Brenda is sitting in her cottage, alone on Valentine's Day. This day of all days, since it is supposed to be the 'Day of All Lovers', she keeps remembering Sonny. She shakes her head from all the memories that keep flooding in. She turns on the stereo, only to hear Whitney Houston moaning the same words she felt in her heart:

Why does it hurt so bad?
why do I feel so sad?
Thought I was over you,
but I keep crying when I don't love you
So why does it hurt so bad?

I thought I could let go so,
why does it hurt me so
Gotta get you out of my head
it hurts so bad

My life's been better since the day I left you, boy
I must admit life's been kind to me
I went and did the things I said I would do, boy
I found someone who loves me for me
Haven't had much drama since the day that we split, boy
my heart's never been more at ease
And when I think of all the things you put me through
Leaving you has been the best thing for me

So, why does it hurt so bad?
why do I feel so sa...

Brenda points the remote at the stereo, pressing 'power off', ending the torturous lyrics. The throws down the remote as she stands and paces the floor.

"Uuggh! Why can't I get you out of my head, Sonny!" She walks over to the fireplace, somehow thinking the warmth of the flames will minimize her flame she still carried for Sonny. 'After all this time, after all he's done to me, you'd think I'd have my head on straight by now' Brenda thinks to herself. 'Will it ever end?'

Brenda thinks about her plans with Jax tonight. She really didn't know their plans, of course, because Jax was planning a surprise evening for her. 'He's so sweet', she thought to herself, 'but I'm really getting tired of all the pampering..." The gifts, the surprises, the 'world at your feet' treatment was really starting to tire Brenda. 'I really wish he would stop treating me like a porcelain doll...' Brenda thought to herself.

Just then there's a knock on her door. Brenda wipes the few stray tears away and runs over to the door. She opens it and finds a gigantic teddy bear sitting on the porch.

"Aaah!" Brenda screams, then laughs as she puts her hand over her heart. "This teddy bear is bigger than I am! Jax, you are the sweetest!" She stand there in awe at this five foot bear. Somehow, just looking at the gift made her feel so much better. "Jax? Jax, where are you?" She peeks outside and sees no one. "Oh, okay, I'm suppose to think that the bear made his way here all by himself. Okay, I'll play along." She grabs the bear and drags him into the house. "Okay, Mr. Bear, I guess it's just you and me, then."

She closes the door and turns around to look straight into the eyes of Sonny.

For a split second, Brenda doesn't know if it's her eyes or her mind playing tricks on her.

Sonny stands there, more gorgeous than ever. "I'm glad you like it, Brenda, I wasn't sure you would..."

"What the hell are you doing here?" Brenda cuts into his greeting. She is visibly shaking.

Sonny walks over to her, slowly. "I came in through the back door...I didn't want anyone to see me. Brenda, I heard what happened to you, I just wanted to see if you were okay..."

"Okay? Okay?" Brenda starts laughing, slowly at first - then it becomes maniacal. "Am I okay? What do you think, Sonny? What do you really think?"

Sonny walks closer to her and she backs away like a frightened kitten. "Don't touch me! Don't you come anywhere near me! Why did you come back, anyways? To see what kind of damage you'd done? Is that what you're doing, Sonny? Checking out on the way you screwed everything up?"

The pain in Brenda's eyes is mirrored in Sonny's. He stands there, tears in his eyes, trying to maintain composure. "Brenda, I never meant to hurt you, you have to know that." He walks over to her, arms outstretched. "I'm not here to win you back, I'm not here to excuse myself for anything I've done to you, I just wanted to see you, that's all - no strings attached." He's still standing with his arms out to her. "Please, Brenda."

Brenda feels her defense slipping. 'This has got to end, and it's got to end now' Brenda walks over to Sonny, staying out of arms reach. She stares in his eyes, her voice like ice. "Say what you came to say, then get out." She walks past him and sits down by the fireplace.

Sonny lowers his arms and sighs. He doesn't know where to begin. "Well, I guess I should start with telling you that I left because I knew I couldn't let you go through with what we planned, just so you could be with me. I knew if I told you the plan I had, you would follow me. I decided, two hours before our wedding..." Sonny pauses, trying to read Brenda's expression. "...I decided that I didn't want you to end up like Lilly. I couldn't live with another death on my hands, Brenda...I just couldn't."

Brenda sits there, fighting the urge to run up to him and scratch his eyes out. She calmly replies, "Sonny, I understand."

Sonny stands there, in disbelief. "You understand, Brenda? You understand why I did what I did..."

"Yes, Sonny, I understand." Brenda reiterated. "Believe it or not, I don't blame you for what I've been going through for the past few years, I blame myself." Sonny looks at her, confused, she goes on. "I should have known...wait, correction....I did know that you were no good for me, Sonny, but I had to have you anyway. So actually, I invited trouble to my doorstep." Brenda stands, walking away from the fireplace, not really talking to Sonny, but more to herself. "Life cannot focus around another human being. The only things life can focus around is first, God and then, yourself."

She looks up with a new assessment on the situation. "I've let men...be my salvation, my world. I gave men way too much credit. I made them my hero, my shoulder to cry on, my stability, my existence." Brenda finally looks at Sonny, with tears - of happiness - in her eyes. "But you know what, Sonny? I'm gonna be my own stability, my own happiness and my own hope! I'm gonna do what I have to do in this life with or without a man by my side. I can't revolve my life around one person or thing because, once that thing or person is gone, so is your reason to live."

She walks over to Sonny and, without animosity or love, she puts her arms around his neck. Sonny puts his arms around her waist, drawing her close to him. The memory of what they used to have came flooding back in Sonny's mind. "Brenda..." he whispers into her neck.

Brenda stands there, holding him, feeling his caress, enjoying his arms around her...for the last time.

"I love you, Sonny." She pulls away from him to look in his eyes. "I also see now what I needed all this time."

Sonny smoothes her hair from her eyes. He had forgotten how beautiful she really was. "What's that, honey?"

"Closure." Brenda tells him. She backs out of Sonny's arms and walks towards the door. Opening the door, she turns and looks at Sonny, for the first time, seeing him as Sonny Corinthos, not the better half of 'Sonny and Brenda'. "Goodbye, Sonny," she says.

Sonny sees this different Brenda and knows that she means business. 'She'll change her mind one day, she's just hurting now...' he thinks to himself as he walks to the door. He turns when he reaches the porch. He looks as if he is about to speak, but Brenda interjects.

"Oh, and Sonny, do one thing for me? Don't ever come back! Don't come back looking for me, to get me...to find me. I don't need you in my life, I don't need your kind of pain, Sonny. Now goodbye!" With that, she slams the door closed.

A new elation filled Brenda's soul and spirit. She walks over to the phone and speed dials Jax's number. She let's it ring a few times, the answering machine picks up. She listens to his message. "Hello, Jax, it's Brenda. Listen, I really appreciate you coming to my rescue and making things all better, but this time, I'm doing it alone, okay? So I'm canceling our plans for tonight, I hope I'm not causing you any inconvenience. Thanks, Jax...you've been a real 'friend'. " She hangs up the phone, turning to look at the teddy bear that Sonny brought for her. She walks over to it and pats it on the head. "Me and you are gonna take a little trip, fella...

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Mike grabs his jacket to leave, his "good samaritan" work is done at the Spencer house once again.

So Lucky, what are your plans for tonight?" Mike asks. He sees the secretive look on Lucky's face and realizes he's overstepped his bounds. He chuckles. "I'm sorry, I don't mean to pry, just thought you'd might like to share..."

"NO such luck!" Lucky interrupts him, smiling.

Mike reluctantly recants. "Well, as long as you give me details later, and as long as you two aren't planning to...you know..."

Lucky looks at Mike in disbelief. "What is wrong with everybody? Emily and I are just friends! Get it, JUST FRIENDS!! For crying out loud, everyone already has us married with three kids!"

Mike attempts to quiet Lucky. "I'm sorry, I'm sorry. I guess I was doing my 'father-figure-should-have-done-this-with-my-own-kid' routine. Don't mind me."

Lucky lets up a little. "I'm sorry, Mike, didn't mean to jump down your throat. Thanks for all your help, I appreciate it."

Mike waves it off. "Sure, kid no problem..." he smiles at him. "Boy, you kids do grow up fast, don't you?" with that he heads for the door.

Just before Mike walks out, Lucky asks, hesitantly. "Mike? Uh...what kind of music should... I mean, what kind of music ' would ' a girl like, if she were out on a date?"

Mike looks at Lucky and grins. He puts his hand on his shoulder and looks him squarely in the eye. "Mood music." Lucky gives him a look of confusion, Mike goes on to explain. "You know, love songs, mushy stuff. Songs that tell her things you don't know how to say. Girls go for that kind of thing. Trust me." With that, Mike walks out. "Good luck!" He calls over his shoulder.

Lucky shuts the door and leans against it. "Yeah, I'm gonna need it." He glances at his watch and takes off upstairs.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Sarah is sitting in her grandfather's favorite chair in her living room. She is going over in her mind what went wrong between her and Nikolas and how she was powerless to fix it. Tears in her eyes threaten to spill over when the doorbell rings. She wipes her eyes and heads to the door. She swings the door open and no one's there. She looks around outside.

"That's strange," she thinks to herself as she looks down and sees a small gray suitcase type box. She bends down to pick it up and notices that it's a laptop computer. There are also instructions on the cover. She hurriedly goes back in the house and closes the door. She sits down on the sofa and opens the laptop. She hits the "on" button as per the instructions. The laptop automatically pulls up a file, which has an envelope that says "To Sarah." A smile plays across her face. She stares at the envelope for a moment, then hits the button that says "open letter". She reads...

Dear Sarah,

As you know, it's taken me some time to type this letter, in order to say what I mean accurately. Sarah, I miss you so much, I've just never had a way to tell you. Every time I want to tell you how much I love you, it gets all messed up in my head and the words won't come out right.

You must really think the worst of me, how I ignored your letters you sent by Emily. It's not that I wanted to, I just didn't know how to talk to you. I figured you wouldn't want anything to do with me, considering my handicap. I thought you would be ashamed of me...

"Oh Nikolas..." Sarah says as she shakes her head no. She continues reading:

Then I figured out a way (with Katherine's help) that I could talk to you through computer. That way I can correct my own mistakes. I know you must think this is the coward's way out, but until I can start speech therapy and begin recovery, I prefer it this way. I have decided to start therapy, for your sister is very persuasive...is she usually so pushy?

Sarah wondered what he meant by that...

Nonetheless, I'm sorry I've ruined your Valentine's Day. I would love to be able to make it up to you. If you feel up to company, would you meet me at our place? I know it's cold out but I would really love to see you today. I'll understand if you don't want to...I can understand if you never speak to me again. But it would be nice to know if I still have a chance?

I'll be waiting...

Nikolas

Sarah, with a broad grin, closes the laptop. She grabs her coat . "I'm going out for a while, Gram..." she yells as she heads for the door.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Justice stands outside of Dara's apartment, flowers in one hand, candy in the other. The typical gentleman, coming to court a beautiful woman, his arms bearing gifts on Valentine's Day. Justus can't believe his luck with Dara, almost certain he had screwed up things a few months back, he knew he wouldn't let this beautiful woman slip through his fingers...not this time.

He rings the doorbell, there is no answer. He rings again. He decides maybe a knock would be more effective. After not getting any answers from anything, Justus raises his fist to pound on the door. Just as his hand is ready to make contact with wood, the door opens and a hand reaches out and pulls him into the apartment.

Once he collects himself, he turns to see a very upset Dara...

Justus stands there, wondering what in the world is going on. "Do you have any idea what kind of thoughts were going through my mind as I stood in that hall and got no answer from you?" Justus reprimands. "Especially since I just got off the phone with you less than an hour ago? Why did you leave me out there so long, Dara?"

"Did anyone follow you?" Dara asks.

Justus gives her a look. "Of course not. Dara, you had me worried out there."

Dara's eyes, shooting daggers at Justus, saunters over to him, arms folded over her chest. "Well, maybe you were just as worried as I am...now that I am aware of the fact that you now work for Jason Morgan."

Justus faces falls, knowing he is in for a very big fight.

"Dara, let me explain..." Justus says, reaching out to her.

"Don't touch me!" Dara snaps back, she recoils as if Justus is a snake. "You have the nerve to even come over to see me, knowing that you work for that criminal. What, Justus, did you think that I would just turn the other way? You could work for Al Capone and on your off nights we could fit in a date or two?"

Dara walks away, totally exasperated. Her voice is almost inaudible, as she stands with her back to Justus. "I can't believe that you wait until I think our relationship is finally off to a start, to decide to work for Jason." She turns back to face him. "Is this just my luck or what?"

"Dara, you and I have nothing to do with Jason..."

"Nothing to do with Jason? Is that what you said, Justus?" Dara walks over to the corner desk and returns with a box of Valentine candy. "This came for me earlier today. This was the note attached to it."

She opens the note and reads, 'To Ms. Jensen, your red dress is enchanting, you have excellent taste in clothes. I hope Mr. Ward appreciates it as much as I do.' Signed ...Morino.'

Justus' face registers shock. Dara laughs, "Yeah, that's the same look I got when I read it, Justus. Do you still believe that you and I have nothing to do with Jason?"

Justus tries to make sense of it. "Maybe Morino is just trying to..."

Dara cuts him off. "Just trying to what, Justus? News flash, I have never worn this dress before...ANYWHERE! How did he know about it unless he's either having me followed out there or having me watched...in here..." Dara's words trails off, as the thought of her being under surveillance sends cold chills down her spine.

Justus stands there, not really knowing what to say. He had a feeling once Dara found out he was working for Jason, an outbreak such as this would occur. Justus raises his hands in defeat. "I'll get to the bottom of this, Dara, I swear to you. I'm sorry, Dara...I really am.,,"

Dara stands there, mist forming in her eyes. "Yeah...I am too." She walks over to the door and opens it. "Goodbye, Justus."

"Dara, wait..." Justus pleads.

"...I said, goodbye, Justus!" Dara yells. "This is hard enough as it is, don't make it worse for me, okay?"

Justus grabs his gloves and heads for the door. He turns back just as he stands in the doorway. "Dara, please...don't just give up on us. We can still make a go of this, I know we can..."

"Know this, Justus..." Dara tells him, as she looks in his eyes. "This means you can never come here again. You can never call me again, or see me again. From now on, we're just casual acquaintances in the courtroom."

Justus puts his hand to her cheek, she doesn't pull away. He wipes away the stray tear that slides down her cheek. Justus lowers his hand and looks at her, too emotionally depleated to argue. "Happy Valentines Day, Dara. Goodbye." He leaves.

Dara slams the door behind him. She leans up against the door and for the first time realizes that a relationship with Justus was now a dream of the past. She allows herself to cry softly, as she walks over to the flowers and candy left on the sofa by Justus. She picks them both up and carries them over to the garbage pail.

"Goodbye, Justus." She says to herself as she dumps both the candy and flowers in the trash.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Edward and Alan are sitting in the library having an evening brandy. Edward, of course, is fussing and carrying on about Emily's 'date'...

"I don't care what anyone says," Edwards insists, "fourteen is too young to be dating, and sixteen is 'way' too young to be driving..."

Alan interrupts him, not looking up from his evening newspaper. "Then Father, you are outnumbered by the State of New York. They seem to think that sixteen is a perfectly fine time to start driving..."

"Yes, but not driving my little granddaughter around." Edward interjects. "I've never trusted that little miscreant ever since he swindled me out of $250.00...in my own home! He's probably planning to...to..."

Monica walks in. "To what, Edward? For crying out loud, Lucky Spencer! We've known that young man since he was no higher than your knee. We know his parents, we know his aunts, his grandmother, for goodness sake, do you want to do a routine background check?"

"That would be a good idea..." Edward is actually serious. Monica throws her hands up in defeat.

Alan decides to change the subject. "Monica, is Emily ready?"

Monica chuckles. "IF she's not ready by now, I'm afraid there won't be any more readying. She's a nervous wreck, oh, but this is not a 'date', mind you..."

At that the doorbell rings. Monica faces Edward. "Well, Edward, there goes your little jailbird. Now are you going to be civil or do I have to lock you in the basement?"

Edward grunts at Monica's sarcasm.

Reginald announces Lucky. "Master Lucky Spencer."

Lucky walks in behind him. "Well, thank you Reginald. 'Master'...I could get use to that." Reginald exits. Lucky turns to the family. "Good evening, Dr's Quartermaine." He turns to Edward. "Mr. Quartermaine, always a pleasure..."

Edward walks over to Lucky. "Good evening, young man. And may I ask what you have planned for my little granddaughter this evening? Hopefully it's all legal..."

Alan and Monica chided in unison. "EDWARD!!" Edward looks back at them as if he's done nothing wrong.

Just then, Emily walks in with her coat. "Is Grandfather harassing my friends again?"

Lucky turns to answer. "Of course, you know he alwa..." Lucky's train of thought is halted at the sight of Emily. He finds his voice long enough to comment. "You look absolutely beautiful...nice dress" he stands there, speechless.

'Thank you, Lois!' Emily smiles to herself.

Alan walks over to his daughter. "You do look beautiful, sweetheart." He leans over and kisses her cheek.

Emily actual accepts Alan's display of affection. "Thanks, Alan." Emily replies. Edward is eyeing her, scrutinizing every single inch of her. "Okay, Grandfather, what's wrong now?"

Edward just stands there. "Huh? Oh nothing's wrong, Emily dear...you look radiant."

Emily mouths a silent 'thank you' at her grandfather for not causing a scene. She turns to Lucky, who still seems to be a little knocked off course. "So, are we ready to go?"

Lucky is still staring at her, amazed at the transformations women can do. He snaps back to reality. "Yeah, I'm ready, let's go." He helps her on with her coat. "Well, goodnight everyone..."

Monica smiles at the pair. "You two have a wonderful time, and remember..."

Emily and Lucky cut her off, light-heartedly, "We know, we know...eleven o'clock. Bye" They head for the door, Monica looking at them, smiling.

Edward can't understand Monica viewing this scene as a Kodak moment. He walks over to her. "And why are you standing there grinning like a Cheshire cat?"

Monica stands there and sighs. "My little girl is growing up, right before my eyes." Alan comes behind her, putting his hands on her shoulders. Covering one of his hands with hers, she continues. "She's growing up so fast I don't know if I can keep up."

Edward offers his services. "If you'd like, I could put a tail on them..."

Alan and Monica shout at him in unison. "EDWARD!!"

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