ATSSCH32-33

Chapter 32

Ned is running through the lobby at the Port Charles Hotel fixing his tie while trying not to drop any of his papers. He�s already fifteen minutes later with the overseas investors he�s suppose to meet, and after standing them up yesterday he knows they aren�t going to be in to good of a mood. He stops just outside the main entrance to the Grill and takes a deep breath while organizing some of his papers. He take another deep breathes, and slowly decides to walk into the Grill and make his sincerest apologizes for being late. He stops short and is taken back when he spots Jax sitting amongst the men. He quickly regains his posture and plasters a fake smile on his face.

�Well good morning gentlemen.� Ned states as he holds his hand out and shakes Mr. Young�s hand. �I�m so sorry I�m late but I had an extremely urgent matter to handle early this morning.�

�No problem.� Another investor states. �Mr. Jacks here was keeping us company.�

Ned looked at Jax and Jax could tell Ned was fuming under his supposedly calm appearance.
�I wasn�t aware you knew Mr. Jacks.� Ned replied whiling taking a seat.

�Yes Mr. Hermann and I have been doing business for years.� Jax simple replied while snickering at Ned.

�I see.� Ned quickly shot back. �Jax I�d hate to spoil this reunion of yours but since you�re no longer a share holder in ELQ business I�m going to have to ask you to leave.�

�Not a problem.� Jax said while getting up and buttoning his suit jacket. �I was just on my way out anyway. I have business of my own to attend to.�

�Well I�m still interested in that offer you made me.� One man said standing up and handing Jax his card. �Please call me I�ll be here till the end of next week and I�d really like for us to get together and discuss it more.�

Jax took the man�s card and shook his hand. �Certainly I�ll give you a call first thing tomorrow morning.�

�That will be great.� The man replied while taking his seat.

Jax looked over at Ned and give him an evil smile before turning his attention back to the men at the table. �If you gentlemen will excuse me.�

Ned� anger became even more apparent as Jax walked off.

�So Ned do you have the papers?� Mr. Young asked.

�Yes they�re right here.� Ned replied while handing him a file. �I hope you give our offer some serious thought and would be happy to go over anything you might come across that you don�t find to your liking.�

Mr. Young took the papers and read them over carefully. �I can�t see any reason we can�t all put our heads together and come up with something that makes us all happy.�

Ned motioned to the waitress to bring another round of drinks. �Neither can I.�

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Meanwhile on the other side of town Alexis was just arriving at her office with an agenda of her own. She said good morning to Janis and told her she didn�t want to be disturbed as she closed the door behind her. Alexis lend against her door for a moment and smiled before sitting down behind her desk and picking up the file on Julia Barrett.

�So let�s see what you�ve been up to.� Alexis said to herself, as she looked the file over. �Now why on earth would someone like you be interested in buying stock in a company like this?� Alexis asked as laid the file down on the desk and pushed the button on her intercom.

�Yes Mrs. Ashton.� Janis said

Alexis stared at the paper in front of her. �Find out what you can about a company in Europe called �Lace Incorporated�.�

�Yes Mrs. Ashton. Anything else?�

Alexis thought for a moment. �Yes make sure you find out who else owns stock in the company.�

�Right away Mrs. Ashton.�

Alexis picked up the file again and continued to read it as she paced back and forth across her office room floor. Her face suddenly lit up as she turned the page and saw that Barrett Industries was a large stock holder in one of the companies Cassidine Industries owned under a false name.

�This is just perfect.� Alexis said under her breath as she picked up the phone and dialed her brother.

�What?� Stefan yelled into the receiver as he took his glasses off his face and threw them on his desk.
I need to see you.�

�I�ll be here.�

�I�ll be right there.�

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Meanwhile back at the PC Grill

�Hey stranger, have a bad day?� V asked walking over to Ned and putting her hand on his shoulder.

Ned looked up at her and nursed his drink as he spoke. �I just lost the deal of the century and my Grandfather is probably going to kill me.�

V cocked her head and sighed. �It can�t be all that bad?�

�Maybe not but it doesn�t get much worse then this.� Ned replied as he slammed his drink back.

�Mind if I sit down?� V asked.

�I�m not very good company right now.� Ned said as he motioned to the waitress. �But hey it�s a free country.

�Thanks.� V replied as she sat down.

�So what brings you to this end of town?� Ned asked before turning to the waitress. �Ya I�ll have another one.� He said pointing to his glass. �And my friend here will have?�

�Um white wine please.� V replied. �Actually Ned I�ve decided to stay in Port Charles Rachel and Kristin have gotten close and I really miss it here.�

�Well we miss having you here.� Ned replied as he reached across the table and picked up her hand.

V smiled as she took his hand in hers. �I�ve spent most of the morning with the realtors looking for a place but I just can�t seem to find one.�

�Don�t worry I won�t kick you out before then.� Ned replied as V smiled at him. �Now Alexis, well she�s another story.� He added teasingly.

�I thought I�d find you here!� Edward bellowed as he approached the table.

Ned sighed heavily as he sat back in his chair. �Well hello grandfather.�

�Can�t you do anything right?� Edward yelled. �This was a simple deal that only required as much as a signature.

�Grandfather I�m sorry we just couldn�t came to an agreement to suit all of our needs, it happens.�

�Well it shouldn�t have just happened.� Edward yelled as he brought his face closer to Ned�. �If I wanted someone to screw it up I would have sent AJ to meet with them.�

�This is why I walked away from ELQ in the first place.� Ned yelled back as he got up. �I�m tried of being jerked around.�

�The only person jerking you around is you.� Edward said. �Where were you yesterday? What was so important that you missed the original meeting?� He demanded to know.

Ned looked down at V and shook his head before turning his back on his grandfather and walking away.

�If you would have taken care of this yesterday we wouldn�t be out ten million dollars.� Edward yelled as Ned continued out the door.

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�I don�t care how much they want for the company.� Stefan yelling on the phone when Alexis walked into his office. �See to it that you do.� He added as he slammed the phone down.

�I guess I came at a bad time.� Alexis said

Stefan looked up at her. �All depends on what you want.� He replied coldly.

Alexis tilted her head and put her finger up to her temple as she thought for a moment. �While hello Alexis and how are you doing on this lovely day, would be nice for starters.�

Stefan just gave her an evil look as he sat down behind his desk.

�Or maybe not.� She quickly shot back, while taking a seat as well.

�Alexis I don�t have time for your games. What is it that you want?�

�Cassidine Industries owns a small company under the name Bosler Industries that I�d like to sell.� She says while handing him a file.

�Why?� He asked whiling taking the file.

�I�ve read the file and the company really serves no purpose plus did you know we are actually losing money from holding on to it?�

Stefan looks intrigued as he reads over the file. �I can see holding on to this company isn�t making us money but according to this I don�t see how we�re losing any.�

Alexis closed her eyes for a minute to regroup. She stood up and walked over to him. �Okay so technically we aren�t losing money but I know a company that will be severally damaged by us ridding ourselves of it.�

Stefan looks up at her and smiles. �So in other words it�s nothing more then a personally attack?�

�Yes.� She replied as she rolled her eyes.

�Why Alexis I didn�t know you still had it in you.� Stefan replied through a smile.

�So does that mean you won�t fight me on selling it?�

Stefan threw the file down on his desk and put his hand in the air. �Do what you want with it. Like you said it serves the family no use.�

�Thank you.� Alexis screamed as she walked around his desk and pulled him into a hug. �I knew I could count on you.� She added as she kissed his cheek.

�So just what is the name of the company you�re trying to slowly destroy?� He asked as she walked away and picked up her purse.

�Barrett Industries.� She replied happily as she closed the door behind her.

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Quatermaine Mansion.

�Well hello Edward.� Jax said as he walked into the living room and walked over to make himself a drink.

�What the hell do you want?� Edward bellowed.

�I�ve come to celebrate.� Jax said as he took a sip of his drink.

�Just what the hell do you have to celebrate?� Edward asked as he took the glass from him.

Jax laughed at him as he took another glass from the bar and poured himself another drink. �Well you know that deal that feel through for Ned?�

�What about it?� Edward asked.

Jax laughed as he slammed his drink back before replying. �You�ll never guess who they decided to make a deal with?�

�You.� Edward yelled.

�You know you should really tell Ned if he plans on running this company of yours, to pay more attention to being on time for important meetings and less time in bed with his wife.� Jax said as he left. �Or wherever it is they do it?�

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Alexis was in her car on the way back to her office when her car phone rang.

�Hello.�

�Hey there this is your husband where are you.� Ned barely spit out.

�Ned what�s the matter?�

�I�m at the Grill and I need you to pick me up.� He slurred as he down another drink.

�I�m on my way.� Alexis said as she hung up the phone and turned the car around.

�Well Dave.� Ned said to the bartender. �Pour me another one while I wait.�

�Don�t you think you�ve had enough for one day?� Dave asked.

�My life is messed up and what it�s all of a sudden your day to watch me?� Ned said sarcastically

Dave didn�t say a word as he poured Ned another drink. About twenty minutes later Alexis showed up.

Ned placed his arm around his wife� shoulder and slurred in her ear while spitting. �I thought you�d never get here.�

�I got here as soon as I could.� Alexis said as she helped him off the barstool. �Want to tell me why you decided to get tanked?�

�I blew it, I had a chance to make my grandfather finally appreciate me and I blew.� He said as they walked out of the Grill.

�Ned I though you gave up on making your grandfather happy?� She helped him in the car. �You�ve managed to stay out of the family business for close to seven years now.� She got behind the wheel. �Why do this to yourself again?�

Ned placed his head on her lap as she started the car. �What would I do without you?�

Alexis shook her head and ran her fingers through his hair. �Probably call a cab.�

�The last time I tried to lay my head on a cab drivers lap like this she kicked me out of the cab.� He said teasingly.

Alexis didn�t say a word as she looked down at him and noticed he passed out.

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Later on that night Alexis was sitting on the couch reading over her notes for a deposition she had early the next morning. Ned came walking downstairs with an awful hangover, his hands practically covering his eyes. He slowly made his way to the couch and laid his head down on Alexis� lap.

�It�s really hard for me to read this way.� Alexis stated as she tried to remove her papers from under his head.

�Why�d you let me drink so much?�

�Sorry Honey can�t blame me for this one.� She said lovingly.

�Tell the world to stop I want to get off.� He screamed in agony.

�I can�t do that but I can go into the kitchen and get you some aspirin and a glass of water.�

�Bless you.� He said as he slowly lifted his head allowing her to get up.

Alexis kissed him on the forehead. �I�ll be right back.�

�How come it�s so quite in here, where are the kids?�

�They�re in bed.� She yelled from the other room. �It�s one o�clock in the morning.�

�I�ve been asleep that long and still don�t feel any better then I did when I went to bed.�

Alexis walked back out and handed him some aspirins and a glass of water as he slowly sat up. �Do you even remember going to bed?�

Ned thinks for a minute. �The last thing I remember is you dragging me out of the car and me hitting my head on the ground when I fell.�

�Which accounts for part of your headache.� She replied.

�Then you somehow managed to get me upstairs� he trailed off as he thought some more. �Oh yea then you tried to strip me of my clothes and rape me.�

Alexis laughed. �Who tried to rape whom?�

He grabbed her legs and pulled her down onto his lap. �I remember it well. First you threw me unto the bed, undid my pants and slid them off of me, before remembering to remove my shoes.� She laughed even harder. �It was a lot easier getting my pants off after you took my shoes off, wasn�t it.�

�A lot.� She replied not being able to believe he actually remember that.

�Then you pulled my hands up and tried to take my shirt off.�

�Which was very hard to do because you kept grabbing my�� She trailed off as he pinched her ass.

�Like that?� he asked.

�Something like that.� She replied still laughing. �Just with a lot more persistence.�

He pulled her in tighter and kissed her neck. �Oh yea now I remember it was me who tried to rape you.� He laughed.

�If it wasn�t for the fact that you eventually passed out on me again, you would have succeeded.� She replied as he bit her neck.

Ned pulled her face back and gave her an evil look. �I didn�t realize I came that close.�

�What can I stay it�s not easy for me to say no to you.�

�Really?� He said with raised eyebrows.

�Really.� She answered as he threw her to the floor, straddle his legs across her, and began ripping her clothes from her body.

�Ned we can�t�.. not here.� Alexis screamed. �The kids and V are just upstairs they could come down at any moment.�

Ned laughed at her as he started discarding his own clothes, before placing his hand over her mouth. �If you keeping screaming like that they just might.� He stated firmly before removing his hand. She was about to say something so he quickly covered her mouth with his own and continued to kiss her breathlessly until she gave in.

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Early the next morning V came downstairs in her bathrobe to make some coffee when she spotted Ned and Alexis sound asleep on the floor. They were still lying in front of the couch and were covered with practically nothing except a small blanket. V slowly walked over towards Alexis and shook her lightly. Alexis barely moved but Ned opened his eyes slightly and rolled over.

�Hey V what�s up?� Ned asked.

V�s face turned red as the sheet that was covering Ned exposed his rear. �Um �..I just thought you should know that um��.the kids are awake and they�re watching TV but they�ll probably be down soon.�

Ned who was still out of simple said �thanks V�

V just stood there and didn�t know what to say. Suddenly Ned� eyes opened wide and he realized they were still in the living room completely naked. Ned smiled up at V before shaking Alexis. �Sweetheart it�s time to get up.�

Alexis moaned. �Five more minutes that�s all I need just five more minutes.�

�I think I�ll go make some coffee.� V stated as she walked away.

�Give that back to me Tommy it�s mine.� Kristin yelled as she chased Tommy down the stairs.

�It�s mine it�s mine.� He screamed as he tried to run away.

�If you don�t give it back to me right now I�m going to hurt you.� Kristin yelled.

�Stop it.� Ned yelled as he sat up. �Behave yourselves.�

Alexis opened her eyes as Ned screamed and quickly put her body behind his and tried to cover them with the sheet.

�What�s you and mommy doing daddy?� Kristin asked as she walked over to them.

Ned and Alexis looked at each other. �Well�..we were um��.� Ned began.

�Sleeping until you two woke us up.� Alexis stated firmly.

�Mommy, daddy naked.� Tommy giggled.

�What you get to run around the house naked but mommy and I don�t?� Ned stated as he grabbed Tommy and tickled him.

�What do you say we go upstairs and get dressed?� V said as she walked back into the room.

�Good idea.� Ned replied. �You two go get Rachel and get dressed and I�ll take everyone out to breakfast.�

�Can we go to the Grill?� Kristin screeched.

�The grill sounds good to me.� Alexis replied. �Now go get dressed.�

�Okay.� Kristin yelled as they all headed up stairs.

Alexis laid back. �Please tell me that just didn�t happen?�

�Think about it this way it could have been a lot worse.�

�How?� Alexis asked sitting up.

�We might not have had this sheet.� Ned laughed as he kissed her.

Alexis got up and grabbed the blanket leaving him in the buff. �I�ll meet you upstairs.�

�Hey that�s not funny.� He yelled as he ran after her.

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Chapter 33

Jax� Penthouse ~ One Week later ~

�Coming!� Jax yelled as he made his way over to the door.

�Would you like to tell me what it is I did to make you sabotage my company!� Julia yelled as she stood in the doorway.

�I have no idea what you are talking about.�

�Bosler Industries just back out of a 5-year deal Barrett Industries had with them.�
Jax grabbed her arm and pulled her inside. �I have no idea who Bosler Industries is.�

�They just happen to be the company who owns other small companies that Barrett Industries relies on to stay afloat.�

�Okay and the problem is?�

�The problem is thanks to you they are no longer doing business with me!� Julia yelled as she threw a file at him.

�What is this?�

�That just happens to be a copy of the deal you made with one of their smaller companies two days after they dropped Barrett Industries.�

Jax looked at the file. �Okay yea so I made a deal with them what does that have to do with you or your company?�

�So you�re not denying the fact that you bought the company out?�

�Julia I buy and sell companies on a daily bases.�

�Fine but why this company��.why not some other company�� what do you have to gain by stabbing me in the back?�

�I am not trying to stab you or anyone else for that matter in the back.�
Julia turned around and looked him square in the eyes. �Oh yea what about ELQ?�

�That�s personally Julia and you know it! As for the reason I bought this particular company is because it just so happened that the head of the company called me and offered me a deal I couldn�t refuse.�

�They contacted you?� Julia yelled in disbelief.

�Yes they did.� Jax replied back defending himself. �I practically stole the company.� He handed her, the actually contract that he signed. �They offered it to me for a little over its value. Do you have any idea how much money I could make just buy selling the company to someone else?�

�But why you?� Julia asked. �Why would the owner go out of the way to offer you a deal of a lifetime when they know they could probably get twice what you paid for it?�

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~ Alexis Office ~

�Well as always it�s a pleasure doing business with you Mrs. Ashton.� A man replied as he placed some papers in his briefcase and stood up.

Alexis stood up as well and shook his hand. �Trust me the pleasures all mine.�

�I guess I should be hearing from you soon on that other matter you needed me to take care of?�

�Yes you will.� Alexis replied as she walked out from behind her desk. �But one matter at a time.� She walked him to the door. �You will make sure that it isn�t too hard to have everything traced back to Cassidine Industries?�

�Don�t worry Mrs. Ashton I a sure you that Ms. Barrett will be paying you a visit by the end of the week, if not the end of the day.�

�Perfect� Alexis replied with and evil smile.

�Excuse me Mrs. Ashton your one o�clock appointment is here.� Janis said.

�Thank you Janis.� Alexis replied to her before turning her attention back to the gentlemen in front of her. �Make sure you keep me notified on the companies progress.�

�Certainly Mrs. Ashton and again its been a pleasure.� The man said before leaving her office.

�Well that sounded really official.� V stated as she walked into the office and closed the door.

Alexis walked over to her desk and picked up and file and placed it on her filing cabinet. �That V was just the beginning.�

�I see that look in your eyes Alexis and it isn�t a good one.� V said. �So who�s the intended target?�

�Today Julia Barrett.� Alexis said while gathering her things. �Tomorrow Tracy Quatermaine.�

V laughed. �You actually plan on taking them both on?�

�Them and anyone else who gets in my way!�

�Well does that list included a certain good looking man who at one point you wanted nothing more then to hit the sheets with?�

�Considering he helped my darling Mother in law switch Kristin� blood test results��.you bet it does!�

�I just hope you know what you�re doing.�

�Of course I do. I�m taking a very dear friend of mine out to lunch before we go down to the realtors and see if we can�t make a better deal on that house you so hopelessly fell in love.

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An Alley ~~~~~~10:00 PM

�Did you take care of it.� A woman asked

�Yes the place will go up in flames at midnight tonight.� A man replied

�Just make sure nobody is inside.� She added

�You didn�t pay me to kill anybody just torch the place.�

�I�m doing this for his own good.�

The man looked at the wad of cash in front of him. �Lady I don�t care why you�re doing it.�

�My darling son needs to remember who he is.� Tracy clearly stated. �He needs to stop running around acting like a fool for a bunch of teenagers. He was a powerfully player at one time and that�s where he should still be today. I don�t care what I have to do or how I have to do it, but he will again be running the family business.�

�If you ask me, it�s a pricey lesson to learn.�

�Nobody asked you.� She yelled back. �I pay you for your expertise, not your opinions. Not be gone with yourself I don�t want to be seen with you.�

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Alexis was in her car on the way home when her cell phone rang. �Yes I know, you�re mad because it�s late and I�m still not home.�

�Actually I was calling you to tell you I�d be at the studio a while longer. I have something�s that I need to take care of that I�ve been pushing aside.� Ned replied.

�Would you like me to come down there and help you out?� Alexis asked. �I�m just around the corner.�

�No don�t worry about me, I�ll be fine�..lonely�.. but fine.�

�What�s the point of me being home lonely and you being there lonely when we can both not be lonely together?�

�Our children.� Ned simply stated. �They need and want their mommy to tuck them in.�

�Ned it�s after ten don�t you think V already put them to bed?�

�Tommy may be sleeping but do you honestly think Kristin and Rachel are?�

�Okay fine you win but if you aren�t home within the next hour I�m coming down to that studio and dragging you home.�

�I wouldn�t have it any other way.� Ned replied as he hung up the phone.

�Hey boss where�d you like me to put these?� Nikolas asked as he walked into the basement where Ned was.

�What are they?�

�A whole bunch of CD�s from unknown people who think they can sing.�

Ned laughed. �Have you listened to them all?�

�Most of them.� Nikolas replied.

�Well the ones you�ve listened to and don�t like can go hear.� Ned replied as he held up a small trashcan. Nikolas dumped about 1/2 of them in it. �That bad huh?�

Nikolas shook his head. �No worse.�

�Okay then�..anyway the ones you do like you can place on my desk and I�ll listen to them tomorrow.�

�I haven�t found any I like yet.�

�What about all the ones you still have in your hand?�

�I haven�t listened to them yet.�

�Well I guess you better get to it.�

�Now?� Nikolas asked.

�Afraid so, I need at least one of those soon to be artists working for L&B by the end of the week.�

�I don�t suppose we could just mix them up a little and pick a winner?� Nikolas asked teasingly.

�Go upstairs and figure out whose day your going to make by calling them down to the studio tomorrow.�

Nikolas looked down at his watch. �Great it�s after 11:00 I can�t even order pizza.� He mumbled as he went up the stairs.

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Alexis is sitting on the couch eating a quart of ice cream and watching the late night news. She�s wearing a pair of sweats and one of Ned� sweaters.

�Isn�t it a little hot in here to be dressed like that?� V asked as she entered the room. �What do you have the tempter set at anyway, 105 degrees?�

�It�s only set at 95.� Alexis replied

V sat down on the couch. �Well you wouldn�t need it so high if you�d stop eating that ice cream.� She joked.

�I happened to be cold before I started eating ice cream.�

Just then Kristin walked down the stairs. �Isn�t daddy going to kiss us goodnight?� She asked as she climbed up onto her mother�s lap.

�Unfortunately your daddy�s not home he�s still working.� Alexis said as she kissed her cheek. �But I�ll make you a deal you go back up those stairs and tuck yourself nice and tightly back under the blankets and I�ll make sure when daddy gets home he gives you a big wet kiss.�

�And Tommy and Rachel too?� Kristin asked.

Alexis laughed. �But of course.�

�Okay mommy, I love you.� Kristin yelled as she ran up the stairs.

�I envy you.� V said as she looked over at Alexis.

�Why is that?�

�Because here you are happily married raising two beautiful kids and are about to have a brand new baby.�

�You know V you aren�t to old too have more kids.�

�First I have to find a man.� V jokingly replied.

�Just for one night.� Alexis shot back.

�I couldn�t get that lucky.�

Alexis was about to say something when the phone rang. �Hello.�

�And how�s my lovely wife this extremely late evening?�

�Extremely lonely.� Alexis replied in a shallow tone.

Just by hearing her voice Ned wanted nothing more then to go home and be with her but he couldn�t. Ever since he moved into the new building he�s put so much off and L&B was suffering dearly for it.

�I�ll be home soon I promise.� Ned replied.

�It�s going to be after one before you get home.� She added in a pouting tone.

At this point in the conversation V got up and went into the kitchen to find something to munch on herself.

�Why don�t you stop eating that ice cream of yours and take yourself and that baby of ours up stairs and get some sleep.�

Alexis looked down at the almost empty container of ice cream. �What makes you think I�m eating ice cream?�

�Because I know my wife so well.� He replied. �If I know you, you�re probably on your second quart of ice cream, sitting on the couch in the living room with the news on and the lights out waiting for me to walk through that door.�

Alexis threw the spoon into the ice cream and placed it on the table. �For your information the lights happen to be on.�

�My mistake.� He replied through a chuckle.

�Next thing you know you�re going to be telling me what I�m wearing and what color it is.�
A smile came across Ned� face. �Now see if we start playing that game I�ll never get out of here.�

�In that case get back to work and hurry home.�

�I love you sweetheart.�

�I love you too!� she replied as she hung up the phone.

�Want a cookie?� V asked her from behind.

Alexis took the cookie from her. �What I really want is for my husband to come home.� She stated while looking down at her watch and noticing the time. �It�s almost midnight and he said he�d still be a while.

�So why don�t you go down there and drag his butt home.�

�I should, shouldn�t I?� Alexis replied as she got up off the couch and ran up to her room to change her clothes.

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L&B Studio

Ned threw a bunch of papers in the trashcan as he looked up at the clock on the wall. The clock read 11:58; he shook his head and continued shuffling through papers.
Meanwhile Nikolas is upstairs in the sounding room listening to really bad music. As he goes from one sorrowful wannabe to the next he tosses the CD in the garbage. He sighs heavily as he places the next one in the player.

Outside the building Alexis has just pulled up, she turns off her car, gets out, sets her alarm and walks up to the front door. Just as she opened the front door of L&B studio her car alarm went off. She jumped slightly at the sound as she turned to look at her car. As she pushes the button on her key chain to reset it, a loud bang is heard through out the air. She flies backward through the door and into the burning building. The explosives set in a bad chain of events as things started falling everywhere.

Ned screamed as the fire quickly rose around him, he was trapped between the burning hot flames with no way out.

Nikolas who was still upstairs in the sounding room had no idea what was happening as the people below him were in serious danger.

Alexis shook her head and looked around the room, she pulled herself together and yelled out Ned� name as she rose to her feet.

Ned who was frantically trying to figure a way out stopped dead in his tracks as he swore he heard Alexis� voice.

Alexis continued to call out his name as she held her hands over her face and walked further into the building. Part of the second floor above her collapsed as she screamed from sheer fear as it came crashing down on her, she was buried instantly.

Ned was sure at this point that Alexis was, indeed inside the building. He had to get to her but he couldn�t the flames by his only exit was too high. He noticed a small window above him and quickly stacked things on top of one another as he climbed up and crawled out the window. He didn�t even take the time to try and catch his breath or clear his lungs as he made his way around to the front of the building. He walked through the front door and screamed her name over and over again, but got no response. He burnt his hands trying to move things around carefully making sure Alexis wasn�t buried alive.

Nikolas screamed when he realized that he found it. Ned was going to be so happy because he found the perfect new artist that was going to put L&B back on top. Nikolas pulled the CD out of the player and placed it in its case. He opened the door and ran out of the room, he was just about to step on the top step of the stairs as flames spread across them quickly pulling them to the floor. Nikolas fell over the edge and grabbed a hold of what was left of the railing as he hung there.

�Nikolas jump!� Ned yelled as he noticed him. �The building is going up way to quickly we need to get out of here.�

As Nikolas let go he looked down and hit the ground with a thumb. His right leg landed in a bunch of flames instantly setting his pants on fire. Ned grabbed a blanket and ran over to him and was able to put it out before any serious damage was done.

�Let�s get the hell out of here.� Nikolas yelled as he raced for the front door.

�We can�t!� Ned yelled back. �Alexis is trapped somewhere under all of this.

�Ned help me.� Alexis continued to speak as nothing but a dim sound was heard.

Nikolas ran over to Ned and handed him the blanket off the back of the couch. They laid it over a burning beam and careful moved it, but only inches. It was to hot and way too heavy, but it was enough for Ned to notice Alexis lying underneath it.

Ned screamed to Alexis that he was going to get her out of there as he heard the fire trucks way in the distance.

�Is anybody in here?� Lucky yelled as he came through the slight path left by the front door.

�Lucky hurry up get over here.� Nikolas yelled. �Alexis is trapped and we need to get her out.�

Lucky looked down at her and around the room. Saving her at this point looked really dim and they all knew it but it wasn�t going to stop them. If she died they were all going to die with her, little did they know the beam directly above them was about to give way at any second.
As they worked together to try and save her, their lungs were filling with smoke. They were able to fully remove one beam from across her legs as Ned looked down on her and noticed her pants were covered with blood. It�s heart sunk as he placed his hands over his face and screamed. Nikolas and Lucky looked at each other as it hit them that the baby she was carrying didn�t survive.

�Damn it I�m not going to let her die.� Ned screamed �We have to get her out.� Ned didn�t care that his hands weren�t protected as he quickly step on hot burning boards and broken them in half picking them up and tossing them aside. He was slowly making his way to her. The two brothers continued to try and lift the last large beam off of her as Ned managed to slide his hands under her back and slightly pull her out. As a sigh of relief came across them all and Alexis opened her eyes and looked at her husband the beam above them gave way and collapsed.