| Part XXIII |
Early the next morning Alex got off the elevator and walked quietly down the hall. She had to remind herself that she WASN�T sneaking. She was grown woman, where she spent the night was her own business. �Yeahright, keep telling yourself that, kid.� She thought to herself. As she got to 'Taker�s door she silently thanked whoever it was that one of them had had the presence of mind to put her bag outside the door. As she reached down for the bag, the door opened and Alex nearly jumped out of her skin. �Damn! Are you trying to give me a heart attack?!� Alex gasped. Kanike laughed, �Sorry, I thought you were housekeeping.� She explained. �You just now getting your stuff?� she asked. �Housekeeping isn�t going to knock with the �Do Not Disturb� sign still on the door, ya know?� Alex grinned at her. �Oh yeah.� Kanike replied sheepishly. Alex handed her the sign then bent down to grab her bag and practically ran to the elevator. Kanike just looked at her curiously but didn�t ask. Alex paced in front of the elevator, cursing it for being slow. A few minutes after Alex got on the elevator the other one opened. �She needs to talk about this.� Ice was saying. �She�s bottling her feelings again.� Leah stated as the ladies stopped in the hallway. �No. I think she just wants to think this through.� LaShana guessed. �Well there is such a thing as thinking too long and too hard. Sometimes you just have to go for it.� RIP countered. �Alex . . .well all of us have been through so much in the past couple of months. She�s scared.� Storm observed. They continued down the hallway and when they reached 'Taker�s room RIP knocked on the door. �We could use some more towels.� Kanike stated as she open the door. �Hey!� Storm exclaimed. �When did you get here?� �Last night.� Kanike answered as she hugged her sisters. �Where�s Alex?� Ice asked. �I know she didn�t stay here with you guys.� Kanike acknowledged Ice�s remark with a mischievous grin. �She came and got her stuff a while ago.� Kanike answered. �Why didn�t she take her stuff with her?� Leah asked. Kanike shrugged, �She said she was going to get a room before she left.� �Left where?� LaSha asked. �Dunno.� Kanike answered, shrugging. �I wasn�t really paying attention at the time.� She informed them sheepishly. �Why? What�s going on?� she asked. �Do you think she went to talk to him?� Ice asked. �More importantly, where did she spend last night that she only got her stuff now?� Leah asked grinning. �Does anyone know what room Chris is in?� RIP asked. �What�s going on?� Kanike asked again. �Of course, one floor up.� Storm stated. �Hmmm, maybe we should just check it out.� LaShana stated grinning. �Come on!� Storm suggested grabbing Kanike�s hand. Kanike yelled to 'Taker that she�d be back. As they walked to the elevator, they all grinned together except Kanike who was a little confused. -Alex? Where are you? LaSha asked. *Um . . .I�ll be down in a little bit. Alex answered. �That wasn�t the question. Leah stated. � Alex where are you? Ice asked in a singsong tone. *I . . .I�m fine. I�ll be down in a minute. Kanike came in last night. I had to room elsewhere. Alex informed them. *I�m sure she�s anxious to see you guys. �They�ve seen me. Kanike answered smugly. �Are you with Chris? Storm asked. Then they all felt what would be the equivalent of a door closing. All the ladies laughing, including Alex. ~~*~~ Are you laughing at me?� Chris asked, as he lifted his head from her neck. �Something wrong with my technique?� He pouted. Alex silenced him by tiptoeing to kiss him. �No.� She answered grinning. �The girls are up, we need to hurry. They�ll be looking for us soon.� She informed him. �I need to dry my hair.� She stated and turned to walk into the bathroom. Chris pulled her to him once more, kissing her so intently and held her so tightly that Alex sighed down to her toes. �Okay, now you can go.� He whispered, releasing her. Alex walked into the bathroom and turning on the hairdryer she didn�t hear the knock at the door. Chris opened the door to one very confused and five very curious women. �Morning ladies.� Chris offered. �Can we talk to Alex?� Ice asked grinning. �What makes you think she�s here?� Chris asked innocently. �She didn�t stay with 'Taker last night.� LaSha answered. �He had company.� Nodding toward Kanike, who smiled and waved. Chris smiled and opened the door. The ladies walked in to hear Alex in the bathroom. �So . . .Alex stayed here last night?� RIP asked smiling. Chris pursed his lips, shook his finger, �Tsk Tsk. Now do I look like a gentleman who kisses and tells?� he asked. As all the ladies smiled knowingly at him, Jericho realized he was outnumbered and decided to retreat. He walked over and grabbed his bag. �I think I�ll let Alex handled this.� He stated. �I�ll be downstairs.� �Smart man.� Ice observed. All the ladies called out good-byes and waved at him. The ladies took various spots around the room, so they would all be visible when Alex opened the door. After a few minutes they all heard the hairdryer turn off. �Hey I . . .� was as far as she got before Alex opened the door to realize Chris wasn�t there. She looked around the room at her sisters. She did her best to suppress a grin; she even pressed her lips together, which still didn�t help. �Morning.� She offered casually, moving to her bag. �Hmmm . . .but is it a GOOD morning?� Ice asked, as LaSha giggled. Alex only smiled. �Where�s Chris?� she asked. �She�s trying to change the subject.� Leah observed. �A wise man that one. He decided to let you answer the questions.� RIP informed her. �Not all that smart. Kane is downstairs already.� Storm informed them all. �You sent him downstairs with Kane?!� Alex exclaimed. �Relax, Kane won�t hurt him.� LaShana replied dismissively. �Much.� Kanike added, having grasped the situation, deciding to joining in on the fun. === Chris got off the elevator deciding to wait for Alex in the restaurant. As he neared the door Kane stepped out from inside, �Morning Chris.� He greeted. Chris was momentarily stunned not knowing what to expect. Chris was silently thankful that it was just Kane; he wasn�t sure he wanted to deal with both 'Taker and Kane at once. �Morning.� Chris offered with a smile. The two men stood there for a few moments. Neither sure who wanted to start the inevitable conversation they both knew they were going to have. �Mind if I talk to you?� Kane asked, gesturing inside. He knew Chris was nervous and was trying to put him at ease. �Sure . . .you want to have breakfast?� Chris asked. === Alex moaned and tried packing her bag faster. �You still haven�t answered our question?� Ice reminded her. Alex didn�t say anything at first; cursing that her ability to change the subject hadn�t worked. �We talked.� She finally admitted quietly. === Both men were quiet as they sat at a booth, neither speaking until the waitress had taken their order and walked away. �Storm just told me that you and Alex talked.� Kane started. Chris was confused for a second, and then smiled. �I forget you guys can do that.� �We try not to do it in front of outsiders. You�ll get used to it. Although the ladies love to have conversations amongst themselves about us in our presence.� Kane laughed and Chris smiled. Then both fell back into an uneasy silence. �Do you love her?� Kane asked plainly. === �Obviously.� Leah stated, as Alex blushed. �Let her finish.� Storm scolded slightly. Storm knew this was extremely difficult for Alex. Not just to discuss her feelings, but her feelings for Chris. Alex sat down on the bed. �He told me a lot of stuff. The gist being that he cares about me . . .and has for quite some time.� She informed them. �I realized last night that I was pushing him away because I�m scared. I also don�t know if what I�m feeling is real.� �What do you mean?� asked LaShana. �I don�t know if I want to care about him. The idea of giving my heart to someone is just more than my widdle brain wants to handle right now.� She smiled. Ice, who was sitting next to her, took her hand. �Alex . . .� she started quietly, �do you love him?� === �Yes.� Chris answered without hesitation. �You get right to the point don�t you?� === Alex shook her head. �I honestly don�t know.� she answered. �I do know I can�t hide from him anymore. I do know I can barely breath around him. That when he looks at me my heart pounds. When he kisses me my brain turns to mush.� Alex blushed remembering the way his lips felt on hers. �Sounds like love.� RIP responded grinning. Alex shook her head vigorously; �I can�t use that word.� === Kane smiled, �Why prolong your agony?� Kane paused. Then turning serious, �It goes without saying you know what 'Taker and I are capable of doing to you . . .� �You failed subtlety classes, didn�t you?� Chris guessed. Determined not to be intimidated; �Look, I . . .� �But that�s not why I want to talk to you.� Kane stated interrupting Chris. === �I just don�t now if it�s right this time.� Alex stated. �I mean I was so sure last time.� �Were you really?� LaSha asked. �Well, I thought I was. Which is just another reason to question myself.� Alex explained, as she stood to pace. �Alex, when you are ready, and only then, you will know it.� Ice stated. �But how, I mean I thought I loved Paul and I thought it would be forever.� Alex exclaimed. Remembering the words she�d once said to Paul, �Amor de mi vida.� (Translation: The love of my life) Alex shook her head; �I don�t trust my heart anymore. It was wrong the last time. How am I to trust how I feel about Chris?� Alex questioned. �He�s willing to do this without me even saying so. I never told him how I felt last night, cause I don�t know.� �That�s just one more thing in his favor. He�s patient and he�s obviously not rushing you.� Storm stated. Alex nodded, then �He says he knows I care for him. I�m glad somebody does.� She laughed. �When it is right, you will know.� Leah stated again. �You guys keep saying that.� Alex looked around at them. �What do you guys know that I don�t?� She asked. �It�s something that only happens with your soul mate. When it does you will know.� LaShana stated. �That�s as much as we can tell you.� Kanike informed her. �Great. One more thing I don�t know.� Alex laughed. === �It�s not?� Chris asked. �No, I know you won�t hurt Alex.� Kane stated. �Because you�d break me in half?� Chris offered. Kane chuckled, then �Can we ease up on the I�m an �unfeeling monster randomly dismembering male suitors� thing for a minute?� Kane asked. Kane hesitated, then spoke seriously, �I told Alex once that I knew someone loved her and when she was ready she would open her heart to that person.� Kane paused. �I never told her who.� === �So you guys didn�t . . .� Ice started. Alex looked confused for a second, and then flushed brightly, shooting a dirty look at Ice when she laughed. �No.� she answered emphatically. Looking at Kanike, �It was really late when Chris and I finished talking and whatnot. I got kicked out of my room last night.� She announced trying to sound hurt. === �When she and Paul started to date, I didn�t know if he was the one either. I knew Paul was interested in her and he cared about her. But there was always something in him that didn�t set well with me.� Kane informed Chris. �Did you know he was going to hurt her?� Chris asked. Kane was reassured and slightly amused by the protective tone in his voice. �No.� Kane answered with a deep regretful sigh. �If I could have spared her that pain I would have. She thinks I meddle too much in her life already. She�d be surprised at my restraint.� Kane smirked and Chris smiled. �I made a mistake not going after Alex when I wanted. I could have spared her that pain as well.� Chris explained. === �You said you would get another room!� Kanike exclaimed. �Would you care to define �whatnot�?� LaShana asked grinning wickedly. �Like you were paying attention to anything I was saying.� Alex countered laughing. Alex turned to LaShana and replied with a grin equally as wickedly, �Use your imagination.� === �I should have guessed it was you that I felt. I knew Paul was interested in her, but I didn�t start having the premonitions until she started working with you. The look in your eyes when I mention her name is enough for me.� Kane stated. �I only need one thing from you.� Kane asked. �Blood oath?� Chris guessed. �Patience.� Kane stated, smiling at Chris� humor. �Alex is very �all or nothing� in her emotions and her relationships.� Kane informed him, turning serious again. �Friends, family and her sisters � everyone she gets close to or allows to get close to her. She doesn�t know how to give part of herself. It�s not her nature. She gives all of her heart. Which is why she hurts so much when that trust and love is betrayed. Right now, she�s scared. It took a lot for her to admit she has feelings for you at all.� Kane stated. Seeing the look that crossed Chris� face, �Alex didn�t tell you how she felt, did she?� Kane asked, unconsciously already knowing the answer before Chris shook his head. Kane continued, �She does love you, she just needs time to let her heart realize it.� Chris sat silently for a moment not saying anything, �I know she�s hesitant. Which was why I waited in the first place. I know I�m in love with her.� Chris stated. �I am going to make her see what love is about again. I have no intention of going away. She and I are going to be together until she tells me to go.� Chris assured Kane looking at him poignantly. Kane simply nodded, �As long as Alex is happy.� As the conversation ended, Chris looked up to see the ladies and the guys enter the restaurant lead by Alex. Alex forced herself to be calm as she walked over, slightly concerned by the tension she felt from Chris and the look on both men�s face. Alex sat next to Chris and he put his arm around her. Alex looked across at Kane and smiled, then she started looking casually at the table, as if she were looking for something. �What are you looking for, little girl?� Kane asked. �No pins? Needles? Blunt objects??� she asked casually. �You got off easy.� She informed Chris, smiling brightly. Her sisters laughed as the men nodded their heads. �I vaguely remember thumbscrews.� Hunter jokingly muttered as he shuddered and Leah held him close. �I think mine was hot coals; it�s all kind of a blur.� Jeff added, placing his head on RIP�s shoulder and she stroked his colorful hair. 'Taker looked over Storm�s head who was now sitting next to Kane and growled, �We�re not appreciated.� He commented. �Awww, poor baby.� Kanike whispered in his ear as Jim, Ice, Steve and LaShana all continued laughing. Chris smiled and kissed Alex�s temple. �Careful, someone might think you were in love with me.� Alex smiled as she glanced up and toward the door of the restaurant to see Jesse and Matt enter with X-Pac. She waited to catch their attention and mouthed, �thank you�. She saw the smile spread across Matt and Jesse�s faces as they saw Chris sitting next to her, his arm still wrapped around her possessively. They nodded and winked at her as Alex laid her head on Chris� shoulder. To be continued . . . |