Ned knocks on the door. He hears Alexis' familiar voice on the other side beckoning him in.

He peaked his head in. "Hi."

Alexis looked up from her work. "Hello, Ned." A smile played across her face before she remembered maybe she shouldn't be smiling that hard. She had left Ned in Brooklyn with Lois and his daughter, she had no idea where anything stood right now. "Would you like to come in?"

Ned comes in, feeling awkward. He walked over to Alexis' desk and pulled out a dozen roses from behind his back.

Alexis smiled. "Flowers? Is this to be my funeral?"

Ned slumped his shoulders. "Alexis...we need to talk..."

"Yes, I agree. So, what is going on, and where do I stand?" Alexis gives Ned a 'don't be shocked' look. "Well, Ned...we both know I left you with your ex-wife and daughter to discuss just this topic. Why would there be a need to beat around the bush now?"

Ned nodded in reply. "You're right...I just don't know where to begin."

"You need more time, don't you?" Alexis said, looking at the sad confusion in Ned's eyes. Yet there was something else there...a glimmer of hope, maybe? "You still love her, don't you Ned?"

"I love you Alexis..."

"That's not what I asked you, Ned."

Ned sits in the chair opposite her desk. "I...I don't know. Honey..."

"It's okay, Ned. I understand." Alexis smiled as Ned looked at her as if she had lost her mind. "Really, Ned...I could see the way you looked at your daughter, and the way Lois looked at me." Alexis said, shuttering at the memory of the ice-blue stare.

Ned leaned forward, taking Alexis' hand across the desk. "Alexis, this is not possible. I am crazy about you. I...you're all I think about, night and day."

Alexis caressed Ned's fingers. "Yes, Ned, and I you. But that doesn't change the fact that you still have a daughter out there, and the mother of that daughter will always be a part of your life. You have to figure out if Lois is in your life for Brooke Lynn only...or is she going to be a part of your life - for you?"

Ned looked in Alexis' eyes. "I don't want to lose you." He whispered.

"You can't lose me Ned...but you can never 'have' me unless you sort this out." Alexis told him. " I could ask you right now, 'Ned, do you still love Lois?' Could you answer me yes or no, Ned?" Ned just stared at her, Alexis nodded. "I didn't think so." She withdrew her hand from Ned's. "Besides, Ned, I'm still dealing with this Helena thing...situation, whatever you want to call it. I have some 'issues' of my own to figure out. So..." Alexis stands, walking around to the other side of her desk to stand in front of Ned. "I think we'd better sort out these little quirks before we try to go any further. Who knows, we may just lead ourselves back to each other." She wrapped her arms around Ned's neck, burying her face in his shoulder. She was trying very hard to put up a good front.

Ned wrapped his arms around her waist, pulling her to himself. He hated that Alexis came along at a time in his life where he didn't know what it was he wanted. But he figured he would rather have had her in his life for the short time he had her than to never have had her at all.

"Wait for me, Alexis? Please, wait for me while I figure out all of this..."

"Let's just see what happens, okay Ned? We both need to figure out a lot..." Alexis wrapped her arms tighter around him. "We'll see..."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Lucky is behind the counter at Kelly's. He's busy with a customer so he doesn't notice Edward Quartermaine as he walks in.

Edward peaked his head into Kelly's. He looked around at the unfamiliar surroundings, then figured it would be safe enough to enter. He came in quietly, surveying the customers. He was baffled as he noticed someone eating something that he couldn't identify.

"My goodness...is this where my granddaughter's been eating lately? No wonder she's been so unruly lately..."

"Mr. Quartermaine?" It was more a question than a greeting. Lucky stood behind the counter, stopping in mid wipe-down as he stared open-mouthed at Edward.

Edward walked over to the counter, leery of his surroundings. "Well, hello Lucky, you're just the man I was looking for."

Lucky pointed to himself. "Me? You were looking for me?" Lucky asked nervously.

"Yes, could I have a minute of your time, please? If it's not too much trouble..."

Lucky untied his apron and came from behind the counter. "No, of course not, Mr. Quartermaine. Have a seat." He motioned to one of the tables. Edward takes a seat, examining the silverware. He puts down the knife when Lucky clears his throat. "Um, so Mr. Quartermaine, what brings you down to this side of town - outside of a miracle?"

Edward seemed nervous. Lucky wondered mentally what he could have possibly done wrong to merit a visit from Edward Quartermaine - the head honcho. Uh-oh, Edward was smiling now. This is not good.

"My boy, I came down here to...to thank you."

'My boy?' Lucky thought to himself. "Thank me for what?"

"For convincing Carly to come to her senses and...allow us to finally get to know our great-grandson." Edward smiled as he remembered Michael that morning. "You know, this morning, I could have sworn that little baby said 'grampa'..."

Lucky furrowed his brow. "Uh, don't you think that would be a little soon for him to start talking, Mr. Quartermaine?"

Edward laughed. "Well, my...yes, I guess it would be too soon for that, silly me." Edward became serious. "I mean this, Lucky...I thank you, Lila thanks you...we all thank you."

Lucky felt a little uncomfortable being on the receiving end of a Quartermaine thank-you. "Sure, it was nothing...anytime." Lucky noticed Edward still looked a little uncomfortable, as if he wanted to say something. "Is there something else, Mr. Q?"

"Actually...there is, Lucky." Edward leaned in, motioning for Lucky to do the same. When Lucky was within close proximity, Edward whispered. "I also would like to apologize...for the other day, at your home."

It was Lucky's turn to look uncomfortable. "Mr. Quartermaine, I understand..."

"No, no...let me finish." Edward insisted. "I was...well, I have been very unfair and pre-judgmental of you, Lucky...and I would like to say...I'm sorry. Oh, don't look at me like that." He shooed at Lucky's gaped open mouth. "I, I can see how you make my little granddaughter smile, how she just dances around like a princess...so amazingly in love with you..." Edward paused again as Lucky started to smile, then realized he was in front of Emily's grandfather. Edward waved his hand again at Lucky. "Oh, don't try to hide it from me, young man...I can see the way you look at her...I do watch what's going on, you know. And I can see that my little Emily's face just lights up when ever your name is mentioned."

Lucky relaxed...a little. "Well, Mr. Quartermaine, I...I do love Emily. I hope you can all understand that you have no worries as far as Emily's safety is concerned or anything else..."

Edward smiled at Lucky, actually smiled. "Oh, I don't worry, young man, I trust you."

"You trust me?" Lucky asked, shocked.

Edward grinned at him. "Of course I do, my boy. Either you do right by her...or I'll just have to kill you." Edward leans forward and pats Lucky on the cheek, chuckling. "Fine young lad, indeed."

Edward rises, ready to leave. He looks down at Lucky, still sitting. "You take good care of my little girl, you hear me? She's my little bundle of joy, you know?"

Lucky nodded. "Yeah...mine too."

Edward nodded at this, turned and walked out of Kelly's. Lucky knew that this would probably be the last time Kelly was ever graced with Mr. Quartermaine's presence.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Luke is in his office at the club, doing nothing as usual. Lucky knocks and comes in, throwing his bookbag across the room and plopping himself into a chair across from Luke.

"Hey, why aren't you in school?" Luke said, setting aside his mid-afternoon Brandy.

"Dad, have you forgotten? It's June, there's barely any school. I had two test today, that's it." Lucky sits back, relaxing. He puts his feet up on the desk, hands behind his head.

"So? How'd they go?" Luke asked, mirroring his son's stance.

Lucky grinned. "I aced them, of course."

"That's my boy."

"Dad, you'll never guess who came to Kelly's to see me yesterday."

Luke narrowed his eyes. "I'm not gonna like this, am I..."

"No, no it's good, really." Lucky looked at Luke, waiting to see his response. "Edward Quartermaine."

Luke almost dropped his cigar. "No way!"

"Way, man!"

Luke put his cigar out for this one. "So, what did the ol' geezer want, anyway?"

"Oh, he just wanted to...apologize - and THANK me!" Lucky cracked up at Luke's expression. "Yeah, I felt kinda the same way when he told me."

Luke slipped his feet off the desk, leaning forward. "So, what was he thanking you for, Cowboy?"

Lucky frowned. "You mean, you haven't heard?" Luke shook his head no. "Carly's moving into the mansion...with Michael. Her and I went over there the other day, we talked to the Q's and Carly talked to AJ...they all worked something out."

Luke leaned in even further to Lucky, placing a hand on his forehead. "What's come over you lately, Cowboy?"

"What do you mean, Dad?"

Luke continued. "I mean, lately you've been doing so much...from Carly, dealing with the Q's...now this? Are you trying to get the award for 'good Samaritan' this year..."

"Is that good or bad, Dad?"

Luke smirked. "Of course not, I just wanted to know what's going on...have you turned over a new leaf, or have you found religion..."

"I've found love, Dad."

Luke looked up at his son. "Oh, no...don't tell me. You've been bit right on the behind, haven't you?" By the look on Lucky's face, Luke didn't need a verbal answer. "And I'll be I have that cute little Quartermaine girl to blame for this?" The smile cracking Lucky's face was all the answer Luke needed. "Oh, go...look, don't do this, man! Don't do this too yourself, Lucky. It's turning you into a real goof..."

"I don't care...Dad." Lucky still smiling, gets up from his chair, walking over to the window. "It's like...I don't know how to even explain it. Sometimes I feel like, I just want everything to be perfect. I want everything as perfect as what I feel with her. She just...I don't know, it's hard to explain..."

"Kinda like...floating in mid-air?" Luke offered.

Lucky smiled. "Yeah...yeah, something like that. It's just so...right, you know, so perfect. I don't know, Dad..." Lucky shoves his hands in his jean pockets. "I don't know, but somehow...these little things, petty stuff - arguments, feuds...it's just not important to me anymore..."

Luke leaned back, looking at this new son of his. "Gosh, next thing I know you'll be 'shootin' hoops' with Nikolas Cassadine."

Lucky stood there, realizing that the thought didn't repulse him, as it would have a few months ago. This disturbed him more than hating Nikolas did. "I...I gotta go, Dad." He grabbed his bookbag and was out the door as swiftly as he came in.

Luke sat there, wondering what drove his son out the room like a madman. He then lifted his arm and sniffed, repeating the same with the other arm. "Well, I don't offend..." Luke sits back in his chair lighting another stoagie. "I wonder what's up with that kid of mine?"

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Brenda sat in her cottage, alone...and a little afraid. Seeing Jax with another woman had sort of left her a little off track. She had imagined she would come back to Port Charles and pick up where she left off with Jax...him being there for her, always being there for her. She had no idea she would be faced with an adversary.

She was brought out of her reverie by a knock on the door.

'Could it be Jax?' Brenda leaped up from the sofa, practically running to the door. She swung open the door to find none other than Lorraine, standing there.

"Oh, hello. Can I help you with something?" Brenda asked, scrutinizing Lorraine.

Lorraine wasn't moved. "I would like to speak to you a moment, Ms. Barrett. May I come in?"

Brenda stammered. "Um...I was really busy right now..."

"This will only take two minutes." Lorraine interrupted as she made her way past Brenda into the house.

Brenda eyes followed Lorraine into her living room, wondering when Lorraine's name was added to her mortgage. "I'm sorry, but I'm really, busy right now, and I need for you to..."

"What kind of game are you playing with Jax, Ms. Barrett?"

Brenda recoiled in shock. "What? Who are you to question anything Jax and I..."

Lorraine interrupted her. "Oh, I'm sorry, I know you're used to having Jax be your business and yours alone. See, what happened was this...you went off to 'find yourself' or whatever was the reason you gave Jax. You disappear for months, land a couple of magazine covers, then you flit back into Port Charles without so much as a postcard to foretell your return and you EXPECT to just...what, pick up where you left off, huh?"

"Excuse me, but I don't have to explain anything to you, Lorraine." Brenda became indignant. "Who are you to even question me? You and I have nothing to do with each other..."

"Oh, but I think we do." Lorraine said as she crossed the room to stand toe to toe with Brenda. "Listen, Mzzz. Barrett...You've had your fun stringing Jax along. You've had your term of being his obsession and his only source of entertainment. Now you're going to have competition."

Brenda laughed. "I assume you mean yourself? Competition from you, Lorraine? Ha! Come on, you can't be serious?"

Lorraine didn't let Brenda's attitude of complete self-absorbency weaken her. She lifted her chin. "Fine, go ahead...laugh if you want. I care about Jax, not because he flies me across the world, not because he thinks the sun rises and sets on my life...but just because he's a nice person. He's sweet, kind, loving..."

"You don't have to tell me about Jax, Lorraine. Believe me, we've been close enough to know each other...inside and out." Brenda said, letting the words drip from her lips suggestively. "So, if you came over here because Jax was entertaining you for the past few months, and now you think you have some type of hold on him, forget it. Jax and I have a history, and whatever you've accomplished in your short time of trying pales in comparison!" Brenda turns and walks away from Lorraine, staring at the wall. She had no idea she would have to face this upon her return to Port Charles.

Lorraine looked at Brenda, shaking her head. "History? What history?? You cried...he wiped your tears away, you ran...he followed, you sneezed...he wiped your runny nose. You said 'jump' he asked you 'off what bridge'! What kind of 'history' is that, Brenda? Jax is a very sensitive, overly-expressive and giving man. He has to learn how to be something other than a 'Santa Claus' to women. He needs to learn how to have women love him for himself, not for what he can give them. But you...oh no, you never protested did you? You just loved the way he treated you like a little queen, spoiling you rotten. All the while, you never stopped long enough to find out what HE wanted from someone!" Lorraine walked up to Brenda, talking to her back. "Do you know what his favorite color is, Brenda? Huh? Do you have any idea what he likes to do when he's been worn out from business meetings and opening and closing deals? Did you know that the sunset reminds him of his childhood in Australia..."

"Excuse me, but I don't need you to tell me about Jax!" Brenda screamed as she spun around to face Lorraine. "I don't need you to school me on Jax...I 'love' him..."

Lorraine looked at Brenda seriously. "Yeah? Well...so do I." Lorraine couldn't believe she actually said that. Then she figured if she said it, then it must be true.

Brenda's face paled. She recovered quickly. "Oh really? You love him, huh? Well, the more important question is...does he love you?" Brenda could read the unsure look in Lorraine's eyes. She snorts. "Yeah, I didn't think so."

Lorraine felt her demons of insecurity rising. She figured the cat was out of the bag now. Whether or not Jax felt the same way or not didn't quite matter at this point. She stepped up, dangerously close to Brenda this time, and said to her, in a dangerously, almost inaudible whisper. "You listen to me, Ms. Brenda...you may think that you have the whole world at your feet, every man at your beck and call. But there's one thing you weren't banking on in this whole charade. Jax may just be tired of babysitting and coddling a woman. Maybe he's ready for a real relationship with a 'real' woman...and know what it's like to be 'real' all together. So I'm not challenging you to a duel or anything, I've never fought for a man nor will I start now. But don't you be surprised if Jax decides that he's tired of his perfect little 'toy' he has in you, and goes out and finds another woman...or should I say, 'a' woman. 'Cause you're not a woman, Brenda...you are a toy. A distraction. Something a man will tire of...eventually. Eventually, when he gets sick of staring at the only thing that's keeping him around....that pretty little face of yours. Because without that face, you are nothing...nothing but an empty, self-centered brat. Someone who runs and throws a tantrum when she doesn't get her way, then when no one pays any attention to you or chases you down, you come back and say 'oh...I was just kidding! Well, fine...but I know that I 'm not backing away, I'm not running away from Jax, because I love him for 'him'.

Brenda glares at Lorraine, eyes slits. "Well, you just do what you want...you'll see. Jax has always loved me, and always will."

Lorraine smiles at Brenda, sinisterly. "Fine...then we'll see what he has to say about it. Because that's what counts, Brenda...what Jax says, and what he wants."

"Fine...then I have nothing to worry about, do I?" Brenda said sarcastically.

Lorraine stared down at Brenda, almost snarling at her. "Don't bet on it, babe." With that, Lorraine turns and lets herself out the front door.

Brenda stands there, not realizing she was physically shaking on the inside. 'She doesn't scare me...not at all.' Brenda told herself. She wasn't sure of who she was trying to convince.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

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