Doorways Chapter 7c

“What?” Bowles looked around in surprise. “Er ... yes, yes OK. I was just about to suggest that. The plan of action, that is, not dinner. Not that dinner is a bad idea, I ... OK, yes. Come on Hector.”

“I'm going to talk with Helga and Lady Hexa.” Dr Samson stood up. “If there are any inter-system loopholes here, they'll find them.”
Darius exhaled loudly and rested his head on the back of the chair.

“What a bloody mess.”

“I can't believe this has happened.” Axel's voice startled Darius. He thought he'd left with his father.

“Me either. Axel I'm sorry. I made a very bad judgement call about you and Alexandria and it could have been quite damaging. I'm sorry. I'm a wretched danger zone! I hope you believe that I wasn't being vicious. I genuinely did think you were together.”

“Well you weren't the only one to think that, Master Hawk.” Axel shrugged. “Don't beat yourself up about it.”

“Thankyou. I suppose it's not an impossible conclusion to reach, is it? I mean, you're both appealing people of a similar age.” Darius tried to sound casual to hide his unforgivable nosiness.

“Master Hawk.” Axel smiled. “I'm not in love with Alexandria. Honestly. If we ever get her back here, she's all yours.”

“Er ... well I'm not sure what you mean.” Darius coughed and got flustered. He'd questioned himself before on his own transparency. “I don't understand you at all, Axel. What's wrong with her?”

“Nothing.” Axel laughed. “She's absolutely perfect.”

“OK. So what's wrong with you?” Darius asked in bewilderment.

“She's not my type.” Axel smiled. “Not many 'shes' are.”

“Eh? Oh! Oh I see.” Darius nodded. He hadn't expected that at all! “That makes the conclusion I reached even more foolish. I'm such an ass.”

“She loves you.”

“I doubt it, Axel.” Darius sighed. “What's to love? My behaviour was unforgivable, I'm a geeky nerd and a snob, my people skills are non-existent. I'm completely socially inept.”

“And you can't dance.”

“No. I can't speak Al Kazik either.”

“Alexandria can swear in seven languages.” Axel smiled.

“Seven? I didn't know there were seven languages!” Darius laughed, then exhaled heavily. “I miss her.”

“She often wondered if you'd come here to see her. It soon became obvious that you wouldn't.” Axel sat down

“I'd made a big enough hash of things, Axel. I thought she deserved a chance here with you and your respectable family. She was doing so well too with you. All she needed was time, even though it was unofficial time. She'd have got a scholarship, a legitimate one. I had no idea that rumour was being circulated about me and her the whole time. I made one blunder after another and messed it up for myself, her and almost for you and your family too. I certainly wouldn't expect Alexandria to forgive me for all that.” Darius rubbed his eyes.

“You're underestimating her understanding, and her compassion.” Axel nodded. “What you're seeing as a series of blunders could also be seen as series of circumstances that no one had any control over. Accidents, events, decisions.”

“Still doesn't make it all alright though does it? Poor Alexandria. She'll be back in that muck-pit doing goodness knows what by now.” Darius said miserably.

“She'll be OK, Master Hawk. She's as hard as nails. We haven't heard the last of Alexandria Rayne, not by a long way.”