The Final Test

by:Sydney

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~Chapter 3~

Time stood still for Brenda. She had thought of this moment so many times. What she would say. What she would do. What she would feel. The anger. The pain. The hate. But, sometimes all of the planning and thinking can't prepare you for the real thing.

Brenda looked from Jax to Sonny. There was such a difference in their eyes. How is it she never noticed it before?

Jax's eyes were light. Beautiful. Warm. Alive. Always sparkling with just a hint of laughter. And she could always read his heart and soul in his eyes....it was always there for her to see.

She had told Sonny once that she could lose herself in his eyes. But now, Sonny's eyes held nothing for her. They were dark. Cold. Soul-less. Empty. Hiding things she wasn't supposed to know. Brenda realized for the first time that instead of feeling all of the anger and the pain she, like Sonny's eyes, felt empty. Perhaps with Sonny, she always had.

Sonny was the first to break the silence. "Brenda, look, I know I'm the last person you expected to see and you must be wondering what I'm doing here. I really need to talk to you. It's a matter of life and death."

"Right, Corinthos. Can you name a time when it *hasn't* been a matter of life or death?" Jax replied, his voice low and hard with controlled anger. This was the last thing that he had wanted....for Brenda to have to deal with Sonny like this. He had wanted to prepare her. Now all he could do was protect her as much as possible. "What makes you think that after all of the pain you've caused her that she would want to listen to anything you would have to say? In fact, I don't know of one single good reason why I shouldn't call your buddy Taggart. I'm sure he'd be glad to see you." Jax smirked. Then his voice turned low and dangerous. "Or better yet, why don't I just end all of the misery that you bring by putting a bullet through that thing you call a brain."

Brenda had been watching Jax. Her Jax. His face was a study of composure--which for Jax could be a deadly sign. And knowing him as she did, she could tell he was far from being in control. His voice that was always so tender was now filled with anger. His eyes where love could always be found were now filled with hatred. And his hands that were always so strong yet gentle now held a gun that could conceivably take a man's life. And what was worse...he really seemed to want to.

And she was the reason. *She* had done this to him. Her past choices were causing him to use every once of strength just to remain in control and not tear Sonny apart. Jax had always been her strength. Her protector. Now it was her time to be his.

"Jax! Please don't!"

"What?" Jax asked in disbelief. He looked at her, his eyes a pool of doubt and confusion. This couldn't possibly be happening. She couldn't actually be doing this. "You mean to tell me that after all this man has put you through, you are going to stand there and protect him?"

His words and the hurt she saw in his eyes put a knife right through her heart. She had to make him understand. "No, Jax. I'm not protecting Sonny....I'm protecting you. Call me crazy, but I don't want my future to consist of weekly visits to the federal pen just to see you." She gave him a reassuring smile. "It's going to be ok. Trust me."

There is was. Trust. Could he? Dare he? Then as he looked into her eyes, he saw it. The same look she had that night on the yacht when they were gambling and she asked him to trust her. And he knew he had no choice. Now, more than ever, they needed to show a united front to Sonny. Doubts and fears could be dealt with later. He bowed his head slightly in silent agreement and uncocked the gun.

Brenda turned to Sonny. "Ok, Sonny. This is how it's going to happen. You will have exactly 2 minutes to say what you came to say. If it's of interest to us, your time may be extended. If not, you leave. No arguments."

Sonny was surprised at how in control she seemed to be. But this wasn't the way he wanted it. Obviously, he still knew how to push Jax's buttons. What he really needed to know was if he could still push hers. And his best chance to find that out would be to get her alone.

"Uh, look, Brenda, I doubt that what I have to say would interest Jax. I mean, this really is just between you and me."

Brenda tilted her head to the side and batted her eyelashes. "Gee, Sonny, I thought you said this was a matter of life and death. It seems like you're wasting an awful lot of time....for something that's so important, I mean. Besides, there is *nothing* you have to say to me that Jax can't hear." She glanced at Jax, love shining in her eyes. "WE have no secrets." She glanced back down at her watch. "Oops. Now, you only have 1 minute 15 seconds...and counting."

Sonny cleared his throat. "Well, Brenda, I thought you should know that there are people out there who are trying to kill Jax."

Brenda laughed. "You think we don't know that? Come on, Sonny, you've got to do better than that."

"I *know* you know they are out to kill Jax, but what you may not know is that they will use anything and *anyone* to get to him. These aren't gentlemen. They won't stop just because there are women involved. Because you are close to him, you're in danger too."

"Oooh, I seeee." Brenda pretended to think about what Sonny said. "And what do you think I should do about that?" She started to shake her head and put up her hands as if to stop him from speaking. "No, no. Don't answer. Let me guess. You probably think that I should just walk away, right? 'Protect' myself and leave Jax to deal with this little problem alone? Maybe go somewhere safe with you, perhaps?" Brenda chuckled. "God, Sonny, life on the run hasn't changed you a bit has it?"

She took a few steps closer so that she was eye to eye with him. Her voice got low and cold and very serious. "If you think for one iota of a second that I am going to walk away from Jax again...you've got another thing coming. I did that once and it was the worst mistake of my life. I will *not* be doing it again." She smiled, patted him on the shoulder, and took his arm to lead him to the door.

"Well, Sonny, it looks like your time is up! Thanks for your concern, but I'm sure that Jax and I will be just fine. I hope you have a nice trip back to wherever you've been living for the last 6 months."

Sonny looked at her thoughtfully. Jax was looking on, but Sonny was sure that he was far enough away that he wouldn't overhear. Here was his chance.

He leaned in close to her and lowered his voice, "Sorry to disappoint you, but I'm not going anywhere. I know what you're trying to do, Brenda. You're trying to make me think that everything is just peachy with you and Candy-boy there. But I know better. I *know* you. As long as you and I are alive, we will have unfinished business. We belong together, Brend. You know it. I know it. Even Jaxy-boy knows it. Why do you think he's so upset? So, when you are ready to admit it to yourself, give me a call. You know where I'll be staying." He flashed her one of his best dimpled smiles. "Oh, and, nice performance, by the way. I'll be talking to ya." And with that he turned and walked out the door convinced that he'd won *that* round.

"In your dreams." Brenda whispered as she watched him walk away.

Not knowing what to expect, she turned to face Jax. As their eyes met, she gave him a tenative smile, "Well, I'm glad *that's* all over."

Eyes full of doubt and sadness, Jax wearily shook his head. "Over? No, Brenda...Sonny's just begun."

to be continued......