Chapter 3

She had fallen asleep on the sofa after spending most of the night lost in a range of emotions and confusion. She thought about where they could have made different choices, wondering how it had come to this; a small part of her hoping that the previous night was just a bad dream. She awoke when she heard the lock turn, sitting up suddenly; she turned just in time to see him walk into the apartment. She stood up immediately, hopeful, "You're back." He closed the door and walked closer to her. In the silence she had started to fold the blanket she had used and he reached to help her. "I couldn't sleep in our bed—not without you." She said softly as her eyes met his and they finished folding the blanket together.

"I had trouble sleeping last night myself." He admitted.

She placed the blanket onto the sofa and took a step closer to him. "Ned, I know we can get through this, if you give me another chance."

He avoided her comment, "Kristen still asleep?"

"Uh, yeah, she should be up soon." She said her voice catching as she watched him averting his gaze from hers. "Can we talk? We have the whole morning."

"We said it all, Alexis."

"Well, if you're through talking to me, why are you here?" She asked trying not to let her annoyance show.

"Kristen. I didn't want her to wake up wondering where I am."

"Oh." She said, nodding.

"I think we should try and maintain some sense of consistency for her. At least until we figure out what we're going to do."

"What we're going to do? We're going to put this back together. I still believe this marriage is worth fighting for." She said adamantly.

He sighed, running his hands through his hair. "Look, we need time to go through all of this. And we will. For right now, can we just focus on making sure what's happening between us, doesn't impact our little girl?"

She nodded, "I'm sorry if it seemed like I was pressuring you, it's just…"

He cut her off and took her hand in understanding, "I know."

They both let a moment of silence pass between them. "I'm going to- go change," she stated simply and started for the stairs.

"I'll be here."

"Ned? Could you…" She turned and asked sheepishly.

He laughed interrupting her, knowing all too well what she was about to ask. "I'll make some coffee."

"Thanks." As she went upstairs to get ready for the day she thought maybe there was hope that they'd get past the secret she had kept.

Later that same day she had a break in her schedule, when a case she had been working on was granted a continuance. She sat at her desk working on the latest distribution agreement for L&B. As she finished up the paperwork, she decided to bring it over to the studio herself. She couldn't remember the last time she dropped in midday and hoped that maybe he would be receptive; see that she was trying to put their relationship first. When she walked in, she was greeted by Chloe, who was working on some sketches. "Hi, is Ned around?"

"He's in the recording studio. I'm sure he'd love to see you."

"Thanks, Chloe." She said as she headed back. She entered the sound booth and smiled as she watched him play. She had forgotten how much she loved to watch him perform.

He looked up and saw her standing there. It was the last thing he expected. He stopped singing and put down the guitar. "Alexis. What are you doing here?"

She held up the file folder, "I have the southwestern distribution deal."

He waved her in. "Thanks for bringing it by. Any changes?"

"I tightened up the language in section 3c. Just needs your signature."

"Good catch." He said, as she handed him a pen. "Is that all?"

She was caught off guard by the coolness of his question. "Uh, yeah. "She said as she took back the contracts. "Actually, no. Do you want to have lunch with me?" She asked trying to recover. Just this morning things had seemed to be easing between them and now his all business attitude had caught her off guard.

He could tell she was trying. He couldn't remember the last time she had just dropped by and asked him to lunch, but he also knew it would turn into a conversation about what happened and he wasn't quite sure he had the answers she was looking for just yet. "I don't think that's the best idea. I've got a lot to get finished today, " he lied not being able to take the disappointment on her face.

"Ok. I'll see you later then?" She asked, not entirely sure what he was thinking.

"You will." He said, touching her arm as he walked past her and back into the recording studio.

She merely nodded as she walked quickly back down the hall, wiping the stray tear that had threatened to fall.

"Alexis!" Chloe got up and met her halfway towards the door. "What's wrong?"

"I'm alright," she said, regaining composure and smiling at her friend. "And, Chloe, I'm sorry about last night. Truly. I'm so happy for you and Jax."

"Forget about me and Jax, come sit. Tell me what's going on."

She sighed as she sat on the sofa opposite, Chloe. "It's me, I messed up and now I'm starting to think my marriage is over."

"It can't be that bad. You've been through so much together."

"I kissed Sonny, Chloe, and lied to him about it for months." She said standing up and crossing the room.

"Knowing how he feels about Sonny, I can see why he's so upset. But it didn't mean anything, right?"

"Of course it didn't mean anything." She said turning around. "I love, Ned."

"I know you do. Maybe what you need to figure out is why it happened in the first place."

"I've been thinking a lot about that."

"And?"

"I think it was just a symptom…we'd been growing apart for awhile." Chloe walked closer and touched Alexis' arm as she turned around. "I can't lose him, Chloe. What if he can't forgive me?

"I'm sure he just needs some time."

"Time. He left. Did he tell you that? Last night, I got home and that's what he said. He needed space and he left and then this morning he shows up saying we need to focus on making this ok for Kristen, which I agree with, but making what ok? I have no idea where we stand."

"That's a lot. Look, you two are my closest friends and I know how much you love each other. You just need some time alone to talk and work this out. If I can do anything, anything at all, just ask, ok?"

"Thanks, Chloe."