“Heads up, Dad! ” Belle shouted, sending a softball flying straight toward him. John caught it just in time, laughing. “Whoa.
Sorry about that. ”
“Now you see why I gave up softball,” she said, smiling. “No, that’s my fault. I wasn’t paying attention.
”
“Don’t feel bad about what you said to Hope, I mean. You were just trying to help. ”
“I know, but I’m sure it came off as being a little—”
“Harsh? Yeah, but you’re just worried about her.
I totally understand that. ”
—
In Paris, Hope stared at Bo with ice in her eyes. “You really should have asked me first. ”
“Oh, come on.
We’re in Paris. We have to be impulsive—just do things. ”
“Yes, déjà vu,” she said flatly. “I have already seen Paris.
Bo, I just don’t want to have this conversation again, okay? I didn’t ask you to come here. If you would like to see Paris, then go right ahead. ”
“I recognize that look.
”
“Annoyance? ”
“Hurt. Did you call John? He’s married.
Why would he want to hear about his past with Princess Gina? ”
“John’s past was the most important thing to him. Marlena’s the one—”
“Why would he want to remember a woman he doesn’t love? He doesn’t love Hope, he doesn’t love Princess Gina, and he never will.
”
—
Elsewhere, Gina paced her gilded prison, her voice cracking with desperation. “John is not coming for me because he does not know I am here. Oh, John. My God, what has Stefano done to you?
My life is gone—John, my daughter… Oh, my sweet Greta. I swear to you, Greta, I have got to find you. ”
She pounded against the walls of the chateau.
“Help! Help! ”
—
Back in Salem, Greta stood beside Eric at the edge of a grave, her face pale. “Do you think anybody’s been to visit my mother’s grave?
Or even taken care of it? ” She swallowed hard. “I wonder if she had a funeral. She would have wanted Father John to do the services.
But then again, he wasn’t a priest, was he? Besides, he was gone. I was gone. ”
“Greta…
” Eric said gently. “I should have known what happened to my mother, Eric. ”
—
At the hospital, Lexie dabbed at her eyes, embarrassed. “I don’t usually get this emotional.
”
“It looks like Dr. Horton’s resignation hit everybody pretty hard,” Brandon said. “Yeah. He was a mentor to most everybody here.
”
—
Carrie sat across from Ali, her voice low and broken. “You were right about Mike. ”
Ali blinked. “I was right?
”
“He does. He puts his own needs first. He hurt me the same way that he hurt you. ”
“She’s a little slow, but eventually, that 20-watt bulb starts to blink,” Ali said dryly.
“You helped me figure it out, Ali. Mike—he just cares about himself and his career and what he needs. And deep down, he doesn’t respect me. How can I respect him?
”
—
Mike’s grandmother Alice appeared at his door, her small frame steady with purpose. “Grandma, you did not have to come here. ”
“I did, too. And your grandpa’s here, too.
”
“I would prefer to think that he’s not watching at this particular moment. ”
“Nonsense. In Tom’s time, everything wasn’t hearts and roses, too. He was proud of you.
He was so happy with you because you were a doctor, and you were a good doctor. ”
“Thanks. That means a lot. ”
—
Then Mitchell Lewis raised his hand for attention.
“Since you’re all gathered here, it seems a fitting time to introduce our next chief of staff. Actually, he’s a familiar face to all of us. Without any further ado, may I present Dr. Craig Wesley?
”
Craig stepped forward with a slick smile. “Thank you, Mr. Lewis. Mrs.
Winston, thank you for your support. Dr. Horton has certainly paved the way for me to shine. ”
Lexie turned to Mike, furious.
“Mike, this is so unfair. No one can do the job you did, certainly not Craig Wesley. ”
“Thanks,” Mike said quietly. “I’m sorry.
”
“What are you going to do? ” she asked. “I’ve decided to take a leave of absence. ”
Marlena stepped closer.
“I’m sure you don’t have to decide right away, Mike. Take some time to think about it. ”
“No, I don’t need any time. ”
“I see.
Does Carrie know? ”
“Mm-hmm. ”
Craig’s laughter echoed across the room. Mike straightened his shoulders.
“Well, somebody will be wanting to move into my office stat, so I’d best go clean it out. ”
—
Later, Marlena found him alone in that office, packing boxes. “Are you all right? ” she asked.
“I’d like to say that I am, but that would be lying. ”
“Would it help to talk about it? ”
“I doubt it. You think I deserve this.
”
“Oh, no, I don’t. ”
“I’m sorry. Thank you. It was thoughtful of you to come by.
”
She walked to the window. “I can’t tell you how many times I’ve found myself in this office when I needed someone to listen when I was troubled. When I needed help, your grandfather was the person to whom I turned. ”
“Right.
Didn’t hurt that he made a mean hot chocolate. ”
She smiled. “On a Bunsen burner, no less. It amazed me that he could run this whole hospital but couldn’t master a microwave.
”
“He could, you know. Grandma taught him. He just liked to do things the old-fashioned way. ”
She picked up a pen from his desk.
“Is this the pen that Carrie gave you? ”
“Yeah. That was grandpa’s. ”
She set it down softly.
“When Roman and I broke up, I wasn’t sure if I could find a way to start again. Everything that I did seemed wrong. Your grandpa gave me some very good advice. He said, ‘Don’t make any long-term plans.
Just take it one day at a time. ’”
“Is that why you came by? You’re wondering about my plans? ”
“I care about you, Mike.
And I also love Carrie. ”
“I know you do. So do I. ”
“Then you would want what’s best for her.
”
“Yes, I would. But you don’t think that’s me. ”
“No, I don’t. ”
—
Ali studied Carrie with narrowed eyes.
“Does Mike’s PR machine need a tuneup? Because you’re supposed to say ‘Mike is perfect. Mike’s wonderful. ’”
“That’s what I thought.
I truly did. But now I know that I was wrong. I am sorry that I ever got involved with Mike. ”
—
John sat down beside Belle in the park.
“Why don’t you sit down here for a second, daughter, and tell your dear old dad what exactly it is you totally understand? ”
“Well, that Hope thinks she’s this person named Princess Gina, and that really worries you. Me, too. ”
“You’re a smart girl.
But don’t worry about it, sweetheart. Your uncle Bo is over there in Paris with her right now. ”
“Yeah, and he’ll take really good care of her. ”
“That’s right.
”
“Dad, I’m so glad that you’re back, safe. ”
“But not so glad that you want to hang with your old man all day long, right? ”
“Mimi’s coming in a couple minutes to pick me up. We’re going to the mall.
”
“Oh, the mall, the mall, the mall. Let’s see if I can help you out a little bit. ” He pulled out his wallet. “You’re kidding.
”
“No, I’m not kidding. Just don’t go crazy, all right? Especially with those headband T-shirt things you like so much. ”
“Tube tops.
”
“Yeah, tube tops. ”
“Salem High has a dress code, Dad. ”
“Yeah, I’ve seen that dress code. ”
“I’ll be good, I promise.
”
“I know you will. ”
“Love you. ”
“I love you, sweetheart. You be careful, okay?
”
—
Abe walked up, grinning. “Hey. You getting ready for school? ”
“School in general, no.
Driver’s ed, definitely. ”
“Are we still on? ” Abe asked. “Still on for what?
” John said. “When I get my learner’s, Uncle Abe said I can practice on the obstacle course at the police academy,” Belle said. “Gunning for a commendation for bravery, huh? ” John teased.
“Oh, very funny. See you guys. ”
Once she was gone, Abe turned serious. “Hey, I wanted to fill you in on the latest from the Hawaiian PD.
”
“Word on that woman I tried to rescue? ”
“Sorry, no. No body found, either. ”
“The whole damn thing’s a blank, Abe.
”
“You know, Bo thinks that DiMera arranged your disappearance. ”
“Yeah, I know. But Marlena believes he has nothing to do with it. ”
“Well, I did get confirmation DiMera’s in Paris.
”
“Paris? Then he must be with Hope. ”
“That’s a logical assumption. ”
“So DiMera’s with Hope and Bo’s with Hope.
”
“Bo has a hell of a job ahead of him. ”
“Hope has a hell of a life ahead of her if Bo doesn’t win. ”
—
Bo kept pressing Hope in Paris. “John is married to Marlena.
Why would he want to dredge up his past? He’s a machine created by DiMera. You think he wants to find out that maybe he killed a man? Or maybe 100?
”
—
John found himself in a cold, dark place, reliving the past. He grabbed a man by the throat and slammed him against the wall. “The bastard deserves it,” John snarled. “John, stop!
Stop it! ” Hope screamed. “Back off, Gina. You don’t give me orders.
I work for Stefano. Kind of tough being a hero, isn’t it? ”
Bo’s voice echoed in his mind: “John has had violent memories of being DiMera’s mercenary, a trained killer. What if he and Princess Gina were successful at escaping from DiMera?
John could have turned on her, too. ”
—
In the chateau, Kurt slid a plate toward her. “Petit four, your highness, with raspberry. ”
“I want to meet those people in the garden.
”
“They’re leaving. ”
“Why are you holding me captive in this tower? Why do you refuse to take me to Paris? Why do you not let me receive guests?
What are you doing to me, Kurt? ”
“Your highness—”
“Highness—yes, that is right. Do not ever forget who I am. I am a princess, Kurt.
You shall tell me the truth. Now, who are those people and what do they want from me? ”
—
Greta and Eric stood together at the gravesite, her eyes fixed on the soil. “She’s here, Eric.
Oh, my God. She’s here. ”
—
At the mall, Belle and Mimi wandered through the stores. Mimi sighed.
“I’m sick of shopping. ”
“Are there any normal movies playing? No, of course not. What?
”
“I thought we might run into some people. But I guess they’re not coming. Wait—Dylan! ”
A boy approached, grinning.
“Hey, Mimi. ”
“Oh, sorry. Belle, this is Dylan and—Todd. ”
“Hi.
”
“Brady’s sister, right? ” Todd said. “Yeah. Do I know you?
”
“Not yet. I met them at camp, but they’re going to Salem High next year,” Mimi said. Dylan jumped in. “Yeah, and a party tonight—couple kegs down by the lake.
What do you say? ”
Belle frowned. “Could you give us a minute, please? ”
“Belle…
” Mimi started. “If you do want to go with them, I think you’re crazy. ”
“What’s wrong? Dylan’s brother’s in a frat, and they have keg parties all the time.
There will even be college guys there. It sounds so fun. ”
“What’s fun about going out and getting trashed and maybe getting arrested by my uncle Abe? No, thanks.
I’m not going anywhere with those guys, and I hope neither are you. Sorry, but those back-to-school bargains are hard to pass up. ”
Dylan scoffed. “Yeah, right.
Grow up. ”
“Why don’t you grow up? I’d rather spend my afternoon with school supplies than you. At least they’re a lot more useful.
”
Belle walked off with Mimi trailing behind. Todd called out, “Belle, wait. Look, I want you to know drinking and partying is Dylan’s scene. Sure, I’ll go along, but it’s not really me.
”
“Thanks for the clarification. ”
“So how about a movie? What do you say? ”
“Now?
”
“Whenever. ”
“Maybe next year. ”
Mimi pulled her aside. “Why’d you do that?
”
“We don’t need them. They’re losers. ”
“Why, because they’re interested in us? I don’t happen to hold that against them.
”
“Get over it, Mimi. There are plenty of others where they came from. ”
“Yeah? Where?
”
“Just watch me, okay? Do what I do. You’ll have them, I promise. ”
—
John and Abe kept talking about the case.
“Well, I’m sure that Hope has already told DiMera about Bo, that he’s in Paris trying to ruin the guy’s plans. ”
“Stefano won’t stand for that. ”
“No. Bo better watch his back, Abe.
”
—
Bo refused to give up on Hope. “Somewhere deep inside is Hope Williams Brady, the woman I’ve loved most of my life. And you loved me and Shawn-D. A love like that doesn’t just go away.
It’s still there. All you got to do is look deep enough. ”
“You’re not the man that I love, Bo. ”
“Forget about John.
Believe me, he’s forgotten about you. Don’t let yourself slip completely into this Princess Gina thing, ’cause you’ll wind up the same way she did. And I don’t want to lose you again. Please don’t let that happen.
”
—
Later, John gasped awake from another violent memory, reaching for the truth. Gina’s voice faded into his mind: “John, please, you have to rescue me. Stefano did this. He’s keeping me prisoner.
”
Back at the chateau, Gina sobbed in her locked room. “How can I rest? Damn you, Stefano! I’ve got to find a way to get free.
Then you will regret ever taking John away from me, or my daughter. I hate you. I’m going to kill you, Stefano! ”
—
Greta turned to Eric, her voice trembling.
“Do you know how much I’ve hoped that my mother was alive? But what are we going to do? How are we ever going to know for sure? ”
Eric looked at the grave and made a decision.
“Open it up. ”
—
At the hospital, Nancy approached Carrie with a sweet, insincere smile. “Carrie, it’s just that Craig won’t have you here since you’re leaving, and you’re so good at your job. I was just wondering if you have any PR tips that could help take him to the top.
”
Carrie kept her face neutral. “I’ll leave you my files. ”
“Oh, thank you so much, sweetheart. ”
—
Mike sat alone at a bar, staring at a glass of scotch.
“Make it a double. ”
Ali slid onto the stool beside him. “Drinking alone is like unrequited love… such a bore.
Mind if I join you, Mike? ”
