A/N – Thanks for the reviews! I don't think I've ever read a fanfic where Jason picks up Liz when she's sleeping and she feels it. Lol. She had a really hard day and was wiped. Dreamlover22 – lol They just met and Jason is guarded. Trust me. Glad you guys are liking it thus far!

Chapter 4 – Breaking the Ice

Johnny smiled as Michael walked towards him. The little boy broke into a run and Johnny lifted him high in the air.

"It's good to see you buddy." He said smiling. Putting him in the chair, he put a bowl of cereal in front of him and Michael happily ate it.

Elizabeth sat on the bay seat in front of the window looking out at the lake. She really wasn't hungry. I guess I got the adventure I wished for this summer. She thought as she watched Francis walking around outside; although, guns and kids were never apart of the plan. At least she was around handsome, muscular men.

Michael jumped down from his chair and ran over to her and crawled between her legs and laid back.

Jason looked over at them and smiled. Michael was a smart little boy. He saw Michael point to Francis, and then Liz, who seemed to be able to read his mind, asked him if he wanted to go outside. Michael nodded vigorously and Elizabeth looked over at Jason for approval.

He nodded and she scooped up Michael and placed him on the floor and they went outside.

Elizabeth directed him over to a shed and she motioned for Francis who picked the lock. Liz went inside and Michael waited for her and grinned when she came back out with a small bike. It needed to be cleaned up but it would keep him entertained. Francis took it from her and moved it over to the side of the house. Liz found a soccer ball and an old pump and filled it with air.

Jason watched them kick the ball back and forth. It was a beautiful day out; warm with a slight breeze. He went outside and Michael kicked the ball to him and smiled for the first time since Jason got there. Realizing that Michael was starting to respond normally again, he smiled back and kicked the ball over to Elizabeth. Jason motioned for Michael to come to him and then he whispered something in his ear and the little boy grinned. They both looked at Liz and then broke into a run and chased her as she kicked the ball and yelled. Jason caught up to her first and grabbed her and spun her around as she laughed. Michael stole the ball and Jason put her back down and took off after him.

She stood there trying to catch her breath as Jason grabbed Michael and tickled him and his laughter filled the air. Elizabeth laughed and laughed watching their antics.

Francis came up behind her. "Nice job with the kid. You got him smiling again."

She smiled. "He's a great kid but I think Jason was the one who did the trick."

They sat down in the grass and watched Jason allow Michael to tackle him.

"So, what is Jason's actual job?" She asked.

"Maybe you should ask him that."

"I'm not asking him, I'm asking you."

Francis smirked. "We're coffee importers."

Elizabeth snorted which made Francis chuckle.

"Seriously Francis, what does he do?"

Francis didn't look back at her. He kept his eyes fixed on Jason and Michael. "He's an enforcer Elizabeth. And I know that sounds bad, but Jason is a good man. He protects his family and yes that may mean he has to hurt other people sometimes to do it. But, he's fair and makes sure everyone is taken care of; sometimes to his own detriment."

She watched Francis carefully as he talked. "What do you mean?"

"When you put everyone else's happiness and needs in front of your own, it can lead to a very lonely life."

"Michael seems to love him."

"Jason would give his life for Michael. He loves him."

"And you would give your life for Jason?" She asked curiously.

"I would because that is what family does."

Elizabeth knew he wasn't just talking about blood relatives. She could see why Jason would be feared, but right now he was rolling around with Michael on the grass laughing and it was like she could feel something stir inside of her that she didn't understand. She had never expected him to be playful like that.

The ball rolled towards her and she stood up and kicked it back. Michael left Jason on the ground and ran towards her and grabbed her hand and kicked the ball back towards Jason, who had jumped up and started running towards them. Michael looked up with wide eyes and then hid behind Liz at the last second which made her laugh really hard and of course Jason took advantage of it. He grabbed her and tucked her into his body and started to runaway with her and Liz was powerless to stop it because she was crying from laughing so hard. Michael took off after Jason and dove at his legs and when Jason tried to avoid Michael's foot, they went tumbling down. Jason broke Liz's fall wrapping his arms around her protectively. Francis and Johnny ran towards them, scared Liz was hurt.

But she wasn't. She gasped for air as her peals of laughter seemed to echo through the trees. Jason was laughing at her and Michael plopped down right on top of them.

Francis stood over them chuckling. "Let me lighten your load." He said grabbing Michael and passing him to Johnny who threw him up in the air as Michael laughed.

"You okay?" Jason asked.

"I'm good." She said grinning as Jason helped her up.

He held her hand a little longer than necessary. Everything about her was beautiful. But Jason was used to keeping his feelings closely guarded. She was so free and he wished that he could be more like that but he was used to masking his feelings. It had been fun running around with her and Michael and he liked the way he felt when he was around her. Jason decided that maybe he'd try to be a more relaxed. He was attracted to her, but in the back of his mind, he didn't think that someone like her would ever be interested in someone like him.

He watched her chasing Michael. Johnny walked up to him. "Take a picture, it will last longer." He said grinning.

"Shut it O'Brien." He growled.

They all played for a while longer and then went back inside of the house and Michael took a nap.

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"Any word from Elizabeth?" Lila asked.

"No, but I was sent a message that she was fine."

"Good. Carly is awake on and off. I called in some favors at the hospital to keep her in a private room."

"What are you going to do when she starts asking for her son?"

Lila sighed. "I'm not sure. I already spoke to Bobbie who said that she would care for her. But, I don't know if the brownstone is safe enough. Of course, they could stay at the Towers."

"True." Audrey said deep in thought. "I hope that this can be resolved quickly. Elizabeth had plans and I don't want her giving up all her dreams to be on the run."

"I don't want that for her either. But, wouldn't it be great if Liz and Jason hit it off?"

Audrey chuckled at Lila's enthusiasm. "I take it you noticed how long he looked at her picture?"

"Is it wrong that I want my grandson to find happiness?"

"He leads a violent lifestyle Lila. I know you love him but Elizabeth is not used to that life."

"Jason would protect her. Life is dangerous Audrey. You could step off a corner and get hit by a bus. Sometimes you have to take risks to find love."

Audrey sighed heavily. She knew what kind of man Jason was but Elizabeth was such a free spirit and joyous that she just couldn't even fathom her fitting with a man who was seemingly allergic to the English language.

"Now, what are we going to do about that pesky Richard Lansing who is trying to cause trouble and blame Jason for all of this mess?" Lila asked.

Audrey smirked and stood up. "Leave that one to me."

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Milo watched Audrey walk onto the porch and motion for him to join her.

"Mr. Giambetti, I need your help with something."

He looked at her curiously. "Okay."

"I want to annoy the hell out of Ric Lansing and I need your help to do it."

Milo smirked.

"Trust me when I tell you that I would love to do it myself, but I'm not a spring chicken anymore."

"What did you have in mind?"

Audrey smiled and told Milo what she wanted as Milo grinned and chuckled.

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Ric smiled as he read the morning paper. He had made sure that the press got some false information about Jason and they had taken the bait and ran with it. Jason Morgan was the bane of his existence. He hated him and would do anything to bring the enforcer down. He grabbed his suitcase and keys and went to get some lunch but when he got to his car, he gasped. "What the fuck?" He bellowed.

He walked around his prized convertible in a daze. The car had 4 flat tires and someone had spray painted the word corrupt on the side. He threw his briefcase down and kicked a tire and then called for a tow truck.

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Lila was wheeled into the offices of the Port Charles Herald. She was on a mission.

"Mrs. Quartermaine." The receptionist stammered. "How can I help you?"

Lila smiled sweetly. "I would like to speak with Mr. Wells please."

"Of course."

Derek walked out at that moment and then froze.

"Mr. Wells, I wonder if I could have a minute of your time."

Derek nodded and Alice pushed Lila towards his office. They went inside and Derek sat down. "How can I help you?"

"The Quartermaine's owned this paper and sold it to you in good faith 5 months ago."

"That's correct." He said not sure what her point was.

"What possessed you to disparage my grandson the way you did in today's paper? You willingly printed lies. The whole article is fabricated except for his name."

Derek smirked. "Mrs. Quartermaine, Jason is fair game. He's a criminal. I can't sugarcoat his "business" activities and pretend he's some upstanding citizen."

"You can and you will. It stops today."

Derek was stunned. "With all due respect…."

"You wouldn't know respect if it bit you on the ass Mr. Wells. I will not stand for this insolence." She said firmly.

Derek couldn't believe he was being read the riot act by a 75 year old woman. "You cannot tell me what to do or what to print in my paper."

Lila smiled sweetly. "Oh but I can. Perhaps you should have read the contract more closely my dear. Line 89, sub section 5a paragraph 2, clearly states that if you do anything to disparage the Quartermaine name, (including any offspring etc. etc.), in any way shape or form within an 8 month trial period, that the sale can be revoked."

Derek's jaw dropped open.

"I may be old, but I can still count and I have a memory like a steel trap. If you print any more of these vapid lies then I will be forced to strip you of this newspaper and you will be forcibly removed from the property."

Derek's eyes grew big. "I apologize for my misstep and promise you that it will not happen again."

"And you will print a retraction in tomorrow's paper won't you dear? One thing you will learn from being in this town is that I can ruin you." She said with a smile.

Alice smiled brightly. Everyone underestimated Lila.

"Good day Mr. Wells." Lila said sweetly with a little wave as Alice wheeled her out.

"What the hell just happened?" Derek said under this breath.