True Love Once One is Removed
Chapter 2: Unhealthy Thoughts

****It's the 2nd chapter of this fanfic and still I have yet to own a Brady, Chloe, Belle, Phillip, or Shawn so don't sue me for liking the idea to write about them!


"SURPRISE!!!!!!!!" the crowd of anxious and awaiting parents had said as John, Belle, Mimi, Shawn, and Brady entered the Brady Pub. Were warm, and rather large arms were expecting to give the group the best welcome this side of Salem, Illinois had ever seen.

As all except for John and Brady all began to talk in words of total shock as Marlena ran up to Belle and John to greet them with the biggest hug she could give while embracing them both. When Marlena looked up to see an alone Brady in thought. She nicely excused herself from the group hug to reconnect with a son who was being distant in the midst of a celebration. Something was wrong, she sensed. Even though she could never truly be his blood mother, she still was and she still cared for Brady through all his anger as if he were (and he was) her son. 'Her son. My son. He's home.' Marlena thought as she let her feet carry her over to Brady and embrace him with everything she could. All love and respect she could possibly feel at that moment was spent with holding her son.

Brady had soon awakened from his infatuation of negative feelings and possibilities of being at a lost. At a loss of words, loss of emotion, loss of reason, and a loss of her. A possible loss of love. Loss of Chloe. 'God what would I do without her' thought as he remembered so many of his previous times with the feisty Diva. And as soon as the memory of them at the Gazebo at night. Her beautiful eyes glistening from the moons reflections, her long her cascading down her back, and her all knowing voice that had sand with him and spoken with him had quickly vanished as his step mother walked into clearing. Not even realizing she had been on her way approaching him until she had only been a few steps from him. Without any warning came her arms tightening around him.

'Huh?' Brady thought as a look of confusion fell over his face but soon realized how nice it felt to feel wanted all of a sudden. He returned the hug to her so that she would not feel left hanging by her own son. Her son. As Brady let loose past confrontations that went bad before.

"I love you, son." said Marlena coming from the hug to look into the eyes of her stepson.

And for a moment Brady had forgotten about being upset now knowing if Chloe had been with Philip or not. Since he exactly 100% sure. But the fact remained not only had Marlena had the will power to come over and give him a hug she also embraced him as her son. By not saying 'I love you, Brady' she took a chance. That would ultimately lead to her being rejected. But Brady knew better and he also knew she was being sincere. She cared. After all those years of being angry he wasn't. Belle and John had helped Brady in that department. But most of the thanks belonged to the guest who had not yet arrived yet. 'Where was she' Brady continued to think but soon focused his attention back onto Marlena. "Thank you, Marlena, it really meant a lot to hear that from you. Even though I'm not comfortable with you know...calling you mom and everything" Brady said as he hoped he didn't come off to harsh.

With a simple but small smile Marlena replied, "Its quite alright Brady. Don't make a big deal over it. But I would like to know what you are making a big deal over with now.." Marlena said as she looked into the face of her son. Who looked so at a loss for what he had exactly been doing here. "I can tell something is bothering you, what is it? Are you sick? Let me feel your head." As Marlena raised her left hand to Brady's fore head to check for any throbbing, sweat, or a possible temperature.

Brady let out a chuckle as he watched Marlena move her hand across his face looking for any signs of high heat. It was almost to much to bear that she cared so much. And yet she could sense something was wrong with him even when she wasn't 'his mother'. 'But she is' Brady sighed aloud and grabbed Marlena's hand. "I'm fine, just to a little worried about Chloe thats all" said Brady admittingly. "I know she probably rode the Titan jet with Philip but..." Brady trailed off " I just feel I should be seeing something. Or have realized something by now. Like something not being right about this whole arrangement. Like I am suppose to be picking up on something and it just hasn't clicked. Like I'm the safe trying to figure out the combination to something I already know. Its just not coming together yet. You know what I am trying to say or I am as confused as I look?" Brady said with pain in his eyes.

"Brady, there is certainly a lot of things that are going on in your head. And they all surround Chloe. Maybe you should sit down, take a breath, and don't think but let go. Whatever it is you are trying to tell yourself is not coming out for purposes that only you can know. Maybe its the fact you are in so much of a rush to quicken the rate of it, its just becoming a jumbled message. Go see if Shawn (senior) will allow you to rest a little bit upstairs, just to clear your mind a little. You have been through a lot in the last 48 hours. Maybe you just need a good rest from the plane ride. Will you Brady, for me?" Marlena inquired through concerned words.

Brady saw this and decided not to object to the advice being offered. "Doctors order?" Brady replied with a smirk.

"Sorry sweetie, doctors orders." Marlena replied with a genuine smile and gave Brady a hug to send him off for the nap he needed so desperately.

Brady went in search of Shawn and quickly found him grouped among Shawn D, Hope, and Bo all exchanging baby stories. Most likely based on the newest member. JT Brady.

"But I remember this one time when Shawn Douglass Brady thought it would be the funniest things to ever do in his stage of still be my baby. My little baby boy" Hope said as tears of joy came from her eyes. And soon hugged Shawn for reassurance to make sure he was actually here. And not..."but anyways he thought 'well since mommy is changing my diaper and I just can't hold it in for another second, I'll just let loose, she isn't even looking' and I swear if I didn't know I was in the house and didn't see the weather report that morning. I could've sworn there was no report of rain in the forecast as I turned my attention to this giggling young man you see before you today who back then wasn't as tall..." said Hope as she continued "...and hmm...yes he was a lot cuter than too" Hope laughed as the whole group had already erupted from laughter at the thought of a small Shawn D wetting up his mother.

"Sorry for bothering your moment of joy but can I speak with you Shawn" Brady said as he felt kind of bad for ruining their talk.

"Oh, that's alright my boy, what is it I can do for you?" said Shawn (senior).

"I was wondering if there was somewhere a little less quiet where I can lay and rest for awhile?" Brady asked without trying to sound like he wasn't enjoying himself. Because it wasn't that, just Chloe. 'Where was she' he questioned in his head once more.

"Sure, up the stairs and to your left my boy" said Shawn as he patted Brady on the back rushing him off.

5 Minutes Later..

"Okay Brady, your up here. Now what is it that you can not simply remember. What is it, Damnit!" Brady said as he got frustrated having thoughts if something ever happened to Chloe and he had had some idea. 'I could never forgive myself' he thought. "Never" Brady said aloud as his mind went blank and he dozed off that quick....

*****

"Your that wacky lady Lockhart had been working for that one time" said Jan as her memory slowly came back to her even though she hadn't attended the trip that she was speaking of. She just knew of it.

"I have no idea what you speak of child! Now if you'll be excusing me" said the little old lady, very upset she had been found out. And somebody had actually recognized her in her disguise. 'I thought I hid my actual appearance well' she tried remembering. And she rudely bumped past Jan way and fled the scene in fast steps. 'I need to get to the train station to get phase two into motion, to make sure her arrival is well prepared and planned. Nothing can go wrong' she thought. "Nothing" aloud as she exited the airport and caught the nearest available taxi.

'What the hell was that all about' Jan thought. 'Geez some people can be so rude. But something about her rushing and abrupt manner was chilling' Jan thought. 'What was her name again...'

**********************

"Philip we're here! Now I was informed of a celebration that is most likely already occuring at the Brady Pub. In honor of you and the others triumph and returning home safely. Do you want to go, or are you still a little worn from the trip?" Victor asked as they were coming into clearing of the Pub.

"Yeah yeah whatever Dad. I'll attend the party" said Philip irritably as he couldn't erase the idea of something about Brady being around Chloe when he wasn't, was just pushing him to the breaking point. 'No I am not going to do this. I am suppose to be over this jealousy thing. I can't win over Chloe like that. It would be to easy for Brady that way. And there is no way I am giving her up without a fair fight. I love her and I know she feels for me what I feel for her. Even if it may have been in the past. I still see it in her eyes. She does. I know it' Philip declared as the door to the limo opened and he began along with his father and Nicole coming close to Brady Pub door. 'Wow' Philip thought as he saw the party going on before him and all the cheery faces that surrounded him. All except one. 'Where was she' Philip thought as he got the idea Chloe may not even be here. But then when he realized somebody else's face had also been missing as well. Brady. "whoosh" as Philip let out a disappointed sigh. 'I guess happy endings only come to those who deserve it and hopes of second chances for true love only come to those who know what to do with it' Philip thought sadly as he took a seat at the Pub and stared blankly. 'I love you Chloe, and I miss you. But I am willing to let you go, if its Brady you need to be with...or you want to be with' as a sharp pain hit Philip in the chest. A tear wall began to form in his eyes and for her he would shed them. On a love found and lost. To a girl he would never forget. He would cherish her memory until the day he died and after that. 'You are worth it Chloe, you always worth the greatest sacrificed and in this case...its letting go' said Philip defeating himself. 'I love you'.....

***************

"Buckle your seat belts ladies and gentlemen. We are facing a little turbulence. Please remain calm and inform others around you who may have not heard in a warmly fashion. Thank you" said the frantic Captain as he remained collective throughout the situation. As bad as it was. 'Damn them, why hadn't warned them of the sh*t they were attempting to fly through' thought the captain as he began to slowly lose control of the plane.

*****************

"Miss, miss" said the man to the right of Chloe. He had been trying to wake the beauty from her rest to inform her of their circumstances and also to watch her flutter those big blues when she awakened.

"hmmm" Chloe said as she came into life and began to stretch what she could in the small area in which she called her seat.

Where as all of a sudden came a deep jerk and the plane began to descend.

"Oh my gosh were going down" the guy yelled and reached over to Chloe and buckled her seatbelt. "Pray!" was all he said before he closed his eyes and grasped her hands in his. And began to chant. "O' Father you are my savior...." as he began saying lots of others things.

Chloe closed her eyes and sighed. 'I never got the chance' she thought as she felt her whole life flash. Her trembling features whimper and a small cry escape. She couldn't handle the terrifying situation to even make a joke of how this was the second time she had ran into turbulence while on a plane in less than a week. But this time she felt alone but knew in her heart she wasn't. At least last time she was able to have Brady near her to help comfort her and force her into a reality he called survival. 'Brady, I'm so sorry' she thought. 'And Philip, I loved you so.' But she would never be able to tell neither one of them nothing more than the last things she had ever said to them. 'Bye' was all she said as her body quivered. Her eyes closed. Her mouth curved to allow the shapely frown she had been allowing on her delicate face as tears ran way to creating a great flood.

As the planes lights flickered off. Something happened along the way. A sound of metal tearing and crunching had created in the horrific atmosphere.

"Mom" the little girl in Chloe yelled as she felt her self go.....

**************

"CHLOE!" shouted Brady in a drenched sweat as he remembered something and had a vision of something else.

**************

"Chloe?" Philip questioned as he thought he heard...no it was just his imagination. Or was it?

**************

Nancy doubled over as she felt a kick in her stomach. "Baby, something's not right" Nancy said to Craig as he kneeled besides her.

"Honey, what is it?" said Craig worried for his wife. And his daughter who had yet not shown.

"Chloe, I have that maternal instinct, and my baby's in trouble Craig, she's in trouble and I don't think I can help her" Nancy cried as she got the sick feeling she would never be able to help Chloe again....


TBC.....