A/N – Thanks for the comments! Glad you liked it! It's my 18th anniversary on Sunday. Time flies!

Chapter 37 - Caution

Jason walked into his shop and smiled. "It's nice."

"I knew you would like it," Edward said. He showed Jason around for a bit and then Coleman arrived.

"This is a great setup," he said looking around. "You already have a lot of tools too."

"Whatever you don't have, you just let me know," Edward said.

"You're already done so much," Jason said.

"That's okay, I like doing this for you."

They sat down in the waiting area. There are two leather couches and a coffee table that has several magazines on it.

"So Coleman, what do you think about being part of the team?" Edward asked.

"I like the sound of it and Jason is a cool guy. It seems like we could work well together."

"I agree," Jason said.

"Edward passed some numbers by me and they were fair. I'd like to take you up on the offer." He had been looking for a place to settle down for a while now.

Edward passed Jason a piece of paper so he could read the figures.

"Well, welcome to Torque," Jason said standing up and holding out his hand.

Coleman shook it.

"There's something you need to know," Jason said.

They sat.

"What's going on?" Coleman could feel the tension coming from Jason.

"There's a man that is after my girlfriend. He's dangerous and as a result, he might be after me as well. Sonny is trying to handle it for me, but you should know that they could target me or try to ask you some questions."

Coleman looked from Johnny to Edward and then back at Jason. "Did he hurt her before?"

"Yes." Jason really didn't want to tell him what happened unless it was absolutely necessary. It was Elizabeth's history, not his.

"What does this asshole look like?"

Johnny got his phone out and showed him a picture.

"He even looks like a piece of shit," Coleman said before handing it back.

"If he approaches you, play it cool and you know nothing about her or where she is living okay?" Johnny said.

"Okay. He won't hear a thing from me."

"Thank you Coleman," Jason said gratefully. "Also, the receptionist, her father is scum and might try to hurt her as well." Jason showed him a picture.

"What the hell? I know him."

The other men were shocked.

"How?" Johnny asked.

"He has a bike. I fixed it when I lived in Jersey."

"Did he live around there?"

"No. He was just passing through. He said he was in adult films and asked if I'd be interested."

Edward grimaced.

"I turned him down and he went his way. Is that why he wants her?"

"Yes. I don't want to say more. If she wants you to know, she'll tell you."

Coleman understood. The man was a pig. This was more than he was bargaining for, but he owned a gun and would bring it to work. It wouldn't hurt to have some protection there.

They talked shop for a while and then Jason and Johnny headed back to the Towers.

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Jason walked in and stopped and sniffed.

Liz and Carly were laughing and they both looked up at him.

"Hey Jase," Carly said.

"Hi Carly."

"You're just in time. I think I missed a spot," she said holding up a bottle of fingernail polish.

Liz laughed. "Yeah babe, come do my other foot."

Jason looked constipated as they laughed at his expression.

"How did it go at the shop?"

"Good. Coleman took the job."

"That's great news."

There was a knock on the door. Jason turned around and opened it. "Steven."

Steven pushed past him. "We need to talk."

Liz sighed and Carly wondered what the hell was going on.

"Can I speak to my sister alone please?"

"No," Jason said.

"Excuse me?" Steven said.

"If you have a problem with us, then I'm staying."

"This is between me and Elizabeth."

Jason didn't budge. "Look, I'm not going to let you try and bully her into doing what you want her do."

Steven was pissed. "If you would have kept your hands off of little my sister, we wouldn't be having this conversation."

"Woah," Carly said standing up. "They are adults that happen to be in a relationship. What's your problem?"

"It's not of your business Caroline. Don't you have a car to key or something?"

Carly smack him hard. "Do not ever come in here again and disrespect me," she said before storming upstairs.

"That was so rude and uncalled for," Liz said to her brother.

"Maybe I overstepped," Steven said rubbing his cheek.

"If you think she hits hard, say something else stupid," Liz said crossing her arms defiantly.

Steven plopped down on the couch. "I'm sorry. Can't you see how worried I am about you?"

"I'm fine Steven. In fact, I'm better than I have been in a long time."

"Liz a month ago—let's just say you weren't in the best place. Do you really think that jumping into a relationship with Jason is a good thing?"

"A month ago, I thought my rapist had driven me crazy and that I was hallucinating his existence. Jason is the best thing that has happened to me in—like—forever. You should be thanking him, not trying to keep us apart."

Steven was quiet for a moment. "You're different."

"I am. I feel more confident, like I can finally breathe without feeling pain. You have no idea what I went through: how damaged I felt. I never thought that someone would ever love me." She moved towards Jason and took his hand. "He makes me feel whole. I wake up excited to start my day instead of dreading that I am alive. I was hurting for so long. Please don't try to ruin this for me. Jason and my art are everything. If you love me Steven, you'll let me live my life the way I see fit. I'm not a little girl anymore."

"Clearly."

"So, do you think you can do that?" She held her breath. Having him in her corner meant a lot to her and she hoped he wasn't going to disappoint her.

"Before I answer that, I love you. I want you to be happy. Do you understand why I would be wary of this relationship?"

"Yes, but I'm trying to tell you that I'm doing just fine, better than I have been for years."

"Okay. I'll try to deal."

"Really?"

Steven walked towards them and then hugged his sister. "Really. Now, can you go get Carly?"

Liz stepped back. "Only if you promise to play nice."

Steven nodded. He waited until he heard her open the bedroom door before he addressed Jason. "If you hurt her—she is so vulnerable. You can see that, can't you?"

"I am too. I love her and would do anything for her."

"You were quite the ladies man before."

"Steven, that was partly due to the accident. Besides, my reputation was far worse than the truth. I didn't go that crazy." A lot of the time, he was hooking up with the same person. It wasn't like he just slept with random women every night. He was too tired from fighting to do that anyway.

"Have you been tested?"

Jason turned slightly red. "Yes. I'm fine and I haven't been with anyone since then."

"Alright, be good to her or I will bring Audrey down on you so fast, you won't know what hit you."

If Audrey was anything like Lila, then Jason knew he'd probably be in trouble.

Liz and Carly entered the room.

"Carly, I'm sorry. I went too far and I shouldn't have insulted you."

"Thank you Steven. I'll think about forgiving you."

"I guess I deserve that. I have to get back to hospital."

He hugged Liz before leaving and Jason sat down. Liz slid onto his lap. There were so many things he wanted to say to her, just not in front of Carly. Getting the hint, she went into the kitchen.

"Thank you for fighting for us."

"I will always fight to be with you."

"I feel the same way."

Jason kissed her gently, savoring their connection as Elizabeth returned it eagerly.

Carly walked into the room and cleared her throat. "Nice form."

They both jumped and looked up at her.

"Don't mind me."

Johnny knocked and then walked in. "Yo. Hey Carly."

She smiled. "Hey, Johnny."

"I just wanted you to know that I will be unavailable tonight. We decided to question the asshole who was looking for you." Sonny was tired of Tom playing games with them.

"I have something for you," Carly said before retrieving a letter from her purse.

Johnny took it and smiled. "Thanks. I'll talk to you later." He wanted to go read his letter from Nicole before he began the torture session.

Jason read his book while Liz and Carly finished their toenails. They ended up ordering a pizza for dinner and sat around watching movies. When it was time for bed, everyone went their separate ways.

He had just closed his eyes when he heard his door open.

"Are you still awake?" Elizabeth asked.

"Yes."

"Can I sleep with you?"

Jason fought a moan. "Do you practice what you're going to say to torture me?"

Liz grinned and didn't bother waiting for an answer. She slipped in beside him and threw her arm across his body. "Much better."

Jason smiled and covered them up. "Goodnight baby."

"Night."

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Jason woke up first. Liz is half splayed across his body and he can't help but feel good, wishing every morning will be like this. He laid there a half hour before she started to stir.

Her eyes flittered open and then locked with his. The corners of her mouth turned up. "Comfy."

"I'm glad I can help."

She climbed completely on top of him, pausing for a second before sliding off and heading to the bathroom, not even realizing the affect she had on him.

Jason sat up and started thinking about his day. There was a soft knock on the door.

"Come in."

Johnny stood in the doorway. "We need to talk."

"Without Liz?"

"For now."

He got up and followed Johnny, stopping to use Liz's bathroom on the way.

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Jason and Johnny headed to the kitchen where Jason started to cook.

"Tom is set on getting to her. He's working with a lot of mercs and is somewhere remote. The man seemed to think that was going to change soon."

"So, he's probably coming to town. We'll have to be extra careful."

"The guy didn't know that much. Tom is purposely keeping his minions in the dark."

"At least he thinks I'm living at Jake's."

"For now, but I'm afraid that he'll still look here because of Steven."

Jason sighed. "What now?"

"We wait. Sonny has sent his picture to all the mobsters and connections he could think of, hoping that if they see him they'll grab him."

Liz is standing in the doorway listening. Both men finally sense her presence and look up.

"You hungry?" Jason asks.

"Yeah."

Johnny watches her sit. "Sorry, but you're going to have to stay here for a while."

"I'll live. Cris wants to meet up with me. Can you make that happen?"

"Yes. He'll have to be smuggled in though. Give me his number and I'll arrange for it."

"Thanks."

They ate and Carly finally joined them.

"That was the best sleep I've had in a long time," she said before sipping some coffee. "What's on the agenda for the day?"

"Cris is hopefully coming over and Tracy. Tonight is dinner with Sonny and Violet."

"Sounds good." She is planning on signing up for some online courses so that if she works for Manny, she'll know how to use the office programs.

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As the day progressed, Liz learned that Cris would come by the next day. She worked on a few art projects and Jason made an appearance at Jake's so people would see him coming and going.

Tracy walked in. "Hello."

Liz was happy to see her. "Hello."

"What do you have for me?"

Liz showed her some of the finished drawings.

"They are perfect." She liked working with Liz because she got the concepts very quickly. "Monday, I'll be meeting with the customer and I'll let you know how it goes."

"Great. Jason starts school that day." Liz is very excited that he's going to start his career training.

Sonny knocked and came in. "Violet should be here in about an hour or so."

"Awesome."

"We're having seafood pasta."

Carly walked into the room. "That sounds good."

"Definitely!" Tracy said.

"Thank you for cooking for us," Liz said.

"You know I love it. Come over when you feel like it okay?"

"Okay."

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Jason wiped down the bar and then looked up and groaned. "What are you doing here?"

"Robin and I were thirsty. Is that going to be a problem?" She had no clue that he would be working.

"As long as you don't make it one."

They sat on the bar stools.

"Hi Jason. I'll have a coke," Robin said taking him in. Despite Brenda's hate for the man, he is really nice to look at.

"Coming right up."

"Make that two."

Jason filled two glasses with coke and placed them down in front of them with straws.

"Thank you," Robin said.

Jason continued to straighten up under their perusal.

"So, is this going to be your career?" Brenda asked mockingly.

"Actually, I'm starting school on Monday and I have my own bike shop."

Brenda rolled her eyes. "I'm sure that was a gift from Edward."

"What if it was? We're family."

"You didn't give a shit about that before."

"So you're just going to judge me from when I recovering from a brain injury. You really need to grow the hell up Brenda." He leaned in closer. "I don't know what the fuck your problem is, but if you can't talk to me respectfully, then don't speak to me. There is no way I'm taking this shit from you every time we see each other." He walked away, not waiting for an answer.

"Why do you hate him so much?"

Brenda sighed as a tear ran down her face. "The accident ruined everything. We were close and then, he didn't remember me and was mean. I started to hate him for it."

Robin sighed. "Brenda, were you in love with Jason?"

Brenda started to protest, but then quieted.

"Oh my God. Is that what this is all about?"

"We could have been so good. I feel cheated and he said horrible things to me. I can't let it go."

Robin stood up. "Well, you're going to have to because he obviously has moved on and it's not good for you to be so bitter. It hurts to lose someone you love, but you can't spend your life punishing Jason for something he had no control over. It's not fair."

"None of this is fair, Robin." She stood and grabbed her purse and walked out. Robin rushed out behind her.

Jason stood in the doorway of the office. He had heard every word Brenda said and now, it made more sense as to why she is such a bitch. He was confused though, because he had been with Keisha before the accident. Grabbing his phone, he called AJ.

"Jason?"

"Hey. Can you meet me at Jake's right now?"

"Um, let me check my schedule." A few mouse clicks later, he read his calendar. "Yeah, I'll be right there."

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Violet sat in her office with Nicole. "I have great news."

"What?"

"You're out of here on Monday."

Nicole's eyes widened. "That's early."

"I know. There are two reasons for it. One, I think you're doing really well and are ready. You are trying to maintain balance and I think you have the tools to stay in a good place. Two, your dad won't see it coming and we can get you out of here safely."

"Isn't Manny scheduled for Monday?"

"Yes. You'll leave together."

Nicole smiled. "That is great news."

"I thought you'd like it. I'll be seeing Elizabeth and Carly tonight, so I'll let them know."

"Thank you for helping me. I didn't realize how messed up I was. I mean I knew I had issues, but it's nice to have something else to focus on."

"You know your father is going to do something. Be prepared and just know that no matter what, you are strong and will survive." Violet hated that Nicole had to look over her shoulder, but Paul is dangerous in more ways than one.

"I know. I just hope that Sonny's men find him before he can hurt me or my friends."

"Me too."