It was strange going back to work. In some ways it had felt like an eternity since Blake had sat in his office behind his own desk. Yet it seemed everything had been ticking over quite nicely without him…still Blake couldn't quite shake the feeling in his gut that something was wrong.

The children were back at school and despite Fallon's grumblings both were coming home for the weekend.

The company was doing well…in fact Blake was moderately impressed with the way some of his junior executives seemed to have performed in his absence. Normally he would have dismissed such performance as something to be expected and not especially praised but Blake had a new outlook now. So a few of Blake's executives would be surprised when they discovered an unexpected bonus in their new years pay packet.

At a working dinner the night before Blake had gotten a head start on a new field that had the potential to be goldmine. The past Blake wouldn't have even considered the project, he had always made his money as an independent and had avoided any project that would saddle him with a partner. Still Walter Lankersham was surprisingly good company if still a little rough around the edges and it had been late into evening that Blake had staggered into the mansion more than a little worse the wear and headed straight to bed.

Still despite his slight hangover this morning everything seemed to be going well and yet there was nagging feeling that something was going wrong.

It wasn't until Blake arrived home later that evening that feeling solidified into something real. There at the bottom of the staircase were several packed cases and Gerard was bringing down another.

"Gerard what on earth is going on?"

If he was surprised by his employer's question Gerard had composure enough not to show it. "Mrs Carrington's luggage sir."

"Yes I can see that for myself." Blake snapped before relenting slightly it was hardly his houseman's fault and it wasn't like he would have the answers to Blake's questions…There was only one person…or more to the point one woman who had those.

Taking the stairs two at a time it wasn't long before Blake found himself crossing the threshold of Alexis's temporary bedroom his stomach sinking as Alexis was indeed there packing her vanity case, checking the brushes as though she were going on a simple pleasure trip and not running away.

"Are you planning on standing there all day Blake?"

"No I just couldn't believe what I was seeing." Blake answered hoarsely. "You're really leaving?"

"Well don't sound so surprised Blake." Alexis replied finally glancing up from her packing. "I agreed to come and stay for Christmas I don't recall a discussion about my staying any longer than that?"

"Yes...No...I just assum…"

"Exactly you assumed. Well I had a life of my own before you decided to gatecrash into it Blake." Alexis cut him off yet there was something else, something she wasn't saying and that was what drew Blake closer.

Snatching the hairbrush out of her hand that got Alexis's attention and her gaze snapped to meet Blake's. "Give me that back Blake I need to pack…"

"What happened?"

"What are you talking about?" Alexis spluttered. "Nothing has happened Blake…"

"Don't lie to me Alexis, you're not very good at it." Blake replied not unaware of the irony in that statement, once upon a time she had been very good at lying to him…or perhaps he had just been very bad at paying attention. "Something has happened and you are going to tell me what it is. The Alexis Carrington I know would never skulk away with her tail between her legs."

Sighing Alexis sank down on to the edge of her bed before laying back and staring up the ceiling. "I have some business to attend to."

"That you can't do here?"

"It's personal." Alexis muttered. "Besides its not like I have anything to actually do here. Do you know what I have done the last two days?"

Moving to lie beside Alexis on the bed Blake stared down at her his frown only deepening when he caught sight of a slight red tinge to Alexis's eyes. "No I don't?" Blake admitted feeling slightly guilty at the admission.

"Nothing…I went to the hairdressers, I got my nails done. Then I thought I'd waste some time going to the galleries, I stopped by the St Dennis to get a cup of tea and…" Alexis trailed off shaking her head.

"And…" Blake prompted.

"And I bumped into Cynthia Hargrove and half of the ladies who sit on the hospital benefit committee." Alexis paused. "Let's just say it didn't go well…although that would be an understatement of rather epic proportions. They…they shunned me… completely. Oh I could see them watching me so you know me I can't back down from a challenge so I went over. Well I won't repeat the things Cynthia said it was not for polite company and the rest….they just sat there and wouldn't so much as look at me. They all made it very clear I was not welcome there."

"Oh Alexis." Blake sighed. "I am so sorry."

"It wasn't so much what she said…it's just that those mothers send their children to school with ours and god knows what Fallon and Steven must have heard through the gossip grapevine or whenever they have been over at their houses…Is it any wonder our daughter doesn't want anything to do with me? And my being here now is only going to stir it up all over again, only this time they are older and so will understand more. So it's better that I go now."

"Alexis…"

"No Blake I've made up my mind, I'll write and phone the children and perhaps you can bring them over to stay with me in London for Easter?"

"Alexis please stop just stop." Blake insisted reaching out and catching her hands. "I am only going to say this once so please listen to me carefully. Screw them…screw the lot of them. They are all a bunch of stuck up talentless shrews who love nothing more than having somebody to gossip about and look down on, and at least half of their husbands are screwing their secretaries because their wives are practically frigid in the bedroom."

"Blake…" Alexis exclaimed sitting up in shock almost aghast at hearing Blake swear for probably the first time since she had known him.

"As for what happened back then it's none of the their damn business. This isn't about them and what they think, this about you and me and the children and what is best for all of us. Now I know my opinion probably doesn't mean much but I want you here." Blake added rubbing his thumb across her knuckles. "And I am sure given the choice the children would prefer to deal with a bit of gossip and have you here than lose you all over again."

"Steven perhaps but Fallon?" Alexis scoffed shaking her head.

"Fallon will come around you just need to prove to her that you aren't going to run out on her when things get tough. She's testing you right now. Besides…" Blake paused a half smile tugging at his lips. "I will miss you this house is kind of big for one person you know."

"Like you've even noticed I was here." Alexis teased. "You've been working late again."

"I would have noticed if you weren't here." Blake protested. "Besides I'm here now and I have an idea…How would you like to go out to dinner tonight? We get dressed up and hit the town."

For a moment Alexis could only stare at him in amazement. "Blake people will talk."

Shrugging Blake tugged her off of the bed. "Let them talk. We're Carrington's we can handle it. Unless of course you are still feeling too delicate?"

"If you can handle it I can handle it." Alexis insisted before shooing Blake towards the door.

"Now you'll still be here after I get changed right?" Blake teased lingering in the doorway as Alexis began to rummage in her vanity case.

Lifting her comb to her lips Alexis tapped it thoughtfully against her chin. "That depends…on just how quickly you can get Gerard to bring my cases back up, if we are doing this Mr Carrington I am going to do it properly or not at all!"

Laughing Blake hurried to carry out that command, of one thing he had no doubt, Alexis would come out fighting wearing her best weapon in clothes. His only problem other than fending off other men would keeping his hands to himself. Yet it was a problem Blake was more than willing to suffer through if it meant putting the smile back on Alexis's face and keeping her where she belonged…back by his side.

They were drawing attention. That Blake had expected when he had proposed going out for dinner together. In fact it was somewhat the point. Blake had survived in the shark pool of Denver society long enough to know that people loved nothing more than new meat to gossip about and tear down, and right now Alexis's was the proverbial three course sacrifice.

The former socialite who had risen to be one of Western America's premier hostess's, she had led the Denver pack with ease and skill during their marriage and had undoubtedly put more than a few less beautiful noses joint in doing so. The scandal and rapidity of her descent had sent shockwaves through Denver society, so much so that Blake had preferred to hide himself away and bury himself into his work rather than face it.

Of course back then his exiling of Alexis had in some way protected her from the society backlash. However when it came to such juicy gossip society lady's memories were very long and their tongues very vicious and now Alexis was back certain ladies that had risen to take her place would seek to cement that position by decimating their former leader.

Unless…

Unless they had to consider the possibility that Alexis's lowly vulnerable position was merely temporary.

"Earth to Blake…come in Blake… Denver calling."

Alexis's amused voice dragged him back to the present and Blake couldn't help but smile down at his dancing partner.

"Sorry did I tread on your toes?"

"Only one or two." Alexis teased her emerald eyes glinting playfully and Blake couldn't help but grin.

"Well you only have yourself to blame, you wanted to dance and you know full well I am a clumsy dancer…"

"Poppycock you just weren't paying attention." Alexis chided her eyes narrowing. "I'm not boring you am I?"

"No of course not I was just thinking…"

"Oh I could see that. You were all glazed over and starting to drool."

Panicked Blake actually lifted his hand to check before Alexis's laughter enlightened him she was merely playing with him. "That was mean Alexis."

"I can't believe you actually checked." Alexis chuckled before her gaze turned thoughtful. "So what had you so preoccupied Mr Carrington…if I wasn't boring you then what was so very fascinating…and don't tell me oil leases!"

"Nothing of the sort I assure you." Blake answered with a wry smile which soon turned impish as he gazed over Alexis's shoulder at the Denver elite who suddenly were looking everywhere but the dancefloor all of a sudden.

"I was just pondering on our captive audience."

"Oh them…Well I have felt more than one gaze burning into my back." Alexis muttered rolling her eyes. "Let me guess scoffing in outrage and furious whispering behind their napkins?"

"Oh at the very least." Blake played along leaning down to whisper in Alexis's ear and inhaled a noseful of her perfume. "Now they are all pretending not to look…care to give them something to gossip about?"

"That depends…what exactly do you have in mind Mr Carrington?"

It only took one glance between them and the two of them burst out into giggles. Leaning back against the plush seat of the limousine Blake reached for the half empty champagne bottle to top up their glasses.

"So where exactly did you learn to do that? The Blake Carrington I remember didn't have skills like that!"

"Well it has been six years…" Blake replied smiling his dark eyes glinting. "I did occasional do things other than work you know."

"Apparently." Alexis countered wiggling her eyebrows suggestively. "Care to tell me about it?"

Laughing at Alexis's insinuation Blake couldn't completely contain the blush that crept up to his cheeks. "I was down in Brazil for an oil conference…it was a complete wash out literally. There was torrential rain and wind and the delegates were trapped in the hotel…there wasn't exactly much to do except drink and…well I was just sitting at the bar minding my business and this extremely forthright lady stormed up to me and demanded my attention…"

"So you gave it to her." Alexis butted in her smirk only growing as Blake scowled playfully. "Tell me Blake did she teach any other new skills I should be aware of?"

"It wasn't like that!" Blake blustered catching onto Alexis's train of thought his blush deepening in earnest.

"Oh I believe you Blake honestly I do."

"I mean it Alexis she was fifty at least…"

"Well many a good tune is played on an old fiddle…or so I have heard."

"Stop it please…she just taught me the tango I swear it!" Blake protested raising his hand in surrender. "In fact she spent most of the time bemoaning that she had picked such a hopeless student."

"Oh I wouldn't say hopeless." Alexis replied softly. "You certainly impressed me Mr Carrington and stunned half of Denver into silence into the bargain."

"Well that was sort of the point." Blake countered as the limousine came to a stop outside the mansion and the driver came around to open the door.

Stepping out Blake offered Alexis is hand his smile growing when she not only took it but slid her arm through his as they staggered slightly unsteadily inside. It had been a fun evening and not even Joseph's barely concealed look of disapproval could dampen Blake's good mood. He had forgotten just how light hearted and fun Alexis could be…how she managed to bring out the more carefree and youthful part of himself as well.

"So…" Alexis began leaning on Blake's arm as they began the walk up the long staircase.

"So what?"

"So did your Latin teacher give you all those moves…I mean I hate to think of poor you having to put your hand that high on an older woman's thigh…"

"Well I may have improvised slightly to compensate for a new partner." Blake replied as Alexis brushed against him as they walked and Blake was forced to remind himself that six years had passed since they had last done this…and that Alexis was heading up to her own bed and not his own.

It was a surprisingly sobering thought and Blake struggled to hide his disappointment as they came to the top of the stairs and Alexis released his arm.

"Well here we are...I had fun tonight Blake thank you."

"Me to." Blake answered softly unable to tear his eyes away from the soft expression on her face or the way Alexis nervously bit her lip.

"You know it doesn't have to end right now…we could have a nightcap or something…"

Alexis's offer lay between them her emerald eyes both soft and hopeful and Blake wanted nothing more than to accept…it seemed natural after all and yet something else held him back. Perhaps it was chivalry or perhaps caution but Blake knew he was going to refuse her offer.

"Or of course we could just go to bed…Good night Blake." Alexis added when Blake paused that bit too long, her cheeks flushing in embarrassment as she turned from him and Blake felt compelled to follow her.

"Alexis wait…"

"Look Blake you don't need to explain it was just the champagne going to my head that's all."

"Alexis wait please." Blake insisted catching up with her and grasping her arm. "It's not like that…it's not that I don't want…I do very much."

Turning around to face him Alexis frowned slightly in confusion. "Then I don't understand if I want you and you want me then what is the problem?"

That was the question…the question Blake had been hoping to having to avoid answering at least for a little while and yet perhaps now was the right time. With the way Alexis was staring up at him so hopeful and yet still so unsure Blake knew the longer he delayed the more doubt would creep in and this time he needed to be clear.

"Because I want more than just one night." Blake answered softly reaching up to brush his fingers across Alexis's cheek.

"I don't want to wake up in the morning and have it be a one off thing to have to go back to pretending that nothing has changed. This time I want to do this properly, I want to get to know the woman you are now Alexis and for you to get to know me…I want to woo you properly and for you to fall back in love with me…I want to take our time so we are both on the same page for every step we take because this time there is more than just ourselves to consider."

Leaning back slightly the realisation of what Blake was saying seemed to dawn on Alexis. "Are you saying you want to date me Blake?"

Chuckling awkwardly Blake bluffed. "Well that is what normal people do isn't it…go on dates and get to know each other? That way we aren't rushing into anything we aren't ready for."

"Sounds eminently sensible…"

"And yet you don't sound like you entirely approve?"

"Well you have ruined my plans for the rest of the night." Alexis quipped. "But I suppose I will survive…it's just…well when you say we should take it slow just how slow are you talking about?"

"Well I am not talking months." Blake replied before sliding his free hand around Alexis's waist and pulling her towards him. "Besides just because we aren't jumping in feet first it doesn't mean we have to behave completely."

"Oh?"

"Yes." Blake added with a suggestive smile. "I understand a goodnight kiss is a perfectly appropriate end to a first date."

Smiling broadly at Blake's suggestion Alexis wasted no time in sliding her arms up around his neck stepping completely into Blake's embrace.

"So what exactly are you waiting for Mr Carrington? A gilded invitation?"

Chuckling at Alexis's demanding tone Blake couldn't help but smile as he felt her fingers slip into and tug at his hair. Leaning down Blake pressed the lightest of pecks to her full lips smiling against them as Alexis huffed in annoyance before pulling her close and this time kissing her properly.

As Blake marvelled at the feeling of Alexis's soft lips against him and her skilled tongue meeting his own eagerly he couldn't help the strange thought that crossed his mind…it seemed his dancing skills weren't the only thing that had improved in the last six years.