Quiet Discussion
by Rachael

Alexis ran into Kelly’s and shook the rain from her coat. Several people were huddled together inside and Mike came over to assist with her bags. “Here, let me help you,” he said as he escorted her over to the counter.

“Thanks, Mike. Wow, this storm came out of nowhere,” she said as she placed her bags down onto the floor.

“Yeah, they say it may get bad, so I’ve got Spinelli helping me out with supplies and what not. Would you like a cup of coffee or something?” he asked.

“Sure. I need to see if my cell phone works … I should let Viola know I’m going to be late.” After speaking with Viola, Mike placed a cup of coffee in front of Alexis. She glanced around the room and noticed Patrick and Robin having dinner with Anna, and Lucky and Elizabeth whispering in the corner and smiling. “Are they getting back together?” Alexis asked, motioning toward Lucky and Elizabeth as Mike approached her with a scone.”

“On the house. Oh, I don’t think so … they were talking about the kids before. Lucky is very much involved with your daughter,” Mike replied.

“Right …”

The rain pounded down on the roof and Alexis glanced out the window – the wind was blowing and the thunder shook the building. Everyone cowered for a second and the lights blinked and then turned off completely. “No one panic. Hey, Patrick and Lucky, can you guys give me a hand?” Mike yelled. Mike noticed the table and chairs outside were overturned from the wind … the guys went outside to retrieve and salvage them.

Anna and Robin joined Alexis at the counter as Patrick, Lucky, and Mike went outside in the storm. “Hello Alexis … how are you?” Anna asked.

“Fine and you two? Robin, I’m surprised Patrick isn’t at the hospital with this storm going on.”

“Well, he’s technically on vacation … but I’m sure if they called him he would go in.”

“He’s a wonderful doctor and my daughter is very fortunate,” Anna chimed in.

“Well, there’s some things we’ve needed to work through but we’re getting there.”

“Good for you … you’re very lucky to have each other,” Alexis said. The guys came back inside, saturated with water.

They came over to the counter and Elizabeth finally joined the other women as the guys sauntered over to tell them what was happening outside. “What’s going on?” Elizabeth asked.

“It’s wicked dark out there,” Lucky replied.

“Mike – Lucky and I managed to move your furniture around back into the storage unit … it’s safe.”

“Thanks Patrick – I really appreciate that. Why don’t you guys come back into the kitchen and warm up? I’m checking the generator to see if I can get it going. Elizabeth, can you start lighting some candles for me and placing them around the room … and I don’t think it’s safe for anyone to leave right now. Let me get the radio and you can listen to the forecast,” he said.

The men all walked into the back and Anna glanced over at her daughter. “Are you feeling all right, darling?”

“Yes mom – I’m fine. Hopefully, the storm will pass and then we can all get out of here.”

“I hate thunder … I always have,” Alexis admitted as she sipped from her coffee cup.

After a few moments there was a loud crash and Spinelli entered Kelly’s. He shook his hair and water was flying everywhere. He ran over to the counter and grabbed a towel and wiped down the bag his lap top was in. “Greetings ladies … sorry to crash this party – so to speak but have you seen …”

“Hey Spinelli, come back here!” Mike yelled.

“I must go – have no fear though, because The Jackal can protect you from this storm,” he said smiling as he sauntered to the kitchen with the rest of the guys.

The woman all laughed. “If that’s our protection … then I am feeling slightly alarmed,” Anna said. Alexis attempted to get a signal on her phone and sighed. She was supposed to meet Jerry tonight. He had practically begged her this morning, and she finally gave in. She had been shopping. She glanced down at her bags on the floor and blushed … the contents inside would shock any resident of Port Charles who didn’t truly know the District Attorney. Not many people knew the Alexis Davis that existed behind closed doors. She was going to surprise him tonight – but it looked as if her plans were …

There was a loud crash from the kitchen and Patrick was yelling at Spinelli. “WATCH WHERE YOU’RE GOING!”

“I’m sorry … but The Jackal …”

They watched as someone pushed him through the doors into the dining room. Alexis motioned for him to sit on the seat next to him and he obliged her request. “Are they picking on you?” Elizabeth asked.

“The Jackal simply wants to help … but he only manages to get in the way.”

“Does that thing work in this weather? Why don’t you go onto Weather.com or something and check to see what’s going on,” Anna suggested. Spinelli was glad to be of service and he began to type on his computer.

Several seconds later, the door opened once again and Kate arrived. She was soaking wet and attempting to squeeze the water out of her hair. “Can you believe this weather? My car got stuck a few streets over and I walked!” She sat at the counter with everyone else and sighed, “This is horrible.”

“Well, we may be here for a while, ladies … it seems this storm is moving slowly – if not at all. The rain shows it will linger for some time … perhaps all night, actually,” he informed them. The women all glanced around at each other and Elizabeth decided to be the messenger. She went back into the kitchen and told them the news.

Everyone came out into the dining room and Mike began an announcement. “Oh, hi Kate … you all right? Gee, you’re soaked too. Anyway, listen up everyone … I don’t think it’s safe to leave. I have one empty room upstairs and Robin, since you’re pregnant, you should have it. Elizabeth, if you and Alexis could go upstairs into the linen closet and grab some extra pillows and blankets – then Lucky and Patrick can start moving the tables out of the way. We’ll have to basically ‘camp out’ for the night until this thing blows over. My generator isn’t very good, but it should hold on so that I can continue to cook and brew coffee. How does that sound to everyone?” No one argued. As soon as the guys started moving furniture around, Alexis and Elizabeth went upstairs to the linen closet. They didn’t speak much, just commented on the weather and their children. They came back downstairs a few minutes later and the tables and chairs had already been tossed to one side of the room.

Anna took the blankets from Alexis. “Someone sent you a message on your phone. I thought you might like to check it,” she said.

“Thanks so much, Anna,” she replied.

Alexis opened her phone. Darling, where are you? Are you all right? She hastily began typing and told Jerry where she was. She closed her phone and waited. A few seconds later her phone beeped again. I’m at the Metro Court. Jax and I will come get you. She told him not to … that it was too dangerous and she was safe.

People were now sitting on the floor and attempting to get comfortable. Spinelli was still on his computer tracking the weather and sitting next to Anna on one of the blankets. Kate was still sitting at the counter and attempting to get a signal on her phone. Alexis’ phone beeped again and people were starting to notice. Nonsense, I’m coming to get you. She didn’t answer him. She simply closed her phone and sat on the floor next to Anna and Spinelli. “Is someone concerned about you?” she asked.

“Yeah, a big thorn in my side,” she replied.

“Well, at least you have someone that cares about you,” Spinelli chimed in.

The two women pouted and Anna placed her arm around him. “We’re sorry … and Spinelli, you have friends that care about you. So, don’t be ridiculous.”

“The Maxinista only cares for The Jackal in a friendly capacity … and frankly it’s beginning to piss me off,” he said quietly as he continued to type. The two women were shocked – they had never heard him speak in such a way.

He realized after it was said and blushed. “I’m so sorry … I didn’t mean. Goddess Mother … can you forgive me?” he asked, glancing over at Alexis.

She laughed. “Just in case you didn’t realize it … I’m not going to send you downtown for having a potty mouth. I’ve been known to say a curse or two in my day. For pete’s sake – I’m a Cassadine.”

He laughed. “Of course … how foolish of me. Well, it’s just – I’m sick of women always stepping all over me. I tried to get advice from the suave and debonair Aussie but that didn’t work out too well.”

“Who?” Anna asked.

“Oh, Jax,” Alexis explained. Anna nodded and glanced over at Patrick and Robin who were sitting on the floor together. “Hey, why don’t you two go upstairs so you can be more comfortable?”

Robin nodded. “I’m beginning to think that’s a good idea … I’m feeling tired all of the sudden.” Patrick helped her to her feet and they headed up to the second floor. A few of the people actually staying at Kelly’s came home and informed Mike the river was rising. This made him nervous. Lucky called the station and asked if anyone could come out … but they said it was too dangerous. Alexis had even called the Mayor and complained about the river, but he said the storm would have to calm down somewhat before he would put anyone in danger.

She threw her phone into her bag and stood to sit at the counter. Anna joined her. “I can’t believe there’s nothing they will do? What if the river begins to overflow?”

“I think we’re safe up here … but that’s beside the point! We need a new mayor … one who gives a crap!”

“Well, I agree with you on that one,” Anna said. Elizabeth, Lucky and some of the other residents of the building were sitting nearby and Spinelli looked as if he were falling asleep sitting up. Anna took his computer away from him and he lay down on the blanket. Alexis smiled as he curled up and fell asleep. “So, did you have plans tonight, Alexis?”

She laughed. “Actually, I did … but it’s all right. Maybe, it just wasn’t meant to be.”

“Oh, do tell – was it … plans with a man?”

Anna scooted closer and Alexis rolled her eyes. “I can’t believe you don’t know? I thought everyone in town knew?”

“What are you talking about?”

“The man … that I’m sort of seeing – or whatever you want to call it,” Alexis said.

“Well, c’mon spill it … who is he?” Two men barged into Kelly’s at that moment – they resembled drowned rats. Alexis glanced over at the doorway and smiled as Jerry and his brother came inside. “Don’t tell me you’re dating …”

“Yes, I am. Like Spinelli said … at least there is someone who is concerned about me,” Alexis said quietly.

“Well, he braved this storm for you … so that says something.”

“Yes … yes it does.”

----------------

Jax and Jerry made it to Kelly’s. However, they informed everyone – it was not safe to leave. “There’s water everywhere and the streets are flooded. The river looks as if it will spill over the docks at any second. The best thing for us to do is to remain here until the rain at least stops,” Jax said. He was sitting at the counter next to Kate and arguing that it was too dangerous to travel. She was trying to convince him otherwise and they were bickering back and forth over the issue. Alexis helped Jerry out of his suit jacket. Mike told them to come back to the kitchen to warm up. Jerry kissed her cheek and grabbed Jax to join him …

Anna glanced over at Alexis and smiled. “Wow I give you a lot of credit.”

“Why’s that?”

“Well, you don’t care who sees – the look on your face shows you feel for him.”

Alexis was shocked. She wasn’t sure exactly what Anna was saying. “I don’t know what you mean?”

“You care about him … do you not?”

“Well, yes …”

“I’m just saying – it shows. You should be happy, Alexis … don’t worry about what other people are thinking or saying,” Anna said.

“Well, thank you – I think.”

Alexis decided to head back to the kitchen to see what the guys were talking about; Mike walked around her out to the counter and sat next to Kate. Alexis met Jerry’s eyes and she joined him and Jax in the kitchen.

Jax cleared his throat. “Are you all right?”

“Yes. Are the two of you okay? You’re soaked to the bone,” she said. Their shirts were hanging to dry and Alexis glanced over at Jerry … who continued to stare at her. “How did you end up here?” Jax asked.

“I was going to pick up dinner and then the storm … it hit and well – here I am,” she said.

Jerry and Alexis continued to stare at each other and Jax finally put two and two together. “Oh, my God … this is rich. The two of you were supposed to meet tonight. No wonder, you were so hell bent on getting to Alexis,” he said to his brother.

“Well, do you blame me? I wanted to see her!”

“We could have been killed, Jerry!”

“Alexis’ life isn’t worth venturing out here? Something could have happened and it still may – so I think it was a good idea to come here!”

“You are so selfish … and Alexis – I can’t believe you are involved with my brother,” Jax said as he walked out into the dining room, leaving them alone.

Jerry ran his hands over his head and Alexis leaned against the counter. “He’s right …”

“No … he's not,” Jerry said as he cut her off in mid sentence.

“Jerry, I was perfectly safe here … it was foolish for the two of you to come traipsing out into this crazy storm. You could have been hurt … or worse,” she said.

Jerry took her hand and pulled her farther back into the kitchen. “Were you worried?”

“Only slightly … because I know you,” she replied teasingly.

He ran his hands down her sides. “This wasn’t exactly what I had planned tonight,” he said softly as his lips moved towards hers.

She pushed at his chest and realized her bags were still in the other room unattended. “Oh, my God … I almost forgot about my bags,” she said.

“What bags? What are you talking about?”

She blushed and Jerry noticed. “Nothing … seriously – it’s nothing,” she replied.

“Alexis … tell me,” he said.

“This is sort of embarrassing … but I was going to surprise you tonight,” she admitted.

“Really … and how were you going to do that?”

“I went shopping today …” They were interrupted by the sound of glass breaking. Jerry ran out to the dining room ahead of her. A tree branch had fallen through the window … everyone was standing back and Mike was glaring in shock at what had just occurred. Patrick came down the stairs with Robin and everyone was just standing around. Finally, Jax and Jerry moved at warp speed and ran outside. They grabbed the tree and pulled it out of the window carefully, shouting orders at one another. Alexis placed her arm around Mike and Kate took his hand - he shook his head in disbelief. The water was coming in and Lucky and Patrick ran to the back to grab some tarps. They worked quickly along with some of the other residents of the building and began to cover up the window as best they could.

After several minutes of hard work, everyone came inside. “Thank you so much, everyone,” Mike said. “I don’t know if it’s safe to stay here, especially with this window being the way it is.”

One of the residents spoke up. “Hey Mike, a few of us were talking … we can all bunk together so that everyone else can have a room upstairs.”

Someone else agreed. “Yeah, we’re used to small spaces … we don’t mind.”

“Listen, why don’t you kids go work it out then,” Mike said.

“Mike – Jerry and I think we should stay down here … we could help if something else goes wrong,” Jax suggested.

“Are you guys sure about that?”

“Mike, I’ll stay down here with them … It’s not like I’ll be able to sleep anyways,” Alexis added.

“Well, if you’re sure – I don’t have a problem with that.” Elizabeth, Lucky and a few others shared a room. Spinelli and Kate bunked with Mike and Robin, Patrick and Anna were together.

Alexis made a bed out of several blankets and pillows as far away from the broken window as possible. Jax was still cleaning up the debris from the tree, and Jerry went back to the kitchen to dry up some. “Do you want me to take your under shirt to the kitchen to dry?” Alexis asked Jax. He nodded and stripped it off and handed it to her. She went in search of Jerry – it was not very hard to find him. He was standing shirtless with his hands outstretched near the heater; he must have sensed her. He turned around and his eyes locked with hers. She handed him Jax’s shirt and he took it from her. “Are you sure you’re all right? It looks as if you have a cut on your hand,” she said.

“It stings a little but it will be okay. What's my brother doing?”

“Still cleaning up the mess from the tree … poor Mike,” she said softly. She felt him moving closer and she turned around. “Jerry … we can’t …” He pulled her in for a kiss and she reciprocated his advances. Her hands moved up his chest; his skin was cold from the rain. He twisted his hands into her hair and she moaned from his touch. Someone cleared his throat and Alexis jumped out of Jerry’s arms.

Jax stood against the door jamb with his hands in his pockets. “Okay, we have to set some rules; if you two are going to be all over each other all night, I’m not staying down here with you. I’ll go bunk with Mike, Kate and Spinelli and leave you down here. If you need me, Jerry – come get me and I’ll help you. But, I will not be subjected to … to this,” he said, waving his hands. He walked out of the kitchen and both Jerry and Alexis started giggling.

They hugged and he kissed her quickly on the mouth. “Hey, I’m going to check on the dining room. C’mon, let’s go out there,” he said. Jerry stepped carefully around the area where the tree came inside and checked for leaks. It wasn’t too bad and he watched as Alexis lay down on the floor and closed her eyes. He noticed the shopping bag she had mentioned earlier and stepped over towards it.

He grabbed it and sat on the blanket. She sat up with a panicked look on her face. “Jerry … what are you doing? Give that to me,” she said quietly.

He smiled and shook his head. “I don’t think so … darling.” She attempted to grab it out of his hands, but he was faster than her. He dumped the contents of the bag onto the blanket and he wiggled his eyebrows at her. She sighed and placed her hands on her head. “Oh my God … what do we have here,” he said teasingly. He picked up the negligee and glanced over at her. “Alexis Davis … you little minx! You really bought this today?”

“Well, you’re holding it. Now, put it away,” she said.

“Alexis, I need to see you in this … right now.”

“You’re out of your damn mind! There is no way I am putting that thing on now! You’ll have to wait until tomorrow night or something,” she said.

“This is so unfair … you bought this for me – did you not?”

She was embarrassed. “I don’t know why I bought it … I know we haven’t been able to spend much time together and I wanted to make it special. Call me crazy …”

“That’s not exactly what I was thinking,” he said softly. He placed the negligee back into the bag and roughly pulled her into his arms. “You surprise me … I can’t stand it,” he whispered as his mouth trailed from her face down her neck.

“Jerry … we can’t do this here – it will have to wait,” she said as his fingers began to unbutton her blouse. She pushed at his chest and lay down on the blankets. He shrugged and joined her. They pulled one over them and he placed Alexis’ head in the crook of her neck. Once they were comfortable, Jerry sighed and began running his hands down her sides. “This is nice.”

“Being stuck here like this … is nice?”

“As long as I’m with you, I don’t care.”

“I’m sorry I’ve been so busy lately.”

“You’re the District Attorney … you have an important responsibility. There’s no need to apologize.” They lay in each other’s arms and listened as the rain pounded against the windows and roof.

“Jerry … when you admitted everything a few weeks ago – I was unsure as if I wanted to continue to be involved with you,” she said quietly.

“Is that why you’ve been staying away?”

“Not entirely … I really have been busy. On the other hand - yes … I was feeling apprehensive about our ... relationship.”

“Are you admitting after all this time that we are in a relationship?”

“It certainly feels like one.”

He sat up and crossed his legs and she glanced up at him. “Alexis … I’m sorry if I wasn’t completely honest with you, but in all seriousness – it was to keep you safe. It was wrong and I should have been telling you everything from the start, and I promise – I’m going to try and be as honest as I can with you from now on.” She sat up and hugged him. He ran his hands down her back and she placed her head into the crook of his neck. They held one another and Jerry pulled away and glanced into her eyes. “Do you believe me?” he asked.

“Surprisingly enough … yes, I do.”

“It took a storm for us to admit this to one another,” he said teasingly.

They lay back down and Alexis kissed him quickly on the mouth. “Well, we are a slightly problematic couple …”

“Now, she says we are a couple … I think I may faint! Are you sure you won’t put that lingerie on for me?” he asked once again.

“No … that is for tomorrow night … or maybe I’ll make you wait,” she teased.

“Oh, Darling … you are evil.”

Alexis smiled. “Well, after all – I am a Cassadine.” They eventually drifted off to sleep to the sound of wind and rain. Port Charles had been pounded by another fierce storm – but the sun would shine again and all would be right with the world … well, for the time being at least.

THE END