A/N: sorry it's been forever. do you hate me? fine I don't think much of you either! wait...don't leave. I'm sorry, we both said some things...but I'm confident we can move past this. with some therapy and medication I think we can all forgive and forget.

Ch. 10 This Is A Forgery

Flashback

"Police! Open up!" someone shouted.

It was a minor warning before the door was kicked in and a few of Port Charles' finest stormed in, guns raised. She was able to tear her eyes off the sight before her in time to see them point their weapons at her.

"Put your hands up." one of the shouted at her. "Come on lady. Hands. Now."

Everything was happening so fast, and it was impossible to register. Her mind was screaming at her to do what they said. Somehow Courtney was able to lift her shaking hands as he directed. One of them came to her and roughly pulled her hands behind her back. She didn't feel it though, she was looking at the man who had been shouting orders at her. He knelt down next to Ric and placed his hands under his jaw, before standing and speaking to the group.

"He's cold."

End

Her eyelids opened in a flash and she sprung herself into a sitting position. The sudden motion resulted in a painful throbbing in her head. She let out a groan and laid back down.

"How's your head?" a voice asked, catching her off guard.

"What happened?" she asked putting her hands to her head.

"Carly's persuasive technique."

"Carly. We were talking about..." she trailed off as the memory came back. She sat up again and realized for the first time that she wasn't in her bed.

"What the-I tell you guys I'm not going so you force me?"

"No. Carly said she was going to talk to you. What she did came out of no where. But she did it because she cares. It was her way of helping." he said trying to explain his friend's actions.

"Great. Ok. She helped; I'm here. No we're going back."

"Do you think they're ok?" Carly asked, pacing the living room.

"Jason said he'd call us. Don't worry."

"Don't tell me what not to do. I can think for myself and do what I please."

"Like stuff that filth you call food into your body?" Sonny replied in his attempt at a joke.

"Yes, like that. And it's not filth, it's good."

"I remember when I could get you to eat actual food."

"Yeah, I remember a lot of things." she answered a hint of sadness in her voice. The mood in the room took a steep plunge as the air around them soaked in the meaning of her words.

"I know it isn't easy for you; staying here."

"It's for Michael."

"Yeah..." he said looking away. "for Michael."

Without meaning to, they had waded into dangerous waters. But she was right, it was for their son. That's what this whole arrangement was for. Their boy.

"So, uh, how long do you think it'll be before people realize Courtney's gone?" she asked, changing the subject.

"I don't know. The whole situation is bad, but it can get much. much worse." he responded. "You know, I keep thinking about the argument at the police station. I was stupid."

"No, you were upset and stressed. Come on, you just found out your brother was killed. Believe me, I'll be the first to say he deserved it. But he was your mother's son. As horrible a person as he was, you know there was a small part of her in him. I know, it isn't easy for you to deal with." she said trying to comfort him.

"Still, I should have been supporting her, instead of fighting with her."

Gently, she laid a hand on his shoulder. He looked up at the feeling of her touch, and their eyes met. For a moment it felt as if all the craziness that led them there had never happened. He couldn't help but wonder what would happen if he allowed himself to feel all those emotions. If he leaned in. If he placed his lips on hers.

Carly held the intense gaze of his dark eyes. She wanted so bad to be able to grab hold and never let go. But they'd been through this before and it always ended badly for both of them. They take the same steps and make the same moves. But she would not trade one moment of their past for anything in the world. All she wanted was to feel him love her again.

A knock at the door brought each of them out of their day dreams.

"Mr. Corinthos?"

"Yes, what is it?" he asked returning to business mode.

"Ms. Roscoe's here to see you." Sonny let out a sigh and heard the brunette grunt in annoyance. He gave her an apologetic look before she left the room.

"Send her in." he said reluctant to have to deal with the woman. Seconds later the platinum blonde strutted arrogantly into his home. "What do you want?"

"I came to offer you a favor." she ignored the small chuckle he made in response and continued. "I heard about Skipper's latest dilemma, then again who hasn't? I must admit I didn't think she had it in her to do something so deliciously devious. Hmm... actually right now I'm sort of regretting she didn't take that job I offered back when. You think she'd be interested -"

"Stop rambling and get to the point, Faith." he interrupted.

"Well, I figure with your brother dead and baby sister facing a long stay behind bars, business is probably the last thing on your mind. So consider this your chance to bow out gracefully with your life."

"Bow out gracefully?" he repeated amused.

"I'm saying you can hand over your territory now, or it won't be long before someone takes advantage of your distraction."

"Someone being you?" Sonny couldn't help but let out a slight laugh. Did she seriously expect him to go along with her ridiculous suggestion? "Faith, you're wearing down my tolerance. So I'll give you one warning; stay away. From my business. From my family. And from me."

"Or what? You going to have your obedient lap dog take me out? By the way, where is Jason? I haven't seen him around."

'That's none of your business."

"Hmm...maybe Courtney knows where he is. I think I'll stop by and ask. You think she's home?" she asked a sly grin spreading across her face.

"Get out. Now!"

"That's what I thought." she smirked before leaving.

It was no secret the woman annoyed Sonny. She was like a fly; always buzzing around and never going away. But what she suspected was true. She wouldn't find Courtney at her loft, or anywhere else in the country. No one would. Even he wasn't sure where they were, and he would not know until Jason called. But if Faith opened that big mouth of hers it would send everything into a nose dive. The last thing he needed was an enemy in Port Charles who had usable information they were just itching to spill. He went to the wet bar and grabbed a glass with the intention of getting a drink. Instead he just stared down at the liquid in his glass, before he knew what was happening the crystal was already out of his hand and tearing through the air towards the wall.

"Damn it!"