''I really appreciate the ride,'' Karen said graciously as the limo pulled into the hospital parking lot.
''It's not a problem. I hope you and your fiancee work things out,'' Karen told her.
''Thanks again for listening to me. I tend to ramble sometimes.''
''Well, I'm glad you felt you could talk to me about it. Even after all we've been through,'' Sonny said hoping he didn't make her feel uncomfortable.
''We've both changed a lot since then. Maybe we could even become friends,'' Karen offered.
''I'd like that. Good night Karen,'' Sonny smiled.
''Good night Sonny.''
Karen walked over to the answering maching when she got in and listened to Joe's message. Staying to watch a movie with Courtney? Did he even consider how this would make her feel? Karen sunk into thier bed trying find an reason for why Joe would cancel their date to watch movies with Courtney. Maybe he was mad at her for going out and not calling? She laid there with possibilities flooding her thoughts as she waited for Joe to come home. Most of the possibilities led to one conclusion: Joe has decided he doesn't love her anymore. This was the last thing Karen wanted, but the only reason she could think of for his recent change in behavior.
She tried to put the thoughts out of her mind by trying to make sense of her run-in with Sonny. Of all the people for her to discuss her problems with Joe with, Sonny definately had to be last on the list. Yet, somehow, she found herself debating on whether or not they could build a friendship. She fell asleep before she could find any answers.

The sun began to pour through the living room window at the Scanlon house. As the golden rays crossed Joe's face, he began to stir. The sound of someone coming through the front door woke him.
''Joe, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to wake you, I... Wait a minute, I thought you were living with Karen?'' Lark questioned noticing Courtney still asleep at the other end of the couch.
''I do, but I accidentally fell asleep. I came over to hang out with Neil and Courtney and I were just watching a movie and fell asleep.''
''You knoe, you really don't have to explain all this to me. I'm not going to tell Karen. I came home early from Liz's because she had to be at Kelly's by eight-thirty and you two were asleep on the couch: opposite ends. There's nothing to tell.''
Look, I have to get home, Karen's not going to be happy. Tell Courtney that I didn't want to wake her, but I'll call her later to see how her ankle's doing. Thanks Lark,'' Joe grabbed his coat and ran out the door.

''Beep...Beep...Beep.'' Karen's alarm sounded.
She turned off the alam and rolled over. Hoping to see Joe lying next to her, she was quickly disappointed. She thought about paging him, but decided against it. She got up and took a shower instead. She had to be at the firehouse to pick up her little sister Serena in fifteen minutes. While the coffee was brewing, she sat and tried to think of excuses for why Joe wasn't going to her soccer game. She figured she'd just say he got called into the hospital. Karen's father Scott had asked her and Joe to take Serena to her game so that he could get some stuff done. Waking up at eight o'clock on a saturday, her only day off that week, wasn't her idea of fun, but it meant that she got to spend time with her sister. Which is why she understood why Joe wanted to spend time with Neil, but did that mean that he had to spend the night watching movies with Courtney?
Karen was filling a travel mug with coffee when Joe came in.
''I take it you're not coming to Serena's game with me?'' Karen said calmly.
''I fell asleep on the couch. I called you last night, but you weren't here. Where were you?''
''Falling asleep watching movies with Courtney. She's getting good, huh, now she can even weasle you into spending time with her!''
''What's that supposed to mean? I went there to be with my son. Courtney sprained her ankle while we were playing basketball and I stayed to make sure she was okay. We watched a movie and fell asleep. That's it. At least I called to let you know where I was!'' Joe yelled.
''So, what, you cancel our date and I'm supposed to go straight home? I was out with Eve and I was going to call you, but I ran into some old friends and lost track of time. I didn't fall asleep with my ex!'' Karen yelled back.
''Damnit Karen, nothing happened! Just because Jagger cheated on you, doesn't mean that I will. You know, your insecurities are really starting to bother get on my nerves,'' Joe responded coldly.
''Jagger has nothing to do with this,'' Karen insisted, trying not to get upset, ''and you can not blame this on me being insecure! You cancel dates, you stay out all night and fall asleep with Courtney and this is my fault?''
''You just don't get it do you? I canceled last night for Neil, not Courtney. You have no right to be mad at me for wanting to be with my son.'' Joe got in her face, scaring her.
''I understand that you need to be with him, Joe, but I don't understand why Courtney has to be there,'' Karen stepped back, ''Everytime she calls you to spend time with Neil, you drop everything and she somehow manages to make sure she's going to be there too,'' Karen tried to argue her point without setting him off.
''So, not only are you insecure, but you're jealous too? Gee Karen, maybe you need to start back up those sessions with Gail.'' Joe rudely suggested.
''How dare you...?'' Karen began, his words slaping her across the face.
''No, how dare you?'' Joe grabbed her arm tightly, ''Where do you get off accusing me of sleeping with Courtney?''
''Joe, please, let me go, you're hurting me.''
Joe pushed her back towards the counter, releasing his grip on her arm, and stormed into the bedroom. Karen grabbed her coffee, her coat and her purse and rushed out the door, tears streaming down her cheeks.

''Hey little brother,'' Frank said as he approachedthe Nurse's Station.
''Hi Frank. What are you doing here?'' Joe asked as he finished signing a form.
''I was just checking up on someone we brought in last night, and I thought I'd see if you wanted to go grab some dinner.''
''Perfect timing, I just finished. Dinner would be great. Karen's working late again tonight which would mean another night of Honey Nut Cheerio's.''
''Well Joe, she is Chief Resident now. Get used to it,'' Frank informed Joe following him into the on-call room.
Karen was sitting at the table looking over some charts when they walked in.
''Hi Frank. You heading home Joe?'' Karen asked looking up from the charts.
''So I can eat cold cereal for dinner again? No, I'm going out with Frank.''
''I'm sorry, I haven't had a chance to go shopping. Tomorrow night, I promise.''
''Whatever,'' Joe rolled his eyes and left.
''Ah, bye Karen,'' Frank said puzzled at what he just witnessed.
They were both silent the whole car ride to the Outback. When they finally got seated, Frank spoke up.
''So what was all that about?''
''All what?'' Joe asked defensively.
''You and Karen. What's going on?''
''I'm just getting sick of Karen being so jealous of Neil and Courtney. She had the nerve to accuse me of sleeping with Courtney! Can you believe her? Then, to top it off, she's never home. The Chief Resident thing has gone straight to her head. She just loves the fact that she's my boss.'' Joe explained.
''Joe, I think you're over-reacting. Karen's too professional to abuse the power of her postion.''
''I can't believe she was actually chosen. She's definately not the most qualified for the job.''
''You can't be serious? She's a good doctor and the woman you love. It sounds to me like you're a little jealous,'' Frank observed.
''I'm not jealous Frank. She's a good doctor, but that doesn't mean she can cut it as Chief Resident.''
''I can't believe I'm hearing this! Joe, where's all this coming from?''
''I'm just telling you how I feel. I still love Karen, but I'm just sick of the way she's been acting lately. She's jealous because I try to spend some time with my son, who I almost lost to Leukemia, but how am I supposed to spend time with her when she's always at the hospital? She just gets me so angry sometimes!''
''Joe, you have a wonderful finacee and you could lose her if you don't learn to control your temper,'' Frank lectured, ''I almost lost everything when I was addicted to DL-56. If Karen hadn't helped me through detox, and talked me into seeing Kevin to learn how to deal with the permenent side effects, I would never have been able to get my EMT job back and get my life in control.''
''Thanks for the advice Frank, but I have my temper under control. I'm not like Dad, and I have no plans to lose Karen,'' Joe told his brother calmly.
''Whatever you say little brother.'' Frank just shook his head.

2 Days Later-
Joe was laying in bed flipping through channels on the television waiting impatiently for Karen to come home. Finally, he heard the front door open and Karen appeared in the bedroom doorway.
''I'm sorry I'm late. I...''
''You know what Karen, I'm really sick of hearing your excuses. God forbid you should come home when your chift ends! No, instead you have to show everyone that you got the Chief Residents job because you earned it, and not because you've got it in with the Quartermaines!'' Joe taunted her.
''How can you say that to me? You know that my connection to the Quartermaines had nothing to do with it.''
''Just once I'd like to go to bed with my fiancee. Is that too much to ask?''
''What do you want me to say, Joe? You know that I'm not doing this on purpose. I get so into my work that I don't realize the time flying by and before I know it, it's well past the wend of my shift,'' Karen explained feeling the guilt that Joe was pushing on her.
''Save it Karen! I really don't care so just save your whining,'' Joe yelled at her getting off the bed and standing in front of her.
''I figured you'd like me to work late so you can go keep Courtney company. Maybe you guys could watch some more movies! Isn't that what you call it!'' Karen fought back.
All the anger that was slowly building in Joe finally exploded. He back-handed Karen across the face, and the force knocked her to the ground.
Fear, and the throbbing pain in her cheek forced tears to drench her face. She layed on the ground, stunned.
Joe grabbed her arm and pulled her up so they were face-to-face.
''Don't EVER talk to me like that again! Do you understand?'' Joe screamed in her face.
Karen managed a nod as she began sobbing. She was crying so hard she could barely catch her breath. She could feel warm blood trickle from the corner of her mouth.
Seeing the blood fromt he wound he had inflicted caused Joe to realize what he had done. He let go of Karen's arms and took off.
Karen collapsed on the bed, her body numb from the attack of emotions. She just layed there sobbing into her pillow until she could compose herself long enough to get out of there before Joe came back. She got into her car and tried to think of where she could go. Eve was working, her mother was out of town on business for Scott, and she didn't want Scott to know what was going on. She just drove, not knowing where she'd end up.

Sonny sat on the couch in his penthouse with a glass of scotch in his hand. He was trying to make sense of his new-found friendship with Karen. He didn't have too many friends, and wanted this friendship to work.
He really respected Karen for turning her life around, and although he didn't want to admit it, he found himself overwhelmed with feelings for the beautiful doctor. Remembering the nights they had spent together, he knew that there was something there. Afraid to ruin his tough-guy image, he chose to take advantage of the hurting teen.
Sorting through his feelings, he was inturrupted by the front door opening.
''Karen Wexler here to see you,'' Johnny announced.
''Let her in.''

Joe returned to the empty apartment. He mechanically entered the living room and looked around. He could still hear the sound of Karen sobbing, but he knew he was alone in the apartment. He looked into their bedroom, but couldn't enter. Along with hearing Karen's sobbing, he could see the fear in her eyes and the look of terror on her face in his mind. He could not enter the room because of the tremendous guilt that held him back.
In that room he had lost control and showed himself thast he was becoming the man he had tried so hard to avoid. He was becoming his father.
He picked up the picture of him and Karen that sat on the table next to the phone. He knew that he needed to get Karen to see that he loved her and that what happened in that bedroom would never happen again. He hugged the picture close to his chest and fell asleep on the couch.

Sonny quietly opened the bedroom door and saw Karen curled up on the bed sleeping. He sat in the chair next to the bed and just watched her. He could tell that she wan't sleeping as peacefully as she looked.
The thought of Joe Scanlon raising his hand to this woman made his blood boil. Nothing gave him the right to lay a hand on her, and there was no excuse for what he had done. Seeing her battered face made his heart sink. She deserved so much more and she had come to him to help her find it.

The first time I saw you you were walking down the beach at night
With the waves bowing down to you in the bright moonlight
Well it must have been a signal from up above 'cause deep in my heart I knew that it was love
And it turns me on like when the sun goes down and the moon comes up
Sweet, sweet love, like no other man has been touched by the simple process of love

Sonny didn't know exactly what he was feeling for Karen, but he did know that he couldn't deny whatever it was.
She began to stir and was mumbling in her sleep.
''I'm sorry...No, Joe don't...Stop please...''
''Karen, it's okay Joe's not here, he can't hurt you,'' Sonny reassured her gently touching her cheek.
''No, don't touch me!'' She yelled swating at his hand.
She shot up, finally awake. She looked around and when she saw Sonny she realized where she was and remembered what had happened.
''Karen, you're safe here. Joe can't hurt you, you're safe,'' Sonny told her hoping to calm her down.
Joe Scanlon was not going to get away with this, Sonny thought.
''Sonny, it was so real. He was here and he was yelling at me and for leaving him and he was going to hit me again and then you came in,'' Karen explained, her body trembling as she began crying.
''You're okay now, it was just a dream,'' Sonny wrapped his arms around her and held her.
''Will you please stay with me? I don't want to be alone, Sonny,'' She begged holding him tight.
''I'll sleep in the chair, just let me go get a blanket.''
''Please don't leave me right now,'' Karen begged looking up into his consoling eyes.
''I'm here Karen, I won't go anywhere.''
Sonny continued to hold Karen until she cried herself to sleep in his comforting embrace.

I wish there was a way to show you my love is real
But Webster hasn't found the words to express how I feel
Well just like a river needs rain to flow, you've warmed a heart that once was cold, with your love
And it turns me on like when the sun goes down and the moon comes up
Sweet, sweet love, like no other man has been touched, by the simple process of love

'Love' by The Moffatts off their album 'Chapter 1: A New Beginning'

Joe sat on the couch in the on-call room with his fight with Karen playing in his head. There was absolutely nothing he could do to erase what he had done, and he hated himself for it. The last thing he wanted to do was hurt Karen, but that's exactly what he had done, both emotionally and physically.
''Gee Scanlon, you look deep in thought. Don't hurt yourself!'' Chris said sarcastically entering the on-call room.
''Don't start, Ramsey,'' Joe warned him as calmly as he could.
''What's the matter? Did Karen finally wake up and realize she's too good for you?'' Chris taunted.
Joe could feel the rage beginning to flow through his veins. He got up and left before he snapped. He knew he couldn't continue living like this and there was only one thing he could do about it: Get help before it was too late. He found himself standing outside Dr. Kevin Collins' office trting to work up the courage to knock on the door.

Karen stepped into her bedroom and was attacked by the memory of what had happened last night. She closed her eyes hoping it would go away, but it only made it worse. She fell to her knees, sobbing into her hands. She couldn't believe that things had gotten so bad, so quickly. The man who she was planning to spend the rest of her life with had become a complete stranger to her.
She threw some stuff into a bag and left the apartment. She went over to her mother's and took a shower before heading over to GH. On her way she called Sonny.
''Hey Sonny, it's Karen.'
''Karen, you're okay, right?''
''Sonny I'm fine. I'm on my way to work, but I promised I'd call you and I didn't want you to worry.''
''I really don't think you should go to work, Karen. I don't want you running into Joe.''
''Sonny, I really appreciate your concern, but I'll be okay. Work helps me take my mind off things, and I plan on avoiding Joe. I just can't face him right now.''
''Look, if you're insisting on going to work, at least promise me that you'll be careful and call me if you need anything.''
''I promise, but I'll be fine.''
''When did you get so stubborn?''
''It's in my genes. Blame my father.''
''Speaking of your father, does he know what happened?''
''No, and I don't want him to know. Or anyone else for that matter.''
''How are you going to explain the bruises? I'm sure your father won't except any excuses because you're a horrible liar, Karen. You can't keep this from him.''
''Sonny, I used about a pound of cover-up, you can barely see the bruises or the cut on my lip. I just pulled into the parking lot, I have to go.''
''Okay, you have my cell phone number, right?''
''I do. Thank you again for taking care of me last night and letting me stay.''
''I'm just glad that you flet you could come to me. Please call me if you need anything.''
''I will. You've turned out into a really good man, Sonny Corinthos. You're a great friend.''
''I don't know how much of that is true, but thank you.''
''Goodbye Sonny.''
After checking on a few patients, Karen sat at the Nurse's Station to finish up a chart.
''Karen! Look at the sticker I got for being good during my check-up!'' Serena said as her and Scott steped off the elevator.
''Hey munchkin. Wow, that's a very cool sticker!'' Hi Scott.''
''You're becoming quite the little workaholic, aren't you? Everytime I call your apartment, Joe says you're at work. He must be jealous that his fiancee's aleady married to her job!''
Karen laughed uncomfortably at Scott's comment, not knowing how to reply.
''Karen, what happened?'' Serena asked looking at her face.
''I don't know what you mean, Serena?''
''You have a bruise on your face,'' Serena said pointing at her cheek.
Scott took his daughter's chin in his hand and angled her face towards the light.
''How did this happen?'' Scott asked.
Karen looked down at her chart so she wouldn't have to look into her father's eyes when she lied to him.
''It's nothing, I was...'' Karen attempted but Scott interupted her.
''Karen, you can't lie to me. It looks like someone hit you.''
Karen got up and walked over to the couch. She sat down and closed her eyes as they overflowed, spilling tears down her cheeks.
''Hey Serena, there's Amy, why don't you go ask her to take you down to see Grandma. I told her I was going to stop by so she could see you.''
''Okay Daddy. Is Karen alright?''
''Everything's going to be fine Serena, I'll be down in a minute,'' Scott told her as she headed over to Amy.
Scott sat down next to his daughter, not knowing what to say.
''Karen, I want to help you, but I can't do that until you tell me the truth,'' He took her hands in his, ''Who hit you?''
Karen looked at him and tried to tell him what happened, but no words came out.
Scott looked into her tear-filled brown eyes and found his answer.
''I'm going to kill that son-of-a-bitch!''

Joe was about to knock on Kevin's door when it opened.
''Joe? What can I do for you?'' Kevin asked puzzled.
''I um...Are you busy?''
''I was just about to grab a late lunch, but I can wait. Is everything okay?'' Kevin asked noticing the worried look on Joe's face.
''This ws a bad idea. I'm sorry for bothering you.'' Joe turned to walk away.
''No, Joe, please come in and tell me what's wrong.''
Joe followed Kevin into his office and sat in the chair across from him.
''I think I've lost Karen. I've been a complete ass to her ever since she got the Chief Resident's position.''
''Are you jealous that she got the position over you?''
Joe nodded,'' I didn't think it would bother me, but it does. I even told her that the only reason she got it was because she has it in with the Quartermaines,'' Joe admitted.
''Joe, do you really believe that?''
''I thought it was just the jealousy taling, but maybe deep down I do believe it. And I guess I was getting back at her for accusing me of cheating on her with Courtney.''
''But you didn't, right?''
''No, there's nothing going on between me and Courtney. She's the mother of my child, and that's it. Karen's the one I want to marry.''
''Have you told Karen this?'' Joe nodded, ''And she didn't believe you?''
''She needs to realize that I'm not Jagger!'' Joe said becoming agitated.
''When was the last time you and Karen talked?''
''We don't talk Kevin, we argue, and it was last night when Karen came in three hours after her shift ended! She didn't even care that I was sitting up waiting for her. She came in full of excuses about how she got caught up in her work, but I wouldn't let her explain. Then she made this comment about Courtney and me and I...I didn't mean to Kevin, she just made me so angry that I just...I snapped!''
''Joe, please tell me that you didn't...'' Kevin started but Joe interrupted him.
''I hit...'' Joe stopped unable to say the words and admit it, ''I have to get back to work. I'm sorry I wasted your time.''
Joe left before Kevin could stop him. He turned the corner just as Scott and Serena were coming out of Gail's office.
''You bastard!'' Scott yelled punching Joe, ''How do you like being on the receiving end you worthless piece of...'' Scott stopped himself as he threw another punch nailing Joe in the stomach.
''Scotty, please stop!'' Gail pleaded trying to hold her son back, ''Serena doesn't need to see this!''
Scott looked at the frightened look on Serena's face and knew he had to stop.
''You better watch your back, Scanlon! You're not going to get away with what you did to my daughter!'' Scott yelled at Joe, who walked away silently.

Karen stepped out of the trauma room and removed her blood-stained gloves. She leaned against the wall and closed her eyes.
''Great job in there, Doctor!'' Eve said putting her hand on Karen's shoulder, ''You saved that man's life. How about we go celebrate?''
''Thanks Eve, but I'm not up for it right now, maybe some other time.''
''Are you and Joe still fighting? Do you want to talk about it?''
''Eve, I just need some alone time right now,'' Karen lied, ''I promise we'll talk, but not now.''
''Uh, okay, you know how to reach me,'' Eve told her not wanting to press the issue.
Karen went to the on-call room and took a shower. She headed out to her car thinking about how she really didn't want to be alone tonight. She had just told Eve that so she wouldn't have to explain, because she was embarassed that she had let it happen. She should have seen it coming with the Joe's recent attitude change, but she chose to ignore it and now she was alone.
She found herself taking out her cell phone and dialing Sonny's number. She was about to hang up when he answered.
''Hello?''
''Uh, hi Sonny, it's um Karen,'' She stammered.
''Karen, what's the matter?'' Sonny asked not liking the sound in Karen's voice.
''Nothing the matter, I just...I guess I don't want to be alone and I didn't know who else to call.''
''Why don't you come over, I just made some dinner and you're welcome to join me.''
Karen thought about it for a minute. She really didn't want to go home to an empty apartment, but she knew she shouldn't be turning to Sonny like this.
''I'm on my way.''

Please don't say I love you, those words touch me much too deeply
And they make my chord tremble
Don't think you realize the effect you have over me
And please don't look at me like that, it just makes me want to make you near me always

They stood for a second, not knowing what to say to each other. Finally Sonny gave in to the temptation and pressed his lips to her's.

And please don't kiss me so sweet, it makes me crave a thousand kisses to follow
And please don't touch me like that, makes every other embrace seem pale and shallow
And please don't come so close, it just makes me want to make you near me always

Karen closed her eyes and let herself get swept up in the moment as she kissed him back.

And please don't bring me flowers, they only whisper the sweet things you'd say
And don't try and understand me, your hands already know too much anyway
It makes me want to make you near me always

Realizing that she couldn't let this feeling of total desire take over, she pulled away.
''Sonny, I can't...'' Karen started, unable to look at him.
Sonny lifted her chin so that he could look into her face.
''Karen, I know you feel the same way I do, please don't fight it,'' Sonny pleaded.
He looked into her eyes and ran his fingers through her silky brown hair. She trembled at his touch and he could see that she wanted to give in.

And when you look in my eyes, please know my heart is in your hands
Its nothing that I understand, but when in your arms you have complete power over me
So be gentle if you please, 'cause your hands are in my hair, but my heart is in your teeth
Baby and it makes me wanna make you near me always...

''I have to fight it, Sonny. I'm sorry,'' Karen told him as she grabbed her coat and purse and rushed out the door.

'Near You Always' by Jewel off her album 'Pieces of You'