Chapter 4

The next few weeks flew by. Thanksgiving had come and gone and they were now headed into early December. They holidays were approaching, a time of year that brought too many memories of a love lost. So, he dived right back into what he did best, play the family gatekeeper. When the end of the day finally arrived he would do one of two things, go back to the gatehouse, drink his way into oblivion or head to the bar at the PC Grille, and drink his way into oblivion. Tonight he chose the PC Grille. "John I'll have another scotch," he said void of emotion. He didn't understand how it had been 16 years and he still felt this way about losing her. He was brought out of his thoughts when he heard his name from across the room. "Ned!"

He turned around and a look of pleasant surprise washed across his face. "Julia!" He got up from his bar stool and walked towards her to give her a hug, but only she pulled him into a kiss first; she always did go for the jugular. They broke apart and walked over to a table. "What are you doing back n Port Charles," he asked as he pulled a chair out for her.

"Looking for you," she said half jokingly, half-serious

He looked towards her quizzically, "I'm not that hard to find these days, join me for a drink?" he said motioning towards the table in the corner.

"Of course," They walked over to the table and he pulled out her chair, "Always the gentlemen, one of the many things I've always liked about you."

"I think I'm going to like having you back in Port Charles."

"It's good to be back, now the reason I was looking for you…"

He interrupted her, "Now there's the Julia Barrett I know and love, never allowing any time for pleasure."

"Oh, there's time, trust me, let's just get the business out of the way first." She smiled at him, raising her eyebrows a bit.

"Well by all means, tell me what you need," he said flashing his dimples at her.

She shot him a seductive look before continuing, "Barrett Industries recently acquired a magazine and I was wondering if you'd like to help me with the redesign. I was thinking about maybe getting L&B involved. We do make an excellent team if I do say so myself."

"It sounds promising, and with me and you at the helm, there's no reason it should fail. Anything we've ever worked on has been, a great success. Count me in….now on to more pleasant subjects," he said as he took her hand in his and gently caressed it with his thumb.

"Why Ned, what are you suggesting?" She asked flirtatiously.

"Oh just the two of us heading upstairs to your suite…that is if your staying here?"

"I am…please continue," she said intrigued.

"We head upstairs and catch up and then well…whatever comes after that will be up to you."

She looked at him, old feelings beginning to surface, "Let's go." He stood up from the table, grabbed her hand, and they headed for the elevator.

Manhattan

Her mother was going to be stuck at the courthouse; this was her opportunity. She was going to leave tonight for Port Charles. She had already bought a train ticket all she needed to do now was write her mother a note. Before she left for the train station, she left the note on her mother's desk by the door. She was soon on her way and in a few short minutes, she had arrived at the station. As she boarded the train, she couldn't help but have a few doubts about what she was doing, but overall she knew finding her father herself was what needed to be done.

She found her seat and after storing her luggage, she settled in her seat with a book. Not soon after, she was interrupted when a young boy about her age sat down next to her and started up a conversation. "Hi," she said apprehensively.

"Off to Port Charles?" He asked.

"Yeah I am, why?" she asked intrigued.

"Just, curious. I ride this train almost every week, never seen you before."

"I'm sure there are a lot of people you've never seen before," she said matter of factly.

"You have an excellent point, but I always make an effort to talk to the pretty ones."

"Well then," she responded unsure of what to say next.

Before she could formulate her next move he had already extended his hand, "Michael Corinthos."

She returned the gesture and they shook hands, "Kristen Davis."

"Well Kristen, is this gonna be your first time in Port Charles, because I'd be more than willing to give you a tour."

"Yes it is. But, you see I think I can find where I need to go just fine on my own."

"Oh," he said intrigued. "And where is that?"

"It's not where, it's a who, and that's Ned Ashton. Now if you know him, that could be helpful," she said realizing that maybe his help might not be such a bad thing.

"I do. Trying to become the next singing sensation at L&B?" He asked jokingly.

"No, I'm trying to find my father!" she snapped back.

"Oh."

"I'm sorry I didn't mean to snap at you, it's just...," she hesitated and looked down, fidgeting with the book she held in her hands. "It's just my mother kept me from him my entire life. I'm not even sure if he knows I exist." She sighed and looked back up at Michael.

"Well, I'm more than willing to take you to the Quatermaines."

"Thanks."

Alexis' Apartment

Alexis walked through the door of her apartment later that evening, throwing everything on the desk chair by the door. She called Kristen's name a few times before heading the stairs and walking towards her door, figuring her daughter was still upset over her ultimate avoidance about discussing Ned. She knocked lightly, "Kristen can we talk?" When she received no answer she opened the door only to find that she wasn't in her room. Her fear grew as she searched the house and Kristen was nowhere to be found. It was unlike her daughter not to call if she was going over to a friend's house.

She walked back over to her desk and picked up the phone to call a few of Kristen's friends but before she picked up the phone she saw the note laying on top of the desk.

Mom, I've tried to talk to you about my dad, but you never want to tell me anything. I've done some searching on my own and I'm going to find him. Don't worry I'll be fine. I hope you can forgive me. I just needed to follow my heart Kristen

Alexis stood there in shock, a million questions running through her mind. As her fears turned into panic she did the only thing she though she could do without jeopardizing Kristen's safety from Helena. She picked up the phone and dialed his number. They had kept in touch ever since he ran into her at the hotel weeks ago.

It seemed like it took him forever to answer, "Hello?"

"Jax, I don't know what to do. She left to go find him. I don't even know where she went to look for him. I assume she went to Port Charles she said she did some research, but I don't know for sure. I don't know what to do or where to start," she stopped to take a breath but before she could start her panic-stricken rant he interrupted her.

"Alexis?" He said unsure.

"Yeah its me, I'm sorry I'm just worried about Kristen."

"What happened?"

"She left. She left to find her father."

"Does she know that it's Ned?" He asked nervously.

"I don't know," she said as she began to panic again.

"Alexis you need to calm down. I'm gonna keep an eye out for her here. In the meantime you should probably call a few of her friends and see if they know anything and you need to book the next flight here. Ned needs to know what's going on. I don't want to give you the worst case scenario but…"

"I know and I don't even want to think about that."

"I'll see you in a little while. Call me when you get here."

"I will and Jax, please don't say anything to Ned, he needs to hear this from me."

"Your right Alexis he needs to hear it from you." They said their goodbyes and hung up the phone. Alexis soon started calling anyone she could think of to see if Kristen had told them anything. She wasn't surprised when no one knew anything, Kristen was smart enough not to risk everything she'd been dreaming of for years.