Brenda stood there, momentarily frozen. "You are beneath contempt!" she hissed, as she stared into Mike's smirking face, trying not to fall apart at the sting of his words.

"Now, now…" Mike cooed sarcastically, "don't kill the messenger here… I'm not the one who seduced you into bed for a meaningless fling and then couldn't wait to get away from you…" Mike smiled, his eyes cold and hard as he savored the pain his words were causing Brenda. "I'd never do something like that. I have the feeling that I'd never want to let you out of my bed if we'd…" He left the sentence dangling, as he saw the look of revulsion flash across Brenda's face at the mere thought of the two of them together, and he felt her rejection as stingingly as if she'd delivered another slap to his face. Once again his anger toward both Jax and Brenda welled up in him as he added, "Of course, you weren't the first woman Jax has used like this. This is a pattern for him…"

"You're lying," she growled, blinking back the tears that were stinging her eyes.

"Am I?" Mike grinned. "I think deep down you know I'm not. In fact, Jax was in such a hurry to get away from here and what he did last night and back to his fiancée that he hopped a plane for Long Island at 1 this afternoon, less than an hour after I picked him up from your apartment on Mulberry… I can give you the number on Long Island where he can be reached, if you'd like to verify that," Mike said, enjoying twisting the knife deeper and deeper. "And once he got back to our place, he couldn't wait to step into the shower to wash the scent of you and the memory of last night off of him," Mike lied, watching with satisfaction as Brenda began to believe his lies.

Brenda's head was spinning. Fiancée? Jax had a fiancée? He had lied to her! … No, he hadn't lied to her. He hadn't said much of anything to her; there hadn't been time for talking, only time for acting - and she had acted foolishly. She was the one who was envisioning forever; he was looking at her as a one-night stand - one he evidently regretted in the sobering light of day.

Had Jax really only seen her as nothing more than an object for his sexual pleasure - a sorry substitute for the woman he loved? Did he really do this all the time? And why had he given her note to Mike and suggested that he take her? Did Jax really have that much disdain for her that he'd treat her like an object to be shared? Evidently - and if so, Jax was no better than his slimy friend here - his slimy friend was just more obvious. How could she have been so foolish? she berated herself. At this moment, she wasn't sure whom she hated most - Jax, for using her so callously; Mike, for telling her so viciously; or herself, for falling so easily for Jax.

She took a deep breath, and wiped the tears from her eyes. She couldn't let this cretin know how much this hurt. She had to get control of herself. She grabbed the note off the table and shoved it into the pocket of her jeans. "Okay, you've delivered your news. I have other customers, who need my attention, so if you're not planning on ordering anything, I'll be on my way - and I suggest that you do the same," she seethed, her eyes reflecting the hatred that she felt for him.

"Is there a problem here?" Brenda's head whipped around at the sound of her boss's voice. He was standing right behind her. Had he overheard her last remark to Mike? She hoped not - she really needed this job, and she couldn't afford to do anything to jeopardize it. Mr. McGinty firmly believed that the customer was always right, so rudeness to a customer was definitely grounds for dismissal, no matter how obnoxious the customer might be.

"No - there's no problem, Mr. McGinty," Brenda covered immediately. "This gentleman just hasn't made up his mind about what he'd like to order, so I told him I'd get back to him, that's all." She hated that she was groveling like this in front of Mike, but if she wanted to eat for the next few weeks until graduation, she needed to stay within Mr. McGinty's good graces, and that meant putting up with overbearing customers like this creep.

Mike watched with interest the fear that her boss's appearance seemed to strike in Brenda. She evidently needed this job desperately and would do just about "anything" to keep it. What was it he had thought about never standing a chance of having her? He planned to turn this to his advantage. Carpe diem had always been his motto, and he definitely planned to seize this day, which was turning out even better than he had hoped.

Simon McGinty looked at Mike for confirmation of what Brenda had just said. Trish, the hostess, had told him about this customer soon after she had seated him. She said that he had asked specifically to be seated in Brenda's section and that he had handed her a very generous tip after she seated him. Trish had noticed him the minute he'd pulled into the parking lot in his Porsche, with his expensive haircut and designer clothes and that Rolex, that all shouted money. This was the kind of clientele Simon wanted in his restaurant, and he planned to make sure that this customer was treated well and that everything was definitely to his liking. When he had been watching Brenda and the young man earlier he had sensed friction between them. He didn't care what the problems between Brenda and the young man were; he wanted to nip the situation in the bud. If this young man liked the service and the food here, he might tell his friends, and then McGinty's could finally be on the map for those yuppies around the university.

"Is everything to your liking?" Simon asked Mike, watching closely as Mike and Brenda exchanged pointed looks.

"Everything's just fine thus far. The lovely Brenda and I were just discussing the special of the day and what other tasty dishes are available for my enjoyment," Mike smiled, keeping his eyes focused on Brenda as he answered Simon. He turned his gaze to Simon. "Very nice place you have here, Mr. McGinty," Mike said calculatingly, extending his hand out to Simon. "A friend recommended this place for both its dishes and its service, and I'm sure I won't be disappointed by what I get either."

His compliment made Simon beam, but the double entendre made Brenda boil. She really hated this guy, and she would dearly love to kick him where it counted, but she knew that that was not an option. Her rent was paid through the end of the school year, but she had other expenses to meet, and unfortunately eating was one of them. She sighed as she realized that the look on Mike's face meant that he most likely picked up on her anxiety at having Mr. McGinty looking over her shoulder, and she wondered just how he planned to use that to his advantage? It didn't take her long to find out.

"Allow me to introduce myself, Mr. McGinty. I'm Mike Malloy, and I'm a law student at Georgetown. In fact, I'm graduating in just a few weeks, and my roommates and I were considering throwing a big graduation party. We want to just sit back and enjoy the party along with our guests, and we don't want to have to worry about the particulars of the party, like food and service, so we thought we'd have it catered. There will probably be a couple hundred people or so… Does your restaurant happen to do any catering, Mr. McGinty, and if so, do you suppose you could handle something that size?" Mike asked, relishing the greedy gleam that suddenly appeared in McGinty's eyes. He knew that whether or not the restaurant had ever catered before, the old man would jump at this chance to serve a classier crowd than normally frequented this place.

Mike was not gifted in the classroom, like Jax and Eric, but when it came to sizing up people, he seemed to have a sixth sense, especially when it came to gauging avarice, jealousy, or duplicity in people. Perhaps it was because he was able to recognize in others what grew in his own heart. And he knew that he recognized a kindred spirit in old man McGinty here. He could see the dollar signs popping in the man's faded gray eyes, as he literally licked his pencil thin lips in anticipation of the windfall of business landing this party could mean for the restaurant. Mike watched as the old man reached for the table for support; the man's excitement about this opportunity was evidently overwhelming.

Simon McGinty held firmly onto the table of the back booth of his family's restaurant. This customer's request was like a dream come true for the business. True, they had never done any catering, but for a bash that size and for a moneyed crowd that this party was sure to pull in, he'd even close down the restaurant for the night to handle this. He knew that this was only a college party, but this was a college party thrown by *rich* college kids, and it was sure to be attended by *rich* college kids, and if they liked what he served, they might begin frequenting the restaurant and telling their friends and families about it as well. This particular party could make his reputation, and he knew he'd sell his very soul if it meant landing the chance to do it.

"Mr. Malloy, I'm honored that you are considering my little restaurant to supply the food for your party… And I know that we won't disappoint if you choose to go with us…" McGinty began, trying not to appear as eager as he felt, but still hoping to convey that this restaurant would be the best choice for both food and service.

Brenda watched in astonishment as Mr. McGinty got sucked into Mike's con. She couldn't believe how naïve he was to believe that someone like this would just walk in off the street and offer him the chance of a lifetime, like this. But she knew Mr. McGinty well enough to know that he wasn't thinking much beyond the money and the fame he saw flowing out of this so-called opportunity that Mike was proposing from out of the blue. But if he'd just stop to think, he'd realize that Mike and his kind - who have never once set foot in this place before tonight - would sooner serve bread and water at their parties than anything that came from this place. McGinty's, while having good food, specialized in diner and homestyle foods, like southern fried chicken and meatloaf, and she doubted that Mike even knew what meatloaf was, let alone what it tasted like. Besides, McGinty's had never catered anything before in the three years she'd worked here, and she wondered how Mr. McGinty planned to handle this particular party, short of closing the restaurant, and making everyone work the party. That would mean that she'd have to work the party as well, which meant she would have to be around Jax and Mike in their own place no less, and that thought thoroughly sickened her.

She looked at Mike, who was pretending to be interested in what Mr. McGinty was saying about the quality of the food and service of his restaurant, and how Mike and his friends would not be disappointed if they chose this restaurant for their party. She couldn't believe how slick Mike was in coming up with this sham party to cover his real reason for his visit here. Of course, she really shouldn't be surprised that Mike was so adept at lying. After all, he was graduating law school soon, and in her estimation, he was just like Jax and all the other lawyers and soon-to-be-lawyers out there - world-class liars and jerks, all of them!

But at least this liar and jerk had provided her with the opportunity she needed to get away from him. "Mr. McGinty, since you're handling this *gentleman,* I'll just attend to my other tables." Brenda turned to leave when she felt Mike's hand on her arm, restraining her from leaving.

"You know, Mr. McGinty," Mike began as he continued to hold firmly to Brenda's arm, "I feel that Brenda and I have established such a rapport that I'd really like to talk to her a little before I make any decisions. I'd like to get a feel for the place based on her experiences as both an employee of the place and as a patron as well… If that's okay with you, sir?" Mike flashed him a broad smile that let McGinty know that Brenda - and how she behaved - was the deal breaker in all of this.

"Ummm… of course not," Simon said, somewhat nervously, as he saw Brenda blanche at Mike's suggestion. "Brenda, why don't you sit down and discuss things with Mr. Malloy here?" Simon could see that she really seemed to dislike this customer - did he have the right to force her to stay with him just so he could pick up the business, he wondered? But his struggling conscience was immediately outvoted by his overwhelming greed, as he thought about the possibilities this party could open up for the business in the long run. He was her employer and he had every right to ask her to take care of this customer - after all, he wasn't suggesting she sleep with the man or anything to land this party, she merely had to be civil toward him and sell the place for him. He was a customer, like the thousands of other customers Brenda had dealt with in the years she had worked here. Simon knew that through the years Brenda had had to wait on some fairly forward and unruly male customers, but she had always handled them with wit and finesse. Many of those once obnoxious customers had since transformed and had become her regular customers, despite knowing the only thing they'd ever get from her was service with a smile here at the restaurant. Of course, Simon had never seen Brenda have this kind of an aversion to a customer before - it was almost as if she hated this man… But that didn't matter - he was a customer, and he expected her to handle him politely and respectfully, no matter what.

"But I have several other tables that I need to get back to…" Brenda began to protest, but Mr. McGinty's look and his words cut her off mid-sentence.

"I'll take over the front, and Trish can handle those tables for you. You just sit here and answer all of Mr. Malloy's questions and take care of all of his needs," he said tersely as he shot Brenda a withering look that warned that she had no choice in this matter if she wanted to keep her job.

Brenda looked at Mr. McGinty, angry that he was forcing her to spend time with Mike, but she held her temper, handing him her order pad as she reluctantly instructed him on what needed to be done to handle her workload while she was stuck with this loathsome man. "Tables three and five are nearly finished and just need their checks, and tables one and two are waiting for their entrees now…"

"Thank you, Brenda," Mr. McGinty said, his eyes warning her to be nice to the man for both of their sakes.

Brenda had the urge to defy McGinty and just walk away, but she didn't have the urge to get fired and go hungry for the next few weeks until graduation, and that would be the end result of her making a scene now. She nodded slowly at Mr. McGinty and then reluctantly slid into the seat across the table from Mike, as Mr. McGinty walked to the front to summon Trish from her hostessing duties to take over Brenda's tables. "Are you happy now?" she hissed at Mike, after she saw that Mr. McGinty was out of earshot.

"Well, I'm happier now that I have your undivided attention, but not as happy as I'd like to be…" Mike said suggestively, looking appraisingly at Brenda's chest as she leaned across the table glaring at him.

"You really are loathsome!" she seethed, as she grabbed the menu out of his hands and used it to block his view of her anatomy. "Listen, you accomplished your mission when you delivered your message earlier, so why don't you end this little charade and put both of us out of our miseries by leaving now? We both know that you have no intention of having McGinty handle any party for you. You just made that up to get his attention and to get him to force me to spend time with you," Brenda said sarcastically, keeping her voice low as she turned her head around to make sure that Mr. McGinty was still nowhere around.

"True…but I could be persuaded to throw just such a bash with McGinty's handling the services - if the circumstances were right…" He left the sentence dangling for effect.

Brenda looked back toward the front of the restaurant and saw that Mr. McGinty's eyes were trained on their booth, so she tried to control her urge to pummel this lowlife sitting across from her. "And just *what* circumstances would that be?" Brenda asked through gritted teeth, as she plastered a fake smile on her face for the benefit of Trish, who was suddenly at the booth with a couple of chocolate milkshakes for them.

"Mr. McGinty thought you might like to sample one of the things McGinty's is known for - our chocolate milkshakes," Trish interrupted, as she set the tall glasses in front of Brenda and Mike. "No charge, of course," she added, giving Mike a flirtatious smile, which he easily returned.

"Be sure to thank Mr. McGinty for his hospitality - and tell him that Brenda and I are making real headway here on the particulars for that party," Mike told Trish, and then waited for her to leave before answering Brenda's question, which Trish had interrupted. "I think we both know the answer to that one," he said, turning his attention back to Brenda as he slid his hand under the table and placed it on her knee, sliding it slowly up her thigh.

"*Get your hands off me!*" she spat out at him with barely contained rage, trying hard to keep her voice down to a level that would not carry beyond the confines of their booth. "Let's get one thing perfectly straight… Despite the fantasies you may have floating around in that delusional head of yours, I am *not* part of any deal that you may or may not make with Mr. McGinty about this phantom party of yours!"

"Really? You want to test that theory?" he asked, his eyes shining with a malevolence she hadn't seen since Jack Nicholson's performance in "The Shining." He flashed her a wicked smile and added, "Just how secure are you in this job of yours, Brenda?" He saw the look of uncertainty momentarily cross her face, and he realized in that instant that he had hit upon her Achilles' heel - she needed this job to live.

Stay calm, Brenda, she told herself - McGinty can't force you to do anything, no matter what Mike says or does to try to persuade him otherwise. "My job security has nothing to do with any of this, and it has nothing to do with you," she said, her voice steady, despite the fact that she was boiling inside.

Mike continued to regard her with a smirk, looking into her dark eyes that reflected the depth of the animosity she felt for him at that moment. "You really are the feisty one, aren't you? Jax did say that I'd enjoy that about you…" he taunted, as he saw the look of pain that flashed momentarily through Brenda's eyes at Jax's name. Good - he'd made a direct hit on that one. But that wasn't enough for him - he wanted to see anger for Jax replace the melancholy he saw at his mention of Jax. He wanted her to hate Jax with every fiber of her being, so that Jax could learn for once in his life, that he couldn't always get whatever he wanted simply because he wanted it.

He continued to stare at her, analyzing what most likely had happened between her and Jax the previous night that resulted in their passionate encounter. His instincts told him that Brenda had not immediately or easily fallen for Jax's dubious charms. In fact, he'd bet his bottom dollar that Jax and Brenda had argued - most likely fiercely - either about the incident in the bar or about her rally that afternoon or, judging from the contentiousness of the woman, simply about Brenda challenging Jax's right to even exist, and that, in turn had somehow led them to bed. His instincts were generally right, so he decided to follow them. "You know, Jax said that the real key to turning you on was to get you angry." He saw the intense hatred cloud her eyes and he knew that his assumptions about what had led Jax and Brenda into bed in the first place had been correct, and he couldn't suppress the triumphant smile that formed on his lips. "He said that you were a real emotional - and physical - spitfire after that!" he added, knowing she would naturally assume that Jax had told him everything.

"You are both scum!" she shouted, no longer able to contain the rage that she felt for both Mike and Jax at that point. She slid out of the booth to leave, but she felt Mike's hand clamp tightly over her arm, preventing her from going anywhere.

"I *own* you for the moment," he sneered, his nostrils flaring as he felt himself getting more and more turned on by Brenda's belligerence and the power that he felt over her, knowing he held the future of her job in his grasp. "That is, if you want to continue with this job," he added, nodding toward the front of the restaurant, where Mr. McGinty had dropped what he had been doing and was now headed back to their table to see what the furor was about. "Now, if you cooperate with me, I'll save your job, but if you try to cross me again, then I'll make sure you're fired so fast it'll make your head spin," he growled, his voice a hoarse whisper to prevent anyone else from overhearing his threat.

"What's the trouble here?" Mr. McGinty demanded, looking from Brenda to Mike, who still was holding Brenda's arm firmly in his grasp.

Brenda looked up at Mr. McGinty, whose face was red with anger and apprehension. She knew how important he seemed to think this so-called party would be for McGinty's reputation, and she knew his chances of getting it depended solely on her. Then she looked at Mike, whose face reflected the satisfaction of victory that he was certain he'd already won, and in that brief moment, she studied her options. On the one hand, if she refused to go along with Mike's demands, she'd have her pride, but she wouldn't have the job, which she desperately needed in order to eat for the next few weeks. On the other hand, if she conceded to Mike's overtures, she'd keep her job and Mike would guarantee McGinty would land this otherwise nonexistent party, but she'd have to swallow her pride and dignity to do that. And in that instant she knew exactly what course she needed to take…

Swallowing hard, she smiled sweetly at Mike, and he relaxed and let go of her arm, then she flashed Mr. McGinty a big smile as she said, "There's no trouble here, Mr. McGinty. In fact, I was about to give Mike here a demonstration of just what he can expect if from me from this point on, Mr. McGinty, in relation to that party of his." She saw Mike visibly relax at her words, and that obnoxious smile of his crept back on his face, as he assumed he had finally broken her to his will. She picked up both milkshakes that Trish had brought just minutes before and then she tossed them both in Mike's face, immediately erasing the victorious grin off Mike's face.

"You little -!" Mike screamed, jumping quickly to his feet as the sticky, cold liquid hit him squarely in the face and then ran unceremoniously down his chest and onto his lap.

"What the hell do you think you're doing, Brenda ?!" Simon McGinty demanded, as he watched in horror the events unfolding in front of his eyes. He grabbed some napkins from a nearby table and began trying to clean Mike up as much as possible. "I'm so sorry, Mr. Malloy," he apologized, "I can guarantee that this is not how my employees generally handle the customers."

"I want her fired - NOW!!!" Mike commanded, as he saw the look of defiance in Brenda's eyes, which made him angrier than even the sticky mess than he was now covered with.

The commotion coming from the back booth of McGinty's had now captured the attention of everyone in the restaurant - employees and patrons alike - and the unfolding drama held everyone's rapt attention. Simon McGinty noticed the audience that they had garnered, and was embarrassed that Brenda was making such a spectacle here in his place. He started to open his mouth to tell everyone to continue with what they were doing, but Brenda cut him off, preferring instead that everyone know what was truly going on here.

"Let me save you the trouble of firing me, Mr. McGinty," Brenda began, her voice calm, her words measured. "I've put up with a lot in this job over the years - I've smiled and accommodated some real jerks here simply because it was your policy that the customer was always right, no matter what, and I needed this job. But today, you expected me to put more on the line for this job than you - or anyone else - had the right to expect, and I won't compromise myself for anyone or anything like that, regardless of what the stakes are. I'd rather starve than do that… Besides, this jerk has no intention of hiring you to cater any party - in fact, there wasn't even a party in the works before he came here. The only party he had in mind was a private one involving only him and me, and I can guarantee that that is one party that is NEVER going to happen! So, Mr. McGinty, you can demean yourself if you'd like in order to secure business for this place, but I won't allow you to demean me in the process… I quit!"

She turned to face Mike one last time, giving him a wry smile as she reached into the back pocket of her jeans and pulled out a couple of dollars, which she dropped onto the table in front of him. "Here, order a club soda on me. It makes a great chaser for those shakes. And, whatever you don't drink, you can use to try to take those stains out," she laughed, pointing to Mike's chocolate-covered khakis, as she marched out of the restaurant to angry and embarrassed glares from Mike and Mr. McGinty and the appreciative applause from the other employees and customers.

Jax steered his rental car through the gates of the exclusive, residential community that led to his family's home - and that also led to Elizabeth. As he slowly drove down the streets on which he had spent his childhood, he let his gaze flicker over the palatial homes that were set back far from the prying eyes of the street. He chuckled a little, imagining Brenda's reaction to seeing such opulence. She would be certain to let loose with a sarcastic retort about the immense greed of the rich ... Brenda.

Sighing heavily, he dreaded the task that awaited him. How was he going to break the news to his fiancée? How could he explain to her that he no longer wanted to marry her - that he wasn't in love with her and never had been? This was not something that he wanted to do, but after last night - after *Brenda*-- it simply had to be done.

Shaking his head, Jax smiled to himself ruefully. Although he had relived each moment that happened between them last night on his hour-long plane ride to New York today, his mind was still unable to comprehend all that he had experienced with Brenda, who was, for all intents, a perfect stranger - a perfect stranger that he was inexplicably and uncontrollably drawn to. A perfect stranger who had stirred up feelings within him that he had never imagined possible. Unfortunately, those feelings showed him exactly what he and Elizabeth's relationship was lacking: passion, excitement… all of the elements were indescribable, but the fact remained that the things that Brenda had showed him were missing from his and Elizabeth's relationship . And that meant he could no longer stay with her. He simply couldn't continue to live a lie. It was long past time for him to end this.

Knowing all that didn't make his any easier though. He supposed that feeling a bit melancholy at the idea of him abandoning someone that had always been a part of his life was to be expected. As his car approached Elizabeth's driveway, he swallowed hard over the lump that appeared in his throat. He could well imagine how shocked and hurt Elizabeth was going to be, and although he didn't love her, he also didn't relish the idea of hurting her so very badly. She hadn't done anything to warrant this.

Taking a deep breath, Jax turned into the hidden driveway that led to Elizabeth's home and followed along the paved driveway lined with lush, green hedges for a few minutes until they parted to reveal the Barnes' home.

The sprawling, white house was clearly Southern-inspired, with magnificent white columns, two stately balconies facing several immaculately manicured acres of land, and facing a grand circular driveway. Hidden as it was from the quiet street, it appeared to be an oasis set in the middle of nowhere. The overall effect suited Elizabeth perfectly; to Jax, she had always seemed to be somewhat of a modern-day Scarlet O'Hara, with this as her Tara. As if his mind was being read, the large white doors of the house opened onto the front porch and Elizabeth appeared outside, looking cool and cultured in a sleeveless, white linen dress. She placed a hand above her forehead and squinted into the bright sunshine, searching to discover who the unexpected visitor was.

"Jax, is that you?" she appeared puzzled at first, then delighted. Lifting her hand from her eyes, she smiled brightly and gave a short wave. "Darling, it *is* you! What a wonderful surprise!" Remaining on the porch, she waited for Jax to shut off the engine and join her.

Reluctantly, Jax got out of the car and pocketed his keys, as his mind raced with possible ways to begin explaining to Elizabeth his reasoning. He jogged over to the house and climbed the few stairs up to where she was standing, her arms held out to him.

"Hello, darling! How sweet of you to surprise me this way," she took a few steps towards him and embraced him briefly, and he returned her greeting with a perfunctory kiss on the cheek.

Elizabeth reached over and held his two hands in her own, and her gaze swept over him, admiring how handsome her husband-to-be was. Although he was simply dressed, in a navy button-down shirt and his usual pair of khaki pants, Jax had a quality about him that made one easily imagine him strolling into a ballroom or a boardroom, no matter what his attire was. "You look a little tired, darling. Mike told me that you've been closed up in that stuffy, old library, preparing for your exams. You must be simply exhausted!" As she spoke, Elizabeth began to lead Jax inside of the house. "Come inside, and sit down; I'll get you a glass of iced tea."

"No!" Jax couldn't control the shout that unexpectedly escaped from his mouth. Elizabeth stopped and turned to look at him, a bit alarmed at the tone his voice had taken. She raised an eyebrow at him, silently asking for an explanation. His face instantly apologetic, Jax quickly went on, "I would - I would just rather stay out here, if you don't mind."

Elizabeth's face softened and she gave him a tender smile. "Of course! It didn't occur to me that you would surely want some fresh air. How silly of me, darling. Let's sit over here." At last relinquishing her firm hold on his hand, she crossed the porch to the right side where there were several comfortable garden chairs and a table, and sat down. She sat quietly, an expectant look on her face.

Jax followed her lead and sank down gratefully into the cushioned chair, linking his hands together. While he tried to form words to express what he had come here to do, he gazed at Elizabeth silently. She looked the same as always: her long, straight white-blonde hair was parted neatly on the side and drawn back at the nape of her neck with a hair clip; the makeup on her porcelain skin was minimal and tasteful, as she used only the tiniest amount of lipstick and blusher; her nails displayed her usual French-manicure; her only jewelry was a pair of small diamond studs and the engagement ring that Jax had presented to her a few months ago.

This was going to be much harder than he had thought, he realized painfully. Just glancing at the ring she had wanted so very much brought back a rush of memories of all the times they had shared together ... years and years of times with their families, and friends ... Their very lives were intertwined ... And then Brenda's face invaded his mind once again. Her face as it had been last night, when they had been verbally sparring in her apartment ... She had been unconsciously smiling a bit at his nerve; her eyes full of fire and passion, as she spun some sharp retort at him. He knew, then, that however many wonderful memories he and Elizabeth shared together, the memories that he and Brenda could - no, *would* - create together would surpass anything that was in his life now.

It was time.

Meeting her eyes with his, Jax spoke quietly to Elizabeth, his voice solemn. "I came here today because I need to talk to you. About something important."

She furrowed her brow, concerned. "What's wrong, darling? Is everything going all right with your preparations for graduation? Is that what's bothering you?"

"No, that's not it," Jax told her. "It's ... lately I..." He sighed heavily, unable to think of an easy way to say what was on his mind.

"Whatever it is, Jax, we can deal with it together. Just tell me what is wrong," Elizabeth reached over and covered his clenched hands with her cool ones, looking deeply into his blue eyes with her own.

"This is not something that we can deal with together, Liz." Damn it, why couldn't he just *tell* her! He decided to just come right out with it. The reality was that, no matter how gently he couched his words, the reaction would likely be the same. "What is bothering me, actually, *is* us."

"Us? What do you mean?" Elizabeth had no idea what he was trying to say to her. "Do you mean our plans for after the wedding? Or after your graduation?"

Shaking his head in frustration, he said, "No. I ... There's not going to be ... Look, Liz, I don't want to get married anymore. And I'm sorry... this is not your fault. I just ... lately I've been questioning whether or not this is something that I wanted, or something that I just seemed to fall into. And the more I've thought about it, the more I've come to realize that this is not what I want. I ... I just ... I don't love you." Relieved that he had finally given vent to his feelings, he exhaled and hung his head, as exhaustion suddenly fell over him.

Elizabeth, on the other hand, had the opposite reaction -- her entire body went tense, and she stiffened. Her hand, still resting on Jax's, fell away from him to hang limply at her side. Upon feeling her hand move away, Jax lifted his head to see a very stricken Elizabeth sitting across from him. She was, quite literally, in shock at his unexpected speech. Her pale blue eyes were wide, and filled with ... He wasn't sure exactly what she was feeling, but perhaps the best word, was disbelief. He waited for her reaction, but none was forthcoming, as Elizabeth continued to sit and stare at him, wordlessly.

"Liz? Are you ... are you all right?" Concerned, Jax leaned over to her.

"No ..."she murmured, shaking her head. "I'm fine .... just a bit ... shocked, I suppose. What you said ... that had to actually be the last thing I expected to hear from you ..." Her head was spinning, and she was still reeling at what Jax had just told her. Surely he wasn't serious! Maybe she hadn't heard him correctly. Yes, she must be mistaken ... There was no way that Jax, her fiancé, the man she had always planned to marry, had just told her that he didn't want to marry her.

With her spirits raised by that thought, her face brightened just a little, and she asked him, with hope evident in her voice, "Did you just say that . darling, did I hear you correctly?"

Jax was remorseful, but his resolve was strong. He could not back down now. "Yes, Elizabeth. You heard me correctly. I'm sorry ... but I had to tell you the truth, and stop things now."

"Why? Why, all of a sudden, after all of our years together, have you suddenly decided that we're not meant to be together? What happened to you, Jax?" She looked at him intensely, scrutinizing his expression. "Is there someone else? Did you meet another woman?"

With every fiber of his being, Jax detested lying. He tried never to lie, to anyone; but he knew that, in this case, it would only hurt Elizabeth more if he told her about Brenda. So, to save her further pain, he lied. "No, Liz. No one else is involved in my decision. This is something that has been in the back of my mind for awhile now, and I only recently let myself really think about it."

Jax took solace in the fact that at least part of what he was saying was true. It wasn't as if Brenda had erased a wealth of emotion that he had for Elizabeth - his meeting with her had just forced him take a long, hard look at the future that was planned for him. The truth was that, while he cared for her deeply, it was not true love. It was not passionate, or intense, or romantic. It was safe, and predictable, and just the way things had always been. Elizabeth deserved something better than that; someone who she deeply loved and returned those feelings to her; someone who shared her same interests, and inspired her ... And so did he.

"Well, then, I just don't understand, Jax! I can't accept that everything - our plans, our wonderful plans for the future - are to be thrown away. All because you say that you don't love me? Are you honestly telling me, and expecting me to believe, that in all the years we've been a couple - all the times we've shared together - that you never loved me?" Elizabeth stood and began pacing back and forth on the porch as she unleashed her tirade upon Jax.

Jax was silent, hanging his head once again. He didn't want to say the words; he didn't want to hurt her by answering that question.

"Jax ... answer me!" Elizabeth stopped pacing in front of his chair, and she reached down and lifted his chin so that she could look him in the eye. What she saw there stopped her cold ... There was sorrow, and perhaps some tenderness ... but no love.

"Anybody home?" Jax entered his family's Long Island home, feeling exhausted after his talk with Elizabeth. It hadn't gone well. Of course, he hadn't really expected it to. All things considered, she had actually been rather civil about his ending their relationship so abruptly. After he had remained silent in answer to her question of whether or not he ever truly loved her, she had seemed to understand what he was saying - that he did not want to hurt her by telling her that had never been in love with her. The intense pain in her eyes had caused him great sorrow, and for a brief moment he had even wished that he could take back what he had just done. But what was done was done; for Jax, the decision to not marry Elizabeth had been made the moment his lips first touched Brenda's. Now that he had broken his engagement, all he wanted to do was return to DC as quickly as possible, but he also knew that he could not leave without explaining his decision to his parents.

His only problem was that he had no idea how.

In a way, Jax felt more worry about disappointing his parents than he had experienced in telling Elizabeth - Jax's parents had been overjoyed about Elizabeth and Jax's relationship from the very beginning, and considered Elizabeth to be a member of the family. His mother, Jane, had already begun treating her as a daughter, and the two shared a close relationship. John Jacks, upon the announcement of their engagement, had hunkered down in his study with Senator Barnes, and the two men happily planned out Jax and Elizabeth's future together. Both the Barnes and Jacks families saw the impending nuptials as the merging of two dynasties and were looking forward to celebrating the union with great fanfare.

Although he was reluctant to admit it, even to himself, there was still a small part of him that was questioning his recklessness. The previous twelve hours felt like a dream to him; he almost wasn't certain that Brenda was real. The cautious side of his brain - the part that he had always listened to - was shouting out warnings to him: that he was throwing away all of the dreams and plans he had worked so hard for since childhood; that he was ruining his life. He couldn't deny that halting his wedding to Elizabeth would indeed change the course of his future. He had already accepted a position at Senator Barnes' former law firm, of which the Senator was still a highly influential advisor - and it was certainly conceivable that Senator Barnes would jettison his future position there. Looking for placement at a high-profile firm this close to graduation was not advisable, for all the plum positions had been snatched up months ago.

He knew that he was taking a huge risk. He was also cognizant of the fact that he hadn't spent much time pondering his actions, and the repercussions that were sure to follow. But what he did know - and of this Jax was certain - was that he had to see what could develop between him and Brenda. The few hours they had shared together were magical. She had come from out of nowhere to turn his life and heart upside down. In just the span of a night, his had experienced the full gamut of emotions: caring, tenderness, laughter, a bit of anger ... He smiled slightly, remembering how Brenda had challenged him, made him laugh, inspired such deep feelings in him. Somehow Jax - steady and dependable Jax - had no desire to return back to the sort of dead relationship he and Elizabeth had shared.

"Jax? What on earth are you doing here?"

Jax's mind returned to the present, to find himself standing in his parent's foyer, grinning stupidly at nothing and no one. He looked in the direction of his mother's voice, and saw Jane coming down the grand staircase, a fond smile on her face at the sight of her younger son.

"Mum ... I had to make an unexpected jaunt here today." He moved to the foot of the stairs to wait for her descent.

Jane, dressed in a pale pink pantsuit and holding a thick sheaf of papers, carefully made her way down the remaining steps and embraced Jax. "Well, this is a wonderful surprise! You always did have such perfect timing, Son. I was just about to call Elizabeth to discuss the flowers for the reception; now we can just invite her over. Come with me into the study, and you can call her from there." Jane began walking quickly towards the study, fully expecting Jax to follow her.

"Wait ... Mum ... I need to talk to you and Dad first. He wouldn't happen to be home, would he?" Suddenly Jax felt like a small child once again, preparing to tell his parents he had failed a test.

Jane turned back to her son, who had assumed a decidedly guilty stance, with his head down and his hands stuffed in his pockets. "Jax, is something wrong?" she asked, concerned.

"No ... well, I don't ... I just have something important to tell you both, and it would be easier to explain it to you both at the same time," Jax told her, still avoiding eye contact.

"All right, then," Jane said slowly, uncertain of what could have her normally cheerful son so worried. "Your father is here. I believe he's in his office. Why don't you go ahead into the study, and I'll go and get him, dear." Placing the papers she was holding onto a small, mahogany table, Jane hurried off to retrieve John and find out what Jax's news was.

"You what? Have you lost your mind, boy?" John Jacks paced the floor of the study. He was not so much angry with his son as he was perplexed. Jax had just informed his parents that he had broken his engagement with Elizabeth, and the news had gone over just as he had expected - not well at all.

"Dad, I know this comes as a shock to both of you. It was a shock to me as well, but I've realized that-" Jax's well-intended explanation was cut off as his mother cut in.

"But, Jax, you and Elizabeth have *always* been together! Why, you've never really had any other serious girlfriends. I think you may just be feeling a bit nervous about graduating and beginning a different sort of life, son." Jane was seated in an armchair across from Jax, who sat on the couch watching John pace back and forth.

"Mum, I know this may seem sudden, but ... I know that this is the right decision for me. And though it may seem that way, it really has nothing to do with me being nervous about graduation, or starting a new life - It has to do with Elizabeth and me. She ... she just doesn't make me *happy.*" Jax tried to make his position clearer to his parents.

"Happy?" John snorted in disbelief. "You and that girl have been inseparable for almost ten years now, Jax. Are we to believe that for all these years, you've been miserable? That all this time, you've been hiding your unhappiness from us?" He regarded his son with a skeptical and annoyed glare.

"No, Dad, of course not." In frustration, Jax stood and faced his father, thrusting his hands in his pockets. "Elizabeth is a wonderful, sweet person, and I do love her ... I'm just not *in love* with her. Don't you see the difference?" Jax began pacing the room himself, as he continued talking. "I care a great deal for her, but not as I would a wife. Elizabeth is more like a sister to me than anything else. When I marry, I want to be madly in love, to be ecstatically happy ... and Elizabeth doesn't arouse those feeling in me."

Jane frowned as she watched Jax's facial expression change from frustrated to almost dreamy, as if he were thinking of the very person he had described. As if he *knew* her. "Jax, have you met someone else? Is that what changed your mind?"

Stiffening, Jax assumed a defensive position. "What does that have to do with anything, Mum? Whether I've met someone else or not, my feelings for Elizabeth would still be the same."

"You have!" John interjected. "Don't bother trying to deny it, boy. It's written all over your face! You've gotten you knickers in a twist over some money-hungry woman, haven't you? Is she the one who convinced you to break your engagement? I *knew* you wouldn't throw away your entire future . What did she say to you?" He simply couldn't understand why suddenly Jax, his always reasonable and reliable son, was behaving so out of character -- but now that a woman had entered the picture, things began to make more sense to him.

"There *is* no other woman, Dad!" Jax protested, his mind whirling furiously. "This is between me and Liz. No one else!" It had not been his intention to bring Brenda into this conversation - He knew that if his family knew he was interested in another woman, she would immediately earn their hostility. His father's next words confirmed what he had suspected.

"It is beyond the scope of my intelligence, Jax, to comprehend why you're doing something so foolish!" John thundered, shaking his head. "If you had some rendezvous with this girl -- and I'm not saying that I approve of that - but, if in fact you did sow some of your oats, why not leave the whole sordid deal behind you in Washington? Every affluent young man has had temptation flaunted before him -- Whatever she did to sway you, just don't fall for it again. All you have to do is finish your exams, and return here - and marry Elizabeth," he gave Jax a pointed look.

"Yes, son," Jane agreed. "You're a very young man. If you slipped up, and . made a *mistake,* then--" Her words were cut off by a furious Jax.

"I did not make a mistake!" he shouted at John and Jane. During this encounter, Jax had struggled to maintain his composure and not grow angry. He knew that his parents were hurt and disappointed - They loved Elizabeth as if she were already their daughter - but he would not let them refer to his magical night with Brenda as a mistake. "Do you two realize that you seem to be more concerned with Elizabeth and her feelings, and what will happen in my future without her, than you are for me? I thought that you would know me well enough to know that I didn't make this decision lightly -- and that it pains me to do this. For all of my life, I have gone along with each and every one of your plans for me, not once voicing my own opinion or stepping out of line. I have never minded making either of you happy, but I won't marry someone that I don't love just to make you two happy." Taking a breath, Jax ended his tirade and hung his head, feeling abandoned by his parents. He was hurt by their reaction to his news, and angry that they seemed to brush off his feelings.

John walked over to stand next to his younger son, placing a hand on his shoulder. "Son, of course we're concerned about you. We're concerned that you're making a grave mistake. You said yourself that this was a bit sudden! Here we are, making plans for your upcoming nuptials, preparing to fly to Washington to see you graduate, and you come here unexpectedly to drop this bombshell on us. Surely you can see why we might think you're being hasty about this."

"Exactly, Jax. That is exactly what we're thinking," Jane added. "We want you to be sure about this, dear. Maybe you could take some more time to think about this before coming to your final conclusion." The expression of her face beseeched her son to heed her words.

While Jax appreciated his parent's worry, he knew that he would not change his mind. In fact, he was anxious to return to Washington, and to Brenda, because he was eager to see her again.

Silence filled the room as John and Jane exchanged a meaningful look over Jax's shoulders. Finally, John broke the stillness. "Well, son, I suppose that if you've made up your mind about this, there's nothing we can do to change it," he said heartily, clapping Jax on the back. "Although we want to go on record as advising you to think about this a bit longer, you know that we support you in everything that you do."

A feeling of relief swept over Jax. More than anything, he did not want his decision about Elizabeth to cause any friction between him and his family. He wanted to return to Brenda, free of the burdens he had when he first met her. Knowing that his family would support him made all the difference in the world to him, and at last he felt ready to go back to Washington.

Ready to go to Brenda, free and unencumbered.

Now that he had accomplished what he had set out to do, Jax gave his father a quick hug, his mother a quick kiss, and rushed out the door in a blur. Seconds later, John and Jane heard the roar of his rental car's engine and the screech of tires on the driveway, as Jax swiftly headed for the airport.

After Jax's departure, Jane shook her head in frustration. "John, do you really think there's someone else?"

"I'm certain of it," John answered, staring into space with a deep frown. "I'd bet every penny in the bank that some young girl got her hooks into Jax, and is milking him for all he's worth," he concluded.

"Well, I don't like this one bit," Jane complained. "Elizabeth is a part of this family, John. I know once Jax comes to his senses, he'll realize that this is a horrible decision that he's made. Can't you do something? Talk to him, and make him see that he's making a mistake?"

John patted his wife 's hand reassuringly. "We'll give him some time to get over his fascination with whoever has turned his head ... Once the excitement wears off, he'll realize that Elizabeth is the right one for him."

"But what if he doesn't?" Jane was not so easily convinced.

"He will, Jane. Too much is at stake here. Daniel and I have Jax's entire future mapped out. You know how much potential the boy has! Whatever we need to do to persuade him of that, we will. Don't worry, dear ... Daniel and I will take care of it."

Brenda angrily fumbled in her backpack for the keys to her apartment, cursing under her breath when she seemed to touch everything in her bag except for the item she wanted. After a minute of searching, she located her keys in the outside pocket of the bag and sighed heavily. It seemed the world was conspiring to make this day as difficult as possible.

An overwhelming sense of relief came over her as she entered her apartment - her one refuge from all the pressures of her life. She was extremely grateful for that fact -- although she still wasn't certain how she would be able to eat, or pay the coming month's electricity and gas bills, which were due in just one week. Brenda wearily slumped down onto the couch and gazed glumly at the ceiling.

How the hell am I going to survive the next month with no source of income? she thought, feeling truly and completely disgusted with herself and her behavior last night with Jax. While she was incredibly angry with that cretin, Mike, she was positively furious at his bosom buddy.

But most of all, she was angry with herself.

She still couldn't believe that she had opened herself up so completely to a stranger, after knowing him for only a short time -- literally a few hours. Brenda had worked hard at staying strong. After the traumatic events of the past years, she had wanted to insulate herself so that she would never have to experience feelings of pain and loss again.

He had been so persistent, though … first apologizing for Mike's awful advances, then insisting on walking her home safely … She had even been secretly pleased when he barged into her apartment, though she would never admit it aloud. And the conversation between the two of them had flowed so easily, with him responding to her banter with barely a thought; the pair volleying dialogue easily. Even when … Brenda paused, not wanting to recall how she had broken down at the mention of her father … even when she had begun sobbing uncontrollably, he hadn't been put off, or left her there alone. He had enfolded her into his arms, soothing her as she purged herself for the first time since learning about the suicide of her only remaining family. For the first time since that horrifying day, she had felt free enough to let some of her pent-up emotions loose … and it had been because of him. Something about the way he had held her, and looked at her … perhaps even the tender way he stroked her hair and her back … and how his voice had softly urged her to let go, telling her that it was okay to be upset.

Today, when she had awakened in his arms, everything had seemed so perfect. She had actually allowed herself to entertain the possibility of really liking this man, and perhaps even letting him into her world. After she had arrived at McGinty's and begun working, the memory of what they had shared together in her bed, exploring each other in the breaking light of dawn, brought a secretive, satisfied smile to her face. Working at the restaurant had never been so pleasant for her, as she flew through her duties with an agreeable disposition, for she was already looking forward to returning home that evening --perhaps he would call, or even stop by?

But it had all been ruined -- the entire evening, and the rest of her day -- by Jax's friend, the jerk from the bar the night before. At first, Brenda hadn't wanted to believe any of the vicious words he'd been spouting, but gradually reality set in. Normally, when dealing with someone as malicious as he was, Brenda would simply have disregarded his words -- but, as she saw how despicable Mike could be, she wondered why Jax would be so close with a person such as Mike -- unless he, too, was cut from the same cloth…

Still, a tiny part of her -- a *very* tiny part, but it was there, nonetheless -- whispered that perhaps she should give Jax a chance to explain, to see if all the things his friend had said were true. There was just no way that he could have been so sweet, so kind and loving to her if he was really engaged. He wouldn't have kissed her so softly, or held her so tightly...

"No!" she shouted, and she jumped a bit, as her voice reverberated throughout the empty apartment. "Snap out of it, Bren," she murmured in a much softer voice, as she rose from the couch, her steely demeanor back in place again.

He wouldn't get the chance to dupe her again. And she would not wallow in self-pity, nor dwell on how stupid she had been to hope that something could develop with a person like him. He was exactly what she had thought initially: an obnoxious, arrogant, conceited jerk, who obviously got his kicks by deceiving women into thinking he was otherwise, then bragged to his friends about his conquests. She simply should have been more perceptive; it was her own fault for letting her guard down. It wouldn't happen again, Brenda vowed inwardly.

Feeling buoyed by a renewed sense of purpose, she strode into her bedroom and began quickly stripping her bed of its sheets and comforter, not allowing herself to reflect on what had taken place on that same bed merely a few hours ago. Once the bed was completely bare, Brenda grabbed her clothesbasket from the corner of the room and stuffed the bedding into it, then surveyed the room once again, checking to make sure there were no traces left of him there.

Satisfied, she hefted the basket and returned to the living room, stowing it next to the front door. Next on her list was the table, at which they had shared their tea last night. Quickly, almost without sparing her treasured teapot a glance, Brenda cleared the table of its remains, placing them into the sink, which she quickly filled with hot water, adding a squirt of dish detergent.

That appeared to be the last of it, she decided, glancing around the room one last time. All that remained was washing his scent out of her sheets, and her trip to the laundry would accomplish that, and then all traces of Jasper Jacks - or whatever the hell the duplicitous manipulator preferred to be called - would be wiped clean from her apartment …

Brenda picked up her basket, grabbed her keys and bag, and opened her front door, ready to leave for the laundry. As she flicked off the light and shut the door, locking it carefully behind her, she added to her last thought. Not only would all traces of him be eradicated from her apartment, but from her mind, as well.

The night air was cool, and the sky was filled with bright stars that glittered like diamonds over Jax's head. As he pulled up to Brenda's apartment building, he began experiencing the same sense of nervousness, uncertainty, and excitement that had welled up inside of him the evening before. Finally, after what seemed to be the longest day of his life, he was back here, the one place he had been longing to be ever since he had left this morning. After leaving his parents, he had rushed back to La Guardia and booked himself onto the first flight to Washington, thanking the heavens for the frequent schedule of flights to the DC area. He had only just arrived, and not bothering to go home, he had hopped into his Jeep and headed straight here, his only stop being a florist vendor, where he impulsively purchased a bouquet of pink tulips for Brenda.

Shutting off the engine, he paused a brief moment to take in the beauty of the evening, then hopped out of his Jeep, hastily snatched up the tulips, and closed the door, clicking his alarm on with the remote attached to his keys. Consulting his watch, he exhaled in relief that he was a bit early. It was just a few minutes after 10 p.m. His first plan had been to surprise Brenda at work, by picking her up when her shift ended, but his plane landed a bit too late for that, so he had simply changed his plan, and decided to surprise her at home instead.

Sprinting up the stairs outside of her building, a smile spread across his face as he recalled the previous night with her. His only regret was waking up alone, but he understood that she had to get to work. Hell, he admired her being responsible enough to get up after the their marathon lovemaking session. And the note that she had left for him had answered his many unanswered questions, spurring him to make the decision that he should have made a long time ago.

Jax made his way to Brenda's door, and, on the off chance that she might have gotten off early, knocked a few times. After receiving no answer, he sat down on the floor, his long, khaki-clad legs stretched out in front of him. He was prepared to wait all night, if necessary, to see her again. Maybe she'll be too tired for company tonight, he mused, hoping he wasn't assuming too much by waiting for her. But memories of her smile... and her kisses ... and her arms wrapped around his neck ... convinced him that he would be welcomed. Tired from his long day, he leaned his head back to rest against the door, closing his eyes to imagine the night that lay ahead.

She probably would be exhausted, but he wouldn't demand much from her. Smiling, Jax realized that he could simply gaze at her and be happy. But if she was tired, he would tell her to relax - to lie down on the sofa - while he made her some tea from the teapot she loved so much. He would bring her a mug and sit down beside her, maybe placing her head in his lap, and softly stroke her hair, relaxing her, while they talked about nothing in particular ...

Jax dozed off into his dream, unaware of the person opening the door to the apartment building.

Brenda, struggling to carry the basket and fumble for her keys at the same time, smothered a curse yet again as she almost dropped the freshly laundered bedding.

"It would be just perfect for me to drop this," she grumbled to herself, as her fingers at last closed around her keys. "A perfect ending to an even more perfect day," she murmured sarcastically.

Tossing her hair out of her eyes, she stopped short, stunned at the sight before her - Jax, lounging in front of her door, legs crossed at the ankle, head back and eyes closed, looking for all the world as if he were relaxing in a wing-backed leather chair, dozing comfortably before a roaring fire.

Suppressing the desire to drop the basket she carried with a loud bang to startle him awake, Brenda instead calmly took the few, remaining steps that separated them, and regarded him with a cold stare.

"Jax."

Roused instantly by the sound of *her* voice - the voice of the very woman he had been dreaming of - Jax opened his eyes and favored her with a beaming smile. He realized that he had never been so happy to see anyone before. "Brenda, I've been waiting for you." Rising from his relaxed position, he offered her the flowers he had picked up for her earlier. "These are for you."

Brenda looked disdainfully at the gift he presented her. Did he really think theses would make amends for what he had done? "Was the sex that good, Jax?" She couldn't believe his audacity. Did he expect her to fall into his arms again, simply because he offered her some flowers? He had probably picked them out of a trashcan on his way here from his fiancée's house.

Jax was confused at the change in her. This was not what he had been expecting. He had no idea why - after the night they had spent together and after the note she had left him - that she seemed so angry with him. "Brenda ... what's wrong?"

"What's wrong?" she spat at him, with blazing eyes, and tossed her head back, laughing derisively. "As if you don't already know." Then it occurred to her that maybe he didn't know that his pal Mike had worked so fast. "Listen, Jax ... I already talked to your friend, and he passed along your message - your little recommendation to him. In case you really *are* as dense as you're acting, let me enlighten you. I thought your little stunt was the most offensive thing that I've ever encountered - and I've had a multitude of insults hurled my way."

Jax was flabbergasted, having no idea to what she was referring. "What ... Brenda, what are you talking about? What friend?" He was taken aback by her rage - a rage that was directed at him. "I don't know wh--"

Pushing him aside with her shoulder, Brenda moved past him and quickly unlocked the door to her apartment. "Why don't you save your breath, Jax. I am not interested in anything you have to say to me. So do me a big favor, and please, just *go!*" She shoved open her door and entered her apartment, then turned to face him. "Just go, and don't *ever* come near me again!" The mutinous look on her face reinforced her words.

Still not comprehending what was actually going on, Jax could only stand there helplessly, the bouquet of flowers dangling loosely in his grip, as he watched her slam the door shut in his face.