*~Chapter 12~*

***The Gatehouse***

(Ned rolls over in bed to find Alexis gone. He gets up and goes down stairs and finds Alexis staring out the window. He walks up behind her and wraps his arms around her. She's startled at first, but once she realizes it's him she relaxes)

Ned: Why don't we go back to bed.

Alexis: Sorry I woke you up.(still staring blankly out the window)

Ned: That's ok (kisses the top of her head)

Alexis: I just couldn't sleep, that's all. You really didn't have to get up. (goes to sit on the couch and Ned follows her.)

Ned: Is everything ok?

Alexis: I guess so. (pause) No.

Ned: Do you want to talk about it?

Alexis: Not really.

Ned : It could help.(she looks at him and sighs)

Alexis: This is all just happening so fast. I mean we never even talked about having children, but we are and I just don't know how to handle that.

Ned: I know, but your not alone in this. We can do this, we're just going to take it one step at a time, little by little. Together we can handle anything.

Alexis: We're not even married. I mean how do I know we're going to be together. How do I know you won't just leave me and... take this baby with you.

Ned: You can't honestly think that I would do that to you. (she looks at him) You of all people should know I wouldn't. I wouldn't wish that kind of pain on anybody. I wouldn't put you through what Lois put me through and is still putting me through. You have to know that. I love you Alexis.

Alexis: I love you too, and I do know that, I do and you have to know that I would never, never keep this child from you.

Ned: I know, your not Lois. Then where is this coming from? (she just looks a him) It has to be coming from somewhere.

Alexis: I really don't want to talk about this. (getting up and walking away, but he grabs her arm and pulls her back down to sit on the couch and doesn't let go.)

Ned: Fine I won't push you, but promise me when you are ready to talk about what's really going on with you, you will come to me.

Alexis: I promise. (he pulls her into a hug)

Ned: Now you said something before...

Alexis: I thought you were going to drop it?

Ned: I am, but you said something about not being married.

Alexis: I know and your point is.

Ned: (quietly unsure) Do you want to be?

Alexis: (just as quiet) Yes. Do you?

Ned: Alexis, I'm not the one who ran away from the alter.

Alexis: Yeah it was a stupid question.

Ned: Then we get married.

Alexis: (nervous, terrified, shocked) We do?

Ned: You just said...

Alexis: I know what I said.

Ned: I don't see the problem here Alexis.

Alexis: You don't?

Ned: No.

Alexis: Well it's me.

Ned: What?

Alexis: I'm the problem

Ned: That much I got.

Alexis: I want to marry you, I do, but I'm terrified of failing.

Ned: We're not going to fail.

Alexis: Ok, well then I'm just terrified.

Ned: I can help you get over this.

Alexis: You can?

Ned: All you have to do is talk to me. I know how scared you are now and together we can get past this and move forward with our future.

Alexis: (unconvinced) We can?

Ned: We can. We take it one step at a time remember. (she nods) So... Marry me Alexis. (she just looks at him) Say Yes.

***Author's Note***

Yes or No? You tell me. I know what I want, let me know what you want. It's probably going to be a majority rules kind of thing, but if it's close I'll write both outcomes. Put the most popular in this fanfic and then branch off with the other probably like Can We Survive 2.

I'm going to try to have part one finished soon hopefully before I head back to school on Sep. 4. If I don't just try to stick with me I'll update as much as possible. I have 2 study's I'll try to get to the computer lab and update there. I'm warning you ahead of time this is going to be rather long.

Thanks for all your positive support so far, but don't be afraid to be negative if that's what you feel. Constructive criticism is appertained. Keep the reviews coming, they're ridiculously addictive. Thanks!

Feel free to e-mai me at NEXIS85@aol.com!