Hi all,

I'm back. Not sure how you all are feeling about Sam's daddy Derek, but I'm liking him on the show. He makes an appearance this chapter and he'll be showing up in future chapters. I sincerely feel that Sonny could use some competition when he begins to pursue Alexis. Anyhow, I hope you enjoy and I hope it's not too long.

Chapter 3– Developments

August 14, 2013

Alexis walked into Kelly's and looked around for the man she once thought of as a perfect stranger: Derek Wells. Wells purchased Todd Manning's newspaper when Manning returned to Llanview. She'd first met Derek when he'd come on to her at The Floating Rib. She was hardly insulted. Derek was tall with dark hair and hazel eyes. He also had this smirk that made it seem that he was privy to some inside joke that no one else knew. He was most definitely her type.

Shawn, her ex, gave her a little half smile when she entered Kelly's. It was then that she realized that the reason she didn't date was because she hated the uncomfortable feeling that came with the breakups, and breakups were inevitable, mostly because she had a habit of dating the wrong men as evidenced by the fathers of her children. Shawn was a in the business as every man she'd been with except Ned had been, either directly or by extension. She looked away from Shawn and turned her attention to Derek who was sipping a mug of coffee and reading the morning paper.

"Mr. Wells?" Alexis called his name softly.

"Ah Ms. Davis, you look beautiful. And please…call me Derek."

Alexis replayed the words in her mind. He'd called her beautiful. She wasn't even trying that hard. She wore a simple sheath dress and she hadn't even done anything that special with her hair. It would be a lie if she pretended that she wasn't glad he called her even though she and Shawn hadn't been broken up long. There was something about Derek that drew her to him. She hadn't felt that strongly about anyone since…"

"I'm glad you could make it." Derek extended a hand. He closed his hand firmly around Alexis's hand and allowed it to linger for a few seconds. He rose quickly and pulled out the chair across from his for Alexis. When they first met, he felt as though they had this immediate connection. He felt it even stronger now after he learned that through some weird twist of fate, he was the perfect candidate to donate bone marrow to her grandson.

"I couldn't really say, "no" to the man who is going to save Danny's life, could I?" Alexis swung her hair over her shoulder before she sat. She then realized that it was a bit of a flirtatious move.

He smiled at her. "I think I might enjoy learning what else you now can't say "no" to."

Alexis giggled. How long had it been since she giggled? Probably too long. She realized she missed it.

Sonny knew Alexis's giggle the moment he heard it in Kelly's. His eyes roamed the room as he searched for her familiar profile. He immediately felt annoyed when he saw her with Derek Wells. He was on his way to the table to make his presence known when he heard Kevin's voice.

"Hey Sonny."

Kevin had watched the whole scene from his seat at the table near the door. He'd seen the smile on Sonny's face when he first walked in the door. He'd also seen the way it faded when he spotted Alexis with another man. Yet, in the three conversations they'd had since he ran into Sonny at Alexis's house, Sonny assured him that he and Alexis were only friends. Yet, the expression Sonny wore on his face screamed jealousy and danger. He also saw how Sonny's eyes became fixed on Alexis's table. It was that which propelled Kevin out of his chair. There was no point in the man getting arrested before he could help him work through his issues.

"Hey." Sonny was obviously distracted when he answered.

"You wanted to talk?" Kevin thought it was interesting that Sonny wouldn't make an actual appointment to see him, but he would call him and invite him to coffee. That would work…for now, but eventually, he'd get him into actual therapy. "What's up?"

Sonny had almost forgotten why he called Kevin. He took a deep breath. The he recalled the reason. The night before he'd gone to the grill for a simple dinner alone. Unfortunately, he ran into his brother Zander and his girlfriend, Layla Williamson. Within 5 minutes, Zander lit into him about how much time he'd been spending with Alexis lately. The funny thing was Sonny hadn't thought anything about it. Since Kristina had come home four days ago, he'd had Alexis and the girls over for dinner twice and he'd been to the Lakehouse for dinner once. Yet, every time he left them, it seemed like he hadn't spent nearly enough time with them.

Sonny's mind replayed the incident. He came to the grill and went to the bar to order a drink. Before he could take a sip, he heard his brother's voice.

"Don't think I don't know what you're doing." Zander started.

"I'm trying to have a drink."

"I mean with Alexis. Now that you've lost Connie and Olivia and every other woman you've been involved with, you're suddenly hanging around Alexis. You and I both know it's a just a game with you." Zander's voice was drenched in anger; yet, he'd spent enough time with Jax to know how to disguise it with sophistication.

The change in Zander wasn't lost on Sonny. He kept his eyes focused on the amber colored liquid in his glass. There was no need to face his brother to have the same argument he'd had for years with Jax and Ned. There were things about his relationship with Alexis that none of them would understand, so he would not bother to explain them. "You don't know what you're talking about."

Sonny understood Zander's loyalty to Alexis. She'd always been good to him. He would never understand his brother's disloyalty to him.

"Really?" Zander raised his voice dramatically. "I was there before, remember?" You know when you convinced Alexis you cared about her and then left her. It almost cost her everything, including your daughter. And while she was suffering you just let it roll off of you."

This was a fight that belonged strictly to Sonny and Zander. Zander was particularly bitter that Alexis lost custody of Kristina to Ned when Kristina was first born because she killed Luis Alcazar. Zander thought Sonny should have done more to protect her and Sonny knew he was right.

"I didn't know Kristina was my daughter." Sonny spoke into his glass. It was a lame excuse and he knew it.

"But you knew Alexis was your friend. At least, she was your friend when it was convenient for you." It was then Zander left him with something to think about. "You're cursed, Sonny. You destroy everything you touch. Leave Alexis alone before you destroy her, too."

After Zander's tirade, Sonny spent the next several hours wondering if Zander was right. Maybe he was responsible for the death and destruction that seemed to follow him. The women in his life were definitely not better off for loving him.

Sonny returned his attention to the present when he heard Alexis let loose a throaty laugh. He watched as she flipped her dark brown hair over her shoulder. She was beautiful…and she was clearly attracted to this guy. And Sonny hated it. But maybe this was the guy for her. He didn't like Wells, but from what he knew, the guy wasn't dangerous. He wasn't Jerry Jax or Shawn or even him. If something developed between them, at least Alexis might have a chance at the security she craved so badly.

"Sonny?" Kevin called Sonny from his thoughts. "Something on your mind?"

"Nah." Sonny took a sip of his coffee. "Not really." He leaned back in his chair. "Do you think it's possible for someone to be cursed?"

"Cursed?" Kevin's eyebrows rose as he looked at Sonny over his cup of tea.

Sonny had been so distracted he didn't even notice when Shawn came to the table, if it was Shawn who brought the tea. It could have been another member of the staff like TJ. He questioned whether he wanted to have this conversation with Kevin. It was bound to lead to more questions. He didn't care.

"Yeah. Do you think it's possible that a person can be doomed to have bad things happen to them and the people they love?"

Kevin eyed Sonny suspiciously. "Is this about Connie and Olivia? Do you feel like you're responsible for what happened?"

"Nah," he lied. The truth was he wasn't sure. "I just wanted to know your thoughts."

Kevin nodded. He wished Sonny would just agree to have therapy sessions so they could delve as deeply as Kevin wanted to go. Still, he would have to make do with these small coffee opportunities. "I think life is more about choice than chance. So, it's a lot less likely that a person is walking around with a dark cloud hanging over his head than it is that the person is making choices that some times put them in bad situations."

Kevin looked at Sonny and noticed that his eyes remained fixed on his coffee. He could practically hear Sonny telling himself that it was his choices that caused harm to both Olivia and Connie. "Sonny, Connie killed Olivia not you."

"I know." He nodded. He wasn't sure if he believed that.

Before Sonny and Kevin could continue their discussion, they were interrupted by a familiar voice. The voice belonged to Alexis.

"Hi guys."

Kevin stood and gave her a hug. Sonny remained seated and let out something akin to a grunt. She joined the two of them at the table. As Derek walked by she gave him a little wave. It made Sonny angrier.

Kevin's voice was warm as he spoke to her. "Alexis, Lucy told me they found a bone marrow donor for Danny. That's great news! It obviously suits you. You are practically glowing."

Upon hearing the glowing comment, Sonny glared at Kevin. Alexis paid him no attention.

"Kevin, I can't tell you how thrilled we are." She squeezed his hand.

After a moment, Alexis realized that Sonny had barely spoken a word. She wondered if he was having a hard day either because he missed Connie or Olivia or both of them. She touched her hand to his cheek. "Are you okay?"

"Yeah." He leaned back in his chair, which had the effect of moving her hand from his face. He couldn't stay focused with her touching him. "Why were with you with Wells?"

"Didn't I tell you that he's Danny's bone marrow donor?"

"Yeah, but it doesn't explain why you were having breakfast with him."

Alexis chuckled. "I love it when you act inexplicably jealous of the men I date simply because I gave birth to your daught-"

"That's not it."

She quickly went over a list in her mind. If she recalled correctly, Sonny hated that she was involved with Ric, but then again, Ric was his brother. She and Sonny weren't speaking when she was involved with Cameron. Still Sonny hated her relationship with Jerry before they knew he was a sociopath and he even hated her friendship with Jax. He'd been relatively ok with her relationship with Shawn, but that was probably because Shawn worked for him. He could have told Shawn to stop seeing her at any moment and she now believed Shawn would have done it. Maybe it was simply because Sonny was complicated in a way she would never understand. "Ok. You tell me. Why don't you want me to have breakfast with Derek?"

"I don't trust him." He ignored the little voice in his head that reminded him that he decided it was okay if Alexis was interested in Wells.

"What's not to trust? He's a businessman."

"And I'm a coffee importer."

Kevin marveled at the way Sonny and Alexis simultaneously rolled their eyes at Sonny's last comment. Even more fascinating was the way they'd both seemed to forget he was there.

After a moment, Sonny's face softened. "Just be careful around that guy, ok? You're important to me."

Her voice grew soft as she considered Sonny's recent losses. She placed her hand on top of his and squeezed. "I will." She smiled at him. "Hey, I was thinking you could come over and make dinner for me and the girls tonight. We gotten used to decent meals and it would give you some time with Kristina while she's still in town."

"Really?"

"Yes. Kristina and Molly would love to see you. Bring Michael and Morgan if they're available." She looked at her watch. "I've got to meet Sam at the hospital. See you at 6?"

"Yeah." Sonny gave her a half smile.

"Great. Feel free to invite Kevin and Lucy." She patted Sonny on his shoulder as she began to leave. "Great seeing you, Kevin."

Sonny and Kevin sat quietly for a few minutes after Alexis left. Sonny broke the silence.

"So, aren't you going to say something?"

"Why do you think I have something to say?" Kevin took a long sip of tea.

"Because you're a shrink."

"I believe the correct term is psychiatrist, but I'm not treating you."

Sonny moved his head from side to side as if he was weighing the truth of Kevin's statements. At Alexis's house, Kevin asked him about his relationship with Alexis. And now he had been present while Alexis accused him of being jealous. He found it hard to believe that he wouldn't weigh in about their friendship the way the rest of the town did. "So, you've got nothing to say about that whole conversation?"

"Oh right." Kevin perked up as if he was about to make a profound observation. "What kind of wine should I bring to dinner?"