A Drunken Man's Words
by SexisFan

chapter 7

Alexis awoke early with the nagging feeling that something was different about this morning, something she couldn't quite figure out. She knew the storm was coming, and she was feeling a little anxious about that. But that didn't explain this odd sensation that she was experiencing. Something was "off." It was something that she could feel, but she just couldn't name.
"Quincy?"

There was no response. Alexis' heart jumped to her throat.

"Quincy!" she called more frantically, jumping up from her bed and racing out of the bedroom. He wasn't answering, and Alexis felt sick with fear. Where could he be?

Rushing to the deck, Alexis slid open the glass door and stepped outside. She couldn't imagine how he might have gotten outside, but just the same she had to search for him. She couldn't lose him. Sure he was new to her life, but apparently love didn't always need a long time to grow. She loved her little dog and the thought of being without him was too much for her to bear.

"Quincy!"

Alex stood on the deck and strained her ears against the silence. There was nothing, not a sound. Suddenly Alexis realized that this is what had wakened her. Silence. Not a typical silence, but a last-living-thing-on-earth kind of silence that made the air around her heavy. There were none of the normal sounds of an early morning on the island. There were no birds. There was no breeze. There was nothing but an eerie stillness that left her feeling more than a little nauseated.

As if in shock, Alexis slowly made her way down the wooden steps to the path leading down to the beach. Crossing the dunes, she reached the deserted strip of shoreline. There, the stillness seemed even more eerie. The ocean was the only thing moving, and even that was little more than a soft and barely noticeable undulation. Suddenly Alexis felt as if she couldn't breathe, it was as if the silence and the stillness were suffocating her. Gasping for air, Alexis felt her head begin to spin. Surely she was about to faint dead away right here on this barren beach.

It was the sound of her name that brought her back from the brink of unconsciousness. For a second, she believed that she had imagined the sound. And then it came again.

"Alexis!" Beau's bright greeting reached her ears, reassuring her that at least one other living creature still existed on the planet.

Alexis turned toward his voice and relief washed over her like a wave. There in Beau's shadow was Quincy, tagging along excitedly. As soon as the puppy saw her, he was racing across the sand toward her. Alexis dropped to her knees and the pup bounded into her open arms. Holding his wiggling form close to her, Alexis buried her face in his soft sun-warmed coat and fought back tears of relief.

"Are you okay?" Alexis felt Beau's gentle hand fall softly on her shoulder as he asked the question. Still fighting back her tears, she could only nod.

Beau stood silently over her, waiting while she wrestled with obvious emotion. There was nothing to say yet, so he simply offered his presence as reassurance. A few minutes passed before Alexis managed to pull herself together. When she could safely face him without embarrassing herself, Alexis stood and looked up at Beau.

"I was scared," she admitted. "I couldn't find Quincy, and I got scared." There was a lot more to the depth of her emotion, a lifetime of pain that had been stirred in those few minutes of panic and suspected loss. But there were no words to explain it all.

Somehow, Beau could sense this. He knew that there was much more behind the tears welling in Alexis' beautiful, soulful eyes. But he let it be.

"I'm sorry, Alexis," he apologized sincerely, reaching out to lay his hand on her shoulder again. "I thought you'd see my note."

"Note?"

"On the kitchen table. I came over early to start storm preparations and Quincy was going nuts at the door wanting out. I felt bad that me being here was stirring him like that and I didn't want him to waken you, so I let him out with me. I left the note on the table thinking you'd see it as soon as you got up," Beau explained. "I didn't mean to scare you like that. . ."

Alexis covered her face with her hand and laughed softly at her own over-reaction. Looking up again she smiled at Beau's earnest expression.

"It's okay. I just panicked. I wasn't thinking," she explained. "I got up and everything was so still and quiet, I just freaked." Alexis shrugged, "I can't explain it."

Beau nodded. He understood. It was the same before every big storm. The birds flew inland, and with their departure seemed to come the disappearance of all the other small forms of wildlife that one never notices. A stillness settled in, a quietness that was palpable. The air felt heavy with it. He was sure that the heaviness had something to do with some barometric phenomenon associated with an approaching storm, but that didn't really matter. It was the experience that mattered, not the cause. And the eerie calm was something that descended before every big storm.

"The calm before the storm," he said simply.

Alexis had always heard that expression, but had never realized that it was based in actual experience.

"So, what are we doing today?" she asked, ready to use activity to dispel some of the sense of impending danger.

"Well, we got a whole lot to get accomplished, and not a lot of time," Beau responded. "Debbie hit the Gulf Stream and she's picked up strength and speed. She's up to a Category 3, which is a pretty decent sized storm to ride out. And she's moving a lot faster than expected. I've been up listening to the radio most of the night. Evacuations started in Ocracoke just before midnight. The ferry's been running all night long. I'm surprised the traffic didn't keep you awake last night."

Alexis laughed lightly. "I'm from New York. Traffic to me is like crickets to other people, just a lullabye."

Beau smiled softly. "So you slept through the evacuation and once everyone was gone, the quiet woke you up?"

Alexis giggled, seeing the irony. "I guess so," she admitted. And then, "Is everyone really gone?"

"No, not yet. Ocracoke should be cleared by early afternoon of anyone leaving there. The ferries are scheduled to shut down around two. Anyone leaving Hatteras has to be out before sunset, because the bridge is closing before dark. There will probably be a lot of activity between now and lunchtime as people wake up and find out what's going on," he explained. "And you'd better get busy packing," he instructed, pointing toward the cottage.

Alexis ignored his gesture meant to direct her back to the house. Looking up into his blue-eyed gaze she set her jaw and answered, "I'm not leaving."

Alexis was steeled for a fight, and shocked when none came.

"Okay," Beau agreed with a shrug. "You better get dressed then. We've got a lot of work to do."

Alexis couldn't tell what unbalanced her more, not getting the response she'd expected to her announcement, or the realization that in her panic to find Quincy she'd run out onto the beach without even bothering to pull a robe on over her short silk gown. Walking back to the cottage with Beau at her side, she decided that the embarrassment hadn't been as acute as the odd sensation of being poised for a fight that never came. Beau had simply accepted her decision without question and had respected it. There had been no need for explanation or defense of her position. It was weird. Sweet. Thoughtful. Nice. But still weird. It never would have happened that way with Sonny, she knew. There would have been an argument, at the very least a verbal tug of war disguised as debate. How strange is it, Alexis wondered, that I'd miss an exchange like that? She's always found Sonny so frustrating in those circumstances. And yet with a man who gave her nothing to parry against, she felt oddly let down. Obviously she needed serious psychological help, she decided. Between the Cassadine and Corinthos worlds, she'd lost all sight of what it meant to be normal. Still, even as she chided herself, she couldn't help thinking that perhaps she didn't want to be as normal as she thought she did just a few days ago.

********

The day passed quickly as everyone on the island pitched in to batten down for the approaching hurricane. The first order of business was boarding up windows. The residents of the island were remarkably efficient in this task. It seemed that every property owner had heavy sheets of plywood already cut to size to cover each window and glass entry door. Holes were already drilled along the edges of the wood panels, and each sheet was marked to indicate which window it was meant to cover. It didn't take long for men to attach the boards to window and door frames. A cordless screw driver and an extra pair of hands to help hold the sheets of plywood was all that was needed. With an unspoken understanding, neighbors came together to help each other, pairing up to board the windows on each other's homes.

Children were called into service gathering up any loose objects in yards and stowing them in garages, carports, sheds or indoors - anywhere wind couldn't pick them up and turn them into missiles. Toys, garbage cans, lawn furniture, bikes and the like were locked up or tied down.

Next, gas lines were shut off. In homes where occupants were leaving, water was shut off and electricity was turned off. Those with enclosed garages on their homes tucked their automobiles away to protect them from flying debris. Some had sandbags ready to stack in front of garage doors and entry ways, protection from expected flood waters. Treasured belongings were moved to upper floors of homes to protect them from flood waters, but not to attics where they might be lost if the winds should succeed in peeling back a roof.

There was no need to stock emergency rations, since these were always kept on hand locked safely away in a cabinet, closet or store room. Canned goods. Water. First aid kit. Candles. Sterno. Matches. Flashlights. Electric lanterns. Radios. Batteries. All were ready and waiting.

Beau's mother and sister joined at the family home and spent the day frying up an amazing quantity of chicken. They would have a hot and hardy meal tonight, and the left-overs would keep a couple of days in the refrigerator even without electricity. The more full the fridge, the longer it would stay cold if the power gave out. So each refrigerator was stocked full early in the day with water, sodas, canned fruits and anything else that would help hold the cold. Three days' worth of perishables such as milk and sandwich meats were stored, since that was about as long as a sufficiently cool temperature could be maintained in a full 'fridge with no electricity.

When all was ready, Beau drove Alexis and Quincy over to his family's home. Her yellow convertible was stashed in the garage and Alexis joined the women in the kitchen while the men built a wall of sandbags in front of the garage door. Though the kitchen was pretty unfamiliar territory for her, Alexis basked in the warmth and camaraderie that surrounded her in the bosom of this family.

As afternoon passed into evening, the weather grew increasingly worse. By the time she and the Richards family sat down to their evening meal, the rains had been falling for hours and the winds were steadily growing stronger. Just before sunset Beau took Alexis across the main street and down to the beach for a quick peek at the storm churned sea. The sight took her breath away. The winds and waves had come together in a frenzy of violent agitation, joining their elements to create a light, salty foam that covered the entire beach. It looked something like egg whites whipped into soft peaks to make the meringue topping on a pie. And it was absolutely everywhere, almost luminescent in the darkness. It topped the dark waves, almost hiding them from view. It rolled onto the sand, covering it completely, at least knee deep if not deeper Alexis estimated. It blew inland on gusts of wind, catching in the waving stalks of sea grass on the dunes. It blew into their faces, stinging their skin. It was thrilling and frightening all at once. There was so much raw power on display before her that it was awe-inspiring. Some part of her feared the power, but another part respected it, even embraced it. The thrill electrified her being, heightening her senses. It was an intoxicating experience.

Alexis looked up to Beau, wishing she could communicate this feeling to him but knowing that words were useless in this wind. When she saw his eyes, though, she knew that there was no need for words. He understood. And he had brought her out here so that she could understand, so that she could share this incredible, almost spiritual, experience.

Beau smiled down at her and tilted his head, indicating wordlessly that it was time to get back indoors. Passing by his cottage, now buttoned up for the storm, they headed inland for his family's home where everyone was gathered to weather the hurricane together on slightly higher ground. The western side of the island was known as the sound side, as the body of water separating it from the mainland was the Currituck Sound. There was a lot more protection from the elements on this side of the island, but any distance from the savagery of the winds whipping in from the ocean was in their favor.

The next few hours were surprisingly enjoyable. The winds howled outside and the rain beat against the boards covering the windows. Inside, though, Alexis felt safe with Beau and his family. They spent the evening chattering together, watching storm updates on the weather channel, and munching on popcorn prepared specially in honor of their mainland guest. Caring and laughter filled the room, causing Alexis to marvel at the miracle that made it possible for love to create such comfort in the face of danger.

As the evening drew on, Alexis noticed Quincy getting more and more fidgety. Realizing that he must need to make a visit to the little doggie's room, she rose from the warmth of the living room and retrieved his leash from the hook by the door.

"We're going to step outside for a minute," Alexis explained. "Quincy needs to take care of some 'business'," she laughed.

Beau was instantly by her side, making it clear that she wasn't going to face the raging storm alone.

Stepping outside, Alexis was shocked by the intensity of the weather. Locked safely inside with the warmth of Beau's family, she had no idea how violent the night had become outside. Conversation was beyond impossible as the rush of the wind drowned out all sound. Rain drops drove against her skin like pellets from a shotgun, igniting within her an instinct to run. Trees bowed before the force of the winds. Suddenly there was a crashing sound so loud it echoed over the thunderous roar of the wind. Beau's arm instinctively went around her shoulders, drawing her closer to his body. In the blackness, Alexis wasn't able to make out at first the source of the crash. Seconds later, though, a hailstorm of roofing shingles flew past them, followed by a sheet of plywood sailing through the air as if it was a Frisbee tossed by a giant hand. As more debris flew past, Alexis realized that someone had just lost their roof to Debbie.

Alexis shivered with fear. This was a little more reality than she had bargained for when she decided to stay on the island through the storm. In fact, a little trip back into the toasty house and the comfort of denial seemed a good idea at the moment.

Alexis pulled at Quincy's leash with the intent of drawing the little dog back into the safety of the house. It took a second for her mind to register that there was no resistance on the other end of the leather strap. Looking down Alexis gasped when she saw the end of the leash swinging freely, snapped clean through and separated from the collar worn by the puppy who was no longer anywhere to be found.

Alexis looked up at Beau with panic in her eyes. It was the same look she'd worn this morning, only multiplied by the reality of the situation. Her precious pup was loose somewhere in this storm. Before he could tighten his grasp around her shoulders, Alexis slipped from Beau's grasp. In an instant, she was running into the night. Running after her, he knew she would be calling Quincy's name at the top of her lungs, but the wind drowned out her screams as well as his. Calling her name had no effect, as she continued to run into the fierce face of the hurricane.

Catching up with her at the edge of the road, Beau grabbed her by the shoulders, stopping her flight. Turning her to face him, he bent down and placed his mouth directly over her ear.

"You can't be out here, Alexis! We have to go back," he reasoned.

Alexis shook her head violently. Raising her gaze to his, she revealed her frightening eyes and tear-stained cheeks. Her mouth moved, but he could not hear the words. Bending down again, he placed his ear against her mouth.

"I have to find him! I can't let him get hurt!" Alexis wailed, the pain and fear evident in her cracking voice.

Beau knew that there was there point in arguing with her. It only kept them outside longer, and gave Quincy more time to escape them. There was only one hope of finding him though. Bending down to bring his mouth to her ear again, he yelled out two words. "The cottage!"

Alexis understood. That was the only place that made sense to look. And if he wasn't there. . .but he had to be. He had to be there.

Running across the roadway Alexis was suddenly aware that her feet were heavier than usual. Looking down, she saw that they were running through ankle deep water. The island was beginning to flood. More determined than ever to find her dog, Alexis pressed on, grasping relentlessly to Beau's strong hand. Together they made their way to the cottage on the ocean side of the island.
Frantically, they searched the property around the cottage. Alexis had hoped that Quincy would be cowering by the door, under the deck, or in the carport created under the pilings that held the house raised above the sand. But there was no sign of him. Alexis wanted to keep searching, wanted to fight against Beau's attempts to pull her back to the house on the other side of the island. But there was no strength left in her for a fight. Allowing Beau to lead her away from the cottage, Alexis wept furiously as they approached the road.

Suddenly there was a bright flash and the scent of something burning. Alexis gasped as Beau bent down and lifted her from her feet, throwing her over his shoulder. Everything was a blur as he ran back toward the cottage and raced up the steps for the deck. Over Beau's shoulder Alexis watched in horror as a wooden light pole snapped in half, falling toward the roadway and carrying with it live electrical cables. The live wires fell into the water covering the roadway, and in a split second the island, as far as she could see, went dark.

Alexis was numb with fear and dangerously close to shock by the time Beau got them both into the cottage. If he had time to process the close call they'd just had, he'd probably join her. But for the moment, what he had to focus on was helping Alexis. Depositing her on the couch for a moment, he raced through the darkness into what was normally his bedroom and grabbed a blanket from the closet there. In the hallway, he reached into the closet with his storm supplies and grabbed a box of matches. Returning to the living room, he quickly lit the emergency candles already waiting under hurricane glasses.

A soft glow filled the room as he settled next to Alexis on the couch cushions. He had to get her warm before she did go into shock. Quickly he unfastened the buttons on her blouse and peeled the wet fabric from her skin. Next he unsnapped her jeans and slid down the zipper. Extracting her from the drenched denim was a little more difficult, and his heart sank as she put up no resistance. She merely sobbed uncontrollably, calling Quincy's name over and over in a hoarse, raspy whisper.

With Alexis stripped to her undergarments, Beau peeled his own wet shirt from his body. Gathering her to him, he held Alexis close to the warmth of his skin and drew the blanket up around her. Slowly, tenderly, he rocked her while she wept. Through the blanket, he rubbed her arms and her back, willing warmth back into her cool skin.

But Alexis remained oblivious. Fear and grief for the fate of her first pet set off a wellspring of long buried hurts and fears. Alexis wept for Quincy. For Chloe and the friendship torn from her life by her own brother. For Ned and dreams that just were never meant to be. For her mother and the love lost at her murder. For Stefan and the hurts they'd inflicted on each other. For her childhood that never was. And, yes, for Sonny and what could never be.

Alexis wept until she could weep no more. Exhausted, she lay against the hardness of Beau's warm chest, never registering the feel of his skin against her own. It seemed an eternity that she lay there, lost in time and barely conscious.

Suddenly the door to the cottage flew open with a violent bang that reached even into Alexis' state of detachment. Wind and rain swirled into the room, and then from the darkness emerged a small black form.

"Quincy!" Alexis cried, suddenly brought back by the appearance of her beloved puppy. Crawling out from under the blanket, she dropped to the floor, welcoming her wet and wild little dog into her open arms. "Oh, my God," she cried over and over as she cuddled the animal and wept tears of joy into his soggy coat.

Quincy happily licked his master's face, depositing puppy dog kisses along her now-flushed cheeks.

Alexis gathered the little dog up into her arms and carried him to the couch, where she settled back into the cushions with Beau.

"My, God, Beau," she exclaimed, "he's back! He's back and he's alright!" Heady with happiness and relief, Alexis leaned into Beau and laid a big kiss on his cheek. Pulling back just a little, she smiled into the kind face smiling back at her.

Beau looked up at her with warmth in his blue eyes. His lips parted, as if he was about to say something. And then his expression froze. Something caught his attention, and his eyes darted past her to the door still standing open.

Alexis turned. It took a second for the dark figure to register in her brain. But as soon as it did, her heart began to race.

"Sonny!"

chapter 8