Chapter 9: A New Conspirator
Philip secured the rope bindings on Chloe's feet, knowing full well that the effects of the drug would wear off very soon. He couldn't have his beloved Chloe running off before the final showdown come sun up. Philip had been vaguely aware that Brady was attempting to follow them. It hadn't been that hard to lose his bastard nephew, given his head start, and the fact that Brady's jeep had been on a completely different road then Philip was headed down. After losing Brady, Philip made his way to the new destination he'd set in mind: the barn. Somewhere deep in his twisted mind, this seemed like the perfect place to carry out his new plan. Initially, Philip had planned to take the Kiriakis jet as far away from Salem as possible with his Chloe. But now, that seemed hopeless. Brady's arrival proved that Philip's enemies would just keep coming, no matter how many of them he eliminated. Unless, of course, he was willing to take the most drastic of measures. While Chloe remained unconscious laying in a small pile of hay, Philip turned away to reload his gun.
"Only a few more hours, love. Not too long to wait," Philip said to the unconscious form of his one and only true love. He was blissfully unaware of the dark pair of eyes watching the barn from a distance, waiting to make it's move.
"Mmmmm," Chloe moaned, beginning to stir. Philip looked over his shoulder at her as she tried to move. Quite a difficult task when your hands are handcuffed behind your back and your feet are tied together. "Wha... where... oh God, my head," Chloe moaned. The fumes had given her a painfully splitting headache. It was hard to focus her eyes, especially in the dim lighting inside the barn. When she was able to focus on the figure in front of her, her eyes flashed with anger. "You! What the hell do you think you're doing?! Fucking untie me this instant!" Chloe screamed, which did nothing for her splitting headache. Philip shook his head, returning to his task.
"Now now, love, such dirty language for such an amazing woman. You my dear, aren't going anywhere," Philip stated. Chloe struggled futilely against her bindings, kicking up loose hay in the process.
"Philip Kiriakis, you let me go this instant, or I swear I'll..."
"You'll what Chloe? You are in no condition to make threats. And your precious Brady… he isn't coming to your rescue. I won't let him. No one is going to take you away from me Chloe. Not now and not ever!" Philip swore. His face softened slightly, putting his gun down on a large bail of hay and moving to Chloe's side. "I'm sorry I had to tie you up, baby. You left me no choice. I can't have you leaving before sun up," Philip said softly, reaching out to touch her cheek. Chloe jerked away as best she could, repulsed by his touch.
"What happens at sun up?" Chloe demanded, although deep down in the pit of her stomach, she knew she didn't want to know. Philip stood, obviously pissed that she rejected his touch.
"Recognize your surroundings love?"
"Stop calling me love," Chloe snapped. Indeed, once she was able to focus on her surroundings, she immediately recognized the barn. "Yes, it's the barn. So?"
"So?!" Philip boomed, turning around to glare at her. He shook it off quickly; it wouldn't be long before they could spend eternity together. "This is where we almost became one, Chloe. Fate wasn't on our side then, but it is now. I've handled everything. Tonight, we become one for the rest of eternity." Chloe's eyes widened in horror.
"Philip, no, you don't mean..."
"Oh, no Chloe my love. The physical bonding means nothing to me compared to what I believe our destiny to be. We're not going to be together in just body Chloe, but spirit," Philip stated. It was then Philip turned to face her again, gun in hand, and his full intent hit Chloe like a ton of bricks.
"Oh, Philip, no... please, stop this. You can't..."
"Shhh," Philip cooed, placing a finger over her lips. "No more talking. As soon as the sun rises, they will be no need for talk. Just a few hours, baby. Then we'll be together, forever." Philip stated. Chloe's eyes flashed with anger again, and rather then responding, she bit down hard on the finger that he'd dared get close to her lips. Philip pulled back, cursing loudly. "Bitch!" Philip swore, backhanding Chloe across the face. Chloe fell helplessly back onto the hay pile as Philip grabbed her, getting on top of her. "For that, love, I may just take back my promise of only connecting us in spirit!" Philip spat, bending down and catching her mouth hungrily in his. Chloe struggled, too terrified to even scream for she knew it would do no good. Her hands and feet were bound, she could do nothing to stop him. But, perhaps fate really WAS on her side. Then again... what came next might possibly have been the only thing worse.
"You might wish to reconsider that decision, young Kiriakis," came a deep male voice. Philip shot up off of Chloe, aiming the gun at the intruder. He'd expected Brady, but both he and Chloe were stunned speechless at the man that stood before them: Stefano DiMera...
Brady grabbed his cell phone off the dash board on the first ring, hoping beyond hope it was news of Chloe's whereabouts. After finding Chloe's lost bear, he tore out of the Wesley home, speeding off in his jeep after Philip and his Diva. He never caught up to them. Philip had too much of a head start, and obviously was very aware of his nephew's presence. After losing hope of catching up to them, Brady decided he'd have to get to wherever it was they were going first. He tried the air strip where he knew the Kiriakis jet was kept, but no one had seen Philip and the jet was there where it should be. Roman set up high security at the airport while Brady and John continued separate searches. John tried Kate's apartment while Brady tried Titan, and every place he could think of in his crazed state.
"Hello?" Brady asked hopefully.
"Any luck son?" It was John.
"No, Dad, no luck. Nothing with you?"
"No, Brady, no leads on Chloe's whereabouts. But..."
"But what?"
"Well, we have another big problem on our hands."
"Look Dad, it if doesn't have to do with finding Chloe..."
"It might son. No one else would believe so, but it just might. Stefano DiMera has been spotted back in Salem," John said. Brady nearly ran right into the stop sign he was coming to.
"That bastard's back, tonight of all nights?!" Brady demanded. If the despicable man had anything to do with Chloe's kidnaping, Brady swore then and there he'd tear him apart with his bear hands.
"Yes Brady, he was spotted earlier at the scene on the bridge. No one really took notice of him in the panic, but Hope just informed me she believed she caught sight of him. It's far fetched, but DiMera's arrival now can not be a coincidence
"I think you're right, Dad. I don't know what he has planned, but if he comes anywhere near Chloe..."
"I know son. Listen, I'm at the police station now. Roman has called out a search for Philip and Chloe, but there hasn't been any leads so far. Maybe you should come here, let us fill you in on what little we know in person."
"No, Dad, I can't stop searching. Philip couldn't have gotten her out of Salem. Where would he go? The Kiriakis jet is still at the airport, so he HAS to be somewhere in Salem. I'm going to find him, and DiMera if he's in on this. I can't let Chloe down Dad, I HAVE to find her, before... before..." Brady couldn't even bring himself to consider what his uncle had in store for Chloe. The thoughts made him sick to his stomach.
"Alright son, keep in touch. But Brady... don't do anything stupid. If you locate her, you call ME first. I know you'll use your best judgment if Chloe's in danger, but I don't want you going into a dangerous situation with an armed, crazy person. You could get both you and Chloe killed. Be careful son. I believe in you, but don't do anything rash. I'll meet you at the Penthouse in one hour, then we can continue to look together."
"Alright, Dad, got it. One hour," Brady said. He hesitated a moment, pulling away from the stop sign. "Dad?"
"Yes son?"
"I love you. Don't forget to tell Belle that for me to, and assure her I'll get Chloe back safely. I swear it Dad, I'll make sure Chloe returns home safe," Brady vowed, hanging up his cell phone. Even if I don't. Brady thought to himself. John sighed, putting down the phone in Roman's office.
"But will you get home safe, son?" John asked silently to himself. Brady tossed his cell phone into the passenger seat, catching sight of Chloe's bear as he rounded the curve and started off towards his next destination.
"I will find you Chloe. And I swear to God if that bastard so much as touches you, I'll kill him," Brady swore, not allowing the tears of utter despair to fall. He couldn't lose Chloe, not now that he'd just begun to find her...
Stefano stepped forward into the circle of light created by the lantern, ever conscious of the gun which was now pointed on him.
"Unless you want to be full of bullet holes, you'll turn around and get the hell out of my sight, DiMera," Philip spat. Stefano waved him off, showing he was unafraid.
"I have not come here to threaten you, my boy. I've actually been following you these past few weeks. I must say, although you are no miracle worker, you're quite commendable my boy," Stefano commented. Philip raised an eyebrow, leveling the gun slightly in his hands.
"Watching me?" Philip questioned. Stefano nodded.
"Yes, I returned to Salem weeks ago actually. It was only tonight that I may have allowed myself to be seen," Stefano answered, meaning he believed Hope may have spotted him at the bridge. Damn that meddlesome woman anyway. "I wish to congratulate you on whatever it is you hope you are accomplishing. Where I won't commend the means, I must say, you do have a certain knack for this sort of thing."
"What do you want, man, can't ya see I'm busy?" Philip demanded, indicating Chloe behind him. Stefano glanced down at the frightened young woman with the amazing voice who was far too stunned and afraid to speak at this point.
"Yes, I can see that. But I believe that this little scene you've created is not what you really want with your life," Stefano stated. It was obvious to him the boy's intent; hell, he'd just taken out half of Salem's elite population, why the hell wouldn't he take himself and his beloved out of the picture? And Stefano's instincts were always right. Come sun up, that's exactly what Philip wished to do; see to it he and Chloe spend the rest of eternity in each others arms.
"You don't know what I want with my life!" Philip spat angrily, crossing closer to DiMera in a threatening stance. DiMera didn't move a muscle.
"Ah but I do, my boy. You see, Stefano DiMera's instincts never lead him wrong. And my guess is, that you will do everything in your power to ensure your "destiny" with Ms. Lane, including taking you both out of the picture, am I correct?" Stefano questioned. Philip hesitated, unsure of what Stefano's presence could possibly mean. "I see from your lack of an answer, I am indeed correct. And let me tell you something, Young Kiriakis, that is most definitely not the answer. What good will being in the arms of a woman such as Ms. Lane forever do you if you're too dead to enjoy it?"
"There's no other way," Philip murmured, a hint of sorrow in his voice as he dropped the gun to his side. "They just keep coming. I tried so hard to make them stop, to make them see I belong with Chloe, but they just won't quit. This... this is the only way."
"That's where you are wrong, Young Kiriakis. I've come to offer you a much better solution," Stefano stated.
"What do you mean? What could you possibly offer that I'd want," Philip asked. Chloe watched on in complete awe; this could not be happening. It all had to be a dream, an extremely horrid dream. Stefano smirked, stepping calmly forward to retrieve the gun from Philip's loose grasp.
"Freedom, my boy. Freedom from all the opposing forces of Salem. I wish to take you, and Ms. Lane, back with me to Europe, and then on to Ireland. Make you a true DiMera. And as you know Philip, no one beats a true DiMera. We always win," Stefano guaranteed. Philip did not attempt to retrieve his gun from Stefano, allowing this offer to process in his demented mind. He looked over his shoulder at Chloe.
"You would take us both with you? Why?"
"Because I see much talent in you. Both of you," Stefano answered. It wouldn't be long before he would reveal his real reasons for offering Philip such a deal. Useful as Philip might prove to be, Stefano DiMera never went after what seemed most obvious.
"Both of us? What would YOU want with an opera singer?" Philip questioned skeptically.
"All in due time, my boy, all in due time. Now, Young Kiriakis, we must be on our way. As you well know, Brady Black will not stop until he finds you. And believe me, if he has half his father's instincts, he will. It isn't a hard decision, my boy. Take my offer, and live out your full life with the woman you love. Deny me, and you can continue on with your fool-hardy suicide pact," Stefano said. Chloe finally snapped back to reality, trying desperately to be freed of her bindings. She couldn't decide if she should be relieved Stefano had stopped Philip, or if she should curse his very name for appearing. It was like jumping from the frying pan and into the fire. Philip hesitated, weighing the pros and cons. Did he really want to die in Chloe's arms, or did he want to take the chance that they'd live out their lives together? Oh hell no. He might be buck-shagging, out of his gourd crazy. But he wasn't stupid. Philip nodded, grabbing Chloe's duffel bag.
"Alright DiMera, we'll come with you. But only if you start explaining a few things to me. I want to know just what's in it for you," Philip stated. With his free hand, he grabbed Chloe's cuffed hands behind her back, pulling her gently but firmly up as she protested.
"Get your disgusting hands off me!" Chloe screamed. God how she wished her hands were free so she could scratch his eyes out! Stefano grinned. He could tell from day one the girl had a fire unmatched by anyone he'd ever seen before. Well... anyone save for one.
"Come now my dear, nothing to worry about now. You both are under my care now. Philip, you do have the keys to those don't you? We'll keep them on, just until we get to my private jet outside of town. Wouldn't want our beloved Opera star to leave before the real fun begins, now would we?" Stefano commented. Chloe glared at him as Philip lead her out of the barn after Stefano. A limousine was waiting for them when they emerged out into the darkness. Rolf, who had been waiting as patiently as possible while listening to Bart's incessant jabbering, stepped out, opening the door for Philip and Chloe. Philip tossed Chloe's duffel bag in first, ushering the loudly protesting Chloe Lane in before he got in beside her. Before Stefano seated himself into his limo, he hid his grin of utter triumph. He and Rolf got in, Rolf instructing Bart to take them to Stefano's private air strip far out of the limits of the city of Salem. Just as they pulled out of sight from the barn, a black Jeep pulled up where the limo had once occupied, a tall blond man stepping out and following his heart inside the barn...