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"I don't think she'll have a problem being your maid of honor," Aaron Maddock says, taking another swig. "Felicia and I have grown close since Melissa's death."
Rebecca frowns. "There is quite a difference between spearheading a wedding and taking on the duties of maid of honor."
"It'll be fine," Aaron insists.
"And you know, she wasn't all together there yesterday at the bridal shop."
They are interrupted as Alexis Lopez trudges into the living room, yawning loudly. She is dressed in clothes that are somewhat tight on her, seeing as how she hadn't worn them since she was in high school. Clearly, some sort of shopping excursion was in order.
"Good morning, Alexis," Aaron says, glancing over the back of the couch. "How did you sleep?"
"Fine," Alexis mutters.
"How about Alexis for a bridesmaid?" Aaron suggests. "You two could bond a bit more since you're going to be..." Aaron can barely choke out the words. "...somehow related."
"I'll be your step-aunt," Rebecca says, smiling at Alexis. But her smile fades as she returns her gaze to Aaron. As in, a how-dare-you-suggest-the-mental-patient-to-be-my-bridesmaid gaze. "I'll talk to Felicia. And I'll give Leslie a call to get a jump on our plans. Only a few weeks!"
Aaron's face falls. "Few weeks?"
"I reserved St. Thomas for the beginning of June, didn't I tell you?"
"You happened to leave that out."
"Oh, that's a shame." Rebecca rises from the couch and goes out the room.
"I'm going to go for a walk," Alexis says.
"I'm not quite..."
"Just around the garden. I know I can't exactly...leave."
"Well, not for a bit," Aaron says. "Just until we get the courts to see that you're not some sort of risk. But you do get to attend the wedding!"
"Fun," Alexis says, rolling her eyes and heading for the door.
Aaron sighs, leaning back in his chair and shutting his eyes. "We're going to be such a wonderful family."
"Thanks, Simon," Darren says, rising from the chair in Simon's office and grabbing his shirt hanging on the door.
"I'm glad you stopped in. It's going to be a nightmare wrangling everyone in town."
With the hospital in ruins, but people still getting sick and continuing with their normal biology, Simon had assembled a new team in order to rebuild most of the hospital's personnel files.
"I can't believe the hospital didn't have back-up files."
"We did," Simon answers. "We just had it all on a server that wasn't remote. Nothing was online, it was all in the hospital's server. Which is currently beyond six feet under. Along with the rest of the bodies as of yet unclaimed."
Darren frowns. "Like Alec...and Phillip."
"Yes," Simon says, nodding. "At any rate, thank you for being the first person to get their medical files in the new...whatever the new hospital will be called when the city frees up enough money to build a new one."
As Darren finishes buttoning up his shirt, he is startled as the door opens and Robert Bale enters. "Robert."
"Interrupting something?" Robert ask, a wry smirk on his face.
"What can I help you with?" Simon demands, not as receptive to Robert's presence as Darren is. "Seeing as how you've barged into my office so rudely."
"Sorry...but I'm looking for Felicia."
"She doesn't want to hear from you, Robert," Simon says. "Would you please respect her wishes?"
"I sure will. Just as soon as we have a discussion about why she broke into my house, climbed into my bed naked, and then smashed the hell out of my glass coffee table last night."
Simon is floored. He wasn't quite expecting to hear that, and Robert notices.
"You didn't know."
"She...she didn't come home last night," Simon says. "But she's been taking some time to herself lately. I just don't have any idea where."
Robert sighs, leaning against the doorway. "I think I can take a guess."
HANLEY HOME
Felicia Bale stirs in an unknown bedroom, unsure of her surroundings until she is able to stretch toward the lamp on a nearby dresser. The lights come on, blinding her momentarily.
This shit is way too fucking bright... but once her eyes adjust, they are able to inform her that she is in her brother's bedroom.
She rests a palm against her forehead, attempting to dispel the pounding headache rattling in her skull. The entire last night is so blank to her... so many memories float within her mind, but they all bring her back to a distant past.
Like the last time she was in this bedroom.
She hasn't been able to set foot in here since she drunkenly made her way into this room several years ago, kissing and unbuttoning the clothes of Michael Hanley, the man no one had any idea was her brother until Valerie Holden revealed the embarrassing truth.
Since then, Felicia has been unable to even look at this room. When she was married to Robert, she constantly told herself that she wasn't attracted to Michael. She'd known he was her brother for years, and the closeness between them was only something she had felt because she knew they were related.
But he told himself that they were romantic feelings. She'd led him on. And in a drunken moment of weakness, before she'd be able to admit to herself that she had an addiction, she almost slept with him. She was disgusted with herself.
Disgusted for being so weak. So easily manipulated by a bottle of liquor. And here she was again. Not drunk, but a victim to her own idiocy. She can barely remember what led her to Robert's home last night, barely remember what transpired, but she knows it's something she'd sooner rather forget...
"I made you some tea."
Felicia glances up at the doorway, finding Michael holding a white tea cup in his hands.
"How are you doing?" Michael asks.
"I...I can't remember what I did last night," Felicia answers. "Everything... everything is such a blur."
"You showed up on my doorstep sobbing last night."
Felicia glances around the room nervously. "And then we...I..."
"I slept on the couch," Michael says, confused. "Are you okay?"
"I...I don't..." Felicia is interrupted as the doorbell rings, sounding throughout the entire mansion.
"I'd better get that," Michael says, setting the tea down. "Excuse me."
FARRAH LOUIS' APARTMENT
Billy shoots his eyes toward the front door as Farrah Louis enters the apartment, tossing her keys onto the kitchen counter. He smiles at her, closing her laptop and meeting her in the kitchen.
"How was your day?" He asks, making extra sure to pour on the saccharine.
"The usual hell," Farrah says, kissing him. "I wish I could just tell that bitch Gabrielle where to shove it. But I've got to make the money we need."
Billy glances toward her laptop. "Actually, now that you mention that...I've got an idea."
"What kind of idea?" Farrah asks, grinning. "Robbing a bank?"
"No...a much simpler engagement," Billy says, moving toward the table and opening the laptop. "I was looking at Craigslist...and I came across something that'd be right up your alley."
Farrah follows Billy to the computer. Once she catches a glimpse at the screen, she's horrified. "Alec! You can't be serious!"
"Of course I'm serious."
"You want me to strip for Aaron Maddock's bachelor party?" Farrah demands. "And how incredibly tacky is that for someone to post an ad naming the groom and bride on Craigslist?"
Billy irritatedly slams the laptop shut. "Look, I thought you wanted to help me. I can't hang around in Marquette Cove forever. Someone might find me."
"Alec...what you're asking me to do..."
"I need that money, Farrah."
"You mean we do," Farrah says. "We're leaving together, right?"
"Of course," Billy mutters quickly. "I just...I don't have any options. I'm supposed to be dead. And you'll never make enough money at Gemini for us to skip town."
Farrah bites her lip, almost considering it for a moment.
"I don't...I don't know if I can strip in front of people I know," Farrah says.
"I don’t give a fuck if your pussy's hanging out," Billy snarls. "Don't you realize this isn't a game, you stupid bitch?"
Farrah pushes Billy away from her. "Go to hell, Alec!"
Billy grabs Farrah by her wrist, pulling her closer. "I don't want to hurt you, Farrah. But you remember what I did to Jessica."
Farrah nods weakly.
"Then how about you as I say, and not what you think," Billy says, pulling her into a sloppy kiss. "Besides. It's better if you don't think."
Farrah wants to react, push Alec away...but she finds herself unable to. His kiss is so warm, so inviting...just what she needs to make herself feel better after the day she's had.
And so she gives in.
Like she always does.
MADDOCK HOME
"Hello, beautiful."
Alexis stops in surprise as she runs into Eric Hanley, on his way toward the front door. She recognizes him slightly, but it's from years ago, before she was sentenced to a life in a padded cell. "I'm sorry...I don't know your name."
"It's Eric," he says, extending a hand. "I see you're Aaron's new ward!"
Alexis laughs. "Ward?"
"He inside?"
"Yes. With my...we're somehow related, that woman and I. Or we will be."
"Thanks."
He opens the door and goes inside, finding Aaron sipping a cup of coffee on the couch. Without alerting Aaron to his presence, Eric creeps toward the couch, reaching from behind and sliding his hands across Aaron's chest.
Aaron, not registering that it's Eric at first, takes this moment in and leans back slightly aroused. It isn't until he looks up and notices Eric that he spits the coffee from his mouth, nearly choking on it.
"Tell me how you want it, baby," Eric says, laughing.
"How the hell did you get in here?" Aaron demands, leaping to his feet. "Who let you in?"
"Don't worry about it."
Eric hops over the back of the couch, stretching his legs out and reaching for Aaron's belt buckle. Aaron angrily swats Eric away, stepping back and nearly crashing to the floor as he hits the coffee table.
"Stop it," Aaron hisses.
"Don't tell me you're worried about your fiancée finding out. Because she already caught us getting hot and heavy at Mata Hari's."
"Don't remind me. You're the reason I'm in this mess."
"Does that mean you'll finally admit it? That you're a big old fag, and not just playing for both teams?"
Aaron glares at Eric, almost at the ready to slug him in the jaw. "What do you want?"
"I came to give you some news," Eric says. "I booked the Plaza for next weekend."
"I'm not having sex with you."
"I meant for your bachelor party! I made a guest list that you're gonna die when you see."
Aaron folds his arms. "This has disaster written all over it."
"I know," Eric says, grinning as he rubs his stomach. "And I've got a huge appetite for destruction."
HANLEY HOME
Michael isn't at all surprised to open the front door and find Leslie Hanley outside, a livid look plastered on her face. He smiles, leaning against the doorway and grinning at her. "Welcome home, dear."
Leslie shoves Michael back as she marches into the house, ripping court documents from her purse and waving them at him. "What the hell is this, Michael? What in the hell is this?"
"I think you already know the answer to that," Michael says, closing the door and following Leslie into the living room.
"You can't take my child away from me," Leslie insists.
"Last time I checked, it was our child. And you completely shut me out, Leslie. You won't let me attend any of your doctor's appointments, and you've made it absolutely clear that you want me to have no role whatsoever in my child's life."
"As if you deserve it?"
"I'm that child's father."
"And what exactly are you going to teach our baby, Michael?" Leslie asks, sauntering toward him with an accusatory glare. "How to fake people's deaths? How to manipulate the court system to get out of kidnapping charges?"
Michael shrugs. "When the time comes, perhaps."
Leslie slaps Michael across the face. "You're so goddamn flip, Michael. I thought...I thought you'd...actually, I don't know what I thought. But I never thought you'd stoop so low."
"Oh, really? This coming from she who stoops to conquer?" Michael shoots back. "How many people are you playing games with now, Leslie? Me? Robert? Sean? I don't want my child growing up in turmoil."
Leslie scoffs. "That's rich, Michael."
"What did you come here for?"
"To persuade you to stop this ridiculous lawsuit."
"Not going to happen," Michael says glumly. "I guess I'll be seeing you in court."
"You son of a bitch," Leslie continues. "How dare you! If you think you're going to get away with this, you are sorely mistaken."
"And what are you going to do? Kill me?"
"Maybe," Leslie sounds off. "I can't anticipate too many people crying over your death. And me? I'd sooner dance on your grave, Michael."
"All of the class we've come to love and expect from Leslie Hanley...Moore...Bale?"
Leslie and Michael turn to find Felicia entering from the foyer. Leslie rolls her eyes, shoving the court documents back into her purse. "You want to talk upheaval? Try raising a child around this crazy bitch."
"I won't have you talking to my sister like that," Michael snaps. "Get out, Leslie. I can't even look at your face."
"Gladly."
Leslie brushes past Michael and Felicia, storming out the mansion. As the door slams shut, Felicia snickers softly.
"Well, she's certainly..."
"Don't," Michael says, melancholy finally registering on his face.
MARQUETTE COVE FREE CLINIC
"Now, that wasn't so bad," Kristine, the nurse who just finished drawing blood from Robert, says as she applies a band-aid to his skin. "Was it?"
"No dear, it was lovely," Robert says, resting a hand on her arm.
Darren rolls his eyes from his seat in the corner. "Can we please, Uncle Robert?"
"What? I'm a single man."
Kristine smiles. "I'll be right back, Mr. Bale."
As she makes an exit from Simon's office, Darren rises and approaches Robert. "Do you want to go have some lunch and strategize about Monday?"
Robert frowns. "Sure. I can't believe that goddamn Aaron is dragging me into court twice. First to take everything my wife left me, and then to take my child? I don't know what the hell Felicia sees in him."
"At this point, I'm starting to agree with you," Darren says. "He's playing some kind of angle. I just wish I knew what it was."
"The angle of pretending he didn't molest my son, and then manipulate the hell out of him to get me to do it," Robert says. "That's the only I can see."
"Well, let's just worry about this upcoming lawsuit," Robert says. "And then we can worry about finding Tyler Rogers. I want to blow that bastard out of the water before that wedding happens. I want to protect Hunter and Alexis from that man."
"Don't worry. We'll take care —"
"Flirting with my nurses, Robert?" Simon asks, returning to his office. "Just when I think you've gotten your libido of a fifteen year old under control..."
"How's that libido of yours going?" Robert shoots back. "You know, with my ex-wife?"
"I'm divorced these days," Simon answers, attempting to remain as nonchalant as Robert but failing miserably. "So...it's none of your business."
Robert beams widely, flashing his teeth. "Oh, that's right. You finally gave old Valerie the heave ho."
Simon raises an eyebrow. "Speaking of...I saw your name on the recent visitor's list when I visited Valerie yesterday. What kind of business do you and my ex-wife have to discuss?"
"Her being divorced these days, I'm not sure it's any of your business," Robert says coyly. "But for what it's worth, I was passing along some information to her new attorney. She has a parole hearing next week."
Simon remains expressionless. "I'm aware."
"Yeah," Robert scoffs. "You aware. Let's go Darren."
As Robert goes out the room, Darren offers a sympathetic gaze toward Simon before following suit. Neither of them are there to see Simon's face finally fall once he's alone, proving just how much he let Robert's words get to him.
MADDOCK HOME
Alexis runs her fingers through the fresh foliage outside, nearly being brought to tears by something so simple as spring leaves and crisp, fresh air. For years she was confined to a hole with barely any light that wasn't coming from the fluorescent fixture in her cell.
Even people in prison got to hang out in the prison yard.
She is startled from her quiet contemplation as Eric goes out the front door, barely paying attention to her. Normally, she would object to being treated as if she were invisible. But she had so many people... doctors... nurses...talking at her when she was at the hospital that she relishes the opportunity to fade into the background.
In fact, she gets that treatment from most everyone but Aaron. He tries so hard. But everyone else, they still don't know to read her. How to take a girl who killed her abusive father. Who kidnapped a woman and tortured her in a hospital.
Most people have their dark secrets, but Alexis' were all out in the open for everyone to see.
"Are you in town yet?"
Alexis stops when she recognizes the voice of Kane Li, yet another one of the houseguests in the mansion, near the back of the yard. She doesn't mean to eavesdrop, but he doesn't notice her, and so she chooses not to move.
"Well how long does it take to get here from Jersey?" Kane demands. "Yeah...I know what I'm risking, but it's worth it. One way or another, I'm getting the hell out of Marquette Cove before this farce of a wedding."
Alexis inches closer, craning her neck.
"And if Aaron gets in the way..." Kane's voice trails off for a moment, then he speaks in a hushed tone. "Let's just say I've killed someone before. And I hear it gets easier the second time."
