Heart's Desire-3

by: Cristina

Jax and Cassie are riding in a jeep, on the outskirts of Rio. They didn't even bother to check into the hotel. On the plane, Cassie had figured out that the first clue in Brazil would lead them to an ancient bridge, leading to another cave. But Jax thought that there would be a lot of jungle to go through before they actually reached the cave.

"Jax, why all the rush. I think we could have checked in first."

He grins at her. "Jeez, Cass ... I thought you were so anxious to find this treasure and get your story."

"I am. That doesn't mean that we have to rush everything. I would like to enjoy this."

He looks over at her. "Are you saying that you aren't enjoying this?"

Cassie takes a deep breath. Of course she's enjoying it. She is spending time with the most gorgeous man on the planet. How could she not be having a good time. "That's not what I'm saying ... I don't know what I'm saying. Just drive. Are you sure you know where we're going."

"I promise you, I know the bridge that they are talking about. I was here with Jer a couple years ago. It spans this gorge that is perfect for bungee jumping."

She laughs. "I should have guessed."

They finally get to the clearing that will allow them access to the bridge. They have both changed into more practical clothes for the jungle. Both are wearing khaki pants and combat boots. Jax is wearing a denim shirt and he's carrying a canteen and a backpack with provisions. Cassie is wearing a white cotton top and a red v-necked sweater. Her hair is up in a ponytail, threaded through a baseball cap.

They hop out of the jeep and walk down towards the bridge. She can't help feeling excited. When they reach the bottom of the hill, and start crossing toward the bridge, Cassie starts to get nervous.

"Umm ... Jax, I don't know if this is a good idea."

He looks at her, concerned. "Are you okay?"

"I'm fine...I'd just like to keep it that way. I mean, look at that bridge. It does not look sturdy at all. I bet you could cut it down with one stroke of the knife that you're carrying."

Jax tries not to laugh. "It'll be fine, princess."

She looks at him sharply. "What did you call me?"

"Well, you're acting like the prim little princess. Do you mind?"

She considers for a moment. "I guess not. As long as I can come up with my own nickname for you."

"It's a deal. As long as we start crossing the bridge." Jax senses that she is really scared. He takes her hand and guides her ahead of him. "I'll be right here behind you. Okay?"

She looks at him, and her eyes are filled with trust. "Okay."

They begin to cross the bridge, and Cassie is nervously chattering away. "Well ... let me see. What can I call you? This is a tough one."

He smiles. "Take your time."

She is thinking hard, and trying not to focus on the pathetic excuse for a bridge that she is walking across. Because she isn't really paying attention, Cassie, slips on a loose board. Jax reaches out and catches her in his arms, standing her back on her own feet.

"Careful there, Cass."

She slowly lets her breath out. "Right."

When they have almost reached the other side of the bridge, and Cassie still hasn't come up with a nickname for Jax, gunshots ring out. They both turn and see some sort of private army coming down the hill. They should have known that things were too easy. Without saying anything, they quickly get the rest of the way across the bridge.

Before the army spots them, Jax takes out his machete and starts cutting the thick ropes holding the bridge in place. Cassie is alarmed by what he is doing.

"Are you doing what I think you're doing?"

Without looking at her, Jax replies, "I'm putting your theory about this bridge to the test."

Her eyes widen in fear. "Jax, you can't do that. How are we going to get back over there? This river goes on for miles. Who knows where we'll be able to cross."

"Right now, I'm a little more concerned about us not getting killed or taken prisoner."

The bridge falls and the army takes notice of them and prepares to open fire. Jax grabs Cassie and drags her into the jungle behind them, where he hopes they'll be able to get lost in the rainforest. After a while, they manage to escape the shower of bullets behind them. They are also very lost. Jax is walking ahead of her, cutting the leaves and branches out of their way.

"This is just great, Jax. We haven't the foggiest clue where we are."

He sighs. "Things could be worse."

"Oh really? Let's see, we have some army after us. No doubt, they would like the treasure too. We are lost in the jungle and completely cut off from civilization. Tell me, how could things possibly be any worse."

The moment she utters those words, it begins pouring rain. Jax slams the machete into the nearest tree, so it is just hanging there and faces Cassie, hands on hips. "You had to tempt the fates, didn't you?"

"This is the rainforest...Oh, come on, you aren't seriously trying to pin the blame for all of this on me, are you. This is your fault!"

"My fault?"

"Yes. We are completely lost and now we'll probably die of pneumonia and they'll find our bodies in about a hundred years, once this is all grazed to herd cattle."

Jax can't even respond to her. He was wrong when he thought she reminded him of Brenda. Lucy Coe was more on target. "Calm down."

She can't believe he is actually telling her to calm down. "I am not going to calm down. If there was ever a perfect time to panic, this would be it. Tell me, Jax, how do you propose that we get out of here. The treasure be damned, I just want to go home."

"I can't beleive you are giving up so easily. This is just a minor setback."

Cassie looks at him accusingly. "You're enjoying this, aren't you?"

"Well, I must admit that this is quite a diversion." He picks up the machete and continues to chop his way through the rainforest.

Cassie is angrily walking behind him, with her arms crossed over her chest. She is not having any fun at all. And she is very close to being completely soaked. After a long time, Jax finally comes to a clearing. A very small clearing. The only thing in the clearing is a small shack.

Jax turns to face her. "Looks like some sort of scientific research station. I don't think there's anyone here. It looks pretty deserted."

"Well, don't just stand there. Let's go inside."

They go into the shack and look around. Deserted is right. Jax and Cassie wander through the house. They find a few jars of preserved food in the pantry. Cassie wanders over to open the door to another room in the shack.

Jax wonders aloud, "I wonder where the owner of this place is."

Cassie answers with a scream when she opens the door. Jax runs over behind her and sees two skeleton's lying on the bed, in each other's arms. He reaches in front of her and closes the door.

"Well, princess, I guess we don't have to worry about getting thrown out of here. It would appear that the current residents are perfectly willing to share."

Cassie faces him with a look of what can only be described as horror on her face. "We are not staying here." She starts toward the door, trying to leave, when Jax grabs her and closes the door. "Let go of me, Jax. I have no intention of spending one more minute in this crypt."

"I'm sorry to tell you this, but we're probably going to have to spend the night here. It's starting to get dark out, and I don't think that the rain will be stopping anytime soon."

She tries to back away from him. "I can't stay here...I'm not good with death. I can't--"

Jax takes her hand in his. "Those skeletons won't hurt you. And neither will anyone else. I promise."

She looks into his eyes and something there calms her down and she knows that she can trust him. "Okay."

Jax looks through the only closet in the place and finds a couple of blankets and some old clothes that must belong to the dead couple in the other room. But he won't tell her that. Jax sits down on the couch and guides Cassie over to sit next to him. "Are you okay?"

She nods, but isn't very convincing. Jax is concerned when she starts shivering. "You're freezing. Here, you can put this on."

Suddenly, she is back to herself. "I have no intention of wearing a dead person's clothes."

"It's not like she died in this exact dress. It's perfectly safe."

Cassie shakes her head. "Thanks, but no thanks."

Jax shrugs. "Suit yourself." He starts unbuttoning his shirt and Cassie can't help watching his every move as Jax tosses his soaking wet shirt on the floor. There are drops of water glistening off his muscular chest. He stands up and starts to unbutton his pants. Before long, he is only wearing his boxers. And Cassie can't take her eyes off of him. He notices her appreciative gaze. "Everything okay?"

She jumps a little. "Fine. Aren't you going to be cold?"

Jax puts on the pants he found in the closet. "Not for long." He puts the shirt on, but leaves it unbuttoned and sits down next to her. "Are you sure you don't want to change?"

Cassie nods. "I'm just fine, thanks."

She starts shivering and Jax shakes his head. "Enough. You are going to change your clothes before you catch pneumonia."

Cassie looks down at the gauzy sundress. "I can't do it, Jax. It's just too creepy to wear a dead person's clothes."

"You are such a baby."

She smiles. "Maybe I am. If you think you can goad me into putting that on, you are very wrong. Let's not forget who the psych major is."

"This really bothers you, doesn't it?" Silently, she nods. "It's okay." Jax moves closer to her and starts unbuttoning her shirt.

Cassie is so shocked, she doesn't know how to respond. His touch is starting to get to her. Make him stop touching you. She pulls away from him. "I'll do it."

He meets her eyes, and it's obvious that touching her had an effect on him, too. "Would you like me to leave?"

She shakes her head as she turns slightly away from him and takes off her shirt, reaching for the rosy, pink dress. Jax can't help looking at her and he feels momentarily breathless. She is so beautiful. Once Cassie is dressed, she leans back on the couch and notices that he is looking at her strangely.

"Happy now?"

He smiles. "Don't you feel better, now that you have dry clothes?"

"Actually, I think we look like the doomed couple in 'The English Patient' but that's beside the point."

Jax notices that she is still shivering. He wraps one of the blankets around her shoulders and puts his arm around her, holding her close to him and trying to warm her up. She rests her head against his chest. He looks down at her and their eyes meet. She wants to kiss him, but Cassie knows that it is way too soon. What she doesn't realize is that Jax wants to kiss her as much as she wants to kiss him.

When this realization sinks in, Jax pulls away from her and sits sideways on the couch, leaning his back against the arm. Confused, Cassie takes a similar position against the other arm of the couch, so that they are facing each other.

"Is something wrong, Jax?"

He nods. "I just realized something. I could almost understand why she did it?"

Cassie has no idea what he is talking about. "Why who did what?"

"Brenda ... how she could ... betray me."

"I'm sorry, Jax, I'm not getting this."

Jax runs a hand through his tousled, wet hair. "I don't expect you to."

"What did Brenda do that destroyed your marriage?" He shakes his head, but Cassie wants to know. "Jax, you really should talk about this. It might make you feel better. I know it isn't good for you to keep this all bottled up inside you. You're going to explode."

"Is this in your educated opinion?"

She rests her head against the side of the couch. "No ... it's in my experience."

"Fine. You want to know? She was trapped in a cave with her former lover and she had sex with him." Cassie is beyond shocked. "Oh, yeah. I feel much better now."

She scoots a little closer to him. "I'm so sorry Jax ... I can understand why you may not want to forgive her for that."

"I want to forgive her. But I can't let myself forgive her."

She doesn't understand. "Why not?"

Jax takes a deep breath. "Because ... I already let her break my heart once. I won't let her do it again."

"Yeah ... once your heart has been smashed into a million pieces ... it's hard to trust again. Especially the person who did it."

"Cass? Why do I get the feeling that you aren't just philosophising?"

She smiles, humerlessly. "I'm not. Believe me, I know what it's like to have your heart smashed into a million pieces."

"What did he do?"

Cassie looks down at the blanket covering her legs. "It wasn't like that. It was my grandmother. I was involved with someone that she deemed 'unsuitable.' And when I refused to end things ... she arranged for one of her little accidents."

"You don't mean?"

"Oh, yeah. She had him killed. I mean, there's no proof that she did it. Grandmother is far too careful for anything like that to be traced back to her. No, but I am certain that she did it."

"How can you be sure?"

Cassie looks up into his eyes. "Because she told me so." She sees the horror in his eyes. "I know. So, if you ever think that your family isn't the greatest ... think about me. It couldn't get much worse than some of the monsters that I'm related to."

"Did you love him very much?"

"No. It was a fling and he was unsuitable." She smiles. "I would have realized that soon enough. But that wasn't good enough for her. Grandmother must have absolute obedience and immediately. It wasn't the loss of the man that hurt me most. It was the fact that I realized once and for all that I could never live as part of my family."

Jax reaches over and takes her hand. "I'm so sorry."

"Yeah. We're both pretty pathetic, huh? Your heartbreak is worse than mine. Deep down, I always knew that they would hurt me sooner or later."

He leans back against the arm of the couch. "I never dreamed that Brenda would cheat on me. I knew that she still had feelings for Sonny ... but Brenda was my best friend. She knew that I would let her go if she asked. She didn't have to betray me like that." Jax looks down at his hands. "I loved her so much. I thought she loved me too. But that's not the way that you treat someone that you love."

"You still love her."

"I'm sure that part of me will always love her. But I have to keep her out of my life. I'm not going to become Brenda ... pursuing someone that doesn't love me enough to be with me completely. I gave her everything ...and it wasn't enough."

Cassie looks into his eyes and can tell that Jax is trying hard not to cry. She moves forward and hugs him. Jax hesitates for a moment, then he puts his arms around her, burying his head in her shoulder. She is rubbing his back with one hand and the other is stroking his hair. He finally lets go of all the grief and pain that he has been holding in for the past month.

...to be continued....

Goto Part 4