Disclaimer: If you recognize it, I don't own it.

AN: Thanks to everyone who has read this so far. I'm glad you enjoy it.

Chapter Four:

Unfortunately, that night the law didn't go down so well. Emma seemed to have no problem with it, nodding his head once and moving on. Carl on the other hand, was not happy about the change at all. She and Jason spent a good half an hour screaming at each other. Every protest from Carl was met by a firm shake of Jason's head, his eyes stone cold blue. Finally Carl knew when she'd lost and accepted defeat. "I don't know if I can do this, Jason. I want you and Sam to love me. I want to be your daughter."

Jason looked confused, his eyebrows rushing together over his eyes. "Carl, you are my daughter. From the moment we brought you home with us, you became our children. And Sam already loves you, so do I. That's why Sam and I don't want you in the Business. Why don't you think we'll love you if you're not?"

Carl's eyes filled with tears as she confessed, "Because our father wouldn't." Emma wrapped his arms around his sister as tears started to leak from her eyes. "Our father couldn't love us unless we were apart of what he loved."

Jason sighed sadly. De la Vega had made a lot of mistakes in his life -both in his Business and not- but that had to be, by far, his worst mistake. "Carl, you and Emma are teenagers! You both should be in high school, enjoying your youth. Carl, you should be making friends, gossiping about boys and worrying about what dress to wear to Prom. Not what's the next hit to make. Or the next threat, the next con to pull, whatever. Enjoy your childhood. You only get one."

Carl nodded, conceding to him. She knew that he didn't remember his own childhood, and wanted desperately for her to remember hers. Jason sat down, watching her silently, before asking, "What did you like to do? Did you have any hobbies before you entered the Business?"

Carl nodded, getting a wistful look on her face. "I loved archery. The feel of a bow in my hands, the whoosh of the arrow, the thud as it hit the target. And gymnastics. I could do floor routines all day."

Jason nodded, glancing at Emma. "What about you? What did you like to do?"

"I used to race drag cars. I was going to move to normal cars before Dad told me I had to stop and join the 'family business'. I miss it. The thrill, the rush, the speed. It was an awesome feeling."

Jason nodded, getting an idea. "All right then. Tomorrow morning, be up early. Carl, I want you to give me a list of everything you would need to set up an archery range on the rooftop. Sam and I are the only ones who ever go up there, so that's the best place to put it. And then, we're going to enroll you in a gym and get you a private trainer."

Carl's eyes widened in surprise, before she lunged out of her chair and threw her arms around Jason's neck. Surprised, he hugged her back awkwardly as she thanked him over and over again. "Jason, you're the best!"

Jason chuckled, tightening his grip before releasing her and turning to Emma. "And you're going to have to tell me what the best cars to race are. That way I can get you two, one for racing and one for practicing."

Emma eyes widened. He had no idea he would be included in Jason's handouts. "Are you serious?"

Jason nodded once. "Absolutely. You need to go back to being kids. And the best way to do that, is to pick up on your hobbies. Carl gets an archery range. You get your cars. Not mention the both of you need cars to get around in."

Carl's face scrunched up in horror and she shook her head fiercely. Jason's eyes narrowed and he questioned, "You don't want a car?"

"I don't like cars. I'd prefer a motorcycle."

Jason smiled, musing her hair. "That's my girl. What kind of motorcycle? Harley? Rice-burner? What?"

"A Ninja or a Katana."

"Katanas are good," Jason agreed, before conceding, "Ninjas are better." Looking between the both of them he nodded, "All right then; Emma gets a car and Carl gets a pretty new Ninja. Are we all agreed?"

The twins both nodded, their eyes wide with Jason's generosity. "Thank you, Jason. This means a lot."

Jason nodded, his eyes flicking toward the baby monitor perched on the end table. Sam had taken the youngest three children upstairs to start getting them ready for bed, and if the sound of her laughter through the speaker was any indication, she was still busy. Turning back to them, his eyes were suddenly serious. Both noticed the change and sobered up. "I do have a few conditions, however."

"Conditions?" Emma asked, when Jason motioned for them to take seats on the couch.

"Think of them as rules. First? There will be no talk of rejoining the Mob until you're at least 21. And even then, I have to say it's okay. Secondly? Two in the morning is your curfew. If I know Sam -and I do- she'll panic if I give you leave to stay out all night. Two AM or no going out at all. Thirdly, you will be honest at all time. Sam and I will want to know what normal parents know; who, what, when and where."

Carl nodded, "Sounds fair."

Jason gave a tiny smile. "Good. But there's one last rule; no one outside this family touches Sam. Ever. This family includes; me, you, the babies, my sister, Emily and my mother, Monica. That's it. Understood? The last family that tried to use her to send a message to me all ended up dead."

Carl's eyes widened and Emma nodded. His father had told him about the retribution Morgan had set into motion in late March. "The Sandovals."

Jason's eyebrows furrowed. "How did you know?"

"Just because you didn't get busted for it, doesn't mean that your signature wasn't all over it. Dad said that the Sandovals had overstepped the bounds of business and made it personal."

Jason nodded. "And everyone knows you don't make it personal. Those are the only rules. Are we agreed?"

Carl glanced at Emma and Emma spoke for the both of them, "Somehow, I think we're getting the better side of this deal. Be honest, home at two, stay out of the Mob and protect Sam? And we get everything we're getting? Yeah, definitely getting the lighter end of the stick. We're agreed, Jason."

Jason chuckled good-humoredly at the sarcastic tone in Emma's voice. "Good. Beat it; it's late. Go on up to bed."

The twins nodded, laughing as they raced up the stairs to the bedroom they both shared. There were enough rooms in the penthouse for them both to have their own rooms, but they refused to be separated.

Later that night, Sam and Jason lay together in their bed. They had just made love and Sam was lying languid across Jason's chest. "I don't think I told you what happened before my migraine came about, did I?" Jason asked, completely out of the blue.

Sam's head shook from side to side against his chest. "No. I just thought that you were sleeping."

"I was dreaming."

"About what?"

"I saw Emily. She was young, younger than I remember her being. And she looked so alone, so AJ and I went to talk to her. And, I looked…. younger, younger than I remember being. And we were telling her about the grounds and we told her a story about this guy who had to land a plane just so he could breathe."

Sam sat up. "What? A memory?"

"I don't know. I'd have to ask Emily."

"Jason, this could be good. You might get your memories back."

Jason looked down at her. "Is it? I don't remember."

Seeing how troubled he was, Sam went up and pressed her lips to his gently. Her touch was sweet and tender and he forgot that he was upset. Her hand came up to caress his cheek as she murmured, "Whatever happens, Jason. I will be right here at your side. I promise. I love you."

Jason kissed her forehead, sighing, "I love you."