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Chapter 3 Ned stared at Alexis as she was getting ready. She'd bought the dress about a week ago. Ned had found it morbid but they knew it was just a matter of time before Chloe died. Alexis had resigned herself to the idea, it was as if she was preparing herself for her friend's death but Ned hadn't been able to do the same. He hadn't been able to stop believing in a miracle that would save Chloe. He'd had no luck locating Jax. He felt sorry for him when he thought of how he didn't know Chloe was dead but on a deeper level he felt a strange satisfaction at the thought of how guilty Jax would feel when he eventually found out. Alexis had shown no interest in Jax's whereabouts when he'd talked to her earlier. She'd shown no interest in Chloe's funeral either. She didn't want to read a eulogy and dress or no dress she didn't particularly want to attend until Ned pressured her. She answered yes to everything he told her if she answered at all. Ned thought she must have taken some tranquilizer unless she was in shock. This would also explain why she hadn't cried at all. They arrived to the church quite early. Edward was arguing with someone from the funeral parlor. Ned scooted over there right away. That's when Sonny and Carly walked in. Alexis was surprised to see them and didn't think that a church full of Quartermaines was a good place for them to be but she would let Ned who seemed to be in full gatekeeper mode deal with it. Sonny approached Alexis. Carly stayed a little behind. "How are you holding up?" "I'll be ok," she whispered as he pulled her to a hug. "I didn't realize you knew Chloe," she said when he let go of her. "We're here because of me," said Carly loudly. "Chloe was always nice to me unlike the rest of her family." Her voice attracted Ned's attention anew. Sonny's hug had not gone unnoticed earlier. "Lila and Jason are also part of the rest of her family," Alexis said icily. "And I'm sure you agree that it would not honor Chloe's memory to have you make a scene." Carly opened her mouth to reply when she felt Sonny's hand squeeze hers painfully. She took a deep breath. "I'm sorry… about Chloe, I mean. She was a really decent person and she didn't deserve this." She felt tears sting her eyes as she stole a glance to Chloe's casket. "As her friend I have every right to be here." "No one said otherwise," Ned said gently. "Just keep in mind that this is about Chloe." His eyes turned to AJ who had just made his appearance. He walked unsteadily to Chloe's casket. Sonny led Carly to the back o the church after giving Alexis' shoulder a brief squeeze and a curt nod to Ned. Ned put his arm on Alexis' back. He felt her stiffen as her eyes turned to the door. Stefan had just come in, followed by Nikolas. Nikolas gave sniffling Liz a hug and stroke her hair, then made a beeline for Alexis. "I'm sorry about your friend," he said with a touching little boy's sincerity. Alexis fought an urge to ruffle his hair. She kissed him quickly on both cheeks. She could see he'd grown uncomfortable to that. His continental ways were slowly slipping away as he became more and more an American. It saddened her somewhat but it was probably for the best. She didn't want to look at Stefan but she could feel his eyes on her. "Where's Emily?" Nikolas' voice woke her up. "In the front with Monica and Alan," Ned answered. His eyes narrowed when he saw Stefan. Edward was already making his way towards him. "You MURDERER," yelled Edward. "You have a lot of nerve showing your face here. What did that sweet girl ever do to you and your psychotic family?" Stefan didn't say a word. He stared past Edward. He didn't even move to defend himself when Edward's fist connected with his cheek. Alan fell on Edward to stop him. "Relax father, please," he said. "You'll give yourself a heart attack." Nikolas run to the scene with Emily in tow. He stood in front of Stefan as if to shield him from Edward's blind rage. "Listen to me Mr. Quartermaine," he said angrily. "I know you're hurting but you can't blame my Uncle for this. He's nothing like Helena. He tried to save Chloe and he's sorry he was too late." "Cassadines!" spat Edward. "You're sick, the lot of you. I want no Cassadines in my niece's funeral." "What about Alexis?" AJ's slurred tones came from the left. "She's one of them. Or is she alright because she's Ned's fianc?e?" "Leave Alexis alone Junior," Ned hissed. "STOP THIS," Emily yelled. "Grandfather, AJ… how can you do this? How can you fight at a time like this?" tears were rolling down her cheeks. "I'm sorry about the way my Grandfather and my brother are behaving, Nikolas. I apologize to you too Mr. Cassadine," she added after a while. Alexis approached Edward. "I will leave if you ask me to," she said quietly. "No, it's ok," Edward rubbed at his temples. He felt and looked very old at that moment. He stared a Chloe's tiny form covered under a mountain of flowers. "She reminded me of my Lila," he whispered. He sat heavily on a chair. "She was beautiful and kind just like my Lila. Where is she? Where is my wife?" "She stayed at home Grandfather," Ned said gently. "She wasn't feeling well." "Oh, yes, I remember," said Edward wearily and docilely followed Ned back to his seat. The rest of the service was uneventful. To everyone's surprise AJ's eulogy was heartbreaking and rendered beautifully despite AJ's obvious drunkenness. Ned sang "You are my sunshine" sweetly and mournfully. Alexis almost laughed out loud at how accurately this silly song described Chloe. She held Ned and stroke his hair as he wept. He'd held out just long enough to finish the song. Her own eyes were dry. She felt feverish and wished she could find comfort in tears. She knew there was at least one other pair of dry eyes in the church. Stefan was still as a statue, never taking his eyes away from Chloe's casket. She hadn't wanted to look at him but she couldn't help it. ------------------------ Nikolas approached Alexis at the cemetery. Everyone was getting ready to go home. "Can I ask you something?" he said. "Of course." "Are you angry at my Uncle for what happened?" "What makes you say that?" she said evenly. "When - don't get this wrong - but when Edward was yelling at him you didn't defend him. And… you've greeted me but I don't think you've exchanged a word with Stefan today," he made the last part a question. "You know that my relationship with your Uncle isn't very easy?" "That's quite an understatement." "I don't want you to concern yourself with it. I love you and my door is always open to you no matter what. I want you to know that." "I don't understand? What did you fight about this time?" "There's nothing to understand Nikolas. Just keep in mind what I told you." Nikolas left, his face still clouded with doubt. "What was that about?" said Ned. "Nothing," said Alexis quietly. Ned shook his head in disbelief but didn't press the issue since he knew he wouldn't get very far. ------------------------- "You don't have to stay, Nikolas." Nikolas gave a start. Stefan hadn't said a word on the way back from Chloe's funeral. "I don't want you to be alone, Uncle," "I'm used to it. You were here yesterday and the night before. It's good to have you here but I understand you will want to go to your house eventually". "Well, I've missed," Gia , "I've missed the cottage but I wanted to be with you." Standing in Stefan's study it felt almost unreal to Nikolas sometimes that his cottage really existed. It was as if he became 15 again. Some of his childish adoration came back to him as he stared at Stefan. But at the same time, as much as it hurt him to admit it, his uncle was human. Chloe's death had hit him hard. He'd turned his back to Nikolas as he was pouring himself a drink. It pained Nik to see his slumped shoulders. It was as if Stefan had aged in a few weeks. Stefan turned, glass in hand "I think it would be better if I were alone," he said quietly. "I'm not going to be good company." "I wouldn't expect you to, Uncle! But don't you think I know you want me to leave so you can wallow in self pity? I can't let you go on blaming yourself over what happened to Chloe!" But I am responsible, thought Stefan. The voice in his mind was so loud that for a moment he thought he had spoken the words out loud. "We should have left the island sooner," he said weakly. He set his glass on the table, his hands were trembling too badly. "It was out of your control! Don't tell me you buy into that crap Edward said in church! No one believes that. And… and if anyone blames you then it's because they don't know you, they don't know how different you are from Helena or are in too much pain to realize you couldn't have stopped it," he added with feeling. "Please, Nikolas, I don't want to discuss this." "I'm sure that when she'll be able to think clearly she'll see it wasn't your fault." "I don't understand…" "I'm talking about Alexis." Stefan's breath hitched. "What about Alexis?" "Come on, Uncle, I could see from the way she was today that you two had a fight. She wouldn't tell me anything about it." "There's nothing to tell Nikolas," said Stefan softly. Another lie. I'm staring Nikolas right in the eyes and lying to him like so many times before. "Funny, she said the same thing." A heavy silence fell between them. Stefan was the one to break it. "I think I'll retire to my room." Nik nodded. "I'll be here." "Once again let me tell you don't have to stay." Nikolas responded by putting his arms around Stefan in a strong hug that nearly made the older man lose his balance. Stefan fought to keep his composure and won by a thread. I'm letting you keep Nikolas, Alexis had said. For that he was grateful. ------------------------------ "I just don't understand Alexis." Sonny looked up from the contracts he was studying. They were in the living room. Carly had changed to jeans and a T-shirt but Sonny was still in his dark suit. "What do you mean?" "Well, I know what it's like to lose your best friend. When Carly died I thought I was going to die with her," she teared up at the memory. "I cried the whole time at the funeral. Alexis was…" "Numb," said Sonny gently. He'd recognized the expression on Alexis' face or rather the lack of it. He'd been the same in Adele's funeral, silent and dry-eyed, dead inside. "People deal with grief in different ways Carly." "Oh, I don't know. I mean with Carly it was sudden. We'd known for weeks that poor Chloe wouldn't last long. Alexis was sort of prepared I suppose. And she hadn't known Chloe for very long." Sonny tossed his files aside. "That is not a very nice thing to say, Carly." Carly shrugged. "I'm just saying that I compared two different situations. I wasn't dissing Alexis." "Whatever. Will you please find something to do? I'm trying to get some work done here." "Don't treat me like a child, Sonny!" Carly said edgily. Sonny picked up his files again. "Then don't act like one, Carly!" "The honeymoon is over, huh?" she said bitterly. "I'm just the annoying little wife now." Sonny gave out a heavy sigh. He was about to reply when loud voices from the hallway attracted his attention. He recognized Ned Ashton's voice. Sonny opened his front door to see Ned and Alexis standing in front of Alexis' penthouse door. Alexis had her back turned to Ned and was in the process of opening her front door. Johnny was also out in the hallway staring at Ned and Alexis with his arms crossed over his chest. "What's going on here?" "Ms Davies said she wants to be alone, Ashton here won't leave." Johnny answered. "Get lost, both of you!" snarled Ned. We don't need an audience!" Alexis turned, keys still in hand. She stared at Ned seemingly oblivious to everyone else. "I came to the funeral. I came to the Quartermaine mansion afterwards. We've been together the last two days. All I asked of you was to leave me some time by myself." Her voice had a weary, almost plaintive tone. It tore Sonny's heart to see and hear her like this. "Which part of what she said don't you understand, Ashton?" Ned turned to Sonny with a look of undisguised hatred in his face. "To hell with you Corinthos. No one asked for your input." Alexis had turned to open her door again. She dropped her keys and lowered her body to get them. She got her keys in her hand but stayed down, resting her forehead against the door. Ned had his back to her. Johnny got to Alexis first and Sonny followed him. "Ms Davies? Are you feeling faint?" Johnny touched her shoulder. Alexis shook her head. "I'll be alright." She got up slowly and turned to Ned. "I want you to leave," she said simply. "Please Ned, just leave." "Alexis, I worry about you!" Ned hated pleading in the presence of Corinthos and his goon but Alexis was all he thought of at that moment. "I know you do," she said gently. "But please try to understand that I can't deal with your worry on top of everything." Her words stung Ned but he tried not to show it. He gave another angry look to the other two men out in the hallway who showed no intention of leaving him and Alexis alone. "I'll leave then," he said quietly. "I still don't think you should be alone but since it is what you want… I'll call you," he added hopefully. "Not tonight, I will not answer it. But you can call me tomorrow." Ned gave her a hug. Alexis remained tense in his arms. "Take care of yourself," he whispered. Alexis nodded when he let go of her. Ned left quickly without looking back. Sonny got Alexis' keys and opened her front door. "Is there anything you need?" he asked her as she was getting in. She shook her head. "Are you sure? How about something to eat? Have you eaten?" "I'm ok," she whispered. Everything about her screamed she wasn't but Sonny didn't argue. |
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Chapter 4 | ||||
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