Part 36:

 

Salem Hospital the Next Morning:

 

The entire gang; Hope, Shawn, Chelsea, Clancy, Patrick, Bo, and even Kate and Philip are all milling around a conference room at the hospital. Lexi comes in and all turn and start asking her all at once why they were asked to meet here. Lexi calms them down and says, “I don’t know. All I know is that Roman has some information about Billie he thought you all should hear.”

 

Kate comes forward and asks, “How is Billie? Any change.” Lexi shakes her head and says, “She’s stable. That’s the good news. The bad news is we don’t know if she will ever wake up. And until she does it is hard for us to tell what the extent of the damage may really be. I truly am sorry.” Kate turns to hide her tears.

 

Hope asks, “Lexi… did Roman tell you anything?” Lexi sighs and says, “Not really… but I have the results from some of her tests and I am guessing what he has to say will be about that in part.” Kate turns and asks, “What tests?” Lexi says, “Her toxicology report.” Kate’s eyes widen in fear but she is able to hide it from the others. Just then Roman comes in followed by Marlena.

 

The group jumps up and Clancy is the first to ask, “Roman, what’s this all about?” Roman sighs and says, “I’ll just cut to the chase… ISA decrypted the file Hope, Patrick, and Bo brought back regarding Billie.” Everyone gasps and Hope asks, “Why just that file?” Roman answers, “Because it was connected with their investigation of Billie due to her recent actions. ISA will protect itself first and foremost and they wanted to know how far Billie’s insurrections went.” Patrick asks, “So what they found in the file… did Billie betray the ISA?” Roman nods and says, “Yes… secrets were passed from Billie to Tony and to Larry Welsh.”

 

Philip chirps up, “My sister would never betray her country. I don’t care what the file says.” Roman nods and says, “No you are right Philip… Billie never would betray her country…” He looks at Chelsea and says, “OR her family.” Everyone looks confused and Philip says, “But you just said…” Roman sighs and says, “I brought Marlena with me because I barely understand all this myself…don’t think I could explain it.”

 

Marlena steps forward she sighs and says, “Billie is suffering from a mental illness. She has schizophrenia.” The group gasps… all except Kate and Chelsea. Chelsea just stands there wide eyed listening, but Kate looks neither surprised nor shocked… only angry that this is all coming out.

 

Bo says, “What? That’s impossible! The ISA does yearly physiological evaluations. They would have caught that.” Roman nods and says, “Yes… but doesn’t do much good when the ISA’s shrink is in Tony’s back pocket. He blackmailed him into passing Billie despite her mental illness… he did so since the first day she joined. And yes, the ISA has already arrested the doctor.”

Philip says, “Wait… are you telling me she’s had this… for what? Years?!” Marlena says, “Actually she’s had it since childhood… since Curtis started abusing her. According to the ISA doctor’s confession it was brought on due to her father’s abuse. She was able to hide it… cope with it for awhile on her own but it grew worse with the drug abuse and a series of bad events in her life. But two events pushed her beyond the breaking point…. Losing Bo and losing her daughter… Georgia.” The group all react in remorse as they begin to realize the torment that is Billie’s mind.

 

Hope says, “What do you mean by ‘breaking point’?” Marlena says gloomily, “I mean she was no longer able to cope without proper treatment. Clancy asks, “So she did get help?” Marlena shakes her head, “Not the kind she should have. She started to take medication, but she had no psychotherapy, no counseling or monitoring of her medication, nothing that would give her any lasting peace.”

Clancy asks, “I.. I don’t understand… How does all this get around to Chelsea. Are you saying that Schizophrenia would cause Billie to give up her daughter?” Marlena takes a deep breath and says, “Not exactly. Billie’s mind when she left Salem after Georgia died was frail to put it mildly. The slightest push would have driven her mad. Tony knew this and he used it. Billie had been taking Aripiprazole and a number of anti-depressants. She was struggling by as best she could. She met Clancy. Tony managed to switch her drugs so that Billie was taking nothing but a sugar pill. So Billie started to lose control.” Marlena looks to Clancy and says, “Clancy, it was not that Billie was trying to use you as a replacement for Bo… she was genuinely confusing the two of you. She was mixing the present with the past… and probably at times even hallucinating.  You of course had no way of knowing any of this, Clancy so try not to feel guilty for it, but when you left her, her mind shattered.”

Clancy, who looks near in tears asks, “Shattered?” Marlena nods, “Into two distinct personalities to be exact. Schizophrenia can often connected with Multiple Personality Disorder. Billie developed a secondary… protector personality. A personality forged by people like Curtis and the slew of bad events that have been her life. From what is in the file… this second personality of Billie’s was anything but a kind person. Cruel, selfish… willing to do anything to survive. Tony was able to manipulate and insure that this personally was dominate throughout Billie’s pregnancy with Chelsea and shortly after. Once Tony had what he wanted… Billie’s baby… he left. Without his influence Billie’s true… dominate personality began to resurface. She was able to take some sort of control again. Only then did she realize what had happened. You need to understand that multiple personalities are completely distinct and separate. They have their own brain wave patterns and usually do not remember actions performed by the other personalities. Billie had no idea what had happened to her baby until it was too late.”

 

Clancy asks, “But why? Why did Tony want Chelsea?!” Roman answers, “Two reasons. One; For whatever plot he and his father had in mind for Bo and Hope… the plot that L has now taken over. And two; Because he could then blackmail Billie. Over the years he has promised to return her daughter to her in exchange for ISA secrets, or for help with further plots like the Larry Welsh fiasco.” Hope says, “But why didn’t Billie just come to us… come to any of us and tell us? Why didn’t she just ask for help?”

Marlena says, “Because, remember Billie was still sick. She’s still schizophrenic, still not truly being treated.” Roman adds, “And, because Tony told her that if she ever breathed a word of it that he would kill Chelsea. I’ve read all Billie’s mission reports… to her credit she’s taken every assignment she could to try and find her daughter. She has never stopped looking for her.”

 

The group is silent for a moment. The mood in the room is very grim. Hope says with utter sadness, “My god… this is just… too much. All this time…” She trails off unable to finish her though. Bo finishes her sentence, “All this time she’s been going through this… alone.” Clancy adds in, “All the things I’ve said to her… I’ve never felt so horrible in my life.” Marlena says sympathetically, “Guilty is a very natural reaction to this and I hope you are all able to transform it into forgiveness for the things Billie has done in the past. But don’t be to hard on yourselves either. Mental illness is often very hard to diagnose and those who suffer from it get very good at hiding it. There is no reason for any of you to feel you should have seen this coming.”

 

Clancy looks at Chelsea and takes her into a hug and says, “If we had only listened to her… only heard her out sooner. I… deep down I knew she’d never willingly give you away.” Chelsea says nothing and her expression is totally blank.

 

Patrick breaks through is sadness and asks, “Wait… you said she started getting medication… Lexi said her toxicology report came back and so I can only assume that means you found she was still on these medications. So how was she getting them? And another thing… I’m sorry but… I don’t buy it that she could fool everyone for so long. Good at hiding it or not, how could she possibly get this far without someone knowing… and someone helping her hid it?

 

Marlena just raises an eyebrow, she obviously knows the answers but instead of telling she just looks at Roman who turns and looks towards Kate. Kate had slunk to the back of the room while everyone talked, and is facing the wall. He says to her back, “You are right… No one is that good at hiding it. There is one answer for both of your questions, Patrick… and I’m looking right at her.” Kate turns and while there are tears in her eyes her expression is filled with anger.

 

Philip turns and says to his mother, “You KNEW!?” Kate says, “Of course I knew! I am her mother!” The group is shocked as Bo is the first to speak, “You knew your daughter… the woman at one time I was going to marry was sick and you did nothing for her?!! Why?!” Kate looks at him with pure hate and says, “Nothing? I did nothing?!... I did EVERYTHING for her! I got her the medication… through the black market to make sure she kept her job! And I did everything I could to get her the one thing that I knew would make her well… YOU! You Bo! As unfit for my daughter as you may be, I knew that if she could have you that she would be fine! You were all she ever wanted… ever needed too be well!” Bo looks at her and shakes his head and yells back, “No! What your daughter needed was a mother’s love and help!”

 

Marlena steps in and says, “Okay! That’s enough… we need to focus here.” Clancy looks at if he could rip Kate apart but forcing himself to be calm says, “Marlena’s right. What can we do for Billie?” Marlena shakes her head, “Nothing right now. For now she needs to heal and to wake up. If… I mean when she wakes up the first thing will be to see the extent of damage done to her from being shot. After that she will need to be reevaluated and then go from there.” Clancy asks, “And if she is still… ill… is there a cure?” Marlena shakes her head and says, “Cure? No. BUT, there are wonderful treatments out there that help immensely. There is no reason why Billie couldn’t live a normal life if she wanted too.”

Patrick asks hesitantly, “Is it possible… I know this might sound crazy… but is it possible her being shot would… I don’t know… help her problem?” Marlena says, “Well… in the old days they thought lobotomies would cure such illnesses. They’ve realized now that’s not the case. However, there are reports of people suffering massive traumas like this and being… well amazingly being the better for it. But as you can imagine data on such cases are rare… most people don’t survive being shot in the head.”

 

The group falls silent again and Marlena says, “I’m sorry… for all of you… all of us. Billie is a part of our lives and has been for a long time. She’s family. It is important for us to be there for her now and when she recovers. There is a lot of misinformation about her disease… and it IS a disease and it is important for you all to remember that. Billie’s actions have not always been her own. I know that she has done things… horrible things that you all have a right to be angry about. But what she needs now is love and compassion. Actually everyone in this room probably needs some of that.”

 

The room is silent for a long moment and then Clancy asks, “Roman… what about the ISA? What are they going to do about Billie?” Roman says, “The charges against her have been droped. They know she’d win a mental illness defense and… well fact is it was THEIR doctor who gave her a clean bill of health so they aren’t interested in how the courts would view this case. Billie of course has been discharged. They’ve agreed to continue her medical coverage and when she wakes up I’m sure she’ll have a long series of conversations with them but… other then that… Billie is free and clear.”

 

Lexi ads, “Clancy has asked that Billie be transferred to a hospital up North. It is set up for more long term care incase Billie needs it and they have an amazing mental health department.” Clancy nods and says, “I guess now is a good time to tell all of you… Chelsea and I are leaving Salem.” Right after the trial I asked the judge to have her sentence commuted. I think she and I need some time alone to get to know each other. I heard back this morning… the judge agreed. I… I’ve never been good with goodbyes but I want to thank all of you for giving me my life back. You are by far the best people I’ve ever met… I think of you as family still and probably always will.”

Hope and Bo and Patrick all are stunned and start talking to Clancy about his plans and how despite everything they will miss him. They promise to keep in touch. As this goes on Chelsea sneaks out of the room unnoticed. Kate also beats a hasty retreat. Philip chases after her visibly angry. Marlena sees them and excuses herself from the group to follow.

 

In the hallway Philip follows his mother yelling at her all the way, “How could you!?” Kate turns to him and snaps, “I am a mother! I would do anything to protect my child!” Philip spits back, “Is that the logic you used when you kept what you thought was the truth about Claire from me?! Is that the logic you use when you’ve interfered in Lucas’ and Austin’s lives?! My god mother! What is wrong with you?! You… you think you help us but all you end up doing is hurting us! YOU are the reason Billie is lying in there! You’re good intentions may very well have cost Billie her life!”

Kate yells back, “I did what any parent would do to help their child! You would do the same for Claire and you know it!” Philip takes a threatening step towards his mother and then stops and hesitates, his face full of rage. He swallows it down and then taking a step back he shakes his head and almost laughs and says, “No…. I never would have denied my daughter the help she needed. But you are right about something… I would do ANYTHING to protect my child. Anything.” He pauses as he stairs coldly at Kate. She is silent as Philip continues in a quiet, deadly calm voice, “I’ll say this only once so listen carefully. You are… dangerous, mother… your love is poison. I am my father’s son and I will not let you hurt me or my family… and you are right about one thing, I will do whatever it takes to protect my daughter… so stay away. Stay away from me, from Belle, and most of all from Claire.” With that he turns and leaves, not giving Kate a chance to respond.

 

After he walks away Kate sees Marlena standing behind where he was a few feet back, she obviously had heard all. She walks up to Kate and says, “You and I use to be friends Kate… so let me give you some advice… as a mother and a friend. Philip’s reaction, while heated is not completely wrong… you are hurting your children Kate. I know your intentions may be… well meant, but you are trying to control their lives. Part of being a parent is knowing when to help… and how to best help our children, and knowing when to let them lead their lives on their own.” Kate who is obviously upset snaps, “I’m not going to take parenting tips from the woman who raised Sami!”

 

Marlena’s eye flash and we can tell she is angry but surprising it. She retorts, “I’ve never claimed to be a perfect mother. But I do know a thing or two about mental illness and your actions I just can not understand. You daughter was ill… tell me… if she had been diagnosed with cancer do you really believe having Bo’s love and would have cured her?!” Kate emotions finally well to breaking and she says through tears, “Don’t you think I know this is all my fault!? I… love my daughter… all I ever wanted was to see her happy.”

Marlena sighs and we can tell despite her anger she feels badly for Kate. She says calmly, “Then help her… by helping yourself.”

 

 Meanwhile the rest of the group has left the conference room and is talking together outside in the hallway. Hope, Bo, and Patrick are all talking to Clancy about he and Chelsea’s plans to move away. Lexi comes over and tells them, “I’m sorry to interrupt but they are ready to transport Billie.” They look over and notice Chelsea standing by the window again looking at Billie. They wheel Billie out. Clancy goes over to Chelsea and puts an arm around her and says, “It’ll be okay.” Chelsea doesn’t respond and Clancy taking her silence as sadness says, “Would you like a moment alone with her before the take her.” Chelsea nods and walks over to Billie.

 

Clancy goes back over to join Hope, Bo, and Patrick. He says with a sigh, “This must be killing her. She’s been so quiet lately.” Hope says, “I’m worried about her. She seems insistent on believing that she is what Tony made her. She just can’t seem to believe that she isn’t a horrible person.” Clancy says, “I know. She’s beating herself up for everything that’s happened.” He sighs and says, “Don’t worry… I’ll get her some help.” The four watch Chelsea with Billie from a far.

 

Chelsea strokes her mother’s check as she looks down on her. Her expression is not one of sadness, but calm reflection with a hint of anger. She lowers her face till her mouth is next to Billie’s ear and whispers in a calm, cool way, “I know you thought this would change everything. But it changes… Nothing. I don’t care what messed up wiring you may have in your head. You left me, lied to me and my father.” She smiles wickedly and says, “You deserved this, and I… I am not sorry.”

We then get a flashback of the events in Patrick’s apartment the night before:

 

* Mason pushes Patrick’s door closed keeping his gun on Chelsea. He says, “Good… now keep quiet and you may live a little longer.” Chelsea is still in stunned silence. Mason walks over towards Patrick and kneels down next to him. He is about to check to make sure he is dead when there is a knock at the door. He jumps up and looking out the peephole he looks back at Chelsea and with an evil grin says, “You’re just gonna love this.” He stands to the side of the door and unlocks it and opens it a crack.

 

Billie seeing the door crack open but not open all the way is confused. She pushes the door open a hair saying questioningly, “Patrick? You home?” Once the door is open enough she instantly sees Patrick lying on the floor blood near his head. She exclaims, “Patrick!!!” and runs into the room only to be stopped dead in her tracks by the feel of a gun barrel to the back of her head. Mason says, “Don’t move.” Billie freezes and glancing around the room sees Chelsea standing there wide eyed in shock.

 

Mason shuts the door with his free hand and Billie without hesitation takes the opportunity to attack. She ducks swing a hand around to grab Mason’s arm that is holding the gun. A ‘pop’ is heard as the gun fires a shot and hits the wall. Billie kicks Mason in the gut while trying to wrench the gun from his hand. Mason struggles and punches Billie in the face. She falls back onto the floor. She instantly jumps up to attack him again but in the split second they were dislodged Mason grabbed Chelsea. He holds the gun to her head and looks at Billie. She stops and says, “Please… just take what you want and go.”

Mason laughs and taping the gun on Chelsea’s temple says, “She IS what I want.” He straightens up and points the gun back at Billie, “Now… take a couple steps back and keep those hands where I can see them.” Billie obeys looking desperately at Chelsea who is now surprisingly calmer. Mason says with a smile, “Better. But unfortunately for you Ms. Reed my orders are to kill anyone who stands in my way… I’d say you now qualify.” He glances out of the corner of his eye to Chelsea and says, “Tell me Chelsea… now that you know what your dear ole mommy did to you… will you mourn her when she’s gone?” Chelsea raises and eyebrow and gives him an odd look. Billie swallows knowing that there is no way she can get to the gun before he can shoot.

Mason is about to shoot and says, “Say goodbye.” Chelsea says, “Stop.” She takes a step and turns to face Mason. She holds out her hand and says, “Give it to me.” He raises an eyebrow and smirks and hands her the gun. He quickly draws a second gun holding it on Chelsea.

 

Chelsea raises the gun at Billie. Billie eyes widen in surprise and she asks nervously, “Chelsea? What are you doing? Listen to me… If you would let me explain what happened when you were born, then you’d understand. I LOVE you!… You are my daughter. I would never, EVER hurt you...”

 

Chelsea interrupts her shaking her head, “No… your precious daughter died in a swam! I was a mistake. You never wanted me... I was an inconvenience… a hurdle in the way of you and your beloved Bo! You don’t ‘love’ anything or anyone… not me, not my father, not even Bo!” Billie says, “Chelsea that’s not true.”  

 

Chelsea laughs calmly, “Tell me you and Kate haven’t already discussed how best to fix your latest hiccup in your quest to get Bo?” Billie’s eyes flicker as she remembers her talk with Kate. That is all Chelsea needs for an answer, her eyes grow dark with anger and before Billie can respond Chelsea says, “You are right you know?…I AM your daughter… your miserable blood runs through me. When you gave me away, that blood was cultivated into something darker. So now the only difference between you and I is that I am able to do what you don’t have the stomach for. I don’t blame Tony for the way I am… I blame you. You did this too me.” Chelsea’s eyes are filled with tears of rage, she laughs in spite of them and says, “Which is ironic because in a crazy sort of why that means this isn’t even murder… its suicide.” Billie’s face drops and she whispers “Chelsea, please” as the silence shot rings out as Chelsea shoots her. Billie falls to the ground. Chelsea has a single silent tear running down her face.

 

Silence lays thick for a long moment until it is broken by the sound of laughter. Mason acts as if he has been watching a comedy as he laughs heartedly. He wipes a tear of laughter from his eyes and then snatches the gun from Chelsea and ties her up with a smile as she stairs at Billie’s body. Mason says “remind me never to get on your bad side.” *

 

Back to the present Chelsea smiles satisfactorily and brushes a hair off of Billie’s forehead. Clancy comes up and puts a hand on Chelsea’s shoulder. She looks at him as they wheel Billie away. He says, “You ready to go?” She smiles and nods. She turns and looks back at Bo and Hope and Patrick and smiles at them and waves goodbye. As she does so and then walks towards the elevator with Clancy we hear her thoughts as she looks at Hope, “You were never wrong about me Hope. I am what I am. But you set me free… so you and your family will never have any reason to fear me. The rest of the world on the other hand?...” With that she smiles in that devious way as the doors to the elevator shut.