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Alexis buried herself in work taking up the time that Harrison had been gone. He had actually only been gone for a couple of hours but Alexis admitting only to herself had gotten use to having him with her. The penthouse was quiet, the one time she could use Kristinas ramblings, she had decided to take a few days to visit with friends. So there Alexis was again, avoiding the world with her nose in a book.

The day had gone by rather quickly and it was dark before Alexis knew it. She had decided to slip into her pajamas and just relax, enjoy the peace and quiet instead of dwelling on it.

(A knock at the door)

Alexis stood up. She fully expecting to see Sonny standing behind the door ready to share his tragic Carly troubles or him ready for her to solve the rest of his problems.

Alexis swung open the door to see Ned standing there instead.

Ned she said obviously shocked

Hi he said in a hesitating tone

Alexis had yet to invite him in just as Ned had ceased to tell her why he was there. The truth was Ned wasnt sure why he was there. It was as if his conscious drove him right to her door.

Oh, uh come in Alexis now parting from the doorway

Thanks

You know Kristinas not here she said as Ned walked past her

Yeah I just. Alexis could tell that he was struggling to come up with the right thing to say.

Was there something you needed to talk to me about? Alexis now sounded more like professional than the ex fiancee

Uh yes, there is

Sit Alexis, said pointing to the couch and Ned took his chance and sat down on the couch as she sat beside him. She left an obvious space that spoke volumes about what had happened and hadnt happened between them.

No Harrison? Ned said knowing good and well that he had gone and where he had gone

Business trip Alexis said trying to be nonchalant

Oh Ned said realizing it was the wrong question for small talk

Nice pajamas. Are they new?

Her pajamas, the infamous pajamas, the silk pajamas that she wore better than any woman ever could. The way they fit on her body. The way the felt against her body. The way they revealed nothing but the small v of skin on her chest. God, he loved those pajamas

No actually Ive had them for a while Alexis now realizing she was wearing them and if it suddenly was a big deal that she was in front of him

Alexis response made a shiver run up Neds spine as he realized that question was more wrong than the first one and he quickly tried to jump to another subject

So uh - you must be enjoying the peace and quiet with everyone gone?

I got some work done Ned I know you just didnt come here to ask me how my day was. I actually thought you didnt even care anymore how my day was so

I do care! he snapped back at her

Alexis eyes widened

I mean Ned paused for moment letting the words rehearse in his head I want to apologize to you

Alexis head began to spin slightly. Why did he want to apologize? Why now, for what Alexis say something

For?

For being inconsiderate to you

Um ok. I hate to be the brat here but isnt it a little late for us to have any kind of apologetic conversation?

No its not. Im a fool Alexis

Alexis heart felt as if it jumped in her throat. Her decidedly strong willed self felt as if it was sinking into the couch.

Ned dont

Will you please just let me apologize to you and then if you want me to leave I will, but when I look at you I see how much Ive hurt you

It was fair

It wasnt fair not the way I didnt listen to you or the way I the way I just let you go

God Ned please she said shaking her head suddenly realizing how much she missed that look in his eyes, his amazing sincere eyes

Alexis we were together for a long time

If any time Alexis could have used her running shoes it would have been now. She would have done anything to run and hide from the conversation they were having

For a little while when I would wake up I would forget I was without you, Alexis said seriously and giving in to everything her head told her not to say

Sometimes it still happens to me, He said letting his voice almost come to a whisper

Me too Alexis let out a pained look for regretting saying that

Well weve been through a lot. I mean we even withstood being married to the wrong people and now look at us

Yeah but it was good most of the time Alexis let out a shy grin

The together was good

I think we were really obnoxious sometimes, Alexis said now shaking her head

Poor Jax and Chloe they both let out a small laugh, which quickly ended thinking of Chloe

Our Valentines Days werent so bad either she said adding to the conversation

We definitely could do a Valentines Day he gave her a dimpled grin

Oh my God his dimples, please make him stop Alexis pleaded inside her head at the sight of them

Ned and Alexis continued to talk for hours. The uneasy conversation that had them sitting on opposite ends of the couch. Now had Alexis sitting still with a comfortable amount of space between them but relaxed curled up on her couch and Ned relaxed opposite of her.

Every memory sparked another. They werent strangers like they thought they had become. Both of them laughed, they laughed out loud forgetting that they hadnt laughed in each others presence in a long time.

Ned reminded Alexis of the time she jumped Jax on the couch thinking it was him. Alexis threw her head back laughing and she inadvertently grabbed Neds arm. The feel of her fingers on his arm made him flinch and she suddenly stopped laughing feeling him move from her.

Im sorry Alexis said almost looking horrified that she overstepped her boundaries

No dont be sorry. I just havent I havent felt your touch in a long time and it just I

I shouldnt have. I was

You were laughing its a beautiful sound

You always made me laugh

Suddenly they were sitting there awkward again. This time instead of fearing what they would have to say they feared they had said too much.

Ned wanted to come over there and apologize to her that night and maybe subconsciously he wanted to not go home. But he knew he had to and that he would because he was the man that had broken Alexis Davis heart and that she was now with another.

Maybe thats what made him do it maybe seeing her with Harrison was what broke his stubborn pride. What made him hear what she was saying and see what she needed. He could hear her laughter again and he was seeing her as the Alexis he loved not the one he was responsible for breaking.

Alexis looked up at the clock it was 3:30 am

Look at the time Alexis said unsuccessfully of not being obvious about wanting to change the subject.

Ned looked at the clock, he too couldnt believe how long they had been sitting there

Im sorry I had no idea what time it was, he said sincerely apologizing that he had gotten lost in his time with her

No! Dont be. It was nice, nice to have a civil conversation

Yes it was, he said giving her a slight smile to match the one on her face

This would have been the moment where she kissed him. The moment where he took her up stairs and made love to her. But instead they both stood up from the couch. Too much time had past for them to consider the way they were again. They had a bond of the heart, had being the operative word. Still there was a spark that laid among the ashes of Ned and Alexis and both of them felt it rather it was passion or if it was love.

Ned left Alexis penthouse feeling guilty for the way he felt and even the way he might have made her feel. There was also this peace of knowing that at that one moment he knew she didnt hate him for all that had happened between them.

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Water ran down her face as she could feel her swollen eyes burn. The minute he walked out the door she cried. She tried to hold it back, then she tried to stop but she cried over him again. This time for apologizing, for being the man she loved and she cried herself to sleep.

Only a few hours later she was standing in the shower. Her mind woke up with him just as it had fallen asleep with him.

Why did he do this to me kept repeating in her mind. Knowing good and well she had done most of it too herself

Standing there in the shower she hurt. She couldnt wash anything away, not the words or the smell or the touch. It was if Ned Ashton had gripped his familiar arms around her and refused to let her go.

Alexis seemed to stay in the shower forever, at least until she felt as if she could stand to see the sun glaring through the windows. She had gotten dressed and headed down stairs to at least try for coffee.


She headed back into the living room making her usual face at the first sip of her coffee and the phone interrupted her

Alexis Davis

Good morning beautiful

Harrison!

The sound of his voice covered her body with amazing warmth

Did you sleep well?

Uhyeah

You didnt sound to sure about that

I didnt really

Im sorry. Is everything OK?

Everythings fine

Well I should be back by this evening and I will personally make sure you have sweet dreams tonight

Before Alexis could respond she heard a knock at the door.

Could you hang on a second?

Sure

Alexis opened the door to see Stefan standing there and Alexis motioned him in

Its Stefan, she said to Harrison over the phone

Ok then Ill let you go I just wanted to check on you and to tell you to look for me tonight

Hey wait! Did you get your business taken care of?

Everything was successful

Good then come back to me She said not being able to help but grin

See you later

Bye

Alexis hung up the phone to her patiently waiting brother

Hi, she said kissing her brother on the cheek Sorry making reference to being on the phone

Thats ok, how are you?

Um Im good and you

Im well. I wanted to come see how you were. I havent been able to speak to you without talking business in a while

Thats sweet of you

So Mr. Blair has come to town?

So thats why youre here?

Well no and yes. I have to find out news about my sister through gossip around town. And I was informed that my sisters new beau was a British man. Stefan grinned shaking his head and Alexis grinned back at how word spreads about a Cassadine around Port Charles.

How did you two meet up again?

Actually I just happen to have a meeting at The Port Charles Grill the same time Jax was having a meeting there with Harrison and here we were all over again

Is he making you happy?

Honestly yes

Good I was worried about you

Worried why?

I hate to bring it up but I know Ned seems to be in and out of your life almost on a daily basis which would be hard to get past someone in that manner

Stefan could tell Alexis mood changed at the sound of Neds name.

Im sorry I just wanted you to know I was glad that Harrison was making you happy

Stefan its fine

Is there something you would like to share? Relationship advice is not my strong suit but I am willing to listen

Im just being silly I guess

What is it?

Stefan, Harrison is a wonderful man. You know this, you know that he and are good for each other and I realized this and I loved the idea that there is someone that could make me forget Ned but

But?

Ned came by last night and I tried not to be foolish but its hard to forget someone you loved

I know but you must remember especially if you do have feelings for Harrison. Dont throw away a good thing. Dont let your past consume you as it is so easy to do. You and I know that first hand Do not settle but do love and allow for yourself to receive love

Is that my fortune for the day? Alexis said teasingly

No just some advice from someone who loves you and is concerned about you finding happiness

Thank you big brother

Now I will go and let you work yourself to death as we Cassadines like to do he said smiling

Me? Work? Alexis said smiling back

She walked him to the door and kissed her brother on the cheek again and then closed the door behind him.

Alexis looked around the empty penthouse

Love and allow yourself to receive love she said as she let out a deep breath