Ned walks into Alexis's room. He can hear an opera singer on the cassette player, but doesn't see Alexis. A sense of panic runs through him.

N- Alexis! Alexis!

He finds her in her bedroom, looking shaken. He also sees a half-empty bottle a vodka on her night stand.

N- Oh, god. What the hell happened?

A- She called. She told me that I was lucky I lived through the night and that tonight I might not be so lucky.

N- Don't listen to her. She is only trying to unnerve you. Who's the singer?

A- Kristin Bergman. She was Mikkos's favorite mistress. And I was the result of their union or whatever you want to call it. Helena found out and killed Kristin. My given name is Natasha, but Mikkos took me in and called me Alexis. I was, supposedly, a distant cousin. But now Helena knows who I am and wants to kill me.

N- She isn't going to.

A- (shouting) Yes, she is! She slit my mother's throat and ripped out her vocal chords!

Alexis throws the bottle of vodka against the wall.

N- Alexis, calm down. Come here.

She walks over to Ned, who pulls her onto his lap.

A- (quietly) Why are you still here? She'll probably kill you, too.

N- Helena won't kill us.

A- (little girl like) No?

N- No.

A- I'm sorry about all of this. I have to go clean up the glass.

N- You have nothing to be sorry for. Forget about the glass. I'll have some of the staff clean it up.

A- (little smile) Thanks.

N- You're welcome. Hey, you smiled. Feel better?

A- A little.

Ned kisses her.

N- How do you feel now?

A- Dizzy.

N- I hope it's because of our kiss and not because of all that vodka.

A- I told you, I hold liquor well.

N- I guess my plan to get you drunk and uninhibited is out of the question.

A- Guess so.

N- I bet I can make you forget about everything that's happening with Helena by 1998.

A- You're on.

N- What do I get if I win?

A- I'll think of something.

Hours later.

N- Are we still on for tonight?

A- Of course. We have that bet going.

N- I'm going to win.

A- Don't be so full of yourself.

N- Why not?

A- You may be disappointed.

N- I doubt that.

A- Where are we going?

N- Luke's is having a party. Do you mind if we go there?

A- Nope.

N- OK. I'll go change.

A- And I'll go pick out something to wear.

Ned changes while Alexis rumages through her closet. Black, too short, black, too tight, black, black, too low cut. This was depressing her. There was the lavender gown she wore to the Nurses' Ball. She turns around to look at Ned.

A- You look handsome.

N- Thank you. Find anything?

A- No.

N- How about this?

He points to a red, satin dress in the back of her closet. It's fitted around the torso and flares out at the waist. It's knee-length and has spaghetti straps.

A- I don't know.

N- Too revealing?

A- No, but...

N- Go try it on.

She just looks at him.

N- Go.

She goes to put it on. When she shows Ned, he lets out a low whistle.

N- Wow.

A- (self-consciously) It looks OK?

N- It looks wonderful. And you look drop-dead gorgeous. Wow.

A- (laughing) Thanks. I think I'm the luckiest woman in town.

N- Uh-uh. I'm the luckiest guy.

A- You mean that?

N- Of course I do. You ready?

A- Sure.