Friends and Lovers
By Misha

Author's Notes- This chapter is still kind of angsty, but it's also kind of romantic. It's mostly Phloe, although there's some Shelle, most of it's just the two of them being friends. Shawn is oblivious to Belle's feelings for him, just as Chloe was oblivious to his feelings for her. Enjoy.

Chapter Eight

Sunday, November 12th 2000

Belle looked over at Shawn. "I should get going. I told Chloe I'd pop by this afternoon." Belle said softly.

Shawn nodded. "Okay. Belle..."

"Yeah?" Belle asked, getting off the bed and standing up.

"Tell her... Tell her that I'm sorry if what I said hurt her. I didn't mean to."

"She knows that." Belle said softly. "Shawn..."

"Please, don't." Shawn said quietly. "Please don't tell me how much she values my friendship. I couldn't handle that right now."

"Alright." Belle agreed, smiling sadly before leaving.

Shawn watched her go, wishing that she didn't have to be in the middle. It must be so hard on her, being friends with them both.

Shawn sighed as he looked at the doorway Belle had disappeared through.

"Why couldn't I have fallen in love with you?" He whispered, then laughed bitterly. "Not that that would have changed anything. It would still be a case of one-sided love."
* * * * * Belle walked into Chloe's bed room and found her asleep in Phillip's arms.

Belle raised a questioning eyebrow at Phillip.

"She was upset and she asked me to come over and then she asked me to hold her while she cried. I did and she ended up crying herself right to sleep." Phillip smiled down at Chloe tenderly, displaying all his love for her in one glance.

Belle smiled. No matter how messed up everything else was, one thing was for sure. Phillip really cared about Chloe.

"How was Shawn?" Phillip asked her softly.

"Awful." Belle answered. "This really destroyed them both."

"Yeah." Phillip agreed. "I knew it would. I was just hoping..."

"So was I." Belle admitted. "But it had to come out sometime and I suppose it's better now than later."

Phillip looked doubtful, but then sighed. "Yeah."

Belle looked at Chloe and then back at Phillip. "Tell her to call me when she wakes up." She said softly, before turning to go.

"You're leaving?"

"Yeah. She needs you not me." Belle answered, turning back to Phillip. "Don't hurt her. I have a feeling that Shawn's revelation is killing her enough. Don't cause her any more pain."

"I won't." Phillip swore. "Not for anything in the world."

Belle nodded and left silently.

She knew that he wouldn't. Everything else may be uncertain, but Phillip's feelings for Chloe were the one stable thing in this mess that was all of their lives.
* * * * *

Chloe opened her eyes and looked up to see Phillip gazing down at her tenderly.

"You're awake." He whispered.

She smiled and sat up. "Yeah, thank you."

"Anytime." Phillip told her. "Whenever you need me, I'll be here."

"I know." Chloe whispered standing up.

"How are you doing?" Phillip asked, standing up as well.

"Better." Chloe answered, then she looked deeply into Phillip's eyes. "I'm so lucky to have you." She whispered. "Not a lot of guys would hold their girlfriend as she cried herself to sleep over another guy."

"I'm not a lot of guys." Phillip told her. "Besides, I know that Shawn's just your friend and that you're really upset about what happened between the two of you."

Chloe kissed him softly. "What did I do to deserve you?"

"What did I do to deserve you?" Phillip asked her. "Chloe, you're everything to me. Before you came into my life, it was so empty. You brought all the joy into my life. I love you."

"I love you too." Chloe whispered softly.

Phillip pulled her into his arms and kissed her tenderly. "Chloe, I promise you whatever happens I'll be here for you."

Chloe was quiet for a long moment, then finally smiled. "I know. This is real, isn't it?"

"Very." Phillip reassured her, holding her tight.

Chloe lay her head on her shoulder, wondering if she had any right to feel so happy when things were the way they were with Shawn.

Still, she couldn't help it. This was so perfect. Being in Phillip's arms and knowing that he loved her was a dream come true.

She raised her lips to his and kissed him, slowly and tenderly at first, but then with growing passion.

All thoughts of Shawn and the mess their relationship was in, flew out of her mind as the kiss grew deeper.

After a long moment they pulled away, both of them breathless.

"Wow." Phillip whispered.

"Yeah." Chloe repeated.

Phillip looked at her and then sighed.

"This is dangerous." Phillip told her as they sat down on the bed side by side. "You and me here, in your bedroom, with no adults..."

Chloe realized what he was implying and blushed. She hadn't ever thought about that.

"I'm not trying to pressure you." Phillip reassured her. "Just the opposite. I think we should slow down. I don't want you to do something you'd regret. If it happens for us, I want it to be because it's right, not because our hormones are going strong."

"Thank you." Chloe said softly.

Phillip stood up and smiled. "Anytime."

He kissed her on the cheek, before heading to the door. "Oh, by the way, call Belle." He said before leaving.

Chloe watched him go and smiled.

Things with Shawn may be a mess, but Phillip was solid. He would be there for her and when he held her she knew everything would be okay.
* * * * *