Episode 11 The Storm
Part 1:
Pulling his overcoat tightly round his tall frame Adam wished he could have brought the limousine but considering inconspicuous was the modus operandum for this early morning meeting Adam sat shivering in the draftee cheap Buick he had "hired" especially for the occasion. Glancing at his watch briefly Adam's attention returned to watching the building, and he wished he were anywhere but here. Even having breakfast with Jeff and being forced to play happy families would have been preferable.
Just sitting across the road from this particular place brought him out in goosebumps.
The memories of it still caused him to wake up at odd times, skin slick with sweat his heart pounding, the taunts of his former inmates ringing in his ears, even as his body flinched from imaginary blows.
He had a lot to thank Frank Dobson for; as Adam was certain that it was only the older man's intervention and influence that had kept him from suffering an "unfortunate accident". Yet there was a limit even to his gratitude and getting him up early and forcing him to sit in the cold was pushing it.
Finally the door to the detention centre opened and a familiar grey haired figure emerged, a small bag under his arm.
Pausing on the threshold Frank Dobson took a lungful of fresh air; even the bite of the February chill did little to dampen his spirits. Looking up and down the empty street it didn't take Dobson long to spot the parked car and the sunglasses wearing inhabitant. Snorting at Carrington's attempt to disguise himself Frank made his way down the steps, meandering as if he had all the time in the world and no fixed destination in mind.
Finally he made it level with the car, opening the door and fluidly dropping into the passenger seat nodding a greeting as a tense Adam started the engine and pulled out into the sparse early morning traffic. When he was certain they weren't being followed Adam turned off of the main thoroughfare and into an upmarket residential area. Tall apartment blocks circled pretty parkland, the large central lake dominated by an impressive water fountain.
Turning off of the road Adam stopped the car in front of some automatic doors, winding down the window he entered a four-digit code and the garage door opened. Pulling into a parking space Adam turned off the engine and finally turned to his passenger handing him a folder.
"I've arranged the lease on the apartment for you. Six months paid up front, after that its up to you whether you want to keep it on."
Smiling at the defensive way Adam spoke Frank nodded reaching inside the portfolio for the keys his eyes flickering over the signed lease before looking for something else, his eyes narrowing in annoyance when he couldn't find it. "And the line of credit?"
Pausing for a moment, his jaw clenched, Adam reached into his breast pocket and withdrew a bankbook and card. "One Hundred Thousand as agreed."
Smiling Frank liberated the book from Adam's grasp. "Thank you."
"I take it that is all you require of me?" Adam muttered bitterly.
Leaning back in his seat Frank tried not to smile, despite his usefulness Carrington really was such a child at times. "Yes I would consider your favour repaid."
"Good…I think it's probably best if we keep our distance." Adam began hesitantly surprised when Frank chuckled.
"We will hardly be moving in the same circles Carrington…At least not yet. However I understand you are working with your mother at Colby Co?" Frank added his tone light yet his eyes darkened noticeably at the mention of Alexis.
"Yes…"
Smiling at Adam's cautious reply Frank opened the car door and retrieving his small bag got out into the darkened garage. Calling out to a concerned Adam, "Then I may see you again Carrington, when I attend Board Meetings. I must confess I imagine any meeting chaired by the illustrious Alexis Colby will be worth attending."
---
Leaning back in his first class seat Blake gratefully accepted a re-fill of his whiskey. He had given up trying to keep track of what time it actually was, either in Switzerland or Denver, all he knew was that it was definitely time for a drink even though they had been in the air for less than half an hour and most people were just having their breakfast coffee.
"Bad trip?" The man to his right suddenly asked, his drawling southern accent giving him away as a fellow American.
"I've had better." Blake muttered taking a deep sip of his drink, enjoying the way the alcohol burned his throat. Hoping that was to be the entire extent of the conversation, yet he seemed destined to remain frustrated on this trip.
"You a banker?"
Shaking his head Blake stared out the window at the passing clouds, hoping that his chatty companion might take the hint as he silently downed his drink.
"Well good bunch of boring old bastards the lot of them…Hey Miss." The southerner called out to a passing stewardess. "Get me a bourbon would you sugar and my friend here needs another refill."
Resisting the urge to comment that he was certainly not his friend Blake did accept the drink.
"Here's to better trips and long legged women!" His companion cracked, laughing at his own toast and slugging back his drink. "So what's got you so down…No let me guess, that sour face it has got to be a woman…Some Swiss totty giving you the run-around?"
Biting back a cutting retort, Blake paused before adding politely but firmly. "I'd really rather not talk about it."
Snorting into his drink his companion retorted knowingly. "Definitely a dame then."
Choosing to ignore his companion's mumblings Blake tried to tune him out, content to accept the refills as and when they arrived, and that seemed just fine with his travelling companion who pontificated on about his philosophy of life and women happily without any input from Blake at all.
Yet Blake couldn't block out the fact that his dark mood was indeed about a woman, or more to the point two women. Perhaps if he drank enough whiskey he might be able to block them out. Forget the sword of Damocles that hung precariously over his head and the fact that he was damned no matter what he did.
Even having made his decision nothing went as planned. He had geared himself, he had gotten down on one knee, prepared to make the ultimate gesture of love and support and Krystle…
Krystle had smiled sweetly, her beautiful blue eyes glowing with love and affection, and he was certain when she opened her mouth that she would say yes, yes without question. So when she actually spoke it took a long moment for her actual words to register.
"I'm sorry Blake…I just don't feel right saying or planning anything until the Dr Muir tells me the therapy is working…I need more time." Krystle answered softly, hoping that he would understand, and that he wouldn't react badly.
Forcing a smile Blake patted her hand and got awkwardly to his feet, unable to help feeling a bit of a fool. Here he was having made his decision, to stand by Krystle, to give up Alexis and the one thing he had never even considered in his arrogance was that Krystle would turn him down. "That's alright Darling…You're right we should wait until we get the news from the Doctor."
Relieved that he was taking it so calmly Krystle added. "Besides it would feel wrong just to get married here away from all the family. I'd want to do it properly…In the mansion with everyone there. You understand?"
"Of course…Of course."
And he did, he really did but that didn't make his task any easier.
Perhaps it had been cowardly, proposing to Krystle before she learnt the truth about the past year. He had hoped to return to Denver a married man, his decision made and resolute, which no amount of tearful emerald eyes or soft tempting curves could sway him from. He would never have broken his marriage vows.
Yet now he was going home, home to tell his family the truth. To prepare them for Krystle's return. To break the news of his decision to Alexis and he was dreading it. Dreading the tears and accusations, the heartbreak he alone would be responsible for. Heading home without his safety net, which was why he accepted another whiskey and then another. There was no way he was going to do this sober.
---
Sitting at the head of the table Alexis smiled when her children drifted into breakfast sipping her coffee as she watched them tenderly, relishing the everyday nature of it. It was if finally she was able to make up for all that lost time, to play the part in their lives and her grandchildren's that she was always meant to play.
Fallon and Jeff appearing side by side already arguing about some trifle, just like they had as children; Fallon pouring his coffee and Jeff passing her the toast automatically without even breaking the stride of their quarrel.
Krystina sat by her side, pristine in her new uniform, nervously brushing out her tartan skirt with one hand as the other shovelled a loaded fork of pancake into her mouth; the fluffy creations a special treat from Mrs Gunnerson to celebrate her first day at her new school.
LB and Danny entered the room last, late as usual still rubbing sleep from their eyes as they slumped down at the table, almost dunking their faces in the cereal that a frowning Fallon put in front of them.
"Mummy do you want me to drop Krystina off on my way to The Carlton?"
Smiling Alexis shared a look with Krystina who showed she had inherited more than her fair share of Carrington genes, especially those concerning puppy dog expressions and emotional blackmail. "No it's alright Fallon, I think it will be best if I take her this morning."
"Can we take the Rolls?" Krystina piped up causing Alexis to chuckle and Fallon to laugh out loud.
"When did you get a disciple Mother?"
"There is nothing wrong with cultivating a sense of style Fallon." Alexis countered setting down her coffee cup as a nervous Dana entered.
"Morning Dana." Jeff called out when she hovered nervously on the threshold. "Do you a need a lift to the office?"
Nodding Dana hurried to the sideboard, helping herself to a small portion of scrambled eggs and two slices of wholemeal toast.
"So you've settled on Denver Carrington Dana." Alexis commented when her former daughter-in law sat down and began toying with her food quailing under the matriarch's gaze.
"Yes…I told Adam, I appreciated your offer Alexis but I don't think PR is for me. I enjoyed working at Denver Carrington and I know my way around already…" Dana trailed off, her mouth suddenly dry, so she poured herself a coffee unable to stop her hand from visibly shaking.
"Yes well I suppose you are right. PR probably would be too much for you, I suppose you will be more comfortable at Denver Carrington taking dictation and photocopying files." Alexis muttered smiling sweetly despite the biting put down.
Setting down her fork as her hand trembled too much Dana gathered all her courage together to face down Alexis unable to simply let the bitchy comment pass, not without one of her own. "Yes as a secretary I think I will be."
For a moment the atmosphere was tense and silence reigned, the gauntlet had been thrown down and everyone waited to see if Alexis would pick it up; Dana's hands clenched in fists as she stood her ground.
Of all the reactions the spectators expected, an icy retort, a stormy exit, the last thing was for Alexis to throw her head back and laugh so hard the tableware rattled. When she was finally able to get her giggles under control Alexis bowed her head in mock defeat before adding. "You're right."
And just like that the tense mood was broken and the family returned to their meal, raucous noise swelling as the boys finally woke up and joined in the conversation.
"Hey is this a party and someone forgot to mail me my invite?" A familiar voice asked from the doorway and the family turned and started in surprise.
"Daddy…" A high voice squealed, running from their chair to throw their arms around their father's shoulders.
"Welcome home darling this is a wonderful surprise." Alexis greeted the new arrival with a smile, getting up from her seat to place a kiss on his cheek.
Smiling Steven held a beaming Danny close and returned his Mother's hug with one arm. "So who does a guy have to bribe to get a cup of coffee around here?"
---
Part 2:
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"Have a good day darling…I'll be here to pick you up at three thirty and then how about we do something fun to celebrate your first day?" Alexis smiled as an excited Krystina pressed a kiss to her cheek and practically bounded out the car on seeing one of her new friends waiting for her.
Waving goodbye as she watched Krystina join a group of girls and head inside Alexis finally waved the driver on settling back against the plush leather seats of the limousine with a contented smile on her face.
"You look very happy Mother."
Sighing Alexis turned to her youngest son who was sat beside her, his dark blue eyes studying her closely as if he hadn't seen her in years. "I am happy Steven, for the first time in years, I really am happy. Of course I will be happier still when your father gets home, I hate it when he's away…I always did."
Shaking his head Steven looked away, suddenly finding the passing scenery fascinating.
"What's the matter Steven?" Alexis asked gently her emerald eyes narrowing in concern as her special son continued to remain distant.
"It's nothing…Just work."
Snorting as she saw straight through that little fib Alexis added softly. "You've never been a good liar Steven, as a little boy I could always tell when you were trying to keep something from me, I'm sorry to say Darling your skills haven't improved with age."
Chuckling at his mother's unique way of putting things Steven swallowed the bullet and turned to face her once more. "It's just…"
"You don't approve." Alexis answered for him, unable to keep the disappointment from her voice.
"I didn't think Alexis Colby needed anyone's approval." Steven retorted flippantly yet his front only lasted long enough to see the minute flinch on his mother's face. "I'm sorry Mother…I shouldn't…"
"No you shouldn't have." Alexis muttered. "I've been through a lot in my life Steven, I've had all of my children taken away from me at some point, by one means or another. I lost the love of my life once through a combination of loneliness, selfishness and I'll admit my own stupidity. Now things are finally, finally going right for me and yet it can't be complete because you won't accept my relationship with your father."
"I do accept it."
"But you don't approve." Alexis countered. "And I only wish I could understand why Steven?"
Sighing Steven ran his hands through his blond hair thinking carefully before answering.
"When I was little, after you left Denver, I used to dream that you'd come back. That one day Dad would come back from one of his many trips not with a new present but with you. That he would bring you home and announce look who he had found in London or Paris and that things could go back to how things were."
"Oh Steven." Alexis whispered softly reaching out to squeeze her son's arm.
"But it never happened." Steven carried on his voice choked with emotion that he did his best to suppress. "And eventually even I had to give up on that dream, I had to grow up."
Frowning Alexis tried to piece it all together shaking her head as the answer still seemed illusive. "But that was then…"
"I know it doesn't make sense Mother…It's just it took years to come to terms with the fact that we would never be a family again and then when you came back to Denver, well let's just say you and Blake spent the last ten years at each other's jugular. All of us children being batted between you like pawns in your ongoing battle to finally vanquish the other. Now all of a sudden the two of you are back together, getting re-married and we're back to playing happy families as if those years in between never happened. I just can't…"
"What are you afraid of Steven…Yes you are afraid don't try and pretend you aren't." Alexis cut in when he tied to protest. "Is it that you might come to accept it, and be happy and that eventually things might go wrong all over again? That you'll be hurt just like last time?"
Unable to answer Steven nodded; as usual Alexis Colby had gotten quickly to the crux of the matter.
"Oh Darling I wish I could promise you it won't. That finally things will be settled between your father and me but no one can. All we can do is promise to do our best, to try not to let anything or anyone break us apart."
"But you can't guarantee it."
Snorting in derision Alexis added softly. "There are no guarantees in this life Steven, not for any of us. I can't promise Blake and I will be together forever; I hope we will, god knows I couldn't bear to loose him again. All we have is now, the here and now is all we ever have; we cannot predict the future just as we can't resurrect the past."
"So how can you find the courage to take the chance? Wouldn't it be safer not to try at all?"
"Oh it would be safer." Alexis muttered. "Safer but lonelier, poorer, something's are worth getting your heart broken for; because if you never take a chance at happiness then you never truly live."
Smiling at the sentimental words Steven watched Alexis closely. "I never realised you were a romantic Mother."
"It's the only way to live Darling." Alexis retorted lightly relieved when her son cracked a smile.
"Are you trying, in your own round about way, to tell me to lighten up?"
Smiling wryly Alexis tried not to gloat. "Perhaps a little… Darling I am sorry that your father and I being together has dug up all these issues for you, and yes you are right perhaps things won't work out, and the family will be hurt all over again but does that mean we should give up, not even try to make it work?"
"No." Steven answered softly. "I just don't think I can handle seeing you hurt like that all over again Mother."
"Well who's to say I will be? Why don't we try a little optimism." Alexis retorted with a smile to soften the blow. "But whether I might be hurt in the future, I am not going to sacrifice the present waiting for something that may or may not happen and you shouldn't either Steven."
"You're right…I know you're right."
"Mother always knows best Steven."
Laughing and allowing the tension he had been carrying seemingly forever to slip away Steven added. "Well if that's the case perhaps you can help me with a dilemma of my own? I…."
"You don't know whether to stay in Washington or come back to Denver." Alexis finished for him laughing at his stunned expression. "What I told you Steven you are as transparent as glass. As for what I think you should do, I think you should do whatever will make you happy. If that is moving back here to be part of your family and raise Danny then I know I can speak for Blake when I say we will support you in. If it's Washington then I will do everything I can to make it happen, even if that means raising my grandson alongside Krystina."
Sighing as he accepted the truth in that statement Steven reached out and caught her hand squeezing it gently. "You are one of a kind Mother…Don't you ever change."
"I don't think there is much chance of that happening, not at my age."
"You are a mere slip of a girl."
"And you clearly need your eyes checking!" Alexis retorted waving aside the flattery. "But seriously Darling your family is here for you whenever you need us, whatever you decide. Although I must confess it would make me very happy to have you home, but as I said it's what you want that matters."
"Thank you Mother." Steven replied softly unable to deny, even if it was just to himself, that he was more than a little tempted. Perhaps he could give Denver another chance?
---
The mansion was strangely empty when a sombre if not sober Blake returned. Gerard informing him apologetically that the family where all out. Master Adam and Dana were dining out; Jeff had flown to LA that afternoon and was not expected back until tomorrow. Miss Fallon was hosting some soiree at The Carlton and Mrs Colby and Master Steven had taken the children out to celebrate Krystina's first day at school.
Brushing aside his butler's offer to have something sent up from the kitchen Blake made his way up to the master suite, setting his suitcase down but not unpacking it. He didn't even turn on the light preferring to navigate the room by the dim moonlight that filtered in through the windows.
Even empty the room practically screamed Alexis's presence. The scent of her perfume lingered in the air, the silk negligee draped over the end of the bed and the assorted knick knacks that had made their way into the room. The many photographs of the family sat in pride of place on the dressers, seemed symbolic of their life together, a life that had to end now for all their sakes.
Taking off his overcoat Blake helped himself to another drink, yet instead of downing this one he cradled it gently in his hands sinking down onto the chaise to wait.
And wait.
Until finally what seemed like hours later the door to the suite opened and in strode an excited Alexis switching the light on, causing Blake to winch at the sudden light.
"Blake!" Alexis exclaimed pausing in the doorway stunned at his sudden reappearance. "When did you get back…Why were you sitting in the dark?"
"A few hours ago." Blake answered quietly not moving from the chaise to greet her. "I've been waiting for you."
Sighing Alexis shut the door behind her and threw her fur down on the bed. "Oh I'm sorry Darling, if you'd let me know you were due back, then we would have eaten at home tonight."
"Where have you been?" Blake asked, his dark eyes drinking in her slender frame as she crossed the room towards him fluffing out her hair and slipping out of her heels.
"Oh well Steven and I took the children out for an early dinner to celebrate Krystina's first day at her new school, you know that burger place they are all so fond of…" Alexis added sliding into the space beside him. "But I'm here now, all yours." Sliding her hand up his chest, leaning forward her lips tilted up for a kiss.
A kiss he wanted but couldn't allow, not now, not ever.
Pushing himself up from the chaise Blake put as much space between them as he could, hearing Alexis's huff of annoyance.
"I told you I'm sorry Blake, I hardly think its fair to hold it against me that I wasn't here when you got home considering you didn't even bother to let me know you would be…."
"Alexis…"
"In fact considering you didn't even call me when you were away I think I am the one who should be allowed to hold a grudge…"
"Alexis!" Blake's voice was loud and harsh this time and cut her off mid rant.
Falling silent Alexis frowned, her annoyance quickly turning to concern as Blake paced his frame tense and his face pained. "What is it…What's wrong Blake?"
"I am trying to tell you…" Blake began softly trying to find the right words, yet there was no way to truly soften this blow he just had to come out and say it.
"I was in Switzerland."
"Switzerland!" Alexis echoed her beautiful face creasing in confusion. "Why on earth would you go there? You told me you were meeting the Chinese…"
"I lied." Blake answered simply. "I told you I was meeting the Chinese but really I went to…I went to see Krystle."
Swallowing as that truth sank in Alexis tried to trample the panic that bubbled up, Krystle was no longer a threat, Blake probably just needed to make peace with things to absolve himself of guilt after getting engaged to her. "I see."
Shaking his head Blake added sadly. "No you don't…That phonecall I missed whilst we were at The Carlton it was from Krystle's doctor. He said…"
"Is she worse is that it?" Alexis asked gently, terrified that one wrong move or word would cause him to turn on her.
Sighing Blake turned to face her, his eyes soft with the knowledge of what he was about to do, what he was dreading doing but that he had no choice about. "No…No she woke up Alexis. That's what I have been trying to tell you, Krystle woke from her coma. That's why things have to change…Why they can't carry on like this anymore."
He paused watching as the terrible truth dawned and Alexis's face fell, her eyes wide in horror.
"I can't marry you Alexis, I'm sorry but this relationship is over, it has to be."
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Part 3:
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For a moment Alexis couldn't speak. Couldn't find the words the express her disbelief. "What are you saying Blake."
"I'm sorry Alexis I have no choice." Blake answered softly unable to meet her accusing gaze.
Yet Blake's answer only inflamed her further and Alexis found herself spitting back a retort, "No choice...Of course you have a choice, you're the one doing the choosing dammit!"
"There is no real choice Alexis...She's my wife, she's Krystina's mother."
"She's your ex-wife Blake, she divorced you remember. She freed you and then you proposed to me...And I don't remember anyone holding a gun to your head when you did that."
"She's still Krystina's mother." Blake argued.
"So what...I'm Adam's mother. Fallon's mother. Steven and Amanda's they are your children to!"
"Yes but they're grown up, Krystina is still a little girl, she needs both her parents."
"Oh that is rich coming from you, the man who exiled me from my young and vulnerable children..." Alexis scoffed rolling her eyes at his sudden concern for his children's emotional wellbeing.
Of course she would bring that up, he had expected it and Blake had a prepared counter argument. "That's just the point Alexis. I admit now that was a mistake, I was wrong, do you really expect me to make the same mistake again?"
Shaking her head as she tried to follow Blake's logic Alexis simply couldn't, replying soundly. "So let her see Krystina, make her a part of her daughter's life. You don't need to throw us away over this!"
"She's my wife in all but name." Blake repeated unable to bring himself to admit that he had already proposed to Krystle before breaking his engagement to Alexis and as much as he wished he could tell her about Krystle's illness he had promised to keep that to himself as well.
"So am I, I've been living with you for six months, sharing a bedroom for most of that time ...and in a short time I was going to be Alexis Carrington again."
"Alexis..." Blake tried to reason with her yet Alexis was having none of it, cutting him off angrily her cheeks flushed and emerald eyes flashing dangerously as she stalked closer pointing at him aggressively.
"No don't you dare Alexis me Blake, you've made this very easy on yourself. Haven't you? You lose Krystle and turn to me for comfort. You take my love and body and use it to keep yourself amused and then as soon as your comatose Krystle awakens you drop me like last week's trash."
"I..."
"How can you do this Blake, after everything we went through together... California, the trial...Dex. Dammit Blake the hell you put me through over that and there was never any question of me leaving you." Alexis added her anger trailing off into a choked sob.
Sighing Blake tried not to let her arguments affect him, not to let the sound of her pain move him yet he was still human and he knew how much this was hurting her; it was destroying him as well.
"I know I have hurt you very badly Alexis. Everything you say is the truth but it changes nothing."
"Tell me you don't love me." Alexis whispered softly but intently her eyes locked on his face watching for any flicker of his resolve.
"Alexis please..."
"Say it Blake. Look me in the eyes and tell me you don't."
"You know I can't." Blake replied softly, finding the courage to meet her gaze, his dark eyes pleading with her not to drag this out, not to make this any harder than it already was.
Bottom lip trembling Alexis fought back tears, relief flooding her body. "Then I am not going. I won't let you throw us away, we've worked too hard."
"Stop. Just stop. It's not a question of love."
"Yes it is, you can't have it both ways Blake. You can't tell me you love me in one breath and tell me it's over in another."
"It is over Alexis...It has to be over." Blake added roughly.
"Because of Krystina?"
"Yes because of Krystina and because it's the right thing to do. Krystle is confused; to her it was only yesterday that we were married."
"Well it wasn't yesterday and she would soon come to accept that. Haven't I been kind to Krystina? Wouldn't I...Haven't I been a good mother to her?" Alexis asked.
Nodding Blake was force to concede on that point. "Yes I know you have, you helped her wonderfully through such a difficult time."
"Then let me stay and help her, help you both with this now...We can make it work Blake, just give me the chance to prove..." She begged, inching closing and grasping his hand between her own two. Horrified when Blake pulled away shaking his head.
"No."
"PLEASE Blake...I'm begging you don't do..." Alexis sobbed her hands reaching and grasping hold of the lapels of his jacket, perhaps if she were close to him he wouldn't be able to let her go.
Pulling his gaze up from the floor Blake covered her hands with his own, stroking the skin gently before pulling them free. Choking back tears of his own Blake added, his voice low and rough with emotion. "No don't you beg...Not me...I'm not worth your tears...I'm not worthy of you."
"Yes you are." Alexis insisted.
"No I'm not, a worthy man would never have let our marriage disintegrate all those years ago, would never have hurt you the way I did sending you away. He would never be hurting you now because to the mess he alone is responsible for."
"I don't care about that now. I love you Blake don't send me away."
"I'm sorry Alexis but there is nothing I can do. Please don't make this any harder than it has to be."
Drawing back as if he had slapped her Alexis temper reared its head and she spat back bitterly, "Don't make a scene Alexis, be a good girl Alexis and pack up your belongings, disappear before my new bride arrives Alexis..."
"That is not what I meant and you know it..." Blake retorted sharply.
"But that's what you want."
"None of this is what I want but I have to make a choice, whatever I end up doing I am going to hurt someone. Either you or Krystle and Krystina."
"But not you?" Alexis sneered shaking her head. Unable to believe what she was hearing, once more Blake Carrington was standing on his pride, hang the consequences.
Biting back a sharp retort Blake recognised the pain in her voice, hidden beneath her scorn she was breaking and it was his fault. Stomach churning with guilt Blake paused before answering softly, catching and holding her gaze, "I end up hurt no matter which way I choose."
Almost undone by the very real pain in his eyes Alexis tried her final approach. "I can't lose you Blake, I can't live without you I won't."
"Yes you can and you will, you're the strongest woman I've ever known." Blake answered unwilling to even entertain that idea. Alexis was strong, she could survive without him, she had before; it only left to be seen if he could live without her. "I should go. You probably can't stand to look at me right now and I can't say that I blame you."
"Don't go...Please Blake if tonight is all we'll ever have." Alexis pleaded, one last glimmer of hope remaining.
"That wouldn't be fair to you." Blake answered softly reaching up and stroking her cheek for the last time, running his fingers through her dark curls. Wanting nothing more than to pull her close, to feel her lips under his, her body moving in time with his own. Yet he had to remain strong, especially now he had to remain strong.
"Please don't leave me alone tonight I need your strength, god knows how much...Just hold me." Alexis added softly stepping closer resting her hands lightly on his chest, her heart pounding as Blake didn't push her away.
"I can't… I wouldn't have the strength to do what's right." Blake whispered softly.
"So you do still want me." Alexis whispered closing the distance between them and grasping his face with her both her hands forcing their lips together.
For a moment Blake melted into that kiss his lips moving passionately under hers before Krystle's face swam before his eyes. His stomach twisting with guilt and he knew in that moment what he had to do to get her to give in, he would need to hurt her, really hurt her.
He gripped Alexis's hands prying them from his face then with his remaining strength he pushed her away from him.
Stunned by the sudden violence Alexis stumbled backwards tripping over the leg of the chaise and landing heavily on the floor she gazed up at a furious Blake in horror and disbelief.
"I said no! Can't you understand that this is wrong, I've tried to let you down easy but you're either too stubborn or too stupid to listen? Well listen to me now Alexis I have a wife I love, who loves me, and yes she is going to be my wife I proposed before I flew back to Denver. I have to put her first she doesn't deserve any of this..."
"And I do?" Alexis whimpered her emerald eyes glistening with tears unable to believe what Blake was telling her. It was too late he had already made up his mind. He hadn't even given her the chance to sway him, he hadn't seen fit to allow her dignity of breaking up with her before he proposed to his sterling Krystle, and he left her behind stupidly planning their wedding. Alexis had never felt more betrayed or foolish in her life.
Pushing aside the sickness in his stomach and suppressing the instinctive, almost primal need to comfort her, Blake forced himself to hammer the final nail in the coffin, praying that God might forgive him as the lies spewed from between his lips.
"Sex will solve nothing. It's your solution to everything; well it won't work this time Alexis. You can't seduce me into changing my mind. I love Krystle, I am going to marry her not you, we are going to raise our daughter together and you will have no part in our lives. I should never have gotten involved with you again; it was a mistake from the very beginning."
"A mistake is that all?"
Pausing Blake forced himself to nod wracking his brain for something anything to make her mad, a furious Alexis vowing revenge was far easier to face than this silent broken woman who lay at his feet.
"I didn't...don't love you Alexis not like I love her...You were simply convenient."
Gasping Alexis reeled back from that final verbal blow, watching as Blake staggered back as if struck himself before turning swiftly and storming out the room.
Rolling on to her stomach Alexis felt the soft sheepskin under cheek as tears pricked her eyes making them feel swollen and sore but she wouldn't cry not here not now, not whilst the sterling Krystle was probably waiting in the wings eagerly awaiting a broken Alexis to emerge.
Crawling to the chaise she got unsteadily on to her feet before crossing over to her dressing room. Flinging open the door she groped wildly for a suitcase which when opened she flung whatever was close to hand inside, as soon as it seemed full she zipped it shut not caring what it contained.
Picking up the heavy case and her fur she staggered back into the bedroom hoping against hope that Blake would be lounging on the bed a warm smile on his handsome face telling her it had all been a joke or even better a dream.
But Blake wasn't there.
A moment later phone in hand she calmly informed her driver to bring the car around.
Her voice sounded distant even to her own ears, as if she was talking from far away, as if she was shutting down and running on automatic pilot. Setting the phone down she stared at her hand, at the glittering diamond that used to give her such a thrill every time it sparkled in the light. Now it looked like a hunk of glass, it didn't belong to her, it looked wrong on her finger.
Slipping it off she sat it on the bedside table next to the phone; somewhere Blake was sure to notice.
Then as if she was merely off for a weekend jaunt Alexis Colby picked up her fur and her suitcase and without a backward glance strode out of the Carrington Mansion and Blake Carrington's life.
---
Part 4:
---
"Daddy!" Fallon surprised greeting caused Blake to look up from his hug pile of paperwork.
Rising from behind the desk Blake accepted the hug from his eldest daughter yet he struggled to meet her enquiring gaze. "Hello Fallon."
"Where on earth have you been, I've practically had every hotelier in the world looking for you?"
"I didn't realise I had to account for my every move." Blake retorted with a touch more bite than expected and his daughter backed away in surprise.
"Not account for but you left without telling anyone anything, even Mummy…Is she back yet, does she know you're home?" Fallon asked before continuing on not leaving him room to speak. "Of course she isn't I doubt she will let you out of her sight for a second when she gets home. She will be so relieved, she's been a mess being kept in the dark; she's really missed you Daddy."
Swallowing as the guilt he was already feeling multiplied Blake hung his head, "Fallon…"
"And what with this business about Monica and Dex to sort out on top of everything else…" Fallon carried out pouring herself a small cognac.
"Mummy told me all about it at lunch yesterday, can you believe Monica, trying to make out Jack isn't even Dex's. Stopping him from even seeing his own child, and getting a restraining order."
Frowning at the mention of Dex Dexter in any connection with Alexis, Blake struggled to understand just what his daughter was babbling on about.
"So Mummy promised to talk to Jason about it, if anyone can influence Monica it's him, yet in the meantime they should be able to get the restraining order squashed don't you think? I mean Dex is hardly a danger to his own child."
"Fallon!" Blake sharp exclamation stopped his daughter mid-flow and she turned to him in astonishment. "I'm sorry but I am really not in the mood for company right now."
Stunned by the outright dismissal Fallon stood still in surprise for a moment. "What happened did you and Mummy have a fight…Is that why you disappeared? Is that why she isn't here?"
"I would really rather not talk about this now." Blake muttered and he meant every word. It was still too raw, the confrontation with Alexis had flayed his emotions and he was in no state to go over every detail with his daughter, who like her mother refused to leave any stone unturned.
"But?"
"Fallon please. We'll talk about in the morning...I just can't..." Blake pleaded softly glancing up sadly at her, watching as Fallon's face paled and she glanced towards the door, clearly planning on immediately checking on her mother. Without another word of protest she sat her glass down and strode out the door.
Rubbing his throbbing forehead Blake sank back behind his desk, unable to concentrate and loose himself in his work. He had only put off the inevitable, eventually all his children would learn the truth and then all hell would undoubtedly break loose.
---
Stepping into the revolving lobby door Alexis was so lost in her own thoughts that she almost forgot to get out. Yet at the last minute she remembered where she was and strode through the lobby, high heels clipping loudly on the polished marble floor.
"Evening Mrs Colby." The uniformed guard greeted her as he moved to unlock the elevator, "Bit chilly out isn't it?"
Starting as if in surprise when the elevator door suddenly opened Alexis didn't return his greeting, her thoughts were far from thinking about the weather, and as she stepped inside the waiting elevator car the doors closing behind her. For a moment she stood and stared confused at the lit display of buttons as if wondering which to press before she automatically pressed the button for the executive level.
Leaning against the side of the car she pulled her fur more firmly round her body trying to ward off the chill that seemed to linger in the air. With a low ping the elevator arrived at her floor, the doors opening with a swish and Alexis strode through the darkened foyer finding her office door through familiarity. Walking into the dark room Alexis paused just inside the doorway, the lights from the city twinkled like multicoloured fairy lights, refracted by the long expanse of window onto the walls and ceiling.
Yet she was in no mood to be amused by pretty lights.
Flicking the light switch Alexis shrugged off her fur as the room was bathed in false light. Dropping the sable on the nearest chair she made her way over to the sidetable and seizing the decanter poured herself a large brandy. Picking up the snifter she swirled the dark amber liquid around, watching mesmerised as the cognac formed a little whirlpool in the glass.
Taking a large sip Alexis relished the way it burnt her throat. At least that she could feel that, could feel the way the alcohol warmed her through when the rest of her felt like ice.
Tracing the edge of her glass Alexis gazed into space, trying to thaw her thoughts just as the brandy was thawing her body.
Yet despite all her efforts her mind still struggled to do more than allow her function, any allusion to the events of earlier that evening was shut down. Instead she stared into space, sipping her brandy, unnaturally calm.
Alexis knew that she should be boiling mad, screaming abuse and swearing retribution; she should at least be crying. Yet the tears just wouldn't come, instead there was this fog dulling her senses and so she stood silent sipping her drink.
That was until her focusless gaze fell on a certain framed portrait; sitting in pride of place behind her desk, next to assorted shots of her children and grandchildren. His handsome face smiled out at her, that confident expression that she loved, dark eyes twinkling with magnificent Carrington arrogance.
Trembling Alexis slowly crossed the room, setting her drink down on the shelf she picked up Blake's photograph tracing her fingers reverently across his features as tears finally pricked at her eyes. Gritting her teeth as she tried to stop them from falling her grip tightened on the frame until it too shook with the tremors wracking her body.
Blake had thrown her away, again! He had forced her once more from his life, choosing his brainless blonde, the living example of a Stepford wife over her. He had taken her love, the heart that she had truly given to him and thrown them back in her face like trash. Like she was nothing…worthless
When he had discarded her before at least her pride had been able to cling to the fact that she had driven him to it. That it was only because of Roger, not because Blake truly didn't care, it was because he cared too much, that her betrayal had wounded him too deeply for him to be able to recover or forgive. In the years apart and even after her return to Denver, through all their arguments and fighting Alexis had reassured herself that despite everything the bond between them remained, that it was the very strength of that bond that caused them to lash out so violently.
Yet this time there was no bittersweet falsehoods to cling to. This time she had done nothing wrong, nothing to deserve such shoddy treatment. The only possible explanation was that he truly didn't love her, or if he did it was nothing compared to how he felt about his sterling Krystle. That she was second best.
And Alexis Colby refused to accept the idea that she was second best.
"You Bastard!" Alexis screamed to the empty office before flinging the photograph as far from her as possible, relishing the sound of smashing glass and splintering wood.
Yet it wasn't enough.
Possessed by a fury the like of which she had never felt Alexis swept everything off of her desk in one swipe before turning her attention to anything else she could throw. Vases were smashed, papers scattered, crystal inkwell thrown smashing and staining the light walls. Her carefully tended exotic plants were uprooted, dirt smeared across the cream carpet until sobbing she collapsed in an undignified heap against the wall.
Crying until she ran out of tears and a strange empty feeling settled into her stomach Alexis wiped her mascara stained cheeks against the sleeve of her blouse. She must have looked a state but Alexis couldn't bring herself to care much about anything least of all her appearance.
Retrieving her brandy glass, one of the only things to have escaped her destructive whirlwind, Alexis downed the remaining liquid, staggering to her feet and picking her way through the mess to find the decanter. Finding it under the upturned table, the stopper missing along with half the contents, there was still enough brandy left in the bottom of the decanter for several more glasses of cognac. So pouring herself a large measure Alexis wandered over to her abandoned purse and fur, fumbling for a cigarette, which she finally managed to light after a few abortive attempts.
Taking in a deep lungful of calming smoke, Alexis held it inside for a moment before breathing out both the smoke and the pain. Relishing the numbness that the nicotine and alcohol were creating.
In her bizarre anaesthetized state Alexis was removed enough from herself, from her pain to regret the destruction she had wrought. Mentally calculating how much her little temper tantrum would end up costing her, yet she couldn't bring herself to actually care. She couldn't bring herself to care much about anything.
Possessions could be replaced, she had enough money.
The things that mattered, people that mattered couldn't be bought, couldn't be replaced so easily. Blake was gone; she had lost him for good this time.
There would be no more chances, no more kidding herself that if she could just break through that armour he wore when around her then they could rekindle what had been lost and he would drop that blonde tramp like yesterday's fashion.
That knowledge was bad enough, her heart was broken and bleeding, yet she had been broken before and survived. Somehow in the past she had found something or someone to cling to, to see her through the swirling mass of raw emotion. Whether it was a handsome face or a crusade, she managed to find something.
Yet this time there was no hero coming to her rescue nor could Alexis drum up a thirst for revenge, there was just too much pain to think straight. She just wanted to crawl off somewhere and hide. To shut off her pain, forget that any of this had happened.
But she was Alexis Colby; her private pain would soon be public property. Before long the intimate details would be plastered across the papers for anyone to read. Common Denver folk would gossip about her during their tea breaks. Her own staff would whisper about it behind her back, falling silent whenever she passed, before sniggering into their hands; the mighty Alexis Colby, the woman who could fire them with a word yet who couldn't keep her man. Amongst her own peers she would be the topic of conversation at every dinner party or soiree, some would declare it deserved, her just deserts, others would pontificate pity.
The thought of being humiliated publicly was too much even for her to face, but the idea of being pitied stuck in her caw. She couldn't…She wouldn't stand by and watch that happen.
The solution came to her silently; it crept into her mind and settled in amongst her rolling thoughts, calming them gently. Alexis wasn't as powerless as she felt; she may have lost Blake, she may not be able to keep the news from getting out but there was one thing that she could control. If she didn't want to suffer through the humiliation she didn't have to.
Unusually calm and composed now her mind was made up Alexis crossed to her desk, stooping and rummaging in the scattered paperwork for a blank sheet and her silver ballpoint. Pausing before she put pen to paper, Alexis experienced a moment of doubt.
Could she do this to her children?
Leave them like this?
Yet her resolution hardened. It would be for the best for everyone. This way her family would remain intact, it wouldn't be torn apart as the children were forced to take sides.
Forcing herself to start the letter Alexis addressed it to her darling children determined this time that nothing would change her mind.
My Darling children, by the time you read this....
---
Part 5:
---
"Daddy!"
Krystina's excited exclamation jarred Blake from his mindless haze as he aimlessly wandered the mansion's halls still reeling from his earlier confrontation with Fallon; his daughter's tiny body hurtling towards him, her pretty face alight with delight at her father's return.
Kneeling down Blake gratefully enclosed his daughter in his arms, holding her close and drawing strength from his child, his and Krystle's child. Even through the pain his little girl was a ray of sunshine, the living embodiment of the reasons why he had to let Alexis go.
"Hello sweetheart." Blake muttered stroking his daughter's long hair. "What are you doing down here, shouldn't you be in bed by now?"
Nodding Krystina smiled up at him before a small frown marred her childish brow. "I was all ready for bed but nobody came to read to me and Alexis always reads to me, so I went to your room but it was all dark…I called for her but no one answered so I thought she might be working in the library and just forgot."
Surprised that Alexis hadn't barricaded herself into their bedroom Blake had to force those thoughts aside. It was time Krystina knew what was going on, he didn't want her being drawn into any fight between him and Alexis and finding out about her Mother's recovery by accident.
Smiling softly Blake scooped his little girl up into his arms, carrying her back upstairs to her room; nodding as she chatted on excitedly telling him all about her new school and all the new friends she had made.
"…And Helen is my very best friend, she has a pony of her own just like I do and Alexis said that I can have her over to play and that in a few weeks if I want I can have some of the girls over in my class for a proper tea party…"
Setting Krystina down on her bed Blake pulled back the covers and tucked her in. "That sounds wonderful darling but we may have to put it off for a while."
"Why?" Krystina pouted, a scowl souring her expression before she added stubbornly. "Alexis said I could!"
Sighing as he wondered how to explain this to a five year old Blake stifled down the urge to retort because he was her father and he made the decisions in this house. "We are going to be a little busy in the next few weeks Krystina."
"But Alexis promised and I already told my friends!"
"Alexis shouldn't have promised without talking to me first." Blake retorted slightly more sharply than he intended and much to his frustration Krystina started to sulk. "What I am trying to say Krystina is that you will be far too excited to have your friends over because I have a wonderful surprise for you…"
"I'd rather have my tea party." Krystina muttered petulantly, shocking Blake at the remarkable resemblance between her and another daughter he had raised. He had always supposed Fallon's single-mindedness and stubborn nature had come from her Mother, yet here was proof positive that clearly some of it came from his side as well.
"That's enough!" Blake barked annoyed at how quickly the situation had deteriorated. "You won't when I tell you what it is…Krystina your Mother is coming home."
"Mummy?" Krystina whispered reverently before her eyes narrowed suspiciously. "But you said she couldn't come home ever…That she was too poorly."
Swallowing as he found himself about to lie to his own child Blake answered softly. "The Doctors managed to make her better, so soon she will be able to come home."
"You're sure it's Mummy?"
"I'm sure it's Mummy." Blake replied reassuringly relieved when Krystina was suddenly all smiles.
"When?"
"Soon. I promise." Blake answered. "Then after she is home I am sure you can have your tea party, and invite whomever you want."
Beaming at having gotten her own way Krystina snuggled down into her bed holding her doll tightly in her arms. Leaning down Blake kissed her forehead and bid her sweet dreams, smiling as he heard her excited chatter as she told her doll the good news. It was only as he was closing the door that he heard something that caused his smile to freeze.
"And then when Mummy is home we can all live here happily together…Me and Mummy and Daddy and Alexis."
---
"Good Evening Mr Dexter."
"Good Evening Erik." Dex greeted the guard who stood to greet him, despite length of time Dex never forgot a face or a name. "Have you seen Mrs Colby this evening?"
"Why yes, her driver dropped her off over an hour ago...Is she expecting you?"
Hesitating before answering Dex wondered if he should tell the truth and risk being sent away or lie and face Alexis's fury with no warning.
"I was supposed to meet her this evening." Dex hedged, and for a moment the old security guard eyed him warily.
"Well if you're sure...I mean I suppose she must be meeting you, I was surprised to see her this evening; since moving in with Mr Carrington she hasn't worked late. She seemed preoccupied when I saw her; she didn't even seem to notice I was here." Erik babbled as they moved over to the elevators, unlocking one for Dex.
"Thank you Erik." Dex muttered as the elevator doors closed.
The trip up to Alexis's office seemed to take forever, the elevators progress slow and noisy in the silent building. Eventually the door opened with a sharp ping and Dex stepped out into the foyer. Noticing at once the open door to Alexis's office Dex called out. "Alexis it's Dex."
Yet instead of Alexis's sharp demand as to what the hell was he was doing here there was only the mocking echo of silence. Fear prickling up and down his spine Dex quickly strode into her office stopping dead in the doorway as he saw the devastation.
The exotic plants had been turned over, their dark soil leaving muddy stains on the normally pristine cream carpet. The desk seemed empty. What had once graced it now lay smashed on the floor. Walking through scattered paperwork Dex began to sort through the destruction, picking up pieces of what once was a priceless vase, until he came across a photo frame; even through the shattered glass Blake's face was recognisable.
So now he knew who, even if he didn't know why but what was troubling him the most was where Alexis was now.
Crossing back to the desk Dex knelt and retrieved the disturbed phone. Setting it back on the glass surface he lifted the receiver to call security but just as he pressed the button he caught sight of something that caused his blood to run cold.
My Darling children, by the time you read this....
Ringing Erik Dex counted the seconds until the security guard answered.
"Security."
"Erik its Mr Dexter, has Mrs Colby left?"
"No sir."
"You're sure?"
"Yes sir, she'd have to come out the front, even if she'd used an emergency exit it would have tripped the alarm."
"You had the lift locked...She hadn't used them before I arrived?"
"No sir, the lift went up to her office then it was locked down again. She normally rings me to let me know when she is coming down. And she never uses the stairs." Erik chuckled. "Not when there is the elevator and the only place that doesn't go to is the roof...Mr Dexter...Mr Dexter are you still there?"
The moment Erik had mentioned the roof Dex had fled the office, tearing across the corridor to the staircase. Taking the stairs two at a time he was breathing heavily by the time he reached the roof; praying with every heartbeat that he was in time. Pushing open the door it only took him a moment to spot her.
Standing by the edge, a glass of brandy in one hand cigarette in the other, she looked for all the world like a busy executive catching a breath of fresh air. Walking lightly over the gravel Dex tried to approach quietly, as if she were a deer he was afraid to startle. Yet it seemed his efforts were in vain.
"How did you find me?" Alexis suddenly asked flicking away her cigarette yet she didn't turn to look at him, her gaze remained fastened on the horizon.
Swallowing nervously Dex paused before answering. "Fallon was worried...You weren't at dinner, Blake has shut himself away and isn't talking. Gerard told her you took a suitcase..."
"That doesn't explain what you are doing here Dex?" Alexis countered coolly not even turning to look at him as she sipped her brandy.
"She called me, asked if you had contacted me. It got me worried."
"How touching, well as you can see I'm fine so why don't you..."
"People who are fine don't leave suicide notes!" Dex cut in bluntly waving the incriminating note around, hoping that might provoke an emotional reaction; an angry or distraught Alexis he could handle but this cool emotionless Alexis frightened him. It meant she had buried her emotions so deep inside herself he wasn't sure how to reach out to her.
"You found my note."
"I did...What the hell is going on?"
"What's going on is that you're jumping to conclusions again Dex." Alexis retorted. "I could have meant I was going on a trip..."
"Please you don't honestly expect me to buy that for one second?" Dex replied. "Besides why the hell else would you be up here, enjoying the view?"
"I might be."
"Stop trying to deny it...This note...The Alexis I know would never write that...She never gives up."
"That woman is already gone." Alexis whispered so softly that Dex had to strain to hear her, taking another step forward.
"Don't come any closer!"
"Why not? You don't actually believe I am going to let you do this?"
"It would be a mercy."
"It would be a travesty!" Dex yelled unable to contain his anger. "I don't know or care what Carrington has done but if you think I am going to stand by and watch you throw your life away because of him..."
"What life."
Running his hands through his dark hair Dex stared in amazement as Alexis finally glanced over her shoulder at him. Her eyes, normally flashing with vitality and emotion, appeared dull and lifeless as if all the fight had been drained out of her.
"Your life, you're Alexis Colby. The premier business woman in the states if not the world. You're beautiful, witty, and intelligent and have four children and three grandchildren who adore you."
"It's not enough."
"Why because of him?" Dex demanded derision dripping from his every word. "I told you once Blake Carrington was a fool to ever let you go. Well any man can make a mistake once, letting you go back then was a mistake, this time its idiocy..."
"He wanted me out the way." Alexis muttered and Dex edged closer to listen; certain that the key to stopping this madness lay in Carrington's motives.
"He said I was a mistake...that I was simply convenient." Alexis added spitting out the last word. "That he never really loved me; he was just using me to keep himself amused until..."
"Until." Dex prompted "Alexis until what...What happened?"
"Krystle."
"Krystle what." Dex asked "Did something happen...Oh god is she dead? Is that why Blake lashed out at you, because perhaps he is just hurting and..."
"She's alive." Alexis cut in. "She woke up."
Staggering under the enormity of what Alexis had revealed Dex had to resist the urge to rush forward and pull her into his arms. "So he dumped you. Just like that. Oh Alexis I..."
"No. No pity." Alexis hissed testily, finally a crack in her emotionless facade. "Don't you dare feel sorry for me."
"I can't help it." Dex answered honestly. "Darling I..." Dex added his voice breaking with emotion.
Standing on the edge Alexis could see all the twinkling lights of Denver. It seemed so perfect and unreal. Here nothing could touch her and she felt nothing, not her pain nor the chill of the wintry air. Yet the moment Dex's voice broke something broke in her as well. Waves of pain rushed over her, forcing the air from her lungs and the power from her limbs. Collapsing into herself she only managed to gasp "Dex" before she felt the blackness overtake her and she fell.
---
Part 6:
---
Standing on the edge Alexis could see all the twinkling lights of Denver. It seemed so perfect and unreal. Here nothing could touch her and she felt nothing, not her pain nor the chill of the wintry air. Yet the moment Dex's voice broke something broke in her as well. Waves of pain rushed over her, forcing the air from her lungs and the power from her limbs. Collapsing into herself she only managed to gasp "Dex" before she felt the blackness overtake her and she fell.
Dex was moving the moment his name left her lips, his strong arms catching her before she could fall.
"Alexis." He pleaded, cradling the unresponsive woman in his arms.
"Darling." He tried again stroking her face gently.
Holding her close Dex fought against the angry tears; his thoughts bending to one fixed point. Somehow he was going to make Blake Carrington pay.
---
"Dex where is she?" Fallon demanded the moment he opened the door, pushing her way through followed moments later by her two brothers.
Shutting the door behind them Dex followed them back into his suite.
"Where is she?"
"She's in the bedroom. Fallon wait the Doctor is with her." Dex added when she made to barge into the bedroom.
"Doctor...Why does she need a doctor?" Steven asked before his siblings. "Is she hurt?"
"Not physically no but she woke up a little while ago hysterical, she needed sedating." Dex admitted painfully.
"Sedating what the hell did you do to her?" Adam demanded reaching out to grab Dex by the jacket.
Pushing his hands away Dex barely restrained his urge to lash out at Adam. "I warned you once before Carrington. Don't touch me!"
"If I find out you're behind this Dexter they won't be taking you out of here on a stretcher, this time it'll be a body bag!"
"Adam please this isn't down to Dex." Fallon insisted her eyes flickering to the closed bedroom door. "It's Daddy. They had a fight I know it."
"Father would never..." Adam began pompously only to be cut off by a furious Dex.
"He threw her out Carrington. Your precious Blake dumped her like last week's garbage."
"You're lying!" Adam hissed.
"No they were so happy, they were getting married in a matter of weeks." Steven muttered shaking his head. "Why, this doesn't make any sense..."
"Why Dex? Did mummy tell you why?" Fallon pleaded.
Biting his lip Dex hung his head reluctantly answering her question. "Krystle woke up from her coma...That is all I know."
"Krystle." Fallon gasped.
"Krystle is awake so what we're supposed to believe Dad just chucked mother over for her. He wouldn't do that." Steven insisted. "He loves her; he would never treat her like that."
"I would have thought you of all people would know what Blake is capable of; even to those people he claims to love?" Dex countered meeting Steven's gaze. "It must have been nasty; when I found her she was all shut down...She barely seemed with it."
Struggling to contain her tears Fallon asked. "Where was she?"
"Colby Co." Dex answered pausing before adding. "On the roof."
"What!" Adam shouted. "I don't like what you're implying Dexter."
"I'm implying nothing." Dex countered. "I went to her office first, it had been trashed...I phoned security and that was when I found it." He paused reaching into his pocket for Alexis's note. "She left it for you."
Snatching it out of Dex's hand Adam scanned the first few lines, his scorn quickly turning to horror and he collapsed on to the couch. Taking the letter from Adam's limp fingers Steven handed it over to Fallon able to make out the words over her shoulder. It didn't take long and it confirmed Dex's suspicions Alexis had intended to kill herself.
"Mummy no." Fallon cried out unable to reconcile the defeated tone of the letter with the strong vibrant woman that was her mother. Turning into her brother's arms she sobbed into his shoulder.
"I'm going to kill him." Steven practically growled taking the note from Fallon and crushing it in his fist.
"Get in line behind me!" Dex retorted glancing between the siblings, each had taken the news differently; Adam stunned to silence, Fallon driven to tears and Steven brimming with anger.
"What are we going to do now?" Adam suddenly whispered but the entire room heard him.
"Confront Blake!" Steven insisted. "Shove this note down his throat and I hope he chokes on it."
"But what about Mummy?" Fallon reasoned. "If this gets out..."
"It would destroy her reputation." Adam finished for his sister. "Oh people would be sympathetic but how could they trust a CEO whose first reaction is suicide."
"Adam!" Steven exclaimed disgusted by his brother's attitude.
"I am not saying this to be cruel Steven." Adam muttered his eyes honest as he met his brother's gaze. "Remember Claudia, how she never got over the stigma of being sent to a asylum, people never let her forget; well multiply that a hundred times and that is how it will be for mother. Loosing Blake has nearly destroyed her, losing her reputation certainly will."
"But we can't just pretend this hasn't happened...What if she tries again? She needs help, people to watch over her..." Fallon insisted.
"I can watch her." Dex replied gently. "Let me take her away, out of Denver."
"You Dexter, I wouldn't trust you to mind the family tortoise!" Adam sneered.
"Who else did you have in mind?" Dex demanded. "If we're agreed as I think we are that this is to stay between us, do you think you can do it Carrington?"
"I could take her to California." Fallon suggested.
"And leave your children behind, how will you explain that to Jeff Fallon?" Dex countered. "I've already talked some sense into her once, got her to reach out to me, enough to get her off that damn roof. I can do this."
"But what about Jack?" Fallon countered. "He's your son and he needs you too."
"Jack is safe in the hospital, the doctors are taking good care of him and it will be a good few weeks before he is ready to leave it. Enough time to set Alexis back on the right path." Dex insisted, unable and unwilling to put into words the depth of emotion he still felt for his former wife. He loved his son, but he had loved Alexis longer and she needed him now, he felt it deep in his gut, he simply had to see this through.
"I think Dex is right." Steven said his resolve strengthening with each passing moment. "He knows mother, knows the woman behind all the shields she puts up even to her children. If anyone can talk her round it's him. And I admit it I am just too angry to be of any help to her."
"Where will you go?" Fallon asked.
"New Mexico, I have a ranch there. It's private and people down there mind their own business."
Snorting Adam added snidely. "A ranch, mother will love that."
"Adam if you can't suggest anything better I suggest you shut up!" Steven snapped. "In the meantime I think we had better head over to Colby Co and sort out things at that end. The last thing we need is any flapping lips."
"Fallon." Dex added. "I know it's a lot to ask but can you keep an eye on Jack for me, it would help reassure me if I knew you were watching over him?
"Of course I will." Fallon replied softly.
Sighing Dex dreaded having to ask for more from her but she was the only one who could to this. "I was also hoping that you might sort out packing Alexis's things at the mansion?"
Nodding Fallon dried her tears. "Can we see her first; I just need to make sure she is alright myself?"
"Sure." Dex muttered leading them over to the door. Pushing it open he nodded to the Doctor who on spotting the children stood up from his seat beside Alexis's bed.
"She's sleeping soundly, and should do so for eight hours."
"Thank you Doctor. We'll take it from here." Dex insisted escorting him to the door leaving Fallon and her brothers alone with the sedated Alexis.
"Oh Mummy." Fallon whispered moving to crouch next to her mother; hesitantly reaching out to take her hand.
"She looks so small." Adam added from the doorway, unable to step inside and confront the issue, looking for all the world like the lost orphan he once thought he was.
Biting his lip Steven struggled to contain his feelings, he wanted to lash out, barely able to contain his anger. Seeing his mother like this only served to increase his fury.
Watching as Alexis's chest slowly rose and fell; he allowed his own breathing to slip into the same rhythm, his anger slowly building with each breath until it roared in his ears. He was never going to forgive Blake Carrington for this, never.
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