| Chapter 4 " Sonny!" Alexis screamed. She scooted backwards towards the cave’s wall, her eyes wide with fear. Several yards away was a rattle snake curled up in a ball. Sonny was in a mad dash towards the cave. "Alexis!" he yelled her name, he wanted her to know that he was on his way. "I'm coming!" "Hurry Sonny!" Alexis screamed in a full panic attack now. Sonny froze in place, when his eyes fell on the source of her fear. "Oh God, don't move!" "I can't!" Alexis muttered. Sonny realized he had to act quickly. Keeping one eye on the snake and the other on her, he slowly reached down for a large rock. "Easy Lex." Sonny cautioned, moving toward the snake. "Sonny." She whispered his name, realizing what he was about to do. Her heart was suddenly filled with fear for his safety. She gave a loud cry, when the rock came down on the snake. " Sonny." she sobbed hysterically. "Shh It's okay. I got you baby." Sonny whispered . He stooped down beside her. "I was so scared!" Alexis said still gasping from her panic attack. “Shh baby, I know." Sonny said pulling her into an embrace. "Come on, Lex, I’m here. Relax. I'm sorry was gone for so long." She was sobbing hard now. "Don't ever leave me again Sonny … please!" "I won't.” Sonny said. He pulled back a little suddenly looking at her closely. “Are you okay, have you been bitten?" "No, it didn't bite me." Alexis hiccuped. She closed her eyes but not in time to keep the tears from falling. "I'm sorry for being so much trouble." "You're not Alexis." Sonny said placing a his fingers on her lips. Their eyes met and held. He let his fingers travel across her lips. She trembled under his gentle touch, not to mention the memories of sleeping in the warmth of his arms the night before. "Sonny." She pulled out of his arms to get away from the feelings his touch stirred in her, but quickly cried out in pain when she tried to stand and placed her weight on her ankle. She collapsed down to the ground again next to Sonny. "What is it?" Sonny asked in concern moving closer worried by the distress on her face. "It's my ankle, I hurt it again. When I saw the snake, I tried to stand up to get away. I was in such a panic that I forgot about my ankle being hurt." Alexis explained softly. "Let me look at it." Sonny said. Lifting her leg into his lap. She bit down on her lower lip, feeling the same uneasiness she had felt the previous night by this intimacy with Sonny. She felt her cheeks growing warm in embarrassment. She cursed her reaction to his touch. This was after all Sonny Corinthos -- her client and friend. There had always been a genuine affection between them, but now there was something more. A “something more” that Alexis wasn't sure she wanted or was ready to know about. Sonny carefully rolled up her pant leg and saw the obvious swelling. He gently placed her foot back down and stood. "I think there are some bandages in the medical kit. It’s really swelling." Sonny was worried. He wasn't a doctor and he didn't know what to do about her ankle . . . but wrapping it up seemed like the thing to do. Alexis watched as he searched the kit for the bandages. "I should have thought of this last night, Alexis. Your ankle might not be so swollen now if I had," Sonny said his voice full of remorse. Tears once again threatened to fall when she heard the guilt in his voice. "We both were in shock last night, Sonny. So don't beat yourself up over it," Alexis pleaded. The last thing Alexis needed or wanted was for Sonny to feel guilty about her. He turned to look at her. The intensity in his eyes told her everything, that he could not yet voice. "I know what you're doing Sonny. I won't let you take all the weight of this situation on your shoulders. We are in this together. My survival is in my own hands here. I do, however, need your help. But I am not your responsibility!" Alexis said proudly. There was no way in hell was she going to be a source of guilt for him. His brow raised, and he fought to keep his dimples hidden. Even in a plane crash, Alexis still showed her fiercely independent nature. She wasn't about to let him get away with anything, and feeling sorry for her was out of the question. The smiled he had been holding in, suddenly came shining through. Alexis noticed the smiled and frown. "What 's so funny?" "Huh?" Sonny asked not realizing he had been smiling. "Why are you suddenly smiling, when just a moment ago you were beating yourself up over MY hurt ankle." Alexis asked a hint of irritation coming through. Sonny shook his head still amused. "Nothing," he said walking toward her with an ace bandage in hand. "I don't think so." Alexis said, “Spill it.” Sonny sat down the ace bandage at her feet before dropping down on his knees in front of her. "Do you really want to know why I was smiling just then?" "Yes." She breathed as he lifted her leg off the ground. "Sorry" he whispered, noticing her discomfort. "It's okay." Alexis said despite the pain. "So.." He looked up at her confused. "What were you smiling about?" She repeated. "Oh, that!" Sonny said with a bright dimpled smile. "I was just thinking how you never let me get away with anything. Even in a plane crash, you are keeping me in check." Sonny teased. His statement earns him her bright dimpled smile. "That's why you pay me the big bucks," Alexis said brightly. "Oh, is that what I pay you for. I thought it was your legal services." He returned sarcastically. "Well, sure. That too!" She smiled. They fell into a comfortable silence. He wrapped her ankle, he was as gentle as possible. She watched his face closely, he was so focused on not causing her further pain that his whole body was tense. He didn’t relax until the job was completed. His eyes met hers. "How does it feel, not too tight?" He looked worried. She offered him a graceful smile. "No, it's not too tight. Thanks." He cautiously placed her leg on the ground. Seconds ticked by. They stared deeply into each other's eyes not knowing what to say. To break the silence, Sonny asked, "are you hungry?" although he knew that she was. "Yes." Alexis responded. "We don't have much, a few bananas, some of those bags of peanuts that were on the plane, a few bottles of water." Sonny explained as he stood to get the supplies he’d dragged off the plane the night before. "Banana, please." Sonny brought it to her. He sat down beside her, handing her the banana and a bottle of water. "Here you go." "Thanks." She peeled the banana and took a few bites. Alexis suddenly looked at him and with an accusatory tone asked, "You're not eating?" He looked away from her face. "No .. I'm good." Sonny whispered. Alexis shook her head. "Oh no you don't, mister," she warned. "What?" He asked looking confused. "Sonny.” Alexis said calling him on his attempt at misguided chivalry. “You need to eat too." She broke off part of the banana, offering it to him. "No. I’m fine. You eat it." Sonny insisted. "Damn-it Sonny, stop being an ass and take it." She yelled. Bringing the fruit to his lips, she rubbed it seductively across his lips. He cursed which parted his lips and allowed Alexis to shove the banana into his mouth. "Why do you have be so stubborn?" He asked a defeated sigh chewing on the banana. "I could ask you the same." She challenged. "I told you - we are in this together. I'm not your responsibility Sonny." "Alexis.." He tried. She silenced him with a stern stare. "No. I mean it. Look, I do need your help -- but that's not the same thing as you being solely responsible for me. I don't want you to sacrifice yourself for me. You have to eat and drink water too!" She said handing him the bottle of water. “Besides, what will I do if you pass out from lack of food and water? Have some consideration for God’s sakes and cut the macho crap.” He took the bottle in defeat. He knew that she wasn't going to let him get away with anything. "You're the most complicated and frustrating woman I have ever known." Sonny muttered. A cocky smile tugged on the corner of her mouth, but she didn't argue with his assessment. "Do have any idea where we are?" He closed his eyes hating to tell her the truth but sighed and said. "No, Alexis, I have no idea." Alexis swallowed the lump of emotions that were quickly forming in her throat. "No sign of civilization?" She asked hopefully. "Nope." He heard her muffled sob. "I'm sorry." Sonny scooted over close to Alexis again and tried to comfort her, “It's okay Lex. We are going to be okay. I'm sure they are searching for the plane." Sonny reasoned. He had no idea how wronged he was. In a different part of the world, a man walked into a hotel room. A smiled appeared on his face. "You made it," he said surprisingly. "You seem surprised." "Well.. honestly, I am. But I'm pleased that you made it here safe." "So am I Joseph. I swear Spencer can be so annoying at times." Helena smiled. "Did you take care of that little matter we discussed?" He asked. "Yes Corinthos and that bastard step-daughter of mine have been taken care of. The plane crashed in very isolated location. They could search for days and never find them." Helena explained pleased with herself. "Good, ‘cuz I have plans for Corinthos and his lady-lawyer." Joseph Sorel said just as pleased. |
| Chapter 5 |