A/N – Thanks for the reviews! Kikimoo – True re: Sonny! * doralupin86 – I'll try to get that to you. * Gabby1 – Unfortunately, things are going to pick back up… You know I like the drama. * lrobinson01, Twisted Musalih, LiasonLuv - The next few chapters will be interesting with Claudia. That's all I'll say. * butterflyliz – Sorry but it won't be really soon cause I don't want to rush it like the first time. Will have more JoMax goodness after some of the drama dies down.

Chapter 37 – Crashers

The next day, Jason got some information from Spinelli on the whereabouts of Julian and Ava.

"What do you want to do?" Johnny asked.

Jason thought for a moment. Elizabeth wouldn't be safe until he dealt with them. He didn't want to take a chance. It was bad enough that Javier was threatening to get revenge for his brother's death.

"I'm going to Florida." Jason said calmly. "This needs to end now."

Johnny nodded. "I'm going with you."

"No, I'll take Francis. I need you to watch over Liz for me."

Johnny was disappointed. "What if Hannah stays?"

Jason thought for a moment. "I don't really know Hannah."

"But I do and between her and Francis, Liz will be fine. I think you need me in Florida."

Jason sighed. Johnny was really good at what he did. He was torn. Hannah had come through for them, for sure. And Francis was right there with Johnny as far as being a good shot.

"May I make another suggestion?"

Jason nodded.

"Let's bring Cody too."

Cody was a great tracker and he was really old school with his methodology.

"Okay, we'll leave today. Call Hannah and Francis."

Johnny smiled. "You got it boss." He said walking out of Jason's office.

Jason sat down for a minute. He wasn't sure how Liz was going to take it. She had the day off, so he headed back to the penthouse.

IiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIi

Liz looked up from her sketchpad. "Hey, what are you doing back so soon?"

Jason walked over to the couch and sat down next to her.

"You don't look too happy."

"It's because I have to leave town for a few days."

Liz put the pad down. Suddenly, she felt a little anxious. "Business?"

Jason nodded.

"I'm not sure how I feel about that."

Jason took her hand and their fingers entwined. "I have to do this so we'll all be safe."

Liz nodded.

"Hannah and Francis are going to guard you."

Liz smirked. "So Hannah is staying?"

"For now. Johnny and Cody are coming with me."

"When are you leaving?"

"In about an hour."

Liz was quiet for a moment. She hadn't expected the short notice.

Jason pulled her closer. "I love you Elizabeth. I wouldn't leave you if it wasn't 100% necessary."

She looked up at him and Jason kissed her gently before deepening it.

"Do we have time?" She said looking up at him with want.

Jason smiled and stood up and picked her up. "I'll make time."

They headed upstairs and spent what little time he had left making love.

IiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIi

Jason paused at the door and looked back at Liz one more time. She ran towards him and he caught her in his arms as they kissed feverishly. Slowing it down, he kissed her tenderly; trying to memorize the touch and feel of her mouth. "I'm really going to miss that." He said softly.

"Me too. Please be safe." She said kissing him one more time.

Jason nodded and walked out. Liz wasn't sure why she had a really bad feeling but she felt like begging him to not go. Throwing open the door, she ran out towards the elevator, but Jason was already gone.

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Spinelli knocked on the penthouse door. Francis opened it and peeked inside when Liz didn't answer quickly. She finally came around the corner from the kitchen wiping her hands on a towel.

"Do I smell brownies?" Francis asked.

Liz grinned. "Yup. I'll bring you a couple when I finish. Hello Spinelli."

"Greetings Magnificent one."

They walked over to the couch and sat down.

"What's up?"

"The Priestess and I have made some headway on the search for your missing parental ones."

Liz smiled. "Oh good. What did you find?"

"Well, I narrowed down the list of birth mothers. I wanted to see if you recognized any of them."

Liz perused the list and frowned. "Nothing sounds familiar. Sorry." She said handing it back.

"I guess we'll just have to go A to Z and see what we find out."

Liz was a little bummed. She really wanted to have a sense of family around her. It was something that she really missed.

Spinelli could tell that she looked sad. "Don't worry. I will not give up."

"Thank you Spinelli."

She walked him to the door and opened it. Francis was talking to some woman.

"Can I help you?" Liz asked curiously.

"No, it's okay. I'll just talk to Jason when he gets back."

"I'm Elizabeth." She said holding out her hand.

The woman sheepishly smiled. "I'm Delores."

Liz's heart dropped. "It's nice to meet you."

"Just tell Jason I came by okay?"

Liz nodded. "I will."

She watched her walk away and get into the elevator and Liz looked up at Francis.

"I have no idea why she wants to see Jason. But, you really have nothing to be worried about."

"He loved her."

"Emphasis on the word loved….." Francis said smiling.

Liz smiled back and then went back inside, wondering if Delores was going to be a problem. She spun around when the door flung open again. Maxie came barreling inside carrying a bag.

"Maxie?"

Tears were streaming down her face. "Oh my God, I need you right now. I'm freaking out."

Liz pulled her over to the couch. "Talk to me."

"This morning I was looking at my calendar while I worked on the new Cartullo fashion layout spread for Kate, because I needed to re-schedule an appointment. And all of a sudden it hit me that I'm late. I just don't understand because we're always so careful and I'm on the pill and we use condoms. I mean, I take birth control really seriously." She said before taking the tissue out of Liz's hand. "And it's all I could think of all day. I just can't be pregnant. We're not ready for that. I'm not ready for that. What am I going to do?" She said with a sob.

Liz was shocked. "Okay, take some deep breaths Maxie. Is there a test in the bag?"

She nodded.

"Then let's go upstairs. You need to know one way or another."

Maxie followed her up to the room and Liz sat on the bed and waited.

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Claudia picked up her phone and listened. "Interesting." She said smiling. Ending the call she fiddled with her phone for a minute thinking about her next move. Grinning, she dialed. "Yes, I need a flight to Florida as soon as you can make it happen."

If she was going to get to Jason, she was going to have to do it when he was away from Elizabeth. This was her perfect chance.

IiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIi

Jason waited on the plane. He called Francis to see if Elizabeth was alright.

"You know that you just left, right?" Francis said smirking. He knew that Jason was whipped but he hadn't expected a call so fast.

"Can it Corelli. How's my girl?"

"She's okay. Spinelli stopped by for a few minutes ago and Maxie is with her right now. You had a visitor that she met as well."

Jason frowned. "Who?"

"Well…."

"Francis just tell me."

"It was Delores."

"What?" Jason said in shock. "Did she say what she wanted?"

"No. She said to tell you that she'd stopped by and that she'd catch up with you when you got back."

Jason sighed. "Was Liz upset?"

"I think she was taken aback. But, I told her that she didn't have anything to worry about. That is true right?" Francis asked. Because if Jason hurt Elizabeth, he might have to break protocol and kick his ass.

"I'm in love with Elizabeth. What I had with Delores is over and it was her fault."

"Just checking."

"We're about to take off."

"Any messages."

Jason smiled. "Tell her that I miss her already."

Francis chuckled. "You're so mushy now. You're losing your edge."

"Please. I could still take your ass out without blinking."

"On what planet?" Francis said smiling. "Besides, Liz would kick your ass."

"Probably." Jason said smiling. "Talk to you later."

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Maxie left the stick on the counter and then went and sat next to Liz. "This is going to be the longest 3 minutes of my entire life. Well, there was also the time when Mac caught me in my bedroom with my boyfriend, and after he chased him out of the house with a gun, he just stared at me for several minutes not saying anything and it freaked me the hell out.

Liz grinned.

"Maxie, I know you're scared right now, but you have to know that if it's positive that John will be there for you."

"I know. It's me really. I'm scared. You haven't really known me for that long, but I'm selfish and impulsive. I'm not really sure that I'd be a good mom."

Liz sighed. "I think about that but I think we both know what not to do right?"

Maxie nodded.

"So, to me, as long as we avoid that we should be fine."

"You have a point."

The alarm went off on her phone. "Can you look for me?"

Liz nodded. She went inside the bathroom and looked down and then came back out and sat next to Maxie. "It's negative."

Maxie squealed and started jumping up and down as Elizabeth laughed.

"Tell me how you really feel." Liz said grinning.

"I don't even know how I can thank you for sitting through this with me."

"Are you going to tell Johnny?"

Maxie's eyes grew big. "Hell no. But, he'll be wearing full body condoms for the rest of our relationship."

Liz laughed again. "That is a scary visual."

Maxie grinned. "I think I need a drink. I'm going to go but thank you so much and if this ever happens to you, call me."

Liz grinned. "You bet."

She watched Maxie run out of the room and then went back downstairs.