Chapter 6

Standing at the doorway to her balcony, Alexis was staring out looking at nothing in particular. She was torn between what she should do and what she wanted to do. Ric needed a home… she needed to protect herself, her daughter and the life she was trying to build for them. To allow Ric to get as close as he wanted was just inviting trouble! Turning her head she glanced back at him. He was still sitting on the sofa with his arms wrapped around Kristina rocking back and forth humming softly. She wondered suddenly what it would feel like to have his arms around her, comforting her as he did her daughter. Shaking herself free from her thoughts she wandered back into the living room and sat down across from Ric noticing his eyes were closed. It wasn't lost on her just how attractive he was, nor did she miss just how at 'home' her daughter looked in his arms.

"You do realize you're putting me in a very difficult position, don't you Ric?"

Without opening his eyes… "Yes… I do."

"And you also realize that I need time to sort it all out in my head… without pressure or a deadline of any type."

"Yes." Ric opened his eyes and met Alexis'. "I also realize how monumental it's going to be for you to allow me this indulgence. It would require you to trust me… we both know that I've never been very trustworthy material. But, I'd like the chance to prove that you can trust me, Alexis. Trust me to do right by Kristina… by you."

"By me?" Alexis frowned. "What do you mean, 'do right' by me?"

Ric grew quiet. How could he explain that he wanted so much more than just a relationship with his niece? He wanted a chance to prove himself to Alexis, to possibly build some form of relationship with her. She excited him… made him want more out of life. Leaning over he gently lay Kristina down, made sure she was comfortable then stood and stepped around the coffee table to stand in front of Alexis. Taking a seat on the coffee table he leaned forward and took her hands in his and forced her to meet his eyes.

"You've remarked quite a few times about how arrogant I am. And you're right… partly. I am arrogant, but there is so much more behind the face that I show the world. There is a man inside of me that no one knows. I've held him close so that he can't slip up and give the world a view of the real Ric Lansing. You know what I'm talking about Alexis. You do the same thing. We're both trapped behind the face that we present to the world. But, there is this thing inside of me that wants you to know who I am. Who I really am… what drives me to push so hard… the good… the bad… all of it! And I want to know that part of you. We both have trust issues. I figure that's probably putting it mildly, but the fact is I know you don't trust me and truth be known I don't have a lot of faith in you either. There's too much you can take from me and I don't just mean Kristina. You can best me in the courtroom… in an argument, if you're focused… you have a better command over your responses… your feelings… All I have is a Harvard degree on the wall and arrogance. Let me help you fight the fight that needs fighting now. Let me help you protect Kristina from Sonny. Alexis, let me help you protect yourself from him. Let me help you defeat the weakness in you and you can help me defeat the weakness in me. Please, Alexis. At least give us the chance to try."

She felt herself trembling on the inside. Her anxiety level was rising and his closeness wasn't helping matters in the least. She needed time… and space… she needed to be alone with her daughter for a while.

"I need to think, Ric. Can you be patient and just give me some time to work through all of… this."

"Sure, Alexis. I can do that. Why don't you call me when you get ready to take her to the hospital? I'll pick you and Kristina up and we'll go together. Please don't try to do this by yourself. Let me at least be there to support you."

She smiled knowing she wouldn't refuse her daughter any support that offered itself. And she couldn't in goon conscious try to keep Ric away from his niece's surgery. Ric would find a way, any way, to make sure he was as close as he could get when Kristina went in for surgery.

"Alright, Ric. I'll call you tomorrow and let you know when we'll be going. Actually we wouldn't mind the company this time."

"Good. Then I'll just go for now and wait for you to call."

With that Ric turned and knelt down beside Kristina who was still sleeping. He leaned forward and kissed her forehead and whispered quietly to her.

"I'm going to take off now Kristina. You be a good girl and do everything mommy tells you to do so you'll get better. I'll see you real soon."

Walking him to the door, she leaned heavily on it after closing the door behind him. 'This is a fine mess I've gotten myself into', she thought. Hearing Kristina begin to fuss, Alexis put her thoughts away and settled herself around trying to get her daughter well enough to endure yet another surgery.

Two days later Ric and Alexis stood outside Kristina's hospital room waiting for the nurses to allow them back in to sit with her until she was taken to the operating room. Ric could feel Alexis trembling next to him and pulled her closer underneath the shelter of his arm.

"Why, Ric? Why does it always have to be my daughter? Why couldn't it be me?"

He didn't try to alleviate her fears, he had a surplus of his own he was trying to deal with. And he knew it would do neither one of them any good to spill a bunch of words into the air that would do no more than irritate an already sensitive situation. She knew where his heart lay in that moment just as he knew where hers was. Words of encouragement were not necessary. But, comfort was another matter.

"It's going to take a couple of hours for them to do the procedure. Just as soon as they get her ready to go and roll her out we'll make sure she knows we love her and we'll be waiting for her right here when she gets back. We'll make sure the last face she sees before going to sleep is yours, Alexis. She's a tough little cookie, but even tough little cookies need to see their mommy in scary times."

She turned toward him and wrapped her arms around his waist laying her head on his shoulder while keeping her eyes trained on Bobbie and Kristina's doctor. Her whispered response shocked him.

"I just want us to be able to take her home and know that she'll never have to darken the halls of this hospital again unless it is by her own wish."

'Us'. A small word that gave him all the hope he could have ever wished for. She was including him in her little family and he knew without any doubt that Alexis was not aware of the phrasing of her words. She may have felt them in her heart, but to say them aloud for him to hear? No, Alexis would not have given him that much so soon. And he wasn't about to take advantage of her emotional state.

"You'll be able to take her home in just a few hours, Alexis. Then you can sit and hold her for as long as you like."

"You'll come too, won't you?"

He smiled above her head. "Yes, Alexis. I'll come with you. I'll take care of all the daily mundane things while you take care of Kristina. Don't worry about a thing. I'll take care of everything."

Alexis felt his arms stiffen around her and his whole body froze. Only one thing could cause that kind of response from Ric in this particular situation. Sonny was somewhere close by.

"Ric, stay with me." She knew he wouldn't physically leave her, but she didn't want him to let Sonny take from them the strength and focus they needed for Kristina right now. Her words did not seem to register to him, so she lifted her head and looked up at his face. His eyes were focused on someone down the hall and she heard the footsteps that sounded so familiar to her. "Ric? Please don't let him get to you. Not today. Not when I need you here with me."

When he still did not seem to register her voice, she leaned toward him and placed her lips against his. She felt his body jolt and then she leaned back again opening her eyes to meet the surprised look on his face.

"Don't let him take you away from us today, Ric. Kristina needs you. Remember what you asked me two days ago. You may have a home with us, but not if you bring him with you."

She sighed her relief when he smiled.

"It's okay, Alexis. I just needed to be reminded of what I have on the line. It's fine now. I'm okay. And you're right. We don't need the specter of Sonny Corinthos hanging over us today." Looking over her shoulder he tightened his hold on her. "He's headed our way. Why don't you go inside and let me deal with Sonny right now. You don't need him in your face on top of everything else."

She smiled and released herself from his hold. "No, we do this together. Neither one of us are as strong as we need to be right now emotionally to handle him. Together we can meet him head on and get rid of him."

"Alright, Alexis. We'll do it your way."

Alexis turned around and placed herself right beside Ric and smiled coldly as Sonny stopped in front of them.

"Sonny. What brings you to GH this morning? I hope your children are all right."

"They're fine. What are you doing with Ric, Alexis? Do you really want to set yourself up as an ally with him… against me?"