True Love Once One is Removed
Chapter 14: Chris's Cabin



Together again. He watched as her chest fell and rose through each inhaling/exhaling moment. Even in her weakness, she still was very much strong. Even with her not knowing who she was, and who he was. He still felt for her what he felt for her the minute they first met. And the minutes, hours, days, weeks, months, years gone by he had got the chance to get to know the young woman, Chloe Lane was. But now his Diva was some machine to DiMera's schemes. Having become a machine named AJ. Still Brady didn't know what it stood for. But would find out once she woke up. Thinking about what had happened a few hours ago, he realized she, AJ still ran alongside the part of Chloe, that still existed in her. It explained why she did what she did. It was the only possible answer.

Brady turned back around to staring at Chloe. In her simple white slip she wore. Although watching her in the skimpy wear, he couldn't help but think of what it would be like to finally hold her the way she needed to be held. Or the way she deserved to be made love to. Smiling an uncontrollable smile he stopped when he thought about what almost happened.

"I almost lost her for real this time…"

As Brady began to drift and thought back to what happened earlier while still at the ball.

(Flashback)

Brady saw the gunman facing his weapon to Chloe.

AJ stared into Brady eyes, seeing the vision he saw. And having been trained for such a thing she would have been prepared had it not been for the tall blond who had captivated her thoughts, and made simple things she once knew complicated tasks. But she still was quick enough to act out what needed to be done.

Brady reaching to push Chloe away backfired on him as he was a step behind her as she was already pushing him to the ground when the first shot rang and as he was falling to the ground, she fell to the ground with his body to act as a windshield and protect him. Why? She didn't know, but she felt she needed to save him from harm.

Brady lay dazed from the initial body making contact to the ground when he winced and looked down to see the added weight on him. Which wasn't a bad thing at first but he saw her sprawled on him. And that's when he knew Chloe was still there. 'She tried to save me' he thought. At this point she looked up and smiled.

AJ smiled, knowing she had succeeded in her efforts of saving him. But she looked down and saw the blood on his tux. "Oh my gosh, your bleeding, we need to get you somewhere. Does it hurt? Are you okay?" she said not caring to check herself.

Brady looked confused. He didn't feel injured. He noticed the blood on his tux as well but never felt a bullet pierce his skin. He smirked remembering how it actually felt and this was not it. But a dreaded look fell over his face as he realized he wasn't the one shot. 'She was his aim to begin with' he thought. Looking to Chloe he noticed and soon she noticed she had been shot. In a pool of blood the two lie in. Not having known there lay so much blood at first.

"We've got to get you somewhere safe, Chloe" Brady said.

AJ began to feel slightly lightheaded as she began dozing off. "My name isn't… it isn't…I'm Alexia….Alex Johnson….not whaaa" she said passing out.

"SHIT!" Brady got up and picked Chloe up in his arms. As he did so her purse that had stayed clutched under her arms slipped and fell to the ground opening up. Brady turned his neck somewhat and realized a piece of paper had an address on it. A note which stated the whereabouts' to a cabin and had something about a needed password. Then Brady thought back knowingly. 'I've got it' he thought. "Don't worry Diva, I'm going to take care of you. And I promise, I'm not going to ever let anything happen to you again. Ever" he said walking to find the limo he arrived in earlier. 'Grandpa Vic won't mind if I burrowed it for a few hours. Besides its for good intentions and reasons' Brady thought as he placed Chloe's body into the limo. He watched her lay in his arms. 'This is how it should always be' he thought.
And the limo drove into the nighttime air to the cabin….

When they arrived, Chloe still lay sleep as Brady carried her up the pathway to the cabin. Once he reached the top to the gates, he turned to his left and noticed the keypad that was there. The screen said something of Italian language, but having knew something of the language Brady knew it was simply asking for the password. Which he typed in happily with his somewhat available finger that still held Chloe in his arms. Maneuvering himself was how he went out about doing it. When it opened Brady hurried this way to and in the cabin. Placing Chloe's body on a couch he began to run some bath water for her, still feeling somewhat unsure as to if he should really be doing this. But as if it was too good to be true she awakened.

"Where am I?" AJ asked confused. Then that's when she felt it. The pain in her arm and the sworeness of her body. Having realized what happened, she turned her head to scope the room and that's when her eyes fell on him. "You."

"Yes me." Brady said smiling and stepping to sit besides her on the couch where she still lie.

"Why are you here? Are you going to kill me? How much are you getting paid, I'm sure my father will double it? You've been after me for months haven't you? Your…" AJ started but didn't finish as she began to feel lightheaded again.

"Shush, Diva. I'm here to watch and protect you because you are my friend. And (stopping to laugh at the fact she could ask such a thing) no I'm not trying to kill you. I couldn't bring myself to laying hand on you unless that's what you wanted" winking Brady said having meaning something else. Which caused her to smile. Brady face brightened as she did so and continued, "I'm not getting paid but I have been after you for months. But not for the reasons you think. Or the lie's your so called father has told you." Brady said not having been sure if her father was Stefano or not but something told him he was attempting to play the role of it for her. Which to him didn't make since. Especially if Stefano would need to cover his tracks, 'Why would he pretend to be her father and not hire someone else to do it?' he thought but stopped when he saw her touch her arm and watched her face turn to run of pain. "Look, you need to cleanup and then rest, okay? Trust me." he said gently.

She placed a skeptical look upon her face. Just about to say something he spoke before her.

"There was once a time when you did, no questions asked" he said placing his hand to her cheek. And smiling when he realized what it did to her. He felt her shiver under his palm the minute he touched her. 'Your still there Chloe, and when I get you back nobody's ever going to take you away from me. My body would have to die a thousand deaths before I let anyone suspicious get close to you or ever let you be alone again!' he though dramatically. But became calm again as he watched her face smooth into his and her cheeks fell into the grove of his curved hand. 'Perfect fit' he thought.

AJ not knowing what was happening to her but she felt she liked it. Yet it scared her, and with that she stopped. She searched his eyes, there lie in them was trust. "I believe in you, Brady." she said and quickly realizing what she said. 'Wait where did that come from? He never told me his name, did he?' she thought. "Did you ever tell me your name?" she asked as her features on her face scrunched up in confusion.

Brady smiled, she was coming back. He nodded his head no and smiled, "You just already know me, but its something that the back of your mind carries (pointing to her forehead) and you have to find. Don't worry, I'm going to help you reclaim your life, Chl… I mean AJ." he said smiling to her.

Not feeling up to questioning him, AJ just went about the rest as he directed her. Bathing, eating, reasting and etc. Not having the strength to fight back and not really wanting to. Later he bandaged her arm nicely and carefully while she slowly dozed off as he worked.

Brady smiled at his handy work. After all he was the cure…..


(End of Flashback)

'My own sleeping beauty' Brady thought. Finally back where you belong.

Brady felt himself growing weak as he stared at her lips. Going down to place a peck on her lips but was stopped when she came up from out of nowhere and began kissing him rapidly. He couldn't do anything but oblige and slowly place his body on hers. Using her one arm to stroke his back up and down from side to side then as the rooms begins to turn bright orange of a fire place ember glow a loud clap of thunder came.

Waking Brady up from his dream. Sweating heavily, Brady traced his lips and couldn't believe it was all a dream, it was almost too real for it to have been one. Looking to his side he saw that Chloe still lay sleeping and her wrap still on her arms. Then a knock came at the door. A louder knock sounded after it and a voice came from outside the door

"Brady open up! I know she's in there with you! BRADY!!!!!!!" …….




TBC….