Francis dropped off a package for Jason and walked out the penthouse but found himself playing door man for a minute. Caroline and Jason looked up from their spot on the couch with mild surprise as Emily walked in and past them without a word headed upstairs with Marco and Loui right behind her. Each of them were loaded down with suitcases so it wasn't really a surprise what must have happened. The surprise was Ned standing there. Jason rose,

"Ned, what happened?"

"Grandmother approves. The others don't know. Grandfather is with them at the Grille plotting something to avenge you turning the grounds into and I quote "a gangster's garage." I noticed immediately but it took Em mentioning that she had to use her own transportation to get the Grille for the others to get a clue."

"Damn. She doesn't seem alright."

"Quartermaine fights are never pretty. This one was so bad it ruined her 18th birthday and only three people were actually fighting. But you know very well that when grandfather, Monica and Allen get started there might as well be 20 people involved. When they find out, they'll be here pounding on your door. Right after they get finished pounding on mine. If she hadn't wanted to come here I would have had her move in with me. If it's a problem for you, she can still come with me."

Jason nodded then turned to Caroline,

"Caroline."

"Yes?"

"Could you go check on her?"

She smiled warmly.

"No problem."

Then she turned to Ned.

"Has she eaten?"

Ned knew something was up. She was dressed dramatically different from anything he'd seen wear before. Even if they had just come from dinner or a night out. She also moved and spoke differently. Ned's a Quartermaine. And he's head of ELQ. That's two steps away from Jason on a good day. He took it all in without comment but nodded his suspicions to her before answering.

"Yes. Once grandmother kicked the others out of the mansion the three of us shared a birthday dinner. She really is quite good at doing that."

Caroline laughed softly.

"The iron butterfly. She is a grand lady. Alright. It was nice seeing you again."

With that, she got up and left. At the same time Loui and Marco came downstairs and left.

Jason sized Ned up then asked if he wanted to sit for a few minutes. Once they were settled,

"What happened?"

"The same thing that always happens. I know Em's spending most of her time here and I know they haven't noticed. I've been traveling a lot over the last couple of months and I don't live in the house so I haven't been there for her as much as I'd like. I mean it, if her being here will be a problem for you, just tell me. She can live me."

"No. Its fine. I want her here. Both Caroline and I do. There isn't going to be the slightest problem with that. With Justice across the hall, it makes it easier for her to hang out with him."

Jason sat back thinking about what he should say next. Normally, he wouldn't have said anything. Ned probably needed a heads up. Emily coming now would only be a problem as far as the old man showing up trying to get in while they're fighting a war.

Ned knew something was coming. He was positive his cousin wouldn't give him the whole truth or close to it. He disliked and disapproved of Jason working for Sonny Corinthos for many reasons. He wasn't sure what to think when Jason first took over. The dock's project was a headache for him as head of ELQ but he saw the business savvy in Jason's decisions. When it came to the unions, his cousin had that locked up as well. They hadn't had to sit across the table from one another yet, but Ned knew when the time came it would be good. Emily this close to Jason's life concerned him deeply. But, whether she lived with him or at the mansion she would be close to him. Ned said nothing and waited.

"Its crucial that you don't mention this to anyone. The family or anyone outside the family."

Ned sat silently waiting. Jason was going to have to give it all to him before he dealt with it. Jason saw that. He forgot for a minute who he was dealing with.

"I'm sending guards to the mansion tomorrow morning. They remain for however long they need to for grandmother."

Emily's birthday present just made more sense. There were many questions Ned could have asked. Why being the number one on the list but he wouldn't get an answer to that so he didn't bother asking.

"What else?"

Jason is rarely surprised by Quartermaines. He's not sure what's going on with Ned lately but its definitely something different.

"Your mother got married recently. Tony Soleto on Long Island."

Ned's face revealed not one single thing he was thinking or feeling and Jason watched hard for some kind of reaction but didn't get one. That's because Ned was no longer thinking or feeling. He knew exactly who Tony Soleto was and not because he subscribes to Mobster's Quarterly either. Those problems with the construction contracts in New Jersey and New York were starting to make a hell of a lot more sense.

"When?"

"Three weeks ago."

"Then she should be here soon. I give her another three weeks after you're finished doing whatever you're about to do which is the immediate reason for putting guards back into the house. It's a good thing Emily's here."

Jason stared. Still wasn't getting anything. Then he thought this must be how Ned deals with discussions of Tracy. He's surprised but not really considering Ned's previous lack of reaction and his comments.

"What do you know?"

"Probably not as much as you. We travel in different circles and we go by different titles but we do the exact same job and we operate very similar businesses. I run a blue chip company, not a church bake sale."

They both laughed at that because they knew it was true. Ned played for keeps in that boardroom and he was the Quartermaine family hammer when it came to everything else. He's crossed many lines, many time. He just never crossed THE line. When they were quieted.

"You didn't react. You know who Soleto is?"

Ned skipped a beat before answering. Jason could run a search and check it out easily.

"I'm not going to be moved across your board or anyone else's. When it comes to Tracy, I'm not workable. I can't be handled or finessed. We can talk straight and each decide what to do with the information or not. But I'm not going to be played on this and I know you've already considered all the possible angles to do just that."

Jason shook his head then laughed. He's never been caught. And even if he were Luke and Caroline are the only two people who would say anything. Well, after witnessing Bobbie's handiwork he adds her to the list as well.

"Ok, I'll admit that. Something tells me you would have done the same thing."

Ned gave a half smile.

"Maybe."

Jason nodded. Then thought about it for a few moments before responding.

"Yeah, she'll be coming after me."

"Me too."

That cost Ned nothing and Jason would figure that out the moment he ran the search. Ned figured he'd throw in a bit of honesty from the beginning to season the pot.

"She already started didn't she?"

"Yes."

"All I keep hearing from people is that Tracy Quartermaine always has an agenda and a game plan."

"Then your people are giving you accurate information. Whatever's coming, she worked all the angles to see how they can best benefit her. And, you've given her a new in."

News to Jason, he sits up and waits for Ned to share.

"Grandfather."

"I thought they had problems. The heart attack and all."

"I know this will offend you on general principle but sift through it till you get the bottom line. They are just as much Quartermaine as we are."

Jason nodded.

"Emily and the guards."

"Uh huh. Plus whatever you're working. He'll use that to his advantage to get what he wants."

"What's that?"

"You, Justice, Em and Michael."

"That's not an option."

"Then he'll break his toys if he can't play with them. And Tracy will be right there to help so she can pick up whatever pieces you all leave behind and put them together for herself."

"I do not want to have to deal with the old man."

Ned studies Jason for a few moments. He's come along way in the last year. Along way since the accident and his leather jacket and motorcycle days. Ned took in the room when he entered. They could have been any average affluent couple sitting together after a long day. He and Carly—and Ned noticed immediately that he called her Caroline twice not Carly. That's recent since the last time he saw either of them. He heard the Spencers refer to her as that after the kidnaping and on the one or two occasions they crossed paths at the hospital or Luke's. Makes sense, Carly isn't her name.

Ned thinks he needs to be around her one or two more times for a few more minutes before he gets it. The woman changed dramatically in a short period of time. But, she was too comfortable in her new clothes and mannerisms. That's when Ned realizes that the person he saw that evening was the real person. Carly was affectation for her scam when she came to town. Now that she's out in the open with the Spencer clan, she's Caroline and that's who he just spoke with.

But Ned isn't who he is or able to do what he does without having finely tuned senses and those are on full alert. She picked up the files she was reading along with Jason's when she left. Ned knew how Sonny treated Brenda and he saw his relationship with Lily. Jason and Caroline aren't anything like that. Jason has said little to give up information for Ned's benefit but it really didn't matter. He's gathered quite a bit on his own. His initial gut instinct was correct. He wasn't simply looking at a couple. He was looking at partners or business associates. Emily's comment at the house clicked in his mind with that thought. His cousin was running a family business of his own. He wouldn't say anything about that to anyone.

"But since you live in the real world you know you will."

Jason closed his eyes and rubbed his temple. He was getting a headache.

"Tracy knows ELQ. She's your mother so she figures she knows you as well. She either has or is going to use that knowledge to start picking apart the company. She'll use his cash reserves to quietly buy up as much stock as possible under her name. A Quartermaine buying ELQ stock wouldn't raise any suspicion with the feds, especially since they know she's flush. Then she'll go after you from the outside. Using resources within Soleto's spear of influence first. Things connected to people he can touch. Construction being number one on the list followed by any other labor unions or trades in his territory that you have to go through. Different unrelated things so you can't see a pattern but they will cause some of your business deals to stall and your investors to back out when you can't meet the deadline. A headache and a hassle but you'll be losing money the whole time and that's what Edward cares about. When it happens enough, he'll try to have you removed as CEO and that's what Tracy needs."

It was true. It was also confirmation of the thoughts the moment Jason first said her name.

"Yes."

Jason looked at Ned and was still confused by his demeanor. He didn't know what was going on with him so he decided to find out.

"What's going on with you?"

"What do you mean?"

"You never liked Sonny's business. You weren't happy about me working for him or the deal I made with him for the ELQ shares."

"Sonny's not here."

Unsure what that meant he had to ask for follow-up.

"I don't understand."

"My relationship with Sonny was different than yours. But that's not relevant because Sonny's gone. As for everything else, I live in the real world too."

Jason is even more lost by that response and wonders just what Ned knows. He can't ask that and won't. Ned surprises him with his own observations of Jason's situation. He sits forward and spins.

"Every new CEO has to fight off possible take overs. Some times its through outside competitors, some times its industrial espionage, sabotage and attempts from within. But no savvy business competitor does all the work. First they sit back, watching carefully to see if the new owner can meet the bottom line. Will the business fall or will they come out in the black at the end of the 4th quarter? Since you don't trade publically or produce a public portfolio there's no way for me to be certain but I'd wager that not only are you in the black but you're expanding.

Its sound policy for the newly successful CEO to eliminate the direct threat from within his company. Once that's complete, he has to solidify his market place. Weaker competitors are still competitors and some times those are the most dangerous. Those are the immediate concern once the company is sound from within. Those are the ones that require a hostile take over. Those are the ones that have to be dealt with quickly and there can't be anything left for them to build on later. No lose ends to be acquired by another company as a subsidiary. No way to sure up investors or financial support for a come back. They have to be completely taken over and the organizational structure permanently dismantled then destroyed. So the astute CEO takes care of all that. Nice and tidy. Then merges all those minor holding companies and subsidiaries into the fabric of his own business. Neat and clean. Profits are even more secure and the larger company is in even better financial shape than before.

But at the same time, other competitors—stronger competitors are watching and waiting. Where are the holes in the corporation's structure? How can it best be brought down? The smart competitor let's others do the work for him. And all the time he's been watching, he's been learning how the new CEO handles his company and his competitors. Its easier to take over a large successful conglomerate that has already merged outside competition and is running in the black than to buy up all the smaller ones or pieces if the work was done right. You're 4th quarter is almost up."

Then Ned sits back figuring he pretty much has the full monty on what's happening and about to happen. Neither of them would say the name, but Ned knew Moreno was about to be dispatched pretty soon. He'd use that to time Tracy's return. Jason was following Ned in amazement. He was captivated by the way Ned used the most accurate legal business terms and analogies to expose his entire situation and future plans. He's quick to note that Ned just laid out Soleto's game plan for him on purpose, as well. Jason was surprise and impressed. He also kind of wished that Ned wasn't ELQ CEO 'cause he was in need of a new business manager.

"You've done that before?"

"Many times."

"Some times its messy."

"Every time its messy. Some times its messier than others."

"Tracy's hedging her bets. Working both you and me to see which one she can gain access to outright and which one she has to be content with working from behind someone else."

"If Tracy is successful and gets her hands on ELQ that's one thing. One thing that isn't going to happen but its still one thing. If Soleto is successful in getting his hands on Morgan Inc., it will be with her assistance but she isn't going to be running it. It'll be folded into his existing territory. Tracy always has a long term plan to fit her agenda. Remember that."

Jason could only stare at his cousin in shock yet again in the course of their conversation. One that neither would have had if he hadn't delivered Emily. The message would make sense coming from anyone but Ned. Then Jason considered Ned's words, their businesses are similar.

"You're not saying what I think you're saying?"

"I'm not saying anything."

He wasn't sure what to say to that. It made sense. Still he shakes his head in wonder. Ned was definitely blowing his mind. Not because of the basics of the conversation but that Ned was saying these things and had a full understanding of how the business worked. Jason always thought of them as suits. When he stopped to think about it, he wore a suit too. Edward, he knew the man crossed THE line whenever necessary. There was no doubt about that. Jason nodded then gave another piece of information even though he wasn't sure its related.

"I have no clue if its related to your situation but I understand there's prior family history. Helena Cassidine isn't paralyzed or suffering from a stroke on that island in Greece. She was faking and was traveling at least 7 months ago. "

Ned suppressed the 'damn' that was building inside him with that one. Helena does not control the Cassidine estate anymore than AJ controlled ELQ but she is supported by it. In addition to her wacko mind, she's just like Tracy. And it wouldn't be the first time a Quartermaine teamed up with a Cassidine. Ned could see that she might want ELQ to help her plans along. Its also based in Port Charles along with all the Spencers and the trustee of the Cassidine estate out on Spoon Island. But that's where the major problem lay if they did strike a deal. Both play for keeps and both would stab the other in the back to take everything not just their share. And that's when everything got messy and blew up in everyone's face.

"When did Stefan find out?"

Jason will think about it all later and just answers the question.

"Couple of days ago."

Ned nodded. He had work to do. He also sensed that one was the last piece of direct information he was getting out of Jason that night. He stood and Jason walked him to the door as he spoke.

"Send a note to grandmother along with one of the guards. Obviously nothing specific or telling but something to let her know that you are well, thinking of her and will stop by when you have a chance. With Em moving tonight, you should ease her mind just a bit."

"Yeah, I could do that. I've been meaning to spend some time with her but things have been hectic. Plus, I hate that house."

Ned laughed. Everybody knew that.