by Susan C.
Chap 10
Hi everyone. I apologize ahead of time for this chapter since it's not that good. Iprmoise
a better one next time.
Susan
When John came to he rubbed the back of his head. What the hell had... Jax? Brenda? The air around him was alive with electricity and John panicked. Oh come on give the kids a break, give Brenda a break. The air smelled faintly of smoke and singed hair and he felt sick. Scrambling to his feet he rushed over to where Brenda and Jax had been embracing.
"Jax...Jax. "
His son was sprawled on the ground arms one arm outstretched the other still wrapped around Brenda. Neither of them were moving. Think John think. The rain came down all around him and fear coursed through him. No... lightning, the white light that had flashed around them.
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Across town Jane Jacks flew up in her bed. John had left hours before was he home? No, that wasn't what had awakened her. She flicked on the lamp by the bed and glanced at the clock. 6 am, and he wasn't home. Something was different, she felt empty somehow. Getting her robe from the foot of her bed where she had draped it Jane walked into the kitchen. She reached the tea kettle that she felt it, the emptiness. One of her boys... no, the raw feeling was growing and Jane blindly reached for a phone. Not one of her boys.
Fumbling around for the phone Jane grabbed it and called John's cell phone. There was no answer. Panic started rising to the surface. What if they were all together? What if she had lost them all? She quickly dialed Jax's number and got another message.
"Damn. "
After trying Jerry's number she nearly wept with relief when he answered.
"Dad? "
"No son, it's your mother. "
"Mum..."
Jane sat in a chair and braced herself for the news.
"Where's your father dear? "
Jerry could hear the edge in his mother's voice and wondered if she was feeling what he was feeling. An intense emptiness.
"With Jax mum. "
"Where are they? "
"It's a long story mum, why don't you come over here? "
"That's a fine idea son, and then you can tell me what the hell is going on. "
Jane jotted down the address and rushed out into the storm. Whatever was happening was major and she hated the helpless feeling that was consuming her.
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"Jax? Jax son come on move, open your eyes. "
John shook Jax in desperation. He had a pulse, thank god, but it was weak. Brenda had stirred briefly and then had curled herself around Jax. John hadn't had the heart to move either of them. Hell, with all of his WSB training he was lost. Just touching both of them had his hands tingling and he was just relieved that they were still alive.
"Jax..."
Brenda's body spasmed and John panicked. He just didn't know what to do. Fumbling in his pockets he grabbed his cell phone and dialed 911. Jax was still not moving and his lips were tinted blue. John struggled to keep calm.
"911 this is Cherie. "
"Lightning...my son, his wife..."
The 911 operator started typing.
"Okay sir can you tell me what happened? "
"There was a flash and then, I don't know, my son isn't breathing! "
"Where are you sir? "
"I'm on, damn..."
John struggled to remember and then panicked again when Jax flinched.
"Just think sir. "
"I am thinking dammit! "
John exploded.
"I'm sorry. "
"It's okay sir. Now can you try to remember, any distinguishing landmarks? "
"The lake! "
He snapped his fingers.
"We're on country road. "
"Okay sir I have a unit on it's way, now let's see if we can help at all. "
************************
Jerry opened the door and met his mother's worried eyes. She looked around the apartment, made note of Lois asleep on the couch, the half eaten pizza and sighed.
"Mum. "
He held his arms open and Jane smiled slightly before embracing him. Such fine boys she had.
"What's going on Jerry? "
"Come on in mum, I'll make us some tea and try to fill you in. "
"Any news from your father or brother? "
"No, none. "
*************************
The hospital was confusing John. Orderlies and doctors took Jax one way and Brenda another leaving him standing alone in the ER waiting room. After the ambulance had gotten to where he was they had managed to get Jax breathing again and stabalize his heart rate. Brenda was going through a barrage of tests, but they said that she was lucky her burns were minimal, as were Jax's, the main problem was the fact that neither of them had regained consciousness yet. When his cell phone rang he jumped.
"Jacks here. "
"John? Where are you? "
"Jane, "
In all the confusion John had forgotten to call his wife.
"where are you? "
"With Jerry. John you still haven't answered me. "
"I'm at the hospital Jane..."
***********************
Jerry put his hand on his mother's shoulder as the color drained out of her face.
"Mum..."
"What is it John? What happened to Jax? "
She listened for a moment and then nodded.
"I'll be right there. Yes, I'll bring Jerry and Lois too. I love you too John. "
"What is it mum? "
"Lightning. "
"Lightning? "
Jane swallowed, knowing how serious lightning strikes could be and the different kind of complications it could lead to.
"Let's go. "
Jerry woke Lois up gently and the three of them rushed to the hospital.
Chp 11
Hi everyone. Hope you like it.
Susan
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John paced through the ER waiting room. Doctor, nurses, and patients were
everywhere. He'd been given no news on Jax and Brenda and he was getting
restless. He just wanted to break into the nearest exam room to see what
the hell was going on.
"John? "
A hand on his shoulder had him jumping about a mile high. He turned.
"Jane. "
Her name was like new energy to him and he wrapped his arms around this woman who was his life.
"How are they? "
"Jerry filled you in? "
"Yes, "
Jane nodded.
"We have a daughter in law who didn't tell Jax they were married. Interesting, most women would flaunt it around. "
"She's not most women hon. "
"Jerry told me that too. "
Jerry watched his mum and dad with an arm wrapped around Lois's waist. She was so tired and he hadn't wanted her to come, but she insisted.
"Is there any word yet dad? "
"None. "
"Let me see what I can find out. "
Lois squeezed Jerry's hand and headed off. She wondered that she felt so comfortable with him. It was like they had been together for years instead of just one day. Glancing at her watch she made a mental note to call Ned and have him keep Brooke Lynne another night. She would make sure everything was okay with Brenda first though.
She spotted Alan Quartermaine going over charts with Bobbie Spencer.
"Alan? "
"Lois. "
"How is she? "
"Brenda is fine. She regained consciousness a few minutes ago and only suffered slight burns. We're going to keep her for a few days for monitoring, and to make sure there are no complications from both the accident and the lightning strike. I'd say she's pretty lucky."
"And Jax. "
"Ahh, yes Jasper Jacks. He's mumbled a few things but hasn't come too yet. He flat-lined for a minute but we pulled him back. We're going to be moving them soon. "
"Oh, "
Lois almost cried.
"But he's okay? "
"Should be. "
Alan double checked Jax's chart.
"What was he doing with Brenda? "
"It's a long story Alan. Do you think Brenda will be able to handle being here for a few days? "
"She'll have to Lois. What happened to her happened, but she should be able to move past it by now. "
"Yeah, okay thanks Alan. Bye. "
Lois wandered back to where John, Jane and Jerry were standing with expectant and wary looks on their faces.
"How is he? "
Jane took Lois's hand. She had seen the young lady sag against the wall after talking to the doctor.
"He's fine Mrs. Jacks..."
"Call me Jane. "
Jane could tell by the way Jerry was acting around Lois that she was going to be around for a while.
"Alan just said that he flat-lined for a minute and they pulled him back. "
"Flat-lined..."
Her knees crumbled a little and John wrapped his arm around her.
"But he's okay now. He's even been mumbling a little but he hasn't come to yet. Brenda's conscious and okay as well. "
"Thank God. "
"They're moving them now. "
"Let's go. "
*******************************
Sonny tapped his finger on the bar and soaked in the atmosphere. Nice, he
thought, dark, dingy and dangerous. Perfect.
"Hello, are you Sonny Corinthos? "
"That would depend on who's asking. "
A woman smiled at him. Her eyes sparkling.
"My name is Cindy Johnson. "
"Well then, I am Sonny Corinthos. "
"I've heard that you're the best jewel thief around. "
Cindy sat down and flicked her cigarette in the ashtray. Crossing her shapely legs and grinning.
"Damn straight. "
"I'd like to hire you. That is, if you're interested. "
Sonny tossed an envelope on the bar and stood up.
"Read the information and then contact me. "
"Sure. "
He pulled out a couple of hundred dollar bills and tucked them into her jacket pocket.
"Here's a little incentive. "
Cindy watched him head out of the bar and grinned.
"Well, well, looks like my horoscope was right. "
Scent 12
Hi everyone due to the amount of feedback I've been getting I've decided
to throw another chapter your way tonight. Hope you like it.
Susan
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Brenda turned her head towards the window and struggled to even her breathing.
The steady beeping of the heart monitor showed that she was doing a good
job keeping calm. She hated hospitals, and had hated them ever since she
was a kid.
Don't think about it. You're stuck here for a few days from what the doctor said, and you can't freak out. Just go to a happy place. A vision of the Bahamas and her wedding to Jax flashed in her mind and she sighed. The last truly happy time in her life.
&&&&&&&&&&&FLASHBACK&&&&&&&&&&&&&
Curled up on a lounge chair in his robe, Brenda looked stunning. Her hair
was wrapped up in a turban towel and she was drinking a cup of coffee. Jax
dropped his surfboard on the porch of the little beach hut he had rented
after meeting her and shook himself. Every time he looked at her he felt
himself falling more and more into her. Until he didn't know where he began
and she ended. His heart was so full that he didn't know whether or not he
was going to be able to say goodbye to her when her vacation was over.
He snapped his fingers and her head jerked up. When she saw it was him she smiled, but he was concerned about the momentary fear that passed over her but he figured that maybe he had imagined it.
Brenda stood up and walked over to Jax. He was so beautiful. His hair was wet and beads of water glistened on his body. She handed him a towel and as he took it from her their hands brushed and she shivered.
"Cold? "
"No. "
"You sure. "
Jax slid his hands up the sleeves of the robe and rubbed her flesh underneath. She was right, her skin was warm. She shifted her weight and he laughed.
"Goosebumps..."
"Well, you do that to me. "
Brenda leaned forward and touched her mouth to his lips. Pleasure soared through her. She had never felt this way in her life. Everything with Jax was so right. She wished she could hold onto these two weeks for the rest of her life, but she couldn't. She had to get back to Port Charles...Jax slipped his tongue into her mouth and she forgot everything but the moment. He deepened the kiss for a moment before pulling away from her and framing her face with his hands. He licked her lips lightly and watched her eyes shut.
"Marry me. "
Her eyes flew open again.
"What? "
"I know it's crazy. "
Jax led her back to the lounge chair and sat with her on his lap.
"It is. Jax you don't know me. I have problems, there are things that have happened to me..."
"Shhh, don't think. I can make you happy Brenda. I can take care of those problems for you. "
"It's sweet of you to offer really, but..."
"Before you say no let me ask you one question. "
"Okay. "
"Do you love me? "
"Yes. "
Brenda didn't have to think about the answer. It was impossible to imagine that she had only known him for two weeks, but she loved him so completely. She had to leave in the morning, back to her life, back to the nightmares.
"Then marry me, tonight. Just say yes Brenda, don't think about it, it's what we both want."
She bit her lip, wellll, what did she have to lose.
"Yes. "
"Yes? "
Jax laughed and kissed her. Brenda got caught up in the moment and felt her heart soar.
"Yes I'll marry you. "
&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&
"Jax. It's your mother dear. Open your eyes son. Talk to us. "
Jane held onto Jax's hand for dear life. He was so cold.
"Brenda. "
He mumbled her name so softly that Jane almost missed it.
"John, is he..."
Jax's eyes slowly opened and he took in his surroundings, he was in a hospital, with his mother and Jerry surrounding him and the name on his lips belonged to the wife he didn't even know he had.
"Mum? "
"Jax. "
Jane leaned in and hugged him.
"What happened? "
John stepped forward and Jerry lingered by the door.
"You were struck by lightning son. "
"Lightning? "
Jax licked his lips, he was so thirsty.
"Where's Brenda? "
"In a room down the hall. "
Jerry stepped forward.
"Lois went to check on her. "
"Is she..."
"She's okay son. You're both going to be okay. Just get some rest. "
Rest. Jax closed his eyes. Yeah, he needed his rest.
&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&
Jax was in another hospital room. The walls were cushioned and the only piece of furniture in the room was a bed. What the...? In the corner curled in a tight little ball was a small girl. Her head was dropped on her knees and her arms were wrapped around her legs.
"Home, "
She whispered in a frightened little voice.
"please let me go home. I promise I'll be good. "
It was then that Jax realized there was another person in the room with the girl. It was a nurse. She was big and mean looking and she was holding a needle. She's just a little girl, what's she doing here? And then as the nurse approached her she looked up and Jax was stunned. Her brown eyes looked right into his and he felt his heart breaking.
"Brenda? "
He didn't know how he knew, but somehow he was trapped in one of Brenda's memories. She was scared out of her mind. Her small frame shaking. She had to have been about 12 or 13. The nurse approached her and grabbed her arm roughly.
"Nooooooo, please no. "
Brenda's low keening wail, shocked Jax to his core and he moved forward to help her but found that he was frozen to the spot. He watched, hatred and confused as the nurse inserted the needle into Brenda's arm and left the room.
************************
Cindy Johnson sat in her apartment reading the file Sonny Corinthos had given
her. She grinned wickedly and picked up her phone. This was going to be a
challenging joh.
"Is Sonny Corinthos there? Hi, yes this is Cindy Johnson. Yeah, I'll wait. Sure, could you tell him that I've decided to take him up on the offer. That's all. Thanks a lot. "
Hanging up the phone Cindy rubbed her hands together and lit another cigarette. A whole ballroom full of jewels. Oh boy, oh boy. And there was only one Sonny wanted and she could do whatever she wanted with the rest. Time to get her team back together.
She pulled out a date book and started dialing.
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