A/N – Thanks for your reviews! Glad you like our couple and you're looking forward to the festivities!

I'm starting to wind things down on this one.

Chapter 38

Mac opened the door. "Hello Elizabeth," he said before they embraced.

"Hey Mac. Is everyone here?"

"Yeah. They are in the living room."

She hurried down the hallway.

"That better be brownies in that container."

The two men locked gazes.

"Jason…"

"Hi."

"Come in."

Jason sauntered past him, wondering if Mac could suppress his need to arrest him for the next few hours.

When he walked into the living room, Liz was hugging Maxie.

"Hey," Robin said before moving towards him. "How are you?"

"I'm good."

She gave him a hug. "You look happy."

"I am. How about you?"

"I'm great. I met someone in Paris and my research is going well."

"I'm glad."

"Hi Jason," Maxie said with a smirk.

"Hey."

Mac's eyes narrowed at the way Maxie was oogling Jason and he cleared his throat. "Why don't we going into the dining room?"

"I'm starving," Georgie said. "Hey Jason," she said as she ran by.

Felicia walked towards him. "You okay? You look a little tense."

"I'm in the police commissioner's house hoping that he won't poison me."

She laughed. "Mac wouldn't do that because he knows that all the females in this house would kick his ass."

Liz grabbed his hand. "Come on. It will be fine."

"Yeah, I'll protect you," John said.

Jason rolled his eyes and followed Elizabeth. They went into the dining room and got situated and started plating the food.

"Jason, I assume Thanksgiving must be a slow day for you," Mac said sarcastically.

"What do you mean? Everyone drinks coffee."

Georgie snickered and Mac gave her a look.

"Well, I'm glad you're here," Robin said.

"Thank you."

Frisco entered the room. "Hope you have a spot for me." When Mac called and invited him, there was no way he was going to miss sticking it to John.

Felicia's mouth dropped open.

Frisco kissed her on the cheek and plopped into the chair next to her. "Happy to see me?"

"No."

He grinned. "I'll take that as a yes."

John squeezed Felicia's hand.

Robin decided to change the subject. "The potatoes are delicious."

"Thank you," Mac said.

"Everything is good," Jason added.

Mac nodded.

"I haven't had a home cooked meal in ages," Frisco said.

"And whose fault is that?" Maxie asked.

"He's here now," Mac said trying to temper the situation.

"So John, what are you like twenty?" Frisco asked.

John wiped his mouth. "I'm pretty sure you know how old I am."

"Behave," Georgie said glaring at her dad.

"I'm just trying to get to know everyone."

Maxie rolled her eyes.

"Hello Jason. Killed anyone lately?"

Everyone dropped their forks, but the quiet enforcer.

"Only allegedly."

Even Mac smirked at his retort.

"Funny."

"Funnier than you."

Felicia chuckled.

Frisco pretended to shiver due to Liz's glare. "Cold room."

Loud music began to play outside the window.

"What the hell?"

Mac got up and Georgie and Maxie followed.

Outside, standing on the lawn, was Enzo's little brother, Brian with a boom box on his shoulder playing 'In Your Eyes".

Maxie grinned. "He is so hot."

Mac growled and went to the front door with Frisco on his heels.

"Turn that down!"

Brian turned it off. "I meant no disrespect."

Frisco already hated him, especially the Italian accent. "Who are you?"

"My name is Brian and I'm crazy about Maxie."

Felicia groaned.

Back inside, Jason laughed at the irony when John came back in and told him that it was Brian. It was like everyone around Mac was married to the mob in some way. Priceless.

"This is awesome. Go back out there in case Mac tries to arrest him."

John ran out of the room and Jason shoveled some more food into his mouth. "Can you pass the potatoes?"

Liz shook her head and handed him the bowl.

"What? This is the only food I'm going to get today and it's good."

She rolled her eyes even though she knew that was probably true.

The voices rose outside and Liz threw down her napkin and went outside and whistled.

Mac took a step back from Brian to look at her.

"Enough! It's Thanksgiving and I didn't come here to listen to this foolishness. Mac, you can't arrest someone for liking Maxie. I'm not saying it's okay for them to be alone, because it's not, but it's not up to you anyway. She is Felicia's daughter."

Maxie started to protest.

"I know Enzo and he's a stand up guy and I'm sure his brother is as well. Can you please come back inside and eat?"

Mac grumbled all the way back to the house.

"I'm not done with you," Frisco said before walking away.

Brian shifted uncomfortably. "Thanks."

"And you, Maxie is young and has been through a lot. She deserves respect and if you care about her, you won't push anything and wait for her."

"Yes ma'am."

"Now say goodbye."

Maxie slowly approached him. "Thanks for stopping by. I hope my dad and Uncle Mac didn't scare you away."

"Never."

Maxie smiled. "Call me later?"

"Definitely, and Maxie, I have no problem waiting."

She smiled. "Thanks."

After he had left, Maxie squealed. "He's so hot."

Felicia sighed. "Dear God, help me."

John gave her a hug. "He's a good kid, but don't worry, I'll be having a little talk with him."

"I knew I could count on you."

"Let's go back inside."

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Edward grinned as he watched Elizabeth and Jason enter the sitting room. "Happy Thanksgiving."

Liz gave him a hug as Jason shook his hand.

Ned approached them and held up a glass. "It helps if you're drinking."

Jason smiled. "I just got back from Mac's house. I think I could use one."

"Follow me."

Lila gave Liz a hug. "It's so good to see you."

"I feel the same way."

Brooklyn and Lois joined them.

Jason took a sip of Cognac.

"I wish AJ and Michael could come, but I guess we get them on Christmas."

"Yeah. I'll call him later."

"Bernie is here."

Jason groaned. "They don't do any public displays of affection, right?"

Ned laughed. "Not yet, but after a few glasses of wine, anything is possible. Tracy starts to get frisky."

Francis walked up to them and patted Jason on the back. "Hey."

"Where's Chloe?"

"She's with Lila and Liz."

"I'm glad that you're here."

The house was brimming with people and Lila loved every minute of it. They made the mansion come alive.

Just as Jason and Liz's gaze met, an explosion rocked the house.

"Shit!" Jason said as he ran towards the kitchen with the other guys. They grabbed some fire extinguishers and fought the flames as Cook watched his dessert go up in smoke.

Edward coughed as he opened the back door and Ned opened some windows to air it out.

"Everything is ruined," Alice mumbled.

"I already called for the pizza," Ned said.

"Not helping…"

Jason made his way back to the living room.

"Are you okay?" Liz asked as she rushed towards him.

"I'm fine, but dinner is fried."

Liz shook her head. "Do you always have to be right?" Thank God they had eaten at Mac's.

"Sorry.

Everyone funneled into the room looking dejected.

Lila's eyes narrowed. "Cook, why do you look so full of yourself?"

The man grinned like a fool. "Look in the dining room."

Edward toweled off his hands and then rushed into the other room followed by the rest of the crowd. "Oh my God, it's a Christmas miracle."

Ned dialed his phone. "Cancel the pizza order for the Quartermaines."

Liz grinned from ear to ear. A turkey and all the fixings were on the table.

Cook cleared his throat. "I'm afraid my pies are not edible, but Elizabeth brought brownies."

Monica gave him a huge hug. "You are getting a raise."

"Everyone, please have a seat."

"I'm sorry I doubted you," Jason said to Cook who patted him on the back.

"It's okay. We have a terrible track record."

"I'll say," Tracy said.

They got situated and Edward stood. "Today, I'm not only thankful for this wonderful meal and Cook, but all the people that matter the most to me, except AJ and Michael of course, are sitting in this room and I couldn't be more proud and happy that you chose to spend your holiday here. To Family!"

Everyone agreed with the sentiment and then they started passing food around. Jason and Elizabeth weren't hungry, so they didn't take much, just a few sides. The Quartermaines and friends were too busy eating to talk. An occasional moan filled the air, but that was about it. Jason figured it had to be one of the quietest Thanksgivings he had ever attended until about an hour later.

Tracy looked like she was turning green. "Oh God—bathroom."

Once she started, one by one, anyone who ate the turkey was dropping like flies.

Brooklyn, her mom, Jason, and Elizabeth were the only ones left standing.

"This has to be the most disgusting dinners I've ever had here," Jason said as the sound of someone throwing up filtered through the air.

"I agree."

They had put Lila and Edward to bed and practically every bedroom was filled with a family member who was too sick to move. The first meal in ages that was edible on a holiday and it had wiped everyone out. Go figure.

Lois brushed some hair out of her face. "I guess I'll go check on your dad."

"I'll be right here. Dillon isn't gonna believe this," Brooklyn said. "Thank god I'm a vegetarian."

"I don't believe it," Jason said. Francis was upstairs somewhere praying to the porcelain gods.

Jason stood. "You think you two can handle everyone?"

"Yeah. They are just gonna pass out anyway. I already delivered water."

"Alright, I'll check on everyone tomorrow."

"Call. If I had a chance to escape this place, there is no way I'd come back for at least a month."

Jason smiled. "Later."

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Helena walked into Jason's office.

"Hi. Have a seat."

She sat across from him and folded her hands. "Have you made a decision?"

"Yeah. I'll handle James and you handle Liz's family, but there are some stipulations."

"Go on."

"Elizabeth doesn't want them to die. I think her heart is set on them suffering for the duration."

Helena pursed her lips. For a moment there, she thought Liz might have given up entirely. "All of them?"

"Look, I don't necessarily think like you, but I think you like the game. Mess up Steven and especially Sarah's life for good. Her parents were the main ones that orchestrated everything. You can definitely throw in some torture and mental games with them. As for the rest of their lives…"

"I already have something in mind."

"There's one more thing."

Her eyes narrowed. "Why do I have a feeling I won't like this."

"It's a deal breaker."

"Okay."

"Liz wants to talk to them."

Helena growled. "Seriously? For what reason? They'll just say something to hurt her."

"I actually agree with you, but it's not my choice. Can you make it happen?"

She threw hands up. "Of course I can, but I think that it's a mistake."

"Siobhan says it's like having a guy break up with you and not give you a reason why and it eats at you because you want to know."

She stood. "That is exactly why I became a cold-blooded bitch."

Jason smirked. "I hate to tell you this, but you do have a soft spot for people you care about."

She made a noise and pointed her finger. "And if you tell anyone, I'll have you splayed and quartered."

"Fair enough…"

She smiled. "Are you sure that I can't adopt you?"

"I think Edward would have a heart attack and Nicholas might cry."

Her laughter filled the room. "And as far as that softy stuff goes, you are way worse than me. Elizabeth could bring you to your knees."

"I guess we better keep each other's secret then."

"Deal."

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It was two weeks before Christmas and Jason had left town. Elizabeth was miserable without him since it was the first time they had been separated and Jason wasn't fairing much better, but he needed to deal with James. It was also the first time that he had a butler as a wing man. He glanced over at the couch where the Alfred was having afternoon tea and shook his head. Tea? What kind of man drank tea unless it had some hard alcohol in it?

"Master Jason, are you sure you won't join me?"

"I'm positive."

Alfred chuckled. "Very well. We have one hour until the guard ventures to the bar. I will spike his drink and then we'll hide the body." They had chosen the guard because he was the same height as Jason and almost the same build. "You must miss Elizabeth."

"I do."

"I am very fond of her and your sister for that matter."

"Do you have a girlfriend?"

"Oh heavens no. I don't really have time for that. Helena is very demanding, but I do have fond memories."

Jason smirked. "So you and Helena…"

Alfred's mouth dropped open a few times and closed. "There is nothing of the sort going on between us, just mutual admiration."

"That's how it all starts."

The look on Alfred's face was priceless.

"Actually, I think that you are more her speed."

Now it was time for Alfred to laugh at Jason's expression.

"I can assure you that she is quite a passionate woman."

Jason held up his hand. "Not another word."

Alfred chuckled. "As you wish."

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Helena's henchman walked into the cell holding Sarah first.

"Why are you holding us?" Sarah demanded to know.

"I really don't think you're in any position to question me. Your host will now speak to you through the speakers. His voice will be disguised, of course."

Helena looked through the two way mirror. Sarah's eyes were swollen and red, a good indication that that she was miserable. The cell was going to be her home for the next few months. Of course she would lose everything because she won't be making any payments on her bills and Helena had already drained her bank accounts. Yes, Sarah's life was now going to take a turn for the worse. "Hello Sarah."

"Who are you?"

"You don't need to know that. You are here to pay for your sins."

"Who the hell are you to judge me?"

"You know what you did and now, you're going to get what is coming to you. Your life will be ruined and then, you will spend the rest of your days in nothingness. You will never have status, a husband, or even a life. I will strip you of everything you hold dear. In fact, let's start now."

A man entered the room with a pair of clippers.

Sarah's eyes grew wide. "No! You wouldn't."

"Oh, but I most certainly will. Enjoy your new look. You will never have hair again."

Another burly guard tied her up and she screamed and cried the entire time they shaved her.

"Tomorrow, your face will be tattooed. I hear it hurts. I can't wait to see the word slut etched into your forehead. I think it will suit you."

Sarah started sobbing and the men left. Helena was just getting started. In the end, Sarah will live with a man in Russia and be his slave, not sexually, although she won't know that. Helena wants to make sure that she fears getting raped so she knows what her sister felt. The village that the man lived in was remote. Even if she tried to run, she wouldn't get far. There was no internet or telephones. She would be under guard around the clock so that she couldn't kill herself. Sarah's life was going to be hell.