AN:

Thanks for all the reviews. They really mean a lot to me.

~Kelly~


Chapter Eight

Kate toyed with her napkin nervously as her date ordered the wine. Part of her thought Julian had been joking when he asked her out. Apparently she'd been wrong. It was almost surreal to be on a date with someone who wasn't Sonny. Even if this wasn't supposed to be a real date. "I almost didn't expect you to call."

"Any reason why that is?" he asked genuinely curious. Kate was a beautiful and interesting woman. He'd be a fool to at least not to call her.

"Sonny isn't someone you want as an enemy."

"Is that a friendly warning?"

"Concern for you," she corrected quickly. Despite the rumors about Julian she knew him to be a mostly decent guy. At least with people he liked anyways, "My ex is impulsive and a long list of other not good qualities. I wouldn't want you hurt because of me."

"How sweet Kate. The trouble is Sonny and I are destined to be enemies. Especially after he threatened Elizabeth." Julian admitted honestly. He'd already had plans when it came to the other mob boss. However when Sonny threaten his daughter well his demise was going to be even more painful.

"I can't believe... wait of course I can. Everything revolves around the great Sonny Corinthos. Let me guess he was going on about how she betrayed him."

"That sums it up."

Kate huffed and rolled her eyes. This was exactly why she had to get rid of Sonny. She couldn't deal with his stupid games anymore, "Unbelievable. Now I'm extra happy you called me."

"Enough talk about your ex," he said dismissing the other man. Julian wasn't about to spend the evening focused on Sonny Corinthos. "I'd much rather get to know my beautiful date better."

"You can be very charming when you put you mind to it. Has anyone ever told you that?" Kate asked letting out a soft laugh. Truthfully she was flattered by the attention from Julian. And really how wouldn't be? The man had a way of making u feel like u were the only person in the room. A skill he put to use often no doubt.

"My daughter has several times. She says that's where Cam gets it from."

"He is an adorable little boy."

Julian smiled at the mention of his oldest grandson. He couldn't believe how big both boys had gotten. Maybe he could convince Elizabeth to let him take them for an afternoon. "I'd have to agree not that I'm biased."

"Of course not," Kate laughed as the waiter approached the table. Maybe this whole date with Julian wasn't such a bad idea after all.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Sam frowned as she looked through the glass. Her son was finally resting peacefully. A fact she credited her husband with. Jason had this amazing way with children. She just knew he was going to be the most amazing father, "I hate this Jason. He looks so helpless in that bed."

"Try not to focus on the bad stuff. Danny is going to get better I just know it," he said running a hand down her arm. Sam leaned back in to him and tried to relax.

"Promise?"

"I promise. He's a strong kid just like his mother."

"You really think so?" she asked slightly happy when her voice broke a little. With Julian knowing about her con she needed Jason now more than ever. He was the only one who could protect her from the mobster. She just had to make sure that Elizabeth Webber didn't ruin everything yet again.

"I know so."

"I've missed you so much. Jason?"

"Yeah?"

"Do you think that Elizabeth would let us test Jake?" she asked in almost a whisper. While Sam hated using Danny he was the best way to come between Jason and Elizabeth. "I mean since him and Danny are brothers."

"I don't see why not."

"Because she still hates me."

Jason immediately shook his head at the idea. They had all gotten over the past. None of them was perfect. Elizabeth of all people understood that, "That's ridiculous. We've all put the past behind us."

"You don't know her the way I do. She'll probably say no just to be spiteful," Sam spat letting some of her true emotions show. She hated the other woman that Jason couldn't totally forget. To make matters worse Jake was back from the dead. At least this time the little brat could be of some use to her.

"Don't worry Sam I'll talk to Elizabeth. I'm sure I can get her to see reason."

"I hope so because I can't lose out little boy."

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Alexis stormed into Sonny's living room slamming the door behind her. "You need to get control of Kate before I ruin her."

"Is something wrong Alexis?" he asked barley looking up from the reports. Typically this sort of thing was Jason's job. However with Danny being sick he was trying to be supportive.

"Wrong? What could be wrong?"

He shook his head at Alexis' antics. This was a good reminder of why they couldn't ever work out. The woman was simply too high strung for him. "I'm not sure but you seem agitated. More that usual."

"Let me tell you why I'm so agitated, as you put it," Alexis grumbled pacing the floor. She really should've brought a paper bag. She could already feel a panic attack coming on.

"Go on. You have my undivided attention."

"I doubt that. Kate is currently at Chez Valtel having dinner with Julian Jerome."

"That isn't funny Alexis." Sonny said all traces of humor gone. He couldn't believe Kate would go this far to drive him away. It was almost sad really.

"I didn't think so either. She's going to ruin my plans."

Sonny chuckled at his ex. He seriously doubted the other man was that desperate. Especially if he was already dating Kate. "Don't tell me you want Jerome back?"

"That is none of your business Sonny."

"Well if you're here asking me for favors it becomes my business. Besides I thought you and Kate were friends," he pointed out smiling when Alexis cringed. And people thought Carly was self absorbed?

"That was before."

"You know that Jerome is my enemy right?"

Alexis couldn't help but roll her eyes at the question. Really the man was just too much most of the time. Too bad she hadn't thought about that before sleeping with him. "Please Sonny everyone is your enemy. It's a wonder you even consider Jason a friend."

"This isn't making me want to help you."

"I swear you're impossible," she yelled spinning on her heel and leaving the room.

"Damn it Jerome I'm not going to let you steal anything from me. Including Kate."

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Sometimes Patrick had a hard time believing his best friend was a girl. But Elizabeth Webber was one of the best friends he'd ever had. Losing Robin and then Matt only made them even closer. "I almost can't accept that Jake is alive. It feels like something out of the Twilight Zone," he said watching the kids run around e' backyard. Emma had insisted on coming over nearly everyday since Jake's return.

"For me too. I keep pinching myself to make sure I'm not dreaming."

"I'm so happy for you Elizabeth even if you did abandon me."

Elizabeth took one look at his pout and immediately rolled her eyes. "Please half the nurses are at your beck and call Dr. Drake," she scoffed making them both laugh. Truth was Patrick didn't flirt nearly as much as he'd used to. The whole situation with Brit and Sabrina had put him off women for awhile. At least he wasn't going to be stuck with Brit.

"True but none of them are you. I miss having you in my OR."

"Honestly I miss it too," she admitted easily. Not working at the hospital was weird but in a good way. The gallery gave her more time to spend with the boys. "Although with how crazy things have been I'm glad I'm not at General Hospital any more."

"Matt said he stopped by to see you."

"Yeah. I came home and there he was sitting on my porch. That was a really weird day."

Patrick laughed at the image her words made. He could almost see Matt doing something like that. "Weird covers it. It's good that he isn't in that hell hole anymore."

"Yeah. It really did a number on him though. Can you believe he thought I wouldn't let him be around the boys?"

"I hope you set him straight," he said not totally surprised. His brother tried the same thing with him. Patrick hated that he felt that way. Matt was the only family he had. Of course he wanted the younger man in his life.

"You bet I did. However I manged not to hit him in the process. Care you explain?"

"Eight months Elizabeth," Patrick answered almost angrily. For months his brother had been alone. Well not completely alone if Matt's new career was anything to go by. "I couldn't believe he didn't let us know anything."

"Okay you have a point. No more hitting right?"

"Fine. I won't hit him anymore."

"Good. I swear the two of you are worse than Cam and Jake," Elizabeth muttered turning her attention to the three children in the yard.

"Funny."

"I think so."