Four little words would change her life forever. She had left Port Charles and all the drama behind and never wanted to look back. A cruel twist of fate sucked her back in and she is just hoping that she'll survive it.

A/N – It has been a while, but here's a Brazen fic for you.

Chapter 1

"Brenda, I need you."

She sucked in a harsh breath and slowly got to her feet as the hair on her arms rose. "Jason?"

"Please…"

"Where are you?"

"I'm in an alley."

She looked around frantically for Felix and when she finally located him, she waved her arm wildly. "That's not enough to go on. Are you in Italy?"

"Yes."

"Okay. Tell me where you were before you went into the alley."

He tried to focus, but it was so hard. His head is throbbing and he can't move. "Pasticceria—"

"—Ernst Knam. I got it. I'll be right there. Don't hang up."

"Tired."

"Jason Morgan! Don't you dare fall asleep!"

Her staff stopped to turn and look at her, wondering who had set her off. Brenda yelled a lot, but this time it just seemed different. There was a hint of desperation in her voice.

"Felix! I need you to drive me somewhere—now." Tears are now flowing down her cheeks leaving everyone speechless.

Her assistant snapped out of it and grabbed her purse and pulled her towards the elevator.

She put the phone against her chest. "He never calls me. He hates me. Oh God, it must be bad." Jason Morgan is not an easy man to get close to and unfortunately, he had been a part of so many bad memories because of Sonny, that it is hard for her to separate him from her hatred. Does she hate him? Her head physically shook. No, she doesn't, but she's not sure how to categorize what he means to her. In ways, he had saved her from insanity, but sometimes he drove her towards it. That didn't matter now. For the first time since the accident, he needed her, and she doesn't intend to let him down.

Felix watched her take a few deep breaths and then she brought the phone back up to her ear. "Talk to me."

"I'm sorry. I failed everyone. I—I don't hate you, Brenda." He really doesn't. She got on his nerves, but they were long past the hate. Pain is something he understands and Brenda lives there too. Her love life always sucked because she picked people who were unavailable in one way or another or who weren't willing to be what she needed. So many times he had come after her when her heart got broken. No one could comprehend their bond and Sonny had given up trying to long ago.

He fell silent and her breath quickened as she assumed the worse. "Dammit Jason! Yell at me like you always do. I don't care, but you will not die on me!" She always knew that she could come to him if something went wrong and right now, she wishes that she had come to him when things were good so he didn't feel like she used him like everyone else. That is something that she is willing to rectify if she gets the chance.

Felix motioned for her to go out front so she wouldn't lose the call and he ran to the garage.

"You'll be fine." His voice is edgy and weak, further putting her on edge.

"You're going to make me say it, aren't you?"

"What?"

"You are my friend and have always been there when I needed you, no matter how much you drove me crazy. I love you, Jason. Please, fight."

He swallowed languidly as a bolt of pain seared through his body. Maybe she needed to hear it as much as felt he needed to hear himself say it. "Love you too." Those words were not said to appease her, they had never said them because neither wanted to admit that they were closer than they ever let on.

And that was the last thing she heard before the line went dead. For a moment, she was stunned silent that those words would ever leave his lips and then she decided that he must be delirious.

Felix pulled up the car, and she jumped inside.

"I need you to drive like you are late for a date with Zac Efron!"

"Damn. I'm on it."

She dialed her phone and hoped to God that he picked up. "Brent?"

"Brenda?"

"I need a very huge favor?"

"What's going on?"

"I have a friend who is injured and he can't go to a hospital because someone might try to hurt him. Can you help me?"

The man sighed, knowing he probably is going to be in deep shit for going along with one of her crazy schemes. "Brenda…"

"Please! I will do anything. We're going to pick him up. Can you meet me at my flat?"

"Fine, but you owe me some front row tickets to fashion week."

"Done. You need to bring antibiotics and he could be shot."

"I'll bring my bag and all the necessities. I'm on my way."

"Thank you."

She ended the call as the car turned down the street before the alley. It is dark, and she is a little nervous. "Why are all my guy friends besides Jason gay?" she blurted, making Felix grin.

"Because we have style."

"Style is not going to help me in that alley." It had been quite a while since she had seen Jason—too long. In her mind, she tried to picture his face, and she brushed away a tear at the memory.

Felix eased the car down the alley and then came to a stop towards the middle and they got out.

"Jason?"

There is complete silence as they race to the other side of a garbage container where Jason lay very still. Felix shined a light on him. "Gorgeous, but very large. How the hell are we going to get him into the car?"

Brenda sighed. "He's way bigger than the last time I saw him. We don't have a choice. He could die."

They struggled to sit him up and then Felix put his forearms under Jason's arms and started to drag him. "Jesus, he weighs a ton."

Brenda opened the door and Felix got him to the opening and then sat down inside and tried to drag him onto the seat. Brenda lifted Jason's feet and after several minutes of struggling, they managed to get him in, laying half on top of her assistant.

She grabbed the keys and got in.

"Brenda, you don't drive."

"I do tonight." She hates driving in Europe more than going without makeup. The car lurched, and she peeled out and Felix started mumbling prayers. When she jerked the car into a turn, he yelped and gripped Jason tighter.

"Brenda, I would like to get to your place in one piece and I love this car."

"Shut it. And what are you complaining about? You have a gorgeous man in your lap."

He gazed at Jason. "You have a point. Take your time."

"Smart ass."

After about fifteen minutes, they arrived at her flat and Brent is standing outside waiting. They parked in her garage and Brent followed.

"Where is he?"

"He's unconscious on the backseat."

Felix slipped out. "It's your turn to do the heavy lifting." Brent has muscles for days.

Brent rolled his eyes and handed Brenda his bag and then he easily got Jason out of the car and Felix grabbed his legs and helped him get him aside.

"Guest bedroom," she called out.

They put Jason on the bed and then got his leather jacket off. His face is bruised, and he has a large bump on his head and when the doctor peeled his shirt up, he groaned.

"I'm going to be sick," Felix said turning around at the sight of dried blood and pus.

"He has an infection. I'm going to clean the stab wound and then inject him with some antibiotics. You need to make sure he takes two a day and clean his wound. It's not really deep, but it's raging." Brent felt Jason's head. "He has a slight fever too, that will probably get worse before it gets better."

"Will you stop by tomorrow night and check on him?"

"Yes."

"Thank you."

"What does he mean to you, Brenda?"

"He's my ex-husband and a friend."

Once he got Jason all cleaned up, he bandaged the wound and started to cut Jason's shirt off.

"Felix!"

He poked his head in the doorway. "Yeah?"

"It's covered, but I need your help."

Felix moved towards the bed as he admired Jason's still form. "Damn. Does he live in a gym?"

Brenda rolled his eyes. "Just help Brent."

Between the two of them, they got his shirt and jeans off and then situated him on the bed.

"And you were married to that?" Brent asked.

"It was a marriage of convenience."

"Having him as a sex toy would be a great convenience," Felix said making Brent chuckle.

She threw a sheet over Jason, not feeling like explaining. "Enough ogling."

"She always ruins our fun," Brent said.

"Totally."

They went into the living room. "I can't thank you enough for this."

Felix gave her a hug. "You want me to stay?"

"I can't ask you to do that."

"I know, but I would. You're more than a boss. You're my best friend."

She rubbed his back before breaking their contact. "It's okay. Go have some fun and I'll call you in the morning. I think I'll just work from home tomorrow."

"Okay. I'll drop your laptop off at lunch and bring you something to eat."

She slightly smiled. "Thanks."

"What am I, chopped liver?"

"Brent, would you like a hug?"

He nodded, and she embraced him.

"Why are all my gays so high maintenance?"

"We're not the ones laying in your guestroom with a stab wound."

She made a face. "Point taken."

They left, and she went back to the room and stood in the doorway. He always looks so peaceful when he sleeps. She kicked off her shoes and crawled into the bed and held his hand. After a few minutes, she fell asleep.

IiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiI

The next morning, Jason's eyes blinked open, and he tried to focus. Feeling hot, he tries to move and then feels someone laying on his arm. "What the hell?"

Her head shot up. "Jason?" She blew some hair out of her face and their eyes locked.

"Brenda? Where am I?"

"In my flat."

"How did you find me?"

"Don't you remember? You called me and told me that you needed me."

He blinked a few times. "Am I hallucinating?"

She scowled. "Seriously?"

"What's wrong with me?"

"You have an infection from a stab wound and probably a mild concussion. Do you remember what happened to you?"

He closed his eyes. "Yes." Everything hurts, and he is exhausted.

After waiting for him to speak when he didn't, she growled and got out of the bed and went into the bathroom and got a washcloth and started wiping him down.

"Feels good."

"I'm glad. Are you going to tell me or not?"

"Don't want to talk about it."

She let it go and continued to clean him up.

"Thank you."

She is surprised that he is being nice. "You're welcome." Grabbing the pills, she took one out and made him take it. "Do you want a pain pill?"

"Yes." When she froze, he glanced at her.

"You never want pain pills."

"Well, I do now."

To say she is worried would be an understatement, but she gave him one.

"I just want to sleep and maybe it will all go away."

She stroked his face. "Then sleep. I won't leave you."

He passed out a few minutes later, and she changed his bandage and then went into the living room and called the only person she knew that might know what the hell is going on.

IiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiI

Robin grabbed her phone. "Hello?"

"It's Brenda."

"Hey. What's going on?"

"I can't get a hold of Jason and I was wondering if you knew where he is."

Robin walked into an empty room. "Are you in trouble?"

"No. Is he in town?"

"I don't know how to tell you this."

Brenda closed her eyes. "Go on."

"Michael was shot in Sonny's warehouse when Jason wasn't there. He was in a coma for two weeks and then he passed away."

"Oh my God."

"It was bad. Sonny was a mess and Jason spiraled out of control. He disappeared, and no one has heard from him since. We're not sure if he's alive or dead." The devastation left in Jason's wake was incredible. The penthouse was torn to shreds and on top of that, when Elizabeth had seen the devastation, she had collapsed and told Robin that they had been discussing getting married, but when Michael got shot, they had both agreed it was safer not too. She was scared for her boy's safety and so was Jason. Sometimes, love just isn't enough.

Brenda wiped a tear away. "Everyone must be devastated."

"We're all still in shock. The funeral is in three days and Carly is losing her mind without Jason around. I just have this feeling that if he is alive, he's not coming back. I have never seen him look so far gone."

Knowing how much Michael means to Jason, it's not a surprised that he is a hot mess.

"If you hear from him, will you let me know?"

"Of course."

"Thanks." She hated lying to Robin, but her need to protect Jason when he is in a bad place trumped their friendship. "Please give Sonny and Carly my condolences."

"I will."

Brenda hung up. Now that she knew why Jason wanted to make the pain go away, she is determined to be a good friend to him and see him through this.

IiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiI

Brent came to check on Jason and wasn't happy with his condition. "His fever is worse."

"Can you do anything?"

"The medicine needs to kick in and his body needs to fight."

She sighed. "He doesn't have a lot of fight in him right now."

"We'll just have to wait it out and if worse comes to worst, we'll have to get him to a hospital."

She nodded. That would be the last thing that Jason wanted and could endanger his life further.

"Keep wiping him down and call me if he regains consciousness. I'll stop by tonight and bring dinner."

"Thank you."

He left, and she cleaned Jason up and decided to make a phone call, hoping that she won't regret it.

"Hello?"

"It's Brenda. If you're not alone, don't let anyone know that you're talking to me."

Francis stood as Sonny and Max watched him. They are all on Jason alert. "Is the shipment okay?" He walked into the hallway and then into another room. "Are you in trouble?" She and Jason have a weird relationship, but he knows that his boss would want her protected.

"I need a guard. I can't tell you why and they can't say a word to anyone. Seriously Francis, it's a matter of life and death."

He could hear the desperation in her voice and decided that she wasn't being over dramatic. "Okay. I'll send someone. If something happens before that, I'll text you Maximus Giambetti's number. If you call, tell him that Jason gave you the number and he'll take care of you."

"Thank you so much. How long?"

"He'll be there in the morning."

"I don't even know how I can repay you."

"Don't worry about it, just stay safe."

"I will."

He ended the call and then dialed again. "Where are you?"

"Venezuela. I checked the usual haunts and I can't find him," Johnny said.

"You're needed elsewhere."

"What could be more important than finding Jason by the funeral?"

"Brenda."

Johnny rolled his eyes. "Francis, I don't have time for her drama. I seriously don't understand how Jason puts up with her."

"She is in trouble and you can't tell anyone where you are going or who you are with. Is that clear?"

Johnny frowned. "Yeah." This doesn't sound good at all.

"Jason would want you to take care of her, so do it and don't piss her off."

That is easier said than done.

"If you need help, call Maximus. Sonny cannot know."

"I'll book the first flight out."

"She's expecting you in the morning."

"Got it."

Francis ended the call, hoping that he is doing the right thing.