Chapter 12: Unsuspected Contact

(Quick A/N: I wrote this long before we actually saw Chloe celebrate a birthday. And I don't even remember what day that was, and I'm too lazy to look it up. I don't think this story has a "time line" per se to put it into a particular time, so when I say that it's Chloe's birthday... just go with it. Ok?

Brady pushed aside the file he was holding, frustration written all over his face. It had been three excruciatingly long months since Philip and Chloe had disappeared, and there hadn't been a single lead to speak of. It was discovered the morning after Chloe's kidnaping that Lexie had gone, sealing the truth that Stefano was behind the kidnaping. Nancy's father, Dr. Miller, hadn't been any help at all. All he would say was "my business deal with DiMera was one daughter; he didn't say where he'd take her, or what he wanted with her." Brady believed he was lying, but he couldn't press the matter. He'd gone back home, no closer to finding Chloe then he had been at the Wesley home. Since then, the little town of Salem had been picking up the pieces of their shattered existence, grieving for the losses caused by Philip Kiriakis.

Everyone was moving on as best they could. Everyone, except Brady. He refused to give up on the hope that Chloe would turn up. But as things got more and more hopeless, Brady buried himself deeper and deeper into working at Basic Black. He'd been using the merger of Basic Black and Titan, which was left to Brady now that Philip was obviously not an adequate successor, as a cover. John was perhaps the only one left in all of Salem besides Brady who still had hope that Chloe would be found. Belle wanted to believe she wouldn't lose another of her dearest friends, but each passing day looked more dismal then the last. But John and Brady kept up the search, following even the tiniest of clues.

Brady sighed, shaking off more thoughts of Chloe. He'd been thinking of her all day, despite the work that needed to be done on the Permalash account. Today was her birthday. Brady couldn't shake the thoughts of how perfect he wanted to make her birthday. The thought that he might never get to celebrate anything with his Diva again brought him down to new levels of depression. Sometimes, he found himself on the Wesley's doorstep, about to knock on the door and ask for Chloe. Other's, he would find himself at the gazebo, looking at his watch every few seconds as if he expected Chloe to show up there at any moment. Brady knew his whole family was starting to worry. But he would never open up to them, not even his father. It scared him, these moments when he truly thought she was only within a few blocks, waiting for him to rescue her from her boredom. But he dealt with it, vowing each time that he WOULD find Chloe and bring her back to Salem, where he could make those thoughts a reality.

But there was more bothering Brady this morning, keeping him from his work. He'd had another long conversation with Mrs. Wesley last night. The two talked a lot these days, each silently giving comfort to the other. Nancy would always ask what Chloe had told him about her childhood, what Chloe had said about Nancy to him. She even went so far as to ask how Brady felt about Chloe. He'd never answer that one, but they did talk for hours on occasion, telling tales of better days. But this morning, the topic had been about someone different: Aida. Brady could see how torn Nancy was about giving Aida to Stefano DiMera to raise. Of course, she hadn't exactly chosen to give her daughters up, but Nancy would always say she didn't fight hard enough for her daughters. Nancy had went on and on about Aida; wishing she knew if her daughter still loved her, wanting to know what kind of person she was… Nancy didn't even know if Aida was even alive! But it was like, somehow... she knew. Perhaps, though she'd hid it well over the years... Nancy had always known that her long-lost child was alive. What troubled her most was not whether she was alive... but whether Aida was "well."

It bothered Brady, more then he thought it should, giving him more fuel to track down DiMera. He couldn't even say for sure this Aida was the kind of person he would want to save. After all, unlike Stefano's other children, Aida had been raised from infancy under his cruel rule. Surely, by now there would be nothing left of Nancy Wesley's beloved child. Only a cold-hearted monster could remain... right? But even still... Brady felt as if he knew. He knew that no one who shared a connection with his Diva, not to mention a face, could truly be evil, no matter how she'd been raised. It just wasn't possible.

At any rate... just as Nancy's had been,, Brady's thoughts had been mostly on Aida this morning, and whether she would help him bring Chloe home, or side with the father who raised her. Assuming she was alive. It had crossed Brady's mind that the reason Stefano would want Chloe was because Aida was dead and he needed a replacement for her, but he would never say that in front of Nancy. The file he had been studying contained many unsolved cases from around Europe. John believed Europe would be a good place for DiMera to run. But Europe is a big country, so that reasoning really didn't narrow things down much. Ireland was another possibility, but had so far been ruled out. Brady had had Bo use some of his connections to get case files from unsolved thefts around Europe, specifically around the Paris areas. But John's words still stuck in Brady's head; Chloe wouldn't be found until DiMera wanted her to be found.

"Stop it, Black. You WILL find her. DiMera will not win this one," Brady said aloud to himself. But looking over the file for the millionth time, Brady began to loose the small batch of hope he'd created. "God, this is hopeless! DiMera could have taken her to the moon for all I know!" Brady cursed, slamming the file down onto his desk. "Where are you Chloe?" Brady whispered. It was at that moment, that the cell phone sitting besides a picture of Chloe on his desk rang...

Stefano watched in disgust as Elizabeth again got the upper hand of her partner Merdoc, grabbing his arm and throwing him down onto his back on the padded training mat. Elizabeth and Merdoc had been sparing for little over an hour. A breeze for his daughter Elizabeth, a hellish nightmare for Merdoc. Elizabeth proved to be a natural in the arts of self defense, "battle tactics", and the like. She still could not paint as wonderfully as her twin sister Victoria, but they were equally matched where agility and speed where concerned. His twin daughters thought on their feet, where as Merdoc couldn't even master a training staff.

"I should have taken the Black boy," Stefano muttered aloud to himself. He'd never had any hope that he could turn Philip into a mercenary. Philip was a disgrace to the very word! But he held up well enough for Stefano not to request that Victoria herself show Merdoc the ropes. It was obvious she loathed the boy, as did Elizabeth. It was just that Elizabeth was less likely to actually kill Merdoc. Although at times, he rather doubted either of his precious daughter's could contain themselves to that end. Stefano chuckled slightly to himself. Even altering his estranged daughter to his own specifications, she would never feel anything but loathing for the former Philip Kiriakis. Stefano found it rather humorous that even without Chloe's memories, Elizabeth had hated Merdoc from the beginning. He grimaced when Merdoc got up, only to be knocked down again by Elizabeth's quick attack with a padded fighting staff. "Definitely should have taken Brady."

"Now that would be rich wouldn't it?" Rolf commented, stepping up beside his employer.

"All in due time. I'm satisfied with my two lovely daughters as it stands. Still, I would be very pleased to see if Little Black is anything like his father." Stefano stated, crossing his arms over his chest. "Bloody hell Merdoc! You outweigh her for God's sake! Get it right!" Stefano yelled to the young man as his lunge for Elizabeth failed miserably. Victoria stood in the doorway of the main training room, laughing slightly.

"You should have kicked him out long ago. He's useless." Victoria stated.

"I am not!" Merdoc yelled angrily as he pulled himself up from the mat for the millionth time. Maybe he did have some use; he made a rather wonderful punching bag, considering how matter how many times he got knocked down, the hopeless but resilient imbecile would get up.

"Enough, Merdoc. You're dismissed," Stefano ordered. Merdoc would have protested, had it not been for Victoria's icy glare. He grumbled his way out the door, purposely bumping into Victoria on his way out. "Victoria, my dear. Please, come in. I wish to speak to you about your mission tonight," Stefano beckoned. Victoria nodded, walking in and over to her father as an obviously eager Elizabeth joined them. "Elizabeth dear, you can go. You know you are not ready for a mission such as this yet." Elizabeth pouted her full lips, a move she quickly found her father had a hard time resisting from both his daughters.

"Father, that's not fair! Victoria's even told you I've learned so much faster then she did!" Elizabeth proclaimed.

"Izzy, please don't start. It's useless. Father's pigheaded like that," Victoria commented with a slight grin.

"You two... utterly impossible," Stefano commented, though with a joyous humor. "Elizabeth, I do agree, you've learned quickly. But until you master your paintings, and prove to me you can handle yourself in extreme situations, you remain here, training with Merdoc." Stefano stated. Elizabeth huffed, placing her hand on her hip.

"What's he still doing here anyway? He's not a relative, and he most certainly couldn't fight his way out of a paper bag. Is there some secret talent he has that you're not telling me about?" Elizabeth inquired.

"Yes, actually." Stefano commented. "The boy has no shame, and has a very... unique method of channeling his anger," Stefano stated, knowing Elizabeth wouldn't know what he meant. But Victoria did, and her smile quickly faded. "Now, run along my daughter. You are set to practice painting. I want you to try something a little more complex today." Elizabeth nodded, though still upset she couldn't go out with her sister on her mission. She took her training staff to the rack on the wall, going slowly in the hopes of catching part of Victoria and their father's conversation. "Now, Victoria. There has been a slight change in plans." Stefano said as Elizabeth began for the door. "I want you to take Merdoc with you tonight," Stefano finished, knowing Elizabeth would hear.

"What?!" Elizabeth turned on her father, stalking back to where her sister and father were conversing about the evenings plans. A party was being held, and Victoria would be attending, to steal a very valuable work of art for her father. "You're sending that bumbling idiot along, and you won't let me go?!"

"Relax, Elizabeth. It's for the best. I've tried to hold off, but I truly believe that the only way Merdoc will ever be found useful is if we throw him into the lion's den, and see if he manages to survive," Stefano stated. Victoria visibly brightened.

"So, does that mean I have free pass to beat the living daylights out of the little twerp?" Victoria asked hopefully.

"If he messes up, I won't hold you responsible for your actions," Stefano answered lightly. Victoria grinned, resisting the strange, sudden urge to do a little victory dance. "Do not worry my precious Elizabeth. I already have plans for your final test. You have proven your worth thus far, and I know you will live up to the honored DiMera name once again," Stefano said proudly.

"Thank you father. I only want to please you," Elizabeth stated, showing a devotion which appeared to be a cross between Lexie's blind faith, and Gina's regal devotion to her employer. Victoria hid her disgust. The last thing she had wanted was for her twin sister Chloe to be lost completely to Stefano's devious ploy. But, Chloe Lane had died the moment she stepped foot into the underground laboratory, to be replaced by Stefano's own creation, Elizabeth Joleen DiMera. Elizabeth was created to be another art thief, and eventually, another token in Stefano's war against the Blacks and the Bradys. Stefano had fine-crafted her memory and personality to suit his every whim. She had been very eager from the start to be like her twin Victoria, and that scared Victoria to death.

She had vowed she would not endanger her sister's and her own safety by contacting the Blacks months ago. But as each day went by, and "Elizabeth" began to travel down the same road Victoria had been forced to walk down, Victoria grew more and more resigned to free her sister of the torment, whatever punishment might lay in store for her for doing so. Her twin had yet to know the guilt of stealing from other people, of deceiving everyone who grew to trust in you... of taking a human life. All this, and more, had become every day life for Victoria. And she'd be damned if she allowed her sister to walk down that path so eagerly! Victoria couldn't deny her instant love for her beloved twin sister. She had not had to come face to face with Chloe to know that she would lay down her life for her. But seeing her now, growing so close to her this past few months... experiencing everything that Victoria had long for with every fiber of her being, she knew. She knew she would do whatever it took, to spare her sister of the life that awaited her. She had her plan in mind, and leaving the confines of the Von Amburg estate would make that possible, even if she had to take Merdoc along.

"I am very proud of your progress, daughter. I know you will not fail me," Stefano said proudly. Elizabeth nodded, taking her leave and making her way to her room to change out of her training clothes. Stefano turned again to Victoria, noting the thoughtful look on her face.

"You are not pleased with the changes in your sister," Stefano noted. Rolf had left with Merdoc, so they were alone now in the training room. Victoria sighed deeply, shaking her head.

"It shouldn't have had to come to this father. She might as well be a mindless drone," Victoria said sadly.

"I understand your concern, Victoria my dear. But all will be well. We have our family back together now. And together, we will truly be unstoppable." Stefano stepped closer, cupping his daughter's face with his hands and forcing her to look at him. "I always take good care of my children, Victoria. Always. Even if they do not wish to accept me, they will, in the end," Stefano said firmly, stepping back again. Victoria nodded, not wishing to argue with her father now on the matter. "Now, as I've said, I want you to take Merdoc with you. If he should fail, then perhaps beating the sense into him is the only way to unlock that mercenary I believe he holds inside. Have you finished the painting?"

"Yes, father. It's a perfect match, as always."

"Good. You know what you are to do then?" Victoria nodded. "Very good. You leave in an hour. I will expect the two of you back tomorrow night," Stefano stated. Victoria just nodded, departing the room without waiting for her dismissal. She stopped for a moment to yell at Merdoc, telling him to get his scrawny ass ready to accompany her to the party which would be held near Vaux Le Vicomte, but would require a low profile overnight stay. There was to be little guard, and Victoria would have time for her own plans...
An hour later, Victoria and Merdoc departed, leaving the Von Amburg estate to make the TGV to Vaux Le Vicomte. Victoria quickly ditched Merdoc upon their arrival, sending him to his own plush hotel room suite to change for the party. She sat down on her large bed, grabbing a cell phone she'd just purchased. Victoria pulled a slip of paper out of her purse, dialing the number and waiting for someone to pick up...

Brady reached for his cell phone, picking it up and flipping open the cover, bringing it up to his ear after the third ring. "Brady Black," Brady said. Their was a moment of silence before Brady heard her voice, a voice that sent chills down his spine. It sounded so familiar, and yet he couldn't place it; it was so much more distant and cold then he thought that voice could ever be.
"The Von Amburg Estate, Paris. Bring your father," the feminine voice said simply, before disconnecting the call. Brady stared wide eyed at his phone, unbelieving.
"Chloe," Brady whispered almost involuntarily. He hadn't a clue who the caller was, or what they meant, but he did know one thing; he had to get to Paris...