A Grand Romance

by Venus

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Chapter 21

The Cottage

Jax took the stairs two at a time, and as he reached the top of the stairs he could hear Brenda’s sobs. They stopped

him cold. Knowing he had made plenty of noise coming up the stairs, he approached her bedroom door with caution,

not wanting to startle her further. He eased the door slowly open, praying that all he would find on the other side would

be Brenda. Jax took a deep breath and moved into the room, the light from the fireplace cast a warm orange glow over

the room. He didn’t see anyone else in the room as he approached the bed. There laying curled up in a fetal position

was Brenda, clutching her pillow, sobbing into it, her eyes filled with fear. He bent down slowly and sat gently on the

bed.

“Brenda, honey I’m here. It’s Jax. Brenda everything is okay.” Jax gently reached out and stroked her hair, his heart

wrenching seeing her this way, much the same way he had seen her in the hospital when she had her breakdown.

Brenda turned her head towards Jax voice, and raised her hand to touch his on her head. She grasped his hand like a

lifeline. “Jax, oh Jax.” She said as she raised herself up to reach her arms around his neck. Clinging to him, climbing

onto his lap, and holding onto to him for dear life.

Jax wound his arms around her and hugged her tightly. “I’m here Brenda. It’s okay.”

As Robin opened the door to her room it creaked, frightening her, she let out a gasp.

“Robin? Are you okay? It’s me Jax, I’m in here with Brenda.” Jax called out from Brenda’s room, still holding her tightly.

Robin walked into the room looking extremely shaken, carrying her cell phone.

“Felicia, it’s okay. Jax is here now, and Brenda’s alright. It must have just been a nightmare. I’m sorry if I scared you

and Uncle Mac.” Robin said her voice filled with emotion.

“Robin, do you want me to stay on the line till Mac gets there?” Felicia asked wanting so much to be able to comfort

her.

“No, you go ahead and get things closed up around there. We will be okay. I’ll have Mac call you when he gets here.”

“Okay. Take care Robin, I love you.”

“Thanks, Felicia, I love you too.” Robin said as she flipped her cell phone closed.

Jax had watched the exchange while Brenda seemed to have relaxed some in his arms, the sobs subsiding and her

breathing more steady.

“Jax how did you know Brenda needed help?” Robin wondered amazed that Jax always seemed to be there when

Brenda needed him.

“We had agreed that since we weren’t staying the night together that we would leave our phones next to us in bed so we

could hear each other’s breathing and possibly sleep better. I woke up to Brenda screams. “ Jax looked down at

Brenda as she seemed to understand now and was breaking from the grip the nightmare so tightly had held.

“Jax, I’m sorry I woke you. I’m sorry I scared you. You to Robin.” Brenda said sitting more upright in Jax lap her eyes

pleading for forgiveness, moving back and forth from Robin to Jax.

“Brenda, it’s okay, no apologies necessary. Just knowing you are okay. Do you want to talk about it?” Jax asked

hesitantly, uncertain if stirring up those emotions or visions was the right course of action.

Before Brenda could respond they heard a loud knock at the door and then Mac calling out as he climbed the steps.

“Robin, it’s Uncle Mac.”

“In here, we’re in here.” Robin said as she moved to the door and saw Mac coming down the hall. She motioned him in

and then ran into his safe arms.

Mac hugged her tightly, lifting her off the ground, and then placing her back down, he released his hold and took a step

backwards to look her over.

“You okay?” Mac asked looking at Robin with love and understanding.

“Yeah, I was a little scared but I’m fine now. Why don’t we go downstairs and put on a pot of tea? Maybe that will help

soothe Brenda’s and everyone nerves.” Robin started walking out the door as Mac nodded in agreement.

“Thanks Robin.” Jax said thankful that they were going to let him have a few minutes alone with Brenda.

Jax smoothed Brenda’s hair with his left hand and caressed her cheek with his right. “Brenda, why don’t you lay back

down, stretch out, and let me cover you back up.” Jax pulled the blanket and top sheet back and laid Brenda back on

the bed, and covered her.

Brenda place both her hands over his left and his continued to stroke her cheek with his right. “Jax, it was so real, it was

like every time in my life when gunfire has rang out. It was the shower at Sonny’s, Tiger Key, the shootout at Lukes, the

photo shoot with Star TV, and Taggert pointing that gun at you all flashing rapidly through my mind. Then we were at

some party and a sniper had his sights on you but I saw him, and jumped in front of you. I thought I was going to lose

you.” Tears brimmed in her eyes as she spoke in a near whisper, recounting the nightmare.

“Brenda, it must have been Taggert’s carelessness that triggered these memories. I was surprised earlier that it didn’t

seem to bother you but since you seemed to get past it quickly I didn’t want to dwell on it. Maybe pushing it aside, back

into your subconscious and not dealing with it, is what led to the nightmare.” Jax was trying to contain his anger towards

the situation. If Taggert hadn’t been so trigger happy earlier this probably wouldn’t have happened. Jax was furious at

himself for not staying with Brenda. Knowing her fear of gunfire, he should have known she would have a strong

reaction.

“I just felt so happy and so strong yesterday that I didn’t want to give Taggert the benefit of ruining what was becoming

the best day I have had...since I lost it all, since I left you.” Brenda said her voice barely audible, just slightly above a low

whisper.

Jax stretched out next to Brenda on the bed, and took her in his arms. “Brenda, no one is going to shatter our

happiness ever again, unless we let them. Remember ‘Nobody Leaves’ this time. It’s not always going to be perfect

but as long as we have each other, it will be close to perfect.” Jax leaned down, brushed her hair from her face and

kissed her gently on the lips.

Brenda tightened her embrace as she found peace in his arms, her lifeline, and her path towards happiness.

“Jax will you hold me the rest of the night?”

“I was planning on it.” Jax said as he smiled down at her, knowing in that moment he had never loved her more.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Mac was pacing back and forth across the kitchen while Robin prepared the tea.

“Uncle Mac, it’s okay. Brenda had a nightmare, we’re safe.” Robin said trying to calm Mac’s frazzled nerves.

“No Robin, it’s not okay. There is someone out there who is planning something, and since they already took me from

my family once, I can’t guarantee they won’t do it again, or worse do it to someone I love. My god Tess was on this very

road tonight when Brenda was screaming.” Mac blurted out, and the moment he did he regretted it. She had enough to

worry about with him, he didn’t need to frighten her further.

“Tess was here? Tonight?” Robin asked shocked by Mac’s words.

Mac approached Robin and took her hand and led her to the table in the kitchen. “Tess, knows I escaped. She went

back to the cabin, and found me gone, but she doesn’t know if I am James or Mac yet. Anyway V was trailing her from

the time she left the cabin, and when she started to head towards here V let me know. I wouldn’t, none of us would have

let her hurt you Robin, believe that.” Mac stated as he looked her directly in the eyes.

“So where is she now?” Robin asked nervously.

“V is still trailing her. When I called Felicia to tell her I was here she told me that Tess had just gotten on Highway 111.

We think she might be heading for the Canadian border, but probably back to Rochester since she recently was there

meeting her partner in this caper.”

“What if V loses her? Or she gets across the border?

Robin asked, concerned that Tess might get away without being prosecuted.

The teapot let out a whistle, at the same time Jax entered the kitchen. Both surprised Robin and Mac.

“What did you say about V losing someone, across the border?” Jax asked, confused since V was now working as his

assistant and no longer a State Trooper.

Robin looked at Mac, and Mac responded. “Is Brenda okay, did she fall back asleep?”

“Brenda is fine for now, she’s sleeping. Am I missing something here? Is there more to this than just Brenda’s

nightmare?” Jax questioned annoyed that Mac hadn’t answered him before, but had redirected the conversation.

“Jax don’t go jumping to conclusions. Going off have cocked like you did tonight isn’t going to help anyone.”

Mac responded still upset that Jax just barged right into the cottage without even considering a hostage situation.

“Excuse me, half cocked? I wake up to Brenda screaming and begging for someone not to shoot her and coming here

to make sure she is okay, is going off half cocked?” Jax asked incredulously.

“Not calling the police, or me. Not waiting for backup. Not waiting to make sure the place was secure before entering it.

Putting both Robin’s and Brenda’s life in danger, yeah Jax, I’d say that is half cocked!” Max fired back emotions rising

to the surface.

“Well excuse me Mac but it was those very same Port Charles finest that probably triggered this episode, considering

Trigger Taggert was here yesterday doing his best imitation of Quick Draw McGraw. Plus with the police you get the

added bonus of a media circus. Calling you? Oh, sure the former police commissioner who has never been able to

put behind bars the two most popular mobsters on the eastern seaboard. It was under your command that very same

force wanted to pin a murder on Brenda, and saw me as a potential drug kingpin. Please, you hate me, which is fine

when it is just me, but if it stops you from helping Brenda then what’s the use?”

“Calm down you guys or you are going to wake Brenda.”

Robin said trying to restore peace as she looked at one and then the other.

“No need to worry about waking me up, I’m already awake.” Brenda said as she walked through the door, wiping the

sleep from her eyes. She walked over to where Jax was standing and wrapped her arms around him.

“I’m sorry Brenda. I just came down to see about the tea in case you did wake back up. Here why don’t we take this

tray on up to bed. It’s late and remember both you and Robin have a full day planned. You’re going to need your rest.”

Jax smiled broadly, a Cheshire grin spreading across his face, in an effort to lighten the mood, and to coax Brenda

back to bed.

Brenda smiled back. Then looked at Robin and then Mac. “I really do appreciate you both being so concerned about

me. I apologize for waking you both up and especially you Mac, having to come out so late just to check on us.”

“Not a problem Brenda. I will always come if you or Robin need help, just call.” Mac stated tenderly.

“Thanks Mac, I appreciate it. I’ll just say goodnight. See you in the morning Robin.” Brenda leaned over a gave Robin

a hug.

“Night Brenda, Night Jax.” Robin said as she hugged them both.

“Goodnight, Robin. Mac.” Jax said as he escorted Brenda out.

Mac waited a minute to make sure they were out of earshot. “So, are they back together?”

“Let’s just say they are seeing where it is heading.” Robin responded not wanting to break a confidence.

“Robin, I need to make sure you are going to be safe here. Why don’t I hire a couple of guards to watch the cottage?

Just until this whole James/Mac identity switch is resolved.” Mac asked in his overprotective fatherly tone.

“Uncle Mac, I think we are safe here. As long a V knows where Tess is I think we can forego the guards. Plus you will

have to tell Brenda and Jax if you do it, or they will think it is Jason and then we will have a mess on our hands.” Hoping

the Mac would relent and let her live a halfway normal existence.

“Okay, for now I will let Jax watch out for you, but the moment he isn’t going to be around you call me. Hopefully V is still

is tailing her, and Felicia might have gotten a break in the phone records. If you are going to be okay, I’ll get back to

Felicia. Maybe Tess will then be convinced I’m James, because if it wasn’t for her you wouldn’t get me to leave, unless

you were leaving with me, understood?” Mac asked with a cold stare that emphasized his point.

“Yes, Uncle Mac I get it.” Robin said mockingly. She walked him to the front door, and hugged him tight. “I love you.

Thanks for caring so much.”

“I love you to Robin. I just don’t want you to be in any danger because of me. Promise me you will call me, no matter

what if you see anything suspicious.” Mac said as he hugged Robin back and then stepped back.

“I promise. Goodnight.” Robin said as she opened the door.

“Goodnight Robin.” Mac said as he left. He hated leaving her there with Jax unaware but until he had some more

information he didn’t want to speculate on who might be behind the kidnapping.

Robin locked the door, turned off the lights and went back to bed.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Brenda’s room

Brenda had gotten back into bed and she watched as Jax locked the door to the bedroom, checked all the windows to

make sure they were secure. He placed another couple of logs on the fire and then moved over to the nightstand and

poured Brenda a cup of tea. Handing it to her he said, “Here drink this and see if you can fall back to sleep.”

“I have a better idea.” Brenda said as she took a small sip of the tea. “Why don’t you get undressed and come to bed,

that would be the best cure for my insomnia.” She flashed him a sexy smile.

“I think we have had enough excitement for one night. I think rest would be best.” Jax countered although tempted to

take Brenda up on her offer.

“Oh so you’re saying you don’t want me?” Brenda asked raising one eyebrow as she pushed her bottom lip out in an

effort to feign disappointment. She passed the tea cup back to Jax.

“I didn’t say that Brenda. I said you needed your rest. Remember you have a full day ahead of you.” Jax teased as he

disrobed, and slid into bed next to her.

Brenda curled up next to him, She laid her head on his chest and wrapped her arm across his body.

Jax reached up to turn off the lamp when his eyes spied a notepad with his name on it laying on the nightstand. Picking

it up he asked, “What’s this?”

Brenda reached up to snatch it out of his hand but Jax reaction was quicker as he held it up away from her grasp.

“Jax, give that to me. It’s private.” Brenda was embarrassed that he had found it, and determined not to let him read it.

“Private you say. How can it be so private, and not be any concern of mine, when my name is right here on this paper?”

Jax taunted, shaking the tablet in the air just out of her reach.

“It’s just some thoughts I had earlier. Nothing in particular that I want to share. Why don’t you just give it to me, and then

we can get to sleep, so I’ll be how did you say, “Well rested to face the full day ahead. We are both going to need our

strength remember?” Brenda winked as she tried to play his game.

“Okay, if you put it that way, here.” Jax handed the tablet to Brenda who immediately took it and slid it between the

mattresses for safe keeping.

“Thanks Jax, “ she said as she rolled back over and placed a gentle kiss on his lips.

“Oh your so welcome.” he responded as he turned off the lamp and brought her closer to him. Kissing her back.

“Goodnight Jax.”

“Goodnight Brenda.” Jax replied wondering why she was being so secretive. ‘What kind of plan was she cooking up

now?’ he asked himself.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~