CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN
welcome
home
Alexis hadn't thought she'd be able to sleep, but apparently she'd never even made upstairs to her bedroom. She awoke slowly, muscles protesting a little from her position on her living room couch. She was surprised to find herself covered with a light blanket; that must have been Kristina's doing.
"Welcome back to the land of the living." Kristina's voice sounded from behind her. "I was just brewing some tea and it looks like you could use a cup."
She walked into the kitchen, returning shortly with two cups on a tray. She came back and sat opposite her sister before handing her a cup. "Now dish."
Alexis accepted the tea and took a sip before making a face. "You and Jax should get together and exchange your recipes of witches' brews. You really should."
"Don't try and change the subject. Dish!"
"Dish?" The
memories of the last hours flickered through her, from the moment Sonny had
ushered her into the limo until the moment when she'd awakened in the limo,
where Sonny had kissed her so gently and with such… tenderness and regret…an
answering throb of desire echoed through her, as her body remembered everything
all too well "There was so much going
on… I can't describe it."
Kristina's eyes were bright with curiosity. "Answer me this at least…was it everything you hoped for?"
"Let's just say it was more than I expected."
Kristina laughed at the familiar wryness in her sister's voice and finished her tea. "And since we both know that for you…that was a major admission, I'll leave it at that." She stood, crossed over to Alexis and dropped a kiss on her forehead. "I have to run down to the studio for a little while; but maybe tonight we can go out to dinner and I can get the full 411."
"You know, you're picking up this American slang all too happily." Alexis said with a smile as Kristina picked up a jacket and headed for the door. "And I've got a bone to pick with you about your conspiracy with a certain gentleman across the hall."
Kristina paused by the desk, picking up the now wilting bouquet of flowers. "Well, this says it was done for all the right reasons. So I know you can't be too angry at me." She picked up her purse and laughed at sister, blowing a kiss at her as she went out the door. Alexis shook her head as the door closed.
She and Sonny. What a whirlwind of emotions she'd managed to her herself caught up in. And while so many questions had been answered, a thousand more seemed to have been left it their wake. She glanced at her watch and was surprised that almost three hours had passed since she and Sonny had returned to Port Charles. She must have been more tired than she had thought…. She wanted to lay her head back and close her eyes for a few minutes more… the night on the island seemed like nothing more than a beautiful dream, one that is slipping away from her even as she tries to hold on to the last wonderful moments of it. Her eyelids even began drifting downward, but then flew open as the memories of this, the morning after, came back in a rush…
Alexis jumped to her feet and rushed to the door. Luckily, it was Johnny on shift today. Even though she knew suddenly, the answer to her question before she'd even asked it, she asked him if Sonny were in the penthouse.
"No, Miss Davis, he went out a little while ago." Johnny answered.
"How
long?" If her tone was sharp as it had never been with Johnny before, she
didn't realize it.
"Maybe an hour… a little less…"
Illogically, Alexis found herself wondering….hoping… that Sonny had managed to get some rest before he'd gone back out into the street. Illogical, oh how very much so… but despite his fury, it was the heartache Sonny would be feeling that would be driving. But the combination of the two would only be fueled by his lack of sleep. And the consequences could be disastrous for all involved.
Johnny looked at her concernedly. Normally, he wouldn't pry, but something in her face pushed him to. "Is there anything I can do? Do you need me to get in touch with Mr. Corinthos for you?"
She had no business interfering in his business, she
knew that, God knew how she knew that, but this wasn't strictly
business. This was more personal.. But what rights does she have to interfere in
the private side of his life? The conflicting emotions showed briefly on her
face; but she was saved from answering by the phone ring sounding shrilly from
her apartment.
"No…" No, he didn't need her and she didn't need him "… no, that won't be necessary.." Alexis said, distracted by the sound of the phone. She turned and walked back into the apartment.
Johnny watched as the door closed behind his boss' attorney. And after about a half-second of hesitation, he pulled out his cell phone.
***
"This
isn't a good time, Jax."
"Truer words were never spoken…hasn't your mob client filled you in on what's been going on?"
"Jax…" she said his name with a definite warning in her voice. "I've just come back from an out of town business trip, and I haven't even managed to change out of the clothes I traveled in…so why don't you just fill me in?"
"Fine. Ned is looking for you. Seems like AJ has taken a little trip of his own. He's not sure exactly why yet, but he's hoping it doesn't have to do with Sonny's sister."
The silence on the line gave him the answer he least wanted. "So Sonny does know." It wasn't a question.
"I'd say you probably knew before he did."
"And what is he going to do about it?"
"I don't know."
"Well, I know this much...Ned has been out all night, using every lead and every contact he knows trying to track AJ down. As much as he won't want to, eventually he is going come to you, Alexis. I just hope he finds them before Sonny does."
Jax made his curt goodbyes. So do I, Alexis thought as she set the receiver back in its cradle. Her mind was still a-jumble with everything that had happened in the last twenty-four hours.
On top of these new concerns, there was still Sonny…unwillingly, she worried…where was he? What was he doing? Alexis shook her head and went upstairs. There was nothing she could do for anyone at the moment. And suddenly, Alexis wanted nothing more than to take a shower and get herself clean.. A few long unthinking moments under a steaming hot shower sounded like a wonderful idea.
A short time later, Alexis was walking downstairs;
clad in a robe and toweling her hair. She'd resisted the passing urge to dress
in more comfortable jeans and t-shirt. After all, that wasn't really her, any
more than that passion-red dress had been. Instead, she'd opted for a navy
pinstripe suit and somewhat sensible pumps. She laid them out carefully across
the couch. Yes, sensible, no-nonsense, reliable. This is who she was. She had
forgotten it for a moment. Not again.
A knock on the door pulled her out of her reverie. Sonny, thank God! The thought came unbidden. Nevertheless, Alexis rushed to the door and yanked it open.
"Ned."
