PROLOGUE I disclaim. (Shelle's graduated High School, same issue's still stand...Shawn's the "father", etc BUT, the brady's have JT and Isaac." Belle stood in her bedroom, packing for Columbia. As she tossed in hersocks and shirts, she emptied her drawer on her bed, only to discover the picture of her and Shawn at the Last Blast '01. After the break-up, she had removed it from the frame, and placed it at the bottom of the drawer, wanting to bury the memories. "I still need him." she told herself, and she plopped herself onto her bed. She sighed deeply, and closed her eyes. "We're going to be so far apart, i'm in New York, and Shawn in the merchant marines. I can't let him go." Belle forced herself up, and picked up the phone, and dialed Shawn's number, but before hitting the last digit, she hung up...I CAN'T...I JUST CAN'T. Belle picked up the photograph, and placed it in small pocket of her suitcase, but before finishing her packing, she picked up her key's and ran out the door...she knew what she had to do... ~~~~~~ Shawn too was packing, packing for the airport. He would take an airplane to his location for the Marines. It was an awful day in Salem, foggy and raining. Shawn too picked up the frame, containing the picture of him and Belle at the LBD. "Dangerous Curves" read the frame..."that's for sure.." Shawn thought. Shawn placed the frame in his bag, and zipped it up. As he walked down the stairs, his mother, father, JT and Isaac were sitting on the couch, watching a movie as he entered. "Ready to go, Sailor?" Bo asked. "Mom, Dad.." Shawn said, "I think i need to go alone, to the airport I mean." "Does that mean i have to say goodbye, to my big boy here?" Hope asked. "Yes mom," Shawn chuckled, "I want to make it a quick goodbye." Shawn talked for a few minutes more with his parents and brothers, hugged and kissed each of them, and walked out the door. As he drove to the aiport, he only had one thing on his mind...BELLE. I CAN'T LET IT END THIS WAY, BUT I HAVE NO CHOICE... As he reached the airport, and went through the long lines and busy hallways, he made his way to the terminal. He walked outside into the pouring rain... ~~~~~Belle ran into the airport...>>FLIGHT 387 TO CALIFORNIA NO BOARDING, FLIGHT 387 NO BOARDING AT GATE 12.<< "He hasn't left yet! I've got to hurry..." she thought...as she ran, she saw a dark brown head outside, in a sleak uniform....she rushed into the rain. TBC...

Chapter 1 I disclaim. Belle ran out the glass door, and saw the dark haired figure. He looked as if he was looking through his bag for something. She drew in a deep breathe, grabbed him by the shoulders, closed her eyes, turned him around and kissed him deeply. As she pulled away, and looked into the eyes of the man... she was immediately embarrased. It wasn't Shawn. "oops sorry, wrong person... heh..heh.." Belle chuckled nervously, her heart was racing. "Do you know where i can find Shawn Brady?" "Belle?" a familiar voice questioned behind her. She spun around, and was happy to see the love of her life standing there. "What are you doing here?" Shawn asked. "I...I...I had to see you, i couldn't let you leave. Shawn, i dont want you to think i'm some murderer!! you know me better than that. Why would you even think of questioning me? Our whole lives, i've never lied to you, WHY would you think i would do it now?" she said. She was crying now. The rain poured over both of them. Shawn reached out to her, and pulled her into him. She looked so beautiful, as the moon of the night sky shimmered into her deep blue eyes. They hugged as the rain poured. Both of them were wet, is was like a scene from a movie. They pulled away, and he dried her tears with the sleave of his jacket. Shawn looked deeply into her eyes, and smiled. It was almost as if they were speaking through their thoughts. And then...He kissed her. And she instantly knew that she was forgiven. "I believed you from the beginning Belle. I just couldn't convince myself. With the whole JT thing that was happening, i didn't want another baby to leave. I needed someone to blame, i didn't want to blame Jan, she seemed so helpless." he said.(Belle rolled her eyes at the comment, but allowed Shawn to continue.) "But then i found out the truth..." This statement allowed Belle to raise her head from the spot on the ground she was staring at. "What?" she questioned. "Jan was on the phone when I came home the other day, as i walked to my room, i overheard some of her conversation. And the part i heard was enough. She was telling Cynthia how she purposely was trying to break us up. How she slapped you, and how I believed her. I was so mad at myself Belle." Shawn shook his head, he felt ashamed. "why didn't you tell me!"Belle touched her hands to his face, making him look at her. "I didn't think you would want me back, after that." Shawn said, "Belle there's something else i have to tell you, there is no way i can hold it in anymore." "Tell me Shawn, what is it..." "I...(he breathed in) I'm not the father of Jan's baby." he rushed his final words. Belle felt a lump in her throat, her heart was beating faster, and faster... "WHAT!? WHAT!?" she was relieved, but angry. "You lied to me! i said it before Shawn Brady, i've never lied to you, NEVER, and now...all of these lies. Didn't you think you could trust me!!" she pushed him away... The rain seemed to poor harder now, they were both soaking wet. And she ran, right through the door and straight back into the airport. He went after her...

CHAPTER 2 I disclaim. Shawn kept running, he had to catch her. But he stopped in his tracks. "She's right," he thought, "I should have never lied to her in the first place. Why didn't i go with my instincts and just tell her! I knew i could trust her, if it wasn't for Jan and all her lies, none of this would have happened." He ran, he had to catch her. When he finally caught up with her, he grabbed her, and made her face him. "Look at me Belle ,look at me. Do you think i wanted to lie to you? I thought i was doing Jan a favor by helping her out with this whole baby mess. Never in a million years would I have wanted us to be apart. We're meant for each other Belle." Still crying, Belle looked in his eyes, she saw the truth, she knew he wasn't lying this time. "I just wish you would have told me from the beginning, I know that I wouldn't have liked the idea of you "being the father of Jan's baby," but it would have made it somewhat easier for me to know the reasons behind it. Can you believe how stupid I felt? I figured something had to be going on with you and Jan, when you kept leaving me to be with her. I blamed myself Shawn." she wimpered.She was crying harder now. She felt hurt, but then she realized, this afterall WAS the Shawn Brady she knew, always wanting to be the good guy, always wanting to help. He held her tightly, "I dont want you to go Belle, I want us to be together, like we planned. Belle, i am so sorry. No words can explain how sorry I am." Belle sat down in one of the chairs, and pulled Shawn down to her. And then...she kissed him. "I love you Shawn Brady, more than you will ever know." And there they sat, in the airport, crowds rushing past them, they sat alone in each other's arms. "So where do we go from here?" he asked. "Obviously, i've missed my flight. I am so happy you came after me Belle. I should have been the one coming after you, you dont know how many times i reached for the phone to call you, but i couldn't." "Shawn, i wanted to call you too. But i didn't think you would want to talk to me, after you accused me of killing Jan's baby." she whispered. " i dont know where we go from here , i still haven't completely forgiven you from all this. I can't believe i was so stupid!" "Let's just go home..." he said. "ya, let's go home." I forgot to mention, Bo and Hope know the truth about Shawn not being the father of Jan's baby.

CHAPTER 3 I disclaim. Both Shawn and Belle snuck back into their homes late into the night. Happy to find their parents asleep. --- In the morning, Shawn trudged down the stairs, to see his mother and father very surprised to see him. He sat down in the chair, his parents looked at each other, and then back at Shawn. "Um, Shawn, would you like to tell us what you are doing home?" Hope questioned "I saw her." was all he said, his eyes staring at the floor. Bo and Hope glanced at each other, and grinned. "Well...?" Bo said. "I told her the truth, about Jan, and how I never believed that she would actually kill Jan's baby. I couldn't hold it in any longer. " Shawn said. Both Bo and Hope breathed a sigh of relief. They were happy that their son had finally revealed to the love of his life, the truth about Jan. "Does this mean you wont be going into the Marines?" asked Hope. "well, it's a little late for a transfer now, school starts in two weeks. I guess we will have to see where time takes us. Belle said that she can't fully forgive me after all of this. I understand that it will take time to heal. But we are going to talk it through. Maybe we can both get transfers after the first semester. i think i will go and call her now." Shawn got up and jogged up the stairs. "I hope everything works out for them, it's written in the stars, nothing else could go wrong." Hope smiled, as she kissed her husband warmly. Upstairs, Shawn sat on his bed and picked up the phone... --- FLASHBACK... "Tell me Shawn, what is it..." "I...(he breathed in) I'm not the father of Jan's baby." he rushed his final words. Belle felt a lump in her throat, her heart was beating faster, and faster... "WHAT!? WHAT!?" she was relieved, but angry. "You lied to me! i said it before Shawn Brady, i've never lied to you, NEVER, and now...all of these lies. Didn't you think you could trust me!!" END FLASHBACK Startled, Belle woke up from her dream. Her dream of the night before. "I still dont understand how he could have lied to me. Why he thought he couldn't trust me? ::sigh:: But, now it's time to forget.. Forgive and Forget, isn't that what they say? I love him, and our love can handle anything...I hope." ***The Phone Rings*** "Hello?" Belle said. "It's me." Belle smiled, hearing Shawn's voice on the phone was something she missed. "Hi Shawn." "You said we could talk, I really want all of this to be put behind us Belle. Meet me at Dot Com in an hour? Or will your hair take longer than that?" he chuckled, joking with this childhood friend. "Ya, an hour will do. See you there." replied Belle. She hung up the phone. She sighed, "well, here goes nothing." she said as she got up to go and clean herself up. I hope we can work this out, we are strong, our love is strong, and the "someday" that i said we would be together again, is now. Shawn thought. He got up off of the bed, and began to get himself ready, to meet with his Perfect Girl at Dot Com. TBC...

CHAPTER 4 I disclaim. After spending most of the hour deciding what to wear, Belle grabbed her car keys and drove over to Dot Com. Shawn was sitting at one of the tables, he looked so adorable drinking his soda. She took a deep breath, walked over to the table, and sat down. Shawn signaled to one of the waitresses, who rushed over with a Coke for Belle. "So..." she didn't know what she was supposed to say. "Look Belle, I know this isn't going to be easy, I dont expect us to just start again where we left off, but then again, I dont want it to be like we just met either. You've got to talk to me, we always used to talk before." "Ya, before you told me you fathered Jan's baby." she mumbled. "What?" he asked, slurping from his soda. "Nothing...Shawn, I know that it isn't going to be easy! I want us to be together, but you've got to understand that what you did to me...it hurt. You can't even begin to imagine how I felt. " she began to sob. Shawn got up from one side of the table, and moved next to Belle. He hugged her tightly. She rested her head on his shoulder, and he tilted his on top of hers. "I'm sorry Belle, i'm sorry for hurting you. I wish i could take it all back, if I only knew what Jan was up too." "I'm guessing your parents know?" Belle asked. "Ya, I had to tell them. After I kicked Jan out, they kind of needed to know what was going on. My mom knew that something was suspicious from the beginning. They both understood why I did what I did, but were very happy when the truth came out." "And what did they say when you came home last night?" "Well, when i told them that i saw you, they kind of understood ::he smiled at her::..Umm, which is kind of what i wanted to talk to you about." She looked up at him questioningly. "Well, i kno that things aren't going to be back to the way they used to be for a while. And we can't start unless we are together. So i was thinking that maybe...we each go to our own place for now. I to the Marines and you to Columbia, as planned...and then maybe after the first semester ... transferring to Pepperdine?" Shawn breathed a sigh of relief. He didn't know how she would respond. She's got to say yes, She loves me, i love her...there ya go. he thought. Belle had a blank stare on her face... Of course she wanted to go to school with Shawn, it was what they had originally planned. But, what about Columbia? She and Chloe had their schedules all worked out. With Chloe at Juliard, it would be perfect. But California, would be a whole new beginning...a new beginning with Shawn. "I...I...I've got to think about it." She said abruptly. Shawn didn't know whether to be immediately disappointed, or grateful. At least if she thinks about it, I still have a chance. he thought. Belle rested her head back on Shawn's shoulder. With various thoughts racing through her head.

CHAPTER 5 I disclaim---SORRY, short chapter. Belle went home and immediately called Mimi, and filled her in. "Meems, what in the world am I going to do?" "Well either way, you aren't near me at Salem U." Mimi said, TRYING to lift up Belle's spirits. "I'm telling you Belle, you KNOW you still love him. Maybe one semester at Columbia will make you prove to yourself how much you miss him. What i'm trying to say is...GO TO PEPPERDINE! You know you want to." Belle sighed and flopped down on her bed, staring at the ceiling. "I guess you're right Meems. what exactly do i tell my parents? and Brady!!" "How about exactly what you told me." Mimi said, mocking her friend. "They should be happy with the news about Shawn not being the father of Jan's baby. And they should be glad that you two are back together.... You two are together right?" "Ya, I guess we are." Belle smiled...her and Shawn, finally back together. After the million times she swore she would never take Shawn Brady back. "And ya, you are right. My parents should be relieved that all that stuff with Shawn and Jan was never true. And now that I think of it, so will Brady. Even though he will probably still be mad that Shawn lied to me." "Ok, well I'll let you go...go talk to them, just tell them what you told me. That you and Shawn had a good talk, and that you are thinking of going to Pepperdine after first semester." "Thanks Meems, you're the greatest. I'll call you tonight and tell you how it all went." "Bye Belle." she hung up. Belle left her room and skipped down the stairs. Brady was sitting casually on the sofa, watching TV. "Hey Tink. You came in late last night, I heard you come in, but I was too lazy to get up." "Typical Brady..." Belle joked. "HEY!!" he laughed. Belle sat down next to her older brother on the couch. "Actually Brady, that's kind of what I wanted to talk to you about. Where I was last night...and who I saw." Belle looked down at her hands. How is he going to react? Originally, I figured he would be happy, well relieved. But now...i think he will be more mad about the lies. Brady hates lies. she thought. "What is it Belle, who'd you see? As long as it wasn't that jerk Shawn Brady, i dont think I mind." Brady said. "So, who was it?"

CHAPTER 6 "So, c'mon Belle, who'd you see?" Brady said again. He was getting annoyed. "Oh nevermind, i guess it's not that important." She said. Not that important! this could change my college career. But he's gonna be so mad! she thought. "Damn it Belle, just tell me!" "OK! it was Shawn." "Why the hell were you talking to that jerk! After all he's done to you." "Brady, he told me something very important. something that you need to know about." "Ya, well i'm sure anything that idiot says can't be that important for me to hear." "HE DIDN"T FATHER JANS BABY!" Belle yelled. Obviously angry with her brother, for not giving her a chance to speak. The minute she spoke those words, her parents walked through the door. "WHAT THE HELL!" Brady said. "YA, WHAT THE HELL" John demanded. John and Marlena sat on the couch. And Belle told them everything. How Jan had been raped, how Shawn had covered up. Everything. They seemed very relieved. Marlena said that she knew something wasn't right from the beginning. John and Brady however, seemed relieved, yet angry. They could not believe that Shawn still lied to Belle through it all, but they tried to understand. Then, Belle hit them with the big question. "What would you guys think, if i spent one semester at Columbia, and then transferred to Pepperdine second semester?" All three people looked at each other and then back at Belle. They all kind of expected it. Before Shawn and Belle split up, they knew she was planning on going to Pepperdine. "If that is what you want sweetheart." Marlena smiled. "Princess, like your mother said, it is up to you." John said. "What about you Brady?" Belle asked. Brady sat there looking at his hands, he didn't know what to say, he preferred his little sis, somewhat nearby...and that was New York. But on the other hand, he wanted her to be happy, and if it meant being with Shawn Brady, so be it. "Belle, if Pepperdine is what you want, and if it will make you happy, then Pepperdine it is. That's why they created airplanes right? So i can come and visit you." Belle jumped up with joy, and hugged her older brother. "I love you Brady." she whispered. Marlena and John joined the hug. So, it was settled... Belle would transfer to Pepperdine. How will Chloe react? she thought? Belle ran upstairs to call Shawn, and to tell him her answer.

Chapter 7 Belle jogged up the stairs to her bedroom, and threw herself on the bed. Grabbing the phone and dialing Shawn's phone number, she wondered if she was making the right decision. "Hello" a voice said "Shawn?" "Belle?" "Hey, I just talked everything over with my parents and Brady...and I guess with myself too." "And?" he asked hopefully... fingers crossed. "And...OK, yes, OK." she said. Shawn breathed a sigh of relief. "Great, I can't wait." he answered. "Well, we still have one semester away from each other, but during the break, we can start out on our plans." Belle rolled over on her back, now staring at the ceiling. She smiled, thinking of her and Shawn in college together. Laughing, studying, partying, and just hanging out with each other. "Belle, I am really happy that you've decided to make the transfer, i hope that somehow, we'll be able to get threw all of this, maybe just being around each other will help." "Ya, Shawn...do you want to meet me for dinner tonight? I know that we've already seen each other today at DOT COM, but I think we just need to discuss a few details." Belle said. "I could spend all day looking at you." Shawn said. Belle grinned. "ok, so why dont we meet at Salem Place at around 7? How about next to the Java Cafe', then we can go and look for a place to eat." he said. "Sounds good to me" Belle said "It's a date." Shawn said, he'd wanted to say those words for a long time since the whole Jan episode. "It's a date." she smiled, and she hung up the phone. Belle still needed to tell Chloe about her 2nd semester plans.."That can wait." she said, and went off to find something to wear. ~AT THE BRADY'S~ Shawn flew down the stairs, threw the living room, and into the kitchen were his parents were seated. "She said yes!" he exclaimed with a huge smile on his face, making those chocolate eyes glisten. Bo and Hope glanced at each other with a confused look. "She said yes? Who said yes to what? What?" Hope said. "BELLE Mom, BELLE said yes." Shawn said. "Said yes to what!?, Shawn you didn't, did you ask her to marry you?" Shawn chuckled softly. "No, no, though that will come soon enough, She said yes to transferring to Pepperdine after 1st semester." Shawn said. "ooooo." both Bo and Hope smiled. "And now we're going to meet in Salem Place for dinner." Shawn said. Shawn ran upstairs. It was now 6:30pm, and he decided to clean up and leave now, so that he could pick something up on the way to the Java Cafe'.

Chapter 8 I disclaim Belle took her seat at the Java Cafe'. She was tapping her foot and fingers with nervousness. "Is this too dressy?" she thought to herself. Looking down at her strappy navy dress, that flowed just below her knees. Her high heels clicked against the metal of the high-seat. "This is the Java Cafe' , not Tuscany." she thought. "It's just Shawn." Stop Rambling Belle! "Would you like a drink?" asked the waitress. "Umm.. i'm waiting for someone. Thanks." Belle said. "Who are you waiting for?" asked Shawn with a smile, as he took his seat next across from her, and handed her a rose. "Aww, thank you, it's beautiful! I guess i'm not waiting anymore. can you give us a few minutes please?" Belle said to the waitress. Shawn was dressed in slick khaki pants, and a black polo shirt, with the buttons open, so his gold cross was in clear view. "You look very lovely Miss Black." "Thank you Shawn, you look lovely...i mean handsome yourself." "So...shall we?" Shawn said...offering her his arm. "Shall we what? Where are we going." "Just come with me." They got into the car. They spoke most of the way there. But mostly casual conversation. Before they knew it, they were parked outside.... of Tuscany. "Shawn! Tuscany?" Belle screached. "Only the best for my Belle." he said. Shawn and Belle walked inside, arm in arm. Maggie smiled at them as the walked in. Shawn pulled her aside, whispered something in her ear, and Maggie walked off. She returned with a dinner jacket. "Thanks Maggie" Shawn said. And they followed her to their seats. A small table near the back, by the dance floor. "Shawn, you really didn't have to do this. I mean...Tuscany." Belle whispered. Shawn grinned and signaled to the waiter. "I'll have a soda, and a Shirley Temple for the lady, extra cherries please." Belle smiled and look down at the table." Shawn I...I...I'm happy that we'll be able to go to school together. I've always wanted it, but was too afraid to admit it...and...." "Sshhh..." Shawn said, and put his finger on her lip. "Dance with me." He stood up and gently offered her his hand, she took it, and they entered the dance floor. They were in each others arms, Belle leaning her head on his shoulder, and him, with his head on top of hers. His hands carressed her back, and she smiled, as a tear of happiness ran down her face, as the piano began to play.... Some say love. . . it is a river. . . that drowns. . . the tender reed. Some say love. . . it is a razor. . . that leaves. . . your soul to bleed. Some say love. . . it is a hunger. . . an endless...aching need. I say love... it is a flower...and you...it's only seed. Belle lifted her head, and stared hard into Shawn's eyes. He instantly knew he was forgiven. It's the heart....afraid of breaking....that never learns to dance. It's the dream...afraid of waking. .. that never. . . takes the chance. It's the one. . . who wont be taken. . . who cannot seem to give... And the soul... afraid of dying. . . that never. . . learns to live. .. "Shawn, I ...I.."Belle started. "I know." was all he said. When the night has been to lonely.. . and the road. . .has been to long. . . and you think of love as only . .. for the lucky. . . and the strong. . . Just remember. . . in the winter. . . far beneath. . . the bitter snow. . . Lies the seed. . . that with the suns love. . . in the spring. . . Becomes the rose. And they danced, swaying in each others arms.

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