CHAPTER 4

Alexis immediately turned towards the low husky voice that was uniquely her brothers.

"Stefan" she stood and ran towards his outstretched arms. "How did you get here?"

"Alexis" he whispered as he wrapped an arm around her waist and cradled the back of her head with the other. It had been years since he had held the women that he had loved with all his heart as a child. He would never tell a soul but loving Alexis had made it possible for him to love, care for and eventually raise Nicholas in a home that was strict but loving. His eyes stung as he felt her tears drop onto his shoulders. He felt the pit of his stomach constrict at the danger that she was in because of him. He could feel the eyes of her family on him but he kept his eyes closed wanting to savor the moment.

"I am so sorry my actions have put you in danger. I should have know better" he pulled away and placed a kiss on her forehead.

"Stefan this was not your fault" she argued vehemently not wanting her brother to feel responsible for whatever Valentine was planning to do. "He had you under his control." Stefan looked down, unable to look her in the eyes, ashamed at his betrayal. Alexis tipped his head back up so that he was looking at her. "I know what he is capable of Stefan. You do not have anything to apologize for." She looked him in the eyes willing him to believe her that he was just as innocent as she was in this sadistic game that Valentine was forcing them to play.

"I should have known that it was too easy when I got away. And I just led him back to you. After so many years of keeping you safe and out of his reach he is once again close enough to hurt you" he stared into her eyes. "We have to go Alexis. We have to get you to safety. "

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Julian watched as Stefan gently cradled Alexis to him and as Alexis gratefully accepted the comfort, love and protection that Stefan's presence seemed to give her. Julian felt an uncomfortable surge of jealousy witnessing the strong connection between the siblings. He noticed that his daughter and Molly were also watching the scene before them quite intently. Seeing there mother with their uncle was just as new to Sam and Molly as it was to him. He sat ready to pounce on Stefan if he made a threatening move towards Alexis but unwilling to intervene between the siblings until he heard Stefan tell her they had to go.

Julian felt hot rage as Stefan tried to convince her to leave. The memory of just hours before when Alexis had told him that they had to break up driving him towards the siblings. Julian, not wanting to startle Alexis, slowly laid a hand on her back to let her know that he was there. As soon as he approached he saw Stefan eye him up and down trying to read him.

Julian was grateful when, upon feeling his hand on her back, Alexis pulled away from Stefan and went into Julian's arms nuzzling her face into the crook of his neck, seeking the love and safety he gave her. He held her tightly and it was Julian's turn to eye Stefan up and down trying to read the man. Julian knew it was ridiculously but the man in front of him brought out a possessiveness in Julian that he had never experienced before.

"Alexis" Stefan repeated more urgently "We have to go, Valentine"

At Stefan's urgent warning he felt Alexis wrap herself tighter around him shaking her head and whispering a heartbroken 'no' so that only he could hear. As Julian felt Alexis's hot tears begin to fall on his collarbone he tighten his arms around her hoping that his arms would provide a haven of safety for her. Holding her closely to him he knew that there would be no way he would leave her side. Valentine would have to kill him before he ever gave her up.

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Alexis felt Julian walk up to them and felt his warm, strong hand on the small of her back, his subtle way of letting her know that he was there for her. It was nice to have her brother back but she needed Julian's arms around her and she immediately disengaged from Stefan and buried herself into the warmth and safety Julian gave her. The need to have Julian's arms around her was overwhelming. She had never felt this need with anyone else and it scared her to be so dependant on him. It scared her and pleased her to no end that Julian was unwilling to give her up, even if it meant putting himself in the line of fire.

Since they had run into each other at the Floating Rib, she had felt such an immediate attraction to Julian. When she had thought he was Derek Wells she had allowed herself to nourish the attraction and slowly pursue it. His interest and concern for her family making him that much more interesting to Alexis. She had thought they were moving towards a first date until she had run into him at the hotel while he was asking Carly out on a date.

She had been hurt and confused when he started going out with Carly, having thought that the attraction was mutual. Alexis thinking that she had been played for a fool, once again, had pushed her feelings down and forged ahead. Never giving any indication that she was hurt by his interest in Carly or that she had ever been interested in him in the first place. Alexis was not one to pine or fight for a man who she thought didn't want her. She had renounced herself to being his friend only, and if he had seemed a little put off by Alexis shift in attitude, he had not said anything.

Just when she and Sam had come to terms that Julian Jerome was Sam's father and had died, Sonny's ambush had happened at the Gallery. She had been truly shocked to learn that Derek was Julian Jerome, Sam's father and that he was not dead. After Sonny had pushed his weight around and Sam had stormed off Alexis had stayed behind needing to confront the man she had trusted and who had learned was using her family as an insurance policy against Sonny. When Julian told her that he had only been using Carly to get to Sonny and was only interested in her she had not been willing to believe him. She had been hurt to many times over the years by men, she had given her heart to, who had just wanted to use her for one reason or another.

Not wanting to get involved with another bad boy Alexis had fought the strong attraction she felt for her daughter's father. His dogged pursuit of her had made her feel sexy and wanted, a feeling she hadn't felt in a long time. The man oozed sex appeal and every time he kissed her he left her feeling weak, confused and wanting more. But what had finally won her over with his devotion to his kids, and grandson. The fact that he was willing to humble himself to ask her for help, with Lucas, and adjust his thoughts on his gay son so that he could be a part of his life and how he was willing to drop everything and turn his back on his sister to help Sam was what made her look at the man not just the mobster.

After Nicholas engagement party, when she had tried to get information from him for Sonny, and he had given her an ultimatum, was when she knew she couldn't live without him. While she had wanted to take it slowly, he had been unwilling to go slow, he had asked for all of her not just the scraps of affection she usually gave. He had asked for her trust and she had dived head first into their relationship.

With Julian, she had felt none of the usual hesitation or misgivings she usually did. She loved that he challenged her on a daily basis on her feelings for him that he held his own with her when they argued be he never demeaned her. Standing, wrapped in his arms, she almost believed that everything would be alright. But then she heard Stefan repeat that they had to go.

She held on tighter to Julian not wanting to leave the safety of his arms. Before she could answer she heard the deep husky rumble of Julian's voice as he answered "Alexis is not going anywhere. She is staying here with her family where I can protect her" he said leaving no room for arguing.

"You fool you can not protect her" Stefan argued.

She tightened her hold around Julian once more, taking strength from his love, before she disengaged from him to face her brother's anger. Unwilling to let her out of his reach Julian hooked an arm around her waist keeping her close to his side.

"Stefan" she said softly wanting to calm her brother. "I am not leaving. You know there is no hiding from him."

"You think staying here is the smart thing to do. Who will protect you" Stefan shouted. Afraid for her and not used to not getting his way, even now after being away from his family for so long.

"I will protect her and our family" Julian strong voice came from behind her, his arm tightening around her waist.

"Who are you to interfere in our family business" Stefan postured his aristocratic arrogance, that seemed so ingrained in him, coming out. "What do you know about the danger that Alexis is in."

"Stefan" she said calming trying to get her brother to calm down and understand that running away was not the answer to the looming threat that was about to befall them. "You know Valentine will stop at nothing to find me. And what about my children if I run away and he knows about them what do you think will happen" she posed the questions not really expecting an answer. "What do you think he will do to Nicholas when he can't find you?"

"I will not allow it" he shouted but had to stop before he could continue as his voice broke "Alexis he will stop at nothing to get to you" he stepped close to her and put a hand to her cheek. "Little one please" he begged as a tear slipped down.

"I can't leave my family Stefan" she choked out.

"They are not in danger, you are" he shouted as he stepped closer to her. Alexis could feel Julian tense as Stefan once again began to loose control.

Alexis put a calming hand on the arm that was holding her tightly to his side and stepped out of Julian's arms to wrap her brother in a tight hug. She leaned into him and started whispering a truth that they had never spoken about since that day so long ago in the catacombs.