A/N: I know my updates haven't been very consistent this week, so my apologies. I had another story idea and had to start writing it because my brain would nag me if I didn't. A reviewer asked if Brenda is pregnant? Hm... looks like we are going to have to wait and find out. :D

Edit: 12-04-18

Musical Inspiration:

Young and Beautiful - by Lana Del Rey

Time To Say Goodbye

.~*~.

Chapter 10

Black And White Ball Part 1

When Brenda arrived with her group, she found most of Port Charles dressed to the nines, all waiting in the lobby of Wyndemere. She was feeling a bit nauseous so she made her way over to Carly.

"I'm assuming that's water. Can I get a sip of that?" she asked her and tried to hold herself upright by the door frame.

"Yeah, here." Carly passed the glass over to her. "You don't look so good."

Brenda took a slow sip. "The harbor is really choppy from the storm. It's just a little seasickness. I'm already feeling better by the minute."

Carly pursed her lips and inspected her. She was going to question her more but her phone began to vibrate. "I have to take this," she mumbled as she looked down and wandering away.

Brenda gained her composure as the crowd was being led into the main room.

All at once, the ballroom became a flurry of activity.

Sonny snuck into the castle at the last minute causing a very relieved Kate Howard to run and hug him. Trevor Lansing looked on in anger.

Jax was once again looking to where Carly ran off to.

Logan was joking around with Lulu, making her giggle. This, made a masked Johnny and Spinelli stare in displeasure.

Luke and Scotty argued back and forth over the problem of their children dating one another.

Patrick laced his fingers over Leyla's shoulders and whispered in her ear. Robin's reaction was to pout and the Jones sisters were there for support.

Coop passed the time by woofing down a plate of hors-d'oeuvres he stole off the server.

An incognito Jerry flirted with Alexis, at the same time, Ric with his date, Skye, arched their necks to see who the mystery man was.

Lucky and Sam toasted a glass of champagne as a solo Elizabeth glided into the room.

Emily hurried to Nikolas's side. He took her hand and asked for the attention of the crowd. He announced the endowment he was making to the hospital in memory of Alan Quartermaine and then announced his engagement to Emily.

Nikolas took Emily's hand and lead her to the middle of the floor. The lights went out all around the ballroom and the only light that could be seen was centered on the floor. The orchestra began and the crooning of a woman's voice filled the room. Emily and Nikolas lovingly looked upon each other and danced to the words beginning to be sung.

"I've seen the world

Done it all, had my cake now—"

Brenda hummed along and swayed as she watched the newly engaged couple twirl around the floor. This was right. Everything was how it should be. She smiled thinking that Emily would always be a princess. That little girl grew up to get her fairytale. What Brenda didn't notice, was that there was a handful of eyes focusing on her.

Sonny sought out the brunette in the crowd. He hadn't seen her since the night she escaped Jerry, a night he didn't want to think about. When he had her in his sights, he stared at her in awe. Kate nudged him. "Don't they look lovely together?" she asked, referring to Nikolas and Emily.

Sonny nodded, never taking his eyes off Brenda. "Beautiful."

Carly found her way next to Jax and Jerry. While the brothers argued, she had spotted some of the men in the room checking Brenda out. "Heh," she snorted. "Someone's going to have a full dance card tonight."

Lucky noticed Elizabeth outside and went to check on her while Sam inconspicuously followed him out.

When Emily and Nikolas finished their dance, Brenda tried to make her way to the other side of the room. She wanted to give them her congratulations. Excusing herself through the crowd, she was unlucky enough to bump into the one person she hadn't expected or wanted to see.

"Mrs. Morgan," the voice sneered out.

"Mr. Baldwin," she replied, her tone equally as hostile.

The pair circled each other with a daggered gaze before going their separate ways.

Logan watched his father's interaction with the brunette. He got Lulu's attention before pointing to the woman who was hugging the hosts. "That's Morgan's wife?" he asked in disbelief.

"Yeah, her and Jason have been married for like 5 years. It's crazy, right?" Lulu replied.

Scotty came up behind Logan and put a hand on his shoulder. "Son, don't be fooled by that woman's fragile physique. She has been arrested for murder multiple times just like her gangster husband. Oh— how I would have loved to have pinned down Bonnie and Clyde back on 03." He frowned causing Lulu to roll her eyes and Logan give him an odd look.

.~*~.

Across the harbor, Jason had been relieved to hear that Sonny was back in Port Charles. He was on his way home to change and go to the ball, but he had to turn around. He got a tip from Max that Anthony Zacchara's men were searching the docks.

When Jason arrived, he overheard one of the men on the phone discussing Anthony. The enforcer threatened the goon at gunpoint for information. He was told that Anthony is in Port Charles looking for his son and already killed two of his own men. He also informed Jason that Anthony will kill anyone who gets in his way.

.~*~.

At the same time, back at Wyndemere, Anthony's son Johnny was letting Trevor know that he knew his father was on the island and that he was after Lulu.

Brenda stood in the corner with her glass of water making small talk while smiling at Georgie and Spinelli dancing around the floor. Looking past them she noticed Emily and Nikolas quickly making their way outside. Craning her neck, she could hear raised voices out the window. The model inwardly groaned— and the first fight of the night begins.

Moments later, she noticed a disheveled Elizabeth leaving the ballroom with Emily by her side. An equally messy Sam followed minutes behind with Lucky and Nikolas. Maybe it's a good thing Jason didn't come, Brenda thought to herself. But then again— she did miss having him here.

"Love, you are much to exquisite to frown," Jerry said as he obstructed her view. Brenda crossed her arms and gave him a cold stare while the Aussie chuckled. "That look is good, but you don't quite have your husband's 'I'm going to murder you in your sleep' flare." He smiled. "Dance with me." He put out his hand. "I promise I have no handcuffs on my person."

Brenda sighed and took his hand. He led them both to the dance floor and they began to waltz. "So," Brenda started, "I assume Lady Jane helped uncuff you in the morning?"

"Yes, my dear mother thought the whole thing was quite comical," he revealed and twirled her. "But, really, Brenda— writing all over my face with a sharpie pen was a bit childish wasn't it?"

Brenda laughed thinking back to it. "You deserved one of those curly villain mustaches to pinch with your fingers. As far as writing, 'Brenda was here', on your forehead, well— I thought it was fitting."

Jerry scoffed and dipped her. "You never did tell me if you have a Morgan brand muffin in that oven of yours."

"False alarm." Brenda shrugged.

"Good— you are too much of a free spirit to be tied down with a child," Jerry stated before he was being tapped on the shoulder by Luke.

"I would like a spin with the princess here before my ball and chain arrives." Luke reached out his hand and Jerry nodded. Brenda gave him a wide smile and took Luke's hand.

Sonny watched Brenda dance from partner to partner. He still felt so raw from finding out that Jason and she were actually together. Watching her float across the floor was like looking at an angel and all the memories of their past flooded his mind. He glanced around the room. Carly was nowhere in sight and Kate was busy socializing. The mob boss saw his opportunity. He walked up to Brenda and told her he needed a word with her. The model reluctantly agreed to his request. Sonny put his hand on her back and the pair left the ballroom.

.~*~.

Back at the coffee shop, Diane was pacing the office and went to pick up her phone when Jason walked in. "Diane, I got your message. What is so important that I had to stop looking for Anthony Zacchara?" he asked impatiently, "The nutcase is running around loose in Port Charles."

"Okay, listen," the lawyer began, "if this wasn't extreme circumstances, I wouldn't feel the need to break attorney-client privilege." She paused while Jason waited. "Carly has been texting back and forth with Leticia's killer. They told her they would meet her tonight at the ball."

Jason took a step back. "The killer is on Spoon Island, right now?" he asked and she only nodded. "Diane— my wife is there along with everyone else I care about. " He started rubbing his face and letting his hands linger on his mouth.

"Jason, you need to get over there, she wanted to confront them and she took a gun. That girl is going to kill someone or get herself killed," Diane explained in a panicked voice.

It only took a second for Jason to be out the door.

.~*~.

Currently, at Wyndemere, Carly was walking about the study glancing nervously at her cell phone. This was it, in 10 minutes she would meet Leticia's killer and make them pay. Footsteps nearing the door prompted her to hide. In, came Brenda and Sonny.

Brenda went and sat on the edge of the desk while Sonny stood and faced her in the middle of the room. "What did you want to talk about?" she asked nonchalantly.

Sonny rubbed his hand across his chin. "Why are you with Jason?" he questioned.

Brenda made a surprised face. "I don't know what you mean."

"Well, let's see—" Sonny began as he inclined his head down slightly and clasped his hands. "I decide to make sure you are unharmed after being kidnapped by Jerry Jacks and I walk into your penthouse to find Jason half naked and you coming down the stairs in nothing but his t-shirt."

Carly still hidden, covered her mouth, err— bad karma.

Sonny put his hand on his hips, showing his aggravation. "So my question is— are you sleeping with Jason as payback to me?"

Brenda looked at him like he was insane. "Yup, ya caught me, Sonny. I had sex in my home, with my husband, on the off chance you would stop by," she drew out sarcastically. "Get this through your head." She stood up and pointed at him. "My and Jason's relationship has nothing to do with you. You and I have been finished for years— get over yourself!" she yelled at him.

"He's like a brother to me, Brenda! When you two got married, I understood it, I knew it was a marriage of convenience. But now this—" He waved his hands in the air. "I don't understand. Neither of you bothered to tell me you were actually a couple."

"Sonny, it's not really any of your business, but for kindness sake— I will let you know that us being together is still new," she explained. "I don't get how this has any effect on you."

"Because the both of you being together is like a betrayal."

"Oh— don't you even use that word with me." She straightened her stance. "You like to throw that out every time something doesn't go your way. You don't even know the meaning of betrayal. If you did, you wouldn't have betrayed as many people as you claim to care about, especially your best friend."

Sonny's face turned red with anger. "Maybe I should just be done with the both of you!" he screamed at her.

"What are you going to do— kick him to the curb again like with Courtney?" Brenda shook her head and narrowed her eyes at him. "If you try to use his loyalty against him, to disrupt my relationship with the man I love— you better be ready to deal with me, Sonny Corinthos." She stood closer giving him a cold look. "And you don't want to fuck with me," she informed him in a slow deadly tone.

Carly was taken back. For a little thing, Brenda sure could be scary.

Sonny was caught off guard by the 'love' statement. "You are that in love with him that you'd actually threaten me?" he asked incredulously.

"You're damn right I am," she replied, standing her ground.

Sonny smirked. He had heard her declares of love before for other men but it was not the same as what the two of them had together. He knew her weakness. Sonny stared at her intensely for a moment and then pulled Brenda into his arms and tried to kiss her fiercely. Brenda broke from his grip instantly and pushed him away while Carly's mouth dropped. "What is wrong with you? " Brenda shouted at him while wiping her mouth. "I tell you I am in love with Jason and your response is to kiss me?"

Sonny was shocked and hurt she didn't kiss him back. That had always worked before. Fear pulled in the pit of his stomach— maybe she had let him go. Guilt set in over what he just did to the man he called his best friend. "I'm sorry," he choked out.

Brenda shook her head at him and crossed her arms. "Again— learn the word betrayal, Sonny."

Sonny sighed defeated. "You and Jason have nothing to worry about from me. I am not going to start trouble and will continue to treat Jason like I always have. Can we just keep this between us?"

Brenda slowly shook her head. "Jason and I don't keep secrets from each other. I think secrets have turned Jason's world upside down enough. But—" she continued in a calm voice, "I will be gentle when I explain this."

Sonny nodded. He paused before leaving the study. "Believe it or not, Brenda— I do want you to be happy." He turned and swiftly left the room.

Brenda flopped on the couch, letting out a long breath. As she was relaxing, she didn't know that Nikolas was explaining to everyone in the ballroom that due to the storm, they had closed the harbor and all the guests were going to have to stay the night.

With a crack of lightning, the power went off. It made Brenda jump in her seat.

A man suddenly entered the dark room and squinted to see her. "Aren't you Jason Morgan's wife?" he questioned.

Brenda stood. "Yeah, and you're Lulu's date. Not to be rude, but I need to get back to the ballroom." She breezed past him out the door.

Carly snuck out of the shadows with her gun drawn. "Don't move," she demanded, pointing the weapon at Logan.

.~*~.

Over at the Port Charles docks, Max stood by the small speedboat he had rented for his boss. "Jason, they cleared the harbor due to the storm. All boats were brought in— they don't want anyone on the water."

"I have to get onto the island," Jason replied as he untied the boat. "There is a good chance the person who killed Leticia is there."

"Mrs. M is at the ball there, isn't she?" he asked now finally understanding his boss' persistence.

"Yes, and Carly is there trying to be lady justice with a gun," he stated, getting into the boat and turning the key. With a loud start of the engine, Jason grabbed the wheel and sped off into the dark.

.~*~.

Wyndemere was in a complete blackout. All the phone lines were down and cell service was interrupted. Brenda tried to feel her way through the hallway when she bumped into Alexis. Both girls jumped and screamed.

Alexis put her hand to her chest. "I'm sorry— it's so hard to see where I was walking."

Brenda herself was trying to catch her breath. "It's fine, same here."

"You didn't happen to pass Ric did you?" Alexis questioned and looked up and down the hallway. "I can't seem to find him anywhere."

"Nope. I was just on my way to the ballroom."

"Ugh," Alexis breathed out. "Okay— maybe he's there, I'll come with you."

As Alexis and Brenda wandered through the halls of Wyndemere, other guests were having their own problems.

In a room away from the dancing couples, an angry Patrick was confronting Robin on causing problems for Leyla.

Sonny had found Kate and made the decision to further their relationship.

Sam in an attempt to keep herself occupied, thought she would try and fix the generator. Lucky was more adamant to talk to her about the fight with Elizabeth. Sam was on the verge of telling him the truth about Jake, but Elizabeth interrupted them.

In the ballroom, Emily was keeping a watchful eye on a temperamental Nikolas.

Jax was searching the castle high and low for his wife. What he was unaware of was that she was in the study holding Logan at gunpoint. Carly tried to get him to confess Leticia's murder but he continued to deny it with a cocky demeanor. She aimed the gun and shot a warning by his head but Logan refused to budge on his own innocence. It's wasn't until Jax arrived that he was able to talk Carly down.

Brenda and Alexis were relieved to find themselves coming into the main hall, that was until they turned the corner and found Ric Lansing impaled to the wall. Alexis let out an ear piercing scream and both women ran over to him. The scream caught the attention of Johnny who came running in and his eyes widened at the sight of Ric.

As Alexis fawned over Ric and assured him he would be alright, Johnny pulled Brenda to the side. "My father probably did this. He escaped his handlers and he wants to kill Lulu— I think he's on the island."

"Okay," Brenda breathed out trying to keep calm. "We will deal with him later, right now, our first priority is Ric." The model went back to a panicked Alexis. "We have to go get Robin, he needs a doctor."

Alexis gripped Brenda's arm. "Johnny has to stay here in case whoever did this comes back. You go, be safe, but please hurry."

Brenda nodded and took off running to the ballroom. She came to the doors and pulled them open with surprising force. Brenda looked around but didn't see Robin. "We need a doctor! Ric Lansing has been stabbed!" she yelled out.

Leyla, Skye, Coop, and Jerry followed her out of the room and down the halls to where Ric was found. The men unattached Ric from the wall and helped lay him down while Leyla went to work to stop the bleeding.

"Alright, you lot, listen up—" Jerry called for their attention. "Bottom line is— we have a killer in the house. We all need to be on guard." He then took his gun from his back and cocked it. Brenda sighed and opened her purse. She pulled out her gun and took off the safety. This caused her to receive shocked looks from Alexis and Skye.

Johnny smirked at Brenda. "Suzie?" he asked while eyeing her gun.

Brenda gave him a knowing smile.

It was decided that it would be better for Ric to be in a bed so the men helped lift him up and the slowly walked where Alexis directed them to. Once there, Leyla did everything she could to stop the bleeding but she told the room they needed Robin and Patrick. Johnny volunteered to get them since he was heading back to the ballroom to get Lulu.

Jerry moved next to Brenda. "I need to go out there and look for my brother. He went chasing after Carly," he whispered into her ear.

"Wait— Carly left the ballroom?" Brenda asked, concerned.

"Yes, the both of them are out wandering the castle somewhere."

"I'm coming with you," Brenda said.

After Robin and Patrick arrived with Nikolas and Emily, the pair slipped out of the room. With guns in hand, they made their way through the halls. Brenda and Jerry ended up on the second floor and still had not found Carly or Jax.

"What was she doing running around in the dark anyway?" Brenda asked.

"My brother said she was receiving a bunch of text messages tonight. My guess is that she was up to something."

"That girl and her plans," Brenda said emphasizing the word 'plans' and shaking her head. "I just hope she's safe."

When the pair heard a noise they turned and pointed their guns. They saw Johnny quickly hold up his hands. "Hey, Batman— Robin, think you could put the guns down?" Jerry and Brenda complied and lowered their weapons. "Have either of you seen Lulu? I went back to the ballroom but she snuck out."

"You are the first person we have ran into. How about you— have you seen Carly or Jax?" Jerry questioned.

"Nah, but if I do, I'll let them know you're looking for them," Johnny replied

"We'll do the same," Brenda said and watched Johnny leave in the opposite direction.

"By the way— I'm Batman," she pointed out to Jerry. He laughed and they went back to their search. The pair had come to another level of the house. This maze they found themselves in was not producing any results. They decided to make their way back down. When they reached another set of stairs, a frightened Elizabeth jumped out with an ice pick in her hand.

"Don't come any closer," Liz shrieked. "There is a dead body in the bedroom upstairs and for all I know, you two could have killed him."

Jerry and Brenda gave each other a humorous look.

"Seriously— you're not a very trusting person are you? You think I steal babies and go on murder sprees in my free time," Brenda deadpanned and crossed her arms.

Elizabeth realized how ridiculous she was being and put the ice pick down. "Maybe not you, Brenda, but I wouldn't put it past Jerry."

"Aw— Jerry, here, is a puppy dog," the model singsonged while patting him on the head. "Isn't that right, Lassie?" She laughed.

"How in bloody hell did I go from Robin to Lassie?" he asked shaking Brenda's hand off. "Couldn't you have the decency to have picked a boy dog to compare me to?"

Brenda gave a side smile and looked thoughtful. "Fine, you can be Cujo— slobbery, rabid, and insane."

Elizabeth looked back and forth between the two bantering with one another. It was odd to see. She wondered to herself how Jason and Brenda managed to get along. He was so laid back and quiet while Brenda was bubbly and outgoing. There was no way the married couple could be more than friends. Liz was jostled from her thoughts when she heard Brenda addressing her.

"We should all start making our way back to the ballroom. It will be safer if the three of us stick together."

They all agreed and took their time checking in shadows as they went. After turning around a few times, the group made it to the next floor. As they passed a room, the door to enter creaked open. Once again, Jerry and Brenda took aim. They both stared stunned at Jason who was aiming his own gun at them. When recognition kicked in for all of them, they put their guns down. Without thinking, Elizabeth took a stance to run towards Jason but stopped herself when she saw him grasp for Brenda.

Jason held onto Brenda and let his cheek rub gently along the side of her head. After breathing her in and realizing she was safe, he quickly pulled her behind himself and raised his gun to Jerry.

"I should kill you right now," Jason bit out, eyeing him.

Brenda peeked out from Jason's side. "Jase, now is not the time to work on our Jerry issues," she said, trying to calm him. "Believe it or not, it's one of those rare occasions where he is being helpful."

"Listen to your wife, Morgan, I told you before I would never hurt her," Jerry stated in a bored tone. "I have been watching over her while we look for my brother and Carly. There's a psycho running amuck in the house trying to off the castle occupants."

Brenda tried to come out into full view but Jason continued to hold her back. "It's true. Someone stabbed Ric and Elizabeth found another body upstairs. Johnny Zacchara is here. He seems to think his father is in the house killing people to get to Lulu," she explained. "We have to find Carly."

Jason unhappily conceded and lowered his gun. "Fine— but first, we need to find somewhere secure to go."

"Everyone has been trying to stay together in the ballroom," Elizabeth offered.

Jason shook his head. "There are too many people, it makes it easier for Anthony to blend in and that's the first place he will go looking for Lulu." Jason thought for a moment before speaking again, "I have an idea where to go." He pointed at Jerry. "If you try anything—"

Jerry put his hands up in surrender. "I'm on my best behavior so— lead the way, Morgan."

Jason took Brenda's hand and together the group went through the twists and turns of the castle.

.~*~.

The other castle inhabitants were not fairing up so well.

Trevor Lansing walked in on a clandestine moment between Kate and Sonny causing him to rage at the naked couple.

Ric was getting worse and the team by his bedside were losing hope. They had to get him to the hospital before the blood loss killed him.

Jax and Carly made it back to the ballroom only to hear of Ric's impending doom. In an effort to help, Jax, Carly, and Sam ventured outside of the castle. The goal was to find a boat that would hopefully give them a way to communicate with the harbor master. When they came upon one, they couldn't repair the radio so they decided to repair the vessel. Carly tried to convince Jax that Anthony Zacchara was behind this and he would go after Lulu, but Jax's focus was on getting the engine running. Carly wanted to protect her niece so she slipped off the boat unnoticed and went to find her.

Back in the ballroom, Georgie was sitting next to Maxie as she noticed a man in the corner doubled over. When she went to see if he needed help, the man grabbed her and drug her out the back door. After the man who Georgie now knew was Anthony, brought her to a room— he demanded to know where Lulu was and threatened to kill Georgie. Before Anthony could harm her, Spinelli showed up and the couple escaped.

.~*~.

While it seemed so many of the guests at Wyndemere were roaming the castle, one group was leaving to find a safe place to take people. Jason ushered Brenda, Elizabeth, and Jerry through a side entrance of the castle. Battling the rain, they followed in line until they reached the stables. Once inside, they all shook the water off of themselves.

Jason checked the back room and made sure the place was secure. Only then, did he focus on the women. "You two are going to stay here, it's safe. When Jerry and I leave, you need to lock the door behind us."

Elizabeth nodded, but Brenda spoke up, "That's not happening. There is no way I am letting you and Jerry go off alone. You will end up killing each other." She crossed her arms. "Jerry can stay with Elizabeth."

"Brenda—" Jason blew out, looking upwards. "It's safer for you here. If Anthony does show up you have your gun and you will know what to do."

"So does Jerry," she pointed out. "I need to find Carly, Jase— this is one of those times I am not going to be compliant."

"Wait a minute," Jerry interjected. "I would like to be out there looking for my brother as well."

Elizabeth stood there silent. She felt like the last kid to get picked for dodge-ball and the team leaders were fighting over who was going to get stuck with her.

Brenda turned to Jerry. "You're the one who swears up and down you are in protector mode. Here's your chance, protect Elizabeth. When we find Carly and Jax we will bring them back here." Brenda narrowed her eyes at her husband. "I either look with you or will do it anyway after you leave."

Jason rubbed his face a few times trying to work out his aggravation. With a sigh, he spoke to the other man, "Jerry, guard Elizabeth." Jerry went to speak up but Jason stopped him. "We will check back, if we don't find them, you can go out."

Jerry sat down on a bale of hay defeated but agreed. Jason took Brenda's gun-free hand. "Of all the times for you to be stubborn," he mumbled out before the couple exited the stable.

Brenda kept up with Jason's quick pace back into the castle. "Hey, Jase—" Brenda stopped."I didn't get to say this before but— thanks for coming."

Jason looked at her and any irritation he felt melted away. "I always will." He gave her a quick peck and guided her through the halls.

The plan was to check in with the people in the ballroom but they were stopped when they almost ran right into Spinelli and Georgie.

Brenda jumped back until she realized who it was and quickly reached out to both of them. "Thank God you're safe," she breathed out while exchanging hugs with the couple. "What are you two doing out here? You should be inside with the others."

"The 'Demented Denizen Of Darkness' tried to strangle 'Fair Georgie' before we escaped," Spinelli sped out.

"Anthony?" Jason asked and the kid nodded. "Okay, I want you both to come with us. I made sure the stables are secure."

An obedient Spinelli and Georgie stayed close to the pair while they ventured onward. As they all closed in on a new hallway, the sounds of people arguing became louder. Georgie's face tightened. "That sounds like—"

"Blonde One!" Spinelli bellowed and sprinted off before Jason could stop him. The group chased after the hacker and found him stopped in front of a room. There stood Johnny and Lulu in a heated debate about how to handle Anthony. Spinelli shuffled over to both of them and addressed Lulu, "Blonde One, you must accompany us for your own safety."

Johnny looked to Spinelli. "Good, get her out of here. She doesn't realize that using herself as bait to draw out my father isn't a good idea," Johnny yelled out, raising his hands in the air.

Jason walked over to Johnny and grabbed him by the arm. "You're coming too. I need to know exactly what we are dealing with." He turned and tugged him along.

The newly acquired group backtracked toward the side entrance of the castle. Staying close together, they ran through the rain in pursuit of the protected location. Jason heard Brenda giggling. "What's so funny?" he asked, looking over at her.

Brenda glanced up at him, trying to hide her smile. "Just the fact that all these people are willingly following a hitman into a barn."

"We really need to work on the timing of your humor," he said before knocking on the stable door. Jerry opened it and everyone rushed in. Lulu went straight to Elizabeth while Georgie and Spinelli tried to get dry. Jerry came over to stand near Jason, Brenda, and Johnny.

"Tell me why your father is here," Jason demanded of Johnny. This caused everyone to turn and look in their direction.

Johnny's eyes shifted to Lulu before answering. "My father found out about my association with Lulu. He killed his handlers and escaped the house with the goal to kill her." He shifted uncomfortably. "That may have been his goal when he got here, but now he's just killing for the sport of it. It's a game to him— he will kill anyone he comes across." Johnny straightened his stance. "I am the only one who can stop him."

Lulu moved forward. "And as I told you before, you can use me to draw him out. We could put an end to this, now."

Johnny shook his head. "You're staying here."

Jason nodded. "I agree with that. In fact, the only people leaving this stable—" he looked directly at Brenda, "is Johnny, Jerry, and myself," he stated as she rolled her eyes.

Brenda put her hands on her hips. "In fairness to Jerry, I will stay this time."

"I need a gun," Johnny pointed out.

Brenda tried handing Johnny hers, but Jason stopped her. "You need that in case the rest of you run into trouble while we're gone."

"It's okay, I brought Marilyn," she said and put the gun she was holding in Johnny's hand. Brenda then walked over to a bale of hay and placed her heeled foot on top of it. She lifted her dress up to her thigh and took out a gun that was strapped to the halter on her leg garter.

Johnny looked at Brenda wide-eyed and then back to Jason. He shook his head and mumbled, "Lucky bastard."

"What are you— some kind of Charlie's Angel?" Lulu asked her incredulously.

Spinelli pointed a finger in the air. "Actually, Venus is well versed in firearms as well as hand to hand combat."

"I can attest to that." Jerry made a snide face.

Brenda walked over to Jerry and poked him in the chest. "You deserved it." She backed up and her face softened a bit. "Right now though, please find Carly." She looked to both Jerry and Jason. "Keep yourselves safe too." She gave Jason a hug and he told her to lock the door before the three of them left.

Brenda did as instructed and walked over to a bale to sit down. She was exhausted and hoped this whole situation would be over soon. Georgie came over and sat beside her. Brenda asked her what had been going on back at the castle. Georgie explained that last she heard, Ric was doing worse and they were going to attempt surgery. Trevor Lansing had even come down to the ballroom in hopes of finding someone with the same blood type.

The model was relieved to find out that Carly was with Jax and Sam, but it was short-lived. Georgie said Sam came back alone because Carly took off again and Jax was going to try and steer the boat around the island. She told her that according to Sam, mercenaries came to the island to collect Anthony and get rid of witnesses. The plan was to get the guests to the boat but Luke told everyone it was better to wait everything out in the ballroom.

Brenda questioned about Cooper. Georgie let her know that he went off with Lucky and Nikolas, but came back safe— no one had seen Lucky though. The model sat there hoping they would all get through this night. As she glanced around, a whispering Lulu caught her eye. Brenda saw how she was touching Spinelli's arm in a flirty way and she knew the girl was up to something.

Brenda sighed. "You're not leaving, Lulu," she voiced loudly.

Lulu scoffed and looked over Spinelli's shoulder at her. "What are we suppose to do?" she questioned, stepping to the side and putting her hands on her hips. "Just stay here and hide while Anthony kills off the guest list?" She rushed over to Brenda. "If you let me go, I can get him to focus his attention on me and we can stop him."

Brenda looked up at a fiery Lulu. "Everything is being done to handle Anthony. If you go out there, then the effort would have to be put on hold just to go and find you," Brenda told her firmly as she picked hay off her dress. "You're staying."

Lulu gave her a defiant look and crossed her arms. "What are you going to do If I try to leave— shoot me?"

Brenda laughed at her. "Nope," she said popping the p. "But if you do attempt to go running off, I will tie you down." She grinned while Lulu scowled and turned to go sit with Elizabeth. The model shook her head hoping that Jason was having better luck dealing with things.

Sneak Peek: The second half of the Black and White ball. Brenda finally speaks her mind to Liz and Sam. :D