Just a few tidbits: 1) Jason has been living at Sonny's Penthouse so he could be close to Carly and Michael. (I thought I mentioned it, but I later realized I hadn't.) 2) Instead of the storyline in which Lucky was caught in a fire and presumed dead (because of Helena), I've changed it a bit.)

Without Hate – Chapter 17

Alexis was certain she could hear her stomach growl as she watched Carly pace in her tomboyish fashion. Carly was lost somewhere in her own mind, which Alexis imagined was a dangerous place. "Carly, you're making me dizzy."

"I can't help it. You know the first thing Jase is going to do when he finds out about AJ is run to Elizabeth. I can't tell him what happened?"

"Do you have a better plan?"

"I can slip a couple of Roofies into AJ's drink and tell him he imagined everything." Carly's excitement grew, "Or I could make sure AJ started drinking again and then help him ram himself into a wall."

"Sorry I asked." Alexis sighed. "Carly, AJ is going to see Jason in court tomorrow. You can be sure that the first thing he'll do is tell Jason that the two of you were making out."

Carly nodded before she plopped on the sofa next to Alexis. She let out an exaggerated sigh. "You're right. This sucks." She pouted until she started to giggle.

"What's so funny?"

"I was thinking, maybe Jase will be so angry he'll put a hit on AJ."

"You don't really want him to…" Alexis stopped herself, "Never mind, I should know better than to ask questions that may lead to answers that I may have to testify to later."

Jason arrived at the Penthouse a short time later. As he moved to greet Carly, she moved away. "Carly, is something worng?"

Alexis immediately disappeared next door. She hadn't even taken time to change out of her business suit. As she entered Sonny's place, dinner smelled heavenly. She glanced toward the table and noticed two candles flickering in the center.

"Sonny," she called out, "I'm finally here and I'm starving."

Sonny strolled out of the kitchen clad in black and a burgundy-colored silk shirt. His top two buttons were undone. Though his dress was not casual, he appeared relaxed. When he saw Alexis, he immediately dimmed the lights.

"You're smooth." Alexis flirted.

"I have to be. I never know when something is going to happen to change your mind about being with me." The serious look that accompanied his words indicated he was not joking.

"Sonny…" she sighed. "I'm sorry I freaked out after I saw Ned at the hospital."

"That's nice, but…"

"But what?"

He closed the distance between them and placed his hands on her waist. "Sweetheart, I know you're scared about us. I know part of it is because of what I do and the other part is because of who we are. But if we decide to do this, you know, actually see what you and I can be together then I have to know that you're not going to run every time someone like Ned says something."

"I'll try not to."

"'Lexis, I need you to do more than try because I don't think I can do casual with you." Alexis and her baby had already taken up residence in his heart. As much as he knew he wanted to be more than her friend, he knew it would cost him more to have her and to lose her. "So, what do you say?"

A million thoughts swirled in Alexis's mind. What did Sonny mean by, "he couldn't do casual" with her? Commitment wasn't exactly her strong suit. And Sonny wasn't exactly a safe choice. But, she'd done safe with both Ned and Jax and she had been a bit bored. Sonny regularly made her feel like there was fire in her veins.

"Well?" Sonny raised an eyebrow. "I mean we're not exactly talking about marriage…yet." He chuckled because he'd had enough conversations with Alexis to know how much the thought of marriage freaked her out.

"Funny." A mischievous smile crept on her face. "Does being with you include regularly home-cooked meals?"

"Maybe, if I have the right inspiration."

"I think I can help with that." Alexis leaned in and gently brushed his lips with her own.

Jason eyed Carly suspiciously as she paced. He knew this couldn't be good. He wondered whether she'd heard the bit of bad news he planned to share.

"Jase, I have to tell you something."

He stared at her without words.

"I did something stupid today."

"What?"

"I saw you with Elizabeth when you were hugging her and holding her. I freaked out. So, I decided Michael and I needed someone to take care of us…"

"What did you do?"

"I kissed A.J. If Sonny and Alexis hadn't walked in, I would have slept with him."

"Why would you do that?"

"I told you, I saw you with Elizabeth and it scared me. I know how much you like the goody-two-shoes. And I'm about the farthest thing from that."

He didn't need her to tell him the kiss meant nothing; he already knew. One of the reasons he'd fought his earlier urges to be with Carly was because of her personal blend of recklessness mixed with more than a dash of self-destructiveness. As a result, he could forgive her, though forgiveness would have been more difficult if she'd actually slept with AJ. "How many times do I have to tell you that I love you?"

"You don't say it half as much as I do."

"If I did, we wouldn't have any other conversation." Jason's voice was louder than he intended. "Carly, we can't be together if the smallest thing makes you crazy."

"So that's it, you're dumping me?

Alexis savored each bite of the delicious meal Sonny prepared for her: roasted salmon garnished with tomato, avocado and asparagus. "Sonny, this is delicious."

A deep sense of pride rose up within him as he watched Alexis enjoy her meal. "And it's good for the baby. I looked it up."

She felt her heart melt a little. "You are an amazing man."

Sonny smiled mischievously. "You have no idea."

"I see modesty is not one of your best qualities." She chuckled.

"Don't worry; I have plenty of qualities that more than compensate."

"What the he!! have I gotten myself into?" She laughed out loud.

Jason ran his hands over his face then into his hair. This time when he spoke, his voice was softer. "Carly, I'm not dumping you, but I am saying that I can't play these games where you do something to hurt me when you think I've hurt you. I need to be able to trust you."

"You can, Jase, as long as you stay away from Elizabeth."

"Elizabeth and I are friends."

"So were you and I."

"Carly, we were more than friends from the minute we met. Don't you know I don't feel about anyone else the way I fee about you."

"Then why were you hugging Elizabeth?"

Jason took Carly by the hand and led her to the sofa. "There was an accident. Lucky was in a fire."

Lucky was Carly's first cousin. Her first thought was her mother. Bobby had just lost Ruby, the woman who practically raised her, the year before. The loss of her nephew would be too much. "I need to see Mama."

"Let me tell Sonny first."

For dessert, Sonny made a chocolate soufflé. He chuckled as Alexis dramatically closed her eyes.

"Hmmm…" she sighed, "this is so amazing. Seriously, have you thought of leaving the business and opening a bakery or doing a televised cooking show?"

"Yeah, not so much." He wondered if she even heard word he was saying because she hadn't looked up from her last bite of soufflé. He chuckled, "Well princess, it seems that I have to worry about your wicked stepmother showing up with dessert instead of an apple. Maybe I should get seven guards to look after you."

"I don't think so." She knew he was only half joking, but still she hated the thought of being followed everywhere she went.

"You know, as people find out we're together, you're going to need protection." He hadn't planned to have the guard discussion right then, but it felt right.

"Fine, I'll take Johnny."

"Absolutely not." Sonny had not been oblivious to the looks Johnny gave Alexis when he thought no one was looking. He trusted Johnny. He also knew Johnny wouldn't let anything happen to Alexis; yet, he couldn't let his man think it was appropriate to have a crush on the boss's woman.

"But I like Johnny."

Her statement troubled him more than Johnny's crush. "Why?"

"Because he actually smiles at me, unlike the other guards. And he hardly ever refers to me as your mouthpiece anymore."

"That's nice, but I don't think so."

"Why?"

"Because I'm afraid he might be so distracted looking at your legs that he'd let you get hurt."

Alexis was surprised by the seriousness of Sonny's expression. She wondered if he was possessed by a little green monster. "Are you jealous?"

"Nah, I'm just looking out for your safety."

"Liar," she laughed. Jealous Sonny was too much fun. She couldn't help herself from teasing him more. "I was just thinking how much fun Johnny and I could have going shoe shopping together. Soon, I won't be able to fasten the straps of my stilettos." She extended a long stiletto-adorned leg across his lap. With a fake pout, she asked, "Don't you want someone to help me with my shoes?"

"Yeah, but I think Johnny's about to be fitted for a pair of cement shoes of his own."

Alexis laughed again. What was it about Sonny that made her so happy? She removed her leg from his lap and she surprised him by sitting there instead. She ran her fingers through his hair "You know you're my favorite ethically-challenged person, don't you?"

"Who are you calling ethically –challenged? I have a code."

"If I hear one more thing about that stupid code…"

His voice grew husky as he found himself staring at her mouth. "Yeah, what are you going to do?"

"Stop you by any means necessary." She kissed him softly.

Sonny and Alexis continued to kiss, simply enjoying the taste of one another, until Jason interrupted with the news of Lucky's accident. Soon, the four headed to the hospital where Carly made a bee-line for Bobby. Jason, who carried a sleeping Michael, followed closely behind.

Alexis and Sonny found an angry Luke and a distraught Laura. Sonny could understand their pain. He himself felt as though he'd been punched in the gut. He'd taken the boy camping and watched as Luke pierced his ear. He'd also shielded the boy with his own body once when shots were fired. When the moment presented itself, Luke pulled Sonny aside.

"What happened?" Sonny asked his friend.

"Helena. Tonight, I stopped by Lucky's on instinct, just in time to see flames coming from his apartment. I ran around back just in time to see Helena's thug, Ari, carrying my boy away from the place."

"Why?"

"Because she hates me and Laura." Luke turned to see a concerned Stefan standing nearby. "Vlad, now is not the time."

"I wish to speak with Mr. Corinthos."

"What do you want?"

"I heard what Spencer said. If he's right and my mother is responsible for this, then she's out of control. By my calculations, Alexis's pregnancy will be more visible soon. Word of a potential new heir, may cause Mother to become more unstable. I need you to take precautions to keep Alexis safe, until I can take care of Mother."

Luke stared at Stefan. "Are you done?"

"I am. Good day, gentleman." Stefan headed off to find Nicholas and possibly Alexis in the process. For the first time since the news of Alexis's police station tryst, he was glad that her child was the heir of a mob boss.

Sonny watched as Stefan walked away. Silently, he vowed to keep Alexis safe no matter what it took. Luke's voice interrupted his thoughts.

"He's right Corinthos. The old bag will be gunning for Natasha. You need to get her out of here for a while. And don't worry about Helena; I'll take care of her.