New Year's Eve arrived, Sophie went home and Addison continued to pretend like nothing was wrong. That she was ok, despite not leaving the house. She hid in her books. It was the only way her brain let her escape replaying the horror scene that she lived through. She wanted her parents to know she was ok, to trust she would be ok. She needed them to stop checking in, it made hiding who did this harder, and now with Kristen's secret it was even more important that she stay silent. In all honesty, Kristen's scheme gave her the excuse she needed to attempt to move on. If only she could block out what happened, find a way to bury it. Sleeping was becoming harder. She needed to talk to someone. She wanted to talk to Cam, but even that seemed impossible. She had no idea what to say and she wasn't sure she had the words to describe how she felt now. She sat at the kitchen counter eating some leftovers, when her mom entered the room. "You look pretty, Mom."

"Aw, thanks, peanut." She had tried. A new black dress, a night out with her husband. He was right they couldn't ignore their relationship in the midst of worrying about their children. They needed to try and juggle both. They used to be able to do that. She wasn't sure when it changed. They needed to find that balance again. They needed to find the spark again.

Ned walked into the room, and took in the sight of her. The dress was new. He was certain and it hugged every curve in just the right place. He placed his arm around her waist and kissed her. "She's right. You're gorgeous."

"You're sure you'll be ok here?" Alexis asked her youngest.

"I'll be fine. Krissy will be back soon and Owen is here. I'm not alone, but I'd be ok if I was." She emphasized.

"I'm just worried about you. You haven't really left the house since that night. We don't have to go." She walked towards Addison and ran her hand through her hair.

"I promise I'm ok, Mom. Go out with Dad."

"If you need us–" Alexis started to say.

"You heard her." Ned assured his wife and took her hand. He was equally as concerned, but they needed this.

"I love you both. Go." Addison said, slightly annoyed that her mother was so anxious about leaving her. Her parents needed this. She didn't want to be an excuse for them to avoid trying to fix whatever it was that was breaking them.

Ned drove them to the Port Charles Hotel. He smiled at his wife. She really was breathtakingly beautiful. He was lucky. Something was shifting in how they communicated and he couldn't figure out how to fix what was broken. He loved her. He wanted her, but she was pulling away and he had no idea how to throw her a life raft without her getting defensive. The night they had attempted to get away from it all was wonderful, it reminded them how good they were together, but they didn't get even close to the people, the couple they used to be: attentive, responsive, deeply connected, each and every time. It was New Year's Eve. He had to try. They needed to find the spark again and he was determined to ensure that tonight ended the way so many New Year's had in the past. Connected on every level together; resolved to figure it out and do better.

Ned and Alexis walked into the Port Charles Hotel ballroom hand in hand and were immediately spotted by Tracy who approached them.

"Nice of you two to finally show up," Tracy said as she greeted her son and his wife.

"We're only 20 minutes late, mother. This thing goes on all night."

"Well we have business to discuss." Tracy was adamant.

"Tonight?" Alexis questioned.

"What could possibly–" Ned started to question, but was interrupted.

"We have the votes and I'm calling an emergency board meeting."

"How? Who flipped?" Ned asked as Tracy just shrugged her shoulders. "Mother, what are you up to?"

"Alexis, you'll be there. I assume you'll be supporting your husband."

"I think that goes without saying, mother. Why are you questioning that?" Ned responded, insulted she'd think Alexis would do anything but support him.

"I can move a deposition." Alexis stated as Ned placed his hand on the small of her back, grateful.

"Just confirming the numbers. I want to be prepared for all scenarios."

"If you don't think we have the numbers, why are you calling a vote?"

"I'm acting on information from your daughter, Ned. She's come through for you."

"Kristen?" Alexis asked concerned.

"What have you gotten her into?" Ned asked.

"Oh, she came up with this all on her own. I always knew she had the Quartermaine instinct for strategy."

"Strategy or blackmail?" Ned asked.

"Alexis, Ned. It's good to see you." Monica said as she approached and interrupted. "How is Owen?"

"He's recovering. Thanks for asking, Monica." Alexis said.

"And Addison?" She asked cautiously.

"What about Addison?" Tracy interjected. "What's going on with my granddaughter?"

Ned sighed and he looked at Alexis, who seemed caught off guard, "She's traumatized, but trying to carry on like nothing happened."

"Were you right? Was she…"

"No. She got away. Thank God, she got away." He said as he made eye contact with his wife again.

"Will one of you please tell me what happened?" Tracy insisted.

"The night of Owen's accident, she was at a party." Alexis took a deep breath and then continued. "She was almost raped."

"And I'm just hearing about this?!"

"Our daughter was almost raped." Alexis said quietly, looking at Ned. "I think that's the first time I've said those words out loud and hearing them…"

"I know." He whispered, locking eyes with his wife.

"Did you tell the police? Are they investigating?" Tracy demanded.

"Not yet. She's–" Ned started to explain.

"Not yet! That's ludicrous! Where's Mac? He's got to be here."

"Tracy, back off. She's our daughter and we're handling it." Alexis said defensively.

"Is there anything we can do?" Monica asked.

"We'll let you know." Ned said as Alan approached. "I think right now she needs some time. We haven't really discussed the next steps with her."

"She does. Can you excuse us for a few minutes? Alan, it's good to see you." Alexis said as she took Ned's hand and led them to a corner of the room. "You told your family? Why didn't you tell me?"

"That night at the hospital. Monica asked where you were. That's all."

"Oh." Alexis said, realizing. "I just don't want them pressuring her into talking about it. She's not ready and we need to accept where she is right now."

"They won't. I'll make sure of it."

"Good because neither of us can gatekeep this…"

"You ok?"

"Honestly?"

"Please."

"I'm not sure." He took her hand. "I prayed our girls would never have to experience this."

"Are you saying…?" He hoped she was finally opening up.

"I'm saying I wish I could fix this for her."

"You have no idea…"

"I know you do too." She changed the subject, "And speaking of fixing things…Kristen?"

"I have no idea what it's about. I told her to stay out of it."

"And now there's a board meeting planned…if our daughter has anything to say about it, you're going to be CEO again…"

"And you'll be ready to have an actual conversation about Chief Counsel?"

"I promised you we'd talk when you were CEO and we will."

"Does this mean you're open to the idea?"

"It means I'm willing to try and have an open and honest conversation about what this means for us. Good enough?"

"Good enough. Now, let's forget about ELQ and the kids. Come dance with me." He had a mission that night and it wasn't talking about the kids. It was showing his wife just how much she meant to him. She took his hand and let him lead her onto the dance floor. He held her close and she savored it. It had been a long time since they just danced. No words needed, just the two of them letting the music drown out the sounds of everyone else in the room.

At home, Owen was on his way to the kitchen when the doorbell rang. He was taken off guard. His parents were out and no one was expecting anyone. Both he and Kristen had privately agreed to stay home and help distract their sister. Maybe get her to stop reading and do something fun. He opened the door to reveal Cameron on the other side. "Cam. What's up?"

"Hey, Owen. Is your sister home?" He asked as Owen opened the door wider and let him in.

"Yeah, but I'm not sure–"

"Owen, who's here?" Addison asked, walking into the room. "Cam." She froze. She hadn't seen him since Rice Plaza.

"Adds."

"What are you doing here?"

"You won't respond to my texts."

"Yeah…I'm sorry."

"Is it ok that I came here?"

Addison nodded. "It is. Owen, can you maybe leave us alone for a few minutes?"

"You sure?" Owen asked, watching his sister carefully. He wasn't sure what to think. She was clearly caught off guard.

"I'm sure." She confirmed and Owen left the room. He'd go downstairs. Maybe Cam was who she needed.

"Addie is everything ok?" He asked, stepping closer.

"Not really." She stood still, frozen in her own internal thoughts. Trying not to panic.

"I wish you would have stayed that afternoon. I haven't really seen you all break."

"You have no idea how badly I wish I could go back in time and make a different choice that day."

"Then, why are you ghosting me?"

"I just don't know what to say. If you want to date Joss, you should Cam. You don't have to say otherwise to protect my feelings." She stated and pulled at the sleeves of her sweatshirt, balling them in her hands.

"I don't want to date Joss." She made eye contact again. "If I did, would I be here right now? It's New Years. I wanted to be here with you." He took another step closer.

"You might have a point." She quietly admitted.

"So, you believe me?"

She thought about what Sophie had said. What he had tried to tell her that day. What he was telling her right now. "Yes. But you should go."

"Why? Can't we hang out; maybe watch a movie? What's going on, Adds?" He was concerned. Addison was more distant than he'd ever seen her.

"I don't really want to talk about it."

"You seem like you're afraid of something. Are you ok?"

"Cam, please. Just go."

Cam watched his friend avert her gaze and shift nervously from side to side, "Take a deep Addison, focus on something else for a minute."

She nodded and looked at his shoes, the door, the book on the side table she had been heading back to, and took a deep breath, "you can always read me."

"So, are you ok? What's scaring you?"

"I just need space right now. I'm sorry, Cam. Really."

"Can't I be your friend?"

"You are my best friend, but I can't hang out tonight. I promise we will soon, ok?"

"Yeah, you're sure you'll be ok?"

"I'm not sure about anything right now. Please understand."

"I do and I'll go. But I'll text you later?" There was definitely something wrong and it was more than what happened with Joss.

"Ok. Thanks for coming by, really. I've missed you. And I'm really sorry I haven't responded. I'll do better. Promise."

"I can see that something is bothering you, but just remember I'm here if you need me. I'll listen…"

"Ok."

"Happy New Year, Adds." He said as he walked backward toward the door.

"Happy New Year, Cam." Addison replied sincerely as she watched her friend leave. She exhaled. She wanted him to stay, but she also knew she had no idea how to manage making conversation with Cam, when all she wanted to do was hide from everything else going on in her head. How could she talk to the boy she actually liked, when the boy she despised assaulted her and she was in emotional hell?

Meanwhile at the New Year's party Ned and Alexis tried to focus on each other. They talked with friends and family. When they weren't together their eyes would meet across the room. They both knew they could recapture what they felt was slipping away. As the party continued, they met again on the dance floor. "Stop worrying about her." Ned said quietly into her hair as he held her close.

"I can't help it. And you can pretend you're not, but I know you're just as concerned." She said pulling away slightly, making eye contact.

"You're not wrong."

"Thank you. So, we're bailing early…?" She hoped.

"We did put in our prerequisite appearance…let's get out of here and ring in the New Year, just us. I've been dying to get you out of this dress all night."

"You like it, huh?" She asked, pleased with herself.

"I like what's underneath more." He whispered as he pulled her closer.

"You have no idea what's waiting for you underneath this dress, husband."

"Oh really? I'm intrigued."

"I do my best to keep you that way." She stated, and he kissed her. She brought her hand to his cheek. "Of course the kids are home, so you'll just have to wait to find out."

"When has that ever stopped us?" He said, flashing his dimples.

"You're unbelievable."

"Let's get out of here." He said as he took her hand and led them out of the ballroom, out of the hotel and they drove home.

After Cameron left, Owen and Kristen knew their sister needed a distraction. They had made a tray of snacks and convinced her to play a board game with them. Owen was still in a concussion protocol, Krissy had no plans, and it really was rare they'd have time to hang out with just the three of them. It took forever to settle what they would play, but monopoly eventually won out. They were just taking out the game and settling in on the floor surrounding the coffee table in the living room when they heard the lock turn and their parents unexpectedly entered.

"You're home early." Owen said as Ned and Alexis stood in the doorway to the living room.

"You don't trust us?" Addison asked, concerned.

"We trust you and it seems like we're just in time." Ned stated as he watched the three of them setting up Monopoly. Alexis was right. They couldn't just go upstairs and lock out the world.

"You want to play?" Owen asked.

"Why not? It's been a long time since we've done something like this as a family."

"You sure about that, O? You forget, your father plays for blood."

"Someone needs to keep Krissy in check." Owen stated.

"Hey! I'm not that bad."

"You hide money under the board. You are, Krissy."

"Once! I did that once!" Everyone looked at her skeptically. "Ok! Maybe more than once."

"Let's not have things break down before you even start." Alexis stated, knowing her children. Knowing every time they played this game it ended in some sort of argument.

"You're not going to play, Mom?" Addison asked.

"I'm going to go change and then make some popcorn. You'll need a referee. Only in this family would monopoly need a referee, but you are who you are."

"You love us," Kristen stated.

"I do." Alexis went towards the stairs and Ned grabbed her hand and stopped her. She turned to him and looked at him questioningly. He leaned in and whispered in her ear, she laughed, "You'll survive. Be down in a few minutes."

The three of them watched their parents, relieved they seemed happy. Relieved they seemed like the parents they knew and not two people who were tolerating being in the same room, avoiding a fight. Addison, Owen, and Kristen all exchanged glances. Maybe this plan was what was best. Addison sat there and thought she was right, staying quiet would keep her family together the way she needed it to be. One less thing to worry about.

Soon the smell of popcorn filled the air as they started to play and Alexis emerged from the kitchen, changed and with popcorn for all. "Isn't that mine?" Ned asked as his wife reentered the room, glasses on, in pajamas and his sweatshirt. She looked gorgeous that night, but there was something about her completely relaxed at home that was equally as sexy to him.

"So? What's your point?" She questioned and he laughed and kissed her as she set down the bowl of popcorn and sat next to her husband on the sofa. "Owen's the banker, right?"

"Yes, of course he's the banker. Like I even had a chance. Dad already settled that." Kristen said annoyed.

"Owen doesn't cheat." She said as she looked at her daughter.

"I stand by the fact that the banker is more work and needs a salary."

"We all know your take on the rules, bug." Alexis said as she pulled her legs underneath her and leaned against Ned.

"Your turn, Addie." Owen said.

She took the dice and looked at her parents before rolling, "I know I said I'd be fine and I was, but I'm glad you came home early." Addison said. "It's kind of nice to be all together like this. It feels normal again."

"I agree. There's no one else I'd rather ring in the New Year with than this family." Ned said and then smiled at Alexis, who nodded in agreement and kissed his cheek. His kids were older and these opportunities were rare. It was worth abandoning his own expectations of what that night would be.

Instead, they had spent the night as a family. They played games, laughed, connected as the family of five they loved more than anything. Midnight came and went and after their children were finally in bed, the games put away, they headed towards their own bedroom.

She closed their door as she followed him into the room. "That was nice. Spending time with them that way."

"It was." He agreed, as he placed the jacket and tie he had taken off earlier, on the chair in the corner. He'd been watching Kristen all night. His daughter was good at hiding it, but he knew her and she was avoiding eye contact, whatever it was, she didn't want him to know she was involved. But he did, and he worried.

Alexis stepped closer to him, wrapped her arms around him and kissed him. She'd waited all night and she may have thrown on pajama bottoms and his sweatshirt, but his surprise was still underneath. They needed the spark back and earlier it had felt like he may have had the same goal that night. New black lace lingerie that had matched her new black dress awaited him. She moved to unbutton his shirt. To her dismay, his black tie was long forgotten earlier that evening as they spent time with their children. He took the glasses off her face, leaned in and kissed her softly. "You want your surprise?" She whispered as he pulled away.

"What?" He was shocked. They'd been home for hours, she'd changed and as sexy as she always was, midnight had come and gone. He had cast aside all hope of anything more for them hours ago and now he was worried about what was to come with the vote and their daughter's involvement.

"You know…what lied underneath…" She said as she kissed him again and tried to initiate what they both alluded to wanting earlier that evening.

He pulled away, it was late, almost 2am. They'd had a long few days. He was tired and worried about the board meeting to come. "Can we maybe put it off and revisit it another night?"

"What?" She asked, surprised, hurt. This wasn't like him.

"I'm sorry." He said and kissed her again, he felt like an ass.

"Is it me?" They had both alluded to wanting more. It was the only conclusion she could draw.

"Oh my god, no. Honey…"

"Did I do something? Because I could have sworn we were both on the same page about what we wanted tonight to be."

He stopped her with a kiss. "It's not you. It could never be you. I'm just distracted."

"Then let me distract you from your distraction." She said as their lips met once more. She was hard to resist and he deepened their kiss andpulled her towards him. She could feel how much he did in fact want her. She wasn't sure what changed between earlier and now, but she was determined. "Did you want your sweatshirt back?" She asked suggestively as she pulled away and took his hand, walking him towards their bed.

He placed his hands on her waist, "I think I do. Yes." He kissed behind her ear, kissed her neck and she wrapped her arms around him as he did.

"Then take it back," she said and he moved to lift the gray sweatshirt up over her head and gently pushed her back onto the bed, pulled off her pajamas and took in the sight of her.

"Alexis…"

He was speechless. Mission accomplished. "Come here," she said as she sat up and reached for him and pulled him on top of her. She wanted him and he wanted her. And although they didn't do everything she was hoping for that night, she had to believe it was a step in the right direction. He held her close as they finally drifted off to sleep. The new year was upon them and she resolved to try and compromise more. She loved him and she'd figure out a way to make something with ELQ work. Not chief counsel, but something. A company. A job shouldn't be tearing them in two.

Alexis woke a few hours later, when she reached for her husband but found his side of the bed empty, the sheets still warm indicating he hadn't been up for long. She sat up and spotted him by the window, staring at the moon. "Honey, come back to bed." Alexis said quietly as she pulled back on his sweatshirt, got up, walked up behind him and wrapped her arms around him holding him close.

"Sorry I woke you."

"Don't be. Why can't you sleep?" She kissed his bare shoulder.

"I just keep thinking about what Kristen could have possibly done to make my mother so certain about the vote." He turned to face her.

"But being CEO, this is what you want? Right? Because you know that I'm behind you whether it's ELQ or L . I just want you to be happy."

"It is. ELQ is where I need to be right now. It's just I hoped that none of our children would feel pulled to do whatever it takes within the Quartermaine dysfunction to win. To make sure everything and everyone stayed afloat. I wanted more for them."

"I know, but Kristen has always had that part of you and as much as it pains me to admit, she's also looked up to your mother. She will do whatever it takes to achieve her goals. Sometimes that has made us proud and well others it's made her–"

"A Quartermaine."

"There's no denying genetics. She's looking out for you. I have no idea what she did and, like you, I worry she may have gone to extremes, but whatever it is I have to believe she's coming from a good place. We raised a gatekeeper, Ned."

He laughed slightly, "We did. She is. She's got a lot to learn, but she is."

"So stop worrying about the gate, and come back to bed. We'll figure this out tomorrow."

He nodded and kissed her softly. She took his hand and walked back towards the bed where they both climbed in and held each other. She kissed his chest and took comfort in being in his arms, and he felt at home in hers. Tonight felt like a turning point for them. He had to believe that it was.