Returning to a Friend
by Cowgirl

Part 10

Alexis rounded the corner and strode toward the entrance to the park. She walked briskly, her heart light knowing that in a few minutes she would be seeing her daughter. She made her way to the appointed meeting spot and stopped. A smile grew across her face and she started her journey towards the baby carriage and it's driver. "What a surprise," she said warmly as she hugged her ex-husband.

Jax wrapped his arms around her and hugged her tightly. "It's nice to see you too," he said, holding her back at arm's length.

Alexis nodded her head in the direction of the carriage. "So Ned's letting just anyone take my peanut for a spin in the park?"

Jax gasped in mock offense. "I'm hardly just anyone," he smiled. "I was at the Quartermaine's for a stockholder's meeting and Ned mentioned he was going to take Kristina here to the park for your weekly visit." He shrugged his shoulders. "I told him I would love to spend a little time with my favorite ex-wife, and he thought it would be all right."

Alexis laughed and bent down to kiss her daughter. "It's all right. I was only kidding," she said as she cooed at her daughter. "Hello mommy's girl," she said, lifting Kristina out of her carriage and holding her up to her face. "Mommy misses you so much ... yes she does." She brought her face to Kristina's and rubbed their noses together. "Mommy hates every second of being away from you." She moved and sat down on the nearby bench, placing Kristina on her lap. She looked up to see Jax smiling down on her.

"She really loves her mommy," he said smiling.

Alexis felt a twinge in her chest. "She probably doesn't even realize who the strange lady who sees her once a week is."

Jax moved and sat down next to her, spreading his arms out on the back of the bench. "She knows. You can tell when she looks at you. She knows just who you are."

Alexis looked at him and fought back the tears that pooled in her eyes. "I just want her back so badly so we can get on with our lives."

Jax looked at his friend sympathetically and wrapped his arm around her shoulder. "Be patient Alexis. Keep up with your therapy and the six months will be up before you even realize it."

Alexis bowed her head and then looked back to Jax. "I know you mean well Jax, but you couldn't possibly know what it feels like to carry a life inside of you and love it with all your heart before it’s even part of this world." She stroked Kristina's cheek with her finger. "You couldn't know what it feels like to have someone else dictate how and when you can see her. No amount of rationalization can justify separating a child from its mother."

Jax nodded his head. "I know that. I'm sorry ... but its for the best Alexis ... until ... " He trailed off.

"Until I'm sane again?" Alexis finished for him.

Jax pulled her tighter to him and kissed the top of her head. "Alexis, you're still the most sane person I know. You'll get through this and you'll get your daughter back and then you and Ned can work out the rest."

Alexis sighed and bit down on her lip. "Do you really think that old devil of a man is going to just hand over Kristina to me without a fight?" She shook her head. "Edward seems to think she's some sort of prize to be had. I won't let Kristina live like that. As soon as the court awards me custody of her, I'm going to get Kristina as far away from that den of vipers as possible."

Jax leaned forward and rubbed his jaw with his free hand. "Alexis, like it or not Kristina is partly a Quartermaine. They have a right to want to be near her."

Alexis stood up and put a now sleeping Kristina down in her carriage before sitting back down on the bench. She turned her body so she was facing Jax. Taking a deep breath she looked Jax in the eye. "Jax, there's something you should know ... something that's going to come out sooner or later."

Jax grew concerned about what Alexis was about to tell him. "What is it?"

Alexis drew in a breath and held it for a second. "Kristina is no more a Quartermaine than you or I are."

Jax removed his arm from around Alexis and sat forward. "Alexis ... " he said doubtingly.

She held up a hand. "I know what you're thinking, but I'm not going loony on you. Ned is not Kristina's biological father. I never slept with him."

Jax's face was a mask of confusion. "Alexis, I'm obviously missing something here."

Alexis nodded. "Ned thought he was helping me out by claiming paternity. He believed he was protecting Kristina and me, and in the beginning I thought it was the best thing as well." She brought a hand to her forehead and rubbed it vigorously before dropping it back down into her lap. "Now he has this irrational attachment to her ... it's like he really believes he's her father ... "

Jax held up both of his hands. "Wait a minute. Alexis, this is unbelievable. You're telling me that Ned is not the father of your child."

Alexis nodded. "You can ask him," she said softly. "He'll tell you."

Jax sat in bewilderment of the situation.

"Don't you see Jax. Kristina doesn't belong in that house. They have no claim to her and yet I have to sit here and watch them call the shots."

Jax shifted in his seat and drew his eyebrows together. "If Ned isn't the father than who ... " He stopped and his eyes grew wide as the realization hit him. "Oh my God Alexis," he said desperately. "Don't tell me Corinthos is the father," he said, his face growing pale.

Alexis lowered her head and chewed her lip. Finally she gave a small shake of her head. "He is," she said, barely audibly.

Jax brought his hand to his mouth and tried to process what Alexis was saying to him. "I mean ... you indicated to me that something had happened between you and Corinthos, but ... "

"I got knocked up," Alexis said, trying to lighten the mood.

"Obviously he is unaware of his fatherhood."

"Obviously."

"Oh Alexis ... " Jax started.

Alexis stood up. "Don't ... don't oh Alexis me like I'm some poor taken advantage of school girl." She paced in front of the bench, stopping to look down at her daughter. "I knew exactly what I was doing and with whom." She looked at Jax. "And I'm going to tell him about her when the time is right."

Jax stood up. "Alexis, no."

"He has a right to know he has a child."

"You didn't think so up until now."

"I was wrong."

"And now you want to tell him? You know how he'll react Alexis."

Alexis nodded. "I know ... and I probably deserve it."

"You do realize the danger you're putting your daughter in," Jax tried to reason with her.

"You mean any more danger than the danger that just being of Cassadine blood poses?"

Jax couldn't argue with her.

She moved forward and touched his face. "Please don't judge me for this Jax. I made mistakes ... many many mistakes and they've cost me dearly. I just want to try and start putting the pieces of my life back together."

Jax put both of his hands on her shoulders and looked into her eyes lovingly. "I'll support you in whatever you do, you know that."

Alexis nodded. "Thank you ... I haven't exactly had a cheering squad of my own lately."

Jax stepped forward and pulled her into his embrace. "I'm sorry Alexis ... I'm sorry about everything." He stepped back. "Does Ned know you're going to tell him?"

"I discussed it with him."

"And?"

"He says he won't stand in my way if that's what I want to do." Alexis breathed deep. "I don't believe him Jax."

"You don't think ... "

"I think Ned will try to keep a hold on her some how."

Jax looked at the ground and Alexis could tell he was struggling. "I'll help you Alexis. I'll make sure you get your daughter back."

"I never intended to hurt Ned."

"I know."

"I told him he'll always be a part of her life."

Jax hugged her quickly once more and looked at his watch. "I'm afraid that I have to get this little one back to her da ... back to the Quartermaine house." He cringed at the look of despair that hovered across Alexis' face. "We'll think of something Alexis. Hang in there."

Alexis nodded and picked up her daughter before one last hug and kiss before she was whisked away for another week.