Jax and Brenda had spent the past few days just enjoying their new home and each other. They went walking around the neighborhood one day, meeting several of their new neighbors. They spent another day shopping for nothing in particular, just for the sake of spending the time together, roaming the malls. Their nights were spent finding new ways to pleasure each other, in several different locations (the library, the parlor -- they had even explored the possibilities of the ballroom one night). Neither of them could remember a time in their relationship where they had felt so at ease or so playful with each other. For the first time that Jax could remember, he actually knew what it felt like to be a newlywed. Until they had moved into the house there had always been something or someone keeping him from relaxing and enjoying his new marital status. Now, here in the house with just Brenda, he finally knew what it was like to be newly married and totally involved in the one you love. It was a feeling he realized he very much enjoyed!
Brenda found herself making similar discoveries. She had always felt loved by Jax, but these last few days in their new home had given her a sense of belonging, of home -- something she now realized that even her earlier life with Jax had not provided. She had decided, while showering this morning,that it was time for her to do something with her life. She had not held a job since she and Jax had gotten back together. She had devoted her time exclusively to him, first helping him reestablish his fortune, and then with decorating their home. Now that they were moved in, it was time for her to look for a new challenge. She decided to talk to Jax to try to figure out what she wanted to do next.
They decided to have an early dinner tonight, so that both Benton and Mrs. Kelly could have the evening off. At first Benton had been reluctant to accept the time off, but Jax had insisted. Mrs. Kelly had prepared a very simple supper and set it up for them in the breakfast room, as usual. Brenda had insisted that she go home as soon as it was served, and promised that she and Jax would take care of cleaning up. When Mrs. Kelly cast a suspicious glance in her direction, Brenda could not help laughing. She promised Mrs. Kelly that she was much better at cleaning up a meal than making one. Eventually she had convinced her to go home to her family for the weekend, promising that she and Jax would be fine until Monday. After all, Jax did know how to cook, and Benton would still be there. Besides, Jax and Brenda both knew most of the take-out service phone numbers by heart, so there would be no problem with food.
After cleaning up their dinner as promised, Brenda and Jax had decided to spend the evening watching television in the library. They were snuggled up together on the couch watching an old, horror movie. The longer the movie went on, the more scared Brenda became, causing her to snuggle deeper into Jax's embrace. For his part, Jax hoped the movie went on like this for the rest of the evening; he was enjoying himself to no end, but came to realize that it wasn't fair to Brenda to spend the evening being so scared -- she had experienced enough of that in real life. When he realized that she had stopped watching the movie and was snuggled tightly around him, he decided enough was enough, and turned off the TV.
"Why did you do that, Jax? I thought you were watching that movie." Brenda actually looked relieved when she looked up at him. "Is something wrong?"
"No, I just decided it wasn't fair to you to be scared out of your wits because I was enjoying you snuggling up to me. Besides, I've seen that movie about a dozen times anyway, and it wasn't worth your being scared." Jax softly ran his hands over her back. She had, in the course of the movie, pretty much rolled on top of him to avoid looking at the screen. "Not that I'm complaining mind you" he said, with a snicker and a kiss to the tip of her nose.
She looked down at him, returning his smile, "Right! You're just such a gentleman that you wanted to end my suffering, right?" She looked at him with a smirk on her face, until she realized by his expression that she had touched a nerve. "Jax, what's wrong? Did I say something?"
"Brenda you know that I would never do anything to cause you pain, don't you? I know insisting on watching that movie was silly, but I should have turned it off when I realized that it was scaring you. I'm sorry." Jax had wrapped his arms tightly around her as he spoke.
"I know that, honey. Besides, if the truth be told, that movie wasn't all that scary. I just enjoyed being snuggled up to you. In fact, don't you think it's about time we took this evening upstairs..." She looked up at him with a pleading look in her eyes; a look he had grown to know so well the last several days.
"Sounds like a plan to me. Let's go!" They got up from the couch, turned off the lights in the room and headed out the doors, closing them as they left.
Once they were gone he emerged from the shadows again and began to pace the room. This situation was becoming more and more intolerable. This man had been in the house for an entire business week, and other than that afternoon when he had checked his fancy machines, he had done no work -- not a merger, or a takeover, nor even a partnership -- what a total waste of five days!!! This would have to stop! He began to pace again as he tried to think of a plan to make this young man get his priorities in order. He faded back into the shadows, just as the doors opened again and the lights came on.
Brenda and Jax came back into the room, looking intently around the floor. "Are you sure you lost it in here, Brenda? I mean we have been several places in the house tonight. Your earring could be anywhere."
"I'm positive I lost it in here. I remember feeling it press into my ear when I was snuggled up to you during the movie. It's probably in the couch somewhere. Jax.... do you smell something?" Brenda stopped her searching on the floor to look around.
Jax stopped searching as well. Now that she mentioned it he did smell something -- bourbon! "Yeah, it smells like bourbon. Any idea where it's coming from?" The search for the earring was temporarily halted as they both stood up and began to look around the room. Nothing seemed to be disturbed; all the windows were secure and the smell now seemed to be fading. "Stay here, Brenda. I'm going to check the security system." Jax quickly left the room to check the control panel in the kitchen. All lights were green, including the sensors for the secret doors. He quickly returned to the library to find a very nervous Brenda, standing by the couch, holding her earring.
"I found it Jax. It was right in front of the couch on the floor. Is everything okay?" It was obvious that she was scared. Jax came up to her and put his arms around her, and just held her for a minute.
"Everything is secure; all lights are green. Just to play it safe though, I think I'll call Travis and have him send a security car over to check around outside. Okay?" He lifted her chin up with his fingertips and saw a brief glimpse of fear in her eyes. "Brenda, it's okay, I promise. There is a logical explanation for the smell; maybe it wasn't even bourbon."
Jax went over to the desk and called Travis. He explained what had happened and asked him to send a car to come check the outside. Jax told him that he and Brenda were secure in the house, but would appreciate someone checking outside. He listened to what Travis was saying, agreed to something, and hung up. He walked back over to Brenda, who was standing by the fireplace, staring into the fire. He wrapped his arms around her from behind, "Travis is sending a car to check outside, and he's coming over to check in here, as well. He also suggested that Thomas spend the night here. Do you mind? I know we planned on being alone here tonight..."
"No, that's fine. I think I might actually feel better with him here. Where could that smell have come from, Jax? I'm sure it was bourbon! I know because my father used to drink it all the time." Brenda's fear was evident. Jax could feel how tense she was; even with him holding her, she did not relax.
Less than thirty minutes later, there was a knock at the door. Checking through the window first, Jax opened it to allow Travis and Thomas to enter. Brenda let out a sigh of relief when she saw the men. She had been afraid, not so much for herself, but for Jax, knowing he would insist on doing whatever it took to protect her himself, and she did not want him in harm's way if there were an intruder. When Thomas looked over at her, she allowed a slight smile to cross her face -- the first since this whole mess had begun. Thomas walked over to her and held out his arms. She quickly came into them for a comforting hug. "Don't worry, Brenda. I won't let anyone hurt him, I promise you." The reassuring tone of Thomas's voice was an instant comfort to her. She looked up into his face and noticed his reassuring smile.
"I know, I'm just glad you're here. Now maybe he'll relax a little. Thomas, who do you think could have gotten in here? Jerry?" Thomas couldn't tell by the expression on her face if she was frightened or angry at the realization that this could be another prank by Jax's ne'er-do-well older brother.
"I have no idea, Brenda, but I'm sure Travis will find out. Just between you and me, I think he's a little embarrassed that someone got past his foolproof security system. You can bet he's motivated to get to the bottom of this!" Brenda could not help but chuckle at Thomas's statement. She pulled back from his comforting embrace and looked over to where Jax and Travis were talking. She could see immediately that Thomas was right. Travis had that same expression on his face that he had the day they had found Jerry in the house. She could feel herself finally relaxing. Travis would get to the bottom of this and Jax would be safe.
Brenda and Thomas walked over to where Jax and Travis were talking. Travis was explaining what his men had found outside the house. "Jax there's no sign of anyone having been around the house. With that snowfall this afternoon, it made it easy to check. The only footprints out there right now are from my men. Nothing had been disturbed! I checked the monitor board before I left the office, and there was no indication of any break in the perimeter security field. Do you mind if I have my men search the house? Just to make sure no one got in before the system was engaged."
Jax looked at Brenda, who had immediately wrapped herself around him while Travis had been talking, "Go ahead. I don't want to take any chances. In fact, I think I'll go with you, just in case it's a 'familiar' face. I want to be there, if it is!" Jax tried to let go of Brenda so he could go, but she would have none of that. If anything, she tightened her hold on him. "Brenda? What's wrong?" Brenda looked up at him, the fear having returned to her eyes, "Jax -- don't! I'd feel better if you stayed here with Thomas and me! Besides, if Travis and his men do find someone -- 'familiar' or not -- they'll bring him to us. Right, Travis?" Brenda looked over to Travis for her answer.
"Of course, Jax, she's right. I think it would be better if you two stayed here together with Thomas. I'll let you know what we find, if anything." With that said, Travis went to the door to signal his men to come in. He gave them each specific orders of where in the house to search and that they were not to disturb anything. Travis decided to check the secret passageways himself, so as soon as the men spread out through the house, he headed for the library. Jax and Brenda were right behind him. Jax thought Brenda would feel more at ease in the smaller room away from the street. Thomas came along with them, having told Travis he would stay with them until Travis returned.
When no one had returned in almost a half-hour Brenda began to get nervous. Too nervous to sit still, she decided to go to the kitchen to make everyone some tea. Thomas insisted that they all remain together, so Jax and Thomas went along with her to the kitchen. As the water was heating the three of them sat down around the worktable where Brenda had set the teapot and cups along with a plate of Mrs. Kelly's cookies. Thomas was the first to break the silence, "Why don't you guys tell me exactly what happened tonight? That way I might be able to figure some of this out." He looked over at Jax to tell the story.
"Actually, there isn't much to tell: we had been watching a really bad horror movie on TV in the library, when we decided to call it a night and head upstairs. When we were about halfway up the stairs, Brenda realized she had lost one of her earrings. We backtracked into the library to look for it. While we were crawling around the floor near the couch Brenda noticed a strange smell and mentioned it to me. When I stopped looking on the floor and paid attention, I noticed it as well. It smelled like bourbon -- very expensive bourbon. Since neither of us drinks bourbon, nor do we even have any in the house, we figured someone must have been in the room after we left.
"I went into the kitchen to check the security board to see if any of the lights were red, but everything was green. When I got back to the library Brenda was standing there, holding her missing earring. She had found it on the floor in front of the couch while I was gone. Then we called Travis, and here we are." Jax looked over to Brenda to make sure he had not left anything out of the story and noticed her nod of agreement with his version.
"Do either one of you know anyone who drinks expensive bourbon?" Jax knew where Thomas's question was headed.
"Actually, yes -- unless he's changed his drink of choice recently, Jerry always enjoyed a glass of very expensive bourbon before dinner. But, Thomas, I can't believe he'd be stupid enough to try to get in here again. Especially after the judge's warning the last time!" Jax shook his head, hoping he was right. They were all startled by the whistle of the teakettle. Brenda jumped up to turn off the burner and pour the water into the pot.
Just then Travis came into the kitchen. When Brenda saw him, she pulled out another cup and set it on the table. "What did you find?" she asked.
"Like I thought -- nothing. The secret doors are still securely bolted from the inside, and every window and door is closed tightly. We did an electronic diagnostic on the system, and it's working perfectly. I cannot explain what you guys smelled. Are you sure it was bourbon?" He reached for the cup Brenda handed to him, "Thanks."
"I'm positive I smelled it!" Jax said, shaking his head. "Where else could it have come from? Like I told Thomas, we don't keep bourbon in the house -- neither of us drinks it."
"I have no answer for you, at least not tonight. Why don't we call it a night? Thomas will stay in the house tonight, just to be safe, and I'll have an unmarked car patrol the block for the rest of the night. Okay?" He looked first at Brenda and then at Jax, waiting for an answer.
"Okay. Mate, you're welcome to any of the bedrooms you like." Jax said, looking over at Thomas with a definite look of gratitude on his face. Thomas, once again, was here when he needed him, like a big brother was supposed to be. Jax felt a quick stab of pain from the realization that his own brother not only wasn't around when he needed him, but had probably been the cause of more pain in both his life and Brenda's than any outsider had. He quickly shook the thought.
"Thanks, but I think I'll stay down here tonight." Thomas looked over at Travis who nodded in agreement with Thomas's plan. "Besides, you two don't need a house guest upstairs; you're still on your 'Honeymoon, Part II'" Thomas could not help laughing at the embarrassed expressions on both Brenda and Jax's faces.
Travis was the first to get up from the table. He started out toward the foyer, with everyone else following behind. He quickly gave instructions to the security men still waiting in the foyer, and they quickly left. He then talked briefly with Thomas as Brenda and Jax stood off to the side, Jax having wrapped his arms around Brenda from behind after they had come into the foyer. When he had finished his conversation with Thomas, Travis came over to them, "You two okay now? I don't think you'll have any more problems tonight. I'm sure there is a perfectly logical explanation for what happened here tonight. Tomorrow when we've all had a chance to get some rest, we'll sit down and figure this out. Will Benton be here tomorrow, by the way?"
"Yes, we gave him and Mrs. Kelly the night off, since they've both been working so hard to get us settled in here. In fact he should be back anytime now. Do you need to talk to him?" Jax asked.
"Not especially. I just figured we could all kind of brainstorm what happened here, and he might have a more 'practical' explanation for what you guys smelled. You know, maybe a cleaning product or something in the firewood -- things like that." Travis's explanation made perfect sense. He realized that it should have occurred to him in the first place; must be getting old to have not thought of something like that sooner. After giving Brenda a quick kiss on the cheek in response to her hug of thanks, Travis nodded to Jax and Thomas, and left, waiting on the porch until he heard Thomas lock and bolt the front door behind him.
After securing the door Thomas turned back to his friends, "Why don't you guys call it a night? I'll be down here if you need me." He slowly shepherded them toward the stairs in his typical, protective, big brotherly way. "I think you guys have had enough excitement for one evening -- at least the 'vertical' kind!" he said with an evil twinkle in his eye.
Brenda drew in her breath quickly, as she punched him firmly in the arm, "Thomas! You are so bad! No wonder you fit into this family so perfectly!" She felt herself laughing for the first time since all of this had started. "Are you ready to go up, Jax?" She looked up at Jax, hoping he would agree. "You bet! Thomas do you need anything; pillow, blanket, etc.?" he asked his friend.
"No, I'm fine. I don't think I'll be getting any sleep tonight anyway, but thanks. Besides, if I do decide to get those things, I think I probably know where they are better than you do. Remember that I supervised the unpacking of all your things. Now go on, you two; up to bed!"
Brenda kissed him softly on the cheek before she and Jax headed upstairs. Once he heard their doors close, Thomas headed off for another look in the library. He was beginning to wonder if there REALLY was a logical explanation for what had happened here tonight. It seemed to fit in with what he had found in his research. Maybe it wasn't just his Aboriginal heritage that was causing him to develop his theory. Up until now he had thought it too far fetched, after all. Only problem was, up until today he had thought things were just kind of benign, sort of a lurking. Something about the incident tonight gave him the feeling that there could be trouble brewing in the house. Problem was, how to approach Jax and Brenda about his theory without sounding totally bonkers! He figured he would come up with a way to tell them before morning, at least he hoped he would.
After taking a long soak in the tub, Jax and Brenda were once again snuggled in their bed, neither of them sleepy, both of them thinking about what had happened. "Jax, do you really think there is another explanation for what we melled in the library, besides an intruder?" Brenda lifted her head from his shoulder to look up at him, waiting for his answer.
"I'm sure there must be. Either that or Travis will figure out if someone really did get in here without being detected. Whatever the cause, we're safe now. I noticed that there is a security car parked in back by the garage, and one patrolling the block all night long. Along with that, Thomas is downstairs, so there is nothing to worry about.
"Besides, Mrs. Jacks, didn't we have 'plans' for tonight?" He looked at her with 'that' look that she so loved, as he softly ran his fingertips across her naked back, causing her to smile broadly and shiver at the same time.
"I do believe we did Mr. Jacks! It's so late now though, are you sure you're not too tired?" she asked, knowing what his response would be before she even finished her question.
Jax suddenly rolled them over so that he was now above her. He looked down into her eyes, "What does it feel like to you? Too tired?" He leaned down and kissed her with all the passion he felt, causing her to enticingly stir beneath him. One kiss quickly led to another and another, until all rational thought was gone and their bodies took over.
Later as they slept peacefully in each other's arms, totally satisfied, she emerged from the shadows by the window. She walked silently over to the bed and stood for a moment looking down at them. A slight smile crossed her face, as she saw the love still glowing in their faces as they slept. She had never expected things to change for them like this. She knew the cause of their concern tonight, and she had every intention of doing everything she could to allay their fears. She knew deep in her heart that there was nothing to worry about. Just because he was back in the house again did not mean there would be trouble. After all, they had been blissfully happy here, just like this beautiful, young couple sleeping in front of her. There was no reason to think that he would do anything to bother them -- not the man she had loved. He was as much of a romantic as she was. After all, they had conceived their children in this house, in this room, in fact, just like these young lovers were planning. She was sure that his presence here was not a problem. She was surprised though that he had left the scent of bourbon behind. He was not a drinker, at least when they were together, he wasn't. Just then Jax stirred in his sleep and she faded back into the shadows, the scent of roses lingering in the air after she was gone.