A/N: Hey Everyone! I had this story in my head for a long time about Ric and Alexis but never put anything down until now. I finally got tired of it floating around in my head so I wrote it out. I never liked the fact that GH broke Ric and Alexis up. I always liked them together. So, I felt like it was my job to give them a better story line and somewhere down the line a happy ending. Now if there are any errors in some of the background I apologize. I haven't watched GH in a longtime so some of the details are a bit fuzzy. Also, I didn't follow the current story line. I took some bits and pieces from some of my favorite story lines and used them. There will also be some old characters from way back poping up soon. So look out for them in coming chapters. Ok, that's it. Let me know what you think and Happy Reading!!!

I do not own General Hospital or it's charaters.

Ric Lansing was sitting in his comfy leather chair looking out of his high rise office window at the city of Port Charles. He got up from his seat and moved closer to the window. He looked out at the city and couldn't help but marvel at how beautiful the city looked from so high up. The bright lights made the city sparkle like a jewel. It truly was a wonderful site to see but Ric knew better. He knew that underneath all this beauty lies a city whose soul was up for grabs by everything that was ugly about the world.

Besides the good citizens of Port Charles who wanted nothing more than to come home from work, raise a couple of kids, and have a normal life were the worst of the worst. This city was a heaven, a beacon to murders, thieves, drug dealers, and mobsters. Ric always thought the sign to Port Charles should have read "Welcome to Port Charles. Please enjoy your stay and watch your back because there is a very good chance that you could be kidnapped, raped, killed, thrown off a balcony, poisoned,stabbed,develop a deadly disease,find out you have a crazy twin sibling that will try and kill you and then steal your identity, find out that you are related to someone here because you parents had an affair over 20 years, get into a car accident then go into a coma and not remember your loved one,then fall in love with someone else then remember who you loved before just before you get married. There are more things that can happen but you'd be standing here all day reading this sign. Again,Welcome to Port Charles and Have a nice day."

Ric chuckled at that thought. He loved and hated the day he first saw the sign to Port Charles. He had no idea how much his life would change when he passed that Welcome sign.

Ric moved from the window no longer happy with the view in front of him. He moved over to the bar and poured himself a drink. It was Brandy that his father, if he could even call him that, had sent him when he graduated law school. As Ric took a sip he closed his eyes and enjoyed the warm smooth feel of the Brandy going down his throat. He marveled at the taste of it. It shouldn't surprise him that it was some of the best Brandy he had ever tasted. His dad like two things. Young cheap girls and old expensive Brandy.

Ric took another sip then moved back over to his desk. The desk of the District Attorney of Port Charles. His dream job. He placed his glass on his desk and picked up the name plate that faced outward for all visitors to see. Ric looked at the plate and read it out loud.

"Richard Lansing. District Attorney for the City of Port Charles"he said.

He smiled at the gold name plate then placed it back on his desk. His desk. He liked the sound of that or at least he should have liked the sound of that. Today was one of those days he didn't like the sound of his title. He knew why. It was because he didn't earn it. It wasn't his. It was Alexis' title. He got it by default. He only got the job because Alexis got sick and since he had the job before he was the perfect one to take her place. Except it wasn't a perfect fit. It was completely wrong. Just like everything else in his life. So many things had been going wrong since he agreed to take this job back. Looking back now he knew he should have said no but he loved titles. Titles made his world go round. They got his father to notice him. Even if it was only to say "Good job son. The only way you could get the job back was to take it from a sick women. Way to go Richard. Way to go."

Ric took another sip of his Brandy and closed his eyes. He tried not to think. All he wanted to do was just enjoy the silence of his office. No phones ringing, no secretary coming in with more cases to be heard, no Mayor Floyd coming to ask when he was going to stop Sonny and the other crime bosses, no nothing. Just enjoy the silence. It should have been an easy thing to do but that too betrayed him because now the silence was deafening. The quiet allowed many of the thoughts he had trying to keep out to slowly creep in and penetrate the shield he had been putting up.

Ric took one more sip of his Brandy then got back up and started to pace around the room. His mind was racing with questions he didn't want to answer. Before he knew it he was back at the window look at the city again. Each light he thought was a question that had been looming on his mind lately. Ric put his head against the window and let the questions roam freely in his mind.

He wanted to know if the changes he was making were for the best? Did he like the direction his life was taking? Did he like the person he was quickly becoming? Should he continue down this destructive path he was on and if he did, was he ready to face the consequences that came with it? There were so many more questions still on his mind that they began to physical weigh him down.

Ric began to slide his body down the side of the window. He sat down on the floor facing his body sideways so he could still look at the city. His head was still up against the window and he enjoyed the coolness of the glass against his face. The cool feel of the glass was helping his mind seek out a way of the chaos it created. He thought about the questions his mind posed to him. Did he like the directions his life was taking? Was he really making the best changes for his life? Did he like the person has becoming? Was he ready for the consequences of the destructive path he was on?

Ric thought long and hard about those questions and the truth was he didn't know. He didn't have the answer. He wished he did but he didn't. That realization made him quietly laugh. How was he supposed to make decision for the citizens of Port Charles when he couldn't even make them for himself?

Ric hit the glass window with the palm of his hand. He was angry now. Angry at Alexis for getting sick. Angry at his father for being such a bastard. Angry at Sonny for making his life as District Attorney a living hell. Most of all, Rick was angry at himself. Angry for allowing things in his life to get to this point.

He knew that something was wrong with Alexis but he didn't listen to his instincts. He blindly believed her when she said she was ok. Then out of no where she says she has cancer and that it was bad. And what did he do when things got worse with the cancer? He let Alexis push him into the arms of his step-daughter Sam. The thought of that night with Sam made him violently ill.

Ric hurried over to his garbage can and vomited into it. When he was done he crawled back the window. He once again placed his head against the window and took solace in the cool feel of the glass. That choice to sleep with Sam cost him his wife, his step-daughter Kristina, and his baby girl, Molly. His family. The family he worked so hard for. The normal life he always wanted. He knew he should have been stronger and resisted the push he felt Alexis was forcing him towards but he chose to be weak. He knew what the consequences would be if he slept with Sam and he still chose the destructive path. But that's what he always did. His whole life he chose to hurt not only himself but the ones he said he loved. Sonny was a good example of that.

His brother, his other half. Instead of trying to embrace his brother Ric blamed Sonny for everything that went wrong in his life. From his mother dying, to his father hating him, to not being able to save his wife and child from the dangers that they constantly had to face because of Sonny. And the one time Sonny decided to give his trust to Ric what did he do? He betrayed Sonny and tried to take over his business. Another choice that almost cost him his life. Then there were other stupid choices. Like hurting Elizabeth and Carly. Besides Alexis, Elizabeth was the only other person that Ric ever loved and he broke her heart after she miscarried. Then what was his next brillant plan to get back with Elizabeth, kidnapping Carly to take her baby from her so he and Elizabeth could be a family again. What a stupid plan that was he thought. The memory of what he did to Carly gave Ric a cold chill down his spine. He almost made Carly lose her baby. Everytime he saw Morgan he felt guilty. He hope that Morgan never found out that his uncle came close to making sure he was never brought in the world.

Ric finally let the weight of those choices and consequence reach his heart and when they did they crushed it. The flood of emotions that his heart held, all the love,all the hate, all the fear, and what ever else he had been afraid of spilled out from his eyes in the form of tears. He was so over whelmed by everything.

Ric didn't even try to stop the tears or wipe them way. He just let them fall. When he was done and couldn't produce another tear even if he wanted to, those questions swirled around his head again. This time he had an answer for those questions. The answer was NO.

No, he didn't like the person he was becoming. No, he didn't like the direction his life was taking. And no, he didn't like the destructive path he was on and the consequences that came with his choices.

It felt good Ric thought to finally say to himself that he didn't like the way his life was going. Now another question swirled in his head. How was he going to making things right? Not just for the people he loved but also for himself.

Ric had no clue. Making things right was something Ric was not very good at.

Ric looked to the night sky and hoped that maybe it held the answer. It didn't. Just the stars. He felt like each star in the sky represented all the problems in his life and just like the night sky there were to many to count.

Ric got up from the window no longer happy with the view. He looked at his watch and saw that it was very late. Time to go home he thought. Just not the home he wanted to go to. Ric had been renting a suite at the Metro Court for sometime but, living in a hotel wasn't really as nice as living in a home. Although, having room service twenty four seven does have it's perks he thought. Ric decided to move out of the Metro Court when he saw there was a house for rent that was just outside the city limits. It was a nice space. A two story three bedroom home that came furnished. The only room he had to make up was Molly's room and although Alexis said it wasn't girly enough, Molly seemed to like it. The first time he brought Molly in the room she cooed for him and that let him know he did a good job.

Ric walked over to his desk and grabbed his house and car keys off it. He turned off the remaining lights in his office and closed the door. He took the elevator down to the garage and listened to the awful muzak that was playing. When the doors opened he practically ran out the elevator trying to get away from the muzak version of Celine Dion's "All by myself".

Ric started walking over to his parking spot that was marked City Official. District Attorney parking. Sitting waiting for him was the only thing besides his daughter Molly that brought a smile to his face these days. It was his 2009 CLK 550 Cabriolet Mercedes Benz Convertible. It was Carpi Blue in color and had a hard top. The car had everything Ric wanted. Black and Cappuccino color leather interior, Black Ash wood trim,Key less entry, ventilated front seats, DVD navigation with a hands free communication system, illuminated door sills, a custom made baby seat for Molly and a toddler seat for Kristina. Plus a whole other host of bells and whistles that made Ric's heart skip a beat. His car looked better than Mayor Floyd's which was a model from two years ago. Every time the Mayor saw Ric's car he would always give it a nice long jealous look that made Ric smirk. This was a status symbol Ric would never part with.

As Ric got closer to his beloved car he thought he heard someone behind him. He turned around and saw no one there. Must be my imagination he thought. No one was supposed to be in the building he thought. Ric was almost to his car when heard the noise again. He called out to whoever it was.

"Is anyone there?" Ric called. He still got no answer. Not good he thought.

Ric sped up the walk to his car and took out the remote for the key less entry. Before he made it to his car he heard a gunshot. Ric felt something like a bee sting at first then the pain increased. He felt like something was ripping it's way through him. He looked and touched the area where he felt the pain. When he brought his hand back up he saw it was covered in blood.

Ric went to reach for his cell phone to call for help when another shot rang out. This time the bullet hit his leg and he went down. Ric didn't know how but he somehow managed to hold on to his cell phone. Ric quickly dialed 911 and heard the dispatcher come on the line.

"This..is...DA Lansing...city parking...been shot.. send help...." Ric managed to get out.

As Ric was doubled over in pain he never heard the dispatcher say that police and ambulance were on the way because he dropped the phone out of his hand. He then heard someone walking towards him. Ric tried to crawl away but the pain was too great. He called out for help but no one came. Where the hell is that security guard Ric thought?

The gunman walked over to Ric and kicked the cell phone away from him. Ric tried in vain to move towards the cell phone but the gunman followed Ric towards the cell phone and laughed as he watched Ric crawling like the snake he knew Ric was. The gunman toyed with Ric. Every time Ric would get closer to his cell phone the gunman would kick the phone a little bit farther out of Ric's reach.

"This is what I like to see Lansing. You on your belly like the low life snake you are. Think you're going to get to that cell phone? I don't think so." the gunman said.

Ric watched in horror as the gunman smashed the cell phone with his foot and kicked it underneath a car, literally smashing all Ric's hopes of getting out of this alive.

The gunman then bent down in front of Ric. He was wearing all black and had a black ski mask on to hide his face.

"Now we are all alone. Just you, me, and fate. I know I don't have that much time since you dialed 911. The police will be here any minute and being caught was not in my game plan. Plus, I don't look good in prison blues. Oh, where are my manners? You see I know you but you don't know me. And since knowing my real name is out of the question, I shall have to think of name. One that you won't ever forget. I have it. Death. You will know me as Death." the gunman said.

Ric tried to place the voice but couldn't. He had a hard time concentrating through the pain. All Ric could see was the man's green eyes. Eyes that were filled with anger and one more thing. Ric couldn't believe the other emotion he was seeing in the gunman's eyes. He saw that he was enjoying this. The guy was actually enjoying the torture he was inflicting on him. Ric was just about to pass out from the pain when he felt Death slap his face.

"Tut-tut." Death said wagging a warning finger at Ric. "It's impolite to fall asleep when someone's talking to you. Looks like you need to be punished Richard. A little reminder of who's in charger here." Death said.

Ric watched as Death stood up and before he could say anything he was shot twice. One bullet went in Ric's other leg while the second bullet went into his shoulder. Death laughed when he heard Ric screaming for him to stop. Death bent back down towards Ric face.

"Got your attention again?" Death asked.

Ric nodded yes.

"Good boy. Now please don't make me waste anymore bullets Richard. They do cost a lot now a days and I don't want to waist any of the exuberant amount of money I was paid to kill you buying more. Now before I kill you Richard, I have a message to pass on from my generous benefactors. They wanted me to tell you that your services as District Attorney to the City of Port Charles are no longer required. You have gotten to close to their business dealings and they are tired of your interference. So I'm here to terminate your employment with the city. Permanently." Death said.

Ric closed his eyes. This isn't how it was supposed to end he thought. How was he going to make things right with is family if he was dead? Then Ric did something he hadn't done in years. He prayed.

"You know something Richard, you are truly pathetic. I mean I can't believe that someone actually found you to be a real threat to them." Death said hitting Ric's face hard with the gun. Death watched as Ric cried out in more pain from the hit and enjoyed seeing the blood slowly trickle out of Ric's mouth.

"God, please. Help me." Ric said out loud.

"There it is! That's what I was waiting to hear." Death said clapping his hands. " A little begging before your die. You have no idea how much you made my day Richard. Ok, no more distractions. This is where we part company. So, I will bid you a fond fair well Richard." Death said.

Ric heard the gun cock and knew it was the end. I guess God was too busy to save this sinner Ric thought. He concentrated on the last happy time he had with his family. They were at the beach just enjoying each other. Being the family he always wanted.

Just as the Death was about to pull the trigger he heard police sirens and a number of people running in their direction. Ric heard Death curse loudly.

"Well, looks like God heard your prayers and granted you a reprieve. How ironic that shooting you those two times actually saved your pathetic life and gave the police enough time to get here and save you. Life is just funny that way huh?" Death quipped.

A black car came out of nowhere at a high rate towards the Death and stopped right in front of him.

"Looks like my ride is here. Please don't feel like you have to get up on my account." Death said as he opened the car door then stepped inside. Just before the car was about to pull off the passenger side window rolled down and Ric could see Death looking at him.

"We'll be see each other again DA Lansing...real soon." Death said.

"Hold it right there! Police!" someone shouted.

TTFN Richard. Lets get out of here driver." Death said then closed his window.

The black car sped off before the officer could get a shot off.

-TBC-