Chapter 598: Queens
Monday, March 6th, Afternoon
(Song lyrics in italics)
The shuttle bus took her to the hotel in a short period. She got out of the bus and headed in. The desk knew she was coming; she checked in and gave her a key. She rode up the elevator, got out of the car, and headed toward the room.
Alix Hartmann looked around at the room's door and checked her watch. It was an off day, and he tended to sleep, but it was the afternoon. Alix knocked on the door and waited.
I love the time and in between
The calm inside me
In the space where I can breathe
I believe there is a distance I have wandered
To touch upon the years of
Reaching out and reaching in
Holding out, holding in
"Yes?" a male voice asked. He's awake, Alix reflected.
"Room service," Alix said and pressed her knuckles into her mouth to suppress a giggle.
"I didn't order room service," he said.
"I just have orders to bring this food to your room, sir," Alix said.
"Hold on," he said, Alix heard the door unlock, and the door opened. Tucker Baker stood at the door wearing just a terrycloth robe. "Alix?" Tucker asked.
"It's me!" Alix said.
"Oh my god! Alix, I didn't expect to see you here," Tucker said.
"Well! Surprise!" Alix said.
I believe
This is heaven to no one else but me
And I'll defend it long as
I can be left here to linger in silence
If I choose to
Would you try to understand?
"Come in! Come in!" Tucker said, finished opening the door, and stepped out of the way. Alix smiled and stepped into the room. The door closed behind her; Alix dropped her bags and looked at Tucker. Tucker looked at Alix, and once their eyes met, a fire burned in their eyes for each other. A pregnant pause lasted for what seemed like a long minute; then they crashed together, lips locked and stumbling towards the bed. While not pretty, it was passionate, and they fumbled towards ecstasy.
After the fog and haze subsided and the afterglow faded, they held each other. Two twenty-seven-year-olds lay cuddling each other. Alix had her head on his shoulder, her blonde hair everywhere. She gazed at him, studying his chin and steady breathing; Alix noted Tucker needed to shave.
I know this love is passing time
Passing through like liquid I am
I'm drunk in my desire
But I love the way you smile at me
I love the way your hands reach out and
Hold me near
I believe, I
"I need to thank my sister," Tucker said, his eyes still closed.
"Which one?" Alix asked.
"Izzy," Tucker said.
"Why, Izzy?" Alix asked, raising an eyebrow.
"I was out with Izzy when we met. She encouraged me to talk to you," Tucker said.
"Izzy? Really, that's something I'd expect from Chase," Alix said.
"Izzy can be surprising once you get to know her," Tucker said.
"Which sister are you closet with?" Alix asked.
"Probably Izzy, for whatever reason, she's always tried to foster a strong relationship between us," Tucker said.
"I always figured all she needed was Chase," Alix said.
"You'll be surprised," Tucker said, "Speaking of sisters, does Kat know you're here?"
"It was her idea that I come up," Alix said.
"Really?" Tucker asked.
Alix moved slightly, eliciting a groan from Tucker. Alix quickly stole a kiss from Tucker. "Yes, really, you have me until we get back to Tree Hill, then you can have me until you leave," she said.
I believe
This is heaven to no one else but me
And I'll defend it long as
I can be left here to linger in silence
If I choose to
Would you try to understand?
Tucker chuckled, "I have work to do," he said.
"I wouldn't expect anything less, but I'll be there to help, mostly," Alix said.
"Mostly?" Tucker asked.
"We both know you get easily distracted when I'm around, something to do with blood flow, and I do want to practice and shit," Alix said.
Tucker chuckled, "Yeah, the naughty maid outfit," he said.
Alix playfully slapped Tucker's chest. "Hey, that was a birthday gift to you," she said.
"I know," Tucker said.
"So, what do you have to do this week?" Alix asked.
"Just a few filming days and the final concert," Tucker said.
"So, will you show me around New York City?" Alix said.
"You've been to New York before," Tucker said.
"But never with my boyfriend, the great Mister Tucker Baker," Alix said.
"I think we could find something to do," Tucker said.
"Awesome!" Alix said.
"So, what do we do next?" Tucker asked.
"I think you need a shower," Alix said.
"I just got out of the shower," Tucker said.
"Oops, I guess I made you all dirty again," Alix said.
"Yes, yes, you have," Tucker said and opened his eyes.
Alix gave him a cute innocent look. "So, what do I have to do for my punishment?" she asked meekly.
Oh the quiet child
Awaits the day when she can break free
The mold that clings like desperation
Mother can't you see I've got
To live my life the way I feel is
Right for me
Might not be right for you but it's
Right for me
Oh
"Hmm! Maybe you shouldn't be punished," Tucker said.
"Well, maybe your punishment should be that you have o clean me up," Tucker said.
Alix's eyes lit up, and she smiled. "Yes, that's what I deserve," she said.
"Well, start doing your penance," Tucker said.
Alix nodded enthusiastically. "Yes, I will," she said, hopped out of bed, and skipped to the bathroom.
Tucker looked towards the bathroom. He could hear Alix humming as she started the shower. Tucker nodded and watched as Alix came out of the bathroom.
"Your shower is ready," Alix said.
Tucker nodded as Alix pulled him to his feet. They shuffled to the shower and got in. In the shower, Alix started to wash Tucker down. He looked over his shoulder at her.
I believe
This is heaven to no one else but me
And I'll defend it long as
I can be left here to linger in silence
If I choose to
Would you try to understand it?
I would like to linger here in silence
If I choose to
Would you understand it?
Would you try?
"How do we make this work?" Tucker asked.
Alix shrugged, "I don't know; we just do," she said.
"We're hardly in the same city, but yet we're as close as ever," Tucker said.
"We do what we do, and we're committed to each other," Alix said.
"Ever thought one of us should settle down?" Tucker asked.
"Yeah, but we'd hate it," Alix said.
Tucker nodded, "Of the adult kids in my family, only me and Fallon don't have kids," he said.
"Fallon is the mom to legions, as she puts it. Tucker, we're still young; let us get to thirty; you could always become a director on TV, and if this music thing doesn't work out, I can always work sessions or score stuff," Alix said.
"You've thought about this," Tucker said.
"Yes, I have," Alix said.
"Yeah," Tucker said.
"The past is yesterday; the future is tomorrow; all we got is tonight," Alix said.
Tucker nodded, leaned back, and kissed Alix.
Would you try to understand?
