a woman's work


         Alexis watched in satisfaction as her client signed the final page of the contracts.

"As usual, Ms. Davis, you've negotiated the best possible terms for me. It seems you've covered for every contingency. Even a few that I hadn't taken into consideration." Mason told her as he smiled and handed the papers back to her. "If you don't mind me saying so, our partnership has proved to be a very enjoyable one."

         "That's why you pay me, Mr. Lane. To cross the "t's" and dot the "i's"." Alexis slipped the papers into her briefcase. "I'll have these filed with the appropriate parties as soon as possible."

"And now that business is concluded, how about pleasure? All work and all that." His eyes twinkled at her. "And please, call me Mason. I think that we've worked together enough to warrant us being on a first name basis, don't you?"

Was he was flirting with her? Alexis wondered. She smiled to herself, dimpling slightly. "Perhaps…Mason."

"That wasn't too hard, now was it, Alexis? You know that's a beautiful name." He grinned. "Now, about that pleasure. Please tell me that you're free later on."

Wasn't she the lucky one, Alexis thought. A few months ago, and he would have been a definite possibility. But now, her world was topsy-turvy. All because of another dark-haired dark-eyed gentleman. With thoughts of Sonny on her mind, unbidden, a second smile blossomed on her lips.

Her smile encouraged her companion. "Dare I hope that smile means you're considering my proposal?" he asked, leaning forward across the table.

"Regrettably, I have previous plans, Mr. La—Mason."

"Nothing breakable?"

"Ironclad and rock solid, I'm afraid."

         "My loss." The regret in his voice was genuine. "Well, another time, maybe."

Alexis smiled, saying nothing. Mason stood. He took her hand and shook it, then in a move that surprised her, brought her hand to his lips. "I look forward to our next meeting…which I hope won't necessarily be business. Don't answer now," Mason said, forestalling her reply. "Leave a man some hope and allow me my dreams."

"Is that what you're up to these days?" A voice sounded from behind Alexis, just before she felt the pressure of two strong hands on her shoulders. "Careful, Lane. I'm very protective of my ex wives."

"One of the things I adore about you." Alexis said with a small laugh. "Well, this particular ex-wife is feeling a little parched. Do you think I could get some spring water with a twist of lime?"

"Not a problem." Jax gave her shoulders a final squeeze. He headed off towards the bar, Mason following him.

            As Jax gave his order to the bartender, Mason smiled at Jax. "Not to worry…I have nothing but the highest respect for Alexis here." He gestured around the club. "Is this what keeps bringing you back to Port Charles?"

            "Among other things." Jax said. "Actually, this place is one of my investments. A plaything, actually, but it's proving to be a bit of a challenge."

            While the two men bantered easily with each other at the bar, Alexis' phone rang. She reached into her purse and flipped it open. "Alexis Davis."

            "Still busy with your client, Alexis Davis?"

            "You're getting very protective and selfish with my time, do you know that, Sonny?"

            "I can hear the smile in your voice, Alexis. Tell me you don't like it." In spite of the fact that her head was telling her she shouldn't, the truth was, she did. His voice curled lazily in her ear, and did silly things to her insides, sending her stomach topsy-turvy and making her heart do flip flops. "I'll take it that your non-answer means you are done. Otherwise, you would have shut me down already."  He paused. "And you never did answer my question."

            "All right, Mr. I'm-In-Control…we finished up maybe five or ten minutes ago. He, Jax and I are having a pleasant conversation. Or we were."

            "Were?"

            "Well, right now, I'm sitting right here by my lonesome…talking to you."

            "Their loss; but it works for me."

            "Now who can hear the smile in who's voice?" Alexis said with a small laugh. "You are so bad."

            "But don't ya love me when I'm bad? And just think…when I'm good, I'm even better…"

            She couldn't help it, a louder surprised laugh burst out of her before she could stifle it. Jax and Mason both turned to look her inquisitively. She could hear Sonny laughing on the other end. Alexis would bet that he was way too pleased with himself right now. "Along with willful, stubborn and obstinate, can I add aggravating and exasperating?"

            "You can add anything you want to…just be outside in twenty minutes and we can work on the list of my never ending faults together. Maybe I'll find a way to help you add more to your list of my oh so many sins….In fact, I promise to do exactly that. Start counting down Alexis, because ready or not, here I come…" 

            "What did you mean…?" Alexis started to ask…but the only answer she got to her unfinished question was Sonny laughing as the phone clicked off. She shook her head and allowed herself another small grin. He was absolutely incorrigible – and she wouldn't have him any other way. She looked up to see Jax and Mason returning to the table.

             "You're looking pleased with yourself." Mason was looking down at her and Alexis struggled to compose herself, but the corners of her mouth kept trying to curve upwards in a smile.

            "I'm always pleased when my clients are." Alexis said.  She accepted the water from Jax with a softly murmured thanks and sipped at it before she began carefully replacing the papers in her briefcase, trying to still her pulse, the same pulse that had began beating rapidly from just the sound of Sonny's voice. She gave half an ear to what Jax and Mason were saying, while the other half tried to figure out just exactly what it was that Sonny had meant and what he was up to. She just knew he was up to something.

            "It seemed like that phone call you had had a lot more to do with that smile that anything I've done." Mason was saying.

            Alexis focused on him. "It's just my next appointment. Maybe it's the fact that it's my last one of the day that has me smiling." And not the fact that I'll be spending it with a certain someone has nothing to do with it. Yeah—right. And I've got a Greek Island to sell…

            "Any special plans for the weekend?" Mason Lane was persistent, she'd give him that.

            "Mostly work, but I hope to get some play in." Now that was the truth…Alexis forced her mind into safer avenues of conversation. "How about yourself?"

            "I'm afraid that I'll be alone and lonely, since you've turned me down. My wounded heart will never be the same."

            "Well, old man, you can spend your time drowning your sorrows right here at the club. They'll be plenty of beautiful women that will be more than happy to keep you company. Watching you spend your money will do my heart a great deal of good." Jax said. He laughed as he lightly slapped the other man on the back.

            "And maybe Alexis will join us here after her work is done?" His eyes were hopeful as they gazed into hers.

            "A woman's work is never done, Mr. Lane…Mason…" Alexis said as she stood. "And the two of you can keep each other company. You won't even miss me." Both men protested that statement. Alexis glanced at her watch. If she left just now, her ride should be just pulling up in front of the club. And if she could be there waiting, she could avert a minor skirmish. She put out her hand to Mason, and was surprised when he lifted it to brush his lips gently across her knuckles. Well, well…isn't he the charmer. But…his timing was just off in this case… She hugged Jax and kissed him on the cheek before leaving the club.

             Her timing was perfect, Sonny's deep silver grey limo was just smoothly pulling to a stop in front of the doors as she exited the club. Max, the driver, was coming around to get the door and then Sonny was climbing out of the car. He reached out and took her hand. Their fingers intertwined themselves without thinking and that simple touch between them left them grinning almost foolishly at each other. The rest of the world disappeared right then and there, without them even realizing it.

            "My lady, your chariot awaits." Sonny handed her carefully down into the car, never letting go of her hand as he followed her. Neither one of them saw Carly stumbling out of the back seat of a cab caught behind a truck five cars behind them as they were getting into the limo. Nor did they hear Carly's frantic shouts or see her waving her arms as they pulled off.

            ***
           

            "You're ex-wife is a very fascinating woman." Mason said to Jax as they stood at the bar enjoying two martinis. "Is she involved with anyone at the moment?"

            Jax thought about Sonny Corinthos for a moment and the undue influence he'd had on her lately. He shuddered inside as his mind thought about that. Gods, he hoped not. "She hasn't told me about anyone new in her life." And that was true enough.

            Mason smiled. "That's the best news I've heard today."

            "Just remember...that is my ex-wife...I wouldn't take kindly to anyone hurting her in any kind of way."

            "Warning taken and acknowledged, Jax.. But I'm betting that Ms. Alexis Davis can more than take care of herself "

Jax wished he could be so sure. But maybe this Mason Lane was just what he needed to keep Alexis – occupied. "I'll drink to that." He said with a smile. The two men were touching glasses in a toast when a blond hurricane blew into the club.

         Carly came raging into the club and seeing Jax, marched straight up to him…. "Now you're allowing Alexis to use my club for her assignations?!" she screeched at him.

"Hardly, Carly… she was here meeting with a client."

"What kind of client?" Carly sneered in reply. "Who?"

"Mason Lane." Mason stepped forward, hand extended, to introduce himself.

Carly, in typical Carly fashion, ignored him. "Is that why I just saw Alexis climbing into the back of a limo with Sonny? They were holding hands – and it was disgusting! I won't have this going on, Jax, not in my club...ex-wife or yours or not!" Spinning on her heel, she stormed off to the office. A stunning slam of a door echoed sharply behind her disappearance.

"Was that the interesting part of your investment?" Mason said dryly.

"You know how much I enjoy a challenge."

"I'd say you have one helluva challenge on your hands." The sharply echoing crescendo sound of glass smashing accentuated his last words.

            Jax sighed.

            ***

            Well, it was obvious they were not heading back to the penthouse. Alexis almost sighed aloud. The route they were taking was heading away from Harbor Towers. She had half hoped that they would have a leisurely meal at Sonny's place and maybe, somehow end up in front of the fireplace together with nothing more than a long private evening and some real conversation. It didn't really matter, she told herself.  Slow was good. Slow was what needed here. It was just as well that they didn't go back to the penthouse. After all, the situation might get out of hand, and that was the last thing that either of them needed.

            "So," Alexis said brightly, "Just where is it that we'll be eating at?"

            "Think Caribbean."

            Caribbean? That cuisine wasn't one of Sonny's favorites…that fact took a minute to digest. It took another moment after that before what Sonny had said actually clicked for Alexis. Where…not what…

Her suddenly stunned gaze flew up to meet his very amused and very affectionate and all-too-knowing one.      

            Caribbean. Obviously the mistake was not asking a pertinent question like location before getting into the car.