A/N: Hey! I'm so sorry for disappearing for awhile. Things got really hectic and I just couldn't get the time to sit down and write. Hopefully you will all enjoy this chapter. It is getting close to the end, so if you have any suggestions of stories you have wanted to see for either Sonny and Brenda or for Brazen, let me know. I'm trying to brainstorm my next one. Anyways, Happy Valentine's Day and on to the story:

PART A

Brenda glanced at her watch as Sonny walked her out after coffee.

"I think I'll go say hi to Jason before I go back home"

"Yeah, that's a good idea. Jason's seems kinda upset lately and he won't talk to me about it. Something's really bothering him, and I'm starting to wonder if I've done something" Sonny sighed.

"I'm sure you haven't done anything. But, he has been acting strange. Now is as good a time as ever for an interrogation" Brenda smiled a little.

Sonny laughed and shook his head. "Are you okay to drive?"

Brenda nodded. "I'll be fine. The coffee is going to keep me awake for awhile. I'll talk to you later, Sonny"

They hugged before she headed over to Jason's.

Brenda knocked several times before Jason finally answered looking disheveled and disoriented.

"Jason? Are you okay?" Brenda's voice instantly filled with concern.

"I'm fine…Jusssttt fine" Jason slurred as he began to walk away from her. He stumbled not two steps away from her and Brenda quickly grabbed for him and helped him back to the couch where he sank down with a moan.

Brenda surveyed the bottles that filled the table before looking back at him again. "Fine? You're wasted! God! I've never seen you like this…"

"Welllll, thingsss change Brenda" he looked appreciatively at her figure.

"What has gotten into you lately?! You're even tenser if that's possible. Not to mention that you NEVER talk now…not even to tell me to shut up! And Sonny's noticing too."

"Sonny! Ha! You know, he's ssuuch a great friend!" Jason spat.

"What's going on with you two? Jason, you need to talk about this" Brenda sat next to him on the couch.

"Brenda…." Jason whispered. "It's just not fair"

Brenda eyed him carefully as he suddenly seemed to sober up and fall into a daze simultaneously. "What is it Jason?" Brenda gently caressed his cheek.

Jason leaned in closely and brought his hand to her chin. "I love you Brenda" Jason stared into her eyes.

"You what?" Brenda choked.

"I love you…." And with that Jason passed out against the couch cushions.

Brenda sat for a few minutes just staring at his sleeping form: his hair messed and his mouth hanging open. "Jason Morgan, things have changed" She sighed as she closed his mouth and stroked his cheek again. Her mind swirled with thoughts. What was she supposed to do in this situation? If he was telling the truth, it would explain a lot…like why he can't stand to be around either Sonny or me anymore. She closed her eyes and leaned her head back next to his. She knew she had to figure this out on her own terms. Jason was the last person she wanted to hurt. After everything he had done for her he deserved better. And with her a man was bound to end up with a broken heart. Even she was bound to end up the same way. Could she really afford to lose another friend to a relationship? With another deep sigh she gently pushed Jason back on the armrest, brought his legs up onto the couch and covered him with a blanket. Brenda considered cleaning the mess but realized he may figure out that she was there. With a last glance at him she picked up her purse and quietly left.

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Jason awoke the next morning with a splitting headache. Looking over at the coffee table he moaned with the realization of why he felt this way. Jason closed his eyes again and rubbed his aching head. With a load groan he sat up deciding a cold shower would do him some good. Suddenly the image flew into his head; A wonderful dream of the night before. Brenda had been there talking to him. Her perfume had tempted him and her eyes were filled with love. Jason sighed knowing it was just a dream. There was no way she would be there. She was supposed to be with Sonny. In fact she's probably in Sonny's bed right now. Jason dropped his head in his hands in defeat. Why do things have to be this way? Willing himself to block out the powerful emotions he felt about her he forced himself to his feet and headed up the stairs.

PART B

Sonny stood outside the store five minutes to closing. He watched as a woman picked up her bags and said goodbye. Sonny quickly crossed the street and held the door open for her giving her a quick smile. Once she had passed through he ducked inside rubbing his hands together.

"I'm sorry, I was just about to close, perhaps you could come back tomorrow…" Brenda stopped speaking as she finally lifted her head to see her customer.

Sonny gave her a dimpled grin before speaking. "Actually I was on my way home and I thought I'd see if you needed some help locking up"

"I'm fine, really. Just a few keys to turn…" Brenda started cashing out the drawer.

"Well, I could use the company" Sonny smiled at her again as he walked up to the counter. "So…you might as well make good use of me" Sonny's thoughts quickly took a new direction.

"You're not going to leave, are you?" Brenda stared at him. When she didn't get a response she sighed in resignation. "Maybe you could start bringing some of those shirts over here"

Sonny smiled at her defeat and quickly did as he was told. Brenda made her way over to the door and locked it before reaching up to bring down the blinders. Every day she thought she would be tall enough to just reach up for it, but every day she learned again how wrong she was. She was about to jump for it when she felt Sonny's hand on the small of her back as he reached above her and brought them down. Her breath caught at his touch and she could smell the intoxicating scent of his cologne. "Thanks" she mumbled before quickly moving away.

Sonny smiled to himself at her reaction. He knew he would be able to break her down eventually. "So what are you doing with these shirts?"

"I have to mark them down in the morning. There's some new items coming in next week"

"Things seem to be going really well Brenda. I'm very proud of you"

She smiled sweetly at his compliment. "Thanks Sonny"

Sonny felt his heart melt at the sight of her. He sighed and made his way around the counter, closer to her. "Can I help?"

Brenda nodded slightly and handed him some shirts. "Just fold them up for me"

Sonny started to fold and was done with three when Brenda looked over and started laughing. "What?" Sonny asked looking at his handiwork.

"I should have known better than to ask Mr. Mobster to fold some shirts. Do you even know how to fold shirts Sonny?"

"What do you call what I'm doing right now?"

"I think I'd have to make up a word for what you're doing" she continued her laughing.

"Well, if I'm not doing it right then show me how!" he poked her playfully in the ribs.

"Okaaayy. You take the shirt and lay it down like this then fold over this side and then that side and then fold it into three parts, like this" Brenda held up the folded garment for Sonny's approval.

"I can do that" He began to follow her instructions but the shirt was soon in a crumpled mess again.

Brenda laughed and he watched the way her eyes lit up.

"Maybe you should guide me through it"

Brenda nodded before placing her hands over his and showing him the motions, but Sonny wasn't paying attention to anything but her.

"Did you get it this time?" Brenda smiled up at him.

He quickly grabbed her hands that were still placed on his and backed her against the counter, pinning her there. Brenda's face registered the move in shock.

"Maybe I'll never learn how to fold a shirt, but I think I'm better at other things" Sonny looked at her with desire.

"Wha…What are you doing?" Brenda asked flustered. "Would you really hurt Jason like this again?"

"So you're playing that card again, huh?"

"I'm what?"

"I know the truth Brenda. Jason told me"

Brenda paled at the news and quickly tried to brush it off. "That doesn't mean I want you Sonny. God! You're so arrogant" she quickly shoved him away, but he wasn't letting her off the hook that easily.

"Brenda, tell me the truth"

"Well, I wasn't lying about you being arrogant"

Sonny sighed and looked at her again as she finished closing up. He followed her into the office as she shut off the lights in the main room. "Brenda, you can't keep avoiding me. I'm not going to go away that easily."

"Right. Your usual game is to make me need you and THEN go away!"

The words had stung, but they had been the truth, Sonny admitted to himself.

"Brenda" Sonny grabbed her hand before she could walk away again. "I don't care how long it takes, I will get you to trust me again." He stared into her eyes.

"Why?" she whispered.

"Because I love you, and I always will" Brenda looked down her eyes filling with tears. "It's always been you Brenda" Sonny gently stroked her cheek.

"You need to leave" Brenda met his eyes again.

He sighed and let go of her hand. "I'm only leaving because I've given you a lot to think about. It won't be easy next time." He stared at her for another moment before walking out the back door.

Brenda sighed and wiped away the tears. Why does he always get to me? Why can't I just be stronger than that for once?

Although Brenda would never say it out loud, she still loved Sonny. The truth was that he was the one for her too. But their life together had never been easy, and this was no exception. She wouldn't allow herself to forget the bad as easily as she had before. She knew she had a lot of thinking to do. She had to decide whether he was worth the risk again. And if he wasn't, how to let him know…