Beyond Repair

By: Lesera128

Rated: M

Disclaimer: I own nothing. I am just playing in someone else's sandbox….

Summary: Secrets abound as Skye reluctantly returns to Australia at AJ's behest despite the fact its where her marriage to Jax ended in disaster the previous year. AU. Skye/Jax. SAX.

Author's Note: I am reposting some of the older works that I have saved on my harddrive. Old-time SAX fans may remember this story. It was originally posted under my other penname [MuseofJaynor] at the Skye messageboard fan fiction archive. Many people already know this, but in case you were wondering, yeah, that was me.

"Attention all passengers. Please disembark to your right as you exit the plane. Baggage may be claimed at the number 3 turnstile on the 2nd level of the main terminal. Current time is 9:42 am. Current weather is sunny, breezy, and a mild 72 degrees. Another beautiful Auckland day. We at Quantis Air hope you have had a pleasant journey. And whether you are here for a visit or coming home, we wish you the very best luck. Again, thank-you for flying Quantis Air." The monotone voice of the flight attended boomed at Skye as she stood under the exit of the plane, caught halfway between the throngs of people exiting into the terminal.

An 18-hour flight had left her a little shaky as she adjusted her sore muscles back into use again. Sighing softly to herself, Skye adjusted the purse strap on her shoulder, and adjusted her sunglasses from where they sat on top of her head to rest over her eyes. The sun was shining brightly through the windows, and even in the airport, Skye imagined she could smell the tangy scent of salt water and fresh air.

She shook her head as she moved forward, and continued her search for her brother.

A.J. was the first one to spot Skye. She looked very different than the last time he had seen her. More skinny, but not as pale. And unlike the tears that had made her beautiful brown eyes puffy when he had last left her, this time Skye's eyes shone with apprehension and nervousness, but no sadness.

"Skye, over here!" A.J. called as he freed his arm from around his wife's shoulder and waved to her. She saw him in an instant, and for a split second, she could have sworn that her heart skipped a beat.

It had been so long since she had seen A.J., and even longer since she had seem him as happy as he looked now. She hated to admit it, but fatherhood seemed to be agreeing with him on this second go-around like it never had during Michael's life.

Forcing a smile, Skye walked steadily to A.J. He smiled a genuinely warm smile at her as he handed the baby to his wife. She too had a smile on her face, but it was more subdued. Taking the baby, she gently shifted the child onto her right shoulder while she watched A.J. move forward and grasp Skye in a tight hug. It felt so natural, Skye couldn't help but hugging him back as he whispered in her ear, "I am so glad you're here, Skye. I've-"

He paused and glanced at his wife and the baby. Instantly, he amended his statement, "-No, we've missed you so much. And we are so glad you are here at long last."

"Yes, it has been a long time," Skye admitted at last. She smiled once at A.J., but she couldn't help herself as she stared at A.J.'s wife and the baby she now carried.

She nodded at the baby, "How's she doing?"

A.J.'s wife answered with a pleased grin, "She's the best baby in the whole wide world, Skye. I couldn't have asked for one better."

"She's grown so big," Skye said at last.

A.J. laughed softly. "They have a tendency to do that, Skye. Would you like to hold her?"

Skye's reaction was instant as she almost violently shook her head, "No." A.J. opened his mouth to protest, but Skye cut him off with an emphatic look. "That is, no thank you… just… not yet."

"But, you've never even seen her," A.J.'s wife said softly in confusion.

Skye shrugged, "I know. I know. But that's just the way it had to be. And besides, now that I'm here, there will be plenty enough time for that… later."

Shrugging, A.J. at last conceded, "All right. If that's how you feel about it. Let's go and get your bags then, and get out of here."

Nodding, Skye forced another smile. Following A.J. as he led the way, the only thing Skye could do from screaming out every time she looked at the child in the hands of A.J.'s wife, was to bite her tongue. By the time they exited the airport with all of Skye's luggage in hand, her tongue had been bitten so hard, it was bleeding - just like Skye's still wounded heart.

-TBC-