Brenda was dumbfounded," Who are you going to marry?"

Alexis held up her index finger as she listened to Jason on the other end, " Well, it really isn't up to you, this is my choice and I'm choosing to go through with it ... now it's your job to make sure it doesn't happen, because I forgot my running shoes this time."

Jason's brow furrowed, " This isn't funny Alexis, I should've never agreed to this, you yourself said that being in Sonny's life was a threat… he'd hate this you know, he wouldn't want you involved in this."

"Well, as I told Sonny long ago, I'm not one of his minion's, he can't order me around, this is my life, my mind, and my body and this baby deserves to know it's father, the man I know he is ... and I'm not doing it just for him Jason... Jax has something at risk to both personally and financially," Alexis glanced at Brenda whose features softened at the mention of Jax, " and I'm doing this for me... I need to bring down the man responsible for my sisters murder... Jason, Jason are you still there?" she heard the Australian voice in the background ordering to speak with her.

"Lex are you okay?" Jax's voice was tense, " I knew this was a mistake, now Alkazar has the two people I love most in the world."

"So what are you waiting for?" Alexis asked smiling at Brenda, " Come rescue us."

"Alexis stop with the humor, he could've killed you."

"Johnny was there the entire time, and why would Alkazar kill me, it would defeat the entire purpose of what he's set out to do."

"You think you have it all figured out, " Jax sighed heavily, " remember what trusting Corinthos got you."

"What Sonny gave me you'll never comprehend, so lets not go there okay?" Alexis stated, " Are you still with me, can I count on you to do the right thing?"

"I seem to have a weakness for a certain ex wife of mine ... she happens to be one of my best friends, like I said earlier Lex, I'm with you, never against you."

"I'm going to hold you to that, when this is all over."

"Can't wait."

"Now can you put Jason back on, " Alexis motioned for Brenda to keep an eye on the door listening for any sign of life.

"Alexis?"

"Jason, your not going to like what I'm about to ask and for once I don't quite blame you ... but this is important to me for the sake everyone involved, truth be told I care a great deal for you, for all of you and once this is all over, I'm planning on taking a much needed vacation ... so my legal services won't be avail-"

"Alexis, what is it?" Jason interrupted

"I don't want any of you involved in a homicide today... you need to call Taggert have his men there, I need you to promise that Jason."

"Do you realize what your asking of me?" Jason questioned, " Your asking that I go against everything Sonny's ever taught me."

"Isn't it about time?" Alexis replied, "it's time to take a stand Jason, I need you to do this for me, do it for my sister."

Jason felt like the air had been sucked from his lungs, she was right he'd followed Sonny's lead for so long and there had been times in the recent past he hadn't felt comfortable with his friends choices, " I promise Alexis, I owe it to you ... and you deserve a peaceful vacation."

"Thank you Jason, "Alexis replied smiling, " Now be safe, all of you."

"We will ... you too."

Alexis disconnected the phone and handed it back to Brenda who eyed the woman before her in admiration for her courage.

"Looks like something's have changed in Port Charles since I've been away, I asked Zander to fill me in… he talked about Sonny and Carly… he also told me about Jax and Skye Quartermaine are these good women?"

"Oh, you are asking the wrong person… I'm completely biased when it comes to Jax and Sonny… I will say that Jax seems to be trying to save Skye from herself and as for Caroline Benson, Roberts, Quartermaine, Corinthos, Corinthos, Corinthos, you'll never get a stellar assessment from me… she compliments every dark mood Sonny's ever had."

"So she hasn't changed." Brenda replied, then asked, "three times…why?"

"Who knows, he's self destructive and Carly's about as self destructive as you can get… he seems to live to torture himself, so why not marry the harpy… and I'm not saying that because I'm jealous… I just honestly can't stand the woman."

Brenda couldn't help but snicker, "Oh that's not jealously talking… Carly of old was just as bad, but when Zander said she was a whack job with a good heart… it got me to wondering."

Alexis rolled her eyes, "That's a combination if I've ever heard one."

"Carly… It's funny I'd pretty much blocked her from my memory."

"Believe me once you see her again, you'll be thanking God for small favors."

"Surely there was something Sonny saw in her?"

Alexis raised a brow," Well, I'm not going to draw you a picture… but it starts with an S and ends with an X."

"He always did have a way with the ladies."

"And he doesn't let anyone forget it, " Alexis retorted

The women continued to catch up on Port Charles, Alexis informed Brenda of just what Alkazar was capable of, and though they were different in every way, they liked each other immensely and they were determined more than ever to bring Alkazar down.

They heard the voices outside the room, and Brenda quickly hid the phone under the mattress. Alkazar entered the room his eyes shifting from one woman to the other.

"How are you two getting along?" Alkazar asked unusually chipper.

"Just peachy, in fact Brenda here has agreed to be my Matron of honor," Alexis replied sarcastically.

"Did I say to speak of this wedding to Brenda?"Alkazar demeanor shifted to anger.

Alexis remained cool, years of dealing with criminals and Helena, "I didn't know it was a secret, I'm terribly sorry."

"Don't patronize me, Alexis, " Alkazar warned, "now I need you to follow Me."

"Why, where are we going?"

"I'm taking you to see Sonny."

Sonny's nerves were finally beginning to run thin, the room seemed to be closing in around him and he ordered himself to remain in control ... control something he hadn't been in for months, so much so that he'd lost his best friend, his heart and she'd let him in her usual unselfish way ... he'd always been a man who believed if you truly wanted something you'd fight for it, it proved your strength and desire ... now he understood she'd sacrificed her love of him, for his own happiness. His mind flashed back to that day in the Penthouse when she'd let him go.

Sonny: She might've bumped her head in the accident, but it was -- they say, I don't know, it was nothing serious.

Alexis: So her memory loss isn't from anything physical?

Sonny: The point I'm trying to make is -- sooner or later, Carly's going to remember, and if she doesn't, I'm going to have to tell her about that night.

Alexis: I understand.

Sonny: Then -- I guess things, you know, will go back to, like, you know, they were.

Alexis: How is that, exactly? How were we?

Alexis: Certainly not this. There is no way on this planet that we could have imagined, number one, that Carly would see us. Number two, that she would drive her car off a cliff. Three, be declared dead. And, four show up again at her own funeral. These events are highly unlikely. And there is no way that this hasn't altered our relationship in some form or another --

Sonny: All right, just --

Alexis: So you don't have to tell me to breathe. I'm fine.

Sonny: I'll tell you -- I'll tell exactly how I feel right now and what I want.

Alexis: You know, come to think of it, I don't think maybe we should have this conversation right now. In light of everything that's happened, we may say things that we mean right now that we don't mean tomorrow and so forth. You know, it's all in the context. You know what I'm saying.

The problem was Sonny hadn't been truly happy since then ... his eyes glanced up as the door cracked open and somebody slipped in, the room was very dim in light, yet he knew it was her, he felt her presence and this was real, she was real, her breathing hitched upon seeing him for the first time since the memorial service, Alkazar had let her come alone, but if Sonny knew better their conversation was being listened in on. Neither one of them spoke. Her eyes soaked in the site of him and Sonny found himself self conscious, his appearance was ragged, his face was drawn, his eyes sunk back from lack of sleep and emotions running high, a beard beginning to show, he finally was able to choke out a word.

"Hey," he whispered

Alexis had never heard a sweeter word in all her life, her mind was full of concerns, full of questions, full of to many things and yet she stood there reveling in the beauty of the man, even in the worst moments, even when he looked like hell, the man was beautiful to the eyes.

"Hey," she replied, glancing down at her feet.

"Don't look away Alexis, I need to see your eyes, " Sonny pleaded urgently.

"Why?" Alexis asked

"Your eyes say so much, that your mouth doesn't, " Sonny whispered, " I need to see what your feeling, need to know what your thinking."

"Am I that transparent?" Alexis questioned.

"Only with me Alexis, that was something we both had with each other."

"Along time ago."

"How long has it been? The memory is still vivid, but so much bad has happened between us."

"To much has happened." Alexis replied.

"I never meant for you to be hurt Alexis... I know these are just words to you, but I never wanted to see hatred in your eyes when you looked at Me."

"Is that what you see Sonny, hatred?" Alexis asked annoyed, "Because if that's the case then you don't really know me at all."

"I know you Alexis, " Sonny said, " it took time to realize just what a mistake I'd made, and then someone you know paid me a visit and helped me to open my eyes once and for all."

"Someone I know visited you, who?" Alexis asked puzzled, she knew her friends would never go to Sonny on her behalf unless it was to drive them farther apart.

"Kristina, " Sonny felt no embarrassment or fear that Alexis would rebuff his claim, "you may not believe me, but your sister paid me a visit."

"You saw her too?" Alexis was amazed, her feet finally moved away from the door and she came closer to Sonny, " I wondered if it was a dream when she came to me, but if felt so real."

"It was no dream Alexis, I think she wanted us to make amends ... for our happiness, for our baby." Sonny's eyes teared and Alexis looked away, " Alexis look at me, I've got to see your face."

When Alexis turned back, tears were working there way down her face, "I was going to tell you in the beginning, Sonny and then I heard you tell Jason to take care of Zander, I just couldn't see past that ... that you'd turn your back on someone you cared for and honestly I'm still not happy with it."

"I can't go back and change what I've done, and I've let you down in more ways that one...I'm a stubborn man, I don't admit failure."

"I'm not asking you to."

"But I am... I've failed you Alexis, you deserve so much more than I've given you in all the time I've known you."

"The only failure our relationship had was, we failed to communicate after Carly came back and that was both our faults."

"You deserve more Alexis, our baby deserves more... I told you once family was important to me, that was my only gift to you Alexis, your freedom from my destruction."

"What gives you the right to make those decisions?" Alexis argued, "true I let Ned claim paternity but even after all was said and done I thought of telling you ... that is until Kristina."

"See Alexis, see what I cost you, you said it yourself I'm self destructive, I'm ruthless, I'm selfish."

"Not to mention that your kind, caring, loving, attentive, gentle, generous, courageous, and extremely funny when your not trying to act like an egotistical mobster," Alexis countered back, " And until you believe that Sonny, you'll continue to make bad choices."

"The best decision I ever made was hiring you."

"True ... of course you realize I detested you, I wanted no part of it."

"But my charm worked you over in the end, " He gave her a flash of dimples.

Alexis raised her brow," Worked me over, huh? Actually it was that heavy retainer fee that kept me around more than anything."

"Oh" Sonny replied

"Yeah" Alexis teased.

"Alexis"

"Yes, Sonny?"

"You know I'm beyond angry with you right now, don't you?"

"Sonny"

"Yes, Alexis?"

"The feelings mutual."

"What were you thinking agreeing to marry Luis Alkazar?" Sonny fumed.

"I was thinking that when this baby of ours comes kicking and screaming into the world ... and you know it will since it's our kid ... well I want those dimples of yours standing beside me... I'd settle for you actually going through the labor and birth for me, but since that's physically impossible, I'll settle for the latter."

"Alexis?"

"Hmmm?"

"I love you."

Alexis, who by now was kneeling beside of Sonny, nearly fell backwards, grabbing the arm of the chair her hand brushed across his and he smiled.

"Ah, Counselor, you do care."

"Did you just say what I think you did?"

"Yeah, and it feels good to finally say it."

"Well, I just don't believe it."

"What don't you believe Alexis? My feelings for you are very real and very important to me, I wanted you to know that I love you and I love our baby."

"You act as if it's over, that you've given up, are these your last rights are you simply trying to release the guilt in order to console poor old reliable Alexis?"

"Damn it Alexis, when all is said and done I'll have it put on billboards, I'll call every national newspaper and have it printed, and I'll shout it from the towers if that's what it takes to make you believe me."

"Will that be before or after you've renovated the roof to look like Puerto Rico?"

"Johnny told you?" Sonny smiled, " that morning was a happy time for me."

"I was happy too...mortified, but happy." Alexis blushed, "I was all nerves."

"Nah, not you Alexis."

"You made the comment about the strawberry and I nearly came undone." Alexis admitted.

"I was ready to ravish you, before that fateful knock."

"Then it all fell apart, " Alexis recalled sadly.

"Then it all fell apart, "Sonny repeated, " Do you think we can start over Alexis?"

The door swung open and Alkazar and Daniel entered," Sorry Sonny, you had your chance... Alexis is mine now."

Daniel approached Alexis and yanked her up roughly.

"Hey watch how you touch her!" Sonny shouted

Alexis looked at Alkazar, " Really honey, shouldn't you tell your thugs to be a little more gentle with the merchandise."

"Why, do I get to peruse the goods after the ceremony?"

Sonny's eyes darkened with jealousy and Alkazar knew it.

"Are we getting married or not?" Alexis shifted directions feeling the intensity of the moment.

"Eager for the I do's are we...that must mean something, "Alkazar took her by the elbow and guided her out of the room, "quite touching Sonny's declaration of love."

"When's the ceremony?" Alexis asked

"One Hour."

Jason eyed Zander suspiciously as he entered the underground tunnels of windmere, " You had Nicholas call me, what's so important?"

"I remembered something," Zander spoke quickly, he paced back and forth out of being cooped up for so long.

"What did you remember?" Jason asked curiously, noticing how anxious he was.

"I remember Alexis and Sonny." Zander revealed, seeming quite pleased with himself.

Jason couldn't hide the disappointment on his face," Well, that's great, but it doesn't help me any ... your memories need to be on board that boat, if you want to help Sonny and Alexis."

"That's it, I can help though."

"How?"

"I can distract Alkazar's men while you do whatever it is you need to do, they want me dead, you know they'll come after me and then you can go for it."

"Your willing to risk your life for them, why?" Jason asked surprised at the loyalty.

"It's only fair they risked everything for me with Sorel, I owe this to them, Sonny taught me that you value your friends," Zander's mind grasped the memory of the night they'd been at the penthouse, Sonny and Alexis had been arguing about his future and he'd told them he was leaving town...

"Now the two of you gave me back my life, and my freedom, and I will never forget that, but right now I've got to take care of myself and the sooner I get out of here the better off it's going to be for everybody."

"Zander what about Emily?" Alexis had asked as he started for the stairs.

"Emily already said good-bye." Zander replied, heading up the stair, what they didn't know is he'd stopped around the corner and continued to listen to them.

"Do Something!" Alexis demanded to Sonny.

"I am, I'm respecting his wishes."

"Oh," Alexis had half laughed, " not only are you self serving, but that code of yours, that you use as an excuse for every irrehensible act under the sun, especially allowing a disfranchised boy just go out there and throw away his entire future."

"Breathe, Breathe."

"I owe it to them Jason, I don't remember much, but I know they cared for me at one time." Zander replied snapping out of his memories.

Jason shook his head, "If you do this, you better not screw it up ... lives are in danger here."

"You have my word."

Alkazar came face to face with the woman he'd helped all those months ago, " Caroline, I must admit I was surprised when I received your call and here we are back at Club 101, but it's not yours anymore is it?"

"You helped me once, " Carly said ignoring his comment and pulling out the chair next to her so he'd sit down, " I'm asking for your help again."

"Trouble in paradise already?" Alkazar took the glass of wine the waitress brought over and placed it on the table, " I don't think another death would work in your favor this time Caroline."

"Sonny's found someone else."

"Really, where did you hear this?"

"Jason, he said whoever she is, Sonny's serious about her." Carly's eyes were large and round, her bottom lip protruded in a pout.

"Ms. Davis again?" Alkazar asked,

"No, it's someone else."

Alkazar became quiet, he let his index finger travel around the rim on the wine glass, his mind was on Brenda and he wondered if that was who Morgan had been referring too, " I'm sorry I can no longer extend my services to you, Caroline."

"But why not, Al?" Carly whined, " you helped me once before."

"Your a risk I'm not willing to take again," Alkazar smiled at her stupidity, she had no idea she was dealing with the man who was about to destroy her husbands world, she was to worried about her own needs.

"Then you leave me no choice, " Carly began, " I'll tell Sonny I remembered something ... that I was kidnapped and you did it, then I'll go to the police."

Alkazar's hand stilled on the glass, he leaned over to Carly as if she were his lover and placed his hand at the nape of her neck and then he tugged hard, she whimpered at the pain, " Meaningless threats from an empty headed little girl don't frighten me Caroline, save your threats for the weak at heart."

"Perhaps, Sonny's threats will work, " Carly threatened again, she tried to wiggle away from him, but stopped when he tugged harder at her neck.

"Corinthos isn't going to threaten me ... you little fool he knows a mistake when he sees one."

"Mistake, I'm not a mistake, Sonny isn't thinking clearly that's all."

"Live in whatever fantasy world you want to, but I never want to hear from you again, is that understood?"

Carly could only nod and Alkazar dropped his hand, he rose from the chair and proceeded to leave, passing Ned Ashton on his way in.

"Carly why were you talking to that man?" Ned asked.

"I have a question, why are you here?" Carly snarled, rubbing the back of her neck.

"Do you even realize that man is responsible for Kristina's death?" Ned bellowed causing people to turn in their chairs.

"What are you talking about, that man's name is Al."

"That man's name is Luis Alkazar, you idiot!"

Carly slapped her hand to her mouth, " NO!"

"OH yes ... which leads me to wonder and ask, just why the hell was he here and how do you know him?"

twenty minutes later...

Alkazar slipped into the bridal chambers as Alexis made her way into the bathroom, he stood at the door watching Brenda as she studied her image in the mirror, she wore a light ivory empire waist gown the bodice was chiffon with braided trim and the floor length skirt was satin and slit up the back to show her legs, her hair was pulled back by pearl combs, she looked beautiful, she looked like she could be the bride.

Brenda saw his reflection in the mirror and jumped in surprise, without turning she met his eyes in the mirror.

"You need to stop doing that."

"What?"

"Sneaking up on me."

"Is that what I'm doing?" Alkazar asked coming to stand beside her, he placed his hands on her shoulders, "You look lovely."

"Seems strange that your getting married and I'm not the bride."

"You sound disappointed, " Alkazar said quietly.

"Maybe I am, " Brenda replied, " you broke so many promises we made to each other, why Luis why did you do this?"

"Because I had to, " Alkazar leaned down kissing her neck, "but there's never a day I've regretted until now, to see the trust you had in me gone."

"I would give anything to trust you again, Luis." Brenda replied.

"But you can't"

"But, I can't" Brenda repeated his statement.

"You still love Corinthos?"

"Sonny is someone I will always love, he was the first man I really let into my heart, but we made our peace long ago, why can't you see that... I'm not the same person I was then, he's not the same person."

"No matter what Brenda, I love you."

"I know."

"But, you don't love me anymore do you? ... Bringing you here was a mistake."

"Bringing me home was the greatest gift you could ever give me Luis." Brenda spoke honestly, tears brimming in her eyes.

Alexis listened from the other side apparently Luis Alkazar wasn't pure evil, but that didn't leave her with any sympathy for the man, he might of brought Brenda back to Port Charles, but he hadn't given her the freedom to truly come home and if Alexis had anything to do with it... They'd all be free by the end of the day