If Only...

Chapter 15

Hannah glanced behind her for what felt like the hundredth time. She knew that meeting AJ on the docks in broad daylight was a stupid idea. If Sonny found out what she was doing God only knew what he would do to her.

She turned at the sound of footsteps and frowned. "What the hell took you so long?" She stared at his bruised face. "Jesus, what happened?"

AJ sent her a furious stare. "Blame it on your ex."

"He's not my ex." Hannah seethed.

"Oh come on, Hannah. Carly is living with him. He has no use for you."

Hannah averted her gaze looking out over the docks. "There has to be a perfectly reasonable explanation for that-"

"Wait. You haven't gone to see him yet since you got back, have you?" Laughter bubbled in his throat. "You're scared of what he's going to say."

"I am not! I just haven't had a chance to see him. I was planning on going today but as you can see I did you a favor and met you here." She squelched the doubts that surfaced whenever she spoke with AJ. Sonny loved her, she knew that. "You're wrong."

She ignored his sigh and glared at his profile. "What the hell am I doing here? Are you going to tell me or do I have to guess?"

AJ turned his head, his eyes falling to a point past her shoulder. She noticed not for the first time how dull and empty his eyes were. The only time she saw any emotion in them was when he talked of revenge. She watched them spark to life as he spoke.

"Your partner contacted me yesterday. They're ready to make their move against Sonny."

"WHAT?" Hannah mouth gaped open. "BUT I thought...I mean..."

"It's time Hannah"

Her mind whirled with a thousand thoughts. She could still get Sonny out of this. God knew she didn't want him hurt. She just wanted the little no good whore away from him. Hannah smiled. Once that happened, she was sure she would be able to get him to see things her way. She could offer to leave this life behind and they could start fresh. Just the two of them.

"He loves her you know."

Hannah sent him a horrified look. "What?"

"You heard me." AJ replied so matter-of-factly that Hannah smirked. He was trying to get a rise out of her. That was all. He wanted to see how far he could push her.

"Please. If you believed that you wouldn't be so calm. You'd be ranting and drinking and losing control."

She shivered, her angry smile falling at the cold glance he gave her. His calmness frightened her more than anything else. It was deadly.

"I think revenge is best served cold, Hannah. I want Sonny to suffer." His eyes moved over the length of her body. "Why do you think I fucked you? Trust me, it wasn't because of your skills. I did it to hurt Sonny."

She took a step back as he moved closer, her eyes darting around, looking for escape. He was insane and she wondered why she hadn't seen it before. Her eyes closed and she held a breath as he began to circle her. "Think about this Agent Scott. If Sonny cared about you in any way, I'd have killed you by now just to see the look on his face."

Hannah could feel him close to her back. She suppressed the need to shudder when he licked her neck. His hot breath caressed her face. "He doesn't care about you. He cares about her. He wants her. Which is why I'm going to make sure that he can't have her. Ever."

She breathed deeply when he stepped away and opened her eyes to stare at him. "You're sick."

He smiled at her. "Don't be late tonight."

"You're wrong." She told his retreating back.

"Sweetheart, you've been replaced. Deal with it." AJ threw over his shoulder as he climbed the steps.

"Go to hell."

"Already there."

Elizabeth glanced up quickly at the sound of the door opening, stopping in mid-wipe to stare at a laughing Sonny and Carly enter Kelly's. She'd never seen Sonny laugh before. Ever.

Carly walked up to the counter nodding politely at her. Elizabeth smiled. "Hi, Carly. Sonny. What can I get you?"

"Coffee for the Godfather over there and I'll have a couple chocolate doughnuts."

"Give her some milk with that." Sonny requested, sending Carly his patented "Do as I say" look.

He was lucky she found it just adorable the way he thought he could control her. She smiled sweetly at him and without pausing she turned back to the counter and making a face said, "God NO. Let me have a Coke." She rolled her eyes at Sonny so Elizabeth could see and silently began counting down with her fingers. Five... four... three...two...

"You trying to go into sugar shock, Carly?"

It never fails.

"Gimme a break, Son. Two little doughnuts will hardly kill me."

"Uh-huh. And the Coke?"

"If I don't get some caffeine in my system soon it ain't going to be pretty, man." She sipped at her soda, taking a moment to cherish the feel of the sugar and the acid taste burning her throat. She caught Sonny's disgusted look and turned to him. "Besides shouldn't you be encouraging caffeine consumption, Sonny? I mean you are the Coffee King of the Eastern Seaboard." She pointed her finger at him. "It good for business to have addicts like me. Keeps you in the green."

Sonny rubbed one hand over his mouth. "See there's just one problem with that little theory."

"Oh yeah?"

"Yeah."

"What?"

Several patrons had stopped eating to watch the two, fascinated by the exchange. Elizabeth and Penny shared a look and smiled when one of the customers mumbled, "Is it me or is it getting hot in here?" They all turned back to the couple.

"The problem is I don't have to deal with those addicts daily." He leaned on the counter bringing his face close to hers. "I'd like to make sure you don't have too much extra energy. It helps from having to stop you and one of your plans."

Carly narrowed her eyes. "Is that so?"

"Yep."

"Listen here, Mr. Corinthos, my plans are flawless."

"True. It's your execution that sucks."

Elizabeth mouth twitched, struggling to keep her laughter bottled in. Damn but those two had it bad.

"I'm just saying I'd rather you be more productive in a way that doesn't end up getting me arrested or causing labor disputes."

"Hey, that was a tactical error."

"Regardless. I think you need a hobby or something."

Carly grinned at him, standing to face his seat. She leaned into his space. "Oh yeah. What did you have in mind?"

Sonny pulled her closer, his eyes falling to her mouth. He leaned in, male pride swelling at the catch of her breath. "I'm thinking...you'd make an excellent student."

Carly stared at his mouth, his words taking a minute to register. She leaned away and looked into his amused eyes. "Student?"

"Yeah, you know." Sonny pushed a strand of her hair behind her ear, stopping to caress her face softly. "School. Classes. Books."

Carly took a step away, sipping at her now watered down soda, needing a moment to calm the butterflies in her stomach and the ache his words has caused. He wanted to send her to school.

She turned to him. "Are you saying you want to pay for me to go to school?" She asked softly, disbelief apparent in her eyes.

"Of course."

Carly glanced down at the floor, her voice breaking. "Why?"

Sonny's teasing smile fell and he felt a deep sadness overwhelm him. It bothered him that she couldn't see her own value. He brought her chin up and stared into her eyes. "Because I think you're smart and I know you want to go back to school." He took her hands in his, their fingers playing lightly with each other. "Or if you want to get right to it I could buy you a company."

Her eyes widened. "Buy...have you lost your mind?"

Sonny chuckled. "It seems that way, doesn't it?"

"Why would you even..."

"Because you're my friend."

"Yeah but..."

"Carly."

Carly stopped to stare into his piercing eyes. "What?"

"I know you can do anything. I believe in you, Caroline."

Elizabeth looked away feeling as if she was intruding on some sacred moment. Turning to add up the checks she heard Penny sigh deeply. She glanced at the other girl who was trying not to stare at Sonny and Carly. Elizabeth nudged her and Penny grinned. "Sorry. I just went to a happy place."

She laughed and nodded. "I don't blame you." She turned her head for a quick glance and caught Sonny on the his cell. Well, so much for romantic moments.

"Ok. Benny. I'll be right there." Sonny closed his phone with a snap. "I got to go."

"Is everything okay?"

Sonny kissed her cheek, nodding. "Yep. I'll see you later tonight."

Carly studied his eyes seeing the lie in them. "Be careful."

"I will." He glanced over at Elizabeth. "Liz, are there anymore of those doughnuts?"

Elizabeth paused for a moment and shook her head. "Nope. Carly snagged the last two."

"Good." Sonny replied, snatching the plate away from Carly and heading out. He threw a grin at her from the door. "Have a muffin."

Carly stood, mouth gaping open. "That...you're a jerk, Corinthos!" She crossed her arms and turned back to Elizabeth. "I can't believe he did that."

"I can." Elizabeth laughed, reaching under the counter and pulling out another plate with a doughnut. "That's why I lied."

Carly grinned. "I may have to start liking you, Lizzie."

"Well let's not get carried away."

Carly nodded. "Good point." She bit into her doughnut with fervor, moaning when the chocolate hit her tongue. "These are so good." Carly glanced at Elizabeth who was smiling at her. "What?"

"Nothing. I just never, you know, saw Sonny like that before."

Carly paused. "Like what?"

"I don't know, happy, I guess."

"You think he's happy?" She asked skeptical. She made Sonny a lot of things but...happy?

"Yeah." Elizabeth wiped at the counter and she spoke. "I guess it's working out for you two then?"

Carly nodded. "Yes it is."

"Surprised?"

Carly laughed. "That Sonny and I living together hasn't lead to homicide? Yeah."

"What?!"

Elizabeth looked up at the angry question and watched as Carly turned to face a furious Jason.

"When the hell did you start living with Sonny, Carly?"