A special thank-you to Annie L. for her valuable help with New York locations.

Jax and James pulled up in front of the Jacks household after their confrontation with Carly. James was still shaking his head as they entered through the front door.

"You know, I still can’t believe the nerve of that b*tch, insinuating that you planned that attack last night just to get publicity," James muttered as he quickly checked the front of the house for any unusual signs.

Jax chuckled. "Actually, the really sad part is that she was probably planning to do something like that herself and now she can’t!" Jax said, and James just snorted in disbelief.

They came in the front door and Louise was nowhere to be seen. "That’s odd," Jax said under this breath. "I thought nobody gets in here without Louise knowing about it." He looked askance at James, who shed his overcoat quickly and moved his hand to his shoulder harness at the ready. Just then the silence was broken by a loud scream.

"What was that?" James asked quietly, and before Jax could answer they heard another high-pitched squeal.

"Sounds like it’s coming from the great room," Jax whispered, and James pushed Jax behind him and they moved quickly in that direction. As they grew closer to the great room, the squeals grew in volume.

"Where the h*ll is Paul?" James growled as they came to the closed great room door. James put his hand on the knob silently, motioning to Jax to follow suit and not make any noise.

Just as he did, they heard another squeal from inside the room, decidedly feminine. "NO, DON’T MAKE ME!"

James’s face paled and as he nodded quickly at Jax, they burst through the doors into the great room.

All faces in the room turned to the men at the door, and James let out a long breath as he took in the scene before him. A large plastic sheet with circles of red, blue, green and yellow lay on the floor. Brenda was sitting on the couch holding Jaz on her lap and had some kind of a spinning device on the couch next to her. Ted, Neera, Paul, and Jo were all sprawled on the plastic sheet, with hands and feet on various circles. As Paul looked up to see who had come in the door, he lost his balance and fell on Neera, who was balanced precariously beneath him. She went to the mat, and Jo and Ted saw the opportunity and piled on top of Paul, creating a mass of giggling humanity.

Paul looked up sheepishly at James, who was still standing in classic battle pose, holding his weapon in front of him with both hands. James’ voice was deadly calm as he looked at Paul. "Hobson! Would you care to explain to me just what the h*ll you’re doing?"

Paul held up both hands in surrender and attempted to free himself from the pile of humanity. "I’m sorry, Mr. Delvecchio. The children were just playing a game and since I in the room watching them anyway…." He let the sentence trail and James began to put his weapon back into his holster.

"We’re having fun, Mr. James!" Jo squealed, and she punctuated her comment with a diving leap onto Paul’s back, which flattened Neera completely beneath him when he collapsed again. Jo looked at him with a devilish gleam in her eye. "You wanna play, too?"

Brenda rose from the couch with Jaz. "Jo, I don’t think Mr. James has ever played Twister before." She came over to Jax and kissed him briefly on the lips. "How was your meeting?"

Jax returned the kiss and rubbed Jaz’s head. "Not very productive. I think I would have had a much more enjoyable morning staying here with all of you."

Jo came to stand in front of her parents and James as Paul, Neera and Ted began to clean up the remnants of the game. "Yeah, Mr. James. My uncle Jerry says Mommy and Daddy always have lots of fun when they start rolling around on the floor."

James blushed a little and Jax quickly leaned down and kissed Jo on the head. "Uncle Jerry says a lot of things he shouldn’t around little people with big ears." He looked at Brenda. "So, I take it we were introducing Paul to our favorite game, Twister."

Brenda nodded. "But right now, I think everyone is ready for a snack." She looked at Jo. "Why don’t you take Ted and Mr. Paul and Miss Neera down to the kitchen and see if Louise has any juice for thirsty Twisters?"

Ted looked anxiously at Neera. "Can I have some juice, too?"

"We’ll check your blood sugar, sport," she replied with a smile. "If not, I’m sure Louise has your favorite kind of diet cola in the fridge."

As the group started to make their way out of the great room, Jax gave Ted a high five and Jo stopped to look at James with something like embarrassment. "I’m sorry we scared you, Mr. James. Miss Neera just couldn’t put her right hand on the red circle without sticking her arm under Mr. Paul’s tummy and she got the giggles."

James looked at her and Brenda’s heart warmed at the softness in his eyes. He ruffled Jo’s hair affectionately. "I understand, Jo. I have to confess that I get the giggles myself whenever I put my hand under Mr. Paul’s tummy." He shot a pointed look at Paul as the agent passed him with a sheepish look on his face. "I won’t write this one up this time, Hobson. Just make sure you watch where you put your tummy in the future."

Paul grinned at the floor and turned a handsome shade of red, his eyes crinkling in delight. "Thanks, Delvecchio." He put his hand on Jo’s curly hair. "Now, Joey, why don’t you show me the way to that juice."

Everyone watched as the two children and two adults left the room. Jo was between Neera and Paul, holding each of their hands, and Ted was on the other side of Paul, holding his right hand. Jo’s voice echoed back into the great room. "Mr. Paul, have you ever played Candy Land?"

"No, I can’t say that I have," Paul replied, his voice carrying as Brenda stifled a smile.

"Do you have any dimes?" Jo continued.

"I think so," Paul said innocently.

"Good. Then you can give all of us a dime when we win, just like Greaty-Grandma does!"

"Welllll," Paul drawled, "but what happens when somebody else wins? For example, what does Miss Neera give me if I win?"

"That’s easy," Jo replied. "She has to give you a BIG hug, just like I give Greaty-Grandma when she wins at Candy Land!" They heard Neera’s self-conscious cough and Paul’s stifled laugh.

"Works for me," he replied smoothly, and Jo’s high-pitched giggle could be heard floating behind them. While the Candy Land negotiating had been going on, James went and got his coat from the front hallway and brought in into the great room, closing the doors behind him.

"My daughter, the matchmaker," Brenda sighed, handing Jaz over to Jax after he began to grunt in displeasure at being separated from his father. She rose to get a bottle of apple juice off the end table and gave it to Jax, who immediately got a gurgle of happiness when he gave it to his son. "So, you didn’t find anything out at Carly’s about the incident last night?"

"I wasn’t really expecting to," James said curtly before Jax could answer. Jax shot him a surprised look.

"You don’t suspect that Carly or Jason is behind any of this?"

James shook his head. "Those two buffoons? They would bump heads conniving in the dark, and knock each other out like some kind of sick Two Stooges movie. Not even the both of them put together would be slick enough to carry out this elaborate of a stalking scheme."

Brenda sat next to Jax on the couch. "But Jason has connections….he could be doing it to help Carly win the election and make her happy."

"I’m aware of Jason’s "connections" Brenda," James replied coldly, sitting in a chair next to the couch. "He may be in the mob, but he’s just starting out on the bottom of the pecking order and doesn’t have enough strength yet to call in any favors." James looked at Jax. "What are your plans for the rest of the day?"

"Nothing special. Maybe spend some time with my family before the big debate tonight," Jax replied. He pulled the empty juice bottle out of Jaz’s mouth and put the baby up to his shoulder to burp. At that point, the doors to the great room opened and Louise put her head in shyly.

"I’m sorry, Mr. Jacks, but she insisted on seeing you immediately." Kimberly pushed her way past Louise and swept into the room, stopping dead in her tracks when she saw Jax.

Jaz chose that moment to punctuate the occasion with a loud, juicy belch. James rose slowly from the chair and said under his breath, "My sentiments exactly, kiddo," causing Brenda to stifle a smile.

"Jasper! What are you still doing here? I was waiting for you at PCU for over an hour and then I decided to come here and make sure you hadn’t gone off on some insane rescue mission again without a news crew." When Kimberly finally took notice of James, her eyes narrowed as she looked him up and down like a piece of meat. "I don’t think we’ve been introduced. My name is Kimberly Forsythe. I’m the person who’s going to get Jasper elected to the seat in the state legislature." A feline smile graced her face.

James was unphased. He took her extended hand for just a moment, but then let it drop. "Pleased to meet you. My name is James Delvecchio. I’m the person who’s going to keep Jax alive long enough to take the oath of office." He looked back at Jaz, who was still gurgling happily in his daddy’s arms. "But Jax isn’t going anywhere today." He turned to get his coat off the chair and looked pointedly at Jax. "I want you to stick around the house today where Paul can keep an eye on all of you. I have an errand to do but I should be back by the debate tonight." He glanced towards Brenda. "I’ll accompany you and Jax to that and Paul will stay here at the house with the kids."

Jax nodded but Kimberly began shaking her head vigorously. "Absolutely not."

James looked at her in shock, stopping in his tracks on his way to the door. "Excuse me?"

"Jax can’t stay here all day. He has to go to PCU to rehearse for the debate and to do a lighting check on his makeup. I wanted to get more publicity shots next to the helicopter, too. We have TONS to do and we can’t do it here." She crossed her arms and tapped her foot in annoyance.

"I’ll do my best to keep the children out of your hair this afternoon," Brenda offered helpfully. "And we’ll just disconnect the phone in here so you won’t be disturbed."

As Brenda went to stand by James at the double doors, Kimberly gave a pout and shrugged out of her coat. "Well, I guess that will just have to do, won’t it?" she said acidly, shooting James a look that would have killed weaker men. "Just make sure that we’re not disturbed AT ALL this afternoon, alright, Brenda? And I’m afraid that includes you." She put on a satisfied smile that made Brenda slightly nauseous, and then turned to pull some papers out of her briefcase as Jax gave Brenda a "sorry about this" look.

James held the door open for Brenda as they exited and saw the slight frown on her face. "You OK?" he asked, throwing her off guard.

"Fine," she lied, trying to smile at him but realizing that he saw right through her. "I guess," she added in a small voice.

"Walk with me to the kitchen?" he asked in a soft voice, and she nodded silently. "How long has Miss Boobs-for-Brains been around?"

Brenda stopped for a moment, as Jaz put his arms out to James and grunted. James took the baby, holding him in the crook of his arm. The baby gurgled happily, sticking his finger up James’ nose in approval. "Since mid-October, I guess. Jax hired her right after he announced his intentions to run for the seat."

"Jax actually contacted her to hire her?"

Brenda folded her arms. "Not really. I mean, she just kind of showed up and offered her services to Jax after his declaration to run. But he knew her in the past…..they went to Penn State together." Her face got pale. "Oh, James, you don’t think…you don’t think she would be staging this whole stalking thing as a publicity stunt, do you?"

James rubbed Jaz’s back. "No, I don’t think she’s behind the stalking." He reached up and gently touched the scab on Brenda’s cheek. "That guy the other night meant business." He sighed loudly and looked back towards the great room. "Unfortunately, I have a feeling she means business, too, but it may be monkey business." He handed the baby back to Brenda. "I’m going to let Paul know how to reach me this afternoon. If Kimberly gives you any trouble at all, tell him to page me. I’ll be back in a flash."

Brenda nodded, raising an eyebrow in surprise. "Where did you say you were going?"

James didn’t look over his shoulder as he walked away from her. "I didn’t. But you don’t want to know."

James showed his WSB identification badge for the third time since entering the maximum security section of the prison. As he held his hands over his head to be patted down for weapons, he took a deep breath. Being on the receiving end of a search always made him jumpy. The burly guard nodded and grunted, pointing to another double-reinforced steel door. James heard the buzz of the lock being disengaged, and he went through to the last stop before his destination.

As he entered the corridor leading to the visitation room, he was again struck by the sterile, harsh nature of existence behind bars. The stern-faced guard waiting at the last intervening door barely moved when he spoke. "Please state your name."

"James Delvecchio, World Security Bureau, red-level clearance approved by Robert Scorpio."

The guard showed only the slightest degree of being impressed. "And the name of the prisoner you’ll be meeting with?"

James took a deep breath. "Michael Corinthos, Jr."

The guard looked at him carefully, checking his identification badge once more. His voice was emotionless. "You will be allowed 15 minutes with the prisoner. Your visit is being monitored by closed circuit television and will be videotaped. Please do not attempt to make physical contact with the prisoner. A copy of the videotape will be available to you when your visit is finished if you so desire it."

James grimaced. "I doubt it." He was frisked one more time and then ushered through the steel door to a small room. The room was divided at the center by a wall that was half steel, half glass, with steel wire mesh embedded into the glass. A gray telephone hung on the wall at the center of the divider, connecting to a telephone on the other side. Identical gray steel chairs were on either side of the glass. James went to sit down in the chair on his side, awaiting the arrival of prisoner Corinthos.

He didn’t have to wait long. Michael Corinthos, Jr. was ushered into the room on the other side of the glass. James was impressed by his demeanor. Four years in a maximum security facility hadn’t diminished Sonny’s cocky swagger or the cold gleam in his eyes. He walked slowly to the steel chair, keeping his eyes locked with James. He took the phone into his hand deliberately as he sat, and James did the same.

"Good afternoon, Mr. Corinthos. My name is James Delvecchio. I’m an agent with the World Security Bureau."

Sonny just continued to glare at James through the glass. "Should I be impressed?"

James returned the glare. "Should I care?" He took a deep breath. He had dreaded meeting with Sonny but knew that he needed to eliminate him as a suspect. "I’m here to discuss some friends of yours, Brenda Barrett Jacks and her husband, Jasper Jacks."

Sonny shrugged. "I got no friends by that name." He shifted in his chair. "I used to know Brenda Barrett’s father, Harlan."

"From what I hear, Mr. Corinthos, you were pretty close to Brenda Barrett for a while. In fact, the two of you were about 12 hours away from becoming man and wife."

"That’s right." Sonny’s eyes glittered with malevolence. "Until she fell for the blunder from down under, that is. I kind of lost touch with her after that." He leaned back in his chair. "But that’s all ancient history. Why would any of that concern you today?"

"Haven’t you read the papers, Mr. Corinthos? Jax and Brenda have become the fascination for some demented stalker back in Port Charles." James tried to remain as cold as Sonny. "He tried to kill Brenda just last night at the Port Charles Grille."

"Well," Sonny drawled, "I’m afraid you made a long trip for nothing. I had a nice long chat with my prison shrink last night and then was in bed by 8:30." His stare was still frigid. "I was nowhere near the Port Charles Grille. Ask anybody here."

"Don’t play dumb with me, Sonny," James spat. "I know that you’re still a powerful man, even from behind bars. If you wanted Brenda or Jax dead, all you would have to do was give the word. You still have connections on the outside who would be more than willing to do the job for you."

Sonny leaned forward until his forehead touched the glass divider. "Don’t YOU play dumb with ME, Mr. Spaghetti-O. You and I both know that if I REALLY wanted Jax or Brenda dead, the job would be done and there wouldn’t be a thing you could do to stop it." He leaned back confidently. "Yeah – I read the newspapers this morning. My people don’t make sloppy mistakes like this jerk did. Your stalker is definitely an amateur." He crossed one leg over the other and propped one arm on the back of the chair. "Besides, I don’t want Brenda dead. I want her to live, just so she can realize what a mistake she made, picking that Australian Ken-doll instead of me. I want her to live a long, miserable life."

James drew a shaky breath. Despite Sonny’s bravado, James knew that he was right. If Corinthos had really ordered a hit on Jax or Brenda, it would have been carried out back on Halloween when the first threat was received. Mob retribution was swift and sure. Hit men didn’t stalk and terrorize victims first – they just eliminated them. Usually without warning.

James rose slowly from the chair. "Thanks for your time, Mr. Corinthos."

Sonny shrugged. "I didn’t have anything better to do today. Give Brenda my love, and tell her I’ll be looking for her when I get out of this place. Maybe by then she’ll be sick of living with kangaroos."

"Don’t count on it," James growled. He hung up the phone and went to the double-steel door, knocking on it sharply. He had his answer. Even though it meant he was no closer to determining who the stalker was.

"Now let me just point out one more reason why I support the construction of a shopping mall on the docks." Carly stepped from behind her podium to point to one more of her charts as a collective yawn went up from the assembled crowd.

Jax shifted uncomfortably on his folding chair. The starched collar of his white shirt was beginning to cut into his neck and the tie Kimberly had insisted he wear felt like it was choking the life out of him. He glanced to the side and saw Kimberly’s saccharine smile, sensing her glee at the boredom Carly was generating, but he missed Brenda’s smiling face out in the crowd. She was at home, watching the debate on television with the rest of Port Charles.

Brenda had wanted to attend but Kimberly had balked at the notion at the last minute, particularly when security was such an issue in light of the stalker’s recent attack. Paul would be staying at the house with the children, and since James would be required to be up on the stage with Jax, he couldn’t also be close enough to Brenda in the audience to protect her adequately. Brenda had suggested calling in a private guard from the PCPD, but Jax immediately vetoed that idea, recalling "Bubba’s" effectiveness the night before at the PC Grille. Then Jaz had become fussy and although Brenda suspected it was just due to teething, she relented and volunteered to stay at home with Paul and the children.

"…..and in conclusion, I have one more proposal that I think would be of benefit to the entire district." Carly smiled at the audience and Jax let out a long breath of relief at Carly’s use of the word "conclusion." She grasped her podium dramatically. "I think we would all have to agree that it is of vital importance to our district that our public buildings be maintained and kept in good condition." Her face took on a serious scowl. "It is my belief that our Governor has not nearly fulfilled her duties in this regard. Therefore, if I am elected to the legislature, I will propose the creation of an additional sales tax. The funds from this tax will be used specifically for the beautification of the public buildings in Albany. And since Governor Moyer either is disinterested, or is intellectually challenged when it comes to interior decorating, I will take it upon myself to see that this beautification program comes to fruition."

One of the reporters in the audience raised his hand. "Excuse me, but are you saying that you’re going to raise taxes in order to buy new drapes for the federal building because Governor Moyer has ugly ones now?"

Carly’s eyes widened and she looked back at Jason hesitantly, but then she smiled at the reporter. "I’d say that you summarized it nicely." The reporter immediately began scribbling in his notebook, and Jax could feel Kimberly tensing next to him, like a cat that spies a mouse in a far corner of the room.

The same reporter looked at Jax. "Mr. Jacks, would you care to comment on Mrs. Morgan’s proposal?"

Jax glanced at Kimberly. He rose slowly and walked to his podium. "Not having read all of the details of Mrs. Morgan’s proposal, I really don’t feel qualified to give an opinion on it as yet." He could sense Kimberly bristling behind him. "However, I would just say that there are many other programs in our area that could use additional funding, and I don’t believe that new drapes for the state buildings is one of them. If I WERE to support new taxes for this district, I would instead concentrate on using those funds to add more bite to our crime-fighting efforts or perhaps in the war we are fighting – and losing, I might add – against drugs." He looked down at the reporters who were still writing in notebooks. "So until I see the specifics of Mrs. Morgan’s proposal, that’s about all I’m prepared to say at this point." He started to leave the podium, and then returned to flash a smile. "And also because my wife tells me I have terrible taste in drapes."

Laughter and polite applause spread throughout the auditorium and Jax returned to his seat next to Kimberly. "Why didn’t you cremate her on that one?" she hissed, still smiling.

Jax continued to smile as he replied, "Because you told me not to start the mud-slinging and name-calling." He turned to her. "And because I got very little sleep last night and you insisted on grilling me all afternoon and my wife is at home, which is where I wish I was right now." He smiled. "How much longer do we have to stay here?"

As if in answer to his wishes, Jax suddenly realized that the moderator had ended the debate when Carly was strolling across the stage to shake his hand. "Nicely done, Mr. Jacks. I see you’ve recovered from your trauma of last night with no ill effects."

Jax shook Carly’s hand, turning her towards the audience as they did and several flash bulbs went off. When they looked at each other again, he smiled at her. "You did a nice job too, Mrs. Morgan. Although I don’t exactly think that Governor Moyer will be too pleased with your comments on her fashion sense."

"I really don’t care WHAT the governor thinks of me, or my plans," Carly replied snidely. "You see, I do my OWN thinking. I’m not the governor’s stooge." She shot Kimberly a pointed look. "Or anyone’s, for that matter."

Carly spun and walked towards Jason, who put out his arm to escort her off the stage to waiting reporters. Jax stood and watched her as Kimberly came up to him. "What was that about?"

Jax shook his head. "Nothing." His cell phone rang. "Will you excuse me?" He flipped it open as James came up behind him and Kimberly stood her ground next to him. "Jax here."

"This is the next representative’s wife, here," Brenda replied. Jax’s face broke into a huge smile.

"Hi," he drawled, turning away from Kimberly’s questioning gaze. "How’s Jaz?"

"He’s fine," Brenda replied. "I think he’s beginning to cut some of those first year molars. I gave him some Tylenol and he’s happy and gurgling again and drooling all over Paul." Her voice got low and serious. "You look tired."

"I AM tired. All I want to do is crawl into bed with you and cuddle for about a week."

"You won’t get an argument from me on that one," Brenda replied. She listened carefully but began to panic when she heard mixed voices at Jax’s end. "Jax? What’s going on? Is something wrong?"

"What? No, Brenda, everything’s fine. Kimberly was just talking to me for a second. Hold on." Jax put his hand over the phone. "What were you saying, Kimberly?"

She was glowing. "Jasper, I just got a message from Senator Stewart! He wants to meet you for drinks at the PC Grille to discuss your appearance tonight! I told him we would be there in 20 minutes," she bubbled.

Jax sighed. "Kimberly, I’m really exhausted. Don’t you think we could…."

Kimberly put her hands on her hips. "Jasper, Senator Stewart is an important member of the legislature. His endorsement could mean the world to your campaign. Come on – you can make your excuses after just one drink. But you should at least make an appearance."

Jax put his fingers to the bridge of his nose, and then put the phone back to his ear. "Brenda, honey, Kimberly tells me Senator Stewart wants to meet me for drinks at the PC Grille. She thinks it’s important for me to go."

"Now? I thought the thing was over for the night."

"I’m sorry, love. I promise I’ll just stay for one drink and then I’ll be home. Kiss the kids for me, OK?"

Brenda twirled the phone cord. "OK. I love you, Jax."

"I love you too, Brenda. I’ll see you soon." He went to flip the phone shut but James put his hand out and Jax handed the phone to him. As James took the phone, Kimberly put her arm out to Jax triumphantly and led him off the stage, arm in arm.

James watched them. "Brenda? You there?"

"James? Is that you?" Brenda was surprised. She was still watching the end of the televised program and saw Jax leave the stage with Kimberly clinging to him. She saw them stop for a photographer and to her shock, Kimberly pressed up against Jax’s side, smiling broadly and pressing her ample bosom against his arm. "I can see Jax and Kimberly leaving. He did well tonight, didn’t he?" she said tersely.

James was grim, having seen the same thing Brenda did. "He did." He paused. "Brenda?" There was silence at the other end. "Don’t worry. I’ll stay with him and take care of him."

"Thanks, James," Brenda sighed. She hit the "end" button and was distracted when she heard squeals of delight coming from the other end of the hallway. "Josephine Ellen, aren’t you supposed to be in bed?"

James hit the "end" button, too. He watched as Kimberly walked Jax out of the hall, her hips swaying to bump against his every other step. "No problem, Bren," he said softly. "I’ll take good care of him."

To be continued…..