Alexis shivered slightly as the cold air hit her. She should have just gone home with Kristina and Ned but at the last minute she had decided she needed some time on her own. After assuring them that she would be just fine, she decided to take a little walk. Granted this was not the best part of town, and it was well after dark. Had she been thinking clearly she never would have done such a thing but she was not thinking clearly. Her thoughts were going around in circles, trying to find some solutions. Kristina's blunder, besides being untrue was also extremely inconvenient. It would make future dealings with Sonny uncomfortable at best, unbearable at worst. She was so wrapped up in her thoughts that she did not even hear him approach. Suddenly she felt someone grasp her arm from behind. He spun her around and Alexis came face to face with the stranger. He was at least six inches taller than her, with dark hair and eyes. Before she could scream he covered her mouth with his own in a hard, grinding kiss. She tried to turn her face away but he held her in place. Before she could try anything else he swung her around again so that he was once again behind her. He hand covered her mouth and she bit down as hard as she could.
"Dammit, bitch." He yelled removing his hand from her mouth and hitting her across the face. The force of the blow would have caused her to fall if he had not been holding her. "Now be a good girl and I won't have to do that again," the man told her as he began dragging her closer to one of the abandoned buildings. Alexis knew what he was planning and immediately began to fight once more. She kicked and hit at him, even managing to get away once but he quickly caught her again. "For a mouse, you sure do fight back," he told her sounding surprised and almost impressed. Alexis came to the sickening realization that he was actually enjoying the fight.
Jax heard her before he saw anything. The scream was muffled but definitely audible and he ran in its direction. He saw the man first, his back towards Jax. Without hesitation he grabbed the man around the neck, pulling him off the woman. She fell to the ground and Jax let go of the man to catch her.
"Oh my God, Alexis!" He was so concerned that he did not realize the man, now free from his grasp had fled. Jax soon realized she was not unconscious, her eyes were open and she was looking at him, but she hadn't spoken. "It's okay," Jax told her, gently taking her into his arms. She flinched slightly but allowed the embrace. "We need to get you to a hospital."
"No!"
"Alexis you're hurt." He spoke gently, his voice filled with concern.
"I'm fine, he just... hit me... I'm fine." She tried to stand, to prove her point and managed despite several sharp pains. Jax could see her wince and could tell she was in pain but she didn't appear to be critically injured.
"Okay I'll take you home but I..."
"No! I can't go home Kristina's there and Ned's probably still there, I can't..." Her voice was becoming shakier and Jax realized she was probably in shock. He once again took her into his arms this time picking her up. He carried her back to the club where he had left his car and put her in the front seat. She did not speak again as he drove her to his place nor on the walk up to his room. Once they were inside he led her to the sofa. It was then that she finally spoke.
"Um I think... I mean would you mind if I used your shower."
"I'm not sure if you should..."
"Please."
"Okay come on I'll help you."
"No, I'm okay, could you call Kristina, let her know I'm okay. Tell her... I... Tell her..."
"Don't worry I'll think of something."
"Thanks."
It was nearly an hour later when Alexis came back into the living room wearing one of Jax's PJ tops.
"I hope you don't mind that I borrowed this."
"You always looked better in them than I do." He spoke without thinking, remembering back to when his parents were visiting during their "marriage" and she had grown accustomed to wearing his shirts to bed. She smiled shyly at the remark and came to sit beside him on the sofa.
"Did you call Kristina?"
"Yeah, I told her you came home with me so we could chat and you fell asleep on my sofa."
"Did she believe you?" She asked skeptically.
"Yes, don't worry. Do you want to talk, about... anything?"
"I really just want to sleep," she told him tiredly.
"Sounds like a good idea, why don't you go lie down on my bed." Alexis looked uncomfortable.
"I'll sleep on the sofa." Jax quickly assured her.
"It's not that," she replied nervously. "I... I don't want... Would you stay with me?" It broke his heart to see her so frightened, so unsure.
"Of course I will."
Jax waited until Alexis was in bed and then climbed in next to her. There was a strand of hair in her eyes and Jax reached to move it. She flinched in remembrance of the last hand that had touched her face.
"I'm sorry." It was then that Alexis realized just what had happened and what had almost happened. She began to gasp as though not able to get enough air. Tears were streaming down her face and because he did not know what else to do Jax held her. He took her into his arms reluctantly at first, worried that he would make the situation worse. But when she allowed it he held her more firmly trying to make her feel safe. Her gasping breaths were soon replaced with sobs and later by silent tears. Eventually she began to relax and Jax could feel when she finally fell asleep.