Chapter 36

Jason was nervous and he hated the feeling. They were ready, had gone over their plans again and again until every detail was down. There was a contingency in place for every possible problem they could think of but what they hadn't thought of? That's what had Jason 'Stone Cold' Morgan completely freaked out.

Cody had provided the uniforms and "rented" a laundry van from the company who serviced the building. He would be following them in the Escalade at a safe distance. Jason knew Cody was good. The ex. Marine could think fast on his feet. Aside from Brian and Francis, he'd be the closest person to his family should something unforeseen arise. But Jason couldn't help feel it should be him, not Cody, with the responsibility. It wore on Jason, grinding his nerves.

It was decided a caravan pulling up to Harbor View would look too suspicious so the groom would take a different route through Port Charles. Besides Jason Morgan riding back into town on his bike could potentially draw too much attention. It had to be this way.

Francis and Brian were the best, he kept telling himself. The boys were comfortable with them and Jason trusted them with his life. Hell, he was entrusting these two men to keep safe what he valued most in this world.

Thinking back, the enforcer realized he hadn't been more than a few hundred yards from Elizabeth and the boys since Johnny brought him to them.

Holding on to Elizabeth's hand like it was his lifeline, Jason walked with her slowly to the van. Francis buckled Cameron into his car seat. Brian was playing with Jake waiting until the last minute before strapping him into his own car seat.

"OK, are you guy's ready for our big game of hide and seek?" Jason asked in an overly enthusiastic tone so they wouldn't pick up on how terrified he was.

"Yeah!" they both yelled excitedly in unison.

"Good. It's you boys and Mommy against me and my friend Spinelli. Do you remember him?" Jason asked.

Cameron nodded his head enthusiastically while Jake hesitated, looking at his big brother's response before joining in with his own head bob.

"Your mommy is going to find the best hiding place back in Port Charles and I'm going to count to 100 then I'm going to come looking for you guys. My friend Spinelli is already there so you have to make sure he doesn't see or hear you otherwise he gets to tell me where you're hiding. But Francis and Brian are going help you stay hidden so he won't." Reaching in the van he kissed Cameron on the crown of his head. "OK?" he asked making sure his oldest understood the rules. "It's not like our normal game but I think it will be even more fun."

Giggling Cameron clapped his hands and kicked his feet. "I'm ready let's go!"

"How about you Jake?" He said reaching for his younger son. "You ready?" he nuzzled into his neck causing him to squeal in delight.

"Go, go, go" he started chanting.

Handing his son back to Brian, Jason took his wife's hand and pulled her off to the side. Engulfing her into his arms he pleaded "Tell me it's going to be OK."

Cupping his face in her small hands, she soothed softly. "Jason, I love you and I'll see you in less than an hour."

"We don't have to go back?" he questioned hopefully, "let's just leave. Go to Italy, or New Zealand, somewhere, anywhere you want. Just you, the boys and me! Imagine how amazing-"

"Jason" she interrupted regretfully, "I love you but you know I can't." Her gentle eyes pleaded with him to understand. Hands running over his well-developed chest, "I can't just leave and let my family and friends think we're dead."

Sighing Jason lowered his forehead resting it against hers. "I knew you would hate the idea but I had to at least ask."

"I don't hate the idea in fact I think it's a great one. Only let's talk about it again after this is over."

"I'll hold you to that." he muttered pulling her in again, kissing her deeply. "Be safe!" he growled, unable to force himself to let her go quite yet.

"You don't have to worry about us. You know we'll be careful."

Leaning in Jason placed one last kiss on her temple and whispered softly, "Yes I do." Fighting the urge to pull her close again and never let go Jason stepped back, dragging his hand down to her wrist "I love you."

"I love you too," she whispered back. "Please be careful."

"I will," he promised quietly and forced himself to finally drop her hand. "I'll see you soon." He watched her walk away. Watched as she climbed into the van, he heard her excited tone as she addressed the boys followed by the loud slamming of the van door. Watched longingly as it slowly, safely pulled away and drove off into the night.

Fighting every screaming instinct he had to follow them, Jason mounted his bike and rode off in the opposite direction.

Stupid Francis! Elizabeth tried not to pout hunkered down with her boys underneath the dining room table. She smiled, not wanting to ruin their game. Seeing their bright, excited faces waiting patiently for Jason to come find them, Elizabeth figured she could be patient too.

"Come out; come out where ever you are." They heard Jason say from the adjoining room... he was getting closer... Jake giggled.

Elizabeth still couldn't believe Francis wouldn't let her tour the newly remodeled Penthouse. She'd barely seen the entryway before he had them in the dining room and hidden. At least her husband called letting them know he had arrived safely and was on his way up.

Considering the extended route he took though, she shuddered, worrying about the speeds he must have gone to get here so quickly.

The drive back to Port Charles had been uneventful and the time passed quickly while she played silly games with the boys to keep them occupied.

When they arrived at the Tower's garage Cody circled around and entered the building before them. He made sure it was secure and everything was in place to implement the state of the art security system the ex-marine helped set up (thanks to a Pentagon buddy).

Francis and Brian took their time helping Elizabeth and the boys climb into the laundry bin. Before covering them up the young mother made sure her children understood if they didn't want to get caught by Spinelli they need to be extra quiet.

The cart jostled them about making Cam and Jake giggle softly. Elizabeth shushed them as the wheels of the cart roll over the elevator gap. Soon the car would haul them up to the top floor. Her tension eased... but only for a second.

"HOLD IT!" An all too familiar voice screeched!

Elizabeth froze with alarm. Snuggled together, her boys saw their mother's eyes widen and mimicked her thinking they'd been discovered.

Cam whispered, "is it Spa'nelly?"

Shaking her head no, Elizabeth put her finger over her lips staying silent. The boys remained quiet as well.

"Sorry, we're full." Brian replied firmly.

Elizabeth knew there must be plenty of room in the elevator. She heard one of the guards pressing the close-door button. She smiled again when the doors quickly closed. In fact Elizabeth giggled at Sam being snubbed.

"Who was that mommy?"

"Nobody important. But we had to be quiet because she tends to close her mouth when she should speak up, and open it when she shouldn't."

"Oh" Cam looked confused.

Once in the pent house they popped out of the laundry bin like they were popping out of a birthday cake.

At first glance Elizabeth noticed the patio doors had been widened and a large arched window with decorative panels had been added. On each side there were two more, long narrower windows with the same decorative boarders as the arch.

The color scheme, as far as Elizabeth could tell, was neutral with pops of bold color. Elizabeth lifted the boys out, handing one to each guard as her eyes roamed the place. So far, so good, she thought.

Francis gave Cam to Brian, surprising Elizabeth when he easily lifted her out of the cart.

With a wide toothy grin he reminded her, "You promised you'd wait for Jason." Francis kept his hands on her waist.

"I hate waiting." Elizabeth muttered annoyed, craning her neck so she could see around him into the dining room. Her efforts afforded Elizabeth a glimpse of another large window, this one round with cool blues worked into the design.

"Oh, this I know all too well Lizzie." he laughed; his phone ringing kept him from commenting further. He answered, still holding Elizabeth in place with one hand while listening intently to the caller.

Francis bit his lip trying to contain his mirth, eyeing the bride, "We've been here all of 32 seconds. What took you so long?"

Even though he had taken a much longer route returning to Port Charles, Jason stopped across the street just in time to see the van entering the garage.

Letting out a sigh of relief at seeing they had apparently arrived safely, he pulled into a poorly lit slot between two of their trucks, so he could watch unobserved from a safe distance.

It had been a while since he worked with these two men, and he was impressed watching Brian and Francis in their Suds Your Duds uniforms take their time. Without being too obvious they assessed the area. When they unloaded the laundry cart Jason looked for any lumps or bulges that would indicate that they were carting anything other than laundry and was pleased when his eagle-eyes found nothing amiss.

Jason smothered his laughter when a shocked Sam rushed to the elevator only for it to shut abruptly in her face. He shook his head when she stamped her foot and pounded at the elevator door in frustration, before angrily jabbing her finger on the call button.

He knew her anger was only going increase as the elevator seemingly made several stops on the upper floors. Part of the new system Cody had installed gave his team complete control over the elevators: as in this instance while the elevator became an express to the 15th floor, it would appear to the casual and not so casual observer to make several stops before holding on the 8th floor.

In a hurry to be reunited with Elizabeth and the boys, Jason slipped around the corner and decided to take the back way up in the freight elevator.

Pressing the 15th floor Jason smiled when the elevator didn't respond, waving at the well-concealed security camera knowing that Cody was watching from his laptop. He picked up the phone and dialed the access code.

He was fascinated to see what appeared to be an emergency light turn green, placing his palm on the scanner he waited for it read his palm print.

So cool, Jason thought. Both thrilled and a little embarrassed by all the high tech stuff that made him feel like he was in one of those spy movies Spinelli love so much. He appreciated it though as this was the most advanced security system in existence and Jason was grateful for Cody and his all of military contacts.

A few seconds later the elevator opened up to his floor and he rushed out quickly, then down the back hall. Needing to see Elizabeth and the boys with his own eyes before he could feel at peace again, Jason sighed and reluctantly entered into his old apartment and was stunned by the disaster area he was meet with.

"Spinelli!" Jason roared.

Distracted by all the clutter he missed seeing the redhead seated on the couch. Diane turned to one of her favorite clients and chuckled at the shocked expression on his face.

"Hi Jason, welcome home," she greeting and then asked knowingly, "How was your weekend?'

"I owe you big time," was his muttered reply before the young hacker came barreling down the stairs.

"MASTER!" he yelled excitingly his arms opened wide, "you're finally home." He tried to hug his mentor but the older man stiff-armed him, holding him at bay.

"What the hell happened..." he started only to mentally shake himself thanking about his priorities. "Never mind" clutching the cyber geek's shirt, dragging him towards the door, "Let's go."

Dragging his feet, Spinelli rambled. "Stone Cold, I'm so sorry for your loss. If there is anything I can do to help find the evil doers-"

Leading him out the door and down the hall, with his amused litigator tailing behind, Jason barked, "Shut up Spinelli, and listen! I'll explain everything later but for now you need to play along and act excited. They don't know they're supposed to be dead. Understand?"

"Wh-? No, I don't under-" the confused Jackal sputtered only to be interrupted by his mentor who was already entering Sonny's old Penthouse.

"OK," Jason said in a singsong voice "where could everyone be?"

His tone shocked the young hacker into silence. His eyes bogged wide as he watched the enforcer peek around the corner. "Could they be in the kitchen?"

Spinelli's eyes widened even further! HAD HIS BELOVED MASTER GONE COMPLETELY INSANE? Had he dreamt up an imaginary family? Spinelli noticed Diane's patronizing smile. Was she playing along with this madness?

"Come out; come out wherever you are..."

Spin whipped his scrawny body around so fast he almost tripped when he heard a childish giggle. WAS HIS MASTER'S MADNESS CONTEGIOUS?

Tipping a chair to look behind it "No?" Jason sighed overly dramatic "How about behind the couch?" The big man lunged behind the oversized furniture and sadly heaved out another groan of disappointment.

Spinelli was horrified. Going to Jason feeling so much sorrow for his master, the young geek reached out to touch his shoulder in comfort when Jason moved suddenly to the dining room.

"I know." Jason said creeping up to the cloth-covered table. He lifted up the corner he gently said, "Boo."

The boys squealed loudly in delight. Elizabeth's laughter followed as she urged them forward. "Hurry, hurry get to base before he catches you."

One by one the Morgan family bolted out from under the table. They ran straight passed Spinelli who twirled around as each boy and one small woman went by. After the third twirl Spinelli took one more turn just as his eyes rolled up into his head and all the blood rushed from his face.

Diane could have sworn she heard him say "I see dead people" just before his body collided with the carpet.

Not noticing, Jason ran closely behind the boys giving them time to jump on the chair and yell "free!"

His wife wasn't so lucky. At the last second he hooked his arm around her waist. "Gotcha" he whispered huskily into her ear, as she leaned back against his warm strength.

"Way to go guys you won," Smiling roguishly at his wife he added, "Well except for your mommy, she was too slow."

Holding her close, breathing in her sent Jason felt his world steady once again. The boys laughed and applauded their own victory. In the periphery he could hear Diane's laughter.

Jason sent up a prayer of thanks that they were once again safe. Elizabeth, however, looked over to see Diane on her knees with Spin's head in her lap fanning him.

Breaking free, the nurse moved quickly to the downed pair and knelt next to them. The boys and Jason followed.

"What's wrong with him Jason?" Cam asked.

"He fainted, dear boy." Diane explained between giggles.

"Spinelli" Elizabeth said firmly while lightly slapping his cheeks. "Did he hit his head?" She asked Diane.

"I don't think so."

"Jason! Didn't you at least warn him first?"

He looked guilty. "No."

"The poor basta- Guy." Diane offered.

Just as he was coming around Elizabeth called out for Brian, to take the kids into their bedrooms, wherever they were. Dutifully he ushered the boys off before Spinelli woke up and said something to confuse or scare them.

Spinelli eyes finally focused.

"Are you OK?" Elizabeth asked, feeling his forehead.

The young man smiled and raised his hand to caress her cheek, "an angel... doest thou know thy beauty? Or are there no mirrors in heaven? Have they sent a friend to escort this humble servant to the much pondered pearly gates?"

Diane snorted. Spin arched his neck to look up seeing the other woman on whose lap his head still rested.

"Is the Jackal in heaven or in hell?" He asked the lawyer.

Elizabeth laughed when the lawyer stood up letting the kids head drop.

Spin sat up and let Jason pull him to his feet. He was still a little wobbly.

"You are alive." The genius said to Elizabeth in a most humble and heartfelt way.

Elizabeth could see tears brimming in his eyes. She touched his arm, "yes. Thank God."

The boys came running back, "mommy, mommy! It's so cool!" Brian tailed after them.

"Sorry Boss. They were so excited with their rooms."

"Boy's, boy's," Elizabeth schooled, "settle down. If Brian tells you something you have to listen to him."

Jason scooped up the excited tots and plopped down on the couch with them. Spinelli looked on in amazement. It was a thing of wonder. He wiped his eyes quickly so no one would see his tears. Elizabeth's heart broke for him. She knew Spinelli was a gentle soul. Jason should have braced him.

"So did you guys like this game of hide and seek?" Jason asked still worried they might have been scared.

"Yep," Cam bounced on his knees slightly "We hid really, really good."

"You sure did I almost didn't find you." He kissed them. "Francis." Jason called out.

"Here." Francis emerged silently in from the balcony, eyeing the scruffy kid. He was still pale. Max had a lot to say about 'the geek' both good and bad.

Focusing on Diane, Jason asked, "Where's Max?"

Rolling her eyes she grumbled, "Drooling over the new security system."

"You have to admit, it's pretty cool." Jason said quietly

That snapped The Jackal back, "New security system? Here? Installed under my grieving nose?"

"Boys and their toys." She huffed knowing that Max would probably be busy with it for quite some time, which meant her plains for the evening would have to wait.

"Cam, Jake, do you remember our friend Spinelli?" Elizabeth asked regarding the young cyber virtuoso.

"Hi." Cameron said quietly burrowing further into Jason's side, as Jake stared at him stoically with his father's same piercing pale blue eyes.

"Hel...Um... H..." The Jackal sputtered out still in awe.

Standing closest to him, Elizabeth wasn't sure if he was tongue tied about them being alive or the new security system. The way he was watching Jason, though, she thought it might be at the total and complete change in his master's demeanor. She had to admit Jason seemed really... happy.

"Jaason?" Cameron asked in his sweetest voice, "can please we play the game again?"

The enforcer smiled kissing the youngster's curly brown locks. "Not tonight buddy. It's almost bed time." Grinning knowingly at Elizabeth he asked, "how about we go show Mommy your new rooms?"

"Yes!" Elizabeth jumped excitedly startling Spinelli. "Sorry, I haven't seen the Penthouse yet." She explained.

"Nor I..." Spin trailed feeling left out.

Jake ran up to her as the family got off the couch. Elizabeth picked him up. Smiling at her young son she swayed her hips back and forth. "Well, come on," tugging on Jason hand, "I think we've dilly dallied long enough I'm dying to see what you've done to this place. Good to see you again Spinelli."

"The pleasure, nay the indescribable joy is all mine." If Elizabeth's hand had been free, he would have kissed it.

Letting Elizabeth pull him up, Jason teased, "I'm surprised you haven't already at least peaked." He laughed at his wife impatiens.

"You got here too fast," she scowled at her old friend who stood grinning back at her. "Plus Francis wouldn't let me."

Kissing her irritated brow, Jason turned to Cam. "I'll race you to the top." The young boy took off on the spot.

Jake kicked his little feet letting his mother know he wanted down and then ran after his big brother as soon as they hit the ground. Jason let them both get a head start before pulling Elizabeth up the stairs.

"I'll talk to you guys after we get the boys settled." The enforcer said as an afterthought just before they disappeared.

Agape Spinelli watched his Master act almost, well, almost child-like. He tried to remember if he had ever witness such a sight before. Dazedly he decided that, while he had seen him amused at times, usually by his own antics, he had never seen or heard Jason's out right joyous laughter before. He was happy for his mentor and couldn't wait to hear how all this had come to be.

But first things first... he eyed the two tall, muscular laundrymen and The Brusque Lady of Justice. How was he going to encourage one of these lovely yet intimidating people to escort him to Max's security lair?