Chapter Eleven
Carly couldn't stop hugging Jason. She was just so excited to have him back. Since his death everything in her life had felt off. Leading him to the sofa she said, "I still can't believe your alive. I was lost without you know. Really I was Jason. You're never allowed to die again."
"I'll do my best," he chuckled sitting on the huge sofa.
"I suppose that'll have to do. How are you doing?"
At the question Jason let out a long sigh. He knew Carly meant well but he was starting to hate that question. Lately he felt like he was being pulled in a hundred directions. With Danny being sick at the tip of the list. "Okay. It's not easy watching Danny. He's just a little boy... but I know he's going to get better."
"Of course he will. Then you and Sam can be a family just like you always wanted." she said patting his hand. Carly fully understood how he felt. Having a sick child was a nightmare. Seeing the look on his face she immediately frowned. "What? No Jason I know that look."
"What look?"
"The one you get when your hung up on Elizabeth Webber. Tell me your not thinking about going back to that Twit."
"I care about her Carly," he answered carefully. Jason knew that his best friend would never understand the relationship he had with Elizabeth. Which was fine he wasn't asking Carly to. All he wanted was her to support his choices.
"So? That doesn't mean you have to be with her. She's not good enough for you. No she isn't," she insisted when he tried to protest. "Jason listen to me you belong with Sam. She's perfect for you. I know you have this... attraction to Elizabeth but she'll never fit into you life. You know how she hates what you do. Just promise me you'll think about it before you do something you'll regret okay?"
Jason knew she wasn't going to let this go easily. Agreeing with Carly was probably the only way to stop her ranting. "Fine Carly I promise to think about what you said."
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Julian tried to be a good father. Even if he didn't always succeed. Especially when it came to giving his little girl advice. It was difficult for him to see the capable woman Elizabeth had grown into. "Do you want to talk about it, Peanut?" he asked using the nickname Steven Webber gave her years ago. When she shrugged in response he frowned. "I know I'm your dad but you can talk to me about anything."
"I'm just stressed. Jason and I had this weird argument."
"Weird how?" he asked trying to keep his tone neutral. Of course Jason Morgan was twisting her into knots. It seemed to be the only thing the man knew how to do. It didn't help that Julian wasn't much better at times. His poor girl. She really needed someone who could put her first.
"It was about Sam. He just assumed..." Elizabeth paused for a moment. She knew thats eh was partly to blame for the situation. For too long she didn't stand up for herself. First with Lucky and then with Sam. That was something that had to change. She didn't trust the other woman no matter what Jason said. "well everyone probably assumed I'd forgiven her for what she did."
"He's not worth it I promise you."
"I keep telling myself that. He's had so many chances and all he did was push me away. Using that stupid danger speech. We can never get it right. But part of me... it's so stupid Dad. Part of me wants it to work out," she finished almost helplessly. Things between her and Jason had always been so complicated. And now there were children involved. Maybe it was time to accept they were never going to work out. Even if the idea broker her heart a little.
"If you want it to work out so badly what's the problem?"
"I don't know if I can trust what he says. We've been down this road so many times before. Things are going pretty well and then one of us does something so stupid. And one of us, usually me, ends up with their heartbroken. I just can't go through that again."
"Then don't," he said only surprising Elizabeth a little. She knew her dad wasn't a big fan of Jason's. "There's no rule saying you have to be with Jason."
"You're only saying that because you hate Jason."
"What I hate is the fact my little girl isn't happy. Now I'm willing to accept some of that blame but Jason has hurt you repeatedly. You can't expect me to be happy about that." Julian insisted gently making her sigh. She hated that she couldn't really argue his point. Of all the times for her dad to be right.
"You're doing that protective thing again."
Julian laughed at the exasperation on her face. Poor kid he should probably take it easy on her. "Yeah well get used to it because I don't plan on going anywhere."
"I'm so glad you're here have I told you that? Even if you're relationship advice sucks."
"There's a guy out there who will make you happy, Elizabeth. Maybe it's Jason. Maybe it's not. Just be patient. There's no rush."
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Julian frowned at the persistent knocking on the door. Almost no one bothered him at home without calling first. Opening the door his frown deepened, "Mr. Morgan. How nice to see you." he said not meaning it in the least. Everyday he regretted saving Jason more and more.
"Don't play mind games with me Jerome. You and I need to talk." he said pushing his way into the living room. The display of toughness amused Julian a great deal. Apparently Jason still had no idea who he was dealing with. It was going to be fun to watch him and Sonny go down.
"Honestly I expected you days ago."
"Sorry to disappoint you."
The older man shrugged casually. When didn't actually matter. The fact Jason waited only confirmed his opinion of the younger man, "I understand that coming back from the dead is a complex matter."
"Why did you save me?"
"Straight to the point" Julian nodded in appreciation. "For several reasons. The only one that you need to know is the fact that you mean something to my daughter. She's the most important person in my life. So I guess I saved you to make her happy."
"Is this mysterious daughter why your in Port Charles?"
Julian laughed at the younger man's confusion. He was almost tempted not to tell Jason anything. How the man didn't already know was beyond him. "Elizabeth," he said enjoying the confusion on Jason's face morph into disbelief.
"Eliz... how is that possible?" he immediately demanded to know. There was no way Julian Jerome was Elizabeth's father. She would have told him years ago.
"That I believe is none of your business. If we're through here..."
Jason interrupted. They were no where near done. He wanted answers from the other man. "Are you here to get your father's territory back?"
"You're very blunt, Jason. I like that."
"But your not going to tell me anything."
"Would you tell me if roles were reversed?" he asked answer Jason's question with one of his own.
"Does Elizabeth know that you're telling lies about her?"
Julian's eyes went cold at the accusation. No one was going to hurt his family again. Including Jason Morgan. "I think we're done here."
"She doesn't does she?" Jason asked trying to get the older man to lose his temper. He could see that his words had effected Julian. It didn't make sense for the man to lie about something so profound. There had to be a reason for the lie. Whatever the reason was he was going to found out.
"What makes you think I'm lying, Jason?"
"Because if you were her father she would have told me. Elizabeth and I share everything."
"I am well aware you're history with my daughter," Julian told the enforcer easily. He knew a lot about Jason. Of course Elizabeth wasn't his only source on the subject. He loved his daughter but she was a little blind when it came to Jason. Hopefully that was coming to an end. "You see she and I are quite close."
"I don't think I believe you. If you knew Elizabeth even a little bit you'd know she hates secrets."
"Why don't you go ask her? Since you're so sure I'm lying."
Jason blinked stunned at the statement. Now he knew Julian was up to something. The man had practically dared him to involve Elizabeth. What was his endgame? "Is this some kind of game?"
"I don't play games. Now get out of my apartment before I show you out."
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Francis put down the listening equipment and shook his head. He almost couldn't believe Sam McCall was this stupid. Almost. After all trying to con Julian Jerome was pretty stupid. Most people would have cut their losses at the mention of his name.
Not only had she tried to continue the con but she got Alexis in on the act too. He had to wonder what happened to the smart attorney he once knew. Maybe Sonny had done a worse number on her than they thought. There had to be a reason she'd accept a known con artist's word.
From the moment he read Sam's file he knew she was going to be trouble. The woman didn't know when to quit. If so she's have left Port Charles years ago. Francis didn't particularly care what Sam did. If Alexis wanted to be a fool there was nothing he could do about it. Elizabeth however was a different story.
Julian Jerome had been a great boss over the years. It was nice to work for someone who didn't lose control on a regular basis. Not only that but Julian respected the people who worked for him. He didn't mind listening to his employees' idea. Even if he didn't always agree Julian was usually willing to hear you out.
Not that Julian didn't have a temper. The man could put Sonny to shame with his blow ups. Which is why Francis wasn't looking forward to calling his boss. Family was the one thing Julian put above everything else. Just knowing that Sam was plotting something was going to send him in to orbit. Maybe he could get Matt to rethink that poison.
