Chapter 22: Aida

(Quick author's note: I never did any research on the Chester Library aside from finding it's name. I have no idea if it's an actual, real library that's open to the public. Just go with it... does it really matter:P At least I did try my best to find a real place...)

Victoria's eyes fluttered open instinctively when she felt someone touch her cheek, instantly alert and nearly sitting up despite the amount of pain she was still in, and the wondrous effects of the herbal drink Michelle had given her. She couldn't really feel safe, not even here surrounded by people she trusted. Every instinct in her body told her to never let her guard down, no matter what. Jordan smiled slightly; even in such a state, Victoria was a true wonder to behold.

"I see your still your good old self," Jordan said with a grin. Victoria relaxed, allowing herself to smile as well. She made a mental note to remember how good seeing Jordan's face first thing in the morning felt. At least, she thought it was morning.

"Yep, still me, just with a new, less attractive outer exterior," Victoria stated, although with humor and not grimly. Jordan's smile faded, replaced with a look of worry.

"Are you in any pain? Michelle has more of that herbal stuff, if you need it. Anything you need, tell me," Jordan said sincerely. Victoria smiled brightly, reaching out to take his hand, giving it a reassuring squeeze.

"Always were such a worry wart. I'm fine Jordan, honest. Like I said, looks worse then it feels."

"Oh come on Vicky, I know that's bullshit. You were branded with a branding iron, for God's sake!" Victoria winced slightly at the reminder. She probably wouldn't have too many scars from this experience, although the whip lashes were certainly good candidates. Proper care and a real doctor's visit could probably keep the scaring to a minimum. But that one... She was almost sure that mark would be on her forever, no matter advances in surgery techniques. Not really because something such as that couldn't be removed, she believed anything was possible if you coughed up enough dough. But mostly, the belief was because Stefano DiMera had put it there, with the intention of it being her eternal reminder. Even if it didn't leave a visible permanent mark... it would always be there, if only in her mind.

"Never mind about me, alright Jor? I'm still breathing, which is something I'm proud of. I honestly wasn't sure for awhile there. The main concern is getting my sister out of that hell hole before Stefano does to her what he did to me, or worse. What time is it? Are you guys set up and ready?" Victoria questioned, changing the subject. Jordan nodded, reaching over to the table beside the bed to retrieve the glass of water he'd brought.

"Yes, we're ready. It's 6 a.m., the library opens in another hour. It only takes a few minutes to get there from here. Gabriel will leave in awhile with the car as well to wait outside of the Dublin Zoo. Everything's set up, we're just waiting now. Here, drink this," Jordan answered, offering her the glass of water. Victoria accepted it, hungrily gulping down half the glass in one breathe. "Hey, slow down! Damn, I didn't realize you were that thirsty or I would have woken you hours ago." Victoria smiled, gulping down the last of her water. She couldn't help but notice how the simple act of drinking was even painful. Damn Stefano...

"You just be lucky I'm not cranky like I usually am when I get woke up in the morning," Victoria commented, handing him the empty glass. Jordan chuckled, replacing it on the side table.

"Ah well, I always thought you were amazingly sexy when you first wake up in the morning," Jordan stated, without thinking. For perhaps the first time in her life, the cool, confident Victoria blushed. Jordan however blanched a pale white when he'd realized he'd spoken out loud. True, he and Victoria had always been able to say anything around each other, but that was without the strings of complicated feelings attached. "Um, I mean... you know I've always thought all that make up you girls put on is pointless, and the time you spend on your hair and all that," Jordan attempted to recover.

"Jordan, I never wear make up, and spend all of two seconds brushing my hair," Victoria pointed out. Seeing him so nervous for a change was quite a turn on. She rather liked the shy side of Jordan. Of course, there was never a side of Jordan she didn't like. Now that she could at least believe she was free of DiMera, she had more time to think about her true feelings for him. Yes, she'd once wished she could get away from Stefano forever and marry Jordan, settle down, and have a family, but that had always just been a silly little dream, something to keep her feeling at least partly normal. It was only Jordan in such fantasies because she believed he'd be the only person in the world that might actually have the ability to love the real her. Or at least, she'd always told herself that was the only reason she allowed herself such thoughts.

"Oh well, I meant, uh... I meant... you know, like with your hair all over the place, and the fact that. Well, you know, you're all... disheveled and groggy, and you always look like you're not really awake first thing in the morning. It's cute, seeing you so... Oh hell Victoria, you're so enjoying this aren't you? You know you're damn gorgeous, especially when you're yelling, screaming, or being the bad ass bitch that you were born to be," Jordan stated. Victoria's smile faded slightly, her shattered self esteem not allowing such compliments. She looked down sadly at her arm, which was bandaged.

"Am I gorgeous even now?" Victoria asked in near whisper. Jordan reached out, gently tilting her chin up to meet his gaze.

"Yes Victoria, even now. And always. You'll always be beautiful to me," Jordan said, with complete sincerity. She'd still be amazing to him, even if she were scared from head to toe, bald, and wearing a ugly brown burlap sack. Ok, so she'd be a little hard to look at... the really sad thing about all this, was it had taken him nearly losing her to realize the depth of what he felt for his partner. Well, not realize. He'd always been slightly jealous of Michael, who had better chances at gaining Victoria's love then he ever could. Michael was much more handsome, and smarter, and funnier... It pained Jordan, to remember that jealousy. But truth be told, just as Michael, he had loved the woman before him for longer then he could even possibly remember. He just hadn't been able to admit it in truth, save for his short conversation with Brady earlier.

Tears welled up in Victoria's eyes, one spilling over her bruised cheek. She'd never allowed herself to feel anything so deeply. But she'd recently began to realize that Jordan had a way of making her feel so vulnerable, so frail, yet so safe, warm, and cared for. How was it, that he had always been there, right in front of her, but she had not truly seen him until this very moment? The thought of being vulnerable to anyone else scared her. But not with him. Perhaps she'd always known he was special, different from everyone else in her lonely, miserable life. There had just been too much pain for her to accept the truth. She'd thought that reaching Gabriel's house had only meant she was free physically. Free from the torments of killing and thieving for hire. Free from the tortures that could be bestowed on her should she not remain in line. It had not occurred to her that she'd gain another freedom on this day. The freedom... to love, and be happy. Jordan gently wiped away the tear with his thumb, mindful of the bruise on her delicate cheek. Today, he planned to take vengeance for each and every bruise, every mark on his Victoria.

"Apparently, my words had a rather opposite effect then intended. I always thought that Victoria DiMera was incapable of crying."

"I used to be," Victoria whispered. "You're the exception to the rule, Jordan. You know you always were." Jordan shifted nervously on the bed, reluctantly withdrawing his hand from her cheek. Victoria noticed his change in attitude, and inwardly cursed herself. "I'm sorry, did I say something wrong?"

"No, no of course not. It's just... I... I well... I've been meaning to tell you something..." Jordan wasn't really thinking about his words.

"What? What is it, Jordan? Is it about Chloe?" Victoria asked, setting up in bed a bit, ignoring the wave of heat sent up her spine when she did so.

"No, it's not about Chloe. It's... um, well, it's something that's... been on my mind for awhile now... and I just don't know..."

"Jordan, spit it our already."

"I love you," Jordan burst, nearly screaming the proclamation. He immediately clamped his hand over his mouth as if he'd just said something obscene in a church. "I mean... Oh God, I didn't mean... I didn't want to say it like that. I mean... how was I suppose to tell you I'm in love with you? It's not like that kind of thing is normal in our line of business... love just, it never works... but I want it to work... I love you so much, I just... I know you don't feel the same and all, I just..." Jordan babbled on, all memory of ever being a cool, collected mercenary who could handle any situation gone. Victoria just smiled, realization spreading over her. She reached out, grabbing his shirt collar and pulling him into a deep kiss, halting his mindless babbling. For a moment, Jordan was too shocked to respond, but he quickly recovered, returning the passionate kiss, still managing to be mindful of her many wounds. Victoria was the one to finally pull back, shivering slightly from the shock of the earth-shatteringly passionate kiss.

"Jordan, you are so adorable when you babble, but shut up," Victoria whispered with a grin, leaning forward to capture his lips again. Jordan had no problem with Victoria being the aggressor, in fact he was very pleased to be the target of her lip-lock attack. She dragged her tongue slowly along his bottom lip, demanding entrance. The kiss probably would have become more passionate, if that was possible, but Victoria had to pull back with a gasp of pain as his arm brushed against the bare skin of her back.

"Oh my God, I'm so sorry! Did I hurt you?" Jordan asked worriedly. Can we say mood killer? Geeze, what a way to tell a woman you love her. Blurt it out, then hurt her when she kisses you. Jordan cursed himself mentally. Victoria shook her head, regaining her calm composure and blocking out the pain. At least now that they were bandaged up, they didn't hurt so badly.

"No, no, I'm fine. Just... a little tender. Sorry," Victoria muttered in reply. It was for the first time that Jordan realized Victoria was completely naked under the blanket, save for the many bandages on her wounds.

"Ya know... this is... perhaps the most awkward moment of my entire life," Jordan stated. Victoria couldn't help but smile. Of course, this was most definitely not how she had imagined things would go when she used to dream as a child. The man she loved, proclaiming his love to her, while she lay naked all battered and bruised in a kind stranger's bed? Not normal. But then again... she never had been a normal girl.

"I know the feeling. I'm very... confused right now, to say the least. But ya know, there is one thing I am now very clear about."

"Wh-what's that?" Jordan asked nervously. Victoria scooted closer again, not caring that her blanket slipped this time, exposing the tops of her breasts. She leaned forward, resting her forehead easily on his.

"That I'm in love with you, too. I love you, Jordan. So much," Victoria whispered. To hear those words coming out of her mouth, seemed so unreal. It was like she'd undergone a complete change within the last few months. No, not a change. The person she really was had just finally begun to resurface. Not Victoria Amarice DiMera, a ruthless, cold-blooded killer and art thief. Before him now was who she really was, Aida Kristen Miller, the simple, pure-hearted daughter of a doctor's wife in the sleepy little town of Salem. That's the woman he'd been in love with all these years.

"Y...ya...You do?" Jordan stammered.

"Y...ya...Yes, I do," Victoria replied, teasingly mocking him. "And, when I'm more... able, I have every intention of proving it to you." A sly smile began to form slowly on Jordan's lips, sending shivers down Victoria's spine. That smile was just too much.

"That so? What makes you think you have to prove it to me?"

"Hrm... well, I didn't think you would complain, but since you are..." Victoria teased, pulling up her blanket to cover her exposed breasts. Jordan caught on, chuckling at her games. He very gently pulled his arms around her, hugging her gently to his chest.

"Don't go playing those games with me, young lady. I know you better then anyone, I don't fall for them. Any man in his right mind would very much enjoy your... proving of your love, without any further complaint. I love you, so much. You never have to prove anything to me, Victoria." Victoria sighed, leaning in to Jordan and inhaling his wondrous scent. She felt no pain in his arms, only safety.

"Hrm... call me Aida." The request caught even her off guard, but, that was her name. Her true name. Not Victoria Amarice DiMera, that was an identity created by and forced upon her unwillingly by Stefano DiMera. Aida Kristen Miller was the untainted half of her, the half she intended to live by now.

"It's going to take some used to... calling you that. I'm still getting used to the rest of this... the, um well, openly acknowledging my feelings for you part, ya know. That's very different for me. It's kind of creepy, like you've got some weird split personality disorder," Jordan teased, causing her to smile despite herself. "Now, calling you something else after nearly a lifetime..."

"It's who I am, Jordan," Aida interjected.

"I know. And that's who I love," Jordan whispered. Aida smiled, tilting her chin up to look at the man she loved. Jordan lowered his head, capturing her lips in a tender kiss once more. Jordan ran his fingers along the underside of Aida's uninjured arm. Aida couldn't believe how intimate such a simple touch could be. Aida's hand was about to attempt to sneak under the material of Jordan's shirt, needing the feel of bare skin against her hand, when the sound of someone clearing their throat purposely interrupted their kiss. Despite her injuries, the two jerked apart like little children who'd been caught with their hands in the cookie jar by their mother. Brady stood in the doorway to the guestroom. At any other time, he would have found the situation amazingly hilarious, but right now, he was just too worried and anxious.

"Ahem. I hate to interrupt, but Jordan, it's time we got going," Brady said simply. Jordan nodded, standing up from his position on the side of the bed. He turned once more to Aida, leaning down to give her a quick kiss.

"Be careful. And don't forget all I told you, this may be our last chance before DiMera does something drastic," Aida said. Jordan again nodded.

"We'll remember. And you, no moving around what-so-ever. You need something, you call for Michelle. You rest up, or I'll have to punish you."

"Yes, mother," Aida murmured. Jordan suppressed a laugh, giving her one more quick kiss before departing the room. Brady turned to leave too, but Aida stopped him. "Hey, Brady?" Brady turned around to face her.

"Yes Aida?"

"No matter what happens... it isn't your fault. I don't know much about my sister, but I can tell you this... you've done so much more for her then anyone else ever has. No matter what happens, I know you did everything in your power to save Chloe."

"But, will everything in my power be enough?" Brady asked quietly.

"I believe so, yes. Stefano can destroy so much, but he can't win, against true love," Aida replied honestly. "You can do this, Brady. I have faith in you, and so does Chloe." Brady just nodded, not knowing what else he could possibly say. He turned to leave again, but paused.

"Aida?"

"Yes?"

"Thank you," Brady said, before he too disappeared out the guestroom door, leaving it open so Aida could call to Michelle if she needed her. Aida smiled, settling herself back under the blanket in the most comfortable position she could manage.

"No, thank you," Aida whispered. Since Brady Black arrived on the scene, entering her sister's life, things for Aida had begun to turn around for the better. Although she never normally tried looking at the positive side to every situation, she could now see the positive side of DiMera's abduction of Chloe, at least for her. Aida had regained her true identity, something she would always cherish. And it was also something she never would have found the strength to find, had it not been for the presence of her long-lost twin sister, Chloe. Now, she only prayed, she didn't have to live this new identity without her twin sister. Fate couldn't possibly be that cruel... Could it? Brady walked out into the living room to meet Jordan. John was already waiting outside. Brady threw a walkie talkie to Jordan.

"I feel like a friggen 10 year old using these things, but keep it in your jacket pocket just in case," Brady instructed. Jordan nodded, stowing the walkie talkie in the inner pocket in his jacket. "And this. Hide it in your boot I guess," Brady said, handing him a Colt Commander. Jordan took it, putting his right foot up on a chair, pulling up his pant leg slightly and tucking the gun in his boot, quickly covering it up. As he and Brady were walking towards the door, Brady spoke.
"I see you finally took a chance and told her," Brady commented, referring to the scene he'd walked in on.
"That I did. Now, as soon as we get Chloe out of that place, it'll be your turn," Jordan replied smugly. Brady stopped in his tracks. God, was he that transparent? Complete strangers were telling him how he felt before he could even admit it to himself! "Don't look so surprised, man. A guy doesn't travel half way around the world to butt heads with Stefano DiMera just for anyone you know," Jordan stated. With that, he walked out the front door. Brady shook his head, following Jordan out the door...

Jordan, John, and Brady arrived at the library a few minutes after it opened to the public. They'd spent most of the morning, aside from the time Jordan was having his heart to heart with Aida, discussing what would go down. They would all separate, each staying in a position far enough away not to be considered together, but close enough that each could see the entrance to the West Wing and the doors to the outside. It was feared that Jordan or John might be recognized, but John assured them that wasn't possible. After they spotted Stefano's man leaving the library, John and Brady were to follow, while Jordan stayed behind to guard the entrance in case something unpredicted occurred. Once Stefano's man returned to the library and entered the West Wing, all three would follow, waiting until he opened the secret door before they took him out. They estimated they'd be in the storage room with the door closed securely behind them before anyone could enter the West Wing after them. After that, they would take out however many guards Stefano had posted at the entrance to the tunnels. Aida had warned them that since her escape, the number might be higher, and guards might possibly be posted at the Phoenix Park exit as well. Those guards weren't what concerned them. What worried them was what could happen once they got inside the compound. Stefano DiMera was not one to go down without a fight. Actually, he wasn't known to truly go down at all, but there's a first time for everything. Brady removed a book from the 'L' shelf looking through the opening created to see his father on the other side.

"Dad. Are you sure Stefano will send someone out, what with Aida's escape?" Brady whispered.

"Stefano is too proud to change his ways because of a miscalculation in plans," John assured. Brady nodded, replacing the book in it's original spot and moving away from the bookcase. He sat down at one of the tables, grabbing a magazine he could pretend to look at while watching the West Wing entrance. Time seemed to slow down while they waited, each trying to act totally normal and just browse through books. Time went slowest for Brady. The sooner he got his Diva out of that hell hole, the better. He knew he couldn't handle it if anything happened to her. He would live with the guilt of knowing it was his fault for the rest of his life. Assuming he could live with the guilt, which he rather doubted. No... he had to get her out of there. He was going to get Chloe away from DiMera, kill Philip, and tell Chloe every single thought and feeling that he'd been hiding for so long out of fear, even if it ruined the friendship he'd held onto so dearly. Brady couldn't hide it anymore. He had to tell her... so many things, while he had the chance to.

Finally, after what felt like hours, a man dressed in a black shirt and jeans emerged from the West Wing a few minutes after 8 a.m. John nodded to Brady, who was closer to the exit, to leave now before Stefano's man, while he would follow. Brady nodded back, replacing another book on a shelf and walking casually outside. John waited until Stefano's man had reached the door before stepping up behind Jordan, leaning down to speak with him.

"Brady and I will follow this guy, you stick around here and watch for him to return, and keep an eye on the entrance. Warn us if anyone else comes out," John whispered. Jordan nodded, resuming pretending to be interested in a magazine article on U.S. politics. With that, John walked casually out the door, catching sight of both Stefano's man, and Brady further in the distance. Brady and John followed the guy around at a safe distance, watching him stop at a few different locations sporadically around the city, most likely to do business with some of Stefano's contacts. At only one location did the guy actually bring anything out with him, a small plain brown package tied with string. It probably wasn't that important, and neither of the Black men could care less what it was. They just wanted to get this the hell over with and get Chloe to safety. Finally, they noticed that they were getting closer to the library once again. Brady raised his walkie talkie to his mouth, tuning in to reach his father's.

"You and Jordan hang back when we get back to the library. I'll take out this guy while you two make sure no one sees us going in the West Wing," Brady instructed. Much to their relief, the clerk at the front desk did not have a clear view of the entrance to the West Wing. Still, Brady didn't want to take any chances on them being seen and followed.

"Son, you are not going in there alone..."

"No dad, just hang back. I can handle this guy. I just think you two should hang back a bit, we can't risk someone stopping us. If we're seen, at least one of us needs to get in that storage room. I let her get away, Dad. If only one of us can get into the compound, it has to be me."

"Son..."

"Damn it, Dad, you can't win this argument. Just shut up and do as I asked," Brady snapped, switching off his walkie talkie. He and John were too far apart at the moment to hear the other without them. John shook his head, replacing his walkie talkie in his pocket, keeping Stefano's man in his sight. This was one time he couldn't protect his son, and he knew it. He just had to make damn sure they weren't seen, and that he got in that storage room with his son.

Stefano's man entered the library, followed by Brady, who immediately hid in the maze of shelves, ever keeping his target in sight. John entered the library just as Stefano's man disappeared inside the West Wing, and just as Jordan was about to follow. John made his way over to Jordan, placing a hand on his shoulder to stop him. He mouthed the words 'hang back' just as Brady slipped out from the bookcases, darting quickly into the West Wing. John guided Jordan into the safety of the maze of bookcases, taking refugee in the many bookcases that were located to the side of the entrance. Brady stayed out of sight, hiding behind a statue that was to the side of the West Wing's entrance, watching Stefano's man ascend a spiral stair case which lead to a loft of bookcases. Brady waited until the guy wouldn't be able to notice him before he began to creep up the stairs in pursuit. Stefano's man disappeared around a corner just as Brady reached the top of the stairs. The sound of a book being moved could be heard, and that's when Brady made his move. He creped up to the corner, allowing only enough time for the guy to use his clearance to open the door to the storage room before he attacked. In one quick motion, Brady grabbed the man's slightly outstretched arm, snapping it back behind his back. He was too taken off guard to react before Brady shoved him headfirst into the bookcase to the side of the storage room entrance. As he was trying to regain composure and strike back, Brady grabbed him roughly by the hair, pulling his head up before slamming his face into the hard wood of the solid bookshelf. Still hanging on to his hair, Brady pushed him back into the bookcase on the other wall, sending books flying as the larger man hit the back of his head hard on the wood surface, knocking him unconscious. Meanwhile, John and Jordan were slipping into the West Wing, when a new employee who'd been hired to help put away books where they belong spotted them.

"Hey you two, stop right there!" The nerdy looking little red-haired young man yelled, getting the attention of the front clerk as well as everyone currently in the library.

"Damn it," John cursed under his breathe. Jordan bolted towards the spiral staircase while John pushed over the statue Brady had previously hid behind to slow everyone else down, quickly following after Jordan.

"Hey, stop!" the red-haired yelled, running forward just in time to see the large statue topple over, halfway blocking the entrance and also sending many surrounding books down to the floor. By the time he and the front clerk got past the blockade, John and Jordan were at the top of the stairs. They made it past the corner in time to see Brady fling the storage room door open.

"We got trouble," John announced, pushing Brady forward into the storage room, Jordan quickly stepping over the unconscious form of Stefano's man and following suit, slamming the door shut behind them. Jordan breathed a silent sigh of relief. The first half was over. Next would follow a more difficult task, taking out the guards posted behind the door to the tunnels. Then of course would be the hardest part of all, entering the DiMera compound, getting to Chloe, and getting her out safely. Brady scanned the small room, noting that Aida was correct. The wall of tapes in blue cases was directly in front of them.

"You two ready?" Brady prompted, reaching down and pulling his Colt Commander out of it's hold in his boot. Jordan and John merely nodded, each retrieving their own guns. "Jordan, you go on that side, Dad, you on that side," Brady instructed. Jordan stood to the right of the door to the tunnels, John to the left, and Brady directly in the center. Getting the go ahead from the other two, Brady reached out and pulled on the tape marked 'Phoenix,' tripping the sound alarm and little red light inside the tunnel.

The three guards inside became alert, one of them pushing the button that would open the door for what they believed was one of their men. Brady, John and Jordan stepped back, getting into position as the door opened. Brady was the first to strike out immediately as the guards came into view. He ran forward, pushing the first guard back into the other two and sending their firearms to the ground. The only woman who was on guard duty was first to recover, grabbing her gun and pushing herself up off the floor as Jordan and John filed in behind Brady. She raised her gun to fire, only to have Brady strike out with his foot, knocking it from her hands again and further down the tunnel. While Brady was dealing with the woman, the two men got up, confronting John and Jordan. John's foot lashed out, connecting with his opponents knee with a sickening crack. The man fell to his knees in agony, before John sent another blow to his face, knocking him back. Jordan cared less for making sure not to kill anyone unless necessary, But he resisted the urge to fire his gun, least the sound attract attention that they were currently in no position to warrant. His opponent had not been able to retrieve his firearm, so instead he lunged at Jordan. Big mistake. Jordan punched him hard in the stomach, knocking the wind instantly out of him. The momentum of his lunge kept him hurling forward, however. Jordan merely side-stepped, using his gun in a less deadly manner, slamming it into the back of the larger man's head. He was effectively out cold, Jordan roughly kicking him literally out the door they had just entered through.

Brady grabbed the woman by the shoulder, twirling her around and pushing her roughly out the door behind her unconscious partner. John quickly disposed of his assailant in a similar manner, slamming the door shut and locking all three of the indisposed guards out of the tunnels. Brady did a quick scan of the area, checking for anyone else, or perhaps video cameras. It was Jordan who spotted the first surveillance camera, raising his gun to blow the thing into a million tiny pieces.

"Alright, let's go. Keep an eye out for more cameras, and listen for any footsteps," Brady instructed, leading them down to the corner in the tunnel and picking up the gun the woman had dropped, tossing it to John. They followed the dark tunnel through the path Aida had instructed them to take, shooting any video surveillance camera they spotted and stopping only to reload guns or to listen for any approaching sounds. Time seemed to stand still as they approached the corridor which turned them towards the Phoenix Park exit. Finally, they came to the point just before you reach the Phoenix Park exit that connected to two tunnels. Brady motioned for the other two to keep back, although he was sure that his father was getting rather tired of taking orders from his son. Brady slowly peeked around the corner, but no guards could be seen in the other corridor barely within sight that led to the dungeons. Brady guessed they were all centered around the dungeon doors. He waved his father and Jordan on, signifying to follow slowly as they crept out into the corridor that led to the dungeon corridor, staying close to the earthen walls. As they crept closer, Brady spotted a working surveillance camera beside one that had obviously been broken. Unfortunately, he couldn't shoot it, that would alarm the guards. He just had to hope that if anyone was indeed watching the footage, that the rescue team was close enough to Chloe to make it to her before a response could be sent out.

Brady nodded his head towards the other side of the wall, the one that would be closer to the dungeon, signaling them to move to that side of the tunnel. Brady stopped just short of the end of the tunnel, pressing up against the walls of the tunnel. Carefully, he peered around the corner, catching sight of the two guards posted in front of the dungeon door. Brady quickly darted back out of sight before he could been seen, turning his head and gesturing to the others to step forward. Brady waited for approval from his father, before jumping into the middle of the tunnel, gun raised. He sent out one well-calculated shot, which hit the first guard square in the shoulder causing him to drop his gun. The force of the shot sent him flying back into the iron dungeon door. Jordan and John came out from hiding as well, John sending out a bullet that hit the second guards gun, causing the gun to spiral away and to the ground. Even though the heavy iron door was thick, it wasn't sound proof. Upon first shot, the two guards inside the dungeon watching over Elizabeth and Aaron were immediately alert, pulling open the door in time for one of their own to plummet to the ground in front of them. They moved past their injured comrade, raising their own guns and firing at the trio. One bullet narrowly missed Jordan's head. Jordan responded with three shots hitting the holder of the gun which had nearly shot him in the stomach twice and once in the chest.

"Whooo hooo! It's the Calvary!" called Aaron from inside his and Elizabeth's dungeon cell. Although he hadn't a clue who had arrived, they got major points for shooting DiMera's thugs, and for having killer aim. After dodging the only remaining guard's last bullet, John pulled another 'shot-at-the-gun' move, leaving Brady open to advance. Brady stalked up to the last guard, easily catching the obviously new recruit's fist in his hand as he attempted to punch him. Brady gripped tightly on the closed fist, twisting the guys arm tightly before shoving him into the wall. As it turned out, he was the one with the keys to the cell, so Brady reached down to the now unconscious form, snatching up the keys and making his way over the bodies and to the cell door.

"Brady!" Elizabeth exclaimed. Brady quickly put the key in the lock, turning it. "Brady, look out!" Elizabeth called frantically. Brady was just about to turn as he heard the shot from behind, followed by a loud thud. The guard Brady had shot in the shoulder had gotten up, finding his gun and was coming up behind Brady, until John shot the offender in the back, sending him back down to the cold ground, this time for good. Brady just nodded his thanks before throwing open the door to the cell, setting Chloe and Aaron free. Without thinking, Elizabeth immediately threw herself into Brady's arms, nearly knocking him over.

"Nice to see you too, Diva," Brady muttered, relief washing over him at the feel of Chloe in his arms again, safe again. Elizabeth was about to ask what that meant, when Brady noticed the tear in her shirt from the whipping after she kicked Merdoc. "Oh God. Chloe, are you alright?"

"Hey, hate to interrupt and all, but we should be getting the hell out of this joint," Aaron pointed out. Brady pulled away from Chloe reluctantly, remembering their current position. Upon sight of his Diva, the rest of the world had completely melted away, leaving only her. Brady didn't know who this guy was, but given that he was in the dungeon, Stefano obviously didn't like him, and that made him ok in Brady's book.

"What the hell is going on here?!" Merdoc demanded, coming up behind Jordan and John to stand in the doorway, completely disregarding his fallen comrades. After the intense burning pain in his groin from Elizabeth's kick had subsided, he'd decided to come down to the dungeon for his payback. No body, no matter how gorgeous, got away with pulling a stunt like that with him. Brady turned, as did the others, catching sight of his hated uncle.

"Oh yeah, this is gonna be good," Brady murmured. Finally, he'd get to beat the shit out of his so called Uncle Phillyboy. John advanced as if he were going to take care of Philip/Merdoc, but Brady stopped him. "No way. He's so mine." Merdoc nearly growled at the sight of Brady Black. He only knew that he was an enemy in Stefano's eyes, but he just had this feeling that Brady was to be hated, and destroyed.

"I remember you. Pretty boy thinks he can take me, huh?" Merdoc scoffed. Brady almost laughed. In a flash, Brady charged forward, lowering his head to grab Philip around the waist and wrestle him to the ground. Before the little shit could even blink, Brady had him pinned down, pounding his face with his fists.

"You... sick... son of a... bitch. I'm... gonna... make... damn... sure... you... rot... in hell!" Brady stated through punching. Merdoc tried to fight back, but failed miserably. Within moments, he was unconscious. Brady had to be pulled off Philip by both John and Jordan.

"Come on, son! No time for that, we have to get the hell out of here!" John ordered. Brady gave one last disgusted look at his uncle's now bloody face, before nodding and turning back to Chloe.

"Jordan, you get him. This guy has a long over-due date with an electric chair. Chloe, come with me. We'll get you out of here."

"I'm not..."
"Who are you?" Brady interrupted, indicating Aaron.

"Just another misguided soul. Love to stay and chat, but I'm gonna find my own way outta here. Got stuff to do before I make my exit," Aaron stated, before he disappeared out the door. Brady just shook his head, taking Chloe's hand as Jordan lifted Philip up, slinging him carelessly over one shoulder. Being as he'd been locked up in the dungeon as well, Brady doubted he had anything to fear from him. He wouldn't go to Stefano, so it didn't matter to him where this mystery man went, or if he made it out alive.

"Come on, lets get out of here before more of Stefano's goons show up," Brady stated, leading Chloe out the door and past the unconscious guards up the corridor to the fork leading to the Phoenix Park exit. Jordan and John quickly followed Brady and Chloe up the corridor. They thought they were nearly home free, when Stefano DiMera himself emerged from the fork of the tunnel which led back to the library.

"Well well, if it isn't the Black family, and their little tag alongs. I must say, very resourceful of you three. You must have been conversing with my dear Victoria to have gotten this far. It's almost as if you know this tunnel better than I do. Almost," Stefano said smugly.

"Stefano," Brady growled. "It's over, Stefano. You lose."

"Not quite," Stefano stated, pulling out a remote-control looking device from his jacket. "You see, dear boy, when I turn this dial, you are going to get one hell of a surprise," Stefano stated, his fingers already on the dial. John immediately recognized the device. Acting fast, he pulled out his gun, sending a shot towards Stefano. The bullet neither hit Stefano or the control device, but succeeded in it's mission to cause Stefano to drop the remote control. Almost effortlessly 'Soldier John' bounded forward, grabbing the control device and coming to stand on his feet behind Stefano DiMera, gun raised and control device in hand.

"Not this time, DiMera. You left both mine and Hope's lives in ruins with this thing, and I'll be damned if you do it to anyone else. Game's over, Stefano. Raising you're daughter to be just like you has backfired. This time, you lose," John stated. Stefano only chuckled, shaking his head. Disappointed as he was that John and so easily foiled his little plans, Stefano DiMera was never one to be disappointed for long. He would always have other opportunities.

"No, no, John, I do believe you're wrong. You and my precious daughter may have won this battle... but Stefano DiMera always wins the war," Stefano stated. With that, he reached up to the side of the tunnel that led to the Library entrance, pressing a button previously unseen. Instantly, the tunnel filled with smoke, allowing Stefano the chance to maneuver around John and escape out the Phoenix Park doorway. Coughs and curses rang out, until the smoke finally cleared. When it did, and Stefano was found to be no where in sight, Jordan made a move to drop Philip and follow in pursuit of Stefano before Brady grabbed his shoulder.

"Don't bother. He's gone," Brady said reluctantly. After all, Stefano DiMera was never found until he allowed himself to be found. Jordan reluctantly agreed, and all four of them, or five, if you included Philip's unconscious scanky ass, made their way out into the warming light of day.

"Well, it's finally over," Jordan said as he took in the surroundings.

"No," Brady disagreed, involuntarily pulling his arm protectively around Chloe, who was a little stunned but not about to argue. "It will never be over. Not until that monster is finally six feet under, once and for all," Brady stated. But for now, he didn't give a damn about Stefano, or anything else for that matter. All that mattered was Chloe was safe, and in his arms again. And as soon as John got that chip out of her head, she would be back to her old self, and Brady would tell her how he really felt about her, no matter what the consequences...