AN: I'm back! Here's chapter 11. I'm glad all of you like this story. At the rate I'm going, it'll be a while until it's done. I have a few ideas but not a real, concrete ending. Not really. But the prologue implies some things, so maybe I'll work with that.

You guys, this is the second story I've posted that has the potential to make it to 100 reviews! I would be very happy. =D *hint hint*

Hopefully updates will be more frequent, when finals are over. That's not until next week. But I am brimming with ideas. So stay tuned.

Disclaimer: Do I really have to do this? Honestly, you should know by now that these people aren't mine. Except the kids [not counting Michael and Kristina]. Oh, and Loren too. =D

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Golden Child

Chapter Eleven

          Sonny stood there, speechless. "I'm your what?" he repeated, incredulous.

          Jason guided him to the chair behind him. "Sit. It will be easier." Sonny just nodded distractedly and obeyed. I took two tentative steps closer. "You're my dad."

          "That's why they kicked you out, huh?" he asked, softly. Then he looked at me. "Well, then, you need to get your stuff out of Spencer's trailer and into my penthouse. I'll send one of my bodyguards with you and you can share a room with Bella—"

          I raised a hand to cut him off. This was exactly what I was afraid of. "No offense, but I don't really know you. I've lived without you for sixteen years, and you're treating me like a possession instead of your daughter. I don't want to be rude and turn down your offer, but I'd rather stay in the trailer," I told him, unafraid.

          Sonny blinked. "I… uh… are you sure?"

          "I thought you'd be more upset than that," Jason commented. I caught his eye and we shared a small smile. Sonny nodded. "I probably would. But she's right. I don't really know her. However, I was hoping you staying here would change that."

          "I'll come visit, I promise. I just… I like having the independence living with Loren gives me. Living with the Quartermaines was very…" I paused, trying to come up with the exact word. "It was very stifling, and I really don't mean to offend you, Sonny, but sometimes I get the impression that living here does that to others, too."

          Sonny nodded. "You don't know how much of my character you've assessed with that one statement. Maybe you truly are my daughter." Then he blinked, as if his thoughts went elsewhere. "Why didn't Alexis tell me?"

          "Carly thought she couldn't have kids, remember?" I reminded him. Jason nodded. "Alexis didn't want to rub that in her face. And… I think she was a little selfish and wanted me for herself. God, what kind of life did I have when I was a baby?"

          "You were passed around all the time—there was a huge custody battle over you," Sonny explained. "I didn't really understand much, but… Alexis has done some things that are rather… extreme."

          "I know. She told me."

          "And you're okay with that?" Sonny questioned.

          I nodded. "I understand why she did it."

          "You know something, Kristina? You are a very perceptive and understanding, not to mention beautiful, young woman. Anyone that has you in their life is lucky. Who knew something so beautiful could come from something so… unexpected?" Sonny said, probably musing to himself more than anyone else. I found myself blushing and involuntarily smiling. Jason nodded in agreement, resting his hands on my shoulders. "You are absolutely right about that."

          "So… you're not mad or anything about… this whole thing?" I asked, still a little unsure.

          "Kristina, you are very independent. I can see that in you. I'm just concerned. I don't want anyone hurting you. You are now a target for any mob activity because you are connected to me. Especially because now you're a new target, I'm sure people will be targeting you as soon as they find out. Do you mind keeping a low profile about this? Not that I'm ashamed… it's for your own safety. I would really like it, also, if you reconsidered about staying here. It would be a lot easier to keep you safe here."

          I sighed. "I understand about keeping a low profile… but…"

          "Well, how about this compromise? If you stay in the trailer, I want you to have a bodyguard posted there at all times."

          I looked at him in shock. "Do you really think I'm in that much danger? Wouldn't that look a little… obvious?"

          "It's an extra safety precaution. I don't want to lose you now that I've found you."

          My look softened. "I understand. But I don't want someone watching me all the time. I want my independence. Loren is with me, and I know he'll take care of me… can you please just trust us?" As I heard the words come out of my mouth, I laughed inwardly. I sounded just like a regular sixteen year old asking her dad if I could date a guy. Is that how I saw Loren now? Dating material? I shook my head to clear it of thoughts while Sonny responded.

          He narrowed his eyes. "Fine. I'm not too happy about it, but I'll give you guys the chance. If anything happens to you, even once, you let me know right away, and either Marco, Max or Benny will be assigned to you. Don't be keeping things from me so that you don't have to have a bodyguard around you, either. I'm trusting you on this." The way he looked at me, I knew he meant it. I didn't want to break his trust, either. So I nodded. "Deal."

          After that was all figured out, we settled into an interesting silence—we just stared at each other for a while when I said, "Thank you."

          "I have to learn how to trust you, Kristina. I know I can be possessive. I've come to realize in my old age—" Jason laughed at this—"that I can't be a control freak."

          "Good for you," Jason announced. "I thought I'd never see the day."

          "I don't know what it is," Sonny confessed suddenly. "I just think it's something about Kristina that makes me want to change. I don't know what it is, though. It's weird."

          I felt myself blush deeply at Sonny's open confession of admiration. "Um… thank you… I guess. But that wasn't what I was thanking you for. I'm thanking you for not going off on me when you found out you're my dad."

          "Honestly, it doesn't surprise me. The possibility of me being your father came up a long time ago, but Alexis denied it." He sighed. "That's another reason why I want you here. So much lost time."

          I nodded in understanding. "I'm sorry. But right now, I need my space. I'll still come to you, though. Besides, I have to visit my sister."

          "So you told him?" a familiar voice asked, and Bella came streaking out of nowhere and hugged me. Sonny smiled. "So you knew before me too, huh? Who else knew? Everyone?"

          "Oh… Nikolas, the Quartermaines, Jason, Courtney, Bella, Loren…" I ticked the people I listed off my fingers. "So yeah, pretty much half the town."

          Sonny shook his head. "Geez." Then he smiled. "Well, at least you and Bella are close already. That's always good."

          After some catching up with Bella, Emily, Sonny, and Jason, I decided it was time for me to leave. "But Kristina… you should be here with us!" Bella protested. I shot a look at our father and he had a look on his face that clearly said, "Told you so." I smirked a little, feeling my heart lift at the playful nature of the gesture. "I'll come back often, I promise."

          "Bella, when Kristina leaves, we need to talk, okay?"

          Bella nodded. "Okay, Dad. Can I accompany her out?"

          Sonny looked extremely apprehensive about this. Finally, he said, "As long as Jason goes with you." So after a few more goodbyes, the three of us headed into the elevator. "Kristina, you need to understand that Sonny's lost a lot of people close to him because of who he is. He's always thinking about what a risk it would be to you just to be connected to him. He's trying to keep you safe the only way he knows how," Jason explained as the elevator descended.

          "I know, but why does he have to be so… controlling?" I protested.

          "Keeping control is his way of making sure you're safe. I know it's frustrating. Carly hates it. It's a hard life, you know. I'm sorry you have to be a part of it."

          "I didn't choose it, but I'm not upset. Right now, I feel like I have this enormous weight that's just been lifted from me. It's a good thing. I'll worry about everything else later."

          "Be careful," Jason warned. "Be on your guard always. You never know when something will get you."

          I nodded. "Okay, Uncle Jase." I smiled. "It's good to know that some things never change."

          Jason laughed. "Very true." He and Bella walked me out the front doors of the complex, Bella telling me to come back soon, and Jason warning me again about the dangers of being connected to Sonny Corinthos. I just nodded, tired of hearing it, and walked confidently out the door. As I walked further and further into the outskirts of town, however, I was starting to become just a little paranoid. You know that feeling you get when you think you're being followed? That's what I felt like. All these things they teach you—common sense, or so they say—like to always be aware of your surroundings, walk in lighted areas, all that fun stuff… that was all running through my head. I hurried my pace so I could arrive at the park safely. It didn't help. When I was in the patch of trees that marked the outskirts of town, I felt slightly relieved—it was the last obstacle before getting to the clearing of the park. However, it was also the darkest. I tried as fast as I could to get through it, but the sun had set right as I had left, so now the first shrouds of darkness were setting in, and I couldn't see anything. I tried not to panic, but it didn't help my nerves when I heard a rustling in the bushes. I spun around. "Who's there?"

          No answer. Sighing, I told myself, Just breathe. You'll be okay. You're strong. I was almost thinking of reconsidering Sonny's offer of a bodyguard when something stopped my thoughts cold: I felt myself being jerked by a pair of strong hands, leading me off in a different direction than where I was going.

AAAAH! A cliffie!!!!! Heh heh… that's an evil one, even for me. Sorry guys. But don't worry, Kristina will be okay. =D Also, let me know if you think I wrote Sonny in character. It's really hard for me to do that, but I'm trying. =D

For all you Sexis fans: Um… I don't really like Sexis—I'm not a hater, but I just don't care for them—so there probably won't be any of that in here. This is a purely Kristina-centric story. Sorry.

Review review review!!! Please?