Here's some more! Yatta!!! (woah. Heroes moment.) This one is really long. -...That's what she said. (woah. The Office moment... LOL)
Yeah. Anyways... here it is yo! (And now I'm talking like Toad. what the hell is wrong with me.)
10
"I hope you're not waiting until the last minute to get ready again Johnny-" Sue's comment was cut short when he opened the door.
"How many more of these stupid things do we have to go to Sue? It's the same Goddamn thing every-"
"Watch your language." Sue scolded, leading her younger brother down the hall. "And as many more as we need to. Mr. Wilson is doing a very good thing here, and we need to show our support. So quite whining and get your ass in the car."
Johnny rolled his eyes and followed his sister's instructions. He'd managed to effectively avoid Alex for the past few days, but tonight it would be inevitable. They were bound to meet up in the crowd at one point or another. Johnny shook his head and ran a hand through his hair. As soon as he got a few drinks into him, he'd be fine.
---
Alexis knocked on her younger sister's door "I'm leaving Lil, the car's down front for you and Kerri when you're ready. Are you ready?"
Lily pulled the door open and did a small spin for her. "Ready like a fox!" Lily raised an eyebrow "Speaking of Fox… is there someone you're trying to impress tonight?"
Alexis smoothed her hands along the deep blue fabric of her dress and smiled "Just Derek."
"Sure." Lily grinned, walking past her. "You're going to be late…"
She looked at her watch and stepped into gear. The last thing she wanted was to piss Derek off. Not tonight.
After a short drive in the limo, Alex climbed out of the car, letting out a deep breath that she hadn't realized she'd been holding. Derek greeted her with a grin, his hand extended for her to take. Even tonight, the night when all of her friends should be there to celebrate with her, he'd made sure that she only invite family.
She pressed her lips together and glanced around the premises. There was no way in hell all of these people were Derek's family. He was just too damn embarrassed to let her bring any of the X-men along on their big night.
One year Alexis. One year.
"Are you ready for this?"
"Ready as I'll ever be." She whispered, holding his hand firmly.
---
"I wish you'd take your sunglasses off John, it's not polite." Sue whispered through a smile. She waved politely at people who pretended they knew her as they passed by.
Johnny rolled his eyes behind the shades. The last thing he wanted to do was be polite. After all… this was a party for her. What he really wanted to do was turn around and leave. But he couldn't do that to his team.
He slipped the sunglasses off his face and tucked them in his pocket "There. Y'happy?"
She grinned "Very."
As a waiter passed by with a tray of champagne, Johnny grabbed one, replacing the glass he'd just polished off.
A woman took his arm and whispered "You have no idea how happy I am to see you…"
He turned around, doing a slight double take. Lily smiled.
"These things suck. All these rich ass people waltzing around like they're better than everyone else." She tugged his arm gently, looking at the rest of the Fantastic Four
The crowd began to applaud when they made their way on the stage, prompting him to down the bubbly liquid in one single gulp.
"I would like to thank everyone for coming." Derek started. But he wasn't really listening to Derek. His eyes moved to Alex. She looked so beautiful in her deep blue, form fitting dress. The way she smiled politely at everything Derek said, laughing along with his small jokes. How could you be so in love with someone you hate? The thought rolled around in his mind for a few moments before her eyes flicked over to him.
Her smile wavered for that split second and she looked away, regaining composure like a true professional. He furrowed his brow and looked around for another waiter to come by toting a tray of alcohol.
"Alexis and I have an announcement to make and we only find it fitting to make it tonight." Derek's voice pushed through to the forefront of his mind, drowning out his silent thoughts.
Alexis stepped forward with a smile and took the mic. This defiantly caught Johnny's attention. She'd never done this before.
"That's right." She flashed the crowd a wide grin. "Derek and I have set a date. May third. So make sure you leave that date open on your calendars…"
The crowed chuckled and applauded the happy couple. May? He zoned out slightly doing the math in his head. It was only three months away. And in a flash, she was done with him. Just like that. Johnny's expression darkened and when Alex's eyes flicked to him one last time, he turned around and stormed out.
Kerri frowned as she watched the hot head leave abruptly.
"What the hell is that guy's problem?" Ben shook his head. "He needs some valium or something."
Sue shook her head. "He's just moody because he's sick of these publicity parties."
Lily glowered, exchanging a look with Kerri.
After a few minutes of mingling, Derek and Alexis made their way over to them.
"It's great to see you were able to make it." Derek smiled. "Well… three of you at least."
Alexis came to a stop next to Derek, her arm entwined in his.
"You know Johnny… bi-polar… temperamental… who knows." Ben shook his head "He's a hot head."
Derek chuckled.
Lily stared at her older sister who still smiled politely. "Yeah, I wonder what got into him."
Alex blinked at Lily. "Could we change the subject? This is supposed to be a happy day."
"Of course!" Derek patted Alex's hand "Where's my head?"
"Oh yes! Of course! Who really cares about Johnny anyways right?" Lily said with a cocky smile. "Right Ally cat?"
Alex clenched her jaw through her smile "Lillian you're being rude."
Lily laughed. "Oh I'm sorry… am I speaking out of turn now Alex?"
Alexis grabbed her younger sister's elbow. "Excuse us for a moment… girl talk."
She dragged her out of the hall, into the empty foyer, and into the coat room, closing the door behind her.
"What… the HELL Lily! What is your problem!?"
"Me?! I don't have a problem Lex. Not one bit. Why don't you go find Johnny?" Lily crossed her arms with a sneer.
"What are you talking about?! Johnny's just… moody because he has to be here."
"I came to check on you the other night Alex. When you were sick? You weren't in your room." She pressed her lips together "Doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out where you were."
Alex's jaw hung open.
"God Alex… I… I don't even know you do I?! First you're with Derek… and then you're with Johnny all of a sudden?! You're… the most selfish person I've-"
"I'm selfish?!" Alex struggled to keep her voice down. "When mom died, who was the one that sacrificed… everything… to make your life better? And who was the one that took care of you and dad instead of taking care of anything that mattered to me?!"
Lily knit her brow. "Yeah but-"
"Not but!" Alex shoved Lily with her jaw clenched "You think I'm with Derek by choice Lily?! I'm with him because he's rich."
Lily blinked.
"One year. One year of marriage and Derek's agreed to pay for Dad's medical bills… forever. He gets good PR and we get security." She shook her head. "Don't you get it?"
"What about Johnny?" Lily narrowed her eyes.
"I can't… not…" Alex let out a breath. "It's not a good time."
"But you love him."
Alex pressed her lips together, her eyes brimmed with tears and she nodded silently.
Lily looked down. "Ally… I'm sorry… I didn't..."
Alex shook her head. "We should head back." She blinked rapidly, urging the tears away before they threatened her perfect makeup. "Don't want to upset Derek."
Before they left, Lily took her hand. "I'm sorry."
"Don't be Lily." She lifted her chin "We'll be set for life."
---
Derek climbed into the back of the limo after her, closing the door with a smile.
"Well… I think that went rather well."
Alex nodded. "Yes."
"You look… amazing Alexis."
"Thank you."
"No no, I mean it. I never had a chance to tell you." He took her chin gently in his hand and turned her head to face her. "I mean it."
"Thank you." She whispered.
His eyes scanned her face, running his hand along her jaw line. "You're doing a fine job. What's changed?"
"I'm… taking things more seriously." She said softly.
He leaned in slowly. "That's good to hear."
Alex sucked in a nervous breath as he ran his hand up her thigh.
"Just relax Alexis." He whispered, cradling her head in his hand as he moved in, kissing her firmly.
His free hand wandered up her thigh around her leg to her hip and up her hip to her back as he kissed her. The kiss slowly intensified as his hand moved back to her knee, sliding against her soft flesh.
His mouth moved down her jaw line, down her neck to her collarbone, causing a small moan to irrupt from her throat.
"Johnny…" She breathed.
Derek sat up.
"What?"
Alexis let out a breath. "What…?"
He pressed his lips together. "You said Johnny."
She shook her head "I…"
"You..." He ran a hand through his hair "It's my own fault…"
"Derek I'm sorry. It wasn't-"
"Alexis. There's something you should know."
She stared at him expectantly.
He let out a breath. "I hired Mr. Storm to keep an eye on you. That's why he was around you all the time…" He shook his head "But I had no idea he'd… he'd do that to you…"
Her mouth hung open. "Excuse me?"
"I know. It's awful. I'm sorry… but I just thought in this time… you'd need an extra bit of security."
"And you didn't think to tell me?!" She jerked back from him.
"I told him to tell you Alexis. I thought he did." Derek frowned.
Alex's shoulders slumped and she looked at her hands. He took her chin and turned her head. "I'm sorry he did this to you."
She nodded, biting her lower lip.
"I won't hurt you like that." He whispered. "I want to take care of you."
She nodded again.
The car came to a stop and Derek let out a breath. "Sleep well."
"Thank you Derek. For… everything." She pressed her lips together before sliding out of the limo, blowing Derek a kiss and closing the door behind her.
---
He took a slow drag of his cigarette, enjoying the lungful of smoke before letting it out slowly as the limo came to a stop. He knew who it was instantly, watching her climb gracefully out of the back and blow the occupant a kiss before closing the door. He watched her take a few steps before she must have seen him, her body tensing up instantly. He took another drag of his cigarette and flicked it into the bushes, letting out the breath of smoke before turning around and heading inside. He didn't want to look at her anymore.
---
She frowned when she saw him, the end of his cigarette glowing in the thin night air. She continued to walk forward, her mind racing with something to say when he flicked the cigarette and left. She stopped and let out a breath. She'd dodged a bullet there.
She let out another breath. Then why did it feel like her heart was being squeezed in a vice?
Oh dear. What a situation we have a-brewin' here eh?! EH?!
You know the drill dudes... R&R!