Brenda brushed her eyes with the back of her hand as she looked up at Jax. Jax's eyes were full of concern. "I ah, I realize this is really none of my business or whatever, but I saw you in there." Jax pointed in the direction of the grille with his thumb. "I saw how upset you looked. Just tell me to shut up if you want to, but does this have anything to do with that mob boss and his date?" he jammed his hands into his docker pants nervously. He thought for sure she'd blow him off and scream at him to get lost. Instead Brenda didn't immediately respond. She looked around and realized they were at the park and rubbed her hands over her bear arms. She walked quickly toward an open park bench and sat down. Jax followed her and sat next to her. Brenda looked up toward the stars "You are a very perceptive guy" Jax smiled "I like to think I'm a sensitive guy." he paused for a moment to look at Brenda. He noticed how beautiful she looked. Even with her makeup smudged and her hair windblown, she took his breath away. "I don't mean to pry, but if you need to talk, I mean if you want to talk, I am a good listener"

"Are you sure you want to hear this? We could be here till dawn" Brenda laughed a little and didn't wait for an answer. "I'm not even sure where to begin." Jax noticed Brenda shiver again and quickly removed his suit coat and he gently placed it around her shoulders as Brenda took a deep breath. She smiled at him politly to say thank you. "Sonny was the love of my life. I gave up everything to be with him" she bowed her head for a moment and she quickly clasped her hands together and raised her head again "He and I we were so in love. At least I thought we were. Everything was going great until bam, one day I wake up and he tells me he leaving me for someone else."

Jax gritted his teeth together in disgust "Why we he do that?"

Brenda shrugged her shoulders "I guess I was just never good enough for Sonny. You see with Sonny you have to always give up something to be with him. Everywhere you go, a bodyguard has to follow you because God forbid one of Sonny's enemies would seek revenge. So there goes your privacy. No one in town really respects Sonny or wants to be his friend, and you think who cares, I have a man, so there goes your friends. Instead of having an open honest relationship, Sonny can't talk about anything dealing with his business, so there goes that part of a good relationship. You always had to watch your back because you never know who was going to follow you home or pump you full of bullets for being on Sonny's side, so there goes your security. I constantly was reminded that I was being the good little grilfriend by keeping my mouth shut and just living the good life with no questions. I thought that was the life I wanted. I thought I could be happy living like that."

Jax shook his head "What changed?"

Brenda leaned back hard against the park bench "I think we both changed, we grew in different directions." she sighed deeply "The sad thing is that I thought I accepted all this, you know? I thought I had put this all behind me. Sonny, the old life, everything, but when I saw him tonight, I felt like I had been punched in the stomach. See I always thought I would be Mrs. Sonny Corinthos, I guess I was wrong"

"I can only imagine how hard it is to see that." Jax responded "But it sounds as if you are better off without him"

Brenda nodded "Don't you think I know that? I wake up every morning and thank God that I am not living with Sonny anymore, that I am free of that life style. But that still doesn't take the pain away, because believe it or not, it wasn't all bad"

"I don't have any doubts that it wasn't, but sometimes the bad outweighs the good."

Brenda smiled at Jax as if she is remembering happy times "Sometimes. And sometimes no matter how bad it gets, no matter how many times you get hurt or how horrible the relationship, that one time they smile at you, the one time they make you feel special and loved, that one time erases all the bad and you fall right back into the same trap."

Jax ran his fingers through his wavy hair "Sounds as if this was some powerful love"

Brenda stood up and tucked her loose hair behind her ear "It was, but it's also over. I realize that, well my head does. Sometimes my heart doesn't, like tonight."

Jax stood up and gently grabbed Brenda's hand "You sound like a very remarkable person. I hope you realize that"

Brenda grinned "And you really are a good listener"

"Do you need a ride home or to someplace?" Jax asked.

Brenda shook her head "No, I can walk"

Jax nodded and started to walk away, but Brenda called to him "Jax!"

Jax turned slightly "Yeah?"

Brenda smiled "Thanks for listening"

Jax smiled and turned and walked away.

<<<<<<<<<>>>>>>>>>><<<<<<<<<<>>>>>>>>>>>><<<<<<<<>>>>>>

A few days later...

Brenda was running late for her first day at Jacks Cosmetics. She bolted out from the bathroom trying to put her tennis shoe on. She grabbed a few things off her bed and reached over to grab her bag from the chair when she saw Jax's suit coat drapped over the arm of the chair. She smiled and grabbed it and glanced down at her watch. She groaned loudly and opened the door of her suite and slammed it shut.

Later...

"I'm SO sorry" Brenda yelled running on the set dodging camera men and make-up artists "I thought it wasn't supposed to start till 10, and well by the time I figured out it was at 9..." Lucy stopped to catch her breath and interrupted Brenda "You almost gave me a heartattack. I was so worried you had forgotten or had a change of mind or got the hives or came down the flu because it is going around you know, Serena had the sniffles this morning and I was so worried you had gotten it, that I haven't even had my coffee for the day..."

Jax grabbed Lucy's shoulders "Why don't you take a break?"

Lucy nodded and clentched her clipboard "I'm just glad you made it."

Brenda laughed as Jax stepped toward her "Don't worry about being late. It happens to all of us"

Brenda sighed and looked down and noticed his sport coat draped over her arm "Oh I almost forgot about this" she handed it to him.

Jax grabbed it "Ah yes, I hadn't even thought about it, but thank you for returning it"

Brenda nodded "I suppose I should get ready."

"Right" Jax said snapping into business mode "Wardrobe is right through those doors and first room on the right." Jax pointed toward some doors "Be ready for make-up in say 15?"

Brenda smiled "Excellent" and she happily ran through the doors. Jax looked down at his coat and looked toward the door Brenda had just run through.
"She is really something" Jax thought to himself and shook his head and walked toward a stool just off the main stage area and sat down.

<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>><<<<<<<<<<<<<>>>>>>

After the photo shoot...

"Brenda you were just perfect" Lucy said hugging her after Brenda was once again dressed in street clothes.

Brenda quickly pulled her damp hair into a ponytail "Thanks. I was afraid I had lost my touch"

Jax walked up "You were simply amazing"

Brenda smiled "I'm so grateful that you guys think I can do this spread. I really appreciate the confidence"

Lucy looked at her watch "Oh my look at the time, I have to go pick up Serena from school in less then an hour. Gotta run, TA everyone!"

Brenda waved toward Lucy then looked back at Jax "I suppose I will see you tomorrow then?"

Jax bit his lip "I was wondering if you would like to grab a bite to eat at Kelly's"

"Tonight?" Jax nodded. Brenda looked around as if she was going to get an answer then smiled "Ok, sure"

"Great" Jax said smiling at Brenda.

<<<<<<<<<<<<<<>>>>>>>>>>><<<<<<<<<<<>>>>>>>>><<<<<>>>>>

"So tell me Jax, what do you do for fun?" Brenda asked sipping her lemonade.

Jax took a bite of his apple pie "Break up innocent little compaines, hike Mt. Everest, fly my jet"

Brenda's eyes lit up "You fly a jet?"

Jax laughed "Yeah"

"You don't by any chance give free flying lessons do you?"

Jax shook his head "No, why you interested?"

"Am I?" Brenda shrieked "That would be by far the coolest thing I have ever done!"

"Well then, how can I refuse?"

Brenda clapped her hands together "Are you serious?"

Jax raised his eyes then shrugged "Sure why not?"

Brenda leaned across the table "Really? I mean we don't exactly know each other really well and I could be an ax murderer or a professional plane thief or something horrible like that"

Jax licked his fork and smiled "I think I'll take my chances"

Brenda let out a small scream "Oh thank you thank you thank you!"

Jax set down his fork "How does tomorrow after the shoot sound?"

"Sounds like a deal" Brenda said reaching across the table extending her hand for Jax to shake. Jax reached for her hand and smiled as they shook on it "Tomorrow it is" Jax confirmed.

Brenda beamed with excitment.

<<<<<<<<<<>>>>>>>>>>><<<<<<<<<<<>>>>>>>><<<<<<<><>>>><<

Later that night...
 

Brenda was sorting through her clothes on the floor when her cellphone rang. She quickly answered it "Hello?"

"Brenda?" It was Jason's voice, he sounded upset.

"Yeah" Brenda said slowly sitting up straight.

"Brenda, I'm at the hosptial, and I think you should come right away. It's Robin"
 

To Be Continued
Brenda ran into the hospital and nearly collided with an orderly pushing a patient. Brenda
mumbled an ‘excuse me’ and pushed past them. She frantically looked around and saw
Jason sitting in some chairs with his hands resting on either side of his face.

“Jason!” Brenda called racing toward him “Where’s Robin?”

Jason’s face was stone cold. He pointed toward a set of patient rooms. “My God”
Brenda said covering her mouth “What happened?”

Jason shook his head “The doctor says her white blood cell count is really low. She got
an infection of some sort and her body can’t fight it off. She hasn’t been feeling well, I
could just tell. She just collapsed during dinner tonight and I brought her in. The doctor
says it doesn’t look good.”

“I just saw her the other day. She looked just fine!” Brenda said gasping for breath “I
don’t believe it”

Jason didn’t say anything but gently rubbed Brenda’s back. She shook him off and fixed
her eyes on Robin’s room. Brenda threw her head back and pushed through the doors.
She felt tears well up as she saw her friend lying helpless in the bed covered with tubes and
machines. Robin’s face was white and she had dark circles under her eyes. She looked
like she was drowning in her loose hospital gown and she was incredibly tiny looking in
the big bed. An IV was stuck in her left hand that dripped a liquid to supply her body with
not only nutrients by antibiotics to help fight the infection. She had some oxygen through
a tube in her nose. The heart monitor occasionally beeped which was the only sound
being made at the moment. Robin’s eyes were shut as Brenda inched closer to the bed.
Brenda felt uncomfortable as she slowly sat down in a backless doctors’ stool. She held
back her tears and gently picked up Robin’s hand. Robin stirred and her eyes fluttered
open. “Hey” Robin said weakly glancing at Brenda with sunken eyes. To say she looked
terrible would be an understatement.

“Hey yourself” Brenda said softly “How are you feeling? Are you in any pain?”

Robin shook her head “Nah.” She coughed harshly and her body shook. Brenda looked
away as Robin spit into a plastic bedpan. “Sorry” she said embarrassed.

Brenda smiled bravely “Don’t you worry about it” she patted Robin’s hand “So tell me
when you get outta here, I really could go for this incredibly guilty shopping spree. What
do you say?”

Robin’s eyes sparkled “I need a new pair of black shoes and I saw these really awesome
jeans the other day at the mall.”

Brenda giggled “Excellent!”

Doctor Jones pushed through the doors “Ready Robin?” he paused and looked up from
her chart “Oh hi Brenda”

“Hi Tony.” Brenda said smiling and she turned her attention back to Robin “Where are
you going?”

“Tony wants to run some more tests. He wants to try and figure out what is making me
feel sick” Robin said trying hard to sit up. Brenda reached behind her friend’s back to
help support her as she sat up.

“Ok, well I’ll be right here when you get back” Brenda said.

Robin smiled as she was wheeled out of the room by a nurse “I’ll be expecting you!”

Brenda gave her a slight wave as she was pushed through the doors. Brenda looked
around the room and sat down on the edge of Robin’s bed and started to cry.

<<<<<<<<<<>>>>>>>>>>>><<<<<<<<<<<<>>>>>>>>>>>><<<<<<<<<<<>>>>>>

Later...

“Tony” Brenda said jumping up from her seat in the waiting room “How is Robin?”

Tony shook her head “Well It’s not good guys” he said eyeing Jason who had just walked
up. “Her blood count is low enough for us to diagnosis her with full blown AIDS”
Brenda gasped and Jason hung his head. Tony continued “She has an infection that we
are trying to locate. Her body is not fighting this off very well. It is possible that she
could beat this one, but if another infection were to come along, I’m afraid she won’t be
strong enough.”

Jason scratched his head “Well isn’t there any medicines that you can give her?”

Tony brought Robin’s chart to his chest “Not at this stage of the game. None that will
make any real difference anyway. We will keep her on the meds she is on now, but I’m
telling you if she gets sick like this again, I’m afraid there will be nothing we can do” Tony
placed his hand on Robin’s shoulder and looked up at Jason “I’m sorry, I wish there was
more we could do”

Brenda mumbled softly “How long does she have?”

Tony sighed deeply “I’m not sure really. No one knows for certain. But if I were to have
to guess, I would say not a whole lot longer. Again I’m sorry” He looked down at his
watch “I have to go, I’m expected in OR.”

Jason and Brenda nodded slowly. Jason stepped toward the door but Brenda stopped him
“I want to go first. I promise I won’t be long”

Jason nodded as Brenda wiped away some tears and opened the door. Robin was
combing her hair and threw the brush across the room angrily before she realized Brenda
was in the room.

“Woah” Brenda said walking toward the bed “I sure hope that wasn’t my head”

Robin fell back against her pillows “Did they tell you?” she asked softly playing with the
edge of her blanket.

Brenda nodded as she placed her hand on Robin’s cheek “I’m so sorry” she tried
unsuccessfully to hold back her tears “I love you” she clung to her friend. Robin rested
her head on Brenda’s shoulder “You are my best friend Brenda. I am so glad you were in
my life. You made me happy Bren like no one else could. You cheered me up and helped
me get through alot of tough times.” Brenda tried to smile. Robin pulled away “Let’s be
realistic here. I’m not expecting to live till next month. I know I’ll never have kids or get
married. I’ll never see another Christmas or have another birthday. I’ll never sit outside
on a warm summer night drinking lemonade with Jason” Robin brought her hand up to her
eyes and gently brushed back the tears. “Brenda I don’t for one minute regret my
relationship with Stone, but I only wish things were different. I wish that I hadn’t
contracted this disease and would be able to live out my dreams. I wish with all my heart
and soul I was normal, that I had your body. For one day I’d love to wake up and not
have this illness staring at me in the face, dragging me down. I want to live to spend time
with Mac and the kids at Christmas, to watch them open presents. I want to have my own
kids, but I will never be able to. I’m dying Brenda and it’s not fair! Why Brenda? Why
did this have to happen to me? Why can’t I just be healthy? Why?”

Brenda brought her sobbing friend to her chest and held her “I wish I knew the answers
Rob, but I don’t. All I know is that there are so many people who love and care about
you. We will be thinking of you and praying for you. You are not alone in this battle”

“Actually I am. I’m completely 100 percent alone. No one else has to worry about a
stupid simple infection that could cost them their life. No one else has to think about
white blood cell counts or taking 20 pills a day. I have to” Robin’s voice got really soft
“Only me Brenda, no one else.” Brenda didn’t respond instead she rested her chin on top
of Robin’s head and stroked the side of her face. Robin started to cough violently again
and Brenda pulled back. It was a loud congested cough that shook Robin’s frail body.
When it finally stopped Robin looked over at Brenda “Brenda, can I ask you something?”

Brenda nodded “Anything”

“I don’t want to die here. I want to be at my home”

Brenda looked around nervously “Well I think Tony is going to release you in the
morning”

Robin smiled “Promise me that when I get sick again, promise me that you won’t bring me
to the hospital.”

“Robin, what about the pain?” Brenda started looking concerned “Or what if they can help
you fight it off again?”

“I hardly feel any pain and there isn’t anything left for them to do. Please, I don’t want to
look around at these strange four walls during my last hours. I want to spend my final
days where I am happy, where things are familiar. Just promise Brenda, please!”

Brenda nodded reluctantly “I promise”

Robin slowly shut her eyes “Thank you Brenda”

Brenda gently pushed Robin’s hair off her forehead “I’d do anything for you Robin”

Robin smiled slightly “I know that. I really appreciate it”

“Goodnight Robin” Brenda said softly walking toward the door.

Robin didn’t respond and once again the only sound being made was the occasionally beep
of the heart monitor as Brenda quietly opened the door to the room and let it shut softly.

<<<<<<<<<<<>>>>>>>>>>>><<<<<<<<<<<>>>>>>>>>>>><<<<<<<<<<<<>>>>>

The next day...

“Brenda you look awful” Lucy said as Brenda walked into the studio early the next
morning “Is everything ok?”

Brenda shook her head sadly “No”

“Well what is the matter?” Lucy said helping Brenda sit down in the chair off to the side of
the set.

“It’s Robin” Brenda began “She’s really sick”

Lucy gasped “That’s terrible”

Brenda nodded “I just don’t know what to do for her, to help her”

Lucy gently patted her back “Well we can definitely reschedule this shoot. You should be
with her.”

Brenda smiled half-heartily “Jason is taking her home and I will stop by later. I promised
to watch some movies with her.”

Lucy smiled “That sounds nice”

Brenda looked around “Have you seen Jax?”

Lucy thought for a moment “No, he is probably at his house trying to rob another poor
company of its dignity and pride.”

Brenda nodded “Where does he live?”

“In a really huge penthouse” Lucy stopped “Why don’t I just drop you off.”

“Are you sure?” Brenda asked “I hate to be a bother”

“Nonsense” Lucy said “Let me just talk to the photographer for a quick second and then
we can go”

Brenda grabbed her duffel bag “Thanks Lucy”
 

Later...

“I said that is my final offer” Jax held the phone away from his mouth as he heard a knock
on his door “Yeah?”

“Jax it’s me, Brenda” Brenda called from the hallway.

Jax looked at his watch and wrinkled his eyebrows “I gotta go” Jax barked into the phone
“No no, I’ll call you back” Jax walked over to the door and gestured for Brenda to come
in. “Ok” he said back into the phone “Fine, whatever just close this deal tonight” Jax
pushed the phone off. “Brenda, hi” Jax said picking up his briefcase and scattered papers
so she could sit down on the couch“How did you know where I lived?”

Brenda paused “Ah Lucy dropped me off”

Jax nodded “Can I get you anything? Iced tea, coffee, soda?”

Brenda smiled “No thanks. Listen the reason I stopped by is I have to cancel our flying
lesson for this afternoon.”

Jax raised an eyebrow as she sat down on the couch across from Brenda “I thought you
were looking forward to that”

Brenda sighed “I was, I mean I am. It’s just my best friend is really sick and I want to
spend some time with her. They say it won’t be long”

Jax rubbed his chin “You aren’t canceling because of me or anything are you?”

“Because of you? Jax I just said it’s my friend” Brenda said getting a little angry.

“I’m sorry, it just sounds like a really bad excuse at getting out of something, that is all.”

Brenda sighed deeply “I’m sorry you feel that way, I really...” Jax interrupted “You don’t
need to explain, I think I understand”

Brenda’s eyes began to water “You understand? No I don’t think you do. My best friend
in the world has AIDS and she does not have long to live. I just spent half the night with
her at the hosptial and I’m sorry I thought I could spend some time with her this
afternoon. I thought I could get some support from you. I am sorry I came by.” Brenda
said standing up and turning to walk away.

Jax threw his head back “Oh god, I am so sorry. Brenda, I’m sorry! I was being a
complete jerk” Brenda didn’t move “I am sorry about your friend.” Jax finished “Is there
anything I can do to help?”

Brenda turned back around to face Jax “You mean it?”

Jax nodded “Yeah, I’ve just had a really stressful morning, things are really horrible with
this deal I’m trying to close.” he looked over at Brenda who wasn’t amused “Which is
really no excuse. I shouldn’t have snapped like that. I promise whatever you need help
with, I’ll do. I want to help you help your friend”

Brenda’s mouth curled up in a slight smile “Come to think of it, I have a perfect idea, that
is if you are really serious about helping.”

Jax threw his arms in the air “I swear I am serious, now tell me this idea”

Brenda’s eyes danced as she began to explain her idea to Jax.

Later...

“So this will cheer her up?” Jax said “I don’t know her, but this seems a little strange”

“Yeah I think so” Brenda said smiling “She really could use some cheering up”

Brenda stuck out her hand “You in?”

Jax gradually lifted his hand and slid it into hers “I’m in. Just tell me exactly what I have
to do.”

To Be Continued