Youre in love with him?

Word travels fast

No one told me

Alexis studied Neds face as he kept his eyes intently on Kristina playing with her doll by her mothers side

Ned, look if you want to scold me or talk me out of something I

It wouldnt do any good

He never raised his voice

He never looked up at her

He wasnt angry

More sad

Ned

Lets face it Alexis you have a thing for dangerous men he said giving a fake grin

I do not! she protested

Well I guess I can be proud to be one of your exceptions he said ignoring her protest

She paused

Ned, look at me

He looked up

Youre not angry with me? Youre not going to tell me all the reasons why I should stay away from him?

Its not my place anymore

It never stopped you before

Youre right it didnt, but I cant do this, I cant fight battles that arent mine when it comes to you anymore

So you dont want to put in your two cents worth? Alexis said now kidding

I almost lost you. And sitting in the waiting room that night you were brought in I realized probably the last thing I said to you was some criticizing remark about your life its not my place and yes I was, and yes I am oversensitive when it come to you and who youre with I always will be. But I have to learn to let you live your life. Let you be happy, not judge the decisions you make for yourself or for Kristina

I have to be honest and say Im a bit surprised by what youre saying

You should be

I almost dont know what to do. I was prepared to fight you when you brought up Lorenzo

Maybe I just wanted to know for sure you were in love with him. I guess you could say straight from the horses mouth

And you and Jax havent come up with some great intervention for me

I told Jax I had to stay out of this. But yes he is planning an intervention

Ned smiled

I love him Ned She said very seriously

She thought she would make it clear while they were on the subject

Ned only shook his head

Those words still had a stinging affect

If he makes you happy

An awkward conversation just got more awkward

Ned just tell me what youre thinking

Ned hesitated for a moment

It just seems so farfetched. I mean even after labeling you the good girl who likes bad boys still, Alcazar?

I know but I promise you I kept my guard up you know me

I do know you

Then you know I really did struggle with letting him in my life

Im certain you did he said sincerely

Ned hes good to me. He makes me happy, he respects me and he can identify with having a deranged family I know Lorenzo was the last person I should have fallen for but

Then Im glad you found love Ned said interrupting

Again

Hmm?

Love again. I wouldnt even recognize what love is if you hadnt shown me I will always be grateful to you for that

Alexis youve always loved. You probably love too much. Stefan, Nicholas, Kristina your mother, your father this little one here he said brushing at Kristinas curls and God even me youve loved us all to your very soul. Youve loved us all more than you ever loved yourself and guess what we all know this. Sometimes after the fact unfortunately but we have all realized how deeply youve loved us Alexis you deserve that kind of love back. I couldnt love you like that, not the way you needed me to. And thats neither of our faults  Do I hate youve fallen in love with Lorenzo Alcazar? Yes I do. But theres nothing I can do but hope that he reciprocates by loving you the way you deserve to be loved

Youre being to level headed about this she said smiling

Youre alive and thats what matters to me now. If you want to duke it out over Lorenzo then youll have to take Jax up on the good fight. When it comes to you hes beyond his white knight routine. Hes in protective mode

Alexis held out her hand to Neds cheek

You were put in my life for more than one reason Ned Ashton

Ned pulled his hand to his lips and kissed her palm

And just so you know, when youre ready to rip my head off again she said grinning We may have not been love that was forever but not once did I ever feel when I was with you that you didnt love me as much as I loved you that part of us Ill never regret

Ill never regret that part either, never

Ned took notice that Kristina had now drifted off to sleep in her mothers arms

Emily said she would take Kristina this afternoon. I have some business to attend to Ill leave you two to take a nap and have Emily pick her up here instead of at the house if thats ok with you?

Thank you

Ned smiled

Ned

Yeah

Im glad we talked. Honestly talked

Me too, me too

Alexis reached for his cheek again

She gave him a simple kiss

He nodded

And left her to her sweet dreams with Kristina

+++++++++++++++++++++++

When he arrived back at his penthouse that afternoon Carly relentlessly asked him where he had been

Sonny responded repeatedly saying he was helping a friend

She asked a million more questions with great suspicion

Only to heighten her intrigue Sonny ended the conversation by saying he did what needed to be done and ignored her ramblings by pouring himself a drink

By the time he took his first sip

What was done, was done he helped a friend she used to be a friend

She use to be his best friend

Sonny Corinthos had chosen to trust the law to take care of a matter he easily could take taken care of himself

She would have wanted it that way

So thats the way he chose to do it

********

Marcus Cavallo you have the right to remain silent. Anything you say or do.

Handcuffs were wrapped around the hands of Marcus and each of his men as they all were tucked in to the back seats of police cars

You have no proof! Marcus yelled getting in to the car

Mac looked down in to the police car where Marcus was now sitting

Mr. Cavallo you are well known to have a personal vendetta against Lorenzo Alcazar. And phone calls you made to a now deceased Robert Carson are proof that you ordered to have Mr. Alcazar killed now you have the right to remain silent unless you care to make a confession

+++++++++++++++

Ned held his hand up to knock on Lorenzos door

He thought twice

Finally he knocked

Sage answered the door

Mr. Ashton she said looking surprised to see him

Is Lorenzo in?

Hes not up for visitors Sage said suspiciously

Sage well be fine Lorenzo said peering from around the door Mr. Ashton, come in

I need to talk to you about Alexis

Ned Im in no mood for your gallant disguised as barbaric attempt to protect Alexis from me

Thats not what Im here for

Lorenzo suggested Ned sit

He did

She and I had a talk. I told her I wouldnt fight her. That I was happy she was alive and that she didnt need me telling her my opinion on her life anymore so if you would humor me Yes I guess this is one last gallant attempt on my part to protect her. She and I have had our ups and downs. But I still care about her. If you tell me you have nothing but good intentions towards her and that you love her. Ill leave it alone. If I find out you have other intentions

I understand Lorenzo said interrupting And I cant say I blame you or Jax for wanting to protect her. I know how suspicious it looks And I know our past make our present situation seem absurd but I cant change the way I feel about her now just as the way I could change things then

Ned fidgeted for a moment

He was gathering his thoughts wanting to say the right thing

She has a vulnerable heart Ned confessed But thats the only thing about her that is vulnerable. Trust me Ive seen both sides. Shes a beautiful brilliant woman who is headstrong and stubborn as hell

I think Ive already seen a little bit of that in her Lorenzo said with a slight smile

Please dont hurt her. Her family, me, Corinthos weve all done enough damage

I have no intentions of hurting her. And she has the upper hand in this relationship or should I say the palm of her hand. Thats where she has me and I can accept it. I do love her. And its too late to back away from her now

Ned stood up and motioned for Lorenzo to stay seated knowing his struggle with his crutched and arm in a cast was too much

Just as Ned turned there was a knock at the door

Yes Lorenzo said

Its Commissioner Scorpio

Lorenzo looked at Ned

Ill get it Ned said on his way to open the door

Ned Mac said surprised to see him there

Hi

Commissioner please come in Lorenzo said from across the room

I dont mean to interrupt but both of you will be happy to know that weve arrested Marcus Cavallo and several of his men tonight, charging him with attempted murder on you and Alexis

Cavallo? Lorenzo said shocked

He admitted it

Do you know the man? Ned asked Lorenzo

I bought some property out from under him a while back ago when he was in financial trouble. He was angry with me because he had a bruised ego He had his men making a few threats but I wouldnt think he would go to the links of trying to kill me

He did say something about property in his confession Mac said interjecting

All of this over property? Ned said bewildered

More like over his bruised ego Lorenzo said contemplating

So how did you know it was him?

We had a good tip and it turns out Marcus was sloppy enough to allow his phone calls to Robert Carson, the man who hit you be recorded open and close case

Who tipped you off? Ned asked curiously

I promised I would keep the person anonymous

Mac promised Sonny he would

Ned shook his head understanding

Well I need to get back to the station. I should have more details for the both of you later

Thank you Mac

Yes thank you so much for all of your hard work. We all appreciate it

Both men watched Mac leave

I should let Jax know Ned said not sure what really to say to Lorenzo

Yes you should Lorenzo said agreeing

Uh maybe you should tell Alexis. It will be one less thing on her mind Ned said sincerely

Lorenzo held out his hand to Ned

Thank you Ned, Ill tell her tonight

End Ch 20