When Love Has Gone
by Tams

Alexis sat with Jasper Jacks and Lady Jane Jacks in the front pew of the church, staring straight ahead at the casket sitting in front of her, the casket containing the body of the Jerry Jacks. She was still numb over what had transpired. She thought back to a few days ago, the day she received the news.

Alexis sat in her office, working on the case she was building against Andrei Karpov when her door opened. She looked up to see the smiling face of Jerry Jacks as he walked in and closed the door behind him.

“Hello, darling. I hope I’m not interrupting anything too pressing,” he told her as he strode to her desk, hands in his pockets.

“Actually, I’m building a case, but I have a moment. What’s up?” she asked, smiling back at him.

“I do so love when you take time out of your work for me. I’ll even make this brief for you. I want to take you to dinner tonight,” he told her.

Alexis looked at him apologetically. “I can’t. I really want to but this case has me working non-stop. Can’t we do it this weekend?”

“Nonsense, you can take time for dinner,” he told her as he walked around to the back of her desk where she sat. He turned her chair so she faced him and crouched down to her eye level. “And for whatever may come afterwards," he said, leaned towards her and kissed her neck.

“You are making this impossible for me to turn you down," Alexis said, her eyes closed and a slight moan of pleasure to her voice.

“Good. Then my evil plan is working," Jerry said smoothly. “Eight o’clock at the lake house?”

Alexis laughed softly and shook her head. “Yes, eight o’clock at the lake house. You are relentless, you know.”

“Only when it comes to getting what I want most,” he said and winked at her as he stood up. “So, I’ll let you get back to your work so I don’t get that dreaded call cancelling our dinner date," he said as he headed for the door.

“Very wise," she told him.

“I thought so. I look forward to it, darling. See you then," he said and left her to her work.

Later that night, Alexis waited for Jerry. It was nine thirty and he still hadn’t shown up and hadn’t called. She was becoming worried when there was a knock at the door. She opened the door, fully expecting to see Jerry.

“I was worried …" she started when she saw that it was not Jerry at all but Mac Scorpio himself at her door.

He came into her house and broke the news gently to her. He didn’t care for Jerry himself but he knew her feelings for Jerry. Mac was her friend and respected her feelings. Alexis barely heard anything after the words, “I’m sorry, Alexis. Jerry …” She slowly sank down into the nearest chair as tears came to her eyes as Mac explained details she never truly heard.

Fresh tears came to Alexis’ eyes as she stared at the casket in front of her, the memories of that night in her mind. Lady Jane Jacks looked at Alexis and saw the devastation in her eyes. She took Alexis’ hand in hers in a gesture of comfort. Alexis closed her hand around Lady Jane’s, feeling that comfort. Once the priest finished speaking, Alexis got up and walked to the casket. She looked down at the resting body of the man she’d come to fall in love with. She thought he looked at peace but at the same time her heart broke for what she knew she’d never have. This man loved and respected her more than any other had in her life. He’d risked his life for her and her children more than once. Now, that fearless streak that he’d lived his life with had cost him his life.

“You drove me crazy, Jerry Jacks but I miss you and I love you. You gave me so much more than you could ever know, Jerry. You taught me how to open up and live life, how to be more spontaneous. You gave me something more than that, though, and it's something I know you would have been happy about. The day after I lost you, I found out I’m carrying your child. Your mother and Jax are going to help me with raising our baby. I promise you that our child will know you and love you always. I love you, too,” she said as she put her hand on his. “I love you so much. Always know that," she whispered before she turned and walked away.

She headed to where Jane and Jax waited for her, then left the church with them, knowing she would always have Jerry with her in her heart and in their child for the rest of her life.

Sequel - A Second Chance