Sonny and Brenda slide into the backseat of Sonny's limo. Brenda looks at Sonny and shakes her head slightly.)

B: What are you doing now?

S: I will go first with the questions. What do you think you are doing wandering around in the garage all by yourself? What part of "dangerous" don't you understand and where the Hell is golden boy?

B: No, no, don't yell at me.

S: I am not yelling at you. You yelled, too. You know something? You drive me crazy when you are casual with your life, okay? So sue me.

B: Okay, first of all, I am not being casual with my life. I am taking this whole thing very seriously, okay, in fact I never go anywhere without Louis. I mean...you know, except for just this one time.

S: All it takes is one time, Brenda!

B: Okay, all right. I will not go anywhere again without him, okay?-

S: -Okay

B: Crazy me, for a second I thought I had a normal life and I had to go run an errand for the wedding. It won't happen again.

S: Good.

B: All right. Wait a minute, what are you doing here anyway?

S: I was on...I was on my way to see you.

B: Why?

S: ‘Cause I wanted to, uh, talk about some things.

B: Sonny, look. I said I had to go run an errand, so right now is really not a good time.

S: No, no, it's the only time we've got.

B: Sonny -

S: Listen to me, listen to me. I've been doing a lot of thinking and a lot of things have gone down this past year and a lot of things are spinning around in my head like if...if you don't learn from your mistakes, you repeat them and life is too short, wasting time is like laughing in God's face. And...I don't want to do that, anymore, Brenda, not when it comes to us...I don't want to waste any more time.

B: Us...

S: Yeah. I want to be honest with you...and not because I'm...I'm, you know, I'm on drugs or I'm freaking out in some lock-up.

B: Sonny, Sonny, listen, listen. Um, whatever it is that you're going to say next, I'm sure we've probably been over it a million times. Okay? And I'm serious -

S: Wait, wait -

B: - I can't talk about this right now

S: Wait, wait, wait, wait, wait, wait. Just listen a second. What is it? You're afraid Jax is going to come down? We'll go - we'll talk someplace else.

B: No, Jax isn't here right now.

S: And that's got you upset?

B: I'm not upset!

S: Yes you are. And I'm...I'm, it's only partly my fault.

B: How could you know that?

S: Well, c'mon, I could see it in your eyes. This little flicker went off when you said he wasn't here. What's going on?

B: He's with Miranda.

S: I guess you'll never forgive me for that.

B: You're gonna have to be a little more specific.

S: Bringing Miranda to Port Charles...

B: I don't know. Will you ever forgive me for wearing the wire?

S: You know something...it's weird the way love gets all warped...how we can end up hurting the one person you would cut your arm off to protect. (Brenda starts smiling when he says that) And I'm not talking run of the mill hurt, I'm talking aim to maim, you know what I'm saying? (Brenda nods) Why is that?

B: I think we're just imperfect creatures and we just always mess things up sometimes.

S: Yeah?

B: Yeah. (she's smiling!)

S: Well I think it sucks.

B: Me too.

S: Well let's stop then!

B: Sonny -

S: Brenda, listen, we - we had something that was bigger than life, bigger than anything we'd ever experienced. It scared the Hell out of us so we sabotaged it. We used anger to distance ourselves from each other...from all the bigness. But it never sticks. We always end up right here, you know, inches apart...so close I can feel your breath.

(Brenda shakes her head but cannot speak)

S: (in a whisper) I'm tired...I'm tired, babe, of just losing everything that matters to me... aren't you?

S: Brenda...

B: No, drop this. I want to drop this.

S: I can't...

B: Yes, you can! You can, allright? And you will. I'm not kidding you, Sonny. This is...if you need to operate from some fantasy place where you and I are still a couple then go ahead and do that but don't expect me to join you, because we are not a couple any more, allright? I'm with Jax. I married Jax and I meant every single thing I ever said to him and he is my husband in every single way.

S: Well, you know, life would be just peachy grand if he wasn't already married and didn't bother to tell you about it. But you know something - have you ever asked yourself why the Hell she's sticking around, because I have. She still loves him and there's a chance he could love her too.

B: I don't care about that, okay! Whatever Miranda feels or doesn't feel about my husband is pretty much a personal problem, I would say. Okay? So Jax and I have worked through whatever we needed to work through about Miranda and we've worked through every single other thing that we needed to work through and we're fine now, everything is great and I - I appreciate you, you know, being concerned about it. (Brenda is just babbling at this point and it's not lost on either one of them who she is really trying to convince!)

S: God, you - you are so stubborn, to make a point. You would rather live your life in misery, is that right?

B: Oh, I see...so, so you're just choosing not to listen to me, is that what you're doing right now?

S: No, no, no. I'm listening to you. I just want to hear...the truth. Starting with...do you still love me? Yes or no.

B: (Big sigh) I can't even believe you...

S: Why? Weren't you the one who was always so big on...on coming clean about feelings? Well that's what I...I...I'm doing right now. I'm telling you that I love you, okay? And what I'm asking you to do, since you're so sure on the choice that you're making, is I want you to look me right in the eye and tell me you don't love me. You make me believe it and I'm out of your life.

B: You know what? I don't have to look you in the eye and tell you anything! Allright? This is so typical of you, this whole thing that you're doing right now, you're like turning this whole situation around and challenging me? I - Look, I don't have to talk to you about this, okay? I am with Jax. Jax is the person who picked me up, literally, out of the rain after you left me and put my life back together piece by piece. He's not mad at me all the time, you know? He doesn't...he doesn't judge me, he (she is fumbling for the words) doesn't try to change me, he loves me not under conditions, he just loves me.

S: Well that's real touching, Brenda, but I still didn't hear the answer. And you say that I'm living in a fantasy world, well what about Jax? Why is he always missing in action...pulling up Miranda's rear? You deserve better, more.

B: No, what, you?

S: Yeah.

(Brenda shakes her head but says nothing)

S: Why is it so hard for you to admit you made a mistake? You know...you know something, forget it, forget it all, forget everything. I am just...I'm going to stop talking and I'm going to show you what I mean. (whispers) C'mere... (Sonny puts his hand on Brenda's cheek and turns her head to meet his)

(This is where THE KISS takes place...whew!!!) (Commercial)

(The kiss ends and Brenda stays there, motionless, for a minute. She tips her head forward so that her nose is resting on Sonny's cheek. Her eyes are half closed, she basically looks like she's been hit by lightning which is I guess just about how I'd feel! LOL)

B: (whispers) No...don't.

S: Why not?

B: Sonny, I can't do this. I'm with Jax now and I don't want to do anything to hurt him.

S: Brenda, stay with me. It's just some things will get messy.

B: Listen, if I was afraid of messy I would have never got involved with you in the first place.

S: But you did

B: That was my mistake. I'm gonna, uh, I'm gonna answer the...the question that you want me to answer. I just don't love you anymore. Okay? (in a whisper) Okay.

(Brenda leaves the car, walks very slowly to the elevator and presses the button, then turns around and leans up against the wall. She has tears in her eyes, her mouth's open and she looks like she's lost her last friend.)

(Sonny sits in his limo. He has tears in his eyes, also, but he looks no less resolute. It's obvious he's not giving up. He says one word, in a hoarse whisper....)

S: Liar.

(Brenda arrives back at her penthouse, sighing audibly. She throws her coat on the table and puts her left hand up to her forehead and softly says to herself...)

B: Liar, liar, pants on fire. ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* BRENDA'S LETTER TO SONNY:

Dear Sonny,

I know you dont understand what I'm doing, and I'm not sure I do either, but I just know it's right. When I'm in the same room with you I get more confused then I am already, I can't think clearly or say what I need to in a way that makes sense, so I'm gonna try to write it down. When we said we loved each other, and when we made love, that meant everything to me, and its true that I love you and want you, but I keep getting swept away when I'm with you and I don't make decisions and things just don't happen .... the right way, and right now if I'm gonna kick this pill habit and figure out what I'm doing with my life I have to make decisions and I have to be in control of myself and it's hard enough for me to do anytime but impossible for me to do right now when I'm around you, so, this is about me struggling to break an addiction, but it's also about alot more and that's what I really need for you to understand. I dont know what kind of pain I was trying to hide by taking those pills after my hip stopped hurting, I don't know what I'm trying not to feel, I know that sometimes I'm so scared of being me that I'd do anything not to be, to just run away from myself, but I've kind of figured out I've never been able to get that far I always end up stuck with myself again, I really have to do this, without you, without Jax, without anybody. You can't make it better or easier for me, no matter how hard you want to, and, I can't even wish you could right now, because I'm so sick to death of quick fixes and so tired of finding the same old Brenda at the end of every road. I dont know how long it'll be before I can look into your eyes again and not lose myself and disappear, but when I can, you'll know it's a whole new person standing in front of you, and maybe you won't even like her anymore, I hope I will.

S: “I was going to say that I had a really good time last night. So good in fact, I was going to call you later, see if you wanted to take a little drive out to this place I know about. They’ve got a chef from Tuscany, would you believe? Only this time, we’ll take your car. See if we get that hot little motor of yours really *humming*!"

B: “And I just think you’re too hot for me to handle, okay? That’s it.” S: “No, I think you can handle me just fine.” B: “Well, too bad we’re never going to find out.” S: “Is that so? Gee, if you think it’s too bad and I think it’s too bad, why not forget about all this well-meaning advice you’ve been getting and check it out. Since when do you run away from a challenge? **Are you going to be satisfied with a spark or *do* you want to set the whole world on fire?”**

B: “You never answered how you’re feeling.” S: “Well, I’d feel a lot better if you were here.” B: “Really? I’m sorry I’m not.” S: “Well, you’re always here a little bit. Don’t forget it’s your blood coarsing through my veins.” Brenda laughs. B: “The magic of modern medicine.” S: (smiling) “How about just plain magic?”

B: (shakes her head, then moves behind him and puts her arms around him, holding him) “I’m not going to lie to you. I have known the men you’re talking about. Rich and powerful, men who think they’re sophisticated and superior, but Sonny they don’t even deserve to shine your shoes.” (she removes his jacket and he turns around to face her) S: “What is it you want from me Brenda?” B: “I want to keep you a secret. Not because I’m ashamed of you...just the opposite. I’ve seen this part of you that no one else knows. (she puts her arms around his neck and then holds his face) I’ve seen your tenderness, your sensitivity and at the same time you have this strength. I trust you with my soul....and with my body. I don’t want to share you with anyone else.”

B: Why can't you just let yourself be with me? How can you say we weren't good together? Oh, baby, we were so good. We were the best. Don't you remember? Don't you remember kissing me in the snow? Do you want to kiss me right now? You do, don't you??? S: (nods, kisses Brenda) Not here.

S. I remember you holding me, screaming at me to live. I remember your face in the hospital. You never left. B. You needed me. S. I need you now! Not to rescue me, to be with me.

B: You are the smartest man in the world. You're right, it works. As soon as I walked out that door, you wanted me so bad, didn't you? S: Oh, sweetheart. We're way past that. You don't have to go anywhere to make me want you.

S: You matter to me, Brenda. I care whether you live or die and it kills me that you set this all up counting on me to save you and I can't. B: I don't want you to save me. I want you to be with me.

B-Sonny happened! See that's right Sonny sabotaged my trip. Can you believe Mr. I'm so happily married to Lily went through all the time and trouble for no other reason than to keep me from another man. Isn't it great!

S-You're the best thing that has ever happened in my life. I need you in my life. I'm going to take care of you and protect you always.

B-I've decided that no pride or saving face or anything is worth knowing I can't be with you anymore and that I'll never be able to make love to you anymore. Nothing is worth that to me.