Muse
We're doing a little time jump, as I said things in Chloe's world go a lot slower then things in our world. So what's happening with her is still going on, but things in the real world have been going on at a normal pace. Hope you're not lost.
This is a disclaimer. . . yo.
Chapter 4
"It's all wrong!!" He yelled, throwing the music sheets on the floor. He ran his hand through his hair. Things were going from bad to worse. First Cassie had left, and then they hadn't been able to find a replacement for her, not one that he liked anyway. Then Nicole, she'd gone and ruined their relationship, setting off a lovely chained reaction of writers block.
He stared at the musical notes he'd written down until they blurred together. A part of him knew that he could write, but the rest of him, well the rest of him refused.
Before he could get back to cursing Nicole and damning his writer's block he heard a slight knock. He sighed, dealing with people was not what he wanted to do right now.
He pulled open the door and found Belle, arms full of shopping bags and a bright smile on her face, he was softened, "Tink, what are you doing here?"
"Aren't you going to invite me in first?
"Belle would you like to come in?"
"Why thank you Brady! How kind of you." Belle said as she pushed her way past him, she began humming as she emptied out the groceries.
"What are you doing?"
"Bringing you food, since you have a serious lack. I came over here yesterday, but of course you were out, so I was going to eat something while I waited for you, but your house, it's like empty. How are you not starving?"
"I've been ordering in a lot, Belle come on, I'm busy!"
Belle stopped her work, then gave her brother a look, "Right, ok. Busy hating Nicole and doing nothing for your career. Brady I'm getting married soon, so you'd had better be in tip-top shape for my wedding."
"Belle, you and Shawn aren't getting married for months. There's time. I'm just in a funk. Please don't worry about me. I'll be fine." Brady said reassuringly.
"I know that Brady," Belle was quiet for a moment, obviously trying to get her point across without setting her brother off, "I-I worry. You haven't really been yourself these last few weeks. You won't tell me what happened with Nicole and Shawn says you're falling behind at work. They've got dozens of girls lined up to play the lead, but you don't seem to want to even look at any of them."
"Belle, I don't want to get into this right now, especially with you. So let's just agree to disagree."
"No." Belle said adamantly.
It took Brady a minute to register his sister's response, "I'm sorry, what?"
"I said, 'No'. You need to talk about this with someone. I mean one minute you and Nicole are in love, happy and getting married. Now you're hiding in your loft, hardly talking to anyone and very gloomy. So, what's the deal? What really happened with her? Did you do something or did she?" Belle demanded.
"This is none of your damn business. I don't have to get into this if I don't want to!" He snapped.
"Oh no, this *is* my business. I deserve to know why my brother has turned into a ghost!"
Brady sighed, "I know that you feel it's your place to know about this, but I don't want how I feel about Nicole to change your friendship with her."
"Brady Black, that is bull."
"Excuse me?"
"The only reason I was ever friendly to her is because you were dating her. It's not like she and I were close friends. I'm pretty sure she doesn't even like me." Belle said.
How could he make her understand it wasn't a matter of her hating Nicole, it was more of a matter of pride. No one wants to admit that they've been cheated on, no matter how they feel about that person now.
"Belle, it's just. . ." What would be the harm in Belle knowing? "She cheated on me."
"What?!" The anger was evident on Belle's normally calm, and serene face.
"Belle-" Brady started.
"I'll kill her. That little piece of trash! I can't believe her! Of all the lousy things to do! And to you! What was she thinking?!" Belle began ranting, and if someone didn't stop her soon, Brady knew she could go on forever.
"Belle, calm down."
"I will not calm down!" Belle snapped.
"Well you need to. It's not that big of a deal." Brady sighed; this is exactly what he didn't want, his sister to go hunting Nicole down, and screaming for her blood.
"NOT THAT BIG- Brady, are you crazy? That woman, and I use that term lightly, was all set to marry you, and become Mrs. Brady Black. Who just happens to be the most eligible bachelor in town, except for maybe Phillip, but still! She would have it all and all you can say is it's 'not a big deal'? Well it certainly is! And let me guess you caught her cheating? Right?"
Brady was silent, the real feelings he had for her might have faded, but it was still painful. No one likes to rehash bad relationships.
"I'm taking that as a yes. She would've married you and been doing someone on the side! Who was it?"
No answer
"Brady, *who* was it? Please tell me!" Belle pleaded with him.
Nearly inaudible, "Austin Reed."
It took Belle a minute to process that, Austin, her sister Sami's former Austin, all around nice guy Austin. After his break-up with Sami no one ever thought he'd come back to town. But Lucas had managed to convince him to come back for his wedding, strange as it was, Austin was the reason he and Sami had come together. And he'd stayed because something had happened; something had changed him; or maybe, more correctly, someone.
A memory fluttered through her mind, of Sami and her at the Java Café, Brady and Nicole had only been dating for a few weeks, she'd gone to go get coffee, out of the corner of her eye, she'd seen Nicole approach her sister, and overheard their heated discussion.
"So Sami, I hear the wedding is coming up! I'm so happy you're okay with marrying my leftovers."
"I don't need this right now Nicole. I'm happy, you're happy, can't you just leave the past where it belongs?"
"What about Austin? Is he in your past?" Nicole smirked.
"Austin was someone I thought I was in love with Nicole. He wasn't someone I could happily spend the rest of my life with. I love Lucas now."
"So it wouldn't bother you to know that he's moved on? I mean I hear from him all the time. We've gone out to dinner whenever we're in town together. And you know he never mentions you."
"I'm not surprised Nicole. But what does surprise me is that you're seeing two guys at once. Wait. . . you're Nicole Walker, I was wrong; I'm just surprised you're not seeing more than two."
"Well you know what they say Sami, always have a backup." Nicole smiled cattily, "But you wouldn't know about that, you can hardly keep one guy, let alone two." Nicole walked away; glad she'd gotten the last nasty word in.
The memory had been pushed to the back of her mind because she hadn't thought that Nicole and Brady would ever really last. She'd know all along what a lying bitch that girl was and she never said anything to her brother because she couldn't see him hurt.
"Belle? You okay?"
Brady's voice snapped her out of her memories, "Oh, I'm just fine. But she won't be once I'm done with her."
Without another word Belle gave Brady a peck on the cheek and rushed out. This wouldn't be good, not at all.
~*~
It felt like sunshine, Chloe decided. That warmth you feel when you walk outside on a perfect day. It's not too hot or cold, and the sun is shining brightly overhead. It's one of the best feelings in the world and nothing could take it away from her.
She was greeted with the sight of the great goddess standing beside *them* This was probably the most important part of her entire existence, and she knew she'd had better not screw it up.
She bowed low, knowing if she attempted a curtsy she'd somehow fall or embarrass herself. They smiled back at her and with her head still low, she spoke, "I thank you for allowing me to meet with you before I leave."
They laughed, not a cruel laughter, a happy one, the sound was like raindrops hitting leaves. She felt another presence and her face was drawn up to look at.
Craig stood smiling, on of the great gods, her father in fact.
"Chloe we've waited a long time for this." His voice showing the power he had and the obvious admiration he showed for her.
"You have?" She was surprised, who wouldn't be? Her, Chloe, little screw up Chloe who was never good at anything, let alone taking proper care of her charges, this was the girl who accidentally started the boyband craze. And here he was, one of the strongest and most powerful beings, proud of her!
He laughed again, and looked back at the others, Abe stood next to Lexie and gave her a small nod, Bo and Hope were as close as could be and both smiling happily at her, then Isabella stood, alone but smiling. And then Nancy stood a small ways off, her mother and her father looked at each other for a moment, some sort of secret communication between lovers.
"Chloe, you're more then you realize to us," Nancy said, "All of us."
"What do you mean?" This was becoming a stressful eternity.
Stepping forward Nancy held her daughters hand, Craig held the other, and Chloe felt it, love. It was a perfect feeling, something that made you feel so whole, so perfect, like nothing could be wrong in your life; it was pure harmony, like a song that played through your head, a melody you can't forget.
"You have much to do Chloe. And not a lot of time to do it in." Craig said.
"I don't understand, I thought that there was no way I could return. That's what you told me, I could never go back to the way things were, and neither could he."
"If you succeed then yes, you can never go back. But if you fail, then you will return here and Brady will have lost his gift." Nancy explained.
"So you're saying if I ruin this, then I ruin him? His whole life, all the dreams he has, the plans he's made, all the lay in store for him, it'll be gone?"
They nodded.
"So there are very good reasons why I shouldn't go. I mean I'm dealing with destiny now and ruining his. But if I don't go, then what happens?"
Craig sighed, "Nicole was an unneeded part of the equation. She was unexpected you could say. If Brady had remained single and never known what love was, well then he would be on top of the world, so to say. His music would've been much more gloomy, but it would've made a huge impact. Throw love in the mixture and well you've got a whole new set of problems."
"I don't understand. How could Brady falling in love ruin his fate?" Chloe questioned.
"It's a matter of choices dear and Brady chose love over music. Which was indeed the better of the two, but it ruins our plans for him." Nancy explained.
"So I have to do this if I want him to have any chance of a decent future?"
"Yes. I suppose that's one way of looking at it." Craig agreed.
"Well then, I suppose this is goodbye." Chloe said.
"Not exactly." Hope spoke suddenly.
"Hope." Nancy warned.
"Nancy she's going to know sooner or later, better that we warn her now."
Nancy nodded stiffly.
"When you go to Salem, there will be people there that well. . . when we said that you'd never see us again, we knew that we couldn't bear that. So we will be there. It won't exactly be us, more like projections of ourselves if we'd chosen a path on Earth."
"I don't understand. . ." Chloe began.
"You will when you see it. So, this isn't goodbye, it's more of I'll see you soon." Hope said smiling.
"Very soon." Lexie chimed in.
"Well, then I suppose I'm ready." As soon as Chloe spoke the room filled with sunlight again. It flooded so brightly that one could hardly breathe. And then as soon as it was there, it was gone.
Chloe looked around, she stood in the middle of a busy outdoor shopping mall, dressed in dark jeans, and a striped gray and black sweater, and for the first time in her life. . .which had technically just begun, she smiled.
~*~
Ahh, bad Jackie. I've been horribly busy, then my computer went "I hate you" and the Internet stopped working for like two months and I cried. A lot. It's finally back on and I have a new chapter out. So please forgive me and tell me if you like it. More to come soon, *crosses fingers* also, for some bizarre reason Internet needs to be capital on Word, funky.
We're doing a little time jump, as I said things in Chloe's world go a lot slower then things in our world. So what's happening with her is still going on, but things in the real world have been going on at a normal pace. Hope you're not lost.
This is a disclaimer. . . yo.
Chapter 4
"It's all wrong!!" He yelled, throwing the music sheets on the floor. He ran his hand through his hair. Things were going from bad to worse. First Cassie had left, and then they hadn't been able to find a replacement for her, not one that he liked anyway. Then Nicole, she'd gone and ruined their relationship, setting off a lovely chained reaction of writers block.
He stared at the musical notes he'd written down until they blurred together. A part of him knew that he could write, but the rest of him, well the rest of him refused.
Before he could get back to cursing Nicole and damning his writer's block he heard a slight knock. He sighed, dealing with people was not what he wanted to do right now.
He pulled open the door and found Belle, arms full of shopping bags and a bright smile on her face, he was softened, "Tink, what are you doing here?"
"Aren't you going to invite me in first?
"Belle would you like to come in?"
"Why thank you Brady! How kind of you." Belle said as she pushed her way past him, she began humming as she emptied out the groceries.
"What are you doing?"
"Bringing you food, since you have a serious lack. I came over here yesterday, but of course you were out, so I was going to eat something while I waited for you, but your house, it's like empty. How are you not starving?"
"I've been ordering in a lot, Belle come on, I'm busy!"
Belle stopped her work, then gave her brother a look, "Right, ok. Busy hating Nicole and doing nothing for your career. Brady I'm getting married soon, so you'd had better be in tip-top shape for my wedding."
"Belle, you and Shawn aren't getting married for months. There's time. I'm just in a funk. Please don't worry about me. I'll be fine." Brady said reassuringly.
"I know that Brady," Belle was quiet for a moment, obviously trying to get her point across without setting her brother off, "I-I worry. You haven't really been yourself these last few weeks. You won't tell me what happened with Nicole and Shawn says you're falling behind at work. They've got dozens of girls lined up to play the lead, but you don't seem to want to even look at any of them."
"Belle, I don't want to get into this right now, especially with you. So let's just agree to disagree."
"No." Belle said adamantly.
It took Brady a minute to register his sister's response, "I'm sorry, what?"
"I said, 'No'. You need to talk about this with someone. I mean one minute you and Nicole are in love, happy and getting married. Now you're hiding in your loft, hardly talking to anyone and very gloomy. So, what's the deal? What really happened with her? Did you do something or did she?" Belle demanded.
"This is none of your damn business. I don't have to get into this if I don't want to!" He snapped.
"Oh no, this *is* my business. I deserve to know why my brother has turned into a ghost!"
Brady sighed, "I know that you feel it's your place to know about this, but I don't want how I feel about Nicole to change your friendship with her."
"Brady Black, that is bull."
"Excuse me?"
"The only reason I was ever friendly to her is because you were dating her. It's not like she and I were close friends. I'm pretty sure she doesn't even like me." Belle said.
How could he make her understand it wasn't a matter of her hating Nicole, it was more of a matter of pride. No one wants to admit that they've been cheated on, no matter how they feel about that person now.
"Belle, it's just. . ." What would be the harm in Belle knowing? "She cheated on me."
"What?!" The anger was evident on Belle's normally calm, and serene face.
"Belle-" Brady started.
"I'll kill her. That little piece of trash! I can't believe her! Of all the lousy things to do! And to you! What was she thinking?!" Belle began ranting, and if someone didn't stop her soon, Brady knew she could go on forever.
"Belle, calm down."
"I will not calm down!" Belle snapped.
"Well you need to. It's not that big of a deal." Brady sighed; this is exactly what he didn't want, his sister to go hunting Nicole down, and screaming for her blood.
"NOT THAT BIG- Brady, are you crazy? That woman, and I use that term lightly, was all set to marry you, and become Mrs. Brady Black. Who just happens to be the most eligible bachelor in town, except for maybe Phillip, but still! She would have it all and all you can say is it's 'not a big deal'? Well it certainly is! And let me guess you caught her cheating? Right?"
Brady was silent, the real feelings he had for her might have faded, but it was still painful. No one likes to rehash bad relationships.
"I'm taking that as a yes. She would've married you and been doing someone on the side! Who was it?"
No answer
"Brady, *who* was it? Please tell me!" Belle pleaded with him.
Nearly inaudible, "Austin Reed."
It took Belle a minute to process that, Austin, her sister Sami's former Austin, all around nice guy Austin. After his break-up with Sami no one ever thought he'd come back to town. But Lucas had managed to convince him to come back for his wedding, strange as it was, Austin was the reason he and Sami had come together. And he'd stayed because something had happened; something had changed him; or maybe, more correctly, someone.
A memory fluttered through her mind, of Sami and her at the Java Café, Brady and Nicole had only been dating for a few weeks, she'd gone to go get coffee, out of the corner of her eye, she'd seen Nicole approach her sister, and overheard their heated discussion.
"So Sami, I hear the wedding is coming up! I'm so happy you're okay with marrying my leftovers."
"I don't need this right now Nicole. I'm happy, you're happy, can't you just leave the past where it belongs?"
"What about Austin? Is he in your past?" Nicole smirked.
"Austin was someone I thought I was in love with Nicole. He wasn't someone I could happily spend the rest of my life with. I love Lucas now."
"So it wouldn't bother you to know that he's moved on? I mean I hear from him all the time. We've gone out to dinner whenever we're in town together. And you know he never mentions you."
"I'm not surprised Nicole. But what does surprise me is that you're seeing two guys at once. Wait. . . you're Nicole Walker, I was wrong; I'm just surprised you're not seeing more than two."
"Well you know what they say Sami, always have a backup." Nicole smiled cattily, "But you wouldn't know about that, you can hardly keep one guy, let alone two." Nicole walked away; glad she'd gotten the last nasty word in.
The memory had been pushed to the back of her mind because she hadn't thought that Nicole and Brady would ever really last. She'd know all along what a lying bitch that girl was and she never said anything to her brother because she couldn't see him hurt.
"Belle? You okay?"
Brady's voice snapped her out of her memories, "Oh, I'm just fine. But she won't be once I'm done with her."
Without another word Belle gave Brady a peck on the cheek and rushed out. This wouldn't be good, not at all.
~*~
It felt like sunshine, Chloe decided. That warmth you feel when you walk outside on a perfect day. It's not too hot or cold, and the sun is shining brightly overhead. It's one of the best feelings in the world and nothing could take it away from her.
She was greeted with the sight of the great goddess standing beside *them* This was probably the most important part of her entire existence, and she knew she'd had better not screw it up.
She bowed low, knowing if she attempted a curtsy she'd somehow fall or embarrass herself. They smiled back at her and with her head still low, she spoke, "I thank you for allowing me to meet with you before I leave."
They laughed, not a cruel laughter, a happy one, the sound was like raindrops hitting leaves. She felt another presence and her face was drawn up to look at.
Craig stood smiling, on of the great gods, her father in fact.
"Chloe we've waited a long time for this." His voice showing the power he had and the obvious admiration he showed for her.
"You have?" She was surprised, who wouldn't be? Her, Chloe, little screw up Chloe who was never good at anything, let alone taking proper care of her charges, this was the girl who accidentally started the boyband craze. And here he was, one of the strongest and most powerful beings, proud of her!
He laughed again, and looked back at the others, Abe stood next to Lexie and gave her a small nod, Bo and Hope were as close as could be and both smiling happily at her, then Isabella stood, alone but smiling. And then Nancy stood a small ways off, her mother and her father looked at each other for a moment, some sort of secret communication between lovers.
"Chloe, you're more then you realize to us," Nancy said, "All of us."
"What do you mean?" This was becoming a stressful eternity.
Stepping forward Nancy held her daughters hand, Craig held the other, and Chloe felt it, love. It was a perfect feeling, something that made you feel so whole, so perfect, like nothing could be wrong in your life; it was pure harmony, like a song that played through your head, a melody you can't forget.
"You have much to do Chloe. And not a lot of time to do it in." Craig said.
"I don't understand, I thought that there was no way I could return. That's what you told me, I could never go back to the way things were, and neither could he."
"If you succeed then yes, you can never go back. But if you fail, then you will return here and Brady will have lost his gift." Nancy explained.
"So you're saying if I ruin this, then I ruin him? His whole life, all the dreams he has, the plans he's made, all the lay in store for him, it'll be gone?"
They nodded.
"So there are very good reasons why I shouldn't go. I mean I'm dealing with destiny now and ruining his. But if I don't go, then what happens?"
Craig sighed, "Nicole was an unneeded part of the equation. She was unexpected you could say. If Brady had remained single and never known what love was, well then he would be on top of the world, so to say. His music would've been much more gloomy, but it would've made a huge impact. Throw love in the mixture and well you've got a whole new set of problems."
"I don't understand. How could Brady falling in love ruin his fate?" Chloe questioned.
"It's a matter of choices dear and Brady chose love over music. Which was indeed the better of the two, but it ruins our plans for him." Nancy explained.
"So I have to do this if I want him to have any chance of a decent future?"
"Yes. I suppose that's one way of looking at it." Craig agreed.
"Well then, I suppose this is goodbye." Chloe said.
"Not exactly." Hope spoke suddenly.
"Hope." Nancy warned.
"Nancy she's going to know sooner or later, better that we warn her now."
Nancy nodded stiffly.
"When you go to Salem, there will be people there that well. . . when we said that you'd never see us again, we knew that we couldn't bear that. So we will be there. It won't exactly be us, more like projections of ourselves if we'd chosen a path on Earth."
"I don't understand. . ." Chloe began.
"You will when you see it. So, this isn't goodbye, it's more of I'll see you soon." Hope said smiling.
"Very soon." Lexie chimed in.
"Well, then I suppose I'm ready." As soon as Chloe spoke the room filled with sunlight again. It flooded so brightly that one could hardly breathe. And then as soon as it was there, it was gone.
Chloe looked around, she stood in the middle of a busy outdoor shopping mall, dressed in dark jeans, and a striped gray and black sweater, and for the first time in her life. . .which had technically just begun, she smiled.
~*~
Ahh, bad Jackie. I've been horribly busy, then my computer went "I hate you" and the Internet stopped working for like two months and I cried. A lot. It's finally back on and I have a new chapter out. So please forgive me and tell me if you like it. More to come soon, *crosses fingers* also, for some bizarre reason Internet needs to be capital on Word, funky.