The Quiet Before the Storm
by bcandylandgirl

Part 2

April 22, 2003, 2:16 PM

Alexis walked swiftly down the quiet suburban street. It was too short a distance to waste gas on. Besides, where she was going she could be there in a matter of minutes. "Why not walk?” she thought. “ Maybe it'll even give me some time to think before I get there. Get my thoughts in order."

The dark clouds of April loomed overhead, threatening to break at any time today. She had heard on the news that they were expecting rain but she secretly hoped the weatherman was wrong. The thought of it saddened her for some reason, like if it did it would be life changing. Good or bad? She didn't know. "Get a hold of yourself Alexis. Everything's going to be fine. Stay strong for her." Shaking off the nagging feeling, she continued down the street trying to push the bad thoughts away from her mind.

Although she hated the thought of having to continue on with her sessions, she was more than willing to comply with the judge’s provision for out patient therapy. She agreed to these conditions with the added bonus that she could once again return to her apartment. She couldn't exactly call it a home since her baby girl Kristina was not there yet with her. After having spent a month in the hospital she was more than ready to go home, and he could see it in her eyes too. Cameron was able to help Alexis remain calm, for most of the time she spent there anyway. “Kristina” did peek out a few times, laying into him about upsetting Alexis, but on some level he gained the trust of Kristina too, though she wouldn't admit it. Cameron was someone they could both trust. He showed Alexis that she could handle the blows of life, she always could. Her main problem was asking for and accepting help when she needed it. To be vulnerable was not a sin, it just made her human.

Her trust in Cameron only deepened when he was able to help clear up the Alcazar mess. The evidence he turned over to the police was enough for them to find her not guilty of murder by reason of insanity. Alexis didn’t like being labeled as “crazy” but if it meant she could be free to get the help she needed to get her daughter back, then she was willing to do whatever was needed to do so. The only bonus to this situation was that the court records were sealed. Any mention of her admittance to the hospital and the subsequent therapy sessions she had to adhere to were kept secret. The only information released to the press was that Alexis Davis was found not guilty of the Alcazar murder. Judge Griffin, still one of Alexis’ greatest fans, was able to finagle this, something Alexis will always be grateful for.

She wasn't practicing law for the time being. She felt too guilty at the prospect of handling any cases and not giving the 100% she felt her clients deserved under her current condition. It was easier to tell them that she needed a break than letting the world know the extent of her condition. Besides, once “little one” was home she had no intention of leaving her side. She would be a full time mother for at least a year. Her drive to win in the courtroom was still one of the many pleasures she reveled in, but motherhood had put that priority on the back burner for the time being. The law would always be there. But you can't get back the precious moments you share with your child.

Cameron and Jax kept their promise to help her in anyway they could. And the fear that Ned would take her baby away was now a thing of the past.

Walking towards the terminal for his flight, Ned thought about the events of the last two months. His life had changed dramatically. Jax, his and Alexis' long time friend had convinced Ned of meeting with Cameron to help Alexis. While helping Alexis Ned found that he had his own issues to work out as well. Letting baby Kristina go was the most important. He learned that he couldn't replace Brook-Lynn with someone else's child. It wasn't right. And holding baby Kristina's paternity over Alexis' head wasn't helping her to get better either. He finally decided to let the baby remain at the hospital where she could be near her mother. You can receive no greater love than that of a true parent. And he knew by his actions he didn't deserve to be a father to Kristina. A father wouldn't play on the weaknesses of its mother to seek revenge. A true father would do what is best for the child. And that's what he intended to do. Ned slowly but surely cut all ties with Faith. Letting his vendetta go. He may never like Corinthos, but he couldn't worry about that right now. Ned had a daughter that he didn't know very well, waiting for him in Brooklyn. As he took his seat on the plane and settled in, he looked out the window. He smiled inwardly at the vision of his little girl waiting for him. "I wanted a chance to be a father, and now I can. I just have to take it and make the most of it."

As Alexis turned the corner leading to Cameron's house, she thought about all the promises he had made to her. The most important being to help her get better so she could bring “little one” home. This thought alone pushed her to make each and every appointment he scheduled. Sometimes she even took it upon herself to meet with him, making it look as if it were a chance encounter. She'd wait for him to drop by for his daily cup of coffee at Kelly's, or hang around the lobby of General Hospital after she visited Kristina to catch a word with him. Mostly to hear his reassuring words that she could one day soon show her daughter how much her mommy loved her. Show her daughter what a real home; full of love could be like. A home Alexis herself had never known. She would never really admit that she couldn't have survived these last two months without Cameron's help. He knew this, and so did she. But he was glad to take part in her little game of “accidentally” bumping into him around town. At least she was reaching out. That's all he could hope for. She still had a few issues with control to work out, but she was well on her way towards recovery.

Cameron paced the length of his living room, impatiently awaiting the arrival of Alexis. He knew that lately he was acting as if he was a schoolboy in love, but that didn't matter. Not in the grand scheme of things. He knew that they weren't meant to be. She loved him, but as a friend, and there was nothing he could do about it. Besides, as long as he could count on her as a friend he knew he'd be ok.

She helped him to understand some things about himself as well. Things he didn't want to hear, but had to know nonetheless. He had turned his back on his son, and he was now able to admit the part he played in the downward spiral of his youngest sons life. He and Alexander were making progress. Alexis had set up a few dinner dates for the three of them over the last four weeks since she had been out of the hospital. He knew it would take much time to mend the broken pieces of his relationship with his son, but time was all he had. How could he ask his patients to forgive if he couldn't ask that of himself? Alexis had helped him to find his way back to his son, and he'd do whatever he could to repay her. Even letting his feelings of love for her stay hidden within his heart.

The familiar knock at the door startled him out of his thoughts. Blowing out a breath meant to calm his nerves, he took a tentative step towards the door.

Opening it, he saw her. She looked enchanting as always. He looked at her momentarily dumbstruck, thinking, "How am I ever going to get over her? It won't be easy. I know that."

Finally finding the courage to speak, he covered his hurt feelings with a humble smile, and spoke her name in greeting. "Alexis."

part 3