It's been a while since I've posted a new chapter here, sorry. But I have been writing Unzipped, just not posting it here. It was all Shawn/Jan/Phillip stuff and I promised not to post the really explicit chapters of that here earlier on. Which is why this chapter is only R at most because after writing three NC-17 chapters in a row, I am spent. Well, maybe not me so much as Lucas, Sami, Phillip, Shawn and Jan. Especially Shawn... ;)
Anyways, chapters 24 and 25 are over but it was basically PWP, so everything should still make sense. All you need to know is that Phillip, Jan and Shawn are now all dating (sort of :S) and kissing (among other things :P). But in most, if not all chapters posted over here, it's only alluded to or briefly touched on. However, if anyone is extremely offended by romantic male/male situations, then this chapter probably still isn't for you, sorry.
And this chapter wound up being mostly non-Lumi characters until the end, unfortunately. There was supposed to be more content in this chapter but it got too long so I have to finish off what I was planning to write in this chapter in the next one. I'm sorry if it bores anyone, but like I said, it's been a while since I wrote anything other than plotless smut. Thanks to everyone who has kept up with this story and helped encourage me to continue writing it.
Belle walked towards the back of the club, feeling a heavy wave of resentment spreading throughout her body. She could not believe she was actually doing this. She wasn't supposed to be the one coming to Shawn, Shawn was supposed to be with her every chance he had. She had made it very clear to him that he was on probation. After he had left her in her time of need, he deserved to have to work to win her back. And yet, it felt like Shawn was avoiding her. But he wouldn't do that because he still loved her. They loved each other. Their relationship was supposed to be gradually going back to the way it had been before she had told that lie to protect her mother. But Shawn Brady just wasn't cooperating.
Belle knew how to get to the backstage area of the club after her countless conversations with Mimi concerning Unzipped. She found the appropriate door and peaked inside the stripper-congested room. She felt her face heat up at the sight of the gorgeous men walking around backstage, some of them dressed in nothing more than minuscule g-strings. She had seen them up dancing on stage, of course but this was an entirely different thing. She forced her eyes away from them and looked on, her gaze coming to rest on her boyfriend. Shawn was pulling on his costume, standing next to Phillip and... Jan. Belle scowled at the brunette. It was bad enough when Phillip had moved out of her loft to live with Jan, although it had been tolerable since Phillip had always just been a stand-in for Shawn. But now Jan was hanging around Shawn? There was no way Belle would allow that. That was just one more condition Belle would set out for Shawn- no more Jan Spears.
Belle pushed the door open completely and started towards Shawn. He didn't even notice her; his attention remained completely fixed on Phillip and Jan. Forcing back the scowl that she knew would mar her beautiful face, Belle continued walking towards the three of them. As she neared closer, she felt a tiny twinge of uncertainty, almost as if she was interrupting something private and exclusive. Shawn and Phillip looked so happy, despite the fact they were standing less than two feet from each other. What had happened to those two fighting over her? Surely they still wanted to rip each other to shreds to determine who won the amazing prize that was Belle Black. And then there was Jan, who was positively glowing. It was clear, even to Belle, that the three of them seemed to be doing just fine on their own. How ridiculous.
But Belle pushed the thoughts aside. She was disillusioned, obviously. Shawn would be glad to see her, she meant more to him than Phillip and Jan ever would. For one, he hated Phillip. And Jan just wasn't the kind of person anyone would be able to tolerate for very long. She finished that thought right before reaching Shawn. Smiling brightly, she tapped Shawn on the shoulder. Upon turning around and seeing her, Shawn's expression did not contain the abundance of bliss Belle had expected and another jolt of uncertainty hit her. Although it passed almost as quickly as it had come, damn, Shawn Brady was going to owe her big time for making her feel like this.
"Hi, Shawn," Belle chirped brightly, "How's it going? I haven't seen you around very much lately, so I decided to come look for you here. Honestly, I don't see how you can stand hanging around this club so much with all the irritating people you have to put up with." her eyes glossed over both Phillip and Jan before returning to Shawn.
Shawn stifled a groan at the sight of Belle's expectant face. Not managing to conjure up a lot of enthusiasm, he still did his best to be polite, "Hi, Belle. It's, uh, good to see you."
Belle sniffed indignantly, "Not that anyone could tell. Honestly, what has gotten into you lately? You never have any time for me and I'm sick of it. Are you going to try and make this relationship work or not?"
Shawn looked positively guilty after hearing Belle's words and even Belle couldn't ignore the imploring looks both Phillip and Jan gave Shawn in unison.
"Belle," Shawn began carefully, like he was stepping over broken glass in bare feet, "I guess it's a good thing you're here and that you've brought this whole thing up. Can we go talk over here for a minute?" He attempted to lead Belle away from Phillip and Jan so he could talk to her privately about ending their relationship but Belle swatted his hand away.
"No, I won't move. I just want you to tell me what is wrong with you! I have bent over backwards to give you chance after chance! And I'm sorry but if you don't get your act together, I'm just going to have to find a new and more dedicated boyfriend."
Shawn felt the first tugs of anger gnawing away his composure. Sensing this, Jan stepped up next to Shawn, one hand dropping protectively onto his arm, "You don't owe her any explanations, Shawn. Don't listen to her."
Shawn's face was taut with irritation, "No, Jan, I think I'm just going to tell her. She needs to know what's going on.
"Belle," Shawn began, his attention returning to its previous target, "I'm sorry but I- I can't date you anymore."
Belle's mouth dropped open, "Excuse me? What do you mean? You can't break up with me! You're on probation and therefore, it's not allowed!"
Phillip rubbed his eyes wearily, "I don't think he can be on probation if he's not dating you anymore."
"No one asked for your input," Belle snapped. She tossed her head to one side, not giving Phillip the satisfaction of looking at him. Granted, there was a time when he had been there for her and supported her. He had been her friend but that was over now. She no longer had any use for Phillip Kiriakis. She had been through with him the minute he chose to live with Jan over comforting her when she was upset. And she definitely didn't want to hear him intervening in her discussion with Shawn.
"I'm sorry," Shawn said contritely, "Things have just been completely different since I came back to town and I don't think things are ever going to go back to normal for us. Our relationship has completely deteriorated and I-" he cut himself off, pausing to glance at Jan, then at Phillip, "I think I want to move on with other people."
"Other people? But that's ridiculous," Belle sputtered, "You can't move on from me! I'm Belle Black! Your soul mate! I don't know what happened to you when you weren't in Salem but it's making you a worse person. You're afraid of your feelings now. You know you love me so much but you can't-"
"I don't love you anymore!" Shawn roared so loudly that Lucas, Patrick, Tyler, Rex and Tanner all looked over in his direction. Realizing that he may have been a bit harsh, Shawn calmed down, "All right, maybe that was going too far."
"I'll say," Belle whined, "I think you're angry about something and that you're just taking it out on me. You shouldn't do that, you know."
"I'm not taking anything out on you. This might come as a shock but it's not always about you."
"To me it is."
Like a frayed rubber band, Shawn suddenly snapped, "Well, maybe it shouldn't be. I think I'll just tell you the truth right now so you realize how much this isn't about you. I moved in with Jan this morning. Phillip lives there too but you probably already knew that. And we're happy together. That's why I'm breaking up with you."
Belle's face was as white as tissue paper, "But that's not possible. Jan can't date both you and Phillip at the same time. Only I can have more than one man in my life at once. One of you has to leave and it's going to be you, Shawn."
"She isn't dating us both at once," Shawn countered. Phillip opened his mouth to stop Shawn from continuing, then changed his mind and closed it, still regarding Shawn carefully, "We're all dating each other. That's right, me and Phillip aren't losing out on anything. We're together too." his arm slung over Phillip's shoulders and he grinned at Belle mockingly, wanting to get back at her for everything: for moving on with Phillip while he had been gone, for starting that stupid and completely unjust probation period and most importantly, for looking at Phillip and Jan like they were beneath her when Shawn knew from personal experience that they weren't.
Even the oh-so virginal Belle managed to at least partially comprehend what Shawn was telling her, "Oh my God, Shawn! No, this can't be happening to me. You're still in love with me. Phillip and Jan must have brainwashed you!" Belle glared at Phillip, "I can see Jan pulling something like that but you're supposed to be supporting me, Phillip. You're a traitor and you're going to regret this."
"Why should I support you?" Phillip challenged her, "You never wanted to move on with me. You wanted to wait for Shawn. And yet, when I decided to get over you and move on with Jan, you decided I wasn't worth your time anymore. That isn't the way real friends treat each other. Obviously you didn't care about me or my feelings very much."
"Shut up!" Belle snapped, unable to strike back with an intelligent argument, knowing Phillip's words had been at least ninety percent accurate, if not more, "Do you really think this is for real? Do you really think Shawn is going to leave me for you? Do you think anyone would be stupid enough to leave me for you?"
"It's already happened," Jan's body stiffened possessively as she walked up next to Phillip and placed her hand on his arm, "You might think you're good, Belle. Hell, by some miracle, you might ever be good. But you'll never be better than me and Phillip. Ask Shawn if you don't believe me."
The look in Shawn's eyes didn't even require Belle asking the question. Her eyes stung with tears and a tantrum threatened to explode from within her. Her mind was screaming 'NOFAIRNOFAIRNOFAIRNOFAIR' over and over and it was all she could do not to burst into tears and begin screaming at Jan and Phillip for taking what was hers. But she didn't. She wasn't going to lift a finger to get Shawn back if she didn't have to. And she had in mind one person who would be just as upset about the current situation as she was.
"Well, I bet your mom doesn't know you're living with Jan," Belle replied in a whiny voice, directing her attention at Phillip, "I'm going to tell her what you're doing. Then she'll make you move out and stop trying to get your hands on my boyfriend."
"I'm not your boyfriend anymore, Belle. And acting like a five-year old tattletale is not going to change anything," Shawn informed her, although he didn't look entirely convinced himself. He didn't know very much about Kate Roberts but one thing that was obvious to most people, including himself, was her rigid protectiveness of her children.
"You're wrong. Kate will help me get you to stop this. And Mmi will too!" Belle announced loud enough to for Mimi, who had been deep in conversation with Rex, to look up questioningly. Then, with the obedience of a well-schooled golden retriever, she left Rex to walk over to Belle and see what was going on.
"Mimi, Shawn says he's breaking up with me so he can be with both Jan and Phillip at the same time. It isn't fair," Belle's eyes were round and pleading, "Please help me change Shawn's mind."
"Of course, I will." Mimi said without hesitation, "You and Shawn are meant to be together. But are he and Phillip really..." her voice trailed off and she looked from Phillip to Shawn. Her head spun. These were two people she had known since grade school, and now both of them had decided they weren't completely straight anymore. And despite all the years of friendship the three of them had shared, she had never seen it coming. It was mind-boggling. Especially the fact that Shawn and Phillip had turned to each other to experience what it was like to be with men.
"It doesn't matter if you have Mimi and Kate," Jan retorted disdainfully, "I'm going to get go get Sami, Nicole and Crystal. Everyone knows how much they all hate Kate. Then Lucas will undoubtably join our side because A, Phillip is his brother and B, he's Sami's own personal squeeze toy so he'll go wherever she goes."
"I heard that," Lucas informed Jan, who suddenly realized that everyone backstage was listening to their conversation, "And I am now officially taking Belle's side. I'm no one's squeeze toy, not even Sami's."
Phillip coughed. Lucas glared at him.
Mimi was all too eager to defend her best friend, "Rex and Patrick will take our side too. I know they will if I ask nicely."
"I'm going to go find Kate," Belle informed anyone who was still listening, which really wasn't anyone. Jan had run off to talk to Nicole, Sami and Crystal, Lucas was still busy looking indignant over being called Sami's squeeze toy, Mimi was off recruiting Patrick and Rex and Shawn and Phillip were looking at everyone with overwhelmed expressions. Shawn looked slightly nauseated at the prospect of Belle turning this situation into a huge battle and involving people who had nothing do with his relationship with Jan and Phillip. Phillip turned to give Shawn a wry smile but Shawn could see the trepidation in his eyes.
"My mom might go a little crazy," Phillip told Shawn, "Just so you're prepared."
"I figured," Shawn muttered, wondering if it would be a good idea to be armed when Kate showed up. Or maybe he could just hide behind Phillip the whole time. Anything to give him at least a little assurance that he could survive a fierce confrontation with a woman who Shawn assumed could probably get more than a little frightening.
"Maybe Belle will get it out of her system after tonight," Phillip suggested, "Then she'll leave all of us alone."
I want everyone to leave us alone, Shawn thought sullenly, I don't want to fight with Phillip's mom or Belle and I don't want everyone knowing. I wish everyone would just go away. Confrontation was the last thing Shawn wanted when his feelings were still so ambiguous. But from the looks of things, Phillip and Jan certainly weren't shying away from making a lot of noise in their defense. Shawn didn't know how they did it. In comparison to them, Shawn felt like a complete girl. They were both so strong and so good at standing up for themselves while Shawn just wanted to hide. God, did he ever need to grow a pair.
"So, Belle ran off to go get Kate because she wants Kate to break up you, Phillip and Shawn?" Nicole asked dubiously once Jan had finished her story.
"Kind of," Jan replied, "But I think all Kate is really going to want to do is get Phillip away from me and Shawn. So, I want you three to back me up. Sami, you have experience with Kate so you'll be a big help."
"Why would I want to help you?" Sami wrinkled her nose, "You already tried to tell me about your little 'activities' with Shawn and Phillip when I told you I didn't want to hear. I don't owe you any favours."
"Come on, Sami," Jan insisted, "You'll get to gang up on Kate and see her freak over the fact that Phillip is dating me and Shawn. You're honestly trying to tell me you wouldn't enjoy that?"
Sami's mouth twitched into an devious smile, "Okay."
Jan's eyes widened. She hadn't expected it to be that easy to convince Sami to team up with her. The things she must be willing to do to torture Kate Roberts, Jan thought wryly as Nicole and Crystal also agreed to take Jan's side, having their own personal issues with Kate themselves.
"Great," Jan rubbed her hands together, "That means that me, you three, Phillip and Shawn are all up against Kate, Belle, Patrick, Rex and Lucas. Never mind that Lucas, Rex and Patrick don't even have a clue what's going on. We are definitely going to beat them."
"Why is Lucas on Kate's side?" Sami sounded insulted, "Doesn't he care that Kate's trying to ruin his brother's relationship with the people Phillip supposedly cares about, although I still think Phillip's only with you and Shawn for physical reasons," Sami added quickly.
"Well, it's more than that." Jan shot back, "And he only took their side because I said he was your squeeze toy and that you'd always be on the same side as him."
"Good going," Sami rolled her eyes, "But Kate will definitely start trying to persuade Lucas to stop spending time with me and then we can get him on our side. Not that it really matters what Kate says, since tomorrow is the last day before the two weeks are up." she added grumpily.
"What do you mean?" Nicole shot Sami a curious look.
Sami sighed and her face contorted into an unhappy scowl, "Not that it's any of your business but Lucas and I had this... agreement that we would spend two weeks with each other trying to get our overwhelming attraction towards each other out of our systems. And now there's only tonight and tomorrow left before the two weeks are finished."
"You could always pretend you forgot about the two weeks and then never say anything about it," Jan suggested.
"Thanks for the advice, Jan. God knows that thought would have never even crossed my mind." Sami responded sarcastically.
"Then what's the problem?" Jan demanded.
"The problem is that I want to move past this stage where I'm just having sex with him." Which I won't do unless he quits this damn job, Sami added inwardly, "I miss him. Well, not his body of course, because I have that. But everything else... I want back."
"How sweet," Jan cooed.
"Don't make fun of me, Jan," Sami glowered at her, "It's not my fault I'm not like you. I want a real relationship with Lucas but you- you're just content because you're getting off."
"That isn't true," Jan protested angrily, "Don't talk about something you know hardly anything about. I'm not going to complain about the getting off part but it's more than that. We all care about each other. So don't talk to me about being shallow and only in it for the sex because your situation is almost exactly like mine, only in my case there's one extra person. So there."
Sami huffed and closed her eyes in disgust. Jan leaned back in her chair and pouted childishly. Nicole and Crystal exchanged glances, silently hoping that Kate would arrive soon so that Sami and Jan would be able to fight her rather than each other.
