Chapter 13

"JAX!!" Carly screamed.

Jax was in the living room reading over some new documents sent to him for the hotel and rolled his eyes, "YES?!" He yelled back.

Carly didn't respond. She wasn't about to lose her voice begging for a foot massage. Jax entered their bedroom and saw Carly pouting on the bed.

"Yes?" Jax said, clearly not amused.

"Nothing," Carly pouted.

"Jesus…" Jax mumbled as he walked out. The 'honeymoon' stage of their relationship had come to a screeching halt after the kidnapping. It had only been a week! It felt like ten years to Jax, who took solace in the time he spent at Ric and Ale…Ric's. Jax sat back on the couch and felt the tears come to his eyes. He brought Michael and Morgan over to Ric's every day since Alexis disappeared to spend some time with Kristina and Molly. The kids loved the visits and Jax loved the opportunity to see glimpses of John, who was staying there with his nanny while Nikolas was attending to Emily in the hospital. Jax could tell that Ric needed someone to talk to. Jason was there every time they went over as well, but he was as silent as usual. He was hurting, too. Jax and Ric had long conversations about Alexis, possible abductors, and why in the world she would want to stay. Jax wiped the tears away and thought about his friend. His best friend. She got him. She was the only one who stuck by his side through thick and thin. Even after the paternity of John came to light, Alexis was there. She would choose to love him no matter what. Jax just didn't believe that Ric's dreams were reality. He couldn't imagine one man Alexis would leave with, leaving behind Ric, Kristina, and Molly. Perhaps Stefan, but he was dead. A light bulb in Jax's head went off. Stranger things have happened. He picked up his cell phone and dialed Nikolas' number.

"JAaaax …" yelled Carly, again …

Jax just shook his head and walked out the door into the hallway, "Nikolas, meet me at Ric's. I have something …"

--

"Emily?"

Emily looked up at Nikolas, "Hey."

"Hey, I'm going to go back over to Ric's for a little while, you okay?"

"Yeah, Liz said she'd be here in about thirty minutes when she gets off work."

"Okay, Emily … um … I love you."

Emily just smiled and nodded. She wasn't ready to say that yet. Sonny still was in her mind.

Nikolas just nodded back and walked out, passing Lulu in the hallway crying, "Lulu, sweetie, what's going on?"

Lulu wouldn't stop crying, "Dillon … he … he …"

"Come with me …" They both walked out. Nikolas didn't know what the preppy rich boy did to his little sister, but he'd find out and see to it that Dillon would regret it.

Wait a minute, someone once called him a preppy rich boy. Nikolas laughed to himself … 'I was different' he told himself. All thanks to Alexis … who he would get back if it was the last thing he did.

--

"Either Ric and Jason come to the ball tonight," Alexis demanded, looking over at Sam's wide eyes and huge smile, "or Sam and I attend the ball, and leave immediately after to go home." Sam looked so happy. Alexis stared her father in his eyes, "Yeah, I didn't get to order my father around when I was little, but by God, I'll do it now! I want to go home. I need to go home. I WILL go home. TONIGHT!" Alexis spun around and drug Sam out who was just standing there all giddy.

Once in Alexis' room, Sam jumped up and down, "We're going home!" She was giggling like crazy and jumping around like a little girl … "Oooh, I'm gonna go pack!"

"Sam, wait."

Sam looked at Alexis. She saw that she wasn't too happy. She saw that Alexis looked sad and defeated. Sam's face dropped.

"Mikkos didn't say anything. We won't be going anywhere." Alexis sat on the bed frustrated.

Sam sat down next to Alexis and leaned her head on Alexis' shoulder, "Well, he was pretty shocked by you scaring the life out of him yellin' like that! Give him some time. He saw you finally stand up to him. I was wondering what was taking so long."

"Why didn't you say anything? I mean … to me … why haven't you been itching to get out of this place?"

Sam looked up at Alexis. She stood up and started pacing the room. Alexis just watched her intently, waiting for a reply.

"Honestly?"

Alexis smiled, "No … lie to me, sweetie."

Sam smiled back, "Okay with the sarcasm. Okay … honestly … I like it here. I get to spend time with you all to myself. You aren't running off to work or looking over files or …"

"Doting over Kristina and Molly?" Alexis' heart was breaking.

"Well … yeah, I mean, I know that you have to and all, and I'm not jealous, well, maybe a little, in a good way … is that possible? To be jealous in a good way?"

"I think so," Alexis answered.

"Okay, well, there ya go. I'm sorry …"

"Don't be sorry, I love spending time with you, too, and I know that you miss Kristina and Molly and Jason, too, but, I do love this me and you time."

Sam nodded her head, "I am ready to go home."

Alexis stood up and wrapped her arms around Sam, "Listen to me, Sam. No matter what happens when we get back … tomorrow …" she had to put that in there, "we will still spend time together. Too much time … you're going to get sick of me again."

Sam, who was hugging her arms around her mother's waist, looked up at her, "I'll get sick of you again for sure …" she smiled, "but in a good way."

Alexis smiled and kissed Sam on the head, "In a good way."