Second Chances
by Susanne

Chapter 9 -- Just Trying to Help

Alexis had just dropped Christopher and Kristina off at the Quartermaine estate wanting especially Lila to spend some time with her 'Grandchildren' since Alexis had always loved Lila and since both Zander and Emily were there she thought 'what's the harm?'. Jax had asked to meet her on the docks, and because he'd sounded desperate to see her she'd quickly dropped the kids off before heading to the docks.

Alexis: "Jax?" She replied descending the flight of stairs making Jax turn around at the sound of her voice.

Jax: "Hey stranger - it's good to see you!" He exclaimed giving her a hug.

Alexis: "So…What's up?"

Jax: "Where are Chris and Krissy?" He asked trying to duck the subject of why he'd asked her to meet him on the docks.

Alexis: "They're visiting Lila at the Quartermaine estate - what's going on? Is it Brenda? Did something happen to her?"

Jax: "No, no, no! This has nothing at all to do with Brenda, but everything to do with you!"

Alexis: "Me? Have you heard from John? Is he coming to Port Charles - just tell me - I can handle it."

Jax: "I know you can, and no John hasn't made any contact yet, but you know that it's only a question of time."

Alexis: "Where are you going with this Jax?"

Jax: "I told you from the get-go that I couldn't protect you from John if he were to come to town."

Alexis: "Yeah…I remember that! Jax…Whatever it is - just tell me, OK? Don't keep it to yourself in fear of me not understanding."

Jax: "I think that what I've done will be the final blow to our friendship."

Alexis: "Jax…I was real with you when you told me that you wanted to pursue a relationship with Skye Chandler-Quartermaine - and I was just as supportive of you when you called and told me that Brenda was back in town, and that you were going to pursue a relationship with her - still married with Skye. There's nothing that you have to tell me that I won't understand - so just blurt it out."

Jax: "What you need to understand is that while you've been gone Brenda has bent over backwards for Sonny and I to get along because she cares very much for him. She never cared for Carly because she knew what a conniver she was, and well…She's taken an instant liking to you even before she vanished in '98."

Alexis: "Your point being?" She asked not understanding why Jax was behaving so strange - it wasn't like him at all.

Jax: "I guess what I'm trying to say is that I love you Alexis, and I'm not going to stand by and watch John beat the rest of your spirit to death."

Alexis: "He won't because John isn't here - right?"

Jax: "Right! But…"

Alexis: "But what?! You're not usually this shy with words - the last time you acted like this was when you brought Kristina to town…Oh my God!" She suddenly exclaimed.

Jax: "What is it?"

Alexis: "The last time you behaved like this you were bringing Kristina and I together, and now that I'm back in town with Chris and Krissy there could only be one person you'd bring into my life again. You've been preaching for me how Sonny has changed, and now you've just finished talking about how Brenda wants you to get along with him together with the fact that you're looking extremely nervous - I can't believe you Jax!"

Jax: "Sonny is the only person who can protect you from John - you know that Alexis!"

Alexis: "I don't care Jax! He's responsible for my sister's death, and I'm sure as hell not letting him anywhere near my children!"

Jax: "Sonny can help, as well as Jason, Benny…"

Alexis: "God! What…Did you go directly to Sonny when we hung up the day I told you we were coming to Port Charles? You of all people!" She exclaimed with teary eyes.

Jax: "Don't give me that betrayed look, OK? I've always looked out for you, and believe it or not that's exactly what I'm doing right now!"

Alexis: "Really? And how do you figure that? How is letting such a dangerous man into Chris and Krissy's lives going to make them happier?"

Jax: "John is just as dangerous as Sonny if not more! I know that you feel betrayed right now but…"

Alexis: "No but's! I trusted you Jax - I trusted you with my children, and I trusted you not to run to Sonny with information that you damn well know I didn't want him to have."

Jax: "I didn't tell Sonny anything that he doesn't already know!"

Alexis: "Really?" She asked skeptically, as another voice uttered

Voice: "He's right!" Alexis knew that voice without even having to turn around to see the face of the person it belonged to. She'd wished to hear that voice in her phone for years, until she'd begun to realize that her and Sonny would never be together.
Jax: "You could have waited a little longer Corinthos and you too Morgan!" He exclaimed, as both Sonny and Jason stepped out of the shadows they'd been hiding in.

Alexis: "Not only do you betray me but you also have them eavesdropping?!" She asked not believing what she was experiencing.

Jax: "Since Sonny and I haven't been able to convince you to take drastic measures concerning John we thought that we might be able to resolve something together."

Alexis: "I don't believe you Jax! This is the guy you blamed Brenda's 'death' on, the man who was a danger to all women - have you completely forgotten that?"

Sonny: "Brenda never died so…"

Alexis: "Don't even think about talking right now Sonny!" She exclaimed in rage when she turned to look at him ice cold.

Sonny: "All right!"

Jax: "We didn't just do this for you Alexis…"

Alexis: "No, I'm sure that your male ego's played a part in this little game of yours."

Jax: "We were more concerned about Christopher and Kristina than our male ego's, as you put it. I didn't want to read your obituary in a few months knowing that I could have done something in order to stop it."

Alexis: "Well…There isn't anything anyone can do, and I'm not about to put my children in anymore danger than what they're already in. What I said about Sonny still goes Jax: he brings death everywhere he goes. And I am sure as hell not going to wait until death comes knocking on my door." She replied racing to the steps of the docks, as she raced to get to the Quartermaine estate to pick up Christopher and Kristina.

Jason: "Well…That went 'not' according to plan."

Sonny: "Yeah…Tell me about it! I'll go after her!"

Jax: "NO! Give her some time - she needs to pick up the kids at the Quartermaines first, and she needs some time to calm down."

Sonny: "You think I'm afraid of her chopping my head off?"

Jax: "No, I'm worried that she'll do something she'll regret this upset, and I don't think that your presence will do our cause any favors, OK?" He replied, as he left Jason and Sonny alone on the docks.

Jason: "So what are you going to do now?" He asked walking to stand in front of Sonny.

Sonny: "I don't know Jase - even though I've been through this once before with my mother it still hurts as hell to see someone as courageous and powerful as Alexis to succumb due to what some idiot has done to her."

Jason: "Love is a powerful thing…"

Sonny: "Yeah…Especially the wrong kind of love. I don't know what I'm supposed to do anymore. Am I supposed to go after her? Should I wait like Jax said I should?"

Jason: "Listen…You don't want Alexis to do anything rash so maybe giving her some breathing space wouldn't be a bad idea. Pay her a visit tonight when you're sure the kids are sleeping - that way you're sure that you won't make things any more awkward for Alexis than they are, or any more confusing than they are for Christopher and Kristina."

Sonny: "You're right! You saw them?" He asked referring to his newfound children.

Jason: "I haven't seen the boy yet; no. But I saw the little girl - she looked like Alexis to a tee. How about the boy?"

Sonny: "Just as protective of his mother, as I was of mine!" He smiled to himself, as he pulled out a picture that Benny had added to the file he'd gathered for Sonny earlier on. The picture was of Alexis sitting on a chair with both children on her lap. They were all smiling - the picture perfect smile.

Back at Alexis' apartment Alexis, Kristina and Christopher had just arrived - the kids knew that something was up with their mother but didn't want to make her mad at them so they simply kept quiet about how their mother looked.

Alexis: "Why don't you guys decide on which kind of pizza you'll have, and then I'll order it, OK?"

Kristina: "Don't you want something too?"

Alexis: "I'll just have a slice of yours, sweetheart!" She smiled at her daughter, as she got out of her jacket before going to the window in the livingroom staring outside.

Christopher: "What's wrong with mom?"

Kristina: "I don't know but she kept talking to herself on the way home saying 'some friends you've gotten yourself Alexis' - that was scary. Let's hope that man you met yesterday will make her better." She replied smiling at her brother.

chapter 10