The emergency meeting was called the moment Mike Horton forced Carrie to resign. Craig slammed his hand on the table. “Mike’s attorneys want Ali to submit to a full psychiatric exam. ”
Claire’s face went pale.
“What? Oh, no. No, no. ”
Nancy shook her head.
“This entire lawsuit is going to be thrown out of court because, as we all know, Alison is not exactly the poster child for mental health. ”
Meanwhile, Ali was having tea with Alice Horton, Mike’s grandmother. “This was a wonderful idea, Mrs. Horton.
I’m so honored you want us to be friends. ”
Alice studied her. “I hope we can be honest with each other. ”
Ali gushed about the Horton legacy, but Alice cut through the flattery.
“If you’re so supportive of the Hortons, why have you brought this groundless lawsuit against my grandson? ”
Austin, Carrie’s husband, confronted Mike in the hospital corridor. “I know Ali’s suing for sexual harassment. Man, I really hope she wins, because I know what you did to her.
”
Mike bristled. “I did nothing to Ali McIntyre. She’s feeding you lies, and you’re eating it up. We dated for a while, it didn’t work out, we broke up, and then she went off the deep end.
”
“You broke up, or you dumped her? ” Austin pressed. “Would you give me a break? ”
“You just used Ali to get your kicks, then you got bored and threw her right in the trash.
Do you really think I’m going to let you do the same thing to Carrie? ”
Sami found Carrie alone. “Austin still loves you, and there is no doubt in my mind that he would drop this divorce if you told Mike that you didn’t want to see him anymore. ”
“Sami, it is not that simple.
”
“Then what makes it complicated—Mike? Carrie, you took a solemn vow—’till death do you part. ‘ There was nothing in there about ‘unless someone better comes along. ‘”
“Sami, it is not about liking Mike better.
Mike was there for me when Austin wasn’t. ”
“Because Austin was trying to help me, your sister. ”
“Okay, you know what? I am beating myself up enough, and I do not need help from you.
”
Sami softened. “Look, Carrie, wait. I’m sorry. But all I’m saying is that you have to make the first move.
Don’t send your marriage down the drain the way Mom and Dad did. ”
“It is not the same thing. ”
“It’s close enough. If Dad stayed in Salem and fought for Mom, if our family had stayed together, well, a lot of things would be different.
”
“You can’t rewrite history, Sami. Besides, I don’t believe that things would have been different if Dad had stayed and fought for Marlena, because she and John belong together, and sometimes you don’t have a choice. You have to follow your heart. ”
“No matter how many people get hurt?
”
Stefano DiMera appeared at Marlena’s side. “A pleasure to see you, Marlena. You’ve been on my mind a great deal since you and John made that announcement at the party last night. ”
“I’m sure you’ve been racking your brain trying to think of an appropriate wedding gift for us.
”
“See? Your sense of humor has always been part of your charm. ”
“Why don’t you focus on something a little more positive, Stefano, like someone who needs you? ” She paused.
“Ah! Vivian. ”
“Ah, Vivian, yes. Well, not to worry.
I will do everything in my power to make Vivian’s final days happy. And talking about happiness, I wish you and John an abundance. ”
“You wish us nothing of the sort, Stefano. ”
“Oh, that’s patently absurd.
”
“That is patently accurate. Tell me something. How do you plan to stop the wedding? ”
Gina was with John, discussing the upcoming wedding.
“So, tomorrow’s your wedding day. It’s so exciting, John. ”
“Well, actually, you didn’t seem too excited about it last night when Doc and I made the announcement. ”
“I was caught off guard.
Everyone was. ”
“Yeah. So, what was the deal with the dessert cart last night? ”
“Oh, it was so embarrassing.
You know, honestly, I don’t know. I just—I just suddenly became lightheaded, but you know how that is. I mean, those headaches you’ve been having make you dizzy, don’t they? ”
“Sometimes.
”
“Anyway, as wonderful and as exciting as it is, I have to admit, I’m pretty surprised that you decided to have the wedding so soon. ”
“Why wait? Nothing’s standing in our way. In fact, nothing is ever going to stand in our way again.
”
Stefano was on the phone. “As soon as you have finished with that painting, I want you to find out every bit of information you can about John and Marlena’s wedding—where, the time exactly—so that I can set everything up to stop it. ”
Gina pressed John for details. “Honestly, I am very happy for you and for Marlena.
I really am. So tell me, where is this big wedding going to take place, huh? ”
John refused. “I’m sorry, Hope, but I can’t reveal the location of the wedding.
I want it to be a big surprise for Doc. ”
“You’ve got to be kidding. Who am I going to tell? ”
“I can’t give out any details.
All I can say is it will be very memorable. ”
“I’m sure, but there’s so little time to prepare. Don’t you want me to help? I could do anything, anything you want.
”
“Actually, everything’s under control. I’m going to send out a fleet of limos for all the guests, for the judge, and, basically, all you have to do is clear your schedule for tomorrow, because you will be coming with Bo, right? ”
“Are you kidding? Absolutely.
I wouldn’t miss this for the world. If you and Marlena can finally be together, it gives me hope that someday, maybe very soon, I’ll be with the man that I love. ”
“So you think that maybe there’s a chance for you and Bo? ”
“Well, I mean, right now I—” She swayed.
“Hey, are you all right? You all right? What’s going on? ”
“A dizzy spell.
”
“A dizzy sp—you want to sit down? ”
“No, I’m fine. I’m okay. ”
“Why are you getting dizzy?
You’re not having flashes as Gina, are you? ”
“I didn’t want to say anything. Yeah. It’s quite unsettling.
What about you, John? ”
“I’ve been having some disturbing moments myself, yeah. ”
“Tell me. ”
“I have remembered being DiMera’s mercenary.
It was after he brainwashed me. I was under his complete control. ”
“Oh, no, John. What about the migraines?
Are they still bad? ”
“Yeah. Bad. ”
“John, this—this could be very dangerous.
”
Marlena came home. “Honey, I’m home. John, are you—Oh! Oh, God!
John, no! ”
John was clutching his head. “I’ll be all right. All I’ve got to do is concentrate on the good stuff, like marrying Doc.
No way I’m going to mess that up. I’ve waited too—Whoa. Hope? Hope?
Hope! ”
Carrie and Sami argued about Marlena’s affair. “Marlena fell in love with John, Sami. She could not help herself.
She did not mean to hurt anyone. ”
“But she did, and that’s the point, isn’t it? She followed her heart, and to hell with everyone else’s. So what if Dad was crushed and the kids were upset.
”
“So what? You don’t think that Marlena was tortured by what she did? She still has horrible guilt, Sami. ”
“Are you saying that just because she feels guilty, that makes it okay that she was unfaithful to her husband?
Is that what you’re saying? Carrie, just because you feel guilty, that doesn’t make it forgivable. You cheated on your husband. ”
“Sami, it was one time, okay?
My God, you make it sound like I would sleep with any man. ”
“No, just as long as you love him, though, right? Mike got you on that road trip, and you two just couldn’t help yourselves. ”
“Sami, that is not the way it happened, all right?
Mike was completely honorable. The whole time that we were away, he resisted being together. ”
“How can you defend him, Carrie? There’s nothing honorable in taking another man’s wife to bed.
”
“It was a mutual decision. ”
“Carrie, are you so blinded by your feelings for Mike that you can’t see what he’s doing? He’s been after you since even before you married Austin—asking you to work for him, staying late, taking you on trips. Carrie, he’s been pursuing you all this time.
Mike set you up, and you fell right into his lap. ”
Mike and Austin’s confrontation escalated. “I would never do anything to hurt Carrie. I never meant to hurt anybody.
”
“Give me a break, Mike. Do you think it matters if you meant to hurt somebody, but as soon as you did, you didn’t really give a damn? ”
“You don’t know me. ”
“Do you think I really care to know you, Mike?
I know how you treat women. You took advantage of Ali. You promised her a promotion just to get her into bed. ”
“You see, that’s a lie.
”
“Now she’s suing you for sexual harassment. ”
“And that is a joke. ”
“And you’re going to be laughing while everything you’ve got is going to be taken away from you. ”
“All right.
This is over. Thanks very much. Been nice talking to you. ”
“So, hey, Mikey boy, what’s the plan now?
Are you going to take advantage of my wife? Are you going to get bored with her, and then what—dump her? ”
“The situation with Ali has nothing to do with the situation with Carrie. Can’t you see that?
Ali is using the lawsuit as a means to extort money from the hospital, and she’s doing it because she’s mentally unstable. ”
“She looked pretty sane to me. She told me all the lousy ways you treated her, how you promised her a future. That was just to jump her bones, right?
”
“I never promised Ali anything, personally or professionally. She is deluded. The lawsuit is going to get thrown out before it even goes to court. ”
“Then why did you force Carrie to resign from the hospital?
”
“I didn’t want her name dragged through the mud. I was protecting her. ”
“But you’re not guilty, so why would you need to protect her? ”
“The decisions I make as chief of staff of this hospital have nothing to do with you.
”
“Actually, I think they do. We’re talking about my wife. ”
“Really? The wife that you just served divorce papers to?
I don’t quite see how you have much of an investment in your wife anymore, Austin. ”
“Do you really want to know why I filed for divorce? Because I can’t stand the thought of your hands all over my wife. You know what?
You—hmm. You make me sick, you know that? You really make me sick. You go around here the honorable chief of staff Dr.
Mike Horton, but you’re really a two-faced lousy bastard. ”
“Okay, let me just explain something to you. I had feelings for Carrie before you got married, but I kept them to myself. I put them aside out of respect for you, out of respect for Carrie, and out of respect for the vows you made.
You are the one who took off on your wife, and you know what? You did it with her sister. You’re the one that left her alone. She turned to me.
That’s when we realized we had a mutual attraction. I did not take advantage—”
“Yeah, right, right. Just like you didn’t take advantage of Ali. What a coincidence, Mike, that two women that you work closely with both end up hurt.
”
Back at the meeting, Craig said, “Claire, I’m going to have to agree with my wife. I seriously doubt Ali can pass a psychiatric examination. ”
“Why are you being so quiet? Don’t you have an opinion on this, Claire?
”
“If Alison has psychological problems, it’s Mike Horton’s fault, and he’s got to pay for what he’s done. ”
Nancy added, “Claire, I had a conversation with Ali last night. Now that Mike has forced Carrie to resign, Ali seriously believes that she can make him fall in love with her. I’m telling you, she’s playing out this entire movie in her head.
”
“Yeah, ‘The Many Faces of Ali. ‘”
“Claire, she has completely lost touch with reality. ”
“She has lost touch with reality to escape the pain. Please keep in mind, now, that Alison’s the victim here.
”
“Claire, we’ve never thought otherwise, but it really doesn’t make a difference what we think, now, does it? It’s the three shrinks that examine Ali. They have the final say. That’s all that matters, and I’m afraid that when this whole thing is over, that this lawsuit’s going to be history.
”
“So then we’ll just have to make sure that Alison passes that test. ”
Ali continued her charm offensive with Alice. “Mrs. Horton, can I be honest with you?
”
“That’s what I’m hoping for. ”
“I thought Mike was a perfect gentleman. I trusted him, but he hurt me terribly. He promised me the head nurse job, and then he reneged.
I felt completely used, and he offered me the position just to get me into bed. I’m sorry. I’m so sorry. I know this can’t be easy for you to hear about your own grandson.
”
“I told Michael that I didn’t approve of what he’s done, but that’s not the point. ”
“Okay, look, let me make this clear, okay? This isn’t about revenge. It’s about broken promises, about a man in a very powerful position using his power unjustly.
It’s not about money. It’s about integrity and justice, and I have to do what my heart and my conscience tell me to do. You do understand that, don’t you, Mrs. Horton?
”
Carrie watched from a distance. “I cannot believe it. What in the world is Ali up to now? ”
Stefano approached Marlena again.
“I promise you, Marlena, I’ll not do anything to stop your wedding. ”
“I’ve learned not to trust your promises, Stefano. ”
“I hope that one day you will change your mind, but I certainly hope that you and John will find the happiness that you both deserve. And to show you that there are no hard feelings, please accept this small token with my best wishes.
”
John found Gina unconscious. “Hope? Hope, hope. Are you all right?
”
“What happened? ”
“You passed out. Let’s quit messing around. Let me take you to the hospital and get you checked out, okay?
”
“No, I’m fine. I’m okay, John. ”
“Well, then, at least sit down, please. ”
“All right.
Would you grab those bags for me? ”
“Yeah. ”
“It must be the heat. It’s kind of warm today.
”
“Yeah, that’s it. ”
“I hope it’s cooler for the wedding. Is it going to be outside? ”
“No comment.
”
“This is so frustrating. You can’t just tell me one little hint? ”
“You’re just going to have to be surprised like everybody else. How are you feeling?
”
“I’m okay, thank you. How’s your headache? ”
“I don’t have one, not now. It’s only when I remember being under DiMera’s control.
When I do, it’s like I—it’s like I have no free will at all. ”
“I’m sure it wasn’t always like that, John. There must have been a time when you wanted to break Stefano’s control over you. I am sure that you found a way to follow your heart.
”
“I want to believe that. I want to believe that I was a good man. I want to believe that I was a good man with a conscience, with the ability to love, to—”
“I know you were. ”
“No, all I remember being is this ruthless fighting machine, following orders, never questioning Stefano’s authority.
”
“John, that can’t be the big picture. Think about the time in Capri with Princess Gina, giving her a kiss, dancing with her. You couldn’t have been under Stefano’s control then. ”
“Who knows?
”
“John, there has got to be a way to prove that Father John wasn’t always a heartless mercenary, that he was a loving—”
“There is no way to prove that short of turning me back into the man that I used to be. ”
“Why don’t we do it, then? ”
“What are you saying? What are you saying?
”
“All I meant was maybe if you tried to remember your life as Father John, then we could prove that you weren’t always Stefano’s pawn. ”
“I told you before, I do not want to live that part of my life. ”
“I know from the memories that I’ve been having that you cared about Princess Gina and Greta a great deal. They were your family.
”
“I have a family. What do I want to go digging the past up for? What am I going to find, Hope—that I had feelings for Princess Gina? That I broke my vow of celibacy as a priest?
What good is dredging up the past going to do me now? ”
“Don’t you want to know the truth? ”
“I know the truth. Do you want to know the truth?
I love Marlena, I love my children, and I don’t want to jeopardize my future with them, and that’s why this wedding is so important—because I am committing myself to Doc and to the kids. And if you don’t understand that, if you don’t support me in that, then, by God, please stay away from me. ”
“Wait. I’m sorry.
I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to push you. I need you. I don’t want to lose you, John, as a friend.
We’ve been through too much together. I always want you to be a part of my life. ”
Carrie spotted Ali leaving the coffee shop. “Why would Ali be having coffee with Alice Horton?
She trying to make points with Mike somehow? ”
Sami was exasperated. “Can you forget about Mike for one minute and think about Austin? ”
“Sami, you have no idea how sneaky and underhanded she is.
”
“I don’t care. ”
“Sami, she dated Mike for like 10 seconds. It was never serious. I mean, it was over before it even started.
But in Ali’s mind, they had this huge relationship, and Mike kept trying to tell her that they had no future together, but she doesn’t seem to get it. ”
“Talk about not getting it. ”
“And now she’s trying to butter up Mike’s grandmother. She must be getting desperate.
”
“Would you listen to yourself for one minute? ”
“Sami, I have to find out what’s going on. ”
“Wait, Carrie, don’t—”
Ali was leaving. “Let me get this.
”
“No, no, no. It’s all right. I’ll take care of that. ”
“Thank you.
I’m glad we had this chat, Mrs. Horton. I hope you know I do care about Mike and this hospital. I’d even be willing to drop the lawsuit if Mike would say he’s sorry and try to make amends.
And maybe you’re the person who can persuade Mike to do that. I know he adores you. Maybe you can convince your grandson to do the right thing. Got to go.
Bye. ”
Carrie intercepted her. “Ali, what are you doing? ”
“Sorry, Carrie, I’m in a hurry.
”
“I don’t care, and for once, I want the truth. ”
Sami watched. “You have got it bad, Carrie. No wonder Austin thinks his marriage is over.
You’re obsessed with Mike. ”
Mike was still fuming. “So what really blows my mind is that you believe everything Ali McIntyre tells you about me. ”
“That’s right, that’s right.
I should believe you, Mike. I should, right? ”
“Well, you know, you should at least start to listen to me and consider the idea that you’re the one who damaged your own marriage. And you should really consider the idea that Ali McIntyre is insane.
”
“And you’re the only one that’s sane here. ”
“Well, I’m sure as hell not the villain you’re making me out to be. ”
“You took advantage of my wife, Mike. You’ve ruined her reputation.
One day she’s going to wake up and realize you’re the one that did it, and then she’s going to be way too late. I’m done with this. This is a stupid conversation, all right? Do me a favor.
When Carrie comes, have her sign the divorce papers because I’m done with this, man. I am through. Thank you. ”
“My pleasure.
”
Sami ran into Austin. “Austin, hi. ”
“Oh, hi. I’m sorry, Sami.
”
“You seem distracted. Are you okay? ”
“No, yeah, I’m—I’m fine. ”
“Well, I did see Carrie earlier, and I’m sorry, but I did give her a hard time.
I told her not to give up on your marriage. ”
“Well, it’s too late for that. ”
“Austin, she does feel guilty about what she’s done. ”
“What am I supposed to do, Sami, wait around for her?
”
“But divorce is so final. I mean, don’t you think you should think about it? ”
“Well, did she say anything to you about leaving Mike? ”
“No.
”
“Then it’s time for me to move on. I have to forget about her. I have to concentrate on you and our future. ”
“What do you mean?
”
“Well, you know, we have to get Will away from Lucas and we have to make sure you and I—that he has a positive family experience. Right? Look, I got to go meet Mickey, and I’m going to ask his advice on getting custody. ”
“Great.
Thank you. ”
“All right. ”
Marlena refused Stefano’s gift. “I want nothing from you.
”
“All right. Then let me open the gift and show you. Then you can decide whether you want to accept them or not. I remember the night that I took you to the opera.
It was a glorious evening. We had no animosity between us. You were the queen and I was the king. ”
“Are you enjoying the opera?
”
“It’s very romantic, isn’t it? Very passionate. ”
“Please, take them. Since I cannot attend the wedding myself, I want you to have them with my best wishes.
”
“Finally, Marlena, you have reached your destiny. ”
Sami appeared. “What is going on? ”
“Hello, Samantha.
It’s good to see you out and about, enjoying your freedom. ”
“You have hurt my family enough. Leave my mother alone. ”
“It’s good to see that you have survived with your fighting spirit intact.
But rest assured, I only have your mother’s best interests at heart. Goodbye. Enjoy the gift. ”
“So what’s it for—the gift?
”
Marlena changed the subject. “I have news. John and I are getting married tomorrow. ”
John apologized to Gina.
“Hope… of course I want to be your friend, Hope. ”
“You’re not angry with me? ”
“No, I’m not angry with you.
I’m—I’m sorry is what I am. I just lost it, and I didn’t mean to be harsh with you. ”
“No, no, no, no. I’m the one who’s sorry for being so persistent about searching for my past, the missing pieces.
Just ask you one more question, though. If I ever did learn more about Princess Gina’s relationship with Father John, you’d want to know, wouldn’t you? ”
“Yeah. ”
“Okay.
Well, if you need any help with the wedding, just give me a call, okay? ”
“Thanks, I’ll do that. I’ll see you. ”
“Bye.
”
John turned to Stefano. “So what is up, Stefano? ”
Nancy was worried. “How can Ali pass the shrink test, Dr.
McIntyre? It’s not like the S. A. T.
s where they offer a course. ”
“Yeah. I mean, if you’re not starting out with a full deck—”
“Alison can be very lucid. ”
“Except when she’s talking about Michael Horton, and that’s all they’re going to talk to her about.
”
“Now, I know Alison’s behavior can be erratic, but I truly believe she’ll pass this evaluation, so we must proceed with the lawsuit. And then the next step is to have the hospital board named as co-defendant. ”
“Wait a minute. Wait a minute.
Before you do that, you have to have Ali’s authorization. What if she refuses? ”
“Well, then I’ll just call Gregory Charmain and authorize it for her. ”
“But what if Ali won’t cooperate?
She could be in la-la land right this moment ordering bridesmaids’ dresses or picking out towels to have them embroidered with ‘Dr. and Mrs. Mike Horton. ‘”
Mike was determined.
“I got to get Ali to drop this lawsuit. Carrie can’t find out. ”
Carrie confronted Mike. “You’re asking me to resign from my job?
”
“I want you out of the line of fire. I mean, in case there’s a scandal. ”
“My God, Mike, you’re much more high-profile. You’re much more vulnerable to gossip than some lowly P.
R. director. I could help you. ”
“I’m sorry, Carrie.
My decision is final. ”
“No matter what happens, I got to protect Carrie. ”
Carrie caught up with Ali. “What are you up to, Ali?
”
“Were you following me? ”
“Why are you getting so chummy with Alice Horton all of a sudden? ”
“We happen to have a lot in common, Grandma Horton and I. Do you have a problem with that?
”
“As a matter of fact, I do, Ali, because it doesn’t take a genius to figure out that you are up to no good here. And whatever you were trying to do, there is no way that I am going to let you get away with it. ”
“Oh, yeah? ”
“Yeah.
”
Sami was shocked. “The wedding is tomorrow? So soon? ”
“I know it’s short notice.
I’m sorry about that. ”
“No, Mom, not at all. There’s no reason to wait, not now. You and John deserve so much happiness.
”
“Thank you, baby. I’ve got to call Eric and Carrie. ” She noticed Sami’s expression. “What’s wrong?
What’s the matter? ”
“I don’t think Carrie is going to be in the mood for a wedding. ”
“Why? Why not?
”
“I hate to be the one to tell you this, Mom. Carrie and Austin are getting a divorce. ”
Ali taunted Carrie. “Just because your marriage is on the rocks doesn’t mean I have to give up on Mike.
”
“What does one thing have to do with the other, Ali? Mike is not interested in you. When are you going to get that through your head? ”
“Who the hell are you to tell me how he feels?
”
“You are making yourself the laughingstock of the hospital. ”
“At least I wasn’t fired, like you. ”
“Who told you that? ”
“It’s all over the hospital.
The C. O. S. asked for your resignation.
Bummer, huh? Well, I guess we finally have something in common, Carrie. We’ve both been used by Mike Horton. ”
Claire was resolute.
“As I told you, I’ll call the lawyer right away and have the hospital board served papers. ”
“Fine, then our next challenge is to make sure that a team of psychiatrists believe that Nurse McIntyre is compos mentis. ”
“Don’t worry, I’ll keep Ali in line, but I may need your cooperation. In order for this lawsuit to succeed, we all have to work together.
”
Gina smiled to herself. “Thank God John trusts me again. It’ll make things so much easier. I’m finally going to have John back with me again, only this time he will not be under Stefano’s control.
He’ll be with me. ”
Stefano’s voice echoed in John’s mind. “You have no conscience. You are a fighting machine.
You will destroy anyone who gets in your way. ”
“Yes, sir. I have my orders, sir. ”
“Repeat after me.
I will destroy the enemy. ”
“I will destroy the enemy, sir. I will destroy the enemy, sir. I will destroy the enemy.
“
