mixed signals

"So you're absolutely sure I can't convince you to join me for dinner?"

Alexis smiled. It seemed she'd been smiling a lot lately. Things were calm for the moment and that was always a good thing. And last night had been better than perfect. She and Sonny were more intimate than ever, even if they hadn't crossed the line to physical intimacy. Something else was growing between them. Something she hadn't dared hoped for, let alone dared put a name to. So the smile on her face stayed, giving her an almost otherworldly glow, or so it seemed to the man sitting opposite her. He took her smile for something entirely other than what it was.

"You're smiling, but no answer. Does that mean I can hope for a yes?"

Alexis shook her head. "I'm sorry Mason, I agreed to meet you at the Grille for drinks, you agreed this was a business meeting. Sorry, but I have other plans for dinner."

"You wound me, Alexis." Mason said, dramatically bringing on hand to rest on his chest. "What must I do to claim you, O fair maiden?"

"You can quit with the Shakespeare, for one thing." Alexis laughed in spite of herself.

"I would do anything to have that smile for myself." Mason declared. "Perhaps one more round of martinis would help." He signaled to a nearby waiter to bring another round.

"And this will be the last." Alexis said.Mason had a way of making her laugh, in spite of herself. It was flattering to be so obviously wanted by such an attractive man. A few months ago, it would have been more than flattering. But now...

She focused back in on wha Mason was saying. "You really have been one hard to reach little lady." he said to her.

"That's because she gets the job done." A certain voice sounded from just behind her chair, one she knew all too well, full-bodied, richly-dark and strong like espresso."Lawyers of Ms. Davis' caliber are defintely in high demand."

Even before he spoke, Alexis had felt his presence as he'd come to stand somewhere behind her. As always, she could feel his presence as it filled the space wherever he went.

"No doubt." Mason said to the newcomer. He spared him a glance, but his eyes quickly returned to Alexis' face. "Which is why I find myself feeling very privileged to find myself as one of her favored but few clients." He looked up again, his eyes suddenly discerning."Are you one of the favored few, Mr. Corinthos?"

"Wouldn't that come under the heading of lawyer-client confidentiality?" Sonny answered him easily, giving nothing away.

Alexis took advantage of the momentary pause to make hurried introductions.

"An honor to meet you, Mr. Corinthos. In fact, we may have a few business concerns in common. I have more than a few interests in the coffee field. Meanwhile, forgive me, I only asked the question in case I was intruding upon your time. I know Ms. Davis - Alexis' - time is valuable and her schedule very full. My apologies if I've offended you."

"No offense taken. Luckily, my business is done for tonight; I was just stopping by the Grille on a whim for a dessert pick up from the take out counter."

Liar. Alexis smiled inside. Just picking up dessert. Sonny had known very well she'd had a business appointment this evening. And no doubt he'd remembered that she told him that the meeting should be over by 8:30. Alexis glanced down at her watch... 8:37. Coincidence that Mr. Corinthos just happened by at just particular time? She tought not.

"I didn't know you were a man that indulged in whims." Mason said. The air shifted between the three of them just now, and all three of them were aware of it. There was a subtle challenge in the air between the two men.

"Not in business." Sonny parried. "I saw Ms. Davis, and I'd thought I'd just come over to say hello." Sonny moved so that he was facing Alexis, his back deliberately to Mason, and smiled down at her. "Good evening, Ms. Davis."

"Good evening, Mr. Corinthos." Alexis returned his smile. "Was there anything in particular that you were ordering from the Grille's menu this evening?"

"Actually I was thinking of something from the dessert bar." Unseen to any eyes but hers, his twinkled ever so slightly. "Is there anything you'd reccomend?"

Alexis appeared to think for a moment. "From what I hear, the new york cheescake has been getting very good reviews lately..."

"Hmmm...with fresh strawberries...."

"Excellent..might I also suggest a light drizzling of chocolate..."

Sonny nodded thoughtfully. "That might just be exactly what I was looking for. You may bill me, if you like for your reccomendation."

Alexis waved a hand airily. "Oh, I wouldn't dream of it, Mr. Corinthos... it was my pleasure."

"I'm sure." Ever the gentleman in public, Sonny smiled again. "If you'll excuse me, I'll see about putting that order in for that cheescake. I hope you two have a pleasant evening."

"A moment of your time, Mr. Corinthos?" Mason's words halted Sonny as he was turning away. With an apologtic glance at Alexis, Mason rose from his seat and stepped closer. "Just a question of business."

"I'm not a man to talk business on a whim, Mr. Lane."

Alexis smiled inwardly as Sonny turned his attention back to Mason. In public, she and Sonny were as decorous as they ever had been. To those who did know, she was his attorney of record with the PCPD and his business advisor. To few others, Ned and Jax in aprticular, they were aware of the friendhsip that had grown from their association. And so in public, they were polite, friendly even, sometimes. In private...well in private, the unspoken bonds that had drawn them together as friends had strengthened and firmed. They'd become even closer since the night Carly had tried to insinuate her way back into Sonny's life. The working dinners had become nights they spent talking the hours away about every and anything until close to the dawns. Leisurely weekend brunches on lazy Sunday afternoons; they become the norm.

They were so close to moving towards a final intimacy. She didn't know whether she was running from it or towards it. But the dance was sweet, unhurried. Inevitable. And the waiting for the two of them was sweeter than words or any open action could ever be.

****

"I really appreciate you taking the time to talk to me, Courtney."

"You're Michael's mother. Sonny's his adoptive father and AJ is his biological father. I'm Michael's aunt anyway you look at it. And I do want what is best for him."

Carly shivered in her coat as she stood outside the Grille with Courtney. "You told me on the phone that you had dinner reservatiions with AJ. I promise this won't take more than a few minutes." And it more than worked into her plans.

"I listened to you when you said AJ deserved to be some part of Michael's life. But Sonny won't hear of it. You have no idea how possesive he can be."

Courtney smiled despite herself. "I think I have some idea of that."

Yes, Sonny had come on strong when he'd first learned about Courtney being his sister. "Yeah, I guess you do. Here's the deal though..he's not going to listen to me..not now that we're apart. AJ - he'll never listen to him; not in a million years. But you - Sonny will listen to you."

"And just what is it that you want me to say to him?"

"The truth. That Michael needs ALL of his family. You want the chance to be his aunt...start with that and let everything else come naturally...it will."

"I don't know.." Courtney said uncertainly. "I don't want to get dragged into this mess between you and Sonny - and AJ."

"You're AJ's wife. You're Sonny's sister. You're Michael's aunt either way you look at it. You are in it. Just try. For Michael's sake. That's all I'm asking."

Courtney glanced at her watch, then back at Carly. AJ was probably already inside, and if he came out looking for it, there'd be hell to pay. "I - I just don't know."

Before she could refuse, Carly tried another tack, one sure to work on the younger woman's conscience. "Promise me you'll think about it. That's all. Just promise me that."

She gestured at the limo at the curb. "That's Max at the wheel. One of Sonny's drivers. That means Sonny's here tonight. You could talk to him now. After all, Michael doesn't need to wait any longer than necessary to have the family he deserves, does he?"