His ear firmly placed against the bathroom door, Jason intently listened as Chloe answered the door and allowed Shawn entrance into her hotel room. Jason had always loved a daring adventure or risky deed, but coming that close to kissing Chloe had been far too dangerous a thing - even for him.

Jason knew exactly why he had been so tempted to press his lips to hers - why he had been tempted to do so much more. And, Chloe also knew. Despite their inner resentment of each other, Jason and Chloe shared a deep understanding.

From behind the door, Jason heard Shawn mention that the bed looked a little rumpled and ask if Chloe had been lying down. As usual, Chloe was able to completely avoid the question. In fact, Jason had noticed that Chloe was a master at dodging questions that would require her to lie in order to protect herself and her desires. She would never lie to Shawn, but she wouldn't hesitate to leave out a few little details if she believed it would benefit her without hurting Shawn.

On the other side of the bathroom door, Chloe was contemplating how she could politely get rid of her old friend. She already felt bad enough that she had chosen to help Jason instead of him, but having Shawn arrive while she was plotting with her newest cohort was almost too much for Chloe to bear.

Clearing her throat, Chloe bluntly asked, "Shawn, is there something you wanted?"

Shawn was caught off guard by Chloe speaking so frankly, and took a few extra seconds to respond. "Well, um, I just wanted to see if you were busy later. I was going to take you to lunch. I know that you don't want to help me, and I'm okay with that. Really, I am."

As Shawn again mentioned asking for Chloe's help, Jason pressed his ear even closer to the door. During high school, Shawn and Chloe had never denied one another a single thing. In some ways, Jason almost envied them. Part of him really wanted to find a friendship that genuine. Instead of finding a loyal friendship with Chloe, Jason had somehow stumbled into lustful partnership that involved no true feelings.

"Actually, Shawn, I am busy. Do you think we might be able to get together sometime tomorrow?"

"Tomorrow?"

Smiling with false cheer, Chloe joked, "Yeah, you know, the day after today? As in, the one that's not today."

Even Shawn knew that Chloe wasn't the most beloved citizen in Salem, so that made him wonder just what Chloe would be doing all day, and who she would be doing it with. Curiously he asked, "What's so important that you can't make time for your best friend?"

Chloe stole a nervous glance at the bathroom door before answering, "Well, I suppose you could say that I have to meet someone to discuss our future working relationship."

Rolling his eyes, Jason barely kept himself from releasing a frustrated breath as Shawn asked yet another nosy question. "What kind of work will the two of you be doing?"

Pressing her lips together, Chloe tried to think of an answer that was not only believable, but truthful. "Investments."

Mouthing the word, Jason wondered what Chloe was thinking. Investments? In what warped world did that make sense?

"Investments?" Shawn questioned while giving Chloe an almost suspicious look.

"Yes, investments. You see, my partner-to-be wants me to invest in a somewhat risky venture of his that will definitely involve a great deal of my time."

Jason smiled as Chloe spoke. He had to agree, their plan to break up Brady and Mimi would be both risky and time consuming.

Asking yet another question, Shawn demanded, "What type of venture? You haven't even really told me what type of work you do."

Chloe was more than ready to have her friend leave so she could deal with Jason. Crossing her arms over chest, Chloe cryptically responded, "Does it matter? Listen, Shawn, I don't mean to be rude, but I really need to get to work. There are a ton of details that I need to discuss with my future partner. You honestly have no idea how much I am investing in this single endeavor."

Though he knew Chloe was holding back, Shawn decided to let her be her usual mysterious self. After all, that was simply who she was, and nothing short of a miracle could change that.

The moment the door shut behind Shawn, Jason stepped out of the bathroom. Taking a look at him, Chloe wondered just why he was wearing that particular smile. It seemed eerily similar to the one that he would wear in high school just before doing something that would earn him detention.

Placing his hands on Chloe's hips, Jason laughed and stated, "Poor Shawn. He's always left out in the cold. It's not even funny how far out of the loop he really is."

Chloe softly laid her hands on Jason's as they continued to rest on her hips. Never moving her gaze from Jason's intense eyes, Chloe slowly dug her nails into his fingers until he broke physical contact. The last thing Chloe needed at the moment was a lustful cohort that ran his hands all over her while trying to win back his true love.

Turning her back to Jason, Chloe asked, "Is he really that clueless about things around here?"

"Oh, yeah. He knows that you're despised, but he has no idea that his perfect angel Belle would love nothing more than to scratch your eyes out."

Chloe spun around to toss Jason a dirty look. Though Chloe would always believe that Brady was the world's most egotistical male, she had to admit that Jason was a close second. And, of course, he could easily grab the gold for most obnoxious. "I seriously doubt that Belle wants to scratch my eyes out. At least, not literally."

"Wanna bet? Belle sees the good in everyone - but you. Face it Chloe, Mrs. Kiriakis would love to see you suffer. In fact, if I were you, I would definitely keep the door locked and sleep with one eye open. Remember, Belle isn't the only person in this town that is picking out their attire for your funeral."

Swatting Jason's muscled chest, Chloe ordered, "Shut-up. It's not that bad. Well, not quite. But, hey, what about Shawn? He's on quite a few hit lists, and he doesn't even know it."

"Ah, we're back to our clueless hero. So, is he planning to ride in on his motorcycle and save Belle from that horrible fate of being ungodly wealthy and happily married?"

"Quit being a jerk, Jason. You know that Shawn isn't like you and me. He just doesn't understand. And, I'm afraid that the only way he'll ever learn is by making one too many mistakes."

~ * * ~ * * ~ * * ~ * * ~ * * ~

As he sat on the couch, Philip could practically feel her rip away his clothing with her eyes. Some guys referred to her as a beautiful temptress, but when Philip looked at her, all he saw was the same sleazy tramp that he had known in high school. Only, now, she was even fiercer and more malicious.

Philip was beginning to wonder if it had been such a great idea to visit her and ask for her assistance. On one hand, she was the only person he knew that was heartless enough to aid him in his mission. However, on the other hand, she was also heartless enough to stab him in the back for no reason other than she was having an unpleasant day.

Giving Philip a seductive raise of her eyebrow, Jan wet her lips. She knew that she was going to have a lot of fun with her former classmate. Philip Kiriakis had never needed anything from her, and he had always opted to treat her as poorly as she treated Chloe.

"Oh, I am more than willing to help you, Philip - for a price."

"Why am I not surprised?"

Losing any traces of her former smile, Jan stated, "Don't try acting superior, Phil. I know you. If you want my help, then you're going to have to play by my rules. It's that simple."

"Just tell me what you want, Jan. I'm not in the mood to play your games."

Jan stood and walked around the coffee table so that she was standing directly in front of Philip as he sat on the couch. Boldly, she sat herself down on his lap. "You want to know what I want? I want what I've always wanted."

"And, that would be?"

"Whatever I can't have. In this case, that's you."

Finding it almost difficult to speak, Philip questioned, "Me?"

Jan's devilish smile returned as she replied, "Yes, Philip, I want you."

Philip pushed Jan off his lap and stood. He suddenly felt as if a marching band was giving a performance in his head. As he began to pace, Philip asked, "Why would you want me? I thought you were madly in love with your darling Jason."

"Forget about Jason. When he was with me, he only wanted one thing."

"Well, Jan, what did you expect? Since we were in high school, every guy within a hundred mile radius has known that you're the easiest girl around. You're practically a free ride at the state fair."

"Just shut your mouth, Philip. Because, if you don't, you're going to offend me. And, if you do that, I won't help you keep your wife away from big, bad Shawn." Seeing that Philip only responded by stuffing his hands into the pockets of his pants, Jan continued, "You know that I can make sure Shawn Brady never stands a chance with Belle. But, first, you have to agree to give into my demands."

"Look, Jan, I don't know what exactly you're expecting from me. Just tell me what you want so we can finish this up."

"Do I have to spell it out? I want to take a ride on the 'Phil-mobile'. In fact, I want two nights with you. You have to give me one night of hot sex before I scheme to keep Shawn and Belle apart, and another night once the job is complete."

Philip found that he could do nothing more than just stare at Jan in disbelief. He had always believed Jan to be a despicable human being, but she was proving to be more disgusting with every passing moment. His voice returning to him, Philip shouted, "I am never sleeping with you!"

~ * * ~ * * ~ * * ~ * * ~ * * ~

"Joe, the guy from the repair shop?"

"No."

"That waiter from Tuscany's? Alec?"

"No."

"Henderson?"

"Eww, no! That is so disgusting."

"Okay, how about Dale the doorman?"

"No."

"How about Philip? Is he your lover?"

"No!" Mimi screamed as her level of frustration rose. Brady was naming practically every guy that Mimi ever had contact with. And, since he had just guessed Philip, Mimi knew that it wouldn't be long before her husband asked if her mystery love was Jason. Attempting to dissuade Brady from making any more guesses, Mimi stated, "I have never asked you who shared your bed, so show me the same respect."

"Do you have any idea how pathetic our marriage is when we consider respect not asking each other who we commit adultery with?" As Mimi sat silent, Brady said, "Then again, we've never really respected each other, so I see no reason to start now. Who's your secret lover, Mimi? Is it someone I know? Someone I've seen since you two first slept together the night you and I had that fight?"

Considering that Jason was Brady's employee, Mimi felt that Brady's guesses were getting way too close. Suddenly standing, Mimi stated, "I have to go meet Belle. We have a really important meeting next week with a European client that we met through your father. Our decorating business is still struggling, so I really don't want to blow this."

Without another word, Mimi grabbed her purse and left the apartment. Alone on the couch, Brady contemplated his wife's behavior. She had been semi- comfortable with his guessing game until he mentioned Philip. Brady didn't really think that Mimi was cheating on him with his uncle, but he felt that whoever had captured Mimi's heart was definitely close to Philip. Then, Mimi had completely ended the conversation when Brady asked if it was someone he knew and had even seen since the night the mystery man shared with her.

Brady abruptly stopped creating a mental list of all the men it could be. Once a single name came into his mind, Brady realized who it was that had brazenly ravished his wife in his very own living room. Without a doubt, the man who Brady was thinking about was bold enough to seduce Mimi in the home she shared with her husband. Of course, the man was someone with ties to Philip - even if those ties were from the past. And, the man was most certainly someone Brady knew and had seen since that night. It was all making perfect sense.

Brady had noticed the brief interaction between the man and Mimi the night of Philip and Belle's anniversary party, but had thought nothing of it. Now, he knew that it had been something.

Left alone in his living room, Brady tried to decide if it was a good or bad thing to know who your wife chose to cheat on you with.

~ * * ~ * * ~ * * ~ * * ~ * * ~

After what had happened the last time he allowed himself to share a bed with Chloe, Jason opted to sit in a nearby chair as they returned to discussing the various ways to break up Brady and Mimi.

Changing the subject from Brady and Mimi, Jason quietly stated, "I seriously feel sorry for Shawn. I mean it. He's not a bad guy, but he has a lot of really heavy stuff coming down on him. Worse, he doesn't even know it."

"You're right, Shawn is a wonderful person who is very close to having his entire world collapse. I feel so bad for him being left out in the cold."

"Do you feel bad because he's left out, or because you are refusing to help him with whatever he's working on?" Answering Chloe's quizzical glance, Jason muttered, "What can I say? That door is really thin."

"I just bet it is."

Jason smiled and remarked, "I have to admit that part of me thinks it would be hilarious to see the look on Shawn's face if he found out just half the secrets that are being kept from him. You have to admit that it would be hilarious to see his face if he ever found out all the sordid details of our little tryst."

Keeping herself as cool and collected as ever, Chloe replied, "Don't you mean our drunken one night stand?"

"Whatever. Just try to imagine how low his jaw would drop."

A faint smile gracing her lips, Chloe responded, "Or, if he ever found out that you and I were actually working together to destroy Brady and Mimi's marriage."

"Oh, wait, I have something to top that. What if Shawn ever found out about his dad and Marlena Evans? Man, I would die to see him discover that little tidbit." Noticing the shocked look on Chloe's face, Jason grimaced and stated, "Oops, I forgot that I was the only one that knew that."

Disbelief clearly written on her face, Chloe questioned, "Shawn's father and Belle's mother? Are you serious? If it happened, why haven't you already told the entire city?"

"Let's just say that Bo and I worked something out."

"Meaning?"

"Meaning that I haven't been given a ticket or been harassed at all by the cops since the day I walked in on the two of them. The way I see it, they weren't really doing anything wrong. John and Hope got it on, so why couldn't Bo and Doc Evans? Actually, it's a lot like our situation."

"How do you figure that?"

Leaning forward in his chair, Jason gave Chloe a knowing look. "Think about it. Shawn's parents were destined to be together. And, so were Belle's. However, when those two couples crossed paths one too many times, they somehow switched bed partners."

Understanding exactly what Jason was saying, Chloe declared, "I suppose that would mean Brady and Mimi are John and Hope."

"And we are the good doctor and Bo Brady."

"Yep." A calm silence filled the hotel room as Jason and Chloe both considered the analogy. His voice low and almost sad, Jason said, "It hurt you as much as it hurt me, didn't it?"

Trying to hold back her tears, Chloe only nodded her agreement. She wondered how the conversation had ever turned from destroying Brady and Mimi's marriage to how they had all destroyed each other.

"Where did it go wrong, Chloe? When exactly did we all screw things up this bad?"

A terribly vivid flashback assaulted Chloe's mind. It was a flashback that she had spent years avoiding. The sight of two people innocently opening a door to search for their true loves. Innocence was the last thing that they found. Instead of something chaste, they were cruelly greeted with the site of the bare flesh of two passionate people. The searching couple stood as unnoticed victims in the doorway. And, they remained completely unnoticed until Brady rolled off Mimi and saw his beloved Chloe standing in the doorway with Jason Masters, a simple piece of mistletoe hanging over their heads as they were frozen in the doorway that Christmas Eve.