by Leslie
The first thing Kendall saw was V standing right in front of the elevator.
She wasn't even out yet before V began rambling, "Oh - I'm so glad Jax caught
up with you. I'm sorry I came across so rude earlier. It's just that we've
just started moving into the new office, oh, yeah, but you already know that
because it was supposed to be your new home, and . . ."
"I think the lady has had enough for today," Jax suggested to V.
V stopped talking, nodding in understanding and walked back towards the
office.
"Is she always like that?" asked Kendall.
"Most of the time. But you'll learn to overlook it," Jax said.
Kendall rolled her eyes. The thought of having to stay in the company of
"The Mighty Power Raider" and his secretary was almost more than she could
take. She disregarded that thought, deciding to use that as motivation to
find a new home - FAST!
As Jax opened the door to the penthouse next to his, he began to explain,
"I keep this furnished for my business associates. Some deals take longer
to work out than others, and let's just say that having them next door isn't
a bad way to keep an eye on them."
That comment was lost on Kendall as she admired her new surroundings. The
penthouse was more than tastefully decorated. She was accustomed to nice
things, but she was not accustomed to the comfortable, inviting nature of
this room. It was quite a pleasant surprise. The first thing she noticed
was the plush, pillow-covered sofa that looked as if it was just inviting
you to take a nap. Then her eyes were drawn up above the mantle to the most
beautiful, yet haunting, picture she had ever seen. It was a woman with dark
hair, spiral curls cascading around her face, half hiding it. Her cheek was
resting gently against the head of a sleeping newborn baby laying on her
shoulder.
"Do you like it?" Jax's sudden words surprised her. She just nodded, then
finally turned to look at him. "What's a businessman like yourself doing
with such a touch-feely picture like this hanging in his guest quarters?"
"That's my mother, Lady Jane," his voice was so full of tenderness. "It's
a painting I had done from an old photograph, and, you're right, it doesn't
really suit my tastes, so I just hung it over here. It captures my mother's
softer side," he laughed, "and that's rare! Anyway, let me show you around
and then you can settle in."
Jax proceeded to give Kendall the "grand tour". The last stop was the door
that led to his own penthouse. "This door will remain closed and locked,"
he said. "You have a key and I have a key, but, if you'd like, I'll hand
my key over to you if it would make you feel more comfortable."
"Yes, that would be good," Kendall said. You never can tell, she
thought.
"Ok, here you are," Jax said as he placed the key in her hand. "Anything
else?"
"Just some milk for Jensen," she said.
"Jensen. What a beautiful name," Jax said as he very gently cupped her soft,
tiny head his large hand. "I've never heard it before. How old is she?"
Kendall tilted her head and smiled. "She's one year old." She watched Jax
as he bent over and spoke ever so softly to her little girl, "Well, Jensen,
I hope you'll feel right at home here. You're a beautiful young lady. Now,"
he said as he deepened his voice again and stood upright, "how about that
milk? I've got some next door. Tomorrow we'll send V out to get anything
else you need, ok?"
"V? Now, that's one I haven't heard before," said Kendall, wrinkling her
brow.
Jax laughed a hearty laugh without even replying, but he'd never been so
tempted to reveal V's true name since he'd found out! With that, he said
"G'night," and closed the door behind him.
*************