Chapter 13: Plans gone wrong

(Quick note: Ignore the fact that it's most likely impossible to charter even a private jet in such a short amount of time these days. Have to remember... I wrote this over 4 years ago. Things were... different then. And this is a soap opera, people. It's not like logic comes into play...)

Brady snapped his cell phone shut, grabbing his keys off the cluttered desk. He grabbed his coat, breezing past Sami as she came into his office. Sami had been hired as Kate's replacement three months ago, and had been working at Basic Black ever since.

"Well excuse me," Sami huffed.

"No time, take your 'tude somewhere else," Brady called over his shoulder as he quickly made his way to his father's office. John was in a meeting with a few of the head designers of Basic Black, and a few cross-overs from Titan. "Jet, Paris, now," was all Brady said, motioning for everyone to leave the office. John looked questioningly at Brady as everyone else hurried out.

"Son, what the hell are you talking about?" John demanded.

"Tell you on the way dad. Come on lets go. We're stopping at the Penthouse. Leave Austin in charge here, and then we're gone," Brady said simply. John wanted more answers, but he saw the serious look on his son's face, and immediately complied. They stopped only long enough to tell Austin he was in charge of the merger while John and Brady went out of town on business, then they left to the penthouse while John called to prepare the jet.

"Alright Brady, the plane will be ready when we get there. Now tell me what the hell we're doing. I'd like to know why I'm going half way across the country," John stated, turning the corner and heading towards the Black family penthouse.

"It's Chloe, Dad. I... I know this sounds weird, but I swear, she called me," Brady answered. John pulled his car to a more abrupt stop then he'd meant to at the stop sign.

"What?! Son, that's..."

"Don't say impossible, Dad. I know how crazy it sounds, but I swear, it was her. But... even if it wasn't her, I KNOW it has to do with her. Whoever it was said "The Von Amburg Estate, Paris. Bring your father" and then hung up. Chloe's there, Dad. I know it. Please trust me on this. We haven't had any leads in over three months. We have to try. Isn't that what you told me that night?" John nodded, checking both ways before pulling the car into motion again.

"Alright, Son. You know I trust you. You just have to know that I think this all sounds..."

"Crazy," Brady finished for him. Brady nodded. "I know. I almost thought I imagined it. But, if there's even the slightest chance I can find Chloe, I have to take it."

"Did you try callback?" John asked. Brady nodded solemnly, briefly remembering trying 69 in vein.

"Whoever called disconnected the phone after they hung up." Brady replied. The rest of the ride was spent in silence until they reached the Penthouse, where they had to explain themselves to Belle and Marlena. Both women insisted they come along too, but neither of the Black men would allow it. They packed quickly, telling the Black women not to even think about following, that they'd be in touch if there was any news on Chloe. Then they were off to the airport. John's pilot had the plane up and ready for departure when Brady and John arrived. The Black men stowed their bags and prepared for liftoff. Brady found himself staring blankly out the window as the plane took off and they began to make their way up into the air. "I'll find you Chloe. I promise, I'll find you..."

Victoria turned off her cell phone, replacing it back into the safety of her equipment bag.

"It's up to you now, Black," Victoria murmured softly to herself, standing to ready herself for tonight's party. She took her equipment bag with her, gently taking down a clear dress bag from it's hanger. She took the dress and her bag into the plush bathroom, dressing and doing her makeup as quickly as possible. Her dress was a full length golden corset top, laced in the front, and a full golden hoop skirt, complete with an overlying goldish/silver lace pattern The only real important aspects of her outfit, aside from the mask she wore to match her elaborate dress, was the band she wore around her left upper thigh which housed the fake painting she would replace with the original, the gun strapped to her right calf, and the small knife concealed securely inside her corset. Around her neck, Victoria delicately placed a ruby necklace; inside the necklace was a tiny tracking device. Her father of course was not the one that insisted on this little addition, but it was a precaution Victor herself always took. The receiver of the device was placed in the hands of the only person Victoria could ever truly call a friend; an old associate of her father's, who like her, resented the life he'd been raised into. Unknown to Stefano or the imbecile Merdoc, Victoria's only friend, Jordan, waited patiently just outside of Vaux Le Vicomte if Victoria should need his help. Victoria finished her hair and make up and grabbed her matching gold purse which held a pen of knock out gas, a smoke bomb, and a compact. Victoria departed her room, knocking on Merdoc's door across the hall. He emerged in a black tux, whistling at her choice of outfit.

"Mmm, nice," Merdoc commented. Victoria rolled her eyes, resisting the urge to slap him, although the thought, along with her other choices of torture, was quite tempting.

"Shut up, and let's go." Victoria said, grabbing his arm and looping her arm in hers.

"Yes, sir," Merdoc replied. Victoria made sure the doorknob "accidentally" hit Merdoc in the ass when she slammed it shut, and lead them towards the elevator, smiling in satisfaction at Merdoc's cursing. They left the plush, yet sparsely occupied hotel, departing in style in a limo provided by none other then Stefano DiMera. In the limo, Victoria placed her mask on, tossing Merdoc, who was still giving her evil glances, his black mask.

"You do know the plan, correct?" Victoria asked.

"Um... stay the hell out of your way and take notes?" Merdoc answered, quoting one of her earlier statements.

"Ah ha, so you aren't as dumb as you look!" Victoria exclaimed dryly. "Don't get in my way tonight, Merdoc. I work best alone. You are just to watch out. Take note of any security, keep an eye out for bugs or video cameras. Just stay the hell out of my way. And I swear, if you do ANYTHING to mess this up..."

"I know, I know, you'll beat the living shit out of me," Merdoc finished sarcastically.

"No. If you mess this one up, they'll be dragging your body out of the river," Victoria replied, very seriously. Merdoc blanched slightly, knowing she meant it. That bitch had no heart. At least that's what he believed from what he saw, and heard. The party was in full swing when the two arrived. Victoria ditched Merdoc quickly, whispering a reminder to stay close, but stay out of the way. She plastered a fake smile on her face, "happily" greeting the Europe elite. She played the "cheerful, innocent" part well, gaining the favor of every young male within 100 miles of the party. And every one of them disgusted her. Snobbish royals, wanna be rich-rich boys, and a multitude of perverts. But thankfully, the attention dispersed from the well known daughter of DiMera, mostly because of Merdoc. All throughout the evening, he'd managed to trip a waiter carrying refreshments, spill champagne all over a duchesses' daughter from England, offend her father by trying to "help clean it off", and had it not been for Victoria's intervention, he probably would have gotten the tar beat out of him by another of the more elite, but less tolerable member of the party.

Victoria slipped off down an empty corridor, motioning for Merdoc to silently follow suit. Just as Victoria suspected, there was no guard, and no security to be seen, other then the security panel which would open the room to the desired painting. Victoria had long since obtained the codes from another of Stefano's associates; one she loathed, but often needed his help. She punched in the numbers, stepping back for the door to open. Victoria surveyed the scene for any other obstacles, before allowing Merdoc to follow her inside. There had been camera's in the room. But thanks to Jordan's preciously timed hacking skills, they had had a mysterious power shortage just before Victoria and Merdoc got within sight.

There, high up on a mantel, was the painting which they had been sent to steal. Victoria quickly retrieved it, replacing the original with the exact copy she herself had finished late last night. It was another talent Victoria and Gina shared; they were natural artists, and could make an exact replica of any piece of artwork set before them. Unknown to Victoria while she was replacing the fake and placing the original in the band on her thigh, Merdoc tripped an invisible beam unnoticed by either, which would not only send a silent signal to security, but triggered a similar beam which, when one tried to escape the room, would sound a very loud alarm, alerting anyone else nearby.

"Alright, lets get out of here," Victoria said. Merdoc nodded, unknowingly walking straight for the second beam. Victoria gracefully hopped down, securing the painting and taking a step to follow Merdoc. "Merdoc, wait!" Victoria cried, seeing the new beam. Too late, Merdoc tripped the second alarm when her call caused him to fall flat on his face in his haste to turn around. "You idiot!" Victoria cried over the loud alarm. She grabbed him by the shirt, lifting him up and out the door before the security system could shut it on them. Victoria heard the sound of running men the way they came, so she ducked down another corridor, dragging Merdoc with her. She literally threw him against the wall, taking out her gun. The only exit was locked, so she'd have to make her own key.

"Quick! There they are!" Victoria heard the male voice from the front of the corridor. She blasted away the doorknob, before she turned on her heel, shooting the unfortunate who had spotted them in the shoulder. Victoria burst through the door, roughly pushing Merdoc out in front of her. By some twist of fate, they both managed to retreat into the dark woods surrounding the mansion without further confrontation. Neither spoke until they'd made it to the main road, where they could make their way to Jordan who was waiting with a car for them. Once out of danger, Victoria turned on Merdoc, pointing the gun straight at his head.

"You moron! How could you not see that alarm!" Victoria screamed. Merdoc remained unmoved, shaking his head.

"You never take blame for anything yourself, do you? You're the genius mercenary here. Why didn't you see it?" Merdoc scoffed. Victoria scowled, cocking the gun and readying it to fire again.

"Don't test me right now, you imbecile. Give me one good reason why I shouldn't blow your head off right here and now."

"Because, I'm dashing, charming, and look fabulous in a tux," Merdoc replied smugly. Victoria rolled her eyes, replacing her gun in the strap on her calf.

"Like hell you are. More like, you have the look of a psycho killer, and the mentality of a two year old," Victoria spat, turning around and starting off to where her only friend awaited them. I swear, if we get caught by the police tonight... I really will kill him. Might as well get something good out of this miserable life I lead. Victoria thought to herself.

"You know what everyone says about you and me, don't you?" Merdoc questioned. Victoria paused, not turning around.

"Oh, of course not, your highness of all powerful useless knowledge. Please, enlighten me with your gift of intelligence," Victoria spat.

"They say... that you'll either end up killing me," Merdoc started, stepping up behind her slowly and boldly turning her to face him, "or sleeping with me," Philip finished, an impish grin on his disturbing face. Rather then getting angry as he expected, Victoria smiled coyly, reaching up on her tip toes and leveling her face with hers.

"Hmm. Wanna know which I think it'll be?" Victoria cooed seductively. Merdoc nodded, his lips and throat suddenly too dry to form words. He licked his lips involuntarily as Victoria's own ruby lips inched closer to his. Just as Merdoc thought she was going to kiss him, a disgusted sneer crossed her face before she forcefully bit his bottom lip, instantly drawing blood. Merdoc pulled back, cursing up a storm as he drew his hand to his lip. "I'd rather crawl across 100 miles of broken glass then ever feel your disgusting lips on mine," Victoria spat.

"Jesus Christ! You bitch! What the hell did you do that for?!" Merdoc yelled. Victoria grinned, wiping the drop of blood off her own mouth and turning her back on him.

"Payback for fucking this mission up," Victoria replied simply, using what little moonlight there was, and her keen eyesight to continue on towards Jordan. Merdoc shook his head, wiping off the blood from his mouth, rather disgusted with the taste of his own blood.

"That's alright, my love. I much rather prefer your sister," Merdoc stated slyly. Victoria whirled on him again, grabbing him by the throat. Though he had no memory of it, she hadn't forgotten the things he'd done, or what Philip Kiriakis would have done to her sister Chloe had Stefano not intervened.

"You stay the hell away from my sister, do you hear? Because I swear, if you so much as look at her the wrong way, that bloody lip is going to be the last of your worries," Victoria spat, shoving him away from her. She turned again, and this time Merdoc had no reply, other then to silently follow her. He rarely saw that look of pure fury in her stunning eyes, but even he knew to back off when that emotion did cloud her beautiful features. He'd seen that certain, almost crazy look in the mirror many times, and that kind of fury in someone like Victoria was even more deadly then it was in him. Merdoc silently followed a seething Victoria to Jordan's awaiting car...