by Susan C.
Hi everyone. This chapter is for Rhonda who is incredibly faithful in getting me to write, and for everyone else sending me feedback. I really appreciate it. Susan
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The only sound that could be heard was the pen clattering on the floor, and
Brenda's ragged breathing.
"I'm sorry. "
She tried to recover.
"You must be mistaken. "
Oh God, oh God, oh God... please don't let the last two years of hell be for nothing, please, please, please. Brenda's silent pleading was answered when Jax spoke up.
"Maybe you've made a mistake. Mrs. Jane Jacks lives at 324 Sycamore..."
"No. "
The delivery guy checked his sheet again.
"These are for a Mrs. Brenda Barrett-Jacks. So, "
He eyed Brenda and handed her a pen again. John and Jerry were watching the
scene in amazement.
"If you could please sign right here. "
"No..."
Brenda shook her head.
"I can't. "
Getting frustrated the guy thrust the clipboard at her.
"Listen, I'm not leaving until someone signs this. "
"Give it to me. "
Jax's voice was hoarse as all the memories of the trip to the Bahamas flooded through him. He had always thought it was a dream, the wedding. They had been married in a quaint little chapel on the beach. Both of them had been completely sober, so when he had woken up and Brenda was gone he had figured he had dreamt it all. But now, god, now it seems he had been married for two years. He scratched his signature on the space and tipped the guy before slamming the door and turning to face Brenda.
"Why don't you read the card? "
She bit her lip and met Jax's gaze. His eyes were cold as ice. Glancing at the sofa she saw Jerry and his dad watching everything, eyes as confused as Lois's.
"That's okay. "
"Brenda. "
His voice was soft but forceful.
"Read the card. "
With shaking hands Brenda took the card out of Jax's.
"Brenda, congratulations on your marriage. Sonny. "
The paper fluttered to the floor as she and Jax just stared at each other.
"So..."
Jax took his coat off the chair by the door.
"Nice to meet you Mrs. Jacks. I'll have the papers drawn up tomorrow. "
He was out the door before anyone could move.
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Sorry so short...
Chapter 8
Hi everyone. Here we go again. Susan :-)
***********************
Jax leaned against the door of Brenda's apartment trying to steady himself.
He never lost his composure, but finding out that all his dreams that he
had been having were real and not a figment of his imagination, well, god
he felt totally sane again for the first time in ages. The door started to
open and he acted like he was heading down the stairs.
"Jax? "
His mind swam with relief.
"Dad. Don't say it. I know it was a stupid thing to do. "
"No son. "
John headed towards his youngest and thumped him on the shoulder.
"It wasn't. Foolish yes, for letting an angel like that get away, but stupid no. You followed you heart, and that my boy, is never stupid. "
"Yeah, "
For the third time that night Jax was stunned.
"Yeah but dad..."
"She must have had good reason son, and from what I could tell about Sonny Corinthos he's been dogging her for the better part of three years. "
"I could have helped her. "
Jax sat on the step and sighed. Running both hands through his hair and glancing at his dad.
"Maybe she didn't want help son. Maybe she realized after you got married that you couldn't help her. Remember, she thought you were just a business tycoon..."
"No dad. "
Jax felt guilt eating away at him.
"She thought I was a car salesman. "
"What?! "
John frowned at his youngest son. He had always accepted what he was, and loved it. The entire Jacks family had worked for the WSB for years, even Johns grandfather had worked for them.
"I didn't want, well dammit dad, do you know how many women just want me for the danger and the thrill of what I do. I can't remember anybody wanting me for me. So, I told a little white lie. "
"Uh-huh. "
"I told her I owned several Infinity dealerships in California. "
"Well, you have to make this right with her. "
"Dad, I... that is she's the one..."
"Son, she has spent the last two years in hell, except for the last 5 months when she has been recovering. Quite nicely from what her doctors tell me. Although she is jumpy about being touched. Didn't seem to mind with you though. "
The breath left him and Jax met his father's level stare.
"I have to know what happened dad. "
"Well, it help change your mind about divorcing her? "
"No. "
"Jax..."
His father's voice took on a warning tone.
"Don't worry dad, I've already decided not to, it's just well, she's so different now and not as full of life and excitement as she was when I met her. I want to know why, and I want to know if Corinthos is the reason for it, then, if he is, I'm going to kill him. I just need time to adjust. Think you can tell me what you know know? "
*************************
Brenda was still standing in front of the door. Memories were assaulting
her at every turn. John had walked past her and out the door. Any moment
now she expected Jerry and Lois to follow John, and Jax. She deserved everything.
Her father was right, she was a stupid, worthless bitch. She didn't realize
she was shaking until she felt Jerry's hand on her shoulder and jumped.
"Brenda..."
"Don't..."
She took his hand off her shoulder and backed towards her bedroom.
"I think the concussion is gone now. Everybody can leave. "
"Bren, honey you're as white as a ghost. "
Lois started to move towards Brenda but she held her hands out to ward her off.
"No, I'm okay Lois. Fine, really fine. I'm used to this sort of thing by now. "
She laughed and Jerry cringed. It sounded near hysterical. Brenda's face was dead calm, but her whole body was shaking.
"Why don't you sit down hon..."
"Fine, really. I'm just going to go lie down. "
"Let me help..."
"I'm not an invalid Lois, and I'll thank you not to help me again. "
"Brenda? "
Lois couldn't believe the venom in Brenda's voice.
"I'm going out. "
Brenda decided suddenly. Grabbing her coat and keys before anyone could stop her.
"No. "
Jerry grabbed her arm and spun her around.
"You aren't. "
"Let me go Jerry. "
"Jerry..."
Lois rested a hand on his shouder. Ignoring the electricity that ran through them. She knew right now that the best thing to do was let Brenda go.
"Do it. "
"But..."
The longer he held her the more edgy Brenda got. Flashes of Sonny looming over her laughing as he raped her, as she screamed over and over for him to stop. The darkness of the room he had thrown her in afterwards. She started to pull against Jerry.
"Please..."
Brenda's voice was a whimper now.
Lois moved Jerry's hand off Brenda's arm and grimaced, she had pulled against him so hard that she was already developing a bruise.
"I'm sorry. "
Jerry spread his hands. He felt like an oaf. How could he have forgotten?
"I'm going for a drive. "
"Okay Brenda, okay. "
Making no move near Brenda, Lois pulled her cell phone out of the plug where it was recharging and handed it to her.
"But please call me, let me know if you're okay. "
Brenda hesitated for a second then took the phone. Spinning away from Jerry and Lois she ran for the stairs that led to the store. Moments later she was gone and they heard a car speeding off.
*************************
Jax jumped up too late. The car was already speeding off into the night.
Agitated he and his dad headed into the apartment.
"A few seconds to late aren't you. "
Lois snapped at Jax.
"Excuse me? "
"If you had come in a minute ago maybe Brenda would still be here. "
Lois didn't realize she was shaking too until Jerry wrapped an arm around her waist. Sighing she leaned into him.
"I'm sorry. You couldn't have known. "
"Yeah, but I'm about to find out right dad. "
"Of course, but maybe Lois can tell you what happened. She'll have a better grip on it than a WSB report. "
"Dad! "
"Oh relax Jerry, Lois isn't going to run away from you simply because you're in the WSB. Are you dear? "
"No, no if I was going to run away I would have done it already. "
"Fine then. "
Jax's nerves were pulling him apart.
"Let's get this over with then. Tell me what's been going on with my wife. "
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Chapter 9
The storm started shortly after Brenda got out into the country. It had taken driving for ten minutes to help her clear her mind. She was strong now and she wasn't going to let Sonny and the past overwhelm her. She was going to take life one day at a time, hell she was going to take it one breath at a time. And try, if it was at all possible, to explain to Jax why she had left him, and that despite everything that had happened in the last two years that it was her love for him, and the fact that he had treated her like an angel, that she was still alive. Maybe, she sighed, maybe there was going to be some light at the end of the tunnel for her after all.
Lightning flashed overhead and the downpour began. Sighing she pulled out
her phone and dialed.
*********************
Lois stopped talking and grabbed the phone when it rang. Looking at her watch
she groaned, it was already 4:30, she was going to pay for staying up all
night when she got Brooke Lynne home.
"Brenda? "
Her voice was a bundle of nerves.
"Yeah, it's me listen Lois, I'm sorry. "
"You don't need to apologize Brenda. "
"Yeah, yeah I do, cause I should have at least told you what was going on. "
"It's okay hon, listen why don't you come back now, that's a nasty storm you're in. "
Brenda leaned forward and wiped the fog off the inside of her mirror.
"I'm thinking it's a good idea too. Listen Lo, "
"What hon? "
"I..."
Lois heard the squealing tires, the horrible sound of rending metal, Brenda's scream and nothing else.
"BRENDA!!! OH GOD BRENDA!!!!!!!!! "
Jax was on his feet when Lois screamed.
"Oh god, oh god. "
With shaking hands Lois almost dropped the phone.
"Brenda, honey answer me. "
All she could hear was Sarah McLaughlin's voice coming through the radio and the blaring of a horn.
"Oh no, no, no... I'm not gonna loose her like this not after everything. "
Lois was dimly aware of arms around her as she held the phone in a death grip.
"BRENDAAAA!!!!!! "
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In what was left of her car, Brenda struggled to focus on something. Her
hands were still gripping the steering wheel and shards of glass were all
around her. Turning her neck slightly she gasped. The passenger door was
touching her right shoulder. Dimly she heard Lois screaming and started to
panic.
"Lois. "
She whispered her name at first and then with growing strength she said it again.
*************************
"Where does she like to drive? "
Lois was still screaming Brenda's name when Jerry took her by the shoulders and looked into her eyes.
"Lo, honey. Where does Brenda drive when she gets upset? "
Jerry rubbed Lois's shoulders in an unconscious attempt to calm her.
"I um, down by the lake, off Country Road. Brenda, dammit Brenda answer me.
"
Jerry watched John and Jax run out the door. The best thing for him to do right now was hold onto Lois. His dad and brother could take care of everything else.
"Honey, she's not going to answer you..."
"No. "
Lois shook her head. Wiping at the tears that were starting to flow. She felt the strength of Jerry's hand entwined with her and felt the comfort. Too often she had gone through this alone. The waiting to hear if Brenda were alive or dead. She couldn't take it. Breaking down she collapsed in Jerry's arms and he pulled her against him as she cradled the ohone between them. Hoping beyond hope...
******************
"Lois. "
Brenda's voice was stronger now. She was not going to let this kill her. Reaching for the phone she grabbed it and almost cried.
"LOIS!!! "
Jerry jumped when Brenda's voice came through the phone.
"Brenda!!!! Brenda are you okay? "
Lois had backed away from Jerry a little bit only to snuggle against him again in a more comfortable position.
"Yeah, "
She took quick stock of her injuries.
"Yeah, I'm okay. Only a couple of scratches. "
Brenda laughed.
"I'm okay. "
"Thank god. "
Jerry stroked Lois' hair as she shook with relief.
"Jax and John are on their way to you. "
"Jax but I thought...."
***********************
Jax spotted the car first and felt sick. No-one could have survived that.
The front was almost completely smashed in and the passenger side was
non-existant.
"Dad. "
The fear in his son's voice was palpable.
"She's going to be fine son. "
They did a u-turn and parked behind the car.
**********************
"Someone's here Lo. "
A flashlight caught her in the eyes and she flinched.
"Brenda? Brenda are you okay? "
Hearing Jax's voice had tears in her eyes and she smiled.
"Yeah, I'm okay Jax. Get me out of here. "
"Give us a minute hon. "
"Lois I'm going to go now. "
"Brenda, "
Both women nodded.
"I know, I love you too Lois. "
Hanging up Brenda gasped as a bolt of lightning struck a tree only a few
feet away from her car.
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"Dad I can't get the door open. "
John tugged on the handle too, but it wouldn't budge.
"Jax what's wrong? "
"The door's stuck Brenda, but don't worry we'll get you out. Are you hurt? "
"No. "
Jax nearly clicked his heels in the air.
"Thank god. Okay now Brenda we're going to try to pry this open. "
"Wait. "
Brenda laughed and popped the lock. The door sprung open when Jax pulled on the handle again and Brenda flew into his arms.
"Jax. "
"You're okay Brenda. Really, I'm never going to let anything happen to you again. "
Jax breathed in the scent of her hair and held onto her for dear life. John
watched the two and smiled. They would make it. Just then a flash of white
hot light erupted all around him and all he could hear were Brenda and Jax
screaming as he was thrown back against a tree.
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