Sonny's first stop after the Qs was Alexis' apartment, where he found her eating dinner with Kristina. "Sorry to interrupt." "No problem," Alexis replied. "Sonny! Come join us!" Kristina called out. She wanted to try to help her sister out with Sonny. "No, I need to get back to Courtney, but thanks," Sonny said. "Hey that actually looks like something other than popcorn," he joked, walking towards the table to check out the food. Kristina laughed, and Alexis blushed and told him, "it's from the Grille. I do a mean take out." Sonny flashed a hundred-watt smile, dazzling both the women. "You're in a good mood," Alexis commented. "I had a good day; business wise." Kristina wondered what that meant, but didn't ask, but felt slightly envious that her sister might end up with the gorgeous gangster. "Alexis, I need to speak with you," Sonny added. Alexis nodded her head, and Sonny took her by the arm and gently pulled her aside. "Zander says goodbye and thank you." Alexis turned pale, "what...what did you do?" "Calm down; I didn't hurt him. We both decided it would be better if he started over somewhere else." Alexis looked him in the eyes, "do you swear he's all right?" Sonny looked back, "you have my word." Alexis relaxed, "OK. Thanks. So how's it going with Courtney?" "Good so far. She's a sweet kid. The trick is going to be keeping Mike away from her." "Oh, he was here earlier." Sonny felt his blood run cold, "what?" "I heard him, in the hall. He was only here for a minute." Sonny walked away from her and out of the door, slamming it behind him. Alexis turned to Kristina, who'd been watching them intently, "well, that went well." Kristina gave her a sympatric smile.

Out in the hall, Sonny was fully prepared to take Max's head off. Max read his mood right away and started explaining. "Boss, he came and I got rid of him. But your sister came out the door when he was standing here." "Why?" "She wanted me to take her to the drug store. I stepped in between them and told him to leave." "Did he?" "Yes, but first he gave her his phone number." "And you let him?" "Sir, I didn't want to get rough with him in front of Ms. Matthews; I didn't want to scare her." Sonny calmed down and patted Max on the shoulder, "OK Max, you did the right thing." Max breathed a sigh of relief and opened the penthouse door for Sonny. Once inside, Sonny found Courtney on the couch, crying. He hurried to her side and sat next to her. "It's OK." Courtney threw her arms around his neck; "I don't know what to do." "You don't have to see him if you don't want," Sonny told her. "If you want to, I won't stand in your way, as long as you understand he's nothing to me now. I can't forgive him." Courtney pulled back and looked at him. He wiped some of the tears on her cheeks with his fingers. "He really hurt you, didn't he?" she asked. "It's long and complicated Courtney, and it's something I don't want to discuss with you. There are things you should never have to hear about. Let's concentrate on you and what you want." Courtney smiled, "dinner would be nice."

Jax finally showed up at the club after getting twenty messages from Carly. "Where the hell have you been?" she yelled. "I've been busy!" he yelled back. He'd be on the phone all afternoon, trying to find out the identity of the new majority stockholder of ELQ. So far, he'd had no luck, which made him very nervous. If it were Edward, he probably wouldn't be keeping it a secret. Jax didn't want to believe what he was thinking had really happened. "I needed you! The planning board isn't going to give us the construction permits." "Why not?" "Think I know? They gave me some explanation, but I didn't understand what the hell they were talking about. You need to talk to them Jax. Offer them money, or something." "You want me to bribe a town official? You're crazy. That's something your ex would do, not me." It hit them both at the same time. "Oh my God! It's Sonny! He did this!" Carly exclaimed. Jax knew it was true; just as he now believed that Sonny had bought the ELQ stock. "Why would he do this to you?" he quietly asked Carly. Carly thought about it, then realized she hadn't seen Zander in days. She turned deathly pale, "oh no. He found out! He found out!" "Found out what? What did you do?" Jax yelled. Carly ignored him; her mind racing in a million different directions, mostly in the direction that Zander was probably dead. She had to find out, even if it meant confronting Sonny. She ran out of the office, leaving Jax behind. He whipped out his cell phone and called his broker again. "I know who it was Pete; Sonny Corinthos." "Yeah, yeah, that Sonny Corinthos." "I'll tell you what I'm going to do, I'm calling the SEC. Let's see how they like a gangster buying up all that stock the second the IPO was launched."

While dinner was cooking, Sonny called Benny.

"Everything work OK?"

"Yeah, smooth as silk. The stock was purchased by a blind trust. But we need to put someone's name as custodian of the trust. It'll never get traced back to you."

"Edward Quartermaine."

"What? Why would you do that?"

"Because my horoscope said to Benny. Are my reasons relevant to you following orders?"

"No sir. I'll get right on it."

Sonny hung up and turned to walk back to the kitchen. He noticed Courtney was watching him from the living room. "You have something to ask me?" he inquired. She shook her head. Her mother had given her an earful about Sonny as they had packed up to move from the hotel in Buffalo to Port Charles. Janine told her that Sonny was a very important, rich and powerful man, and to not give him any trouble. Courtney wasn't exactly afraid of him, but he made her nervous. "How about setting the table?" Sonny suggested with a smile. Courtney smiled back and got up to do just that.

When Edward Quartermaine received a mysterious phone call telling him to go to a certain location on the outskirts of town, he didn't even hesitate. He knew Sonny would be there. "Glad you came Edward," Sonny greeted him. "Glad you called. I hope it's for the reason I think." Sonny nodded his head, "I'm now the majority stockholder in ELQ. The stocks are in a blind trust and you are the custodian." Edward waited for him to continue. "Now, that can be permanent, or that can be temporary. I'd be willing to turn the shares over to you, retaining only my original value." "I'm willing to pay for market price for them Sonny," Edward said. "I appreciate that. But if I come out of this with a billion dollars, the Feds will be all over it and ELQ. I don't think we want that." "No we don't. OK, so you're not in the for the money; what do you want?" "Well, first of all, I expect your support on any ELQ matters that affect the docks, or any other areas that I'm concerned with." "Agreed. What else?" "I want you to press charges against AJ and Skye for fraud and extortion." "Well, extortion maybe," Edward replied, "but fraud?" "Eddie, Eddie, Eddie...you never slept with Janine." "I knew it! I told them that but no one believed me! Did she tell you this?" "Yes. And one other thing; I don't want Janine arrested. You're to leave her alone." "Why would you care about that?" "Let's just say I have other business pending with her, and I don't want her bothered." Edward was too happy to argue, "fine. But she's going to have to testify about Skye and AJ using her against me." "Sure. But you tell the cops that she never asked you for a dime." "Well, she didn't. She only asked me for...well never mind." Sonny laughed, "Edward you old dog you. So we have a deal?" He extended his hand, and Edward took it in a firm grip. "We have a deal Mr. Corinthos. And, thank you."

Carly arrived at Harborview Towers where she was greeted by Max. "Hey Max," she cheerfully said, putting on her best fake smile. "Ma'am," he replied, preparing himself for her to try to flirt her way in to the penthouse. "Mr. Corinthos is not here." Carly furrowed her brow, "then why are you at the door? Why aren't you with him?" Max didn't reply. Carly then realized she heard music coming from inside. "He's not there huh? I think he's there, and he's there with a woman. Who is it, Alexis?" Max shook his head and stepped in front of the door. "Max, you let me in right now, or I'll tell Sonny you put the moves on me." She said it knowing full well that Sonny wouldn't believe it, but hopefully Max did. Max wasn't sure, but didn't want to disobey orders. Sonny had told him to not let anyone near Courtney. "Sorry ma'am." Carly took a deep breath and was preparing for her next attack, when she heard the bing of the elevator. She turned to see Sonny come around the corner. When he saw her, his eyes grew cold and dark. "Get out of here." "Sonny, please, I know you hate me. I just need to talk to you." "Go!" Sonny bellowed. Max waited for the instruction to bodily remove Carly. "Sonny! I need to know what happened to Zander!" Carly screamed back. "What is going on out here?" Courtney asked. She had heard the yelling and came out to see what the problem was. Carly turned at the sound of her voice and glared at her. "And I thought I was young. Boy Sonny, you've really robbed the cradle this time." She turned back to Sonny, who was shaking his head in exasperation. "You're disgusting!" Courtney yelled; "I'm his sister!" Carly froze; her jaw hanging open. She turned back, "oh my God; you're Courtney?" She turned back again to Sonny, "how'd you find out?" Sonny stared off to the side, not looking at her treacherous face. "I find out everything Carly; you should know that by now." Carly spoke in a soft voice, "Sonny. I know you're impeding the club, and I don't blame you. I know why you're so mad. I just need to know if Zander's all right." "He's fine; but you'll never see him again," Sonny dryly replied. Carly nodded her head, "thank you." She turned once again to Courtney, "I hope you give Mike a chance to get to know you again." Sonny flipped out and grabbed her by the arm. He pulled her roughly towards the elevator. "Don't you EVER talk to her about him again. In fact, don't talk to her at all. The only contact you and I will have is because of Michael." "Well, you're adopting him, so we'll have a lot of contact," Carly confidently stated. Sonny shook his head, "I've decided against it. I love Michael and I will always look out for him. But adopting him is a bad idea." "Why? Sonny, he loves you!" "And I love him. But anything that ties me to you for life is something I want nothing to do with. Go home Carly. Then wake up tomorrow and go out and find a real job. Your club will never happen; that's your punishment for all your betrayals." With that, he walked away from her and into the apartment, where Courtney had quickly retreated after seeing him get so angry. Max closed the door behind him and walked over to the elevator to make sure the ex-Mrs. Corinthos was leaving.

"I'm sorry you had to see that," Sonny said. "You were so angry. What did she do to you?" Courtney asked nervously. "She betrayed me, more than once," Sonny replied. "Can you tell me about it?" Sonny shook his head, "not yet. Maybe someday when I won't lose it while talking about it. I want you to know Courtney, I would never hurt you. But there might be times I get angry about something, and I'll have to leave for a while." Courtney nodded her head, "I understand. I just hope I never do anything to get you that mad. I really want this to work Sonny; I like you." Sonny beamed and walked over to hug her, "and I really like you. We're going to be OK."

Two days later, Sonny got some more good news. It came in the form of a phone call from Benny.

"Boss, Jason's back in town."

"Since when? Why hasn't he come to see me?"

"Since yesterday; and, he wanted me to check with you first. I guess he's not sure what kind of reception he'd get."

"That's crazy. Tell him to get his butt over here Benny!"

Sonny hung up and smiled. Jason was back. He didn't usually allow himself to think about Jason too much; it was too painful. Sonny missed him like crazy. Jason was the most loyal friend he'd ever known, even when Sonny made it really hard for him to feel loyal. He wondered how Jason would react to what Carly had done. Courtney came down the stairs, "good morning." Sonny turned and smiled at her, "good morning sweetheart. Want some breakfast?" "Sonny, you don't have to make me breakfast everyday. I can make it myself." Sonny began to respond with his usual, "not in my kitchen," but stopped himself. He really didn't care if she messed up his kitchen. Messes could be cleaned up. "OK. Come on, I'll give you the cook's tour." He reached out his hand and Courtney walked over and took it. They walked together into the kitchen.

At the Quartermaines, breakfast had been interrupted by the arrival of the PCPD. "Skye Quartermaine, AJ Quartermaine, you're under arrest for conspiracy, fraud and extortion." Skye's jaw fell open and she looked at Edward, who was smiling at her. "You're having us arrested?" she exclaimed. "That's right. And I'm going to make sure you're sent away for a long time...both of you!" AJ opened his mouth to protest, but his father beat him to it. "You stop this right now father!" Edward looked at his son, "Alan; stuff it." Then, he watched as his grandchildren were lead away in handcuffs. Marcus Taggart addressed him, "so where's this witness that can testify to what they did?" "I'll have her at the PCPD within the hour," Edward stated, having pre-arranged with Sonny when to call the police and set everything in motion. Meanwhile, Jax was meeting with two agents from the SEC in his room at the Port Charles Hotel. "What evidence do you have that Sonny Corinthos bought up the majority of the ELQ stock?" one of them asked after Jax told them his theory. "Well none, but that's your job. Suffice it to say, there is now a major influx of dirty money into ELQ. You find the paper trail, and you've got Corinthos." The two men looked at each other, then stood to leave. "We'll be in touch," one of them said. After they walked out, Jax poured himself another cup of coffee, feeling quite victorious. Outside his door, the SEC agents paused. "He's got his own history of racketeering. This is probably some kind of turf war he's trying to use us to resolve." "Well, if that's the case," the other man replied, "he's the one that's going to be in serious trouble."

After Sonny got Edward's call, he arranged for Alexis and Janine to go to the PCPD. Alexis and Sonny both thought it was better if he didn't accompany them. Janine was thoroughly prepared as to what she was to say: That she helped Edward Quartermaine to his room after he'd drank too much, and stayed with him until the morning to make sure he was all right. The next day, he invited her to Port Charles as a friend, whenever she wanted to come. At no time did they have any physical relationship. Once she arrived in Port Charles, Skye and AJ harassed her into hiding, using the power of the Quartermaine name, and told her she was to say that she had slept with Edward, and that they were using her as leverage against him on the ELQ board.

Johnny knocked on the door, and Sonny yelled, "come." The door opened, and Jason came in. Sonny stood up from the desk and put his papers down. "Jason!" "Sonny, how are you?" Jason said rather hesitantly. He didn't know what had gone on since he'd left, or if Sonny resented him all this time for leaving. "Get over here!" Sonny joyfully exclaimed, stretching out his arms. Jason smiled, and knowing everything was OK, walked into his brother's arms. "Man I missed you," Sonny told him. "I missed you too," Jason replied. As they embraced, Jason noticed a young blonde woman coming down the stairs. He pulled back from Sonny and looked at him quizzically. Sonny realized someone else was there and whipped around. "Oh, Courtney. Come and meet my closest friend in the whole world, Jason Morgan." Courtney smiled; she really liked what she saw. Jason was still confused, and when Sonny finished the introduction, he was even more so. "Jason, this is my sister Courtney." Jason looked at Sonny with his trademark stare, "your sister?" "Yeah, Mike's daughter," Sonny replied, spitting out Mike's name with contempt. Jason looked at Courtney, "nice to meet you." "You too." Jason looked back at Sonny, "so where are Carly and Michael?" Sonny sighed and put his hand on the younger man's shoulder, "A lot has happened since you've been gone. A lot has changed, Jason. Carly and Michael don't live here anymore." Jason sighed, "oh man, what did Carly do now?" Sonny laughed and hugged Jason again, "I'm so glad you're home!"

Sonny and Jason stayed up late that night talking, long after Courtney had gone to her room. She went reluctantly, she really liked Jason. Sonny could tell, and was glad. Jason was the only man he could handle his sister getting involved with. "She likes you," he told Jason. "She's nice," Jason replied. "Take her out, show her the hot spots," Sonny suggested, "but not Jake's OK?" Jason stared at him, "you want me to date your sister?" "Well, if you want to. You're the only guy I wouldn't go nuts seeing her with." "Oh, that's a great endorsement," Jason joked. "No man, come on, you know what I mean. Besides, you're closer to her age then me; and you're not related. She needs to have some fun. And if she's with you, I won't have to worry." "OK, I'll take her out Sonny. But that doesn't mean we're dating or anything," Jason told him. Sonny smiled, "sure Jason. Thanks. So, on a more serious note...are you back?" Jason knew exactly what he was asking, and replied, "I want to work for you again. If you want me to." "Jason, it's not a matter of if I want you to, you know I do. But you're out; you've been out for a while. Don't you want to keep it that way?" "Sonny, we've gone through this before, remember? As long as I'm in this town, everyone's going to assume I'm working for you anyway." Sonny nodded his head, "right. Well, I could really use you Jason. Things have been a little shaky this year, with what Carly did, and the whole Sorel mess." Sonny paused realizing he hadn't even told Jason about Carly sleeping with Zander. He'd save that tidbit for another time. Jason got angry, like he did earlier when Sonny told him what Carly had done. "I still can't believe she did that." "Sure you can," Sonny joked. "Yeah, I guess so. I never thought she would do something that stupid though. How could she think you would take a deal like that? She doesn't know you at all." Sonny grew somber, "no, she doesn't. You're the only one that really does; and Alexis, maybe." Jason raised his eyebrows, "what about Alexis?" Sonny shrugged, "we've become close friends." "How close?" Sonny smiled, "not that close. But I think she wants to." "Oh yeah? And what do you want?" "I don't know. Right now I want to concentrate on running my territory and getting to know my sister. Beyond that, I don't know." "Well, I can help you with the first one," Jason responded. "I'm back, and I'm ready to do what ever you need...boss." Sonny laughed, "oh now I'm 'boss' huh?" Jason stared at him, "you've always been the boss as far as I'm concerned."

The next day, Jax appeared at SEC headquarters in Washington, D.C.. He had been summoned there to follow up on his claim that Sonny Corinthos had bought up ELQ stock with mob money. When he arrived and entered the agent-in-charge's office, he was immediately handcuffed and read his rights. "What?" he yelled, "why are you arresting me?" "Because Mr. Jax, Sonny Corinthos had nothing to do with buying that stock; it was Edward Quartermaine." "That's impossible, it had to be Corinthos!" "Why, because you're involved in a turf battle with him and want him out of the way? Sorry, ain't gonna happen." "Turf battle, what are you mad? I'm not a mobster?" "Well Mr. Jax, your record of RICO violations says otherwise. And now you've filed a false claim with this office, causing us to use manpower and taxpayer dollars. That sir, is a crime. Your assets are being frozen as we speak, and we will be investigating you...just in case you've gone back to your gangster ways." Jax sputtered in protest, but nothing coherent came out of his mouth. He was led from the room, hanging his head down in despair.

Carly couldn't believe her eyes. She shut them, then opened the up again. Sure enough, there was Jason Morgan walking along the docks. "Jason?" Jason cringed at the sound of her voice. He knew he'd have to face her sooner or later, but he wasn't looking forward to it. He turned around, "Carly." "Oh my God, it is you! Jason!" Carly yelped and ran towards him, preparing to launch herself into his arms. As she did, he grabbed her, and held her at bay. "Jason? What's wrong? Aren't you happy to see me?" He released her arms. "No Carly, I'm not. You betrayed Sonny, in the worst way. I can't deal with your plans and your games any more, you've gone too far." "Look Jason, I know he's upset about me and Zander...believe me, he's getting back at me for sleeping with the guy." Jason was incredulous, "you had sex with Zander Smith?" He knew Emily and Zander were through, but he still wanted to kill the guy for Sonny's sake. "Oh, I thought you knew." "No, I didn't. I was talking about sending Sonny to prison...remember?" "Jason, I can explain." Jason didn't want to hear it; in fact, he couldn't stand the sight of her. "Don't explain Carly, just go away." "Jason! But what about Michael? Don't you want to see him? You know...we could be a family again, just like we always said we would." Jason couldn't believe the words coming out of her mouth. She was beneath contempt. Something inside him snapped. He grabbed her again, and threw her off the pier. She screamed as she hit the water, and Jason walked away, without looking back.

"I couldn't help it Sonny, I'm sorry." Jason apologized after telling Sonny what happened with Carly. "Why are you apologizing Jason? She's dead to me. She's nothing, except Michael's mother. Besides, she can swim, she's from Florida." Jason chuckled, then asked, "so what about Zander? I'd be glad to erase that punk of the earth for you." Sonny shook his head, "Zander's gone. He's moved away and won't be coming back." "OK. So, is Courtney ready?" Sonny looked towards the stairs, then back to Jason, "not yet. She's making herself look special for you I think." He thought back to the day before when Courtney asked him for a loan to go clothes shopping. "I'm going to get a job as soon as I can, then I'll pay you back," she told Sonny. "Forget the job, you're going to school, aren't you?" "Well, I can do both." Sonny shook his head, "I want you to concentrate on college. Figure out what classes you want to take, go check out the school. You don't need to work." "I can't just live off you Sonny," Courtney protested. "Sure you can; I've got more money that I'll ever need myself, trust me." Now, Courtney finally emerged from upstairs, wearing a trendy outfit and her hair piled up on her head. "Wow, you look sensational," Sonny exclaimed. Courtney smiled and looked at Jason, who's eyes lit up; "you look nice." Sonny immediately told her, "don't be offended if that's all he says. To Jason, 'nice' pretty much covers all levels of compliments." Courtney blushed, embarrassed; "Sonny!" Sonny laughed and pulled some money from his pocket which he handed to Jason. "Show her a good time Jase." Jason started to refuse the money, but thought better of it, since Sonny would just insist anyway. "So what are you doing tonight?" he asked Sonny. "Uh, I might have dinner with Alexis." "Might? Haven't you asked her yet?" Courtney said. "Well, it's not like a date...we're friends." Courtney shot Jason a knowing look, which he returned. "Well, have fun kids!" Sonny said, ushering them out the door.

He waited a few minutes, then went out himself and across the hall to Penthouse 2. Johnny watched with interest. He knew Ms. Davis had a crush on the boss...she was hardly the first woman who did. He also suspected that Sonny's feelings for her were a little more than friendship, but he wasn't sure if Sonny would act on them. Actually, he, Max and Adam had a bet going. Max and Adam didn't think there was any way Sonny would start dating his attorney; Johnny told them he thought it would happen...eventually. Sonny knocked on the door, and Kristina answered. "Hey Sonny! Come on in, I was just going out." "Oh, well goodnight," Sonny replied, letting her pass then closing the door behind him. Alexis was sitting on the couch reading. She looked up, saw Sonny and immediately burst into tears. "Hey, what's wrong?" Sonny asked, hurrying over to sit next to her. Alexis tried to compose herself, "I'm sorry. It's nothing." "Alexis, obviously it's not nothing. Tell me the problem and I'll fix it." She smiled through her tears, "you would, wouldn't you?" "Of course, so just tell me." "It's Kristina." Sonny glanced in the direction of the door, then turned back, "what about her? She looked fine." "She's going out with Ned." "Oh, that's disappointing," Sonny joked, "I thought she was smarter than that." Alexis swatted his arm with her hand, and laughed. "Very funny." "Do you still have feelings for Ned, Alexis?" Alexis looked into his deep, brown eyes, and replied, "not really. It's just...well I feel demeaned somehow, because she's younger and prettier than me." Sonny put his finger on her lips to stop her from speaking, "she is younger, but she's not prettier. You're a beautiful woman Alexis. Ned was never the right man for you; you know that. That's why you ran out of the wedding." She tried not to hyperventilate at Sonny calling her beautiful again, like he did in Puerto Rico. Instead, she replied, "you're just saying that because you hate him." "No, I'm saying that because I like you, and because it's the truth." "You like me?" Alexis questioned. Sonny smiled, "of course, you're my friend...friends to the end, remember?" Alexis nodded, "I remember." Sonny maintained eye contact with her for a few more moments, and Alexis thought she saw a hint of something more than friendship there. She perked up and wiped off her face with her hands. "Go freshen up," Sonny told her, "I'm taking you to dinner." Alexis smiled and stood up. She didn't even think of saying no.