Chapter 11:

Sonny looks at Brenda and shows off those gorgeous dimples. He answers
her back with
a passionate kiss. He pulls away and takes a deep breath holding her face
in his hands and
looking into her eyes.

S-(whispers) Let’s go.

Brenda and Sonny head into his limo and tell the driver to go straight to
his apartment.
Sonny closes the screen between him and Brenda and the driver. He sits
back down to
where Brenda is and just looks at her......no words cross their lips for a
few seconds.

B-Now you’re sure you want us to be *really* together?
S-More than anything. I want you to move in as soon as you can.
B-I want that, too.
S-Tomorrow?
B-You want me to move in tomorrow?
S-Well, tonight we will be a little busy.
B-(inches closer to him) I hope so.

Brenda reaches up to his face and touches his face with her left hand and
then leans in for
a kiss. Sonny wraps his hands around her waist and pulls her close to
him. Their kisses
start out slowly but soon lead to more passion. Before they know it they
are laying down
on the back seat of his limo.

_________________________________________________

Stone walks into Lukes and Luke is doing some orders. Stone sits next to
him.

L-Did you find out what to do for Robin?
St-Yep. All taken care of. All I have to do is call her.
L-Here’s the phone. I have to go in the back for a second.
St-Thanks, Luke.
L-Your welcome.

Stone picks up the phone from behind the bar and dials Robin’s number.

R-Hello.
St-Hey.
R-Hi.
St-I got everything set.
R-Where should I meet you?
St-Well, I was hoping to pick you up.
R-All right.
St-Put on your best dress and I will see you at 8.
R-Stone, where are we going?
St-Can’t say.
R-Ok. I’ll see you at 8. I can’t wait.
St-Me, either.

They hang up. As Stone hangs up the phone Sonny and Brenda come strolling
in with
their arms wrapped around each other and kissing. They stop when they see
Stone.

St-Uh....I guess you made up.
S-(smiles at Brenda) Yeah. Stone, Brenda is moving in.
St-Wow. When?
B-Tomorrow.

Luke comes out after he hears voices.

L-Back on?
B-Yeah. Not that you care.
L-Oh, darlin I do. Sonny here is much more easier to be around when you
two are in sinc.
B-(kisses Sonny on the cheek) Really?
S-Yeah. Without you I don’t know how to handle myself.
L-So I thank you.
B-Your welcome.
S-She’s moving in, man.
L-Co-habitation, huh?
S-(laughs) Yeah.
L-Congrats!
S-Thanks. Now if you guys will excuse us.
St-Have a good night.
S-You too my man.
St-I will.

Sonny and Brenda head over to the back stairs that lead up to his apartment.

________________________________________________

Sonny and Brenda enter his apartment. Sonny shuts the door and leads her
to the
bedroom. Neither one of them says a word. All they want is to be
together the way they
use to. To be one as they always have. Sonny starts to unbutton his
shirt and Brenda
shuts the door and leans against it. As each one begins to undress they
look into each
others eyes.

Brenda doesn’t wait for Sonny to finish taking off his shirt. She moves
towards him and
begins kissing him passionately. He holds her as tight as he can. He
begins to kiss her
neck and then moves down to her shoulders. She leans her head back and
runs her fingers
through his hair. He unsnaps her bra and she unbuttons his pants.

They move closer to the bed. They both remove each others pants. He
lifts her up and
carries her over to the bed and lays her down gently. He lays on top of
her and their
kisses become more and more intense. They spend the next few hours making
love like
they never have before.

Chapter 12:

Sonny and Brenda lay in each others arms after spending a few hours of the
most
incredible loving making they have had since they had been together. Sure
it was always
electric between them but this time....something was different.

S-(plays with her hair) What are you thinking about?
B-Us.
S-We’re always on my mind.
B-(sits up on our elbow) Sonny, thank you for telling me how you feel.
S-It felt right and I couldn’t bare to have you out of my life for one
more second.
B-I’ve never felt like this before. Us is the most important thing to me.
S-Me, too baby. You bring out the best in me.
B-You can talk to me about anything. You know that, don’t you?
S-Of course. And I need you to know that I will protect you. I will
protect you always.
B-I love you.

Brenda and Sonny begin to kiss passionately again. He pulls her warm body
near his. He
wraps his arms around her. Their kisses get hotter and hotter. Brenda
rolls over on top of
him and they begin to make love again.

____________________________________________________

Stone comes out of the back room and Luke is talking with Mike.

L-Look at you.
M-Special night?
St-Does it look alright?
L-You look great, man. Miss Scorpio is a lucky girl.
St-I hope so. (Mike and Luke laugh) I mean, I hope she likes it. I
don’t really go for this
kind of thing but I want it to be special.
L-It will be junior.
M-You better get going so you’re not late.
St-Oh, right. See you tomorrow.
L-Bye.

_______________________________________________

Ned goes back to the gatehouse after doing some business at the ELQ
office. He knocks
and she opens the door and is about to shut it in his face but he holds it
open.

Lo-What do you want?
N-You. Plain and simple.
Lo-Well, you screwed that up.
N-I’m sorry. You were right.
Lo-What?
N-Can I come in?

Lois lets him in.

Lo-Make it quick. I am busy.
N-Enough with work. Come out to eat with me.
Lo-I don’t think so.
N-Then I will cook you dinner.
Lo-Oh really?
N-Yeah. Then we can talk about us over dinner? What do you say?
Lo-Maybe if you cook me dinner. How far are you willing to go to get us
back on track?



MOVE DOWN TO NEXT PAGE!!!
























Chapter 13:

~8:00 p.m.~

Stone knocks on Robin’s door and as he waits he takes a deep breath. Mac
comes to the
door.

St-Is Robin ready?
Mac-Stone? Is that you?
St-Yeah.
Mac-She’s almost ready. Come in.
St-(he steps inside and Mac shuts the door) I want to thank you for
letting me see her.
Mac-Just don’t let me regret my decision. I don’t want to see her hurt.
I mean that, too.
St-I know. I won’t hurt her. I can promise you that.
Mac-I hope so.

Robin makes her way down the stairs. She is wearing a solid navy blue
dress. It comes
just above her knees and it is short sleeved. She has her hair back in
barretts (short hair
like it is now).

St-Are you ready?
R-Yeah.
Mac-Drive safe.
St-We will.
R-(gives Mac a kiss and whispers) “thank-you”

Stone and Robin leave for a exciting evening for just the two of them.

_______________________________________________________

Lois comes down the stairs when she smells pasta. She stops when she sees
a table in the
living room with candles on it and a setting for two set. She walks over
to the kitchen
when she hears all this banging. She finds Ned in a kitchen with sauce
everywhere.

Lo-(smiles at him) Need some help?
N-No....I’m doing (he drops two slices of garlic bread) fine.
Lo-(laughs) Sure, Ashton. Come on, let me help.
N-All right.

Lois helps Ned finish with the dinner preparations. She starts to clean
up a little of the
mess he made while they wait for the noodles to finish cooking. Ned pours
her a glass of
wine and hands it to her.

Lo-Thanks. I can’t believe you cooked.
N-I told you I was going to.
Lo-I know, but I figured your cook would do the cooking.
N-I guess you don’t know everything about me.
Lo-Maybe.
N-You know I missed this.
Lo-What? Cooking?
N-No. Having fun with you.....just being with you.
Lo-(she smiles) I guess I did too.

______________________________________________________

Brenda sits up and starts getting dressed. Sonny sits up and tries to
pull her back into bed.

B-Sonny, we have to get up.
S-Why?
B-We have been in bed for over three hours. We can’t stay in bed all night.
S-Sure we could.
B-We need to eat. I’m starving.
S-I didn’t satisfy that?
B-The other starvation you did.
S-You are so beautiful do you know that?
B-Thank you. Your sexy as hell but we still have to get up.

Sonny groans and then his cell phone goes off. Brenda looks at him.

B-Not tonight.
S-I’m sorry sweetheart, I have to get it. I promise I won’t be long.
B-All right.

Brenda leaves the bedroom and goes into the kitchen to see if she can find
something to
eat. As long as she doesn’t have to cook it.

Sonny answers his phone.

S-Yeah.
H-It’s Harry.
S-Hey. What’s up?
H-We got trouble.
S-What now?
H-Guess who’s back in town and you won’t believe what he’s after?
S-Who?
H-Joe Sculley. He wants part of the club and a part of your organization.
S-Joe wouldn’t......
H-That’s the word on the street. What are you going to do?
S-I don’t know. I don’t want Brenda to get a wiff of this. She can’t
know what I’m into.
H-Why don’t you find someone that understands you.....like Lily.
Chapter 14:

Sonny just stares at Harry for a few seconds. He can’t believe he just
said that. Get rid of
Brenda? Yeah right....not if he can help it. And be with Lily? Where
the hell did that one
come from?

S-Don’t start on that. I’m with Brenda and she’s moving in.
H-Moving in? Are you crazy?
S-Crazy about her and we love each other.
H-S....
S-Drop it. I don’t want to hear another word. You came here to discuss
business,
remember?
H-All right.
S-I am not going to make a move till Joe does.
H-What if he make a move in the direction of Ms. Brenda Barrett.
S-She has nothing to do with this.
H-Ok. Sorry. I better go. I will be in touch.

Harry leaves and Sonny walks into the kitchen and finds Brenda looking for
something to
make for dinner.

S-(wraps his arms around her) What are you doing?
B-I’m hungry.
S-You weren’t planning on cooking, were you?
B-Sonny!
S-Let me cook for you, baby.

Brenda turns around and wraps her arms around his neck. She starts
kissing him and he
pulls her closer to his body.

S-(pulls away) I thought you were hungry.
B-I am......(she smiles) for you.
S-Oh, baby.
B-Well, if you don’t want to that’s ok.

Brenda pulls away from him and opens up the fridge door. He grabs her
arm and shuts
the fridge door and pulls her against him. He lifts her up and kisses her
passionately and
hungerly.

The closer they get to the bed the more intense their kisses get. Sonny
lays Brenda down
on the bed gently. Brenda quickly grabs ahold of his shirt collar and
pulls her down
towards him.

They kiss each other stronger and longer then they ever have before. Both
felt each other
was proving something to the other. Sonny wanted her to know that she was
the one for
him and nobody could take her place. Brenda wanted him to know that she
was so happy
that they are together again.

__________________________________________

Robin and Stone walk into the room that was made especially for them.
There was a table
setting for two with two candles in the middle. There was soft music
playing in the
background. The lights were dim. Stone looks over at Robin to see how
she was
reacting.

St-What do you think?
R-I can’t believe it. It’s so......
St-I overdid it, didn’t I?
R-No. It’s so beautiful. I love it.
St-I wanted to do something special for you.
R-Just being with you is special.
St-What do you say we eat?
R-Sure.

Robin and Stone sit down to eat.

_____________________________________________

Lois and Ned are at the table and have just finished eating their dinner.
Lois is impressed
by his cooking and she tells him so.

N-I am glad you liked it.
Lo-I’m impressed, Ashton.
N-I guess I better get things cleared. I have a long day tomorrow.
Lo-I can do the dishes. You cooked.
N-I know....
Lo-Let me. Besides, you have lots of meetings tomorrow.
N-Next time I will do the dishes.
Lo-Will there be a next time?
N-If I can help it there will be.

Ned goes over to Lois and gives her a kiss and then leaves for the night.

_________________________________________________

Harry walks back into the club and approaches Mike.

M-Hey, Harry. If your looking for Michael....
H- I know he’s pretty busy with Brenda tonight. Can you tell him to call
me as soon as he
can. (Mike nods and Harry leaves)
Chapter 15:

~The next morning~

Brenda crawls out of bed early but doesn’t want to wake Sonny up. He had
quite the
workout so she thought he needed a little more rest than usual that
morning. She looks at
him as she grabs for a piece of paper. He looks so peaceful sleeping.

B-(to herself) “I’m glad we’re back on track. Now nothing can ever
destroy us again.”

Brenda takes out a piece of paper and writes Sonny a note. She lays it
next to him on the
bed and then leaves to do a little L&B business before she moves into
Sonny’s apartment.

_____________________________________________________

Sonny wakes up and finds Brenda gone. He calls for her but gets no
answer. He glances
over and sees the note with his name on it. He picks it up and reads it.

Sonny,
You looked so peaceful so I didn’t want to wake you. I figured you
needed some sleep after last night. I went to the gatehouse to do some
L&B business. I’ll be back in a few hours. I love you.

Love,
Brenda

Sonny gets out of bed and takes a shower. When he gets out the phone is
ringing. He
rushes to it.

S-Hello.
H-It’s me. Didn’t you get my message?
S-Harry? No.
H-I stopped by and told Mike to tell you to call me as soon as you could.
S-Mike? Why did you tell Mike? I haven’t been downstairs yet. I spent
the night with
Brenda.
H-The whole night?
S-Yes, of course. Now what did you find out?
H-Joe wants to see you Tomorrow night.
S-What? That’s when we have the opener for the club.
H-I know but he wants to see you.
S-I guess I will have to go see him before we start. Where is he staying?
H-The port Charles Hotel room 226.
S-All right. Thanks for keeping me posted.
H-Yeah. Listen are we still going over some business today?
S-Today won’t be good.
H-Why?
S-I told you....Brenda is moving in.
H-Oh, right.
S-I will call you later.
H-Ok.

They hang up the phone and Sonny starts making some room for Brenda to put
her things
in. He clears a few drawers and some closet space. He wonders how much
stuff she
could have.

S-How much stuff could she possibly have?

_________________________________________________

Brenda walks in the gatehouse and Lois is barely up. She is sitting on
the couch in her
robe drinking some coffee and in total dream land.

B-Lois?
Lo-Huh?
B-What happened to you last night?
Lo-Nothing.
B-Are you ok? Did you have a fight with Ned?
Lo-No.(she smiles)
B-Oh god.....what happened?
Lo-Nothing. We just had dinner.
B-Dinner? (not buying it for a second)
Lo-Yes.
B-How did it go....this dinner?
Lo-Good. He cooked me dinner?
B-(laughs) Wait.....are we talking about the same Ned here?
Lo-I think I still love him.

______________________________________________________

Stone wakes up (he stayed at Lukes that night) and nobody was around. He
went to the
phone and called Robin.

R-Hello.
St-Hi.
R-(smiles brightly) Hi. You’re sure up early.
St-I couldn’t help it. I was dreaming about you.
R-Oh really? I was dreaming about last night. I had a great time, Stone.
St-Me, too. We will have to do it again.
R-We will. As long as you and Sonny stay out of trouble we have all the
time in the
world.
Chapter 16:

Brenda looks at Lois who is really glowing with happiness. She can’t
believe what she is
hearing. Not too long ago Ned and Lois were at each other’s throat and
now she says she
loves him.

B-Would you like to repeat that because I must be hearing things.
Lo-You’re not and no I won’t repeat it.
B-Lo, that’s so great.
Lo-Oh, I don’t know. Do you really think so?
B-What are you so nervous about?
Lo-Maybe it was the wine.
B-Get out! Look at you. You’re definately happy about this one. Now I
want details
right now!
Lo-It was so great, Bren. He somehow convinced me to have dinner with him
so I did.
He had some trouble in the kitchen so I went in there and we finished
cooking......together.
B-(smiles) mmmmm.....
Lo-Then we ate dinner and talked for hours. It was like old times. I
guess I didn’t realize
just how much I missed that.
B-Anything else your forgetting to share?
Lo-You mean did we kiss?
B-That or anything beyond?
Lo-No, we didn’t.
B-Get real!
Lo-I’m serious. He said he just loved being there with me.
B-I’m sure he did. I love just being near Sonny.
Lo-So, you moving in today?
B-Yeah. I wanted to stop by here first. Next stop is the Quartermaines.
Lo-Does Lila know?
B-Not yet.
Lo-Good luck.
B-Thanks. I better go though. Will be here tomorrow so we can do
business. Why don’t
you invite him to the opening?
Lo-(smiles) We’ll see....bye Bren.
B-(on her wait out the door) Bye.

_______________________________________________________

Sonny has gotten dressed and walks down and finds Mike and Luke talking.
Sonny goes
and pours himself some coffee and blows them off.

M-Good morning, Michael.
S-You aren’t talking to me, are you?
L-Hey, cool it.
S-Just get him out of here.
M-Ok. I’m gone. I’ll be in the back in case anyone wants to know.
S-Don’t worry no one will.

Mike let’s that last statement go and leaves. Luke walks over to Sonny
and starts in on
him.

L-I thought Brenda and you made up?
S-We did.
L-Why the hell are you so cranky?
S-I need your help except it sure ain’t pretty.
L-With what?
S-I need a way to keep Brenda and everyone I love safe and away from Joe
Sculley.
L-Who? First you better start with who this person is and what he wants.

__________________________________________________________

Brenda walks into the Q’s and finds Lila sitting in the living room(or
whatever they call
it).

Lila-Brenda, how are you this morning.
B-Good. Can we talk?
Lila-Sure dear.
B-You know that I love you and am so grateful for you giving me a place to
stay, right?
Lila-Of course and we were glad to do it.
B-I know. I am going to move in with Sonny.
Lila-Are you sure you’re ready, dear?
B-I love him so much and he loves me. We just want to be together. I
know it will work.
Lila-Then I wish you the best of luck.
B-Thank you. Lila, can I ask you something?
Lila-Sure.
B-Do you like him?
Lila-He’s a charming one. And I think that if you love him and he loves
you and the
commitment is there then it could work. Don’t let anything come between you.
B-We won’t.
Lila-And trust is so important dear. Does he trust you?
B-Yes, he does.
Lila-Good. When are you leaving?
B-Now. He’s waiting for me. I love you, Lila.
Lila-(hugs her) And I love you, too, dear.

Brenda gets up and leaves. She goes up to gather all of her things to
leave for Sonny’s.



Chapter 17:

Luke sits next to Sonny knowing that he is not going to like what he is
about to hear. But
decides to give his partner the benefit of the doubt.

L-What’s up? I don’t exactly like the sound of this.
S-I don’t either.
L-Who’s this guy you’re talking about?
S-Joe Sculley. He’s part of the organization and he use to own the Paradise.
L-Corinthos.
S-I know. Anyways, we cut our ties loose a while back. I thought it was
forever. Then
the next thing I know Cusack has been taken care of and Joe is back in town.
L-Do you think he did it?
S-I hope not. Cause if he did then that means he wants something in return.
L-What do you plan to do about it?
S-I’m not sure yet. Joe is what you call.....like family.
L-Your kidding, right?
S-Nope. I can’t go after him, man.
L-Well, you may have no choice because it looks like he is coming after you.
S-I know. Where is Laura staying?
L-Here. Why? You don’t think.
S-(interrupts him) It’s possible. Look, send them to Ruby’s. I never
know when
something will go down but I want to try and talk to him first. See if we
can work
something out.
L-I bet. What about Brenda?
S-I have to let her move in.
L-What? Are you nuts! If she finds out what you’re into she could drop
you like a hot
potato.
S-She won’t. She loves me, remember?
L-I know but she doesn’t know what I know.
S-Look, she is going to be here shortly and I don’t want her knowing. I
will do whatever
it takes to keep this from her. To keep her safe.

Just as Sonny and Luke were talking they hear the door shut and it’s
Brenda. She knew
something was up. She heard Sonny’s last words, “I will do whatever it
takes to keep this
from her. To keep her safe.”

Sonny and Luke both turn around to see who had just come in and they were
not happy to
have her standing there. They didn’t know how long she’d been there.

___________________________________________________________

Robin and Stone meet at the Outback for lunch. They find a table outside
and sit.

R-You look a little nervous. Something wrong?
St-Well, I do feel a little funny here with your uncle around.
R-It’s ok, remember?
St-I know.
R-(smiles) It will take some getting use to. (she leans across the table
and gives him a
little kiss)
St-Robin!
R-What?
St-Aren’t you afraid of what he is going to do?
R-Like what? Forbid me to see you?
St-For starters.
R-He won’t. Now relax. Should we order?
St-I guess.

Robin smiles at how nervous he is just sitting in the same vicinity as her
Uncle. She
thought it was kind of cute.

___________________________________________________

Ned walks into the gatehouse and Lois is doing some paperwork. She looks
up and
smiles.

N-Hey, gorgeous.
Lo-Hey. What are you doing here?
N-I quit.
Lo-Yeah right!
N-Maybe I will take a little break from ELQ.
Lo-You’re serious?
N-Why not? I loved singing.
Lo-Edward would flip.
N-I can handle him. So, what do you say?
Lo-I love it! I would have to get busy and book your first gig. Say,
Brooklyn?
N-Wherever you want to send me!
Lo-I have to get started with phone calls.
N-Wait!
Lo-Wha...at!

Ned goes up to her and kisses her passionately. Lois is taken back by
this but finally puts
her arms around him.

_________________________________________________________

Brenda drops her luggage and gives Sonny that, “What the hell is going on”
look. She
walks over to them. Sonny puts his arms around her and kisses her cheek.

S-What’s up, baby?
Chapter 18:

Brenda pulls away from Sonny giving him a not so friendly look. Sonny
notices Brenda’s
curiosity.

B-What’s going on, Sonny?

Sonny just looks at her and then over at Luke and shrugs his shoulders.
Brenda looks at
Luke trying to seee if he’ll say anything.

B-Luke?
L-We’re just talking business.
B-I know that, but what kind of business.
L-I think it’s time I excuse myself. Nice to see you, Brenda.
B-You, too.

Brenda doesn’t take her eyes off Sonny as Luke leaves the room.

S-Why don’t you sit down, sweetheart.
B-I don’t want to. Sonny, what’s going on?
S-Nothing. Did you get everything?
B-G*d, why can’t you just tell me?
S-I told you nothing.
B-Sonny, I....

Sonny interrupts Brenda with a hot passionate kiss. Brenda tries to pull
away but she
knows there is no use. No one could make her forget about everything the
way Sonny
could. She got sucked in and everything faded except them and the
electricity between
them.

Brenda finally pulls away breathless. She wipes off her mouth and looks
into Sonny’s
eyes.

B-Wh...at was that about?
S-I missed you.
B-Yeah right.
S-Brenda, can we just let this go for now at least.
B-All I want to know is if your ok. I love you.
S-And I love you. As long as your with me.....everything will be great.
B-Promise?
S-Let’s go upstairs and move you in.

Brenda nods and they start moving her stuff up to his apartment.

____________________________________________________________

Robin and Stone finishes eating lunch. Robin watches Stone and thinks
that he looks so
cute. She smiles at how he is trying to be on his best behavior in front
of her uncle.

St-(notices her looking at him) What? Why are smiling like that?
R-You look so cute when your trying not upset Uncle Mac.
St-Well, I want him to let me see you. It’s important to you.
R-Yeah, it is. But....you are more important to me so even if he didn’t
allow it that
wouldn’t stop me.
St-I’ll do my best.
R-I know you will. Do you want to go for a walk?
St-Sure.

Robin and Stone go and say goodbye to Mac.

Mac-It was nice to see you, Stone.
St-(totally shocked by what Mac said) Uh...you too.
R-We’ll see you later.
Mac-Ok. Have fun.

Robin nods and whispers, “thank you” and Mac just smiles and nods. Robin
and Stone
leave for the park.

_____________________________________________________________

Ned and Lois come out of their passionate embrace.

Lo-What was that for?
N-For you to know that I am not giving up on us.
Lo-Is that why you want to sing again?
N-Not really. I miss singing.
Lo-Good. Now, can I get on the phone and start booking a gig for you?
N-Be my guest.

Ned sits on the couch and watches as Lois picks up the phone and starts
making calls.

____________________________________________________________

Sonny loads the last box of Brenda’s into his PH. He is so exhausted from
carrying all this
up. He never imagined she would have so much stuff. Would there be room
for
everything?

B-Oh, honey.....you look tired.
S-Tired? Oh, no, not me.
B-(laughs) Not use to all that work?
S-Well, not that kind of work.

Brenda goes over to him and wraps her arms around his neck. He kisses her
neck and
makes his way to up to her waiting lips. Sonny wraps his arms around her
waist and pulls
her close. Brenda pulls away slightly and removes his suit coat. He puts
her face in his
hands and kisses her hard and passionately. He pulls back to look deep
into her eyes
treasuring to have her in his life. They start kissing and unbuttoning
each others shirts.
Just as things start to get hot the doorbell rings.

Brenda doesn’t want him to answer it so she pulls him close to her.

S-(moans) I have to get it.
B-(still kissing him) Nooo
S-I will get rid of whoever it is.

Sonny opens the door and it’s harry. Harry opens his mouth without
checking to see if
Brenda is there. “Sonny, we got trouble. Joe wants to take you down.”
Sonny glares at
Harry but doesn’t dare say anything.

Brenda shakes her head at what she just heard. She walks towards Sonny.
Sonny slowly
turns to her.

B-Sonny, what trouble?

Chapter 19:

Sonny doesn’t know what to say to Brenda’s question. He knows he can’t
tell her that he
is really a criminal or she would leave him. He can’t lose her...not
now....not ever.

“Sonny, what is going on?”

“Nothing sweetheart. Just give me a few minutes alone with Harry.”

Brenda just glares at him and turns around without saying anything and
goes into the
bedroom. She slams the bedroom door shut.

Sonny watches her and then turns to Harry and moves him out into the hall
and shuts the
door.

“What the *Hell* were you thinking? You knew Brenda was going to be here.”

“I’m sorry. I didn’t think she would be here yet.”

“Now, I am going to have to try and find a way out of this.”

“What are you going to tell her?”

“I don’t know. What is going on?”

“You won’t like it.”

“I don’t care what I’ll like, Harry. Just tell me!”

“All right. The guys I had watching Joe heard Joe saying that he doesn’t
want a meeting
with you anymore.”

“Why not?”

“Because he wants the whole playground to himself and he’s going after it.”

“How?”

“Not sure. I do know that he knows about Brenda, though.”

“Damn! Find out what he wants and what he has planned and then get back
to me. And
DO NOT come to my door. I can’t tell Brenda.”

“Fine.”

Harry leaves and Sonny walks back inside and directly into their bedroom
and finds
Brenda packing up a few of her things.

“Brenda, what are you doing?”

“I’m leaving. Either you tell me what is going on or I am gone!” Brenda
yells.

________________________________________________________________

Robin and Stone take a walk down by the river. They walk hand in hand
enjoying the time
they can spend freely with each other.

“This seems weird.” Stone says.

“What do you mean?”

“Well, us being able to see each other without sneaking around all the
time. It feels good,
though.”

“I know. We should go shopping.”

“Shopping?”

“Not your favorite thing I know, but it would be fun. I have to get a few
things for Lois
at the mall.”

“Well, that’s ok. Let’s go.”

Robin smiles and they walk back to her car and head to the mall together.

_________________________________________________________________

Lois is on the phone with a club in Brooklyn.

“Yeah, that would be great. Sure he can do two nights in a row. Uh....hh
oh yeah.
Thank you Mr. Anderson. See you then.”

Lois hangs up the phone and jots down a bunch of notes before saying
another word to
Ned.

Ned finally gets up and walks over to her.

“Well?”

“You are booked next week for a gig. What do you think of that?” Lois
says with a
smile.

“Next week? I love the sound of that!”

“Yeah.”

“So, can we talk about us?”

“Ashton, one thing at a time.”

“I’m trying here. Can you help me out a little?”

“That depends. What are you expecting?”

__________________________________________________________________

Brenda stands there waiting for an explanation from him. He doesn’t say
anything...he
just looks at her.

“Your not going to say anything?”

“I thought I told you it was nothing.” Sonny whispers.

“Nothing? You are *still* telling me nothing? Harry shows up at the door
and tells you
there is trouble and that someone wants to take you down and you are still
going to tell
me not to worry.”

“Brenda, it won’t affect you....I promise you that!”

“How can you say that after what happened in Puerto Rico. What was I
thinking when I
believed you. How could I believe anything you say!”

Sonny watches as she starts to pack a bag. He watches and see how angry
and frustrated
she is with him....not that he blames her. He wants to reach out and tell
her what’s going
on but he is afraid of her reaction.

“It’s done, Sonny. I can’t do this anymore....I won’t do this anymore. I
am sick of this
secrecy. So, are you going to tell me?” He just sits there. “Fine! I’m
gone. Have a nice
life.”

As Brenda walks out the door Sonny yells, “BRENDA WAIT! I’LL TELL YOU!!”

Chapter 20:

Brenda can’t believe the tone in his voice. It’s like he’s afraid for her
to take just one step.
Why is he afraid to tell her and also afraid to walk any further. She
doesn’t understand
what is going on. Things are great one second and then bad the next.

Sonny takes a few steps so he is right next to her. He touches her arm
and she turns
around to face him. She is so confused. Not knowing what to think or
what to do next.
She didnt’ even know what he would do next.

“It’s one way or the other.” Brenda tells him.

“Why can’t you just trust that it won’t touch you.” He asks.

“Why can’t you *trust* me enough to tell me. Sonny, I know people have
hurt you in the
past, but I promise I won’t. You can trust me. I will always love you.
Nothing you say
can change that.”

“I wouldn’t be so sure of that.” He whispers.

“Why do you say that?” Brenda asks.

“Because you don’t know what being me really means. Waking up every
morning is
trouble. All I want is to be with you and keep you away from that. I
don’t want to be
scared out of my mind for your life like I was in Puerto Rico. Can you
understand that?”
He asks her.

“Of course I can. But what trouble?” She asks hoping to get a straight
answer for once.

_____________________________________________________________

Robin and Stone hit the mall. Robin has already picked out a couple
outfits for her job
helping out Justus’ campaign.

“So, what do you think?” Robin asks.

“About what?” Stone replies.

“The clothes!” She says as she laughs.

“Oh, I think there great.”

“You really don’t like this, do you?”

“With you it’s not so bad.”

“How about we plan a trip to New York. Just you and me.” She asks.

“Just me and you? Like Mac would go for that.”

“He will. What about Sonny?”

“I don’t think he’d mind. Maybe he’d even let me borrow his car.”

“Yeah, right. After last time?” She says. They both laugh.

_______________________________________________________________

Ned takes a step closer to Lois. Neither one saying a word. Both just
looking into each
other’s eyes. Lois finally backs away.

“Nice try, Ashton.” Lois says.

“What?” Ned asks.

“What? You trying to get me to forgive you for everything just because
you want to sing
again.”

“That’s not what I was trying to do. I love to sing. And I love you.
And if singing can
bring us even the slightess closer than it’s worth it.”

“I don’t want you to use your singing. I don’t want you to back out if
things between us
don’t go as smoothly as you’d like.”

“Smoothly? With you? Never happen.” Ned says with a grin.

“All right. Then let’s make a deal.” Lois replies.

______________________________________________________________

Sonny takes a few steps away from her and tries to decide what is the best
thing to do.
He isn’t sure if telling her the truth is the best thing for them. But
could it be the only way
to keep her from walking right out that door?

Brenda walks over to him and puts one hand on his head and one hand on his
strong arms.
She looks at him waiting for him to look directly into her eyes. She
could see how torn he
was. But she just didn’t understand why.

“Please. Don’t let lies and betrayal destroy us.” Brenda pleads.

Sonny turns around not knowing how to reply to that. I mean it wasn’t
like he could just
tell her to drop it like he use to. Their relationship was on the line now.

“Brenda, if I tell you that could mean danger for you.”

“I don’t care.”

“You should. Do you remember how you felt in Puerto Rico when we were being
chased?”

“Yes.”

“It could be like that or even worse. Someone could die if you knew.
Don’t you know
how.....(he stumbles over his words) how important you are to me?”

“Don’t use that “protecting me” line anymore Sonny. It won’t fly.” She
says with anger.

“It’s no line.”

“Well, whatever it is....don’t use it. I don’t want to hear it. I’m
tired of hearing you tell
me to let it go.”

“I only tell you that for your own good. Do you want to end up dead or be
the cause of
someone you love ending up dead? Can you live with that?” Sonny asks her.




Continued


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