A/N: Sorry for the lack of update last week! I had this whole fantastic plan to do a couple of chapters and post them all at once and that all went down the drain when I got the flu. Seriously, watch out for it this year; it's a nightmare! Anyways, I'm hoping to get a few up in the next two weeks and then taking a little break because I'm out of town for the holidays. Hope you enjoy this installment….

PART A

"Things have been so hectic at work lately, I just feel like I haven't had a break in forever" Brenda sighed as she put together a sandwich for her lunch.

"You've done a fantastic job with the boutique though. Half of PC is talking about it" Jason replied, washing his sandwich down with some lemonade.

"That's just because 'everyone wants to buy clothes from the scandalous Brenda Barrett. The very same model who came back from the dead 10 years ago and was the center of a high-profile murder case'" Brenda read from the newspaper review.

"You really shouldn't believe everything you read. Don't sell yourself short, you've done really well"

"Thanks" Brenda said with a smile.

"And you know my offer stands. Anytime you need a break I would love to watch Isabella and you could go out for the night. You keep talking about getting together with Lois"

"Actually, I was going to ask you if you're free tomorrow night to watch Isabella"

"Sure, I don't have any plans. Is Lois coming into town for the night?"

"Um…no" Brenda hesitated.

"What, got a hot date you forgot to mention?" Jason teased, but then he saw the look on her face.

"I don't really want to call it a date…."

"Then what would you call it" Jason felt his anger rising. No, it's more than anger. It's jealousy. I really have fallen hard…. "And who is it with?"

"Sonny just wanted to have dinner together and I thought 'what's the harm'"

"Wait, you're telling me that after all those times you've said you're over him you're just going to go out with him!"

"What's the big deal Jason! Why are you yelling at me! What do you care anyways?!?!" Brenda screamed right back.

Jason took a deep breath. "You've been saying since you returned that you're not here to get back with Sonny, that you're not interested in a relationship with him, that you're over him. And now you're going out with him tomorrow?"

"Look, I said that my agenda in life is not to chase after Sonny Corinthos, but one date is not the end of the world" Brenda looked at Jason for a moment. "Anyways, you never answered me, why do you care?"

Jason's breath caught in his throat. What have I done? How am I possibly going to explain myself now…

Fortunately for Jason, Brenda interrupted his thoughts. "You're always trying to protect him, aren't you? Do you still distrust me that much that you can't stand the thought of me going out with him again?"

Saved. "I never said that Brenda. And you don't know what I think. I'm more worried about you than I am about him. He hurt you so badly last time and I don't think you need that kind of pain again" At least I'm telling most of the truth.

Brenda nodded. "That means a lot to me Jason, but I can handle myself. I'm going out to dinner with an old friend. Nothing more than that is happening"

Jason nodded unconvincingly.

PART B

What am I doing?

The thought occurred to both of them and they each pulled away quickly. It had been only a few moments that their lips had connected. But those few moments may have changed everything all over again.

Brenda looked up at Jason, her brow creased in thought. She opened her mouth to speak when they heard the voices.

"Mommy! I'm home!" Isabella's small voice rang loudly from the front door.

"Hey sweetheart, did you have a good time with Uncle Ned?" Brenda quickly walked around Jason towards the door where she hugged her daughter.

"Your daughter is exactly like you Brenda. I think you're the only person in the world who can keep up with her" Ned looked wiped out as he walked in the door.

Brenda laughed. "Look what you did to poor Uncle Ned! Why don't you go upstairs and wash up and then you can help me with dinner. And why don't you stay Ned?"

"Yeah, sure sounds good" Ned answered hesitantly as he eyed Jason who was still standing in the living room.

"Actually, I need to get going. I'll see you later Brenda. Say bye to Isabella for me"

Brenda just nodded as she watched Jason leave.

"Did we interrupt something?" Ned asked cautiously.

"No! No, Jason and I were just finished with the movie"

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Sonny sat on his couch recounting the events he had witnessed at Brenda's house earlier that day. The idea made his blood boil. Of all the people that Brenda could possibly get involved with, how the hell did she choose Jason? And Jason, what the hell was his excuse? Brenda was obviously gorgeous, and her body….was something else. Sonny smiled at the thought. But that was no reason for Jason to do that! Jason was supposed to be loyal and he was supposed to keep his feelings, at least about some things, in check.

What the hell am I doing? I'm sitting here feeling sorry for myself and doing absolutely nothing about it…Sonny smiled to himself. I've fought for her once and I can do it again. I know Brenda and I are destined, I just have to prove it to her….

With that thought Sonny stood up and made some plans…