Elizabeth stood at the edge of the docks, her eyes clouded over with tears as she stares out into the dark water. Her arms were wrapped around her middle tightly, as if to ward herself off from the cold, even though it was well into the 80s that evening.

She'd been duped again. She allowed herself to open her heart to someone again, only to have him stomp on it. AJ played her, said and did all the right things. He worked on her sympathy, on her grief, and used it to get close. He played on her feelings for Jason, and then pulled the rug out from under her.

She shook her head, laughing humorlessly, "So stupid," she berated herself.

She should have known he was too good to be true. She should have realized when she saw him kissing Carly that there was something there. He swore to her that it was all a con and she bought it.

Until earlier, when she walked into Kelly's to grab a quick cup of coffee when she saw them together, at a table holding hands, leaning in close to each other. She tried to slip back out without them seeing, but Carly saw her. She walked over to the table, her hands wringing in front of her, and confronted the pair. AJ, looking guilty and remorseful, explained that both he and Carly had been denying the attraction for years, and they finally wanted a chance to be together.

She just nodded, not saying a word, and walked out of the diner. She really didn't know where her feet were taking her until she reached the docks and looked out at the water. That was when she finally let herself cry.

It was fitting, in a way. This was where the man she had been in love with for most of her adulthood died. Though they never really got their shot, she never really got over him. She tried, over and over, but in the end, it always came back to him.

Jason told her they could never be together because his life was too dangerous for her and her boys. It was always that way. He always tried to shield her from the violence his "business." It was why he stayed away from Jake. Ironically, it wasn't his life at all that killed his son.

Maybe that was why she was so ready to try to build something with AJ. He was Jason's brother. While they never had the brotherly relationship since the accident that changed Jason's life, they were still brothers.

In a weird way, they were a lot alike. The resemblance was just the start. AJ had that same ability to sit and listen as she talked, and never judged. As she thought about it, wasn't she just using AJ as a substitute for the man she had loved?

So lost in her thoughts, she didn't hear the footsteps behind her. Sonny was walking along the docks, taking in the summer air when he saw her. She looked deep in thought, obviously with something troubling. He had a feeling he knew what was on her mind.

Carly had come to him that morning, thinking she could ease the shock by telling him she was with AJ, and they were in love. After everything that happened, everything AJ did to her, to Michael, to Kristina, she was actually going to be with him.

While Sonny wasn't in love with Carly, he was still hurt by it. The history alone should have stopped her, but it was more than that. He had heard about AJ and Elizabeth becoming close. Carly yet again disregarded her feelings, and took what she wanted anyway, not really taking Elizabeth into account at all.

While he was concerned for Elizabeth, he never said anything, mainly because he knew he ruined any friendship the two had years ago, and he had no right to interfere in her life. He did know how much she meant to Jason, though. He knew that the life he brought Jason into was part of the reason the two could never get it right. So he said nothing to her, letting her live her life the way she wanted. If anything, he had hoped that her influence could be good for AJ, especially since Michael was working with him at ELQ, and knowing Elizabeth was around made Sonny feel better about the situation. She was a natural mother, and had a caring heart.

Even though their friendship was all but gone, he was upset about how the AJ/Carly situation was affecting her. One of his first thoughts was how she was taking it. He even called Carly out on it. She shrugged her shoulders in her typical way, saying it couldn't be helped. He just shook his head at her and reminded her that this was the woman who gave Jocelyn her son's kidney. Carly actually had the decency to look guilty.

He was so lost in his own thoughts, he forgot he was standing there, staring at the young woman until she called out his name.

"Sonny? Are you okay?"

He came out of his musings and immediately smiled, his dimples deep, his cheeks slightly red from being caught. He stuck his hands in his pockets and looked down, almost shy-like. If it were anything else, she would have bought it, but this was Sonny Corinthos, he didn't do shy.

"Yeah, sorry about that. I'm fine, really. How are you Elizabeth?"

She smiled at him, one of those smiles he recognized from her. Jason had told her that Elizabeth had two different smiles, and if you paid attention enough, you can tell which one was real and which was fake, you just had to look into her eyes. This was definitely a fake smile.

"I'm doing good, thanks. Are you sure you are okay?"

Sonny shrugged, his hands still in his pockets, and nodded, "Yeah, yeah, I'm good. Just got lost in thought." He looked up at her and watched as she nodded uncomfortably, her fingers pulling an unruly piece of hair behind her right ear. "So how are you?" He asked, his voice sincere.

She looked up at him, a bit surprised at his worried tone, "You want to know how I'm doing after finding out about AJ and Carly, right?"

He nodded, "I know you were getting close with him. It can't be easy, especially since this is Carly we're talking about."

Elizabeth chuckled and shook her head, "Yeah, well I should have seen it coming."

Sonny wasn't sure what she meant by that, but he decided to let it go.

"Well, all I can say is, you were too good for him anyway."

He saw Elizabeth smile, and noticed that her eyes were gradually changing, revealing that it was sincere, "Thank you, Sonny. I think I'm just unlucky, excuse the pun, in the love department."

"Well then, we should join a club," Sonny said, trying to lighten the mood, but the words held a seriousness to them.

Elizabeth saw the pain in the man's eyes, and despite all the ugliness between the two, her heart went out to him. She reached out with her right hand and pulled his left out of his pocket, squeezing softly.

"I heard about Kate, or Connie as she is calling herself. I know you stood by her. I'm so sorry, Sonny."

He smiled at her softly, taking his other hand out of his pocket and placing it over hers. "Thank you, Elizabeth. It's been a few months, but I thought we'd have a lifetime together."

Elizabeth's hand felt warm and inviting between his two larger ones. Her eyes moved from their hands up to his face, and found his brown orbs.

"I know that we've had our differences in the past. I made a lot of mistakes-"

"As did I," he interjected, looking back into her eyes.

She smiled at his admission, "Just so you know, if you ever really need to talk, I've been told I'm a good listener."

His dimples came out to play then, his smile genuine, "That goes the same for me. I'm not as good as Jason was-"

The name lingered in the air a moment, both parties' smiles suddenly disappearing from their faces.

"I miss him so much Sonny, " she whispered, her voice laced with sadness.

He nodded solemnly, "I do too."

He pulled softly on her hand, bringing her to him and enveloped her in his arms. Her head rested against his hard chest, and her eyes closed. Her arms slipped around his waist, her hands clasped behind him. They stood that way for a few moments, giving in to a grief they thought they had overcome.

Realizing where she was and what she was doing, Elizabeth stepped back, reluctantly. While she was enjoying the contact, she knew it had to end eventually. They weren't even friends anymore.

"I, uh, I should get going," she said, hoping she wasn't revealing her nervousness at their interaction. "The boys are with my Gram for a few hours, and I promised I would bring pizza over."

He reluctantly let her go, suddenly feeling cold even with the warm temperature and nodded, "Yeah, me too. Morgan is coming home and staying with me. Gotta get home and make sure his room is ready and everything."

She smiled and nodded, pausing for a moment before saying, "Thank you, Sonny. I know we aren't close anymore-"

"Anytime, Elizabeth. I meant what I said, if you ever just need an ear, I want to be there," he responded. "I would like our friendship back. I think Jason would like that."

Elizabeth's eyes filled up with unshed tears and she nodded, "I know he would be comforted to know that the people he cared about were there for each other. And I would like our friendship back too. I'll tell you a little secret, "she leaned in, wiping her cheek softly, with a small smile on her face, "I kinda missed you."

He laughed softly, "Yeah? Me too."

She laughed with him, taking his hand and squeezing, enjoying the feeling of his warm skin.

"Have a good night, Sonny."

His fingers tingled where her hand held his, and he was enjoying the contact.

"You too."

She let go and walked up the steps, a smile still on her face. While she was still upset about current events, a part of her felt better because she was repairing a long-thought forgotten relationship. The thought brought a thrill in her she never thought would be there.

Sonny watched as she walked up the steps. His eyes could not move from the woman until she was finally out of site. Once gone, his gaze moved toward the water. He took in a deep breath, and smiled to himself.

His life was always so chaotic and if he was honest, a mess. So why, after that interaction with a woman he had barely said two words to in the past few years, did he feel that things were looking up?