I do not own these characters, am not afiliated with ABC or Disney, blah blah blah… you know how it goes

Chapter 12

By the time Elizabeth arrived home she was exhausted. She hadn't gotten too much sleep the night before and now she had to be at the courthouse by nine the next morning. It was nearly midnight and there was no sign of Jason. He hadn't clearly said that he would come over but said that he would see her later. She was sure of one thing, she needed to talk to him before court in the morning.

She took a long, extra hot shower trying to relax. If Jason was not ready to step up and claim Jake, there was a chance Lucky would be awarded custody. The thought made her nauseous. By the time she stepped out of the shower her head was starting to pound. She slipped on her robe and grabbed some aspirin from her medicine cabinet for her headache. Her feet were dragging on the floor as she made her way downstairs and to the kitchen to grab a bottle of water. She had finally come to the realization that Jason was not coming over and decided to lock up and go to bed, deciding she would get up early and go to the Penthouse before she met Diane.

Stopping at the door on her way back upstairs she flipped the lock and jumped, dropping her water when at the same time a tapping came from the other side of the door. "Shit!" she groaned and flipped the lock again. She took a step back and opened the door. "Be careful." She said pointing at the puddle of water on the floor.

Before Jason had the chance to greet her with the kiss he had waited all night for, Elizabeth turned and disappeared into the kitchen. She came back out with a pile of paper towels. "Sorry, I didn't think you were coming."

"I told you I would." He grabbed her wrist before she could lean down and soak up the water. Her heavy eyes met his and she smiled. "Are you ok?"

She nodded, "Just tired, stressed, the usual." She joked. "But I am glad you are here."

"Me too." He murmured and brushed the wet strands of hair from her face and neck. He placed his hand on her neck and his thumb moved in lazy circles. He kissed her forehead then moved to her lips. She melted into his body, dropped the pile of paper towels on the floor and wrapped her arms around his neck. Jason reached with his other hand and locked the door behind them. She parted her lips and he slid his tongue past to explore her mouth. His kissed her until they were both gasping for breath.

He kissed a slow, torturous trail of kisses down her jaw line and to her neck where he stopped. He rested his head on her shoulder and wrapped his arms around her waist.

"Jason, we need to talk about things." Elizabeth whispered.

He stepped back and glanced down at the puddle of water he was standing in. "Crap."

"Hold on, lemme wipe that up before it turns into more of a mess." Elizabeth bent down and grabbed the paper towels to sop up the water she had spilled. Jason could not help but notice that she was not wearing anything under her robe when it parted as she bent down. He breathed in a deep breath and managed to restrain himself from taking her right there on the floor.

She innocently stood back up, went into the kitchen to throw away the towels and returned to the Livingroom where Jason had moved to sit on the couch. She slid beside him and turned sideways to face him. "I need to know what you want Jason… what our next step is."

Jason took her hand in his and linked their fingers. "Well, what I want is you and our family… as for the next step, I don't know." He sighed. "This is not going to be an overnight change. I need some time to get things in order as far as security is concerned."

Elizabeth chewed on her bottom lip and stared down at their linked fingers. "So… maybe a few days? A few weeks?"

Jason shrugged, "As soon as possible, a week… hopefully not two. I need to be sure your house is secure along with everywhere you frequent. I need to bring in extra guards, install a security system, and either hire you a driver or buy you a dependable car."

Her eyes returned to his, "Why a car?"

"Because I can't have you stranded on the side of the road somewhere. I don't want to take any chances… no arguments."

Elizabeth nodded, "So at least a week? You know I have court tomorrow morning?" Jason nodded. "… and there is a chance that Lucky could win custody…"

Jason interrupted, "Not going to happen. Diane is a good lawyer and she is confident that the judge will not remove the boys from their home."

"What if she is wrong Jason?"

"I don't pay her to be wrong." Jason stated surely. "Elizabeth, this is going to happen, we just need to sick it out a little longer. We can't do this half way and I need to make sure nothing will happen to you or the boys. You will only have to share custody with Lucky for a little while longer, unless the judge doesn't give him any visitation which I am sure he will get some. You will not lose the boys. I do plan on stealing as much time with you as I can in the meantime." Jason promised and trailed his thumb across her palm. "There is one more thing that we need to be prepared for… Carly. She is not going to take this well."

Elizabeth chuckled, "I know but after all these years I can deal with a little Carly if it means I get to have you."

"A little Carly, we are going to get a lot of Carly and she is not going to be happy with either of us."

Elizabeth shrugged and closed her eyes. She was hoping that she could walk into court tomorrow and end the lies for good. Now not only did she have to wait at least another week but she had to sit through a custody hearing.

Jason noticed the change in her expression, "Don't worry… I'll try to keep Carly away as long as I can."

"It's not Carly, I just… "

Jason angled his head waiting for her to continue but she didn't. She knew there was nothing she could say to change his mind so instead she raised on her knees and swung a leg over his lap so she was straddling him. She took his cheeks between her palms. "I love you Jason."

Elizabeth did not attempt to straighten her robe when it opened as she swung her leg over his lap. The bottom was split open, exposing her naked body to him from the waist down. His hands moved to rest on her thighs where his fingers softly massaged her smooth skin. "I love you too." He hoarsely whispered.

She leaned forward and rested her forehead against his. Her hand slipped from his face to the belt on her robe and with one pull exposed the rest of her body to him. "Take me upstairs Jason." She pleaded, her mouth an inch from his.

Jason slid his hands up her thighs, around her waist and wrapped them around her back. He scooted to the edge of the couch and stopped, unable to wait the entire walk to her room he finally captured her lips with his. His fingertips trailed a soft line up and down her spine as his lips moved softly over hers. His lips were strong and skilled moving over hers. No matter where they touched on her body she felt it everywhere and it sent a wave of heat from her toes to her ears. He regained his grip around her waist and stood. Elizabeth wrapped her legs around his waist and removed her lips from his. She threaded her fingers through his hair and kissed his jaw line then raked her teeth across his earlobe before tracing it with her tongue. Before she knew it, he flipped them onto her bed.

A while later, an exhausted Elizabeth finally drifted off to sleep to the sound of Jason's melodic heartbeat.

Elizabeth sat in the courtroom listening to the judge ramble on about standards and procedures in the courtroom. Well, she wasn't actually listening, she was more in a daze. Her hands were shaking to the point she had to grasp the arms of the chair to keep anyone from noticing. Her mind drifted to when she met Diane in the witness room before court where she told Diane, "I can't lose the boys. If it is looking like it is not going my way I want you to call me to testify." Lucky was not on the list to testify, probably out of fear of his addict past. Diane had not added him because she did not feel it was needed, information can come out through testimony of the other witnesses.

"The petitioner in this case, Lucas Lorenzo Spencer…" the judge stated pulling Elizabeth back to the present.

Alexis stood from her chair, "Alexis Davis representing."

"Proceed Ms. Davis." The judge directed.

"Thank you. My client is requesting full custodial status and is offering flexible visitation with every other weekend and three hours, two nights during the week. He is also requesting support. The youngest child, Jacob Martin, is the biological child of Mr. Spencer. Cameron is not the biological son of my client, however, Mr. Spencer has been the primary paternal figure in his life for quite some time."

The judge folded his hands, "It is not common for this court to remove a child from a biological parent and place them with another that is not the birth parent. However, in the case of Mr. Spencer's biological son, Jacob, I am prepared to hear testimony and present a ruling. May I also add that the divorce will be handled in another session, we are here today to focus on what is best for the children, they are our main concern. Are both sides prepared to present their cases?"

Alexis, who was still standing spoke first, "We are your honor."

Diane stood, "Diane Miller representing Mrs. Spencer, and yes, we are prepared."

"You may proceed Ms. Davis."

"I would like to open by calling Ms. Lulu Spencer to the stand." Alexis stated. She asked her about Lucky's parenting skills, a very simple line of questioning. Diane followed with Lulu affirming that Elizabeth is also a loving mother. Nicolas was called, spoke of Lucky's recovery from drug use and how well he had recovered. Diane followed and Nicolas presented a detailed account of Lucky's drug use and recovery. Alexis then called her next witness.

Elizabeth clasped her hands together as she watched Sam take the stand and be sworn in.

"I would like to make it known to the court that Ms. McCall is also my daughter." Alexis said.

"It will be noted, proceed." The judge said.

"Ms. McCall, what is the nature of your relationship with Mr. Spencer?"

"We have been dating for a few months but have been friends for a while." Sam stated.

"A while?" Alexis asked.

"At least a year." Sam answered.

Alexis picked up her note pad, "And, in your opinion, is he a good father?"

"Yes."

"Can you please elaborate on why you believe he is a good father?" Alexis asked.

"Well, of course he would do anything for his boys. He spends as much time as he can with them. He is attentive, safe and loving."

"And tell me Ms. McCall, why is it that you believe the children would be better off with Mr. Spencer?"

"Well, besides the loving father that Lucky is, Elizabeth is involved with a man that is a known enforcer for organized crime."

Diane stood, "Objection, if Ms. McCall is referring to a friend of my client, Jason Morgan, he is a coffee importer."

"Sustained." The judge stated.

Alexis nodded to Sam and she continued "Well, Jason's life is dangerous and as long as Elizabeth is friends with him then she is putting herself and her children in danger."

Diane stood, noticeable frustrated, "Objection, the witness is speculating."

"Overruled, the court is interested in her opinion." The judge stated.

Alexis turned from the judge to Sam, "Can you please elaborate on the danger."

Sam nodded, "Well, I was previously engaged to him and as soon as I realized the danger I ended the relationship." Elizabeth rolled her eyes at the lie. Her hands were clenched so tight that her knuckles were a pale shade of white. Sam continued, "It is because of the danger that I can no longer have children. I was shot when one of his enemies attempted to kill him. They missed him and shot me. More recently Elizabeth and the boys were stopped in the park by gun men that wanted to use them as leverage against Jason."

"And it is because of situations like you just spoke of that you feel his life is dangerous?" Alexis asked.

"Yes."

"Ms. McCall, in your opinion, do you believe that Mrs. Spencer is a good mother?"

Elizabeth's eyes shot up and in Diane's direction, hoping for an objection that did not come. Sam answered. "I believe she is a loving mother and is very attentive to her children's need, but a good mother would not put her children in harms way."

Diane looked over at Elizabeth who nodded to her in approval. Diane stood and smoothed her suit. "Ms. McCall, is it safe to say that your relationship with Mr. Spencer began when he was still living with my client and they were supposedly attempting to save their marriage?"

Elizabeth glanced over at Lucky who was sitting smugly in his chair. If Diane could not make Sam eat her words, Lucky would likely get custody and she would only get visitation. Elizabeth only had her Grams that could testify for her, Lucky was going to parade half of Port Charles in to convince the judge that he was a perfect father and respected cop.

"I have been friends…." Sam began to speak.

Diane interrupted, "Excuse me, allow me to rephrase, when did your sexual relationship with my client begin, before the separation?"

Sam sighed, "Yes."

"Would you say that your relationship with Mr. Spencer is at least partially to blame for the break of their marriage?"

"No." Sam stated surely. "They were having problems before that."

"And tell me Ms. McCall, when young Jacob was kidnapped, who investigated and returned him home to his parents?" Diane asked.

"Jason Morgan." Sam answered plainly.

"Since we are on the subject of the kidnapping, may I ask you where you were the afternoon he was taken from his mother?" Diane shot.

Sam face paled and Alexis stood, "Objection, is she trying to implicate Ms. McCall in the kidnapping?"

Lucky looked on confused as the judge spoke, "Sustained, I know this is out of your expertise Ms. Miller, but remember this is a family court, not criminal."

"I'm sorry, allow me to rephrase the question your honor. The day Jake was kidnapped, were you present in the park?" Diane asked.

Sam spoke in almost a whisper, "Yes."

"And, Ms. McCall, when you were in the park, did you see anything out of the ordinary?" Diane asked.

Sam cleared her throat, "No."

"Might I remind you that you are under oath?" Diane stated.

Alexis stood, "Objection, I actually object to this whole line of questioning, it is badgering and irrelevant where Ms. McCall was when my client's son was kidnapped."

Diane turned toward the judge. "Actually I have to disagree, it is relevant. She spoke of the dangers of my clients friend and I would like the opportunity to offer a side of danger for the children that had yet to be addressed."

The judge nodded, "Continue Ms. Miller but please make your point quick."

"Thank you, allow me to repeat the question, did you see anything out of the ordinary that day at the park?" Diane stressed.

Sam's eyes looked at Lucky then at the floor, "As I stated before, no."

"Oh, well then…" Diane turned back to the table and pulled a paper from her briefcase, "I would like to present the court with a signed affidavit from a Ms. Maureen Harper. She was a guest on Ms. McCall's show. Sad story, there was a fire and her child died. She is currently in counseling due to the fact that she is the woman that kidnapped young Jake. What she is stating in this document is that Ms. McCall witnessed her removing Jacob from the stroller that day and did not make an attempt to stop her."

"Objection!" Alexis yelled as she stood. "This is absurd, Maureen Harper is mentally unstable, her account cannot be held as an accurate record."

The judge slammed his gavel. "Might I remind you both, Ms. Davis and Ms. Miller that this is not criminal court. Can I please see this affidavit Ms. Miller. I will look at it and decide its validity."

Diane approached the judge and handed him the piece of paper. He quickly glanced at it and place it in front of him. "Continue Ms. Miller." He stated.

"Very well, I'll move on. Let's move forward to the day you saved my client and her boys in the park from two men." Diane said and clucked her tongue. "I am not going to beat around the bush on this one. Is it true that you, in fact, hired those men to scare my client?"

Lucky looked at Elizabeth then at Sam with surprise in his eyes. His head shallowly shook and his hand came to rest on his chin.

"Objection, would Ms. Miller like to pin Kennedy's murder on Ms. McCall as well?"

Diane snickered and rolled her eyes. Diane's smile quickly faded when the judge slammed his gavel and spoke, "Sustained. Unless you have proof, this line of questioning is ludicrous Ms. Miller. Move on!"

"May I have a minute to converse with my client your honor?" Diane asked.

The judge groaned, "You have thirty seconds."

Diane sat in her chair and leaned into Elizabeth. She whispered a few options, Elizabeth whispered her decision and Diane stood again.

"I have no more questions." Diane said and turned back to the table.

Sam smiled and walked off the stand. She met Elizabeth's glare and offered her a wicked grin before taking a seat in the back of the courtroom.

"Ms. Miller, you may now present your witnesses." The judge directed.

"I'd like to call Elizabeth Spencer."

I know, this chapter was long and I am really bad at legal 'stuff' but I needed all this to lead in to the next chapter. I will try to get it done and not make you all wait too long.

Thank you all for your support and feedback!