"What are we comparing?" Nikki asked as she walked up behind them.
Alex saw Kelly's eyes widen, and gave her a wink. "Just you and Jo," she replied to Kelly's surprise.
Nikki grimaced. "It’s a good thing I don't know what that woman looks like. If I did, I'm not sure I could treat her if she walked into my ER, knowing what she did."
Kelly looked over at Alex as she asked, "What exactly did she do, Nikki?"
Nikki leaned down and placed a kiss on Alex's cheek. "Sorry, Tesoro." She looked up at Kelly, who was watching the exchange closely. "That is a question for Alex, not me."
Kelly nodded as the corner of her mouth lifted slightly. "You're good." When she saw Nikki's expression of curiosity she explained. "Keeping her secrets like that. Smart."
"Who said anything about keeping secrets? This just isn't my story to tell." She looked at Alex and said, "Don't disappear for too long. I'll go see if our guests need anything."
As Nikki started to walk away Kelly said, "She's very good."
Alex hummed her agreement before saying, "Oh Kelly, you have no idea just how good she can be." Nikki turned and blew her a kiss before sashaying out of the kitchen.
Once they were alone again, Kelly turned back to Alex, allowing her curiosity to show. "Are you going to tell me what she meant by that comment, or do I have to pry it out of you?" She waited patiently as Alex began to rinse the dishes and place them into the dishwasher. After a moment of silence, she began to push. "I know she took advantage of your generosity, Alex. Please tell me that's all she did."
Alex shook her head. "I wish I could, Kelly." As they worked together to clean up, she described the abuse.
When they were finished, Kelly pulled her into her arms. "I'm so sorry. I should have been there for you instead of walking away. I knew there was something off with that woman, I just couldn't pinpoint it." She pulled back and looked into her eyes. "Are you really okay?"
Alex looked up and saw Natalie watching them from across the room, the questions in her eyes plain to see. "I'm doing better, but still have moments of submissive behavior when I'm highly stressed. I'm working on it with my therapist." She held her hand out towards Natalie, beckoning her over. As she walked up, Alex took her hand. "Why don't you explain everything to Natalie? That way if there are any issues, she'll understand." She leaned over and placed a kiss on Kelly's cheek.
Kelly couldn't hide the shock her suggestion caused. "Are you sure?"
Alex gave her a sad smile. "I'm sure. Some things shouldn't stay hidden. Maybe if I'd been open in the first place, you and Emily would have talked some sense into me, and I'd have kicked her to the curb years earlier." She dropped her hand, and headed towards the living room.
Alex turned on the satellite radio, searching for a mellow channel as background noise. She settled on a Classical station, and smiled at Natalie as she walked up to her. "I have a confession to make." Alex looked at her inquisitively. "I am a huge fan of yours, and was rather excited when Kelly told me we were invited here for dinner tonight." Alex looked around the room and noticed everyone else engaged in conversation. "Kelly told me you are a very private person, so I didn't want to make a scene."
"Thank you for understanding." She looked at her with a twinkle in her eye and said, "May I have this dance?" She watched as Natalie tilted her head to one side, considering her proposition. 'She really is quite lovely,' She thought as she stared into Natalie's blue eyes. She watched as the corner of Natalie's perfectly bowed lips lifted in a smile, raised her hand in offering, and waited.
Natalie slowly reached out and placed her hand in Alex's. "It's been a long time since I've danced. I might step on your toes."
"I'll take my chances."
"Kelly doesn't dance, and refuses to take lessons."
Alex pulled her into her arms and whispered in her ear, "Maybe we can make her jealous enough to consider it." Natalie's laugh was just loud enough to catch Kelly's attention. They were nearly the same height, and perfectly matched. Alex began to lead, dancing Natalie around the room. As they became more comfortable with each other, the moves became more intricate, with dips and twirls interspersed throughout the steps. A couple of songs later, Alex stumbled as a cramp seized the muscles in her left thigh.
Natalie caught her and pulled her into her arms, holding her upright. "Are you okay?" she asked as she heard her cursing under her breath. Unable to stand on her own, Alex clutched her shoulders. "How about we get you over to the couch?" Natalie asked as she took one step in that direction. She stopped suddenly when Alex whimpered. "What is it?"
"Cramp," she hissed through clenched teeth. "I'll be okay, I just need a minute." She stood motionless with Natalie's arms around her waist, while she grasped her biceps and took a deep breath. "Nik."
Nikki heard the tremble in her voice, and raced to her side. "What's wrong, sweetheart?" she asked as Alex stood stiffly with her forehead pressed to Natalie's shoulder.
"She said something about a cramp," Natalie replied when she didn't immediately respond.
Nikki looked down and noticed Alex was favoring her left leg. She scooped her up into her arms, and carried her to the couch. Alex hissed as another cramp tore through her leg. She knelt beside the couch, and began to massage the seized muscles. She winced as Alex began to mutter in Italian, and watched as a tear slid down her cheek. "I'm sorry sweetheart. I know it hurts."
Dani knelt beside her head, reached out and wiped the sweat from her brow, and said, "Alex, honey, you need to relax
