PROPOSITIONS

It was after two in the morning when Donovan and Pax found their way back to his parents' home.  Before they even attempted getting out of the car, they sat together quietly, almost reflecting on what happened earlier.  Both of them seemed to understand that it was the end of the road for them, but knew it wasn't necessary if one or the other of them would just take a step in the right direction.  However, neither of them would.  Just before they left the car, he noticed that the kitchen light was on.  He smiled a little, not the least bit surprised that his parents were waiting up for them, waiting for their explanation.  He and Jonella exchanged a brief glance that was filled with a little sadness.  Together, they had survived yet another crazy adventure, but they were uncertain as to what would happen beyond tonight.  He noticed that Pax had taken care to dress respectively again.  Before they drove over here, she had had to stop off at the hotel and change.  Her clothing was torn and useless, the heels of her boots broken.  Not only did she need fresh clothing, but he also didn't want her there when Ahiga was taken away.  He was afraid that she'd attack him again.  He had stood by and watched her beating him, her mind far away, her body flying about in a blind rage.  Had he ever seen her like that?  Would he ever want to see her like that again?  He had let her beat the shit out of the man until it became obvious that if he didn't remove her, she'd kill him.  The worse thing for them both was facing Ingrid Raynor after the 'traffic' jam cleared.  Both Donovan and Pax went to her personally, guiltily explaining what her husband's trade was, what he had delved in.  At one point, the youngest child came to his mother and gazed up at Pax with his ebony eyes.  She had stared at the boy and Donovan had seen a light in her eyes dying a little.  She had kept the promise to her son, but she would never see him again.  Nothing she had done to Ahiga would bring her little boy back.  As expected, Ms. Raynor did not take the news well.  Duh.  Who would expect it?  She demanded that they leave immediately.  She didn't want them in her home.  She had screamed that her Tore would never break the law.  An evil part of Pax wanted to tell her exactly what kind of man her husband was, but she held back.  For now, she was finished with hurting people on purpose. 

Donovan sighed and reached across the seat.  Without thinking, she reached out at the same time so he could grasp her hand.  Both of them desperately wanted to ask the questions most on their minds, but it was no use.  Sooner or later, they would have to deal with it, they both understood this.  However, first, they had to deal with a very confused Anneliese and Kane Donovan.  He released her hand seemingly saying 'let's do this.'  Feeling like shits, they entered the house and went into the kitchen.  Donovan had grasped her hand again and they sat close together as if facing a firing squad.  What was going to be the hardest?  Telling his parents his 'marriage' was a sham or asking Pax what she intended to do with the rest of her life?  Both situations were upsetting, heart wrenching.  But what can we do? 

"I'm really sorry, Mom, Dad.  I'm afraid Jonella and I have been slightly dishonest with you.  The only truth we've been telling is that we are together, just not married.  Jonella was part of a case of mine and she needed a cover so I could keep my eye on her.  Posing as newlyweds was the answer.  I never wanted to mislead either of you, but it was necessary."  He could just imagine what they were thinking.  God, he felt like a child again.  If it would do any good, he'd go to his room without dessert.  He couldn't stand having their eyes on him like that.  It was funny how parents had ways of making their adult children feel small again.

Pax said nothing.  She kept her hands folded in her lap, her eyes diverted.  She was actually very damn tired and needed to sleep for fifteen hours straight.  Finally, she looked up after her courage kicked in.  "Although he is speaking for us both, I want to apologize for myself.  You've been nothing but kind to me, and I appreciate it, even though it was all a sham."

Donovan watched as his parents exchanged a look between them.  It was hard to read.  Would they yell, scream, demand that they leave, disown him?  "So, you're not married," Anneliese stated rather than asked.  Donovan shook his head.  He was waiting for her to blow up.  "Pretty good play-acting, wouldn't you say, love?"

He watched as his father nodded, agreeing with his mother.  "Yes," he said.  "In fact, damn good play-acting.  You're not married, but you should be."

Donovan and Pax exchanged a WTF look.  "Mom?  Dad?"

"Is that all you wanted to talk about?  I thought it was something big," Anneliese said, rising to her feet and offering her hand to her husband.  "You two can do what you want, we're going to bed."

They sat together in stunned silence.  It had gone a lot smoother than they thought.  He glanced at her.  "What do you want to do," he asked.

Jesus, what a loaded question.  "Tonight or tomorrow?"

"For now, tonight will do.  We can talk about tomorrow later.  What do you want to do?"

She took hold of his hand.  "I want to thank you up close and personal for what you did for me tonight.  Take me to bed and give me one more night of wedded bliss.  Could you do that?"

He nodded.  "I can."

*  *  *

They lay in bed together, completely wrapped in each other's arms and watched the sun rise.  It peeked into the blinds, slowly at first, but then faster and faster as the morning grew later.  Neither of them had said much, each was a little afraid to delve into anything.  Why ruin a relatively tender moment with words?  

"Do you mind if I keep this," Pax asked as she held out her left hand.

"You want that cheap silver thing," he asked with a smile.

"Yeah, I kind of got used to it.  Do you mind if I keep it?"

He kissed her very softly.  "No.  It's yours."  His hand came out to clasp hers.  "My flight out to Chicago leaves today at five.  Jonella, what are you going to do after today?"

She shrugged.  "I don't know.  I thought of hanging around here for a little while, soaking in some more sun, perhaps finding myself.  There are a few things I'd like to check out in this town.  It's really nice here, exactly as I thought it would be."  She heard the slight change in his breathing.  She wasn't quite giving him the answer he wanted.  She smiled a little.  "Maybe I'll take a trip, too.  The sun, beaches, and shit get a little boring sometimes.  Every now and then, I like a dreary day.  Perhaps I'll find my way to Chicago so I can hang around, pick at you, push your buttons, and drive you batshit.  I kind of like doing that stuff."

He laughed.  "Glad to hear that.  I wouldn't want you to go totally away.  I don't want you to stay here.  The commute is a bitch."

"No shit," she said with her own laugh.  "I never thought I'd feel like this again.  It's all because of you.  You know that, don't you?  You fixed me, you really did."

"I love you, Jonella.  I've always loved you in some way the entire time I've known you.  Honestly, you've fixed me as well.  Whenever you decide to come back, I'll be waiting.  Don't stay here too long or I'll come after you."

"You got it," she said.  "Two weeks max, if that.  I have a lot of shit to work out here."

"If you need me for that, I can stay."

"No.  I can handle it.  Go home.  I'll see you in two weeks."

Pax accompanied Donovan to the airport.  He had left Stasia with his parents for a few extra weeks.  They had volunteered to bring her back.  Once at the airport, they talked very little.  Again, there was no need, no pressure.  When his flight was called, he turned toward her and smiled a little.  "Jonella?"

She looked up.  "Yeah?"

"Just so you know, I was asking."  With that, he turned and left.

Pax felt her heart stop.  Dear fucking God.  Had he said what she thought he said?  That fucking fucker.  He'd tricked her again.  And now, she was two weeks away from getting him back.  He had been asking all along, and you just let it go.  You are a dolt.

*  *  *

Donovan grumbled incoherently when the doorbell rang.  He was in the middle of a shower and whoever the crazy fucker was wouldn't go away.  He belted his robe, cursing like everything.  He unlocked the door and swung it open.  Pax.  Two fucking weeks to the day.  He wanted to move, to say something, but he couldn't.  He had basically left her hanging for two weeks, the same as he had done when he told her he loved her.  Had she returned to kill him?

"Frankie," she said with a smile.  "Just so you know, my answer is yes."  With that, she turned and ran down the hall.

That fucking woman.  Pushing his buttons again and again.  He darted down the hall after her, but had to stop half way when his robe flew open.  He was naked underneath and didn't want to get arrested for indecent exposure.  By the time he made it downstairs, she was nowhere to be seen.  Cursing under his breath, he went back up to his apartment.  He had been inside no more than five minutes when the doorbell rang again.  She came back.  He turned and opened the door.  It wasn't Pax.  To his utter disappointment, it was Remy.  His stomach immediately became tied in knots.  She was here to take his daughter away, and he had just gotten an acceptance to a marriage proposal from a woman who ran away like a crazed roadrunner.  For the hundredth time, he felt himself torn in two ways at once.  Donovan needed to go after Pax, but he also needed to deal with his ex-wife.

Although he had little patience, he stepped back and allowed her to enter.  "I suppose you're here to fight with me over Stasia?" 

She shook her head.  "Wow, you never change.  To the point, Donovan, as always.  Yet, I probably deserved that.  No, Frank, I'm not."  She sighed and crossed her arms over her chest.  "I've decided to come back and stay in town.  I have a job here, somewhat of an established life, and I can't keep uprooting Stasia.  Regardless of what happened to us, she loves you, and I know you love her.  I also don't want to become one of those women who enjoy using the children to hurt the ex-husband.  I think I let my jealousy get the best of me, and I was selfish.  People grow apart, they divorce, and sometimes it's just a fact of life, isn't it?  I can't say I'm still not jealous or hurt or that I don't love you."

He sighed deeply.  "Thank you.  I'm sorry it got so out of hand and out of control."  He could see she didn't really want to have this conversation, not right now.  Shifting gears, he said, "Stasia is in the care of my parents right now.  I'm giving them time to get to know her, they haven't seen her much.  As soon as they bring her from Miami, we'll work out a fair visitation."

"Very well, Frank," she said with a little nod.  "You're still…with her?"

He nodded.  "Yes."  Well, sort of.  "I am."

She sighed.  "Good luck, I mean that."

"Thank you," he said again.  "I appreciate it."

"Goodbye, Frank," she said before turning and leaving his apartment.

She had been gone no more than five minutes before Donovan was struggling into his clothes and shoes.  Where the fuck had she gone?  He had to find Pax before he lost his mind.  Once he made it downstairs, he had a message waiting at the concierge's desk.

It was from Pax.  I said yes and I meant it.  However, I have a few things I need to do here and there.  Wait for me, Frankie, and I'll be back before you know it.  He crumpled the note into his hand.  He raised his arms up high, beseeching the Gods.  A cry left him:  "Ahhhhhh!"  That woman.  That fucking woman.  Jonella fucking Paxton.

*  *  *

Donovan sat back and propped his feet up on his desk.  It was after hours.  What the hell.  Of course, he wouldn't do this with the team present, but since he had the whole building to himself, who was going to see him?  His hand absently caressed the thick evening addition of the newspaper.  He had yet to unfold it.  He was normally quite the voracious reader of the newspaper, but tonight, he had little interest.  How many days was it now?  Fifteen?  Twenty?  Be honest with yourself, asshole.  It's been thirty.  An entire month has passed.  A month.  Not two days, not three, but thirty damn days.  Yes, thirty days.  Thirty days and no sign of Pax anywhere.  Since she'd left the note for him, she had made no contact.  He wasn't sure how he felt about that, but here lately, he had taken the 'fuck it' attitude.  If she didn't want to come back, he wouldn't beg her.  She could play her useless mind games all she wanted.  He wanted no part of them.  He wanted no part of her.  Fuck her.  He shook his head.  He was fooling himself, he really was.  He could sit here all night and tell himself any lie he wanted to dig up.  However, he knew the score, as did Jonella Paxton.  He wanted her; he'd waited patiently, and was still waiting.  Goddamn it.  Why is this so damn important to me?  Sighing, driving the demon out of his mind for the time being, he picked up his paper and cracked it open.  His favorite section, morbidly enough, was the crime news.  He saw a potential case in everything.  He unfolded the paper and began reading an article.  Within moments, he was engrossed in it.  The writing style struck him as familiar, but he shook it off.  He hadn't glanced at the name of the reporter.  It wasn't important to him, not as important as the story.  However, there was a phrase in there that drew his attention.  He wasn't sure how it had gotten past the censors.  Well, crap on that.  Crap on that?  He drew his finger back up the article until he noted the byline.  The reporter's name was J.E. Paxton.  No, it couldn't be.  It couldn't be her.

*  *  *

THE END????????