True Love Once One is Removed

Chapter 3: Fact or Fiction



******Can you guess? Right, I still don't own them but I will write about them for the love of us readers or fanfictions.



"Nancy, what exactly did you mean by that? Not ever being to help Chloe again?" said Craig as he sensed he already knew what she was talking about. But the very thought of the idea frightened him beyond his wildest fear. And as he felt Nancy began to really lose it. Her body in shock he said, "Nancy come on. We have to get you to a doctor or at least at home to rest. You are really working yourself up and I don't want you to become ill from what you are experiencing."

He carefully helped her off the ground along with the assistance of Bo. As Bo began to question "Craig is something wrong with her? Do you need help walking her out to the car?"

"No, I think I can handle this. I think she just got a little too excited in all the excitement and being a worried mother who daughter has yet to arrive. It is just too much for all of her to take in right now." said Craig somewhat timidly. He wasn't for sure was caused his wife to keel over the way she did. But he was going to find out.

"Nancy.." Marlena began. As she stared waiting for a sign to show her that Nancy had heared her. There wasn't one given. So Marlena took upon herself to continue, whether or not she heared her. Because she knew some part of the subconscious was always aware of its surroundings. And it wasn't any different for her. "Nancy, look. I know you are upset right now. But be patient and think positively. Before you know it, Chloe will be walking in the door with that magnificent poise she makes an entrance. Kind of like her mother does" Marlena smiled as she hope that was beneficial enough to help sooth Nancy somewhat. Since she had known Nancy's pain once too often. That feeling of being in the darkness not knowing if someone as close as your own daughter safety was in good condition. Yet she always felt bad about it. 'I should always know how Belle's safety is. I'm her mother.' she thought. And recently with the whole ecology trip that went wrong. That feeling had yet passed but she had overcame it when the minute she heard Belle's voice on the phone that day. And when she stepped into the Pub with John and Brady. She knew everything would be alright. 'Brady' Marlena thought as she realized he had been gone for quite sometime. Maybe he had in deed fallen asleep.

"Thank you, Marlena. You don't know how much that meant to me and yet..." Nancy sighed as she had obviously awakened from her state of being quiet to let out a whisper of a response. "...and yet" Nancy began to sob "And yet you don't. You never know. Never know until its too late. And there's not a damn thing you can do about it!" Nancy almost yelled out the last statement. Not of anger. She wasn't mad at Marlena neither. Those last few lines had been directed to something else.

"Come on honey" Craig said through the tears he had been letting loose freely. "Lets head home, who knows Chloe might be there, or left a message to inform us that her plane was delayed or something. You never know, right?" Craig said. 'Wrong choice of words' he thought sadly.

"Yes Craig. I'll never know now" Nancy wept as her and Craig made their exit out of the Pub.

And not only a second later had Brady ran down the stairs of the Pub. "MARLENA!" Brady shouted for. While his eyes did a sweep of the room. And he found her and everybody else all huddled together. Except for Philip. Philip had been in his own little world and it seemed he had cried while he had vacationing there. Then Brady thought 'Had Philip knew of the pain he had felt about Chloe?' But Brady realized this wasn't the time for who knew her better. Although he really knew the answer to that as he smiled and ran past Philip to Marlena.

"Marlena, I know. I knew now what I didn't before." he said happily and hoping it wasn't too late. 'Too late' had been mentioned in the other message that included and he didn't want to be exactly doing just that 'Being too late'.

"What is it, Brady?" Marlena said as she realized he was being quite eager and serious about whatever it was.

"I know now what I didn't before" Brady said once again.

"And what exactly is that Brady. Your not making any sense. What is it that you know?" Marlena inquired once more.

"Chloe" Brady simply said.

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

10 Minutes Earlier

'If I could have one wish. Time, just time." said a faint but familiar voice.

'She needs time...Give it to her. But not too much. For if you do all will be lost. And the significance of this would have been a waste. For no one will truly ever have what would be offered.....

In a world solely based on facts
Those that are reliable
And
Which are false.

Keep yourself intact
Reasons will be justifiable
And
If not soon, all will be lost.'

When Brady awakened drenched in his own sweat. What had been the meaning behind that? Was something going to happen he wasn't aware of? Or had it already occured through all the time he had been lost in his own world that facts had presented themselves before....

*********

2 Minutes Before the Message

' "Brady, you have to be the laziest person I know." said Chloe whether calmly as she watched Brady stretched across the Beach dozing off on her as she was explaining something to him.

"Is that jealousy I sense Chloe?" Brady smirked trying to get her worked up.

"WHAT!"...Chloe continued, "What makes you think I could be jealous of you of all people. You know who I am jealous of though?" she said smiling at him.

He opened an eye to exactly see her response. But she hadn't even said nothing. In fact she had went back to staring at the water. He could sense her if she was looking. That is what amped him earlier to make the comment he did. "And who exactly would that be, Diva? People who sing with soul?" he said jokingly but faced her to see her not smiling.

"No" she simply said.

And she went quiet again. Just staring out into the sea. Brady sighed then said "Then what?"

"The Ocean, or Sea. Some form of water. But..." Chloe stopped to look at Brady. "Remember when me and you were on the balcony that one day staring into the sky at the birds flying. The freedom. Not being caged and everything. Remember?" Chloe said as she waited for reassurance from Brady he knew. Knowing he most likely did.

Brady gave a simple nod meaning for her to continue because he knew. But he also knew somewhere deep down she had known he hadn't forgotten.

"But to be something that is recreated, you know. After spending so much time freely. Free in mind, body or spirit. Kind of like some birds. And I mean SOME birds. But water, the ocean. Water may evaporate, but then as precipitation builds in the clouds it trickles down. To be let loose anywhere and everywhere. But most importantly to be free. Of everything. Do you ever feel like you need a break from life, Brady?" Chloe asked as she stared deep into his resting body.

"Sometimes. Why do you ask, Lane?" Brady said as he sat up.

"I don't know. Something that just popped up, I guess." Chloe said half admitting what she felt. But she knew Brady could see right through her act.

"Right" Brady simply said. He knew Chloe was hiding but for now he wouldn't pressure it out of her. 'For now at least' he thought. But something was aching him from the back of his mind to pursue the conversation but he didn't.

He just let it go. And laid back down as Chloe engaged herself into a mindless conversation by lying besides Brady. He did enjoy the feeling. Now only if he could just have the feeling of his arms wrapped around her body. Being her protector in more ways than just the 'friend' stand point. How he only wanted that touch. And would of done it had it not been for what she said next.

"I bet if Philip knew about my little Pocket computer he would constantly email or page me on it." she laughed out. But realized Brady hadn't said anything "Brady what's wrong" she asked.

"Nothing Chloe. But tell me about your Pocket computer. Since you are advancing into this world of small pieces of technology that can be carried into something as small as a ring?" he said as he was in a half wake and half sleep state of mind.

"It's actually pretty cool. Someone can call and leave you word messages or you can send them out. And it doesn't even take it too long to download the messages. Or transfer some out. As long as you are in a relative good position for sending them out, you know what I mean?" she asked as she began to doze off on her own. And did a slick move of her own by rolling onto her side and placing her head onto Brady's chest to rest her head.

Brady shocked, happy, and thrilled in one emotion. Though he didn't show it he simply said, "mm hmm" as if agreeing to whatever she asked. He was just amazed at the closeness. And decided it was time. He wrapped an arm around Chloe's figure and fell into a total bliss of happiness. This moment could of lasted forever and he would not of minded if the next day would be his last. For his dreams were coming true. He offered Chloe a small kiss onto her forehead as she realized it had some effect to her. Because she let out a deep sigh. 'Or maybe it was...no it had definitely been a sigh. Could she had been...?' he thought.

Chloe poked him in the belly and said, "Brady Black you are the worst listener when you are half awake!..." as she continued "I bet you want remember any of this conversation in the morning."

"mh hmm" he replied once again smiling. From the fact of her still being in his arms. It was almost too much to believe and he was basking in this as he fell asleep with her in his arms.

"mh hmm" she replied mocking him. And said before she nodded off "Black..." she started "...if you only knew what you mean to me. IF" she said and went to sleep contempt with the amount of information she let out to Brady... '


And Brady turned over onto the bed. And went into another dream soon afterwards that would hold more significance to events that can only be later described...

*******

As Brady explained both experiences to Marlena and the loads of other spectators that had quickly caught interest of the conversation.

"You see now. This is what it was. The fact I couldn't remember and she somehow knew ahead of time I wouldn't be. I kept on blocking it out. Why? I don't know. Maybe it is one of those things I will never be able to explain. But I do know I should've further that conversation. Chloe was trying to hint something to me whether or not she wanted to admit it. And had I only had...." Brady began to choke up a little. Realizing the error of his ways. He couldn't do anything about it now, but he could make up for it. "If I only been a little more demanding and asked Chloe furthering her to explain herself about being free. Maybe it would have been different. And now she is missing. I know it. Something wasn't right the minute I stepped on the jet without her. Or knowing where or who she was riding back with. I should've known." said Brady very emotionally. Not caring if people saw it.

"Brady you can't blame yourself. Even if you did push her, it may have not made a difference. And we don't know if Chloe is for sure missing. She could of just..." Marlena trailed off. Realizing the only other way Chloe could of came back was with the students. Philip, Victor, and Nicole had arrived at the Pub quite some time ago. "She probably with the students" Marlena finally finished after she deliberated if she felt that was the truth enough. 'But even if that is true, shouldn't they all been back by now' she thought.

"Marlena that's just it. I don't blame myself and yet I am guilty of causing my own pain" Brady simply said without further comment.

As Philip had waked from his eyes wide open slumber and stepped over to the conversation going on. He did hear someone scream Chloe's name. It had been Brady. "Guilty of what Brady and where's Chloe?" Philip thought happily for a second but then realized if she wasn't here, where had she been. Now he was worried again. But it was a worse kind. Then he had some idea. This time he had no idea, unless..'she is coming back with the others' he thought. 'But....' Philip just ended it there before his mind took a course of action he wouldn't be able to face.

"I wish I knew. I truly wish" Brady said as something came into his head...'Time, just time. What was so familiar about that?'

"LIAR! Brady where the hell is she? I swear if anything happens to Chloe..." Philip had started and stopped. Realizing there was no point. If Brady knew something he wouldn't be looking the way he did. "I'm sorry Brady. I had no right. But I'm worried okay" he said hanging his head down in shame.

"I know what you mean in more ways than you know. In more ways than you know..." Brady said as he walked out of the Pub. Followed by John to go speak with him.

*************
10 Minutes before the first Dream
(Elsewhere)


"Mr. Welles" said Mrs. Martinez.

"uh huh" said Jason talking in his sleep.

"Mr. Welles!" said Mrs. Martinez a little louder.

"uh huh" said a little more wake.

"Where is Ms. Lane?" Mrs. Marinez asked.

"Don't know..." he said continuing.."um bathroom...yeah that's right...she had to fix her face...and all the other stuff she does while in there. Cast spells or whatnot" said Jason still half wake and sleep.

"Well when she gets back. Tell her to buckle up were about to land okay?" she said.

"Yeah, uh huh. I got the message. Come back...land...buckle up" repeated Jason disoriented.

As Mrs. Martinez went back to her seat to follow her own instructions.

As Jason had began to come to the fact. 'Wait Chloe was never on here' he thought and went back to sleep. 'I'll tell them later. She's probably changed her mind while at the airport and went running after Philly boy' Jason thought. And satisfied by his reason dozed off for the upcoming bumpy landing.

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

Present

"Son, slow down and come back to the Pub, please" pleaded John.

"I don't know if staying there and not knowing is helping out any" said Brady unwilling.

"Trust me" he simply said. "Trust me" he repeated once more to ensure his point came across.

And Brady silently agreed by walking back with John. No sooner than they had been in the Pub for about 5 minutes had the school gang came into the Pub.

"We're Here!" said a very loud Jason. Staring around the room of not very happy faces. "Who died?" he said.

Not the right choice of words for a very tensed room....

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

As the guy beside Chloe on the plane carried her lifeless body to an awaiting car. Her pocket computer fell out of her pocket and flipped open to a message Chloe had been working on before the plane crashed....

' Once she had heard the sound of metal crunching she knew then it wasn't metal but plastic.

'My computer' she thought happily. And quickly typed a message to Belle and Shawn's own pocket computer. Hopefully they will get it. 'I can only hope' '

And the case flipped open to the last message sent. It read:
"Help! Plane crashing...."

...and was all she finished. So she sent it as it was before she blacked out.


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

"You idiot!" yelled Rolfe as Bart placed Chloe's body into the backseat of the car.

"What!" Bart yelled as if he already hadn't known.

"Where the hell did you place the detonator?" questioned Rolfe.

"It doesn't matter. She's still alive but I think you might want to check her quick, fast, and in a hurry before the Boss has a bone to pick with both of us" said Bart as he tried his best to keep from having to explain the circumstances that led him to placing the detonator where he had.

"What!? What is wrong with her?" said Rolfe.

"Her breathing. It's very faint. And her pulse rate is slow. I mean really slow. You know how they say turtles are slow..." Bart was explaining but Rolfe just shushed him and sped off.

'Got to hurry and get her back' thought Rolfe. 'Then get her well so we can move into the phase of the plan' as he did about 100 mph on a road that God only knew where.

**********

"Hey Jase" Philip began as he walked over to his buddy to break up the sudden awareness that everyone was just staring. "Have you seen Chloe? And I don't mean to sound rude but umm I'll explain. But did she ride back with you guys?"

"ummmmmm" Jason trailed off. 'Uh oh' was all he thought as Mr. Woods stepped in and said.

"Of course she did Mr. Kiriakis, isn't that right Mr. Welles? Mr. Welles? JASON!" said Mr. Woods attempting to snap Jason back.

"Um not necessarily. I never remember seeing her sit by me while on the plane. And just kind of assumed..." said Jason as he realized he was in deep sh*t and there was no
excuse.

"Are you trying to tell me Chloe is missing?" Nancy inquired as she had stepped back into the Pub after finally feeling a little better. "My baby wasn't with you! Where is she?! You were suppose to keep track of all the students! How could you! How could you lose her!?" Nancy said screaming and Craig comforting her by gathering her in his arms and glaring at Mr. Woods.

"Listen this is getting us nowhere" said Hope stepping in. "We have to get smart about this and act like adults. Accusing and blaming people will not lighten the situation none!" said Hope staring and singling out each person as she did so. "Now Brady, what to do is the question?" she said looking back to her husband for support.

"Well finding out who saw Chloe last or spoke to her that day would help" said Bo.

As all this was going on, Jan had listened half heartedly. Not saying she wasn't concerned, but it was something about Hope that reminded her of the strange woman she bumped to on her way over here. And looking at Mimi triggered the memory as well. 'But what was the connection?' Jan thought silently as she stood up the plate. "I saw Chloe"......

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

"Shawn lets check to see what other flights left out that day" said Belle worried about one of her best friends. But not only her. 'Philip' she thought. He must be miserable now. 'Brady' he had just gotten the chance to meet her and now this....

"Belle, check your email" said Brady

She didn't know why but she complied to what Brady had popped out of nowhere..."Shawn let me check my email real quick" as Belle turned around to reach into her pocket and Shawn did the same.

"Belle you never going to believe this" Shawn began as Belle interjected.

"I think I can and I will" said Belle staring into the eyes of Shawn.

"What was it you two? It is something there? Isn't it!" Brady said on the verge of breaking down.

"I'm so sorry Brady..." Belle said standing and giving her brother a hug. "I'm so sorry...maybe it was just time...Her time" said Belle crying silently.....

******

"Um. Rolfy she stopped breathing" said a frantic yet calm Bart.....

"WHAT!" Rolfe said as he swerved off the road......

TBC....