| Part 6 ~Two weeks later~ Alexis looked up from her desk, as Tom Marshall, one of the senior partners, entered her office. "Tom," Alexis greeted. "I need to talk to you," he said in a business tone, she knew well. "Is there a problem?" she asked, feeling uneasy. She was sure that she wasn't going to like what he had to say. "That depends on you," he replied ,sitting down in front of her. "What is it, Tom?" Alexis asked. "You relocated from Port Charles, right?" he asked, knowing she had. She hesitated. "Yes..." "Good," he said with a relaxing smile. "We have had some troubles there, with ELQ," he added almost as an after thought. Alexis was already shaking her head, knowing what he was about to ask of her. "I can't go back there," Alexis stated. "Why not?" Tom asked, not understanding and really caring about her reasons. He was thinking only of the firm. "It's complicated, Tom. I can't help you on this," she stated with a determination, that he knew he had his work cut out for him. "Edward Quartmaine asked for you personally," Tom added, hoping it would change her mind. She shook her head and laughed. "Figures. He didn't think I was good enough to be a part of his family, but apparently I'm good enough to come and save his precious company. Tom, I love working for this firm, but I refuse to return to Port Charles," Alexis said. It was Tom's turn to shake his head. He sighed tiredly. "I understand. Well I don't understand, but I accept it." He turned back to her at the door. "If you change your mind..." "I won't." she replied, looking back down at her laptop. Once she heard the door close, she closed her eyes, as thoughts of Port Charles and Ned filled her head and heart. For weeks she had been trying to forget and one simple mention of Port Charles and the memories all came rushing back. * * * * * Jax looked around his penthouse. There was plenty of work to be done and boxes to be unpacked. But none of that seemed important. Alexis was all he could think of. The sadness that he had seen in her once soulful brown eyes. He knew she was slipping far away from him and from herself. He didn't know what to do for her. He wanted to marry her and be a father to her baby. But she wasn't willing to even give them a chance. But of course he wouldn't give up that easily. He smiled, as he walked out of his new penthouse. * * * * * Tom walked back into his office. He was very disappointed that Alexis had turned down the ELQ account. He had no idea how he was going to explain this to her. Just as his thoughts turned to her, her voice filled his office. "Is she returning to Port Charles?" Helena asked, turning around in Tom's chair. "How did you get in here without being seen," he asked. "I have my ways, darling. Now about my step-daughter, will she be returning to Port Charles or not?" Helena repeated. "No. She refused to take the case. She hinted that she would quit if I tried to force the issue," Tom said. "I see," Helena said. "Well I'll just have to get her home another way," Helena added, letting Tom know that she was no way giving up until she had Alexis back in Port Charles. "Why is it so important that she return there?" he couldn't help but ask. Helena raised a brow. "Tom, really, I thought you knew better than to question me on family matters," she warned. "I'm sorry. I like Alexis very much. She's like the daughter I never had. I really don't like seeing her so sad and hurt," Tom stated. Helena only shook her head in disgust, wondering what it was about Mikkos' bastard daughter that men found so fascinating. * * * * * A little after 7 pm Alexis walked into her dark and lonely penthouse. The house was a reflection of herself, she guessed. She had just changed out of her work clothes, when she heard a knock at the front door. She frowned, as she started downstairs. She wasn't in the mood for company. She pulled open the door, finding Jax standing in the hall in his sweats, holding an empty cup. A smile broke out, before she realized it. "Jax. What are you doing here?" "Came to borrow a cup of sugar from my new neighbor," Jax said, watching the shock on her face turn to, for the briefest moment, joy, before it was replaced with pure anger. "You're living next door?" Alexis questioned bitterly. "Yep. I promise, just a few minutes of your time and a cup of sugar and I'll be on my way," he said. "Jax, why are you doing this?" Alexis asked, as felt tears threaten to surface. "Alexis, I love you and you are not pushing me out of your life that easily," Jax said, handing her the empty cup. "Please. I was in the middle of making coffee and realized I didn't have any sugar. Alexis stared down at the cup then back to his lovely face. "Fine," she muttered, heading for the kitchen. When she returned, Jax had made himself at home on the couch. She also noticed a present on the table. "Here," she said, handing him the cup back. He smiled at her. "I got you something," Jax said, picking up the wrapped box and handing it to her. "What's this?" "Open it and find out," Jax challenged. She sat down beside him and carefully unwrapped the box and lifted the lid. Inside she found a thick leather dairy with her initials engraved on it. "What's this for?" she asked, clearly confused. "I love you, Alexis and I want to help you, but I know you have a hard time sharing your feelings. So I thought maybe writing them down would help," Jax explained. She looked at him, feeling his love for her so intensely and she so badly want to return his love but she didn't think she could trust her heart. "Thank you for this," she said, running her fingers over her initials. "Well, I'll get out of your way now. Thanks for the sugar," Jax said. She smiled at him. "You're very welcome. And thanks for this," she said, still running her hand over the diary's smooth leather. "Give it a try. I had a journal as a child and it was very helpful," he said, not ashamed by the fact that he wrote his most personal feelings down. "I'll think about," she promised. She worked on some paper work and was about to go up stairs, when she noticed the journal laying on the table. She hesitated for a moment before picking it up and climbing the stairs to her bedroom. After she was showered and ready for bed, she opened the journal. Maybe Jax was right. Maybe putting her feelings down on papers would free her from the childhood memories that had been disturbing her sleep. Alexis was sure that the key to her happiness, lay in burying the past, once and for all. |
| Part 7 |