Coming Home: Welcome Home, Jason


Hi there! Thanks for all of the reviews guys. As you can see, this fic is being continued for now. This chapter is actually going to be longer. I warn you now. I'm doing reviewer responses at the bottom!

We're going to say that the last chapter happened closer to the night. This chapter starts at night too. Also, this takes place in mid August.

--------------------------------------Corinthos Penthouse

Sonny hung up the phone with a smile. "Carly, they're on their way here." Sonny could feel some of the weight being lifted off his shoulders. Jason had a way of making things easier to deal with.

Carly smiled happily. "I can't wait to see him! And Rider, I bet he's grown. Did Jason mention to you where he and Rider are staying?" she asked him slowly. Truth was, she'd already prepared Jason's old penthouse for his arrival. She hoped that he would be staying across the hall.

"His old penthouse. He says thank you for airing the place out and decorating it for him" Sonny said with a sly smile.

"How did you know!? And how did he know?" Carly questioned him. She was smiling fully though. She'd have Jason and Rider across the hall from them. She'd have her full family back. And that was all that mattered to her. She had missed Jason since the moment he left town. And the visits they did have were far too short. Even though they stayed for a long time.

Sonny led her over to the couch. "Well, Jason asked me if he could have the penthouse back until he decided where he wanted to live. I said yes and then asked Johnny to go over and get it ready. But he said you were already one step ahead of us. So when I called Jason back I told him that you'd already decorated it for him."

Carly sat down, grinning like a kid on Christmas. This was way better than Christmas though, which was saying something. Her husband was a good gift buyer. "I knew he'd stay there. I can't wait to see the look on his face when he sees how good it looks. This is great Sonny! Jason's home, Rider's coming to live here too, and they're living right next to us."

Sonny smiled at her enthusiasm. "Yeah, its pretty damn good. Everything's ready for them. I just have to convince Jason to take a guard." He lost his smile for the end sentence though. He felt his dread coming back to him full force.

Carly was shocked. "Guard? You mean for Rider right?" even though she knew he meant one for Rider and one for Jason.

"Yes, for Rider. But I want Jason to have a body guard of his own too." Sonny frowned, "You think he'll let me?" he asked her skeptically. He wouldn't back down on this with Jason. But he still would like Jason's permission though. Even if he didn't get it there would be someone assigned to his friend. Whether or not Jason knew it. Sonny could already hear the argument that would ensue when and if Jason ever found out that Sonny'd had him followed.

She sighed, she knew that Sonny was worried, she just didn't think he was that worried. "I think he'll kill you for even asking something like that. He'll take the guard for Rider. But not for himself. I couldn't see Jason agreeing to a bodyguard following him all around the town. Is it really that important?" she asked slowly, she was hoping that he would let her in on his thought process, even though it partly fell under the "business" section of their lives. Though, when family was involved heavily, he did fill her in, and this counted under that little loophole. Luckily for her.

"I don't know. I don't know how the five families are going to take his reappearance. They may not be convinced that he is out of the business. Even if they do, they won't believe that Jason will stay loyal and not sell us out to the cops. They could try to ensure that he won't ever get to talk to anyone about the workings of my territory or theirs. That and Faith Roscoe is still sniffing around. She could use him to get to me. I just want to make sure that no one tries anything. Besides, he's not in this anymore Carly. I have to protect him from it all now. Just like you and Michael." Sonny said as he ran his hand across his face while sighing heavily.

Carly was spared having to comfort her husband when the door to their penthouse opened and Johnny and Francis came in, lugging bags behind them. Behind them came the familiar blondes.

Rider held his father's hand as they walked through the door. Carly only had eyes for Jason at the moment though.

"Jase!" She squealed as she ran to him. Jason let go of Rider's hand to scoop Carly up for a hug. He had missed her. Even the prying side of her. Not like he'd be telling her that though. He could only imagine the type of things she'd do if she knew that little bit of information.

"Hey Carly." He greeted by whispering in her ear. "Um, can you loosen up the grip there?" he asked her jokingly.

Carly gave him a once over after he put her down. "Still the hottie I saw in Jakes. I can't believe you're here!" she said.

Sonny walked up and gave Jason a hug. "Good to see you man, welcome home."

"Thanks Sonny." Jason said as he hugged back. After they broke apart Jason bent down and easily lifted Rider into his arms. "Rider, you remember Aunt Carly and Uncle Sonny, right? They came to see us last spring?"

"Yeah, I remember. Hi." Rider greeted. He'd liked them when he met them. They stayed a whole month. And they had a son named Michael, they said that he was Rider's cousin. He scanned the room to see if Michael was there. He liked having a cousin, even if he was slightly older. Michael was cool.

Carly knew what he was looking for. "Michael's at his grandma's. He'll be home soon. But he said to tell you hi."

Rider smiled. "Cool. Daddy? Can we go see?" He asked anxiously. He couldn't wait to see his new room. Plus the rest of their house. He was sad to leave their first house, but excited for the new one all the same.

Jason laughed. "Okay, come on." The two turned around and left the Corinthos' penthouse and walked across the hall to their new home. Jason was slightly worried to see what Carly had done to the place.

The two opened the door with Carly quick at their heels.

"Wow, cool." Rider said. Carly beamed that she'd earned the boy's approval.

"Rider, you room is the second one on the left upstairs, why don't you go see it?" Carly suggested slowly. She was quite proud of that room. It was a darker blue color. It had a star theme to it. She'd even had someone come in and paint constellations on the ceiling in glow in the dark paint.

"Can I, Daddy?" Rider asked enthusiastically. Jason nodded, smiling, at him and Rider was gone in seconds.

"So, Jase, what do you think?" Carly asked slowly. She paused for a second just in time to hear the boys muffled reaction from upstairs. And gathering from what she could hear, it was a good one. All she had left was to see if Jason liked what she had done to the place.

It was nothing fancy. She had tried to envision Jason when she decorated the place. It had a slightly beach air to it, to make them seem more at home. She had chosen brighter colors and comfy furniture.

"Carly, I love it. Thank you for doing this." Jason said, smiling at her. "So, where's the pool table?" he asked her.

Carly rolled her eyes, "Don't you even dare."

-------------------------------------The Next Morning -- Jason's Room

Jason squinted against the sunlight streaming through the windows. He felt little hands shaking him.

"Daddy! Daddy wake up, we have to go to see Aunt Emily!" Rider shouted at him. Jason groaned, again wishing Rider was more of a sleeper, just like he did every morning. His son woke up at the sound of a twig snapping. Also, he didn't need a alarm clock, seeing as Rider had a built in internal clock. While it didn't matter now, seeing as Rider could tell time, there had been a time when he would tell his son it was later or earlier than it really was, and was then given a accusatory gaze. He caught Jason every single time.

"What time is it?" Jason groaned before turning on his side to face the wide-awake four year old. Why was it that every morning at eight he woke up? Isabella had a early morning hostess job at the hotel on the island. So she was out the door by six every morning. Jason had chosen the much easier route of owning his own car and motorcycle repair shop. And considering that his shop was the only one on the island, let alone the only one in a five hundred mile radius, it got a lot of business. Since Rider wasn't in school yet he went to work with Jason each day. Whenever they had a break, or a slow day, they were beachside. Isabella - whose job hours went from six to ten in the morning, twelve to two, and then five to nine at night, as did the restraunt in the hotel's open hours – would join them whenever she could.

The thoughts of his son's morning wake up time reminded him of the bedtime he had. Things went slightly differently at the island. Most children went to bed later at night, since the sun set so late. Rider had a bedtime of eleven at night. Something he wouldn't be able to keep here in Port Charles. Jason groaned again at the thought of breaking that habit.

"Its eight thirty. I tried to wake you up before, but you didn't so I went and watched cartoons for a while." Rider explained as he jumped on the bed and sat next to Jason.

"We don't have to go to the Quartermaines until ten Buddy." He reminded his son.

"I know. But I thought we could go swimming." The four year old said slyly. Usually they didn't go swimming until after breakfast and after Jason had checked in at the shop.

Jason sat up a bit more, slowly becoming awake. "Ri, remember when I told you there weren't any beaches here?"

Rider's smile fell. "Oh yeah."

Jason felt bad, he didn't want to bum Rider out about living here. "We can go and look at the boats on the docks if you want." He offered, hoping it would be something that could get Rider's mind off of the lack of beaches in Port Charles.

Rider's smile lit up again. "Yeah, lets go!" then he ran from the room to go get dressed. Jason looked over to see the clock, eight forty-five. He would never get used to being awake so early.

-------------------------------------The Docks -- Twenty Minutes Later

Rider held his fathers hand as they walked to the docks. It was pretty cool today so he was running around in jean overalls with a t-shirt underneath. His father was in his customary jeans and a t-shirt also. The two walked silently. Jason was looking around, taking in all the old sights and getting used to being home. Rider, however, was looking around in awe of his new home.

After a bit they reached the docks. "See? All those boats out there?" Jason asked Rider. There were always fishing boats on the island, but not the massive yachts that he was pointing out to his son.

Jason was kneeling down next to Rider, on his son's height level. Jason couldn't help but look up at Elizabeth's studio window. Emily had told him everything that had gone on in Elizabeth's life since he'd left. Also, that she was now with a man named Ric Lansing. Jason hadn't even met the man and already he didn't like him.

He was wondering if she would even want to see him anymore. She'd basically had no contact with him in a little over four years. Would she even care that he was in town again. And if she did, what would she think about Rider? Jason shook his head, clearing his thoughts, he wouldn't think about her right now.

"Daddy? What's wrong?" Rider asked him. He had been talking to his Dad for a few minutes, but Jason hadn't responded. His protective side was out and Jason mentally cursed himself for making Rider worry.

"What? I'm sorry Ri, I didn't mean to zone out. What did you say?" Jason asked apologetically.

"I asked what that island over there is. It looks like a castle in one of my books." Rider asked as he pointed out across the water.

Jason looked to where his son was pointing, all thoughts of Elizabeth momentarily forgotten. "Its called Wyndemere. Aunt Emily's friend Nikolas lives there."

The two continued looking out over the water.

--------------------------------------Elizabeth's Studio

Her painting was going all-wrong. Why was it that she'd been in a rut for the last four months? She couldn't understand why everything she painted came out terrible. Of course, she thought all of this while keeping herself from mentally going over the amount of months she'd been with Ric.

She cared about him, yes. But he seemed to care about her much more. They'd been going out for a while now, five months maybe. And she'd barely let him get past kissing her.

She also tried to push out her conversation with Emily from her mind. Emily had said that Jason was home now. And that a lot had happened with him. Every time she tried to ask Emily what she meant by that, her friend would just say that Jason would tell her what he wanted her to know, when he wanted her to know. The only information she'd let Liz know was that he was healthy and safe. And living here permanently. Or as permanent as Jason Morgan's schedule allowed.

Her mind couldn't help but run over all of the possibilities that could happen. Could they be friends again? Or maybe more, like she'd been wanting for years. And as much as she hated herself for admitting it, she'd leave Ric in a second if it meant that she could be with Jason. She knew that the reason they'd never really worked out was because she'd choose everyone else around her but him. Everyone over him.

She wouldn't do that anymore. To hell with everyone else's needs. It was about time she took care of her own. The only person who's needs came before hers from now on, was Jason.

She put her paintbrush down and walked to her window. How many times had she convinced herself that she would see him looking up at her if she looked hard enough? He never did.

He was ever going to. Or at least, she thought that he wouldn't. He was home now, he could be waiting for her. He could be on the mountain roads, wishing she were there. Or waiting at Jakes for her.

Elizabeth rolled her eyes at her own thoughts. Me me me. How self-centered could she get? She looked down out her window.

And she blinked.

Then she blinked again.

But no matter how many times she did blink, he was still there when her eyes opened. Elizabeth ran to her door and rushed out, hoping he would still be there when she got to the docks.

--------------------------------------The Docks

Elizabeth ran as fast as she could. She reached the stairs to the docks and slowed down. He was there. He hadn't gone anywhere. At least now she could make sure that he didn't hate her for not following out of town with him when he asked her four years ago.

But it was his companion she hadn't noticed before. A little boy with slightly curly blonde hair. He couldn't have been more than a kindergartener. Jason was pointing out boats to the boy. She strained her hears to hear anything that might clue as to who the child was, but couldn't hear them.

Jason felt himself and Rider being watched. But he didn't feel threatened by whoever it was. It only took him a few seconds to determine who the stare belonged to, but then he knew it.

Elizabeth.

He stood up quickly and turned around. He only had to scan the area for a second before finding her, watching him. Rider turned to see why his father wasn't talking to him anymore. He noticed his gaze was fixed on a spot past him. Rider turned around and saw what Jason was looking at. Or, rather, who. His worry subsided a bit. At least his Dad hadn't zoned out again.

Elizabeth felt suddenly stupid after being caught watching him. She slowly walked down the steps and towards the twin sets of ice blue eyes. In the back of her mind, she knew who the boy was, but she didn't want to listen to what her mind was telling her.

"Hi Jason. Emily told me you were back." She said, tentatively. The stares she was receiving were a bit unnerving. As if Jason's alone wasn't intense enough. The small boy had an identical one to Jason.

Jason smiled at her. "Yeah, we just got back last night."

Elizabeth knew she shouldn't pry, but she couldn't help it. "We?"

Jason looked down at the boy and picked him up easily. "We. Elizabeth, this is my son Rider. Ri, this is my friend Elizabeth. I knew her when I lived here before. She's your Aunt Emily's best friend." Jason explained.

Son? Jason had a son? If he had a son then he must be married, or at least have had a girlfriend. Elizabeth's eyes zoned in on his hand.

A wedding band.


Hehe, well, will she jump to conclusions? You'll just have to see. Up next is the rest of the Liason/Rider talk. And the Quartermaine breakfast. PLEASE REVIEW!

Thewretchedchild- You aren't the first one to call me evil. LOL. You'll see about what Elizabeth does and does not know as time goes on, Jason too. I won't spoil it. I'm glad you've got faith in me though! As for the four or five days thing, I'll think about it. It is a lot of time, I realize, I just don't want to go too fast or two slow. Especially with school starting soon. Though, considering that a lot of my stories haven't been updated in quite some time (...no comment), if figured that everyone would be happy to have a once a week guarantee! LOL. Thanks for the review!

Skritchie- Awesome? Thank you very much.

Underscored- I know exactly what you mean. Jason hasn't had any mysterious kids come back to town with him, but he's so good with kids anyway. Which is partly why I started this story. Thanks for the review, I'm glad you like it.

Amanda- I'm happy to know you're enjoying the direction. Hopefully I won't veer off into something you won't like, though I can say that there aren't any bizarre evil twists along the way...well...not that bad. LOL, thanks for reviewing.

LizzieBella- I love that name too! I'm a big fan of the unique ones, which Rider is. You don't come across many people with that name. Thanks!

Chawkchic- I wouldn't want you to cry! So, there you go, another chapter, don't start the waterworks! LOL. Thanks for the review!

Joy- You'll get a much better idea of how Jason's kid is in some future chapters, I think chapters four and six have a lot of Rider in them. (I wrote all that so long ago that it's hard to remember what chapter is what number!). So those are coming up soon. I do like writing him though. Thanks for the review!

Lily- Promising, hu? Well, yay!

Isabelle- Liason interaction comes up very soon – I mean, more then the next chapter. And don't worry, I will be continuing to update!

Liasonfan- I do believe that crazy might be a good description of me! :-) But I'll be okay with this story because I'm so far ahead of what you guys are reading (I'm in the middle of writing chapter twenty-two). As for Cameron, I do believe you mean that baby? As you might be able to tell, I do not watch GH at all anymore. So, no, Liz doesn't have him in this story. Sorry if that's a disappointment. Thanks for the review.

Jessa- I thought it was pretty cute of a name myself (obviously, since I used it in a story, LOL)! Glad to know I've been agreed with. Liason comes up soon, so don't worry. Thanks for reviewing!

Saydeeatx- Your want is my command (well, in this case...)! I will be continuing! Like I've said to almost everyone above you (liason seems to be the topic of all questions, meaning, when do we get more!? LOL) – Jason and Liz do continue their talk next chapter, and there will soon be more.

Tracey- Here's another chapter, hopefully you'll have some comments sprung from it! Thanks for the review!

Molinhas- Don't worry, I'm continuing. I'm happy you love it, and I hope you'll continue to do so!

This story is dedicated to Sam, who helped me with the with this whole story every step of the way. She encouraged me, and bugged me. I would still be on chapter five if she hadn't been such an amazing reviewer - and up until now, the only person I had to go by since I hadn't posted. She read each chapter and then gave me some of the most amazing reviews you've ever seen. Which then inspired me even more. As Sam and I like to put it, she's not just my beta, and I'm not just hers. We're eachothers muses. And, for this story, my muse couldn't get enough. So again, this is for Sam. Love ya, sister!