John is sitting alone in the conference area of the house where Shane and all the others are based for the moment. He's thinking about the possibility of EJ being his son, what that means...if it is true. What will Marlena think...danggit, what will Samantha think? And Brady... As John is lost in his thoughts, Steve walks in...
Steve: I've thought about this. And I promise, no more wise cracks...but if EJ does happen to be your son...what are you going to do?
John: What can I do? I should accept him as my son. Makes me wonder how long Stefano knew.
Steve: Raise YOUR son as his own? What better revenge the man could have. Turn him into something you despise most - a Dimera.
John: I don't know what to think about all of this. I don't know how this is going to affect my family. My extended family. Most especially, Brady. The two of them have been at each other's throats from day one. Talk about your Cain and Abel situation!
Steve: Well, I can speak for somewhat experience. Jack was none too pleased to find out he was a Johnson. But we eventually got close. Took some time, but it happened.
John: Jack. How are you doing...about losing him?
Steve: I've lost him so many times...it's hard to believe it's for real this time. I keep expecting him to show up at my doorstep. But...
John: Jack was a very good man. A bit off the mark, so to speak. But he was a good guy.
Steve: I worry about Jennifer, Abby and JJ. It's going to be a tough road for them all.
John: Jennifer has got a great support system being a Horton. She'll be alright.
Steve: Enough about Jack. What about the matter at hand?
John: I'm going to stick to the plans that Shane set up for us all. Take care of it all like it should be. I will deal with the possibility of EJ being mine when this is all over with.
Steve: I'd like to see the look on his face when he finds out. Not going to be pretty.
John: Hmph. I think you're right. "Hey EJ, I know you're the one who shot me years ago, so before I tell you some news, can I make sure you aren't packing right now?"
Steve: Heh! No doubt, man. Maybe it will go better than you think.
John: I highly doubt it. May be worse.
Steve: Maybe...maybe not. I just think it would be great at this point to finally be rid of the big guy, Stefano. He's caused more than enough trouble on the planet, it's time to stomp the cockroach dead once and for all.
John: I second that. You know Steve, what I think might be worse than telling EJ, is telling Marlena that Kristen and I are parents. That is going to be rather...difficult.
Steve: Oh man. I think I'd rather go up against Stefano with my eyes closed. Eye.
John: Encouraging. I appreciate your support.
Steve: No problem, dude. Anytime.
Meanwhile...Back in Salem
Brady is taken aback by his own reaction to having Chloe's arms around him...he makes her let go quickly, and she eyes him suspiciously.
Chloe: What is the matter, scared of a little girl?
Brady: No! I changed my mind. I think it would be better Hope were to show you some defense techniques.
Chloe: Why Hope? We should do this now. I will be leaving soon, and I need all the help I can get.
Brady: Hmm. Boy, that's an understatement.
Chloe: And just WHAT do you mean by that?
Brady: You are an opera singer about to embark on a trip to Italy where the mastermind of many nefarious plots in Salem, one that included MIND CONTROL. And here we are worried about some measly little moves meant to ward off a scared mugger. I just don't understand why they chose you.
Chloe: Because I AM an opera singer. Makes sense for me to be in Italy. Less obvious the better, right?
Brady: You don't get how dangerous Stefano is, do you?
Chloe: I know he's a rrrrreally bad guy. (laughs)
Brady: Not a bad imitation. (chuckles) Seriously now, Chloe! This man tried to kill Roman, Marlena, made my father into his own henchman at one time, controlled his and Hope's mind, has hundred of employees in him empire that are trained killers. I don't think you realize what you are getting yourself into.
Chloe: And you do? Dammit, Brady! YOU are no ISA agent. You're a rich spoiled son a millionaire, the grandson of a billionaire... your idea of strenuous exercise is opening your own car door... I don't think you are ANY position to say what I am capable of or not.
Brady: Feisty aren't we? Kind of reminds me of the Chloe Lane I fell in love with before we were married. What happened to her?
Chloe: Brady Black, don't change the subject.
Brady: (looking at her beautiful blue eyes, her long thick hair, and that BODY...) Chloe, I'm sorry. I am so sorry I did the things I did when we were married.
Chloe: I left you all alone, not long after we married. Our HONEYMOON, part of it was spent me singing. I wasn't fair to you.
Brady: No excuse for me to become a drug addict. None at all.
Chloe: We both made bad decisions...
Brady: (takes her hand and kisses it) Still...I'm sorry. We'd been through so much before we got married...Your cancer, the car wreck...(laughs) me treating you like you had no talent for opera...I thought we had all the bad things behind us. We were supposed to be together forever...
Chloe: Well forever is a very short place when you fall in love in Salem...
To be continued...