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Part Twenty - Trial and Error

Posted on Tuesday, 18-Aug-98

f I wasn't scared before, I am now," Alexa commented to Ben's wife, Patricia, as they sat in the courthouse cafeteria. Alexa was nursing yet another cup of coffee and watching Patricia feed the baby on her lap. Ben and Patricia's daughter was an adorable six month old with a stubborn streak, as evidenced by the smear of baby food on her cheek as she refused to take another bite.

Patricia sighed and wiped the baby clean. "Don't let the opposition scare you. They're supposed to posture and make you look bad."

"I was talking about Ben," Alexa said. "I spent all my time obsessing that I was going to jail. When that went away, it seemed to be almost good. I didn't think my situation was going to be so bad if I lost the civil case. At least until Ben started saying how I would be enslaved and hurt and blah, blah, blah..."

Patricia laughed heartily, and the baby did too as her mother's laughter bounced her up and down. "Ben always goes for the dramatic. Just follow his lead. He knows what he's doing."

"I'm more worried about letting him down."

"Letting who down?" Jonathan asked as he took the seat next to Alexa. He rested an arm on the back of her chair, his hand soothingly rubbing her back. Alexa saw Patricia's eyes catch the movement. The other lady merely smirked and looked back down at her daughter.

"Ben," Alexa replied. "I don't know if I can look pathetic enough to fit the image of me he painted in the opening statement."

Jonathan laughed. "I told you he was good. If he can make a judge feel that a smart mouthed woman like you is a victim..." He yelped as Alexa viciously jabbed him on the ribs with her elbow.

"Good for you," Patricia said, mildly. "Jonathan's been needing a dressing down for eons now. I think you're just the woman to do it."

Alexa blushed at her implication. She took another sip from her cup. Then Jonathan took it away.

"Enough coffee for you. You'll get jittery."

"Too late."

His hand pressed against her back and side, pulling her closer so he could deposit a soft kiss of her forehead. "We're doing okay, sweetheart. We really are."

They were called back into the courtroom, Patricia waving good-bye as they left.

The Center started their testimonials with Michael Smith. He simpered and smirked, throwing out innuendo after innuendo as to their activities the night she visited The Center. Alexa couldn't control her gasps of outrage, even after Ben had laid a warning hand on her arm.

"That's a very interesting account, Mr. Smith." Ben said smoothly. "According to you, Miss Matthews was using you to gain access to the facilities."

"That's correct."

"Really? How? Did she ask for a key?"

"No."

"Did she point a gun at you?"

"Of course not."

"Did she threaten you in any way?"

"Yes! She tried to seduce me!"

"And you consider that a threat?"

"Well...uhhhh..."

"Let me see if I understand this. You claim that Miss Matthews seduced you into gaining access to the grounds after hours." Mr. Smith nodded. "Where was this seduction consummated?"

"Consummated?"

"Yes, sir. Do you require a dictionary? You understand the word consummated, correct?" Ben waited for Smith's hesitant nod. Alexa saw the Center lawyers begin whispering.

"It wasn't."

"I'm sorry, I can't hear you."

"It wasn't consummated."

"It wasn't?" Ben widened his eyes in mock astonishment. "Well, what kind of a seduction is THAT?" Alexa had to cover her mouth and stifle the giggle as Smith began to look apoplectic. Quite a few people in the crowded courtroom laughed outright.

Ben came back to the table and reached for a set of sheets. He handed them over to Smith, gave a copy to the plaintiffs and one to the judge. "Could you tell me what this is?"

"It's a police statement." Ben waved his hands for more information. "It's the statement I gave to the police that night SHE took the craft."

"I've marked a section, please read it," Ben waited a second and raised an eyebrow as Smith's eyes began to scan the statement. "Aloud."

Smith grunted and grudgingly began to read, "Mr. Smith claims his office was tampered and broken into and the security pass to the launch pad stolen from his desk. We have determined that there was no break-in. Any entrance into the office would have been through an unlocked door or use of a security pass. It has also been made known that Mr. Smith does not have clearance enough to hold launch pad access."

"Mr. Smith, are the facts in that statement true? Do you not have the requisite clearance for the launch pad site?"

"It's true."

"Did you tell Miss Matthews you did?"

"No. But I took her on the tour through the facilities."

"Yes, we know. In broad daylight, with a thousand witnesses. So, if you don't have after hours access and you did not inform Miss Matthews that you did...why would she bother seducing you to get into the premises?" Mr. Smith began to redden as Ben continued. "The truth is, she wouldn't, right? And she didn't, right? Let me tell you another fact. Isn't it a fact that you nearly lost your job over this incident? That your testimony today is in exchange for a more secure future with The Center?" Mr. Smith began to bluster. "And isn't it also possible that your failure to romance Miss Matthews underlies all this resentment? Do you have a bruised ego? Maybe you want to get a little of your own back at the woman who, in truth, didn't give you the time of day?" Ben watched the man struggle and fail to deny it. "No further questions."

The next was Mr. Mustache. In comparison to Smith, Mustache was cool headed and not easily intimidated. But he did like to brag. And Ben found a way to break his calm.

"You're not very good at your job, are you?"

Mustache looked flustered. "I'm damned good at it."

"Really? What was your mission directive?"

"To find her."

"And did you?"

"Yes."

"Without any help? Come now, until Mr. Wentworth provided you with a lead, you had spent weeks searching, hadn't you?" Mustache's mouth tightened in annoyance, but he had to agree. "Is that it? Find her and leave her there?"

"No, SIR, we had to bring her back." Mustache went on to recount the incident at the village square. Alexa noticed where he made her sound like a witch encouraging the peasants to rally against him.

"That's all very interesting," Ben replied mildly. "But I have only one question. When did you identify yourself?" Mustache quickly opened his mouth to reply and stilled, his eyes rolling toward the Center lawyers. "Tell me, you must remember. At what point did you tell Miss Matthews your name, your employment at the Center, and your purpose?"

"She saw the pin."

"What pin?"

"This one," Mustache pointed to his lapel. "It's the Center's signature. She knew what it was."

"You read minds too?" Ben replied scathingly. "If you were any good at your job, you would know that it is a legal requirement to identify yourself before making the arrest. Did you do that? Did you clearly and without pretense identify yourself and your purpose?"

"She knew who I was!"

"Did you or did you not identify yourself?" Mustache's lips tightened rebelliously. "Answer the question or you will be in contempt."

"I did not."

"So, not having identified yourself, you proceeded to harass and physically manhandle Miss Matthews. Isn't it possible that she misunderstood your motives?" Mustache shook his head. "No? You, a complete stranger, begin to follow and address and roughly handle a defenseless woman, and you expect her not to feel threatened?"

"I didn't say she didn't feel threatened. She should have been threatened. But she also knew who we were."

Ben crossed his arms and stared at Mustache with disgust. "Let's talk about that for a moment. You're not opposed to using force, are you? In fact, you've used it on no less than three occasions. First, in trying to carry Miss Matthews out of the town square. Second, in pushing Louisa Musgrove off the steps, causing severe injury to her. And third, in your final encounter with Miss Matthews in the past, where you twisted her arm and made several lewd suggestions."

"I was negotiating with her."

Ben shook his head at Mustache's smug reply. "You were out of control. And it's not the first time is it?" Ben produced yet another paper from his folder. "This is your last performance review. And it states that you have a tendency to rough up the people you catch. This is a real problem."

"I didn't rough her up."

"You left bruises and sprains. And not only did you leave them, but you allowed them to remain untreated after Miss Matthews voluntarily returned to the present. You made sure that you were present at every single interrogation of Miss Matthews, didn't you? Three days of illegal incarceration wherein you subjected Miss Matthews to sleepless nights, endless questions, few amenities, and no medical care whatsoever. Is this some kind of sport for you? Because you seem like the type to do whatever it takes to win." Ben handed the paper to the judge for consideration.

"How many partners have you had in your career? Isn't it true that most of your partners request a transfer after one or two assignments with you? That they don't like your style and disagree with your tactics? You shake your head, but I can certainly show you report after report from former partners who fault your rashness, your roughness, and your lack of ethics. You, sir, are a disgrace to your profession. No further questions."

Alexa was surprised to find that Mr. Frumpy was willing to help her. He didn't do it obviously, preferring to answer Ben's questions with unrehearsed candor.

"Tell me, which of you has seniority?"

"My partner does."

"And this means that you are required to follow his directives?" Frumpy nodded. "Even if you don't agree with them?"

Frumpy looked away. "That isn't an issue with most teams. We were trained to follow orders, but in practice, two man teams are meant to make decisions together."

"I'm not concerned with most teams. I'm concerned with yours." Ben replied. "Did you have a part in any decisions?" Frumpy shook his head. "No? Did you interact with Miss Matthews at all?" Another shake. "You were relegated to a look-out weren't you? Why?"

"I was new to the partnership. I was following orders."

"Are you still in this partnership?"

"No, sir."

"Why not?"

Frumpy hesitated briefly. "He's unpredictable and unwilling to consider alternative strategies."

"You mean less violent and confrontational strategies?" Frumpy nodded. Ben smiled at the man encouragingly, leaning close as if conducting an intimate conversation. "You didn't agree with him, did you? About how he handled Miss Matthews?" Ben cocked his head questioningly. "Did you find him too aggressive?"

"I believed he would have gotten better results by not being rough. By discussing the matter calmly with Miss Matthews, like Mr. Wentworth did."

"In other words, you don't believe Miss Matthews is an unreasonable person. That she would have cooperated had she not felt herself in danger?" Frumpy looked directly at Alexa with sympathy in his eyes and perhaps a hint of apology. And then he nodded. Ben knocked on the wood of the testimonial area and straightened. "Thank you. No further questions."

Alexa sighed, relieved that the Center's representatives were so well dealt with. Next week, it was their turn.

Part Twenty-One - Let Me Tell You How It Really Happened.

Posted on Wednesday, 19-Aug-98

The week that began their side of the case was strenuous. Ben was vigilant in going over testimony numerous times and Alexa was sure she would fall asleep while telling her story - she had repeated it so many times. As the session resumed, Alexa patted her purse, where she had taken to carrying Anne's unread diary for good luck.

Ivy and Sammi did well on the stand. Sammi, with her usual brashness, was a master negotiator who managed to turn every question to her favor. The Center's lawyers were practically goggle eyed. Ben was nothing short of amused, leaning over to whisper that he might just use Sammi in every case he tried. Ivy was the soul of calm as The Center questioned her.

"Isn't it true that you gave up a secure position at The Center for a more lucrative position with Miss Matthews?"

Ivy looked at opposing council blandly. "The money is better, yes. So is the position."

"So you have something to gain by testifying on Miss Matthew's behalf?"

"I offered to testify before I resigned from the Center." Ivy replied. "I just don't believe she should be punished so severely. She made a mistake. And the Center isn't losing any money over this. The opposite actually, I've seen so many people rush for Center products and services since Miss Matthews came back."

"So you're saying what she did was right? Perhaps you believe that every one of us should go out and mess around with history."

Ivy shook her head. "I didn't say that. And Miss Matthews doesn't believe that any more than you do. All I'm saying is that the Center isn't as hard up over this whole incident as you want to make us believe."

Ben only asked Ivy a single question, "Do you believe Miss Matthews set out to disrupt the timeline?"

"No. From what she told me, she did her best not to."

Jonathan received the worst treatment. The Center did everything in their power to discredit him, twisting his excellent record of service to the United Nations. Alexa winced at every innuendo and barb flung at him, wishing she could have spared him this. Jonathan remained cold and stoic in the face of all these questions, unflinching under the intense scrutiny.

"Mr. Wentworth, how did you come to know Miss Matthew's whereabouts?"

"Anne Wentworth, one of my ancestors, kept a diary which mentioned Alexa Matthews quite often."

"So you knew from the very beginning where to find her." Jonathan nodded. "Why didn't you just go and get her?"

"I resemble Anne's husband very closely. It would have been difficult to explain two of us."

"Why didn't you just tell the Center where to find her?"

"I did. That's why she was accosted in the town square."

"Were you a part of this search party at this juncture?"

"No. I was brought in after the incident." Jonathan replied. "Actually I volunteered."

"Why volunteer for this mission?"

"Because I had the diary. Because I knew I could use the family resemblance."

"Why not just turn the diary over to The Center?" The advocate continued. "Or were you under orders not to do so." Jonathan remained silent. "Were you under orders to be uncooperative with the Center?"

"I am not an officer or an enlisted man. I don't get orders."

"Just very strong suggestions, I'll bet. Mr. Wentworth, it is common knowledge that the military did not approve of the Center's new product."

"This isn't a toy." Jonathan replied, heatedly. "The Center shouldn't be allowed to mass market something with this much potential for misuse."

"So the government and military stood to gain quite a bit by catching Miss Matthews first and holding her up to the Center as an example of what could happen, is that right?" Jonathan had to agree. "So why did you stay so long?"

"What do you mean?"

"You could have pretended to be whomever you resembled, convinced Miss Matthews to follow you, and taken her back within the same day. Why didn't you?"

Jonathan hesitated, his glance quickly moving over Alexa's worried face. "I needed to assess how much damage her presence had created."

"And did you find many anomalies?" Jonathan shook his head. "Be truthful, Mr. Wentworth. We're all educated people - her very presence was a disruption, wasn't it?"

"She successfully concealed her identity, other than that of a singer and composer. She became a part of my family's life without conflict. She didn't do anything wrong."

"But isn't that really a sheer coincidence? Luck?" The advocate sneered. "Isn't it true that things became rather...romantic when you arrived." Jonathan's flush was answer enough. "I'll take that as a yes. Don't you think this was a violation of the timeline?"

"She became romantic with me. There was no violation."

"Yes, you...unknowingly. As far as Miss Matthews understood, you were a man from that time, weren't you. You represented yourself as Frederick Wentworth and therefore she understood what it would mean if she became associated with him."

"She didn't want the relationship. She did everything she could to avoid it."

"Successfully? No? I am impressed Mr. Wentworth. Didn't you make the claim before you left that you would bring Miss Matthews back even if you had to seduce her?" Jonathan's lips tightened and he did not look at Alexa during this time. "I must say that is extraordinarily dedicated of you. One could almost call it entrapment." Alexa felt Ben grip her arm surreptitiously at the word. "After all, her willing involvement with Frederick Wentworth would have meant a serious violation of Center and Military rules, wouldn't it? Was this part of your directive?"

"No!" Jonathan countered harshly.

"Do you deny that there was a vested interest in beating the Center to Miss Matthews?"

"No. That was always the goal."

"And yet, having achieved contact, having immediate access to her trust - by virtue of resemblance, you still didn't act immediately. I find that extremely suspect."

"I was trying to get her to come with me. Gently, not like the brutish tactics the Center was applying."

"And did she trust you?" Jonathan nodded. "Right away?" A half-hearted shrug. "Then why did you stay so long? Why wait week after week with the woman you were assigned to bring back to the present?" Jonathan floundered at the question. The advocate sneered again. "You knew, didn't you, that the longer Miss Matthews was away from the present, the deeper trouble she would be in? And you knew the deeper trouble she was in, the more leverage the military would have over the Center in curtailing their activities. In short, Mr. Wentworth, you, your employer and Miss Matthews did everything you could to hinder the business of the Center, didn't you?"

"NO!" Jonathan broke out vehemently. "I knew what I was doing, yes. There was a need to stop the Center's irresponsibility."

"But lacking a legal avenue, the military was forced to utilize Miss Matthews."

"That was the plan. But at no time did Alexa ever agree to this. She was more of a victim...a target...than a problem. Of all of us, The Center, The United Nations, Me...she is the one who acted the most honorably and ethically."

"Very pretty speech, Mr. Wentworth. Too bad it's not true. No further questions!"

Jonathan could barely contain his fury. Alexa watched the color flood and recede from his face in waves as he waited for Ben's rebuttal. Ben waited as well, giving Jonathan time to regain his composure. "Do you believe Miss Matthews' presence left a lasting damage in the timeline? Did she hurt those she interacted with?"

"No. Alexa made every effort to be a part of the society as it existed. She never imposed her ideas or made demands. She was lucky to meet with the Crofts, but she paid them back for every kindness they offered her."

"How?"

"She worked. She learned what it meant to be a housekeeper and did that job for Mrs. Croft."

"And you know this by interacting with her?"

"And by watching how she was with the others. Everyone loved her. She did everything she could to prevent her presence from being a disruption."

"How quickly did you come to this conclusion?"

"Within a few days of meeting Alexa."

"So, why did you stay so long? Weren't you putting yourself and your career in jeopardy?"

"Yes."

"What would have happened if you had stayed any longer?"

"It would have been assumed that I failed. And another team would have been dispatched to recover us both."

"And if this second team discovered that you had, in fact, chosen to stay rather than complete your mission...what then?"

Jonathan swallowed, "I would have been charged with a criminal act. And so would she."

"So it was good timing that you returned when you did." Jonathan nodded. "Was that on purpose?"

Jonathan shook his head. "She discovered who I was. Rather than risk her disappearing again, I told her everything and persuaded her to return with me." Jonathan looked at Alexa briefly. "I promised to help her."

"Why? Why risk everything you'd worked for? Is she worth it?"

Jonathan looked intently at Alexa again. "Yes. She is more than worth it."

"Ah," Ben said as if in discovery. "Now we get to the real reason. My esteemed opponent here has suggested that you took the extra time to lure Miss Matthews into a disastrous affair. To fix a trap, so to speak. Is that true?"

"No! That's not what happened. I didn't want to be involved with her any more than she wanted to become involved with me."

"So what happened?"

Jonathan became very, very quiet. Every single person in the courtroom became equally silent until the air itself buzzed in everyone's ears. Then he looked directly at Alexa, his heart in his eyes, "I fell in love with her. And I did everything in my power to try to make her fall in love with me." The reporters in the back of the room began to murmur to each other and scribble frantic notes. There were a few sighs among the viewers. Alexa, however, was breathless.

"So you pursued her? Were you successful?"

"I hoped so, until she found out who I really was."

"And then what happened?"

"She stopped trusting me. She still doesn't trust me. And I can't blame her for it." The words were spoken softly.

"Jonathan, does Miss Matthews return your affections?"

"I don't know." Alexa flushed guiltily at the somber tone of his voice.

"So what do you have to gain from testifying on her behalf?"

Jonathan shrugged. "Nothing. It's just the right thing to do. Alexa did the best with a bad situation. She understood her responsibility in it and acted with appropriate discretion. Despite what the Center wants people to believe, she isn't a heartless monster. She's ready to make right her mistakes, but what is being proposed is punishment beyond reason. It isn't fair and she doesn't deserve it."

Alexa sighed as Jonathan left the witness stand. They were both equally shaken by his testimony. It had taken long enough in the day to complete, so a recess till the next day was called. Alexa was relieved for the break. She was sure she didn't have the strength or the courage to testify today.

The drive home was somber. Alexa retreated to the studios immediately, to record her part of the album. She stayed there for hours, ignoring the call to dine and any other calls for her attention. She needed to forget the case for a moment. She needed her equilibrium back and that meant solitude. When she finally trudged upstairs to her bedroom, it was late and she was exhausted. Alexa wondered if she would be able to testify the next day, but at least the trial did not resume early. Wearily, she climbed out of her clothes and slipped between the sheets falling asleep immediately.

She couldn't have been asleep for more than a few hours when she awoke to a commotion outside her door.

"Alexa? Alexa!!!" It was Jonathan. He sounded almost frantic, charging into her bedroom and nearly flinging himself over her.

Alexa pushed the tumbled curls away from her face and squinted up at him. "What? Who died?"

He laughed and threw his arms around her. Sammi and Ivy hurried into the room, also dressed in their night clothes. "Where is your remote control?" Jonathan reached over Alexa, retaining one arm around her, and picked up the remote control on her nightstand. He immediately turned on the television screen that was recessed into the wall. Alexa groaned as the brightness assaulted her eyes, throwing up a hand to ward it off.

"Are you out of your mind, Jonathan? The sun isn't even out yet!" Sammi blasted him, looking rather intimidating with her spiky hair sticking straight up off her head.

"This couldn't wait," Jonathan said, flipping past the movie stations to the all news channel. "I've been trying to call you all night, Alexa! Where have you been?"

"She's been moping in her recording studio all night," Ivy replied, sitting down gingerly on the bed and looking at the television.

"S'not moping." Alexa muttered groggily. Jonathan only leaned back on the headrest and pulled her against him as a news broadcast began.

"In our top story tonight, protesters have lined the gates of The Center for Time Exploration, chanting that they would boycott Center services if Alexa Matthews lost her court case. Public sympathy has noticeably swung toward Matthews during the course of the trial as testimony after testimony has been offered in support of Matthews. We have received unconfirmed reports that the Center has already received hundreds of cancellations over the last two weeks."

The view flipped to a severe looking official with a dignified sounding title. "There is no doubt that Alexa Matthews misused the Center's technology. But it seems clear that the people are tired of this endless debate and want an end to the entire saga." The man puffed himself up with self importance. "This is a clear signal of the power of the media to warp the public view of what is morally right and wrong."

The view flipped again to a youthful protester, "This is all about money, man! The Center wouldn't be chasing after her if she wasn't such a rocking babe!"

Alexa couldn't help it. She started laughing. Jonathan joined her merriment and Sammi shushed them both as the report continued. "The protests have continued all night, culminating in a candlelight vigil outside of the Center's offices. A similar vigil has been held in front of Alexa Matthew's former residence ever since news of her return was broadcast. Neither the Center nor representatives for Alexa Matthews could be reached for comment."

The report went on to list Alexa's record sales and her history. Sammi cheered and did a jig around the room with delight. "Ducky, when you're hot! You are HOT!!! Finish that album soon, we gotta take these people up while the mood is right!"

"Sammi, you're an impossible woman. Don't you ever think of anything else?" Alexa said, disentangling herself from Jonathan and embarrassed now that she was somewhat awake. Jonathan let her go reluctantly but remained where he was, watching as Alexa reached over and slipped on a robe to hide her revealing nightwear.

"I don't get it," Ivy said. "This is good, right?"

"According to Ben, this is very, very good. The Center stands to lose more if they pursue the civil suit. He thinks they're going to start negotiating." Jonathan replied. He reached around Alexa again, brushing an arm lightly over her breasts as he punched up Ben's number. Alexa drew back into the pillows, sure that he was doing this on purpose.

Ben's face popped on the viewscreen and he smiled widely. "Jon, I always knew you wanted to be in a bedroom with three women."

Jonathan actually blushed as Sammi saucily replied, "Yeah. And all he had to do was charge in like the Light Brigade."

"Alexa, have you seen the news?" Ben asked excitedly. "Good! Good! The Center has already called. They want to talk options."

"That's good right?" Alexa asked, still fuzzy with lack of sleep and the feel of Jonathan right next to her.

"That's very good. I could kiss each and every one of those protesters."

"Don't you dare..." came a sleepy, unseen voice behind Ben. It was apparently Patricia.

Ben threw a grin over his shoulder to his hidden spouse and continued. "Anyway, they want to meet before court is in session. Can you be ready in a couple of hours?"

"Are you kidding? I can be ready in five minutes!"

"Don't rush. Look calm and collected. I will be by in about three hours. We can talk about what to offer over breakfast. Okay?"

"Okay."

"Ben!" Sammi interjected. "Don't offer them more than two percent of the new album! Hell, don't even tell them there is a new album!"

"They already know, Sammi."

"I mean it, Ben! I don't want them messing with my money!"

"I'll do my best." Ben rung off before he got exasperated.

"Congratulations!" Ivy said with a pat on Alexa's leg, which was still under the covers. "Looks like you're about to win." She stood up and yawned. "I'm going back to sleep. I suggest you do the same before you have to meet Ben." Ivy said with a pointed look at Jonathan.

"Me too." Sammi replied. "Jonathan, if you ever wake me up at this ungodly hour again, I'm going to shave your head till it looks like mine."

"Heaven forfend." Jonathan replied with a smile. Sammi scowled at him with mock menace and followed Ivy out of the room, shutting the door behind her with a wink at Alexa.

Alexa picked at the bedspread nervously, wondering what Jonathan was waiting for. He didn't say anything, only looked at her with a cross between amusement and desire. Alexa felt an answering emotion begin in her and it made her want to squirm away from him.

"Why didn't you answer my calls?'

"I didn't get them, I swear!" Alexa turned to look at the answering machine, lifting up several sheets of paper before revealing the blinking light. She pressed the retrieve button. Jonathan rested his chin on her shoulder as three of his messages played in series. The fourth message made Alexa sit straighter.

"Alexa, this is your father...I, ahhhh...I know its been a long time. But I just wanted to see you and say I'm here if you need me." Alexa felt herself go stiff at the unfamiliar voice that was trying to weed his way into her life. Jonathan shifted behind her to press his lips on her shoulder. The message continued. "There's so much catching up to do. Sally and the kids are dying to meet you and hang out."

"I'll just bet they are," Alexa muttered. She reached out and hit the erase button without another thought. She sighed sadly.

"Is this why were you moping in your studio last night?"

"I wasn't moping." Alexa turned and replied indignantly. "I just needed time to myself, that's all. I wanted to do something else than think about the case. And I hadn't heard this message before right now."

His eyes dropped away and he leaned back. "Yesterday was difficult." Alexa nodded, not trusting herself to speak. He looked at her again and reached forward to wind a curl around his finger.

"Jonathan," Alexa whispered, forcing herself to say something. "I didn't know they would be so hard on you. If I had, I'd never have allowed Ben to put you on the stand." She looked away in shame. "You didn't deserve to have your life and honor publicly dissected like that."

"I would have done it anyway," Jonathan replied softly. He sat up and turned her face to his. "Don't you know by now that there isn't anything in the world I wouldn't do for you?"

Alexa stared at him in undisguised wonder. Jonathan's face was only inches from hers. She could feel his warm breath brushing her lips. "How could I know?" She whispered.

His eyes closed and he leaned forward, completing the contact between their bodies by winding an arm around her waist and pulling her closer. Alexa's arms circled him irresistibly as she surrendered. He bent her backward, pushing her down to the soft, warm sheets and covered her with his body as he kissed her. Alexa felt tears of relief squeeze out of her tightly shut eyes as her giving in finally released the last of her self-imposed restraints. Jonathan raised his head as he felt them, and bent down again to catch the tears with his tongue and rest his forehead against hers.

Alexa held him to her, whispering, "I do trust you. I do. I trust you with my life."

Jonathan sighed into her hair and the urgency left his body. There was no passion between them at the moment, only a mutual need for comfort and a quiet elation at the latest developments. As she relaxed into his tender embrace, Alexa knew she was ready to handle anything.

Part Twenty-Two - A Living Legend Comes Home

Posted on Wednesday, 19-Aug-98

Alexa sat quietly with legs crossed. Beside her, Ben was growing impatient as they waited in a conference room for the Center's lawyers to appear. She willed herself to remain calm, to stay positive but not hope for too much. To remind herself that despite appearances, she did have to make amends.

"This is completely reprehensible," Ben muttered. "We've been here three quarters of an hour. Come on, let's go. They're not ready to deal."

Alexa could hear the protesters outside. There had been a resounding cry of support when she and Ben had pulled up. Alexa smiled wanly at the people gathered outside and waved as they expected her to. Ben found the whole thing positive...until they had been kept waiting. "Let's give it a little longer, Ben. Be as hard on them as you want when they get here."

"If they get here."

"They will be," Alexa said positively. Ben looked at her sharply. "I just have a feeling."

They were rewarded a few moments later when a harried lawyer walked in. He apologized brusquely and got down to business. "We want you to get rid of that crowd outside," he said.

Alexa raised her eyebrows at the demand. "I didn't ask them to be there."

"You can still tell them to leave."

"Drop your suit and we'll think about it," Ben countered smoothly.

"Come on, Ben, let's get real. These guys don't want Miss Matthews walking away unscathed."

"You get real, Martin, this is a negotiation. We didn't wait an hour for you to come in and make demands. Come on Alexa, let's go." Ben began to get up and Alexa followed suit.

"Wait! Wait! Sit down! You got me all wrong!" Martin the lawyer said soothingly. Ben gave Alexa the eye and they both retook their seats. "Make me an offer."

"We talk to the folks outside, and Alexa does three public service announcements over the next year. You drop the suit."

Martin shook his head. "Not enough, Ben. They'd crucify me if I agreed to that." He cocked his head at Ben in mock innocence. "I heard there's a new album coming out. Miss Matthews, you're incredibly popular at the moment. Cut us in for a percentage and that will make all of this go away."

Alexa and Ben exchanged glances. They had expected this. "What kind of percentage?"

"Twenty."

"No way!" Ben exclaimed. "I'm not shackling you to Alexa's coattails like that. The Center's going to have to make its own money."

"She did ruin equipment and cause a loss of revenue, Ben."

"That's still way beyond punitive, Martin. Forget it. Try two percent."

Martin laughed. "You can't just drop the zero and expect that to be an offer. Fifteen."

"Three."

"You're joking."

"No he's not," Alexa interjected. "He doesn't have a sense of humor." Ben turned a stone-like countenance on to her. "Sorry," she muttered.

Martin frowned at them both. "Ten."

"Three."

"For pity's sake Ben! Nine!"

"Three!"

"Eight!"

"Three!"

"Five!" Alexa called out, startling both the men. "And a public apology." Ben scowled at her. She fixed her eyes on Martin. "But that's it."

"And a signed agreement never to use Center services again."

Alexa hesitated a brief moment, just for show, and then nodded. Ben quickly got up. "Done! My office will contact yours with the paperwork. We'll see you at court for the finals." He hustled her out of the building, she waved at the people who cheered and parted the way for the vehicle to get through. They rode in silence for a long time. Alexa took peeks at Ben's hard profile until they got to a stop light.

Ben leaned back and looked at her. "I do too have a sense of humor. It's just very dry."

Alexa grinned at him, relieved that he wasn't really mad. "Sammi's going to kill us over the five percent."

"Hah!" Ben replied and pressed on the gas pedal as the light changed. "She's going to kill you. I would have bargained him down to three!"

The judge was not as forthcoming about the agreement as everyone expected. He eyed Ben and Martin keenly, managing to make them squirm. As they sat in his chambers, Alexa became aware that he was very focused on her.

"Gentlemen," the judge began. "I will not stand in the way of this agreement. But I won't sign anything until I have had a chance to speak with Miss Matthews alone."

"Your honor!" Ben protested. "This is highly irregular."

"Out." The judge pointed towards the door. Ben gave her an apologetic look, which completely terrified Alexa, and then she was left alone with the brooding judge.

He was not a big man like Jonathan and Ben, but he had an air about him that left no doubt who was in control. He took off the black robe and made himself comfortable behind the desk, smoothing out his white hair, and watching Alexa as closely as she watched him.

"I was looking forward to hearing what you had to say for yourself, young lady."

Alexa leaned back on her chair carefully, slightly offended at the condescending pet name he had adopted. "I was prepared to testify, your honor. It was the Center that wanted a deal."

"Yes. All that mess with the protesters has scared them. It gave you an easy way out, though didn't it?"

Alexa was definitely offended. "The Center is getting five percent of my new album. Current projections suggest that amount is nearly triple the total cost of their craft and effort to recover me."

The judge stroked his beard as he frowned at her. "I'm under no illusions that the money is more than what the Center deserves. But in my book that doesn't excuse your behavior. The one thing that has left a sour taste in my mouth throughout these proceedings is the total lack of discussion about YOUR responsibility in starting this whole mess.

Miss Matthews, not only did you willfully and knowingly take private property and ruin it, you put all of us in jeopardy. The fact that both Mr. Wentworths have done everything they can to protect you, despite the threat you presented to their family line and very existence, does not mollify me. Your irresponsibility and self disregard for any concern but your own has not only endangered millions of people throughout the centuries, but it has tied up this court in one of the most harebrained cases I have ever seen!"

Alexa gulped back the tears that threatened her composure. There was a humiliating mix of anger, mortification and guilt within her that rendered her speechless. The silence that fell after the judge's tirade was teeming with tension. Alexa's eyes dropped to where her hands were clasped tightly together.

"Well, Miss Matthews," the judge said quietly, "have you nothing to say in your defense?"

"No sir." Alexa replied truthfully. "Everyone has excused me for doing what I did because nothing was changed and no one was harmed. But you're right. That was sheer, blind luck. The responsible thing…the mature thing…would have been to stay home and work harder than I had before." She looked up at him. "It's almost easy to look back now and see what I did as wrong. I know that. I admit it. And I have no intentions or even desire to do such a thing again."

"I certainly hope not!" The judge replied caustically. "Besides, part of your agreement states you can never use the facilities again."

Alexa couldn't help the small grin from escaping. "I think the five percent made them forget to ask for the armed guards."

"Cheeky monkey," the judge replied, but there was an answering grin. He looked back down at the paper. "This also requires a public apology from you. Are you quite prepared for that?"

"Actually, that was my suggestion." Alexa said softly. The judge raised his eyebrows in surprise. "I may be an idiot sometimes, but I know what this new popularity means. I don't want kids out there thinking this is a good idea and doing the same thing."

"That's a plus on your side. And don't think I don't appreciate that. Gives me hope for that you won't misuse your fame."

"All fifteen minutes of it?"

He actually laughed at her. "However long it lasts, enjoy it but be smarter now than you have been in the past." He signed the appropriate papers and handed them to Alexa. "Give that to Ben and tell him to lighten up. One more thing, Miss Matthews. Why did you stay so long if all you have are regrets?"

Alexa looked surprised. "They're not all regrets. I am sorry for being such a pain in the rear, but I also had the time of my life and will never forget it. I met some wonderful people, whom I miss terribly. And I met someone I love very much."

"You should tell him that…not me." Alexa only smiled as she stood and made her way out of the room. "Miss Matthews?" Alexa turned around questioningly. "Your music is the first thing my daughter and I have agreed on in five years. Thank you for that."

She smiled irrepressibly. "I hope that means you both like it."

"Get out of here." He waved her away humorously.

Ben, Sammi, Ivy and Jonathan were waiting outside of the hallway. They all jumped as she stepped out of the room and took a deep breath.

"Are you all right?" Jonathan asked, coming to stand next to her.

"Did he rip you a new orifice?" Sammi asked. Ivy slapped her arm and called her crude.

"I'm fine and yes he did," Alexa replied, handing the signed papers to Ben. "But my charm eventually won him over," she said cheekily. "Can we get out of here, now?"

"Absolutely." Jonathan said, slipping an arm about her waist and leading her out of the building. Sammi and Ivy went back to the mansion for having heard of the Center's five percent, Sammi was determined to take her frustrations out on the backup musicians that were scheduled to record their piece today. Ivy was there to make sure there were no fatalities.

Alexa and Ben took care of the final signatures and filed the papers with the clerk. As they stepped out into the sunlight, Alexa took a deep breath again and sighed. "It's really over isn't it?" She looked around her, lost for a direction. "I don't know what to do with myself."

The brothers exchanged glances. "When was the last time you had a real meal cooked by someone's mother?" Jonathan asked

"Three years ago. Sammi's mother celebrated a birthday and invited me. But all she could cook were these horrible hors d'oeuvres. I was sick for a week. Does that count?"

"I think we can do better than that." Ben said.

They drove her to an older neighborhood, nothing flashy like the place Sammi had picked out for them. There were children playing in front yards and the houses looked a little worn but lived in. Alexa was delighted. They stopped in front of a newly painted house, fairly large for the community, and bustling with noise. Alexa could hear the happy squeals of children as they played and the laughter of several adults.

Ben was the first to enter. A little girl of about six launched herself from Patricia's hold with a scream, "Daddy!" Alexa smiled at the scene, assuming that this was Ben's first born. Jonathan followed him into the room and was greeted enthusiastically by a couple of young women. Alexa hung back by the door, watching.

As the rest of the room noticed her presence, a deep silence filled the room. Alexa bit her lip as every eye turned appraisingly toward her. She didn't belong here, didn't want to intrude on what was obviously the entire Wentworth family, and took a step backward to leave. Jonathan, eagle-eyed with anything having to do with Alexa, quickly came forward. He slipped his warm hand into hers and smiled.

"I'd like to introduce you to my family."

"This is obviously a family function. Maybe I should come back some other time," Alexa whispered. He tugged her forward anyway, till she came to stand in front of three elder people.

"Mom, Dad, Granddad," Jonathan started. "This is Alexa."

Jonathan's grandfather stepped forward and peered at her curiously. Alexa's mouth opened slightly as she drew back in surprise at the face to face inspection. His hand lifted and stroked her cheek softly. "Prettier than I expected. Younger too. I never expected to have my place as living legend usurped by such a little thing."

Everyone laughed as Alexa blushed deep red to the roots of her hair. Jonathan's father stepped forward, a smiling senior version of his son. "Behave yourself, Dad, you're embarrassing her. Miss Matthews, welcome to our home. We're pleased to finally meet you."

"Yes, it's taken Jonathan long enough to bring you home." His mother came forward and without ceremony, dropped a kiss on Alexa's cheek.

Alexa smiled at them, disconcerted but relieved at the warm greeting. "I must be intruding on some family celebration."

"Intruding? Not at all! This party is for you!" Mrs. Wentworth gestured behind her. "I'm afraid we lollygaged a bit and didn't get the signs up in time." Alexa saw the children still coloring in a banner that read Congratulations and Welcome Home, Alexa!

Jonathan was beaming at her as she laughed and hugged both his parents. The next few minutes was a tumble of introductions as Alexa met all three of Jonathan's sisters, their respective husbands and children. She was plied with questions about Anne and Frederick and the rest of her adventures. Alexa tried not to exaggerate, but couldn't help an embellishment or two for the kids. Jonathan laughingly supplied even more high winded tales for their enjoyment.

Alicia, the youngest Wentworth daughter and youngest of the siblings, reminded Alexa of Anne. And they took an immediate liking to each other. The eldest Wentworth daughter, though younger than Ben, was the bossy Susan, who unceremoniously ordered her husband to and from the grocery store for forgotten ingredients. The middle daughter, born after Susan and before Jonathan, was Maureen. The only daughter who didn't marry immediately, Maureen and Alexa found a kinship in their love of their professions and in Maureen's good natured ribbing of Susan.

Unlike their ancestors, this family followed a less formal method of entertaining. Dinner was a noisy, laughing affair. Alexa was not allowed a moment of discomfort, other than people being overly solicitous of her needs. She was pulled away from Jonathan's side and seated close to the Wentworth women who wanted all the dirty secrets of their ancestors. They laughed themselves silly at Alexa's description of Frederick and even more at the names she called him. Maureen even expressed her surprise that there was another Wentworth man in history more impossible than Jonathan. Alicia was pleased to hear herself favorably compared to Anne Elliot-Wentworth. Alexa was stymied for a comparison for Susan (other than Mary Musgrove) until Maureen compared her to the family hounds. A short bicker erupted that Mrs. Wentworth dispelled with the ease and efficiency of long experience.

Throughout the delicious meal, Alexa couldn't resist glancing down the long table toward Jonathan. He always met her gaze instinctively, smiling his approval of her and accepting the thanks in her eyes for making her a part of this event.

Alexa helped carry the dirty dishes into the kitchen, despite protests. Mrs. Wentworth was already there, smiling at her as she balanced several dishes on top of each other. She quickly shooed her daughters out of the room.

"Alexa, we're so happy to finally meet you."

"Thank you Mrs. Wentworth. Though I don't deserve to be so welcomed. I could have caused a lot of trouble for your family."

"Yes, you could have. But you didn't. And I prefer to deal with what really happens rather than what could have happened." She handed dished to Alexa and motioned to her to load the washer. Alexa obeyed immediately. "My son is very much in love with you."

Alexa stilled in mid-motion for a second, then continued to put dirty dishes away. "I know."

"Do you love him back?" Alexa's eyebrows raised at the question. She liked this woman, liked this entire family. But she wasn't about to reveal something to her that she hadn't yet told Jonathan himself. Alexa pressed her lips together and fiddled with a towel as she searched for an appropriate answer.

"Mrs. Wentworth, I can understand your concerns for him. But I'm," Alexa swallowed. "I owe Jonathan an answer to that question first before anyone else."

The lady was not pleased with this reply. "You're going to break his heart, aren't you?"

"I don't think so. He'd be getting the wrong message if so." Alexa took a deep breath. "I'm not trying to be evasive or offensive. I don't even have the words to describe what it means to me to be welcomed here like this. But Jonathan and I have a lot of talking to do." There was still a great deal of suspicion on the other woman's face. "Okay, okay. Yes, I love him. But let me tell him all right?"

"Sucker." Mrs. Wentworth said with a grin. "All my kids fell for that expression too." She gave Alexa another peck on the cheek. "I watched you both staring at each other over dinner. I didn't doubt for one moment that this was a mutual thing. I just wanted to make sure you both didn't waste any more time."

Alexa rubbed a hand over the butterflies that were still buzzing around her stomach. "How do you do that? I haven't felt that guilty in years."

"I'll teach it to you when you give me some grandkids." She laughed as she exited the kitchen.

Alexa turned on the washer and leaned back against the wooden island at the center of the kitchen. She crossed her arms and laughed a little, her heart hammering with the import of what she had been told. The door opened again and a worried Jonathan step into the room.

"Maureen told me that Mom had cornered you in here," he said, watching her smirking expression with bafflement. "What did she say to you?"

"We talked about my giving her grandchildren," Alexa replied dryly and smirked at the blush that flooded his face.

He quickly recovered, however, and braced both arms on the table on either side of Alexa. He leaned in, effectively trapping her, though Alexa made no motion to escape. "What did you say to that?"

"Nothing. I didn't get the impression I had a choice."

His eyes flickered over her crossed arms and sarcastic expression. "You do. You can walk away."

"So can you."

He shook his head. "No, I can't. I won't. I've waited too long for you to come into my life. So please don't ask me to walk away. Because I can't." He turned away from her, almost in anger, frustration in every curve of his body.

Alexa sighed and hoisted herself up to sit on the island. "Jonathan, come here." He approached cautiously, a hurt expression in his eyes. She took his hands and pulled him closer. He gripped them tightly in return. "I have so much to tell you," she whispered. "I never told you why I couldn't read Anne's diary. It wasn't because I didn't trust you or didn't want to read it. I couldn't. I knew her, Jonathan. I knew all of them. They were my friends and I loved them. That diary made me realize they were dead. And they had been for so long that they weren't real to anyone else but me."

Jonathan leaned his forehead against hers familiarly. "I didn't realize…I'm sorry."

"I'm not asking you to apologize. I know you meant well. It was just so hard at the time to know what to believe." She smiled although she knew both their eyes were closed. "What was in that diary that you wanted me to read so badly?"

Jonathan slipped both his hands around her hips, anchoring her as she sat on the table. "There's an entry sometime after we left where Anne wonders what happened to you. She thinks that she was right before, that you were in love with Frederick Wentworth, and left because they had announced their engagement."

"Poor Anne. I was never in love with him. He annoyed me, more than anything."

Jonathan sighed. "Well, she goes on to wish that there was another Wentworth for you. Someone who was a better match for you than Frederick. But it was obvious that it had to be a Wentworth, for she knew you were meant to be a part of this family as much as she."

"She knew." Alexa said wonderingly, raising her head to regard him. "She knew about you."

"Not really." Jonathan said. "She was just wishing to make you happy."

"But you do make me happy," Alexa ran her hands through his hair affectionately. "You kept every promise you made to me and more. I haven't earned it. It's going to take me a while to feel as if I deserve it."

He looked at her. "Is this your way to letting me go gently?"

"No, stupid. This is my way of telling you I love you."

"That's what I was hoping you meant," Jonathan said. "Do I get a reward? For keeping my promises?"

Alexa wound her arms around his neck and tugged him close. "I can think of one or two things," she whispered against his mouth. "On one condition…"

"Anything…" he whispered back urgently.

"Promise me you'll help me read the diary. Late, late at night when no one can bother us," Alexa began to nibble the corners of his mouth. Jonathan's hands slid up from her hips, one caressing the skin just beneath her shirt, the other tangled in her hair.

"Just try to stop me," he promised and took her mouth in his with drugging thoroughness. Dimly they heard the cheering from the other room but ignored it to stay within the warm oblivion they were creating for themselves.

Epilogue

Posted on Wednesday, 19-Aug-98

Over the next few months, Alexa and Jonathan made every effort to get to know each other. And the more they knew, the more they loved, and the more they realized their future together. Alexa soon became a favorite in the family for her irreverent wit. Alexa was happy that they began to treat her like a normal human being, not some ghost out of the past. His family was tickled at the entire idea of their being involved - calling theirs a love story worthy of Anne and Frederick Wentworth. The claim made Alexa laugh aloud, for she likened their romance to a very bad TV movie.

Not that there weren't TV movies enough. With Alexa's fame and notoriety, they were relentlessly pursued by the press and within months of the case's settlement, a whole slew of "true account" movies were released. Jonathan found them amusing and Alexa was fascinated at the parade of actors and actresses picked to portray them.

Alexa watched the latest of these over her feet one night, softly stroking Jonathan's hair as he lay lazily with his head on her shoulder. Jonathan had grown bored with the endless succession of movies and was doing his best to distract her. Alexa giggled several times at the movie, frustrating Jonathan by ignoring him completely. As this particular actress quickly shed her clothes in the cinematic approximation of Kellynch Hall, Alexa gasped and sat up, tumbling Jonathan off her shoulder.

"Look at that! I never did that!" She said, pointing at the screen.

"I know," Jonathan replied, pulling her back down on the bed. "I wish you had." He bent over her and kissed her fervently. "I wish you would right now."

Alexa pushed on his chest half-heartedly. "Later. I want to see this!"

Jonathan plunked down on his back with a groan. "What for? It's just one of the hundreds made lately."

"I want to see just how bad, bad can get." Alexa replied insouciantly. "And I want to criticize her acting ability. Jonathan, I said stop! Give up trying to distract me, I have a very focused mind."

"I have a problem with the direction of your focus at the moment."

"Ack!" She yelled as the hero and heroine engaged in some steamy behavior amid the muslin dresses and mulberry fields. "We would have frozen our tails off if we had done that! They've got this all wrong!!!"

"Yes, they certainly do," Jonathan said, mildly. "I would never made cheesy moves like that. My seduction style has much more finesse."

"Does it now?" Alexa asked with a roll of her eyes.

"Definitely." He turned off the bedside lamp and pulled off the covers. Then he knelt in front of her, blocking the screen. Alexa suppressed a grin and made a show of looking over his shoulders at the television. He laughed softly and dodged, blocking her view every time. Then he stopped and with deliberate languidness, slid his shirt completely off. Alexa found herself fascinated by the flickering play of light from the screen on his skin. She watched the images roll over the curves of his body with half-closed eyes and an excited twist to her lips. Jonathan was pleased with her undivided attention, reaching a finger forward to hook onto and untangle the knot of her robe's belt. He bent forward to kiss her lingeringly, prying her lips open with teeth and tongue. His hands moved warmly under her body. Alexa let herself be pulled upward to meet him, winding her arms around his satiny shoulders. Her robe fell open and she sighed as his hands slid between it and her tingling skin, his kneading fingers beginning to work their special magic.

"You're right about your focus," he whispered in her ear. "You have a one track mind I can admire."

Six months after the end of the case, Alexa stood on the wings of center stage. Her new album, Songs From a Different Age, had soared to the top ten within days of its release. Sammi wasted no time, booking tour date after tour date, the demand for live performances filling entire stadiums. And tonight was the first performance.

Sammi had warned that several critics, as well as the one from Rolling Stone, were in the audience and were booked to interview her right after the show. This was the defining moment of Alexa's career.

From backstage, Alexa could hear the rumble of voices and bodies as the audience filed in and settled in their seats. She pressed her hands to her stomach, feeling her nervousness coil and fill her. She paced back and forth, rehearsing the lyrics, terrified she would forget her own words. All around her roadies, dancers, and hangers on to the rest of her band milled, anxious and excited. But the one face she most wanted to see was conspicuously absent.

Where is he? Alexa thought. He promised to be here!

The opening act began to play, a good new musician that Alexa and Sammi had signed for their record label. He was young, much younger than Alexa had been when she started, but he had talent. And Alexa was pleased to give him a shot. She watched her protégé, seeing his enchantment with being on stage and hearing the audience approve of him. She wondered if he was to be the highlight of the evening.

A large, warm hand slid around her bare midrift, pulling her back till she felt the warm brush of breath against her neck. A familiar mouth began to nibble there. She sighed happily. "I have to warn you," she said softly. "I'm engaged." She turned around and smiled into Jonathan's face. "I don't think my fiancée would appreciate these antics."

"Mmmmmm," he replied, winding his arms around her, still nibbling. "Yes, he does. Believe me he does."

Alexa sighed and relaxed into his embrace. "You're late."

"I know. I'm sorry. I got stuck."

"Doing what?"

"Just some paperwork," he replied. She smiled and didn't correct him. Jonathan had been too excited to keep his surprise to himself and made the mistake of telling Sammi that he had secured permission to travel back a decade to speak to Alexa's mother of their engagement. Sammi, predictably, had let it slip that Jonathan was making a CD of her mother for Alexa to see. Alexa, touched by his efforts to bring something special for their engagement and her first concert, was determined to act surprised.

He pushed her off him a little, surveying her concert attire with approving eyes and hands curled around her hips. Alexa had ordered a special costume, a revision of Captain Frederick Wentworth's naval uniform. She retained the high blue collar and the gold trim but shortened its length so that it molded her breasts and ribs, but left her waist exposed. She wore tight, white breeches, slung low on her hips, and high black boots that reached her knees. A tight ponytail completed her look, with her hair curling delicately as it fell down past her shoulders. She saw the desire on her fiancée's face and smiled.

"Very nicely done." He said. "But now I don't want every teenaged boy in that audience ogling you. Heck, any male at all!"

"Stop mauling her, Jonathan. And don't mess up her makeup!" Sammi called out as she approached. "Are you ready, Ducky? Our man out there is wrapping things up. You're on next."

Alexa heaved a breath and smiled at Jonathan. "I'm ready now." Sammi nodded and stalked off to harass another crew member. Alexa leaned forward to whisper, "The first song is for you."

He stepped back with a caress as she was introduced. With a deep breath for courage, Alexa stepped out into the spotlight, arms raised high as she acknowledged the cheers of her audience. She stood center stage and waited for the sound to die down, adjusting the tiny microphone and headset on her left ear.

"As you all know, I've been in a little bit of trouble lately," She addressed the audience. She heard the appreciative laughter roll through the audience. "However wrong my actions were, it did give me my current album." Another burst of hoots and clapping. "And it gave me something so much more." She stole a glance at Jonathan, watching his eyes widen as the first notes of the song she played for him in the attic of Kellynch Hall began to sound. "This song was written for someone I fell in love with centuries ago." He smiled at her, mouthing words of love back to her from the wings. She felt the blood pounding through her veins with excitement. Her eyes closed, her head fell back, as the words that matched the music poured easily past her lips like molasses.

And the crowd roared.

The End