The next morning Alexis rolled out of bed late. It was 9AM she got hurriedly dressed and showered. This was the first time in a very long time she was late for any class. What is wrong with me? Alexis thought as she rushed into her Physical Science class. I'm going to be a doctor so why did I choose this class she thought as the instructor droned on.
Rushing out of the apt she did not notice that no one was there. But right now she was hurrying to her Psych class. She only had two Classes today. Later she will discuss with Gramps over Lunch what is wrong but for now I need to pay attention.
7am earlier that Day the whole family was welcoming Fred and Martha Heathers the girls were so excited to see their parents again. Everyone got in the vehicles and headed to Atlantic City where later that day would be the prelims for the real pageant in a few days.
It was 9am check in Carrie was so nervous then she was led away to participate in all the prep. Martha H. and Martha decided to go to their rooms provided by the pageant for the family. Robert and Fred decided to hit the poker tables. Fred was getting the measure of the Man of his girl's been talking so much about. After losing 300 dollars Fred was going to leave.
"Hold on Fred if you need to be spotted some money I'm your guy!" Robert said since he was enjoying Fred's company. He was so down to earth literally.
"No not really Robert I have a firm limit of gambling only .1% of my income. I may be a poor dairy farmer but it's served me well over the years." Fred replied.
"A Man with limits I like that but I wish you would reconsider, Do it for me as a personal favor?" Robert asked.
The rest of the poker players were getting restless.
Fred thought about it. He did really want to know him better and there is no better way than over a poker table.
"Ok Robert, lend me a thousand and I will continue" Fred said.
"Not a problem" Robert said. His personal worth was close to his son's.
Robert took one of his Thousand dollar chips off his stack and had the dealer convert it into smaller amounts and pushed it toward Fred.
Fred continued the game and the pot grew bigger and bigger. Finally it was only Robert and Fred plus the dealer in play. Fred threw down 3 cards and when he looked at them he internally smiled. 4 queens and a 9. Fred's face was blank. Blanker than Robert had ever seen before his trained eye was looking for any tell but Fred was as rigid as a board. There was no tell visible. Robert was beginning to sweat. He only had 3 Aces and 2 and K. There is no way to take this he thought as he dropped down 2 cards. The tension was mounting between these two men Robert picked up his two card. J and 5. Robert knew he had lost but he put all in and called.
Fred never been in a High Stake Poker game before pushed all in and revealed his 4 Q.
Robert had lost in a most spectacular fashion. Before the final draw the TV poker people were intrigued over the game and broadcasting it live. Also there was quite a crowd gathered as this game was one of the longest poker game ever seen over 7 hours of riveting passion. Even the two Martha's came down to root for their men.
It was finally 8 at night when Fred returned the 1000 dollar chip to Robert. Fred had won 20,000 in this poker game. The Two men shook hands and were interviewed by the poker people. The President was watching the poker channel and noticed his old friend had lost! He was dumbfounded. Robert never lost at anything! So the man of Steel does have feet of Clay after all! He said to himself.
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Back in the City the next day Alexis again hurrying because she was daydreaming missed the lunch date with her Gramps then came in late in the Morgue too.
Jim Beckett was worried when Alexis did not show at her normal time. It was totally unlike that girl to miss their Lunch together. He sat there and pondered as he sent a text to her phone. The text was never replied.
Lanie was there and was surprised to see Alexis come rushing in.
"Alexis did not you tell me you were taking today off?" Lanie asked confused.
What? Alexis said. She was stopped in her tracks by Lanie's question. She has been so scatter brained for awhile and she did not remember whether she did ask for time off or not.
"Well since you are here prep Mr. Abernathy please" Lanie said.
"Yes of course" Alexis went around catalogued the belongings and removed the bloody clothing then tagged them for trace. She rinsed off the body and carefully combed his hair to find any particle trace then she had the body dried and ready for Lanie's autopsy. She then assisted with the Autopsy. She noticed the hairline tear right at the hairline of the
victim Lanie inspecting the skull found the source of the death behind the fracture a massive hematoma. Alexis felt good that she had located the real cause of death not the stabbing.
"Keen observation Alexis! I'll make an ME out of you yet!" Lanie praised.
Soon she was finished and went upstairs to see her Dad and Kate. Getting to the Floor Ryan was sitting at his desk.
"Hey Little Castle what brings you up here and why are you still here?" Ryan asked. He was still trying to wrap his head around her being blonde instead of the Red hair he so loved on her.
"I came up to see Mom and Dad" she replied.
"What they left at noon don't you remember?" Ryan asked worriedly.
"I don't remember" Alexis said.
Ryan said "well I am leaving now are you ok do you want a ride somewhere?"
"Yeah Kevin I would appreciate a ride to the loft." Alexis answered.
Ryan shrugged and got up then escorted Alexis to his cruiser. Soon he had deposited Alexis at the front door.
"I'll see you later? Little Castle!" Ryan said as he drove away.
Alexis came to the loft door and opened it. She looked around no one was there. She could not remember why and where did everyone go?
She saw the liquor cabinet. Well one drink would not be a problem. She thought.
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The whole family was there to root Carrie on. She had past the prelims and she was about to take the stage for the swimsuit competition.
Jim Beckett found Kate and asked "where is Alexis?"
"What Dad?" Kate asked.
"Alexis where is she?" Jim asked again getting worried.
"I don't know she was not coming down with you? Kate answered.
"Kate I was with you!" Jim replied.
"Oh Yeah is this not so exciting!" Kate said watching all the goings on.
"Yeah it does bring me back to your modeling days." Jim agreed.
"Let me find Rick." Kate said. Jim tagged along.
Rick was with his mother and fusing over Claire and Carrie giving her last minute instructions.
"Rick where is Alexis?" Jim asked worriedly.
"I do not know! She is a grown woman now. I have to let go" Rick said.
"You boneheaded man! You just do not abandon her!" Jim screamed.
"What?" Rick said.
"Give me the keys to the SUV! I need to get back to the city. She is not answering her cell!" Jim said hurriedly.
"Ok Jim here you are if you find anything give me a call." Rick said as he handed over the SUV keys.
Jim ran out of the casino and got into the SUV and rushed back to the city.
Jim thought the Loft would the first place to look. So he parked the SUV in its normal spot and ran up 4 flights of stairs. He was so worried he dropped the keys to the loft twice. Finally opening the door he was confronted with Alexis past out and 3 empty liquor bottles!
"Oh Alexis" he cried out and tried to arouse her. She was unresponsive. So he picked her up and carried her to the SUV. All the while talking to her trying to get some sort of response!
Jim called Rick.
"Rick I found Alexis unconscious I am heading to the hospital I hope I am not too late!"
Jim said while driving like a Mad Man!
Rick dropped the phone. Kate looked at her husband as he began to cry, Kate picking up he phone heard her father's voice saying he is at St. Brigit Hospital and Alexis is being admitted.
Rick crumpled and sitting in a chair was unmoving.
Kate got a hold of Martha and told her what her father had said!
Rick snapping out of his state asked for his phone back. Kate handed to him. Soon they were all on the roof of the Hotel with a Helo waiting. Climbing in the three of them rushed back to New York. Rick had chartered a Helo for the 30 min trip to New York. Rick was very worried about his eldest. Martha held his hand while Kate held the other. The Helo touched down at the hospital and they got out and headed to receptions. There they were met by a very angry Jim Beckett. He did not say a word but Kate had never seen her father that angry before.
Getting to the waiting area there was no one there except them.
Jim turned to Rick and with eyes of fire said "You abandoned YOUR CHILD! What sort of father does that? She has been trying to get your attention for weeks but did you listen NO YOU DID NOT! So are you listening NOW?"
Rick was taken back by the ferocity of Jim's attack!
"Wait she is a grown woman. I was supposed to let her go!" Rick retorted.
"Yes let her go but not cut her off completely! When was the last time you talked to her?" Jim sneered.
Rick felt ashamed that is exactly what he did cut her out of his life completely.
"And You Martha! You did exactly the same thing! She depended on you but did you listen NO you did not and this is the results!" Jim roared.
Martha felt ashamed she had been too busy with Carrie and Robert. She had not had time for her first Grandchild! She was confident she could handle the neglect but she was so wrong!
"This is what happens when the safety net was pulled!" Jim calmly explained.
Both Martha and Rick were appalled at their behavior. Kate was stunned she had no idea this was happening. She had been trying to reach out to Alexis.
"We are going to need to search that apt and find all her hidden stashes! I am sure there are quite a lot" Jim replied.
"You need to think of the next steps carefully!" Jim said.
Rick recovering his voice "Do you think rehab is the answer?"
"No Rick she is not that far gone but some Parental discipline from You is certainly warranted." Jim replied.
Rick thoughtfully shook his head over the situation.
"If she survives this she will need counseling" Kate softly said. "I know a very good one."
"Katie that is good. I think I will sponsor her in my AA meetings too." Jim said.
Rick thought "she has to come home to the loft!"
"Yes Rick I agree. You will need to take time off! Your contract with the city allows you do it at any time. This time is now!" Kate said as she switched to her administrative hat. "I will make all the necessary arrangements!"
The waiting was only broken by a phone call to Martha. It was from Robert. Carrie had won 3rd Place! Martha then related the problem with Alexis. Robert knew something was up the other day Alcoholism he should have known! Robert made a promise to get the rest of the family home safely.
The night drew longer and the doctor finally appeared. "Family of Alexis Castle?"
All 4 of them rose.
"I am Dr. Howard. I say she is a very lucky young woman. She had acute alcohol poisoning. If she was not seen right away she would not have made it. Her alcohol level was 3.1 that was at a very deadly level. Now she is awake and we have given her drugs to counteract the alcohol. One at a time you can see her now please follow me." He said.
Everyone looked at Rick he should be the first one she sees.
Rick followed the doctor to the private room.
"The room is dark to prevent Eye discomfort. Go right in." The doctor said.
Rick opened the door there sat his eldest Child in the middle of this big bed.
"Alexis my Pumpkin I am so sorry!" Rick said as he rushed to hug her.
Alexis cried too. "I am so sorry Dad I just do not have any control! You were gone and I was feeling so sorry for myself. I passed out I came too here. I am scared Daddy! What is wrong with me?"
"I don't know Alexis but I will find out! I am sorry I abandoned you. I thought I was doing the right thing allowing you to live your life but I see I did wrong please forgive me" Rick was crying along with Alexis.
"I forgive you Daddy." Alexis said between sobs. "Can you forgive me?"
"Of course I can Alexis you are my Eldest Child! I will always forgive you!" Rick cried out.
Once they are all cried out. Rick told her that others were waiting to see her too. That he would be back tomorrow.
Alexis was sad to see her Father leave but she was anxious about what the others would say.
Next in was Martha and she and Alexis had the same cryingfest as she did with her father.
Then she left and Kate came in another cryingfest happened. Getting control of her emotions Kate started to speak.
"Alexis I want you to speak with someone I have known and trust completely. He has helped me even when I did not think he could. So he will be here tomorrow. Please listen to me and open up to him. He is very good. His name is Dr. Carter Burke. Ok Alexis?" Kate pleaded.
"Ok Mom I will talk to your Dr. Burke" Alexis said.
"Good there is someone else waiting to talk to you. I will leave you now" Kate stated as she left the room feeling better since Alexis had committed to see Dr. Burke.
Alexis was worried it had to be Gramps and he would be so disappointed in her.
True to her thoughts there was Jim Beckett walking in the doorway. He hugged his Granddaughter. "I am so glad you made it out alive. I was so worried."
Alexis burst into tears again since she had him and only him to thanks for finding and saving her.
"Oh Gramps I don't know what is wrong! I just could not stop!" Alexis said.
"I know Alexis I know I am not blaming you. But this secret drinking has to stop!" Jim stated firmly.
Alexis felt ashamed she was secretly drinking and her Gramps called her on it.
"You will need to be under closer supervision than you have ever been before and if you need to feel like drinking I want you to call me. I am going to be your sponsor. You will need to attend the AA meeting with me. I know that is a scary thought but you need to learn you are powerless and you can learn to overcome." Jim said with much compassion.
Alexis just hugged her Gramps.
"Now it is time you go back to sleep I will see you in the morning. Good night Alexis." Jim said stroking her hair.
"Good night Gramps and thank you!" Alexis said as the sedatives which were administered put her to sleep.
Outside the 4 gathered together.
Jim took command of the conversation.
"We all need to head home and get some sleep we will be no good to Alexis if we do not take care of ourselves. Next in the morning Martha and I will search her room for the hidden bottles. You Rick and Kate search the loft. You need to remove all traces of alcohol from both locations. I am so sorry Martha I know you like to indulge but you will have to do it somewhere away from Alexis. You too Rick and Kate it has to be done. You have a bar if you need a drink go there! You need to remove the temptation from her environment until she knows how to avoid it. Ok?" Jim stated.
They all shook their Heads and then headed for the SUV. Jim Beckett slept in Alexis's room at the apt so he could be there to supervise the removal.
Kate and Rick went back to the loft and cleaned up the 3 empty bottles and got ready for bed. Rick cried in his wife's arms over how stupid he was. Soon they were asleep too.
