I know it's been a while! Hope ya'll remember this one. The last time we saw J&B they were at the Children's Center and
Brenda was upset with Jax for yet another stunt he was about to pull. What's new about that though? :) Anyway, thanks for the
patience you guys have shown and I hope you enjoy!! Please let me know what ya think!!

Hugs,
Sydney
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
~ chapter 21 ~

Brenda shot out of her seat and headed around her desk and out the door. Turning the corner she entered the lobby of the
center and stopped dead in her tracks. Her gaze moved from the cages on the floor to the two men whose eyes were suddenly
fixed on her. The man standing in the background she'd never seen before. But the other...

Placing her hands on her hips, Brenda's eyes flashed with fire as she locked eyes with his. "Jax! Just what the hell do you think
you're doing?"

Hearing Marc's snicker at his back, Jax took a step forward and held up his hands as if to hold back the rush of Brenda's fury.
He'd hoped for acquiescence after this morning's apologies had been exchanged, but knew Brenda better than to expect
anything less then resistance. "Now, Ashton, before you go off half-cocked just let me expl..."

"Get those...those...*creatures* out of here!" Brenda exploded interrupting Jax's caution as she pointed animatedly at the cages
sitting behind Jax on the floor. "I mean it, Jax!! Get those out of here right this instant!!"

Jax took a deep breath. "No." Jax stated calmly as he instantly closed his eyes tightly and scrunched up his face preparing
himself for...well, he wasn't quite sure what her reaction would be. Most likely thunderous. Probably even violent. Expecting to
at least feel a slap in the face for his insolence, Jax held his breath but was surprised when silence greeted his determined
response. Opening one eye cautiously to see what he was missing, it's aquamarine companion instantly popped open at the
scene before him...

Brenda's eyes were dark with anger and determination. At the end of her extended arms firmly planted in her tiny hands was a
shiny black...gun. Pointed directly...at him. Jax gulped then looked back up into Brenda's eyes as he shook his head, his own
eyes widened in disbelief. "You've got to be kidding me. Good God, Ashton, I didn't mean for you to actually go off and cock
a gun at me..."

"No, Jax. You're the one who's kidding if you think I'm going to let you get close to those kids with those...those..." She once
more pointed to the cages only this time with the gun.

"Creatures?" Marcus offered helpfully causing Jax to shoot him a look that would wither grass.

"Yes! Creatures." Brenda nodded slightly as her eyes shifted to Marc. "Thank you."

"You're welcome." Marc smiled at her acknowledgement and crossed his hands in front of him with a satisfied air. Turning his
eyes back to Jax who was now glaring at him, Marc saw his former partner's expression and shrugged. "What? I was just trying
to help..."

Jax rolled his eyes with a shake of his head then turned back to Brenda with a suddenly compliant smile as he put up his hands
in surrender. "Ok. Alright. I can see you're determined to not let us get any further than the front door with these fuzzy, warm,
loveable little animals."

Jax swept his hand backwards to indicate the cages behind him as his voice took on a relaxing, almost cooing tone of a
salesman gentling a difficult customer into a Porsche knowing full well they could only afford a Pinto. "And even though I think
it's a mistake, I respect that. Let me guess. You're main concern is safety right? Well, I'll have you know that wolf cubs are one
of the most docile wild animals around. In fact, if you think about it, it's just like playing with a puppy."

"Yeah. A puppy that can rip your hand to pieces." Brenda snorted before rolling her eyes.

"Or keep you warm when it's bitter cold and your shaking like there's no tomorrow." Jax responded as he knelt next to the
cage and reached his hand in to pet one of the furry gray and black animals. Jax looked back up at Brenda locking eyes with
her. "Or even save your life if given the right circumstances...and the chance."

Brenda swallowed hard at Jax's choice of words. There was even a hint of...was that understanding she saw hidden deep inside
those azure depths? Understanding that came with secret knowledge, perhaps? Is it possible he knew something? That
somehow he'd found out? No, that was impossible. There's no way he could have found out. In fact, she knew he didn't. No. If
Jasper Jacks knew of her past, he would run faster than a hare in a race. He'd disappear and forget he ever knew her because
it would all be too difficult for a man like him. A corporate raider who liked the thrill of tearing things apart, but rarely had the
stomach to stay and hold things together. He'd drop her so fast her head would spin. Of that one thing…she was very, very
sure.

Shaking away those thoughts Brenda turned her eyes once more to the wolf cubs and felt the beginning of a smile tug at the
corner of her lips as one of the cubs turned its head to stare at her as if on cue. Opening it's mouth, he let his small pink tongue
hang out in a pant and Brenda instantly lost her resolve as his blue eyes almost...twinkled...at her.

Brenda's arm dropped to her side as a small smile began to make it's way to her lips. Jax stood and moved quickly to close the
gap between them arresting the gun from her limp grip and securing his immediate safety just in case she changed her mind. A
feat which this particular woman could do with amazing speed and agility. Much like the wind changing its course...swift,
powerful and completely unpredictable.

An embarrassed flush spread over Jax's cheeks when Marc advanced toward him with a large grin plastered to his ebony face.
Marc had a hard time keeping his voice to a whisper as he struggled to keep his laughter in check at the fact he knew and Jax
was now realizing. "You've been out of the business too long, my friend..."

"It isn't funny." Jax whispered as he displayed the plastic gun to Marc and before Marc got a chance to say anything. "How was
I supposed to know it was a toy gun? It looks just like the real thing..."

Marc patted Jax's back. "Like I said...too long." He glanced back at Brenda who had gravitated to the wolf cubs and was now
kneeling in front of them talking to them and trying to coax V into joining her. He smiled appreciatively. "She's just like I always
imagined...a real piece of work."

"You don't know the half of it." Jax responded back as his eyes sparkled with unveiled admiration.

Seeing the suddenly dazed look on Jax's face, Marc grinned. "Doesn't seem to like you much though. Me, on the other hand…"

Jax's gaze snapped to Marc's face when he heard his friend voice an interest in pursuing Brenda for himself. "Don't even think
about it. See, what's going on is that she really does like me deep down inside, she's just resisting it, that's all."

"Oh, is that what it is?" Marc asked with a knowing grin. "Well, she seems to be doing a damn good job of resisting."

Jax's eyes moved back to Brenda as he heard her laugh when one of the wolf cubs licked her hand. A smile began to curve his
lips upward. "She's pretty amazing, isn't she?"

Marc let out a sigh and nodded, his eyes still holding a bit of stardust from being so close to his idol of younger days, before
turning back to Jax. "Uh…Jax?"

"Yeah." Jax's absent reply further convinced Marc Jax was getting in over his head on this one.

"Can I keep the gun?" Marc's voice held a note of awe as he stared at the gun in Jax's hand.

Jax looked at Marc like he'd gone crazy. "What? What for?"

Marc looked down as an embarrassed blush caused his skin to darken further. "Well, she…touched it. So, I was thinking
that…maybe…" Marc stopped and looked away as he sought a reasonable explanation why he'd want such a thing. Coming
up with one, he cleared his throat. "…I…I could run finger prints…"

Jax threw his head back and laughed then leaned toward Marc in a conspiratorial whisper. "Right. Or add it to your star
memorabilia collection." Jax's laughter died quickly as his eyes rested on Brenda who had turned to him unexpectedly.

Hearing Jax's laugh, Brenda was reminded of her earlier outburst. She turned from the wolf cages and walked up to Jax her
eyes flashing with fire. "In my office. Now."

As she sauntered past him, Jax let out a sigh and dropped his head with a mumble. "If I'm not back in five I give you permission
to come in with guns blazing…" He handed the toy gun to Marc and looked at him pointedly. "Real guns, ok?"
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Silence filled the room as Brenda moved to stand behind her desk. She sat down and folded her hands in front of her. Leveling
Jax with a gaze she began her query slowly and calmly. "Alright. Would you like to tell me what this latest stunt is all about?"

Jax casually leaned against her closed door, crossing his legs at his ankles and stuffing his hands in his jean pockets. "Nothing
more than me trying to make up for what happened yesterday."

A dark eyebrow raised. "With wolf cubs."

"Yep."

Brenda leaned forward and pursed her lips trying to keep her anger in check but failing with each passing word she uttered.
"You bring wolf cubs in here as a piece offering after being the Big Bad Wolf to me all week and you don't think I'm going to
get the significance? Do you really think I’m that stupid?"

Jax shook his head and let out a sigh. "No. But I do think you're scared."

"Scared?" Brenda scoffed with a roll of her eyes.

"Yes. Scared. And mistrustful." Jax stood to his full height and took a few steps forward till he was towering over her desk.
Placing his palms on the desktop he leaned down and locked eyes with her as his voice began to soften with intensity. "And you
know what else that makes me wonder?"

Brenda swallowed hard and tried not to let him see how his words and actions were getting to her lately. Correction…had been
getting to her since the day she met him. Unfortunately for her, Jax had an uncanny ability to see beyond all of her walls and
protests to the real issues. Still, that didn't keep her from trying to put as many obstacles in his way as possible. "Do I really
care…"

Jax continued as if she hadn't spoken. Some because his momentum was building, but mainly because he'd seen that flicker in
her eyes. The one that told him he was getting to her. That somehow he was reaching behind that wall of hers and touching her
deep inside. "It makes me wonder if you've always been this way or if you've grown into it. I'd say it's the latter. I'd say
something or rather…someone…happened to you and ever since then you've been unable to open your heart to anyone."

Jax waved his hand in the air when he saw her open her mouth to protest. "And don't even bring up AJ because if you really
loved him…if you had really let him in to your heart and soul…he'd be all around you. In this office. At your home. As it is, you
don't even have a picture of him here. And I bet you'd be hard pressed to even find one. The only time his name passes your
lips is when you're trying to throw him up in my face as your first line of defense when you feel I'm getting too close."

"How dare you…!" Brenda stood and leaned across the desk now eye level to Jax.

"I dare because I'm right!" Jax stated plainly not backing down an inch. "And if you were courageous enough to take a good
long look at yourself you'd know that what I'm saying is true!"

Steam began to pour out of Brenda's ears and her breathing became labored as she tried to control the fear-based anger that
was welling up inside of her. Balling her hands into fists she pushed the words out through her clenched teeth.
"GET…OUT…OF…MY…OFFICE…AND OUT OF THIS BUILDING OR I'LL HAVE YOU THROWN OUT!!"

A cocky smile passed over Jax's lips and he stood tall. "Too close again, huh?" He put his hands up in surrender and took a
step back when he saw her eyes film over with moistness. "Fine. Kick me out. It's still not going to change the truth. Then
again…you already know that, don't you?" He turned and headed toward the door but stopped in his tracks when she yelled a
second command.

"And take those damn cubs with you when you leave!" Brenda yelled half-afraid to have him walk out the door and half-afraid
he wouldn't.

Jax spun around to face her and began shaking his head emphatically. "No. Contrary to what you think, there *is* a purpose
here much higher than winning a point in this little game of ours. Or even making you squirm as much as I enjoy doing that. I
brought those cubs to help those kids that you claim to care so much about. See, like you, they've been damaged. Their hearts
are bruised and their faith in human decency has been destroyed. They're afraid and lost and feel like they have no control."

"Well, I'm going to give them back some control. Over their fears. Over their loneliness. And frankly, I don't need your
permission to do it. I've already discussed this with Gail and she has given her approval. So, yes, Ms. McKenzie, I *will* leave
your office, but I'm *not* leaving the premises until I have done what I set out to do…which is helping those children in what
little way I can."

Jax cocked his head to the side and sent her a steely smile. "I'm here to stay, Ashton. I suggest you get used to it…"

Brenda let out a yell as she whipped off her shoe and sent it flying through the air to land against the door just as Jax slammed it
behind him.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Brenda glanced down at her watch as she paced back and forth on the docks. It was already nearing 7:00. They were
supposed to meet at 6:30 this evening. She wondered if something had happened to Grace. If she'd had a hard time getting out
of the house. Brenda closed her eyes and sighed remembering the moments in her past when she'd been terrified to even blink.
To move. Fear had gripped her heart, body and soul.

Fear. It had stopped her all those years ago from doing what she knew needed to be done. It was stopping her now. From
taking a chance. From feeling again. From being alive.

If only she had her own personal wolf cub.

Brenda smiled to herself and shook her head with a chuckle as she slipped onto the bench. Jax had pulled it off again. After she
had calmed considerably from her confrontation with Jax, Brenda had warily made her way to the playroom to see how he was
faring with his grand plan to unite child and beast.

The said union had been a beautiful thing to watch. Children who had formerly shied away from human touch were openly
petting the baby cubs. Smiling with pride and awe when they touched the soft fur. Giggling when a tiny pink tongue would shoot
out to lick a hand or chubby cheek.

And Jax. He'd been the ring master of it all. Spreading hope and banishing fears that otherwise threatened to overwhelm them.
His eyes sparkled with happiness when he was able to coax a wary hand to reach out and claim the prize of instinctive
friendship. So much so that Brenda silently rebuked her own doubts of Jax's good will. In that moment, in that room, holding a
child on his lap he had had no ulterior motives. Nothing except the smiles that greeted him without reservation.

The sound of footsteps broke through Brenda's thoughts and she turned toward the stairs expecting to see Grace. Instead, the
most recent subject of her musing appeared casually dressed as before. A lock of blonde hair was falling over his forehead and
Brenda drank in the sight of him as he walked from the stairs to the edge of the docks and stood silently gazing out over the
water.

The sight of the sun setting across the water had always brought a sense of peace to Jax. If there was one thing he needed right
now, it was peace. After the run in with Brenda earlier, he'd also had to pull Jerry's butt out of the latest business fire he
carelessly set when he went chasing after the wrong CEO's secretary.

The only bright light to his day had been the children. The smiles on their faces made everything worthwhile somehow. The
more he saw, the more he understood Brenda's desire to help these kids. The more he began to share that desire. If only she
could believe that. It was partly his fault that she didn't. The moment he walked into town, he'd been playing her. Pushing all the
right buttons. Proving her right that she couldn't fully trust him. How could she when he'd been less than honest with her?

Maybe he could still prove it to her somehow. Maybe he could repair what damaged he'd caused and try to build on a new
foundation. Build what? He wasn't quite sure. He just knew he needed to do something to fix the mess he'd created. He also
knew he didn't have the strength to do it tonight. Jax was grateful to be meeting Marc here. Maybe a few hours with a good
friend could give him the strength to face her again.

"Jax?" Brenda's voice called out to him from the shadows of the pier. "What are you doing here?" Her hands landed on her hips
as she tilted her head to the side as a teasing glint entered her eyes. "Wait a minute. Are you following me?"

Jax swung around and his hands immediately flew up in protest as his eyes flashed with aggravation. Looked like he wasn't
going to get that time after all. "You're unbelievable. You know what? As much as you might like to think, not everything I do is
centered around you..."

Brenda started to chuckle. "Relax. I'm just teasing."

"You are?" Jax sounded genuinely surprised as a blonde eyebrow raised.

She nodded, taking a step forward as her eyes narrowed and her voice sharpened. "Why? Is that so surprising? That I can
actually joke?"

Jax shrugged and eyed her carefully. Was there ever a time that fire wasn't sparking in her eyes? And how did she do that?
Change emotions in a heartbeat. One moment her eyes had a twinkle of teasing the next a spark of anger. "Let's just say Rosie
O'Donnell you are not."

Brenda crossed her arms in front of her at Jax's sarcastic remark returning sarcasm in kind. "Oh, and what? You think you're
Jay Leno or something?"

Jax shook his head in frustration. "God…you know, there really is no way to win with you is there?"

Brenda flipped her hair behind her shoulders. "Glad you finally realized that, Jax. Now maybe you can jump on the next plane
out of here and end this foolish…"

Jax saw a quick flash of light out of the corner of his eye and his head snapped the side just as a cracking sound drowned out
the rest of Brenda's thought. "BRENDA! GET DOWN!" Jax yelled suddenly and instinctively lurched forward, wrapping his
arms around Brenda and throwing them both to the ground covering her body with his.

They lay still a few moments partly from shock, partly from fear. When Jax heard no more shots forthcoming he raised himself
up and looked down to check on Brenda. Her eyes were tightly shut and she was holding her breath as tightly as she was
holding onto him.

"Brenda? Sweetie, are you ok?" Jax swallowed the fear that rose in his chest and gently shook her.

"Jax?" Brenda's voice sounded very small as her eyes fluttered open and she gaze up in complete terror at him. "What…what
happened? Was that…"

Jax reached out and gently pushed the hair out of her eyes. "I don't know, sweetie. I don’t know exactly what that was. A shot.
I'm not sure who it was aimed…" Jax shook his head and stopped the thought that it had been intentional. He pushed himself up
and stabled himself, his eyes scanning the area for any further attacks, before reaching down and gingerly pulling Brenda into a
sitting position next to him. "Are you ok? Did you get hurt?"

Jax's eyes began to roam Brenda's hands. Her arms. Her body. There didn't seem to be any immediate damage. Her face.
There was blood coming from her forehead… "Oh, God. You're bleeding…" Jax breathed and blinked back sudden tears as
he reached up with shaking hands and tenderly touched the sticky liquid at the edge of her hairline.

Brenda didn't feel anything. No pain. No blood. No fear. She sat staring at the man before her. The one that she'd treated like
an enemy since the day she set eyes on him. The one who had just saved her life. Despite the last few moments, in his arms she
felt completely…safe.

Brenda's misty eyes blinked slowly as she reached up and took Jax's face in her hands. When she could finally speak, her
whispered statement was full of awe. "You…you saved…my life."

Jax's gaze moved from the small gash on her head to her eyes. His chest tightened when he saw the look waiting for him. There
was no anger or mistrust. No fear. A half-smile touched his lips as his fingers unconsciously ran through her hair before
caressing the side of her face. His voice was low and tender. "I told you all a wolf needed was a chance…"

Brenda let out a shaky breath as her lips inched closer to his. "You've got it." Her focus moved to his lips and she unconsciously
licked her own. "Now what are you going to do with it?"

tbc…