FIFTY-FOUR
Three Little Words

Once outside Carly's hospital room, Alexis' momentary triumph at her parting shot dissolved into anger. She found herself almost trembling with pent-up fury. She forced herself to exhale slowly. All the rage she'd been holding inside during her conversation with Carly was in that breath. Alexis knew… she knew … that vindictive little witch knew exactly what she was doing to Sonny, and all that mattered to Carly was that she got what she wanted.

The accident was real, no doubt about that, but everything else, the days her son had missed her, that her mother had been suffered and all the guilt and heartache that Sonny had gone through…it had been all a part of Carly's plan.

Alexis headed towards the elevators, her thoughts centered on what she was going to do with this revelation. She could go straight to Sonny and tell him of her suspicions, but what would that be enough? No, her lawyerly mind argued, Sonny had already put himself in the mindset that he was to blame for all of it. He'd tell her that she was searching for away to get him to forgive himself – and without proof, he wouldn't forgive himself. And Carly would win. She'd have his soul in her hands, maybe this time forever.

She knew that she would have to prove that Carly had put yet one more scheme into action. It wouldn't be enough to accuse her. And besides, she had no intention of denying her self the satisfaction of showing the world just what Carly was capable of.

Alexis jabbed at the call button, swearing softly to herself. She'd known Carly was capable of inflicting pain, but she'd had no idea of the depths that she was willing to go to get what she wanted. By the time Alexis had gotten to the elevators, she was trembling with the fury she felt. And so she didn't even notice the person stepping off just as she was stepping on; consequently she walked straight into a pair of strong masculine arms.

"Alexis… Alexis?" It was a moment before she recognized the familiar voice speaking to her. "I'd hate to be on the receiving end of whatever legalistically lethal thoughts are going on behind those beautiful brown eyes."

Only then did Alexis come to herself and look up into Jax's blue eyes, bright now with curiosity that quickly shifted into concern.

"What happened?" He asked. "Why are you here in the hospital? Are you okay - is Kristina all right?"

"I'm fine and Kristina is fine."

"Physically maybe you are, but other than that - you are definitely not all right." Jax said, looking at her closely. He steered her away from the elevators over to the empty visitors area. "You want to tell me what's going on?"

As they sat down, Alexis' eyes fell on the bouquet that Jax had been holding in his hands. They were a bit crushed from their collision and Alexis apologized.

"Do you want to tell me what's going on? Who's in the hospital?" Then her eyes narrowed as she realized who the flowers were intended for. Jax's somewhat sheepish expression as she raised an accusing gaze to his solidified her suspicions.

"Have any poison ivy in that bouquet?" she asked pointedly. "Nightshade maybe?

"Alexis, she is my partner? What am I supposed to do, ignore her?"

"Like anyone could." Alexis muttered.

"Carly's room? Is that where you're coming from?" Jax looked at her closely. "You two can hardly stand to be within the same area code, so do you want to tell me why?"

Alexis hesitated before sharing her suspicions. Jax listened quietly until she was finished.

"Why does it matter so much to you? I've never tried to understand those two and I don't want to understand them."

"You would have never gone into business with Carly if she hadn't have split from Sonny. So it doesn't bother you that she's scheming to get him back?"

"That's a supposition on your part, Mademoiselle Lawyer. And I think the more pertinent question to the case is why is it bothering you so much?"

"I know you don't have much use for Sonny, Jax, but no one deserves to be put through the hell that Carly has put him through. I've seen him. You haven't. The man has gone through the seven circles of Hell since the car accident. And the thought that she machinated the entire thing makes my blood boil. For once, she's not going to get to walk away from one of her plans scot-free."

"And again I ask you, why do you care so much?" He paused and when Alexis didn't answer, answered the question for himself. "Look at you!" Jax exclaimed. "Admit it, this isn't so much about proving what a liar or what a schemer Carly is, than saving Sonny! And for what? For yourself?"

His voice gentled. "I'm sorry, I don't mean to snap at you. I just want you to see what you're doing… or what you've already done. You've fallen for him, Alexis.

"No, don't deny it." Jax said. He raised a hand to stop her protest. " Not to me, or to yourself. I should have seen this coming for the longest time. Sonny Corinthos is many things, but he is also a man of charm when he wants to be. When it profits him to do so. It's one reason why he's done what he's done for so long without getting caught. And I don't like the idea that he's turned his charm on for you."

"It's not like that, Jax." Alexis said.

"Then what is it?" When Alexis couldn't – or wouldn't answer, Jax continued. "I won't lie and tell you I approve. But please, Alexis, don't lie to me and tell me there's nothing going on between you and Sonny. The fire in your eyes and the passion in your voice tells me everything that you're not saying."

Alexis was mute in the face of his heartfelt appeal.

"I don't want to interfere, but you've seen up close and personal, the damage these two do to each other. I don't want you getting in the crosshairs of that. Leave Sonny and Carly to their destructive dance."

"It's not as simple as that, Jax."

Jax smiled gently at her. "Nothing concerning the heart ever is. Is it already at the point, Alexis? Has the master criminal already stolen your heart?"

"Can we just say he's made me an offer I'm finding hard to refuse?"

Jax groaned and laughed aloud at her pun, just as Alexis had intended him to do. She moved closer and leaned her head on his shoulder, smiling to herself as she felt his arm come around her in a comforting hug.

"Have I told you lately how much I love you and appreciate having you in my life?"

"Hmmm… I can't think of the last time, but now – now would be good."

"Consider it said, then." She slipped one hand into his free one, smiling to herself as she felt his fingers tighten around hers. Neither of them spoke for a moment, content to rest in the warmth of their friendship. Alexis drew strength from his solid presence. Even though they might disagree, Alexis knew that Jax would always stand by her.

"I do love you, you know." After a time, Alexis spoke. "And Jax, one of the reasons why is because you've always had a wonderful sense of right and wrong. Can't you – just for one moment – see Sonny as a man who can be and has been hurt – devastatingly so. No one deserves such betrayal, Jax. No one deserves that kind of pain. No one."

"From what I understand, Sonny throws that word – betrayal - around quite a lot." Jax said, still not wholly convinced.

"There's so much about him that you don't understand, and I agree – betrayal does play a big part in what Sonny is and is about…so yes, that's a part of it. But this is a betrayal. One that will devastate him if I let it happen. And I can't- I won't stand by and watch it happen. – and I need your help to expose it."

Alexis lifted her head and looked at Jax. He was quiet for a long, long moment. "You know that I can never turn away when you need me, but Alexis…" He halted for a moment as Alexis pressed soft fingers to his mouth to quiet him. He took her hand in his, kissed her fingers and looking deep into her eyes, continued. "Are you sure that you know what you're doing? Is this what you really want?"

"Yes… and yes."

" I love you too, Alexis. So whatever you want from me – it's yours."