A/N: Sorry I haven't updated in awhile…the end is really difficult for me to write. I'm just trying to find a way to do this right, and it's not coming easily. Anyways, I hope you still enjoy this. This is one of my last updates on this story….

Brazen

Brenda slipped quietly down the stairs and into the kitchen. Sleep seemed impossible tonight and all she really felt like doing at the moment was sneaking into Jason's room and waking him up. But what would I do once I did wake him up?? Brenda knew in the back of her mind exactly what she would do…but things were not that simple at the same time. At least now she knew how she felt about Jason, but would it really work out? And if it didn't, could she handle losing her best friend? She sighed as she returned the carton of orange juice to the fridge and turned around. Seeing Jason standing two feet in front of her she screamed and nearly dropped her glass, spilling at least half the contents onto the floor.

"GOD! Jason, what are you doing?!?!" Brenda put her glass down and tried to catch her breath.

"Sorry, are you okay?" Jason grabbed a paper towel and chastised himself for surprising her. He had followed her down the stairs, curious to know if everything was all right. But instead of announcing his presence he had stood there and stared at her; the way her hair cascaded down her back, the soft glow of her skin…how good her legs looked in her skimpy negligee. He hadn't been able to sleep either, knowing she was just down the hall. All he had wanted was to go in there and watch her sleep.

"So you couldn't sleep either? Or did I wake you up?" Brenda asked as she joined him on the floor, cleaning up the mess.

"No, I was up…I guess I'm just a little distracted or something" Jason quickly got up and walked away from her, hoping to avoid more questions.

"Is there anything I can do?"

Jason's mind immediately went to where he knew it shouldn't go. Now I'll never be able to sleep tonight. "No, I'll fall asleep eventually. I actually wanted to see if you were ok. I heard you coming down here and I was wondering what was wrong"

Well, you're not sleeping with me. That would be the first problem. "Um….nothing. Just couldn't seem to fall asleep. Maybe we can find something to watch on tv…or we could watch one of Isi's movies…that should put us to sleep." Brenda smiled at him and he couldn't help but laugh. She seemed to have that affect on him.

"I'll go see if there's anything on" as Jason was leaving he noticed a picture he hadn't seen before on Brenda's kitchen wall. It was Robin, Stone, Sonny and herself. The picture was probably 15 years old, but she was radiant. Jason's mood immediately soured as he reminded himself of exactly who Brenda was with.

Jason mumbled to himself as he flipped channels, "Don't fool yourself into thinking she could ever love you. She obviously only loves him and anyone else would be a substitute. Of course, you're not even good enough to be a substitute."

"Is that what you think?" Jason spun around, the shock registering on his face as he saw Brenda standing just a few feet away.

"How long have you been standing there?" Jason just barely managed to ask.

"Long enough….can we please talk about this?" Brenda moved over to Jason and reached for his hand. But before she could hold onto it he quickly yanked it away.

"What's there to talk about?" he said angrily. "Obviously you love Sonny and there can never be anyone else for you"

"Where the hell did you get that?!? You don't love everyone you date. So why do you automatically assume that I love him because we went out a few times?"

"Well the fact that you're still seeing him speaks volumes."

"For your information I told him yesterday that it wasn't working, and he agreed with me!"

Jason stood, taken aback by her statement.

"And just because I loved him long ago that doesn't mean that every man in my life is some sort of substitute for him! And it definitely doesn't mean that I can't love anyone else! If that were the case, how the hell could I love you!!!"

S&B

"You know, I can just walk over to Ned's and…"

"Brenda, you're not leaving in this weather. Isabella will be fine with Ned for a night. It's not the first time she's been over there, and she's got Brooke to keep her company. She'll probably enjoy the sleepover. So why don't you relax and let me cook you some dinner?"

"I can just go wait for Jason…"

"Are you that uncomfortable around me?" Sonny looked genuinely hurt.

"NO! I just…can we not discuss anything too deep?"

"Don't worry, no pressure, I promise"              

Brenda took a deep breath and slowly nodded to Sonny.

"Besides, Jason probably got stuck at Liz's place. He's been spending a lot of time over there. I hear you had something to do with that" Sonny dimpled at her and Brenda couldn't help but return the smile.

"There wasn't much that needed to be done. She was interested, he was interested, so my part was small" Brenda shrugged and decided to take a seat on the couch.

"Well, he's happy, and he hasn't been like that in awhile. So I would say you did a good thing"

"It was the least I could do. He's been a real friend when I've needed one"

"I'm really glad that you guys could become friends. I do have to admit I am a little surprised though. You used to hate each other"

Brenda laughed, "Yeah, well I guess we both had our reasons. So what are you going to cook me?" Brenda smiled brightly at Sonny. It amazed her how quickly she could fall into the old patterns of flirtation with him.

"It's a surprise" Sonny grinned at her before leaving her alone with her thoughts.

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"You are still the most amazing cook" Brenda smiled as she sat back from her plate.

"Thank you. Its no clam sauce, but I'm glad you enjoyed it" he couldn't stop himself from staring at her.

Brenda got up and walked over to the couch. "So what do we do now?" The snow still had not stopped and it was only eight o'clock.

"TV, movie, card game?" Sonny suggested sitting as close to her as he thought he could get away with.

"Mmmmm…..card game!"

Sonny smiled as he thought back to their first poker lesson. "So, has your poker game improved?"

"Definitely! I'm going to take all your money!"

Sonny chuckled. "Anything you want, it's yours for the taking" Sonny stared at her once again, easily getting lost in his fantasies about her. Sonny knew he shouldn't push, but he hoped that he could change her mind the way he used to so many years ago. Slowly he leaned in, and when she didn't back away, he continued, his lips gently meeting hers. He tasted her in a way he had wanted for years; slowly running his tongue along her bottom lip, coaxing her mouth open. She never pulled away and they stayed in the intimate embrace for longer than he had ever hoped. When she finally did pull away she stared deeply into his eyes and whispered "I love you".