If Only...

Chapter 19

Warmth against her face reached through sleep, teasing her awake even as her body rebelled. She gave in to the drugging lull of sleep but the heaviness against her chest gave her a moment of pause.

Something moved against her and Carly smiled, feeling Sonny's leg entwine with hers, his arms wrapped around her waist and his soft breath against her check.

Her closed eyes fluttered slowly open, brows furrowing against the stream of early morning light falling across her face. She turned her head slightly and found Sonny's face just inches from hers. Pulling back lightly, she studied him, relishing the feeling of being in his arms and watching him sleep.

Her eyes traced his peaceful face, surprised at how young sleep made him look. She shifted her body to her side, letting his arm fall against her hip, and skimmed her finger across his skin.

She loved him so much it was a physical ache inside her body.

Last night had been like a dream. They'd made love until the sun had begun to rise and their bodies had given in to exhaustion. Sometime later, she'd awoken to his kisses, his hands arousing her sensations and he'd entered her slowly, gently, taking them both gradually over the edge...

He stirred slightly and Carly's attention came back to his face. Her happiness and peace came to a sudden halt as she stared at him. What if he didn't want her there? Last night had been wonderful...but morning could change people. She tensed, looking between Sonny's face and the door. She could probably manage to sneak out and go back to her room before...

"Stop that."

Carly jumped slightly, turning to see Sonny staring at her through barely opened eyes. She stared back, smiling nervously. "Stop what?"

He reached over, pulling her against him, and placed a soft kiss on her head. "Stop thinking so much. I don't want you to go anywhere."

Carly pulled back, surprised. "How..."

Sonny rolled his eyes. "Because I know you. You were thinking that I might not want you here, right?"

She nodded silently.

"Stupid woman. Ow." He rubbed the spot where her playful slap had landed. "Tell me I'm wrong. Go ahead."

Carly snuggled into his chest and murmured something.

Sonny lifted an eyebrow, looking down at the top of her head. "I'm sorry, what was that?"

She sighed, irritated that he knew her so well. "I said you were right and if you make one comment I'm gonna leave you singing soprano Corinthos."

Sonny chuckled, pulling her up as he slid down to look into her face. He caressed her face lightly watching her eyes darken with desire. He saw something more in them. Something he wasn't quite ready to acknowledge yet. He leaned in, kissing her hungrily as she gently tried to fight him.

"Sonny..."

"Hmm." His mouth trailed down her chin placing soft kisses as it went. He found the sensitive spot on her neck and bit softly.

"Oh god..." Carly attempted to clear away the need growing inside her. "Sonny...the baby...Michael...he'll be here soon...we...oh..."

Sonny heard her plea through his hunger and lifted his head, kissing her mouth sweetly, slowly before pulling away. He glanced over at the clock and groaned, burying his head in her neck. "Damn."

She laughed at his frustration and leaned her cheek on his head. "That's what happens when you got kids." She caught the meaning of what she had said and closed her eyes, cursing silently. There she went. Jumping to conclusions.

Sonny glanced up at her, seeing her face was turning red. "Carly, you know I love Michael like my own."

His words thrilled her beyond thought and she jumped on top of him, showering his face with kisses. Sonny laughed at her enthusiasm, pushing slightly against her to halt the barrage of unexpected affection. He wasn't used to it.

She refused to stop and he paused, letting it continue as her kisses became slower.

He could get used to this.

Her face was inches from his and he leaned up, taking her mouth into his, hands delving into her hair...

"I want to see Sonny now!"

Sonny and Carly stopped abruptly, stilling to hear the commotion that seemed to emanate from downstairs.

"You can't go up there, lady!"

"Who's going to stop me? You Johnny? Or Francis here? Put that thing down!"

Carly watched Sonny as the Banana continued her tirade on poor Frankie and Johnny.

"Is he up there with that little bitch?!"

"Ms. Scott, you need to come down now!"

"She manipulated him, didn't she? That whore took advantage of him while I was gone!"

Sonny glanced at Carly, watching as a mix of hurt and anger crossed her face. She threw a deadly look at the door and muttered. "She has some focking nerve." Carly glanced at the clock. "Jesus it's not even 6 in the morning. What if Micheal was here?"

"I think Agent Scott and I need to have a little conversation."

Sonny moved quickly, shoving the covers off his body, he found his boxers, and with jerky movements, put them. There was no way anyone was going to get away with hurting Carly. He could feel Carly's eyes following him and he heard her rise from the bed. Glancing around the room, he found his robe laying on the floor. Sonny picked it up, shoving his arms through the sleeves with impatience. He broke off from tying the belt around his waist when he felt Carly's warm hand on his shoulder.

"Carly, I'm going down there."

He faced her, pausing and then smiling at the determined glint in her eyes.

"I know. I'm going with you."

"Leticia! Leticia!!" Johnny pounded on her door, glancing occasionally down the stairs to make sure Frankie was still in one piece. He could handle bullets and bombs. He could handle hit men and flunkies. He could even handle the occasional shopping trip with Carly. But no way in hell was he prepared for a psychotic pixie with an FBI badge. This wasn't what he'd been trained for.

"Leticia, open the goddamn door!"

The door was opened and he stared into Leticia's amused eyes. "Can I help you Johnny?"

"Yes." He grabbed her arm firmly and swiftly headed to the stairs. There was resistance and he turned his head, noticing Leticia's heels digging into the carpet. He stopped, suppressing a frustrated sigh. "Let. I need you downstairs please."

"For what?!" She folded her arms over her chest, shaking her head. "You are the bodyguard, sweetheart. Not me. This is your arena."

"Come on, Let" Johnny knew he sounded whiny but he didn't care. He needed to get rid of the all annoying brunettes ASAP. "You gotta get rid of her."

"I don't gotta do anything. She's your problem, Johnny. Hey, if it was a diaper that needed changing or a bottle made, I'd be all over it. Dealing with some nut job Fed is NOT in MY job description."

"She's a girl!!" Johnny yelled, pointing helplessly to the stairs.

Leticia blinked. "What the hell does that have to do with anything?"

"I can't just haul off and use bodily force on her! Fed or not, she's still a woman. I don't touch women!" He pointed at her before she could speak. "I'd advise not to make a crack out of that statement." There was a crash of glass and they winced at the sound. She was going to tear the house apart. Johnny brought pleading eyes to Leticia. "Please go kick her ass to the curb, Let."

Leticia wavered as Johnny silently begged for her help. God knew she wanted to get her hands on that idiot for some time now. She took a step forward when the master bedroom door flew open and out stepped an angry looking Sonny...followed by an even angrier Carly.

"Don't worry about Hannah, Johnny. I'll handle her." Sonny said, as he brushed past the bodyguard to the stairs.

Carly paused at his side. "You may want to come watch. I don't plan on leaving remains once I'm finished." Following Sonny, she winked at Johnny as she descended.

It took the two in the hall a moment to register what they were seeing. When it finally sunk in, they glanced at each other and grinned. Rushing forward, they ran down the stairs, tripping in their excitement. Hell was about to break loose in the living room.

Sonny froze in his tracks on the stairs. Carly came up behind him and he made out her soft giggle. He stared at Frankie as he held a growling Hannah off with a chair. The baffled guard kept making stabbing motions with the chair anytime it looked like Hannah would advance.

He wasn't sure what a person did in this situation.

Carly leaned in, whispering in his ear. "Yeah. You're going to have to give Frankie a raise. Big one."

He made mental note to do just that. He felt anger flow through him. It was time to school Agent Scott on her manners.

"Francis."

The cold tone of Sonny's voice sobered Carly and she glanced at Francis who sent Sonny a grateful smile. He set the chair down, nodding before heading to the door. Smart boy. She would have wanted to get out of the line of fire, too.

"Sonny! Why are you doing this to me?" Hannah marched toward Sonny, hands splayed out in front of her. "I love you, Sonny."

"How much of a bonus do you get every time you say that, Agent Scott? I'm just curious what I'm worth." Sonny's lips parted in a thin smile as Hannah's face drained of color. "Something wrong, Agent Scott?"

"How did you...who told you?"

Carly stepped forward. "I did." She met Hannah's cold stare with one of her own. "Apparently you were hired for your bed bunny skills because it wasn't too hard to figure out. I followed you when you met with your partner and did a little digging. When I was sure what it was you were doing, I told Sonny."

"Carly. The agent doesn't need to have any details. She knows we know. Now, I think we have to talk about what we're going to do with that information." Sonny stared hard at Hannah. "Any suggestions?"

Hannah closed in on Sonny, her hands reaching for his neck. Carly bit back on the urge to knock her into the other room. She couldn't stand her hands on Sonny but she would let him handle it. She averted her eyes to the door, counting slowly to ten.

Sonny knew Carly was struggling to keep her anger in check and he felt a quick flash of smug pride. He pushed it away as he did Hannah's hands, shoving her gently off of him. "Don't touch me, Federal Agent Scott."

"Stop calling me that!" Hannah cried.

"What would you like me to call you, Agent Scott?"

"Sonny. Sonny, please. You have to listen to me." Hannah reached for his coat, her grip tightening when Sonny pushed at her hands. "I never gave them anything that could hurt you."

Carly shook her head, hands fisting, she advanced on Hannah. "Oh. Is that why he had to spend days behind bars last spring...because you didn't give the Feds anything?" She reached Sonny's side and with a quick flick, pushed Hannah away from him, standing between the sleazy Fed and Sonny. "I remember seeing him then, Hannah. How hard it was for him to sit in that room. I remember Jason being in there as well. But you want to know what I remember the most, hmm?"

Hannah's back hit the wall behind her. She realized Carly had backed her into a corner. She had no place to go. Her eyes widened as the furious blonde came to stand in front of her.

Carly's eyes flashed with rage. "I remember your little act. How you told everyone at the PCPD, you'd make sure they were sued for hurting Sonny. Screaming that this was injustice and the whole time you had put him there!"

Hannah felt the pain on her face before she realized Carly had slapped her. She glared at the woman who'd destroyed her life. "You little bitch."

"I warned you not to hurt anyone I cared about. You chose not to listen."

"I'll make you pay for this."

"Bring it on."

Hannah lunged for Carly and was met with a fist. She backed to the wall, holding her nose.

Carly brought stunned eyes to Sonny, who managed to have a combined look of amusement and shock. He moved to her side quickly. "Hey. Are you okay?"

"What?! You're asking her if she's okay? I'm the one who was hit!"

Sonny ignored Hannah's protests and inspected Carly's swelled hand. "Let me go get some ice for that."

Carly shook her head. "No. I'm fine. You have some unfinished business. I'll go down to Kelly's for a little while. See if my mom is there." She walked past Hannah, who glowered at her with such hate that Carly paused, pulling on her coat as she stared back. "I'm sure you'll get what you deserve Agent Scott. I bet the FBI will hand you a plaque. 'Best Little Slut In Town.' Enjoy it cause you earned it. Right now, I suggest you leave my house. Nothing here is yours."

Carly walked to the door, feeling Sonny behind her. She turned to look at him. His eyes were filled with emotion though his body was the epitome of control. She touched his face softly. "Are you going to be okay?"

Sonny smiled at her warmly. "I'll be fine. I need to do this." He leaned in, giving her a lingering kiss. "I'll come get you when I'm finished with the Fed."

"Okay." She wiped his mouth with her hand. "I'll be waiting."

Sonny watched her enter the elevator before turning back to the disaster in his living room. He watched Hannah pace for a moment before she realized he was looking at her. She reached for him once more. "Sonny."

"Don't. I think we've said everything that needs to be said Agent Scott. You need to leave. Now." He pointed to the suitcase and box that sat next to his desk. "Get the hell out of my house."

"I have nowhere to go Sonny! I left the FBI today. For you. For us."

"Well then I guess you'll be looking for a new job along with a place to live. I don't want you here. I never wanted you here."

Hannah shook her head, tears in her eyes. "That's not true. You loved me. You did!" She insisted at his scoff. "You couldn't have lied about that."

"I was lying to myself Hannah!" He spread his hands around the room. "This was all a lie. I needed to believe it. I never loved you. I never could."

Hannah covered her ears, shaking. "No! I know you loved me." She glared at him. "I know it!"

"No. I didn't. Do you want to know why? How I know I never loved you?" Sonny pointed at the door. "That woman that just left. That's why. From the moment she blew into my life, she made me feel alive. Made me FEEL every emotion. You never did that."

He came to stand in front of her. "I never loved you because I was waiting. The entire time we were together. I was in a holding pattern."

Hannah closed her eyes, whispering. "You were waiting for that tramp."

Sonny grabbed her arm, forcing her to the door. "I suggest you never speak about Carly that way Agent Scott. I have very little patience and even less tolerance for anyone that insults her." He picked up her things, opening the door, and throwing it into the hall. "Get out. Never bother me or Carly again."

His eyes followed her as she walked out the door. She turned to look at him. "You and Carly will pay for this. I promise you that."

Sonny's eyes narrowed and he leaned in closely. "You listen closely Agent Scott. If anything happens to Carly...if she's hurt in any way...I will come looking for you. Believe me when I say, it won't be pretty. I promise you that."

He slammed the door and stared after it, Hannah threats echoing through his mind. He picked up his phone, pausing as he was greeted on the line. "I need to see you. We may have a problem."

Carly pulled Kelly's door open with a jerk. She wanted to rip Hannah's hair right out from her head strand by strand. God only knew what she was saying to Sonny. She realized she was standing in the doorway and glanced around to find Elizabeth staring strangely at her.

"What?"

"What?"

"You're staring."

"You're twisting your newspaper into a knot. It's not something I see everyday."

Carly's eyes dashed to her hand holding the now crumpled morning edition. She forced her grip to loosen and looked up at Elizabeth. "I'm not having a good day. Well, actually I was having a great morning but it's turned to crap now." She wanted to go home and check on Sonny. If she was lucky she'd get to pound Hannah's head for a little bit. Granted, she'd get arrested for striking a Fed but it would be worth it. She dashed a quick glance at Elizabeth again. "You're still staring." Carly pointed out, continuing her pacing.

Elizabeth was beginning to feel dizzy. She held up a hand, halting Carly mid-stride. "Okay. Who pissed you off?"

Carly turned. "Come again?"

"You look ready to rip someone's head off. I know I didn't make you mad...did I?" She paused and Carly shook her head. Elizabeth nodded. "Okay, so tell me what happened?"

"Tell you? Like share?"

"Um...yeah. That'd be the idea."

Carly eyes her curiously, a slight smile curling the edges of her mouth. "What are we now? Best buds?"

Elizabeth snorted. "Hardly. But you're in the middle of Kelly's, the diner where I work might I point out, and you look upset. It's not even..." Elizabeth glanced down at her, "...7 in the morning. I don't think I've ever seen you here or anywhere this early. Your mother owns the place so I can't kick you out so I just figured it would be best for everyone if I gave you someone to talk to. It looks like you could use it. Am I wrong?"

Carly thought for a long moment. Elizabeth's motives were a mystery but she needed to vent. Somehow. She couldn't go to Jason right now. She studied the young woman desperately hoping Elizabeth was being sincere. "It's complicated."

"When it comes to you Carly...complicated is the only thing I expect."

Carly laughed. "This is one...is difficult."

"More so then the last situation we had here?"

"Good point."

Elizabeth pulled out a chair, pointing and then sat down across from Carly. "Okay, then. Spill."

"Thanks for coming so quickly." Sonny herded Jason through the door, oblivious to the strange glances he was receiving from his best friend. "I think we have a problem."

Jason sighed. He knew his initial reaction to learning about Sonny and Carly was going to have consequences. Elizabeth had made sense. He should have been happy for his friends. He loved them both. He also knew them both. He was more than afraid for them. "Look Sonny. What ever happened between you and Carly...I should never have judged. It's none of my business. You don't need my permission or blessing to whatever it is you two do." He stopped realizing how ridiculous he just sounded. Blessing?

Sonny stared at him, his jaw tensing as he did. He was angry. Jason couldn't blame him. "That was out of line. I'm sorry."

"You're right. It was."

"You know I love Carly and I don't want to see her hurt. Either of you."

Sonny ignored the stab of jealousy he felt at hearing Jason. "Are you trying to tell me something Jason? You gonna fight for Carly now?"

Jason blinked. "What?" He was taken by surprise and for the first time he really looked at his friend. He saw something in Sonny he hadn't seen in a long time. "Well damn."

"What?"

"You're in love with her."

Sonny turned away, focusing on the problem at hand. "This wasn't why I called you here." He glanced back, motioning to the door. "Hannah was just here. I confronted her about everything."

"That couldn't have been pretty."

"It wasn't." Sonny went to the bar, pouring a glass of water and taking a long, hard sip. He rubbed his hand across his forehead, hoping the bad feeling that was growing him would subside. "Not surprising but..."

"Is she mad enough to do something to you? I'll call Benny to get security around you." Jason pulled his cell phone out but Sonny's next words made him freeze.

"She was blaming Carly, Jase." Sonny met worried blue eyes. "I think she's going after her."

"Hannah works for the F.B.I?" Elizabeth shook her head, trying to clear it of all the jumbled thoughts running through it. "Jesus."

Carly nodded, fiddling with her cup of coffee. "Tell me about it."

"Poor Sonny." Elizabeth glanced across the table. "Or not, as the case may be. I mean he has you now, right?"

Carly ignored Elizabeth's implication and continued on. "I should have stayed. God knows what she said to him. Or tried to do."

"I don't think you need to worry about that, Carly. Sonny can take care of himself."

Carly sighed. "I know." She shyly smiled at Elizabeth. "Listen, Elizabeth..."

"Don't mention it."

They smiled at one another, feeling a kinship between them now. Whatever it was that was happening, they both were glad for it. Elizabeth broke the comfortable silence. "I should start getting things set-up. We should have been opened a while ago."

"Can I help?" Carly was as shocked as Elizabeth at her offer. "I mean I'm the reason you're late."

"Well, sure. Penny didn't have time to throw out last night's garbage. Do you mind doing that while I open up and get ready for the rush that's coming?"

"No problem." Carly walked into the kitchen, seeing the bags piled by the back door. This wouldn't be so bad. She glanced down at her outfit. What the hell had possessed her to be so nice all of a sudden? She sighed, telling herself it was the least she could do. Grabbing hold of the bags firmly but as far from her as she could, she jimmied the door opened. The alley was dark even this early in the day and she felt a shiver run down her spine.

It was only five feet to the trash bin. Carly moved quickly, uneasiness making her movement jerky. She fumbled with the bags as she threw them into the open bin. She wiped her hands and started to turn when a hand clamped firmly over her mouth.

"Don't scream or you're dead."

She felt the sharp edge of a knife at her throat. She bit into the hand that held her, pushing back hard.

"Elizabeth! Help!"

She felt more hands grab her from behind and pull her back. She struggled as a cloth was shoved over her mouth and nose. She tried to stop breathing, choking on the sickly sweet scent that permeated her nose and lungs. She felt her head begin to swim and realized she was being dragged now. Her shoves became weaker as her eyes began to droop.

She was shoved into a car and was held firmly down on the seat. Her vision was blurred but she could make out a shape across from her. Her last conscious thought was the realization she was going to die...