Next Morning
10:00am
Kelly’s

Brenda walked slowly up to Kelly’s when she heard Lois call her name. Brenda turned
and saw Lois reading a magazine at one of the outdoor tables. Brenda gave a half hearted
smile as she sat down. “Brenda you look terrible” Lois said sympathetically putting down
her magazine.

Brenda set her bag on the ground “I thank God every night for my kind friends.”

Lois frowned “I’m sorry Bren, but something is up with you. I can just tell, so come on,
lay it on me.”

Brenda rested her elbows on the table and sighed “I broke up with Jax.”

“Bren, why?” Lois said shocked.

“I had to.” Brenda said softly and then glanced around looking for someone lurking in the
area. “Jason told me that we were being followed by Sorel and he was supposedly ready
to come after Jax again. Since I’m being guarded by Sonny’s men, Sorel won’t come after
me, but Jax is fair game.”

“Wait I thought Sorel shot Jax. Shouldn’t he be in prison?” Lois asked

“He did, but Sorel was long gone before the police issued an arrest warrant. He is giving
orders from a beach somewhere.”

Lois frowned “Oh honey. I’m so sorry.” Lois said reaching her manicured hand across the
table and watched Brenda’s expressions. “Oh God, Jax, he doesn’t know why you did it
does he?”

Brenda shook her head sadly “He thinks I’m a big jerk who made him look like an idiot in
front of a room full of people. I felt awful Lois, but what else could I do?”

Lois shook her head no “I’m not sure, but really do you trust Jason?”

“Most of the time, I wouldn’t trust that man farther then I could spit, but I couldn’t take
the chance. Jason said the organization was going to do something about Sorel and I
guess I believe him. Hopefully it’ll be soon so I can explain everything to Jax before it’s
too late.”

Lois felt her face relax into a smiled “You have fallen haven’t you Brenda?”

Brenda felt her cheeks flush “What are you talking about?”

“I never thought I’d see the day! Oh my heavens! Brenda Barrett has fallen for Jasper
Jacks!”

Brenda fell back in her chair and smiled as she shook her head “Even if I denied it you
wouldn’t believe me, would you?”

Lois let her chin rest in the palm of her hand as she tapped her manicured finger against
her cheek “I wouldn’t believe you because I know you Brenda. The love bug as bitten
you! But it really does suit you well my darling. Puts color in your cheeks.”

“LOIS!” Brenda screeched between clenched teeth “Stop it.” Brenda glanced down at her
watch and reached for her bag “I should go otherwise I’ll be late for my shoot. And
please Lois, don’t let your imagination run wild!”

Lois smiled as Brenda got up from her seat and walked away.

.........

Jax sat staring at the mailbox sitting on the coffee table and had a replay of Brenda’s
outburst at the Grille. Her voice echoed in his head. He opened the mailbox and pulled
out Brenda’s ‘first letter’ and tapped on the envelope. He re-read the letter in his mind.

Brenda-

Consider this your first letter in your mailbox. I can almost see you rolling your eyes as
I’m sure this is the most unusual of gifts, but please know this wasn’t an easy decision! I
thought about everything else and this one just seemed right for some reason. I know
how much you wanted that house Brenda and I want this to be the first housewarming gift
you get. It probably won’t be the best or the brightest, but know that it came from my
heart, with all the best in mind. I hope I am able to share in all that you do because I
truly value each and every minute we spend together.

Jax

Jax laughed to himself “Love, what a joke.” He stood up and threw the letter into the
fireplace and walked upstairs to his bedroom to grab some paperwork.

.........

Days Later
6:00pm
Docks

Brenda flew down the steps in a hurry and lost her balance dropping all her shopping bags
and boxes onto the ground. “Shoot” Brenda said to herself and bent down to pick them
up. Jax was on his run, jogged down the stairs and noticed a bent over picking up some
packages. Jax stopped his jog and reached down to help. He stopped as he saw who it
was.

“Brenda” Jax said standing up. Brenda gathered her things and tried to hide her feelings
“Jax, what are you doing here?”

Jax wiped his forehead with the back of his hand “I was taking a run and saw someone
who I thought needed help.”

“Yeah well thanks for the help.” Brenda gathered her things and went to walk around Jax
but he slid in front of her “I want an explanation” he demanded.

“About what?” Brenda asked.

“I think you know. I can’t even believe what happened the other night. I deserve to know
what changed.”

Brenda looked around to see if she could see anyone lurking around “I’m sorry Jax, I
never meant to hurt you, but my feelings, well they changed.”

Jax put his hands on his hips “Does this have anything to do with Sonny?”

Brenda thought for a second “Yeah. Yes actually it does.” She figured she wasn’t totally
lying about this.

Jax snapped his fingers “Just like that. It’s over?” Jax’s confused face turned to pleads
“Brenda something happened, please tell me. If it’s something I said or did, I want to fix
it.”

Brenda adjusted her boxes and bags “Jax, let’s just leave it at, we couldn’t make it work,
ok?”

Jax shook his head “No way Brenda. We could have made it but you gave up for some
reason.” Jax inched closer to Brenda and pushed her hair off her shoulder with the back
of his hand and caressed her cheek. “I know you feel something when we are this close.
There is no denying it.”

Brenda felt herself giving in as Jax began to kiss her neck. Brenda let out a slight moan of
joy as she felt his lips inch closer to hers. She wanted this bad but as he began to kiss her
lips, Brenda’s eyes had fluttered open and she fixed her eyes on a careless man who was
standing at the top of the stairs. It was obvious he had been watching them. She quickly
pulled away and regained her control “I told you to leave me the hell alone and I mean it
Jax.”

Jax, once again, confused stood helpless “Brenda, what the hell is going on?”

“I have to go Jax.” Brenda said running up the stairs “I’m sorry. I really am.”

Jax shook his head “I don’t get you Brenda but know that none of this is my fault. I
wanted us. It was you who threw it away.”

Brenda stopped at the top of the stairs and looked down on Jax with a sadness in her eyes.
She didn’t say anything as Jax broke out into a run in the opposite direction she was
headed.
........

Brenda stopped walking and realized she had forgotten one of her bags. She turned to head back
when she heard Jax talking. She stopped at the top of the stairs and listened. It was Jax
and Jerry. They were sitting on the bench. Brenda strained to hear.

"...What are you telling me little brother? You love her?" Jerry asked

Jax shrugged his shoulders "I can't say for certain. I don't think I really know her, but god Jerry
I can't think of anyone but her. Her eyes, her voice...her touch. I've fallen Jer, pretty hard!"

Jerry scratched his chin and nodded "Sounds like Cupid's arrow has hit! And it's about time if I do say
so myself!"

"Too bad, it isn't going to go anywhere."

"Well why not?" Jerry said

"She dumped me already" Jax said sadly. Brenda felt her heart ache to reach out to him and tell him the
truth, but restrained herself.

"Gosh Jax, I knew you were bad, but that's really pathetic. You haven't even been together..."

Jax raised his hand and waved him off "I know Jerry, Ok?"

Jerry stood up "Well are you doing to be a dumb Aussie or are you going to get up and fight?"

"I've done what I can. It's up to Brenda now and I'm not going to hold my breath.
She's made her feelings for me pretty clear."

Brenda slowly turned on her heels and walked away sadly wishing she could say something to reach out
but she knew she couldn't. Not yet anyway, but she'd make him understand later. She just had to.
......
Later
9:00pm
Brenda’s Hotel Suite

Brenda let her robe fall to the floor as she stepped into the tub. She let herself ease into
the overfilled tub of bubbles. Brenda lightly closed her eyes as she let the bubbles settle
and the warm water run over her body. Jax’s face was the first image that popped into
her head. His smile...his laugh...his touch...his lips, they haunted her mind, took over her
every thought. There was no way of getting around it.
 

I try but I can't seem to get myself
To think of anything... but you.

Your breath on my face
Your warm gentle kiss I taste
 
 

The truth... I taste the truth
We know what I came here for
'Cause I won't ask for more
 
 

I wanna be with you
If only for a night,
To be the one who's in your arms
 
 

To hold you tight
I wanna be with you,
There's nothing more to say
There's nothing else I want more
Than to feel this way.
 
 

I wanna be with you, yeah

..........

Sorel’s Warehouse
10:00pm

A large men dressed in an expensive suit entered a small room and slammed a briefcase
down on a cheap table. The men seated around the table snapped to attention as the man
at the head flipped open his briefcase “I have orders from Sorel” He eyed each of the four
men seated at the table and folded his hands and rested them on the table. “Besides Mr.
Morgan we have another enemy here in town.”

A short fat man chuckled from the far end of the table as he cracked his knuckles “I think
we have a few more than that don’t we?”

The boss ignored the man and continued “Mr. Jacks, public enemy number one.” he
reached into an envelope and passed his picture around the table “Take a good look
because I don’t want any mistakes!” The men nodded as they each took turns looking at
Jax’s picture. “There will be an annual ELQ stockholders party at the Quartermaine
Mansion tomorrow evening. Mr. Jacks, will be in attendance. Unfortunately that will be
his last gala. A bomb will be planted at Mr. Jack’s suite while he is gone. Once he returns
and flips on the light, the bomb will be set off.” The man looked around the room “Any
questions?”

The fat man was champing on a stick of gum cracked “What about the pretty girlfriend?
She’s the only one I’m interested in making fireworks with...” The other men cracked a
slight smile but the boss slammed his fist down on the table interrupting him “I never
mentioned her, so therefore don’t worry about her, don’t mention her and don’t so much
as utter her name again. Tomorrow night Jax will meet his maker. No one else is to die,
no one else is to enter the picture. Got it?”

Everyone nodded like robots. “Good. I’m going to give Sorel a call and tell him
everything is a go. No screws up, got it?”

The man got up from the head of the table and left the room, slamming the door behind
him.

..........
Jason’s Penthouse
1:00am

“My God Jason, what couldn’t wait till morning?” Brenda said as she walked into his
penthouse and sat down on the couch still half asleep.

“We have word tomorrow is the night Jax is supposed to die.”

Brenda’s eyes opened wide “What?”

“Our spies said Sorel’s men held a meeting tonight at the warehouse. We have word they
are going to kill Jax.”

“What the hell? Jason, I thought we were protecting him by me breaking up with him.”

Jason poured a drink “Brenda calm down. I have an idea. I think they are going to try to
do something with it around the ELQ stockholders party.”

Brenda stood up and walk toward Jason “So what do you suggest?”

“Get Jax out of town.” Jason said simply taking a sip of the drink “That way we can figure
out what’s up, and take care of Sorel.”

Brenda felt tears fall to her cheeks “Jason how do I know you are telling me the truth?”

“Would I drag you here at 1 in the morning if I wasn’t?” Jason cracked.

Brenda reached up quickly and brushed back her tears “And how am I supposed to get Jax
out of town? I’ve treated him like dirt for days now. Besides he’s dedicated to his work.
He won’t miss the ELQ board meeting for anything.”

“Brenda you have to make him.” Jason said calmly “That is if you want to keep him alive.”

Brenda pushed her hair off her shoulders “I can’t believe this! This is completely gotten
out of hand.” Brenda screamed “I mean things were fine until you came along. I mean my
life before Sonny wasn’t great but this...this is ridiculous. I thought I was free of this man,
but of course not. He always gets the last laugh doesn’t he? He left me, but he can’t see
me happy. How sick is he?”

“Get Jax out of town by tomorrow afternoon. Everything will be fine.” Jason said
ignoring her outburst.

Brenda threw her head back and laughed “What is fine Jason? You promised everything
would work out after I broke up with Jax. I did that and things just got a whole lot
worse. Now I am supposed to do a complete 180? Who in their right mind would believe
it? Besides what about the spies? And the bugs at the apartments?”

“Just do it Brenda.” Jason said starting toward the door “It’ll have to be a public place and
if you don’t scream, no one will be able to get close enough to hear anything. Besides one
of the guards will be keeping on eye on you both. Johnny will drive you home. You’ll
tomorrow and I’ll call you when it’s safe to come home.”

Brenda picked up her handbag “Don’t count on me even getting him out of town.”

“Do it Brenda” Jason said motioning to Johnny “Look, everything will be taken care of so
you can get out of town safely. You’ll be informed later on when you can leave town and
how.” Brenda stepped out the door and Jason slammed the door behind her.

Brenda pushed the button for the elevator and sighed sadly “Oh Jax...” she whispered
softly “What are we going to do?”

.........
9:00am
Kelly’s Outdoors

“Jax” Brenda said putting on her best smile trying to remain clam “I’m glad you came.”

Jax slipped into the seat and crossed his arms over his chest “I wasn’t going to but I’m
here, so what’s up?”

“I know I’ve been acting sorta strange lately and I want to apologize for that.” Brenda
began slowly.

Jax stood up knocking over his chair “Brenda I am not going there. We are over
remember?”

Brenda frowned “Jax, please hear me out.”

Jax refused to sit down so Brenda stood up “Jax, I’m sorry, OK?”

“Brenda I don’t think I understand what’s happening here. It wasn’t two days ago you
were screaming at me to leave you alone. Now you are apologizing? Forgive me if I
don’t follow this.”

Brenda shifted uncomfortably “Like I said I’m sorry. Let me make it up to. I feel so
badly about what has happened between us. I was confused and everything was getting all
messed up in my head. But luckily I have everything all figured out. Including how to
make this all up to you. What do you say we go someplace out of town? I here New
York is great this time a year!”

Jax shook his head “I don’t believe this! I really do not believe you are saying this.
You must be crazy! That's got to be it" Jax said snapping his finger "You’ve gone completly insane!
But I am not going to stand around here and watch you make a complete turn around again in a few
days. Good-bye Brenda.” Jax turned to leave.

“Jax wait. I was confused before. But now, my mind is completly clear.” Brenda said stepping
"I know what I want." Brenda stepped toward him to stop him “Come on, it’ll be fun. Just the
two of us...alone” Brenda stepped inches from Jax’s face “Please will you?”

Jax took two steps away from Brenda and rested his knuckles on the table “Brenda what
is wrong with you? My head is spinning from all the changes you’ve made! I can’t see
straight anymore! I’m sorry but I can’t really take this right now.”

“You have to Jax” Brenda blurted out “Because I want to run away with you. Right now
tonight.”

Jax scratched his head “What the hell are you babbling about Brenda? You aren't making any
sense to me!”

Brenda thought back to Jax and Jerry's conversation about how he cared for her, maybe even loved
her. She knew this was probably the only way to do get Jax out of town. Brenda took a deep breath
“I love you Jax. Marry me. Tonight.”
 

To be Continued

Song Credits

1.) I Wanna Be With You by Mandy Moore

end chapter 9