Alex And Cassidy: Betrayal Part 53

Alex chuckled and bent over to kiss Dylan on the cheek. "Save me a dance?" she whispered in his ear.

"Sure thing, Mom," he said playfully.

Ca.s.sidy started laughing at the expression on Alex's face. Alex huffed jokingly and Dylan gave her a toothy grin. "Oh G.o.d." Ca.s.sidy rolled her eyes. "Twenty minutes married and already you are sporting her grin. You really are a Toles," she said as she ruffled his hair.

"There's a problem," Viktor Ivanov said.

"What are you talking about?" Admiral Brackett asked over his secure line.

"The protocols are not complete."

Brackett ran his hand over the top of his head. "Impossible. Perhaps you should talk to your nephew, Viktor. He did send my daughter home, a.s.suring her he was in control."

"Are you suggesting that Dimitri is somehow involved in this?" Ivanov's voice dropped.

"He is the one who retrieved the disk."

"From your amba.s.sadors," Ivanov bellowed. "This will not stand."

"Are you threatening me?" Admiral Brackett asked.

"Threats are words. This is beyond threats. Your people have compromised us again."

"Watch yourself, Viktor. You don't know who is responsible. I would advise you to use caution," Brackett warned. "You should be careful who you recruit and mindful of who you attempt to intimidate." Ivanov laughed at the admiral's a.s.sertion. "Viktor," the admiral cautioned. "Calm down. We must proceed carefully. The future of our work is..."

Ivanov interrupted the admiral. "The future of our work lies in the past."

"What are you saying?"

"Tried and true, Admiral. We will return to our roots."

"Viktor!" There was no response. "Viktor!" Admiral Brackett dropped the receiver and placed his face in his hands. He understood the implication in Viktor Ivanov's words. The fracture was complete. The past had returned. What had taken years to fully cultivate now lay in waste. The worst of it; Ivanov was not wrong. This new world needed a new order. History often repeats itself for someone's specific reason and Admiral William Brackett was certain the past would now return to haunt them all.

"Mom?"

"Alexis," Helen smiled and placed her gla.s.s of wine on the table to hug her daughter. "It was absolutely beautiful."

"Thanks," Alex said. "Thanks for helping Dylan."

"Oh, I just made a suggestion, Alexis. Really, it was all inside of him. He is a very thoughtful young man."

"Yeah, he is. He's like his mom." Helen agreed. "He was pretty excited about this bracelet you got. I think it meant a lot to him to be included." Alex's voice dropped to a whisper, "it means a lot to me too."

Helen sighed and put her arm around her daughter. "You know, Alexis...Dylan and Cat, they are both very smart young men. I look at them and then I look at you and your brother. Time pa.s.ses quickly. You shouldn't waste it." Alex was a bit confused by her mother's musings. "You know what struck me the most about your vows, all three of you?" Alex shook her head. "Most couples talk about each other. And, Alexis...I have been to many weddings with children involved, none where they were included." Alex studied her mother. "All of you talked about family. The family you have, the family you want to build." She smiled at her daughter and pointed to the bracelet Dylan had referred to. "Dylan gave you and Ca.s.sidy something so that you could always carry each other. Even when you are apart, you are connected. Made me think that I never want to forget again that I carry each of you with me. We lost too much time, Alexis. Someday soon I will add another stone for my newest grandchild." Alex smiled. "And," Helen continued as she retrieved her wine. "I am betting that I won't be the only one adding another stone in the not so distant future." She pointed to Alex's necklace. Alex shook her head. "Don't worry," Helen said giving Alex a light peck on the cheek. "I made sure my jeweler knew to expect you." She laughed and walked away. Alex stood dumfounded.

"What did she just say?" Barb asked, coming up behind Alex.

"I thought you were bad," Alex said.

"Me? Why? What did I do?" Barb asked seriously.

Alex rolled her eyes. "Twenty minutes married and my mother already has Ca.s.sidy pregnant." Barb howled in laughter. "Laugh it up."

Barb shrugged. "At least we're consistent!"

Alex just rolled her eyes again. She made her way back towards the table she was sharing with Ca.s.sidy and stopped. Ca.s.sidy was standing surrounded by Dylan, Cat and the Fallon brood. Dylan and Cat were engaged in telling some animated story. Ca.s.sidy was listening intently and smiling. She was everybody's mom. Alex laughed thinking it was no wonder her wife had become a teacher.

"You okay?" Rose asked.

"Yeah," Alex chuckled. "No," she corrected herself. Rose was perplexed. "Better than okay," Alex smiled. "Much better than okay."

"All right, Admiral. What was so important that you needed to see me late on a Sat.u.r.day night?" Jon Krause asked.

Admiral William Brackett sat in a large leather chair sipping a gla.s.s of scotch. His expression was somber. His demeanor was quiet and reserved. From Krause's perspective the admiral looked as though he had just suffered a great personal loss. Krause wondered momentarily if Claire Brackett had finally crossed one too many lines. The admiral gestured to the table at the far side of the room. "Pour yourself a drink and sit down Jonathan," he said. He closed his eyes and leaned back against the large chair. Krause followed the admiral's suggestion, pouring himself a short gla.s.s of scotch before taking a seat on the opposite sofa. "How are you, Jonathan?" the admiral asked. The sincerity in the older man's voice sounded almost fatherly.

"I'm fine, Admiral," Krause replied as he studied the man.

Admiral Brackett opened his eyes and leaned slightly forward. "Hum. Honestly, Jonathan...How are you?" Krause was puzzled by the question and shook his head slightly in confusion. "Come now. You lost your best friend and your son's mother married today, if I am not mistaken," he said gently.

Krause nodded. "I'm not sure what any of that has to do with why I am here," he said.

Admiral Brackett sighed and leaned back again. "I had a best friend, Jonathan," he said. "He was really my brother, more of a brother than either of the two that shared my parents." The admiral sipped his scotch. "I was in love once. I mean, really in love." He smiled. "And, we both know I have a daughter. So, answer me truthfully for once. How are you?"

Krause swirled the scotch in his gla.s.s. "Angry that my brother is gone," he said without any evident emotion. "As for Ca.s.sidy and Dylan, well...They are getting something far better than I could ever give them," he said simply.

Admiral Brackett smiled. "Agent Toles is a unique breed, Jonathan. It wasn't always that way you know." Krause watched the admiral closely as the older man rose to his feet and walked toward a book case. "I used to read to Claire when she was small. Whenever I was home I would read to her. Always stories that I thought would help her to understand life a bit. The notion that heroes are made and not born. The idea that loyalty is precious." The admiral shook his head. "I'm not sure what she heard in those stories. I wonder if she listened at all." Krause was beginning to wonder if in fact something had happened to the younger Brackett. The admiral pivoted and faced Krause again. "We've suffered a fracture. Not even a fracture, actually. The framework we have built....it's in pieces. Shattered."

"Admiral?"

"The Russians have moved on their own. There was an interruption in an important trade. One that was several years in the making. I don't know where the breech occurred. London, Moscow...it's unclear."

The picture was become clearer. Krause was certain that the admiral was referring to the disk he and Alex had exchanged. "Sir, one transaction or trade..."

"Oh, it isn't just one, Jonathan. The cracks have been appearing for years. Maybe John was on the right track, I don't know."

"What is it...."

"Jonathan, the Russians will begin a new alliance of sorts. They will revert. Do you understand?" Krause searched the admiral for his meaning with his eyes. "Do you know how long it has been since we have worked separately? I mean the Russians, the British, the Germans, the French and us?" Krause remained still. "Hmm," the admiral chuckled. "More than seventy years, Jonathan. More than seventy. This? All you have come to know began amid war. War that shook the entire earth. What it produced required control. Quiet and careful control."

"I'm not sure I understand," Krause admitted.

"All the details aren't important," Admiral Brackett sighed. "You will no doubt learn them all in time now. The fracture, that is important. We've had to make some changes. How Viktor and the Russian contingent of our organization respond will determine many things. Where they strike."

"You think that Ivanov is going to retaliate? Against who? This is not America versus the Soviet Union. We are not in the 1950s or even the 1980s," Krause observed.

The admiral tipped his head. "Yes, Jonathan. The question isn't if they will retaliate, it is when and how. And when they do, well...I suggest you brush up on the history you mentioned." Krause swallowed hard. He could see the concern in the admiral's eyes. "This time, I am not certain that we are playing in the same orchestra. We may be looking at the same piece of music, but we exist under separate conductors."

"What is it that you need from me?" Krause asked.

"I need Agent Toles." Krause's expression hardened. "Edmond has made a call, Jonathan. One I had hoped we would never have to make. Everything has changed. The sides we take now, well....there are sides to choose."

"I'm not certain," Krause said, "that I understand what those sides are, Admiral. I can a.s.sure you that Alex Toles will not choose any side that compromises her family or her beliefs."

The admiral nodded. "That is precisely why I need her."

"And the sparrow?"

Admiral Brackett shook his head sadly. "She has chosen a different path."

"And you are prepared for what that might mean?" Krause asked. "I'm not certain that I could do what you are suggesting as a father."

"No. But, it is not my choice to make. It was hers. She prizes nothing beyond her own ascension. That only ever leads to one's destruction." Krause nodded his understanding. "Today, we live in a new world. To most people it will seem exactly the same, but trust me, Jonathan, it will not for long. Everything has changed."

"What exactly do you want from Agent Toles?"

The admiral sat back in his large chair and closed his eyes. "That will become evident soon enough. You will know without me needing to explain. She will be faced with a choice. It will be your decision which way to guide her."

"And if I choose to guide her away?" Krause asked.

The admiral shrugged. "That is your choice, Jonathan. I will not force you now. I will not force Alexis." Krause roused at the admiral's use of Alex's name and made an immediate mental note. "But, you should know...both of you; there will be clear enemies to combat. The kind you both once believed you were fighting. Some will seek to rebuild the past. That will be the choice; the past or a new future."

Krause leaned back into the sofa. He looked across to the admiral who was clearly lost now to his own thoughts. He was not certain what he made of this. It was clear to him that whatever The Collaborative had been, however it had been formed, it no longer existed. He took a deep breath, feeling a.s.sured that he had been right. He had sensed it when John Merrow decided to walk in front of an a.s.sa.s.sin's bullet. The wheels had begun to spin at a frenetic pace and he knew then the only thing to stop the out of control ride would be a crash. That was happening now. It had been inevitable. He simply did not expect it so soon. What would be rebuilt, that was what the admiral was referring to. This was the opportunity men like Matthew Waters and John Merrow had sought. It was the opening he and Alex Toles needed to discover why The Collaborative was formed and to trace its roots so that they could pull them out. It also presented a new set of questions and perils he could not predict. "Oh, Alex," he thought silently. "I hope you are ready for this." He took another sip of scotch as he sat in weighted silence with the admiral. "I hope I am too," he admitted to himself.

"Hey, Speed." Alex took a seat next to Dylan. She looked out at the small dance floor. Nick had cleared a s.p.a.ce near the outdoor fireplace that Ca.s.sidy loved. Ca.s.sidy was dancing with Nick and laughing. Barb was sitting nearby with Cat, her mother and Kate Fallon. Rose was engaged in a lively discussion with Jane and Stephanie Merrow. "Getting tired?" He shrugged. "Too much cake?" Dylan giggled. "You bored?"

"Kinda," he admitted.

"Well, it's almost all over," she said. The truth was that Alex was tired herself and she was anxious to spend some alone time with Ca.s.sidy. The note her wife had scribbled and placed in the bottle on her chair had piqued her curiosity. But, there was one thing she still wanted to do. One thing that, at this moment, eclipsed everything and every person surrounding her; every person but one. "You know," she said getting back to her feet. "You called me Mom, earlier." Dylan looked up at her wondering if he had done something wrong. Alex smiled at him and put out her hand. "I'm pretty sure you promised me a dance. I've already danced with my wife. I'd really like a chance to dance with my son." Dylan smiled. He had danced with Ca.s.sidy, danced with his Grandma and his YaYa, danced with Stephanie Merrow and danced with Cat and the Fallon kids to all kinds of songs. He was tired from all the excitement, but there was one person he had waited all night to dance with and she was standing before him now. Alex nodded to the disc jockey as the song playing faded and led Dylan to the dance floor. "I picked this song for you, Speed. Someday, when you are older and you listen to it, I hope you will know why."

Ca.s.sidy watched as Dylan looked up to Alex. Alex had only told her that she had picked a special song that always made her think of Dylan. The sound came through to Ca.s.sidy's ears and the words made her smile from within. Never Alone; that was the name of the song Alex had chosen. She could see Alex singing the words to Dylan. She felt a hand on her shoulder and clasped it. Somehow she knew that it would be Jane. "She loves you both so much," Jane said. Ca.s.sidy just smiled, unable to speak. She watched Alex playfully twirl Dylan and saw him laugh. Then she saw Alex motion to her. "Go," Jane whispered.

Ca.s.sidy closed the distance between them and looked at Alex. "Last dance coming," Alex said. Dylan was ready to walk away when Alex grabbed hold of him and lifted him onto her hip. "Oh no, Speed. We started this day as a family and we are ending it exactly the same way." Ca.s.sidy touched Alex's cheek lovingly as Alex pulled her closer. "I hate these shoes," Alex said, kicking them off. Ca.s.sidy laughed and kicked off her own. That sent Dylan into his own fit of giggles. The Beach Boys started playing and Ca.s.sidy shook her head. "Hey! It's a beach wedding," Alex explained. "Besides, what would I do without you?"

"Less dishes?" Ca.s.sidy raised her brow.

"Yeah and you'd eat less tacos," Dylan said plainly. All three began to laugh.

Rose put her arm around Helen and sighed. "I'm not sure I have ever seen two people who belong together as much as those two."

Helen nodded. "I never thought I would see Alexis so happy," she said. They both scanned the faces surrounding the family on the dance floor and realized everyone was having the exact same thought. Alex and Ca.s.sidy and Dylan looked as if they had always been together. It was something no one could explain and no one needed to.

Ca.s.sidy was signing slightly off key as she and Alex simultaneously lifted Dylan off the dance floor. He laughed and when his feet hit the floor again, he crossed his heart theatrically, singing the chorus he had only just heard. Alex lifted him back to her hip and she and Ca.s.sidy put their arms around him as the song wound into its final chorus. "Thank you for being my family," Alex said to them both.

Ca.s.sidy smiled. "Thanks for being my moms," Dylan said as he and Alex both flashed Ca.s.sidy a huge grin before singing the last chorus to her.

"You are both crazy," Ca.s.sidy laughed. "But I love you both," she said as the music ended.

"Perfect way to end the evening," Alex observed. Dylan hugged them both. "You have fun with Cat," she said. "Mom and I will pick you up tomorrow afternoon." Dylan nodded and skipped over to Barb and Cat. "So you ready to blow this beach party, Mrs. Toles?" Alex asked.

"Are you going to carry me over the threshold?" Ca.s.sidy bantered.

"I'm going to carry you over more than one threshold," Alex countered.

Ca.s.sidy flushed slightly. "In that case, let's get a move on, Alfred."

"Wait!" Alex ran over to the table and came back with Ca.s.sidy's message in a bottle. "My wife left me an important message. Wouldn't be good if I forgot it."

"What kind of message did she leave you that is so important you had to run?" Alex whispered something in Ca.s.sidy's ear. "I thought marriage was supposed to end all of that nonsense," Ca.s.sidy submitted.

"Oh? You haven't met my wife," Alex said as they began to make their final exit.

"No? What's she like?" Ca.s.sidy asked, curious how Alex would answer.

Alex stopped abruptly and turned Ca.s.sidy to face her. "My wife?" Ca.s.sidy nodded. "She is the most amazing person I have ever known. Frankly, I don't think I deserve her, but I thank G.o.d every day she thinks so."

Ca.s.sidy kissed Alex soundly, receiving a host of whistles. "She sounds wonderful. But I think you should know," Alex listened carefully as Ca.s.sidy continued, "that my wife takes my breath away every time I see her. And I know I don't deserve her, but I am grateful she loves me."

"She does," Alex said with a kiss before gently pulling Ca.s.sidy forward. No one stopped them. It was more than clear where they were headed and that the festivities had ended. A quick kiss on the cheek from Rose, a whistle from Nick and Alex was opening the door of a ridiculously decorated SUV for Ca.s.sidy. "What the h.e.l.l were they thinking?" she shook her head as she got in. Ca.s.sidy was doubled over in laughter by the time Alex got in the driver's seat. "What? What is it?" Ca.s.sidy pointed to the dashboard. "What in the h.e.l.l?" An action figure of Agent Mulder from the X-Files was secured to the dashboard holding an action figure of Agent Scully across his arms. The note in front of it read: The truth is out there, Agent. Just hope you know where to look. "I'm gonna kill him," Alex said before she erupted in laughter.

Nicolaus Toles walked through his house slowly, sipping a gla.s.s of red wine. It hadn't changed much over the years. He turned down the hallway and slowly allowed his eyes to follow the array of portraits on the walls. It was almost as if he was traveling back through time. He stopped halfway down the narrow corridor and stared at the face of a young girl. She was missing her front tooth in the portrait, but she smiled with pride; no care or worry about the gaping hole in the front of her mouth. He laughed, remembering the day she had lost that tooth. She was chasing the neighbor's dog, determined that she could catch him on her own when she tripped over one of her brother's toy trucks and landed squarely on her face. He shook his head. He recalled she didn't cry. She didn't yell at her little brother. She'd been wiggling that tooth for weeks and now it was in her hand. "Look, Daddy!" she screamed to him.

"What happened?" he asked when he saw the trail of blood running down her lip.

"Tooth fairy is coming!" she exclaimed. Her brother ran over to inspect the damage to his sister. She showed him her prize happily. "Look Nicky! That means the tooth fairy comes!" His eyes got wide as his sister bent over to him. "And you get half of whatever she leaves."

"Why does Nicky get half?" her father asked.

"Cause, silly, his truck made me lose my wiggly tooth! Come on Nicky," she grabbed her brother's hand. "Let's go show Mom!"

Nicolaus Toles raised his gla.s.s to the little girl. "Never change," he whispered. He continued his slow pace, sipping his wine and studying the changing faces on the wall until he reached his study. He paced around the desk and took a seat. He picked up a pen and began scribbling a note; occasionally sipping from his gla.s.s as he combed through his private thoughts. After several minutes he scrolled his signature and placed the note in an envelope, addressing it simply. He unlocked his file drawer and thumbed through some folders until he found what he was searching for. He dropped the envelope inside, closed the drawer and locked it. Closing his eyes, he allowed a deep sigh to pa.s.s his lips and took the final sip of wine from his gla.s.s. "Never change," he whispered.

Alex opened the door to the suite she and Ca.s.sidy were sharing and nearly dropped the bucket of ice she was carrying. Ca.s.sidy was standing near the large window, looking out at the water. She still had her wedding gown on and the moonlight through the window highlighted the soft curls that fell to the side of her face. Alex set down the bucket and moved behind her, taking Ca.s.sidy gently into her arms. Ca.s.sidy leaned back into the embrace. Alex looked out at the moon over the water. It was mesmerizing, but it did not hold a candle to the woman in her arms. "Ca.s.s?"

"Hum?"

"We're married," Alex whispered.

"I know," Ca.s.sidy smiled and held Alex's hands around her.

"Is it weird?"

"Being married?" Ca.s.sidy asked as she gently caressed Alex's arm.

"No," Alex kissed her wife's head. "I'm supposed to come in here and ravish you, right?" Ca.s.sidy just giggled. "I keep thinking about Dylan. Is that weird?"

"I don't think it's weird at all," Ca.s.sidy a.s.sured her. "It's one of the reasons I love you so much."

Alex sighed. "I can't believe what he said. He's just...G.o.d, Ca.s.s. I was so proud of him."