. CHAPTER 23 ~*~Philadelphia~*~ �So, did you book us a room?� Sonny said as they entered the hotel lobby. �I did but I need to make sure it is the room directly across from Ned�s.� she said as she headed toward the front desk. �Hi, I have a reservation for Alexis Davis.� �I�ve got it right here. That�s two adults, right?� the desk clerk asked. �Right, can you tell me what room number that is?� �604� �And would 604 be directly across from 602?� �Yes mame.� �Great� Alexis said as she looked over at Sonny roaming around the lobby. �Ms. Davis, I see where you requested a room with two double beds, but 604 only has a king size bed. Do you want me to put you in another room?� the clerk asked. �How about making that a single bed?� Sonny said as he walked up and shot Alexis a dimpled grin. �That room will be just fine, thank you.� Alexis said as she nudges Sonny with her elbow and took the key from the clerk. Alexis and Sonny went up to their room, put their things down, and headed out of the door for the concert. �You want to just walk since it�s across the street?� Sonny asked her as they walked outside the hotel. �We might as well. Here, put this around your neck.� she said as she handed him a pass. �How can you walk so fast in those shoes you have on?� Sonny asked as he trailed behind her. �Actually, it isn�t easy but we are late enough as it is so I don�t have time to think about the discomfort!� �Come get on my back.� �What?� �Get on my back and I will carry you the rest of the way.� �Are you sure?� �Don�t question it. Just get on before you miss the entire concert!� Sonny and Alexis finally made it backstage as Ned was wrapping up a song. Close as the air I breathe Sometimes we�re worlds apart �Oh my Gawd� Alexis said as she made her way over to a spot where she could see him sing. And when you blindly reach And can�t find the words Love allows me to know your heart �What�s wrong?� Sonny said as he followed behind her. Alexis put her hand up as a way of telling Sonny to be quite. Love allows me to see the best in you That beautiful spirit that comes shining through Times when you�re lost, confused and alone Love allows me to lead you back home Lead you back home �I had no idea he performed that song.� Alexis said to Sonny as she clapped her hands. �He wrote that song for you?� �Yes he did.� �It�s a beautiful song. Maybe he sang it to feel close to you again or maybe he can�t wait for you to come home.� Sonny saw Ned about to turn and walk off stage. �Hey, I�m going find a bathroom. I�ll be right back.� �Alexis, what are you doing here?� Ned said as he saw her standing there. �You didn�t think I would miss what could be your last performance as Eddie Maine now did you?� she said as she wrapped her arms around him and kissed him on the cheek. �Since when did you start performing �Lead you back home�?� �Tonight was the first night and I don�t know why, it just came to me so I decided to sing it for everyone.� �Well, I am so glad I got to hear some of it.� She said as she held him tight. �So, are you staying overnight?� Ned asked. �We were planning on it. In fact, we have a room right across from yours.� �Who is we? You said �we�?� �That �we� would be referring to me!� Sonny said as he walked up and stood next to Alexis. �Alexis, what the hell is going on here?� �Sonny came with me to see you perform.� Alexis said nervously. �That much I can gather Alexis, but why? Why would you do this to me? Are you trying to get to break things off with you so you can freely be with him? Tell me Alexis, because I really don�t understand why you would bring your lover to my concert.� �It�s not that complicated Ned� Sonny said trying to help Alexis out. �Shut up! I didn�t ask you.� Ned said as he looked Sonny dead in the eye. �I don�t really think this is the appropriate place for this Ned. I�ll meet you back at the hotel and I will explain everything to you there.� She said. �You know what, I don�t need you to explain it to me and quite frankly, I don�t want to hear it! I have given you chance after chance Alexis. You told me you weren�t going to see anymore me and look at this.� Ned said as looked back and forth between Alexis and Sonny. �Ned, you don�t understand, I HAD to bring him.� �Save it Alexis. The bottom line is you lied to me again! Now, I want you to take your boyfriend and get out of here.� Sonny put his arm around Alexis and started directing her to the door. He turned and looked back at Ned. �That�s your problem Ashton, you are so quick to jump to conclusions. Do you honestly think she would bring me with her if she didn�t have to? And what about me, do you really think I would subject myself to this if I didn�t have to? Maybe when you get your head out of your ass you will realize there is more to this than meets the eye!� he said as he walked Alexis out of the door. Ned stood there and watched the door shut as Sonny�s words played over and over in his head. �You okay?� Sonny said as they walked into their room. �I�m fine. Let�s just get our things and get out of here. I�m ready to go home.� �He�ll come around Alexis. Give him time.� �Thank you for what you said to him. I could tell you were trying to get him to understand. I just don�t know if he will ever be able to get past everything I have put him through. I really think he�s just about washed his hands of me.� Sonny walked over to her and put his hands on her shoulders. �Somehow, I seriously doubt that. He loves you Alexis. Do you honestly think he�s going to let you walk out of here with me without a fight. I�d be willing to bet that once we leave here, it won�t be long before Ned will be banging on my door to try and take you home with him.� �Maybe I�m the one that needs to walk away from him. He asked me not to see you anymore and I told him I wouldn�t. I lied to him, although I had no intentions of doing so. Maybe it would be best if I end things with him until all this craziness with you is over. The fact that I have to live with you is only going to hurt him more and I don�t want to do that.� �That�s your decision to make Alexis. I can�t make that for you.� �Come on, let�s go home.� She said as she picked up her bag. �Hey, I like the sound of that.� He said as he opened the door for her. A couple hours later, Ned paced around his hotel room. He picked up his cell phone to make a call. �Jasper Jax� �Jax, it�s me Ned. Has Alexis made it back yet?� �What do you mean, made it back, where did she go?� �She left Philadelphia a couple hours ago and she should be there by now.� �Look Ned, Alexis hasn�t been here since Friday and before you question me about it, you need to talk to her to find out why.� �You mean she never came home after she left to go bail Sonny out of jail?� �Ned, I really think you should talk to Alexis.� �Jax, it�s a yes or no question. Come on tell me. Did she sleep at your penthouse Friday night?� �No she didn�t, but you are going to have to give Alexis the chance to explain why Ned.� �Ned?� Jax said as he heard Ned disconnect without saying a word. A couple hours later, Sonny and Alexis were sitting on the couch about to watch a movie when Alexis realized they had no popcorn. �No popcorn? How can we possibly watch a movie without popcorn?� �Just go ask Johnny to run to the store and get you some.� �Go idea.� Alexis said as she turned to open the door and was shocked to see Ned standing on the other side. �Ned what are you doing here? Alexis asked as he walked passed her and entered Sonny�s penthouse. Alexis motioned for Sonny to go upstairs and he did. �Well at least he takes orders well.� Ned yelled. �If you ask him to sit and he obeys, do you give him a sexual treat?� �Ned I understand you�re mad but being cold and insensitive isn�t going to help anything.� �Why are you here?� Ned asked point blank. �Sonny needs my help and I couldn�t say no.� �I was under the impression that you were no longer Sonny�s lawyer.� Alexis didn�t know what to say or how to explain why she did what she did. She walked over and sat on the arm of the couch. �I had this whole speech down pat in my head of how I was going to make you understand everything and now I don�t even know if I understand.� �The only thing I understand here is that once again you lied to me.� Alexis looked down at the floor and shook her head. �I know and for that I�m sorry.� She looked up at him. �But he needed my help and I�m the only one who can get him out of this mess.� �So in other words your promise to me means nothing to you?� Alexis stood and walked over to him and placed her hands on his face. �No it does, I swear.� Ned forcefully removed her hands and held them tightly in his own. �There was only one thing I asked of you and you couldn�t do it, why?� �Ned you�re hurting me.� Alexis stated as Ned slightly let go of his grip. �Sonny is my friend and that means something to me.� Ned shook his head. �I couldn�t just turn my back on him.� �No instead you�d rather turn you�re back on us and the life we had planned.� �Ned please, you need to understand I helped Sonny because I care about what happens to him.� Alexis pleaded. �But your love means the world to me.� Ned pushed his head back and rolled his eyes. He began to look back at Alexis and noticed Sonny coming back down the stairs. �Alexis this isn�t the place for us to be discussing this.� He picked up her purse and handed it to her. He then picked up her bag. �I�m taking you home.� Alexis took a deep breath, as she knew her next statement was going to hit him like another betrayal. �I can�t leave.� �Come again.� Ned yelled. �Sonny was released only under my supervision. I have to know his whereabouts 24 hours a day. Why do you think I brought him to Philadelphia with me? I had to.� Ned placed her bag down and put his hands over his face. �So you�re trying to tell me you have to live with him now.� �It�s only until his arraignment date.� Ned looked her straight in the eyes. �And just when the hell it that?� Alexis bite her bottom lip and almost inaudible said. �In three weeks.� �There is no way I am going to allow you to live here with a crime boss for three weeks.� �Ned I�ll be fine.� �Yea as long as someone doesn�t try to kill you in the shower like they did Brenda. Or plant a bomb in your car because the want to kill Sonny or........� �Ned please try to understand.� Alexis stated cutting him off. �Why don�t you lighten up a little Ashton?� Sonny yelled when he realized how upset Alexis was becoming. �The woman loves you�the least you could do is give her some slack.� �Why? So you can take advantage or her and pull her into your bed again?� �I never took advantage of her.� Sonny yelled. �The hell you didn�t........She thought things between us were over and you saw that as nothing more than an opportunity to turn her into more than just your lawyer.� �What happened between Alexis and myself, neither one of us ever saw coming. I have nothing but respect for Alexis.� �Respect.� Ned yelled as he once again put his head back and placed his hands over his face. �Your idea of respect is to call someone a whore and then sleep with them. Where is Carly anyway and how does she feel about the two of you shacking up?� �Sonny and I are not shaking up!� Alexis yelled. Ned looked directly at her and she felt like someone just cut her with a knife. �Then let�s go home.� �I told you I can�t go anywhere without Sonny.� �You have two choices Alexis either you walk out that door with me now..........or it�s over between us for good!� Alexis felt the knife in her being pushed in even deeper. �Ned aren�t ultimatums what got us in this mess the first time?� She walked up to him and once again placed her hands on his face. �I love you Ned but if I walk out that door and leave Sonny, he�ll go directly to jail. I wasn�t kidding when I said I had to watch over him twenty four hours a day. As his attorney and as his friend, I can�t and won�t do that to him.� Ned grabbed a hold of Alexis� face and pulled her into a deep strong kiss. Sonny�s heart sank as he witnessed the way the woman he was desperately in love with responded to the kiss. Ned violently pushed her back and took her hands from his face and again held them in his own. �If your going to be living with this thug.� He looked over her shoulder at Sonny. �Then so am I.� �What?� Alexis asked. �You heard me if you aren�t going anywhere than neither am I.� Alexis couldn�t believe what he was saying. �You�d live with a man you hate for three weeks for me?� �In a heartbeat.� �Ned Ashton I love you.� Alexis replied as she gently kissed him on the lips. �Excuse me but there is no way in hell Ashton is living here.� �Fine then.� Ned replied as he spun Alexis around and held her tightly around her waist. �Then I guess you�ll just have to live at the Gatehouse with us.� �Oh won�t Edward just love that.� Alexis shot out. �Not only a Cassadine but Sonny Corinthos living on his property.� �I am not moving into the Gatehouse.� Sonny yelled. �Well Sonny you have three options.� Ned replied. �The three of us can live here, the gatehouse, or we could always move in with Jax.� �Over my dead body!� Sonny yelled. �Now there�s a thought.� Ned replied as Alexis elbowed him in the ribs. �So it�s settled we will all stay here.� Alexis stated. Ned picked up Alexis bag and smirked at Sonny behind Alexis� back. �Why don�t you show me to your room my love and I�ll help you unpack.� �The two of you are not sharing a room.� Sonny yelled. �The hell we aren�t.� Ned quietly shot back at Sonny as he followed Alexis up the stairs. �I can�t believe you are actually doing this.� Alexis said as she opened up the door to her room. �Well believe it!� he said as he followed her in. �You sure about this?� she asked as she sat on the bed. �100%. There is no way I�m letting you live here with him alone.� �Is that why you are doing this?� �What do you mean?� �Are you doing this for me Ned or are you doing it for you?� Ned knelt down in front of her. �I�m doing this for us, Alexis.� Alexis got up and walked to the other side of the room. �I want an honest answer Ned, are you doing this because you don�t trust me living with Sonny or are you doing this because you don�t want to be away from me?� Ned sat down on the bed and looked over at her. �A little of both, but if you want honesty, I�m willing to give it to you�I always want to be with you Alexis�you know that, but yes, my main reason in doing this is because I don�t trust you with him.� �I knew it!� Alexis said as she threw her hands up in the air. �Give me one good reason why I should trust you living here with him? You slept with him when you were drunk, you slept with him while I was away, you admitted to me that you feel in love with him, and then I see the two of you in the park together and I hear you tell him how much you love him and I see the pain in your eyes when you told him you couldn�t be with him anymore. Even though you say you still love me, I feel like I�m losing you little by little.� �Why didn�t you tell me you saw Sonny and I in the park?� �I guess I didn�t want to face the fact that you had real feelings for him.� �I just don�t know what I want anymore. I never expected things to end up this way.� She said as she turned her back to him. �What way Alexis?� �I never expected a man who was my client to turn into my friend and then�.� �Your lover?� he said as he held back tears. �My lover� she said as she bit her bottom lip and the tears filled her eyes. �You know I never meant to hurt you don�t you?� �I know you didn�t.� �Do you still love me?� she said as she turned to look at him. �With everything inside of me, Alexis. My love for you will never change.� �Then trust me to do this on my own Ned. Let me help him. If I knew you were doing this for us, I wouldn�t ask you to walk away but you aren�t�and�I wouldn�t ask you to do this if it wasn�t important to me.� �Why is he so important to you, Alexis?� Alexis walked over to him and knelt down in front of him. �Because he loves me as much as you love me and this is the only way I can thank him for that. I have to help him get past this Ned.� �And then what Alexis? What happens when this is over?� �You accept the fact that he will always be my friend and a part of my life, and�� Alexis looked down and pulled the chain from underneath her shirt. �You put this back on my finger.� �I love you Alexis� he said as he wrapped his arms around her neck. �And I love you� she said as she rubbed the back of his head. �Now go home and get some sleep, I know you have to be beat.� She said as she stood up and pulled him to his feet. �I wish you could come with me.� He said as he walked to the door. �So do I.� Ned turned around. �I don�t want to leave you.� �You won�t be leaving me, you�ll be waiting for me to come home.� She said as she held the ring between her fingers and watched him walk away -------------------------------------------------------------------------- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Chapter 24 A couple days later, Alexis was in the living room gathering up her things when Sonny came in. �Good morning.� She said as he descended the stairs. �Well, I can see the cat let go of your tongue!� �What is that supposed to mean?� �Alexis, you came out of your room twice yesterday�once for lunch and once for dinner, and you barely spoke two words to me during those times.� �I�m sorry. I had fallen so far behind that I spent all day catching up on my cases.� �Are you sure that�s all there was to it?� �No but it�s not something I really want to get into.� �Alright, just as long as you know if you ever need to talk, I�m here for you.� �Thank you. Now, I need to hurry or I�m going to be late!� she said as she picked up her briefcase. �Where are we headed to this morning?� �WE aren�t headed anywhere. I�m meeting with Dara Jenson to discuss your case.� �Don�t I have to go with you?� �Nope. I talked to both Ms. Jenson and the Judge this morning and neither of them object to me having today off.� �That�s great.� He said, trying to cover up his disappointment. �So, do you have big plans for your �day off�?� �I wouldn�t exactly call it �big plans� but I�m definitely going to have a busy day. First I�m meeting with Dara, then I�ve got to meet with all the clients I had to reschedule from the other day�from there, I don�t know what I�ll do. I guess maybe I�ll test my spontaneity.� �Will you do me a favor?� �Sure.� �I know you are going to want to take advantage of your �day off� and I probably won�t see you until tomorrow, so would you call me and let me know how your meeting with Ms. Jenson goes?� �Of course I will. Now, I�ve got to run before I�m late.� She said as she got ready to walk out the door. �Don�t have too much fun without me!� she sarcastically replied. �How could I? I mean fun and no Alexis just don�t mix!� �What was I thinking?� she shot back. �You weren�t.� he said as he smiled at her. �You have a good day and stay out of trouble!� she said as she walked out the door. �You too.� He said as he watched her wave and shut the door behind her. District Attorney�s Office �I want the charges against my client dropped!� Alexis said as she walked into Dara�s office. �We�re not dropping the charges. There is too much evidence against your client for us not to proceed.� �Come on Dara, he wasn�t even at the warehouse when the dope was seized.� �It doesn�t matter. The dope was found in HIS warehouse and we have a witness that says it was in his desk.� �Your witness is the guy they found the dope on�of course he is going to try and place blame elsewhere�starting with the owner of the warehouse. Your case is weak Dara and you know it.� �Ms. Davis, if this was your client�s first offense I would consider dismissing, but your client is a repeat offender and the State is going to try him on the charges.� �If you weren�t going to dismiss the charges, my next plan was to petition the court to drop my client�s bond condition that involves me, but I thought about it and my client will be arraigned in a couple more weeks and it would probably take longer than that to have a hearing on the bond condition.� �True. So what is your next plan?� �I�d like to move his arraignment date up to sometime next week?� �Now I don�t have a problem with that. Why don�t you call the Judge�s office, get a new date, and let me know.� Dara said as she went to answer the phone. �Dara Jenson�you�ve got to be kidding me Mac.� Alexis looked at Dara and mouthed �Thank you� before she turned to leave. �Wait a minute counselor.� Dara said to Alexis in disgust. �Thanks Mac. I�ll be sure to inform opposing counsel of the new development.� She said before hanging up the phone. �Well Ms. Davis, it doesn�t look like you will be needing to move up your client�s arraignment date.� �Why is that?� Alexis asked puzzled. �Because Mr. Corinthos� employee gave a sworn statement to Taggert. Apparently, he is now saying the dope was his and when he saw the police arrive, he got scared and put it in your client�s desk drawer. He has had numerous prior drug charges and knew if he got caught again, he�d go straight to jail. I figured if he came forward with the truth, he could cope a plea.� �I�ve been telling you from day one that my client was innocent. When are you going to start listening to me?� Alexis asked sarcastically. �You can inform your client that the District Attorney�s office will not be going forward with the charges against him. They will be dropped as of today and all bond conditions will no longer be in existence.� �So he no longer has to be in my presence after today?� Alexis asked with a hint of disappointment in her voice. �Actually, he no longer has to be in your presence from this moment on.� �Oh, I didn�t realize it took effect immediately.� �I thought you�d be ecstatic over this Ms. Davis. I mean, isn�t that the reason you came here today?� �I�m thrilled�my mind was just elsewhere that�s all�.Thank you Dara.� Alexis said as she opened the door. �Be sure to tell your client that this doesn�t mean we will not continue keeping a close eye on him.� �Oh, I�m sure he will be well aware of that!� Alexis said before closing the door behind her. Several hours later, after meeting with clients, Alexis walked into the penthouse, put her briefcase down on the desk, and headed up to her room. She sat down on the bed just as she heard a knock at her door. �It�s open.� She yelled. �Hey, what�s going on? I thought you weren�t going to be home until later tonight. Is everything okay?� Sonny asked as he walked into her room. �Actually, I have good news.� She said as she got up off the bed, headed to the dresser and began removing her things from the drawers. �Well, let�s hear it.� �Your employee gave a sworn statement to the police indicating that you had nothing to do with the dope found in your warehouse. The charges against you have been dropped.� �That�s great! I told you from the beginning that the dope wasn�t mine.� �And I believed you from the start! I would have never risked my relationship with Ned had I thought you were guilty. When you and I slept together I almost lost him, but our love for each other managed to show us the way. Then, I told him I wouldn�t see you again or be your attorney and I went back on my word to him. I really thought after that, he would wipe his hands of me, but he didn�t and it�s time for he and I to put those broken pieces of our relationship back together. I�m sorry Sonny�I�m sorry if I hurt you or lead you on, but I never had any intention of giving up on the future Ned and I will share.� �You don�t have to explain it to me Alexis. I�ve gotten to know you�to know your heart, and your heart belongs to him. I see it every time I look at you�every time you talk about him, every time you see him�you could never hide the way you feel about him�it�s a love that�s too powerful to not showcase itself. It�s something I could never compete with or want to compete with because then I�d be competing with you because you are such a big part of him. We will always have what we have but you and I would never have what you have with him.� �Promise me something.� Alexis said as she looked up at him. �Anything!� �Promise me that when I walked out that door, it won�t be forever. Promise me that we will always remain friends and be there for each other.� �I would do anything for you Alexis, but promise me you will do the same.� He said as he placed his hands on her shoulders. �Always!� she said as she cupped his face in her hands. �When do you plan on moving out?� �Tomorrow, but I�m planning on staying at Ned�s place tonight.� �Where are you going to go? Back to Jax� penthouse or are you planning on moving in with Ned?� �Well, Ned doesn�t know it yet but my plan is to surprise him by moving my things into the Gatehouse when he�s at work tomorrow.� �THAT, I assume, will make him a very happy man!� �I certainly hope so.� �Well, you better get out of here and go tell the love of your life that you are coming home!� �Thank you Sonny.� Alexis said as she hugged him around the neck. Sonny pulled away and held her hands in his. �No, thank YOU. You showed me what love is�I found that in you�and the fact that you cherished my love and loved me, will always be enough�.our friendship will always be enough.� Alexis looked at him, nodded her head, and smiled. She grabbed his face and kissed him on the forehead. �I love you.� She said before she walked out the door. Sonny stood there smiling as he watched the door close behind her. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- <><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><> Chapter 25 ~*~ GATEHOUSE ~*~ Ned was walking out of the front door when Alexis walked up. �Where are you headed?� Alexis said. �I was on my way to see you. What are you doing here?� he said as he looked around. �Um�Ned�what on earth are you looking for?� �Your shadow!� Ned said as he continued looking around. Alexis grabbed his chin and made him look at her. �Sonny isn�t with me, and he is NOT my shadow!� �How did you manage that? Correct me if I am wrong, but I was under the impression that you couldn�t let him out of your sight because you didn�t want to see him go to jail. Did you finally come to your senses?� �Let�s just say that I legally have the night off. Can we go inside now?� Alexis said as she opened the front door. �And here I thought you were breaking the law just to be with me.� Ned shot back as he followed her inside. �So�tonight you are mine, but tomorrow you have to go back to being Sonny�s keeper.� Ned said as he sat on the couch. Alexis sat down next to him. �Why don�t we forget about my client tonight.� She said as she ran her hands through his hair. �And concentrate of us.� She said as leaned toward him and kissed him gently on the mouth. �Look Alexis, I don�t know how long it�s going to be before we have another night together, so let�s not waste this one. How do you want to spend tonight?� �Just being here with you is enough to satisfy me, but I did have something in mind.� She said as she stood up and pulled him up to her. �There�s someplace I want to go with you.� She said as she turned him around and started pushing him toward the door. �Where are we going?� �Just go.� She said as she pushed him out the door and closed the door behind them. ~*~ ~*~ PC HOTEL ~*~ �What are we doing here Alexis? Please tell me your idea of quality alone-time doesn�t include that oversized-egoed Austrailian who lives on the top floor!� Ned said as they waited for the elevator. �I think you know me better than that!� she said as the elevator doors opened and she walked inside. �Oh, so you got a room for us huh? Alexis, if you wanted to get kinky, would could have gotten kinky at the Gatehouse.� Ned shot back as he followed her onto the elevator. Alexis put her hand over his mouth. �If THAT is what I had in mind, trust me, we wouldn�t have left the Gatehouse.� �Then what are we doing here?� Ned said after she removed her hand from his mouth. The elevator doors opened and Alexis walked off and turned to Ned who hadn�t moved. �It hasn�t changed, has it?� �No it hasn�t.� Ned said as he walked off the elevator on to the balcony. Alexis walked over to the edge of the balcony where she stood that night and turned to face Ned. �What?� she said as he looked at her. �God, you are beautiful!� �We shared our first kiss that night.� Alexis said before she turned around and looked out into the night. �What an incredible memory huh?� Ned said as he stood there mesmerized by her. �It was perfect!� she said as she turned around looked at him. �Come here, I want to show you something.� �Look at this.� She said as she pointed to the edge of the balcony. Ned looked down to see what she was pointing at. He began to read the words carved into the balcony: This is the place where I knew my heart would one day belong to you! �You wrote that?� Ned asked as he looked up at her. �Yes I did.� �When?� �After you left for your tour. I used to come here from time to time to remember you�to feel close to you�to remember that night that changed my life.� �Dance with me, Alexis Davis.� He said as he backed away from her and smiled. Alexis put her arms around his neck and held onto him tight. �You know, when I was away, just the thought of you is what got me through the day.� Alexis put her head down on his shoulder as he held her tight. Ned began to sing to her as he moved her body with his: It still amazes me As I lay here in the dark Wishing you were next to me Your head against my heart Alexis lifted her head to look him in the eyes, but Ned put her head back down on his shoulder and caressed her hair as he continued to sing to her. If you asked me how I�m doing I�d say just fine but the truth is baby If you could read my mind Not a day goes by That I don�t think of you After all this time You�re still with me it�s true Somehow you remain Locked so deep inside Cause baby, baby Not a day goes by �That was beautiful!� she said as she lifted her head and looked at him with tears in her eyes. �I wrote it for you, while we were apart.� He said as he wiped her tears. �I don�t want to ever feel that kind of emptiness again Alexis. I was lost without you and I can�t go through that again.� �You�ll never have to.� �You know�I pray every night before I go to bed that it won�t be much longer before I can go to bed with you by my side. I miss you Alexis.� �I miss you too, and I can promise you that I�ll be home soon.� She said as she held on to him and smiled. ~*~ ~ Several hours later ~ �Thank you for tonight it was just perfect.� Alexis said as they entered the Gatehouse. �Any time you�re around the night is perfect.� He cups her face in his hands and kisses her. �Please tell me this isn�t the part where you tell me you have to go back to Sonny�s?� Alexis pulled him into another kiss as he backed up towards the couch. She broke the kiss and pushed him back. �I told you the only thing I want tonight is to be with you.� She jumped on him and looked him straight in the eyes. �And I don�t want to talk about Sonny!� �Works for me.� He replied before grabbing her and pulling her into a passionate kiss. Alexis reluctantly broke the kiss and pushed herself up. �Where are you going?� Ned pouted �I�m going upstairs to change my clothes. Unless of course you have a problem with me borrowing a pair of your sweats?� Ned just stared at her. �You know if you moved in here you wouldn�t have to wear my clothes.� �But I like wearing your clothes.� She quickly shot back and ran up the stairs. �Why don�t you do something useful and build a fire while I�m gone?� �You know Ms. Davis you and this commitment phobia you have really needs to stop.� Ned stated laughingly as he got up to start a fire. A few moments later Alexis came down the stairs wearing a pair of his sweats and an oversized-shirt. �So tell me Ashton do you still love me without makeup on and dressed in rags?� Ned got up and walked over to her. He took both her hands and pulled her over and they sat in front of the fire. �In business suits, evening gowns, blue jeans or sweats you�re still the most beautiful woman I�ve ever meet.� �You say the nicest things.� Ned placed his hands under her shirt and started to feel his way up her side. �Beside it doesn�t matter what you�re wearing because the only thought that goes through my head each time I see you is how the hell am I gonna get them off of you.� Alexis laughed and kissed his cheek. She removed his hand from underneath her shirt and spun her body around so that she could lie back on him. �Ned can you just hold me tonight and not let go?� Ned placed his arms around her and kissed the top of her head. �My darling Alexis I�d never dream of letting you go.

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