Posted by MollyS on July 13, 2000 at 09:01:19:

Jax skipped down the stairs and flipped off the lights. He glanced around and noticed something on the coffee table and flipped the lights back on. He walked over
to the table and picked up a cellphone. "Brenda!" he said smiling "I wonder if I should drop it off?" He glanced down at his watch and shook his head "Guess I'll
wait till morning." He set the phone back on the table and jogged back up the steps.

...........

Brenda stood frozen with fear as Sorel smiled "Tell me where your boyfriend is and I will just set this nice little gadget down. Otherwise, Brenda goes buh-bye"

Brenda held up her hands "I don't understand why you think I would know where Sonny is."
 

"Don't play stupid with me!"

"Look Sonny stood me up at the altar. I haven't heard from him since. I swear!"

Sorel slowly lowered his aim and looked around the cottage "Why should I believe you?"

"I have nothing to hide Sorel. Now please just go."

Sorel sat down on the couch again as he set his gun down "I'd love to leave, but I just have this sinking feeling your lying to me. I wonder why that is?" Sorel kicked
over Brenda's coffee table as Brenda flinched. "Come here" Sorel said pointing to the couch. Brenda remained still as Sorel barked louder "COME HERE!" Brenda
jumped with fear as she inched toward him. He stood up again and carried the gun in one hand as he walked around the cottage slowly. "Hmmmm interesting" Sorel
said looking at some pictures.

"If...If I knew where Sonny was, what were you going to do to him?" Brenda asked slowly.

Sorel turned to face Brenda "Me and Corinthois have some unfinished business. He owes me. So are you now going to tell me where he is?"

Brenda nodded slightly as she crossed her arms in front of her chest "I said I don't know."

"You know I'm not a very patient person and well I'm sorta of getting annoyed with this 'I don't know' garbage, so I am giving you one more chance to tell me where
Sonny is before I blow you to pieces."

......

Jax sat up in bed and decided to call Brenda. Maybe with any luck she was still up.

Sorel jumped when the phone rang at Brenda's cottage "Don't even think about it."

Brenda thought for a second and lied "I get a call everynight from Robin, my friend, she'd get worried if I don't answer it and probably come over."

Sorel thought for a second and pointed at the phone with the end of his gun "Make it real short and don't even think about saying anything funny or I won't
heisistate!" Sorel said pointing his gun at Brenda's head. He pushed the speakerphone on.

Brenda reached for the phone "Hello?"

"Hi Brenda, it's Jax"

Brenda looked at Sorel who made a face "Oh hi Jax, I wasn't expecting your call."

"Yeah I figured. Say, you left your cellphone at my house. I'll bring it by tomorrow."

"Great" Brenda said nervous.

"Are you ok?" Jax asked

"Fine"

Jax raised an eyebrow "OK, well sweet dreams."

"Goodnight Jax"
 

Sorel grabbed the phone and clicked it off "Robin, eh? You must think I have idiot printed on my forehead!"

Brenda chewed on her lip as Sorel started going through her stuff "Maybe there is something you missed or forgot to mention."

Brenda thought of the letter from Sonny and remembered she had thrown it in the garbage awhile ago and there was nothing else around that would suggest she'd
been lying.

......

Jax stood on the steps of Brenda's cottage and wondered if he should ring the bell. The curtains were pulled so he couldn't look in the windows. He just had a wierd
feeling that something was wrong. He knocked softly on the door.

Sorel aimed the gun at the door as Brenda's eyes grew wide. "Who is it?"

"I don't know." Brenda said softly.

"Brenda!" Called the voice from outside the door.

"Jax!" Brenda yelled as Sorel pointed the gun at Brenda's head "Stupid move!!!"

Jax opened the door and turned to shut the door "Brenda I thought something might be wrong so I..." He turned and saw Sorel and Brenda. "Brenda!" he said
"What the hell is going on?"

"Welcome" Sorel said smiling "I guess it's two for the price of one today."

Brenda backed slowly toward Jax and Sorel sensed movement and quickly noticed Brenda now standing by Jax. Brenda slowly slipped her hand into his. She felt a
wall of protection surrounding her all of a sudden. "I want the lady over here." Sorel said pointing the gun next to him "I'll take care of this man here first."

Brenda went to release Jax's hand but he wouldn't let her. Sorel c*cked the gun "I don't think this is anytime to be playing Romeo. Now move it!"

Brenda went to release Jax's hand when Brenda's braclet fell to the floor. Brenda bent down to pick it up when Sorel aimed the gun at Brenda and pulled the trigger.
In one swift motion Jax shoved Brenda out of the way as Sorel fired 3 more shots before he ran out of the cottage.

Brenda slowly peeled her body off the floor. She had been half under Jax as he was trying to protect her. "Jax, are you ok?" She paused for an answer as she knelt
next to him as she gently shook him. "Jax?"

Brenda looked down to see her dress covered in blood. She didn't feel any pain and realized she hadn't shot. She flipped Jax over noticed his shirt was covered in
blood. Brenda screamed "JAX!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"
end chapter 6
 

Posted by MollyS on July 16, 2000 at 18:16:44:

Brenda frantically glanced around for signs of Sorel and whispered into Jax’s ear “Jax?
Can you hear?” Brenda ran her hand over Jax’s chest and felt the warm stick of blood
flowing over her palm. Brenda shut her eyes tightly in horror then jumped up and ran to
the phone to dial 911.

Brenda ran back to Jax and knelt down beside him “Yeah, hi this is Brenda Barrett, my
friend was shot and I need an ambulance here right away. Hurry!” Brenda chewed on her
lip as she silently prayed for Jax to be ok.

............
Hosptial
8:00am

Brenda sat in the waiting room of the hospital not able to concentrate on anything but Jax.
Brenda slowly paced around the chairs and suddenly remembered Jax’s family. “I should
call them.” Brenda said to herself, but before she could do anything a male doctor
appeared “Miss? Are you family of Mr. Jacks?”

“No, but I’m his friend. Please tell me, how is he?”

The doctor removed his surgical cap “He’s stable. We removed the bullet from his chest
but it did quite the damage to his left side of his heart and lung.”

“But is he going to be ok?” Brenda asked nervously tapping her fingers on her chin.

The doctor made a few faces and shrugged “I believe so, yes. But he’s still unconscious
and his body is trying to heal from a tramatic experience. It could take awhile to heal.”

Brenda frowned “Can I see him?”

“Make it quick” The doctor said turning to leave “His family should also be notified.”

“I know but I’m not sure how to get a hold of them.”

The doctor smiled “I believe one of our nurses here, dates his brother. I’ll see if she can
be in touch.”

“What room was he in?” Brenda asked.

“Room 104. Down that hall and second room on the left” The doctor said pointing and
gesturing for Brenda. Brenda said a polite ‘thank you’ and left to find his room.

.........

Brenda peeked her head into Jax’s room and covered her mouth with her hand. Machines
and tubes surrounded his bed. Jax was still sleeping and the heart monitor’s soft beep was
the only noise made in the room. Brenda tediously let the door shut behind her and crept
toward his bed. Tears formed in the corners of her eyes “I was just getting used to the
whole friends thing. I kinda of liked having you as a friend. Ya know? It was easy for me
to talk to you and I liked having you confide in me. Did you know that no one has ever
really poured their heart and soul out to me before? I kinda liked helping out like that.
You made me feel important." Brenda paused " I really started to depend on you,
so don’t even think about dying on me. The doctor says you are going to be ok
and I’m counting on that!” Brenda wiped a few fallen tears from the side of her face
and smirked “Your my buddy now and I want us to stay that way for a long long time.
And now we are sort of evolving into something else and I want us to be able to explore that
possibility. So Jax you have to be alright. Do you hear me?”

A nurse stepped into the room and Brenda watched as the nurse injected some
medications into his IV. Brenda stepped back as she waited for Jax to wake up.

.........

“...And so this one time at Thanksgiving I tried making a turkey but I didn’t know they
had to be de-frosted first...” Brenda was telling Jax stories in hopes it would help him
come to when Jax started to shift around in his bed. Brenda stopped her story and stood
up. “Jax?”

Jax’s eyes slowly fluttered open. He winced as he adjusted himself in bed and smiled up at
Brenda.

“I’m going to get a doctor!” Brenda said happily “I’m so glad you are awake!”

Jax was still pretty groggy as he gently nodded.

........
Later

Jax was pretty coherent and smiled when Brenda walked in the room “Hi.”

Brenda beamed down at him “Hi yourself! How do you feel?”

“Tired, sore...I’m glad you are here” Jax said reaching over to touch her hand. Brenda
smiled “Yeah well you gave me quite the scare!”

“Speaking of scare” Jax began “Who was that guy that did this?” Jax said placing a hand
gently over his wound.

Brenda brought a chair close to Jax’s bed “One of Sonny’s enemies. He thought I knew
where Sonny was.”

Jax laughed lightly “I didn’t realize they hated each other so much.”

“Yeah well it’s alot worse then you could ever imagine.” Brenda smiled to herself “The
funny thing is, is that Sonny left to protect me from this. How’s that for ironic?”
“Well you didn’t get hurt did you?” Jax asked staring at Brenda.

Brenda grinned over at him “No. Thanks to you. I owe you my life.”

“You don’t owe me anything.” Jax said waving her off “I’m just glad I got there in time.”

Brenda kissed Jax on the cheek “I at least owe you that much.”

Jax’s face lit up “Now is the kind of payment I like!”

“I think your parents and Jerry want to get in here. So I’m going to go. I’ll be back in
awhile.”

“Thanks for being here Brenda. I swore I could feel you and I guess I know why.”

Brenda smiled as she slowly released Jax’s hand and left the room. Jax let his head sink
further into the pillow as he let a smile stretch across his face.

.............
A Few Days Later
2:00pm

Brenda burst into the room giggling “I have packed you a bag. I’m busting you outta
here!”

Jax laughed “My hero!”

Brenda threw the bag onto the chair “You ready?”

“Honey I was born ready, but do the doctors know I’m leaving?”

Brenda clenched her teeth together as she smiled “Well not really. See I thought you
could use some fresh air, so I’m taking you on a walk.”

“I see. Well if I get into trouble I’m blaming it all on you.”

“Bobbie said it would be ok. So who cares what the doctor says?”

Jax slowly sat up and held his hand out for the bag “Whatever you say. I am at your
disposal.”

“Hurry up and change” Brenda said the stopped “Do you need help?”

Jax laughed “Probably. I just was shot in the arm a few days ago.”

Brenda pulled open the bag and handed him a robe “Here we’ll put this on. You don’t
need clothes.”

“You are right, some activities don’t require clothing.” Jax said raising his eyebrows.

“Was that a suggestive comment?” Brenda said smiling as helped Jax’s arm through the
sleeve "Because if it was, I'm ignoring it."

“No. I was talking up bathing.”

Brenda pulled Jax's robe tie tight on purpose “I’m sure you did!” Jax hunched over “Really!
I did.”

Jax slid into his wheelchair as Brenda stood behind grabbing the handles “Let’s go!”

“I like woman in control!” Jax said leaning back to look at Brenda. Brenda smiled as
she pushed him out the door.

.............

Jax and Brenda sat outside the hospital in the garden. The warm sunshine beat down on
their faces, but a nice summer breeze kept them getting too hot. “Aren’t they beautiful?”
Brenda said looking at a row of tulips.

Jax smiled “I remember when I was a kid, we used to have those next to the house. Jerry
and I would pick them for our latest crush.”

Brenda leaned over and smelt some other flowers “I used to plant a garden when I was
little. It was one of those flower boxes that I put in my room. One year this little pink
flower came up. It was pretty much dead, but I swore it was the most beautiful flower
ever. I think maybe that is why I like pink flowers so much.”

“I think most girls are into pink.” Jax concluded “I wonder why that is?”

Brenda shrugged “I think we are brought up to like pink. It’s a symbolic girl thing.”

Jax laughed “I suppose.”

“How many times would you say you’ve been in love?” Brenda asked after a brief silence.

Jax thought for a moment “Really in love? Probably twice. How about you?”

“I think only once. Do you remember when we used to swear that our crushes were the real thing?
I used to have a huge crush on this guy that lived down the street named Nick. He was
probably 5 years older, but I think that is what made him so exciting. Man I was obsessed with him. I'm
surprised he didn't turn me in for stalking!"

Jax smiled “Yeah I had a few crushes myself. Life was so simple then. You give the girl a
flower, she is in love and you get married on the playground.”

Brenda laughed “We were easy then, huh?”

“No I think we just had such simplistic easy going lives and being in love then was willing
to share half a peanut-butter& jelly sandwich.”

Brenda smiled “I never got a peanut-butter&jelly sandwich. I guess they were nicer at
your school.”

“Really no one shared?” Jax said glancing away from Brenda.

“I think it was because no one really wanted to ‘be in love with me’, I was too high
maintenance. Even then.”

“I don’t think you are” Jax said looking back at Brenda.

“Yeah well that’s probably cuz you don’t know me very well. I don’t cook or clean, I
only wear certain brands of make-up, I often max out my credit cards on clothes and I get
my hair trimmed by the same person every 6 weeks.”

Jax’s eyes widened then shook his head “Sounds like most woman I know!”

Brenda let her head fall as she laughed “I should probably get you back to your room.”

Jax nodded as he breathed in the fresh air “Thanks for taking me out. I think this did me a
world of good!”

“I’m just glad to help ya out.”

.........

“Glad to see you back Mr. Jacks” A nurse said eyeing them as they walked toward his
room. Jax smiled and waved toward her.

The nurse rolled her eyes playfully “Mr. Taggart was here looking for you Brenda.”

Brenda wrinkled her brow then remember “I’m sure it’s to talk about...”

Jax nodded “Go ahead. I’ll catch you later.”

Brenda started to go but stopped “I hope you aren’t mad at me for getting you into this
Jax. I feel so guilty.”

Jax shook his head “Brenda none of this was your fault. I’m not mad at you and I don’t
blame you for one little thing. Except for helping me feel better.”

Brenda slightly smiled “See ya later Jax.”

Jax sat on the side of his bed and noticed a bag of his stuff sitting on the dresser. Jax
opened it up and found his watch and wallet and on the bottom was a thin gold band. His
wedding ring. Jax instinctively reached in and put it on, but for the first time since Chloe
had slid it on his finger, it felt like it no longer belonged there. Jax twisted the ring around
his finger as he laid back against his pillow.

How do I say goodbye to yesterday?
How do I say goodbye to what we had?
The good times that made us laugh
Outweigh the bad.
I thought we'd get to see forever
But forever's gone away
It's so hard to say goodbye to yesterday.

.........

Two Days Later
9:00am

“Good news Jax!” Brenda said “I just saw a doctor and he said if all looks good today
after he pays you a visit, you can go home!”

Jax smiled “Thanks for taking such good care of me.”

Brenda sat down on the chair that remained next to his bed “So you feeling like today
could be the day?”

“I sure hope so. I’m sick of hospital food and this nightgown pajama thing really isn’t my
thing.” Jax shifted in bed so he was sitting up straight “So what did Taggart have to say?”

Brenda frowned “Not much. Told him about Sorel and what happened. He said once
you’ve been released he’ll want to talk to you too.”

Jax nodded “Anything else?”

Brenda shook her head “Nope.” Brenda’s eye caught Jax’s wedding ring still on his finger
and she felt her heart flop. She suddenly stood up “Actually I just saw Jerry and I’m sure
he wants to visit you so I’ll be by later.”

Jax’s smile faded “Something wrong?”

“No. I just have alot to do today. Besides you and Jerry should spend some time
together.”

Jax shrugged “Ok, I’ll see you later then I guess.”

Brenda nodded as she hurried out of the room.

.........
5:30pm
Kelly’s

“Brenda Barrett you are falling for him aren’t you?” Robin said sitting at Kelly’s smiling
across the table at her friend.

“NO!” Brenda said shaking her head “I just want to know why he seems interested but
won’t take off his wedding ring.”

“Give it time, I’m sure he’ll take it off eventually.”

Brenda stirred her soda with her straw “Like when? In 20 years?”

“Brenda his wife died. Things like that just don’t fade from memory. You of all people
should understand that.”

Brenda pushed her drink away “Sonny.”

Robin nodded sadly “It took you a long time to get over him. In fact I’m not even sure
you are completely over him.”

Brenda glanced down at her watch changing the subject “I told Jax, I’d be back. He could
get released today.”

Robin grabbed her purse and threw some money on the table “I’ll walk with you to the
car. Are you still staying at the cottage?”

“No. I’m at a hotel. I’m having the house re-done before I even think of stepping foot in
there again.” Brenda said shuttering.

“It must be crazy.” Robin said “If you need anything just let me know!”

Brenda smiled as she walked out of Kelly’s “Thanks Rob!”

........
6:00pm
Hospital

Brenda strolled into Jax’s room “So????? Do I get to escort you home?”

Jax gloomy frowned “Not till tomorrow. Doctor says I have a slight fever that he wants
to watch.”

"Well I came prepared just in case. I have something that might cheer you up.”

Jax raised an eyebrow “Yeah. Like what?”

Brenda looked over her shoulder and pulled out a take-out bag from Kelly’s.

Jax laughed as Brenda pulled out the food containers “I even brought dessert.”

“You know the way to a man’s heart don’t ya?” Jax said opening one of the boxes
“Thanks Brenda. It means alot.”

Brenda handed him a fork and napkin “Don’t mention it, now dig in!”

Jax smiled as he began to eat.

.........
Later
8:00pm

“Do you have a 6?” Jax asked sitting on his bed with the TV tray positioned between him
and Brenda. Brenda was sitting on the far end of Jax’s bed as she said “Go Fish.”

“You lie!” Jax said smiling.

“I do not!” Brenda said eyeing Jax “And I resent that comment!”

“You do have a 6, I know it!”

“How can you be so sure?” Brenda questioned.

Jax shrugged “I’m just really smart.”

Brenda shook her head “Well you aren’t as smart as you think. So go fish!”

Jax smiled “I saw it, ok Brenda. I know you have a 6!”

Brenda held her cards close to her chest “How?”

“I peeked when you went to the bathroom” Jax said finally admitting the truth.

Brenda’s jaw dropped “You cheater!”

“ME!” Jax said pointing to himself “You are the one who isn’t giving me the cards!”

Brenda threw down her cards as Jax laughed “I think we should play again. This time fair
and square.”

Brenda started gathering up the cards “You are on!”

A young nurse walked in with a tray of meds “I’m sorry but visiting hours are nearly over.”

Brenda nodded “I guess we’ll just have to settle this another time.”

Jax stuck out his hand “You are on! Prepare to go down!”

Brenda laughed as she picked up her purse “Whatever LOSER!”

The nurse handed Jax a cup of pills “Your girlfriend seems very aggressive.”

Jax downed the pills “She’s not, we aren’t...”

“No? Gosh you two seemed so good together. Could have fooled me.”

Jax flattened his pillow as the nurse left the room. Was it that obvious?

...........
12 Noon
Jax’s Suite

“Home Sweet Home” Jax said standing in the doorway as Jerry threw a small plastic bag
onto the desk. “Well little brother here you go.” Jerry said “Can you get to the couch
ok?”

Jax rolled his eyes “Jerry I got dressed by myself, walked to the car, walked up the stairs
carrying two bags because you were too tired to carry them for me. I think I can handle a short
walk to the couch.”

Jerry smiled “Sorry.”

Jax flopped onto the couch as Jerry handed him a stack of mail “Say where is that
beautiful brunette that has been hanging around here lately?”

“Not sure.”

“Are you two doing it yet?” Jerry asked.

Jax stopped shuffling through the mail and looked up “Jerry what the h*ll kind of question
is that?”

“Well I just thought...” Jerry said raising an eyebrow “Never mind. Say I’m going to go
in case you want to call her for a romantic night or something.”

Jax smiled “As a matter of fact we are going to meet later.”

“Excellent!” Jerry said rubbing his hands together “I’d try and make this one happy. She
seems like a keeper!”

“Bye Jerry” Jax said as Jerry stood up and opened the door “Take care little brother and
don’t do anything I wouldn’t do!”

Jax shook his head as Jerry shut the door. Jax slowly sat up and once again looked at his wedding ring.
Jerry’s voice echoed in his head ‘she seems like a keeper' and the nurse's voice 'Gosh you two seemed
so good together. Could have fooled me.' Jax gently pulled his ring off his finger
and sat it down on the coffee table. Jax rubbed his bare finger and smiled. It felt right, it really truly felt
like the time. Jax took off to plan a surprise for Brenda.

.........

Jax was smiling as he fixed his hair for his evening out with Brenda. He was going to take Brenda
on a boat ride and surprise her with dinner. Jax grabbed his keys off the table and noticed his
wedding ring still sitting on the coffee table. Jax sadly smiled as he reached over and picked it up.
He gently opened the drawer to his desk and set it inside. It was time to move on.

.........

Jax's Boat
8:30pm

Jax smiled at Brenda who was laughing as wind raced through her hair "This is so great Jax!"

"Wait till you see what else I have got for you."

"Ohhhh I love surprises!" Brenda said with her eyes sparkling.

Jax smiled as he instructed another man to take control while he led Brenda below.
A small room was lit up with white Christmas lights and a table was at the center.
Brenda grabbed Jax's extended hand as he led her to the table. Jax reached behind
his chair to pull out a small boquet of pink tulips and handed them to Brenda.
Brenda sat down and smelled her flowers. Jax slowly pulled off the cover to the plate that sat in
front of Brenda, to reveal half of a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. Jax grinned as he sat
down and pulled off his cover...it was the other half of the sandwich.

Brenda held back tears "Oh Jax, this is so sweet."

Jax shrugged "That's what friends are for. Right?"

Brenda smiled as she bit into her sandwich "I'm not really sure what I did to deserve this, but thank you."

Jax slowly took a bite of his own sandwich "You didn't have to do anything. We are friends, and I wanted
to do something special for my very dear friend."

"You're too much Jasper Jacks, you know that?"

Jax shrugged as he smiled across the table at Brenda.

.........
A Little Later

Jax stood up and reached for Brenda's hand "Would you like to dance?"

Brenda smiled as she stood up "I'd love to." Brenda wrapped her arms around Jax's neck as he
encircled her waist with his. Jax rested his chin on the top of Brenda's head as she delicately
moved her hands up and down his back. They seemed oblivious to everyone but each other. They gently
swayed to the music as they forgot about everything else.

When I fall in love
It will be forever
Or I'll never fall in love

In a restless world
Like this is
Love is ended before it's begun
And too many
Moonlight kisses
Seem to cool in the warmth of the sun

When I give my heart
I give it completely
Or I'll never give my heart

And the moment I can feel that you feel that way too
Is when I fall in love with you
 

To Be Continued...
 

Song Credits: "It's So Hard to Say Good-Bye to Yesterday" by Boyz II Men and "When I Fall In Love"
by Camilla Scott.
end 7