Fairy Tale-33

by: Belle

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Okay everyone - Before reading today’s new installment of Fairy Tale, I have a warning and some comments to make. After much agonizing, discussion and stressing (if you need proof of how crazy I’ve been about this - just ask Kristy, Helen, Donna, LaShawne, Tina or Tami - I love you all for putting up with me. <g>) I’ve decided to scrap a bunch of Fairy Tale and make it into Jax’s nightmare. Yes - I guess you could say that I am "pulling a Dallas." Here’s the thing - for the past month and a half, I just haven’t enjoyed writing this story anymore. There are too many characters, too many storylines, and all I really want is to get back to writing a sweet love story between Jax and Brenda, and the fun adventures they have with their friends. I have debated a lot with myself (and other people LOL) about whether or not to do this. The thing is that when I originally began writing Fairy Tale I wanted it to be a fun story - this sort of changed when I began the mystery and I killed Caroline and everything. I hope you aren’t all disappointed. My plan is to work Madeline and Isabella into the story further down the line in a different context. So - for all of you who loved Madeline’s interaction with Jax and Brenda - you’ll just have to be patient for a little while. <g> I am going to post the last 2 installments that would have happened BEFORE Jax had his nightmare. Please bear with me as I try to work all of this out. ALSO - Please, Please, Please SEND ME FEEDBACK! Thank you all for you patience. I hope you like it.

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The organ music swelled in the back of the church and Jax, Kieron and Ned turned as Madeline began walking down the aisle, dropping flower petals on her way and giggling. She was followed by Juliet and Lois, who looked gorgeous in their pale green dresses. Jax smiled at them both, but before he could notice them smiling back, his attention was diverted by the sound of "Here Comes the Bride" and the appearance of the most beautiful bride he had ever seen in the back of the church. Brenda’s eyes and face glowed as she began to make her way slowly down the aisle. Her dark hair was pulled up on top of her head in a sweep of curls that were held in place by the platinum and diamond tiara Ned and Jax had picked out. The creme sheath perfectly matched the creme silk that her long, thin strapped wedding gown was made of. It had a oval neckline and she wore a diamond pendant that matched her earrings and engagement ring. She carried a bouquet of white and pale pink roses, orchids and lillies. The smile on her face lit up the entire chapel and her eyes met Jax, and they gazed at one another with pure love. As they looked into one another’s eyes, the rest of the world disappeared; all that was there was the two of them, their love for each other, and the promise of their future. When she got to the alter, Jax reached out for her hands, but just as she extended her hand to him, Jax heard a yell from behind him, and as he turned his mouth dropped in horror when he saw Troy Montgomery step out from behind the chapel doors and pull a gun out from the inside of his dark jacket. Giving Jax a wicked smirk, he aimed the gun straight at Brenda’s unsuspecting back. Looking up at Jax, Brenda turned to see what he was looking at just as Troy opened fire. "NOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!" Jax screamed as Brenda’s eyes widened with pain, and she crumpled to the floor next to his feet. Dropping to his knees, Jax cradled her in his arms, trying to mop up the flow of blood from her heart with his tuxedo jacket. Sobbing, he looked around the suddenly empty chapel desperately. "BRENDA!!!!!!"

"Jax - Jax honey….wake - up, you’re having a nightmare. Jax….Jax - come on sweetheart - wake-up."

"NO! BRENDA!" he cried again, this time shooting up and opening his eyes. His breathing was ragged, and his shoulders, face and chest were damp with perspiration. Glancing quickly around his bedroom in the penthouse and at Brenda who was gazing at him with concern next to him in the bed, he reached out and touched her hair softly. His hand then caressed her cheek gently and he ran a finger tenderly over her lips. Convinced that she was real and not just an apparition, he sighed with relief, and smiled weakly, "it was just a dream, oh thank got - it was only a dream."

"Honey - are you okay?" Brenda asked, moving closer to him, and stroking his cheek. He layed his head in her lap and gazed up at her, still marveling in the fact that she was alive and he had been having a terrible nightmare. He nodded slowly, taking deep breaths and trying to calm his still rapid breathing. Every time he closed his eyes, he could still see the horrific image of Brenda dying in his arms, and he could still feel the ache in his heart knowing that her death was his family’s fault - that Troy Montgomery was *his* problem. He involuntarily shuddered and Brenda drew him closer to her, kissing his forehead lovingly, and smiling.

"Oh thank god you’re alive Brenda!" Jax murmured, leaning up and covering her face and neck with kisses, pulling her down to him, and savoring in the smell and feel of her in his arms.

"Of course I’m alive silly." Brenda laughed, drawing away slightly and looking down at him. Her hair ticked his face and chest and he pushed her hair away with his hands, cupping her face in his hands and grinning at her. Giggling she tapped him playfully on the nose and sat back, arching a slender eyebrow. "You may be an animal in bed sweetheart - but you aren’t THAT aggressive." Instead of making some sarcastic remark and kissing her passionately like he usually did, Jax remained silent and just gazed at her sadly. Suddenly Brenda realized that something was really wrong. "Oh honey…." She murmured, running her fingers through his thick blond hair and biting her lip. "What happened? Why are you so upset?"

"I had this bizarre and awful dream about Troy, and you and I and….and…." Jax’s eyes glazed over as the images of their "wedding" played over in his mind.

"And what….come on honey - you can tell me anything."

Jax looked up into Brenda’s eyes, and he smiled, the love and trust and life shining through her calming him. "And right before you woke me up, I was dreaming about our wedding. You were walking down the aisle, but before we were able to get married or even begin the ceremony, Troy came out from behind the door and opened fire." He swallowed. "I was screaming because in my dream you were dying in my arms."

"Oh Jax…." Brenda whispered, understanding his trauma because the thought of thinking she’d lost him for even half a second was too horrifying to even imagine. "It was only a dream….I’m not going anywhere….I promise you….Shhh….." Cradling him in her arms, Brenda rocked back and forth slowly. His heart beat began to return to normal, and after a few moments of quiet, Brenda asked him to tell him all about the dream and why it had been so strange aside from her "death." Jax went into full description of the dream. He told her about Troy and the small town of Desheney, Tristan, and Juliet and Kieron’s problems, how they had taken in Madeline, and how Lois had been pregnant. Brenda listened attentively the entire time, and when he described Ned trying on wedding veils, she nearly fell off the bed she was laughing so hard.

When he was done, he gazed down at her and frowned. "I’m sorry." He apologized, blushing slightly.

"Why?" Brenda asked, wrinkling her nose and looking confused. "For having a nightmare? That’s something you can’t control Jax."

Subj: A Fairy Tale Ch33pt2

Date: 97-10-15 19:41:07 EDT

From: May2622

To: Spoiled315, PATDONNA, BLL23, GreekGypsy

"No - I realize I can’t control my nightmares, it’s just that - well, our first morning wasn’t supposed to be like this."

"Oh really?!" Brenda echoed. "And exactly *what* was our first morning supposed to be like?" she giggled. "Because you know - we’ve already had *many* first mornings. It just happens that this morning we know we love each other."

"I don’t know what I wanted it to be like." Jax confessed. "It’s just that whenever I imagined us waking up after knowing we were truly in love, I imagined doing something extraordinary for you… not nearly giving you a heart attack screaming from my nightmare."

"Hey! At least *your* nightmare had funny parts." Brenda informed him , looking up from where she was lying comfortably on his bare chest, with her hand across his heart.

"What do you mean *my* nightmare?" Jax repeated looking down at her and brushing her dark hair out of her eyes lovingly. "You had a nightmare also?"

"Did I ever…" Brenda murmured, rolling her eyes and laughing a little. She rested her chin on his chest and looked up at him. "It started off perfectly - we were married, and living in the penthouse. THEN - all of a sudden, I became addicted to this pain medication, and Sonny and I were trapped in a cave together, and because I was going through withdrawal or something I actually slept with him, and then you rescued us -" she stopped talking and smiled quickly at him, "of course, but I was really guilt ridden, and eventually told you, and then I LEFT YOU for Scummy, I mean Sonny. THEN - you were driving this *motorcycle* and because you were under suspicion for drug smuggling…"

"Drug smuggling?" Jax interrupted, his mouth dropping open with surprise. "Wow sweetie - you might want to stop drinking those cappucinos before bed…."

Brenda slapped his arm playfully. "Yes drug smuggling, and I’m not done yet! I haven’t even REACHED the most bizarre or scary parts yet."

Jax’s eyes widened and he gave her an "I’m scared of you." look. "I’m sorry! My god - please continue."

Brenda laughed at his overreaction and took a deep breath. "THEN - as you were speeding along in this motorcycle, this trooper woman pulled you over and arrested you."

"Trooper woman?" Jax echoed, slanting an eyebrow and flaring his eyebrows slightly, laughing.

Widening her eyes, Brenda slapped him playfully on the chest and pouted. "That’s what I said. Anyway - her name was V Ardvark-something or other, and she had to follow you around 24/7 to make sure you didn’t skip the country.

"With my drugs, right?"

"Right." Brenda smiled when she saw the incredulous expression on his handsome face.

"Listen - I know this sounds crazy, but this is really what I dreamed - it was horrible! And not only that but - I swear Jax - this woman was scary. I was seriously beginning to wonder if she was going to turn into some psycho from Fatal Attraction!"

"Oh it sounds horrible sweetheart." Jax murmured, laughing softly, and leaning over to kiss her pouty lips. "Okay - go on with your story…I’m listening."

"Well - then for some reason I was charged with Pierce Dorman’s murder, and Sonny and I went on the run because he thought the only way for me to get cleared was to run from the police. So - we went to this place called Tiger Key, FL, and he made me wear this little blonde-Ellie Mae Clampet wig, and he wore a baseball cap - I looked like a hill-billy!"

Jax burst into laughter at the image. "You and V followed us, and somehow you figured out that Rivera - Lily’s father had framed me, and on your way to find me - you and V got stranded on some deserted island together." Jax’s eyes widened at how active her imagination was. She was completely into telling her story, and he felt better just sitting with her and listening to her babble on - the sick feeling in his stomach from his dream slowly began to go away. Brenda was talking so quickly, that she was practically out of breath, and she stopped talking, took a deep breath and laughed. "Okay - to make a long story short - you and V found us at this weird Mansion in Tiger Key. Rivera was holding a gun to my head, and then suddenly you appeared in the window." Brenda stopped talking, and closed her eyes, happy that she and Jax were together, and that he loved her.

"And….." Jax said, gesturing with his hands to finish the story.

"And what?" Brenda asked nonchalantly, lifting her head from Jax’s chest, and straightening her hair. She started to get off the bed to get her robe out of the closet, but Jax reached over and grabbed her hand, pulling her back down into his lap.

"What happened after you saw me in the window?"

Brenda laughed at his sudden interest in her story. "I woke up before anything could happen." Seeing the disappointed expression on his handsome face, she cupped his face with her hands, and kissed him lightly on the lips. "I’m sure I saw you, jumped into your arms, and you carried me out the window and into the sunset." She giggled. "And I hope V stayed with Sonny and they had a wonderful life together - FAR AWAY from us." She wrinkled her nose. "Do you know I think there was actually something in my dream about her real name being Venus? Wow! My imagination is *way* too active." Wrapping her arms around his neck, she looked into his eyes and smiled. "I hope you realize that you’re in love with a nut."

"I hope you realize I think you’re absolutely adorable." Jax retal iated. "And besides - I’m a nut also." He gave her a lopsided smile, flashing his dimples and staring down at her with his sparkling blue eyes. "That’s part of what makes us so *perfect* for each other."

"What?" Brenda teased, grinning and raising a slender eyebrow. "Our insanity?"

Jax laughed and kissed her passionately on the lips - pushing her down on the bed. Leaning over her on his elbow, he tickled her stomach, causing her to burst into laughter. "Let’s call it our love of life, and our *creative* natures."

"Hmmmm…..our *creative* natures…." Brenda murmured, reaching up, and pulling his mouth down to hers. "I like the sound of that. Creativity offers *so* many possibilities."

Jax laughed softly as his lips moved seductively over Brenda’s mouth and trailed their way down her neck. He loved her so much. She was almost able to make him forget everything about his dream - everything that is except the image of her dying in his arms, and the uneasy feeling he had that Isabella was still alive, and the worst of their problems were far from over.

Subj: A Fairy Tale Ch33pt3

Date: 97-10-15 19:42:25 EDT

From: May2622

To: Spoiled315, BLL23, PATDONNA, GreekGypsy

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"Just where do you think you’re going?" Brenda demanded, placing one hand on her hip and glaring at Jax who was trying to sneak out of the den into his office. It was 9 a.m. and Jax had just walked into the den and found Brenda dragging the yoga mats out from underneath the couch. They had only gotten out of bed twenty minutes before, and he had privately been hoping that she’d forgotten their pre-NYC morning ritual of yoga then breakfast. Clearly she hadn’t - and from the determined expression on her beautiful face, he could tell that she wasn’t going to let it go anytime in the near future.

"I was uhh- going to make some business calls. So - why don’t you do your yoga, and I’ll meet you in the kitchen in a half an hour for breakfast?" He tugged one of her braids playfully, and gave her a quick kiss on the lips, trying to slip away quickly. Brenda didn’t miss a beat, reaching out - she grabbed his arm, and pulled him back.

"I don’t think so honey. Nope - you are *definitely* not avoiding doing yoga with me. What is this? I tell you I love you and now you’re going to stop doing yoga because you think you’ve won me? Jax, Jax, Jax…. What *am* I going to do with you?" she shook her head several times, clicking her tongue and staring him straight in the eyes.

"Well - I’m sure I can think of something." Jax replied suggestively, wrapping his arms around her, and kissing her neck.

Brenda was not amused. And as hard as it was for her to pull away from his delectable kisses, she did it, and stood back, laughing softly. "*You* Mr. Jacks are impossible, and as much as I love and adore you and your kissing me, I’m not going to give up about this." her voice softened, and she looked up at him with big doe eyes, pouting slightly. " Doing yoga with you in the morning is really special to me." she put her hand on his chest and smiled slightly. "It’s our special time. BUT - if it really bothers you, then I’ll do it by myself. I wouldn’t want to risk killing your male ego." She smiled innocently at him as began to settle on the floor with her yoga mat."

"My male ego?" Jax echoed, refusing to let it go and ignoring her gestures for him to move out of the way of the television. "Oh Jax - don’t even deny it. You’re still hung up about the terrible teasing Ned and Kieron gave you after Kieron found you doing yoga when Juliet, Lois and I went to the spa. It’s okay, and I understand your need for approval from the "guys." She giggled and began to stretch. Jax’s eyes clouded over slightly, and she smiled up at him, taking his hand in hers and kissing it tenderly. "It’s okay honey - I still love you. Now why don’t you go do whatever business you need to do, so I can do my yoga."

Jax didn’t budge. He was quiet for a moment, and then with sudden determination, he narrowed his eyes. "I don’t need Kieron or Ned’s approval and I DON’T have a big ego."

"I know honey." Brenda murmured, biting back a smile as she saw Jax walking towards the couch and getting out his yoga mat. "Jaxxx….what are you doing? You don’t have to do yoga with me! I already told you that I understand."

"I want to do yoga." Jax claimed, tossing his mat down on the ground next to Brenda’s and sitting down.

He began to stretch and follow Brenda’s movements. He was still acting all huffy, and Brenda leaned over and kissed him sensually on the lips, whispering, "I love you but you don’t need to do this for me. Still - it’s a sweet sacrifice." in his ear. He just grinned at her and whispered back, "I’ll say the same thing next time we go to the Bahamas and I take you shark hunting again. Brenda’s eyes grew wide and she burst into laughter. "Shark hunting and yoga. Somehow that doesn’t seem too equal - but I’m always up for an adventure, so it’s a deal."

Jax smiled and winked at her. "Deals and you are one of my favorite things." He teased. She laughed and for the next few minutes, they were both quiet as they started their yoga. Although Jax followed Brenda’s movements and breathing patterns, he wasn’t really paying attention, and was spending more time watching her. "I can’t believe she’s here with me." he thought, smiling involuntarily. Yesterday at this time, everything seemed so horrible. Brenda was leaving with Sonny and Gretchen was my future. Now, the woman I love more than life itself is sitting next to me, teasing me, forcing me to do yoga, and loving me. Gretchen. Just thinking about her and her brother, and this terrible situation he was in, made Jax think back to his dream, and how terrified he’d been when he thought Brenda was gone. "I can’t let anything happen to her. No matter what. Somehow I have to protect her until Troy is in jail and he can’t hurt her anymore. What I need is a plan. I’ll have to talk with Kieron about it. " He looked at her out of the corner of his eye. She looked so adorable sitting with her legs folded, her arms out in the air, and her eyes closed. She was wearing his pale blue button down shirt, and her dark hair was tied back in pigtails. Stray curls fell on her face, and her cheeks were flushed. "God she’s beautiful." He thought, wondering how he had ever lived without her. She filled his heart and made him feel complete.

Brenda opened her eyes and saw him staring at her. Making a funny face, she expected him to laugh or tickle her or something, but he continued to stare blankly at her deep in his thoughts. Seeing her chance, Brenda moved quickly, and began to tickle his sides, causing him to cry out and grab her. Tickling each other, Jax and Brenda rolled on the floor, laughing and shrieking. They were so caught up in one another, and they were making so much noise that they didn’t hear the knocking on the front door, and then a few minutes later, the door open and the sound of footsteps up the stairs and towards the den.

"Well look what we have here….it’s Yoga Boy and his beautiful fiancee hard at work."

The sound of Kieron’s voice mixed with Ned’s laughter caused J&B to sit up and whirl around towards the den door.

"I don’t know Kier - from what I see - Jax’s form of yoga doesn’t seem like that bad of an idea." Ned teased, referring to the fact that both J&B’s cheeks were flushed and they had been kissing passionately when their four friends had walked into the room. Juliet bit her lip to keep from laughing, and Lois smiled reassuringly at Brenda who was standing up, trying to re-button her shirt and looking incredibly flustered.

"True." Kieron said. Reaching out, he grabbed Juliet’s hand and began to pull her towards the yoga mats. "What do you say Jules? Want to do *yoga* with me?"

Juliet rolled her eyes. "Oh give it up Kieron." Sighing she walked over to Brenda. "I’m sorry we barged in Bren - we were knocking at the door for awhile and when you guys didn’t answer we just came in using the extra set of keys you gave us." She laughed. "Our intentions were innocent." She held up a large bag from a local deli. "We brought breakfast."

"And from what it looks like - you two have worked up quite an appetite." Juliet slapped Kieron on the arm and gave him a be-quiet look.

Jax laughed. "It’s okay Jules -" he wrapped his arms around Brenda’s waist and pulled her close to him, kissing her on the top of the head. "He’s just jealous. What’s the matter buddy? Did my little sister make you sleep on the floor again last night?" he asked Kieron grinning.

"I thought Juliet usually made him sleep in the bathtub. That way he can sleep and keep up his image as Mr. Fruity Fun." Ned joked, slapping hands with Jax and grinning. Lois, Brenda and Juliet all looked at one another and rolled their eyes.

"Well - why the three of you work out who is the most pathetic - *we* as in the *women* are going to have some breakfast." Juliet grabbed Brenda and Lois’ hands. "When you boys are ready - we’ll be in the kitchen."

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"Hey - are you okay? You seem really preoccupied with something." Kieron looked at Jax with concern as he sat down opposite his best friend and handed him a cup of coffee. It was shortly after breakfast and Ned was making a phone call while Brenda, Juliet and Lois talked in the kitchen about what they wanted to do with L&B. Before Jax was able to make up some excuse, Kieron narrowed his eyes and smiled. "And don’t say *nothing* because I’ll know you’re lying. You’re practically my brother and I know that look on your face - something is worrying you, and I want you to tell me what it is."

Jax sighed and closed his laptop where he had been looking up details for a merger he, Ned and Kieron were working on. Kieron was right. He was worried and panicked. Partly because he was anticipating Gretchen calling him any minute and dragging him from his fantasy of living happily ever after with Brenda, but mostly because he was trying to figure out how to keep Brenda safe from Troy without having to force her to run away with Sonny. And there was no way in hell he was doing that. "Something is wrong Kier - and I need you’re help."

Worry flashed through Kieron’s sky blue eyes and he nodded. "Of course - anything. Just tell me what you need me to do."

Jax swallowed. "First I need you to take Juliet and Brenda away and find a place for them to hide out until it’s safe, and second - I need you to agree to be my best man….."

To Be Continued….