Fairy Tale-145 to 162

by: Belle

"Bren - mind if I join you?" Jax asked, walking out onto the balcony off their bedroom where Brenda was sitting watching the stars.

Brenda turned and smiled, happy to see him. "Nothing would make me happier. That is - as long as you aren't plotting another tickle attack."

"I promise. I'm here with only the best intentions." Jax swore, walking over to the large chair she was sitting in, and pulling her onto his lap. "Wow." he murmered, looking up at the sky that was crystal clear and dotted with sparkling stars. "It's a beautiful night."

"Hmmmhmmm..." Brenda sighed, leaning against him and looking up at his face, gently stroking his cheek. "Oh Jax - I've had such a wonderful time here. I'm so happy that you let me come and meet your family. And I can't tell you how relieved I am that your grandmother is going to be okay."

Jax just smiled. He caught himself before he told her that he was sure they'd have many more happy trips to his parent's house in Alaska. This engagement was becoming so real that for moments sometimes even he forgot that it was all a game. "Well - I'm glad you had fun. I've enjoyed having you hear also, and my family is crazy about you." he grinned, "in fact - I think my Dad and Justin both want to run away with you."

Brenda returned his smile, "Yeah, well they're out of luck because there's only one Jacks that I would ever run away with and I'm in his arms right now." she replied snuggling into him and returning to her star gazing.

Her answer confused Jax more than ever. Brenda was getting a little too comfortable with this entire "pretend" engagement thing in Jax's opinion. He had thought about how to handle her the entire car ride home from the mall. And he had come up with a plan that he was hoping would work. Up until this point, he had gone along with her plans and games, but she had always been more into everything than he was or acted. That was all about to change. Jax was going to act like he thought they were really getting married. He figured that if he became really caught up in their "wedding", and chased her, Brenda would flip out and call the whole deal off. Naturally, she wanted to be free so that once they split Sonny and Lily up she could go back to him, and if she thought Jax was serious about them being together then she'd want to get away from him as quickly as possible. He smiled to himself - finally, after weeks of feeling like he had absolutely no control over his life, he had a plan. He was feeling better already and he was ready to put his plan into action.

"Sweetie -" he whispered in her ear. "I was thinking that maybe we could spend the rest of the night together. You know - just you and me. My mum said something about watching a movie, but I thought it would be nice for us to hang out." he ruffled her hair, "I feel like I've hardly spent any time alone with you since we got here."

The smile that lit up Brenda's face was brighter than any of the stars in the sky. "I would love that."

"Great. Now - I'm going to go take a quick shower, and then when I get out we'll talk about what we're going to do." Jax kissed her quickly on the cheek and headed towards the bathroom. Before opening the door, he smiled to himself, "let the games begin...." he murmered to himself.

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Standing in the bathroom doorway, Jax dried his dark blonde hair with a towel, and watched Brenda. She was sitting in the middle of the bed, wearing one of his button down shirts that looked like a dress on her. The sleeves were rolled up, she had a pen tucked behind her ear and her hair was in a messy bun. She was busy typing on her lap top with one hand, painting her toe nails with the other and talking to Lois about L&B with the telephone tucked between her head and her shoulder. Jax just stood there watching her juggle these three activities at once, but he eventually burst into laughter, thus giving away his presence.

Brenda looked at him and stuck her tongue out jokingly. He stuck his tongue out in return, and walked over to the bed, pulling a pair of khaki shorts on over his black silk boxers, and tossing the towel into the bathroom. He kneeled behind her on the bed, and began to slowly tickle her back and neck, causing Brenda to swat at him angrily. "What Lo? No - I'm sorry I wasn't shrieking at you. It's just that there's this incredibly annoying bug that won't leave me alone. I know - yeah, I already tried swatting at it, but it just won't go away." she gave an exaggerated sigh while rolling her eyes. "Some things are just *so* irritating."

Jax moved to face her, and gave Brenda a baby face, pouting and working her with his big, blue eyes. Brenda tried to ignore him for a few seconds, but he was so persistent that she giggled and blew him a kiss. "Lois? Jax just got out of the shower, and I think he wants to talk to me so I'm going to go. Yes - I'm going to e-mail you all the numbers for the next Eddie Maine tour right now. I'll be home tomorrow so I'll call you when I get it." she smiled. "I miss you too. Give my love to Ned. Bye." Brenda hung up the phone, and turned off her computer. Shaking her finger at Jax she laughed, "You Mr. Jacks - are a very bad boy." she put her hands on her hips. "Didn't your mother ever teach you to be quiet when she was on the phone?"

"Yes she did." Jax answered. "But my Mum never looked quite as alluring as you did sitting on the bed in nothing but my shirt."

Brenda smiled. "Oh honey - were you feeling ignored?" she purred, moving her legs so that her toenails wouldn't get messed up.

Jax pouted and nodded his head.

"Awww....that's so sweet." She leaned forward and gave him a seductive kiss on the mouth. "Am I forgiven."

Jax responded, by kissing her just as passionately.

"Okay - I guess so." Brenda laughed. Getting off the bed, she put her lap top into her bag. "So - what do you want to do?" Brenda's face lit up. "I know! Let's go night swimming." she started rummaging through her bag, searching for her bathing suit.

"Hey - wait a second." Jax grabbed her around the waist, and laughed. "Sure - swimming sounds great, but I thoughtt maybe you'd want to open your present first."

Brenda's eyes lit up. "Present? What present?" she asked cautiously.

"The present in my pants pocket over there." Jax responded - pointing to the black slacks that were folded over the chair at his desk.

"Can I have it now?" Brenda was bouncing up and down with excitement.

"I thought you wanted to go swimming." Jax teased. "We could always wait until we got back...."

"Swimming can wait." Brenda declared, racing over to the desk, and getting Jax's pants. She handed them to him, and looked at him eagerly.

Jax laughed and reached into his pocket. He pulled out the small turqoise Tiffany's box which was tied with a silver ribbon. "Now - you're sure you really want this?" Jax asked.

"Jax!" Brenda cried, taking the box and feeling excited when she saw that it was jewelry. "You know...." she said, as she untied the ribbon. "You really didn't have to buy me anything. Being here with you is enough for me." she looked intently into his eyes.

Jax smiled. "I know that, and it means a lot to me, but I saw this - and I thought of you, so I decided to buy it."

"Awwww honey -" Brenda murmered. She opened the turquoise box and then took out the small velvet box. Opening it slowly, she gasped when she saw what was inside. "Oh Jax!" she cried, holding her hand up to her mouth.

"Do you like it?" Jax asked nervously, examining her carefully. "Because - if you don't - I could always returnn it and get another -"

Brenda covered his mouth with her hand. "don't even say that. It's incredible - it's perfect...." she looked up at hhim, her eyes brimming with tears. "It's exactly what I would have picked out myself."

"Really?" Jax said eagerly, his face looking as anxious and hopeful as a little boy watching his mother open a Christmas present he made her in school.

"Definitely." she sighed. "I couldn't love anything more. Any *object* that is."

Jax grinned. "Well - put it on." he helped her eager little fingers take the ring out of the box, and then he was about to slip it onto her finger when Brenda cleared her throat and tapped her foot in mock impatience. "Is something wrong?" Jax asked confused.

"Shouldn't you be a little *lower*?" Brenda said, arching a slender eyebrow, and biting back a smile.

Jax rolled his eyes, and obligingly got down on bended knee. "Is this better your royal highness?" he teased

"Much." Brenda smiled, holding out her hand.

Jax took her hand in his and was surprised to realize that she was shaking with excitement. "My darling Brenda - would you do me the honor of wearing this engagement ring and pretending to be my fiancee?" he asked in an extremely formal voice.

"Do I have a while to think about it?" Brenda teased. Before Jax could respond, she studied the gigantic ring on her finger, gave Jax a look over and grinned. "On second thought - how could I say anything but yes?" she burst into laughter, as she pulled Jax up so he was standing close to her.

"You know....now that I have that ring on your finger, and you in my arms - I just might decide to go along withh this marriage after all." Jax teased, smiling both flirtatiously and extremely suggestively. He glanced at Brenda, expecting to see either horror or shock on her face, but all he saw was a dreamy smile.

She held her ring up to the light and moved her hand back and forth so that she could see the relections dancing on the walls and against her face. Jax couldn't get over how beautiful she looked with the light beams dusting her nose, and eyes and mouth...he also couldn't get over how happy she looked. What scared him was how happy he felt. He definitely needed to do something. "Hey - want to go for that swim?" he asked.

"Can I wear my ring?" Brenda looked up.

Jax laughed. "I think I've created a monster. Of course you can wear the ring. It's yours. Forever."

"Really?" Brenda said hesitantly, trying to see if there was any hidden meaning behind his words.

Jax rolled his eyes and nodded his head. "Yes! Now, why don't you go get your suit on." Brenda ran off to the bathroom giggling like a schoolgirl. Jax, shook his head, and changed into his black swimming trunks. Swimming in the moonlight...this had to be a seductive enough atmosphere for him to work his magic. He rubbed his hands together and smiled - by tomorrow evening, Brenda would be sleeping peacefully in her own bed in her own apartment, and he would be - well sleeping, which was all he could ask for. He looked towards the bathroom door where Brenda was still changing. What could that woman be doing? He could have sworn that he heard her talking to herself, but he just shook his head and walked over to his desk to look at some numbers while he waited. As he sat in front of the computer, images of how happy Brenda had looked when he gave her the ring kept flashing before his eyes. Why couldn't he stop thinking about her? "Everythings going to be okay..." he murmered to himself. "As long as you get far away from her it's going to be just fine...."

*************************************************************************************************************************************************

"Lois? It's me." Brenda whispered into her cellular phone, while standing at the bathroom sink brushing her hair.

"Bren? Hi. Why are you whispering?" Lois looked confused, and tried to turn up her phone's volume. She was sitting on the couch in the gatehouse eating popcorn while she and Ned watched Sleepless in Seattle.

"I know I'm whispering, but I'm in the bathroom and I don't want Jax to know I'm on the phone." Brenda looked nervously at the door and turned the water on, trying to mask her voice, but simultaneously making it even more difficult for Lois to hear her.

"Bren - honey, why are you talking on the phone in the bathroom? Did you and Jax have a fight?"

Brenda applied some lipstick, and sat down on the toilet cover. "Oh no! Nothing like that. It's just that, well - we're going night swimming, and I wanted your advice on what bathing suit I look best in."

"You're calling me to know what bathing suit you look best in? Brenda! What is going on there?" Lois asked. "Are you okay?"

"I'm fine. In fact - I couldn't be any better. It's just that, well, things have developed between Jax and I, and I want to look my best...so......"

Lois shriked! "Oh my god! Girlfriend - you've realized that you love Jax haven't you? I don't know why I didn't guess it the second I heard your voice. You sound so happy, and dreamy. Have you told him? Has he admitted that he loves you too? I am *so* excited for you to come home and tell me everything!" Lois was rambling, and Brenda had to move the phone slightly away from her ear because Lois was speaking so loudly.

"Yes - I love Jax. Oh! It feels so good to say it to someone who knows how much that really means!" Brenda said, flushing with happiness. "And he hasn't said anything to me, but I'm working on it. And I have to get off soon since he's waiting in the room - so here's the question. Black crocheted bikini? Lavender bikini with white lining around the edges? Creme? Brown? Which one!?"

Lois considered the options for a moment. "I say go with the lavender bikini with white lining. It makes you look sexy and innocent which is an alluring combination."

"Thank you Lois! You are the greatest friend! I love you so much and I'll talk to you as soon as I get home. Wish me luck!!!" Brenda hung up the phone.

"Bren -" Lois was cut off by the dial tone. "You're welcome. Good luck." she said into the receiver before clicking the off button. She shook her head and smiled at Ned. "Something tells me that our Sonny-days are over."

"Hello Jax? Good-bye Sonny?" Ned murmered. "Well, at least she's going to the corporate pirate and leaving the mobster. That has to be a step in the right direction." Lois slapped Ned playfully, and they settled back to watch the movie.

*************************************************************************************************************************************************

"Didn't you used to love playing games in the pool when you were little?" Brenda asked Jax, holding onto the side and floating on her back.

Jax smiled and laughed. "Yes I did. But - if I rememember correctly - you didn't seem to love my water games so much in the Bahamas." he splashed her playfully.

Brenda splashed him back. "That's because all your games ever meant was splashing and tickling me."

"All my games meant a way for me to get closer to you." Jax said, giving her a sexy smile.

Brenda blushed. "Well - if you'd told me that than maybe I wouldn't have screamed so much."

"Is that a fact?" Jax asked, cocking his head, and raising an eyebrow.

Brenda shrugged. "Maybe...." she respond flippantly, swimming away from him towards the waterfall that cascaded into the deep end from an artificial cliff of rocks. When she reached the waterfall, she perched herself up on the rock wall. The water was falling in front of her, and Jax could see her smiling coquetishly at him. The moonlight relected against the water, and lit her whole face up making her look like some angel or mermaid. "What?" Brenda asked. She stuck her hand into the waterfall sending water flying everywhere. "You scared to come get me?"

Jax was after her in a flash. Tearing through the water, and demonstrating his excellent life-guarding skills. When he had almost reached her, Brenda dove into the water, and began swimming further into the deep end. Jax was close on her tail, and she squealed and screamed as he kept reaching for her leg. Whenever he was about to catch her she would kick her feet and splash him. Finally, after four attempts, Jax reached out and grabbed Brenda's ankle. She tried to get away, but the situation was hopeless since she was nearly at the wall.

"Gotcha!" Jax cried, pinning her against the pool wall and laughing.

"Do you expect me to say that I surrender now?" Brenda asked saucily, wrapping her arms around his neck and staring into his eyes.

"Only if you want to." Jax said honestly. He returned her stare and felt himself getting lost in the kaleidescopic mixture of greens and browns and golds. Brenda didn't answer his question, because Jax leaned forward and gently brushed her wet hair away from her face. He then kissed her nose, her cheeks, her eyes, and her ears. Brenda shuddered with pleasure. He took one of her hands and kissed the top of it, turned it over, and pressed his lips against her palm. He moved his mouth to the back of her wrist and kissed it, feeling her pulse quicken. Laughing huskily, he glanced up at Brenda's face and raised a questioning eyebrow. He then proceeded to work his way all the way up her arm across her shoulder and neck, down her other arm and then finally to her mouth. At this point Brenda was trembling both from desire and ecstacy. He outlined first her lower lip with his tongue, and then her upper lip before kissing her passionately. Brenda responded with all the urgency and passion that he felt. She could feel herself crossing the line of control, and given the way he was kissing her, she knew that he was also. Not only was the situation becoming dangerously passionate, it was becoming dangerous period. They were swimming in an 8 ft. deep pool, and Brenda was beginning to wonder if she'd even remember how to walk let alone swim if this continued.

"Jax...." she murmered, drawing away from him and gasping for breath while pulling up her bikini straps. "I think maybe we should....."

"Stop?" Jax filled in her sentence. He tried to convince himself that he was happy she'd pulled away. It meant his plan was working. But truthfully, he was miserable. He had never felt this way about anyone. He had never wanted anyone more than he wanted her. But it was more than just wanting her. He was beginning to have a sneaking suspicion that he was falling in love with her. And it scared him to death.

Brenda smiled sexily at him. "I was going to say - let's dance."

Jax looked at her strangely. "Dance?"

"Yeah -" she said, getting out of the pool, and leaning down to help pull him out. " you know - you put your arounds around my waist, I wrap my arms around your neck and we sway back and forth."

Jax rolled his eyes. "Okay - I get the point." he laughed. "What are we going to dance to?" he could feel his breathing returning to normal.

"I don't know. Let's turn the radio on." Brenda skipped over to the boombox seated on the table and flipped it on. The 80's Bangel's song "Eternal Flame" blared through the speakers and Brenda jumped up and down with excitement. "Perfect!" she screamed. "I love this song." she did a little Brenda dance over to him, and wrapped her arms around his neck, pulling him closer to her.

Close your eyes -

Give me your hand, darling..

Do you feel my heart beating?

Do you understand?

Do you feel the same?

Am I only dreaming...

Or is this burning, an eternal flame?

There was something incredibly seductive about dancing in the moonlight in wet bathing suits. The electricity and tension that had been growing between them in the pool had not died away, and if anything, the closeness of dancing only magnified it.

I believe it's meant to be, darling -

I want you when you are sleeping...

You belong to me -

Do you feel the same?

Am I only dreaming....

Or is this burning, an eternal flame?

Say my name - the sun shines in the rain...

A whole life -

So lonely, then come and ease my pain....

I don't want to lose this feeling..

Ohhhhhh........

Close your eyes -

Give me your hand, darling

Do you feel my heart beating?

Do you understand?

Do you feel the same?

Am I only dreaming`...

Or is this burning..

An eternal flame?

When the song was over, Brenda slid her hands over Jax's well-defined chest. She had seen the way he was looking at her in the pool, and now the desire in his eyes had turned them a dark blue. Very slowly she began to kiss his chest, working her way up to his mouth. When there lips met there was such intenisty and hunger that Brenda nearly fainted with wanting him. "Maybe we should go upstairs..." Brenda murmered in his ear, as he slowly kissed her neck. Jax made no notion of having heard her, and continued to kiss her, sliding her bikini straps down off her shoulders. Brenda tried to keep control of her senses, "because - your parents and family are right in the den, and...." she was cut off by Jax kissing her passionately on her mouth, his tongue diving deep into her mouth and meeting hers in an erotic dance. Suddenly he broke away, swept her into his arms and carried her up the back stairs to their bedroom.

As soon as they entered the room, Jax closed the door with his foot and climbed onto the bed, all while never removing his mouth from Brenda's. The kissing and foreplay continued for a few moments, and then Brenda drew away slightly, and looked deeply into Jax's eyes - so deep in fact that Jax felt asthough she was looking into her soul. "Make love to me - please." Jax needed nothing more than to hear her utter those five little words. Covering her body with his, they joined together and soared to another world.

* * * * * * *

Nearly five hours later, Brenda layed in Jax's arms as he slept, watching him. She ran her hand gently across his cheek, marveling in how beautiful he looked while sleeping. She thought about how they'd just spent hours making love. Making love to Jax had been the most incredible experience of her life. It had been passionate, intense, tender, seductive, earth shattering, loving, and magical all at the same time. She had felt asthough their souls, hearts and minds were making love to each other, not just their bodies.

She layed her head against his chest, listening to his heart beat. The song "Heaven Help My Heart" from the musical Chess plays in the backround.

If you take my love,

I will give your love

each second I have...

And I do.

Did I know where it'd lead me to?

Did I plan - doing all of this -

for the love of a man?

We see flashes of Brenda kissing Jax at the Outback that first night, then her arriving at his house with Chinese food. Hugging and kissing him when he agreed to help her with the deal. Jax entering Kelly's before the Bahamas.

Well I let it happen anyhow,

And what I'm feeling now...

Has no easy explanation -

reason plays no part...

Flashes of J&B in the Bahamas. Jax splashing her in the water, running down the beach carrying her over his shoulder. J&B dancing on the boat, swimming with the dolphins. Falling on the couch before Kieron called, dancing at the Jazz club.

Heaven help my heart

I love him too much.

What if he saw -

my whole existence,

running around

a look - a smile, a touch.

Jax bringing her and Lois flowers, dancing at Luke's, kissing. Jax bailing her out of jail. Brenda realizing that Juliet was Jax's sister.

Well a while from now,

And it won't be long...

He'll know more about me...

Then he should

All my dreams will be understood

No surprise,

Nothing more to learn -

From the look in my eyes

Brenda and Jax having a food fight in Colorado. Jax asking if she was surrendering. Playing monopoly.

Do you know that time is not my friend?

I'll fight it to the end...

Hoping to keep those best of moments,

When the passion starts-

Heaven help my heart?

The day that I find -

Suddenly, I've run out of secrets

Suddenly - I'm not always on...his mind.

The image of Jax crying in the hospital. Jax and Brenda dancing at the Milton's party. Jax giving her the ring, and finally them dancing by the pool.

Maybe it's best to love a stranger....

Well that's what I've done -

Heaven help -

My heart...

Heaven help....my....heart.

As the song ends, Brenda looks up and caresses Jax's face. "I love you Jasper Jacks." she whispers. "Please love me too." she closes her eyes and lays her head on his chest, falling asleep. "I love you too." Jax murmers in his sleep.

Although neither one of them heard the other's declaration, and Jax hadn't even admitted his love yet, they both spent the night dreaming about each other and their future. Unfortunately, what neither of them realized was that their adventure was only just beginning....

***************

"Kieron -" Juliet whispered. "Do you think there's anything wrong with Brenda? She's been acting really weird today."

Kieron glanced over at Brenda who was sitting on the couch in the main section of the airplane smiling dreamily as she stared out the window. "She's fine Jules. She's probably just dazed by the ring Jax gave her last night. Just calm down and stop worrying about Jax and Brenda all the time."

Juliet ignored him and continued to watch Brenda suspiciously. At the moment, Brenda was giggling to herselt and blushing. It was too strange. Juliet had no idea what was going on, and being in the dark was the last place she ever wanted to be. She got up and walked over to the couch. "Bren - are you okay?"

Brenda startled with surprise and laughed. "Jules - you scared me." she placed her hand over her heart. "Yeah - of course I'm okay. " she smiled joyfully to herselt, getting a distant look in her dark eyes. "In fact - I couldn't be better." she started giggling again.

"You're sure that you and Jax are doing fine?" Juliet asked, still unconvinced.

Once again, Brenda started smiling, her eyes dancing with mischief. "Jax and I are perfect."

Juliet nodded, "Because well - I was a little worried when I didn't see you guys last night. I was afraid that maybe you were fighting or something."

"Juliet!" Kieron yelled from across the plane. "Leave the poor girl alone. She and Jax probably wanted some quiet time together. Hello!? He gave her an engagement ring last night, I'm sure the last place they wanted to be was in a crowded room with your brothers."

Juliet glared at Kieron, and then turned her attention back to Brenda. "Oh! That's right!!!! I almost forgot about the ring!" Juliet picked up Brenda's ring and stared at the large, glistening rock. "Wow! Jax must love you an awful lot. That ring is the most spectacular thing I've ever seen."

"Isn't it?" Brenda squealed, holding it up to the window and admiring the way the light reflected onto her face.

Juliet nodded. "Uh-huh. Kieron told me that Jax was really nervous about buying it for you. I guess he kept looking at all the different styles, and he told the sales girl all about you so he could pick out the perfect one." Juliet sighed and shook her head. "I never thought I'd see Jax fall so hard, so fast. But he has - and I couldn't be happier for the two of you."

Brenda sighed. "He's amazing." Thoughts of the previous night flashed before her eyes. "In more than just one way." she blushes as she says this, and Juliet raises her eyebrows.

"So -" Kieron said, getting off the couch and walking around the plane, glancing out all the windows. "is everything set with Jules and I moving into your apartment for a little while? BEcause if there's a problem, we can just stay in a hotel for a while. We'll probably end up doing that anyway since I'm sure Juliet will want to discuss the wedding with you 24/7." he rolled his eyes.

Brenda smiled a little nervously. "Yeah - everything is fine. Of course, I haven't told Jax yet - but....." she crossed her fingers, "I'm sure it will be fine with him."

Juliet looked at Kieron surprised. "You haven't talked to Jax about it yet? Are you saying he doesn't know you're moving into the penthouse?"

"Welllll........" Brenda stutteered, searching for a reasonable explanation.

"Jax knows." Kieron stated.

Brenda nearly fell off the couch. "What? What do you mean - Jax knows?" she stammered, glancing back and forth between Kieron and Juliet.

Kieron sat down next to Juliet and wrapped his arms around her. "He knows that you're moving in with him. I told him yesterday after he bought the ring." Kieron noticed the stunned look on Brenda's face. "Hey -" he touched her arm reassuringly. "don't worry. He seemed okay with it."

"Really?" Brenda asked hopefully, feeling her heart beat slowly return to normal.l

"I think Jax has come to accept the fact that he's whipped." Brenda's mouth dropped open, and Juliet slapped Kieron on the arm. "Whoa! LAdies! I meant that in the best way."

Brenda giggled and got a thoughtful look on her face. So Jax knew that she was planning on moving into the penthouse. She wondered why he hadn't mentioned anything to her......

* * * *

Meanwhile, Jax was sitting in the cockpit, flying the plane, and wondering how he'd let things get so out of control the night before. Making love to Brenda had been an unbelievable experience, but he coudln't shake the feeling that it had been his undoing. "How am I supposed to fight her anymore?" he groaned. Now that he knew how extraordinary holding, kissing, touching and making love to Brenda was he wasn't sure how he was going to control himself. Part of him was considering calling the entire deal off, telling his family and friends that the engagement had been a hoax, and leaving Port Charles as soon as he dropped Brenda off. But another part of him couldn't bare leaving and never seeing her again. He was still trying to believe that his plan could still work. Okay, so Brenda hadn't run screaming and yelling from the room the second he began to kiss her. And she had eagerly allowed him to make love to her, but that didn't mean she wanted them to get married. In fact, now that they were heading back to Port Charles, and she would be near Sonny again, he was positive she would freak out if he acted like he thought they were really getting married.

He wondered whether she was really planning on moving into the penthouse. She hadn't mentioned anything about it, but knowing Brenda, that didn't really mean anything. Living in the penthouse with her wouldn't be horrible, he thought to himself, smiling slightly. This way he could work on his plan - talk about the wedding with her, hellp pick out flowers, dresses, songs. The only problem would be sleeping arrangements, because he was quite positive that sleeping near Brenda would only bring him trouble. Images of the previous night flashed before his eyes, and he realized that there was no way he could sleep in the same bed as her without making love to her or developing a serious case of insomnia. He was already worried about how intense his feelings for her were, and he didn't want to make them any deeper. "I'll just tell her that if she wants to stay in the penthouse we'll have to sleep in seperate bed and that as wonderful and amazing as making love to her was, I don't think it's a good idea. It will only confuse an already bizarre situation." Feeling in control and prepared for the situation, Jax smiled, and got ready to land in Port Charles.

* * * * * *

"Bren - maybe this would be a good time for you to talk to Jax about living in the penthouse." Juliet suggested, glancing over at her brother who was sitting by himself at the opposite end of the limo typing on his laptop. "AFterall - we're almost at Kelly's and he's going to be alittle confused at why you aren't staying there."

Brenda nodded her head, and took a deep breath, sliding over to where Jax was siting. She glance back at Juliet who was nodding like crazy and waving her hand for her to say something. Sighing, Brenda squared her shoulders and whispered to herself, "just do it. The worst thing that can happen is he'll say no." Taking *another* deep breath, she wrapped one arm around Jax's shoulder, and leaned over to see what he was working on. "Honey -" she purred. "Would you mind shutting that off for a second so I can talk to you? I sort of have a question for you - or a statement - or, I don't know."

"Sure. Just let me save this." Jax hit a few keys on the computer, and closed it, placing it on the seat next to him. This was it. Brenda was going to ask him about moving into the penthouse. He could tell by the way she was biting her lower lip and moving her hands together that she was really nervous. He had to bite back a smile - she was so adorable. "Okay - what is it?"

"uhhhh.....I well, you see......." Brenda stuttered, trying to find the right words.

"Sweetie - just spit it out." Jax coaxed, brushing some hair out of her face with his thumb, and lightly caressing her face. His actions calmed Brenda's fears, and she smiled thankfully.

"Okay." she swallowed. "I kind of told Juliet and Kieron that they could stayin my apartment at Kellyl's."

"Okay....." Jax pretended to look confused. "And why would that bother me? You're the one who's going to suffer living with the two of them arguing and making up all the time."

Brenda twisted her hands, and bit her lip. "Well....you see - I told them that they could stay at Kelly's because I kind of implied that I was moving into the penthouse with you."

Jax dropped his mouth open in mock surprise. "You implied? Or you stated?" he asked curiously.

Brenda blushed a depe shade of red. "I said that I was moving into the penthouse." she looked up at him, her eyes shining with anticipationg. "Jax - I'm really sorry, but we're going too have to continue pretending that we're engaged since Juliet and Kieron are here, and moving in together kind of seemed like a natural progression before getting married, and I know it's a really big imposition, but I p[romise that I'll be really good, and this won't go on much longer, and I don't -"

"Okay." Jax said smiling.

Brenda's mouth dropped open in shock. Her eyes grew as big as saucers. "Okay?" she repeated.

"Okay." Jax confirmed, reaching over and opening his laptop again.

"You mean - you're okay with this?" Brenda asked increduously, pinching her arm to make sure she wasn't dreaming. What had happened here? She couldn't believe that Jax had agreed to her plan so easily. She had expected to have to practically break into his penthouse and beg to stay there.

"I'm okay with this on one condition."

Brenda sighed. She knew there had to be some kind of hitch. "What's the condition?" she asked cautiously.

Jax leaned over, and wrapped his arms around her. "Last night was amazing." he whispered in her ear, his breath tickling her neck and sending shivers p her spine. "But I don't think making love is a very good idea. All it will do is complicate an already unusual situation." he drew away from her, and tipped her chin up so that they were looking into each other's eyes. "So - you can stay in my penthouse as longg as we don't share the same bed or engage in any other activities - if you know what I mean."

Brenda tried to hide her dissapointment by giggling. "Yes I know what you mean." she cast her eyes downward so that he couldn't see the sadness in them. "You're absolutely right, we don't need any more confusion right now."

* * * * * *

"Brenda! You're home!" Ruby cried, rushing out from behind the counter, and throwing her arms around Brenda. "We've all missed you. Hello Jax." Ruby said smiling. "I can see that once again you've taken excellent care of my favorite girl."

Jax smiled and kissed the top of Brenda's head. "Well - she's my favorite girl also, so you should never expect any less."

"Awwww....." Brenda murmered, hugging JAx. "Ruby, I'd like you to meet Jax's sister and my good friend, Juliet Jacks, and her boyfriend and Jax's and my friend, Kierron McKinnon. Jules, Kier - this is Ruby Anderson, my surrogate Grandmother and landlady." Brenda smiled,"and your soon to be landlady also."

Ruby looked at Brenda alarmed. "Brenda! You're moving out? Is something wrong?"

Brenda smiled, and hugged Jax even tighter. "Nothing is wrong. In fact - everything is exactly the way it should be." Reaching out, Brenda held up her left hand, the diamond flashing in the light. "Jax and I are engaged and we're getting married." she shrieked laughing and bouncing up and down.

Ruby gasped. "Oh my goodness! Sweetie - I'm so happy for you!" she pulled both Jax and Brenda into her arms and hugged them. "This is such wonderful news."

"So - I'm moving into Jax's penthouse at the PC Hotel, and I told Juliet and Kieron that they could take my room for now." Brenda glanced at Ruby nervously. " I hope this is okay with you." she murmered softly.

Ruby grinned. "Of course it is. I hope that you'll find the apartment to be comfortable. It might be a little small for two people."

Juliet laughed, and wrapped her arms around Kieron giving him a kiss on the cheek. "I'm sure it's going to be perfect."

While Ruby talked with Juliet and Kieron about the apartment, Brenda pulled Jax in the direction of the staircase.

Jax burst out laughing as Brenda tried to pull him along with her. He was so much bigger than she was, that she was really running in place.

"Jaxxxx......" she whined, pulling harder. "come on...."

"Where are we going?" he asked. Raising and eyebrow he shook his head. "I hope not up to your bedroom, because....." he smiled a knowing and suggestive smile.

Brenda swatted her hand playfully at him. He ducked laughing. "We're going up to my room so that I can pack, and *you* my dutiful fiancee can help me carry all the stuff down and into the limo."

"Really?" Jax asked. "And I suppose you're going to expect me to carry all this stuff up to the penthouse also."

Brenda grinned. "Definitely. It's part of your job."

"And what job might that be?" Jax played dumb.

"The job of being my fiancee." Brenda stated.

Jax smiled. "I didn't realize I'd been elected to be your personal slave."

Brenda giggled, and wrapped her arms around Jax's neck, smiling sexily up at him. "There could be worse things, couldn't there?"

Jax sighed, and tried to ignore the incredible desire he felt with her wrapped around him, smiling and giggling. "Okay - you little imp - let's go upstairs and get you packed so we can continue this ridiculous face that we're living."

Brenda frowned. "What do you mean *ridiculous farce*?"

"our engagement? The pretend one? Remember?"

"Oh that." Brenda said. Giving him a quick kiss on the mouth, and pulling him toward the stairs. "Sure - it may be pretend, but that doesn't change the fact that you're having a fabulous time and you know it."

Jax didn't respond. Afterall, as much as he hated to admit it, the woman did have a point.

To Be Continued.....

PREVIEW: Next installment, Brenda moves into Jax's penthouse.....Jax spends the first of many sleepless nights on the couch.....Brenda confides in Lois about her fake engagement and her plan to make Jax fall in love with her and Lois invites them to a costume party......Jax gets an interesting phone call from an unidentified source....

- Belle

J&B Reuniters - Sonny never, Jax forever

J&B Angels

IRFC