Chapter 21

 

The moon shone brightly out the window as Jax stirred. He smiled at the sight of Alexis's warm body curled up against his. He couldn't believe they were married now. Then he sighed, remembering what he had to do.

 

He reached his hand out feeling the softness of her skin against his rough hand. She stirred only slightly as Jax brought her head close to him, breathing in her intoxicating scent.

 

"What's wrong?" Alexis asked, stirring.

 

"We have to go," Jax said, looking into her warm brown eyes. "We need to go before the sun rises."

 

"Not yet," Alexis argued, pulling Jax's arms around her body. "Just a little longer."

 

Jax nodded. She wouldn't get any argument from him.

****

 

Sonny stood at the window, staring out onto the horizon as he had done so many time. He had faced so many demons, but none compared to what was staring him in the face.

 

He jumped as he felt Carly wrap her arms around him. He let out a breath, one he had subconsciously been holding.

 

Turning and facing her, he brought her face close to him with his hands. He kissed her forehead, slowly, deliberately. He kissed her left cheek and then her right. Finally his lips and hers crashed.

 

The kiss lasted only a minute before he wrapped his arms around her.

 

"Are you ready?" he asked anxiously.

 

"For this?" Carly asked, gesturing to her and Michael's packed bags. "No. I don't want to leave you."

 

The tears began flowing down her face. She had lost Virginia and lost Jason, her heart couldn't take to lose Sonny. Lose what they had.

***

Sonny and Jax nodded to each other as they arrived at an airstrip. The place was abandoned and quiet, all that could be heard was the deep breathing of two slumbering children asleep in each of the men's arms.

 

Carly and Alexis each took breaths in their limos, closing their eyes knowing all the danger they faced and the men they loved faced.

 

No one said anything as the four adults stood huddled together waiting for the pilot to give them permission to board.

 

The pilot nodded to Sonny as he took the bags the women packed. Carly took Michael from Sonny as he placed a soft kiss on the boy's forehead.

 

Michael shifted and looked up, his eyes droopy and full of sleep. He opened his mouth, as if to speak, but all he could manage was a toothy grin.

 

Alexis took Natalie from Jax who lingered his hands on the little girl's back

 

"We'll be back before you know it," Alexis whispered. "This will all be over and we can celebrate Natalie's birthday."

 

Jax smiled, trying to reassure Alexis, but both knew that in two months a lot could happen.

 

Sonny walked over to Alexis and Jax, wanting to hold his daughter.

 

"Can I talk to you for a minute Alexis?" Sonny asked, looking uncomfortably at Jax.

 

Jax hesitated, feeling a bit jealous. Remembering he was the one she married, he eased a bit and nodded. It wasn't worth arguing about.

 

"Take care of her for me," Sonny said. Alexis felt her heart bleed, there was an almost begging quality out of fear in his voice.

 

"I'd put my life on the line for her," Alexis said, trying to reassure him.

 

"Me too," Sonny barely nodded. Alexis hugged him.

 

"Carly," Sonny stuttered. "Please watch her Alexis. The baby..." he began to trail off.

 

"We'll look after each other," Alexis said strongly. She was tired of being afraid.

 

Jax and Carly watched Alexis hug.

 

"Are you okay?" Jax asked with concern.

 

Carly nodded. "No I'm not okay. I don't want to seperate from my husband. But I'm not scared of losing him to Alexis. A year ago? Yes, but not anymore."

 

"How can you be so sure?" Jax asked. He felt sick to his stomache everytime Sonny touched Alexis.

 

"Because Sonny loves me, just like Alexis love you," Carly smiled. "Natalie will always be a connection with them, but that can't be changed. There have been a lot of bumps in the road, but the right people are together, Jax."

 

"Take care of her Carly," Jax said strongly. "I worry about how this is going to.."

 

"Jax, it's going to be okay."

 

The pilot came over to take both of the children. The mother's hated having the children leave, even if for only a moment.

 

Alexis walked back over to Jax, Carly to Sonny. They stood under the moonlight, a moment that would have been romantic if not for the circumstances.

 

No one knew what to say, words seemed artificial. Everyone knew the risk and saying goodbye just made them scared.

 

The women climbed the stairs to the plane, stopping on the last step. Both turned, and opened their mouths to speak, but all they could do was wipe the tears out of their eyes and walk away.

 

Jax and Sonny stood and watched the plane take off, taking all they ever cared about.

 

"What next?" Jax asked.

 

Sonny just stared.

 

 

Chapter 22

 

The rain pounded on the roof providing the only sound to break the

awkward silence that filled the room. Michael was watching cartoons with

Natalie.

 

Carly sat on the couch, her feet propped up to take the pressure off

her swollen ankles. She groaned as she reached for another magazine.

She missed Sonny so much. She missed when he was rubbing her feet which

usually led to rubbing her back and then...she smiled at the memories.

 

Alexis's eyes were red and puffy as she watched Natalie. She hadn't

slept since she arrived on the island two weeks ago. Her head was

pounding and she had been sick to the stomach for days now. She just

wanted this to be over.

 

Alexis stood up abruptly, causing Carly to turn. "I'm going to go get

something to drink, can I get you something?"

 

Carly tilted her head in sympathy. She remembered what is was like when

Sonny would go away on business. The nights spent lying awake, scared

that he was hurt. It never goes away, she had just gotten better at

hiding it.

 

"Alexis," she sighed. "Just relax. I'm fine."

 

Alexis nodded and sat down again. "How do you do it?"

 

Carly thought for a moment. "I don't know. It's not that I'm not

scared. I'm terrified. More terrified than when he would go to Puerto

Rico, or to meet someone. I guess I just.." she paused. "I don't know."

***

 

Stavros sat at his desk, looking over some reports about the movement

about Sonny Corinthos and Jasper Jax. He looked up as an anxious one of

his workers walked in.

 

"Did you find them?" Stavros asked harshly.

 

The man took a deep breath. "We have it narrowed down to four islands.

It's a matter of time before we find which one they are on."

 

"I want to know now!" Stavros shouted, throwing a stack of papers

across the room.

 

"Sir, if I may ask," the man sttutered. "Why not just go after

Corinthos and Jax? It would kill Alexis know she was responsible for

their deaths."

 

Stavros let out a deep laugh. "Don't patronize me. This isn't about

Alexis and Carly Corinthos. This about Stefan. It's about destroying

everything he loves, like he destroyed Nikolas love for me. And that

starts with the bastard sister of his and the daughter he doesn't even

know he has."

***

 

Alexis stood up and walked over to the window watching the rain fall.

She put her hands to her face as the tears began to fall.

 

Carly stood back, unsure of what to do, when Alexis began to talk.

 

"We got married," Alexis let out a small laugh. "I didn't even flinch.

Although the pain of my almost marriage with Ned. Me telling him I was

commitment-phobic, and it was me telling

Jax I wanted to get married. I can't lose him now."

 

She continued to cry into muffled sobs as Carly walked up and gave her

a hug. "We're all going to get through this," Carly whispered.

 

They pulled apart and Alexis wiped her eyes. "Do me one favor though?"

Carly asked.

 

Alexis nodded.

 

"We need to get you a pregnancy test."

 

The sound of a breaking window grabbed both of their attention from the

stunned expression on Alexis's face.

 

 

Chapter 23

 

The crash in the other room reverberated through the house causing Natalie and Michael to turn to their mothers, fear present in their eyes.

 

Alexis and Carly looked at each other, a mixture of concern and fear overtaking their every sense.

 

"Stay here," Alexis whispered an order.

 

"Don't tell me what to do Alexis," Carly half-whispered, half-yelled.

 

"Carly you are a month away from giving birth, Sonny would kill me if something happened to you," Alexis's eyes portrayed that the issue was closed. "Watch them," she pointed to the kids who were on the verge of tears as the storm outside gathered strength.

 

Alexis tiptoed down the hall, a million thought going through her head. Where were Johnny and Max? Where was Stavros? Was Stavros here? She shook her head to stop the thoughts were scaring the wits out of her. As she did, she bumped smack into the intruder.

*****

 

Sonny sat at his desk looking at a picture of Michael, him and Carly and another picture of Natalie. A part of him felt like it died every moment he was away from them. He let out a sigh and threw back a shot.

 

"Good god, tell me you aren't drowning yourself in pity," a familiar, annoying Aussie voice echoed in the empty room.

 

"Get out Jax," Sonny sneared. "You have no idea what's going on."

 

"Oh I do Corinthos," Jax said angrily. "I know that my wife and her child and your wife and son are sitting ducks and you're doing nothing about it."

 

"I'm taking care of it," Sonny said, his voice low and slightly menacing.

 

Jax shook his head in irritation. "We're no longer working together. I'm going to bring them back here."

 

Sonny's head shot up as he took the glass he was holding and threw it across the room, shattering it inches from Jax's head.

 

"You aren't doing anything."

*****

 

Alexis let out a scream as she felt her body come in contact with the intruder. As quickly as her pregnant body would go, Carly came running.

 

"Oh my god," Carly said in irritation. "Things aren't bad enough and you have to show up."

****

 

Jax recovered quickly from the shock and moved closer to Sonny.

 

"You want my attention Corinthos, you've got it," he bent down slightly and smiled slightly. "You really should learn to control your temper."

 

"You'll only put them in more danger by bringing them back here," Sonny said, ignoring Jax's comments. "They stay put."

 

Jax laughed. "Don't you realize it. You don't tell me what to do. They are alone on one of your islands. It's not going to take Stavros long to figure out where they are and by the time we realize it, it could be too late. I won't lose Alexis because of your stubborness," he pounded his fist on the desk.

 

"If anything it'll be your stupidity which will get Alexis killed," Sonny explained. "We take care of Stavros, then they come back. I've got plenty of guards on them. No one will get to them."

 

Jax didn't have time to respond before Stefan walked in, slightly out of breath.

 

"I think I know how to find Stavros."

*****

 

Alexis pulled back to look into the face of the intruder and rolled her eyes.

 

"Well it's nice to know I'm loved."

 

"Luke, what the hell are you doing here?" Alexis asked, sitting on a couch.

 

Luke smiled. "Can't I come and visit my favorite women. My wonderful niece Caroline and, you, Natasha, Port Chuckles feisty attorney and new mother. I suppose I could add a new member of the society of our wonderful city's assumed dead, but not really."

 

Carly sighed and sat down on the couch next to Alexis. "I'm going to repeat Alexis's sentiments. What the hell are you doing here? Are you really stupid enough to lead Stavros here to us."

 

Luke put his hand to his heart, as if pained. "That's hurts Sweet Caroline. My own flesh and blood thinks I'd sell her out."

 

"You did it before," Carly retorted.

 

"Touche," Luke let out a laugh. "But it's you two my dears who are delusional if you think Stavros doesn't know where you are already."

 

Carly and Alexis glanced at each other, noticed with amusement by Luke.

 

"Well that's a sight, you two becoming buds," he took out a cigar. "Who'd a thunk that the woman who sleeps with Sonny to make Jason jealous," he pointed at Carly. "Could be friends with the woman who had an affair with him and bore his child," he pointed at Alexis. "This is better than a B-movie."

 

"Good God Luke," Alexis sighed. "Get out of here," she took the cigar he was about to light out of his hand. "And don't light this, there are children and pregnant women around."

 

Luke looked at her with amusement. "Women huh? Well, that would mean that my niece over here ain't the only one. Could little Natasha be caring Lurch's baby or could it be the dimpled don?"

 

Alexis blushed as Luke let out a laugh as Carly shot Alexis a look.

 

 

Chapter 24

 

Alexis looked back and forth from the goffy grin on Luke's face to a

slightly perturbed looking Carly.

 

"I am NOT pregnant," Alexis said sternly. "Even if I was it isn't, I

mean it wouldn't be Sonny's. I mean anything with me and Sonny is over

and.."

 

"Deep breaths 'Tasha," Luke laughed. "Too bad Sonny isn't here tell you

to keep breathing. Isn't that your little joke or some line to get you

all hot and.."

 

"Shut up Luke," Carly groaned.

 

"Aww come on Caroline. Don't tell me your jealous of Port Chuck's

famous lady lawyer and mob mouthpiece."

 

Alexis's eyes narrowed. "I am nobody's mouthpiece. Get to the point

Luke. What do you want?"

****

"You know where he is?" Jax said eagerly. "Let's go. Let's get this

done so Alexis and Carly can come home."

 

"It's not that simple," Stefan said slowly. "We need to come up with a

plan."

 

"Screw plans," Jax said angrily. "You don't need to plan when all we

need to do is kill the bastard."

 

"Never thought I'd say this, but I agree with Jax," Sonny said,

speaking slowly. "Let's just kill him now. Any more time leaves Carly

and Alexis more vulnurable."

***

Luke leaned back and grinned then grew serious. "I suppose you wouldn't

buy that I missed those gorgeous legs 'Tash?" Alexis groaned. "I guess

I know my answer. Your husbands have no idea what they are up against.

Granted I always knew Lurch wasn't the sharpest knife in the drawer,

but I would have thought my ex-partner would have a few brain cells

left."

 

"Get to the point Luke," Carly sat down, propping her aching feet up.

 

"The point is, is that you guys are sitting ducks here, so I've come to

rescue you," he smile charasmatically.

 

Alexis and Carly burst out laughing.

***

 

Stefan rolled his eyes at the men's brashness. "I think you're both

fools, but you're going to need my help. There has to be some planning."

 

"Fine," Jax nodded. "But we need to do this fast and we need to do this

now."

 

"What about Carly and Alexis?" Stefan asked. "I think they should be

brought back. They should be closer to us."

 

"No," Sonny said simply. "That's not an option."

 

"Sonny's right," Jax closed his eyes. "Alexis and Carly will be fine as

long as they stay put. And they won't be informed of what we're doing.

They'll just worry."

 

"Fine," Stefan hesitated. "But if anything happens to my sister Jax,

you won't live a second longer."

 

"I wouldn't want to without her,' Jax said seriously.

***

 

"I'm hurt ladies," Luke feigned pains. "But you can't honestly think

it's safe to be here by yourself."

 

Alexis bit her lower lip. "No, but that's why Sonny's got men here."

 

"You mean the same one's who never even heard me get in here," Luke

raised his eyebrows. "Let's face it, Sonny's men aren't capable of

protecting a rock."

 

"Hey that's my husband," Carly said angrily.

 

"Luke's right," Alexis said softly. "We need to get out of here

tonight."

 

"Are you crazy?" Carly asked in shock. "No, we are staying right here."

 

"Then you're staying by yourself," Alexis said standing up

quickly. "Luke help me pack."

 

"One houseboy at your service," Luke laughed following Alexis.

 

Carly let out a muffled scream and went to pack her things.

***

 

Hours later

 

Alexis, Carly, Luke, Michael and Natalie sat on a plane. Luke had

knocked out Johnny and Max, much to Carly's displeasure, but according

to Luke it was necessary to escape without Sonny being located.

 

Jax looked over maps with Stefan of the building where Stefan believed

they were. Sonny was talking to some of his guards. He wanted to take

some along, but the more people the greater risk of being noticed.

 

"Let's go," Jax said. "Let's get this done."

 

As the men walked out the door, Max was trying to call Sonny to let

them know Carly and Alexis had escaped.

 

Max groaned as he rubbed the bump on his head.

"He's going to kill us."

 

Chapter 25

 

Carly and Alexis walked out of the elevator carrying their sleepy
children as Luke tagged behind dragging the women's bags, begrudgingly.

Alexis walked into the door, feeling a large weight lifted. She was
home. It was dark and felt cold and she immediately knew that Jax
wasn't there.

She walked upstairs and put Natalie in her crib. She placed a soft kiss
on her cheek and stood back. It was hard to believe that in a few days
Natalie would be celebrating her first birthday. One year since her
life changed dramatically.

Taking the small pink blanket, she covered Natalie and turned out the
lights, checking the windows several times before walking out of the
room.

"So Tash," Luke drawled as he dropped the bag on the floor. "Where is
that big lunk of a husband of yours?"

Michael stirred slightly as Carly placed him in his bed.

"Where's Daddy?" he mumbled, half asleep.

Carly bit the inside of her lip. It wasn't unlike Sonny to spend long
hours at the warehouse, but she had a feeling that the ware-house going-
ons weren't his priority. She knew he was going to berate her for
coming back, but she didn't care.

She opened her mouth to respond to Michael, but he had already fallen
sleep. She shrugged slightly and walked out, pausing to catch another
glance of her handsome son.

Alexis was standing downstairs,looking more than exhausted, she rubbed
her eyes, partially from lack of sleep partially from nerves and stress.

"You're sure you're not pregnant Alexis?" Carly asked suspiciously.

Alexis groaned. "For the love of god, I am NOT pregnant," she said,
stressing on the word 'not.'

"Where's my wonderful uncle?" Carly asked, a smile crossing her
face. "Not make it upstairs with the bags?"

Alexis let out a small laugh. "No, he's watching Natalie."

Carly nodded. She knew that Alexis feared constantly for Natalie's
life. With a family like the Cassadine's, it was hard not to.

"Jax isn't there either?" she asked. Alexis shook her head.

"What do you think?" Alexis asked. "There going to be furious."

Carly shrugged. "Wouldn't be the first time. Any idea where they might
be?"

Alexis thought for a moment as Luke walked in, his cell phone in
hand. "I think I know, but you two have to stay calm."

"What is it Luke?" Alexis felt her heart begin to pound.

He pointed to his phone. "That was Laura. Stavros..he called Nikolas.
Told him that he needed to get in touch with you two," he paused,
thinking how to break this to his pregnant niece and his neurotic
partner in crime. "He's got them."

Carly sat down, the emotions becoming too much for her. She grimaced as
she felt a pain in her abdomen.

"Carly?" Alexis said, sitting next to her. "Are you okay."

Carly nodded, "We need to find them."

Luke shook his head as Alexis put her hand into Carly's. "No way, not
in your condition."

Carly ignored him. "Alexis, you understand. We need to find them."

Alexis nodded. "Luke, either help us, or get out of our way."
*****

Sonny, Jax and Stefan slowly found themselves coming around. They had
planned for everything, except the amount of men Stavros had and had
quicly been overpowered.

Stefan was the first to wake, noticing all three men were bound tightly
to the chair. Escaping seemed out of the question, although he knew
both Sonny and Jax would try to prove him wrong.

Stavros entered, a large grin spread across his face. "Welcome
Gentleman."

Sonny and Jax, struggled as they tried to escape, Stefan chose to
remain still, mentally sizing up the situation.

"What do you want Stavros?" Jax asked. "Any amount of money is yours."

Stavros laughed while Stefan rolled his eyes at Jax's arrogance. "Ahh
Mr. Jax, money isn't what I desire, but we must wait for your wives."

"You'll never find them," Sonny smiled smugly.

Stavros shook his head in amusement. "You are so naive Mr. Corinthos.
Doens't really surprise me. They're already on their way."

He let out a laugh as he shut the door behind the frustrated, angry,
and slightly scared three prisoners.
***

Alexis stood outside her room, picking up one of Jax's sweaters and
bringing it close to her. She hugged in, breathing in the scent that
clung to the sweater.

She walked into Natalie's room, confused at the sight of the mobile
swinging in the virually breeze-free room. She felt her stomach tighten
as she aproached the crib. Letting out a scream at the sight of empty
crib.

Luke heard the scream and came running, Carly behind her.

"Luke," she said, trying to remain calm. "Where's Natalie?"

Luke's eyes widened as he stared at Alexis, holding the pink blanket.
He shook his head slightly as Carly gasped. "Michael."

Luke bolted across the hall, but he already knew. It was a trap. The
children were gone. Stavros had wanted to make sure the women had no
choice but to come.

Alexis felt her body shake as she helped Carly to the couch, who was
finding it hard to breathe.

"Carly you need to calm down, for the baby," Alexis said softly, trying
to comfort her.
****

Stavros leaned back in his chair, watching the three prisoners on the
television screen. The door opened slowly as one of his men walked in
carrying the two crying children.

"Welcome to Endgame," he smiled