© Copyright 2012
All work is property of Leah Crichton, any duplication or reproduction of all or part of the work without explicit permission by the author is illegal.

Chapter Ten

Gabby had left early for a meeting of the minds and had asked her to take the bus home. Her mood was somber which was a perfect match for the deep, dark clouds that rolled in.

Sawyer noticed this change in her and tiptoed around her rather than continue his outrageous flirting. They sat at the computer for a good portion of it, designing a template for the year end party so the patients could personalize them and send them to their families.

By the end of the day, she was downright miserable. She wanted to go home and see Rachel but instead Gabby's empty house was what awaited her. Well, that, and Thomas Edison. Sawyer was in the parking lot, putting on his bike gear. "Want a ride?"

She shook her head, fanning her hair out. "No way am I getting on that thing."

Sawyer leaned forward and stroked the handlebar, speaking softly to his bike. "S'okay baby, she didn't mean it." He looked at Alexa. "Tell you what, how about you quit your bitchin' and get on the damned bike."

"No," she repeated.

"I'll even let you wear Devin's helmet. It's bedazzled and shit. Perfect for a princess like you."

Alexa crossed her arms over her chest. "Have you any idea the number of motorcycle related deaths per year?"

"Not exactly," he admitted. "but I do know the fatality rate for bikes is about thirty times higher than that of cars...on average."

She scowled. "I thought you were trying to convince me to get on that death machine, not run away screaming."

"I'm through tryin' to convince you to do anything," Sawyer said. "But that gigantic black cloud looks like it could be rather persuasive." He held out Devin's helmet.

Alexa took a tentative step forward. "You'll drive slow?"

Sawyer winked. "Sure thing, sweetheart."

Her hands shook as she tried to fasten the helmet. Without saying anything, Sawyer stepped forward and fastened it for her. He got on the bike and she followed, tossing her leg over the seat. The slope of it caused her to slide forward so her body was touching his. Her legs were pressed behind his, her chest on his back, she wrapped her arms around his waist, trying to ignore the pounding in her heart.

He laughed, flipping the visor to his helmet up and turning his head. "Didn't realize we were going to cuddle first."

"What?" her own voice was muffled from behind the helmet.

Sawyer brushed her arms with his fingers. "For a member of the health and safety patrol, you sure aren't doing much to stay on the bike," he told her. "You have to hold on tight."

She gave a squeeze. "Like this?"

Sawyer grabbed her arms and pulled them around his waist so the gripped him in the same manner as a bear hug. "Like this. Wait. Where's your house?"

"It's on Madison," she said.

Sawyer nodded. "I know where it is. Are you ready?"

Probably not but she nodded anyway.

"Don't be scared."

By the time he'd started the bike and they were rolling, Alexa was terrified.

His birthday was shaping up to be decent. As he weaved the bike in and out of traffic, Alexa's grip was so tight he was surprised he could actually breathe. He took the corners a little too closely and as the bike tipped from side to side, her legs tightened around him like a vice.

When he pulled up to the house and cut the engine she didn't let go. Taking her arms from his waist, he released her but she didn't move a muscle.

He got off the bike, removing his helmet before fumbling with hers. A sprinkle of raindrops landed on his face. When he removed her helmet, he expected to see her smiling. Riding was one of the most freeing feelings in the world, Devin loved it, but he was about to learn that not everyone felt the same way.

Her face was stained with tears and her body was trembling. She got off the bike and pointed at it. "I'm never going on that thing again!"

He laughed and she freaked.

"You're a jerk!" she screamed.

Sawyer stepped back, repelled by the venom in her voice. He softened. "I didn't mean to frighten you."

"You drive like a-a-a maniac!" As she yelled, more tears fell. Shit. He thought she'd like it and he'd scared her half to death.

He reached out to touch her arm. "I'm sorry," he said sincerely.

"I don't ever want to do that again," she sobbed.

He wrapped her up in a hug. She smelled amazing. She continued to cry for a minute. "I thought we were going to die," she said.

His hands rubbed her back, offering her comfort the only way he knew how. "Shhh, it's okay. I wouldn't hurt you, Alexa."

"I know you wouldn't on purpose," she said. "But we were like an inch from meeting the pavement."

"Listen sweetheart, I know how to drive my bike. I wouldn't do anything stupid. I'm sorry it scared you but I understand if you don't want to go on it again."

"I don't."

"Okay. That's okay." The rain picked up and began to hammer down on them. "Are you okay?" he asked.

She shook her head.

He wanted her. She was something else; smart, hot, kind with just the right amount of vulnerable. He took her face in his hands. "Let me make it better," he whispered. "I can make you forget all about it." He placed his lips on hers noticing even those were trembling. As he deepened the kiss she stumbled forward into him.

He moved his hands to her hips and hoisted her up and onto the seat of his bike, never breaking the kiss. For a seemingly inexperienced girl, Alexa sure knew how to kiss. Maybe it came naturally with being hot. Her hands wound through his hair as she moved her body precariously close to the edge of the seat. Not wanting her to fall, he grabbed her knees forcing them apart and sliding his body between them.

When it was over he wanted to do it again. Alexa was breathing heavy and they were both soaked.

"Oh my God," she said. "Why did you do that?"

"You wanted me to," he said. "And I wanted to."

To his relief, she didn't argue. Her eyes were clear now, filled with a spark he hadn't noticed before. Maybe he was the reason for it. He wanted to think so.

"I'm going to do it again," he said. This time, he climbed onto the bike, facing her, picking her up so she was straddling his lap.

"Sawyer-" she said.

"Don't talk," he said. "Don't ruin it."

The second time was more intense than the first. He kept his hands mostly to himself though, not taking them from the sides of her face even though he was dying to put them elsewhere. As the kiss continued, he felt her back pocket vibrate on his thigh.

She pulled away but he caught her lip in between his teeth. "Don't," he said. "Don't answer."

"I have to." She stood, removing it from her pocket. "Hello?"

Sawyer waited, using the opportunity to check out her body. He was still sitting and she was above him with her feet on the pegs. Her shirt was raised just enough to catch a glimpse of the skin on her waistband. He touched a finger to it and stroked but she swatted it away.

"What?" she exclaimed. "When? Okay. I'll be right there. I don't know where Gabby is. No."

She jumped down. "We need to go back," she said."Sadie is missing."

"She's what?"

"I dunno," Alexa said "she's gone. That was Liam, they were doing bed check and she was gone. Sawyer, you have to hurry."

Two seconds ago she didn't want to ever ride his bike again. Now she was telling him to go fast.

"Are you sure?" he said. He didn't want to make her cry again.

"I don't have time to think about it," she said. "Please, just go."

Sawyer helped her with her helmet, sensing the urgency in voice. Once they were both situated safely, he drove the bike like it was meant to be driven.

Alexa shook everywhere by the time they arrived back at Paper Planes, partly in fear from the ride, partly in fear for Sadie. The rain was unreal. Damn it! Why did she even leave? It was obvious it was going to rain. She knew! She knew Sadie would be scared.

And what had just happened with Sawyer. What the hell was that?

Her mind was scattered, a feeling she was entirely not used to. She hardly waited for Sawyer to stop before she jumped off the back of the bike and raced toward the building. His voice echoed behind her, telling her to wait a minute.

The warmth inside caused a realization that she was drenched. How long had she been making out with him? Too long.

"Liam!" Water droplets cascaded down her face and onto the floor. It wouldn't take long to create a small lake at her feet at the rate they were falling. "What happened?"

Liam looked shamefully at the floor. "We did head count at bedtime. Sadie isn't there." 

"What about Lindy?" she asked as she felt Sawyer's hand settle on her shoulder.

"Lindy's fine but we're on lockdown," he said.

"What about my Aunt?"

Liam shrugged. "I left Gabby a message but all the Doctors are at that conference. Can't even get in touch with Pearson."

"We have to find her!"

Babs approached, still wearing her apron. "Don't fret. We'll find her. This place is as secure as a maximum security prison Alexa, there's no way she left through those gates."

Alexa ran a hand through her hair. "She's probably so scared."

"We'll find her," Sawyer said assuredly.

"That's the thing," Liam said. "I don't even know where else to look. Security team is still combing the hallways. All the rooms have been checked and rechecked."

Alexa's eyes welled with tears. "She's gone."

Sawyer stepped in front of her. "She's not gone. This place is huge. We'll find her. I promise you, okay. Take a deep breath for me"

She did and with the exhale she found her composure. "Right," she said, straightening her shoulders.

"Liam, check the north wing again," Babs ordered.

Sawyer turned to Babs. "You check the east wing, Lex, you take the south, I'll take west."

"But I wanna stay with you," she said, a little too desperately for her liking. "West wing is where her room is."

Sawyer rested his forehead on hers. "I know you're worried for her. We'll find her quicker this way. Trust me, please."

She shouldn't have. Trusted him. Sawyer's kind could be the poster boy for exactly who not to trust. But right now, it was all she could do.

The rain pounded on the windows outside and the wind howled, vibrating the panes of glass. Shit. Shit. Shit. He watched Alexa, Babs, and Liam depart before taking his own advice, sucking in a deep breath and breaking into a borderline sprint. He knew exactly where to find Sadie. As he ran, he wrenched his head around to make sure no one was following.

He took pause when he got to her room. Alexa was right; her walls were plastered with his likeness and he almost threw up with the horrible realization of what a monster he was.

His fingers wrapped around the doorknob to her closet, which was locked. Clearly no one had thought to check there. Perhaps in the chaos following her missing bed check, no one had bothered. He rapped hard on the door with his fist. Nothing. Fuck this.

Outside began to hail which masked the noise he made as he threw his body violently against the closet door. He shouldered it until he could almost feel a bloom of bruises form underneath his skin.

His eyes frantically scanned the perimeter of the frame. The hinges had pins. He hammered on them with his palms forcing them up and out. He lifted the door out of the frame and set it to the side.

Sadie would have been invisible to anyone else, but he knew where to look. Perhaps they had looked in here and locked her in by mistake. She was folded small, crouched in the corner with her eyes squeezed shut but her face was as flushed as Lex's and her shirt was drenched in salty tears.

A million emotions surged through him, something he'd avoided for as long as he could remember. His throat tightened, a swell making it hard to swallow. His heart raced underneath his shirt. His eyes burned like he'd washed them out with rubbing alcohol and he gasped as a wet liquid came down his face. Fuck. He couldn't cry.

He moved closer and crouched in front of her covering her small hands with his own. Her eyes flipped open, terrified but as soon as she saw him, the fear vanished.

'Sawyer,' she mouthed.

He stroked the back of her hand with the pads of his thumbs. "It's okay, M and M, I'm here. You're okay."

He stared into her amber colored eyes expecting to see anger, hatred, fear or abandonment. He saw none. Only awe, wonder and love, all things he didn't deserve to have.

He heard Alexa's voice pierce the air but it just didn't matter anymore, "He found her!" Her voice was manic as Dev's had been the night Charlie was shot. "Liam! Babs! In here! They're in here."

He could feel her behind him and twisted his head to look at her. Her hand covered her mouth in shock. "You're touching her."

Sadie shifted and immediately, he put his focus back on her. 'We're okay,' he mouthed.

"She doesn't let people touch her," Alexa said matter-of-factly.

Without removing his eyes from Sadie, he spoke to Alexa. "'Course she lets me touch her," he said. "She's my baby sister."