Hi there readers! I've read your reviews and I'm glad you guys enjoyed the last chapter! It made me feel great. This chapter may feel a bit shorter than the others. I just wanted to warn you ahead of time. I didn't want you to get the end and be like "Damn, that's it?!" hahaha. Anyway, enjoy!

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The Apprentice

When You Need Comfort

(A Few Days Later)

Alyx had been quite busy in her office today; Charles had been piling her desk with work, he had been doing that a lot recently. She was filing papers, sending in calls, and stamping documents in her office ever since 8-something that morning it and it was 1 in the afternoon now.

"Alyxandria, do you mind visiting my office? It won't take very long. It's urgent." Charles said over the intercom.

She quickly put away her folder, "Yeah, sure thing!" She said.

"Quickly, please." He said.

She hurried out of the office and headed to the manager's office. She knocked in the door.

"Entré!" He called out. (Come in.)

Alyx entered the office to see Charles holding the phone in his hand for her to grab, "Alyxandria, où est votre téléphone portable?" (Alyxandria, where is your cell phone?)

Alyx patted her back pocket, "C'est dans ma poche." (It's in my pocket.)

"Hm, eh bien, cet appel est pour vous." He said, handing the phone to her. (Hm, well, this call is for you.)

Her brows furrowed a bit, "Pour moi?" (For me?)

She took the phone, "Hello?"

?: Hey, A.

Alyx: Matty? Hey, how's it going? I miss you guys so much.

Matt: Yeah we miss you too. Having fun over there?

Alyx: I am. What about you guys?

Matt: Well, um... I wish we could say the same.

Alyx: What happened?

Matt: Javier's mom was rush to E.R. last night.

Alyx: What? How is she? She's okay, right? Please tell me she's okay!

Matt: Dude, she passed away this morning at 4…

(Alyx fell silent and tears began to roll down her face)

Charles: Alyxandria, are you alright?

Alyx: H-how did she...how'd she...?

Matt: She had a heart attack.

Alyx: What?! How's Javi taking it?

Matt: He's... It's rough. He um, Javier won't really respond to us anymore. He's walking around like a zombie and... I don't know. A, we really need you to come back at least until after the funeral. He needs us to support him. Shit's getting crazy over here.

Alyx: Yeah, sure. Of course.

Matt: Any idea when?

Alyx: I'll work something out with Charles; I'll try to get back home as soon as possible.

Matt: Alright, let me know something.

Alyx: Okay, love you. Bye.

Matt: I love you too, A. Bye.

(She hung up the phone)

She straightened her posture and said nothing as she stared the floor. Charles removed himself from his desk, and walked to stand in front of her. With one look from him, she fell into his arms, tears pouring from her eyes; he rubbed her back in circular motion to comfort her.

"Anything you need just let me know, alright?" He whispered.

She nodded, "Th-Thank you. There is one thing."

"What is it?"

"Th-The guys n-need me there with them and -"

"Consider it done. Would you like me to prepare a DethJet for you now?" He asked. "You could be on your way home in less than 30 minutes if that's what you want."

She smiled, "Thank you so much." She managed.

"It's no trouble at all. If you need anything let the klokateers know, alright?"

"Mhmm."

Charles ended the hug and flipped a switch under his desk. Soon about four klokateers came running through the door.

"Yes, sir?" They said.

"We have a code Grey. Alyxandria needs to make it home safely today. I want 78342 to pilot the DethJet. Move!"

"Yes, sir!" They said running out of the office.

"Alyx," he said, "I'll miss you."

She smiled, "I'll miss you too Charlie. I'm gonna go now. Go ahead and tend to what you were before he called for me." She said walking over give him a meaningful kiss.

"I would have liked to at least see you off." He said staring into her eyes.

She smiled weakly, "It's alright. I'll be fine okay?"

And with that she ran out of the office. Charles watched her as she left him. He felt as if a piece of him had drifted away.

(After about 10 hours)

"Miss, we have reached your destination." Said a klokateer.

She looked out of the window and saw the large California Victorian home that Javier had recently bought his mother.

"Thank you." She said she followed him out of the jet.

"Home sweet home." She whispered to herself.

Standing there in complete awe was her band mates even Javier had a smile on his face, she ran into group hug. They joked around and talked a bit then entered the house. Javier suggested that they all sat in the living room and wait for others to arrive.

"Guys, I just want to thank you so much for coming here to support me and my family without hesitation." Javier said.

Alyx smiled, "No need. I think I can speak for myself, Matt and Ricky when I say that, this is our family too."

"Yeah, most definitely. Your family took me in with open arms when my old man kicked me out." Matt agreed.

"And when I was having problems with my wife and I needed somewhere to stay." Ricky added.

"Your mom had always been sweet to me since the day I meet her when we were in Franklin Middle." Alyx joined.

Javier smiled as soon he silently fell into tears, "Man, you guys have always been here for me for crazy shit like this. "

Alyx went to sit next to him and hugged him, "Javier, why wouldn't we? We all love you."

Matt agreed, "Yeah, dude, we're family."

"That's right." Ricky said.

"I just—I just can't believe… She's gone, you know? It just doesn't seem real. Mi padre hasn't come out of his room since we got back from the hospital. I couldn't tell you where mi hermana is." He said in tears. "I'm trying so hard to be strong for the family but—it's hard."

She held him tightly, "It's okay. We're here for you, okay?"

"No matter what, Javier, we'll always be here for you." Ricky said, joining in on the hug.

"Thanks so much, guys." Javier said huffed.

Soon, more of the Sanchez family dropped by to give Javier their best wishes, instead of mourning the loss of Helen Sanchez, mother of two and loving wife, they celebrated the end of her pain. She'd been having health problem for quite some time now almost 10 years. They did just as she would have wanted, Javier made sure of that. Later that night, when the visitors had left, Javier asked if his best friends would stay there with him until the funeral. They agreed without question, they promised to assist Javier and his family with his mother's funeral arrangements. A couple of nights later, Alyx and Ricky's wife Leslie decided to make dinner for the guys. Javier was depressed but everyone made sure to have positive attitudes around him to keep his mind off of it as much.

"Leslie, could you slice these tomatoes in cubes please?"

The blonde woman wiped her wet hands on her apron, "Sure thing."

Ricky knocked on the door, "Hey, its smells delicious in here ladies."

Alyx smiled and continued to chop up the green peppers, "It does, right?" she laughed.

"Alyx, you have a visitor, in the living room." Ricky said.

She laid the knife flat on the counter and went to wash her hands, "A visitor?"

She followed Ricky to the living room; she heard Javier and Matt laughing along with another familiar laugh.

"Oh, there ya are." He said breaking away from the guys. His grin was sly, his eyes were as green as emerald could get, and his hair was in a ponytail.

"Pickles?" Alyx froze.

"Hey," he said approaching her with his hands in his pockets. "Aw, look at you. Somebody's tryin' ta be Rachel Ray." He teased.

She smiled falsely as the other's watch on.

She chuckled nervously, "Heh, uh, guys do you mind if I borrowed him for a moment?"

"No."

"Oh, no, go ahead."

"That's fine."

"Great, Pickles a word…" she said grabbing Pickles' wrist and lead him up stairs.

She pulled him into the guest room where she slept, "Pickles, what are you doing here?"

He smirked, "Well someone seems happy ta see me." He said sarcastically.

Alyx folded her arms and looked at him expectantly, "Well?"

"I talked ta Ahfdensen after not seeing ya fer a couple a' days. He told me what had happened and I got worried aboot ya. So I decided that I'd come 'ere and comfort ya if ya needed it."

Her expression softened and her lips curled into a smile, "Oh, I—thank you. That's really sweet of you. I um, I really appreciate it."

He pulled her into a hug, "No prahblem."

"But I have a question?" she asked.

"Yee-uh?"

"Where are you staying?"

The drummer chuckled, "Here. I've been 'ere fer a while, while ya played Chef Javier offered to let me stay 'ere with ya until after the funeral or whatever."

Alyx smiled, "Oh."

"Now, go ahead. I know you were busy an' all so I'll let ya get back to it. I'm jus' gonna get settled in." he said.

She nodded and started for the door but he grabbed her and pulled her close to him by her waist, "Alyx," he whispered.

"Yes?" she said, her left brow rose.

Pickles kissed her lips deeply, "No matter how much you try to push me away, Ah'm ganna keep comin' back. I want ta be with ya. An' when I really want something' I don't give up."

She looked into his green eyes and caressed his chin, "That may be but I don't understand why you are so interested in obtaining me or Charles for that matter." She said breaking from his grasped.

He watched as she walked away leaving him in the room alone. I know you may not understand yet but you will. Alyxandria, you will be mine. This I swear. I may not be able to speak for Ofdensen but I know for a fact that these feelings mean something. I don't just want you, I need you. He smiled at his thought.

"An' soon you'll realize you feel the same way." He said with a cocky grin.

-to be continued-

Author's notes: The next chapter will pick up immediately after this. See you soon readers! Have a rockin' night or day! Don't forget to review. :)

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