Click here for more information. Read MessageRELATED:Dictionary Thesaurus ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Date: Fri, 16 Jan 1998 23:50:44 -0400 From: tjhnnm@mailserv.mta.ca Save Address Block Sender Reply-To: tjhnnm@mailserv.mta.ca To: kimmyso@hotmail.com Subject: fam sec chap 5-6 Chapter 5 Emma, realizing she has made a MAJOR faux pas, quickly grabs her overnight bag and retreats into the bathroom to dress, in case they have to leave in a hurry. Alexis meanwhile, is scrambling to come up with an appropriate lie. She decides to stall. Alexis: Ned, please, can we go outside and talk about this? Ned: (grinning) Oh absolutely. I'd crawl to China and back on my hands and knees to hear this explanation! Alexis frowns and shuffles him out the door, where he, in turn, leads her into his room, which, she notices with a scowl, is directly across the hall. Alexis: (shutting the door) Well isn't this convenient! Just how, exactly did you find me? Have you been following me all the way from Port Charles? Wouldn't you consider that over-stepping your bounds just a WEE bit? Ned: No, as a matter of fact, I wouldn't. Alexis, what we had wasn't just a one-night stand you know - we had already begun a relationship...I care about you, and after we finally make love you tell me you're leaving forever and offer no reasonable explanation. I don't think I've overstepped my bounds at all...in fact, I think I deserve to know what's going on, and, more to the point, why there is a teenager in the other room who appears to think you're her mother. Alexis: Would you believe she's a deluded street kid that I picked up out of the goodness of my heart? Ned: Nope. Alexis: I didn't think so.... Ned: (makes himself comfortable in one of the chairs)....I'm waiting... Alexis: Oh Ned, why do you have to be so damn persistent. Why couldn't you just leave well enough alone? Ned: (stands up again) Because that's the problem - it wasn't ‘well enough' at all! I needed to know why you were deliberately keeping me in the dark, and what was so important to you, that you would just walk out on me the morning after we finally connect. Alexis: (giving in) The factor you're trying to pin down as the reason for my treatment of you would be Emma....my daughter. Ned: That much I gathered...why didn't you tell me about her? Alexis: It's not that simple Ned. I would really rather not go into this, and I am begging you to take my word for it that this is none of your business. You need to go back to Port Charles and forget you ever saw me here. Ned: (shakes his head) Not a chance. Even if I wanted to, I couldn't just forget about you. Now that I understand your motivation a bit more, maybe we can work something out... Alexis: Ned, you don't understand - it's very dangerous that you know about Emma... Ned: (intrigued) Dangerous how? Alexis: You're not going to leave, are you? (Shakes his head gently) That's what I thought. (Sighs deeply) Oh, I give up....have a seat Ned, this is going to take a while. But before I tell you anything, you have to swear to me on everything you hold dear, that NOTHING I say to you tonight will ever leave this room. I mean it Ned, lives are at stake here. Ned nods solemnly and she proceeds to tell him the whole sordid story, about Laura's escape, Helena's decision, and the subsequent rape. As she speaks, a multitude of emotions pass over his face, ranging from horror, to anger, to sadness, and back again. When she finishes, he looks at her questioningly. Ned: You mentioned being brought into the family - you weren't born a Cassadine? Alexis: No, I was adopted by Mikkos' sister Isabella and her husband, Edmond Davis when I was four. My parents had been friends of Isabella and Edmond and when they were killed in a plane crash, Isabella, who couldn't have children of her own, decided to adopt me. Helena and Mikkos thought it was an ideal situation, having the opportunity to raise and mold the future wife of the Cassadine heir. Edmond, however, was less than thrilled with the idea, and only put up with me for a couple of years before he finally left Isabella for another woman. Isabella was completely destroyed by his rejection and eventually killed herself about 3 months after he divorced her, leaving me to be raised by Helena and Mikkos. Needless to say, both of them saw me as the direct cause of Isabella's suicide and so my upbringing was strained, to say the least. Ned: I can't even imagine what it must have been like. I thought my childhood was tragic... Alexis: You have no idea....anyway, when I discovered I was pregnant, I knew that my child would be seen as a threat to Nikolas' future. Ned: How so? Alexis: Well.....(hesitatingly).....Nikolas' paternity has always been a dubious issue - Stefan and Laura became quite close while she lived on the island - Ned: You're kidding! Alexis: No, and so the smart money is on Stefan as the father. Unfortunately, since Stavros had already been killed by the time Emma was born, legally this would have made her the future head of the family. Helena would never have stood for it. Not only was Emma not the favoured, Nikolas, but she was a child of mine, and so, despised and illegitimate - not exactly ‘head of the family' material. If Nikolas' true paternity was ever to come to light and Helena were to find out about Emma, she would have both of us killed. Naturally, I had to hide her - I found a wonderful foster family who was willing to take her in, discreetly, and allow me to come and visit whenever it was possible. I just picked her up from them a few hours ago. Ned is sitting back in his chair trying to absorb all of this. Finally, he stands up and walks over to Alexis, taking her in his arms. Ned: So, where do we go from here? Alexis: Honestly? I haven't the faintest idea. You're the first person I've ever told the whole story to. The people who knew I gave birth had no idea who I was, and the people who knew who I really was, had no idea I had a child. So you see, you're kind of unique. Ned: (smiling) Well, I've always thought so. Alexis: Ned. Seriously, you must understand how important this is. Ned: I'm sorry, I do understand. I can only imagine what I would do to protect Brooke from the wrath of someone like Helena. I want to help. More importantly, I don't want to lose you again. Alexis: (leaning her head on his shoulder) I know, telling you to leave was one of the hardest things I've ever had to do. I'm sorry I was so cold. Ned: In light of tonight's revelations...you're absolved of all recent crimes of the heart. Alexis: (smiling) Thank you. They kiss, not passionately, but deeply, and in that moment seem to finally find one another again. After a long moment, Alexis pulls away reluctantly. Alexis: I really should get back, Emma's probably scared half to death by now... Ned: So she knows that she's a Cassadine? Alexis: Well, no, not really. I've tried to be honest with her to an extent, but really I've told her as little as possible. She knows that her father's family is dangerous and would very likely harm us if they found out about her. She also knows that I have a cousin, Stefan, who might help us. I was on the verge of telling Stefan the truth when the whole Katherine fiasco blew up in my face. She has no idea that the two families are one and the same. Ned: I see, so....(grinning) do I get to be formally introduced? Alexis: I suppose - but don't embarrass me. She's never met any of my friends before - for obvious reasons. Ned: (kissing her once more quickly as they go out the door) I promise... Chapter 6 Alexis and Ned enter her room to find it empty - then Alexis notices that the bathroom door is shut. She walks over and says through the door: Alexis: It's alright hon, you can come out. Emma warily unlocks and opens the door. Ned notices that not only is she fully dressed and her hair braided up and away from her face, but she also has on her winter coat and boots. Obviously she was ready to leave quickly if she needed to. Ned begins to understand what life must have been like for Emma, having to watch over her shoulder constantly whenever she was with her mother. He probably frightened her to death with the fact that he obviously knew Alexis and had heard Emma call her ‘mom'. He waits to see how Alexis will clarify the situation. Alexis: Emma, this is Ned Ashton - he's a friend of mine. Don't worry, I've told him everything and our secret is safe with him. Ned: (solemnly) I'll carry it to my grave. Emma gives Ned a questionable look, and then turns back to her mother. Emma: Are you sure you can trust him? I mean, who is this guy? And how did he know where we were? Alexis: (looking to Ned) Now that is a good question... Ned: (beginning to blush) Well....ahem....you were probably too preoccupied with your own thoughts on the flight to notice a tubby blond woman sitting in coach. Well....she hailed a cab and followed you as far as the hotel and then lost you in traffic on your way out of the city. Alexis: You don't mean to tell me - Ned: (mildly embarrassed) I have the wig and the stuffing to prove it. Alexis: (laughing) Oh my God. Ned, I had no idea you were so devious! Emma: (not as amused as her mother) Yeah, why exactly are you so interested? Ned: Well, your mother and I have grown quite close over the past few months - Emma: Oh, you're that kind of friend... Ned: Guilty as charged. Anyway, when she said she was leaving for New York and cut me off with no explanation, I decided I needed to find out for myself what was going on. Emma: Uh huh. Ok, fine. (Looks to her mother) You're sure he's ok? Alexis: I trust him more than anyone....besides you of course. Emma: Of course. (She seems to consider Ned for a minute before finally smiling at him) Well, if mom says you're ok, then I guess you're ok with me too. Ned: (smiling back at her) Thank you. Now, tell me, would you two ladies be interested in a late night pizza? I suspect neither of you have eaten for several hours. Emma: Actually I'm starved...mom? Alexis: Oh, why not. Room service can wait - I haven't had greasy New York food in far too long. Ned: Wonderful, my car's just downstairs in the garage. Alexis picks up her coat and Ned quickly retrieves his from his room before they all head downstairs together. After a few minutes of silence in the car, Emma's curiosity about Ned's relationship with her mother gets the best of her. Emma: So, how long have you two been dating? Alexis: Oh, I don't know - it's been kind of an on-again, off-again sort of thing. Emma: (to Ned) You dressed in drag and took a flight to New York to chase an on-again, off- again relationship? Ned: (half turns around) Well, it's not exactly as - Ned's sentence comes to an abrupt halt as their car slams headlong into the bus in front of them, which had stopped at a red light. All three are knocked unconscious immediately, as a crowd begins to gather around the accident scene. Paramedics arrive after about 10 minutes, but by that time only Emma has regained consciousness. Dazed, she sees the blood dripping down her mother's hairline and panic sets in, as a paramedic pulls her gently out of the wreck. She is barely aware of what's going on around her as she is loaded onto a stretcher and into an ambulance. Emma: (half-sitting up) Where's my mother? Is she alright? Are we going to the same hospital? Paramedic: Your mother's in the ambulance ahead of us, don't worry, we're following them right to the door....you'll see her soon. Now, I need you to relax and lean back ok? Everything's going to be just fine. ************************************************************************* ********* The Hospital Emma, having been treated already for her cuts and bruises has been released and is now waiting to hear news about her mother and Ned. She sits in vain for over an hour, before finally seeing someone come out who looks like they have something to say to her. Emma: Alexis Davis....is she going to be alright? Dr: Are you her daughter? Emma: (well-trained, even in moments of hysteria) No, I'm her cousin. How is she? Dr: Does she have any other, more immediate family who should be contacted? Emma: Well, yes, (lying) but I haven't been able to get in touch with them yet. Dr: Alright, well you should do that, and let me know when they arrive OK? My name is Dr. Bryden and you can ask at the desk to have me paged. Emma: What about the man with her, (forgetting his last name) Ned? Dr. Bryden: Mr. Ashton is stable for now, his condition should improve during the night, we'll have to wait and see. Do you know how to get in touch with his family? Emma panics, thinking that this could be the end of everything. If his family shows up and sees her......Emma thinks on her feet. Emma: Yes, they're good friends of our family's, I've already called them. Dr. Bryden: Good. Now, I'm afraid you won't be able to see either of them for a few hours yet, we need to see how your cousin comes through surgery. You might want to go home and get some rest, while you have a chance. Emma: Yeah, ok. Oh, do you know where their things are? Our hotel key is in my cousin's purse. Dr. Bryden: Sure, just ask the nurse at the desk, (pointing) over there. Emma gets her mother's purse, and not knowing who else to call, starts pressing the speed dials on her cell phone until she hears a name she recognizes: Stefan: Stefan Cassadine. Emma: Mr. Cassadine, you don't know me, but I was asked by your cousin, Alexis, to call you. Stefan: Really....I'm afraid I find that highly unlikely, young lady. Emma: No, sir, you don't understand, there's been a car accident. She and Ned Ashton were hurt badly. She's in surgery right now. They need an adult family member here right away, you're to find a Dr. Bryden, at Mercy Hospital...she'll fill you in. Stefan is trying to cope with the unexpected fear that has just washed over him. His fury at Alexis' betrayal seems insignificant, now that her life may be hanging in the balance. Stefan: I'll be there as soon as I can....and what did you say your name - (she's hung up.) Stefan grabs his coat and his cell phone as he runs out the door, already dialing to arrange the private jet as he steps onto the launch. ************************************************************************* ********* Two Hours Later Stefan turns the corner, looking almost visibly harried (almost), and bumps into a young girl who looks almost as upset as he does. Emma, who recognizes him from her mother's pictures, looks at him with relief. She quickly straightens herself up and pretends to act aloof. Stefan: (distracted) Pardon me. Emma: Sorry, my fault, wasn't watching where I was going. Stefan barely notices as she jogs quickly down the hall and around the corner, where she finds a pay phone and calls Debbie to come pick her up. It kills her to have to leave her mother right now, but she can't risk Stefan seeing her lingering around. Meanwhile, Stefan has located Dr. Bryden, who informs him that his cousin has just come out of surgery and they're waiting for her to regain consciousness. Stefan: (confused) So, she was unconscious when she was brought in? Dr. Bryden: Yes, the paramedics found both she and Mr. Ashton unconscious at the scene. The child with them, however, was released several hours ago, pretty much none the worse for wear, and Mr. Ashton just regained consciousness about 20 minutes ago. Stefan: I'm sorry, you said there was a child? Dr. Bryden: Yes - Ms. Davis' cousin, I believe....wasn't it she who called you? Stefan: (bluffing) Yes, yes of course - I apologize, I'm still a bit shaken by all of this. Dr: Bryden: Well, that's perfectly understandable. Now, I have rounds to do, but I'll be back to check on your cousin in an hour or so. Stefan thanks her and, as she walks off down the hall, wonders what the Hell is going on here. He decides to pay Mr. Ashton a little visit. 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