One would think a person would learnnot to judge another, especially if that person was known for her own mistakes, but Skye Quartermaine wasn't one of those people.

"Excuse me?" Skye asked, shocked by Zander's revelation, " did I just hear you say what I think I heard you say?"

Zander looked away trying to cover his amusement, " Jake and Sonny go way back."

"Way back where… Prison?" Skye shot back sarcastically.

"No they knew each other when they were kids."

"You said Jake works with Sonny, don't you mean he works for him?"

"Zander shook his head, "No, they work together… Jake's helping Sonny out of a jam… uh, on second thought maybe I shouldn't have said anything."

"I think you told me just in time, I might've actually given that creep a second chance to manipulate me."

Zander grew serious, " you think he's that bad?"

"Anyone partnering up with Sonny Corinthos spells trouble."

"I worked for Sonny."

"And it nearly cost you your life, the best thing you did was walk away."

"They why'd you help him?"

"I didn't help him… I did it for Jax and on some level for Alexis, no child should be separated from their mother, and I know that's what would've happened if I let Ned win this one."

Zander remained quiet, he'd wondered so many times what his real Mother had been like, had she been bright and vivacious, beautiful and delicate, or spirited and dedicated to those she loved… his thoughts strayed back to his Father, had he known her long, had he loved her in the same way Zander loved Emily… why hadn't he fought to keep them together or had he tried too and lost them along the way?

"We'll be landing soon."

"Huh…oh, okay, thanks."

Skye smiled, " don't worry Zander, in a few hours you'll get your second chance with Emily and you're happily ever after."

"I hope your right Skye… I hope your right."

Operation Mr. Smith

Brenda watched as Alexis dashed around the apartment, throwing things in her carry on bag, as she barked orders to Leo over the cordless phone.

"Cancel all my meetings…I don't care what they said, tell them I had an emergency… your great at excuses, make something up!" Alexis ordered, glancing over at Brenda, " Okay, that's good… bye." Dropping the phone on the sofa she ran back to the bedroom.

"Is there anything you need me to do?" Brenda called out.

"Yeah, get about eight hours sleep for me." Alexis called back from the bedroom.

"Maybe everything will turn out fine."

Alexis reentered the room, "these are the Quartermaine's we're talking about, they've never approved of Zander dating Emily, and the only time they remotely liked him was when he agreed she was better off without him."

"Why he'd let her go, if he loved her so much?"

Alexis sighed her eyes reflecting more than would be told, " it's a very long story that I unfortunately don't have time to tell, but the gist of it is, Zander knew it was in Emily's best interest to leave Port Charles, so he let her go… but he always expected her to come back… he was devastated when he found out she had a boyfriend… I can only imagine his reaction when he found out they were engaged."

"He was pretty torn up." Brenda replied nodding, " he seems like a good guy."

"He is Brenda, he's just looking for love and acceptance."

"And he's got it in you."

"And Sonny."

"Yeah, but your who he came looking for Alexis…he depends on you."

Alexis smiled shyly, looking up she whispered, " I really do love him, you know?"

"It shows."

Alexis looked around the room, " well, I think I have everything… except Sonny."

"He called a little while ago, he's on his way… he sounds happy."

"That's probably because he managed to sneak in a nap somewhere since the time he dropped me off and the time he called you."

"Whatever you say Alexis." Brenda said, smiling.

"Did you make up with Jax?"

Brenda scrunched her nose, " No."

"If you don't mind my butting in where I don't belong… Jax never gave up on you… there was apart of him that just couldn't give up hope that you were alive, even when he tried moving on with his life, he was haunted by the memories of you."

"And here I was alive and living with a man who was planning his death."

"But you didn't know that at first Brenda, you were used as a pawn in a very sick war between a man who had to have you… just give Jax the chance to explain how he feels."

"I love him Alexis… I'm just confused."

"So tell him that, " Alexis reassured her friend, and then rolled her eyes, " look at me giving love life advice, there's something so very wrong with this picture."

Brenda laughed and sat on the arm of the couch, " So how long do you think you'll be gone?"

"Not long, I don't think… unless Alan and Monica have Zander arrested for disorderly conduct, to which I'll have to bail him out of jail and then we have Sonny who will begin lecturing Zander on the do's and don'ts of crashing parties and courting women."

Brenda giggled, " In other words, I should expect you sometime next month?"

Alexis sighed and dropped down into her favorite chair, " I'm going to really miss this chair."

"Come on Alexis, you won't be gone long enough to miss a chair."

"I'll miss it when I move across town."

"You did it!" Brenda exclaimed, jumping up and clapping her hands together.

Alexis, who'd been resting her head against the back of the chair, rolled it to one side and gave her friend a tired but happy smile, " I sure did… I've officially lost my mind."

"You've officially made the first step!"

"Isn't life grand?" Alexis retorted, closing her eyes.

Brenda smiled, and then became silent, Alexis opened an eye, " I've lived with you long enough to know when your worried about something, what's up?"

Waving a hand, Brenda got up again, " I'm not really worried, I was just thinking I better start looking for a place to live… I guess I could always go back to the cottage."

"Or you could stay here."

"But you're moving."

"So?" Alexis questioned, " my lease isn't up for another year, you've got everything you need here and more, and plus I need a place to stay when I fight with Sonny and can't stand the sight of him, even if he is across the hall."

"You really don't mind?"

"Brenda, I wouldn't have suggested it if I minded, consider this your home."

"I already do… because of you."

"Then it's settled."

The knock at the door brought Alexis to her feet, " you know Johnny was the only one to use that intercom system… who is it?"

"It's me."

"It's me? Brenda do you know anyone by that name?" Alexis asked turning to Brenda and winking.

"Cute Alexis, come on you know it's me."

"It's me? Hmmm, did I date you at some point, because I just don't recall the name."

"You did more than date me, in fact if you want me to get technical…"

Alexis quickly opened the door, " Oh, look who's here…its Sonny."

Brenda gave a half wave, an amused smile perched on her lips, "Hey, Son."

"Are we ready to go?" Alexis asked, reaching down to pick up her bag, only to have Sonny take it from her.

"Yeah, the limos waiting outside, and the jet will be ready to take off by the time we get there."

"Let's not keep the jet waiting then, " Alexis turned to face Brenda, " remember what I said."

Brenda smiled and nodded, "will do, now get out of here, you've got a son to protect."

Rolling her eyes Alexis walked out first, Sonny began to shut the door and then paused, " Damn, it's good to have you back."

Brenda smiled and watched her long ago lover shut the door to the past and open a new one with Alexis. Standing alone in the middle of the apartment, she eyed the phone on the sofa and wondered, was she ready to take the next step.

The knock at the door, delayed her from any actions, opening it she smiled, " your just the person I wanted to see."