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CHAPTER 41 ~ Early Morning ~ Alexis slowly opened her eyes and was shocked to see Ned sitting on the hope chest at the end of the bed. �Hey there you okay?� She asked as she crawled out from under the sheets and made her way over to him. �I�m sorry...I just couldn�t sleep that�s all.� He solemnly stated. �I didn�t mean to wake you.� Alexis got up on her knees and began massaging his shoulders. �Would you believe me if I said I was already awake?� He grabbed her hands and pulled her against his back. �You have no idea how nice it was to see you tuck Tommy into bed last night.� She laid her head on his shoulder and kissed his neck. �You don�t know how good it felt. I hated myself so much because I was so afraid if I touched him I�d hurt him.� Ned took her wedding ring between his two fingers and twisted it around on her finger several times. �You hurt him more by not touching him.� �I know I did and I didn�t mean to.� She took a deep breath. �I�m just so scared that I�m going to lose him like I�ve lost my other children.� �Alexis I promise you nothing bad is going to happen to him.� �You can�t make that promise Ned...you have no idea what the future holds for us.� He pulled her off the bed and had her sit on his lap. �The one thing I do know Alexis Ashton is that you and I along with Tommy and Kristin will be a family again real soon.� �Ned it�s been weeks and it�s like she�s disappeared without a trace.� A tear ran down her face. �Ned I don�t think she�s ever coming home.� He forcefully took her face in her hands. �Don�t you dare give up on me.....not now.....Not now that I�ve finally gotten you out of that damn fog you have been living in and starting to come around.� �But Ned we hav.....� �I want the strong willed determine ruthless lawyer that I feel in love with so many years ago, back.� He said firmly cutting her off. �What the hell happened to Alexis Davis Ashton the Cassidine not to be reckoned with?� She got off his lap and began yelling at him. �Most of her died along with our baby....you remember our baby right Ned the child I was carrying that you now inform me that your mother may have been responsible for killing!� �If my mother was responsible for the explosion then that also means she�s responsible for Kristin running away.� �How can she do something like that to her own grandchildren?� Alexis yelled as she picked up a hand held mirror and threw it against the wall.� Ned stood up. �Well what do you plan on doing about it?� he yelled. Alexis walked over to her dresser and in an outrage pushed everything to the floor. �That woman maybe you�re mother Ned but I am not going to allow her to get away with hurting my family!� Ned was so glad to see her letting it all out that he continued to edge her on. �And if Helena is the one who has Kristin!� �Then I�m going to make her pay....that woman has destroyed my life one too many times....she has to be stopped!� �I�m with you we need to stop sitting around here doing nothing.� He grabbed her arm and made her look at him. �We need to put our heads together and bring our little girl home!� �We�ll start by going to the Cassidine Islands in Greece and searching the place top to bottom.......If Helena does have Kristin that�s the first place she�d take her!� �I�ll call the hanger and have the jet fueled and ready to go!� Alexis pulled a suitcase out of the closet and threw it on the bed. She then took some clothes out of both her and Ned�s drawers and threw them in. �I�ll call Nikolas and ask him to watch Tommy while we�re gone.� �I have a couple other things I need to take care of so I�ll meet you back here in about an hour.� �I�ll have Nikolas come here so I�ll be ready.� He walks over to her and gives her a kiss. �I love you!� �Thank you Ned.� �For loving you?� �For helping me get the Cassidine in me back.� �If Helena has her we�re going to find her.� �Even if she doesn�t I�m not gonna give up....I�m going to find her!� �We�re gonna find her.� He added before he left the room. Alexis sat on the bed and took a deep breath before she picked up the phone and called Nikolas. ~*~ ~ Back on the Island ~ �No you don�t understand I need to speak with Stefan Cassidine right away.� Victoria yelled into the receiver. �I�m so sorry.� Mrs. Lansbury said. �But he can�t come to the phone right now he�s in a very important meeting with overseas investors. �That just won�t do.� Victoria yelled. �You must tell him that it is a matter of life and death.� �I can�t do that unless you tell me whom this is calling.� �I can�t tell you who I am.....but it really is a matter of life and death.� �I�m sorry then I just can�t help you.� Wait!� Victoria yelled just before Mrs. Lansbury hung up. �Tell him it has to do with the safety and well being of his niece Kristin Ashton.� �Right away.� �Thank you.� Victoria said as she looked over at Kristin who was quietly playing with her dolls. Meanwhile Mrs. L takes a deep breath before barging into Mr. Cassidine� meeting. �Excuse me Mr. Cassidine but you have an important call that needs your immediate attention.� �I told you I was not to be interrupted.� Stefan bellowed. �I know sir but it has to do with young Miss Kristin Ashton.� Stefan stands up. �If you gentlemen will excuse me I really must take this.� �Certainly!� One man says in reply as Stefan exits the room. �The young woman wouldn�t give me her name.� Mrs. Lansbury says as Stefan picks up the phone. �Hello this is Stefan Cassidine how can I help you?� �Grandmother I didn�t hear you come in.� Victoria states while bringing the phone down to her side. �I was just about to call the driver and have him take Kristin and I to the movies.� �See the pretty dress Victoria let me wear.� Kristin says causing Helena to look at her giving Victoria ample time to hang up the phone and pray Stefan recognized her voice. �Well now isn�t that the most darling little dress.� Helena shot back before looking over at Victoria. �Didn�t that use to belong to you?� �Yes it did.� Victoria simple replied fearing she had been caught. �Well now what movie is it that you two are going to be seeing tonight?� Helena asked. �Victoria said we could go see the new Disney movie that�s out.� �Sounds like fun.� Helena replied. �Kristin dear why don�t you go wash your face while Victoria gets ready?� �Okay.� Kristin yells as she runs into the bathroom. �You are to make no plans with that child unless I am notified first.� Helena yelled sternly at Victoria. �Do you understand?� �I�m sorry I didn�t think you would have a problem with me taking her to a movie.� �That child is not to leave the house under any circumstances!� Helena shot back. �So I�m taking her out, what are you going to do, kill me?� Helena walked up to the child and placed her hand on her face. �I�d love to do nothing more!� �The problem is you can�t� �The power my dear child that you think you hold inside is really starting to aggravate me!� �Life does suck.......trust me I have to live mine with you!� Victoria yelled. �You want to leave fine....there� the door but the minute you walk through it your mother is a dead woman!� �You know it won�t be long before everyone finds out the truth about Nikolas and me.� �Nikolas my dear is the heir according to everyone...even your precious Stefan.� �Maybe I�ll just tell Stefan that the only living child Stavros had was me!� Victoria evilly stated. �Stefan will never learn the truth.....do you hear me!� Helena yelled. �I will kill both you and your mother before I allow Nikolas to be left with nothing.� �I am the heir of the Cassidine fortune and that is the true reason you have kept me here all these years.� Victoria yelled as Helena left the room ~*~ �Hey Nikolas.� Ned said as he walked through his front door. �I really appreciate you watching Tommy for us.� �Listen I know you and Alexis are determined to find Kristin but don�t let your search for her cloud your judgment where Helena is concerned.� �Don�t worry Nikolas I�m very well aware of the damage Helena can create.� �Ned you�re back.� Alexis said as she walked down the stairs. �Did you take care of everything okay?� �Yea the plane is fueled and ready to go.� He said as he took the suitcase from her. �Nikolas thanks again.� Alexis said as she gave him a hug. Nikolas held her tight. �Just promise that you�ll be careful and you�ll call if you need anything......anything at all.� �We will.� Ned replied. �Alexis sweetie we really should get going.� �Yea okay I�m just going to run up and say goodbye to Tommy one last time.� �Alexis you�ve only said goodbye to the child ten times.� Nikolas laughed back. �I just don�t want him to think we�re leaving him.� Alexis sadly replied. Ned grabbed Alexis� arm before she hit the third step. �Honey you told him we were going to go find his sister and bring her home so let�s just do it.� Alexis took his hand off her arm and held it in hers. �We will, right after I go upstairs and kiss him goodbye.� She said as she ran back up the stairs. �Listen Nikolas as long as we have a minute.� Ned said as he grabbed Nikolas by the arm and pulled him over to the couch. �Is there anything about the house in Greece that maybe Alexis wouldn�t know or you think I need to know?� �Alexis knows that house better then anyone Ned even Stefan.....Trust me if Kristin is there or was there Alexis will know.� Ned ran his fingers through his hair in disgust. �I just want my family back.� He stated as he looked up the stairs and then back to Nikolas. �I need to bring our little girl home.� �Come on Ned we need to get out of here already.� Alexis stated as she ran down the stairs and out the front door. �Woman go figure.� Nikolas laughed. �A phenomenal that will never happen.� Ned shot back as he closed the door. Nikolas walked over and locked the front door before he headed up the stairs to check on Tommy. Ned and Alexis climbed into the back of the limo as a strong chill ran through her body. �Are you okay?� Ned asked �I don�t know I just got this weird feeling all of a sudden.� Alexis replied Ned placed his arms around her and held her close. �It�s probably nothing more then a mother who knows she�ll be holding her daughter in her arms before long.� �I hope you�re right.� Alexis replied as she laid her head on his chest and closed her eyes. Ned motioned for the driver to leave as Alexis once again felt shivers run through her soul. ~*~ A few long and silent hours later Ned and Alexis were sitting on the ELQ jet. Ned couldn�t quit figure it out but there was something different about Alexis, almost child like. She seemed well placed and strong but yet at the same time looked like she wanted to yell �please turn the plane around I want to go home�. After watching her aimlessly stare out the window for a few more moments, Ned went over and sat down next to her. �So do you want to tell me anything about this dark Cassidine Island we�re going to?� Alexis turned and looked at him. �What makes you think it�s dark.� She replied almost to quickly. �I just figure it must be.....after all the Cassidine� own it.� He stated trying to lighten the tense in the air. Alexis didn�t say a word as she shook her head and again stared out the window. �Is anyone expecting us?� Ned asked �No!� she shortly replied. �Because.....� He shot back becoming extremely annoyed with her. �If anyone knew we were coming they might inform Helena and then Kristin would be gone.� �Okay that�s it.� Ned yelled as he took her face and made her look at him. �We have sat here on this plane for over four hours and you have been more distant then I ever thought possible.� �What is that suppose to mean?� Alexis yelled back �You�ve barely spoken to me and when you do it�s cold short and distant.....what else do I need to say!� Alexis dropped her jaw and was about to yell at him when her eyes caught the love in his and she busted out crying. �Hey, hey it�s okay.� He said as he brought her head to his chest. �I don�t know what�s going on in that head of yours but I do know it�s something that you don�t want to talk about but really need to.� �Not now.� Alexis quietly said. �Can you just hold me please?� Ned didn�t say a word as he brought both their bodies closer together. He held her tight as her sobbing slowed down and she fell asleep. �I don�t know what you are so afraid of my love, but I promise I�m not going to let anyone hurt you.......not anyone.� Ned stated more for his own benefit then for hers. ~*~ ~ The Ashton� ~ �What the heck was that?� Nikolas yelled as he jumped off the couch, not knowing what had awoken him. �NO!� Tommy yelled from across the hall. Nikolas quickly ran into Tommy�s room to find two men attacking the small boy. �Get off of him.� Nikolas yelled as he fought with the one guy. �Leave him alone.� While the one man took on Nikolas the other man grabbed Tommy and ran down the stairs. �Let me go, let me go.� Tommy continued to yell �Kid just calm down nobody is going to hurt you.� The man yelled back. �I want my mommy.� Tommy yelled as he kicked the man in the face causing him to drop him. Tommy quickly got off the floor and ran over to the front door. He climbed onto the end table and tried his hardest to reach the alarm. Just as he was about to set it off the man grabbed him and pulled him away. �Sorry kid but I don�t think so.� �Let me go.� Tommy screamed again as both the man and Tommy hit the floor.� ~*~ ~ The Cassidine Island ~ �Sorry to disturb you madam.� One of Helena� servants stated. �But it seems Mr. and Mrs. Ashton have left Port Charles.� �Where are they headed?� Helena asked. �According to their flight plan, somewhere in the Caribbean Islands.� Helena smiled her evil smile. �So my darling husbands bastard daughter and her poor excuse for a lifelong bed partner have decided to take a vacation.......this couldn�t have worked out better if I planned it myself.� ~*~ ~ The Ashton� ~ �Tommy, Tommy!� Nikolas yelled as he came running down the stairs so fast that he fell. �Nikolas are you okay?� Tommy asked. Nikolas looked up at him and quickly noticed the thick blood running down his face. �Oh my god we have to get you to the hospital.� He looked around the room. �What happened to the man who grabbed you?� �Don�t worry about him.� Stefan said as he walked in the door. �I�ll see that he�s dealt with.� �Stefan what are you doing here?� Nikolas asked as he got off the floor. �I was looking for Alexis.� Stefan replied as he looked Nikolas over making sure he wasn�t badly hurt. �She�s not here.� Nikolas stated as he rubbed the back of his neck. �She took off with Ned to bring Kristin home.� �Where did they go?� Stefan yelled suddenly very concerned for their safety. Nikolas grabbed a towel off the back of the chair and placed it on Tommy� forehead before picking him up. �If they wanted you to know I�m sure they would have told you!� �Nikolas I don�t have time for this!� �Neither do I!� Nikolas yelled back as he made his way out the door. �I need to take care of Tommy.� Stefan quickly pulled out his cell phone and dialed a number. �Yes I need you to find my sister and her husband immediately!� -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- CHAPTER 42 ~ The Next day ~ ~ Somewhere just outside the grounds of the Cassidine Compound ~ �Alexis do you have any idea where we are?� Ned asked as he forcefully made his way through the overgrown field. �Trust me Ned we�re almost there.� She said as she turned around to look at him. �I�ve been through these woods a hundred times and have never gotten lost.� She stops and ponders that last thought. �Okay so maybe once or twice.� Ned gave her a panicked look. She grabbed his face and kissed him lightly on the lips. �Don�t worry I have no intention of getting lost this time.� �Yea well your good intentions won�t help us if we do.� Alexis turned back around and began walking again. �Come on we need to get to the other side of the island before we lose daylight and really get lost.� Ned stood still and looked around for a moment. �Just when I thought things couldn�t possible get worse.� He began following her. �You have to go and mention darkness.� �Oh stop being a baby and come on.� �You don�t plan on us sleeping out here do you?� Ned asked. Alexis stopped short and Ned literally ran into her. �I wouldn�t spend a night out here if my life depended on it.� She firmly stated. �Well it just might if we get lost..........Alexis do you realize that we could be out here for days and nobody would even find us.� �Tell me about it.� Alexis said suddenly feeling like a helpless child. �Sweetheart are you all right?� �I just hate these woods that�s all.� She started walking again. �Beside the longer we just stand around and talk the longer its going to take us to find the house.� �I still don�t understand why you had the pilot drop us off so far away.� �I told you if we flew any closer to the main house the radar would have picked up the jet.� �Only Helena Cassidine would have radar that practically reaches the States.� Ned stated sarcastically. �If you had as many enemies as she does so would you.� �Darling if I had half the enemies she has I�d be dead by now.� �If Helena has Kristin she�s going to wish she were dead.� ~*~ ~ Inside the main house ~ Helena, Kristin and Victoria we�re all sitting at the table finishing an early dinner. �May I be excused?� Victoria asked. �No you may not be!� Helena quickly replied. �When�s Tommy coming?� Kristin asked. �He�s not.� Victoria yelled. �Yes he is.� Helena shot back. �I miss Tommy.� Kristin said as tears ran down her face. �Now see what you�ve done?� Helena stated as she got up to comfort the little girl. �You can�t bring Tommy here!� Victoria yelled. �Michael's, Michael's.� Helena yelled The guard came running into the room as though there were a fire in the house. �Yes madam what can I do for you?� �Take young Ms. Cassidine here and see that she is dealt with.� Kristin was crying so loud that she didn�t even know what was happening as Michael�s grabbed Victoria by the arm forcefully and drug her out of the room. �Yes madam right away.� �Let go of me!� You could hear Victoria scream as she was hauled off. �Grandmother you�re going to pay for this.� Helena waited till Victoria could no longer be heard. She took Kristin by the hand and led her into the next room where they sat on the couch in front of the fire. �It�s okay honey I told you Thomas would be coming to live with us soon and he will be.� �But Victoria said he wasn�t coming.� Kristin yelled between cries. Helena held the small child in her arms and rocked her. �I would never lie to you honey Thomas will be with us.� Helena absentmindedly ran her fingers through Kristin�s hair as the child slowly calmed down and drifted off to sleep. ~*~ ~ Several hours later ~ �Sweetie we�ve been walking for what seems like days and it�s getting dark.� Ned exhaustedly states as he drops to the ground. Alexis runs over to him and pulls him back onto his feet. �I wouldn�t sit there if I were you.� �Why not?� Ned yells as he sits back down. �Do you trust me?� �Yea.� �Then don�t sit there.� Ned looks at her for a moment before getting back up. �Fine then where can we rest?� Alexis who doesn�t look any better then Ned can only think of one place, but it�s the last place she wants to go. She looks over at Ned and knows instantly that neither one of them are going to make it much further if they don�t stop and rest. �I don�t know about you sweetie but this backpack you made me carry is getting rather heavy. There must be some place out her where we can find shelter for the night.� Ned states as the last bit of sunlight falls from the sky. �There is.� She quietly states. � Come on it�s not that far away.� Ned quickly grabbed her arm. �Sweetheart that�s what you said about the main house.� �I lied......and the house is still a couple hours away.� Ned gave her a look somewhere between you�ve got to be kidding me and I�m going to kill you. He was about to say something when she cut him off. �But I promise the cave we�re going to is just a couple yards away.� �It better be!� ~*~ Meanwhile back in Port Charles Nikolas and Tommy are just getting off the launch to Windermere. �I don�t like this place.� Tommy says. �Why do we have to stay here?� Nikolas bends down in front of the small child. �We only have to stay here until your mommy and daddy comes home.� �I want my mommy and daddy to come home now.� Tommy yells as he stamps his right foot and then screams. Nikolas picks Tommy up and carries him into the house. �Come on the doctor gave me some medicine for you that will make the boo boos in your head go away.� �Why welcome home Mr. Cassidine.� Ms. Lansbury says as they walk in. �I have your room ready just like you requested.� �Thank you Ms. Lansbury. �Nikolas replies as she takes his bags from him. �Is my Uncle around?� �Yes he�s in the study. Would you like me to tell him your here?� �No that will be fine.� �Would you like me to put the boy to bed?� Nikolas looks at Tommy and laughs when he realizes he fell asleep. Nikolas carefully hands Tommy to Ms. Lansbury. �Yes thank you and be careful not to disturb the bandage on his head.� Nikolas carefully watches as Ms. Lansbury walks up the stairs with him. �Oh and Ms. Lansbury I don�t want the boy left alone, under any circumstances!� Nikolas firmly stated. �Yes sir.� ~*~ ~ An Hour Later ~ �See I told you it wasn�t much further.� Alexis stated as they walked inside an empty cave. Ned immediately dropped to the floor. He didn�t even have enough energy left inside him to open his backpack and search for the water. Alexis sat down next to him shivering. �Damn I forgot how cold it gets out here at night. Ned painfully picked up his arm and wrapped it around her pulling her closer. �Just give me five minutes and I�ll go and look for some wood and start a fire.� He looks at her. �You did pack matches didn�t you?� �Them and a blanket.� She replied as she grabbed her backpack and pulled one out. Ned quickly grabbed the blanket and covered them with it. �Have I told you how much I love you lately?� �No but you did show me how much you wanted to kill me with your eyes earlier.� Alexis jokingly shot back. �Well come here and I�ll show just how much I want to do something else with you.� Ned stated seductively as he placed the blanket over their heads. �I thought you were to tried to move.� �Sweetheart you should know me better then that.� He quickly replied as he pulled her body on top of his. �There are just something�s I�m never to tried to do.� �Oh don�t I know it.� ~*~ ~Meanwhile inside the House things weren�t looking good for poor young Ms. Cassidine ~ �Damn you Helena let me out of here!� Victoria yelled as she pounded on the metal door. Victoria quickly jumped back as the door opened �Your Grandmother said that I should deal with you myself.� Michaels said as he walked closer to her. �Leave me alone!� Victoria yelled as her back hit the cold metal wall behind her. Michaels walked closer to her and grabbed the front of her blouse. �You know you really should be nice to me.� �Why your going to do with me what you want weather I�m nice to you or not!� Victoria simple stated before spitting in his eye. �You little bitch!� Michaels yelled as he slapped her across the face knocking her to the ground. Tears slowly come down Victoria�s face as she looked up at him. �You�re going to pay for that.� He stated as he picked her up and threw her back into the wall. �You touch me and you�ll be sorry!� She yelled as she held her hands tightly in front of her body. �You can�t threaten me little girl.� He yelled back as he grabbed her and forcefully kissed her. She didn�t even try and push him off of her, as she knew she couldn�t win. She was so tried of fighting him every time he sexually assaulted her that she decided just to let him do what he wanted. Michaels broke the kiss and looked at her a second before ripping her blouse and bra from her body and kissing her newly exposed skin. Even though it sent shivers through Victoria�s soul she didn�t push him away she just closed her eyes and prayed it would all be over soon. Michaels took his hand and unzipped her skirt pushing it to the floor. Still Victoria didn�t fight back as he pushed her down onto the cold metal floor and laid on top of her. He must have kissed every inch of the top half of her body before he sat up and unbuckled his pants. Victoria laid there silently with her eyes closed as tight as possible. She only flinched once as she heard his pants unzipper and felt his hand run up her thigh. �Open your eyes!� He yelled. Victoria opened her eyes and without any feelings or sprit left in her she simple replied. �Do with me what you want then leave me the hell alone!� �You mean you aren�t even going to fight back?� �No.� She plainly stated. �Oh come on that�s no fun.� He laughed. �Well that sounds like a personal problem.� She coldly stated, as she looked him directly in the eyes. �I said fight back.� He yelled as he once again slapped her across the face. �No.� She again simple replied as she fought back the tears. Michaels continued to beat her and yell, but Victoria refused to fight back. Finally he stood up and pulled her to her feet. She looked him deep in the eyes as he pushed her back against the metal wall. Victoria flinched at the coldness before once again emotionlessly staring him down. Michaels turned and banged on the locked door. A man opened it and he walked out. Victoria slowly sunk to the floor and busted out crying as she grabbed her knees. She couldn�t believe he stopped and she hated herself more then she ever thought possible for all those years of fighting back. |
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