Part 22:

Giovanni’s Jet:

Bo2 and Patrick have both falling asleep in seats. It is dark outside the windows as Hope sits, still awake looking out. She sees Bo2 asleep and goes and wakes Patrick who had just nodded off. She beckons him to the back of the plane and whispers, “I’m sorry I woke you.” He says, “Its okay. What’s wrong?” Hope says, “Nothing. I wanted to show you this in private.” She shows him the file that is named 'Ryan_Brady_Project'. He asks what’s in it. She tells him, “I don’t know… the file is encrypted… I couldn’t open it. I sent a disk to a friend at ISA and hopefully he can.” Patrick says “so why show it to me?”

Hope points to the name ‘Ryan’ and says, “I thought… do you suppose it could be the same guy?” Patrick rubs the sleep out of his eyes and raises and eyebrow in realization. He says, “Wow… yeah I guess that would make sense …” Hope notices his look and says, “What is it?” Patrick sits down in a seat and says, “Chelsea’s file refers to a Ryan… but no other name then that… just Ryan. Almost like they are trying to protect this guy….I had a friend… a partner long ago. He worked with people like DiMera, the Twelve… we both did. If he was one of their’s they would protect his ID.” Hope asks, “What was his name?”

Patrick says, “Clancy… Clancy Ryan.” Hope says, “What happened too him? Where is he now?” Patrick sighs and we can tell it is a touchy subject he says, “That’s a long story.” Hope glances at her watch and says with a smile, “We have some time.” Patrick looks uncomfortable but begins his story, “Clancy and I worked together, doing jobs of the… less reputable sorts. We were best friends… more like brothers really.” Patrick pauses in reflection and Hope prompts him, “You two had a falling out?”

Patrick nods, “Yeah… you could say that?” Hope prods, “What happened?” Patrick gives a sad half laugh and says, “The most cliché thing that can come between two men…we fell in love with the same woman. We fought for her love and in the end I won.”

Hope asks, “You’re talking about Alma aren’t you?”

Patrick nods, “Yes. Clancy… I guess you could say did not take losing her well. But I was in love and I didn’t care. Alma didn’t approve of my past so I swore I’d give it up for her. So I quit… in the middle of a contract. Didn’t exactly go over well with the guy I was working for. And I guess I didn’t realize exactly how upset Clancy was about Alma and I… because when a contract went out on me Clancy picked it up.”

Hope says, “Oh my god?! He tried to kill you?!” Patrick stops her and says, “Don’t judge him too harshly Hope. You have to understand he and I were mercenaries. This was the only way we knew to work out our problems, and… in all fairness we did not fight fair for Alma… neither of us.” Patrick looks guilty. “And in the end… it cost us both. Clancy came to kill me and at the last moment… Alma moved and…” Hope gasps and says, “Oh Patrick. He killed her?” Patrick nods solemnly. “It was an accident… the bullet was meant for me.” He pauses to regain his composure. “I went after him. I spent a year tracking him down… was going to kill him with my bare hands.” Hope asks hesitantly, “And did you?”

Patrick answers, “I found him. Found him at the bottom of a bottle in a bar in Paris.” Hope is hanging on his words fearing the worst. Patrick continues, “But when I saw him… I… I couldn’t do it. When I looked into his eyes I saw… me. I realized that if he had won Alma and I had lost her that I would be sitting that bar trying to drink myself to death instead of him… see… Clancy may have pulled the trigger but the truth is I’m just as much to blame for Alma’s death as he is. We killed her the moment we brought her into our world.” Hope is almost in tears listening to Patrick’s story.

He says, “So I left him there… there was nothing he and I could say to each other. We both had lost the love of our lives… and lost our friendship. I don’t know what happened to Clancy after that. I heard he disappeared and I figured the worse… that he was dead. So I mourned him. I know that must sound crazy considering he killed my wife but… it isn’t something I expect anyone to understand. Clancy was… my brother in every sense that matters. He and I were the same. And after seeing what we had did to each other and to Alma I swore from that moment on that I would never go back to that life. I pray wherever Clancy ended up that he is at peace.” Patrick hangs his head in sadness remembering Clancy.

Hope is silent of a moment and then says, “I… I’m so sorry Patrick.” He forces a smile at her. She thinks for a moment and says, “When did you last see Clancy?” Patrick thinks for a moment then says, “I’m not sure really… years now.” Hope says, “Over five years ago perhaps?” Patrick looks at her and gathers her meaning. He exhales in dismay, “You can’t be serious?” Hope raises and eyebrow and says, “It would fit wouldn’t it? With what we know?”

Patrick is impressed and says, “Yeah I guess it would. And…wait…” He turns in the sit to face her and says, “I remember being surprised when I found Clancy in Paris because he had always claimed to hate the place. I asked him once why and he said that he had been hurt there once before. I took it that he was physically hurt there but… Hope raises an eyebrow and finishes his thought, “but he could have meant emotionally hurt.” Patrick nods and says, “This is all making way to much sense… Bo Brady… the Bo you’ve thought is your husband for the last five years… could really be Clancy Ryan!” Hope nods in agreement. Patrick says, “What are the odds?” Hope gives a half laugh and says, “I don’t think odds have anything to do with where this group of 12 are concerned… someone is behind this.” Patrick frowns and says, “When Stefano died several of his plans were left undone. It is possible that someone in the 12 is picking them up and twisting them to their own agenda.”

They sit for a moment with their new found knowledge and then Patrick’s face falls some and he says slowly, “Hope… if we are right… and if I am right in that I think this man (he points toward Bo2) is Bo…”

Hope sighs, “I know.” Patrick takes her hand that’s resting on the arm of the chair, “Hope… I care for you very much… but if we are right... and if I am right about who this is (he points towards Bo2)… I won’t come between you and him. I won’t be in that position again.” Hope looks at him and smiles and says, “I understand.” Patrick then smiles and trying to lighten the mood says, “But if he isn’t Bo… well… that’s another story.” He winks and Hope smiles. Patrick gets up and says, “Okay… I’m going to try and get some sleep… you should too.” She nods. He walks back to his seat.

The camera focuses on Bo2 and we see his eyes open slightly and can tell that he was never asleep and was listening to their entire conversation. He looks deep in thought at all this information.

Salem Hospital:

It is late in the night Shawn and Mimi have gone home and just Billie and Roman remain. Kate shows up and asks how Chelsea is. Billie fills her in on what has happened and Kate is stunned. She asks Roman how his parents are taking it. Roman tells her that he has not called them, that he doesn’t want to until they know for sure who Bo1 is. Kate asks what he means and Billie tells her how Roman and Shawn are viciously trying to insinuate that Bo1 is not Bo or is a spy or something. Kate asks Roman if this is true and Roman politely tells her to butt out. Kate asks Billie why this is upsetting her and that she’d think she’d want to know if Bo was Bo too. Billie is about to respond when Lexi shows up.

Billie rushes over for an update on Chelsea. Lexi says, “She made it through surgery.” Billie exclaims, “Thank God!” As Kate hugs her. Roman smiles too for them and says he is happy she’s okay. Lexi calms them down and says, “We aren’t out of the woods yet. They were able to remove the bullet and stop the bleeding. But she lost a lot of blood and suffered a lot of internal damage, plus there is the risk of infection. She is young and strong, and I feel she will pull through but you need to understand that she still has a long way to go. The next 48 hours will be critical. If she can pull through that then I feel we can expect a full recovery.” Billie nods through her tears in understanding.

Lexi turns to Roman and tells him, “I’ve got the lab started preparing the drug for Bo. But it will take awhile, go home and I will call you when it is ready.” Billie perks up hearing this and asks, “Where are they making the drug.” Lexi looks at her in a curious way and says, “Downstairs in the lab.” She then says, “Billie, you should go home and get some sleep too… you won’t be any help to Chelsea if you are dead on your feet.” Billie nods but asks, “Could I see Chelsea first?” Lexi says, “Of course.”

Lexi tells Billie what room Chelsea is in and leaves. Roman says to Billie, “Listen… I really am sorry about Chelsea. I’m sure she will pull through.” Billie thanks him and he leaves. Once he is away Kate turns to Billie and says, “Okay what is going on?” Billie says, “You mean besides my daughter fighting for her life?” Kate gives her a look and says, “Billie, I know you… you are worried about what’s going on with Bo and what Roman said. Why?” Billie stumbles with her words but finaly says, “I… They are just not understanding all he has gone through lately. Learning Georgia was alive, Zack, Hope’s leaving him.” Kate says, “But to shoot Chelsea while trying to kill Shawn?! Billie… I don’t care how upset he is… that’s not normal.”

Billie gets angry with her mom and snaps, “So you’re against me now too? You think that isn’t Bo in there either do you?!” Kate is stunned by her daughter’s behavior and tries to calm her down, “Billie… sweetie… calm down. I don’t know what I believe. I’m on YOUR side… I will help you in any way I can. Just tell me what you need.” Billie shakes her head and says, “No… I’m fine… just tired.” Kate says, “I’ll drive you home.” Billie says, “No… I’m going to stay here with Chelsea. I’ll be okay… really.” Billie hugs her mom and we can see in her face she is anything but ‘ok’. She then bids her goodbye and heads off to see Chelsea as Kate watches her leave looking worried.Billie says to herself as she walks away, “I’m sorry mom but this I have to do alone. If I’m right I can’t have anyone suspecting the truth… not even you.

We next see Billie looking over Chelsea holding her hand. Chelsea is unconscious and hooked up to several machines. Billie is a wreck and says to Chelsea, “Hi, honey… mommy’s here. I can’t believe I almost lost you again. But it’s going to be okay. I’m going to fix everything. We are so close… so close to having the life… the family we deserve. But, Mommy’s going to have to do some things to insure that. Just… trust me, sweetheart… I’ll fix it.” She kisses Chelsea on the head and leaves. Outside the room she says to herself, “I have to make sure you know the truth Chelsea… if you do then you will never forgive me.”

As she leaves we see Lexi watching her from the nurses station, she is to far away to have heard Billie but we can tell she is watching her mindfully. She watches where Billie is heading and then picks up the phone and dials.

Billie heads towards the nurses station outside the records room. The hospital is pretty empty because it is so late but there is one nurse at the desk. Billie curses under her breath saying, “Great… now would be a wonderful time for you to take your coffee break.” Just then the phone at the desk rings and the nurse answers we hear her say, “Right away, Dr. Carver!” She picks up a clipboard and heads to the elevator. Billie smiles not believing her luck. She goes to the door to the records room and finds it amazingly unlocked. Billie scoffs to herself “You’d think with all the problems this room has caused they’d have tightened up security.” She goes inside and locates Chelsea’s file she takes out the paper with Chelsea’s DNA test on it and puts it through the shredder in the room. She then goes to the computer terminal and we see her locate Chelsea’s file on there. We see her go to the entry about Chelsea’s Paternity test. She deletes the entry saying that Chelsea’s paternity was confirmed from a recent DNA sample from Bo and changes it to read; ‘Chelsea Benson’s Paternity test matched DNA sample on file of Beauregard Brady taken in 1997.’ She says to herself, “There. Now no one can try and say Bo Brady is not Chelsea’s father.” She prints out the document and puts it into Chelsea’s file and returns it to the shelf. She then sneaks back out of the room and leaves with a sigh of relief.

The screen dissolves into a black and white security camera and we see Lexi watching Billie on the monitor. She has a disappointed look on her face and says, “Oh Billie... what are you up to now.”