| Chapter 12 Damn it, couldn’t Marcus drive faster? They were running out of time. It had been over three hours since she had called and the phone had gone dead. He could be over three hours too late. The thought brought chills down his spine even in the temperate night. “Faster, Marcus, faster.” “Jax, I know you’re scared man, so am I, but if I go any faster we will end up over on the side of the road. You know it’s a terrible road as it is.” “CC, did your tracking software locate anything?” “We’ve ID’d the location, but I can’t determine how many are alive there. There are too many possibilities, but the software detects six individuals in the small office. It was easier when we were tracking Stefan, we had a little more to go on.” Finally they arrived; well they arrived about ¾ of a mile from the compound. They got out and started in on foot. A few of Stefan’s men followed. They had immediately telephoned Stefan, Florence, Nik and Gia. All were worried. Stefan was on a plane with Elizabeth (who was frantic over Jason); even Florence couldn’t keep him at home. He said “she's my sister and my future niece or nephew, my place is with them too. You just make sure that you get her out alive.” He and Stefan got along well, primarily because they both enjoyed the pursuit and pleasures of the game called power, but were also realistic enough to know that it was indeed that a game, similar to the game of jacks. He couldn’t blame Stefan, but having him here would be another person to worry about. Stefan had sent some Cassadine security men to Puerto Rico almost immediately – they arrived from Miami about one hour ago. They were good men, hand picked by CC and Marcus. The plan was to get into the compound, eliminate any outside guards and create a diversion, then enter and attempt to grab Alexis. Frankly, no one but CC cared a rat's behind about the mini mobster and anger boy. She insisted they were human too, with loved ones who cared for them. Marcus and Jax had seen too much and heard about too many promises to really care. Jax’s priority was Alexis and his future son or daughter and when this was over, he might go to his grave, but he wouldn’t allow Alexis to endanger herself or her children by working for Sonny again. Perhaps he was a chauvinist, but this was the woman he loved and his child and hopefully children and he would be damned if he would allow the lower than life mini mobster to dictate their life and death. * * * * * It was hot and humid and the night sky was clouded with haze. It was a night to be sitting on a lanai with Alexis in his arms drinking large glasses of cold fruit punch. They would turn on a little Brian Wilson and lose themselves in one another. It was not a night to be tramping around in the swampy woods owned by the mini mobster, wondering who if any of them would get out of this alive. He couldn’t think about that, it hurt too much. The entered by a side road. No one had detected them. CC was in the lead; her tracking skills were still the best. They rounded the corner and found the first dead body. One of Sonny’s guards the way it appeared. They went on and could now see the lights from the outer building and the main house. Where was the office, CC had found that it was detached from the larger buildings, but exactly which building was it? He saw one small building about 100 yards away from the main house – that had to be it. He saw a body lying on the porch and another one at the foot of the steps leading to the porch. Sorel was thorough – no witnesses. Stefan’s men were behind them and CC instructed them to go into the house. The entered through the rear door and motioned them in. The housekeeper had been shot as well. They searched the house and found no one else and decided to leave and go towards the outer office building. Just as they got it into view and were about ten yards away, the door opened and he saw her, she was alive. He saw his beloved, Alexis. His heart quickened and he couldn’t stop his feet they carried him to her. She ran into his arms and he hugged her tightly at that moment he also felt warm liquid soak his lower pants covered leg. He hoped it was not what he thought. Shots were also being fired. He hoped CC, Marcus and the men were firing at Sorel and not vice versa. He had to get her out and to the hospital something was wrong, she was screaming and it wasn’t from fear he surmised. * * * * * His leg felt like something exploded. He had been shot. Marcus was next to him and he handed Alexis over to him. Although she wasn’t light, both men took her like she was a feather. He hoped Marcus was out of sight. CC was shooting, Stefan’s men were shooting and now he was using his gun. He saw Sonny and Jason run through the door. Sorel turned and fired. He got Sorel as he turned back around and he was down. His men ran firing away once they saw their leader fall. It was then that Jax saw what lay on the ground. Jason had been shot, but by whom he wondered? Sonny was kneeling beside him and he heard the grief in his voice. He began screaming, ''get a doctor now''. Jax was bleeding, but he walked over to Sonny and knelt beside him. Sonny glared at him. He checked Jason to find a pulse and there was none. It appeared the bullet hit his heart. “We’re even now, I don’t owe you. I’m sorry about Jason, Sorel or us?” Sonny’s eyes were wet with tears, “Sorel”. “Yeah, the debt is paid. Go find Alexis. I’ll see to him.” He found Marcus and Alexis just inside the door of the main house. He had laid her on the carpeting in the entrance hall. She was screaming for him, for the baby, for anyone. She appeared to have lost her mind. She saw him and although she was still moaning, her vision cleared and he held her hand. Marcus then took a good look at his leg. “We have to stop the bleeding.” “Yeah, I know.” Marcus took off his shirt and tore a strip from it. He then tied it around Jax’s leg. “Ambulances?” “No choppers, ambulances can’t get down the road tonight.” “You think she can make it to the hospital, she’s about three weeks early.” “Yeah, I think so, but I don’t have a lot of experience here. Delivered a few babies when I was on the Force, that's it.” The blood had soaked through the bandage Marcus had put on his leg, but he barely felt the pain. His attention was focused on the woman he loved. She was in agony. They had found a blanket and had managed to remove her outer clothes and undergarments, at least from the bottom half. She wanted to push, but he kept trying to help her breathe, not push. Not yet. He checked her and she was dilated almost to the max, the choppers had better get here soon, or he and Marcus would deliver another baby (and this one was early). CC came with damp rags for her head and his leg. They removed Taggert's earlier bandage and used Alexis' skirt that they ripped for another bandage after bathing the wound. It appeared to be just a flesh wound, but it still needed medical attention. Alexis was in tears and she was beginning to do the shallow breathing that was a precursor to the hyperventilation she was known for. Damn, no brown bag he thought. ''Find her a bag guys, please.'' CC went in search and came back with the best she could find. He held it to her mouth and nose and she blew in it. ''Sonny, Jason, Sorel?'' ''Love, shh, think about the baby not those men.'' ''Are they okay?'' ''Well love, Sorel has been shot, but Sonny seems fine.'' ''What about Jason?'' ''Think about the baby.'' ''WHAT ABOUT JASON?'' ' 'I'm sorry love, he didn't make it. He's dead.'' ' 'You or them?'' ''Sorel.'' Tears came to her eyes and he knew she was feeling for the man who while not exactly her friend, but a close acquaintance. ''Sonny, Carly and Elizabeth will be devastated.'' ''Sonny is with Jason's body. He'll take care of Jason.'' ''Yes Jax I know, but I still can feel the pain. Ahhh, ahhh, Jax.'' Just then he heard the choppers land. CC had been outside and she rushed in with the medical team. They checked Alexis out and got her on the stretcher and to the chopper. Jax came along and that was when they saw his leg, as did Alexis. ''JAX?'' ''Love, it's nothing. Falling off my wave runner hurts worse.'' ''Sir, you need that checked too.'' ''I want to ride with my wife.'' ''Sir, we are overloaded as it is. You will have to ride in the second chopper. We'll get you there with her, we promise.'' They spoke in accented English. * * * * * This was not quite what he expected the birth of his child to be like. He anticipated the warm environment of General Hospital. His presence in the room with Alexis. His parents and her family waiting outside. V and Simon talking nonstop to his parents, even Simone crying her displeasure about not being the center of attention. Not the small hospital on the outskirts of San Juan. Although it had a decent neo-natal unit, it was nothing like the states. They had bandaged his leg up before they allowed him in the delivery room. He had to ride in with Jason's body and with Sonny, not the most pleasant of experiences. Neither he nor Sonny spoke. It was as if Sonny was in a state of shock. Carly had met them at the hospital. His parents had actually brought her. She was close to hysterics. Sonny had held on to her then and amazingly she rose to the occasion and calmed down. She took charge of both Sonny and his grief and Jason's body. It was as if she metamorphosed into a grown-up with the tragedy. She held her husband and asked for something for him. She said Jason's loved one was on her way and they would be responsible for the body. She then did the difficult task of telephoning the Doctors Quartermaine. They took it hard, she had said. Alexis was her typical self, hysterical and driven at the same time. Hysterical from the pain and driven to birth this baby. The doctors monitored her and the baby and all appeared strong, even though the little one arrived early. The doctors surmised the added stress had accelerated the labor, but the baby would have been early anyway. When she finally saw Jax she looked for his hand and then squeezed the devil out of it. Who knew she was that strong, damn? He propped her up and she pushed and then he heard a small cry. It was out, it was out. The doctors picked up the little one and put it on her mother's stomach before the cord was cut. She was a perfect little girl. Tiny (only a little over five pounds) but perfect and through the tragedy of the day a miracle was given to them. She had light peach fuzz for hair and from what he could see big blue eyes. Alexis was in tears and he was close. He kissed Alexis and the doctor cut the cord, took care of the afterbirth and took the baby to be cleaned. Alexis was uncharacteristically speechless. Finally sighing, ''my daughter, my little girl. I love you Jax.'' That was music to his ears. She was so very tired though. She fell asleep almost as soon as they put the wrapped bundle of joy in her arms. He held them both. Stefan came directly to the hospital with Elizabeth. Carly met them at the door. For two ladies who were not exactly the closest of friends in life, Carly was very compassionate with Liz. Elizabeth was understandably devastated. First Lucky and now Jason. Even he could feel for this young woman. Stefan was very kind to her as well and held her as she sobbed her grief. Carly then took Elizabeth to be with Sonny and her. Stefan telephoned Gia who spoke to both women. She wanted to come, but Carly insisted she stay in Port Charles. After the legal matters were wrapped up they would all fly home. Sonny repeated Sorel's confession and Alexis would corroborate his account. He knew she had this one last issue to settle for Sonny and then he hoped the Corinothos association was out of her life. Alexis lay sleeping. The baby was in the maternity unit. He had checked her before he came in to be with Alexis. Stefan, CC and Marcus, and his parents were at the hospital now and were sitting and waiting outside the private room he bribed the officials for. Sonny had checked in with Stefan and was told she had had a little girl. He actually smiled a little. ''Please give her my best. If no one minds, I do need to speak with Alexis when she awakens. We need to clear up this Sorel thing in order to take Jason's body home.'' At that he had left. She was waking up and saw Jax. She smiled, ''I guess we did it?'' ''Yeah, love, you did. I just managed to get shot and help a little.'' ''Is she perfect?'' ''Well see for yourself, the nurse said she wanted to nurse.'' ''Good Lord Jax, I'm not sure how you do it properly.'' He laughed, only Alexis would doubt her ''nursing'' abilities. ''I'm sure the nurse will help you.'' The baby was brought in with Stefan, CC and Marcus and his parents in tow. They were not leaving the little one it seemed. (Stefan was going to be a protective grandfather when one of his children decided to grace the family with a new Cassadine generation.) The nurse settled the baby at her breast and Jax was more turned on now than he had ever been. ''Get a hold of yourself man, she just had a baby.'' (It didn't seem to matter he wanted her more now than ever. It was going to be a long six weeks.) Alexis looked absolutely content and beautiful. The nurse brushed her hair and his mother had brought her a pink dressing gown. The baby fell asleep soon after she had begun nursing. ''Well have you picked a name for my new niece yet?'' Actually it was one of the few things she and Jax had discussed in advance of the birth. Jax replied, ''yes as a matter of fact we have, her name is Jane Kristen Jacks.'' His mother was in tears and she rushed to both Jax and Alexis and kissed them both tearfully. ''Lady Jane I cannot think of another female, other than my own beloved mother, that I would want my little girl to carry their name. You are my mother in every way that matters and I love you so very much.'' John stood back and hugged his son and cried like a baby. He was so honored for his much adored wife. Stefan merely nodded approvingly, ''I concur on that statement Lady Jane, you are an inspiration to us all and this little girl will have only the best mother and grandmother there is. The jury is still out on her father though.'' He chuckled and went to telephone Florence. Jax was a happy man indeed and things were looking up, but there was still two things he had to do. An explanation and a proposal. He wasn't sure which would be the hardest. |