Hi everyone I hope you had a great holiday weekend. This chapter is lite on Jason and Elizabeth but it covers a lot of ground for everyone else. Please, please leave a comment and let me know what you think.

Lise

Chapter 35

Max entered the home of Michael Corinthos Jr. with a sense of dread. He hated lying to his boss. Even though he had excellent reasons for helping Jason and his family, he couldn't help feeling disloyal. Until recently Sonny had always been a man Max respected and admired.

All the guilt vanished when he walked into the parlor, and was replaced with revulsion. Curled up like rabbit on his wife's lap lay a once great man, while his current wife; a black-haired snake raked her fingers through his hair crooning to him softly. The sound like a hiss meant to seduce its prey.

Max cleared his throat, choking down the bile so he could speak, "Um hey boss."

"Hi Max." Sonny said blankly and started to sit up.

Claudia lightly placed her hand on his shoulder stopping his movement. Shocked Max watched as he relaxed back against her, obediently staying in place. Who was this impostor and what had they done with his volatile boss?

Uncomfortable, Max looked away as she resumed petting his hair, "I'm just stopping by to give you an update."

"Oh." Again Sonny spoke blankly with little emotion. "Did you have any luck locating Jason?"

This was the one benefit of the little geek locating Jason. Finally he could give the Don some good news regarding his search. "Yeah actually, I've finally tracked him down."

This time Sonny sat up and Max was happy to see a flicker of hope in his dark eyes. "You found him? Did you talk? What did he say?"

Taking note of Claudia's sour expression, Max filed the information away and continued the report he and Jason had concocted, "I found him at a roadside motel in upstate New York. He was pretty out of it but I told him about the problems we've been having and he promised he would be back tonight."

"He's not with you?" The older man asked dejectedly.

"No. He said he had something he needed to check into today. I wanted to come back right away so I could fill you in."

"Oh, Ok that's fine but you're sure he'll be back tonight."

"Yeah Boss, that's what he said and you know Jason won't break his word."

"I guess so." Sonny sighed, lying back down.

Claudia spoke up, "What was so important that he couldn't come back with you? And what's he been doing all this time?"

Ignoring her authoritative tone, the guard addressed his boss, "I'll be back tomorrow with Jason to give you a full report." Max clipped out.

"You need to show me some respect!" Claudia spat out angrily. "I am Mrs. Sonny Corinthos and I asked you a question."

Max looked to his boss for permission to ignore her but all Sonny could say was, "She is my wife Max you should go ahead and answer her." He sounded not just tired but hollow.

"I'm sorry Sonny but Jason didn't tell me much. I'm sure he will have more to say when he gets back." Max still refused to address the woman.

"Thanks for working so hard to locate Jason. I know it wasn't an easy assignment." The Don praised emotionlessly in dismissal.

"Thanks boss." Max mumbled turning to leave he caught Claudia's triumphant smirk and wondered again what had happened to the man he had once looked up to and respected.

"Lucky dear, how are you doing?" Audrey asked sympathetically of the disheveled, young man who answered the door with red rimed, blood shot eyes.

"I've been better." Lucky sighed rubbing trembling hands over the stubble creating a patchwork on his face then up through his hair unkempt hair.

"Is there anything I can do dear?" The older woman's face expressed her worry over the beer bottles littering his home.

Embarrassed Lucky pushed his shaking hands deep into his pockets, "I'm sorry, Audrey I haven't been sleeping much since Elizabeth …. Um well…" With a choked sob he stepped back. "Do you want to come in?"

"That's OK dear. I just wanted to stop by and check in with you."

Patting his arm she comforted the best she could. Hiding her anger was harder. Audrey was fond of Lucky. He'd always been so good to Elizabeth and the boys. She felt what her granddaughter was doing to this poor young man, who had admittedly made some mistakes, was an injustice.

"God Audrey, how pathetic can I be? I'm the one that should be checking in on you." He whined ushering the older woman to take a seat on the sofa.

"No Lucky, we all grieve in our own way and I'm still holding on to hope that Elizabeth and the boy have somehow managed to get out before the bomb exploded." She tried to hint while still keeping her promise to her granddaughter.

"Audrey," Lucky gently chided, "I know that's what you need to believe right now but eventually you'll have to accept their gone." His gray eyes expressed the pity he felt for the older women's denial.

Audrey abruptly stood and started to clear away some of the trash, slightly irritated at how obstinate he was being when she was trying to offer him some hope.

"Audrey stop," Lucky's face flushed, "please you don't have to do that."

"Its fine Lucky, I want to help out and even more importantly I need to keep busy."

Lucky lunged for the older woman blocking her path as he gathered up more of the empties. "I can't let you do this. It makes me feel even more awful than I already do."

"Ok dear, I only wanted to help not make things worse." Patting his hand she worked up the nerve to offer some well-intentioned advice. "Maybe given your history, Lucky it's not such a good idea for you to be drinking so heavily?"

Hanging his head in shame, Lucky sighed. "I know it looks bad but I promise I won't let it get out of hand. I just needed a little help to get some sleep."

"Maybe you should go to a meeting? I can go with you or call your sponsor."

"I will, I promise." He easily lied dumping the empty bottles in the nearest garbage bin.

"That's good then," the older woman smiled encouragingly and started to make her way to the door. "Oh Lucky I almost forgot. I wanted to let you know that I've decided to take your advice and have a small memorial service at the hospital tomorrow for Elizabeth's' family and friends."

"Thank you Audrey, I know this wasn't an easy discussion for you especially since you haven't given up hope. Do you need any help with anything?"

"No dear, Epiphany and I have taken care of everything."

"Are you sure? It couldn't have been easy contacting everyone on such short notice."

Lucky once again shoved his hand deep into his pockets, not sure how to tactfully bring up the subject. "Where you able to reach Sarah and Stephen, or Elizabeth parents?"

"No, I didn't want to upset them until we had conclusive proof.." She tried once again to offer him a clue.

"Audrey, you need to tell them what's going on. They're her family they deserve to know their daughter and grandchildren-"

"They haven't even meat their grandchildren" Audrey interrupted firmly. "In fact they haven't been a part of Elizabeth life for a very long time. So does it matter if we wait until the investigation into their disappearance is at least completed." She offered up as a compromise.

"Audrey that could take months maybe even years," he replied exasperated by the older woman's need to cling on to hope.

"I'll tell you what, if they call to check in on Elizabeth, I will tell them the truth. Until then it can wait." she said firmly ending any further discussion on the matter.

"Ok." Lucky acquiesced not wanting to anger or upset the matron. "Have you had a chance to talk to Diane? You know, about what we discussed the other day?"

"Yes, I did and she said there was no reason to rush the paperwork. Unless some sort of definitive proof that they perished in that fire comes to light." she emphasized and couldn't understand why he was so certain they were gone, considering he himself had come back to life after his own death by fire. "Until then or at least until the investigation is complete. I have decided to wait before filing any motions."

Holding her breath, Mrs. Hardy waited hoping he would catch on to what she had been trying to say. Seeing that his mind was made up and he wasn't catching on to her subtle hints, she added disappointedly. "If you'd like, you're welcome to call Diane and check with her yourself."

"No, that won't be necessary." Lucky said sadly at his inability to get through to the older woman. "Thanks for coming by Audrey, and for taking care of the memorial."

"You're welcome dear." She said gently kissing him softly on the cheek, noting the smell of alcohol permeating from his skin. "You know I would do anything for Elizabeth and the boys. I also hope you realize that you're included in that list. Please call me if you need anything." "I will. Promise." But they both knew he was lying as Lucky ushered her to the door. "I'll see you tomorrow, I, umm… should probably come early and help set up?"

"That would be nice dear. I'll see you then."

After she left Lucky pulled out the packet he had hidden when Audrey started cleaning. Popping one of the little white pills into his mouth he reached for the closest bottle that still had some of the amber liquid to wash it down. Taking a deep breath he slumped down into the soft cushions and hoped he hadn't made a huge mistake.

Unbelievably alluring, a nymph emerging from her woodland home, Elizabeth seductively glided next to her husband, hand grasped firmly in his.

Her cloths were askew and stained. Her hair hung wildly in disarray; leaves, even some twigs, were caught in the tousled waves. Her damp luminescent skin shimmered enticingly under the warm sun. Her cheeks were flush, and her lips were impossibly red and swollen from his heated kisses. Her deep blue eyes sparkled brightly and Jason could not take his eyes off his enchantingly beautiful bride.

When they reached the house Jason slid his arms around her and drew her in. With his eyes piercing into hers slowly he lowered his mouth to hers, kissing her with such exquisite tenderness, it had her heart spilling from her chest.

Rubbing his cheek against hers he cupped her face and pressed his lips softly against her forehead. His eyes meet hers and held such raw emotion it brought tears to hers. "I love you Elizabeth" he whispered in a voice used only for her, "so much…." he paused swallowing hard, "and I.. sometimes I think.. I think it would be impossible love you any more than I do." His eyes raked over her face as he gently pulled a leaf from the thick waves and let if float to the ground. "Then I just.. I just see you and suddenly there's more. There's always more."

Elizabeth trembled at his words, the depth of feelings behind them. "Jason, it's the same for me. I love you more than I ever thought possible."

"I don't want to leave here and get so caught up in the drama of everyone else's lives, that you forget even for a second how much you mean to me."

"I won't, Jason I know that you have other priorities-"

"No, I don't. Not anymore. You and the boys are everything to me. OK? When things get crazy, please Elizabeth, hold on to that; you're all that matters."

"I will and I want you to know that I believe in you, and in us. No matter what happens, what obstacles get in our way or who tries to come between us we will work it out together."

"Together!" Jason declared vehemently locking his fingers with hers; he brought them up to his mouth, sealing it with a kiss.

"So, how are you going to get me and the boys up to Sonny's old pent house without being seen?"

With her hand still firmly in his Jason led her through the front door. "Well, I do have a plan, but I'm worried about how to make it OK for the boys."

Johnny sauntered into the home his sister inhabited with Sonny Corinthos. He felt cocky, self-assured and it showed in his grin. He truly hated the man almost as much as he hated his father. John couldn't understand Jason's total respect and loyalty to Sonny when it was obvious the Don did not reciprocate the same kind of sentiment to his partner.

He noticed his sister first. She stood at the bar pouring drinks for her and her husband. Turning she saw him standing just outside the door.

"John," she smiled in greeting, "I was wondering what happened to you. Where have you been?"

Johnny smirked as Sonny stiffened. He knew the older man hated that he was in his home. "Hey Claudia" he responded. "I just needed to get out of town and drive fast, clear my head."

"Is there a problem? Anything I can do to help?" His sister asked in concern.

"One thing," Johnny said meaningfully glaring at his brother-in-law.

"John, don't start." His sister said coolly not wanting to argue or upset her husband after everything she had been doing to sooth him. Though judging by his tense muscles and the fact that his teeth were grinding it was probably already too late.

"Sorry," he grumbled trying to hide his enjoyment. He was already getting to the older man.

The tension in the room was high. Wanting to defuse it, Claudia handed Sonny his drink, which he gulped down in one swallow. "Why don't we go outside and catch up? Or, I haven't eaten yet, we could go to the Grill?"

"Why, am I not welcome in your home?" He said antagonistically jutting out his chin in the Don's direction.

"What do you want, Johnny?" Sonny had had more than enough. Even though he was incredibly tired, he wasn't going to sit here and let this punk insult him in his own home.

"I just wanted to come here and visit with my sister." He said getting in the older man's face. "But from the second I walked in the door it has been pretty clear I'm not welcome."

"No, John you know that's not true. It's just that Sonny isn't feeling well and I tho-"

"I'm feeling well enough to take out a little punk like him if he doesn't start showing me some respect." Sonny puffed out his chest standing his ground.

"That's enough!" Claudia shouted getting in between the two shoving her brother back. "John, I don't know what your problem is but it seems to me you've had a chip on your shoulder since you walked in the door."

Sonny laughed. "Since he walked through the door, try ever since I've known him." Sonny stepped around his wife to nudge the younger man back.

Refusing to budge, Johnny blocked his move and shoved the older man in return. "You need to back off and get out of my face." Johnny warned.

"You want me out of your face, get out of my house!" Sonny yelled pushing back, humiliated that the kid had gotten the upper hand.

"Is that what you want Claudia?" Johnny demanded tuning his hot eyes on his sister. "Say it! Am I not welcome in your home?"

"Come on, let's go." Claudia said grabbing him by the shirt and pulling him toward the door.

"Don't bother", Johnny said shaking the hold his sister had. "Stay here and coddle your pathetic husband." Looking at the Don with all the loathing he could muster before storming out.

Chuckling to himself the young Zacchara got in his bold yellow car, and thought that had actually been kind of fun. He didn't hear the crash his sister made after her husband shoved her away from him into the bar. He didn't hear his screaming for her not to touch him. Nor his dire threats that 'she was his wife and she would be loyal to him, not to her whining brat of a brother or she would regret it.' He didn't see the dark malevolent gleam in his eyes as he stormed out, leaving his shocked and bruised wife crumpled on the floor.

Johnny drove away thrilled that he had gotten the better of one Mr. Sonny Corinthos, not realizing that his father's plans were working out just as the old devious bastard hoped.

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