Hi Guys!

Well, here's the first of the Nurses Ball chapters!!!!!! I hope you guys like it, because I really enjoyed writing it. Some parts of Brenda's history have been changed, so please take that into consideration. Remember: Feedback is ALWAYS welcome!!! Enjoy....

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"Always"

Chapter 11

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(BRENDA'S APARTMENT)

RING....RING....

Brenda quickly ran from the bathroom, wearing a robe and having curlers in her hair. "Hello?" she asked breathlessly.

"Bren!!!! How's it coming?" Lo asked, anxious to hear how the plan was coming along.

"He's going to be here any minute, and I'm not even close to being ready!" she panicked.

"Oh no....listen, just hurry up and do the best that you can. I'm sure he doesn't expect you to be totally ready when he picks you up anyway."

"I hope you're right, Lo." she said, taking a deep breath. "Is everything all set for what we discussed?"

"You bet"

"And Robin's okay with the change of plans?"

"She's really excited...and I told Lucy and she had no problems with it."

"Great! Oh, listen, I gotta go. I still have to do my hair...."

"Okay...I can't wait to see you guys!!!"

"Me too....bye!"

"Bye!"

Brenda ran back into the bathroom and frantically began taking the curlers from her hair. "I hope this works...." she murmured. "Jasper Jacks, you're definitely in for one heck of a night!" she smirked.

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(JAX'S PENTHOUSE)

"Calm down....calm down Jax" he told himself. His hands were shaking so bad that he couldn't fix his bowtie right. "Damn!" he yelled, running his hands through his thick blond hair.

RING....RING....

"Hello?"

"Hey Jax...how are you doing?" Ned asked.

"I'm a nervous wreck!!" he yelled.

"Shhhhhh!!" Ned whispered. "Lois doesn't know what we're doing, and if she heard you yelling like that I'd have to tell her."

"Why can't you tell her? It's Brenda we're surprising...not Lois."

"I know that, but if I tell Lois than she'll tell Brenda and everything will be ruined!"

"Good point. Well...it's almost showtime. Did you tell Miguel? Is he in?"

"Yeah. He said he can't wait to see how she's gonna react to this!" Ned laughed.

"Me either"

"I know, buddy. Just hang in there....Hey, what time are you picking Bren up?"

"Seven....oh no!!! I'm gonna be late!! Ned, I gotta go. I'll see you tonight! Bye!"

"Bye Jax...good luck!"

"Thanks" he said, hanging up. He tried tying his bowtie one last time, then gave up. "Maybe Brenda can help me....." he thought, immediately getting excited by the image of he and Brenda that close. Grabbing his keys, he rushed out the door, wondering what the night had in store for them.

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(BRENDA'S APARTMENT 7:00 P.M.)

KNOCK....KNOCK....

"Who is it?"

"Jax"

"Hey! Come in, it's open...." Brenda yelled from the bedroom.

"Thanks" he said, walking into the apartment.

"Go ahead and have a seat," she yelled. "I'm sorry, but I'm not quite ready yet."

"No problem. Go ahead and take your time."

"Don't worry, I'll be ready in a few minutes. You won't have to wait too long!" she laughed.

"I'd wait forever for you," he muttered.

"I'm sorry...what did you say?"

"I said, 'Wow! What a great view!" he answered, walking towards the window.

"It is nice, huh?"

"Definitely. I bet you can see a beautiful sunrise from here."

"It's indescribeable. Sometimes I wake up early just to watch the sun rise over the water....and then I go right back to bed" she laughed.

"I take it you're not a morning person?"

"Hardly....more of a night owl"

"Ahhh....more details aboutt he life of the beautiful Brenda Barrett" he smiled.

"What about you? Are you a morning person?" Brenda asked, putting the finishing touches on her ensemble.

"Absolutely. I get up early every morning to work out....and to clear my head."

"Ahhh...more details about the life of the gorgeous Jasper Jacks," she smiled, walking into the living room.

"Uh.....um.....WOW!!!" he said, his jaw dropping to the ground.

Brenda stood before him looking like a goddess. She wore a long, white strapless crocheted gown that gently accentuated her gracious curves, yet added a touch of mystery. The garment made her look like an enchanting seductress ad an innocent angel at the same time, which was definitely an appealing quality to Jax. Her hair was styled in long, loose curls, which only added to the innocent look of the dress. Around her graceful neck, which Jax longed to plant with kisses, hung a beautiful diamond necklace. All in all, she was definitely the most stunning creature Jax had ever laid eyes on.

"I take it you're pleased" she laughed. Now it was Brenda's turn to go speechless. Jax looked dashing in his black tuxedo. Not one strand of beautiful blond hair was out of place, his hypnotic crystal-blue eyes shone with pride, and his heartwarming smile made him look all the more handsome. The only thing that puzzled Brenda was his tie. Why hadn't he bothered to fix it?

"Jax....." she said, finally getting her voice back. "Your tie...."

"Oh!" he answered, realizing he had been staring. "Um....I couldn't tie it" he replied sheepishly.

"May I?" she asked.

"Would you?"

She moved close to him, trying to concentrate on fixing up his bowtie and not the fact that her pulse was racing. Had she been paying any attention at all, she would have realized that his heart was beating out of control.

Jax had to enlist every bit of willpower he had not to take her in his arms and make love to her all night long. Although it seemed to be working at the time, the moment Jax and Brenda locked eyes he pulled her into a searing, passionate kiss.

Brenda was about to rip his shirt off and pull him into the bedroom when she remembered the plan.

"Jax....." she said, pulling out of the steamy lip-lock. "We're going to be late....and we're performing."

"Oh...yeah. You're right....we better go." he answered,

"Hold on" she replied, fixing his bowtie again. "Okay...all set" she whispered, looking at him longingly.

"Milady" he smiled, offering his arm.

"Why, thank you sir" she laughed.

Arm-in-arm they left the apartment, each hoping that their own plan would succeed in capturing the other's heart.

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As Jax and Brenda walked into the ballroom of the Port Charles Hotel, every head turned to look at the breathtaking couple.

"What's going on?" Brenda asked Jax, looking behind them to see what everyone was staring at. "They must be staring at you....but then again, who could blame them?" she laughed.

"I beg to differ, but everyone is staring at you!" he laughed. "Look at them! Every man in this room is practically drooling over you, and the women are all green with envy."

"They're envious because I'm on your arm and not them" she smiled.

"Well, we'll just have to agree to disagree, now won't we?"

"Jax! Brenda!" Lois called, rushing over to the lovely couple.

"Lois!" she answered, giving her best friend a hug. "You look gorgeous! That dress looks even better on you now than it did in the store!" Brenda laughed.

"Thanks" she smiled, straightening her gown. Lois wore a long, figure-forming, spaghetti strap dress. It was a dark navy blue at the top, and gently went through different shades of blue as the dress got longer; at the bottom the color was a very light baby blue. Her wrap was the same color as the dress, gently changing through different shades of blue. Lois' hair was swept up in an elegant French twist with some strands left out that gently framed her face, highlighting her cheekbones.

"You look spectacular, Bren!" she said with a sly smiled. As Ned pulled Jax aside to talk about something, Lois whispered to Brenda. "So....what did he say?!"

"Not much....he was speechless!!!" she said, doing her now-famous Brenda dance.

"Great! It's working!!! Now, we're the second act, so as soon as the first act's done we need to go change into the costumes. Do you remember the moves?"

"Yeah....but we should go over them again right before we go on."

"Right. Shhhh...they're coming!"

"Good....so everything's ready?" Jax asked.

"All set...." Ned answered.

"Perfect"

"Is what ready?" Brenda asked.

"Oh, it's just a guy thing. Shouldn't we be at our table? It's about to start."

"You're right" she smiled, taking his arm as he led her to the table.

Robin and her boyfriend, Jason Morgan, were already seated at the table. She wore a long, sleeveless figure-flattering gown. The front had a low V-neck style, which made her look much older, and the dark royal purple color brought out the flecks of green in her dark brown eyes. Robin's hair was pulled up in curls, with tendrils adorning her face.

"Jax, Brenda...you guys look fabulous!!" she grinned.

"You too!" Brenda smiled.

"Brenda, you know Jason. Jason, this is Jasper Jacks. Jax, this is my boyfriend, Jason Morgan."

"It's nice to meet you Jason"

"Same here Jax"

"It's nice to see you again, Jason."

"Brenda"

Jax helped Brenda get seated, the took a seat for himself. As they talked with Robin and Jason, other guests entered the ballroom.

"Jason, Sonny's here!" Robin grinned. "Excuse us"

Brenda watched with curiosity as Robin and Jason talked with a short man with dark black hair.

"Who's that?" Jax asked.

"I don't know. I guess it's Sonny."

"Do you know him?"

"No....but I've heard Robin talk about him a lot. He and Jason must be good friends or something."

"Probably...look, there's Miguel!"

"Wow! Who's that girl with him?" she wondered aloud.

"I don't know, but here they come"

"Jax, Brenda...you guys look great!" he grinned.

"Thanks! You too!"

"I'd like you to meet my friend Lily Rivera. Lily, this is Jasper Jacks, and Brenda Barrett."

"It's nice to meet you both," she smiled.

"Nice to meet you too!"

As everyone got settled, Brenda noticed A.J. and his date walking into the room.

"Brenda...you look stunning!!!" he said.

"Thanks. You look very handsome. A.J., I'd like you to meet Jax. Jax, this is my friend A.J. Quartermaine."

"Nice to meet you" Jax smiled.

"Same here. I'd like you both to meet Alexandria Parker. Alex, this is Jax and Brenda."

"Pleasure to meet you"

"Nice to met you too" they answered.

"Geez....how many people do you know, Brenda?!" he laughed as they got seated.

"I didn't think this many!" she smiled. "Oh, it's starting!!" she whispered, doing her Brenda dance.

Lucy Coe walked onstage as the lights dimmed. She wore a long, tight-fitting emerald colored dress; her hair was up in a sleek ponytail.

"Hello, Hello!" she laughed in a singsong voice. "Welcome to the 1998 Nurses Ball!"

Everyone clapped in appreciation.

"Thank you. Ladies and gentlemen, have we got a show for you! But. before we begin, I have a few announcements to make. First, you will all notice the little boxes at each table setting. Inside the boxes you'll find the "Until We Find A Cure" bracelets. Each bracelet has a little AIDS ribbon engraved on the side, and we hope you'll buy some for friends or family. Proceeds from each bracelet purchased for to AIDS research."

Everyone immediately applauded.

"So, please buy a bracelet. Also, we have a silent auction going on in the other room. Whenever we have a break between acts we'd like you to take a look and make some bids if you see something you like. Proceeds go to AIDS charities, so it's for a very good cause. Now, onto he show! Our first performer is a very handsome young man, and boy is he talented!! Lois, Brenda, you ladies might want to pay particular attention. You might want to sign this cutie before the night's over."

Everyone started laughing, and Lois and Brenda smiled and winked at Lucy.

"Alright folks....without further ado, Mr. Lucky Spencer!"

The curtains opened as the audience applauded loudly. Lucky sat on a stool in the middle of the stage, guitar in hand. He looked extremely handsome and mature in his black tuxedo. As the applause died down, he slowly started strumming a soft ballad on his guitar. 'This is for you, Elizabeth" he whispered into the microphone.

When can my heart beat again

When does the pain ever end

When do the tears stop from running over

When does you'll get over it begin

I hear what your sayin'

But I swear that it's not making sense

So when can I see you

The audience swayed to the music. Jax stared at Brenda, and softly took her hand in his, unconsciously rubbing it. Brenda smiled at his touch, looking over at him and giving him a sly wink. Then, Lois jabbed her with her elbow, trying to get Brenda to pay attention to the amazing musical talent onstage. Brenda quickly tried to concentrate on Lucky's performance, and not the way Jax was practically undressing her with her eyes.

When can I see you again

When can my heart beat again

When can I see you again

And when can I breathe once again

And when can I see you

When does my someday begin

When I'll find someone again

And what if I still am not truly over

What am I supposed to do then

Please hear what I'm sayin'

Even if, if it's not making sense

So when can I see you

Please hear what I'm sayin'

Even if, if it's not making sense

So when can I see you

He softly ended the song to thunderous applause. A girl went onstage from the wings and gave Lucky a big hug, a little too shy to kiss him in front of so many people. She wore a long red dress, and her hair was pulled up, exposing the criss-cross back of the dress. Roses decorated her hair, making her look very innocent and sweet.

"That must be Elizabeth" Jax whispered.

"Must be" Brenda smiled. "They look so cute together!"

"Wasn't he wonderful, folks? Let's give him another round of applause. Sorry girls, it looks like he's taken, but don't worry. we have plenty more acts with some very eligible bachelors. We're going to take a little break now, and when we get back we'll have a special treat in store. See you in a few!" Lucy smiled, making her way off-stage.

"This is it, Bren! We need to go change into our costumes now!!" Lois said, bubbling with excitement.

"Okay, I'll be there in a minute" she laughed.

"Don't worry!! You'll be wonderful!" Jax whispered into Brenda's ear.

"What makes you think I'm worried?" she asked, trying to play it cool.

"You're shaking....and you keep twirling the same strand of hair around your finger." he laughed.

"Okay...okay, I'm worried." she smiled. "But don't I have a right to be?"

"Of course. In the words of my father, 'If you're not nervous at the starting gate, then you're not a true thoroughbred." he smirked.

"Ahhh.....more quotes from the Jax's Guide to Life, huh?"

"You bet...I'll have to quote you more another time, but if you don't go get ready now, Lois is gonna kill me!" he laughed.

"She probably will....wish me luck!"

"Break a leg...." he whispered, giving her a soft kiss on the lips.

"With my luck I probably will!" she laughed.

As Brenda made her way backstage, Jax watched her in awe. "Hey Ned, did Lois tell you what they were doing?"

"Nope. She told me it was a surprise."

"How about you, Jason?"

"Robin wouldn't even give me a hint" he said, shaking his head.

"Knowing the girls, I'd say we're definitely in for a surprise!" Jax smiled as Ned and Jason laughed in agreement.

TBC....

Song Credits: "When Can I See You Again" written by Babyface