The four arrived in New York during the early evening on Anna's private jet. The party was a week from Saturday, but Anna wanted to show them around New York. They made reservations at the Plaza hotel and check in was in thirty minutes. Once they reached the airport, a black stretch limo was awaiting them. "Wow! You really pull out all the stops don't you Anna?" Carlos said.

She looked back at him. "Only for my friends."

A tall, very well built man, was leaning up against the limo. He smiled once he saw Anna and ran to hug her. "Anna! It's so good to see you! And you've added some meat to those bones I see." He said with a sexy Australian accent.

She smiled at him. "It's good to see you too, Jax." She suddenly remembered her guests. "Oh, Jasper Jacks, these are my very good friends, Trent Malloy, Carlos Sandoval, and Texas Ranger James Trivette."

"A pleasure to meet you all. Now, I hate to sound rude, but we should really get you to the hotel. Check in is in thirty minutes."

"Oh, that's right. Well, let's get going."

Their luggage was placed in the trunk and they were whisked away to the hotel.

**********

Carlos was having the time of his life in the limousine. He called Walker from the car phone and Jax made him a drink while the other three politely declined. "So Anna, is Jarod coming back soon?" Jax inquired.

"He'll be back by the end of the week. He wanted to spend a little more time with the Malloy's and then he had that business conference in Chicago."

Carlos opened the sunroof and began screaming. "This is so cool! Hey Trent, buddy, you've got to see this!"

Trent laughed. "That's alright. I think you're having enough fun for the both of us."

Carlos continued to scream. "Hey Trivette, what about you?"

"I think I'll pass Carlos." He rolled his eyes at his Cuban friend.

Jax just laughed at the whole situation. "I'm just going to take a wild guess here, but this is his first ride in a limousine isn't it?" He said with a smile.

Trent smiled back. "Is it that obvious?"

"Oh don't worry about it. You should have seen me the first time I rode in one. Of course, I was only five years old at the time."

"You were that young?"

"Oh yes. Much like Anna here, I was born into this reality of business and upper class society. We're very much alike."

Carlos interrupted. "Hey! I think I see David Letterman!"

They all burst out laughing.

**********

They all arrived at the hotel and went to Anna's room since it was the penthouse suite.

Carlos was the first one in. "Wow! This place is bigger than my apartment!" He walked towards the mini-bar. "Hey! Peanuts!"

Jax looked at Anna. "Please tell me that you're not taking him to the Governor's Ball."

She smiled. "No. Trent is my date."

"Oh good." He breathed a sigh of relief.

Carlos came back into the room with his peanuts. Everyone was looking at him while amusement danced on their faces. "What?" He said with a mouthful of nuts.

"Okay, Trivette, your room is room 8563. And Carlos, your room is right next to his room 8565."

"Great."

"Which one is my room?" Trent asked. Jax clasped his hands together. "Why don't we all take a sea in the living room."

Everyone walked into the living room, and found a spot to sit down.

"Here's the thing." He paused for a moment. "Michael is a very violent man and he's not going to like Anna going with someone else."

Anna spoke up. "We know that. What does that have to do with Trent not having a room?"

"I want him to stay here with you."

"What?!"

"Just as a precaution Anna."

"Jax, I don't need a bodyguard. No offense Trent." She said realizing how rude she might sound.

He smiled. "None taken."

"Well, I disagree. Look, I'm not saying he's going to try anything. My point is that we just don't know."

She sighed and rolled her eyes.

"Look, I plan on paying him so it doesn't seem so bad." Jax said trying to smooth things over. "And besides, I'm already talked to him about it."

Trent came up next to her. "Anna, I would feel better if I knew someone was taking care of you. If it's alright with you, I'd like to stay here with you."

She sighed and thought for a minute. "Looks like I don't have much of a choice in the matter."

They looked at her, waiting for confirmation.

"Alright. You can stay here. Although, I doubt he'll try anything though."

Jax smiled. "That's a good girl. Now, if you all will excuse me, I have a business to run."

"Nice meeting you Jax." Trent said.

"Yeah. Thanks for the limo ride." Carlos chimed.

Trivette laughed at him. "Carlos, you disgust me."

"What do you mean?"

"If you're going to raid someone else's mini-bar, you have to pick the good stuff and not 'peanuts'!"

Carlos pulled the can closer to him. "What's wrong with peanuts?"

Anna and Trent started laughing.

"Help yourselves to anything that you guys want in there." Anna said while holding back a giggle.

"Really?" Trivette said with excitement. "Thanks!"

Both him and Carlos went back to it and began eating everything in sight.

Anna turned to Trent. "Come on. Let's get you unpacked."

Trent nodded and they left the two to their precious food.

**********

Late that night, Trent woke up and couldn't go back to sleep. He was a little hungry so, he decided to get up and see if there was anything in the mini-bar that Carlos and Trivette hadn't gotten their hands on. He walked into the living room and noticed Anna sitting on the couch. "What are you doing up?"

She whipped around. She saw it was him, and breathed a little easier. "Trent, you scared me."

"Sorry. I didn't mean to."

"Just try to prevent it in the future." She went back to whatever she was doing before.

He came and sat by her. "You didn't answer my question."

"What question?"

"What are you doing up?"

She blew part of her hair out of her face. "If you must know, I don't sleep well."

"So take a pill."

She gave him a small smile. "It's not that. It's just. . .I've never slept well. It's always been that way."

Trent waited for her to continue.

Anna rubbed her face. "It's not that simple. I don't like sleeping alone. Not as if it didn't happen often. I. . .I don't know."

Trent sat back up. "Look, one way or another, I think you need to get some sleep. Come on." He pulled her up off the couch. "Go back to bed and I don't want to see you out here anymore."

She stood in the middle of the doorway and crossed her arms as a challenge to him.

He stood his ground and pointed to the bedroom. "You. Bed. Now."

She rolled her eyes and finally gave in.

Once she closed the door, he whispered. "Sweet dreams Anna." Then he, himself, went back to bed.

**********

The next morning, Carlos and Trivette were already in the room by the time Anna had gotten up. Trent had ordered breakfast for all of them.

Anna came out of her room with her robe on, still looking a little groggy.

"Good morning sleepy head." Trent said in a cheery voice.

"What time is it?" She asked while rubbing her eyes.

Carlos smiled. "10:30."

She suddenly brightened up. "10:30! I can't believe I slept in that long."

Trent poured a cup of coffee. "Coffee?"

She took it with a smile. "Thank you. So, what did you guys want to do today?"

They looked at each other.

"We thought we were going to get fitted for our tuxes." Trivette said a little confused.

"They aren't open until tomorrow."

"Oh. Where exactly is it that we are going to?"

"Armani."

"Armani? That's. . .That's great."

"I'm glad you approve. But you guys still haven't told me what you want to do today." She said taking another sip of her coffee.

"How about the Empire State building?" Trent suggested.

"Sure. Let me get dressed and then we can grab some lunch." Anna put down her glass and left the room.

**********

Immediately after lunch, they went to the Empire State Building. Carlos decided not to go because of his fear of heights. Trivette decided to keep him company seeing as how it was Trent who really wanted to see it.

Anna took a breath of fresh air as soon as she stepped outside. "Don't you just love New York in the fall?"

Trent smiled. "Well, I like it so far."

She walked over to the edge and looked out. "What do you think?"

"It has a beautiful view of the city." "I've always thought so." She began shifting uneasily.

Trent grew concerned. "Are you alright?"

She shook her head. Tears began to build up in her eyes.

"Here, let's sit down." He led her to a bench.

She took a deep breath and blew it out. "Anna. . ."

"I'm sorry Trent. My back is just bothering me. It's no big deal."

"It is a big deal. You look like you're about to burst into tears."

She wiped her face. "I'm fine. Really."

"No, you're not. Come on. I'm taking you to the hospital."

"No! Trent, I can handle it." Trent stood up and gave her the same exact challenging look he had given her last night.

She stood up. "Alright! Boy, you really have an affect on people don't you?"

He smiled at her. "Only when they don't listen." He led her to the elevator.

**********

They reached the emergency room and had to wait for two hours. Trent waited with Anna in the waiting room. The pain hadn't let up much. "Are you doing okay?"

"No. But it's not as if that's anything new." She smiled at him. She knew he was genuinely concerned.

Finally, a nurse took them back. Of course, it was going to be another long wait until the doctor actually came in.

Anna continued to take deep breaths, which seemed to help some, but she was still in pain.

"When did this start Anna?" The nurse inquired.

She cringed from a sudden flash of pain. "Last night."

"Is that why you were up?" Trent asked.

"Partly."

The nurse cleared her throat to let them know she was in the room. "Well, here is some pain medication. The doctor will be in shortly." She handed Anna the pills and a glass of water, then left the room.

"Why didn't you say anything?" Trent said once they were alone.

"Because, it's not your concern." Anna then swallowed the pills.

He pulled up a chair. "Look, I care about you, and if something is bothering you, I want to know about it. Okay?"

She smiled. "Who could resist that pretty face?"

"Apparently, you."

She pretended to look hurt.

All of a sudden, they heard commotion in the hallway. "I don't care about your stupid policies, I want to see her right now!"

Anna rolled her eyes and looked up. "Oh my god. Did you tell Jax where I was?" She asked Trent.

"Well, he said that if anything happened to you, I should call him right away. Why? Is that a problem?"

"Jax doesn't handle himself too well in hospitals."

Just as she finished her sentence, Jax walked in. "Anna, are you okay? What's wrong? What did he do?"

"Slow down Jax. First of all, I am fine. Second, I want you to turn around and head back to the office."

"No. Not until you tell me what's going on."

"You do realize that I own the company and that I could have you fired."

"I know. But you won't." He said with a smile.

"Excuse me?"

"You won't do it and you know it. Now, tell me what in the hell is going on!"

She sighed. She took her sweater off and handed it to Trent. "Would you hold that for me please?"

Trent took it.

She turned around and showed Jax her scars.

"Oh my God! What happened to you?!"

"Michael." Trent said in a hateful tone.

Jax turned back to Anna. "Michael did this."

She nodded.

"When did you run into him? Not today I hope."

"Oh no. This happened a little over a week ago. I had the stitches removed just before we came."

"So, why are you here now?"

"Because it's giving her problems. We were at the Empire State building and she just started getting flashes of pain." Trent said helpfully.

He sighed. His face was growing red by the minute. "He's a dead man. I swear. He is a dead man."

"No!" Anna said. "I can handle this. I don't need you hiring anybody to put him on ice or anything."

"I wasn't planning on hiring anyone." He said with conviction.

"Which is worse. Look, I know you don't like Michael and never have, but once the divorce goes through, he'll be gone and that will be the end of it."

Jax sighed.

"Hello." A young woman said as she entered the room. "I'm Dr. Portman. I'm guessing you're Anna?"

She nodded. "That would be me." "So, what seems to be the trouble?" "Well. . ." She turned around to reveal her back.

The doctor cringed at what lay before her. "Lay down on your stomach."

She did exactly that.

The doctor examined it very closely taking her time. After thinking for a minute she spoke. "Can I talk to you two gentlemen outside please?"

Jax and Trent nodded. Once they closed the door, she began. "How long has she had that?"

"About a week or so. Why? Is something wrong?" Trent said with worry in his voice.

"Well, I don't want to cause any alarm, but there is a possibility that she fractured or dislocated something. I want to take her to x-ray. Just to be on the safe side. I'll know more once I get the x-rays back."

"Is that really necessary?" Jax said with concern.

"If we want to discover the source of her discomfort, yes."

Jax nodded.

"Look, I'll send her up immediately. If everything goes well, it should only be another couple of hours."

"Thank you doctor." Trent said gratefully.

"Yeah thanks, Doc." Jax said. He turned to Trent. "Why didn't she tell me?"

"I'm sure she had her reasons. Right now, she needs for us to be there for her. That's all we can do. Hopefully, this will get rid of her discomfort."

Jax nodded.

"Look, if you need to get back to work-"

Jax shook his head. "No. I don't want to leave her. Although. . . .It might not be a bad idea to visit that husband of hers." Trent quickly put a stop to that idea. "No. Anna's right. Once the divorce goes through, everything will be over. Hopefully."

Jax sighed. "Come on. I'll buy you a cup of really disgusting coffee that I'm not sure you can even call coffee."

Trent laughed. "I'll go for that."

The two men walked to find the cafeteria.

**********

Once Anna came out of x-ray, Trent and Jax were waiting for her. "Hi guys! Where did you disappear to?"

Jax smiled. "Oh, we just got some coffee."

"Oh. Boy, whatever they gave me, it sure made the pain go away, but now I'm really tired."

"So, why don't you go to sleep?" Trent suggested knowing immediately why.

"Not in here I'm not. I want to get back to the hotel and fall asleep in that nice, big, fluffy bed." She yawned.

The doctor came in with the x-rays. "Well, I don't see any bone or cartilage damage. You could have just agitated it and that's all. I'm giving her some medication to help the pain." She scribbled something on her pad and handed it to Trent. "I want her to go home and rest and not get out of bed for forty eight hours. When her back starts to act up, ice it."

Trent and Jax nodded at these instructions.

"We'll take care of her, Doc. Don't worry about it." Jax said while flashing her a smile.

She nodded and left the room.

They turned back to her.

"Let's go. I really don't like hospitals. I spend way too much time in them. It's like an addiction." She said trying to lighten the mood.

They smiled and helped her up.

**********

Anna had fallen asleep on the way home. Trent carried her up to her room. She wasn't very heavy and Trent knew he was going to have to help her with that. He walked into the master bedroom and gently laid her down. He grabbed the throw-over blanket and pulled it up over her shoulders. Before he left, he rubbed her head and gently kissed it. She didn't budge.

He decided to fill Trivette and Carlos in on the afternoon's events.

Jax said that all Trent had to do to fill the prescription was to call hotel staff and they'd take care of it. He went into the living room and made his phone calls.

Part 4

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