Hey! After a brief hiatus (vacation) I'm back! Yay. (Note the lack of enthusiasm about being back from vacation... into the snow once again.)
Anyways... here's some more! Yay!
8
They hadn't spoken all day. Alex would be the fist to admit it. She was avoiding him. Trying to get her thoughts in order. No matter, they'd have to make an appearance tonight; act all friendly and such.
She tossed her flowing hair over her shoulder as she looked in the mirror. Off to feed the hounds.
She moved gracefully through the halls, climbing into the back of the stretch SUV that Derek had sent.
She smiled as the Fantastic Four filed in, avoiding eye contact with Johnny.
"You look pretty as a peach." Ben grinned taking up the two seats across from her.
With a smile she gave him a small nod "Thanks."
"I'm still in shock." Sue shook her head "I don't understand why Mr. Wilson is treating us so well."
Alex wanted to tell her it was all for publicity, but the truth was, they probably already knew.
Ben gave Johnny a smack "Why don't you go after girls like that? Pretty but respectable."
Johnny ran a hand through his hair, putting his sunglasses on with a shrug.
Reed shook his head, putting his arm around Sue.
When they arrived, the valet helped them all out.
Derek met them at the door.
"Good evening." He kissed the back of Sue's hand, leading them all in.
"Make yourselves comfortable."
About halfway through the night, Derek got up on the stage –again- and made a speech about the guest of honor; the mayor.
Johnny noticed Alex sneaking away though the corner of his eye.
He excused himself quickly, following her as discreetly as possible.
He followed her into the coat room, making sure no one was watching.
Alex spun around, with a start, her expression quickly easing into a smile when she saw him.
"You startled me."
"Going somewhere?"
"Anywhere but here. Are you following me?"
He smiled "I'm not a very good stalker."
She pressed her lips together in thought before giving him a single nod "I can forgive you for that."
"Oh… so you can forgive me…" He smiled at the sound of her laugh. "I was starting to think that you couldn't forgive-"
She punched his arm with a smile "Guess I was mistaken." He grinned.
"So…" she sucked her lower lip into her mouth and bit it.
"What are you doing back here?" he looked around the coat room with a frown.
"Honest?"
"Honest."
She grinned, taking a step closer to him. "I um… I was kind of hoping…" another step closer. "that you'd follow me."
"Really?" He knit his brow.
She took another step closer, leaving nothing but a tiny gap between them. "Yeah." She sucked in a breath. "I think we should talk. About… about-"
"I know." He put his hands on her shoulders, gently running them down her arms. "But right now? I mean… shouldn't you be out there? Supporting…" He pulled his hands away and frowned. "your fiancé?"
She looked away, pressing her lips together for a moment before turning back to look at him. She took his hand, running her thumb along his knuckles. "Not right now."
Johnny moved in kissing her firmly before wandering gently down her neck.
"You're not keeping me very respectable Jonathan."
Johnny grinned moving in again. He ran his hand up her side, pressing her against the wall. Alex grabbed his tie, pulling him in, passionately kissing him.
He pulled back for a moment, framing her face with his hand. "This has to be the best conversation I've ever had…"
"Shhh…" She yanked him in again, crushing her lips against his again. After a few more minutes, Alex pulled back with a gasp.
"I think I hear someone." She whispered with a small giggle.
"Ah let 'em watch."
She pressed her forehead against his shoulder and laughed quietly.
"I better go. They're gunna start looking for me." She whispered, slipping out of his loose grip. As she walked away she blew him a kiss. He smiled, watching her leave before giving his head a shake and running a hand through his blonde hair. Had that actually just happened?
---
The days rolled into weeks, following the same pattern as that one night. At any event, or gathering, they found some excuse to leave and meet up discreetly.
Derek didn't suspect a thing.
Rogue watched Alex walk in, her hair pulled up into a messy bun, wearing a pair of ripped jeans and a Led Zeppelin T-shrit. Gone were the days of dressing like a picture from a Vogue magazine.
She furrowed her brow "Where you been?"
Alex smiled. "Just… you know, out and about…"
"What's gotten into you lately?"
Alex shook her head as she sat down next to her on the couch. "I don't follow."
"Y'act all… perky." She shook her head, looking back at the TV "It's weird. Ah ain't used to it."
Warren walked in, giving the bun in Alex's hair a small squeeze.
"Nice hair."
"Nice…face…" shook her head, a sarcastic smile on her face.
"Thanks. I think so too."
Alex gave Rogue a look "He's modest too."
He sat down next to her, stretching his legs out across her lap, giving Alex a wink.
"I know what it is."
"What what is?" Alex scrunched up her nose and pushed his legs off her.
"I know what's gotten into you."
She shook her head "Nothing has gotten into me. I'm just finally starting to feel comfortable with my current living situation. That's all."
He leaned in close to her "You were never this way with me you know."
"What do you mean? The way I am with Derek?"
"Sure. Derek." He sat back, looking at Rogue who seemed deeply occupied by some forensics show on the Discovery channel.
She'd dated Warren for a short time when she first came back, before he started seeing Kerri. At that point she was already jaded, emotionally scarred.
She lowered her voice "That was different. I was going through a tough time."
"You don't have to make excuses to me." Warren shrugged, his attention going back to the TV "Just keep in mind… people don't suddenly change over night… and I'm pretty sure Derek knows this too."
Alex stood up before he could say anything else, leaving with a quick excuse before heading to her room.
She closed her door behind her, passing her mirror before stopping and doubling back.
She looked at her reflection, the card that Gambit had given her before she left tucked up in the joints of the mirror. The Ace of spades. She smiled at the memory sucking in a breath; she really did miss him. He was always brutally honest with her. One of Kerri's many pictures of her caught her eye.
She hardly recognized herself.
But that wasn't really her. Not really. Sure she loved posing for the camera; she wasn't shy, but all the time? Always under the microscope?
Warren was right; people don't suddenly change over night. So which one was she?
She looked at herself in the mirror again. Her comfy jeans had a rip on the right knee, hardly the look you'd find on a stylish model.
Was it really Johnny that brought this out of her? And if so, was that a good thing?
Hope you enjoyed it.
More to come soon:)
XoXo - Kinetically Charmed.