Emily knew it was bad when she saw the look on Marco's face as he approached. She met him half way without a word praying that something hadn't happened to Jason. When they headed to the penthouse instead of GH or a safe house she took a moment to relax then tensed up because it still had to be bad for him to summon her like this. When she stepped off the elevator and saw all the activity she knew it was really bad. Lucky taught her a lot. Stuff she was all but certain Jason never would. She knew a cleaning crew when she saw one. That meant Feds or a war. But since she was standing in his living room, she thought it might be a war.

She was confused when she saw Carly come down the stairs dressed elegantly. Not flashy and not dressed for going out on the town, understated. On closer inspection she recognized the navy blue pantsuit was Vera Wang and couldn't help but appreciate it. The family still despised her and she had her own questions at one time but since Michael's kidnaping things changed. Lucky said she was a Spencer through and through. That was the highest praise possible for one of them and that meant she was more than alright. When Emily took a minute to study her she realized that there was something else going on with her. She didn't know what but she got the distinct impression it was connected to what was happening. She didn't know how she felt about that. Then she cast her eye discreetly around the room to take in everyone else. Francis walked in with Lucas and some suitcases. Letisha was back and led him upstairs with Michael after Carly spoke to him privately for a few minutes. Yeah, Emily thought whatever was going on was definitely bad.

Jason said nothing as he stood near the door watching his sister silently take in the room. He didn't know what she figured out but it he got the feeling it was a hell of a lot. He knew he'd have to have a talk with her at some point to feel her out on what she knew or thought she knew about him. Jason was pretty sure she's become desensitized spending so much time with Lucky Spencer but he still had to know. When he saw her finish the inspection, slip on some unreadable mask and simply stare impassively at nothing important in the room as if she didn't have a clue why she was there, he almost laughed. She still needed work but she was pretty good. He walked up to her still smiling.

"Hey Em."

"Jason."

That intrigued him. She didn't even bother asking if he was alright or what was going on. That meant she felt almost certain she knew what was going on and was waiting for him to try to get her to tell him what he wanted to know. He got the feeling she wouldn't tell him anything without getting information of her own first. That was good. It meant she was loyal and smart.

Jason saw the way Carly was dressed and wondered if she was taking off again.

"Caroline."

"Yes?"

"Are you working?"

"Not like that. What's up?"

"I need you to come up to the study with me and Emily."

She looked at him closely, cast a half glance and Emily then came to her own decision.

"Sure, let's go."

Emily followed them up the stairs wondering when her brother started calling her Caroline. The Spencers and Stefan Cassidine were the only ones who did that. And she wondered how involved Carly really was for Jason to be brining her in on something. Then she thought about herself. There were only two reasons he'd have a 'meeting' with her. One actually when she thought about it more and his name was Luke Spencer. But Lucas being here gave her a whole lot more to worry about. He was supposed to be at summer camp. That meant Bobbie was dead or kidnaped. And that meant Jason wanted her to get a message to Lucky. Things were more than really bad.

Once they entered the study, Carly closed the door then walked over to the couch. Jason sat next to her and Emily now had a concrete picture of the abstract political reference, united front. They were deep in this together. Her expression betrayed none of her thoughts but she really was curious when Jason brought her in. Sonny never would have done something like that. Then again, Sonny was gone. Caroline picked up on the impassive mask and struggled not to roll her eyes at being surrounded by Morgans. She was her cousin's best friend. The mask meant the kid was hip. The fact that she opted for that instead of innocence or ignorance meant she was sending them a message. They got it. Jason started things off.

"Caroline, you need to bring her up to speed."

She didn't say anything for a minute because she knew the only reason Jason was doing this is so she'd get the word to Luke or Laura through Lucky. She didn't ask any questions and turned to Emily.

"How much can you handle?"

It was a legitimate question. Emily surprised them both.

"I need to know everything he needs to know."

Jason smiled and looked at her for a split second before responding.

"Someday we're gonna have a talk about what you know."

"The day I get a job offer we'll talk as much as you like."

Caroline didn't bother holding it in. She laughed out loud and looked at Jason.

"She's got you there."

Genuinely curious now,

"What can you do?"

"The only hacker on the east coast better than me is Lucky."

Just a bit skeptical of his little sister,

"Really?"

She opted to end things and open things up at the same time. Too causally,

"Yeah. By the way, Agent Lennard Smythe is in charge of updating your FBI file. He's prone to making colorful observations on the field notes that he transcribes in the comments section. He hates Taggart, though. Blames the man for ruining their chance to....spend some quality time with you while Michael was gone. Interesting reading."

She sat back in her chair and said nothing else. She knew she didn't have to. Jason looked at her hard for several minutes. It would be a turning point in their relationship and they both knew it. She was his little sister and he had to consider that. He knew she was waiting for him to take the bait. He did.

"How much can you handle?"

"Whatever you need. But I don't come cheap."

He gave her an incredulous look,

"You're a Quartermaine with a trust fund."

"I'm a Morgan with a trust fund and so are you. I still don't come cheap."

He shook his head and laughed. Those first three words meant a lot to him and he could tell they meant just as much to her.

"Fine. We'll talk about the salary later. And I'll consider something permanent in the future. In the meantime, there's probably some part time work for you coming up."

"I figured. But unlimited food has to be included in the salary."

"Its doable."

Caroline got things back on track.

"First, mama has been missing for 5 days. I'm still searching for her but I'm certain she's still alive." She waited for a reaction but Emily didn't have one so she knew she put that together. Caroline went on to give her the full details about the process server and the woman calling in indefinite leave of absence. Lastly, the condition of the house.

"Uncle Luke's shit is connected to what's going down here. If aunt Laura can get word to him somehow he needs to know to really watch his back. There's other stuff that I haven't had a chance to bring Jason up to speed on yet that Luke needs to know so I can't tell you yet. But they all need to know that this is serious Spencer Morgan shit. Old Spencer and new. Some of its mama and Luke's from back in the day, some of its recent. Lucas is with me but tell her I might send him and Michael to a safe house depending on how some things play out. Luke's got friends and enemies. He has to know that he won't be able to tell the difference between the two right now. He will be able to figure this part out so I'm hoping she can fill him in. Tell him I was working in Miami yesterday. And all of this is tied into Jason's territory. Bottom line, we're about to have a war."

Emily stared at Caroline hard for a moment to make sure she heard what she thought she heard. That meant she was just as dirty as her brother but not through him. She was in when she was in Florida. Then she nodded carefully without a word, reached down and opened her lap top. While it booted up she pulled an international satellite phone out of her bag and connected it to the computer. She took another one out of her jacket pocket, punched one number, put it to her ear and waited. When the other party answered all she said was,

"Go."

She hung up and slid the phone back into her jacket without looking up at the two who were watching her carefully. They were impressed with this criminally minded 17 year old. Her fingers flew across the keyboard and neither Jason nor Caroline were at an angle to see what she was doing. Didn't matter. They both figured she had so many encrypted systems and deep passwords only she and Lucky could have worked through, neither of them would have been able to follow. They sat silently for over ½ while she worked. Finally, Emily looked up at Caroline.

"How soon can you get to Istanbul?"

She didn't hesitate.

"I can leave as soon as the plane is ready."

Emily nodded and went back to typing. Jason figured there were only three possibilities. Luke was there, that's where the family was hiding out, or it was an information drop and pick up point. An hour later she stopped typing and disconnected the phone but didn't shut down the lap top. That meant she needed to read from the screen. She looked up at both of them then shook her head.

"This is one fucked up family."

Neither was sure how to take it but since they were prone to reality checks they didn't disagree. Emily say back on the couch and closed her eyes for a moment to center herself before speaking. She reached around her neck and took off a chain. When it slipped out of her t-shirt they saw it was a key. She handed it to Caroline and started the story.

"This belongs to you. It's a key to a safety deposit box in Istanbul. Banco Constantine, main branch. No identification is required and if someone asks for it instead of the password you've been made and need to haul ass quick."

"What's the password?"

"Something only a Spencer would know. The secret ingredients in Ruby's fried chicken recipe."

Jason thought that was the stupidest thing he'd ever heard but Caroline was nodding like Emily just told her the meaning of life and it all made sense. He had Ruby's chicken plenty of times and it was the best fried chicken he'd ever eaten. Cooked by her until she died and by Laura and Bobbie. But the fact that the family feels the recipe must remain a tightly held secret among Spencers was incomprehensible. So secret that they use it as their most secured password was incredible. He decided then and there they weren't crazy they were certifiable. When he considered his sister didn't think that was the least bit strange he knew a little extra Spencer crazy crawled up on her and stayed. Emily continued.

"There are three CD-ROMs with a red dot on the back of the case. Grab those. There is also a Canadian passport in the name of Lisa Simpson in a white envelope labeled hurricane headache. Its yours. There's also a birth certificate, three credit cards, a driver's license and a library card in there as well."

Caroline knew Luke was referring to her with that hurricane headache comment and rolled her eyes. Jason smirked. When Emily said that last one she scrunched up her face and said,

"Library card?"

"Vancouver, central station. Apparently, you have 2 over due books and a $5 fine. Luke's twisted but he is thorough."

"Ok, what else?"

"The CD's can only be read from two computers, mine and Lucky's. If you try to use another they'll crash the hard drive and permanently erase all the information on it and the CD. You guys will need what's on all of them. When you leave Istanbul, you have to go to Zurich."

Emily stopped talking at that, dug into her shirt and pulled out another key. Jason wondered how many keys the kid had stashed on her but didn't say anything. He also realized just how deep she was in the Spencer shit. She handed Caroline the key.

"Use the passport as entry to Switzerland. Its been stamped a couple of times and has four years left on it so there shouldn't be any suspicion raised. Its also the ID you'll need at the bank. They aren't as....flexible as the Turkish bank when dealing with Spencers. You have to show that ID for access to the box. There's a blue ledger in there that looks like the ones Luke uses to fuck up the accounts at the club. Grab it and run. That's your information, Caroline. Its Spencer history and depending on what you already know plus whatever you found out in Miami, it should connect some of the dots.

Both you guys figured it out so I really don't have to tell you. Luke is hunting. I'm supposed to give you some semi recent Port Charles history. Some of this used to be Frank Smith's territory. Jason, you've done a good job expanding. Anyway, Luke started working for him down in Florida back in the day. You know what happened since then. Luke killed Frank Smith several years ago. His son was legit and privileged. He and Ned were very good friends at prep school and in college. I knew him. After Luke caused a vacuum in the power structure up here, Sonny decided to make a grab for it. He needed a bank so he cut a deal with Frank's son, Damian. He was secretly fronting Sonny the cash in a silent partnership. Its public knowledge that Damian Smith was killed some time after Sonny took over but its still an open file because they never caught the killer. PCPD and the Feds suspect it was mob related and they are right. What isn't public knowledge is that Laura killed Damian Smith."

"Get out of here!" Caroline was riveted by the tale but found that last part extremely funny.

"Yeah. She's just as good as the rest of the Spencers with clean up. Didn't leave a trace. Or so they thought. Its hard to tell now."

Jason just shook his head.

"Your whole damn family is dirty. Is it genetic?"

"Lucas and Michael are upstanding law abiding citizens while you and your sister over there really don't have room to talk."

"Lucas is 7 and Michael isn't even 2 yet. Give 'em time. Hell, I bet Lulu's makin' book in kindergarten."

Emily laughed at that.

"If she is, you'll never see your cut of the profits. She's a Spencer. She'll find a way around paying tribute."

Caroline narrowed her eyes at Emily in a mock annoyed gesture.

"Shh!"

"Too late. I'll be sure to send Johnny to have a talk with her when she gets back in town."

They all laugh then Emily get back into the story.

"Anyway, Luke's obviously still connected. How is one of the greatest mysteries on the planet. There's no way for anyone to know unless he talks and we all know that isn't gonna happen. Laura is...well let's just say they take that whole marriage is a partnership thing very seriously. Got it?"

Jason glanced at Caroline and smiled then turned to Emily. They both got it.

"Yeah."

"Laura says thank you for the warning/heads up. She was talking faster than Lucky could type during most of the connection, but the bottom line is that she'll start working something on her end and have Lucky check in if she comes up with anything."

Then she stopped and looked dead at Caroline.

"Miami Dade PD is in an uproar. The press is having a field day. For some unknown reason during a 10-12 hour period yesterday there was a string of 13...deaths across the city that all look suspiciously like mob hits. So suspiciously like mob hits that's what they're calling them. They really can't tell the reason for them nor did they collect any physical evidence at any of the crime scenes that can lead to an arrest of a possible suspect. They initially thought the hits were either for retaliation or the result of someone who was very determined to get some very specific information. Based on the condition of 5 bodies found at one location, they are now positive it was a means of extracting information rather than exacting revenge."

Then she rolled her eyes and shook her head. Jason turned to Caroline at that last sentence.

"Do we need to talk?"

"You work your way, I work mine. What are you complaining about, I got the stuff didn't I?"

He laughed and nodded his agreement.

"Alright. Forget I mentioned it."

Jason thought for a few moments then looked up at his sister in all seriousness.

"Em?"

"Yeah."

"How good are you at tracking accounts? Off shore numbered accounts and laundered ones."

"Who's my best friend? Luke doesn't pay worth shit. You don't really think Lucky's willing to do all that work on his own at those rates."

He turned to Caroline with a questioning expression.

"That one is your call. She's your sister, felon though she may already be, you have to decide."

Emily didn't say anything as she watched the dynamics between them play out. Jason consulting Caroline like that meant something and she was taking careful note. She was also staying quiet hoping this was her shot. If she did a good job and found whatever he was looking for she hoped he'd give her a permanent job.

"I'm thinking about giving her Puerto Rico. Its not too much and I just need verification on some things."

"Shit, we do need to talk."

"Yeah."

"Do it."

He nodded and turned to his sister.

"Em, this is my life. And its not a game. You need to be sure you can handle it and keep your mouth shut about anything you see or find out. Caroline and I are the only two people who can know you are working on this or anything else I might give you. She and I are the only people you come to with whatever you find. Lucky can't know this. If I find something I think Luke needs to know I will tell you to contact Lucky. But people who work for me, work for me. Do you understand me? And do you understand what I'm not saying to you?"

Yeah, she understood that her brother just left the building and passed the torch to Jason Morgan, crime boss. For a minute she wondered if he'd use cement shoes or simply a bullet in the back of the head. Of course after Lucky updated her on the situation in Miami she figured Caroline was more than qualified to do the job. As soon as Emily typed in the part of Caroline's message about working in Miami Lucky opened up another screen and tried to track what happened there. The first hit, front page, headline news carried Caroline's handiwork. Laura and Lucky were shocked. They had no clue she was even connected let alone a hitter. But when Laura saw some of the victims' names, she realized instantly what her niece was doing. Oddly enough, she approved. Laura knew that Caroline needed the ledger and the CDs because something was really wrong. She hoped Caroline would be able to start putting some of the pieces together on her end while she tried to find the missing link on theirs. Lucky didn't even bother typing an explanation for Emily. He just sent the police and coroner's reports. After getting that update, Emily understood exactly how serious things were.

Emily knew and understood what Jason was saying. No matter who else he is, he is her big brother and she only wanted to work for him. She didn't know what would happen if Luke and Jason ever came to odds. There is no doubt in her mind that Caroline would be standing next to Jason and that's where she needed to be. She also knew that Jason and Luke would find a way to work something out so she wasn't worried. She was good at compartmentalizing. Lucky's first priority was to Luke. She knew that. And she knew that he understood her's was to Jason. She didn't see a problem.

"You are my big brother and I love you more than I can put into words. You are my first priority and I wouldn't want to work for anyone else. My loyalty is out of love, not obligation and never fear. And you had my love and loyalty long before you started this life. I'll help anyway I can."

"I love you too Em. I just needed for you to understand what you're getting yourself into and what it could mean. And I don't ever want you to be afraid of me."

"Not gonna happen."

"Ok, I'll set you up with what I need after Caroline takes off. What time do you need to be home so I can figure out where I want you to start?"

"I'm not going home tonight, if that's ok with you. I'll work in here or one of the guest rooms. In here's probably better so no one notices what I'm doing but I was serious about the unlimited food thing. That's the only way I put up with Luke's piss ant wages. I eat at the club for free."

Caroline looked at her,

"So that's where all the profits are going."

Smiling brightly,

"Yep!"

Jason's still stuck on the first thing she said.

"Are you sure you can stay over? I do not want the old man stepping foot in this building tonight. There is too much going on and I'm already ticked off."

"The Ficus in the foyer gets more attention from the family than me. Only Reginald and grandmother notice if I'm not around. Um, I do have to check in with Reginald. Its part of the deal til I turn 18."

"What deal?"

"As long as he knows where I am so grandmother doesn't worry he covers for me. That's both their way of sparing me the headache in that house. And, I have to keep my regular cell phone on in case my cover is blown so he can tell me to come home. We've been doing it for about 4 years now."

"Sneaky."

"Look who's talking."

After they settled things with Emily Caroline knew she had to say something before she took off and time was running out.

"Jason, we'll talk about this later. Emily, if your Aunt Tracy calls or comes into town run. Don't pack a bag, just grab your lap top, sat phones and run. Don't even stop to tell Lila you're leaving. Crawl out that damned window if you have to and meet your guard to get here as soon as possible."

Both of them stared at her opened mouthed. That made absolutely no sense whatsoever. She was annoying at best and a true Quartermaine at worse. How the hell was she connected to Spencer drama and a brewing mob war? Neither got it. Jason wasn't waiting to be alone on this one. Em was in it now and Tracy is a Quartermaine so Emily needed to know what was waiting for her at the mansion. He conveyed those thoughts in one word.

"Why?"

Em was right behind him echoing those thoughts and nodding she wanted to know. Caroline exhaled and tried to speak as gently as possible because she knew this was going to hurt.

"She married Tony Soleto."

She had to admit Jason did a good job dealing with all the other shit. He didn't explode about Benny so she cut him some slack.

"FUCK!!!"

With that, he got up from the couch and paced the room. Then he swept his hand across the top of the desk and everything on it went flying. He also managed to smash some ugly crystal paper weight so Caroline wasn't bothered by that in the least.

"Is every fucking body trying to break my back!"

Caroline got up and walked over to him with out a word. She pulled him into an embrace and held on tight. In less than 5 seconds he was holding her tighter with his head buried in her neck. Then she rubbed his back in a soothing circular motion that always helped. She never told him that's what she does to Michael when he's cranky. She figured he wouldn't be too happy about that.

Emily didn't say anything. She watched the scene play out between the two of them because it was easier than dealing with what she just heard. She was surprised by the interaction between them. Jason never reached out to anyone. And she never saw him need anyone. Seeing him in Caroline's arms was eye opening. That's when she finally got what the deal was with them. No one ever understood why Jason was tight with Carly. She must have been the only person that Jason would seek and receive comfort from. It made sense watching them. Still she had no clue how this was going to play out and with Caroline leaving tonight she didn't want Jason to be alone.

It took a full 10 minutes for Jason to get it together enough to let go. All the things he learned in the last 24 hours were building up. If he weren't able to hold onto Caroline like this he really would have exploded and killed somebody. Or several somebodies. This was better. Caroline called it therapeutic. He called it legal. He still had to deal with what he learned during the union meeting as well as some of his other suspicions of what was going on. He and Caroline wouldn't be able to update each other over dinner because she's flying half way around the world for a pick-up. He considers that at least she won't have to kill anyone to get the information this time. He pulled back from her but didn't let go completely. They touched foreheads as they have gotten into the habit of doing over the past few years before he spoke.

"Thanks."

"You don't ever have to thank me."

"It just keeps getting worse. I'm alright now."

"Sure, as soon as I get comfortable, you're alright."

They both laughed and he pulls Caroline in closer for a hug before letting go and becoming Jason Morgan again. He needed the information and that's what she had to say. Once he let go he took her hand and they headed back to the couch and sat down. Jason didn't let go of Caroline's hand and didn't seem the least bit uncomfortable or ashamed about Emily witnessing this side of him. She figures its because he either hasn't noticed or figures she knows how to keep her mouth shut. Caroline knew Jason needed some form of physical contact for awhile. It reminded him he was human. A time would come soon enough where he'd have to become all machine. He turned to Emily.

"Do you know who Soleto is?"

"Yeah, I try to keep track of all your competitors and enemies. Want me to pull his FBI file and see if the field offices in New York or Florida have anything new on him? If he's made any new contacts or taken any unusual meetings lately they'll have it. The man's good but doesn't seem to care if he's not too discreet at times. I should probably pull Tracy's too."

"Thanks. Don't get caught."

"Of course not."

She said that indignantly like he just questioned her professional abilities. When all she got in response was the 'get on with it' look from him she shrugged and got on with it.

"I think its pretty easy to see why he married her. She may share his reasons or have a few of her own. Tracy never does anything without a reason or a long term game plan. And, I'm not even going to act stupid and pretend I don't know she would have me picked up to get to you. Considering everything else about her, I'd be shocked if she didn't."

"What do you mean everything else?"

"Neither of us were around back then. Ned was away at prep school. Tracy tried to kill grandfather by withholding his heart medication. Stood right over his body holding the medicine, waiving it in his face taunting him about how he screwed up not appointing her CEO. All the while he was having a heart attack begging her for the medication. Shares, stock. Its always about the money. Monica happened to come in and see him having a heart attack and jumped in. No one knew what Tracy did for awhile because grandfather didn't talk. He blackmailed her. Worked pretty good. That's just one Tracy story."

Caroline looked at Jason.

"You call my family strange? Accuse us of being dirty and crazy."

"She is one messed up person. It's a miracle Ned turned out normal."

"It wasn't because the family didn't try to make him crazy. One other piece of history that Spencers don't know the real story behind and you two should keep it that way. Ned's first wife, Jenny, was a Spencer. Luke & Bobbie's cousin. Tracy hated her for her own reasons—most having to do with her fitness as a Quarternaine—and tried to kill her. Ran her down in a car herself. Unfortunately for Tracy, Jenny somehow survived and recovered from the injuries. They were pretty severe and she couldn't walk or speak for awhile. Ned found out it was Tracy later and blew a gasket. He got a confession on tape and all the physical evidence then used it to blackmail her into leaving the country and not coming back. Or at least until the statute of limitations on attempted murder was up. None of the family but grandmother know that's the reason he cut her out of his life even though he didn't turn her in to the cops. And Tracy is the only reason Ned isn't still married to Jenny. Ned wasn't cynical back then, he was happier than I've ever seen him. He and Jenny were strong and in love. Not strong enough to survive Tracy because she finally left him. Jenny never told the Spencers and grandmother kept Ned's secret."

Jason sat there taking that last story in quietly with no reaction. Caroline knew that meant he was considering how to play that angle in the future. Either to work Ned or get to Tracy. Emily knew she had to tell him this. He needed to know about any connection Tracy might have to the Spencers since none of them have figured out how all this is tied in. Tracy marrying Soleto is huge. Tracy Quartermaine isn't stupid and she never does anything without having worked out how it can benefit her the most. She knows exactly who the man is, what he does, and his desire to get his hands on some of Jason's territory. She'd also be the one most likely to have gotten to Emily. If he's planning on making a move against Jason, Tracy would be the front person coming into town.

"Should I ask how you know if it's a secret?"

Emily exhaled and shrugged before answering. Her expression a little sad.

"I told you, Jason, the plant in the foyer gets noticed more than me in that house. I can stand in a room for hours listening and learning because no one ever sees me."

Then she slipped on a fake smile and chuckled.

"Obviously, its done great things for my potential career advancement and has helped me hone certain skills along the way. If I think of anything else I'll let you know."

She was all business on that last point so Jason knew that meant she didn't want to discuss it. Life and the business was crazy but he wondered what he could do to fix a couple of things for her now. Caroline was ticked because she thought that was a real crappy way to treat such a good kid.