CHAPTER 6

The room was quiet when Carly and Sonny entered. Looking around they were both surprised that Leo and Alexis were both in attendance and apparently neither had any intention of leaving.

"Alexis. Leo." Sonny acknowledged the cousins. "This is a surprise." The question of why they were present explicit in his voice.

"Isn't it though," Alexis shot back. "But then again, Leo does live here." She leaned back against the bar next to Leo, making herself comfortable.

Turning away from Alexis, Sonny took in Jason and Elizabeth. She was sitting on a chair, Jason on its arm, his arm slung around her shoulder. Their hands together, fingers entwined. They looked comfortable and relaxed with each other, and seemingly oblivious to the stress that seemed pervade the other four occupants of the room.

"Good morning, Elizabeth. Jason." He took a deep breath, waiting for Carly's reaction to the people in the room. He was getting concerned. She was quiet, too quiet. Turning slightly to look at her, he noticed how stiff she was holding herself, as if she was exerting all her control to remain calm. Knowing his wife like he did, he knew that he was probably correct. That what she really wanted to do was hug her best friend, and then beat the living crap out of him for being away without a word for so long.

"Sonny." Jason returned coldly, his face devoid of any feeling. "Carly." Elizabeth felt him tighten his hold on her hand, a tell tale sign of how difficult it was for him to be this quiet and calm.

Carly smiled weakly at Jason. She recognized the look in his eyes and the tone of voice. It's like he's meeting a stranger or passing acquaintance, someone that has no place in his life, she thought sadly. She quickly smiled at Leo and Alexis. She smiled unsurely at Jason and then turned to look at Elizabeth, her eyes showing her confusion and slight anger at the younger woman.

From his vantage point at the bar Leo could literality see the tension build between the four people. After the hellos, if one could call them that, they just stood there staring at each other. He knew that something had to be done before one of them exploded. "Anyone want a drink?" Leo asked trying to lessen the tension.

"No. What…what we need is to be alone with Jason and Elizabeth. We have a few thing that need to be discussed in private." Sonny's voice was low and forceful. He kept his gaze on Jason and Elizabeth while answering Leo.

Leo wavered at Sonny's request. He was at a loss for what to say. He knew that if he refused it would just inflame the situation, but he also knew that he and Alexis could not leave. He knew that Elizabeth and Jason wanted them there. But he didn't want to antagonize Sonny Corinthos. The man was a fuse just waiting to be lit.

Luckily for Leo, Alexis took pity on him. "Sonny, you may want to be alone with them, but it isn't going to happen. Leo and I aren't going anywhere." She stated matter-of-factly.

"They're not going anywhere." Jason stated. He had watched the exchange and knew that Sonny was getting angrier with each passing moment and wasn't going to allow the older man to argue about anyone leaving.

"I really need to speak to Elizabeth in private." Carly suddenly broke her silence. Turning to Elizabeth she quietly explained. "It's about last night."

"Then you can say whatever you need to in front of all of us." Elizabeth understood Carly's need to have an explanation but didn't want to explain it over and over.

Carly was shocked at her friend's curtness. "Elizabeth, I really don't think-"

"Carly let me help you out here." It was Leo who interrupted the blonde. "Sonny told you that he thinks Elizabeth and Jason are sleeping together."

Carly was taken aback, looked almost embarrassed, by Leo's comment. Her eyes darted from Leo to Elizabeth and Jason. Elizabeth was whispering in Jason's ear. She then turned to Carly, her expression open.

"He's right Carly, we are. In fact we have been for quite some time." Elizabeth stated, the truth of the statement showing in her eyes.

Carly almost passed out then. She couldn't believe what she just heard. "But, you and Leo. And Leo is right here and…and...the ring…" She couldn't continue; for probably the first time in her life, Carly was truly speechless. That Elizabeth would cheat on someone that Carly knew she cared about.

"Carly," Elizabeth tried to calm her friend, "you're babbling. That's my job." The blonde just looked more dumbfounded than before. So much for trying to lighten the mood, Elizabeth thought.

Alexis watched the two women, knowing that this was not going well. "Elizabeth, perhaps Leo and I should let the four of you talk privately." She wanted to get out of there, and fast. She was afraid she knew exactly what Elizabeth was planning and didn't like it one bit.

Elizabeth turned to Alexis. Alexis knew what she was planning. How did she do that, she wondered. No one in her family had ever been able to figure her out but Alexis always seemed to know what she was up to. Thank goodness, Alexis didn't raise her or she'd never have gotten to do anything.

"No Alexis, please stay. I need you here for this." Her eyes showed she told the truth.

Alexis had never been able to deny Elizabeth and nodded her head showing her agreement to stay. She watched as Elizabeth looked down at the diamond on her hand. Suddenly it hit Alexis, exactly what younger woman was going to do. Something that need not be done.

"No Elizabeth, I forbid it. You will not do this." Alexis demanded of the young brunette. "I will not allow it."

Everyone turned to Alexis at the tone and anger that was evident in her voice.

Sonny narrowed his eyes, taking in his attorney's demeanor. He knew that something was very wrong.

"What do you forbid Alexis?" He asked, knowing it was likely she wouldn't answer him. He knew that there was something more going on here. The looks between Alexis and Elizabeth were disconcerting. Leo appeared almost amused, like he knew what was going to happen and thought it highly entertaining.

"Alexis, it's time people knew." Elizabeth slowly shook her head. "And this is as a good a place to begin as any." Elizabeth turned to Carly and smiled softly before beginning to speak in a soft voice. "Carly, the ring isn't from Leo. There is no me and Leo. Everyone just assumed there was."

Carly just stood silently, her brow furrowed as she attempted to process everything that was being said and done. "But if the ring isn't from Leo then…" Suddenly the realization of what the truth of the matter was showed on her face. She was stupefied. "If Leo didn't give you the ring, then…then…" She just couldn't continue. She really thought she was going to pass out this time. Quickly falling back into the chair behind her, she shook her head. Sonny bent over to tend to his wife.

"The ring is from me." Jason offered plainly.

Sonny head jerked up from next to Carly. He stared at Jason and then turned his dark eyes to Elizabeth. "How long? All these years, Lizzie? You've been with Jason all this time. So you've lied to us all these years."

Elizabeth closed her eyes for a moment and sighed. Opening her eyes she looked at the man that she had come to consider family and felt her anger rise to the fore. "No Sonny, I never lied to you. How long did you look for him? Huh, Sonny. Maybe 6 months. Not even a whole year before you decided not to concern yourself with him anymore. You'd stopped wanting to know anything about him long before I knew where he was or what had happened."

She was so angry with Sonny. Angry that he made himself the injured party. Angry that he thought she would just disregard their friendship; that she would, that she could, lie to him so simply. Angry that he thought so little of her. She was about to tell him just what he could do with their friendship when she felt Jason's hand squeezing hers, bringing her back.

"She's only done what I wanted her to do. I asked her not to tell you where I was." Jason broke contact with Elizabeth, standing before her as if to guard his lover from his former partner.

Carly sat in her chair watching her husband and two best friends glare at each other. No one had paid attention to her as she sat trying to process what Elizabeth had been saying. It's time people knew. She slowly stood and looked at Elizabeth. "Lizzie, what should people know?" Her voice though soft was deafening in the silence that had once again descended upon the room.

Elizabeth sighed at her friend's question. Standing up she walked over to Carly and took her hand. "Carly, maybe you should sit down first," she suggested, ignoring Sonny who was standing next to the blonde.

"No, tell me Lizzie." Carly demanded almost petulantly.

"I need you to sit down, Carly" Elizabeth soothed as she maneuvered Carly back into the chair.

It was at this point that Leo, who had been silently watching the drama unfold, made his presence known once again. Walking over to the bar, he once again asked "Are you sure none of you wants a drink. Cause I really feel the need for one right about now."

"No one needs a drink DuPres," Sonny practically growled.

Leo simply poured a couple of drinks. He glanced at Sonny and smirked, "Give it a couple minutes." He smirked as he handed Alexis a vodka.

Sonny shook his head finding it hard to believe that Elizabeth felt anything for Leo. Then again, she was cheating on him. He frowned when he realized that Leo knew about Jason and Elizabeth. He brought himself out of his musing and back to the scene before him.

After getting Carly back in her seat, Elizabeth walked to the bar knowing that Leo was right about needing a drink. Taking a deep breath she turned to look at Carly and Sonny. "Yes the ring is from Jason. I am not cheating on Leo. Leo and I have never dated. He's family and I'm sure there are laws against that."

"Family," Carly questioned, her voice filled with confusion.

"Yes, family." Elizabeth smiled at Leo. "Cousins"

"So that means you and Alexis are somehow related?" Sonny queried. "And what does that have anything to do with this?"

"No Sonny, Elizabeth is not somehow related to me; she's not my cousin," Alexis answered him, much to her own surprise. She was not going to have Elizabeth bear the brunt of Sonny's reaction to this bit of news. "She is Leo's cousin and my daughter."

For a few moments no one seemed to breath, then the expected explosion to the news from Sonny and Carly began. And she knew that all other explanations would have to wait until the shock from this revelation subsided.