Sonny & Alexis Tape #3 - Dec 19, 2001 - Feb 20, 2002 - 8 hr original edit

Sonny is at Carly's discussing Michael's adoption, when Jax shows up. It irks Sonny. Sonny says "Don't you ever hurt Carly or I 'll grind you to powder". Carly tells Sonny that this just business.

Alexis leaves the penthouse and meets up with Sonny in the hallway. Sonny tells Alexis that ELQ is going public. The lawyer is stunned. Alexis apologizes for visiting Carly. Sonny tells her that everything is fine…Carly still wants him to adopt Michael. He invites Alexis over to his penthouse for a celebratory dinner that he offers to prepare without "her popcorn". A smiling Alexis accepts the offer.

In Sonny’s penthouse, Alexis & Sonny find Janine there. She offers to provide him the info he wants about her & Mike…for a price. Which is extortion, as Alexis informs her. Janine says she is certain Sonny will want the info. Sonny already tells her that he knows she & Mike were involved. She assures him there is more to the story and well worth the price. He calls in Johnny to get rid of her, telling her he needs time to think over her offer. She tells him he’ll be sorry if he doesn’t buy the info. With Janine gone, Sonny makes a delicious dinner for Alexis. She wants to talk about Mike and Janine, but Sonny doesn’t. He just explains that he knows Mike is hiding something and doesn’t understand why Mike can’t just tell him. Alexis points out that he probably knows how Sonny will react and maybe that is what is stopping him from telling him. Sonny laments that Mike thinks he’ll change but he won’t, it’s just the way he is and he wishes people could just accept him like that. Alexis assures him she accepts him. Before leaving, she offers him help if he needs it.

On the side of a road, Zander comes across a broken-down car and the driver, a young blonde, is jumpy and fond of a tire iron. She makes up a story about her boyfriend, Spike, who went to get help. Zander offers to help but doesn’t want to step on Spike’s toes. Courtney, as she introduces herself finally, admits she made up the story about Spike and accepts help from Zander. Turns out she is in town looking for someone, Janine. Zander offers to take her to his friend, his boss, who knows a lot of people in Port Charles. Zander brings Courtney to the penthouse to meet Sonny, who carefully questions the girl about her connection to Janine. Reacting to her host's name with obvious fear and dread, Courtney wonders aloud what business her mother could possibly have with such a man. To put her at ease Sonny offers to call the girl’s father so that she can let someone know where she is. Courtney tells Sonny that her father is dead. Janine arrives and tries to usher Courtney out quickly, so that she can speak privately with Sonny. Courtney refuses at first, but does eventually agree to wait for Janine in the lobby. As she prepares to leave, Mike is in the hall asking to see Sonny. Stunned when Mike barges in, Courtney calls out to her "daddy" as Sonny and Janine look on. Sonny shakes his head in disbelief. She seemed at first elated that her father was alive, and in fact, turned on her mother for allowing her to believe him dead for so long. She asked her mother why she would do such a thing and Janine replied that Mike had gambled away every cent she had and she felt it would be best if Courtney believed he was dead, rather than have him hurt her. Court tells Janine that she had no right to do that and why should she believe anything she says - can’t anyone tell the truth? Yes, says Sonny, and why should you be in this conversation anyway? she asks. “Because he’s your brother” replies Mike. Janine tells Courtney that she didn’t know about Mike’s “other family”, just a little detail he forgot to mention. In the midst of all this family turmoil, Johnny announces the arrival of Carly and Michael. Sonny asks him to have them wait outside and Courtney asks how he can leave at a time like this. He rather pointedly looks at Mike and says that he made a promise to his son and he intends to keep it.

On Christmas Eve, Alexis runs into Jax at the park standing in front of a memorial to the September 11th victims. He tells her that he knows how hard it’s been for her to lose her best friend this year. She tells him that in light of all the changes and destruction that have abounded this year, she still feels lucky. She goes on to say that we never seem to take the time to tell those around us, just how much they mean. Jax listens intently as Alexis tells him that she loves him and that her life is better because of him. He says he loves her too and they embrace. She tells him she has an idea, and asks for his help. Later we see the two of them along with Melissa, Roy, Sonny, Carly, Michael, Nik, Gia, Ned and Kristina lighting candles in memoriam of those whose lives were taken. Courtney appears on the steps of the park, sees her brother and his family and somberly accepts a candle from Jax.

At Carly’s house, Carly, Sonny, Leticia and Michael are playing with his toys. Mike shows up and needs help finding Courtney. She’s missing. Sonny is resistant until Carly asks what kind of example he is setting for their child. How is she supposed to explain to Michael that Sonny won’t give his father the time of day. She convinces him enough that he gets his goons working on finding Courtney. And, instead of just throwing Mike out, Sonny suggests they go to his penthouse to discuss things.

At Sonny’s penthouse, Sonny is so angry at Mike. He suggests Mike came back into his life years ago only for money, because he was the wealthy kid left behind. He wonders how Mike could never tell him about this other child. He wonders how Mike could abandon two children in a lifetime.

Courtney desperately tries to get her car started. AJ comes along and offers to help her. A frustrated Courtney wonders out loud why so many people in Port Charles like to stick their nose into other people's business. Just then Zander shows up and tells AJ to leave. AJ warns Court that Zander is a loser and tells Zander to tell Sonny he isn't done with him yet.

Sonny and Mike have it out at Sonny's penthouse. Sonny blasts his dad for leaving him and then turning around and leaving Courtney. Mike tells Sonny that Janine took Courtney and left without telling him. Sonny doesn't buy Mike's excuse and asks him why he didn't go looking for his daughter. Mike tells him that he wanted to get his life together first. Sonny tells Mike that the reason why Mike came and found him wasn't because of love but because of the money. Sonny tells his dad that he really isn't a man and that he is spineless. Sonny then tells Mike that he taught him how to keep his word (because Mike walked out on him) and how to face his sins (because Mike hid from his). Just then Janine walks in and tells Sonny that Mike isn't telling the whole truth. She tells Sonny that she supported Mike for 8 years and then one day he stole all her life savings and lost it gambling so she took Courtney and left. Sonny tells Janine that she knew what kind of man Mike was and she still chose to give birth to his daughter. Zander and Courtney then come through the door. Courtney blasts Mike for choosing gambling over her and her mom for using her against her father. She then tells them that if they give her some money, she will leave and never bother them again. Sonny tells Mike and Janine to go out into the hall and that he wants to talk to his sister alone.

Alexis refuses to give her sister an easy out when Ned asks Kristina to spend New Year's Eve with him. Later she confesses that she lied about her plans in order to get Kristina to accept Ned’s invite. Sonny reminds a wary Courtney that she's family now. Warming up to her newly found brother, they compare notes on growing up as the children of a compulsive gambler. Afterwards, Sonny invites his sister to stay for dinner. Courtney overhears when Janine approaches Sonny and offers to disappear with Courtney-in exchange for a big fat check. Sonny blasts Janine, and gets her to admit that she never slept with Edward. Outraged to hear about her mother's adventures in extortion, Courtney confronts Janine. Unable to bear Mike’s company a moment longer, Sonny dismisses his father, and quickly seeks out Alexis.

Alexis is resigned to spending New Year’s Eve on her own and has even convinced her sister that it’s fine with her if she spends it with Ned. She’s trying to get comfy with a book when there’s a knock on the door – surprise, it’s Sonny. Alexis opens the door to find Sonny standing there. He intensely says, "I need you!". He needs her advice –not legal advice, but personal. Oh, and a favor too – will you be my New Year’s Eve date? Some interesting looks when Ned arrived to pick up Kristina and Alexis waltzed down the stairs dressed to the nines (earlier Kristina had told Ned that Alexis wasn’t feeling well and was staying home). Even more fun was the tension caused by Sonny’s arrival and the realization of who was with whom for the evening. Things go from tense to TENSE when later in the evening Sonny and Alexis bump into Zander and Carly at the Grille. In the bar, Alexis & Sonny talk to Zander & Carly. Carly is civil and tells them how she tried to set Zander up on a date with Mandy. She leaves gracefully. Sonny gives Zander some cash for his date. Sonny says he owes him for the good job he’s doing taking care of Carly.

At the Port Charles Hotel... Jax comes across Courtney trying to get into the restaurant, wanting to see Edward Quartermaine, but the maitre d’ won’t let her in. Jax once again decides to help a damsel in distress and tells the maitre d’ she is with him and, voila, she is allowed in. Upon finding Edward, Courtney tells him how Janine was scamming him all along. Edward sees vindication finally and blabs to his family how he knew he was innocent all the time. No one knows who the girl is, though, and they don’t believe her, but she runs out before anyone can stop her, even Jax & Sonny who both try to find her and get into a little tiff over her.

Advising a sputtering Janine to keep quiet, Sonny assures Courtney she's welcome to stay with him as long as she likes. Alexis gains Sonny gratitude when she convinces Courtney to stay and offers to take her into the Davis-Cassadine home. This will give Courtney a chance to get to know her big brother better without actually living in his penthouse. Later Sonny tells Alexis that the smartest thing he ever did was hiring Alexis as his attorney.

Janine defends her behavior to Sonny and reiterates her wish to take her daughter Courtney home. Sonny says he’d like her to stay in town while he gets to know his sister. He offers to make it worth her while. Janine is worried about what Edward Quartermaine will do, now that he knows she was conning him. Sonny promises to take care of any problems she might have. Then Janine says she doesn’t want Mike back in Courtney’s life. Sonny tells her she doesn’t get to decide that. He wants to know if they have a deal or not.

Courtney is studying a small sculpture in Alexis' penthouse, when Kristina comes in. She drops it and it smashes on the floor. Kristina wants to know who she is. Alexis arrives and makes the introductions. She tells Courtney not to worry about breaking the figurine; it was a gift from her brother, but she thought it was ugly. Courtney admits to being a little overwhelmed about finding out her father is alive and that she has a brother. She observes that Alexis and Kristina were separated most of their lives, yet they seem to get along well. Did that happen right away? she asks. Alexis says Sonny is cautious. Courtney wants to know why Alexis cares about her staying in town. Is Sonny your boyfriend? she wants to know. Alexis denies that, right before Sonny and Janine arrive. Sonny takes Alexis aside and asks how Courtney is doing. Alexis says Kristina has put her at ease. Janine announces she’s staying in town as Sonny’s guest. Courtney chooses to stay at Alexis’ penthouse. Taggert arrives to arrest Janine and says he also wants Courtney to come downtown. Alexis reminds Marcus he'll need a warrant before he can take anyone into custody. After the detective departs, Sonny assures a fretful Janine and Courtney that he and his attorney will handle this latest situation. As they await Taggert's return, Sonny gives his nervous kid sister instructions on how to handle the law. Later, Courtney watches in alarm as her mother is handcuffed and led away to face criminal charges. Later at the PD, Sonny reveals the connection between himself and the Matthews, which AJ thinks he can use to his advantage in his war against Sonny.

Sonny asks Alexis out since their New Year's plans got ruined. Alexis thinks he needs to spend time with Court and they all go home. There Courtney gets upset about how Sonny threw his weight around at the police station. Sonny tells Court that she should trust him. She asks him how she can trust him when she barely knows him and that he doesn't seem to know how to trust anyone. Sonny tells her that she has to stay in Port Charles. She doesn't want to stay with Sonny so he tells her to stay with Alexis. Court gets upset at Sonny's bossiness and leaves. Kris follows her and takes her out on the town. At Luke's, AJ comes over to Courtney's table and proceeds to converse with her. He says that Sonny would not want to see them together. Yet, a strong- willed Courtney tells him that No one tells her whom to choose as a friend.

At the No Name, Sonny and Alexis are having a nice evening drinking expensive wine while waiting for a table. In walks a feisty Skye who knocks Sonny's that she is a fool. He also tells her that some day someone is going to squash her. Jax appears to save her once again. He and Sonny have their usual spat and he and Skye depart. Alexis is sitting alone at their table, and a guy comes over and tries to hit on her. She isn't interested, Sonny returns to the table and warns Roscoe (who has taken over Sorel's turf) to leave and never talk to Alexis or anyone else he knows again (a definite threat behind his words). After Roscoe wisely departs, Sonny and Alexis are discussing the Courtney situation. Alexis assures him that the girls are fine and probably having a good time. Sonny shows Alexis how to eat biscotti by dunking it in her espresso and then he holds it up to her lips. She nervously nibbles. She remarks that she’s having a good time – again – and asks him how he feels. He tells her that he’s enjoying her company as well. Alexis tells him that’s sweet, but save the dimples for a real date. She mentions that she may have to take out an ad to get herself a date and he asks her for her qualifications.

At Carly's club, Zander is jumped from behind and roughed up. She runs to Zander just as the men return with a warning. He wants money next time or else. After they leave again, Carly wants to take Zander to the hospital but he refuses Then she tries to call Sonny but Zander hangs up the phone. He wants to fight his own battles and not involve anyone else for a change. Carly to call Sonny to tell him what happened because he’s tired of women protecting him and he wants to stand on his own two feet.

Sonny tells Mike to leave but Courtney yells at Sonny and said that her father came to see her and she would be the one to tell him to leave when she was ready. Sonny is trying to protect Courtney from being hurt but she's a strong one and won't let Sonny run her life. After some bickering, she finally asks Mike to leave because it's uncomfortable. Sonny starts in on her again and she tells Sonny to back off and that her relationship with their father is something she will work through on her own. She runs upstairs and Alexis gets Sonny a drink. He thinks he's blown it with her but Alexis doesn't agree. She's just too old to have him telling her what to do. When Sonny gets up to leave saying he doesn't want to involve Alexis in all of this and unload on her, Alexis gets upset. She tells Sonny not to act that way that they are good friends and it hurts her feelings when he backs away like that. She asks him doesn't he realize how she feels about him. Sonny reminds Alexis that he has heard Mike's same old sob story again and again, and is only trying to save Courtney from going through the same anguish. Alexis gently advises him not to project his own pain onto his kid sister or he will only risk alienating her further. Carly arrives and breaks up the closeness of the moment. She tells Sonny how Roscoe tried to shake her down. Sonny chastises Carly for putting herself at risk. She was in a bad area, basically alone, and without a security system. Carly warns Sonny that Zander is heading into trouble. She thinks he is going to confront Roscoe himself. Sonny rushes off and Alexis accuses Carly of deliberately getting into trouble. Carly decides to wait for her cab downstairs despite Sonny’s warnings.

Zander is talking with Liz on the docks, Roscoe comes upon them and warns Zander that this is the big league and now his ‘friends will pay for the disrespect. Roscoe threatens Elizabeth with a knife. Lucky approaches Roscoe from behind and manages to disarm him. He and Zander wrestle the thug to the ground. Sonny arrives to find a subdued Roscoe and takes matters into his own hands to punish the man who threatened Carly and injured Zander. Liz and Lucky take off and Lucky asks Liz to tell HIM what she couldn’t tell Bobbie. Sonny calls Zander on the carpet for not calling him immediately. Carly arrives and Sonny presses Zander to take her home. Later, Zander tells Sonny that he no longer wants to guard Carly because of their budding friendship. Sonny insists that he needs him and is grateful for the great job he is doing.

Kristina is bothered when Ned asks Alexis how she feels about them dating. Alexis rather coldly informs both of them that she could care less about their love lives. Between that and witnessing Sonny run off to rescue Carly, Alexis takes her frustration out at the gym. Scott teases Alexis at her incompetence with the workout equipment. Alexis responds by asking him out for a date. Scott happily accepts. Meanwhile, Sonny is impatient and not being able to find Alexis. When she returns home, Sonny gets a call that Alexis is on her way up. He happily wanders out into the hallway and is less than pleased to see her with Scott! (Remember Scott hates Sonny as his daughter Karen, now on PC, worked for Sonny at the Paradise Lounge as a stripper and he gave her drugs. Sonny was originally brought on as a sleazy guy but Maurice brought so much to the role that he was slightly redeemed.) He turns around, goes back into his penthouse grumbling to himself. Music montage of PC scenes - Sonny somberly staring out the window (thinking about seeing Alexis with Scott? His problems with Kristina? Yet another betrayal by Mike?). After Scott has said her goodbyes, Alexis lingers outside her door looking expectantly in the direction of Sonny's door.

The next morning, Alexis wakes up, so sore from her workout that she can hardly move. Kristina cannot believe that Alexis went to work out and tries to get her to stretch. Kristina believes Alexis went to the gym because she was mad and Alexis pretty much backs this up when she says she had a desire to hit something. Alexis admits she arranged a date for herself with Scott. Then she asks Kristina what is going on with her and Ned. Kristina doesn't want to talk about it, but finally tells Alexis that she wants to have some fun, but promises Alexis that she will always come first.

Sonny walks in on Courtney as she is dancing around the penthouse. Court tells her brother that Alexis and Kristina are gone. Sonny tells her that he is there to see her because he wants to get to know her better. Sonny starts by asking Court if she has a job and if she ever went to college. Court tells him that she is a waitress and did one year of school until she had to drop out because of money problems. Sonny asks her what she would do if money was no longer an issue. Court avoids the questions and starts asking Sonny questions. She asks him who was the last person he danced with and if she was special. Sonny avoids her question and asks Court out for lunch. She accepts.

Stefan calls a family meeting at Wyndemere (he is leaving town to pursue a childhood dream). Stefan takes Kris and Alexis and gives them each a gift and words of advice. Alexis and Stefan share a bittersweet goodbye, the affection between these two actors obvious. Stefan and Nikolas also share an emotional farewell (no acting needed here as Stephen and Coltin say goodbye, Coltin breaks down in his arms).

Sonny brings Courtney to Kelly’s where they run into Liz on a date with Lucky. Courtney sheepishly admits to Sonny how she tried to steal money from Gia when she first came to town. Sonny surprises Courtney with his support, then introduces his sister to a surprised Lucky and Liz. The siblings attempt to bond is interrupted when Carly arrives. While Sonny places their order at the counter, Carly and Courtney literally bump into each other, which results in damage to Carly’s phone. Recognizing her from Luke’s, Carly picks an argument with Courtney, then learns she is Sonny’s sister. Carly attempts to apologize, but Courtney bolts by inventing an errand. Carly helps herself to Courtney’s lunch and tells Sonny about Courtney's budding friendship with A.J. Carly tells Sonny how she saw A.J. and Courtney sitting at the same table at Luke’s Club. Sonny instantly assumes A.J. is out to hurt his sister, because “he swore he’d get back at me.” And A.J. saw him and Courtney together at the police station, so he knows they are brother and sister. Sonny gets ready to go looking for A.J. Carly wants to come with him, but Sonny says no, she shouldn’t have to deal with A.J.’s insults. Instead, Carly offers to go find Courtney. Sonny says she went shopping. “If he lays one finger on my sister . . ” Sonny says. With that threat hanging in the air, he leaves the diner. He goes straight to the Q's looking for AJ. He isn't there, but Carly calls him on his cell phone with the news that she has found them together in the park.

At the park, Courtney tells A.J. that Sonny’s been very nice to her, even giving her $300 to go shopping. A.J. says he hopes things work out with her father so that there’s hope for him, too. As he pushes her on the swing, Carly and Sonny watch from the bushes. Carly covertly watches AJ work on Courtney. Sonny thanks Carly but insists on handling the situation alone. Sonny approaches and acts as if he ran across them accidentally. Courtney refuses to leave and says she'll only go if she leaves with AJ. Carly intervenes but her accusations and digs at AJ only make matters worse. Sonny orders Carly to leave but she refuses (hope he wasn’t surprised by that). Courtney says AJ should stop apologizing when Sonny is the one who should do the apologizing. AJ insists that his meeting with Courtney was purely coincidental and excuses himself to go visit Edward. Sonny defends Carly to Courtney. Courtney insists that no one can tell her whom she can talk to or go out with. She gives Sonny back his $300 and tells him she can't be bought. Sonny assures her that he and Carly only want to save her from some heartache. Courtney agrees to dinner alone with Sonny. He gives her back the money and urges her to keep it.

Alexis wants Kristina to help her make up an excuse to cancel her date. Alexis tries to point out Scott's good points but admits that she has little in common with him, plus he has a bad haircut. Kristina thinks Alexis's date with Scott will get Sonny's attention. Kristina agrees to call Alexis later on with a made up excuse, unaware that Scott is sealing the same deal with Bobbie. Under further questioning Kris admits she doesn’t know where her relationship with Ned is going-yet. Alexis imagines answering the door and finding Sonny there instead of Scott, who finally does shows up for their date. At the Grille, Scott and Alexis have a disaster of a date. Sonny has entered and Alexis can't take her eyes of him. (Scott is really more interested in Bobbie at this time). Scotty tells her that Sonny is bad news because of what he did to Karen. Alexis doesn't listen and they both agree to never go out on a date with each other again. When a cell phone goes off they both reach for their phones, disappointed to find it isn't their phone! So they call off the date. Sonny is surprised to find Mike waiting at the restaurant. Courtney confesses that she invited Mike to join them so they could all learn to get along. Sonny spots Alexis across the room and they exchange looks. Sonny is upset that Courtney tricked him into having dinner with Mike. Courtney wants to family to start taking steps to making things better.

Sonny doesn't want anything to do with it. He urges Mike to leave when Courtney goes to the ladies room but Mike tells Sonny that he will not ruin it for him. Mike then brings out a picture of him and Courtney when she was little. Sonny gets mad and tells Courtney that they are leaving. Courtney tells her big brother that he will not boss her around. Alexis comes over and plays peacemaker for the siblings by taking Courtney home. Sonny tells Mike that he is done cleaning up his messes and that he is done with him. Courtney is upset when they get back to the penthouse. Her and Sonny fight about her setting him up with Mike and about her being with AJ. Sonny pleads with her to understand that AJ is just using her to get to him. Courtney tells Sonny to stop being such a control freak and runs upstairs. Sonny storms out of the penthouse and goes to his. Alexis follows him and Courtney leaves. Alexis tells Sonny that they have to talk.

Alexis tries to counsel Sonny on his behavior towards both Courtney and Mike. She says he needs to listen more, order less. Sonny crossly replies that he doesn't need her advice on this matter and asks her to leave. She won't and says that she'd rather explore his feelings instead. Sonny lashes out at Mike for faking the same feelings for Courtney that he did for Sonny. You need to allow yourself to feel the emotions you have for Courtney and Mike she tells her friend. Sonny says that he wants to protect Courtney from the feelings and memories he carries around with him everyday. Alexis feels the better plan may be to share these feelings with his sister. Alexis suggests to Sonny that his real anger stems from letting himself believe that Mike could actually be trusted. Sonny shuts down and dismisses Alexis. Alexis leaves Sonny's and finds Courtney waiting outside her penthouse. Courtney says she forgot her key, but didn't want to go to Sonny's and get his copy. She rants about her brother to Alexis. He just wants to order me around all the time and doesn't want to let me make decisions about my own life she cries. Alexis tries to diffuse the girl's frustration and anger by recounting some of Sonny's past problems to her, the abuse he and his mother suffered at Deke's hands (and why he blames Mike's leaving for them being in that situation). Courtney is surprised at the revelations and feels guilty over the way she treated her brother. She wonders aloud, though, why Sonny couldn't share things with her himself. Just then there comes a knock on the door. Sonny enters and comes face-to-face with his sister. Despite her newfound knowledge, Courtney can't bring herself to be friendly with him. The two are cordial, but a wall still exists between them. Courtney shows up at Sonny’s door, bearing gifts of breakfast. She apologizes, wants to start over and has lost any attitude. Sonny is curious. Finally, Courtney starts to spill some of the dirt that Alexis had given her about Sonny’s childhood and she starts to psychoanalyze him. UHOH!!! Sonny is not happy. He excuses himself to go speak with Alexis. While Sonny is telling Alexis off, Skye shows up at Sonny’s penthouse to apologize to Courtney. She says she is really sorry and explains that AJ is upset at her. Her story is that AJ is upset about what happened in the park, afraid that Sonny was taking it out on her. She says that AJ is upset, waiting downstairs and would love to hear it from Courtney herself that she is fine. Courtney has agreed to see AJ in the garage. She assures him she is okay, then asks why Sonny hates him so much. AJ tells her the story of Carly losing the baby. He tells her that he will make sure he stays away from her. On cue, Sonny and his goons open the car door, yank AJ out and prepare to do some serious damage to him. Courtney screams “Stop!” Skye calls 911.

Kristina stumbles in after being gone all night. Alexis assumes she has spent the night with Ned. Kristina makes some comments like “what a night” “Ned & I had quite a night. He’s so worn out.” Hmm, Alexis doesn’t like to hear this. Finally, Kristina mentions that Edward is out of surgery and Alexis realizes she jumped to the wrong conclusion. Kristina confirms she is definitely NOT sleeping with Ned, but they discuss whether or not Alexis would be bothered by this and then start to discuss Alexis’ feelings for Ned and Sonny. Sonny knocks on Alexis’ door and proceeds to yell at her. He now feels betrayed by her. How dare she tell Courtney his secrets? He gets angry, really angry. Kristina jumps in and tells him off, but Alexis pushes her off and tells her she appreciates the backup, but is only making things worse. Sonny says his piece and storms out, slamming the door behind him. Alexis won’t have that. She follows him out and back into his apartment, ready to say HER piece. Before she can speak, Sonny wonders where Courtney is, Johnny says she stepped out for ten minutes with Skye. Sonny flips out and calls out an all-points bulletin. Down in the garage, Sonny's guys are pulling AJ out of the car. Courtney demands that Sonny call his men off of AJ, which Sonny promptly does. AJ (out to impress Courtney) brushes the whole thing off as a misunderstanding. Alexis is willing to let the matter drop, but Skye makes an issue of it, by bringing up the incident in the warehouse. Courtney is shocked to hear that Sonny had AJ kidnapped and forced him to sign away his son. Still, she is willing to believe Sonny-if he denies it. Mac and Taggart arrive in answer to Skye’s call. However no one will back up Skye’s claim that Sonny’s men assaulted her brother-including AJ himself, who claims Skye just over-reacted. With a warning to Skye to stop making false 911 calls, Mac and Taggart have no choice but to leave. AJ kicks his plan in to high gear by claiming he wants to let bygones be bygones; he even make the first move toward peace; by offering the mobster a handshake. Courtney wants Sonny to thank AJ for avoiding trouble with the PCPD. But, Sonny knows exactly what AJ is doing. Still, he refuses to thank AJ or shake his hand. After the Q siblings leave, Courtney tells Sonny that she thinks he is a monster.

Later, Courtney asks Sonny to be honest with her about who he really is. Sonny pretty much evades the question and only says his life is complicated; he make choices that involve compromises; business he doesn’t talk about, and questions he can’t answer-all to protect the people in his life-which now includes her. Courtney takes this to mean that Skye’s claim is true. Sonny attempts to make Courtney see that AJ is using her but she doesn’t believe him. Courtney’s continued defense of AJ, especially when she mentions the lost baby, pushes Sonny into unleashing his emotions. Sonny swipes his hand over the table, knocking glasses to the floor, while he is yelling at her to stop defending AJ. Courtney is obviously shaken by Sonny's outburst and Alexis agrees to escort her back across the hall-at Sonny’s suggestion. Mike arrives and wants to know what is going on. Courtney tells Mike 'it's nothing-my brother just ordered me to leave the room". When Mike tells Courtney she can do what ever she wants she begs him to let her live with him. Mike claims his place is too small and in a bad neighborhood to boot. Sonny gives Mike money so that he can move to a bigger, better place. Courtney goes to pack, but Mike stays behind and lays in to Sonny for his treatment of Courtney. Mike tells Sonny that although he himself is deserving of Sonny’s coldness, he won’t stand by and let Sonny punish Courtney too. As Mike slams out of the apartment, Sonny drops his face into his hand and tries to stop the trembling of his lips, and the tears from leaving his eyes. Alexis returns, however she doesn’t have to tell Sonny that Mike and Courtney have left, as it’s obvious that Sonny already knows. Knowing Sonny would prefer to be alone Alexis makes her excuses and heads toward the door until a remark from Sonny draws her back. Sonny tells Alexis that she doesn’t have to leave, he hasn’t forgotten what she did, and still doesn’t think it was right, but (shrugs his shoulders). Alexis is quite droll as she answers, “Thanks for reminding me, but I got it the first time!” Sonny goes on to confide that he knew this day would come, but he had hoped to have time for his sister to get to know him, and maybe even trust him. He says there were (ugly) things he didn’t want Courtney to know about him. He knows that he frightened her with his outburst. When Alexis suggests that Sonny tell Courtney these things himself, Sonny says he can’t. Alexis assure him he can change; in fact they can all benefit by learning to express their feelings like grownups, instead of letting them build up until they explode. She’ll go first and show him how-by telling him how she really feels about him!

Having just told Sonny she wants to tell him how she feels about him, Alexis can’t get the words out. Sonny tries to guess what she’s trying to say. Sonny explains that he doesn’t like to talk about his childhood because he learned to keep his mouth shut when he was a kid or he’d get smacked. He admits he shouldn’t have asked for her help with Courtney. Then he asks if she wants to stop being his lawyer. Johnny comes in and says the building super needs to see Alexis about her broken oven. She leaves. She comes back later and says she’s not quitting, but she’s decided to take her cue from Sonny and keep quiet about her feelings. For guess number two, Sonny assumes she wants a favor. He tells her that if she needs something she should just say the word. He wants to know why she’s stalling. Alexis manages to get out that some feelings should remain unexpressed then starts babbling about her sister and how she openly expresses herself, blah, blah, blah. Johnny comes in again, and Sonny tells him he’ll be fired if he interrupts them again. While Sonny tries out his third theory that if Alexis wants more perks or more privacy, she should just be honest, the phone keeps ringing, until he is forced to answer it. When he’s done with the call, a nervous Johnny knocks on the door and says Zander is there about Carly. Zander comes in and tells Sonny that Carly knows what he’s been doing because he told her. Sonny is furious that Zander didn’t follow his orders and fires him from the warehouse job and spy gig on the spot. Then he tells him to get out! After an angry Zander leaves, Alexis tells Sonny she’s ready to express her feelings. She points out that Zander has always been loyal to him and followed his “code” by coming to him with the truth. His reward? You treat him like an incompetent and fire him, Alexis says. She observes that Sonny is incapable of making allowances for other people’s choices. You go on and on and on about your holy truth, while being a big fat hypocrite by assigning Zander to lie to Carly, Alexis tells him. I think you stink, she declares and storms out. Sonny is left to mull over her tirade. An angry Kristina goes to Sonny's penthouse. She asks him what his problem is and Sonny acts innocent. Kristina continues by saying that Alexis would do anything for Sonny but he treats her badly. Sonny doesn't want to hear it and tells Kristina to leave. Kristina asks him how he can treat someone that is in love with him so badly. Sonny asks her to repeat what she said but she tries to cover her tracks. After Kristina leaves, Sonny thinks back on the conversation Alexis and him had earlier and how Alexis wanted to tell him how she felt about him.

Ned runs into Alexis at the gym. He asks her why she is trying to get healthy all of a sudden. Alexis doesn't answer him. Scotty comes along and Alexis asks him not to start with her also. Scotty makes the a remark about how Alexis left him to go be with Sonny while they were on a date, he then walks off. Ned decides to help Alexis work out. Kristina shows up and sees Ned helping Alexis. Kristina tries to tell Alexis what she told Sonny but Alexis sends her over to be with Ned. Later, Kristina gets a note that Alexis went back to her penthouse, Kristina panics. At the penthouse, Alexis is met by Sonny as she gets off the elevator. She isn’t exactly civil to him. Sonny tells her that they need to talk. She assumes she is needed for some legal matter. He explains that it isn’t business, it’s personal. In his words, “it’s as personal as it gets.” She tells him off for treating Zander poorly, berates him for his destructive behavior and his impossibly high standards. He cuts her off and apologizes, much to Alexis’ surprise. Sonny tells her that she is important to him and that he hasn’t been listening to her the way he should be. Before he can get much further, Kristina bursts in and interrupts. She doesn’t get to warn Alexis about what she told Sonny and goes upstairs. Sonny and Alexis talk some more, he seems to want her to admit that she loves him, but all Alexis says is that he’s chauvinistic, morally challenged and a few other choice words. But, she does end by saying he’s incredibly charming. He leaves and, on the way out, tells her that he knows what she says comes from a good place. Whatever, Sonny. Kristina comes down to check on Alexis and tries to tell her what she told Sonny, but, of course, Alexis doesn’t give her a chance.

Sonny pays a call on A.J. and the two discuss the delicate balance needed to maintain ‘peace’. After a couple of thinly veiled warnings from Sonny AJ reveals that he's hired a couple of muscle men as protection. AJ further taunts Sonny by revealing that since Courtney is now a neighbor, he might not be able to avoid ‘accidental’ meeting with her. Sonny is less than impressed by AJ’s burly “assistant” and “trainer” but agrees with AJ that “accidents do happen”.

Sonny orders his men to look for Courtney. He specifically tells them NOT to physically remove her from the car, just let him know where she is. The men leave and Sonny starts to open a box with an exact-o-knife when Jax knocks on the door and asks Sonny for a moment of his time. This scene jumped back an forth several time between the two vehicles, Courtney drives while wiping tears from her eyes. Liz and Gia arguing about Sarah, Liz tells Gia Sarah isn’t man crazy, men just like her. Courtney drives and wipes and turns on the radio. The song playing is “Every breath you take” by the police. Liz turns on the radio (same song). Gia wants to turn the dial because the song is“too retro” . Liz says “leave it, I love this song”. Gia turns toward Liz telling her now naïve she is; Liz yells out that the light is red…Courtney sees the headlight come straight at her…Gia shouts, steps on the brakes, turns the wheel… C2-Courtney turns the wheel…Sound of squealing tires…Looks of horror on everyone’s face… Loud CRASH sounds… Blank screen…At the crash site: Gia, Elizabeth and Courtney all lay motionless, seemingly unconscious. Courtney wakes up first and is able to crawl out her window. She seems fine. She heads to the other car and finds Gia's cell phone to call for help. Sonny's guards show up and take the phone away from her. They say Sonny wouldn't want the police involved. As they lead her away against her will, Taggert shows up and wonders what is going on. He calls for ambulances and then realizes Gia is behind the other wheel. As soon as he touches her, she miraculously comes to. He automatically assumes Courtney ran a red light and even though Gia remembers it was her fault, she lets her brother keep on thinking that. Courtney comes over to see how Gia is and Gia starts yelling at her. The ambulances take all the girls to GH.

At Sonny's warehouse: Jax shows up and the two of them start in on their typical fight. Sonny hurts women. Jax wants to save women. This time, though, a cop shows up with a warrant condemning Sonny's warehouse and the surrounding area for a development project. Guess who is behind the development project? Yep, Jax. Suddenly, Skye bursts in and tells Sonny she isn't afraid of him. Jax wonders why she is there and she says she doesn't need him to stick up for her (Skye has been setting it up to make Jax think Sonny has been threatening her. Sonny hasn't, its just a ploy to get Jax's attention). Meanwhile, Sonny gets a call that Courtney has been found and is okay, but there's been a car accident.

In the ER, Taggert demands a blood alcohol test for Courtney. (Elizabeth who is in a critical state with a ruptured lung.) Sonny walks in and demands Taggert take his hands off his sister. Courtney's drug alcohol test is negative, but she was going to leave the scene of the accident with Sonny's thugs so she is taken in to the station. Gia knows that she was drinking before PC Restaurant, but Nicholas asks her to remain quiet. (Why wasn't Gia given THE BA test too?) A tearful Gia tells Nicholas again that she was indeed responsible for this accident. She says" I had drunk champagne and an Irish coffee. I didn't even see that stop light." Nik goes to the accident site to see the cars. A little old lady and her dog comes up and she asks Nik if the people in the crash are alright. She goes on to tell him that the young model was the one that ran the red light.

Taggert brings Courtney in while Sonny, Mike and Alexis follow. Tag finds out that Mike didn't have insurance on the car and decides to charge Courtney with that also. Courtney tries to explain herself but Tag keeps twisting her words around. Sonny finally tells Court to keep quiet. Court thinks that Sonny doesn't believe her and gets upset. Another cop comes in and urges Tag to write Mike a ticket for not having insurance and Court a ticket for running a red light since Court wasn't speeding or drinking and since a witness has came forward saying Gia ran the stoplight. Tag won't hear of it because he says they now have Sonny where they want him. Later the old lady that Nik talked to comes in and says she saw Court run the stoplight. But before Tag can do anymore, the new cop comes in and says Mac wants Court charges with running a red light and Mike for not having insurance and that Court can leave. Nik is seen in a room with the old lady. He gives her an envelope with some money and says that her new condo in Palm Beach is ready and that she will never have to worry about another Port Charles winter again. The lady tells Nik that he is a sweet man. After Court is released from custody she goes to AJ's room. AJ answers the door with a smug look on his face. She pours out about the accident and how no one believes her. AJ gives her a key and tells her to use it anytime.

Alexis literally pulls the plug on Sonny’s phone call to find his sister and advises him to play the waiting game and give his sister some space. Sonny takes advantage of Alexis’ offer to ‘teach him how to wait’ by slyly pressing her to reveal how she really feels about him. Lexi (in her endearing way) babbles about how she didn’t like him at first, but then he would do something to redeem himself, and then back again. The moment is broken when Kristina arrives home. Lexi invites Kris to join the waiting game and goes off to make her world famous popcorn. Kristina takes advantage of the opportunity to again tell Sonny she was wrong about her sister’s feeling for him. Then steps in it again when she says that it’s a good thing because he is wrong for her. Sonny tells her that he admires her for protecting her sister, and then sends her off to bed.

Alexis and Sonny are having their usual talk-about-anything-but-what’s-really-on-our-minds conversation, sprinkled with compliments for each other as well as a few reminders of some bad moments in the past, when Mike arrives looking for Courtney. Sonny says the cops told her she could go, and she was gone by the time he turned around. Mike can’t believe he didn’t go after her. Sonny points out that Courtney is old enough to look after herself, and Alexis chimes in that she convinced Sonny not to sic his thugs on his sister. Courtney thinks I’m trying to wreck her life, Sonny says, so all I can do is wait and play it better the next time I see her. An increasingly agitated Mike admits that he’s a “worthless nothing” but asks, “what is your excuse, my perfect son?” Sonny says excuses are a waste of time and proceeds to lay into Mike for putting Courtney in a hotel near A.J. Quartermaine and for letting her drive a car when he knew had no insurance. He’s sick of Mike playing hero, Daddy and sorry. Courtney is not ready to see who you really are, Sonny says, or who I am. That’s self-serving crap, Mike returns; Courtney didn’t do what you wanted so you’re bailing on her. Alexis jumps in to defend Sonny, but Mike barely notices. He says that Sonny should show Courtney she matters and find her now! Sonny asks Mike what he should do exactly, and Mike admits he doesn’t know. The truth for once, Sonny exclaims, adding that neither he or Mike has a clue what Courtney wants. He goes on to bring up all Mike’s past mistakes and finishes by pointing out he will be the one who has to pick up the pieces of Courtney’s broken heart after Mike breaks it. Will you go find your sister now? Mike asks again. No, Sonny says. “You selfish, arrogant bastard,” Mike starts, prompting loyal Alexis to jump into the fray again and explain that Sonny is trying to do right by Courtney; hunting her down would only make it worse. Mike tells Alexis he can see why she’s Sonny attorney; she tells him what he wants to hear. Then the doorman arrives, bringing a note for Sonny. It’s from Courtney, saying she’s going out of town for a while.

Alexis' penthouse: Mike went looking for Courtney at Alexis'. As usual he and Sonny argued and then Sonny's goons came with A.J. tow. He was all Mr. innocent, wondering where Courtney was. They let him go and Janine, who had also arrived, said she was going to look for Courtney herself. Alexis arrives, because Sonny has called her. He suggests they go back to Puerto Rico, then dismisses the idea and gets down to business. He tells her that Jax wants to shut down his warehouse. Why? Alexis asks. Yes, Jax loathes you with a vengeance that knows no bounds, and you feel the same way about him, but why would he act on that feeling now? He’s jealous of our relationship, Sonny says. It kills him that you’re my attorney and friend. He suggests getting to a judge to make the problem go away. Alexis doesn’t want to hear anything of that nature and says she’ll handle it. She makes a call. Sonny says he can deal with business complications but not this personal stuff with his family. Alexis comments that Kristina would blame it on Pluto, the planet; she has wild ideas like that. Yeah, Sonny chuckles, like her one about you and me. That stops Alexis cold, but just then her phone rings. It’s the judge, giving Sonny 30 days to argue his case. Sonny guesses that Alexis has something on the judge and threatens to have Benny find out what it is unless she tells him first. Alexis calls him an arrogant jerk, tells him not to flash those dimples, but finally admits that she did use some dirt on the judge. Sonny laughs at her, brings up the fun they had in Puerto Rico. Alexis leaves but is smiling in the hallway. Sonny makes a call and talks to someone in Spanish. Later, Alexis finds a box with gardenias in it (like the one she wore in her hair in Puerto Rico) when she’s leaving her penthouse. Sonny is waiting at the elevator. They smile at each other. Downstairs, an angry Carly gets in the elevator and hits “P” for penthouse.

Thursday, 14-Feb-2002 Famous Valentine Day episode
Fantasy #1: Alexis (buttoned up to the neck in a prim suit, hair done up and glasses) tries to read a contract to Sonny who declares no interest in the legalities. Instead he pulls her glasses off and tells her she has beautiful eyes and shouldn’t hide them. Alexis moves away and continues to read the contract. Sonny (after pulling off his jacket) whips the papers out of her hand and on to the floor. He unpins her hair and unbuttons her jacket, while telling her how she doesn’t have to hide her feelings anymore because he also thinks about her all the time. Alexis is apparently speechless at this discovery because all we hear from her is a whimper as Sonny pushes her into a chair and kisses her. A few kisses, whimpers and groans later, Sonny (with Alexis’ help) is pulling his shirt off as another kiss carries them down to the carpeting…

Fantasy #2:
Carly descends the stairs in the penthouse and finds Sonny deep in discussion with Alexis about business. Sonny kisses her goodbye and she exits, but before the door can close Sonny calls out that he needs and wants his wife. Sonny begins to tell Carly that his enemies are preparing to strike, but Alexis intercedes with the reminder that Carly can’t know because she has already betrayed him once. Sonny coldly yells at Alexis that he loves, trusts and respects Carly and if Alexis doesn’t then she can just leave the state or better yet the country. Alexis apologies, but Sonny directs her apologize to Carly. Alexis respectfully does then Carly tells her to do as Sonny ordered about the enemy. Alexis questions how Carly knows what Sonny wants done, was she eavesdropping? No says Carly she knows Sonny, therefore she knows what he wants done. Alexis attempts to discuss other business issues with Sonny, but he curtly dismisses all except Carly. Once alone he presents her with a necklace/pendant, which Carly proclaims she loves even before she sees it. Together they read the inscriptions “ I Love You; Te Amo; Je T’aime; Te Quiero”. As Sonny slips the necklace over Carly’s head he tells her (in Spanish) “You fill my life with your laughter, and I love you with all my heart”. At her prompting he loosely translates then invites her to dance with him. Sultry music fills the air as they kiss and the lights dim as they start to dance…

Fantasy #3:
Sports announcer Alan describes the amazing feat that AJ has accomplished. He has lasted 11 rounds in the ring with undefeated champ Sonny. Alan praises AJ’s determination despite the fact that AJ has been knocked down by the champ three times already. In the ring Edward and Skye tend to AJ (in boxing togs, complete with swollen eye, cut lip and blood-imagine a scene right out of Rocky). Edward wants to throw in the towel, but AJ refuses to quit. Skye warns that one more hit to his ribs could cause permanent damage, but AJ refuses to give in. Meanwhile, across the ring Carly and Alexis tend to (apparently untouched by AJ) Sonny, who appears to be taunting his opponent. Courtney approaches and pleads with AJ to stop the fight; he has nothing to prove to her, she already knows AJ is the better man. AJ claims he has to prove it to everyone else. Courtney tells AJ she can’t bear to see Sonny knock him down again, but AJ confidently assures her he has Sonny right where he wants him. Referee Ned calls out last round as the bell rings. The match continues with Sonny doling out the punishment, as he is the only one connecting with his punches, while AJ just swings wildly. Finally, Sonny has AJ against the ropes and is dancing around before moving in for the kill. Courtney calls out to Sonny; Sonny turns to look at her; AJ sees his opening and connects with a solid right hook. Sonny goes down with for the count, while in the background Alan’s voice proclaims that the impossible has happened. While Carly and Alexis rush to Sonny, AJ receives hugs from Edward-who tells AJ he is proud; Skye who proclaims him a winner at last; and Courtney-who doesn’t say much of anything just squeals with delight as she lifts AJ’s arm in the time honored tradition reserved for boxing champs.

Fantasy #4:
Kristina (with a very flattering Veronica Lake do) croons about her feeling for Ned, as she caresses a picture of Ned, while Ned plays the piano. She continues to sing as she sits next to him, then proceeds to climb atop the piano and sexily sing. After a few lines Ned joins in with HIS feeling for her. As they reach the end of the end of the number, and prepare to confess (in song) that each made the other fall in love, someone appears in the background who brings the song to an abrupt end; Alexis.

Fantasy #5:
Sonny appears in Carly's door, as she opens a window. She invites him in; he asks if she is sure. After she removes his jacket, they sit down on the bed and start to kiss. As their passion heats up, Sonny pulls Carly down on top of him. Afterwards, they lie in bed while Carly strokes his scars and make inane chatter. Sonny confesses how he hates waking up in the middle of the night and not finding her beside him. He tells her he wants their relationship to last forever and Carly assures him that he can trust her. After another passionate kiss, she insists that he can trust her, but when Sonny looks he finds the woman in his arms is now Alexis.

Friday, 15-Feb-2002 Sonny flirts with Alexis over the flowers he sent her, commenting that it’s lucky for her he didn’t send rum instead. Carly exits the elevator and promptly makes a scene upon realizing that Sonny sent Alexis flowers. She insists on having Alexis present during a discussion with Sonny over the divorce agreement. Once in Sonny’s PH she pretty much accuses Sonny of getting on with his life while preventing her from doing the same. After a little prodding, Carly confesses that she has kissed and been kissed by “a great guy” and is considering going farther, but wants to know where the lines are drawn with Sonny. Sonny angrily tells Carly he doesn’t care who she spends her time with “Take the guy on a pool table in the middle of Jake’s-It’s none of my business anymore”. An embarrassed Alexis tries to excuse herself, but Carly storms out instead. Sonny asks for some alone time then comments to Alexis that he knows who the “great guy” is. Alexis returns to her PH after assuring Sonny that he knows where to find her if he needs her.

Carly plays pool as she broods over the last scene with Sonny. Suddenly, someone touches her shoulder; she looks up and sees Sonny. Before, long they are making love on the pool table…alas (for Carly) she is just imagining it. With a disgusted look, she tosses the cue stick down, takes one more swig of beer and heads up the stairs… Meanwhile, upstairs in his room, Zander undresses as he (prepares for bed?). Suddenly there is a knock on the door. It’s Carly.

As they argue over which plan to follow, Sonny shows up. Skye starts yelling at him. Jax escorts her out before she can do more damage. Sonny apparently thinks Jax is the one who kissed Carly and lets him have it, threatens him. Sonny tells Jax to stop using Carly; Jax tells Sonny to stop threatening Skye. Sonny says he isn’t interested in Skye and isn’t threatening her and tells Jax that if doesn’t stay away from Carly (“his woman”), then Jerry (Jax’s brother) is in trouble.

At Alexis’ penthouse, Alexis tries to understand why Kristina wants her to move. She thinks Kristina is the one with the problem, that she is obsessed with Sonny. Kristina tells Alexis she is going to save her, whether she wants her to or not. Sonny is still in love with Carly and she doesn’t want Alexis to get hurt. Alexis denies, denies, denies she has any extra feelings for Sonny. Kristina is about to tell her for the fortieth time that she mentioned to Sonny that Alexis loves him, but alas, Jax interrupts and has urgent business with Alexis, so Kristina once again can’t tell her news. Jax warns Alexis to get away from Sonny, because he is going to bring him down. He tells her that Sonny is mentally unbalanced. He mentions what Sonny is doing to Skye. Alexis thinks that is absurd. She says if Skye is just manipulating him. Alexis insists that while Sonny is rude and his behavior is often appalling, he would never physically cause harm to a woman. Just as Jax is mulling over the possibility of Skye setting him up, his cell phone rings. It’s Skye; “I need help!” she says.

Alexis tells Sonny that she knew where he had gone, etc. Obviously, She is feeling mixed emotions too. She tells him that it is ok for him to be angry with Carly. Sonny and She have a spat, and both look unhappy and disgruntled.

Alexis and Felicia walks into Ned's studio and catches him there with Kristina. Felicia wants to talk to Ned and Alexis to Kris. Alexis tells Kris that she wants to move out of the penthouse. Kris thinks Alexis is upset over what she saw. Alexis tells her little sister that she isn't. Ned comes in and asks to speak to Alexis alone. He asks her if she is really ok with him being with Kris. Alexis tells him yes but also warns him not to hurt her sister. Ned admits that he isn't really sure what he wants from Kris yet.

**The end**

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