Chapter 29 Ned leads Alexis down the stairs by the hand. Nikolas storms into the library and slams the door shut. Alexis looks in that direction a moment before turning to Ned. Alexis: I'm sorry about him. Ned: Ah ah ah, have you forgotten the rule about apologies? Alexis: I know, but he's so obnoxious sometimes. Ned: They all are. Look at my sister. She's twice his age. Alexis chuckles. They begin to stroll through the main hall of the house, toward the back. Ned: The kid takes for granted that he has someone around to harass him about schoolwork. I remember wishing for that when I was his age. Alexis: (devilishly) Oh yes, and those snow-covered paths to school you had to tread uphill both ways, right? Ned: Ouch. You caught me in an old-fart moment. Alexis: (stopping at studying him a moment) You're going to make a delightful old man someday. That twinkle in your eye and the hours of cheesy lovesongs you'll croon to your grandchildren. (Ned smiles) (she adds, quietly, almost as an afterthought) I hope I'm around to see it. Ned stops and pulls her hand until her body follows, pressing up against him. He leans over, near enough to kiss her, but instead whispers. Ned: I hope they're your grandchildren, too. Alexis eyes widen momentarily before Ned kisses her eyelids shut. She tilts her head back and he moves down to her throat and neck, until she is weak-kneed and grips his arms tightly. He chuckles a bit, knowing and loving the effect his kisses have on her. He stops and watches her, waiting for her to open her eyes. She does. Alexis: You don't mean that. Ned: Mean what? Alexis: You wouldn't want your children to be Cassadines, now would you? Ned: What are you talking about? I wouldn't miss the opportunity to pollute the pristine royal blood. Just the torture it would be for Stefan would be worth it. Alexis: (she swats his chest playfully) Now, be nice. He can't help that he's been brainwashed into preserving the family line. Ned: Oh, *he* can't help it, can he? Alexis: (she looks down, the smile slipping away) I deserved that. Ned: No... honey... I was teasing. (he lifts her chin to look her in the eye) I've never once berated you for your loyalty. I've wished that sometimes it wasn't at my expense, but I've always understood it. We're just a couple of twisted, codependent, sick puppies. Long live neurosis! Alexis: (smiling sadly) Hear, hear. He hugs her and she buries her face in his neck, thankful for his acceptance, such an odd and unfamiliar sensation. Ned pulls away from her and and seems to want to lighten the mood. Ned: So, what's your favorite room in this house? Alexis: Actually, it's the guestroom where Anna is. Ned: But you're never in there, are you? Alexis: No, but I think it's pretty. It gets lots of sunlight. Ned: I mean, where is the room where you enjoy being the most? Where you go to relax... Alexis: Hmm... let me think. Why? Ned: Because we'll have to christen it. Alexis: You are so lewd. Ned: I know. Boys' schools. Like one big locker room for 13 years. Alexis: Well, actually, I don't know why we seem hell-bent on this aquatic theme, but it's a trend, I suppose... Ned: Why? Alexis: Off the side of the gym in the back of the house, there's a whirlpool... every morning I go there after torturing myself on the Stairmaster. Ned: (cringing) Stairmaster? You really are a masochist, aren't you? Alexis: Come now, Mr. Ashton, don't be modest. You didn't acquire those divine pecs overnight. (she rubs her hand sensually over his chest as they walk) Ned: Well, alright, I admit, I'm a rowing machine man. Alexis: Mm-hmm. Ned: (mischievously) I didn't know you'd noticed... Alexis: I notice *everything*. Ned looks away, dimples flashing and trying to hide the blush. Alexis: Well, here we are. (they stop as she opens a door) Our small, but glorious gym. The machines usually work, but alas, no Adonis-like personal trainers are included. Ned: Like you would give them a second glance. You like to play hard-to-get. Alexis: Make no mistake, Ashton. I *am* hard to get. Ned: Naah, you're like putty in my hands. Alexis: (takes a towel off a rack and swats him) Watch it, Casanova. Ned strolls around, checking out the machines. He notices the rowing machine and sits down on the movable seat. Ned: This is a nice model. Must be new. I hate those techno ones with the cartoon boats. Give me the old mechanical version anyday. Alexis: Yes, Nikolas likes that brand. Ned: And Stefan? Alexis: He sticks with the free weights and the mat over there for Tai Chi. (she stifles a snicker) Ned: Careful, Alexis, you're getting dangerously irreverent about the Master of the Universe. I'm gonna tell. Alexis: I'll deny it. She plays absently with the Universal, while he fidgets with the foot straps on the rowing machine. Ned begins to strip off his suit down to his silk (she notices with approval) boxers and plops back down on the seat. Alexis: What are you doing? Ned: Well, you brought me to a gym, now the manly-man within is unleashed. I can't help myself, I have to play with this machine. Can you believe these leather handles on the oar-bar? Alexis: Ugh, what is it about gyms and cars that elevate testosterone levels so predictably? Ned: (looking at her hungrily) Among other things. Alexis: (not quite believing what she heard) What did you just say? Ned: Come over here. Alexis: (feigning disgust) No. Ned: I need to increase my resistance. Come here. Alexis: Potty-mouth. (but she gets close enough to be within arm-length of him) He reaches up and grabs her hand, and pulls her down onto his lap. Her skirt hikes up as he twists her around to face him, straddling him on the top of his legs. Alexis: There might still be hope. I'll pay for the therapy. Ned: Shh... (he covers her protests with his lips... kissing her demandingly until she wraps her arms around his neck and kisses back.) He pulls her skirt up higher and she moans in disbelief at this idea. He scoots the seat up long enough to grab the oar-bar and then he... rows. ******************************* Later, Ned holds Alexis back against his chest in the whirlpool. Alexis: I can't believe Nikolas walked in on that. Ned: Consider it... educational. Alexis: Ned! Ugh... what must he think? Ned: He's thinking, "now why didn't I ever think of that use of a rowing machine?" Alexis splashes water up in his face. Alexis: Do you ever quit? Ned: You wouldn't want me to. Alexis: (smiling and rolling her eyes) It's hopeless. I'm desperately in love with you. He tightens his arm around her shoulder and pushes her head back onto his chest, so that he can kiss her cheek. Ned: I love you. Alexis: (stunned) That's the first time you've ever said that to me. Ned: It won't be the last. Chapter 30 Ned cradles Alexis in the whirlpool, absently stroking her arm as she vegetates contentedly with her eyes closed. It seems like they've been there forever, and he doesn't want to leave. He takes a loofah sponge, wets it and squeezes over her head, so that the steaming water drips down the sides of her face. She opens her eyes. Ned: What are you thinking about? Alexis: I'm trying to think about nothing. Ned: What? Those ever-churning gears, motionless? Inconceivable. Alexis: Alright, I was thinking about Stefan. Ned: Now, that's original. Alexis: It's like he doesn't know how to respond to me. I can't tell if he's angry or not. Ned: Honey, it's not like you offed Shirley Temple. He hated her as much as you did. Alexis: No, I think his feelings toward her were a little more complicated than mine. I'm afraid he might be angry, but doesn't want to admit it. Ned: Well, that's reasonable. I'd be embarrassed about caring for the old bat too. Alexis: (trying to keep the annoyance out of her voice) Ned, you don't understand. Ned: Alright, alright, don't get all worked up. (he pauses) I do understand. Alexis: No, Helena was horrid, but she controlled everyone. We all tried to please her. Ned: I just said I do understand. Alexis: No, you couldn't. Ned: Alexis! You forget my mother. Alexis: Oh. Hm. Maybe you do understand. I don't know, as bad as everyone says your mother is, I have a hard time believing she's comparable to Helena. Helena had no respect for human life. Ned: Believe me, she's comparable. Alexis: (pensive) But you and your sister aren't quite as... emotionally unhealthy as Stefan and Stavros. Ned: And you, right? Alexis: I suppose. Ned: I hate to rain on your worldview, but as crazy as I think Stefan is, I honestly don't think either of you is beyond hope. From what I've been told, Stavros was categorically different from you two. Alexis: That's true. I forget sometimes, I think, because everyone just lumps us all together. When the rest of them were alive, Stefan and I didn't have any trouble separating ourselves out from the mainline Cassadines. We knew we were different, that we didn't belong. As much as Stefan hates it, I know that he wanted it that way. He always knew they were... dangerous. Even though their rejection hurt him, I think he preferred it to the alternative. Or maybe not. He could really be upset about Helena's death and not showing it. Oh, I don't know... Ned: To tell you the truth, I suspect that he's more pissy about the whole Katherine fiasco than his mother. Alexis: You think? Ned: He had some kind of weird thing going with her, didn't he? Alexis: That was the problem. Ned: Has he let loose at you about that yet? Alexis: (nervously) No. Ned: All I know is what I felt when he tried to break us up. If that's how he feels, then God help him. Alexis sits up, wide-eyed, and pushes away from Ned. He tries to grab her hand and draw her back, but she pulls it away. She climbs up the steps of the whirlpool and sits on the edge, with just her feet resting on the top step in the water, as she holds her head in her hands. Alexis: Oh God, what have I done? Ned follows her out of the tub, and finds a bathrobe hanging on a nearby hook, which he drapes over her shoulders. She shrugs it off, metaphorically pushing him away. Ned: Come on, get up, you're going to freeze. Alexis: What have I done to him? He's the only one who ever loved me, he took care of me, he... Ned: He used you, he manipulated you, he took you for granted... Alexis: Shut up! You don't know what you're talking about. Ned lifts his hands in surrender and steps back, watching her. She's not crying, but seems shell-shocked. The veil of denial has been stripped away from her eyes and she doesn't like what she sees. Alexis: What if he hates me now? Maybe he doesn't want to tell me, but that's why he's been so weird, he hates me. (she suddenly becomes aware of her surroundings and stares at Ned) I have to go. I mean, you have to go. (she grabs the bathrobe and puts it on, then finds the other one and hands it to him. He takes it, regarding her with disapproval.) Ned: Alexis, what is it you think you are going to do? Alexis: I need to talk to him. Ned: Honey... you can't *fix* him. You can't smile and undo what you did. You were right about both Katherine and Helena. He'll see that in time, you just need to give it to him. Alexis: (suddenly cold and determined) Ned, I don't tell you how to handle your family. Please don't make me sorry I've confided in you. Ned looks like she slapped him. Ned: (lashing out) What's the matter, Alexis, you only can handle one man in your life at a time? When you're focusing on one, the other gets shafted? Alexis, in the process of getting dressed, snaps briefly out of task-mode at his remark. Alexis: Don't pretend that you don't ditch me the first time your sister starts whining. Ned: Define "ditch", Alexis. I may deal with her, but I don't hurt you in the process. (he stands dejectedly in a corner, trying to play his hurt feelings off as annoyance) She puts on her shoes and turns the whirlpool off. Getting ready to walk out the room, she reaches for the light-switch before realizing that Ned is still standing in the corner. She sighs impatiently. Alexis: Ned, don't pout, please. I need your understanding, not your approval. Ned: It's always about what *you* need. I think that I've been very understanding. You've lied to me, swindled me, manipulated me, shut me out... Did it ever occur to you that you're not the only one with needs? Alexis: Of course it did. Did we or did we not just have sex on a piece of gym equipment? Ned is speechless at her callousness. He walks out of the room in his bathrobe and starts picking up his suit from the gym floor as she tidies up hurriedly. She opens the gym door to leave and turns back to him, annoyed that he's not moving fast enough. Ned: Go ahead, I'll get dressed and see myself out. Alexis: (feeling guilty about hurting him) Ned, I'm sorry... I just really need to handle Stefan right now. Ned: So later you can "handle" me, right? Alexis: I thought I could count on you of all people to understand. (Ned doesn't respond. He just looks at her. She's anxious to get out the door, but doesn't want to just leave him without really saying goodbye) What?? Ned: Go. Do what you need to do. Alexis: I'll call you later. She runs out of the gym and heads toward the parlor. Ned: (alone in the room) I have never "just had sex" with you, Alexis. Ten minutes later, Ned is on his way out of the house, when he passes by the parlor entrance. To his surprise, he sees Alexis sitting dejectedly in a leather chair, alone. He is tempted to keep walking, but he can't. Ned: What happened? Alexis: (looking up from her reverie) He's gone. He went to Katherine's. Ned: Uh-oh. Alexis: He's probably trying to get her back. He's probably telling her everything I've done. Ned: I'm sorry. I'll be at the office trying to catch up on work if you call later. He turns to go. Alexis: Ned. (he stops, with his back still to her) I'm the one who's sorry. She gets out of the chair and walks up behind him, sliding her arms under his and running her hands over his chest. He pulls her hands away and turns around. Ned: So it's my turn to get "handled". So soon? Alexis recoils, her forehead wrinkling. Alexis: When did you get so oversensitive? You know how I get about my family. Ned: It wasn't two weeks ago when you had sworn them off forever, and the family crest was pigeon fodder on the front lawn of your condo complex. Alexis: I didn't swear them off, I thought they had sworn me off. Ned: When I brought you back to Port Charles, you were bound and determined not to let Stefan control you anymore, not to let him interfere with us. Alexis: I know. Ned: I thought you had turned over a new leaf. I thought that things would be different. If you're still the same woman who would move heaven and earth just to keep Stefan satisfied, then how can I trust you not to betray me again? Alexis is stunned. Alexis: I never made you any promises, Ned. I never assured you of sweeping reform. I'm sorry for what I did, and I know that it won't happen again. Ned: Why? Because you won't do it again? Or because Stefan won't ask? Alexis: (thinking he deserves her honesty) Because Stefan won't ask. Ned: (coldly) I see. He turns to go. Alexis panics. Alexis: Wait. What makes you think that your self-righteousness makes you any different than I? You think that if you pretend like I'm weak and pathetic that you can distance yourself from your own pathology? You are no different, Ned Ashton. I'm just more honest. And I would never ask you to tell me that I'm more important than your family. That I would always come first. I know better than to ask that . And so should you. Ned: (raising his voice in anger) I told you I LOVED you tonight! Do you think I do that every day? Do you know how hard that is for me? I swore I'd never say it again! And then the first thought of your cousin... brother... whatever he is, the first thought of precious Stefan sends you scurrying out the door. The minute I call you on it, you get hostile, trivialize our love-making and act like what we have is just a casual liaison to be dismissed when it's inconvenient. Alexis' jaw is open, and she sags, sitting on the edge of the end table. Ned looks drained from his outburst. They are both speechless for a moment. Then she looks up at him. Alexis: (quietly) I'm not used to being loved. Ned: (gently) Clearly. Alexis: Men have thrown around that word to get in bed with me. Ned: Alexis (with a hint of a smile), we have yet to be in a bed. Alexis: (smiling wryly) Maybe that's the problem. Ned: I'm not saying we shouldn't... Alexis: No, really, we're so busy trying to keep all the rules, that we're not really integrated into each other's lives. We're always sneaking around so much that we're afraid that the powers that be might notice that we have new priorities. Ned: So we do everything we can to prove we don't. Alexis: I'm afraid to. Ned: To what? Alexis: To have new priorities. Ned: Stefan certainly didn't ask you when Katherine was playing house around here. Alexis: Don't remind me. Ned: So then... Alexis: Does this mean you want HIS and HERS towels by the whirlpool? Ned: (smiling) Just a toothbrush will do. They pause, both pensive. Alexis: I'm sorry I was so dismissive. Ned: I'm sorry I was so possessive. The front door opens and Stefan walk in, lost in his own thoughts. He enters the parlor and seems surprised to see them. Alexis: Stefan, I was worried about you. Stefan: (absently) Why? Alexis: Because... I know where you were. Stefan: (looking at her and then Ned, and choosing not to address her comment) Where did you two head off to? I would have sent for you at dinner time, but Nikolas insisted that I didn't. He fed me some line about quality time with just us or something equally uncharacteristic. Ned stifles a giggle. Alexis: Stefan, will you be here for the next 5 minutes? Stefan: Where else? Alexis: I'll be back shortly. She ushers Ned out of the room to the foot of the stairwell in the foyer. Ned: Was that my walking papers? Alexis: No. But could you give me some time with him? Ned: Yes. See how easy that was? Alexis: What? Ned: Not freaking out and shoving me out the door? Alexis: Why don't you go to the kitchen and ask Mrs. Landsbury to send up dinner for 2 to my room. Give me 30 minutes with Stefan. Drink vodka. Get acquainted with my bed. (she smiles) Send out for a toothbrush. Ned: (smiling) Does this mean we're made up? Alexis: No. Trust me, when we make up, you'll know it.