A/N – Thanks for the comments! Strong reaction against Susan….as it should be. * There's another big twist coming up! bajangirlz – Thanks! * Tish – Thank you! * Guest – regarding arresting Susan. What would he arrest her for? Do you mean because she said she wouldn't press charges if he came with her? Because she said it in front of police I don't think it would actually constitute as blackmail. Maybe I'm wrong but she just gave him options. It's like saying to someone that if they promise not to come near me again, I won't press charges.
Chapter 28 - Strategic Planning
Jason walked into the hotel room and sat down. Francis was standing in the hallway outside the door.
"Can I get you something to drink?" Susan asked.
"No, I'm fine. What do you want?"
Susan sat across from him and really took her son in. "You definitely look like my side of the family." She said studying his features.
"I don't know what you want from me."
"A chance to get to know you; to explain where I've been." She said earnestly.
"Don't act like you've been pining away to be a mom all these years because I don't think I'd ever believe that." He said firmly.
"I wouldn't expect you too. When I woke up in the hospital after Crane shot me, it was a week before Robert sauntered in and told me that I was going to be sent away for my protection. It certainly was no life for a child. After his death, Crane's family wanted me dead because they blamed it on his association with me."
"And I'm supposed to believe you even considered taking me with you?"
"Jason, the reason I was shot was because I backed out of the deal with Crane."
Jason rolled his eyes. "And no one will know your true reasoning for that. Crane is dead. You could tell me anything."
Susan sighed. "Fair enough. Anyway, they sent me away and gave me a new identity; a chance to start over and I took it. I got a job and never looked back. I'm not a monster Jason. I did some pretty messed up things before, but I've changed and have my own life now."
Jason noticed her hand. "And you're engaged."
Susan smiled. "I am."
"Have you ever had more kids?" He asked curiously.
"No. And for the record, the reason I backed out of the deal with Crane is because I didn't want to be charged with blackmail by your family."
"But you were blackmailing them. So, it really was all about you."
Susan rolled her eyes. "Of course I didn't want to go to jail."
Jason stared at his mother. "I guess I should thank you for abandoning me. I've had a good life."
"I couldn't take you with me anyway. Robert didn't give me that option." She said frankly.
"Don't look so broken up over it." Jason quipped.
Susan ignored his sarcasm. "So, tell me about yourself Jason."
Jason sighed. "I am co-CEO at ELQ. I spend most of my time working or being with Elizabeth."
"There's more to life than work."
"I'm aware of that." Jason said getting a little annoyed.
Susan got up and went to get some water for herself. "So, you and Elizabeth are serious?"
"Very."
"I think I read that you are divorced." She said sitting back down.
"We were but we found our way back. I love her deeply."
Susan took a sip of her water and then put it down. "I'm happy for you. You sound like a very successful together person."
"My family nurtured me well." He said staring her down.
"I don't want to fight with you Jason. I won't be in town that long. I know Monica is your mother. I'm really not trying to interfere with that. But, it would be nice to spend a little time with you. I could tell you about my family so you know where you came from."
Jason looked down. He knew that he couldn't trust her. But he was curious about her side of the family. Medically speaking it would be nice to know as well. "I'll think about it. Can I go now?"
Susan nodded. "It wasn't that horrible was it?"
"No." He forced himself to say.
"I appreciate that you gave me a chance.
Jason chuckled. "Yeah, it's not like you didn't pretty much blackmail me or anything."
Susan smirked. "I guess old habits are hard to break."
Jason shook his head and walked to the door and didn't look back.
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Diane watched Jason walked into the apartment.
"What are you doing here? Is she okay?" He asked worriedly.
She put down her wine glass. "I wanted to make sure that you were okay and no she's not but I think she's a little better than she was before. I made her take a hot bath and she is lying down. How did it go with Susan?"
"Fine. She's just a joy." Jason said sarcastically as Diane snorted.
"If I could get away with it I'd smack her myself after what she said to Elizabeth."
Jason frowned. "What did she say?"
"I think Elizabeth should be the one to tell you that." Diane said standing up. "I need to go. Lorenzo is waiting for me."
Jason held open the door and then shut the lights off and went upstairs.
He opened the door to his room and the lights were off and when he didn't see Elizabeth on the bed, he was alarmed at first but then saw a form in the chair by the window. "Elizabeth." He said softly.
"I'm sorry." She said quietly. "I shouldn't have interfered. It was your life and I made a big mess."
Jason walked over to her, picked her up, and sat down and held her. "I'm not mad at you Elizabeth. I hate that you have to go through all of that because of me though."
"It's not your fault Susan is a bitch."
Jason smirked at the fire in her eyes. "What did she say to you?"
Liz looked away.
"Elizabeth…."
"Jason, I'm scared to tell you because I don't want to come between you two."
"You just called her a bitch and I didn't blink. Just tell me. I need to know." Jason said as he turned her face so she'd look at him.
She took a deep breath. "She told me that I shouldn't believe everything I hear about her and then proceeded to say she did a background check on me."
"What?" He said loudly.
"She asked if you knew that I was a slut and mentioned my tryst at the frat house." She said so quietly Jason had to strain to hear her.
He was pissed. He closed his eyes for a moment and then kissed her forehead. "I'm sorry that she said that you. She had no right. I hate that she made you even think about that."
Liz looked up at him. "I'm just pissed off that if I was going to get arrested that I didn't punch her in the mouth. And don't even get me started on the fact that she found out what happened." She said trying to get out of his arms.
"Elizabeth."
"I'm just so angry and embarrassed that I was put in a jail cell. She humiliated me. I know what happened at the frat house wasn't my fault. Hearing her twist it….."
"I know. I'm angry too but we can't play into her hands." He said firmly.
She studied him for a moment. "What are you planning on doing?"
"I think I'm going to pretend to be on her side. I'll get the family to go along with. They hate her so much that I'm sure they'll still be able to yell and fight with her about it. We need to find out what she is up to." Jason said feeling disgusted with his mother. "And afterwards, I'll make her pay for what she did to you."
"She might be dangerous." She said unable to stop Sam from popping into her brain.
Jason kissed her lightly on the mouth. "I need to do this."
"I can't lose you."
"You won't." He said evenly. "This isn't the same as before. I'll always be guarded."
She kissed him urgently until the need for air forced their lips apart. "Okay."
"It's going to be alright. I promise."
He stood up and carried her over to the bed and they got under the covers. "This time, you better not sneak out of here."
She sighed. "Don't worry, I won't be repeating that mistake again."
He kissed her softly. "Thank you for defending me." He said softly. "I love that you have my back."
"Always." She said before giving him a kiss.
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Susan had the arrest leaked and just trying to drive out of the garage at Harbor View in the morning was a nightmare. Reporters swarmed the car and were shouting questions. Everyone knew that Jason's mother had returned from the dead and his girlfriend had attacked her. By the time they got to the Quartermaine's Jason wanted a drink.
They walked into the sitting room.
"How did it feel smacking that bitch?" Tracy asked with a smirk.
"Tracy." Monica yelled.
"Oh can it Monica. You know that if you had the chance, you'd smack that smug look off of her face too."
Monica smirked and Liz chuckled.
Tracy grabbed Elizabeth and pulled her over to the couch. "Tell me everything."
Jason shook his head and sat down. "I need you all to listen."
"What's wrong?" Monica asked.
"I need to do something and I know that you're not going to like it."
Edward put down his paper and folded his hands.
"I'm going to pretend that I want to get to know Susan." Jason announced.
"What?" Alan yelled.
"I know it sounds crazy but we need to see what angle she's working." Jason said.
"What about Elizabeth?"
"I'm going to tell Susan that we're fighting; that we're staying in separate bedrooms."
Tracy frowned. "Maybe Elizabeth should stay here."
Everyone looked at Tracy in shock.
"I want her with me so that I can protect her." Jason said.
Tracy cleared her throat. "Maybe you should work from home for a few days." She suggested to Elizabeth.
"We can do some conference calls." Skye added. "And if you need anything, I can bring it to you."
Liz smiled. "That's fine."
They were interrupted by Audrey and Sarah.
"Elizabeth are you alright?" Audrey asked.
"I'm okay." She said getting up and giving Audrey a hug.
"I can't believe you were arrested. Is it true?"
They sat down and they all took turns relaying to Audrey what was going on.
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Audrey didn't say anything at first. She wanted to find Susan Moore and throttle her Mac be damned. "I don't like it but at least you won't be in any danger."
"I won't let anything happen to her." Jason said reaching for Liz's hand.
Audrey could see the conviction in Jason's eyes. "Well—well, you've made quite the turn around haven't you?" She hadn't spent a lot of time with them together. But Elizabeth visited so she knew they lived together now.
Jason smirked. "Is that okay with you?"
"As long as she's happy then yes." Audrey said with a slight smile.
Elizabeth grinned. She was glad that Audrey had finally thawed where Jason was concerned. They hung out with the family for a while before Jason grabbed her hand and pulled her up.
"I need to talk to Elizabeth. We'll be back." Jason said leading her to the stairway and then up to his old room.
Elizabeth smiled. "So this is where you grew up."
"Yup." He said sitting on the bed.
Liz looked at some of the pictures on his dresser before sitting down next to him. Jason grabbed her and pushed her onto her back and laid on top of her. "You don't know how many times I wished I had a hot chick in my bed."
Liz laughed. "Oh really?
"Uh huh. It was a recurring dream."
Liz grinned and then kissed him. "I don't mind being your dream girl."
Jason groaned when Liz ran her hand down his back.
"You know we can't do anything here right?" She asked.
Jason's eyes snapped open. "Why not?"
Liz laughed. "Jason your whole family is downstairs not to mention that I don't think I could be quiet."
Jason's looked at her with hooded eyes. "I could muffle your screams with my mouth."
She licked her lips. "As tempting as that is I'm going to have to pass."
"But baby."
Liz grinned. "As hot as you are I'm not going to get caught with my panties down by your mother."
There was a knock on the door. Liz's eyes grew big and she removed Jason's hands from under her shirt and sat up. Jason groaned and laid on the bed face first.
"Come in."
Sarah walked in and smirked. "Seriously?"
Liz glared at her. "Nothing is going on in this room…trust me." She said through clenched teeth.
Sarah chuckled. "We're leaving. Audrey said to call her tomorrow."
"Tell her I love her. Thanks for stopping by and checking up on me."
Sarah smiled. "You're welcome."
Jason turned his head so he could see her. "By the way, are you single?"
Sarah made a face. "Yes."
Jason smirked. "My brother thinks you're hot."
Sarah grinned. "AJ?"
"It's the only one I've got."
Sarah rolled her eyes. "He wishes." She said closing the door.
Liz grinned. "That's code for I'll think about it."
Jason chuckled. "Where were we?"
"You were about to tell me why you brought me up here in the first place."
"Oh yeah, are you sure you're okay with not going to ELQ? I just don't want you to feel like you're a prisoner." Jason said.
"It's fine. I mean it won't be for long right?"
"No. Hopefully, she won't stick around." He said.
"I trust you Jason and…"
Jason cut off her words with his mouth and kissed the hell out of her.
He let her go and smirked and then got up leaving a dazed Elizabeth on the bed. "Just remember, you turned me down." He said leaving.
Liz sighed and stared up the ceiling. Jason was killing her. The door flew back open and he ran inside and grabbed her and kissed her again as she moaned against his lips and then he gave her a wicked smile and left again. "Pay back." She yelled out.
Jason chuckled as he ran down the stairs. Elizabeth got herself together and then soon followed.
