Fairy Tale 275-291

Fairy Tale-275-291

by: Belle

"If this is a dream - I don’t want to ever wake up." Brenda whispered quietly the next morning when she woke up to find herself lying on Jax’s bare chest with his strong arms wrapped around her.

Jax smiled and kissed her gently on the head. Laughing softly he pinched her arm causing her to shriek and look at him with a sexy pout. "Still think you’re dreaming?" he teased as he sat up a little and leaned over to kiss her tenderly on the lips. "Morning sleeping beauty."

"Mmmmm…." Brenda murmured, smiling up at him, and opening her eyes. "Good morning to you too Prince Charming." Sitting up, she ran her fingers through her sleep tangled hair and looked at Jax. Unlike her, he appeared completely alert. She glanced over at the clock. It was 8 a.m. "How long have you been awake?" she asked, "Did my lying all over you confine your getting out of bed?"

"Your *lying* all over me was my incentive to *stay* in bed." Jax replied, smoothing her hair and grinning. "I’ve just been lying here, watching you sleep and marveling in the fact that you’re mine." He looked down at her beautiful face, and stroked her cheek with the side of his thumb. "My god I love you Brenda. I love you more than I ever imagined it possible to love another person."

"Ohhhh….honey." Brenda cooed, leaning over and kissing him. "I love you too." They both smiled dreamily at each other for a few minutes, and then Jax burst into laugher.

"My god! Look at the two of us. We’re sitting here mooning over each other like a couple of love-sick teenagers."

"Well…" Brenda grinned. "I may not be a teenager anymore, but I’m *certainly* lovesick. And you know what? I’ve never felt better in my entire life."

Jax smiled back at her and then grew serious. "Do you really mean that? Are you really happy."

Brenda responded by nodded furiously and pushing him back down onto the bed, kissing him slowly and then more passionately on the lips. "What does that tell you?" she asked coyly.

"It tells me that I’ve never been happier either." Jax teased.

Brenda giggled and then sat up again, sighing and stretching. "So….what are we going to do today?" she asked, as she got off the bed, and stumbled into the bathroom to wash up. Jax could see her brushing her hair and splashing water on her face. He smiled involuntarily, feeling deliriously happy that she was home, with him again.

"I wasn’t without her for more than 12 hours and I was already suffering." He mused to himself. Getting out of bed himself, he glanced over at the clock. Damn - it was already 8:45 a.m. Gretchen would be calling any time now to see when he was planning on coming to get her. As much as he hated to admit it, he had a *big* problem, and it was time for him to tell Brenda everything.

"Honey - are you okay?" Jax hadn’t realized it, but Brenda had come out of the bathroom and seen him glaring at the clock and telephone on his desk. "You looked worried about something…" she rested a hand on his chest, and looked up at him, her head tilted to one side, a concerned look in her eyes.

Jax smiled slightly. "It’s scary how well you know me." Taking her hand and kissing it, he nodded. "Yes - something is worrying me, and I want to tell you all about it - over breakfast."

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

"Hey!" Brenda cried as she took the box of Frosted Flakes out of the cupboard and shook it around. Turning to face Jax who was standing by the sink pouring them both cups of coffee, she placed her hands on her hips and looked at him accusingly. "Someone has been eating my Frosted Flakes! The box is almost empty." When she saw his cheeks flush slightly with color and him quickly avert her eyes, she raised an eyebrow and grinned. " Jaaaxxxx……"

"What?!" he cried indignantly, putting the coffee mugs on the table and opening the newspaper to hide his grin and guilty expression.

Smirking, Brenda took both the box of Frosted Flakes and Granola, and tiptoed quietly over to the table. She leaned over and pushed the newspaper out of his face. "You ate them, didn’t you?" she stated. When Jax didn’t answer, she raised an inquisitive eyebrow and grinned. "Go on…admit it - *you* ate my Frosted Flakes. Jasper Jacks - healthfood addict of the world, actually consumed a sugar cereal and *loved* it."

"I don’t know *what* you’re talking about." Jax replied, denying everything and taking a sip of his coffee.

"Okay." Brenda shrugged her shoulders. "If that’s the way you’re going to be about it. I’ll just sit on the opposite end of the table, with *my* coffee, and *my* cereal and *my*self." Moving away from him, she went as far away as possible, and sat down, noisely munching on her cereal and ignoring the looks he was giving her. She opened the section of the paper he’d left for her, and began to read. Jax meanwhile, was becoming increasingly frustrated with how little attention she was paying him. After two minutes, he gave up.

"Why don’t you come sit over here?" he asked, gesturing to a chair next to him.

Brenda looked up from her paper for a second. "I’m really comfortable where I am. Thank you." Giving him a quick smile, she returned to her reading.

Jax rolled his eyes. Did this woman ever give up? He wondered, sighing to himself. "Is your coffee hot enough?"

"Mmmhmmm…." This time Brenda didn’t even bother giving him a glance. That was it. Throwing down his paper onto the table, Jax got up from his chair, and swept Brenda off her chair into his arms.

"Jaxxx!" she cried, laughing and kicking her feet. "Put me down! I was reading something important."

"Put you down?" Jax repeated. "Never!" He carried her over to his seat, and sat down, cradling her in his arms. Although she continued to pretend to protest, she didn’t really fight him at all. "Will you stop kicking and hitting me?" Jax begged, ducking as one of her flailing arms nearly smacked him in the eye.

Brenda stopped and looked at him, a triumphant grin spreading across her face. "Only if you admit that you ate my Frosted Flakes."

Jax sighed. How was it that Brenda was the only person to whom he was always surrendering and admitting defeat? "Fine…." He shook his head and rolled his eyes. "I admit it. I ate your frosted flakes, and yes - I even enjoyed them. There! Are you happy now?"

Brenda nodded her head and kissed him tenderly on the lips. "Very happy." She confirmed. Snuggling into Jax, she reached across the table, and pulled her cereal and coffee over so that she could eat while staying on his lap. "So…." She murmered, stroking his hair with her hand absentmindely while sipping her coffee. "What is worrying you so much?"

"Okay…" Jax took a deep breath, trying to figure out exactly where to start. He shifted his legs, so that Brenda was sitting with her legs across his and he could look her in the eye. "Do you remember when Juliet told you about her old boyfriend?"

"Yeah…." Brenda said, shaking her head and looking at him curiously. "Troy Montgomery right?"

Jax nodded. "The very one. Anyway, it turns out that he is the one who has been sending me all those strange e-mails, packages, faxes and letters."

Brenda gasped. "Why? How…wait? How do you know this?"

"The other night - at the wedding reception.."

"You got a phone call and rushed off.." Brenda

"Right." Jax smiled at her perception. "I walked outside to see who was waiting, and was immediately frisked and pulled into a dark limo. Troy was inside and he told me that he was the person sending all those messages. He went on to threaten both you and Juliet.." Jax cleared his throat. "It seems that he’s a thief that steals and then sells famous paintings."

"Like the Vermeer he sent a picture of?" Brenda asked, furrowing her eyebrows.

Jax nodded. "Yes. Anyway, I guess that while he and Juliet were together, he convinced her to fund his "artwork" - she was his benefactress of sorts. However, he was really using this money to set her up and make it appear that she was paying for and running the scams. In other words - Troy has framed Juliet for all his wrong doings, and he threatened to turn her into the FBI if I didn’t go along with what he wanted."

"Oh Jax." Brenda stroked his hair and looked at him sympathetically.

"There’s more. Much more." Jax said, shaking his head. He took another deep breath and wiped his brow. "He knew that his threats about the FBI were upsetting to me, but not enough for me to follow his wishes. My family has a lot of connections, and with the right help - I could have somehow helped Juliet. He told me that if I didn’t go along, he would kill Juliet and…." He reached over and caressed her face. "he would kill you."

Brenda’s eyes filled with tears, as he looked at her. The expression in his eyes, spoke words he hadn’t even said yet, and Brenda’s mouth parted slightly with complete understanding. "You were going to tell me that you loved me that night at the reception weren’t you?" she whispered. "But he made you send me away with Sonny."

Jax nodded silently, his own eyes brimming with tears with pain from the horrible memory.

Brenda covered her mouth with her hand, and gasped. "Oh honey….I am so sorry that you had to go through that alone. You must have been so scared and loney and..unhappy." Closing her eyes, she buried her face in his chest. "Promise me Jax…" she looked up at him, and touched his face. "promise me that we’ll never have to suffer apart again."

Jax smiled, amazed by how wonderful she was and how loved he felt. "I promise." He smiled, kissing her forehead. "Okay…." He took a deep breath. "So it turns out that Troy is extremely bitter about losing the prestige and money that he planned on getting by marrying Juliet. His plan was to force me to marry his baby sister - Gretchen." Brenda rolled her eyes and groaned. "He said that I had to make you run away with Sonny. Those opal necklaces? They were sent by Troy. It seems that he installed video bugs and bombs inside the opal somehow, and he could see and hear everything that was going on around both you and Jules. If I told you or Juliet anything, he only had to touch one button and both of you would be killed instantaneously." Jax looked down at his hands for a moment, and then back up at her. "I could survive *anything* Brenda - even living without you, as long as I knew you were alive and happy. Even giving you up to Sonny was worth just knowing that you were off happy somewhere."

Brenda nodded. "The only thing is that I would never be truly happy without you." she smiled, kissing him on the nose, and trying to lighten the mood a little. "After all - who would I share my Frosted Flakes and do yoga with if you were gone? And let’s not forget your *fabulous* back and foot massages…"

Jax rolled his eyes and laughed. "So…to save you and Juliet - I agreed. He promised that I could retrieve the necklaces from both you and Juliet the moment before I left you, which I did. I threw them off the docks."

"So you were just going to let me go off with Sonny and marry Gretchen?" Brenda wrinkled her nose.

Brenda smiled lovingly at him. "Ohhh….I love you." she leaned over and kissed him. Drawing back, she stroked his face and sighed. "Okay." She said, suddenly getting very serious, and folding her hands on her lap. "What are we going to do about this? Gretchen is expecting you to marry her, and what is Troy going to do when he finds out I didn’t leave with Sonny?"

Jax took her hands in his and kissed them. "Let’s take it one step at a time." He said laughing at her eagerness. "Here’s what I’ve been thinking: The first thing I’m going to do is call Gretchen at the hotel and tell her that I’m going on business for a couple weeks. Then you and I need to get Juliet and Kieron and the four of us have to head to England. Once we’re out of the country and safe, somehow together we can figure out a plan." He looked at Brenda apprehensively. "I know it’s asking a lot for you to leave Port Charles for a while, but…"

"It’s not asking a lot." Brenda said smiling. "Going to Europe with the man I love and two of my best friends? It sounds like paradise."

Jax grinned at her ability to make the best out of the tough situation.

"Why don’t you call Gretchen and Kieron and I’ll start packing." Brenda whispered, getting off his lap and doing a little Brenda dance.

"I love you Brenda Barrett." Jax said, smiling and lifting her into his arms.

"Well that’s good. Because you’re stuck with me." Brenda teased, kissing him quickly on the cheek and skipping into the bedroom to get ready to leave.

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

"Okay - everything is all set." Jax announced, coming up behind Brenda who was closing her suitcase, and wrapping his arms around her shoulders. "I called Gretchen, and all it took was a promise that she could buy whatever she wanted while I was gone to convince her that I would be home soon. And…" he sighed. "I called Kieron and asked him and Juliet to meet us at my plane in an hour." He looked at his watch. "Do you want to call Lois and tell her what’s going on? We don’t know when we’ll be getting back to Port Charles, but once we’re safe in Europe - we can figure out a way to see her and Ned."

Brenda laughed. "Her and Ned - huh? Are you going to miss your claimed to be *arch-rival*?"

"I’m going to miss whoever you miss." Jax covered, smiling.

"Hmmhmmm….nice try." She said, rolling her eyes and giggling. "Should I use my cell phone?" she asked, digging through her bag. Jax looked thoughtful for a moment, and then shook his head.

"Use this phone." He reached into his pocket and took out another cellular phone. "It’s a new one that I had delivered this morning. This way, there’s no way that Troy has it tapped yet, and we can call whoever we like. Give Lois this cell number, and why don’t you suggest that she and Ned buy another phone where only we can reach them? That way you and Jules can talk to her whenever you like."

"Great plan." Brenda stood back, and looked at him for a moment before dialing Lois’ number. "You know…I didn’t realize the man I’m in love with was also James Bond on top of being a corporate raider and Prince Charming." Jax blushed and gestured for her to make the phone call. While Brenda chatted with Lois, explaining everything that was happening, Jax gathered all his business files and phone numbers for friends at the FBI and CIA together.

"I’m all set." Brenda announced after she hung up the phone. Smiling broadly, she picked up her suitcase from the floor and stuck out her hand. "Ready to start a new adventure?" she asked.

Jax took her hand, and grinned. "With you? - I’m ready for anything."

Getting Brenda out of the hotel and onto the plane, was tricky business. They couldn’t risk anyone seeing Brenda and Jax together - in case the news got back to either Gretchen and Troy that she hadn’t left with Sonny. To solve the problem, Jax had hid Brenda his laundry basket and smuggled her outside to his BMW, where he rolled down all the windows and the top and Brenda layed down in the back seat. Brenda kept laughing and calling Jax "Jax Bond." He had to smile at what a kick she was getting out of playing "spy girl" and he was happy that she was having fun since only god knew how difficult these next few months would be for the two of them.

When they arrived at the airport, Brenda had to return to her haven in the rolling laundry cart, while Jax loaded all their luggage into the airplane. Once they were safely inside, she was allowed to come out again since Jax was flying the plane and they were all alone.

"Well Mr. Bond…" she said, removing a static-clinging sock from her leg and smiling as she moved towards him and wrapped her arms seductively around his neck. "It seems that I finally have you alone."

"Hmmm…." He murmured smiling down at her and leaning in to kiss her neck. "My favorite place to be." He smiled when he felt her trembling as he worked his lips up her slender neck, to her ears and then finally to her soft lips.

As their kiss intensified, Brenda ran her hands under Jax’s button down shirt, slowly unbuttoning it and tossing it on the floor with a flirtatious grin on her face. Jax laughed softly and slid the straps to her lavender sundress off her shoulders, kissing her neck, and slowly pushing her down onto the couch.

Brenda’s dress was about to join Jax’s shirt on the floor when they both heard muffled laughter coming from the door on the plane. Brenda sat up quickly, knocking heads with Jax, the impact causing them to topple over and off the couch onto the floor.

Juliet burst into laughter. "My god! Do the two of you *ever* stop?" she teased, walking over to the other couch and putting her bag down.

Jax leaned down and helped Brenda to her feet. For a second she didn’t realize that her dress was hanging at her waist exposing her creme silk bra.

Kieron raised an eyebrow and grinned as he reached down on the floor, picked up Jax’s shirt and tossed it at him. "Well I don’t know about you Jules - but I for one don’t mind this little situation in the least. Nice bra Bren - I think Juliet has the same one in black."

Jax looked down at Brenda and then rolled his eyes at Kieron who was laughing as Juliet slapped him playfully across the arm. Brenda blushed and smiled slightly as she pulled her dress up. "Why hello to you too Kieron." She laughed. "Hi Jules."

"Hi." Juliet smiled at her friend and gave her a big hug. "I’m glad to see that the two of you are happy at least." She looked at her brother nervously. "When Jax called and was so urgent about Kieron and I coming here, I was worried that something bad had happened between the two of you."

"Us?" Jax repeated, wrapping his arms around Brenda and resting his chin on the top of her head. "Nothing *bad* could ever happen between us." He teased. Taking a deep breath, he bit his lip. "I think you might want to sit down before I tell you my news Jules."

Juliet furrowed her brow and sat down on the couch next to Kieron, who wrapped his arm around her shoulders. Brenda sat on Jax’s lap on the couch opposite them, her hand stroking the back of Jax’s neck and trying to give him reassurance that everything was going to be okay.

"You’ve been getting strange e-mails and faxes haven’t you Jules?" Jax asked quietly, looking down at his hands.

Juliet opened her mouth to protest, but Jax looked up and their eyes met and biting her lip she nodded sadly.

"Well….I have too." Jax admitted, "and I know who they’re from. An old friend of yours’ - Troy Montgomery."

Juliet gasped when she heard his name, and Brenda could see hatred flash through Kieron’s saphire blue eyes as he tightened his embrace around Juliet. "Troy?" she whispered unbelievingly.

Jax nodded and then went on to explain the entire story to his sister and Kieron, including how he and Brenda hadn’t really been engaged, and how he had to lie and say he was in love with Gretchen. When he was done, everyone was silent, finally Juliet spoke.

"Oh Jax…" she murmured, shaking her blond head, and wiping tears from her blue eyes. "I am so sorry. You have to believe that I never had any idea. If I’d ever known….oh god - if I’d ever known…" her voice trailed off as she broke into sobs again.

"Shhh….sweetheart…." Kieron wrapped both his arms around her, and tried to soothe her tears.

"Juliet - of course I know you are completely innocent." Jax said confidently. "Troy Montgomery is the scum of the earth and somehow we’re going to clear your name and find a way to send that man to jail for the rest of his undeserving life."

Juliet nodded pitifully from her harbor in Kieron’s arms, her slender body still trembling with guilt and surprise. Kieron stroked her hair softly, and turned to face Jax and Brenda - hatred and desire for revenge flashing in his eyes. "What do you need me to do, Jax?" he asked quietly. "Just tell me and I’ll do anything."

Jax smiled thankfully. "I don’t know what we should do yet." He admitted. "That’s what the four of us need to decide. I think we should fly to England and find a haven for the four of us to live. Once we’re there - we can figure out our next step of acction."

"There you go again." Brenda teased. "Jax Bond - hard at work." Jax just turned to her and smiled. Just looking in her eyes made he realize that one way or another - everything was going to be all right.

To Be Continued….

PREVIEW OF NEXT INSTALLMENT: Jax, Brenda, Juliet and Kieron arrive in the countryside of England…..Jax plans a romantic outing for him and Brenda to celebrate their new-found love…..Jax calls a friend of his with the WSB…..Juliet and Brenda come up with the "perfect" plan and impress both Jax and Kieron with their "spy girl" abilities…..WSB agent Tristan Laurence arrives and causes unforseen tension between Juliet and Kieron…the plan begins as J&B attend a party at Buckingham Palace….

The first thing Brenda noticed when she woke up the next morning was that she was freezing cold in a strange bed - all alone. Rubbing her eyes, and stretching, she sat up and looked curiously around the small room that she’d slept in. It had pale yellow wallpaper with creme flowers and there were creme curtains on the windows. The floor was made of maple wood, and there was a plush creme floor rug underneath the antique maple sleigh bed. The antique furniture, dim lighting and 17th century European Paintings created a old-fashioned/country atmosphere. Shivering, Brenda hugged her body with her arms, and crept out of the bed, taking Jax’s terry cloth robe that was hanging over the chair to the desk, and putting it on. The bathroom door was open, and she stumbled in, washing her face, and smiling when she noticed that Jax had laid out her toothbrush, soaps, make-up and other "necessities" in the exact configuration that she always used at home. She closed her eyes, and tried to think back on last night and how she’d gotten here. Brenda vaguely remembered being carried from the plane half asleep into a car, and then from the car into a bed, where Jax removed her shoes and clothes, and covered her with blankets. Glancing out the bathroom window, she noticed that they were surrounded by acres of rolling green hills and flower gardens. Obviously they were in the remote countryside somewhere, and it appeared that they were all alone since she couldn’t see any near-by houses. As she made her way down the elegant wooden staircase, she smiled when she heard laughter and loud chatter coming from the kitchen, along with the heavenly smells of fresh coffee and something baking in the oven.

"Mmmm…..something sure smells good." Brenda said, as she walked into the large kitchen.

"So sleeping beauty has finally woken up." Kieron teased. Brenda giggled when she saw him standing over the stove, flipping pancakes, and wearing an apron. "Don’t even ask." He said when he saw her laughing. "Juliet insisted that if I wanted to be the one to cook I had to wear this ridiculous thing. So…given the choice of being poisoned by one of you beautiful women, or wearing the apron - I chose the apron."

"Life is so difficult for you Kieron…" Juliet said, rolling her eyes, and wrapping her arms around his waist. "I don’t know how you endure everything." She kissed him tenderly on the lips and he grinned.

"I get by." He laughed, as he grinned at Brenda and handed her a cup of coffee. "The cinnamon scones are in the oven and the pancakes should be ready any minute."

"Cinnamon scones?" Brenda repeated. She raised an eyebrow and smiled at Juliet who was sitting across from her at the small cherry wood table. "I’m impressed."

"Don’t say another word Bren…He’s already conceited enough about his cooking and if you give him anymore praise his head won’t fit through the front door."

Kieron just smiled. "I understand your jealousy Jules. Don’t worry - someday you’ll be able to make a bag of microwave popcorn without it burning. I have faith in you."

Brenda just rolled her eyes at their bickering. "So….." she said, sipping her coffee. "I have two questions: Where are we? And where is Jax?"

"Oh! I’m so sorry! I forgot that you were asleep when we got in last night." Juliet smiled apologetically. "We are at Kieron’s house in Derbyshire, England. We’re going to stay here for a little while so that we can plan our "attack." She giggled. "And as for your other question - Jax went out about an hour ago to makke some arrangements and call some business associates. He didn’t want to disturb you, but at this point - he should be back any minute."

"Derbyshire?" Brenda mused. She looked around the kitchen which was filled with sunshine from all the windows. It had an old wood stove in the middle as well as all the modern kitchen utilities - stove, refrigerator, microwave, dishwasher etc. From what she’d seen so far - the house was amazingly beautiful and looking out the window, her breat

"Yeah." Kieron agreed, following her gaze and looking out the window. "I always loved playing here as a child."

"I did too." Juliet added. "Do you remember how you always used to chase me with buckets of water from the lake?" she laughed at the memory. "God - I hated you then."

"Well darling - " Kieron pulled her onto his lap and kissed her forehead. "The feeling was mutual."

The three of them laughed, and chatted happily as they ate the delicious scones and pancakes Kieron had made. Brenda was in the middle of describing how she’d felt on the pier two nights before, and how all she’d wanted was to get away from "him" referring to Sonny when Jax walked into the kitchen.

"Well sweetie - I hope you’re not referring to getting rid of me, because now that I’ve got you…I’m never letting go." He came up behind her seat and wrapped his arms around her shoulder, nuzzling her neck. She turned around with surprise, and smiled up at him, love shining in her eyes. "Morning my princess." He whispered, looking into her eyes.

"Morning my prince." She whispered back, kissing him on the lips and getting up so that he could sit down. She slid onto his lap, and rested her head against his chest, marveling in how safe and happy she felt even though she was fleeing some mad man who wanted to kill her. "I was referring to Sonny." She clarified. "Besides - no matter what happens, you’re stuck with me, so don’t ever think about my letting *you* go."

"Are you saying that I have a life-long sentence to be with you forever?"

"That’s exactly what I’m saying." Brenda smiled, running her fingers through Jax’s hair and staring dreamily into his eyes. She pouted. "I don’t even want you to leave me for 10 minutes. When I woke up alone this morning, I was so cold and lonely."

"Oh my poor baby." Jax said, wrapping his arms around her and kissing her nose. "Having to wake up all by yourself….but you shouldn’t have been lonely - you know I’ll always come back to you." he kissed her passionately on the lips. When they finally broke apart, he smiled and said, " I love you."

"I love you too." Brenda responded.

"Okay guys - please *no* more." Kieron said, practically gagging. Juliet was just smiling - she had thought that Jax and Brenda acted in love before, but now they were nealy delirious with love and happiness. In the way that only women feel, she loved watching them cuddle and whisper to each other. She glared at Kieron and kicked him under the table. "Oww!" Kieron yelled, rubbing his leg.

Both Jax and Brenda laughed. "I’m sorry Kier." Brenda apologized.

"I’m just kidding." Kieron smiled, getting up and going over to the cupboards. "I think you guys are cute - honestly. Hey Jax - I have a surprise for you….." winking at his friend, he reached into the cupboard and took out a box of Frosted Flakes. He threw them at Jax and grinned. "I picked them up this morning - I looked for a yoga mat also, but sorry pal - you’re going to have to order one of those."

Jax just smirked. "Thanks." He handed the Frosted Flakes to Brenda whose eyes had lit up at the sight of the blue box. "Can I have some real breakfast now?" Kieron laughed and handed him a box of granola, yogurt and a banana from the refrigerator.

"So…" Kieron said when he had sat down. "Did you get in contact with Matthew at the WSB?"

"Yup." Jax said as he poured the granola and yogurt into a bowl. Turning to Juliet and Brenda he explained, "The WSB is an agency much like the FBI or CIA. Matthew is a family friend who works for them. Kieron and I were thinking that maybe he could help us devise a plan to catch Troy."

Juliet smiled. "Sounds great - so what did this Matthew guy say?"

"Well…he said that he can’t help us right now because he’s already on assignment and this operation would have to be kept under wraps so he can’t leave. But-" he added before Kieron, Juliet or Brenda could get discouraged, "he said that he knows a terrific agent who isn’t working right now and would love to help us. He should be here tomorrow afternoon."

"Terrific!" Kieron said grinning. "What’s his name?"

"Tristan Laurence." Jax smiled when he noticed both Brenda and Juliet get hopeful looks on their faces. "Sorry girls - from what Matthew said, I’m expecting someone in his late 40s. Hate to disappoint you, but we’re not getting some Mission Impossible - Tom Cruise look - alike."

"I already have Jax Bond…" Brenda teased. "Why would we need Tom Cruise?"

"Hey! Speak for yourself!" Juliet laughed, shooting Brenda a look and laughing at Kieron’s sexy pout. "Just kidding honey. After seeing how sexy you look in that flower apron - why would I ever look at another man." She wrapped her arms around Kieron and kissed him.

"Well Ms. Barrett - " Jax said looking at his watch. "Are you planning on getting dressed some time today?"

"I don’t know." Brenda shrugged. "I’m kind of comfy the way I am."

"But if you don’t change…." Jax smiled. "How are you going to go on the adventure I have planned?"

Brenda raised an eyebrow and drew back, looking at him. "Adventure?" she repeated. "What *kind* of adventure?"

"A Romantic adventure - just for *you* and *me*." Jax replied, grinning at her and raising his eyebrows suggestively when he said you and me.

"I’ll be back in a moment." Brenda promised, as she hopped off his lap and scurried out of the kitchen.

As they listened to her racing up the stairs, and then heard the shower turn on one second later, Juliet, Kieron and Jax looked at each other and burst into laughter.

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

"Where did you say we’re going? I forgot." Brenda asked Jax, hoping that he’d forgotten that their destination was a secret.

"I didn’t say you little imp." Jax replied, shaking his head and smiling at her. It was 1 p.m. and they were in Kieron’s remodeled 1920s convertible driving along a dirt road through the countryside to some unknown destination. Brenda was itching to know where they were headed, and Jax was loving watching her try to sneak it out of him.

"You know…." She said, running her fingers through his hair and leaning her head on his shoulder. "I’ve always loved London…Maybe you’ll take me there someday…." She bit her lip. "Someday like - maybe today?"

"Hmmm…London." Jax repeated. "Maybe." He grinned to himself when he saw the exasperated expression on her beautiful face. Glaring at him, she pouted, and brushed her windblown hair out of her eyes.

"Fine. Be that way. Keep secrets from me." Straightening her creme, black and light blue sweater tank top, and matching creme cigarette pants, she moved away from Jax, and leaned her head against her seat. Jax let her stay there for a moment, watching her pretend to sulk out of the corner of his eye. Finally - he’d had enough.

"You’re going to love it Brenda." He promised, reaching across the front seat, and pulling her to him. "And I’d never keep a real secret from you." he kissed her on the head. "Just humor me okay? I want to watch those beautiful eyes of yours light up when you see what I’ve planned."

Brenda smiled - what girl could resist a plea like that? "Okay…" she agreed. "Just as long as I don’t have to wait *too long*…"

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

"Okay - you can open your eyes now." Jax instructed, taking his hands away from around Brenda’s eyes and watching her face anxiously to see her reaction.

"Oh Jax….." she murmered, her eyes growing wide, and a spellbound smile spreading across her face. "it’s breathtaking." Turning to him she bit her lip, "Do you think we can go inside?"

"I think we can do whatever Princess Brenda wants." He smiled, bowing slightly, he took her hand and kissed it. "My lady, your castle awaits.."

The walk up the hill to the castle ruins took ten minutes, but neither Jax nor Brenda noticed the hike because they were both having too much fun discovering the beauty of their surroundings. Actually, since Jax knew the castle and the grounds around it from his childhood games with Kieron, he was having fun watching Brenda’s face light up every time she found a new garden, pretty path, or tiny spring. When they finally reached the front gates, Brenda gasped at how magnificent it was, and even Jax was startled by how his memories had done the old castle’s beauty no justice.

Still holding hands, they walked through the large wooden doors into what used to be the castle’s foyer. Parts of the walls had collapsed from aging, and the ceiling was gone, causing rays of sunshine to come through - sparkling sunbeams across the floor aand walls. The sun also shone through the remnants of the stain glassed windows that lined the upper parts of the walls in the grand foyer. Red, blue, yellow, green and purple lights reflected on the walls and floor, making the castle appear enchanted. Tugging slightly on Jax’s hand, Brenda walked around the huge room, the sound of their footsteps echoing through the vacant halls, and a look of disbelief on her beautiful face.

Jax led her to the back of the foyer where an entire section of wall was missing - revealing a magical garden that was somehow thriving even as the rest of the castle fell apart. All the flowers and trees were completely overgrown, giving it a mystical "Secret Garden" appeal. They walked into the garden, Brenda gushing about the flowers and trees. She stopped speaking however when she saw what was laying on the grass underneath the cherry blossom tree - a picnic.

Walking over to the woven blanket and large picnic basket sitting next to it, she grinned. "What’s this?"

"Well…" Jax said, sitting beside her and hugging his knees against his chest. "It looks like a picnic."

Brenda rolled her eyes and laughed. "I know that Jax..what I meant is - how did it get here?"

"A little elf brought it." He teased. When he saw her unamused expression, he laughed. "okay, okay….I arranged to have it brought up here so that we could have a romantic afternoon alone together."

Brenda smiled. "Awww.w…honey…." she caressed his face, "this is so sweet of you."

"I try." Jax grinned, he kissed her on the lips, and then reached over and opened the picnic basket. "Now let’s see what we have here…." He took out a bottle of champange that was somehow chilling in still frozen ice. "Champagne….oysters…."

"From Ireland?" Brenda asked hopefully. Jax nodded and winked. Brenda leaned over his shoulder, trying to see what else was in the large basket. "What else did you bring?" she asked eagerly.

Jax looked back at her and grinned. "Obviously you aren’t Princess Brenda - lady of patience." He teased. Brenda wrinkled her nose at him, and backed away a little, still glancing to see what next surprise he pulled out. "French bread, brie with roasted almonds, fruit salad, marinated vegetables and….." he grinned at her and pulled out a closed carton. "Tiramisu from that little village I told you about in Italy!"

Brenda jumped up and threw her arms around Jax, knocking him onto his back."Thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you!!" she cried, kissing him on both cheeks, his nose, and then finally his mouth.

Jax grinned. "Wow! If this is the response it gets, I’ll have to have tiramisu sent out more often." He joked.

Brenda just grinned and sat up, straightening her hair. "Have I told you how much I love you?"

Jax checked his watch. "Not in the last twenty minutes." He pouted.

"Well then…let me fix that error. I love you Jasper Jacks." She giggled. "Now - let’s eat."

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

"When did you really know for the first time that you loved me?" Brenda asked Jax curiously. It was late in the afternoon, and they were sitting in one of the castle’s towers, looking out the large openings at the beautiful English countryside and watching the sunset before they headed home. They had spent the afternoon exploring the old ruins and gardens. It was clear to Jax that Brenda had fallen in love with the old castle, and he had loved watching her discover all it’s special nooks and crannies. They had searched everything from the East to West wing. Brenda declared that the West wing bedrooms were her favorites because they all faced the lake and "secret" garden. She also loved the kitchen and grand ballroom, hated the dungeon and adored the third floor bedroom suite which had a secret door that led up to the tower they were now sitting in. Brenda was curled up in Jax’s arms, her fingers playing with his hair. They were seated against the wall, and Brenda was leaning against him with her back against his chest.

Jax was quiet for a moment. He got an extremely thoughtful look on his face, finally turned to face her. "That night at Katya’s family’s party. We were dancing to "The Way You Look Tonight"…" he smiled dreamily remembering. "and I looked down at you and thought about how perfectly you fit in my arms, and how the words to the song described exactly the way I felt about you." he laughed softly and touched her face, "I just remember thinking "my god - I’m in love with her." And feeling so scared and lost because I thought you would never return my feelings."

Brenda smiled. "That night was beautiful."

Jax nodded and looked at her expectantly.

"What?" she asked.

"Well…"

"Well what?" Brenda echoed.

"Well…aren’t you going to tell me when you knew you loved me?" he had an eager expression in his eyes and Brenda had to laugh at how he looked like a little boy waiting to open a Christmas gift.

"Of course I’ll tell you." she grinned. "Okay - well, I’d been suspecting that I loved you for awhile. Even when we had just met and were in the Bahamas, I couldn’t shake the feeling that you were going to be really important to me. Anyway, when we were in Alaska, I went to visit you at the hospital, and I saw you with your grandmother, talking to her and crying. As I looked at you, it just hit me that I loved you more than life itself, and that all I wanted was to make your pain go away. Once I admitted it to myself, I couldn’t get over how much I loved you…how much I’ll always love you." She took Jax’s hands and kissed them sighing. "So - what about that whole speech you gave at the Cerullos’? Was it true? Or did you just make it up to get through the ordeal?"

"Oh! It was true." Jax said nodding. "At least the part about you sneaking up on me. I remember the first night at the Outback when you kissed me, how I couldn’t stop thinking about you." he laughed. "Sonny and Lily were sitting at the table next to Lucy and I and I kept looking over at him, and thinking that he didn’t deserve you. Funny - I despised him and I didn’t even know your name yet."

Brenda giggled. "It was the same for me - well, not the hating sonny part, but I remember how I kept thinking about you after I left and wondering who you were." She smiled as she remembered how flustered she’d been that evening and how she could feel his kiss on her lips hours and days afterwards.

Jax kissed her cheek. "And I knew I had looked into your eyes before - I just couldn’t remember when." He shook his head. "I still can’t believe that we met 10 years ago on the beach. That *you* are the girl that I always dreamed about."

Brenda turned around and wrapped her arms around his neck. "I can believe it…it was destiny…fate." She sighed. "We were meant to be. And now we’re going to live happily ever - just like the princes and princesses in the Fairy Tales I used to read."

"So *we’re* going to live happily ever after?" Jax repeated, smiling down at her. "Together?"

"Yes TOGETHER!" Brenda cried, hitting his arm playfully and giving him a look. "Why? Don’t you want to live happily ever after with me?"

Jax laughed at her outcry. "Of course I do." He assured her, smiling. "It’s just that I thought you might like me to do something before you make that decision."

Brenda looked at him confused. "What would I want you to do?"

Jax shrugged. "I don’t know." He lied. "So…do you want to go for a walk in the gardens?" he got up and dusted off his pants, changing the subject and making her crazy.

"JAAAAXXXX!" she cried, grabbing his hands. "Come on….tell me!"

He laughed. "Tell you what?" he teased, but then she shot him a look that told him to stop playing. "Okay, okay…." He grinned at her. "You win - once again."

Brenda just smiled and watched him anxiously. She couldn’t figure out why he looked so nervous; he was taking deep breaths and shuffling his feet. "Jax…whatever you have to tell me…it’s going to be okay." She assured him.

He nodded, smiling quickly at her, and reached into his pocket, taking something out and holding it in his closed fist. "Brenda…" he began, taking both her hands in his. "I’ve spent hours thinking about how to do this…I wanted to make it special and perfect…but the thing is, I don’t know how to describe to you exactly how much I love you….how special and perfect you are to me…and how your love is the greatest and most precious gift I will ever receive." He swallowed hard and took another deep breath. "I think this belongs to you." he said, opening his hand and revealing the engagement ring he’d given her earlier. Brenda drew in a short breath. She had left the ring on her dresser at home, but obviously Jax had found it. When her eyes met his, he could see all the questions and confusion in her dark eyes. He smiled, and got down on one knee. "What I’m trying to say is…Brenda Veronica Barrett? Will you do me the honor of becoming my wife? Of living happily

"What I’m trying to say is…Brenda Veronica Barrett? Will you do me the honor of becoming my wife? Of living happily ever after with me forever so that we can create our own Fairy Tale?" he looked at her hopefully. "Please say yes." He whispered huskily.

Brenda wanted to respond, but the tears that were flowing from her eyes and the emotions rushing through her body kept her from speaking. She was breathing rapidly and she opened her mouth four times before she found her voice. "Yes!" she cried, "Yes…yes…yes…yes…yes." she got down on her knees and wrapped her arms around his neck so that they were face to face. "I will marry you my darling Prince Charming."

Jax smiled joyfully and slipped the ring onto Brenda’s ring finger. "Princess Brenda Barrett Jacks." He murmured, caressing her cheek. "It has a nice ring to it, don’t you think."

"I think it’s perfect." Brenda whispered, in between kisses. "Oh honey - you’ve made all my dreams come ttrue."

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

"We’re home!" Brenda cried, rushing through the kitchen door later that evening and doing a little Brenda dance. She smiled joyfully at Kieron and Juliet who were sitting at the kitchen table eating. She stuck out her left hand triumphantly and grinned."And we’re engaged."

"Again?" Kieron laughed.

"AHHHHHHHH!!!" Juliet screamed, jumping off her chair and throwing her arms around Jax and Brenda. "I am so excited for the two of you!Congratulations!" she let go of her brother and she and Brenda hugged, jumping up and down screaming. "We’re going to be sisters!" Juliet said, grinning.

"I know!" Brenda said dancing around. The two women looked at each other and started screaming, hugging and dancing around again. They were already discussing different ways they could wear their hair and what color dresses the bridesmaids’ should wear. Kieron and Jax just looked at each other and rolled their eyes.

"Well congratulations pal … again…I don’t know about you, but I’m getting a certain deja vu feeling." Kieron gave Jax a friendly hug and then slapped him on the back.

"Very funny Kier." Jax said.

"I hope this is the last time I’m going to have to do this." Kieron smiled and looked over at Brenda. "She’s amazing Jax. You guys are going to be very happy."

"I know." Jax said grinning and thinking about how fortunate he truly was.

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

"Okay boys…you can come in now!" Juliet cried into the kitchen.

"Oh! Thank you your highness." Kieron said, coming into the den with Jax. "Is ‘GIRL TIME’ finally over? Have you and Brenda planned the entire wedding yet down to the color boxers Jax is going to wear?"

"Well..I don’t know what *you’re* doing thinking about Jax’s boxers." Brenda said laughing, "but if you want to come sit down Jules and I will tell you about the plan we worked out to land Troy in jail."

Jax grinned at her, and then smirked at Kieron who sat down next to Juliet. "So sweetie - what’s this idea?"

Brenda grinned at Juliet who mouthed. "You tell them.." Brenda nodded and then took a deep breath. "Okay, well we were thinking that we need to find a soft spot in Troy - *any* soft spot, and the only thing we could come up with is….Juliet."

"Juliet?" Kieron repeated, getting a horrified look on his face. "No way..Uh-uh.." he shook his head. "I’m not letting Juliet anywhere near this mad man."

Juliet smiled. "just finish listening to the plan…" she cuddled up next to Kieron caressing his face, and trying to make him calm down.

Brenda continued. "Juliet remembers getting her phone bill and seeing that Troy continually made phone calls to this small town called "Desheney" in Southern France. I guess Troy freaked out when she asked him about it once, so we’re suspecting that someone there is connected to this entire painting fiasco. So…our idea is that Jax and I go to this small town since it’s completely isolated and the people there probably won’t recognize us. Meanwhile, as Jax and I search the town for clues, " Brenda looked at Kieron and Juliet. "the two of you will publically enter London’s social scene again. You’ll fake a break up and then while Juliet is as public as possible about her day to day activities, Kieron and this guy Tristan will work in secret to search Troy’s whereabouts and apartment."

"Somehow…" Juliet chimed in…" I’ll have to try and convince Troy that I want to get back together. Jax and I need to have a really public fight and make it seem that we’re no longer on speaking terms. Then I’ll rant and rave about how dishonest you are or something Jax in front of Troy. This way Troy will think that we’ve broken off all contact, and maybe he’ll trust me. I’ll go on to say that I hated Bren b/c it was her fault that Kieron and I broke up and that you’ve run away with her and I want to help him find you since you owe me money or something."

"Once Troy trusts her again, Jules will offer to support his career again, or something like that - " Brenda grinned, "we haven’t worked out all the bugs yet." She shrugged and looked at Jax. He loved the adorable hopeful look she had on her face.

"Well - it sounds good to me." Jax said impressed. "What do you think Kier? Can it work?"

Kieron nodded, biting his lip. "I may curse the day I said this, but…yes - I do. Of course, it needs to be ironeed out, but I’m sure Tristan will have some good ideas."

Brenda and Juliet gave each other high fives and did little dances around the room. Jax and Kieron looked at them and burst into laughter. "All I can say Kier is that I hope you like this guy." Jax wrapped his arms around Brenda and held her tight against him. "The work the two of you do in London is going to set the pace for this scheme, and you’re getting along is going to be very important to everything working…"

"Hey! What are you saying?" Kieron cried, laughing. "That I’m difficult to get along with?" he threw a pillow at his best friend.

"No…" Jax lied. " I’m just saying….I’m just saying…" he searched for the right words. "Just be good. Okay?"

The door bell rang, and everyone looked at each other a little nervously. "Fine…I’ll be good!" Kieron cried. "Why are you always saying that to me?"

Juliet and Brenda laughed. "Who could be here so late?" Brenda asked, cuddling closer to Jax, and feeling his heart beating a little faster against his chest.

"I don’t know." Jax said honestly, getting up and walking over to the door.

The room was silent for a moment, and then they heard Jax welcoming someone, and then both Juliet and Brenda’s heads turned at the sound of a deep, male voice with an enchanting British accent.

"Brenda, Juliet, Kieron - this is Tristan Laurence. Tristan - this is my *fiancee* Brenda Barrett, my sister Juliet Jacks, and my friend Kieron McKinnon."

"Who also happens to be Juliet’s boyfriend." Kieron added, glaring at Tristan, who was….unlike Jax’s earlier description, around 25, dark haired, blue eyed, and unbelievably gorgeous.

"I see." Tristan said barely giving Kieron a second glance as he stared at Juliet while saying hello to Brenda. "Brenda, it’s a pleasure." He kissed her hand, and Brenda giggled out a hello. "Juliet…." He didn’t even finish his sentence, because Juliet looked into his eyes and sparks went off. He kissed her hand, yet didn’t let go when he was done."

"I think that’s enough." Kieron barked, taking Juliet’s hand and wrapping his arms around her possesively. "And by the way - I think it’s usually proper protocol to *call* before arriving at someone’s house in the middle of the night."

Jax groaned as he watched Juliet and Kieron bicker about his rudeness. Clearly, things weren’t going to go smoothly, because regardless of how perfect the plan was, he, Brenda and Kieron had all seen how Tristan looked at Juliet, and even worse - they’d seen how she’d looked back….

To Be Continued....

Fairy Tale 292 to 302: Juliet and Kieron have a *public break-up* at a party at Buckingham palace....The 5 housemates have a tense dinner the night before J&B leave....A news friend of Jax's helps out by airing a story about Juliet and Jax hating each other....J&B arrive in France and undertake "new identities"...

- Belle

J&B Reuniters - Sonny never, JAX FOREVER!

J&B Angels

IRFC