A/N – Thanks for all of your comments! Glad you are enjoying it!

Chapter 10–Eat, Drink, Love

Jason changed his clothes and sat on the bed. Bella is driving him crazy and he isn't sure if that is good or bad. He doesn't even know who she is or anything about her. While he doesn't get a vibe that she'll try to hurt anyone, he is still trying to be cautious. Sighing, he got under the covers and laid on his side. About half-way through the night, he gets hot and takes off his shirt and just when he started drifting off again, he realizes that someone is talking. Jumping up, he cracked open the door and the sound is coming from Elizabeth's room, so he flicked on the hallway light and slowly opened her door. After perusing the room, he notices that she had kicked off her covers and is murmuring in her sleep. Suddenly, she began to furiously kick her legs and moves her arms like she is fighting something unseen.

He sat next to her and lightly touched her arm, and which made her body jerk and then she started fighting him. Unfortunately, she managed to connect with his, which caused Jason to mutter a few choice words and then he pinned her arms to the bed and used his body to secure her legs as her head starts thrashing from side to side. "Bella!" Jason yelled, "Wake up." Her head snapped forward and she stared at him. She quickly realizes that Jason is the reason she is buried into the bed and her head fell back onto the pillow.

After a long moment, she almost shudders from the feeling of his body pressed against her. "What are you doing?"

Jason loosened his hold on her and then rolled off her and stood. "You were having a nightmare and I tried to wake you, but you kicked me."

Liz fought a smile. "Sorry."

Jason shook his head. "You alright?"

For that moment, she couldn't even form words are she perused his body which took her breath away, so she nodded.

"I'm going to go back to my room."

She nodded again and then tracked him until he disappeared into the hallway. He left the door open and went got back into his bedroom and closed his eyes. Being that close to her had more of an affect than he wanted to admit. Deciding it's for the best, he's going to start pulling away. It isn't healthy for her to get involved in his life, especially when she doesn't even know her identity. If he were honest, there is more to it than he is willing to admit. He just can't go there.

liIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIi

The week before Thanksgiving passed quickly. Liz spent a lot of time training with Brenda and even though she wanted to be closer to Jason, it wasn't lost on her that he was pulling away. They drove to Sonny's house together but barely spoke on the way over there, which was crushing her heart a little. When they arrived and moved into the house, it is alive with music and voices and Liz just took it all in and smiled.

"Hey girl," Brenda said as she approached them. She gave her a hug and then took her coat.

"I suppose you don't want to take off yours?" Brenda said focusing on Jason. "It's probably attached to your black tee shirt anyway."

Jason rolled his eyes.

Sonny moved behind her. "Honey, it's Thanksgiving, be nice to Jason."

Brenda looked at him wickedly. "If you say so."

She walked over to Jason and then wagged her finger up so he'd come closer.

He curiously bent down. "What?"

Brenda grabbed his face and kissed him. "Happy Thanksgiving."

Jason was mortified. All the guys were busting a gut and even Sonny was laughing at the look on his enforcer's face. Brenda turned away as Jason wiped his mouth on his jacket. "I need a drink," he said before heading towards the guys. Francis handed him a beer and Jason practically inhaled the whole thing.

Liz giggled. "That was priceless."

"Come with me. I need to go gargle," Brenda said pulling her up the stairs.

liIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIi

They sat at the table to eat. Sonny loves to entertain especially since everyone there is family to him; even Bella. He had grown quite found of her and is glad that Brenda has found someone to hang out with. There's just something about the younger woman that makes him want to protect her.

"I'd like to propose a toast." He held up his glass. "To friendship, family, and happy times."

"Here, here," everyone said as they raised their glasses.

Dinner was great and they all finished the first round and sat in their chairs dazed.

"I think I'm already going into a carb coma," Brenda said as she fell against the back cushion.

"Does that mean you'll shut up?"

Brenda glared at Jason and threw the napkin ring holder at him which barely missed him as he ducked.

"Glad your aim sucks."

Sonny shook his head. He is surprised they had lasted for as long as they did.

"Her aim is about as good as Milo's," Max muttered.

Milo elbowed him.

"Back in the day, Jason couldn't hit a target if his life depended on it," Francis said smiling.

Jason glared again.

"It's true," Johnny said loudly. "You'd have to run into one of his bullets for it to find you."

Everyone laughed.

"Really?" Jason said shooting him a look.

"What? I cannot tell a lie," Johnny said.

Brenda giggled, and Bella watched them with amusement.

"At least I don't cry like a little girl when I get shot," Jason said.

"I was nineteen for Christ's sake. It hurt like a bitch." He held up his fingers forming them into the shape of a gun. "Fucking Tony "Two-Toned" and his itchy finger," Johnny muttered.

Francis started laughing and then pretended to sniff. "Will someone call my mom for me?"

All the guys lost it.

"Assholes," Johnny muttered. "She was holding dinner for me. I was late."

"Sure…" Max said laughing.

Sonny held up his glass. "To Tony Two Toned'".

Everyone raised their glasses laughing.

Johnny turned to Francis. "Whatever happened to him?"

"He accidentally shot himself in the leg a few years ago. The bullet hit his femoral artery and he bled out," Francis said before putting a big piece of turkey in his mouth. "Tragic really…" he said as he chewed and then downed some wine. He glanced at Max and the guys busted up laughing.

"What?" Francis said.

liIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIi

Eventually, most of the men left and Brenda spoke up. "So, you know I'm going to New York on Saturday, right? Who's guarding us?"

"When are you coming back?" Sonny asked. He knew full well when she was coming back and had already made the arrangements, but he liked messing with her.

"Monday evening."

"Maybe I'll come along. We'll bring Johnny O."

Brenda lit up. "Really?"

"Yeah, why not?"

Brenda jumped into his arms. "Love you, baby."

Sonny smiled. "Love you." He glanced at Jason. "Why don't you come too? We can have meetings on Monday."

Jason stared back. He really is in no mood to have to hang around with Brenda for three days. "Do I have to?"

"Yes," Sonny said. "I need you at the meetings."

"Fine."