to my wheelchair. I’m put back in the dungeon to wait, and unfortunately it isn’t long. A few minutes after I return, my punisher comes in to pay me a visit.

“How are you feeling now that you’ve had some time to heal?”

“Better,” I say hesitantly.

“Good. That’s very, very good to hear. So, I’ll ask you again. Why did you take Marlena off that island?”

Then it dawns on me what’s happening here. This isn’t one of Stefano’s men. This has nothing to do with Stefano. This man probably gave Marlena to Stefano in order to exact some revenge on John. There’s only one person I can think of that would want that and go to these lengths to get it: Orpheus. We had discovered information about him when we were researching how Marlena ended up on the island in the first place, but I’ve never seen a picture of him. I also didn’t realize how ruthless and dangerous he really was, but I’m well aware of it now.

“To get her back to her family. Isn’t that why you kidnapped her in the first place, Orpheus?” Now that I know, I want him to realize I’m not scared of him, and that I’ll never give my secret away. He doesn’t know what my real secret is, and there’s no way he’ll ever get it out of me.

“So, you’ve figured out who I am, have you? I guess you are a bit smarter than I thought you were, little girl. Now why don’t you answer my question, and this will all be over. You can have your cast back on, your leg can heal, and you can go on your merry way.” He smiles a sadistic smile, taunting me into believing him. But I won’t bite.

“I know who you are. But I’ll never tell you a thing,” I snarl at him.

“That’s a very bad decision.”

And this is how it goes for weeks. He breaks my leg over and over, takes me in for treatment, lets it begin to heal, and breaks it again, always in a slightly different place. The agony is unbearable at times, and I spend many hours unconscious in my dungeon. I pray whenever I am awake that I can hold on until David finds me somehow, and that John and Marlena are safe.

Finally, after six months of this torture, I am liberated. I hear a ruckus outside the door of my dungeon, men yelling, fists hitting their targets, and finally gunfire. After the last shot, there is silence for a moment, then a voice from the other side calls to me, “Elizabeth! Are you there?” It’s David! 

“Yes!” I scream. “David, I’m here! I’m injured and cannot walk. Please be careful! It’s Orpheus and he’ll kill you!”

“We have him, don’t worry. You’re safe. Are you near the door?”

“No, I’m across the room.”

“Ok, cover your face. We have to blow the door.” I wrap my arms around my head as best I can and look away as an explosion blows the door from its hinges. David runs through the smoke and debris and sees me there helpless. “Oh my God! What has he done to you?” I am accustomed to the condition of my leg, but to David, the bruises and the odd angle are shocking.

“I’m ok for now. I just got back from the hospital.”

“What do you mean?” David asks.

“I’ll tell you later. Please just get me out of here and back home.” I begin to cry as I realize this hell is finally over and I’m going to get out of here. David picks me up gingerly and carries me out to safety. Within hours I’m on a plane headed home, my medical staff by my side treating my leg until I can have some real surgery to begin to repair the damage Orpheus has inflicted. I don’t know how I’ll be able to walk normally again, but I have some of the best doctors around. Hopefully, they can fix all that he has done to me. 

David tells me that we have Orpheus and are interrogating him on why he decided to target me. We must know if my identity is safe, so David only has our top three men in on it. We must keep secret the fact that we have Orpheus contained. Everyone else is just protection to make sure he doesn’t escape. I’m not sure at this point what to do with him, but I’ll most likely never let him go now that I have him. 

Corrie hasn’t left my side since I got back to the plane, and I see the worry in her eyes. “Is this what it’s going to be?” she asks, the fear and trepidation obvious in her voice. “Am I going to have to worry that every time we go up against Stefano, this is what’s going to happen to you?” She is almost angry at me, but it’s the fear talking, and I know that.

“No,” I say simply. “This isn’t going to happen to me every time I go up against Stefano. This is never going to happen to me again, I promise you. I will never allow myself to be this vulnerable and this ill-prepared again.” I turn to David. “Will I?”

“No,” he says. “I’ve already changed many of our security protocols and have created some smaller personal protection and other new weapons for you.”

“That’s good,” I say. “I suppose we all underestimated what we are dealing with, didn’t we?” I know I am as much to blame for this as anyone, and I was very naïve to assume that Stefano might be the only troublemaker out there for John and Marlena. I’m going to work harder than ever now, to be stronger, more prepared, and one step ahead of everyone, especially Orpheus. He will never, ever harm me or John and Marlena again.

The Wedding

“David, are you absolutely certain all this is going to work? I CANNOT miss this wedding!” We are finishing up a late lunch in the kitchen, and it’s all I can do to eat anything. I am so anxious right now that all the technology David has set up, all the manpower we’ve spent making this happen, is going to be for naught. John and Marlena are finally getting married, for real this time. They’ve spent the last eight years denying their feelings for each other, and fighting to get back to each other and now, they are finally going to be together. It’s been a long road for them, as it has for me. Eleven surgeries and counting now, and I still have a limp when I get tired, but my legs and hips are functional. Orpheus went to prison, and we’ve made absolute certain he stays there. I started having a new nightmare when I got home all those years ago, of him coming at me with the pipe in the dungeon, but even that one has subsided for the most part. Everything is on an upswing at the moment, and I want to enjoy it, especially this. That’s why I’m so nervous. I just cannot miss seeing this wedding, even if I am eight hundred miles away.

“Yes, I’m certain,” David responds curtly. He is frustrated with me, and I can tell because of the shortness of his tone, but I don’t care at this moment. He knows how important this is and how devastated I’ll be if I can’t see it. 

“I knew I should have just gone up there,” I say gruffly.

“You couldn’t go up there and you know it. Knowing you, you would have made your way into the church to be an eyewitness and we would have had to sedate you.” I know he’s exaggerating, but not by much. “And with Stefano living in Salem now, you really can’t risk it.” 

I know he’s right, but I am frustrated at having to live my life according to where Stefano is. However, this is the life I chose, and I won’t ignore my obligations now. “I can’t help it, David. This is an incredibly important day for the both of them, and I just want to see it. Are our guys in place?” We’ve put three people in the wedding, one as a food server and two posing as officiants at the church. They’ve been in Salem for weeks now making sure all the preparations are in place for me to watch this wedding live, and I’m praying it all works as it should.

“Yes, they are ready. I’ve been talking with them and testing everything all morning. It’s working perfectly.”

“Good. How much time is left before they start?”

“Should be about thirty minutes if Marlena is on time.”

“Oh, she’ll be on time, I guarantee it.” I know she cannot wait for this day, either, and she’ll probably be early. I wish I could be helping her get ready, but that is truly impossible. Maybe someday, I might get to meet her in person. I can only hope at this point.

After we clean up the lunch dishes, we head to the office in my house, which we’ve turned into a mini control room with monitors and such so I can see everything that’s happening. Each of our people has an earpiece that we can talk to them through, plus they are wired with microphones that will pick up all the conversations in the room. Finally, they each have a camera that is feeding a livestream of the action to the monitors here in the office, so I can see and hear everything that is happening around them. The server is moving around the room so I can see their family’s reactions in the audience, and the two officiants are up front and will be trained on Marlena and John as they say their vows. Theoretically, it will be even better than a front row seat. I wish I were there in person, but this will have to do.

David makes a few final checks, and our server heads to the back of the church to try and get a view of Marlena getting ready to come in. She finally steps into the foyer, and I see her. She is wearing a pale blue wedding dress, and she looks amazing. As soon as I see her, I begin to tear up. Corrie is sitting next to me, and she puts her hand on mine on my lap. I squeeze hers and she smiles. She knows that my whole life revolves around John and keeping his family safe, and it is not often I get to enjoy moments with them, vicariously as they may be. She tears up a little too because Marlena really looks beautiful. 

David whispers something into one of the microphones, and I can’t hear what he said, but I can tell in an instant. I see the server’s camera view on the monitor, and he’s walking towards Marlena. “Dr. Evans?” he says to her.

“Oh, yes?” she says as she turns to look at him. When she does, she is looking right into the camera he has on him, so it’s almost as if she’s looking right at me.

“You really look beautiful, ma’am.”

“Oh, that’s so sweet! Thank you so much!” 

I look at David, tears falling down my cheeks in earnest now. I know he did that for me, so it would almost be like I told her that myself, as if I were there, sharing this moment with her. “Thank you,” I say softly, through my tears. David nods and looks back at the monitors. If I didn’t know better, I’d think he was tearing up a little, too.

Marlena turns towards the entrance and begins to process into the church. The server turns towards her again and I see her walking down the aisle towards my brother, the love of her life. I also see John’s perspective from the officiants’ cameras, and I watch her walking slowly towards him. I try to notice every detail, and then panic as I ask David, “Oh, no, we are recording this, aren’t we?”

“Of course,” he says, with a touch of sarcasm. “You can watch it a thousand more times if you want.” And then quietly under his breath, “Because I know you will.” He knows me too well because that’s exactly what I plan to do. I relax then and enjoy the ceremony. Everything, for once, goes off without a hitch, and I get to watch my brother and his new wife exchange beautiful vows, recite lovely poetry to one another, acknowledge their wonderful children and family, and bask in their love for each other. It truly is a perfect day.

The Honeymoon

After their wedding, John and Marlena are planning on going to Hawaii for their honeymoon. As soon as the ceremony is over, David, Corrie, several of our security team, and I head to the airport. We plan on being in Hawaii before they ever get there, and we’ll have to hurry. John’s private jet is on the tarmac in Salem ready to go and since we have farther to fly, we must get moving. I want to be in Hawaii before they touch down to make sure everything there is safe for them. Stefano has been busy the last several years causing a great deal of turmoil in their lives, and I must stay one step ahead of him to keep John and Marlena away from him. I have people at the airport and the church watching to make sure they get off ok, and all reports from them say that is happening, so I feel ok leaving. I’m going to Hawaii myself so that I can maybe see them from afar. If Stefano is in Salem, he shouldn’t be in Hawaii also.

We touch down safely and head to the hotel. We are staying at the hotel next to John and Marlena, which is a little risky, but that way my security can keep an eye on them, and I can be close but not be in direct contact with them. Stefano is ruthless and unpredictable, and I want to stay ahead of him if I can. 

A couple hours after we get settled in our room, David lets me know that they’ve also landed safely at the airport. We get all our monitoring equipment set up in our suite and the rest of my security heads out. Everything seems to be off to a good start, and I’m hopeful that nothing major happens and they can enjoy their honeymoon. Unfortunately, that hope only lasts a day.

The next morning, I wake up to my watch vibrating on my wrist and my phone ringing. I know that both of those things happening at the same time is bad, so I grab the phone quickly and answer it.

“What is it?” I ask, still groggy.

“Stefano is not in Salem, and we’re pretty sure he’s here in Hawaii with Hope Brady.” David has that concerned air in his voice and it wakes me pretty quickly.

“Wait, what? Hope Brady? What are you talking about? Why would he have her here?” I don’t understand why kidnapping Marlena’s former sister-in-law is something he would want to do. Marlena is always his target, or John even, so what could he want with Hope?

“I don’t know,” David replies. “It’s got to have something to do with John or Marlena one because he wouldn’t come to Hawaii when they’re here for no reason. It can’t be a coincidence.”

“Ok, well, find him and keep me informed.”

“You got it.”

I get up and shower quickly. I just don’t understand why in the world he can’t just leave them alone. I swear, if Marlena hasn’t made it clear over the years that she doesn’t want to be near Stefano, has no feelings for him other than loathing and hatred, then he just hasn’t been paying attention, or he’s insane. Oh wait, he is insane. He is obsessed with possessing her. He is obsessed with ruining John and making him The Pawn again. Whatever was I thinking?

I finish getting ready and go into the living area of the suite. David is there and is talking to someone on his earpiece. Corrie is doing something on the computer as well. This is really not good. “What is happening?” I ask David.

“Ok, I’ll tell her. Stay with them and don’t let them out of your sight.” He finishes with the security on the earpiece and turns his attention to me. “Stefano has chartered a submarine and he’s on it right now with Hope somewhere in the ocean around the island. We’re having trouble tracking it because, well, it’s a submarine. There are four guards tailing John and Marlena on the beach right now and we’ve got a boat out on the ocean trying to track that sub.”

“Oh my gosh, what now? Can’t we just bomb the damn sub?” I am angry and frustrated at my despicable brother. He cannot even leave them alone long enough to enjoy their honeymoon. 

“No, I don’t think so. That would cause too many issues.” David knows I’m only half kidding about bombing the submarine.

“Issues? What kind of issues? We could pay off enough people to make it go away, couldn’t we?” I’m grasping at straws now.

“Maybe, but it depends on how far out he is and if he’s in international waters, and all sorts of things. We can’t just go blow up things and assume it will just ‘go away.’” David is being rational as always, and it’s beginning to annoy me. But the annoyance is my fault and I know it. I just want John to be able to enjoy his life for once and not have to worry that something awful is about to happen. 

“Fine. What CAN we do, then?”

“We have four guards following John and Marlena on the beach. They’re out walking, and we have an eye on them from every vantage point. No one is bothering them on the beach, so it seems to be ok for the moment.”

“And we don’t know where that sub is?”

“No, not exactly.”

“But it’s a SUBMARINE! How hard can it be to track?”

“Well, pretty hard since we’d have to track the ENTIRE OCEAN to find it.” David is raising his voice at me now. I’ve done this to him before, when Stefano has gotten away from us and done something before we could stop it. David doesn’t like being put on the spot. 

Corrie becomes the voice of reason I need at this moment. “Let’s just calm down here. John and Marlena are safe at the moment and Stefano is somewhere in the ocean, away from them. We need to keep it in perspective and stay calm or we’ll all begin to make mistakes.” She always knows how to bring me back to reality. So, I take a breath, and realize that everyone is doing everything they can for now. 

“I’m sorry, David. I’ll work on being calmer. I just have a bad feeling about all this and the last thing I want to happen is for them to get hurt on their honeymoon.”

“I know. I apologize for raising my voice. Wait, what was that?” Someone has come through David’s earpiece, and I realize I don’t have mine in. I run back into the bedroom and put it on, just in time to hear the end of the conversation, and my heart sinks.

“And now he’s gone,” one of my security says.

“Who’s gone? What happened?” I yell into the microphone.

“John, ma’am. He and Marlena were just walking on the beach when John saw a woman in trouble in the ocean. He ran to the water and jumped in before any of us could get there, and he just disappeared.”

“Did anyone go in after him?” I’m frantic now.

“Yes, two of us did and two stayed near Marlena. We can’t find him anywhere.”

“But he’s an excellent swimmer and in excellent shape, how could he possibly drown? And how can you possibly not be able to find him?” I can’t believe this is a coincidence.

“I don’t know ma’am. We are continuing to look, and Marlena has called the authorities to look as well.”

“Ok, just let them handle it if you’re sure you can’t find him. The four of you stay with her and do NOT let her out of your sight. With John gone, this could be what Stefano is waiting for. If you must reveal yourselves to her, go ahead. We CANNOT let him get to her.”

“Yes ma’am. I understand.”

“David, we’ve GOT to find that sub. Stefano has John there, I’m sure of it.”

“Yes, I know. I’m on it.” David chartered a plane at that point to also search for the sub. Maybe with some luck, it can spot it from the air. I don’t know what Stefano is up to, but I know it is something bad. I just hope we can get John back before he does it.

The Recovery

We’ve been searching for two days, and still nothing. Marlena has called her former brother-in-law, Bo, and he’s come to help with the search. He tells her that Hope is missing as well, and they are both suspicious of Stefano. No bodies have been found, and there are no leads on where John might be. I’m sure Stefano is behind all this, but I just can’t figure out what Hope has to do with it. I decide to watch the wedding footage again to see if there are any clues there. Corrie, David and I watch every minute of it from every camera for hours on end, and then finally, David spots something.

“Look at this. There are a few shots of Hope in the audience at the wedding. It’s just glimpses but look how she looks in all of them. You would think that one of their best friends would be happy for them at their wedding, right? But look at her.” David points out several stills on each camera, and in each one, Hope looks as if she’s about to cry. She looks sad, dejected, almost heartbroken.

“What is wrong with her?” I ask. “Shouldn’t she be happy for them? She looks positively morose.”

“That’s the face of someone who isn’t wanting this wedding to take place,” Corrie says.

“Exactly,” I answer. “And why wouldn’t Hope want this wedding to take place?”

“Because she’s not Hope,” David replies. “She’s Princess Gina.”

“Bingo. That’s why Stefano took her with him. He’s brainwashed her into thinking she’s Princess Gina and he’s going to try and make John the Pawn so that they can go off and steal something for him again, or some nonsense like that. We’ve got to find them, and now, before Stefano has a chance to do that to John.”

“Wait,” Corrie says, “who was Princess Gina again?”

“John’s art thief girlfriend from when he was the Pawn. But Stefano planted her memories into Hope and made her think she was Princess Gina. That’s why he’s brought her and kidnapped John. He’s trying to brainwash them both into working for him again.”

Now that we’ve figured out what is happening, we redouble our efforts to find that sub. David charters three helicopters instead of a plane, and they comb the area around the island constantly for clues. Finally, after another few hours, we have a sighting. 

“Ma’am, we have a positive ID on a sub surfacing about two miles from shore,” the security on the helicopter tells me through my earpiece.

“What exactly do you see?” I’m excited finally for some news, and hopeful we can get John back.

“The sub has surfaced and there are some men on top. I think John is with them, but he seems to be unconscious.”

“David, can we get some men in the water?” If John is unconscious, I don’t want him in the water alone.

“Yes, our men on the helicopter are ready to jump in if necessary.”

“Ok, if they do throw him overboard, be ready to jump in immediately.” I will not allow anything to happen to him at this point.

“Yes ma’am, we’re ready.” The security men watch closely as John is thrown into the water by Stefano’s men. As the sub begins to sink, my security dive into the water in scuba gear to rescue John. Once they have him, they radio me that he is safe, breathing, and seems to be ok. They exfiltrate him into our helicopter by hoist to check him out. He is unconscious, but otherwise in good health. They can’t tell if Stefano has done anything to him memory-wise, but he is ok physically. 

“We need to get him back to Marlena. She can take care of him from this point.” I start trying to come up with a way to get him back to her that won’t reveal us to her and raise suspicion, and also that will not be a giveaway to Stefano. Finally, I decide that my men should bring him as close to shore as possible when Marlena is close by so that she can see him. If they drop him in the water a little way out, the divers can bring him closer safely. They can then disappear underwater once she sees him because she will only be focused on him. David agrees, and so we set the plan in motion.

It’s not long before Marlena is outside walking on the beach looking for John again, and instantly we start moving. The helicopter flies in close to shore and drops everyone in the water. My men swim with John, who is still unconscious, and bring him as close as possible without being seen. As they begin to swim into the cove where John disappeared, they go under the surface so Marlena can’t see them moving John into position. I’m watching all this unfold from the balcony of the hotel. Finally, when she notices him, I radio to them to let him go. As she’s running into the water to get him, the divers swim off behind the rocks and hide. Marlena grabs John and pulls him into shore. I breathe a huge sigh of relief once she has him. I know he’s safe now, and she will take good care of him. I just hope Stefano hasn’t done anything to him that can’t be undone.

This is My Life

“I just don’t want something to happen and it catch us off guard. Can’t you understand that?” David and I are in a heated argument in the living room of my house in North Carolina. We are once again at odds about John’s safety. 

“I understand that, but putting someone in the mansion, in direct contact with Stefano, is more of a risk than you’ve ever taken before. We can monitor things from here without having to have someone right next to him.”

“But he is plotting something huge, David, I know it. I can feel it with every fiber of my being, and I can’t allow it to happen.”

“What makes you so sure this time?” David is highly skeptical of me and my instincts, which is making me even angrier. If anyone knows what my brother is capable of, it’s me. 

“Because I know him, David. I know how he thinks. I know how he is. I know him inside and out, even better than John, perhaps. And I know he has spent these last couple years planning and preparing something awful. He’s had Rolf in that lab 24/7, and he’s done all kinds of renovating or construction to the mansion. Our security up there has seen all that equipment going in there day and night. We both know he wouldn’t spend all that money and go to all that effort if it didn’t have something to do with John. Can you honestly say you disagree?” I’m right in David’s face at this point, and I’m hoping that I’m finally getting through to him. 

David looks at me for a long time, and finally takes a deep breath and says, “Yes, I suppose you’re right.” He knows that means we will have to go with my plan of putting someone in the mansion, putting them close to Stefano, and it makes him apprehensive. “But whomever we put in there will have to be a volunteer. I’m not ordering anyone to go into that spider’s web; they’ll have to do it of their own accord.” He is fearful of how dangerous this will be for one of his men. And I understand completely. The people who take care of my security are a very tight bunch, and most of them have worked for me for years. They work long, hard hours and they spend a great deal of time together. They must be close to one another to trust each other with their lives. 

“I know, David. I know what this could mean, and I don’t want to lose anyone either. But they all knew the risks when they accepted the assignment.”

“That’s very practical of you.” David says coolly. 

“I know you think I’m being cold-hearted and callous about the lives of the people who work for me, and you may be right. But John is and will remain my first and only priority. You’ve known that for twenty years now, David. It shouldn’t come as a surprise.” I’m hurt by his words but can’t deny that there is some truth to them. I have sacrificed a few people over the years to keep my brother safe, and there are nights when their faces haunt me in nightmares about plans gone wrong. But I vowed long ago to always protect John against the madness that is Stefano, and I’m not going to stop now, especially when the threat I feel is as overwhelming as any I’ve ever known. 

“No, your protecting John has always been the guiding star in your entire existence. I just wonder when you will allow yourself a chance to live your life.”

I smile a small smile and let out a small laugh at the irony of his statement. “This is my life, David. I’ve never really known any other.” David stares at me for a second with a bit of sadness in his eyes. This is his life, too, although he didn’t really choose it. 

“Yes, I know. So, how soon do you want someone in the mansion?” I tilt my head downward a little and look at him out of the corner of my eye. “Right. As soon as possible. Why did I even ask?” He turns and heads to the office to begin making plans. 

“Thank you, David,” I call to him as he walks away. He throws up a hand and waves me off as he goes out the door and leaves me alone. 

Corrie comes in at this point. I’m sure she’s heard everything. We really have no secrets between each other, so I don’t care that she’s been listening. “Well,” she says, “that went well.”

“Are you going to call me cold-hearted as well, Corrie?” I don’t know if I can handle sparring with my best friend after going ten rounds with David just now. 

Her face spreads out into a smile. She knows better than anyone how hard this life is on me, and she always knows how to help me through it. “No, caro, I’m not.” The affection in Italian means she’s being exceptionally comforting. It reminds me of when we first met in Italy and the difficulty of those first two years, before my savior, Matteo, came and changed my life. It also reminds me that life then, in many ways, was much easier than it is now. There were no constant threats, no fear for anyone’s life, really. Just cooking and cleaning and enjoying the company of her and her family. 

“Wow, I haven’t heard you speak Italian in quite some time. I’m surprised you remember any.” I’m teasing her now, because she knows how much I love hearing her speak her native tongue. She speaks English now with hardly any accent, but her Italian is still flawless. 

She smiles and takes my hands. “Mi dispiace che tu sia così triste, amico mio.”

She is sorry that I’m so sad. “I’m not sad, my friend,” I say, as I look at the floor. I can’t look her in the face and lie, and she knows it. She puts her hand under my chin and raises my face to look in my eyes. Instantly, tears begin to well up, and I’m about to cry. I can’t hide my feelings from her. She knows me too well, and any pretense of keeping control of them goes out the window as soon as I look at her. She smiles a gentle smile and wraps her arms around me as I give in to the sobbing. 

“Andrà bene, caro. Lo proteggerai dai pericoli.” She’s trying to reassure me that it will be ok and that I will keep John safe. 

“I pray you’re right, il più caro amico.” She is my dearest friend, and I try to tell her that. I’m not as fluent in Italian as I used to be, but I still remember a good bit. 

“We will all do our best to make sure of it,” she says soothingly.

“Thank you, mio caro amico. I don’t know what I’d do without you.” We walk arm in arm out of the living room towards the office. I need to see how the plans are going to get one of our men into the mansion. I know this will be a long day, maybe even several long days, and I’m ready to get started. 

David is sitting at the conference table in the office with Ryan, James, and Jonathan, three of my most trusted security guards. They have been with me for many years, and I know them well. So does David. I’m not looking forward to this decision, but like David said, it will be one of them who volunteers to go into the “spider’s web” himself. They know how dangerous it will be being right next to Stefano. One wrong move, one slip up, and they will most likely be dead before the end of the day. Or tortured. Or worse. I shake the thought from my mind and walk in. David is briefing them on our plan.

“So, someone will go into the mansion itself and pose as a security guard. It will have to be a pretty high up position if we hope to get you close to Stefano and the inner workings of what he is planning. Elizabeth and I are fairly certain there is something important being planned that directly involves John, maybe another kidnapping, another brainwashing, something like that.” David talks about these things almost as if they are normal, everyday activities. It is ironic at times how normal these awful things have become, but that is what Stefano has created for all of us, and why I can’t quit protecting John and his family.

I begin to help with some of the explanation so they can understand why we are taking such a huge risk. “I know this is going to be more dangerous than anything we’ve done up to this point, but I really feel that we have no choice. Stefano’s been doing something to the lab in the mansion for a while now, and that can only mean one thing.”

“He’s going to try and snatch John again,” Ryan says.

“We think so,” I answer.

“So, which one of us is going in? That’s why you called us all here, isn’t it?” Jonathan asks. He always gets straight to the point.

“Yes, it is,” David responds. “Well, that’s up to you. You three are the most well-trained, the most experienced, and the most trusted of anyone besides me. And this is such a dangerous job, I told Elizabeth that I wouldn’t assign anyone to it, I would ask for a volunteer. So, which one of you is willing to go?”

James, Ryan and Jonathan each look at each other, and simultaneously all three raise their hands. “Wow,” is all I can whisper. These men who work for me are truly amazing in their devotion and work ethic. I’m speechless. Even David is moved by what they’ve done. He blinks hard a few times and clears his throat. He’s known these men for years and works closely with them every day. They are like brothers in a way, comrades in arms. It’s hard for him to think of any one of them getting hurt, let alone all three.

“Well, ok then,” he says, still trying to speak. “So really, who’s it going to be?”

All of us know that James is the most well-suited for a job like this. His ability to role-play is second to none, he can think on his feet exceptionally well, and he has talked himself out of a sticky situation more than once. He knows it, too. “I’ll do it,” James says. “You all know it’s gotta be me this time. I’ll get in and figure this out and be out before you know it.” His confidence is not misplaced, but we all know how dangerous this is. It will require special equipment, special weapons, and all types of secret surveillance technology so that we can hear and see everything without him being detected. We will have to pull out all the technological stops we can with this one, and I hope we have everything we need to make it happen.

“Ok,” David says. “We start in three days. That will give us enough time to contact our people up there, get James a position in the mansion, and get all the stealth gear he will need ready.”

“One more thing, David,” I add. “I’m going to Salem as well. This is too important for me to sit here hours away. If something happens, I need to be right in the middle of it also.”

David is up out of his chair and instantly angry. “You never said ANYTHING about going up there, too. What are you thinking!”

I realized before I said it that this was going to cause a firestorm, but I don’t feel I have any other choice. “I will not sit idly by down here while everyone else walks into the fire without me. I have to be there, and I will help in whatever way I can. I will be on the ground protecting John as well as his family and I will also do whatever it takes to keep everyone safe. I don’t expect you all to bear the burden alone. This is my family, not yours, and I will be there to help.”

“We don’t need you there, honestly,” Ryan offers. “We have done things like this before, and we know how to do our job. That’s what we’re here for. We must protect you as well and being in the same place as Stefano is extremely risky for you, you know that.”

“Yes, I do know that, but it means nothing in the face of what he might be getting ready to do to John. And all of you should know by now that I will not sit by and watch anything happen to him. I have to be there.” I’m getting emotional now, and I struggle to keep the tears back. “I’ve spent twenty years protecting him, and I REFUSE to sit back and let others do it now.”

Everyone in the room, David, Corrie, Ryan, James and Jonathan, all know that it is useless to argue with me. They are in this with me, and for that I am grateful, but they know when I’ve dug my heels in on something that I won’t give in. Fortunately for me, Corrie comes to my defense.

“Of course you’re going up there. Why wouldn’t you? David, guys, let’s make this happen.” They know they are licked when she is on my side, because she is the only person that might possibly persuade me otherwise. 

David shakes his head in defeat and looks at the floor. Then, he looks at me and says, “Ok, I know when I’m beaten. Let’s get this show on the road.”

My Biggest Failure

Three weeks later, David, Corrie, Ryan, Jonathan and I are sitting in a van parked around the corner from John and Marlena’s car, which is across the street from their daughter, Belle’s, car. We are awaiting word from James on what is happening with Stefano but haven’t heard anything. He has been in the house for over two weeks and has found out that Stefano has built a huge lab in the basement. Dr. Rolf has been hard at work, and we are certain the lab is for John. Stefano wants to erase his memory once and for all and turn him back into the Pawn. His obsession with John is getting out of hand, and I really don’t understand why he is still after him so hard after all this time. But I don’t take time to question his motives. We are desperate to hear from James.

“How long has he been out of communication?” I ask David.

“Three hours,” he answers. Basically, an eternity. We know that something has happened to him. There was a huge argument with Stefano right before he went out, and we are pretty sure Stefano discovered his wire. The day before, James was looking around the lab when he shouldn’t have been, and one of the other guards caught him. Stefano grilled him for hours about why he was there, and he kept up the story all the way to when we lost contact. We think during the argument, Stefano or one of his men struck James hard enough to dislodge the earpiece out of his ear. Once it hit the ground, it went out, as it was made to do, so that it wouldn’t appear to be a microphone, but we’re pretty certain Stefano figured it out. There’s no telling where James is now, or what Stefano is doing to him, so we are tracking John and Marlena very closely to hopefully keep anything from happening to them.

“Do we have any idea where Stefano is right now?” I’m frantic for some kind of news.

“No. He disappeared right after James’ earpiece went out and none of our operatives knows what happened. They think Rolf is still in the mansion, but Stefano snuck out through the tunnels underneath the mansion or something.” David is as concerned as I am, I can tell. James has been working for me for a long time, and he and David are close personally. I am praying we hear something from him soon.

“What are John and Marlena doing?” I can see them on either side of Belle’s car having a conversation. They seem to be trying to unlock her car. As they talk, John pulls out his lock-pick set. They then set out to unlock the car. They are smiling at each other and must be teasing each other or something. Then, Marlena opens her door and John looks at her, surprised. She has a huge grin on her face, and he shakes his head. I guess they were having a contest to see who could unlock the door first, and she won. Seems he trained her to lock-pick a little too well. 

As I’m watching them, a car passes in front of us, headed down the street towards them. It’s going faster than it should, and David notices instantly. “Where’s the fire?” he says, but all too soon, we see exactly what’s happening. 

Everything seems to go in slow motion as the car barrels down the street. John and Marlena are smiling at each other as John turns to walk across the street back to their car. “John NO!! Oh my God!” I scream as I see what’s about to happen. He walks into the path of the car, and I see it slam against his body, throwing it up and into the windshield, then he spins over the top of the car as it moves under him, and he falls hard onto the pavement. 

 Marlena screams “NOOO!” as she runs to him. I hear her cry out through our guy’s earpiece. He’s only a few feet away from her, and her pain and fear are palpable. John is bleeding and battered as he lies in the middle of the road. I am scrambling to get out of the van and run to him myself, but everyone in the van is holding on to me.

“You can’t go out there, you can’t reveal yourself to her!” David yells at me. Ryan starts the van and throws it into gear. It lurches forward quickly to chase after the car.

“John!! JOHN!! Oh my God, what have they done! Let me GO, David! I have to get to him and see if he’s ok! LET ME GO!!” I am fighting for all I’m worth to get loose and get out of the van and run to my precious brother to see if he’s ok. I can’t believe this has happened right under my nose and I allowed it to occur. As our van barrels down the side street heading to intersect the car, I yell again, “NO! STOP! Turn around! I have to go back and see if he’s ok! David, we must go back! Please!!” I’m grabbing at the door handle of the van now, oblivious to the fact that if I open it and jump out, I’ll be injured myself since we are already up to speed.

“Will you get a hold of yourself!” David grabs me by both wrists and shakes me so that I’ll look at his face. “We have to go after whoever that was in the car so we can figure out what Stefano is doing! Don’t you understand, there’s nothing to do for John right now but let the paramedics and Marlena take care of him. We must go after this guy and figure out what the next move is going to be. THAT’S how we can help John!”

Corrie puts her arms around my shoulders and whispers in my ear, “He’s right, Katharine. Let’s get this guy and interrogate him. That’s the only way to help John now.” 

Her using my real name gives me the shock and surprise she means it to. It brings me back into focus, if only for a moment. I look at her, and then at David. I know she’s right, but I’m so worried about my brother I can’t think clearly. And seeing him get hurt like that has destroyed me a little inside. My mind is spinning out of control, and I don’t know what to do. I look back at Corrie, the only person in the world who I trust completely, and I let her do the thinking for the moment. “Ok,” I whisper, and sit back in the seat, defeated.

Ryan is driving like a bat out of hell to find the car that hit John, and he finally catches up to it. David opens the van windows and he and Jonathan use their pistols to blow out the tires on the car. It swerves and finally runs off the road to a stop as it crashes head on into a light pole. We screech to a halt next to it and the men jump out to get whoever is inside. They walk up to the car, pistols drawn, and Ryan jerks open the driver’s door as Jonathan goes to the passenger side. There’s only one person inside, and David grabs him and pulls him out. He’s dazed from the wreck and doesn’t put up a struggle at first. David slams him hard against the car and all three start shouting questions at him. 

It’s at this point I regain my senses and realize what is happening outside the van. I get my pistol and open the door next to me. Corrie tries to stop me, but I shake her off. I push past David and stop in front of Stefano’s man, putting my pistol directly against the side of his head. This man harmed my brother, maybe even killed him, and the full weight of that action will now be brought to bear. 

“Elizabeth, what are you doing?” David asks calmly. All three men still have pistols drawn, but they pull back a bit when I walk out in front of them.

“I’m going to get the information we need from this sick son of a bitch and then I’m going to kill him.” The coldness and matter-of-factness from my voice causes the man’s eyes to widen. This is some lackey Stefano has hired to run down my brother, not a trained assassin, and that is a fatal mistake on his part.

“You’re not a killer, Elizabeth,” Ryan tries to remind me. 

“I’ve not killed anyone personally, no.” I lean an inch closer to the man, pressing my pistol into his temple. “Not yet. But then again, I’ve never actually witnessed someone harming John before, have I?”

“What do you care about that man I hit? What’s he to you?” The hitman has finally said something to me. Unfortunately for him, it is a poor choice of words.

“What’s he to me? WHAT’S HE TO ME! I’ll TELL you what he is to ME, you useless piece of…”

“ELIZABETH!” Corrie yells at me from the van. She sees I’m about to lose it and kill this man before getting any information from him, as well as reveal myself to him and who knows who else.

I back off a bit, keeping the pistol against his head, but I’m calmer now. “All you need to know is that I’m your worst nightmare if you don’t tell me exactly why you hit that man and who you work for. I can make every bit of this, and you disappear without a trace if you don’t tell me everything you know right now.”

He looks at me and the three men there, all of us with pistols. He can tell we are all very well trained and that he is in way over his head, so he begins to talk. “I was hired just to hit that man on the street and leave, that’s all. I wasn’t told why or who he was. I just got the call an hour ago. So, I came here, waited to see when I could do it, and that’s all.”

“Who are you working for?” David asks.

“I don’t know his name,” the man meekly responds.

“Don’t give me that, buddy, you were doing so well. Now, again, who are you working for?” David becomes sterner with this man the more he speaks. He knows there’s more information available, as do I.

“I was just called on the phone is all. I don’t know who it was.” He’s clearly trying to stall.

“Where’s the phone?” I ask.

“I threw it out the window when I went around the corner after I hit the man.” He knows he will be in a lot of trouble with whomever hired him if he gives up any information. What he doesn’t know is that I am going to kill him if he doesn’t tell me what I need to know.

“Yeah, let’s try this one more time,” I say. “Either you tell me, right here, right now, every bit of information you have, or I’m going to kill you…Right here…Right now.” I’m about two inches from his face, looking straight into his eyes. My men have also moved in closer so that he has no room for escape and no way to protect himself.

“I…I think…I think it was…uhm…” He looks around at all the pistols pointed directly at him and realizes he has no way out. He knows the only way to possibly save himself is to tell me what I want to know. He looks at me one more time and sees the cold determination in my face. Then he looks down and whispers, “Stefano DiMera.”

“What is he planning to do with the man?” I ask him.

“I…I don’t…”

“This is your last chance,” I hiss at him as I push the pistol harder against his head.

“He is planning to kidnap him once he’s in the hospital. Even if he dies, he said it didn’t matter. That he can fix all that, so he didn’t care if I killed him with the car or not. He wanted me to make sure that he was hurt enough to go to the hospital.”

“That’s a good boy.” I say with cold reassurance. “You’ve done well. But it’s too bad you’ve seen me and talked to me. And it’s really too bad that you’ve hurt my beloved brother John so badly.”

David hears this and knows that I would never reveal myself to some low-level hitman, especially after I had already gotten the information I wanted. He knows what I’m about to do and lurches forward. “Elizabeth DON’T…” he yells, but it’s too late. 

My shot rings out before David can finish his sentence. The man falls to the ground from the bullet piercing his head at point blank range. Corrie puts her hand over her mouth to keep from screaming out. Ryan and Jonathan lower their pistols. They’re in shock that I actually killed this man in cold blood. David instantly realizes the enormity of what I’ve done. He gets on his earpiece and calls to the rest of our security to get here and start getting rid of all this evidence. We have people to take care of such things, and he mobilizes them at once. I’m just standing there, motionless and unfeeling, staring down at the body. I have no remorse for what I’ve just done, and that begins to scare me. David walks over to me and gently takes my pistol from my hands. He turns me around and begins to walk me towards the van. Corrie gets out and takes over, walking me the rest of the way. I can’t cry, I can’t speak, I can’t feel anything. I just keep hearing the words, “even if he dies, he said it didn’t matter.” My hatred for Stefano at that moment is something I thought I could never be capable of feeling for another human being. John is his brother. And he tried to have him killed. And if he died, it didn’t matter….how could he be so unfeeling…it didn’t…wait a minute. I stop dead in my tracks and look at Corrie. What else did that man say? That he could fix all that? And then I know. “What, caro, what is it?” she asks gently.

“I know what he’s going to do. I know what Stefano is going to do. I know what the lab is for and what’s going to happen. We must get to the hospital right now and find John. It might not be too late.”

Desperate Times, Desperate Measures

An hour later, everything at the crash scene is cleaned up, the hitman’s body has been disposed of, and we are sitting in the van in the parking deck at the hospital. I want desperately to go inside and see John, but I don’t dare because anyone who looks at me can see how distraught I am. I can’t hide it, and in here I don’t have to try. I have contacts within the hospital who are keeping me apprised of what’s happening, and it isn’t good.

“He’s out of surgery now, but it’s really touch and go. He had a lot of internal bleeding and a broken back. Many of his internal organs were damaged and they’re really not sure if he’ll make it.” David is sharing this with me after talking with our contact in the hospital. I’m devastated. I’m crying uncontrollably and all I want is to be upstairs with him and his family. My family. The family that doesn’t even know I exist. I’m so empty and angry that I don’t know what to do. But David comes up with something that helps in a small way. He asks our contact to put one of our microphones in John’s room somewhere so we can hear what is going on. At least in that way, I can be there, even if it is vicariously.

Once it’s done, I can hear the utter despair in Marlena’s voice as she talks to him and tells him that his injuries are very serious. I hear his daughter, Belle, telling him how much she loves him. I hear his friends all telling him how much he means to them. It’s agonizing, and it’s torture for me, but I’m so grateful to be able to hear it all. And when Marlena finally tells him it’s ok for him to sleep, and that he’s never going to leave her, it’s more than I can bear. I collapse into Corrie’s arms and cry like a baby. She’s crying too, because she’s been through all this with me for all these years. I cannot believe my brother is dying, and my heartbreak is overwhelming. Finally, I hear the machines go flat, and I know he’s gone. A huge part of my soul cries out for him, but there is no answer. There is nothing inside of me now but agony, despair, heartbreak, and anger. I cannot see, or think, or feel anything else. The entire purpose for my existence is gone, and I have no idea where to go from here or what to do. But once again, my best friend comes to my rescue.

Corrie whispers in my ear, “Katharine, try to hang on to hope. We’re going to go and get him, before Stefano can, before he takes him away.” I hear her, but she’s far away from me. I’m lost in a dark place that is nothing but pain, but I am drawn to her voice. “There may still be a way to save him, if we hurry.” I look up at her, then to David. They both know that my evil brother has something planned for him yet, but we’ve no idea what it is or how to stop him. 

I wipe the tears from my face and turn off the microphone we’ve been listening to. “But I don’t understand.” 

David, Ryan, and Jonathan get up and get out of the van. They put on their holsters and pistols and adjust their earpieces. “Stay here,” is all they David says. 

“What are they doing?” I ask. Obviously, plans have been made without my knowledge. I couldn’t have made any plans after all this anyway.

“They’re going to save John from being taken away,” Corrie says.

“What? How?” I’m utterly confused.

“They’re going to get John before Stefano can and they’re going to force Rolf to bring him back to life. And if they can, they’re going to get him out of there. You remember what the hitman said, that Stefano said it didn’t matter if he died? Rolf must have figured out a way to bring people back, and they’re going to make him do it, for John.”

“How in the world are they going to make him do it? And why is David going?” David always remains with me no matter what, but this time, he is in the middle of whatever plan they have devised. 

“Because David can’t stand to see you like this, and neither can I, Katharine. We are more than your friends, we are your family, and we would do anything to keep you from suffering like this. You’ve given everything you ever had to John, and now we want to give you something back.” I don’t believe what she’s saying at first, but the look on David’s face when he left did not go unnoticed. He had a look of utter despair, but incredible determination as well. I know what Corrie said is the truth, and I’m scared of what the cost might be. Facing Stefano head on is dangerous, as we’ve already learned with James, and I don’t know how I would stand losing not only John, but David as well.

“I hope to God he knows what he’s doing.”

“So do I,” Corrie says.

By this time, David, Ryan and Jonathan have made it into the morgue. John’s body has not been brought there yet, so they find a place behind a screen to hide and wait. They’ve donned doctor’s scrubs so they can fit in better with the hospital personnel. It’s not long before the orderlies bring John’s body in and place it in one of the storage compartments. Once they leave, the men wait to see who comes in next. They don’t have to wait long for someone to come in and look around for John’s body. Once he finds it, he makes a phone call to someone, telling them he has it. The men come out of hiding and confront Stefano’s man. They subdue him quickly and then wait for the next person to arrive. This time, it’s one of Stefano’s top aides, sent here to retrieve John’s body. 

“Not so fast, there,” David says as he comes out from behind the screen, his pistol pointed and the man. The man stops, surprised that anyone is in there. 

“What are you doing? Who are you?” the stranger asks.

“Better question is who are you? And why are you here to steal this body?” David responds.

“I’m here from the funeral home. I’m going to take Mr. Black and prepare him for the funeral.”

“Like hell you are. You’re working for DiMera, and we all know that, so just cut the pretense. Where is he right now?”

“I don’t know what you’re…”

“Wrong answer,” David says as he shoots the man in the foot. The silencer on the pistol and being closed up downstairs in the morgue keeps anyone from hearing. The man calls out in pain and falls to the floor. “Now, let’s try again.”

“I don’t know where Mr. DiMera is, I swear!”

“Where are you taking this body?” David asks again, with a great deal more urgency this time.

“I am taking it to the DiMera mansion, that’s all I know.”

“And where are your car keys?”

The man begins to understand what is happening and realizes what will happen to him if this job isn’t carried out. “In the car.” David knows this is a lie and shoots him again in the leg. The man calls out in pain again. “Ok, ok, here!” The man throws David the keys as he tries to quell the blood pouring out of his leg. 

“Thanks. That’s all I needed.” David takes the keys and he, Ryan and Jonathan roll the gurney with John’s body out into the hallway and onto the elevator. They head to the parking deck where the ambulances park and find the car the man was driving. It is a funeral hearse, so they roll the gurney up inside the back and shut the door. They jump in and take off in the direction of the DiMera mansion. 

Once they arrive, they see a man outside waiting for them. The man is not aware of the switch between Stefano’s men and mine, so he waves them through into one of the tunnels underneath the house. They drive in and end up in a garage. After they park, the get out and go around to get the gurney out of the back. David is trying to hurry before they get discovered. They roll the gurney out and through the door at one side of the garage and pull their surgical masks up over their faces. Inside the door is a hallway that leads to the lab that Stefano has been building for Dr. Rolf for all these months. It is quite impressive, but there is no time to waste. As soon as they roll John’s body in, they see Dr. Rolf standing there. He turns as they enter and says, “Ah, good, I wasn’t expecting you so soon. This shouldn’t be any problem at all to revive him.”

“Good to know, Doc. Now how about we hurry that up so we can get out of here?” David pulls down his mask and raises his pistol to Dr. Rolf. He is surprised at what is happening and tries to run, but Ryan grabs him. 

“That’s as far as you’re going, doctor. It’s time to revive Mr. Black here so that we can get on our way.”

“But you don’t understand, this is a long process that takes several hours, and with his injuries, it will take time for him to recover.”

“Then maybe you should just come with us,” David says. “We can get you anything you need to take care of Mr. Black.”

“No, I…I can’t…I have to stay here. All the things I need are in the lab here. I can’t leave and I can’t allow you to take him anywhere.” Dr. Rolf is very nervous now and stalling for time.

“Then get it started, and we will see how long it takes.” With three pistols aimed at him, Rolf has no choice but to start the procedure. My men know they have a very limited amount of time and are hoping it goes quickly. As Rolf works, they begin to hear voices outside. “Hurry up!!” David tells Rolf. He knows it is urgent now and is hoping they still have a way to get out.

“Yes, yes, I am hurrying. But like I said, this takes time!” As soon as Rolf finishes talking, the machines monitoring John begin to beep. There’s a slow heartbeat, then faster. And then, John takes a labored breath. All my men look at each other incredulously. John’s heartbeat gets stronger, and his breath becomes more regular. The color is returning to his face and it’s obvious he is indeed alive. 

At that moment, though, three of Stefano’s men burst into the room. Ryan and Jonathan instantly take out two of them, but the third gets a shot off and hits David in the chest. Ryan shoots the last of Stefano’s men while Jonathan grabs David and drags him out the door and back to the garage. They hear more voices and yelling, and they know there’s no time to get John, too, but at least they know for certain he is alive. Jonathan puts David in the back of the hearse and jumps in with him, slamming the door shut behind him. Ryan jumps in the driver’s seat and turns the key. The hearse roars to life as Ryan shoves it into gear and backs out of the garage. There is no place wide enough to turn around, so he’s driving backwards down the tunnel at breakneck speed to get away. They hear gunfire as they go, but Ryan keeps on driving as fast as he can until they finally come out of the tunnel. He whips the hearse around and they take off into the night. It doesn’t appear that anyone is following them, but Ryan takes no chances and doesn’t slow down. Jonathan has already called ahead for a medical team to meet us at my house, and Corrie and I are already there getting ready. I’ve been monitoring things over my earpiece, and I know how grave the situation is.

The hearse drives up to my house as the medical team hurries out to get David. He’s lost a lot of blood and is very pale, but he is alive. They rush him into the makeshift hospital we’ve created in the dining room and hook him up for a transfusion. Within minutes, they are operating to remove the bullet from his chest. I’m praying it isn’t too serious, but it’s not looking good. We’ve had more than one incident like this before, with someone on my security getting injured, but never David and never this serious. We can’t go to the hospital with a gunshot wound or the police would instantly be called, and that makes everything much more complicated. But my doctors are some of the best, and the most discreet, so I know David is in good hands.

Corrie and I wait in the living room until one of the doctors finally comes out. “He’s going to be ok. The bullet didn’t hit anything major, nor did it do too much damage.”

I look at Corrie and say, “Ok, new security procedure is that none of us ever go out without a Kevlar vest on.”

“You got it,” she says, and gets up to go make some phone calls. Undoubtedly to our weapons and tactical division to let them know they need to create some very stealthy Kevlar vests for all of us, and probably all types of undergarments that we can wear that won’t be detected. She is so amazing when it comes to getting things done. 

“Can I see him?” I ask the doctor about David.

“Yes, but just for a moment. He needs to rest.”

I get up and walk into the dining room hospital. David is resting comfortably and looks none the worse for wear, despite what’s happened to him. “Hey there, you. Why’d you go off halfcocked like that? Don’t you know that’s dangerous?” I smile softly at him as he turns his head and opens his eyes.

“Yeah, well, I had a job to do. And I did it, too.”

“Yes, I know. Rolf brought John back to life, and we have proof. Any idea what is happening now?”

“No, but I’m sure they’re working on him in that lab, or will, once he’s recovered completely.”

“I know. Ryan and I are working on a plan to get him out of there before anything more happens.”

“You need to be careful. Let Ryan handle the details.” David admonishes me even feeling as badly as he does.

“You’re one to talk about being careful. You should have let them handle this.”

“Why, you think I’m getting too old to take care of things?”

“No, of course not, but neither one of us are spring chickens anymore. My heart can’t take all this drama, you know.” I smile at him and take his hand. I guess I’ve loved David for a long time now, but because of our life and what I have to do, I know I’ll never be able to act on it. I guess that’s why he’s stuck by me all this time, and why he did what he did tonight. He couldn’t bear to see me lose my brother without doing something about it.

“You live for drama, and you know it.” He squeezes my hand in return, and we share a sweet moment before I have to put it away and get back to work helping John.

Two days later is John’s funeral. I have no idea what Stefano has done for a body in the coffin, but it is a closed casket funeral. I want so badly to tell Marlena that John is alive, but I can’t until I know what is happening with him. I have a contact at the funeral, and it is gut wrenching watching all John’s friends and family trying to get through it. The worst part is when my despicable brother decides to make an appearance. Marlena has him thrown out obviously, but I truly wish I’d been there. I would have killed him myself. As it is, we’ve been trying to get back into Stefano’s house, but after the last invasion, he has made it impenetrable. We cannot tell what is happening to John or anything. We do know that he hasn’t been moved out of the mansion, but we cannot get anyone in there. I’m getting desperate for some news, but there’s nothing I can do. 

After David regains some strength and can be up and around, we start trying harder to get in the mansion. Every attempt we make is thwarted, though, and I’m at my wits end. It’s been almost two months now, and there is no telling what has happened to John in this amount of time. I am ready to do whatever it takes to get Marlena in on this so that she can do something as well. If she can get the police involved, maybe we can finally catch a break.

My chance to get Marlena involved comes by way of a psychic named Crystal and a picture of John and Colleen. Marlena has visited the mansion several times, and each time I hoped she would somehow catch a glimpse of John or discover something that would let her know he was there, but nothing happened. Stefano was too careful with his Pawn and kept him out of view. So, I did the only thing I could think of:  I got Marlena to be curious. I sent her Papa’s picture of John and Colleen and addressed it to John. I made it look like he had opened it before he died, so that maybe he knew what was in it. That was the first thing she became curious about. Then, I spoke to Crystal, and made her find Marlena and talk to her about John being alive. The day she first spoke to Marlena, I was positioned in the town square about two hundred feet away from them. I gave her some information about John that only Marlena would know and told her to keep trying until Marlena finally believed her. Crystal kept at Marlena for days until she did believe that John was alive, and then she told her ex-husband Roman and his brother, Bo, who are both on the police force. She made them believe that he could be alive, and once she started searching, she kept finding more and more evidence. Eventually, she got the biggest break of all, when Stefano’s son, EJ, finally admitted that John was in Stefano’s basement. Once that happened, there was no stopping her. She got all the Brady’s behind her, and she finally infiltrated Stefano’s house and found the lab. She rescued John, but only after Stefano had taken all his memories. When I found out he had done that, it made me even more scared to ever reveal who I was to him or even to Marlena. I knew he had the ability to do what he always told me he would:  that he would take all John’s memories if I ever told him who I really was. I knew I could never, ever let that happen, no matter what. 

Once John was free, it took many months for Marlena to help him regain his memory. Again, they went through hell to make it happen, but they once again found their way back to each other eventually. Only this time, it came at a high price. John was injured badly and paralyzed. He and Marlena went to Switzerland for more than two years so that he could recover. I wasn’t thrilled about living in Switzerland, but there was no question that I would go and be close by so that I could protect them from the monster while they were there. And, fortunately for all of us, he left them alone while John healed. I wish I could say things were fine after that, but life with John and Marlena never ends up being easy.

This Is Not How I Wanted This to Happen

“Are you sure? Are you absolutely certain, because if you’re not, we could all end up dead.”

“Yes. Absolutely certain. I’d stake my life on it.”

“You’re not just staking your own life, you’re staking mine as well.”

“I know that. I wouldn’t say it if I weren’t positive.”

“Ok then, I guess we’re moving to Salem.”

I finish the call with David and look at Corrie. She doesn’t seem convinced, and I don’t blame her. We’ve thought Stefano was dead before, and we’ve nearly paid the ultimate price several times over for being wrong. Corrie reads my mind and says, “We can’t afford to be wrong again.”

“I know. But David wouldn’t say this if there were any doubt. He wouldn’t risk our lives like this.”

“But are you sure you want to move to Salem? It’s so much safer here, and if John and Marlena are finally rid of Stefano, you can finally take it easy for a bit. Maybe even have a life for once.” I know Corrie means well, and she is saying this as much for herself as she is for me. It’s been a long thirty years of doing this day in and day out, staying hidden and wearing Kevlar every day. 

“But this will be having a life. We can have a life in Salem. We can go out and eat lunch and walk in the park like normal people.”

“And run into your brother and his wife in Horton Town Square. What about that?”

“We will know their every move and can avoid all that. But there is no reason for him to know who I am. He has no memory of me whatsoever, thanks to my monster of a brother. And besides, the last time I saw him, I was thirteen years old. I’ve changed a lot since then, and with my other cosmetic changes, there’s no reason he would even notice me.” The thought of that makes me a little sad, but I know it is for his own good. Just the chance to see him across the square would be a gift.

“I know how much you want to be close to him, and with Stefano’s threat finally neutralized, it gives you more leeway to do that. I just don’t want you to get caught up in all the emotion of seeing him in person.” 

I walk over and sit beside her on the couch to try and reassure her. “I know, and I love you for trying to protect me as always. But we’ve made every preparation there that we have here.” I take her hands in mine and look in her eyes. “It’ll be ok, I promise.”

Corrie takes a deep breath and sighs a long sigh. I’ve broken promises to her before, when I said I’d be safe as I went out on some mission to protect John or some meeting to try and ruin DiMera Enterprises one more time. She knows something will probably happen no matter how hard I try to stop it. But she also knows me, and knows that once my mind is set, there is no going back. “Don’t make promises you can’t keep,” she says. And then, “When are we leaving?”

Our first day back in Salem is very surreal. The last time I was here, it was the worst time of my life. John had died, been revived, and ended up paralyzed. But now that I’m here under better circumstances, I know why John chose to stay here. It is a wonderful place to live.

 A few weeks ago, I bought a house in a secluded part of town so I could be protected while I’m here. The safety preparations are finished, and I have finally moved in. I am going for a walk in the park this first day, so I can enjoy my first moment of normalcy, but unfortunately, and not for the first time, one of my trusted security people seems to have given me away. 

Three men come upon me, and I can see they are not just muggers. I instantly press the button on my watch that signals an emergency, but nothing comes through my earpiece in response. I realize at this moment someone has betrayed me, and at some point, they will pay. But for now, I must deal with these men by myself. I get the jump on one and manage to disable him before another one grabs me from behind and the third grabs my pistol off my hip. As we struggle, I pull away enough to grab the knife off my ankle and slice the second man in the arm. He takes off, and I manage to kick the pistol out of the third one’s hand, but he grabs a knife out of his own ankle holster and lunges at me. I try to dodge it as I hear a voice yelling for him to stop. He runs away, and I turn around to see John running towards me. I have not been this close to my brother in almost thirty years, and I’m feeling a million things at once: fear, if he recognizes me, elation, at getting to see him in person, and many other things. My mind is spinning with what to do next as he gets closer. I stand there for a moment, trying not to show all the emotions I feel when I begin to get dizzy. I know it’s not just seeing him that’s making me woozy, and I look down to see blood pouring out of my leg. Just as he gets to me, I pass out, right into his arms. 

I wake up in the hospital to an empty room. “Damn,” I say softly. I can’t believe I’ve allowed this to happen. Not only did I let them get the better of me, but I’ve revealed myself to my brother on the very first day I’m back in town. Someone is going to pay dearly for their betrayal. I try to get out of the bed, but the stitches in my upper thigh say otherwise. So that’s where the blood came from. I see that I didn’t completely dodge that knife. I must be slipping as I get older. 

At this point, a nurse walks in and sees I am awake. She checks the IV, asks if I feel ok, and leaves before I can ask a question. A moment later a doctor walks in. I recognize Kayla Johnson but hide it well. She asks how I feel. “I’m fine,” I say. “When can I go home?”

 “It’s surprising how well you fought them off,” she replies, ignoring my other question. She must have heard what happened from John. And she probably has questions about the scars on my hip she invariably noticed when she was stitching me up. I need to get out of here before there are any other questions. 

“I’ve been mugged before, and I’ve taken some self-defense classes.” I hope this appeases her and I change the subject quickly. “Can you tell me where my hearing aid is?” To anyone else, my earpiece appears to be a hearing aid.

“It’s in the drawer here.” She turns and hands it to me. 

I can tell she’s curious, so I give an explanation before she asks for one. “I’ve had hearing loss in one ear since I was a child,” 

“Here is your watch as well.” She hands me my watch but doesn’t seem as interested in it.

“Thank you,” I say as I put it on. I tap it to check for messages and see I have twelve from Corrie. She’s been quite concerned and evidently quite busy as I scroll through the messages

“Is there anything I can get you? Are you in any pain?” Kayla asks.

“No, I’m great, thank you. I just have some pressing business and I need to leave as soon as possible.”

“Well, you can’t leave until someone comes for you because those stitches are pretty deep, and you’ll need to come back in a week or so to have them removed.” 

“Someone will be here within the hour. Is there anything I need to sign before I go?” I’m really trying to hurry this along before she starts asking too many questions and before John has a chance to show up. 

“I’ll go get the paperwork finished and then you can go.” She hesitates a moment, but then goes out the door. 

“Thank you so much.” Once the door closes, I message Corrie all the info. She says she is relieved I’m ok but that I am in trouble because of what I’ve allowed to happen. I am so looking forward to having that conversation. She also says she’s on the way and will have David bring Carlos, my betrayer, to the house. Despite her being angry with me, Corrie is the one person I can always count on to get things handled quickly.

I begin to work on getting dressed when someone knocks at the door. I ask who it is, and the voice outside says “John Black. I found you in the park today. Can I come in?” All the color drains from my face for a moment, and my mind begins to race. I cannot give anything away, or he will pick up on it. But I’m suddenly jolted back to reality because John knocks again. 

“Hello? May I come in?”

“One second please.” I look at myself in the mirror. Not too bad. Can’t see the earpiece. My watch is hidden under my sleeve. Contacts are there, that’s the main thing. Can’t let him see my real eyes. “Ok, come in.”

As many times as I have imagined what it would be like to see my brother up close again, nothing I’ve ever thought of comes close to how it actually feels. It’s like all the years have melted away and I am a girl again. I’m sure all of this splattered on my face and it takes every bit of willpower I have not to cry. But giving myself away will have terrible consequences for him, so I must hide everything. He gives me a polite smile, but otherwise his face is completely blank looking back at me. I am a total stranger to him, and as much as I wish I weren’t, it is a good thing. But being this close to him is a gift I never thought I’d get, and I am thankful for that. 

“Glad to see you’re ok,” he says. “I was worried when I saw what was happening to you. I couldn’t believe something like that was going on in the park in broad daylight. But from what I could tell you handled yourself pretty well.” My brother is proud of me, and I melt a tiny bit inside. 

“Yes, well, I’ve been attacked before and I’m not one to play the victim.”

He smiles. “I can tell that about you. So how do you feel? Any other damage besides the leg?”

“Nothing out of the ordinary.” I say with a grin. 

He laughs. “Well, good. Hey, do you have a way to get home ok? Kayla said you can’t leave until someone picks you up.”

“Yes, my ride is on the way. But thanks for the offer.” 

“Not a problem. You just let me know if you need anything alright? Now that I’ve saved your life I kind of feel responsible for you,” he says with a wide smile. 

Of course, you do, I think to myself, because you’re still exactly who I remember you to be. You are sweet and kind and generous and…. Oh God, I must stop thinking about this or I will certainly give myself away. But how incredible it is, considering all that the monster has done to you. 

“I really appreciate that, but I’m ok.”

“Alright then. I’ll be seeing you,” he says. 

The door closes behind him and I say, “How I wish you could.”

I find out from the nurse that the police apprehended two of the men and confiscated my pistol for evidence. So, there will be some type of court proceeding from that. I remind myself to call the lawyer to make all this go away and to get my gun back. I message this to Corrie, and she says it has already been done. The third guy was caught by my security and interrogated. He wouldn’t give up who sent him, but we’re pretty certain it didn’t have anything to do with DiMera Enterprises. I’m concerned, but it’ll have to wait.

As I finish dressing, Corrie comes in. Because we are in a public place, she signs to me that the discharge paperwork is done and that their ASL interpreter is terrible. I laugh, and we head out the door. She learned ASL a long time ago so that we could use it to protect her. Whenever she is in public, she appears to be hearing impaired, so that no one thinks she is a real threat to them, and so they think she can’t hear them. She’s trained herself over the years to not respond to sounds or even to her name in public. I’ve also learned how to sign so that we can carry on conversations without anyone knowing what we are saying. It even allows us to communicate if we are ever in a dangerous situation. 

Once we’re in the car, I tell her about seeing John and she stops me immediately, berating me about being careless and reckless and overrun with emotions instead of common sense. Now that we are not in public, she doesn’t hesitate to let me have it. “You WHAT?? You promised me it would be ok, that you would be safe, and the very first moment you go out, not only do you get attacked, you run into the very person you’ve spent thirty years trying to hide from. I TOLD you this was all a bad idea, and you just couldn’t resist, could you?” 

Finally, I say, “Enough!” and she glares at me. “I know all of this, and I will be more careful. But most of the blame lies with Carlos. What is his status?” Reluctantly, she begins to tell me all she’s learned from David about why Carlos betrayed me. His story is that the men in the park were from a rival to one of my companies who were trying to scare me into selling off a chunk of it. They didn’t realize I was so well trained, and found they were in over their heads. I am not sure if I buy this or not, and I tell her he needs to disappear. No, I’m not going to kill him, but people who work for me know the level of loyalty I demand, and how serious the punishment is for any betrayal. This is a dangerous life I lead, and I don’t take being protected lightly. But I decide to deal with Carlos later. Right now, my throbbing leg tells me I need to go home and rest. 

The Gym

After five days, a checkup, and removal of stitches, I’m feeling pretty well. Carlos has been sent to a very out-of-the-way place where he can do no more damage and David is looking to hire someone to take his place. I tell Corrie I’m going to Horton Town Square for lunch, and she demands to come with me. I agree, and we head out after my protection is in place: Kevlar vest, watch, earpiece, knife, and pistol back from the cops. It’s a beautiful day, so we sit outside to eat. My back is, of course, to a wall, so I can see everything, and I check in with each security guy before we sit down. As we are sitting there, David comes over the earpiece to let me know John is coming, and he has Marlena with him. “How did you not know this before now? We’re supposed to be following their every move!”

“We were but he must have figured it out and lost us on the way there. I’m sorry.” David knows that John is very good at not being followed and that we can’t afford to not know where he is.

“I can’t keep meeting him, David. This cannot happen again.”

“I know. It won’t. He’s almost there. Watch yourself.”

I brace myself for the meeting, so as not to give anything away. Corrie will also scrutinize every second of this later, so it must go well. At that moment, he and Marlena turn the corner right where we’re sitting. He sees us and walks up to say hello. I introduce Corrie and sign the entire conversation, so we can keep up the appearance that she is hearing impaired. Marlena begins signing a little bit as well since she knows ASL. Corrie compliments her on her ability and she smiles. Then John asks the impossible. 

“So, would you two like to join us for dinner?”

Corrie looks at me as I sign what he’s saying, but the color is already draining a bit from her face. She covers though by signing that we have plans already. And then, in a moment of insanity, I say “Corrie can take care of that for me. I’ll be glad to come.” She taps me on the arm since I forgot to sign it to her, so I sign “You can take care of the plans. I’m eating with them,” to her. She knows better than to argue with me at that moment, so she acquiesces. John and Marlena are pleased, and we plan on the Salem Inn at six. 

After they leave, all hell breaks loose with Corrie. She is incensed that I’ve decided to go and reminds me of the insanity of it. Now that they’re gone, and I’ve also come to my senses, I agree and say I’ll call them later to cancel, but I realize that I didn’t get a phone number from them. I also wouldn’t be able to explain how I already know his phone number, or who might give it to me out of the blue. The full weight of what I’ve done begins to settle in and I decide just to ghost them, which I do. Unfortunately, John being John he becomes curious, and that’s a bad thing. 

As John and Marlena arrive back home that night after eating alone, they’re still talking about why I didn’t come. “I don’t mean to keep going on about this, Doc, but I just don’t understand it. I mean, if she didn’t really want to come, why didn’t she just say something?”

“I don’t know, but I’ll ask again, why is this bothering you so much? You just met this woman once a week or so ago and then again today, and you talked about her for an hour at dinner. You walked the entire square and asked every shop owner if they’d seen her, and even called the hospital to see if you could get her information from them. If I didn’t know better, I’d think you were on a case or something.”

“That’s a great idea, Doc! Do you think Steve is busy? Maybe I could call him and see if he has any ideas about how to find her.” John pulls out his phone as Marlena stands there staring in disbelief. He begins to pull up Steve’s number but sees her and pauses. A few seconds pass and he slowly puts his phone back in his pocket. “I’m sorry. I really don’t know why I can’t let this go. There’s just…. something. I can’t put my finger on it.”

Marlena becomes concerned. John’s instincts are always right, and she knows it. “Do you think she’s a threat? Does it have anything to do with why we were being followed at lunch?”

“No. No, not at all. But that’s just it, Doc. I can’t explain what it is, or how I know, but she is no threat to us. I’m sure of that.”

“But how can you be so sure?” Marlena asks.

“I wish I knew.”

“Why on earth are you up this early?” Corrie hasn’t seen 5:00 a.m. in a long time, unless she was seeing it from the other side. I told her she didn’t have to get up with me, but as usual, she must make sure I’m ok.

“I have to get back into working out, and this is the only time I can go, plus it is so early John probably won’t be there.” I know I must keep my distance from him so that he doesn’t figure out anything. But because I’ve watched him for so many years from far away, it’s hard not wanting to look into his face in person, even if he doesn’t know who I am.

“I hope you know what you’re doing. You’ve always done anything and everything to protect him and now, it seems like you’re getting reckless.”

“I didn’t try to meet him in the park the other day, it just happened.”

“It wouldn’t have happened if you’d not gone to the park like I said.”

“I wanted to go, and I didn’t know Carlos was going to betray me that particular day, now did I?”

“No, you didn’t. And no, you didn’t know John was going to find you. But you’ve never taken chances like I’ve seen you do in the last week. This just isn’t like you, and I’m concerned.”

“There’s nothing to be concerned about. I know what I’m doing.” But in actuality, I knew she was right. I was being reckless. I was tempting fate. But talking to my brother, face to face, after thirty years of only knowing him through a camera or a microphone, has had a stronger effect on me than I’d like to admit. 

“We’ll see.” Corrie is not convinced, and I’m not sure I can be convincing.

“Speaking of that day, did we ever get any info from the guy we interrogated? Did he ever give up who he was working for?”

“No, he didn’t. David finally let him go.”

“Let’s hope it was just something random then. Anyway, I have to go now. I’ll see you later.” I check with David to see if everything is in place security-wise, and it is. He’s not happy to be up at this hour either, but he really doesn’t say anything about it. He knows better. 

Fifteen minutes later, I’m walking in the gym. My knife wouldn’t fit under my socks, so I ended up having an extra security guy just to keep Corrie pacified. I hope no one asks about my bag, because my pistol is in there and I really don’t want to have to explain it or leave it in the car. I have on a smaller Kevlar vest under my shirt, and no knife on my ankle, so I’m a little nervous being a bit less protected than normal, but as I walk in the gym, it’s all for naught. At the first machine right in front of the door is John, watching me come inside. I freeze for a second, but I can’t run away since he has clearly seen me, and it would be too hard to explain. He smiles and waves me over to the machine he’s sitting on. I have no choice but to smile back and head over. “Good morning!” I say as I drop my bag, trying to stay cool.

“I’m so glad to see you. I was worried something happened to you the other night,” he says with a grin.

“I’m so sorry about that. Something came up last minute and I realized I didn’t have your number and had no way to get it, so I couldn’t let you know I wouldn’t be coming.”

“That’s ok. I figured as much. Well, how about exchanging numbers right now so it doesn’t happen again?”

“Sure,” I say. I can’t tell him I already know his number, but I love the fact that he wants to know mine. I know I shouldn’t be getting friendly with him, but I just can’t help myself. I make a promise to myself to put some distance between us after this, no matter what.

We exchange numbers and John insists we workout together. I can’t find a reason not to, so we head to another machine to begin. John’s doing rows and I start with squats, which is a bad idea, considering the wound on my leg. I go down on the first one and squeal in pain coming up. John promptly comes over to help, and I feel silly needing it. “Easy there, slugger. You’re still healing you know.”

“Yes, I just realized that,” I say with a grimace. “I guess I’ll have to modify these if I want to get anything done.” So, instead of squatting normally, I have to do this weird squat-like maneuver with my injured leg out straighter and mostly using my healthy leg. It looks odd, and John doesn’t hesitate to comment on it.

“Are you sure you can still call that a squat? I mean, you’re only really bending one leg.”

“Yes, it’s a squat. I’m squatting, aren’t I?” I say as I barely bend one knee.

“Well, if you say so.” He’s laughing at me, and I must admit, it looks silly. I quit trying to work my legs and start doing some bicep curls. “That’s much better,” John tells me. “You’re a lot stronger than you look,” 

“Well thanks. I try to keep myself in shape.”

“Yeah, I could tell that in the park the other day. Where’d you learn those moves?”

“Oh, I took some classes in Jiu-Jitsu a few years back. I got mugged and I swore I’d never let it happen again, at least not without a fight.”

“You can definitely handle yourself, that’s for sure.”

“I don’t know about that.”

“Oh, I do. I know a thing or two about self-defense and I can tell you can fend for yourself.”

This conversation is getting a little too personal, and I know I need to deflect it off me and back to him. “So why do you know so much about self-defense?” I ask him. I know he’s not going to tell me he used to be a spy, so it should be interesting to see what he says.

“Well, I used to be in law enforcement.”

“That sounds interesting. Were you a police officer?” I know he was for a time when he thought he was Roman, and then another time later, but I’m trying to keep him talking about himself and not me.

“I was, for a little while.” He’s trying to do some bench presses now and is having a hard time getting the bar back up with the weight he’s put on it. It’s a good amount of weight, so I put down my dumbbells and spot him a bit.

“You sure this is a good weight for you?” I ask teasingly. I’m trying to keep the conversation light and off of personal things.

“Yes, this is always the weight I do.” His ego is a little bruised, and I take the cue.

“Really? You just seem to be having a little bit of trouble with it today.” I smile at him as I spot his last rep, and he just looks at me incredulously. “I mean, I guess it’s pretty good for a guy your age.” I burst out into a giggle at this point, and he realizes I’m joking hard with him. 

He sits up and watches me laugh. A sly grin slowly spreads across his face. “Oh, so that’s how this is going to be. I see. Wow. You stand me and my wife up for dinner, and now you razz me about how much weight I can lift. That’s really nice of you.” He’s smiling for real now, so I know he’s not upset.

“Well, you started it actually, picking on me about my squats, so that just makes us even.” This is the brother I remember and miss so much. This rapport we have is exactly what we had when I was a child. I’d almost forgotten how much fun it was. Or maybe I’ve just buried it so I wouldn’t remember. Either way, it’s all I can do to keep my composure, so I turn away and grab a towel, so he won’t see it.

“Ok, ok, you’re right. I started all this. Guess I should say I’m sorry for teasing you.”

“Oh, no, no need at all to apologize. I’m a big girl. I can take it.” I’m grinning again, and he laughs.

“Yep, I think you can.”

We finish up doing our last couple sets, and I’m whipped. I definitely need to work out more, especially if I want to keep up with John. He seems somewhat winded as well, so we head to the locker rooms to grab quick showers. We meet up afterwards and I try to get away, but he asks me to breakfast with him and Marlena.

“Oh, that’s so sweet, but I really can’t. I have appointments and things I need to get to.”

“What appointment could you possibly have at 7 am?” He looks me in the eye and my brain goes cloudy. This is becoming much harder than I thought it would be. 

“Well, I don’t want to be a third wheel.”

“Nonsense,” he says. “You’re coming to breakfast, and I won’t take no for an answer.” 

“Ok,” I say softly, and head out with him. 

Marlena meets us for breakfast, and we begin to chat. Suddenly, my watch goes off and it’s Corrie. She is admonishing me because David has alerted her that I’m with John and Marlena. I excuse myself to the restroom, so I can calm her down.

The moment she picks up the phone, she starts screaming at me about how reckless and crazy I’m being and how I’m going to get people hurt or killed. She keeps going on and I’ve finally had enough. “Will you please stop yelling at me! They can hear you outside the restroom, I’m sure.”

“You go off at o-dark-thirty to avoid John and now you’re eating breakfast with him and his wife? Have you gone completely mad?”

“I checked with the security guys, and they don’t see anything strange, and David says they’ve not gotten any tips for anything that might happen to me. I also called Jonas to see if anything is happening with any of the businesses and everything checks out, so I am fine. Today, at least, seems to be a safe day.” 

“You’d better pray that it is. We will talk about this when you get home.”

“Yes, mother.” I know Corrie probably threw the phone down after I said that, so I’m glad I hung up first. I’ve been gone too long, so I hurry back to the table.

“Everything ok?” John seems concerned, but I assure him its ok.

“So how was your workout?” Marlena asks. John and I look at each other and laugh at the same time. “That good, huh?” Marlena smiles and laughs with us.

An hour later, we’re still talking but Marlena must head to work. As John kisses her goodbye, it makes me smile, and she tells me how much she’s enjoyed breakfast. I agree and thank her for all the conversation. She heads to the hospital and John asks if we could work out again soon. We agree on three days from now and I head home for a real shower. I guess my efforts to put some distance there are pointless. 

I walk into my house, and I feel like I’m floating. Corrie sees me, and the expression on my face. Her anger and worry dissipate a little as she can’t help but notice the difference in my countenance. I don’t know that she’s ever seen me this happy. As I walk past her to head upstairs, she asks me how everything went, and I just smile. 

“That good?” She asks. Definitely. 

“I really had a good time at breakfast today,” Marlena says to John that night at supper. 

“Yeah, me too,” John replies. “We had a good workout, as well. It was nice working out with someone again. Except when she razzed me about not lifting heavy enough.” John’s bruised ego shines through his words, and Marlena picks up on it instantly. 

“Well, honey, you are getting a little older. It’s understandable that you can’t lift like you used to.” Her face widens into a grin as John turns his head towards her. 

“After dinner, I’m gonna show you just how in shape I am!”

“Oh, I hope so!” Marlena giggles and looks at his empty plate. “Well, are you finished?”

“That’s a fact.” They get up and John chases Marlena back into their bedroom. 

Afterwards, they’re talking again about breakfast. John says, “You know, when we were working out, I got the feeling that she doesn’t have many other people in her life. She didn’t really talk about family much or anything personal about herself.”

“Maybe she’s just a private person,” Marlena replies. 

“I got the feeling it was more than privacy.” John’s instincts were usually spot on, but he didn’t have any idea how much. 

“Have you figured out any more about what that feeling is you have about her?”

“Not completely. But after today, I feel this real need to look out for her, you know?”

“That’s probably because you saved her from those muggers.”

“You know, that’s just it, Doc, I didn’t save her. She’d already knocked one guy out and run off another one all by herself. And truth be told, I probably caused her to get hurt by the last one because I was yelling at them and distracted her.”

Marlena smiles. “It sounds like you two have a lot in common. Should I be jealous?” John looks at her and knows the grin on her face means she is teasing. 

“I was actually going to see if you wanted to invite her over for dinner or something.”

Marlena sits up and looks at him as the grin leaves her face. “You’re serious. You really do want to know more about her.”

“I do. Do you mind?”

“Whatever you want, love.”

“You mean it?” John smiles as he takes Marlena in his arms again, and they make love for another hour before falling off to a blissful sleep wrapped in each other’s arms. 

Dinner at the Pub

It’s the day after my workout with John and my phone rings. I look at it and it’s him. I’m really surprised and a bit nervous to be hearing from him so soon. We’d already agreed on our next workout day, so I’m curious why he’s calling. 

“Hello.”

“Hi Elizabeth, this is John Black.”

“Hi John. What can I do for you?”

“Well, Doc and I were wondering if you’d like to come over for dinner this weekend.”

“Oh, really?” This is a real surprise. I know they’re very protective when it comes to strangers, so it’s unsettling that he’s so interested. And I know he’s the one interested, or it would have been Marlena that called. 

“Yeah. I got the impression at the gym yesterday that you don’t have family in Salem, or a lot of connections here. Doc and I thought it would be the neighborly thing to do to invite you over. Plus, I told you at the hospital that I kind of feel responsible for you now.” 

I am both excited and scared at the thought of socializing with John and Marlena. I would love to spend time with them not out in public, but the more time I spend with John in a personal way increases the chances he might begin to remember me. That is the last thing I want, because I can’t risk anything happening to him.

“That would be really great, John, but I’m afraid I have plans this weekend.”

“I haven’t even said when,” John replies. He is always one step ahead of everyone. I have to step up my game.

“Ok, when?”

“Saturday night?”

“That’s exactly when I have plans.” I can see him smiling through the phone. 

“Ok, so you don’t want to have dinner with us. May I ask why?”

“John, I appreciate the fact that you feel responsible for me, but as I’ve told you, I’m a big girl, and I’ve taken care of myself for quite a long time.”

“No, I know you can easily take care of yourself. I saw that very well in the park. I just thought you might want to spend some time with people who would like to spend time with you.” 

Great. Nice play, John. Way to put the guilt on me. Ok, you win, this time. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to seem rude. You’re being very kind asking me to dinner with you and Marlena. Where and what time Saturday?”

“How about the Brady Pub, 6:30?”

“I’ll see you there.”

Saturday arrives and I’m seriously nervous. Corrie is angry at me, David is concerned about enough protection, and I’ve had a major issue with one of my businesses all day. This is not a good night to go out but cancelling on them just makes things worse. So, I work hard to make sure everything is safe for this evening, even putting two more security guards on detail, just to satisfy Corrie and David, and I head out. 

John and Marlena arrive a little early and are waiting for me on the bench outside the Pub. As I walk up, they stand up together and smile at me. “Long time, no see,” I say to Marlena. 

She laughs and gives me a polite hug hello. “How’ve you been? How’s your leg doing?”

“Oh, it’s healing up pretty well, thanks. I don’t think it was as bad as everyone at the hospital let on anyway.”

“I hope you’re hungry,” John says. “They have some great pasta here, and the sandwiches are good, too.”

“Great! I’m starving.” We walk in and suddenly, their faces fall. I can’t imagine what awful thing is going on. 

“Oh, God, I forgot she was here.” John groans.

“Let’s go somewhere else, quickly, before she sees us.” Marlena says.

“Dr. Marlena Evans!!” I hear someone squeal from across the pub. I look to see a woman with Marlena’s face barreling towards us. Oh, God, it’s Hattie Adams.

“Dr. Evans, I’m so glad to see you!”

“Hi Hattie,” Marlena forces a smile, “I forgot Roman hired you to work here.”

“Yeah, he’s such a sweetheart! Man, I can’t tell you how GREAT it’s been, getting to see that handsome mug every day!”

“I bet,” Marlena says, a polite grin covering her grimacing face. It’s so funny to me that Hattie has such a crush on Marlena’s ex-husband, especially since she looks exactly like Marlena. “So, can we sit down?” 

“Yeah, sure, sit anywhere. It’s dead here tonight. ‘Course, it’s usually dead here every night. If you ask me, I don’t know how Roman even stays in business. But I’m not complainin’. Just means I get to see more of him! Hey, who’s your friend?”

“Oh, I’m sorry, Hattie, this is Elizabeth Ashe,” John tells her.

“Hey, how’s it going?” Hattie asks as she sticks out her hand. 

“Great, thanks,” I say as I shake her hand. It’s a little sweaty and a good bit sticky so I have to wipe my hand on my pant leg afterwards, but I try to hide it to be polite. I have known about Hattie for years, and how Stefano gave her plastic surgery to look like Marlena, so she could take her place. But John and Marlena don’t know that I do. That’s a story for another time. But her in-your-face personality and lack of filter about anything she says is just a hoot. She’s the total opposite of Marlena. 

“We’ll just have a seat over here. Come on.” John motions to a table over towards the bar and Marlena and I walk that way. I head for the seat where my back will be to the door, as years of habit have trained me to do that without thinking. Unfortunately, that is exactly the seat that John heads for as well. I realize this too late, and I can see him look a bit quizzically at me. I shouldn’t be trained that way, at least as far as he knows, so I stop myself just before I sit down. I end up sitting opposite of him. I guess I can trust that John will see anything coming.

Hattie brings us menus and glasses of water. I instinctively touch my finger in the water because I always wear a clear polish that can detect if any drugs are present in the water. Again, it’s an instinct from years of habit, and of course John notices. I try to explain so it seems reasonable. “A few years ago, a guy in a bar tried to put something in my drink. I guess it made me a little paranoid.” 

“That’s understandable,” Marlena says. She looks at John as if to say, “Stop reading too much into everything.” He says nothing and starts to look at his menu.

After a few minutes, Hattie comes back and says, “So what do you guys want?” As we order, she gives us commentary on each item. For Marlena’s Chicken Parmesan, she says, “Oh, that’s a good one. I had that yesterday and it was really good.” With John’s Four Alarm Chili, it’s, “Yeah that’s a little too spicy for my taste. But I guess it’s ok.” And to me, when I order the Fettuccine Alfredo, she says, “No, sweetie, you don’t want that. It tastes like crap. Why don’t you get the club sandwich? It’s my favorite. And besides, you can probably handle the carbs.” 

So, I order the club sandwich. She hasn’t changed a bit, and I’m trying not to laugh. I can tell this is embarrassing John and Marlena, so I make sure to tell them it’s ok after she walks away. “I had an aunt like her once,” I offer, which I didn’t, but it helps, at least for the moment. 

 John takes this chance to ask about my family. “So, Elizabeth, where are you from originally?”

I have this story rehearsed well, and it is the public story he will find if he searches for me. It’s also my story with the ISA in case he does some deeper searching. I’ve had this public persona established for a while, so everything should check out fine.

“Well, I was born in the South, thus the accent. More specifically, North Carolina. I went to school there and then joined on with a small IT company that provided managed services to clients around town. Eventually, I opened my own business and grew it a good bit for a few years. I sold that business and now I do private consulting, so I can work from home and do a lot of remote work. I travel occasionally on business, but mostly I’m a homebody.”

“So, you’re a computer nerd,” John teases.

“That’s me in a nutshell.” I’m smiling, and I hope this pacifies him, at least for a while.

“And what about your friend, Corrie, is it? Have you two known each other long?” Marlena seems to be politely curious about me now.

“Yes, we’ve been friends since we were young.” That much is true. “She and I went to school together and have been in business ever since.”

“Are you two a couple?” Marlena always gets right to the point.

“No, not at all. Neither one of us has had very much luck in the romance department, so we just live together. It keeps expenses down, and we get along pretty well, most of the time.” I grin at the last part, and Marlena chuckles.

“So how about the two of you?” I ask. “How long have you been married?” 

“Well, that’s a much longer story,” John says. We spend the next hour talking a little bit about some of their adventures, and I comment on how amazing it is that they seem to always end up with each other. Little do they know how hard I’ve tried to ensure that’s always the case.

After we finish, Hattie comes over and asks, “Are you all done yet? I really need to be somewhere.”

“But you don’t close for over an hour,” Marlena notices.

“Yeah, I know that’s what the sign says, but you’re the only ones in here and have been for the last thirty minutes. I need to get home, so I can order some stuff off of QVC. They have a special hour of half price body cream and beauty products at eight o’clock. I really need to get home for that, so, if you’re done, can you go ahead and go?” 

“Hattie,” John says, “we were right in the middle of a conversation. Can’t you watch it on the tv in the kitchen?”

“Well, I could, but it’s on the fritz. And Roman won’t buy another one because he says it makes us waste time.”

“Imagine that,” Marlena says slyly.

“I know!” Hattie exclaims. “Roman is normally such a great guy, but sometimes he can be a real pain in the ass.” Marlena’s sarcasm goes right over Hattie’s head. “But couldn’t you please go ahead home? I really need those things off the channel if I have any hope getting a nice guy to notice me. I’m not getting any younger, you know!”

The three of us look at each other, and John says, “Sure Hattie. We’re done.”

“Ok, thanks! Oh, and don’t tell Roman, ok? I’m not really supposed to be closing early.” 

John pays our check, and we walk out to the square. As soon as we’re out the door, Hattie turns the open sign around to closed and waves bye. She runs to the back and turns out the light and is gone.

“I’m really sorry about all that. She surely is a character.” Marlena is embarrassed, but I assure her it’s ok.

“No, it’s fine. She seems harmless and I’m sure she means well.”

“Well, I wouldn’t say she’s harmless, but she does mean well.” John doesn’t have as much tolerance for her as Marlena does. 

“Thank you both so much for dinner. This was so fun, and I hope we can do it again.” I’m trying to politely get home, even though I don’t want to leave, but I feel like I need to. There’s been too much personal conversation tonight, and I need to create some distance. 

“Oh, ok, well, I was hoping we might take a walk or something. It seems awfully early to say goodnight.” John is trying to prolong things, probably to steer the conversation back around to me.

“Yeah, I don’t think walking is a great idea. My leg is healing, but I think the workout the other day exacerbated it a little. I’d better just head home. But again, I really appreciate it and it was a lot of fun talking with you both. Take care, Marlena. John, I’ll see you in the gym in a couple days.”

“Ok, if you’re sure. Take care then.” John gives me a polite hug and surprisingly, takes my hand and lightly kisses the back of it. It was sweet and wonderful, and exactly how he used to say goodbye to me as a child. I look at him with some surprise, and a bit of nervousness on my face. 

“Yes, well, goodnight.” I slowly pull my hand away and make a mental note to put some real distance between us. Things are getting too familiar, and I must keep him from remembering anything.

“Good night!” Marlena gives me a quick hug as well as I walk away.

They turn the opposite direction and begin to walk. “Honey,” Marlena asks, “why did you kiss her hand? You just met her and you’re acting like you’ve known her for years.”

“I really have no idea. It was almost instinctual. I didn’t even realize I’d done it until she pulled her hand away. I hope she wasn’t offended by it. Maybe I’ll call and apologize tomorrow.” 

“I don’t think she was offended at all. She looked almost nervous that you had done it, but not offended. Like she was scared of you. But that doesn’t make any sense.”

“None of this does. But I’m going to find out what it is, one way or another.” They walk arm in arm back to the car and drive home. John is more determined than ever to figure out who I am.

I Gain an Ally

A month has passed, and despite my best efforts at creating distance, I’m allowing myself to develop a little bit of friendship with John and Marlena. Nothing else has happened that would make me think he is remembering me, and even though it makes me a little sad, it gives me a chance to be a small part of their life. I always keep the conversations geared towards them and off me to keep things safe. John and I work out three times a week since Marlena doesn’t like the gym. We’ve had a couple meals together, the last one at their townhouse. I had eight security on duty that night and planned it out minute by minute, but it went off ok. John has begun to share a little bit of his memory loss with me but doesn’t play it up too much. Marlena and I have gone shopping twice and went to a movie when John was out of town. It’s easy to see how very much they love and trust each other, and it is clear why they do. They are a formidable team, and I’m so happy they have each other.

Marlena and I are eating dinner out when I make my first mistake, though. John is again out of town and Marlena and I are eating at the Brady Pub when I let my guard down for a moment. Unfortunately, it is the exact moment when Kate comes over to visit. This is only the second time I’ve been in the Pub, and I’ve actually forgotten that she lives there. 

“Well, hi there!” Kate says to Marlena as she sits down beside her. 

I look up from my menu and exclaim, “Oh my God!” The look of revulsion on my face when I see her can’t be misinterpreted. I still can’t believe that woman WILLINGLY married Stefano and that Marlena is actually friends with her. 

A startled Marlena looks at me and asks, “What in the world?”

“Oh, I was just surprised, that’s all. I didn’t expect someone to just plop down there beside you uninvited.” It comes out a lot ruder than I intended, but I really don’t want to apologize. 

“Elizabeth, this is my good friend, Kate.” Marlena stares a hole through me waiting for me to acknowledge her.

“Hello,” is all I say before I go back to looking at my menu. 

“Well,” Kate says as she looks down her nose at me. “Nice to make your acquaintance.”

“You too,” I respond with a small smile. I’m trying to be polite, but Kate is someone I just can’t be polite to.

“Well, Marlena, I see you’re occupied for dinner, so I’ll leave you two alone.” She gets up slowly, clearly hoping for an invitation to stay, but I’m not going to let her have one.

“Thank you,” I say. “Nice meeting you,” as I give her my sweetest smile.

Marlena glares at me before smiling at Kate and saying, “It’s so good to see you, Katie. I’ll call you later.”

“It’s good to see you, too, Marlena,” Kate says as she begins to walk away. She stares at me as she says, “Take care of yourself.”

“Oh, don’t worry. She will.” I give her a look that’s somewhere between contempt and disgust which, unfortunately, Marlena sees all too well.

Once Kate has left, she lets me have it. “What is wrong with you? That was a very dear friend of mine, and you were exceptionally rude.”

“I’m really sorry, Marlena. I honestly didn’t mean to embarrass you and I apologize if I did. I just don’t have a good feeling about her at all, and I always trust my instincts.”

“Well, you need to do better about controlling your ‘instincts’ in public.”

“I will. Again, I’m very sorry.”

“What is it about her that gives you a bad feeling?”

“I really can’t tell you for certain. It’s just a feeling.” I can’t give anything away or she will get suspicious.

“That doesn’t make any sense. Is there something you’re trying to keep from me?”

“No, honestly, there’s nothing.” I need to get her off this topic because I don’t like lying like this to her face. “When did you say John was going to be back?”

She knows I’m trying to change the subject, but since the subject is John, she gives in and lets it go for now. The rest of the meal goes ok, but Marlena is not happy with how I acted. Her demeanor is a bit short for the rest of the time we’re together and I’m afraid I’ve really upset her. I’m also afraid she’s suspicious of why I reacted to Kate the way I did. That’s not a good thing.

Once I get home, I tell Corrie, and she swiftly chastises me again about how I acted. I realize it was stupid, but it’s happened and now I must figure out how to fix it. I can’t have John and Marlena both trying to know more about me, or I’ll have to disappear. And then, John might get curious about where I’ve gone so suddenly, and that could stir up all kinds of trouble. I decide to finally tell Marlena everything and swear her to secrecy. Once I tell her what could happen to John if he finds out the truth, I have no doubt she’ll keep it to herself. She has protected him and fought to help him for over half her life, and once she knows that it could cost him all his memory again, I know she will continue to do just that.

I call her the next day and ask to meet at my house for lunch. I’ve been very vague to them about where I live so I’m sure she’s interested. She agrees, and I get things ready. Security is everywhere, not that she can tell, and I have surveillance of every square foot for a mile in every direction. No one can get to us while she’s here. 

“You’re right on time as always. Please come in,” I say. I swing my arm out to direct her into the foyer. “Thanks so much for coming out here. I know it’s a little out of the way.”

She smiles as she comes in, admiring the furnishings, and says, “Oh, what a beautiful house. I love how you have decorated everything. And you’re right, it is very secluded.”

“Well, secluded can be a good thing.”

She looks at me quizzically but says nothing. “Let’s go eat in the dining room,” I say. “I have everything ready for us.” 

After a few minutes of chit chat, I work the conversation around to Kate. “Listen, I want to apologize again about what happened with Kate yesterday. I would never want to embarrass you in public like that. It won’t happen again.”

“Well, I must admit, it was unexpected. I know you said you had a bad feeling about her, but I’m still interested in understanding exactly why you reacted that way.”

“Honestly, it’s just very surprising to me that the two of you are friends.” 

“Why?” She asks. This is my chance, and I take it. 

I look at her very seriously and reply, “Because she was married to your mortal enemy.” 

Her eyes narrow, and she asks, “How do you know that?”

I reply cautiously, “Because he was my mortal enemy too.”

She freezes, a little afraid, very curious, and very hesitant. “What did he do to you?”

So, I tell her my story. 

When I finish, she says, “That’s quite a story.” She’s trying to decide if she trusts me. 

“Yes, it is. Do you believe me?”

“I don’t know.”

“That’s good Marlena. You need proof before you’d ever risk anything that might hurt John, don’t you?”

“Absolutely.” Her determination and loyalty to him shine through like a beacon. 

“Well, birth certificates can be forged. We can’t do a DNA test without revealing my identity to others, and I can’t reveal that. So, what can I do to prove it? I can tell you all about the island where you were held for five years, in and out of the coma, and how I helped you get out of there and back to John. I can tell you all about the gilded cage in Paris where Stefano took you, and how I made it possible for John to find the goggles, so he could see what was happening to you. I can tell you about Maison Blanche and the dungeon, or any of the other places John has been held or tortured. I can tell you about Crystal, the girl that told you John was alive all those years ago, or Rachel, and how I made her come out of hiding to help you and John. I can also tell you about how I killed the man who ran John down so Stefano could try and turn him into the Pawn again.”

“How do you know about these things?” I can see I’ve piqued her interest now. 

“Because I was there. And if I wasn’t there, someone who worked for me was. I’ve had a hand in so many of the ways John has escaped, or gotten out of situations that Stefano has put him in. I haven’t been able to stop everything, but I’ve tried to do as much as I can to keep him alive and sane and get him back home to you.”

“And how do I know you weren’t working with Stefano all along and you’re just here to get close to us now? Why should I believe anything a DiMera has to say?” She’s angry now and her voice is raised. I can tell she feels like I’ve betrayed them and the trust we were beginning to develop, not to mention the friendship they’ve shown me. I must make her see the truth.

“Ok. You’re right. Why should you believe me without proof? Well, this is the only tangible proof I have.” I go over to the desk and pull out my most treasured possession: my childhood photo album. As I hand it to her, she realizes what it is. She opens it, and gasps as she sees, for the first time ever, a boyish version of the man she loves so much. And then she sees the little girl in the pictures with him. A very small version of me. As she thumbs through the pages, small tears begin to fall down her cheeks. Seeing John’s past for the first time is incredibly emotional for her. And in every picture, we are smiling with each other. Our relationship becomes clear to her, but seeing John like this is tremendously poignant, and she is overwhelmed. 

“Do you believe me now?” I ask. 

“This is amazing. I never thought I would ever see pictures of John as such a young man. Thank you so much for sharing this. But this little girl has green eyes. Yours are brown. Who is this really?”

My final secret must be revealed for her to really believe. I use all types of gadgets to protect myself, but one of the easiest are the contacts I wear to disguise my eye color. John always spoke about ‘those deep green eyes’ of mine, and they were his favorite thing about my appearance. I walk over to the table to get my purse and pull out my contacts case. I take them out of my eyes and look up at her. Her eyes go wide with shock, and she lets out a small gasp. Then, with tears streaming down my face and hers, she reaches for me, and we embrace in the most monumental hug. I’m so relieved to be able to tell her these things, to share this story with another human being, especially the one who loves John so completely and is totally committed to keeping him safe. We stand there for the longest time just holding each other and crying. 

When we finally part, she asks, “Why are you telling me this? After all this time, why now?” 

“Because I know I can trust you. I know there is no other person on the planet who would protect John more than you would. I’m here because Stefano is dead, and I was hoping to have a chance at a more normal life. I didn’t intend for John to meet me the way that he did, if at all. But even though it’s happened, I must continue to protect him.”

“I can’t believe you’ve devoted your entire life to this and never told him who you are.”

“I can’t. And that’s the most important thing, Marlena. You can’t tell him either. Stefano told me that Rolf put a post-hypnotic suggestion in his subconscious that would trigger itself if I ever told him who I am. He CANNOT be told about me, or we might lose John forever.”

“What do you mean, lose him?”

“Remember what Stefano did in the lab? The last time he had John? It could be something like that, only the memory erasure might end up being totally permanent. I’m afraid what he put in John’s mind is something that will trigger a complete loss of everything, even brain damage. And we can’t allow that, can we?”

“No, no, of course not.” Marlena is beginning to grasp everything that’s at stake if John ever did learn the truth.

“Good. I’m glad you understand. If he begins to show ANY signs of remembering me, you HAVE to tell me immediately. You can’t risk waiting. And if he does start remembering, I will disappear. There will be no trace of me anywhere and you can’t let him try to find me. Do you understand?”

“Yes, yes, I understand. Where would you go if that happens?”

“The same places I’ve been since I was sixteen. You’ve never known I’ve been there, and you’ll never know if I leave. Where I go is not important. What is important is protecting John at all costs, ok? You guys just live your life and be happy. Leave the bad stuff to me.”

And then she smiles that smile at me, and we hug again. I now know I have another ally, and a fierce one. This was a good decision. 

Marlena’s Surprise

It’s been a couple weeks since I told Marlena everything. I was worried at first that she didn’t really believe me, but that couldn’t be further from the truth. We’ve talked a great deal about how I’ve helped them in the past, how many scrapes I’ve been in because of Stefano and trying to sabotage his businesses, and how I plan on keeping them safe for the rest of their lives. Even though Stefano is dead, Orpheus is still out there, and who knows what else. 

As I’m sitting in my office at home trying to get through some paperwork, the phone rings, and it’s Marlena. She says she has a surprise for me and asks me to come over. Corrie helps me get ready to go out. She’s stopped hassling me so much, at least for now, and she reminds me to be careful. I get there and give Marlena a quick hug as I come in. I ask her what’s up as John walks in. 

“I’d like to know that myself. Seems my wife has some big secret she wants to share with the both of us.”

I’m instantly on edge, but it’s all for naught as she explains. “Well, I know how much you both love baseball. And the Cubs are playing the Red Sox today at Wrigley, so I thought you’d like to go.” She waves two tickets in front of John’s face, and he lights up at once and gives her a hug, saying what a fantastic wife she is and that she knows him so well. I also know this is an amazing gift, but a thousand alarm bells are going off in my head. How can I be safe there? In such a public place? And I can’t take my pistol in with me, or my knife, and my security can only be around the perimeter, and…I don’t see how I can pull this off without giving everything away. But the idea of going to a baseball game with my brother and spending the day with him clouds all my judgment and common sense. I’m a giddy little girl again, and I want so much to be able to do this, but I know it’s impossible. 

“Marlena, this would be so much fun, but I can’t just take off like this. I just have too many obligations today. I really want to thank you for the offer, though.” 

She sees my fear and tries to help me be ok with going. “I know you’re busy, but this would be a way of paying you back for all the company you’ve been for me when John has been gone, plus it means I won’t have to go!”

“I really appreciate that, and you never have to pay me back for your friendship, but I really can’t.”

John steps in at this point and says, “I’m sorry Elizabeth, but I just won’t take no for an answer. I won’t have an opportunity like this for a while, and you are indeed coming with me. I’m going to change clothes!” He walks to the other room to get ready, and I turn to Marlena. 

“This is wonderful of you, but you know this is dangerous. Spending hours with me alone could trigger something in his memory, and I cannot, I WILL not, let that happen. You’re playing with fire here, Marlena, and it’s not like you. What’s really going on here?”

“I honestly think this will be ok. He’s not shown any signs of anything, and he’s been around you now for quite a while. If something was going to remind him of you, I think it would have happened by now. Besides, he needs a friend. He needs someone with similar interests to pal around with. Someone who has nothing to do with the ISA or with work or anything like that. A normal person who is just his buddy.”

“I am the farthest thing from a normal person you can get. I carry a pistol and a knife everywhere I go; I have a Kevlar vest on as we speak, I have four security guys at my beckoned call 24/7 and I go by a different name.”

“John doesn’t know that and doesn’t have to.”

“But being around him a lot makes it that much more likely he will find out. You know how smart he is and how he notices everything. I won’t be able to let my guard down for a second and he’ll see that. This is just not going to work. Plus, I can’t be protected at a public baseball game. And if someone did try something and John got caught in the crossfire, I’d never ever forgive myself. There’s just too much that could go wrong.”

“How would anyone even know you’re there? They’re going to send someone after you on the off chance you might show up there? Be serious.”

“I’m just scared, Marlena. This could be dangerous, not just for me but for him, too.” 

“And it could be wonderful, for you and for him. Please go. He needs this.”

John walks back out at this point and asks if I’m ready. Marlena smiles and says, “She just needs to go home and change.” 

John is ecstatic. “Great! We can leave from here in an hour. Hurry back and make sure you have on all your Cubs gear!”

I realize I’ve lost this argument, so I head home to change. My mind is racing and I’m talking to David over my earpiece the entire time about how to possibly make this work. He agrees that no one would think to find me at Wrigley field, and that is our only advantage. I make all the necessary checks and it seems again to be a safe day. Now to deal with Corrie. 

“You did WHAT???!!!” She is apoplectic and I’m trying to calm her down. “You’re going to get yourself killed and I’m not going to be part of it. You CANNOT do this!” 

“It’ll be fine,” I tell her, not at all sure myself. “David and I have worked it out. Jonas says the businesses are fine. Everything will be ok.”

“Except that you have zero protection in a place like that, or have you forgotten you can’t have a pistol in there!”

“If I can’t, neither can anyone else. I’ll be ok.”

“Yes, but will John? What if he gets caught up in something meant for you? Could you live with that?”

“John can handle himself. He’s proven it time and time again. Please let me just have this one thing.” I’m pleading with her for this, and she knows how important it is to me. She is the only one who could possibly understand what this means for me. And she sees all that on my face, so she finally relents. 

“Alright, fine. Just don’t be stupid,” she reminds me. 

“I’ll do my best” and smile as I walk out the door. I can’t wait to be with my brother at a baseball game. And I can’t wait for him to see that I’m actually a Red Sox fan!

Six hours, two beers, two sodas, four hotdogs, and a great road win for the Red Sox later, we make it back to the townhouse. I’m sunburned, I’m hot, I’m tired, but this has been the best day of my adult life. We’ve laughed the entire day, teased each other about bad plays by our team, cheered for our favorite players, and sung during the seventh inning stretch. I’ve never had this much fun. And John seemed to really enjoy himself, too. He was the exact same joking, teasing person I remember as a child. It’s so incredible that despite everything Stefano did to him, the real John is still there. 

We walk into the townhouse laughing and Marlena smiles at us. “Well, I guess this was a good idea, huh?” She is proud of herself for suggesting it and overjoyed that John and I have had such a good time. 

John says, “The best! Except the Cubs lost!” And he glares and me jokingly, as if it were my fault. 

“Hey, I can’t help that your shortstop made three errors! And that your pitcher couldn’t throw a slider today to save his life!” He wraps his arm around my neck and musses my hair with his other hand to punish me. I laugh and pull away and he grins. I can’t believe how happy this moment is and I look at him to try and imprint it in my memory. And then, I see it. He turns his head ever so slightly and looks into my eyes. There is a flicker of something there: a memory, recognition, I don’t know, and it terrifies me instantly. But he seems to shake it off and says he’s going to grab a quick shower. 

Marlena sees it too and comes to put her hand on my arm after he walks into the other room. “I’m sure that’s not what you think.” 

“But what if it was? What if he’s beginning to remember? Familiarity breeds remembrance, Marlena. You, as a psychiatrist should know that better than anyone.” I’m panicking at the thought that he might be remembering. I will not allow any harm to come to him no matter what. 

“Yes, I do, but I also know him and what he needs. This day was such therapy for him. And I can tell you enjoyed it all just as much as he did. He needs this in his life, and I know you have only the best intentions for him. I trust you to protect him. But you need to trust that I do know what’s best for him. And right now, things like today are what he needs.”

“I would love more than anything for that to be the case, Marlena, you know that as well as anyone. But no matter what, I will not risk his losing his memory again. I can’t allow that to happen to him or to you. I won’t.”

“I understand that too and I agree. But a flicker of déjà vu or whatever that was doesn’t mean he’s remembering everything. I’ve seen him do this before. I’m sure it’s ok.”

Hesitantly, I accept what she says. And then I give her a huge hug for the gift that today was. I thank her again and allow myself to feel, for a moment, happy about getting to be with my brother. If I did eventually have to disappear, this day would make it worth it. We make plans for dinner the following week and I leave for home. 

That night, as they are snuggling in bed, Marlena notices John has a strange look on his face. “What are you thinking?” she asks.

“Oh, nothing,” he says.

“This is me you’re talking to. I know when something is on your mind.”

He looks at her, knowing there is no way he can keep anything from her. “You know, Doc, I have pretty much given up on ever knowing where I came from, who my real parents are, or anything substantial about my past. And I’m ok with that, because the life you and I have built together, and the family we have built together, mean more to me than anything. You do know that, right?”

“Of course, I do. But…” Marlena knows there is much more to this conversation.

“But something about Elizabeth has caused me to wonder about it again. Remember I said that there was something I couldn’t put my finger on?”

“Yes, when you first met her.”

“Right. Well, this afternoon, for just a split second as we were joking around about the game, I had this flicker of a memory of a little girl throwing a baseball. I don’t know what it was, where it was, or who she was, and it may not have even been a memory of mine. But for some reason, it felt different.”

“Different how?” Marlena is intrigued now.

“Well, this one didn’t feel like the other memories I have. Like, the ones I still have of being Roman Brady growing up, or the ones of me with Princess Gina.”

Marlena stiffens a bit at the mention of Princess Gina. She hates that John was once with her, or any woman besides her, but she tries to understand. “What was different about it?”

“I can’t explain it really. It was kind of the way it looked in my mind. The memories of Roman’s childhood are almost like they’re on film or something. And the ones of Gina are all hazy and out of focus. But that little flicker of the girl, that seemed clearer somehow.”

“What was she doing, exactly?” Marlena is probing to see if she can get him to remember anything else.

“Just, throwing a baseball and laughing. It was sunny out, and the grass was green. That’s all I can remember.”

“And how do you feel when you see her in your mind?”

“Happy.”

“Then focus on that and maybe you’ll remember more.”

“So, you don’t think I should be worried? I mean, my memories are a tangled web of things that have brought us a lot of problems in the past.”

“No, I don’t think you should be worried at all.”

“What makes this time different, then, Doc?”

“Because it’s the first time you’ve ever remembered something that you said made you happy.”

John smiles at her, knowing she would never allow harm to come to him. “You know what else makes me happy?”

“I think I have an idea.” And they kiss and make love until they fall asleep in each other’s arms.

A Night at the Ballet

“Do you have the tickets?” I ask Corrie in a huff. I’ve been trying for two weeks to get these tickets somehow, and I must know today, or my entire plan will be a bust.

“Yes,” she says. “I finally got them. Now can you please calm down?” She knows I’m excited about making this work, and how much I really want to surprise John and Marlena.

“I’m sorry. I can’t help it. Is everything else in place?”

“Yes. I’ve confirmed with the caterer, and they are ready to go whenever you say.”

“Great! Now all I have to do is talk to the guys and make sure they’re all on board as well.” My heart is full as I prepare for the rest of my surprise.

Meanwhile at the townhouse, John is talking about how excited he is about the upcoming game. “I can’t wait for this one, Doc! They haven’t been in the playoffs for a while, and I’m going to plant myself in front of that TV. Nothing is going to get in the way for this one!”

Marlena is less than thrilled. A night in front of the TV watching a playoff game isn’t her idea of excitement, but she’s content to spend it with John. “Glad you’re so excited sweetheart,” she says with a touch of sarcasm John can’t hear.

“You better believe it. This is going to be a game to remember!”

The next day I make my rounds to talk to Steve, Abe, Eric, Shawn and Brady. I let them know I’ve got a little something planned for John and Marlena that I’d really like them to be a part of and they’re all on board. All of them are available to take part in my little shindig and are excited as well. I swear all of them to secrecy and plan out how to enact my surprise. 

That night, I head over to the townhouse. I know they are there, but I haven’t called ahead like I usually do. I want this to catch them completely off guard. I knock on the door and John answers. “Well, hi there! This is an unexpected treat,” he says as he ushers me inside. 

“Yes, I know, I’m so sorry for not phoning ahead, but I rushed over here as soon as I could.”

Marlena gets up from the sofa. “Is something wrong?” she asks.

“Oh no, no, everything is fine. I just wanted to ask you something.” I’m trying not to give anything away but containing my laughter at what’s coming is hard.

“Ask us what?” Marlena says.

“Well, it turns out that I have secured some tickets to the ballet in the city, and I was wondering if you would like to go.” I’m looking at Marlena, but John automatically assumes I’m talking to both of them. This is going exactly as planned. He is not a fan of ballet as I’m well aware, but I know he wants to be polite.

“Oh wow,” he says. “That sounds great.” He is definitely less than thrilled but tries valiantly to hide it. I’m smiling even more now.

“Yes, that sounds absolutely lovely!” Marlena says. She is very excited and asks, “When is it?”

“Day after tomorrow!” I exclaim. “I have been trying really hard to get these tickets for a while and I was finally able to secure them just in time.”

“Day after tomorrow?” John says as the polite smile begins to fade, and the color starts to leave his face. “You mean, in two days?”

“Yes!” I squeal. “I know it’s short notice, but it’s going to be amazing!”

“Oh, I’m sure it will be,” he says as the realization hits him. He turns to Marlena and says, “That’s the same day as the playoff game.”

“Oh, that’s right,” Marlena says. “What a coincidence!” She understands his meaning and is trying to remind him to be polite at my invitation. They don’t understand everything yet and that makes it even better.

John gets her meaning, and turns back to me and says, “Of course, we’d love to go.” He tries to sound excited, but he’s struggling.

Finally, I can hold it in no longer and I say, “Oh, John, I’m sorry. I was actually just inviting Marlena. I was only able to get two tickets and I didn’t think you’d really enjoy going.”

Relief and confusion appear on John’s face. “Oh, ok, well, yes, that’s fine.”

Before he can continue, I say, “Right, so that’s why I talked to Abe and Steve and Shawn and Eric and Brady and arranged for them to come over and watch the big game with you. You’ve been talking about it for a week, so I thought this would be a perfect chance for Marlena and me to go out and you spend the evening with the guys.”

His face begins to light up as he realizes what I’ve planned, but he doesn’t even know the best part yet. “You already asked all of them to come over and watch with me?”

“I did, and they’re all coming! And I also arranged for a caterer to bring some of those really great soft pretzels, and hot dogs with all the fixings, and nachos, and some really good beer, too. That way it will be just like you’re at the stadium and you all can pig out here while Marlena and I enjoy some time in the city.” I’m smiling now as my surprise is complete, and I can tell I’ve pulled it off. John is beaming, Marlena is smiling as well, and I’m ecstatic.

“I can’t believe you’ve arranged all that. How did you make all that happen?” he asks.

“Well, I thought you might enjoy it, and I wanted to do something nice for the both of you. You’ve been so kind and welcoming to me since I came to Salem, I just wanted to pay you back.” 

“Wow,” he says. “You’re really something, you know that?” And then he comes over and gives me one of those huge bear hugs. It’s completely unexpected, and I’m thankful he can’t see my face. Marlena does, though, and smiles her biggest smile at me. I almost tear up at being hugged so tightly by my brother, but I keep it together as he finally lets me go. “This is just great of you, Elizabeth. I can’t wait.” He turns to Marlena and says, “Did you know about this?”

“No,” she says, “I had no idea.” Then she looks at me and says, “But I agree that this is wonderful. Thank you.”

“I’m so glad you’re both pleased,” I say. “But I have one more request of you, Marlena, if you don’t mind.”

Intrigued, she says, “Of course. What is it?”

“Well, it’s been a long time since I’ve been to the ballet, and I don’t really have anything appropriate to wear. Would you mind going shopping with me and helping me pick something out?”

She smiles and says, “I’d love to!”

John interjects at this point and says, “Then let me take care of that part. Doc, Elizabeth, you two go buy whatever you want to wear, and get all the extra stuff that goes along with it, my treat.”

“Oh, John, I wasn’t asking….” I try to stop him, but he is insistent.

“No, this is my treat to you two. Marlena hasn’t been on a shopping spree in quite a while, and you both definitely deserve it. Go to the city, buy whatever you want and have a great time with it. My treat.” Then he puts his hands on both my shoulders and looks me square in the eye. “And I won’t take no for an answer.”

If he knew how I actually feel at that moment, he would realize I couldn’t say no. “Ok, you win,” is all I can say.

“Good. Looks like we’re all going to have a great evening!”

“Who’s on the detail tonight?” Corrie is hounding me about security the night of the ballet. She’s been going on for close to two hours now. I’m ready to scream, but as long as I keep my cool, I’ll be out of here in a few minutes. 

“I’ve already told you six times. Everything is in place. We are safe. Nothing is going to happen.”

“With John not being there, it’s your job to make sure she’s safe.”

“Yes, I know that. I’m sure Marlena is safe. Never mind about me though, right?” I’m grinning at her, hoping to ease the tension and her worries. 

“At this point, no, never mind about you. This is ridiculously dangerous what you’re doing, and someone is going to get hurt. Can’t you see that? You’ve never been this reckless before, especially with their safety.”

“I’ve watched over John and Marlena for years; I know how to keep them safe.”

“But it’s not been foolproof, has it?”

Flashes of my past failures creep into my mind—John getting hit by a car, having his memory wiped, too many other things that I couldn’t stop from happening flood my mind and I have to literally shake them away. “Bringing up painful and hurtful things isn’t the way to endear yourself to me.” 

Corrie realizes she’s crossing a line and she backs off. “Ok, I’m sorry. I just worry. It’s my job.”

“No, your job is to be my best friend and business partner. Let me handle the worry.” She smiles, and I know it’s ok. I’m ready to leave by now and I can’t wait to get there. I haven’t been to the ballet in years and going with my sister-in-law is something I never believed could happen. 

I head to the townhouse to pick her up. It’s mid-afternoon, but John answers the door in sweats and a t-shirt. “So this is what cavemen wear to the ballet, huh?” I ask with a smirky grin. 

“No, this is what cavemen wear when their wife and her friend go to the ballet, and he gets to stay home and watch the playoffs with his best mates. Come on in.” He looks very pleased that he isn’t going, and smiles warmly as I walk in. I smile at John as well, glad that he’s happy and glad that I’m going to the ballet with Marlena. 

“She’s almost ready. And by the way, in all sincerity, thanks for taking her tonight. She doesn’t get to do things like this a lot because it really isn’t my thing. It’s nice she has someone who enjoys it too.” He gives me a peck on the cheek and pats my arm. He has no idea how much more this all means to me, and how much I enjoy being part of their lives, even if it’s just as an acquaintance. 

“It’s definitely my pleasure, John. Marlena is an amazing person and I’m glad she likes having me around.”

“Well, that goes for me, too, you know. It’s nice we have someone with whom we can both do things. That’s kind of unusual, you know. Most people don’t like working out and baseball and ballet and shopping.”

“Well, I am a bit of a unicorn I guess.”

Marlena walks out at this point and is dressed to the nines. John whistles at her, acknowledging how beautiful she looks. “Wow, Doc, I don’t know if I should let you out in public without an escort looking the way you do. Someone might steal you away from me,” he teases her as he gives her a sweet peck on the cheek. The love and devotion they share is obvious, born out of years of being tested and torn apart by Stefano. But in spite of all his efforts to tear them down, he only succeeded in making them stronger. I smile inside at how futile all my hateful brother’s efforts were.

She smiles back at John and says, “Well, I can vouch for myself and say with assurance that no one could possibly steal me away from you.” She leans in and gives him a longer kiss this time, and then looks at me. “But as for Elizabeth, now, that’s another story,”

“That’s true. You know, we should work on fixing her up with somebody. That way we could double date!” John says with a mischievous grin. 

“Ooh, John the matchmaker!” Marlena laughs. 

“Yeah, that’s a definite no,” I say, before I can stop the words from coming out of my mouth. This arouses instant questions on their faces, and I could kick myself for being so careless. I feel so comfortable around them at times that I let my guard down too much. I’ve got to be more careful. 

“Now why would you say that?” John asks. “An attractive woman like you? I’m sure there would be lots of men beating down your door.”

“That’s very nice, John, but a relationship is the last thing I need right now. And It’s also sort of a once bitten, twice shy kind of thing, you know?” This seems to appease them for now, and I’m glad. “Marlena, we should be going so that we’re not late.”

“Yes, of course.” She turns to John and says, “Ok, honey, you and the guys have fun watching the game and we will see you later.” She gives him one more kiss and we walk to the door.

“The caterer should be here in about an hour, John, to set everything up, and the guys should be here shortly after that as well.” I’ve confirmed everything about ten times now, just to make sure everything goes as planned. 

“You guys have fun, too, and don’t pick up any strange men. I’m not gonna feel like beating anyone up tonight,” John says in his most macho fashion.

Marlena and I look at each other and roll our eyes. “We won’t,” she says as we head out the door. “Bye, love.”

“Goodbye, caveman.” I say to John, and he smiles as I shut the door. 

Our plane touches down about an hour later and we head to the restaurant before the ballet begins. It’s nice being dressed up and out in the city again. It almost feels like normal life, except for the knife holster around my ankle and the Kevlar vest under my dress. But I don’t allow myself to think about that as we have a wonderful dinner.

Afterwards we get to the theater and find our seats. I reserved a box, specifically for safety reasons, and I’m not disappointed. I have a perfect view of the entire theater. No one could possibly get to us up here. I check in with David and everything is fine. It was challenging finding a dress that worked over my vest, but I think he one I have is ok, and I carefully adjust the knife on my ankle so the handle doesn’t bruise my calf. Marlena doesn’t know all that, or she might be uneasy. She knows I have security, but she’s content to leave all that to me and enjoy the evening. I’m working hard to do that myself. 

“So how long has it been since you’ve been to the ballet?” she asks as we settle into our seats. 

“More years than I’d like to admit,” I reply. “I went several times as a child, but once I was on my own, there never seemed to be much of a chance.”

“I’ve not heard you talk much about your childhood before.” I smile a small smile. She just can’t stop being the psychiatrist. 

“I don’t like thinking about it usually. So much of it is just painful. But things like this remind me that there were some good times.”

“Such as?” She asks. 

One sweet memory comes to mind, and it makes me smile. “Music. You know, totally a DiMera trait. There was always music in our house. Stefano loved it, and he and Papa taught me at a young age to love it, too. I remember how they would sing together. Arias, Broadway, even folk songs. I remember being small and loving their singing, hearing the strength and beauty of their voices. I felt like they were so cultured and sophisticated, and I was so proud to be part of that family.”

Marlena can’t help but smile. “That does sound nice. If anything about Stefano can be nice.” She is right. Nothing about my oldest brother is nice. But for some reason, being here is bringing back happy memories. 

“Papa would always sing ‘Nessun Dorma’ or ‘La Donna Mobile’ if he were in a really good mood. But ‘Credo in Un Dio Crudel’ was always Stefano’s favorite. Makes total sense now.”

“I don’t know that one,” Marlena says. 

“It’s from Otello and it translates into ‘I believe in a cruel God’. It is a blasphemous rant against the entire Catholic creed. Iago sings about being a demon whose evil thoughts and deeds are prompted by fate. He also says that honest men are liars and actors, and that Heaven is an old wives’ tale.”

“Sounds like it was written by Stefano himself.” Her humor is right on pointe. We both giggle, which I guess is all we can do. 

“Stefano was nothing but cruel to all of us,” I remark, “but at one time, he had a great capacity for love. He spoiled me as a baby, before John came into our lives. He was fiercely loyal to Papa and our family, and he was generous to those he loved.”

“I’ve seen his capacity for love with his children. And during the time when he lost his memory, he and I were something akin to friends.”

“Yes, that was a bright time for all of us. Except when Tony died, or when we thought it was Tony.”

“Did you know Tony well?”

“No, he lived mostly with his mother and was a bit older than I. He did end up being a DiMera to be proud of, I think.”

“Yes, he did. He was even a pallbearer at John’s funeral.” She looks at her hands in her lap, reliving in her head that terrible, awful time.

“Yes, I know. I can’t believe how badly I missed what was going to happen to John. We lost somebody that time, trying to figure out what Stefano was going to do.” I’m somber now, remembering my biggest failure. “We knew Stefano was planning to do something terrible to John and we almost had it figured out. But a member of my security was discovered in the mansion and Stefano killed him. We didn’t know after that what was going to happen, and we were too late.” I’m looking off into space at this point, remembering that horrible day. Hearing the car hit John and then speed away. Hearing Marlena scream. Not being able to run to him. Killing the man that hit him…. 

I come out of my reverie and continue telling her the story. “We had Stefano on 24/7 surveillance after that. I was ready to take him out at any moment, and I was going to do it myself. At that point, there was no reason not to pay him back for taking John away from all of us.”

“That was such a terrible day.” I can see her own pain on her face. 

“We intercepted John before Stefano’s men got him, and we got Rolf to revive him, but we couldn’t get him out in time. We tried to go back after him, but we couldn’t get in. It was impenetrable. That’s why I sent Crystal to you directly. It was risky, but I knew I had to try.”

“You sent that girl to tell me John was alive?”

“I was across the square about two hundred feet away from you, watching through a camera and listening over the earpiece. I wanted to go myself, but they wouldn’t let me. I was too distraught still and I wouldn’t have been able to do it.” That was the only the second time I’d ever actually been in Salem.

“Unbelievable.”

“It was my fault he got hurt in the first place,” I say as tears begin to fill my eyes and I look away, not able to face her and face that truth.

She leans over and puts her hand on mine. “Look at me, Elizabeth.” I slowly turn my face back to her. She looks me dead in the eye and says with conviction, “That was NOT. Your. Fault. You got me searching for him. You made me believe that he was alive. You helped get him back to us.” I smile a weak smile at her and nod a bit. I made sure that was the last time anyone but David has been in charge of anything regarding John or Marlena. 

“You’ve done so much for us over the years. I’m glad we can at least have you in our life in some way.”

“I am too. Marlena, I really want to thank you. I haven’t had this from anyone else in a long, long time.”

“Aww, what’s that?”

“Friendship.” She smiles and me and pats my hand again. 

“Well, you definitely have that.” I smile again, just as the overture begins. 

John’s Nightmares

“John, I really wish you’d talk to me about this.”

“I have, and it hasn’t helped, so I think we just need to leave it alone.”

“But you haven’t had nightmares like this in years. And I can’t analyze what’s happening if you won’t share with me what they are about.”

“I told you, they’re about Maison Blanche. I think.”

“Yes, and I’m there with you?”

“No. It’s the first time. When Stefano first kidnapped me and turned me into the Pawn.”

“John, you didn’t mention that before. Why are you dreaming about Maison Blanche again after all these years? We found out what happened there, and you put all that to rest years ago.”

“Yes, I know we did. I believed we did. But it’s not the same nightmares or memories from before. It just doesn’t make sense, and I can’t remember enough of it to tell you. So, let’s just let it go and they’ll go away eventually.”

Marlena is not convinced and becomes more concerned about John. He seems happier than he has been in a long time, but for several nights they have been awakened by him having a terrible nightmare. He’s also talking in his sleep some, but often Marlena doesn’t wake up in time to hear all of it. She is determined to figure out what is going on and makes plans to record John sleeping so she can hear anything he says.

That night, she sets up the recording equipment before he goes to bed so that he won’t know it is there. She doesn’t want anything to influence him before going to sleep in hopes that he will have the nightmare again. She doesn’t want him to be upset by it, but she is determined to help him. 

The next morning, she is a little disappointed that he didn’t have a nightmare, but as she goes to reset the equipment, she realizes that something has been recorded. She plays it back once John has left the townhouse, and what she hears is surprising. John didn’t have a nightmare, but he was talking in his sleep repeatedly. He mentions dolls, and baseball, and riding horses with someone. He describes how they could “beat anyone” riding, and that she was a “green-eyed monster.” It all made perfect sense to Marlena, now that I’ve shared my memories with her, and she began to cry as she listened. It was almost like a play-by-play of my childhood, especially our last days together. She heard in his voice how happy he was and began to think of a way to tell him about it, and me.

That night, she sets up the recorder again and is not disappointed. John has a tremendous nightmare and wakes Marlena. She hears him scream “How can you do this?” 

“John! John, wake up! What is happening? Who is hurting you?” She shakes him awake and notices he is drenched in sweat. He finally opens his eyes and is terrified.

“No! NO!” He shouts. He looks around and realizes finally that he is with Marlena in his own bed. He is breathing heavily, and says, “Not again.” 

“John, what do you remember? Who was trying to hurt you?”

John looks at around, as if he’s looking for something, and then shakes his head. “Green eyes.” 

“What does that mean?” Marlena asks.

“I don’t know, but that is all I remember. Green eyes.”

It takes almost an hour for him to calm down enough to drift off to sleep. When Marlena listens to the recording the next morning, she realizes why it had been so bad.

John begins mumbling something about, “No…you can’t…why…can’t I see…” 

Marlena realizes this must be when John was first kidnapped and taken away after Papa died. John continues to be very upset with someone.

John continues mumbling. “I must see…she just…her father…why…doing this?”

John gets more and more agitated as the nightmare continues and begs again to see “her.” “Please…where is she…why won’t she come…I must see her…no, please…don’t hurt her.” Finally, he shouts, “Stop, you can’t do this to me! I’m your brother for God sakes, how can you do this?” At that point she stops the recording because this was what woke her up. Marlena is in agony hearing this happen to the man she loves so dearly. She has never realized the depth of the torture he has been through in his life and all that he lost at Stefano’s hands. 

Marlena knows at this point that these memories must be released, or they will continue to torture him. She realizes that, even if what I said is true, and John loses his memories, that she and I can work together to help him regain them. She knows John would want to know the truth no matter what the cost. So, she devises a plan to make that happen.

This is a Bad Idea

A couple weeks later, Marlena calls early in the morning and asks if she can come over for lunch. I am surprised at the short notice, but business-wise everything seems fairly calm today, so I tell her I’d love to. I know her well enough by this point to know that she wouldn’t ask if it weren’t important. I just hope it isn’t something bad. 

A few hours later, she and I are sitting down to eat. After some preliminary small talk, she gets to the point of her visit. “Thanks for having me over on such short notice,” she says. “I hope I wasn’t too forward in inviting myself.”

“Not at all. You sounded like you wanted to talk about something important.”

She looks at me for a moment and pauses, I assume to consider if this is the time to broach whatever topic she has in mind. “Yes, I do. And I want you to consider everything I have to say before you respond.”

“Of course,” I reply. I can already tell I’m not going to like what she has to say.

“First, I wanted to say how grateful I am that you went with John to the baseball game a few weeks ago. I know you were hesitant to go, but I can’t tell you how much good it did him. He talked for hours afterwards about how much he enjoyed it, how much fun he had, and what good company you were.”

“That’s so sweet of you to say. I really did end up having a good time, too.”

“I’m glad of that. And I know you’re very concerned that John never finds out who you are, because of everything Stefano told you.”

“That’s right.” Here comes the ‘but’.

“But I think you need to tell him the truth.”

“Marlena! You can’t be serious!” I’m incensed.

She puts her hand up to shush me and says, “Now hang on. I said I want you to consider everything I have to say.” She is right, so I take a deep breath to calm myself, and she continues. “Thank you. Now, I told you that I know him, and I know what’s best for him, personally and professionally. Personally, I think he needs a friend, a pal he can do things with. He needs someone who shares his interests and someone who likes to do some of the things that I don’t. Professionally,” she pauses here and takes a deep breath before she continues, “he needs to know the truth, the real truth, about his past. He needs to know where he came from and who he really is. I haven’t seen anything happening to him that might indicate he’s in any danger. There are no signs at all that anything is going to happen to his memory, or that his knowing you is any kind of risk. And if I know him, he would be willing to risk it to know who you are and possibly remember his past.”

She pauses again, and I ask calmly, “May I respond now?”

“Certainly.”

“No.”

She stares at me for a moment, a bit dumbfounded by my curt answer. “What do you mean, ‘no’?”

“I mean, no, I’m not going to tell him. I’m not going to reveal myself. I’m not going to risk it, no matter how he might feel about it. I’ve done everything I can to protect him for over thirty years, and I’m going to continue to do just that. If you push this, or call my hand, I’ll disappear in an instant. But all that does is put you and him at risk because I’m less able to protect you. So no, I’m not going to say anything, and I don’t want you to either.”

“Did you not hear anything I said?” She’s annoyed at me, but I don’t care.

“Yes, I heard everything. And frankly, I’m appalled you’re even suggesting it. I’ve told you what could happen. You’ve even seen yourself that it is possible for him to lose all his memories. Stefano made it happen after he ‘died,’ remember? So, it is possible, even probable, that the same thing will happen exactly as Stefano said it would if I tell him who I am. So why would I even consider it? Why would I want to risk brain damage to him in the selfish hope that he might call me his sister?”

“I really don’t think that’s going to happen.” Marlena is confident and tries harder to convince me.

“Can you guarantee it?” I ask.

She looks at me with that annoyed look again. “Of course not, but I know him, I know his condition. I’ve been watching for weeks for any sign of danger, and there is none. Nothing! If anything, he needs you to tell him. You must consider what this could mean for him and for you.”

“I have considered it, for more years than I can tell you. And honestly, I never thought I would have as much of him as I have right now. I can look him in the face, and he’s still ok. I can actually talk to him, not just hear him through a microphone. I don’t have to watch him over a screen, or through a telephoto lens. And it’s better than I ever thought it could be. Why should I risk what I have with him to get more?”

“But what if he could have his past back? Don’t you know what that would mean to him?” she pleads.

“Of course, I do. But Marlena, don’t you remember what it was like for you when he lost all his memories before? That was incredibly painful for the two of you, wasn’t it? You even divorced him because it was so painful. And why did you do that?”

“Because I wanted my John back, and at the time, that wasn’t who he was” she says quietly.

“Exactly. Do you want that again?”

“No of course not. But…”

“There is no ‘but’ Marlena. I will not do it, not now, not ever, and that’s the end of it.”

She sits back in the chair for a moment, obviously sizing up what to do next. After a moment, she smiles a tiny bit and goes somewhere completely unexpected. “But what about your John?” she asks.

“What are you talking about?” I have no idea what she means.

“What about your John? The John you lost when you were thirteen? Don’t you want him back?”

I stare at her for a moment. She can’t be doing this to me. This is my weakness, and she is exploiting it. I try to stop what I know is going to happen, but I can’t. Memories flood back in my mind full force before I realize it. Riding horses, playing board games, learning how to catch a baseball, all of it rushes in so quickly I’m unprepared for its affect. I’m caught off guard and must get away from her, so I stand up and walk over to the window to look out into the garden. “I don’t know what you mean,” I say to the trees. “I have more of him than I’ve ever had and I’m grateful.”

“That’s not true. You don’t have your John back. And believe me, I know how that feels.”

I turn back to her, hoping she stops this. “You have no idea how I feel.”

She stands up and slowly walks towards me. “Oh yes, I do. After he died, and Stefano stole his identity again, I went through the same thing you’re going through now. So I know how it feels to look into those eyes and see nothing there for you. No love, no affection, no recognition. I know how painful that is. I also know how it feels to see something of the person that was there, and maybe even notice some feelings, but they’re not what they were. And he’s not who he was. It’s him, but not him at the same moment. I know how painful that is, too. That’s what you’ve been living. For thirty years, you’d only had him through a lens or across a screen, and that was excruciating. But now, he’s right there. Right in front of you. And he doesn’t know you. He likes you; he enjoys your company. But he doesn’t know you, who you really are, what you’ve done for him all these years, or what you meant to each other. I know EXACTLY how painful all of that is.”

She’s just inches away from me now and I’m trying very hard to hold on to my composure and not give away everything I’m feeling. She’s touching on very sensitive nerves; pain and hurt that go back a lifetime, and I must gain control of this before I lose it completely. I turn back towards the garden and my voice is shaking when I say, “Stop shrinking me, Marlena, it won’t work.”

“I’m not shrinking you, I’m trying to help you, and John.”

My fear at having to relive these memories again begins to rise. I turn again to face her. “No, you’re trying to shrink me and make me believe that everything can just go back to how it was when I was a kid. And it can’t. Nothing can ever be the same. Not after what Stefano did to him. Not after what John’s been through and not after what I’ve….” 

I stop short there because I don’t want to give her leverage for more questions. I turn back to the garden and hope she leaves it alone, but of course she doesn’t. She hears everything I didn’t say and understands now how to break me. She gently puts her hand on my arm and says, “Tell me what you’ve been through.” 

Her voice is calm and soothing, and so trustworthy I can’t fight it. I’m faltering now, and it makes me angry. I turn back to her with more force than I intend and begin walking slowly towards her without realizing it, making her walk backwards as I go. “I said stop shrinking me, Marlena. No offense, but I’ve already seen a bunch of shrinks a hell of a lot better than you, and I dealt with all of this a long time ago, so leave it alone!” I’m now screaming in her face as she stands with her back to the wall. I don’t notice that I’m yelling until it’s too late. I’ve lost control and revealed too much.

Unfazed, she stands there as I nervously back away. She puts her hands gently on my shoulders. I look at her caring face, and she smiles just a bit. Slowly and quietly, she says again, “Tell me what you’ve been through.” 

Tears well up in my eyes and spill down my face. I can’t fight her anymore. I can’t fight the pain, the guilt, and the memories. “I can’t,” I whisper, as I look at the floor. “I can’t say all of it out loud again, I just can’t.” 

“I can help you through it. And John can help you through it. Can’t you see how healing it would be for you to finally be relieved of the guilt you’ve carried for so long? You don’t have to carry it anymore. It wasn’t your fault. What Stefano did to John, and ultimately to you, wasn’t your fault.”

I pull away from her and bury my face in my hands as the argument with Stefano all those years ago rings in my head and I begin to tremble. I’m a mess now, and she guides me back to a chair. So many memories of so many bad things are right there:  John’s death, beatings from Orpheus, arguments with Stefano, people dying, me killing the hitman. How can I possibly explain it all to her? 

“It is my fault,” I say to her finally. “I loved John more than Stefano, and that was a cardinal sin. It was the ultimate betrayal to Stefano, and I knew it, but I did it anyway. I crossed the line, and Stefano punished him because of it, so that he could punish me. It was all my fault, and I can’t ever take it back. I can’t ever repay John for all that Stefano took from him. I can’t.”

“But you can repay him. You can give it back to him. You can give him his past, his identity, his name, his sister, everything, if you just tell him who you are and all that you know.”

I look up at her, this woman who loves John more than life itself, and a small glimmer of hope starts to form amongst all that fear. “Do you think it might be possible?”

“I do. I really, honestly do.” She smiles at me so encouragingly.

“I’m so scared to even consider it, Marlena. There’s so much that could go wrong.”

“And there’s so much that could go right. Will you at least think about it?”

I sigh heavily as I try to regain a little composure. “I’ll think about it. But I’m not making any promises.”

“Ok,” she says, smiling as she wipes a tear from my cheek. “That’s enough for now.”

Don’t Let This Be a Mistake

The next couple of weeks go by and life with John and Marlena in it gets better and better. John and I work out together three times a week, we’ve gone to a local AAA baseball game, there have been dinners and lunches, and I feel like I’m almost part of the family. Before I came to Salem, I felt like I was living a life with them in some way, even though it was from a distance. I know now it was only a small shell of an existence. What I’m doing now is really living. Being around them and watching them together is magical. And being treated almost like family repairs wounds that are so deep I thought they were permanent. Corrie says she doesn’t even recognize me anymore because my whole outlook and demeanor has changed for the better. I’m much more optimistic than I’ve ever been, and I am actually thinking about how there could be a future to what Marlena said. I’m not ready to tell him yet, and may not ever be, but I’m thinking about it as I promised.

I invite John and Marlena to a nice dinner at the Salem Inn to celebrate a few months of my being in Salem, and they agree. It’s a chance for me to spoil them a little and to dress up a little more than usual. I don’t usually do a lot with makeup, but tonight I’m indulging myself a bit. Corrie helps me, as she is amazing with makeup, and she really makes my eyes beautiful. Until I put in my dark brown contacts, at least. I wish I’d had on a different pair when I met John, but it is what it is. Nevertheless, I am excited about going out tonight. I’ve made all the arrangements and worked hard over the last week to ensure everything is safe. Nothing is going to spoil this evening.

When I get to the townhouse, I hear voices inside. At first, I’m excited, but their tone doesn’t sound happy. I begin to knock, hoping nothing has happened, when I hear John say, “What do you mean my nightmares are about her?” Marlena replies with “John, you need to talk to Elizabeth about it yourself.” 

Instantly I realize that John is remembering something about me. I need to stop this conversation immediately. I knock on the door and Marlena answers. The look on her face is more serious than I would like. I try to move things away from whatever they were discussing until I can talk to her privately, but I’m a little overenthusiastic. “Hi there! I’m sorry I’m a little late. Are you two ready? The reservations are in twenty minutes, so we’d better get moving.” They exchange looks, and I can see that it isn’t working. “Is everything ok? Has something happened?” I ask hesitantly. By this time, every alarm in my head is sounding and my hair is standing on end. I know something is very, very wrong. 

“Sit down, Elizabeth,” Marlena says to me.

“But we need to get going if we don’t want to be late.” I’m trying hard to keep this light, but it is already spiraling out of my control.

“We need to talk.” Marlena puts on her cool, calm psychiatrist voice and I already know what’s wrong. John is remembering and I’ll have to disappear. I’m already planning in my head how to make it happen. 

“John and I have been talking about something that’s been happening to him. He’s been having these nightmares and dreams that I believe involve you. I’ve talked with him about it, but I haven’t been able to help.” She emphasizes “I” and I hear the insinuation. What is she doing? I never said I wanted this to happen yet, or at all.

“The nightmares have to do with you, I think,” John says to me. “It’s like I know you somehow, from another time or place. I feel some type of connection you, and I can’t put a finger on why.”

“Well, we do seem to have a lot in common, but if I’m causing something bad to happen to you, we don’t have to continue our friendship. I would never want to cause you any kind of pain.” I start to move from the couch, but he puts his hand on mine. The gesture startles me a bit, and I am frozen there, looking down at his hand gently holding mine. 

“No, on the contrary,” he says kindly, as he picks up my hand and holds it with both of his. It’s almost involuntary the way he does it, and I look up at him, trying desperately to hide all that I’m feeling. 

He continues, saying “I’m more comfortable with you than I’ve ever been with anyone except Doc here, and I just want to know why that is.” I try to keep my composure and listen, but his voice and vulnerability are making it impossible. “It’s not at all a romantic type of feeling; it’s almost fatherly in a way.” His expression changes, and he’s looking at me intently now. Even his voice deepens as he says, “But I know there’s more to it. I feel it with every fiber of my being. These nightmares mean something. Something about you and something about my past. And I have to know what that is.” His gaze is so intense I have to turn away from him. I must put up the walls of protection that he’s been beating down recently, that I’ve been letting him beat down, and remind myself of the consequences if I don’t.

Finally, I look back at him. I must be strong and stop this so I can keep him safe, no matter how I feel. “John, that’s wonderful that you feel so comfortable around me, but we just met a few months ago. There is no history between us, and there’s no reason for you to be having nightmares about me. We’re nothing more than two people who hit it off well and that’s all there is to it.” I hope I’m convincing him, but then Marlena drops a bombshell. 

“No, Elizabeth, that’s not all there is, and you know it.” I turn to make sure that was actually Marlena’s voice saying those words. 

“I’m sorry? I…I don’t understand.” She can’t possibly be doing this. I’m not ready. He can’t know the truth.

“You know what the connection is between you and John, and I think you need to tell him.”

Everything inside of me goes into overdrive trying to figure out how to get away from this, from them, from everything that’s happening. The day I’ve dreaded all my life has arrived, and my most trusted ally is causing it to happen. She knows what she might be doing and she’s doing it anyway, in spite of what I said to her. 

“I have no idea what you’re talking about, Marlena. And honestly, this is getting extremely uncomfortable for me. I need to leave.” 

I pull my hand away from John’s and head for the door, but Marlena stands too and holds my arm. She says quietly in my ear, “I really believe this is going to be ok.” 

I look back at her with total fear and panic on my face and whisper, “Please…don’t do this.”

She pulls me over to the table nearby and leans close to me, whispering so John can’t really hear. “He’s been having these nightmares for weeks now. He’s talking in his sleep about his past and it’s torturing him. You must tell him the truth.” I look at her, again in total fear, but also with anger. My mind goes back to the ballgame, and that flicker of recognition I saw on John’s face. Why did I believe her when she said it was nothing? Why didn’t I stop it right there? 

“You know what will happen if he finds out the truth” I hiss at her. “I will not risk it and I can’t believe you would either.” 

“I know that this is best for him. I haven’t seen any warning signs. But what I have seen is that every time he talks about you, or comes back from time with you, he’s happier and more relaxed than I’ve almost ever seen him. I’ve also heard his nightmares, and you must tell him the truth so that you can release him from them.”

“I will not allow him to be lost once again, to go through any more pain and suffering because of me.” I’m almost yelling at her now, but I don’t care. I want John to know that horrible things are associated with his knowing who I am, and I want him to fear them as much as I do. That’s the only way I’ll be able to leave this place and him. But all that anger dissipates in the next second. 

“Please, Elizabeth.” John’s voice is so quiet and small I almost don’t recognize it. “Please, if there’s anything you can tell me about my past, or what is happening to me, can’t you please just tell me? I’m willing to risk anything if it means knowing once and for all who I am.” I see the boy in him now, crying out to me from somewhere in our far-off past. His pleading tears at my heart until only shreds of it are left. I’m almost crying now.

“I can’t,” I whisper. I know I must leave before I do something we will all regret. “Please believe me,” I say as my voice cracks and tears begin to slide down my cheek. “I want to, more than anything, but I can’t. Please let me go.” I pull away from Marlena and barely make it to the door when I hear the name I’ve not heard in over thirty years.

“Lizzie……wait.” I stop dead in my tracks. I’m frozen in a state of fear, shock, joy, and terror. I slowly turn and look at John, not believing that he has remembered that name. My name. The name he gave me that I loved as much as I loved him. I’m waiting for all the knowledge of me and of everything he’s ever known to fade from his face, for the hell to unleash as I’ve always feared it would. But somehow, for some inexplicable reason, it doesn’t.

“What did you call me?” My words are barely a whisper.

“Lizzie. I…I just felt this urge to call you that and I don’t have any idea why. Please tell me who you are….”

“Tell him, Elizabeth,” Marlena says quietly but firmly. 

I look at Marlena pleadingly. “But how could we survive losing him again.” I’m barely holding it together at this point, too terrified to utter the words that will finally unleash the hell Stefano implanted in John’s mind. 

She takes my hands in hers and says softly but assuredly, “If it does happen, we’ll get him back, just like before, but this time we will do it together.” Marlena seems so sure. Can I trust her? 

I look at John, and then back to Marlena. I whisper, “I don’t know how to say it.”

“Then maybe you should show him, like you showed me.” I’m puzzled at first, but then it dawns on me. Could it work? If I show him, but I don’t say the words, could he possibly remember on his own and everything be alright? Marlena nods in encouragement. I look at him, at those eyes I’ve longed to see recognition in but never dared hope. He wants to know so badly. So, I say a silent prayer:  please God, don’t let this be a mistake.

I reach into my bag and pull out the contact case inside. Slowly, I take the contacts out of my eyes and put the case on the table. I keep my face to the floor because I’m still scared. Slowly, I walk over and stand in front of him. 

I whisper again, “Please God, don’t let this be a mistake,” and hold my breath. 

John puts one finger under my chin and slowly raises my head to look into my eyes. I look down for as long as I can, but when my eyes finally meet his and he sees they are no longer the dull brown but a deep emerald green, he stops frozen. After what seems like an eternity, a small smile begins to form on his lips, and tears well in his eyes. I gasp slightly as tears well up in my eyes too, and I realize what is finally happening. 

“Oh my God,” he whispers. “Oh my God,” over and over as he wraps those protective arms around me and pulls me in a tight hug. I begin to cry in earnest now, with the weight of thirty plus years leaving my shoulders. He pulls back and puts his hands on my face. “Oh, my Lizzie. My sweet Lizzie, I remember! I remember playing catch in the yard, I remember riding horses and playing games in your room for hours! I remember!”

Marlena is in tears now as well. She puts her hands up to her face and beams with joy. 

I look at John for the first time in forever as my brother, and I want to say so many things, but all the guilt rushes to the surface and I can’t say anything but “I’m sorry John! I’m so, so sorry!” 

John is very confused now. “Why, Lizzie, why on earth would you possibly be sorry! Don’t you know what you’ve given me?”

Suddenly, I’m that thirteen-year-old girl again, heartbroken at what she’s caused to happen to her beloved brother. Words and thoughts come flooding out in a rush of jumbled nonsense as I try to talk through the tears. “Because it’s all my fault! It’s all because of me and the things I said and because I loved you more than him. All the pain and torture Stefano put you through is because of me!” I’m waiting for him to realize that I am responsible for what his life has been because of Stefano, and to respond with the anger I deserve. But my incredibly forgiving brother, the one who now remembers me and the love we shared, hears me and understands.

He wraps his arms tight around me again and says, “No, sweetie, oh no, it is not at all your fault! It was Stefano’s jealousy and need for vengeance that caused all of this.” He pulls back and holds my hand as he continues. “That’s why he did the things he did. He was so sick and twisted with hate and revenge that he couldn’t stand to see how much we cared for each other. It isn’t your fault, it’s his. It’s all his.” He looks deeply into my eyes, and I almost believe him. 

I hold tighter to his hand as I continue to plead my case. “I’ve tried to make up for it, John. I’ve tried to protect you against him all these years, and make sure you got back to Marlena. I couldn’t protect you against everything he did, but I did try.” I want him to realize that I’ve tried to make up for Stefano taking him away in the first place, hoping that he doesn’t blame me or get angry with me when he truly realizes it was all because of me.

A small smile spreads across his face and he speaks to me soothingly. “Oh, Lizzie, I’m sorry you felt like you had to do that. But it’s all over now. Everything is out in the open and I remember you and us and how much I love my little sister.”

I begin crying again at those words, the words I’ve wanted to hear for so long, and he hugs me tightly. Marlena puts her hand on my back to let me know she’s there, too, and so happy this is happening. I can’t describe how I feel at this moment. Joyful, relieved, thankful, nothing comes close. After savoring the moment for a time, John pulls back and looks deep into my eyes again. Then he turns me a little and puts his arm around my shoulders so we’re facing Marlena. 

“Doc, I’d like to introduce you to my sister,” he says with a proud smile. 

She takes my hand and says warmly, smiling with a tear-stained face, “Welcome to the family.” I lean my head on his shoulder, close my eyes, and thank God for giving me back my brother.

Sami likes me

I have a special place in my heart for Samantha Gene Brady Reed Walker Roberts Hernandez DiMera. She has been through a great deal of pain and trauma in her life at the hands of my wicked brother, Stefano, from being kidnapped herself, to having her mother kidnapped and tortured, to thinking that John was her father, then witnessing her mother and my brother being intimate during their short-lived affair. None of this was her fault, and I truly feel for her. She’s been through a great deal, and it’s affected her so much as an adult. I really want to get to know her personally, especially because she has been such a thorn in Stefano’s side. The biggest thing I’m proud of her for is stealing my brother’s fortune. I helped her with that by making sure she received the letter EJ wrote her when she thought he was dead. I got it from Stefano’s house after we had put a spy in there. David had overheard a conversation about it, and we decided that we had to get it to her, so we sent in a few people and managed to get it out and in the mail to her. She took it and used the information in it to steal my brother’s fortune, about which I was overjoyed. It made my brother much less of a threat, to the point that John and Marlena were able to relax for a bit. Of course, it didn’t last long, and Sami unfortunately went back to EJ. But hopefully now they’re apart for good. I’ve added a few people to watch out for her and make sure she’s safe while she’s not in Salem. But John and Marlena said that Sami is coming home for a visit, and now that John knows who I am, I’m hoping I can finally meet her in person.

John calls me early in the morning to let me know that Sami’s flight is coming in later this afternoon. “Can I come with you to pick her up?” I ask hopefully.

“No, I think it might be better for you to meet us at the townhouse later. Sami doesn’t do well in public with surprises, and we don’t want to draw any unnecessary attention to you in that public of a place.”

“Yes, I guess you’re right.” I’m disappointed, but at least I will get to meet her today. “Is Sydney coming with her?”

“No, she’s got major stuff at school so she’s staying back this time. This is just a short visit for her since she’s been gone so long. She’s been a little homesick and she needs to see her mother for a while.”

“I’m sure Marlena is excited to see her as well.”

“Definitely. She’s a little upset Sydney isn’t coming, but with it being so short of a trip, she probably wouldn’t even get over the jet lag before they had to get back. And Sami really doesn’t like making her travel any more than she has to.”

“Yes, that makes sense. So, what time should I be at the townhouse?”

“How about three? Will that work?”

“Totally. I’ll see you at three.”

“See you then.”

Three o’clock rolls around and I’m anxious to get there. I’m hoping this goes well, because I know Sami well enough to know that if I don’t make a good first impression, it will take a long time to fix it. I knock on the door, and Marlena answers it. “Hi there! We were expecting you,” she says as she gives me a warm hug.

“Hope I’m not too early,” I say to her and John as I walk in.

“Nope, right on time,” John says as he gives me a peck on the back of my hand. Sami is on the other side of the room, and I can see by the look on her face, she is a bit confused. I’m sure they haven’t told her anything about me, and a complete stranger coming in and being so welcomed by her mom and stepdad is disconcerting to her. She is very protective of them and very volatile if provoked, so I really hope this goes smoothly.

“Sami, I want to introduce you to someone.” He puts his arm around my shoulders and turns around to face Sami. “Sami, this is Elizabeth Ashe. She’s….”

“John,” Marlena interrupts, “shouldn’t we do this a little more slowly? For Sami’s sake?”

John looks at her, then back at Sami, and realizes she’s right. Just blurting out that I’m his sister will be a little too much of a shock to her, especially since that means I’m a DiMera as well, and I know her feelings about the DiMera’s. She will instantly be suspicious of me and untrusting, so I more than anyone want to make sure she understands that I’m not like them and that all I want is to keep all of us safe. “You’re right as usual, Doc,” he says to her. “So why don’t you tell her?”

“Tell me what? What’s going on here, Mom?” Sami is curious now, and I can see her defensive radar is already up. 

“Sami, come sit down.” Marlena directs her to the sofa. She sits down hesitantly, and I sit also with Marlena in between us. John sits in the chair next to the sofa beside Sami. “I have something to tell you that will be pretty surprising for you. I know it was a surprise for John and me.” Marlena looks back at me and smiles. I smile back at her and at Sami, hoping to convey that I’m no threat to anyone.

“What is it?” Sami asks.

“Well, let me start at the beginning. A few months ago, John saw Elizabeth being attacked in the park. Three men were trying to hurt her, and he scared them off.”

“She was doing ok by herself, if the truth be told, I just came along at the end of it,” John chimes in.

“Anyway, she got cut on the leg by one of them and ended up fainting in John’s arms. He made sure she got to the hospital to get checked out, and a few days later, we ran into her in the Square. John had told me he felt this need to protect her, and I told him it was probably because he had rescued her in the park, but he kept feeling like there was more to it.” I’m watching Sami’s face for any sign of trouble, but for now she’s just politely listening. 

John continues with the story. “So, we asked her to spend some time with us, doing social things, dinner, a baseball game, you know, stuff like that. And the more time we spent, the more comfortable I began to feel around her. It was almost like I knew her somehow, but I just couldn’t figure it out.”

Marlena continues. “Eventually, Elizabeth shared something with me about herself, and I finally convinced her to share it with John. She was scared at first, because she’d always been told that if she did share this information, it might be harmful to John. But I convinced her it would be ok.”

“Mom, why are you telling me this? Is this woman a threat to us somehow? Is something wrong? Is she trying to hurt you or John?” Sami is getting very worked up now, and I can tell she’s getting ready to erupt, so I try to intervene.

“No, that’s not it at all.” I tell her. “I would never, ever hurt John or your mother. Actually, I’ve spent the majority of my life trying to protect them.”

“Protect them? Mom, what’s she talking about?” Sami is getting flustered, so Marlena gets to the point.

“Sami, it turns out that Elizabeth is John’s sister.”

“His sister? How?”

“She is his half-sister, on the DiMera side.”

“DIMERA!!” Sami jumps up, completely out of control. “Why would you ever believe that a DiMera wouldn’t harm you, Mom? How could you possibly ever trust any of them! You know what they’ve done to us! To all of us!” She’s lunging towards me now and I back away as Marlena gets up and tries to calm her.

“Samantha Gene LOOK AT ME! Stefano threw her out of their house when she was sixteen years old. She was trying to help John even back then after Stefano first kidnapped him and made him think he was your daddy. He sent her away, and then tried to have her killed when she got old enough to sue for her inheritance. Does that sound like she’s working with Stefano?”

“How can you possibly believe anything a DiMera has to say, Mom? After everything that’s happened to us because of them!” Sami is enraged and ready to lash out at me because of her fear of my brother. I don’t blame her at all. I’m just hoping she will listen.

“Because she’s done everything she could to keep those things from happening, and to get John or me back to each other for almost thirty years. Sami stop this!” Marlena is holding on to Sami with all her might and trying to get her to focus on what she’s saying, but she’s having difficulty.

“How do you know? How do you know this isn’t all just some huge DiMera scheme to worm her way into our family so that she can destroy us from within?”

John stands up at this point and says, “Because I remember her.”

Sami stops fighting for a moment and looks at him skeptically. “What do you mean you remember her?”

“I mean I remember her as a child. I remember playing with her in her room. I remember teaching her how to play baseball in the yard. I remember naming her ‘Lizzie,’ and I remember how much we cared about each other.” He smiles a gentle smile at me, and I smile back. I still can’t believe he remembers me, and that it turned out ok.

“So, her coming here gave you part of your memory back?” She looks at me now not out of control, but still with a bit of doubt.

“Yes. I don’t remember everything about my life before I came to Salem, but I remember her. And I remember that part of it. I remember our father, and I even remember Stefano.”

“But wait, I thought that Stefano wasn’t actually your brother. I thought that you found out all that stuff Colleen told us was a lie, that the adoption agency made it all up.”

“Yeah, that was actually my fault.” I need to chime into the conversation now and explain what I did. “I didn’t want John to know that he was Stefano’s brother. I didn’t want him to feel like he was a part of that terrible family, and I didn’t want him to remember me or anything about that time and possibly lose all his memories forever.”

“Why would remembering you make him lose all his memories? If he remembers you now, why hasn’t he already lost them?” Sami is calming down, but still confused.

“I don’t know why. Stefano told me when he disowned me that he had Rolf put a post-hypnotic suggestion into John’s mind that would destroy all his memories if he ever discovered my real identity. He told me that John would lose them permanently if I ever told him about myself, and I believed him this whole time. And after what he did to John in the lab the last time, putting all his memories on a CD and robbing him of his identity, I knew he had the technology to do it. So, that’s when I decided to make sure John wouldn’t find out who he really was.”

“You allowed him to be kidnapped and put in danger, all because you didn’t want him to know Stefano was his brother?” Sami is becoming angry again.

“Yes, but he was always under my protection. He was never in any danger. I had hired Eduardo to tell John that he knew about his past from Winterthorn and make it seem like the Robicheaux’s were his parents. I didn’t know he was going to do everything else he did, but I had to do something drastic to make him and Stefano believe John wasn’t really a DiMera. Stefano never really believed what Papa said, about John being his, anyway. This just made it seem more plausible.”

“And you’re ok with that, John?” Sami turns to him to see what he has to say. 

“Yes, I am. I know what she did, and why she did it, and I know countless other things she has done throughout her life to try and protect me and save me and your mother from Stefano’s ploys. I trust her completely, and so does your mother.”

“Wow, that’s pretty amazing, coming from you.” Sami knows the incredible depth of John’s love and trust for Marlena, and his saying that he trusts me so much is high praise for me, and Sami knows it. She looks over at me with a completely different expression now. Slowly, Sami walks towards me and asks, “So you’ve kept John and my mom safe all these years?”

“Well, I haven’t always been successful, as you know, but I have tried.”

Marlena puts her hands on the back of Sami’s shoulders and leans in to tell her, “She’s the one that finally got me out of that coma so many years ago.” Sami eyes widen as she looks at Marlena over her shoulder and then back at me. Her mother was gone from her for almost five years and realizing that I’m the one who finally got her off that island makes a huge impression on her.

“That was you?” she asks quietly.

“Well, I wish it had been sooner. I worked for over two years on it, but we finally had a breakthrough once I got there.”

“You were ON the island!!” Sami is shocked.

“I was posing as a nurse for your mother. I stopped giving her the medication that was keeping her sedated, and she finally began to wake up. After that, it was just a matter of time, and some well-placed bribes,” I add with a smile.

“I don’t know what to say.” Sami is incredulous at all the news.

I walk closer to her now and tell her the thing I hope will make the biggest difference for her. “I’m also the one who made sure you got the letter from EJ with all the information about the safety deposit box. The one that had all the passwords and things so that you could take all Stefano’s money. I was doing the happy dance myself when all his money disappeared.” 

Sami is stunned. She can’t believe that I’m the one that helped her ruin Stefano. “I can’t believe you would do all that for me. I mean, you’re John’s sister. Why would you do so much, put yourself in so much danger, just for me?”

“Because you’re his daughter, in all the ways that count. He raised you for years, and he’s always been part of your life. You are family, Samantha. Maybe not by birth, maybe not by blood, but you are family, nonetheless. And that’s all that matters to me.”

Sami turns around to look at John and Marlena. “I like her,” she says matter-of-factly. They smile at each other. Everything is ok now, and I’m so glad. She will be as fierce an ally to me as her mother. 

She turns back to me and says, “Welcome to the family,” as she gives me a huge hug. “We’re a little crazy, and we’ve had our share of drama, but we’re family.”

“Thank you, sweet girl. I am so happy to be part of it, crazy and drama be damned.” 

A Run in With Kate

I finally decided to have lunch by myself at the Brady Pub. I am hoping this will be a quiet lunch since Marlena and John are both working. I’m honestly looking forward to it. Eating by myself in public makes life seem more normal somehow.

I go in and sit at the table farthest from the door, so I can make sure I am protected. I look up to take the menu from the server and I see my favorite person walking through the door:  Kate. She sees me sitting by myself and visibly rolls her eyes. She thinks I don’t see her, but it’s fine. The feeling is mutual. 

Since I’m alone, she evidently takes it as a sign that it would be ok to bother me. She walks over and says, as irritated as possible, “What are you doing here?”

“Well hello to you, too, Kate! What a pleasure to see you!” I say in my very sweetest voice. She can tell I’m patronizing her and takes the bait. 

“Where’s Marlena?” she asks coolly, looking around the Pub. “You two seem to be joined at the hip lately.”

“She’s at work and John is too, but she might stop in later if she can get away.” Kate is annoyed that I know where they are, and she sits down with me as she continues to press. 

“So, what is it that Marlena sees in you? I mean, she’s definitely smart enough to see right through you.”

“Excuse me—who asked you to join me, and what is there to see right through? She and I have things in common, John and I have things in common, and we enjoy each other’s company. It’s that simple.”

“You’ve only been in town what, a few months? Why would they spend so much time with someone they barely know when they have so many other longtime friends?”

“Gee, I don’t know, out with the old, in with the new?” I’m toying with her now and she’s falling for it. She glares at me for that one, so I know I’m getting to her. “Actually, I can’t for the life of me figure out why she would want to be friends with you.”

She is seething now. “I’ve been friends with her for a long, long time and some new interloper is not going to come along and mess that up.”

“Oh, I think you’re the interloper.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

This is my chance. I lean towards her and say, slowly so she’ll get every word, “Well, let’s see. You slept with her husband when she’d been kidnapped, married her ex-husband, and willingly married her mortal enemy, the man who tried to possess her for decades. Seems like you just keep getting Marlena’s leftovers, doesn’t it?” 

“How do you know all that?” She hisses at me. 

“I thought it was common knowledge.” I smile sweetly at her, and she is infuriated. 

She raises a finger to my face and says, “I don’t know who you are or what you want, but I have ALWAYS been Marlena’s friend. And your twisting of things that you know nothing about doesn’t change that. I would never do anything to hurt her or put her in danger.”

I look at her incredulously. “Oh, hello pot, this is kettle.”

“What does that mean?”

“It’s a euphemism for ‘you’re a big, fat hypocrite.’” She sits back and stares at me for a moment in shock. “Oh, I’m sorry, which word didn’t you understand? ‘Euphemism’ or ‘hypocrite?’” 

She looks at me with narrowed eyes full of hate and says, with a touch of evil on her face, “I’ll figure out what you’re up to. It’s just a matter of time.”

“I feel the same way about you.” I say with a sly grin.

This surprises her, and she backs up. “What are you talking about?”

“Oh, I think you know. It’s a joke that you would never put Marlena in danger. You’d sell out your own mother to Satan if it got you what you wanted. And Stefano was definitely the next best thing. He was a huge danger to her, and you married him anyway. If he came back from the dead, you’d probably give him a ride to the townhouse yourself.”

Her eyes grow wide at my last comment, as if I’ve hit on something no one should have known. Clearly flustered, she responds, “I would never hurt Marlena or John and I’d never sell them out to anyone. And we all know that Stefano is dead.” 

She is clearly lying, about what exactly I can’t be sure. But it’s written all over her face. I sit back in my chair and smile, not giving away what I now know. “Then I guess you have nothing to worry about. Now, how about you crawl back in the hole you came out of and let me eat my lunch?” She stands up in a huff and storms out the door. I can tell she’s shaken and a bit nervous. She’s definitely up to something, but I don’t know what yet. I will have to keep a closer eye on her.

Later that evening, I’m over at the townhouse helping Marlena with dinner. Actually, I’m cooking and she’s putting dishes away. “Where’s the garlic powder?” I ask. 

“Uhm, I’m not sure. The spice cabinet is…. maybe…. oh no, this one,” as she goes through three cabinets to find it. 

“Thanks,” I say with a grin. I continue cooking and she asks me how my day was.

“Pretty good. Businesses are ok, I took a nice walk this morning and no one tried to kill me, so, overall, it’s a been good day.”

She gives me some serious side eye, not being amused at my joke. “That’s not funny.”

“No, but it is accurate,” I laugh. She shakes her head in disgust and I continue. Hopefully I can lower the boom of what happened delicately, so she doesn’t erupt. “Actually, I did have a very informative lunch at the Pub today.”

“Oh, really, how so?”

I know she’s going to be mad about this, but it can’t be helped. She needs to know. “I talked with Kate.”

“And how did that go?”

“Well, it was not a meeting of the mutual admiration society if that’s what you’re asking.”

“I wonder why, especially since you made such a good first impression.” Her sarcasm tells me she’s still upset that I don’t like Kate. 

“I didn’t make a better second one, either.”

She stops what she’s doing and stares at me. “What did you do?”

I take a breath and say,” I think she’s up to something. Something that has to do with you and John.”

She smiles wide and begins to laugh. “Kate? Up to what? That’s ridiculous.”

“I don’t think so.” The look on my face tells her I’m completely serious, and her smile fades.

“What makes you think she would be up to something?”

“Well, because Kate looks out for Kate, first and foremost. She was married to Stefano once, which proves she doesn’t care about anything except power and money. And the only thing keeping her from going after him again is the fact that he’s dead.” And then it hits me. Oh my God! He’s alive. And he would need someone to help him when he got back to Salem. Who better than Kate? “That’s got to be it!” I shout.

“What are you talking about? What’s it?” Marlena is completely confused.

I start talking out loud through my thought process as Marlena stares at me, getting angrier at me the longer I go. “Stefano is alive and needed help to get back to town, and he contacted her. He probably made her some deal in exchange for her help, and she jumped at the chance. Oh my God, why didn’t I see this before!” I’m now pacing back and forth in the kitchen. “Stefano comes back to town, but he knows if he goes out in public he will be arrested. He contacts Kate, makes some kind of deal with her, she agrees to keep him safe and help him with his plan. Kate is hiding him and doing his dirty work for him!”

Marlena has been standing there, watching me talk to myself and pace the floor. I finally look at her, and I can see she is angry and doesn’t believe me. “You said yourself that all your investigations proved he was dead once and for all. I can’t believe you would even suggest something as outlandish as this.”

I try to calm her down, so she can understand. “Marlena, I know she’s your friend, and I know how loyal and trusting you are with people you care for. But sometimes, you allow those feelings to cloud your judgment where they are concerned. Sometimes, you are not able to see the real person; you see who you believe them to be. And that’s wonderful, and admirable, and one of your very best qualities. But I am a realist. I have to see things for what they truly are because it helps me stay alive. No one is above reproach as far as I’m concerned, especially someone like her.”

“What do you mean, ‘someone like her’?” Marlena’s still upset. But she needs to realize what a threat Kate could be to us, knowingly or unknowingly. 

“Kate is shrewd, and vindictive. She knows how to play hardball and how to make deals. She doesn’t mind getting her hands dirty if it means getting what she wants, does she?” Marlena contemplates this as I continue. “And maybe, all she agreed to do is help get him back in town. Maybe she is trying to keep him away from you.” I don’t really believe this, but it doesn’t matter if it makes her understand my point. “But ultimately, if she is in contact with him, that means he has at least a little bit of access to you,” I look her right in the face and continue, “and that’s dangerous,”

She looks at me for a moment, then at the wall, thinking about what I’ve just said. Quietly, nervously she asks, “Do you really think he could be alive?” 

“I don’t know, but he’s done it before. So, I want you to promise me you won’t be alone with her for the time being. If he is alive, you don’t know what he might do and how brazen he might be, and if he thinks he can trust Kate, he might try who knows what. Ok? Promise?”

Reluctantly she says “Alright.” 

Even though I think Kate is selling her down the river, at least I got her to promise to be more careful. “Ok, good. Now, let’s see if we can find the cilantro.”

John comes in at that point and sees we’ve been having a serious conversation. “I knew you were here when I smelled the food. Hello, my darling,” he says as he gives Marlena soft, slow kiss. “How’re you doing, sis?” he asks as he gives me a side hug and a peck on the forehead. 

I smile at him and say, “I’m ok, but I’ve just upset your wife pretty well.” He looks at me, concerned and curious. “I really am just trying to look out for her though.”

“What have you done that’s so bad?”

Marlena answers behind him as she is drying the dishes. “She thinks that Kate is up to something, and that it involves me.” She still doesn’t believe me completely and wants John to take her side. 

“Why would she think that?” John asks while still looking at me 

“I could tell how nervous she was when I asked her about it.” I know this is going to set off a firestorm, but John needs to know everything I said. 

Marlena slams the dish she’s holding down on the counter. “You didn’t tell me you asked her point blank! What in the world were you thinking?” She is truly mad at me now. 

“She told me that she had been your friend a long time and didn’t want an interloper like me coming between you. I told her that she was the interloper and had been getting your leftovers for years.”

John’s eyebrows raise in surprise at the audacity of my comments. He backs up a little as Marlena turns to confront me. She is now furious. “You said WHAT? How could you say something like that to her? You don’t know her! You don’t know what kind of friend she’s been to me for YEARS!”

“Oh, really?” I’m getting angry now. “So, the fact that she went after your husband when you’d been kidnapped makes her your FRIEND? And the fact that she married the man that tried to destroy your life and John’s REPEATEDLY makes her trustworthy? Marlena, how can you be so naïve?”

“Ok, ok, let’s just calm down here.” John steps in between us to try and put out some of the fire. 

“John, regardless of Kate’s intentions, which I think are all unscrupulous, if there’s even a CHANCE she is up to something sinister, it puts Marlena at risk. It makes her vulnerable. Someone could be manipulating Kate right now in ways we don’t even know about, and all I want is for Marlena to be careful.”

John mulls this over for a second and asks me, “What evidence do you have that Kate is up to something?”

“I could see it all over face when I confronted her with it. I know it’s not concrete evidence, but you know how well I can read people and tell when they’re lying.” I’m hoping that’s enough to convince him, too. 

John turns to Marlena and puts his hands on her shoulders. He says gently, “It wouldn’t hurt to think about what she’s saying, Doc. All she wants to do is protect you.”

“I can’t believe you’re taking her side.” Marlena is hurt and upset. 

“I’m not taking sides, sweetheart, and if I were it would always be the side that loves you and keeps you safe. But Elizabeth is very good at reading people, and, like she said, she’s just trying to protect you.”

“And I’m not? I’m not trained to tell when people are lying to me?”

“Of course you are, but sometimes you let your love for people cloud your judgment about them.” Hearing this for the second time doesn’t make her happy. She looks at both of us and relents for the moment. 

“I still think you’re both wrong, but I’ll go along with it. For now.”

“Fair enough, sweetheart. Thank you. Now, what’s for dinner?”

An hour later, we’ve had a pretty good dinner, if I do say so myself, and Marlena is not quite so mad at me anymore. “Well,” she says, “since you made dinner, I’ll do the cleanup.”

“That sounds fair,” I say with a smile. 

She grabs the plates and heads to the kitchen. Once I hear her working on the dishes, I turn to John. I want him to know my thoughts about Kate without upsetting Marlena even more. 

“John?”

“Yes, Lizzie?” 

A shy smile comes across my face. “I’m so glad to hear you call me that.”

“I’m so glad to be able to call you that.”

“You know I’m only looking out for Marlena, right? I would never come between her and her friends. I just want her to be safe.”

“I believe you, sis. And I don’t believe you’d aggravate Kate without good reason. What do you really think is going on?”

“My gut tells me that Stefano is alive and needed a contact when he got back in town. He needed an ally because he can’t be out in the open. He has a history with Kate, so I think he contacted her. And Kate being Kate, she asked for something in return.”

John is on high alert now that I’ve mentioned Stefano being alive “Wait, I thought you said all your investigations proved he was dead?”

“They did. David swore to me that he was sure this time he was dead. But Stefano has outwitted us in that area before. It is possible he’s done it again.”

“That does seem plausible. How did she react when you said you thought she was up to something?”

“Well, she was doing ok, but the moment I mentioned Stefano, something about her demeanor changed. She got really flustered and acted as if she’d been caught off guard. She doesn’t know how much I know about your history with him, so I’m sure it surprised her. John, you know she can’t ever know who I am. I can’t imagine what would happen if she found out who I was.”

“It would probably be pretty dangerous for you, especially if Stefano is alive.”

“Yes, it most certainly would.”

“Ok, I’ll look into it.” He reaches for his phone, but I put my hand on his arm.

“Already happening.” I give him a sly grin, and he shakes his head. I’m finally one step ahead of him. 

“You are annoying, you know that?” He throws the napkin at me, and I laugh trying to dodge it as Marlena walks back into the room. 

“Alright you two, break it up.” She’s smiling now, so hopefully everything is forgiven. 

“I’ve got to be going. I’m sure you two are ready for some down time.” We exchange hugs as I walk out the door. Little did I know how much things would change in 24 hours. 

Too Much is Revealed

The next day, John and I have finished our morning workout and are meeting Marlena for breakfast. I’m hoping everything from the night before has gelled in her mind and that she will stay away from Kate, but all that is for naught about ten minutes into breakfast.

“So, Kate called me this morning.” She says offhandedly as she cuts up her omelet.

John and I look at each other discreetly. This is not good. “What did she want?” he asks.

“She wanted to have lunch today.”

“Really? Where?”

“At the Pub.”

“Well, that’s a pretty open place, so it should be fine.” I say.

Marlena looks up from her omelet and says coolly to me, “I wasn’t asking your permission.”

John raises an eyebrow as he takes a drink of coffee. I respond quietly, “I didn’t mean to imply that you were. Just making a comment.” I’m not sure why she’s upset again, but I can guess it has something to do with the conversation with Kate.

“You made plenty of comments to her yesterday, from what she said. She was quite upset and wanted to talk about why you’re treating her this way.”

Great. Here we go again. “Marlena, I told you what I said to her, and I told you how she reacted. She is hiding something, like it or not, and you need to be careful.”

“She said you insinuated that she is hiding something that could be putting me in danger.”

“Yes, I told you that.”

“She also said you implied that you were more well-suited to be friends with John and me than she is and that she and I should break off our friendship. She was very hurt by what you said, and I don’t blame her.”

Now I’m getting angry. Kate is doing her best to manipulate Marlena and it’s working. “I never said I was more well-suited to anyone. I said we all have things in common, and that’s it. She’s playing on your sympathies to get more information about me. You cannot tell her who I am or what my relationship is to the two of you. If she tells anyone that I’m alive…”

“She is NOT. Hiding. Anything.” Her eyes are ablaze now, and I know it’s best just to stop talking. John has been strangely silent, and Marlena suddenly realizes it. 

 “Aren’t you going to say anything?” Marlena asks him impatiently.

“No, I don’t think I’d better,” he responds.

“So. Once again you’re taking her side. Well, that’s just great.” She tosses her napkin onto her plate and sits back, crossing her arms. “Your sister arrives back in town and within months she’s becoming more important than I am.”

“Will you keep your voice down, please, sweetheart. The world doesn’t need to hear our conversation. And no one is not more important than you are. But she does have a point, and she is only trying to protect the both of us.”

“And like it or not, I’m going to have some of my security at the Pub during lunch, just to be on the safe side.” She may be mad at me, but protecting Marlena is still my responsibility. 

“I don’t want a bunch of security guards sneaking around every place I go!”

“Marlena, tell me, how many security people do you see right now?” She looks around and huffs in disgust. She obviously doesn’t see any, and that is the point. “Exactly. You won’t even know they are there.”

“I’m going to have lunch with Kate today and try to repair the damage you’ve done. And neither one of you are going to stop me.” She gets up from the table in a huff and gathers her things. 

“Marlena, please be careful with what you might inadvertently reveal to her. You must keep my secret.” I am legitimately nervous now that she might let something slip to Kate.

“You’ll be fine. I just hope my relationship with Kate is as well.” She glares at me a bit as she puts on her coat. “I have to be at the hospital now. I’ll see you later,” she says to John, with a quick peck on the cheek as she leaves.

After she storms out the door, I look at John and say, “I’m sorry I’m causing problems.” 

“It’s ok. She just doesn’t want to see that anyone she cares about could possibly do anything on purpose to hurt her, that’s all. And she really doesn’t want to think that Stefano might me alive, either.”

“It is possible that Kate is not actually hiding something,” I offer hopefully.

“But you don’t really believe that do you?” One look from me tells him my answer. “I didn’t think so. Well, all we can do is be careful and try to keep her safe. She can be headstrong at times.”

“Really?” I say, quite sarcastically. He laughs. 

I get on my earpiece to David and tell him to move a couple guys to the Pub at lunch time and keep them on Marlena the rest of the day until she gets home. I hope it’s enough.

Marlena walks into to the Pub later for lunch. She is still fuming at me and determined to make sure Kate’s feelings are repaired. She sits down at her favorite booth in the back corner. Kate walks in right after and sits with her.

“Well, I’m surprised your little shadow didn’t usurp her way into a lunch invitation. Where is she, anyway?” Kate looks around the Pub, hoping not to see me there.

“I don’t know, and it doesn’t matter. I’m sorry, Katie, for the things she said yesterday. That was not something I approved of her doing, and I made sure my feelings were known.” 

They continue to talk until their food arrives. After a moment, Kate begins to work on Marlena. She wants to know more about me, and she’s determined to get information from Marlena, one way or another. “I can’t begin to understand why some stranger, who doesn’t know me and who barely knows you, would even begin to think they had the right to say those things. I mean, who does she really think she is?”

Marlena hesitates a moment, and Kate sees it. “What? What is it?”

“It’s nothing. I know it’s hard for you to understand, but she’s just trying to protect me.” Marlena feels the pressure to keep Kate from being upset but knows she can’t reveal everything. 

“Protect you? Protect you from what? Your friends? That doesn’t make any sense.”

“I know, but you just need to trust me that she isn’t out to hurt me or you or our friendship. She’s just looking out for me and for John.”

“But why? She’s only known you both for a few months. You’re talking about her as if you’ve known her for years or something.”

Marlena hesitates again. “No, we’ve only known her for a few months. But she is good friends with John and has really become close to him.” She’s getting more uncomfortable at the direction the conversation is going.

“In what way? You don’t think she’s trying to come between the two of you, do you?” Kate is immediately on the offensive.

“No, no, not at all. That’s not at all the issue, believe me.”

“But how do you know that for sure? I mean, why wouldn’t she want John? What makes you believe she’s so trustworthy when you barely know her?” Kate is really pressing now, and Marlena is beginning to cave. She knows she can’t reveal me, but she feels a great deal of loyalty to her friend and wants to reassure her that I’m not a threat. 

“Kate, you’re going to have to trust me on this. The whole reason I wanted to have lunch today is to tell you that she didn’t have any right to accuse you of the things she did and that I’m sorry she did that. That’s all.” She’s trying to put the brakes on Kate’s curiosity without saying anything more, but it’s not working. Kate is extremely suspicious and will not let it go.

“Marlena, you’re not making any sense. You tell me to trust you about some random woman that just shows up in town, that no one knows anything about, and we’re just supposed to take what she says at face value? That doesn’t sound at all like you. You are much more careful than that. I know there’s more to this that you’re not telling me, and you know I can find out.”

“Kate, you need to just leave it alone, and trust me,” Marlena says quietly. She is very concerned now that she’s said too much.

“Not when it comes to your safety. You don’t know who this woman is or what she wants. There’s no telling what kind of danger she could be to you and to John,” Kate says strongly.

“She’s not any danger to us, I promise.” Marlena is panicking inside now.

“But how do you know?” Kate pushes harder.

Marlena finally blurts out, “Because she’s John’s sister.” 

Kate sits in stunned silence. “What do you mean, John’s sister? How do you know this?”

“She told me so. She’s been protecting him in secret all her life. Stefano threw her out of the house when she was young, but when she got her inheritance from her father, she started working to protect John as best she could. She’s also been working to sabotage Stefano’s businesses. She’s even helped to protect me over the years. So, she is no threat to us at all. She’s enabled John to get part of his memory back, and for that I am eternally grateful. But for some reason she thinks you’re helping Stefano, and I told her that was impossible.”

Kate is still shocked. “But why was she so hell bent on ruining Stefano?” 

“She is his sister as well. All that we thought about John and Colleen Brady is actually true. But Stefano believed her to be dead, and if he’d found that out when he was alive it could have been very dangerous for her. You cannot tell anyone I told you this, on the off chance that someone else finds out her true identity. Promise me this, Kate! You cannot talk about this in any way to anyone, or it could have monumental repercussions, not just for Elizabeth but for all of us. Please! You must promise!” Marlena is desperate to make Kate understand how important it is to keep this secret.

“Yes, of course. I promise,” Kate says, but plans are forming in her head even as she is speaking. “I wouldn’t say a word to anyone. Your secret is safe with me.”

After lunch, Marlena heads back to the hospital. My security guys follow her to make sure she’s ok. If I’d been smart, I would have had them follow Kate. If I’d been really smart, I’d have given Marlena an earpiece so they could have heard her conversation with Kate and made her stop before she went too far. Unfortunately for me, as soon as Marlena is gone, Kate texts Stefano and says she will meet him in half an hour. She says she has some interesting news that might be of some help to him. He agrees.

Thirty minutes later, Kate walks into the basement of the DiMera mansion, very smug and sure of herself. She’s going to use this information about me to continue to solidify her importance to Stefano and have more to bargain with. She is also hoping to prove her worth to him so that he will see how much he needs her.

“So, what is this news you have for me, Katarina?”

“Not so fast, Stefano. We need to talk first.”

“Talk about what?”

“About what this information is worth to you.”

“I don’t have time for these games, Katarina, just tell me what you came to tell me and get on with it.”

“Oh no, this one is a bombshell. You’re going to need to make it worth my while for me to tell you this.”

“What are you talking about?”

“This information could be the thing that helps you figure out who has been sabotaging your businesses all these years.”

Stefano is intrigued now. “Go on.”

“I know who it is that has been systematically trying to dismantle DiMera at every turn. I know who has been trying to take you down, and I want you to make it worth my while to tell you.”

“What do you want?”

“I want you to give me controlling stock of DiMera Enterprises.”

“That is ludicrous. Why would I give you controlling stock of my own company?”

“Because I can tell you who has been trying to destroy you, and with them out of the way, there’s no stopping you. On any front.”

He gets the last meaning of what she says. It could even help him get to Marlena. “Who is this person?”

“Nope, not before you guarantee me what I want.”

“Alright, if it does turn out that this person is the one who has been trying to destroy me, I will give you what you ask.”

“Shall we shake on that?” As they slowly shake hands, she says, “Good. Now. The name of the person I’m talking about is Elizabeth Ashe.”

“Who the hell is that?”

“John Black’s sister.”

“John does not have a sister.”

“Oh yes, he does. Turns out all that information about Colleen and your father, when you thought John was your brother, is actually true. So that also makes her…”

“My sister??” He is dumbfounded. He begins to walk around the room, muttering to himself. “This cannot be true. I had her killed. I know she is dead. But how?”

“Marlena told me herself. Seems that she came into town a few months ago. John inadvertently saved her from three men in the park who were attacking her.”

And it dawns on him that it is true. He had sent out the attack on me because he had intelligence that his saboteur was in Salem. He sent those men through one of his lackeys, and he had heard that John had saved me as I tried to fight them off. That was why I couldn’t get the last man to talk. He would have died before he gave up that Stefano was alive. After what happened to the one that ran John over, he knew his only hope to live was to stay silent and hope we gave up, which is, unfortunately, what we did.

All the realizations about me come crashing through to Stefano at once. All the failed attempts to get at John, all the times Marlena and John escaped, all the help they’d gotten from somewhere to always get away from him, it was all me, and he knew it. 

“She always said I would never keep them apart. And it seems she has kept her word.”

“So, she is your sister?” Kate asks, not really believing it until now.

“Oh, yes, Katarina, she is. And she is going to pay dearly for what she has done.”

While Kate is having her clandestine meeting with Stefano, I am meeting up with John for a late lunch at the Salem Inn. I thought it best to stay away from the Pub for a while and out of Kate’s line of sight, especially since she might still be there with Marlena. I wouldn’t want her to think I was trying to crash their date. We are talking when David comes over my earpiece. 

“I have some news,” he says. 

“Then call me if it’s important,” I reply. One second later my phone rings. I answer it on the first ring and put David on speaker. “So, what is it?”

“We think Kate just went to see Stefano.”

“How do you know?” I’m instantly on alert and John is too.

“Because as soon as she finished lunch with Marlena, she headed out of the Pub and straight towards the DiMera mansion. Marlena left to go to the hospital and looked a bit distressed.”

“Oh, my God. Surely Marlena didn’t tell her,” John says questioningly.

I put my hand up to tell him to listen, and David continues. “I don’t know all they said because we were outside, but literally the moment Marlena was out of sight, Kate made a beeline in the direction of the mansion. We didn’t think to follow her right away because we were watching Marlena. But once we realized how upset Marlena was, I figured I’d better call.”

“Ok, David, thanks. Where are they now?”

“Marlena’s back at the hospital and we assume Kate’s still at the mansion.”

“Gotcha. Call me if anything happens.” I hang up and look at John with concern.

John asks, “Do you think Kate went to see Stefano?”

“I think Kate went to talk to Stefano the minute she got done with lunch with Marlena. Which says to me that she had some juicy tidbit of information to share with him and she couldn’t wait to do it.”

“You don’t think that Doc told her, do you?”

“I hope not. I’m sure she wouldn’t say anything to endanger me on purpose, but if she felt like she had to tell Kate to reassure her…”

“I can’t imagine that Doc would have said anything. She knows how dangerous it would for Stefano to discover you’re alive. She would never put you in danger.”

“John, I know she wouldn’t do anything on purpose to hurt me, but you know how Kate can be. She is a master manipulator, and she could have played on Marlena’s sympathies as a friend to basically force her into telling her.” My mind is racing now, trying to figure out how to do damage control if Kate is in on my secret and is telling Stefano. I have protections in place, but I was not ready to use them this soon. I come back to reality when John begins to plan what to do.

“I’ll call Doc right now to check and see what happened.”

“Ok, I’ll send my guys back home just in case. This could be really, really bad, John.”

“I know, Lizzie. But we’ll get through it together. And this might be the way we finally get Stefano once and for all.” I hope he’s right. I pray he’s right. But we know how dangerous Stefano can be. The only way we can possibly get through this is together.

John calls Marlena and I call David to tell him to start making emergency preparations. Then, I message Corrie to let her know that she needs to get all the precautions in the house ready, in case someone tries to get in. The generator needs to be checked, all the electricity lines need to be secured, extra security needs to be posted down the road, and all the cameras need to be on and live feeding from this point forward. She also needs to check that all the supplies in the safe room are ready and that there is enough food and water there in case we need to hide for a few days. She knows the routine well as we have done this before, but it has been a while. We were just beginning to feel comfortable in Salem, and now we might have to leave for good. But no matter what, at least I know that my brother knows me and knows I love him. Whatever else happens, it will be worth it for that.

John doesn’t get through to Marlena because she’s in with a patient, but he leaves a voicemail for her to call him as soon as she can. I call David and tell him to go and take two guys to stay with Marlena and have the rest go to the house. He’s not at all happy about leaving me alone, but we agree that Marlena needs the most protection at this point. If Kate has told Stefano about me, he might go straight for Marlena, police be damned. He knows I’ll be protecting her once I find out Kate’s told him I’m alive and he might not get another shot. After all my details are set, John and I agree to go to the townhouse and wait for Marlena. 

“I can’t believe she would do this. Not after what we told her.”

“I know John, but all the evidence is pointing to that now.”

“Yes, but it’s circumstantial.”

“And in my experience, that’s usually enough.”

We arrive at the townhouse, and I get a message from Corrie that everything is set. Then I contact David and he says Marlena is almost home. I tell him to go back to my house as soon as she pulls in here and make sure nothing is going on there.

“If we know for sure Stefano is in the mansion right now, we can go get him, John. I think we need to go after him.”

“We need to know that we have enough backup to help us make sure he doesn’t get away again. Plus, we don’t know what kind of people he has watching us right now, either. If he does know who you are now, he can get to you as well.” He puts his hands on my shoulders and looks in my eyes, trying to be protective and reassuring at the same time. “And I’m not taking any chances with your safety.” 

“That is sweet, John, but we must get him before he’s ready for us, not once he’s had a chance to prepare. If we know where he is, we need to go now.” I’m getting impatient, and it’s starting to cloud my judgment. John sees this and tries to calm me down.

“Ok, now, just hold on here. We need to take this slow and easy and make sure no one gets hurt. I’ll call the ISA and the Salem PD and let them know what’s happening. You just sit tight.”

“Sitting tight is not my strong suit, John.”

“No surprise there.” He grins at me and starts making calls. 

David comes over the earpiece and says that Marlena is in the garage downstairs, and he is heading to the house. “OK, great. John, Marlena is home. David’s going back to the house now. He’s also left a car for us so we won’t be recognized when we leave.” John gives me a thumbs up as he is still on the phone. A moment or two later, Marlena comes in the door, surprised to see the both of us there.

“What’s this?” She asks. “I didn’t expect anyone to be home.” She’s instantly suspicious of us because we wouldn’t be there in the middle of the day together without a good reason.

“Hi sweetheart,” John says to her as he hangs up the phone. “We weren’t expecting to be home, either.” He looks at me and says, “I couldn’t get a hold of Shane or anyone at the PD. Seems Shane is out of the country and the PD is involved with some hostage situation at the pier.”

“Is something wrong?” she asks. She looks at me while she asks, figuring out that it was my idea to be here and confront her. I can tell by the tone of her voice she’s getting defensive.

“Well, we’re not sure.” John says. “How was your lunch with Kate?”

She is instantly angry and says, “Well, you probably already know how my lunch with Kate went, so why don’t you tell me?” She’s clearly upset that my security may know what went on. She’s also scared that she’s revealed too much and that I’ll be angry with her that my life might now be in danger.

“Did you talk to Kate about me?” I ask. I have neither time nor patience to beat around the bush.

“Yes, I did. I apologized to her for what you said and told her that she had nothing to worry about when it came to you.” She is almost hostile with me.

“What does that mean?” I ask, trying to keep my cool, but losing the battle.

“It means I told her that you were not going to come between our friendship and that you weren’t a danger to me or John.”

“She thinks I’m a danger to the two of you?” I’m incensed that Kate is acting like I’m the one that is the danger here.

“No, not anymore.” She says coolly. I’m immediately terrified of what this means.

“Not anymore?” John asks hesitantly.

“Not after I explained who you were and why you would never be able to hurt us.”

And there it is. My worst fear has come to pass, and I’m stunned. “Oh my God, you told her. After I specifically told you how dangerous it was! You went right up to her and told her everything! Marlena, do you know what you’ve done!!” I’m yelling, I’m angry, I’m frightened, and I’m unloading it all onto her. 

She doesn’t take my assault lying down. “I had to tell her!” she yells right back at me. “She was convinced you were a danger to the both of us, and I had to explain why she shouldn’t be worried about you. She promised that she would keep the secret.” I can’t fathom why Marlena actually believes her.

“Oh, so that’s why she made a beeline for Stefano’s mansion the moment you left the Pub, I suppose?” I am still yelling at her, furious that she has betrayed me, innocently or not.

“What are you talking about?” Fear creeps into her voice as she realizes what she might have inadvertently done.

“David called Elizabeth and told her what happened right after you two finished having lunch. They didn’t follow her all the way, but they saw that she immediately headed in the direction of the mansion.” John is trying to calm the situation, but he’s not helping much.

“Well, maybe all that was a coincidence. If they didn’t see where she went, then they don’t know for sure.” She’s grasping at straws in hopes she can convince us, and herself.

“I can’t believe you’re so naïve as to think this is somehow going to be ok.” I am still shocked this is actually happening, and that Marlena is the one that has set all this in motion. I’m wracking my brain making sure I’ve covered everything to ensure my safety, but Marlena is still trying to convince us that nothing is wrong.

“Kate is not working with him, she is not telling anyone what’s happening, she is not hurting anything. Your secret is fine, you are fine, everything is fine.” I don’t believe her, and I’m not sure she believes herself. She wants to believe that her friend would never betray her, but she is doubting it now.

Meanwhile, Stefano has been busy. Once Kate left him, he went to work at once to find out where I live and how to get to me. Since he discovered my new name, he found my address rather quickly and decided to pay me a visit. He made a few calls and within half an hour, had four men available to help him. They came to my house in two separate cars, with two men in the first car and Stefano and the other two in the second. As they approached my house, they were stopped at the outer gate. They shot through the barrier and shot the guard as they plowed through the fence. The gunfire caused alerts to go out through all my security, and my emergency procedures were initiated. 

They then drove up the road towards my house. A sniper blew out the tires of the first car, and the men jumped out to try and shoot him. They couldn’t see where he was, so they tried shooting at whatever they thought was moving. Finally, the sniper got one of the men, and the other realized where the shot came from. He fired at him but missed. He kept firing until he had to change magazines, and that is when my sniper got his chance. As soon as Stefano’s man looked down to put in the magazine, the sniper shot him. 

When Stefano realized the two men ahead of him were dead, he told the men in his car to keep going, but they refused. At this point, Stefano became enraged and ordered them to go forward. He held his gun up to the driver’s head and told him he would kill him if he didn’t move on. The man begged to be let out, but Stefano would not allow it. Finally, the man drove the rest of the way to my house. Stefano screamed at him to move faster, so he gunned the engine and lurched up the drive to the inner gate and rammed it. It did not break, but the car did create enough of a gap for Stefano and his men to run through. All this commotion had given Corrie just enough time to get to the safe room as more security ran outside. 

As Stefano and his men reached the front door, shots erupted from both sides and two of my men went down. Stefano ordered one of his men around to the back and told the other to go through the front. The man at the front door was shot, again by a sniper, but Stefano saw where he was. He was now close enough to get the sniper with his pistol, and after trading two shots, he did. The man going to the back met up with David, who managed to disable him but not kill him. David took a bullet in the shoulder that threw him back and nearly knocked him out. Downstairs, Corrie watched all of this on the security cameras while Stefano proceeded to cut the electricity. Fortunately, he didn’t cut all of it, and the power to the keypads and safe room doors remained on. The cameras, however, all went black, and Corrie had no idea from this point what was happening. She couldn’t message me because the signal would not penetrate out of the safe room, so she had no way of alerting me to what was going on.

Back at the townhouse I hear David come back over my earpiece. “911” is all he says. That’s our short code for critical emergencies. “David, I’m here. What’s happened!”

  “Nine total down so far. One critical, eight fatal. They’ve breached the inner gate…” and then silence. 

“David…. David, please come in.” Nothing. This means he is either dead or badly wounded. I look at John and tell him what’s happening. “David’s down, as are eight others. Someone has breached the inner perimeter. They’re probably inside my house. I don’t know who or how many. He went out before he told me everything.” 

John and Marlena know the situation is grave. Someone is after me, and they’re not stopping at anything to get to me. I try to message Corrie but get no response. 

 “She’s not answering, either. Which means she can’t, or she’s in the safe room.”

“You don’t think this is Stefano, do you?” Marlena looks scared as events are unfolding as I said they would. She realizes Kate has already revealed me and the gravity of the situation is not lost on her, nor is her responsibility in it.

“It’s either him or someone he sent. Regardless, I must get home and find out what is going on.” Then, I hear one more whisper across my earpiece before David finally passes out. “He’s inside.”

With all visible security disabled, Stefano leaves the car. He walks to the door and steps over the men lying in pools of blood and begins to look around. He wants to see for himself if it is true. Was this his sister that was causing this grief for him all this time, or could Kate have been mistaken? “How did you finally outsmart me, little one?” he asks to no one in particular. “How is it that you could have gotten away all those years ago?” And then it dawns on him. “Ah, yes, Matteo, my most trusted aide. The one whom I sent to kill you. He tried to stop me. He said he felt sorry for such a little girl. Poor, pitiful child, thrown out of the only house you’d ever known, taken to a place you knew nothing about, left to fend for yourself. I am disgusted at him for his weakness. And now, because of it, you have come back to haunt me after all these years.”

My Enemy Awaits

“Someone’s in my house,” I say to John, with a good bit of apprehension. I am sure of it, as I cannot get David or anyone to answer me. Not even Corrie. “As near as I can tell, they’ve disabled most of my security, and I have no idea who they are.”

“Then we’ll have to go in the back way and hope that they don’t know about the back way,” John says 

“But what about Marlena?” I ask

“She’s got to come with us. There’s no way to ensure her safety otherwise.” Marlena looks concerned, but not afraid. “If he’s gotten through your security, none of us are safe alone.”

I know John is right, and begrudgingly I agree for Marlena to go with us. We sneak out of the townhouse, down to the garage, and into the car David has left for us. Marlena gets in the back and lays down on the seat for safety. John starts the car and tears out of the garage as I pull three pistols from the console, glove compartment and under the seat and begin to load them. “You do remember where the back entrance is, right John?”

“Yes, I remember.”

We drive to the outskirts of town, off the road and into the hills. Finally, I see the spot we’re looking for, and point to it. “I remember,” John says as he heads off the road. I hand John a loaded pistol and we get out to scout around. After making sure it’s safe, he tells Marlena to get out of the back. I hand her a pistol as well. 

“I hate these things,” she says.

“I know, but it’s necessary this time.”

I grab my flashlight out of the car, and we walk through the tunnel that leads into the back part of my house. We come to a door with a keypad. I tell them before we go in not to make any sudden moves, to go in with their hands up, and not to react or respond. Corrie is trained to shoot whoever is coming through the door unless she sees the signal first. She doesn’t even trust my voice since I could be coming in under duress.

They agree. I punch in the code, and we slowly open the door. It is completely dark except for a laser dot on my chest. I turn on my flashlight and I blink it slowly three times. From the other side of the room, I see two flashes in response. I flash three more times, and the light comes on. We’re blinded at first because it’s bright, but just as I knew she would be, Corrie is standing across the room lowering her pistol. “Are you OK?” I ask.

“Yes, I’m fine,” she says. “I’m pretty sure David is dead; I know of four others of ours who definitely are. I’m pretty sure Stefano’s four are dead as well.”

“Oh, God, please not David.” I try to control myself because I know there’s no time to mourn right now. I take a deep breath and ask, “Then it’s definitely him?”

“Yes. Before he cut the electricity, I saw him coming through the inner gate.”

Marlena looks at Corrie with confusion and asks, “Wait, so, you actually can hear?” 

“Yes,” She answers. “I am not deaf and never have been.”

“But it is a distinct tactical advantage that she appears to be,” I explain. “We can talk across the room in sign language and hardly anybody would know what we were saying. She has trained herself over the years not to respond to voices, to sounds, to her name, to anything. You both must keep this secret, because it is just as much for her protection as anything. If people think she can’t hear me or anyone else, then she’s not nearly as much of a threat.”

“Absolutely,” Marlena responds. 

“We need to get Stefano before he has a chance to do any more damage.” John says.

“I agree.” I go over to the closet and pull out some gear. Two Kevlar vests, two extra pistols, an extra knife and holster for John, and a concussion bomb for good measure. John is impressed by the level of protection that I have readily available. It dawns on Marlena what is about to happen, and she becomes desperate.

“No, you can’t do this! You can’t go! I will not let either one of you out of here! This is insane! We need to wait for the police!” 

She is almost crying now, and John can’t bear to see her so afraid. John holds her and tries to calm her down. “Doc, you know as well as I do that the police are almost useless when it comes to Stefano. No offense to the wonderful Salem PD, but this is way above their heads. If he’s already taken out several of Elizabeth’s guys, our last line of defense is me and her.”

“John’s right, Marlena. We are all that is left. Now, put this on.” I hand her a Kevlar vest and remind her “And do not leave this room!” I look over to Corrie and say, “If she tries to leave, knock her out.”

Marlena looks at me incredulously, shocked that I would even suggest any type of violence against her. I look at her and say, “This is for your own good and your own protection. And I know John agrees with me.” She looks over at him. He puts his hand gently to her face, and nods silently in agreement. She begins to cry outright now with the thought that one or both of us might not return.

“No!” she cries, “I will NOT allow this to happen! John, please! Let me go with you. Let me do something. Anything!”

“Doc, you know as well as I do that you need to stay here and be safe. I will go handle him and then all of this will be over.” John’s insinuation does not go unnoticed. It’s my turn to look at him incredulously now.

“John, I don’t know what game you’re playing, but you’re not going up there by yourself. I am well-trained, and as I’ve told you before, I’m a big girl. I can handle myself just fine. You are not going up there alone,” I say as I slowly walk backwards, “and actually you’re not going up there at all.” Before he knows what’s happening, I slip through the door that’s right behind me. I slam it shut, putting in the code so that it locks. He starts beating on the door and yelling at me to return. He is furious with me, and I know it. I put my hand lightly on the door and say, “I love you, brother. Stay safe.” And I head upstairs to meet my fate. 

Inside the safe room, John is incensed. He continues to pound on the door, but he knows it’s an act of futility. The weight of what’s happening falls on him now, and he rests his head against the door, dejected and angry. Marlena comes up behind him and puts her hands on his shoulders. “John, she’s done this for years. She is strong and smart and can take care of herself. And she only did this to make sure we’re safe. She just doesn’t know any other way to be.” She’s trying to convince herself as much as she is John.

“I know she did this for us, Doc, that’s why I’m so angry. All the guilt she feels about needing to stop Stefano has kept her from ever having any kind of life for herself. And now, finally, when she actually has a chance at a life with us, and family, and real love and friendship, protecting me is AGAIN going to deny her all of that.” 

“It’s her decision, John,” she says quietly.

“Doc, you just don’t understand. I can’t lose her. She’s the first real connection to my past I’ve ever had.” He looks in her eyes expecting consolation, but he finds anger there, real anger. 

“I don’t understand? I DON’T UNDERSTAND? Have you forgotten I’ve also lost a sister? Do you think I am grateful to Elizabeth as well? She gave the man I love something that has made him more complete than he’s ever been in his whole life. How can you say I DON’T UNDERSTAND!” She unloads all her fear and frustration on him. He sees it on her face and realizes how terrible she feels as well.

“I’m sorry Doc. I’m sorry. You understand everything better than anyone. I just don’t want anything to happen to her, not now.” He lowers his head as tears slowly fall down his cheeks. 

Her anger and fear dissipate when she sees the depth of his despair. “I know, my love, I know. I don’t either.” She holds him as they realize this is most likely the end for me. 

As I’m walking up the stairs from the safe room, I am apprehensive, but resigned to do anything necessary to protect my family. I haven’t seen Stefano face to face in thirty years, but I have no qualms about killing him. Actually, I welcome it. I believe it is the only way to exorcise his demons from me once and for all. 

I get to the main level of the house and check the cameras beside the door before I go through. I’m angry that the generator hasn’t activated to help me see what I’m dealing with. That’s quite troublesome, but I’ll just have to rely on my own skills, I guess. I take a deep breath, punch in the code for the door, and slowly walk into the house.

Stefano continues into the house undisturbed, looking for proof that I am alive. He wanders aimlessly into the dining room and smiles. He notices all the details I’ve put in, and they remind him of our childhood home. He is impressed by my furnishings and sees touches of things that remind him of our father’s taste, but nothing conclusive, until he happens to open a drawer and sees it: my photo album. “Ah, but what is this. Oh yes, I remember this. The only thing she wanted to leave our house with. Nothing else mattered to her except these stupid pictures of her and her precious bastard of a brother.” As he opens the book, he is reminded again of how much we cared about each other. He thumbs through the pictures slowly, remembering when each one was taken. Memories flash back into his mind of me when I was a child, before John came into our lives, when he really loved me and spoiled me. He remembers Papa and how close they were before John came along. Then he remembers the rapport John and I had from the beginning, and it causes his temper to rise. Remembering the laughter he heard from my room as we played games or read stories enflames it even more. His anger rises to the surface, as well as his jealousy and hatred of me and the brother I loved so much. “Oh, don’t you look so happy together. Don’t you look like the epitome of love and family?” His sarcasm is dripping with loathing for the both of us. “Well, Katharine, once I see you again, you will discover what the cost is for your disloyalty to me and our family. You will know what it truly means to be an enemy of mine.” 

As I walk slowly into the house, I’m pleased that at least some of the electricity is working. That’s fortunate. Maybe Corrie can rewire some things downstairs and get the feed to come on in the safe room. I walk slowly through the laundry room and hallway, checking around corners and making sure things are safe before I continue. No one is in here, which is disconcerting, but fortunate. My guys may not be here, but neither are his. I come carefully through the kitchen, and I hear a muffled voice. As I make my way towards it, I realize it’s a man’s voice, but I cannot hear it clearly enough to tell what he is saying. It’s only one voice, too, so he must be talking to himself. He seems to be angry. As I walk closer to the dining room, I recognize the voice, and hear that Stefano is talking about me being his enemy. So, nothing has changed after all this time. Any last hope I had of reconciling with my brother fades away, and the last feelings I have for him die with it. I make sure my pistol is ready, the extra magazine is in one pocket, and the concussion bomb is in the other. I take a deep breath to relax myself a bit, and I turn the corner into the dining room. 

Stefano hears someone coming through the kitchen but doesn’t realize it’s me. He looks towards the doorway and sees me coming around the corner. I am walking towards him, pistol drawn and ready. A grin spreads across his face. A sinister grin that chills me to the bone. 

Seeing him face to face after all this time brings back so much pain and anguish. I am right back to being sixteen again and looking back at him as he closes the door to our house for the last time. I must maintain my focus, but it is harder than I thought it would be. I keep my pistol drawn for protection, though, and see that he’s holding a book in his hands. I realize it’s my photo album. 

“What do you want, and why have you broken into my house?” His response nearly takes me off my feet. 

“Hello Katharine, my darling sister. I’ve come to finish what should have happened thirty years ago.” 

I am shaken by his threat to kill me, but not nearly as much as I am at hearing him call me by my given name. He frightens me, but I know I must keep control of myself in order to defeat him.

 “You have no right to call me Katharine. My name is Elizabeth now. You killed Katharine, remember? Or at least, you tried to.” I want him to know that just like he did not win before, he will not win now.

“No, Katharine. Elizabeth is your middle name. But it suits you, nonetheless. Aren’t you glad to see your brother?” He puts out his arms wide, as if he wants me to come hug him. Like a spider spinning a web for his prey.

“You haven’t been my brother in over thirty years. Ever since Papa died, and even before that, you haven’t been my brother. At least, not the one I remember from when I was small.”

“Oh, but I am! Here in the flesh my darling. It is indeed your dearest brother.”

“My dearest brother? How can you say that? After everything you’ve done and everything you’ve destroyed? You can’t possibly think I would ever call you that again. I have a brother, but not you.”

“Oh yes, now we’re getting to it my darling. Now we’re getting to the real crux of the issue. You and your precious John, the one who ruined Papa’s life, and yours.” He spits these words at me as his voice raises in anger.

“YOU are the one who ruined everything, Stefano! Why couldn’t you just accept him and leave it alone? Why did you have to make it a choice for me between the two of you?” I am angry and frustrated that even this many years later, Stefano still blames John for everything.

 “You made it a choice my darling sister.”

“STOP CALLING ME THAT!” It enrages me that he has the gall to speak to me as if he actually has some kind of feeling for me. “I haven’t been your ‘darling’ since I was six years old! Since the first day John walked into our lives. And you, you were so jealous and possessive, you couldn’t stand the fact that I loved him too!” I feel myself losing control, so I pause and take a breath. I must keep my cool. 

His face hardens as he realizes my feelings for John have never changed, and that my loyalty is still to him. “So, I see you still love Papa’s bastard son, eh?” His cruelty has returned. I knew it wouldn’t take long.

“Ah, now there’s the Stefano I know and hate. Well, I’m a bastard child too, or have you forgotten, so I guess that makes John and me kindred spirits, doesn’t it?” My pride and love for my brother becomes clear, and Stefano realizes I’m never going to be his ally, so he resigns himself to do what he came to.

“So, you’re the one who has been behind everything?”

“Behind what?” I’m not giving anything away to him. 

“All of the problems I’ve ever had keeping John and Marlena apart. All the issues with my businesses. Everything. It’s been you, hasn’t it?” He is becoming angry again as he figures out that I’ve been doing this for years, maybe even since he threw me out of the house.

“At your service, dearest brother.” The last words roll off my tongue like poisoned darts. Maybe if Stefano believes it’s all me and John has no idea who I am, I can still save him and Marlena. 

“So, Katharine, how have you been accomplishing this for all these years? Especially since I left you with nothing.”

“I said STOP calling me Katharine. You have no right…”

“Then what should I call you?” A sadistic smile spreads across his face as he realizes what will anger me most. In his most mocking tone he says, “Oh, I know…. Lizzie.” 

That name coming out of his mouth is an affront to me and everything I’ve ever tried to do, and he knows it. He’s goading me now, but I’m not taking the bait. My face hardens into solid stone and a flicker of fear begins to show in his eyes. That’s good. He needs to realize what a worthy adversary I am. 

I take a step closer to him and raise the pistol an inch. Almost in a whisper I say, slowly and very calculated, “Don’t you ever call me that again or I will kill you right where you stand.” For the first time, I see real fear in my brother’s eyes. He grasps completely that I will indeed kill him today if that’s what it takes, and maybe even if it isn’t.

Back in the safe room, Corrie has been working feverishly to rewire something, anything, to get power back to the cameras so she, John and Marlena can see what’s going on upstairs. She’s not been able to raise anyone on her earpiece yet, and no communication from me is making her nervous. The longer I go without telling them anything, the more they understand what that means.

“Is there anything I can do?” John asks, helplessly. It is so much a part of his nature to do something and not just sit and wait, but he knows Corrie knows the system much better than he, so he paces back and forth. Finally, in a fit of utter frustration, he shouts, “Corrie, you’ve GOT to let me out of this room!”

“John, she locked it from the outside for a reason. And she made it clear that the both of you were supposed to stay in here. We can keep arguing about it if you want but letting me work is what will get these cameras up quicker.” He knows her loyalty is completely to me, and there’s no way she’ll let them out until the threat is neutralized upstairs.

Marlena tries to calm him, but she knows it is fruitless. They are all worried about me, and not knowing what is happening is making it worse. Finally, Corrie has a breakthrough.

“YESSSSS!” 

“What! What is it!” John is next to her in an instant.

“I got the power rewired from the door to the camera feed. It is booting up and should be on in just a second.”

“Oh, thank God,” Marlena says. They look at the panel of monitors, and a couple of them begin to flicker, then more. Finally, all of them have static.

“What does that mean? Are they working or not?” John is frantically looking for a clue to what’s happening upstairs.

“One more second, John,” Corrie says.

After what seems like an eternity, they begin to show pictures of the inside and outside of the house one by one. Then it dawns on them what has happened. They see three bodies outside at various points up the road. There are three bodies at the front door, one on the roof and two at the back door. One of those appears to be moving. Maybe someone is alive upstairs, but they can’t tell who it is. And then they see it. The camera from the dining room comes on at last. John sees me with my gun drawn on Stefano. “Oh my God,” John whispers, as he sees the two of us face to face at last. Corrie realizes that the audio is off, so she turns it on. They hear the last part of our conversation.

“All of the problems I’ve ever had keeping John and Marlena apart. All the issues with my businesses. Everything. It’s been you, hasn’t it?” John looks at Marlena, almost in a panic.

“At your service, dearest brother.” “We’ve got to get up there!” He says.

“So, Katharine, how have you been accomplishing all of that for all these years? Especially since I left you with nothing.” “Wait, who is that moving behind her?” Marlena notices a figure walking through the kitchen into the dining room. I’m too preoccupied to notice.

“I said STOP calling me Katharine. You have no right…” “Oh no, that’s one of Stefano’s men. Run, Lizzie! Run!” John yells at the screen as if I can hear him.

“So, what should I call you? Oh, I know…. Lizzie.” John says, “Oh my God, she’s going to kill him!” 

“Don’t you ever call me that again or I will kill you right where you stand.” 

And then I feel the slight vibration on my watch. I turn my wrist just enough to see “Behind you” scroll across the screen. In an instant, I duck down and turn to shoot the man behind me as he shoots Stefano, now that his primary target is out of the way. Both of them fall away from me. Downstairs, Corrie breathes a sigh of relief that her message got to me in time. 

I stand up to see that Stefano is not mortally wounded, but he is down and not a threat to me. The other man I can tell is dead from a headshot. “Well, now. Isn’t this a pleasant turn of events?” I say to my brother who is lying helpless on the floor looking up at me. I feel like a leopard getting ready to play with its next meal as I aim my pistol at my defenseless brother. The brother who threw me away because of jealousy and revenge. The brother who left me with nothing, who tried multiple times to kill me. The brother who told me I would ruin the brother I loved if I ever told him who I was. And then, with all the loathing I can muster, I give him the ultimate insult: “Who is the phoenix now, Stefano?”

I hear John and Marlena coming through the kitchen. Corrie has finally let them out of the room now that Stefano is no longer a threat. Marlena gasps as she comes in and sees me standing over him with my gun. 

Trying to diffuse the situation and calm me down, John says, “Hey sis, what’s going on here?” He knows I am ready to kill Stefano at any moment, but for some reason, he seems to be trying to keep me from it.

“Getting ready to rid us of all our problems, dearest brother.” I smirk at Stefano as I say those words, because he knows I truly mean them about John.

“You cannot get rid of me, Elizabeth.” Even on the floor with a bullet in him, Stefano is still defiant.

“Oh, so now that you’re lying prostrate on the floor with a bullet in your shoulder, you’ve finally decided to be respectful, is that it?” The gall of my brother is sickening to me.

“Yes, I am being respectful to you. You are a worthy adversary. A true DiMera at heart.” He smiles a sickening smile, and I am repulsed.

“DO NOT EVER say that to me, you pathetic excuse for a human being! I have spent my entire life trying to undo everything the DiMera’s have done. I hate that I am a DiMera. I cannot stand the sight of you, or the thought that you would even continue to exist for one more moment. So, I’m going to end this, once and for all.” I aim the gun directly at Stefano’s head. 

“Are you sure this is what you want?” John’s voice calls out to me from what seems like far away, bringing me back from the rage I am engulfed in into reality. He is standing beside me now, and I look at him out of the corner of my eye, my gun still trained at Stefano’s head.

“How can you even ask that, John? You of all people should understand the depth of my joy at being able to rid the world and us of this monster that has tried to destroy us for so long.”

“I do understand. But I also understand that the real road to healing isn’t through revenge, or even justice. Real healing comes from forgiveness,”

“You want me to FORGIVE him?” I scream incredulously.

“Yes. It’s the only way you can find true peace with all of this. If you kill him, the rage in you will continue. Even if he goes to jail for the rest of his life, the rage in you will continue.”

“Oh, I don’t think so. I’m feeling pretty happy at the thought of finally getting this wish.”

“But is this truly what you wish?” John is confusing me know, and I don’t understand.

“Of course, it is! I’ve wanted him dead since I was a kid!”

Marlena intervenes. She knows what John is getting at. “No, Elizabeth,” she says. “That isn’t what you’ve really wanted. You’ve wanted him to stop hurting your brother. And you’ve shouldered the guilt about that for your entire life because you thought you were responsible for one brother hurting another. And you’re not. You’re not the cause of this war and killing him won’t end it. The war you’re fighting is with yourself. With your guilt and your anger at what Stefano has done to all of us. John is absolutely right. Forgiving him and moving on is what will finally give you peace. I know from experience that anger and fear about him gives him control over you. And that is when he becomes the victor—when he controls you. Don’t let him control you anymore.”

I stand there, tears beginning to roll down my face, feeling again like that sixteen-year-old girl. I thought the weight of that guilt had left me when John became my brother again. But it hasn’t. What Marlena is saying is true, but Stefano is too much of a threat to risk it. 

“I know you’re right about forgiveness. But if it means my soul to save the world from him, that is a small price to pay. He’s too much of a danger to everyone to ever be allowed to walk out of here.” 

I put both hands on the gun and secure my stance as a plan forms in John’s mind. He knows he must move quickly to save me from what he thinks is a huge mistake. As I begin to pull the trigger, John lunges at me and the gun. Everything moves in slow motion as John pushes me and the gun away from Stefano. It goes off, barely missing his head and leaving a hole in the floor. At the same moment, Stefano rolls the other way and grabs his gun from the floor. He is not as injured as I thought, and he turns the gun towards me and John as we are falling to the floor. Marlena screams “NO!” as she sees what is about to happen. He aims at John who has fallen on top of me on the floor, and a shot rings out. 

Stefano screams in agony as the bullet pierces his wrist, causing him to drop the gun. Blood shoots out of his arm as David lowers his gun and falls to the ground. Stefano falls to the ground as well, grasping his wrist to try and stop the blood. For a second, everyone is frozen as they realize what has just happened. 

Marlena is the first to spring into action as she rushes to David to see if he is still alive. He is breathing, but he has lost a great deal of blood. Corrie rushes through the kitchen with towels for David and Stefano and says, “The police and ambulances are on their way.” She hands towels to Marlena for David and walks over to help Stefano. John helps me up and gathers the pistols, dumping the magazines as he collects them except for the one he stuffs in the waist of his pants just in case. I’m still shaking at what almost happened, and John puts his hands on my shoulders. 

“It’s alright. We’re all ok. We’re all going to be ok.” I take a deep breath and nod, knowing that I need to get it together and help David. I walk past a moaning Stefano and kneel down beside David and Marlena.

“What can I do?” I ask her.

“You don’t have any spare IV’s lying around, do you? He really needs some fluid and transfusions.”

“Actually…” I go to the kitchen and find the closet with our medical supplies. I pull out the boxes and take them to her.

“Ok, well, I was joking, but this will do very well.” She hooks up an IV for fluid and puts a temporary bandage on his wound to stop any more bleeding. He begins to come around as we hear the ambulances coming up to the house.

“What’s the situation?” he asks groggily.

“Everything is ok. We’re all alive, and Stefano is going into custody.”

“Thank God.”

“No, David. Thank you. You saved us. Again. I don’t know how to show you how grateful I am for you.”

“I do.” He reaches for my face and pulls me down into a kiss. Corrie smiles and tears up a little watching us, happy that this has finally happened after all this time. After a long, sweet kiss, I sit up again and smile at him.

“I only have one thing to say about that,” David says.

“What’s that?” I ask.

“It’s about damn time.”

The police and ambulances arrive and tend to the injured. Stefano is handcuffed to a gurney and rolled towards the door. John, Marlena and I are sitting at the table as he goes past. He catches my eye and tells the EMT’s to stop. “You should have killed me today, Elizabeth. That is the only way you will ever be rid of me. I will never stop coming after you now that I know you’re alive.”

I stand up to face him because I have one last thing to say. “I know that. And I will be ready. But there are two things that are different now.”

“And what are they?”

“One is that I have John back.” I smile down at him and he takes my hand. “I told you that you would never ever keep us apart, and you didn’t. And now, he knows who I am. I have my brother back, so, you have lost.”

“And what, pray tell, is the second thing?” His smugness is exasperating.

I look at the floor as tears form in my eyes and I struggle to get out the words. John puts his other hand on top of mine and says softly, “You can do this.”

My voice cracks, as I look up and whisper, “Stefano…. I forgive you.”

I see in his eyes for a moment that I have touched a part of him that is buried deep within, but it disappears instantly, and he is angry. “Forgive me? You forgive ME? You should be asking for MY forgiveness for all of your betrayal and disloyalty. How DARE you!”

John stands up in between us and yells, “Get him out of here!”

Stefano continues to rant as they roll him into the ambulance, and the tears continue to fall down my cheeks. Marlena turns me towards her and puts her arms around me. She hugs me as I cry and says, “Now you can truly begin to heal.” John hugs us both and says, “Now we all can.”