Thank you for the reviews. This just popped into my brain. While I am not totally opposed to AJ and Elizabeth, something was telling me to tell this story too.

For those who say that Sonny is too old, what about the danger that Elizabeth talked about with Jason? Well, Jason was the one who kept bringing up the danger. And Elizabeth was the one who went to Jason and said they should try anyway, more than once.

As for the age thing, well Sonny was with Emily too (which I didn't mind). Bottom line, some people are not going to like this pairing and if that is the case, well then this story just isn't for you.

Sonny, for me, is hard to write true to character, mainly because he's unpredictable in how he reacts sometimes, but I am doing my best. It's going to be a slow moving story because I really want to build the friendship. That might change though and I might just have them jump. LOL

Enjoy.

I do not own anything, I just borrow.

Sonny sat at his desk in his office, going over some paperwork Max had brought over from the warehouse. Business had been quiet lately, something that he was grateful for. The downside of that, however, was that he had no excuse not to tend to some of the legitimate paperwork that he normally wouldn't have time for.

Sitting back in his chair and throwing the pen on the desk, he laid his head back and closed his eyes. He had been working for a few hours and his eyes were starting to cross.

He opened his eyes and looked up, thinking about just calling it a day and going home. It seemed like a great idea, until he remembered, there wouldn't be anyone there. He was alone, again.

Morgan was supposed to come back from school for the summer and stay with him, but he decided to stay at school and take some summer classes. Of course, he knew it was an excuse. Morgan couldn't come over Christmas break, because he was spending it skiing with friends. He didn't make it for Spring Break either because he had a project due and wanted to use the quiet to really focus.

Sonny blamed himself for his son not wanting to be around. Morgan always felt like he was an afterthought. With all the drama with Michael and Kristina, he was always the one that took a back seat. Yet another thing Sonny regretted. He loved Morgan just as much as his other children, and yet he never took the time to be with his son, to really get to know him. He made an effort to get to know Dante, yet the son who was there, was still in need of a father, he didn't have time for. That was the part that stung, knowing that he did that to his son.

The house was just too big for just him. Now that Connie was not in the picture, there was no one else. It was just him in the house. It felt cold and empty. He didn't even have Jason to come by. They'd mostly talk about business, but there were those moments where Jason would ask for his advice on things, and he would talk about his life, about Sam, and, although not often, Elizabeth.

Sonny thought he might have been the only person who really knew how Jason truly felt about Elizabeth. She was his safe place. She was the one person he could go to and just be, without any expectations, and never really asked for anything in return. The love Jason felt for her went beyond what anyone could imagine. Jason didn't have to even say the words for Sonny to know what she was to him.

Jason loved Sam, of course. She understood his life, and was ready to jump in the line of fire if need be. Jason thought that's what he needed in his life. Elizabeth was a mother, a nurse, and she always thought of others before herself. Jason never wanted her life tainted by the choices he made. But if he ever saw a way to get out and be with her, Sonny knew without a shadow of a doubt he would have taken it, even if he knew that Danny was really his son.

The loss of Jake took its toll on both of them. Jason never really got to be a father to him, but the loss was so palpable, so raw, Sonny's heart broke for his best friend. He had heard through others the spiral Elizabeth went through, both before and after Jake's accident. He didn't pay it much mind, since they weren't close anymore. As he sat and thought about it, guilt for not at least asking about her starting eating at him.

When he bumped into her the night before, it was purely by accident, but it turned out to be something good. He had a lot of guilt he carried around for his part in all the hurt he had caused Elizabeth, and he didn't even realize it until they talked.

He was glad that, while she was hurting, The AJ and Carly situation didn't break her spirit. The woman had been through so much already in her life, and it was the last thing she needed.

He was glad that he was there for her, as she was for him. She was still the same loving, kind person she always was. Why had he tossed that aside?

Well, he thought to himself, not anymore.

A knock on the door brought him out of his musings.

"Come in," he yelled.

The door opened, Max's head peeking through, "Boss, it's 3 o'clock. You told me to let you know."

Sonny nodded, "Yeah, I did. We got that shipment coming in, and I wanna be there. Thanks Max."

"Sure thing, Mr. C," he said as he went to close the door.

Standing up, he took his suit jacket off his chair and pulled it on as he walked out the door

As he closed his office door behind him, he turned, only to be greeted with Elizabeth at the counter, ordering. He smiled at her as she ordered.

"Can I have a large mocha latte, with extra sprinkles, please?" She asked, smiling.

"That is on the house," Sonny told the barista behind the counter.

Elizabeth turned her head and glared at him, yet with a smile on her face "Now Sonny that is totally not necessary. "

His dimples came out to play as he walked over to her, "It's my establishment, and in my establishment, I take care of my friends."

She leaned her hip against the counter and faced him, smiling, "Well then, thank you."

"Anytime. It's a standing order. Coffee for you is on the house," he walked closer. "Not that I'm complaining, but you normally frequent Kelly's. "

Elizabeth shrugged, thanking the girl as she handed the cup to her. Her eyes clouded a bit as she studied her travel cup.

"I didn't need another run-in with the happy couple."

Sonny nodded, "Yeah, I don't blame you. "

"It's not like I was in love with him, it was way too soon for that. Just tired of always being the one that loses," she said.

He saw the hurt in her eyes, and silently cursed both Carly and AJ. Yet again, both of them went off and did something, totally not thinking of anyone else but themselves.

He reached out and grabbed her shoulders, causing her to look up at him. His brown eyes met her azure ones, his voice low and soothing.

"He was not worthy of you anyway. Believe me, you deserve much better than AJ Quartermaine. "

She grinned, reaching up and grabbing one of his hands that were resting on her shoulder, squeezing.

"Yeah, well I think this is the universe's way of telling me I'm doomed to be alone."

"Nah, I don't believe that. There is someone for you. You are too good a woman."

Her grin turned down, "That's very sweet of you to say, but I'm not all that good. I've made so many mistakes-"

"So who's perfect? Carly has gotten away with so many crappy things, and she gets to be happy. The mistakes you made are in the past right?" She nodded. "All we can do is try to be better than we were."

She smiled up at him, bringing his hand down from her shoulder and squeezing softly.

"You know, I think this whole friend thing just might work out after all," she said, her voicing sounding lighter.

He laughed softly and nodded, "Absolutely."

"Thank you. Now, I'm going to take my yummy free drink and get to work before Epiphany sicks the hounds on me."

"That woman scares me. And I've dealt with a lot of dangerous people."

She laughed, "Yeah she can be intimidating when she wants."

"I am on my way out, too. Do you need a ride."

She shook her head, "No I have my car. But thanks."

He nodded, "Let me walk you out." He led her to the door, opening it for her .

They walked in comfortable silence until they got to the driver's door of her car. She turned toward him and smiled.

"Thank you for the coffee, and the conversation." She smiled up at him, and his heart warmed.

"You're welcome, for both," he said, showing those dimples.

She placed her hand on his chest and leaned up, kissing his cheek softly, then moved back to look up at him, her hand remaining.

"Please be careful," she whispered, as if she suddenly remembered what he did.

He reached up and squeezed her hand softly, and nodded.

"I will," he whispered, his cheek tingling from the soft kiss.

She stood there for a moment longer, as though she didn't want to leave, then pulled away and opened the car door. He stepped away and slid his hands into the pockets of his slacks, watching as she pulled away.

Yet again, she really didn't do much but be her, and he felt lighter. His thoughts earlier were filled with guilt and hurt, and she came along, and made him feel good again.

It was then he determined that he wanted to make sure that his friendship with this special woman would be solid, and would never falter again. Jason was right when he told him once that his world was better when Elizabeth was a part of it.

He would protect her, of course. Being his friend came with danger. He would make sure her and her boys were safe.

Smiling, he buttoned his suit jacket up and walked toward his car, sliding into the back as Max held the door open for him.