Returning to a Friend
by Cowgirl

Part 17

Cameron sat up straight and put both of his hands on his knees. "What is it that you can't forgive him for?"

Alexis tilted her head back and sighed. "Pick something."

"Why don't you pick something, tell me why you're so angry at him."

Alexis stood and walked slowly across the room, tracing her finger along the edge of Cameron's desk, finally stopping, hugging her arms around her waist. "I can't forgive him for all the hurt he's caused me ... me and everyone else he comes in contact with."

Cameron watched Alexis carefully. She was evading and he wasn't going to let her do it. "Too general counselor ... try again."

Alexis turned and faced him. "What do want from me?"

"I want you to tell me why you're angry. Pick something you said ... well ... do it ... tell me." He stood and held out his arms. "Are you angry that he went back to his wife? Are you angry he didn't pick you?"

"No," Alexis said firmly, growing flustered.

"Then what?"

"For everything," Alexis said throwing her hands in the air. "For being partly responsible for my sister's death ... " She stopped as emotion overcame her. "For everything," she said softly.

Cameron nodded. "All right. Let's start with Kristina's death. How is Sonny to blame?"

Alexis stared at him for a moment as though shocked he would even ask that question. "He ... Alcazar was after Sonny and my sister became another casualty in one of his turf wars."

"So ... Alcazar came after Sonny." He rubbed his chin. "Wasn't he also after your ex-husband, Mr. Jacks?"

Alexis squeezed her eyes shut for a moment. "What does Jax have to do with this?"

"Well ... didn't Luiz Alcazar shoot Mr. Jacks, almost paralyzing him?"

"Yes he did but ... "

"And wasn't he after Mr. Jacks for the same reason he was after Sonny?"

Alexis shook her head, confused as to where Cameron was going with this. "Well, yes, I guess."

"And yet you're not angry with him?"

"Why would I be?"

"Well, Alcazar came to Port Charles to get at Sonny and Jax did he not?"

"Yes," Alexis said, bewildered.

"Then is Jax responsible too for your sister's death?"

Alexis shook her head, growing more frustrated. "No."

"Why not?"

"Because he ... " She stopped, not knowing what to say.

"And how about Miss Barrett? She's the reason Alcazar set foot in Port Charles. Is she responsible for Kristina's death?"

Alexis brought a hand to her mouth, her breathing growing ragged. "Why are you doing this?" she pleaded.

"I'm trying to get you to see the truth."

"What truth?" Alexis shouted. "What truth?"

"Maybe the truth that Sonny isn't any more responsible for Kristina's death than Miss Barrett or Jasper Jax is."

Alexis took a step forward and stammered. She clutched the edge of the desk for support, blowing out deep breaths.

Cameron took a step closer. "Alexis, you don't really think that Sonny is to blame for Kristina's death, do you?" he said as more of a statement than a question.

Alexis looked like a deer in headlights as she struggled to comprehend what he was saying.

"Kristina died because she went to some place at the wrong time. She died because an evil man planted a bomb."

Alexis' hand went to her mouth as her face contorted into a look of anguish. "Oh God," she choked out in a whimper. "She died ... she died because I lied to her." She said as she sank to her knees. "I killed her. I'm responsible ... me ... me and no one else," she continued as the tears rolled down her face. "Oh God ... help me ... I ... " She tried to finish but the sobs that racked her body became too much and she crumpled into a heap on the floor.

Cameron moved to her, kneeling down beside her, placing a hand on her back. "Alexis," he said in a soothing voice. "Alexis, no one is to blame. What happened to your sister was a very unfortunate accident."

Alexis looked up, anger blazing in her eyes. "It was no accident. Maybe Sonny, or Jax, or Brenda isn't responsible but one man is ... was ... it was no accident."

Cameron placed his hands underneath her arms and coaxed her to her feet. He led her over to the couch and sat her down. "I just wanted you to see the truth Alexis. The truth that your sister's death is no one's fault other than Luis Alcazar's."

Alexis composed herself and took the tissue that Cameron was offering her, dabbing her eyes. "My sister's death will always be on my head. Nothing anyone can say will change that."

"Alexis ... my point in making you ... ."

He was interrupted as the door to his office flew open. In the doorway stood a very disheveled, very angry Sonny Corinthos. Alexis stood up as Sonny's eyes went from her to the doctors. He slowly raised a hand and pointed at Cameron. "Did you know? Did you know the whole time that she was keeping my daughter from me?"