Sanctuary by Mashuta (Seq to Daddy)

[JRK Archiver]

Chapter 10


Hoisting Danny up to his hip, Jason studied the two women in front of him. Both were still fuming but while Elizabeth was looking embarrassed, Lu just scowled at him.

“Mom and I made chocolate chip pancakes.” Oblivious to the tension in the room, Danny continued to inform to Jason. “And we made coffee too. Well mom made the coffee, I just watched but I got to press the button so the machine would start working. Guess what? Lu likes coffee too.”

“You don’t say.” Jason gave him half a grin.

“Aha.” Danny nodded his head enthusiastically “She drinks it black like you do to, mom drinks coffee black too sometimes but sometimes I saw her pour milk in it. Is milk supposed to be in coffee?”

“Some people like it that way.”

“Me and you don’t though.”

“No.” Jason grinned broadened as he shifted Danny in his arms and strode over to the coffee machine. He didn’t bother to look back at the women, knowing that neither of them wanted him to walk into their conversation. Too bad. He did and now he wanted some answers. Like why the hell was Elizabeth allowing that little snot to talk to her like that? And why the hell was she even here?

He didn’t have time to speak to her last night, and right now wasn’t the best of times either. Later though, when both of the minors were out of earshot, they were going to have to have to talk.



******



He must have missed her this morning. He got up pretty early but when he checked her room, Lu was already gone. Her bed was made and her room was neat as always. Her backpack was missing, but that didn’t mean anything.

“Where is Lulu?” Laura asked absently as she entered the kitchen.

“She’s out—studying.” Never has lying been so hard for him, as it was at that moment. Laura so seldom referred to their daughter these days that Luke didn’t know how to tell her that he didn’t exactly know where Lu was.

“Oh—“ Laura stopped and looked at him for a moment. For a second there, Luke thought she was going to call his bluff—and he wished she did. “That’s nice. Tell her not to study to hard when she gets home.” And with that, Laura left the room.

Now where the hell was Lu?



******



“You didn’t have to eat half the pancakes, Jason. I know that you hate breakfast.” Elizabeth grinned at him as they finished putting the breakfast dishes away.

“I don’t hate it.” Jason replied defensively. “And I was hungry this morning and the food was really good.”

“Jason—“ She turned to him grinning. “Just admit it, if Danny served you a bowl of rotten eggs and told you that he helped make it—you would eat it and smile.”

Biting the inside of his cheek to keep from grinning, Jason turned away from her and began rummaging through the empty drawers. “Did you want to go get some dishes and pots today or work more on the living room and bedrooms?” He asked, avoiding her question entirely.

“I guess we should get the pots and dishes since the few I brought over from the old house are hardly enough.” Elizabeth stared at the cracked plate in her hand. “Luke and Laura bought us this set as a wedding present. Most of the dishes have been broken since then though.”

“Well then—lets take care of the rest.” Jason reached over and took the plate out of her hand and before she knew what he meant—he tossed the plate into a near by garbage can and they heard it shatter as it hit the bottom.

“W--Why—“ She was lost of words as she stared at the can.

“Here.” Jason pulled a plate out of the cupboards and put it in her hand. “Your turn.”



******



“Who you calling?” Danny asked as Lu flopped onto his bed and picked up his superman phone.

“I got to call my dad and tell him I am here. Be quiet a bit and then we’ll play. K?” She leaned over and ruffled his hair. “Maybe I’ll even let you see the my pierced stomach!”

She grinned at his excited expression before dialing her parent’s house.

”Yeah.” Luke’s impatient voice came onto the line.

“Hey Dad.”

“Lu? Where are you?”

“You already noticed me gone?” She asked, mildly pleased by the concern in his voice. “I am at Liz’s”

“Liz’s?? Is something wrong? Is it Danny?”

“No dad. They are both fine.” More or less. “I decided to stay with her for a while. Help her get set up into the house.”

“And when did you get this brilliant idea?” He hissed into the line. “Cause you sure as hell didn’t discuss it with your mother or with me!”

“Dad—“ Lu eyed Danny wearily before lowering her voice to a whisper. “You and mom aren’t exactly the best people to have discussions with lately.”

A moment of silence erupted from the other end before she heard Luke take a deep breath and answer her. “That doesn’t give you the right to take of on your own. Your only a teenager.”

“Dad. I moved across town not across the border. Liz is here with me so I am not on my own.”

”Liz has enough problems without having to watch out for you too, Lu.” Luke snapped.

“Then I’ll go to Aunt Bobbies and stay with her. Or I can go stay with Georgie and her mom. I have places I can go to Dad—I just don’t want to go home.”

“Let me speak to Liz.”

“She—She isn’t here now. She is out grocery shopping. I am staying with Danny.” Lu lied. She didn’t want her father to speak to Liz until she could get on Liz’s good sided.

Luke swore. “I’ll call later today and speak to her. Give me the number.”

Lu recited the number to her father and hung up the phone.

“You’re really staying here?” Danny asked from his spot on the floor, but before she could answer they both heard a loud crash coming from downstairs. Immediately they both jumped to their feet.

“What was that?” Danny asked shakily.

“I sure its nothing.” Lu reassured. “St—Stay here though until I see what’s going on.” She warned her nephew anyway before running out of the room and down the stairs.

“Now didn’t that feel good?” Lu heard Jason ask.

“It won’t feel good when I have to get new ones!” She heard Elizabeth reply after a moment.

Now more curious then worried, Lu crept closer to the kitchen to see what was going on.

“Don’t worry about that—consider this a present from yourself to yourself. I’ll get you new ones.”

Both Jason and Elizabeth were standing at one wall, with Jason holding a stack of clean dishes in his hands. On the other side of the kitchen stood an opened garbage can, pieces of broken dishes laid all around it.

“Want to do another one?” Jason coaxed her gently. Lu wasn’t sure but she could have sworn that Jason was actually—joking around. “Just until you get the dish into the actual can, and then you can stop—unless you don’t want to.”

Snorting at his comment, Elizabeth grabbed another dish out of his hands. “Haven’t we just learned that I don’t exactly have Michael Jordan’s basketball skills? It will take a whole lot of set of dishes before I make one in.” With that, Elizabeth swung her arm back and threw the dish at the opposite wall. It landed with a loud crash before the broken pieces spilled everywhere but into the garbage can.

“What are you doing?” Lu yelled, not caring that Jason was eyeing her with murder in his eyes.

“Therapy.” Elizabeth replied easily, a smile tugging on her lips.

“By breaking your dishes against the wall and scaring your son?”

“Why is Danny scared?” Jason intervened.

“Because hearing loud crashes coming from down the stairs doesn’t exactly bring back happy memories for him!” Lu hissed at him.

“@#%$.” Jason swore. “Is he upstairs?”

“Of course he is upstairs, do you honestly think—where the hell do you think your going?” Lu grabbed for his arm as he pushed past her and out of the room.

“Let him go.” Elizabeth took Lu’s arm to hold her in place.

“You’re just going to let him stomp up there to deal with your son.”

“He had the right.”

“What?” Lu stared back, flabbergasted. “Since when does he have any rights when it comes to you?”

“Since he is Danny’s father!”

[JRK Archiver]

Chapter 11


“Since he is Danny’s father!”

The words rung loudly in her ears as Lu stared at the woman she had always considered her sister. She must have heard her wrong—she must have misunderstood—she must have…

“W—What?” Lu asked, shaking her head in an effort to clear up some of the confusion. “What the hell do you mean by that?”

“I mean—“ Elizabeth clenched her fists at her sides, this wasn’t how she planed on telling Lu about Jason. “I mean that Jason is Danny’s father, not Lucky.”

Shaking head in denial, Lu started to back out of the kitchen.

“Lu—“

“No.” She whispered brokenly, tears welling up in her dark eyes before she turned away from Elizabeth and ran out of the kitchen. Seconds later Elizabeth heard the front door slam shut behind her.

“@#%$.” Elizabeth muttered to herself, this was definitely not the way she planned on handling this.

“What happened?” Jason’s voice broke the silence as he entered the kitchen. “I heard the door slam from upstairs, Lu take off?”

“I told her about you.”

He didn’t bother pretending that he didn’t understand what she meant by that. “And she didn’t take it to well I assume.”

“That’s mildly putting it.”

“Danny is still playing upstairs.” Jason changed the topic gently. “He was a bit scared when he heard the crash, but he is better now.”

“That’s good.” She nodded her head. “What did you tell him?”

“The truth—that you decided to get new dishes and were throwing out the old ones.” Jason grinned. “Edited truth that is.”

“Jason Morgan telling white lies—“ Elizabeth grinned at him, but he diverted his eyes to the floor so she wouldn’t be able to see the humor in them.

Noticing the mess around the garbage can, Jason carefully grabbed a broom and a dustpan and began to gather up the broken pieces. The last thing they needed was for one of them to be barefoot in the kitchen and step onto glass.

“We really should be more careful though, he gets easily upset over loud noises.” Elizabeth busied herself by kneeling down next to Jason and helping him with the mess. “I think that eventually he won’t be as jittery but for now we should be—“

“Your rambling.” Jason murmured to her, his eyes still focused on the broken dishes. “What are you nervous about?”

“I am not nervous!” She denied instantly.

“Then why are you rambling?” He now grinned at her openly. “She would have found out eventually.”

“I know that—“ She looked up at him. “I was just hoping to tell her under better circumstances.”

“Like when? When Danny is thirty?” Jason no longer grinning growled at her.

“Jason, she is just a teenager and she just lost her brother—brothers.” Elizabeth amended when she remembered that Nikolas was also MIA.

Shaking his head in disbelief, Jason tossed the last pieces of the glass into the can. “She should be relieved.” He muttered under his breath. With brothers like that, she didn’t need any enemies.

“She isn’t getting along with her parents—“

“That’s not your problem.” He slammed the lid shut. “ I don’t even understand why she is staying here.”

“Lu and I were very close in the past couple of years. She thinks of me as her family. Can’t you at least try to see it from her point of view?”

Jason gave her a disbelieving look before he grabbed the broom and began to sweep angrily.

“Despite what you believe Jason, the Spencers are my family. Luke and Laura have been more parents to me then the Webbers have ever been.”

“Let’s see what ‘your’ family will do when they realize that Danny isn’t their psycho golden boy’s spawn!”



******



Lu didn’t know what she was thinking when she ran out of Liz’s house. One moment she was standing stunned in front of her sister in law and the next she was running out the door. She had no phone with her and no money. Obviously the thought of grabbing her purse before running out didn’t cross her mind.

“Hey Couz.” A feminine voice drawled behind her. “Whatchya doin’ on this side of town?”

This day definitely couldn’t have gotten any worse. “Hi Carly.” She turned to the blonde, cautiously. You could never be too careful around Carly—especially when she wants something.

The once beautiful, flamboyant cousin of hers was now nothing short of a washed up-has been. Her hair long and disheveled, her make up looked cheap and out of place and her clothing didn’t even rate a comment. To think that her outer appearance used to be her strong point.

“I heard about your brother.” Carly looked down at her hands. No matter how much she wanted to appear sympathetic, she couldn’t be sorry about the little Devil’s death. “I am—“

“Don’t bother to pretend your sorry, Couz. I certainly am not.”

“Well lookie here, Little Lulu is all grown up.” Something close to a smirk formed on Carly’s lips as she studied Lu from head to toe. “You used to worship the ground he walked on.”

“Yeah? Well don’t worry, I wised up. You got a cigarette?” She asked off handedly.

“Smoking too?” Carly mocked as she held out a long slim cigarette to her. “Does Laura know about this?”

Lu hated these slim shits but it was her only chance of getting nicotine for a while. Reaching into her back pocket she pulled out a small pack of matches, expertly she tore one out and lit her cigarette. “Laura wouldn’t notice if an asteroid fell on her head, never mind my smoking.”

“Touché.” Carly murmured.

“Cut the crap, Benson. What do you want?” Lu demanded in a purely Luke fashion.

Carly’s eyes narrowed slightly, but she didn’t rise to the bait. “I was actually going to go see your father about this—“

“@#%$ Carly.” Lu swore as she tossed the rest of her fragrant cigarette on the ground and stomped on it. “We just gave you a loan last month, what the hell happened to it?”

“Business expenses.” Carly shrugged.

“Business expenses my ass. You drank, gambled or snorted it all—again!” Lu yelled down at her. “Well we aren’t going to bail you out this time. We gave you that money so you can put it into your business to keep it up. That’s what you said you needed it for!”

“I told you that I am clean—have been for months now.” Carly defended herself. “First Sonny and AJ put blocks on Michael’s bank accounts and order him not to give me any money and now this!”

“It’s about time they did that.” Lu murmured, thinking of her surprisingly sweet and sensitive redheaded nephew.

Once again Carly bit her tongue from rising to the bait. “I don’t know why am talking to you about this—your nothing but a kid. What are you, twelve now?” Carly laughed.

“Your cleverness always amazes me, Couz. But sadly I don’t have more time to listen to this bullshit. Catch you later.” Lu began to turn away when Carly grabbed her elbow.

“Tell your father that I am going to come by later, so he better make sure that his fragile little wife isn’t around then.”

“@#%$ you.” Lu spat as she wrung her arm free. “You want to tell him something? Do it your @#%$ self. I don’t live there anymore.”

“Don’t live there? Where are you staying?” Carly regarded her suspiciously.

“At my si—“ Lu caught herself right on time, there was no need for Liz to be dealing with this @#%$ until she at least had more time to settle in. “None of your fuckin’ business.”



******



It was after eleven when Lu finally went back inside Elizabeth’s house. Most of the lights were off and it was quiet. Danny was probably asleep long since, and neither Jason nor Elizabeth was much noisemakers.

Creeping into the living room, Lu didn’t notice Jason standing there until he cleared his throat. Jumping back in shock, Lu clutched her heart with her hand as she tried to stabilize her breathing. “How do you do that?”

“Talent.” Jason glared down at her.

“Well stop it! You took ten years of my life just now.”

“Sorry.” He said neutrally.

“Danny asleep?”

“Yeah. Elizabeth too. She tried to wait up for you but she dozed off about half an hour ago.”

“Good. She needs her sleep. You know that she hardly sleeps five hours a night.”

“Yeah I know.” Jason said grimly. “She needs to take better care of herself.”

“I think I’ll crash in the guest room tonight so I don’t wake her. Goodnight Jason.” Lu turned back toward the stairs.

“Night’” she heard him reply.

“Just a heads up, Carly is looking for money and neither Sonny or AJ are obliging. I don’t know whether she knows you’re in town yet but she will soon and then—“

“And then she’ll be pestering me.” Jason finished for her grimly.

“And when she finds out about you being Danny’s father.”

“All hell will break loose.”

“Just thought I should warn you.” Lu shrugged.

“Thanks.”

“Your welcome.” Lu mumbled as she softly ran up the stairs. She could actually see herself growing to like Jason—maybe. If he stopped being so damn quiet all the time.

[JRK Archiver]

Chapter 12


Once again, Elizabeth found herself up with the sun. No matter how hard she pushed herself during the day, she couldn’t force herself sleep through the entire night. Shrugging, she quietly made her way down the stairs and into the main room of the house. She was the only one awake at this hour; even Jason would still be in bed.

Gingerly, Elizabeth opened the front door and made her way out onto the porch. It wasn’t dark anymore, and the sun was beginning to make its way through the patch of clouds in front of it. She sat down on the top step and leaning her back against the solid railing behind her.

Elizabeth fell in love with this porch from the minute she set eyes on it. It was made entirely of stone and its size was about that of a small room. She planned on putting a large swing on one side of it and maybe even some potted plants in the corners. Her and Danny could spend hours sitting right out here, drinking hot chocolate in the winter, iced tea in the summer talking about their days or just watching Butterflies circle around them. Maybe Jason would be able to teach him how to catch fire flies on a hot summer night.

She didn’t know how it happened, but in less than a week she, Jason, Danny and Lu have managed to turn an empty house into one closely resembling a home. Furniture filled most of the rooms, the kitchen was fully stocked and toys were scattered in various corners of the living room floor. Four out of five of the bedrooms were already filled with both furniture and people. They all ate breakfast, lunch and dinner together, worked side by side with hardly any problems. Even Lu and Jason seemed to come to some kind of understanding—God knows how.

If she let herself close her eyes for a moment, she could almost pretend that everything was perfect—for once. She could forget that she needed to go back into the working world and that she had to start facing people outside those under her roof; ignore the fact
that her and Jason still walked on eggshells around each other and brush off Lu's constant pestering about when she was going to finally drop the bomb on everyone.

“Who is everyone?” Elizabeth tried to brush it off once. “The only people this affects are your parents.”

Lu almost chocked on the apple she was eating in response. “Are you kidding? Mom and Dad are the only ones that might have kept contact with you and Dan over the years, but there are a hell lot more people who will consider themselves involved.”

And the more Elizabeth thought about it, the more she understood what Lu was saying. The Spencers would be undoubtedly be hurt by her revelation and she feared that they might reject Danny in response, but that was not the only thing she should be worried about. How many people in Port Charles would care that Jason had a son? Too many. And how many of those people would make trouble?

She had thought that bringing Danny to Port Charles would be a good change for him. Everything he feared was left behind in their old life, but would there be new things for him to fear here too? Would he have to endure the blatant stares of P.C.’s citizens? Would his classmates tease him about who his father was? Would he need bodyguards to protect him from even scarier people then Lucky had been? Would he resent that?

“Mom?” Danny came up behind her.

Shaking herself out of her musings, she turned to her sleepy son. What a sight he made early in the morning, with his hair was mussed up and his pajamas twisted in various places. “Hey sleepyhead.” She reached over and tried to smooth back the unruly locks.

“What are you doing out here?” He rubbed his eyes with the back of his hand.

"Just thinking." she replied honestly.

Nodding his head in understanding Danny sat down beside her, turning himself so that they would face one another. "What about?" He prodded curiously.

Elizabeth reached over and pulled him to her until he was sitting between her legs with his back against her and her arms closed around him. "You like it here, baby?" She leaned down to nuzzle her face against his shoulder, seeking the all-familiar scent of him.

"You mean on the porch?" His eyes squinted in confusion. "It's nice I guess."

"No." She laughed. "In Port Charles. In this house. Would you rather have stayed back in our old house?"

Shrugging Danny turned his attention to an ant that was making its way across on of the steps. "I kinda miss my old school--my teacher cause she was nice. But I would still leave her class this year, so I guess it doesn’t matter."

"Is that all you miss?"

"Umm..." His eyes squinted in concentration as he thought over the question. "I guess I like it here better. Gramps and Gramma are here and so are Jason and Lu. The house is a lot nicer then our old one."

"Good." Elizabeth nodded her head at him. "Because I don’t want you to think that you don't have a choice about where we live. Me and you are partners, remember?"

"Yeah!" Danny grinned momentarily before giving her a serious look. "Mom? You look tired."

"Well aren’t you Mr. Complements today." Elizabeth laughed, but he refused to smile in return. "I'll be better after a cup of coffee--or two. Promise."

Danny gave her a skeptical look before resigning. "All right--but if you don't then you have to take a nap!" He ordered



********



Luke was not the type of man that likes to order his kids around. He never believed in that parenting technique. Both Lucky and Lulu had always been allowed to make their own decision, no matter how him or Laura felt about it. When Lucky was five, he decided that he wanted to live in the outdoors, so the two of them built him a tree house in their back yard so that he could live there. Laura was horrified at the idea that her 'baby' would be living on his own, even if it was just a few short feet away from their house, but Luke still permitted it. Lucky's stint lasted up until the first thunderstorm, at which point Lucky ran back to the house claiming that he had bonded enough with nature for the time being. With Lulu, he had tried the same approach and usually it worked--up until now. Luke had hoped that once she actually moved in with Elizabeth, Elizabeth would talk her into moving back or Lu wouldn’t be able to put up with the constant company of Mr. Morgan and leave on her own. Neither of those things had happened however and now it has been over a week since he had seen his daughter.

He had no choice but to do it, so last night he had called Elizabeth's house and ordered Lulu to come home today--if only to visit. He actually ordered one of his children to obey him--something that he had sworn not to do even before Lucky was born. Desperate times called for desperate measures, he reminded himself sourly. This was definitely a desperate time.

A knock sounded at the door and even without looking at his watch he knew it was hardly eight in the morning—Lu had sure been impatient to get this over with.

"It's open!" Luke bellowed from his seat on the couch, not bothering to lift his head or open his eyes.

"This is how people get robbed." Lu shut the door behind her, tossed her purse on the side of the couch and sat by it.

"They can knock themselves out, not much to steal." He snorted in response. "Welcome back."

"I am not back, Dad. Just visiting." Lu eyed him wearily. "How’s mom?"

"Misses you."

"Please Dad, I am not a child anymore. You don’t have to lie to me to spare my feelings. How long did it take her to even realize I was gone?"

"A couple of days--but when she did, she was beside herself with worry."

“Aha.” Lu responded unconvinced.

“Sorry—I forgot that you were always the smart one in the family.”

“Not smart—sane.”

“Sanity is overrated.”

The corners of Lu’s mouth curved upwards before she could control it—she almost forgot how much she loved her Dad’s sense of humor.

“If it makes any difference—I’ll admit that I have missed you.”

Masking her emotions Lu turned to him and smiled weakly. “You just missed a poker partner.”

“That too.” Luke laid a comforting hand on her shoulder. “How are you doing?”

“I am –I am good Dad.” She replied honestly. “Elizabeth is working me to the bone and feeding me dog scraps but I am managing.” She grinned.

“How are she and Danny?”

“Danny is smiling from ear to ear every time I see him.”

“That’s a nice change—and Elizabeth?”

“Elizabeth is coping. She is trying to be cheerful for Danny’s sake, in fact she pretends to be cheerful for all of us but I don’t think she is ok.”

“What do you mean?” Luke sat up straighter.

“She doesn’t sleep well—even Danny has noticed it. Jason tries to make take a nap during the day but she refuses. Just works all day on the house or plays with Danny. She doesn’t paint anymore, did you know that?”

“I suspected it.” Luke nodded solemnly. “Jason comes by a lot?”

“Umm…” Lu shifted uncomfortably. “He kinda lives there.”

“What do you mean ‘kinda’?”

“Well he is there for all meals, stays the night and even has his own room.”

“He doesn’t waste any time does he?”

“I don’t know Dad—he is kind of good for both of them.” She murmured quietly.

“Like Hell he is good for ‘them’!” Laura’s angry voice came from the kitchen entrance.

“Mom—“ Lu jumped up, and was about to go to her when Luke stopped her and shook his head in warning.

“That bastard is trying to take our Lucky’s place!” Laura raged. “And it will be a cold day in hell before I let that happen.

“Morning Jason.” Elizabeth greeted from her place at the sink. She decided to make use of the free hours that not sleeping has given her and began to cook a full breakfast. Eggs, bacon and toast covered the kitchen table along with juice, milk and coffee.

“You’ve been busy.” He eyed the banquet wearily before grabbing a cup and pouring a cup of coffee for himself. Taking a sip of the black liquid, his eyes squinted and he forced himself to swallow it. “Strong.” He choked out before taking the entire pot and going over to the sink, pouring it out before Elizabeth could even argue.

“That was a good batch!”

“Did you taste it?”

“Well—“

“Exactly. I’ll make the coffee—you stick to solid food.” He grabbed a filter, put the correct amount of coffee in it before setting the machine to brew—again.

“I am surrounded by ungrateful people.” Elizabeth muttered.

“I am grateful! Grateful that I only took one sip of that. Anymore and I wouldn’t be able to sleep for a year.”

“It was not that bad!” She protested.

“Oh really?” He smirked as reached over and grabbed her wrist, pulling her along until he could take the cup with the old coffee into his other hand. “Taste it and see.”

“No.” Elizabeth shook her head.

“Why not? You made it—you said it wasn’t bad.” He brought the cup closer to her lips.

“Jason!” she tried to break free of his grip but her wrist was trapped in his iron hold—that was both gentle and unbreakable.

“Come on Elizabeth, its not that bad. Honest.” He grinned as she scrunched up her face when the smell of the coffee hit her. Drawing her even closer to him until he could let go of her wrist and instead wrap that arm around her waist, bring their bodies together in intimate contact.

“I am sure it is.” She didn’t realize their change in position until she felt the hard lines of his body pressed against her. She opened her mouth to tell him to let her go but before she got the first word out, he placed the rim of the cup into her mouth and tilted it until the coffee poured into her mouth. Reflexively she swallowed the liquid, thankful that it wasn’t hot anymore.

She fit so well, smelled so good. Her hair brushed his chin, his neck. Jason watched her mouth press together and her nose scrunch up at the bitter taste and before he could control himself he leaned down and captured her lips between his.

She didn’t want to protest the hold anymore; she didn’t taste the bitter taste of the coffee anymore. Her arms came up and encircled his neck, her fingers made their way up his neck into his hair. She forgot the maddening taste of him—the way she forgot everything and everyone with a simple touch of his lips.

How could he have forgotten this? How could he have let the memory of these generous lips be lost to him? Jason thought. He knew he would berate himself later for this but he couldn’t make himself to pull back, to stop his hand from framing one side of her face. His hand slid into the thick curls and cupped her head, holding it in place as his mouth drove hungrily against her soft lips. He felt her hold tighten on his head, pulling him further into her. She wanted him—he could have her right now if he wanted to—if he let himself.

“Yuck!” They both heard the disgusted expression of their son and reluctantly drew apart.

Elizabeth couldn’t force herself to look at either of the men, embarrassed by throwing herself at one and being caught by the other. She felt her face heating up.

“Why were you doing that?” Danny demanded of both of them.

“It—“ Elizabeth stammered as she went to the sink to pour the damned cup of coffee out. “It was an—accident.”

[JRK Archiver]

Chapter 13


Jason couldn’t keep the scowl of his face all through breakfast. An ‘accident’? What the hell made her say such a thing? Yes it was unexpected, maybe even badly timed—but it hadn’t been unwanted and he would be damned if he was going to let her act like it was.

He was there after all and he had enough experience to know when a woman was not into it. He remembered how she clung to him, raked her fingers through his hair in an effort to pull him closer. Oh yeah—she definitely wanted him.

Just as much as he had wanted her—though that wasn’t anything new. He had wanted her since that first night when he pulled the drunken guy of her at Jakes’ and gave her a ride home. She was so young and innocent then that he had denied his feelings—he wouldn’t deny them now.

“Jason!” Danny’s impatiently tugged on his t-shirt.

“I am sorry, what did you say?”

“I asked you if you want to go to the park. Didn’t you hear me?” Danny let out an exasperated breath.

As usual, Jason couldn’t help but grin at his antics. “I must be getting old—I can’t hear too well anymore.” He tugged on Danny’s right lobe. “Park you say? What did your mom say?”

“She said that she had to finish setting up her room and had to finish unpacking some boxes from our old house, so she couldn’t go right now. She didn’t say anything about me and you though.” Danny gave Jason a toothy grin. “Please.” He added as an aftereffect.

Jason leaned down and ruffled his son’s hair before giving him a quick hug. “I’ll tell you
what—let me go ask her if she needs any help with those boxes and if she doesn’t then we can go for a while.”

“Okay.” He nodded eagerly. “I am gonna go get my baseball stuff and we can play!”

“Baseball?” Jason asked wearily.

“Aha! I don’t have a bat but I do have a mitt and a ball. I bet you can catch real well and throw like a billion miles per hour!” Danny predicted. “I can’t wait!” The last words were shouted as he bundled out of the room and sprinted up the stairs.

“Great. Baseball. Why doesn’t he ask me to fly while he is at it also.”? Jason muttered.



******



She wouldn’t think of it.

Nope—she wasn’t going to spend one more moment thinking about that kiss. Of his lips on hers, of his well formed body pressed against her own. It wasn’t going to remind her of the last time she felt him that close, the last time she tasted the heat of his passion.

She also remembered what the last time had done to her.

She didn’t know what she was getting into then—she was a naive little girl that still believed in a shining white knight and a happily ever after. First Lucky had filled that role for her, and when he couldn’t she had tried to fit Jason into it. He didn’t fit and she was shattered.

Elizabeth however had grown up a lot since then and she didn’t want to go back. Her and Jason might have had something once—maybe, but it was in the past.

Jason was Danny's father—and that was the one thing she was grateful for. He was a great father too—caring and attentive. Danny already worshiped him even before he knew about Jason. They were good for one another—Danny needed a father that he could lean on and look up to and Jason was perfect for that role.

“Elizabeth?” She jumped when she heard Jason clearing his throat from behind her.

“You startled me.” She accused, her hand still clutching the front of her shirt.

“Sorry.” He murmured absentmindedly, as he looked at the boxes surrounding them. “How many more you need to unpack?”

“Just a few.”

“Oh.” He continued studying the room.

“Was there something you needed?” She asked when he didn’t say anything more.

His gaze immediately fixed on her and she wished she hadn’t said anything. “We need to talk.” He murmured.

She didn’t pretend to misunderstand what he was referring to, her emotions were still too raw from that morning to hide them. “Jason—“

“But not now.” He cut her off smoothly—much to her surprise. “I am going to take Danny to the park.”

“The park? After I just told him that we’d go later!” She began to get up when Jason put an arm on her shoulder to keep her where she was.

“If we don’t go to the park, me and you will have that talk now.” He warned softly.

Elizabeth ground her teeth as she suppressed the urge to yell ‘fine—let’s talk’—she didn’t like being bullied by him. “Fine.” She finally spat.

Jason didn’t even blink at her tone, instead continued speaking in a soft voice. “Tomorrow we can talk to him about this little con of his.” He consoled. “Right after me and you talk about what happened this morning.”



******


“There is a big set of swings on the other side of this fence and a jungle gym I think.” Jason pointed ahead of them.

“Like baby swings?” Danny asked skeptically.

Jason chuckled at the suspicious expression on his face. “Not only. There are swings that can even hold a big guy like you.”

“Oh ok.” He grinned up at him. “Mom taught me how to pump my legs so I can go higher in the air. I am really good at it. She didn’t have to push me no more.”

“So you don’t need me to push you either?”

“Umm…” Danny began to think about it. “No, you can push me. You’re a whole lot stronger then mom is and I bet you can push me much higher. Right?”

Jason gently squeezed Danny’s shoulder. “Right. I can bet you can almost reach the sky.”

Again, the skepticism came back. “I am not a baby no more—I know that even you can’t push me that high.”

“You’re getting too smart for me.”

Finally the swings were within sight. Jason propelled Danny around other children and their parents before grabbing an unoccupied swing and holding it still until the boy could climb on. Tossing Danny’s baseball gear carelessly on the grass near bye, Jason took his place behind him.

“Your right—these swings are huge.” Danny grabbed the chains with both hands and jumped excitedly in his seat. It’s been months since he had the opportunity to do something as normal as go to the park and even though he didn’t mention it to either his mom or Jason—he missed it tremendously.

“You holding on?” Jason asked above him.

“Come on—“ Danny urged impatiently, his head rolling back so he could look at his father.

“Here we go—“ Jason held the seat of the swing with one hand and Danny in place with the other before walking back until the seat was at the same height as his head.

“This is so high!” Danny squealed even as his legs began to kick eagerly.

“Want me to lower it?” Jason teased.

“No—“ Danny began to protest but was cut off when the swing was let go unexpectedly.



******



“Liz!” Lu’s anxious voice rang out as she took the stairs two at a time. “Where are you?”

“In Danny’s room!” Elizabeth called back.

“What are you doing in here?”

“Finishing unpacking the last few boxes.” Elizabeth didn’t look up as she continued to pull various objects from a cardboard box.

“I would think you’d toss everything out and start out fresh.”

“That’s mostly what I did.” A smile formed on her lips as she pulled out the next object—a tiny white terry bootie. “And then there are things you can’t replace.”

Lu nodded in understanding and took the soft object from her before continuing. “I went to mom and dad’s today.”

“I know—Luke seemed pretty adamant about you visiting today. How did it go?”

“With dad—it was good. He has gotten better since the last time I’ve seen him. I think he is finally beginning to accept what happened.”

“It’s going to take a while for them to do that Lu—you got to give some time.”

“I only said dad has gotten better.”

“I take it Laura isn’t doing any better.”

“She is bloody psycho!” Lu screamed. “If she gets any worse, even Fern Cliff won’t take her!”

“Lu—“

“You think I am exaggerating? I am not! When she overheard me mentioning Jason’s name—she blew a fuse! Started going off about how he was trying to take ‘her baby’s’ place and how she wasn’t going to let that happen.”

“@#%$.” Liz stood up, forgetting the unpacking she planned to do. “What do you think she has in mind?”

“I don’t know, Liz—I stormed out of there in the middle of her tirade.” Lu said almost apologetically. “But I doubt that whatever she has in mind will be pleasant.”



******



“Are you sure you wouldn’t rather go get some ice cream or go on the slide?”

“Na-ah.” Danny shook his head vigorously as he pushed his hand inside the big baseball mitt. “The swing has too many people on it and Mom will be mad if I spoil my dinner with the ice-cream. Besides, I want to play.”

“Well Danny—here’s the thing.” Jason awkwardly passed the ball from one hand to another. “Baseball isn’t really my game.”

“You mean you aren’t good?”

“I promised myself that I wouldn’t lie to you.” He took a deep breath. “I suck—a lot.”

A smile began to tug the corner of Danny’s mouth before a full-blown grin broke out and he began to giggle uncontrollably.

“What are you laughing it?” Jason demanded.

“Johnny told me that you can’t play baseball and said that you wouldn’t tell me—and I said you would. He owes me five bucks.”

“Great—Johnny is a real friend.”

“That’s ok Jason. Baseball isn’t my favorite sport anyway—basketball is.”



******



Twelve-year-old Michael Quertermaine-Corinthos was the apple of both his fathers’ eyes. Both AJ and Sonny had settled their differences long ago and for Michael’s sake learned how to be civilized with one another. Being civilized with Carly however was another case entirely. Not that Michael could blame them—he had trouble being civilized with his mother sometimes. That is why when Carly and Sonny had gotten divorced three years ago, Michael had taken it into his hands to make sure that neither Sonny nor AJ would ever lose custody of him again. His great-grandfather always said that he had a great head on his shoulders—despite his parentage. At nine years old, he had ‘hired’ his Aunt Alexis as his lawyer and through her drew up a custody agreement that he wanted for his three parents where all three of them shared custody. On a separate agreement however he had both AJ and Sonny agree to never try to legally or otherwise push each other out of his life. Surprisingly they both consented. Now he spent most of his time either at his fathers or stepfathers and spent a few weekends and a month long vacation with his mother.

Life was definitely good this way—at least until it was time to spend another fun filled weekend with Carly.

“Mom?” He slammed the front door behind him as he entered his mother’s condo. Another precaution that Sonny took by paying for Carly’s housing he was insuring that Michael always had a decent place to stay when he visited. “Mom! Are you home?” He tossed his roller blades and backpack next to the door before plopping onto the couch.

“Hey Baby—“ he heard his mother call from the upstairs but he didn’t dare go up there to see her. He had learned long ago that walking into Carly’s bedroom unannounced was not a good idea.

Not a minute went bye before he heard Carly’s heeled feet began to slowly make their way down the stairs. She was out of her pajamas and actually looked sober, Michael thought.

“Welcome home.” She went over and trapped him into a hug, but backed away before he could resist. “How did your visit at AJ’s go?”

“It wasn’t a visit mom—I live there. Remember?”

“Not by my choice.” She scowled at him. “How’s school?”

“It’s been over for a month now.”

“Oh.”

“What’s for dinner?” He pulled his cell phone out of his back pocket. “Want me to order something or did you call already?”

“I ordered some pizza ten minutes ago, should be here soon.” She sat down next to him. “Well, tell me something.” She urged him.

“Mmm—I made MVP this month in little league.” Michael reported proudly.

“Wow—look at you. Our little Sammy Sosa.” Carly pushed his auburn locks of his forehead. He relished in the rare intimate contact his mother showed him. If she only would act like this all the time rather then once a year.

“Hey sweetie—did you know that Jason was in town?” Carly continued to stroke the back of his head.

“I think Papa mentioned it.” Michael noted. ‘Papa’ was his name for Sonny and ‘Dad’ was for AJ. It was easier to tell the men apart when he called them different things.

“Oh yeah—I bet he would want to see you.”

Michael shrugged—not knowing how to answer his mother. “Oh—you know who I saw in the park today. I think it was him ‘cause of the pictures I saw at grandma and Uncle Luke’s houses. You know Lucky’s kid?”

Carly stiffened momentarily. “Yeah—what’s his name? David? Donny? Danny?”

“Danny I think—I saw him at the park today when I went roller blading with Dad.”

“Are you sure?”

“Pretty sure. I was pretty close by and even Dad said that the kid looked familiar.”

“This is so @#%$ unbelievable.” Carly laughed bitterly.

“What is?” Michael suspiciously asked.

“If Danny is in town then his bitch of a mom is too.”

“So?”

“You think it’s a freaking coincidence that she shows up in town the same time as Jason does?” She yelled. “Look at this—it hasn’t even been three months since her husband died and she is already looking for her next meal ticket.”

“What are you thinking mom?” Michael asked her wearily—he knew the expression on his Carly’s was the one she had when she was about to do something bad. He listened to her rant and rave for the next half an hour before he slipped away to the bathroom for a minute and called Sonny to warn him about Carly’s intentions.



******



“Your not that bad at baseball.” Danny pouted at his father. Out of the five balls he Danny pitched, Jason only fumbled one.

“I was just lucky—“ Jason broke off when he heard his cell phone vibrating against his hip. “One second Danny—Hello.”

Jason? Sonny’s voice broke through the line.

“What’s up?”

“I know you said to only call you in dire emergencies but this might qualify as one.”

“What happened?” He was suddenly alert.

“Apparently Carly has found you’re in town—“

“So?”

“She isn’t happy that you’re in town with Elizabeth.”

“Got it.”

“Just thought you should know—warn Elizabeth not to open her door to any blonde psychos.” Sonny chuckled at his own joke.

“Ok—I’ll deal with it.”

“Also tell Elizabeth that am still expecting the three of you for dinner sometime soon. Michael is staying with me next week and I know that he would love to see you.”

“Yeah—I miss him too. I’ll give Elizabeth both those messages—thanks.” He flipped his phone off and stuck it back in its place.

“What messages?” Danny curiously prodded.

“Uncle Sonny wants us to come over next week for dinner. Your cousin Michael will be there too. You know him right?”

“Yeah—but I only saw him a few times ‘cause Lucky said that his mother was a—“ He broke off abruptly and looked up at Jason. “He used a really bad word that mommy said I am not allowed to repeat, but I wasn’t allowed to play with him ‘cause his mom was that word. Am I allowed to play with him now?”

“You can play with him now.” Jason assured. “But his mom isn’t allowed to play with yours.” He muttered under his breath.

[JRK Archiver]

Chapter 14


“Good afternoon sir, I calling regarding the waiteressing position you have open…Experience? Oh sure, I worked at Kelly’s for years as a waitress. Kellys’? The diner on…How long ago? Seven years or so. Oh. Yes, I am over twenty-one. The night shift—I can’t, my son is…Yes I have a child, but it would—Hello? Damn.” Elizabeth slammed down the receiver and crossed out another listing in the local newspaper. Since when was it so hard to find a minimum wage paying job? She had less trouble as an irresponsible fifteen year old with no experience then she did now as an adult. With no education other then her two years of college, she knew that she had nothing to offer other then years of waitressing experience. So far that ‘experience’ wasn’t helping her much.

Out of the six places she called, three hung up on her right away and the other three waited till she said that she couldn’t work the nightshift before doing the same. At this rate, she would be filing for welfare before the month was over. She didn’t want to do that almost as much as she didn’t want to ask Jason for any more help then she already did. She had to find a job—and soon.

“Mom!” Danny came rushing in the door, his clothes and hands dirty and his hair slicked back underneath an old baseball hat he put on. “Guess what?”

Swiftly, Elizabeth closed the newspaper and pulled the dirty child into her arms. “What?” She kissed him on his ear, her face scrunching up at the smell of him.

“Jason let me drive!”

“What?!” Elizabeth pulled him back in shock.

“Danny—“ Jason interrupted from the doorway. “I didn’t let you drive—just steer a little bit.”

She let out a sigh of relief, even as her eyes narrowed at her son. “You tried to trick me!”

“Did not!” He began to giggle.

“Aha—“ She did not sound convinced. “For that your going to take a bath before dinner—with out any arguments.”

“Aww Mom!”

“Don’t ‘aww mom’ me—“

“But—“

“Upstairs Mister, strip down to your skivvies and toss all your dirty clothes into the hamper. I’ll be there in a minute.” She slapped him lightly on his bottom before letting him go. “And you—“ she turned to Jason when Danny had left the kitchen.

“I was in control of the car the whole time.” Jason defended helplessly.

“He has at least another ten years before he even gets a permit!” Elizabeth rose from her chair and stalked toward him.

Jason took a step back, trying to control the grin that was about to form on his face. “He was a natural—“

“Is that what you would have told the cops when they would have pulled you over?” She demanded.

“Well—“ She had a point on that one, begrudgingly he admitted to himself. Getting stopped by Port Charles’ finest was probably not the best way to continue his ‘super dad’ status with Danny. “Sorry, I didn’t think of that.”

Elizabeth grinned and gave him half a smile. “He must have loved it though.”

“He did.” Jason confirmed. “So—if Danny had to take a bath as his punishment, what’s mine?” He moved closer to where she was standing, his eyes never leaving her own.

“Your punishment?” Elizabeth stuttered out when he took another step. She took another deep breath before her nose scrunched up and she grinned. “You can do the same as your son.“

“I can do what—“The seductive smile forming on his lips dyed as her words began to make sense. Looking down at his sweat stained t-shirt he realized that she had a point.



******



It was barely after nine that evening when Elizabeth decided to turn in. She wasn’t tired but if she spent another minute looking at help wanted ads or analyzing her life she was going to go crazy. After taking short shower and changing into her pajamas she stepped out into the hall to check on Danny one last time. He had fallen asleep down stairs over an hour ago, worn out from the day’s activities and Jason carried him up stairs to tuck him in. Now she just wanted to make sure he had actually stayed asleep.

“Are you sure that there are no Martians under there?” She heard her son’s whispering voice coming from behind her door. She pushed his semi-ajar further and peeked inside.

“Positive—I checked four times.” Jason whispered back from his position on the floor.

“But I know I heard something.” Danny insisted anxiously.

“I’ll tell you what—“ Jason lifted himself halfway onto the bed. “I am going to turn on the nightlight your mom got you and leave the door partially open and your going to try to go back to sleep.”

“But—“

“If…If you hear them again, you call me and I’ll let you sleep with me or I’ll sleep with you in here. Deal?”

“You’ll leave the door open?”

“Partially, so the hall light doesn’t bother you.”

“And you’ll stay close by if I call.”

“Very close.”

“Okay.” Elizabeth watched Danny flop back down on his pillows and allow Jason to tuck him in. “But don’t tell mommy about the aliens cuz then she’ll be scared and you’ll have to sleep with her too.”

“And we can’t have that.“ Jason grinned at him before giving him a kiss on the head and getting up.

As quietly and as quickly as she could, Elizabeth tried to get back to her own bedroom.

“Caught you!” Jason touched her shoulder before she could even reach the door.

Careful not to touch him, she turned around and leaned against the wall behind her. “I was just coming to say goodnight.” Elizabeth fumbled nervously. “Good night!”

“I am afraid you can’t go yet—you heard about them.” Jason solemnly told her.

“Them?”

“The aliens. You heard Danny tell me about the aliens and now you’re going to get scared.” Once again Jason began to close the distance between them.

“Jason? What are you doing?”

“You heard our son—if you’re scared, I have to sleep with you.”

“I am not scared!”

“Liar.” He whispered when there were centimeters apart. “You’re shivering.” He raised his hand to her goose bump covered arm and began to stroke it slowly.

“I—“ Elizabeth closed her eyes at the sensations he was arising.

“You might not be scared of aliens but you sure are scared of something.” His hands moved to enclose her waist between them. “Are you scared of me, Elizabeth?”

She couldn’t speak so she just shook her head as an answer.

“You know I would never hurt you. But you’re still scared of something. That’s why you lied to Danny this morning about our kiss, that’s why you’ve been avoiding me ever since.”

“No—“

“Yes you have.” Jason brushed back a loose strand of her hair. “Don’t lie to me. I won’t do anything you don’t want me to.”

“I know.” She said softly. “You never have.”

“So why are you afraid?”

She didn’t know what it was—the lateness of the day, the dim lighting or just being so close to him that she couldn’t push him away and put up her walls again. “I don’t want to depend you—I don’t want to hurt you, again.”

Jason blinked, not prepared for what she told him. “What are you talking—“

His question was cut off when they heard a loud banging coming from their front door.

“You expecting anyone?”

“No. You?” Elizabeth asked as she began to make her way down the stairs.

“Wait a minute.” Jason ran back into his own bedroom and a second later came back holding a gun.

“I don’t think a murderer would knock.” Elizabeth commented dryly. He shrugged and motioned for her to stay behind him.

The banging only grew louder as they descended down the stairs.

“Who is it?” Jason yelled through the door, when the only answer that came was more banging, he pushed Elizabeth further behind him and unlatched the two top locks. “Stay behind me.” He whispered to her before he pulled the door open.

“I knew it!” Came an angry voice. “Your in town one day and have your red cape on!”

“Hi Carly.” Jason slipped his gun into the back of his jeans and stifled a curse when he remembered what was interrupted upstairs.

“You just couldn’t wait to get your claws in him, could you?” The blonde bombshell yelled over his shoulder, and he remembered that Elizabeth was there.

Furious that yet another psycho Spencer interrupted her own time with Jason, Elizabeth pushed past him. “Nope, and we were right about to get to the ‘clawing’ before you interrupted. Good night.” She smiled sweetly at her before shutting the door in her face.

[JRK Archiver]

Chapter 15


The satisfaction she felt from slamming the door in Carly’s face lasted about as long as is it took her to turn around and see Jason’s face.

“Well what was---“ he grinned before continuing. “Unexpected.”

“Oh @#%$.” Elizabeth muttered. “I forgot that you were friends with the evil witch.”

“Elizabeth—“

“Sorry. I meant with Carly.”

“That’s not what—“

“And it was rude of me to slam the door on her, but she really came at a bad time.”

“Tell me about it.”

“And she had that smug look on her face and—I couldn’t help it.” She looked up at him. “Sorry?”

Without thinking about it, Jason wrapped his arm around her shoulders and pulled her to his side. “Don’t apologize, I would have done the same thing in a moment.”

She chucked at the thought. “No you wouldn’t.”

Jason thought about it for a second before agreeing with her. “Your right, I wouldn’t. Probably because I know Carly a bit better then you.”

“What do you mean?” She looked up at him curiously.

“I mean—“

BANG BANG

“OPEN UP YOU LITTLE TWIT!”

“That’s what I mean.”

“She is going to wake Danny up with all that racket.”

“Carly doesn’t take rejection to well as you can see.”

“You think?” she remarked sarcastically. This was definitely going to be a long night.

BANG BANG

OPEN THE @#%$ DOOR!

Elizabeth pulled away from him and reluctantly opened the door before growling at Carly. “Would you put a cork in it?! You’re going to wake up the whole neighborhood!”

“I don’t give a @#%$—“

“You never do.”

“Do you see how she is treating me, Jason?” Carly looked past Elizabeth towards him. “She has no respect for what you want—as usual.”
“Carly—“ Jason tried to interrupt, even though he knew it would be a wasted effort. Carly was on a role and when Carly was on a role the rest of the world better watch out.

“She blatantly disregards anything that you may want or need and you just let her!”

Running his hand through his hair and back over his face, Jason shook his head in frustration. “What do you want?”

“What do you mean ‘what do I want’?”

“I mean—what are you doing here in the middle of the freaking night.”

Carly glanced at her watch. “It’s barely nine o’clock—!”

“And we have a six year old that is asleep upstairs.” Jason interrupted.

“Give me a break—Michael never wakes up when I raise my voice.”

“Michael has more practice.” He pointed out.

“And you’re not ‘raising your voice’—you’re throwing a fit.” Elizabeth pointed out before she could stop herself.

Carly took the bait and turned her attention back on her. “A fit? I’ll show you a—“

“Carly!” Jason barked, startling both women. “Answer the damn question and fast.”

“My—someone has their panties in a knot.”

“Carly—if you don’t answer me in the next—“

“I heard a rumor that you were back in town.”

“So?”

“And then Michael came home and told me that he saw her little brat at the park—“

“Don’t you dare call my son—“ Elizabeth began.

“with you!” Carly didn’t even hear Elizabeth’s objections, her full attention focused on how Jason was going to react to being caught.

“So?” Jason prompted even as he saw Elizabeth stiffen up behind them.

“So?!” She fumed. “I put two and two together!”

“And what was your brilliant conclusion?”

“The little witch—“ she pointed her finger at Elizabeth. “Put one husband in the ground and was looking for a new candidate for the role.”

“Why you @#%$ bitch!” This time it was Elizabeth that growled. “How dare you come into my house in the middle of the night and pass judgment on me in a situation that you know nothing about.”

“You better watch—“

“Mom?”

Elizabeth turned to see her sleepy son standing on the bottom of the stairs looking uncertainly at her.

“Hey baby.” She softened her voice as she approached him, coaxing him to come to her.

“What’s going on?” He fit his hand snuggly in hers and rested his head on her hip. “Why were you yelling?”

“I wasn’t yelling.”

He gave her a ‘yeah right’ look in return before turning his attention to Jason. “You didn’t tell her, did you?”

“Tell her?”

“Tell me what?”

“About them.” Danny let go of Elizabeth and walked over to where Jason stood.

“Oh—about them.” Jason remembered the ‘them’ in question. “It’s still our little secret.” He ruffled Danny’s hair affectionately.

“Good—cause she’ll get scared.”

“Right.”

“What the hell are you talking about?” Carly had enough of being ignored.

Danny quivered closer to Jason.

“Carly—watch your language.” He kneeled down and picked up his son with his right hand. As though it was the most natural thing, Danny wrapped his arms around Jason’s neck and his legs around his waist—just like a monkey as his mom always teased. “You remember Aunt Carly don’t you Danny?”

Danny nodded his head mutely. Of all the things he remembered about ‘Aunt’ Carly, her being nice was never one of them. She reminded him of a lot of how Lucky used to be, and his mom didn’t seem to like her either.

“Well isn’t that a precious sight.” Carly remarked sarcastically.

“Carly go home.” Jason tightened his hold on Danny. “Isn’t Michael staying with you this week? Shouldn’t you go spend some time with him?”

“You sure did a good job her, Muffin Face—got him to fit the ‘role’ perfectly. Jason always had a soft spot for other people’s kids.” She paused for effect. “Didn’t you Jason?”

“That’s enough Carly. “ Elizabeth stepped in front of her, her blue eyes cold as she looked up at the blonde. “Go home or I am going to call the cops and you surely wouldn’t want that, would you Carly? Not with you being on probation and all.”

“You’re going to pay for this.” Carly spat before gracing Jason with one more look and stalking out.

“Well that was fun.” Elizabeth shut the door behind her and turned back to Jason.

“What’s a ‘soft spot’?” Danny asked from his position in Jason’s arms.

“It means you like or have affection for.” Elizabeth explained.

“Oh.” Danny nodded his head before turning to Jason. “Who are the kids that you ‘like or have affection for’? “ He demanded hotly.

Jason grinned at Danny’s obvious discomfort at the thought that Jason liked some kid other then him. “The only kid that I have a soft spot for is you.”

“Na-ah. Aunt Carly said that you have a soft-spot for other people’s kids and I am not someone else’s kid—am I?” He glanced between him and his mother. “I am your son right?”

“Yeah Buddy—“ He pulled Danny’s head down to his own and kissed him soundly. “You’re definitely my son.”

“Good.” Danny grinned before laying his head on Jason’s shoulder. “Cause I have a soft spot for you too.”

[JRK Archiver]

Chapter 16


“So Carly was fighting with your mom and Jason?” Lu prodded her nephew as the two of them sat across the table both munching on cereal.

She had juts gotten in that morning after spending the night at Georgie’s house and found out that she missed some major action back at home.

“Aha.” Danny grinned around his mouthful of cheerios. “They were so loud that they woke me up, but as soon as they saw me they quieted down.” He said a bit disappointedly.

“Bummer.” Lu nodded at him.

“Yeah—mom said that they weren’t arguing.” He rolled his eyes as he finished the sentence.

“Right.” Lu added sarcastically.

“I barely got to hear two words.”

“And you don’t know what it was about?”

“Na-ah.” He shook his head apologetically. “But Aunt Carly said a whole lot of bad words, but don’t tell mom that I heard them cuz’ she still thinks I am a baby and don’t know what they mean.”

“No problem kid, I learned them when I was about your age too. Your Gramps might be a great man, but he curses like a sailor.” Lu laughed at the dumbfounded expression on Danny’s face. “But you know what—your don’t have to call Carly ‘Aunt Carly’ anymore.”

“I don’t?”

“She isn’t your aunt you know and even if she were—would you really want people to know you were related to her?”

“No way—“ Danny shook his head again. “I never liked her much anyway.”

“Never liked who?” Elizabeth came into the kitchen just in time to hear her son’s announcement. She was already dressed in jeans and a t-shirt, her hair pulled back from her face in a pony tail. Her hands and knees were dusty from unpacking the last of the boxes and cleaning up in the attic. “Hey Lu—when did you get back?” Elizabeth went over to the sink to wash her hands before grabbing a glass and pouring some water into it for herself.

“Just now.” She shrugged. “Dan here was just catching me up on last night’s activities.” Lu grinned wickedly at her sister.

“Dan here has a big mouth.” She came over to the mouth in question and rubbed his head affectionately before checking on his progress with his breakfast. “Who don’t you like anyway?” She repeated her question again.

“Au—Carly.” He amended. “She is a major Poophead.”

Elizabeth laughed at his description. “I definitely agree.”

“Here, here!” Lu picked up her glass orange juice and toasted in the air. “To Carly being the official ‘Poophead Queen’!



********



Jason knew that this had to be done—he didn’t want to do it but last night reminded him of what happens when you leave loose ends and ignore your problems. Currently the loose end and the problem happened to be a in the form of a five foot four fake blonde with nails as long and as sharp as her tongue.

Like ripping of a band-aid—this had to be done both as fast as possible. Briskly he knocked on the oak door.

“Who is it?” came a female voice from inside. He didn’t recognize it but assumed it was Carly’s housekeeper. God knows that Carly wouldn’t be able to live without one.

“Jason Morgan.”

“I got it!” came another voice—this one Jason knew and instinctively he braced himself for the shot of pain that usually followed. Surprisingly however there wasn’t one now. He didn’t understand it but didn’t have time to analyze it because the door was immediately pulled open.

“Hi.” Michael greeted almost shyly. He had grown up—a lot. Sonny had mentioned that Michael was getting tall and had sent Jason some photographs over the years but it was still shocking to look at him and realize that the child he remembered was now reaching past his shoulder.

“Hi Michael.” Jason held out a hand, not knowing what the boy knew about him—he had three different parents and all of them had contrasting opinions of him. “How are you?”

Eagerly Michael put his own hand into Jason’s and shook it. Whatever was told to him obviously wasn’t all bad. “I am good—mom said you would come to visit but you know mom.” He rolled his eyes in disgust. “She is upstairs taking a shower now—I made her take one because of her hangover.”

Sonny had told him that Carly’s drinking was getting out of hand, but he hadn’t thought it was this bad. “Do you do that often?”

“Do what?”

“Take care of her when she’s been drinking to much..”

“Someone has to.” Michael shrugged. “I don’t mind though, at least when she is passed out or sick, she isn’t scheming or anything.”
He continued matter of factly. “She came home really pissed last night—since she was ranting and raving about you I guess that she paid you a visit.”

“Yeah—too put it mildly.”

“I told Pops that she was planning on it.”

“He passed on the message, thanks.” Jason continued to study him. Michael’s behavior was nothing like any of his parents. He was calm, rational and mature—three characteristics that neither Carly, AJ or even Sonny often possessed.

“Why are you looking at me like that?”

“Honestly? I am trying to figure out how you turned out as well as you did when you are surrounded by the Qs, Sonny and Carly all your life. I kind of expected you to be a whiny kid that threw temper tantrums and broke all the family dishes when in a rage.”

To his surprise, Michael laughed rather then get offended. “Grandma Monica says that I got my personality from Lila—and you. Don’t tell Dad though, sometimes I pretend to be spoiled just so he feels like I got something from him.”

“That’s very thoughtful of you—“ Jason grinned. “How is A.J.?”

“He is doing good—“ Michael grinned. “He hasn’t picked up a drink in over six years—I am really proud of him. He also quit working from Great Gramps last year and is now opening his own real-estate firm. He is calling it ‘Q and Son’ and says that if I want to then I can come and work for him when I get older, but I don’t have to.”

“He broke away from the old man?” Some things were definitely different in this town.

“Yeah—surprising huh?”

They both heard the door being slammed on the second floor and tensed.

“That must be mom—are you sure you want to deal with her now? I could tell Rosa not to tell her that you were here.”

“No—I’ll go up and talk to her.” He looked up the stairs.

“Good luck—but if she gets hysterical you can just call me and I’ll calm her down.”

“Thanks but I can handle her—hopefully.”



********



“Liz—mom and dad keep asking me when you are going to bring Danny to visit them?” Lu sat down next to her as Elizabeth continued to browse through ‘Help-Wanted’ ads.

“What did you tell them?” She looked up.

“That I’ll ask you.” Lu shrugged. “What could I say? You have to tell them about Jason being his father because if they find out any other way they will be more hurt then they are already going to be.”

“I know.” She put down the paper—two red circles were on it, indicating job positions she wanted to inquire about. “If you could stay with Danny, I’ll shower and then go speak to them.”

“Woah—I didn’t mean for you to drop everything and do it now. If you want to spend a little more time procrastinating then it’s fine by me, I just wanted to give you a head’s up.”

“No—It has to be done. Danny is going to be registered for school soon anyway and I am not sure whether he will be a ‘Webber’ or a ‘Morgan’ but he definitely won’t be a ‘Spencer.’.”

[JRK Archiver]

Chapter 17


Jason heard Carly cursing even before he reached her bedroom door. Rapping lightly on it, he silently braced himself for the confrontation that he would now face.

"Baby?" He heard her croon. "Could you get mommy some more aspirin?"

"It's not Michael."

Even before the worlds were completely out of his mouth the door flew open. "Jason." Carly whispered, her eyes shined with both the remnants of her hangover as well as with excitement. "You came back!"

"No Carly--"

He was cut of as Carly threw her arms around him and held on for dear life.

"I knew you would, I knew that once you thought about--"

"Carly." He snapped as he disentangled her arms from around his neck and pushed her away from, back into her room before he reluctantly followed her. "Michael doesn’t need to hear this."

"Hear what?" Carly asked innocently. "It's perfectly normal for a child to hear his parents arguing once in a while."

Jason grimaced at her words. "I am not his parent." He growled at her. "And for the record--he is acting more like your parent then you are his!"

"What--" She stared back at him, shock marring her already pale features.

"Why the @#%$ does it fall on him to take care of his drunk ass mother?"

"It doesn't happen very often." Carly pouted. "I was just so upset about what happened last--"

"Don't give me that bullshit, Carly. You are a @#%$ drunk and Michael is already starting to pay for it."

Carly continued to pout at his words.

"I didn't come here to talk to you about Michael though, but I am promising you that if I ever find out that you are drinking while he is in your care, I'll make sure--"

"You always were such a good father to him"

Clenching his teeth Jason continued. "I'll make sure that he is never aloud here without the supervision of one of his fathers--Sonny or A.J."

"Jason--"

"No!" His hand shot out and sliced through the air, cutting off whatever she was about to say. "Don't argue, this is not negotiable—and you know damn well I can make good on my promise. The next time you want to pick up the bottle, think about it. Got it?"

Nodding sullenly she kept quiet.

"Good—now about last night. What the hell did you think you were going to accomplish by storming in the way you did?"

"You were with her!" she accused as though that was a perfectly reasonable excuse.

"So?"

"You are letting her manipulate you again!"

"And what? Do you think that you should have a monopoly over that right?"

Carly's face contorted with outrage.

"Despite what you may believe, I actually do have a head on my shoulders and I can actually make decisions for myself!"

"Not when it comes to her." Carly muttered sulkily.

"Or when it came to Robin or any other woman that you found out about--any other female that happened to not be you."

"You have bad taste in women." She shrugged.

"Maybe--I did stay with you for almost a year!" He knew that he was being malicious, but was damn tired of tip toeing around her 'fragile' feelings while she stomped on everyone else's.

"Why are you being so mean to me?" She whined through trembling lips.

"Because I am sick and tired of you @#%$ everything up for me!" He yelled. "Last night showed me just how persistent you are and just how little you care who gets hurt when you’re on one of your tirades. Well, I am not going to be yet another casualty this time and I sure as hell am not going to stand around to watch you attack Elizabeth or my son!"


********


She could do this—she could! And maybe if she repeated it to herself another half a thousand times she would start to believe it. How do you tell someone that you have been lying to them for the past eight years—that the grandchild that they love is really not theirs?

“Elizabeth!” Luke’s cheery voice greeted her as she stepped onto their front porch.

Elizabeth took a moment to capture his smiling face to memory—it was definitely going to be the last time he smiled at her that way. Heck—maybe after this, they would finally blame her for Lucky’s death too, saying that she drove him to it. It wouldn’t matter to them that Lucky didn’t know of Danny’s paternity until minutes before his death and that he was a bastard anyway. No—not a lot of things would matter after they found out the truth.

“Hey Luke—“ He reached out and pulled her into the house, shutting the door behind her before he started studying her from head to toe with a grin on his face.

“Look at you—you sure look better since the last time I saw you.” Luke complimented, taking in her longer hair, new jeans and bright red t-shirt that made the red high lights in her hair stand out even indoors.

“You said that I looked good last time!” She laughed.

“Yeah but now, you are radiant!” He gave her his best smile.

“Keep that up and I’ll tell Laura.”

“Go ahead—we can run away together and be like Romeo and Juliet.”

“Great—I have to drink poison now.”

“Would you rather have the ‘dagger’?”

“No thanks.” She quipped dryly.

“Shucks, I so hate mortal wounds.”

“I guess we can’t runaway together, huh?”

“No.” He said glumly. “Guess I am stuck with the missus.”

“Luke who is it?” They heard Laura call from the kitchen and Elizabeth couldn’t help but notice how Luke’s smile became more guarded at the sound of his wife’s voice.

“It’s Elizabeth.” He called back to Laura, before lowering his voice. “She hasn’t been herself lately—so be prepared.”

Elizabeth nodded in understanding. “Lu told me.”

“Hi Elizabeth.” Laura’s sing song voice rang through out the room as she entered and went to hug her daughter-in-law. “How are you Darling?”

“Hi Laura—“ Elizabeth returned the hug reluctantly, knowing she was about to send Laura further into depression. “I am all right. And you?”

“I miss him—so much.” Laura’s eyes filled with tears, at the thought of her son. “And Nikolas doesn’t come by anymore either.”

“Nikolas?” Elizabeth pulled back surprised, and looked at Luke. Luke shook his head telling her not to bother correcting Laura.

“Did you bring Danny with you?” Laura looked around them.

“No—I left him at home.”

Laura’s eyes narrowed. “With who?”

“Umm…Lu is with him, why?”

“Lu? But Lu is a baby herself!”

Elizabeth looked back at Luke for guidance—she never suspected that Laura had become this unstable.

“Don’t worry darling—everything is all right. Elizabeth has a next door neighbor checking in on the kids every hour.” Luke reassured his wife. “You look tired. Are you feeling well?”

Laura glanced around to look at him before nodding slowly. “Yes, I am a little tired. Would you excuse me Elizabeth, I am going take a nap for a bit.”

“Of course—go ahead.” Elizabeth said, hoping the relief she felt didn’t show in her voice.

“Bring Danny next time, I have some of Lucky’s old things that he might want to have.” She called out as she made her way up the stairs.

Both Luke and her waited until they heard the bedroom door close behind her before making another sound.

“She is really not doing well Luke.”

“Tell me about it—I try telling her that Nikolas is dead or that Lu isn’t five anymore but it’s like talking to a brick wall. She doesn’t hear what is being said, only what she wants to hear.”

“Luke—“ Elizabeth took a much-needed breath. “I have to tell you something, I was going to do it with both you and Laura at once, but maybe it would be better if I spoke to you first.”

“This sounds serious.” Luke half grinned.

“It is.”

The grin disappeared. “Ok—why don’t we go into the kitchen where we couldn’t be overheard as easily.” He propelled her forward until they were both inside the kitchen.

“You better sit down.” Elizabeth motioned to a chair.

“Oh—it’s that serious.” He did as he was told and plopped down on a near by stool.

“It’s about Danny.”

Instantly concerned, Luke jumped up. “Is he all right—you didn’t mention him being sick or anything?”

“No—“ she reassured him. “He is a perfectly healthy little boy. Luke I don’t know how to tell you this except by blurted it out.”

“The best way—kiddo. Go ahead.”

“Lucky wasn’t Danny’s father.” She said in one breath, her eyes screwed shut as she awaited Luke’s reaction.

After a moment Luke finally spoke. “You don’t mean in just parenting skills do you?”

She shook her head.

“Did he know?”

“He found out minutes before Jason shot him—he never even suspected it.”

“How long did you know that Morgan was Danny’s old man?”

Elizabeth’s eyes shot open, surprised at how fast Luke figured it out. “Since Danny was about two, I suspected it. It was a bit later when he needed to have his blood work done that I was convinced.”

“Christ.” Luke swore.

“I am sorry.” Elizabeth whispered.

“Your sorry that Danny is Jason’s kid?” Luke asked skeptically.

“No, I am sorry that this is hurting you so much.”

“I know you are.” Luke got up and patted her on the shoulder. “I don’t know how Laura is going to take this—“

“Luke, I don’t want you and Laura to be out of Danny’s life. You are his grandparents.”

“And how does Morgan feel about that?”

“He’ll deal. I told him that I didn’t want to take you out of Danny’s life or vise versa.”

“Does Danny know?”

“About Jason being his father? Yeah. We told him back at the island. He is slowly beginning to accept it.”

“Good—the boy needs a father that he doesn’t fear.” He ran a hand over his shaved head. “Crap—Laura isn’t going to take this too well and I don’t want you bringing Danny over until I can either calm her down or send her on a trip across the Atlantic.”

“I understand—but Danny misses you. You could come by, you know. You do have a daughter at my house too. I bet she would love to see you—even if she doesn’t admit it.”

“I might—as soon as I load my shot gun.” Luke grinned. “In case Morgan gets to feisty.”

[JRK Archiver]

Chapter 18


Seconds too late Jason realized what he had said.

For a moment, Carly was too shocked to speak and for that brief time Jason thought the shock might be permanent. No such luck.

Carly’s face contorted with rage and she shrieked. “Your what?”

“My son.” Jason said cautiously, his eyes closing as he waited further for Carly’s reaction. How could he just let something like that slip out? And to Carly of all people too.

He watched disbelief cross Carly’s face, before she controlled it and smiled sneeringly at him. “Oh wow Jason. She really did a number on you didn’t she?”

“What?” He asked not understanding.

She shook her head pityingly at him and stepped closer, the expression on her face not changing as she went on. “Not only does she have you paying her bills, and playing bodyguard for her, but she also got you playing ‘daddy’ to her brat.”

Jason’s eyes snapped up at her words, fury taking over his body. “Watch it—“ He warned coldly.

“Oooh.” Her body trembled mockingly as she continued to come closer, not aware of how close she was to pushing him too far. “Big Bad Jason Morgan is mad—I wonder what ‘Miss Muffin Face’ is doing to make you this loyal to her.“

“I am warning you—“ His growled through clenched teeth.

But Carly was never too good at taking warnings.

“Gee Jase—I thought Michael was a good lesson for you about claiming other people’s children, but obviously your accident did a lot more then just impair your memory.”

And that’s when his temper snapped.



********



Babysitting was such a drag—Lu thought as she continued to flip through the channels. If Liz and Danny weren’t family, she would demand to be paid for the time and energy she was spending.
She flipped again.

“Where’s mom?” Danny looked up from his coloring book; a tray of cookies lay untouched in front of him.

“She had some errands to run.” Lu muttered automatically, not taking her eyes from the TV.

“That’s what you said an hour ago.” He complained.

“They are long errands.”

“Where is Jason?” Danny persisted. He was bored and Lu didn’t want to do anything but lie on the couch and flip channels.

“Also running errands.”

“The same ones as mom?”

“No. Different ones.”

“When are they going to be back?”

“I don’t—“

“Mom!” Danny enthusiastic yell broke off whatever Lu was going to say. He raced toward the front door just as Liz came through it and threw himself at her. “Thank God your home!”

“What?” She laughed, ruffling his hair lightly. “What happened?”

“I am bored. All Lu wants to do is watch TV—and she won’t watch anything good.” He scowled at his ‘aunt’.

Liz looked behind him to find Lu standing there, rolling her eyes at him. “I liked you so much better when you couldn’t talk.”

“Danny, why don’t you go take these bags into the kitchen for me.” She pushed the two grocery bags she was carrying into his arms and propelled him along.

“How did it go?” Lu asked just as Danny disappeared into the kitchen. “Did you talk to them?”

“I did.” Liz pulled off her sweater and hung it carefully on the hook by the door. She was going to have to talk to Jason about putting more of them up, the three there weren’t enough to hold everyone’s clothing and bags.

“And?”

“And Luke took it like—Luke.”

“And mom?”

“And your mom was taking her nap upstairs at the time, blissfully unaware of what I was telling him.”

“She’ll probably take it better coming from Dad then she would coming from you anyway.”

“She won’t take it well either way, Lu.”

“I know—but



********



He was on her before she could utter another word, his steely fingers biting into the nape of her neck. She squeaked in outrage before she met the coldness of his eyes and froze.

“Jaso—“ her voice wavered.

“Don’t.” He bit out, his fingers tightening. “I put up with a lot from you in the past, didn’t I? I stood by you when everyone else shunned you, allowed you to @#%$ up my life. But that was never enough for you, was it? If there was anything wrong with your own life, everyone must pay for it. It didn’t matter if it was Sonny, Michael, some random stranger or me. Well what’s the matter with you now? Or are you just so bitter that no one is allowed to be happy.”

“Shut up.” She squirmed in his hold.

He laughed at her words. “What’s the matter? Truth hurts? I am only going to tell you this once so listen. I am sick and tired of your @#%$. You want to @#%$ with me? Fine. @#%$ with me, you take it out on my son or Elizabeth and I’ll do a hell lot more then just take Michael away from you. You will lose everything. I will make sure of that.”

“You can—“

His fingers tightened again in warning. “I don’t like hitting women, but I can make an exception for you. Listen. Don’t come what’s mine.”



********



After storming out of Carly’s, Jason only had one thought on his mind.

Elizabeth was going to kill him.

No question about it—she was going to wring his neck when she found out.

They had discussed this already and agreed that she would tell the Spencers privately about Danny before they made the news public. For some godforsaken reason she wanted them to remain in Danny’s life. Go figure.

Well he sure butchered that plan. He might as well have taken out an ad in the P.C. times, because no matter how much he threatened Carly the news of Danny’s paternity was going to be public knowledge by nightfall.



********



Laura waited until she was sure that Luke had fallen asleep before opening her eyes. The scent of cigars and whiskey clung to him like a second glove and it was all she could do not to throw up. To think that the same smells used to be a turn on for her—how things have changed.

Her mind drifted and she remembered what she heard Elizabeth tell Luke.

The little bitch.

She was going to try to pass off her baby’s son as the son of a no good piece of scum. Oh no—Danny was her last link to Lucky and she’d be damned if she let that happen.

[JRK Archiver]

Chapter 19


By the time Jason had the nerve to come back to the house it was well past eleven o’clock. Nodding his head at the guard he opened the front door and cautiously went in. With any luck, Elizabeth would be asleep and he could postpone what he had to tell her or the night.

Luck, however, wasn’t on his side tonight.

“Hi.” Elizabeth rose from the couch as he came through the door. It was obvious that she had been waiting up for him from the pajama pants and tank top she was wearing. And the sleepy look in her eyes along with her loose hair, made her look as vulnerable and innocent as a child. However, he knew that as soon as he told her about Carly, the content look would vanish from her face.

“I—I’m sorry I am late.” He said lamely, shoving his hands in the pockets of his jeans so as to stop himself from reaching out to her. “I should have called.”

“No—“ she shook her head in protest. “I know you have work to do and completely understand that. You don’t have to explain. I just—I just needed to talk to you about something and didn’t want Lu and Danny listening in.”

His eyes narrowed at her obvious uneasiness. “Is something wrong? Did something happen while I was gone?”

“No. Yes.” Elizabeth ran a hand through his hair, allowing more of it to cascade around her face. “I spoke to Luke today.” She finally just blurted out.

“About…” Jason asked cautiously.

“You know about what. About Danny and about you being his father.”

“And…”

“He took it almost well—“ Elizabeth replied shakily. “He took it like Luke would take any other news, with a shrug and a joke. What else could he do?”

“And Laura?”

“That’s one of the problems—Laura doesn’t know. Luke said he would tell her himself, but I am not sure how she will react. Danny was her last link to—Lu—him.”

Jason made what could only be considered a growl in his throat. “He better tell her soon—before she hears it from someone else.”

“Whom else would he hear it from?” she asked absently.

“You’re not going to like this.” Jason warned and saw her eyes darken with suspicion.

“Like what?”

“Well—I went to talk to Carly today.”

“I already don’t like where this is going.”

“We started arguing and it slipped out about Danny.”

“Slipped out?” she shot him an incredulous look before exploding. “Jason ‘I wont make a sound’ Morgan let something slip out?!”

“Tell me about it.” He grumbled unhappily.

“We are going to have to talk to Danny about this right away. He is starting school soon and with Carly, you know that the whole town will be talking about it before then. I don’t want him confused.”

“Me neither. I really didn’t plan to tell her. You know that right?”

“I know. She must have really pissed you off.” Elizabeth commented, giving him a slight smile in reassurance, even as her thoughts raced in her mind.

“That’s an understatement. She knew which buttons to push and she pushed them. You know how she is.”

“Selfish, manipulative and psychotic?” she asked sweetly.

The corners of his mouth began to curve up. Maybe she wasn’t going to kill him after all. “Among other things.”

“And now she has ammunition to actually make some trouble for us. Not a good thing.”

“I warned her not to do anything but—“

“Fuck.” Elizabeth swore. Her tiredness long forgotten as she tried to grasp what had happened. “Why did you do that? You might have waved the red flag in front of her while you were at it! Don’t you know that Carly always does what she is warned not to do?”

And maybe her killing him would be too easy. “I’m sorry. I didn’t realize what I said until it was too late.”

“No—don’t apologize. You warned me that I had to speak to the Spencers sooner but I didn’t listen.” She sat back down on the couch, motioning for him to follow. “So, how long do you think it is before Carly lets lose with the news?”

He leaned back against the cushion, closing his eyes for a second. “She was in pretty bad shape when I got there and worse when I left, so it might take till morning for trouble to start.”

“What a mess.” Elizabeth muttered, before turning to him. “You should go get some sleep—you look tired.”

Jason opened his eyes to find her watching him. “You however, even with the bags under your eyes look beautiful.”
Her reaction to his words was just as expected—she jumped off the couch as though it burned her. “No I don’t.”

“Sure you do—all soft and warm. I like you this way.” He stood up from the couch and faced her.

“Jason, don’t say things like that to me. And—“ She fidgeted nervously. “Don’t look at me like that. You know we can’t be like that.”

“Why? What are you afraid of?” Jason moved closer to where she stood, his eyes focused intently on hers, gauging her reaction.

“I am not afraid of anything—this just isn’t the time. We—we have to deal with other problems, not create new ones.”

“We can’t deal with the other problems until tomorrow anyway.” He countered softly. “This we can deal with tonight.”

“I—“ her mouth seemed suddenly dry. “I just don’t think—“

“Then don’t think.” He suggested as he stopped mere inches in front her. His arms went out circling her waist, loosely barricading her. “Just feel.” He whispered hoarsely just before he lightly brushed her lips with his own. Once. Twice. Then he stepped back again. “Did you like that?” he teased.

Her eyes, which were closed only seconds before, opened slowly at his words. Drowsy with desire, she couldn’t trust herself to speak so she merely nodded her head in response.

“Now I want you to listen to me. Listen carefully though.” Jason brushed his knuckles against her cheek, savoring the softness of it. “Because last time we did this, there was some sort of miscommunication. This time that wont happen. This—“ his lips brushed hers again. “is no accident. It is deliberate. Premeditated. Very premeditated.”

“Jason—“

“I like the way you say that. Did I ever tell you that?” He murmured huskily against her lips, his hot breath driving her insane with need.

“No.” she groaned.

“I do. Say it again for me and then—kiss me.”

She hesitated for only a second before whispering. “Jason.” And lifting herself in his arms and pressing her mouth to his. His grip tightened around her but he let her pull back when she tried.

“That’s good.” His hands tightened around her, pulling her closer, his mouth shot hot and hard over hers, allowing her to taste both the frustration and hunger within him. This wasn’t anything like the chaste kiss she tried planting on him, this was pure fire.

“Jason—“ she moaned, her arms tightening around his neck, her hands diving into the thick tresses of his hear. She tried to remember why she had waited so long for this, why she had fought against it, denied herself this intense pleasure. She couldn’t think. She felt his hands roam the expense of her back before they finally cupped her face. His touch burned her everywhere—and she ached for more.

He broke the kiss, allowing both of them a chance to breathe yet he didn’t stop his torment. His mouth latched onto an earlobe, biting it playfully before laving it with his tongue. He felt her shiver in response—he grinned before repeating his actions again and then, much to her surprise and his own restraint—he stepped back.

She looked up at him with drowsy and confused eyes.

“Now that we got that solved—we may go to sleep.”

“Sleep?”

“Sure—you didn’t expect me to seduce you while our son laid asleep upstairs, not to mention the teenager.”

“I guess—“ She was cut off again with his lips.

“Go to sleep. I am off to take a cold shower before I attempt to do the same.” He smiled sheepishly before turning away leaving her for the night.