Jax and Alexis were riding in the elevator up to the Penthouse, hand in hand. They were both laughing heartily as Jax told her a funny story about one of his business associates, when the elevator doors flew open, revealing Ned, who was standing with his back to them and a bouquet of roses in his hand. Alexis quickly dropped Jax's hand nervously. "Ned! What are you doing here?" Alexis asked apprehensively. Ned whirled around to face them. "There you guys are! You've been gone for what seemed like hours," he joked. "I was just about to send out the search party." Ned stepped forward and handed Alexis the flowers, drawing her into an embrace at the same time. Jax felt his entire body tense at the scene in front of him and he hurried past them to open the Penthouse. "Thank you, these are beautiful," Alexis kissed Ned lightly on the cheek as her eyes wandered past him to glance at Jax's back. "Come on inside," she told him as she gently broke away from the embrace and walked into the Penthouse. Jax, unable to control the feelings of jealously raging in the pit of his stomach, decided to leave the room. "So where were you guys anyway?" Ned asked. Jax touched Alexis' arm lightly, sending chills racing down her spine. "I'll just be in my room if you need me Lex," he whispered to her. "Ok," Alexis answered softly, resisting the overwhelming urge to look into his deep blue eyes. Alexis reminded herself that she wasn't supposed to be feeling these feelings...but she couldn't deny the conflict in her heart. She forced herself to focus on Ned. "I'm sorry, what were you saying?" Ned's face grew concerned. "I was just asked where you had been. Are you okay Alexis?" Alexis' face grew pale at the thought of having to tell Ned about her husband's latest purchase. She had been so blissfully happy about her new home just minutes ago, but she knew that Ned was going to ruin this for her, she just knew it. Alexis swallowed nervously. "I'm fine! Jax and I were just...we were visiting the new house we bought.." Ned's smile immediately disappeared from his face and was replaced by a confused scowl. "What do you mean 'we'?" Alexis, unable to stand still any longer, set the flowers on the desk and walked back into the kitchen to get a vase. "Well, it was actually mostly Jax...but you should see the house Ned, it's absolutely beautiful. And there's a gate out front so we won't have to worry about Gertrude or any of her spies--" Alexis called out. Ned quickly followed her, his anger beginning to build. "Who the hell does Jax think he is," Ned fumed, "buying a house for the two of you?! This is just so ridiculous--Alexis, look at me when I talk to you--" Alexis whirled around angrily to face him. "WHY?! So you can yell at me? So you can blow this whole thing way out of proportion and then throw it in my face every chance you get? All my life I have dreamed of having a house like this one, but you can't just let me be happy can you--" Furious, Ned turned around to grab his coat from off of the couch. "I can't be here right now." "I don't think I want you here right now." Alexis answered back icily. Ned opened the door and glared at Alexis, "You know, ever since you married Jax you've been- " "What?" Alexis challenged. "What have I been?" The two stared at eachother for a few silent moments, their tempers inflamed. "Nothing..." Ned said quietly as he turned to leave. "Goodnight Mrs. Jacks." And with that, he slammed the door behind him, leaving Alexis standing alone in the middle of the room with tears in her eyes. She didn't know what she was doing or how she was feeling...Alexis began to collapse weakly onto the floor in tears, only to feel Jax's strong arms come from nowhere to hold her up. Alexis turned to face Jax, unable to speak, tears streaming down her face. Jax pulled her into a tight embrace, smoothing her hair with his strong hands, "Shh...I'm here." ~*~ We've always been best of friends No secrets and no demands But suddenly from somewhere out of the blue, I see a different light around you. One thing I haven't told you, I just want to hold you and never let go. I need to know. ~*~ They stayed wrapped in eachother's arms for a few minutes, neither one uttering a word. Finally, Jax spoke softly, "Do you want to talk about it?" Alexis reluctantly pulled away from him and wiped her face. "I told him about the house..." Jax reached out to gently brush the tears off of her face. "I'm so sorry." Alexis felt herself reach up to hold his hand against her face. "What for?" ~*~ How do I get there from here, How do I make you see? How do I tell you what my heart's been telling me. Lost in your loving arms that's where I wanna be. You know I love you. How do I get there? ~*~ Jax's insides twisted as he felt her hand cup his own. He could barely breathe. "This is all my fault," he managed to choke out, "If I hadn't bought the house--" Alexis shook her head emphatically. "Don't say that Don't make Ned's acting like an ass your fault because it's not. He just couldn't deal with the fact that you have given me something that I have dreamed about my entire life. He can't comprehend how happy you have made me..." "Have I - " Jax gulped, "made you happy?" Alexis smiled for the first time since they had come home. "Blissfully." She told him as the two gazed deeply into eachother's eyes. ~*~ You probably think I've lost my mind. Takin' this chance crossin' that line. But I promise to be truer than true. Dreaming every night with these arms around you. I can't wait any longer, this feeling's getting stronger Help me find a way... ~*~ "You make me happy too," Jax said softly, never breaking the intense gaze. Alexis sighed, "Even with all my problems?" Jax tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. "Our problems." Alexis smiled and closed her eyes as the emotions began to well up within her. "I don't deserve you." ~*~ How do I get there from here, How do I make you see? How do I tell you what my heart's been telling me. Lost in your loving arms that's where I wanna be. You know I love you. How do I get there? ~*~ Jax smiled, deeply affected by her vulnerability. "But you have me." "You're the best friend I've ever had," Alexis told him as the tears began to form in her eyes again. "And I don't ever want to lose you." Jax took Alexis' face into his hands and looked into her eyes. "The feeling is mutual, and don't worry Lex, you'll never lose me. Whatever happens, I will always be there for you." ~*~ I know the shortest distance between two points is a straight line. But I'll climb any mountain that you want me to climb. The perfect combination is your heart and mine. Darlin' won't you give me a sign. How do I get there from here, How do I make you see? How do I tell you what my heart's been telling me. Lost in your loving arms that's where I wanna be. You know I love you. How do I get there? ~*~ "I know." Alexis said simply. And somehow, she did know. She felt more at home in Jax's arms than she could have ever imagined possible, and she believed him when he told her that he would never leave They were both lost in the moment, completely oblivious to the world around them as Jax began to slowly lower his head toward hers...