Masquerade Chapter 1 
Hannah Scott admired her reflection in the mirror in her room above Kelly’s restaurant. She was dressed 
in a long black dress and her hair was curled and pulled back from her face. It had taken her several hours to prefect the look, an exact duplicate of the look worn by Brenda Barrett on the night before her planed wedding to Sonny Corinthos. Everything was the same, down to the shade of nail polish and jewelry worn by Brenda on that night. The only major difference was that Hannah’s dress was black, Brenda had worn a red dress. However, that was not unusual for Hannah. Everything was black with her, right down to a black replica of the red Porsche owned by Brenda. It was almost as if Hannah were morning her own death. This was true, to a certain extent. It was almost as if the woman that she really was had died and been reborn as Brenda Barrett. Of course that had been the assignment all along. Get close to and monitor Sonny Corinthos in any way possible. She had performed that duty diligently. Right down to taking up residence in Brenda Barrett’s former rooming house and even taking on one of her former jobs. Hanna’s primary employer was Luke Spencer however, she had befriended Nikolas Cassadine and convinced him to give her a job. For several months she had been the face of Deception cosmetics. There had never been a more true job description than the face of deception. Hannah had successfully kept up the deception of Sonny Corinthos for almost six months. She had to do it to protect Dominic. The only problem was that she never planed on falling for Sonny, which had happened almost immediately. A passion  had been blossoming between them for the past few months and tonight it was going to come to fruit. They had tried to make love several times in the past, they had both agreed that tonight would be the night. A soft knock can be heard on the out side of Hanna’s door.

Hannah: It’s open.

Tammy sticks her head in the door.

Tammy: Johnny is waiting down stairs.
Hannah: What do you think?

She turns around so that Tammy can get a good look at her.

Tammy: You are going to knock Sonny’s socks off.
Hannah: *Taking a deep breath* That’s the idea.
Tammy: You better not keeping him waiting.

Hannah takes on last look at her reflection in the mirror and then follows Tammy down stairs.
 
Hannah: *Under her breath* All this is for Dominic. I just wish I felt more like myself.

	Sonny Corinthos adjusts his bow tie in the mirror in the living room of his penthouse. His mind briefly slips back to the last time his reflection stared back at him from that mirror. It was right before his proposed marriage to Brenda. It was also the day that changed his life forever. He banishes such thoughts from his mind. He has moved beyond the past, despite the fact that he will always love Brenda, he is ready to put the past to rest and move on with Hannah. Tonight he will take a very bold first step in that new journey. He takes one final look around the penthouse to make sure that the table and everything is perfect. There is a knock on his door, which he knows is Johnny arriving with Hannah. He takes one last look at his reflection in the mirror and then opens the door. He is momentarily taken aback when he recognizes the dress that she is wearing. However, he quickly recovers as his senses are enveloped by her striking beauty. She smiles at him and he returns the smile. He kisses her on the cheek.

Sonny: You look absolutely beautiful.
Hannah: You look gorgeous as well.

Sonny offers her his arm and escorts her into the room and pulls out her chair for her.
He takes a seat opposite her and smiles once more. He takes her hand and kisses it. The scene is perfectly reflected in the mirror on the wall.

Sonny: Are you ready for a night you’ll never forget?
Hannah: As ready as I’ll ever be.

	Brenda Barrett sits back in her first class airline seat and tries to reflect on her life over the past few months. The fact is she has no idea where she has been or what she has been doing. She woke up about a week ago in bed next to a strange man on an even stranger island. She has no idea how she got there or how long she had been with the man. All she knew was that she didn’t belong there, so she took all the money she could find, left him asleep, and left the island. There is a woman siting next to her that has been her travel companion since New York.

Brenda: You know, there was a time when I would have sworn that I would never ride in another airplane.
Woman: I don’t like to fly at all, I’m always afraid that the plan will crash.
Brenda: I survived a plane crash, that is why I vowed never to fly again.
Woman: You would never be able to get me on a plane again after something like that.
Brenda: When you are desperate to get home, you will do just about anything.
Woman: Is Port Charles your home?
Brenda: It sure is.
Woman: How long have you been away.
Brenda: I think it has been a long time, I’m just hopping too much hasn’t changed.

The pilot’s voice comes on over the intercom.

Pilot: We are about 120 miles outside of Port Charles. We clear to land in about 15 minutes.
Brenda: *Pulling a mirror out of her carryon.* I guess I had better make myself presentable.

She studies the reflection in the mirror.

Brenda: *Repeats to herself* I hope to much hasn’t changed.

Sonny leads Hannah over to the couch and they both sit.

Hannah: Dinner was delicious, desert was fabulous and the dancing was magical.
Sonny: The night is still young.

He leans into kiss her, lightly at first, then with more energy.

Hannah: Are you sure about this?
Sonny: We have waited too long to be together.
Hannah: I need to know that you want me, Sonny, not a ghost.
Sonny: I know you aren’t Brenda. She is dead, but we are both alive. You make me feel alive Hannah.
Hannah: Then make love to me.

She kisses him passionately and he picks her up and carries her upstairs.
	Brenda slings her bag across her shoulder and walks to a pay phone. She dials Jax’s cell phone and gets an out of service message. Then she dials the cottage and is surprised when she gets an answering machine for Nikolas Cassadine. She radials and gets the same thing. Then she tries Jax’s penthouse and doesn’t get an answer. She hails a cab and heads for the Harbor View towers. She figures that she might be lucky enough to find Robin at Jason’s penthouse.  She steps off of the elevator and almost runs directly into Johnny.

Brenda: Finally a familiar face! Johnny is Jason at home? 

She indicates Sonny’s penthouse, but doesn’t get any response from Johnny because he is speechless.

Brenda: Johnny, what is wrong with you? You look like you just saw a ghost.
Johnny: Mrs. Barrett, is that really you?

He has to restrain himself from reaching out and touching her.

Brenda: No, I have a look alike running around town! Who else would it be, now is Jason home or not?
Johnny: Mr. Morgan lives across the hall.
Brenda: Than who are you guarding.

It takes her about 2 seconds to realize who he is guarding.

Brenda: Sonny is living here?
Johnny: Yes.
Brenda: Well, I might as well get this over with. Tell him that I want to see him.
Johnny: I don’t think that he is home.
Brenda: Of course he is, otherwise you wouldn’t be on guard.

Johnny reluctantly opens the door. Sonny is just coming out of the kitchen with a tray of food to take upstairs to Hannah. He is wearing black silk pajama pants, but is shirtless. He is surprised to see Johnny standing in living room.

Sonny: I told you that I didn’t want to be disturbed this evening.
Johnny: I know, but there is a woman here to see you.
Sonny: I don’t want to see anyone.
Johnny: I think you will want to see her, she has traveled a long distance.    
Sonny: Is it Carly, because I really don’t want to see her!
Johnny: It isn’t Mrs. Benson.
Sonny: All right, but it will have to be quick, show her in.
Johnny: Put the tray down first.

There is a seriousness in Johnny’s voice that Sonny has never heard before. He puts down the tray and hears Johnny tell someone in the hall that they can go in. When Sonny first sees her he can’t believe his eyes. Then his whole body begins to shake uncontrollably and he has to steady his hands before he can reach out to her. He touches her hair and her face, just to be sure that she is really. When he feels that she is, he is suddenly over come with intense emotion and is unable to speak for what seems like an eternity.
When he is finally able to say a few words they are thick with emotion.

Sonny: Brenda, is it really you?
Brenda: Hello, Sonny. How have you been?

Before he can answer, Hannah comes down the stairs, wearing one of Sonny’s shirts. She stops on the first landing and doesn’t see Brenda at first.

Hannah: I got tired of waiting on the food, I think we must have burned about 3000 calories. 

Her and Brenda each see each other at the exact same time and a look a shock crosses both of their faces. For each of the women, looking at the face of the other is like viewing her own reflection in a mirror.
         
	 

Masquerade Chapter 2

Hannah stands on the stairs not believing that Brenda Barrett is alive and well. Brenda is desperate to know who this woman is, in Sonny’s penthouse wearing one of his shirts. It is all to clear what has happened between Sonny and this woman. This other woman, who looks just like Brenda.
Sonny can’t believe what he is seeing, it’s almost like a dream. Brenda is alive and standing before him, for the moment that is all that matters. He doesn’t care how it can be happening or why it is happening. All he wants to know is that it’s true. He reaches out to touch her face again and his breath catches in his chest. She isn’t a ghost, or a sprit or any kind of dream. She is real, flesh and blood real. Hannah quickly becomes impatient with this private reunion.
 
Hannah: Okay, what is going on here?
Sonny: As soon as I find out, I’ll let you know.
Brenda: Look, I’ve obviously interrupted something. I’m going to go.

She turns to leave and Sonny almost darts after her, but his lack of clothing stops him. Hannah’s heart breaks as she watches the scene that is unfolding in front of her. She suddenly feels awkward standing on the stairs half dressed and she remorsefully goes upstairs to get dressed.  

Sonny: Wait, Brenda!

By the time he makes it into the hall, she is gone, vanished without a trace. He turns desperately to Johnny for reassurance that she was ever there at all. 

Sonny: That was Brenda, wasn’t it?
Johnny: That was Ms. Barrett in the flesh.
Sonny: At least I’m not crazy.
Johnny: If you are, so am I.

Hannah comes down the stairs, carrying her purse in he hand. She looks sad, confused, and almost ashamed.

Hannah: Tonight was a mistake.
Sonny: No, tonight was beautiful. Please don’t make me regret tonight.
Hannah: The terrible thing is that people warned me about you, they said you were just using me.
Sonny: That isn’t true, Hannah I care about you.
Hannah: You love her though, don’t even try and deny that.
Sonny: Things were never that black and white for me and Brenda.
Hannah: When will I learn, men will use you any way that they can. Well, I say that you can just go to hell! All men can go to hell, but especially you Sonny Corinthos!
Sonny: Hannah, please we need to talk about this, about us.
Hannah: There is no us, maybe there never was, it was always about Brenda. 
Sonny: That isn’t true. What happened between us tonight has nothing to do with Brenda.
Hannah: I wish I could believe you.

She pushes past him and runs into the hall and down the stairs.

Sonny: *To no one is particular* Why does life have to be so difficult?
Johnny: What should I do, sir?
Sonny: Take the elevator and cut off Ms. Scott and insist on driving her home.
Johnny: What about Ms. Barrett?
Sonny: Don’t worry about her. I know where Brenda is most likely headed. Just make sure that Hannah gets home safely and try and keep her away from the docks.
Johnny: Yes sir.

Sonny considers pouring himself a drink, but instead runs his hands through his hair and then heads upstairs to get dressed.   
	A short timer later Sonny finds Brenda where he expected her to be, on the docks sitting on their bench. She turns around when she feels him behind her, he hesitates for a few seconds and then sits down beside her. He still can’t believe that she is alive and finds himself uncontrollably compelled to reach out and touch her hand. His touch is warm and familiar and in her confused state she finds it comforting. 

Brenda: I didn’t mean to ruin your evening.
Sonny: No, I’m glad that you came to the penthouse.
Brenda: *Giving him a doubtful look* I was looking for Robin.
Sonny: She went back to Paris.
Brenda: To school?
Sonny: That was the plan.
Brenda: I’m glad that she didn’t let a great opportunity like that get away.
Sonny: Robin going to Paris was the best thing for everyone concerned.
Brenda: I tried to call the cottage, but I got Nikolas Cassadine’s answering machine.
Sonny: I guess that is who Jax rented the cottage to, I have to admit that I lost track.
Brenda: I also tried to call Jax at his penthouse, but there was no answer.
Sonny: Jax isn’t in town, that much I know.

What Sonny meant was that Jax had left town for good, but Brenda misunderstands this.

Brenda: I’m sure I can get his number from Jerry.
Sonny: I would imagine so, but I’m not so sure. They aren’t as close as they used to be.
Brenda: Why not?
Sonny: Long story, you should probably ask one of them. A lot has happened since you have been away.
 
Sonny can’t take his eyes off her, and she is starting to feel uncomfortable with his stare.

Brenda: Why are you looking at me like that?
Sonny: Sorry, I don’t mean to make you feel uncomfortable. Brenda, where have you been?
Brenda: that is kind of a hard question to answer.
Sonny: Well, you had better start thinking of a good story, because you are going to be hearing that question a lot.
Brenda: I’m really not sure where I’ve been. It is a little hard to explain.

He can see that she is upset, and tears of frustration are forming in her eyes. He reaches up and wipes them away, suddenly feeling very protective of her.

Sonny: it’s okay, you don’t have to answer that question right away. All that matters is that you are here now.
Brenda: I was surprised to see you back in Port Charles. How long have you been back.
Sonny: It has been about 8 months.
Brenda: That is impossible, I haven’t been away for that long. 
Sonny: Sweetheart, no one has seen you for nearly a year.
Brenda: If I’ve been gone for nearly a year, why hasn’t someone gone looking for me?
Sonny: *Choking on the words* Brenda, we thought you were dead.

A look of complete shock passes across her face.
 
Brenda: How can that be?
Sonny: You were in a car accident almost a year ago today.
Brenda: That means everybody gave up on me, even Jax?
Sonny: Jax saw your car go into the water. He tried to find you, but your body was nowhere to be found.
Brenda: I wasn’t dead! YOU SHOULD HAVE FELT THAT! WHY DID YOU GIVE UP ON ME?
Chapter 3
	Sonny holds Brenda tightly against his chest and allows her to cry. He wanted to help her, but he just didn’t know how. She is asking questions that he doesn’t have any answers for. He never even suspected that she was alive, the thought never entered his mind, nor did it enter the thoughts of anyone else. She pulls back from him and tries to wipe the tears from her eyes.

Brenda: I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to yell at you.
Sonny: No problem, I would probably have the same questions if I were you.
Brenda: We were supposed to have this connection, Sonny. What happened?
Sonny: All I know is that when you died, I felt that, so the connection did exist.
Brenda: I didn’t die, though.
Sonny: Something happened though, maybe you were just hurt, but I felt it.
Brenda: Who told you about my "death"?
Sonny: Jason came to the island where I was and told me, but I was waiting for him.
Brenda: I wish I could remember what happened.
Sonny: You don’t remember anything about the last year?
Brenda: The last thing that I remember was going after my mother. I don’t even know if I found her.
Sonny: From what I could gather, your mother was a little off her rocker.
Brenda: She was sick, Sonny.
Sonny: I know and she should never have been left alone with you, but she was.
Brenda: I went after her.
Sonny: You found her and she made you drive off the road and into a river. That was the end of the story, or so we thought.
Brenda: How can you be certain that it was my mother’s fault?
Sonny: Jax was chasing your car in a helicopter. He saw your mother grab the wheel just before the car plummeted into the river.
Brenda: Oh my god! Jax saw the whole thing?
Sonny: He jumped in after you, but the bodies were never found.
Brenda: My mother was sick, this wasn’t her fault.
Sonny: We agree on that point. It was the fault of Jasper Jacks!
Brenda: You would say that.
Sonny: It’s true, because he never should have left you alone with Veronica!
Brenda: Does Jax blame himself?
Sonny: Of course not, Candy Boy isn’t willing to take responsibility for anything, he blames me!
Brenda: So, is that what you have been doing for the past year, blaming each other for my death?
Sonny: Sometimes, but we mostly just try and stay out of each others way.
Brenda: Sonny, I don’t want to fight with you about Jax.
Sonny: I don’t want to fight, either. Brenda, can ask you a question now?
Brenda: Sure, as long as it isn’t about how I could possibly love Jax.
Sonny: *Smiling* Another question then. How did you get back here and what took you so long? 
Brenda: That is two questions.
Sonny: They are related. I guess what I’m asking is, where have you been for a year?
Brenda: That is hard to explain, because I really don’t remember much about the past year.
Sonny: You mean you just woke up one morning and decided to come home.
Brenda: That is almost exactly what happened.

She leans back against him and he puts his arm around her. It feels good, he always makes her feel safe when he holds her like this.

Brenda: I woke up one morning, about a week ago. I was in a strange place and I had no memory of how I got there. So I grabbed what I could, including a wad of money and left.
Sonny: Where were you?
Brenda: I was on an island, it turns out that it was off of Chile. 
Sonny: You were on a South American island, how did you get off?
Brenda: I wasn’t sure if I was a prisoner or not, so I sneaked onto a boat that was leaving. As soon as I got to the mainland I found my way to an American Embassy and told them that I was an American.
Sonny: You didn’t think to call anyone here?
Brenda: Things happened so fast, I barely had a chance to think. They almost fell over themselves trying to help me. They were more convinced that I was kidnapped than I was.        
Sonny: You must have been held against your own will, even if you don’t remember.
Brenda: I don’t know. All I know is that I’m here now and I need to talk to Jax.
Sonny: that could be difficult, as I said, he is not in town.
Brenda: I’ll go to the penthouse and wait for him.
Sonny: I don’t think that he lives there anymore. After you left, the Jacks family had some financial problems. 
Brenda: What kind of problems?
Sonny: The federal government seized all of their assets when they were arrested for racketeering.
Brenda: The Jacks family are not racketeers.
Sonny: Actually, they were laundering money for the mob.
Brenda: *Angry* How long have you known? 
Sonny: Since last summer.
Brenda: Is that why Jerry tried to burn down your warehouse.
Sonny: How did you know about that?
Brenda: Jax didn’t keep things from me, or so I thought.
Sonny: Jax didn’t know about his families illicit activities. Jerry owed money to a former associate of mine Carlos. Carlos wanted Jason out of business, so Jerry planted the bomb.
Brenda: He almost killed his brother, and you in the process.
Sonny: Jerry was stupid, he should never have trusted Carlos. In the end, I had to buy his marker.
Brenda: *Laughing* You are amazing! A man tires to kill you and you buy off his debt?
Sonny: Somebody had to clean up his mess. The only problem was that Justice Ward got a hold of the file I had on the Jacks family and went to the police, but you were already dead so it didn’t matter.
Brenda: You did all of that to protect me?
Sonny: Of course, and I would do it all again in a heart beat.
Brenda: I still can’t get used to the idea that the world thinks that I’m dead.
Sonny: You need time to sort things out.
Brenda: I think maybe I’ll leave town.
Sonny: *Almost in a panic* Wait a minute, you just came back!
Brenda: You’re right, I think I need to sort things out. 
Sonny: Where would you go?
Brenda: Maybe Paris to see Robin.
Sonny: I would call first.

He flashes her a dimpled grin, then stands up and takes her arm.

Sonny: Come on.
Brenda: Where are we going?
Sonny: You need to find someplace to stay tonight.
Brenda: I hadn’t even thought about that. I guess I figured I would stay at the cottage.
Sonny: Nikolas might mind that, or more to the point, Katherine Bell might mind.
Brenda: Oh my gosh! The two of them are together?
Sonny: Yep!
Brenda: That is just so wrong! I guess I could stay at the Port Charles hotel.
Sonny: Not unless you want your return from the grave broadcast all over town.
Brenda: You’re right.
Sonny: You can stay with me if you would like.
Brenda: I think your lady friend might object.
Sonny: Hannah? She doesn’t have to know. 
Brenda: I think she would notice me at breakfast.
Sonny: We don’t live together, Brenda.

Brenda finds herself relieved.

Brenda: That still might be more than a little bit awkward.
Sonny: How about staying at Jason’s across the hall?
Brenda: That would be more than a bit awkward.
Sonny: He is hardly ever there and when he is he is so quiet you wouldn’t even know he was there.
Brenda: Believe me, I would know and so would he.
Sonny: We’ll think of something. I’m glad that you’re home, sweetheart.
Brenda: Yeah, there really is no place exactly like Port Charles. 

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