Part 1:
Dex Dexter had always hated hospitals. Probably because considering his past careers he had spent far too much time in and out of them. Yet if he had thought being a patient in one was bad that was nothing compared to the gut wrenching terror when you were here waiting for news about someone you loved. Someone you loved more than your own life even if she does drive you to the edge of distraction and back again.
Alexis was moody, unpredictable, unreasonable and totally selfish. Yet she was also exciting, entertaining, passionate and if you were lucky enough to be loved by her one of the most giving people he knew.
Just the thought of losing her was like a knife to his gut.
The knowledge that it was his own fault that she was even here made him want to carry that out.
He had cheated on his wife. The woman he loved, the only woman he had ever really loved and with her own daughter. Dear god how sick did that make him?
True he had been drunk; he could barely walk to his own room which was why Amanda had been there in the first place. He should have stayed firm when she kissed him, pushed her away. Yet the scene from the apartment had kept playing in front of his eyes, the coronation he had interrupted, the sick twisted play that that deposed rat bag had been making for Dex's wife under his own roof. So he had kissed her back.
He had more than kissed her, closing his eyes and imaging that it was Alexis here with him muttering how much she always wanted him, needed him, loved him.
The only scene that played in front of his eyes now was his wife's horrified face as she burst into his hotel suite. The despair and disgust in her face as her beautiful eyes took in him and Amanda laying naked together in bed. The subtle shake of her head as she stood frozen in the doorway, unable to believe for a moment what her eyes were showing her. Then she had turned and ran as though the very devil had been at her heels.
Dex had tried to follow. Forcing his still drunk carcass from his bed grabbing for his jeans not bothering with his shirt or shoes, calling her name as he followed her through the hotel.
He could still recall the scream, hearing the accident before he rounded the corner and watched his wife roll off of someone's bonnet. Her beautiful body sprawled on the concrete forecourt of La Mirage unmoving.
After that things were a blur. Dex remembered people crowded round, a gentle voice insisting he needed to give the paramedics some space. He wasn't sure but he thought it might have been Claudia, it made sense now; she had gotten the rest of his clothes whilst he refused to leave Alexis's side. It had been she who had talked in reassuring low tones as they followed the ambulance to the hospital. She had gone off a while ago, Dex wasn't really sure of the time anymore, something about letting the children know and finding some coffee.
Rubbing his hands along his arms trying the force some warmth back into them Dex stared like a man possessed at the swinging doors into the ER. Doctors and nurses hurried back and forth causing them to bang and give a fleeting glimpse of the rooms beyond. Yet still there was no news. He was her husband if there was any news they had to tell him first didn't they?
"Dex?"
The sound of his name being spoken jarred Dex from his monologue. Thinking it was Claudia returned he glanced up, frowning when it was another blond entirely.
"Dex I'm so sorry is there any news about Mummy?"
As much as he wanted to ignore her, and wished she would suddenly vanish Dex couldn't avoid the question. "No, no news."
"She is going to be alright, isn't she Dex?" Amanda's voice sounded so small and lost it wasn't hard to see the little girl she still was in so many ways, her eyes so similar to her mother's wide in fear and tinged with guilt.
"Yeah." Was all Dex could manage to say. It was a mute point, Alexis was going to be alright, she was going to be fine because neither of them could consider living with their guilt in a world where she wasn't.
-
It was the piercing light in her eyes that woke her. Groggy and blinking Alexis tried to force her eyes to open, but they felt so heavy.
"Ma'am can you try and stay with us."
She heard the order couched as a request and tried her best, her eyes flickering open and squinting at the bright lights and the strange blue masked faces staring down on her.
"Whaa." Alexis managed her mouth slurring as her heavy eyes began to close once more.
"Can you try to stay with us...Can you tell us your name?"
If she could have rolled her eyes she would have, of course she knew who she was yet her mouth seemed to be having difficulties forming the words. "Alexis...Carrington...Alexis Carrington."
"Very good Mrs Carrington can you remember what happened why you are here?"
Frowning as her mind refused to cooperate and Alexis felt the pull of unconsciousness once more. "No..."
"Do you know where you are Mrs Carrington?"
"Hospital..." Alexis answered automatically hearing the nurse chuckle at her response even though Alexis could figure out what was so funny.
"Can you remember what city you were in last?"
That question was harder to answer, Alexis didn't even realise she had as she slipped back into unconsciousness. "Acapulco..."
-
Part 2:
"Mr Dexter your wife briefly regained consciousness."
"Which is a good thing right?" Dex asked rubbing his hands through his hair as he paced up and down the ER doctors small office. It had been a long night and by now his hangover had kicked in and he was running on adrenaline and terrible hospital coffee.
"It is." The doctor replied. "Although she seemed to be suffering from a mild confusion that isn't unusual with a head injury, as the concussion subsides her confusion should clear up; probably by the time she wakes up again."
Well that was something at least yet now he knew she was out of danger yet Dex felt the need to check for himself. "Can I see her?"
Nodding the doctor checked his notes. "Yes as soon as we move her to a private room."
-
There was weak sunlight filtering into her room through the half opened blinds when Alexis finally opened her eyes. Her head was throbbing and for a moment Alexis wondered what on earth she had been drinking, she hadn't had a hangover this bad since that party on Onassis's yacht in 73.
Yet as she tried to stretch her hand up to brush her hair out of her face she grimaced as her body protested any movement. She felt bruised all over. It was if she had been runover by the damn yacht.
Blinking her eyes finally began to focus and Alexis caught sight of the medical equipment.
So she was in hospital. That much was obvious but how or why she had no clue.
Turning her gaze round the room her eyes fell on a man sleeping by her bed.
Ruggedly handsome with a small scar on his cheek, he was dressed in fitted jeans and a checked shirt that looked like he had picked it up off the floor. And he was snoring, little snorts from his nose and the occasional grunt from his open mouth.
And she had no idea who the hell he was.
He didn't look at all like a doctor or a nurse so who the hell was he?
What sort of hospital is this if they let some random man sleep in her room?
A random man who by his rough appearance would be more at home sleeping off a few too many drinks on the floor of a bar or park bench.
And then a thought occurred to her that maybe he is the reason she was here in the first place.
Glancing around the room, afraid to make too much noise lest she wake him. Finally she spotted the panic button and reaching out pressed it praying that the nurses would be quick. Yet in her hurry she knocked over the cup of water placed on her bedside table.
Startled by the noise Dex started awake. His joy at seeing overjoyed Alexis awake quickly abating as he mistook her look of horror.
"Alexis please I can explain it was an accident...I never meant to hurt you darling..."
Darling… Alexis shook her head, now completely convinced the man was a nutter, a nutter who had just admitted to putting her here and who obvious has the hospital convinced they were together.
"Alexis please…" Dex begged as his wife crawled back from his outstretched hand. His horror turning to confusion as she screamed in terror and the door opened and a nurse and security barged in demanding to know what is going on.
"Get him out of here!" Alexis demanded ignoring the pleas of her visitor to listen to let him explain.
"I don't care to hear it… who the hell do you think you are?"
Struggling against the security guards Dex held on to the doorframe for as long as possible, long enough for her words to sink in, "But I'm your husband."
Part 3:
"I don't understand Doctor are you trying to tell us that our mother has no memory of the last five years?"
Adam's question was straight to the point and for once Dex was actually pleased the no nonsense lawyer was there. He had been in a state of shock and agitation since the security guards had dragged him from his wife's bedside. Listening to the doctor's complicated explanation about the human brain had only made things worse.
"That is a simplistic way of viewing the situation Mr Carrington." The doctor retorted clearly annoyed at having his lecture curtailed. "But in essentials yes. Mrs Dexter or Mrs Carrington as she insists on being called has apparently no memory of the last five years..."
"But it is temporary right?" Steven cut in before the doctor could begin another lecture on the difference between Post-traumatic amnesia and Dissociative amnesia.
"In most cases yes. It is just a question of letting the mind recover."
"In most cases?" Dex demanded before he could stop himself, yet he managed to resist the urge to grab the doctor by the lapels of his white jacket and ram him up against the wall where Alexis's cat scans took pride of place.
"What do you mean in most cases...I have a wife who doesn't even recognise me, who thinks I am some sort of stalker and all you can say is in most cases..."
"Dex getting angry isn't going to help anyone." Amanda's clipped voice insisted from behind him and Dex couldn't help but flinch at her close proximity.
"I just want to know what the hell he plans on doing about this, I want my wife back." Dex added leaning back against the wall and meeting Amanda's gaze for the first time. She blushed slightly before avoiding his eye.
"We know Dex we all want mother better." Steven's calm voice cut in as he turned back to talk to the doctor in calm tones. "How long can it take before mother gets her memory back?"
"In such cases Mr Carrington it could be days, sometimes weeks. Often the victim of such trauma will never recall all of their memories."
"You mean she could be like this permanently?" Dex asked horrified.
"Oh no don't misunderstand me Mr Dexter." The Doctor was quick to reassure him. "I simply meant that when or if her memory returns it will not be uncommon if the memories from shortly before the accident do not. It is quite common for victims of even mild whiplash to lose the memories of the crash or even the moments leading up to it."
Throughout the doctor's explanation Dex's gaze remained on Amanda who shifted uncomfortably under his scrutiny. She didn't look quite as concerned as the rest of them; in fact Dex could almost detect an air of relief in her countenance. Only Dex knew why. No one else could know and he hoped that was the way it stayed for both their sakes.
Perhaps if they were both very lucky...
Perhaps Alexis would never remember walking in on them, leaving them both in the clear. But in the meantime Alexis had lost 5 years of her life. She didn't know him. She was his wife, the woman he worshiped above any other and she didn't even know his name.
-
"So." Alexis started her emerald eyes roving critically over the man before her. He wasn't as rough looking as she remembered.
True he looked like he could use a shower and shave and definitely a good night's sleep but the raw material was certainly promising. Tall, broad shouldered, dark with an exotic air, ruggedly handsome and not pretty in any sense. A man's man who under normal circumstances probably oozed sex appeal from every pore and that was before she got started on that voice...
He was definitely a man that in other circumstances she would find attractive. There was only one problem; Alexis didn't believe a word of it.
"So I'm told you are my husband."
Fiddling with the cuff of his shirt Dex tried to feel like he wasn't being examined under a microscope and found lacking. "Yes Alexis we've been married for almost five months now."
"And you expect me to simply take your word on that?" Alexis scoffed her eyes narrowing in derision, picking up the newspaper that the hospital staff had tried to use to convince her it was 1985 not 1980. "Why should I believe you...When it's just as likely you've gotten this so called hospital in on the scam as well?"
"Alexis..." Dex tried to interject a note of reason but his wife overrode him.
"Well you picked the wrong woman to try and con. And your story has too many holes in it to be believable. There is no way I would ever come back to Denver; no way I would marry some cowboy!"
Unable to smother a snort of laughter at her assessment Dex simply shook his head and added calmly. "Well you did and you are, and I'm not just a cowboy I'm a businessman as well."
"Really?" Alexis asked. "Do I dare ask what type of business? Other than trying to con wealthy women?"
"Oil." Dex added leaning back in his chair and allowing her slow assessing gaze, even if it did make him feel like a prize steer at a cattle auction. He had her intrigued and that was better than he had hoped for when the doctors told him they had persuaded Alexis to talk to him.
"This is ridiculous." Alexis snapped shaking her head, wincing when the movement caused her head to throb.
Sighing deeply in exasperation Dex felt the hours without sleep catch up on him, yet he hated having to see her in pain. Reaching for her water glass he offered it to her not surprised when she looked at him like had just offered her a glass of cyanide.
He just wanted to get her to accept the possibility. This constant denial was beginning to grate on his nerves. "Fine don't believe me but your children are outside they could confirm it for you."
"My children are here?" Alexis asked hesitantly, leaning forward a hopeful look in her eyes that softened her face for a moment as she let her guard down.
Sensing the momentary openness Dex leant forward resting his hand lightly on hers, "Yes, would you believe them if they told you the truth?"
Glancing down at the large strong hand that rested so gently on her own Alexis surprised herself when she didn't immediately push it away. His skin felt rough, probably from working on the oil rigs with his bare hands. Yet he touched her so delicately, like she was some expensive porcelain figure he was afraid to break.
Slowly she pulled her hand away yet she didn't recoil from him like she had done earlier, her voice hesitant as muttered, "Perhaps."
-
Part 4:
Of all the reactions Dex might have predicted laughter was not one of them.
"Mother?" Adam began tentatively his concern obvious as Alexis threw back her head and laughed harder.
Turning to a silent Dex Alexis quirked an eyebrow smirking as she turned to him her icy façade back in place. "Well I have to admit you almost had me before…But honestly you haven't done your research very well."
She broke off waving at the assembled children who looked distinctly uncomfortable. "I have a son and a daughter. You have to be the most rubbish con artists…."
"Mother you have two sons and two daughters." Adam corrected and Alexis blanched her eyes wide.
Trembling slightly Alexis shook her head unable to believe it, to allow herself to entertain the possibility…to hope and risk getting her heart broken all over again. "How do you know that?"
"Because I am your eldest." Adam answered.
Gasping Alexis gripped her sheets so tightly her knuckles turned white; her emerald eyes suddenly seemed very large in her pale face as she drank in his features. "Adam…Adam is that you?"
"Yes Mother." Adam answered smiling softly. Reaching out for her, surprised when Alexis pulled back.
Blinking back tears Alexis shook her head. "Oh you are very good of course you'd check on that, and how would I be able to deny it and I suppose this is supposed to be Steven, well forgive but I have at least seen pictures of my other son and he looks nothing like this."
Talking a calming breath Steven reached out to a distraught Adam catching his brother's eye.
"I can only imagine this is very frightening for you mother but you have to know that I am Steven and that I love you very much. I was in an oil rig explosion and needed reconstructive surgery."
"How very convenient." Alexis scoffed. "And who is this supposed to be?" She added her eyes falling on Amanda and her confidence abated slightly. True it had been years since she had seen her youngest child not since Amanda was ten. The last birthday party she had been invited to; where her gift had overshadowed Rosalind and Hugh's and she had been politely asked to leave.
There was a similarity, the eyes, the nose but Alexis could dismiss those as coincidence. What was harder to ignore was the fact that no one was supposed to know about Amanda…Adam yes, that had never been a secret it just hadn't been spoken about for so long it almost felt like one but Amanda…
"I'm Amanda Carrington your daughter!" Amanda answered hotly her green eyes flashing with temper as she stamped her foot very much like the ten-year-old Alexis remembered.
"Amanda." Steven cautioned his little sister and Adam and Dex both shot her looks meant to chastise but Amanda was having none of it. Fuming at once again being pushed aside as her mother's guilty secret, the one child she refused to admit to that. Well she had suffered through that once and never again.
"Why are you doing this to me?" Alexis demanded holding back her tears by will power alone. "What the hell have I done to deserve it?"
"Alexis please…" Dex begged trying to reach out to his wife; he hated seeing her so distressed. "We are not trying to hurt you; we are trying to help you."
Shaking her head Alexis fumbled for the panic button, "Lies…It's all lies …I won't believe it."
"Alright." Dex insisted holding up his hands in a gesture of surrender. "Say you're right and we are lying…."
"Which you are!"
"What will it take to convince you?" Dex cut her off. "Who will you believe if not us?"
Stunned by her so-called husband's cool use of logic Alexis was momentarily thrown yet suddenly the solution came to her. Smirking as if someone had just told her the juiciest piece of gossip Alexis had an answer for him. "You want me to believe it is 1985, that we're married and living in Denver?"
"Yes." Dex answered breathlessly convinced that finally they might make some progress, if she could name the one thing that would convince her and they could produce it then he would be one step closer to getting his wife back.
Leaning back against her pillows Alexis dropped her bomb.
"Then wheel Blake Carrington in here husband dearest. When Blake tells me to my face this is all true, then I might start to believe it."
-
Part 5:
Dex was nervous. Not parachuting into enemy territory with little to no chance of survival nervous but close. Realising he was gripping the little white box so hard it was leaving crease marks in the cardboard Dex forced his hands to relax.
It was a good day, a happy day, Alexis was being discharged; she had agreed albeit reluctantly to come home, to come home with him. So why did he feel like a teenage boy picking his date up for the prom terrified that one wrong word or gesture would leave him suddenly alone on the dance floor humiliated.
Knocking lightly on the door before entering her room Dex was surprised to see Alexis dressed, a packed carryall sitting neatly at her feet as she stared out of the window.
"Is it that time already?" Alexis asked glancing briefly over the shoulder when he entered before returning to her people watching.
"Actually I am a little early." Dex admitted although not the reason why, that he had been up since six making sure the apartment was perfect for her homecoming. "Are you ready to go?" He added bending down and picking up her bag.
"As ready as I'll ever be." Alexis added abrasively turning on her heel and striding past a struck dumb Dex who took a moment to recover from her icy reception before hurrying after her.
"Don't you need to sign..."
"I already discharged myself." Alexis cut him off as she jabbed at the elevator button turning to regard him with a cool gaze her critical eye less than impressed with his jean and shirt combo. "Now was that all because I have a splitting headache and pointless chatter only makes it worse."
Biting back a cutting retort Dex kept his peace following her into the lift and in silence down and out of the hospital where the rolls was waiting.
"Your chariot milady." Dex added handing the luggage to the driver and opening the door for her himself; watching as his wife slid into the backseat moving as far away from him as possible.
Sighing Dex lowered himself into the car still holding the flowers, somehow now didn't seem like the right time either so he found himself mimicking Alexis's behaviour staring out of the window to avoid conversation.
Yet Dex might not have felt quite so disheartened if he had realised that instead of watching the passing traffic Alexis was actually studying his reflection in the glass. She still couldn't quite believe it, staring at this man her husband there was no spark of recognition. There were other sparks when he stopped speaking or generally irritating her but no sense of knowing.
If it had been anyone other than Blake...
She had half imagined she was dreaming when instead of a nurse or doctor there walking through her door was Blake Carrington; her former husband and the father of her children in the flesh.
"Blake?"
"Alexis." Blake's greeting was short and to the point there was no overflowing emotions no need to trawl over the past in his face. It was almost as though he had come to accept her presence in his life, grudgingly accept it.
"I am here because the children tell me you are being stubborn." He added gruffly glancing at his watch a sure sign that he had some much more important meeting to attend and that he was only here out of sufferance. It was a look and feeling Alexis knew well and it surprised her that after so many years it still burnt to be dismissed so easily.
"The children...Then that really was Adam?" Alexis asked unable to keep the tears of joy from her eyes as Blake nodded sharply. "Oh Blake how wonderful..." She added reaching out and resting her hand on his arm surprised and disappointed when he pulled away, not even allowing her that moment.
"Alexis I am a very busy man and you would make my life and more importantly your own a lot easier if you would just accept what the doctors are telling you. It is 1985, we do have four children." Blake paused his eyes narrowing in anger at what Alexis could only guess was her keeping Amanda secret.
"And Dex Dexter?"
"Is for his sins your husband." Blake retorted sharply shifting uncomfortably as Alexis raised her large emerald eyes pleadingly to his face,"Now if that was all I have somewhere else to be."
"When didn't you." Alexis muttered bitterly watching as Blake all but fled from her room.
At first she had railed against it, tried to convince herself that somehow they had gotten to Blake but eventually even she had had to admit that was ridiculous. So this time when the doctor brought her copies of the newspapers she read them, accepting the truth gradually. When she had asked to speak to Adam he had visited bringing with him copies of some of the headlines she had made over the last few years. She had learnt through the paper reports of her short marriage to Cecil Colby and her meteoric rise in the oil community and the recent coup at her daughter's wedding. In particular she had studied the photographs of herself and her latest husband.
Farnsworth 'Dex' Dexter was a man with a colourful past. Studying him the in glass Alexis struggled to see man of action, the heroic rescuer of King Galen or the dynamic rising star of the oil community. He looked too nervous, too unsure of himself. The man sat beside her now was not the man she had seen in those pictures, the husband who appeared fiercely protective and possessive; the man who had pushed the press back yet at all times had his arm firmly around her waist.
He was a mystery and Alexis Carrington...Colby...Dexter couldn't abide mysteries.
-
Part 6:
"Well here we are Home sweet Home." Dex exclaimed stepping back and ushering a curious Alexis into the apartment watching as her expression widened in surprise.
"It's lovely." She added walking down the ramp and into the living room proper running her fingers over the expensive fabrics as her eyes evaluated the art on the walls. It was very her, all her in fact. There was nothing of her husband's style here, or what Alexis could guess as his style; thankfully no stuffed animal heads or dreadful wood panelling.
"I'm glad you approve." Dex muttered hesitating on the mezzanine level watching as Alexis walked out to the terrace to take in the view. He wanted nothing more than to follow her, perhaps point out some of the local landmarks yet he was worried about crowding her. Alexis was a fickle woman what thrilled her one-minute irritated her the next, it was anything but dull but could also be exhausting.
Waiting until she wandered back inside Dex pointed at the stairs, "I'll just take your bag upstairs", surprised when Alexis nodded and followed him.
Pausing on the threshold of the large bedroom Alexis watched as Dex crossed the room and slung the bag down on the bed, yet she felt awkward about entering, almost like she was trespassing on someone else's inner sanctum.
"You can come in." Dex teased her slightly, suppressing a smile when Alexis scowled at him and strode in as if she owned place, which in fact she did.
He watched as she tentatively explored and Alexis could feel his eyes on her. Watching her every move, not speaking, just watching her and the intensity of it made her skin crawl but not necessarily in a bad way.
Opening one of the many wardrobes she was immediately impressed by the many furs and the vast number of dresses; even for her this was opulent. Pulling one out she admired the cut and the red beading, the fine feathers on the off the shoulder strap.
Dex's sudden presence behind her startled her yet it was his comment that disturbed her more than the subtle teasing of his breath on her neck. "You had that made for Fallon & Jeff's wedding… I remember you looked stunning in it the most beautiful woman there, I was so proud that you were on my arm. Of course you look stunning in almost anything but I especially love you in red."
It wasn't the most sophisticated compliment nor was it the first time any man had flattered her, Alexis was not unused to being the focus of a gentleman's attention; yet there was an intensity in his words that made all the other compliments seem fake and phoney. Dexter said it like he meant it, really meant it. Like in his eye's she really was the most beautiful woman not just in the room but in the world.
Stepping away from him Alexis was surprised to feel a slight heat to her cheeks yet she dismissed it as the heat of the day and exertion after days of sitting in a hospital bed.
Moving to her dresser Alexis noted the many portraits of her children and one of her husband a playful smirk playing about his lips as though he had heard a good joke and was just waiting to deliver the punch line. Sitting at her vanity Alexis picked up her brush and tried to perfect her short hairstyle, every time she caught sight of her reflection she was surprised by the changes. True there was little alteration in her face but the harsher hairstyle was going to take some getting used to.
Settling on the chaise Dex watched her tease her hair unable to stop remembering when they had first met and he had punctuated each meeting with a surprise kiss, Alexis always pulled away feigned outrage and fussed with her hair. It seemed to be a nervous habit with her, whenever she was off balance or uncomfortable she fussed with her hair.
"It's perfect already." Dex teased when Alexis tilted her head and fiddled with her curls.
Meeting his reflected gaze Alexis fought her blush grasping at something anything rather than the teasing admiring glint in his dark eyes, "You mentioned Fallon & Jeff… When she didn't come to the hospital I thought that perhaps she hadn't forgiven me but if I was invited to the wedding?"
Sighing Dex wished it wasn't up to him to explain this, what on earth had Blake talked about when he visited, the weather?
"There was an accident, Fallon was suffering from terrible headaches…"
"But she is alright?" Alexis's concern was genuine as was her fear and Dex leant forward catching her hand. "Dex she's my little girl, you have to tell me."
"She is fine now. She's living in LA with the Colby family but she is suffering from amnesia."
Shaking her head Alexis scoffed, "Like mother like daughter what are the odds?"
Laughing at her quip, for a moment Dex saw a flash of the Alexis he knew yet he could sense her underlying vulnerability. "She's going to be fine, she has the best doctors and Jeff is there looking after her…Trust me."
Hanging her head Alexis stared at their joined hands, her small delicate hand look lost in his large tanned one. Turning his over she traced his deep lifeline her fingertips ghosting over the rough skin before her eyes fell on the simple gold band. Unable to stop herself Alexis touched it feeling the sudden spark of something as she heard Dex take a sudden in take of breath.
Dropping his head as though it had burned her Alexis practically jumped to her feet walking over to her carryall, unzipping it quickly so she had something to concentrate on, anything to stop her looking back at him. Yet her clever plan began to unravel as her eyes fell on the bed. Their bed.
Swallowing Alexis felt her heart beat a little faster and she was unable to help wondering if Dex expected to share this bed with her, he was her husband after all. Yet what shocked Alexis more than that fact was the realisation that the idea didn't sound too awful. Not awful at all.
Shaking her head Alexis pushed that thought away. True in name they were married but she knew virtually nothing about him and although in the past she had gone to bed with men based solely on physical attraction, she didn't have to wake up beside them day after day.
Day after day…
Alexis would be lying to herself if that idea didn't terrify her.
It was the reason why she had never accepted any of the many proposals she had received over the years.
The idea of being owned again…Of being accountable to anyone for her behaviour.
Sensing a sudden spike in awkward tension it didn't take Dex long to guess what it might be about. Standing up slowly he walked over to his chest of drawers and grabbed some clothes. "So I'll just take these to the downstairs suite, if you need me for anything..."
Surprised and touched by his thoughtfulness Alexis nodded and muttered a quiet "thank you...I know you're doing everything to make this easier for me. At least I can say I am sorry for being such a prize bitch back at the hospital."
Accepting her apology Dex paused on the threshold watching his wife as she unpacked her bag. It just felt so wonderful to have her home; he knew it was going to take some time but this time he was going to do things right even if he had to start from the very beginning. "I'd do anything for you Alexis you only ever have to ask."
-
Part 7:
Looking around the downstairs suite; Dex preferred not to think of it as Amanda's room any more, not if he wanted to be able to sleep in the bed without the weight of his guilt crushing him. He had been able to put it to one side whilst Alexis was in hospital. His mind had been focused on her recovery on getting her home safe. Yet now she was home, safe if not completely recovered. So he no longer had an excuse to ignore it.
The sick sensation in his stomach that he had put down to nerves and fear still lingered. Now he recognised it for what it was shame.
He had cheated on his wife, with her own daughter. That was a whole new level of scum in Dex's book. True he had been drunk but he didn't have the excuse that this was a onetime thing; the memory of the ski lodge still haunted him. He hadn't been drunk there just mad as hell at Alexis. That was the only constant, each time he had been angry at Alexis.
Had he been subconsciously trying to strike out at her? Hurt her in the only way he could?
The first time for putting Amanda's needs before him, for putting their relationship on hold yet again for one of her children? The second for taking another man's side against his, for believing that snake Galen instead of her own husband...For refusing to listen to him, or value him or damn it show that she cared about him at all...For flirting with another man under their own roof...
Clenching his fists Dex felt the urge to punch something. Alexis wasn't perfect but he loved her despite her faults. He had a right to be mad at her but that couldn't justify what he did.
The look on her face...The horror and pain was etched in his mind as fresh as any photograph. He had sworn to forsake all others and he had broken that promise with the person that would hurt Alexis the most.
And he couldn't even apologise, couldn't beg or grovel for forgiveness because Alexis didn't remember.
At least in the hospital when she had yelled at him it had helped, he deserved her yelling at him, yet now she was being shy and unusually sweet and that just twisted the knife even deeper.
Unable to bear being in this room a moment longer Dex decided to head down to the gym and work off some of his frustration. Yet just as he was leaving bag in hand he spotted the flower box sitting on top of his bed, violets.
It had seemed fitting; as they had been the first flowers he had given her directly not ordered from a florist and had delivered. It had been when he first realised he was in love with her and knew he had to head to LA to set up a deal and the idea of not seeing her for a couple of days had choked him. So he had called in a little florist shop at first intent on a showy bouquet of long stemmed red roses until the little purple headed violets had caught his eye, violets to symbolise a pledge to be true in love.
Snorting at the irony Dex picked up the box flipping it open to admire the little poesy. Perhaps he just needed to repeat his pledge and this time not allow anything to sway him? In any case he had brought Alexis the flowers and they did little good sitting here in their box. So closing the box he headed up to the living room only to find someone had beaten him to it.
Galen was sitting with Alexis, his head bent dangerously close to hers as he took hold of her hand bringing it up to his lips and kissing her knuckles. Yet what Dex noticed other than that creep's presence was that practically every surface was adorned with flower arrangements, beautiful red roses that Alexis had probably paid for herself.
Suddenly noticing their silent audience Alexis quickly retrieved her hand surprised that she felt a twinge of guilt that she had forgotten about her husband "Dex."
Glaring at a smug Galen Dex's grip tightened on the box crushing it slightly as he muttered sarcastically. "Well it didn't take you long Your majesty, we've not been home an hour not bribing the staff already."
"Mr Dexter." Galen greeted Dex with the same level of tense civility and Alexis glanced between the two; stunned by the sudden sharpening of her husband's features, there all of a sudden was the man from the photographs.
Possessive and protective.
The transformation was complete but what shocked Alexis more was realisation it was a look she found both annoying and, more disturbingly, attractive; she just wasn't sure which feeling was stronger.
"Don't let us detain you Mr Dexter I am more than capable of entertaining Alexis if you feel like sweating off some of that bad mood." Galen added taking note of Dex's attire and way he seemed reluctant to leave.
Ignoring his majesty's command Dex turned to his wife trying to keep his anger from his voice yet the urge to punch something, preferably royal, grew stronger as each second passed. "If you need me I will be down in the gym, just ask Lin he can call me if you need anything and remember the Doctors advised you to rest."
"I'll be fine Dex, Galen will look after me." Alexis insisted with a smile confused when her husband's scowl deepened and he stormed to lift without another word.
Pushing the button a little too hard Dex resisted the urge to retort "Yes that's what I'm afraid of", before stuffing the flower box in his gym bag as the elevator door opened.
Watching as the doors closed behind Dex a confused Alexis turned to a smirking Galen an eyebrow quirked questioningly "Now what was all that about?"
"Nothing."
"Galen we've known each other too long."
"Fine...It's just I wish I knew what I had done to make your husband despise me, he has been trying to make me leave since I arrived, he's jealous of our friendship. And I'm afraid it gets my back up Alexis." Galen retorted petulantly.
Leaning back against the soft cushion of the sofa Alexis pondered the matter for a moment, the jealousy was obvious and knowing her past history with Galen probably justified. "I think he is rather protective of me..."
"Overprotective you mean, controlling, I don't know how you put up with it Alexis, I just wish..." Galen trailed off suggestively before hanging his head.
"Wish what?" Alexis demanded her face creasing in a frown.
Sighing Galen reached over and took her hand once more lifting it to his lips. Watching her closely over the top he replied softly, "That the coup had never happened, if I were still King my offer of a safe haven could still stand."
"Safe haven?" Alexis asked confused.
"Oh forgive me Alexis of course you would not remember...Just forget it."
"Galen." Alexis snapped her eyes narrowing in determination. "What offer?"
Smiling sadly Galen squeezed her hand before laying it back down. "My offer to stay in Moldavia after Amanda's wedding. Only if you needed it of course, if you decided to leave him, but now we will never know I suppose..." He added watching as realisation dawned on Alexis's face.
Just how happy was her marriage after all?
-
Part 8:
Pulling back his fist Dex laid into the punching bag a haze falling over his eyes as he imagined a certain noble face in its place. Only the knowledge that he had tried that once before and all it had accomplished was to get him thrown out of his own home held him back. Yet it was doing wonders for his work out.
"Trouble in paradise already?" A familiar voice mocked.
Whirling round Dex pushed his sweat sleeked hair back from his forehead blinking as he focused on his visitor. "What are you doing here Amanda?"
"Visiting Mummy...Not that she seems to need or want my company." Amanda added spitefully a small smile tugging at her lips as Dex flinched. "So you've seen them then?"
"If you are referring to his royal pain in the behind then yes thank you I have." Dex spat reaching for his bag and the spare towel and bottle of mineral water. Dabbing his face he took a deep sip of the water watching as Amanda pushed away from the wall.
Stalking across towards him like a cat hunting her prey Amanda's eyes surveyed Dex's toned sweaty form hungrily. "She doesn't know what she's missing..."
"Amanda if that is all you came to say then I think you should leave." Dex spat ignoring her invitation and moving to the rowing machine, slipping his feet into the stirrups and grasping the paddles with his strong hands.
"Dex this is me Amanda not some hooker you picked up, don't you think we should at least talk about it?"
"What good could it possibly do?" Dex spat back ignoring her closeness and the scent of her perfume. "It was a mistake."
"Once is a mistake Dex." Amanda corrected him her hand shooting out and gripping his bicep. "Twice is something more, something deeper..."
"Something wrong." Dex corrected her. "It wasn't about you Amanda, it never has been." He added spitefully. "Don't you get that?"
"I don't understand you..."
"I slept with you." Dex added harshly. "Yes but it could have been anyone. It could have been a hooker I picked up, or a socialite or anyone. I was mad and hurt and looking for someone to help me forget..."
"And I was just a warm body?" Amanda asked aghast.
"You were there, you were willing, and you wanted me. That was enough."
Shaking her head in denial Amanda pulled away as if he had slapped her. "You don't mean that. You care about me you do you just won't admit it because if you do you'd have to do something about it."
"I love Alexis."
"But does she love you?" Amanda scoffed. "Where is she Dex here with you? No she's upstairs flirting outrageously with an old lover...You're just not meant for each other Dex."
"And we are?" Dex asked astounded by Amanda's level of delusion.
"Well you have to admit there is a something that keeps pulling us back together; first in the cabin the weather that grounded Alexis's plane...The blizzard, my wanting to leave, you refusing to let me. You weren't just looking for a warm body that night Dex, you wanted me!"
"I wanted Alexis." Dex snapped before he could stop himself.
"What and so I was the next best thing?" Amanda asked horrified.
"Honestly?" Dex asked his exhaustion making him sharp. "No you're not even close but you were the only option and as for the other night I was so drunk I couldn't get to my room by myself. I was in no fit state and you pushed your way into my evening, my room and my bed."
"So what it's my fault I don't recall forcing you Dex."
"No but you won't take no for an answer and in that yes you are very like Alexis but that is where the similarity ends." Dex added.
"Look I am only going to say this once, nice and clear so you'll understand. In the past I have tried to be kind, to let you down gently but you seem to have taken that and warped it into some childlike fantasy. I love Alexis, I am married to her and god willing I want to stay married to her for the rest of my life. No woman has even come close to matching her, in my heart or in my bed, I don't want you Amanda. I don't want to sleep with you. I don't want a relationship with you."
He paused taking a breath refusing to allow her tearful expression to sway him. "I don't want you, now is that clear or do you need it spelling out further?"
Shaking her head Amanda got to her feet shaking as she groped for the elevator button. "Damn you Dex...You'll be sorry I swear it."
"Go back to your husband Amanda, your boy prince may find you childish behaviour attractive but I don't."
As soon as the door closed behind her Dex felt his anger seep out of him and worry take his place. Amanda was hurt and furious and like her mother capable of anything. Perhaps this time he had gone too far.