Alexis had spent most of the morning searching the Internet, scanning the computer screen, her eyes blurred at the sight of the many links the browser produced, pinching the bridge of her nose, she shut her eyes and tried to rid herself of the nagging headache that had been plaguing her since the day Kristina died. The memory of Kristina's visit, and the warning she'd left behind regarding the danger both Jax and Sonny were headed for was still fresh in her mind, in fact that is what had driven her to uncover the truth herself, if she could cut the enemy off before they're next strike, maybe the killing would cease.

Alexis's feelings were jumbled, and she doubted seriously that it had anything to do with her hormones, more than likely it had everything to do with the fact that no matter what she'd said to herself, or to Sonny that fateful day in the hospital or then again at the memorial service where she'd used his darkest secrets as a weapon to hurt him, he was still very much in her heart, and deep in her soul.

So lost in thought, Alexis had forgotten she'd been put on hold, as the voice called to her, she jumped in her seat, causing the receiver to slip from her shoulder, with a quick save she grabbed it before it fell to the floor, "Yes?"

As she listened to the information being dealt, Alexis began to sort through the numerous newspaper clippings that she'd cut out regarding either Sonny or Jax, she needed to find the angle, the connection these two had that would make someone want to come after both of them," Luis Alkazar?" Alexis bit her lip as the person told her that he was most likely linked to the explosion that had killed Kristina, " I want to know every detail, from the time he was born, until his unwelcome entry into Port Charles, " Alexis stated boldly, " Roy Delucca ties into this, he is our direct link to Alkazar," Alexis paused picking up a newspaper clipping regarding the explosion, " This information is imperative to Mr. Corinthos, as his attorney, he's asked me to handle this matter, all information should be directed to me solely, is that clear?" Alexis shut her eyes hoping her voice sounded convincing, because her nerves were nearly shot, Sonny had asked her once a very long time ago if she ever used her clients names to gain leverage, and she'd told him at times ... and this was one of them, Alexis's only fear was that once Sonny found out she'd used one of his own contacts, not only was she risking her career, but his wrath as well, " That's fine, yes that's right ... you know how to reach me."

Alexis hung up the phone, and typed in the name Luis Alkazar in the search engine box and clicked enter, a string of links popped up, and she used her mouse to click on the top link, what she saw didn't surprise her, but it didn't please her either, whoever this man was he was already setting in motion to lay the blame at someone else's feet, the image of Roy Delucca popped up on her screen, one word boldly printed across the picture "GUILTY"

It unnerved her to think four men had a direct link to her and were all targets of Alkazar, Jax was her friend, and once her husband even if it was in name only, and she would stop at nothing to protect him from being hurt, he'd already lost so much, then there was Sonny who'd pursued her at her disdain until he'd won out like he'd known he would, those damn dimples, even when she told him they didn't impress her, even when she made herself believe they didn't ... they were all along, those teasing glances, Alexis shook her head to erase the memories she was conjuring up, this wasn't a time to recollect on what their friendship was, that part of their life together was over, she'd made sure of that and suddenly she regretted it more than she had that day, in her mind the words needed to be said, Sonny needed to know that he'd changed so drastically that he was no longer familiar to her, he was no longer the man she'd grown to respect and trust, yet in her heart she cried for him, because she'd taken every secret that he'd shared with her in confidence and used it to lash out, even in her eyes that was unforgivable.

Johnny's voice came through on the intercom, and Alexis smiled recalling her request to have one installed, he'd told her that he'd often mentioned to Sonny about getting one, especially after the time Sonny had threatened to fire him when he'd accidentally interrupted Sonny and Alexis in the middle of a conversation, but it never panned out, " Ms. Davis, you have a visitor coming this way... and he doesn't look happy."

"Who is it Johnny?" Alexis already had an idea, he'd been gone for a week on business, and he and Johnny had managed to miss each other before he'd left.

"A very angry Ned Ashton, " Johnny said, quickly taking his finger away from the call button.

"It's okay Johnny, let him in." Alexis sighed, slipping her glasses off and setting them on the stack of papers next to her.

Johnny opened the door flashing her a sympathetic smile before closing the door behind him, leaving Ned alone with a very determined Alexis.

"Do you mind telling me what the hell your doing Alexis?" Ned blew, his voice carrying throughout the house.

Alexis swiveled around in her chair, folding her hands in her lap, she smiling softly, "If you'd let me explain..."

"There's no need to explain, it's clear that everything I did, everything I sacrificed for you was for nothing ... do you hear me NOTHING!" Ned shouted, " My God Alexis, Kristina hasn't been gone more than two weeks and you've run back to your mobster boyfriend!"

It was Alexis's turn to get angry, her temper flared and her eyes glimmered, " Ned, don't say anything you'll live to regret ... and don't you EVER and I mean EVER thrown Kristina's death in my face, is that clear?"

"Why Not? Before I left, you hated Sonny Corinthos, blamed him, taunted him, and now it's all better?" Ned sneered, "Ah, the great Sonny Corinthos, what is it about that man ... is he that good in bed?"

Alexis didn't realize she'd slapped him until she heard the crack and her hand felt the raw sting of the impact, " I don't have to explain myself to you Ned, I will tell you however, that Sonny did not send Johnny here, I hired him for my protection, as for my relationship with Sonny, that has never, nor will it ever be anyone's business but ours, " Alexis felt the tears burning the back of her eyes at the mention of Sonny and what he did to her, "However, it's to be clear that he is not in my life, he's keeping his distance just as I assumed he would after the memorial."

"But you want him around don't you?" Ned's focus centered on the computer screen and the articles around her, " Your asking to get killed aren't you?"

He pointed to the monitor and Alexis glanced over her shoulder and then back to Ned, slanting her eyes, she tried reasoning with him, " What do you think Kristina would say to you right now? Do you think she'd approve that your blaming both of us for her death? Kristina knows that is was the person that set the bomb, they're the one who's responsible.'

"You were quick to blame Corinthos, what changed all of the sudden?" Ned asked coldly.

Meanwhile Across town in PH4

"I see," Sonny said, approaching the bar, he watched as the dark amber colored liquid fell into the awaiting glass, " when did you find out?"

"Last night, I saw him following her into the apartment complex."

Sonny had always known that Johnny held a soft spot for Alexis, it was apparent every time she'd come to visit, and Sonny also knew that though Johnny was respectful, he'd never been partial to Carly, the difference between the two women was like night and day... Alexis treated him as a friend; Carly treated him like a servant. He winced, taking a swig of the liquor, "I was going to have her protected anyway, Johnny's the best and Alexis has always liked him."

"Why wouldn't he tell you, though?" Jason asked suspiciously.

"Johnny's a good man, and he's always shown me great respect, he probably thought it would upset me."

"But, you aren't?" Jason asked again, his piercing blue eyes studying his friend with skepticism.

"No", Sonny replied, taking another drink, " It was probably easier to convince Alexis he was being legit and I wasn't forcing my guards on her."

"That's true, " Jason said, then shifted the conversation, " We do have a problem though."

"What?" Sonny asked, pouring himself another drink, that didn't go unnoticed by Jason.

"She's been snooping around, trying to dig up information on Alkazar." Jason replied, watching as his friend finished his second glass, and go for his third.

Sonny stopped pouring the drink, and slammed the glass decanter down, "What does she know?"

"Enough," Jason replied, worried for them both, "She knows who Alkazar is and how to find him."

"How the hell did she find that out?" Sonny roared, fear ripping through every fiber of his being.

"Zander Smith." Jason replied

"Bring him here, now!" Sonny ordered, " I don't care what it takes, you get him here."

Jason nodded and headed out the front door, Sonny gripped the sides of the bar for leverage, the panic and fury rose up like a tidal wave, he stared straight ahead, if anything happened to her, he'd die, he couldn't lose her anymore than he already had.

Carly stood at the base of the stairs watching, her mind full of ugly thoughts regarding Alexis Davis and how she'd weaseled her way into her husbands life, she wouldn't get away with making Sonny miserable. She approached him quietly, reaching out she touched his shoulder, only to have him flinch it a way, Carly hesitated before trying again, that was the second time he'd done that to her, and both times it had been in direct relation to Alexis Davis.

"Baby, how bout I have Leticia make us some breakfast?" Carly cooed.

Sonny shook his head, and reached for his drink, " I'm not hungry, but you go ahead."

"Sonny ... you have to eat." Carly tried again

"I'm not hungry, Carly!" Sonny seethed, " leave it alone."

"Don't you really mean, leave you alone?" Carly replied angry, " It's her again, Alexis upset you again... I'm going to make her pay..."

Sonny grabbed her by the arm, his eyes full of warning, " Stay away from Alexis, leave her alone ... if I even here that you've gone near her."

"What Sonny?" Carly snapped, "You'll what, divorce me?"

Sonny hung his head, and let go of her arm, "I need to be alone Carly, why don't you take Leticia and Michael to Kelly's."

Carly stood there, he'd lied to her since the day she'd come back, maybe he hadn't been aware of it then, but it was clear to her, he knew now and it was eating him alive, " Fine, but we're not through."

Sonny watched as she stomped off, he didn't need the distraction of her tirades right now, walking toward the window, the memory of seeing Kristina her warning, her revelations came to his mind, he heard the door slam behind him, and relief filled him, now he could be alone to think, he heard her say something, but instead he heard Alexis, the morning after they'd made love.

"I tolerate you."

He smiled sadly, looking down at the glass in his hand, the drink didn't seem so important now, she filled him with such happiness, and now she despised him, he threw the glass across the room, watching as it shattered against the wall.

Johnny leaned into the door listening to the argument transpiring inside, his gut reaction was to barge in and throw Ned Ashton out by his sideburns, but he also knew Alexis had to do things her way, it was a mechanism she shared with Sonny, they had to let people know they were in control, if that wasn't proven it was a sign of weakness and neither of them would have that. Johnny recalled how upset he'd been when she'd called Zander, as he was hooking up the intercom system, he'd know it wasn't a personal call, she was digging for answers that put her in direct danger. When Zander had finally arrived, he'd warned the younger man not to say anything that would endanger Alexis or the baby, but from what Johnny could tell, he'd done just that… probably not in choice but in coercion.

As Johnny saw it, Zander was a good kid who just happened to have a large array of problems; Sonny turning his back on him hadn't helped, skewering Zander's trust in people. He'd obviously viewed Sonny as more than just an employer, he'd been more of a Father figure, someone he'd craved to be accepted and loved by… when the unfortunate day came when Zander was introduced to Sonny's hostility, that was the first sign to Johnny that things had changed, because he too had found himself resenting his boss, with his blind devotion to Carly even after all the things she'd done.

Johnny felt in time Zander would correct the errors of his ways, and Sonny would eventually accept him back into his life, especially once he found out about Jason's involvement in Carly's disappearance. The only thing that kept Johnny quiet, were for two things, one being that he had been Sonny's bodyguard, not his informant, and secondly he'd be exactly where Zander was now. Checking his watch, he mentally gave Alexis five minutes to make her case before he took action…
(Meanwhile what was going on inside...)

Alexis was at the end of her rope, though she appreciated everything Ned had done for her, it infuriated her that he was trying to manipulate her and that just wasn't going to do, " Ned, you have to understand something, if the circumstances were different… if it weren't for the safety of this child, I'd be proud to tell Sonny I was carrying his child."

"Do you hear yourself Alexis?" Ned shouted, "You're not making any sense!" He tapped his index finger to his temple, "do you even hear the words coming out of your mouth, you stood before the man and berated him, and last week you asked Carly to get his medical records so I could sign them… and now you want to back out?""I never asked you to sign those papers, I just wanted copies for the babies medical history, and yes for right now it is in the best interest of everyone to keep quiet, but in the future I hope…"

"What are you hoping Alexis, that Sonny will have a change of heart and dump Carly for you, it's a pathetic thought, " Ned shouted, stepping around the couch, "and it will never happen."

Alexis furrowed her brow, clenching her hands into balled fists, " Low Blow, Ashton.""Have you forgotten that Carly threatened to take this child away from you and raise it as her own?" Ned interjected, hating that was calling him by his last name, it reminded him of something Sonny would do."No matter what Sonny thinks of me now or then, I believe in my heart, he'd never allow that to happen.""Your heart? That's what got you into this mess, Jax told you, warned you that Sonny takes smart women and uses them, makes them weak, vulnerable… and quite frankly stupid."

"Shut-up Ned, you have no idea what my relationship with Sonny was about ... he's a good man.""A killer is more like it, " Ned sneered, " you're playing the fool Alexis, and I won't let you jeopardize our baby for it, this child is a Quartermaine."Alexis lunged for him, " This child is a Davis, until the day comes that I'm ready to tell Sonny.""How convenient, you hold everyone's lives in your hands, " Ned laughed bitterly, "you get to choose who's life you get to screw up, you learned a lot working for Corinthos didn't you?""Get Out!" Alexis shouted, " and don't come back!"

Ned stalked her, " The hell I am ... your going to do as I say..."

"You heard her, leave her alone."

Ned and Alexis both turned, surprised to hear the low menacing tone of Johnny behind them, he stood in the doorway staring directly at Ned, "I think you've said your peace Ashton.""Get out of my face, your not working for that two bit crime lord Corinthos anymore," Ned turned his attention back to Alexis, only to have his arm pinned behind his back.""I said, you've said your peace, and I might not work for Mr. Corinthos anymore, but I do work for someone he cares about." Johnny growled, leading Ned forcefully toward the door and pushing him out into the hallway, "now hit the road." Johnny slammed the door in a raging Ned Ashton, "Damn, that felt good."Alexis felt as if the wind had been knocked out of her, " My hero"

Johnny blushed, but sobered quickly, " he was right about one thing Ms. Davis, your playing with fire when it comes to a man like Alkazar."

I'm not worried, " Alexis said approaching the desk, picking up her glasses and sliding them back on, she gave him a sideways glance and a knowing smile, "I have you."

Across Town in PH4

Sonny stood deathly still, afraid even the slightest movement would make it disappear, make her disappear forever."Why Sonny, why now?"

Sonny hung his head, he blinked twice and remained silent for the fear his sanity was being threatened, the question though, cut to the quick, all he'd ever give Alexis in return for friendship was selfishness.
"Stop sulking."

He watched her move toward him, she stopped by the dining room chair, the chair she'd sat at the morning after eating a strawberry and running scared, "It's not one of your better character traits, you know?" Sonny didn't even realize he'd spoken until he heard her say, " you're brooding, that's what… Sonny you always skulk around this penthouse, building up your walls and shutting out everyone that matters to you.""You matter to me." He spoke gently, quietly gazing into the soulful brown eyes that had comforted him, protected him, laughed with him, and cried with him so many times in the past, Alexis had burned a place so intensely into his soul he could almost hear her breathing."This is where it all hit the proverbial wall, isn't it?" she asked, patting the back of the chair.Sonny looked away, recalling the events that had finally led them to that fateful night, his blind fury had caused him to act in haste, and his desperation to keep her with him had almost caused him to end it before it began, they'd both let their guards down that night, with their mind, body and souls. They'd given a part of themselves they'd never shared with anymore else, every feeling, every emotion worn honestly, so easily on their faces, with every touch, every kiss, came a new experience… no pretending… there had been nothing but love made that night, and he'd reveled in it as he'd watched her sleep, simply in awe of what they'd shared and he'd prayed that he'd have more nights like that with Alexis… and then it had been cut short, the bottom had fallen out and he'd acted the fool, a damn fool, believing he could push his feelings aside and move on, to make it work this time with Carly, and keep everything the way it had been before.

"I lied to you.""Really?"

He struggled to find the words, " I told you… I told you everything would be okay… that we'd be okay."Alexis slanted her eyes, " What brought on this epiphany?"

"You did, " he replied, " I only wish I'd told you then, and if I tried to tell you now you probably wouldn't want to hear it."

"Probably not, " she agreed, " but there's a reason you conjured me up here, so why not rid yourself of the burden?" Sonny hesitated, " I really need you right now…now more than ever. Nothings been right since you walked away, you're the one person I could turn to, the only one that I could hear the God's honest truth from.""That's what happens when you make your Best friend a consolation prize."Sonny's eyes flickered, " What'd you say?"

"That's all I was to you Sonny, you needed a warm body and I happened to be there, you took that opportunity to use my feelings against me, you knew good and well that I'd surrender.""That's not true!" Sonny growled, his chest burned painfully, " We wanted each other … I wanted you with me always… when I told you that you mattered to me, that wasn't said easily, it was straight from here!" he used his fist to hit his chest, " if Carly hadn't…"
"Stop, don't waste your breathe on me, I am merely a figment of your imagination… Alexis knew and you did too, that if it hadn't been for Carly disappearing it would've been something else that led you back to her."Sonny pinched his eyes shut, shaking his head furiously, "NO!" when he opened them, she was gone, he frantically glanced around the room, it was to late she was gone… and then everything went black.