Chapter 18

It was quiet at the PC Grille when Alexis arrived to meet Ned for lunch. She was glad. She spent a fitful night tossing and turning and she was tired. She hoped she was able to cover the circles under her eyes enough so that Ned wouldn't notice them. Catching sight of him across the room she went to join him.

"Hi, Ned."

"Still not able to sleep at night?"

"Good afternoon to you too, smartie. I'm fine. I'm headed home for a nap after lunch. Will that appease you?"

"Yes, that will appease me. What were you up to all day yesterday?"

Silently thanking the waiter for choosing that particular moment to take their order she allowed Ned to order for her while she tried to formulate an answer for her whereabouts of the day before. Ned simply would not understand her need to help end the violence in any way she could. Not wanting to lie to him she stood on the answer she gave him the night before on the phone.

"Like I told you, I was out defending the rights of the innocent. I have to get back to work sometime, Ned. If I don't, I'll go crazy from boredom. Oh, I did see Felicia yesterday."

Ned knew she was dodging him, which only meant it had something to do with Corinthos. And with everything that happened recently he was finally realizing that pushing Alexis on anything was not a good idea. It usually ended up badly or with Alexis just simply walking away. For the baby's sake he couldn't let that happen this time, so for the first time since knowing her he thought very carefully about the words that came out of his mouth.

"Alexis, all I am asking is that you be careful. I know that asking anymore than that would be pointless so just be careful. Now, what's up with you and Felicia?"

Picking her tongue up off the floor Alexis stared at Ned like his head had just rolled off his shoulders. Reaching toward him she lay the palm of her hand against his forehead.

"Alexis, what are you doing?"

"Checking for a fever. Come on, I need to get you to a hospital. Something is seriously wrong with you."

"What are you talking about, I'm perfectly fine. Sit down, you're making a scene."

Stepping to his side she bent over hugged him and kissed him on the cheek. Sitting back down she placed her hand on his.

"Do you know that is the first time you have not pushed your opinion on me, forced me to try to see your point of view and most of all trusted that I know what I'm doing? Ned, if we hadn't gone down that road already, I think I could fall for you all over again. BUT, not to worry. That path was worn out a long time ago. I do love you for being my friend though. I really needed it."

"Hey, like I said. I think Kristina left more of herself with me that I thought she did."

"Believe me, I know what you mean. She talks to..."

Knowing how crazy she would sound Alexis stopped mid-sentence and changed her tactic.

"I mean I talk to her on a regular basis. It helps me stay focused."

Arriving back home a couple of hours later, Alexis lay down on the couch for a nap. She was tired and needed to rest. She and Ned talked and laughed all through lunch and as pleasant as it was, it only served to increase her exhaustion. It was silently agreed between them that any subject that would cause anger, worry, or pain was off limits and they had simply enjoyed being together. When it was time to go, Ned pulled her into a hug.

"Did you feel her? She was here with us today."

"I know, Ned. I know. She's never more than a thought away from me."

Shifting onto her side she unconsciously lay her hand upon her child and caressed her.

"Kristina?"

"I'm here."

"He misses you terribly."

"I know, but he'll be ok. How are you?"

"That's a loaded question and I think you already know the answer."

"Yes, I know. But, you need to breathe life into the words so that you can't hide from them."

"Ohhhhhh... Kristina. You always did have the ability to frustrate me beyond reason. Can we shelve this until I get some rest? You know, little Krissy needs rest too, oh wait... I believe it was you telling me that before, right?"

Hearing her laugh, Alexis waited for her sister to agree with her.

"Ok, you made your point. Krissy. I like the name. Sounds light, breezy and free. You just earned a few hours from being harassed. Sleep, beautiful sister. I'll be here when you wake."

Chuckling at finally winning at least one argument with Kristina, Alexis fell into a peaceful and dreamless sleep. She slept so soundly that she did not hear Zander come in and leave again.

Waking a few hours later, Alexis stretched and lay there a few minutes not really wanting to get up yet. She felt rested and wondered when Zander would show up.

Slowly sitting up she caressed the baby absently and noticed a package on the coffee table. Picking it up she pulled the note from Zander off of it and read it.

"Alexis, I hope you will see what I saw when I found this earlier. Don't be mad. You know how much I care about you and want you to be happy. If I crossed a line that didn't need to be crossed I'm sorry. I'll back off if you really want me to. But, you need to know he is suffering every bit as much as you are. You lost your sister. He lost you. I'll be out late, but I will come home this evening. Just want to give you some time alone. Zander"

'Oh, Zander. It's not the same.'

"Isn't it. What's different, Alexis?"

"Please Kristina, not now. I'm on overload. Let me process this on my own for awhile."

"All right. Mind if I hang around though, in case you get into trouble and need a little help?"

"That's more than all right. I feel better knowing you're near. And thanks Kristina, for understanding."

"Anytime."

Opening the package, Alexis pulled the video out. She recognized the film immediately. Feeling the post-it note on back she turned the video over and noticed Sonny's handwriting.

"What does it profit a man if he gain the whole world and lose his own soul?"

"Oh, Sonny. What are you doing to me?"

"Looks like he's re-evaluating his life."

"Kris..tin..a. You promised to let me do this on my own for awhile."

"I know, I couldn't resist. This is so exciting. Do you know what this means?"

"No, you haven't given me a chance to formulate a single thought much less figure out what the man is up to now. Would you please let me think a minute?"

"Hey, who am I to stop my sister from trying to figure out the man she loves?"

"Thank you. And if you interrupt me again I'm going to throw something at you.

"Wouldn't that be a little hard?"

Laughing uncontrollably at the bantering back and forth, Alexis picked up a pillow and hit herself in the chest with it.

"I sure am glad no one is around to hear this. I'd be put away for good. Now leave me alone, Kristina."

"Ok, see ya later, sis."

"See ya later."

Taking the tape from its cover Alexis put it in the VCR and settled down to watch the movie that Sonny had obviously found worthy of a second look.