Later that morning, Alexis walked down the hall of ELQ�s top floor and knocked softly on Ned�s office door. �Come in.� He called. She entered and walked over to him. �How are you?� Ned looked up from the documents on his desk. �I�m okay, I guess.� Taking his hands, Alexis crouched down next to his chair. �Ned, you don�t have to pretend with me.� After a long moment, Ned looked her in the eye. �To be honest, I�m really confused. I can�t believe I never knew I had a sister. I wonder if she�s a Quartermaine, or like whoever her father is. Alexis reached up and stroked his hair. �I think you�ve been thinking about this for too long. Why don�t we go get some lunch or something?� �Okay.� He agreed. �Why don�t I meet you at the PC Grill in 45 minutes? I still have a couple things to do.� Alexis nodded and stood up, kissing the top of his head. �Try not to worry, EJ. I�ll see you in a little while...�
At eleven thirty, Alexis pulled her Mercedes into the PC Hotel parking lot. She noticed that Ned�s jaguar wasn�t there, but decided to go in anyway. Just inside the restaurant doorway, she stopped short. Seated at a table in the center of the grill was Stefan, and sitting with him was a young blonde woman who looked exactly like the woman in the picture she had seen only hours ago. �Mackenzie.� She hissed under her breath. �Stefan, you little...� Ignoring them, she went up to the host and asked where her table was. He pointed at one on the other side of the restaurant. �Thank you.� She said, walking over to it. Just then, Stefan reached out and grabbed her. Rising, he said �Alexis, I�d like you to meet Cassadine Industries� new corporate council, Mackenzie Cisnaros.� �Stefan, you son of a bitch.� Alexis seethed. She drew back her hand to slap her brother, but before she could, Mackenzie stood up and punched her in the face. �Don�t lay a hand on him.� She snapped as Alexis flew backward and fell to the floor. Just then, Ned walked in and saw Alexis on the floor with Mackenzie over her. �What the hell?� he demanded, storming into the room. Pushing past Mackenzie, he kneeled down to where Alexis was. There was already a purple bruise forming on her cheek. �Are you okay?� �I�m fine.� She said, taking his hand and slowly standing up. They turned around and Mackenzie got her first good look at her brother. Her mouth dropped open. �You�re... how...?� Stefan grinned maniacally. �Mackenzie Cisnaros, meet your brother, Ned Ashton, and his wife, my sister, Alexis Davis-Ashton.� Mackenzie�s eyes got really large, and before anyone could say anything, she fainted dead to the floor.
When Mackenzie opened her eyes, Ned, Alexis and Stefan were standing over her. Stefan held out his hand and she slowly began to get up. �Are you okay?� Ned asked in a monotone. �I�m fine.� She snapped. �Why do you care?� Alexis� eyes widened. �We were concerned because you passed out.� �Well, don�t be.� She turned to Stefan. �I guess I�ll see you at the office tomorrow. Thanks for introducing me to my brother, and his, uh, wife.� Flipping her ash blond hair, she sauntered off, swiveling her hips as she went. Ned turned to Stefan. �What the hell do you think you�re doing here? Did you think that bringing my sister here would break me and Alexis up?� As Stefan opened his mouth, Ned went on, �Don�t even try to defend yourself, Stefan. I know you sent me those documents and set this whole thing up. If Alexis wasn�t standing here, I�d beat the vodka right out of you.� Stefan glared at him. �I�d like to see you try. Had you not taken my sister and my son away from me, I would not be inclined to do this. But you deserve whatever you get, Ashton.� Alexis spoke up. �Which Ashton are you talking about? Him or me? Stefan, I made it perfectly clear that I was a full member of the Ashton family, even the Quartermaine family. Anyone except the Cassadines. Nikolas feels the same way so just leave us alone. Go wallow away on your island with your bratty little daughter and stay the hell out of my business, or you will pay.� Stefan stared at Alexis for a long moment and then stormed out of the restaurant, as Ned turned to her. �Wow.� He said, grinning. �You sure told him. I�m glad I�m not on your bad side.� Alexis smiled. �Are you ready to eat lunch?� Ned couldn�t help laughing. �You are a truly remarkable woman, Alexis.�
The next morning, Alexis awoke to Ned shaking her gently. �Lex, wake up.� Alexis slowly opened her eyes. �What?� she looked at the clock. �Ned, why didn�t you wake me up? It�s past seven.� Ned smiled down at her from where he was standing at the side of the bed. �Don�t you remember? We have the sonogram today.� �Oh yeah.� She said, smiling up at him and getting out of the bed. As she stood up, Ned wrapped his arms around her and kissed her softly. �I can�t wait to see our baby.� He smiled. �I�ll go get our little princess dressed.� Alexis watched him leave the room and then headed to the bathroom to take a shower. Twenty minutes later, Ned came down the stairs, �Okay Avery. You get dressed in the outfit I put out on the bed.� Just then, the doorbell rang and hr went to get it. Kimberly, dressed in a pale pink suit, was standing there holding an envelope. �Good morning, Kim.� he said, opening the door and ushering her inside. �You�re just in time for breakfast. Have you eaten?� �Actually, I was just stopping by to give something to Alexis, but some coffee would be great.� They headed into the kitchen and sat down as Alexis came downstairs, dressed in black pants, a white blouse and a pinstripe blazer. �Hey, Kim.� She said, getting a glass of orange juice and sitting down at the table. �Ned, where�s Avery?� �She wanted to get dressed herself.� He explained. �I figured I�d give her a couple more minutes and then go up and redress her.� Kimberly laughed. �Isn�t your daughter becoming the independent little lady.� Ned rose from his seat. �I�ll go get her.� As he left the room, Kimberly turned to Alexis. �Guess who I saw yesterday? Scott Baldwin.� Alexis shrugged. �So? He lives in Port Charles. How do you know him?� �I met him while I was doing some business in Canada last year. He and I became friends.� Alexis studied her best friend. �How good of friends, Kim?� Kimberly blushed. �Let�s just say that the inside of his house was very nice.� Alexis laughed. �Just how many times were you at his house? Did you meet his daughter?� Kimberly nodded. �Serena is such a sweetheart. I didn�t know he was living here. I haven�t seen him for a long time.� Just then, Ned called from the living room. �Uh, Alexis, could you come in here?� �Sure.� She called back, standing up and going into the living room with Kimberly behind her. Ned was standing halfway down the stairs laughing hysterically. �Avery, you can come down.� �Are you sure Mommy won�t be mad?� she called back. Ned laughed harder. �I doubt it. Come on down.� Alexis� mouth dropped open in amazement as Avery came down the stairs to where Ned was standing. Their daughter�s chestnut curls were pulled up on her head in a sloppy ponytail, she was wearing a ton of Alexis� red lipstick, blush and eyeshadow, and she was dressed in one of Alexis� short black nightgowns and her black stiletto heels. Alexis heard Kimberly start laughing behind her as she walked over to Avery. �Avery Madelynn Ashton, what is the meaning of this?� Avery grinned up at her mother. �I wanna be a Spice Girl. I wanna be �Lexis Spice cause you kinda look like Posh.� Alexis, who was trying very hard to be angry, started laughing. �Well, you�re the cutest looking Spice Girl I�ve ever seen.� Avery started dancing around on the bottom step. �I tell you what I want, what I really really want...� she trailed off. �That�s the only part I know.� Alexis looked up at Ned. �Go get the camera.�
Two hours later, Kimberly stood in the children�s department of Wyndhams, looking for a present for Ned and Alexis� new baby, and something for Avery, when she heard a voice behind her. �Kimberly Corday, is that you?� She spun around to see Scott Baldwin standing there. �Scott!� she said, her face lighting up. �I�m so glad to see you!� �Me too.� He said, giving her a quick hug. �How long are you here?� Kimberly grinned. �Permanently. I�m working for J&J Jacks of Alaska. I heard you live here too.� Scott nodded. �Yep. Who told you that?� �Alexis Davis-Ashton. You know, Ned�s wife? She�s my best friend from Harvard.� Scott laughed. �You two are best friends? I mean, you�re so wild and she�s so straightforward.� Kimberly shrugged. �We were roommates. Anyway, what are you doing here?� �Buying a dress for... Serena? Serena, where are you?� Just then, a little blond girl came running out from behind a rack and skidded to a halt in front of Kimberly. �Kimberly?� �Yep, it�s me!� Serena�s mouth dropped open and she ran into Kimberly�s arms. �Do you live here?� �I do.� Kimberly grinned. �So, now we can go out and play together.� �Cool!� Serena exclaimed. Just then, Scott�s beeper went off. He looked it and his face grew grim. �Uh oh. I need to get to the courthouse to see about a house. Since I�m going to be there all day, Serena, I guess I�m going to have to drop you off at daycare.� Serena glared at her father. �I don�t wanna go. Can�t I stay with Kimberly?� �It�s fine with me.� Kimberly said quickly. �I don�t have anything pressing to do. I just need to go see Alexis, but Serena can play with her daughter, Avery.� �If you�re sure.� Scott said. �I�d really appreciate it.� He leaned down and kissed Serena�s forehead. �You behave for Kimberly, okay?� He handed Kimberly his credit card. �If you wouldn�t mind, could you help Serena pick out a dress for her school concert? Nothing too flashy, just a nice dress?� �I�d be happy to.� Kimberly said. Turning to Serena, she added, �It�s good you ran into me because everyone knows that girls have better taste than boys.� Scott pretended to glare at Kimberly, and then grinned. �I�ll pick her up at five, at, well, do you think you could drop her at the firehouse? It�s fairly easy to find, and Serena can give you directions.� �Okay.� Kimberly said as Scott began to walk away. �Bye, Daddy!� Serena called after him. With a wave over his shoulder, Scott was gone, and Serena turned to Kimberly, an innocent smile on her face. �Kimberly, can I get my tongue pierced?�
Across town, Alexis lay on the examination table of her gynecologist�s office. Ned stood beside her as Dr. Diana Souza squirted gel on her stomach. �Don�t worry, this won�t hurt a thing.� She picked up the ultrasound cord and began to move it around on her stomach as Ned watched in amazement. Although he had seen this with both Brooke and Avery, it still was a sacred thing to him to see his child for the first time. A few minutes later, Dr. Souza looked away from the monitor and at Alexis. �You�re having a girl.� Alexis didn�t say anything. She just started laughing. Ned glared at her. �Okay, you were right. We�re having a girl.� He leaned down and kissed her lips softly. �I can�t wait until she�s born.� �Do you want me to print the pictures out?� Dr. Souza asked. Alexis nodded eagerly. �Please do.� Dr. Souza left the room to get something, as Ned leaned down and kissed Alexis again. �I hope she�s as beautiful as you...� Twenty minutes later, Alexis had finished setting up her next appointment, and they left the office, holding the sonogram pictures. Alexis continued to look at them as they got into the elevator. �So,� Ned asked. �What do you want to name her?� Alexis grinned. �Anything but Mackenzie.� �Too bad.� Ned said. �That�s a cute name.� He looked at his watch. �Ooh, I have to get back to the office for my meeting with Grandfather and,� He grimaced. �AJ. So, I�ll drop you off at home, and go back to the office.� �Actually, I wanted to go back to the office too.� �Fine.� Ned sighed. �You�re such a working girl.�
Later that afternoon, Kimberly pulled up in Alexis� driveway and she and Serena got out of the car and went up to the front door. As the doorbell rang, Avery yelled, �Mommy! Someone�s at the door!� Alexis went to the door and after opening it, ushered Kimberly and Serena inside. �Serena, it�s nice to see you. Have you had fun with Kim today?� Serena nodded eagerly. �She helped me buy a new dress, but she wouldn�t let me get my tongue pierced.� Alexis raised her eyebrows as Kimberly explained, �It seems that Spice Girl fever is all over Port Charles. Serena wanted to get her tongue pierced so she could look like Scary Spice.� Avery, who had been standing behind Alexis, peeked out. �You like the Spice Girls too?� Serena nodded. �You�re Avery, right?� Avery nodded. �I�m four. How old are you?� �Nine. So, do you have any Spice Girls stuff?� Avery nodded. �I have all the dolls. My daddy bought them for me. He�s a COE.� �That�s CEO.� Alexis corrected. �Avery, why don�t you go show Serena your Spice Girls dolls?� As they went upstairs, Alexis and Kimberly flopped down on the couch. �So, Kim, you�re into baby-sitting for Scott already? Boy, you move fast.� Kimberly laughed. �I ran into him at Wyndhams this morning, and he got a page that he needed to be in court, so me, being the nice person that I am, told Scott that I�d watch Serena.� Alexis smiled. �You two would be a cute couple.� �Anyway,� Kimberly said, her face turning a little red, �How was the doctor�s appointment? Is everything going okay?� Alexis nodded. �We�re having a girl.� �Congratulations!� Kimberly said. Giving it a second thought, she snickered. �I would have paid to see Ned�s face when he found out it wasn�t going to be a boy.� Alexis laughed. �He sure looked shocked at being wrong, but he got over it fast.� �Do you have any names yet?� Thinking of what she had told Ned, Alexis shook her head. �I�ve been distracted.� She quickly explained the situation with Mackenzie and Stefan. �Ouch.� Kimberly said when she was finished. �That was really low of Stefan.� �You�re telling me.� Alexis said. �But what can I do about it? �Pay him back.� Kimberly said firmly. Alexis narrowed her eyes. �And how would I go about doing that?� �Simple.� Kimberly hissed, leaning towards her and quickly relaying her idea. When she was finished, both of them were in hysterics. �Where do you come up with this stuff?� Alexis howled, wiping a tear of laughter from her eye. Kimberly shrugged. �I�m not sure, but what do you say? It�s Tuesday so we can get it done by Friday.� Alexis nodded. �I am so in.� She paused. �This is just like Harvard.� �I know.� Kimberly grinned. �Isn�t it great?� �One thing though.� Alexis said. �Can we watch?� Kimberly smiled maniacally. �You bet.�
Friday afternoon, Alexis and Kimberly watched from a closet at General Hospital as the members of the board came into the room. Among them were Monica, Edward, as well as several prominent doctors from other hospitals, and the mayor of Port Charles. They were there to discuss the funding for the new daycare center, as well as the Holiday Ball, which was rapidly approaching. The last person who entered the room was Stefan, who regally took his seat at the head of the table. After introductions were made, the meeting began, Alexis and Kimberly watching unseen from their chairs in the closet. About halfway through the meeting, there was a knock at the door, and a woman with puffy blonde hair, wearing a belted raincoat and a ton of makeup, and holding a paper bag entered. �Stefan Cassadine?� �May I help you?� Stefan replied frostily. The girl came sauntering over to where he was sitting. �My name is Bambi, and you�re a very lucky boy.� With a flourish, she pulled off her raincoat revealing a red feather covered teddy. She pushed play on the boom box she pulled from her bag and began to gyrate around to square dancing music. Stefan watched in horror as everyone began laughing hysterically. He stood up quickly, nearly knocking his chair over. �What is the meaning of this? I demand you to stop right now!� Bambi shook her head. �I haven�t gotten to my finish yet.� Before Stefan could say anything, she pulled a baton out of her bag, jumped onto the table and began to twirl it and whistle the star spangled banner. When she was finished, everyone was still laughing. Everyone except Stefan. His face had turned an ugly shade of purple. �Who sent you?� Bambi grinned. �Mackenzie Cisnaros. Boy is she a good tipper.� Inside the closet, Alexis had to bit her lip to keep from losing it altogether. Stefan strode to the boardroom door and opened it. �Leave now.� Bambi looked crestfallen as she gathered her stuff up and pretty much ran out of the room. As Stefan closed the door after her, he turned around to see everyone still laughing. �Perhaps we should take a short break.� He practically ran out of the room as everyone stood up. �Wait until I tell Alexis about this.� Monica told Edward. �She�s going to die.� After everyone had left, Kimberly and Alexis slipped out of the closet and out of the room. When they were safely out of the hospital and in Kimberly�s BMW, they high fived each other. �The look on his face was priceless!� Alexis chortled. �This is by far one of our best schemes ever!� she grinned. �Why don�t you come over for dinner so we can tell Ned about it?� �I can�t.� Kimberly said. �I�m having dinner with Scott and Serena.� �Oh really?� Alexis asked. Kimberly didn�t say anything. She just smiled a smile that clearly said that she hoped it would be more than just dinner.
�You did what?� Ned asked, laughing hysterically as he pulled back the sheets and climbed into bed. �Lex, I�m very impressed with your audacity. I�m sorry I wasn�t home for dinner but we had a small problem at work.� He started laughing harder. �I would have paid to see that stripper tell Stefan that Mackenzie paid for her.� Alexis snickered. �I was about to die at that point. So was Kim.� �Speaking of Kim,� Ned said thoughtfully. �I wonder how her date with Scott is going.� �I think I�ll call her really quick.� Alexis said, looking at the clock. �It�s ten thirty. She should be home by now.� She dialed Kimberly�s number at the hotel and the phone began to ring and ring. �Hmm,� she said, hanging up. �She isn�t back yet. I wonder what she�s doing.� �Stop being such a best friend.� Ned teased, turning off the light and grabbing her. �We could be doing what you think Kim is doing right now.� �What�s stopping you?� Alexis whispered, looking up at him. �I�m waiting.� Without a word, Ned forcefully pushed his lips down on hers, a tingle of pleasure searing through Alexis� entire body...
Meanwhile, Scott came downstairs from checking on Serena. �So,� he began, sitting down on the couch next to Kimberly. �What were we talking about before I left?� Kimberly cocked her head to the left side, a trademark gesture of hers. �We were talking about what may have happened if I had stayed in Canada a little longer.� �Oh yeah.� Scott said, leaning forward and looking intently into Kimberly�s ice blue eyes. �Well,� Kimberly said, sensing his serious mood. �What do you think would have happened?� �This.� Before she could say anything, Scott leaned over and softly kissed Kimberly�s lips. �I�ve wanted to do that since the moment I laid eyes on you.� Kimberly blushed a little. �You�re not the only one.� She grinned. �And it was even better than I imagined.� Scott smiled. �You imagined about me?� Kimberly grinned. �Did I say that? Actually, I thought about you for quite some time after I left Canada. I wished I could see you and Serena again.� �Serena really adores you.� Scott told her. �I�ve always wished she could have someone to help her get over her mother�s death. The month you were there, she became really attached to you.� �I hope that I can spend some more time with her now that we�re both living in Port Charles.� �I�d like that.� Scott said. �I mean, I think Serena would.� Just them, Kimberly looked at her watch. �Wow, it�s after ten. I really should get going.� She stood up quickly and felt a head rush. �Wow, it must be the wine.� She wobbled a little. �Do you have the number for a cab company?� �Why don�t you just stay here?� Scott asked impulsively. �You�re more than welcome to sleep on the couch. It�s pretty comfortable.� Kimberly looked uncomfortable for a moment. �Are you sure? I mean I wouldn�t want to take advantage of you.� �It�s fine.� Scott assured her. �I�ll go get you something to sleep in and a spare toothbrush.� �Well, okay.� Kimberly said. Scott ran up the stairs and came down a few minutes later with a toothbrush, boxer shorts and a t-shirt. He handed it all to her and then went to get a blanket. �I guess I�ll go upstairs now.� He said, giving her a small smile. �Good night, Kimberly.� �Goodnight, Scott.� Kimberly said, watching him walk up the stairs. Halfway up, he turned around, came back down and kissed her lips. Giving her a lazy grin, he sauntered up the stairs, leaving Kimberly standing in the middle of the living room grinning like an idiot.