After much yelling, stomping, and coercing on the part of the three men that surrounded Alexis, she won out, she would meet Alkazar on the Pier as the note stated. After receiving a call from Monty, Johnny had left on a mission. Jax was not happy to say the least, his constant remarks of what Sonny had done to the bright lawyer he was once married to were beginning to wear thin, so much that she remindedhim that he'd fallen for Skye in much the same fashion, which shut up her best friend for the time being.
Meanwhile, Jason was on the phone with Benny, digging into Carly's whereabouts while she was gone, even if he had been the one to find her, he still had no idea what she had done while she was away, and more importantly who's body had been found in the lake and where had the DNA sample come from… he was looking for anything that would link her to Alkazar… or for her sake anything that wouldn't.
Carly would be calling againsoon, when she finally realized Sonny wasn't coming home, andJason knew her reaction would be anything but pleasant,Max had checked inearlier to relay that Carlywas visiting her Mom. She was staying away from the obvious ghosts lurking in the Penthouse. Itwas fast approaching Seven, when Jason hung up the phone and turned to the inquisitive eyes waiting news…
"Seems Sonny never quit checking into Carly's whereabouts during the weeks she was missing, he's had Benny working on it since day one, and he knew that Alkazar was a threat before any of us did… let me rephrase that… he knew there was a dangerous force coming and he took precautions to protect the people he loved… he also suspected Carly was somehow linked to Alkazar, and he kept her close in order to watch her."
"Wait, are you trying to tell me that he went back to her so he could con her into telling the truth?" Alexis asked in disbelief, "not buying it."
Jason shrugged his shoulders," Benny said that Sonny had his reasons, he was trying to make it work, but once he knew she could be tied to Alkazar he was ready to call it quits… but he kept her close in order to gain her trust… uh, Alexis he told me something else too."
"Yeah, what?" Alexis asked rolling her eyes, and then adding," this better be good."
"Sonny knows about the baby," Jason said softly, " he's known all along."
Alexis' mouth dropped open, she quickly shut it and stared at Jason in shock, her hand instinctively went to her belly, " Is that why?" she murmured softly to herself, looking down at her stomach and then looking up at Jason, " all those times he appeared out of nowhere telling me to take care of myself… the little comments about a Father wanting to take care of the Mother of his child… God, was it that apparent and I ignored it?"
"Benny said that Sonny was adamant no one was to know… he wasn't going to lose you and the baby to his life."
"But Jason, you told Sonny… you were the one that told him in the first place…weren't you?"
"No… Sonny ran into you at Mercy Hospital he got suspicious and called Benny… when I told him, he chose to cover… for obvious reasons."
"Because of Carly."
"And because by then he'd found out that I'd kept her whereabouts a secret."
Alexis nodded, as her eyes fell on Jason's regretful expression, " He'll get past it Jason… he knows what Carly means to you… your like a brother to him."
"All I care about right now is getting Alexis the protection she needs, I'm still not convinced this is a good idea…"Jax interrupted, " do you realize once you see Alkazar he could take you hostage, you saw what he did to Zander… and now Sonny, are you willing to risk your life and that of your baby for a man like Corinthos?"
Alexis smiled sadly at her friend, " I don't know if there are words to describe what I feel right now… all I do know is that I am a capable woman, and my instincts are telling me to do this… and I will, with or without your help, so it's your choice, I won't be bullied."
Jax was stunned by her determination, he'd always known her to be a strong, independent woman, but there was a new sense of strength about her and he wondered if Sonny had been the cause of it, whatever it was, Jax knew he was going to lose on this subject, " I'm with you Alexis…never against you."
Johnny knocked twice on the front door and entered, he'd just returned from Monty's. Pulling a manila envelope from his coat, Jason quickly hung up and approached him, both men stared at the contents in disbelief and then their eyes shifted to Jax, " you'll be interested in these pictures."
As they huddled together Johnny handed the photo's over to Jax, his eyes widened, " Brenda"
Alexis furrowed her brow, " Brenda… Brenda Barrett, how's that possible?"
Johnny shook his head, " We're still not sure, from what we've learned from one of Alkazar's cronies, he and Brenda are an item."
"But why would Brenda come back to Port Charles to seek revenge on Sonny and Jax?" Alexis asked confused.
"She wouldn't, " Jax answered gruffly, " Brenda isn't vindictive… and no matter what Corinthos did to her, she wouldn't harm him… Alkazar has got to be holding her captive as well."
Johnny shrugged, " don't shoot the messenger, just relaying the news… Monty also said that she's ill, he doesn't know with what… just that Alkazar keeps her heavily medicated."
"We've got to stop him, " Jax asserted, his jaw clenched and his eyes studying the picture of Brenda with yearning.
Brenda's hand trembled as she searched Sonny's cell phone for a familiar number, her eyes flashed in panic when she heard voices coming, only to sigh relief when they passed down the hall, her eyes fixed on the cell phone screen as she recognized Jason's name, as the phone began to ring, she crouched down in the corner of the room, and counted her blessings for snagging Sonny's cell phone when the guard had dropped it as he pushed her into the beroom.
"Morgan here." Jason listened as he heard the intake of breath, " either say something or I'm hanging up."
"We need help."
Jax stared at the stunned look on Jason's face, as heheard Brenda's voice for the first time in years.
Thirty Minutes Later... The Plan was set... Faking out the Enemy...
Alexis stood out on the docks, looking around warily for unseen strangers. It all seemed so normal, why this was part of her Cassadine heritage… and he hated every part of it. She felt as if at any moment Helena would jump out from the nothingness and finish her off, to finally be done with the bastard child she'd tortured all those years ago… Alexis was determined to protect this baby with all her heart and soul.
Hearing movement, she glanced over her shoulder and noticed the vagrant rifling through the garbage, turning away she shivered and recalled the night she'd arrived at the docks when Sonny and Jason's warehouse had burned down, it was after Taggert's razzing and Jason had departed that Alexis had wanted to call a cab, but Sonny would have none of that…
Come on, let me take you back to the hotel," Sonny had said gently starting to take her arm.
" That's all right I'll call a cab.
"No, No, No, do you think I'm going to leave you here in the dark waiting for a cab, come on my reputation has suffered enough already ... come on." He'd grabbed her arm as they walked up the steps leaving the docks and she'd hated to admit he'd endeared himself to her that day ... and he knew it.
"Ms. Davis."
Alexis heard the voice behind her and turned to face that of Luis Alkazar, she was surprised at how handsome he was, she's expected him to look like the monster he was, but here he stood tall and proud, and clearly enjoying his own game, " I assume your Mr. Alkazar?"
"Please, call me Luis," he smiled dashingly, and winked, "did you like the gardenia's?" he asked wickedly.
"They were very nice Mr..." Alexis said, keeping eye contact, " Luis… but if you don't mind my asking why Gardenia's?
"Isn't it to early in the game to be asking questions?" Luis asked, when he got no response he chuckled and took her arm, steering her toward the bench, " I heard from a reliable source you like them."
"Lets cut the formalities," Alexis said sharply taking a stance, " we both know you've got Sonny, my question why you came to me… it's no secret I can't stand the man"
"You can stand him?" Alkazar asked, cocking his head to the side to study her face, "then why are you here, what made you risk your life for Corinthos?"
"I didn't know I was risking my life, " Alexis shot back, keeping her guard up and showing no fear, even if she was shaking in her boots, " I thought I came here by invitation."
"An invitation with consequences and the cards being dealt the next move is up to you, what's it going to be Sonny's life… or his death?"
"Life of course… but I have a feeling you have something more at stake, in order to save his life…what is it?"
"Your hand in marriage."
Alexis nearly fell over, "Marriage?" she shouted, " Why on earth would you want to marry me, I have nothing to offer."
"Oh but you do, the more I think of it the more it seems to be a good idea," Alkazar said, " first of all not only would it cripple Sonny emotionally, but I'd live my life raising his child to hate him, then there's the knowledge that you are of the Cassadine royalty which is tempting in it's self, just the thought of all that power at my fingertips is a turn on."
Alexis was disgusted, "And just how do I know I can trust you, how do I know he's not already dead?"
"Ah, yes the trust factor ... well, you don't if you can really," Alkazar goaded her, " but, seeing what a beautiful woman you are, my guard's down... I'll take you to see Sonny."
Just as she was about to reply, her words were cut off by the hand covering her nose and mouth, the last thing she saw was the handkerchief and gloved hand covering her face before everything went black.
Thevagrant rattled around in the cans, pulling out an object and placing it to his mouth, " Jax do you Copy?"
A momentarily lapse before Jax responded, " I copy, what's the word?"
"They've taken Alexis," Johnny relayed
"Did he say what he wants from her?" Jax came through the two way radio scratchy.
"Yeah ... he want's Alexis." Johnny again relayed the message.
"Wants her, she'll never go for that." Jax replied
"He's used the ultimate gambling chip Jax," Johnny copied over.
"What's that?"
"Sonny's life."
The night had come and gone, a new day had set upon Port Charles and as Jason, Jax, and Johnny strived to rescue their friends... Alkazar was planning a wedding...
Alkazar entered the small room, and circled the chair his nemesis sat in, like a vulture about to land for it's kill. The lack of reaction on Sonny's face the day before had left Alkazar with no other choice but to up the ante, he would prove that when he threatened something it wasn't to be taken lightly and he reveled in the knowledge that once Corinthos knew that Alexis was on board the yacht he would crack under the pressure.
Alkazar himself knew what Love could do to a man, he would fight for Brenda's complete love until his death, after he'd rescued her all those years ago and nursed her back to health his love for her had grown daily, yet her constant memories of Jax and Sonny had become the one barrier standing between them and he was determined to destroy it once and for all even if it meant the death of his two rivals, his boss had given him the mission in destroying the men financially, he'd merely taken it a step further and upped the stakes.
"You never told me Corinthos, " Alkazar spoke breaking the silence, " how does the name Alexis Alkazar sound to you?" he caught the anger in Sonny's eyes and enjoyed it, " I think it has a nice ring to it, almost as nice as the ring I'll slide on her finger later today."
"She'll never marry you," Sonny retorted, finally speaking, his voice dripping with hatred.
"Is that a fact?" Alkazar said, raising his brow at the crime lord, " You seem to be very confident about that."
"The woman jumped a semi on her wedding day, " Sonny grimaced against the pull of the ropes digging into his wrists, " what makes you think she'll marry you, it'll never happen ... she wouldn't step near you."
The sudden burst of laughter unnerved Sonny; he hadn't expected that reaction from Alkazar.
"Your a bigger fool than I thought possible, " Alkazar said, the laughter dying away, " love leads people to do crazy things."
"Alexis is a smart woman, she isn't going to be fooled by you ... she's not weak at heart, she won't take your bait."
"Why, I don't think you know Ms. Davis at all Corinthos, she fell for you didn't she?" Alkazar replied, again catching his eyes fill with sadness," you're right about one thing though. She isn't one to be fooled by games and I admire that, it's very attractive, I can see why you were drawn to her... much more so than what you saw in Caroline, she reacts before she thinks and that causes to many problems."
"What do you know about Carly?" Sonny asked, he wanted the truth.
"Ah, Caroline so wounded by what she saw the night she found you with Ms. Davis that she fell right into the palm of my hand, " Alkazar reflected, " yourexwife doesn't trust easily, It had taken me months to build a small bond withCaroline, but in time with my frequent visits to Club 101 she began to open up… she was so in love with you, she was willing to do anything to hold onto you, I told her I could make a reunion possible, but she still believed in time that you'd come to your senses... not realizing just how right she was to be jealous of Alexis until the night she saw you together... after she left Zander's wounded that he'd rebuffed her, I was waiting conveniently on the docks, and just as my men had told me she arrived on those docks ready for a fight.
"And she just accepted your act of kindness?" Sonny said, shaking his head, " Not even Carly is that reckless."
"You give her more credit than she deserves, she was livid, she wanted revenge and at that time she wanted you to pay... she wanted Alexis to pay and there were no second thoughts, she acted on her instincts destroy those who hurt her."
"So you helped her set up a fake death?" Sonny, was shaking with anger, Alkazar was right, Sonny had been a fool, he'd known there were secrets, knew there were things she'd done in order to get him to see the light ... but this was to much, his guilt had overruled his mind and heart in this matter and he'd lost everything important to him because it.
"Catching on are we?" Alkazar asked snidely," yes, I arranged it to make it appear that she had run her car over the bridge out of grief ... set up the body to be found, the DNA being switched ... it worked beautifully, up until she came back." Alkazar's eyes slanted, " she began to get sloppy after that ... she kept her knowledge of me a secret and though Jason Morgan did digging to uncover the truth... I set out only to let him know that she'd been gone on purpose, I needed to see if he would keep her secret and he did."
"What was in this for you, Carly surely asked you that?" Sonny quizzed the man before him.
"I told her you'd crossed me in a business matter, and if this would make you suffer in the way I had, then I was willing to help her, my only request was she tell me about your relationship with Alexis, so I'd know how to drive a permanent wedge between the two of you ... but you did that yourself."
"Why tell me this now?" Sonny asked
"Because I want you to feel the knife that's been sticking in your back for months, I want you to know your wife is a liar, she'll never change, though she's trying to play the moll very well ... yet her insecurities cause her to make stupid decisions, time and time again, her knowledge of the baby Corinthos, sneaking into Alexis's doctors appointment, then embezzling money from Jax in order to get Alexis out of town ... does any of this sound familiar, does it make sense to you now?"
"Perfectly, " Sonny spoke, the words barely audible, his head hung down, he slowly looked up, " Your doing this because of Brenda aren't you?"
"I have my reasons, " Alkazar stiffened at the mention of Brenda's name, " leading us back to Ms. Davis, she was determined to get the truth from me and I admired her spirit, so I shared it with her."
"If you hurt her in anyway, I'll -"
"You'll what?" Alkazar chuckled, "your in no position to threaten me, and even if you were in control threats would still be a waste of my time ... get used to the idea Corinthos, I've won."
"Like hell you have," Sonny shouted, " Alexis wouldn't risk her life to save mine."
"She already has."
Sonny glared at the man, he knew he was telling the truth, he wasn't baiting him, he was taunting him with the truth that Alexis had proven her heart was ruling over her mind, " What have you done with her, you haven't hurt her?"
"Now why would I hurt her?" Alkazar asked, " I simply gave Alexis an offer she couldn't refuse."
"Which was?"
"Your life for her hand, " Alkazar replied smugly.
"Damn you Alkazar, you lied to her ... you let her believe you'd let me live if she married you, when you told me yourself your going to kill me."
Alkazar ignored his recap of his earlier words, he had no idea that his plans had changed, " She asked me how she'd know if I was on the up and up, that you might already be dead... I told her I'd bring her to see you."
Sonny felt like he was dying inside, " She's here?"
"Do I detect a note of impatience, Corinthos?" Alkazar asked, " You'll see her in good time ... now I have a favor to ask."
"Yeah, what is it?"
"I'm getting married after a bit ... would you do me the honor of being my best man?" Alkazar began to roar in laughter as he made his way to the door, opening it he looked back at a bewildered and livid Sonny Corinthos, "Not that you have much choice in the matter." And with that he was gone.
Brenda studied the woman's features that lie unconscious on her bed. Alkazar had ordered the men to bring Alexis to their room, and Brenda assumed it was because he felt no danger in leaving the two women together, they were his captives, she recognized Alexis right away, though they had never been close in the past, she already felt a bond with the woman, Brenda didn't know if it was because they were both being held against their will or because they were both linked to Sonny ... whatever it was, Brenda was grateful to have her here, she jumped when the cell phone began to vibrate in her hand.
"Jason?"
Carly pulled the cell phone away from her ear, and checked the number she'd dialed, it was Sonny's phone number but that wasn't her husband on the other end, " Who the hell is this, where's Sonny?
The phone went dead, and Carly dialed back quickly, of course there was no answer, she then dialed Jason's number.
"Morgan here."
"Jason, where's Sonny?" Carly wailed into the phone, "Sonny didn't come home last night, all Max would tell me is he went away on business but wouldn't tell me where, I've been calling his cell since yesterday with no answer and then I call today and a woman answered ... is he in trouble with Alkazar or is he cheating on me?"
Jason contemplated telling Carly the truth, but earlier decided to make light of his disappearance once she called, he'd had Jeff and Andrew clean up the scene of the crime, Brenda obviously had answered Sonny's cell thinking it would be him ... this actually could work in his favor, " Carly, I'm sorry."
"Your sorry, sorry for what?" Carly was growing more and more upset, " Is he cheating on me?"
"You know he'll always care for you Carly, " Jason sighed, eyeing Jax in annoyance, he was enjoying this to much, " but he just doesn't see it working out with you in the long run."
"In the long run?" Carly screamed, " He loves me, we took vows, that's why he dumped Alexis and came back to me ... after everything I went through to get him back, he tosses me aside for another woman ... who is she, I know it's not the hag... I would've recognized her hypocritical voice."
"Honestly Carly, I don't know who she is, but it is serious between them."
"Sonny loves me, he told me."
"Yes, Sonny loves you ... but he's not in love with you anymore, " Jason spoke honestly to her, no matter what her part was in this fiasco, he knew her heart was breaking and when that happens all hell would break loose, he also knew his friendship with her would cease to exist once the real truth came out.
"Well, I guess Sonny not only screwed Alexis over, he screwed me as well!" Carly snapped, and hit the end button to disconnect the call, " Max turn the car around, I want you to drop me off at Club 101." She searched her bag for her small address book and dialed the number she hadn't used since that fateful night in April.
Alexis was dreaming, she and Sonny were dancing in Puerto Rico, he smiled at her with such a raw sensuality it had left her mesmerized, his eyes sparkled with mischief and if she really let herself believe it ... desire was there as well... the dream shifted to their night together, the way she'd responded to his touch, and the way he had responded to hers as well, the soft moans that escaped his lips, had caused her to shiver in anticipation ... his hand gently reaching up to pull the barrette free so her hair fell around her face, his hands running through her hair and her hands traveling in small gentle circles up his chest memorizing the feel on his body under her fingertips, he embraced her, kissing her with such intensity she'd moaned out now as they fell back against the pillows.
"Now what?"
Alexis's eyes snapped open, her skin warm and damp from the dream and the tears she must have been shedding, her vision focused on a pair on inquisitive eyes and a famous mole.
"Alexis are you all right?" Brenda asked concerned, " You were dreaming, seemed intense, you kept calling out now."
Alexis blushed furiously, of all times to be dreaming of Sonny it had to be in front of his former lover.
"Oh, there's no need to explain, " Brenda added smiling, " you called out for Sonny too ... it doesn't take a brain surgeon to figure it out."
"I'm fine, " Alexis, said ignoring her, " what about you... my God Brenda we thought you were dead."
"I'm okay... I'm really scared for Jax and Sonny though… I've never seen Luis act like this."
"Have you seen Sonny?" Alexis voice filled with concern, " tell me is he hurt badly?"
"He's been beaten," Brenda said, her own voice filling with concern, " they've been drugging him, he was hallucinating ... he kept calling out your name."
"I'm sure he was happy to see you, " Alexis replied, hating to feel a tinge of jealousy, she had no right to feel that way, "It's hard for him to talk about you, but when he does his voice has always been full of love."
"Actually I was surprised at how quickly he accepted me, I think it was because of the drugs he didn't fully comprehend that what was happening was real."
Alexis nodded, "It must be the drugs, because If I know Sonny he'd be full of questions."
"Ain't that the truth," they shared a moment bonding over their tie to Sonny, " do you want to call Jason, he told me you'd be coming."
"You have a phone?" Alexis eyes widened
"It's Sonny's ... the guards dropped it when they were dragging him away."
Alexis took the phone in her hand and dialed, "Hi, it's me... Looks like I'm getting married ... and Brenda's going to be my maid of honor."