Fairy Tale-163 to 177

by: Belle

"Honey - was that the last box?"

"Yes, thank goodness." Jax dropped the box on the floor of the foyer, and wiped his sweaty forehead with the bottom of his white T-shirt. He glanced around the penthouse, trying to find Brenda admidst the boxes and thrown open suitcases. This place was a disaster, and he knew exactly what had hit it. "Hurricane Brenda." He shook his head, he'd never imagined that any woman could pack so much stuff in such a short period of time. The moment they had entered her apartment, she'd begun racing around the room, pulling clothes out of the closets and drawers, tossing things into suitcases and various boxes, taping things up. Jax had felt dizzy just watching her. When she was finally done, she'd raced down the stairs and gushed on and on to Ruby about her trip to Colorado and Alaska with Jax while he trudded up and down the stairs, carrying all the boxes and suitcases. The same had held true for her moving "into" the penthouse. She had raced into the penthouse carrying two of the suitcases, and immediately started unpacking while Jax struggled with all her belongings. Ten boxes and six suitcases later, he was sweating and having serious second thoughts about his *fiancee's* moving in with him.

"You okay?" Jax looked up when he heard Brenda's voice above him. He was sitting against his desk, and Brenda was standing over him, gently running her fingers through his hair and smiling. She had changed out of the white sundress she'd been wearing on the plane, and was wearing flannel pajama pants and a pale blue t-shirt with her hair in a messy bun. She looked completely comfortable and at home, and it terrified Jax how natural her being there seemed. She also had a nervous and concerned look in her eyes. "I'm sorry that I have so much stuff. You were awfully good to carry all this up for me. I really appreciate it." She had such a sincere look on her beautiful face, that Jax couldn't help smiling. "Why don't you come lie down on your bed and talk to me while I unpack?" Brenda suggested, holding out her hands so that she could help pull him up.

Jax sighed. "That sounds good." he started heading towards the bedroom with her when his stomach started growling. He started laughing. "I guess I'm kind of hungry. We've been so busy moving you that we didn't stop and have any dinner!"

Brenda giggled and checked her watch. "Well....the pizza should be here any minute, so why don't you lie down, and when it comes, I'll serve you dinner a la bed."

"You ordered pizza?" Jax asked hopefully.

Brenda nodded happily while handing Jax a pile of clothes to carry into the bedroom. "Uh-huh. You see - there are some advantages of my living with you."

Jax rolled his eyes. He wanted to note that there were also other advantages of her living with him, but then he reminded himself that he *wasn't* going to sleep with her. Judging on how gorgeous Brenda looked, it certainly wasn't going to be easy.

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"Jax! The pizza's - What are you doing? Why are all your clothes lying on the bed? You're not moving out now that I'm here, are you?" Brenda babbled questions nervously, placing the pizza box on Jax's desk, and walking around the large king-size bed which was covered with suits, ties, pants and shirts.

Jax stuck his head out of the closet. "Nope. I should only be that lucky."

"Then....what are you goin?" Brenda implored. "Are you going on a trip?"

Jax shook his head and grinned. "No...." Seeing the confused look on her face, he took her hands and pulled her towards the closet. "Come here - I think this will make you happy."

Brenda looked into the closet. She smiled when she saw that he'd cleared out half the closet, including shoe shelves and floor space. Just as she was about to speak, Jax tugged at her hand and led her over to the large dresser. He began opening drawers. , "I cleaned out three-quarters of these drawers out for you also." he smiled a boyish grin. "I know you have a lot of clothes, and eventhough this engagement may not be real, you're living her is, and I want you to be comfortable." he nodded towards the bathroom. "You can use as much space in the bathroom as you need. Just push my stuff together." shrugged his shoulders. "I'll make do."

Brenda's face shown with happiness. Jax looked so proud and eager that she couldn't help gigling. She gave him an impulsive kiss on the lips. "Thank you."

"You're welcome." Jax replied, returning her kiss. "Okay - so what's this I heard about a pizza?" he rubbed his hands together hungrily, and took the pizza off his desk. He took the paper plates off the top of the box, and settled himself on the bedroom floor.

Brenda stood still for a few moments, just watching Jax devour the pizza admidst the menagerie of both their clothes. She remembered the day she'd moved in with Sonny and how she'd had to beg him for a little closet space and one measly drawer. If there had ever been a doubt in her mind that she wanted to be with Jax forever, it vanished the moment he gave up space in his room for her to put her things. A wistful smile spread across her face as she thought about Jax and the life they were going to share together. That is, once he realized he loved her. "Just a little planning and some scheming, and Jasper Jacks is going to be mine forever." she mused to herself. Turning to Jax she cried, "Hey - save some pizza for me!" and knelt next to him on the floor so they could eat their first dinner in the penthouse together.

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"Jax - are you still awake?" Brenda called from the bed to the couch next to Jax's desk where he was trying to sleep.

"Unfortunately." Jax groaned, moving his legs, and trying to get comfortable. After tossing for a few minutes, he sat up and looked over at the bed where he could see Brenda's silouette in the moonlight. She was leaning on one elbow, running her hand through her hair; her body completely enveloped in his black comforter. Even in the dark, she looked unbelievably seductive, and Jax was beginning to wonder if he should move to the couch in the living room.

Brenda sat up and looked over at him. "Are you sure you're okay?" she asked in a concerned tone. "I feel really bad about taking your bed. I honestly don't mind sleeping on the couch. Afterall - this is *your* apartment, and I feel horrible having ousted you from your bed."

"Bren - I would never let you sleep on the couch. I'm fine - really - it's just going to take a little getting used to."

"Okay." Brenda said reluctantly. She turned over onto her stomach, and cupped her chin in her hands. "You know...." she purred, raising a seductive eyebrow and smiling seductively. "This is an awfully big bed, and there's plenty of room in it for one more person."

The invitation was so inticing that Jax practically had to grip onto the couch to keep himself from jumping off the couch and into the bed with Brenda. "Uhh....thanks - but no thanks." he laughed, and tried to act nonchalant. "I hope you haven't forgotten our deal already...." he smiled at her and shook his head.

"Our deal? OH! Well, Jax - I wasn't suggesting we make love." She gave him an exaggerated shocked expression. "I was just saying that you could share the bed with me. Afterall, there's no harm in our sharing a bed. Unless -" she leaned even closer to the couch and grinned, "unless you're saying that you can't share a bed with me and not make love."

Of course that's what I'm saying! Jax shouted inside his head. Outloud he forced a laugh, "I'm just saying that in order to keep ourselves in check - I think I should stay on the couch.""

Jax's excuse was lame, and both he and Brenda knew it. Triumph shone in Brenda's dark eyes, and if the room had been light enough for Jax to see her, he would have realized how defeated he already was. However, Brenda let it go - she wanted to let him salvage some pride. "Doesn't this remind you of the sleepovers you used to have as a child?" Brenda asked, rolling onto her back, and pulling the comforter over her.

"Not really." Jax thought to himself. Maybe if he'd had a sleepover as an adolescent with Christie Brinkley, but he'd never had trouble sleeping when he and Kieron had sleepovers. "Uh.....kind of." he lied.

"You know....I'm really having fun right now." Brenda said brightly. "I've never lived with someone that made me this happy. When Sonny and I lived together, well - we had fun, and I loved him like crazy, but we fought so much that living together was kind of tense and nerve-racking. But....living with you?" she smiled blissfully. "I can tell that it's going to be wonderful."

Jax's blood curdled at the mention of Sonny's name, and he was so distracted with thinking about how much he hated him, that he didn't really listen to what Brenda was saying. "Well - hopefully things will work out better for you and Sonny next time." he said in a disgusted voice. "Now - if you don't mind - I'm going to go to sleep."

Brenda didn't understand why Jax suddenly seemed so distant. "Okay.....Jax I'm sorry if I said anything to make you upset. I'm just really happy about being here with you and I wanted you to know that."

The sincerity in her voice got to him, and Jax felt guilty for being so short with her. "I'm sorry I snapped." he apologized. "I'm just a little tired, and I have tons of work to do tomorrow." he rolled over and tried to fit his legs comfortably in without sticking them over the arm of the couch. The room was completely silent for a few moments. "Bren -" he called.

"Hmmm..hmm....?" she called back, snuggling into the two fluffy pillows and enjoying the fact that they still smelled like Jax - a mixture of Fahrenheit cologne, aftershave, shampoo and expensive Armani suits.

"I'm happy you're here also. Have sweet dreams."

Brenda smiled dreamily. "Goodnight Jax - sweet dreams and sleep tight - don't let the bed bugs bite." she giggled. "or I guess I should say *couch* bugs."

Jax laughed and rolled his eyes. "I'll try." he said dryly.

"You don't really think there are any bugs in your bed do you Jax? I mean - you don't eat any granola in this beed, do you?" She wrinkled her nose. "I hate granola. But it's better than that awful yogurt you eat. And bananas! Yuck."

Jax picked up a pillow from the couch and threw it at her to stop her babbling. "Goodnight Bren." he said laughing.

Brenda giggled, and threw the pillow back at the couch hitting Jax on the head. "Good night." She snuggled into the pillow and immediately fell asleep. Unfortunately, the same couldn't be said for Jax.

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"Good morning Mr. Jacks."

"Morning Addie." Jax greeted his personal assistant Adeline McBride as he entered the J&J Jacks' office in NYC. "How are you?"

Addie smiled. "I'm fine thank you for asking. How are you? Can I get you anything?"

"Some coffee please." Jax took the papers from her, and walked into his office.

Turning on the lights, he looked in awe at how many papers and memos were piled up on his desk. Ever since he'd met Brenda, his work had definitely become his second priority, and he had tons to make up. He pulled out his chair and sat down, flipping through the various files and jotting down notes. Turning on his computer, he logged onto the internet to check the stock quotes.

"Here's your coffee." Addie placed a tray of coffee and bagels next to his computer. She was also carrying a stack of memos and manilla envelopes. "Here are all your messages and memos from when you were gone. Andre Florenzo called from Milan, and I told him you would call him back as soon as you got in. Other than that, everything is running smoothly. Mr. Jacks - are you sure you're alright?" Addie looked at him nervously. She'd been working for Jax for 10 yrs, and prior to that she'd been his father's personal assistant. He looked tired, stressed, confused yet ridiculously happy. She had never seen him like this, and it worried her. Addie had four children of her own and the only time she'd seen them like this was when they were absolutely insanely in love.

"I'm fine Addie - why?" Jax asked curiously, pouring himself some coffee and glancing over the numbers on the Florenzo business sheets.

"Well sir - if you don't mind my saying so - you look kind of tired. Have you been getting enough sleep?"

"I, well - I umm...I have a house guest right now and well - No, I haven't been getting enough sleep." Jax gave her a lopsided frown/smile.

Addie gave him a sympathetic smile and remained thoughtful for a moment. "This wouldn't by any chance have to do with Ms.Brenda Barrett would it?"

Jax startled and blushed at the mention of Brenda. "Brenda!? Oh no....." he looked at her curiously. "How do you even know about Brenda?"

"Well - you've been away with her practically every week, and she calls the office all the time. So, naturally, I just jumped to the assumption that..."

"Thank you for the coffee Addie." Jax gave her a smile that told her the *meeting* was over. "Would you get me Andre's phone number?"

"Of course Mr. Jacks." Addie returned Jax's smile. She walked through the door into her office area. "Oh and Mr. Jacks -" she poked her head back through the door and grinned. "If Ms.Barrett calls I'll forward her calls immediately."

Before Jax could give her a snide reply, Addie ducked out, and Jax could have sworn she was giggling. What was going on? he wondered to himself. Glancing in the computer screen he groaned. He looked like he hadn't slept in days. A statement that was almost true. In the past five days, the only night he'd slept was after he and Brenda made love. Other than that, if Brenda was anywhere near him all he did was toss and turn. Last night had been the worst. He'd fallen off the couch three times, and then finally gotten up at 5 a.m. and gone for a run. When he'd gotten back to the penthouse at 6:15 a.m. Brenda had still been fast asleep, curled up in his bed, looking like a sleeping angel - her dark hair spread across the pillow and a dreamy smile on her face. Jax had dragged himself away from her bedside and into the shower. The second the water poured down on him, he realized how tired he truly was. He stayed in the shower for a long time, and when he got out he planned on having a nice, quiet breakfast, watching the news and reading the Wallstreet Journal. Just like he did every morning when he was home. As soon as he opened the door to his bedroom, he got a rude awakening. Music poured out of his stereo and Brenda was awake and dancing. Literally. She was jumping and dancing on his bed, singing along to the unidentifiable lyrics of Mmmbop by Hanson. When Jax asked her what she was doing and why she was listening to such horrible music, Brenda had pulled him up onto the bed, explaining that as ridiculous as the song may seem, singing it made her happy and dancing gave her energy. Jax shook his head, wondering how she'd ever gotten him to dance on the bed, but somehow she had. After dancing, Brenda had settled onto the floor and began doing her morning yoga. Jax had burst into laughter at the sight of her sitting indian-style on the floor, closing her eyes and holding her arms in the air. Brenda had become very huffy, and said that he shouldn't mock things he hadn't tried. Then Brenda had practically forced him to do yoga with her. He couldn't get over how happy she'd been when she announced that it was going to be their morning routine to do yoga together every day - this way they would both be relaxed and prepared to start their busy days. Jax had wanted to stand up to her and pretend that he didn't enjoy her racing around his penthouse, turning things upside down, but the truth was he loved her energy and excitement about everything. He also loved the way that she pushed him. She was the first woman he'd ever met, aside from his mother and sister, that tested and pushed him as much as he tested and pushed others. Yes, she was his equal in every way, and she knew it, which was part of what made her so exciting. Jax's daydreams of Brenda were interrupted by the telephone.

"Jax." he answered. There was no response. "Hello? Is anyone there? Hmm..." he looked at the phone curiously and then hung it up.

"Brenda! Bren - Are you in there?" Lois stood outside of Jax's penthouse knocking furiously against the door. "Brennnnn....it's me. Open up."

"Coming!" Brenda screamed racing towards the door from the kitchen. "Lois? Is that you?" she cried, while fumbling with the locks and eventually opening the door.

"Yeah." Lois answered just as the door opened. "It's me."

Brenda grinned when she saw her best friend standing in the hallway carrying a white pastry bag and two coffees. "Hey you." she reached out and gave Lois a hug, taking the coffees from her and closing the door behind her.

"Hey back stranger." Lois teased, handing her the pastry bag. Brenda took the bag and began to open it. "Muffins from Ruby." Lois explained, glancing around the impressive penthouse. "Which I got this morning when I *went* to see you at Kellys - where you live or should I say *used* to live?" Lois arched a slender eyebrow. "Bren.....what haven't you told me? Last I heard you knew you loved Jax but weren't sure at all about his feelings. Now you're living in the penthouse?"

Brenda smiled apologetically, and waved for Lois to follow her into the kitchen. "I'm sorry I didn't tell you about moving into the penthouse myself, but it was kind of a last minute decision. I was going to call you this morning and tell you." Brenda took a deep breath, trying to sort her thoughts, so she could explain this confusing situation as clearly as she could. She got out some plates and cups from the cabinets, and set them at the table. "You see - Jax's sister's here -"

"Juliet." Lois interrupted. "I met her this morning, when I woke her and her boyfriend up knocking like a mad woman against what I thought was your door." she smiled and laughed, sipping her coffee and taking a bite of her blueberry muffin. "I thought Kieron was going to strangle me, but Juliet told him to be a good boy and go back to bed or get in the shower, and then she told me that you were here - with Jax. I really liked her Bren - she actually reminded me a lot of you....." Lois shook her head. "Anyway - she said something about your having exciting news to tell me - *so* if moving in with Jax isn't your news - I want to know what is."

Brenda blushed, trying to think of the best possible way to explain everything to Lois. As she thought, she raised her left hand to her forehead to brush away some stray hairs, and as she did this, the diamond ring caught the light, and sparkled sending reflections dancing across her face. Lois gasped and grabbed Brenda's hand, holding the ring close to her face. "Oh my god! You and Jax are engaged!!!! AHHHHHH!!!!" Lois jumped out of her chair and threw her arms around Brenda, shrieking and bouncing up and down. Her excitement was contagious and soon Brenda was also bouncing around, screaming and laughing.

When things had finally calmed down, Lois returned to her chair and shook her head. "You have got a lot of explaining to do girlfriend, and I want to hear every little detail." she leaned across the table and smiled expectantly.

Brenda's heart began pounding. She already knew how Lois was going to react when she heard about her newest "plan" - she would say it was ridiculous and Brenda should just tell Jax how she felt. "Okay, well....let's see." Brenda stuttered. "First of all Lo - there's something I've got to tell you." She looked so guilty and confused that Lois immediately knew that this engagement wasn't the real thing.

"Okay...."

"Well - you see, when Jax and I were in Alaska, I became really close with his family and one afternoon I was with his grandmother, and she was talking to me about how worried she was about Jax. Or at least how worried she was until she met me." Brenda smiled slightly as she said this. "She said that the only thing she wanted to see before she died was for JAx to get married or be engaged, so I, well..."

"So you told her you and Jax were getting married." Lois clarified. Brenda nodded pathetically. Lois sighed and took a deep breath. "Oh Bren - okay, so that explains how the two of you became engaged, but I still don't understand why you're living with Jax and wearing the most amazing diamond I've ever seen on your ring finger."

"Well, I sort of fixed things with Jules and Kieron so that they wanted to stay in my apartment, and I volunteered to live in the penthouse with Jax." Brenda explained, smiling innocentely and nibbling on her banana nut muffin.

Lois looked at her increduously. This was really too much. Why couldn't Brenda just have a normal relationship where she went on dates, met the family and got engaged. "Well - technically she did do that." Lois realized, laughing to herself. Outloud she groaned. "You volunteered?"

"Yes. And don't worry Lo - Jax is okay with this. In fact -" Brenda smiled dreamily. "He even cleaned out half his closets, and all these drawers for my stuff. He helped me pack and then lugged all my stuff up from the limo." she giggled. "He even carried me over the threshold eventhough I explained to him that you're supposed to do that *after* getting married...." she sighed. "He's so wonderful."

"Okay girlfriend - before you get all lovey dovey and romantic on me, would you just explain why Jax actually gave you a ring? I mean - have you told him that you love him, and you're over Sonny? Or does he think this entire engagement/living together situation is another one of your little games?"

Brenda bit her lip nervously. "I haven't told Jax I love him exactly....and I guess he thinks our engagement is a game."

"You haven't told him exactly or you haven't told him at all?" Lois asked seriously. One look at Brenda's guilty face was answer enough. She groaned, "What does he think about this living situation? Are you guys sharing a room?"

"Jax was fine about my moving in. That is, well....as long as......" she trailed off, taking another sip of coffee. Lois looked at her expectantly. "He said as long as we don't make love anymore it's fine."

Lois choked on her muffin, nearly spewing coffee across the room. "Anymore?!!!! BRENDA!!!! I think you let something *very* major out of our little chat."

Brenda blushed and grinned triumphantly. Leaning across the table, she whispered conspiritorially to Lois, "Let's just say that the lavender and white bikini was an excellent selection." she stretched and smiled a self-satisfied smile. "Yes...I'd say that Jax definitely liked it. A lot!" she giggled. "Oh Lois - I love him so much. I've never felt this way before. So happy, and free, and whole. It's like he's this piece of me that's been missing, and now that I've found it, I can't imagine life without him." she got a determined look in her dark eyes. "And I'm not going to have to because I'm going to make him mine. Somehow...."

Lois rolled her eyes. "Why don't you just bite the bullet and tell the man that you're crazy, old-fashioned, head over heels in love with him? Wouldn't that be a lot easier than fake engagements, and phony living arrangements?"

"Jax will run away if I tell him I love him." Brenda stated. "I need to sneak up on him. And I'm going to..."

Lois shook her head and sighed. "okay - I can see I'm never going to change your mind. I have one more question - where did you get the ring?"

Brenda admired the ring and sighed. "Jax bought it for me...from Tiffany's." she got a far-off love sick look in her eyes. "He gave it to me the night we made love for the first time."

"So Jax actually bought this ring for you?" Lois asked.

"Hmm..hhmm.."

"You guys are crazy." Lois laughed. She wondered how long it would be before Jax and Brenda actually admitted their true feelings to eachother, and when she'd be hearing that this "fake" engagement was truly real. Pushing back her chair, Lois carried her dishes to the sink. "On a different note, " she said, glancing back at Brenda and rinsing the dishes, "I was wondering if you wanted to go shopping with me and then head over to the gatehouse to look at some L&B stuff."

"Sure." Brenda agreed happily. She was thrilled to see Lois again.

"Oh! And before I forget..." Lois grabbed her purse of the kitchen table and handed Brenda an envelope. "Ned and I are having a costume party in 2 weeks, and you and Jax are invited of course. So - you'd better start thinking about costumes..." Lois tapped her chin thoughtfully for a moment with her long fingernails. "I was thinking that maybe I'd invite Juliet and Kieron also - what do you think?"

"I think it would be great!" Brenda cried, turning on the dishwasher, and smoothing her hair to go out. As they walked towards the door and into the hall, Brenda babbled about how great Juliet and Kieron were. "you know - " she said, locking the door, "the six of us should really get together."

Lois nodded. "Definitely - how about tonight?"

"perfect." Brenda smiled. "Now let's hit the stores!"

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Jax returned to his office around 2 p.m. He'd just had lunch with Jerry, and he found what seemed like hundreds of phone messages on his desk. He laughed outloud as he glanced through them and noticed that almost half of them were from Lucy Coe. The woman was nothing if not relentless about the pending Jax Cosmetics/Deception merger. There were also a number of messages from various business CEOs, Donald Trump (who Jax despised), one from his mother, two from Kieron and Juliet, and finally - the one he was looking for - a message from Brenda. It said she'd called at 12:23 p.m. which meant she must have just missed him.

He was just about to return her call when his phone rang. "Jax." he answered. "Hello? Is anyone there?"

A low male voice spoke in a whisper. "Mr. Jacks - is that you?"

"Yes." Jax replied in a short tone.

"Be careful Mr. Jacks - be very careful." The voice said in a terrifying tone. Before Jax was able to respond, he heard a dial tone.

"Hello! Be careful? Who is this!!" Jax shouted into the phone. Looking at the receiver with disgust, he hung it up. Jax tried to remain calm, but the call had unnerved him. He couldn't shake the feeling that something bad was about to happen. He'd always had a sixth sense for danger, and it was crying out for him to be careful.

Shaking his head, he took a deep breath, picked the phone back up and dialed his own number, wondering how it had happened that his phone number was now also Brenda's. The phone rang three times and then the machine picked up. He nearly dropped the phone in shock when instead of hearing his usual message, he heard Brenda's voice. "You've reached Jax and Brenda. Neither one of us are able to take your call right now. Leave a message after the beep and we'll return your call as soon as possible. Talk to you soon." Jax gained control of his thoughts just as he heard the beep. Sighing, he left a message.

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"Okay Lois - I'll get the dates for the tour as soon as I check my messages." Brenda said as she and Lois walked into the penthouse. They had just returned from a long day shopping and both women were carrying bundles of shopping bags.

"You mean - as soon as you check if Jax has called." Lois teased, dropping her bags on the coffee table and settling on the couch. A wicked grin on her beautiful face.

Brenda just laughed. "Yeah you caught me." She put her things on Jax's desk and hit the play button on the machine.

"Hi Bren - this is Juliet. Kieron and I would love to go to dinner with you, Jax and the Ashtons tonight. I met Lois this morning, and she's great. I can't wait! See you tonite."

"Hi Jax - this is Justin. Give me a call. And Bren - if that brother of mine is giving you any problems, you can give me a call also. Hope you're both doing well, and not getting into too much trouble. Love ya!" Brenda and Lois both look at each other and laughed.

There were a couple more messages for Jax, and then finally -

"Hi Bren - it's me. Well, it's about 2 p.m. and I just got back from lunch with Jerry. He says hello, and said Caroline wants you to give her a call in Alaska. Something about getting fitted for a bridesmaids' dress. Anyway, I'm sorry I missed your call. I should be leaving within the next 20 minutes, so if you want to reach me after that - call the plane. Oh, and sweetie - nice message. Hearing it made me feel very *engaged* (he laughed) whatever that means. Hope you've had a fun day. See you soon."

When she was done listening to the message, Brenda turned to Lois, a dreamy grin on her face.

Lois just laughed. "You've got it bad honey."

"I know." Brenda giggled, and then checked her watch. "Wow! It's already 5 p.m! Jax should be home soon and you and I both need to get ready for dinner tonight."

"You're absolutely right." Lois got off the couch. "I just need to cop these dates down - why don't you go get in the shower, and I'll let myself out."

Brenda agreed, gave Lois a quick hug. "7 p.m. at Luke's?" she asked. Lois nodded. "Great." Brenda smiled and headed towards the bathroom to take a bubble bath.

Lois copied the dates off Brenda's computer, and gathered her things. As she headed towards the door, one of her large shopping bags accidentely pushed Brenda's purse onto the floor and knocked the phone of the hook. Lois didn't even notice.

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"The number you are trying to reach - 555-7185 - is currentely out of use. Sorry. Please try again later."

Jax shook his head in confusion. "What is going on?" he wondered. "What had happened to the telephone?" He tried to reassure himself that it was nothing, but the strange calls he'd received that day had unnerved him. Stepping harder on the gas pedal of his midnight blue BMW Roadster Convertible he drove as fast as he could to the penthouse.

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"This is heaven...." Brenda mused to herself, inhaling the fragrant smell of her bubble bath. She hung her robe on the door, and as she did this, she unknowingly pushed the lock in. Stepping into the steaming hot bath water, she sighed. "The only way this could possibly be any more wonderful would be if Jax was here with her now." She grinned as she thought about Jax and how wonderful he was. Giggling like a schoolgirl, she removed her waterproof walkman from the floor and put her headphones on. She pressed play, and became engrossed in Eddie Maine's newest album that she was previewing for L&B.....

* * * * * * * *

"Bren? Are you home?" Jax rushed into the penthouse, and immediately dropped his briefcase on the floor. "Brenda? Sweetie?" he looked around. "What's this?" he asked outloud, bending down and seeing Brenda's purse spilled out across the hard wood floor. Panic filled him. "Brenda!" he shouted, flying up the stairs and into his bedroom. He felt momentary relief when he heard the bathtub running. Knocking against the bathroom door, he continued to call her name. "Bren! i'm home!!!" there was no answer. "BRENDA! Can you hear me?" after several attempts, Jax tried to open the door, but he found it locked. Fear shot through his body. What if someone had come into the penthouse, hurt her, and was now drowning her in the bathtub. He called her name twice more, and then decided to take action. Backing up several feet, he ran full force into the door, breaking it down, and sending him flying into the bathroom. He landed next to the bathtub, where Brenda was standing up screaming.

"JAX! What are you doing? Are you trying to scare me to death?" she shrieked, throwing her walkman on the ground and placing her hands on her very naked hips.

Jax was so overjoyed to see that she was fine that he didn't even realize how angry she was. "Brenda - you're....you aren't.... I thought...." he stuttered, trying to gather his thoughts. He couldn't get over how unbelievably beautiful she looked, standing before him completely naked, bubbles and water glistening on her skin. He blushed when he realized she saw him staring at her, and she climbed out of the tub, wrapping her silk robe around her body. She looked at him strangely, her dark eyes searching his, and sensing the worry he had felt. She opened her mouth to say something, but Jax interrupted her. "I was so scared."

"Scared about what?" she giggled. "that the ferocious bubbles would eat me? That I'd drown in the tub because it's so -"

Jax grabbed her and kissed her passionately. All the tension and fear he'd felt moments before releasing as he hungrily moved his mouth over hers. Brenda responded with equal passion, her hands running through his hair, and pulling him closer to her as their tongues entertwined fueling their passion and giving them an urgency they'd never felt before. Jax moved his lips to her neck, and he slowly worked his way towards her breasts, as his hands untied the small silk tie on her robe. Brenda slid her hands under his shirt and was about reach down to unbuckle his pants when she saw it. Blood...running down her stomach. "Oh my god Jax - look at your hand!" she screamed, holding his left arm up for him to see.

Jax tried to gain control of his breathing and examined his hand. "I must have cut it on the hinges." he observed.

Brenda rushed to get a towel to stop the bleeding. Pulling her robe closed around her, she led him into the room and sat him down on the bed, cradling his hand in hers and holding the towel forcefully against the deep gash. She giggled when she realized that her breathing was still fast. She sighed and looked at Jax. They're eyes met and she knew that he was thinking the same thing she was. If they hadn't been interrupted by Jax's cut, they would have definitely broken their little "no making love" agreement. Brenda was disappointed, but optimistic. Even now, moments later, she could still see the desire in Jax's eyes. He wouldn't be able to hold out much longer now. She smiled to herself. Yes, any minute now she should be hearing him surrender.....

To be Continued....

PREVIEW OF NEXT INSTALLMENT: J&B, N&L, J&K have their first dinner together....Jax surrenders and suggests they share the same bed....Juliet finds out J&B aren't engaged, and she, Lois and Brenda scheme to make Jax admit his feelings while sharing some "girl time"....Sonny confronts Jax....Ned gets help with ELQ from two unlikely allies.

- Belle

J&B Reuniter - Sonny never, Jax forever

J&B Angel

IRFC

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