INTRODUCTION

This is my story, called Through Good Times and Bad. It starts the morning after the 6th Annual Nurses Ball.

To understand my story properly, you have to forget a couple things. First of all, Helena never made Alexis defend Tony Jones,
therefore Alexis and Luke never plotted to kill her and Katherine never took her swan dive off the parapet. Alan is still a
drug-addict, Helena is perfectly fine, Nikolas and Emily are dating and Stefan and Katherine are married and they have a 1 ½
year old daughter named Kaitlin. Ned and Alexis have admitted that they love each other, and Alexis and Nikolas are very
close, but she can’t stand Katherine and Stefan. Jax and V are married, and Alexis is still trying to take over the Cassadine
Empire with the help of Jax. Also, AJ is still CEO of ELQ, and Lucky never died.

I have a mailing list, so if you would like to be on it, e-mail me at nexisrocks@yahoo.com .

Okay, I think that’s it, so here’s my story. Enjoy!

CHAPTER 1

It’s the morning after the 6th Annual Nurses Ball. Ned and Alexis are in the bedroom of Alexis’ suite, both sleeping.

The phone by Alexis’ bedside rings, bringing her out of her restful slumber. She glances at Ned, who is still sleeping peacefully,
before picking up the phone.

Alexis: (sleepily) "Lo? I mean, Alexis Davis." She rubs the sleep out of her eyes, almost fully awake now.

Jax: (on the other end, cheerfully) "Hello, partner!"

Alexis: (testily) "Are you aware that it’s…" she glances at the clock, "…. five thirty in the morning?!"

Jax: "Yes, I’m very aware of that, but there were some developments overnight that I think you should know about."

Alexis: "Alright, what is it?"

Jax: "I’d rather not tell you over the phone. Could you be over at my place in…" he checks his watch, "…. an hour?"

Alexis: "No way! One, it’s way too early to be going anywhere, and two, I have to be here for Ned. He’s taken being booted
out of ELQ really hard. Now, you can either tell me what it is you think I should know right now over the phone, or you can
wait until the next time you see me."

Jax: "Well, I really don’t want to tell you this over the phone, so I guess I’ll have to tell you the next time I see you."

Alexis: "Good. Now, I’m going away for a few days, so I expect that you’ll continue our research while I’m gone, and no, you
won’t be able to reach me."

Jax: "Alexis, I really don’t think that that’s a great idea, not now."

Alexis: "Jax, I need a vacation, so I’m going to take one, and that’s final. Now I have to go. Goodbye." She hangs up the phone,
then looks over at Ned and gives a smile before getting up to make the final arrangements for her trip.

Three hours later….

Ned wakes up to find Alexis’ side of the bed empty. Getting up, he grabs his robe and walks into the main room, where he sees
Alexis sitting on the couch drinking coffee and reading the newspaper.

Ned: "Good morning, gorgeous."

Alexis looks up from the newspaper and grins.

Alexis: "Good morning to you, too." She moves over and motions for Ned to come join her on the couch.

Ned sits, putting his arm around her, and they sit on the couch in companionable silence for a few minutes.

Alexis: (quietly) "I ordered room service. It should be here any minute now." She looks at him and notices the tears in his eyes.
"Are you okay?"

Ned just stares at her, unable to speak as a lone tear rolls down his cheek. Alexis puts her arms around him and pulls him close,
wishing that she could take away his pain.

Alexis: (abruptly) "We’re going away." Ned looks at her curiously, so she explains, "We both need a vacation, and you need to
get away from your family. I already have it all planned. We’re going to Bali for a week, and on the way there we’re going to
make a brief stop in Chicago for an Oprah show.

Ned: "What’s the topic?"

Alexis: (getting up and walking to the other side of the room) "I didn’t ask. I figured I would let it be a surprise."

Ned: "That sounds great! When do we leave?"

Alexis: "Our flight leaves in…" she checks her watch, "two hours. I’m already packed, and I packed your clothes last night. Our
suitcases are in my car."

Ned: "We have two hours left before we have to leave…." He grins seductively.

Alexis: "What are you implying, Mr. Ashton?"

Ned: "Why don’t you come over here and find out, Ms. Davis?"

Alexis grins and walks over to him, where he stands to meet her. He kisses her passionately, and clothes are hastily discarded as
they fall back onto the couch and begin to make love.

One and a half hours later…..

Alexis: (tugging on Ned’s sleeve) "Come on, we have to leave now or we’re going to be late."

Ned: (laughing) "I’m coming, I’m coming!"

Ned and Alexis leave the suite for the airport.

On the plane….

Ned and Alexis are both sleeping, but are awakened by the pilot announcing that they were going to be arriving in Chicago
shortly. Ned and Alexis grin at each other, both happy to be here with each other, eagerly awaiting this next week.