A/N: Good evening readers! I want to thank you all for your continued enthusiasm and responses. I absolutely love reading what everyone has to say. Here's the next chapter.

Chapter 13: Gone Again

As she looked again at the brochure in front of her, Alexis knew what she needed to do. Garrett was obviously coming to talk to her about something that was important to him… important for him to share with her and he deserved the same. She deserved his support and she knew she would have it one hundred percent. She looked up when she heard the soft knock, followed not soon after by the greeting.

"It's me, Lex…"

After stuffing the brochures back in her bag, Alexis rose from her seat at the sound of his voice and met him with a smile as he entered the office, "Hi."

"Hey, you…" Garrett smiled too, it was hard not to around her. They met in a kiss.

"This is a nice surprise…" Alexis's soft smile was genuine, looking into his eyes as she held her arms wrapped around his waist.

"I'm sorry… I didn't want to disrupt you at work."

"You're not disrupting me, Garrett…" She scoffed, breaking away long enough to guide him to the large leather chairs in front of her desk.

"Lex… I need to talk to you about something…" He started nervously, but quickly noted her face grow serious.

"I, um…" Alexis looked at him carefully, "I do, too…"

"You do?" He raised a brow and studied her carefully.

"Yeah… I uh…" She shook her head, quickly recovering with a smile, "You go first… you came here for a reason."

"Is everything all right?" Garrett was growing nervous, watching as she herself chuckled and waved him off.

"Yeah… yeah, everything is fine. Come on… go ahead. What do you need to talk about?"

"You sounded strange on the phone," He studied her carefully, resting both of his hands on her shoulders, "What's going on with you?"

"Garrett," She looked at him sternly, "I told you, I am fine."

"Your eyes…"

"I'm having allergies for some reason." Alexis brushed him off as she walked past him and back to her desk to retrieve a tissue, "I'm not going to stand here and defend myself so will you please get on with what you need to tell me?"

"I have to go back to New York…" The words rolled off of his tongue quicker than he could gauge her reaction.

"Oh." Her voice was quiet as she looked down, away from his eyes.

"Lex, I'm sorry… I promise you it won't be for long. A few days at the most…"

"What'd Julie do now?" She met his eyes and he could see the anger there.

"It's not Julie…" He sighed, rubbing either arm with his hands, "It's something else that's too much to get into right now. I promise you… we'll talk when I get back."

"What do you mean too much to get into?" Alexis narrowed her eyes as she came to the front of her desk and folded her arms.

"It just is," He shrugged, "Lex…"

"You know… all of a sudden you've been awfully secretive. You've been running around taking phone calls in the bathroom and outside…" She shook her head, "If I didn't know better…"

"Alexis… I'm not…" He sighed. He was going to say that he wasn't keeping anything from her but that would be a lie. "I'm not doing anything bad…"

"Oh, really?" She raised a brow, "So if it isn't anything "Bad", then what is it?"

"I can't get into it right now…" His voice was low and flat , "I told you I will talk to you about it when I get back from New York and I know more of what's going on."

"Garrett…" Alexis cleared her throat as she pushed away from the desk and walked closer to him, "You promised me that you were going to be open with me about everything. You had a wife and you kept it from me for almost a year, Garrett… a year."

"I thought we were past that…"

"You thought we were past that…" She chuckled, "Right, because it's so easy to get over such a tiny little detail."

"That's not what I meant,"

Alexis watched as he shrunk and she her guilt kicked in, "Listen, I'm not trying to rehash… I didn't mean to do that."

"Okay…"

"I just … I am trying really hard, here, Garrett…" She took a deep breath, "I'm trying really hard to trust you, but… you keep making it harder and I don't know how long I can do this."

"I'm sorry…" Garrett quieted, "I wish I was easier to trust. I wish I never hurt you before, but I have. I know that I have a lot to make up for and I know that you deserve better…"

"That's not it…" She shook her head, uncrossing one arm to place to his cheek in reassurance, "It's not about deserving anything. No one person deserves anything better or worse than the next. This is about us. This is about our relationship… I want you, forever… I don't ever want you out of my life."

"I don't want you out of mine, either, Lex… of course I don't," He shook his head as he took her hand in his, "I want to share everything with you… I want to be as open with you as you are with me."

Alexis felt her stomach knot at his words and suddenly the word hypocrite played over and over in her head, "Garrett…"

"I know that is what we need to be strong, I know it's what we need to last in a healthy relationship," He continued and she couldn't get a word in, "All I'm asking you now is to just be patient with me… please. I promise when I get things figure out I will tell you what's going on…"

"Garrett?" She tilted her head, becoming less annoyed and more concerned, "What is going on?"

"Nothing…" He forced a smile and visibly calmed himself, reassuring her with a squeeze to her shoulders, "Everything is fine. It's just business… something happened and I have to take care of it. I told them I would be there by tonight."

"Is that all you came here to tell me?"

"Yeah…" Garrett sighed, putting a hand to her cheek, "I didn't want to upset you over the phone… I didn't want to leave like that."

"What about Sam? And Danny?" Alexis raised a brow, her face growing stern again, "I should hope you'll say goodbye to them in person."

"Yes… I, uh… I already called Sam, I'm going to stop by her house on my way out of town." Garrett watched her carefully as she looked away again, before lifting her chin to look at him, "Alexis, I know I've made promises before. I know that I've let you down. I promise this isn't going to be long."

"Okay…" Her face softened as she leaned into his kiss, "I'm sorry. You need to do what you need to do… I just want to know one thing."

"What?"

"Are you in any trouble?"

Garrett closed his eyes, drawing a breath before shaking his head, "No."

"Why don't I believe you…"

"Alexis, I am not in any trouble…" He paused, "As long as I take care of what I need to… everything will be fine."

"Just be careful."

"I will. I'll call you when I arrive in New York tonight and we'll talk as soon as I get back." He kissed her again, "About everything."

"Okay," Alexis nodded, her mouth smiling but her eyes telling a different story.

"I love you so much, Lexie."

"I… I love you, too…" Her emotions were threatening but were soon stopped by Garrett's mouth pressing to hers for a long and passionate kiss. How she loved him…

"I'll call you when I get there…" Garrett reassured as he stepped away, still connected by a hand.

"Okay…" Alexis smiled, "Drive safely."

"I will." With a kiss to her hand, he was back out of the door just as quickly as he had entered.

"Well... he's gone again." Alexis drew a deep breath as she leaned her weight against the arm of the leather chair, "That's all right. It's only a couple of days..."

"Hey…" Sam smiled as she opened her front door to her father and he entered slowly.

"Hi, honey…" Garrett kissed her cheek, looking past when he saw Danny coming down the stairs.

"Hi, papa!" Danny smiled, jumping off the last two steps and into his grandfather's arms.

"Hey buddy," Garrett kissed his cheek as the little boy leaned back to show his prized motor cycle toy.

"I was pwayin' motohcycohs. Wanna pway?"

"I'm sorry, Danny…I can't play right now. I have to go away for a few days to take care of some business."

"Oh…" His face fell, his eyes growing wider, "You gonna comed home?"

"I'll be home before you know it," Garrett gave the boy a reassuring smile, "I promise it won't be long."

"'Kay…" Danny nodded, "To carve pun'kins?"

"Yes, little buddy. I'll be home to carve the pumpkins."

"Kay," he finally smiled as he got one last hug from his grandfather and Garrett set him down where he scurried off to play.

"So you're only going to be gone a couple days?" Sam crossed her arms as they continued to stand near the doorway.

"Yeah…" Garrett drew a deep breath as he nodded, "I know I just got back… I had no intention of going back but something went wrong so I just have to check it out. It won't be long a t all."

"Okay…" Sam nodded, "I trust you."

Garrett felt the guilt wash over him as he locked eyes with his daughter, "I, um… I didn't want to leave without saying goodbye to you both in person."

"Thank you…" Sam smiled, "That means a lot."

"I love you, Sam…" Garrett closed his eyes as they embraced.

"I love you, too…" As they broke away she smiled into his face, "You better get going if you want to get to New York before tomorrow."

"Yeah…"Garrett smiled nervously.

"Danny! Come say goodbye to Papa…" Sam called over her shoulder and soon the little boy was jumping into his Papa's arms again.

"Bye, Danny." Garrett ruffled his hair, "Be good, okay? I'll see you in a few days."

"Kay, papa." Danny smiled as the man set him down and headed out the door with one last look over his shoulder, "Momma?"

"Yeah, honey?" Sam looked down, intently focusing on her son.

"Why papa going again?" He tilted his head innocently, prompting his mother to pick him up.

"I don't really know, buddy," She kissed his head as she hoisted him on her hip, "I don't really know…"

"Oh…" He paused for a moment, "Can we go outside and pway in da leafs?"

Sam couldn't help but laugh at her son's precocious little face, "Sure we can… let's get your shoes on…" As she set Danny on the step, a knock at the door took her attention. She was surprised when she opened the door at who was standing on the other side.

"Emma!" Danny exclaimed as he ran and hugged the older girl.

"Hi, Danny!" Emma smiled up at Sam just as her father made his way behind her.

"Patrick!" Sam was surprised… pleasantly surprised.

"Hey, Sam…" Patrick smiled, "I hope we're not intruding…"

"No!" She waved him off, stepping aside to invite him inside, "Come in. We were just about to go outside and play."

"Emma wanted to bring Danny this…" Patrick held out a toy motorcycle, much like the one Danny had played with earlier, "It found it's way to our house and…"

"Thank you, Patrick." Sam smiled as Danny took the motorcycle from him, "Danny, what do you say?"

"Fanks, Emma daddy!"

"You're welcome, Danny…" Patrick ruffled the boys hair with a smile.

Sam looked between them, "Um… Patrick… are you two busy right now?"

"No… not at all."

"Would you like to stay for a while?" She could feel herself closing off but she was trying with all she had to step out of the box that she had built, "Danny would love to have a playmate for leaf jumping…"

"What do you say Emma?" Patrick looked down to see his smiling young girl nodding, "Okay… guess it's a deal."

"Hey, mom." Kristina smiled from the sofa as she watched her mother enter the house, setting her keys and bag on the table.

"Hi, sweetheart," Alexis greeted her lovingly, picking up the pile of mail that sat on the table, "Where's Molly?"

"Staying after school for something," She shrugged, "I'm not really sure…"

"Oh, all right," She focused on the mail until the silence seemed awkward. She looked up to find her daughter looking at her intently, "Yes?"

"Mom… I, um…" Kristina drew a deep breath, throwing the magazine she was looking through on the table before she stood, "I have to go…"

"What?" Alexis was a little confused.

"I have to go back to Greece… tomorrow…" Kristina watched her mother's face fall as she looked back to the mail in her hands.

"You just found this out?" She didn't look up, only questioned quietly.

"No…I," Kristina sighed, "I'm sorry. I wasn't keeping track of time… I should have let you know when I was leaving."

"It's all right, honey," Alexis' face softened as she threw the mail on the table and embraced her middle daughter, "I'm sorry… I just… I just don't want you to leave again, that's all."

"I know, mom." Kristina sniffled as they continued to embrace, "I don't really want to go… but, I have a job there and…"

"I know, sweetheart. I know…" Alexis smiled adoringly as they pulled back. She wiped a tear from her daughter's cheek, "You don't need to explain yourself to me. You have a life there… one that you love and you're so successful. I know that you need to go back. And you know that too."

"Yeah," Kristina nodded, wiping away the remainder of her tears, "I'm really going to miss everyone… I'm really going to miss you."

"Oh, baby… I'm going to miss you too." Her mother hugged her again, "More than I can say."

"I need to go pack…" Kristina sighed, "I was thinking… maybe when Molly gets home we could go out to dinner or something?"

"Yeah?" She drew a deep breath, caressing Kristina's cheek, "That's sounds wonderful."

"We can call Sam and Danny, too…" She smiled, "I just want to spend time with everyone before I go."

"Good. We will do that, then… go get yourself packed." Alexis smiled, "What time does your plane leave tomorrow?"

"Not until 6pm…" Kristina glanced over her shoulder to her mother, "We still have tomorrow."

"Of course…" Alexis nodded with a smile as Kristina rounded the corner, "We always have tomorrow…"

Alexis took a deep breath and sat on the sofa, her legs crossed and head rested against the back pillows. Her moment of rest was interrupted when the door opened. She looked up to find Molly walking in.

"Hi, sweetie."

"Hey, mom…" Alexis could tell the enthusiasm was as much as the young girl could muster. She was starting to worry about her.

"Mol? What's up?"

"Nothing…" Molly sighed, tossing her bookbag on the coffee table before plopping on the sofa next to her mother, "I just stayed after for AP Lit review."

"Oh… how did it go?"

"It was fine."

"My Molly…" Alexis hugged her close, resting her head atop her daughter's, "I hate seeing you like this."

"I'm fine, mom …" Molly perked up for a moment, "Oh, I almost forgot! I need you sign this release…"

Alexis watched as she opened her backpack and pulled out a folder, "For what?"

"I'm going to be on the news…" She shrugged, "My citizenship class is volunteering at a local school, collecting school supplies for the less fortunate students and filling backpacks. The news is going to be there…"

"Oh…that's wonderful, Molly!" Her mother beamed with pride as she signed the paper Molly had handed her.

"Yeah…" She shrugged again, taking the paper bag Alexis noticed a manila folder slide out of the bag and Molly quickly shoved it back in.

"What's that?"

"What's what?" It was obvious she was nervous.

"That folder, there…"

"Where?"

"Molly!" Alexis scolded before sitting forward and pulling it out herself, "This is from NYU!"

"Mom…" Molly watched as her mother pulled the papers out of the folder and her face lit up.

"Molly!" Her mother's smile couldn't get any wider, "Molly! You were accepted!"

"Yeah…" She nodded as her mother pulled her into a fierce hug.

"Oh, sweetheart I'm so proud of you!" She hugged her daughter tightly, "When did you get this?"

Molly shrugged again, rolling her eyes as Alexis noticed the postage and her face fell.

"October 3rd?" Alexis questioned her daughter softly, "Molly? That was nearly two weeks ago. Why didn't you say something?"

"I don't know. Kristina came home and then Garrett… we were just busy…"

"Honey, you know they would have loved to hear the good news!" Alexis brushed her hand through the young girl's hair, "Talk to me…"

"I don't want to go." Molly stated her answer plainly, with little emotion evident in her voice.

"Kristina said that you had been talking about it… she said that you thought you had a bad feeling about leaving?"

"Maybe… I don't know." Molly took the papers from her mother's grasp and put them back in her book-bag, "I just don't want to go."

"Hey…" Alexis lifted her daughter's chin to meet her gaze, "That's okay. You know that's okay, right?"

"I guess…"

"Molly…" Alexis studied her carefully, "Honey, I have never seen you like this. Did something happen?"

"No, mom… nothing happened." She sighed, "I told you… I don't know why I don't want to go."

"You have to know why…"

"Mom…"

"Honey, if something happened and you feel…"

"Mom, nothing happened!" Molly was growing irritated, but Alexis wouldn't back down.

"You know, college is a special experience and if you want to…"

"Mom, I don't want to leave…" She shook her head, "I don't to leave home. I don't want to leave you."

Alexis was taken back when her daughter's weary eyes met hers at her confession, "Molly…"

"I don't want to talk about it anymore…" Molly started to get up and Alexis grabbed her hand, rising to meet her while simultaneously pulling her into her arms.

"I love you, so much." Alexis kissed her head, still holding her in her arms, "More than I could ever tell you in words. More than my own life."

"Don't say that!" Molly leaned back to look at her mother, her eyes now brimmed with tears, "Don't ever say that."

"Mol…" She started but Molly quickly pulled away and was gone before she could finish.