Chapter 2

Alexis walked in just as Felix was finishing bandaging Julian's arm. Julian noticed right away how tired she looked as she stood by the door looking unsure of what to do. "Mr. Jerome, I will come back to give you your discharge papers so you can go home tonight" Felix made his way to the door and gently put a hand on Alexis "Ms. Davis, I am glad your okay. I will go check on your brother and come back to give you an update" Alexis turned and smile tiredly at the young man. "Thank you Felix". After Felix left she continued to linger by the door unsure of what to do until he gently called her over to him. She looked up and slowly made her way towards him, when she was close enough for him to reach for her he grab her hands gently and pulled her so that she was standing between his legs.

He hugged her tightly to him needing to feel her soft, warm body against his to get rid of the fear still evading his soul at the thought of how close he had come to losing her. He closed his eyes and inhaled the sweet smell that was uniquely Alexis. Ever since he had made love to her the night of Nicholas's failed engagement party he couldn't seem to get enough of her. The taste and feel of her were his drug and obsession. The thought of having almost lost her made him tighten his hold on her.

She placed a small kiss of his shoulder as she closed her eyes feeling safe for the first time since Stefan had made his announcement. She was so scared and heartbroken at what she had to do but she knew she had no choice. "I can't be with you anymore" she said her voice barley above a whisper, her heart breaking at the implications of never being able to hold him in her arms or being held by him. She felt him tense in her arms and attempt to pull away from her but she just tighten her hold.

"Please listen" unable to hold back the tears as they fell on his naked shoulder she continued, pushing past the lump in her throat. She took a deep breath but before she was able to continue she was forced to take a step back as he got off the table, and not even giving her a moment to realize what was happening, he lifted her and turned her so that she was now the one sitting on top of the hospital bed with Julian standing between her legs.

Julian laid his forehead against her needing a moment to catch his breath. He really had never believed that a heart could truly shatter but those five words had his heart pounding against his chest. It was pounding so hard he was sure she could feel it against her chest. He pulled away so that he could look into her eyes. Which she was studiously refusing to do as she stared at his bare chest her hands fluttering nervously over it.

"Sweetheart" he cupped her face gently tilting her head up so that she was forced to look at him. "what are talking about.

Alexis looked into Julian beautiful eyes. She thought sadly that he had no idea just how beautiful he was inside and out. She had fallen in love with him so fast and hard and couldn't imagine a future without him. The fact that he always put his family first, listened to what she was saying and tried to understand her instead of putting her down or berating her but most of his love, which he gave freely and fully made her love him.

She wouldn't put him at risk, not now that Sam had finally found her father, no matter how much it hurt to let him go. He was a brave, strong man who treasured his family and would do whatever was necessary to protect the people he loved. But it wouldn't be enough, she thought sadly, Valentine would hurt him, take him away from all of them if she didn't remove him from her life. Valentine would take Julian away from her and she would rather he be alive and not with her than be the cause of his death. "I can't lose you" it was not what she had meant to say but she was breaking and all she wanted was for Julian to take her home and hold her in his strong arms.

"Sweetheart, your are not making any sense" he held her tightly as she started to cry.

"I know" she cried "I don't want to lose you but if I don't let you go he'll hurt you. I have to give you up and hide my girls before he finds me."

"I won't let him hurt you or our daughters" he lifted her face so that she was looking up at him. "I promise" he leaned down to kiss her softly on the lips. He had meant for it to be soft and reassuring but before he knew it she was deepening the kiss causing him to groan at the wonderful sensation she created in him as she sucked his bottom lip gently into her mouth. As she continued to deepen the kiss he pulled her closer to him so that she was pressing against him.

In the back on his mind, the rational part of the brain told him he needed to stop touching her, that they were in the middle of a hospital room, anyone could walk in on them but that didn't stop him from pulling the zipper, holding her dress up, down. Just as he was about to lay her down on the medical bed he heard the door knob turning. He quickly pulled away, zipped her dress back up and looked her up and down making sure that her modesty was protected. Or more to the point his jealous nature wanted to keep her from any other man's prying eyes no matter if that man was gay.

"Mr. Jerome, Ms. Davis" Felix said looking at the couple who looked flushed "you can go, just keep the area clean and try not to move your arm to much. I brought you this scrub top Mr. Jerome." Felix said as Alexis slipped down from the table to stand by Julian.

"How's my brother" Alexis asked.

"Silas gave him a sedative. You nephew is with him now if you want to visit with him."

"Thank you."

"Ms. Davis" Felix gently laid a hand over Alexis's arm to stop her "Your brother has two guards with him, no one will be able to get to him."

"Thank you Felix." she said softly not commenting on the young man's naïveté.

Felix watched the couple walk out of the room, Julian's arm wrapped possessively around her waist. He didn't blame the man for not wanting to let her out of his sight after learning of the threat that her brother had warn her about. A forgotten brother, holding a long believed to be dead brother hostage ,who was now looking for their sister for god knows what.

He didn't know the Cassadines well but like everyone else in Port Charles Felix had heard of the deadliness of the Russian Royal family. He shook his head at the craziness of it all and started getting the room for the next patient. Wondering what deadly new wonder would be coming to Port Charles.