ATSSCH16-18

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Chapter 16

Later that night Ned and V are sitting in the living room talking.

"So how was that cold shower of yours, sober you up any?" V asked as Ned glared over at her.

"Well I don�t know if you were feeling no pain an someone threw you into a cold shower how would you feel?" Ned replied before changing the subject. "So how does it feel to be back in Port Charles?"

V sighed and sat back. "I don�t know kinda strange but yet comfortable."

"V I really am sorry to hear that you and Simon got a divorce."

"It wasn�t meant to be." V said as she sat up and looked directly at him. "Unlike your marriage to Alexis."

"Yea well right about now I don�t think Alexis shares your opinion." Ned stated.

"Well she might if you�d stop acting like such a jerk." V told him.

"And just what makes you think it�s all my fault?" Need asked annoyed.

"Well one you�re a man." V told him point blank. "Two because you�re the one who forgot to pick up your own kids, while having drinks with another woman." Ned sighed. "And three because you weren�t the one standing here when Alexis, the calm cool lawyer, came busting through the front door yelling about how much men sucked and didn�t deserve to be part of today�s society."

Ned just gave her an I can�t believe your taking her side look and was about to say something when Alexis walked down the stairs.

"Well I finally got Tommy to sleep" Alexis said before looking at Ned. "So how was your shower?"

"Extremely cold." Ned answered.

"Well I�m glad to see it woke you up." Alexis said.

Ned looked her in the eyes. "It wasn�t the shower that woke me up."

Alexis ignored him. "So V did you get Rachel down okay?"

"Yes she loves the idea of sleeping in Kristin� room." V replied. "And before you ask my room is fine as well."

"Well I hate to be rude especially on your first night here but I�ve have some papers that I left in the kitchen calling my name." Alexis said.

"Oh don�t worry about a thing besides I�m going to go up to bed soon myself." V told her.

"Are you going to be long?" Ned asked.

"Not to long I hope, I have a busy day planned for tomorrow." Alexis answered.

"Then if you like I�ll wait up for you." Ned said lovingly. "Besides, you know I have a hard time sleeping without you."

"If you�d like." Alexis said walking off to the kitchen.

V walked over to Ned and sat down next to him. "You know Ned Ashton your going to have to do a lot to make things right between the two of you." Ned just looked at her. "You do believe your marriage is worth it don�t you?"

"Of course I do."

"Well then what do you plan on doing to make things right between the two of you?" V asked firmly.

"I don�t know." Ned said.

"Ned Ashton you should be ashamed of yourself." V yelled.

"What?" Ned asked.

"The woman you love is just standing a few feet away from you and you have no idea how to convince her that you were a total jerk today." V said getting up from the couch. "It�s late and I�m going to bed. I suggest you march yourself into the kitchen and find a way before you end up sleeping on the couch.

^^^^^^^^^

Alexis was sitting at the kitchen table going over the leashing agreement for L&B.

"Mind if I sit down?" Ned asked walking over to the table." Alexis just nodded her head. "Why are you going over the L&B leashing agreement?"

"Because you�re being evicted." Alexis answered showing him the letter she received earlier that day.

"What." Ned yelled. "Can they do that."

"They can and they have." Alexis said getting up and walking over to the refrigerator. "I suggest we start looking for a new place tomorrow morning."

"This is just great." Ned remarked. "Why didn�t he come to me before he sold the building?" He got up and walked over to her. "If he wanted or need to sell the place I would have given him a fair price for it."

"Probably not as good as he got." Alexis said rolling her eyes.

"You know what he got for the place?" Ned asked.

Alexis took a deep breath and threw her head back. "No but I know who bought it."

Ned just looked at her for a moment. "Jax."

"Yea. I received the notification this morning and when I found out that Jax bought into Ships and Cargo I figured he also bought the building which housed L&B. So I questioned him on in."

Ned laughed slightly. "And let me guess not only did he admit it but he was proud of it as well."

"Yes."

Ned put his arms around Alexis. "Don�t worry about it L&B will be fine. We have enough capitol to survive, besides if you ask me the building was getting a little small anyway."

Alexis just looked at him with a shocked expression. "Wait let me get this straight Jax bought your building and kicked you out and yet you�re not mad?"

Ned kissed her forehead. "Nope not in the least." He walked over to the fridge and pulled out a bottle of wine. "I�ve got way to many other things in my life worth fighting for then a damn building." He pulled out two glasses and filled them. "And I�m not going to let Jasper Jax or anyone else for that matter distract me from my main goal."

"Which is?"

Ned hands her a glass of wine. "Proving to my wife how much I love her." He pulls her close to him. "How much I need her." He kisses her neck. "And how sorry I am for ever doubting her."

Alexis pulls Ned� eyes up towards hers. "That�s an awful high goal you�ve set for yourself Mr. Ashton."

Ned kisses her lips lightly. "Ya I know, but you see my wife well she�s worth it."

"I hope so."

"I know so." Ned whispers in her ear.

^^^^^^^^^^

Meanwhile back at the Penthouse Jax is talking on the phone with someone.

"Yes well I�ve missed doing business with you too." Jax said.

"Well Jax I know you don�t mean it but I�ll fall for it." The woman on the other end acknowledges. "So why don�t you tell me what you really want?"

"Well as you�re aware of Ned has gone off and married a Cassidine."

"Don�t even get me started on that." The woman yells interrupting him.

Jax laughs. "Well how would you like to meet her after all these years?"

"Keep going."

"Emily Quatermaine Spencer has invited me and a guest for Christmas dinner and I was hoping you�d be my date." Jax said with an evil grin.

"Emily married a Spencer." She yelled.

"Yes but that�s neither here nor there. Now would you or wouldn�t you like to attend dinner with me?" Jax asked once again. "And before you answer me, the entire Quatermaine family as well as a few Cassidines will be there.

The woman on the other end laughed. "Oh Jax it sounds like to much fun to turn down, so you count me in."

"Good then dinner I believe is at three, so I�ll meet you in the Grill around one."

^^^^^^^^^^

The next morning Alexis is in the kitchen getting the kids cereal when V walks in.

"You know you really should cook them a hot breakfast." V says as Alexis gives her the evil eye.

"Tell me again why it is that I invite you to stay with us?"

"Because you felt sorry for Rachel." V replied.

Alexis laughed. "Oh yea that�s why."

V pours herself a cup of coffee. "Come on the kids are fine here why don�t we got into he other room and talk."

Alexis and V walk into the living room and sit down on the couch.

"So what do you want to talk about V." Alexis asked.

"How about why you called me here and invited me for Christmas?" V asked. "I do recall you telling me you needed my help."

Alexis sat back. "Well I did and now I don�t."

"Elaborate." V demanded.

Alexis took a deep breath before explaining to her everything that has been going on.

"Wow." V said in total shock.

"Wow" Alexis yells. "I just told you Ned almost slept with Julia and Jax is in love with me and all you can say is wow."

V sits up. "Okay why don�t you tell me what made you almost sleep with Jax?" Alexis looked at her. "Or better yet how you feel about Jax."

Alexis got up and walked over to the bay front window, which overlooked the front yard. "Why did I almost sleep with Jax I don�t know. I�ve always had a place in my heart for him V, and when we got married I thought to myself okay no big deal I can live with him. He�s my best friend and we get along great." She turns and looks at V. "Heck it can�t be any different then living with my brother."

"But it was." V said quietly.

"Was it ever." Alexis answered. "I mean if I ran into Stefan in the morning wearing nothing but a pair of sweats I wouldn�t think twice about it, but seeing Jax without a shirt on."

"Was breathtaking." V said.

"That it was." Alexis said walking back over and sitting on the couch. "V Jax and I would sit up all night and do nothing but eat popcorn and watch old movies. We could sit there for hours and not even talk, there was just something about Jasper Jax the corporate raider that was so real. I mean he wasn�t the person I always thought him to be. He wasn�t the vulgar Edward and Ned made him out to be or the cold-hearted businessman he wanted the world to see. He was just Jax a man who loved his family and would do anything for someone he cared about without question."

"Do you love him?" V asked.

Alexis sat back. "He�s my best friend of course I love him."

V looked her straight in the eyes. "Are you in love with him?"

"I love Ned V, he is the only person who has ever loved me like I wanted or needed to be loved." Alexis replied.

"But we aren�t talking about Ned." V said. "We�re talking about Jax and weather or not you love him in a way that�s more then a friend."

Alexis got up and walked back over to the window. "Jax and Ned it�s amazing really."

"What is?" V asked.

"How different they are but yet how much alike they can be." Alexis said. "Ned doesn�t understand why I can�t give up on Stefan while Jax� on the other hand understands why. He�s lived through it with Jerry heck he�s still living with it now. Some days I just wish Ned would understand more. Why can�t Ned be more like Jax and let me fight for what�s rightfully mine?"

Because he loves you and cares about you." V says walking over to her. "Because if he ever lost you it would kill him." V took Alexis� hands in hers. "He knows how dangerous your family can be and the fact that they�d kill you without so much as a second look." Alexis turned to walk away. "Listen to me Alexis I love Jax with all my heart and I can see how easy it would be for you to get lost up in him and his games. But is losing everything you�ve got here with Ned worth it?"

"I told Ned that I�d stay away from Jax and I meant it I really did. It�s just there�s a part of me that is drawn to him and I don�t know why." Alexis said as tears began to form in her eyes. "It�s like every time he grabs me and kisses me I just want to get lost in him."

"That�s a feeling you have to learn to ignore." V yells. "Don�t allow your desire for him to take over your sense of right from wrong." Alexis looks down. "You do know being with Jax is wrong don�t you Alexis?"

"Yes."

"Then fight it. Fight it with every once of will power you have." V tells her firmly.

Alexis rolls her eyes. "But you don�t understand V when Jax kisses me I don�t want to fight it." Alexis yells.

"You have to fight it! For your children for your husband and mostly for yourself and if you can�t do that Alexis, then I suggest you keep your distance from him, and don�t allow yourself to get close enough to him to pull you into a kiss." V yelled even louder as Alexis walked away.

"I love Ned really I do."

"Then show him." V said grabbing Alexis� arm. "Emily told me that she invited Jax to Christmas dinner you know darn well that he is going to use that to his advantage. Well don�t let him instead use it to yours."

"How?" Alexis asked.

"By showing him how much you love your family and how no matter what you aren�t willing to give up what you have for him."

"And what about Ned?" Alexis yelled. "What if Ned for some reason doesn�t want to play the loving husband. His mood has been up and down so much in the last few months."

V laughed. "He�s a man Alexis and according to him you belong to him. Do you honestly think he�s going to be upset with you showing him how much you love him, in front of Jax and his family, that�s he going to push you away?"

"Well you have a point men do have overgrown egos."

That they do and besides remember right now Ned is so full of guilt about accusing you of sleeping with Jax in front of half of port Charles he�d do anything to make you happy." V told her as they both laughed.

"What�s so funny?" Ned asked coming downstairs.

"Nothing" Alexis and V both said as they looked at him and started to laugh even harder.

"Well I don�t know what you two put in the coffee but whatever it is, can I buy stock in it?" Ned asked.

"No, but you can make breakfast." Alexis told him before kissing him good morning and running up the stairs.

Ned smiled and looked over at V. "What�d you do to her?"

"Nothing."

He walked over and put his arm around her. "You know I think I�m going to enjoy having you around."

~~~~~~~~~~

Chapter 17

Alexis was just getting out of the shower and wrapping a towel around her when someone lightly knocked on the bathroom door.

Alexis laughed. "No Kristin you can�t have ice cream this early in the morning."

"Why not?"

Alexis opened the bathroom door. "Ned Ashton you didn�t give her ice cream did you?" Alexis looked down at the tray Ned was carrying. "What�s this?"

He took her hand and led her over to the bed. "Come here, sit down. Now one no I didn�t let her have ice cream and two well as far as this tray goes didn�t you mention something about breakfast? He asked while picking up the lid and exposing her favorite foods.

Alexis looked down at it and picked up the single red rose that was lying on the tray. "I suppose I should ask you to make me breakfast more often."

Ned put the tray down and picked up a piece of bacon. "Maybe you should." He said as he feed it to her.

Alexis took the rose and wiped it across the side of his face. "You know a woman could get use to this."

"I can handle that." Ned said as Alexis took the rose and placed it in his mouth. She leaned forward and kissed him. "I love you."

Ned flashed his dimples and then grabbed Alexis and flew her on top of him as they felt backwards onto the bed. "Love its such an amazing word. There are so many different ways to use it." Alexis just stares in his eyes her lips inches apart from his. "Like I Love you, to I love it, to my favorite��. make love to me?" He finally spits out as their mouths crash upon one another�s.

Alexis breaks the kiss and sits up slightly. "Ned we can�t do this now the kids are downstairs with V."

Ned pulls her back down to him. "NO they aren�t V took them to the park." He said once again flipping her over and pinning her to the sheets. He leaned down and kissed her forcefully as his hand ran up her outer thigh. She gave into to him as she pulled his shirt out of his pants and began to unbuckle his belt. As he kissed and nibbled his way down her neck she ripped his shirt off his body. He sat up and removed his pants along with her towel. She sat up and he pulled her into a deep kiss. As their mouths intertwine so do there bodies as she pulls him back down on to the bed and he slips inside of her. They get lost in each other as they make love, both wanting needing and completely loving the other.

^^^^^^^^^^

"Good morning Janis." A very chipper Alexis says walking past her and into her office.

"You have a lunch date with Mr. Anderson at one." Janis reminded her as she followed her into the office. "He called this morning already and told me to �.."

"Remind me I better not be late." Alexis said cutting her off and standing behind her desk. "Don�t worry about it I have the papers he needs right here and I have no intentions of being late." She put down the papers and smelt the flowers on her desk.

"They just arrived before you did." Janis said. "But I have a question?"

"What�s that." Alexis said picking up the card.

"Why are there only eleven rose?"

"Well here I�ll make it twelve." Alexis said pulling the rose Ned gave her at breakfast out of her briefcase. "Is there anything else I need to know about today?"

"No I believe you have everything under control Mrs. Ashton" Janis said leaving the office and closing the door behind her.

Alexis sat back in her chair and read the card.

My Darling Alexis

Just think of this a baby step

To a major goal.

Love Ned.

^^^^^^^^^^

Jax sat at a table at the Port Charles grill reading the finical section of the paper.

"We need to get a couple thing straight." Ned said sitting down.

"If you don�t mind Ashton I�m meeting someone for breakfast." Jax said.

Ned looked at his watch. "Well it�s a little late in the day for breakfast anyway, and I do mind."

"Fine what do you want?" Jax asked annoyed.

Ned shook his head. "Let�s not play this games Jax I�m really not in the mood. I just spent the morning making love to my wife." Jax sat back in his chair. "That�s right making love to my wife, see Jax she�s my wife and I don�t care what you take from me including every cent I�ve got but my wife she�s not up for the taking."

Jax laughed. "Your so called wife wants me as much as I want her. So you tell me Ned who�s playing games with whom."

"I�ll admit for some sick reason Alexis seems drawn to you." Ned said. "But I believe the only reason she even came close to be with you is because of me."

"Because of you?"

"Yes because of me and my lack of attention towards her." Ned informs him. "Alexis and I use to spend a lot more quality time together and this last year I�d say we started to drift apart."

"Well I�d say that only works to my benefit." Jax said.

"No see it doesn�t!" Ned yelled. "I don�t know why you want �MY WIFE� so bad but I�m here to let you know plain and clear so that there are no miss understands that I love Alexis with all my heart and soul. She is a part of me and I will not allow you or Julia to come between us."

"It�s simple Ashton I love Alexis and I know she loves me."

"She loves you as a friend Jax and that�s it nothing more nothing less."

"Oh it�s more." Jax says standing up. "And I can feel it when I kiss her and she kisses me back." Ned gets up. "When I hold her in my arms and touch her bare skin as her knees go weak.

"Well you keep those sick memories in tact Jax because you will never come that close to her again." Ned yelled straight in his face.

"What are you going to do now Ned, hit me?" Jax said laughing. "Oh Alexis would love that.

"Alexis is not just another pawn in your sick game of winner takes all and neither are my kids." Ned tells him firmly.

"Hey Ashton as you were making love to your wife this morning did it ever dawn on you that she was thinking of me?" Jax asked goading Ned.

"Go to hell" Ned said as he started to walk away. Jax just laughed at him in defeat as Ned spun around and punched Jax as hard as he could. Jax flew back over his chair and his arm hit the edge of the table crashing it on top of him. Ned looked down at him and shook his hand as he walked out of the Grill.

"Well I guess you got just what you asked for." V yelled offering Jax a hand up.

"V what are you doing back in town?" He asked in uttermost shock.

V pulled him up. "Not causing problems are goading married man to beat the crap out of me."

"Ned Ashton doesn�t need any goading when it comes to hitting people." Jax yelled. "You know as well as I do that he�s got a very short fuse."

V gave him a dirty look as she walked over and sat down at the bar.

Jax followed her. "So where are you staying? Maybe we can get together later for dinner?

V looked at him. "Alexis is the reason I�m in town she called me and invite me to spend a few days with them."

Jax sighed. "So you�re staying with the Ashton�s, how sweat."

"Why do you insist on hurting Alexis like this?" V asked outright.

"V I love Alexis."

"How can you say that when you�re doing everything you can to make her miserable?" V asked.

Jax rolled his eyes. "You just don�t understand V."

V turned to look at him. "Then make me understand or at least try."

"Fine." Jax said. "Alexis makes me feel alive, like there is something out there worth living for." He takes her hands in his. "I haven�t felt that why since Brenda died."

V gives Jax a hug. "But Jax you�re forgetting one thing." Jax looked at her. "Alexis loves Ned with all her heart and soul."

"V she has feelings for me. I know it� Hell I can feel it." Jax shot back.

"Maybe she does have feelings for you Jax." V replied. "But if she acted on those feelings and ran away with you, would you be able to live with the guilt she feels after she realizes what a mistake she�s made?"

"If Alexis were to get up and ran away with me today she�d have nothing to feel guilty for." Jax said.

V just looked at him and for a moment actually felt sorry for him because he honestly believe what he was saying. "Yes she would." She said getting up and walking away.

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

Alexis arrived at the Grill about fifteen minutes early for her meeting with Mr. Anderson. Ned saw her come in and watched as she was seated at her table. He watch her open her briefcase and put her glasses on to read over some files. He just stared at her for a moment taking in her beauty. He loved the way her glasses rested on her nose and the oh so serious look that always accompanied her when she was going over papers. The waiter came over and brought her a drink as Ned slowly made his way to her table.

"I�m sorry to inform you Mrs. Ashton but Mr. Anderson isn�t going to be able to join you for lunch today after all. Ned said taking her hand and pulling it up to his lips to kiss it gently.

Alexis looked up and smiled. "Ned what are you doing here I thought you were suppose to be at L&B rehearsing for your gig next week?"

"Well you thought wrong." He said leaning down and kissing her. "The only thing on my agenda for today was to have breakfast, lunch and dinner with my wife."

"Well I�d say breakfast was certainly fun." Alexis said seductively.

Ned grabbed her hand and kissed it one last time before sitting down. "If you think breakfast was fun wait till you see what happens after lunch."

Alexis laughed slightly. "You know Ned I�m not a very patient person."

"Oh I know, and trust me that�s one of the things I love most about you." He said kissing her hand again. "So does that mean you don�t want to have lunch with me?"

"Well I may be hungry but food is the furthest thing from my mind." Alexis said in a very quietly sexy voice.

Ned got up and extended his hand to her, which she took instantly. "Well then why on earth are we still sitting here?"

Alexis got up and Ned pulled her in close allowing his mouth to over take hers in a breathtaking kiss. She pulled back slightly as his lips made his way to her neck. He drove her crazy as he kissed her neck and slowly moved his lips upward to nibble on her ear.

"Ned maybe we should take this somewhere a little more private like home. "Alexis said in a shortness of breath.

Ned pulled back and took her hand. "We don�t need to go home, just follow me."

^^^^^^^^^^^

Ned and Alexis were all over each other as they made their way to the elevator, up to the seventh floor and outside of a hotel room door. Ned didn�t stop kissing Alexis as he struggled to open the door. Ned somehow managed to get it open as he flung Alexis inside the room and threw her up against the now closed door. Alexis cooed in his ear as he lifted her up slightly and chewed on the back of her neck as his hands found the buttons on her blouse. Alexis opened her eyes slowly as he lowered her to the floor. The room was lit only by candlelight and all she could see were the millions of flowers descended upon it.

"Ned what have you done?" Alexis asked as Ned finished unbuttoning her blouse and ripped it from her shoulders.

"I haven�t done anything yet." He laughed lowering his mouth to her chest.

Alexis moaned loudly as she felt his lips upon her newly released skin. Ned stopped and got up as he walked her to the bedroom. Alexis stopped short and became breathless as she caught sight of the bed, which was covered with rose pedals.

"I�ve got a lot to make up for." Ned said as he picked her up and carried her over to the bed.

"I love you Ned" Alexis said before his lips crashed once again upon hers.

He stood there with her in his arms, his lips tightly pressed against hers and before long he threw her unto the bed. He looked down on her a moment taking in her beauty, and then in one full scope he ripped her skirt off her body. She laid there silently in nothing but her under garments as she watched Ned slowly get undressed. She took in the fullness of his body as he reached down and removed the rest of her clothes before his naked body over took hers. They made love passionately as they rolled off the bed and fell to the floor, her body landing on top of his. He couldn�t take much more and rolled her over pinning her arms above her head with his hands. "I love you Alexis Ashton" he whispered into her ear while chewing upon it.

Alexis screamed as her body gave into his. "I love you Ned Ashton more then you�ll ever know.

Ned stopped briefly to look into her eyes. "You Alexis Ashton are my heart, my soul and my life, I�d be lost without you."

Alexis could feel his soul once again becoming one with hers. She let herself go completely getting lost in the man she knew she�d always love.

~~~~~~~~~~~

Chapter 18

The next morning Alexis was lying in bed sound a sleep when the phone rang. She looked up at the alarm clock and sighed. She ignored it as she rolled over to place her arms around Ned. Alexis sat up when she realized Ned wasn�t in bed with her. "Ned Honey are you ion the bathroom?" Alexis called out before she noticed a package and a note lying on his pillow. She picked up the note and read it out loud.

"Merry Christmas Eve My Darling Alexis;

On my pillow in my place (for which I�m sorry) lies the first of your many Christmas presents. DO NOT open it until I get home. I�ve taken the kids to the store so we could pick up your final present. I love you and won�t be long. I want to find you where I left you when I return.

All My Love Ned."

Alexis put down the card and looked at the package on Ned� pillow. "God Ned Ashton I hate you sometimes." She said out loud to herself, picking up the package. "You know darn well that I have no patience and yet you want me to just lie in this bed and stare at this without so much as opening it." Alexis sighed and threw the package back down onto his pillow. "Okay Alexis you can do this just roll over go back to sleep and pretend like it isn�t even there.

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

"Good Morning" Ned told the Jeweler as he handed him his receipt. "I got a call yesterday that the item I ordered was in."

"I�ll get for you sir." The man replied.

Kristin tugged on Ned� pants. "Do you think mommy� going to like it daddy?"

Ned smiled at his younger daughter. "Well you and Tommy picked it out so of course she�ll love it. Now remember when we get home we have to put it under the tree and not tell mommy what�s in it."

"But if we put it under the tree daddy mommy will open it before its Christmas." Kristin said.

Ned laughed "no she won�t don�t worry about it."

"Oh are you buying the little wife something for Christmas." Julia said walking up to Ned.

Ned turned around and looked at her. "Go away Julia."

"We�re here picking up our mommy� new necklace that we got her." Kristin said.

"I though you weren�t going to tell anyone what we got her." Ned said sharply.

Kristin looked like she was going to cry. "I�m sorry daddy you said not to tell mommy."

Ned bent down and gave her a hug. "No sweetie I�m the one that should be sorry, I should have never yelled at you like that." He kissed her. "What do you say from now on out we don�t tell anyone else, deal."

"Deal daddy." She said wrapping her little arms around him.

"So Ned" Julia said as he got up. "What�d ya say to lunch at the grill around two o�clock.

"We�re going to have lunch at the grill today daddy?" Kristin asked excited.

"No Kristin we are going to go home and torture mommy with what we bought her remember." Ned said as he laughed.

"Oh yea I forget" Kristin said. "Daddy I�m hungry."

"I found the item you ordered Mr. Ashton." The man said coming out of the back room with a jewelry box. "Would you like to make sure it�s exactly what you ordered."

"Yes thank you" Ned said taking the box from him and opening it. "Yes that�s just perfect. Would you mind wrapping it for me."

"Certainly sir." The man said walking away.

"Look how big you�ve got." Julia said to Tommy, who was sitting in his stroller and just waking up. "You look just like you�re daddy."

Ned grabbed Julia� arm and pulled her away from him. "Listen to me Julia my children and I are shopping for their mothers Christmas present and I don�t want you anywhere near us so why don�t you just leave." Ned told her, louder then he thought.

"Fine" she exclaimed pulling out of his grip. "I know when I�m not wanted.

"Oh if that were only true." Ned said sarcastically.

"You know Ned I always figured it would be you who ended up cheating on your wife and walking out on her." Julia said coyly. "But word on the street is Alexis is the one sleeping around and who is going to end up leaving you." Ned never wanted to hit her so much as he did that instant but he remained in control for the sake of his children. "Enjoy your time with you�re wife now Ned because something tells me by the first of the year Alexis will wise up and end up kicking you to the curb."

Ned just watched as Julia left.

"Where�s mommy going daddy?" Kristin asked. "Is she going to leave us."

"No sweetheart you�re mommy would never leave you."

Kristin began to cry. "Is mommy going to take us away from you like Brooke-Lynn� mommy did."

Ned picked his daughter up and held her tight. "No Kristin mommy is not going to take you or Tommy away from me, not ever I promise."

"I want to go home." She cried even louder. "I want my mommy."

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

"Okay that�s it" Alexis rolled over and yelled. "I�m going to open this present and I don�t care if he yells at me or not. If he didn�t want me to open it well then he shouldn�t have left it here. He knows I have no patience and there is no way I�m going to be able to resist it." She picked up the package and tore off the paper like a little kid. She laughed slightly when she saw what was in it. "A teddy bear, he bought me a teddy bear with a cute Santa hat." Alexis continued to laugh at it as she hugged it. "Leave it to Ned to drive me crazy all morning long over a stuff animal, a stupid little stuffed animal. Oh I�m going to so kill him." She said before looking at it again and noticing a note attached to it and reading it out loud.

"I knew you couldn�t wait.

I love you, Ned."

"Mommy, mommy we�re home." Kristin yelled jumping up on the bed. "What�s ya got there mommy?"

Ned laughed "Yea what�s you got there mommy?"

Alexis threw the teddy bear at him. "It�s a present from you daddy, he thinks he�s funny."

"Oh what you don�t like it?" He asked pretending to be hurt.

Alexis just laughed at him.

"We went to the store mommy and got you�re Christmas present." Kristin said jumping up and down on the bed.

"Oh yea, what�d ya get me?"

"Daddy said you have to wait for Christmas." Kristin yelled.

"Well today is Christmas Eve so doesn�t that count?" Alexis asked.

"Does it daddy?" Kristin asked turning around and looking at him.

Ned threw the bear back at Alexis. "That�s no fair teasing a poor little six year old child like that." He looked at Kristin. "No sweetie mommy will just have to wait until tomorrow morning to open it and if she�s not a good girl she just might have to wait until tomorrow night."

Alexis looked up at Ned and smiled she knew exactly what was going though his mind. He just looked away giving her a not me look. Alexis couldn�t help but laugh at him.

"Mommy." A sad looking Kristin said.

"What�s the matter baby?"

She started to cry. "Are you going to leave us?"

"No baby I�d never leave you." Alexis told her pulling her into a hug. "What makes you think I�m going anywhere, especially without you?"

"Because that�s what the lady in the store told daddy." Alexis held her tighter and looked over at Ned.

Ned threw his head back he was hoping Kristin wouldn�t mention them running into Julia today he had no intention of telling Alexis.

"What lady baby?"

"We ran into Julia at the mall and let�s just say things got ugly." Ned told her

"You mean to tell me that Julia told our kids that I was leaving them?" Alexis yelled.

Ned walked over to Alexis and whispered in her ear. "Listen forget about Julia, take care of Kristin."

Alexis shook her head. "Baby you, me, Tommy & daddy are a family and we aren�t going anywhere." She looked at Ned. "Your daddy and I love you and your brother so much and nothing is going to change that. Now why don�t you go wash up and forget all about what that mean old lady said okay?�

"Okay mommy but can I watch TV when I�m done washing my face?" Kristin asked.

"Sure you can but make sure you wash your hands as well, I love you." Alexis said giving her a kiss.

"I will and I love you too mommy." She said running out of the room.

"Hey what about me." Ned yelled.

"I love you too daddy." Kristin hollered from down the hall almost in her room.

"Before you say anything I really don�t want to talk about Julia it�s Christmas Eve and that�s all that should matter right now." Ned said pleading with her.

"Okay fine then we won�t." Alexis said reaching over and picking up the bear and throwing it in his face. "You think you�re funny don�t you Mr. Ashton?"

"You know for someone who wants their Christmas present you�re not being a very good girl."

Alexis looked at him seductively. "I don�t want to be a good girl, bad girls have more fun."

"Oh they do, do they?" he asked climbing onto the bed with her. "How much more fun?"

"This much more." She said as she snaked her arms around his neck and pulled him towards her into a deep hard kiss. Things quickly escalated as she pulled him back onto the bed with her. Ned began to unbutton his shirt that she was wearing but suddenly he stopped and pulled back a moment to speak. "I thought I told you in my note that I wanted to find you just how I left you this morning."

A confused Alexis looked at him. "I am where you left me."

"When I left you this morning you my dear, you weren�t wearing my shirt for that matter you weren�t wearing anything." He informed her coyly.

Alexis looked down at her attire. "Sorry but I went downstairs to get a cup of coffee and I didn�t think it would be a good idea to go down naked."

"Why not? Nobody was home, besides I kinda like when you walk around the house naked." He said smiling brightly and flashing those dimples of his.

Alexis slapped him on his chest. "Maybe not but I don�t think V would have gotten such a thrill out of it, if you do recall we do have company staying with us."

"Okay fine you win this time." Ned said in defeat as he open up her shirt and kissed down her bare chest. "But next time I tell you I want to find you the way I left you that�s exactly how I want to find you."

Alexis moaned slightly as his lips tickled her body. "Oh I don�t know about that Mr. Ashton, not if you�re going to punish me like this. I might just have to put more��oh�� close on."

Ned looked up at her and laughed. "I could see you doing just that Mrs. Ashton."

Alexis was about to say something as Ned� mouth crashed down upon hers in a hot steamy kiss. Their hands started to roam each other� body as their tongues intertwined. Before long Alexis was once again completely naked the way Ned left her as he sat up and began to drop his pants.

"Grandpa� here grandpa�s here, mommy daddy grandpa�s here." Kristin yelled running into the room with Edward not far behind.

"Ned we need to talk now." Edward bellowed.

Ned quickly pulled up his pants as Alexis reached down and pulled the sheet over top of her.

"Is that all you people do around here? Edward asked looking at Alexis. "Is she really worth it?"

Ned walked over to him and grabbed his arm. "I�m sorry I don�t recall my sex life being open for discussion, and stop staring at my wife."

"Your wife should have clothes on this time of day."

"Fine Edward" Alexis shot back. "Go away and I�ll put some clothes on."

"I�m not going anywhere!" Edward shouted. "Ned I desperately need your help."

"Grandfather I�m sorry but I�m not going back to ELQ just to bail you out, so you can turn around and what?�.Throw me out again when I�m no longer needed."

"Ned please" he said begging him "Jasper Jax is after ELQ again and I need your help."

"Jax?" Ned asked suddenly interested and Alexis noticed.

"Yes he�s after one of our major companies over seas." Edward informed him. "And only you can stop him."

"Well I suppose I could�"

"Ned!" Alexis yelled sharply.

"Listen you stay out of this missy." Edward demanded. "Nobody asked you."

"Don�t yell at my wife!"

"Fine I�m sorry, I won�t even address her again." Edward said.

"Thank you." Ned replied.

"As soon as she leaves so we can talk in private!" Edward insisted.

Ned looked over at Alexis who was looking at Edward. "Now Edward do you really want me to get up. I mean really is that like a hidden fantasy of yours to see me in all my glory or something?"

Ned chuckled under his breath as Edward�s face turned a bright shade of red.

"Well?" Alexis asked pulling her bare legs down off the bed and onto the floor. "Do you want me to leave or would you rather leave?"

"You have two minutes to get your butt downstairs Ned Ashton or I�m coming back up here to get you." Edward yelled walking out the door.

Ned looked over at Alexis. "You wouldn�t have really gotten out of bed, would you of?"

Alexis gave him an evil look. "I told you I don�t want to be a good girl, they�re no fun."

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

"Well it took you long enough."

"What I came right down like you insisted I do." Ned shot back as Edward snared at him "Hey I may be good but I�m not that good, besides I rather take my time and really enjoy myself."

"Oh please save me from your gross sex life with that Cassidine woman." Edward yelled.

"You�ll never change, will ya grandfather? To you that�s all Alexis is and ever could be."

"Enough already." Edward spouted. "Are you going to help me get rid of Jax or what?"

Ned looked over at the stairs and knew that Alexis wasn�t going to be happy with him if he worked with Edward to get rid of Jax. �Well this in no way, shape, or form is going to help my marriage.� He thought to himself. "I don�t know grandfather let me think about it."

"Think about it?" Edward yelled. "What�s to think about? Jax is trying to destroy ELQ and your children�s future and you want to think about it. Hog wash I need your help now."

"I�m sorry grandfather but before I agree to anything I need to discuss it with Alexis." Ned said putting his hand up as Edward tried to say something. "I�m sorry if you can�t understand, but she is my wife and that�s final."

"Your just going to ideally sit back and watch Jax destroy us!"

"You don�t need me to stop Jax grandfather, I�ve seen you in action and you can stop him if you put you�re mind to it, besides I didn�t say I wouldn�t help."

Alexis who was on her way downstairs stopped suddenly as she overheard Ned� last statement.

"Ned this can�t wait to much longer Jax needs to be neutralized." Edward said making his way over to the door.

"I understand Grandfather, really I do and I�ll get back to you." Ned told him as he shut the door.

"Are you honestly planning on going after Jax?" Alexis asked while sitting on the stairs.

Ned jumped. "You startled me." He walked over and sat down next to her. "How much of that did you hear?"

"Enough"

"Enough to know I told him I wouldn�t help him until I spoke to you first?" He asked rubbing the side of her face.

"No." Alexis said blushing. "I only heard you tell him that you didn�t say no."

Ned looked at her and smiled. "What do you say we forget about this and take our kids to lunch? Tommy should be awake soon."

"Actually he�s already awake." She said leaning over and kissing him. He�s watching TV with Kristin."

"Great then where would you like to go?"

"Anywhere as long as we�re together."

"Sounds good to me." He said before taking here hand and hurrying her upstairs.