The Final Test

by:Sydney

~Chapter 10~

Brenda heard the door unlock. She stood back as the door opened to reveal Sonny standing there in a black tuxedo, a red rose in his hand. His eyes swept over her, taking in every inch outlined by the tight-fitting dress he'd chosen. He looked like he wanted to ravage her right then and there.

Brenda saw that look and for the first time in her life, Sonny's appreciation of her beauty repulsed her. He was so unlike Jax. With one look, Jax could make her feel like the most treasured jewel on earth, while Sonny made her feel like a piece of meat to be devoured.

"So, Sonny, enjoying the view?" Brenda quipped.

Sonny's eyes met Brenda's. "Huh? Oh, yeah." Then he whistled. "Wow, Brenda. You're even more beautiful than in my dreams."

"Yes, well, reality usually is." she replied thinking of the reality of Jax versus the dream of Sonny. Sonny just looked at her like he had no idea what she was talking about.

"Oh, here. This is for you." Sonny said as he handed Brenda the rose.

"A rose." A red one at that. With thorns. How typical. How about using some imagination there Sonny? She smiled through tight lips. "It's beautiful, Sonny. Thank you."

"You're welcome." Sonny said, missing her obvious sarcasm. "Are you ready to see your new home now?"

(Not on your life.)Lead the way."

Sonny took her hand and led her down a flight of stairs. When they reached the bottom Brenda looked around realizing that they were in the living room of a log cabin. (He's *got* to be joking. I said I wanted wood...not logs! Once again, it just proves he never listens to me.')

There were gingham curtains pulled back from the windows on either side of the front door. The door itself was off to the right and there was a fireplace to the left. He next lead her straight ahead into what must be the dining room because there was a small table, with 2 chairs, set for dinner. Candles illuminated the room, setting a romantic mood.

Sonny led her to a seat, and helped her sit down. Then he took a rope out of his pocket and knelt beside her. "I really hate to do this, sweetheart, but under the circumstances, I think it's necessary." Sonny stated as he tied her hands behind her to the chair.

Brenda shook her head in disbelief. "What circumstances would those be, Sonny? Kidnapping, perhaps? Keeping me from my home and the people I love?" Brenda felt her temperature starting to rise. She needed to calm down. She needed to be smart about this. She took a deep breath to control her rising anger.

"What exactly do you plan on doing with me, Sonny? Just how long are you planning on keeping me a prisoner here?"

"Well, Brenda, I guess that's up to you." Sonny said as he stood and walked into the kitchen.

---------------------------------------------------------------------- Jax hit the steering wheel in frustration. "Why isn't Mac going faster?"

V looked up from the laptop. "I know you're worried, Mr. Jacks. But I feel I need to point out to you that Mac *is* going the posted speed limit. He is the Police Commissioner. He can't very well break the law now can he? What kind of example would that make?"

"I couldn't care less what kind of example Mac sets for his underlings. He should do whatever it takes to get Brenda safely away from that criminal and back home with me where she belongs...laws or no laws." Jax stated, every word laced with barely controled anger.

Silence filled the car as Jax tried to decide who he was more angry with....Sonny, Brenda or himself. If he had just stayed on the docks earlier tonight, he might have been able to stop Sonny from taking Brenda. Just the thought of Sonny made Jax see red. And Brenda...she must be so frightened right now. All he wanted to do was find her, hold and never let her go.

V interrupted his thoughts. "Jax, can I ask you something?"

"What?" Jax replied absently.

"Did you really mean what you said at the police station...you know, about Brenda not leaving with Sonny willingly? I mean, do you really believe that she wouldn't leave Port Charles with him?" V looked at him trying to gauge his reaction.

Jax thought for a moment. When he finally answered it was with the deepest conviction in his voice. "Yes, V. I do believe that. God knows my trust in Brenda hasn't been very strong lately, but we've been through so much together. I *know* her. And I just know that she wouldn't leave without telling me. Not this time."

V smiled. "Good. Now do Brenda and yourself a favor....when we find her...which we will....tell her what you just told me. It will mean the world to her to know that you didn't doubt her."

Jax glanced at V. "How would you know that? Come to think of it...how exactly did Brenda come to be wearing a tracking device anyway?"

"Well, I was at Mac's house tonight when she came over to set things up for meeting with Sonny."

"What do you mean 'set things up'?"

"She came by and said that Sonny was back in town and she had some unfinished business with him. But she also knew what he was capable of and wasn't sure how he'd react to what she had to say, so she wanted back-up just in case he went ballistic on her or something...which I guess he did."

"What were the details of this back-up plan?" Jax was curious now.

"She had police back-up at the scene...I mean, the docks. There were 4 patrolmen in different positions...far enough away that they couldn't hear and close enough to come running if she called. After she talked with Sonny she was to let the police know she was ok...which she did. But she and Mac also arranged for her to give him a call when she got home to let him know that no one followed her or anything...just as an extra precaution. When she didn't call by a certain time, Mac knew something had gone wrong and that's when we went into action looking for her. She was also carrying a weapon and..."

"Wait a minute. Brenda has a gun with her?" Jax asked stunned. He had no idea Brenda even knew how to handle a gun.

"Yes, sir. A Beretta. Your Brenda's a pretty good little shot, too. I certainly wouldn't want to be her target."

Jax shook his head. Would this woman ever stop amazing him? "Well, go on. How did she get the tracking device?"

"Oh, right. Well, Mac got the latest in technology and we attached it to the back of her amulet that she had around her neck."

"Her aboriginal amulet? The one I gave her?"

"Yeah, she said something about it always keeping her safe."

Jax smiled to himself. Leave it to Brenda to take something precious with her to give her comfort. God, how he loved her. What had he been thinking tonight when he planned to leave Port Charles and never look back? They had to find her. They just had to.

V noticed his silence and guessed that he was worried about finding Brenda. She wanted so much to give him some hope right now. "Brenda loves you, Jax. In fact, I've never seen anyone so in love before...besides you, of course. Her whole face lights up when she talks about you. She was so determined to talk to Sonny because she said that you and she couldn't plan a future until she had settled the past. She's not going to give up until she's back in your arms. So you don't give up either, ok?"

Jax smiled. "I won't, V. Once we find her, I'll never give up on her again."

---------------------------------------------------------------------- While Sonny was gone, Brenda took the opportunity to see if she could wiggle her hands free of the ropes, but Sonny had tied them too tightly. Since she couldn't free her hands, she tried to see where the nearest exit was for when she did get free.

There were no windows in the dining room and no doors except into the kitchen and from the living room. How in the world was she going to convince Sonny to take the rope off her hands? She had to think of something. Once she was free of the chair she make a break for the front door.

Sonny came back into the room carrying a pot of pasta and placed it on the table. "Here we go. Dinner is served." Sonny said proudly.

"Sonny, I hate to point out the obvious, but how am I going to eat? You have my hands tied."

"Oh, don't worry, sweetheart. I'll feed you."

Fire flashed from her eyes. "Sonny, I'm not a child. I can feed myself. Ok, how about this? You untie one of my hands so I can at least feed myself."

Sonny didn't budge. Ok, attitude wasn't going to do it.

Deciding to change tactics a little, "Sonny.." Brenda purred. "It looks like you've gone through a lot of trouble just to make this nice, romantic dinner. I'm really not going to be able to enjoy it though with both of my hands tied. Please, at least release one." She tried her best smile. She could see him waver. She gave him her best doe-eyed look. One, two, three, down for the count.

Sonny sighed and untied her right hand, caressing her cheek after doing so. "See? Isn't it so much better when you look at this as a pleasure and not a prison? I really want you to enjoy your life here, Brenda. That's why I went to all this trouble so we can celebrate."

"Celebrate what?"

"You mean to tell me you don't know what day this is?"

She thought for a second, then it hit her. (Oh my god. Six months ago today we were supposed to get married. That was the day I almost walked out of Jax's life completely.') She smiled prettily. "How could I forget? It would have been our sixth month anniversary....if you hadn't left me standing at the altar."

Sonny frowned. "Brenda, I had to leave that day. I've already explained. I didn't want you to die."

"So what has changed? You're still on the run from the mob. If I go with you, I'll be on the run too. I don't see much difference between then and now....unless you just don't care that I die now."

Sonny got angry. "That's not true! One of the reasons I brought you here was to save you from being caught in any crossfire meant for Jax. He can't protect you like I can. Besides, I've made a deal that means we won't have to run the rest of our lives. We can start a life and grow old together just like you always wanted. That's the other reason I came back to Port Charles and why I built this place. To make all of your dreams come true. Now, I think it's time we eat."

Sonny stood up and went to sit down in the chair opposite Brenda. When he did, Brenda's keen eye noticed a flash of light coming from inside his jacket. It was the flash caused by light hitting steel.

---------------------------------------------------------------------- Jax pulled his car in next to Mac's and got out. They had finally reached their destination and found it at the end of a long, dirty, secluded gravel road.

They look at the sight that confronted them.

"How in the world are we going to get past that?" Taggart asked looking at the massive gate and walls that surrounded the property. "We could climb the walls, but we'd just end up being electrocuted or torn to shreds by the wiring on top."

V spoke up. "Well, there must be a security system. Let's check it out to see how it's set up."

All four of them walked cautiously to the gate and opened the security box. "Great. It's coded." Mac said, stating the obvious. "There's no way we can open it without the code. If we try to break it, it will just set off the alarms."

"I think I've studied this one, sir. The operator has 3 chances to put in the code before being totally locked out and setting the silent alarm to the house. That way, if they forget their code, they still have a chance to get in. If someone else, like us, who doesn't know the code tries....well, they usually get caught in the act because they don't know the alarm has been set." V explained rapidly.

"So, all we have to do is figure the code within three tries. How many digits?" Taggart asked.

"Six. People usually use birthdates."

"Well, then try Sonny's. Or Brenda's. Or Lily's." Mac, Taggart and V started to argue about which numbers to use when Jax finally spoke up.

"I think we should use 09-14-97."

"Why?" Taggart asked as V and Mac realized exactly what Jax was driving at.

"It was the day they were supposed to get married...six months ago today." Jax responded.

"Ok, then. Let's give it a try." Mac entered the numbers and waited to see if the red light would turn green to signal that the alarm was shut off.

"Jax you're brilliant!" V exclaimed as the door started to open.

"I've always told you I was. But in this case, it's just a matter of knowing the other player." Jax said with a grin.

Mac decided now was the time to take control. "Ok. Now, Jax, you and I will stay here. Taggart, you and V go to check out the situation."

"Mac, I think I should go." Jax protested.

"Jax, you remember you promised no heroics. Besides, they're trained for these kinds of things. Just let them go to see what we're up against."

Jax nodded as Taggart and V took off to gather information.

---------------------------------------------------------------------- Brenda wiped her mouth. "Sonny, thank you for dinner it was very good."

"I knew you'd enjoy it." Sonny smiled, puffing his chest out.

Now was the time to put the plan she'd been forming into action. "Sonny, do you know what I'd *really* enjoy? I'd like to dance with you. It would be so much like the night before we got married. We were so happy then."

She saw the skeptical look in his eyes. He obviously needed a little more convincing.

"Just one dance...I promise. Then after that, you can tie me to the bed....if you feel the need to." Brenda raise a suggestive eyebrow.

Sonny nearly shot out of his seat so fast she would have laughed if the situation weren't so serious. (He's *so* predictable.') He untied her remaining hand and let her lead him into the living room. He turned on the music and pulled her into his arms for a slow dance.

---------------------------------------------------------------------- Taggart and V finally made it back to Jax and Mac. Taggart began his report.

"Ok, we have one door at the front of the house. Windows on both sides. There's a back door that leads into what looks like the kitchen. Those look like our only means of entrance. But, I'm not even sure we *should* enter, Mac."

"Why not?" Jax asked.

"Because it doesn't look like a kidnapping to me."

"What do you mean, Detective?" Jax's anger was starting to rise.

"I mean, you don't normally see victims dancing with their abductors. Look, I know it's hard to hear, but she didn't look like she was trying to get away. I just don't think we should barge in there without just cause." Taggart shot back.

Jax looked at V, hopeing that she would have a better take on what was going on inside that house. She gave him a smile. "Remember what you said in the car."

Jax took a deep breath and nodded. "Right." He turned to Taggart and looked him straight in the eye. "Detective, exactly how well do you know Brenda Barrett?"

"Not very."

"Just what I thought. Let me tell you something. I *do* know her. And if she has gone through all the trouble of having police back-up and tracking devices, then dancing with Sonny must be just another step in her plan to make it home tonight. If she hasn't given up yet....neither will we. Do you understand?"

"Now, Mac, what is our next step. And don't tell me I'm not going in there, because there's nothing you can do to stop me. What if it were Felicia...or Robin?" Jax added seeing that Mac was getting ready to protest his involvement.

Mac nodded. "Alright, then. Let's go."

---------------------------------------------------------------------- Brenda hated the feel of his arms around her. She hated the feel of his breath on her shoulder. How could she have ever loved this man? She closed her eyes and tried to gain the courage to not get sick.

How dare he think he could cause her and Jax all of the pain that he had and just walk back into her life without the slightest remorse? Without a single doubt that she'd take him back? Then on top of that to kidnap her and try to keep her away from her home and from Jax. His arrogance had definitely reached a new level. It was taking all of her control not to slap him across the face and tell him to never touch her again.

But that would defeat her purpose. She just knew that he had a gun on him. Even when they were together before, he'd always made sure a gun was within arms reach. Guess life on the road had made the weapon his best friend. He was holding her so close she could feel the handle pressing against her stomach. She was too afraid to make a move to grab it right now. She wasn't sure if she could grab it before he'd notice.

There was only one thing she could think of to make sure he'd be totally distracted and out of control. (Jax, please forgive me.) She blinked back the tears as she moved to look in Sonny's eyes. "Make love to me, Sonny."

Sonny's smile was that of a hungry man who'd not eaten for months. "Gladly." He wispered as he brought his mouth down onto hers.

(Think about the goal. Think about getting the gun. Think about being home with Jax.) Brenda kept repeating to herself trying to block out the feel of his lips on hers.

Sonny was beginning to lose control. She could feel it. His kisses were getting harder and more incessant. His hands were all over her. She wanted to much to push him away, but instead her arms snaked around his shoulders and down to his waist. If she could just get the gun...

---------------------------------------------------------------------- Taggart and Mac flanked the door. Jax and V crouched in the shadows under the window. Jax needed to know what was going on. He had to make sure she was safe. He slowly raised his head to look in the window. He couldn't see them anywhere. All he could see was the fireplace. Maybe if he moved a little....he turned his head a little to the right. In that one instant, his heart stopped beating as Sonny and Brenda danced into view.

to be continued.....