A/N – Thanks for the comments! Glad you are liked their outing!
Chapter 7 – Kicking Back
Sarah smiled and turned to her sister. "And what are we drawing today?"
"I was thinking of the area around the pond," Liz said.
"That will nice," Sarah said.
Liz left the room and went and got the supplies and headed outside. The girls excitedly followed her.
Jason walked back into the house. "It's quiet. What did you do to the girls?"
Sarah grinned. "They are outside drawing with Elizabeth."
He looked into the living room and saw Alexis laugh at something Mac said. "Listen, I'm going to barbecue for lunch. You want me to call Nathan?"
Sarah grinned. "You'd do that?"
"Of course, you two seemed to hit it off."
"I would love it if you invited him," she said smiling. Nathan seemed like a nice guy, someone Sarah wouldn't normally give the time of day too. But she had been thinking a lot about the huge mistake she made with Carlos and realized that she needed to make better choices but the truth was, she was pretty screwed up and that was harder than it should be.
Jason took out his phone and invited Nathan and then he called Johnny and Evangeline. "So, what's Diane's story?"
Sarah shrugged. "She's single. But if you're thinking of hooking her up with someone, he needs to be quick on the draw. If he's weak, she'll chew him up and spit him out."
Jason chuckled. "Good to know." He liked Diane. She was feisty and really smart. He made a few calls and smiled at himself for his quick thinking and then got started doing some prep work. Alexis and Mac joined him and helped out.
Diane walked in. "What's going on?"
"Jason is going to barbecue for lunch."
Diane smiled. "That sounds good."
"I invited a few people over," Jason said.
Johnny and Evangeline walked in holding hands.
"Hey," Jason said.
Evangeline smiled. "Where's Elizabeth?"
"Out back with the girls."
"I think I'll go find them," she said disappearing.
Johnny had a big grin on his face.
Jason chuckled. "How's the love life."
"Look at her, do you need to ask?"
Mac shook his head. "I used to think she was really smart but now….."
Johnny rolled her eyes. "You're just jealous because I have skills."
Mac chuckled. "Is that so?"
The door opened and Robert Scorpio walked in. "How come I don't smell anything cooking on the barbie?"
"We were waiting for you," Jason said smiling. "Diane and Alexis, this is Robert Scorpio."
They both smiled and Robert shook Alexis's hand and then kissed Diane's who ate it up.
"It's a pleasure meeting such beautiful women," Robert said smiling.
Mac rolled his eyes. Robert thought he was so smooth.
Diane wasn't quite sure what to think of him. So, she decided to just sit back and listen to Robert, Mac, and Jason talk and feel him out a little. He was handsome and roguish for sure and quite charming; no doubt.
IiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIi
Evangeline sat on the bench next to Elizabeth and watched her draw. "You're very good."
Liz smiled. "Thanks. I probably don't take the time to sketch as often as I like."
"I'm the same way with singing."
"Can I ask you something?" Elizabeth said putting down her pad.
"Sure."
"Did you ever like Jason?"
Evangeline was quite surprised by the question. "Why would you ask that?"
"I don't know. I just had a weird feeling."
Evangeline thought for a moment. "I think pretty much every woman in our office has had a crush on Jason but he's pretty oblivious to it all. So, since I'm not legally blind, yes I certainly checked him out when I first started working there, but I normally try not to date people I work with since it could end badly. Anyway, Jason never gave me the impression that he would go there anyway and we ended up becoming friends. He is the type of man that if he wants something, he goes for it."
"I get it."
"I like Johnny. He's a good guy and I'm enjoying getting to know him better. Jason is just a friend. Besides, the way he looks at you…."
Liz mouth dropped open and Evangeline grinned.
"I know your situation but don't close the door on him. He's a good man and I think you would be great together."
Liz slightly smiled. "Thanks. I don't have many friends but I like you Evangeline."
She smiled. "I like you too," she held out her hand. "Friends?"
"Definitely."
Addie jumped up and ran towards them and started to slip and without thinking Liz used magic to stop her fall.
Evangeline stood up. "What just happened?"
"Oh God," Liz said. "Um, I don't even know how to explain it."
Evangeline looked at her warily. "So, it's true? You can do magic."
Liz nodded. "I'm afraid so," she said nervously biting her lip.
Evangeline sat back down and didn't say anything for a long moment.
"Here mommy," Addie said handing her the paper.
Liz smiled. "That's a beautiful flower Addie."
She smiled at her mom and ran back towards the blanket and grabbed another piece of paper.
"You're a witch," Evangeline said. "Wow."
"Look, if you change your mind about being friends….." Liz said.
"No, oh God, I'm sorry if I gave that impression. It's just a lot to take in."
"Johnny said the same thing."
Evangeline's eyes grew wide. "He knows?"
"Yup."
"Wow. Can I ask questions?"
Liz slightly smiled. "Sure." At least she wasn't running away.
"How?"
Liz shrugged. "It's something I was born with. I don't use it lot. Most people are not very receptive of my family or their abilities."
"That must be really difficult for you."
"It is but we've learned to roll with it," Liz said.
"Can you use it on Carlos?" Evangeline asked.
"I have. It's how I escaped from him last time. But, when I tried to do it over distance, it's not working. He's blocking me somehow."
Evangeline nodded. "Well, you might have to try and figure out how because we're going to need all the help we can get."
"I think he's wearing some kind of protection amulet. It's powerful."
She was pretty sure that Carlos didn't know magic, at least from what Sarah had told her. If he knew about Sarah and their family, then he was smart enough to find a way to block them.
"Is there any way to bypass that?"
"I don't think so. If we could get it off his body, then that would work," Liz said. "I just don't have a lot of experience with them. I guess I better talk to the Aunts."
Evangeline started to chuckle. "This is the strangest conversation I've ever had."
Liz smiled. "Stick with me…"
Lily ran up and handed a picture to Evangeline.
"Thank you Lily. It's beautiful," Evangeline said looking at the flower. "I'll put it up in my office."
Lily grinned and then ran back to the blanket.
"Your kids are bad for my clock."
Liz laughed. "I think you and Johnny would make some pretty babies."
Evangeline chuckled. "I don't think we're there yet but you never know."
They heard the guys and turned around. Johnny was starting up the grill and Robert and Mac were laughing.
"It's good to see Mac relax a little," Evangeline said.
"I think it will do all of them some good because I have a bad feeling that Carlos is very close," Liz said.
Jason strode over to them. "Take a walk with me?" he asked holding out his hand to Elizabeth.
She smiled.
"I'll keep an eye on them," Evangeline said.
"Thanks," Liz said getting up and taking Jason's hand. They walked along the pond and then towards some trees.
"There's a grove on the other side. I need to show you something," Jason said.
They walked through the grove and came to a tree line. Liz could see the street.
"I'm standing on the entrance to an underground tunnel. It leads to the house. I'll show you how to get to it from the basement. If Carlos finds this place, I need to make sure that you and the kids can get out."
Liz was surprised.
"There are handles that are covered with brush," he said pointing them. "From the inside, you just have to unlatch it and push up. There is lighting in there so you can see. It will activate automatically. If you go straight across the street and walk through the trees a little ways, there is a trailer and an SUV parked out front. If you lift up the wood on the first step, there is a gun and a key to the trailer and SUV. I need you to take both items. The key chain has GPS in it, so we'll be able to locate you."
Liz stared at him for a moment. "Jason, I don't even know what to say."
"Do you know how to shoot a gun?"
She shook her head no.
"Come on," he said pulling her along. After a brisk walk, they finally made it to a barn and went inside.
Jason went into the loft and came back with a gun in his hand. "Hold it, so you can get a feel for it."
Liz licked her lips and took the gun from Jason. She had never wanted to hold a gun but knew that she needed to protect her family.
"Now, here is the safety." He showed her. "Once that is off, you have to make sure that you don't pull the trigger. Only put your finger on it when you are ready to shoot."
She nodded.
He showed her how to hold the gun and she mimicked it. "It's important to use two hands so that you can steady yourself. You're going to be nervous."
"Okay."
He stood behind her and held her arms up to position them. "Aim for the bale of hay."
Liz took a deep breath.
"Don't hold your breath. Inhale a little pause, shoot and continue breathing."
"Okay."
She inhaled half way and pulled the trigger, jumping a little it.
"The gun will recoil a bit. Try it again."
Liz tried again and she did much better.
"Again."
She shot off a few more shots and then put the safety on and lowered it.
Jason was still behind her, his body pressed up against hers. His arm snaked around her waist and she laid her head back.
"Aim for the chest and shoot several rounds okay. You want to do as much damage as possible. Carlos will not stop."
She nodded.
He took the gun and placed it next to them and then turned her around. Elizabeth licked her lips again and Jason licked his lips and then grabbed her face and ravished her mouth. Liz pulled his body closer and they both kissed each other wildly. Jason lifted her up and she wrapped her legs around his waist and he walked towards some bales of hay and knelt down onto them and then pressed his body against her. Her hands went under his shirt and he moaned and ripped his lips away from hers and then kissed down her neck.
"Jason," she breathed out. Her body was on fire for him.
He pulled back suddenly and looked down at her. "I don't want to but we should probably stop."
"You make me feel so good Jason. Your mouth is dangerous."
Jason grinned. "Trust me, I can't seem to get enough of yours."
He kissed her again, this time slowly and thoroughly. "We probably should be getting back."
He stood up and pulled her up and they took a minute to get rid of all the straw. Jason ran up to the loft and put the gun back and then held out his hand and they walked outside.
IiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIi
Mac and Robert watched them walk back towards the house. "I think he's crazy about her," Mac said.
Robert nodded. The couple had dropped each other's hands but not soon enough for him to miss it. "He's going to go crazy if something happens to her."
"I know," Mac said.
Johnny joined them. "I'll stick close to him. I brought some clothes. I'm going to stay here."
"Good. You're a good wing man Johnny," Robert said.
Diane and Alexis brought some food out and put it on the table.
"Can I help?" Elizabeth asked.
Diane shook her head. "No, go relax."
"Where are the girls?"
"They are still with Evangeline."
Liz was surprised. "I'll go rescue her."
She left and Jason walked over to the guys and was handed a beer.
Robert smirked.
"What?" Jason asked before taking a big swig.
Robert reached up and plucked a piece of straw from his shirt. "I see someone was having some fun."
Jason rolled her eyes. "I taught her how to shoot."
"I'm sure you did," Johnny said.
Jason shook his head.
After a few minutes Evangeline and Liz walked up to them as the girls rushed by and each grabbed one of Jason's legs.
"Come play with us," they said. "Please."
Jason smiled. "How could I refuse that?"
The girls hung onto his legs and giggled as Jason walked away with them holding on.
"He's good with them," Mac said.
"Jason is always good with kids," Evangeline said.
There was a loud squeal and they turned around. Jason was on his back lifting Abby with his legs and Lily was being lifted up over his head.
Liz chuckled.
"I'll save you," Johnny yelled. He ran towards them and grabbed Lily and threw her straight up into the air as she screamed and laughed. Jason grabbed Addie and tossed her up and she laughed just as hard.
"Get on my back," Jason said rolling over. Addie got on and Johnny got down on his knees and Lily got on this back.
Jason crawled towards Johnny and bumped him and the girls screamed and joined hands.
Jason reared back causing Addie to grab his neck and hold on and he grabbed Lily and pretended to eat her. She was laughing so hard. Johnny grabbed Addie and did the same thing.
"Mommy," Addie screamed. "Help."
Liz laughed and ran over. "My babies," she yelled.
Johnny grabbed her and pulled her down to the ground and pretended to eat her arm and then Jason pretended to bite her stomach.
"We'll save you," Addie said jumping on Johnny. Lily jumped on Jason and the men pretended the girls were winning and fell to the ground.
Diane and Alexis laughed at their antics. It was good to see the girls and Elizabeth have so much fun.
Mac took some hamburgers and hotdogs off the girl. "Come and get it," he yelled.
The girls jumped up and took off as Jason and Johnny laid on the ground panting.
"They love food," Liz said grinning.
"I need to work on my stamina," Johnny said as his chest heaved.
Jason chuckled. "Me too."
Liz stood up and held out her hand and Johnny pulled her back down as she laughed. He jumped up and left Liz lying next to Jason.
Jason smiled and stood up and helped her to her feet. "I can't take him anywhere."
Liz chuckled. "I'll get him back."
"I'm sure you will."
They went back to the porch and they all sat down and ate.
About an hour later, Evangeline said goodbye. She needed to prepare for a case so Johnny walked her to the door.
"Thanks for coming," Johnny said softly.
Evangeline smiled. "Maybe you could come by later."
He smiled. "I would love to. Let me see if we can get a lead on Carlos. We can't take too many chances because he could follow us."
She nodded. "I understand. Call me then."
Before she could get inside Johnny grabbed her and kissed her sensuously trying to memorize her mouth. When he pulled back Evangeline's body shuddered.
"You sure you can't come by?"
He grinned. "Trust me, if I can I will."
She kissed him one more time and then slipped into the car and he watched her drive off.
Jason had some ATV bikes in the barn. They had a couple of check points between the house and town. He was thinking he might drive the bike to one and then take a car from there.
