"Call me crazy, but you've seen one nightclub, you've seen 'em all!"

      Pacing about the elevator's cab, Alexis Davis realized her nerves were just about shot when it came to her maddening lover. Correction. Make that 'maddening, estranged lover.' As of late, all it seemed they ever did was argue and avoid each other. And the sad thing was that seemed to be fine by him.

      "This isn't just any club, Alexis," Jerry Jacks bit out for the umpteenth time. "It's my brother's okay?" When his explanation was met with nothing more than an impassive stare, Jerry's tongue took off before his brain could stop it. "But I forgot," his words like his stare were hard and bitter, "you seem to not place much value on things like family…and supporting them, eh?"

      "Do not start that family stuff with me again, Jerry…" Alexis warned.

      Damn it all! Now that he was no longer running around risking life and limb for the WSB and had decided to live among 'normal' folks, suddenly he wanted to be Mr. Domestic, wanting to settle down and have a house full of shrieking, unruly mini-adult creatures…and expected her to share his enthusiasm?!

      No. It does not work that way.

      It was as if the fire in Alexis' eyes gave Jerry an unobstructed view of her heart and mind. As if reading her thoughts, he offered up a weary sigh as he shook his head.

      "I never expected you to just stop your life…to stop what you're doing and give me any of those things at the drop of a hat," he said softly. "I just wanted to know that you were willing. But now we both know the answer to that, don't we, luv?"

      "Jerry…I'm so sorry."

      "No you're not."

      As the elevator doors opened and Jerry stepped out into the hall, he cast a regret-filled look back at Alexis. Unmoved by the tears that now streamed silently down her face, it was with a hollow heart that he spoke the next words. Words that no matter how stinging in their truth they were, nevertheless were long overdue.

      "And neither am I."