Friends and Lovers
By MIsha

Disclaimer and Notes in Prologue.

Chapter Forty-One

Wednesday, February 14th, 2001

Chloe's heart was in her throat as she knocked on the door of the Kiriakis mansion. What if Phillip was out with another girl or what if he laughed in her face? She'd put him through so much.

"Miss Chloe." Henderson greeted with a smile. "I didn't know Master Phillip was expecting you."

"He's not." Chloe said quietly. "I just... Is he here?"

Henderson nodded and then disappeared, presumably to go fetch Phillip.

Chloe waited nervously, a million thoughts rushing through her head.

After what seemed an enternity, Phillip appeared. "Chloe." He stated softly. "I thought you were out with Shawn."

"I was." She told him quietly. "But... All I could think of was you. Shawn and I both realized that whatever feelings we had between us, they don't mean anything. We're better off as friends, we know that."

She stepped towards him, her blue eyes pleading. "I realized tonight, that you were the only one I wanted." She told him softly. "I love you, Phillip Kiriakis, for now and forever."

She waited a long moment as Phillip processed her words, then he pulled her into his arms and kissed her deeply.

"Thank God." He whispered, holding her tight. "I thought... I thought I'd lost you."

"Never." Chloe told him, clinging to him. "Maybe we needed this to realize that we're meant to be together."

"Forever." Phillip agreed. "I'm never letting you go again." Chloe smiled happily and cuddled closer.

"You won't have to." She promised. "I'm never going anywhere."


Shawn banged on the door of the Black penthouse. To his relief Belle answered.

"Shawn." She muttered, obviously surprised to see him.

He pulled her into his arms and kissed her deeply, hoping that actions would speak louder than words.

"Shawn." She said again when he finally released her.

"I love you." He told her.

"What about Chloe?" Belle wondered.

Shawn sighed. "Chloe was a fantasy." He admitted. "Maybe once we could have been something, but not anymore. She's my friend and that's it. The last couple days, when I was with her, all I could think about was you. She felt the same way."

"Oh." Was all Belle could say.

"I've been an idiot." Shawn told her, hoping that it wasn't too late. "But please don't send me away."

"I won't." Belle promised throwing her arms around him. "Oh, Shawn!" She could barely believe that this was happening. Shawn was here, he wanted her, not Chloe!

"Belle." Shawn murmured and kissed her again, a deep passionate kiss that represented their new beginning.