And with that Philip put his arms around Chloe.

Chloe immediately stiffened in his arms and then just as quickly relaxed. She could feel how strong he was through the leather of his letterman's jacket. She continued to cry quietly with her hands covering her eyes and rested her head on Philip's chest.

Philip had never been in this kind of situation before, and didn't really know what to do. He wrapped his arms around her even tighter and with his free hand began to stroke her hair. What did she do to her hair to make it so soft? Philip wondered what it would be like to have that hair being brushed against his naked skin. He tried to change his course of thoughts, but was distracted by the aroma of Chloe's shampoo. What was that smell? He wondered. She smelled like, strawberries and kiwi…

Philip began to be a bit aroused by the idea of really taking Chloe into his arms and making her feel better. He tried to shift his body so that she wouldn't be able to tell. Chloe's crying subsided and she sat up, suddenly embarrassed by her display of emotion. Philip's arms sagged away from her, as if he was reluctant to let go. Don't kid yourself, Chloe, she thought.

"Better?" Philip asked.

Chloe mumbled, "Mm-hmm, thanks," and tried to scoot over in the corner away from Philip. He was far too appealing in the daylight, let alone here in this dark room.

Philip could feel the couch moving because Chloe was trembling. "Here," he said as he took off his jacket and handed it to her.

"What are you doing?" Chloe protested, rather alarmed to hear Philip disrobing.

"You're cold. Take my jacket." Chloe begrudgingly took Philip's jacket from him and put it on. It practically swallowed her whole, it was so large. But she loved the way the leather smelled and how the scent of Philip's cologne hung onto it. It felt so masculine. She wrapped it tightly around herself and snuggled into it.

"Thank you, Philip." Chloe was touched by the sweet gesture.

"Thanked three times in one night?" Philip smiled. "Is this going to be a pattern for us now?"

"Don't hold your breath, Kiriakis," Chloe muttered.

"Don't worry Chloe, I'm not up for dying from lack of oxygen." Chloe could hear the amusement in his voice.

Philip had thought he saw clothes or blankets before the lights went out. He moved back down to the edge of the couch and began feeling around for something more to put on Chloe.

"What are you doing now?" Chloe queried, unable to tell what he was up to.

"I'm trying to find some blankets or clothing to put on you." This had to be a first, Philip thought. He was actually trying to put clothes on a girl…

"Don't worry about it. I'm fine. Your jacket is plenty warm enough," said Chloe, feeling the warmth from Philip's body inside the jacket.

"Are you sure?"

"Yes."

Philip's hand brushed up against something next to the couch. It was a guitar. Philip picked it up, and began plucking at the strings.

"Suddenly now you're Jimi Hendrix?" Chloe joked when she could hear Philip picking at the guitar strings.

"I'm no Hendrix, but I'm not that bad," Philip said as he tuned the guitar.

Philip began playing a soft, soothing love song.

"I didn't know you could play the guitar," Chloe stated in surprise.

Philip stopped playing. "There are a lot of things you don't know about me, Chloe." Philip said it in such a way that Chloe felt her heart beat faster.

As Philip resumed playing, Chloe said, "Hey, I know that song. Selena, right?"

Philip let out a snort. "You actually know who Selena is? I thought all you listened to was that Italian junk."

"I love all different kinds of music. I am not limited or narrow-minded like some other people might be." Chloe felt like sticking her tongue out at him, but refrained. "How do you know her music?"

"My guitar tutor adored Tejano music. He loved her English stuff, too. He'd cry every time we'd practice this song."

Philip stopped and asked, "Do you know the words?"

Surprised, Chloe replied, "Yes."

"Sing for me."

"I don't really feel like it right now."

"Chloe, please, sing for me," Philip pleaded gently. Chloe couldn't say no to that entreaty.

Philip started playing the song and Chloe began to sing,

"I could lose my heart tonight, if you don't turn and walk away.

Cause the way I feel right now, I might lose control and let you stay,

Cause I could take you in my arms and never let go…"

I could fall in love with you

I could fall in love with you, baby.

I can only wonder how the touch of you would make me feel.

But if I take that chance right now, tomorrow will you want me still.

So I should keep this to myself and never let you know…"*

Philip sat stunned. Chloe's voice was even more beautiful than he had remembered. And those words - all those things he had been feeling - wondering how her touch would feel, wondering if anything he did today he'd admit to tomorrow. It would be so easy to lose control with Chloe. Had he subconsciously picked this song on purpose? He pictured those eyes again in his head and abruptly stopped playing.

"Philip? Was I singing it wrong?" Chloe questioned.

"No, no, Chloe, you were perfect. I was just overwhelmed listening to you sing. I wish I could show you much your voice touches me, makes me feel things that I can't explain…"

What was he saying? Chloe wondered. Could this actually be Philip Kiriakis talking?

Philip shifted himself so that he was suddenly right next to her. He reached out and took her face in his hands. He pulled her closer to him. Chloe could feel his shallow breaths on her face. She panicked. Was he actually going to kiss her?

As if suddenly coming to his senses, Philip released her and stood up. "I have to get out of here. I've been down here too long. I have to get out. There has to be an emergency door or something that we can climb out."

Philip stood up and began walking around. Chloe stood up too. "Philip, did I do something? What's the matter?"

"No, Chloe, you're fine. I just have to…I have to get out of here right now."

Philip began walking and immediately tripped and fell. Chloe heard the clattering of dishes and started walking in that direction. "Philip…" was all Chloe managed to get out before she tripped over him. Her glasses went flying and Chloe landed square on top of him.

"Chloe," Philip whispered. Not being able to see had apparently heightened all of his other senses. He was acutely aware of every inch of her body and that she was lying on top of him. He could feel her hair across his face and neck, caressing him as if she were actually touching him herself. The sudden thought that anyone else would be this way with her, that anyone else would touch her or listen to her sing just for them infuriated him. He felt an overwhelming possessiveness and need to make sure that no one else was with her.

"What?" she whispered back. She knew she should probably move, but liked where she was and he didn't seem to be complaining.

Philip's mouth went dry. He wanted to ask her out. He wanted to spend time with her. But, what would everyone at school say? How would he deal with the repercussions of something like that?

"Nothing," he said softly, almost dejectedly.

Chloe shifted her weight and moved away from Philip. Suddenly the lights flickered on, and the elevator began moving upwards. Philip got a good look at Chloe sans glasses. Those penetrating eyes. He felt like he could get lost in them. He kept looking at her, and Chloe sat there unable to move or to break the eye-lock.

They rode in silence up to the penthouse level when the doors slid open.

"Isn't this cute? Are you two playing house?" a sardonic voice asked. Philip looked up to see Brady standing in the opening of the elevator door. "Come on you two. Belle's been having a cow."

"Where is Belle?" Chloe asked.

"She's over at the regular elevator. You know, the one that normal people take. She's waiting to see if you guys were on it."

Belle suddenly shrieked, "Brady, there's no one on this elevator!"

"It's okay, Belle. I found them," Brady called behind him. Chloe and Philip stood up. Philip glanced around him and saw Chloe's glasses. He picked them up and quietly handed them back to her. He then straightened up the things they had knocked over as Chloe walked out of the elevator, ignoring Brady's stare. Philip quickly followed and stood in the doorway of the elevator.

Belle came running around the corner and threw her arms around Chloe and hugged her tightly. Then she stepped back and angrily said, "Don't you ever do anything like that again. I could kill both of you for making us so worried."

Belle took Chloe by the hand and began to lead her over to the penthouse. Philip could hear Belle's voice trailing off, "Why are you wearing Philip's letterman's jacket?" Chloe looked over her shoulder as she was being led away and simply stared at Philip as he looked at her.

Brady turned and looked at Philip. "Yes, Uncle Phil, why is Chloe Lane wearing your letterman's jacket? Your prized possession?"

"She was cold. What was I supposed to do, let her freeze to death?"

"Why Phil, I didn't know you cared," Brady mocked.

"Look, I don't feel much like playing basketball any more. I'm going home," Philip said and stepped back into the service elevator and pushed the ground floor. He couldn't bring himself to meet Brady's gaze as the doors shut.

Idiot, thought Brady. I hope the power goes out again.

******

In Belle's bedroom Chloe sat on Belle's bed while Belle shut the door. "So you haven't told me yet. Why are you wearing Philip's jacket?"

"I was cold, Belle. Philip was being nice."

Belle shook her head in disbelief. "Chloe Lane, do you have any idea how many girls in this school have schemed to get their hands on that very jacket? You have no idea what the magnitude of this event is."

Chloe brushed her fingers on the leather sleeve. "That's not all."

"What do you mean, 'that's not all'?" Belle demanded.

"I've decided that I want to go to the dance this Friday," Chloe said shyly.

Belle started jumping up and down and screaming. "Are you serious? Are you serious?"

Chloe widened her eyes at the very happy Belle. "Yes, I'm serious. Calm down, Belle. It's just a dance. No big deal."

Belle ran over to the bed and hugged her friend again. "But you were so set against it. I'm SOOO glad that you changed your mind."

Belle grabbed Chloe's hand and pulled her towards the door. "Come on, let's go."

"Go where?" Chloe asked.

"To Salem Place. Now we have to buy both you and me dresses," Belle insisted. Belle desperately needed to shop. She had some baggage to unload by blowing some major money. She refrained from telling Chloe about Shawn. She needed some time to think about what had happened, and she didn't want to share just yet.

"There's one more thing, Belle."

"What's that?"

"Can you, you know, help me? Help me do my hair, make-up, that sort of thing?"

Belle hugged Chloe again. Her eyes misted up. "You have no idea what this means to me, Chloe. I live for my projects. Project-Make-Chloe-Beautiful will be the best one yet."