Chapter 28

Chloe stepped out of the cab, blinded by the bright blue and red lights of the police cruisers and emergency vans. The sight of those red lights brought her back every time. Back to that night just a few years ago when her life had changed again. Involuntarily, her body shook at the sight of the red flashes, and for a moment, she forgot where she was. Forever, the sight of red would be correlated with that night with Tony and the sight of blood.

No matter how many times she came to visit Brady, she still couldn't escape the images that plagued her mind. First Tony's brutal shooting, and now Brady's physical assault. It wasn't like before, she told herself. No one was going to die. She would do everything in her power to prevent it. Paying the cab driver, she made her way inside the automatic doors. Knowing her destination, she made her way to intensive care, found the door with Brady's name on it, and tentatively walked through.

"Dammit, lady, watch what you're doing!" Brady demanded as the small nurse towered over him, trying to change his bandage.

"I'm sorry, sir, but it's not my fault if you won't help me out a little," she told him, gritting her teeth together.

"Well, maybe I want a new nurse," Brady told her coldly.

"It's too bad, because we're stuck together. Now we can do this one of two ways. Either you try to get along with me, or we do this the hard way, and I call in the orderlies to hold you down while I sedate you. What will it be?"

Brady's features softened. "Look, I'm sorry. I know I'm not the best patient, but I really hate hospitals. And I don't mean to be so foul with you, but that really did hurt."

The nurse looked at him long and hard, before she smiled. "I guess next time I could warn you before I pull off a bandage. Deal?"

Brady nodded, then lifted his eyes to see Chloe standing in the room.

Chloe stood in the doorway and quietly watched the exchange. Same old Brady Black, stubborn as ever, but still with a soft heart. Brady smiled at her sheepishly. "I see you're still causing trouble," she laughed.

"Me? Never."

"I'll just leave you two alone. I'll be back in a while to give you your medication, so try to make the visit short, okay?"

"Will do." Brady smiled at the nurse, committed to their new understanding. "Come here," he told Chloe, indicating a spot next to him on the bed.

Chloe put her bags down and came to him, lying down next to his bruised body, careful not to disturb his wounds.

"You can come closer, you know. I won't break," he laughed, pulling her towards him weakly.

Chloe rested her head against his chest, forgetting how wonderful it felt to be near him. "I've missed you," she whispered against him, tickling his skin with her warm breath.

"Me too," he told her, running his fingers through her hair softly. Then he felt moisture dab his hospital gown, settling next to his skin. He arched his neck to look at Chloe and saw she was crying. "What's wrong?" he asked, cupping her cheek in his bruised hand.

"Nothing," she answered, sitting up, wiping her eyes.

"Don't hold out on me now. Tell me why you're crying."

"Brady...I just...I can't believe this happened. It's all my fault. You should have never gotten involved with me."

"Hey, hey," he soothed. "I love you, and nothing or nobody can ever change that. Do you hear me?" She nodded her head, but he could tell she still wasn't convinced. "Chloe, this isn't your fault. I don't want to blame yourself. Please, don't do this. I can't stand to see you look so upset." Brady gently stroked the side of her face, wiping the hair out of her eyes as he looked at her.

"I'm sorry, Brady. I really am. I never wanted any of this to happen."

"I know you didn't, Diva. It will all work out. You'll see. The police will find Derek, and he'll be back in jail where he belongs."

"No!"

"No what?" Brady asked, confused.

"No, the police won't find him. We have to take care of this on our own."

"What? Chloe, what do you mean?"

"I have connections, Brady. People that want revenge just as badly as I do."

"Who? Chloe, what are you talking about?"

Chloe shrugged off Brady's arms and got off the bed. She began to nervously pace the room. "When Tony was killed, it left a lot of people angry. These people will do anything for him...for me. I wasn't sure before, but now I know Derek was behind the whole thing. All I need to do is make one phone call, and Derek and his friends will be dealt with."

"No! Chloe, that's not the way to do this. Let the police handle it. That's all we can do now."

"It's not all! I can't risk it. If the police can't find him, what will we do?"

"I don't know," he said quietly.

"Well, I do. We can't live our whole lives in fear. It's not right. Besides, even if the police find him, he could be out in a few years, a few months. Who knows? We have to do this. I won't live afraid any longer. I'm sorry if you don't approve, but I don't want you to end up dead. Not when we've come so far. Not when I've finally found someone as wonderful as you. I can't do it...I won't go back to living my life afraid of the shadows and noises at night. Don't you see? You've made me want to be free. I never want to be who I was, and I owe it to you to make sure we're never put through this again."

"It doesn't have to happen like this. You can't just control who lives and who dies. It's not natural," Brady told her with a soft tenderness to his voice.

"Neither is living in fear."

"Do you realize it will be in your conscience? You'll always know you were responsible for someone's death. Can you live with that?"

"I'll have to. There's no other way."

"What do you'll mean you have to? There's always another way."

"Why do you think I'm wearing your clothes? It's because of HIM. He destroyed my place. Everything. My clothes, my furniture...even my records," she said sorrowfully. ""It'll never stop."

"You didn't tell me he was at your house. What if he had still been there? What if he..."

"Jared was with me," Chloe butted in, aware of the anxiety tracing Brady's eyes.

"Even so. Chloe...just please...be careful," he sighed. Brady took her hand in his, lightly brushing her palm with his lips, leaving a kiss. He looked deep into her scared, azure eyes, sensing the pain. It wasn't an easy conclusion she had come to. He knew she must have thought about it for a long time, and she had made up her mind. There was nothing he could do but support her. "Do what you think is right," he whispered.

"Time's up!" the shorter woman adorned in pink scrubs told the couple, as she walked in the room carrying a tray of medicine.

"I'd……I'd better go," Chloe stuttered.

"Will you come tomorrow?" Brady asked, holding out his hand for hers.

Chloe moved closer to him, taking his hand in hers. "Of course. I wish I didn't have to leave," she told him quietly.

"Me either," he admitted. "Promise me you won't do anything until we talk this out."

"I can't promise that, Brady." She turned her eyes from him.

"Be careful," he said, with sorrow in his voice.

"I will." Chloe came closer to him, placing a kiss on his lips. "I love you," she whispered against his cheek. Then, she turned to leave.

Brady sank back down into his bed, letting all the strain in his body relax. When Chloe visited, he tried hard not to let her know how much pain he was really in. He knew she would just blame herself, and he knew that wasn't what she needed. She needed him to be strong, even now.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Chloe decided to walk home. She needed to clear her head, to really think about the things Brady had discussed with her. Could she really handle knowing she was a direct link to Derek's death?

Chloe found herself at Brady's apartment, comforted by his things. She slept in his bed just to feel close to him. She hated the hospital for not letting her stay there, and she was sick of it. Hurriedly, she got dressed and was out the door.

She hailed a cab and was at the hospital before she had a chance to change her mind. There had been too many nights they had spent alone, apart, when they could have been together. She was sick of wasting time. Slowly, she walked down the hall, trying to blend in. When she finally made it to Brady's room, she opened the door, trying to make very little noise in case he was asleep.

But he turned to her and smiled. "Chloe?" He said her name, just in case he was dreaming.

"It's me," she whispered into the darkness, coming over to the bed and hopping in beside him. "I couldn't stay away."

"I'm glad you couldn't. I was just thinking about you."

"Were you?"

"That seems to be all I do lately," he chuckled.

"I know the feeling," she sighed, settling herself against him.

"If the nurse finds you, you'll have to go."

"I won't, not anymore. They'll have to drag me out of here kicking and screaming."

"It's the rules," he laughed lightly, holding his stomach from the pressure as he did so.

"Screw the rules. When have you ever lived by the rules anyway?"

"Good point." Brady wrapped his arms around her and pulled her closer, dropping a kiss on the top of her head. "Chloe?"

"Yeah?"

"I know this sounds weird, but would you...could you just...do you mind singing to me?"

Chloe turned in his arms, surprised by his request. "Sing to you?" she asked, confused.

"It's just I was thinking of how you sang to...to Kayla, and she fell asleep. I remember how it made me feel."

"How's that?"

"Safe. You made me feel safe," he whispered.

Chloe felt her eyes moisten at Brady's innocent confession. He wasn't always the bad-boy he portrayed himself to be, and at those times when he showed his insecurities, she loved him the most. "Close your eyes," she whispered.

Brady rested his head on her swelled chest, comforted by the soft beating of her heart. Chloe smoothed the tiny hairs from his forehead, like she would if he were a little boy and she were putting him down for a nap. And in some ways, Brady was still that tiny child, yearning to be touched and comforted. Chloe took a deep breath and gently began to sing. Softly at first, against his ear she cooed soft notes, rubbing his chest. Then as he leaned into her, keeping his eyes closed, she began adding words to the melody she had created.

She rocked him gently and let a few tears slip from her eyes. The statement playing over and over in her head. ""You make me feel safe."" She couldn't even put into words how true that was. Chloe knew Brady's pain, felt it herself. They were both lonely as children and fearful and apprehensive as adults, yet they had managed to find each other, to allow themselves to love for the first time. It was that sense of complete trust that broke her heart. The fact that she could have lost Brady and it would have been her fault sealed her decision.

She couldn't wait any longer. In the morning, she would go to the only people she knew could make her problem----Derek----go away. Chloe watched the even rise and fall of Brady's chest and settled herself closer, willing herself to sleep despite the nagging headache that was beginning to form at the base of her neck.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Chloe awoke feeling Brady's eyes on her, feeling his hand running over her flat stomach underneath her shirt. She smiled up at him, encouraged when he smiled back with a hint of mischief in his eyes. "I see you''re back to your old ways."

"I can't help it if I get a little excited waking up next to the woman I love. Do you have any idea how good you look in my clothes?"

"So I've been told," she laughed, rolling her eyes and stretching her arms above her head.

"God, even the way you wake up is sexy," Brady breathed, a healthy glow of humour radiating from his words.

"You're too much." Chloe sat up a little, leaning on her elbow and meeting Brady's gaze. She dropped her lips to his and kissed him gently, mindful of the abrasions on his skin.

"You know, when I woke up the first time after...when I regained consciousness, I thought you were an angel."

Chloe smiled at him, then kissed him once more, losing herself to his roaming hands and the taste of him against her mouth.

Jared lightly tapped at the door, smiling broadly at the couple as they shifted uncomfortably away from each other on the hospital bed. "Morning, guys!" he said, cheerfully.

"Morning," Chloe and Brady grumbled in unison.

"I uh...I wanted to talk to you, Brady."

"Yeah, sure, man," Brady told him, folding his hands in his lap. "What's up?"

Jared shifted uncomfortably, and Chloe took that as her cue to leave. "I'll leave you boys alone," Chloe said, moving off the bed and placing a kiss on Brady's cheek. "Be good. I'll be back later," she whispered.

"So Jar, why the long face?"

"I'm leaving, Brade. I'm going back to Salem," Jared announced quietly.

"Why?" Brady asked, looking at Jared, surprised.

"Oh, I dunno. I guess it's just time to face some of my demons, make amends. Start my life over."

"I know," Brady told him quietly, knowing it was he who had persuaded Jared to go to New York with him years ago.

"I'll wait of course until your back on your feet."

"There's no need. Chloe can run the shop. Go. Do what you have to do, and besides, you don't want to make Mimi wait too long," Brady lightly chuckled.

Jared's face flushed, and he nodded slightly. "She's unlike anyone I've ever known. She just makes me feel..."

"Complete?"

"Yeah."

Brady smiled again, grateful to have Chloe in his life by his side. "Jared!?"

"Yeah, man?"

"Tell your mother...tell her I miss her."

"I will." Jared smiled.

"Take care, man," Brady said softly, extending his arms.

"You too," Jared said as he embraced the very best friend he had ever had. "Oh and remember, no matter where we live, I'll always have your back."

"Thanks, man. That goes both ways, you know. By the way, Mimi is just like a little sister to me, so make sure you treat her right and invite me to the wedding," Brady laughed.

"For sure," Jared told him, before he walked out of the room and he was gone.

Brady sat in silence, knowing for once in his life, Jared would be okay. They didn't believe in long goodbyes, but in their hearts, they knew what they meant to one another. Jared had Mimi now, and she would take care of him. Hopefully with time, Jared could learn how to live without fear and realize what a great guy he truly was.

Brady reached on the table beside his bed for a glass of water. He strained to reach the cup and felt a sharp pain in his shoulder. The blood began to soak through the bandage and he knew he had torn a stitch. Reluctantly, he called the nurse to get it repaired. After cleaning up his wound and having lunch, Brady settled back on his bed, groggy from pain medication to help with the ache in his body. He closed his eyes and was almost instantly asleep.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Chloe walked the narrow street, mindful of the dozens of stares she was receiving. It had been a while since she had been to this side of town, and now looking around the shabby surroundings, she remembered why. Dirt and decay came to mind as she surveyed the land and the condemned buildings. But this was the place she wanted to meet. Long forgotten by police, there was no chance she would get caught.

She stood by the dock, watching the water lap against the beaten wood, and clutched her purse tight to her body. Chloe braced herself. She had to take this fall to keep what she loved. Her world was Brady, and they couldn't move forward until Derek was out of the picture. She heard the familiar whistle and turned.

"Chloe, it's been a looong time," Gino, the first of the men to greet her, told her as he leaned in, delivering two chaste kisses on either cheek. Next was Frankie, the shy, young protege. Then Tiny, the robust, musclehead of the group.

"It has." She smiled shyly, placing her palm on her heated cheeks.

Frankie, the youngest and the one relatively unfamiliar to Chloe, smiled then turned so he could watch the street.

"Sorry 'bout the kid, doll. He's no good wit'' words, you understan'? You look mucho bella," Tiny told her, taking her against his oversized frame and squeezing her into his chest. He released her, and she gasped for breath.

Once away from the large arms that crushed her, he then held her chin in his large fingers. "Tony was a lucky man," he said quietly and then blessed himself with the sign of the cross, customary in Italian culture when talking about a dead person.

Chloe felt her cheeks go even redder, if that was even possible.

"So……" Gino drawled in that classic Brooklyn accent Chloe found endearing. "Tell me what 'chu need. We promised Tony we was gunna take care of you, and we don't break our promises." Gino kissed the gold cross hanging from the gold chain around his neck, and Chloe almost wanted to laugh at their superstitious nature. Gino's hair was slicked back, wet-looking, almost greasy, and his ample chest hair was displayed from the wide collar of his freshly pressed suit.

Frankie also wore a suit. A little too large, but he'd grow into it, just like he would grow into ""the business,"" as they called it. Chloe didn't know exactly what they did, and when she was with Tony, she never asked. But it wasn't good. These were not wholesome schoolboys, despite the fact they attended the Catholic church every Sunday and loved their families. All those things were true, but there were also deep secrets, horrible things they had done that kept them at confession six times out of the week.

Tiny, the only one not in a suit, wore a broken-in track suit. The zippered coat was done all the way to the collar, and his chain spilled out of the top. On his plump fingers were golden bands, encrusted in diamonds and other fine jewels. They were not cheap. They liked nice things and stole to get them, she guessed.

"I need...I need help," she started, suddenly unsure of her own voice as she felt the tears prick her eyes. "The man who killed Tony, he's back."

"You mean you know who whacked 'im?" Gino asked.

"Derek, that's his name." Chloe shivered as she watched Gino pat his gun through his clothes. "He's at it again. Back then, he had someone kill Tony for him, but now...Now he wants me dead, and he won't stop until it happens." Tiny went to speak, but Chloe held up her hand and continued. "He's already hurt one person," Chloe cried, taking a tissue from her handbag and dabbing her eyes.

"We'll take care of it," Tiny said fiercely. The large man had always had a weak spot for Chloe. Maybe it was because she reminded him of his own daughter, or maybe it was who he wished his daughter would someday become like. Chloe was a strong woman. Everyone knew that and guarded her just as much as Tony had. "Don't worry about a thing, doll," Tiny told her, bringing his arm around her slender shoulders and walking her to one of the expensive cars just up the road. "Frankie will take you anywhere you want to go. This will all be over wit'' soon enough."

"What will you do to him?" Chloe asked quietly, knowing what the men were capable of. And despite her caring nature, she didn't want them to be gentle with Derek. She wanted him to suffer. As sadistic as it sounded, she wanted to know that he had died in pain. Half her life she had spent being his victim. She was sick of it. She was taking a stand, taking back her own life, and it felt good.

"The less you know, the better off you'll be," Gino told her. He kissed her again, this time on the forehead.

"When the cops come to you, you'll be able to say for real that you know nothing," Tiny added as he helped her in the car.

"Cops?" Chloe asked sharply.

"You'll be questioned. I'm almost certain. Tell them nuttin'," Tiny told her, smiling as he closed the door and turned to go back to his own car with Gino in tow.

"I won't," Chloe said quietly in the back seat to herself.