ATSSCH23

Chapter 23

Ned, Alexis, and Kristin are at the hospital waiting for someone to take their blood.

�Mommy how come I have to have a blood test done and Tommy doesn�t?� The scared little girl asked.

Alexis picks her up and puts her on her lap. �Well let�s see Tommy doesn�t have to have a blood test done yet because he�s to young.�

�And you do because we want to make sure you don�t get sick.� Ned added as he sat down besides them.

�Does that mean when Tommy is as old as me he�ll have one done?� Kristin asked as Ned looked at Alexis.

�Yes.� Alexis answered. �It�s just like when we take Tommy to the doctor to have shots done that you�ve already had done yourself.�

�Will it hurt?� She asked.

Alexis looked up and saw Jax heading towards them. She handed Kristin to Ned. �No sweetie it won�t hurt, I promise.� She told her before she got up and headed over to Jax.

�How come uncle Jax is here daddy?�

Ned looked at his little girl and then over to Jax and Alexis before looking back at Kristin. �I don�t know maybe Uncle Jax is going to have a blood test done too.� He said remembering that Alexis didn�t want Kristin to know anything about Jax� real reason for being there.

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�Hey thanks for coming.� Alexis says as she approaches Jax.

�I told you I�d be here.� Jax replied looking over at Ned and Kristin. �I can�t believe Ned still thinks I�m her father.�

�He doesn�t.� She quickly replies as Jax looks at her confused. �I decided to have it done just so that there wouldn�t be any doubt about it from here on out.�

�Alexis.� Ned hollered as a nurse came out.

Jax and Alexis walked over to them as the nurse took Kristin� hand.

�So who�s coming in with us Kristin, mommy or daddy?� the nurse asked.

Kristin just looked up at her parents.

�I�ll be going in with her.� Alexis answered, before turning around and talking to Ned. �Behave yourself.�

�Don�t worry about me sweetheart I�ll be fine.� He said as he kissed Alexis on the cheek lovingly and then gave Jax and evil look.

Alexis looked back and fourth between the two of them before going into the other room with Kristin and the Nurse. She didn�t like leaving the two of them alone but thought it would be better for Kristin if she was the one in there with her.

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Ned and Jax sat across from each other for about ten minutes, neither one of them saying a word to the other. They were both to preoccupied trying to figure out what the other was thinking. Ned finally picked up a magazine and began to read it as Jax got up and took a slight walk. Jax paced back and forth several times and never once noticed Julia spying on them. After what seemed like an eternity but was really only fifteen minutes Alexis and Kristin came out of the room.

�Hey it wasn�t to bad was it?� Ned asked his daughter as he gave her a big hug.

�It only hurt a little bit daddy but I didn�t cry.�

�No she was a big girl daddy she didn�t cry once.� Alexis said smiling at them. �The nurse said you could go right in.�

�Okay well I guess it�s daddy� turn. Wish me luck.� Ned said as he kissed Kristin on the forehead.

�Good luck daddy.�

Jax waited for Ned to walk into the other room before he walked over to them. �Everything go okay?�

�Yea everything�s fine.� She said before giving Kristin money to put into the candy machine. �Sweetie pie, since you were such a good girl why don't you go over to that machine right there and get yourself a candy bar.�

�Thanks mommy.� She yelled as she ran off.

�They sure grow up fast don�t they� Jax said feeling the tension building up in the air.

�Yea that they do. You and Ned didn�t get into a fight or anything did you?�

�No actually we didn�t even say two words to each other.� Jax says flashing his dimples. �Proud of us?�

�Very.� She told him laughing.

�Uncle Jax, Uncle Jax look what I got.� Kristin yelled as she jumped up into his arms.

�Uh I love those, they�re my favorite candy bar.� Jax said as he tickled her lightly.

�They�re mommy�s favorite too.� Kristin replied.

�Oh they are, are they?� Jax said. �I didn�t know mommy liked nuts.�

�I married Ned didn�t I.� She shot back as they all laughed.

Ned walked out of the room to find Kristin in Jax� arms and the three of them laughing. He wasn�t pleased at all, he walked over and grabbed Kristin from Jax before turning towards Alexis and bitterly asking her if she was ready to go.

Alexis looked at Ned for a moment before answering him. �Yea I�m ready to go. Did they say when the results would be back?�

�They said we should know either later on tonight or tomorrow morning.� Ned answered before looking at Jax. �The nurse is waiting for you.�

�Are you going to give blood too uncle Jax?�

�No sweetie.� Jax replied. �I�m just going to have a flu shot done.�

�Oh does it hurt?�

�I sure hope not.� He answered as he walked into the other room.

�You could have been a little nicer about that Ned.� Alexis said sternly.

�I�m sorry but things just looked a little to comfortable out here for my liking.� He shot back as he walked off towards the elevator.

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Julia was still hiding in the corner when Jax came out of the room she waited for him to get onto the elevator before she came out. She walked over to the room and looked around to make sure nobody was around before she entered the room.

�Can I help you?� A man asked.

�Yes I was suppose to meet my husband here to have some blood work done but I guess I�m early.� Julia replied uncomfortably. �Is it okay if I just sit here and wait for him?�

�No problem, why don�t you tell me his name and I�ll look it up and let you know what time it�s for?�

�His name?� Julia asked trying to come up with something when the phone in the back rang.

�Oh if you�ll excuse me for a minute that�s probably my wife calling. She�s eight and half months pregnant and you never know what could happen.�

�No that�s fine go ahead answer it. I�ll just sit here and wait I�m sure he�ll be along soon.� She said as she sat down and picked up a magazine.

Julia watched the man go into the backroom shut the door and answer the phone. Sure enough it was his wife. �Great� Julia thought to herself. �This will give me more time to figure out what every one was doing here.� Julia kept one eye on the back door as she looked around the office. She stopped suddenly and smiled when she saw the blood samples and the request that a DNA be done on the minor child Kristin L Ashton. �So Ned isn�t sure weather or not Kristin is his.� She thought to herself, as she picked up the tube of blood that read Lawrence Ashton on it. �Now Jax made it perfectly clear that he and Alexis weren�t having an affair� she told herself as she picked up the other tube of blood that read Jasper Jax. She got an evil look in her eye as she carefully removed the stickers with their names on it and switched the blood samples. �By the time anyone figures out that the samples have been switched it will be too late. Ned will already think that Jax is Kristin� father and the damage will already be done. Ned will be mine before I know it.� She laughs evilly as she slips out of the room. �And if for some strange reason the test proves that Ned is the father, well I guess I�ll just have to cross that bridge when I get to it.�

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�Higher daddy higher I want you to push me higher.� Kristin screamed as Ned pushed her on the swing.

�Ned not to much higher.� Alexis yelled as she lost all the color in her face watching him push her, what she believed to be too high already.

�Don�t worry mommy she won�t fall.� Ned yelled back noticing the look on Alexis� face.

�Sorry we�re late.� V said walking up to Alexis with Rachel and Tommy in tow.

�Oh no your just in time, I�m starving.� Alexis said. �So what did you bring us to eat?�

V couldn�t help but laugh at Alexis as she took everything out of the picnic basket she brought with her. Um Alexis isn�t it a little cold out here for a picnic, there�s still snow on the ground and according to the weather it�s suppose to snow again tonight?�

Alexis opened up a box that had cold chicken in it and took a bite. �This is good, and by the way this wasn�t my idea it was Ned� I for one am freezing. I think he�s slowly trying to kill me V.�

�How�s that?� V asked still laughing at her.

�By making me sit out here and freeze to death while he gives me a heart attack as he pushing Kris way to high on the swing.�

�Hey Tommy, Rachel come here.� Ned yelled. �I�ll push you on the swing.�

�Come on Tommy take my hand I�ll walk you over there.� Rachel said as they ran over to Ned.

�Not to high with him.� Alexis yelled before turning to V. �See now he�s trying to kill me even faster by pushing Tommy like that.�

�Alexis don�t you think you�re overreacting?� V asked as Alexis� heart sunk even more, watching Ned push Tommy what she thought was too high as well.

�Oh good I think I�m going to be sick.� Alexis said as she got up and took a walk.

�Ned really must you push the kids that high.� V yelled. �It really does bother Alexis.�

�Come on kids lets go play on the slide before mommy really gets sick.� Ned says as he helps the kids off the swings.

�Okay but I want to go first.� Rachel yelled as she ran off.

�No I want to go first.� Kristin yelled as she ran after her.

�Wait for me.� Tommy yelled as he ran after them.

Ned laughed at the kids and then walked over to V.

�Hey so did Alexis leave any chicken for us?� he asked before sitting down at the picnic table with V.

�Some.� She answered handing him the box. �Ned can I ask you something?�

�Sure anything.�

�Is every thing alright between you and Alexis, I mean really alright?�

�V don�t worry about us we�ll be fine.�

�Are you sure, I�d hate to see the two of you break apart after everything that you�ve been through.� V said as she looked down.

�I take it you heard us arguing last night or should I say early this morning?� Ned asked.

�Well actually I wasn�t the one that overheard you guys.� Ned gives her a look. �Rachel did.�

�V I�m sorry.� Ned said taking her hand. �You guys really shouldn�t have been put in the middle of our domestic affairs.�

�Hey I don�t mind really, it�s just if Rachel heard you fighting then most likely so did�..�

�Kristin.� Ned said cutting her off.

�Yea, and I know how hard it was for Rachel listening to Simon and I go at each other.�

�Did Kristin say anything to you about what she overheard?�

�No, Rachel just told me that they could hear you yelling at each other about something or other and Kristin started to cry.�

�Okay thanks V I�ll let Alexis know.�

�Let Alexis know what?� She asked walking up to them. �Is there any more chicken left?�

�Why so you can just throw it up again.� Ned said teasing her.

�Well I wouldn�t have gotten sick if you didn�t try an give me a heart attack pushing our children so darn high.� Alexis shot back taking another piece of Chicken.

�Come here.� He said pulling her next to him. �I�m sorry and you�re freezing.� He added hugging her tight.

�Does that mean we can go home now?� She asked pouting like a child.

�Wait we can leave.� V said. �The kids haven�t eaten yet.�

�Hey kids you want to go to McDonalds?� Alexis yelled as V and Ned laughed at her.

�Yea� they yelled as they ran over.

�Great because V here is going to take you.� Ned said looking at V who nodded her head in agreement.

�Aren�t you and Mommy coming?� Kristin asked.

�Of course we�re coming sweetie.� Alexis said.

�No we�re not.� Ned said firmly. �But we will see you guys at home later.�

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�Okay Ned Ashton tell me why we didn�t go with our children?�

�Because you�re cold and you need to get warm again.� Ned replied.

�So we�re going home?�

�Nope we�re going ice skating.�

�What?� she yelled. �No way are you getting me out on that ice!�

�Oh I wouldn�t be to sure of that Mrs. Ashton.� He said with an evil grin on his face.

�I don�t care what you say I�m not getting out on that ice!�

�You either put these on yourself.� He said handing her a pair of skates. �Or I�ll put them on for you.�

�There is no way I�m putting those on.�

�Fine we can do it the hard way.� Ned said as he picked her up and threw her back onto the picnic table before leaning down against her body and pinning her arms down. �Now Mrs. Ashton I will resort to blackmail if you don�t put those skates on.�

�Blackmail?� Alexis said looking at him out of the corner of his eye. �What exactly are you going to blackmail me with?�

�Well I could think of a lot of things to blackmail you with, I have a very devious mind remember?�

Alexis just busted out laughing. �You can think of anything can you?�

�Not at the moment, no.� He said in defeat. �But give me time I�ll think of something.�

Alexis pulled her head up and kissed him. �I�ll make you a deal Ned. If you promise not to let go of me at all.� She yelled. �Then I�ll put the skates on and give it a try.�

�Deal� he said letting her up from the table and pulling off her boot. �I�ll even help you put them on.�

�Oh your such a gentlemen.�

After Ned put Alexis�s skates on her, he turned around and put his own on.

�Now explain to me just how this is going to make me warm, Ned?�

�Come on I�ll show you.� He said putting his hand out for her to take it.

�Okay, but remember you promised not to let go of me.� She said as she took his hand and he helped her to her feet.

Alexis screamed as her feet hit the ground and she almost fell. �See Ned I can�t even stand in the snow and you want me to stand on the slipper ice?�

�You�ll be fine, I promise. Come on let�s give it a whirl.�

�You know what I think I�ll sit right here and watch you for a while before I give it a whirl.� She said sitting back down on top of the table mimicking him.

�Well like I said I guess we�ll just have to do this the hard way.� Ned said laughing as he picked her up and carried her on to the ice.

�Ned Ashton put me down.� She screamed.

�Your wish is my command.� He replied as he dropped her onto the ice.

�Ned Please get me off of here.� Alexis pleaded as she grabbed him tight, before her bottom hit the ice.

�Stand up and take my hands and I�ll help you off.� He said flashing those gorgeous dimples of his.

�You do realize I am going to pay you back for this Ashton.� She screamed as she took his hands and skated with him.

�You know Alexis now is not the time for you to be threatening me like this, I might just�..� he trailed off as he let go of one of her hands.

�Ned!� Alexis yelled.

�Yes Alexis.� He asked laughing at her.

�I�m sorry really I�m sorry.� She continued to yell as her legs slipped out from underneath her and she hit the ice pulling him down on top of her. �Are you happy now, we�re both on the freezing cold ice!�

Ned stopped laughing and just stared at her.

�What?� she yelled.

�Do you know how much I love you?�

�Yea well I hate you.� She said as she punched him in the chest.

Ned looked deep into her eyes and smiled before leaning forward and kissing her. She snaked her arms around him and kissed him back.

�What do you say we take this back home?� she asked not letting go of his neck.

�I like the way your mind works.� He whispered in her ear. �Let go of me and we�ll get out of here.�

�Oh no.� she said shaking her head and holding on to his neck even tighter then before. �You carried me on the ice and you are going to carry me off.�

�You�re something else Alexis Ashton.� He said as he picked her up and carried her off the ice and took her home.