Chapter 10

It was surreal for Jason to watch Elizabeth interact with his family. No introductions were necessary of course they all knew her. So Jason stood back silently with Michael in his arms and observed the dynamics as Elizabeth was welcomed like one of the family. He watched, fascinated, as Edward greeted Elizabeth; taking her hands in his, his body leaned towards her, a sparkle of true warmth in his eyes that turned affectionate when Elizabeth threw her arms around his neck to hug him. She moved on to greet Lila with the same amount of warmth and affection and it was returned in kind. Alan and Monica both hugged and welcomed her as did Ned who apologized for Lois and baby Brooklynn's absence. To Jason's relief Tracy was called away to a meeting for ELQ last minute and AJ and Courtney had not joined them "they're playing tennis and taking advantage of the early morning sunshine" Lila had informed Elizabeth when she asked. Elizabeth then turned to take Michael from Jason and to introduce him as Jason and Carly's son. There had been several minutes of dead air as the family were shocked in to silence, during which Emily appeared at Jason's side.

"Interesting, isn't it?" she whispered.

"What?" he mumbled.

"That no one is taking the slightest bit of interest in you with Elizabeth and Michael here" she turned to look at him.

"Give it time" he replied.

Edward appeared to recover first and started to rant only to be silenced by Elizabeth's voice quietly explaining her friendship with Carly, the circumstances surrounding Michael's birth and the fact that Jason only found out a few days earlier he was a Daddy. Jason felt slightly guilty that he'd left everything to Elizabeth to explain, but didn't feel the need to interfere since Elizabeth was doing such a superlative job. No one seemed to want to question her version of anything, their trust in her was complete. Where as if he'd tried to explain he was sure poor Michael would have been scarred for life with the shouting match that would have ensued. He was brought out of his silent musings by his grandmother looking at him expectantly.

"Well Jason my dear I would like to congratulate you, he is a handsome boy and I have no doubt you will make a wonderful and loving father" Lila told him. Jason moved closer to her bending down to kiss her soft lined cheek.

"Thank you grandmother" he replied with a soft smile.

"What a load of horse manure!" Edward exclaimed "He's a thug, he works for Corinthos how on earth can he raise a decent child let alone Quartermaine heir"

Jason looked at Elizabeth, to see her frown at Edwards words. She then looked at Jason and returned his gaze, taking in his set expression wondering when he would defend himself. Alan and Monica were curiously quiet as was Lila, Emily and Ned. Elizabeth handed Michael back to Jason and cleared her throat.

"Mr Quartermaine" she started and he turned to look at her, his expression softening. "I don't really think it's fair to say that. Besides Carly wanted her son to know his father and I happen to agree with her. She left Michael in my care and we must all do what is best for him."

"My dear you are much to young to be looking after Michael, we, the family will take over for you now and raise him the way he should be raised" Edward cajoled her. Jason stood to full height and turned to do battle with Edward, only to feel his grandmothers hand on his arm halting him. He looked down and with a slight shake of her head let him know that Elizabeth was more than capable of handling Edward. Elizabeth smiled broadly at Edward, reaching out to take his hand in both of hers.

"Mr Quartermaine I can't tell you how happy I am that you have accepted Michael unquestioningly and that you want him to be part of this family. But his place is with Jason and I. Jason and Michael need time to get to know one another and bond as father and son, and I need to help with that. I'm the only mother he's ever known. I'm the one who has been making decisions for him and about him since the day he came in to this world. Now I know that you have more money than God and can probably take Michael from me but I don't think you'll win in the end."

Edward stared opened mouthed at her, she squeezed his hand and Lila cleared her voice to speak.

"Elizabeth is absolutely right Edward. I also think you would not win in the end" she told him firmly letting him know who she supported in this situation.

"Mother is right father, it's not like this family has made a stellar job of raising our own children. I'm a huge disappointment to you and Tracy would eat her own young if they came between her and ELQ" Alan announced quietly.

"I hope you'll visit often Elizabeth, Alan and I also need time to get to know and bond with Michael" Monica added.

"Oh of course Mrs Quartermaine, I want Michael to have a real family and that means getting to know all of you and spending lots of time here" Elizabeth assured her. All the Quartermaines present turned in unison to stare at Jason. The implication was obvious, Jason only ever visited Lila and only then by stealth.

"With or without Jason" Elizabeth added "I know there is still a lot of tension between all of you, but that has nothing to do with Michael"

Jason scowled at Elizabeth, she made it sound like she was accusing him of being the problem, didn't she just hear Edward call him names and threaten to take Michael away. Jason held Michael a fraction closer in protest. But Elizabeth wasn't finished yet.

"That means that there will be no shouting and no name calling in front of Michael" she told the room.

"WHAT does that mean young lady?" Edward demanded.

"You know very well what it means Edward and Elizabeth is right" Lila countered "Don't worry dear if anything nasty starts to happen I will remove my great-grandson from the situation"

"Thank you Lila, for understanding" Elizabeth turned to smile at her.

"No thank you my dear and you should call me grandmother, we don't want to confuse Michael and you have been as dear to me as my own grandchildren for many years, I think it's time we acknowledge that." Lila replied.

"Well thank you grandmother I'd be honored" Elizabeth sighed resting a hand on the elder woman's shoulder. She turned with one eyebrow raised and studied Edward.

"Good I think you should stay for lunch" Lila suggested "I'll go talk to cook right now".

"Thank you grandmother we'd like that" Elizabeth accepted as she continued to study Edward. Jason watched bemused by the silent play between Elizabeth and his grandfather. Lila steered her wheelchair away and Alan and Monica approached to get a better look at Michael. Jason watched as slowly a smile broke out on Edwards face.

"You remind me of Lila somehow" Edward chuckled "I never could say no to her and now I'm finding I have the same problem with YOU" he accused good naturedly.

"I'll take that as a compliment, but I know you will have lots to say about Michael, and I'll listen I just may not do what YOU think is right"

He patted her arm lightly "I think both Michael and Jason are in good hands"

The rest of the visit passed with no incidents much to Jason's relief. Elizabeth really did know how to handle Edward and it was amusing to Jason to watch his grandfather fall all over himself to be liked by Elizabeth. Jason decided it wouldn't be such a hardship to visit the Quartermaines with Elizabeth, if only to see his grandfather neutered by Elizabeth Webber. Lois had turned up for lunch, and made sure Jason sat in between herself and Elizabeth to eat. Brooklynn and Michael played on the floor together quite happily with toys, and Michael chuckled each time Brooklynn who was a few months older than himself crawled around the floor.

"We need to do play dates" Elizabeth told Ned and Lois "Michael will crawl in no time with Brooklynn to show him the way."

"Anytime darlin, Michael is adorable" Lois agreed.

However, Jason mood plummeted when AJ and Courtney arrived as they were finishing lunch. Michael was introduced to both, and AJ stared fixedly at him. Elizabeth watched with interest as Jason seemed to ignore Courtney's existence while she snuck surreptitious glances at Jason. AJ tried to engage Jason in conversation about Michael but Jason wouldn't be drawn. Slowly the tension surrounding Jason, AJ and Courtney started be absorbed by the others at the table and not wanting the tension to ruin the visit completely Elizabeth decided to intervene

"We should get going Jason, Michael is over due for a nap and I don't want to mess up his routine too much" Elizabeth told him as Jason without agreeing stood eagerly to collect Michael from the floor and turned to head for the door.

"Of course my dear, you are doing a fine job as his mother Elizabeth" Edward gushed his approval.

"Thank you" Elizabeth replied.

"Next time I hope you'll let us know your plans, I'd love to spend some time getting to know my nephew" Courtney gushed in a sugary voice, her eyes firmly fixed on Jason. Jason tensed but didn't acknowledge she'd spoken.

"Yeah me too" AJ agreed his own eyes firmly fixed on his brother like his wife's were only for different reasons.

"Sure" Elizabeth agreed but had absolutely no intention of following through, until she found out from Jason what the source of tension between the three was.

Michael fell asleep in the car as they were leaving the Quartermaines. As they pulled in to the parking garage of Harbor View Towers, Elizabeth could no longer contain her curiosity,

"Okay you can tell me to mind my own business I don't care but I really need to ask you something" Elizabeth cut threw the silence.

Jason stopped the car but didn't kill the ignition and contemplated what he knew was coming. He could tell her to mind her own business or be honest and tell her everything. He just wasn't sure what her reaction would be or if he was ready for any kind of censure from Elizabeth if that was how she reacted.

"Oh HELL!" he swore "how about we go for a drive to Vista Point and then you can ask whatever you want?"

"Good idea, Michael will sleep through the drive and we can stay close to the car for when he wakes up" she agreed. Jason turned the car around and headed back out of the parking garage and headed to Vista Point. Both were silent in the car ride, and when Jason stopped the car and killed the engine both exited at the same time. Elizabeth opened the back door and wound the window down so that she could hear Michael and silently they moved to a bench and sat down along side each other.

When Elizabeth didn't immediately speak, Jason turned to her with a questioning look. "Well?"

"I think you know what I want to know, it's just a matter of whether or not you want to tell me" She replied.

"You want to know what the deal was with AJ and Courtney?" he asked.

"Yes"

Jason leaned forward and rested his elbows on his parted knees. He heaved a big sigh and then began to massage his forehead and temples with the fingers of one hand.

"She never stopped staring at you even though you never once looked at her or AJ and AJ seemed totally oblivious" Elizabeth informed him.

"I try to never look at Courtney, she turns my stomach and you are right AJ is oblivious" Jason confirmed. He looked at her again, taking in the slim red floral skirt and red tank top she wore, her hair pulled back in a low loose ponytail and secured by a clip. No makeup, not even a lick of lipstick remained and still he thought she was beautiful and oh so close. Nothing like Courtney, nothing like anyone he usually was attracted to. But yet here he was staring at her about to drop the bombshell of his acquaintance with Courtney, he didn't want to of course but didn't think there was any way around it. His attraction to her was his own problem, but he really didn't want her to think badly of him.

"I slept with Courtney" he blurted out and watched quietly for her reaction. She blinked once and then a soft blush slowly crept up her neck to and unto her cheeks.

"OH" she replied "that's not what I expected to hear" she paused "Does Sonny know? She's his sister right? Wait! Does AJ know you are in love with his wife"

"Wait WHAT?" he asked puzzled "in love with Courtney? How did you get from sleeping with her to in love?"

"Oh well I just figured that was the cause for tension. You want his wife but can't have her" Elizabeth stated confused.

"NO!" Jason shook his head in frustration. God did Elizabeth see everything in such romantic terms? She was going to be a push over for any slick guy if she did. Jason took a deep breath and realized he'd need to be specific or Elizabeth would continue getting the wrong impression. "I met Courtney at Jake's one night not long after she arrived in Port Charles. We hooked up" he paused to look at her then continued "we had sex. I didn't know who she was at the time, not that she was Sonny's sister or AJ's girlfriend."

"OH I see so it was like a one night stand?" Elizabeth asked.

"Well yes but we repeated it a couple of times. The last time was after she became engaged to AJ" Jason confessed.

"But you didn't know?"

"No! I didn't know" Jason paused and looked at her again. Maybe this was his chance, to be blunt and to the point. Let her know he didn't do relationships, just sex, it should make it easier to keep his libido in check around her. She would surely not develop any ideas about him then. He turned slightly to face her an earnest expression on his face.

"Look Elizabeth, since I broke up with Robin I've lived a certain kind of lifestyle. I work hard and at the end of the day I don't do relationships. I have sex, casual no strings attached sex. It suits me better that way, my job, what I do for Sonny doesn't fit with having a permanent relationship. If being with Robin taught me anything its that decent women like her do not deserve to be in relationships with guys like me"

"Are you careful? You know safe?" She asked completely overwhelmed that Jason would tell her this.

"Careful? Safe? You mean do I have safe sex?" he asked and she nodded "of course. I'm the poster boy for safe sex since I was with Robin" he told her, confused that after what he'd just admitted she was more concerned with his health than the type of man he was.

"Good! Do you think Courtney wants you back?" She asked.

"She never had me" he stated but then added "she has made it clear that if I want her she'd cheat on my brother again. But I won't do it, not just because I'm not in the slightest bit interested in her but because I can't do that to AJ. For all his faults he loves Courtney and he went In to the marriage for the right reasons. I don't want to hurt him that way, I mean we aren't close but that doesn't mean I want to do that to him."

"But you didn't deliberately sleep with your brothers girlfriend or fiance. You didn't know right?" She asked.

"No I didn't know she even knew AJ or Sonny." he confirmed "I knew that Sonny had met his sister a couple of times and that AJ had gotten engaged. But I didn't connect Courtney with the girl I'd slept with a couple of times. For starters she told me her name was Daisy. When I found out, I made it clear I never wanted to lay eyes on her again." he explained.

"I understand." Elizabeth replied. "So she stares at you, you ignore her, and AJ is confused because you kind of have to ignore him by default?"

"Yeah that's about the size of it. At first she was scared around me, I think she thought I'd tell AJ, but when I didn't she seems to have taken it the wrong way" Jason admitted.

"What do you mean?"

"Well it's like it's this big secret between us and she thinks because I haven't told AJ I must be protecting her and have feelings for her. It's the total opposite I feel nothing for her but disgust, it's AJ I'm protecting" Jason explained.

"Hmmm yeah I can see that she'd see it that way, but only if she is self centered. Poor AJ" she thought for a moment. "What do you think the whole "I'd like to get to know my nephew better" stuff was about?"

"I don't know but it could be she sees Michael as a way of getting close to me." Jason replied without conceit.

"You're probably right. It must bother her that I'm living with you and playing families with you and your son" Elizabeth mused. Jason snapped his head around to look at her closely.

"Could be good for me, you would be kind of a buffer" Jason suggested.

"So if she asks me, what should I say?" Elizabeth asked.

"Tell her it's between you and me and no one else, leave her guessing."Jason replied "she'll probably never come to me direct. I'd love it if she did so I could set her straight but she won't"

"Does Sonny know?" Elizabeth asked

"He has no illusions about Courtney, she was working as a stripper when she first came here. But I haven't told him I slept with her" Jason replied.

"Stripper? Does Edward know?" Elizabeth asked aghast.

Jason chuckled "I don't know if Edward or AJ knows that part. But before I forget you handled Edward like a pro. Going to visit won't be a hardship with you around"

"Well thank you" Elizabeth replied, pleased with the praise "I think it's time we head back to the penthouse when Michael wakes up he'll be hungry"

"Okay" he agreed and stood to help her up "Umm Elizabeth I'm going out tonight"

"OH okay, well I know you said you want to take over Michael's bath and bed time routine but I can do it no problem" she replied a little deflated.

"No that's fine I'll go out after Michael's settled for the night" he assured her. She smiled briefly and marched ahead of him towards the car.

Jason couldn't stay home tonight, the previous night had been a torture. He hadn't slept well at all, knowing Elizabeth was just a few steps down the hall. He needed to get to Jake's, have a few beers, a couple of games of pool, find a willing woman and have sex. He needed to indulge and give himself something else to think about so he wouldn't be so fixated on Elizabeth, he decided as he slowly he followed her to the car.