A/N – Thanks for the comments! Glad you liked their hotness. * kikimoo – Zoe is Maya's sister. When Maya showed up on GH, Zoe was supposed to as well, but the writers changed their minds. I think they were going to put her with Michael.

Chapter 38

Jake wanted to find out about the living arrangements. "So, how long are you staying here?" he asked Liz.

"Well, at least a few more weeks. After that, we haven't decided anything. Jason has a meeting coming up so he can decide what is best. If we stay in Port Charles, it would probably mean that he wouldn't completely leave the business. What do you want to do?"

Jake grabbed Abbie's hand. "I'm not sure either. I can oversee Cassadine Industries from anywhere."

"So you plan on still running that huh?" Liz asked.

"Yeah. I like it actually."

"What about Nikolas?"

"I'm not totally sure. I might leave him where he is if he isn't a threat. We don't really get along, but he did put up with Helena for quite a long time and Spencer is working there too."

"Well, you don't have to decide anything today. We just want to be around you."

"So wherever I go, you want to be there?" Jake was surprised.

"I just got you back, so I can't see being separated in any way." Liz's eyes began to tear. Just the thought of being separated from him was killing her.

"Mom, it's okay. I understand. We'll make it work."

Abbie cleared her throat. "I can get an accounting job anywhere, so if you have to move, I want to come with you." They hadn't been together that long, but she loved him and she'd do what she had too so she could be with him.

"I don't know how your father would feel about that."

Abbie was quiet. She hadn't approached him yet.

Liz felt guilty about ripping everyone away from their loved ones. If they stayed close, at least she could see Cam easily and Abbie wouldn't have to leave her dad. Patrick was here and so was Epiphany and the Q's weren't getting any younger.

"Well that was a mood killer," Jake said.

Jason smirked. "We'll figure it out. If it's safer for me to stay in, then we'll deal with it."

John observed them from the corner. The only problem he had was that Sonny would be in charge and he didn't think that was a good move. Morgan was just learning and he had some bipolar issues of his own. Jake had offered him a position at Cassadine Industries, but he also wondered if somehow he could run things for Jason. It would keep Sonny in line and it was more up his alley. The only problem was the danger aspect and if Zoe would be okay with that. They were going to have to have a serious talk before he even approached Jason about it. She was used to guards because Abbie had them, and there had been some close calls while Zoe was around. It helped that Johnny and Jason were at peace and they watched each other's backs. It kept the level of violence in the area way down.

Zoe could see the wheels turning in his head and wondered what that was all about.

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The whole way home, John seemed distracted. When they got back to her apartment, Zoe insisted that he come in.

"Talk to me."

John let out a sharp breath. "I'm still kind of working it out in my mind."

"What?"

"My future."

"Well, maybe I can help."

"You are a part of it. I don't want a long distance relationship, but I can't leave Jake. I can't explain it, but he still has a lot of healing to do and I feel like I need to be there to support him."

Their relationship didn't surprise her, but maybe she hadn't realized how much pain John was in on behalf of Jake. "You've been through so much with him. I get it. He's lucky to have you as a friend."

"I feel like I'm lucky to have him too. In some ways, Jake saved me. He forced me to grow up and be responsible. He is my brother as far as I'm concerned, but I love you Zoe. I can't ask you to just leave the life you've built and run away with me."

"I don't want to leave you either."

She closed her eyes, waiting for whatever he would say next.

"If we stay, Jake offered me a job at Cassadine Industries, but honestly, it's not really my thing. I could be good at it, but there's another job that I want more."

She took a languid breath. "What?"

"I want to ask Jason if I could take over the business. He would still be in charge, but I would do everything he does now."

"So, you'd have to kill people."

"Zoe, it's nothing different than I have already been doing. Look, if you run things right, you don't have to kill to protect the business or family. Leaving Sonny in charge again would be dangerous. We'd have more people trying to take over the territory and no one wants that."

She abruptly stood. "And you don't think Sonny is going to have a problem with this scenario? He's going to be pissed that neither he or Morgan will have the chance to be in power. You would have a target on your back and that scares the shit out of me."

He rose to his feet. "I'm really good at what I do. Sonny won't have a choice either way."

She stared into his eyes. "You really want this badly don't you?"

"Yes. I'd probably need a little more help on the business end of things, but I'm very good at what I do and would be an asset. Protecting is my specialty and I would do everything in my power so that you were safe. Is that something you could deal with?"

Tears welled in her eyes. "I honestly don't know. I've been exposed to it with Abbie. I know there are guards following us when we go out. We've had issues before and it was scary, but I didn't walk away from our friendship. I always worried though."

He brushed a tear away with his thumb. "Will you think about it and honestly tell me if you can live with it or not?"

"Would you walk away from this idea if I asked you too."

He closed his eyes. "Yes."

She could tell that he really didn't want too. The last thing she wanted was to have him resent her down the line. "Can we just hold each other tonight and you give me a little time to process it?"

"Of course."

"Thank you."

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Morgan plopped onto Michael's couch. "Dad's going a little crazy about Jake."

Michael frowned. "Why?"

"He thinks he wants to kill him."

"Is he taking his meds?"

"Yeah. Honestly, he might have something to worry about, but from what I hear Jake isn't in any condition to do anything. Helena had put a chip in his head and Patrick took it out. Hell, he might not even be the same person now." It really helped to flirt with some of the younger nurse's at the hospital.

"He's been through a lot. Jason must be happy."

"He is, but dad can't see past his paranoia. I have a bad feeling that if it comes to a head, Jason will shut me out and I've worked to damn hard to learn and hold it together for that to happen."

"You should talk to him. Just don't let dad know. He'd have a fit and see it as a betrayal."

"Maybe I'll go over there soon. I'd have to ditch my guard to do it though."

"I don't envy you Morgan. If things don't work out, you could always come work with me."

Morgan slightly smiled. "Good to know."

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Sonny watched Carly's chest move up and down. He couldn't sleep or stop thinking about what Jason might do once the Jake crisis was over. They used to be a lot closer, but over the years a rift grew between them. Jason was miserable because of Elizabeth leaving and losing Jake and everything changed after that. When his bipolar issues threatened to tear down everything they had built, Jason had tricked him into signing most of the business over to him. At the time, he wanted to kill the younger man, but Jason and Carly basically held him hostage and force fed him his meds until he evened out again. For a while, he tried to get Jason to sign it back over, but his enforcer was done. He didn't want any of the drama and Sonny begged him to at least let everyone think that he was still in charge. Jason didn't really care about that so he agreed. It was a major blow to Sonny's ego, but there was nothing he could do about it. He was hoping that Jason would sell it back now that he wanted to spend time with his kid, but the man was so unpredictable that it was hard to tell what he would do. He'd give Jason another day to get Jake settled in and then he was going to call him and request a meeting. The silence was driving him nuts.

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The next morning, Jake woke up to a stabbing headache. Abbie gave him some medicine and he sniffed the air. "Do you smell that?"

"Bacon."

"Help me up."

She laughed. "Don't get up too fast. I'm sure there will be plenty left."

"Have you seen Aidan eat? I'll be lucky if I get some crumbs."

There was a knock on the door. They were both dressed so Abbie answered it.

"Good morning. I brought you guys some breakfast."

Jake grinned. "That's what I'm talking about."

Jason chuckled and put the tray across his lap. "Pancakes, bacon, and some OJ."

"That sounds fantastic," Jake said before pouring some syrup.

"You weren't hungry were you?" Jason asked an amused Abbie.

"He better not eat all of that."

She stole a piece of bacon.

"Where's my gun?" Jake asked playfully.

She pretended to be offended.

"How are you feeling?"

"Fine."

"He has a headache," Abbie said.

"Did you want another piece of bacon?" Jake asked.

"Do I need to go get your mom?"

Jason frowned. "Am I not scary enough?"

"He has you wrapped and you know it."

Jake grinned. "She has a point."

Jason's head tilted as Liz joined them.

"Here you go Abbie. Jake was never good at sharing."

Jake feigned surprise. "I have no idea what you're talking about."

"Oh yes you do."

Abbie sat down in a chair and groaned as she took her first bite. "These are delicious."

"They are good, dad."

"I'm glad you like it."

"More bacon," Aidan yelled from downstairs.

Liz chuckled. "You go down and take care of him and John and I will stay up here with these two."

"Okay." He gave her a quick kiss and went down to the kitchen.

Aidan was in the living room, so John followed Jason.

"I need to talk to you about something."

Jason grabbed some bacon and placed on the frying pan. "What's up?"

"I actually have a proposition for you. I was wondering if you'd agree to let me take over your position at Corinthos/Morgan."

Jason stopped to look at him. "Seriously?"

"Yeah. I'm good at keeping people safe, I've trained lots of guards before. I'm a good shot, and I'm even tempered."

"Your merc background would come in handy if we come under attack."

"I don't think Sonny should run it again. It's not nearly as dangerous with you at the helm."

"You have a point."

"Of course, you would still own everything. I don't think the families would budge on that."

Jason took a seat while the bacon started to cook. "What else would you want to do?"

"I'd pick a good team. I think Max would be great directing the activities at the warehouse. I have a guy from my team that I'd like to be enforcer. Also, there are a few others that were loyal to me and not Helena that would probably be great around Aidan. They are younger and would understand him more. However, you can handpick who you want to guard your family. I'd want to overhaul the security system and update it. I think Morgan has actually done pretty well. I don't think Sonny is going all out to train him. He gives his son just enough responsibility to keep him around. I'd start off giving him a territory that he would be responsibility for so he'd have to prove himself."

Jason liked the sound of that. Maybe it was time for Sonny to step down. "I'm going to go meet with the families next week. I'd like it if you came with me."

John made a face.

"I figured, I might as well just throw you into the fire. They'll want to meet you anyway. I already know that your background check will turn out fine. I don't think they'll remember your dad, but Sonny might throw a fit and bring it up. If he does, then I'll handle it."

"He won't be there right?"

"No. I need to present the idea. They aren't really fond of Sonny and don't know that I mostly own everything. I think they'll want to see that you have the ability to run things and be ruthless if necessary. You went up against Helena, knowing it could end badly, but because you were smart, it didn't. That is going to really help."

John rubbed his chin. "Alright. I'm looking forward to learning from you."

Jason shook his hand. "After I meet with them, if they agree, then I'll go to Sonny and lay down the law. I'll make it perfectly clear that if he goes after anyone I care about, including you, then he'll be seen as an enemy. I really don't think he wants that fight, but if he comes at me I have no problem putting him down."

"Are there guards that hold his loyalty?"

"Yeah. There are some that will be fired because I don't trust that they would be okay with the transition. What about Zoe?"

"She of course would rather me work with Jake, but she understood and gave me her blessing."

"It can be rough on the people that you love, but you have one thing going for you."

"What's that?" John asked.

"You can learn from my mistakes and if you ever need anyone to talk to, you can come to me."

"I'm glad that you love Jake enough to do what it takes to keep the family together. He deserves it."

"I should have never walked away in the first place, but I can't go back. All I can do is love and protect him now."

"It means a lot to him," John said.

"I'll text you where the meeting is at. We can drive together."

Aidan walked in as Jason finished cooking. "That was so good."

"Better than Patrick's?"

Aidan grinned. "You can't tell him I said so, but yes."

Jason was pleased. "You shouldn't have doubted my skills."

Aidan chuckled. "Never again."

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Later that day, Nicholas stopped by per Jake's request.

Liz opened the door. "Hello."

"Hi. Jake sent for me."

"Come in. You'll have to go upstairs, but before you do, I want to have a chat."

"Okay."

They sat down.

"Jake has been through a lot of Nikolas. Frankly, I don't know if I could have survived it."

"Me either." He understood that, but they just didn't like each other.

"He's raw and trying to figure out who he is separate from what Helena did. That is going to take time and understanding from the people around him. I know we've been friends for a long time, I'm asking you to put aside all the family crap and keep in mind that he's healing. Try not to argue with him right now. If you can't do that, then don't go upstairs."

Nicholas sucked in a breath. "He doesn't like me and the feeling is mutual, but I do understand that Helena had a part in that. I will try not to upset him."

"Apparently, it's up to him what happens with the business, so you will have to respect his choices either way. Did they officially declare Helena dead yet?"

"Yeah. They found the wreckage. No one could survive the crash. They are just trying to figure out what the mechanical failure is because they haven't located the black box."

"I'm just glad that she can't hurt anyone."

Nicholas stood. "You and I both know that she was dead before she even set foot on that plane. Which door?"

"The first on the left."

"Thanks."