Just as quickly as the snow moved in it had moved out, leaving just enough to cancel school and leave them all with a slower start to their morning. The courthouse delayed its opening, the city was cleaning up and Alexis walked into the kitchen to find Owen and Kristen already up talking. She was surprised her kids were up first and then she noticed it immediately. A fresh pot of coffee, the smell of caffeine, she was grateful. Stopping at Kelly's in the morning for coffee, was growing tiresome. "Kristen, did you make coffee? Thank you."

"No," she replied. "I thought you did, hence why I haven't touched it," she quipped.

"Funny." Alexis said.

"Dad did it last night. He set the timer." Owen explained.

"He what?" She was surprised, shocked. How did she miss this?

"Yeah, he did it before he left. When we were talking. You didn't even notice."

She took out her phone, sent a red heart and a simple thank you; then, walked to pour herself a cup. She used his favorite mug.

His phone buzzed and he looked at the message and smiled. She must have discovered the coffee. Good luck today.

She looked at her phone as it went off in her hand, placed the mug on the counter. Meet us at Kelly's after? I'll text you when we're through?

I'll be there.

She put down her phone and picked back up the mug. She took a sip. She missed him. She missed the little things. His coffee, how he could always find her glasses, his french toast; she'd never been a big breakfast person, but she could eat that french toast everyday. She glanced out the window and remembered the snowy day they both spent hidden away from the world sitting by a fire at the Gatehouse. She told him she could eat that french toast for the next fifty years. He was protective after she'd snuck onto Helena's yacht. He'd spied for her, he told her she was his refuge, he sung to her, she could sense he loved her; she knew she loved him. They were both too afraid to say the words out loud. But they knew. They knew.

"Dad still cares about you, Mom." Owen added as he watched his mother savor her morning cup of coffee. Something he hadn't seen her do since the morning everything seemed normal and then all of a sudden all came crashing down.

"O–"

"I know. I know. I'm sorry."

"It's ok. I care about him, too. I do." She said to their son. They spent the morning talking about school, about Kristen's final semester in Boston and what she planned to do in May. Their Dad may be angry, but she still had every intention of coming home and working at ELQ. Kristen would stick to the plan. Alexis hoped Ned would see she truly was repentant.

Later that morning, Addison arrived at the PCPD with her mother. She was thankful there was no school. Her parents were right. She couldn't miss more school. She was nervous as they walked into the station. She didn't know what to expect. People knew, but now it would be out there. There's no question in her mind about what came next. Morgan would be charged. His parents would try to protect him, like hers were protecting her. Her mother told her he basically admitted something happened but she had no faith that he would say he was guilty. No way would it be that easy. Not with a dad who's basically a criminal and getting away with things all the time. They climbed the steps of the PCPD and she looked at her mother as she opened the door. "The evidence is on my side right?" Addison asked nervously, trying to remind herself.

"It is. You can do this, baby. I'm right here with you." Alexis reassured, and her daughter nodded as they walked into the station towards Mac. "Thanks for handling this personally, Mac. I appreciate it."

"You're a good friend Alexis. You said you had the clothes she was wearing that night?"

"I do." She said as she handed him the brown bag to log into evidence.

"Dara is going to join. I asked Ric to stay away. I don't want this statement thrown out in court because Diane challenges his presence."

"Good idea. She took the case?"

"She did. The charges against Sonny were dropped. Are you surprised?"

"No. I guess not. Addison you ready sweetheart?" She asked and Addison looked at her mother and then Mac and nodded, mentally preparing to go walk through the night again.

"Your mother says you're here to file a formal report?" He asked Addison as they stood outside the door to the interrogation room.

Addison looked at her mother. "I am. I was assaulted." She took a deep breath, "I was sexually assaulted by Morgan Corinthos."

"Let's step into the interrogation room. You'll have some privacy." Mac said as he opened the door and the three entered. Alexis and Addison walked to the other side of the table and sat down. Mac closed the door and sat with his back to it, as Dara, who was already seated at the head of the table closed the file and readied to collect the statement.

"Do you want something to drink? Water maybe?" Dara asked as she looked at the young girl.

"I'd really just like to get this over with." Addison stated.

"You can do this, peanut."

"Right." Mac placed the tape recorder in the middle of the table. "You're recording it?" Addison asked anxiously.

"It's just for the record. It's standard, Addie. They'll transcribe your statement. You're ok. I'm right here. You did nothing wrong." Alexis explained and placed her hand briefly on her daughter's back.

"Let's start with the date of the incident…" Mac began.

"It was Friday night. December 29th I think." Addison stated.

"It was." Alexis confirmed and looked to her daughter to continue.

"I went to a party at Hope Kensington's. My sister Krisen dropped me off."

"Were you with friends? What happened when you arrived?" Dara asked for more detail.

"I was alone. I don't really have friends there…I mean I have a few, but I went to try and maybe make some connections with kids at school. When I got there I ran into my brother and then Hope saw me and called me over. We talked for a few minutes, but she went somewhere…someone called her to find something, I don't remember what, and I went and sat on a sofa. I thought if I just hung back and kept to myself I'd figure out who to try and talk to…Morgan came over. He brought me a drink, but I swear I didn't drink it. I didn't. I put it down on the table. I wouldn't do that. I was already breaking the rules. My parents didn't know I was there. I wouldn't be that stupid." Addison insisted and started to panic that the police wouldn't believe a high school kid turned down alcohol.

"It's ok, Addie. Dad and I believe you. Remember?" Alexis said as she tucked her daughter's hair behind her ear. "No one here is questioning that."

"So you were talking with Morgan. Can you pick up there for us?" Dara asked.

"Yeah, sorry, Morgan kept insisting I was there because of him. That I wanted him and he kissed me and I shoved him off of me, but he wasn't listening because I told him that he was wrong…"

"I want to show you a video we have. Is that ok?" Dara asked Addison as she opened the laptop next to her on the table.

"Yeah." Addison said quietly.

"Does she really need to watch that? It was traumatizing enough for her to live through it."

"We just need her to confirm it's her. We don't need to play the entire thing." Alexis nodded and Dara slid over the computer and pressed play. "Is this you, Addison?"

"Yes, that's me and that's Morgan. But it didn't end there…it got so much worse…"

"Thank you." Dara said, stopped the video and took back the laptop. "Tell us, what else happened that night."

"Do you need a break? You can take a break." Mac asked, concerned.

"No, no. We can keep going. I need to keep going…" Addison looked up and saw Sonny and Diane Miller standing in the PCPD through the window. "Mom…that's–"

"What?" She asked concerned and then saw him herself. "It's fine. You're fine. Just keep going."

"But–" Addison worried.

"It's likely unrelated. He's dragged in here weekly. Try not to let it get to you." Alexis attempted to reassure.

"You sure you don't want a break, Addison?" Mac asked again.

"I'm sure."

"So tell us, what happened next?" Dara asked gently.

Addison inhaled and continued. She tried not to focus on the fact that Sonny was standing within view. Her mom had to be right. If it was about her, Morgan would be the one standing in the middle of the station. She told them about trying to blend in, about feeling his eyes on her all night, she told them she tried to leave. She told them what happened in hall and finally in that dark room until Joss turned on the light and she ran. She told them everything that happened after. She told them everything.

As his youngest daughter was finally using her voice and speaking out, across town, Ned sat at his desk at ELQ and looked over renovation bids for the hotel. He wanted to be there. She wanted her mother to handle it and he knew he needed to stay away to build back the trust he had broken with his daughter. The hotel was the distraction he needed. The market was steadying, ELQ was stabilizing and the hotel needed his full attention. His grandfather had expanded security systems, internet capabilities, and never upgraded the electrical system. The building was out of code. It was a disaster waiting to happen and his mother had been covering it up in the wake of her father's death and instability. He hoped he and Julia could take care of anything before the warnings his mother ignored became a reality because the hospital auction was just a few short days away. He was brought from his work when his secretary buzzed into his office.

"Mr. Ashton, your daughter is here."

"Send her in." Ned said as his office door opened. "Kristen?" He questioned, surprised. He thought maybe it would be Brooke. They had talked about meeting up to go over the L transfer he would need Alexis to draw up. He told her to just stop by.

"Hi. I hope it's ok that I came here…" She hesitated. She could tell her Dad was still upset with her.

"Why exactly are you here?" Ned questioned her motives.

"I don't know. I thought I'd come see you and maybe we can talk about what's next. You know after I graduate in a few months…" She avoided a conversation about her sister, focused on what might bring her and her Dad together. ELQ. It was risky, but worth a shot.

"I'm not sure you're ready." Ned said honestly. This scheme had him doubting who he thought his daughter was.

"What?" Kristen asked, shocked.

"You used your sister, Kristen. Your baby sister." He expressed his disappointment again.

"I know that, ok? I know. But it's not like I did this behind her back. She knew. She agreed. Dad, please."

"Because whether she'd admit it or not she looks up to you Kristen. She was traumatized and you took advantage of that."

"It wasn't like that. Mom understands. Of all people, Mom…we actually really talked, Dad. And I think we maybe even heard each other for the first time in forever."

"I'm relieved you and your mother may have finally healed your relationship, Krissy. I am. But I'm not convinced that you're ready to take anything on at ELQ. I'm not sure I can trust your judgement anymore."

"So you're taking away everything you promised me? I helped you become CEO again and now I don't get to work here?"

"And that's exactly why I don't think you're ready for this. You can't see past what you want, Kristen. You need to be able to see the big picture."

"Is this about me or do you feel guilty that you got what you wanted out of this? Our plan worked and you benefited. You're the one who always says in this family we support each other no matter what. We both wanted to help you."

His daughter called him out and he didn't appreciate it because she had a point. He did feel guilty that this plan put him back at ELQ, and he also pushed his marriage over the cliff. Kristen may have lit the match that day, but Alexis was right, he didn't completely shut down the attempt to vote her in and he could have. "Go back to Boston, finish school. We'll talk about this again then."

"Dad, you've always understood me. Always. Why is this so different? Why can't you see my side?"

"I have a conference call starting in a few minutes. You need to go, Krissy."

"Ok…" Kristen said and walked towards the door. Owen warned her there'd be fall out. "Dad?" She asked as she reached the door, she never expected it to hurt her Dad this much.

He looked at her expectantly and waited.

"I'll text you when I get back to school?"

Ned nodded as he picked up the phone and returned to his work. He watched his middle daughter walk out of the office. She needed to understand she can't just take everything into her own hands by any means necessary. It was for her own good, she'd learn from this.. His daughter wouldn't become his mother.

Soon, Julia arrived and they continued to go through the proposals for the hotel together. It was nice having her to bounce ideas off of again. He had forgotten what a good team they were. He was brought from the light hearted but focused conversation when suddenly there was a knock at the slightly ajar door. His secretary must have stepped out "Ned Ashton?"

"Yes, can I help you?" Ned said as he stood and walked away from the small conference table in the corner of the room.

"I have some documents from the court." The messenger said as he handed him the device to capture his signature.

"Oh."

"Sign here." Ned signed and took the envelope. "Thank you, have a good day."

"What is it?" Julia asked as Ned walked towards his desk and opened the envelope.

He slid out the documents, stunned. "My divorce papers."

"She had you served?" Julia asked, appalled.

"I don't think that's her intention. It can't be." He said processing the reality he was holding in his hands.

"You ok?" Julia asked as he looked over the document.

"It just feels surreal. I guess I didn't think it was actually happening. I thought there was a chance…maybe I shouldn't have." He stated, still in shock as he stared at their names on papers.

"Can I do anything?"

"No, I'll be ok. Let's keep going." He put the envelope on his desk and tried to push it out of his mind. Focusing on the hotel would continue to be his distraction until he saw her later that day.

That afternoon, Alexis and Addison walked out of the interrogation room. She thanked Mac and attempted to lead her daughter out of the PCPD without a scene or confrontation with Sonny. She didn't know what Carly may have told him and she didn't want to stay to find out.

"Alexis. Addison? What are you doing here?" Sonny asked as he stepped towards her into her path.

"That's none of your concern Sonny." Alexis replied dismissively.

"Alexis, if that was about what I think it was…" Diane Miller interjected.

"What?" Sonny asked, turning his attention to Diane.

"Ask Carly or your son. Let's go, Addie." Alexis said as she wrapped her arm protectively around her daughter and walked out of the PCPD.

"Diane? Tell me. Is Carly keeping something about Morgan from me?" It was the only conclusion he could draw. "Is this why Alexis dropped the case?"

"She can't continue, it's a conflict of interest."

"Her son's accident? The hit and run charges? That wasn't a problem at the bail hearing. What changed?"

"It's complicated. Sit here and don't say anything until I get back."

Diane walked out of the station and stopped Alexis and Addison on the sidewalk. "Alexis."

"Diane. We really do need to go."

"Addison, I assume you were making a formal statement?"

"You don't have to answer that." Alexis told her daughter.

"I was hoping we could keep this out of the court."

"She deserves justice. You and I both know he's guilty. And the insanity defense will only take you so far Diane. There's evidence. There's witnesses. You might want to do yourself a favor and walk away now."

"Mom, we're supposed to meet Dad at Kelly's…"

"You're right we are. Diane. We'll be in touch I'm sure."

"We will be." She said and pulled out her cell phone and walked away. She needed to talk to Carly. Sonny needed to be told. Her rationale made sense at the time. The news that his son assaulted someone would hit hard and his own mental health might be at risk considering his history, but there was no going back. She warned Carly, Alexis wouldn't sit back and do nothing forever. Carly insisted she had it handled. She worried what her plan might be.

Alexis and Addison approached the entrance of Kelly's just as Ned was doing the same and walking towards them. Addison smiled at her Dad when she saw him. "I did it, Dad. I made a statement." Addison said as they stood outside Kellys.

"I'm so proud of you, Addie. I knew you could do this." He said as he opened his arms and gave her a quick hug.

"She did so well." Alexis said, impressed by their daughter and then turned to Addison and added, "I'm in awe, truly, peanut."

"I could only do it because of you. You made me think about it…and you Daddy."

"Me?"

"Yes. I'm not saying I was wrong, but–"

Ned laughed, "She's definitely your daughter." He looked at Alexis, who shook her head and playfully shoved him.

"I know I didn't want to listen to you and I was so mad that you told the school without talking to me first, but… maybe it helped. You wanted to protect me and believed in me when I couldn't." Addison admitted to her father reluctantly.

"Sometimes your mother and I know what's best for you and you need to trust that, Addie."

"Maybe that's true. Thank you for trying to help me."

"I'll always be there for you, princess. Always." He hugged his daughter and as she pulled away continued, "Can you go in and get us a table? I need to talk to your mother for a minute."

Addison looked between her parents, "Sure." She agreed and walked inside Kelly's. She hoped maybe they were starting to figure it out. Today went well, at least she thought it did. She took out her phone and texted Cam. She wanted to tell him she did it. She told the police what happened.

"Alexis?" Ned asked, noticing her watching Addison through the window.

"Yeah?" She asked, giving him her full attention.

"The court served me with the divorce papers today."

"Oh. I didn't expect…I'm sorry. I wanted to do that myself."

"We haven't gotten to talk. We said we needed to talk about this. Really talk."

"I'm sorry. There's a lot going on. I was planning to follow up with the court this week. I'm sorry you got the papers like that. It wasn't my intention. I would never do that to you."

He believed her and added. "I love you."

"Love isn't the problem, remember? If anything doesn't seem right…let me know?"

"Yeah…" He acquiesced. Standing outside of Kelly's was not the place to have this conversation. She hated this, too. He could see it in her eyes.

"Honey…" She hated how hurt he was. It was hard to stand there and witness what this was doing to him.

"I'll be ok." He said, wanting to pull it together before lunch with their daughter.

"You still want to have lunch?" She gave him an out remembering what happened at dinner the night they went through all the details.

"I do. It's for Addison."

"Right, for Addie." She said as she walked into Kelly's and he followed. She had told herself all of this was for their kids. She wasn't so sure she believed what she'd been trying to convince herself was true anymore. She followed him into Kelly's and sat across from him at the table. Her eyes sadly met his.

"Daddy, do you mind if I go meet Cam and Sophie in the park?" Addison asked as her parents sat down and she looked up from her phone.

"What about lunch?" He asked.

"I know I'm sorry. It's just there's no school and–"

"Sure. Go ahead." Ned said and stopped her explanation.

"Thank you. I love you. Thank you." Addison said as she stood, put her coat back on and hugged Ned. "Mom, I promise I'll be home by dinner. I'll text you later, Dad."

"Bye sweetheart." Alexis said and smiled as her daughter left them alone at Kelly's. "I'm proud of you."

"Proud of me, huh?"

"Yes. You let her go. I know you and you've missed her."

"She seemed happy. I just want to see her happy again."

"Agreed. So, what do you think that's about?" She nodded towards Jax sitting with Carly seemingly arguing at a table in the corner.

"Whatever it is…it doesn't look good…" Ned said as they watched Carly take a call and then leave the table.

Alexis made eye contact with Jax and he got up and came over to their table, sitting in between her and Ned. "It's good to see you two together."

"We were supposed to have lunch with Addie."

"Oh, and she made other plans I take it."

"Just now. So, dare I ask, what was that?"

Jax sighed, "Carly wants me to take Josslyn to Australia for a while. I told her it didn't make sense. It's the middle of the school year and I have another daughter I haven't really seen to think about."

"Australia? How long?" Alexis asked and looked at Ned.

"Alexis? What is it?" Jax asked, reading his ex-wife.

"Are you thinking…?" Ned asked her, concern evident in his voice.

"Yes. It's the only solid strategy they've got. Force him to keep quiet and usher Joss out of the country…."

"But Owen was there. She told Owen what she saw"

"If I was their lawyer I'd argue that was hearsay. Joss was an eyewitness. She stopped it….without her testimony it could turn this more into–"

"He said, she said."

"Exactly. And with the rumors those kids started about her. If they get any of those girls to go on the record… Ned…"

"But what about the video evidence?"

"It can help, but doesn't prove more than he tried to come on to her and she pushed him away. It ends there…Dian's a good lawyer she'd prove reasonable doubt…"

"Ok, what the hell is going on? Ned? Alexis? One of you needs to fill me in."

"Josslyn is a witness in Morgan's upcoming trial. They're adding charges."

"A witness to what exactly?"

"She stopped Morgan from trying to rape our daughter at the party they were all at." Ned stated, matter of fact.

"The Kensington party? That was almost two months ago and you're saying… Addison? Morgan tried to…"

"Yes." Alexis confirmed

"And Josslyn…"

"Heard her yelling no and stopped it." Ned continued to explain.

"How the hell could Carly not tell me this?! Why wouldn't Joss come to me for help?"

"The kids were keeping it from us, too. As for Carly…I'm sure she thought you'd want Joss to do the right thing and is trying to protect Morgan." Alexis stated.

"Damn right. I won't usher her out of the country because Sonny wants his son to get away with assault."

"I'm actually not convinced Sonny even knows yet."

"Oh?" Ned asked intrigued.

"He didn't come to the meeting when I dropped Morgan as a client and I ran into him at the station earlier today. I'd put money on the fact that Carly is keeping this from him and trying to cover it up hoping Addison never came forward."

"But she did?" Jax asked.

"Today."

"And in the midst of all of this the two of you are getting divorced?" Jax tried to make sense of his friends.

"We are." Alexis confirmed before Ned could formulate a response. It was simpler that way.

"Well it explains why you've been preoccupied." He looked at Alexis and then turned to Ned, "and why you've been seen around town with Julia Barrett."

"She bought half the hotel. It's not what it seems like." Ned explained making sure he had Alexis' attention.

"Got it." Jax understood, taking in what was clearly still between his two friends. He knew Ned loved Alexis, it had seemed unlikely he and Julia were becoming anything more.

"I've got to go find Joss. I'll see you two at the auction this week?" Jax asked. Leaving them alone was what they needed.

"You will. Go. And Jax—please don't take her out of town…" Alexis implored.

"I have no intention of taking her anywhere."

"Thank you." She said quietly and watched Jax walk out of Kelly's.

"This isn't good, Alexis."

"Jax will do the right thing."

"Speaking of…Kristen came by ELQ today."

"And?" She hoped.

"I could have handled it differently. I should have handled it differently." He reflected.

"She's still at the house if you want to see her. She doesn't fly out until the morning."

"Did she explain why last night?"

"We know why. She was trying to help you. Deep down, I think she wanted to impress you, honey. Prove herself."

"How are you not as bothered by this as I am?"

"I hate that she used Addison. I do. But Addie also agreed. Our kids did this together and they kept it from us because they were blaming themselves for what happened to us."

"It's not their fault. Why can't they see that?"

"They're starting to and I have to believe that they're finally starting to reach a place of acceptance."

He realized they were alone, neither of them defensive and decided to take the risk. "Can you do me a favor?"

"Anything. What?" She stated; he seemed serious.

"I know we agreed. That I agreed. And life is finally settling into a routine for our family now, but I'm not sure I'll ever be able to fully accept it and honestly…I don't think you can either. So just think about it again. Reconsider. Forget about the kids and just think about us. About what we both need to be happy. And if this is what you truly want then I'll sign the papers. I will, but please think about it again? For me."

He was hard to resist as she looked at the sincerity in his eyes, "Ok." She said quietly. "But you think about it again, too. I want you to be happy and as much as it pains me to admit I'm not so sure I can still make you happy, Ned."

"You're the only person who's ever made me truly happy, Alexis. You challenge me in the best possible ways and you make me better. I love you. That's my truth. I don't need an answer right now or even today. Promise me you'll seriously think about yours?"

She owed it to them both. She knew she was already starting to have misgivings, so she assured him, "I will, I promise you. I will."