**Author's Note: I am really sorry for not posting recently. I have been super busy and am thus neglecting all of my stories. I will try to write faster but I have to find time. And when I do have time the site is down. Grr. Anyway, enjoy.

Chapter Nine: The Importance of Being Earnest

Philip Kiriakis walked towards Belle's front door. He wasn't sure how he felt about the whole thing. He couldn't imagine having to see Belle without being able to hold her. But he would be strong because that was what she wanted. As he got closer he saw Belle's mom, Dr. Evans, who told him just to go inside. He put his hand on the door knob and braced himself. He turned it and was shocked to see Chloe kissing Brady. He expected to feel hurt or something but he didn't. He was merely shocked because he hadn't expected it and the fact that it didn't bother him shocked him even more. "Hey everyone. Chloe, Brady. I missed you two." He saw Tabi. "You must be the lovely lady my father mentioned earlier. Hi, I'm Philip." He stuck out his hand which Tabi shook.

"Tabi. Nice to meet you." She wondered if being hot was a prerequisite for guys living in Salem. Philip's dimples were definitely deadly. Philip went and sat on the arm of the chair Belle was in. He felt the overwhelming urge to kiss her.

'Not now,' he told himself, 'She'll make it up to you later.' At least he hoped. John Black came inside and announced to his children and their friends that the guests were arriving.

"Well," Brady said, picking up Chloe in one foul swoop, "Let's go be social."

"Yea, my favorite thing." Tabi's voice reeked with sarcasm.

"Hey, you've now met the coolest people in Salem so what's a few more?" Shawn looked at her. 'My God she is beautiful.'

"I'd rather just stay here and cuddle with you." This sounded like a very good deal to Shawn but Belle obviously thought differently.

"Blech. Stop being gross. Besides, I didn't work that hard to make you over just to have you sit here and cuddle with Shawn. Don't you want to show off?"

"I feel half naked, but sure. I will have to meet everyone sooner or later. Why not start now? Let's go Shawn." She pulled him up. "Hey, are you sure you aren't going to dump me when you see me dressed normally again tomorrow?"

"I thought you were beautiful from the second I saw you. You can't get rid of me that easily." Shawn and Tabi followed Chloe and Brady out the door, leaving Belle and Philip alone. Philip saw his chance and took it. He grabbed Belle, pulled her close, and kissed her. Then he hugged her tightly to him.

"Please talk to Chloe soon," he whispered, "I can't deal with this much longer." Belle kissed him.

"I know, it' hard for me too, but you have to understand where I am coming from. Chloe is my best friend and you are her ex-boyfriend. It's just a little awkward."

"Belle, she's dating your brother. I saw them kiss, and you know what? I didn't care. Just tell her."

"I will."

"Promise?"

'Promise." She kissed him and soon the kiss deepened. It was interrupted by Tabi and Shawn coming in.

"Wow, I don't think I was supposed to see that."

"Shit." Philip pulled away from Belle.

"Please don't tell Chloe. I want to tell her myself."

"I understand, and it's none of my business. But she is over Philip so I don't think she'll care. Your reaction to our conversation upstairs makes more sense now. But even though I'm Chloe's sister doesn't mean I can't keep a secret. I consider you a friend already, I won't betray you."

"Thank you so much." Belle hugged her. "Hey, maybe the four of us can double date sometime. What about tomorrow?"

"That's cool. Shawn?"

"Sounds good to me. I'll drive."

"Good, then it's a date. Thanks Shawn."

"No prob, Belle."

"Hey, don't I get an opinion here?"

"Do you disagree Philip?" Belle gave him a "look".

"No, I just wanted to be asked."

"Good." She kissed him quickly. A second after the two separated Marlena entered.

"Shawn, I thought you were getting paper plates? And Belle, didn't your father tell you to come outside? Oh, hi Philip."

"Hello Dr. Black." Philip smiled, flashing his signature dimples. "We were just going outside."

"Good, I'll see you out there. Shawn, Tabi, don't forget the paper plates." She left and Shawn and Tabi walked to the kitchen. As soon as they disappeared Philip pulled Belle to him.

"I believe we were in the middle of something, Miss Black." He began to kiss her and she responded eagerly. Once again they were interrupted by Tabi and Shawn.

"You know, you two need to be more careful. Someone may walk in on you that you don't want to." As if on cue Chloe entered. Shawn laughed. "See what I mean. Come on Tabi, let's bring these outside." They left and Chloe looked at Belle.

"What was that about?"

"I have no clue."

"Oh, well, Mimi's looking for you."

"K, we're coming." They exited and found Tabi and Shawn talking to Mimi. "Hey Meems, how are you?"

"Great, I'm glad we're home."

"Gag! You guys are so pathetic." Tabi saw a mean-looking girl standing behind Mimi. "And who are you?" Shawn pulled Tabi closer, placing his arm protectively around her shoulder.

"Go away Jan."

"Now Shawn, I'm only trying to be friendly with your new girlfriend. Where'd you dig her up so quickly?"

This time Chloe stepped in. "Look bitch, just go away. This is my twin sister Tabi, she is dating Shawn, leave them both alone."

"You can't talk to me like that. I'll stay right here if I want to. So, your Chloe's twin? Does that make you a witch too?"

"WHAT THE HELL IS YOUR PROBLEM??? I just met you two seconds ago and already you are talking shit to me? Who do you think you are? You seem to be to have a major stick up your ass. And on top of that you have an annoying voice and aren't cute...so whoever told you that you were the shit lied. Now please, leave us alone." Everyone just looked at Tabi, stunned. Not even Jan could think of an automatic retort. She just sat there for a second with her mouth open.

"Bitch! You'll pay for this." Then she turned and walked away.

"Wow!" Shawn hugged her. "You are awesome. Wow." A male walked up.

"I agree. I'm Jason." He seemed to fit the mold of hot guy as well. But Tabi still thought that Shawn was the cutest.

"Tabi."

"I've been wanting to say that to her for awhile now, but Jan is hard to escape. Ask Mimi, she knows. I'm her boyfriend but I've wanted out for awhile now, she's no good for me. I didn't have the courage though. But seeing you stand up to her and then the added fact that I like someone else has helped me. So I think I can now. Thanks." Then he just walked away.

"Well that was strange." Mimi said. "But I too agree with Shawn, that's was amazing. I'm greatly impressed. I wish I could have done that a long time ago. Then Chloe wouldn't hate me." Tabi had heard about what Jan and Mimi did to Chloe.

"I don't hate you."

"Yes you do. But I really am sorry, I never meant for things to go that far. I wanted to stop her but you know Jan. I just hope that one day you can forgive me...for everything. Cause you really are a great person."

"Thanks Mimi, I do understand...but you hurt me. And that will take awhile to get over."

"I understand."

"Well," Shawn piped up. "This has been an interesting picnic so far. And I don't know about you guys but I'm starving. Want something Tabi? My dad's running the grill and makes great hamburgers. Come on." He led her away, holding her hand possessively. Tabi may not realize how attractive she was but Shawn noticed, and so did a lot of the other guys. "Hey Dad! I would like a cheeseburger and...what do you want Tabi?"

"A cheeseburger please"

"I can't hear you dear. What did you say?" Bo saw how shy Tabitha became now that she was holding his son's hand. "Cheeseburger?" Tabi nodded. "Here ya go. Hey, here comes your mom."

"Hello Honey. I see you have come to get one of your father's famous burgers."

"Yup, but we're gonna go back over there now. Bye mom, dad."

"Bye Shawn." Bo turned to his wife, "So what do you think of this?"

"She seems like a nice girl. I don't know what happened with him and Belle though, but they seem to be friendly still."

"I don't know either. But they both seem okay."