Hey guys thank you for all the reviews I love them! And constructive criticism is always appreciated it's how I learn  When people criticize to be mean I have a problem. So thank you for all your support. Also I took so long to post this because I am really worried about it. Some characters are prolly out of character, but oh well. Here is the next chapter I hope you enjoy…

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Sonny paced his living room his cell phone on the coffee table. He wondered if Claudia was awake yet and if she was ok. This was the first time since she had told him the truth that he was able to really think about it. He didn't want to hurt her and he knew that the code they lived by almost commanded it. The unwritten code that had been created long ago and kept the violence in motion. If you were betrayed no matter who, what, or why you retaliated. This was the first time he was having a hard time living by the code, a code Claudia had mentioned and accepted. His cell phone rang and he hesitated before answering.

"Yea?"

"I just found out about Claudia, when do we move?"

"Jason I need time."

"Time for what? She shot Michael!"

"Michael doesn't want us to retaliate."

That's because he's a sweet kid and that bitch put him in a coma. You're going to let her get away with it?"

"She's suffered, she has felt the pain of losing a child, but we got Michael back she won't ever get her son back."

"Retaliate Sonny or I will," Jason hung up and Sonny looked at his phone. Where had Jason's ambition been when this whole mess had started? Sonny picked up his gun staring at it for a moment before grabbing his keys.

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Johnny came out of his sister's room and saw Olivia asleep in one of the chairs. He touched her shoulder and motioned to the elevator.

"I could really use some coffee," he said smiling.

"How's Claudia?"

"Sleeping for the first time in who knows how long. I really need coffee."

"Ok," Olivia said following him to the elevator. Neither noticed Sonny standing in the shadows. He moved to Claudia's room silently. She was sleeping, an uncharacteristically peaceful look on her face. He stroked her hair waiting for her to wake up. It didn't take long before she nearly jumped out of her skin. She looked at Sonny with a look of pure fear in her eyes.

"You know why I'm here don't ya?" he said leaning down to whisper in her ear.

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Olivia came off the elevator first and laughed as Johnny teased her. Her smile fell and she looked into Claudia's room. Someone was in there.

"Oh my god, Johnny," she said turning him to face his sisters room. Johnny and Olivia raced towards the room, but were too late to stop the drama. Claudia lashed out at Sonny cutting his cheek with her nails.

"You bastard!! Get the hell away from me!!" she screamed. Sonny looked pleased with himself until Johnny threw him up against the wall. Olivia went over to Claudia who was watching the scene and breathing heavily.

"Claudia," Olivia said putting a hand on her shoulder. Claudia lost it.

"No!! Get away from me!! Please!!" Claudia shouted near hysterics. Olivia jumped back startled.

"Johnny!" Olivia shouted the worry in her voice pulling Johnny away from Sonny. Claudia's breathing was becoming more and more labored and a few nurses were hurrying towards the room. Johnny went over to calm his sister and she did something she had never done before. She shrank away from his touch.

"Claudia it's ok he's gone," Johnny said stroking her shoulder in a vain to calm his sister down.

"No!! Get away from me Johnny!! Get out!!" she screamed tears streaming down her face. The nurses came in and one of them was holding a syringe. Claudia started to struggle when she saw it and it took Johnny and Elizabeth Webber to hold her down. Claudia screamed between heart wrenching sobs. Finally the sedative took effect and she lost consciousness. Johnny looked around and realized Sonny was gone. He turned his attention to Olivia who was looking at him with concern.

"What just happened?" she asked. Johnny couldn't say anything, he just shook his head. Whatever Sonny said to Claudia pushed her over the edge. And Johnny knew from experience that when Claudia was pushed that far she held onto the edge for dear life and pushed everyone around her five times as hard.

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Johnny stormed into Sonny's living room looking around wildly for Sonny. Sonny was sitting in the chair by the fireplace nursing a drink.

"What the hell did you say to her!?" Johnny asked. Sonny looked up giving Johnny a better view of the scratch on Sonny's face. It wasn't big and the bleeding had already stopped, but Johnny still took comfort in it, simply because it meant Claudia was ready to fight for life again.

"None of your business Johnny," Sonny said standing up and refilling his glass.

"Yea it is my business when you tell my sister something that upsets her so much she had to be sedated. She wouldn't even let me near her," Johnny watched Sonny's face closely, but it remained passive.

"Is she ok?"Sonny asked regretting what he knew he had had to do. The fact that Claudia wouldn't let Johnny near her was enough to really concern him. No matter what Claudia always loved her brother and every time she had ever been in the hospital before she always asked for Johnny. Then she had been sedated and that tore at Sonny's soul. He knew what it was like to be so out of control that you were forced to take drugs to calm down.

"Am I supposed to believe you really give a damn? Stay away from my sister Sonny. If you upset her again I will bury you and you know that if I turn on you so will most if not all of the rest of the Zaccarah organization. I'm sending some people over later to get her stuff," Johnny looked at Sonny one more time before leaving. Sonny sighed and looked up when the door opened. Jason walked in an angry look on his face.

"Well?" Jason asked coldly.

"I defiantly shook her up, but there's something we didn't consider," My feelings for her, Sonny thought.

"What?"

"She freaked out at the hospital, they had to sedate her and Johnny came over here, he says he's moving her in with him."

"So?"

"So, Johnny is going to be watching her like a hawk and when he's not around her someone else will."

"What do you want to do about that?"

"I think we should let it go."

"She shot Michael!"

"She didn't know he was going to be there. I saved Kate instead of Michael! I am as guilty as she is."

"Sonny I am going to get revenge. With or without you."

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Sonny felt his anger rise after Jason left and he needed to take it out on someone. He grabbed his gun and left the house. He arrived at Ric's shortly and picked the lock. He entered the apartment and saw Ric watching him.

"What do you want?" Ric asked annoyed at the intrusion.

"You knew Claudia hired Ian? Did you blackmail her Ric huh? Couldn't get her to sleep with you otherwise? Do you know what that is Ric? Rape and if you ever do it again, I'll kill you."

"It's not my fault your wife is a whore" Ric said smiling cockily. Sonny nodded and rammed Ric into a wall. He pushed the gun under his neck.

"Stay away from my wife, if I hear that you forced her to anything ever again I will destroy you."

"Why are you defending her if you know her dirty little secret? Has the marriage of convenience become something more?"

"You really just don't know when to shut up do you?" Sonny asked slamming Ric into the wall and walking away.

"Oh and Sonny, threaten all you want, but I won't be leaving Claudia alone just yet," Ric said winking at him. Sonny took aim and shot at Ric's feet. Ric yelped and jumped back.

"You really don't want to piss me off right now Ric. Do the smart thing and stay away from Claudia or you'll be dead. With me and Johnny on the war path your odds aren't great," Sonny said leaving. Ric straightened his tie and smiled.

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Claudia slowly became aware of her surroundings. She opened her eyes and looked around. Johnny was asleep next to her and she brushed a hand over his hair lovingly. She then quickly and quietly got out of bed and got dressed. She reached for the door handle, but the door swung open. Claudia saw Olivia and pushed Olivia out into the hall way and covered her mouth.

"Listen to me Olivia. Sonny said that he can't kill me, but he has no problem visiting my sins on my brother. And if he doesn't Jason will wither kill Johnny because Johnny is trying to protect me or goes to get revenge for me. I may not like you that much, but if you love my brother like he claims you do you will let me leave this hospital and do what needs to be done. So go get some coffee I'll be back soon," Claudia released Olivia and she looked like she was going to protest, but after glancing at Johnny she nodded.

"Stay alive Claudia, for Johnny," Olivia said.

"Thank you," Claudia said her expression soft. Claudia closed her eyes and when she opened them they were so hard, so cold it made Olivia shiver. Claudia squared her shoulders and left the hospital.

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Claudia was headed to Sonny's and was moving slow. Her chest was crying out in pain. She knew adrenaline was the only thing keeping her moving. She sat down on one of the benches to catch her breath and saw Jason coming towards her. She stood up and he raised his gun his face cold, stone cold. Claudia raised her chin in defiance and made no move to stop him or defend herself. Jason took the safety off and aimed.

"Jason stop!!" Michael shouted getting in between the two of them. "Please don't do this"

"Michael you don't know what she's done," Jason said.

"Yes I do. I don't want you to kill her. Remember when I was little and you told me you wanted me to have a life away from the violence and death? If you do this it's on me."

"No Michael, it's not." Claudia said.

"Yes it is. Jason I love you and I know you love me. That's why you think you have to do this, but you don't. I saw Claudia the night her baby died. The Claudia that ordered that hit died with him. Look at her Jason she shot herself, for me, for the stupid code you all think you have to live by!"

"Michael-" Jason said.

"I understand the rage Jason. I know better than anybody, but if you let in consume you I've lost you and I need you. Please Jason put down the gun, for me. I don't want Claudia's blood on my conscience. Killing for me does not honor me or avenge me, it destroys a piece of your soul and mine," Michael said. He extended his hand pleading with Jason to give him the gun. Jason looked at the floor and then back at Michael. He threw the gun into the harbor. Michael sighed in relief and hugged Jason. He let go and Jason left. Michael turned to Claudia.

"Why did you do that?" she asked her eyes shining in bewilderment. Michael moved towards her and reached for her. She jerked back, but Michael wrapped his arms around her, embracing her.

"If I ever want my own life I have to have a clean soul. You were born into this life and you had no one to love and protect you to keep you from becoming who you are. You have that now and it has changed you. I protect my family and now that includes you," Michael let go of Claudia and she looked Michael in the eye. She cupped his cheek and smiled.

"You are an amazing man Michael Corinthos," she said. Michael smiled.

"Well this is going to cost you that Zombie movie marathon you promised me."

"Deal," Claudia said taking Michael's arm and following him off the docks.