Reality Sets In Ch.18

*** Hey guys, I just noticed after someone kindly pointed it out that I first gave Chloe the middle name Michele at her Vegas wedding to Shawn, but in Shawn's declaration of love I called her Chloe Elizabeth, I have no excuse for this other then it was late at night, and I was probably on a Pixie Styx high, but sense no one complained I just decided what to do about her middle name later unless you guys have some suggestions. ***

I disclaim, I don't own Shawn or Chloe, and if I owned Philip he'd be my manservant.

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It was suicide coming here, but he really had no choice. Town gossip had revealed that Chloe had returned yesterday at the Annual Horton/Brady Barbecue. The stories included everything from Craig and Shawn having some kind of show down, to the fact that Phillip and Chloe disappeared from the party for a short while. None of the gossipers could confirm the state of Chloe and Shawn relationship.

Which is what brought him to the Wesley's door. He hadn't been there in months, after the break up Shawn had warned him away from the house, although he didn't need to be told that Nancy Wesley would be gunning for him, it was nice of his cousin to give him the head's up.

If that's what it was. Taking a seat on the porch swing Brady lets his mind wander.

Was Shawn really helping him out by telling him to stay away, or was his trying to pave the way for himself.

Flashback

Brady saw his cousin already seated in the booth in the back of Brady Pub, he could tell that the break up was already in the news, by the way that Caroline, gave him that pitying smile as he walked back to Shawn's table. Obviously they didn't know who broke up with whom.

" Shawn." Brady slid into the booth and braced himself for anger and disappointment; he knew he'd hear in his cousins' voice.

"Brady." Shawn gave a weak smile, and had a detached look on his face, like he was hear but he didn't want to be. He didn't sound angry or disappointed, but more confused. " I talked to Chloe…uh…."

" I know." He was a fool for ending things, but there never any guarantees when dealing with a DiMera, and he just couldn't trust himself to protect her. " How is she?"

This time the anger he excepted was evident. " How do you think she is," " She's destroyed, hurt, and confused." " What the hell happened Brady?"

" Shawn...." Brady stopped at a loss for words, how did he explain to Shawn that he didn't want to hurt Chloe, would rather die, then do it, but it was necessary for her safety, that there was nothing wrong with his and Chloe's relationship besides the threat from DiMera. " I don't really know, I just…"

" Just what Brady?" "Hmmm, just realized that you're not happy anymore or you grew apart or there's somebody else?" There was a bitter edge to the last statement that Brady knew was residual anger from his break up with Belle. " Please enlighten me to what exactly happened, because I 'm sure Chloe is dying to know how you're soul mates a week ago, and a mistake yesterday?"  

"Look, Shawn I can't explain this to you, just do me a favor and watch out for her, ok?" It was really ironic when he thought about it, he and Belle had this type of conversation a few months ago, but he had allowed Chloe to help Shawn deal with things, while he had gone off and helped his dad.

" I'll watch out for Lanie regardless of what happens between you two, but I will do you a favor." " Stay away from the house, Mrs. Wesley wants you dead, and I don't think that the good doctor could or would stop her." Shawn threw some bills on the table and started walking away, but turned back and looked at Brady with what could only be called sympathy. " You blew it Brady, I wonder if you'll ever figure just how much you're losing."

Flashback Over

" How upset where you with the break–up Shawn?" Brady asked himself, but shakes the doubts in his mind away. He was starting to sound like Philip.

" Just what the HELL are you doing here Brady Black?" Nancy Wesley started up the stairs of her porch struggling with bags of groceries while reigning in her temper, almost a year later and she still wanted to hurt him.

Brady jumped up form his seat and quickly removed the bags form the raging red head, hopefully helping would score him some points. " Let me get those for you Nancy."

She narrowed her eyes at the familiar way he said her name, and curses herself for her moment of weakness when she gave him the permission to call her by her first name." It's Mrs. Wesley to you, young man." She pushed past him and unlocked the door, before stepping aside to allow him in. " Drop the groceries at the door and leave."

" Nan… I mean Mrs. Wesley, I was hoping I could wait for Chloe." Brady had been hoping that Craig was in, he was easier to talk to, and always liked him.

Nancy ignored him and shut the door before walking back into the kitchen. " Chloe's not coming here tonight."

"Oh…." He placed the bags on the table before looking back at her." Do you know where she is now, I really want to talk to her."

Nancy begins putting the items away as a smile crossed her face. " Chloe is home."

" I thought you just said…."

" She's home at her and her husband's apartment." She turned just in time to catch the confusion on his face give way to disbelief and pain. " Chloe moved into Shawn's apartment yesterday." She kind of felt bad about taking so much pleasure in the pain of the man she once thought would be her son-in-law, but he had just about ruined her daughter when he ended things, and she couldn't feel too bad about payback.

" You let her move in with him." Brady stared at Nancy like he had never seen her before and he wasn't sure he had. When he had suggested that Chloe move in with him Craig had tightened his hold on the steak knife, while Nancy had gone off on a tangent about her little girl shacking up with some man, without a ring on her finger.

 " Chloe and Shawn are married, her place is by her husband." Craig Wesley stood in the doorway of the kitchen more amazed then anyone there, by his words.

" Dr. Wesley…"

" You should go Brady, if Chloe wants to talk to you then she will." He stepped back and motioned for Brady to g ahead of him, and followed him to the door not even bothering to say goodbye before he shut the door on the man's face.

Brady looked at the closed door with disappointment. The Wesley's weren't going to help him, the only other person he knew that could help was Jack Davereau, and last time they spoke Jack wanted him dead.  

No other options left Brady got in his jeep, and pulled out his palm pilot looked up his cousin's address.