Alexis was as determined as ever to have the next seventeen floors to herself, stepping into the elevator she didn't even hesitate when the doors began to close and Brenda's cries of protest started coming from behind her,instead shepressed the button and leaned back against the wall, smiling mischievouslyshe shrugged her shoulders, waved at her friend and inwardly patted herself on the back for a job well done.

It wasn't that she was necessarily angry with Brenda, she just needed the time alone without the constant barrage of questions and endless words of well meaning advice from a woman who knew all to well what it was like to love and lose a man like Sonny Corinthos.

If Brenda thought she could save Alexis from herself, then she was in for a big surprise.Alexiswasn't even surehow to save herself from the decision she'd made to leave Port Charles and Sonny behind for good.

At any other time in her life Alexis would've smashed Ned and Carly like the bugs they were, with intellect and strategy, after all she was a Cassadine, power ran through her veins, it only came into viewwhen she felt truly threatened… so why wasn't she willing to fight this time?

Alexis knew the answer and she hated it… Fear… Fear of losing everything she held dear to her heart, fear of losing the respect of the man she cherished, and fear of destroying the lives of those she loved.

So deep in thought, she didn't hear the ding of the elevators, as the doors slid open, she furrowed her brow, stepping out she looked both ways, this wasn't the Penthouse floor and it certainly wasn't the place it once had been, edging out of the elevator she gasped at the transformation, something was definitely up and she hadn't any idea of what it could be, but curiosity got the better of her and she walked toward the staircase that lay directly in front of the elevator.

"What on earth?" Alexis whispered, wrapping her hand around the oak banister that lead down into the large dining area, descending the stairs, she took a left and walked toward the bar, leaning against it, she glanced around the entire building, she was breath taken, still in construction, paint cans and piles of lumber set to the sides…but Alexis felt the memories of Puerto Rico and Rum wash over her, her eyes fell to theFrench doors across the room, a red bow wrapped neatly around the handles…yes, indeed Alexis was definitely losing her touch, otherwise she would've smelled the set up coming a mile away. Hesitantly, she approached the doors and smiled, he'd thought of everything, everything but the fact he wasn't here to share his obvious surprise for her, taking the note she unfolded it and began to read:

Alexis,

No matter who we were, no matter what we became

You'll always be my friend

You'll always be my heart

Tiny Umbrella's

And Long ago Poker games

Remember the Magic

Sonny

Alexis sniffed loudly, pressing the note to her chest, she shut her eyes trying to block the wave of sadness overwhelming her, opening the slowly she reached out and turned the knob and letting the doors flow open on there own.

I was sitting on my doorstep,
I hung up the phone and it fell out of my hand,
But I knew I had to do it,
And he wouldn't understand,
So hard to see myself without him,
I felt a piece of my heart break,
But when you're standing at a crossroad,
There's a choice you gotta make.

She gasped, walking out onto the terrace she began to cry all over again. She relished in the memory of how she'd felt when he'd caught her in his arms, the way he'd looked at her, the way he'd teased her mercifully.

I guess it's gonna have to hurt,
I guess I'm gonna have to cry,
And let go of some things I've loved,
To get to the other side,
I guess it's gonna bring me down,
Like falling when you try to fly,
It's sad, but sometimes moving on with the rest of your life,
Starts with goodbye

"You Like?"

Alexis stifled a sob and swung around to face the voice from behind her, "What are you doing here?"

I know there's a blue horizon,
Somewhere up ahead, just waiting for me,
Getting there means leaving things behind,
Sometimes life's so bitter sweet.

"I've come to settle the score once and for all."

Jake's

Skye and Jake were deep in conversation, when Zander rushedpast them, catching them by surprise.

"Where's the fire?" Jake asked, as the younger man took off toward the front door.

Caught off guard, Zander turned abruptly, the duffle bag he was carrying hit a case of beer and sent it careening to the floor, swearing under his breath, he shut his eyes and flexed his jaw.

"If you wanted a beer all you had to do was ask."

"I'm sorry okay… I'll pay for it." Zander started to reach into this jacket, when the older man stilled his hand.

"It's alright son."

The range of emotions running through Zander must've show, because even Skye became concerned, "Zander are you all right?"

"I'm fine… I just need to get out of here."

"What's the hurry, you gotta hot date?"

"I'm in a hurry, since I've been evicted."

Skye turned to Jake, "you evicted him?"

"Nobody's evicted anyone…what made you think that?"

"You bought the place didn't you?"

"Yeah so what?"

"You plan to make changes?"

"Yeah, I've got some ideas."

"Well, then your not going to want riff raff living above your bar."

"I haven't met a riff or a raff since I walked into the joint, you talking about someone in particular or are you making assumptions?"

"I'm sorry…I just assumed…"

"Never assume anything, you have a problem with me tell me straight out, " Jake said and then added, "the truth is buying Jakes' was kind of spur of the moment decision, I mean it's perfect my names already on the door."

"Well don't let me stop you from making those decisions." Zander muttered, reaching over to pick up the case of beer that had fallen.

Jake looked at the mess Zander was trying to clean up, "want a job?"

Zander eyed the man skeptically,"why me?"

"Maybe because I need someone that knows the ins and outs of Port Charles."

"Some would tell you, I'm no good." Zander said, glancing at Skye.

"Where some people run their businesses and lives on the advice of others… I don't, I run my life by my instincts, and my instincts tell me you're alright… besides Mikey seems to think a lot of you."

"Mikey?" Zander questioned, rubbing his neck and cocking his head," if your talking about Sonny, did he tell you about what I did?"

"Listen kid, we all screw up… every human being walking the planet has had their highs and low points, it's what they choose to do with the lessons they've learned along the way that makes life interesting."

"You sound like your talking from experience."

"Yeah… yeah I am, so that's why I'm going to tell you this… that chip on your shoulder, the one you keep using as an excuse to stay angry and bitter… it's not going to get you a thing, but you use that brain of yours… the things you've learned so far, and you'll go somewhere."

"And you think by running Jakes', I'm going to get somewhere?" Zander asked sarcastically, lifting the case onto the counter.

Jake laughed heartily and pointed a finger at him, "you've got a point."

"Why'd you come to Port Charles?" Zander asked bluntly, he watched the older man mull the question over in his head.

"I'm here for a lot of reasons… maybe I thought it was time to face the past."

Zander's jaw tensed, " the past? You've got ties to Port Charles?"

Jake shook his head," Johnny, Michael and Luke are my only ties here."

Realizing he wasn't going to anything further from him, Zander reached down and picked up his duffel bag, "if I take you up on this offer, do I still have a room?"

Wiping his hands on the front of his jeans,Jake stepped out from behind the bar, " Sure… tell you what, you can stay rent free."

"I don't take handouts."

"It's not a handout… you'll be working for it."

"Fine as long as I'm paying for it… listen I know how Alexis and Sonny operate, so if they try and guilt you into anything, don't let them okay?"

"Okay." Jake agreed, smiling inwardly.

Zander walked toward the door, stopping he looked back over his shoulder, " I won't let you down Mr. O'Brien, I promise you that."

Harbor View Towers

Alexis turned away and walked toward the replicated fountain she'd danced on in Puerto Rico, "why'd you come back?"

"You already know the answer… your choosing to ignore it."

"Well it's pointless really… nothing you say will change the fact I'm leaving."

"I'll follow you wherever you go Alexis."

"There's to much at stake Sonny."

"And you felt cutting out was the best option?"

"We all need time… I need time."

"You don't think Ashton has a plan of action, in case you decided to bolt?" He smiled when she swung round to face him, confusion knitting her brow, "you know me better than that Alexis, you had to know that I'd find out what Ned and Carly were trying to do."

Alexis crossed her arms, "Well, I'm not marrying him…"

"Who's asking you too?" Sonny said, stepping toward her, not surprised when she stepped away, "I'm just saying that by leaving, well it isn't going to stop them."

"I have to do something."

"We're big boys Alexis… we can take care of ourselves, you don't need to protect us."

"Not this time."

"What aren't you telling me Alexis?"

Alexis shook her head and looked away, " trust me Sonny, it's easier this way, let me go."

"For who? It sure as hell isn't easier on me… you wanna walk out on us… you wanna walk out on me, is that it?"

"I'm trying to do the right thing, it'll be better, you'll see."

"Better? What is it Alexis, did you suddenly decide I wasn't worth all the trouble."

"Sonny…"

Sonny waved his hands in the air, walking around her he reached out and plucked a Gardenia from it's branch, "It's crazy… cause when I left Port Charles, I was sure you were about to admit you loved me… how wrong could I be."

Alexis watched him quietly, as he placed the Gardenia to his nose, his eyes closed as if remembering with her a better time and place, where they'd been so close to happiness, and yet so far from what would lie ahead of them… it hurt her to know he was suffering, but it was the thought of Michael that caused Alexis to continue the ruse.

"All my life I've watched the people I care about be hurt… suffer at the hand of something or someone evil… I know you might not believe this now, but I hope one day you will understand I did this for you."

"What about our daughter Alexis, are you planning on keeping her away from me too?"

"Sonny, your daughter will always be a part of your life, just as Michael will always be a part of your life as well."

"And if I want more?"

"If I stayed Sonny, you'd end up resenting me, you'd blame me for ruining your life."

"That's Carly talking… she's getting to you, "Sonny said,"can't you see that?"

"Our Friendship are you happiness mean a great deal to me, I won't let it … I won't let it be destroyed."

"Happiness…you call this happiness Alexis?" Sonny shouted, reigning in his temped he looked at her with tears brimming, "you're ripping my heart out here… and I'm supposed to what? Slap on a smile and say goodbye to the best damn thing that's ever happened to me?"

Alexis fought back the tears, her voice trembled, " hold onto what's dear to Sonny… hold onto your son."

Alexis turned to leave, tears beginning to fall like rain, she hated that the last image she'd have of him was in sadness.

It was the click of the doors latch that caused Sonny to react, if he let her walk out now, he knew it would be forever and the idea of never holding her again was just to much to bear, especially when he knew she was lying.

He reached out and grabbed her arm, she turned to look at him, her eyes pleading with his," we knew from the start this wouldn't work… I'm just ending it before anyone gets hurt."

"To late Alexis… we're both hurting," Sonny, replied," something's making you run… I can tell by the way you won't look at me."

"Can't you just take me at my word… I'm doing what's best."

"You say that we knew it wouldn't work… maybe at one time that was true… but not now Alexis… for the first time in a long time I'm sure about something and that's you."

Alexis felt her resolve weakening, she needed to leave before he'd make it impossible too, reaching behind her she grasped the knob and turned the handle, opening it crack, she thought she could edge her way out, until it was slammed shut by Sonny's hand above her.

He smiled wickedly, pushing her backwards until she was plastered against the door, his body leaning into hers, his eyes delving into her; he licked his lips and growled in aggravation.

"You think it's going to be that easy Alexis, I play to win."

Alexis stiffened and tried to wiggle out of his reach, only to have Sonny push his body closer, he nuzzled his face into her neck, his warm breath sending a million different feelings warring through her body, he smiled when he heard the soft moan escape her mouth.

"You like it when I do that… I remember."

"You're only delaying the inevitable."

"What's the inevitable Alexis, I won't allow you to sacrifice your happiness in order to protect mine."

"Even if that's what I want?"

"I know you Alexis…something has you rattled."

"I'm not rattled!"

"Prove it them…stay in Port Charles, stay with me."

"I can't."

"Then you leave me no other choice… see Alexis, I learned to fight for the things I need or want… but this time I'm fighting for something I believe in, and that'syou and I believe in us and I'll be damned if I'm going to let you toss it all away."

"See this isn't your decision to make Sonny… Or Brenda's or Johnny's or anyone else's… this is my choice and I'm choosing to leave, so if you really do love me in the way you say you do… then you'll respect my wishes and let go of me… let me walk out this door."

"I can't… I won't… you yourself said it Alexis, I'm a selfish man and because I am, I gotta tell you that your mine Alexis, no one else gets you."

"I'm yours?" Alexis asked, eyes narrowed." So all I am to you is a possession?"

"The only possession here, if yours… you've got my heart Alexis, it's in your hands," Sonny took her trembling hand in his own and placed it on his chest, "your mine Alexis and I'm yours… the way it's supposed to be."

Alexis couldn't help herself, she broke down right there in his arms, blaming her surging hormones for causing her sudden break down, he held her closely, whispering words of comfort in her ear, placing kisses on her forehead, her eyes, her cheek and finally catching her lips in a passionate lock.

"Now isn't this better than walking out on what's probably the best thing you've ever had?" Sonny murmured as he broke the kiss.

"There's that Corinthos ego shining through, " Alexis muttered, being silenced momentarily by another kiss, " I've never met anyone so conceited in all my life… besides your ex-wife."

"That's why you love me."

"Correction Mr. Corinthos, that's why I tolerate you."

"Again with the toleration… how come you don't have a problem telling Candyboy you love him?"

"Ah, well because loving Jax doesn't come with strings."

"And loving me does?"

"Maybe."

"That hurt… I'd never use the fact you love me as a weapon."

"Good to know… I'll store that up in the old brain for future reference."

"Does that mean your staying?"

"It appears I havelittle choice in the matter… I guess marrying Ned is the only solution."

"The hell it is… no way, Ashton's loss is my gain."

"So what are we going to do?"

"We're going to fight them… but this time we're going to do it the right way."

"How's that?

"By doing it together."

(The song used, Carrie Underwood's "Start's with Good-bye")