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Chapter 5 Alexis just barely made her way into the penthouse when there was a knock on the door. She threw her stuff on the couch and began yelling as she made her way over to answer it. �What�d you do follow me home because I walked out on you and it wasn�t the other way around�..� She trailed off as she saw Sonny standing in the doorway. �I actually just live across the hall but I did tell Johnny to let me know when you got in.� Sonny replied. �I�m sorry, bad day.� �Can I come in?� Alexis closed her eyes and sighed. �Sonny now really isn�t a good time.� �That�s okay.� He replied as he walked past her and made his way over to the couch. �This won�t take long.� Alexis closed the door and annoyingly walked over to him. �What do you want?� Sonny held up a contract. �Help with a legal matter, you are after all my attorney, correct?� Alexis took the document from him and looked it over briefly. �What about it?� �Well does it seem like a fair deal to you?� �I don�t know it�s your company it�s you money.� She stated before she realized just what was happening and began to get mad. �Since when do you want or need my opinion on what you should or shouldn�t buy and just how much to spend on it?� Sonny got off the couch, he knew he was caught. He thought about denying the real reason he was there but then thought honesty at this point was the best policy. �Okay, no I didn�t come over here to get you�re opinion on the company. I know damn well they�re asking too much for it and I have no intention of buying it.� �Good then you can leave!� �Aren�t you even interested in way I stopped by?� �No not really!� She said as she walked over to the door and opened it. �I�m not going to leave until you hear me out.� Alexis slammed the door. �You know maybe Ned was right, living next to you isn�t going to be a picnic.� �Personally, I hate picnics, too many ants.� He jokingly replied, which ticked Alexis off. �Yeah well there�s too many other things in here.� �Want to tell me just what Ashton did or said to put you in such a good mood.� He replied sarcastically. �What makes you think my mood has anything to do with Ned?� She asked as she sat on the couch and put her feet up on the coffee table. �Are you saying it doesn�t?� She looked up at him. �Why are you still here?� Sonny sat down next to her. �Because I need to tell you something.� �Let me guess the FBI is on their way over as we speak and they�re planning on taking you away?� �I don�t have a criminal record.� Sonny replied as he flashed his dimples at her. �You made sure of that!� �I didn�t do anything!� �Oh yes you did.� �And what exactly did I do?� �You made me think more about wanting to do more of this.� He replied as he grabbed her face and pushed his lips against hers. Alexis tried to push him away at first but then gave into the desire and kissed him back. The simple kiss that Sonny planned on giving her turned into more. He had no idea she would react so willingly to his touch so he pulled her shirt out from her skirt and slid his hand underneath. He reached around to the front of her and went to grab her but she pulled away. Breathlessly she got up off the couch and looked away from him. �I want you to leave now!� Sonny got up as well and began walking towards her. She could feel him getting closer to her and she just wanted him gone. �Please just go.� She pleaded. Sonny didn�t say a word as he turned and left. Alexis walked over to the back door and stepped outside. Tears slowly ran down her face as she realized that as much as she hated Sonny she had feelings for him. Feelings that shouldn�t exist feelings that she knows she can never act on again. �Why is this happening to me.� She yelled out in frustration. �I�ve finally found the perfect man, a loving man��.. someone who loves me for who I am, and a honest man�.okay somewhat of an honest man��and I�m just willing to give it up for a no good thug like Corinthos! Am I really that delusional?� ~*~ Ned looked around the studio. L&B was finally getting back on track because of Alexis. Even though she had her reservations, she pushed him to revive Eddie Maine. She wanted him to be happy, and he was. He was finally at the highest point in his life�His business was thriving again, he was having a great time performing, and he had found the greatest love of all in Alexis. He felt whole and for the first time in his life, he felt loved. He reached in his pocket and pulled out the ring. He had planned on giving it to her tonight. One look at it made him realize he had decisions to make. Alexis was the one thing he wanted most in life and he realized that in order to have her, he needed to give her what she needed and be happy for her. He gave the ring one last look and said to himself �Once I put this ring back on your finger, it will be forever.� ~*~ Sonny paced around his living room. He wanted so badly to go knock on her door, but he didn�t want to push her. Suddenly there was a knock at the door. His heart began to pound. �It�s her� he thought. �Yeah� Carly stormed in to the penthouse. �You mind telling me what is up with you lately? Weeks ago you were so eager to make it impossible for me to live anywhere but here, and then I don�t hear anything from you after that!� �Carly, now is not the time.� �I want to know what is going on with you.� �I�m going to be honest with you Carly. I really thought you and I could work. Love scares me, and with you it�s different�it isn�t love. It�s a comfortable relationship I am happy in because it doesn�t affect me, but I have come to the realization that I want more.� �More? As in what?� �I want to be in a relationship with a woman I love, and I�m sorry but that woman isn�t you.� �Well, why didn�t you tell me that weeks ago? I would have understood. I know it isn�t about love Sonny. You are like my comfort zone�a place I go to avoid that very thing you want. I can�t tell you how happy it makes me to hear you say that.� �You have come to be one of my best friends and I want us to remain that way. I want to be there to watch Michael grow up and I want to be a part of your life when you experience what real love is, and Carly, one day you will.� �I want you to be happy Sonny and to know that I will always be here for you.� �Same here. Now, I have found a couple of places for you to look at. I really think you and Michael are going to love them. How about I have Johnny take you to look at them tomorrow?� �I�d like that a lot. Thanks for doing this for me.� �You�re welcome� he said as he pulled her into a hug. �I�m going now and I�ll call you tomorrow and let you know how the house shopping went.� �You better� Sonny said as he watched her walk out the door. A sigh of relief came over him. He knew that they both knew what they had wasn�t love, but he didn�t want to lose her friendship. He knew today was a brand new start for him�an opportunity to love again. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Chapter 6 Three weeks had gone by and Ned and Alexis hadn�t spoken. Instead of working at L&B, Alexis took work home to avoid seeing him. Although he hadn�t told her, she knew from preparing the contracts that he had made the decision to go on a two month tour. She knew she would miss him desperately, but she also knew the time away from him would give her the opportunity to figure out what she wanted. She and Sonny had grown closer. They hung out together almost every night. The intimacy they shared on those two separate nights had not been discussed again. They had come to be friends. They shared everything with each other�their childhood memories, the nightmares of their childhood, their loves, their fears, their dreams. She was comfortable with him. Although she was still in love with Ned, she needed to explore and understand what it was she was feeling for Sonny. Alexis was busy dictating her day in court when the phone rang. In a rush to get things done, she decided to let the machine pick it up. �Hi, it�s me� Alexis wanted badly to pick up the phone when she heard his voice, but knew it would be better for the both of them if she didn�t. �I�m sure you are aware that I am leaving tonight and won�t be back for a couple months. I just wanted to say that I hope you find what you are looking for while I�m gone. I love you Alexis.� Tears began to fall down her face. She rewound the message over and over again just to hear him say �I love you.� She reached out and touched the phone as if she was touching him, �I love you too Ned.� She went back to dictating and was wrapped up in that for several more hours. She looked over at the clock. It was 7:00pm and she knew Ned�s flight was leaving in an hour. She had to see him before he went. She grabbed her things and headed out the door. �Johnny, do you think you take me to the airport? I have to leave now.� �Well, I have to bring Mr. Corinthos to a meeting, but I�m sure he wouldn�t mind if we made a stop for you.� Johnny knocked on Sonny�s door. �Hi there. What are you doing here� Sonny said in surprise. �I need to go to the airport. Do you mind if Johnny brings me on the way to your meeting?� �Not at all�let�s go.� The ride to the airport was pretty much silent. Alexis didn�t want to tell Sonny why she was going, but she didn�t want to lie to him either. As the driver pulled the car around to the correct terminal, Sonny finally broke the silence. �Are you leaving town?� �No. I have to meet someone here.� �My meeting isn�t for another hour so what if we will wait for you right here.� �Ok�thank you both� she said as got out of the car and headed toward the entrance way. She looked all over for him, finally spotting him about fifteen yards away sitting down reading the paper. Tears suddenly filled her eyes and all she could do was stare at him. She was there for one reason only�to get a good look at the man who turned her life around and filled it with a love she never thought was possible. Part of Alexis wanted to go to him, and part of her knew it could end up making matters worse. Slowly, she started to walk towards him�it was as if her heart was leading the way. For all I�ve been blessed with in this life, there was an emptiness in me. ~*~ Ned was oblivious to the goings on around him. The outside world didn�t matter. If he didn�t get away from the city where the one thing he wanted was, there would be no hope for them. I was imprisoned by the power of gold. With one kind touch you set me free. She stood before him, realizing he had no idea she was there. Softly she said �Ned.� Ned looked up at her as if he had seen a ghost. He stood up to be closer to her. �What are you doing here?� Let the world stop turning. Let the sun stop burning. Let them tell me love�s not worth going through. �I�m sorry. I really shouldn�t do this to you, but I had to see you before you left.� �Alexis, has something changed?� If it all falls apart, I will know deep in my heart the only dream that mattered had come true: In this life I was loved by you. �No. But this is for the best Ned. One day you will realize that.� Ned looked away from her, unable to control his emotions �I know.� Alexis reached out and held on to his hands and they looked deeply in to each others� eyes, for words weren�t needed. Each knew what the other was feeling. For every mountain I have climbed, every raging river crossed, you were the treasure that I longed to find. Without your love I would be lost. �Alexis, I have to go.� �I want you to remember something. Every morning when you wake up and every night before you go to sleep, know that I will always be thinking about you and I will always be loving you.� Let the world stop turning. Let the sun stop burning. Let them tell me love�s not worth going through. If it all falls apart, I will know deep in my heart the only dream that mattered had come true: In this life I was loved by you. �Alexis, I really hope you find what you are looking for and I hope you realize that I�m not doing this for me; I�m doing it for you and for us.� I know that I won�t live forever, but forever I�ll be loving you. �You better go� she said as she gave him a kiss on the cheek.� Ned pulled her into a tender embrace and held her for a moment before he walked away. �I love you Alexis� �And I love you more� she said as she watched the man she had grown to love more than she ever thought possible disappear. She dropped down into a chair and began to sob when she felt a hand on her shoulder. Let the world stop turning. Let the sun stop burning. Let them tell me love�s not worth going through. She turned around to see Sonny standing there behind her. He pulled her up and wrapped his arms around her. All he wanted to do was hold her and make the pain go away. She wept in his arms as he held her. �Come on. Let�s go home� he said as he put his arm around her shoulders and directed her out of the airport. If it all falls apart, I will know deep in my heart the only dream that mattered had come true: In this life I was loved by you. In this life I was loved by you. Ned slowly walked onto the airplane and placed his carry on bag in the compartment above him. It was like time was passing him by and all he really wanted to do was get off the damn plane. He looked back towards the entrance from which he came and thought twice before closing the hatch and taking a seat. Walking away from her was the hardest thing he ever did; it was a pain he never expected to ever feel again. The last time he felt a pain this strong in his heart, he lost his daughter and he refused to ever lose another person he deeply loved again without one hell of a fight. Alexis continued to cry on Sonny� shoulder as they made their way to his car. Johnny opened the door for her and Sonny helped her in. �Take her home and make sure nobody bothers her.� Sonny told Johnny. �But what about your meeting?� �Don�t worry about me I�ll call a cab.� He replied. �She�s upset and I�ll only makes things worse.� �Yes sir if that�s what you want.� Johnny stated as he got into the car and motioned for the driver to leave. Sonny stood there and watched his car leave before he pulled out a cell phone and made arrangements to get to his meeting. Alexis was so lost in her own thoughts and self-pity that she didn�t even notice that Sonny had not gotten in the car. She looked out her window and watched as Ned� plane started it�s way down the runway. �Stop!� she screamed as she began opening the door. �Stop the car now!� Johnny ordered. Alexis almost fell as she jumped from the still slightly moving car. She looked up placing her fingers over her lips and blew him a kiss as the plane quickly left the ground. Ned looked out his window just as the plane became airborne, but all that he saw was the blur his life had become through the tears in his eyes. He once again closed his eyes to hide his tears as he sat back in his seat and remembered some of the best times of his life since he first laid eyes on Ms Alexis Davis, Attorney at law. *****FLASHBACK****** Port Charles Grille bar. Ned is at the end of the bar, drinking. Alexis walks in and sits down. Alexis: (to bartender) oh, what would don my gay apparel? Bartender: A cup of holiday eggnog? Alexis: If I glue my arteries shut tonight, what will I do New Year�s Eve? I�ll have a double martini very, very dry. Just pour the gin and visualize vermouth. Bartender: You got it. Ned: Merry Christmas. Alexis: (looks around wondering if he�s talking to her. She decides that he is and responds) How can you tell? Ned: Bah humbug. Alexis: Poppycock. Ned: Infernal rubbish. Alexis: Folderol. Ned: (raising his glass) I�ll drink to that. Alexis smiles and raises her glass. ****END FLASHBACK**** Ned opens his eyes and smiles. �Oh if I only knew then what I know now.� Alexis got back into the car and they took off. She sat back and thought about how a person like Ned Ashton came about changing her life so much. *****FLASHBACK***** Ned: I can see hiding from you is never going to be easy. Alexis: I doubt that. Ned: Okay, well then I will just stop trying. Yes, I am keeping something from you. In case you haven�t noticed, that is my usual style. Alexis: I have. Ned: And I�ll explain why over our first course. Alexis: First course? Ned: Over dinner. Alexis: This is interesting. I come here to ask you about a murder conspiracy and you ask me � actually you�re telling me � that we are going to have dinner? Ned: What can I say? Imagining a world without Pierce Dorman makes me hungry. Alexis: Maybe some other time. (she starts to leave) Ned: Do you have plans? Alexis: Actually I do... Ned: (interrupting) Well then change them. (she stops and looks at him) Shall we say 7:30? Alexis: You really need to update your files Ned. Dragging a woman off by the hair to dinner is a little pass�. Ned: French? Or are you in the mood for seafood? Alexis: You�re unbelievable! Ned: Thank you. Alexis: When you are ready to break your family vow and speak evil, call me. (starts to leave again) Ned: Alexis... (she stops) I thought we were having dinner? Alexis: (coyly) I didn�t agree. Ned: It was an oversight... I forgive you. Alexis: If I were to agree to have dinner with you... would this be business... or a date? Ned: A date. Alexis: What does that mean? Ned: I open the doors. I pull out the chairs. Occasionally, I reach over and touch you meaningfully on the arm. And at the end of the evening, I kiss you � (she�s blushing) chastely, on the cheek, and then return home, frustrated, but eagerly anticipating the next time. Alexis: Are you flirting with me.... or are you being honest? Ned: Just call it an intense desire to see you in something other than a designer business suit. Alexis looks down self-consciously at her designer business suit. Alexis: (won over, speaking quickly) I like simple I, discreet service, and sorbet for dessert, and you can call my office and let me know where we will be meeting. (pause) And this does NOT change the fact that I know you�re hiding something. ****END FLASHBACK****** �Why did I ever allow him to win me over so easily.� She said quietly to herself. �If he only knew then how I really felt about him��..things would be so different today.� She placed her hands under her eyes and wiped away her tears. She then reached over and pulled out a bottle of wine pouring herself a glass. �There�s no going back Alexis Davis only forward� She said as she held the glass in front of her. �I just pray it�s the same direction Ned Ashton is going in.� - |
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