Stolen Moments (Read 15,850 times)

[MrsM]

Oh man poor Philip. I kind of thought someone was behind Chloe's treatment. Kate is such a witch!!

[Kpatch]

Thanks for reading and commenting everyone! There's more in store and we've got a must-read week ahead!

Here are some previews:

Philip manages to see Chloe again and they make a connection.

But problems arise when a case of mistaken identity is discovered.

The tensions between Philip and Daniel explode.

Kate orders Newman to do the unthinkable.

[fluffysmom]

Thanks for the previews Kpatch. Can't wait to read more.

[gapeach]

Can't wait for Kate to be busted!!!

[Kpatch]

Chapter 27


Sitting in the solarium of The Oaks, Philip didn’t care that Chloe told him that he didn’t need to visit her again. He also didn’t believe she meant that. She barely looked at him the last two visits and, when she did, she was almost looking through him. There was no connection, and hardly any recognition in her eyes. He’d rather have her hate him than show no emotion at all. Philip had experienced the wrath of Chloe Lane many times over the years. He knew what that looked like and felt like and he’d rather endure her anger any day than the vacuous looks and emotionless conversations he experienced the last couple times he saw her.

It broke his heart that she didn’t seem to remember him, that she didn’t even know Parker at all. He toyed with the idea of sneaking Parker in to see her, but he decided it would be too upsetting for both of them and may do more harm than good.

So today he intended to challenge her, to try to jog her memory. Maybe it wasn’t his job to do that, maybe it was even against doctor’s orders. There was supposedly a team of medical professionals handling Chloe’s case, he knew that. But he also knew they were doing a lousy job. They didn’t love her, they didn’t have her best interests at heart the way Philip did. She wasn’t the most important person in their lives and it wouldn’t make a difference in their lives if she got well or not. But to Philip, Chloe was his world, she was the love of his life. She was Parker’s mother and they needed her. And even if she didn’t know it, she needed them too. No two ways about it. If he didn’t see any improvement today, he was going to get her transferred to Chicago. “I won’t let you down Chloe,” he whispered to himself. “I promised you I would never give up on you and I meant it.”

Now that he got away with visiting her twice using Brady’s name, Philip got a little bolder. He made the appointment himself. The staff had already seen him and thought he was Brady, so this time, it was a snap.

He waited in the solarium, head down, elbows on his knees and didn’t look up until after the nurse closed the door, leaving Chloe inside.

“You’re not Brady,” Chloe said, just like last time.

He smiled, rose and slowly approached her. “Right, I’m Philip.”

Chloe nodded. “Oh that’s right. I know who you are. I think.”

“That’s good, Chloe.”

“You’re the man who abandoned me.” Philip shook his head no, but was glad that she seemed to at least know him today. Anger was better than nothing. “So why are you here now?”

“Can we sit? I need to talk to you,” he said.

Chloe sat down in one of the high-backed wicker chairs and Philip kneeled beside the chair. He knew they didn’t let visitors stay very long so he got right to it. “Chloe ... do you remember living in Chicago?”

“I never lived in Chicago.”

Philip’s stomach turned. He thought maybe she was a bit more lucid today, but apparently not. The doctors said that her memory might be affected by her disorder, but Philip wasn’t prepared for this dramatic a change. She seemed to remember bits and pieces and he thought maybe she had clearer memories of the distant past. Nicole indicated that she remembered the Philip she knew years before, but little if anything about their more recent relationship. So he probed. “Okay, then, do you remember the Last Blast dances we went to together? You and me? High school? Standing on your parents’ porch kissing?

Chloe smiled but shook her head no. “No. That didn’t happen to me.”

“How about studying in the library? Me serenading you outside your bedroom window? Ice skating on the lake?” Philip rattled off random recollections hoping something would click. He snapped his fingers. “The lake! I carved our initials in that tree.”

Chloe’s brow knit as she looked at Philip. “The tree,” she quietly said. “P?”

“Yes!”

“...and C?”

“Forever. Yes Chloe! P and C, you and me, forever.” He took her hands in his and searched her eyes for recognition. “How about the stables? Remember? It was raining. We were soaked to the skin. We took off our clothes and ....”

Whenever he thought about that night, something stirred inside and put him right back there in that barn. Philip was 17 again, reliving their first night together. They didn’t actually make love, but they came as close as you can get. And even though it wasn’t his first time with a girl, the first time he saw Chloe naked, it blew his teenaged mind.

Just like any normal healthy teenage boy, his hormones were in overdrive. Hands everywhere, they both learned a lot about the opposite sex’s pleasure points that night. Philip was high on the emotions of holding his girlfriend in his arms, his bare skin touching hers, fingers on a mission, giving and taking pleasures of the flesh.

But when it came to Chloe, it was never about the conquest, it was never just about going all the way. His feelings for Chloe were real, intense. He was totally in love and he would have done anything she wanted him to do, and nothing she didn't want to do.

So when they finally reached the point where they were about to make love, and Chloe put the brakes on, Philip respected that. He didn’t pressure her. Jason would have called him a big wuss, but Jason never had Chloe in his life. Even if Philip had a crystal ball and knew that it would be eight long years before they finished what they started in the stables, it wouldn’t have changed a thing. To this day, their night in the barn remains one of the most sensual experiences of his life.

The memory receded and Philip was back in the present day with Chloe. She looked away from Philip. He could tell she was thinking about the barn too. She touched his face. “I can feel flannel against my skin,” she said softly.

She remembered too. “Yes! A flannel blanket,” he replied, leaning into her hand. He turned his face to kiss her open palm. “We almost made love for the first time that night. We fell asleep under that flannel blanket. You remember!”

Chloe shook her head and pulled her hands away. “No. That never really happened.”

[gapeach]

Poor Phillip - and Chloe. The real Chloe is trying to break through it appears, but the drugs and treatment they are giving her (dang you Kate!!) are blocking it.

[fluffysmom]

I really like Philip's flashback. For a moment the real Chloe was breaking through. So heartbreaking that it was just for a moment. I feel terrible for both of them. I hope someone can help Chloe.

[MrsM]

What a heartbreak for Philip. I wonder if Kate realizes what she is doing to Philip by doing this.

[melly]

So...she has those memories....but doesn't think they're real? Or that they happened to someone else? I'm confused...darn complex story lines!

[Kpatch]

Chapter 28


“Yes! A flannel blanket,” he replied, leaning into her hand. He turned his face to kiss her open palm. “We almost made love for the first time that night. We fell asleep under that flannel blanket. You remember!”

Chloe shook her head and pulled her hands away. “No. That never really happened.”

“Of course it did, sweetheart.”

Chloe got up from the chair and began pacing the room, wringing her hands. “No, it didn’t. It was just a dream.”

“A ... dream? What do you mean,” Philip asked, pacing along with her.

“I’ve been having these really intense dreams.”

“About what?”

“I don’t know.”

“Think, please Chloe, it’s important.”

“I remember having a crush on a boy in high school. But he didn’t notice me.”

“Yes, I was that boy. And yes, I definitely did notice you.”

“I used ... to dream ... about him. Fantasize he was singing outside my window. ... Dream. Dream. Dream.”

“Yes, that happened too. That was the song I sang when I serenaded you.”

Chloe looked at Philip as if he were speaking a foreign language. “Lately ... lately, when I’m in Dr. Newman’s office, I have these really vivid dreams. It’s like watching a movie of my life playing behind my closed eyes.” She closed her eyes. “Like when I dreamed I went on the class trip to Puerto Rico.”

Philip nodded. “Right, there was a trip to Puerto Rico. But you didn’t go. You were sick.”

Chloe opened her eyes and tears began to roll down her cheeks. “And I dreamed that Jan Spears didn’t exist. And that no one posted naked pictures of me at the prom. And I didn’t have leukemia. And the boy I had a crush on didn’t join the Marines.”

Philip choked up and he took Chloe in his arms and held her to his chest. “Oh god, Chloe, I wish it too. I wish all those things too.”

“I’m afraid to close my eyes,” she said crying. “I don’t want to dream anymore.”

“It’s okay, Chloe, you’re safe.”

“No I’m not. I’m not safe.” She pushed him away.

“Chloe,” he said softly, gently pulling her into his arms again.

She leaned into his embrace. “Don’t leave me, Philip, please don’t leave me,” she cried.

“I won’t. I won’t. I promise.” He stroked her hair and leaned his face against her head. “I’ll never leave you again.”

She closed her eyes as she rested her head on Philip’s shoulder. “Never give up on us,” she whispered.

Stunned, Philip leaned away so he could look at her. “What did you say?”

Chloe looked up at Philip. “I didn’t say anything.”

His eyes widened. “Yes. Yes you did. You said to never give up on us. Chloe, that’s what I said to you in the hospital on New Year's. I said I’d never give up on you ... on us. You remember!”

Chloe shook her head no.

“Sweetheart, I...”

Before Philip could finish his sentence, the door to the solarium opened loudly and a group of people walked in. The receptionist pointed at Philip. “See? That’s Brady Black,” she told Dr. Newman, Dr. Kiley, and Brady. She pointed to Brady. “I don’t know who this guy is.”

“I know,” Dr. Newman said. “That’s Mr. Black.” Then he looked at Brady. “So who the hell are you?”

Brady took out his wallet and showed the doctors his driver’s license. “I keep telling you. I’m Brady Black.” He looked at Philip and Chloe. “What are you doing here, Philip?”

Philip looked at Brady, then at Chloe, as she backed away and went over to the window.

“Philip???” Dr. Newman looked at Philip, then at Brady, then back at Philip. “You’re Philip ... Kiriakis?”

“Yeah,” Brady said. “That’s him. Why?”

The doctor looked up toward the ceiling. “Damn.” Then he looked back at Philip and, with controlled anger, he said, “Out. You need to leave.”

Philip shook his head no repeatedly and went over to Chloe. “Sweetheart.” He touched her chin so she’d look at him, but she backed further away. He’d finally made a connection with her, and now he was losing her again.

A security guard walked into the room and Dr. Newman pointed at Philip. “Get him out of here.”

Philip left Chloe’s side and marched toward Dr. Newman and Dr. Kiley. “What the hell kind of retreat is this?” Philip’s anger was rising and his voice was getting louder. “Look at her,” he said pointing at Chloe. “She’s getting worse, not better. What are you people doing to her?” He gripped the doctor’s shoulders, shaking him. “Answer me!”

The guard grabbed Philip’s arm. “Let me alone,” Philip said trying to break free, but the guard was stronger, and he pulled Philip toward the door. “I’m getting her transferred out of this cuckoo’s nest.” Philip looked over his shoulder at Chloe. “I’ll be back, sweetheart. Don’t worry. I’m not giving up. Remember that, Chloe ... I’ll never give up on you! Remember that.”

“Oh yes you will,” Dr. Newman said. “Kiley, alert the staff. That man is never to set foot in the Oaks again!”

Brady went over to Chloe and put his arms around her as she cried on his shoulder. “Sshhh, it’s okay. Everything’s okay.”

[Kpatch]

Apr 7, 2014 23:09:04 GMT -5 melly said:

So...she has those memories....but doesn't think they're real? Or that they happened to someone else? I'm confused...darn complex story lines!

Because of the sedation, shock treatments and hypnotic suggestions she's been receiving thanks to Kate, Chloe is losing her grip on reality. She isn't sure what is real and what is a dream. I hope that helps to unconfuse you a little. Let me know if you have more questions.

[MrsM]

Whoa.....

[fluffysmom]

That was awful timing for the doctor and everyone to burst in. The chaotic scene won't help Chloe a bit. Poor Chloe.

[gapeach]

Hope Brady doesn't go all ballistic on Phillip and realizes that Chloe needs serious help! Dr. Newman is going to have some 'splaining to do if Kate finds out that Phillip has been to visit Chloe! Not gonna be pretty for him!!

[Kpatch]

Chapter 29


Kate paced back and forth in front of the bed in her hotel room, her Japanese silk robe loosely tied with a sash. “Tell me again,” she said angrily, “and don’t leave anything out.”

Lying in bed, Paul ran his hand through his hair. “I told you everything already. There isn’t anything else.”

Kate gave him the evil eye. “I can’t believe you waited until after we made love to tell me about this, to tell me that Philip’s been visiting Chloe all this time and you had no idea!”

“I told you, I thought he was Brady Black. They look alike.”

“They look nothing alike! Damn it! I knew I should have showed you pictures, but you said you already met him at University Hospital.”

Paul reached for Kate’s hand in an attempt to calm her down. “He’s a good looking guy, Katie. He takes after you.”

“Flattery will get you nowhere.” Kate pulled her hand away. She sat down on the edge of the bed, facing away from Paul. “So he said those words? He said he’ll never give up?”

“That’s what he said.”

“Damn it.” Kate pounded a fist on the mattress. “Didn’t I tell you she was dangerous?”

“Chloe?” Paul chuckled. “Chloe didn’t do a damn thing. Those shock treatments zap her of energy -- no pun intended.”

“I don’t want her to have any more visitors of any kind, do you understand?”

“Katie, If we cut her off from visitors, people are really going to get suspicious. Philip is suspicious as it is. He wanted to know why she’s not getting better. I wouldn’t be surprised if your son tries to have her transferred.”

Kate spun around and looked at Paul. “No! No, that is not happening, do you understand me?”

“Kate, I can’t stop her from being transferred,” Paul said rationally. “Philip doesn’t have any authority over her care, but Daniel does. And her parents. And if they decide to....”

“Then it’s time to take drastic measures.” Kate slithered across the bed and leaned on Paul’s chest, drawing circles on his torso with her fingers. “It’s time for the next steps in the care and treatment of Chloe Lane.”

“Next steps? You know Katie, so far I haven’t done anything overtly illegal. Extreme, yes. Illegal, no. And I’d like to keep it that way.”

“Of course,” Kate said calmly, “I wouldn’t want you to lose your license to practice medicine, darling. I’m not suggesting you kill her. Not even close. My idea is perfectly legal.”

“Oh man. Okay, let’s hear it,” Paul said reluctantly.

Kate sat up and looked at Paul, stroking his face. “It’s simple, darling. I want Chloe to lose all her memories of Philip and Parker. Permanently.”

Paul knit his brow. “Well, I can’t make her lose just her memories of Philip and Parker. It’s kind of all or nothing.”

“That’s fine. I’m willing to take that chance.”

Paul tugged on Kate’s hair. “You’re such a pioneer woman, Kate.”

“I’m serious, Paul. I can’t risk Philip going to see her again and her remembering him. He got past The Oaks’ Security before and he’s nothing if not persistent,” Kate said with concern in her voice.

“Sounds like he takes after you in that respect too.”

Kate glanced at Paul sideways. “This is serious, Paul. I keep thinking about the time they were teenagers when he helped her escape from the hospital to avoid being examined after she cried rape. No matter what that witch did to him, he kept coming back. It’s like she has him bewitched. I know my son, and he’ll find a way to see her again and even get her out of the Oaks.”

“I told you, Katie, it won’t happen again," he said, slightly desperate to change Kate's mind. "The staff thought he was Brady Black. They won’t make that mistake again, I promise you.”

“That’s not good enough, Paul. Philip is resourceful. He won’t give up. He said so himself. That means she needs to forget him completely so there’s no chance of her ever falling in love with him again, and he’ll have no choice but to go on with his life without her. Parker too. Do you understand?” Kate looked him in the eye and got deathly serious. “I want you to perform a lobotomy on Chloe.”

“Ha! Lobotomies aren’t performed anymore.” Paul wasn’t taking Kate’s suggestion very seriously.

“Oh that’s right,” Kate said. “They call it something else now. I think ‘Psychosurgery’ is what they called it on Medipedia.”

Paul pulled himself up in bed and leaned against the headboard. “Seriously, Kate? Psychosurgery is a procedure where we remove regions of the brain, and it’s only done in extremely severe cases of mental instability where patients are a danger to themselves and society. And only as a last resort. Chloe’s case doesn’t warrant....”

“Damn it Paul, she is a danger to society!” Kate snapped. “She left her infant son alone in the house with the oven on, and then she left him alone in the freezing cold while she jumped into the river. If only she’d have succeeded in her suicide attempt, my life would be so much easier. But my son had to go play hero.”

Paul looked at Kate. “I’m speechless.”

“See, I told you. She’s crazy.”

“Frankly, Kate, she’s not the crazy one. You are.” Paul hopped out of bed and pulled his pants on.

Kate watched Paul get dressed. “You know you don’t have a choice, don’t you?”

“Of course I have a choice. I’m not going to do it,” he said zipping up.

“I have copies of Chloe’s files, you know.”

“What???”

“I have copies,” Kate said matter-of-factly. “I know that you’ve been keeping her overly sedated and performing needless shock treatments.”

Paul began to lose his cool and grow angry. “Damn it Kate! I did those things because you ordered me to.”

“I’d hate to see you brought up on malpractice charges, Paul, especially with all the patients and employees dependent on you for their health and financial well-being. And I’d hate to have to tell your wife and children about our affair.”

“You wouldn’t!”

“Ha ha ha.” Kate cocked her head and smiled a devilish smile. “I want you to do the surgery this week.”

Paul ran his hands through his hair. “Damn you Kate,” he said. Exhaling heavily, he gave in. “Okay. Okay. I need to wait until the weekend when we have fewer people around. I’ll put her on the surgery schedule for Saturday.”