A/N: Last chapter! And major cheese factor. Hope you like, drop me a line!
Jason ran through the house frantically searching for any sign of Anthony Zaccara. Instead he found Johnny.
"Any sign of him"
He gave a steely gaze to the younger man, "no"
"I've been up and down these halls...I know you have no reason to trust me...but my father isn't up here"
"Okay"
Suddenly they both heard shots from the ballroom and took off running.
Alexis felt the mans hands on the nape of her neck...she should have been paying more attention, but she didn't notice him until his hands were on her; the cold steel barrel pointing to her bare skin.
"Let's play a little game shall we?" he asked everyone in the ballroom.
The air was thick as everyone looked on in shocked horror; scared to make any move that could be the wrong one.
The muscles in her stomach were working overtime as she kept the breath sucked in. Closing her eyes she prayed, prayed that she would be going home to her two little girls, that she would have another day to bitch out Ric, the chance to tell Jason she loved him...she just needed more time.
"So who wants to call Jason Morgan for me...what no volunteers" he asked before pulling the gun up and firing two shots in the ceiling.
"I'm the loudest; I will" Carly said moving towards the door.
"JASON!"
Carly's voice made him skip the last half of the staircase and jump over the railing. When he reached his best friend she was near trembling.
"I'm sorry Jase"
Tearing past her he ran in, gun drawn.
"Mr. Morgan so nice of you to join us" Zaccara said his gun perched right at the back of Alexis' head.
"Put the gun down"
Jason didn't hesitate until he saw the unhinged look in the man's eyes, "now"
Slowly he lowered the gun to the floor.
Looking into her tear filled eyes made the lump form in his throat.
"Ah, just as I suspected, he loves her"
He stayed silent and the man continued his speech, "the questions my friends is how much?"
Silently she looked at him; brown eye locked to blue. She saw the sadness evident in his, silently apologizing for being powerless...and as she looked back it gave him some strength.
"What do you want Zaccara?" he asked low and guttural.
"I want to play a game...it's called What You Do For Love...would you like to play Mr. Morgan, or should I just shoot the beautiful woman now"
His blue eyes went steely, "I'll play"
Jerking Alexis to the side; Jason heard her whimper and fought the urge to make any motion.
"Here's the game...either she dies right here in your arms...or you die"
Anthony reached down and picked up Jason's gun, "put this gun to your head and shoot it...if not, her brains will be all over my good shirt"
"No" Alexis said to which Anthony yanked her neck tighter.
"Shut up bitch"
Jason picked up the gun and pointed it to his head, "don't hurt her"
The tears were flowing down her face now as she looked at him sadly, "I love you" she mouthed to him.
"I love you too"
Everyone watched the scene unfold in silent horror. But for Jason and Alexis; everyone in the room disappeared and all those things they had wanted to say months ago were written in their eyes.
In a moment the window exploded spraying glass everywhere and Jason watched as Anthony Zaccara fell; in a flash Alexis was in his arms and he was running with her in his arms. He didn't stop until they were in a dark room huddled behind a desk.
"Are you okay?" he asked pulling away to touch her face.
A slight laugh and a tangled sob came out, "better now"
Enveloping her again; his hands touched every thing he could, making sure she was real...still there.
"I love you" he said in her ear.
"I should have told you months ago"
Pulling to look at him, "I love you too"
Her head laid on his chest and they sat there in the silence for a long time...just holding on tightly.
Hearing voices finally drew them outside. Jason took her hand protectively and led her down the hallway.
Georgie Jones and Spinelli were sitting on the stairs.
"Stone Cold Sir"
"What's wrong"
The younger man hung his head and Georgie spoke the tears in her eyes, "It's Emily"
They tore across the mansion...and stopped in the entrance of the doorway. Nikolas clung to her body babbling incoherently.
Jason walked towards her and Jax spoke, "someone grabbed her during the shooting..."
Alexis tightened her grip on his hand...and he leaned down to his sister, "Em"
She leaned into his side to offer some sort of comfort while he mourned his sister.
Helicopters came hours later...after Liz had to sedate Nikolas, and Anthony Zaccara's body was found in the garden.
The mood was that of despair as the boats made their way across, and families had to be notified that their lives had been permanently altered.
Emily's funeral was on a surprisingly warm winter day. Alexis thought that it would have been how Emily wanted it...not dark and gray; something to celebrate instead of mourned. Jason told her he was leaving town that night...and as she held him tightly under the satin sheets she wondered if he would come back...but she hoped he would.
Two weeks later...
"I know Em...this is what you would have done; and what you would have wanted me to do" Jason said leaving the Quartermaine crypt.
Driving over he picked up Jake and wound the familiar route to the lake house. Knocking on her door; she opened...the red turtleneck and jeans inviting.
"Jason"
She was hardly able to get the words out before he was putting down the car seat and kissing her with reckless abandon.
"Wow"
He smiled, "do you have plans?"
She looked at him quizzical, "no"
"Get the girls, I want to take you somewhere"
A half an hour later they were pulling up to the Quartermaine mansion. She didn't ask just looked at him confused.
Alice answered the door, "Mr. Morgan...Miss Davis" she said trying to hide the shock.
Alexis could hear the family bickering before they went in.
"Mr. Q, you have company"
"Oh Alice send them away" Monica said.
"Actually Mom...I thought Jake should meet his family"
The older woman turned the tears fresh, "oh"
Slowly he walked over to her handing him the baby. Molly walked over to the couch and sat next to Edward.
"Hi"
He smiled, the smile that made his eyes crinkle, "hello"
Later as Jake slept in his grandmother's arms and Molly and Kristina listened to another of Grandpa Eddie's stories Jason and Alexis stood near the mantle.
His hand touched hers and she smiled, "what are you thinking?" he asked.
"That what you would do for love...amazes me every time"
The band slipped onto her finger without her really noticing and he leaned in, "how about one more time?"