| Part IV |
Alex gave 'Taker directions on how to get to Slick�s. They got there before anyone else, so they picked a table and started playing. When Lydia walked in with her husband, Alex jumped. Ben was with them. �Oh just beautiful.� Alex thought sarcastically. 'Taker had spotted him as well. He felt Alex apprehension. He stood directly behind her, with his hand protectively on her shoulder. Lydia hurried over to hug her sister; �Man you�ve been gone forever this time. Who�s this?� �This is someone I work with. 'Taker this is my sister Lydia, her husband Roy. These are some other friends, Joe and Ben.� All the guys shook hands. Ben eyed 'Taker warily, as he recognized him from Alex�s apartment. Lydia pulled Alex to the side, �So who is he?� �My friend,� Alex emphasized, �don�t be so nosey.� The guys started playing pool between them, Lydia and Alex sat around drinking and catching up. During the conversation, Alex felt a presence. As she glanced around, she noticed people coming in the front door. She motioned to 'Taker, �Look who�s here.� Walking in were Jim, IceWolf, Kane, and X-Pac. IceWolf spotted Alex. She led her group over to the table. 'Taker was introducing the guys to Alex�s friends. Alex, IceWolf, and Lydia were sitting on barstools talking at the table. 'Taker finished his game against Joe and wander over to her. 'Taker stood directly behind Alex and put his hand on her waist. Alex sat up straight, and leaned back against him. Kane came to the table as well, and stood next to Alex. Alex introduced Lydia to Kane. Smiling, she explained to Lydia that Kane didn�t talk much, but was otherwise harmless. IceWolf giggled, as Kane tilted his head at Alex. Alex played a round against X-Pac; the game was definitely going in his favor when Alex hit a streak and finished out the game. Alex smiled at X-Pac, pleased with herself. �You suckered me.� X-Pac declared. �What?� Alex asked shocked. �Pretending you didn�t know how to play, then cleaning me out toward the end.� X-Pac explained. �It was pure luck. I usually can�t play to save my life.� �Yeah, sure. I believe that.� X-Pac said rolling his eyes. Alex laughed and walked back to the table, as Jim and Joe started to play a round. Alex and IceWolf went to change the music. Ben came over to the jukebox, �Is now a good time?� he questioned. Alex looked at him blankly. She noticed out of the corner of her eye 'Taker and Kane stand up, but for some reason they stopped and sat back down. They continued to watch her though. �I�ll let you guys talk.� IceWolf said as she walked away. �I said sit down.� IceWolf said gently to Kane as he started to rise again. �Leave her alone, she has to deal with this. It has nothing to do with us.� IceWolf commented. ~Everything about her has to do with us. Remember, she is mine. �That may be, but she doesn�t know that yet.� IceWolf reminded him. 'Taker was quiet. IceWolf tapped him on the shoulder, �Get out of her head!� she scolded. �There can�t be that much to say. We were friends, and we drifted apart. It happens.� Alex said lightly. �Look, I know we ended things badly. But time has passed, we�ve both grown up a little, and I�d like to think we learned some things.� Ben suggested. Alex didn�t know what to think. A few years ago, this would have been her fondest wish, but now she couldn�t place the feeling, but she knew she didn�t want to go backwards. She felt a sensation at her temples, and then warmth and peace. She thought for a minute then replied, �I guess we should clear this up.� She motioned for him to follow her outside. Outside she stood against the wall. �There was a time, when you were a part of me, and when that ended, I thought I would fall apart. On some level I did. You�re right, years have passed and we�ve both moved on. If you want to be friends, I guess that�s fine, but that part of my live is OVER. I have different priorities now.� Ben moved to take her hand, and she pulled it away. �Come on Alex. We could be so much more now.� �Why, because your wife left you?� Alex asked knowingly, crossing her arms. �Who told you that?� Ben questioned. �The same person who told you I was in town. Look this isn�t going to happen.� She replied shaking her head. �Why because you�re with that tattooed freak now? You always were attracted to the weird ones.� Ben sneered. Before she could think about it, Alex hand shot out and she backhanded him. �Bastard! Don�t you EVER talk about any of my friends that way.� Alex seethed, trying to keep control of her anger. �You�re pissed off cause this little scenario isn�t going as well as you�d planned.� She snapped, pushed him away. �Because I�m not the person you left years ago. You expected me to be waiting for you.� it suddenly dawned on Alex, �Damn you.� She gritted under her breath. �You know what? You can go to hell! � Alex hissed. She walked back inside and went back to the table. IceWolf was next to the pool table wrapped in Jim�s arms talking with Lydia and Roy while they watched Joe and X-Pac playing a round. 'Taker and Kane were sitting next to each other. She stood in between them. 'Taker turned his body to face her as he pulled her to stand in-between his legs to hug her. �You alright? You disappeared.� She hugged him back, and smiled at him. 'Taker noticed she smiled with her eyes as well. �Yeah, I�m fine.� She looked at Kane and heard in her head: ~You�ll always be fine. We love you. Alex looked at him surprised. She looked at the drink in front of her and pushed it away, �Okay, I�ve had WAY too much. I�m hearing things.� ~No, but soon you will understand. Before she could respond, she caught a look from Lydia, who was staring at her. �Just friends, huh?� her look was asking. Alex smiled and laughed. She looked up at 'Taker. �What?� he asked. She backed up a few steps; �We�re giving people the wrong impression.� He held on to her and pulled her back toward him. He hadn�t noticed Lydia, but he did see Ben as he came back in. �So?� he leaned in to kiss her lightly on her lips. �That�s not funny.� Alex responded eyes wide. 'Taker grinned and placed his forehead against hers, �Wasn�t meant to be.� She looked around to her sister, who was smiling, all knowingly. �You did that on purpose.� Alex growled. �So, I don�t care what he thinks.� Alex looked at him confused. She turned around to see Ben staring daggers at her. Alex shook her head, �I can�t let you do that. That�s taking advantage of our friendship.� Alex replied, not liking how trite she sounded. �Not if I�m letting you.� he whispered in her ear. He put his hand around her neck, and with his thumb caressed her cheek. Alex flushed and put her hand on his chest. �Will you cut that out! Do you realized how that must look?� Alex scolded, in a hushed whisper. 'Taker grinned at her as he brushed her hair from her face. �Of course you do.� Alex said through gritted teeth, trying to surpress a smile. �I don�t want to do that.� �Why not, let him know you�ve moved on.� 'Taker suggested. �Look, I don�t need to make him jealous.� Alex said with superiority. 'Taker looked at her for a minute, a knowing look on his face. �I don�t really.� She replied, trying really hard to sound sincere. She turned to look at Kane who angled his head at her. �Okay, okay,� she concedes, rolling her eyes good-naturedly, �maybe for a split second the thought crossed my mind. But I�m trying to be the better person here.� 'Taker leaned in to kiss her again. Alex�s hand moved to his cheek as he kissed her long and forcefully this time. �And you�re not helping!� she gritted again, after catching her breath. He smiled and laughed lightly, �Okay, that should be enough to really piss him off anyway.� �Aarrrggghhhh!� Alex groaned. ~~*~~ That night Alex fell asleep with her fingers on her lips. �Oh well, at least it was memorable.� |