Alexis takes the last bite of her Peking ravioli.

A- Do you always eat Chinese food for Christmas?

N- Yep. And after what happened with the pizza on Thanksgiving, I bet I'll be eating it then, too.

A- Your mother sure has strange ways of asking for money.

N- She was banished from the family. Don't ask. It's a long, painful story. Onto a new topic. Would you like to dance?

A- Sure. N- I don't have any CD's with me, so let's see what's on the radio.

He turns the radio on and the room lights off (the tree lights are still on. The song is "All I Have" by Beth Nielsen Chapman (I only know the refrain).

All I have
Is all I need
And it all comes down
To you and me
How far away
This world becomes
In the harbor
Of each other's arms

After the song is over, Alexis stil holds onto Ned.

N- I have a Christmas wish.

A- What is it?

N- That I could hold you this close forever.

A- That's a wish I want to come true.

N- Really?

A- Yes.

N- Maybe I can make it come true.

Ned spins her around.

A- (laughing) How?

N- I don't know yet. But I promise you that I'll find a way.

Ned dips her.

A- I thought we agreed on no promises.

N- That was on promises we couldn't keep.

A- And what makes you so sure that you can keep this promise?

N- I have a lot of incentive.

He moves his hand under her skirt and starts to rub her inner thigh.

A- (smiling) Ned!

N- What? There's no one here except you, me, and the lights.

A- I know...

N- Are you worried about being alone in the dark with me? We've done this before.

Alexis starts to open his shirt buttons.

A- Oh, I'm not worried.

N- Good.

Ned kisses her. They fall to the floor, kissing.