"To Depths Unknown"-12A&B

by Leslie

"To Depths Unknown"

Chapter 12, Part A

Kendall's entire body shook as the emotions she had tried to ignore broke through the barriers and made their pressence known.

Jax continued to hold her and rythmically move his hand up and down her back. "Kendall, it's impossible for me to imagine what you're feeling, but I know you're going to get through it."

At this, she left his shoulder to look him in the eyes. "You're right, Jax. I am. For Jensen. I have to."

She longed to collapse again in his arms and relinquish this oppressive weight that had grown so heavy on her heart. But, she didn't want to overburden Jax either. So, she mustered her strength, attempted to dry her tears, and said to Jax, "I must look like a sniveling mess!"

"You look like a woman who's been dealing with more than she should be asked to." Jax hated to see a woman cry. He always felt as if there were more he should be doing to stop it. But in this case, he knew he had done all he could -- hold her and listen.

Kendall was appreciative of his attention, thanked him, and said it was getting to be morning and they really both needed to be gettting to bed.

Jax agreed and started towards his penthouse, calling out to Kendall, "G'night."

"Goodnight, Jax," she replied tenderly, "and thanks for being such good company."

"It was my pleasure." Jax meant that. It had been a pleasure. He had truly gained a little insight into Kendall Madisson, and he liked what he saw. Not only was she fun-loving and had a great sense of humor, she was mature, independent and had a heart that gave more than it received.

As Jax climbed the steps to his bedroom, he did so with difficulty. His lower back ached and his legs were feeling as if they had weights tied to them. This is what I get for staying up all night!

His bed felt unusually hard and his pillows seemed uncharacteristically lumpy. He couldn't get situated. He couldn't relax. He tried the old trick of concentrating on a white sheet of paper. Didn't work. He laughed out loud at himself when the thought of counting sheep entered his mind. I must be desperate! he thought.

.............

Hours later, a sharp and sudden pain in his lower back woke Jax from his long awaited sleep. His body involuntarily jerked as if to derail the intense pain coming down his spine.

Within minutes, the pain was gone, as quickly as it had come. Jax was left lying in bed in a feversih sweat. He thought it might be a good idea to take something, so he got up, went into the bathroom and flipped on the light to find the Tylenol. He got a glass and filled it with water, then popped two Tylenol in his mouth, took a big gulp of water and threw his head back.

He hurt all over. He placed his hands on the edge of the countertop and pushed down hard, stretching his back, his muscular arms bearing most of his body's weight. That provided some relief, so he repeated it several times, closing his eyes and stretching, then relaxing.

As he looked up, the reflection of his body in the mirror came as quite a shock. "What the . . . " Jax's eyes couldn't believe what they saw. Jax's little red splotches had blistered, quickly and rampantly. Jax picked up the bottle of Tylenol and angrily threw it across the room. He couldn't believe that a child's disease could get the better of him. "A grown man with chicken pox!" he said out loud, as if making fun of himself.

He felt like hell, so he decided to get another drink of water and then go back to bed. Maybe he'd feel better in the morning.

..................

The phone's incessant ringing woke Jax up sooner than he would've wished.

It was V, who needed to drop some papers off to be signed. She could tell she'd woken him up. "Jax, it's 11:00! What are you still doing in bed?"

"11:00??" Jax sat up with a start, and instantly regretted it. He let out a loud moan.

V panicked, "Are you OK? Do you need a doctor?"

"I've already seen the doctor. There's nothing else to do but tough this out." Jax grunted, and then said, "I feel miserable. Just give the papers to Kendall and I'll sign them, but cancel everything for the next two weeks. Can you handle things?"

"Of course, Jax. Anything else?" V enthusiastically asked.

"Yes, one more thing. If you breathe so much as a word to anyone about my having the chicken pox, I'll personally see to it that you're exposed to the same fate. Do I make myself clear?"

"Clear as a bell! Not even Brenda?"

"Especially not Brenda!! V, I mean it -- not a soul!!!"

"You got it, boss! My lips are sealed. Is there anything else you need?"

"Just some sleep. Get me those papers, ok? I'm sure Kendall's up by now."

"Sir, most everyone in the free world is up by now."

"Enough, V -- the papers, ok?"

"Ok."

....................

Kendall answered the door and found V, bearing a manilla envelope.

"Jax needs to sign these. I just talked to him. He's still in bed." V grinned as if she had just "told" on him.

Kendall laughed. "I'm not surprised! We were up talking until 5:00 this morning."

The grin left V's face. She read Kendall's expression and derived that there was more going on between them than host and guest. She was less than happy.

"Oh." V's discomfort showed despite her efforts to mask it. "Well -- here," she said, handing the envelope to Kendall. "Jax just needs to sign these. You can lay them outside your door here and I'll pick them right back up, ok?"

"Ok. Anything else I need to tell him?"

"No, I don't think so. Just take care of him. He sounded awful on the phone."

Kendall sensed that there was more meaning to V's words than she intended to show, so she simply said, "I will. Bye V."

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"To Depths Unknown"

Chapter 12, Part B

Kendall picked up Jensen and the envelope and headed into Jax's penthouse. This was the first time she'd even stepped foot in there. She felt as if she were sneaking around somewhere she shouldn't be.

Now, this looks like a corporate bachelor's place! she thought, her eyes scanning the room. Except for that!! she thought as a huge pinball machine caught her eye. Kendall laughed out loud and said to Jensen, "He's full of surprises, isn't he?"

Jensen just grinned. She was feeling much better. Her blisters had all scabbed over, and they were just battling the itching now. The oatmeal baths and calamine were doing the job.

Kendall reached the foot of the stairs and called out, "Jax?"

"Up here," he answered. "Come on up."

Jax walked out of his bedroom and met them at the top of the stairs. "G' morning," he said.

"More like afternoon! It's almost lunchtime! V said that you were still in bed, which didn't surprise me, but she said you sounded awful. What are you doing up?" Kendall was little confused. Jax seemed fine. He was even dressed.

The thought of Kendall seeing him covered in unsightly blemishes bothered Jax, so he had thrown on a pair of loose fitting beige linen pants and a white long sleeve shirt, which he'd left untucked. Kendall was impressed. But she knew something wasn't right. Jax seemed very fidgety, unable to stand still, and he would never look directly at her for more than a second or two.

"I'm fine. Quit worrying," Jax told her. "Now, where are those papers?" The anxious tone in his voice and the fact that he never even spoke to Jensen gave him away.

"Jax -- you are not fine! Be still," she said as she stepped up the last step to approach him for a closer look. She gazed closely at his face and neck, then carefully pulled back the collar of his shirt. Jax was disappointed that his cover was blown, but he didn't protest. He knew eventually she'd have to know.

"Oh my gosh -- Jax! That looks horrible! Are they everywhere?"

"Not quite everywhere! But just about."

Kendall sighed frustratedly at him, "Do you ever quit?"

"I'll quit when I'm dead, which may be sooner than I think, the way I'm feeling," Jax declared. "Now, about these chicken pox, how do I fix them?"

"Fix them?!? You don't fix the chicken pox! You deal with them! You're obviously uncomfortable. You need to get out of those clothes. You don't want anything rubbing against those blisters."

"So, you're ordering me to strip down to my skivvies? Why . . . Kendall," he feigned shyness, then, suddenly, he let out a loud cry and bent over in pain.

"Jax, what is it? Are you ok? Can you get to the bed?" Kendall placed a hand gently on his arm and helped lead him back to his bed, still bent over.

"This happened earlier. Just get me some Tylenol and some water please, and I'll be alright."

Kendall sat Jensen down in the floor and got what Jax needed. She had found the bottle of Tylenol on the floor. She returned and watched him as he took the medicine. It was obvious he was in great discomfort.

"Listen, you need some help, and you need to stop trying to be some kind of super-human. You've got the chicken pox Jax, full force, and you need to rest and take this seriously!"

Jax felt defeated physically. His whole body was consumed with a dull ache and parts of his skin had a searing sensation. Reluctantly, Jax conceded. He knew he needed care, and he knew Kendall could give it to him, but for her to see him like this, was, well -- hard for him to take. He swallowed his pride and asked humbly, "Are you volunteering your services?"

"Hmmm, now that sounds familiar!" Kendall smiled at him and they both shared a laugh. "I figure I owe you that much."

"You don't owe me anything! But, if you're willing . . . ."

"Willing and able!" Kendall interrupted. "Jensen is feeling much better. She seems to be on the backside of them, while you, on the other hand . . . well, you know."

"All too well!" The phone rang. Jax said, "That's V. Sometimes her persistance is an asset, and other times, it's a nuisance! Hand me those papers and tell her they're on their way."

Kendall answered the phone, "Hello?"

There was silence at the other end.

Kendall repeated, "Hello? Is anyone there?"

"I'm sorry. I must've dialed the wrong number or something," a female voice spoke confusedly. "I was trying to reach Jasper Jacks."

"You've got the right number. I'm sorry! I should've said that when I answered. Just a minute." Kendall put her hand over the receiver, "It's for you, but it's not V."

Jax took the phone, "Jax here." He paused to listen, and Kendall watched his countenance completely change as he flatly said, "Hi, Brenda."

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