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Chapter One

(Takes place about 2 or 3 weeks after "Fallout".  In this story, the Puerto Rico trip takes place later in the summer.  Of course, in my world, kids don't get out of school in JULY either...)

Chloe sat on one of the fluffy couches in the Black penthouse by herself.   Shawn and Belle sat together on the one facing her.  She took a large brown manila envelope out of her backpack and laid it on the coffee table.

Shawn looked at her with curiosity and spoke.  "So... Chloe, why are we all here?  Is this like one of those mystery movies where you sit us all down and start your speech with, 'I'm sure you're all wondering why I've gathered you here today...'?"

Chloe laughed and shook her head.  "No... well, okay, sort of.  Brady said we could talk here without interruptions..."

Belle nodded.  "Yeah... My dad is out of town and my mom is working at the hospital until 5:30, so it's just us kids..."

"Right... and that's what I wanted.  I can't talk about this at my house.  It's way too risky."

Shawn raised his eyebrows at her.  "Talk about what?"

"Don't worry, Shawn.  As soon as Brady gets here..." She waved her hands in front of her like a magician.  "All will be revealed."

Belle grinned at her.  "Well, leave it to you to be mysterious."

Chloe shrugged and smiled at her.  "Hey... what can I say?  I'm just trying to make your lives more interesting."

Shawn smiled too.  "Well, you never seem to have any problem doing that.  Things are always interesting with you around."

Chloe chuckled softly.  "Uhm.... thanks, I think."

Brady stepped through the front door of the penthouse and took his place on the couch next to Chloe.  "Hey guys... sorry to keep all of you waiting."

Chloe smiled and gave him a quick peck on the cheek.  "No problem... you're here now, and I can finally let Shawn & Belle in on the big mystery." 

Chloe leaned over and pulled a large stack of documents out of the envelope on the table.  She handed a couple over to Shawn & Belle.  They looked over them for a moment until Belle put hers down in her lap and looked up at Chloe curiously.

"Chloe... what are these?"

Chloe sighed.  "These... are my birthday presents from Phillip."

Shawn looked at her in confusion.  "He gave you a copy of your birth certificate?  How.... nice?"

Chloe shook her head.  "It's not just that... You know that his father has every resource in the world when it comes to digging up information on people.  And, uhm... Phillip knew that the one thing I wanted most in the world aside from an opera career is to find out who my father is.  He really wanted to find my father, but the paper trail was too cold.  He did, however, dig up every bit of information on my mother's past.  Stuff that can very well lead me to the identity of my father."

Belle sat back in amazement and smiled widely.  "Oh Chloe.... that is such wonderful news."

Shawn nodded in agreement.  "So, this is what was in that package you didn't show anybody?"

"Yup.  I couldn't make a scene about it because I didn't want Nancy to find out.  So, I told Brady... and now you guys.  That's it."

Shawn laid the copy of Chloe's birth certificate on the table and looked up at her.  "Well, this is great and all.  But what are you going to do with all this?"

Chloe paused and nervously continued.  "Well... this is where you guys come in.  I need help... ideas."

Brady interjected.  "Yeah, she can't exactly tell her mother, you know.  So, I promised Chloe that I would do whatever I can to help her out.  Even if it means going to Boston to investigate."

Belle's jaw dropped in shock.  "BOSTON?  How are you two going to go to Boston without Nancy finding out?"

Shawn nodded and continued.  "Yeah, and what's in Boston?"

Chloe sighed.  "Well, Boston is where I was born.  It seems that my grandfather sent Nancy off to one of those 'home for un-wed mothers' in Boston for me to be born.  That way nobody would 'notice' that she was pregnant.  So, that's where I was going to start."

Brady continued.  "And we need your help because we have no idea how we're going to get out of here without anyone noticing..."

Belle and Shawn paused for a few moments, trying to come up with a way that they wouldn't get caught.  Shawn shrugged slightly and spoke.  "Well, we already know that you just can't run away, Chloe.  I mean, you're only 17 and if Brady and you go across state lines without the permission of your parents... that's a kind of trouble that neither one of you want to be in."

Chloe nodded vehemently.  "I know... Believe me, I know.  And even though we've been getting along pretty well lately, if I just ran off without an explanation, Nancy would make my life hell... and Brady's too."

Brady continued.  "Right... and we can't just tell her that we want to go on a road trip either.  Nancy & Craig will not approve of their 17 year old daughter and her 19 year old boyfriend going off together.... just the two of us."

Brady looked over at Belle who was biting her lower lip nervously.  She sighed and all of a sudden her blue eyes got wider.  "WAIT... I know... I've got it.  What about the school trip?"

Chloe looked at her in confusion.  "Uhm... what about it?  My father is probably NOT in Puerto Rico, Belle."

Belle groaned and rolled her eyes.  "No, that's not what I meant.  Listen... as far as Craig & Nancy are concerned, you were planning to go on the trip, right?"

"Riiiiight."

"Well, just play along.  We're going to be there for two weeks, and that should give you plenty of time to go to Boston or wherever.  Pretend like you're still going.  Shawn and I will cover for you, and they'll never be the wiser."

Chloe looked at her with uncertainty.  "Wait... what if they talk to Mr. Woods or he talks to them?"

Shawn interjected. "No, no, see... Belle's got a great idea. They won't talk to Mr. Woods because they already have, they signed the permission slip, paid for the trip and they have no reason to talk to Mr. Woods about it again, right?"

Chloe nodded thoughtfully. "Okay... that's true. So, since you two are so brilliant today, what about Mr. Woods? Don't you think he'll call my parents if I don't show up?"

Shawn shook his head and continued. "I doubt it. Belle and I will just tell him that you had to cancel because you're sick... He'll be too busy keeping an eye out on the other kids to call your parents and 'check up' on you."

Brady grinned and placed a hand on Chloe's knee. "See... now you know why we invited them here, Chloe."

"No kidding... you guys are the best. But, Brady... what are you going to tell your dad?"

Brady paused for a moment and raised one eyebrow in thought. "Hmmm.... I'll just tell him that I'm going to Chicago to visit a friend from baseball camp. He'll buy that. Besides, I'm over 18... it's not like he can do anything about it."

Belle nodded and pointed something else out.  "Besides, mom and dad will love having both of us gone at the same time."

Shawn threw Brady and Chloe a skeptical glance.  "I just want to know how you guys are going to pay for a 2 week trip by yourselves..."

Brady piped up immediately.  "I'll pay for it..."

Chloe looked at him and shook her head.  "No, Brady... I can't let you do that.  I'll find the money somehow..."

"In two days?  I doubt that..." Chloe tried to speak again but Brady silenced her with a finger on her lips.  "No, Chloe... I'm paying for it.  I have the money from my settlement in the bank, and I have credit cards.  I’m not worried about the money, I have money and it means nothing to me.  I... I want to do this for you... And that's the final word on it.  Besides, you don't have any other choice.  You need the money, and I have it.  Plain and simple."

Chloe sighed deeply and looked at him, her eyes starting to well up with tears.  "Oh Brady.... you are so amazing."

Brady grinned at her and moved in to kiss her on the lips.  A moment later, they were interrupted by Belle & Shawn chiming in with a collective, "Awwwwwwwwww."

Chloe jumped back and chuckled.  "Whoops... almost forgot there were other people in the room."

Belle smiled and laughed it off.  "That's alright... we totally understand."

Shawn blushed a little bit and leaned back in his seat further.  "So... that gives us what?  Two days to finalize all of the details of the plan?"

Chloe nodded affirmatively.  "Pretty much.  I know it's not much time... but if push comes to shove, we'll just wing it."

Brady snickered.  "Right... cause we're all SO good at that."

Chloe continued.  "You guys just have to promise me that what is said in here never leaves.  Please, do not tell ANYONE what we are doing.  People will find out eventually... if I find my father... but, if I don't find anything, I'd rather just forget it happened."

Belle nodded.  "Of course, Chloe.  You can totally count on Shawn and me.  Our lips are sealed."

Shawn nodded along with her.  "Absolutely..."

Chloe smiled and breathed a sigh of relief.  "I know... I knew that I could trust you, and only you three.  Thank you so much.  I can't even tell you how much I appreciate you all..."

Belle smiled back at her.  "You don't have to, Chloe... cause I think we all feel the same.  I mean, I know that you would be there for me if I needed you..."

Chloe stood up and went to the other couch to hug Belle.  "Thank you so much, Belle."  She let go of Belle and looked at Brady and Shawn.  "Thank you everyone... this means so much to me."

Shawn smiled and nodded.  "I just hope you find what you're looking for."

"I will... I have faith."

Brady smiled softly at her.  "Yup.  The truth is out there, Chloe."

Belle laughed loudly and grinned at her brother.  "Right...  Trust no one."

Shawn laughed too, but Chloe looked at them all in confusion.  "Huh?"

Shawn stopped laughing long enough to reply to Chloe.  "Sorry, Chloe... It's an X-Files thing.  I make Belle watch it every Sunday.  We didn't mean to break up the seriousness of the moment, but I'm so proud that I have trained her so well."

Chloe smiled and nodded.  "Eh... just another case of me not being as aware of pop-culture as a normal teenager should be."

Brady grinned at her and winked.  "But, Chloe... we wouldn't have you any other way.  You're perfect the way you are."

Chloe pointed one finger at him.  "And, *you* are a kiss-up, Brady Black."

Brady shrugged and decided to change the subject.  "That may be true... but... uhm... does anyone want coffee?"

They all raised their hands at once and headed into the kitchen to quench their thirst and continue the planning.

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