It was the evening of the Senior Prom and once again Belle was dateless. She had been stupid to think that Shawn would finally come to his senses and say ‘let’s go’. For one whole month, she had been turning down invitations left and right. And for what? Nothing! Shawn had not breathed one word about the dance to her. Maybe she should just forget it and just not go.

Belle threw herself across her bed. God she wanted to cry. She wanted to scream. She wanted to throw something. "I am just so stupid. You know that Shawn Brady would never take you on any sort of date and now here you are all alone while all of your friends are heading to the prom." She covered her head with her pillow, not trying to suffocate herself, but simply to block herself out from the rest of the world.

Bump…bump…bump!

"I don’t want any visitors!" she yelled.

"It’s me Chloe. Remember you asked me to come over and get ready."

Belle jumped off the bed, ran over to the mirror. She did not want anyone to know that she had been crying, especially over something so stupid. She knew better. She walked to the door after straightening her clothes and let Chloe in.

"Hey! What’s up?" Belle asked.

"Nothing…are you okay?" Chloe knew exactly what the problem was, but she did not want to pry.

"Yeah of course. Why wouldn’t I be?" Belle stared Chloe in the eye trying as much as possible not to show how much she was hurting inside.

"If you’re okay, then I’m okay," Chloe replied. "Where’s your brother? I wanted to make sure we were color coordinated for this thing tonight." Chloe pulled out of the garment bag a bronze gown that complimented her skin beautifully. Belle turned away. She wanted to be happy for Chloe, but she could not pull herself to share in Chloe’s joy.

"He’s not in his room. Maybe you should check. That was where I saw him last."

"Okay. I’ll, umm…check it out." Chloe left the room quietly. Her heart went out to Belle. The whole school knew that Belle had been crushing on Shawn for awhile now and everyone once awhile you would actually think that they would finally declare there undying feelings, whatever for each other. She knocked on Brady’s door. "Brady. Brady, are you in there?"

"Yeah Chloe. Come in." Chloe walked in to find Brady barely clothed. He just wore his briefs and a towel around his waist.

"Is this for my benefit?" She joked as she walked up to him and pulled at his towel.

"Everything is for your benefit," he responded. He drew her close to him and planted a small kiss on her lips.

"Is that all you can spare your girlfriend?"

Brady smiled. He and Chloe had been together for three months now, ever since she had been accepted into Julliard. From the first moment he had met her, he knew that there was some strange attraction between them. He had no idea it would have led to this. Brady pulled Chloe into a deep, slow kiss. He knew that it drove her crazy when he kissed her that way. So just when she had really started to get into it, he pulled away.

"You are heartless," she cried. Brady simply shrugged her off with one of his usual sexy, sly smiles.

"So how’s my sister?" He moved away from Chloe as he went over to his dresser.

"Babes, she is really bummed out."

"I bet. I should snap Shawn’s neck for leading her on like this?"

"Shawn didn’t lead her on," Chloe objected.

"I know, but it makes it all the more easier for me to hate him. I mean is the man blind. Belle has not been all that subtle about her feelings for him. I mean there were times when I even came right out and said it. He just can’t seem to get a clue."

Chloe sat down on the bed and watched Brady rifle through his closet. The muscles in his back flexed wonderfully as he sorted through the pile of clothes that sat on the closet floor. "I know. I mean Shawn is like one of the sweetest guys I know, but sometimes he can be so daft."

"I don’t think daft is the word for it. I mean he makes Ernest look like a genius."

"Stop ratting on him. Maybe this is all for the best." Chloe got up off the bed and walked up behind Brady. "I mean if it has not happened by now, maybe it is not supposed to happen, you know." She placed her arms around him as she rested her head on his back.

"Yeah I guess. I just don’t like to see Belle hurt, that’s all."

"Yeah me too.

It’s amazing how fast time has flown, Shawn thought to himself. He had been so caught up in training for the merchant marines that he had not realized that it was that time of year again. Time to dress up in one of those uncomfortable monkey suits and parade around until some phony king and queen was announced. He had actually considered going this year seeing that it was his last, but…

The phone rang. "Hello."

"Hey Shawn, buddy, what’s happening?"

"Nothing much Phil. What’s going on with you?"

"I am trying to get ready for the prom. You know I have to look good when they crown me king." Shawn rolled his eyes.

"Yeah of course you do. What was I thinking?"

"So anyway man, are you coming or what?"

"It’s a little late for me to be thinking about this, ay Phil?"

"It’s never too late. Besides I am sure you have a nice suit in your closet after your parents five weddings and I know it would be like nothing for you to find a date." A date! Shawn hadn’t even thought of that. Was he supposed to get one of those?

"Damn!"

"What man?"

"A date. I totally forgot. I remember over the Christmas break Belle and I had thrown around the idea of us going together. I totally forgot." Shawn slapped his forehead.

"Well she didn’t. I heard she turned down all seven of the guys who asked her to go. I presume she was waiting on your dumb butt to ask her. You screwed this one up big time Brady."

"Are you trying to tell me that Belle does not have a date to the prom?"

"Last time I checked she wasn’t even thinking of going." A doorbell rings in the background. "Hey, umm, that’s my tailor. He’s dropping off my suit imported from Germany. Talk to you later."

Shawn had barely heard the last few words that Phillip had said. How did he get himself in this mess? Belle would never forgive him for this one. How could he be so stupid and forget something so important? What was he going to do? Shawn dialed Belle’s number on speed dial.

"Hello…hello."

"Hey Belle. How are you?"

Was he serious? Belle could not believe her ears. Shawn Brady had the audacity to call her and ask how she was. She was so tempted to hang up on him, but curiosity got the better of her. He had to have a good reason for calling now. "I’m living. How are you?"

That did not sound too promising Shawn thought. "I’m fine." He thought quickly. "I was just calling to make sure I got the right color for your corsage."

Did she just hear him correctly? "What?"

"Your corsage. You know that thing you wear on your arm at formal events like the one we are having tonight."

"Shawn are you kidding me. Prom starts in one hour and you are just now calling me to make arrangements." Belle’s voice started to rise.

"This is not an arrangement Belle. It is a simple question. Arrangements were made last Christmas, remember?" Shawn really hoped this would work. It was all he could think of to get him out of trouble.

"Of course I remember."

How could she forget? It was New Year’s Eve and they were all at a party at the Kiriakis mansion. She had gone out of her way to look especially gorgeous hoping that maybe she would ring in the new year no longer simply Belle Black, but Belle Black, girlfriend of Shawn Brady. Well to say the least things did not go off as planned, however, she did get him to say that they would go to prom together no questions asked. She had felt like she was on top of the world. Prom was magical and the theme for this year was "Wish Upon a Star". Belle had hoped that this year all of her wishes would come true. She had not hesitated to tell Shawn yes.

"Belle, are you still there?"

She came back to the present. "Yes I’m still here. Let me get this straight Shawn. You were planning on going to the prom tonight with me."

"Uhh yeah. That was the general idea, but I mean if you want to scrap the whole idea, that’s fine with me."

Belle did not know what to do. Five minutes ago she had given up on Shawn. She no longer wanted to feel the way she did when their relationship seemed to be at a standstill. She wanted more. Could she be satisfied with what Shawn was offering? She had to be. She wanted to go to her senior prom and if that meant going as Shawn Brady’s friend and not his girl, then that would have to do. "No Shawn. We’ll go. How soon can you be here?"

"How does a half hour sound?" It sounded like not enough time, but once again it would have to do.

"A half hour is fine." Belle hung up without even waiting to hear Shawn’s salutation. She had twenty minutes to get ready because the other ten was needed just for her to slow her heartbeat down. "I am going to the prom with Shawn Douglas Brady! Thank you God!" she screamed.

Ding-dong. Ding-dong.

"Mom could you get that. It is probably Shawn."

Marlena walked over to the door. Shawn had turned his back to the door. When he faced front he was holding a bouquet of ivory roses in his hand. "She’ll be down any minute. My don’t you look sharp tonight."

"Thank you ma’am." Shawn smiled.

He was kind of surprised that he had pulled the whole thing off himself in such a short time. He nervously looked at his watch wondering if Belle could have done it herself. He soon heard footsteps coming down the stairs. He turned to see Belle dressed in a royal cream, rather beige ball gown. She looked beautiful. Shawn was entranced. He could not take his eyes off of her.

As Belle walked down the stairs, she could feel Shawn’s eyes on her. They were burning holes in her skin, but she did not want them to stop. She had waited too long to get even an ounce of that attention from Shawn and now that she had it, she had no intention of giving it up. She stood right in front of him now as his eyes bore into her. "Hi Shawn."

Shawn said nothing. Marlena interjected. "Oh my baby. You look so beautiful tonight. You grew up so fast." Marlena walked over to hug her. Not for one second did Shawn remove his eyes. "Let me take a picture."

"For you." Shawn finally spoke handing the flowers and the corsage to Belle.

"Thank you."

"Strike a pose kids." The first shot had Belle standing next to Shawn with his arm resting gently on her waist. The second pose had Shawn placing the corsage on Belle’s wrist. Numerous thoughts ran through Belle’s head like is this how it is going to be on my wedding day. Shawn smiled at her and she almost could not breathe. The third shot had Belle standing in front of Shawn as he wrapped his arm around her waist. Belle did not even realize when she melted back into him. She thought that she heard him gasp, but attributed that probably to her own fast beating heart.

"Okay you guys have a good night." Marlena ushered them out the door.

"You look very handsome tonight Shawn."

"You don’t look so bad yourself." It was not the response she was hoping for, but it once again would have to do.

Throughout the whole ride to Tuscany, Shawn had just stared at Belle as if he had seen her for the first time. How did he miss the fact that his best friend from kindergarten was such a complete and total goddess? Her long gold her was pinned up, but curls hung loosely around her face. Her dress accentuated all of her features in just the right place. Shawn could not help but notice the low cut of the neck. Where had she hidden that body in all the time he had known her? Shawn had to cover his mouth just to make sure he had not been drooling.

"Shawn hello. Are you there?" Belle was waving her hand in front of Shawn’s face.

"Huh. What did you say?"

"I wanted to know if you wanted some water?" Belle had been feeling kind of parched from the lack of talking she and Shawn had been doing. She pulled the bottle up to her mouth, as Shawn watched her lips encircle the mouth of the bottle.

What is she doing to me? Shawn thought. "Um yeah. I think I will have some of that.

Shawn needed something to distract him. When they had done that finally pose at Belle’s penthouse, an unfamiliar feeling had surged throughout his entire body. He had felt like that before just never around Belle. She had felt perfect in his arms and her smell had made him close his eyes and imagine things he had never dreamed of.

It was Belle’s turn to watch. Shawn looked absolutely delicious in his tux. It was one of those Irish cuts with the high neck and the insignia on the left chest side. He was nicely shaved and he had a strong masculine scent that accompanied him. Belle just wanted to reach over and touch him. Nothing big. Just his hand, or his face, or his lips.

"Get a hold yourself Belle." Belle licked her lips.

"What did you say?" Let me do that for you, Shawn thought. Where did that come from?

"Nothing." She had to remember that they were just friends and that was all they would ever be. It did not matter that right now Shawn could not seem to take his eyes off of her and that he seemed to be looking at her with maybe longing. That was just what she wanted to see. Shawn did not want her in that way and never would and it was time she accepted it.

The prom had already started by the time Belle and Shawn had arrived at Tuscany. The atmosphere was enchanted. It was partially dark and hanging from the sky were what seemed like crystal stars. They cast reflections all around the room. In the background the DJ was playing Enya’s "Only Time".

Who can say where the road goes,
Where the day flows?
Only time...

And who can say if your love grows,
As your heart chose?
Only time...

Who can say why your heart sighs,
As your love flies?
Only time...

And who can say why your heart cries,
When your love lies?
Only time...

The song was almost eerie.

"Belle, Shawn, over here!" Shawn and Belle looked in the direction of the voice of the short redhead. Mimi was sitting over at a table with her date Kevin, Chloe and Brady, Abby and Phillip. They walked over to them. "We didn’t think you guys were going to make it."

"We didn’t think we were going to make it either." Belle chimed in while giving Shawn a sly look.

"Hey Brady." Phillip slapped Shawn’s hand in a high five. "Looking good man. Where’d you pull that suit from?"

"What are you talking about?" Shawn gave Phillip a wicked look. "I told you I had to pick it up from my tailor."

Phillip just looked away and could not help but giggle aloud.

"What’s so funny?" Belle asked.

"Nothing. You know golden boy, always laughing at himself." Belle sat down next to Brady while Shawn sat between her and Abby.

"You made it. What did you do, call him swearing at him?" Brady joked.

"No. Shawn called me."

"And you told him yes…Oh wait. You probably would have told him yes if he had shown up at your door five minutes before."

"No I wouldn’t have Brady." Yeah she probably would have. She was so weak when it came to Shawn. He did not even have to smile at her or touch her, he just had to be anywhere near her.

Shawn was thankful that he and Belle were not alone anymore. He had to literally hold his hands because he had wanted to just reach over…and what? Shawn thought. What was he going to do? He didn’t know. He just wanted to get as close to her as he possibly could.

"Calling all couples. It is the first dance of the night." The DJ began to play "I Need You" by Leann Rimes. No one could miss the looks that passed between Chloe and Phillip. This had been there song after they had gotten together sophomore year.

"Maybe we should sit this one out," Chloe said to Brady.

"No. I want to dance to this one." Brady did not like the fact that Phillip was staring at Chloe. So he jumped up and took her hand. "Let’s go." Not two seconds later Phillip and Abby got up to dance.

"Are you guys coming?" Mimi asked Shawn and Belle. Belle wanted to dance. She loved this song, but Shawn had not made any kind of move.

"Maybe the next one." Belle looked depressed. Mimi felt so bad for her. "Shawn is there something wrong?" Shawn looked up at her dumbfounded.

"No why would you ask that?" What did she mean if there was something wrong? Heck yeah. He could not keep his eyes off of her. All kinds of crazy thoughts were running through his head. The question was why. He had known Belle forever and it seemed that in a matter of minutes he was starting to see her in a whole new light. A light that scared him. It was intense.

"Do you want to dance then?"

No. "Yeah sure." Shawn got up and was about to lead Belle out to the dance floor when the song ended. "Sorry maybe the next one." He could not help but see the disappointment in her eyes. Had he caused that? Without even thinking he pulled a hand up to her face and began to stroke her cheek. Their eyes locked. Her cheeks were so soft and her lips were a sensual pink.

"Hey you guys." Abby’s voice broke the trance. A welcomed reprieve thought Shawn or was it?

"It is time for us to announce tonight’s winners. Winners are asked to pick up their gifts at the school on Monday. So here goes. Most likely to succeed, Kevin Lambert." That was no surprise. Even though Kevin had become a hottie all of a sudden and was now hanging with the "A" crowd, he still was the smartest geek in school.

"Most likely to become a famous star, Chloe Lane." Chloe seemed amazed that she had won. Everyone knew that she was destined to own her own opera house someday. Brady gave her a small peck on the lips.

"Most likely to be the next Michael Jordan, Phillip Kiriakis." Abby gave Phillip a huge hug and Shawn gave him a high five.

"Most likely to be the next Sister Teresa, Belle Black."

"Sister Teresa," Belle laughed.

"That’s our perfect girl." Shawn placed his arm around Belle. Belle smiled.

"Most likely to be the next commissioner of Salem, Shawn Brady."

"Congratulations tough boy." Belle hugged Shawn. She had not realized that Shawn’s arm was still around her probably because it felt so comfortable there.

"Commissioner….I don’t know if I’ll be back that soon." Belle’s heart almost broke. She had been trying to forget that Shawn would be leaving to join the merchant marines in a couple of weeks. It was so little time for them to spend together.

"Shawn," Belle barely breathed his name.

"The prom king and queen will be announced after this dance." This time Shawn was the first one to get up as he drew Belle towards the dance floor. All-4-One’s "Could This Be Magic" began to play.

Could this be magic
my dear, my heart's all aglow
could this be magic
loving you so
could this be magic
my dear, having your love
my prayers were answered
so far from above

I thought that it could be
just a memory
to linger, my heart in pain
but to my surprise
I opened up my eyes
and I'm with you here in my arms again

Belle could not believe that she was standing this close to Shawn. He was holding her protectively in his arms, which rested around her waist. Her hands were intertwined behind his head. He was looking down with what seemed like adoration. His eyes kept moving from her eyes to her lips back to her eyes. Belle thought she could die happy right there.

Shawn was trying to get as close to Belle as he could. He just wanted to get lost in the moment. At the time, they were the only things that mattered. He watched as Belle had licked her lips. Without thinking he lowered his head to within a fraction of an inch from Belle’s. They were so close they could feel each other’s breath.

He is going to kiss me, Belle thought. She began to run her hands through the hair at the nape of his neck. She was willing him to kiss her. They were this close when he pulled back. Belle was so let down that she almost cried. She did not want Shawn to see her hurt so she rested her head on his chest. Shawn tightened his grip. She could hear his heart beating a mile a minute. He did feel something. His body could not lie.

Could this be magic
my dear, having your love
my prayers were answered
so far from above

Could this be magic
have your love
if this is magic
then magic is mine

I thought that it would be
just a memory
to linger, my heart in pain
but to my surprise
I opened up my eyes
and i'm with you here in my arms again

Belle raised her head to look into his eyes. "Did I tell you yet how beautiful you look tonight?"

Belle blushed. "No, but better late than never." Shawn smiled back. His smile was gorgeous with those small dimples that dented his cheeks. That continued to look into each other’s eyes.

"Hey you guys the song is over." The song had been over for a while now. They had just gotten so lost in each other that for them the song had played on and was still playing.

Everyone was standing around on the side. "Ladies and gentlemen the time has come for us to name our king and queen. The king and queen for the Class of 2002 are…"

Belle had not been listening to one word the DJ was saying. When Shawn and she had moved to the side to join the others, he had placed himself behind her and was holding her waist gently. She could feel his chest resting behind her back and his breath on her ear. Reflexively, Belle placed her hands on top of his trying to extract whatever warmth she could get from him. It was not cold in Tuscany, but for some reason she was shivering.

"I repeat," the DJ was speaking extra loud now, "our king and queen are Phillip Kiriakis and Belle Black."

"Belle…hello." It was not Shawn’s words that brought her back to the present. It was when he planted the small kiss on her cheek. She turned around to look at him. "Hey queen. You won."

"What?" Belle had no idea what he was talking about.

"You won prom queen."

"Oh my gosh." Belle could not believe it. She hadn’t really thought about it. She threw her arms around his neck and then walked swiftly towards the dance floor.

to be continued...

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