A/N – Thanks for the comments and your patience. Happy New Year!

Chapter 36

Jason opened her door and then led her inside where they were promptly seated

. "You want an appetizer?"

She shook her head. "No, because then I'll be too full to eat my ribs."

After a few minutes of perusing the menu, she chose her items and he did as well.

"This is definitely going to hit the spot."

They held hands while they waited. He never felt more relaxed than when she was around him. When she bit into her rib and got sauce on her face, he couldn't help but grin at how cute she looked.

"I have sauce everywhere, don't I?"

"Uh huh."

She bit into it again. "So good."

He smiled, thinking about how much she was going to need those carbs and proteins for what he had planned later.

When she licked her lips one more time and wiped her face, he was just about ready to take her on the table. How could eating ribs be so sexy unless of course it was just that she made him incredibly horny?

He asked for the check.

"No dessert?"

"You can have it at our next destination."

"Okay."

He paid and then grabbed a bag from the waitress and then led Liz back to the car.

IiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiI

She laughed when she realized where they were. "Seriously?"

"Oh yeah." He looked like a predator as his eyes raked up and down her body.

Quickly, she escaped the confines of the car, only to be roughly pushed against it as he fisted her hair and kissed her while he began to grind his hips into her.

"Jason," she moaned.

His lips lifted from her neck. "Let's go."

They rushed up the stairs and she quickly let them into the studio where she was shoved against the door. Her feet weren't even touching the floor as he wantonly sucked on her tongue. His hands were everywhere, squeezing, flicking, and pinching, making her moan his name as he got her hot and bothered.

Suddenly, he pulled back and her feet touched the floor as Jason began to remove her clothes, only stopping to briefly kiss her exposed skin before moving on.

When she was naked, shuddering in front of him, he took an extra, long moment to scan her creamy skin. "Beautiful."

"Jason..."

He put his finger to his mouth and then ripped off his shirt, prompting her to propel herself into his arms as she moved her lips and tongue over his muscles while she undid his zipper.

"Elizabeth…"

She ignored his whine as she shoved his pants down, only to abandon her quest when she saw the tent in his underwear. Reaching out, she freed him, causing Jason to moan as her hand tightened around him. Curiously, she traced his head with her fingertip before running it down his shaft, making him curse under his breath. When she suddenly flicked her tongue out and brushed against his ridge, his hand gripped her hair as he moaned. Not only was it empowering, knowing she could bring him to his knees, but she wanted to please him like he had pleased her their first time.

Even though she didn't' know what to do, she used her imagination as she slid it into her mouth noting the texture.

Jason hissed, overwhelmed by the sensations she was creating. When she pulled back again, he grabbed her and pulled her up so she was flush against him.

"Did I do it wrong?"

"Hell no. It felt so good."

She smiled. "You can teach me what you like."

He licked her bottom lip before nipping on it. "I liked everything"

She blushed as he began to touch her again. God, she wanted to feel like she had felt the first time again.

He lifted her, carrying her to the bed before carefully lowering her. "What do you want, baby?" She blushed and moved closer. "It turns me on when you tell me."

"Touch me," she said softly.

"Where?"

Her hips slightly bucked. "Everywhere."

His lips crushed hers and then his tongue swept across them and then dipped inside when she suddenly gasped because he pinched her nipple. His hips grinded against her center, making her groan and move against him. After kissing his way down her body, his mouth brought her almost to the edge before he suddenly pulled back as she protested.

Her eyes were half shut as she watched him put on a condom. "What do you want?"

His eyes were dark and full of passion as he hovered over her. "Tell me."

Her body jerked as she react to his intensity. "You—inside me."

"Slow or hard."

She took a languid breath almost coming on the spot. "Hard."

Before she could blink, he was fully encased as she stretched around him. "Jesus, Elizabeth," he groaned as he buried his head next to her. Her heels dug into his ass as she pulled him in further. Lightly, her finger traced down his back and he shuddered as he tried to maintain control. Finally, he started to move with long strokes as Liz arched her back. When he quickened his pace, she started to match his thrusts as he thundered inside of her, shaking her breasts with every pump. Jason watched as her mouth dropped open and her eyes fluttered shut. God, she was beautiful.

"Harder," she moaned.

He gritted his teeth and snapped his hips forward, bottoming out as her body trembled.

"Oh God, Jason!" she yelled. It was almost too much. "Make me come!"

He growled as she almost erased his resolve and he slammed into her with quick strokes as she screamed his name.

"Fuck!" he muttered as she tightened around his shaft right before she cried out again. That was it. He groaned out his release as he continued to thrust until he was spent.

Her legs dropped to the bed and he rolled onto his side. "That was incredible."

He kissed her brow. "I love you, baby."

She smiled. "I'll never get tired of hearing that. I love you too."

The kissed languidly and then cuddled up for a long while.

IiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiI

Johnny threw down a card. "I swear you're cheating."

Epiphany smirked. "You are a sore loser."

A growl filled the room and Piph laughed as did Jason who was standing in the doorway.

Johnny's eyes narrowed as he took in the relaxed enforcer who was almost glowing, another reminder that his girl was gone—smug bastard.

"Face it, you suck," Jason said before walking into the room.

"Asshole."

Epiphany grinned. "You're kind of cute when you pout," she said as she stood.

Johnny's head tilted.

"You're not the only one who knows how to flirt."

Jason grinned.

"You're zippers undone."

Jason reached down as their gaze met and Piph laughed as he scoffed.

"Hmmm. You look pretty hot when you're pissed off too. Is that a requirement in your business?"

"Are you hitting on my man?" Liz asked, pretending to be mad.

"What? I can look and aren't you just glowing."

Liz turned red, making Johnny chuckle.

"Don't be embarrassed."

"I'm not."

Piph squeezed her hand and whispered, "I'm glad that you're happy."

"Me too."

"I'll walk you out," Jason said.

"Oh, no you won't. I don't trust you," Liz said playfully.

"Damn."

She left and Jason sat next to the bed.

"You do look really happy Jason."

"I am."

"Good. Siobhan is having a hard time, but she'll be back late tomorrow night. You think you can pick her up at the airport?"

"Definitely. She can stay here and I'll make a big breakfast in the morning."

"Thank you."

"That's what friends are for."

Liz entered the room. "What's going on?"

"Siobhan comes back tomorrow night and we are picking her up at the airport."

Liz smiled. "Awesome."

"You just want to get rid of me."

"Never."

Jason muttered something and then left the room.

Johnny took her hand. "Thanks for making him so happy. I was beginning to give up hope that he'd find someone."

"There are no words for how I feel for him."

"When I got shot, all I could think of is how hurt Siobhan would be if I died and how much I would miss out on. I want everything with her."

Liz slightly smiled, loving that she got to see a side to these big tough men that most people didn't get to see. She squeezed his hand. "Does that mean you'll be starting a family sooner than later?"

Johnny grinned mischievously. "I plan on knocking her up on our wedding night."

Liz laughed. "That's a good plan."

Downstairs, Jason heard a loud knock on the door and got up, wondering who it could be this late.

"AJ?"

His brother pushed past him. "What—how did you do it?"

Jason studied him for a moment. The bags under his eyes were indication that he was stressed and tired. "Have a seat."

AJ sunk into a chair.

"Carly screwed up. She found out some information about Brenda, that she had Sonny's baby, and revealed it at the ball."

AJ's eyes grew big. "Holy shit."

"Yeah. Before that, that she went after Elizabeth and wrote to her parents and they came to town because of it. I was pissed, but I didn't tell her that I knew."

AJ thought for a moment. The Jason he knew wouldn't let that slide. Clearly, he probably had done something so Carly would hang herself. "And the papers?" Diane had faxed them to him and he was shocked.

"I made her sign them."

"Jason…"

"It's what you deserve. She has hung the fact that she had primary custody over your head for too long. You've proved yourself and you're way more stable than her."

"Wow." AJ was so bewildered that Jason actually smiled.

"Michael is at the mansion. Sonny is dealing with Brenda, so we thought it was better for him not to be around all that drama."

AJ's brow rose as he watched Jason chuckle since the Q's come with their fair share of drama too.

"Are you taking him home with you tomorrow?" Jason asked.

"Yeah. I have a big meeting in two days and then we're going to take him to Disney World."

"He'll love that."

"He's going to miss his mom. Is she still alive?"

Jason nodded. "She's at a ranch where she can get some therapy."

"I don't know if there are that much meds in the world that will change her."

"True, but she knows that if she doesn't get it together, she'll lose Michael."

AJ slowly stood. "I don't know how to thank you."

"Just take care of him and be a good dad."

AJ moved closer. "I don't deserve this, but I'm grateful." He would always feel guilty for the accident. The fact that Jason would do this for him was almost overwhelming.

Jason shifted as watched the emotions play out on his brother's face. He didn't hate AJ. They were past what happened and he was just glad that AJ had gotten his life together. His brother was thriving in New Jersey and had started a new life for himself. Without warning, AJ's arms were around him.

"I love you, Jason. You believing in me, means everything to me."

Liz watched with tears in her eyes.

Jason's arms lifted and he wrapped them around his brother. They had never hugged before and while that was sad in a way, he was just glad that they had come this far. As they pulled apart, he spoke. "I never thought that I'd care about you after the accident, but I do."

"I know we haven't been close, but I'd like to change that—on your terms of course."

"I would like that."

"I'll text you a picture of Michael from time to time."

Jason slightly smiled. "Sounds good."

AJ saw Liz and smiled. "Hey."

Liz moved closer. "Hey. It's good to see you." She gave him a warm hug.

"Thanks."

"How is Bridget?"

"As beautiful as ever. I told her that you were fan and she's looking forward to meeting you at Christmas."

Liz's eyes lit up. "She's coming for Christmas?"

"Yeah. I tried to warn her about the family, but she insisted."

"Make sure you feed her first," Jason said, making him chuckle.

"I will. Well, I'm going to go see my family. I'll keep him safe. I promise."

"I know you will."

He left and Liz snaked her arms around Jason. "You okay?"

"Yeah." He realized the importance of what had just happened and felt really at peace with it. "Are you okay?" No matter what she said, he knew that her situation with her family hurt her.

"I'm fine. I don't think about them much anymore. You're a good distraction."

He kissed the top of her head. "We found them." Her body jerked and she pushed off of him as her eyes searched his and her hands settled on his chest.

"Where?"

"Seattle. They were trying to lay low."

Their gazes were locked as Liz pondered the implications.

"Elizabeth…"

"I'm fine. I knew this was coming."

"It doesn't make it any easier. I can't—"

"I know." She knew that he couldn't let it go and needed to deal with them. "I just don't want to be like them."

"You aren't."

Her eyes welled with tears. "I hate them for what they did. I lost my Grams because of their stupid greed and I know they need to pay."

"But?"

"I don't know. Part of me wishes that they would be put in prison, but I have no proof. So…"

"You don't have to decide tonight. We know where there are and I trust my guys."

"I'll agree to you dealing with them if you let me talk to them first."

The back of his hand brushed against her face.

"I don't know if that's a good idea."

"I need to do it so I can let them go. Please. I'll be fine."

He wasn't sure she'd ever be fine, especially if she agreed that they needed to die. "I'm not going to tell you what I ultimately do. Will you be okay with that?"

She nodded. There was no way she wanted to know and the fact that he tried to protect her so much, really made her feel so loved. No matter what happened, Jason was the best thing that had ever happened to her. Elizabeth Hardy was finally healing and there was no way she would let the Webbers bring her down.

He sighed and then pulled her closer. "I hate that we even have to deal with this. I don't like it when you're sad."

They heard a crash from upstairs and Jason quickly ran up the steps and into Johnny's room. "What the hell?"

Johnny was on the floor on his knees. "Sorry."

"Dammit Johnny, why didn't you ring the bell?"

"You told me not too."

"Since when do you listen to me?" Jason pulled him up. "Lean on me. Did you already go?"

"Yeah."

Liz pulled back the sheets and Johnny sat back and closed his eyes. "What did you hurt?"

"My pride."

"Can I get you anything?"

"Pain pill."

"Wus," Jason said before going to get him some more water.

Liz fussed around him until Johnny grabbed her arm.

"I'm fine."

"No, you're not. Please don't get up again without ringing the bell."

"Okay."

Her eyes were full of tears.

"What's wrong? I don't think those are for me."

She wiped at her face. "I'm sorry. I just—"

"Your family?" He had gotten the report.

She nodded. "You are my family now and I need you to be careful okay?"

"Okay."

Her lower lip quivered.

"Come here."

She sat on the bed next to him and Johnny pulled her towards him and gave her a hug.

Jason shook his head as he walked inside and put the water down. "Can't leave the room for five seconds and you're already hugging on my girl."

Johnny grinned. "She gives nice hugs."

Liz wiped her face. "You are bad."

Jason handed him the pill. "Did you get him to tell you how bad he just hurt himself?"

She shook her head and then checked the bandage. "You're bleeding."

Jason retrieved the first aid kit and Liz took off the bandage and cleaned the wound and then replaced it.

"Get some rest," she said softly.

She grabbed Jason's hand and led him out the room, feeling exhausted.

"I think you need to sleep too."

"Will you lay down with me?"

"Of course."