"To Depths Unknown"-9

by Leslie

After barely touching his dinner, Jax headed off for bed.

Kendall got Jensen and herself ready for bed too. She had covered Jensen with a good coating of the clear calamine lotion, thinking that would do the trick for tonight.

Jensen was very squirmy and didn't like being touched. Her fever had gone down to almost normal, so it was obvious that the blisters and scabs were really beginning to bother her.

Kendall gave Jensen her usual cup of milk and read her favorite stories to her. But Jensen didn't seem to be settling down.

Kendall put on some soft music and laid on the couch with her. Jensen didn't seem to like that at all! So she decided to walk around the room with her.

Jensen's cries continued to elevate. She was starting to scratch. This isn't good, thought Kendall. What else can I do? The oatmeal bath!! The doctor said this would help the itching!

Finally, something worked! The oatmeal bath was a success!! It seemed to soothe the discomfort and at the same time, entertain Jensen. She must have thought she was in a soggy sandbox! She filled cups and dumped them back out, as if trying to build a sand castle that wouldn't stand. She threw oatmeal goo all over the tub - and managed to get a generous portion in Kendall's hair. She was squealing with delight at the mess she'd been allowed to make.

Kendall kept shushing her, so as not to wake up Jax. She rinsed her off quickly, and patted her dry with a towel.

The whole experience had exhausted them both. Kendall reapplied the calamine lotion, got her pj's back on her and carried her to the couch.

The soft music was still playing. Kendall almost collapsed into the plush sofa. Jensen was already asleep, but Kendall just wanted to hold her for a few more minutes. It had been a rough week! They had been through so much lately.

She closed her eyes as she listed to Celine Dion belt out a ballad . . .

Every step I take for you

I will always defend, never pretend

That every breath I take for love

I could never be wrong, the journey is long

With miles to go before I sleep, miles to go before I sleep...

I would carry the rock of Gibraltar just for you

Lifted like a pebble from the beach to the skies

I could build you a bridge that spans the ocean wide

But the greatest gift I give you would be to stand by your side

Some can criticize and sit in judgment of us

But they can't take away the love that lives inside us always

Every step I take for you

I will always defend, never pretend

That every breath I take for love

I could never be wrong, the journey is long

With miles to go before I sleep, miles to go before I sleep...

The power of suggestion was too strong! Kendall fell into a very restful sleep.

She awoke to the sensation of a tender hand brushing the hair from her face.

"Jensen, go back to sleep, sweetie, Mommy's so tired."

"It's not Jensen," Jax's voice was barely above a whisper. "She's in bed. You should be too."

Kendall opened her eyes to find Jax leaning over her. He was just inches away from her face. He had on blue silk boxers and no shirt. Not a bad way to wake up! she thought.

"What are you doing out of bed?" she asked. "How are you feeling?"

"Actually, I feel fine. I was just thirsty. When I came downstairs I heard the music playing. Thought maybe you were having a party and forgot to invite me."

There's that dimpled smile again. She felt so at ease with him, somehow like she knew him more than a few days would allow. She felt a draw to him that she could not explain.

"Hmmmm, yes, a party! Soft music, dim light and -- bring your own calamine!" They both laughed, until Kendall realized how under-dressed she was.

She had on a white cotton babydoll nightie. Very simple, but somewhat revealing. She hastily pulled a blanket up over her. "I'm not exactly dressed for a party, am I?" she said with an embarrassed giggle.

"Depends on what kind of party it is." Jax looked delicious, even with chicken pox! Kendall began to nervously play with her hair, and realized it was caked with oatmeal!

"Oh, nice! When were you going to tell me I looked liked breakfast gone awry?!?"

Jax very sternly said, "I thought that was appropriate revenge for your eaves dropping on Jensen and I." He couldn't contain himself any longer, and began to laugh. "You know what they say - 'paybacks are hell!'"

"Aren't they though!" returned Kendall with that same fire in her eyes as the first time they'd met. Jax knew he was in for it, but he didn't mind. In fact, he looked forward to it!

Kendall changed the subject. "You still thirsty?"

"You pouring?"

"Nope. You are! Juice is in the frig. Get me some too while I find my robe."

"Party pooper," he teased. She let that comment go by without a response. She could admit, but only to herself, that she didn't mind catching Jax sneak a glimpse at her. She certainly was doing a little sneaking of her own!

Jax poured the juice. He couldn't stop thinking about the way Kendall had looked when he entered the room. Jensen on her chest. Their heads leaning against one another. Such tenderness. The kind of tenderness that had been captured in his own mother's portrait. That was what had drawn him to that particular photograph. The love between a mother and her child is so all-encompassing, so unconditional, so beautiful.

He took the juice into the living room and his thoughts again wandered back to Kendall. He had watched her sleep for a few minutes before he woke her up. She was so peaceful that he almost didn't. There was no denying her beauty. He let his eyes rove over her as she slept. They came to rest on her face. Her lips were parted just slightly, as if almost inviting him to kiss them. Her skin was so soft, he could not resist touching it. It was then that she had begun to stir.

He was feeling an unfamiliar feeling. It had been more than a year since Brenda had left him. That pain was so cutting that he wondered if he would ever be able to feel anything towards a woman without it being intermingled with distrust. He wondered so many things. What brought you here, Kendall? Why is someone like you alone? Where is Jensen's father? He decided that those things didn't matter. He was enjoying his time with her and he wasn't going to over-analyze it.

I'm not ready for this night to end, he thought.

Kendall returned, robed and refreshed, to find Jax pulling out the sofa bed.

"What in the world are you doing?" Kendall said in bewilderment.

"I thought since we're both up, we may as well make the best of it. You game?"

The look on Kendall's face was priceless.

**********************