Promises and Prayers
The next few days passed in a daze. Alexis barely saw Sonny, and when she did, he was totally preoccupied with Carly's disappearance. That's what he insisted on calling it to anyone who would listen. She was missing and she'd be home soon.
If she had thought killing AJ would have done irreperable damage to Sonny's psyche, then watching him try to deal with Carly's disappearance was ten times worse than anything else she could have imagined.
He'd refused to give up hope. The news that there was no body found in the car was a sign to him, that somehow, Carly had gotten out. Sonny convinced himself that it meant she was alive, and just stranded somewhere and unable to make contact. He'd pulled all his men in that he could to supplement the police as they searched for her. Alexis also found out that both Nikolas and Jax had added their resources and manpower to the search as well.
But as time passed, hope faded. Sonny slept little, ate less and Alexis could only watch, helpless, as he struggled against the growing odds. Where he was, Alexis couldn't help but be, lending her quiet support and strength to his.
Sonny barely slept or ate during this time. More than once, she'd found him at the crash site, staring out over the murky waters below the bluff. When she couldn't find him at the penthouse, she knew where to look for him. Walking up the slope to the bluff's edge, she found him in almost the identical site she'd left him at earlier in the day and was saddened by his appearance.
Normally a fastidious man, Sonny looked as though he headn't shaved in days, or even bothered to change his clothes.
She'd come upon him standing at the railing while the searchers dove in the lake and searched through the lake's forested edges. Mindful of the police and rescue workers all around them, she said nothing, but stood by his side in silence, lending her strength to his as she had done so many times. Alexis glanced down, noticing that their hands were almosst touching where they rested, side by side on the railing. She shifted slightly, letting the baby finger of one hand touch against his slightly. Sonny didn't move, except to allow his fingers to briefly entwine themselves with hers.
Sonny's phone rang. Reluctnantly, he disentangled his fingers from hers to answer it. The phne call was brief but Alexis could tell from the look in his eyes that the news had done nothing to alleviate his pain.
"That was Bobbie. Michael had another bad dream. He's asking for me and.. and his mother."
"He still doesn't know yet, does he?" Alexis asked, aching for the pain in Sonny's gaze.
"How can I tell him anything when... when I don't know anything myself!" Sonny burst out.
The sound of the naked agony in his voice caused several people around them to turn to look at them. Alexis noticed Jax and Mason standing with a group of searchers as they clustered around a map spread out on the hood of a car. Jax's gaze flickered quickly from Sonny to her, the concern evident in his look.
Alexis watched Sonny as he visibly fought for control. "Michael knows something is wrong... he keeps asking for his mother and no one is giving him a straight answer."
"I wish there was something more I could do."
"Knowing that you're here for me helps me more than anything." Sonny sighed heavily. "I'd better get over to Bobbie's. If I sit with him long enough, he'll get some sleep."
"What about you, Sonny?" Alexis asked. "When was the last time that you slept?"
He shrugged. "Don't know." Conscious of the people around them, they didn't move but looked long and hungrily at each other, wanting nothing more than to reach out and hold each other, but knowing they couldn't.
"You'd better get going." Alexis said at last. "I ordered you some take out from the No-Name and had it delivered to the penthouse. I hope you don't mind."
"Of course I don't." Sonny nodded. "I don't know what time I'll get home, but thank you, Alexis. I'll stop in and check on you when I get home."
It's me that should be checking on you. Alexis thought looking at him sadly, wanting so badly to be able to take care of him.
"I know." Sonny said, reading her mind. "And as soon as Carly comes home, we'll take care of each other. Maybe a trip to the islands - no business this time. How does that sound?" He tried for a smile but it fluttered and died on his lips even as Alexis watched.
"We don't have to think about that right now," Alexis said. "We'll have plenty of time later to plan a trip."
"I know, but I want to promise you that we will take that trip. And I want you to promise me that you'll go with me."
"Of course I'll go with you." Alexis assurred him.
Sonny tried to smile at her again, this time in farewell. He started to leave, but suddenly turned back to her. "Promise me, Alexis."
Surprised by the sudden intensity in his eyes, Alexis nodded. "I promise, Sonny."
Sonny nodded once, in unspoken answer, then left. He passed by Jax as he went to his own car, neither man acknowledging the other's presence. But Jax, seeing her alone, walked up the slope to her.
Taking one look at her face, Jax didn't offer a lecture on the evils of all things Corinthos, but only opened his arms in an offer of wordless comfort. Alexis went gratefully into his embrace not realizing how tired she was herself until she let herself find rest in her friend's arms.
"Alexis, when is the last time you've gotten any rest?" Jax asked concernedly. He tightened his arms around her, enfolding her in his strength.
Alexis had closed her eyes as Jax's arms held onto to her comfortingly. "I actually fell asleep on my couch for an hour or so earlier this evening. When I woke up, I checked across the hall and found out that Sonny been home but had gone out again. I knew he had come here." Alexis looked up into Jax's face, her eyes earnest. "I couldn't let him be out here all alone, Jax."
"Of course you couldn't." Jax said as he pressed a kiss on her brow. "You wouldn't be who you were if you could. One of the many things I've always adored about my favorite ex-wife." he said, trying to elicit a smile from her. He was gratified to see that it worked as a slightly tired smile briefly graced Alexis' face.
Jax sighed and began to guide her down the slope, not reliquishing his hold on her. "There's no love lost between Sonny and I, but I wouldn't wish the pain I saw in his eyes just now on anyone - not even him."
"Did you drive yourself here?" he asked. When Alexis nodded in answer, he looked around, and finding her car, guided her to the passenger's side. "I'm going to get you some tea and something to eat. Then I'm going to get the latest update on the search. After that, I'm going to drive you home and tuck you in. No argument, Alexis."
"No argument, Jax." Alexis agreed wearily. She would be no good to anyone if she burnt herself out. And she was bone-tired, there was no denying that. "But what about your car? How will you get back"
"I came with Mason Lane. When he learned I was looking for you, he insisted on coming." Jax deposited her in the car. "I think you just might have a new admirer on your hands. At the very least, a new friend. You can never have enough of those...friends, you know."
Alexis smiled, knowing Jax was still looking out for her. He wouldn't come right out and denouce Sonny in the midst of this situation, but he couldn't resist promoting an alternative. "I have you Jax... and I count you among my best friends. And that's a very short list."
"And I feel privileged beyond words to be on it." Jax bent down and brushed his lips against her cheek. "Now be a love and sit right here until I get back."
"Trust me, I won't move a muscle." Alexis saiid. She settled back in the car seat and closed her eyes as she let her head lean back against the headrest. Honestly, Alexis thought, she couldn't do anything strenous if she tried. She said a silent prayer for Sonny.. and even for Carly.
Whatever their issues, she'd never wished the other woman dead. Her son needed her. And Sonny? Whatever else was ended between them, Carly was the mother of Sonny's children, one living and one dead. There were ties there that would never be broken. And if she died, there would be pain there for Sonny that would never end.
"Please God..." she whispered aloud. "Spare him any more pain..."
As tired as she was, her mind refused to turn off. Her thoughts turned to the legal strategems she was building against AJ Quartermaine. He hadn't made any overt moves as yet, but she was sure that it was only a matter of time before he did.
Before she could formulate her thoughts, a voice calling her name interrupted her.
"Alexis?"
She opened her eyes to see Mason Lane standing before her. "How are you, Alexis?"
"I've had better days." Alexis said.
"I'm sure you have." Mason said. "I saw you standing with Sonny Corinthos earlier. It looked like a private moment, so I didn't want to intrude. I guess you have more than a lawyer/client relationship with him after all?"
"Yes, I count Sonny Corinthos as one of my friends, strange as it may seem." Alexis snapped at him, then reminded herself that she was very tired and probably was over-reacting to his innocent question. When she continued, her voice was quieter. "And a friend shouldn't be alone at a time like this."
"Not so strange...I think Mr. Corinthos is a very lucky man if he is able to count you as a friend." Mason said. He hesitated."I was friends of a sort with Carly Corinthos. I was very shocked and saddened to hear about her accident. I understand she and Sonny have a son?"
"Yes, Sonny adopted her son a little while back."
"Well, that's good that the boy still has one parent."
"No one has given up hope yet." Alexis said sharply, even though his words echoed her own thoughts.
"Of course, that was thoughtless of me." Mason apologized at once. "I only meant to offer you whatever comfort I can."
"I understand, Mason. Thank you for your concern. I do appreciate it."
Mason glanced up. "Here comes Jax, to drive you home. Get some rest, Alexis. You'll be no good to your friend if you wear you collapse from exhaustion. And if there is anything at all that I can do for you - " and he handed her his card - "Please, do not hesitate to call me. For anything."
Alexis slipped his card into her purse. "Thank you, Mason. I certainly will."
Jax returned with a thermos of steaming tea and a sandwich. They said their goodbyes to Mason and left. While Jax drove her home, he filled her in on the updates, which were meager and grim, while Alexis drank the tea and nibbled at the sandwich. She really had no appetite but the hot honey-sweetened drink did a lot to restore her. She filled Jax in on the situation with AJ, Sonny and Michael and her own efforts to thwart any possible custody battle. It was her way of contributing..
"We're all hoping that this turns out well." Jax said, as they rode up in the elevator, although his tone of voice showed that he like, almost everyone else, had begun to give up hope of finding Carly alive. "And I'm sure that Carly will appreciate your efforts to help."
Alexis quirked an eyebrow at Jax. "This is Carly we're talking about, remember?"
"True enough." Jax said, and laughed briefly. "Well, I'll make sure to tell her what you've done on Michael's behalf and I'll be appreciative enough for the both of us, how about that?"
"That will be just fine." Alexis said. They arrived at the penthouse level. Alexis paused to ask Max who was on duty if Sonny had returned home yet and got a negative answer.
"The food you ordered arrived and waiting for him, and Johnny is with him, Ms. Davis. He'll look out for him." All of Sonny's personal guards knew of Alexis' concern for Sonny - and approved.
"Thank you, Max."
"Yes, thank you, Max." Jax said. He walked Alexis to her door. "Now is it necessary that I come in and tuck you into bed like a good little girl to make sure you get your rest?.
No Jax, believe me. I'm going straight up, change out of these clothes and crawl very gratefully into my bed."
"Good. I'll call you in the morning. Think about breakfast."
"I will. I promise." Alexis opened her door and stepped inside. She raised herself up and kissed Jax on the cheek. "Have I thanked you today for looking out for me?"
"No need for thanks, you know that right?"
"Right." Alexis smiled - and yawned..
" See.. go upstairs and go to sleep. Take care of youself - and him." Jax jerked his head in the direction of Sonny's door.
