A/N – Thanks for the reviews! Guest – I hear you about Lucky. There's more to come with him. * Kikimoo, Virgy15, doralupin86, Liasonisthebomb, Guest, leasmom, ejliason, – Glad you liked it! * arcoiriso0502 – Thank you so much! Lol sorry was crazy busy today. * Guest 3, ilovedana53, LiasonLuv – Sam has a false sense of security because of Helena.

By the way, after tonight, I'm probably going to start posting in the mornings PST during the week. I've been getting to bed so late and it's draining me.

Chapter 21 – Surprise Visits

Liz led Jason to the locker room where Matt was waiting. Jason hung back and watched as Matt examined her cheek and handed her some ice.

"Remind me never to piss you off." Matt said smirking.

Liz smiled and then grimaced.

"Sorry." Matt said softly. He got up and looked up at Jason before leaving.

"Are you going to be able to finish your shift?" Jason asked.

"I'm fine Jason. I'll just put a little makeup on my face."

Epiphany walked in. "I'm sorry, but that's not going to do. Your hurt your hand too and I think you should go decompress. It's not busy today anyway."

Elizabeth sighed. "Fine." She said getting her purse out of her locker. Epiphany walked out and Jason led her to the elevator. He was actually glad to get her home where he knew that she'd be safe.

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Elizabeth sat on the couch as Jason went to get her another ice pack. The gravity of the situation was starting to hit her and she was feeling a little guilty.

Jason sat down next to her and placed the ice on her hand.

"I don't know what Sam is up to, but something is supposed to go down next week. Jason, I don't think that you are ready to face her."

Jason sighed and sat back. "I can't just sit back and let her hurt me or you."

"I understand that but ever since you saw her at the dinner, you've been having more flashbacks. Under the surface, things are building up inside of you and it scares me."

Jason put his arm around her and pulled her closer. "It scares me too. It's been a little more brutal than I expected."

There was a knock on the door and Francis pushed it open. "Jason, Taggert is here to see you."

Jason's head felt back on the couch as he cursed under his breath.

Elizabeth patted him on the leg. "I'll be up in my room."

"Okay Francis." Jason said as he watched her walk away.

Taggert came inside. "This is not official business."

Jason made a motion to a chair and Taggert sat down.

"Then what's it about?" Jason asked curiously. He was still a little embarrassed that twice Taggert had seen him at his worse.

"Jason, I know you have PTSD. We are not friends but I know that something really bad must have happened when you were gone. What scares me is how that translates to the present."

Jason sat forward. "I can't give you any details Taggert and even if I could, it's not like I know you like that."

Taggert nodded. "I know I've given you a really hard time in the past. My disgust in what you choose to do for a living remains. We don't like each other but believe it or not Jason, I do have a heart. If someone hurt you to the degree that I'm guessing they did, that means you and Sonny are going to want revenge. And that usually ends really badly and I really don't feel like doing all of that paperwork."

Jason shook his head. "Taggert, I don't know what you want me to say."

"Whatever you're going to do, just please do it quietly."

Jason wasn't sure that would be possible anymore. Helena was going to be involved and she liked to make a big scene.

Taggert changed the subject for a moment. "Rumor has it that you are not Sonny's enforcer anymore."

Jason's muscles ticked under his shirt as he clenched his fist at his side.

"I was a little surprised by that but after what you've been through, I understood it too. You never used to have a guard and now you do. Not to mention the fact that you've been under the radar since you got back. That is why I put credence in it. If you are unable to do your job then how the hell are you going to get revenge because I know you and you will not be able to back down. If you have a flashback in the middle of a fight, you might as well just shoot yourself anyway."

"So now you care about me?"

"I'm just trying to reduce the amount of carnage."

"I can take care of myself."

"Can you?" Taggert said as they both glared at each other. He stood up. "Look, I said what I came to say. I'm worried about an all-out war and innocent people getting hurt." He said walking to the door. He put his hand on the door knob and turned his head. "Are you getting help Jason?"

"Yes."

"Good."

Taggert walked out and Elizabeth came down the stairs. "That was interesting." She said walking over to Jason who had his head in his hands.

"He's a pain in my ass." Jason said gruffly.

Liz smiled. "I think you're getting under his skin."

Jason sat up and rolled his eyes. "Trust me, I don't want to be anywhere near his skin or anything else that involves him. We are like oil and water and I can't ever see that changing; especially if I'm in business with Sonny."

Jason's phone rang. "Morgan."

"Dominic wants to speak to you," Sonny said softly, "by yourself."

Jason groaned. "Fine, where?"

"He'll meet you at your office in 10 minutes."

"Okay."

He ended the call and looked at Elizabeth.

"Everything okay?" She asked.

"I'm not sure. There's five families that basically have created an alliance together; a united front of sorts. One of the bosses wants to see me."

"Do you think it's serious?"

"Yes. This is highly irregular. But, out of all of them, I respect him the most and he respects me. I've only met him twice outside of a meeting and it wasn't under the best circumstances."

"Be careful Jason." Liz said squeezing his hand.

"I will. I'll come back as soon as I'm done. Keep ice on that hand." He said getting up.

She stood up and they kissed. She gently touched his face and then Jason left.

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There was a knock on his office door and Francis opened it. "He's here."

Jason stood up and Dominic walked towards him and shook his hand. "Jason, it's good to see you."

Jason nodded. "Thank you. How is the family?"

"They are good. The kids keep me young." The Don said smiling.

Jason motioned towards the chair and Dominic sat down. "So, what can I do for you?"

Dominic looked solemn and threw an envelope on Jason's desk. He looked at it then back at Dominic before picking it up and opening it. Jason's whole body jolted as pictures of him being tortured littered the desk. He put his head in his hands and said the safe word over and over, trying to calm his emotions. Dominic watched him struggle and it was all he needed to know. His second had reported to him that Jason was no longer functioning as Sonny's enforcer. It was a shock to all of them but after seeing the pictures and Jason's reaction, everything made sense.

Another minute went by and Jason looked up at him. Dominic leaned forward and put the pictures back in the envelope.

"You want to tell me what's going on with you?"

Jason sighed. "I have PTSD."

"Is this a permanent problem?"

"I don't know."

"So, the rumors are true then. Johnny has taken over for you. Why didn't Sonny say anything?"

"Because Sonny thinks I'll just get over it and go back to the way it was."

"And you don't?"

Jason rubbed his hands over his jeans. "I don't know. It's really too soon to say."

"And who did this to you?"

"Samantha Cassadine."

Dominic frowned. "Puttana." He said angrily. "Is she still breathing?"

"Yes."

"Why?"

"Because I wanted to be the one that ended her."

Dominic clenched his jaw. This is where he and Sonny differed. He would have already shown his loyalty to Jason and what he was going through by taking that bitch out. He understood Jason's need to get revenge but he clearly was not ready to face this and Sonny needed to step forward and handle it.

"Jason, no offense, but I think she just needs to be dead. You need her to be. You don't have to be the one who does it. There is no shame in letting someone else help you for once."

Jason sighed. "I just felt like I needed to hurt her like she hurt me."

"I understand that, it's what you know, but I don't think it will make you feel better or erase anything that happened. In fact, it could have the complete opposite effect."

"I know that. But…"

"Put away your pride and discard what you think others expect of you and do what is best for you. Let your men handle this."

Jason couldn't even look up at him. "I'll think about it."

"Thank you."

"Are you the only one that has gotten that envelope?"

"To my knowledge."

Dominic could see the anger playing out on Jason's face.

"Thank you for everything that you said."

"Jason, you save my wife. I will never forget that and I'm forever in your debt."

Jason nodded. "Thank you for taking the time to talk to me about this."

"You're welcome. And I won't be discussing any of this with the other bosses. This is between you and me. If the pictures come up, I'll do some damage control."

Dominic understood that any show of weakness was dangerous in this business and he didn't want Jason's safety compromised.

"Thanks."

They both stood and shook hands and Dominic left. He looked up at his enforcer. "Take me to Corinthos."

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Sonny was sitting in his office talking to Bernie when Johnny knocked on the door. "Sonny, Dominic is here to see you."

Sonny frowned. "Bernie, I need to deal with this. I'll call you when he leaves."

Bernie grabbed his briefcase and left.

Sonny sat back as he watched Dominic enter the room. "Hello Dominic." He said standing and extending his hand.

"Sonny."

"What's this about?"

"Jason."

"So, you know." Sonny said quietly.

"Yes, and I'm not at all pleased."

Sonny sighed. "He'll be fine. He just needs some time."

Dominic closed his eyes for a second. "Sonny, he's nowhere near fine. I received an envelope with pictures of his torture. And when he looked at them, he barely held it together."

"He has flashbacks. They'll lessen over time."

Dominic's jaw clenched. "Stop thinking about yourself and think about what is best for Jason. I understand that he was the best enforcer in the business. Hell, if it wasn't for him and his reputation, you wouldn't be making the kind of money you do now."

Sonny tried to object.

"Oh please, spare me the machismo. I have eyes and ears and I know what is going on. I have seen your business expand and profit under Jason's tenure. In fact, I can't believe that you haven't cut him in. Even if he isn't your enforcer, he's good at what he does and he could train others. Besides, it's because of you thinking with your dick and not with your head that got him tortured for 5 months."

Sonny was fuming. "Don't come into my office and tell me how to run my business. Jason is fine with how things are. He makes a lot of money. I pay him well. Of course I feel badly that he had to suffer at that bitch's hand."

Dominic shook his head. Sonny had been a loose cannon on and off for years. And lately, he was starting to slide again.

"You should have just taken Samantha out on Jason's behalf. If he goes through with this, you could lose him forever."

Sonny frowned. "That's a little dramatic even for you. He's handling it."

"Have you even discussed it with him?"

"No, I haven't. But, I know Jason and he'd want to do it. At first, before I knew the full extent of what Sam did, I was going to take her out. But then, I didn't want to take that satisfaction away from him."

"And I'm telling you that I don't think you'll ever get him back if you let him go through with it. He's not ready. Anyone with eyes could see that. That bitch is running around the city because he can't pull the trigger. I don't know what's going on between you two, but loyalty goes both ways." He said standing up. "If you want to get involved and want Rico to go with Johnny to get it done, then I'll allow that. I owe him and so do you." He walked towards the door. "Let me know by tonight what you decide."

Sonny nodded. When Dominic closed the door, he slammed his hand on the desk. He hated people telling him what to do. He had thought about cutting Jason in before all of this happened. His reputation had been good for business and Jason had made him a lot of money and oversaw a lot of the daily operations. The wheels started turning and thought that maybe if he offered Jason partial ownership in the coffee warehouse, that it would not only help their relationship, but it would at least keep Jason attached to him. Right now, Jason was just hanging on by a thread.