So this chapter is very angsty. Maybe even to the point of pissing you all off but I swear there is a reason for it all and it moves the story. Just know that Sonny will do a lot of making up to do with Brenda- kissing and making up that is. Thanks in advance to my wonderful readers. You all rock!

Chapter 9: Let the Past Stay in the Past

"Kate, what are you doing here?"

"Better question, Sonny, what is that woman doing here, alone, with you?"

"Kate, please don't take that attitude with me," Sonny said. "Just calm down. This is an old … friend of mine. Brenda Barrett."

Brenda pursued her lips and tried her damndest to not look affected by that statement. Sonny knew they had never been just friends, never could be "just" friends with their potent history.

"I know who she is," Kate said. "Everyone knows who she is. She's a legend in these parts." She sniffed like she smelled something bad.

Brenda held out her hand. "It's nice to finally meet you, Kate; Sonny has told me so much about you." Lie. Big, fat dirty lie that felt like backed up bile spitting off of her tongue. Sonny hadn't mentioned this woman, not even in passing, but apparently they meant something to each other.

"Really? Has he?" Kate said. "He has mentioned you a lot of times too."

Brenda nodded. She supposed hearing that Sonny had spoken of her to his new lady love should comfort her somehow but it didn't. Not at all. "Only good things I hope …"

"The way he talked about you … Oh yes, only good things," Kate said, looking pissed to have to admit that.

Sonny finally spoke up and looked at Brenda, almost apologetically. "Bren, do you need a ride somewhere?"

Brenda about choked on her own tongue. She was being dismissed. She was actually being dismissed when not five minutes ago he had been about to kiss her. Or maybe not. Maybe she had imagined the whole thing, though she doubted it because her face still tingled from where he had cupped her cheek.

"No, it's okay. I'll be fine," Brenda said, starting for the door.

"Bren, let Max take you wherever you need to go," Sonny called after her.

Brenda shook her head. "No, I'm a big girl, Sonny." She forced a smile and looked at Kate. "It was nice to meet you …" She lied through her pearly whites.

"Likewise," Kate said, clearly lying as well.

Brenda quickly shuffled out of the house and walked down the driveway. Tears collected in the corners of her eyes and she willed herself not to cry. Brenda Barrett was strong. Brenda Barrett was brave. Little things like this did not bring her to tears, did not get her down.

But as she walked through the quiet streets, she cried nonetheless, feeling somehow like she would never stop.

XoXoXo

As soon as Brenda was gone, Sonny turned to Kate and glared at her. "Why did you have to be so damn rude to her?"

"Oh excuse me if I didn't welcome your 'old friend' with open arms, Sonny," Kate said with anger apparent in her voice. "I guess I was a little caught off guard to find you two alone, looking so close and intimate. Forgive me for not being a welcoming, delightful presence."

Sonny sighed. "You still didn't have to be rude," he huffed.

Kate glared at him and then her expression went slack. "Was she telling the truth, Sonny?"

"About what?"

"Have you mentioned me, even in passing to her? Did she really know who I was?"

Sonny looked down at his feet for a moment and then back up at her. "It doesn't matter now."

Kate rolled her eyes, her expression haughty as ever, but her voice took on a quieter, almost vulnerable edge. "Of course it matters, Sonny. Of course it does."

Sonny reached for Kate's hand and she about slapped it away. "Please don't touch me," she said hoarsely.

"Kate, Brenda and me … we're in the past," Sonny said. "You're my future now."

"I wish I could really believe that," Kate said and then turned on her heel and marched out of the room. He thought about going after her but didn't. She needed time to cool off and then hopefully she would come to her senses. Honestly, he was more worried about Brenda at the moment. She had tried to hide it well but he had seen the look of devastation in her eyes when he stupidly referred to her as his old friend. What the hell had he been thinking? He had hurt her and Kate at the same time. He felt like a complete bastard.

He walked over to the wet bar and started to pour himself another glass of brandy but thought better of it. Instead, he walked over to his desk phone and dialed a phone number.

XoXoXo

Brenda climbed off the elevator and walked into the penthouse. She found Jason sitting at his desk studying some papers. He looked up when she entered. "Hey," he said, immediately noticing the streaks of mascara on her face. "What's wrong?"

Brenda threw her purse down on the couch and shook her head. "Nothing," she muttered.

"It doesn't seem like nothing," Jason observed.

Brenda almost glared at him. "Please don't play psychotherapist with me, Jason. The look doesn't suit you."

"Bad day?" He observed without giving her comeback too much thought. "What happened with Sonny?"

"None of your business," she snapped.

"Okay …"

Brenda shook her head and ran a hand through her thick hair. "Look, I'm sorry okay? You're right. I have had a kind of rotten day."

Jason just nodded and waited for her to go on. "There was something there with Sonny. That old connection was between us. I felt it and I know he felt it but then … He just shut down on me. Just like a flick of a light switch really."

"I'm sorry," Jason said, not knowing what else to say.

"Yeah, me too," Brenda said. "Look I don't want to talk about it. I just want a drink and then to go to bed for a long sleep."

"Lemme get you something," he said.

"Thanks. And if you have any saltine crackers throw them my way too please," she called after him.

He looked alarmed. "You're not feeling well are you? You should be resting."

"I'm fine. Just a little nauseous but it will pass. It's probably because I haven't eaten all day."

He looked skeptical but nodded and walked into the kitchen. Brenda kicked off her shoes and got as comfortable as she could on the sofa. He walked back into the room holding a beer and a box of Ritz crackers. "Sorry that is all I have."

She took them and smiled. "It's okay." She took a long sip of the beer and then opened the box of crackers. Immediately she bit into one and felt like she was going to bust a tooth on the hard and stale cracker. "Jason?" she said.

"How old are these?"

"I don't know. A year maybe. Are they okay?"

Brenda just chuckled. "They'll do."

The phone suddenly rang and Jason reached for it. "Morgan," he said. He listened for a bit and then held it out to Brenda. "It's for you."

Brenda shook her head. "Tell them I'm in the shower or something. I don't feel like talking."

Jason shook his head and brought the phone over to Brenda. "Just talk," he commanded lightly.

She glared at him and then took the phone. "Hello?"

XoXoXo

Robin hung up the phone and looked over at Patrick who was watching her intently. "So what did she say?" He asked.

"It took a good hour but she says she'll do it, just for me."

"Did she suspect you were being Sonny Corinthos's errand girl?" He asked with a hint of disapproval in his voice.

"Probably. She knows me too well."

"So she's going to be your maid of honor after all? That's good."

Robin nodded. "Yeah … It's just not like her to be so reluctant to do something like this. I can't help but think something is bothering her or something is wrong."

"Like what?"

"I'm not sure but the wedding is just a week away and we need to finish the seating chart."

"Yeah, try not to put the mobsters with their enemies," Patrick joked.

"Very funny."

"It should be a very interesting day," Patrick said.

"To say the least …"