A/N: This chapter contains the first of many flashbacks in this story. I can't promise you we will fill in all of the blanks right away... but this chapter will give you a little insight.

Please read and review. I love hearing whatever the readers have to say. Keeps me motivated ;)

Chapter 5

"Thank you," Alexis smiles as Garrett pulls out her chair and she takes a seat.

"You are very welcome." He takes his own seat across the table.

"You know I didn't realize it until now," She picks up her menu, "but I am starving!"

"Let me guess… you didn't eat today?" He raises a brow.

"Yes!" She defends, then shrinks into her menu, "I had breakfast."

"Lunch?" He questions, tongue in cheek, suspecting her answer.

She casts her eyes up to meet his, "Didn't have time."

Garrett shakes his head with a chuckle, "Some things never change." He watches when she smiles sheepishly before lowering her menu and looking at him seriously.

"Garrett, thank you for this. Going to dinner with you is just so nice."

"I should be thanking you. It's been a while since I had a beautiful woman to take to dinner once and a while!"

Alexis gazes into his eyes, noticing how they dance when he smiles. The man was right, some things never change. "Well, then, I guess we both win."

"Yeah, I guess we do." He lowers his menu and clears his throat nervously, "I uh… kind of have some news."

"Oh! News?" Alexis was curious, and maybe a little nervous.

"Yeah. I um… I've decided to move to Port Charles. Permanently." Garrett watched as Alexis' face registered what he had said and he waited for a sign of recognition. A smile, maybe?

"Oh." She said quietly, looking down and playing with her napkin nervously.

"I signed a lease on an apartment across town…" He paused, "Lex, if this is a problem…"

"No!" She protest quickly, then chuckled a little. "I'm sorry. No. It isn't a problem. I just wasn't expecting it. I mean… your life is in Manhattan."

"Not anymore." Garrett smiled, "It's here. A lot has changed in the past few months. One thing is for sure… my life is here."

"Garrett..." Alexis was touched and she felt her eyes begin to sting with tears. She reached over the table and took his hand, "If this is what you really want, than I'm happy for you." She smiles, "and I'm happy for me."

"Really?"

"Of course," She nodded, "Sometimes I can't even believe everything that has happened."

"I know," He shakes his head to reiterate his disbelief, "I pinch myself at least 3 times a day. I'm starting to get really bruised…"

"Oh!" Alexis laughed, still holding his hand and her gaze into his eyes.

"But really," Garrett's face grew serious and his voice emotional, "My life is so full now. I mean, less than year ago I was just a lonely, aging, investigator. And now…"

Alexis wiped a tear as it fell to her cheek, "And now?"

"I am so happy." He smiled brightly, his blue eyes still managing to sparkle even in the dim light.

"You know," Alexis cleared her throat and sniffled away her tears, "Never in my life did I think this would happen. Never." She smiled as she yet again, gazed into his face, "But I'm so glad it has…"

"Me too…" Garrett lifts her hand to his lips, placing a soft kiss upon her knuckles.

"Alexis?" Anna stood in the doorway of her friend's office, watching as she clicked the pen in her hand and stared into space, "Alexis?!"

No response.

Anna walked towards her, raising her voice, "Alexis… Hello?"

"Huh?" Alexis snapped out of her daydream and turned in the direction of her friend, surprised to see her there, "I'm sorry Anna, how long have you been standing there?"

"I don't know…" She shrugged, taking a seat in a chair in front of Alexis' desk, "Long enough to see that you are not all right."

"What?" She defended, "I'm fine. Really, I am. I was just thinking."

"Just thinking, hmm?" Her friend raises a brow, prompting Alexis to throw her a glare.

"Yes. So what brings you up here?"

Anna draws a breath and sets a file on the desk, "Well, two things. First, I need you to sign the two forms in there for your statement from the other night."

"Sure." Alexis nods, opening the envelope and promptly applying her signature.

"And it's lunch time." Anna smiles, taking the file back from her friend, "I think it's a good day to have lunch and catch up."

"Oh, Anna." Alexis smiles, but then gestures to her desk, "Thank you for the offer, but I really have so much to do."

"It's only lunch, Alexis." Anna rolls her eyes, "Come on. You can take an hour away from the day. The work will still be here when you get back."

"Yeah, it will. That's the problem."

"You either go to lunch with me now," Her friend narrows her eyes, "or I will sit here and pester you until you tell me what you were thinking about just now that had you so frustrated you almost clicked your pen into oblivion."

"Garrett." Alexis sighs, sinking back into her chair.