Chapter 18

A stunned silence greeted Alexander's question. Elizabeth didn't know exactly what was going on, but she could feel the tension running between the players in the scene. Jason took her hand and squeezed it as if to reassure her, but he never took his eyes off the man who had introduced himself as Alex.

Suddenly erupting into speech, Michelle shrieked, "Do not call me that! I am no longer your wife. You are a murdering snake who uses people and then destroys them." Furious, she spit on the floor in contempt. "That is what I think of my 'beloved' ex-husband!"

The tightening of his lips was the only sign that Alex might be perturbed by her actions. "I loved you, Mischa. It was your brother and father who lied and turned you against me."

Observing him, Jason thought he could almost be convinced of the man's sincerity, if it weren't for his eyes. They were cold and hard. Jason's instincts told him that this was a very dangerous man. Sensing Michelle's growing anger, he said quietly, "Justin, take Michelle home - straight home, no detours." His eyes still on his enemy, Jason saw a quick flash of anger that was gone almost immediately.

"I understand," Justin responded. "Come, Michy. We should go now." Taking her by the arm, he led her to the exit. They were followed by the man Sonny had guarding her.

"We're leaving, too, Elizabeth." Jason's voice was firm, controlled.

As they turned to walk away, Alex called, "Elizabeth. You must see that I am not the monster they're saying I am."

Returning quickly to where he was standing, Jason said with deadly certainty, "If you ever go near Elizabeth again, if you so much as breathe in her direction, I'll kill you. No discussions, no second chances - you're dead." The stone cold tone of his voice convinced his listener of the truth of the statement.

Jason returned to Elizabeth and guided her out the door. "I promise I'll explain everything. For now just trust me. Please."

"Of course, Jason. I trust you with my life," she responded.

In the car, Jason was preoccupied with all the information he had received. Like pieces to a puzzle, they were starting to fall into place. Alexander Cranton being connected to the Russians, who were rumored to have engineered the takedown of Lafontaine's operation; his having seduced and betrayed Michelle to get to her father, resulting in the death of her mother; his showing up in Port Charles at the same time that moves had begun to be made against Sonny. All of these factors were very telling.

What he didn't understand was why the man had approached Elizabeth and that worried him. He felt like he should see the answer, but he didn't. Frustrated, he shoved his hand through his hair and sighed loudly.

Elizabeth, watching the play of emotions cross his face, could tell he was upset. She moved closer, touched his arm, and said, "Jason. Are you all right?"

Her concern broke through his abstraction and he looked at her, overwhelmed by the love and protectiveness he felt for her. If she were in danger now, it would be his fault. Pulling her close, he wrapped his arms around her tightly and closed his eyes, praying that she would be safe. "I'm fine as long as I have you," he responded.

Elizabeth could sense that Jason was worried. She could feel it in the desperate way he was holding her. "What is it, Jason? Does it have something to do with what happened back at the hotel?" She pulled back a little, searching his face for answers.

Jason sighed. "I need to know something, Elizabeth. Besides today and the time at Jake's, has that man - Alex - ever contacted you?"

"No," she answered. "Although, I did literally run into him at a coffee shop close to work. Why?"

Concerned by the 'accidental' encounter, Jason replied, "Elizabeth, that man is extremely dangerous and that meeting with him was probably not an accident." When he saw her look of surprise, he continued, "Michelle told me today that this man pursued her and won her over with the intention of getting to her father."

"So is that what she meant when she called him a murderer?" she asked. "Did she mean that he had something to do with her father's death?"

"No. She was referring to her mother. I guess a few years ago, in his attempt to take out her father, her mother was killed instead." Jason paused, thinking about some of the conclusions he had reached. "I have a strong suspicion that he DID have something to do with her father's death, though."

Elizabeth shivered. "Poor Michelle. How awful to find out that the man you love is using you to eliminate members of your family." She thought for a moment, and then asked, "But what could he want with me, Jason?"

Jason pulled her into his arms again and held her tightly. "I'm not sure, Elizabeth, but I don't like it. The only thing I can think of is that he might be trying to use you to get to me." He stopped, worry for her choking his voice. "If anything ever happened to you because of me, I don't think I could live with it."

Elizabeth pressed a finger against his mouth. "Don't, Jason," she said firmly. "There are no guarantees in this life and I would rather spend a short time loving you, than spend a long empty life without you." She smiled shakily. "Besides, nothing is going to happen to me. You can't get rid of me that easily."

"I NEVER want to be without you, Elizabeth Webber," he said fiercely. "You are a part of me now and I'll do whatever it takes to keep you safe and with me." He leaned in and kissed her urgently.

Elizabeth responded with equal fervor, giving and receiving reassurance. When the car stopped, they pulled back slightly, but continued holding each other. "So what now, Jason?"

"Now we go see Sonny and figure out how we're going to deal with this guy," he answered. Jason kissed her once more before opening the door and helping her out. They walked into Sonny's building together.

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Sitting on the sofa, Sonny was rubbing Carly's lower back. "That feels so good," she purred. "I can't believe how tired I feel. At this rate, I'll be useless by the end of this pregnancy."

Smiling, Sonny said, "How was Chloe's show? Or should I ask - how much did you spend?"

"Ha ha. Very funny. Actually, I was a good girl. The only thing I bought was for a Deception ad campaign, so it came out of company funds." She paused. "You want to hear something strange? The dress that I ordered for Gia, the one that I liked the best, was designed by Elizabeth. She's a surprisingly good designer."

"I'm impressed. So does that mean Jason was there?" he asked.

"Yes, he was. He believes in supporting the woman he loves," she teased. Then more seriously, she continued, "You should see them together, Sonny. When they look at each other, it's like no one else is in the room. I've never seen Jason in this deep before."

A knock on the door interrupted their conversation. Johnny announced, "It's Jason and Miss Webber." He stepped aside to let them enter and then closed the door behind him.

"Hello, again," Carly said. "I was just telling Sonny about the showing and how great Elizabeth's designs were."

Elizabeth smiled her thanks. As she and Jason came closer, Sonny could see that something was wrong. "What's the matter, Jason?"

Jason waited for Elizabeth to be seated on the chair facing the sofa and then he leaned against the arm. "We have a problem," he began. "I think I may know who is really running Sorel's operation, though. It's pretty complicated. This guy, who was at the show today, has approached Elizabeth a couple of times, introducing himself as Alex. Today, Michelle identified him as Alexander Cranton, a man who pursued and actually married her, in order to get to her father. A few years ago, an attempt on Jules Lafontaine's life resulted in his wife's death."

Sonny sat quietly, taking this all in. "What makes you think this guy is running Sorel's territory now?"

"I guess he was smart enough to cover his tracks, but Philippe became suspicious, did some digging, and found out that he's connected to the Russians. Put that together with the recent takeover in Paris and the moves against us that coincide with him being here..." He shrugged. "There's just too much that fits together."

Sonny swore. "So he's in Port Charles and he's probably pissed off because the takedown in Paris didn't give him the results he wanted. Most likely he's getting pressure from his superiors due to his recent failure, and he's going after us now."

Carly and Elizabeth had been silent, listening to the exchange. For Elizabeth, it was a glimpse into Jason's way of life. For Carly, it was becoming familiar territory, but she knew that Sonny always managed to protect them. "Do you guys want us to go upstairs, so you can discuss this?" she asked.

Placing his hand on Elizabeth's shoulder, Jason answered, "This concerns Elizabeth, so I think she should stay if she wants." Looking at Sonny, he said, "This guy has already shown that he'll use women to get what he wants, so I think this affects Carly, too."

After a brief hesitation, Sonny agreed, "You're right. It does affect them." Looking at both women, he said, "You're going to have to be more careful than usual and you'll have to have one of my men with you at all times." The last part he addressed to Elizabeth.

"I understand," she said quietly.

"I'm really worried that this guy approached Elizabeth, Sonny." Jason clenched his left hand in frustration. "He must have been watching her because he arranged an 'accidental' meeting near her office." Turning to Elizabeth, he continued, "I don't think you'll be safe at the studio any more. I'm sorry about all this, Elizabeth." He lifted his hand and brushed the hair back from her face tenderly.

"It's OK, Jason. I'll do whatever you and Sonny decide is best." She smiled reassuringly, loving him for his concern.

Sonny had been thinking and had come up with what he thought was the best solution. "Jason, I think the best thing would be to have Elizabeth move in here. We can protect her much more effectively."

"I was thinking the same thing," Jason responded. "It could be a little awkward, though."

Elizabeth knew he was thinking about Michelle and how she would feel about it. "Maybe there's another way," she offered.

"No," Sonny said. "Having everyone in this building makes it easier for us to protect you."

"Sonny's right, Elizabeth," Jason agreed. "I want you here, with me, where you'll be safe." He took her hand and held it tightly.

Seeing the shadows in his eyes, she said softly, "OK. I'd feel safer here with you anyway."

Suddenly Carly spoke up. "We have a spare room and Elizabeth is welcome to stay here, but it would make more sense for Michelle to move in here, and for Elizabeth to stay with Jason." She looked around at the three stunned faces staring at her. "What? Doesn't this make sense to anyone but me?"

Elizabeth spoke first. "Thanks, Carly. That's very generous of you." She smiled appreciatively.

"I agree", said Jason quietly. "Thank you."

Sonny, proud of his wife, grinned and winked at her. "OK. Now that one problem is solved, we'd better settle the rest."

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