Miles To Go

By ~*~lauren diane~*~

Rated: R

Disclaimer: I am in no way affiliated with Robert Frost, Disney, ABC, General Hospital, Rick, Becky, or any of the other characters.

Summary: Ric has an agenda, but will his love for Elizabeth stand in the way?

Author's Note: This starts the day after Ric and Elizabeth make love for the first time. Enjoy!

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Chapter 2: And Then There Was A Job. . .

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.The woods are lovely, dark, and deep.

But I have promises to keep,

And miles to go before I sleep,

And miles to go before I sleep.

Stopping By Woods On A Snowy Evening, Robert Frost

~*~

Ric raced across the lobby of Sonny's building to make it into the elevator before it closed. When he caught a glimpse of who he would be making the trip to the top with, he wished his patience would have kicked in a little earlier. "Jason, hey."

"Ric." Jason didn't bother raising his cold eyes to greet his newest contender. Not that he thought of Ric as a threat on any ordinary day, but with the feud between himself and Sonny stronger than ever, today was anything but average.

"I didn't get a chance, before, to say I'm sorry for your lose. I know you were very close to Benny. I didn't know him well, but he was a good man. I'm positive he'll be missed by many." While Ric usually had an agenda behind every word uttered to the hitman at his right, his concern was entirely sincere.

"I don't like you." He turned to face Ric. "I don't trust you. You are up to something. I don't know what it is, but I will find out."

"I just wanted you to know that I was sorry for your lose. We don't have to talk." Ric couldn't help but feel a sting of pain from Jason's hurtful words. He was right, or course. Ric was up to something, but he hadn't done anything to tip anyone off. Jason really just didn't like him. Not that Ric thought too highly of the "yes-man," but it always hurts to learn someone isn't fond of you.

"Just a warning, Ric: Watch your step. Because if anything happens to the people that I care about, I will come after you."

Ric felt a chill race through his body while staring into the dead eyes glaring at him. Faith was right: There's nothing there. He really doesn't give a damn. He wouldn't think twice about offing him.

Ric put on a fake smile to throw Jason off. "Well, then, I guess I'll have to avoid hurting them then, won't I?"

As soon as the elevator doors flew open, Jason was out them, knocking on Sonny's door. Ric's smile faded and his body went numb. He pretended to be in control, but the fear of dying at the hands of Sonny's number one enforcer was always in the back of his mind. But bringing down Sonny Corinthos for everything he's done to Ric was worth the fear. Soon it would be gone, and the only thing left would be the pleasure of bringing down the man who took everything from him.

"Jason? What are you doing here?" Ric heard Carly say as he exited the elevator. "Ric?"

"I'm here to see if Michael wants to go to the park."

"And I'm here to see Sonny. He called." Ric loved the look on Jason's face. He almost looked hurt that Sonny was starting to, maybe, trust him.

"Michael would love to go to the park." Carly smiled at her best friend before sending a glare Ric's way. "And Sonny is upstairs. I'll get him in a second."

~*~

"Have fun guys." Carly shouted out the door behind Jason and Michael. Jason was so good with Michael. He was going to make a great father someday.

"Michael really likes Jason. Jason's good with him, too. Surprising." For being such a cold, heartless basturd, Jason had a way of coming off actually human around the little boy.

"You know what Ric? Why don't you just save your smarmy comments for someone who doesn't get your game." A knot formed in Carly's stomach. It's the same one she always got when Ric was around. There was something off about him. He wanted more than a job from Sonny, and there was no way in hell she was going to let him get it. Even if she had to tell Sonny the truth about the night she spent with Ric.

"Smarmy? I simply said that it was odd to see a hitman act so naturally paternal with his boss's child." Did he really come off as smarmy? "And what game exactly are you talking about?"

"You want to hurt my husband, and you're willing to do anything to do it. Even exploit my bad judgment."

"Bad judgment? Oh, you mean the night you came on to me and we slept together. Oh, right. Well, hey. You don't have to worry. I'm just keeping a secret for a friend. Now why don't you do a favor for a friend. Convince your husband that he needs a good attorney of retainer." Ric hated using their night together against Carly, but in the end it'll be better for her. She didn't know it yet, but Sonny kills everyone who gets too close. The shooting at the club was proof of that.

"You know what?"

"Ric, hey. That was quick." Sonny came down the steps. Ric was shocked by his overall appearance. The once great and powerful mob boss was dressed in day old sweats, his hair was a mess, his eyes were blood shot and bags had formed under them. Ric had never seen him so. . .weak.

"I was on my over when you called. I wanted to see if there was anything I could do to help arrange the memorial service for Benny. Anything at all I can do, I will." Ric hated following Sonny around like a lost puppy, but it was only the horrible means to a great end.

"Oh, no, thanks, though." He actually sounded sincere. "How's your bullet wound? You get it looked at?"

Ric pulled his coat back and looked at the shirt covering his bandage. "No. I just went home and. . .I just changed the bandage." Or Elizabeth changed it for him. He pushed out of his mind the thought of Elizabeth's small, delicate, soft hands gently stroking his bare chest. He had to stay focused on the subject at hand.

"Well, okay. I guess you know what's best for you." Sonny quickly switched from sincere to determined. "Now the reason I called you here. . ." He looked to Carly, still standing by the door. "Can you excuse us for a second, honey?" Carly left the room with a scowl on her face. "She hates when I do that. Anyway, I have a proposition for you. Benny handled all of my accounting."

Ric started to feel a smile form on his face. He quickly hid it. "Yes, I'm aware."

"Well, I need someone to take over for him. And I'd like that person to be you. What do you say?"

Ric's smile was too strong to hide this time. Everything was finally coming together. "Anything I can do to help."

TBC