Thanks for reading/reviewing!! Hope to have more for you soon!
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Chapter Four
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Chloe poured a stream of hot coffee into a styrofoam cup and glanced around the waiting room. Belle was sitting down wrapped up in Shawn's arms, and Brady was making his hundredth lap pacing in between chairs. Chloe intercepted him as he walked towards her, forcing him to stop and take the cup of coffee in her hand.
"Brady... Sit down. Have some coffee. Stay calm."
Brady took the cup in his hand and looked at her with raised eyebrows. "You think coffee will keep me calm?"
Chloe laid her hand on his arm and led him to the chairs across from Shawn and Belle. "It's decaf. Please, just sit down."
Brady nodded and begrudgingly did as his wife asked him to. Chloe sat beside him and laid her hand on top of his as he slowly sipped the cup of coffee in his other hand. Brady sighed loudly and looked towards the floor.
"I just wish there was something I could do."
Chloe rubbed lazy circles over the top of his hand and nodded in understanding. "Of course you do. You're just like your father. You want to fix everything. But, you just have to trust Craig. And, Marlena is in there too, doing what she can."
Belle lifted her head from Shawn's shoulder and sniffled slightly before she spoke. "What do you think they're doing in there?"
"Running a lot of tests, I'm sure. And, doing everything they can to make him better. We shouldn't worry yet... It might not be something serious."
Shawn nodded in agreement and brushed his hand over a stray piece of Belle's hair. "Chloe's right. There are all kinds of things that could have caused that seizure. Little things that aren't serious at all."
Brady looked up from the floor and nodded in agreement. "My dad has always been so healthy. He's never had something like this happen to him. Not that I can remember."
Chloe ran her fingers through Brady's hair and smiled reassuringly. "See... There's another reason to not be worried. Your dad has never had any health problems, and I'm sure this will turn out to be no big deal."
The group remained mostly quiet as they continued waiting for any news on John's condition. It was quite a while later when the doors opened and Craig came through, still dressed in his tux from the party. He sat on Brady's other side as four faces looked at him with hope in their eyes.
Brady was the first to speak, looking at Craig expectantly. "So... How is he?"
Craig hesitated for a moment, trying to find the words to explain. "Well... It's complicated. He's fine, right now. He's awake, alert, a little weak... but okay. Marlena is with him right now."
"What's the bad news, Craig?"
"I wouldn't necessarily call it *bad* news. It's just... We don't know why he had the seizure."
Chloe stared at him in shock, her jaw dropping slightly. "Don't know why? How can you not know why?"
Craig shrugged and threw his hands up slightly. "It's the strangest thing. It's like it happened, and then we got him here, put him on some medication to stop the seizure... and now, it's like it never happened at all. Dr. Murphy and I have run every test we can think of, but so far, we've come up with nothing."
Belle's blue eyes were wide with surprise. "So far? There are other tests, right? I mean -- you WILL find out why this happened. Won't you?"
"Of course we will. Dr. Murphy is in the lab right now running more tests. We will get an answer, and we're going to keep John here until we find out what's wrong."
"Can we -- Can we seem him please?"
Craig stood and nodded his approval. "Absolutely... Come with me."
The four others stood from their seats and followed Craig down the hallway to the small private room. John was sitting up in bed, looking tired but perfectly healthy and Marlena sat at his side. Brady and Belle gave hugs to their father, and every one stood around the bed waiting for someone to speak up.
John looked between each of them and grinned slightly. "So, how did the rest of the party go?"
Belle sighed in frustration and rolled her eyes. "Dad... Everybody went home. I think we'll have to make about a hundred phone calls to let everyone know that you're doing okay."
"Maybe you should just run an ad in the newspaper, or broadcast it on the local news."
Brady crossed his arms over his chest and frowned. He knew that John was just trying to keep things light, attempting to get everyone's mind off of his mysterious condition. The conversation stayed fairly normal, even though the tension was still visible in everyone. They waited for only a short time, all heads turning to watch Dr. Colin Murphy as he entered the room, a solemn look on his face.
John eyed him curiously and greeted him. "Dr. Murphy..."
"Mr. Black, Dr. Evans..." Colin smiled politely at the rest of the room and then fixed his gaze on Craig. "Dr. Wesley... I got the results back on the last series of tests that we ran."
It seemed that every set of lungs in the room filled with air, holding their breath as they waited for the latest test results. Craig stared at Colin with an impatient glare.
"And? What's going on, Dr. Murphy?"
"It's -- It's quite shocking really. Mr. Black -- You were poisoned."
Quiet gasps sounded throughout the room, and even John looked surprised, his famous eyebrow raising as he stared at both doctors. "Poisoned?"
Chloe was the first one to truly question him, as the rest of the room was still in shock. "If you don't mind me asking, Dr. Murphy... What kind of poison gives somebody a seizure and then everything goes back to normal?"
Colin sighed and looked towards the floor for a moment, a sense of foreboding falling across the room. He looked back up and answered Chloe, but looked at John and Marlena as he spoke.
"It's a very rare poison. I've only heard of two cases of it. One of them I treated myself in Ireland. The poison was created by..."
John spoke through clenched teeth, finishing Colin's sentence. "Stefano DiMera..."
Chloe took a couple of steps backwards resting her hands against the wooden cabinet behind her as she looked around at the reactions of those assembled around John's bed. That was certainly not the name any of them wanted to hear right now, especially her.
Colin nodded in reply and continued. "Yes, John... Stefano DiMera. I treated one of his employees from the Ireland sector. I guess this particular employee was disloyal to the DiMeras, and Stefano wanted him to suffer."
Marlena was fighting back tears as she clutched her husband's hand. "Suffer? So... It's not over, yet? The effects of the poison?"
"Not by a long shot. There's no easy way to say this... This poison is very deceptive. It makes you feel like you're perfectly healthy one moment, but all the while it's shutting your system down. The seizure was the first sign. Right now, you feel okay, Mr. Black. But, it's inside you, destroying you quietly."
"But there... There has to be a cure, right? An antidote of some sort?"
Colin shrugged slightly and replied. "There might be. But, I'd say it's a safe guess that the only one who knows where to find it is DiMera."
There was a long silent pause that wasn't broken until John finally decided to speak the words that were on everyone's minds. "So... The other victims of this poison? They are... dead. Right?"
"Yes. I did everything I could to save that man in Ireland, but all I could do was to make him as comfortable as possible for the two weeks he was in my care. I'm sorry... I wish I could give you better news."
Belle had been crying quietly as she was wrapped in the circle of Shawn's arms. She barely rasped out her words, devastated at the news that Colin was giving them. "Two weeks? Are you saying my father could be dead in two weeks? And there's NOTHING we can do?"
Brady was shaking his head in denial and Chloe stood at his side rubbing a reassuring hand over his back. He looked towards his father and spoke with his usual confidence, even though inside he was torn apart. "There has to be something we can do. We'll hunt down Stefano and get that damned antidote. I'm not going to just sit here and do nothing. I'm not going to let you die."
John nodded slightly and looked towards Shawn. "Shawn... Can you call your father for me? Have him call Roman and Abe, get in touch with the ISA, see what we can find out about Stefano's whereabouts, and a possible antidote."
Shawn nodded in understanding as Belle slipped out of his arms. Belle walked around the bed and sat next to her mother, so the two women could lean on each other for support.
"Sure, John... I'll go out in the hallway and call right away."
Shawn departed and John began to slide out of his bed like he was going to get up and walk out of the hospital. Marlena grabbed his arm and forced him to stay where he was. "And just where do you think you're going?"
John was seething with anger because of another dastardly DiMera plan. He turned to his wife with a determined glare. "I'm getting out of here so I can figure out how to find that sonofabitch."
There was only one person on earth who could match John's determination, forcing him to back down, and that was his wife. "Oh, no you don't. You stay right here. This is all about your health, and you're not going to beat this by gallivanting all across the world."
"But --"
Brady interrupted him abruptly. "Dad, she's right. I know that you're used to being the hero, the guy who swoops in and saves the day. But, this time... You're the one that needs saving. And, that's what we're going to do. Okay?"
John nodded slightly and reluctantly slid back into bed. Chloe had remained silent since Stefano's name had first been uttered, her mind was racing with so many thoughts, all while she was trying to stand by her husband's side. A sudden flash of light filled her head and she gasped softly. Brady turned his head to look at her with surprise.
"Chloe... What is it?"
"It's -- It's Greta... Has anyone seen her? I mean, with all the confusion at the restaurant and everything. I didn't see her."
Brady shrugged nonchalantly, the princess was certainly not the first thing on his mind right now. "No, I didn't see her. But, I'm sure she's okay. She probably just went home to wait for a phone call from you about John. That's what everyone else did."
Chloe shook her head vehemently as a chill slowly ran up her spine. Brady didn't have the information that she had, didn't know that Greta herself was in danger. "No, Brady... I -- I just need to find her. I need to call her."
"Chloe, why are you panicking? Greta isn't in danger, is she?"
Chloe bit her lip nervously, not wanting to bring everyone else into her paranoia until she knew for sure what was going on. "I -- I don't know, Brady. But, I think she might be able to help us. Help us find the antidote. I'm gonna go call her..."
Chloe rushed towards the door and Brady tried to stop her with his voice, calling out to her as she opened the door. "Chloe! WAIT! How can she help?"
She paused halfway through the door and turned to him to reply. "I'll tell you as soon as I find out where she is."
Chloe didn't wait for a response, she walked out in to the hallway and let the door shut behind her, leaving behind a room full of confused people. Colin dismissed himself soon after to go make calls to his colleagues in Europe, hoping to find some solutions to the problem. Chloe went to the payphones where Shawn was talking to his father, and both nodded at each other in acknowledgement.
She picked up the phone and first dialed Greta's house, but got no answer and no machine. Chloe next dialed her cellphone number and received the voicemail message. She muttered curse words under her breath, garnering a surprised look from Shawn who was still on the phone next to her.
"Shawn... Are you on the phone with your dad?"
Shawn nodded and Chloe continued with her request. "Would you mind asking if they've seen Greta since John collapsed?"
Shawn nodded again and Chloe dialed her sister's house, waiting for two rings until Jennifer picked up the phone. "Hello..."
"Jenn, it's me."
"Chloe... Is everything okay?"
"Well, not really. It looks like John was poisoned, by Stefano DiMera. He's okay right now, but the poison can do some pretty serious damage -- fatal damage. But, that's not why I'm calling. I'm looking for Greta."
There was a hesitant pause and Jennifer's voice came back as both curious and confused. "Greta? I -- I haven't seen her since before John gave his toast. What's going on?"
Chloe sighed softly and frowned. "I -- I can't really say. But, I need to find her as soon as possible. How is Wes?"
"He's fine, he's sleeping peacefully right now. Jack is on his way to the hospital right now though."
"What? Why?"
Jennifer chuckled softly and continued. "He's my best reporter, that's why. Listen, Chloe... I am your sister, and you can tell me anything. If Greta is in danger, you can tell me. I can help you and so can Brady."
Chloe frowned sadly and put her forehead on the cool metal of the payphone. "Jenn... I want to tell you, I do. And, I will... as soon as I find out where Greta is. Please kiss Wes for me... And, I'll call you back in a little while."
"Chloe, please, don't hang up yet..."
"I'm -- I'm sorry. I have to go. I have to find Greta. I'm sorry." Chloe put the phone back in the cradle with a sigh and turned to look at Shawn. Shawn was hanging up the phone at the same time and looked at her with a shrug. "So, your parents haven't seen Greta either?"
"Not since before they gave their toasts..."
"Damnit... Damnit..."
They walked back to the hospital room together, with Chloe shaking her head and frowning all the way there. Once back inside, Shawn looked immediately to John to tell him about his phone call.
"My dad and Roman are on their way over right now. They've already called the ISA to see what they can do."
"Thank you, Shawn... Chloe, did you find Greta?"
Chloe's face was contorted with visible worry as Brady put his hand on her shoulder and looked at her, waiting for an answer. "Chloe... Did you find her?"
"No, no I didn't... I need to go to her house. See if maybe she's there and just not answering the phone or something. Hope and Jenn don't know where she is either, and there's no answer on her cellphone."
"Let me go with you... If there's some kind of danger, you shouldn't go there by yourself."
Chloe shook her head and managed to give him a weak smile. "No, Brady... You need to stay here with your dad and your sister. You probably want to be here when Roman and Bo get here anyway... So, I can... I can... I can take Shawn. Right, Shawn? You'll go with me?"
Shawn nodded in agreement and smiled at her. "Absolutely. If Belle doesn't need me, of course..."
Belle had her head on Marlena's shoulder and she lifted it up to smile at them both. "I'm fine... Go ahead, Shawn."
Chloe smiled wider and tried to reassure her husband. "See... Shawn and I can take care of each other, just fine. And, we will both have our cellphones on the whole time. I promise."
Brady nodded and gave her a brief embrace and a quick kiss on the lips. "Okay, okay... Just be careful, Diva..."
"I will... Of course, I will."
Chloe waited for Shawn to say goodbye to Belle and then they left the room, heading towards the outside doors. Shawn looked at her curiously, still unsure of why she was so worried about Greta.
"Chloe... What are you hoping to find by going over to Greta's?"
"I'm hoping to find Greta in her pajamas with a pint of Ben & Jerry's, feet propped up, watching Snow White and the ringer on her phone turned off. That's what I WANT to see."
Shawn opened the door for her and they stepped into the night air together. "Okay, let me rephrase... What do you *think* we might find?"
Chloe ran her tongue over her lower lip and shrugged sadly. "I don't know. I haven't thought that far ahead yet. Come on..."
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I wasn't planning on leaving it there, I was going to write more, but this chapter was starting to get long. So, the next chapter is what happens at Greta's house and other stuff.
Is it moving too fast, too slow? Am I being too mysterious? Tell me what's on your mind. :) You know me and my lack of confidence... LOL. Give me feedback!
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Chapter Four
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Chloe poured a stream of hot coffee into a styrofoam cup and glanced around the waiting room. Belle was sitting down wrapped up in Shawn's arms, and Brady was making his hundredth lap pacing in between chairs. Chloe intercepted him as he walked towards her, forcing him to stop and take the cup of coffee in her hand.
"Brady... Sit down. Have some coffee. Stay calm."
Brady took the cup in his hand and looked at her with raised eyebrows. "You think coffee will keep me calm?"
Chloe laid her hand on his arm and led him to the chairs across from Shawn and Belle. "It's decaf. Please, just sit down."
Brady nodded and begrudgingly did as his wife asked him to. Chloe sat beside him and laid her hand on top of his as he slowly sipped the cup of coffee in his other hand. Brady sighed loudly and looked towards the floor.
"I just wish there was something I could do."
Chloe rubbed lazy circles over the top of his hand and nodded in understanding. "Of course you do. You're just like your father. You want to fix everything. But, you just have to trust Craig. And, Marlena is in there too, doing what she can."
Belle lifted her head from Shawn's shoulder and sniffled slightly before she spoke. "What do you think they're doing in there?"
"Running a lot of tests, I'm sure. And, doing everything they can to make him better. We shouldn't worry yet... It might not be something serious."
Shawn nodded in agreement and brushed his hand over a stray piece of Belle's hair. "Chloe's right. There are all kinds of things that could have caused that seizure. Little things that aren't serious at all."
Brady looked up from the floor and nodded in agreement. "My dad has always been so healthy. He's never had something like this happen to him. Not that I can remember."
Chloe ran her fingers through Brady's hair and smiled reassuringly. "See... There's another reason to not be worried. Your dad has never had any health problems, and I'm sure this will turn out to be no big deal."
The group remained mostly quiet as they continued waiting for any news on John's condition. It was quite a while later when the doors opened and Craig came through, still dressed in his tux from the party. He sat on Brady's other side as four faces looked at him with hope in their eyes.
Brady was the first to speak, looking at Craig expectantly. "So... How is he?"
Craig hesitated for a moment, trying to find the words to explain. "Well... It's complicated. He's fine, right now. He's awake, alert, a little weak... but okay. Marlena is with him right now."
"What's the bad news, Craig?"
"I wouldn't necessarily call it *bad* news. It's just... We don't know why he had the seizure."
Chloe stared at him in shock, her jaw dropping slightly. "Don't know why? How can you not know why?"
Craig shrugged and threw his hands up slightly. "It's the strangest thing. It's like it happened, and then we got him here, put him on some medication to stop the seizure... and now, it's like it never happened at all. Dr. Murphy and I have run every test we can think of, but so far, we've come up with nothing."
Belle's blue eyes were wide with surprise. "So far? There are other tests, right? I mean -- you WILL find out why this happened. Won't you?"
"Of course we will. Dr. Murphy is in the lab right now running more tests. We will get an answer, and we're going to keep John here until we find out what's wrong."
"Can we -- Can we seem him please?"
Craig stood and nodded his approval. "Absolutely... Come with me."
The four others stood from their seats and followed Craig down the hallway to the small private room. John was sitting up in bed, looking tired but perfectly healthy and Marlena sat at his side. Brady and Belle gave hugs to their father, and every one stood around the bed waiting for someone to speak up.
John looked between each of them and grinned slightly. "So, how did the rest of the party go?"
Belle sighed in frustration and rolled her eyes. "Dad... Everybody went home. I think we'll have to make about a hundred phone calls to let everyone know that you're doing okay."
"Maybe you should just run an ad in the newspaper, or broadcast it on the local news."
Brady crossed his arms over his chest and frowned. He knew that John was just trying to keep things light, attempting to get everyone's mind off of his mysterious condition. The conversation stayed fairly normal, even though the tension was still visible in everyone. They waited for only a short time, all heads turning to watch Dr. Colin Murphy as he entered the room, a solemn look on his face.
John eyed him curiously and greeted him. "Dr. Murphy..."
"Mr. Black, Dr. Evans..." Colin smiled politely at the rest of the room and then fixed his gaze on Craig. "Dr. Wesley... I got the results back on the last series of tests that we ran."
It seemed that every set of lungs in the room filled with air, holding their breath as they waited for the latest test results. Craig stared at Colin with an impatient glare.
"And? What's going on, Dr. Murphy?"
"It's -- It's quite shocking really. Mr. Black -- You were poisoned."
Quiet gasps sounded throughout the room, and even John looked surprised, his famous eyebrow raising as he stared at both doctors. "Poisoned?"
Chloe was the first one to truly question him, as the rest of the room was still in shock. "If you don't mind me asking, Dr. Murphy... What kind of poison gives somebody a seizure and then everything goes back to normal?"
Colin sighed and looked towards the floor for a moment, a sense of foreboding falling across the room. He looked back up and answered Chloe, but looked at John and Marlena as he spoke.
"It's a very rare poison. I've only heard of two cases of it. One of them I treated myself in Ireland. The poison was created by..."
John spoke through clenched teeth, finishing Colin's sentence. "Stefano DiMera..."
Chloe took a couple of steps backwards resting her hands against the wooden cabinet behind her as she looked around at the reactions of those assembled around John's bed. That was certainly not the name any of them wanted to hear right now, especially her.
Colin nodded in reply and continued. "Yes, John... Stefano DiMera. I treated one of his employees from the Ireland sector. I guess this particular employee was disloyal to the DiMeras, and Stefano wanted him to suffer."
Marlena was fighting back tears as she clutched her husband's hand. "Suffer? So... It's not over, yet? The effects of the poison?"
"Not by a long shot. There's no easy way to say this... This poison is very deceptive. It makes you feel like you're perfectly healthy one moment, but all the while it's shutting your system down. The seizure was the first sign. Right now, you feel okay, Mr. Black. But, it's inside you, destroying you quietly."
"But there... There has to be a cure, right? An antidote of some sort?"
Colin shrugged slightly and replied. "There might be. But, I'd say it's a safe guess that the only one who knows where to find it is DiMera."
There was a long silent pause that wasn't broken until John finally decided to speak the words that were on everyone's minds. "So... The other victims of this poison? They are... dead. Right?"
"Yes. I did everything I could to save that man in Ireland, but all I could do was to make him as comfortable as possible for the two weeks he was in my care. I'm sorry... I wish I could give you better news."
Belle had been crying quietly as she was wrapped in the circle of Shawn's arms. She barely rasped out her words, devastated at the news that Colin was giving them. "Two weeks? Are you saying my father could be dead in two weeks? And there's NOTHING we can do?"
Brady was shaking his head in denial and Chloe stood at his side rubbing a reassuring hand over his back. He looked towards his father and spoke with his usual confidence, even though inside he was torn apart. "There has to be something we can do. We'll hunt down Stefano and get that damned antidote. I'm not going to just sit here and do nothing. I'm not going to let you die."
John nodded slightly and looked towards Shawn. "Shawn... Can you call your father for me? Have him call Roman and Abe, get in touch with the ISA, see what we can find out about Stefano's whereabouts, and a possible antidote."
Shawn nodded in understanding as Belle slipped out of his arms. Belle walked around the bed and sat next to her mother, so the two women could lean on each other for support.
"Sure, John... I'll go out in the hallway and call right away."
Shawn departed and John began to slide out of his bed like he was going to get up and walk out of the hospital. Marlena grabbed his arm and forced him to stay where he was. "And just where do you think you're going?"
John was seething with anger because of another dastardly DiMera plan. He turned to his wife with a determined glare. "I'm getting out of here so I can figure out how to find that sonofabitch."
There was only one person on earth who could match John's determination, forcing him to back down, and that was his wife. "Oh, no you don't. You stay right here. This is all about your health, and you're not going to beat this by gallivanting all across the world."
"But --"
Brady interrupted him abruptly. "Dad, she's right. I know that you're used to being the hero, the guy who swoops in and saves the day. But, this time... You're the one that needs saving. And, that's what we're going to do. Okay?"
John nodded slightly and reluctantly slid back into bed. Chloe had remained silent since Stefano's name had first been uttered, her mind was racing with so many thoughts, all while she was trying to stand by her husband's side. A sudden flash of light filled her head and she gasped softly. Brady turned his head to look at her with surprise.
"Chloe... What is it?"
"It's -- It's Greta... Has anyone seen her? I mean, with all the confusion at the restaurant and everything. I didn't see her."
Brady shrugged nonchalantly, the princess was certainly not the first thing on his mind right now. "No, I didn't see her. But, I'm sure she's okay. She probably just went home to wait for a phone call from you about John. That's what everyone else did."
Chloe shook her head vehemently as a chill slowly ran up her spine. Brady didn't have the information that she had, didn't know that Greta herself was in danger. "No, Brady... I -- I just need to find her. I need to call her."
"Chloe, why are you panicking? Greta isn't in danger, is she?"
Chloe bit her lip nervously, not wanting to bring everyone else into her paranoia until she knew for sure what was going on. "I -- I don't know, Brady. But, I think she might be able to help us. Help us find the antidote. I'm gonna go call her..."
Chloe rushed towards the door and Brady tried to stop her with his voice, calling out to her as she opened the door. "Chloe! WAIT! How can she help?"
She paused halfway through the door and turned to him to reply. "I'll tell you as soon as I find out where she is."
Chloe didn't wait for a response, she walked out in to the hallway and let the door shut behind her, leaving behind a room full of confused people. Colin dismissed himself soon after to go make calls to his colleagues in Europe, hoping to find some solutions to the problem. Chloe went to the payphones where Shawn was talking to his father, and both nodded at each other in acknowledgement.
She picked up the phone and first dialed Greta's house, but got no answer and no machine. Chloe next dialed her cellphone number and received the voicemail message. She muttered curse words under her breath, garnering a surprised look from Shawn who was still on the phone next to her.
"Shawn... Are you on the phone with your dad?"
Shawn nodded and Chloe continued with her request. "Would you mind asking if they've seen Greta since John collapsed?"
Shawn nodded again and Chloe dialed her sister's house, waiting for two rings until Jennifer picked up the phone. "Hello..."
"Jenn, it's me."
"Chloe... Is everything okay?"
"Well, not really. It looks like John was poisoned, by Stefano DiMera. He's okay right now, but the poison can do some pretty serious damage -- fatal damage. But, that's not why I'm calling. I'm looking for Greta."
There was a hesitant pause and Jennifer's voice came back as both curious and confused. "Greta? I -- I haven't seen her since before John gave his toast. What's going on?"
Chloe sighed softly and frowned. "I -- I can't really say. But, I need to find her as soon as possible. How is Wes?"
"He's fine, he's sleeping peacefully right now. Jack is on his way to the hospital right now though."
"What? Why?"
Jennifer chuckled softly and continued. "He's my best reporter, that's why. Listen, Chloe... I am your sister, and you can tell me anything. If Greta is in danger, you can tell me. I can help you and so can Brady."
Chloe frowned sadly and put her forehead on the cool metal of the payphone. "Jenn... I want to tell you, I do. And, I will... as soon as I find out where Greta is. Please kiss Wes for me... And, I'll call you back in a little while."
"Chloe, please, don't hang up yet..."
"I'm -- I'm sorry. I have to go. I have to find Greta. I'm sorry." Chloe put the phone back in the cradle with a sigh and turned to look at Shawn. Shawn was hanging up the phone at the same time and looked at her with a shrug. "So, your parents haven't seen Greta either?"
"Not since before they gave their toasts..."
"Damnit... Damnit..."
They walked back to the hospital room together, with Chloe shaking her head and frowning all the way there. Once back inside, Shawn looked immediately to John to tell him about his phone call.
"My dad and Roman are on their way over right now. They've already called the ISA to see what they can do."
"Thank you, Shawn... Chloe, did you find Greta?"
Chloe's face was contorted with visible worry as Brady put his hand on her shoulder and looked at her, waiting for an answer. "Chloe... Did you find her?"
"No, no I didn't... I need to go to her house. See if maybe she's there and just not answering the phone or something. Hope and Jenn don't know where she is either, and there's no answer on her cellphone."
"Let me go with you... If there's some kind of danger, you shouldn't go there by yourself."
Chloe shook her head and managed to give him a weak smile. "No, Brady... You need to stay here with your dad and your sister. You probably want to be here when Roman and Bo get here anyway... So, I can... I can... I can take Shawn. Right, Shawn? You'll go with me?"
Shawn nodded in agreement and smiled at her. "Absolutely. If Belle doesn't need me, of course..."
Belle had her head on Marlena's shoulder and she lifted it up to smile at them both. "I'm fine... Go ahead, Shawn."
Chloe smiled wider and tried to reassure her husband. "See... Shawn and I can take care of each other, just fine. And, we will both have our cellphones on the whole time. I promise."
Brady nodded and gave her a brief embrace and a quick kiss on the lips. "Okay, okay... Just be careful, Diva..."
"I will... Of course, I will."
Chloe waited for Shawn to say goodbye to Belle and then they left the room, heading towards the outside doors. Shawn looked at her curiously, still unsure of why she was so worried about Greta.
"Chloe... What are you hoping to find by going over to Greta's?"
"I'm hoping to find Greta in her pajamas with a pint of Ben & Jerry's, feet propped up, watching Snow White and the ringer on her phone turned off. That's what I WANT to see."
Shawn opened the door for her and they stepped into the night air together. "Okay, let me rephrase... What do you *think* we might find?"
Chloe ran her tongue over her lower lip and shrugged sadly. "I don't know. I haven't thought that far ahead yet. Come on..."
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I wasn't planning on leaving it there, I was going to write more, but this chapter was starting to get long. So, the next chapter is what happens at Greta's house and other stuff.
Is it moving too fast, too slow? Am I being too mysterious? Tell me what's on your mind. :) You know me and my lack of confidence... LOL. Give me feedback!