Chapter 2

In a fog of exhausted sleep Alexis suddenly felt herself moving. Something was wrong. Someone was pulling her up from… somewhere. It felt as though she were being lifted out of her body. Suddenly becoming alarmed her mind began to scream. 'Wake up, Alexis. You have to wake up. Something is not right.' Eyelids that felt like dead weight edged open and as realization of what was actually happening touched her senses she sighed with relief and fell back into her exhausted sleep.

As Cameron lifted Alexis to pull her from the front seat of his car, he felt her stir… sensed her confused state and quietly whispered words of calming comfort into her ear and felt her relax back into sleep… into arms that held her close… Maybe too close given what he felt inside for the woman that lay sleeping in his arms. Gripping the keys to her apartment in one hand, he shifted her in his arms slightly then kicked the car door shut. His face colored slightly as he remembered his foray into her pockets to try and locate her keys without waking her. Her gentle breath on his neck as he leaned across her touched him in more ways than one.

A soft fleeting scent met his nostrils as a gentle breeze blew by and he chuckled softly. No matter how much cologne she used to enhance her image as 'Dobson', it was impossible to mask the sensual essence that was purely Alexis. He leaned his head toward hers and rested his cheek against the top of her head for a moment. He smiled as he felt her relax in his arms a bit more and his breath caught briefly as her hand found its way to rest just inside the flap of his sport coat. The warmth of her palm stole its way through the barriers of clothing to find the one source that would spread its healing nature throughout a body that needed so much from this woman; who, in the anonymity of sleep, wrapped her arm around his waist. His blood raced.

Entering her apartment, he walked to the sofa and gently lay Alexis down. He spent a few moments settling her then returned to close the door quietly. How many times had he stood in this one spot… arguing with her… railing against himself for the words he couldn't stop… hating himself for the look of mistrust he sometimes saw in her eyes. Looking back at her now he smiled at the thought of being with her… of finally being able to 'fix' what went wrong between them. He wavered a moment wondering what he could do while he waited for her to wake. Questions raced through his head so fast that he was having a bit of trouble focusing. The one question that kept coming back over and over… would she allow him to continue with his plans for her? The question of what to do next was quickly solved as he heard an aggravated sigh escape Alexis. Returning to her side he noticed her trying to wake up enough to disengage herself from the confines of her alternate persona. Kneeling down he spoke quietly as he lifted her shoulders from the sofa.

"Let me help, Alexis. Just close your eyes and sleep. I'll take the coat off and hang it up so it won't get wrinkled. You just sleep now, angel. I'll take care of everything tonight. You don't have to worry about anything. Shhhhh…. Just sleep."

As he quietly whispered to her his hands kept busy trying to relieve her of the coat without moving her around too much. Just as he drew the coat out from under her, her body released itself back into a quiet slumber. Next he unbuttoned the gray vest then proceeded to remove the tie and unbutton the top button of her shirt. Satisfied that her clothing could no longer restrict her breathing, Cameron moved to the end of the sofa and began to remove her shoes. Leaving her socks on to keep her feet from becoming chilled he massaged them briefly before going in search of a blanket to lay across her.

Finding what he wanted he returned to her side an gently placed the blanket over her. He hesitated wondering if the blanket would be too much and cause her to become heated. Making a quick decision he readjusted the blanket to cover just her legs then sat back and surveyed his handiwork. The only thing that disturbed him was the anguish he saw in her face as she slept. But, there was nothing he could do about that right now. Somehow he needed to find a way to help her, but for now he was satisfied to wait until Alexis woke before proceeding any further.

He was in the kitchen putting away the dinner that was delivered just moments before when he heard her scream. Throwing the butter knife down he ran back into the living room where he found Alexis sitting up leaning over with her face buried in her hands sobbing hysterically. Sitting down beside her, he drew her into his arms and began to rock her back and forth calmly soothing her with soft words.

"Hey, it's me. I'm here and I'm not going to let you go. Kristina is fine. I called to check on her while you were asleep. Shhhhh…. tell me what happened. Was it a dream? Did a nightmare wake you? Calm down now, Alexis. I've got you and I'm not going to let anything happen to you. Shhhhh….."

He felt her shudder once and then she straightened wiping away the tears that were no longer content to stay within the realm her control. She reached toward him with one hand and grasped the lapel of his jacket as she leaned into him. She rested against him until she regained control of her emotions then raising her head she looked up to find his eyes.

"Thank you, Cameron. For being here… for caring. It's ok now. I'm okay. I just needed some rest…"

He interrupted her before she could finish her standard 'you're off the hook' speech.

"You need more than rest, Alexis and tonight I'm going to see that you get it. For once you are going to be treated like the sane, competent, deserving woman that you are and you are not going to have any say in the matter. Tonight is my night to practice being a gentleman and you are going to be my guinea pig. So relax and enjoy."

Her teasing reluctant smile sent chill bumps racing across his skin; such a beautiful smile that rarely saw the light of day any more.

"You're going to be a gentleman, Cameron? With me? How did I rate having such an honor bestowed on me given the, shall we say, less than desirable position I have put you in?"

He grew serious as he contemplated her question. He took one of her hands into his and gently began to trace the outline of her fingers with his own. Hesitating a moment more he threw aside any reservations he might have had regarding how honest he would be and looked back up into eyes so clear he could see his own reflection in them.

"I'm sick of watching you suffer, Alexis. I'm sick of standing by and watching people who profess to love you, like you or whatever, give you the shaft every time you turn your back. I'm sick of hearing you have to beg to see your daughter. But, most of all, it sickens me that I've known you for months now and I've yet to see you laugh, have fun or feel free enough to express yourself without fear of some sort of retaliation. For once I want to see you enjoy yourself. I don't know if it's even possible given the way things are right now, but I'd like the chance to try and give you an evening that is all about you."

Tears again formed in the corner of her eyes and Cameron's heart fell. Evidently his face couldn't hide the emotion of his heart as Alexis brought her hand up to his face and lay her palm against his cheek.

"Cameron, I can't remember the last time I was truly happy without there being some part of my life in chaotic ruins. I don't believe there will ever be a moment in my life where I will find absolute true peace. There are just too many issues in my past that will forever play havoc with my future. But, I love it that you want to try and help. I just don't think it's possible."

Cameron ducked his head and reached up to take her hand away from his face. He held it within his own as he tried to explain his heart to her.

"Do you know what I see when I look at you, Alexis?" Without waiting for her answer he continued. "I see an ocean with a sandbar stuck right out in the middle with one solitary palm tree growing there."

"I don't understand. What are you trying to say, Cameron?"

"You're the palm tree, Alexis."

"Well that's a pretty graphic and distressing visual."

"Distressing? I think the more appropriate word would be heartbreaking. There is so much inside that heart of yours that lies dormant because you don't feel you can open up and be yourself without the threat of being attacked for having the audacity to simply be yourself. That's just plain tragic, if you ask me! What really infuriates me though are all the sharks surrounding the island keeping me from getting to you."

"Don't you have a boat?"

Her response told him that she understood how frustrated and troubled he was. She was again teasing him in an effort to lighten his mood. But, he needed her to understand exactly where he was coming from.

"Yes, but you keep throwing boulders at any attempt I make to help. You keep sinking my boat, Alexis."

He watched her grow still and lower her gaze from his. As usual when she felt she was being condemned for her actions she retreated. It was the last thing he wanted from her, so he backed off. Raising his hand he caught her chin between his fingers and gently lifted until he could again see her eyes.

"I'm not attacking you, Alexis. I just want you to see what I see. But, tonight is not the time. Tonight I just want you to feel safe and secure and 'liked' a great deal. Is that okay with you? Can I continue with my plans for the evening? Will you trust me to take care of you this evening?"

Her eyes sparked briefly as she considered his proposal. He caught just enough to recognize that even though she was still exhausted she was too curious to turn down his offer.

"What do you have in mind, Dr. Lewis and should I dress for the occasion?"

Squeezing her chin gently he let go and tapped her lightly on the nose as he winked at her.

"You wait right here and we'll get this show on the road."

Cameron stood up then reached down to pick Alexis up only to sit her back down so that she was resting comfortably against the arm of the sofa and her legs were stretched out along its length. He placed a pillow behind her so she rested easier and then placed a pillow under her knees knowing it would reduce the amount of stress on the joints. He left her long enough to retrieve the basket that was delivered by his friend earlier. Walking back into the living room he smiled at the look of curiosity that fell on Alexis' face. 'This is going to be fun', he thought to himself. Placing the basket on the coffee table just out of her reach he moved its silk covering just enough so he could see what he was doing without allowing Alexis to know what he was up to until he wanted her to.

"What are you doing, Cameron? You're acting like you have the answers to life itself in that basket. Just what are you up to?"

Grinning, he popped off a quick sarcastic remark. "Oh, about 6'2" last time I checked, Miss Nosey. Now be still while I get started here."

"6' 2" Cameron? Given that arrogant tendency to project yourself I would have sworn you were taller."

Laughing at her 'smart ass' response he reached over and pulled 4 candles out of the basket and placed two of them on the mantle in front of the mirror in such a way that it appeared to be four candles. He then placed the other two on the coffee table and proceeded to light all of them. Once the candles were taken care of he went back to the basket and pulled a crystal dish out of its wrapping paper and set it down between the candles on the table. He quickly looked over at Alexis and saw she was watching him intently with a look of surprise and expectancy on her face. Slipping his hand back into the basket he pulled out an envelope and brought it up to his nose and waved it gently. Inhaling dramatically his lifted his eyebrows with satisfaction to hopefully tease a response from her and was rewarded by her animated hand signal to coach him closer so she could inhale its aroma as well. Her sigh of frustration delighted him as he shook his head 'no', satisfied that he completely had her full attention. Opening the envelope he poured the contents into the crystal dish then reached toward the basket again. This time he pulled a small vial of amber liquid from the basket and poured its contents into the dish as well. The aroma of the pellets in the dish immediately began to fill the room and Cameron heard Alexis sigh as she finally caught a whiff of the aroma.

"Mmmm… smells like an English garden. Nice. You're full of surprises tonight aren't you, Dr. Lewis?"

"Quiet please. I'm not through operating yet."

Cameron noticed that Alexis was leaning forward awkwardly in an effort to make sure she didn't miss anything, so he moved toward her and placing his hands on her shoulders pushed her back against the pillow.

"Relax Alexis. This won't do the trick if you don't follow directions. Now don't move. There's something in the kitchen I have to get."

Turning to walk out he hesitated a moment, then looked back at her.

"And stay away from my basket, woman."

She looked back at him innocently trying to hide the fact that one foot was already on the floor and pointed toward the general direction of the basket in question.

"Who me?"

Walking back toward the sofa Cameron reached down and moved the offending foot back to where it belonged. "Yeah you, Miss Impatience. Now stay."

"Yes sir, Mr. Bossy."

"You just remember that my intent is to soothe and relax. You don't want to jeopardize what could be an enticing experience, do you?"

He watched in amusement as Alexis reached down and swiftly picked up the blanket from the floor and covered her legs just as he had earlier.

"See, this is me, behaving… patiently."

"Thank you, Ms Davis. I knew you wouldn't let me down once you knew how important this little adventure was to me."

He winked at her again then retraced his steps to the kitchen. He was having fun, but he hoped more than anything that Alexis was enjoying herself as well. Picking up the tray that he prepared before she woke, Cameron returned to the living room and found Alexis just as he left her, very patiently waiting for him. He placed the tray on the table then gently moved her legs over so he could sit down beside her.

"I imagine that on most days by this time you would have already rid yourself of all that stuff on your face. But since it was more important for you to finish your nap… let's just see if we can take care of that little problem right now. You just relax and let me do the honors this evening."

"Cameron, I can do it m….."

Sighing in mock irritation he leveled an intense glare at her and waited a moment before responding.

"Now you know that any and all interruptions are going to be met with stubbornness on my part so you might as well just relax and let me have my way."

She met his gaze boldly for a moment before allowing her eyes to wander elsewhere. He could see the struggle that was going on in her mind through her eyes and he sat still until she finally found an acceptable answer to the dilemma she was facing and allowed him to continue. He knew without having to ask that Alexis was struggling with the idea of the two of them maintaining such a close proximity considering the attraction they felt for one another. Neither of them had ever discussed the kisses they shared but those brief moments never left the thoughts of either one of them. The only response he was given to know whether he could proceed or not was a simple shrug of her shoulders as her eyes closed.

Reaching to pull the basket closer to him, Cameron lifted a soft cloth out and dipped it into the bowl of warm water on the tray. He then gently grasped one side of the mustache that Alexis glued in place that morning and slowly pulled it away while replacing it with the warm cloth he held in his other hand. With tender care he wiped away the remaining glue then began to remove the beard in the same manner. Once the mustache and beard were removed he started on the eyebrows and noticed that Alexis had once again fallen asleep. For her to fall asleep while he tended to her spoke volumes regarding her level of exhaustion. He continued to tenderly clear away all the facial evidence of her 'alter' then reached back into the basket for the bottle of lotion that he specifically requested be included in his little mobile spa.

With the amount of times that Alexis was forced to change her appearance, Cameron figured that by now her skin would be showing the effects of the abusiveness of the glue. Squeezing a bit of lotion into his palm he began to apply the medicinal moisturizer to her face. He hoped that it felt as soothing to her skin as it did to his as he continued to caress the silky texture of the lotion into her skin. He felt the quality of her breathing change and knew she had awakened again. Her eyes remained closed as he continued his ministrations. When finished he rubbed the remaining lotion into his own hands then gently lifted her head and removed the wig. Settling her back against the pillow he stood up and moved to where he was standing at the end of the sofa. Reaching down he slid both hands down between her back and the pillow and lifted her just enough so that he could take the pins out of her hair without having her completely sit up. Once she was correctly positioned he began removing the pins that held her hair up. One by one, carefully and meticulously he removed them all until her hair fell down the side of the sofa finally free of its confinement. Retrieving her brush from the tray he began to slowly brush her hair. Stroke by stroke he brought her hair back to life. His fingers followed the bristles as each stroke brought out a little more of the natural sheen she was born with. The soft silkiness of her hair mesmerized him. A soft sigh brought him out of his reverie and he lay the brush aside and began to gently massage her scalp where the pins left small indention's in her skin underneath the wig. His fingers moved slowly from the top of her head toward her temples then back again. Then he worked toward the area just behind her ears then on toward the nape of her neck. Working slowly and rhythmically Cameron covered every inch of her scalp and neck. When he finished he stood and moved to the other end of the couch and sat down at her feet. He looked back up at her and knew he was succeeding in his desire to relax her as she had once again fallen asleep. Only this time her face appeared to be more contented. There was also the tiniest of smiles on her lips. He reached to pick up her left foot and removed the sock. Tossing it to the floor he began to carefully massage the soreness from feet that were not allowed to rest during the long painful hours she was forced to endure at the hands of what must seem like mercenaries to her. All for just a few fleeting moments of happiness with her daughter; moments that passed as quickly as a blink of an eye.

Once he finished massaging her feet, he covered them with the blanket to keep her warm. He arranged a small pillow in his lap and then placed her feet on top of it to stem the blood flow a bit. He wanted the flow of her blood to stay focused on the upper extremities of her body for a while. The oxygen it carried would not only aide in the rejuvenation of her spirit, but would also help to relieve some of the mental stress she was suffering. He watched her sleep for a while then leaned his head back and drifted off himself as his thumb subconsciously caressed her ankle. As sleep overtook him, he thought of dinner and mentally shrugged his shoulders. It could wait a while. Alexis needed to recuperate from her day and only time could accomplish that goal. For the next couple of hours he would be a companion to time and let it work it's magic on that part of Alexis he couldn't reach… yet. She needed to rest… she needed to be reminded that she mattered… that someone did care about her.