Finding Friends
After Sonny had left, Alexis made good on her words. Work had always been her balm, and she used that now. Settling back on the couch, she pulled her briefcase to her and pulled out her papers. She spent the next few hours doing her best to immerse herself in it. She cross-checked facts, pulled up info and did research via her laptop and did her best to avoid the question of Stefan's memorial. That only lasted for a time.
Despite what she had told Sonny, starting preparations for Stefan's memorial was something she could not seem able to bring herself to do. Three times, she tried putting her work aside and pulled up a blank screen to begin to write Stefan's obituary, only to find herself staring at the blank screen until her eyes burned with unshed tears. After trying for the fourth time with the same frustrating results, she snatched the phone up almost gratefully when it rang. She was mildly disappointed that it wasn't Sonny on the other end.
"Hello, Alexis. How are you?"
"I'm fine.." Alexis began, then hearing the strain in her own voice, decided to go with the truth instead. "I'm coping with the situation as best as I am able. How are you?"
"I'd like to say that I'm fine, except for the fact that I'm downstairs in the lobby, and there are two rather large gentlemen who frisked me rather thoroughly and are refusing to allow me to come upstairs without your say-so."
Alexis had forgotten all about the fact that of course, Sonny would have upgraded the security measures for the building. "Let me speak to them." She told her would-be visitor, and after he had handed the phone over, she gave instructions that would allow him up. Ten minutes later, Johnny was letting Mason in.
"Did I get the penthouse numbers wrong?" Mason said, after he'd given Alexis a quick hug an sat himself down beside her on the couch. "Or has there been a change of address?"
Alexis hadn't given a second thought to the sight she must look to Mason, barefoot, in comfortable jeans, shirt and little makeup. She knew she looked as though she was totally at home. Well, she was, she thought to herself, her chin rising unconsciously in defiance at the idea; and she wasn't going to worry about it any further.
"No, I didn't want to stay at my apartment – too many memories of my brother, so Sonny took care of me last night."
"I can understand not wanting to face such memories right away. But if you will permit me to say it; it's unwise – and unlike you, for you are too strong of a woman – to run from facing events such as this. I hope this friend of yours does not cripple you with his care."
"Anything but." Alexis said swiftly. "Sonny always knows just how much – or how little- looking after I need."
Mason gave her a lop-sided smile. "And here I thought I was coming over to offer my services to watch over you. But I see by that vehement defense, that someone has already filled that bill." He reached out and brushed an errant lock of hair from her face, using the opportunity to let his fingers brush against her cheek. "And from the looks of you this morning, I'd say Sonny Corinthos takes excellent care of you." He took a deep breath. "Alexis, does that care taking include your heart as well?"
Alexis hadn't wanted to hurt Mason; the man had done his best to be there for her as a friend. But it was best that he knew the truth. He probably wouldn't understand. But then again, neither had Stefan. If only Stefan had had the chance to meet Sonny, if only they had gotten the chance to actually know one another… Her throat tightened, and unable to speak for a moment, Alexis merely nodded.
"It's okay." Mason said, after a moment. "I guess I knew all along that there was somebody else. But that it was Sonny Corinthos, I had no idea." His eyes stared into hers, serious for moment, then his expression changed to his usual slightly mocking one. "Well, maybe just a little idea, principessa."
Relieved at his reaction, Alexis allowed herself to follow his lead. "Oh really now?" she asked with a little laugh.
Mason shrugged. "Of course. When you failed to respond to my estimable charms, what else could it be, but another man already in place?"
"What else, indeed." Alexis answered him, letting her amusement show.
"His respect for you was obvious. It's very understandable that he would be attracted to you." Mason did drop the mockery for a moment. "So I guess it's past the flirtatious stage and into the serious stage?"
Alexis pondered that for a moment before she answered. More than that, actually, Alexis thought. Unbidden, her mind went back over all the tender, sweet, tumultuous, funny and romantic and yes, sensual moments that she and Sonny had shared, lingering lastly on last night and this morning. Yes, they were definitely into the serious stage. "Yes, I guess you could call it serious at this point."
Mason surprised her by brushing his knuckles against her cheek. "I had my answer even before you spoke, I could see it in your eyes."
Before she could answer that remark, he changed the subject easily, gesturing to the folders and paperwork she had laid out around her. Knowing of some of his own international financial dealings, Alexis found herself confiding in him about the consolidation of the Cassadine holdings. Mason listened attentively offering some ideas for cross checking account fund movement of his own.
After a time, he stood. "And now that I see with my own eyes that you are safe and – content – I will be on my way."
Alexis stood to walk him to the door. "I do want you to know how much I've appreciated your friendship." She told him.
"Even though I had ulterior motives?"
"Even so. Ulterior motives or not, you've been a good friend."
"I plan to continue to be one, if you'll allow it." Mason said. "I will contact some of my own overseas conduits and see if I can sniff out any information that might be of use to you." He smiled at her.
"I see no reason why we can't continue to be friends. And I appreciate your offer."
Alexis' cell phone rang at that moment. She motioned for Mason not to leave yet. "Jax." She said into the phone.
"Alexis. It's a relief to hear your voice. You cell phone was turned off all night." When Alexis didn't deign to answer the subtle accusation, he went on. "Before you give me the 'I am Alexis and I'm fine' speech, I just wanted to let you know that I will be over to see you later this morning, I'm coming to take you out of that fortress for some fresh air and food and to see for myself, that you are 'fine.' Any arguments?" He told her the name of the restaurant. Away from the waterfront, she noted silently.
"None." Alexis said with a smile. "No arguments at all. I'll tell the bodyguards to expect you." She said her goodbyes and hung up. She turned back to Mason, the smile still on her face.
"Ah, that's the Alexis I know." He said. Alexis half-expected him to attempt to hug her before he left, but Mason simply took her hand in his and bent over it, European style. "A bientot, princesse." He murmured." I hope this Corinthos take very very good care of you."
Alexis smiled as Mason gave a meaningful glance at Johnny, in place by the door, then sauntered to the elevator. He waved at her once more as the doors slid shut and Alexis returned the wave. She turned to Johnny.
"Could you do me a favor?" she asked.
"Anything you want, Ms. Davis, you got."
"First off, I thought we had agreed to dispense with the 'Ms. Davis' thing." Alexis reminded him.
"It's a hard habit to drop when speaking to a lady." Johnny shrugged, looking slightly embarrassed at the admission. What can I do for you… Alexis?"
Alexis told him about Jax's expected arrival. "Please allow him up without the body search. I can guarantee that it isn't necessary in his case. And I'd hate for any unpleasantness to arise."
Johnny nodded. "I'll make sure there are no problems with your friend. And – Alexis?" he said as Alexis began to turn away. He reached out and touched her arm. "I didn't get a chance to say it before – but I am sorry about what happened to your brother. And if there's anything that I can get for you- anything I can do for you – would you let me know?"
Alexis smiled at Johnny, touched by his concern. "I'll let you know."
Alexis went back into Sonny's apartment and shut the door, feeling better than she had since Sonny had left her this morning. It was comforting to know that she had people looking out for her. And it made her feel safe. If it were true that Helena was baring her fangs again, then she could be in no safer place than here. With that comforting thought enfolding her, she headed back to the couch, picked up one of the folders and went back to work.
Time did its work then, occupying Alexis' mind until she finally thought to stretch and take a break after finishing up a rough draft of the project at hand. She glanced at her watch and realized it was after noon. Jax should be arriving at any time now, but it was strange that she hadn't heard from Sonny yet. He had been so attentive to her since they had returned to the Towers last night. Alexis smiled to herself again, remembering the feel of Sonny's arms around her. She closed her eyes and could almost feel them around her even now. When her eyes opened, her gaze fell on the front door. Was she willing Sonny to walk through the door? Alexis shook her head. No, of course not. She was perfectly capable of taking care of herself. Mason himself had called her a strong, capable woman. Hadn't she always known that for herself? Then who was that woman that ran from her apartment last night?
Alexis exhaled. If that was the case, then why was she hiding out at Sonny's? She remembered what else Mason had said. That it might be unwise in the long run to put off facing the memories in her own apartment. There were too many places where she could go in Port Charles that could jog memories of Stefan. Maybe it would be better if she faced them, starting today. Starting now.
