A/N – Thanks for the comments! Ghfan51184 – Elizabeth did say she's sorry right after, but honestly, Jason left, and they really didn't hash that out. Because he never spoke his feelings about it, she felt the need to make him understand that she is truly sorry for it and give him a chance to tell her how he feels about it. It's funny cause Sam has apologized to, but none of you accept that lol. I don't understand your last sentence. She did keep that secret for months. Are you saying she shouldn't have apologized? BTW, we're all bitter lol. Thanks for reading!

Posted early because unfortunately, they are making me go in for jury duty.

Chapter 27

Elizabeth didn't move, she just stared at Jason waiting for him to tell her he was joking.

"Elizabeth?"

"What do you mean he's not yours?" It dawned on her that she had totally missed the meaning when Drew had said Jason lost his son.

"He's Franco's. I guess Helena and Franco were working together and she had Sam inseminated.

Liz's jaw dropped. "Holy shit."

"I know."

She sighed. "Yet another thing you've lost." She feels sorry for Danny. Franco is no prize.

He nodded.

She touched his face when his eyes teared. "I'm sorry."

"Thanks."

Elizabeth pushed forward. "Are you mad because I lied when I thought Drew was you?"

"I could ask about that, but you did it to him, not me. He seems to have forgiven you for it."

"He did, but it could have been you and it was so wrong. I was just so tired of losing."

"I know the feeling. When you thought that he was me, did you fight for it partly because he wasn't in the business and you could finally have a normal life with me?"

"I'm not going to lie and say that it didn't cross my mind. I can't apologize for wanting you safe, Jason. It doesn't necessarily mean I wouldn't support you otherwise, it just means it was a more ideal situation."

He nodded.

"Jason, there's something else you need to know."

He eyed her as tears pricked her eyes.

"I was alone for a while after you died, and then AJ came back."

"What?"

"He was alive, and he was trying to be a father to Michael, and he was helping with ELQ."

"That was probably a recipe for disaster."

"It was. He asked me out." From the way that Jason's face fell, she knew this was going to hurt. "I said yes."

"Why?"

She threw her hands up. "I fought it at first. Your mom pushed a bit because she wanted AJ to have a chance."

"My mother did what?" his voice rose as his fists clenched. Memories pricked his mind of when his mother was so against Elizabeth because of Jake. The fact that she had manipulated Elizabeth irked him.

"I gave him a chance. To be honest, I was kind of running from Nicholas at the time. AJ slept with Carly when AJ and I split for a bit."

"What!" If he were a betting man, he would have lost everything.

"I know. We weren't technically together, but he did, and he begged me for forgiveness and I—we were together."

Jason turned to face away from her and put his hands on his hips.

"I broke it off when he started spiraling out of control. You know Sonny killed him, right?"

His body jerked and he turned around.

"It was this whole sordid thing. Sonny thought AJ killed Connie, but he didn't. It was Ava. Sonny was convicted and went to jail but eventually got a pardon."

"Unbelievable…"

"There's one more thing."

Jason groaned. Could it get worse?

"I gave Ric another chance."

"Elizabeth!"

"I know…"

"Why would you do that after knowing everything he did to you and Alexis?"

"I was stupid. He promised not to lie, and I believed the best of him again, so yes, I'm a fool."

He didn't even know what to say. She had been with two men who hated his guts and wished he was dead. How could she give Ric of all people three chances?

She wiped a tear away. "I was seeing a therapist to try and understand why I made the choices that I did. It goes a lot deeper than I thought."

"AJ tried to kill me, Elizabeth. He kidnapped children."

"Not much different than Sam and you got back with her."

"Not the same, she watched, not planned, and was a bitch, but AJ plotted and schemed with Faith and physically kidnapped three children. You forgave Sam and let her around your kids and practically pushed me toward her with your blessing on several occasions."

"So, you would have said something to me if you were there when AJ came back?" Who is she kidding? She would have never let AJ touch her.

He closed his eyes. "I don't know. I guess it depends on if we were talking or not. It's your decision, but it would have hurt. What about Ric?"

"Again…Sam."

"No, that not the same either. Ric is partially responsible for your miscarriage. He tried to kill you and damaged your body. What he did to Alexis regarding the children when she was ill was unforgivable. What he did to Carly was too. How is that comparable?"

"You're right. It isn't."

"You keep bringing up Sam so say what you want to say." He doesn't want her to hold back. In fact, he's glad she's willing to put it out there now instead of holding it in. It shows growth. She also has a right to hate Sam and he wouldn't deny her that.

"I'm always trying to do the right thing to my detriment. You know how that is because you do it too. If you were honest, most of your dalliances with Sam came from guilt or feeling sorry for her, just like my many do-overs with Lucky and Ric. I hate her. I know I said I forgave her, but Jason, she didn't care that my son was missing. She was so hurtful and horrible and even though I'm thankful that she saved Jake, I can never forget how hateful she was to my family before that. I get why you gave her another chance because I did the same thing with Ric, Lucky, and even AJ when I shouldn't have. Did you even care she did what she did?"

"Of course, I did. I spent two years hating her for ruining what we had."

"But you still let her back in."

"You had moved on with Lucky and forgave him for all the unforgivable things he did yet again. I was lonely and thought that just maybe I'm too harsh on people like I was with Robin. You forgave Lucky and seemed like you were happy. And yes, I felt guilty because I had lied to her and she got shot because of me. God, I settled because she stroked my ego and I needed someone to want me despite my shortcomings and the business. Sometimes, I feel like I have no right to judge because I kill people."

Liz sighed. She forgets that he basically learns by what the people do around him. How many times had he seen her forgive the stupid idiots she was with? How many times did Sonny and Carly forgive each other for the unforgivable? Everyone in his life had made the same mistakes repeatedly. She's not accepting all the blame, but just trying to see things from his perspective. "What a pair we are. We need to start doing things because it's best for us. I gave you my blessing regarding Sam like an idiot, but what if I hadn't?"

"I don't know. I would have listened to you though, but it wasn't your responsibility to school me. I should have done that myself. My choices, my fault. I never wanted to hurt you, Elizabeth. There really is no good excuse. I went with what was easy instead of following my heart. If we're going to play who should have said what, then I should have said something to you about going back to Lucky instead of just giving up and feeling that I was the second choice."

"I'm hoping my history of horrible choices in men has ended. That broken girl isn't here anymore. I've buried her and good riddance, she had to go."

"Should I hire a hitman for me?" He has a lot he needs to change, and he has no idea how. Due to his brain damage, he tends to hone on one way of doing things and it's difficult to see another perspective and change, but he can't keep doing what he did before.

She chuckled. "Johnny is available."

"He would enjoy it."

"I don't know where life will take us from here, but you're always welcome in our house. Can we start over?"

He nodded. He doesn't have a lot of friends right now, so he needs someone in his life who understands him and won't let him wallow.

"Hi, I'm Elizabeth March."

He stuck out his hand. "Jason Morgan. You're so beautiful."

She giggled as she remembered him always saying that. "Thanks. Hey, you wouldn't have a motorcycle by chance?"

He shook his head. "I do, but not here."

"That's a shame. Maybe I'll let you ride on mine."

His eyes widened.

"Gotcha, but seeing you is giving me the bug again. I might have to make a purchase."

"You're too much."

"So, they tell me. You know why we're lucky though?"

"Why?"

"Because our son has one, so we'll just have to borrow his once all this mess is over."

"Sounds good… How did he get the bug?"

"He wanted to be like you and made me tell our story to him."

He led her back to the bench. Being around her calms him and he's glad that they found her albeit accidentally. "I'll call Stan. He doesn't know that you are alive or anything, but he may have found where Salvatore is hiding Maximus and Max." Knowing him, he probably already dug it up.

"Thank you for saving him. Epiphany told me."

"We need to make a move. I think Sal has a bounty on Jake's head. There have been lots of rumors flying around."

She rubbed her hands on her jeans. "He won't stay here."

"I know. In fact, I don't want you here either. I've made arrangements for you and Cam to go underground tonight."

She started to object.

"This could be a trick and they may be trying to breach the compound. I need most of your men with me. We don't know what to expect as far as firepower."

"I need you to protect our son, Jason. He's good, but he is also trying to prove he is worthy."

"I'll do my best." Jake getting hurt under his watch would kill him.

They stood.

"Are you withholding my going into hiding hug, Mr. Morgan?"

He grinned. "No."

"Then cough it up." She needs one after that talk.

He frowned. "You can cough up a hug?"

Her eyes narrowed. "You know what I meant."

He wrapped his arms around her and savored her energy.

She sighed. "How did I not know it was you? You feel like Jason and smell like him."

"I smell?"

"Mmm-hmm." She gripped him tighter and he couldn't help but smile.

"Like snow?"

"Snow doesn't smell. Your hair reminds me of when we were sneaking around though."

"I haven't got around to cutting it. Do you like it?"

"I don't mind, but it's your hair."

"You finally made it close to Italy."

She retreated. "Yes, but I haven't gotten to see everything. Will you take me to your favorite places?"

"Yes."

"It's a date!" Her face reddened. "Well, you know what I meant."

"I missed your blushes."

"Of course, you did. I think you like to see me embarrassed."

He smiled. "Yeah." Talking to her makes him feel more normal again.

She shook her head as they moved toward the house.

IiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIi

Elizabeth quickly dialed a number before the meeting started.

"Hello?"

"Hey."

Epiphany almost fell over. "Hold on," she jerked her car door open and slid inside. "Girl! I have been trying to hunt you down. You won't believe who came back from the dead."

Liz grinned. "A gorgeous, tall, blue-eyed enforcer?"

Piph gasped. "How did you know?"

"He showed up here because Maximus and Max were kidnapped."

"Are they okay?"

"Yes. I've been running things with Milo until recently. We sent him away."

Piph's jaw dropped. "Wait a minute—ack up."

Liz chuckled. "You heard me."

"You are running a mob organization?"

"Yes. I have help, of course."

"Unbelievable…"

"A lot is about to go down. I have to go into hiding for a little bit."

"I'll say a prayer for you. Please be careful."

"I'm more worried about Jason and Jake."

Piph slightly smiled. "You have a lot to catch me up on. I could use a picture of them together."

"That's a great idea. I'll work on it. They have the same hair. Drew is here too."

"How is that going over?"

"He and Jason get along and we've made peace."

"Good. Does Sam know he's in your vicinity?"

"Hell no. I have no idea if he has spoken to her, but my whereabouts have to remain top secret."

"Please call me when you're safe again. Let me know if I need to come there."

She shut her eyes. "If someone gets hurt, I may need you."

"Just say the word."

"I love you, Epiphany."

"Love you too."

The call ended way too soon. Liz quietly snuck a picture of Jason and Jake in the same vicinity and sent it to Piph.

IiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIi

Johnny listened as Jason outlined the plan.

"It sounds like it will work. They are probably in the basement," Francis said.

"I can't believe they are so close," Cam said.

"He planned well. There are guards outside, but it's minimal so it won't attract attention. However, we scanned the area via helicopter and there are men in the woods surrounding the house," Jason said. "We need to make them scatter, so we'll have men in two different locations who will fire and then take cover. They'll run towards the gunmen which will draw them away from the house. There are hunter platforms in the trees, so we'll utilize them to take them out."

"What happens when we go into the house?"

"We're going to shoot some canisters of tear gas inside."

"I'm curious how you found it," Cam said.

"Salvatore has certain tastes. It was buried well, but Stan is good and found them." He hated dragging him back in, but he's not sure where Spinelli's loyalties lie right now and didn't want to take the chance. "We attack at 1:00 am. The local police have been paid off and won't interfere. They want Maximus back so that it's not chaos around here."

"Well, sounds like you have it covered," Liz said.

"Where are my mom and I going to be?" Cam asked.

"I want to be involved," Drew said.

Jason nodded. "Can you stay with Liz and Cam? I'll take Jake with me."

"I can do that."

"We'll get you a gun," Johnny said.

"Alright, Elizabeth, get ready to go. You're getting on a helicopter and will be taken to a private strip. From there, several cars will leave. You won't be in them. There's a panic room there. You'll stay for an hour and then will leave with one of the workers. He's a plant and will take you to one of Vincenzo's safe houses. He is also helping us out with firepower."

"Sounds good." She went upstairs to put a few things in a backpack.

Jason eyed his son. "You don't have anything to prove to me."

"Yes, I do."

"No, you don't. I need you to focus and make good decisions."

"What about you?"

"What about me?"

"Are you on your game? You've been through a lot and we don't know what those drugs did to you."

"He has a point," Francis said.

Jason shifted. "I got back to the US and survived because of my skills. My trigger finger and concentration are just fine, so is my stamina."

Drew smirked.

Carlos stood. "Let's get them on the move and then we'll suit up." They have an arsenal in the back.

"I'll walk them out."

Drew and Cameron took the lead, leaving Jason and Elizabeth to talk.

"Are you scared?"

"More for you and Jake than me."

"Elizabeth, what are you going to do when we get Max back?"

"We'll fake a divorce. It has to be that way."

Jason hates that she's even in this situation. "If something happens, I left most of my money and assets to the boys to split and a little something to you and Drew." He had Diane draw up the paperwork a few days prior.

She's surprised.

"Sonny never took me off the business, so he'll have to buy me out and that money will be split. I changed my will before I left. Monica and Alice will be taken care of too."

Liz's brow rose.

"Alice had to put up with the Quartermaines for years. She deserves it."

"Anyone else?" She's surprised that he hasn't mentioned Carly's kids.

"No."

"Care to elaborate?"

He smirked. "They aren't my kids."

She stopped in her tracks as her eyes narrowed. "Maybe we do need to get you checked out."

He shrugged and then they continued.

They pause as several cars leave.

"Please, be careful, Jason."

"I will."

Cam approached them. "Take care of my brother."

Jason nodded.

Cam smirked. "It's good to have you back. He needs you."

"I need him too."

Cam surprised him and gave him a hug. "Later…" Maybe Jason would help his brother not be so conflicted.