Entering the dining room with an exuberant smile plastered upon her face, Chloe cheerfully greeted her mother and stepfather, "Good morning. Is it a beautiful, wonderful day, or what?"

While Chloe happily took her seat at the breakfast table, Craig looked out the window at the gray clouds that masked the morning sky. Taking another look at his cheerful breakfast companion, Craig wondered just what had happened to bring Chloe so far away from the darkness that seemed to haunt her. And, Craig could not help but also wonder if whatever happened involved a certain handsome guy that Chloe had once called her enemy.

Staring at her daughter, Nancy observed, "My, you're awfully chipper this morning."

Chloe smiled uncontrollably at her mother as she responded, "I am, aren't I?"

When her daughter said nothing more, Nancy prodded, "Is there something you might want to share?"

Showing an unusually high tolerance for her mother's nosiness, Chloe responded, "Oh, nothing you'd care to hear about."

Nancy tossed Craig a confused glance before asking her daughter, "Well, how did things go last night at the theater? I must say we were pretty worried when you didn't come straight home."

"Last night was wonderful," Chloe answered as she recalled the sweet kiss Jason had left on her lips.

Once again, Nancy shot her husband a look of confusion. Taking his turn at mildly interrogating Chloe, Craig questioned, "So, things went well at the rehearsal?"

"The rehearsal? Oh, yeah, that was fine." Temporarily forcing aside the lingering thoughts of Jason, Chloe reached across the table for the orange juice pitcher. As she poured herself some of the fruity liquid, she commented, "I think that everything is going to work out just fine."

"Well, that's nice," responded Nancy with a baffled smile. She wasn't quite sure what was going on with Chloe, but she had the distinct feeling that it just might be the one time to not question her daughter.

With his right eyebrow raised with curiosity and a smirk domineering his handsome face, Devon Masters watched his younger brother cross the living room. The only thing more amusing than Jason's dance-like movements was the sound of his humming. If Devon didn't know better, he would have sworn that his younger brother was humming a David Cassidy song.

"Hey, Jase, don't you have a friend whose mother is a shrink?"

Glancing at his brother as though seeing him for the first time, Jason answered, "Yeah, why?"

"Maybe you should give her a call, because you really aren't acting like yourself. I mean, it's not even eight o'clock and you're already out of bed, showered, and dressed. And, you're acting unusually happy. I really think that you may have developed some mental condition."

Chuckling softly, Jason answered, "Trust me, Dev, I'm doing just fine."

A genuine smile appearing on his face, Devon proclaimed, "You took my advice last night, didn't you?"

"Advice about what?" Melinda Masters smoothly questioned as she entered the room from the kitchen.

"Nothing," the boys simultaneously answered.

Removing her delicate reading glasses from her face and placing them on the stand beside the chair, Melinda sat down in the soft blue armchair and remarked, "Well, it didn't sound like nothing to me. And, Devon, if it involves someone actually taking your advice, I'm more than a little curious."

Sitting down on the sofa beside his brother, Jason said, "Mom, I'm sure you don't want to hear about our boring lives."

"Nice try, Jase. Now, tell me what is going on with the two of you."

In an almost humming manner, Devon began to sing, "I love you. You love meeee . . . Jason wants to marry Chlo-eee."

Giving her youngest son an inquisitive look, Melinda simply questioned, "Oh, really?"

Jason opened his mouth to speak several times before he was actually able to verbalize a whole sentence. Hardly able to keep from stammering, Jason stated, "I didn't say that."

"So, did you take my advice about Chloe or not?" Devon anxiously demanded.

Offering his brother an annoyed glare, Jason responded, "I am not discussing my love life with you."

Smirking just slightly, Melinda calmly inquired, "So, you are admitting that you feel something for Chloe since she's apparently a part of your love life?"

"Mom," Jason groaned as he rolled his head back.

"What? I'm your mother, and I have a right to know what is happening in your life. Now, are you going to just tell me, or are we going to have to pry each and every detail out of you?"

Deciding to give in to his family's well intentioned meddling, Jason groaned and asked, "Fine, what exactly do you want to know, Mom?"

Melinda smiled triumphantly as she asked, "What advice of your brother's did you dare take?"

"Well, I haven't completely taken Devon's advice - not yet, anyway. You see, he told me that if any part of me was interested in Chloe to go for it and ask her out."

Clapping his hands together victoriously, Devon questioned, "So, you and Chloe went out on a date last night, huh? How did that go? Did you get a kiss goodnight?"

After tossing her eldest son a slightly disapproving glance, Melinda asked, "Jason, what did happen last night?"

A mild surge of guilt shot through Jason when he realized that he hadn't technically even asked Chloe out on a date. Shifting uncomfortably on the couch, Jason responded, "Well, I didn't actually take Chloe out on a real date. But, we did have dinner together . . . and, why am I telling the two of you this? You never bugged me about my dating habits when I was with Jan."

"Jason," began Melinda. "I told you from the start that I had an extreme dislike for Jan Spears. The girl was obviously selfish and troublesome. And, let's face it, you get into enough trouble on your own. I also remember telling you that I could hardly wait for the day when you would find the right girl. So, now that you've finally gotten your act together, I think I have the right to ask a few questions about your time with the girl."

Raising his hands in the air, Jason said, "Fine, I give. Chloe and I had dinner together at the Brady Pub, then we went for a drive. Then, I took her home."

"I don't buy it," declared Devon as he monitored Jason with a critical gaze. "You wouldn't be so sickeningly happy if that was all. What are you leaving out?"

"Nothing . . . that concerns you. You see, Dev, unlike you, I don't kiss and tell." His face falling into a more serious expression, Jason continued, "But, there's a huge problem. I haven't actually asked Chloe on a date yet. I'm not even certain if I want to date her - or if she'd ever want to date me. And even if I can get her to say yes, what are we supposed to do? Where do I take a girl like Chloe on a first date?"

"Where did you take Jan on your first date?"

Feeling the faintest of blushes creep into his cheeks, Jason whispered to his brother, "I can't answer that with Mom in the room."

Ignoring the innuendo she couldn't help but overhear, Melinda gracefully rose to her feet and said, "I need to be going to work, but I have one little suggestion before I leave. Why don't you just go way out there and do something crazy like take the girl to dinner and a movie, hmm?"

As his mother left the room, Devon stroked the stubble soon-to-be goatee on his chin and remarked, "Radical, but it could work."

Glaring at his brother, Jason scoffed, "And, people call me a dumb ass."

Never before had the front door of the Wesley home looked so intimidating and uninviting to Jason. As he nervously shifted on his feet, he wondered what exactly was causing his extreme anxiety.

He repeatedly told himself that Chloe was just another girl, but his heart knew better. There was something incredibly special about Chloe Lane, and Jason was only sorry that it had taken him so long to see that.

Of course, Jason wasn't foolish enough to delude himself. He knew that Chloe was temperamental, stubborn, and even a little spiteful. But, he would give almost anything to take that spiteful girl out to a movie. And, as much as that thought frightened him, it delighted him.

Continuing to nervously pace the Wesley's front porch, Jason pushed away the zealous pride that had already been keeping him from Chloe. Jason had always assumed that Chloe Lane was someone he could never and would never love. For the first time ever, he was glad to be wrong.

Taking yet another glance in the direction of the front door, Jason wondered if perhaps he should have brought Chloe flowers or something. However, it seemed a little too fake for his taste, not to mention that it seemed frightfully close to something Kiriakis would do.

Grumbling to himself, Jason sarcastically remarked, "Next thing I know, I'll be under her window trying to serenade her or some crap like that . . . . I wonder if that would work . . ." Jason shook his head and stated, "No way. I'm not going to turn into a cheesy freak like Phil. Not even for Chloe Lane."

Jason let out one last sigh before turning and approaching the dreaded front door. Bringing his hand up to the doorbell, he whispered, "I can believe I'm doing this."

As the doorbell chimed throughout the Wesley home, all movement in the living room came to a halt. Leaving the page of his newspaper only half turned to the sports section, Craig peered around the corner of the paper to see Nancy frozen with her coffee halfway to her lips, and Chloe still reaching for a book on the stand beside her chair.

Then, without warning, all three members of the family jumped to their feet at once, each proclaiming that he or she would answer the door. Having been the closest to the foyer, Craig managed to block the living room exit before Chloe or Nancy could leave the room.

Sending his wife only a slightly disapproving glance, Craig commented, "Nancy, hon, I know why you are in such a hurry to answer the door. You're hoping that the silverware you ordered from the Home Shopping Network has arrived."

Craig turned his gaze to Chloe as he continued, "What I don't understand is why you, Chloe, are so eager to answer the door. It wouldn't happen to have anything to do with why you've been so cheerful, would it?"

"Eager? I'm not eager. I just wanted . . . to be a helpful member of this family. I didn't realize that it would be a crime."

"Yeah, right," Craig retorted as he sent Chloe his most disbelieving look. "Would you like to tell me what's really going on?"

As the doorbell chimed throughout the house once more, Chloe stomped her foot on the ground and said, "Fine, if you don't want me or Nancy to answer the door, will you at least answer it? Or, should we make whoever's out there wait until tomorrow to come in?"

Craig gave his stepdaughter one last suspicious glance before approaching the front door and swinging it open. He was only half surprised to see Jason Masters.

After turning to give Chloe a rather smug grin, Craig directed his attention to Jason and said, "Jason, please, come in. I'm sorry if we kept you waiting."

"Um . . . no problem, Doctor Wesley," Jason replied with just a twinge of nervousness as he stepped past Craig and entered the Wesley home.

However, a more severe nervousness erupted within Jason when he saw that not only was Chloe in the foyer, but her legendary barracuda mother as well. Ignoring the lump that seemed to have suddenly appeared in his throat, Jason calmly greeted, "Hi, Chloe. Good morning, Mrs. Wesley."

Pursing her lips together, Nancy squinted her condescending eyes and glared at Jason. Out of the corner of her eye, she could see the faintest of smiles grace her daughter's lips. Half of Nancy wanted to play the protective mother bear and give Jason a nice, long lecture even though he had yet to do anything wrong. However, the other part of Nancy couldn't ignore that sweet expression on Chloe's face.

Relaxing her tense facial muscles, Nancy forced herself to at least smile as she said, "Hello, Jason. I must say that I'm surprised to see you here again."

Jason could do little more than offer Nancy his most adorable lopsided smile. It was obvious that the woman had yet to stop hating him for all the time he had spent teasing Chloe.

Luckily, Chloe saved Jason from having to think of some meaningless response to Nancy's comment. A naturally bright smile controlling her lips, Chloe said, "Jason, I didn't even think you'd be out of bed yet."

"Well, you should have remembered that I'm full of surprises."

"Yeah, you are," softly responded Chloe. "So . . ."

"So," repeated Jason as he began to rock back and forth on the heels of his feet.

Clapping her hands together, Nancy suggested, "Why don't we all go in the living room, hmm? I'm sure Jason would like something to drink. Orange juice, maybe?"

Jason shook his head and replied, "No thank you, Mrs. Wesley. I'm really not thirsty." Sending Chloe an almost pleading look, Jason questioned, "Is there some place we can talk?"

Chloe chose to ignore the look of absolute horror that crossed her mother's face as she answered, "Yeah, let's go up to my room."

Before Nancy could express her extreme displeasure with such an idea, Craig gently grabbed her arm and said, "Nancy, I'm actually very thirsty for some orange juice all of a sudden. How about you and I go to the kitchen?"

"Fine," Nancy childishly huffed as she watched Chloe lead Jason upstairs.

From the top of the stairs, Chloe watched Craig guide Nancy into the living room. She offered Jason an awkward smile before continuing to lead him toward her bedroom.

Just when they reached the door, Jason gently took hold of Chloe's wrist and prevented her from entering the room. With a slight grin, Jason stated, "I remember a time about a week ago when you told me that you never wanted me in your room again. Are you sure you've changed your mind?"

"I was wrong. And, I realize that now," conceded Chloe as she recalled the incident Jason was also remembering.

(flashback)

Still hungry for a strawberry, Jason challenged, "If you don't let me have one of those right now, I'll tell the entire school that you and I were in bed together - and you won't be able to deny it."

Her mouth dropping open, Chloe responded, "You wouldn't."

"Try me. Just hand over the berries and no one gets hurt."

Moving the bowl as far from Jason as she could as she lay in bed, Chloe countered, "Well, if you tell everyone that, then I won't have any choice but to tell all our classmates that you showed up at my house uninvited to seduce me with a picnic for two."

Unable to control his laughter, Jason questioned, "Seduce you? Oh, man, I'd love to see the K-man's face if you actually told him that I got to come in your bedroom through the actual door and not the window. And, once I was inside, I seduced you with a turkey sandwich and some lemonade."

Chloe began to also laugh and said, "How ridiculous does that sound? I mean, it's a big enough stretch of reality that you and I are actually able to share a meal without poisoning each other."

"Yeah, you and me? Now, that's a funny idea. Completely unbelievable, but still funny."

"Exactly. I mean, why would I ever want to be with someone like you?"

His smile dropping just slightly, Jason questioned, "Someone like me? What do you mean by that?"

Chloe returned her attention to the television screen as she casually commented, "Oh, you know."

"No, obviously I don't, or I wouldn't have asked."

Finally turning to face Jason once more, Chloe stated, "I just meant that you aren't exactly my type. If I was looking for love, it would be with someone more . . . intellectual and refined."

"So, what? Am I just another dumb jock? Is that what you're saying, Vampira?"

Jason's use of that familiar taunting name did not escape Chloe's attention. Somehow, she knew that she had managed to turn an otherwise wonderful afternoon into yet another angry battle with Jason Masters.

"If the shoe fits . . ." snidely replied Chloe.

Hopping off Chloe's bed, Jason began to walk toward her door. Halfway there, he turned and stated, "This is why you don't have any friends. You always have to act like some cold-hearted freak. Of course, it's not really an act is it?"

Her happy mood now destroyed, Chloe pointed to her door and demanded, "Get out. Get out and don't ever come back."

"Sounds good to me. I never want to see you again," responded Jason.

(end flashback)

Pulling her wrist away from Jason, Chloe opened her bedroom door and said, "It was kinda sad that such a good day was spoiled by a silly argument. I'll do my best to keep anything like that from happening again."

"The good day or the argument?" Jason joked as he followed Chloe into her bedroom.

Having become accustomed to Jason's unique blend of sarcasm and light-hearted humor, Chloe smiled and replied, "I'll let you figure that one out on your own." Plopping down on her bed, Chloe began to anxiously swing her legs as she asked, "So, you wanted to talk?"

Jason released a frustrated sigh and sat down a safe distance from Chloe on the bed. Avoiding eye contact, Jason joked, "Kiriakis would die if he knew I managed to get into your bedroom twice while he was away. Hell, I've even been able to use the actual door which was more than he was usually allowed to do."

Chloe instantly heard what Jason wasn't saying. She understood that it was no coincidence that Jason brought up Philip. Her voice both calm and confident, Chloe replied, "Philip's moved on. And, so have I. We're still friends, but that doesn't mean that either of us has any say about who goes in the other's bedroom."

Before Jason could give his reply, the shrill sound of Chloe's phone shattered his unspoken words.

Though she didn't want to put her and Jason's conversation on hold, Chloe regretfully rose to her feet and answered the phone.

"Hello? . . . Philip, hi . . ."

Jason took a deep breath and cringed unhappily when he heard Chloe mention her caller's name. He was beginning to think that it had been a very bad idea to even consider asking Chloe Lane out on a date. However, curiosity quickly took over as Jason listened to Chloe's end of the conversation.

"Oh, really? . . . What? . . . no, I haven't even seen her . . . are you sure . . . Philip, I'm telling you that I haven't seen or heard from her . . . maybe she is . . . that must be it . . . me? . . . oh, I'm doing fine . . . what? . . . no, Jason and I haven't killed each other yet . . . well, um, I really have to go . . . okay, tell Belle and Shawn that I said hi . . . bye, Philip."

Before he could stop himself, Jason demanded, "What was that all about?"

"According to Philip, Mimi missed the flight to Orlando. He's tried calling her house, but hasn't gotten an answer. He's guessing that she's out of town with her parents," Chloe responded as she sat back down on the bed, this time closing the gap between herself and Jason.

An unexpected jolt of jealousy coursed through Jason's veins. He hated the idea of Chloe's ex-boyfriend calling her - even if it was to find his own missing girlfriend. "So, Phil just decided to call you, huh? Why didn't he call me?"

"He tried - and, believe it or not, since you're here at my house, you weren't home. Go figure."

Chloe's sarcasm was exactly what Jason needed to shake away the momentary jealousy and doubt. He wasn't Philip Kiriakis, and there was no way he was ever going to act like it.

"So, Jason, what exactly did you want to talk to me about?" Chloe asked with extreme hesitance. When Jason had first arrived, she had been elated. However, his obvious agitation was causing Chloe to become increasingly nervous. She feared that he was going to tell her what a horrible mistake the kiss had been. She could already imagine him telling her that he would make her pay if she even thought about telling any of their friends.

The room's temperature suddenly seemed to rise as Jason pondered how exactly to approach the topic that had led him to Chloe's home that Tuesday morning.

Any traces of her former smile long gone, Chloe reluctantly asked, "This is about that kiss, isn't it?"

Continuing before Jason could even consider interrupting, Chloe jumped to her feet and began to pace as she said, "If you're here to tell me that you want to forget it ever happened, fine. Consider it forgotten. Don't worry I won't ruin your precious image by telling someone at school that you suffered from temporary insanity and kissed me . . ."

"Chloe . . ."

"No, Jason, it's not a big deal," Chloe insisted, though the mist in her eyes contradicted her words. "If last night didn't mean anything, then that's fine. It'll be our secret so you can . . ."

Chloe's words were stopped and silence filled the room as Jason quickly rose to his feet and wrapped his arms around Chloe's body, stopping her mid-stride. He paused for only a moment before the temptation to kiss the beautiful diva was simply too much.

Lowering his lips to Chloe's mouth, Jason effectively kept the teen from rambling anymore. With a newfound gentleness, Jason sweetly kissed Chloe's lips. He kept his strong arms wrapped protectively around her body as he reluctantly pulled away.

A smile domineering his handsome face, Jason asked, "I was just wondering if you wanted to go see a movie tonight."

"I'd love to."