"Good afternoon this is Tiffany Hill reporting for CNN here in Port Charles, New York where last week, the mayor was found dead in the bathroom of the police station that is right behind me." Tiffany spoke professionally into the camera and continued on, "The Mayor suffered a fatal heart attack days after he was sworn back into office. Now word has come to us that there will be a press conference regarding the mayoral race. We understand from the District Attorney Alexis Davis that an election for mayor will be the first Tuesday in February." There was a commotion behind her as the doors to the police station opened and several people walked to the podium. "It looks like the press conference is starting now."

"Good afternoon." Ric started, "It is very unfortunate that we have lost Mayor Floyd in such a tragic manner. My heart goes out to his family, friends and collegues. I was lucky enough to work with him for a short while and it was a pleasure and an honor to work with him. That is why I am here to announce my candiacacy for mayor. In honor of our late Mayor. I will carry on where he left off as Mayor of this fine city. Port Charles, I ask for your support on election day!" Ric was met with snapping cameras and a smattering of applause.

"There you have it." Tiffany turned back to her camera, "Ric Lansing has announced his candiancy for Mayor of Port Charles. A town known for it's crime. Ric Lansing is the half brother of retired crime lord Sonny Corinithos." Tiffany stopped talking and looked behind her where a commotion had broken out. "Wait, there is something going on at the podium. It seems that there is a heckler. Let's tune in."

"Hey Lansing!" Scott Baldwin yelled to a smiling and confident Ric, "Do you really think you can win as mayor?"

"I think I have the qualifications, dedication and the leadership skills to clean up the city Mr Baldwin." Ric said smoothly. "Yes I think I can win as mayor and serve this city well."

Scott grinned back at him, "I object Counselor."

Ric tried hard not to let Scott ruffle his feathers. "Well Mr Baldwin, I am sorry you disagree. We will see what the voters will say on Election Day."

"I am curious Ric, on what platform are you running on? What are your ideas for the city?"

Ric leaned into the microphone, "I plan on getting rid of the crime in the city, on making sure that Sonny Corinthos and Jason Morgan are behind bars for a very long time."

Scott cut him off, "What about the benefits for the employees of the city? Or making sure that the teachers get pay raises? What about things like that. I think you are using this mayoral race as a platform for a vendetta against your brother."

"I categorically deny that!" Ric yelled heatedly. "That is simply not true, I want to serve this city."

Scott cut in like he hadn't heard Ric, "So I think I will run against you Lansing. May the best man win." He offered.

Tiffany looked back into the camera. "Wow. Scott Baldwin, former District Attorney of Port Charles has thrown his hat into the ring, running against Ric Lansing for mayor. I predict that this will be a heated race. Stay tuned to CNN for more regarding this story. This is Tiffany Hill, signing off."

Brenda knocked on Sonny's door later that evening. When he opened the door, she breezed in his penthouse. "Did you see Tiffany's press conference today? Ric is going to go after you. He is trying everything Sonny, even trying to get to you through me. I don't want to be involved in this, I have too much at stake."

Sonny looked at Brenda, happy that she came over. "Hey Bren. I know you are worried about Ric, but there is nothing to worry about. He's harmless."

Brenda raised her hand to her head, "How can you say that Sonny?" She closed her eyes and stepped from foot to foot in frustration, "I do not want Ric digging to deeply into my life. Because you and I used to be involved he thinks that I will be his ticket to bring you down. It's not going to happen."

"I know that Brenda." Sonny tried placating her, "I trust you not to say anything. You have to believe that."

"Do you think I care about whether you trust me or not? This is about my son. God Sonny, when are you going to realize that?" Brenda stamped her foot in frustration. "There are things you don't know about James that can't get out. If Ric were to find out he would hold it over my head."

Sonny wanted to comfort Brenda. He wanted to kiss all her troubles away. Instead he drew her in his arms and said, "I will talk to Ric. Jason and I will take care of it." He leaned back to look into Brenda's eyes. "You need to trust me on this."

"I have trusted you before and it has got me no where, Sonny. This isn't about me. James is my life and I love him with all my heart." Brenda told him sternly.

"I understand that Brenda. I love Michael and Morgan so much it hurts. It hurt so much to have them leave with Carly and Jax but they are better off with them."

"Jax yes, Carly no." Brenda cracked a smile.

Sonny smiled back, "Look, you are here now and I was about to have dinner. Why don't you join me? I could use the company. Jason was here but he left to go check on some things for me than he is spending some time with Alison."

Brenda answered, "Ok. James is down for the night. Thanks for letting me hire Leticia to be his nanny." Brenda followed Sonny into his dining room and sat down across from him. "James has really taken to her. She is helping me out a lot especially on the days that I have to go to the city."

Sonny handed her a plate of chicken parmesean and a glass of wine, "Good, good. Leticia has worked for me for so long that I didn't want her to be jobless. I have to ask you something though. Why are you so scared about James?"

Brenda sighed, "I don't want to lose custody."

"Could you?"

"I am afraid so. James father knows everything about me and fiercly loves him." Brenda said desperately, "I can't lose him, I can't. I don't have a formal custody agreement."

"Who is his father Brenda?" Sonny asked quietly. When Brenda remained silent he said softly, "I know it's not me and I can only think of one other person who knows you as well as me and would agree to that kind of arrangement and that is Jax. If James is Jax' baby, Carly will come after you and make your life hell. She wants another child."

"The father is not Jax!" Brenda threw down her fork, "You have to trust me Sonny..."

Realization broke over Sonny's face. "Oh my God." Sonny looked shocked as he said, "James is Ned's, isn't he?"

~Next time

Brenda tells Sonny about the circumstances of James' paternity

Ned runs into Lucy