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Chapter 10

Francis stood in the dining room of Kelly's and watched as Marco talked Sonny out of coming inside. After about ten minutes Sonny turned and headed back to his car. Marco looked over to his friend and nodded indicating that everything was fine now.

He had sent a text from the warehouse that they were heading over, and that Sonny was in a foul mood after talking with Jason. There was a part of Francis that wished Marco couldn't stop Sonny. If he had come after Elizabeth, this would have been the last day the Cuban caused problems for anyone.

While everyone else was worried that Sonny was going to snap. Francis was convinced that the older man had already done so. The man he was, didn't at all resemble the man he had become. It was a good thing Jason was back. Although if Sonny continued down the path he was on, it was going to end badly for him. His showing up at Kelly's had been a mistake.

The door opened and Hannah walked in. Francis nodded and resumed his seat.

"Hey." Hannah said sitting at the counter.

"Hi, you just missed Courtney." Elizabeth was waiting for Tammy to come and relieve her.

"Actually I came to see you." Hannah told the petite brunette.

"What can I do for you?" Elizabeth couldn't think of why Courtney's roommate would seek her out. They weren't even close to being friends.

"Courtney's birthday is next week, and I was thinking of throwing a party at the house. Nothing too big. Just a few friends. I was wondering if you wanted to come. Penny is off today otherwise she would have asked." Hannah explained. "We want to get the head count nailed down as soon as possible."

"What day?" Elizabeth wasn't really a party kind of person, but she did like Courtney.

"Next Friday, starting around seven and ending when we get tired." Hannah told her grinning. "Nothing really wild, just hanging out with friends."

"Let me check with my boyfriend and make sure we don't have plans." Elizabeth replied. "If I'm free I'll come over."

"Great." Hannah said standing up. "You can tell Penny your answer tomorrow."

"Does Courtney know about the party?" Elizabeth didn't want to blow the surprise.

"No." Since Courtney spent most of her weekends at the house Hannah wasn't worried about planning the get together.

"I'll keep it to myself then. She might be having dinner with her brother." Elizabeth pointed out.

"She hasn't mentioned it, but if the date changes I'll let you know. Assuming you are coming. I need to head to work. Bye." Hannah said before walking out.

While she had no problem hanging out with Penny and Courtney, there was something about Hannah that Elizabeth didn't like. It was why she always declined to hang out whenever Courtney said her roommate would be there. Liz couldn't put her finger on just what, but something about the other woman just rubbed her wrong. Francis was always saying that listening to your instincts could save your life, so Elizabeth was going to trust hers. She wasn't going to go to the party. Even if Jason wasn't free she would find an excuse to not attend. Maybe Em would like to do something that night.

"Jason's here." Francis said getting to his feet.

"So is Tammy." Elizabeth saw her boss hanging up her jacket in the back. "I'll get my stuff."

Francis nodded and turned back to the door. "Sonny came by."

"When?" Jason asked frowning.

"About fifteen minutes ago. Marco kept him from coming inside. Sonny looked pissed." Francis told his boss.

"We had words again." Jason told his friend. Why Sonny thought he would get anywhere near Elizabeth was confusing. The older man was no match for Francis. Not to mention Kelly's was a public place, someone would call the cops for sure if Sonny went off in here.

"Do you want me to bring Milo with me tomorrow?" Francis wouldn't see that as Jason thinking he couldn't do the job. Backup was never a bad thing.

"You can make that call." Jason trusted him that much. "I am not moving into the Towers." He also trusted Johnny that much.

"That is for the best." Francis agreed. "Let Sonny have that space. Are you moving into the house?"

"Yes. I'll wait until the upgrades are done, and Elizabeth picks furniture." Jason explained. "I'm going to ask her to stay in the gate house from here on out. I will have a crew pack her personal items tomorrow."

Francis approved of all those decisions. "Do you want me with you tonight?" The bike wasn't outside.

"No, we will be at the studio until I take her to the gate house." He had no doubt she would agree to his request.

"I'll have someone watch the building." Francis knew what was expected of him.

"Thank you." Jason took two steps and stopped. "Francis."

"Yes." The guard walked over to where his boss was waiting.

"Under no circumstances is Sonny allowed to hurt Elizabeth." Jason said with his eyes on his friend's. He had just given Francis permission to kill Sonny if a choice had to be made. Not that the older man needed it. Francis would do whatever was necessary to keep Elizabeth safe.

"Understood." Francis would have no problem pulling the trigger to protect his charge. "Is there any way we can get him to see a doctor?"

"Not without forcing the issue. I've considered it, but at the moment he hasn't done anything that would allow me to have him held involuntarily. I'm hoping we don't get to that point. My stepping down as enforcer to make more decisions has made things worse." Jason fully acknowledged that. "It also doesn't help that I am not willing to forgive him for sleeping with Carly."

"Your taking over was necessary." Francis knew that, and so did everyone else. "As for Carly, you are better off without her. Something else everyone also knows." None of the guys liked the troublesome blonde woman.

"I'm ready." Elizabeth said coming back out front.

"My car is outside." Jason said smiling at his girl. She made everything better.

"Not the bike?" She was hoping to go for a ride.

'It's going to rain." Which made it dangerous to be on the Harley. "I thought we could go by Eli's and get take out before heading to the studio."

"Okay. Are you coming Francis?" She asked following the guys out.

"No. I'm gonna see what Diane is up to." Francis would enjoy a quiet night in.

"Good night then, see you in the morning." Elizabeth waved getting into the car.

"Night Liz, Jason." Francis said whistling as he headed to where he parked this morning.

Courtney clocked out and headed home, by way of the park. It was along the way, and she was hoping to see Michael again. And if she was completely honest with herself, she was hoping to see AJ as well. That was a long shot as he did say he left work early to bring his son to the park so today he probably wouldn't be there.

She kept telling herself that, so she wouldn't be disappointed. Still when she made the turn that would take her by the playground her heart sped up just a touch. There on the swings was Michael, and pushing him was AJ.

Just like yesterday she stopped on the path and waited to be acknowledged.

"We meet again." AJ said smiling.

"We do. I was on my way home from work, and I thought I'd check to see if Lydia brought Michael to the park." Courtney hadn't come any closer yet.

"Sorry to disappoint you, but I brought him." AJ laughed which made Michael laugh too. "Would you like to push him?"

"Sure." Courtney came over. "Hi Michael." She said to the smiling boy. "So Lydia is off again?"

"Actually I sent Lydia back the penthouse." AJ told her of the change this morning. "I hired Leticia to watch Michael while he is at the mansion. She's just a better fit for us." AJ explained. "I will let her know it's okay if you visit."

"Thanks." Courtney said pushing the laughing child.

"Can I ask you something?" AJ had been curious about this yesterday too.

"Sure." Courtney figured this would be about Sonny.

"Why don't you have a guard?" AJ found it to be odd that she was walking around without protection. Carly had wanted to send a guard with Michael but AJ said no. Since the little boy's name was now Quartermaine and no longer Corinthos, Sonny's enemies should leave him alone. The fact that Sonny had gone so far as to adopt Michael, but still wasn't even talking about marrying Carly was pretty telling as far as AJ was concerned.

"I don't want one. I'm trying not to become involved in that part of my brother's life." Courtney explained.

"You don't approve?" AJ hadn't expected that answer.

"No. Sonny does things that I find to be inexcusable." Courtney thought her brother enjoyed hurting other people to prove he was strong. He was a well-dressed bully in her opinion.

"So you don't like my brother either?" AJ wondered how that affected her friendship with Elizabeth.

"I don't know your brother, and frankly I'm not in a rush to change that. I had it pointed out to me that not everyone is their job." Courtney said looking over at AJ. "But I think my brother is. I don't think he knows how to be anything other than Sonny Corinthos."

"His is Sonny Corinthos." AJ pointed out.

"No, he's Michael Corinthos Jr. Or at least he was." From what she saw her brother was never anything but a mob boss. He expected to be obeyed even when they were sitting around the dining room table. It could not be an easy way to live.

"He won't like you talking to me." AJ warned her. He and Sonny hated each other. Something Carly did her best to encourage.

"He doesn't control me. I can be friends with whomever I like." Courtney told AJ.

"Are we becoming friends?" AJ said grinning.

"You're my nephew's father, so yeah I think we are. Of course Michael isn't really my nephew is he?" She said frowning.

"I don't have any problem with him calling you Aunt Courtney if you don't." AJ told her. At two Michael didn't really talk much anyway. He did call Sonny dad, which rankled, but he was calling AJ dad more often which helped.

"Thanks. I should get going. Maybe I'll see you tomorrow." Courtney said stepping away from the swing.

"Maybe." AJ said giving his son a push and watching Courtney walk away. When she turned he waved and she did too. "That would be great, wouldn't it Michael?"

The little boy grinned in response.

Sonny was looking out the window when Carly walked in. Today had not been a good one. Lydia had been sent packing from the mansion. AJ was hiring that bitch Leticia to watch Michael while he was there. No doubt she'd have plenty to report about life in the Corinthos penthouse. Carly figured it was only a matter of time before AJ went for full custody. That couldn't be allowed to happen.

She had stopped at the desk downstairs to ask if Jason had picked up his key yet, he would stop his brother, only to learn he wasn't moving in. "Sonny why isn't Jason moving into the building?" She needed him here to fix this. Besides with him next door he would get plenty of chances to see Courtney. "Sonny!"

"What!?" He yelled turning to face the woman he shared the penthouse with. He had slipped into the darkness again. A place filled with rage and hate. Now he was coming back.

Carly blinked at his tone. "Why isn't Jason moving into the building?"

"I don't know, maybe he wants some peace from you!" Sonny snapped at her.

"From me, I'm his best friend!" Carly yelled back. "AJ told Lydia he doesn't want her at the mansion anymore. I can't get the proof I need to keep him away from my son."

"So." Sonny could care less about that. He was losing his power base, his empire was being stolen from him. The last thing he had time to deal with was Carly's custody issues. If he didn't stop Jason, then the blonde was going to take everything. Sonny needed to find some men loyal to him, he needed to build an army to take back what was rightfully his.

"Sonny!" Carly had no clue what was wrong with her boyfriend today. "Are you listening?"

"No, Carly I'm not." Sonny said point blank. "I don't want to hear another fucking word about Jason!" He said advancing on her. "All you talk about all fucking day is Jason!"

Carly took a step back and for once did something smart. She shut up.

"I'm going out." Sonny said grabbing his suit jacket. If he stayed here he was going to hurt Carly. Hurting a woman wasn't acceptable, but lately she just pushed his buttons. He would need to think on that. With her being so close to Jason she might be feeding him information. Carly might be just another person who needed to go. Sonny was surrounded by turncoats and traitors and the day was coming when he would destroy them all.

Elizabeth unlocked the door to the studio and they walked inside. "I'll get some plates." She said as Jason put down their dinner. "What would you like to drink? I asked Francis bring over some beer." She wanted her guy to be comfortable here.

"Water is fine for now." He said taking dinner out. "Things with Sonny are getting worse. I have told Francis that if he comes near you that you are to be protected at all costs."

"I'm sorry that situation isn't getting better. I'll listen to Francis or Milo." Elizabeth promised.

"Both Francis and I think that there is something wrong with Sonny, something that is affecting his judgment. I know he won't go see a doctor." Jason said shaking his head.

"Can you get a judge to say he has too? You have officials who are your friends, right?" Elizabeth wasn't going to come right out and ask if he had someone in his pocket.

Jason grinned at how she was beating around the bush. "If I were to have a judge on my payroll, this isn't the type of situation I would use him. You save things like that for really important times. If I had a judge sign off on commitment papers when Sonny hasn't done anything overt to warrant it then that will tell everyone I own that judge." He explained how it worked.

"I guess that makes sense." Elizabeth responded as she gave it more thought.

"I was wondering if you would start sleeping at the gate house tonight." He wanted to know.

She was surprised by that request, but understood why he was making it. Last night when he drove her home he admitted to asking Lila to allow her to move onto the grounds. Liz had laughed and said she figured he was at the root of Monica's decision. Still it was nice that he spoke up. "That shouldn't be a problem. Em stopped by Kelly's just before lunch and gave me two keys."

"Two keys? Did she think you needed a spare?" Jason asked taking the drinks from his girl.

"No, one is for you." Elizabeth said sitting, Jason did as well. "Em figures you'll be visiting often, and she wants you to be able to get in if no one is home. She said if you sit outside a member of the family might try and talk to you." She ended on a laugh.

"They won't bother me." Jason said grinning. "They are too afraid of you and grandmother to start something."

"Me?" Elizabeth asked digging in. She was surprised by that. "Why would they be afraid of me?"

"They are worried you will leave if they misbehave. Edward said that I was lucky to get you in the first place. So everyone needs to behave until it's too late for you to escape." Jason watched his girl frown. His grandfather's snarky remarks no longer upset him, it was just how the old man was, but Elizabeth didn't like them. "He's right, I am lucky to have you." Jason would thank god for her every day.

"I think I'm the lucky one." Elizabeth told him. "You could do better." She shrugged.

"No I couldn't." Jason told her. "Finish eating and after dinner I'll prove my point."

After dinner was finished and cleanup was done they moved to the couch. He would have her pack some things in a few minutes, but for now he just wanted her close. "So I promised to prove to you that you were meant to be mine."

"You did." Elizabeth was sitting as close to him as she could.

"Every person on the planet has someone that is meant just for them. I knew that you were mine before I left for South America." Jason explained looking into her beautiful blue eyes. "But when I kissed you for the first time I had proof. We fit like we were made to be together. Not just physically, but mentally and emotionally as well. When my lips touched yours for the first time, I finally felt complete."

Elizabeth was fighting back tears. She hadn't ever had anyone say something so beautiful to her before. "I wish I had the words to tell you how being here with you makes me feel. When you kissed me on the docks I felt it too. Like I had found the place I belonged after looking for so long." She scooted closer. "Before you left I knew it too. I just didn't know how to tell you. I wanted to say something so many times when we talked on the phone, but I was afraid of being a distraction. I didn't want you thinking about me when you needed to focus on work." She still didn't know what exactly he had been doing, but she knew it was dangerous.

"Now that we are together I'm going to do everything in my power to see that we stay that way." Jason promised.

"Me too." Elizabeth vowed before leaning forward. He met her halfway for a gentle kiss. That didn't stay that way for long. They both had a great deal of emotion running through them and it shifted the kiss to something a bit more carnal in the span of a heartbeat.

Elizabeth wrapped her arms around Jason's neck trying to get closer, while he was pulling her onto his lap. The momentum took them down with her ending up lying over him. Jason let his hands roam wanting to feel as much of her as he could. His hands came to rest on her bottom and when he squeezed the firm flesh Elizabeth froze. Opening his eyes he could see that he had startled her. He instantly moved his hands to her hips.

"Sorry." Elizabeth said dropping her eyes and pushing away from him until she was sitting on the couch once more.

"Elizabeth." Jason reached out to touch her cheek, but hesitated before dropping his hand. "You didn't do anything wrong."

"Neither did you." She wanted him to know that. "I wasn't expecting you to touch me there." They were making out so she shouldn't have been surprised that he would want to touch her.

"Would it help if I asked before I touch you?" He would do that for her.

"I don't want us to have that kind of relationship. I don't want you worried I'm going to freeze up each time you touch me. Asking permission will get old fast." Elizabeth said before biting her lower lip.

Jason gently freed the plump prisoner. "You said you needed to go slow. I agreed that I could handle that. I haven't changed my mind. Asking will not get old." Jason assured her. "And I know in time you won't need me too." She was getting stronger with each passing day, the fact that they were making out proved that.

"I hate that I'm like this." She whispered.

"Me too." Jason said being honest. "Not because I'm missing out on something, because I'm not. But because I hate that you were hurt." He leaned forward and kissed her again. "Go pack, and we'll go explore the gate house."

"Okay." Elizabeth said understanding that they needed to step back a bit.

When she walked away Jason slowly exhaled. He was going to tap their contact in the PCPD. He wanted all the information he could get on the animal who hurt Elizabeth. It was time his girl got some closure.

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