The sober days [Cross/Pixie]

It took almost thirty minutes to go through security. She was patiently going through it, taking deep breaths. They were eyeing her and down. When she finally got to move on, her first thought went to the cake. Alex laid in the small bed he had dressed in white pants and a white shirt that hung loosely on him due to its large size. He felt like a criminal as he sat watching the small television that hung high in one of the corners. He hadn't even been there a week and yet he was already on the verge of losing his mind. Not because he wanted a drink but because he felt like he didn't belong. He needed to get out but he knew if he wanted to get his job back and have any hope with Munin he had to make it through. She softly would knock on the door, but not waiting for an answer. Instead she would slide in, looking at her friend on his spartanic looking bed.

Alexandra Kelly: "Hey grumpy."

Alex turned to look towards the door. He forced a smile upon his face even though smiling wasn't really what he wanted to do. Kill himself maybe but not smile. She would notice how tense that smile appeared to be, yet would not comment on it.

Alex Cross: ”Thank God you're here. I'm this close to putting a bullet in my head. This place is literally killing me. Well, not literally but it feels like it.

She gave him a flashing smile, walking close. It was not easy to be here.- for many different reasons. Not all too long ago she had been locked in a place like this. Not turning herself in, but that was then. Alexandra wrapped her arms around him.

Alexandra Kelly: "Don't say shit like that."

He patted her back before looking into her eyes.

Alex Cross: ”Sorry I'm just going crazy in here. I haven't seen the outside in almost a week. Not to mention I can't workout or get in a ring. It's maddening.”

Alexandra Kelly: "Well I talked to management. You are allowed to visit the garden and I brought you some stuff for training. They were not very friendly, but will be from now on. Don't get so down, it will pass."

She put out all kind of stuff, wondering herself how she could fit it all into a bag. It was like one of those magic things from Harry Potter. Alex looked at all the things she put out in front of him. He couldn't even come close to figuring out where she kept it all but that was the magic of women's bags. They could stockpile enough to survive a nuclear winter inside those things. He looked back at Pixie and smiled.

Alex Cross: ”This is awesome. Thanks.”

Alexandra Kelly: "I told you I got your back love. This may be not the Four Seasons but it doesn’t have to be Alcatraz either."

For a moment both of them would laugh, it was like you could hear a big stone dropping off of their chests. It was not a complete lie to say, laughing is the best medicine. She hugged him again.

Alexandra Kelly: "Shall we go outside a little? Unless you prefere looking at your wonderful room for a little longer… ."

Alex Cross: ”For the love of God yes!”

She got up from the bed, stretching a moment. It was not hard to understand why this room would drive you insane. It was empty and had no sort of spark at all. White walls and a window with metal in front of it. She was getting her stuff together making it towards the door, waiting for him to join.

Alex Cross: ”Thanks for going out of your way to help. It means a lot.”

He slipped on a coat and grabbed a few things before heading out the door first, holding it open behind him for Pixie to walk through. She wouldn’t waste any time to follow him, walking down those endless hallway.

Alexandra Kelly: "It's more like going back to who I am. You know you matter to me,right?"

She smiled looking at some of the other clients. Most looked way more damaged than Alex. But that was the problem with addiction problems. For a long time it would all go smooth, till you reached the point of no return. Where the addiction became the only drive you really had left. She would try to not focus on them, walking beside him.

Alex Cross: ”Back to who you are? What do you mean?”

Alexandra Kelly: "All in good time. This is about you, not me love."

He couldn't help but smile. Just having company was enough to make his stay that much easier.

Alex Cross: ”So have I missed anything? How was Toronto?

Alexandra Kelly: "Was all good, spent some time with the new family. How was being so drunk you hardly couldn’t wrestle your damn match?"

Alex Cross: ”Ha, ha, ha very funny. I'll have you know I wasn't arrested at all. Just placed in a padded room with a TV that didn't have cable and made to talk about my feelings to a stranger.”

He paused for a moment thinking over what he just said. She had stopped walking, looking at him. Her cute face all serious, her dark eyes burning a hole into him.

Alex Cross: ”Damn it I was locked up for being a drunk.”

Alexandra Kelly: "Well you got lucky I had to leave early last week. I would have kicked your damn ass. What you did was so fucked up. Take it from someone that has done a lot of crazy things. From destroying backstage areas to setting locker rooms on fire. But you do not endanger another person like that."

Alex Cross: ”I would have deserved it for sure.”

For the first time in almost a week Alex stepped out of the rehab center and into the sunlight. The warmth felt good against his skin as he closed his eyes and soaked it in. There were only a few people outside, probably those that had earned the privilege.

Alexandra Kelly: "I might still do it. I was so angry at you Alex."

Alex Cross: ”Hey, I'm making progress. Save the ass kicking for if I fall off the wagon.”

Alexandra Kelly: "You won't. You got me around. If you fall off, only cause I kick you."

Alex put his arm around her shoulder and pulled her in close. Considering their size difference she almost was vanished underneath that arm. She would smile when looking up.

Alex Cross: ”Thanks.”

She was a little surprised but cuddled in for a moment. It was not like anyone noticed them, as they were either in agony or busy with visitors. Alexandra felt her cheeks blush a little.

Alexandra Kelly: “"You ain't got nothing to thank me for. As of late everyone feels the urge to thank me. It is really not necessary."

Alex Cross: ”You just met me and yet you're going out of your way to help me. It means a lot to me.”

Alexandra Kelly: "Okay, tell me what out of my way means? You keep saying it and I really do not get it."

Alex stopped walking and turned to look at her. She nearly tripped over her own feet cause he came to stand so abruptly.

Alex Cross: ”You don't even really know me. We met one time and spent the weekend together with Munin. Yet you look at me and treat me like we've known each other all our life. You've brought me cake, clothes, things to occupy my time here and even helped me find an apartment. All things you didn't have to do and no one would expect you to do for a stranger. Not only that but you could be anywhere doing anything and you're right here trying to help me get back on my feet.”

Alexandra Kelly: "Okay, let me tell you a little something about me. I have been down and pretty much had to go through every shit alone. It’s no fun. At a certain point I stopped giving a fuck. Around that time Hawk came into my life. Becoming my family. I might not give a shit about many people, but when I choose.- then wise. It does not matter why, but you matter to me Cross. Make of it what you want."

Alex Cross: ”Thank you.”

It wasn't much but that was all he could say.

Alexandra Kelly: "And now enjoy your outside time or I throw cake in your face."

Alex Cross: ”Throw it in my face and you can bet your ass I'll still eat it. Have you seen the shit they feed us in here?”

Alexandra Kelly: "I will bring you food daily then. Just incase you get the munchies or whatever the cool kids call it."

Alex Cross: ”Thanks.”

Alexandra Kelly: " Okay, you will not stop that thank you stuff. But bringing you food, is the least I can do."

Alex Cross: ”It's more than I deserve.”

Alexandra Kelly: "You done me no wrong in this life. So I guess that's not true."

Alex took a seat in the grass, the feeling was amazing. It was almost like he had never experienced it before. She would take a seat next to him, kicking off her high top sneakers.

Alex Cross: ”I know I haven't but I feel like my actions indirectly or directly affected everyone I came in contact with. That includes you.”

Alexandra Kelly: "Not really. Your not the worst case I met."

Alex: Cross: ”Well that's reassuring.”

Alexandra Kelly: "They say i got my decent moments. But then again I do not care all too much about anyone’s opinion."

She laid back in the grass, looking into the half blue sky. It was moments like this that made you forget whatever worry could be on your mind. Alex himself closed his eyes as he put his hands behind his head. The sun beating down on his face made things so much better. He felt like a new man.

Alex Cross: ”I'm glad you came to PAW Pixie. It's nice to have a friend. I don't have many of those lately.”

Alexandra Kelly: "You think I do? Considering how many people talk to me, it must look that way. But I only got around a handful. Just always remember, sometimes the ones that looks the happiest.- are the ones that are very lonely. Hence i plan a trip to England."

Alex Cross: ”England? What's in England?”

Alexandra Kelly: "My best friend Elena and her baby Isabella."

Alex Cross: ”Sounds like fun.”

He laughed as he looked over at his friend.

Alex Cross: ”I was told by one of the doctors here to take a vacation and get away for awhile. Mostly to process things and get a better grip on who I am. I've always wanted to go to Italy, so when they clear me I think I'll be booking a vacation as quick as possible. Not like I can go right back to work anyways.”

Alexandra Kelly: "You better write me a card. I heard Italy is a wonderful place to be. Visit Rome and all that. And for sure the Trevi fountain to make a wish."

Alex Cross: ”I've never been so I'm going to see whatever this place has to offer. And not forget eat their delicious meals. I hear the food is amazing.”

Alexandra Kelly: " You will become fat my darling."

Alex Cross: ”Lucky me I'll be able to workout when I want and I'll probably walk everywhere. Or maybe I'll rent a Vespa I bet those are fun.”

Alexandra Kelly: "Oh now you make me jealous. I will get fog mostly."

Alex Cross: ”Maybe you'll get lucky and it'll be sunny.”

Alexandra Kelly: "Lucky? Me? Yeah good one."

It was impossible to not laugh this time. He really did not know her very well, luck was never a matter for Alexandra. Whatever she had or wanted, she would earn. And when it came to the weather, you had not really much of a say.

Alex Cross: “Meh, it could happen.”

Alexandra Kelly: "What you wanna eat tomorrow?"

Alex Cross: ”Lasagna?”

Alexandra Kelly: "Good. I will make some for two. And visit for lunch."

Alex Cross: ”It's a date.”

He laughed even though he knew it wasn't funny. Perhaps it was a bit of an awkward laugh if anything.

Alex Cross: ”Sorry that wasn't funny.”

Alexandra Kelly: "Well friends have dates darling."

Alex Cross: ”True. Just don't tell Jack, wouldn't want him jealous.”

Alexandra Kelly: "Aww, he is a big boy. And he trusts my actions.”

Alex Cross: ”Good. I'd hate for my actions to be misconstrued.”

Alexandra Kelly: "You worry too much."

Alex Cross: ”Well I'm sober so I guess perhaps it's not worry it's just having a clear head to think with.”

Alexandra Kelly: "Now that you mention it Alex. You didn't try to hump my leg, so I noticed your sober."

Alex laughed as he removed his hands from behind his head and placed them on his face hiding it from her. For the first time in ages he was really laughing hard, which made her join in.

Alex Cross: ”Yeah sorry about that. I got a bit loose when I was drunk.”

Alexandra Kelly: "Hey common, lighten up. In your world it was hump day. I laughed my ass off seriously."

Alex Cross: ”Well I'm glad my looseness brought someone joy.”

Alexandra Kelly: ”You gotta laugh about it. I fell over face first."

Alex Cross: ”Yeah, but me grabbing a handful of your ass in front of Munin went over like gangbusters. I didn't think I'd ever hear the end of it on that car ride.”

Alexandra Kelly: "She got a hold on my ass too. So no worries."

Alex Cross: ”Yeah but I think hers wasn't near as sexual in nature as mine was.”

Alexandra Kelly: "You wanna bet?"

Alex Cross: ”Yeah.”

She softly would patted his face, laughing.

Alexandra Kelly: "We will have that talk one day. You might lose that bet."

Alex Cross: ”I'll hold you to that.”

They would both lay back into the grass, stretching out comfortable. For one day this was enough digging deep.