To Depths Unknown 10 to 11

by Leslie

"To Depths Unknown"

Chapter 10

Kendall just stood there. She certainly didn't know what to think, let alone what to say.

But before she could formulate her words, Jax surmised what she must be thinking, "Oh . . . hold on here . . . you thought I meant . . . " Jax uncharacteristically fumbled with his words. He held up a little black case, and innocently said, "I just meant, do you want to watch a movie?"

Kendall let out a long breath and just shook her head at him. There was the faintest glimmer of a smile across her lips. Jax wondered if she felt the same excitement stir within her as he had at the mere thought of the two of them together intimately.

"I got out the sofa bed because I'm a little sore and wanted to stretch out. I thought since we're both awake . . . ?" Jax's words trailed off as he waited for an answer.

Kendall, still a little flustered, simply replied, "Sure."

"I hope you like old movies. That's all I keep around. You pick one out and I'll go pop some popcorn. Be right back."

Her heart was still pounding. What's the matter with me? I see a bed and jump to the conclusion that . . . she wouldn't even allow herself to finish the thought. Jax isn't that kind of man, at least, he doesn't seem to be. But how would I know? I barely know him!

She sorted through one whole shelf of movies before she even came across one she had hear of. "An Affair To Remember". Oh, yeah, this is the one they kept talking about in "Sleepless in Seattle".

Kendall could smell the popcorn even before Jax returned from his penthouse. She was soooo tired, but the thought of relaxing, watching an old movie and nibbling on popcorn did appeal to her. Besides, Jax had asked her, and it had been too long since a man had invited her to do anything. She wasn't about to turn down the chance to spend some time with him.

"So, what did you pick?"

"This one," she said, handing him the movie.

"Ahhhh, "An Affair To Remember". Excellent choice. Cary Grant is my all-time favorite actor. He's so suave and in control. And, he has exquisite taste - always dressed to the nines. So, you like the mushy stuff, eh?"

"Yeah. Besides, I've never seen this before."

"You've never seen it before?? Are you kidding? Where have you been? Here," he said handing her the bowl of popcorn, "you're going to love it!"

Jax got the movie started and joined her on the couch. They put the bowl of popcorn between them. It was just like being at the movies, only a lot more comfortable.

Too comfortable!! Within minutes, Kendall had fallen asleep.

Jax reached over and pulled up a blanket to cover her. He was disappointed that she wouldn't see the movie. He was disappointed that he couldn't talk to her, maybe even find out the answers to some of the questions that had been plaguing him.

He wanted so much to get to know her better. He wanted so much to stay close to her right now. So, he decided to stay, and watch the rest of the movie - alone -- but not really!

He divided his attention between the movie and Kendall. He couldn't concentrate. Kendall's deep, restful breaths were a pleasant distraction. He even got so bold as to gently stroke her soft brown hair.

She didn't rouse. He didn't move. He layed his head down on a pillow beside her, and, within minutes, was asleep himself.

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"To Depths Unknown"

Chapter 11

The sound of the TV hissing woke Kendall up. She looked around, a little dazed. What time is it? she wondered.

Jax looked adorable. His bare chest rose and fell in an even, slowed tempo. The look on his face indicated he was dreaming of something rather pleasant.

She noticed the red spots beginning to take over! Won't be long before he's covered!

That sound is grating on my nerves! Where is the remote? She began to look for it, and after a moment, she found it, half hidden under Jax. He had rolled over on it as he slept.

She tried to ever so gently ease it out from under him. The end of the remote was right under the side of his stomach. The tips of her fingers brushed against his skin and his abdominal muscles almost reflexively tightened. Jax was awake!

"Decided to start without me, did you?"

"What?" Kendall was blushing fervently, as if having been caught with her hand in the cookie jar, so to speak.

"The movie. Are you going to watch it now, or does 'Sleeping Beauty' require a full eight hours?" Jax said sleepily.

She laughed. "I'm anything but a beauty when I sleep!"

"I beg to differ," Jax stated matter of factly, while looking intently at her, as if he could almost see through her.

Kendall's heart began to beat so hard that she was afraid he could see her robe move! Forget the remote! She got up and turned off the TV. "That noise was driving me crazy!"

Kendall was the "Queen of Distraction Techniques". Any time she felt she couldn't handle a situation, she always managed, quite successfully, to deploy an effective tactic or two, until the situation no longer existed. Distraction Technique #1 - Deployed!

"You need your rest Jax. Take a look at yourself! Those splotches you see will have you completely covered by tomorrow, and then, every one of them will start to blister."

"Completely covered, you say?" he said, somewhat skeptical. "From head to toe?" he grinned playfully at her.

Distraction Attempt #2 - Deployed, but unsuccessful!

"From head to toe. Then they'll all scab over!" Kendall said convincingly.

"Scabs, you say?" He got up off the couch and began walking slowly towards her. "Is there a remedy? Because that sounds pretty bad."

Distraction Attempt #3 - Deployed but unsuccessful. Call for backup! Call for backup!

"Jax, I'm serious. Chicken pox is rough on adults. You're in for more than you think you are!" Her discomfort level was reaching new heights as he stood directly in front of her and asked, "Do I look like I feel bad?"

Distraction Attempt #4 - Crashed and burned! Abort mission! Abort mission!

She surveyed his broad chest, then looked back up into those quizzical, ocean blue eyes. He put his hands on her shoulders.

Houston - WE HAVE A PROBLEM!

"I feel fine Kendall. Really. I'd honestly rather stay up and spend some time with you."

This cat and mouse game was getting to Kendall. "I'd like that too," she admitted.

For a moment, they just looked at each other, each realizing that they'd taken a step, albeit a baby step, towards something they weren't sure they were ready for.

Each of them had ghosts that haunted them. Each of them possessed hearts that hadn't healed. Each of them wanted more for themselves than what they had. Each of them saw something in the other that gave them the courage to take a chance.

Jax broke the silence, "So, do you want to pop some more popcorn and try this movie thing again?"

"Popcorn at 3:30 in the morning?!?" Kendall laughed. "I don't think so! How about some coffee to help me stay awake?"

"Sounds good to me."

They made coffee and heated up some croissants left over from breakfast and returned to the living room.

Their talk covered everything from travels to tastes in music, from childhood memories to hopes and dreams for the future, and everything in between.

The conversation turned to Jensen - what a content and sweet baby she'd been, some of her most recent milestones - and her latest step towards independence - learning to walk, which she hadn't quite mastered yet.

Jax was so moved at how lovingly Kendall spoke of Jensen, how her whole demeanor softened when she shared about her daughter.

Jax took this opportunity to ask her about something that troubled him, "What about Jensen's father?"

"What about him?" Kendall grew tense at the mention of him.

"Is he still in the picture?"

"Hmpff! He wasn't even 'in the picture' when we were married!"

"So, you're divorced?" Jax was relieved to hear that. It was a line he'd vowed to never cross -- being involved with a married woman.

"Yes. In fact, it was just finalized last week." Kendall looked at Jax to see if that seemed to make any difference to him. It didn't. She only saw concern.

"Is that what brought you to Port Charles?"

"Kind of. I just needed to get away -- far away!" She didn't elaborate any further, and he didn't want to push her into telling something she wasn't ready to share.

"What about Jensen? Doesn't he want to see her?"

"No. He didn't want children. In his opinion my pregnancy -- Jensen -- was an 'easily correctable mistake'". The words pained her. She started to cry. "I thought once I had the baby that he would change his mind. He didn't," she said as she looked down at her hands, which were fidgeting nervously.

Jax instinctively reached his hand over to hold hers, and with the other hand, gently cradled her cheek in his palm. He lifted her head up and then guided it to his shoulder, where Kendall released a dam of tears that she had been holding back for longer than she could bear.

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