Author's Notes & Disclaimers: Same author's notes, and usual disclaimers apply. I don't own any of the characters, except those I create. I'm not making any money off them, yadda, yadda, yadda…..

The GH characters belong to its creators, the (currently idiotic) writers, and the (even more stupid) head honchos at ABC, SoapNet, and the other networks where GH is aired. I don't own any of it, and the only thing I hold claim to is this story itself, and any characters I have created in it. Please do not use, copy, post elsewhere, or reproduce it in any way, shape, or form without my permission. Thank you!

For more information, and specific details, please see the complete Author's Notes & Disclaimers at the beginning of any one of the first 5 chapters.

In this story, Ric is a GOOD guy, and unlike on the show, he never showed up with a hidden agenda to take down Sonny. Although he IS STILL Sonny's brother, and a lawyer, NONE of that believing that Adella gave him up in favor of Sonny EVER happened. Instead, Ric just grew up thinking his parents were divorced, and he NEVER knew, until recently, that he even had a half brother. As a result, he NEVER hated Sonny or grew up resenting him, and so obviously NONE of the evil things that Ric did on the show (Panic Room, what he did to Courtney, Elizabeth and others, etc.) really ever happened. In other words, Ric is just a regular, normal, basically nice, good guy, who only wants to reconnect with Sonny, the brother he never knew he had, and develop the kind of "brotherly" relationship that they have on-screen now.

Also, Ric is married to Reese Marshall, in this story. However, unlike on the show, Reese Marshall had NO previous connection with Carly or anyone else in Port Charles, and even though she is an FBI agent. Reese has NOT been assigned to the Organized Crimes division, investigating mob activities. Instead she works in a TOTALLY SEPARATE department, and so therefore she is NOT trying to take down Sonny. She is just a woman, married to Ric, who happens to be an FBI agent/lawyer.

Rating: PG - PG-13 in first few chapters, then may or may not increase to R rating, depending on author's whims:)

Pairing(s): "Sexis" (Sonny/Alexis), "Journey" (Jason/Courtney), "Sax" (Skye/Jax), "Reeric" (Ric/Reese)

Contact: Any extra comments (beyond the review) questions, or concerns, please email me Email me at: benbrattlover at yahoo dot com

Enjoy, and after you're done, please hit the pretty, and sexy, little purple button at the bottom of the page, and leave me a review. Thank you!

Sonny looks at Francis blankly. "I don't know any Ric Lansing."

"I know," Francis answers, with a slight nod. "But he says it's very urgent."

"All right, tell him to wait in the living room. I'll be right there." Sonny sighs heavily as he stands up from the table, and turns to his son. "Michael, is it okay if I go out and talk to this guy for a few minutes? I promise that after this, we'll spend the rest of the morning together – with no more interruptions. Okay?"

Michael nods, between bites of buttered, syrupy pancakes. "Yeah, okay," he mumbles, continuing to eat as Sonny leaves the kitchen and heads into the living room.

In the living room, a tall, dark-haired man is standing next to the sofa, unsure of whether to sit down, without an invitation to do so, while Francis stands nearby. The man immediately turns towards the sound of the footsteps, when he hears Sonny enter the room.

"I'm Sonny Corinthos," Sonny says, introducing himself. "What can I do for you?"

"Yes, I'm Ric Lansing," answers the man, extending his hand, which Sonny shakes.

"So you said you want to see me?"

Ric takes a deep breath. "Yes, um, I'm not really sure how to say this…" he mumbles nervously. "Maybe we should sit down, first."

"All right," agrees Sonny, with a raised eyebrow, as he and Ric sit down on the sofa. "Now then, you said you had something urgent and important to tell me? What is it that you have to say?"

Ric swallows hard, clearing his throat and taking a deep breath before speaking. "It's about the explosion at your warehouse. I have some information…"

Meanwhile, back at General Hospital, in the ICU, both Alexis and Courtney have awakened, and are chatting animatedly, like the best of friends. During a lull in the conversation, Alexis turns to Jason, with an apologetic look.

"Jason, I just want to apologize for what I said and did to you at my sister's memorial," she murmurs remorsefully. "I am so sorry. I realize now that neither you, nor Sonny, nor Roy were responsible for Kristina's death. I was just so upset and out of control. I am so sorry for everything - for blaming you, and humiliating you in front of everyone. It was totally uncalled for. It's not your fault that Kristina was killed. It was this evil Alcazar's doing, and he is the ONLY one to blame – the ONLY one responsible. I truly apologize for everything, and hope you can forgive me."

Jason nods, with a slight shrug of his shoulders. "It's all right, Alexis. There's absolutely nothing to forgive," he answers. "Under the circumstances, everything that happened was totally understandable. You were distraught. You've just lost your sister, and it's only natural for you to want to lash out at someone, anyone. I know if anything happened to Emily, I'd probably do the same thing, and want to rip out the guts of everyone and anyone I thought was responsible. Sonny and I both understand completely and we don't blame you for what happened. Sonny loves you, and this baby more than anything in the world."

"I know," admits Alexis quietly. "I love Sonny and our child more than anything in the world, too!"

"Then NOTHING else matters!" Jason states firmly. "All the past mistakes, the harsh words, the lies, the secrets and all the recriminations, none of it is important anymore. Sonny loves you, you love him, and you now have a child together who you both love, and who deserves a safe and stable, loving, happy home. That's all that matters."

"How did you get to be so wise?" Alexis teases, with a twinkle in her eye.

Jason cracks a small smile. "By hanging around you!" he jokes, before becoming straight-faced again. "Seriously, though, this is a fresh start for all of us. Carly is gone, and she will never harass you or any of us ever again. Most importantly, Sonny loves you, just like I love Courtney, and from now on, we're going to do whatever it takes to protect those we love and care about, even if it means giving up all our power and money."

Courtney gasps in surprise, as Alexis looks at Jason knowingly. "Are you saying what I think you're saying?"

"Yeah," says Jason softly. "Sonny and I are both leaving the business – permanently. We'll do anything to keep you, Courtney, our children, and everyone else we love and care about away from the danger, violence, crime and death that surround this life. So we're getting out, and going legit. For good!"

As Courtney runs up to Jason and throws her arms around him, kissing him passionately on the lips, Alexis nods in understanding, as she flashes back to the conversation with her sister, while comatose. "So that's what she meant, " she thinks to herself. "Thanks so much, Kristina!"

Back at the penthouse, Sonny looks at Ric curiously. "You have news about the explosion at my warehouse?" he asks. "So what is it that you want in exchange for revealing this information? Money? Protection? What are you asking for in return?"

"Not a thing!" Ric shakes his head insistently. "Absolutely nothing! I don't need or want anything!"

Sonny raises an eyebrow in surprise. "Nothing?" he repeats skeptically. "Then why are you coming forward?"

"Because I have information about the bombing of your warehouse, that killed Kristina Cassadine – who I happen to know, was the sister of Alexis Davis, your former lawyer, and one-time close personal friend. Ms. Davis's outburst towards you, your right-hand man, Jason Morgan, and Roy DiLucca, has been the talk of the town the past few days. Not to mention all the rumors of a secret sexual relationship with Ms. Davis…."

"What's your point, Mr. Lansing?" Sonny interrupts, in a terse tone. "I don't have all day. Why is it that exactly that you're here?"

"Well, like I said, I have information, and I'm sure that you want to catch whoever is responsible for the blast that killed Alexis Davis's sister, and make them pay, and pay dearly," explains Ric honestly. "I can make that happen. I know who is behind the bombing, and why. I'm here because I think you could really use this information."

Sonny shakes his head dubiously. "I don't get it, Mr. Lansing," he murmurs, his voice full of doubt and suspicion. "Why would you be giving me this information, if you want nothing in return? What's in it for you? Of all the people to go to, why are you coming to me?"

Ric pauses for several seconds, sighing, clearing his throat, and taking a deep breath before speaking. "Because, Sonny, you're my brother."

To Be Continued….