Forbidden Love Chapter 17 - 22

By  Amy

Hi, Angels! Since the board has been down for awhile now, I'm going to start back at chapter 17. I believe that the last chapter I posted successfully was 16. I'll be posting chapters 18-21 in quick succession. Please let me know what you think :-)

{{{angel hugs}}},
Amy

{Recap: Brenda was shocked by Jax's obvious jealousy at seeing her with someone new when she and Jagger ran into Jax. Jax, Aleli, and LaQuana met for their meeting but Jax had a hard time focusing as he watched Brenda and Jagger from across the room. Jagger and Brenda got to know each other better, and made a date for dinner the next evening. When Aleli and LaQuana's meeting with Jax came to an end, Aleli decided to go and talk to Jagger and Brenda in an attempt to gain some more information on Brenda. Aleli and Jagger had a good time catching up on each other's lives but Brenda remained cold to Aleli and Aleli realized it was because Brenda thought something was going on with her and Jax. Finally, Miranda admitted to Jerry that she is pregnant, but she swore to him that the baby is Jax's. Jerry told Miranda that he will find out if she's lying and make her pay.}

Chapter 17
"Brenda. It's Jagger. Are you still interested in going out to dinner with me this evening?" He asked, feeling nervous. He hadn't felt this way about any woman in a long time...well, not since Aleli. He could tell already that Brenda was special, and he had enjoyed what little time he had spent with her already.
Brenda smiled as she heard Jagger's deep, sultry voice. His voice didn't send chills throughout her body the way Jax's always did, but it made her feel warm and brought a smile to her face none the less. It was two o'clock in the afternoon and Brenda had been sitting on her bed at the Gatehouse, immersed in thoughts of Jax when the phone rang. "Dinner would be perfect," Brenda answered, and Jagger could hear the smile in her voice.
"Great. Where do you want to go?" Jagger asked, pleased that she hadn't changed her mind.
"Anywhere but the Port Charles Hotel," Brenda joked. "Really, I don't care. Just surprise me," she answered.
Jagger thought for a moment. "How about Luke's? I've been there a couple of times, it's a fun place."
"Yeah, that sounds like fun. I haven't been there, but I've heard of it...I was going to go with-" Brenda cut herself off just in time. Jax had suggested they go there sometime, the day they'd arrived in Port Charles.
There was an awkward silence, and then Jagger finally decided to ignore what she had stopped herself from saying. "How about if I pick you up around seven-thirty?"
"I'll be waiting," Brenda answered, before hanging up the phone.
Brenda smiled softly to herself. Jagger was just what she needed to take her mind off of the one man that she'd ever really wanted- Jax.

"Jax, Miranda is on the line, demanding to speak with you," Addie told her employer, her dislike of Miranda evident in her voice.
Jax sighed, putting down the contracts he'd been looking at. "Thanks, Addie. I'll take care of this," he answered, picking up the phone. "What is it, Miranda? I'm working now."
"Why, Jax, you'd think you could be a little friendlier! I am the mother of your child, after all. What if I was calling to tell you that something was wrong with me or the baby?" Miranda asked, her voice full of false worry.
"Is something wrong?" Jax asked, rolling his eyes, knowing well enough that for Miranda to be acting this way like always, nothing could be wrong.
"Well, no...not this time. But you never know. Something could happen."
Jax rubbed his hands over his face in exhaustion. He had barely slept since he'd broken up with Brenda and found out that Miranda was pregnant. "So what exactly did you call me for, Miranda?" Jax asked, his tone icy.
"I called to ask you when you want to get married. I need to start making the plans now," Miranda answered eagerly.
"I didn't even agree to marry you," Jax replied dryly.
"Oh you practically did! And we both know well enough that you won't let the mother of your child be living all alone and dest-itute."
Jax almost laughed at her words. Dest-itute. "Miranda, you are the heiress to the Jameson fortune, you will never be dest-itute."
"I don't understand why you're hesitating, Jax! I've told you I'm pregnant with your child...what else do you need to convince you? You were going to ask me to marry you before, anyway," Miranda noted.
Jax groaned. "I was going to ask you to *pretend* to be engaged to me while I found out the truth about Brenda!" Jax explained with frustration. "As for the baby...I'd like to go to a doctor with you and see for myself that there is indeed a baby."
"You don't trust me?" Miranda pouted.
"Miranda...do you *really* want me to answer that one?" Jax asked.
"I'll make an appointment then, and I'll let you know when it is," Miranda answered. She hung up before Jax could answer.
A moment later the phone rang again and he heard Addie pick up from her desk. Jax picked up his phone. "Addie, if it's Miranda again, tell her I'm unavailable!"
"It's not Miranda, Jax, this time it's Miss Buchanan."
"Oh, all right then," Jax answered, waiting while Addie transferred the call to him.
"Hi, Jax, it's Aleli. Are you busy?"
"Not at all. What's up? Have you found anything useful yet?" Jax asked eagerly.
"Well..." Aleli hesitated. "Not really. I did meet Brenda yesterday after you left, though."
"Oh, did she tell you anything helpful?" Jax asked, trying to sound nonchalant.
"No, actually. She barely spoke to me at all. I think she got the wrong idea about us, Jax," Aleli told him with embarassment.
"Us? Really?" Jax asked in surprise. "I thought she was too busy with that guy she was with to even notice us."
"Apparently not," Aleli added. "Anyway, she seemed very guarded. She didn't tell me anything."
"Okay, so what's your next step?" Jax asked patiently.
"This afternoon my sister is going to pay a visit to Miranda. I'm going to keep looking into Brenda's past and see if I can dig up anything on her birth parents."
Jax nodded silently. "Tell your sister to be careful confronting Miranda. I've never seen her actually hurt anyone, but I have seen her threaten to before."
"Okay. Thanks for the warning, Jax. I never would've guessed that Miranda would be physically violent," Aleli said with surprise.
"I don't know that she would be- but I wouldn't count on anything where Miranda is concerned," Jax warned her worriedly.
"How about if we meet for breakfast in the morning, to discuss whatever LaQuana and I find out today, and our plans?" Aleli suggested.
"That's a good idea. Downstairs in the hotel restaurant again?"
"Great. I'll see you soon, Jax," Aleli added before hanging up.
Aleli went to knock on her sister's door to tell her what Jax had said when she noticed the note on the table.
"Aleli-
I've gone to talk to Miranda. I want to see what I can find out about Miranda's grudge against Brenda and what role that plays in the idea that Brenda is Jax's sister. I'll be back soon.

LaQuana "

Aleli sighed. {So much for warning her about Miranda. Be careful, LaQuana.}

"Brenda! Your *date* is here!" Lois called upstairs to Brenda in a teasing voice as Ned crossed the room to let Jagger in.
"Hi, you must be Jagger," Ned said, stepping aside so Jagger could enter the gatehouse. "I'm Ned Ashton, and this is my wife, Lois."
"Nice to meet you, Ned. Lois, it's great to see you again," Jagger told them, leaning down to kiss Lois on the cheek. "Is Brenda ready?"
"Almost. You'll find this out about Brenda soon enough- she takes forever to get ready!" Lois announced.
"Hey! What are they telling, Jagger?" Brenda asked jokingly as she came down the stairs. "Don't worry, Mom and Dad, I won't be too late.." Brenda told Ned and Lois, slipping her arms around both of them, laughing.
"Better not be too late!" Lois agreed sternly. "You kids have fun...but not *too* much fun..." Lois continued, before Brenda, rolling her eyes, led Jagger out the door and closed it behind them.
Brenda breathed in the warm, summer night air. "It's such a beautiful night."
Jagger gazed down at her and nodded. "Everything about it is beautiful. Especially you," he added, admiring her, with her long dark brown curls and pale purple sundress, Brenda looked lovely.
Brenda looked out at the setting sun, and up at Jagger's kind dark eyes and felt a moment of complete peace. Shocking herself and Jagger, Brenda turned to him and kissed him softly on the lips.
When the kiss ended Jagger pulled away and looked at Brenda in surprise. "Isn't the kiss supposed to happen at the *end* of the date?" He asked, smoothing Brenda's hair back from her face gently.
"I've never been the kind of girl who follows the rules," Brenda admitted, reaching up to wipe some lipstick from around Jagger's mouth.
"That's funny. I'm the same way," Jagger announced, pulling her towards him for another, longer, more passionate kiss.

LaQuana knocked on the door of Miranda's apartment. "Hello? Are you in there, Miranda?" LaQuana asked, knocking several times.
When no one answered, LaQuana decided to take her chances and pulled out the lock-picking tools her sister had lent her for this trip. In just a couple of minutes, she had the door open and she stepped inside. Walking quickly throughout the small apartment, she realized that Miranda was gone, and breathed a sigh of relief.
LaQuana spotted a small desk in the corner of the living room and went over to it. Hoping to find something useful, she opened it quickly and rifled through several papers, scanning them. She went through each drawer in the desk, and the top of the desk, and found nothing at all. She sighed, glancing down at her watch. She had already been there for nearly an hour, and Miranda could walk in at any moment. She had come here intending to talk with Miranda and here she was searching her apartment. LaQuana walked around the room once again, and was on her way out when she spotted a folder on the floor near the couch. She picked up the folder and opened it to see a large picture of Brenda Barrett. LaQuana closed the envelope. {I'll just take this with me to show Aleli,} she thought. Grabbing her purse, LaQuana took the folder in her other hand and made her way to the door. Just as she was about to open it, the door opened from the other side- showing Miranda.
"Well, well, well. Who are you, and what are you doing in my apartment?" Miranda asked snidely.
"You know, I was afraid I had the wrong apartment, and now I know!" LaQuana lied, shrugging her shoulders and attempting to get past Miranda and out the door.
"Not so fast. You didn't answer my question. And where do you think you're going with that?" Miranda asked, motioning towards the folder.
"I told you, I had the wrong apartment. I'll be going now."
"No, you won't be going anywhere for a long, long time. Have a seat.
Miranda walked over to the closet and pulled something out of a box. Turning back to LaQuana, she waved her over to the couch with the handgun she held.

Next time in Forbidden Love:
~Will LaQuana survive when her encounter with Miranda turns dangerous?
~Jagger and Brenda enjoy their first real date...will they let passion carry them away so soon in their relationship?
~Aleli gets shocking news

Don't forget to post feedback :-) 19, 20, and 21 are up next...

{Recap: Brenda and Jagger made plans to go out to dinner that evening at Luke's, and when Jagger came to pick her up the two shared their first kiss before leaving. Jax talked to Miranda on the phone and she pressured him to marry her. Then Jax spoke with Aleli and they planned to meet for breakfast the next day to discuss their plans. Aleli told Jax that her sister LaQuana planned to go see Miranda that day and Jax advised her to be careful. LaQuana broke into Miranda's apartment and searched it. Just when she found a folder with Brenda's picture in it though, Miranda walked in and caught her. To LaQuana's shock, Miranda then pulled a gun on her.}

Chapter 18
Brenda broke away from her passionate kiss with Jagger, wiping her lipstick away from his lips with her finger. Her eyes sparkled mischievously as she smiled at him. "We should go to dinner," she said.
Jagger nodded, reaching for her hand. "Let's go. Is Luke's still okay? Or do you want to go somewhere different?" He asked amiably.
"Luke's sounds perfect," Brenda announced, squeezing his hand gently. "Let's go before Ned and Lois come out to spy on us," she joked.
Once they arrived, Brenda was relieved to see that for once, Jax *wasn't* there. Lately he seemed to pop up everywhere she was...at least everywhere she went with Jagger. After they were shown to their table, Jagger reached across it to stroke Brenda's cheek tenderly. "You look beautiful," he told her softly.
Brenda smiled, leaning into his touch. "Thank you," she replied. "Will you dance with me?"
Jagger smiled and stood up, walking around the table to take her hand. Without speaking another word, they were on the dance floor, dancing to a slow song that was playing. A few seconds later, the song ended and a new one began, but Jagger's arms stayed wrapped tightly around Brenda.
"You feel so good here in my arms," Jagger said, leaning down to brush his lips lightly over her hair.
Brenda rested her head against his chest as the slow music played on, and reached up to tangle her fingers in his dark hair, and in her mind Brenda could feel Jax's silky blonde curls. "It feels so good to be here in your arms, Jax," Brenda murmured dreamily. Almost as soon as she'd uttered the words, Brenda gasped and stepped back slightly in Jagger's arms. He was staring down at her in surprise and disappointment. "I'm so sorry. I'm so, so, sorry, Jagger," Brenda whispered, raising her hand to cover her trembling lips. {How did I do that? *Why* did I do that?} She asked herself sadly. {I've got to get over this...I've got to get over *Jax* in a hurry.}
Jagger sighed, seeing her on the verge of tears because of what she'd just done, and pulled her back into his arms. "It's okay, Brenda," he told her quietly, stroking her hair. {She's not over him yet, that's for sure. It must have been more serious than I thought. Maybe I should tell her that we can't see each other until she's sure she's ready} Jagger thought to himself confusedly. {Later. After dinner, I'll tell her}.
Brenda and Jagger shared a nice, if strained dinner. Jagger talked about becoming a police officer, something he'd always wanted to do, and Brenda spoke briefly about modeling. By the time they had finished, Brenda was feeling even more guilty and Jagger thought they should discuss what happened right away. They walked out to the car in silence, as Brenda stared up at the big, full moon.
"Jagger," Brenda whispered, still gazing up at the starry sky.
"What?" Jagger asked.
Brenda turned to face him, and wrapped her arms around his neck. "Can we go back to your place?" She asked softly.
Jagger sighed, and brushed her hair back from her face. "What are you doing, Brenda?"
"What?"
Jagger stepped back from her, and leaned against the side of the car. "Brenda, awhile ago you called me by your ex's name. Now I'm not angry with you about that, but it just shows me that you're really nowhere near over him, and we shouldn't be together right now. It's too soon."
"Jagger, no."
"What, Brenda. No what? No it's not too soon for us? No you didn't call me Jax while we were dancing?"
Brenda cleared her throat, gazing down at the toes of her high-heeled silver sandals. "I'm getting over Jax. And I like you a lot, Jagger. I want to prove to you that I am ready to be with you."
"How?" Jagger asked, a small smile tugging at the corners of his mouth.
Brenda leaned in closer to him again and kissed him gently. "Make love to me."

"I said, don't move!" Miranda barked at LaQuana, aiming the gun straight at her heart.
"Isn't this a little drastic, Miranda?" LaQuana asked, fighting to keep her voice steady. "You don't even know me."
"I know that you were snooping in my apartment. I suppose you're working for Jax," Miranda said.
"Yes, I am. Jax sent me over here to talk to you about the information you have on Brenda possibly being his sister."
"Right. So if you were going to talk to me, why did you break in and snoop around my place?" Miranda asked, the gun never moving in her hand.
"I guess it's just the detective in me," LaQuana laughed nervously. "Since you weren't here, I thought I'd see what I could find on my own."
"And did you find anything of interest?" Miranda asked sarcastically.
"Well, actually I found this folder," LaQuana said, reaching for the folder.
"Don't touch that!" Miranda yelled. "You've seen enough already! One more move and I'll be forced to shoot you."

Aleli stood outside Jax's door and knocked twice, quickly. Her hands were shaking badly, and she wasn't even sure why.
Jax answered the door a moment later, wearing jogging pants and no shirt. His hair was wet, he looked like he'd just stepped out of the shower. The sight of him like that caused Aleli to momentarily lose her breath.
"Aleli! What are you doing here? I thought we were meeting for breakfast," Jax spoke.
"Something's happened, Jax. Well, I hope nothing has.. but I'm afraid..." Aleli rambled, a million different thoughts flying around her brain.
Jax opened the door and motioned her in. "You seem really upset. Tell me what's going on," Jax told her. He had never seen Aleli this emotional before, and it worried him. She was usually so calm.
"It's my sister. LaQuana was going over to talk to Miranda earlier..."
"What happened?" Jax asked worriedly.
"I..I don't know. Jax, LaQuana hasn't come home yet, and it's been three hours since she left!"
"Okay. Let's talk about this," Jax suggested. He steered Aleli towards the couch and made her sit down. Jax sat on the couch across from her.
"Jax, tell me the truth. Do you think Miranda could be physically violent?"
Jax sighed. "I wish I knew... I wish I could say no and be sure of that! The thing is, I don't know. Miranda is ruthless...from what I've always seen of her, she'll do anything to get what she wants. Anything."
Aleli raised her hand to place her fingers on her trembling lips. "You think she'd hurt my baby sister, Jax?" Aleli asked. Even though they weren't sisters by blood, Aleli and LaQuana had always shared an amazing connection.
Jax leaned forward to hold her hands. "I don't know for sure, Aleli, but I'd like to go over to Miranda's right now, just to be sure that she's okay."
Aleli threw her arms around Jax, hugging him for a moment. "Oh thank you, Jax!"
"No problem," Jax answered, patting Aleli's back gently before pulling away. "If your sister is hurt, it's partly my fault for letting Miranda's stupid game go this far."
"It's not a stupid game," Aleli argued. "You're just trying to learn the truth about your baby sister."
Jax nodded. "If LaQuana is in any danger at all, we will get there in time to help her," Jax tried to convince Aleli, grabbing his keys as they left the penthouse.
A few minutes later, Jax and Aleli stood outside Mirana's apartment. Jax knocked. No answer. He knocked again, but all they could hear was mumbling coming from inside. Finally, pushing against the door with his shoulder, Jax managed to get in. "What is going on here?" Jax asked, shocked to see Miranda standing there holding a gun on LaQuana.
Jax ran forward to try to get the gun away from her, as he did so, the gun went off with a BANG.

{Recap: Brenda and Jagger went to Luke's for dinner after sharing a kiss outside the gatehouse. Everything went smoothly until, while dancing, Brenda became lost in thoughts of Jax and called Jagger by Jax's name. Jagger became hurt and began to think that he and Brenda shouldn't see each other until she was really over Jax. Jagger was then surprised when Brenda told him she would prove that she was over Jax- and asked him to make love to her. Meanwhile, Miranda pointed a gun at LaQuana after she caught her in her apartment with the folder about Brenda. Miranda continued to keep LaQuana in her apartment, at gunpoint, as Aleli grew increasingly worried about her sister. Aleli showed up at Jax's door and asked for advice on what to do, and he agreed to go with her to Miranda's to see what was going on. When they got there, they were shocked to see Miranda holding a gun on LaQuana. When Jax tried to get the gun from Miranda, the gun went off.}

Chapter 19
"LAQUANA!!!!!" Aleli screamed as the gun went off in the apartment. She couldn't even see yet who had been shot. Everything was jumbled, and all Aleli could see was a mass of bodies on the floor. LaQuana, Miranda, and Jax were sprawled on the floor, and as her eyes focused, she could see blood surrounding them.
Jax and Miranda were still struggling when Jax finally managed to grab the gun. Jax and Miranda stood up, both of them covered in blood.
"Oh my god, Jax did I shoot you?" Miranda screamed, seeing the blood. Looking down at herself she saw more blood and promptly fainted into a heap on the floor.
Jax turned back towards the door and saw Aleli. Aleli stood standing there, her hand covering her mouth and her face contorted into a look of fear and pain. "Aleli? What is it?" Jax asked. He walked over to her, and put his arms around her. She was white as a sheet and Jax was afraid she'd faint as Miranda had. Aleli cried out and pushed Jax away, pointing over his shoulder. Jax turned to see what was upsetting her so much and realized that LaQuana hadn't gotten up. She lay near where Jax and Miranda had struggled with the gun... where the gun had gone off. Jax walked over to her slowly, realizing that the blood that was all over him wasn't his or Miranda's- it was LaQuana's. The floor around LaQuana was soaked with her blood, and she was unconscious.
Jax knelt beside her, taking her wrist to feel for a pulse. Jax closed his eyes, praying to feel something... and at last he felt a slight, thready, light pulse that gave him hope that maybe LaQuana's condition wasn't as bad as it looked.
"Aleli," Jax said, starting to tell her to call for an ambulance. Hearing no response, he turned to see Aleli still in what seemed to be a state of shock. She was still white and tears were streaming down her cheeks. Her eyes looked as though she was a long ways away from the scene in front of her.
Jax shook his head, worried, and grabbed his cell phone from his pocket. Dialing 911, Jax spoke into the phone quickly. "Yes, I'm at 413 Port Charles Drive Apartments, we're in number 518 and there's a gunshot victim here. Looks like the bullet struck the victim around the right side of her chest, near her heart. There's a lot of blood- thready pulse. Please get here as soon as possible." Jax hung up the phone and went back over to Aleli. He knelt in front of her, taking her hands. "Aleli, talk to me. Are you all right?"
Aleli looked at him blankly, her eyes holding an infinite amount of sadness.
"Aleli. She'll be okay, I know it. You have to have hope. It'll be okay."
Aleli blinked, and then broke down and cried.
Jax sighed with relief and stood up and took her in his arms. "Shhh, it's okay," he whispered.
"She's my little sister, Jax! She's here because of me, she has to be okay!" Aleli cried, her voice muffled against Jax's chest.
"She's strong, Aleli, just like her big sister. She'll be okay," Jax told her, stroking her hair gently. "You'll both be fine."

Jagger stepped away from Brenda gently, still holding onto her hands. "What are you doing, Brenda?"
Brenda laughed softly. "Do you have to ask? I thought I made myself pretty clear."
Jagger shook his head. "Why are you doing this, though, Brenda? Because you really want to be with me? Or because you want to prove to me and yourself that you're over Jax?"
Brenda gazed downwards. "Maybe both," she answered uncertainly.
"Yeah. Well, I think it's more the second reason than the first," Jagger answered.
"It's because you don't want me... right?" Brenda asked seriously.
Jagger laughed. "No, that's not it at all. To be honest, I've wanted you since the first night we met. But I want you to want me too and not just to prove that you're over someone else- when you're clearly not."
"I don't have any choice, Jagger! Jax and I are through. I know that."
"Maybe you know it in your mind, Brenda, but your heart doesn't know it yet."
Brenda shook her head angrily. "Trust me, Jagger, *all* of me knows that Jax and I are over. I am ready to move on now."
"I'm not so sure that you are. Listen to me, Brenda. I'd like to get to know you better. I think you're fun, and beautiful, and s-exy... and I'm willing to wait to be with you completely because I want you to want it too, and not just make love with me to prove something. Okay?" Jagger asked.
Brenda nodded reluctantly. "Okay. I would like to get to know you better too, Jagger. I want you to know that I am sorry about earlier..." Brenda told him, knowing he knew what she was talking about- when she had called him Jax.
"Don't mention it again. Let's just start over. What do you say? It's nice to meet you, I'm Jagger Cates," he said, extending his hand to her.
Brenda nodded, but took his hand and pulled him closer to her. "Well I'm Brenda Barrett but I don't want to start over- I'd like to start right after our kiss at the gatehouse," Brenda answered.
"Good idea," Jagger answered. Leaning back against the car, Jagger pulled Brenda into his arms and kissed her passionately, while Brenda tried to focus on the kiss and not wonder what Jax was doing at that moment.

Jax walked across the hospital waiting room, carrying two steaming cups of coffee. "Have you heard anything?" Jax asked when he reached Aleli.
Aleli shook her head and reached for the cup of coffee with a shaking hand. "Nothing. She's still in surgery."
"It's been four hours! How long is it going to take?" Jax asked in frustration. He felt so responsible for this. He should've never agreed to let LaQuana go and talk to Miranda.
Aleli smiled gently at Jax. "You don't have to stay with me, Jax. I'll be okay here by myself, and I'll call you when I hear something."
Jax shook his head and sat down in the seat next to her. "No way. I am somewhat responsible for this. Besides, I don't want to leave you all alone here. You're doing so much to help me and my family, this is the least I can do," Jax told her honestly.
"Thank you," Aleli answered, her lips trembling as she tried not to cry. "I should call my parents."
Jax patted her hand gently. "It would probably be better to wait until you get some news. I mean, what could you tell them right now? LaQuana was shot, and she's in surgery... that would be just enough to get them worried and probably fly all the way here, possibly for nothing."
Aleli nodded. "You're probably right. God, Jax, what if she doesn't survive?"
Jax put his coffee down on the table and took hers too, before taking her in his arms gently. "It'll be okay. She's going to be okay, Aleli."
Aleli sobbed quietly. "Why are you being so good to me right now?"
Jax laughed. "Well your sister is in danger because she was trying to help me. I want to be here for you...it's the least I can do," he repeated.
Aleli wiped her eyes tiredly. "I think this has been the longest, definitely the worst night of my life," she said. "Even worse than...." she trailed off, remembering another bad night of her life, although not as bad as this.
"Not worse than what?" Jax asked, hoping to get her to talk about something else, thinking it would get her mind off of her sister.
Aleli sighed. "Are you sure you want to hear about this?"
"Positive."
"Well. Before, I considered the worst night of my life to be the night I broke up with my boyfriend, soon before my high school graduation."
Jax nodded with understanding. "Go on."
"Well...he and I had been dating for over two years. I really thought we'd be together forever, from the start I knew that he was the one for me. I thought he felt the same way, too."
"So what happened?"
"He decided to move to LA to go to school to be a cop," Aleli explained. "I wanted us to stay together and try a long-distance relationship, but he insisted he didn't want to tie me down. We would be so far apart for so long."
"You were staying in Hawaii to go to school?" Jax asked.
"Yeah. It was all my parents could afford. I didn't want to let him go...but he convinced me that if we were really meant to be together, we'd find our way back to each other someday."
"Did you?" Jax asked, already guessing the answer.
Aleli shook her head sadly. "No. I didn't see him again until..." she broke off as she saw a tired looking doctor emerge from the operating room, taking off a pair of bloody gloves.
"Are you Miss Buchanan's family?" The doctor asked.
Aleli jumped up. "I am. How is my sister, doctor?"
The doctor, who Aleli vaguely remembered hearing his name was Dr. Quartermaine, motioned for Aleli to sit down and he sat down across from her. "The bullet was lodged in your sister's right lung, Aleli."
"Oh my god.." Aleli whispered, reaching for Jax's hand blindly. Jax held her hand tightly. He had grown very protective of her during the last few hours.
"We managed to get the bullet free, but she's not out of the woods yet. We have to see how the lung will heal."
Aleli nodded. "What kind of chances are you giving her, Doctor?"
Dr. Quartermaine thought for a moment. "I don't want to give you any odds right now, let's see how tonight goes first, okay?"
Aleli nodded, fighting back tears for her younger sister. "Do you think I should call our parents?"
"That might be a good idea. We did the best we could, with the lung, it's in God's hands now."
Aleli nodded as the doctor turned and left the waiting area. Once he was out of sight, Aleli put her face in her hands and let herself cry for her sister.
Jax rubbed her back gently while she cried, and a little while later he handed her his cell phone. "Here...use this. You can call your parents."
Aleli met Jax's eyes with her own sad ones, and took the phone. She stood up and began to walk away to make the call in private, but then she stopped. She turned back and leaned down to kiss Jax on the cheek. "Thank you."

The next morning, Brenda came downstairs to eat a late breakfast with Lois.
"Hey how was your date last night, Bren?" Lois asked as she poured herself a glass of milk.
"It was...interesting," Brenda admitted. She was still confused about the events of the night before.
"What happened? How was Prince Charming?" Lois asked.
Brenda laughed. "That's *exactly* what Jagger is. He's so...perfect... in every way. He's gorgeous...he's understanding, and sweet, smart, successful."
"So what's the problem?" Lois asked knowingly.
"I can't get Jax out of my mind, Lois. No matter how much I try, I just..." Brenda broke off, her confusion evident.
"You're in love with him," Lois observed.
Brenda nodded. "I am. I keep telling myself not to be, that a future for us is impossible, but I can't get it out of my mind. I miss him." She laughed ironically. "I mean, I only knew him for a few days.... we were together for such a short time, but when we were.... I just *knew* that he was the one."
"That darn Miranda," Lois muttered around a mouthful of Cheerios.
"I know," Brenda groaned. "I'd be willing to bet that that witch isn't even pregnant."
"Well tell me about your date last night."
"It was nice. Jagger and I had dinner, and danced. And I called him Jax."
Lois nearly spit her milk across the room. "You *what?*?"
Brenda sighed. "We were just dancing, and then all of a sudden I felt like it was me and Jax in New York all over again, and... I just...called Jagger Jax."
"How did he take that?" Lois wondered.
"He was....cold after that, but nice enough about it. He knows that I'm still in love with Jax."
"So what happened after that?"
"Well, I tried to throw myself at Jagger, and then we decided to start the evening over again. We had a nice goodnight kiss and then he brought me back here."
"Are you going to see him again?"
"Sure. I like Jagger. He's just not Jax."
"Are you going to keep trying to get Jax back?" Lois asked quietly.
Brenda shook her head. "I don't even know. He knows... that I love him and still want him... it's up to him now. I'm going to give him a chance to come to me."
"And if he doesn't?"
"Then I'll just have to pursue him relentlessly until he gives in," Brenda joked.
"Good plan," Lois laughed. "So for now....you're just going to do nothing?"
"Come on, Lo, you know me better than that! I can't just sit by and do nothing at all. I'm going to call Jax and see if he'll meet me for lunch today."
"Are you sure that's a good idea, Bren?" Lois asked.
"I'm going to ask him more about this Miranda pregnancy fiasco," Brenda answered, rolling her eyes. "I'll tell him, after all we've been through, the least he can do is take me to lunch," Brenda laughed, reaching for Lois' cordless phone.
Brenda dialed Jax's penthouse and was surprised when Addie picked up.
"Hi, Addie, it's Brenda. Is Jax around?" Brenda asked.
"Well Brenda, Jax is at General Hospital right now," Addie began.
She didn't get any further, because Brenda clicked the button to hang up, immediately jumping to the wrong conclusion. "Jax is in the hospital!" She told Lois, grabbing her coat.
"Come on, I'll drive you there," Lois volunteered, grabbing her keys.

"Jax, really, I don't want to go for a walk! I want to stay and wait for more news on my sister," Aleli protested.
Jax took her hand and led her out of the building. "Just a quick walk around the gardens and we'll go back. We've been in there all day, since last night, you need some fresh air."
Aleli sighed and allowed Jax to lead her outside. "Jax, I really need to thank you. You've been so good, staying here with me and waiting for news on LaQuana. I don't know how I can ever repay you."
Jax turned to Aleli with a smile. "You don't have to repay me. We're friends, Aleli, right?"
Aleli smiled. "Yes. We are friends."
Jax pulled Aleli into his arms gently. "Everything is going to be okay."

There are times
I swear I know you're here
When I forget about my fears
Feeling you my dear
Watching over me
And my hope seeks
What the future will bring
When you wrap me up in you wings
And take me............

Where you are
Where you and I will breathe together
Once again
We'll be dancing in the moonlight
Just like we used to do
And you'll be smiling back at me
Only then will I be free
Where you are
And I can see your face
Your kiss I still can taste
Not a memory erased
Oh' I see your star shining down on me
And I do anything
If I could just be right there...

Then I will be free
So take me where you are

Now baby there were times when selfishly
I'm wishing that you were here with me
So I can wipe the tears away from your eyes
and make you see
That every night while you are dreaming
I'm here guard you from afar
And anytime I feel alone
I close my eyes and just be there....
(Move the Chords a fret higher)
Where you are
Where you and I can breathe together
(and we will breathe together baby)
Once again
(oh, we'll be dancing in the moonlight )
Oh we'll be dancing in the moonlight
Just like we used to do
(and you'll be smiling back at me)
And you'll be smiling back at me
(only then will I be free)
Then I will be free
Baby I still believe
Oh I've got to believe
I will touch you that sweet day
That you take me there
Where you are
I still believe
Oh, I got to believe
I will touch you that sweet day that you take me there
Where you are
Oh where you are
I've got to believe
I'll always be waiting here
That sweet day Yeah
Only wanna be where you are
I still believe

Brenda ran around to the entrance side of the hospital, Lois trailing behind her. She had go get to Jax. What if something was really wrong? What if something had happened and he was hurt? She had to be there for him. Stopping to catch her breath, Brenda looked to the side of the entrance into the garden area and her breath caught in her throat. There was Jax, standing with his arms locked around Aleli. He was holding Aleli just like he used to hold her.
Jax's eyes met Brenda's and held for a moment before Jax stepped away from Aleli gently.
Brenda stomped over to them and couldn't hold back the words that soon fell from her lips. "You liar! You didn't break up with me because Miranda's pregnant, you broke up with me to be with her!" Brenda cried.

Next time in Forbidden Love:
-Jax is shocked at Brenda's outburst
-Aleli makes a difficult decision
-Brenda learns the truth
-Aleli is rocked by a revelation

*Song Credit: "Where You Are" by Jessica Simpson and Nick Lachley

{Recap: In a struggle over a gun, Miranda ended up shooting LaQuana and seriously wounding her. Aleli had a difficult time dealing with LaQuana being hurt and turned to Jax for comfort; Jax proved to be a good friend during her time of need. Aleli told Jax all about her break-up with her boyfriend before she started college but she didn't reveal to Jax who he was. Jagger resisted Brenda's request to make love and Brenda swore that she knew her and Jax's relationship was over. Jagger and Brenda then agreed to start their relationship over.The next morning Jax and Aleli bonded further while waiting for news on LaQuana. Brenda and Lois talked about Jax and Jagger and Brenda's feelings for both of them. Brenda decided to call Jax and jumped to conclusions when Addie told Brenda that Jax was at the hospital. Without waiting for an explanation Brenda rushed to the hospital, only to see Jax and Aleli in an embrace and misinterpret the moment. Brenda accused Jax of lying about Miranda so he could be with Aleli.

Chapter 20
"I knew it! I knew this was about more than Miranda being pregnant!" Brenda fumed, glaring at Jax and Aleli.
Jax approached Brenda slowly. "Brenda. Listen to me."
"What?" She asked, looking over his shoulder at Aleli.
"I don't know what you think you just saw, but everything I've told you is true," Jax told her, wishing he didn't have to keep lying. "Brenda, Aleli's sister LaQuana was shot last night. She needed someone to be here for her right now, and that person is me. We're friends and she's going through a rough time right now."
Brenda raised her hand to her mouth, realizing how pale and tired Aleli looked now. Jax looked like he hadn't slept either. "I'm sorry," she whispered, suddenly realizing how out of line she had been.
Jax just nodded, and turned to go back to Aleli. He turned back to Brenda briefly. "Brenda....I am sorry," he told her.
For the first time Brenda really saw that Jax missed her, and it just made her want him back even more. She was about to ask him to come back, when Lois came up behind her.
"C'mon Bren. Let's go home," Lois told her, as they watched Jax go back to Aleli and lead her back into the hospital.
"You heard all of that?" Brenda asked sadly.
"Yeah, I did. I think maybe you need a little break from this stuff, Bren. From Jax."
"I... I didn't even listen to Addie after she said Jax was at the hospital. I just got scared that something had happened to him and I had to get here."
Lois nodded, and put her arm around her friend to direct her back out to the parking lot. "I know. Letting go is hard."
"I'll never let go of him, Lois. Never," Brenda told her bitterly.

"I'm sorry about that," Jax told Aleli gently when they were back in the hospital.
"What are you apologizing for? It wasn't your fault, Jax," Aleli answered distractedly.
"Just think, if my father hadn't hired you to take this case... your sister wouldn't be hurt right now," Jax told her sadly.
"Don't think about that, Jax. I wanted to take this case, and I'll continue to work on it," Aleli replied, squeezing Jax's hand warmly.
"She's going to be okay, you know," Jax said quietly.
Tears welled up in Aleli's eyes. "God, I hope so," she whispered.
Jax didn't answer, he just pulled her into his arms and held her.
"Miss Buchanan?" Dr. Quartermaine had come up behind them.
Aleli stepped out of Jax's arms, wiping her eyes. "Yes? Is there a change in my sister's condition?"
Dr. Quartermaine nodded soberly. "I'm afraid she's taken a turn for the worst. Have you contacted your parents?"
Aleli gasped. "How bad is it?" She asked, ignoring his question.
"Our post-operative test results have come back, and we think there's some internal bleeding, as a result from the initial gunshot wound. However, she's too weak just now to go in and try to stop it. She might not survive surgery this soon."
"So what do we do?" Aleli asked tearfully.
"For now, we wait. We're going to keep monitoring her over night, and if she continues to get worse, then we'll need to rethink surgery."
"But you said she's too weak for that," Jax broke in worriedly.
"Well. More surgery is not our first choice. We're going to do our best to wait as long as we can. That's why I would advise you to get in touch with your parents."
Aleli nodded. " I talked to my parents. They want LaQuana to be flown back to Hawaii as soon as she's strong enough."
Dr. Quartermaine nodded. "Let's see how the rest of the day goes."
After he left Jax turned back to Aleli. "Your parents don't want to come here to be with her?"
Aleli shook her head. "No...they can't really afford it, they just want us to fly her home."
Jax protested quickly, "I would be glad to help your family come here to be with LaQuana! I got you into this, please, it's the least I could do."
"I appreciate the offer, Jax, but my parents would just never go along with that...at least...not unless it was really bad. I think we should just plan on getting her back to Hawaii as soon as she's safe to fly."
"Promise me that if it gets a lot worse you'll let me arrange for you parents to come," Jax asked sincerely.
Aleli smiled. "How did I get so lucky to get such a great friend?"
Jax looked down. "Just promise me, okay?"
"I promise."

"Can you believe how I jumped to conclusions like that?" Brenda asked glumly as she and Lois stepped back into the gatehouse.
"It was an honest mistake, Brenda," Lois told her.
"No, I was a monster. The girl's sister was in there probably dying and I accused her of going after Jax. I'm as bad as Miranda."
"Bite your tongue! You could never be as bad as Miranda!" Lois exclaimed.
"Well, that's exactly how *she* behaved when she caught Jax and I kissing in New York."
"Still.. Miranda has done a lot worse than that. A *lot* worse."
"You know, I'd feel sorry for her child, but I bet she's not even pregnant, you know? Even if she is, I bet the baby's not even Jax's." Brenda said spitefully.
Lois nodded. "I wouldn't put it past her to lie."
"But how do I prove it?"
"I don't know, Brenda. Are you sure you shouldn't give all of this a break for awhile? I mean, the truth will come out eventually." Lois told her carefully.
"You mean give up on Jax."
"Not give up on him....just give him some time. I mean, you know he has hurt you here, Brenda. He should be the one to come crawling back to you when he finally figures out the truth!" Lois exclaimed.
"That's true, but....I just wanted him to listen to me and realize I'm write...and come back to me."
"I don't think it's gonna happen that easily, Bren," Lois told her gently.
Brenda nodded. "Maybe you're right."
"Besides, didn't you and Jagger agree to start over? I mean, this could be *really* starting over, if you decide not to focus on Jax so much for awhile.."
"Yeah. It's not really fair to Jagger to be with him when I'm trying to figure out Jax. I do care about him."
"Sure you do. So why not just have fun with him and see what happens?" Lois suggested.
Brenda hesitated. "But what if things do work out with him, and then Jax comes to his senses?"
"Well then you'll choose between them. Maybe by then you won't even want Jax anymore."
"That will *never* happen, Lois," Brenda told her with conviction.
"You never know! I think you should give Jagger a chance."
"Okay. You're right, you know... we did agree to start over and this is the perfect time to do it. As of right now, I am not going to think of Jax anymore. Not until he comes to win me back."
"Good. You need to have some fun, Brenda, and I think that Jagger is just the guy for you to have fun with!" Lois told her teasingly.
Brenda smiled at her friend, and then grew serious again. "There's one thing I have to do first- before I can really stop thinking about Jax. Can I borrow your car?"
"Where are you going?" Lois asked worriedly.
"I'm okay, Lois. I just have to do something, and after that I'll be free."

~Day after day I must face a world of strangers
Where I don't belong, I'm not that strong
It's nice to know that there's someone I can turn to
Who will always care, you're always there
When there's no getting over that rainbow
When my smallest of dreams won't come true
I can take all the madness the world has to give
But I won't last a day without you
So many times when the city seems to be
without a friendly face, a lonely place
It's nice to know that you'll be there if I need you
And you'll always smile, it's all worthwhile
When there's no getting over that rainbow
When my smallest of dreams won't come true
I can take all the madness the world has to give
But I won't last a day without you
Touch me and I end up singing
Troubles seem to up and disappear
You touch me with the love you're bringing
I can't really lose when you're near
If all my friends have forgotten half their promises
They're not unkind, just hard to find
One look at you and I know that I could learn to live
Without the rest, I found the best
When there's no getting over that rainbow
When my smallest of dreams won't come true
I can take all the madness the world has to give
But I won't last a day without you
When there's no getting over that rainbow
When my smallest of dreams won't come true
I can take all the madness the world has to give
But I won't last a day without you~

"Jax, you know you don't have to stay here all day," Aleli told him guiltily. "I know how busy you are.
"Hey. I'm never too busy to help out my friends. You'd do the same for me if it was Jerry in that hospital room, right?"
"Sure," Aleli answered. The truth was, she hadn't even known when she and Jax had become friends. They were just acquaintances, she was working for his family... and then from the moment Miranda's gun had gone off, he had been great.
"Well, I want to stay here with you. I want to help in any way that I can."
"You know what you can do to help? You can go get Miranda arrested!" Aleli said angrily as she remembered whose fault all of this was.
Jax sighed. "If I thought I could, I would do it in a hearbeat."
"What do you mean? She shot LaQuana, Jax!"
"I know that, but we need to hear what the whole story was. Not only that, but LaQuana was shot because there was a struggle. It's as much my fault she got shot as it is Miranda's," Jax answered guiltily.
"What do you mean?"
"I mean, Miranda and I were fighting over the gun, so Miranda didn't shoot her on purpose... I could've been shot, or Miranda, as easily as LaQuana was," Jax explained.
"But you weren't! LaQuana was! Not only that, but Jax, you saw as well as I did that Miranda had the gun pointed at my sister when we walked in!"
"I know,"Jax answered. "I just don't know how we'd win if we did press charges against Miranda."
"I want her to pay for this, Jax," Aleli told him.
"She will, somehow," Jax assured her. Jax pulled her into his arms for a hug when Aleli spotted someone over his shoulder. "Oh great," she muttered. "It's your ex again."
Jax sighed and turned to see Brenda walking down the hallway, a vase of roses in her hand.
Brenda walked over to them, smiling sheepishly. "Hi Jax... Aleli. I felt really bad about how I behaved earlier. I had no right to do that to you. So I brought these flowers, for your sister, Aleli. Please take them."
"Thank you, Brenda," Aleli answered, surprised.
Brenda nodded. "Jax, can we talk for a moment? I won't take up much of your time... I know you're..busy," She said, gazing back and forth between Jax and Aleli. Brenda tried desperately to remember her promise to Lois. {Let him GO... just for now. Just until he realizes how wrong he's been and comes back begging for you.}
Jax looked hesitant, but clearing his throat, he stood up and walked back down the hall a little ways. He turned to Brenda. "What is it, Brenda?"
"I wanted to apologize again, for before. I...I just got the wrong idea from Addie, and I jumped to conclusions."
Jax nodded. "Okay."
"So I guess I'm here to tell you goodbye. I'm going to move on, now. It's taken me awhile to get it, but I finally understand now. You don't want me, and that's not going to change."
"Brenda...that's not entirely true..." Jax mumbled, rubbing his eyes tiredly. It had been a long day, and a long night before.
"Well then...goodbye," Brenda whispered, moving closer to him.
"Goodbye," Jax whispered, aware that she was coming nearer to him. "What are you doing?"
"Jax...could you just kiss me...one time more. Just a goodbye kiss, to finalize things," she asked hopefully.
Jax allowed himself to be drawn in by her full brown eyes, her soft lips... but when she raised her hands to touch his shoulders and lean in closer yet to kiss him, Jax jerked away. "NO!" He yelled, as if he'd been burned.
Brenda turned away, blinking back the tears that came to her eyes immediately at his brisk tone. "Why, Jax? If I mean nothing to you at all, then what is the problem with kissing me one more time? You didn't seem to hate it so much those days when we were together. Has Miranda's *pregnancy* just turned off your feelings for me completely? Do you not *want* me at all anymore? Because I don't get it, Jax. You *look* like you want to kiss me, but you turn away, you *push* me away. You look like you don't want to tell me goodbye, but you tell me we're through. This is your last chance, Jax. Tell me *why*!" Brenda demanded.
Jax pounded his fists against his forehead and made his decision. He said the four words to Brenda that he'd hoped he wouldn't have to say. Not then, at least. "You are my sister."

Aleli stared up at the ceiling, counting the tiles again. She stared down at the floor. She wondered why Jax and Brenda were taking so long. Finally, she decided to go and see if she could go in and see LaQuana yet. Aleli approached the nurse. "Do you think I could see my sister, for just a few minutes?"
The nurse smiled. "I don't see what it could hurt. This is ICU so just five minutes. And try not to wake her if she's sleeping. She needs her rest."
Aleli nodded happily and stepped into the room. Once she was in there, she finally realized how serious her sister's condition was. LaQuana was hooked up to several different machines, tubes were sticking out of her all over her body, and an oxygen mask covered most of her face. Aleli closed her eyes, smelling the smell of the hospital and listening to the beeping of the heart monitor in the corner. Finally she crept over to the side of her sister's bed and sat down in the chair. She squeezed her hand. "It's going to be okay, LaQuana. You're going to be just fine," she whispered. She leaned her head down on the bed and cried a little for her little sister.
"Aleli."
Aleli raised her head to see her sister's eyes staring back at her sleepily. Her voice had sounded raspy and pained. "Shhh.. it's okay, go back to sleep."
LaQuana closed her eyes for a moment and then lifted one hand very slowly to lift the oxygen mask from her face. The movement seemed to exhaust her for a moment. "Something...I have to tell you," she whispered.
"It's okay, you don't have to tell me anything," Aleli answered, trying to pull the oxygen mask back down as her sister gasped for breath after speaking.
"I...saw....the file."
"Miranda's file on Brenda?" Aleli asked, her interest piqued despite her worry.
LaQuana nodded slightly. "She's not....not...." LaQuana gasped for air.
"Brenda's not Jax's sister?" Aleli asked excitedly.
LaQuana shook her head again. "You are."

*Song Credit: "I Won't Last A Day Without You" by the Carpenters

There, now you're all caught up! I'll be writing chapter 22 tomorrow night, barring any complications. I hope you enjoy. Please tell me what you think. :-)

Hugs,
Amy

{Recap: After Brenda accused Jax of wanting to be with Aleli and making up the situation with Miranda, Jax took Brenda aside and explained that he was helping Aleli deal with her sister being shot. Brenda then had to deal with feelings of guilt for lashing out at Jax and Aleli and confided in Lois. Lois convinced Brenda to let the situation with Jax go for awhile and try to have some fun with Jagger. Brenda agreed, but said she had to see Jax one more time. She then went to the hospital and took flowers for LaQuana. LaQuana's condition worsened and Dr. Quartermaine told Aleli that she should notify their parents and have them come to PC. Jax offered to help them financially so they could fly to Port Charles but Aleli declined and told Jax that when LaQuana was strong enough she would be flown back to Hawaii. Jax and Aleli continued to grow closer as they both realized that they were now friends. When Brenda showed up at the hospital again she apologized to both of them for her outburst and asked to talk to Jax privately. Once together, Brenda told Jax that she was letting him go for now and asked him to kiss her goodbye... when he wouldn't, Brenda demanded to know why and Jax blurted out that she was his sister. Meanwhilittle energy she had to tell Aleli what she had seen in Miranda's file- that Brenda was not Jax's sister- Aleli was.

Chapter 21
"What did you just say?" Aleli gasped. Brenda's not his sister- you are. The words played in Aleli's head again. "LaQuana!"
Aleli looked pleadingly at her younger sister, but LaQuana, exhausted from the effort, had fallen asleep almost as soon as the words had gotten past her lips.
"Oh LaQuana, if this is true... I could be Jessica Jacks?" Aleli whispered to her sister over the beeping of the monitor and the constant drip of the IV. Aleli leaned back in her chair, forcing herself to blink back the tears that threatened to spill down her cheeks. "If I am her," Aleli said aloud, "So many things would change. My whole life.. would be different." Aleli shook her head. "I can't think about this now. LaQuana, we have to concentrate on you now. You must get better. Nothing can happen to you, do you hear me? We need you too much... I need you, Mom and Dad need you... so you can't go anywhere. You have to get better and stay with us. Please.." Aleli finally lost her battle against the tears and leaned her head against the side of the hospital bed, sobbing. "This is all my fault, you know. I should *never* have let you work on this case with me. Then I shouldn't have let you go to Miranda's alone. I was so *stupid*! You're my baby sister and I promised Mom and Dad that I would look out for you. This is all my fault," she whispered.
The nurse came to the door and spoke softly. "Miss Buchanan. You need to leave now, your sister needs her rest."
Aleli nodded quickly, wiping her cheeks. She leaned down and kissed her sister on the forehead and squeezed her hand gently, and left the room. Once she was out in the waiting room, she realized Jax hadn't come back from talking to Brenda yet. Well, if the information LaQuana found is right, he can be with Brenda again, she thought ruefully. It's me and Jax that can't be together romantically. Aleli's eyes widened as the last thought went through her mind. Since when did I even think about Jax that way?

"WHAT did you just say?" Brenda asked, jumping away from Jax in shock.
"You heard me," he said quietly.
"No, no, no. You have to tell me *everything*. Tell me the whole story, Jax. Now," Brenda demanded, pacing back and forth nervously. "This just can't be true."
"Miranda told me, after we got back from New York."
"And you *believed* HER?" Brenda asked in shock.
"She said she had proof, Brenda. I... well, I didn't completely believe her. So I hired someone to look into it for me."
"A detective?"
"Yeah. Aleli," Jax told her.
"Well that explains that," Brenda answered distractedly. "But Jax this cannot be true!"
"Yes, it could be, Brenda! Don't you see? This is why we can *never* be together!"
"But what if it's wrong, Jax? Miranda is a liar, you know that!"
"What if she's right, Brenda?" Jax whispered.

"Miranda! Open up!" Jerry pounded his fist on the door of her apartment.
A few seconds later, Miranda opened the door slowly, just a crack, to make sure it was him. "Get in here," she hissed.
Jerry went in and Miranda slammed the door shut and locked it.
"What is with you?" Jerry asked confusedly.
"Haven't you talked to your brother?" Miranda asked disbelievingly.
"Jax? No, I haven't talked to him for a couple of days. What's up? Are you gonna explain why you *demanded* that I come down here and now you're acting all weird? Really, Miranda, this is weird even for you. You're sitting here in your apartment with the door locked, the blinds shut, and the lights off."
"Oh, just shut up. You're sure Jax didn't tell you anything?"
"Nothing! I told you, I haven't even spoken to Jax!"
"Okay. You can't tell *anyone* this, Jerry. You have to promise!" Miranda whispered fiercely.
"What are you whispering for? It's just us here! What, have you got a dead body stashed in here somewhere?" Jerry joked, glancing around the dark apartment.
"That's not funny, Jerry!"
"Just tell me already!" Jerry whined impatiently.
"I shot someone."
"You WHAT?"
"That girl... that detective girl's sister.."
"Aleli's sister?" Jerry asked in disbelief.
"Yeah I guess.. her name's La something... LaJuana, LaBanna,..."
"LaQuana." Jerry filled in.
"Yeah, whatever."
"Okay. I think you need to elaborate here. You... *shot*... this girl?"
"She was in my apartment, Jerry! She was going through my things... and she had broken in here.." Miranda whined.
"Oh so that gives you reason to *shoot* her?" Jerry asked disgustedly.
"NO, no no. I was just gonna point the gun at her for awhile...just scare her.."
"What happened with that?"
"Your *brother* and her sister walked in!"
"So you shot her?" Jerry asked.
"NO! Jax came over and tried to get the gun from me.. we... we struggled and the girl got shot," Miranda admitted.
"Great," Jerry said sarcastically. "How bad?"
"Oh I don't even know. It was hard to tell who had been shot at first, there was so much blood.. but then I looked down and realized that it was her and I fainted."
"What happened then?"
"When I woke up they were gone."
"So what? You're *hiding* in here?"
"YES, I'm hiding! I'm sitting here waiting for you brother to have me arrested!"

Jax walked back to the waiting area solemnly. After he'd asked Brenda what would happen if Miranda was right about her, Brenda had promptly burst into tears and ran off.
Now Jax was back to where Aleli was sitting and he could see *she'd* been crying. He sighed. Why was everything always so complicated? "What's wrong, Aleli?"
Aleli looked up, surprised, she hadn't seen Jax approaching. "Oh. How was your talk with Brenda?" She asked, avoiding his question.
Jax shook his head. "You first. Did something happen while I was gone? Is LaQuana okay?"
Aleli smiled nervously, deciding not to tell him what she'd learned. "Well... she's no worse. I got to go in and see her, though."
"Oh, well that's a good sign, right?" Jax asked.
"Well, yes... it was just hard seeing her like that, all hooked up to machines... she's my baby sister, I'm so scared for her, Jax. I wish it was me in that hospital bed instead of her," Aleli admitted tearfully.
"Shhh," Jax said. "She's going to be fine, she's a fighter, just like her big sister," Jax told her, pulling her into his arms for a hug.
Aleli just cried harder, realizing that it was possible that her older brother was comforting her right now.

Brenda slammed the door of the gatehouse and ran inside, sobbing. Lois looked up from the couch. "What is it, Brenda?"
"Jax....told me the truth!" Brenda cried.
"The truth about what, Bren?" Lois asked worriedly. "Miranda?"
"No. God, I don't even know if all of that Miranda stuff is true," Brenda moaned.
"What then?"
Brenda shuddered, not wanting to say the words but needing Lois to know. "Jax told me... that he... that I... I might be his sister," Brenda said sadly.
"Holy toledo," Lois whispered. "I never saw that one coming!"
Brenda took the kleenex Lois offered her and blew her nose. "Yeah well, neither did I."
"How did he find this out?"
"This is the weird part! Miranda told him, and he's believing her!"
"Why would he do that? He knows as well as you do that Miranda has been out to get you since she caught the two of you together," Lois rationalized.
"Well, Jax says he doesn't trust her, so he hired a private detective, that Aleli girl, to find out for sure. But I think he does believe it, he sure pushed me away quickly enough."
"Well, better safe than sorry in a situation like this!" Lois said, still amazed. "I bet Miranda threatened him. Trust me, Bren, she would."
Brenda shook her head. "I wish he would've told me right away," she said bitterly. "It would've been easier knowing this was why... look at all of the times I tried to throw myself at him, Lois!"
"You thought you were in love with him, Brenda!" Lois tried to comfort her.
Brenda turned to Lois and looked at her with sad, tear-stained eyes. "That's the problem, Lo. I *do* love him... and I know I have to stop now, but I don't know how."

The next morning Jax woke up from sleeping in the chair in the hospital waiting room for the second night in a row. The chair next to Aleli's. He looked over at her, still sleeping, and felt closer to her than he'd ever thought he would. When his father had hired her, he'd seen her as a business associate. Nothing more. Now she was definitely a friend. He cared about her, cared about what happened to her. Jax rubbed his eyes tiredly, remembering his confrontation with Brenda yesterday. He still couldn't believe he'd told her the truth. There was no going back now.
Just then he was taken from his reverie by the approaching footsteps of Dr. Quartermaine. Jax nudged Aleli to wake her up and talk to the doctor, and Aleli awoke with a start.
"Dr. Quartermaine!" She gasped. "Is LaQuana okay? Did something happen?" She asked worriedly.
The doctor smiled, "No, not at all. The opposite in fact. Her condition improved over night. She's breathing easier on her own now and her vitals are stronger."
Aleli breathed a sigh of relief, and next to her, Jax squeezed her hand warmly.
"So what does this mean, doctor?" Aleli asked excitedly.
"Well, you asked me yesterday if she could continue her treatment at home, in Hawaii. Mr. Jacks informed me that he could transport her, along with a nurse and the two of you, in his private jet. I think that her condition has improved enough to make that trip today," he told them optimistically.
"Really?" Aleli asked, beaming up at him. "We can take her back to Hawaii today?"
"Yes, you can."
Dr. Quartermaine walked away to finalize her papers to transfer to the hospital at home and Aleli turned back to Jax.
"You don't have to do this, you know," she told him gratefully.
"I know, but I want to. I really do," Jax told her seriously.
Aleli smiled up at him. If you are my big brother, I couldn't have picked a better one, she thought to herself. She leaned forward and kissed Jax's cheek. "Well let's get going then. We've got a big day ahead of us!"
Jax nodded, hugging her for a moment. "Hawaii, here we come!"

Next time in Forbidden Love:
~Jax and Aleli spend some time together in Hawaii where Jax starts to have some not-so-brotherly feelings towards Aleli
~Brenda turns to Jagger to help her forget her love for Jax
~Lois and Robin help Brenda try to figure out the truth
~Jerry agrees to help Miranda

Hi, everyone! Here's chapter 22. I hope you like it. A small author's note: in this chapter, I mention Robin's boyfriend Jason Quartermaine. Remember that Sonny Corinthos does not live in Port Charles, and also Jason was never in the car accident that changed his life. This is the old Jason (the *good* Jason, lol). Please tell me what you think of this chapter. :-)

{{{angel hugs}}},
Amy
_______________________________________________________

{Recap: LaQuana became exhausted from the effort to tell Aleli the truth and fell asleep immediately after her confession. Meanwhile, Brenda was completely shocked by Jax's admission and questioned him on it, wondering why he would believe Miranda. Jax tried to explain that Miranda had proof and also told Brenda that he'd hired Aleli to investigate it for him. Across town, Jerry arrived at Miranda's apartment. A nervous Miranda told Jerry about shooting LaQuana and admitted to him that she was afraid Jax would have her arrested. After her conversation with Jax, an upset Brenda went home and told Lois what she'd learned. A tearful Brenda then admitted that now she had to find a way to stop being in love with Jax. Back at the hospital, Aleli tried to deal with the news LaQuana had given her without telling Jax. Jax and Aleli talked about LaQuana, and Jax comforted Aleli. The next morning, Dr. Quartermaine approached Aleli and informed her that LaQuana had improved overnight and would be strong enough to be flown back to Hawaii that day. Jax volunteered the use of his private jet, and Jax and Aleli planned for the trip.}

Chapter 22
"I can't believe you did this for us, Jax!" Aleli exclaimed, gazing out at the fluffy clouds they were flying through.
"Well this benefits me too, you know. I get the opportunity to visit one of my favorite places: Hawaii," Jax told her, flashing his dimples.
Aleli just shook her head in amazement. Jax was flying his own jet and she was riding up front with him while LaQuana was on a cot in the back, accompanied by a nurse from the hospital. To think that if Miranda's proof was true, *she* could have grown up knowing luxuries like this. It would've been a whole different world than the one she grew up in. Instead of going to the beach on vacations, she would've gone to foreign countries and far away places, on planes and ships instead of traveling crammed in a boat or a car with her parents and sister. A moment later she realized Jax was staring at her intently. "What?" She asked, embarassed.
"What were you thinking just then? You seemed so far away," he noted quietly.
Aleli blushed and looked down at her hands. "I...I was thinking about LaQuana and remembering when we were kids in Hawaii."
Jax smiled. "Did you get along? Jerry and I always fought a lot but when it came down to it, I could always trust him and I think he felt the same way about me."
"Sure, we fought sometimes. I think all siblings do," Aleli admitted, wishing they could change the subject.
"Yeah you're probably right. I wonder what it would've been like if Jessica had grown up with us. I've thought about that so many times," Jax sighed.
Aleli nodded silently and reached over to squeeze Jax's hand. {I wonder too, Jax, what it would've been like for all of us}, she thought as the plane carried them swiftly across the clouds towards Hawaii.

"How are you doing, Brenda?" Robin asked her friend sympathetically as they sat across from each other at the Port Charles Grill.
Brenda attempted a brave smile. "I'm okay. I'm really confused...and hurt...but basically I'm okay," she confided.
Robin nodded. "I know this must be so hard, you seemed so...in love with Jax before."
"It was hard enough dealing with Jax breaking up with me, and having to deal with the possibility that Miranda was pregnant with his child and they would be married... but now *this*. I would've never suspected it," Brenda said bewilderedly.
"He really thinks that you're his missing sister?" Robin asked disbelievingly.
Brenda sighed. "I guess. I mean, he says that he's having it investigated- that Aleli girl is really his private investigator, but I don't think he would've shut me out so quickly if he didn't think this was true."
"But he doesn't have any real proof?" Robin asked.
"Not that he said. Of course, I didn't give him much of a chance to explain, I ended up bursting into tears and running out of the hospital," Brenda admitted sheepishly.
"I'm sorry, Brenda," Robin told her, patting her hand comfortingly. "Is there anything I can do?"
Brenda smiled tearfully. "Just being here and listening is helping. I don't know what I'd do without you and Lois."
"Well you'll never have to find out," Robin answered.
"Let's talk about something else. Tell me about you and Jason!" Brenda said brightly.
Robin blushed slightly at the mention of her boyfriend, Jason Quartermaine. She and Jason attended PCU together, both were Pre-med. "Everything's great with us," she said vaguely.
"Oh, come on now, I want details!" Brenda teased.
"Well, we're having some issues right now," Robin began.
"Why? What's up?" Brenda asked, concerned, and glad to try and help her friend now.
"Jason wants us to get an apartment together, but of course Uncle Mac is *not* happy with that idea."
"Oh.." Brenda thought for a moment. "And how does Jason's family feel about that?"
Robin laughed. "They just keep asking us when the wedding is, every single time they see us!"
"Is it that serious?" Brenda asked, surprised. When they'd been in Florida, Brenda knew that Robin and Jason had just started seeing each other. Robin had just been getting over the death of her boyfriend, Stone. At the time Robin had told them that she didn't want to get that serious with anyone else for a really long time.
Robin looked hesitant. "It is serious, yes. I just don't know how much I'm ready for, now, you know? I do love Jason, and I know he loves me. But I also know that I want to finish college and become a doctor before I settle down and have a family."
"Do you *want* to settle down and have a family with Jason?" Brenda asked inquisitively.
Robin thought for a moment. "Yes...eventually. Just not yet."
"Then tell him that, Robin. Just make sure that he knows that you want all of that eventually, just not right now," Brenda advised her.
"Thanks, Brenda," Robin said.
"No problem. Now if only I could figure out my own problems! What do *I* do now?" Brenda asked.
Robin smiled, gazing past Brenda. "I think your answer is coming this way."
Just then Brenda felt a light hand on her shoulder. She looked up to see a familiar pair of glittering brown eyes.
"Hey Brenda."
"Jagger."

"Why are you so sure that Jax is going to have you arrested?" Jerry asked Miranda worriedly.
"Trust me, Jerry. He will. You know he hates me now...for telling him the truth about Brenda...and now he walked in and saw me holding a gun on that girl and she ended up shot. What else is he gonna do?" Miranda asked nervously.
"He might just forget the whole thing," Jerry suggested.
"Right. And what, you think that the other girl will just let me get away with shooting her sister?"
"Look on the bright side, Miranda. You *are* carrying Jax's child, right? He wouldn't want to send his first-born child to prison," Jerry said cheerfully.
Miranda groaned and gave Jerry a look. "I don't know if I should bet on that! Come on, Jerry, you have to help me!" Miranda pleaded.
"Why?" Jerry snapped. "Why should I help you? You hurt my brother... you strung me along while you were seeing him... now you're pregnant with what has to be *my* child and yet you're passing it off as his. Give me one good reason why I should help you!"
"Jerry! I did *not* hurt your brother. He never found out about us, and he was the one who hurt me! He was with that little tramp Brenda while we were still together!" Miranda whined impatiently.
"Right. So are you admitting now that Jax is *not* the first Jacks brother to father a child?" Jerry grinned.
"The baby is Jax's, Jerry! I've told you that from the beginning."
"Yeah, so you've said. I don't believe you though." Jerry grumbled.
"Well that's your problem! Now help me!"
"I told you, give me one good reason!"
"I'll tell Jax *everything* about us," Miranda said angrily.
"Now what good will that do? You must be getting desperate," Jerry noted. "If you tell Jax everything, he will hate you and me, and I will hate you for telling him and there's no way either one of us will help you!"
"Okay, okay. I'll give you this. If you help me out of this mess, I'll let you get a paternity test done on the baby when it's born. Even though you'll find out the same thing I've been telling you- the baby is Jax's."
"I don't know, Miranda..." Jerry thought about it.
"C'mon. Do you really want to see me in prison?"
"I bet you'd look cute in that orange jumpsuit," Jerry smirked.
"Jerry!" Miranda whined.
"All right! Enough already. I'll help you out of this one- but you have to stick to your end of the deal, too!" Jerry agreed.
"Good. You won't regret this, Jerry," Miranda told him coolly.

"It's so beautiful here," Jax said as he stepped out of the airport after landing the jet.
Aleli smiled. "It's always interesting to hear people say that about Hawaii; to me it's just home."
Jax laughed. "Yeah that's what I always say about Australia!"
"Yeah, it's odd how we both grew up in exotic places, isn't it?" Aleli blurted out.
Jax nodded. "Yeah and then to meet in a place as un-exotic as Port Charles. That's the strange part," he noted. "Speaking of Port Charles, when are you coming back? I figured you'd stay here for awhile while your sister recovers.."
Aleli shook her head. "No. When I went back during the flight to talk to LaQuana, she told me that she wants me to go back to PC as soon as possible and finish the case."
"Wow, she must be getting into this detective thing; she just got shot and she's already thinking about who my real sister is going to turn out to be."
Aleli smiled. {If you only knew, Jax!} She thought ironically. "Yeah, the one thing my little sister has to learn is to *not* break into a crazy woman's apartment alone!"
Jax laughed. "Yeah, that'd be a good place to start! So, how long are we staying?"
"We?" Aleli asked. She'd assumed Jax would just drop them off here and then fly back to Port Charles the next day.
"You don't expect me to leave this tropical paradise, without letting you show me the best places in your home town, do you?" Jax asked.
Aleli stuttered. "Well...uh...um, you want to stay?"
"Sure. Hawaii is one of my favorite places, you know. Besides, I couldn't just leave you here without a ride home," Jax joked.
"Well, okay. Um, I wanted to see how LaQuana does once she gets into the hospital here, with Mom and Dad with her, but I was thinking if she continues to improve maybe I could leave in a couple of days. Would that be okay?"
"Sure. I'm looking forward to spending some time with you here," Jax told her. He surprised her then by putting his arms around her and hugging her for a moment. "Even though these weren't exactly ideal circumstances, I'm glad I got the chance to know you better, Aleli," Jax told her, pulling away from her gently.
"So am I, Jax," Aleli said quietly.
"I've really been amazed by your strength these last few days. You stood by and watched your sister get shot, right before your eyes...and yet you just kept going, doing what was best for her the whole time."
"Thank you," Aleli murmured, gazing down at the toes of her sneakers. "I'm not really strong though, Jax."
"What are you talking about? Everything I've seen you do has been strong."
Aleli took a deep breath. "Jax if I was really a strong person, then I would be able to tell you the truth."
"The truth about what?" Jax asked. {Why is there always a hidden truth when I start to care about someone?} Jax wondered worriedly.
"Well, it's something I found out when we were still at the hospital in Port Charles... LaQuana told me, actually," Aleli began hesitantly. {Was this really the right time to tell him this?} She wondered.
"What is it, Aleli?" Jax asked patiently.
"Jax-"
"Aleli! Thank goodness it's you!" Aleli was interrupted at just the right moment by an older couple that seemed to appear just out of the blue in front of them outside the airport.
Aleli sighed, shooting an apologetic glance Jax before speaking. "Mom! Dad! I'm *so* glad to see you," she told them. {You'll never know just *how* glad}, she thought.

"I hope I'm not interrupting anything important," Jagger said politely as he smiled down at Brenda.
"No...not at all!" Brenda said, trying to sound cheerful. "Jagger, you remember my friend Robin Scorpio from The Outback the other night, right?"
"Of course. It's good to see you again, Robin," Jagger responded, smiling charmingly at Robin.
Robin grinned back and then stood up quickly. "It's good to see you, too Jagger. Brenda, I just remembered something! I told um... Jason.. that I'd meet him this afternoon. So I'll talk to you later, okay?"
Brenda tried not to laugh at her friend's hasty exit. "Sure, Robin. Call me later!"
Jagger sat down in Robin's empty chair and gazed at Brenda worriedly. "Are you okay?" He asked knowingly.
Brenda smiled. "Sure, I'm fine. I'm really glad you're here, I was going to call you later."
"Really? Well I was actually hoping I'd run into you here."
"Did you mean it the other night when you said that we could start our relationship over, completely?" Brenda asked him worriedly.
Jagger nodded and took her hand across the table. "I did mean it. I want you to be sure though. Are you ready to move on, Brenda, and let Jax go?"

Next Time In Forbidden Love:
~Will Brenda answer Jagger's question the way he hopes?
~Ned, Lois, Robin and Jason decide to play matchmaker with Brenda and Jagger.
~Aleli finds it difficult to tell Jax the truth.
~Miranda makes an admission to Jerry