A/N – Thanks for the comments! Christica – I didn't realize that re: JO – I now wish I was watching at the time! I think I found one brief you tube clip so thanks for the info! I readily admit that because I don't have a lot to go on JO is definitely a creation for me (also taking in consideration how others write him as well). * Guest – lol re: conjuring up Jason. I agree! * kikimoo – Johnny just shows his shock more. Jason is too busy being googly-eyed lol. * LiasonLuv – very true. * ilovedana – re: OB – lol I like to switch it up. * Guest – re: Jason going with his feelings – Why can't he do both?

Chapter 4 – Necessary Measures

Jason and Johnny got settled into their room while Diane took a moment to speak to Elizabeth who had gone upstairs.

"A lot has changed in the last 24 hours."

Liz turned away from the window and met her gaze. "I agree."

"Come talk to me," Diane said sitting on the bed.

Liz walked over and sat down next to her.

"I get the feeling that something happened between you and Jason."

"It's not totally what you think."

Diane made a face. "Then perhaps you can enlighten me."

Liz sighed. "When I was a kid, I casted a spell. You see I didn't want to end up like mama, so I asked to be sent a man that I thought could never exist so that I'd never find love."

Diane wasn't very happy about that but she held her tongue. "Go on."

"I asked for ridiculous things like his hair and eye color. I said that a star would be his insignia and that he would know how to make chocolate chip pancakes." Liz chuckled. "And I mentioned that he'd pinch the bridge of his nose when he's frustrated and would like to go fast."

"And let me guess, it's all came to fruition."

"Yes, except for the fast part, although if he's a marshall, then he probably is an adrenaline junkie," Liz said.

"And it's completely freaking you out isn't it?" Diane asked knowingly.

Liz nodded. "How could it not after what you did with Dante? I conjured Jason. There is no doubt about that."

"You may have drawn him to you but if you didn't require that he love you then you're feeling guilty for nothing," Diane pointed out.

"None of it matters. I won't risk his life. We're cursed."

"Actually, your spell would probably break the curse due to the spirit upon which it was based. This is exactly why I tell you not to dabble. Spells are a powerful thing. You all gave life to this curse by believing in it. Your mother only cursed herself. If you stop believing that it will destroy every man you touch then it won't," Diane said firmly

"It can't be that simple," Liz said with tears in her eyes.

"It is that simple Elizabeth. You have to stop this. I'm sorry we interfered with Dante. You were just wasting your life away; shutting yourself off. But I'm not sorry that you found love with him and created those two beautiful children. His death was a horrible accident."

Liz turned to her angrily. "No. It was me. You just said I gave the curse power. I thought I loved him but none of it was real. It was all conjured. I know you meant well but it hurt me so badly. I ache," she said as if she was being tortured. "I can't do that again. I can't fall in love and then have my heart ripped out. Anyway, Jason's job is dangerous. Suppose he's hurt when he's apprehending someone or someone comes after him."

"Elizabeth life and love are big risks. You can't just bury your head in the sand. If Jason decides he wants to be with you in the future, then it will be his choice to make."

"Then I'll tell him everything. He has a right to know. God, we're not even together. This is a ridiculous conversation," she said frustratedly.

"I love you Elizabeth. You deserve to be happy and while I'll never interfere magically again, please don't turn yourself off to him. You need Jason more than you know," Diane said getting up and walking out. It made her heart ache that her actions had affected Elizabeth so badly. Her niece needed some happiness. She just hoped that Jason was the real deal.

IiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIi

They all ate dinner together. It was lively and fun and Alexis had to admit that it was nice having the guys around even if the reason for it was scary.

"My daddy liked that on his food too," Lily said pointing to Johnny's hot sauce.

"He did? He had really good taste then."

Lily made a face and Johnny laughed.

"Mommy, may I have a roll?" Addie asked.

Without thinking, Liz moved her hand and the roll floated over to her daughter. At this point, she decided she might as well embrace her magical roots. She was tired of hiding.

Johnny's eyes followed it. "I don't know if I'll ever get used to that."

"The girls know?" Jason asked.

"Yes. There is no way we could have hid it," Liz explained.

"Magic is very serious," Addie said.

"No pointing your finger when you're mad," Lily said.

Jason chuckled. "I'll try to remember that."

The girls giggled.

"The girls start school in a few weeks," Liz said.

"Hopefully this will be resolved before then," Jason said.

Liz nodded.

They finished eating and then went into the living room to watch a movie. Johnny and Jason checked out the perimeter of the house. They looked up and could see smoke in the distance. Jason had a bad feeling and called Spinelli.

"Talk to me. I see smoke."

"Hold on." Spinelli yelled as he feverishly typed on his computer.

Jason looked at Johnny warily. "Do another sweep."

Johnny took off and Spinelli started to talk. "There's a fire in town. It looks like it's the store."

"Shit," Jason said running towards the house. He threw open the door and Elizabeth was already running towards him.

"Something's wrong," she said quietly.

"Elizabeth, I'm sorry but it's the store."

She gasped and then turned to go get Diane and Alexis.

Johnny came in behind him. "Still clear."

The Aunts rushed towards them. "Is it gone?"

Jason listened to Spinelli. "I'm sorry," he said softly.

Alexis began to cry. They had loved that store.

"We should have reinforced the protection spells," Diane whispered sadly.

The girls ran into the room. "Johnny, can you read us a story?"

Johnny knelt down and picked both of them up. "Come on."

Sarah went with them.

The phone rang and Liz's eyes rose to meet Jason's before she ran to get it. "Hello?"

"I am going to take everything from you. The store is just the beginning. Tell that bitch Sarah that I'm coming for her too," Carlos said sinisterly.

Liz heard the line click and her eyes filled up with tears.

Jason rushed over to her. "What did he say?"

She told him and he called Mac.

"Jason, they would do better under witness protection. He's not going to stop."

"I know but they don't want to do that. I can't force them."

"I need you in the field," Mac said.

"I'll call you tomorrow. I need to figure this out," Jason said.

"Fine. I'll talk to you in the morning."

Jason ended the call. They were all staring at him.

"You have to go don't you?" Liz asked.

"Not right now. I need to come up with a plan. I think someone is helping him," Jason said.

Johnny walked in. "We're like sitting ducks out here," he said.

"I really don't want to leave my house," Diane said. "But it if it will protect the girls, I'll do what we have to."

"Johnny and I will brainstorm overnight."

They watched the two men walk away.

"I'm going to bed," Diane said.

Alexis followed her and Sarah and Elizabeth sat down on the couch.

"Elizabeth, we might have to go into witness protection."

"I know. I hate this. I hate that the girls will have to start over in a strange place with new names," she said beyond frustrated.

"They will adapt. As long as we're all there with them they will be fine."

Liz wiped a tear away. "I'm just so tired Sarah."

Her sister knew what she meant and gave her a hug. "Then you lean on me. I'm not going anywhere. I'm sorry I wasn't here for you after Dante died. I was selfish and it was my bad choices that are affecting all of us right now. I'll give myself to that asshole before I let him hurt any of you," she said emotionally.

Jason and Johnny froze in the doorway.

"Don't say that Sarah. That's not an option," Liz said.

Johnny cleared his throat. "She's right. Don't do something stupid Sarah. Hopefully, we'll be able to get…."

Before he could finish, the front window shattered. Jason ran to the front room and the couch was on fire.

Sarah got up and grabbed a fire extinguisher and Johnny took it from her while Jason ran upstairs. He threw open the bedroom door and grabbed Addie and then Lily while Liz woke up her aunts.

They ran downstairs and then outside as smoke filled up the living room and kitchen.

Jason put the girls inside his car.

Johnny came out of the house coughing and Sarah ran up to him.

"Are you okay?"

He shook his head. Jason grabbed a bottle of water out of his car and handed it to Johnny.

"He tried to burn us alive Jason. We can't stay here," Liz said tearfully.

Johnny put something over his face and ran back inside and opened up the windows and doors to air it out a little.

Jason pinched the bridge of his nose and paced. Turning around to face them he said, "Go pack some suitcases. I'm taking you to Port Charles."

Johnny walked up to him. "Mac will have a fit."

"I don't care. We can't stay here tonight. There is more man power there. My house is secure and I just need them safe."

"Fine," he muttered.

It took a half hour for them to pack up their suitcases. They put most of them in Johnny's SUV. Sarah would drive with him and the rest of the family would drive with Jason.

Johnny and Jason watched the women join hands and do some kind of spell over the house and land. There wasn't time to do one that was totally binding but it would have to do. They just prayed that it would be standing when they got back.

Liz got some snacks and drinks and put them in the car while Sarah put two booster seats in the back and placed the girls in them. Everyone got settled in and they started the long drive to Port Charles.

IiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIi

The girls slept through most of the seven hour drive. Jason was tired and was happy when they finally pulled into his driveway. It was still dark.

"Wow," Liz said looking at the large, three story house.

"My parents are rich. It was a gift when I made it out of training. I tried to give it back but they weren't hearing it. So, I'm a kept man," he said with a slight smile.

Liz chuckled.

"I think they just wanted me to fill it up with grandkids."

They got out and Jason handed Addie to Johnny and he took Lily.

Jason pushed his thumb against the reader and then opened the door. He flicked on a light and they followed him inside. "Feel free to roam around. The girl's bedroom will be right next to yours," he said to Elizabeth.

She followed him upstairs and smiled when he turned on the light. It was a pink room and it had two beds in it. "They were really giving you a hint weren't they?"

Jason chuckled. "They are not subtle."

They put them down and covered them up and then Jason turned on a nightlight. They went out into the hallway and he went into the room next door. "This is yours. I'm right across the hall."

"It's nice." It felt really homey.

"This door connects to the girl's room. So, you can check on them easily."

She smiled "Thanks."

They went out into the hallway and saw Diane and Alexis. He showed them where they would be staying. They each had their own room.

Sarah's room was at the far end.

He almost had a full house and he never thought that would ever happen. There was actually small bedroom downstairs as well that he was considering turning into an office.

They all went back downstairs. "The house does have an alarm. I'd prefer that for now, you stick to the property. There's a lake out back and also a small building out back that you're more than welcome to use. The third floor is one big playroom. There's a television up there and all sorts of games and toys." His family was insane.

"That is very generous," Diane said smiling. "Thank you."

"I'll phone a friend and have her bring some groceries over later."

"We should all probably try to get some sleep," Diane said.

"I'll take the couch," Johnny said.

Jason nodded. He waited until everyone disappeared up the stairs and then locked down the house and went to bed.

IiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIi

About 11:30 a.m., Carly knocked on the door.

Johnny got up. "Hey."

She smiled. "I have a carload full of groceries. Milo and Max are with me."

Johnny smiled. Carly was Jason's best friend and was married to Senator Sonny Corinthos. Max and Milo were her guards. Sonny was a controversial choice given his involvement leading the unions but he had been very effective in promoting change.

"Thanks Carly."

He allowed her to walk past him and then held the door for Max and Milo.

"There's a lot more," they said dropping off the first handful of bags. It took three more trips before they were done.

Carly started unloading. "So, this is business?"

"Yeah, they are in trouble and we didn't have any other choice," Johnny said.

Addie ran into the room.

"Hey beautiful," Johnny said picking her up. "Are you tired?"

She nodded and put her head on his shoulder.

Carly grinned.

"Are you hungry?"

She smiled.

"Are you allowed to eat cereal?" Carly asked.

"I like cheerios," she said as Johnny placed her down in a chair.

Carly smiled. "Well then you are in luck," she said pulling the box out of the bag. "I just have to find the milk."

Milo handed it to her and she grabbed a bowl. "Here you go."

"I'm Carly."

Addie smiled. "I'm Addie."

"It's nice to meet you. I have a son Morgan that is your age," she said placing the bowl of cereal and spoon next to it. "Would you like some juice?"

Addie nodded.

Carly poured her a glass of orange juice.

"What do you say?" Liz asked walking into the room.

"Thank you Carly," Addie said.

Liz helped Lily up on the stool and got her settled. It was a good thing the girls were smaller for their age. They were still light enough not to break her back if she had to pick them up. "Hello, I'm Elizabeth and this is my other daughter Lily."

Carly smiled. "It's nice to meet you. Lily would you like some cereal too?"

"Yes please."

"They are so cute," Carly said. "I have two boys, five and eight. I'm scared to try again for a girl. Those two are already running me ragged."

Liz grinned. "Having twins was a handful in the beginning but the nice thing is that they play well together. Can I help you unpack?"

"Sure."

Carly showed her where the pantry was and they continued to put the food away.

"You would think he was feeding an army," Liz said.

"Oh, that's probably my fault. I tend to overdo it," Carly said smiling.

They knew Jason had came into the room because both of the girls yelled his name.

"Flirts," Liz muttered as Carly chuckled.

"Maybe I can bring the boys over later."

Liz smiled. "That would be nice."

Jason walked over to them. "Are you hungry? I can make some omelets."

Liz nodded. "That would be wonderful."

"Your aunts are in the living room. I'll see if they want some too."

Carly watched Jason walk away. "So, are you and Jason….."

Liz's eyes grew wide. "Oh no. He's just helping us out of a bad situation."

"No offense, but Jason has never done anything like this before. So, that is why I asked if it was something more."

"None taken. My husband died seven months ago. It's been hard for us. My sister's ex is crazy and trying to kill us and that is where Jason comes in."

"I'm sorry for your loss. Jason is a good man. People misjudge him because he's usually keeps to himself, but he's my best friend and I see his other side like when he's playing with the boys."

Liz smiled. "He's been very good with the girls. I have no idea how I'll ever repay him."

"He wouldn't let you anyway," Carly said smiling. "Come on, Jason makes delicious omelets. My husband taught him."

"I'm sure there's a story in there somewhere," Liz quipped.

"Stick around long enough and I'll tell you," Carly said grinning. She liked Elizabeth and hoped she did stay. Jason had been single far too long. Everything was about his career and while that was to be commended, it made for a lonely existence.