Discovery

Alexis saw Sonny only briefly the next day before he left the penthouse, but his quiet desperation had infected her as well. While down at the PCPD, on other business, she'd overheard Detective Taggert as he recieved one of several tips on Carly. Foolishly perhaps, she'd taken it upon herslef to follow it and found herself alone in a tenement building. Confronted by a woman that had resembled Carly from the back, the situation had quickly gone from bad to worse as she was joined by her belligerent partner. Only Sonny's sudden appearance had kept things from turning dangerous.

"What were you thinking?" he'd said.

"I wasn't." she'd admitted. "But I couldnt just sit by the phone - I just couldn't. She's out there somewhere, she's missing, and I know what she means to you." Alexis took a deep breath. "...and I'm your friend. I wanted to help"

"But this is not the way to do it." Sonny had said. His eyes were tired, but unwavering as they fastened on hers. "Carly is coming back. And I'm going through a lot of stuff, but I can't lose you too."

They returned to his penthouse.

"Do you think she's alive?" Sonny asked.

"I believe in miracles, Sonny. They do happen."

"But you didn't answer my question. I told you that Michael saw his mother. People think I'm in denial... both Bobbie and me."

Alexis looked at him. "All I know is that someone I care very much about is in unbearable pain. And if he hasn't given up hope, than neither can I."

Wordlessly Sonny reached out a hand to her and she took it. He held on as though the touch of her hand was like a lifeline keeping him afloat. After a long moment, he let go and began pacing across the room. "Maybe I should make some coffee before I go out again."

"Maybe you should try and get some rest before you go out again. When is the last time you got any sleep?" Alexis asked him gently.

Sonny shrugged in reply. "I don't know. I catch a few hours here and there, but I can't sleep, not really. There's so much going on." He ran his fingers through his hair. "Besides Carly being missing, there's Michael. I don't know what to tell him aboout his mother not coming home yet, but he knows something is wrong. And the last time I went to see him, Bobbie told me that AJ had been there. I know that he's planning something. He's just waiting to hear that.... that Carly isn't coming back and he'll make a move for Michael and for getting the adoption overturned."

"I won't let that happen, Sonny." Alexis began pacing herself. This much she could do for him. "I'll map out any possible strategies any lawyer he hires could think of and have countermeasures ready to go against all of them."

Sonny sank down onto the couch, lowering his head heavily into his hands. He was tired - so tired. He really didn't know the last time he'd slept soundly. "She shouldn't have been out driving. Carly's afraid to drive. What was she doing out at night alone?"

When Alexis didn't answer him, he rasied his head. Alexis was standing by the other end of the couch, staring down at the floor. "Alexis?"

Silently she stooped down and reached for something on the floor between the couch and the sofa table perched directly behind it. She lifted up the piece of paper covered with childish scrawlings. "Sonny?"

Sonny stood and took it from her."It's..it's a birthday card. From Michael."

Alexis' voice dropped to a half-whisper. "How did it get here?"

"Carly.." Sonny's voice choked. "Carly must have dropped it off." His eyes looked into Alexis' with fresh anguish. "The night of the accident. Carly was here."

"Her staff said she left the club a little early. Zander said he saw her the night we were together."

"Do you think she saw us?" Alexis asked, willing it not to be true. "She was here. Oh God, she was here.... and we never knew it."

Sonny stood. "I'm going to get some answers." He turned to Alexis. "I can't believe this is happening.." he said in a broken voice. And then, as though he didn't trust himself to speak further, Sonny turned away from her and left the penthouse.

Alexis sat down heavily. "I can't believe it's happening either." she whispered into the empty air.