The Long Road Home
by Terry

Chapter 2

Johnny sprinted out the front door the sanitarium toward the parking lot. He was eager to begin this new phase of his life, but there was a lot to do before he could return to Ferncliff and one of the errands he needed to attend to was paying a visit to one Sonny Corinthos. Nearing his truck with a thousand things running through his mind he stopped and swiftly pulled out his cell phone. Retrieving the number he needed from operator assistance he dialed quickly hoping there would be someone home to answer his call.

Felicia Jones was sitting quietly on her couch with a glass of Diet Coke and a bottle of aspirin trying to recuperate from the latest round with her oldest daughter, Maxie. She shook her head in wonder thinking, 'How can any one child be so difficult?' Hearing the phone ring she groaned in annoyance and reached to answer the call.

"Hello. Oh, excuse me a moment. MAXIE, HANG UP, I'VE GOT IT. AND YOU'RE GROUNDED ANYWAY.” Realizing her caller was probably deaf now from her voice screaming into the phone she quickly apologized. “Oh, I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to yell in your ear. Teenagers, you gotta love 'em. Can I help you?"

"Felicia, this is Johnny."

"Johnny who?"

"Uh, I was Mr. Corinthos’ bodyguard for a while."

"Ohhh, that Johnny. ‘Was a bodyguard’, huh.

What can I do for you, Johnny?"

"I need a little help with a problem I've got and I thought maybe I could talk you into helping me. Well, actually it’s not for me, it’s for Miss Davis."

Hearing Johnny bring Alexis into the conversation surprised and intrigued Felicia. The last time she saw Alexis was at her sister, Kristina's funeral. Her heart still broke every time she thought of the pain she witnessed in Alexis that day.

"Johnny, I'm not sure Alexis would want me around right now after everything that has happened."

"Felicia, I need to know whether or not I can trust you to keep a confidence where Alexis is concerned before we go any further. Can I trust you to keep this conversation between us?"

Felicia could tell by the tone of Johnny's voice that he was sincere in his request and adamant in what he wanted. This was it. Here was her chance to help Alexis. She wanted to do something... anything to repay Alexis for always trying to be a friend to her. Alexis tried on several occasions to help her when she needed it... tried to warn her against getting involved with the wrong people. And while Felicia appreciated Alexis caring enough to warn her about something that she herself evidently had intimate knowledge of... Felicia just wasn’t ready to listen to anything that went against what she wanted. So she ignored Alexis’ warnings and much to her regret had in fact found herself embroiled in a completely horrible mess. She knew she owed Alexis. Hell, who didn't? Alexis was one of those rare people who possessed the talent of being all things to all people and look where her generosity had gotten her. Alone now and it was over a month since anyone had seen her. Felicia needed to help Alexis in anyway she could.

"I owe her big time, Johnny. I don't think there will ever be a way I can make it up to her for my part in her sister's death. She tried to warn me and I wouldn't listen. If there is anything I can do for her, name it."

"Can you meet me at her place? I know it's short notice, but I don't have a lot of time and I would rather not discuss this over the phone."

"Give me twenty minutes to take care of the girls and I'll be right there."

"Thanks, Felicia. See you there in a few."

Twenty minutes later Johnny stood in the doorway of Alexis' apartment. Standing on the threshold he felt a tremendous feeling of guilt wash over him. He was trespassing. This was her personal sanctuary. This was where she came to hide from the world when things got too overwhelming. This was where she renewed herself. And sadly it was this place that she came to when there was no where else to go... no one else to turn to... no one to hold her... no one to keep her from sliding into the darkness that now held her captive.

Lowering his head in respect he took a cautious step forward and then another until he cleared the doorway. Whispering quietly as he saw her in his mind’s eye, 'I wouldn't be here if I could help it. Please understand that I'm just trying to help and forgive me for intruding into your home.'

Raising his head he looked around at the furnishings that occupied the apartment. Smiling slightly, he thought how totally like her it seemed. Very tailored, immaculate and warm. Moving to the sofa he sat down and waited for Felicia to arrive. Closing his eyes briefly, he inhaled deeply. Yes, that was definitely her scent. Still here even after a month of her absence. Detecting an unfamiliar odor suddenly enter the room he looked up to find Felicia standing beside the desk.

Trying to hide his irritation that another woman's perfume was now overtaking the fragrance of Alexis in her own home, Johnny stood quickly to welcome Felicia.

"Come in, Felicia. Please have a seat. Before I tell you what I called you for, I need to know if you know where Alexis is?"

Felicia sat down with a worried look on her face and looked up at Johnny.

"No, I haven't seen her since the funeral. I mean I know she hasn't been around for a while, but I just figured she went to Greece to see her brother or something like that. You know, to get a way for a while. Why? Has something happened? Is Alexis okay?"

Sitting down across from Felicia, Johnny looked intently at her. He didn't know Felicia that well, but he knew that Alexis thought a lot of her and that was what he was counting on now.

"Felicia, Alexis was admitted to Ferncliff a month ago. She is currently under the care of Kevin Collins. From what I gather, when she left the funeral service for her sister, she came back here and simply checked out. She doesn't speak to anyone; she doesn't even know when someone enters the room. She just sits there day after day staring at nothing."

As the shock of Johnny’s words penetrated, Felicia’s jaw dropped in shock. It took a few moments before she was able to speak. "Oh, Johnny. What have we done to her? She was such a strong woman. I didn't think anything could really get to her that bad. She always handled things so well, so professionally."

Johnny couldn't believe it! This was supposed to be one of her friends. He furtively shook his head wondering just how many of Alexis' so-called friends actually knew her.

"Felicia, Alexis was not as strong as she wanted people to believe she was, she never has been. I guess she figured if people thought she was weak or something, then they wouldn't trust her to defend them to the best of her ability. But, I have to tell you, Alexis has been in trouble for a while. And no one has cared enough about her to notice. I don't mean to hurt you by saying that, but if I have learned anything from her it's that being honest is always best. Ok, you say you owe her. Well, here's your chance to pay up. She needs your help right now. Are you willing to help me help her without telling anybody what we are up to?"

Felicia listened quietly as Johnny berated her and everyone else that knew Alexis. She couldn't argue with him, he was right. She herself hadn't paid enough attention to Alexis, and she was supposed to be her friend. Laying her hand on Johnny's arm she vowed to do whatever he needed her to do for Alexis.

"Tell me what you need Johnny, and it's done. Whatever it is I'll get it done quietly and discreetly."

Nodding his satisfaction he began telling her the plan regarding Alexis' care. When he finished he detailed what he needed from her.

"We need to take care of her clothes problem. She is not showing yet, but her pregnancy is going to cause some problems pretty quickly. I need you to take care of that problem for me. Here is my credit card. Don't worry about the expense. But first, I need you to go into her bedroom and pack a suitcase for her. Get whatever she will need so she doesn't have to stay in those hospital gowns any longer. If you see anything that will make that place more bearable then pack it too."

Johnny knew more about Alexis than he let on and Felicia was grateful to him. She recognized that he had been more observant as an unseen shadow than she ever was as a proclaimed friend.

"Johnny, thank you for caring about her. I'm glad somebody does. I know I probably shouldn't ask, but does Sonny know where she is?"

Johnny visibly stiffened at her question. He wasn't about to discuss anything regarding what was between Sonny and Alexis with anyone. Not even Felicia, who in his opinion hadn’t earned the right to question him any further. Alexis was a private person and he would respect her wishes and keep it that way.

"I don't know if he does or not, but I am asking you to

stop with the questions. Just please do what I am asking of you and leave it at that. It is my job to protect her now and I will do it regardless of who gets hurt in the process. I'll warn you only once, Felicia; she is my first priority now."

Jerking back at the intensity of his words, Felicia began shaking her head vehemently. "No Johnny, I won't say or do anything. I... I was just curious. You know I’m a private investigator and being curious just goes along with the job. You have my word; nothing that has been said in this room goes any further. It stops right here. I promise."

"I'm sorry, Felicia. You're not the only one who owes her. And I don't like the way she's been treated lately. I didn't mean to take your head off like that."

"It's ok, Johnny. I'm just grateful she finally does have somebody who cares about her enough to look out for her. Look, I'd like to be a friend to her too. You know, make up for not being around when she needed someone. So just feel free to call me anytime with whatever, ok?"

"Thanks, Felicia. I'm a little out of my league on all of this, but I'm sticking with it. I'll let you know if I need anything else. Now, if you don't mind, could you go ahead and pack that suitcase for me. I'm kind of eager to get back."

"Sure thing, Johnny. Be back in a few minutes. You

know, it might not be a bad idea to take some of these personal things she has lying around and maybe a couple of pictures too. It would make her room feel more like home."

It was a good idea Johnny thought as he watched Felicia leave the room. Looking around the room he saw several items he thought would be ok to take to the sanitarium. His gaze finally settled on a single picture of her sister, Kristina, sitting on the fireplace mantle. It was not grouped with any others, but set aside... alone; as though somehow mirroring how alone Alexis must have felt when her sister was unmercifully ripped from her life. Walking over and picking it up he remembered how much of a pest Kristina could be at times, but she was the one person who stood up and fought for Alexis no matter what the circumstance. He respected that about her. Watching the two of them together, no one could doubt how much they loved each other. Putting the picture back on the mantle he figured it was too soon for Alexis to be around anything that would cause her any pain.

Rubbing both hands over his face, he shrugged his shoulders a couple of times to ease the knotting in his muscles then collected a few of the items around the room and carefully put them into the bag he brought in with him. Hearing Felicia re-enter the room, he reached for the suitcase she carried and then looking around once more led her back out into the hall outside of the apartment.

"I appreciate all of your help Felicia. If I need anything else I'll call if that's ok with you."

Placing her hand on his arm Felicia squeezed gently. "Johnny, take care of her and whatever you need, all you have to do is ask. I'll be around if you need me. I know I don’t really have the right to ask, but if you could keep in touch and let me know how she's doing. I know you can't tell it by my actions, but I really do care about her."

Johnny could see the sincerity in her eyes and allowed himself to smile and nod.

"I'll let you know what I can, when I can. I'll be in touch about the maternity clothes in a few days. See you later, Felicia."

"See ya, Johnny."

Felicia watched Johnny walk down the hall until he was out of sight then cast a look back over her shoulder at the door of Alexis’ apartment. Her shoulders sagged a bit at the realization that this was the first time she had been invited to Alexis’ new home and she wished with all her heart that the circumstances were anything but what they were. She wanted desperately to help... needed to do something more for Alexis. But what could she do? Truth was, in the final analysis; there really wasn’t anything more Felicia could do given the lack of familiarity between herself and Alexis. A lack that she herself could have prevented if she had just paid a little more attention... cared a little more for someone other than herself and her own problems.

Felicia turned back toward the long hallway that Johnny disappeared down and slowly began to shuffle one foot in front of the other to follow him out as a weight of regret settled heavily on her shoulders and in her heart.

chapter 03