Author's Note: Well, TPTB might have just pushed Alexis and Kristina out of the way for the holidays, but at least we were able to see some other familiar faces that have unfortunately been backburned. I had almost forgotten what a great actor John J. York is. It's a shame they don't utilize Mac more, what with the corrupt PCPD and all. ;(

Anyway, enough of that. Here's the next installment. I'm sorry now for turning this into such a novel, and for perhaps turning this into what may end up as cliche'. You'll see what I mean, and I hope you like the direction I'm taking. If not, just let me know. As always, thank you so much for reading, and if you are...please take the time to review. Thanks!

Running his tired hands across his face, Sonny breathed out an exhausted sigh. "We've been over this a hundred times, Mac. I doubt me telling you what happened again is going to change anything."

Mac stared across the table at the man who had once been the source of so much frustration for the PCPD, but in recent years, had managed to back down on the level of animosity. It was no secret that he still participated in illegal activities, but the ones that he was once famously accused of were few and far between. "I realize this isn't what you'd like to be doing at the moment. But Sonny, there's a chance that-"

"We're not missing anything." Sonny replied, exasperated. "I told you what happened, I know who did it...there is no need for this-" Sonny continued, gesturing to the interrogation room around them. "-whatever it's supposed to be. I can handle it."

"Usually in your business, 'handle' is synonymous with 'kill'. It would be much better if you'd take the legal route to handle this problem." Mac tried to reason.

"Don't you think I want to?" Sonny asked him, staring across the cold table. He knew what Mac was looking for, but also knew there would be a battle line drawn if he were to give him the answer Sonny knew he was looking for. "Alcazar, okay? It's what you wanted...a name? That's who charged in on my wedding. He knew I'd be preoccupied, knew that he could send a signal loud and clear that he could take control if he wanted." Sonny replied, feeling the energy drain from him miserably.

"Did he get control?" Mac asked, happy that they were finally making progress. "Sonny, I need to know that you won't try and retaliate."

Sonny looked at him, brown eyes brimming with anger for what had happened. "My kids could have been hurt, Mac. My...Alexis...she could, anyone at that ceremony could have been killed. So do I wanna break every miserable bone in his body?...Yeah, of course I do. But will I?" Sonny asked, still not sure of the answer. It was true, the image of Alcazar's lifeless body did seem a little inviting, but he knew it wouldn't be the right thing to do. "He wants Port Charles." Sonny sighed in defeat.

"You're talking territory wise?" Mac asked, trying to get a grip on the conversation. Recognizing the tired look in Sonny's eyes, Mac stood to walk across the room and make them each a cup of coffee. "I'll be the first to admit that I wish this mob business would stop, it's not conducive to a safe city. However, one less crime family is enough to make everyone feel a little safer."

Sonny frowned, staring suspiciously into the cup of hot brown liquid Mac placed before him. "That sounds an awful lot like you've got a plan."

Mac sighed, settling in across the table from him. "As much as I hate to admit it, I've grown to kind of...know you over the years. Run ins, false arrests...look, I know what family means to you. I've got two girls at home, and a neice who works very hard at GH. I just-"

"I didn't come here for small talk, Mac." Sonny fumed.

"I'm very aware of that." Mac replied sharply. "My point is that you've got a family to take care of. Not to mention the fact that your business nearly cost your sister her life."

Sonny close his eyes, remembering the dark time in which Courtney was assumed dead. "What do you want?"

Mac stared back at Sonny's tired form, hoping that maybe he'd get through to him. Despite his lifestyle, Mac knew that underneath it all, Sonny Corinthos was a family man. "I want to make my city safer. You want to keep your family safe. We both want Lorenzo Alcazar out of business. Am I right so far?"

Sensing where he was going, Sonny leaned back in his chair. "Yeah, keep going."

"You said that Alczazar sent his men to shoot up your wedding in an effort to send a message to you, correct?"

Annoyed, Sonny nodded.

Mac shrugged, hoping that what he said next would break through whatever resolve Sonny had left. "You're married to Alexis now, and you know as well as I do how much she hates the violence, not to mention keeping her daughter safe. Right?"

"Get to the point." Sonny said, suddenly knowing where he was going. Truthfully, the thought had crossed his mind.

"Do you want out?"

"What?" Sonny asked, obviously not getting the reply he'd expected.

"Do you...want out?" Mac asked, this time more slowly. "Look, whether it was intentional or not, your trips to the holding cell have been few and far between. The crime rate on your behalf has dropped significantly, and I'd like to think that maybe you've realized what all the danger has cost everybody. If you'd be willing to work with me, we could take Alcazar and his organization down."

"In exchange for what, me going out of business?" Sonny asked, already knowing the answer. Not knowing what the future held, but knowing that for once he truly had one, he told Mac that he'd think about it, and promptly headed for the door.

Alexis woke the next morning to sunlight streaming in though the curtains. She saw the peaceful look on the sleeping girl beside her, and chose to let her rest. Shuffling across the room, she stole a glance at her other sleeping daughter, and took a moment to stop and stare. "You're so beautiful, baby girl." She whispered. Knowing that so much had already changed in the small girl's life, Alexis felt a pang of guilt at the trouble everything had caused her. "We'll go home, I promise." She mused, brushing Molly's soft hair out of her face. "I promise."

She made her way downstairs to find Michael watching cartoons. Picking a blanket up off of the chair, a smile crossed her face. It was somehow refreshing to know that in the midst of everything, something could still remain normal. "What are we watching?"

"It was Spongebob-" Michael said, setting down the throw pillow that had been resting on his lap. "-but now it's some kiddie show. Morgan and Kristina would probably like it."

Alexis laughed, shrugging. "You're a good big brother, do you know that?"

Michael sighed, shrugging his shoulders. "Yeah, I guess. I'm gonna go get some cereal..."

She watched him head off before switching through the channels, wandering aimlessly through a myriad of cartoons, movies and music before finally settling back on the station Michael had been watching.

Carly carefully made her way down the stairs, noting the distracted look that was visible on Alexis' face. If anything, she knew it hadn't been an easy night for her either. "Michael in the kitchen?" She asked.

"He's making himself a bowl of cereal." Alexis said, looking up in surprise.

"I swear that kid could eat a whole box if I'd let him. Guess he learns from the best." Carly laughed. "Well, I guess I'd better go check on him. Oh, and I set up the coffee pot last night. It's uh...it's decaf-" She said, pointing to her pregnant stomach. "-hate to make you all suffer, but I guess that it'll do."

Alexis nodded, forcing a smile again. "Thanks, Carly. I'll be in there in a minute." She waited until Carly left the room before sinking back in the chair. Carly looked just as tired as she was, but Alexis felt that somehow, she couldn't have felt as bad. She had woken up multiple times during the night, and save from making sure the girls were safe, there was nothing she could do. Helpless probably would have been the word to describe how she felt, though she couldn't pinpoint exactly why.

When she did sleep, nightmares assaulted her. Sonny getting shot. Kristina crying. Sonny telling her to take Kristina and run. Through it all, a vacant fear clung at Alexis' chest, and she'd awake panting and gasping for air. It was stupid, she tried to reason. None of it was real. That was, until the feel of scratchy comforters and the sight of an unfamiliar ceiling greeted her.

It was real. The life she had grown accustomed to had been literally tipped on its axis, and all she was left to do was wait it out. She hated waiting; hated feeling like there was nothing she could do. Not knowing where she was only added to the sick feeling that had planted itself in her stomach. Jason had told her before he left that he and Sonny would work things out, and she couldn't help but pray that he was right. Despite that, she knew that there was a chance that it couldn't. She knew that there was a chance she wouldn't see Port Charles again.

Remembering the promise she had made to Molly, Alexis decided that she couldn't just stay miserable. Air, she thought. Breathing whatever fresh air it was could help calm her nerves. Realizing that there was coffee in the kitchen, Alexis made her way to pour a cup, and found her way out to the back porch before perching herself on the old swing. In the distance, she could see guards at the edge of the property, presumably changing shifts. She remembered Benny and Johnny, both of whom had met an unfortunate end in their effort to keep Sonny's family safe.

"Miss Davis...well, I guess now it's Davis-Corinthos." Max said uncomfortably. "I mean...Alexis."

Alexis couldn't help but laugh at the man stumbling over his words. "It's okay, Max. What, am I breaking some rule by being out here?"

The question had come harshly, though Max knew where the frustration was coming from. "Well, it is a safe property for the moment. I wanted to tell you that Mr. Cassadine is on the phone. I was actually on my way to speak to the guys, make sure that everything is running smoothly. But...the phone rang." He said, waving the cellphone. "Just don't talk too long."

Alexis' rolled her eyes, knowing that he had only meant it as a warning. "Nikolas? How are you? Are the boys and Courtney alright?"

On the other end, Nikolas stifled a brief laugh. "Too many questions at once, Aunt. I was just calling to make sure that everything was okay, and to let you know that the boys miss you terribly. Courtney is still shaken, but she's perfectly fine."

Alexis nodded, glad to just hear the sound of someone familiar. "Thank you, Nikolas. Please send them my love."

"Of course." Nikolas agreed. "That is, if you promise to take care of yourself, and to tell my little cousins that I love them as well."

Noting the way Max stood off as to not invade the conversation, Alexis knew that she couldn't keep him waiting. "I wouldn't have it any other way. And Nikolas? Know that I love you, too."

"Always. Keep yourself safe, Aunt Alexis. You, Carly and Sam cooped in one house for too long...well..." Nikolas paused, realizing what he would have said wouldn't have made her feel any better. "I love you all as well. Good bye."