* Fools are we
If hate's the gate to peace
This is the last stop.
Marcus Taggert tapped his foot to the jukebox, as he sat in one of the secluded booths that lined the back of Lukes. From this location he would have a good vantage point for the night's festivities. Tonight, an eclectic crowd gathered to honor Alexis Davis. Rock stars and royalty, mobsters and millionaires were all here. It was quite a party. He smiled as he saw the stage crew setting up for the 'Idle Rich'. Luke Spencer would have a stroke, if he knew Claude was allowing Ned Ashton, a.k.a. Eddie Main of 'Eddie Main and the Idle Rich' to play at his blues club. He looked over at the bar and spotted a reporter from the local tabloid. She scanned the room and scribbled in her notebook. Taggert wasn't the only one interested in chronicling what was bound to be an interesting evening. He looked past the reporter and nodded to Capelli who had positioned himself at the end of the bar. The plain-clothes cop nodded almost imperceptibly in return. Between the two of them, they should be able to catch all the action. With any luck, someone would be in jail before the end of the night.
The jukebox filled the club with the sounds of jazz and rock n roll, as the door opened and Kristina and Ned entered. They were laughing and cuddling as they walked. Taggert shook his head in amazement. How had Ashton managed to date both the Cassadine women without one, or both of them killing him? Must be the rock star in him. After all he did manage to turn Alexis Davis into 'Eddie's Angel'. Taggert thought of the 'Eddie's Angel' poster that brought Ms Davis so much unwanted fame several years ago. That life-sized picture of the tough defense attorney in black lingerie, was a revelation. Until he'd seen it, he never looked past the business suits Ms Davis always wore. After he saw her as 'Eddie's Angel' he couldn't stop thinking about everything she hid under those multilayered, conservative outfits. He wondered what kind of woman she would be outside of the courtroom.
Kristina and Ned took seats at the main table near the stage. It was filled to near capacity. The ex-husband, Jasper Jacks, and his companion Skye Quartermain, were already seated, as was the nephew, Nikolas Cassadine. Seated with Nikolas was Gia Campbell. Taggert smiled as he looked at his sister. She looked every bit the supermodel she was on the verge of becoming, but he worried about her. She was wasting her life with the Cassadine Prince. Nikolas Cassadine was no good. He was a spoiled rich kid, who couldn't give his sister the love she deserved. Even worse, he was slowly turning into his father. Stavros Cassadine was a cruel manipulator, who was incapable of love, and he was a heartless murderer. Taggert feared for Gia. All the spawn of Helena Cassadine were bad news. The only decent Cassadines were Alexis and Kristina. Of course they weren't related to Helena.
Taggert surveyed the rest of the room. Business people, CEOs and entrepreneurs, criminals and attorneys, people from high and low society, friends, family and associates were all gathering to celebrate Alexis Davis' birthday. It was the first celebration of it's kind. It would probably be the last. Not many people were willing to miss it. The blues club quickly filled to capacity. Then Alexis entered and Taggert's jaw dropped. She was stunning. Dressed in a floor length, sleeveless dress, that shimmered dark blue and black, she glided into the club. The dress was split to mid thigh at the side, revealing her gorgeous legs. It was low cut in the front, even lower cut in the back and the fabric hugged all the best places. She was hiding none of her assets tonight. Damn, she looked fine! Taggert folded his hands on his lap to cover his tented trousers and tried to calm himself. Right now, he wasn't sure if he would be able to get up, if a real emergency required action.
Ms Davis was flanked on one side by her bodyguard, Johnny. He'd been her constant companion in public ever since that little incident at the Harbor View Towers. There was something fishy about the kidnaping attempt. Taggert was sure he hadn't heard the complete story. There was no way one bodyguard, could scare off three of Helena Cassadine's hired psychopaths. He knew the crime scene was tampered with. The parking garage was too clean. He could have sworn it had been steam cleaned. You could eat off that garage floor. Hell, you could perform surgery on it. It was spotless, sterile even. Taggert questioned everyone he could, but he didn't get any useful information from any of the witnesses. All their stories were thin. Their statements were light on facts and contained no truths at all, and the woman who entered Lukes on the other side of Ms Davis was responsible. Fleming Goeffin was a piece of work. Aggressive and obnoxious, the towering attorney just rubbed Taggert the wrong way. I bet that big time Boston lawyer is gay! She likes to intimidate people, especially men. Yeah, she must be gay.
As they walked through the club, Alexis strained her neck to look up at her friend. "Fleming did you have to wear those heels. You're dwarfing half the men in the room."
"Alexis, before the night is over, I expect to be working. Height can be very intimidating." Fleming smiled. "I like intimidating. It helps me in my work."
Johnny pulled out their chairs, as the two women sat down at the main table. He then positioned himself a short distance behind Alexis. He scanned the room for potential trouble. He quickly noted the locations of both Capelli and Taggert.
"Well I'm for anything that will help you with your work." Alexis grinned as a thought occurred. "You know, with you escorting me looking like an Amazon, people are going to think I'm your bitch." She pointed to the reporter at the bar. "See that woman over there? She works for the local tabloid. She's probably thinking up trashy headlines right now."
Fleming flashed an evil grin, grabbed Alexis' shoulders, leaned in low and whispered in her ear. "You want to give her something to write about?"
"You are a bad girl, Fleming." Alexis laughed. "The object of the game for me tonight, is to draw as little attention as possible. You're not helping."
"I'm not helping? You shouldn't have worn that dress! My goodness, Alexis! Has your client seen it yet?"
Alexis dropped her head and blushed. "Oh yeah! He's seen it. Why do you think we were so late?"
Taggert watched as Fleming leaned down to whisper something in Alexis' ear. She was rubbing her shoulders. Alexis whispered back, laughed, then blushed. Please god, tell me Alexis Davis is not gay! What a total waste of womanhood that would be! Still the two of them together . . . The thought of Alexis Davis and Fleming Goeffin as a couple didn't help him with his trouser problem at all, if anything it was getting worse. Taggert shifted his gaze down the bar and found Laura Spencer's executive assistant, Elton, chatting up Sonny Corinthos' bookkeeper, Benny. Was Elton hitting on him or was it the other way around? Benny appeared to be buying Elton a drink. The evening just kept getting curiouser and curiouser.
When Taggert's gaze returned to the main table, he found the processional had begun. People were lining up to extend their good wishes. It was like watching royalty. He realized he was watching royalty. Alexis Davis was a Cassadine Princess. She was regal. Even in that gloriously form fitting dress, which caused him so much distress, she radiated elegance. With a touch, a handshake or an embrace, she greeted the well-wishers with kindness and warmth. Each guest was captivated by her charm. Taggert was mesmerized. He had always seen her in attorney mode, aggressively defending her clients, now he saw another side. He saw class, kindness and charm, all in one beautiful package. He wondered whether a defense attorney would be willing to date a cop.
She was greeting Lila Quartermain now. Taggert could see the affection the two women shared as they embraced. His mind filled with an image of Alexis Davis at Lila's age. He knew she would age with the same grace as the matriarch of the Quartermain clan. They were both women of great style. He watched as Alexis enchanted the cantankerous, Edward Quartermain who turned on the charm in response. The old man held her hand and flirted with his eyes as he gave his birthday wishes. Then Reginald paid his respects. He held her in the same high esteem he reserved for his beloved Mrs. Quartermain. Alexis thanked him and gave him a huge hug.
When Zander Smith paid his respects, Ms Davis was almost maternal. She embraced her client with love and insisted he sit with her. The hot-headed thug Taggert knew, was transformed into a polite young man, proud to sit at her side and eager to please. She doted on him gently patting his hand as they laughed and talked.
Then Sonny Corinthos entered. She stopped talking. All conversation in the room halted. The only sounds in the club were the tense, pulsating strains of electric violin and base guitar coming from the jukebox.
** I've this creeping suspicion
That things here are not as they seem
Oh reassure me
Why do I feel as if I'm in too deep
Alexis pulled her hands off the table and rested them in her lap. Her eyes locked with Sonny's as she watched him walk to her table. Everyone watched him. This was the most dangerous man in Port Charles.
Oh I've been praying
For some way to show them I'm not what they see
Yes I have done wrong
But, what I did, I thought needed be done
I swear
Sonny was using every means at his disposal to maintain control. She was magnificent. Surrounded by friends and family, accepting the love and admiration that were her due, she was shining. He'd never seen her more beautiful. He remembered earlier in the day when she came to him wearing that dress. She crossed the hall to ask him to help her with her mother's necklace. The dress was made to showcase it. The shimmering blue/black material complemented the stones. She took his breath away. She handed him the necklace and turned away from him so he could clasp it at her back. Instead he put the jewels aside and turned her in his arms. It started with a slow sensuous kiss. They wanted to savor the moment. It might be the last time they would ever be together. They both had tears in their eyes as he carried her to his bed, each vowing to make enough memories to last a lifetime if necessary.
I need you so
To stay in your arms, see you smile hold you close
And it weighs on me
As heavy as stone and a bone chilling cold
Sonny held his hands behind his back and kept his features expressionless, as he walked through Lukes. All he wanted to do was sweep Alexis up in his arms and hold her. He was tired of all the hiding and deception, tired of hiding his feelings for her from the world, tired of deceiving her about his plans for Helena. He planned to kill Helena tonight. His men had already grabbed her and were in the process of delivering her to him. They would have a short conversation. He would explain to Helena why she must remove all threats against Alexis. He would make her the proverbial 'offer she couldn't refuse', ensure Alexis' safety and that of her sister, then he would dispose of Helena once and for all.
Alexis watched Sonny approach. She kept her arms under the table. She couldn't trust herself not to reach out to him. She held her face impassive as he approached. This was the part of the night she dreaded. She wanted to touch him, to hold him, but instead she needed to be doubly duplicitous. She had to hide her feelings for Sonny from the prying eyes of the room and she had to hide her plans from Sonny. She knew he planned to have Helena delivered here later tonight. She knew he planned to meet with her, then kill her. Alexis couldn't allow that. She couldn't allow him to murder for her. But she did need him to grab Helena off her yacht and deliver her here, where her men could take over. Then she and Helena would have one final talk.
Marcus Taggert leaned forward and stared. Alexis' whole demeanor changed when Corinthos approached. All her warmth left her. She seemed to shut down. The closer he got, the more remote she became. She didn't smile. She didn't even shake his hand. She simply accepted his best wishes with a small nod of her head and watched him as he walked away. When had this coldness started? Was it after her sister was attacked? There was something more to the attempted abduction. Maybe it wasn't Helena Cassadine. Maybe it was business related. Could the attack on Kristina have caused trouble in Sonny's legal paradise? Could it be possible that Alexis Davis was getting ready to dump Sonny Corinthos as a client? He watched her with hope in his heart. If she could rid herself of Corinthos, maybe she could consider a relationship with someone from the right side of the law. He would love to see Alexis Davis move out of his fantasies and into the realm of wonderful possibilities. Taggert was so focused on the possibilities that he didn't see Sonny slip out of the club. His trousers were tenting again. He looked down at 'Little Marcus' and smiled. "There may be hope for us yet, little buddy!"
.
.
The 'Idle Rich' were starting their first set and Kristina was getting ready to go on stage when Benny approached the main table. He nodded to Johnny, then bent low at the waist and kissed Alexis' hand.
"Happy Birthday Ms Davis! Could you possibly honor me with a dance?"
"Benny, you are such a gentleman. How could I refuse?" She accompanied him to the dance floor.
Benny felt a little like a father dancing at his daughter's coming out party. He was proud to have Alexis on his arm and she seemed delighted to be dancing with him.
"It's quite a crowd you've drawn, Ms Davis."
"Yeah, who knew?" Alexis blushed slightly as she looked down.
Benny smiled at the modest woman in his arms. "I think we all knew, but apparently you didn't. You seem surprised at the level of admiration in which you are held."
"Well frankly, I am."
"We all hold you in high regard. I hold you in high regard."
Alexis leaned back in his arms and eyed him with suspicion. "Benny, I appreciate all the high regarding going on here, but that's not why we're dancing is it?"
"No ma'am. I have a message from Max. The 'package' has arrived. It's being delivered to Luke's office right now."
Alexis worked hard not to let her mouth drop in shock. "You know about the 'package'?"
Benny nodded.
"And you're telling me?" Alexis searched his eyes. "You know, don't you Benny?"
"Yes ma'am"
"How?"
"Well, I encountered some discrepancies, with Johnny, Max and Adam."
"Discrepancies? You encountered discrepancies? What discrepancies did you find, Benny?"
"They haven't picked up their pay in three weeks. That's never happened before. I did some checking and found they don't work for Mr. Corinthos anymore."
"And you know who they work for, don't you Benny?"
"Yes ma'am I do."
"And you've decided to help? Benny, why?"
Benny was solemn. "They have a debt of honor. You have a debt of honor."
"Well God bless 'The Code'. Thank you Benny." As they danced, Alexis glanced over toward the secluded booth at the end of the bar. "I need to get to Luke's office, but lieutenant Taggert seems to be particularly focused on me tonight."
Benny smiled. Ms Davis had no idea how beautiful she was. It only added to her charm. "You shouldn't have worn that dress. No one can take their eyes off of you tonight."
"Really?" Alexis glanced around the room. There did seem to be quite a few men eyeing her. Taggert was practically drooling. She blushed. "Benny you are too kind, but the problem remains. How do I get to Luke's office without Taggert and Capelli noticing?"
"I had an idea about that. I've enlisted some help."
"Who?"
"Elton"
"Elton?" Alexis looked over at the bar where Elton was sitting. He was watching them dance. He was watching Benny dance. She smiled. "Oh Benny, I think he likes you!"
"No I don't think so." It was Benny's turn to blush.
"I do. What's not to like, Benny? You're a man of mystery, with a hint of danger about you. That's hard to resist. Believe me I know."
"I'm a quiet man, Ms Davis. Elton is..." Benny searched for kind words to describe Elton's frenetic nature. "Elton is intense. And he's a bit of a talker."
Alexis smiled as she rested her head on his shoulder. They swayed with the music. "You never know, Benny. Stranger couples have happened." Never in her wildest dreams would she have pictured herself with Sonny. "So how is Elton going to help us?"
"He's going to take care of lieutenant Taggert. I'll take care of Mr. Capelli. Just wait, when the time is right, it will be obvious!" Benny guided Alexis back to her seat. He caught Elton's eye and gave him a small nod. As she sat down, Alexis silently informed Fleming and Johnny that the moment was at hand.
Elton put his finger to the side of his nose, in his best Paul Newman in 'The Sting', impersonation. Drink in hand, he walked the length of the bar to the booth where lieutenant Taggert was hiding. Taggert didn't notice Elton's approach. He was still captivated with Alexis. The dance had given him a wonderful view of the low-cut back of her dress. His trouser problem was in full force. Elton noticed his distress and decided to go with it. He walked directly in front of Taggert, blocking his view and gestured with his drink at the tent crowning his groin.
"What ya got in the pup tent, boy scout?" This was exciting. He'd never flirted with a real undercover cop. He moved in closer, with a lascivious smile. "I can help you with that. Trust me. I can make you a happy camper!"
"What?"
Taggert was desperately trying to see around Elton. He moved his head to the right and tried to shove Elton to the left. As soon as he touched him, the drink flew into the air and Elton let out a high-pitched scream. It cut through the music filled room and hurt every ear in the place. All eyes turned toward Taggert as Elton fell into his lap. Taggert was unprepared for the assault. He groaned in pain. Elton might as well have kicked him in the groin. He reached for the injured area, but Elton was already covering it, so his hands instead ended up around Elton's waist. Their position was most compromising. Elton squealed.
The tabloid reporter looked over and began scribbling furiously. Capelli jumped off his bar stool and headed for his boss. Benny strategically placed a foot in his path. He fell face first to the floor. Peanut shells and stale pretzels stuck to his cheek as he tried to rise. He looked down the length of the bar and saw Elton squirming in Taggert's lap.
"Lieutenant Taggert, I am not that kind of girl!" Elton began slapping at his hands. "Let go of me now, or I swear I will sue you and the PCPD. This is harassment!"
Taggert tried to stand up. He leaned forward in the chair and unceremoniously dumped Elton to the floor. He managed to stand but the pain in his groin kept him hunched over. He stumbled out of the booth trying to catch his breath. When he was finally able to straighten up, he scanned a crowd of faces. He cursed under his breath. Everyone in the room was staring at him. Everyone except Alexis Davis, she was nowhere to be found.
* "The Last Stop" - Dave Matthews Band
** "The Stone" - Dave Matthews Band
If hate's the gate to peace
This is the last stop.
Marcus Taggert tapped his foot to the jukebox, as he sat in one of the secluded booths that lined the back of Lukes. From this location he would have a good vantage point for the night's festivities. Tonight, an eclectic crowd gathered to honor Alexis Davis. Rock stars and royalty, mobsters and millionaires were all here. It was quite a party. He smiled as he saw the stage crew setting up for the 'Idle Rich'. Luke Spencer would have a stroke, if he knew Claude was allowing Ned Ashton, a.k.a. Eddie Main of 'Eddie Main and the Idle Rich' to play at his blues club. He looked over at the bar and spotted a reporter from the local tabloid. She scanned the room and scribbled in her notebook. Taggert wasn't the only one interested in chronicling what was bound to be an interesting evening. He looked past the reporter and nodded to Capelli who had positioned himself at the end of the bar. The plain-clothes cop nodded almost imperceptibly in return. Between the two of them, they should be able to catch all the action. With any luck, someone would be in jail before the end of the night.
The jukebox filled the club with the sounds of jazz and rock n roll, as the door opened and Kristina and Ned entered. They were laughing and cuddling as they walked. Taggert shook his head in amazement. How had Ashton managed to date both the Cassadine women without one, or both of them killing him? Must be the rock star in him. After all he did manage to turn Alexis Davis into 'Eddie's Angel'. Taggert thought of the 'Eddie's Angel' poster that brought Ms Davis so much unwanted fame several years ago. That life-sized picture of the tough defense attorney in black lingerie, was a revelation. Until he'd seen it, he never looked past the business suits Ms Davis always wore. After he saw her as 'Eddie's Angel' he couldn't stop thinking about everything she hid under those multilayered, conservative outfits. He wondered what kind of woman she would be outside of the courtroom.
Kristina and Ned took seats at the main table near the stage. It was filled to near capacity. The ex-husband, Jasper Jacks, and his companion Skye Quartermain, were already seated, as was the nephew, Nikolas Cassadine. Seated with Nikolas was Gia Campbell. Taggert smiled as he looked at his sister. She looked every bit the supermodel she was on the verge of becoming, but he worried about her. She was wasting her life with the Cassadine Prince. Nikolas Cassadine was no good. He was a spoiled rich kid, who couldn't give his sister the love she deserved. Even worse, he was slowly turning into his father. Stavros Cassadine was a cruel manipulator, who was incapable of love, and he was a heartless murderer. Taggert feared for Gia. All the spawn of Helena Cassadine were bad news. The only decent Cassadines were Alexis and Kristina. Of course they weren't related to Helena.
Taggert surveyed the rest of the room. Business people, CEOs and entrepreneurs, criminals and attorneys, people from high and low society, friends, family and associates were all gathering to celebrate Alexis Davis' birthday. It was the first celebration of it's kind. It would probably be the last. Not many people were willing to miss it. The blues club quickly filled to capacity. Then Alexis entered and Taggert's jaw dropped. She was stunning. Dressed in a floor length, sleeveless dress, that shimmered dark blue and black, she glided into the club. The dress was split to mid thigh at the side, revealing her gorgeous legs. It was low cut in the front, even lower cut in the back and the fabric hugged all the best places. She was hiding none of her assets tonight. Damn, she looked fine! Taggert folded his hands on his lap to cover his tented trousers and tried to calm himself. Right now, he wasn't sure if he would be able to get up, if a real emergency required action.
Ms Davis was flanked on one side by her bodyguard, Johnny. He'd been her constant companion in public ever since that little incident at the Harbor View Towers. There was something fishy about the kidnaping attempt. Taggert was sure he hadn't heard the complete story. There was no way one bodyguard, could scare off three of Helena Cassadine's hired psychopaths. He knew the crime scene was tampered with. The parking garage was too clean. He could have sworn it had been steam cleaned. You could eat off that garage floor. Hell, you could perform surgery on it. It was spotless, sterile even. Taggert questioned everyone he could, but he didn't get any useful information from any of the witnesses. All their stories were thin. Their statements were light on facts and contained no truths at all, and the woman who entered Lukes on the other side of Ms Davis was responsible. Fleming Goeffin was a piece of work. Aggressive and obnoxious, the towering attorney just rubbed Taggert the wrong way. I bet that big time Boston lawyer is gay! She likes to intimidate people, especially men. Yeah, she must be gay.
As they walked through the club, Alexis strained her neck to look up at her friend. "Fleming did you have to wear those heels. You're dwarfing half the men in the room."
"Alexis, before the night is over, I expect to be working. Height can be very intimidating." Fleming smiled. "I like intimidating. It helps me in my work."
Johnny pulled out their chairs, as the two women sat down at the main table. He then positioned himself a short distance behind Alexis. He scanned the room for potential trouble. He quickly noted the locations of both Capelli and Taggert.
"Well I'm for anything that will help you with your work." Alexis grinned as a thought occurred. "You know, with you escorting me looking like an Amazon, people are going to think I'm your bitch." She pointed to the reporter at the bar. "See that woman over there? She works for the local tabloid. She's probably thinking up trashy headlines right now."
Fleming flashed an evil grin, grabbed Alexis' shoulders, leaned in low and whispered in her ear. "You want to give her something to write about?"
"You are a bad girl, Fleming." Alexis laughed. "The object of the game for me tonight, is to draw as little attention as possible. You're not helping."
"I'm not helping? You shouldn't have worn that dress! My goodness, Alexis! Has your client seen it yet?"
Alexis dropped her head and blushed. "Oh yeah! He's seen it. Why do you think we were so late?"
Taggert watched as Fleming leaned down to whisper something in Alexis' ear. She was rubbing her shoulders. Alexis whispered back, laughed, then blushed. Please god, tell me Alexis Davis is not gay! What a total waste of womanhood that would be! Still the two of them together . . . The thought of Alexis Davis and Fleming Goeffin as a couple didn't help him with his trouser problem at all, if anything it was getting worse. Taggert shifted his gaze down the bar and found Laura Spencer's executive assistant, Elton, chatting up Sonny Corinthos' bookkeeper, Benny. Was Elton hitting on him or was it the other way around? Benny appeared to be buying Elton a drink. The evening just kept getting curiouser and curiouser.
When Taggert's gaze returned to the main table, he found the processional had begun. People were lining up to extend their good wishes. It was like watching royalty. He realized he was watching royalty. Alexis Davis was a Cassadine Princess. She was regal. Even in that gloriously form fitting dress, which caused him so much distress, she radiated elegance. With a touch, a handshake or an embrace, she greeted the well-wishers with kindness and warmth. Each guest was captivated by her charm. Taggert was mesmerized. He had always seen her in attorney mode, aggressively defending her clients, now he saw another side. He saw class, kindness and charm, all in one beautiful package. He wondered whether a defense attorney would be willing to date a cop.
She was greeting Lila Quartermain now. Taggert could see the affection the two women shared as they embraced. His mind filled with an image of Alexis Davis at Lila's age. He knew she would age with the same grace as the matriarch of the Quartermain clan. They were both women of great style. He watched as Alexis enchanted the cantankerous, Edward Quartermain who turned on the charm in response. The old man held her hand and flirted with his eyes as he gave his birthday wishes. Then Reginald paid his respects. He held her in the same high esteem he reserved for his beloved Mrs. Quartermain. Alexis thanked him and gave him a huge hug.
When Zander Smith paid his respects, Ms Davis was almost maternal. She embraced her client with love and insisted he sit with her. The hot-headed thug Taggert knew, was transformed into a polite young man, proud to sit at her side and eager to please. She doted on him gently patting his hand as they laughed and talked.
Then Sonny Corinthos entered. She stopped talking. All conversation in the room halted. The only sounds in the club were the tense, pulsating strains of electric violin and base guitar coming from the jukebox.
** I've this creeping suspicion
That things here are not as they seem
Oh reassure me
Why do I feel as if I'm in too deep
Alexis pulled her hands off the table and rested them in her lap. Her eyes locked with Sonny's as she watched him walk to her table. Everyone watched him. This was the most dangerous man in Port Charles.
Oh I've been praying
For some way to show them I'm not what they see
Yes I have done wrong
But, what I did, I thought needed be done
I swear
Sonny was using every means at his disposal to maintain control. She was magnificent. Surrounded by friends and family, accepting the love and admiration that were her due, she was shining. He'd never seen her more beautiful. He remembered earlier in the day when she came to him wearing that dress. She crossed the hall to ask him to help her with her mother's necklace. The dress was made to showcase it. The shimmering blue/black material complemented the stones. She took his breath away. She handed him the necklace and turned away from him so he could clasp it at her back. Instead he put the jewels aside and turned her in his arms. It started with a slow sensuous kiss. They wanted to savor the moment. It might be the last time they would ever be together. They both had tears in their eyes as he carried her to his bed, each vowing to make enough memories to last a lifetime if necessary.
I need you so
To stay in your arms, see you smile hold you close
And it weighs on me
As heavy as stone and a bone chilling cold
Sonny held his hands behind his back and kept his features expressionless, as he walked through Lukes. All he wanted to do was sweep Alexis up in his arms and hold her. He was tired of all the hiding and deception, tired of hiding his feelings for her from the world, tired of deceiving her about his plans for Helena. He planned to kill Helena tonight. His men had already grabbed her and were in the process of delivering her to him. They would have a short conversation. He would explain to Helena why she must remove all threats against Alexis. He would make her the proverbial 'offer she couldn't refuse', ensure Alexis' safety and that of her sister, then he would dispose of Helena once and for all.
Alexis watched Sonny approach. She kept her arms under the table. She couldn't trust herself not to reach out to him. She held her face impassive as he approached. This was the part of the night she dreaded. She wanted to touch him, to hold him, but instead she needed to be doubly duplicitous. She had to hide her feelings for Sonny from the prying eyes of the room and she had to hide her plans from Sonny. She knew he planned to have Helena delivered here later tonight. She knew he planned to meet with her, then kill her. Alexis couldn't allow that. She couldn't allow him to murder for her. But she did need him to grab Helena off her yacht and deliver her here, where her men could take over. Then she and Helena would have one final talk.
Marcus Taggert leaned forward and stared. Alexis' whole demeanor changed when Corinthos approached. All her warmth left her. She seemed to shut down. The closer he got, the more remote she became. She didn't smile. She didn't even shake his hand. She simply accepted his best wishes with a small nod of her head and watched him as he walked away. When had this coldness started? Was it after her sister was attacked? There was something more to the attempted abduction. Maybe it wasn't Helena Cassadine. Maybe it was business related. Could the attack on Kristina have caused trouble in Sonny's legal paradise? Could it be possible that Alexis Davis was getting ready to dump Sonny Corinthos as a client? He watched her with hope in his heart. If she could rid herself of Corinthos, maybe she could consider a relationship with someone from the right side of the law. He would love to see Alexis Davis move out of his fantasies and into the realm of wonderful possibilities. Taggert was so focused on the possibilities that he didn't see Sonny slip out of the club. His trousers were tenting again. He looked down at 'Little Marcus' and smiled. "There may be hope for us yet, little buddy!"
.
.
The 'Idle Rich' were starting their first set and Kristina was getting ready to go on stage when Benny approached the main table. He nodded to Johnny, then bent low at the waist and kissed Alexis' hand.
"Happy Birthday Ms Davis! Could you possibly honor me with a dance?"
"Benny, you are such a gentleman. How could I refuse?" She accompanied him to the dance floor.
Benny felt a little like a father dancing at his daughter's coming out party. He was proud to have Alexis on his arm and she seemed delighted to be dancing with him.
"It's quite a crowd you've drawn, Ms Davis."
"Yeah, who knew?" Alexis blushed slightly as she looked down.
Benny smiled at the modest woman in his arms. "I think we all knew, but apparently you didn't. You seem surprised at the level of admiration in which you are held."
"Well frankly, I am."
"We all hold you in high regard. I hold you in high regard."
Alexis leaned back in his arms and eyed him with suspicion. "Benny, I appreciate all the high regarding going on here, but that's not why we're dancing is it?"
"No ma'am. I have a message from Max. The 'package' has arrived. It's being delivered to Luke's office right now."
Alexis worked hard not to let her mouth drop in shock. "You know about the 'package'?"
Benny nodded.
"And you're telling me?" Alexis searched his eyes. "You know, don't you Benny?"
"Yes ma'am"
"How?"
"Well, I encountered some discrepancies, with Johnny, Max and Adam."
"Discrepancies? You encountered discrepancies? What discrepancies did you find, Benny?"
"They haven't picked up their pay in three weeks. That's never happened before. I did some checking and found they don't work for Mr. Corinthos anymore."
"And you know who they work for, don't you Benny?"
"Yes ma'am I do."
"And you've decided to help? Benny, why?"
Benny was solemn. "They have a debt of honor. You have a debt of honor."
"Well God bless 'The Code'. Thank you Benny." As they danced, Alexis glanced over toward the secluded booth at the end of the bar. "I need to get to Luke's office, but lieutenant Taggert seems to be particularly focused on me tonight."
Benny smiled. Ms Davis had no idea how beautiful she was. It only added to her charm. "You shouldn't have worn that dress. No one can take their eyes off of you tonight."
"Really?" Alexis glanced around the room. There did seem to be quite a few men eyeing her. Taggert was practically drooling. She blushed. "Benny you are too kind, but the problem remains. How do I get to Luke's office without Taggert and Capelli noticing?"
"I had an idea about that. I've enlisted some help."
"Who?"
"Elton"
"Elton?" Alexis looked over at the bar where Elton was sitting. He was watching them dance. He was watching Benny dance. She smiled. "Oh Benny, I think he likes you!"
"No I don't think so." It was Benny's turn to blush.
"I do. What's not to like, Benny? You're a man of mystery, with a hint of danger about you. That's hard to resist. Believe me I know."
"I'm a quiet man, Ms Davis. Elton is..." Benny searched for kind words to describe Elton's frenetic nature. "Elton is intense. And he's a bit of a talker."
Alexis smiled as she rested her head on his shoulder. They swayed with the music. "You never know, Benny. Stranger couples have happened." Never in her wildest dreams would she have pictured herself with Sonny. "So how is Elton going to help us?"
"He's going to take care of lieutenant Taggert. I'll take care of Mr. Capelli. Just wait, when the time is right, it will be obvious!" Benny guided Alexis back to her seat. He caught Elton's eye and gave him a small nod. As she sat down, Alexis silently informed Fleming and Johnny that the moment was at hand.
Elton put his finger to the side of his nose, in his best Paul Newman in 'The Sting', impersonation. Drink in hand, he walked the length of the bar to the booth where lieutenant Taggert was hiding. Taggert didn't notice Elton's approach. He was still captivated with Alexis. The dance had given him a wonderful view of the low-cut back of her dress. His trouser problem was in full force. Elton noticed his distress and decided to go with it. He walked directly in front of Taggert, blocking his view and gestured with his drink at the tent crowning his groin.
"What ya got in the pup tent, boy scout?" This was exciting. He'd never flirted with a real undercover cop. He moved in closer, with a lascivious smile. "I can help you with that. Trust me. I can make you a happy camper!"
"What?"
Taggert was desperately trying to see around Elton. He moved his head to the right and tried to shove Elton to the left. As soon as he touched him, the drink flew into the air and Elton let out a high-pitched scream. It cut through the music filled room and hurt every ear in the place. All eyes turned toward Taggert as Elton fell into his lap. Taggert was unprepared for the assault. He groaned in pain. Elton might as well have kicked him in the groin. He reached for the injured area, but Elton was already covering it, so his hands instead ended up around Elton's waist. Their position was most compromising. Elton squealed.
The tabloid reporter looked over and began scribbling furiously. Capelli jumped off his bar stool and headed for his boss. Benny strategically placed a foot in his path. He fell face first to the floor. Peanut shells and stale pretzels stuck to his cheek as he tried to rise. He looked down the length of the bar and saw Elton squirming in Taggert's lap.
"Lieutenant Taggert, I am not that kind of girl!" Elton began slapping at his hands. "Let go of me now, or I swear I will sue you and the PCPD. This is harassment!"
Taggert tried to stand up. He leaned forward in the chair and unceremoniously dumped Elton to the floor. He managed to stand but the pain in his groin kept him hunched over. He stumbled out of the booth trying to catch his breath. When he was finally able to straighten up, he scanned a crowd of faces. He cursed under his breath. Everyone in the room was staring at him. Everyone except Alexis Davis, she was nowhere to be found.
* "The Last Stop" - Dave Matthews Band
** "The Stone" - Dave Matthews Band