Chapter 61

Noah stared in disbelief as Brenda stood in the middle of his living room, shrugging off her coat. Tossing it on the chair, she walked to the floor lamp and flipped it on. She noticed the two large, unopened bottles of scotch on the table but chose to ignore them for the moment. "What are you doing sitting in the dark?" she asked.

He blinked several times before finally closing the door. Shrugging, he walked back to the couch and sank into it. "Why are you here?" he asked quietly, letting his bare feet rest on the edge of the coffee table.

Brenda sat back on her heels on the couch, facing him, the skirt of her dark grey wrap dress splayed out around her. It had been so much easier to come back than she thought it would be. Robin had called to tell her about Patrick and Nathalie and before they had even finished their conversation, Brenda had booked a plane ticket and had Gabriella hastily packing her things. She knew that Robin needed her but she also knew that Noah would need her more. All she had been waiting for since she left Port Charles was an opportunity to return and now she had it. Jax had arranged a room for her at the MetroCourt and after a quick phone call to Robin, she headed straight to Noah's. Looking at him in his battered jeans and black wifebeater , staring straight ahead she knew she was right to come back. "I thought you might need me" she repeated.

Closing his eyes he could smell the soft heat of her ginger and cinnamon soap. In a fit of desperation, he had sought out a bottle of her body wash at a store but when he opened it to smell it he was disappointed that it didn't smell the same – it was missing her. Opening his eyes, they remained fixed on the two bottles in front of him. Brenda moved closer to him and putting one hand over his, traced her fingers over his brow. "My son is missing" he said hoarsely.

"I know" she replied softly.

He swallowed thickly as the mere act of saying the words out loud ripped at his heart. Brenda's hand on his sent electricity coursing through his body and the nearness of her made it hard to breathe. "Nathalie too" he added.

"I know" she repeated as she continued to stroke his face and his hair. "I'm so sorry Noah."

"Why?" he asked flatly. "Did you take them?" His pain was coming off him in waves.

Brenda ignored the comment. "How are you?"

"Fine."

"What's going on there?" she asked nodding at the bottles.

"That" he pointed to the first one "is a bottle of 18 year old Glenfiddich Single Malt. And that" he pointed to the bottle beside it "is a bottle of 12 year old Jameson Irish Whiskey."

"Why do you have two?" she asked quietly. She felt his tightly coiled body relax slightly as she ran her fingers lightly through his hair.

"They're very different drinks. The Irish and the Scots have such different approaches to whiskey – the Scots distill it once but the Irish – they like to do it three times."

"Why?" she asked curiously.

"To be sure, to be sure, to be sure" he joked weakly. Brenda smiled as she moved closer to him. "Whiskies, the really good ones, are like children – they may belong to one family but each one is unique. The Glenfiddich, it has this hint of apple to it and it's a large taste – big in your mouth" he said reverently "but it's so smooth going down. It's the sweetest taste. And the Jameson's - well it's a little bolder – hot and spicy even. It leaves a little reminder in your throat long after you've finished your drink."

"You haven't opened them."

"Yet" he clarified. "I haven't opened them yet." His hand moved to her hip, his fingers pulling at the soft knit of her dress.

Feeling his hand on her, feeling the way the tips of his fingers grazed against her, set her heart fluttering. "You don't have to open them at all" she countered quietly.

In one swift motion, Noah pulled her from where she was on to his lap. Both of his hands rested on her hips as she ran her thumbs over his brows. Her brown eyes looked so warm and inviting, all he wanted to do was dive in. "I'm scared" he whispered. Looking past her, his eyes fell again on the temptresses on the table.

Turning her head, Brenda followed his gaze. "What do you want to do?" she asked, looking back at them.

He sucked in a breath. "I want to taste them" he said simply. "Just taste them."

She pressed her lips against his, sucking on them gently. "Taste me instead" She kept her lips hovering over his. She succeeded in pulling his attention away from the bottles and back to her.

"Brenda" he said hoarsely against her mouth. Their first kiss in more than a month was not fiery or hot but rather comforting and warm.

Pulling back slightly she trailed the pads of her fingers along the dark circles under his eyes. "You haven't slept."

"Can't." He couldn't take his eyes from her.

"Let's get you to bed" she said, making a move off his lap. Noah gripped her hips and continued to stare at her as his breath came in shallow spurts. Sliding from his lap to the far end of the sofa, Brenda pulled him with her and brought his head to rest in the crook of her neck. With one hand on the back of his head, she snaked the other around his waist bringing him closer to her. Breathing in her scent as he held tightly to her he let the fatigue wash over him. "Close your eyes Noah" she said softly as she pressed her lips into his forehead.

Doing as he was told, he slept for the first time in two days, in the safety of Brenda's arms.

******
Alfred opened the door to the study and she gasped at the destruction. "Where is he now?" Alexis asked.

"Upstairs in his private office."

"Thank you." Alexis said as she walked lithely up the stairs. Outside Nikolas' small office, she pushed the door back, leaned into the door fram and took in the scene before her. There was small overnight bag by the door and Nikolas was turning the combination lock to his safe. She watched as he removed a strong box from the safe. Placing it on the table, her eyes widened as he removed a handgun and ammunition. "Going somewhere?"

He looked up in surprise. "Alexis" he said tightly. "What brings you by?"

"Sorry nephew but I asked first. Going somewhere?" she nodded to his overnight bag.

"Virginia"

She nodded. "Going hunting while you're there?"

Nikolas placed his gun inside his jacket pocket. "Do you need something?"

"Do you?"

"Alexis" he sighed deeply "I don't have time for games at the moment - is there something you need?"

She walked into the room and took hold of his hands. "Nikolas - what is going on?"

"Nathalie is pregnant, Helena is free and she's kidnapped Nat and Patrick Drake."

"Helena is in Virginia?" Alexis asked, not following him.

"No. Nathalie's parents are" he said shaking free from her hands. His entire face was dark with simmering rage. After spending hours in the dark of his destroyed study he picked himself up and dusted off his clothes, ready to do whatever needed to be done to bring Nathalie home.

"Nikolas" Alexis' voice was commanding and forced him to look up. "What are you going to do?"

"I'm going to go get Oliver from her parents. When I bring my fiance - my girlfriend - when I bring Nathalie home - her kids need to be here - she needs to have her family with her."

"Nikolas" she began cautiously, "there is a court order..."

"SO?" he challenged. "So what? Why am I the only one playing by the rules Alexis? Helena doesn't play by the rules - she just takes what she wants. Nathalie's parents? They just took what they wanted regardless of the cost. Well know it's my turn" his voice shook with emotion as he slammed his hand on to the small oak desk. "I am GOING to get Nathalie back and I don't care what the cost."

Alexis flinched having never seen such fury in her young nephew. "How can I help?" Nikolas smiled at her, giving a hint of the polite, mannered man she knew him to be. Pulling a photo from a folder he handed it to Alexis. "That's Nathalie" she remarked.

He nodded. "And that guy is someone who is a ringer for her dead husband. Helena is behind this - I know it. I need to know who he is, what he does and what his connection to Helena is."

Alexis nodded. "I'm on it."

"Thank you." Picking up his bag, Nikolas headed for the door. "I'll be back, with Oliver in a day."

"Do you really need the gun?"

Nikolas fixed her with a look. "I'll see you soon. Thank you for your help."

Alexis watched as he disappeared down the stairs. She pulled her cell phone from her purse. "It's Alexis. He's on his way to Virginia - he needs to be watched.....okay, thanks."

*****
Brenda stared at Noah asleep in her arms and realized that feeling his body next to hers, entwined with hers, was the most natural feeling in the world. She had shared beds with many men including some that she loved passionately, that she thought she would love forever, but nothing ever felt as right as being with Noah.

She pressed her lips against his hair, watching as his chest rose and fell in a slow, steady rhythm. His face had contorted and relaxed throughout the few hours that he had been asleep and Brenda wished she could completely remove his struggles from him. In the months they had been together he had been so open and shared so much of himself – his fears, his love for his son, his hope that everything was possible now that they were back in each other's lives that she understood how Patrick's disappearance rocked him to his core. She envied his love of his son, wishing her father had loved her in such a way. Noah was a good man, an honourable man and she knew first hand how rare those qualities really were.

As the sunlight crept in through window he stirred against her shoulder, nuzzling her neck. She bit her lip to keep from moaning from the contact of his lips on her skin. His eyes fluttered open and he looked at her in surprise. "Hi there" she said softly as she ran her hand through his hair.

"You're here" he said in disbelief.

She smiled. "I am."

"I thought…I thought I dreamed you" he stammered slightly, "like before."

Brenda pulled his lips with hers. "Nope – I'm real."

His fingers ran down her side as he propped himself up on his hand. "I can't believe you came."

"I can't believe I didn't come sooner" she said honestly. "Noah – about before…."

Shaking his head, he cut her off. "Not now" he said kindly. "There's plenty of time to sort through that – at least I hope there is – how long are you staying?"

Closing her eyes as she chewed on her lip she prayed she hadn't miscalculated. "As long as you want me to." She opened one eye and then the other and was greeted by the faintest of smiles on his face and warmth in his eyes.

"Then we have time." He attached his lips to the soft, warm skin and began to suckle.

"Noah" she whispered breathlessly.

Lifting his head, he searched her face. "Oh" Scrambling to his feet, he ran his hand over his stubbly cheeks.

"Noah?" Brenda asked unsure of what had just happened.

"That was uh…" he shook his head trying to find some lucidity. "that was awfully presumptuous of me. I'm sorry."

"What? Wait…what?" Jumping to her feet, she doubled over in pain as the muscles in her legs seized up.

Noah lunged forward, grabbing hold of her before she hit the ground. Easing her on to the couch, he took her legs in his lap and massaged the cramped calves. "Your legs are cramped – no doubt as a result of me sleeping on top of you." He kept his gaze on her legs, unable to look at her.

"I wasn't complaining." Brenda grimaced as the muscles loosened under his expert hands. "Noah?"

"Yeah?"

"Noah, look at me" she commanded. Reluctantly, he lifted his eyes to meet hers. "What just happened?"

"Your legs cramped up from being in the same position for too long."

Rolling her eyes, she let out a loud snort. "That's not what I meant and you know it."

"I didn't mean to assume that you had come back to me….to us."

Placing her hand over his, she forced him to be still and listen. "Noah – I came back to you – in whatever way you want me back – if it's as a friend that's fine – if it's as a lover and a partner even better. I know I hurt you – I know it. I've done many unforgivable things in my life but taking advantage of your kindness and your feelings for me when you are vulnerable would be the worst thing I could ever do."

Noah looked at the ground as he absorbed her words. They were certainly at a crossroads and if he was going to move forward, if they were going to move forward, he needed an answer to one question. Raising his eyes he held her gaze for several seconds. "Do you love me?"

Her eyes filled with tears as she realized the time had come to acknowledge out loud what had been in her heart for months. "I do – very much" she said hoarsely. "I love you Noah – I'm IN love with you - I love you so much I don't know what to do with all these feelings." Unable to hold back any longer, several tears trickled down her face.

"Brenda."

She shrugged. "I've felt this way for a long time but I couldn't say it – any time I've said it, it's ended badly. Love makes some people see straight – it confuses me – it's like I lose control or lose myself. I can't lose myself any more or I might never find myself again."

Noah stretched beside her on the couch, letting his fingers rest on her arm. "Do you lose yourself with me?" he asked quietly.

She shook her head. "I think.." Wiping furiously at her tears, she inhaled deeply and started again. "I think I met myself with you."

"And that scared you."

"And that terrified me."

"And so you ran."

"And it changed nothing. I like who I am when I'm with you – my life is just less without you."

"And you love me."

She nodded slowly as a smile crept across her face. "A whole lot."

Linking their fingers together, he moved his mouth closer to hers. "I love you – nothing can change that."

Cupping his face, Brenda crashed her mouth on to his, seizing his lips. Noah coaxed her lips apart and slid his tongue inside her mouth. She moaned as their tongues tangled. He ran his hands tentatively down her side, his thumbs grazing her nipples. Brenda threaded her hands through his hair pushing her body against his. Noah inhaled her scent, making his body ache with the familiarity of it. As their kiss deepened, gentleness gave way to passion. Fumbling with the ties on her dress Noah finally managed to get them undone, letting it fall open. He gazed adoringly at her as his hands became reacquainted with her soft, supple skin. Dipping his head, he buried it between her breasts leaving a hot, wet kiss just above her bra. Overcome by the need to touch his skin, Brenda groped at the hem of his tank top, peeling it from his body and tossing it to the side. Pushing him flush against the back of the couch, Brenda covered his chest in soft, delicate kisses. Noah shivered as her lips worked across his skin. Reaching behind her, he flicked her bra clasp open and gently pulled it from her. Freeing her breasts, he slowly massaged them and Brenda felt the heat pool between her legs. She ran her hand over his growing arousal eliciting a moan.

Noah pushed her back against the couch and lowered his head to her breast sucking her nipple into his mouth. "Oh god Noah." she hissed. She squirmed underneath him as his arousal pressed against her. Her hands moved between them, making quick work of the button and zipper of his jeans. Noah sighed as they were pushed over his hips and his erection sprang forth. Their hands and mouths moved over each other in a controlled frenzy, both needing to touch and taste. Their bodies recognized each other as both felt suddenly brought to life from the contact. She parted her legs as he trailed his fingers up her inner thigh. Pushing her panties to the side, he slipped a finger inside her slick passage. Brenda bucked, raising her hips from the couch and silently pleading for more. Noah assaulted her neck while slipping a second finger inside. Locking on to his eyes, Brenda started to ride his hand, her hips undulating against his touch.

"You are so beautiful Brenda" he whispered. "And I love you so much."

Brenda bit her lip as her walls tightened and clenched around his fingers, her hands roaming over his chest. Having dreamt of him and fantasized about him for weeks she knew her orgasm was not far."Noah" she pleaded.

Smiling, he caputred her lips again in hot, languid kiss. He removed her panties with one hand while hers closed around his cock, pumping him slowly. Noah gently moved her hand out of the way and entered her causing Brenda to gasp as he filled her. He stroked her face as he slowly moved in and out of her. He watched her, kissed her, ready to drown in her love. Lifting a leg, she wrapped it around his hip pulling him deeper inside her. They moved in unison, their bodies joined as if they were meant to be. Her eyes were hazy with lust as her orgasm built inside her. Noah's pace hastened as he worked his tongue along the soft skin of her neck and collar bone. She stilled and then shuddered as she came, crying his name as she did so. Her climax gave way to his, ripping through his body and providing him a release that he had been craving for more than a month.

Noah collapsed on top of her, breathless. She stroked his hair, covering his cheek and shoulder with soft kisses. Lifting his head he pressed his lips against hers. "Are you okay?" he asked.

She nodded, smiling. "Of course I am - I'm home."