CHAPTER FORTY-NINE
A Friend In Deed

Alexis was walking. For how long, or how far, she didn't know. The babble of incredulous voices in the church was thankfully long behind her, and it was all she could do to keep putting one foot in front of the other. And that seemed to be all that mattered for the moment. One foot, then the other. Keep moving. Running away from the miracle – or the incredible cosmic joke - that had just presented itself before her unbelieving eyes.

How many times had she wished that Carly hadn't died? And now she hadn't. And Sonny had gone after her. After her.

Alexis' mind shut down after that. It refused to think beyond that moment, indelibly and forever etched on her mind.

In the midst of all that chaos she walked out of the church, walked through the courtyard, walked out of the gates and down the roads, past the line of cars. Away from everyone and every thing and all her heart had known. If anyone had spoken to her, Alexis hadn't heard them, and if more than a few eyes turned her way, she didn't notice them either.

Her cell phone had shrilled from somewhere within her purse. She ignored it. After the third time, she reached in and thumbed the ringer off, not even bothering to see who the calls were from. She knew it wasn't from Sonny. So did it matter who else it was? Vaguely, she knew that it should, but it didn't.

Alexis didn't even realize when the tears had begun. Only they were there now, silent streamers of cold wetness trailing down her cheeks. Or was it the rain that had begun spilling from the sky? It was quickly turning from a light misting to a threatening downpour, but it didn't matter much. Her vision wavered and blurred, but that didn't matter either. All she saw was Carly running out of the church, and Sonny dashing after her. In her mind's eye, that scene played over and over again.

"Alexis...Alexis!"

It took a long moment before she registered the voice calling her name. Then a strong arm was coming around her shoulders, wrapping something around her. A man's coat, she recognized after a moment.

"Come, Alexis. Come out of the rain. Come out of the storm. It does no one any good, if you make yourself sick."

What did it matter?" She thought. But she allowed herself to be guided to the waiting car. Gentle hands sat her down and buckled her into the seat. She was too benumbed to do anything. Even thinking seemed beyond her ability at the moment.

"Is there somewhere in particular you'd like to go? Or we can stay right here until the rain stops. Whatever it is you want, Alexis."

After a long moment, her mind began to function again. "Kristina?"

"She's fine. Ned Ashton was there and he and Jax both promised to take care of her until you came home." Mason answered.

Alexis turned and looked at him. He was drenched of course, his dark chestnut hair plastered to his head, his very expensive suit almost certainly ruined. "Sorry"

He followed her gaze as she studied him and recognized her apology. Mason shook his head. "It's nothing. I just wanted to make sure that you were all right."

Alexis turned her head to look out of the car window. There was nothing much to see beyond the sheets of rain pouring down. "Do you make a habit of rescuing damsels in distress?"

"Not particularly, but I am partial to looking out after people I care about." Alexis turned to look sharply at him.
"I've never tried to disguise the fact that I've wanted to get to know you better, Alexis. And I'm sure you can guess why." He held up both hands to stop her before she made an accusation that would hurt them both. "And no, I'm not trying to take advantage of an emotionally charged situation. I'm only trying to be your friend."

In her "emotionally charged" state, it would be all too easy to rail at him an accuse him of the very thing he's denying, Alexis' mind thought coolly. But what would it accomplish in the long run? She was aware of Mason studying her intently.

When he noticed her own regard, he changed the subject, his voice determinedly light. "That's one of things that fascinate me about you. Just a moment ago, you were ready to explode, then one can almost see the wheels turning as you thought yourself right out of your anger. Not many people can do that, you know."

"I've been told I think too much."

"Nonsense. It's a part of your charm." Mason turned the key in the ignition. "Now, what is it, m'lady requires? What do you need?"

"A friend." Lexis said, and sighed. "And you seem to be fulfilling the need quite nicely. Thank you, Mason."

Alexis didn't want to go home; not knowing what she would find, just the thought of going anywhere near Harborview Towers made her stomach knot up. And neither did she want to go anywhere public where she might run into anyone who knew her. Listening to the salacious whispers over Carly's return from the dead was not going to help her in any way shape or form either. A delicate invitation to Mason's yacht was turned down just as delicately. He didn't pursue it.

So they just drove. With nothing but the rain and the wind to keep them company.

Mason remained thankfully silent. Alexis too. She let the sound of the rain fill her mind. She didn't want to think right now, she didn't want to make any conversation, and she didn't want to feel. Instead, the quiet purr of the car's motor, the roar of the storm outside stilled the storm inside, she let it all fill her.

At last, the rain began to let up. They were close to the dock area and suddenly Alexis felt the need for some fresh air. She needed to be out in the open. She wanted to walk down by the water. "Can we pull over?"

"Anything you want." Mason parked the car. "But I'm not letting you go anywhere alone."

"I'm not very good company right now." Alexis said. It wasn't that she wanted to be alone, but she didn't want to explain herself to anyone. Especially when she couldn't explain herself to herself.

Mason shrugged. "That's all right. Pretend I'm your shadow. Ignore me. I'm used to that." He said with a small smile, meant to elicit one from her. It worked.

"Fine, come along and be ignored some more."

"Nothing would please me more at the moment." He paused. "I'm not going to pry or anything, but there's something in your face. You look a little upset...more than a little upset... a little scared, even. What are you afraid of?"

Alexis looked at him, then shaking her head gently, looked away.

"Never mind. Don't answer, if you don't want to."

Mason was true to his word. He was nothing more than a comforting presence. They walked along the mostly deserted streets and then made their way down to the waterfront. Alexis walked to the end of the pier, staring out across the dark waters. What was she afraid of?

Her thoughts turned to Sonny, unconsciously hearing his voice. The question that Mason had asked her, she was hearing Sonny ask her too. It seemed from a lifetime ago.

flashback

"What are you afraid of? You can tell me or not, but you don't need to lie, because I know that something's bothering you."

"I am.. I'm feeling a little skittish lately." Alexis told Sonny. This conversation had taken place not long after Helena had kidnapped her and held her captive after Stavros had somehow, horrifically, returned from the dead.

Just as she had known how much Sonny had suffered these past few days, Sonny had known what she was going through back then. He knew she'd bottled up what she was feeling. 'The master bottler' she'd called him.

"Which is why I can read you pretty well. Just tell me."

And she had.
"I wasn't sure if any of us would ever be safe again. I - I hadn't felt that helpless since I was a kid. And there I was, holding my breath, waiting, waiting for it to be over, praying someone would come and rescue me. And then, suddenly, apropos of absolutely nothing, I - I pictured you... telling me to breathe. And I laughed out loud. I mean, I think I did. I don't know. Either way - either way, it - it really helped me. A little, anyway."

She remembered his eyes. How dark and soulful, and yes, a little sad they had looked.

"You know what?" He told her. "I let you down. You had a dream about me - that I rescued you - and I didn't. And I should have after everything you've done for me."

She had answered him in a very soft voice. "You didn't let me down. I doubt you ever could."

end flashback

He hadn't let her down then and face it, he hadn't let her down now. The look on Sonny's face as he'd run after Carly? Why should she let it hurt her so? What had she expected him to do? And most importantly, why was she doubting him now when she had no reason on earth to?

Back after her rescue, when she'd first been reunited with Kristina and she and her friends had insisted on throwing a party to celebrate her survival, even though it was the last thing she'd really wanted or needed, it had been Sonny who had come in, and who had whisked her away from it all. He'd known without asking, what she'd needed. He'd known she had needed to break things and scream and shout and finally let herself be held in his arms as she sobbed out her fears.

This was pretty much the same scenario. Why couldn't she see it before? It was because she'd let her own fears and old insecurities overtake her. Of course he'd run after Carly. He had to face what had happened and deal with it and her.

And Carly was not about to just turn the other cheek and let him go with her blessing. It was too much to hope that her near-brush with death would give her a new change of heart and mind. So Alexis had to be prepared for what Carly was going to do next. Carly wasn't going to give up without a fight. But this time neither was Alexis.

That was what Sonny needed from her now. He'd asked her if the positions were reversed, would she choose him. Well she had chosen him then and she chose him now. And it wasn't going to be easy, but they were worth the fight. Alexis felt renewed and stronger for this revelation. She smiled.

Mason noticed. "Feeling better?"

"Tons." He really had been more of a help than even he knew. A friend stood by you, a friend lent you their strength when you were weak. And that's what Sonny needed from her now, more than ever. He needed her strengths, her ability to coolly appraise situations and act on them in his best interests. She'd done it for him so many times before. And he'd need her more than ever now.

"Then my job as shadow is done." Mason moved to stand beside her. He glanced out at Spoon Island. Carefully determined to keep their conversation casual, he gestured towards it. "I've wondered about that place since I've come to town. I don't suppose you could check out its market value and availability. I've always wanted to own my own island." He chuckled. "There's probably something very warped about that."

"Well, you'll have to find another one. That one belongs to my family."

"Really. A great big estate like that, and you don't live there?"

"Not my cup of tea."

"I'd love to take a look around sometime. Maybe a picnic lunch in the Grand Ballroom."

"How do you know it has a Grand Ballroom?"

"What great mansion doesn't?" He grinned at her.

He really was incorrigible, Alexis thought. "Well, my brother is in residence right now. Perhaps I can arrange a tour when he's not there."

"And the picnic?"

"One thing at a time, please."

"How long will we have to wait? Does your brother have a problem with commoners invading his great estate?"

"Her brother enjoys his privacy, and his sister respects that."

Alexis and Mason turned at the sound of Stefan's voice.

"I called you twice, Alexis. And when you didn't answer your phone, I was... concerned. Were you otherwise occupied to the extent that you weren't taking calls?" His eyes coolly appraised the man at her side.

Alexis hurried to introduce them. "He's a client...and friend of mine's" she reassured Stefan.

"Prince Stefan Cassidine?" His eyes slanted towards Alexis. "I had no idea of your lofty family connections. You never mentioned you were royalty."

"My nephew is the Prince Regent, not I." Stefan replied. "And indeed, Alexis is descended from ancient royalty. But you were explaining your business with my sister?"

"Was I? Ah, yes, well then. Alexis was in need of some companionship, and I was happy to provide it."

"Well then, I must thank you for taking care of her so diligently. But I'm sure you must have many things to attend to, and as for Alexis' needs, I will see to them welfare for the remainder of the evening." It was clearly a dismissal. Polite, but a dismissal nonetheless.

Before Alexis could speak, either to apologize or explain, Mason spoke first. Just as polite as Stefan had been, he excused himself. "I'll call you in a day or two, and we'll reschedule our business arrangements then." He said to Alexis.

"Thank you, Mason." Alexis said. He shook her hand, and then surprised her, by lifting it briefly to her lips, in the European manner. "Good evening, Principessa." His eyes were faintly mocking.

"Goodnight Mason. I'll speak to you soon."

"I'm counting on it." Mason sketched a bow in Stefan's direction, and then whistling nonchalantly, walked away.

"Don't you think you were a bit harsh?" Alexis asked.

"If you're waiting for me to apologize for being somewhat overprotective when I find you with a man that I'm unfamiliar with, I'm afraid you'll be waiting for quite a long time, Alexis. Besides, it goes with the territory when one has such a beautiful sister."

"No man is ever going to be good enough to pass your scrutiny." Alexis stated. She sighed inwardly. Especially not a man like Sonny Corinthos. How was she ever going to explain them to Stefan?

"Possibly not." Stefan agreed, pleased to bring a smile to her face. Something in her eyes told him that there'd been something that had been troubling her. But she was as reticent as he was when the situation called for it. He would need time to get her to speak of it. There was a way to create a more conducive atmosphere for that.

"Poor Kristina." Alexis said dryly.

"Speaking of which; I've spoken to her earlier. She didn't know where you were either. I suggested that she come out to Wyndemere and await your return there. Now that I've located you, why don't you join us? Nikolas is already there, keeping her company and we can all sit down have a late dinner. And perhaps even a leisurely breakfast together as well. Mrs. Lansbury would enjoy that, I'm sure."

Alexis hadn't known if she was ready to go back to the penthouse. Sonny surely had his hands full. Carly's return, Michael. Maybe she should give him his space and not go running after him like a love-struck teen.

"Just a moment, Stefan." She stepped away from him and reached for her cell phone. The first call was to Sonny's phone. As she expected, there was no answer. Unsure of what she should say, she hesitated when the voice mail tone sounded. "Sonny, this is Alexis... I'm just calling to see how you are and I'll talk to you soon" She hung up quickly after that. How lame and inadequate that sounded, even to her own ears. She wanted to tell him that she'd be there for him, that she knew how confused he must be feeling right now. And how something in her was whispering a warning. Not about Carly's miraculous return per se, but there was something more than there what met the eye. How was it that she showed up just at the end of the memorial service? Something wasn't right, Alexis thought to herself.

The second call was to the penthouse. Max answered. Sonny had left orders that he would be at the hospital with his wife for the rest of the night, and short of a life and death emergency, he was not to be bothered.

The whispering was becoming a shout. No no no....something definitely was too coincidental about this return from the dead. It was nothing more than a vague gut feeling. But was she right, or was she just indulging herself in wishful thinking.

Stefan was watching her carefully. "Whatever it is that is troubling you, Alexis, you will operate better after a night of rest." His voice gentled. "Come home."

Stefan was right. Time with family, and a good night's sleep was what she needed. She would be no good to Sonny if she wore herself out. Sonny wasn't going to be able to see this clearly for a long time yet. And the odds are that Carly would be counting on it. Tomorrow, she'd begin to figure this all out. Figuring out Carly's first move would be on the top of her agenda.

On the boat ride to Wyndemere, she heard Sonny's voice one last time, from one of their many conversations. He'd just informed her that he was giving her his protection, whether she wanted it or not. "Listen, you can't change the past, but whatever's coming is not going to get to you if I can help it."

"Right back at you, Sonny." She murmured aloud. "Hurricane Carly's coming... and she's not going to get to you if I can help it."