Viva Las Vegas (Alt. Version) by TheJavaGirls

[JRK Archiver]

Note: This is the alternate version of Viva Las Vegas.

Chapter 1



“Two days, twelve hours and...” Looking down at her watch Liz grinned in excitement. “Twenty-three seconds spring break will be upon us. We can leave behind our bulky sweaters and winter jackets and look forward to swimsuits and suntan lotion.” Shutting her Western Civ book with a loud dramatic bang, Elizabeth Webber stood from the library table she and her best friend and roommate had been sitting at for the last three hours, ignoring the glares from the other students around her.

“Yup.” Emily mumbled as she started to pack up her books, not looking her friend in the eye.

“That’s not a here we come Fort Lauderdale yup is it.” Liz’s smile slipped from her face as she studied the other girl’s expression. “That looks more like a, my family screwed my vacation plans again kind of look.” When Emily didn’t look up, Liz slumped back down in her chair. “No! You’ve got to be kidding me. We have our tickets.”

“I know.” Emily grimaced.

“A-and we tortured ourselves since Christmas to diet and get into shape for this.” Liz’s brow creased as frustration gnawed at her insides.

“I know.” Twisting in her chair Emily begged Liz with her eyes to understand. “My brother’s business partner and not to mention best friend are getting married. If Sonny hadn’t done so much for me when I lived in Port Charles I would’ve said no, but...”

Waving a hand for Emily to stop Liz tried to give her best grin and bare it smile. “Don’t worry about. It’s not like I really thought we’d get to go. I mean we do have two more years and all.”

“I feel so bad.” Emily argued. “I mean every vacation something has come up. I just found out this morning and was trying to find a way to tell you.”

“Don’t worry about it.” Resting her hand on top of Emily’s shoulder, Liz winked. “I’m sure I’ll find a way you can make it up to me. There‘s tons to do around here. I mean there‘s always finding new and exciting ways to avoid my family. I could always go skiing I guess.” Liz tried hard not to shudder at the thought of hitting the slopes alone during Spring Break. She knew that Emily always felt so guilty every time she had to bail on one of their vacations.

But coming from a family as dysfunctional as Emily’s, Liz knew what a strain it could be trying to ward them off when crisis came about. Plus when a person had a heart as big as Em’s it was hard to say no.

Ruined vacations aside, Emily Quartermaine was the best friend Liz had ever known. The first person that not only had met the Webbers but had disliked them from the start. It was refreshing really, having someone on her side, and believing in her. It made going to CU, a college not more than twenty minutes from her parents home a lot more bearable.

Emily chewed on her lower lip until her eyes lit up and a smile spread across her face. “I know! Why don’t you come with me?”

“To Port Charles?” Liz shook her head. “No thank you. You’ve told me enough about that place that I doubt I’ll ever cross New York’s state line in fear that that town may suck me in and never spit me out. I’d rather go visit my Aunt May and Uncle Earl on their farm in Kansas.”

“It’s not that bad!” Laughing at Liz’s horror stricken face, Emily said. “But Sonny and Brenda aren’t getting married there, they’re going to Las Vegas.”

Rolling her eyes and standing up again, Liz grabbed her books. “Now that’s what I call romantic. Next thing you’ll tell me is that Elvis is going to marry them. Polyester suite and all.”

Picking up her book bag and following Liz through the sea of students all crammed into the library for some last minute cramming, Emily felt the weight of having to burst Liz’s Spring Break plans lift. She knew it would only take a matter of minutes to persuade her.

“Besides I can see it now. My with my horrible luck at getting in trouble having to call my parents to get me out of jail.” Liz turned around to walk backwards, making the on coming students get out of her way.

“Oh stop it.” Laughing, Emily shook her head. True Liz’s ability to get herself into jams had kept them pretty busy over the last few years, nothing serious, but always good for a laugh. “Trust me, Jason and Sonny’s men will be all over the place, I doubt we could sneeze without someone knowing.”

Liz stopped. “That’s right. Your brother is part of the M-O-B.” A glimmer of excitement lit Liz’s dark blue orbs.

Looking around and putting a hand over Liz’s mouth, Emily’s eyes flared. “I’m sure everyone around here is a little past Hooked on Phonics. Perhaps you’d like to use the intercom and announce what my brother does.”

Both girls burst out laughing, receiving glares from the studying students. Grabbing Liz’s hand, Emily pulled her to the exit. “Come on before the mob stones us.” As soon as they were outside, Emily looked over at Liz. “So you’ll come?”

“I don’t know. I mean I don’t want to intrude.” Buttoning her jacket with trembling hands as the Rocky Mountain air stung her cheeks, turning them rosy.

“You won’t be.” Emily grinned. She knew Liz well enough to know that at any moment she’d cave.

Walking in silence for a few blocks Liz paused and smiled. “I just have one question.”

“What?”

“What does one wear to a mob wedding?”

~~~*~~~

“And why exactly can’t I go to Las Vegas with you?” Carly demanded as she followed Jason up the stairs and to his room.

Grabbing a bag from his closet, Jason sighed and dropped his head a bit. He was tired, it had been a long day, and the last thing he needed right now was another fight with Carly.

“Carly drop it, I’ve already explained why you can’t go.” Tossing the large black duffle into the center of the bed, Jason turned his back on Carly and headed to his dresser.

“Oh that’s right, her might and royal Miss Barrette. God forbid anyone upset the Queen.” Sneering, Carly put her hands on her hips.

“Carly, it’s her wedding.” Shoving a handful of socks into his bag, Jason squeezed his eyes shut, silently telling himself he was putting up with this for Michael’s sake. That the little boy he had come to love like his own, deserved to have a chance at a family. Even if his mother drove him to insanity.

“Big deal. So I don’t go to the wedding. It doesn’t mean that I can’t go to Las Vegas with you.”

“What about Michael? I don’t want him there, it’ll be too dangerous.” Walking over to his closet he pulled out a few shirts.

“My mother can-.”

Jason held up a hand, “Carly stop. My answer is no. We’ve been through this ever since Sonny and Brenda decided to get married at the new casino we bought.”

Her eyes blazing, Carly took a few steps forward until she was just inches away. “Jason I swear, if I don’t go you will be sorry.”

Another Carly threat. Carly doesn’t get her way, she threatens. Honestly he was getting tired of it. The woman threatened him more then his enemies did. Most of the time she used Michael against him. Clearly knowing how emotionally attached he’d become to the little boy.

The phone rang as the two continued to glare at one another. On the forth ring, he sighed before turning his back to her and headed to the phone.

“Morgan.” Rubbing at the balled up muscles at the base of his neck, he tried taking a few deep breaths.

“Let me guess the bitch is at it again?” Emily’s voice came over the line, bringing an instant smile to his lips.

“Emily,” Taking a look over at the clock he took note of the time. “Shouldn’t you be studying, or at least sleeping?”

With a loud groan, Emily said. “No Daddy. Actually I was getting ready to go to an orgy.”

Jason’s brows lowered. “What?”

“Nothing, Jesus Jason you used to have a sense of humor. Has the rabid shrew from hell already sucked you dry?”

“You’ll see what a great sense of humor I have when I send Johnny or Francis out there to guard you.” Jason smirked. He heard Carly mutter behind him before storming out of the room and slamming the door.

“You do that. Liz would terrorize them to the point that they’d come running home within a week.” Emily laughed.

He loved hearing her laugh. To know that for once his little sister was happy and out of his families reach gave him a little peace. He had been a little leery at first when she had announced her plans on going out to Colorado for college. She just seemed too young, too innocent to be that far away from home. But she had blossomed.

“Who’s Liz?”

“Do you ever listen to me when I talk?”

“Of course I do. Liz is your new dog.” The corner of his lips twitched as he braced the phone between his ear and shoulder and continued to pack. Her shriek of outrage nearly had him laugh.

“You know what Jason, forget having that best brother spot in my heart. Even AJ knows who Liz is.”

Jason immediately frowned. “That’s because when he was visiting you last year he threw up all over her.”

“So you know who I’m talking about then?”

“Emily I always listen to you. Liz has been your roommate for the last two years. Her family is from Boulder, she has an older brother and sister, who you hate. She’s been kicked out of two private schools and arrested once for indecent exposure.”

“Which wasn’t her fault.”

“Of course.” The sound of Carly slamming around downstairs made him pause.

“Well I was wondering if she could come with me. I kinda had to bail on her for Spring Break and I really feel bad.”

Sitting down on his bed, Jason pinched the bridge of his nose as he pictured two twenty year olds running around Vegas. “Absolutely not.”

”What?” Emily’s disbelief was evident, making Jason feel a little bad.

“Emily I can’t risk her safety. It‘s going to be enough just to make sure you’re safe.”

“Oh come on Jason, we’ll be good I swear. We’ll do everything you tell us to.”

Letting out a long breath, he looked down at his feet. He knew that Emily was going to go crazy by herself at the hotel alone. There was a lot business that had to be done so he wouldn’t be able to be there with her all the time. Plus Francis was already going to be her guard, and it wasn’t as if he couldn’t handle another girl.

“Fine.” Holding the phone away from his ear, Jason winced at Emily’s excited squeal. “BUT, you do what I say.”

“We promise.”

“I mean it Emily. I’ll send her back to Boulder in a second.”

“Jason I swear we will be perfect little angels.”

Rolling his eyes, Jason couldn’t help but snort. “Yeah more like perfect little devils. Oh yeah one more thing.”

“What’s that?”

“I want the two of you fully clothed at all times. There’ll be no arrests for indecent exposure. No tattoos, no piercings and absolutely no getting married. Do I make myself clear?”

“Jason has anyone ever told you that you’re a geek?”

“Bye Emily.” Jason shook his head and put down the phone.

~~~*~~~

Carly stood with the phone clasped in her hand, her eyes in narrow slits as she tried to control the raging anger pumping through her body. So it was okay for his little sister and some stranger to go, but he put his foot down when it came to her? The person he was supposedly trying to form family with for her son.

This wasn’t a good sign. She knew that Jason wasn’t in love with her. Though he cared about her as a friend, she wasn’t a fool to think he was with her because of her. It was about Michael.

Setting the phone back on it’s receiver, Carly formed a plan as she grabbed her purse and headed to her Mother’s.

[JRK Archiver]

Two

Two days, ten hours and fifteen seconds later, both girls came bursting through the door to their apartment in a flurry of jackets and book bags. Already they were running late, their plane scheduled to leave in about two and a half-hours, not to mention the hour-long ride to the airport.

“Have you seen those new shoes I bought?” Liz called out from her room as she struggled to pull her over packed suitcase off her bed with two hands, until it came crashing to the floor.

“You mean those ugly green platforms? The ones that I hated on sight and begged you to seriously reconsider?” Emily yelled back from across the hallway as she shoved said shoes under her pillow. She really did hate them, wincing every time she saw them. “No.”

Liz gasped and let go of the heavy bag. Walking across the hallway and into Emily’s room. “They aren’t ugly.”

“Liz I’ve seen homeless people wearing better looking shoes.” Checking her purse for her itinerary, Emily kept half an eye on her friend as she scouted the room for the missing shoes. Ready to pull out her pepper spray if need be.

“Oh come on, those shoes are perfect.” Getting on her knees and lifting up Emily’s dust ruffle she looked under the bed. “Do you know how clean it is under here?”

With a roll of her eyes, Emily shrugged her shoulders. “So.”

“Really this disturbs me. There’s not a dust bunny in sight.” Giving up on looking under the bed for her missing shoes, Liz hurried over to the closet. “Do you swear that you haven’t seen my shoes?”

Crossing her fingers behind her back, Emily grinned. “Liz think about it, why would I take the one thing that has been giving me nightmares for over a week now?”

Chewing on her lower lip, Liz scanned the room one last time and sighed in defeat. “I really wanted to wear those.”

“With what? You don’t own anything that comes close to matching them.” Smiling sweetly over at Liz, Emily hooked her arm through her friends and pulled her from the room. “We need to hurry, the taxi will be here in a few minutes.”

Dragging their luggage to the front door, both girls grabbed their winter jacket, happy that they’d soon be shading them when they got off the plane in Nevada.

“I can’t believe we’re going to Las Vegas.” Shaking her head as she rummaged through her purse, Liz made sure everything she needed was accounted for. “I mean wow.”

“I know. This is going to be so much fun! I’m glad that you’re coming, I couldn’t imagine having to spend time with my brother’s psychotic girlfriend.”

“That bad?” Liz asked not really paying attention.

“You think I’m joking? She’s seen the inside of a mental hospital. The girl is certifiable. One minute she’s dating Jason, the next she’s married to my other brother AJ.” Pulling on her jacket, Emily saw the look of disgust flash across Liz’s pretty features.

“Anyone stupid enough to marry that jackass should be committed. He ruined my favorite leather jacket.” Wrapping her scarf around her neck, Liz pouted. “I thought that lushes were supposed to be able to hold their alcohol.”

“If it makes you feel any better I really do feel bad about that.” Remembering the nightmare of AJ’s last visit, Emily wondered for the hundredth time why she had even let AJ come.

“Well Jason and Carly are living together now, raising her son Michael.”

Liz paused. “I thought he was the father.”

“Nope, AJ is.”

“Okay I’m lost.” Rubbing her forehead, Liz closed her eyes while she tried to fit the pieces together. “Jason’s not the father.”

“No.”

“AJ is.”

“Right.” Emily gave a firm nod.

“But Jason and Carly are now living together and raising Michael.” Her brow scrunched.

“Exactly.”

“Still fuzzy here. Jason hates AJ, right.”

Emily looked thoughtful. “I think hate is too loose of a term. Despises fits better. Loathes also works wonders.”

“But he has no problems being with a girl that was married to AJ?” The blare of the taxi’s horn put both girls’ into motion. Grabbing their bags, they headed out the door.

“I didn’t say that Jason likes it. He loves Michael and would just about anything for him.” Dragging her bags the last few steps to the taxi, Emily silently hoped that the driver would get off his duff and come and help them. When the truck popped open and the driver remained sitting behind the wheel, both girls shared a look of irritation as they fought to get their bags into the back of the yellow taxi.

As soon as their stuff was settled, Liz slammed the trunk down with a grumble about tips and lack of them. “Okay so back to your brother’s evil and psychotic girlfriend.”

Both girls climbed into the cab, telling the driver their destination. “Not much else to tell, except if you see her coming it’s too late. She’s an unholy terror, and it’s always a good idea to steer clear from her.”

“Check.” Liz nodded, silently feeling sorry for Emily’s older brother. Not that she really knew him personally, but Emily gushed his praises enough that at times it felt as if she did. “Carly bad, steering clear good.”

“Besides Brenda will be there, she’s gotten pretty good at keeping Carly in line. Those two hate each other with a passion.”

“So Brenda is the one getting married?” Trying to ignore the insane speed the taxi driver insisted going, Liz bit down on her lower lip. She’d been known in the past to say things before thinking. And the last thing she wanted right now was some middle-aged man with a bad case of road rage dumping them off miles away from the airport.

“Yes, you’ll like her.” Emily grinned. “Just think in just a few hours we’ll be in Vegas, with our fake ID’s and new clothes... This is going to be the best Spring Break ever.”

~~~*~~~

“Do you ever have a feeling that something big is going to happen?” Jason leaned back against the couch and rubbed his hands over his face in frustration.

Looking up from the folder he was reading, Sonny smirked over at his friend and partner. “No not at all.”

Realizing that he had actually spoken out loud Jason’s cheeks reddened. “I know that Carly is up to something. Knowing her it’s going to get her into trouble. My baby sister is on her way here, and I still can’t believe I agreed that she could bring her roommate.”

Setting the folder down, Sonny studied Jason’s face. It was frustrating as hell having to stand back and watch while Carly yanked Jason around, fully knowing that he’d go to hell and back for Michael. Sonny knew of the late night rides Jason took, trying to clear his head and find someway to escape Carly’s nasty hold on him, but still keep that little boy in his life.

Several times he’d tried talking Jason into getting rid of her once and for all. He knew women like Carly, you could find one on every street corner. They were opportunistic low life bottom feeders that could care less about anyone but themselves, including their own children.

“I know that you don’t want to hear what I have to say about the Carly situation...”

With a heavy sigh, Jason shook his head, while he rubbed the back of his neck. “I know how you feel about her. But I can’t lose Michael. He doesn’t deserve to have me in and out of his life like I have been.”

“I never said that I didn’t understand why you’re staying with Carly. I just don’t like it.” Sonny’s face was void of its usual dimpled smile.

“I really don’t want to talk about Carly.” It was humiliating having his weakness out for his friend to see. More humiliating that he allowed someone to take advantage of him like Carly did.

“Fine we’ll talk about your adorable younger sister and her roommate.” Chuckling now, Sonny watched as Jason groaned as if he were in pain.

“You laugh now, just wait. Emily’s roommate has a knack of getting into trouble.” Narrowing his eyes while Sonny’s chuckles turned into laughter, Jason seriously considered why he remained friends with his boss. “Sonny I’m not joking. This girl got arrested for indecent exposure in Vail last year.”

Raising a brow in question, Sonny picked up his tumbler of Scotch. “Wild child I take it.”

“That’s the thing, she’s not. From the sounds of it she just finds herself in the wrong place at the wrong time. The information Benny got on her she seems like a nice kid.”

“Kid?” Sonny lifted a brow in Jason’s direction, an irritating smirk on his face. “She’s the same age as your sister right?”

“Yeah.” Frowning at Sonny’s apparent amusement, Jason crossed his arms over his broad chest.

“Jason I hate to be the one to tell you this but your sister’s no longer a kid. Hell half the guys get all tongue-tied whenever she’s around.” Watching Jason’s features darken, Sonny held up a hand. “Not that any of them would do anything.”

“They better not.” Mumbling to himself, Jason walked past Sonny to the large picture window that looked down on the street below. “I just have a bad feeling.”

Waving off his friend’s worries, Sonny picked up the folder he’d been reading. “Jason you’re acting like a little old woman. Relax. Francis will be guarding them. He’ll make sure nothing happens.” Sonny’s words did little to calm his nerves, as he watched the people below. He lived by his gut instincts, and right now they were screaming. “And Benny knows to contact us if Carly steps one foot out of Port Charles.”

[JRK Archiver]

Three

Having lived with her best friend for a little over two years, Liz knew a lot about her friend’s life back on the East Coast. Having learned long ago about Emily's disgustingly wealthy family, and their strange and sometimes terrifying ways they showed love. Liz sometimes wondered how someone so special like Emily could come from such beasts. This family had seen it all and done it all, too bad not many of its members learned from their mistakes.

Through long nights and lots of tears, Liz learned of the disastrous night that AJ had driven his car into a tree, throwing Jason from the passenger seat. How terrified Emily had been when she didn’t know if her brother was going to live. To her uncertainty when Jason finally opened his eyes, not only was she a stranger to him, but also the room full of family members waiting at his bedside.

It was the stories about Jason that intrigued Liz the most. Her heart hurt when Emily told her of the anger he’d felt trapped living in the Quartermaine mansion, expected to act like the man he once had been. She had felt slightly jealous when he’d moved out, making his own way in the world without his family's power and influence.

All her life she had tried to shape herself into the daughter and sister everyone wanted her to be, always falling short of the mark. It seemed the harder she tried the more aggravated her parents would get with her. In the end it felt as if she were a dog chasing it’s tail. But no matter how mad she got, she never thought of turning her back on it all and walking away from the expectations she knew she’d never achieve.

So even though she’d never personally met Emily’s older brother, she felt as if she’d known him for years. The few times that he had called to talk to Emily, he’d always been polite. Unlike that jackass AJ, whose sexual innuendos and crass comments made her wonder if they even shared any DNA.

It had been a surprise, finding out that her friend knew people in the Mob, not to mention being related to one of them. Liz’s previous knowledge of the highly glamorous life consisted of old reruns of the Godfather and a few episodes of the Sopranos. Emily quickly deglamed it for her. Telling of how these people had real lives and interests like everybody else. That Sonny, Jason’s boss and best friend, who loved to cook, was even known to be a little protective when it came to his kitchen and cookware. Jason prized his bike and the open road. On several occasions he had been known to disappear for weeks at a time.

Nothing though, prepared her for the reality of what the next week was going to bring. Her first bite of reality was in the form of their bodyguard, Francis. By far not the largest man she’d ever come face to chest with, but definitely the most intimidating.

“Francis!” Liz watched in awe as Emily greeted the man, who probably made most grown men tremble, with an easy smile.

“Miss Quartermaine, it’s a pleasure to see you again.” Reaching out for Emily’s carry-on bag, Liz realized she’d been staring when the man turned to her and offered to take hers as well. “Miss Webber, welcome to Las Vegas.” The smile he gave her was genuine, taking away some of the indecision that had a strong hold over her.

Putting her hands on her hip, Emily gave Francis a deadly glare. “We’ve been through this before. I swear to God, if you call me Miss Quartermaine all week I’ll make your life a living hell. I’ve done it before and I defiantly will do it again.”

Throwing his hands up in mock surrender. “You know I can’t do that, Jason would kick my ass all the way back to New York.” His lips twitched as he tried in vain to keep a straight face.

“Right, just like you couldn’t teach me to play poker the last time.” Francis chuckled, but the amusement didn’t seem to reach his eyes.

“Fine then how about a compromise? I’ll call you Emily when your brother and Mr. Corinthos aren’t around.”

Giving him a victorious nod, Emily stuck out her hand. “Deal. The same goes for Liz too. Trust me she can be a lot more irritating than I ever dreamed of being.”

“So I heard.” Francis mumbled as he led them to claim their luggage.

When he was a few feet ahead, Liz finally found her tongue. Leaning her head closer to her friend, Liz asked in a hushed voice. “What did he mean?”

“Huh?”

“What did he mean when he said, ‘So I heard’?” Knowing that her Emily was being evasive, Liz let out a disgruntled sigh.

“Oh, that...” Emily’s cheeks reddened, growing silent as she thought for a moment. “I’m not going to lie to you. I’m positive that my brother and Sonny had you checked out.”

“Checked out?”

“You know, like knowing everything about you.” Emily said, looking uneasy. “Making sure you aren’t a threat to them or their family.”

“Everything?” Looking doubtful, Liz felt her stomach drop when Emily refused to meet her eyes.

“Well you’ll be happy to know that Jason thought you did a great job on your last Bio exam.”

Liz paused, until Emily’s words started to make sense. “I took Bio my freshman year...You mean to tell me that they’ve been spying on me?”

“Well not really... Okay so perhaps you could say that they probably know more about you than your own parents do, but think about it Liz, they really can’t be too careful.”

They continued to follow Francis, both girls silent. A thought struck Liz as her cheeks turned a flaming red. “Do they know what happened in Aspen? When I got locked out of the cabin?”

“Didn’t you ever wonder how you made bail so fast?” Emily was giggling now, ignoring Liz’s horrified expression.

“Oh my God.” Bringing her hands to her face, Liz felt her cheeks still burning in humiliation. She wasn’t certain, but she thought she heard Francis snickering in front of them.

“Oh come on it wasn’t that bad.”

“Not for you, you had your clothes on.”

“Liz don’t stress about it. They have more important things on their minds to worry about than your little run-in with the law. You’ll see, I’m sure that Jason and Sonny have completely forgotten about it.”

“Gee thanks Em, are you saying that me naked is something that’s easily forgotten?” Trying to push aside her humiliation and see the humor in the situation, Liz cracked an impish grin.

“You naked in in freezing cold conditions... I doubt anyone will ever forget about that.”

~~~*~~~


“So Jason.” Taking the white linen napkin off the table and placing it in her lap, Brenda narrowed her eyes at her intended target. Still highly annoyed that she‘d been confined to hers and Sonny’s lavish suite all day, because of a last minute meeting that couldn’t be put off, she didn’t plan on taking it easy on the two males that made it their duty to make her life miserable. “Tell me what you’ve got planned for Sonny’s bachelor party tonight.”

Not missing the calculating way Sonny’s fiance was watching him, Jason gave a casual shrug. “Nothing special.”

With an irritated snort, Brenda rolled her eyes. “Nothing special as in what? The usual stripper jumping out of a cake, special? Or nothing special as in butt out it’s none of my business, special?”

The corners of Jason’s mouth lifted, knowing that Brenda was trying to bait him he just shook his head. “A little of both.”

“Well you better make sure Sonny stays out of trouble, because if not I’ll be hunting you down.” Placing her hand on top of Sonny’s, and giving a soft squeeze, Brenda laughed at the pained look her fiance sent her way.

“Don’t worry.” Sonny said. “Jason has a special ability to suck the fun out of a room in seconds flat.”

Looking up sharply, Jason frowned slightly. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

“Oh come on Jase, ever since that big-mouthed blonde shrew entered your life you’ve been about as much fun as my Grandfather on bingo night.”

“Sonny.” Sending his friend a look of warning, Jason turned his attention to the menu in front of him. He wished that he could’ve stayed in his room and ordered room service, but Sonny insisted that he join him and Brenda. If it weren’t for the fact that their new business partners demanded to speak he’d be at the airport right now. Picking up his baby sister and her friend.

“What?” Innocence written all over his face, Sonny gave his friend a dimpled smile. “I’m just saying that you’re not as fun as you used to be. Not that it’s a bad thing.” Trying to ignore his friend’s obvious taunt, Jason clenched his jaw.

“Leave Jason alone.” Brenda scolded, her eyes sparkling in glee. “It’s not his fault that he got snared by that two faced lying bitch.”

“Will you two drop it?” Knowing that his friends truly had his best interests at heart, Jason still wasn’t in the mood to sit through another Carly bashing session. “It has nothing to do with her. You both know that I’m with Carly only because of Michael.”

Setting aside his menu, Sonny looked over the table at Jason, his previous teasing expression replaced with concern. “I understand that you love him Jase, but you’re throwing away your life for someone that doesn‘t deserve you. You can be Michael’s father without having to chain yourself to Carly.” Pausing Sonny watched as Jason’s impassive face darkened. “Just hear me out. We all know that she’s playing on your emotions, using Michael as a pawn. She knows you don’t love her, hell on a good day you can’t stand her.”

“That’s not true.” Snapping his mouth shut Jason wondered why he was defending Carly sitting back in his chair, he stared off preparing himself for a repeat conversation he’d already heard a hundred times.

“Oh please.” Brenda rolled her eyes in disgust. “Jason you only defend her out of habit. When was the last time the two of you even slept together?”

“Come on hun, we’re here to eat.” Making a face, Sonny shuddered slightly.

“No really, I want to know. I mean I can’t imagine why he’s keeping her around if she isn’t good in the sack.” Turning her innocent eyes in Jason’s direction, she gave him a blinding smile that grated on his nerves.

“I’m not going to talk about my sex life with you.” Picking up his water glass, Jason took a sip.

“Oh I know we aren’t talking about your sex life, I was asking more about your lack of a sex life.” Jason sputtered, choking on the water, glaring over at the brunette who was laughing at him.

“Enough, enough.” Wiping the tears from his eyes, Sonny held up one hand to silence his fiance’s next words. “Let’s leave Jason alone, if he needs our advice he’ll ask.”

After a few minutes of silence, Brenda knew she‘d pushed Jason too far... “So who did you send to pick up Emily and her friend?”

Still agitated, Jason stared at her before answering. “Francis.”

With a lift of her brow, Brenda looked surprised. “Isn’t it a little bit of an overkill sending out one of our best bodyguards?”

Shrugging his shoulders, Jason sighed. He hated having to explain his actions. Perhaps sending Francis was a little overboard. But Emily liked him, and seeing that they were in a new city, not knowing who was they’re enemy, it made him feel better knowing that his sister was being protected by one of their best. “Emily knows him and I thought she’d feel more comfortable having him there when I couldn’t.”

“Well I can’t wait to see her, it’ll be nice having some female companions.” A devilish glint shined in her eyes, one that defiantly wasn’t missed by either one of her dinner partners.

“Brenda what ever you have planned the answer is no.” Shaking his head, Sonny laughed at his fiance’s dismayed expression. “I mean it hun, those two girls are still underage and I don’t have the connections yet to get the three of you out of trouble.”

Remembering the reports he’d received on Emily’s little friend, Jason groaned. Visions of having to bail out three females made him rethink his sanity. What in the hell was he thinking when he invited his sister to Las Vegas? He should’ve just let her go to Florida with the rest of her college friends. If it weren’t for Sonny and Brenda’s wedding he wouldn’t have even thought of allowing his sister to step foot into Las Vegas. But allowing her friend Liz to come? He knew he was going to regret that decision.

With a sharp look over at the man she agreed to love the rest of her life, Brenda had to control her annoyance. “So you’re telling me that it’s okay for you to have a Bachelor party, but I have to sit in our room like a good little woman?”

Knowing he needed to tread carefully, Sonny chose his words with precaution. “I told you if you wanted a bachelorette party you should’ve had one in Port Charles.”

“Yeah right with my hoards of friends that I have there.” A frown marred her pretty face, making Jason grunt. He knew that Brenda wasn’t going to be able to persuade Sonny in relenting, but he also knew Brenda well enough that she’d never let Sonny live this down.

[JRK Archiver]

Four

“Wow.” Standing in the doorway, her eyes wide in amazement, Liz silently wondered if Francis made a mistake. The view that greeted her when the large bodyguard opened the massive doors took her breath away. Never in her life had she seen anything so extravagant. From the sunken living room, with it’s over stuffed creme couch, to the enormous window that looked down at the city that never sleeps. “The cost of this suite probably costs more than my college tuition.”

“Try both of your tuitions.” Francis joked from behind as he nudged her forward, making her leave her position in the doorway.

“This is really ours for an entire week?” Emily grinned as she hurried past Liz to inspect their new home.

Liz’s purse slipped from her shoulder as she followed Emily from the living room, not missing the large entertainment center that almost took up an entire wall. If she thought that the living area was impressive the rooms blew her away. Large king sized beds, draped by cloud like comforters promised a good nights sleep. The adjoining baths looked like sets from some steamy Skinamax movie. Large walk in showers with at least a dozen showerheads made a showering seem almost sinful. A white Jacuzzi, large enough to fit the NY Yankees, sat in the corner.

“Now this is what I call a bathroom.” Emily came up from behind, peeking over Liz’s shoulder. “Is that a phone?” Brushing past her and heading to the bathroom counter, Liz laughed as Emily picked up the phone and looked at her in question. “In a bathroom?”

“Well at least it doesn’t have a fax.” Both girls jumped as Francis’s voice came from behind. “I need to get going. Nick will be outside if you need anything.”

Emily frowned at the thought of a guard she didn’t know standing outside her door. “I thought you were guarding us for the week?”

“I am, but it’s Sonny’s bachelor party tonight.” Without any other explanation, Francis headed to the door but stopped. “I called Jason and told him that you’re here, he said there was a few things he had to do before he came up.”

“Have fun.” Emily’s eyes sparkled with mischief. “Don’t do anything that Liz wouldn’t do.”

With only a shake of his head, Francis let himself out.

“Well?” Turning to her friend, Liz rubbed her hands together. “What shall we do first?”

“Well the bath does look inviting but that shower is just calling my name.” Liz couldn’t help but laugh at Emily’s expression. “How about I take the other room, you can have this one.”

“Sounds like a plan. I think I’m going to unpack first.” Both girls headed back to the living room where their bags were all neatly placed side by side. “So what does one wear while painting the City of Sin in red?“ Emily laughed as Liz wiggled her brows.

“Well clothes would be a good start.”

“Shut up.” Narrowing her eyes in mock warning, Liz stuck out her tongue.

“You should wear that black outfit you bought the last time we went shopping in Denver.” Dragging her bags toward her room, Emily looked over her shoulder. “You know that black suede top that ties behind your neck with the matching low rise bottoms.”

“Oh yeah. You should wear your that peach bandana top with your black leather pants.” With a plan in place the two headed to their separate rooms.

~~~*~~~~

“I still think that this is completely and totally unfair.” Slamming the door of their suite open, Brenda threw her purse on the couch before turning to confront the caveman she agreed to chain herself to for the rest of her life. “You can’t force me to stay a prisoner all night long.”

“Come on Brenda.” Sonny sighed as he scratched the side of his head. “You know the only way that Francis, Johnny and Max can come to the party is if one of the newer guys watches the door.”

“So you’re saying that it’s safe to stay in here with some newbie on door patrol, but they’re not good enough at their job to take me down to the casinos?” Crossing her arms over her chest, Brenda glared.

“No. What I’m saying is... Can’t you just do this for me? One night that’s all I’m asking.”

“Fine. But can I at least go up and visit with Emily and her friend?”

“No.” Wincing at her exasperated screech, Sonny prepared himself for the fit Brenda was most likely going to throw.

Her arms dropping to her side, both her hands balled up into fists. “Are you kidding me? Why not?”

“Because I know you Brenda and with what information I have on Emily’s friend, I can only imagine the trouble the three of you could stir up.” His dimples flashed. “I don’t think any of the guys are trained good enough to handle that.”

Opening her mouth a few times without any sound coming out, Brenda spun around and stalked to the bedroom, slamming the door hard enough to register on the Richter scale.

“Oh you think I’m going to be all Suzy homemaker, doing everything you command with a cheesy ass smile on my face.” Grabbing a brush from the vanity, she ran it through her hair in a few rough yanks. Talking to the reflection in the mirror, Brenda narrowed her eyes in anger. “Well I guess you forgot that I’m my own person, and after tonight you’ll never forget it.”

~~~*~~~

Walking out of her bedroom towel drying her hair, Emily almost missed the person sitting on the couch. Dressed in one of the hotel’s fluffy white bathrobes, she padded halfway into the room, letting out a startled yelp when she heard his greeting.

“Jason!” Dropping the towel, she flung herself into his arms, giving him a big kiss on the cheek. Stepping back, she made a face at him. “Thanks a lot for picking us up at the airport.”

“Sorry about that. Something came up.” Taking a close look at his sister, he couldn’t help but feel proud of the young woman she had become. Perhaps Sonny was right, she wasn’t a little kid anymore.

“Story of your life.” With a wave of her hand to let him know that there were no hard feelings, she led him back to the couch. “Liz is in the shower.”

His brows lowered a little, feeling a little uneasy about what he was going to have to say. “You two weren’t planning on going out were you?”

“Well yeah. Seeing that we’re in Las Vegas and it’s our Spring Break.”

Letting out a long sigh, Jason rubbed the back of his neck. “You can’t go out tonight.”

Emily sat staring at Jason, wondering if she heard him correctly. “You’re joking right?”

“It’s Sonny’s bachelor party tonight, most of the guys are going and there’s no one to guard you.”

“What about Rick, no that’s not it...Nick! Francis said that some guy was guarding us tonight.” Watching Jason’s jaw tense, Emily groaned. “Oh come on you’ve got to be kidding.”

“Emily, there’s a couple of families that aren’t too thrilled that Sonny and I went in on this casino. I don’t want you and your friend going out without Francis, Johnny or Max.” Standing up, he refused to look at her, knowing that her big doe eyes would make him change his mind.

“So what are we supposed to do? Play Monopoly all night? Or perhaps sit around braiding each other's hair.” Emily’s sarcasm dripped from her words.

“I promise to make it up to you, both of you.” Feeling as though he could look at her again, he turned around and kneeled in front of her. “I know this isn’t what you had planned, and I am sorry.”

Emily calmed at his sincere words and guilty expression. Deep down she knew that he was just looking out for her safety. “You better make it up to us.” Giving him a shaky smile to let him know that everything was fine between them, Emily leaned forward and hugged him again. “Even though you’re a major downer sometimes, I really did miss you.”

Before he could reply his cell phone rang. “Morgan.... I’ll be right down.”

Giving her an apologetic look, Jason hugged her one last time. “I’ll take the two of you to breakfast tomorrow morning. No phones, no meetings I promise.”

“You better.” Walking him to the door, she watched as Jason left. Muffled voices could be heard from the hallway. She didn’t need to hear what was being said, knowing her brother like she did. He was probably threatening the poor guy to keep them safe.

“Are you ready to party?” Jumping at Liz’s exuberance, Emily spun to where Liz was standing already dressed for a night on the town.

“Oh you are sooo going to hate me.” With a wince, Emily prayed that Liz would understand.

Some of the excitement left Liz’s features. “Nothing good ever comes after those words.”

“Jason was just here.”

“And?”

“Well ‘something’ has come up.”

“Okay.”

“Well this ‘something’ kind of has all the trusted guards tied up.”

“Uh-huh.”

“Liz I’m sorry but we can’t go anywhere tonight.” Emily rushed seeing that Liz’s nerves were getting thin. “Jason really feels bad and said that he’d take us to breakfast.”

“Oh now that sounds like a thrill. I heard that everyone comes to Vegas to have breakfast. The nightlife is just something to do while they wait to eat crepes.” Grinding her teeth together, Liz wished that she had just a few seconds alone with Mr. Morgan so she could tell him how she felt about being told what to do, or what not to do.

“We could rent a movie.” Having a brother who worked in the Mob, Emily had long ago learned to tolerate last minute changes. But she still empathized with Liz.

“Is your brother paying for the room?”

“Yeah why.”

“Because I feel a movie marathon in my future. And I know there has to be a wet bar somewhere in here. OH! And room service is a must.” Spinning on her heel, Liz stalked back to her room.

“Where are you going?”

“Well I’m going to have to change into something a little less tight. How am I going to eat all the food I’m going to order wearing these?”

Putting a hand over her mouth, Emily tried to control the laughter that almost threatened to spill out. She had never realized just how alike Liz and Brenda were. Jason had once said that it took a woman like Brenda to make a mob wife. Someone who was strong and never backed down. Though at times it could be irritating it was a trait that many admired.

If Jason thought that Liz was going to be some well-mannered, silent schoolgirl he was sadly mistaken.

[JRK Archiver]

Five

The earsplitting noise of the casino made his head throb painfully, right behind his eyes. The pain intensifying with every piercing wail of some slot machine when a gambler struck it rich. There were too many people milling around, all packed in like sardines. Most of them drunk from complimentary drinks, talking too loud and generally acting like jackasses. It was like watching a group of Kindergarteners on crack.

There was no real way to describe how much Jason hated Las Vegas, had from the first time he’d been forced to come with Sonny a few years back. The lights were too bright, the people too fake. Making it seem as though he’d stumbled into some circus from hell.

He was still having problems understanding why Sonny had insisted on buying into the Casino’s partnership. Sure his friend loved to gamble, who didn’t? But they already owned a few Casinos in other parts of the world. Smaller, quieter and much classier ones. Places that didn’t have him contemplating scratching his eyes out.

Unlike Sonny’s other casinos, this place was too damn large and flashy. With it’s six hundred plus rooms, three casinos, four restaurants, live shows, countless gift shops and boutiques. The employees that staffed this placed out numbered the shoes in Brenda’s closet. Silent partners or not, they were out of their league.

But Sonny’s eyes had gleamed like a three year old child on Christmas morning the first time he mentioned the idea of buying into the casino, making Jason feel like a heartless bastard every time he tried pointing out how unreasonable the business venture was. After months of Sonny’s hounding he’d finally given in, and now he was stuck with a casino he hated in a town he despised.

Leaning back against the bar, clutching a bottle of Heineken in his left hand, Jason contemplated just how many sticks of dynamite it would take to turn this place into a pile of ruble. Perhaps not the most reasonable thing to think about, but with everything else going on in his life it sure as hell helped to sooth his raw nerves.

Instead of going out tonight to celebrate Sonny’s upcoming nuptials, he wished he could be on the back of his bike, feeling the wind in his hair, and the tension fleeing his body. To be able to forget about the large white elephant he’d just gotten stuck with or the screaming shrew that awaited him back home in Port Charles. The only good thing in his life right now was Michael. With his trusting blue eyes and angel sweet smiles, Jason was thankful everyday to have the little boy in his life. Even when the price tag was his mother.

To have Michael in his life, Jason had to make several sacrifices. He had to endure his family’s tirades of the injustice AJ had to suffer from losing his son. He had to face the fact that he would always be tied to Carly, whether he wanted to be or not. Living with a woman he could hardly stand, let alone touch. Not even a month after she and Michael had returned to his life, they had started to sleep in separate rooms.

Sonny and Brenda’s wedding announcement only made things all that more bleak for him. Making him face the fact that he’d never be able to find that one woman to spend the rest of his life with. To never know how it would feel to come home to a woman that loved him, who cared about him more than she cared about what she was going to get out of the bargain.

But he had Michael and that meant more than anything in the world. He could live with the fact that he’d never be in love, or have a loving marriage. He was willing to give that up.

With a deep sigh Jason checked his watch and wished they had decided to meet at Sonny’s suite instead of one of the casino’s lounges. He’d already drank down four beers and was working on his fifth. If there was ever a time in his life that he needed to get stupid drunk, this was it. To be able to forget the stresses of his life, even for a few hours would be heaven.

~~~*~~~

“Ems, room service is here.” Opening the door wider to allow the attendant to push the encumbered cart into the room, Liz’s eyes gleamed with mischief as she envisioned Emily’s older brother’s face when he saw the bill. He deserved it for making them prisoners for the night, their first official night of Spring Break. How Emily was able to calmly except her brother’s word as law rubbed Liz’s inner rebel the wrong way.

“Oh my God Jason is going to kill us.” Standing frozen in the doorway to her bedroom, Emily stared at the cart in gross disbelief. “There’s no way we can eat all that.”

With a careless shrug of her shoulders, Liz signed the slip of paper the amused server handed her. “No, but won’t it be fun trying? So what do you think is an adequate tip?” Tilting her head and looking at the gawking young man in front of her, Liz grinned. “I mean it must have been a strain to push such a heavy cart.” With a graceful swirl of the pen, Liz handed the man the slip back. Grinning ear to ear at the overly gracious gratuity the server nearly tripped over his own feet when he turned to go.

“I don’t even want to know how much you just gave that guy for a tip, do I?” Leaving the spot she’d been stuck to, Emily crossed the living room to inspect the food that was carefully kept under silver lids.

“Probably not.” Crying out in glee, Liz grabbed the large Porterhouse that she had ordered for herself, medium-rare, with a baked potato and steamed veggie medley. Carrying her plate over to the large couch, she sat back, sitting the warm plate on her lap. “Now remember not to get too full, there’s a few other entries on the cart we need to try. Not to mention the five different cheesecakes, the tiramisu and a few chocolaty ooey gooey desserts.”

Shaking her head and grabbing the Chicken Marcela, Emily joined Liz. “You know Jason is only trying to keep us safe.”

Shoving a piece of juicy meat into her mouth, Liz groaned in ecstasy. “Keep us safe from what? The big evil slot machines?”

Tying not to laugh at her brother’s expense, Emily knew that Liz still really couldn’t grasp how dangerous Jason’s life was. “No I think he’s more concerned about the guys toting the black shiny things called guns.”

Liz’s fork paused half way to her mouth. “Guns?”

“Liz I know that all of this all sounds like it’s made for TV. But you need to know that Jason really does have our safety in mind.”

“Lets not talk about your brother.” In her usual Liz fashion she tried to push aside the negative and concentrate on the good. “There’s no school for two weeks, no tests to cram for. We have a huge and beautiful suite all to ourselves. Lots of food, and a wet bar just screaming our name. I say we finally start this vacation.”


~~~*~~~

“I still can’t believe you won’t let me leave the room tonight.” Brenda grumbled as she wiped away a non-existent piece of lint off Sonny’s burgundy silk shirt. What she really wanted to do was wrap her fingers around his neck in frustration. She had been positive she would’ve been able to at least convince him to let her go down to Emily’s suite so she wouldn’t have to be alone. But no. Mr. I-Have-To-Have-My-Own-Way wouldn’t hear of it. So in the end it was his fault that he was going to make her have to be sneaky.

It had taken her over an hour to calm down after his first refusal to let her go out for the night. Another twenty minutes before she knew just exactly what she was going to do if her pleading for freedom didn’t work. It was time that Sonny Corinthos remembered that she wasn’t like all the other women he’d ever been with. Silently going along with his orders. That she was much stronger than that, and wouldn’t change just because he was putting a ring on her finger.

Letting him wrap his arms around her slender waist, Brenda watched as he tried to pacify her with one of his trademark-dimpled grins. Though his dimples were sexy as hell and always had a way to make her heart skip a beat, she had learned long ago to tame her out of control hormones when he started to flash his cheeky weapons.

“You know that we still don’t know who to trust here. What’s wrong with wanting the love of my life safe?”

Pulling out of his arms and taking a step back, Brenda tried to ignore the fact that he was wearing her favorite cologne. Or that he had that hungry look in his eyes. No she had to remember that he was getting ready to go out with the guys, for a night of debauchery. Expecting her to stay in and be the good little girl.

Apparently Sonny hadn’t been taking notes. Never in her life had she been known to be the quite little meek female that say her man’s words as law. Nor had she ever been accused of being a good little girl. How people usually described her was reckless and carefree. Doing what she wanted when she wanted. Marriage or not, she wasn’t going to be tamed.

“There’s a difference between safe and insanely overprotective and you know it. Just because Jason locked those two poor girls up for the night doesn’t mean that you should do the same to me. I’m a grown woman damnit!” Stomping her foot in aggravation, Brenda knew deep down this wasn’t the way to handle Sonny when he got into his super protector modes.

With a chuckle that only fueled her fires, Sonny rested his palm on the side of her cheek. “What Jason does is his business. But I can’t say that I don’t agree with his decision.”

“Fine.”

Tilting his head to the side, Sonny studied her for a moment. “You’re going to drop this just like that? What are you up to Brenda?”

“Nothing.” With a sweet smile plastered on her lips, Brenda closed the gap between them and brought her lips to his. “I’m tired of fighting about this. It won’t kill me to turn in a little early tonight.”

A knock at the door made Sonny sigh. Giving her one last intense look, he kissed her one more time before heading to the door.

Watching him leave, Brenda hurried to the phone. The innocent look in her eyes gone.

Dialing the room number she needed she only had to wait for two rings. “Emily? It’s me. You and Liz have twenty minutes to be ready. I’m busting you out.”

~~~*~~~

After a few rounds at the casino lounge, the bachelor party moved onto Studio 54. Through his many phone calls early that afternoon, the security staff met Sonny and Jason’s limo out back, allowing the group of intimidating men in through the back doors.

After Jason made a quick round of the bar and was satisfied that everything was up to his inspection, he joined the other guys who were well into the night’s festivities. Surprising enough, he found it easy to join into the easy banter and crude jokes. It had been a long time since he’d been able to relax enough to actually enjoy himself.

Sitting back comfortably in his chair, Jason watched in amusement as each one of the guys stood to toast Sonny on his upcoming marriage. None of them able to stand still on their two feet to save their lives. All slurring their congratulations.

Francis struggled to his feet; a lopped-sided grin plastered to his face as he held another shot in the air. “I guess it’s my turn.” He cleared his throat. “Here’s to Sonny. Oh how the mighty have fallen. Yet another of us who’ve been captured and tagged.” A round of laughter erupted around the table as everyone looked over at a blushing Max who had just married the love of his life just months before.

Holding up his hands to stop the ribbing words and flippant remarks, Francis grew serious. “Sonny you’ve been like a brother to me. Taking me in when I thought my life wouldn’t amount to anything but peddling stolen goods in the alleys of Brooklyn. You taught me about respect, not only for people around me but for myself. I would gladly give my life for you any day and that now goes for Brenda as well.”

“Here, here!” Clinking their glasses together in the center of the table. The five men gulped down the fiery liquid in one gulp.

Wiping his hands on his pant legs, Jason grabbed the next shot and got to his feet. Looking down at his friend their eyes met, and Jason knew that with that one look, he could sit back down again and Sonny would know exactly how he felt.

“As you all know I’m not really one for words.” Everyone nodded in agreement, huge smiles on their faces. “I owe you more than my life Sonny. What you have done for me I could never pay you back in one single gesture. You found me when I barely knew who I was, or what I wanted. Offering me a life that was my own. You’ve always had my back, and I don’t even have the words to express what that has meant to me. You’re more than a mentor or a friend, you’re my family.”

Sonny touched his glass to Jason’s, and with a nod in his direction drank his shot. Both friends remained silent for a moment, remembering all the good and the bad they’d been through together that had gotten them to this point.


~~~*~~~

Liz looked at the clock for the third time in the last five minutes. Her palms were sweaty and her heart beat hard against her ribcage. Emily’s jumpiness didn’t help matters. Every time there was a noise from the other side of the door she’d start to fidget, her eyes glued to the double doors that led to freedom.

“She’s late.” Emily grumbled.

“How’s she going to get around our guard?” Playing with the bracelet around her slender wrist, Liz couldn’t tell if her anxiousness was from excitement or foreboding that only bad would come from leaving.

Shrugging her shoulders as though it were of no real consequence, Emily tucked a piece of stray hair behind her ear. “If I know Brenda she’ll send them on some wild goose chase.”

A knock sounded at the door, and Emily nearly tripped on the steps from the living room up to the landing to open it. “Brenda!” Emily squealed in delight.

Liz joined Emily at the door, and the woman that was now hugging Emily tightly to her in a big hug nearly took Liz’s breath away. Brenda Barrette, soon to be Corinthos was the most vibrant and beautiful woman Liz had ever seen. It was just the woman’s looks that made her so pretty, but the way she literally glowed with life.

Letting her arms drop from around Emily, Brenda took each girls hand and pulled them out of the room. “We don’t have much time. Apparently Sonny warned my jailor of my ability to ditch my guards and was pretty hard to fool. Good thing your guard wasn’t as smart.”

Liz barely had time to close the door to their suite shut before Brenda started to drag them down the hall in the opposite direction than the elevator. “But boys being what they are, are always easily fooled by the damsel in distress act.”

Liz and Emily’s eyes met in excitement as Brenda continued to talk. Soon they were at a door labeled stairway. “So I nearly had to threaten the guy Sonny stuck me with, but I tell you let the tears gather and a male turns to mush.”

“What did you tell him?” Liz couldn’t help but let Brenda’s enthusiasm engulf her.

Brenda paused and smiled brightly. “Oh some story about needing to buy Sonny a gift for our wedding and this was the only time I could without him breathing down my neck.”

Emily hid a smile behind her hand. “So when we got to this cute little boutique on the fourth floor I had him wait for me outside one of the entrances and left through the other..“ Hurrying down the steps, Brenda paused for a moment to catch her breath. “Once I was free of ogre number one, I had to get rid of yours. I did what any other conniving female would.”

“You lied.” Liz finished her sentence for her, both females sharing a bonding smile.

With an impish grin, Brenda said. “I knew I’d like you. I called him up on my cell phone and told him that I’d lost my guard and thought someone was following me.”

Emily lost her smile within seconds. “Brenda when he can’t find you he’ll just call Jason and tell him that you’re missing.”

Clapping her hands together and laughing out loud, Brenda shook her head. “Nope. Cause after a few minutes I then called my guard and told him that I hadn’t felt well and went up to my room.”

“You are evil.” Liz joined Brenda’s laughter.

“So what first?” The tension left Emily’s face.

“The night is young and so are we.” Brenda skipped down the steps again, as Liz and Emily followed closely behind.

~~*~~

“So what do you think the girls are doing?” Johnny asked, barely able to keep his head up. They were back in the limo heading to their next stop.

“They better be all tucked soundly in their beds.” Sonny mumbled, even though his gut instinct told him that the pretty little birds were probably already on the lose. He wasn’t stupid, he knew Brenda well enough to know that the second she stopped fighting him to leave that she was up to something. But being who he was, and able to read people so well he’d told her guard to keep a close eye on his fiance, more importantly keep her limited to the casino for the night.

“From what I heard Emily and her friend are running Jason’s tab through the roof. Good thing you took the key to their wet bar or you’re going to have two very sick girls on your hands tomorrow.” Stretching out his legs, Johnny missed the puzzled look in Jason’s eyes.

“Oh crap don’t tell me that you left them around a fully stocked and very available bar?” Max read Jason’s look like an open book and bent over laughing at Jason.

“Well two hung over girls is a lot better than letting those two out on the town.” Francis grinned. “Cause I’m telling you, if I were a couple years younger...” Shaking his head and letting his thoughts wander, Francis was snapped out of it by Jason’s snarl.

“What do you mean if you were a couple years younger? I’m telling you this right now, you ever touch my sister people will be finding pieces of you for years.” The countless beers and god only knew how many shots had Jason seeing red at the mention of his sister.

“Whoa down boy. I was talking about Emily’s friend Miss Webber. The girl is a walking Goddess.” Holding up his hands in defense, Francis waited until Jason sat back to relax some.

“That good looking huh? What she look like?” Max ignored Sonny’s painful groan. “Max let it drop.”

“She’s a little shorter then Emily, but you’d never know it with the way her legs go on forever.” Whistling under his breath, Francis face drained of color when Jason’s eyes narrowed in on him. “I mean she’s all right for a kid.”

Sticking two fingers in his mouth, Sonny whistled loudly to get everyone’s attention. “Okay enough talk about Jason’s banes for the week. This is my party and I say we get back to business.”

~~~*~~~

“I can’t believe we just did that!” Liz’s eyes danced in exhilaration as she slanted her head back to look up the enormous rock-climbing wall they’d just climbed. At first she had thought Brenda was a little nutty when she suggested they first stop by the Coca-Cola factory. But once they had gotten there and had followed Brenda to the climbing area, Liz was ready to announce Brenda her queen. “I was born and raised in the Rockies and have never done anything like that.”

“A girl after my own heart. I can’t thank the two of you enough for coming out with me tonight.” Looping an arm through each of the other girl’s, Brenda pulled them along out of the front doors and out onto the busy sidewalk.

“Are you kidding? Without a question, this beats Ft. Lauderdale any day.” Emily’s face was flushed from excitement, and the few drinks they had already consumed, letting Brenda lead them to where ever she pleased. “Though I guess I’ll have to wait until next year to get my bellybutton pierced.”

Liz made a face. “I still can’t believe you’re willing to let someone stab you in your stomach.”

“You’re overreacting again.” Emily rolled her eyes. “It’s more of a prick. Some of us aren’t such softies.”

“Why do you have to wait until next year?” Clearly not understanding why Emily would wait, the wheels in Brenda’s head were already turning.

“It’d be a souvenir of sorts. Plus Jason made it clear that he didn’t want any added holes to our bodies while we were out here.”

“Yeah well Jason can be as much fun as a wet sock sometimes. For a man who says that he doesn’t tell others how to live he sure does do a lot of it.” Brenda wrinkled her nose in disdain. “What that man needs is a good woman. One that doesn’t have a few screws lose upstairs if you know what I mean.”

“You aren’t kidding. My brother is way too good for Carly.”

“Why wait?” Brenda stopped and halted Liz and Emily in their tracks.

“For what?” Thoroughly confused as to where the conversation was going, Emily and Liz looked at one another then back at Brenda.

“You want your bellybutton pierced then why wait. I’m sure there’s several places here to get it done.”

Emily hesitated for only a second. “Let’s do it.”

[JRK Archiver]

A tattoo shop, belly piercing and a few bars later the three girls stumbled back into the casino. Giggling and hanging onto one another for support. True to her word, Emily was the proud owner of a belly ring, Brenda not wanting to be out done decided on a tattoo so that she also had something to remember the night. Both teased Liz’s queasy stomach and lack of nerves, but the tiny brunette wouldn’t budge.

“We’ve been in Las Vegas for...” Looking down at her bare wrist, Liz giggled at her mistake and brought her other wrist in front of her face. Squinting her eyes she concentrated on the tiny hour hand. “Six hours and we still haven’t gambled.”

“Well there’s no time like the present.” Pushing her hair out of her face, Brenda teetered to the left almost toppling over before she was able to straighten herself again.

Heading off to the right they followed the sound of the slots, but before they reached the entrance Emily’s hand flew to her mouth. “I think I’m going to be sick.”

“Oh god not again.” Liz moved away from Emily in a hurry as flashbacks of rush week filled her head. She still had nightmares of her favorite white sweater and Purpleduka.

“Let’s get her upstairs.” Her head clearing slightly Brenda put her arm around Emily’s waist.

“No, I don’t want to be the one to ruin this night. I can go up, you two stay.” Emily said through deep breaths.

“Right, we’re just going to let you go upstairs by yourself so you can be alone while you’re puking your guts up.” Rolling her eyes Liz went to Emily’s other side.

“I swear on your ugly green platforms that if you cut this night short because of me you will never see your precious shoes again.” Her stomach lurched, but Emily fought for control as she tried to bring her eyes up to meet Liz’s.

“Emily you’re more important to me than my pretty green shoes.”

“I mean it Liz, stay. You gave up college studs and beach parties for guards and quarantine. I don’t know when we’ll be able to get out next, and I want you to have at least this one night.” Putting on her resolve face, the one that Liz knew all to well.

“What kind of friend would I be to leave you alone?” Liz knew that she was going to lose the argument because of Emily’s stubbornness.

“One that was doing what I asked her to do. Brenda can help me up stairs and then come back down. I promise I’ll be fine after a quick trip to the porcelain god.”

“Are you sure?” Not sure what to do, Liz watched as Emily tried to nod her head. If she was right and this was the only night they’d be able to go out and be free of her brother’s rules and watchful eyes she didn’t want to waste it. But on the other hand Emily meant more to her than a few slot machines.

“Positive.”

“I’ll take her upstairs and meet you at the lounge over there.” Brenda gathered Emily’s hair and pulled it back from her damp face. “She’ll be fine. Nick will feel so bad about being duped that he’ll help her.” Remembering the young guard Liz had a moment of pity. The poor guy was just doing his job, and now if it was found out that they had gotten out... “Liz?”

“Yeah lounge.” Before turning around in the direction Brenda had pointed to, Liz looked again at her poor sick friend. “Are you absolutely, positively sure Ems?”

“Yes.” Emily answered weakly as Brenda led her to the elevators.

~~~*~~~

If the trio of females that had just walked though the lobby looked intoxicated, they didn’t compare to the five males that followed some twenty minutes later. All looked thoroughly toasted, their hair mussed, shirts untucked.

“I don’t know about the rest of you but I’m turning in.” Sonny yawned into his hand. “Even if I’m a little scared to find out what Brenda’s been up to since I left.”

“I’m gonna go up too.” Jason started to head for the elevators when something caught his eye. It was more of a someone than thing, and Jason didn’t realize that he was blocking the path to the elevators until Max bumped into him from behind.

“Did you forget how to use your legs?” Max joked as he turned to look at what had caught Jason’s attention. “Damn now that’s what I call a woman. What do you say we go grab ourselves a beer?” Not waiting for Jason’s reply Max started to head over to the lounge where the young brunette was already ordering a drink. Calling out a quick goodnight to the other guys, it didn’t take Jason much longer to reroute his feet to follow Max,

Walking up to the bar he ordered another beer he dearly didn’t need, but stood back and watched as the woman smiled sweetly at the bartender. His eyes locked on hers the second she looked in his direction and he felt the bottom of his stomach drop.

~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~

There was one thing that Liz Webber hated more than anything, and it was waking up with a head-splitting-tummy-turning-please-dear-Lord-kill-me-now hangover. And the second she started to slip from her coma like sleep, Liz knew she was in store for one humdinger of a hangover.

Her mouth felt as though someone had shoved handful of cotton balls into it, that had been fermenting in the CU football teams cleats. The echo of slot machines drummed in her head, making her squeeze her eyes tightly in pain. Never in all her life had she felt this bad, where she was positive that any moment her brain was going to liquefy and start oozing out her ears.

But unlike any other time it felt as though some giant Redwood was lying across her legs, pinning her to the bed. Opening her right eye slowly to test her pain threshold, Liz nearly passed out in horror.

“@#%$!” The word was little more than a whisper, but the way it bounced around her head like a racquetball made her stomach roll.

Not only was this not her room, or her bed, there was a man, a naked one lying dead asleep next to her. His leg slung over her legs, of her nude body. “Oh please no. Bad Liz, bad, bad, bad.”

[JRK Archiver]

Six

In her life Liz could honestly say she had pulled some seriously stupid and impulsive stunts. Had found herself in situations that had her seriously wondering about her mental state. But waking up naked, in bed with a strange man that was just as equally as naked was hands down her dumbest move.

Looking down in horror at the man silently asleep next to her. A panic attack the size of the Grand Canyon started to bubble inside her chest, causing her to gasp for air with out a sound. This could not be happening to her. She didn’t do things like this. Sure she was wild and sometimes just a tad out of control. But waking up with an unfamiliar person, after a night of over indulgence just wasn’t in her character.

She needed a plan, a good plan that would get her out from under the guy’s leg and safely out the door. Preferably without waking him.

Clutching the white sheet to her chest, she silently started to wiggle out from under the restraining leg that held her captive. Twisting to the left and then to the right, Liz had been able to inch up about three centimeters when the man moaned, shifted and then threw an arm across her, right under her breasts.

“No.” Her voice barely a whisper, Liz held her breath until the man slipped back to asleep again. Once she heard his soft snores Liz renewed her efforts with a little more determination.


Her headache gone and her stomachache a past memory, Liz concentrated on pealing herself out from beneath the man’s limbs. Holding the sheet in a death grip against her chest, she slid back about an inch, paused to make sure she didn’t disturb sleeping beauty and then tried to scoot back again.

Just when freedom was in sight, Liz felt the bed dip as the stranger lying next to her moved. Not needing to look down she absolutely knew he was awake, she could feel the change in the atmosphere the moment he came to. His stare practically bore two identical holes into her. Causing a blush to snake it’s way up from her neck to make a permanent residence in her cheeks. What she hadn’t been prepared for was his reaction.

One moment she was clinging to the sheet like a lifeline, trapped under him as she tried wholeheartedly to sneak her way out of bed. Next thing she knew his leg jerked off her, pitching her sideways over the side of the bed to land in an ungraceful heap on the floor. The abrupt landing knocked the air from her lungs and apt pretty little stars in front of her eyes. Her only saving grace at that moment was the sheet she had been able to bring along with her.

“Are you okay?” Though his voice sounded like warm honey, it caused her body to stiffen as she tired to process his words. Was she okay? Nooo. She was lying on the floor after trying to wiggle free from under him. Hoping in vain that he wouldn’t wake up while she gathered her clothes and by some miracle managed to sneak out of the hotel room undetected.

“Did you get hurt?” Looking over the side of the bed, Jason watched as the young woman’s face turned a brilliant shade of red, her seductively shaped mouth opened and closed a few times before she snapped it shut. Even though she hadn’t said a word, her eyes said it all. She was mortified.

After a few minutes of waiting for her to find her voice, Jason frowned. “Did you hit your head?”

“My head?” God she wished she had hit her head hard enough to put her in a week long coma. “Try my pride, followed shortly by my ego.” Without thinking she tried rising to her feet, only to have the sheet get twisted up in her legs almost causing her to stumble forward, face first back onto the ground. Could the day get any better? “I can’t believe that I...that you...that...” Sucking in a deep breath, Liz closed her eyes as her world started to spin out of control.

This was too much. What did one say after a night of...sex? Oh hi! My name is Liz, it’s nice to meet you. What a pretty room you’ve got here. I’m sure you won’t believe this when I say it, but I’m not a slut, really. But I’m sure you hear that all the time. Was there any real right thing to say to your one nightstand the next morning? Etiquette that she didn’t know about. Perhaps the next time she was at Barnes and Nobles she’d check out the One Nightstand’s for Dummies book, get a few pointers. Not that she ever planned on this happening again. She’d check herself into the nearest convent before she let something this humiliating to occur again.

Starting to search the room for her clothes, Liz’s eyes rested on the clock sitting on the bed stand. Ten o’clock. She was a dead woman. They were supposed to go to breakfast that morning with Emily’s older brother. Without a doubt he knew by now that she hadn’t been safely tucked away in her bed. He and his army of overly muscled monkeys in suites were probably hunting her down at this very moment.

“I can’t even start to tell you how much trouble I am in.” Liz clutched the sheet to her chest with one hand, as she combed her chestnut curls out of her face with the other. “Because I can honestly say that I have never messed up this badly before.”

A sinking sensation the size of the Titanic gripped Jason’s stomach. It would be his luck to have had a one-night stand with a married woman. It wasn’t like he made it a habit to drink himself stupid, and wake up the next morning lying next to some complete stranger.

“Are you married?”

Her eyes shot to his, wide with surprise. “No! I’d never...I’ve never...No.” Shaking her head vehemently, her wild curls bobbing back and forth.

Slightly relieved to hear that he hadn’t gone to bed with a married woman, Jason had to know one last thing. “Engaged?”

“No. I’m not married, nor am I planning on being married for a very long time...if ever. And before you ask I don’t have a boyfriend.” Some of her embarrassment faded as she glared over at him from across the room. “Are these common questions you ask the woman you wake up with?” Spotting one of her boots lying on the floor near the bed she scrambled over to pick it up.

Deciding not to answer her question, he watched as she scurried around the room. Picking up one piece of clothing after another. Actually it wasn’t his habit to wake up next to a strange woman. Well except that one time and look where it got him.

“One week, seven measly days. That’s it.” Talking more to herself, she started to look around the room for her missing clothes. Her arms flying as she talked, Liz kept talking. “Could I stay out of trouble? Nooo.”

Watching as she stalked around the room, Jason couldn’t help the slight pull of his lips at her dramatic tirade. “I swear I can’t seem to do anything right. All that we had to do was eat some food, watch some TV for just one night. Like that would’ve been such a heartbreak.”

Spinning on her heel she stood in the center of his room looking over at him. Her chest heaving heavily against the sheet. “Do you know he even went as far as placing a guard at our door?” Her ranting paused for a moment, making him realize that she was looking at him to answer.

Blinking a few times he hated to admit that he had been paying more attention to the cute when she was stomping around the room than to what she had just said. Feeling like an ass, Jason gave a slight nod.

“A guard. It’s like that ogre knew we were going to get into trouble.” Knowing full well that her runaway mouth was pure product of nervousness, Liz couldn’t seem to shut it. No matter how many times her brain told her to shut up she just couldn’t seem to follow that one easy command. It didn’t matter that she probably didn’t make much sense to the man sitting on the bed, clearly speechless. Talking always helped her to relieve anxiety and the way she felt now she was going to have to talk for weeks before she started feeling normal again.

Having a feeling that he had just missed something important, Jason gathered the comforter around his hips before getting up from the bed. The slight amusement he’d been feeling a moment ago vanished. “What guard?”

It was like she hadn’t even heard him. She kept talking to herself as she grabbed her black lace bra that was slung over a lampshade. “I’d be surprised if he didn’t pack my bags himself and send me back to Colorado.”

Feeling as though a thousand-pound weight had been dropped on his chest, Jason pinched the bridge of his nose. Guard? Colorado?

“That is if they ever find my body. God I have the worst luck. His rules were simple. We were to keep our clothing on at all times.” Holding up her hand she started to count the rules. “Well we both know that I put one hundred percent effort into screwing that one up. No getting arrested for indecent exposure. No tattoos, no piercing and absolutely no... um no...” Scrunching her nose she looked off into space trying to come up with the last rule. The rules that sounded too hauntingly familiar to Jason.

“No getting married.” He muttered under his breath, as he felt slightly nauseous.

Almost having forgotten that she wasn’t alone in the room, Liz’s cheeks turned pink. “What did you say?”

“Nothing.” Clearly seeing her doubt, he was immensely relieved to watch her hurry to the bathroom, quietly shutting the door behind her. Leaving Jason alone, feeling absolutely disgusted with himself. He had a sickening feeling that he had just had the pleasure of meeting one Elizabeth Webber.

How in the hell did she get out of her room last night? Worse yet how did she end up in his?
.
Crap!

This was the last thing he needed right now. He knew he should’ve said no to Emily when she had asked to bring her roommate along. Two college-aged girls in Las Vegas were trouble just waiting to happen. But like always he gave into Emily’s not so gentle pleading.

Now he was in one hell of a mess. God his life just kept getting better and better. Tilting his head and squeezing his eyes shut, Jason forced himself to take deep breaths. No matter how he tried to push away that irritating voice in the back of his head, the one that was calling him all kinds of a jackass, he couldn‘t seem to make it shut up. Realistically he knew what was done was done, there was no going back and undoing it now. But damn did it have to be his little sister’s best friend?

A moment later she inched her way out of the bathroom, clearly unable to meet his gaze. “I know that this is going to sound really bad...but what hotel are we in?” Watching her wring her hands together, Jason almost felt bad for her.

“The South Pacific.” Still gripping the comforter around his bare hips, Jason watched as she gave a short nod and hurried for the door.

“I think we should talk about this.” Not really wanting to, Jason knew that he couldn’t let this go, it would only be worse for her latter.

She had already made it to the door, her hand just inches from the knob. “If you don’t mind I’d like to forget this ever happened.”

Slightly taken aback by her brutally honest words, Jason was ready to tell her how much he did mind, instead he watched in shock as she slipped out the door without another word. With a curse he crossed the room to swing the door open, just in time to see her step onto the elevator and the doors close behind her.

Irritated as hell, Jason slammed the door shut. Stalking over to his dresser to grab some clothing, Jason stopped, his hand hanging in midair. His palms grew sweaty, as his head started to pound right behind his eyes. Blinking once, twice, three times just to make sure he wasn’t seeing things. Jason looked down at the piece of paper that was lying on the top of his dresser.

Funny how one little piece of paper, with five signatures, and a stamp could screw with ones life so completely. Letting his hand drop to his side, Jason stood there for several minutes wishing the paper away. His eyes reading and rereading the words. Never once did they change.

He was a married man and one Elizabeth Imogene Webber now Morgan was in for a rude awakening.

[JRK Archiver]

Seven

Instead of majoring in art, Liz wondered if perhaps it would have been in her best interest to have studied psychology. Then perhaps that way she would’ve been able to analyze herself to pinpoint the exact moment she had lost her ever-lasting mind. What in the heck had she been thinking? Clearly by the way her head and stomach felt, she hadn’t been.

Him. That’s how she was forever going to be able to refer to the man who had been her first. For twenty years she had held out, been able to restrain herself for that one man who would come into her world and shake her to her very core. Perhaps she had been silly expecting some story book romance, but it was her dream and darn it she had deserved that much after all the frogs she had to kiss and blind dates that had made her skin crawl. But now her dream had become a nightmare, one that she was completely responsible for. One night had ruined it all. So now her first would always be known as him.

How in the world was she going to be able to face Emily? She was the one person who had always understood her. From the moment she had met her best friend at freshman orientation she had felt a bond to the other brunette. No matter how badly she wanted to forget last night and pretend that it never happened there was no way she could keep something this huge away from Emily. But how was she going to react?

Worse yet, how was the guard stationed outside their suite going to react? He probably thought she was all snuggled in her own bed. Which meant that Emily’s older brother was going to find out, who would probably blow a gasket and demand that she go home. Then Emily would be in trouble, and then Sonny would find out, which would get Brenda in hot water. All away around this morning should be one great treat after another. And it was all her fault.

The elevator came to a halt, making her take a deep breath before having to walk to her own execution. But when the door slid open, she nearly had to rub at her eyes to make sure she wasn’t seeing things. The guard was soundly asleep, snoring softly in a chair stationed to the right of her door. It was all the proof Liz needed to know that there was a God.

Slipping her hand into her back pocket, she pulled the flat plastic card that served as her room key out and tip toed towards the door. Holding her breath the entire way, her eyes glued to the sleeping man, she only prayed that her luck held out.

The loud click of the lock release bounced off the walls, making Liz jump. But the guard kept snoring softly. Turning the handle as quietly as she could she only opened the door enough so she could squeeze through.

“Liz?” Emily’s voice sounded like a cannon through Liz’s head as she came to a screeching halt on her way to her bedroom.

Taking a deep breath and sending up a prayer to the heavens, she pivoted on her heel and returned to the living room where Emily was lying face down on the couch.

“Yeah?” Please don’t ask me where I’ve been...Please oh please oh please.

“Did you back over my head with a car last night?” Emily’s pitiful voice came out from under the pillow she had securely over her face.

Having to repeat the question to herself a few times, Liz scrunched her face and shook her head. “What?”

“My head feels like a squished grape.” Shifting to the right, Emily eased herself off the couch and onto the floor. “And I kept dreaming last night that a little green martian kept gabbing my in the bellybutton with an ice pick.”

“Martians?” Blinking a few times, Liz’s brows scrunched together as she tried to make sense of her friend’s words.

“Never mind.” Her head lowered, Emily struggled to her hands and knees. “I have to figure out how I’m going to make it to my bathroom and get ready to have breakfast with Jason. Do you think he’d notice anything unusual if I crawled into the dinning room?”

A small smile flickered cross Liz’s lips. Leave it to Emily to give her something to smile about. “I don’t know...Is Jason blind?”

“No.” With a loud groan, Emily used the couch to hoist herself up.

“Cataracts?” Joining her friend’s side, Liz wrapped her arm around Emily’s waist and helped her into a standing position.

“Nope.”

“Any vision problems at all?”

“Perfect 20/20.” Emily winced and brought a hand up to her head. “Face it I’m so screwed. Jason is never going to believe that I got this wasted on the piddly amount of alcohol in the wet bar here.”

“I’m sure after a hot shower you’ll feel as good as new.” The words sounded hollow even to her own ears.

“Right, I’m holding you to that Webber.” Tripping up the steps that led from the living room to her bedroom door, Emily paled slightly, putting a hand to her stomach. “You better get ready too. My brother will probably be here any minute.”

With a weak nod, Liz waited until Emily closed the bathroom door behind her and headed for her own bedroom to get ready. It didn’t sit well with her that she hadn’t told Emily about what had happened. From the first day they had met there had been an instant bond. It had almost been like they had met their other half.

But then again she’d never done anything like this before either. Waking up next to a complete stranger was new territory for her. Liz knew that she most defiantly wasn’t the first person to find themselves in such a situation, and wouldn’t be the last. It just never occurred to her that she’d become one of those people.


~~~*~~~

The day was off to a roaring start. If it got any better he’d have to shoot himself in the foot. Put aside the fact that his head hurt like hell, or that his mouth tasted like he’d licked the dumpsters out back of Jake’s bar clean with his tongue, he felt like the world’s lowest scum for sleeping with his baby sisters best friend.

Elizabeth Webber wasn’t even the legal age to drink, but apparently she had been old enough to get hitched. After a few calls, his day got worse when it was verified that not only was the marriage legal, but the paper work already filed with the city.

Stepping out of the elevator he eyed the guard who was shifting nervously under his heated glare. “Did she get back in?“ Nick gulped and gave a short nod. “And she thought you were asleep?”

“Yes sir.”

“This won’t happen again do you understand me?” His hands itched to wrap themselves around the new guard’s neck and strangle the last bit of air out of his body. “When I tell you to do something I mean it. Do we understand one another here?”

Nick paled his legs shook. “Yes sir.”

“One last thing, this is between you and me right now.” Needing to put some distance between himself and one of his new employees, Jason reached for the door and entered without warning. He needed to get this over with as soon as possible. She may not want to talk about what happened between them, but unfortunately they didn’t have that choice.

“I’m almost ready.” Sticking her head out of her bedroom door, Emily flashed a painful smile at her brother.

“Sonny and Brenda are already waiting for us in his private dinning room.” His eyes roamed around the room, looking for some sign of Elizabeth.

“Let me see if Liz is ready yet.” He noticed that his little sister was unable to look him in the eye, and he wanted to call her on it. But that could wait until after he had a moment to talk to Elizabeth first.

It felt like an eternity later when Emily returned and Jason paused, looking over his sisters shoulder for a glimpse of the young woman who had dashed out of his bedroom that morning. “She’s not ready yet and said she’d meet us there.”

“We can wait.” Shrugging his shoulder’s Jason kept his face impassive. What he really wanted to do was walk past his sister into Elizabeth’s room and corner her there.

“Are you sure? Liz is known for her hour-long showers, and I’d hate to keep Brenda and Sonny waiting.”

Looking at his watch, Jason let out a deep breath. It was getting late and Sonny had mentioned something about a meeting with their new partners. “Fine I’ll send Francis down to escort her up.”

Emily looked at him strangely. “What about Nick?”

“I don’t trust Nick enough to follow my orders.” Giving his sister a knowing look, he was slightly satisfied by the blush that stained her cheeks. “From now on Francis is in charge of the two of you and if he’s busy then either Max or Johnny.”

Looking more at his feet, than at his face, Emily gave a nod of understanding. They’d been busted, Jason knew and wasn’t too happy about not being listened to.

“Let me go and tell Liz to join us when she’s ready.”

[JRK Archiver]

Eight

By the time Liz was dressed and ready to go, she had made a vow to herself to put the self-pity behind and face things like an adult. No amount of crying or feeling sorry for herself was going to erase what had happened the night before. She needed to find that stubborn brat she admired so much in herself, and put the little demon to work. Just because she had slept with some stranger didn’t make her a bad person, or even a slut. It happened, and now she needed to let it go.

Taking a deep breath, checking her reflection one last time, she grabbed her purse and headed for the bedroom door. Her head held high, her back straight. She was Elizabeth Imogene Webber damnit! The youngest child who had survived eighteen years of pure hell in the Webber household. It took a strong person, with a will of steel, to make it out of that house and not need psychiatric care. The best part she had done it on her own. Unlike her two siblings who did what they were told, went to the colleges that had been picked out for them from the time they had been embryos.

Destined to walk to her own beat, doing things her own way whether it was backwards or not, she knew who she was. At twenty that was a huge accomplishment. She hadn’t swayed when she had diplomatically announced in front of her father’s colleagues that she had no plans on following the Webber tradition and go into the medical field. Even when her father practically disowned her there and then, vowing that she’d regret her foolishness. Instead she looked him sadly in the eye and accepted his decision. Telling him that no matter how much she loved him and the rest of the family, it was her life, and she wasn’t living it for anyone else.

And she hadn’t. Perhaps her hardheaded, stubborn and passionate ways had gotten her into more messes than she could count. But everyday she was able to wake up and look at herself in the mirror, knowing that it was her life, her decisions, her messes. Last night was just another bump in the road, one that she’d never again repeat. Something she would learn from.

Her head clear and spirit lifted Liz smoothed the wrinkles out of her simple black dress she had carelessly packed. Wishing for the tenth time that she had seen what Emily had been wearing. Was the black dress too much? Perhaps she should change into something a little more casual?

“Miss Mm-Webber?” A low male voice came from the other side of her bedroom door, ceasing her clothing debate. Giving her make-up and hair one last look, Liz headed to the living room to see who was there to escort her to the dinning area.

“Francis?” Giving the guard a friendly smile, Liz felt some of her nervousness ease. After two years of listening to Emily’s stories about the powerful and intense Sonny Corinthos, and the larger than life tales of one Jason Morgan, her stomach had been tied in knots knowing that at any moment she was to meet both men face to face. Not only were they important to her friend, naturally making them important to her, but it was like meeting legends.

Seeing a somewhat familiar face made it a little easier, even if she had just met the man the day before.

“I’m not overdressed am I?” Tucking a piece of hair behind her ear, she stood nervously as Francis assessed her attire.

“You look lovely Miss... Webber.” Liz watched, puzzled, as the large man blushed, shuffling back and forth from foot to foot like a nervous Clydesdale.

“Thank you.” Her brows lowered slightly, looking down at her clothing she realized he hadn’t really answered her question. “Should I change into something else?”

Clearly uncomfortable with the conversation, the giant blinked a few times.

“It’s just that I guess I’m a little nervous. I mean I’ve never had breakfast with the Mob before. So I really don’t have a clue what to wear.”

Choking, Francis brought a hand to his mouth, his eyes wide as he gulped for air. After a few deep breaths he straightened his tie. “What you’re wearing is fine Miss Webber, you ready?” Heading for the door, not waiting for her reply. Francis looked ready to bolt if she asked another question.

Liz’s lips twisted into an impish smile, as she passed the guard. What a typical male.

~~~*~~~

“What’s that?” Brenda squinted painfully at the glass that was set in front of her, her stomach clenching in pain.

“It’s called a Mimosa.” Sonny graced his fiancé with a devilish grin. “Orange juice and Champagne. Try it. I think you’ll really like it.”

“I think I’ll pass.” Pushing the glass just out of her reach, Brenda placed a hand to her forehead, closed her eyes and gently rubbed at her temples.

“Headache?”

Glaring across the table at his amused face, she calmed her nerves by imagining herself dumping the damn Mimosa over his perfectly styled hair. “No, not at all.”

“Look, here comes Jason and Emily. She doesn’t look too good either.” Sonny dramatically clucked his tongue. “I sure hope there’s not a bug going around. I’d hate for everyone to get sick.”

Giving up on the visual of dumping the orange juice and champagne over his head, Brenda changed it to the large water pitcher in the center of the table. Her small delicate hands itched to wipe that condescending look off his face.

He knew. She knew that he did the second she’d been brave enough to crack her eyes open that morning.

Standing from his chair, Sonny nodded at Jason, then stepped forward and wrapped his arms around Emily’s slim form. “It’s good to see you again.”

“It’s good to see you again too.” Offering her old friend a shaky smile, Emily gave his hands a squeeze. “Thank you for inviting me to your wedding.”

“Not a problem.” Jason snorted at Sonny’s reply.

Clearing his throat and casting the young enforcer a questioning look, Sonny pulled out Emily’s chair, waited for her to sit before pushing it up to the table. “Where’s Miss Webber?”

Emily’s eyes flickered from Sonny’s gaze as she wrung her hands in her lap. “She was still getting ready.”

“Long night?” His chocolaty eyes twinkled, not missing Emily’s apprehension.

Both Emily and Brenda froze, their eyes briefly meeting. “Something like that.”

“I sent Francis down to escort her.” Jason cast a long look at the females before taking his seat. He was finding it hard not to wring both their necks. Blooding pounding through his veins, he knew that the scene that was about to transpire wasn’t going to be a good one. When Elizabeth Webber found out that he was Emily’s brother, all hell was going to break lose.

If they’d had just listened and stayed in, none of this would be happening. He wouldn’t have met her, or slept with her. Most importantly he wouldn’t have found himself married to her.

Married.

He was married to her. Legally. After a short call to Port Charles, he’d found out from Alexis that the marriage couldn’t be annulled. They’d slept with one another, pretty much locking the deal. The only way out was going through with a divorce.

“Jason?” Blinking, Jason’s head shot up to find the other three occupants at the table staring at him.

“Huh, what?”

“I was suggesting that after our meeting this afternoon that perhaps you’d like to take the rest of the day off to show your sister and her friend around.” Sonny said slowly, studying the effect his words had on Jason.

Any other time, spending the day with Emily would’ve sounded wonderful. But spending the day with her and Liz...It’d only spell disaster. “I’m going to be pretty busy today.”

“Doing what?” Clearly seeing that something was up, Sonny leaned forward, his game face on.

Seeing the way that Emily was looking at him, made Jason feel like a jerk. It’d been almost a year since the last time they’d been able to spend any time together. Her baby doe eyes showed her hurt at his crisp words. “Nothing. I’d love to take the day off.”

Not satisfied, Sonny gave him a short nod. His expression telling him that they’d talk later.

He could only imagine what Sonny was going to say when he found out. His strong Catholic beliefs held marriage to be sacred.

Looking around the small private dinning room, Jason unconsciously looked for an escape route. It held four other tables, but only two were being occupied. Max and Johnny sat at the other table. Both men looking as thought they’d been drug through hell and back. Good thing there was no immediate danger, because by the looks of it a strong wind could knock both guards on their asses.

Along the far wall the caterers were busily setting up brunch. Large silver platters, covered in matching lids filled a large table.

“There’s Liz.” Emily stood from the table as everyone else turned to look. Everyone but Jason. He knew what she looked like. Her image burned into his retinas. He seriously doubted that he’d ever forget. Her large midnight blue eyes, framed by long dark lashes. Pouty lips, that belonged to a mouth that never quit talking. Long legs and a firm body.

Pinching the bridge of his nose, Jason forced himself to clear his mind of the picture she had made wrapped in his sheet, lying on the floor. No he needed to think of a quick and fast divorce. Before things got even more complicated then they already were. Hopefully she didn’t over-react when she saw him. Giving him a chance to talk to her. It’d be best if they kept their nuptials a secret. Not that he wanted to lie to everyone, but it just really complicated things.

Hearing Sonny greet their new guest, Jason braced himself as Sonny led her to the table.

~~~*~~~

Stepping into the private dinning room, Liz reminded herself not to fidget. It was yet another bad habit of hers whenever she got nervous. Spotting Emily and Brenda immediately, her eyes slid to the dark man who was studying her from across the room. Not needing to be told, she knew instantly it was Sonny Corinthos.

The man literally oozed power and charm. From his expensively cut Armani, to the practiced dimpled smile he was treating her with, Liz had to admit that Emily had painted a pretty accurate image of the mobster she considered family.

There was another person seated at the table, obviously male by the short spiky hair. His back to her, she couldn’t help but admire the man’s broad shoulders and muscled neck. Jason. It had to be. She just wished that he’d turn around so she could get a good look at Emily’s hero.

“Miss Webber it’s wonderful to meet you. We’ve heard a lot of story’s about you from Emily.” Standing from the table, Sonny walked over to greet her, Emily and Brenda following closely form behind.

“I can only imagine what Emily’s been telling you.” Giving her friend a look, Liz smiled brightly back at Sonny.

“I’d like for you to meet my better half.” Placing his arm around Brenda’s waist, the three females froze for a moment before playing along.

Glaring at her worse half. Knowing full well he knew they’d already met, she stuck out her hand. “It’s wonderful to meet you.”

“I don’t know about the three of you, but I’m famished.” Brenda, Emily and Liz nodded unenthusiastically, each of their faces turning an ash color.

Following her hosts to the table Liz stared at the back of Emily’s brother’s head, slightly holding her breath, waiting to get a good look at him. He was looking down at the tabletop, but she noticed the blush creep up his neck to the tip of his ears.

It wasn’t until Sonny had pulled out her chair that Jason looked up. When his face came into view, Liz could have sworn the room started to spin and the carpet had been pulled out from under her. It wasn’t possible.

“Liz?” Emily placed a supportive hand on Liz’s elbow. “Are you okay?”

Gulping in a lungful of air, Liz tore her eyes from Jason’s long enough to look at her concerned friend. “What?”

“Are you okay?” Emily repeated, clearly worried.

“Yeah.” Her eyes flickered to Jason’s, then back to Emily’s. Her face was on fire, and her traumatized heart threatened to stop beating. “Just got dizzy.”

“Are you sure?” Sonny arm wrapped around her waist, his humored expression gone. “If you want I could have Francis take you back to your room if you want to lye down.”

“No really, just a dizzy spell.” Her hands shook visibly as she sat in the chair Sonny had pulled out for her, keeping her eyes forward, refusing to look back into the icy blue glare of Emily’s older brother.

After everyone had taken their seats again, Emily cleared her throat. “Liz I’d like you to meet my brother Jason.”

“Hi.” Giving a quick look, and fake smile, Liz looked forward again. Right into Emily’s puzzled expression.

~~~*~~~

“Well?” Max leaned forward as soon as Francis took his seat.

“Well what?” Snapping back at the other guard, Francis took the napkin from the table, placing it on his lap.

“Did you find anything out?” Johnny ignored the frosty glare Francis sent him from over the table.

“I wish you two wouldn’t have told me. I almost called her Miss Morgan.” Max and Johnny coughed into their hands, hiding their smiles from their agitated friend. “Are you sure?”

“I’m telling you, I ran into the guy that married them when I was on rounds this morning.” Leaning closer so he wasn’t overheard, Max lowered his voice. “He wanted to pass on his congratulations onto Mr. and Mrs. Morgan again. Seems that he hasn’t seen a couple more in love in a long time.”

“Yeah great.” Francis groaned, looking over to Miss Webber/Morgan and Jason plainly ignoring one another. “Perhaps we should share that with them.”

[JRK Archiver]

Nine

“We have to talk.” His voice low and dangerously near her left ear, Liz felt goose bumps rise along her arms as he repeated the same words from earlier that morning. Before she ran out of his rooms like some idiot. Shifting slightly, but still not looking at him, Liz clutched the plate to her in a death grip as she waited for Emily to finish placing food on her plate.

They were the last ones in line for the buffet. Emily gave them both a cheerful smile as she went to take her seat.

“Thanks...but no thanks.” Whispering back between clenched teeth, she turned her back to him again, praying he got the message. Her newfound plan was to pretend it never happened. It was a good solid plan. One that didn’t include any confrontation.

Hearing him heave a sigh that was clearly agitated, Liz reached for some fresh fruit. “That’s not good enough.” His voice came from behind again.

“Tough.” He was now standing close to her left side, his scent played havoc on her senses. Earlier that morning she had been too busy gathering up her clothing and run for her life, that she really hadn’t had the chance to comprehend devastatingly handsome her one night stand was. But now with him practically pressed up against her he was too hard to ignore. Jason Morgan was with out a doubt the most attractive male she’d ever seen. Too bad he was also proving to be one of the most hardheaded.

“Fine, let’s talk. I’m sure it’ll make great dinning conversation.” With a daring look, she glared up at him. Satisfied by the dark look he gave her.

“Fine by me. Should we wait for everyone to finish, or would you mind if we just jumped right on in.” Seeing her face flame and her eyes glitter, Jason hated how his body was responding to how beautiful she looked when she was angry.

“You’re a jerk.”

“And you’re being a brat. We slept together, get over it. But there’s more you need to know.” Following her closely as she moved down the food line, Jason looked over his shoulder to find Sonny watching them.

“Let me guess, you’re married.” Liz threw back the same question he’d asked her that morning.

“No.”

“Engaged?” Trying like hell to keep her voice light and her foot from connecting with his shin, Liz stared down at the quiches.

“No. Will you shut up for a second?”

“You’re the one that said you wanted to talk. So I’m talking.” Looking at him again with one of her fakest smiles plastered on her face. “I’d hate to be a brat and all.”

Jason jaw clenched. “Try harder. I’m not saying we need to talk here. But we do need to sit down, we have a few things to discuss.”

Hating the fatherly way he was talking to her, Liz felt the blood pumping through her veins as her temper started to get the best of her. “I’m sorry but my calendar is full.” Taking a few steps away from him, hoping distance would stop the scene she was about to make. “If you’re worried about me telling Emily, don’t. I’m too humiliated for that.”

It wasn’t just her words that hit hard, but the way she said them. “Fine, I get it that you didn’t wake up with happy shining feelings. But there are some things that you aren’t aware of, some decisions we have to make.”

Taking a step closer to her, he hadn’t expected her to come up short, stopping in mid-stride. “We used protection didn’t we?” Her blush drained from her face as her hands started to shake, almost spilling the food from her plate.

The words had the same effect as if a bucket of ice water had been poured over his head. Of all the things that he’d been worrying about, pregnancy wasn’t one of them. Worse her tearful eyes searched his, waiting for his answer.

Taking her plate and leaning in close, Jason tried to ignore the stares of the occupants in the room. “Listen to me. You need to breathe. We can talk later.”

Not knowing why, but his voice calmed her, his eyes held a promise that he’d take care of everything. “Later. Talk.”

Handing her plate back, he tilted his head back to the table. Before she could take a step, the door to the dinning room slammed open. A tall blonde female stood in the doorway, her angry eyes drilling holes like a jackhammer into the man standing inches away from Liz.

Whether it was the deadly silence that cloaked the room, the fact that the guards were up and out of their chairs without a sound - each ready for action, or the low, furious curse from under Jason’s breath. Liz knew that the blonde was a walking catastrophe. Causing the hairs on her arms to rise, and a cold tingle go down her spine.

Not sure what to do, and feeling like an idiot standing there holding a plate of cooling food, she waited for someone to make a move, say something, do anything. But the room seemed to be a standstill, no one knowing if they should make the first move, or wait to see what their uninvited guest would do.

Finally the blonde took a small step forward, placed a slender hand on her hip. “Dangerous huh?” The words were directed at Jason.

“What are you doing here?” Not budging an inch, his stance ridged, Jason returned her glare.

Her mouth set in a firm line as she looked around the room. “If it was so damn dangerous Jason then tell me why in the hell it’s okay for you precious little sister to come and bring along some muffin-faced friend.” Liz gulped as the woman’s cold brown eyes locked in on her.

“You’re supposed to be at home taking care of Michael.” Awareness dawned on Liz. Michael...Jason...AJ...equaled Carly. This was the evil blonde witch that Emily was so upset with. The one that had stormed into her family’s lives, destructing everything she touched. Lying to one brother, and using the other.

“He’s fine with Momma.” Closing the space between them, she came to stop just inches away from Jason. Her eyes softened, mouth twisted into what Liz assumed was to be a sweet smile but seemed more like a snarl, took Jason’s stiff hand into hers and gazed into his eyes. “I missed you. Our house is way too quiet when you’re gone.”

“I’m hardly ever there Carly.” Freeing his hand from her grasp, he looked over her shoulder at Sonny, a message passed between them in silence. Rubbing the back of his neck he saw Elizabeth out of the corner of his eye fidget, then head for the table.

“You said that you wanted to take care of Michael and me. That you wanted to be a part of our lives. I refuse to sit at home waiting for you anymore. My place is at your side.” The words were spoken low, but not low enough where everyone in the room didn’t hear.

Feeling as though he’d walked from some strange dream and smack dab into a nightmare, Jason racked his brain on how to take care of the situation without any casualties. Jason looked away from Carly’s teary eyes, he wasn’t fooled. She had crying down to an art, it was one of her best weapons. This was one of the biggest reasons he hadn’t wanted her to come. The way she’d been pushing for something more permanent between them increased daily. He had needed some space from that in a big way.

“Your place is back in Port Charles.” Returning his eyes back to her, he looked past the tears at the rage that simmered beneath.

~~*~~

The Quiche was a little dry, but other than that and the hellish fight taking place five feet from her, Liz decided that breakfast could’ve been worse. No, wait it was. She’d slept with her best friend’s brother, who was living with some other woman, helping her raise her son. Who he had just a year ago tried to pass off as his own.

Swallowing the food past the large lump in her throat, Liz fought the urge to gag. It was either eating the food on her plate, or breaking down in tears in front of everybody. Naturally food won.

“Elizabeth you still don’t look well. Why don’t you let Francis take you back down to your rooms?” Sonny’s hushed voice startled her, causing her to choke on the buttery croissant she‘d just taken a bite from.

“No I’m fine.” Her eyes skipped over to Jason and Carly. “Actually I’d like that.”

Sonny gave her a sympathetic look before twisting in his seat. “Francis, Miss Webber isn’t feeling well, escort her back to her suite.”

Francis was on his feet without so much as a grumble for having to miss his breakfast, and hurried over to help Liz up from her seat. “Do you want me to come back up for Emily?”

“I’ll get one of the guys to do it.” Sonny smiled warmly at Liz. “Take care of Miss Webber and make sure she isn’t disturbed.”

“Emily I’m sorry.” Liz said as she forced herself not to bolt for the door and leave all the chaos behind.

“I’d go with you, but I want to make sure Carly doesn’t pull any of her stupid stunts on Jason.” Her friend smiled in understanding. “Don’t worry, maybe you Jason and me can have dinner alone tonight. I really want the two of you to get to know one another.”

Spinning on her heel before anyone could see the blush that burned her entire face, Liz rushed for the door. Not waiting to see if Francis followed.