Friends and Lovers
By Misha

Chapter Twenty-Five

Sunday, December 31st 2000, New Years Eve

"One minute to go until midnight." Phillip whispered in Chloe's ear. "Have you made up your resolution yet?"

Chloe turned to face him a smile on her face. "Yeah. My resolution is that I'm going to stop worrying about the choices everyone else makes and let them live their own lives." Chloe told him.

Phillip glanced over at where Belle and Jason were making out, oblivious to the world around them.

"Good choice." He said dryly. "Is that your only resolution?"

Chloe shook her head. "No, my other resolution is to spend as much time as possible with the man I love."

Phillip grinned and wrapped his arms around her. "Is that so? It just happens that my resolution is to make sure that you always know how much I love you."

Chloe smiled and was about to say something when the countdown began. She turned from Phillip and instead looked at the big screen TV.

"10...9...8...7..." Everyone in the room chanted. "6...5...4...3...2...1...Happy New Year!"

Chloe turned back to Phillip and kissed him tenderly.

"Happy New Year." Chloe whispered once they pulled away.

"Happy New Year to you to." Phillip whispered lovingly. "This is just the first of many we'll spend together."

"I can't wait." Chloe whispered, pulling him down to kiss him again.
* * * * *

Brady watched from a corner of the room as Phillip and Chloe kissed at the stroke of midnight.

"Next year it'll be me." He promised himself softly.

His New Year's resolution was that he wouldn't rest until Chloe realized that Phillip wasn't right for her and that he, Brady, was.

Soon, he would begin to put his plan into motion. He'd start by making her see how different she and Phillip were and how they had no future.

Brady grinned, confident that his plan would work. For the moment, though, he decided to push his plan aside and concentrate on having a good time.

He wandered around for a while, talked to a few people, had a few drinks. Just generally enjoying himself.

Then, about an hour after midnight, he decided to go look for Belle and see what she was up to, since he hadn't seen her since soon after they arrived at the party. He circulated around looking for his sister, but when he finally did find her, he froze.

His precious baby sister was making out with some strange guy!
* * * * *

Jason ran one of his hands through Belle's silky hair, as his tongue continued to massage hers. Even though he knew that this was wrong and that he should stop it, every moment he continued to lose himself in Belle Black a little more.

Then, suddenly, he felt himself being ripped away from her and was suddenly greeted with a fist in the face.

"Get away from my sister." The owner of that fist, growled as he stood over Jason who now was sprawled on the floor.

Jason's alcohol induced haze cleared just enough for him to recognise Belle's brother, Brady, the same guy who had kissed Mimi on Christmas Eve!

He managed to stand up and glared at Brady. "She's not a child." Jason informed his enemy. "She's old enough to make her own decisions."

"If you ever touch her again, I'll kill you." Brady informed him coolly.

"Brady!" Belle screamed, getting up to stand next to Jason.

"I'm not going to let him take advantage of you." Brady informed her.

"He's not taking advantage of me." Belle said angrily. "I might be drunk, but so is he, and I'm still sober enough to know what I'm doing. And I'm doing it out of my own free-will, so butt out."

Brady didn't say anything, just glowered at his sister and prepared to hit Jason again.

Jason tried to duck out of the way, then realized that someone had stopped Brady's fist.

Phillip. He and Chloe had now joined them, so had an audience of people who's attention had evidently been captured by the scene.

"Let me go, Kiriakis." Brady growled. "This isn't any of your business."

"Since it's my house, it is." Phillip told him calmly. "Now, can we settle this peacefully or do I have to throw you out?"

"You wouldn't dare." Brady said defiantly. "You wouldn't throw me out of my grandfather's house!"

Jason realized that Brady was just drunk as he was which is why he was acting like such an ass.

"Wouldn't I?" Phillip asked, raising an eyebrow. "After all, Dad's not here right now, and I'm in charge. You're causing a scene."

"If you throw out anyone it should be him!" Brady declared, pointing at Jason. "He's the one who's taking advantage of my sister!"

"Brady!" Belle screamed. "I told you, I know what I'm doing! So leave me out of this! And leave Jason alone!"

"Fine." Brady said angrily. "I'm leaving, but tomorrow morning when you realize what you've done and regret it, don't come to me for sympathy!"

With that he angrily stormed out, leaving everyone staring at him.

"You know, I think the party's over." Phillip said to the crowd.

People booed, but slowly began to stream out of the Kiriakis mansion.

Jason stood to leave, but Phillip stopped him.

"No way are you driving home tonight." His friend told him. "You're staying here, end of story. Same goes for you, Belle."

"Good." Belle said dryly. "My ride already left."

Phillip nodded and then turned to Jason. "I'm going to go find Mimi and Shawn. They're in no condition to drive either."

"I'll go with you." Chloe offered, giving Belle a small smile of support, before following Phillip to go look for their friends.

Jason watched them go with a groan, he certainly wasn't looking forward to seeing Mimi in the morning. But then again, he had a feeling he wouldn't be looking forward to seeing anyone when he woke up.
* * * * *