Chapter Nine
Nearly two hours after the strange dream situation, things seemed to be getting back to normal. Joey and Lance had already arrived at JC*s house and Justin was expected to be there in a few short minutes. So far, Alexa and Alona were getting along well with all of the guys. Alona had taken an instant and obvious liking to Chris, but no one commented on it. Probably because Chris was flirting with her so much that it would have been pointless to say anything.
Alexa glanced across the room at JC and smiled softly. JC felt good to see a smile on Alexa*s face. He hoped that staying with him would do more for her than keep her safe. He wanted her to be happy, as well. As he watched her try to get in a word edgewise around Joey and Lance*s antics, his vision became slightly blurred. Before he knew what was happening, it seemed that he was looking upon her as she had been in his dream. Beautiful blue gown. Hair done up in braids around her head. A small golden crown setting atop her hair. He shook his head and as quickly as the vision had come, it was gone. But it left JC feeling slightly queasy. What was happening to him?
"The party can start!" came a voice from the front hallway, ripping JC from his thoughts. "The one and only Justin Timberlake is here!"
Justin entered the room saying something about how wonderful it was to be himself, but stopped abruptly when he caught sight of Alexa. Something in the very depths of his soul felt like it was on fire. His stomach was in his throat. She was absolutely stunning. No wonder JC had a thing for this girl. Justin couldn*t understand how every man in the world didn*t have a thing for her.
Alexa felt Justin*s eyes on her. She smiled shyly and looked away, figuring that he was looking only at her bruises. But his eyes did not move from her, despite the fact that nearly everyone in the room was now making fun of him for his all too obvious stares. Finally, Alexa looked up at him fully. As soon as their eyes met, it was as if electricity shot straight up her spine. She had to force herself to tear her eyes away. She looked instead upon JC, feeling a sense of calm come over her instantly.
JC watched the entirety of this display as it played out before him. After several uncomfortable seconds, he stood up stiffly. "Justin, this is Alexa. And that," he pointed towards the couch where Chris and Alona sat, "is her best friend Alona. Girls, this is Justin."
All but ignoring Alona, Justin moved towards Alexa and took her hand in his, kissing it softly. "Nice to meet you."
Alexa felt her knees go weak as Joey began to laugh. "Stop stealing my moves, J. You know those are patented, right?"
And with that, the awkwardness of the situation was broken. For everyone but Alexa, anyway. She felt now, more than ever, that something strange was happening to her. And she knew that it had absolutely nothing to do with her situation with Tyrell.
~*~
By the time everyone left JC*s house that evening, Alexa was spent. After her stay in the hospital, she was no longer used to staying up late. She just wanted to go to sleep. But just as her head hit her pillow, Alona entered her room.
"We need to talk," her best friend said seriously, sitting on the bed next to Alexa.
Alexa*s jaw throbbed. She had just taken a Valium to help her sleep. The last thing she wanted to do at that point was talk. But she had seen that look on Alona*s face before. She knew that she had no choice.
"About what?" she questioned, rolling onto her side and propping her head up on her hand. Her eyelids drooped even as she did this.
"Come on, Lex," Alona whispered. "Please don*t fall asleep on me, this is important."
"I*m awake," was Alexa*s mumbled reply. "Talk. What do you need?"
"I think we should talk about JC."
With that, Alexa*s eyes opened fully. "What about him, Lona?" she chose to sign instead of say, knowing that before long the drugs would be making her jaw too stiff to move.
"Just*well*I want you to be careful, that*s all. You don*t need to be starting something with him. You hardly even know him. And besides, don*t you think you should wait a while before jumping right in to another*"
"Who said I*m jumping in to anything?" Alexa interrupted, the movements of her hands highly precise as she sat up straight in her bed. "JC*s just helping me out. He*s helping both of us out. Nothing is going on between us."
"Maybe not yet," Alona responded. "But I see the way you look at him*and how he looks at you*" she trailed off, thinking of how Justin had looked at Alexa as well. Alona foresaw nothing but trouble in the future.
"You*re wrong," Alexa signed, knowing that she was lying. "I don*t know what you think you saw, but you*re wrong."
Alona sighed. Her best friend was either stupid or in denial. She figured it was the latter. Either way, there was no use in talking to her now. If Alexa wouldn*t admit that she had feelings for JC, then Alona would be able to get nowhere with her. "Just be careful, okay?" Alona said softly.
Alexa shook her head and smiled ever so slightly. "I will mom," she mumbled. "Promise." A devilish look in her eye, she continued on in sign language. "And you should promise me that you*ll be careful with Chris."
Once again, Alona felt the hot redness rise in her cheeks at the mention of Chris* name. She rolled her eyes and stood up quickly. "Goodnight, Lex." She did her best to sound irritated, but she was unable to cover a giggle as she left the room.
~*~
JC stood stiffly in the center of a large stone walled room. He had no idea where he was; yet it seemed remarkably familiar to him. A huge table stood just inches to his left. He noticed that the chair closest to him had the name *Lancelet* engraved on the back. His stomach flip-flopped. Was this actually happening again?
Out of nowhere, Justin appeared just to his right. He stood proudly next to a high-backed chair marked *Arthur*. Reaching out, he placed his hand on JC*s shoulder. "We have word on my beloved Gwen, dear cousin. You will ride with me today to Meleagrant*s castle. He has her there," his voice broke off, not wanting to think of the atrocities that horrible man was doing to his poor wife.
"I will kill him," JC vowed, meaning it with every ounce of his soul. No one would hurt her, not while he was around.
~*~
Tyrell advanced upon Alexa eagerly, pinning her to the bed. She cried out as he pushed her long white gown over her hips and entered her hungrily. "Where is your beloved Arthur now?" he sneered. "Nowhere to be found. You are mine. You will give me a son and I will be king."
"Arthur will kill you, Meleagrant," were the words from Alexa*s lips. She could not deny, however, that Arthur was not who she longed for at that moment. She prayed to God that Lancelet would come for her.
"Woman, shut up!" he replied harshly, hitting her across the cheek with the back of his hand.
Whimpering, she allowed her body to go limp. He was too large for her. She knew she would never be able to fight him off. If only Lancelet*or Arthur*or someone would come. Only then would she be safe. Only then would these monstrosities cease.
Alexa screamed as Tyrell*s body fell heavily upon hers, blood spurting from his chest and neck. She looked up and saw JC standing over the bed, a bloody sword in his hand. "Lancelet!" she cried out. "My love, I prayed that you would come."
JC swiftly pushed Tyrell*s now lifeless body from Alexa and pulled her into his arms, dropping the sword onto the floor. "My dear Gwen*if only I had come sooner*if only*"
"No, my love, you came. That is all that matters. I am safe now. Safe in your arms. Oh Lance*"
"I see my good cousin whom I love better than a brother has saved my Queen yet again." Alexa looked up over JC*s shoulder and saw Justin standing in the doorway, a bloodied sword in his hand as well. "Three of Meleagrant*s men gave me some trouble. I am sorry I could not have been here more quickly, dear wife."
JC removed his arms from around Alexa and stood up, allowing Justin to take his place. Alexa fell into Justin*s embrace lovingly, but her eyes stayed on JC. It was with him that her allegiance lay.
~*~
Alexa awoke with a start, feeling the bed beneath her shift from the weight of another body. She was seconds away from screaming before she realized that it was JC. "Josh," she mumbled, "what are you*"
"Did you dream this dream with me too?" he questioned cautiously, not sure that he truly wanted to know.
"You saved me," she whispered, half-afraid that she was still sleeping or that the Valium she had taken was playing tricks on her mind. "You saved me from*"
"Tyrell?" he questioned.
She nodded, but looked confused all the same. "Yes. But*no. Not Tyrell."
"Meleagrant?" The name rolled off JC*s tongue like it was second nature, despite the fact that he had never in his waking life spoken it before.
Again, Alexa nodded. "Justin was there too."
JC nodded as well. "Can this really be happening?" he wondered aloud. "I don*t understand. Am I supposed to believe that you and I*knew each other*before*" he trailed off. "This is crazy, Lex. Two people can*t dream the exact same dream at the exact same time without it meaning something. But if this means what I think it means*"
"Stop," she held up her hand, placing it gently on JC*s chest. "Let*s not think*about it*not now. Later. Sleep now. Talk*later*" Without meaning to, Alexa*s eyes fell shut again. The medication was so strong. She couldn*t force herself to stay awake.
JC understood but he wasn*t happy. His mind was racing with what this might mean. He couldn*t fully comprehend any of it. It was all too far-fetched to believe. But if he did*no, could believe*that would mean that Justin and Alexa* He stopped that thought from going any further. Justin was never going to be with Alexa. JC planned on making sure of that. Dream or no dream, past life or not, Justin wouldn*t be taking Alexa away from him now.
| [::-::Back::-::] | [::-::Next::-::] |