Shawn had just thrown his empty cup into one of Salem Place's trash cans when he happened to notice Jason stepping out of a sporting good store. Yelling out his classmate's name, Shawn quickly approached before Jason could walk away.

"Jason, hey. How's it going?"

Suspicion polluted Jason's eyes as he answered, "Things are okay – why?"

"No reason," Shawn answered a little too quickly. The truth was that he still had some concerns after Jason's aloof attitude at the wedding reception. "So, what are you doing here?"

"Hopefully not getting arrested," mumbled Jason.

Almost certain that he had misheard Jason's softly spoken comment, Shawn asked, "What did you say?"

"Nothing. I was just thinking about something that happened yesterday. No big deal. But, hey, I tried calling you last night, and your mom said you'd been out all day."

"I went to Philip's yesterday morning to make sure he was okay with Brady and Chloe getting married. And, then I had other stuff to take care of in the afternoon," Shawn evasively answered.

Shawn was preparing to try and distract Jason by asking if he wanted to play a few games at Dotcom when he noticed his friend's gaze drift away – along with his attention.

Looking to see what Jason found so captivating, Shawn found himself staring at Mimi and Jeremy sitting together on a bench near the fountain. The chilly November breeze had apparently inspired the couple to sit as close as possible to conserve body heat.

Jason felt as though his eyes were truly locked on the unfolding scene. Try as he may, he simply could not tear his gaze away from Jeremy and Mimi. "He's not right for her."

Shawn considered telling his friend that if he felt that way then he should do something about it. However, Shawn realized that Jason could not be led to that conclusion – he'd have to reach it all on his own.

The breath caught in Jason's throat as he saw Jeremy slowly lean in toward Mimi. His hands clenched in fists of fury, Jason helplessly watched Mimi follow Jeremy's lead. Jason felt like he was watching a train wreck as Mimi's lips slowly crashed into Jeremy's.

It seemed to Jason that the kiss would never end. Yet, somehow, the young couple finally pulled away from each other.

His eyes never leaving Mimi, never looking away from the shy smile upon her face, Jason declared, "That's it. I'll give Mimi one chance. I'll go out on a limb for her this one time. If she chooses him, then it's over. I refuse to follow her around like some lost puppy dog."

Finally returning his gaze to Shawn, Jason questioned, "Do you have your cell phone with you?" When Shawn nodded, Jason commanded, "Let me borrow it for a second."

Quickly dialing a familiar number, Jason gruffly said, "Zach . . . it's Jason. Can you meet me at my house in half an hour? . . . yeah, it's important . . . I'll tell you when you get there." Ending the call, Jason swiftly dialed another number. "Philip . . . this is Jason . . . are you busy right now? . . . great . . . meet me at my house in thirty minutes . . . see you in a few."

Jason carelessly tossed the phone back at Shawn. "Let's not just stand here all day. We've got to get to my house."

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

Relaxing by himself in the lounge at the Green Mountain Lodge, Brady gently rubbed the back of his neck. Two nights of sleeping on the floor had his neck and back aching. Yet, there was no way Chloe was going to share a bed with him, and it would look ridiculous if he asked for a room separate from his bride.

Hearing his cell phone ring in his jacket pocket, Brady languidly pulled it out and answered, "Hello?"

"Mr. Black, this is Richard Ward."

Brady sat up a little straighter in the chair as he realized that Ward, the private investigator he had hired, would only call if he had news about the search for Chloe's father. "What do you have for me?"

"I have it narrowed down to two possible fathers. I know you're out of town, but if you could get me a DNA sample from the girl, I think I can have you a definite answer within a week or two."

A smile overtook Brady's face. "Would a hair sample work?"

"That would be fine."

"Then, consider it done." Ending the call, Brady said to himself, "I have a feeling things are going to work out just fine – for all of us."

"Don't tell me that you're talking to yourself in public," Chloe half-joked as she sat down beside her new husband.

"Nah, I was just . . . thinking out loud." Pleased for having earned a small smile from Chloe, Brady said, "Actually, I just got off the phone with a man by the name of Richard Ward. He's the P.I. I hired to look for your father."

Chloe tried to keep herself from getting excited or hopeful, but could hardly keep the emotions buried. "Did he find something?"

"Maybe. He just needs a sample of your hair when we get back to Salem so he could have a lab run some DNA tests."

At a loss for words, Chloe breathlessly stammered, "Oh, my God. Thank you . . . thank you so much, Brady!"

Before he really knew what was happening, Brady felt Chloe wrap her grateful arms around his neck as she gave him an emotional hug. Returning the gesture, Brady wrapped an arm around Chloe's back and replied, "You're welcome."

Still somewhat breathless, Chloe exclaimed, "I can't believe this is really happening. I've waited my whole life for this. How long before we know something?"

"Probably a week or two."

"That seems like forever."

"Yeah, but just think. By Thanksgiving, you're going to know who your father is."

Some of the joy fading from her eyes, Chloe softly wondered, "But, what if I don't like what I find out? What if he doesn't like me? What if he wants nothing to do with me?"

"Then you're better off without him," sternly replied Brady. "Now that we're married, you're completely free to make your own choices. If you decide that you don't want this man in your life, then I'll support that decision. The point is that by marrying me, you freed yourself from being controlled by either of your parents."

Hoping to maintain an appearance of innocence rather than slyness, Chloe asked, "Is that how you felt when you were away at college? Did you feel like you were finally free to live your life the way you wanted to?"

"I suppose," cautiously replied Brady. "But, that's all over now, so there's not point in dwelling on it."

"If you say so," chirped Chloe.

While Chloe pulled her date book out of her purse and began to plan for the week ahead, Brady thought about her simple words. With just the slightest of hinting, Chloe had prompted a flood of memories and feelings for Brady.

Breaking the silence, Brady distractedly asked, "Do you believe in déja vu?"

"I'm not sure. Why?"

Still trapped by the feelings and thoughts of his past, Brady commented, "It's just that ever since I met Zach, I've felt like I've met him before. Something about him is really familiar. I don't know if it's just the stuff he says or the way he acts or what, but something is oddly memorable about that guy. It's almost like I've met him before . . . or, at least someone a lot like him."

Realizing that he was pulling both himself and Chloe too far into the past, Brady opted to change the topic to the future. "The hard part of this charade is going to be when we get back to Salem. We're going to have to be careful in the day-to-day situations. We can't let it slip that this is a phony marriage."

Chloe smiled and decided to let Brady think he had successfully changed the subject. If it made him feel better to point the conversation toward things to come, so be it.

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

By the time Philip arrived at Jason's house, the other three guys were already camped out in the living room. Jason, the self-appointed leader of the meeting, was positioned in the chair at the back of the room. To his left, Zach was stretched out the entire length of the couch. Shawn was making himself cozy as he sat on the floor and rested his back against the chair opposite the couch.

Plopping down on the floor near Shawn, Philip asked, "So, what's the emergency?"

When Jason said nothing, Shawn answered, "Jason saw Mimi and Jeremy kissing at Salem Place."

Jason methodically rubbed his hands together as he announced, "And, that's going to be the last kiss they share if I have anything to do with it."

A hopeful smile crept onto Philip's face. "Don't tell me that you're finally going to tell Mimi how you feel about her."

"How exactly do you feel about her?" Zach asked. "I mean, do you really, really like her? Or, is it more of an infatuation? Or, is it that other thing . . . . love."

His face displaying no signs of humor, Jason admitted, "I hate to say it, but I think it's the last one."

Shocking Jason and the other guys, Zach responded, "Good for you. So, what are you going to do about it?"

"That's just it. I'm not sure what to do. All I know is that I've got to give Meems one last chance. And, if she doesn't feel the same way, then I'm through with chasing her."

"Just like that?" Philip asked.

"Just like that," confirmed Jason.

A little confused by Jason's behavior, Zach asked the obvious question, "So, why did you want us to come over?"

A twinge of self-consciousness attacked Jason as he replied, "Well, Philip here has obvious experience with winning over girls who can't be won over . . . and, since Chloe's married to Brady; he surely knows what not to do in a relationship."

Philip chose to ignore the unintended barb as Jason continued his explanation. After all, was Jason really wrong?

"Shawn has experience with the more lovey-dovey stuff that's not really my style. And, you Zach, are just well . . . generally experienced." Having fully explained himself, Jason continued, "So, I'm going to make my move tomorrow, and I need whatever suggestions you guys can give me."

After a moment of serious thought, Philip answered, "Try something that's personal and artistic. That's what I was thinking when I serenaded Chloe."

"Good idea," observed Jason as he made a mental note. "What about you, Shawn?"

"Make sure Mimi's not the only one who knows how you feel. If she thinks you're being secretive about your feelings, then it will only hurt her. So, my advice is doing something in public – where she'll have witnesses. And, Jase, don't be afraid to embarrass yourself a little."

"Gotcha – public disgrace. Zach, any final advice from you?"

Displaying a confident smile, Zach responded, "Yeah. Whatever you decide to do – break all the rules while doing it. Girls think that kind of thing is sexy."

Running the suggestions over in his mind, Jason grinned mischievously and stated, "I think I know just what I'm going to do . . ."