Tempest: End

Keesha fought the urge to scan the room, wanting to know where Jax and Jerry could possibly have hidden. "So...you wanted to see me."

"Yes. It's about Nikolas."

"Is something wrong?"

"I sense real concern in your voice," Stefan noted.

As did Jax.

"Well...Nikolas has always been kind to me," Keesha admitted. Even though she figured there was more to his and Miranda's relationship than Nikolas would admit to. She knew he had something to do with Miranda going to jail, and even getting out, with the stipulation that she leave Port Charles.

Actually, maybe that was why Keesha had a fondess for Nikolas. He got rid of Miranda when no one else seemed to be able to.

"Nikolas takes charge of our empire this month."

"And this has to do with me because..."

"Because Father wants to cement my place as head of the family as soon as possible."

Keesha looked over as Nikolas descended the stairs.

"Again, this concerns me?"

"I need an heir."

"And?...wait a minute..." Keesha stood as what they wanted finally became clear. "I'm married...*happily* married."

Jerry grabbed Jax's arm to keep him from going into the room. "Hold on." he whispered harshly.

"You can be trusted Keesha. There aren't many that I trust. We need someone we know will not use Nikolas for his power or his money...someone who can be a good mother to his child..."

"I've heard enough..."

"You can stay with Jax. I don't care." Nikolas interjected. "I only need you long enough for us to be married, quietly, and for you to have my child. You can live with Jax...your life will be exactly the same."

"Except I will be married to you."

"Yes."

"And carrying your child."

"Yes."

"And you expect me to agree with this? You're insane..."

"Everything will remain the same. No one will even know. We'll make sure of that."

"Jax will know."

"Well, yes, of course." Stefan nodded.

"Even if I would agree to it, what makes you think Jax will."

"He will. He owes me. He's out of jail because of me. And he's well aware of that. I think between the three of us, we can convince him quite easily. Jasper sees things as the bottom line. At the end of the day, you will still be with him....and after a mere, year...he will be done with us. I consider it quite a bargain."

"No. And now that that's said, I'm going..."

"Keesha, think about this. Do you really want Father to have to ask Jax to repay him another way?" he warned.

Keesha froze. Her voice lowered, the tone deep. "If you dare involve him any further in your sick war..."

"Then give us what we want. And everyone will be quite satisfied."

Keesha walked into the house, still fuming from her visit with the Cassadines. She couldn't wait for Jax to get home so they could plan how to get rid of them once and for all...

"Took you long enough."

Keesha jumped. "How do you do that." She turned on the light. "And why are you grinning? Didn't you hear what they want..." she looked at Jax.

He shrugged. "I have an idea."

"Thank God..."

"We're going along with them."

Keesha blinked. She cut her eyes at him and Jax waited for her to explode.

"Well?" he asked after a totally silent moment.

"I just know there's more to your plan than that." She waited.

Jax smiled once more. "You know me so well. But don't worry about it. The less you know, the better we'll be."

"And I just know that you realize that answer doesn't suffice." She crossed her arms, still waiting.

"Have I ever steered you wrong?"

"Don't even try that. I am not divorcing you to marry Nikolas in secret or no. Not happening...no way...let me go..." Keesha tried not to smile as Jax picked her up.

"You're right. You're not. They just have to think we will."

"And then what stops them from coming after us when they realize we aren't playing along."

"2 names. Luke. Jason."

"Luke and Jason..." Keesha's voice trailed off as the phone interrupted her thoughts. Jax carried her over and with a smile she picked up. "Jacks residence."

"I need an answer."

Keesha sighed and Jax furrowed his brow. "I've spoken with Jax...and we agree."

"Good. I look forward to hearing from you." Stefan hung up, nodding affirmatively at Nikolas.

A week later

"So...when are you planning to make my brother into an honest man?"

Bobbie turned away from the nurses station. "What's the rush? I kind of like playing house." she smiled at Jax. She took her purse from underneath the counter. "I am so glad this day is over. What brings you here."

"I need to drop this off for Monica...can I leave it here..."

"Well, you can just give it to her she's..." Bobbie looked down as Jax placed the small package on the counter. L was the only letter upon it.

"I'll leave you to Jerry." Jax stated seriously. Bobbie turned around, seeing Jerry in the corner. He nodded and Bobbie slipped the package into her purse.

"Do you think this was such a good idea?" Jerry sat down on the park bench next to Jax.

"Actually I think it will get you into Luke's good graces sort of....and you need all the grace you can get." Jax smacked Jerry with a laugh. He took another bite of his hot dog.

"But I have you, dear brother of mine." Jerry mumbled sarcastically.

Jax froze for a second, and then he swallowed. "Not much longer."

Jerry looked at Jax oddly. "What the hell does that mean."

Luke pressed the rewind button on the tape, looking at Jason. How could the tape end there? The voices started again....

"I want collateral." Jax stated his voice clear and cold.

"Collateral for your wife?"

"My family is everything to me, Stefan. And I want to be sure...deadly sure...that Keesha stays with me, and once she has Nikolas' child, that you will you let her go."

"Of course."

"This marriage will not...I repeat...will not...interfere in our relationship...you two will barely see her...and the marriage sure as hell will never be conismated."

"Is that all."

"No. I said I want collateral. Something that I can use, in case either of you attempt to go back on your word."

"What do you wish for?"

"You know damn well what I want. I want proof, as to what happened to Miranda. All of it."

"Keesha knows of this?"

"My discussion with you is not Keesha's concern. But if you don't give me what I wish for...you'll never see her again. I guarantee it."

"How can you make a promise for her."

"Helena is preparing to return." Jax shrugged, walking closer to the edge of the docks. His voice grew even louder on the tape, and Luke realized the tape recorder must have been somewhere underneath.

"How do you know this..."

Jax walked away....

"DAMN!" Luke swore as Jax's voice became so low, he could not hear....suddenly it faded back.

"...Jerry. I assume she will be here soon. And if she gets a hold of Nikolas before he can be married...to my wife...then Helena will find someone for him. And you will be left completely out in the cold. Helena is very persuasive. And Nikolas is easily led. As evidenced by his....relationship with Miranda...speaking of..." Jax's voice took on a sudden chipper tone. "...I believe there is something that you have for me. What happened to Miranda? ALL of it."

Stefan sighed deeply. But inside he was smiling. Jax wasn't nearly as smart as he thought. He trusted too much. And when Stefan and Nikolas swept Keesha away, Jax would be unable to get her back. Because he could easily deny everything he was about to say. The boy didn't even come with a recorder. "In my car. I will tell you."

Jax nodded.

"Jax knows what happened to Miranda. He knows that Stefan and probably Nikolas was involved. Maybe even his parents." Luke muttered. "We've got to get that information from him."

Jason stared. "He won't give it. He wanted us to know he had it. But if he wanted to give it, we'd have it by now....what about Jerry."

"Too close. He won't rat out his own brother....we're thisclose, and we can't..." Luke's voice faded out as a male voice came on the tape Luke had not turned off.

"Meet me at the park. I'll be there at midnight. And we will see if something can be worked out." Jerry's voice commanded to Luke and Jason.

Jerry looked around Jax's and Keesha's house. It was so empty. He looked at his watch. Only 2:00 in the afternoon. Jax's workers moved quickly. "HEY!" he called, the voice echoing down the bare hall.

Jax came running down the stairs a bag over his shoulder and a duffel bag in his hand. "Hey. I'm off to get my divorce now."

"So this is where I say something disgustingly sappy..." Jerry grimaced, his voice teasing. But as Jax looked into his eyes, the blue locked with brown, he knew exactly how serious Jerry was about to be. "...like you're the best baby brother anyone could have ever asked for...like I got used to having you around to pummel, and now I have to get my beatings in elsewhere..."

"Please. I always won."

"Anytime you won, was because I let you."

"If that makes you feel better..." Jax stopped speaking as Jerry pulled him into a giant bear hug.

"Take care."

Jax nodded. "You too." he closed his eyes, dropping his bag so he could hug Jerry tighter.

Jerry kissed Jax's cheek and then clearing his throat, he let go. "We'll visit. Bobbie, Lucas..."

Jax nodded. "It's not like we'll never see each other. It just won't be...every day."

"And that's a good thing."

"Definitely." Jax hit Jerry on the arm. Jerry watched as Jax breezed past him. Jax stopped at the door.

"Bye Jer!" he said cheerfully, with a big smile.

"Bye Jax!" Jerry said in the exact same tone with a laugh. They looked at each other awhile longer, and then finally Jax left, closing the door.

"Love you." Jerry mumbled. He sat down on the empty floor. Port Charles would be so different without Jax...

The door opened once more. "Love ya too." Jax stated. The door shut.

And Jerry knew Jax was gone for good.

"They're being complete angels." Jane promised. She cradled the phone against her ear, bending down so Laurence could give her a kiss on the cheek. "Thank you..."

"Welcome!" Laurence laughed.

"Good. And thank you for coming to get them on such short notice..." Jax's voice came through on the other line. He let down the top to the convertible. It was almost midnight in Port Charles. But in Australia, where Jane, John, Jocelyn, and Laurence were, it was a little after nine in the morning.

"Of course. It will be nice to have them all to ourselves while you and Keesha get situated...where are you going again?"

"We're driving to Florida, and then from there flying to Australia. Get the kids and then off to France. I figure that will be enough time to make sure that Stefan and Luke both are planning to leave us alone. Besides, how can Keesha say no to France?"

"You mean, she doesn't know you're planning to move?"

"No."

Stefan stood from the park bench as Luke and Jason came over. "Why are you here?"

"I was just about to ask you the same question." Luke answered Stefan.

"Perhaps I can help." Jerry walked over. "It's called playing both ends. Have a seat gentlemen, and I will tell you how things are going to work."

"Pardon?" Stefan glared.

"I'll make this simple, because I have to get home to Bobbie. You blabbed to Jax. You shouldn't have done that. Because now Luke and Jason...you two know just enough to know who was involved in Miranda's disappearance, and..." his voice trailed off. If only she had been honest this never would have happend. "...death...and Stefan that leaves your son without Keesha to marry."

"WHAT?" Luke and Jason asked simaltaneously.

"Long story...don't have time." Jerry waved his hand dismissively. "Now, Luke and Jason don't have enough and will never have enough to get you in trouble. Unless Jax or I give it them. Meanwhile, Stefan, if you don't leave us alone, I or Jax will give it to them."

"Back? Where are they?" Jason inquired.

"Gone. And they will stay gone. I'm sure you can find them, they aren't hiding. But they've outgrown it here...it was time they moved on..."

Jax turned down the radio at the sound of a car door closing. He looked over and saw Keesha getting out of Nikolas' car. She said her goodbyes and walked quickly over to Jax.

"How much further are we going to play this..." Keesha asked as she stepped into Jax's car, closing the door. "I mean...Nikolas actually thinks that..." Keesha's thoughts were interuppted as Jax pulled her towards him, kissing her passionately.

Nikolas' car screeched away and Jax pulled back.

"...thinks that we're off to get a divorce." Keesha finished her sentence.

Jax laughed loudly. "Very good."

"I'm not easily distracted when my marriage is on the line."

"Our marriage is going on as it always has."

"Good." Keesha leaned away from Jax, looking straight ahead.

"Just not here."

Jax waited for it to sink in. Finally Keesha looked over at him. "What does that mean?"

"It means that...I want us to go. I want to move away from here."

"Why?"

"Why not?"

"Jerry is here."

"Jerry understands."

"Understands what?"

"Keesha, anything that is keeping us here...they aren't good things...I mean, minus Jerry..."

"You're going to miss Jerry if we go anywhere..."

"France."

Keesha's eyes lit up slightly. "France?...No, wait a minute. Why?"

"Why not? Keesha, do you understand the kind of people we are surrounded by. The things that they do? Helena is coming back...she should be here any day. That means that bloody Spencer/Cassadine thing will escalate to even more proposterius heights. The woman killed Sonny and Hannah merely as a way to put Miranda in the hot seat down the line. Because Miranda knew too much."

"I know but..."

"Luke and Jason are working together. Stefan will never give up. Nikolas is more like Stefan every day...he tricked Miranda...got her arrested and then kicked her out of Port Charles, which is a good thing...don't get me wrong...but Stefan didn't leave it there. He had her killed Keesha. And now he wants you to marry into that family? And have Nikolas' child? And he won't let you go, neither of them will...are you prepared to be dodging them for the rest of your life? I want out."

Keesha took Jax's hand. She stared at him.

"I'm tired, Keesha. I want out. Jerry has Bobbie. And Bobbie needs to be here. But we don't. Not anymore. And we have it so that no one will bother us again. We're a liability to everyone, yet even more so if something happens. Luke won't do anything because Bobbie already knows...Stefan won't do anything because Luke knows about him and Nikolas...and Helena won't because we don't have anything she wants now, now that Miranda is dead. But..."

"...if we stay here, we'll get sucked into something." Keesha finished Jax's thought.

"Exactly. And, I know, that there's an appeal for you...all of this excitement and..."

"Are you kidding me?"

"Keesha, I see the way you look when..." Jax squeezed her hand. "...when we go up against someone..."

"Exactly. We. That means you and me. Nothing matters to me without you. Everything is better when you're with me. Everything. And living a nice quiet life, in France, with you and our children...I..."

Jax smiled as Keesha's eyes shined. There was no worries. She would be very happy, that much was clear. "Okay...so we can go? Now?"

"Do we have time to pack..." Keesha looked to the back as Jax pointed.

"Packed. We can buy more on the way."

"You packed? That's why you made me spend the day with Nikolas...so I wouldn't know what you were up to." she noted.

"I also put the house on the market...gave away the furniture..."

"Jax...what if I had said no."

"You can't say no to me...ouch!" Jax rubbed his chest where Keesha hit him. "Oh...that's it..." he leaned over and Keesha laughed as Jax tickled her mercilessly.

Jax stared straight ahead as he drove down the road. Keesha's legs were stretched out, her feet on top of the headboard. Her head leaned against Jax's arm. "I say we pull over and grab something to eat...Keesha?" he glanced over at her. She was fast asleep. He sighed softly, a small smile growing as they finally crossed the line out of Port Charles. "Bye," he mumbled, turning up the radio as he picked up speed.

Author's Note:

The scary thing is that there is so much more I could do with this story LOL, but I've decided to wrap up all my Jax stories, and here seemed like as good of a place as any to end Tempest. I know it was a very long long ride-a year and a half I've been writing this story, and I thank everyone for sticking with me as long as you have.

A *very* special thanks goes out to my lil' sis Austine for being kind enough to set this page up and keep it updated! What a talent she has-and if she cuts this praise out, I'm going to kill her *g* Who me? I would never...

Thanks for all of the encouraging words, they kept me and my Jax and Keesha desires going *g*. I hope you enjoyed yourself even half as much as I have. Much love,

Shani-fan of Jax and Keesha-2 characters who should have at the least been friends if TPTB had any imagination at all LOL