Sonny & Carly #12  November 19, 2001 - January 18, 2002

He wines her, dines her, they flirt, reminisce and toast to “now.” Sonny touches her face, and leans in to kiss her but Carly pulls away. While Sonny is in the kitchen, Alexis is at the door of Sonny’s apartment asking to borrow butter. Carly answers and is rude. Alexis tells Carly she doesn’t appreciate her running to Jax spreading non-gossip, with stories about Alexis & Sonny as Jax comes back to Alexis giving her grief over it. Sonny overhears this exchange and immediately defends Alexis and tells Carly to stay away from Jax and not cause Alexis problems. She tells him that she was just venting to Jax, not trying to cause problems for Alexis that she had no idea Jax would go over to Alexis' and blow his top. He tells her he understands. Carly realizes this is exactly the problem, Sonny will always think she did something wrong, that she’s at fault. The trust is gone and they’ve reached the end of the road, that there is no place left for them to go now. He doesn't try to change her mind, seeming to accept what she is saying. He tells her that he loves her, she knows that right? She tells him that she loves him too but needs him to sign those divorce papers. He agrees to do so. They say goodbye. Sonny cries as he gets ready to sign the divorce papers.

Sonny comes over to Alexis’ and hands her the signed divorce papers. She gives it one last shot at changing his mind but it’s no dice. Meanwhile over at the brownstone, Bobbie and Carly discuss how she really feels about her divorce. Carly wishes things were different that she had never mentioned the divorce papers, but realizes that she can’t expect Sonny to really love her if he can’t trust her. She tells Bobbie that he always thinks the worst of her, that she can see the doubt in his eyes and she isn't going to live her life defending herself. She tells Bobbie that she’s ready to move on with the next phase in her life and hints at something big. She later visits Jax, who oh-so politely slams the door in Skye’s face. He’s wary, with good reason, but does listen to Carly's proposal about bankrolling her in a new nightclub. She wants to open a cutting edge club with Jax's money. He wants to know if she is using him to get back at Sonny. She says no that she just wants something for her own, that she needs this.

Sonny finds Carly at Jax's penthouse, and Sonny offers to put up the money for Carly's new club in order to get her away from Jax. Sonny tells Jax to stay away from "his wife"! Sonny admits tells Carly that he signed the divorce papers. Sonny queries that she can't actually think that Jax cares about her. She tells him it is a business proposal. Sonny assures her that he will back her project. Carly refuses to accept Sonny's offer to back her club. She reminds him how he yanked Deception out from under her and this is something she needs to do alone, without his help. They wish each other a Happy Thanksgiving and part. Jax turns her down and ells her she uses everyone but will not use him. She tells him if she wanted Sonny they would be sitting down to dinner right now, that he already offered to back her fully in any business but she doesn't want Sonny, she wants Jax! The next day, at some abandoned building.. Jax brings Carly to some old book-binding factory building that he owns to show her a potential location for her club. She loves it and starts picturing what she can do with the place. Jax says she is certainly ambitious, but wonders about her perseverance. She pleads her case to him and he believes it, says he'll back her, figures in a few days. He tosses her the keys, a new partnership is formed. Carly is ecstatic! At Kelly's, Jax and Carly meet to make arrangements for their new club. Jax says he is willing to help anyone who is trying to get away from Sonny. Carly gets angry and lashes back at Jax and accuses him of trying to get back at Sonny in vengeance for Brenda. Maybe Carly should have left Brenda out of this. Jax gets really mad and cancels their partnership. Somehow Carly apologizes, Jax accepts, and everything is back on.

Edward goes to Sonny and asks him to get rid of Janine. He tells Sonny about Sky's plans to push him out of ELQ and about Janine's blackmail. Sonny doesn't want to help Edward but doesn't want to see Lila hurt. Sonny says he will do it for a price. Edward’s vote at the next board meeting. Sonny instructs Alexis to make generous financial provisions for Carly and Michael following the divorce. Later, he asks Alexis to go with him on a business trip to Puerto Rico. Kristina drops in on Sonny to tell him not to hurt Alexis. He vows to protect her. She wants to know who is going to protect her from him? Alexis barges in, apologizes, and asks Sonny to tell Kristina that he has no romantic interest in her. After a dramatic pause and three more scenes, Sonny claims to have no romantic interest. Sonny and Alexis depart. On the plane, they discussing labor issues. Sonny offers Alexis some Rum, she declines, but looks at Sonny longingly. She is very nervous and uneasy with Sonny. After a few rum drinks, tells Sonny that She had dreamed that he had rescued her from all the Cassidine chaos.

At Jake's, Carly is encouraging Zander to get back into circulation. She directs him to go strike up a conversation with the redhead (its Kristina) sitting alone and to get her off his back he makes his way over. They actually have a charming little chat and Kristina zeroes in on his broken heart. Ned comes back and introduces them, Carly recognizes her as Angel’s pal, sails over. Kristina is introduced as Alexis’ little sis and Kristina mentions that Sonny and Alexis are off in Puerto Rico on a business deal of course. Carly takes the bait and lays into Alexis while Kristina defends her sibling. Later, Carly turns on Zander and accuses him of not telling her about Sonny while keeping tabs on her for him. Meanwhile, Kristina takes the stage and dedicates a song to “a friend” the others reflect on various aspects of their lives as she sings in a music montage. Later, Carly overhears Kristina dissing her to Zander and rips into her about her sister. Kristina remarks how rude Carly is and Ned jumps to her defense. Zander keeps Carly from dashing off to Puerto Rico after Sonny and Alexis. They agree to help each other get over their hurts.

In Puerto Rico, Alexis is working, Sonny wants to know why. He thinks she needs to have a good time. She doesn’t understand why he thinks it his job to be her fun watchdog, but she finally agrees to a night of dinner, gambling and dancing. If only she can find a dress. As Alexis is shopping for a dress, Sonny calls ahead and tells the casino to let Alexis win a few games to build her confidence. Before their date officially starts, Sonny shows her the beautiful view and shares a tender moment with her. Sonny takes Alexis to club in Puerto Rico. He gives her some money to gamble with and she wins. She then dances with several men but ends up in Sonny's arms. She tells Sonny that she is having a great time. Sonny tells her that she could have this every night and offers her a job in Puerto Rico. Alexis declines it.

At the location for Carly's new club, is all upset after getting a message on her machine from her lawyer recommending that they get the divorce and adoption settled by Christmas. She takes her anger out by bad-mouthing Alexis, but Jax points out that she really is upset at Sonny. He tells her he is worried about these reactions and hopes she doesn’t turn into Destructive Carly again. Skye goes to Carly's *club* and spies Jax and Carly dancing (it isn't yet open). Hurt, she runs off and hides. After the dance Jax reminds Carly that his bank account isn't hers so she needs to be careful how she spends the money. After Jax leaves, Skye comes back and tells Carly that Jax is using her to get to Sonny Rattled by her encounter with Skye, Carly sadly tells Zander she'll have to surrender her dream in order to prevent Jax from hurting Sonny. She says that she will not help Jax destroy Sonny. Zander tells Carly not to believe anything Skye says as she has her own agenda, then he tells her that AJ tried to con him into betraying Sonny. Carly and Zander overhear A.J. trying to blackmail Mike. Carly jumps in to defend her future ex-father-in-law. Afterward, Mike asks Carly's help to prevent AJ from destroying his relationship with Sonny.

Following too many rum punches, a giddy Alexis wished for the evening not to end. On the advice of a waitress, "Unlucky at cards-lucky at love", Alexis recklessly gambles away her winnings (except one chip she keeps to remember the night). Sonny does his best to create an endless evening, including a romantic candlelight dinner where they toast to their "friendship".

Over at Jax's, paranoia in the shape of Carly comes busting in. She thinks Jax is using her to get back at Sonny. Why, says Jax, because Skye says so? Watch out for her, and if you want out of our deal, just say so. If not, I’ll expect the revised budget numbers on my desk in the a.m. And by the way, stop barging into my home, “then get an office” says Carly. Point well taken says Jax. Carly tells Zander to they need to find Janine in order to help Mike. Zander is against it, telling Carly that some things are better left alone. Mike shows up and Carly and him talk about Janine. Mike tells Carly that Courtney is his daughter and that Sonny doesn't know. He is desperate to find Sonny to tell him before Sonny finds out from someone else. as Zander calls Sonny and tells him that Mike is involved with Janine and that Carly is getting mixed up with it that he thinks she is headed for trouble.

Carly and Mike go to Sonny's penthouse to look to see if they can find anything on Janine. They don't find a thing. Carly tells Mike to go ahead and leave and that she will lock up the place. She falls asleep on the couch and awakes later. As she is walking out the door, Sonny and Alexis walks around the corner. Carly explains she was there in response to Alexis’ desire to hurry things up with the divorce. Carly is peeved about finding her ex-husband with his lawyer again, especially once she realizes they went to the casino in Puerto Rico. She assumes they slept together and nothing either says will make her change her mind. She signs the papers, everything is official and she leaves upset, even warning Sonny that she might not ever forget this. Alexis is uncomfortable and leaves Sonny’s apartment, but not before he suggests she “get loose” more often. No sooner is Sonny alone than the mysterious Janine Matthews is brought in for a meeting. He says she is there so they can get better acquainted. Specifically, he wants to know her connection to Mike Corbin.

Back at Jake’s, Carly shows up and tells Mike that Sonny is back in town. Mike is desperate, Carly says he needs to tell his son his secret. Mike leaves. Carly goes up to check on Zander, who is destroying his room. He tells her that all is lost with Emily. She tries to tell him it’s not that bad, but he isn’t hearing any of it. She explains that she can relate because they are very similar people, comforts him and then, next thing Carly knows, Zander is kissing her! And she is kissing him back! Zander and Carly are kissing passionately, until Zander breaks off. He apologizes profusely, mortified that he would kiss Sonny’s wife. Carly forgives him, excusing his behavior because he was hurt and not thinking clearly. She understands completely; he wanted to hurt himself, and she’s lived her whole life that way. As she bandages his hand (he’s bleeding from smashing a picture of him and Emily), she lists her past sins - seducing her mother’s husband, conceiving a child while drunk, and sleeping with the best friend of the man she loved. We’re alike, Carly says, but you have more self-control. Zander says that before Emily his life was nothing; how does he keep from going back to being the terrible person he once was? Carly says she’s still working on that herself. She suggests they make a pact to keep each other from doing crazy things. It’s a deal, Zander says. She starts helping him clean up the room he trashed. The phone rings. It’s Sonny, thanking Zander for telling him about Mike and Janine. He asks Zander to keep looking after Carly and stop her from doing crazy things. No problem, says Zander.

Sonny wants to know how Janine and Mike know each other. All Janine will admit is that she and Mike are acquaintances. Then Mike arrives. Janine is shocked to find out he’s Sonny’s father. Max takes her back to her room. Sonny and Mike talk. Sonny says he’s glad Mike and Carly are close; he can help her through the divorce. Why don’t you forgive her? Mike asks. Sonny says he loves Carly but can’t forget what she did; betrayal lasts. Mike admits he met Janine in a casino in Reno and they had a relationship. So the affair is the big secret? a skeptical Sonny asks. Sure there’s nothing else? Mike says he never knows how Sonny will react, and yes, that’s all there is to it. Sonny thanks Mike for telling him himself. Mike leaves. Out in the hall, he looks very upset, and we know that he’s still keeping something from his son.

Jax suspects an inside job when it becomes apparent that Sonny is up to speed on Carly's plan to open a nightclub. He questions Sonny as to why he appears to know so much about Carly's activities and suggests that Sonny has her tailed, among other things. Sonny does not admit to any wrongdoing. After the usual exchange of hostilities and insults, Sonny suggests that Carly has made an error in judgment by affiliating herself with Jax.

Carly cajoles Zander into helping her hang her Christmas decorations. However, Zander is uncomfortable in Carly's company because of the kiss. Carly urges him to forget it, (& Emily) and get on with his life. Sonny shows up with presents for Michael. Sonny acts surprised to see Zander at Carly's, but later explains to him that he had to pretend in order for Carly not to suspect what is really going on. Zander starts to feel torn by conflicting emotions after Sonny reminds him not to let Carly know he's been assigned to keep an eye on her. Alone with her soon-to-be ex hubby, Carly asks Sonny if he remains interested in adopting Michael despite his growing relationship with Alexis; Carly doesn't think Alexis is very maternal. Sonny assures Carly that he and Alexis remain only friends and he has no plan to make Alexis Michael's stepmother. But the damage is done and Sonny leaves upset by Carly's attitude. Alone with Zander again, Carly berates herself for saying hurtful things to Sonny, and asks Zander to stop her from doing it again, by reminding her that she let Sonny go.

Sonny arrives at the Q's for the board meeting. Skye’s idea is to stop Edward from using the company against his own family by taking it public. Edward screams that they will lose all their life’s work and the “Aussie Pirate” will get everything! Alan sides with Skye, he knows that she wouldn’t deliberately hurt Lila, he’s already tested her on that. Sonny says that he’s voting Tracy’s proxy, so Skye doesn’t have the votes necessary. A.J. even says that he’ll vote with Edward and Sonny if it means getting the rights back to his son. Not a chance, says the mob boss. You already cost me the life of my child, I don’t care what happens to ELQ, Michael’s not worth risking. Sonny tells him it doesn’t matter anyway as he’s holding Tracy’s proxy… not so fast, says Skye. She’s got Tracy’s proxy and all the needed votes to make the change. Edward fumes that he’ll drag her through the courts for years…. “not a good idea, baby seller” – ouch.

Alexis goes to talk to Carly about going through with having Sonny adopt Michael. She tells Carly that Sonny is torn, because he really does want to give Michael a home and a father, but that he's afraid Carly's having second thoughts. Carly tears into the attorney saying that she would never use Michael as a bargaining chip with Sonny. To prove it, she quickly signs the adoption papers and throws them back at Alexis. Alexis tells her again that Sonny is just her client, but Carly's not in the mood.

Skye tells Sonny that she has Tracey's proxy. A fight begins. Edward tells the family that if ELQ goes public, a corporate raider like Jax, will pick the company to pieces. Edward then begs the family to vote with him in order to spare Lila's feelings. Lila comes into the room and asks what Edward has done now. Skye covers for her grandfather once more. Monica then tells Skye that she didn't do her homework very well and that she (Monica) holds the swing vote. Both AJ and Alan plead with Monica to vote with Skye. Monica considers it and decides that she needs to start siding with her husband and son and votes with Skye. A pleased Jax excuses himself so he may make some phone calls. Edward gets mad and tells them all that they have made a huge mistake. That Skye will get rich and all of them will end up suffering. He then turns on AJ and reminds him of what he did to Jason (the car accident) and how he ruined the Quartermaines' chances of ever getting to really know Michael. Meanwhile out in the hallway, Jax tells someone on the phone that he now has control of 51% of ELQ. Skye walks out and the two start to chit chat till Sonny comes out of the board room. He tells Jax that he made a huge mistake, that not only will he have to deal with the Quartermaines but he will also have to deal with Skye and that he used his charm on Skye to get what he wanted. After Sonny leaves, Jax asks Skye why she gave him so much control over ELQ. Skye tells him it's because she is ruthless like him. Jax asks her what he can do for her

When Alexis sees Sonny in the hallway, she tells him the good news about Carly going through with the adoption. Sonny leaves to go see if Carly is really okay with all of it. Sonny visits Carly. He tells Carly he knows that she signed the adoption papers, but she can stop the adoption if she wants to. He feels Alexis may have unduly pressured her. Carly tells him that, of her own free will, she chose to allow Sonny to adopt her son. She says that he is his dad. Sonny promises Carly that his heart will always be open to Michael no matter what he does. Carly replies that the only reason she let Sonny adopt him was because she knew this. A ringing doorbell interrupts the two. It's Jax. Sonny accuses Jax of following him. Jax tells Sonny not to flatter himself, he only came to set a time with Carly to prep for their meeting with the zoning board tomorrow. Sonny warns Jax not to do anything to stand in the way of or spoil Carly's dreams of running the club. When Jax shows up , it irks Sonny. Sonny says "Don't You ever hurt Carly or I 'll grind you to powder". Sonny appeals to Carly about her involvement with Jax. The two start to argue but Carly steps in. She tells both men that each is now a part of her life and they will both have to accept it. Jax needs to stay out of her personal life and Sonny needs to stay out of her professional one. Both men are impressed by her words.

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. A smiling Alexis accepts the offer.

Alexis & Sonny find Janine in Sonny's penthouse. 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.

Carly is in the office, going over some of the answers (according to Jax) to possible question from the City Commissioners. Mike arrives and asks if she has had any luck in finding Janine. Carly encourages Mike to come clean with his son before it's too late to make amends. After Mike leaves, Jax gives Carly some last minute instructions, which she promptly forgets the instant one of the city commissioners makes a snide remark about her connections to organized crime. She blasts him, by telling them that Sonny is now her EX-husband and has nothing to do with the project. She says it doesn’t matter to if they turn her down, she will just open her club elsewhere. Then says she will go public about how they (the ELECTED officials) cost the area jobs, improvements, so on & so forth. After they leave, Carly apologies to Jax, and says she understands if he wants to back out of the deal. Jax surprises her by saying he was impressed with her reasoning and her passion for the deal. Jax disappears after asking Carly to wait around for him at the club-to-be. She’s muttering to herself when in walk a trio of waiters with a cart laden with champagne and other goodies. Jax walks in and invites her to start celebrating early. Carly again apologizes for her theatrics with the building commissioners but Jax tells her not to worry and that he was impressed with her dedication to their project. He makes a toast to the “most unconventional, club-owning mom”. She happily sips her bubbly. Things get a little weird when he whips out a gift box and insists she open it. She tries to decline gracefully but ends up opening the gift, which contains the necessary building permit for the new club. Hugs all around!! Jax reminds Carly that she has plans with her little boy and that she should be going, and she tries to tactfully include him in the plans for the hospital pediatric party. After wishing him Merry Christmas, a rather somber Jax raises a toast to the empty room and repeats “yeah, Merry Christmas”.

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. Courtney 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.

At the park standing in front of a memorial to the September 11th victims, we see Alexis, Jax, 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. Montage to Silent Night.

Carly, Sonny, Leticia and Michael are playing with his toys on Christmas morning. Mike shows up and needs help finding Courtney. She’s been 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. 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. 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 (Mike) really isn't a man and that he is spineless. Sonny then tells Mike that he (Mike) taught him how to keep his word (because Mike walked out on him) and how to face his sins (because Mike hide 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.

At Jax’s hotel room, Carly shows up at Jax's with the budget for the club. Skye is there and rather put out over Carly's interruption. The women bicker, Jax chooses Carly to stay by pretty much dismissing Skye. Skye is none too thrilled. Jax approves Carly’s budget and then tells her he is leaving town and she can go it alone. Carly insists she needs him to stick around (rough life for the man, having attractive women insist he stick around in PC). He finally agrees to stay in town until the club opens. Carly talks Jax into staying long enough to help her with her budget. Jax starts to cross things off of it while Carly protests. Jax wonders why she wants so much lighting. Carly tells him she wants her club to have a romantic feel to it. She then tells Jax that he wouldn't understand because he has put his heart in a box and sat it in a corner. AJ then shows up and Jax answers the door. He tells Jax that it's now time to take Sonny down. Carly then walks over to the door and smiles at AJ. An angry AJ blasts Carly and points out to Jax all the men she has used since coming to Port Charles. Jax tells AJ that he isn't one to use violence but if he doesn't apologize to the lady (that's suppose to be Carly by the way) he will use violence against him. AJ says Sorry that you have gotten mixed up with that w(I won't spell out the rest of the word =)), then leaves. Jax asks Carly if she is ok. Carly reassures Jax that nothing AJ says can hurt her now.

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 trying to get comfy with a book when there’s a knock on the door – surprise, it’s Sonny. He needs her advice – not legal advice, but personal. Oh, and a favor too – will you be my New Year’s Eve date? (Earlier in the evening Kristina and Ned made plans to do something and Kris told Ned that Alexis wasn’t feeling well and was planning on staying in. Made for some interesting looks when he picked up Kristina and Alexis waltzed down the stairs dressed to the nines. )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. They 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.

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.

At Carly’s club, Zander shows up with hot dogs and beers and offers to keep Carly company. Zander tells Carly he thought she might want some company after seeing Sonny with Alexis. She thanks him for coming by and decides it is okay for him to stick around. Carly’s suspicions are aroused and she questions Zander’s motives for spending time with her. She asks if he is keeping tabs on her per Sonny’s orders. Zander denies the question saying he admires her and likes working with her. She stops working for a bit to dance with him and stare into each other's eyes. As the clock strikes midnight, Carly gives Zander a friendly peck on the cheek and wishes him good luck finding a new love in 2002.

Courtney questions why Sonny wants her to remain in PC. Advising a sputtering Janine to keep quiet, Sonny assures Courtney she's welcome to stay with him as long as she likes. Alexis persuades Courtney to move in with her and Kristina so she'll have a chance to get to know her big brother better without actually living in his penthouse.

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 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. Down at the PD, Sonny reveals the connection between him and Courtney (AJ hears this and puts his plan into motion). Mac was questioning Courtney. She actually did a great job at covering for her mom. Sonny entered the room and listened as Courtney handled herself well. Taggert gathered every Quartermaine together and Janine began to tell her woe as her story. And Edward admitted that Janine never actually asked him for money directly, so she was free to go. Sonny told Edward to keep his family away from what is his.

Sonny asks Alexis out since their New Year's Eve plans got ruined. Alexis thinks he needs to spend time with Court and they all go home. Back at Alexis' place, Sonny asked Courtney if she was okay, well this was the wrong question. Courtney blew up at Sonny. She told him that she was not okay. Courtney gets upset about how Sonny threw his weight around at the police station. She doesn't know who to believe because her whole life has been a lie. Both of her parents have been lying to her this entire time and now her new brother wants her to trust him. How can I trust anyone she asked Sonny? Sonny pointed out that he was the only person related to her that had not lied to her. Courtney proceeded to tell Sonny that he did not own her and she had her own mind and she would do whatever she wanted. Sonny tried to show her that he only wanted the best for her, but Courtney had just been too traumatized to see clearly. Kristina interjected and offered to go out with Courtney; it would be just the two of them without family. Courtney agreed. After the two left Sonny immediately picked up Alexis' phone. She told him to put it down because Courtney was safe with Kristina. At Luke's, AJ comes over to Courtney's table and proceeds to converse with her (Kristina has gone into the back room to help Ned talk to a band). When Carly spots AJ and Courtney, she stops by to warn the young woman against him (she doesn't yet know that this is Sonny's sister).

Sonny realized Alexis was correct and put the phone down. Sonny asked Alexis to go out with him. She got nervous as usual and used work as her excuse. Sonny then used his one or the other tactic. Okay Alexis if you don't go out with me then I will have to go searching to keep an eye on my sister. Alexis immediately agreed to go out with Sonny. 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 . Her knight in shining armor, Jax, appears to save her once again. He and Sonny have their usual spat, and he and Skye depart. Alexis is lead to their table while Sonny takes care of some business. Roscoe comes over and tries to hit on her. Sonny comes over and tells Roscoe to get lost and not contact anyone in his life. Sonny later tells Alexis that if she ever sees Roscoe she is to cross the street and to immediately call him. He is an enforcer for Sorel. Sonny and Alexis are dining at the No Name and discussing the Courtney situation. Alexis assures him that the girls are fine and probably having a good time. Sonny has to instruct her on the proper way to consume biscotti – before she breaks a tooth! 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. Alexis gently tells Sonny things he doesn’t want to hear, specifically about Courtney not wanting or accepting his helpful advice about their father. Sonny starts to open up about his concerns regarding his sister and father, but abruptly decides to leave as he’s imposing on Alexis. Alexis jokingly tells him that he’s hurt her feelings by assuming that she’s not his friend and wouldn’t be interested in his problems. She asks him point blank “don’t you know by now what you mean to me?”

Mike came to Jake's looking for Zander. Mike demanded that Zander tell him exactly where Courtney was located. Zander, being the loyal employee, told him no, absolutely not. Mike started to get hot and told Zander off. Carly came to save both of them. She asked Mike to back off while she talked to Zander. However, Mike or his situation did not move Zander. Carly went back to Mike and told him to back off for now until he either goes directly to Sonny or Carly will ask Sonny the next time he visits Michael. Mike reluctantly agrees but told Carly that if this does not work then he will be forced to take a stronger approach. Carly & Zander arrive at Luke's. Carly has tried to fix up Zander with a blind date, Nicole. Yet, Zander finds a way to rid himself of her. He tells Carly that he is not ready for anew relationship with anyone. He teases her about her being available and free too. She tells Zander that there will never be another Sonny. When Carly and Zander leave to go to her office, she discusses the kind of club that she wants to open. She tells him that he would be perfect to help her. He remembers that he has parked his car on the curb so he leaves to move it. A guy who had confronted Alexis shows up in Carly's office. Sonny has said that this guy named Roscoe is a dangerous cohort of Sorel's . Roscoe tells Carly that they are going to get to know each other really well. Roscoe shows up at Carly’s new club space. He’s apparently taken over Sorel’s turf and is making his rounds and soliciting clients for his protection racket. Carly’s shaken, but manages to sound cool when she tells him his services won’t be needed. She introduces herself as Mrs. Carly Corinthos, but unfortunately Roscoe mentions that Sonny isn’t worried about his ex-wife since he’s currently having dinner with his very attractive attorney. Carly tells him again to get lost as Zander walks in and backs her up. Roscoe makes note of Zander and issues a veiled threat as he leaves. Zander thinks this is something that Sonny should be made aware of, but Carly tries to brush the encounter off. Later as they walk back into the office, Carly notices that the lights are off and Zander immediately suspects something’s up. Zander is jumped from behind and roughed up, then Roscoe and his goons make sure Carly sees them as they tell her she’ll have another chance to hire them. Zander doesn’t want 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 and Alexis walk in to her penthouse as Courtney is demanding that Mike leave. 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.

On the docks, Roscoe warns Zander that this is the big leagues 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. 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. When Carly plays nurse maid to his wounds, Zander grows more uncomfortable with his obvious attraction to her.

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.

Relying on her own experience, Carly advises Zander not to question Sonny about how he handled Roscoe. She also tells him that Sonny would be just as happy if he chose to go to school. Zander tells her he is where he wants to be, doing what he wants to do. However, his injuries interfere with his attempt to help Carly straighten up her office. She nags him until he agrees to go to the doctor.

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 she is shocked to learn she is Sonny’s sister. Carly attempts to apologize, but Courtney bolts by inventing an errand. Sonny gives her $300. She is surprised, $300 for toothpaste?

Carly helps herself to Courtney’s lunch and tells Sonny she is sorry about running Courtney off. He says no she isn't. She says well no, not till she found out she was Sonny's sister - its not like there is a strong family resemblance! Sonny laughs. They talk about Mike and his past with Janine and Courtney and how he left them. She tells him about Courtney's budding friendship with A.J. Over burgers and fries, Carly tells Sonny how she saw her at Luke's. She shares that Courtney is not shy about throwing attitude around. He laughs and says "neither are you." He asks her to take it easy on Courtney, she says at the time she didn't know it was his sister. She then tells him their confrontation happened because Courtney was sitting next to AJ at the time. She says she looked over and saw AJ doing his sincere act and she couldn't stand it that she had to go over and said something about Courtney being jail bait. Sonny instantly assumes A.J. is out to hurt his sister, because “he swore he’d get back at me.” He makes a call to put the word out to look for Courtney. Sonny is unusually flustered by this news. Carly thinks maybe AJ was just hitting on a cute girl and didn't know who Courtney is. He tells her how 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 asks her to stay out of it. She asks him if he wants her to lie to him as she can't stay out of it while AJ is out to hurt his sister. Sonny says AJ has hurt her enough and he doesn't want her involved that it will help him if she stays out of it. She offers to look for Courtney. He agrees that would be good but he wants her to call him and not approach Courtney. “If he lays one finger on my sister...” Sonny says. With that threat hanging in the air, he leaves the diner.

**The End**

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