"What the hell do you mean you want to come home?" Sonny growled into the receiver.
Just what I said, I want to come home.
"You have a hell of a lotta nerve calling me." Sonny sat up in the bed and shook the sleep from his mind. "Do you have any idea what's been happening for the past two years? Of course not! You just decide to take off."
Sonny, you told me you understood. You told me it's what you would do. I was just following your stellar lead.
"I never abandoned my wife, Jason. Never!" he barked into the receiver. "You're a true, cold hearted bastard. But for some reason, Elizabeth loves you. When you told me you were leaving, I thought you'd be back in two weeks. It's been two fuckin' years, Jason."
I know exactly how long it's been. But that's in the past now, I want to come home.
"You son of a bitch-"
Look, I'm not going to argue with you. I'm in Rota, Spain. There's an airstrip nearby. I'll find the plane once it gets here. Just send someone to get me.
Before Sonny had time to tell him to go to hell and get his own way back, Jason had hung up on him. Sonny clicked the cell phone to off and stared at it for a minute. He even had the urge to pinch himself, just to make sure this wasn't a dream. Had Jason really just called him?
"Damn it," he muttered. He pushed the covers back and slipped out of the bed. He began to pace back and forth in front of the bed. What was he going to do?
"Elizabeth," he sighed. God, she'd been so broken earlier. Sonny wasn't even sure if he should tell her. She'd been just fine for two years, she didn't need Jason. Jason sure as hell didn't deserve her. He stopped pacing and stared at the cell phone that was lying on the mattress. He dragged a hand over his face roughly and sighed.
"What're you going to do Corinthos?" he asked the empty room. "You should just let the bastard rot in hell."
As each day passed, Sonny found it increasingly harder for him to respect Jason. Sure, he understood what he was doing. Running. Sonny had done it himself when he didn't marry Brenda. But Jason had also known about his history with Deke. Jason knew what happened to his mother after Mike left.
Sonny walked into his bathroom and flipped on the light. His eyes adjusted and he took in the person staring back at him in the mirror. So far, he'd been able to prevent a repeat situation with Elizabeth. No one had gotten close enough to her so that she'd have to go through what his mother did. Or worse, Isabelle having to live through what Deke did to him.
Sonny knew he was going to have to go to Spain. There was no way around it. Jason was every kind of lowlife he could think of, but Elizabeth loved him. He couldn't take the decision out of her hand. But that didn't mean he was going to tell her where he was going.
Decision made, he walked to where the cell phone was. Automatically, he dialed the number of the pilot and told him to have the plane ready for take off in an hour. Slowly Sonny packed a bag, but then realized there was no point. If Jason was waiting at the airport, the trip would take less than a day.
Next, he dialed Johnny's voicemail and left him a cryptic message. Told him he had to go out of the country for a few days, but he'd be back soon. Wanted him to watch out for Elizabeth while he was gone. Also, he wanted Johnny to send some guys out to get her a TV the next morning.
His next call was to Alexis.
Hello?
"Jasper," Sonny said. He hated to ask this. "I need a favor. Will you let me talk to Alexis?"
Corinthos, I should have known. Alexis is sleeping and I'm not waking her.
On the other end of the phone, Sonny heard his lawyer's sleepy voice and the argument that he had started by calling at this time. He should have known better.
Sonny, what's wrong?
"I need you here in about twenty minutes, Alexis." Sonny glanced at his clock and groaned. Couldn't Jason have called in the middle of the day?
Sonny, it's two a.m. There is no way I can be there in twenty minutes. Are you in trouble? Are you hurt?
"No," he admitted. "It's not me."
Sonny-
"I know, I know. I'm not supposed to call you after five. I realize you're going to charge me triple for this. It's important. It's about Jason."
Jason? What about Jason?
"He called. He wants me to send a plane for him. I want you to come with me." Sonny couldn't believe that he was dragging her into this. But if he didn't have someone with him, there was no telling what he was going to do to Jason. "I need you to bring the Australian wonder over too."
Why do you need Jax?
"I have Isabelle tonight." Sonny exited his room, nearly fully dressed to check on the little girl. He still had a crib in Michael's old room and he'd laid her down for the night in there.
Yeah? So? What's that got to do with Jax?
"Someone has to baby-sit, Alexis. I don't want to tip Elizabeth off that I'm going some where. Besides, she needs the rest. It'll just be one night. It'll give Jasper training for when you have kids of your own."
Kids? I'm not having kids. Oh lord, what would I do with kids? Sonny, you've lost it. Could you see me with kids?
Sonny chuckled into the receiver of the phone. "Alexis. Breathe. I need you to come with me to Rota so I don't kill Jason before I get him back to Port Charles. Since I've already woken your loving husband up, he won't mind watching Isabelle tonight. I would bring her over there, but since she's already sleeping here, it's just easier for you to come here. Besides, if Elizabeth wakes up tomorrow morning and her daughter isn't in this penthouse, she'll have a panic attack."
I'm on my way out the door now, Sonny.
"Thanks, Alexis." Sonny paused. Considered hanging the phone up. "I…owe you. I'll see you in a little bit."
You know I'd do anything for you, Alexis admitted before she hung up the phone.
Sonny knew it was true. Somewhere along the way Alexis and he had crossed a line. A line she admitted to not crossing with any of her other clients. She was his best friend. Sonny and Alexis had a relationship that he never thought he'd be able to have with a woman. It was the same way with Elizabeth.
After he'd finished getting dressed, Sonny sunk down into the cushions of his couch. He was going to get Jason. His best friend in the whole world. A man he wasn't even sure he trusted anymore. Sure, with the business aspects. From the moment Jason had come into the organization, Sonny knew Jason would one day be his successor. But Sonny also knew Jason didn't want that. He'd be content with being the second in command for the rest of his life. It wasn't because of lack of ambition. Jason wasn't power or money hungry.
Sonny knew as soon as his plane left the ground, Ronan Stryker would know. The man seemed to have eyes and ears all over Port Charles. He hadn't managed to get the upper hand yet, but Sonny felt like he was being hunted. Stalked, even. Stryker was just like a snake; watching, waiting for the perfect time to bite. By now, he had to know that Sonny had brought Elizabeth back to Port Charles. It made him uneasy leaving like this, but Sonny had to trust that Johnny would look out for her.
"Besides," he said to himself, "you have to go do this. Jason is coming back with you, if you have to kill him first."
Sonny sighed. Alexis would be here soon. With Jax. They were going to get Jason. He didn't need a bag. Johnny knew he'd be gone. Sonny did admit to feeling guilty over not telling Elizabeth where he was going, but she'd know soon enough. He didn't think he'd be able to convince Jason to stay away from her once they returned. Only one more person to call. Marie. Sonny slowly pulled the cell phone from his pocket and dialed her number. He hated waking her up, but they had dinner plans for the next night.
After five rings, she finally picked up. Hello?
"Hey," Sonny said easily. "I'm sorry to call so late."
That's okay. Everything okay?
"Yeah, yeah. Everything's fine." Sonny paused for a moment to listen to her breathe. He didn't know it, but his mouth turned up in a lazy smile.
Sonny?
Her voice pulled him from his thoughts. "Sorry. Like I was saying. Sorry I called so late, but I wanted to let you know that I'm gonna have to break our date tomorrow."
Can you tell me why?
"You remember what I told you about Elizabeth's husband?" Sonny paused and considered how much he should tell her. It wasn't likely that Marie would go to Elizabeth and tell her this. "He contacted me. I'm going to get him."
Oh, I understand. Then I guess I'll see you when I see you.
"Yeah, I guess so. So I'll talk to you later." Silence stretched between them, but neither hung up. Finally, Sonny spoke again. "Marie?"
Yeah?
"What I told you about Jason? Could you not tell anyone?" He stopped and realized how that sounded. "Its just–Elizabeth doesn't know I'm going. I know she's the first person he's gonna want to see. I don't want to tip her off."
I understand. Thanks for letting me know. I'll finally get to meet the illusive Jason you told me about. I guess I'll see you when you get back, huh?
"Yeah, I'll see you. Be careful and take care." Sonny listened as she said her goodbyes and then he disconnected the call.
No sooner than he did, the night guard knocked on his door. Don, the guard, poked his head through to see if his boss was awake.
"Mr. Corinthos, your attorney and her husband are here to see you. Do you want me to send them away?"
Sonny stood and walked to the door. "No, let them in. I'm expecting them."
Don stepped out of the way and let Alexis and Jax enter. He quietly shut the door behind him and took his position in the hall. The guard on Elizabeth's door gave him a strange look, but Don had been with Mr. Corinthos long enough to know that he shouldn't ask questions.
Inside, Sonny smiled warmly at his attorney. She was dressed down in comfortable jeans and a sweater. Her brown hair was swept up in a ponytail. Jax was dressed just as casual in khaki pants and a light green t-shirt. His blond hair was tousled from his sleep.
"Thanks for coming, Alexis." Sonny tipped his head towards the drink cart. "Want a drink? Jasper?"
"Cut the crap, Corinthos." Jax wasn't pleased about being dragged from his sleep in the middle of the night. Or the fact that his wife had informed he was going to baby-sit for the rest of the night. "What do you want with us?"
Sonny poured himself a glass of water and drank it all with one swallow. "Jason called. I'm sure Alexis told you."
"Yeah, so what. You're little brain damaged thug is finally coming home."
"Jax!" Alexis scolded. She could see that this was going to escalate out of control quickly. "Please continue, Sonny."
"As I was saying, Jason called. He's in Rota, Spain. He wants me to send a plane for him."
"Then why are you going? You have any number of people to handle this. Why make it personal?" Alexis already knew the answer. It was personal.
"I'm going to make sure he gets on that plane. I'll drag his sorry ass back across the ocean if I have to."
Jax nodded his head. "I understand that. But why does Lexi have to go with you?"
Sonny turned to look at the Australian. "You know the answer to that already, Jasper. I'm taking Alexis with me so I don't kill him."
The way Sonny's face hardened and his eyes turned coal black, Jax knew he wasn't joking. "And what's this about me baby-sitting Isabelle?"
"Exactly what it sounds like. You're baby-sitting Isabelle."
"Why not just take her to Elizabeth's? It's just across the hall."
Sonny stared at the man for a minute before he answered. "So Elizabeth can ask where I'm going. So I'll either have to lie to her, or tell her the truth. Either way, she's just going to worry. Or worse, she'll insist she go with me. If Isa isn't in this penthouse tomorrow morning when Elizabeth wakes up, she's gonna be pissed. Especially after what happened with Abby."
"I understand." Jax slunk down on the couch and looked up at the mobster and his wife. "Just hurry. Bring Jason back. I'll be here with Isabelle until Elizabeth comes to retrieve her."
"She's a baby, Jasper. Not a dog." Sonny rolled his eyes, but didn't continue the conversation. He watched as Alexis promised Jax she'd be back soon and they'd have the chance to talk then. Sonny had the overwhelming urge to get sick all over the carpet. "Yeah, yeah. Enough sweet stuff. Let's go, Alexis. The pilot's waiting."
"I'll see you later," she said to Jax. She turned to Sonny and glared. "I'm ready."
Once they were at the door, Sonny looked back at Jax. "Jasper, take care of that little girl. She means a lot to a lot of people. And by the way, don't tell Elizabeth where we went. Just say I had to go away for business and Alexis had to accompany me."
"Sure, Corinthos," he sneered. Jax's blood boiled as he watched his nemesis put his hand on the small of his wife's back and lead her out of the penthouse.
~*~
It looks clear, Mr. Corinthos. We should be landing within the hour.
That was the announcement that the pilot had given them twenty minutes ago. Sonny sat back in the plush leather chair and waited. Alexis was sitting across from him, looking ashen. If he didn't know better, he would have thought she was afraid of flying.
"Are you ready to do this?" she asked suddenly.
"Land?" Sonny cocked an eyebrow. "I fly all the time, Alexis."
"Not land. Are you ready to face him?" Alexis twisted her fingers together.
Sonny sighed. "I don't know, Alexis. He let her down. After what Mike did to my mother, it's hard for me."
"I figured you were struggling with that. You don't need to worry though, Sonny. You were able to save her."
He nodded his head and felt very old. "I shouldn't have had to save her, Lex. Jason should have never left."
"I know," Alexis agreed. "But he lost his daughter. He sat and watched as the woman he loves was turned into a shadow of her former self. I have no idea what kind of guilt he was going through and neither do you. It makes it hard for us to judge him."
"I'm not judging him." Sonny shifted in his seat and uncrossed his legs. He'd never talked about this with anyone before. Not even Elizabeth. "It's just…she lost her daughter too. She felt the same thing on the inside that he did. I wonder if he's still going to be the same. If his eyes are still going to be dead."
"Sonny, it's been two years. I don't know what to expect from Jason."
Sonny felt the plane begin its downward descent and knew that they were landing. "I guess we're going to find out. Looks like we're landing."
Alexis secured her seatbelt and sucked in a breath. She really wished she had a paper bag right about now. Instead of thinking about it, she cocked her head to look at her friend. "You know, you can't compare him to Elizabeth. They went through the same ordeal, but Elizabeth has healed because of Isa. Jason didn't have what she had."
"I know." Sonny smiled at his attorney. "Elizabeth never told Jason about Isabelle. And well…it's not in our place to tell him. So don't mention it."
"I won't." The plane bounced on the runway and Alexis felt as it slowly came to a stop. She looked out the window and saw one man standing at the gate, waiting for them to depart. "Ready or not, here we come."
They both unhooked their seatbelts and departed the plane. Sonny had already given the pilot instructions to refuel and then the second man would take over. They were departing for New York as soon as possible.
As Sonny walked toward his oldest friend, he felt relief. Jason was standing in front of him. He looked a little older, but he was still the same man. His friend. His best friend.
"Sonny," Jason said. He turned and smiled at Alexis. "Ms. Davis."
"It's Davis-Jacks now," she corrected. A wide smile broke out across her face.
Jason nodded. "It's good to see you."
"Jason," Sonny said. He extended his hand to his partner. He hadn't been sure how he should handle this, but he was just doing what felt right.
Jason looked from his friends' face to his hand, then took a step forward, and shook it. He wasn't surprised when Sonny pulled him into a hug and patted his back. When Jason stepped back, he thought he saw tears glistening in Sonny's eyes. It was good to have his best friend back.
"What now?" Alexis asked.
"I want to go home," Jason answered her. He turned to look at Sonny. "I want to see my wife."