SBLCH7-8

CHAPTER 7

~The Cabin~

It was early the next morning and Ned was standing in front of the window looking out.
He couldn�t help but think about that terrible night. The one night he knows changed his life for the worst.

Alexis rolled out of bed when she noticed Ned was gone. She threw on her robe and hoped to find him in the other room. She stopped just inside the doorframe and half-heartedly smiled when she noticed him standing there with a blank expression of his face. She so desperately wanted to help him, to just take away his pain and make his nightmares go away. But she knew deep down inside that it was going to take more then her love and support to get him through it all.

Ned quietly walked away from the window and headed over to the couch when he saw Alexis standing there looking as beautiful as ever just watching him.

Alexis walked over to him and without saying a word placed her arms lovingly around him. He held her tight with ever fiber of his being as she closed her eyes and prayed for his soul.

~*~

~ Later that day Quatermaine mansion ~

�Hey Emily how are you doing?� Nikolas asked as he walked through the patio doors.

�Becoming like your brother I see and sneaking in the back?� Emily joked

�It�s great to see you have you�re sense of humor back.� Nikolas replied �I ran into Juan earlier today and he said the two of you had a small fight.�

�I just don�t understand why he doesn�t get the fact that things between us are
Over.�

�He thinks you blame him for Zander kidnapping you and that�s why you ended it.�

Emily laughed. �So he sent you his best friend over here to plead his case?�

Nikolas could help but laugh with her. �No not quit.� He quickly stated. �Emily you know I never liked Juan from the start and I was only being nice to him for you.�

�I know Nikolas but either way it�s over and Juan needs to understand that.�

�I could make him understand that if you�d like!� Nikolas shot back

�Thanks Nikolas but I just want him to get the message not hurt.�

�I would never..........�

�Never pass up the opportunity to kick him when he�s down.� Emily replied cutting him off.�

Nikolas walked over and gave Emily a hug. �Okay I'll leave Juan to you.�

�Thanks Nikolas�

�Hey what are friends for?� He replied before leaving the same way he entered.

~*~

~ PCPD ~

�Hey don�t I even get the right to call a lawyer?� Zander yelled

�Do you have a lawyer Mr. Smith?� Dara asked

�Well no but I still get to make one phone call.�

Dara walked over and picked up a phone and placed it in front of him. �There you go knock yourself out.�

Zander picked up the receiver and then placed it back down. �I don�t suppose you have a phone book?�

�Why of course we have a phone book.� Dara sarcastically replied before turning and walking away.

�Well could I borrow it?� He yelled after her with no reply. �You know you cops are all the same.

�Here.� Hannah stated as she walked over and threw a phone book down in his lap.

�Thanks.� Zander replied as he opened it up and frantically searched through it. �Damn it�s not listed.� He yelled

�Who�s not listed?� Hannah asked

�The Quatermaine�.�

Hannah walked over and took the book from him. �You were going to call the Quatermaine�?�

�Yes I need to find out if Emily�s all right.�

�Now that we got her away from you she will be.� Hannah shot back

~*~

~The Cabin ~

Ned is sitting on the floor in front of the fireplace staring into space.

Alexis steps over his legs carrying two glasses of wine and sits down.

�You know if you don�t want that fire that you�re so intensely drawn to, to go out don�t you think you should put another log on it?� She asked as she handed him a glass.

Ned didn�t take the glass as he stared more intensely into the flames.

�Ned sweetheart are you okay?� Alexis asked as she placed the glasses down and waved a hand in front of his eyes.

Ned however didn�t hear her voice or see her hand. In his mind all he could hear was the sound of gunfire and a man lying at his feet bleeding to death.

Alexis placed both her hands on his shoulders and shook him. �Ned please answer me you�re scarring me!� She yelled over and over again until he snapped out of it.

�Hey I thought you were going to get some popcorn?� He stated as he grabbed her and flung her across his knees.

Alexis just stared at him and didn�t know what to say.

�Don�t tell me we eat it all?�

�Um no I actually went into the kitchen to get some wine but if you�d like I could make us some popcorn.�

Ned pulled her close to him and he stared chewing on her neck. �No that�s okay besides I�d rather chew on you.�

Alexis pulled away from him. �Ned are you okay?�

�I�m better then okay.� He replied �how could I not be?� He began rubbing the side of her face. �I have the most beautiful woman lying in nothing but an almost see through robe across my lap.� He kissed her. �And at any time I want to I can take this robe off and have my way with her.� He added as he bit her neck in an oh so sensitive spot.

�You just love doing that don�t you?� She yelled as she squirmed.

�Oh Ms. Davis you don�t know how much I live to make you squirm.�

Ned pulled Alexis to him as they kissed passionately. Ned�s hands found their way to the tie of her robe and he pulled it lose. Alexis grabbed the back of his neck and pulled herself closer into the kiss as she allowed his hands to roam freely across her newly bare skin..

Alexis quickly broke the kiss and looked lovingly into his eyes. �I don�t know what I�d do if I lost you.�

�Well you don�t have to even think about that because I�m not going anywhere.� He replied into between light kisses across her face.

Alexis voice began to crack as she spoke. �I just keep thinking that it could have been you lying on that ground instead of one of Sorrel�s men.�

Ned who�s kisses where finding there way down the front of her chest, stopped immediately to look her in the eyes. �I don�t even want you to think about that night.� He took a deep breath �It�s bad enough that night is haunting my thoughts. Please don�t let it take control of yours as well.�

�Ned anything that haunts you haunts me.�

Ned pulled her close and held her tight as a strange eerie silence seemed to take over the room.

~*~

~Sorrels Office ~

Sorrel is on the phone with one of his cop informants.

�Mr. Sorrel the Zander kid is now in the protection of the PCPD.�

�Has he said anything connecting me to the killing of the undercover cop?�

The officer looks around to make sure nobody is listening to him. �Not that I�m aware of sir.�

�Make sure it stays that way!�

�Don�t worry I�ll take care of it.�

�See to it that you do.� Sorrel stated before hanging up the phone.

There was a knock on the door.

�Come in.� Sorrel stated loudly

One of Sorrels guards came walking in

�Have you found Mr. Ashton and his lovely lawyer yet?� Sorrel asked

�No Mr. Sorrel we haven�t.�

�I want Ashton found and dealt with immediately.� Sorrel demanded

Sorrels guard didn�t say a word as he turned and left the room.

Sorrel opened his bottom draw and pulled out a gun. �Nobody gets away with killing one of my men!� He said out loud to himself as he took the gun and left his office.

~*~

~Mac�s Office ~

�You�re not going to believe this Mac.� Dara stated as she approached him.

Mac who was reading a file closed it and threw it down on his desk. �Trust me Dara right about now I�d believe anything.�

�Even if I told you that Emily Quatermaine is demanding to see Zander Smith.�

�Why?� A shocked Mac asked

�According to Emily, Zander is the good guy who saved her life from the big bad mobster we all know and love as Joseph Sorrel.�

�You�ve got to be kidding me?� Mac yelled

�Oh trust me it gets better.�

Mac takes a seat. �Please spare me.�

�Emily also wants to go on record that Sorrel not Zander killed Ted.�

Mac stands back up. �And what does Smith have to say about that?�

�I don�t know I haven�t spoken to Smith yet.�

�Well then what are we waiting for?� Mac states as he begins to leave the room.

�What about the Quatermaine kid?� Dara asks

�She can see Smith after us.�

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

CHAPTER 8

~ TWO DAYS LATER ~

~ Quatermaine Living Room ~

Emily is sitting on the couch playing with her hair while her thoughts run wild thinking about Zander and how great it felt to kiss him at the rave.

Ned and Alexis walk into the room hand and hand. �Hey Emily how you doing?� Ned asked as he kissed the top of her head.

Emily jumped off the couch �I never thought you�d get here.�

�Emily we told you we�d be gone for a few days.�

�But it seems like you�ve been gone forever.�

�Sorry Emily we came as soon as we got your messages.� Alexis replied

Ned sits down next to Emily. �So why don�t you tell us what�s so important that it�s got you all freaked out.�

�It�s Zander......� Emily stated.

�I told you not to worry about him Emily.� Alexis said cutting her off. �Once you testify against him this nightmare will be over.�

�I�m not testifying against him!� Emily yelled

�Hey don�t worry Alexis and I will be right there.� Ned stated thinking she was scared to testify.

�No you don�t understand he never hurt me.�

�Emily he held you at gunpoint....� Alexis replied

�But only to get out of town...... after awhile he let me go.� Ned and Alexis exchanged a strange look. �He told me I could leave don�t you understand I stayed with him because I wanted to.�

�No Emily I don�t understand.� Ned stated in utter confusion.

�He didn�t kill Ted, Sorrel did.� Emily yelled

Ned stood up. �Emily are we back to this.�

Emily stood as well and walked over to him. �We never left it.�

�Emily weather you believe Zander or not really doesn�t matter. He�s going down for the murder of Ted Wilson.� Alexis stated

�Emily walked over to her. �Not if you help him.�

�Alexis is not helping Zander!� Ned yelled very straight forth.

Emily looked at Ned and then back at Alexis pleadingly. �Please Alexis he doesn�t have anyone to turn to he needs you. If you don�t help him they�ll kill him.�

Ned placed his hand on Emily�s shoulder �And if she does help him and he gets out Sorell will kill you all!�

Emily dismissed Ned�s words. �Please Alexis won�t you at least talk to him.�

�Emily I .......� Alexis started to say.

�Alexis please he�s so scarred that he won�t even tell the police anything.� Emily pleaded. �They questioned him about Ted�s death the other day and he basically told them I was making it all up to save him.�

�I think he�s using you Emily to get out of jail.� Ned stated �He�s playing on your innocents.�

�Alexis please just go and talk to him.�

Alexis looked at Emily and then over to Ned before taking a deep breath and looking back at Emily. �Okay fine I�ll talk to him.......but that�s it.�

Ned just shook his head in disgust and turned his back.

Alexis nodded to Emily and she quietly left the room. She then walked over to Ned and placed her arms around his back.

�Why are you doing this Alexis?�

Alexis laid her head on his shoulder blade. �What harm is it to just talk to the kid?�

�I don�t like the fact that you�re getting Emily�s hopes up that you might represent him.�

�I only told her I�d talk to him.�

�I don�t care what that kid told Emily about Ted Wilson. He�s still a drug dealer and a kidnapper and I don�t want you or her anywhere near him.�

~*~

~ PCPD ~ later that day ~

�Hey Mac� Alexis replied as she walked into the station and over to him.

�Hey Alexis what can I do for you?� Mac asked as he closed a file.

�I was wondering what was happing with the Smith kid!�

�Are you taking his case?�

�I just came by to talk to him and try to get a better feel of the situation.�

�So I�ll take that as undecided.� Mac stated as he walked away.

Alexis followed behind him �I take it the DA�s office is going for the death penalty!�

�He killed an undercover cop.�

�Do you know that for sure?�

Mac looked up at her. �Don�t tell me you�re one of those people who believe Sorell did it and left witness.�

�I�ll admit it doesn�t sound like Sorell but it�s still possible.�

�Yea and it�s also possible that the kids who brought rape drugs off of Smith didn�t use them on innocent prey.� Mac stated sarcastically.

�So he�s a drug dealer that doesn�t make him a killer.� Alexis stated firmly

Mac just looked at her. �If you�d like to see him I�ll bring him up to the interrogation room for ya. I have questions of my own that I need answered.�

�I want to talk to him first.�

�No problem.� He stated as he walked away.

~*~

~L&B Studios ~

�Anybody here?� Ned yells as he walks in

�Hey what�s up?� Nikolas replies as he emerges from the back room �I wasn�t expecting you back so soon.�

Ned laughed. �I didn�t expect to be back just yet.�

�So why are you?�

�Emily left several messages on Alexis� cell phone stating she needed to see her right away.�

�For What? Is she okay?�

�She wants Alexis to represent Zander.�

�She what?� Nikolas yelled

Ned placed his hands over his face. �Don�t even get me started.�

�Has Emily lost her mind?�

Ned was about to say something as what appeared to be a loud gunshot went off outside.

�What the hell?� Nikolas yelled as he grabbed his coat and ran out.

Ned got a massive headache so bad that he could have sworn his head was going explode. He placed his hands over his ears closed his eyes and screamed.

Nikolas heard him scream and came running back in. �Ned are you okay?�

Ned opened his eyes and caught sight of Nikolas. �I think so.�

Nikolas took his arm and helped him over to the couch. �I�m going to call Alexis.�

�No!� Ned yelled �I�ll be fine besides she doesn�t need to know about this.�

Nikolas didn�t say a word as he watch the color slowly come back in Ned� face.

�Was anybody hurt?� Ned asked

�What?�

�Outside was anybody hurt?�

�Um no it was just a car backfiring.� Nikolas replied �Are you sure you don�t want me to call Alexis?�

�No that won�t be necessary.�

�She�d want me to call her.�

Ned got up off the couch and lost his balance. Nikolas jumped to grab him but Ned caught himself before he fell.

�I guess I just got up a little to fast.�

�I really think I should call Alexis.�

As Ned walked past him he placed his hand on his shoulder. �Nikolas it was just a headache due to the loud noise. I�m fine now and I don�t want Alexis to worry about me.�

Nikolas wasn�t sure what to do as Ned made his way up the stairs. He so hated going against Ned but he knew Alexis needed to know what happen. he once again grabbed his coat and left the building.

~*~

~ PCPD ~

Alexis is sitting in the interrogation room waiting for Zander.

A guard brings Zander in and he sits down. �Who are you?�

Alexis looks up at the guard. �I�d like to talk to my client alone.�

�Yes Miss Davis� The guard replies then leaves.

�You�re client?� Zander ask

�I�m here because Emily Quatermaine asked me to be.�

�How do you know Emily?�

�That�s not important. The only thing you need to know is I�m a lawyer and for some reason Emily thinks you didn�t kill Ted Wilson.�

�I didn�t kill him!� Zander yells

�So why don�t you tell me who did?� Alexis asked

Zander looked right past Alexis and noticed one of Sorell� informants looking back at them.

Alexis turned around to see what Zander was looking at but the cop walked away before she could get a good look at him.

Alexis turned back around. �So are you going to tell me why I should help you or what?�

�Why should I believe that you�re going to believe anything I tell you?� Zander asked

�How about you lose the tough guy act and just assume I will.�

Zander didn�t say anything as he flung himself back in his chair and tried to stare Alexis down.

CHAPTER 9

Zander continued to stare at Alexis. Alexis in turn took his silence as a no. She threw her hands up in the air and got up.

�Okay fine I didn�t kill Ted. I was selling drugs for Sorel at the raves when I realized this guy looked out of place.� Alexis sat back down. �I told Sorel that I thought he was an undercover cop. Sorel told me to follow him, so I did.� He takes a deep breath. �He ended up leaving the rave with Emily and they headed to a
hotel............I never thought they were going to kill him. Or I never would have told him where to find them!�

�What happened after you followed them to the hotel?�

�I called Sorel and within minutes he showed up with two thugs. I swear I though Sorel was only going to scare him.�

�Go on.�

�Sorel had one of his men knock Ted out and then he gave him enough drugs to kill two people his size.� Zander looked around the room �They were going to kill Emily next but I convinced Sorel that she was so out of it and that she won�t even remember being there. Sorel was about to kill her anyway when I told him it would be better if they just set her up to make it look like she killed Ted.� Alexis shook her head. �So I placed a needle in Emily�s hand and Sorel and his men left.�

�So you tried to frame Emily for murder?�

�It was either that or they�d kill her!� Zander yelled �She didn�t deserve to die.�

�She didn�t deserve to be framed for murder either but you were willing to let her go down for it.� Alexis clearly stated.

�What was I suppose to do?� Zander asked bring back his tough guy act. �Are you going to help me or not?�

Alexis got up and looked at him. Every part of her was telling her to scream no but there was just something about this kid that she believed �I�m not sure yet but I'll let you know.� And with that she left the room.

Alexis was standing just outside the door when Nikolas came running up

�Alexis!� Nikolas said as he grabbed her arm startling her. �Sorry I didn�t mean to scare you.�

�That�s okay.� She caught her breath and looked up. �What�s the matter?�

�It�s Ned; he�s not acting right.�

�Not acting right how?� She asked as her cell phone rang.

�There was this loud noise outside that sounded like a gunshot.� Nikolas replied as Alexis took out her phone. �And he just lost it and screamed.�

�Alexis Davis.� She replied answering her phone.

�Hey beautiful how about meeting me for lunch.�

�I�d love to....say the grill in fifteen minutes.�

�I�ll be there.�

�Love ya.� Alexis replied as she hung up the phone. �That was Ned he wants me to meet him for lunch.� She stated as she put her arm through Nikolas�. �So why don�t you walk me to my car and tell me what happened?�

~*~

~ Sorel� Office ~

�Michaels just called.�

�And?� Sorel asked

�It seems not only are Miss Davis and Mr. Ashton back in town but Miss Davis is representing Zander Smith.�

�Well that is a mistake Miss Davis......and one that she needs to learn right away.�

�I�ll take care of it.�

�No I�ll take care of Miss Davis as well as Mr. Ashton.......myself!� Sorel stated.

~*~

~ PCPD ~

�Hey can I go back to my cell now?� Zander yelled

A guard walked in. �You have another visitor.�

�Ya well I don�t want anymore visitors.�

�This is jail kid you don�t get a choice.� He replied before letting Emily in.

Emily ran over to Zander and he stood up. She placed her arms around him and gave him a hug.

�Break it up.� The guard yelled. �No touching the prisoner.�

�Sorry!� Emily said very sarcastically.

They both sat across from each other and the guard left.

�That lawyer friend of yours was just here.� Said Zander

�I know I just saw her leave.� Emily smiled hopefully. �Do she say weather or not she�d help you?�

�She didn�t say.�

�But she didn�t say no did she?�

�No, but she didn�t say yes either.�

�She will.�

Zander smiled at her. �What makes you so sure?�

�Just trust me will ya. Alexis Davis will help and most importantly she�ll get you out of here.�

�I hope you�re right.�

~*~

PC Grill

Ned is sitting at a quiet table in the corner.

�You�re late.� He replies as he gets up and holds out her chair.

�I left as soon as I hung up the phone.� She replied as he bent down and kissed her.

Ned sat down and motioned for the waiter. �Bring us two glasses of seltzer with lime.� He looks over at Alexis. �Or would you like something stronger?�

�No that will be fine.�

�Mr. Ashton would you and Miss Davis care for the specialty of the house?�

�You know what, I�m so hungry that anything sounds good right about now.� Alexis replied.

�Make that two John.�

�Thanks John.� Alexis added as the waiter walked off

�So how�d things go with Zander?� Ned asked

Alexis grab his hand across the table. �I�d rather talk about you and how you�re doing.�

Ned laughed. �I was wondering where Nikolas ran off to.�

�He�s just worried about you and so am I.�

�You know what......why don�t we talk about something we both want to talk about?�

�Ned?�

�Like when we�re going to go back to that cabin?� He asked cutting her off.

�Ned please don�t.�

�Maybe this time we�ll even get to use that hot tub a little more.�

�Ned what happened at the studio?�

�I think we should go back when it�s little warmer though. I�d love to make love to you under that oak tree out back.�

Alexis removed her hand from his. �You�re starting to scare me.�

Ned laughed. �Why haven�t you ever-made love out in the open before?�

Alexis stood up. �If you�re not going to take my concerns seriously then I�m leaving.�

�Alexis wait!� Ned yelled as she walked out.

Ned got up and ran after her. He caught up with her just outside the hotel.

He grabbed her arm and made her stop. �I�m sorry.� He shook his head. �I just really don�t want to talk about it.�

�How often have you been getting headaches that bad?�

He placed his hand on her cheek. �If was the first time.......�

�Ned!� She yelled cutting him off.

He pulled her close and kissed the top of her head. �I promise you it was the first time I�ve gotten a headache that bad.�

�I think you should go see a doctor.�

�For what having a bad headache?� He mocked

�No I was thinking more about someone like Kevin Collins.�

�You want me to see a shrink?�

�Kevin is a good doctor and he can help you deal with what happened that night.�

Ned started walking towards his car. �I�m not going to see a shrink!�

�Will you please just consider it?� Alexis pleaded as she followed him. �I wish I could help you but I can�t.�

They made their way over to his car. He grabbed her around the waist and pushed her against it. �You want to help me....then come home with me.� He stated before kissing her.

Alexis reluctantly broke the kiss. �I can�t I have work to do.�

Ned looked her in the eyes. �Speaking of work do I want to know how things went with Zander today?�

Alexis put her head down and began playing with her Mothers ring. �Zander is a scared kid and I honestly don�t think he killed Ted Wilson.�

�Maybe not but he�s still a drug dealer and a kidnapper!�

Alexis manages to remove her body from between him and the car. �He�s just a good kid who got mixed up with the wrong people.�

Ned threw his head back and placed his hands over his eyes rubbing them down his face. �Oh please don�t even tell me.�

Alexis rolled her eyes. �Okay I won�t.�

�Alexis!� He yelled

�Ned� She yelled back �I just can�t let a kid who I believe didn�t kill a man to be given the death penalty.�

�There is no way I am going to just stand back and allow you to defend someone like Zander!�

�So now you�re telling me who I can and can�t represent?�

�Would it do any good?� He yelled

�No because I believe Zander and I am going to help him.�

�Alexis the kid sold drugs to other kids so they could rape people.� He calmly stated. �Emily almost died of a drug overdose.�

�I know all of this but he still didn�t kill that cop.�

�He�s still a criminal.......and one mind ya that you don�t need to be involved with.�

�He�s just a kid Ned!�

�A kid who is involved with the mob!�

�Ned I really don�t want to talk about this anymore! I�m going to help Zander weather you like it or not.� Ned was about to say something but she placed her hand over his mouth. �and furthermore I don�t appreciate you telling me I can�t!�

�Alexis you don�t seem to appreciate anything I do for you anymore!�

�What�s that suppose to mean?�

�Well let�s see you represent nothing but known criminals who constantly put you�re life in danger without any concern for my feelings. You move across the hall from Sonny Corinthos knowing damn well that I wasn�t going to be happy about it. Hence why you left a message on my answering machine telling me you moved. You drop everything to go run off in the middle of the night to go bail some criminal that works for Sonny out of jail no matter what we may or may not be doing.�

�Ned I�m a lawyer......... �

�Let�s see Alexis have I forgotten anything.� He yells cutting her off. �Oh yes that�s right you now don�t care how much I love both you and Emily so you�ve decided to defend Zander Smith!�

�Ned that�s not fair I do love you and you know it.�

�Do I Alexis?� He questioned. �Well if you do you sure have a funny way of showing it!�

That was the last thing Alexis heard Ned yell as a car came speeding up to them. The window of the car slowly opened and bullets flew everywhere. Ned grabbed Alexis but not before getting hit by a stray bullet in the chest. He pushed her down on the ground and landed on top of her. The car speeds off and didn�t return as the two of them lay helplessly on the ground covered in blood!