7
Johnny knocked lightly a few times before Kerri opened the door and peeked out.
"I was wondering if… I could talk to you for a minuet."
Kerri opened the door and let him come in.
He looked around, his hands in his pockets as he stood awkwardly at the doorway.
"So, what's up?"
"I… I wanted to make sure she was alright." He frowned "But I didn't want her to think I was… worried or anything."
Kerri smiled "She's fine. All I have to say is; you're lucky she's a fairly forgiving girl."
Johnny let out a sigh "Yeah. I guess." He looked around the room, his eyes falling on a fancy picture frame on the dresser. He picked it up and scanned every one of the nine pictures, his eyes lingering a little on the one in the middle.
"She's hot. This looks professional…" He pointed. "A friend of yours?"
Kerri looked up and raised an eyebrow. "Look a little closer Johnny."
He squinted and held it up closer to his face. The photo was of a pretty blonde, gazing at the camera through the reflection of a mirror that had been propped up against the trunk, the yellow and orange foliage surrounding her. It was a beautiful picture, but there was something about her eyes…
"No… is it?"
Kerri smiled "I took that picture. That's how she got into the business."
Johnny put the frame back down on the dresser. "Business?"
"The business… modeling? Haven't you wondered why she's always dressed so prim and proper? Or why she's dating a rich politician? Well… rather… why he's dating her?"
"What do you mean by that?"
"Derek has to be politically pleasing to the crowd he's preaching to. He's a mere lawyer right now, but everyone has their eye on him. Dating a model? A Canadian… mutant, model? That defiantly puts him on the radar."
"Alex is a model?" He scrunched up his nose. "That's too weird."
"She's amazing." Kerri's eyes twinkled. "Look… I have a whole photo album of pictures she let me take of her."
"And you're a photographer. The world is upside down."
Kerri laughed and pulled out the album, handing it to him with a grin.
He flipped through the pages. Black and white photos of Alex in vintage clothes, a picture of her with her little sister Lily. Johnny stopped on one. Her bedroom eyes stared at him intensely with a playful grin.
He closed the book quickly. "I should go now."
"Probably a good idea." Kerri nodded with a smile. "Ally's gunna get back here any minuet, and trust me; you don't want to be here when she does. She's forgiving… but you in my room? Not a good thing."
"One more question." Johnny paused, handing the album back to Kerri. "What happened to her?"
He half expected her to be offended by the question. To bristle up and shout about how rude he was coming in here and prying into her friends' life. But she didn't. She simply smiled sadly and shrugged.
"Life happened." Kerri let out a short breath "Her mom died. I think that's what set it off. That's when she took up modeling… just to make some money for her dad. Then she met Derek… It just snowballed from there." she trailed off and shook her head. "I shouldn't be talking to you… about this."
He nodded. She was right.
---
After a long day at work Alexis made her way to her room, getting ready to unwind and finally relax, only to be rudely interrupted by Lily who swung the door open and cleared her throat.
"What Lil." Alex asked dryly, her hands flopping to her side tiredly.
"Alexis Peters, Mr. Wilson regrets to inform you that he will be unable to escort you tonight."
"What?" Alex rubbed her forehead.
Lily grinned and threw her hand in the air causing her bracelets to click together "Ah Derek called. He says he can't make it tonight. Work or something."
Alex let out an exhausted breath and rubbed her neck. "Alright. Thanks."
"Hey. You alright doll face?" Lily asked, closing the door behind her. "Kitty told me about your meltdown in the danger room the other day. That's not like you."
Alex smiled "I'm fine Lil. Really. I'm just… stressed out."
Lily's expression grew serious. Something it rarely ever did.
"It's Johnny Storm, isn't it?"
"Lillian, I don't want to have this conversation right now." Alex shook her head.
"I'm right though. Aren't I?"
"Look. Are you coming tonight?"
Lily nodded.
"Then go get ready before I beat you."
With a smile Lily spun around and skipped to her room.
Alex pulled on a pink vintage looking T-shirt with a picture of Tweety on it with the words 'Blonde Ambition' printed across the top, and a pair of comfy jeans, before pulling her hair up into a pony tail.
What else was new; Derek pulling out of a date at the last minuet? She'd have more fun without him anyways.
There was a knock on the door, pulling Alex back into reality.
"I'm coming… don't leave without me…" She muttered before opening the door.
Rogue smiled "Hurry up. The fair's only in town a week…"
"Ha ha." Alex rolled her eyes. "Let's go."
Rogue furrowed her brow "Ah thought Derek was comin'. Is he meetin' you there?"
She shook her head "He bailed."
Lily grinned from ear to ear as she waited in the foyer with Bobby. Her top settled just above her belly button, showing off her tattoo nicely.
"I wish you'd wear a jacket or… something." Alex shook her head.
"Why? I like this shirt." Lily frowned.
"I do too." Bobby grinned.
Kitty held Johnny's hand, pulling him along with her with a grin. "Okay, let's go!"
Rogue frowned "What's he doing here?"
"I invited him to come." Kitty smiled. "Lily told me Derek couldn't make it, so I got a replacement."
"Replacement date?" Alex asked hesitantly.
"No. Replacement body. We have to fill the car up right? Either that or we have to take Logan in our group. Party pooper. Besides, we wanna keep it even numbers for the rides." Kitty rolled her eyes, dropping Johnny's hand with a smile "Alright. Off we go!"
---
They arrived at the fair just as the sun was beginning to set. Kitty and Kerri took the lead, hurrying the others along.
The rollercoaster was their first stop.
They all waited in line as they watched the small coaster zip along the tracks.
"Ooo… I saw this one CSI episode where a rollercoaster just like this one broke. One of the cars flew off the track at the top bend there and crashed in the parking lot-"
"Lil." Alex shook her head "Probably not a good conversational choice right now."
She smiled. "Sorry."
It was their turn to board the six person cars. Lily called shot gun, pulling Bobby in the front with her. Rogue sat next to Bobby in the front.
Kitty crawled in the back followed by Alex and then Johnny. She felt rather uncomfortable sitting this close to him. But at least they weren't alone.
Once the ride was over, they all made their way around the fair; going from ride to ride. Alex had pulled Rogue close to her, silently declaring that she was her riding partner.
After a few rides, Johnny bought them all cotton candy.
Lily grinned as she popped the blue fluff into her mouth "My favorite. Pure sugar."
Alex laughed "Great. Now I have to work overtime just to get your cavities fixed. Thanks John." She said sarcastically.
After that point everyone began to scatter. Lily and Bobby wanted to keep riding the fast rides, Kitty wanted to go look at the buildings and see all the displays, Rogue didn't really care and Alex was ready to waste the rest of her tickets on games. They all agreed to meet at the front in an hour.
"Here." Johnny grinned. "I'll win you something nice."
They stopped at one booth where five milk bottles were stacked up on top of one another. Johnny slapped down his tickets with a cocky grin.
"One shot please." He said, giving Alex a wink.
She rolled her eyes with a smile.
Johnny took aim. Wound up. Tossed the ball. Missed by a long shot.
"That was just a practice." He shook his head, putting down four more tickets. "I'll get them."
After thirteen tries Johnny shook his head "I think they're glued together."
The attendant picked up the top one and shook his head before setting it back. When the man turned around, Johnny reached over and grabbed a Sponge Bob doll from over the counter, tossing it to Alex and grabbing her hand.
"Run!"
Alex laughed as she raced away from the shouting 'carney'.
"Sponge Bob. You remembered."
Johnny smiled as they jogged back to a walk. "Well in all honesty… I just grabbed and ran."
She laughed.
It had been so long since he'd heard that laugh. He drank it in.
Alex kissed the little stuffed animal "Well thank you."
She dropped his hand quickly, realizing she was still holding it.
"Any time." He winked.
They caught up with the others putting all their tickets together for one last ride on the Ferris wheel.
It started to spin backwards with a jerk causing Alex to grab the handle bar and squeeze. "I hate this thing." She shook her head. "It makes me dizzy."
The cart stopped allowing more people on before starting again.
Bobby and Lily was one cart behind them, swinging the cart to its limit.
"When the carts a rockin' don't come a knockin'!" Bobby shouted. Lily laughed and hooted.
Alex simply shook her head.
"Just relax. Close your eyes if you have to." Johnny whispered.
Her grip tightened on the bars and she closed her eyes as the cart stopped again.
It swung slightly and Alex shook her head. "Did I mention I'm afraid of heights?"
"You are not." Johnny shook his head as he leaned back in the cart.
It was true. She wasn't. She was afraid of hitting the ground.
The wheel continued spinning. Johnny struck up conversation with her to try to distract her.
"So have you set a date?"
"Set a date?" Alex looked at him. Johnny couldn't help notice how pale she looked.
"Wedding?"
"Oh." She smiled "No. I don't think it's really up to me."
"You're the bride… of course it's up to you." Johnny smiled.
She shook her head and closed her eyes "You really don't get it do you?"
"What don't I get?"
She sighed. "Can we please not talk about this?"
He nodded. "Yeah."
The cart came to a stop.
She opened her eyes.
"Don't look down." Johnny grinned.
"I'd rather be stopped up here then spinning." She smiled, letting out a breath as she looked out over the fair grounds.
"You sure you're alright?"
"I guess." She shrugged.
The wheel started spinning again stopping them right at the top.
They were on top of the world. The most private spot on the ride.
She looked at him; a composed look of inner turmoil was written all over her face. He could see it in her eyes.
"God you're beautiful." He said, pushing a hair away from her face. "Derek really is a lucky man."
He stared into her deep blue eyes as she furrowed her brow. "Stop it."
"I never stopped waiting for you y'know."
"Johnny…" She shook her head. "You can't just…"
"I'm not. But something told me you wanted to know…" He smiled touching the cut on his face with a fake wince.
"Look at that." She ran a finger along the budding scar with a frown.
He put his hand on top of hers. "I know. You're sorry."
She hesitated, leaning in slowly before her lips eventually met his.
"Johnny…" She breathed, letting him wander down her neck.
When the cart started moving again she pulled away quickly.
"Hands to yourselves up there!" Kitty shouted up with a giggle. Johnny looked at her over his shoulder. They hadn't seen. No one had.
---
They pulled up to the institute, Bobby helping Lily out of the car.
"I'm watching you Drake." Alex narrowed her eyes. "Bring her to her room and leave…"
Bobby grinned as he waved good night.
Kitty grinned and made her way inside with Alex. Johnny watched her, still in a state of shock, as she gave him and Rogue a small wave before disappearing into the large doors.
"You better watch yourself Torch." Rogue jabbed her finger into his chest "You've been takin' an invested interest in Alex lately. Ah'll admit it… she's been actin' more like herself then she has in years… but if you hurt her…"
"Wait… what?" Johnny held up his hands.
"Ah said if you hurt her-"
"No. Before that."
Rogue frowned. "She's been actin' normal? Sure. It's been a long time since ah've seen her act like herself. Like she doesn't have a pack of people watchin' her. Like she's always keepin' up appearances." Rogue shook her head "But don't let that get to your head."
She stormed past him.
Hey! I'm going on vacation for 2 weeks, leaving this Saturday (yay!) so I made this chapter a little longer to compensate. At least I hope it's longer. I can't really... remember...
See you in 2 weeks!!! YAY!
---KC---