ATSSCH13-15

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Chapter 13

The next day Ned and Alexis took the kids to buy a Christmas tree.

"Daddy I like this tree." Kristin said.

"Looks like a good tree to me." Alexis agreed.

Ned who was holding Tommy just shook his head. "NO way we need a much bigger tree."

"How much of a bigger tree do we need?" Alexis asked.

"The bigger the tree mommy the more presents we get." Kristin said.

"Really." Alexis turned towards Ned. "And who told you that?"

"Daddy did." Kristin said as Ned smiled.

"I want more presents." Tommy yelled.

"Well then I guess since I�m out numbered here we need a bigger tree." Alexis said shaking her head.

"So have you all picked out a tree yet?" A man asked walking over to them.

"We want the biggest tree you�ve got." Kristin yelled.

"Well you heard her we�ll take the biggest and bestest tree you�ve got." Ned acclaimed.

Alexis just looked at him. "Bestest. What kind of word is bestest?"

"The kind of word our tree is going to be." Ned said holding her face and kissing her. "Lighten up will ya mommy."

Alexis looked at him and then looked down. She got an evil look in her eye as she bent down and made a snowball.

"Oh Ned" she yelled.

"Yea" he turned around and answered as she threw the snowball at him.

"Oh my darling Alexis this means war." Ned stated picking up a hand full of snow.

Alexis bang to back up. "Wait this isn�t fair you�ve got the baby in your arms."

Ned looked at Tommy. "You know you�re right it�s not fair."

Alexis sighed in relief and paid the man for the tree, which he was putting up on the roof of their car.

Ned placed Tommy in his car seat and buckled Kristin in.

"Alexis everything�s set you ready to go?"

"Coming" Alexis stated getting into the car.

"Daddy when can we decorate the tree?" Kristin asked.

"Right after Tommy takes his nap." Alexis answered.

"Cool I want to put the star on." Kristin yelled.

"Star on" Tommy mimicked, as Ned and Alexis laughed.

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

Ned put Tommy down as Alexis sat on the couch reading Kristin a book.

Ned walked around the corner and smiled at them. "So do you think if you keep reading she�ll wake up?"

Alexis looked down at a sleeping Kristin. "She was a wake a minute ago I swear."

Ned walked over to her and grabbed her hand. "Come here you, there is something I want to show you."

They walked over to the front door. "Outside?" Alexis asked.

"Yep"

"Um Ned we don�t have any coats on." Alexis tried to state as Ned pushed her out the front door.

"Trust me Alexis they won�t help." Ned said with an evil look in his eyes.

Alexis backed away from him slightly. "Okay Ashton what is going on in that wicked brain of yours?"

"Oh nothing but this." Ned said bending down and picking up a hand full of snow.

"What on earth do you plan on doing with that?" Alexis asked backing up even further while Ned walked closer towards her.

"Oh this?" Ned asked walking towards her even faster. "Nothing." He states firmly as he grabs her and kisses her.

"I thought you were going to throw that at me." Alexis says looking at the snowball in his hand.

"Oh Alexis now why would I do a thing like that?" Ned states with an evil look in his eyes. "When I can simple do this."

With that Ned grabs Alexis pants and shoves the snow down them.

Alexis screams. "Ned Ashton you are going to pay for that!"

"Promises, Promises." He says throwing her down into the snow and falling on top of her.

"It�s cold." Alexis screams while Ned laughs.

"Really it doesn�t seem that cold to me." Ned says still laughing.

"That�s because you�re not lying in it." Alexis screams. "Okay what do I have to do to get you off of me?"

Ned thinks about it for a brief moment. "I�ve got it. Make love to me."

"Fine we can go inside and make love all you want just let me up please." Alexis says in a pleading tone.

"Oh no see you don�t understand. We�re going to make love right here and now. Ned states while unbuttoning Alexis� shirt.

Alexis� face turns beat red. "You can�t be serious Ned. It�s cold out here and it�s the middle of the day.

"What it�s not like we have any neighbors." Ned tells her as his hand makes his way up her skirt.

"Want to tell me what put you in such a frisky mood Ned Ashton?" Alexis asked.

"You did Mrs. Ashton." Ned said tugging at her underwear.

"Could we at least go inside and do this?" Alexis asked once again.

"No." Ned said firmly as his lips crashed down upon hers.

Things between them started to heat up and Ned carried Alexis into the house. Kristin was sound asleep on the couch so Ned carried her upstairs. He threw her back unto the bed and ripped his clothes off before undressing her. She leaned up towards him and he kissed her deeply throwing her back. They both screamed and moaned as they made love to one another. Both filling the desire they�ve had for each other for days, but not being able to act on it.

^^^^^^^^^^^^

A few hours later Kristin came running into their bedroom screaming. "Mommy, daddy Tommy� awake can we decorate the tree now?"

Ned just looked at Alexis and smiled. "I think that�s a wonderful idea. Why don�t you go get Tommy out of his crib?"

Alexis hit Ned on his chest. "Ned Ashton that was a cruel thing to do. You know Kristin can�t lift him out."

"Your right I do know" Ned said kissing Alexis and throwing her over top of him. "But I figured it would by us a little more time."

"Uh you�re always thinking." Alexis barely spit out as Ned� mouth crashed upon hers.

"Damn straight." Ned replied as he once again made love to his wife.

^^^^^^^^^^^^^

"So where are all the Christmas ornaments?" Ned asked holding up a string of bunched up lights.

"Um I think they�re in the attic." Alexis yelled from the kitchen. "If you want I can go up and get them?"

"No that�s okay I�ll get them myself" He hollered back as the phone rang.

"I�ll get it." Alexis yelled and picked up the phone. "Alexis Ashton."

"I always thought it was Alexis Davis Ashton?" The voice on the other end asked.

"What do you want Julia?" Alexis asked aggravated.

"I need to speak with Ned about an important business matter." Julia answered back.

"He�s busy at the moment." Alexis shot back quickly.

"Fine then if you won�t put him on the phone I�ll be forced to come over there and discuss this matter in person." Julia said sarcastically trying to goat Alexis.

"Fine I�m Ned� lawyer why don�t you just tell me your little problem and I�ll see if I can help?" Alexis said in an even more annoying tone.

"If I wanted to talk to you I would have already told you the problem." Julia said tried of talking to Alexis.

"Fine then I�ll see if he can come to the phone." Alexis stated firmly, she placed the receiver over her hand as Ned walked into the kitchen.

"Well mommy we found them, with the help of my little partner Tommy we found them." Ned said coming up behind her and kissing a very tense Alexis�. "Is something wrong?"

"No why would anything be wrong." Alexis said handing him the phone. "Your little slut wants to talk to you."

Ned took the phone from Alexis and grabbed her arm before she stormed off. "What do you want Julia?"

"I have a business proposition for ya Ned."

"Well what ever it is Julia I�m not interested." Ned stated firmly hanging up on her. "Now if I do recall Mrs. Ashton our children are in the other room waiting for you to come back with the popcorn so we can string it on the tree."

"Yea your right we better get back in there before our children have a fit." Alexis stated quietly.

"Hey." Ned said grabbing her arm. ""Somehow we are going to make this work. I promise you that much, for our sakes and for the sake of our children and further children." Ned said placing a hand on Alexis� stomach.

Alexis looked down at his hand. "Ned I�m not pregnant, Emily is."

"What?"

"Yea Em� pregnant but she doesn�t want the family to know yet so you can�t say anything." Alexis said sharply.

"Okay fine I won�t say anything but I have a question to ask." Ned said with that look in his eyes. "Since you�re not the one pregnant, can we work on that?"

~~~~~~~

Chapter 14

Later on that night Ned and Alexis are sitting in bed. Alexis is trying to catch up on some paperwork, while Ned is just staring at her.

"Okay what?" Alexis asked.

"What, what. I didn�t say anything." Ned replied.

Alexis threw her file down on her lap. "Why are you staring at me?"

"Because you�re beautiful."

Alexis gives him a strange look. "Okay Ashton what�s on your mind?"

Ned pulls Alexis closer to him. "Well I was thinking"

"Oh no."

"Now here me out Alexis." Ned said. "I was thinking that well since Kristin in kindergarten already and Tommy� going to be three soon that it�s time we thought about having another baby."

Alexis just looked at him. "You want to have another child, now."

"Yea, why not?"

"I could think of a lot of reason why now wouldn�t be a good time to have another child." Alexis states firmly, whiling sitting upright as to look Ned in the eyes. "For one thing are marriage is desperate need of our full attention."

"I think our marriage is going to survive, as long as we both keep up our end of the deal." Ned said reassuring.

Alexis got out of bed and grabbed her robe. "This makes no sense."

"What makes no sense?" Ned asked

"The two of us talking about having another child."

"What you don�t want to have anymore kids? I could have sworn that after Tommy was born you said you�d like to have one or two more." Ned said getting out of bed and walking over towards her.

Alexis placed her hands over her face for a moment and sighed, before yelling. "Ned just a few days ago you�re telling me our marriage is over and you�re filing for a divorce. You even questioned weather or not Kristin was your child. Now all of a sudden you�re talking about raising yet another child. It makes no sense."

Ned placed his arms around her. "It makes perfect sense Alexis, don�t you see it? The happiest we�ve ever been is when we were raising those two wonderful children sleeping just down the hall. I honestly believe that by having another baby now would only make our marriage that much stronger. As for the divorce I told you I�d drop it and I did. Things between us might not always be the best but nobodies marriage is ever perfect."

Alexis walked over and sat on the edge of the bed. "Your right nobodies marriage is perfect Ned but usually couples who file for divorce one day don�t discuss having a child a few days later."

Ned sits down next to her and holds her hand. "When I first thought that you were pregnant and it might be Jax� baby I�ll admit I lost it a little." He places his hand along her cheek. "But after I got over that I was happy thinking about what our life would be like with another baby around."

"Ned I want our marriage to work and I would love to have another child with you it�s just."

"It�s just what Alexis?" Ned asked her.

"It�s just I don�t think now is the best time to do this or even think about this. Let�s work on getting our marriage back on track to where it was, before we even think about bring another child into this world." Alexis looked up and could see the hurt in Ned� eyes. "I�m not saying I don�t want to have another child, I�m just saying let�s be happy with what we have right now and make what we have work."

"Okay" Ned said quitely.

"I love you Ned Ashton and I�m glad that you want to have a bigger family and some day so do I, but just not right now. Why don�t we get some sleep and we�ll talk about this again after a few weeks have gone by."

"And if our marriage can last another month the way it use to then you�ll consider it?" Ned asked not really sure if he wanted to know the answer.

Alexis kissed him lightly on the cheek and whispered in his ear. "Yes, I will."

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

Early the next morning Alexis was in her office going over her mail that Janis had left on her desk from yesterday. Alexis opened a letter from a corporation she�s never even heard of before and was shocked by its contents.

"Janis can you come in here please?" Alexis yelled.

"Yes Mrs. Ashton." Janis said coming in.

"I need you to find me the L&B leashing agreement." Alexis stated.

"Is there some kind of problem?" Janis asked.

Alexis looked down at the letter. "I�m not sure but according to this the building that L&B is leasing was just sold, and they have thirty days to vacate the building."

"Can they just do that?" Janis questioned.

"I don�t know that�s why I need a copy of the agreement." Alexis said falling back into her chair. "Ned is going to be so upset if I can�t find away around this.

^^^^^^^^^^^^

Around one thirty Alexis is sitting in the grill waiting to meet with the CEO of one of the largest shipping companies in the world. She has been their main lawyer for years. Every since they decided to sign a contract with ELQ to use there docks. The president of Ships and Cargo happen to know Alexis well from some work she had done for him while she was leaving in New York. He was very pleased to find out she was living in Port Charles now and came to her personally to offer her a five year contract as their head lawyer. He was very confidante in her work and felt better having a lawyer close by to keep his investments safe.

"Sorry I�m late." A man says sitting down at the table.

"Oh that�s okay," Alexis says, looking over the file in front of her. "I�ve been going over your new proposal and frankly I�m quit surprise you want to pull out of the shipping agreement you have with ELQ."

"It�s not a money maker." The man stated.

"Oh on earth could you say that?" Alexis asked looking up. "Jax" she shouted.

"Well hello gorgeous I was wondering when you were going to look up and realize it was me?" Jax asked her flashing his smile. "Actually I think I should be insulted that you didn�t recognize my voice. But you were so into that file of yours that I�ll forgive you, this time."

Alexis looked annoyed. "Jax if you don�t mind I�m meeting someone for a very important business lunch."

"Well I�m glad to see that Ships and Cargo is important to you." He said with an all to happy grin.

"How did you know that�s who I was meeting? Have you been following me?" Alexis asked even more annoyed.

Jax reached across the table and held Alexis� hand. "I take it you didn�t get the memo."

"What memo." Alexis asked pulling her hand out of his and sitting back.

"Oh I�m sorry." Jax said pulling a letter out of his jacket pocket. "I forgot to mail it."

He hands her the letter and she reads it.

"You�re the new CEO of Ships and Cargo?" Alexis yelled

"Yes I am. And now where were we?" Jax said pulling out a file from his briefcase. "Oh yes pulling out of our deal with ELQ."

"Why would you do this?" Alexis asked

"Because like I said it�s not a money maker, the longer we stay in business with ELQ the more money we lose." Jax informed her.

"That�s not true and you know it. If it wasn�t for the deal you have with ELQ your little company wouldn�t be half the size it is today." Alexis informs him trying not to yell. "Besides I wasn�t referring to the company I was referring to you using your influence to buy into a company you damn well knew I represented."

Jax grabs her hand. "Well what else was I suppose to do you wouldn�t return and of my phone calls."

Alexis pulls her hand away again. "Jax please don�t do this to me I love Ned and I don�t want to lose him."

"Alexis I have loved you way to long to let you go now. I�ll admit I�m an idiot for walking away and not fighting for you when I know I would have had a better chance of winning." Jax told her leaning in towards her. "But I�ve made that mistake once and I won�t make it again."

Alexis looks down and catches, the corner of her L&B file with her eye. "Did you buy the building that L&B rents?"

"Yes."

"Why?" Alexis screamed at him.

"It�s all part of my plan to win you over." Jax said

"You think by making my life a living nightmare you are going to win me over, don�t you think you�re techniques need a little more work?" Alexis asked.

Jax just smiled. "No see by me buying the building Ned is in and kicking him out it preoccupies him and gives me more of a chance to be with you." He looks down at his watches. "Well listen Alexis it�s been fun really but I�ve got to go. I have another matter that needs my full attention." He gets up and walks over to her. "But I see you at Christmas dinner."

"Christmas dinner?"

"Yes didn�t Emily tell you she invited me and a guest to have dinner with them." Jax says leaning over and kissing her on the cheek.

"The next time I see you kiss my wife will be the last time." Ned yells walking up from behind Jax.

"Is that a threat Ashton?" Jax asked.

"No it�s more like a promise." Ned stated firmly looking over at Alexis.

"Well if you to love birds will excuse me I was just on my way out. Oh by the way Alexis here�s the proposal that we discussed or rather didn�t have the time to discuss." Jax stated glaring at Ned. "Anyway call me and let me know what you can come up with."

With that Jax walked away and Ned turned around and gave Alexis a look that could kill.

"Now before you fly off the handle Ned, let me explain." Alexis said with a pleading look.

"Explain, your going to explain to me why you were having drinks with your lover." Ned says picking up a glass from the table and throwing it across the restaurant. "Jax, Jax is the reason you don�t want to have another child isn�t it?" Ned yelled loud enough for everyone to hear.

"No he�s not Ned you are. You�re the reason I don�t want to have another child right now, because you take something as an innocent as a meeting between two people and accuse me of being unfaithful to you. I told you I�d stop seeing Jax and I would have, except he gave me no other choice." Alexis yelled at him not caring at this point who heard them.

"What did he do Alexis hold a gun to your head?" Ned asked oh so sarcastically.

"Oh yea that�s right Ned just be your annoying self. When things don�t go the way you think they should just throw in sarcasm. It works every time doesn�t it?" Alexis shots back at him. "And for the record I told you I had a business meeting with the CEO of Ships and Cargo. Well guess who wasn�t informed they have a new CEO. Better yet why don�t you guess who it is." She yelled picking up her briefcase and heading towards the door. "Oh and another thing if you would have just let me explain instead of jumping down my throat and throwing what almost happened in my face this whole pointless argument could have been avoid."

Ned sighed as he watched Alexis walk away. He knew he overreacted and she was right he should have given her the benefit of the doubt. It�s just seeing her with Jax and him kissing her got to him. He walked over and sat down at the bar.

"Give me double shot of vodka and keep um coming." Ned said to the bartender, as Julia sat down next to her.

"Oh yea and another thing someone throw the trash out." Ned said looking at her.

~~~~~~~~~~~

Chapter 15

"I hate men," Alexis yelled walking through her front door. "The are the utmost useless species to have been put on this earth. All they do is pollute the air and cause woman grief. If it wasn�t for men the ozone layer problem wouldn�t be half as damaged as it is today." She continued to yell as she through her briefcase on the table and walked over to the mirror. "I am Alexis Davis Ash�..No I�m Alexis Davis a smart, sexy, highly intelligent lawyer and I do not need a man to dictate my life to me." She slammed her hands down on the table. Who the hell do they think they are anyway? Men are nothing but overgrown simpleminded, egotistical, self-righteous, son of a�. "

"I�m glad I�m not a man right about now," A voice said behind Alexis causing her to jump.

Alexis� mouth dropped opened as she turned around and saw who it was. "V, oh my god what are you doing here?"

"You called me and asked me to come remember." V replied walking over to Alexis and giving her a hug. "So you want to tell me what Ned did to put you in such a man hating mood?"

"Later" Alexis said. "Come sit down on the couch with me and tell what the heck you�ve been doing for the last five some odd years."

"Okay I know I should have kept in touch more." V said. "It�s just I�ve been so busy that I guess I lost track of time. I was so excited when you called me and invited us to Christmas dinner."

"I�m so glad you�re back." Alexis said hugging V again. "So where�s Rachel, you did bring her with you didn�t you?"

"Yes I did and she�s upstairs playing in Kristin� room. I hope you don�t mind?" V asked.

"No not at all Kristin is going to love having someone the same age as her to play with. Did Simon come with you? Alexis asked as the phone rang.

"No he didn�t but we�ll talk about that later." V answered as Alexis picked up the phone.

"Hello�.What do you mean he didn�t pick them up�great, thank you I�ll be right there�. No I�m sure he wasn�t in an accident or anything. But he might wish he had been in one when I get my hands on him." Alexis said hanging up the phone.

V stood up and walked over to her. "Is there something wrong?"

Alexis answered her while dialing the Port Charles Grill. "Ned never picked up the kids from daycare."

"Well maybe he�s running a little late and he�s on his way to get them now." V said in Ned� defense.

"Yes this is Mrs. Ashton is my husband there?" She asked the man on the other end.

"I believe he�s in the bar Mrs. Ashton I�ll check for you." The man answered.

"Thank you," Alexis said before turning to V. "I can�t believe he�d forget about his own kids like this."

V was about to say something and Alexis gave her this, don�t even try, and defend him look.

"Yes Mrs. Ashton your husband is in the bar. Would you like me to get him for you?" The man asked.

Alexis took a deep breath. "Is he alone?"

"No, Miss Barrett is with him."

"Thank you but that won�t be necessary." Alexis said slamming down the phone.

V looked at her a moment before speaking. "I take it he�s not alone."

Alexis picked up her keys and headed towards the door. "No Julia is with him. What a great reason to forget all about your kids because you�re at a bar having drinks with your little slut."

Alexis left to go get the kids and V picked up the phone to make a call.

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

"Listen Julia right about now I�m not interested in anything you have to say so why don�t you just go away." Ned told her in a voice that proved just how annoyed he was with her presents.

Julia put her hand on Ned� leg. "I have a better idea. What do you say you and me go up to my suite and see if we can�t find away for you to work off all that hostility you have inside."

Ned grabbed her hand off of him. "You just don�t give up do ya Julia?"

She looked at Ned and laughed. "Oh come on Ned you know me, I never quit until I get what I want."

"So if I go up to your suite with you now and give into you, you�ll leave me alone once and for all?" Ned asked seductively.

A big grin came across Julia� face. "Sounds like a plan to me."

"Really." Ned said looking into her eyes. "One night is really all you want from me."

"If that�s what makes you happy Mr. Ashton. I�m all for it." Julia said rubbing Ned� leg.

Ned sat back in his chair. "Sorry Julia but the last woman I took to bed just for a one night fling I ended up marrying about six years later. And I�ve been married to many times to start over now."

"You know Ned Ashton you�re no fun."

"Then why do you want me to have sex with you so bad?" Ned asked as he�s phone rang. "Ned Ashton."

"Hello Ned it�s me V."

"V" Ned said shocked. "How are you?"

"I�m good actually right about I�d say I�m doing better then you." V said.

"Oh yea and what makes you think my life is all that terrible?" Ned asked.

"Because I�m at your house right now and your wife came through the door screaming and yelling about how much men don�t matter and then got really pissed when the school called her wanting to know where you were." V informed him straight out. "Of course it didn�t�..

"Oh no I was suppose to pick the kids up." Ned said cutting V off and looking at his watch.

"Don�t bother Ned." V yelled so he wouldn�t hang up. "Alexis is already on her way to get them. But if I were you I�d tell Julia goodnight and get your butt home."

Ned got up and walked across the room, so that Julia couldn�t hear him. "What makes you think I�m with Julia?"

"Because Alexis called the Grill looking for you." V stated.

Ned sighed. "Why didn�t she just call my cell phone?"

"I�d say probably because then she wouldn�t know if you were alone or not." V answered him. "Now like I said before if I were you I�d come straight home, before you get into any more trouble."

Ned hung up the phone and started out of the bar when he ran directly into Alexis.

"Going somewhere?" Alexis asked walking by him.

"I was on my way to pick up the kids from daycare. I guess I lost track of time." Ned said following her over to Julia.

Julia smiled at Alexis and Alexis smiled back at her.

"Well that�s easy to do when you�re in the company of trash like her." Alexis said as she throws a drink in Julia�s face.

Julia screamed and stood up. "You little bitch."

"Why don�t you just sit down and shut up." Alexis yelled at Julia pushing her back down into her seat.

"Where are the kids?" Ned asked.

"If you cared so much you would have been there to pick them up." Alexis yelled. "But no instead you�re here doing god knows what with her and in a public place to boot."

"Why don�t you back off and give your husband a break for a change. We weren�t doing anything wrong." Julia told her firmly.

"Well if you weren�t doing anything wrong then I�d say it was due to a lack on your part." Alexis shot back.

Julia looked at Alexis for a brief moment and then slapped her right across the face.

Ned faces went blank as he quickly grabbed Alexis and pulled her outside. He knew if he didn�t Alexis would have seriously hurt Julia.

"Get off of me." Alexis yelled as Ned drug her out of the building and into the parking lot. "Why the hell didn�t you just let me hit her. I would have felt so much better."

Ned let her go. "Hitting her isn�t going to make you feel better but hey if you want to hit someone that bad then hit me."

Alexis looked up at Ned and she could tell by the look on his face that he never thought in a million years she would ever do so, and so she punched him square in the stomach.

Alexis was right Ned wasn�t expecting it at all as he grabbed his stomach and doubled over from the blow.

"You know Ned you�re right I don�t feel better." Alexis said with a smirk on her face.

After a minute Ned stood upright and spoke. "Alexis sweetheart I�m really sorry about before I should have never gotten on your case about being at the Grill with Jax"

"So you�re sorry is this the part where I�m suppose to forget that you accused me of sleeping with Jax in front of a room full of people?" Alexis asked while turning to walk away.

Ned grabbed her arm and pulled her close to him. "Alexis please I really am sorry. I know I was a jerk and I want to make it up to you."

"How Ned?" Alexis asked as tears threaten to fall. "By forgetting all about our children and having drinks with your new little playmate?"

"Where are the kids?"

"They�re probably home by now with Emily and V." Alexis said looking at her watch. "I called Emily from the car and asked her to pick them up and bring them home."

"Why is V here anyway?"

"You don�t seem to shocked to hear that." Alexis stated.

"She called me and told me that she was at the house and informed me that you had just left to pick up the kids." Ned said.

Alexis rolled her eyes. "Well I guess that really shouldn�t surprise me, V after all always did look out for you."

"Don�t be mad at her Alexis, she was only doing what she thought was best for us." Ned pleaded.

"I�m not mad at her Ned I�m mad at you."

"Your not going to hit me again are you?" Ned asked trying to lighten the mood.

Alexis laughed slightly. "No I promise as long as you don�t say anything stupid on the car ride home I won�t hit you again."

Ned� eyes widen. "Does this mean I don�t have to call a cab?"

Alexis throw her head back. "Well you�ve obviously had to much to drink to drive and as much as I�d love to go home without you, leaving you here would only make Julia happy�So no you don�t have to call a cab."

"See you do care." Ned said wrapping his arms around her.

"Yes Ned I do care but I�m still mad as hell at you." Alexis said looking down at his arms.

Ned took his arms out from around her and held his hands up. "Point well taken."

"Good then, get in the car and let�s go home and play the happy little family were suppose to be." Alexis said while clutching her teeth together.

"You know Alexis I do love you in spite of everything."

"Somehow Ned I don�t know if that�s enough anymore."

Ned placed his hand on the side of her face. "I will make this up to you Alexis I promise�If it�s the last thing I do."

Alexis leaned her face into his hand and closed her eyes. "I don�t know how Ned I really don�t."

Ned took her vulnerability to his advantage and leaned in to kiss her. She opened her eyes immediately as she felt his breath coming closer to her face. He was waiting for her to pull away, but she didn�t. He closed his eyes and kissed her lightly. She pulled back a little and stared into his eyes. After a minute Ned put his hand up to her face and pulled her into a hard deep passionate kiss. Her arms snaked around the back of his neck as he pulled her closer to him. Alexis broke the kiss and pulled away from him.

"This is wrong Ned."

Walking up behind him and putting his arms around her and pulling her in tight. "Nothing that feels this right could ever be wrong Alexis."

Alexis laid her head back against his. "Ned one minute is seems like everything is going to be okay and the next thing you know were at each others throats making unbelievable accusations. It�s gotta stop."

"I know baby." Ned whispered in her ear. "And it will, somehow it will." He grabbed her hand in one hand and opened the car door with the other. "Come on let�s go home."