Author's Note: Thank the goddess! Finally got this chapter to upload properly. I appreciate the feedback from the few of you that have dropped me a line about this fic. I am a feedback ho cause while I don't write for it, I do so loooooove it…makes me feel warm and fuzzy. And Steph? Yes that's what it means. At least it will as soon as I find the time to actually plot out a few things. It's my birthday resolution.

Chapter 8, PART 1

~~~Chicago~~~

Francesca was seated at her desk, her head down while she read the latest report from her assistant in New York, when the door opened.

"Ginny, didn't I tell you not to interrupt me until lunch." She told her secretary not stopping to look up from the paperwork.

"You probably did, but since I'm not Ginny that won't help." The dark haired man at the door stated. He casually leaned against the doorframe, his eyes glistening with unconcealed amusement.

Francesca's head jerk up. Her eyes widened momentarily before narrowing as she took in just who had disturbed her. "What are you doing here?"

"Now is that any way to greet your brother?" He chuckled at the question.

She sighed as she stood and walked out from behind her desk. "No but then again you aren't supposed to be out and about yet." She stopped in front of him and leaned forward to give him a light kiss on his cheek. Taking his arm she began to lead him over to the comfortable sofa by the office's picture window. "Tell me that Doc told you it was okay to be coming in to the city." She asked him knowing that he would not be able to confirm her statement.

"Of course he didn't. It's been two weeks since the shooting. I'm fine." He tried to hide the grimace of pain that shot through his side as he lowered himself onto the sofa. He knew that he shouldn't be out of bed but he was worried about his baby sister.

"Max," she shook her head, "you got shot. And it wasn't just a graze either." She stood over him, looking down disapprovingly. "We were lucky that it wasn't more serious."

Max waved his hand in the air from front to side. "It wasn't that serious, " he scoffed. "And I can rest here just as well as the house."

She sighed as she went over to the bar and poured a drink for each of them. Walking back to the sofa she handed him a glass. At his raised brow she shook her head. "Water," she simply stated as she sat down. "You're still on medication."

They sat there silently, lost in their own thoughts while sipping their drinks. Both dwelling on the real reason Max had come in to the office so soon after the shooting.

Francesca knew that Max disliked the fact that she had to come back to Chicago when he first was shot. She hadn't been happy either, though not for the reason he thought. Yes she hated the fact that she had to leave her gallery in someone else's hands and hated that she had to leave the life she had made for herself but that wasn't it. What she had hated the most was that it had been necessary. That someone had gone after her brother and almost succeeded. When their parents died her sister and Max raised her. He may only be her brother-in-law but for much of her life he was her only family. Even now he was still a part of her heart.

At the same time, Max looked around the office from his seat on the sofa. He took in the personal touches she had added over the past few years. The paintings on the wall and the few sculptures were from her gallery in New York. On her desk and the mantel over the fireplace were pictures of their families and her fiancé. He closed his eyes momentarily and asked forgiveness from his wife for dragging her sister into the business that they tried so hard to keep her out of most of her life.

"Suze,' his voice broke through her haze. She blinked at his use of her nickname. "Suze, I didn't come here just because I didn't want to stay in bed recuperating." He hesitated for a moment knowing she would not be happy with what he was about to request of her.

Francesca knew that Max was about to telling her something unpleasant. He only called her Suze when he wanted her to do something she would disagree with. "Okay, now I know something's up. What is it?" She asked with some degree of trepidation.

"I need you to leave town." He stopped, taking a moment to gauge her reaction. He held up a hand to stave off any protest from her. "Let me finish." She nodded her head in acquiescence. "Things here have calmed down. I can handle things with help from the boys. You are needed elsewhere."

She didn't like where this was going. He was right that things had been quiet recently but they knew that wasn't permanent. She had a feeling that he had been getting reports that he shouldn't have. "And you would know this how?" She asked, an eyebrow raised in question. "Let me guess. You've had Frank reporting to you even though Doc said you needed complete rest and relaxation."

He chuckled and shook his head. Leaning forward he looked her directly in the eyes. "You know me too well, sister dear. And yes, you're correct. But you also know that I'm right."

She would have argued with him. Told him he wasn't well enough to run the town by himself, that she refused to go anywhere but she knew that it would be a waste of her time. She'd always had a problem saying no to him when it came to family business. "Where do you want me to go?"

"Port Charles." He sat back waiting for the outburst he knew would be forthcoming.

"What?" She was shocked. "Not that I don't appreciate the gesture, but why? Don't you think that would be overkill?"

"Not at all. I think we need a strong presence there, especially now." He paused. "Plus on top of seeing that fiancé of yours, you can annoy Corinthos to your heart's content." He waited for her reaction, knowing that he had her.

She grinned widely and moved over to sit next to him. She gingerly hugged him and kissed him on the cheek again. "Okay, since you insist. Just promise me you'll relax while I'm gone, okay?"

Max put on his most innocent look and smiled at his sister. "Of course, I'll do whatever Doc says."

"Yeah right," Francesca grinned at her brother. She knew he was lying but she was resigned to just hoping he'd take it somewhat easy while she was gone. She felt a pang of guilt at the anticipation she was feeling at the trip to Port Charles. She was looking forward to seeing her fiancé as it had been over a month since they'd seen each other. And she had to admit that she was also looking forward to causing a bit of havoc in Sonny Corinthos' life.

PART 2

~~~Port Charles: The Yacht~~~

Jason glared at Sonny. Jumping to conclusions as always, he thought. "Sonny it's not-" The ringing of his cell phone interrupted him. He answered the phone quickly and quietly, turning away from the group. After just a few minutes he handed the phone over to Leo who continued the conversation.

Elizabeth raised her eyebrow in question but he only shook his head slightly. She knew that he would tell her later what the call was about. Now, though, they needed to convince Sonny of the danger coming to Port Charles.

Jason turned his attention off of Elizabeth and back to Sonny. May as well try to get him to see reason, he thought to himself. "The problem isn't just mine, Sonny. It's yours as well. Trouble is coming to town and you're not going to be able to just handle it like normal."

Sonny looked at Jason in disbelief. He couldn't believe that Jason showed up after all these years and was telling him that he couldn't handle business. "I can handle my own business without you. I have these past few years, haven't I?"

Great a testosterone contest. Alexis and Elizabeth looked at each other, both had been afraid of this. If one of them didn't step in then nothing would get accomplished. "Sonny," Alexis demanded, "just shut up for a minute, will you."

Sonny stared at her, a bemused statement crossing his face. Elizabeth heard Carly chuckle at the comment. Turning she saw that Leo was off the phone, a grin on his face. She wondered if it was from the phone call or Alexis' remark.

Jason shook his head. Only Alexis he thought. "Sonny this isn't your run of the mill problem. You've been at a stalemate with Sorel for years now. He's stepped up the game and you haven't even noticed yet, have you?" He'd shock some sense into Sonny yet.

"You have no idea what you're talking about," Sonny growled out, his voice low. "I don't need to put up with this." He rounded looking at everyone in the room. "And if it was true why would you be telling me like this. It wouldn't be anyone else's concern. This should be something we should discuss privately. "

"No it's not. Everyone here is involved." Jason held up a hand stave off any argument from the older man. "You have no idea. And Carly needs to know just how dangerous this situation is."

Jason was fed up. Sonny wasn't listening to him. Running a hand through his hair, he took a deep breath, and then put his hands on his hips and looked at Elizabeth. She smirked at him and nodded her head. He hoped she was ready for this, and that Leo and Alexis were also.

Turning back to Sonny he decided to just tell him everything he could, tact be damned. "Sorel's got new partners. And not small time either. They almost succeeded in taking the Midwest recently." He paused taking in Sonny's reaction. He finally was paying attention. "Yeah, thought that would make you notice. They almost took down Connell. The only reason they didn't is because Connell has no real competition. You don't have that kind of luck. You've got Sorel. Word is that they've hooked up with him and are going to start on the East Coast and move their way inland. And all anyone knows about them is they are based on the Pacific Rim. No other clues."

"That's all?" Sonny questioned him. "Then there's no need to worry. I don't need luck. I'll find out who it is and take care of them. I'm not going to let anything happen. Everyone will be fine." Sonny was outwardly calm. His eyes though, showed a restlessness and irritation to anyone that knew him well. And Jason knew him.

"Wrong." Elizabeth declared. "No, they won't," she stated emphatically. "Don't you get it? Max Connell almost died. He was hurt so badly that his sister had to come in and take over the running of the business." Elizabeth paused. Shit, now I did it, she thought. Time to explain a few things.

Sonny turned a dark gaze on Elizabeth and then Jason. They both knew the look. The one that said what the hell is going on and someone better start talking.

Jason sighed and waved his hand toward the others in the room. "Who wants to start?" They had already decided earlier that he wouldn't be the one to tell Sonny of the others involvement. Sonny would probably react better that way.

Leo and Alexis looked at each other then turned to Elizabeth. Leo shook his head slightly before beginning to speak. "Why don't I explain a few facts? I'm sure Sonny wants to know what's going on and why I'm still here. Right?"

Leo looked around. "Anyone want another drink before I start the fun part?" He queried, knowing the question would annoy Corinthos. Bingo he thought as he saw Sonny scowl at him.

Leo straightened from his position against the bar. "You've been remiss, Corinthos. You've been lax. While you've been playing little games with Sorel you haven't been paying attention to the world around you. This group came after Connell 3½ years ago. Max Connell was hit severely enough that his sister had to take over. She came with a friend. For the last 3½ years Jason has helped run the Midwest." He stopped knowing Sonny was about to explode.

"WHAT?"

"Sonny, shut up." Alexis once again directed.

"That's right. Now as to the rest of us. Elizabeth is engaged to Jason. Alexis and I are family. And all three of us have been involved in the business in some way or another. Alexis not as much since she's been your attorney and has these ethical qualms, something about conflict of interest. I've done odds and ends, usually whatever needs to be taken care of that can be done while I travel for Deception. Elizabeth though, she's a bit more involved." He pauses before continuing after receiving a nod from Elizabeth. "Morgan Designs isn't just a fashion house."

Carly suddenly spoke up. "Hold on a minute. You've been using Deception to work for a rival?"

Leo could almost see the steam rising. "Elizabeth? You want to take it from here?"

"Sure. Carly calm down. His work for Deception was just that, for Deception. He just did other things while traveling for the company. He never compromised your company. I wouldn't have allowed it."

"You wouldn't have allowed it?" It was Sonny questioning them this time. His face dark with barely contained rage.

"Sonny, sit down. You're not going to like this but you need to know everything. Morgan Designs is a legit company but it's also a front. I oversee the Connell East Coast interests from it. And yes, you should have known since this is your territory. But you know what, I don't care. We have no interest in Port Charles. The only reason we're here instead of New York City is because we like the town. Our friends are here, our families are here." She was pissed and her expression it. Her eyes glowed with anger. "And don't think that any of this is about you. Not anymore. You don't want to believe us, accept our help? Think about this before you refuse." She hesitated knowing what she was about to suggest was a low blow and that it would hurt Carly. "If we're right and you don't accept our help, then what happens to Michael?"

The room was still for a few seconds that felt to all like hours. The silence was broken by Carly. Her voice low but strong. "Sonny. I don't care what you want or what you think. I don't care what kind of problem you have with Jason or how upset you are about anything Elizabeth just said. You will not let anything happen to Michael." She slowly stood up and turned to Jason and Elizabeth, grabbing their hands. "Congratulations, both of you. Jason I'm glad your back. Elizabeth, will you call me later?"

Elizabeth simply nodded. She was bemused at Carly's calm demeanor. Carly released their hands and turned to walk out of the room and back on the deck. She turned, one hand holding tightly to the doorframe. "Sonny?"

Sonny took in the other four people left in the room. Picking up his coat he walked to join his wife. "I call you later, Jason. We'll have to meet and discuss this some more." He then left with his wife to go home to and spend time with their son.