*~Chapter 26~*

***The Castle***

(A few weeks later. Alexis is sitting on the couch holding a box when Ned comes down stairs)

Alexis: Did you get him to sleep ok?

Ned: (who goes and joins her on the couch) Yep. What's that?

Alexis: I want to show you something.

Ned: What? Does this have to do with your daughter?

Alexis: Mm hmm. (she opens the box and takes out a picture and hands in to him) It's one of the only ones I have.

Ned: She was a beautiful little girl Alexis, what was she like 4 or 5

Alexis: 4

Ned: That means she's like what 18 or so now?

Alexis: Yes.

Ned: What did you name her?

Alexis: Andrea

Ned: That's pretty (she nods)

Alexis: She's coming here in a few weeks, that's why Andrew was here.

Ned: I think I remember him saying that. What did he want you to do anyway, completely ignore her, she must know your her mother.

Alexis: No actually she doesn't, he never told her.

Ned: So, he wants you to ignore you own child?

Alexis: Yes.

Ned: You can't do that.

Alexis: I have to at least try, as hard as it may be. Helena is still a threat.

Ned: When isn't she?

Alexis: I see your point.

Ned: How can he even be sure you'll see each other. Port Charles isn't all that big, but she would be in school most of the time, so there's a chance you might not.

Alexis: Because she got into PCU's pre-law program and is looking for an internship at a law firm and since there really isn't one here, he said she was going to ask me if she could work with me.

Ned: And he wants you to turn her down, right?

Alexis: Yes, but I don't think I can.

Ned: So give her the job and if you still think she shouldn't know your her mother then don't tell her.

Alexis: So give her the job and pretend we never met?

Ned: Yes, but it's totally up to you. If you don't think you can handle it...

Alexis: I could try, but I'm not sure.

Ned: So if you want to, tell her the truth, I'm sure she wants to know who her mother is.

Alexis: I can't, I can't jeopardize her safety.

Ned: Ok then.

Alexis: Ok then, It's worth a shot.

Ned: I'm glad you shared this with me

Alexis: I am too

Ned: I like helping you Alexis, I just wish you'd let me do it more often.

Alexis: I'm going to make a conscious effort to try. I promise.

Ned: We can survive anything as long as we're honest. What we have Alexis, is the most important thing to me and I don't want to let it go.

Alexis: Neither do I.

Ned: I love you.

Alexis: I love you too. (they kiss)

Ned: Are we done with this serious stuff?

Alexis: We're done with this serious stuff.

Ned: Now on to more pleasant topics.

Alexis: Which would be?

Ned: Making love to you.

Alexis: Yes, let's move on to that. (he kisses her and it grows passionate quickly, before long he is carrying her up to their bedroom, where they make love.)