Brenda's Departure & Returns September 4, 1998 - September 20, 2002: 12 hour original edit on three 4 hr dvds

She says she’ll run away and he’ll never find her. Brenda says he’ll only have the memory of what might have been, they can’t get married or have kids. Brenda doesn’t want to take any chances, they need to end it now, anything else would be too hard. Finally, Brenda then agrees to take the test. At Brenda’s house, Brenda tells Jax that she’s going to see her mother, alone. Jax tells her he’ll be working from her house today.

At Veronica’s suite, Brenda & Veronica talk about the same mother-daughter issues. Then Brenda tells Veronica that she already knows why Veronica came to PC to warn her about the chance that Brenda may have inherited her mental condition. Brenda tells her there’s a test for the gene and she’s going to take it, but Veronica tells her she won’t let her. Veronica tells Brenda why she should take the test, but Brenda tells her that she wants to have kids with Jax and she has to know whether or not she could pass on the disease.

They get all weepy and hug. Brenda assures Veronica that she and Jax will get her a really good doctor. She says it’ll be easier for all of them now that they all know what it is they’re dealing with. Veronica tells her how extraordinarily beautiful she is, then Brenda leaves. At Veronica’s sweet, the bellboy moves Veronica’s bags out of her room. Veronica looks at a photo of Brenda. Brenda gets home. She tells Jax that Veronica doesn’t want her to take the test. Jax suggests waiting a while but Brenda says she wants to take it tomorrow.

Brenda is looking at the shawl from her mother. Robin talks to her and Brenda tells her about Veronica's illness and herself. Robin, the Queen of Denial, says "I KNOW you're OK." Robin says Jax could find strength, based on her year with Stone. Brenda still has years, and look how much Robin's situation has improved!

There's a phone call for Robin. Luther is "having another adventure." Robin goes to handle it on her own. Brenda starts to cry. Mike comes by and comforts her. She tells him about Veronica. He tries to explain the mother's side, like him and Sonny. Mike leaves and the hotel manager comes, telling her the theater tickets have come, but Veronica checked out on Tuesday. Brenda talks to a private investigator, and leaves a message for Jax. She takes off.

9/11 Jax learns that Veronica has taken off, and Brenda has followed her. In the Monheghan Bay islands, Veronica in a hotel in a real looney stage. She talks to harlan about his spys, talks to herself how Brenda is safer without her, she seems to have suicidal thoughts involving the ocean - its calling her. Brenda arrives, tells Veronica she doesn't ever want her to leave her. Veronica is sure that Brenda has the illness, and she also doesn't want Brenda to watch her lose her mind. Brenda encourages Veronica not to give up hope and talks her into going back to PC.

Meanwhile, Jax is searching for Brenda. He tells Jerry about Veronica taking off and Brenda following her. Jerry gets in touch with Veronica's doctor and learns of her suicidal ocean thoughts. Jax and Jerry learn Brenda's location and take off in the chopper to find them. They search the coast road as V&B have checked out, they spot them and Jax breathes a sigh of relief.

Veronica & Brenda in the car, Brenda seems so peaceful, so loving and secure in her decision to support her mother through her illness. Veronica is touched by Brenda's loyalty and love, its a sweet moment when she calls her mom. Then Veronica suddenly, inexplicably swerves the car off the road, Brenda screams, Jax looks on in horror from above. Jax dives out of the chopper into the ocean after her. Jerry calls the Coast Guard. Jax is pulled out, no trace of Brenda. They are told by the Coast Guard that the sunroof was open and no bodies were found. Jax begins to grieve.

Jax opens the door to his penthouse, and stares into the dim, silent room. He is exhausted and shell-shocked. Jax takes a long look around the room. He is completely alone now. Jerry, sits sadly on the brownstone steps, when Bobbie comes out he tells her about Brenda's accident.

Jax goes over and begins a violent game of pinball; he pounds at the controls as if to beat back the memories that are flooding into his mind. He remembers Brenda on their wedding day. The memory recedes, but another replaces it. Jax remembers when Brenda said goodbye to him, to go and begin her life with Sonny. "I'm sorry about nobody leaves," she says, and he answers, "Nobody left. We just let go,". He remembers first meeting Brenda, when she was younger and more biting; she asks him if she is just supposed to get with him and forget all about Sonny Corinthos. He remembers their time in New Orleans.

Jax tries to cope with Brenda's death, and has to break the news to Robin. V learns of Brenda's death from the PCPD report on Mac's desk. Mac walks in and confirms it to her, and states that they searched the shores all morning, and there is no hope.

Jax goes to the Q's and tells them, touching moment as he bends down in front of Lila. J&R talk about him going to see Sonny, Jason calls Sonny to tell him he needs to see him (we don't see Sonny). Jason called upon Bobbie to keep Michael while he is away. John and Lady Jane arrive to comfort Jax. Great scene as jason goes to tell Mike. Emily and Nik later talk about Brenda. V pitches in and helps Jax, answer calls, grieves with him.

Next day, Brenda's memorial service day (since we don't actually see the service). Jason leaves to go see Sonny. Julia arrives, Jerry tells her about the accident. When Jax comes in, Julia blasts him for not keeping Veronica away from brenda. She blames him for Brenda's death and tells him sonny took better care of Bren. Emily tries to finish her modeling shoot but cries over Brenda, Nik comforts her. "I Will Remember Youl"by Sarah McLachlan plays to a montage of Brenda moments, Julia grieves and remembers flashbacks of when Brenda first came to town, early Jagger and Brenda.

Brenda #4B Dvd 9/18-9/21 Emily and A.J. talk about. She is so sad. The Jacks family arrives at the penthouse and the elders try and get Jax to come home for good. Jax says he wants to stay "home" and be with Brenda. Jane insists, but Jax says no! They leave and Jax sits down and listens to Brenda's last message on the machine. "I'll be back before you'll miss me."

Jason and Robin talk about grief, Mike comes by and they talk about Brenda and Sonny. Jax then gets Brenda's results from the test... thinks about that day with Brenda then... Torches it!!

Jason and Mike talk about S&B and Mike thinks he won't see Sonny again, good scene. Then we get a beautiful musical montage of "This Room". Robin and Jason talking about Mike missing Sonny. Jax goes to the door and its V. She's there when the feds. arrest Jax with V. yelling at them in the background.

Robin wants Brenda back; wonders if the pain of losing Brenda willever go away. She’s thankful she has Jason and Michael to help her through this difficult time, poor Jax is all alone. Jason gives Robin a message from Sonny -- hold on to every minute and don’t give up the have found, for anything. Sonny believes Jason made the right choice - choosing Robin & Michael over the “business”.

The Feds are arresting Jax, while V is questioning their actions, unable to protect her friend. Jax asks her to take Brenda’s bracelet from his jacket pocket and put it in a safe place - he doesn’t want it lost in all of the confusion.

MUSIC MONTAGE “Bittersweet Symphony” Ends with Jax is being led out of the interrogation room in handcuffs. V looks up at him, trying to convey her support, the helplessness she feels and her resolve to prove him innocent. He looks back at her, grateful for her support. Then there is a long shot of Jax walking down the corridor, almost in slow motion.

922-9/25/98 Robin found out Brenda's cottage was for sale and Robin and Jason moved in it. Ned shares his grief with Alexis, tells her about his friendship with Brenda.

9/28-9/30 V and Jax are on the beach in Malibu. Jax questions why Brenda was allowed to fight her way back from the plane crash, why were they allowed to hope and plan? Were they too greedy, too happy for nature to bare, maybe he wasn't grateful enough, maybe he was too bloody sure of himself? He swore to Brenda whatever fate threw their way they would weather. He promised her and he believed that in his soul. He was a fool. Emotion wracks his body and voice.

He questions why he didn't whisk Brenda away from Veronica. Veronica was a walking omen, there were too many warning signs not to see it. "Veronica was Brenda's mother", V says. Jax says she was a curse. He sits on the beach again, tears flowing, and his voice shakes as he says, "And now there's no Brenda. Brenda's gone." V sits beside him and puts her arms around him as he cries.

V tells Jax that her and her mother used to beg her father to quit the police force but when he died it was in a freak accident in his fishing boat on a beautiful summer day. She tells him he has to stop blaming himself. He made Brenda really happy. He should give himself credit for that. He knows...he has to live with the way things are. V says she knows how painful this is, that she has lost people though not the love of her life.

Jax says she lost her parents, you can't get another mother or dad. The door to her youth is permanently shut, it's like that now for him. The door to the magic part of his life has been slammed shut. Some people live for decades and never feel it at all and some people don't believe magic truly exists. V says he can have it again. Jax says he had it once and it was truly magnificent but that door can't open again.

V gives Jax the letter from the Feds. She tells him he only has 15 hours to get back to them in person. She tells them this deal could get his brother and father off. Jax asks why he should lift a finger to help them. She says either way he needs to show up in person. The Feds will think he split. Jax says he just needed to be here. V tells him to please weigh out all his options, he doesn't have to agree on anything but he's asking for trouble if he doesn't show up.

At the airport, Jax thanks V. She tells him he can do that later. He only has 13 hours and 45 minutes left before he has to meet with the Feds. He says that's all the time he needs to make up his mind. She says he can do that as he's rushing to make the deadline. He says her parents must have been good people. She begs him not to miss this flight and he slowly walks away.

At Brenda's cottage, Robin asks Jason if he feels comfortable here. Jason says yes, he likes being able to go out without taking the elevator, he likes the smell of the trees, and the view from the kitchen windows. Robin says she misses Brenda a lot but she feels closer to her here than at the pent house. She hopes V found Jax. Jason tells her Jax will be alright. Robin says this much happiness may take a while to get used to. Jason tells her they aren't going anywhere so she can take as long as she needs.

Jax is now on the plane and he remembers Brenda: they were in bed together after her test for the gene her mother had and he told her it was luck that brought her into his life, watched out for her when she was in danger and brought her back to him after Sonny left him in ruins. He told her he is the luckiest man on earth and that's not going to change. You and I will always be together, loving, happy, and most of all healthy. That's what is meant to be and that's what is going to happen.

9/29 Jason and Robin are packing up Brenda's things at the cottage. Robin is putting things away for Jax, since she's sure he won't want to go through everything himself just yet. Jason asks if Robin doesn't want to keep some of the mementos for herself. She assures him that the house is enough to remind her. There are tons of Brenda's memories there but soon enough she and Jason will make their own; Michael walking, the first snow, looking at the stars together.

The FBI tells Jax that he has 72 hours to accept the deal and the agents leave. Jax asks Alexis what she thinks. After determining that everything Jax has is tied to his father and brother, Alexis advises him that the government does have the right to take everything away. She tells him that if he wanted, he could see how much money he could get out tonight and then move to another country. Jax doesn't want to live in exile though.

Jax wants to know if the evidence is solid. Alexis advises him that with or without his testimony, Jerry and Mr. Jacks will be convicted. His best bet is to take the deal and at least he'll have some money if his father and brother should need some in the future. Alexis offers to buy Jax lunch, but he declines, saying he needs to see someone. He tells her to thank Ned for the bail and sending Alexis his way.

Jax asks a passing officer where V is and leaves a message for her to call him. Mac stops Jax as he's leaving and wants to have a word with him. Mac tells Jax he owes him an apology. Jax asks what exactly Mac is apologizing for. Mac tells him that he turned Jax's family in to the Feds. He explains to Jax how he was really after Jason, but felt that he had to use the evidence that he was given. He also tells Jax that he didn't think Jax would be arrested and when he found out that he tried to delay it. Jax tells him that his apology isn't accepted. It isn't needed, because Mac was only doing his job. Jax tells Mac about the deal he was offered and asks Mac's opinion. Mac assures him that Jerry and his dad will be convicted with or without him and that he should take the deal.

Jax is at the penthouse holding Brenda's bracelet that she won at cards when V comes to the door. She heard that he made the meeting and offers her secretarial help if he needs it. Jax tells her that he doesn't need a secretary, he needs a friend. Jax tells V that the FBI made an offer and he needs to discuss it with someone and she's the only person that he trusts right now. Until he lost Brenda, he led a charmed life, and as a golden boy he never knew how people really felt about him. He tells her that he can never repay her, even if he could get everything back.

Jax fills V in on the deal from the FBI. V doesn't agree with what Jerry and their dad have done, but she does understand why they lied to Jax about it. She understands why he feels betrayed. No one will blame him for taking the deal. On the other hand, she knows how he feels about his family. Jax is sure that part of his life is over. V's phone rings and Taggert tells her she has to go back to work. Jax thanks her for coming by and listening. V offers to help any way she can. She leaves Jax alone staring at the bracelet.

9/30 Jax arrives home and discovers two boxes on the coffee table. With them is a note from Robin telling him she thought he might like to have these things of Brenda's. The fist item he pulls from the box is one of Brenda's night shirts. He remembers her wearing it the morning they talked about her becoming a mother. He had reassured her they would teach the little one to be just like her and it couldn't get any better than that. She had said she loved his dad for being his role model. Jax's mother arrives and tells him she just came from the jail and they need to discuss several issues. When Jax tries to put her off she tells him she is going to have to deal with her, he has been ignoring her for days.

Jane tells Jax his father and brother's visitation rights have been revoked. He tells her the Feds have made him a deal in which he would be allowed to keep the family home in Alaska as well as a block of stock in either Merger Shipping, Five Line Electronics, or ELQ in exchange for his testimony that John and Jerry deliberately kept him in the dark about their dealings with organized crime. She says his father fought his way out of poverty so that his sons could have all the opportunities he was denied.

Jax says he has heard all the war stories and he doesn't consider them an excuse for a lifetime of lies. She tells Jax to consider the times his father flew across country to watch him play junior league soccer, the times he walked out of business meetings to take Jax's phone calls, the night he stayed home from the banquet honoring his achievements because Jax had a fever of 103 and was crying for his daddy. She reminds Jax that from the moment he was born his father has been a loving, supportive, positive force in his life.

Jax says his father gave him a lot but the one thing he didn't give him was the choice of whether or not he wanted to do business with criminals. She says if it is choices he wants, he's got plenty of them now. He can help his brother or he can send Jerry to prison from which he will surely try to escape and suffer the consequences. He can help his father or he can destroy him. Jax says his father is the toughest man he knows, he would survive prison just like he has survived everything else. Jane says prison would kill his father. There is no doubt in her mind and she can no more imagine a life without her husband than he can imagine his without Brenda.

Jax is angry his mother used Brenda's memory to manipulate him. Brenda was taken away because of a senseless, tragic, early death. If his father goes to jail it will be because he repeatedly broke the law. His voice rising, he says the two have nothing in common and he would appreciate it if she doesn't compare them again. She says the point she is making is that his father would be taken away, how or why doesn't matter. Jax asks her if she has any idea what he would give to have Brenda tucked away in a jail cell where he could visit her, hear her voice, still be able to share his life with her in some way. He has lost her fully and for all time, to compare that with his father doing jail time for fattening himself on the profits of killers and thieves, that's an insult to her memory. Jane says she loved Brenda too.

She has wept for Brenda and for Jax but sending John and Jerry to jail would only add to the tally of loved ones taken from them and she doesn't believe they can afford that. Jax says he has already lost his father and brother. They have been replaced by a pair of liars to whom he has only been recently introduced. Jane tells him his father and brother would do anything to keep him from harm, that's all she is asking he do for them. Jax says his father always impressed upon him to take care of himself first and that's what he is going to do.

Jax looks at Brenda's things again then walks to the window and remembers her again. He had told her not to get so involved with the record company that she forgets to marry him. She said she has her priorities straight for the first time in there life and he comes first. They laughed and kissed. Jax now walks away from the window and sits down in a chair, completely alone.

10/7 V is at Jax's apartment offering to help. Jax tells her that there is nothing left in his life to administer, and besides, she already has a job. Had a job V explains. Jax is shocked because he knows that she loved police work. V says that she loved the work, but she didn't like the politics. Jax asks if his case had anything to do with her decision. V says that it was a matter of principle. She has made her decision, now what can she do. Jax says that there is nothing to do. The price for keeping his family out of jail was everything he had. V says giving up isn't the answer for either of them.

V and Jax discuss his current financial situation. V suggests that they start going through the mail. She sorts through several invitations, etc. when Jax tells her to stop because he can't pay her. He says that the only person he would accept help from is Brenda. Jax thanks V for everything she has done, but that he never makes a move without thinking and he needs to think for a while. They are interrupted by a knock on the door. Brenda's attorney has arrived unexpectedly to discuss her will. She left everything to Jax.

Jax reads Brenda's will. V says that it is Brenda reaching out to help him. She reminds him that he said Brenda is the only one he would let help him and here it is. Ned arrives in response to Jax's message. V excuses herself to take care of some of Jax's mail. After she leaves, Jax thanks Ned for putting up his bail. Ned says that it is what Brenda would have wanted.

Ned asks how Jax is. Jax says that it still seems a little unreal. Ned agrees. He tells Jax that he just came back from the bank . He had a meeting about L&B's future now that there is no L and no B. Jax asks what is going to happen. Ned says that he can't let it go, not yet. Jax says that Brenda would have wanted that too. Jax suggests that Ned hire V now that she is out of work. V returns and Ned offers her a job at L&B.

10/14/98 Jax reminises about moments with Brenda. Last scene, he sits staring at a picture of him and Brenda - fade out.

12/18/98 Jason arrived in Puerto Rico and learned that Sonny had been going through a rough time. Sonny's assistant Maria cautions Jason that her boss has started drinking and becomes violent on occasion for no apparent reason. She then tells Jason she thinks Sonny is going crazy and hopes that Jason can calm him. Jason thanks her for calling him and she tells Jason that Sonny is a good man and she truly hopes that he can help him. Jason tells her he'll do what he can do and then ducks inside to see Sonny.

Inside, Sonny is sitting in the dark, unshaven, drinking and the room is a mess and Jason is concerned to find Sonny in a badly disheveled state, sitting in the midst of the office he just trashed. Jason calls out Sonny's name softly. Sonny looks at him, but says nothing. Trying to engage his old friend's interest with small talk about Robin and Michael, he calmly tells Sonny about his new life, just making conversation, not expecting Sonny to answer. He notices a liquor bottle that Sonny has emptied, but continues talking about Michael. He then tells Sonny that they are living in Brenda's old cottage, and how Michael likes to watch the stars. He tells about Carly as well.

Sonny doesn't seem to be listening, but Jason continues rambling on until Sonny finally erupts in anger and asks Jason what the hell is he doing here? Sonny then pours himself another drink, while Jason tries convincing Sonny to come back to Port Charles for the winter. Sonny says that he moved out of the business, he got away clean. He then yells at Jason to go. Telling him that its his choice to stay, to drink and do whatever, and its also his choice that he wants Jason to go.

Jason refuses to leave and they start fighting with Sonny pushing at Jason to go and Jason yelling back at him that he won't. Sonny then realizes he has gone too far, and sits down and sighs. He asks Jason how Robin is doing. Jason tells him how Robin is coping with Brenda's death. Sonny says that it never occurred to him that Brenda would die first. He would have done anything to prevent that from happening.

He then tells Jason if he had taken her with him, then they could have been Mr. & Mrs. Nobody. Jason says that they could have, until a man came along and shot them. Sonny still blames himself for not having been there to save her. Jason tells him that he couldn't have done anything even if he were in Port Charles at the time. Sonny says that it matters not how Brenda died, just that she is dead, and he can't be with her ever again.

He then tells Jason that he has nightmares and is haunted by memories of Brenda. But dreaming of Brenda is worse, because when he wakes up, she is not there. Jason wants Sonny to come home to Port Charles with him, but Sonny thinks there's nothing there for him. Jason tries to make him see that there's more in Port Charles than there is here, but Sonny disagrees and tells Jason that he can't help him, no one can and that his problems couldn't be fixed. In spite of what Sonny was saying, Jason intended to help Sonny and called Carly to say that he would be staying in Puerto Rico for as long as Sonny needed him.

12/22 Jason is reviewing Sonny's casino records. The manager tells Jason that they have too much money on the premises, more than they are insured for, and that a transfer hasn't been made in days. He says that Sonny usually oversees the transfers himself but has been interested in the business lately.

As Jason is making the preparations for a transfer, Sonny comes into the room and overhears Jason giving the manager orders. He gets mad at Jason. Jason fights back that Sonny hasn't been paying enough attention to his business and that he doesn't even know what is going on anymore including the dealers that are skimming the profits. They get into another nasty yelling match and Sonny orders Jason to leave. Jason refuses to leave his friend.

Sonny finally calms down and apologizes. They talk about what Jason's doing in Port Charles. Jason tells Sonny that Maria is the one that called him. She is afraid that Sonny's losing his mind. Sonny admits, maybe he is. He remembers Brenda telling him about how she felt when she thought she was losing her mind and he feels the same way. Jason tells him that he will stay there as long as it takes for Sonny to get his act together again even if that means bringing Robin, Michael and Carly to the island. And if Sonny thinks he's crazy, wait until he meets Carly!

Jason calls Carly and Carly fills him in on the shooting of Mac. He tells her to stay put and to listen to Johnny. He promises to return to PC asap. Jason hangs up and tells Sonny about the hit on Mac and how it was Moreno. Sonny asks Jason is he's considered a counter move. Jason said he did after Moreno sent Justus over one time but he doesn't want to get back into it.

Jason tells him that he thought Moreno wouldn't see him as a threat anymore because Moreno thinks Jason is stupid. Jason gave up his territory to work in a bike garage, which proves how stupid he is. Jason thinks that his coming to see Sonny is what set Moreno into action. Sonny tells him, then go home.

Jason tells Sonny that that is not the solution - Sonny is the solution. Jason quit the business because of his family. Sonny tells him to neutralize Moreno. Jason argues that he can't without Sonny. He tells Sonny that he doesn't want to live like Sonny does - in hiding with is family. Sonny hates it and so would Jason. Jason tries to convince Sonny to come back to PC and help him. He hates this life on the island, so why doesn't he come back to PC and is with those that love him.

Sonny says he can't go back to PC because that's where he loved Brenda and there are too many memories. Jason pleads his case, he can't take care of Sonny if he's on this island and Jason can't leave PC where Michael has always lived. He tells Sonny that he is making him choose between him and his family and de doesn't want to do that. He doesn't want to fail Sonny - he'd rather die than fail Sonny, yet he would have to choose his son over Sonny. Jason gets ready to leave the island. Before he leaves, Sonny tells him that if he hadn't done right by his kid, then he would have failed him. Jason tells him he is coming back and that the next time he leaves, Sonny will be leaving with him.

12/24 Sonny is drinking alone in his tropical hideaway when Mike arrives.

12/28 Mike tells Sonny that he didn't volunteer for the job, he was drafted. Sonny says that he has to give Jason credit. If he wants him back in Port Charles, sending Mike to see him certainly makes him want to change his address. Mike asks if Sonny has been thinking about coming home. Sonny says that if it means Mike will leave, then yes he has thought about it. Mike gets angry and tells Sonny to give it a rest. Has he even asked once about Mike, what he had to go through when Brenda died. Sonny tells Mike to go to hell. Mike tells Sonny that there isn't any room since Sonny has taken up all the space.

Sonny says that there is no such thing as letting a sleeping dog lie with Mike. He goes out for a quart of milk is gone for twenty-five years and he still thinks that Sonny's life is about him. Mike says that he thought that he and Sonny had reached some sort of understanding before he left town. Sonny said that they did and the way he understood it, he wouldn't have to look at Mike anymore. He wouldn't have to listen to him tell him about Brenda.

Mike knew that Brenda would always be there to stick up for him. Sonny says that Brenda isn't around for Mike to hide behind anymore so he doesn't have to put up with him. Mike says that Sonny is right. Brenda is gone and that is probably why he is here. He asks what they have left.

Mike asks if they can be father and son or if they are just two guys that a woman they loved kept from killing each other. Mike tells Sonny that he doesn't care what he does, but to be a man. Be someone who takes charge of his life, someone who finds a way to deal with the death of a loved one instead of giving up.

Now Mike remembers, there is a way that Sonny uses him. Sonny uses him to compare himself to because he always feels so good in comparison. Mike agrees that he is scum. He deserted his family, but he is here now and that works in his favor. Sonny deserted the world to sit in his room drunk scaring dogs and showgirls. Mike thinks he stacks up pretty good next to that.

Mike points out that Sonny hurt Brenda badly. Almost as bad as Mike hurt Sonny's mother. Sonny saw her get through it and he saw her be happy after she got through it. Her blood is not on Sonny's hands. Sonny says that he knew what would happen with Jax. Sonny says that when Jax was growing up, he was the kind of kid who always wanted a new one. It didn't matter what, a new bike, a new watch, whatever. Once he got it, he lost it, broke it, but he always got a new one. Mike says that this was not Jax's fault, but Sonny angrily tells him not to defend Jax and then storms out of the room.

12/30 Jax reflects on his time with Brenda last New Year's Eve.

12/31 Jax is outside, remembering last New Year's with Brenda. He says Happy New Year to Brenda. The guests inside count down to the New Year and being to celebrate.

1/7/99 Mike tries to get Sonny out of his mood. Sonny blasts Jason for leaving Mike there. Jason tells Sonny he needs him to come home.

1/8/99 Sonny’s back and Robin is glad to see him as the two embrace and greet each other.

Summer 2000 Jax has brought Chloe to an island paradise. While standing on the terrace, Jax sees a woman in the garden who bears a striking resemblance (from the back) to Brenda. He stares at her in a trance. He makes an excuse to Chloe and goes to the garden to investigate but finds the garden empty. The next morning, Jax wakes somber. He goes out to the terrace and again sees the brunette walking in the garden. Jax shows a couple of hotel workers a picture of Brenda but the maid isn't sure if that is the woman she saw as she only saw her from behind.

Jax is later walking in the garden and spots the "Brenda look-alike" strolling through the garden. Jax calls after the mysterious brunette again, and she hesitates when he says, "Brenda!" but then she hurries off into the shadows without letting him see her face. He goes to follow but is pulled up short when he hears Chloe screaming his name.

Chloe is dreaming, Helena stands over her with the knife, angling it occasionally to make the light gleam over its edge in a really sinister way. Then, just as Helena sweeps down with the knife Chloe wakes up, freaks out, and yells for Jax, trying desperately to fight off her attacker. Jax and Chloe are on the plane returning home. Jax is dreaming about Brenda, flashing back to moments with her.

Back in PC, Jax tells Ned about seeing someone in thinks might have been Brenda. He took Chloe to a place that he had talked about taking Brenda to before she died. Ned assures Jax that it wasn't Brenda. Jax tells Ned he can't shake the feeling that Brenda might be out there somewhere, that he has to know. At Kelly's, Jax saw the society section of the local newspaper where Stephan had planted the photo of the "Brenda"...is it her or the look alike?

Jax flew to Paris to search for Brenda. At the Georges V hotel in Paris, a striking Brenda walked out the door to meet a man near a limo. He teased her about always being late. She says, "Yes, but I'm worth the wait." Jax was watching as Brenda got into the limo and yelled out her name. Brenda is shown in the limo and it is her as she removes her sunglasses.

Jax questions the bellman about the woman who just left. He tells Jax she left with an international arms dealer. Jax sits in the hotel remembering Brenda telling him that the best times in her life, where she felt more herself, and knew what she wanted out of life, were times spent with him. He also remembers how she looked on their wedding day and the time in the hospital before she got her test for her mental illness.

Chloe arrives at the hotel, telling him that since her heart is with Jax that she felt she should follow. Jax tells her that he thinks he saw Brenda. Chloe asks for details of the Brenda sighting. He reports that even though he didn't see Brenda's face he could tell it was her by the way she walked and tilted her head. He feels sure that Brenda disappeared because of her illness that she stayed away to spare him. Chloe asks him if he still loves Brenda? He doesn't answer right away but tells her he can feel that Brenda is out there somewhere and he has to know, he has to have answers.

Chloe tells him that she wants him to be happy, that he is the best man she has ever met and she will hold him in her heart till the day she dies. She tells him he has to find out what happened to Brenda. She realizes he may change if Brenda comes back into his life. Chloe and Jax then declare their love for each and kiss passionately. She pushes him away telling him to go search for Brenda. She dissolves into tears after he leaves (this is Jax's departure from the show - 17 minutes up to this time).

Brenda Dvd #4C July 22, 2002 Sonny meets Jason at the pier where a warehouse is on fire. They discuss whether Deluca got the message. Jason reports finding a million dollars in cash at Roy's apartment and comments that someone has invested a lot of money into taking Sonny down. Alcazar is shown for the first time. He is on the phone as a mysterious woman is shown from behind. He ends the call as she drops her robe in front of him.

Alcazar tells Roy that he is going after Jasper Jax. Roy questions why now Jax? (as Sonny was Alcazar's original target - more of that storyline on the Sonny & Carly #16). Roy wonders what Jax and Sonny could possibly have in common that would make Alcazar go after both of them. Alcazar asks if it really matters, and Roy shrugs it off as idle curiosity.

Later, Alcazar holds a woman (whose back is to us-all we see is the dark hair) and tells her that the obstacles will soon be out if their way. He brushes aside the strap of her nightgown and kisses her bare shoulder. The woman shows no reaction of any kind to either his words or actions. Later Alcazar is on the phone, he says he has hit a minor delay and as soon as he gets what he needs be prepared to move right away. We see the mystery woman tenderly touching some papers with Jax's name on them.

Later, Alcazar and Roy agree to meet tonight for the exchange of the second part of the map/money transaction. After hanging up, Alcazar looks through his desk. Not finding what he's looking for (first half of a map), he calls out to someone: "have you been at my desk again? You might have misplaced something very important". Alcazar asks the nurse if "Brenda" is taking her medication. The nurse says yes. He says she's becoming more erratic. He tells her to increase her medication. When the nurse gives her the medication the mystery woman doesn't take it and hides it.

Alcazar shows up with briefcase in hand to pay off Roy. He asks Roy if he has the other half of the map. Roy tells moneybags that the map is his until he has the cash. Alcazar hands over the money and Roy gives him the map. Roy tells him that he needs to find his sense of gratitude after all, he put the warehouse of business long before Alcazar blew it up and now he stole the map.

Alcazar interrupts him and says angrily that he wants Sonny and Jax to pay. He wants them to claw out each other until they are both destroyed. He wants to see the look in “her” eyes when he tells her that they are finished (meaning Sonny and Jax). Roy is just a means to an end, you got it? Yea I get there’s a woman involved, Roy replies. Sonny puzzles why DeLuca is going after Jax as the only thing he and Jax had in common was Brenda, who is dead. Alcazar declares to Roy he wants Jax and Sonny at each others throats and he looks forward to seeing the look in her eyes when he tells her they are finished.

Alcazar walks in and approaches a sleeping “Brenda” (we still don’t see her face). He lies down beside her and tells her that he has to leave again, but not to worry they will soon be able to do what they had planned without any obstacles. He leaves the room and we see Zander sneak around the hallway. He hears someone approach and hides around the corner.

Brenda walks into the room. Zander is about to follow when someone throws something at him and knocks him to the floor. The nurse reports to "Brenda" that Zander could be helpful. The unidentified woman looks at a picture of Jax and Skye in the newspaper and hands the nurse a list of questions for Zander. The nurse returns to Zander and asks him to tell her everything he knows about Sonny and notes that his answers will depend on whether he lives or dies.

Zander starts to relate the inside info he gained while working for Sonny but is surprised when he is questioned about Carly and Sonny's relationship. He describes Carly as a selfish ‘wack’ job who is really a good person underneath. Zander wonders how this information is going to help anyone. The nurse asks why Sonny keeps taking Carly back and Zander says because he loves her.

The next questions have to do with Jax and Zander asks why this mystery woman wants to know so much about Jax and Sonny's personal lives. The nurse comments about Jax's upcoming marriage and wants to know about Skye. Zander’s description of her is even less flattering than Carly’s. The nurse reports back to her boss (whose face we still haven’t seen) that both Sonny and Jax appear to be with happily involved with strong woman in volatile relationships.

Zander is eating, what looks to be supper, with “Brenda’s” oh sorry, the mystery lady’s, friend. He asks why he’s being kept here, not that he’s complaining though. He’s just curious. Explains that he had business information to pass along about Sonny to her employer and he has no idea about their personal love lives. He can’t answer her questions. Outside the room we see mystery lady listening in, but as usual we only see up to her neck.

Later, "Brenda" arrives and the friend informs her that Zander tried to escape but not too worry, they will keep him until she has all the information she needs. She approaches a sleeping Zander. He slowly awakens and sees a blurry face of a woman (Brenda) standing over him. He asks who she is and she says a friend. The nurse once again talked to Zander about Sonny and Jax while the ‘boss woman’ listened at the door. After hearing Zander says that both men were happy in their current relationships the (still unseen) woman walked away from the door.

Roy meets with Alcazar outside a closed Kelly's. Elizabeth who is locking up is able to listen undetected to their conversation. She overhears Alcazar telling Roy that Sonny won’t touch him because he has something Sonny wants more than anything in the world. Sonny and Jason cornered Alcazar and one of his men as they stepped off the elevator at the Port Charles Hotel. Sonny asked what Alcazar had that he thinks Sonny wants that Alcazar supposedly has. Sonny warned Alcazar to get out of town but Alcazar refused to back down.

Later, Sonny and Jason are on the docks spying on Alcazar’s yacht and discussing what he has that he thinks Sonny wants so much. Jason sees the ‘woman’ enter the room and speak to Alcazar (but as usual it is only from the back). He passes the binoculars to Sonny but by the time Sonny takes a look the woman is nowhere to be seen. Sonny orders Jason to find out everything he can about Mr. Alcazar and his female friend. Alcazar brags to his henchmen that he will obliterate Corinthos, even the memory of him!

Zander demands to speak with Mr. Alcazar. The nurse warns him that if he is seen or overheard he will be killed. But, it’s too late because Alcazar is eavesdropping at the door. As soon as the nurse leaves Alcazar enters the room and questioned Zander. Zander starts to give out all the inside info he has on Sonny’s business, but once again he is disappointed when Alcazar only wants to know what he told the nurse.

Zander confessed that the nurse was asking on her mistress’ behalf and that it was mostly information about the personal lives of Sonny and Jax. Zander asked if Alcazar was going after the two men because of a woman. Alcazar confided that he was going to destroy Sonny and Jax because they where a link to his woman’s past that he need to severe to earn her respect. Zander offered his services, but Alcazar coldly refused them then told Zander that he was now a link between his woman and her past and he had to be eliminated. Alcazar questioned the nurse about what the mystery woman wanted to know from Zander about Sonny and Jax.

Later, Alcazar ordered his men to throw Zander overboard and make it look like he drowned. Sonny questioned Liz about the conversation she overheard between Roy and Alcazar. Liz couldn’t give Sonny any ‘real’ answers except that she got the impression that the something Alcazar has that Sonny wants was a person, not a thing. Sonny is worried that Alcazar intends to go after his family. A fisherman brought a half drowned Zander into Kelly’s. Liz recognized him and asked him what had happened. Zander looked at Liz and asked, “Who are you?”

Jason and Sonny meet on the pier. Jason shows Sonny the surveillance photos of a brunette taken from behind. Sonny pauses and asks if there are any pictures of her face. Jason and Sonny are discussing the blurry photograph of “Brenda”. They try to figure out what it is that Alcazar has that Sonny wants more than anything. Sonny figures it has to be family because he is not an art collector and it’s not about money. He names the people he cares about, Carly, Michael, Jason, Courtney, Mike (leaving out Brenda), but everyone is accounted for. Jason reminds Sonny that there is round the clock surveillance on Alcazar and that Alcazar knows Sonny is watching him. Sonny again asks Jason to find out everything he can about the mystery lady because they might be able to use her to get to Alcazar if she is his weakness.

Brenda placed a phone call to Sonny’s PH. When a frantic Carly answered, the woman didn’t say anything (Michael has wandered off and Carly is frantic that he has been kidnapped). Alcazar entered the room and saw her (the mystery woman) on the phone. “Brenda” is listening to a frantic Carly try and find out who is on the phone. When “Brenda” doesn’t respond, Carly think that its someone who has Michael and begs with them to give him back saying she will do anything.

Alcazar approaches and hangs up the phone. He asks “Brenda” who she’s calling. He tells her that he is not policing her but stopping her from doing something she will regret which is apparently what she asked him to do. He tells “Brenda” that there is no one in Port Charles that she wants to speak to. Alcazar slips out and receives a phone call from his henchman telling him that Zander is still alive and is with Liz at Kelly’s. Alcazar tells him that Zander knows too much. He says that if Zander tells Liz anything and if Liz tells Jason, everything will be over. He orders the man to eliminate them both.

Great Brenda Return Promo featuring Jax and Sonny how they both loved her and both loved her.

Alcazar is surprised when one of his men inform him that a helicopter is trying to land on the roof of the yacht. Alcazar instructs him to lock "the mystery woman" downstairs in her room and have the nurse watch her while deals with his unexpected visitor. The visitor happens to be Jax. Jax asks Alcazar what he wants with him and his family.

Alcazar offers him a deal regarding his family's business with the oil map and their possible financial problems. Alcazar offers him back what he lost for his family business if Jax agrees to leave town with his family and fiancée. Jax informs him he is no longer engaged and that he will have to turn down his offer since he has no intention in leaving town.

The "mystery woman" manages to get away from her room and overhear the conversation. One of his men interrupts him for a private chat and informs him that "she" has gotten out of her room and they don't know where she is. Alcazar instructs him to find her and lock her up in her room. She listens in on the conversation but is grabbed by one of the men and hauled away against her will. Her ankle bracelet falls off onto the deck floor.

Later, as Jax is leaving the boat, he sees the anklet on the deck and asks him who it belongs to. Alcazar is dismayed to see evidence of "her" presence on the yacht.

Back on the pier, Sonny questions Jax about his visit to Alcazar's yacht. Sonny insinuates that Jax is working with Alcazar. Jax retorts that everything doesn't revolve around Sonny and admits that Alcazar has made a move against him as well. He explains about the stolen oil map and Alcazar's offer to return it if Jax leaves Port Charles and never returns. Sonny wonders why Alcazar cares where Jax lives. Jax asks if they are making idle chit-chat or if they are going to work together to go after Alcazar. Instead, they continue to spar and go their separate ways.

Alcazar finds out that Zander and Liz are under Sonny’s guard. As “Brenda” listens, he vows to end this once and for all and to move against Sonny. After they leave, “Brenda” sneaks in and tries to make a phone call but finds the phone lines disconnected. She searches through the drawers and finds her passport and sneaks away. Alcazar is on the phone to someone telling them to forget about Jax. Sonny is more of a threat. The nurse comes in and tells him that “Brenda” has disappeared. Jason, dressed in all black, sneaks aboard the yacht and locates Alcazar’s office.

He begins searching through drawers, but hears someone coming in. He hides and listens as Alcazar makes a phone call and explains that “Brenda” is missing, she has ID but no money and has not contacted anyone. He orders another search of the yacht incase she is still aboard. Alcazar comes back and is informed that “Brenda” was hiding below deck, but that she is now locked in his cabin. They rush off to hide the passports in his safe.

Jason emerges and goes directly to the cabin. He tries to get in, but “Brenda” rushes to intercept and blocks the door. Jason tells her to back away from the door and that he is there to help her. The camera fades up and we FINALLY see Brenda as she whispers Jason’s name!

Brenda appears worried as she realizes that her ‘rescuer’ is Jason. It takes Jason a few moments to pick the lock and when he finally gets into the room it appears to be empty. Believing that the woman is hiding out of fear, Jason tries to coax her into revealing herself by soothingly saying that he can he can help her escape if she wants to escape.

From her hiding place Brenda smiles fondly as Jason reveals to the empty room that he works for Sonny Corinthos. Jason hears a faint noise coming from behind a door and quickly opens it. On the other side he comes face to face with a woman, but it is only the nurse. She urges him to leave quickly, but Jason insists on getting her name. The door flies open and Alcazar and his men enter. Alcazar greets Jason and tells him that he has been looking forward to killing him. Alcazar then orders his men to kill Jason (and NOT to make any mistakes this time).

From her hiding place Brenda appears to be upset by the turn of events. The nurse tries to explain to Alcazar how she had just found Jason moments before he arrived. Alcazar assures her that there is no problem as no damage was done. They leave the room and Brenda exits her hiding place (the ceiling to floor wardrobe). She heads straight for the door. But on the other side, Alcazar is waiting for her with a warning that any attempt to rescue Morgan would be ill advised. She asks if he has killed Jason? Alcazar says it was in self-defense. He asks if she has changed her mind and tells her that she can leave the ship whenever she likes.

He then reminds her that she used to trust him. He reminds her that he saved her life when her mother tried to kill her, took her to a clinic in Switzerland and was by her side when she was diagnosed with the same disease a her mother, agreed to stay and take care of her for the rest of her life. Alcazar then asks if she no longer trust him and gives her time to think about it. Out on the deck, Jason struggles with two of Alcazar’s henchmen. He gets the best of them of a brief moment and jumps overboard. The henchmen fire several shots into the spot where Jason entered the water.

Brenda assures ‘Luis’ that she does trust him but wants to know why Jason had to die when he didn’t even see her. Alcazar reminds her that she didn't want Sonny and Jax to know she was still alive and Zander had already seen her. Brenda tells him that she doesn't want Sonny or Jax hurt. Alcazar assures her he isn’t going to ‘hurt’ them, he is just going to make sure they can’t track her down. One of then men knocks and informs Alcazar that Roy has arrived.

Brenda listens from behind the office doorway as Alcazar tells Roy that he has to leave sooner that expected. Roy replies that he will be sure Alcazar gets his share of the profits. Much to both Brenda and Roy’s disbelief, Alcazar orders Roy to kill Sonny.

As Brenda listens on, Alcazar tells Roy that he has to kill Sonny. Roy refuses. Roy tells him that if he wants Sonny dead, he should do it himself. As Roy walks out, Alcazar tells his thugs "You know what you have to do". Brenda confronts the nurse, did she know that Alcazar wanted to kill Sonny? Was that the plan all along? The nurse says that Alcazar loves Brenda and suggests that if he knows that these men mean nothing to her, that she wants to spend her life with him.

Brenda catches on, and is shortly imploring Alcazar to take her away from PC that she wants to set sail so that they can be alone together. Alcazar falls for it and they wind up in bed. Brenda slips out of bed with Alcazar, takes his cell phone out of his jacket and slips to another room. She dials Sonny's number at the penthouse. Sonny picks up the phone, but Alcazar has already awakened from his slumber and takes the phone away from Brenda before she could warn Sonny.

Sonny tells Jason that he can't make a move against Alcazar until he knows what he has on him. Sonny declares he would bet his life the mystery woman is the key. Alcazar has Maxie and Georgie kidnapped for leverage against Roy.

Roy showed up and had Alcazar in a stranglehold. He wanted to see for himself that Maxie and Georgie were safe. He talked to Maxie and she said they were okay but scared. Alcazar told Roy that he has to eliminate Sonny and he should be aware of what the consequences are should he fail.

Alcazar then has Brenda locked up. Brenda was trying to get Diana to help her to get to Sonny to warn him. She told Diana that Luis said he would help her keep her friends safe but he was going back on his word. Nobody would help her. The doctor was called and wanted to give her something. She didn't want it, she wanted off the yacht to warn a friend. Brenda pleads with Alcazar to let her out of the cabin. He apologies for bringing her back to PC, but won’t let her out.

Brenda tells him she wants to leave PC as soon as possible. Alcazar orders Diana (the nurse) to give Brenda some medication. After Alcazar leaves, Brenda refuses the drugs and convinces Diana to inject the pillow instead. Brenda asks her to call Sonny and warn him about Roy. As Diana leaves the room, Brenda notices an emergency kit on the wall.

Later, Brenda fakes an accident and calls out for help. When the guard comes into help her, Brenda pretends to have sprained her ankle and asks him to get the emergency kit. As he bandages her, she manages to get the flare gun from the kit without him noticing. Eying the wide open door, she complains that she feels suffocated and asks him to stay with her. She is succeeding at seducing him when Alcazar returns. After the guard leaves, Alcazar compliments Brenda on her craftiness but warns her not to do anything she would later regret.

After he leaves, Brenda takes the flare gun and hides it under her pillow. Alcazar shows up in Brenda’s “room” and brings her some things to keep her busy. Brenda wonders why he is all smiles. He tells her that his work in Port Charles is at its end and they will be leaving town tomorrow.

Brenda reminds him that she has stayed with him because she didn’t want her “disease” to affect Sonny and Jax. She wanted to protect them from what she could “become”. She doesn’t regret a single moment that she has spent with him, but he is different and she doesn’t enjoy being his prisoner. Alcazar tells her that it won’t be for much longer. He assures her that although he can’t guarantee to her that nothing will happen to Sonny or Jax he can guarantee that it won’t be on his hands if something does happen. This is for her own good and will be over soon.

As Brenda and Alcazar reminisce about their life, we learn that Alcazar had rescued Brenda from the water and saved her. Alcazar tells her that she was not supposed to die that night, she was supposed to live. They will soon be leaving Port Charles and she will have no reason to want to come back. After Alcazar leaves Brenda handles the flare gun and tries to figure out how to best use the gun

Jax shows up at Brenda's cottage and is followed by Sonny who asks if on the anniversary of Brenda’s “death” is he finally ready to give up Brenda? Sonny and Jax trade insults about each other ruined Brenda’s life. Sonny reminds him that he loved Brenda and she loved him way before he showed up. Jax informs Sonny that his (Sonny’s) love for Brenda nearly drove her insane. Sonny retorts by stating that by loving Brenda, Jax eventually killed her as he watched her go over the cliff.

Sonny is seen standing alone on the dock, while Roy sneaks up behind him on the stairs and waits. Roy’s plan is thwarted when Jason and Carly arrive. Roy listens as Sonny explains that he wanted Alcazar to see that he is not hiding. The next move is his. Carly reminds him that he promised to stay with her for life, so he better be careful. Jason tells Sonny that Alcazar’s yacht seems to be getting ready to leave town. Sonny doesn’t think that he would be leaving town this soon and they both think it might be a ploy.

Jason tells Sonny that the “woman” left the yacht yesterday. This brings Sonny to discuss Brenda and Jax. He admits that he wonders if Brenda thought about him before he died, because she was the last face he saw when he almost died. Back at the penthouse, Sonny is watching Alcazar’s yacht. Carly comes down and he tells her what’s going on. They think maybe it was Roy. Carly begins to question him about Brenda and if he thought about her. He says he did and that the one thing he learned form Brenda’s “death” was that you can’t protect the people you love by pushing them away. Carly assures Sonny that she will not let that happen.

On the yacht, Brenda has arranged the table, bed and chairs as a barricade in front of the door. She kneels behind it and with a trembling hand grips the gun. She prays that this will work and fires the gun. There is an explosion. Brenda’s plan has seemingly backfired as she is now stuck waist deep in water and screaming for help, trapped in the sinking ship. Alcazar, Felicia and Felicia’s captor watch in horror as his yacht explodes.

Carly and Sonny look out the window and wonder which of Alcazar many enemies might have had something to do with the explosion on the yacht. Jason arrives and announces that Alcazar was not on the yacht when it exploded. Sonny pronounces it the perfect opportunity to make a move against his enemy. Carly has a bad feeling and pleads with Sonny not to take the chance. Sonny insists that he has to make a move now or lose the upper hand. In the end he gives in and lets Jason go ‘check things out’ first.

Alcazar makes a phone call and tells someone to look for “her” because she still might be on the yacht. A frantic Alcazar orders his men to keep searching for ‘her’. Felicia tries to take advantage of his distraction to slip away but gets caught before she can take more than a few steps. Alcazar orders his goons to take her back and tells them to shoot Felicia if she tries to escape again.

Shortly after, Jason arrives on the docks and Alcazar accuses Sonny of setting the explosion. He baffles Jason when he tells him to tell Sonny that the stunt may have cost them both something important. Jason suggests that since things are no longer going as planned, Alcazar should cut his loses and leave. Alcazar tells Jason that he doesn’t take orders from Sonny or his flunky (referring to Jason). After Jason leaves, Alcazar orders his men to keep searching until they find Brenda.

After Jason leaves, Sonny and Carly calmly discuss her interference and he urges her to be strong so that he can go about his business without worry or distraction. Taggart shows up to ‘question’ Sonny about the explosion. Some officers drag Roy into the penthouse and inform all that they caught him ‘sneaking’ up the stairs. When Roy claims he just needed to see Sonny, Taggart questions his choice of stairs instead of the usual elevator. Taggart doesn’t really buy any of it, but without evidence can do nothing so he turns on Carly and asks if she is ready to be buried next to the first Mrs. Corinthos.

After Taggart also leaves, Roy tells Sonny that the explosion aboard the yacht does NOT change anything. Jason returns and reports that Alcazar is frantic because his girlfriend was apparently still aboard the yacht when it exploded. Alcazar blames Sonny. Jason asks. Sonny says it’s no big surprise about the blame and he’ll fill Jason in later on Roy’s visit. Jason agrees with Sonny that Alcazar is vulnerable and they should take the opportunity it offers to get rid of him. Before they can do much else the phone rings.

Alcazar learns from the harbor patrol that although Brenda was NOT found on board her chances of having escaped the explosion and sinking of the ship were slim to none. Alcazar is sure that she managed to survive and orders his men to keep search both the water and the surrounding shores. Alcazar then calls Roy and orders him to kill Sonny NOW! Roy assures Alcazar that the hit will go down that night.

Brenda has managed to reach the shore but has to hide (under a over turned row boat) when she hears someone coming. It is Alcazar, she keeps still, holds her breath and eventually Alcazar and his men move on. Later Brenda is seen walking down a street. She runs in to a young man with a cell phone. She asks him to make a call for her. The man is reluctant until she offers to give him her $3000 diamond watch. Brenda dials the number then instructs the man to push send and ask for Sonny.

Once Sonny is on the phone, Brenda has the man tell Sonny that a friend needs to meet him at St. Timothy’s church that night with information about Alcazar. Sonny refuses the meeting unless he can speak to the ‘friend’ directly. The young man gives Brenda the message and passes her the phone. Brenda slowly puts the phone up to her ear and takes a deep breath. Sonny is still on the phone listening to Brenda breathing. When she won’t speak, she hands the phone to her new friend. He tells Brenda that Sonny won’t go unless he can speak with her.

Carly has just come home and her and Jason listen intently to Sonny’s end of the conversation. Brenda tells her friend to tell Sonny that this is about Louis Alcazar and it is in his best interests to meet her at the church. Sonny agrees and hangs up the phone. Carly looks at him worriedly and quickly busies herself while Sonny tells Jason that he will ride with him, just in case.

After Jason leaves, Sonny assures Carly that although he is aware this could be a trap, he has to end it tonight. Sonny is preparing to leave and Carly asks about the significance of the church. Sonny thinks that its because the woman is new in town and St. Timothy’s is in a central location.

Carly asks him to say a prayer for himself when he gets to the church. He prays for anyone else, but not for himself. Sonny tells her that he will try. She jokes about his inability to say things like, I’m wrong Carly, you’re right, or Can we discuss this Carly? He responds by telling that he was wrong about all the times he said he didn’t need her. He asks if they can discuss the fact that they will spending the next 50 years together. Carly gets teary-eyed and they start kissing. Jason interrupts them telling Sonny that its time to go. Carly and Sonny say a tearful goodbye and Sonny tells her that he loves her and leaves.

Roy is on the phone with Alcazar telling him that everything has been arrange and it will happen tonight. Alcazar tells Roy that he doesn’t want assurances, he wants results. If he doesn’t kill Sonny, Felicia will die. One of Alcazar’s men approaches and tells him they have a lead on Brenda. She could be anywhere, but they have men canvassing the area looking for her. Alcazar assumes that Brenda is trying to contact Sonny and Jax and warn them.

Brenda arrives at St. Timothy's and stands in the pouring rain, mocking its irony. Smiling, she laughs joyously to herself, quietly and lets the rain pour over her. Brenda enters the church and slowly walks down the aisle. She approaches the altar and smiles to herself. Brenda is approached by the priest and asks if she should leave. He tells her that he is not going anywhere, she can stay as long as she likes and if she needs anything to just hollar.

Before he leaves, Brenda asks him if she seems rational to him. He says yes and she explains her illness and how sometimes she doesn’t know if she making her own decisions or if her illness is. She tells the priest that she almost got married five years ago to the man she is supposed to meet tonight. The priest suggest that she examine her motives. She tells him that she needs to warn him about something and wants to see him.

The priest comes back and tells Brenda that she can still stay while he does some paperwork. She starts to vent to him by saying that she is responsible for everything that’s happened. She has tried to think about her actions and the consequences they have on the people she loves, but they always seem to backfire. The priest tells her that as long as she is thinking about others, she is on the right path. She thanks the priest and tells him that he her friend is not coming, because he always leaves her standing in the rain.

In the limo, Jason explains to Sonny that with the rain it will be almost impossible to spot any possible snipers. He asks Sonny if he is sure he wants to do this. He reminds his boss that he now has a family who think he is the world. He needs to be sure this is what he needs to do. Jason and Sonny begin a heated argument about Sonny’s order that Jason remain behind for 10 minutes. Jason thinks it is an unnecessary risk and that he is starting to take it personally. Damn right I am, Sonny replies and explains that he has to make Alcazar pay for trying to ruin his life. Jason reluctantly agrees and Sonny mentions that the last time he was here was when he was to marry Brenda.

Amazing Grace (on the ABC version) plays as Carly lights a candle, Sonny slowly walks towards St. Timothy's Church in the rain. Brenda kneels in a pew in the church, praying. Roy hides behind the bushes outside the church. Brenda gets up and heads towards the church doors. Sonny arrives at the courtyard in front of the church. Roy waits. Jason gets out of the limo. Brenda opens the first set of doors and takes a breath. Sonny walks closer. Roy waits. Carly pours wine for dinner.

Sonny is outside the church doors. Carly starts to drink a glass of wine, but is startled and drops it. Brenda opens the outside doors. Sonny sees Brenda; his eyes are wide, in shock. Brenda smiles at him and laughs. Brenda and Sonny are face to face for the first time in five years. A stunned Sonny stares at Brenda and is unaware that Roy is behind him and raises his gun. Brenda smiles and begins to approach Sonny as Roy fires. Carly's glass drops to the floor, leaving a pool of red. Gunshot. Gunshot. Gunshot. Brenda screams. Gunshot. Sonny drops to the ground. Another promo for Brenda's return.

Sequence is re-aired on the next episode. This time I used the soapnet version with the S&B instrumental music playing. Brenda runs over and picks him up. She holds his head in her lap, gets blood on her hands. Jason arrives. Sonny gasps and tells Jason to get her out of there. Jason picks Brenda up and carries her, kicking and screaming, into the car. He literally throws her in the car and it takes off. "Brenda," Sonny utters, lying in a pool of his own blood.

In the car, racing away from Sonny, Brenda desperately tries to get out and starts screaming at Jason to go back for Sonny. Jason tells her to calm down. He makes two quick phone calls. In the first one, presumably to paramedics, Jason says, "A man's been shot, needs an ambulance." The second call is to Carly and Jason tells her Sonny needs her at St. Timothy's church. Brenda insists on knowing who Jason has called and why he isn't going back for Sonny. Jason has questions of his own. "How long have you been with Alcazar?" he demands.

Brenda and Jason continue to argue, he has questions, she doesn't want to answer them and instead wants to get back to Sonny. She does tell Jason that Alcazar saved her from drowning. Jason tells Brenda that he is doing exactly what Sonny wants...his dying words were to get her away from there. Sonny is lying on the ground, bleeding and dying. The priest comes out of the church and finds Sonny and tries to help him, covers his chest with his jacket, puts his sweater under Sonny's head. Then he prays. The paramedics show up and try to save him, to no avail. Sonny's dead.

Just then, Carly shows up and starts screaming and crying, telling her husband to "Open your eyes!" When he doesn't, she start reminding him of their plans and asks what she is going to do without him?! The priest tries to pull her away but she isn't budging. Carly swears she will always love him and the paramedics take him away. Then, Taggert and his fellow PCPD buffoons show up, confused. Where is the body? Carly tells him her husband is dead.

Taggert is really confused about why the body is gone, why the paramedics would have taken it away. He asks questions of the priest and the priest tells what he knows, but it is very little. Taggert tells Carly he is sorry for her loss, but she doesn't believe him since he hated Sonny. Taggert wonders where Sonny's bodyguards were or, more importantly, where was Jason? Carly finally tells him what she knows, about Jason calling her and her arriving to find Sonny dead. She says she can give him the name of who did this, though. "Alcazar."

Jason has taken Brenda to a safe-house. She still isn't answering his questions, though. She does not understand why Jason would have left Sonny lying dead on the ground. Finally, Brenda tells Jason that she is sick, she inherited her mom's illness and it makes her question reality at times. She tells Jason how Luis promised to keep her away from the people she loves so that she wouldn't hurt them. When she saw they were back in Port Charles, she stopped taking her medication. And, when she heard Luis order someone to kill Sonny, she knew she had to warn him somehow. She admits she sank the yacht.

When Jason asks why she didn't just tell Sonny over the phone, Brenda admits she wanted to see him. "Well, you got what you wanted, didn't you?" snotty Jason asks her. He tells her she is safe where she is, but she wants to warn Jax, too. Then, she suggests Jason go to Jax and protect him, that is what Sonny would want. Jason says he follows Sonny's orders, not her orders. They get the call, Sonny's been taken to the morgue.

Brenda is devastated. She says that when Sonny saw her at the church, she realized that he had always loved her. She wasn't sure in the past but she knew when they locked eyes. She claims that she's always loved him and he always loved her, that it was fine even if she loved him more. As she talks, we see Sonny in the next room, taking off his shirt, revealing a bulletproof vest. Why, he's not dead after all! Brenda sleeps restlessly. Her eyes open to see Sonny at her doorway. She rises and they meet, head to head, nose to nose, she gently strokes his cheek and....

She awakens and realizes her dream; Jason is at her door. Troubled, she reminds them both that Sonny is dead because of her . . . if she only knew that Sonny sits staring aimlessly in the next room. Jason explains to Brenda that she was not responsible for Sonny’s death. Things were in motion before they knew she was involved. She responds that she should have called, warned him, and left. She did not ever want him to see her sick and now he never would. She cries as Sonny watches through the window.

Sonny and Jason whisper outside Brenda’s window. They acknowledge her hurt and Sonny thanks Jason for keeping a watchful eye. Jason asks if Sonny is going to tell her that he’s alive. He fills Sonny in on Brenda, how she hooked up with Alcazar, her illness and what has been going on. Sonny feels that Brenda has made it clear what she wants and he is clearly not part of it. She wanted to see him, she did, and now he’s dead.

Sonny listens at the vent that “connects” his hideaway to Brenda. She weeps and cries that she is sorry. Roy enters Sonny’s room and reveals the next task Alcazar has given him: kill Jax and deliver Brenda. Sonny explains that when he saw Brenda, everything fit. Roy realizes that Brenda is the witness Taggert alluded to. Sonny says Brenda will not be available to the Taggert. They will get Alcazar. Roy says Alcazar has gone back underground and will not surface until he has Brenda. He suggests they go at Alcazar through the proper authorities.

Sonny says the only way to get Alcazar is to get him to make a mistake. Roy needs to play along. Roy says he can control his end as long as Sonny can control Brenda. Brenda fights with Jason in the next room. She states she is leaving to warn Jax, but promises to return. Jason locks her in and leaves. Alone again, Sonny continues to watch Brenda from the outside. She impatiently paces her room and eventually moves to the window.

Taggert is livid when he arrives at the morgue to find that Sonny's body was sent to the church without proper clearance from the PCPD. He finds out that Jason managed to sign out the body. Meanwhile, Brenda tries to persuade Jason to let her go and warn Jax about Alcazar so he doesn't get killed. Jason refuses to allow her to leave the safe house and agrees to do what he can concerning Jax's safety. Jason leaves Benny to watch over Brenda while he's gone. Sonny overhears Brenda through the vent. He feels bad about hearing her blame herself for his "death."

At the end of Sonny's funeral service, Taggert shows up and insists on seeing Sonny's body in the casket. Carly gets upset with him and tells him to leave her and Sonny alone now. Taggert refuses to leave without seeing the body. He opens the casket to find Sonny lying there peacefully. Jason tells him to leave right now. He leaves. Jason thanks everyone for coming while he comforts Carly. Everyone leaves them alone. Carly comments to Jason that Taggert will not stop hounding them. Jason leaves her alone in the room. She opens the casket and talks to Sonny about how much she loves him and will never stop loving him ever.

Sonny wakes up from a drugged state and gets out of the casket to embrace her. Carly tells him it was really hard to pretend he was dead and go through the motions of a funeral. Meanwhile, Brenda distracts Benny by faking a migraine and asks Benny to turn the lights down. While he turns his back on her to turn the lights down, Brenda hits him hard on the head with a glass vase and knocks him out cold. She escapes out the window and heads to the church to observe Sonny's funeral. She gets there and goes over to the room where the service took place and approaches the door to open it.

Outside the door, Brenda pauses as she remembers seeing Sonny gunned down.

**The End**