I knocked on the door several times before Jax answered. When he did I
stood there in shock. "What the hell happened to you?" I stated.
"Hi Alexis. I look that bad huh." He gave me a half smile.
"Well, it's not that you look bad so much as a little rugged and a little older. What happened to you today?"
"I think I just got the kick in the ass I probably so royally deserved. I look a little older? I sure hope some wisdom came with that aging. God knows that I could sure use some right about now."
"Is this about what happened when you went to see Brenda?"
"In a way. She is most definitely part of this. I just realized that I pushed away a woman who loves me for someone who just wants me for what I can do for her. I pushed away a woman I love for the shadow of a memory. What the hell was I thinking?"
I could see that what ever happened today, it was hitting him hard. Before I came, I didn't know how to tell him what I found out. Now I'm dreading it. He already looks like he has been pushed pretty far today. How the hell is he going to handle this? How do I tell him?
"You were angry at Skye."
"Was I? I knew what Skye was like when I married her. Her faults may drive me nuts every now and then, but that didn't stop me from loving her. Skye never tried to hide that she wasn't perfect. She told me so often enough. Now that I think back on everything, what she did, or rather what she didn't do, didn't really surprise me. Skye was reacting out of fear. And you know what? I feed those fears. Every time that I pushed her away and asked for Brenda instead, I feed her insecurities."
"It was Skye's choice not to tell anyone that Brenda wasn't dying." I pointed out. "She isn't completely blameless."
"I never said that she was. But while I was blaming her for everything that went wrong in our marriage, I never shoulder my part in it. Yes, Skye lied. She didn't tell everyone what she knew. Didn't I do the same thing? I shut her out long before she started keeping secrets from me again. I love her, but for some god damned reason that I can't remember, nor understand anymore, I went to Brenda."
"You love Brenda."
"No, I loved who I thought Brenda was. I really don't know the real Brenda."
"That must have been one hell of a conversation that you had with her today."
"I never spoke to her."
I looked at him in surprise.
Jax continued, "I never even made it to her door. When I got off of the elevator, I overheard a conversation between her and Sonny. Did you know that Sonny helped her fake her own death all those years ago."
"No, I didn't. But that doesn't really surprise me. I once overheard Sonny and Jason talking about Brenda after she came back. Sonny more or less stated that he always knew that she wasn't dead."
"He not only knew, the bastard paid her bills. Oh you will probably need to know something for the trial, not that I am sure that it will make any difference."
"What is it?"
"Brenda had only been with Alcazar for about nine months. There were apparently others before him. She didn't live off of Corinthos for the entire time she was gone."
"Well, I already knew that there were holes in her story. To be honest, I'm not sure that I can get her off. If we withhold the information that she was only with Alcazar for about nine months and emphasize everything that she claims he did to her then we might be able to give a temporary insanity plea."
Jax sat there very quiet. He definitely wasn't reacting to this like I thought he would. When I brought up the temporary insanity idea, I would have thought that he would automatically shoot the idea down. The old Jax would have. The fact that he wasn't was beginning to worry me. "Jax, this is usually the point were you say no way in hell and tell me to keep digging until I find a way to get her off. That is what you usually do when someone you care about is threatened."
"Don't get me wrong. I still want you to get her off. It's just that for the first time, I just don't take Brenda's fate so personally anymore."
"Not that long ago, you were willing to take a bullet for the woman."
"Not that long ago, I at least thought that woman was my friend, maybe even someone I once wanted to spend my life with. Today I found out that not only was she never my friend, she was just using me. She wanted what my money and privileges could do for her. She never really gave a damn about me. You know what? That is kind of funny. That is exactly what everyone told me that Skye was doing. From time to time, they would pull up Brenda as an example of what I should be looking for in a person. But you know what? Skye never really lied to me about that. She told me upfront that she wanted my connections. While she used her sex appeal, she never let me in her bed until her emotions were involved. She knew that she could get anything she wanted from me of monetary value without sex. She knew how far to go and she knew which buttons to push. She knew what she was doing and she never hid that fact from me. In fact she seemed to take great pride in the fact that she always knew what effect she was having. Yes, she may lie and throw people through loops, but she didn't pretend to be anything that she wasn't. You know who she hates. You know who she loves. You can stop me any time now."
"I don't know what to say Jax. It sounds like you regret leaving your wife." He didn't need to answer. I could already see it in his face.
"What I could really use right now is a distraction. So you said that you had some news." Jax grimaced when he saw the look on my face. "I take it that whatever it is, it isn't good."
"Especially not after everything else that you just told me."
Jax looked at me grimly. "I like my medicine straight. You might as well tell me now."
"I don't know how to tell you this. The woman that Alcazar drugged and raped, that woman was Skye."
Jax was growing very pale. It is a damn good thing he was sitting down, because it was the first time that I know of that Jax actually passed out. He didn't stay out for long and when he came to, he came to angry.
"That son of a bitch. If he wasn't dead right now I would kill him." Jax was standing now and pacing around the room. "There is more. I can see in your face that there is more."
"I'm not sure that you can handle it right now Jax."
"You just told me that the bastard raped my wife. Trust me there is never going to be a good time to tell me the details. So just tell me."
I hesitated before I continued. "From what I have been able to overhear at the police station, the theory is that he used Skye to get back at you for taking Brenda."
Jax groaned. "Oh god. This happened days ago. I know Skye. She doesn't exactly have any friends. She sure as hell doesn't like it when people see her vulnerable. She thinks that any visible vulnerability will give someone an open invitation to attack. She has been handling this all on her own while I have been what? Caught up with her worst nightmare, playing white knight to the woman in brought this danger to town in the first place."
"Jax, she isn't at the lake house alone."
"What is AJ there? He's not exactly what I would refer to as help. If anything the brat dumps on her."
"No Jax, it isn't AJ. Some man named Sam Gemins helped Skye leave the hospital the same day she was admitted."
"What the hell! They let her leave the hospital the same day? Who is this bastard who would help someone out of a hospital who needs medical attention?"
"From what I understand, she didn't exactly give anyone a choice. She had already invited this man to stay out at the lake house with her. He was still there when Taggert went to see her about a statement." I could tell he was bordering on seething over this information. Well, well, well, Jax is jealous. Ordinarily I wouldn't want a friend of my to go through this, but I can't helping thinking about what I would do in Skye's shoes. It couldn't have been easy on her to watch Jax run to Brenda. A little jealousy might be good for the man.
"Taggert wanted a statement from her? They don't suspect her do they?"
"No, apparently they believe that the condition that she was in when they found her gives her an air tight alibi." I could see all the muscles in his face tighten at this statement. I could tell that his imagination was working overtime on what kind of state Skye must have been in for the police to be so certain that she couldn't have done it.
"How bad was it."
"Jax, don't torture yourself with this."
"Alexis, I know you. You know what happened to her. I can see it in your face. Just tell me."
I took a deep breath. "I managed to get a glimpse of her hospital records. According to the toxicology report, Alcazar had given her a nearly lethal dose of a drug commonly used in date rape situations. When they brought her in, she was barely breathing and she had a very slow pulse. It also noted that she had several bruises. I didn't get the opportunity to read beyond that."
I watched as Jax reached for his coat and strolled toward the door.
"Jax, what are you going to do?"
"I'm going to see my wife."
"No offence, but your not exactly one of her favourite people right now, or in case you have forgotten, you left your marriage bed and jumped into Brenda's." I heard Jax groan.
"I have to see her Alexis. I need to make sure that she is okay. I'm not sure how, she will probably push me away, but I need to find a way to help her through this. I'm sure you can lock up on you way out." Jax said as he strolled out the door.
I watched as Jax got into his car and drove away. He is going to have one hell of a fight on his hands if he wants Skye back. I can't see her just welcoming him back with open arms. I don't envy the position that he is in at the moment.
I was going across the room to pick up my coat when I notice to package. It was sitting on a corner table unopened. I didn't think that Jax had any special occasions coming up. It was clearly addressed to Jax. The date on it indicates that it arrived today. I guess with everything else that has happened today, he hasn't had time to open in. I picked up my coat and left. I will have to remember to ask him about the gift later.
« Oh, Isn't this so cute. Sam look. This one has us kissing on the bleachers during a football game. And it looks so real. So what do you think? Did you ask me to the football game or did I ask you?"
The WSB had delivered the computer-generated photos this morning. Skye had spent the last hour going through her pictures and adding the new ones to her photo album. Every now and then she held one up for me to see. Occasionally she would ask how they did it. I leaned over to look at the picture. "Maybe we just met by accident and started necking."
Skye slapped me on the arm playfully. "I'm not that easy. Be serious. We need stories to match all these new pictures."
"Have you figured out which one is our first date yet?"
She pointed to a pile at the corner of the table. "I decided that our first date was at the fair."
I picked up the pictures and started to flip through them until I came to the one of us on the Farris wheel. "Look dear. They even managed to capture our first kiss."
"Wasn't that so gracious of them. Well this is the last of them. I managed to sort them into three sections. The pages on that side of the table are us on dates and on this side of the table there are pictures of us around the school."
"You said that there were three piles."
Skye pointed to the garbage can. "Pile three contains the photos that we could never pull off. The ones of us at school work because the University is so big that no one could possibly remember who was who. In the ones of our dates, we are either alone or in large groups. But those in the garbage can feature people who knew me rather well. If asked they would look at the picture and know something was off. And no offence to your photo generators, but I definitely can't be showing pictures of you at family events. Someone is bound to start asking questions."
"You don't think that they would just put it down to a case of faulty memory?"
"Some of them might, but I don't want to take the chance. Besides, what would we say when they looked through their own photos of the events and notices that you weren't in any of them?"
"So for story purposes, I never met your family."
"If we just dated at the University then you wouldn't have had any reason to meet my family. No one ever came to visit. Hell, Adam didn't even show up for graduation. He just had his secretary buy a present and send it to me."
"How did you know that it was his secretary? He could have picked something out himself."
"His secretary has great tastes. She has been sending me presents for years. I used to call dad up and thank him for the presents at birthdays and Christmas. I think I was about ten years old when I figured out that Adam didn't have a clue what I was talking about. Of course he knew that his secretary sent me something. It was part of her job. He never took the time to find out what she sent. I often thought that if I hadn't called him, Adam never would have remembered that I had a birthday."
"What did you do after you figured it out?"
"I called and tortured him. I would see just how far Adam would go in order to not admit that he didn't know what the hell I had been sent. Then I would send his secretary a thank you letter with a few hints for the next holiday."
"Okay, you're not close to your family. Got it." I noticed that she winced as she was slipping the new pages in to the album. She did such a good makeup job that I had forgotten her injuries. That worried me a little bit. No one hides facial bruises that well unless they had a lot of practice. "How are those bruises healing?"
"They have all turned to lovely shades of purple and green."
"Sore?"
"A little."
"Let me see."
"Excuse me? If you want someone to take off their clothes so you can play doctor, go visit your wife. I'm sure that she is almost done unpacking by now."
"Skye, You don't have to show me everything. Just take off the sweater so I can see the bruises on your arms. I'm sure all the bruises are at about the same stage anyway."
"You would know," She grumbled. Skye started unbuttoning the sweater and easing it over her arms. "Ouch, Will you be a little more careful where you poke those fingers."
"I bet you are feeling these more today than the day in the hospital." Skye gave me a slightly annoyed look. "You know what, Skye? If you would just tell someone it hurts, someone could get you something to help."
"Fine. Yes they ache a little more today. Happy."
"Actually yes."
"No, stop. Let me get this straight. Your happy because I just admitted to being sore from bruises that you gave me. What is wrong with this picture?"
I grinned a little. My my, the lady is looking for an argument. Maybe I should take her by the Quartermaine mansion later so she can get it out of her system. From what I have been reading, I'm sure someone there will oblige her. "Skye, I have some cream in my suitcase that will help those bruises. I'll go get it for you."
I had found the cream and was headed back to Skye when I noticed Jax at the door. Skye was still seated on the couch in her pants and half-slip. Jax hadn't noticed me yet. His focus was completely on Skye. I slipped back so I could watch without being seen. Poor Bastard. I wonder if he realizes that he is still in love with her. Jax hadn't made a noise. He just stood there, soaking in her image. All of a sudden Skye's back stiffened and she turned around and looked straight at him. Jax may have come here to see her, but from the look on her face, she most definitely didn't want to see him.
"Well, If it isn't my soon to be ex-husband." Skye stood up, walked to the door and opened it. "Do come in." With a rather evil grin she said, "I assume that you are here for your things. But as you can see I made your packing and moving process much easier." Skye motioned with her arm to the almost empty room.
For the first time since he arrived, Jax noticed something besides Skye. "Where the hell did you put all my stuff?"
"You have a few boxes in the corner over there with your legal papers, pictures, and business folders. As for the rest, you will have to sift through the ashes in the backyard."
"You burnt all my things! Skye some of those things were antiques."
"And they made a lovely bonfire."
I could see a verity of emotion pass across Jax's face. First disbelief, then anger, then comprehension, and finally humor. "You burnt all my things." For some reason he just started laughing.
Skye was looking at him like he lost his mind. Humor was definitely not the emotion that she was going for. "Are you ill or something? I just told you that I burnt all your things and your laughing."
"After every thing else that has happened today, finding out that you burnt my stuff is funny."
"Jax, you seem to have developed one strange sense of humor."
"They're just things Skye. I can replace them. I didn't come here for them anyway."
"Then what the hell did you come here for Jax?"
"I came here to see you, to see if you are okay."
"Guilty conscience? Relax Jax. Contrary to what you may believe, my life didn't end when you walked out the door. I'm not going to take a drink and I'm not going to throw myself off of any bridges so you can go home with a clear conscience knowing that I'm not going to do anything to hurt myself because of you."
"Skye, I know about what happened with Alcazar." He walked up and lightly touched the bruises on one of her arms. "I could kill him for doing this to you."
"Well guess what Jax. Someone else already beat you too the punch."
He walked up to Skye and put his arms around her. "Skye I'm not going to let you go through this alone."
Skye quickly broke out of his arms. Turned around and let him have it. "You son of a Bitch. I'm just supposed to let you waltz in here and take over. You lost that right when you jumped in bed with that floozy. You do remember her don't you Jax? She's the reason that bastard was in town in the first place. Since when did you care Jax? What am I all of a sudden worthy of rescuing? That's right. Jax the white night. Here to help all the damsels in distress. This damsel doesn't need your saving. I've already been to hell and back and I made it through just fine without you. Take your white night routine elsewhere. You're a little to late to have been of any help here."
"Skye?"
"No. I'm through Jax. I'm done being everyone's kicking board. I'm not responsible for the worlds problems, only my own. You're here for what? To ease your guilty conscience for not having been there."
"I'm here because I love you. I'm here because you're my wife."
"You love me? You sure as hell have one funny way of showing it. Action, Jax, speak a hell of a lot louder than words. When you were in the hospital, it wasn't me you wanted to see. You wanted her. You want to know why I didn't tell you a damn thing about what I suspected? Because you and I both know that you were looking for an excuse. Don't give me that I lied crap. Because that is all it ever was. A man who loves his wife does not move out because of one fight. That is all we had. Your so- called love couldn't endure the first obstacle thrown at it. If your love for me is that weak, then I don't want it."
"Skye you have a right to be angry."
"Your damn right I do."
"I'm still not going to leave you here by your self."
"I'm not by myself. My friend Sam is staying with me."
"And exactly where did you pick up this looser if he needs a place to stay."
"What's the matter Jax? Weren't you just saying that I needed someone here with me? Sam isn't some looser that I picked up off the street. For your information, I've known Sam since my college days. Don't believe me?" Skye grabbed the photo album she had just finished putting back together and shoved it into his hands. "Here Jax, take a damn good look, because where ever you see me for now on, he probably won't be far behind."
Skye stormed my way and I backed up into the bedroom. At Tori's questioning look, Skye put her fingers to her lips in a motion to be quiet. After whispering something to Tori, the girls looked my way as if sizing me up for a job. Why do I have the feeling that I have just been volunteered for something? Slowly, my wife walked over to me. First Tori kissed my lips then she whispered in my ear, "Go along with Skye and don't enjoy it to much."
Then Tori turned to Skye. "I expect him back in the same condition in which I lent him to you."
Skye mouthed a silent thank you in Tori's direction then grabbed my arm. Oh great those two are shoving me in between Skye and Jax.
Okay, that was as far as my outline goes until I get Skye to the doctor's office in three weeks. So for now, I'm typing with no general direction. I'm basically flying by the seat of my pants. So read and enjoy.
When Skye shoved the photo album in my hands, I wasn't sure what to think. Skye has a friend staying with her? I lived with her for months. Besides AJ, she really doesn't have any friends. No one ever called her. No one ever stopped by for a visit. She never mentioned anyone. I never saw her sit down and write letters to anyone, nor did she ever receive any. Whenever we met someone new, unless it was business related, Skye was more inclined to discourage any close connection. As far as I could tell, Skye had cut herself off from everyone. Sure I thought that it was a little strange, but it was part of who Skye was. Besides, this just meant that I could spend more time with her.
So, who the hell is Sam and where did he come from? If he is such a good friend, why haven't I heard of him before?
Just then, Skye came strolling in the room with another man. This must be Sam. I gritted my teeth as I watched the way he walked in with his arms around her. Damn it. She's my wife. Whoever he is, he has no right to be putting his hands anywhere on her. She sure as hell shouldn't be acting so cosy with the man.
Skye took Sam's hand and led him over to the couch. "Jax, I would like to introduce you to my friend Sam Gemins. Sam this is my soon to be ex- husband Jax."
Sam reached out to shake my hand. "I've been looking forward to meeting you."
I shook his hand. "I wish I could say the same, but this is the first time that I have ever heard of you."
Sam sat down, picked up Skye's sweater and handed it to her. "As much as we appreciate the view, I believe our guest would be more comfortable if you put this back on." Skye blushed. Skye had obviously forgotten that she was running around in a half-slip. Why the hell is my wife comfortable walking around in front of this man only half-dressed?
Sam looked at the photo album on the table. "Skye is that the photo album you were looking for earlier?"
"I found it in the back of my closet. I thought you might want to look back on some of our good old days."
"Maybe latter. I'm sure we don't want to bore your ex with stories of your past."
I'm not her ex yet buddy. If I have my way, I never will be. "Actually, I would love to hear stories about my wife's past." There is no way in hell that I'm leaving so soon.
Skye smiled, cuddled next to Sam on the couch and opened the album. The next hour was a practice in restraint. Watching Skye cuddle up to Sam, sharing jokes with him about things that happened years ago, and wondering if they planed to pick up where they left off. It couldn't have been more obvious that these two have some history together. They seemed to have parted on a friendly basis. I was beginning to get the idea of what Skye went through when Brenda came to town. My god, how could I have been so stupid. I have only been watching these two interact for an hour and I already want to tear the man limb from limb. Skye had to watch me turn to Brenda for weeks while I was in the hospital. If I had to watch Skye turn to Sam and away from me so soon after we got married, I would have been planning the man's murder long before Skye ever acted. I would have bankrupted the man, blackmailed him, or pay him off, anything to get him away from my wife.
I kept thinking back to how I often reassured Skye that she was the one I wanted. How I told her that Brenda wasn't a threat. How naïve was I? If watching these two was anything like watch Brenda and me together, I wouldn't have believed me either. Skye's right. Actions do speak louder than words. If this is how Skye saw me with Brenda, I could have reassured her until hell froze over.
"Skye, I can't believe it. How in the world did you get a photo of us necking at a football game?"
I groaned. How many bloody pictures do those two have of them kissing anyway.
"Well Sam, do you remember Jeffery Harris?"
"No, That name doesn't seem to ring any bells."
"He was the photographer for the school paper that year. He had been taking pictures of the crowds to put in the school paper. My roommate was dating him. Well anyways, Suzy was there when he was developing them. She called me. I ran over and talked him out of the photo and negative."
"You got the photo and negative?"
"Consider yourself lucky. If I hadn't this picture with us necking might have been the one on the front page that week. Huh, I don't remember this one."
"What beach was that?"
"I'm not sure."
"How could I have ever forgotten how good you looked like in a bikini back then?"
Skye laughed. "Hey, I still look great in a bikini."
"Really, were going to have to go somewhere warm some weekend so I can test out that statement."
Not if I have anything to say about it. I'm going to have to do some research. What would it take to bankrupt this guy. I'm obviously going to have to find a way to keep him busy and away from my wife.
Skye looked up at Jax. "Oh Jax, I'm sorry. We are sort of leaving you out of the conversation."
"That's okay. The last hour has been extremely educational."
"I don't know about you two gentleman, but I am thirsty. I could really use a cup of coffee. Sam, Jax, would you two like anything?
Sam kissed the back of her hand. "A cup of coffee would be perfect?"
I wonder if this state has the death penalty.
"Jax?"
"A cup of coffee would be nice."
Skye smiled at them and got up. "I'll be right back. I expect you two to still be breathing when I return." With that Skye left the room.
"So, you're the idiot who walked out on Skye. You do know that she's not just going to take you back."
"I'm not just going to role over and let you have her either."
"I never expected you to. I can't see Skye being interested in a man that would just step aside for someone else. If by some miracle, she ever does forgive you and allows you back into her life, consider this fair warning. Skye's my friend. If you ever hurt her like this again, I have lots of friends who would be more than happy to help me make sure that you're never in a position to hurt her again."
"Is that supposed to be a threat?"
"No Mr. Jacks. That's a promise. Skye's been through enough. She doesn't need the added stress that you continually dump on her head. So do her a favor. Either clean up your act or get the hell out of her life. If your not going to be a positive influence, I'm not going to allow you stick around and be a negative one."
"May I remind you that she is my wife."
"Funny how you only seem to remember that when it is convenient for you. You had it good. I mean, you had it really good. You screwed it up. I know you're not used to seeing Skye with her friends around, but you better get used to it, because at the moment we aren't going anywhere. And most of Skye's friends are male. Don't think that I haven't noticed how jealous you are. No don't bother to deny it. You've been acting like a kid whose favorite toy was taken away. Only no one took this toy from you. You threw it away all on your own. So don't expect it to just be handed back to you. You're going to have to work for it like everyone else."
"And I suppose you're going to be right here, encouraging her to abandon her marriage."
"Hey, you jumped out of her bed long before I showed up. So Jax, I have to ask. Is this about your love for her or are you just here because someone else is paying attention to something you threw away. She isn't a possession. She is allowed to be happy. If you can't provide that for her, and I do mean on a till death do you part basis not just for as long as I'm around to fight for her, then let her find someone who can."
"By that someone who can, you mean you."
"No. Skye and I are close friends. That is all we ever will be. Skye is a wonderful, vibrant woman. At some point, word will get out that she is free again, and when that happens, there will be men knocking on that door who will want to be more than just friends."
"Over my dead body."
"If that's what it takes. Do everyone a favor. Go home. Think about what you really want. Don't just jump in on instinct. If that something you want does turn out to be a lifetime with Skye, then I suggest that you buckle down for a war. Because that is exactly what you're going to have to fight in order to get Skye back."
"Against you?"
"No, against your wife. Be prepared to fight dirty because I guarantee that Skye will and she will have help. And before you ask, yes, if Skye asks me for something, I will do it for her."
"Okay, I have here three cups of coffee." Skye walked in and placed the tray on the table.
"Actually, I have to be going. I have a meeting that I am going to be late for. Sam I would say that it has been a pleasure meeting you, but it wasn't, however, it has been interesting."
"Same here. I look forward to your next move."
I nodded. "Skye, I know that you don't believe me right now when I say that I love you but if you need anything, anything at all. You can call me."
"I will keep that in mind."
I kissed her quickly on the cheek and walked out.
"Hi Alexis. I look that bad huh." He gave me a half smile.
"Well, it's not that you look bad so much as a little rugged and a little older. What happened to you today?"
"I think I just got the kick in the ass I probably so royally deserved. I look a little older? I sure hope some wisdom came with that aging. God knows that I could sure use some right about now."
"Is this about what happened when you went to see Brenda?"
"In a way. She is most definitely part of this. I just realized that I pushed away a woman who loves me for someone who just wants me for what I can do for her. I pushed away a woman I love for the shadow of a memory. What the hell was I thinking?"
I could see that what ever happened today, it was hitting him hard. Before I came, I didn't know how to tell him what I found out. Now I'm dreading it. He already looks like he has been pushed pretty far today. How the hell is he going to handle this? How do I tell him?
"You were angry at Skye."
"Was I? I knew what Skye was like when I married her. Her faults may drive me nuts every now and then, but that didn't stop me from loving her. Skye never tried to hide that she wasn't perfect. She told me so often enough. Now that I think back on everything, what she did, or rather what she didn't do, didn't really surprise me. Skye was reacting out of fear. And you know what? I feed those fears. Every time that I pushed her away and asked for Brenda instead, I feed her insecurities."
"It was Skye's choice not to tell anyone that Brenda wasn't dying." I pointed out. "She isn't completely blameless."
"I never said that she was. But while I was blaming her for everything that went wrong in our marriage, I never shoulder my part in it. Yes, Skye lied. She didn't tell everyone what she knew. Didn't I do the same thing? I shut her out long before she started keeping secrets from me again. I love her, but for some god damned reason that I can't remember, nor understand anymore, I went to Brenda."
"You love Brenda."
"No, I loved who I thought Brenda was. I really don't know the real Brenda."
"That must have been one hell of a conversation that you had with her today."
"I never spoke to her."
I looked at him in surprise.
Jax continued, "I never even made it to her door. When I got off of the elevator, I overheard a conversation between her and Sonny. Did you know that Sonny helped her fake her own death all those years ago."
"No, I didn't. But that doesn't really surprise me. I once overheard Sonny and Jason talking about Brenda after she came back. Sonny more or less stated that he always knew that she wasn't dead."
"He not only knew, the bastard paid her bills. Oh you will probably need to know something for the trial, not that I am sure that it will make any difference."
"What is it?"
"Brenda had only been with Alcazar for about nine months. There were apparently others before him. She didn't live off of Corinthos for the entire time she was gone."
"Well, I already knew that there were holes in her story. To be honest, I'm not sure that I can get her off. If we withhold the information that she was only with Alcazar for about nine months and emphasize everything that she claims he did to her then we might be able to give a temporary insanity plea."
Jax sat there very quiet. He definitely wasn't reacting to this like I thought he would. When I brought up the temporary insanity idea, I would have thought that he would automatically shoot the idea down. The old Jax would have. The fact that he wasn't was beginning to worry me. "Jax, this is usually the point were you say no way in hell and tell me to keep digging until I find a way to get her off. That is what you usually do when someone you care about is threatened."
"Don't get me wrong. I still want you to get her off. It's just that for the first time, I just don't take Brenda's fate so personally anymore."
"Not that long ago, you were willing to take a bullet for the woman."
"Not that long ago, I at least thought that woman was my friend, maybe even someone I once wanted to spend my life with. Today I found out that not only was she never my friend, she was just using me. She wanted what my money and privileges could do for her. She never really gave a damn about me. You know what? That is kind of funny. That is exactly what everyone told me that Skye was doing. From time to time, they would pull up Brenda as an example of what I should be looking for in a person. But you know what? Skye never really lied to me about that. She told me upfront that she wanted my connections. While she used her sex appeal, she never let me in her bed until her emotions were involved. She knew that she could get anything she wanted from me of monetary value without sex. She knew how far to go and she knew which buttons to push. She knew what she was doing and she never hid that fact from me. In fact she seemed to take great pride in the fact that she always knew what effect she was having. Yes, she may lie and throw people through loops, but she didn't pretend to be anything that she wasn't. You know who she hates. You know who she loves. You can stop me any time now."
"I don't know what to say Jax. It sounds like you regret leaving your wife." He didn't need to answer. I could already see it in his face.
"What I could really use right now is a distraction. So you said that you had some news." Jax grimaced when he saw the look on my face. "I take it that whatever it is, it isn't good."
"Especially not after everything else that you just told me."
Jax looked at me grimly. "I like my medicine straight. You might as well tell me now."
"I don't know how to tell you this. The woman that Alcazar drugged and raped, that woman was Skye."
Jax was growing very pale. It is a damn good thing he was sitting down, because it was the first time that I know of that Jax actually passed out. He didn't stay out for long and when he came to, he came to angry.
"That son of a bitch. If he wasn't dead right now I would kill him." Jax was standing now and pacing around the room. "There is more. I can see in your face that there is more."
"I'm not sure that you can handle it right now Jax."
"You just told me that the bastard raped my wife. Trust me there is never going to be a good time to tell me the details. So just tell me."
I hesitated before I continued. "From what I have been able to overhear at the police station, the theory is that he used Skye to get back at you for taking Brenda."
Jax groaned. "Oh god. This happened days ago. I know Skye. She doesn't exactly have any friends. She sure as hell doesn't like it when people see her vulnerable. She thinks that any visible vulnerability will give someone an open invitation to attack. She has been handling this all on her own while I have been what? Caught up with her worst nightmare, playing white knight to the woman in brought this danger to town in the first place."
"Jax, she isn't at the lake house alone."
"What is AJ there? He's not exactly what I would refer to as help. If anything the brat dumps on her."
"No Jax, it isn't AJ. Some man named Sam Gemins helped Skye leave the hospital the same day she was admitted."
"What the hell! They let her leave the hospital the same day? Who is this bastard who would help someone out of a hospital who needs medical attention?"
"From what I understand, she didn't exactly give anyone a choice. She had already invited this man to stay out at the lake house with her. He was still there when Taggert went to see her about a statement." I could tell he was bordering on seething over this information. Well, well, well, Jax is jealous. Ordinarily I wouldn't want a friend of my to go through this, but I can't helping thinking about what I would do in Skye's shoes. It couldn't have been easy on her to watch Jax run to Brenda. A little jealousy might be good for the man.
"Taggert wanted a statement from her? They don't suspect her do they?"
"No, apparently they believe that the condition that she was in when they found her gives her an air tight alibi." I could see all the muscles in his face tighten at this statement. I could tell that his imagination was working overtime on what kind of state Skye must have been in for the police to be so certain that she couldn't have done it.
"How bad was it."
"Jax, don't torture yourself with this."
"Alexis, I know you. You know what happened to her. I can see it in your face. Just tell me."
I took a deep breath. "I managed to get a glimpse of her hospital records. According to the toxicology report, Alcazar had given her a nearly lethal dose of a drug commonly used in date rape situations. When they brought her in, she was barely breathing and she had a very slow pulse. It also noted that she had several bruises. I didn't get the opportunity to read beyond that."
I watched as Jax reached for his coat and strolled toward the door.
"Jax, what are you going to do?"
"I'm going to see my wife."
"No offence, but your not exactly one of her favourite people right now, or in case you have forgotten, you left your marriage bed and jumped into Brenda's." I heard Jax groan.
"I have to see her Alexis. I need to make sure that she is okay. I'm not sure how, she will probably push me away, but I need to find a way to help her through this. I'm sure you can lock up on you way out." Jax said as he strolled out the door.
I watched as Jax got into his car and drove away. He is going to have one hell of a fight on his hands if he wants Skye back. I can't see her just welcoming him back with open arms. I don't envy the position that he is in at the moment.
I was going across the room to pick up my coat when I notice to package. It was sitting on a corner table unopened. I didn't think that Jax had any special occasions coming up. It was clearly addressed to Jax. The date on it indicates that it arrived today. I guess with everything else that has happened today, he hasn't had time to open in. I picked up my coat and left. I will have to remember to ask him about the gift later.
« Oh, Isn't this so cute. Sam look. This one has us kissing on the bleachers during a football game. And it looks so real. So what do you think? Did you ask me to the football game or did I ask you?"
The WSB had delivered the computer-generated photos this morning. Skye had spent the last hour going through her pictures and adding the new ones to her photo album. Every now and then she held one up for me to see. Occasionally she would ask how they did it. I leaned over to look at the picture. "Maybe we just met by accident and started necking."
Skye slapped me on the arm playfully. "I'm not that easy. Be serious. We need stories to match all these new pictures."
"Have you figured out which one is our first date yet?"
She pointed to a pile at the corner of the table. "I decided that our first date was at the fair."
I picked up the pictures and started to flip through them until I came to the one of us on the Farris wheel. "Look dear. They even managed to capture our first kiss."
"Wasn't that so gracious of them. Well this is the last of them. I managed to sort them into three sections. The pages on that side of the table are us on dates and on this side of the table there are pictures of us around the school."
"You said that there were three piles."
Skye pointed to the garbage can. "Pile three contains the photos that we could never pull off. The ones of us at school work because the University is so big that no one could possibly remember who was who. In the ones of our dates, we are either alone or in large groups. But those in the garbage can feature people who knew me rather well. If asked they would look at the picture and know something was off. And no offence to your photo generators, but I definitely can't be showing pictures of you at family events. Someone is bound to start asking questions."
"You don't think that they would just put it down to a case of faulty memory?"
"Some of them might, but I don't want to take the chance. Besides, what would we say when they looked through their own photos of the events and notices that you weren't in any of them?"
"So for story purposes, I never met your family."
"If we just dated at the University then you wouldn't have had any reason to meet my family. No one ever came to visit. Hell, Adam didn't even show up for graduation. He just had his secretary buy a present and send it to me."
"How did you know that it was his secretary? He could have picked something out himself."
"His secretary has great tastes. She has been sending me presents for years. I used to call dad up and thank him for the presents at birthdays and Christmas. I think I was about ten years old when I figured out that Adam didn't have a clue what I was talking about. Of course he knew that his secretary sent me something. It was part of her job. He never took the time to find out what she sent. I often thought that if I hadn't called him, Adam never would have remembered that I had a birthday."
"What did you do after you figured it out?"
"I called and tortured him. I would see just how far Adam would go in order to not admit that he didn't know what the hell I had been sent. Then I would send his secretary a thank you letter with a few hints for the next holiday."
"Okay, you're not close to your family. Got it." I noticed that she winced as she was slipping the new pages in to the album. She did such a good makeup job that I had forgotten her injuries. That worried me a little bit. No one hides facial bruises that well unless they had a lot of practice. "How are those bruises healing?"
"They have all turned to lovely shades of purple and green."
"Sore?"
"A little."
"Let me see."
"Excuse me? If you want someone to take off their clothes so you can play doctor, go visit your wife. I'm sure that she is almost done unpacking by now."
"Skye, You don't have to show me everything. Just take off the sweater so I can see the bruises on your arms. I'm sure all the bruises are at about the same stage anyway."
"You would know," She grumbled. Skye started unbuttoning the sweater and easing it over her arms. "Ouch, Will you be a little more careful where you poke those fingers."
"I bet you are feeling these more today than the day in the hospital." Skye gave me a slightly annoyed look. "You know what, Skye? If you would just tell someone it hurts, someone could get you something to help."
"Fine. Yes they ache a little more today. Happy."
"Actually yes."
"No, stop. Let me get this straight. Your happy because I just admitted to being sore from bruises that you gave me. What is wrong with this picture?"
I grinned a little. My my, the lady is looking for an argument. Maybe I should take her by the Quartermaine mansion later so she can get it out of her system. From what I have been reading, I'm sure someone there will oblige her. "Skye, I have some cream in my suitcase that will help those bruises. I'll go get it for you."
I had found the cream and was headed back to Skye when I noticed Jax at the door. Skye was still seated on the couch in her pants and half-slip. Jax hadn't noticed me yet. His focus was completely on Skye. I slipped back so I could watch without being seen. Poor Bastard. I wonder if he realizes that he is still in love with her. Jax hadn't made a noise. He just stood there, soaking in her image. All of a sudden Skye's back stiffened and she turned around and looked straight at him. Jax may have come here to see her, but from the look on her face, she most definitely didn't want to see him.
"Well, If it isn't my soon to be ex-husband." Skye stood up, walked to the door and opened it. "Do come in." With a rather evil grin she said, "I assume that you are here for your things. But as you can see I made your packing and moving process much easier." Skye motioned with her arm to the almost empty room.
For the first time since he arrived, Jax noticed something besides Skye. "Where the hell did you put all my stuff?"
"You have a few boxes in the corner over there with your legal papers, pictures, and business folders. As for the rest, you will have to sift through the ashes in the backyard."
"You burnt all my things! Skye some of those things were antiques."
"And they made a lovely bonfire."
I could see a verity of emotion pass across Jax's face. First disbelief, then anger, then comprehension, and finally humor. "You burnt all my things." For some reason he just started laughing.
Skye was looking at him like he lost his mind. Humor was definitely not the emotion that she was going for. "Are you ill or something? I just told you that I burnt all your things and your laughing."
"After every thing else that has happened today, finding out that you burnt my stuff is funny."
"Jax, you seem to have developed one strange sense of humor."
"They're just things Skye. I can replace them. I didn't come here for them anyway."
"Then what the hell did you come here for Jax?"
"I came here to see you, to see if you are okay."
"Guilty conscience? Relax Jax. Contrary to what you may believe, my life didn't end when you walked out the door. I'm not going to take a drink and I'm not going to throw myself off of any bridges so you can go home with a clear conscience knowing that I'm not going to do anything to hurt myself because of you."
"Skye, I know about what happened with Alcazar." He walked up and lightly touched the bruises on one of her arms. "I could kill him for doing this to you."
"Well guess what Jax. Someone else already beat you too the punch."
He walked up to Skye and put his arms around her. "Skye I'm not going to let you go through this alone."
Skye quickly broke out of his arms. Turned around and let him have it. "You son of a Bitch. I'm just supposed to let you waltz in here and take over. You lost that right when you jumped in bed with that floozy. You do remember her don't you Jax? She's the reason that bastard was in town in the first place. Since when did you care Jax? What am I all of a sudden worthy of rescuing? That's right. Jax the white night. Here to help all the damsels in distress. This damsel doesn't need your saving. I've already been to hell and back and I made it through just fine without you. Take your white night routine elsewhere. You're a little to late to have been of any help here."
"Skye?"
"No. I'm through Jax. I'm done being everyone's kicking board. I'm not responsible for the worlds problems, only my own. You're here for what? To ease your guilty conscience for not having been there."
"I'm here because I love you. I'm here because you're my wife."
"You love me? You sure as hell have one funny way of showing it. Action, Jax, speak a hell of a lot louder than words. When you were in the hospital, it wasn't me you wanted to see. You wanted her. You want to know why I didn't tell you a damn thing about what I suspected? Because you and I both know that you were looking for an excuse. Don't give me that I lied crap. Because that is all it ever was. A man who loves his wife does not move out because of one fight. That is all we had. Your so- called love couldn't endure the first obstacle thrown at it. If your love for me is that weak, then I don't want it."
"Skye you have a right to be angry."
"Your damn right I do."
"I'm still not going to leave you here by your self."
"I'm not by myself. My friend Sam is staying with me."
"And exactly where did you pick up this looser if he needs a place to stay."
"What's the matter Jax? Weren't you just saying that I needed someone here with me? Sam isn't some looser that I picked up off the street. For your information, I've known Sam since my college days. Don't believe me?" Skye grabbed the photo album she had just finished putting back together and shoved it into his hands. "Here Jax, take a damn good look, because where ever you see me for now on, he probably won't be far behind."
Skye stormed my way and I backed up into the bedroom. At Tori's questioning look, Skye put her fingers to her lips in a motion to be quiet. After whispering something to Tori, the girls looked my way as if sizing me up for a job. Why do I have the feeling that I have just been volunteered for something? Slowly, my wife walked over to me. First Tori kissed my lips then she whispered in my ear, "Go along with Skye and don't enjoy it to much."
Then Tori turned to Skye. "I expect him back in the same condition in which I lent him to you."
Skye mouthed a silent thank you in Tori's direction then grabbed my arm. Oh great those two are shoving me in between Skye and Jax.
Okay, that was as far as my outline goes until I get Skye to the doctor's office in three weeks. So for now, I'm typing with no general direction. I'm basically flying by the seat of my pants. So read and enjoy.
When Skye shoved the photo album in my hands, I wasn't sure what to think. Skye has a friend staying with her? I lived with her for months. Besides AJ, she really doesn't have any friends. No one ever called her. No one ever stopped by for a visit. She never mentioned anyone. I never saw her sit down and write letters to anyone, nor did she ever receive any. Whenever we met someone new, unless it was business related, Skye was more inclined to discourage any close connection. As far as I could tell, Skye had cut herself off from everyone. Sure I thought that it was a little strange, but it was part of who Skye was. Besides, this just meant that I could spend more time with her.
So, who the hell is Sam and where did he come from? If he is such a good friend, why haven't I heard of him before?
Just then, Skye came strolling in the room with another man. This must be Sam. I gritted my teeth as I watched the way he walked in with his arms around her. Damn it. She's my wife. Whoever he is, he has no right to be putting his hands anywhere on her. She sure as hell shouldn't be acting so cosy with the man.
Skye took Sam's hand and led him over to the couch. "Jax, I would like to introduce you to my friend Sam Gemins. Sam this is my soon to be ex- husband Jax."
Sam reached out to shake my hand. "I've been looking forward to meeting you."
I shook his hand. "I wish I could say the same, but this is the first time that I have ever heard of you."
Sam sat down, picked up Skye's sweater and handed it to her. "As much as we appreciate the view, I believe our guest would be more comfortable if you put this back on." Skye blushed. Skye had obviously forgotten that she was running around in a half-slip. Why the hell is my wife comfortable walking around in front of this man only half-dressed?
Sam looked at the photo album on the table. "Skye is that the photo album you were looking for earlier?"
"I found it in the back of my closet. I thought you might want to look back on some of our good old days."
"Maybe latter. I'm sure we don't want to bore your ex with stories of your past."
I'm not her ex yet buddy. If I have my way, I never will be. "Actually, I would love to hear stories about my wife's past." There is no way in hell that I'm leaving so soon.
Skye smiled, cuddled next to Sam on the couch and opened the album. The next hour was a practice in restraint. Watching Skye cuddle up to Sam, sharing jokes with him about things that happened years ago, and wondering if they planed to pick up where they left off. It couldn't have been more obvious that these two have some history together. They seemed to have parted on a friendly basis. I was beginning to get the idea of what Skye went through when Brenda came to town. My god, how could I have been so stupid. I have only been watching these two interact for an hour and I already want to tear the man limb from limb. Skye had to watch me turn to Brenda for weeks while I was in the hospital. If I had to watch Skye turn to Sam and away from me so soon after we got married, I would have been planning the man's murder long before Skye ever acted. I would have bankrupted the man, blackmailed him, or pay him off, anything to get him away from my wife.
I kept thinking back to how I often reassured Skye that she was the one I wanted. How I told her that Brenda wasn't a threat. How naïve was I? If watching these two was anything like watch Brenda and me together, I wouldn't have believed me either. Skye's right. Actions do speak louder than words. If this is how Skye saw me with Brenda, I could have reassured her until hell froze over.
"Skye, I can't believe it. How in the world did you get a photo of us necking at a football game?"
I groaned. How many bloody pictures do those two have of them kissing anyway.
"Well Sam, do you remember Jeffery Harris?"
"No, That name doesn't seem to ring any bells."
"He was the photographer for the school paper that year. He had been taking pictures of the crowds to put in the school paper. My roommate was dating him. Well anyways, Suzy was there when he was developing them. She called me. I ran over and talked him out of the photo and negative."
"You got the photo and negative?"
"Consider yourself lucky. If I hadn't this picture with us necking might have been the one on the front page that week. Huh, I don't remember this one."
"What beach was that?"
"I'm not sure."
"How could I have ever forgotten how good you looked like in a bikini back then?"
Skye laughed. "Hey, I still look great in a bikini."
"Really, were going to have to go somewhere warm some weekend so I can test out that statement."
Not if I have anything to say about it. I'm going to have to do some research. What would it take to bankrupt this guy. I'm obviously going to have to find a way to keep him busy and away from my wife.
Skye looked up at Jax. "Oh Jax, I'm sorry. We are sort of leaving you out of the conversation."
"That's okay. The last hour has been extremely educational."
"I don't know about you two gentleman, but I am thirsty. I could really use a cup of coffee. Sam, Jax, would you two like anything?
Sam kissed the back of her hand. "A cup of coffee would be perfect?"
I wonder if this state has the death penalty.
"Jax?"
"A cup of coffee would be nice."
Skye smiled at them and got up. "I'll be right back. I expect you two to still be breathing when I return." With that Skye left the room.
"So, you're the idiot who walked out on Skye. You do know that she's not just going to take you back."
"I'm not just going to role over and let you have her either."
"I never expected you to. I can't see Skye being interested in a man that would just step aside for someone else. If by some miracle, she ever does forgive you and allows you back into her life, consider this fair warning. Skye's my friend. If you ever hurt her like this again, I have lots of friends who would be more than happy to help me make sure that you're never in a position to hurt her again."
"Is that supposed to be a threat?"
"No Mr. Jacks. That's a promise. Skye's been through enough. She doesn't need the added stress that you continually dump on her head. So do her a favor. Either clean up your act or get the hell out of her life. If your not going to be a positive influence, I'm not going to allow you stick around and be a negative one."
"May I remind you that she is my wife."
"Funny how you only seem to remember that when it is convenient for you. You had it good. I mean, you had it really good. You screwed it up. I know you're not used to seeing Skye with her friends around, but you better get used to it, because at the moment we aren't going anywhere. And most of Skye's friends are male. Don't think that I haven't noticed how jealous you are. No don't bother to deny it. You've been acting like a kid whose favorite toy was taken away. Only no one took this toy from you. You threw it away all on your own. So don't expect it to just be handed back to you. You're going to have to work for it like everyone else."
"And I suppose you're going to be right here, encouraging her to abandon her marriage."
"Hey, you jumped out of her bed long before I showed up. So Jax, I have to ask. Is this about your love for her or are you just here because someone else is paying attention to something you threw away. She isn't a possession. She is allowed to be happy. If you can't provide that for her, and I do mean on a till death do you part basis not just for as long as I'm around to fight for her, then let her find someone who can."
"By that someone who can, you mean you."
"No. Skye and I are close friends. That is all we ever will be. Skye is a wonderful, vibrant woman. At some point, word will get out that she is free again, and when that happens, there will be men knocking on that door who will want to be more than just friends."
"Over my dead body."
"If that's what it takes. Do everyone a favor. Go home. Think about what you really want. Don't just jump in on instinct. If that something you want does turn out to be a lifetime with Skye, then I suggest that you buckle down for a war. Because that is exactly what you're going to have to fight in order to get Skye back."
"Against you?"
"No, against your wife. Be prepared to fight dirty because I guarantee that Skye will and she will have help. And before you ask, yes, if Skye asks me for something, I will do it for her."
"Okay, I have here three cups of coffee." Skye walked in and placed the tray on the table.
"Actually, I have to be going. I have a meeting that I am going to be late for. Sam I would say that it has been a pleasure meeting you, but it wasn't, however, it has been interesting."
"Same here. I look forward to your next move."
I nodded. "Skye, I know that you don't believe me right now when I say that I love you but if you need anything, anything at all. You can call me."
"I will keep that in mind."
I kissed her quickly on the cheek and walked out.
