Emily's driver gave Ned a ride home. Once inside he made three phone calls, grabbed a file, called down to his driver and left. He was nervous and anxious the entire trip because he did not know everything but he knew more than enough to know there would be serious problems. Once the plane landed, he got in the waiting limo with the others and took off for the 45 minute drive to Bensenhurst. Traffic wasn't heavy that time of night so the ride was easy. He instructed the driver to let him out several blocks from the house then motioned to those in the second car and they walked the rest of the way. He hadn't seen Lois in three months. Not since his last visitation with Brook Lyn. This summer was crazy and Ned was out of the country a great deal. That was about to change.

Ned exhaled deeply then knocked on the door. It was after 9:00 so his daughter would be asleep and he didn't want to wake her. It opened to reveal Lois' father, Carmine Cerillo. Surprise didn't cover the man's reaction to seeing his ex-son in law standing on his daughter's doorstep unannounced in the middle of the night. He was about to say something when he caught both Ned's expression and the men standing behind him. Ned shook his head and motioned asking for entry. The situation put Carmine on alert, he's lived in Brooklyn his entire life. But Ned was not Brooklyn made or born. Something was going on so he stepped aside and let him in. That gave Carmine a peek at those following Ned. Five men. Three obviously were guards and if it were anyone but Ned he'd swear they were wise. Two carried metal briefcases with expressions just as serious as the others.

Ned walked into the living room to see Lois sitting on the couch talking to her mother, Gloria, and her older brother Loui then shifted her gave when she felt his presence. Lois said she could always feel his presence. Ned was glad that after everything between them, something remained. He nodded but didn't speak as the men stepped inside and took up position against the wall quietly. Lois stood and Loui was about to say something but Ned shook his head emphatically.

Lois was instantly on alert. She knew Ned's schedule. He would never drop by unannounced at night in the middle of the week without a reason. Then she looked at his face and knew there was a problem. She just couldn't figure out what it could possibly be. Ned raised a finger to his lips and held her locked in his gaze as he approached quickly. Time passed slowly and it was surreal as the Cerillos watched Ned take her in a tight embrace. They each wondered if this was some attempt at a reconciliation on his part—strange as it may be—until they saw what he was doing. Instead of trying to kiss her or even simply hug her he was whispering something in her ear and whatever he said was intense. Lois' face paled then her expression registered understanding. She pulled back from Ned slightly but did not let go. Instead of addressing her family she turned toward two of the men and nodded vigorously.

That was all it took. They opened the cases, removed equipment and started moving through the house. Lois pulled Ned closer and her family thought this was going to be Lois giving it to him but were surprised when she started whispering in his ear just as intensely. He nodded a few times and they saw his expression harden as he tried to pull away. She wouldn't let go and held on to him for dear life. After a few minutes he stopped struggling and must have agreed to whatever she said because he nodded and she rubbed his back.

Instead of speaking, one of the men flashed a light to get Ned and Lois' attention. By this time all the other Cerillos were hip to what was happening but amazed that it was happening. One of them lifted a lamp and held up the bottom for them to inspect. Ned and Lois walked over and saw the proof for themselves. It was all abstract in his mind when he left Jason's penthouse. He worked through various possibilities the moment they started talking. Emily being with Jason protected her from Tracy. Lois in Brooklyn with Tracy on Long Island left her wide open. What Tracy did to Jenny was never far from his mind the entire time he was married to Lois.

A sixth man entered the house so stealthy no one noticed. He walked up to Ned and handed him a note. Ned held it so Lois could read whatever it was along with him. Her eyes went wide as she read it and she swayed a bit but then she caught sight of Ned because he almost lost it at that point. Lois knew Ned Ashton better than anyone. She was the only person in his entire life who he actually let down his guard for. The only one he trusted enough to see him. Didn't trust her too much because his role as gate keeper got in the way. Their worlds were so different she could not understand him having to do the things he did. Lois Cerillo Ashton understood everything about this entire situation. She was from Brooklyn. She knew what was coming. So she knew she had to calm Ned down before all his work so far blew up in their faces.

Lois slapped one hand across his mouth and used the other to drag him to the far side of the room. None of the Cerillos knew which was the more entertaining scene. They'd never been in a house while it was swept for bugs. The fact that Ned showed up to find them made them all suspect that it was his fault. They weren't really liking him so much now. But when they looked at Lois they were amazed. She was not angry or hurt. She was calming Ned down and he was leaning on her. They returned to their earlier embrace and continued a lengthy conversation for about 20 minutes while the others split their attention from staying out of the cleaners' way and watching the two of them. Each room was swept but none of the bugs were removed. No sense tipping off Tracy yet. They also checked carefully and with the most expensive and accurate equipment to make sure there were no hidden cameras in the house. As ELQ CEO, Ned was glad they owned the company that made that stuff. He now had confirmation that the product worked.

After a few minutes, Ned pulled away from Lois and leaned against the wall, exhausted with his eyes closed. She reached up and smoothed the little creases that always formed on his face when he was dealing with something that scared him. She never said anything and she never would but Lois knew the only thing that scared Ned Ashton was the possibility of something happening to her and their daughter. She took his hand, led him to her bedroom and told him to start packing her things while she wrote a note to her parents giving them the basics. Lois opted for giving them the information they could obviously see with their own eyes instead of what she knew. Then she chickened out of delivering it, went to pack a small bag for Brook (Ned was a Quartermaine, he could buy anything on the way) and picked her up out of her baby bed. Ned joined her in the hall and she handed him their daughter in exchange for the bag he was carrying. She knew that would keep him settled and more grounded. Lois prayed Brook wouldn't wake up and start squealing daddy like she usually did because that would be a dead give away to whomever was listening.

They re-entered the living room and Lois knew her family wanted answers. Opting for who she hoped was the most rational person of the group, she handed the note to her mother. Gloria Cerillo read the note then looked up at Lois with the biggest 'no duh!' expression anyone has ever worn then passed it to Carmine. He gave her the same one. Ned motioned for Carmine to hold up the note so he could read it. When he did, Ned turned to Lois and gave her the same look as the rest of them. She threw up her hands and shrugged. At least it told her parents that Ned was not trying to hide something. He motioned for everyone to collect their things and go outside. Loui wanted answers once they were out the door.

"Ned, what the hell is going on?"

"Not here. I don't know who is watching the house. I walked here. My car is a few blocks away."

That was too much and not enough information but it scared them all so Loui shut up. Carmine turned to Ned,

"What do you have in mind?"

"I can't walk Lois and Brook down the street. If one of you can give us a ride. The guards come too. The car's parked on 6th avenue. It can't stay there for long. We can't speak in the car because I don't know if someone got to any of yours. If its alright, I'd like to send the crew to your house to check. They aren't removing anything from inside here because that would be obvious that the devices were found."

He looked at Gloria. This was the most cloak and dagger they ever got. But Gloria Cerillo knew what she saw in the house and she knew what she saw from both Lois and Ned so she intervened.

"Yes, send them to our house. Where do we go while we wait?"

"I booked a suite and the Waldorf. They'll be plenty of room and we can talk. Some things I cannot tell you. Some things I do not know yet."

Gloria nodded. This wasn't a regular Quartermaine game. Something else was going on. Before she got in the car she looked Ned right in the eye.

"Who?"

He'd have to tell her sooner or later and at least she would have to stew silently all the way to Manhattan while he was with Lois in the limo so he wouldn't have to hear it.

"Tony Soleto."

That made all three Cerillos suck in a breath and pale at the same time. Nope, this wasn't about some Microsoft attempted take over. They got it. Then they got in two cars and headed to Ned's. Loui rolled his eyes when he saw the limo. He didn't know why he was surprised that Ned referred to that as his car.

Once the Ashton-Cerillo caravan made their way into the suite Ned relaxed just a bit but held back while the guards went through each room, as it was a three bedroom suite, the balcony and the dinning room before returning to the main room. Ned takes nothing for chance because one of cleaners was right behind the guard checking for anything that might have been placed their in anticipation of his arrival.

"Mr. Ashton, its all clean."

Ned nodded then the guard addressed Lois.

"Mrs. Ashton."

"Yes?"

Funny, she answered immediately and automatically. All the Cerillos made eye contact on that.

"Do you want a guard inside your daughter's room or outside the door?"

"There isn't a balcony in there is it?"

"No Mam."

"Then the guard can wait outside. We'll put her down first."

"Yes, Mam."

Lois knew she was going to have to set the tone on this one or the explosion would be near fatal.

"Ma, pop, Loui. You guys make yourselves comfortable. Nedly's flush, go for broke with the mini bar. Pop, I know how much you like pistachios. Grab as many as you like. We're going to put Brook down."

Ned didn't say anything. He just smiled at her warmly. No one in his entire life called him Nedly except Lois and it would sound corny or offensive coming from anyone else. Not once since she left him had she ever used the nickname. He relaxed a bit more. Ned was always more relaxed when Lois was around. She smiled and put her hand on his arm while he carried Brook to the bedroom.

Carmine turned to Gloria as soon as they were out of the room.

"Its starting again."

"Who are you trying to kid, Carmine? It never ended."

After Brook was down, the two came back to face the firing squad. Ned knew they were going to blame him for this one. He'd take it. Lois didn't seem to be mad at him. Pissed at Tracy, she never liked her anyway, but not mad at him. She asked for more details in the limo. Ned wasn't going to lie or keep secrets from her anymore so he told her everything he knew so far and each of his suspicions but had no proof of. He also showed her the file he brought with him. She was impressed by how quickly he moved into action and how quickly he came to Brooklyn after only suspecting something like this might happen. She kept that part to herself.

Gloria didn't say anything as she looked her daughter over carefully. Three hours ago they were chatting about stuff from the neighborhood and work. Her daughter was her usual self but not her old self. Ned Ashton walks in with a couple of body guards and some men to sweep her house for bugs and she's all rosey and smiles. She knew what was coming next. The entire way to the city Gloria and Carmine lived a parent's worst nightmare. What could possibly have motivated someone from Tony Soleto's organization to bug their daughter's house?

Ned and Lois sat together on one couch facing the others. Carmine raised his eye at Gloria, they knew Lois and they knew she had all the information. Probably more than they would ever know because she wasn't about to give them all of it. Ned started it off.

"I just learned a couple of hours ago that Tony Soleto married my mother."

Not the best in law but that hardly caused this. They didn't get it and it showed.

"So why is he bugging my daughter's house?"

It was a valid question. Gloria and Loui were nodding right along.

"Because she's coming after me."

"That makes no sense. Ned, what does that have to do with Lois? She's not involved in anything between you and your mother. Though I'm glad its just a family squabble and not a FAMILY squabble."

Ned didn't want to get into this but he had to so they could move on.

"There are a few things in this world that could hurt me just like anybody else. There is only one thing that would break me. She knows that."

He looked at Lois when he said that and didn't speak afterward so she took his hand and picked up the tale. That was the most eye opening statement any of the Cerillos had ever heard. Probably the most honest thing Ned ever said to them. They heard what he didn't say and were amazed as they turned to make eye contact with each other. Just to be sure they heard what they thought they heard. They did. When Lois started speaking, they turned their attention to the here and now. They'd talk about that later.

"Guys, I'm not going to get into all the specific particulars of what's happened in the past or what's happening now. Don't try to pry it out of me. Some things you wouldn't understand unless you've had breakfast in the Quartermaine mansion. That's all I'm going to say about that. As for the other, when I married Ned I didn't know I had the option of picking and choosing my relatives. If I'd realized I could do that from the beginning, I wouldn't have gone head to head with Tracy back then. I did and I made an enemy of her so that's that. One of the relatives that I did decide was still a relative is Ned's cousin Jason. Jason Morgan."

Light dawned on all the Cerillos with that one.

"So this is FAMILY business and that's how Lois is involved?"

"No, Loui. It doesn't work like that. Tracy wants ELQ. Nedly is ELQ. She can't get it without getting rid of him. She'll do that anyway she has to."

Gloria cannot believe she just heard her daughter say a mother would do that to her own child. Now she starts to feel sorry for Ned.

Loui's hip now,

"So, she's using Soleto to go after ELQ. I get it. What about Morgan?"

Lois cut off that line of conversation before it could get started.

"Not up for discussion. None of you guys are to talk about him. None of you guys are to talk about any of the stuff I just told you. Not to the rest of the family and not among yourselves. You have no idea who is listening and who they work for. The only reason I'm telling you this much is because you all were there and saw what happened at the house. No one can know about that."

"Ned, you're not saying much. Why?"

"Because Lois yelled at me all the way from Bensenhurst that she wanted to tell the story and she was only going to give you the information she wanted you to have. I really don't like it when Lois yells at me so I try not to do anything to cause that to happen if I can help it."

It was the truth. They all laughed.

Then he turned slightly on the couch toward Lois.

"I can have the jet take you anywhere you want to go. Your guards will travel with you and others will be waiting for you on arrival. I've got properties all over the world. Most Tracy has no clue about. And she wouldn't even think of checking them. Or I can buy something new, where ever you want, whatever you want. She wouldn't be able to find you. Then you and Brook can come back as soon as this whole thing is over. There would be no work for you and plenty of nannies to help take care of her. I can slip away for visits too."

The nosey Cerillo group sits forward ever so slightly at these words. Its hard for them to remember Ned's that loaded. He doesn't act like it. But hearing him say this to Lois is a wake up call.

She exhaled deeply and Ned knew there was going to be a fight. Everyone in the room knew there was going to be a fight.

"Do you want me to start yelling?"

It was reflexive and involuntary. He reached up and ran the back of his hand down her cheek before speaking and his voice carried the weight of his words.

"No, I want you to be safe."

Lois closed her eyes. She knew what all this was costing him. And, she had to be honest with herself. She knew that Ned was going to do some things that 6 months ago would have sent her through the roof. She left him because of the things he did on behalf of and for that family. The way he operated and the secrets he kept. But, Tracy started this and Lois is a lot more familiar with the nuances of how Tracy's new game works than Ned so she has every intention of making sure he dips his arrows in the right poison before stringing the bow. Plus, she owes Tracy for what she just did.

"Then change the locks and get some more guards. Brook and I are coming back to Port Charles with you."