Epilog:

 

The Woods:

 

Victor gets out of his car somewhere in a deeply wooded area. He says to someone we can’t see yet, “Come alone. Desolate location. Message sent through old channels. Very clandestine. A bit out of character for you… Shawn.” Camera turns and we see Shawn Sr. standing by his car looking very nervous. He says, “We needed to talk.”

 

Victor looks a little put out and says, “About what?” Shawn says, “You know what. I thought… I thought that after Stefano died and with Tony in custody… I thought this unrelenting assault on my family would stop!”

 

Victor sighs and says, “Shawn… you knew when you left The Twelve that there would be reproductions.” Shawn who is very agitated says, “I know! But I’ve done everything they’ve asked of me. Everything! I stayed quiet, I changed names, cut all ties, and I didn’t interfere with any of their plans! I’ve stayed out of it and they promised me that we would be left alone in return! I knew that promise would not be upheld by Stefano. I knew his hate for me would defy any agreement The Twelve and I had. But Stefano is gone! Tony is in jail!! WHY is my family still being tortured this way!?” Victor says, “Some ties are not broken so easily, Shawn.” Shawn continues, “What must I do to get them to leave me and my family alone?!”

 

Victor says, “Why are you ask me? You and I are the only two members to ever leave the Twelve without a death certificate… or prison sentence. I don’t know all the members anymore. It’s a new era, most of the old players are gone. And those who are still there… they disavowed me after my stroke. I know as much as you do in all this.”

 

Shawn shakes his head not believing Victor and says angrily, “I left for moral reasons… you didn’t. You have to still have contacts… someone who can help me keep my family safe!” Victor snaps back, “Bo is my son too, Shawn! Don’t you think if I knew a way to keep him and Hope out of this I would?!!”

 

They stand in silence for a moment. Victor, calming himself some finally says, “Shawn, you have kept this secret from your past silent all these years. Kept it from everyone, Caroline, your kids… and you and I have never spoken about it before now. My advice to you is to continue as you have… go on with your life and stay SILENT.”

 

Shawn says, “That has not been working. I am old Victor… I’ve lived my life. If… if my giving up my life would spare my family…” Victor interjects, “It is to late for that I suspect. If the twelve are truly behind all this then it obviously is not Stefano who you are dealing with. Stefano’s plots were elaborate… their repercussions… far reaching. He made it clear to you that he would make you and your heirs suffer for eternity… even after his death. I fear he is making good on his threat. So your sacrificing yourself now would do as much good as it would have when Stefano was alive. No… your silence bought you protection from the rest of the Twelve and limited Stefano’s resources in harming you. But… whatever wheels he put in motion the Twelve are now turning for their own means. If you speak up now, their gloves will come off and you will be doomed.  If you open this box Shawn… they WILL come after you. I don’t know what it is they want but I do know that if you strike at them they will take your life and your families and anyone else’s they fear you’ve talked to. Go back to your pub, Shawn. You are a good man… you’ve protected your family all this time, don’t do anything stupid now.”

Shawn looks dejected but sighs and says, “I… I can’t sit by while my family is hurt… not any longer.” Victor says, “You’re not and you know it.” He sighs and says, “I… I will see what I can find out. But I make no promises, as you pointed out… you left for moral reasons… I did not… the Twelve know they can’t trust me. Any contacts I have there will be wary about sharing information with me.” Shawn says nods.

 

Victor’s Mansion:

 

Victor arrives home and Henderson says, “Sir, you have a guest.” Victor says, “Really? Who? I wasn’t expecting anyone.” Henderson takes his coat and smiles saying, “Don’t worry sir I think you will be pleased.” Henderson obviously knows the guest.

 

Victor opens the door to his study and smiles. He say beamingly, “Ellen McFadden! It has been years! You look lovelier then ever.” He walks towards his desk. We have yet to see who he is talking too. He says, “Tell me… how long are you planning to be in Salem?” The camera pans around and we see L sitting at Victor’s desk as if she owns the place with Derrick standing by her side. She smiles and stands to great Victor with a handshake and European style kiss on the cheek. She says, “Actually, dear Victor… I think I may be staying in Salem for quiet some time.” She smiles.

 

Fade Out... Role credits!

 

***That's it folks! It has been SO much fun. Thanks for reading! I will post an outline of story ideas from here out later on.