Time flew by on Spoon Island even if it ticked away at normal speed on the rest of the planet. Nine hours after she arrived, Stefan walked her to the launch and bid her good night. He called for his limo to be waiting at the pier and that is how she returned to the Towers.

Caroline stepped off the elevator and entered the apartment without really noticing her surroundings or the look she got from the guard. She didn't make a move to go upstairs. Instead, she slipped off her shoes and threw they by the door. Then she grabbed a bottle of cognac from the bar and walked to the fireplace mantle, reached around the side and pulled out her hidden pack of emergency cigarets and lighter. She wasn't hiding them from Jason or anyone else. It was an old habit. There wasn't anyone to hide them from these days except herself. She just had to remember that she had them. That wasn't a problem tonight. This was one of 'those' nights. Something told her Stefan was digging around in one of those Ming vases for his Marlboro Lights as well.

When she had everything she needed, she drew the curtains back, opened the balcony door and stepped outside. She didn't even bother with a glass or civilized behavior. She lit a smoke taking a long, slow drag, exhaled and tipped the bottle back to her mouth following pretty much the same motion. She had every intention of smoking that entire pack of cigarets before she managed to get herself blind drunk. This was one of 'those' nights.

What she did not notice was Jason standing at the top of the stairs watching her the entire time. It was late, she hadn't called or come home. He knew she was more than capable of taking care of herself so he didn't interfere. But she never called for a car to pick her up so he was concerned and asked that someone let him know when she did. That call never came. Instead, he was notified that Stefan's limo pulled into the garage 10 minutes ago. He wasn't asleep anyway. It wasn't so easy drifting off now that he'd gotten used to her next to him. So, he thought he'd come downstairs and meet her. Hear about her evening or just walk her upstairs. He was surprised to see her take off her shoes because she never did that before. But grabbing the bottle made him stop what he was about to say. So he just watched. Nope, he never had a clue she had a secret stash of smokes. But he knew what it meant when he saw them. He waited. It didn't take long. She was working quickly and efficiently.

Caroline made it through the door and actually managed to get it closed and locked with one hand while holding onto the bottle with the other. She set it on the table seconds before vertigo set in and she had to stand still to ride it out. Satisfied with her success she turned to head upstairs. For a second she contemplated crashing on the couch but didn't want to scare the kids in the morning. The maid's room was out even if it was her night off. Closer than her own room and actually being downstairs, it still seemed too far. So, she just resolved to make it up the steps if it took all night. She knew she'd be sleeping alone tonight. It was after 3am, Jason was definitely asleep and she wouldn't want him to see her like this anyway. She turned around, took two steps and walked into his arms.

Jason saw and he watched silently. He wasn't going to interfere but he wasn't going to allow her to be hurt either. Oh, he knew she was hurting. Something happened tonight that moved her this way. He couldn't do anything about that pain, but he could prevent something physical. She walked right into his arms and didn't realize it. When she did, she made no move to step back. Jason waited to see if she was merely getting herself together or accepting. When she rested her head on his shoulder he had his answer. Gently, he lifted her into his arms and carried her upstairs to his room.

Once inside, he locked the door with one hand while keeping her balanced securely.

Carly could hold her liquor. Jason figured science was on his side when he assumed Caroline could as well. She still needed to be comfortable. He carried her into the bathroom and turned on the shower without putting her down. Only after the water was adjusted did he sit her down and start undressing her. He took off his clothes as well and helped her into the shower. She hadn't said a word. He didn't expect her to. She stood, but he wasn't taking any chances and propped her against his chest as he bathed her and washed her hair. When he was all finished, he moved her out and into a thick terry cloth robe. She tied the belt while he grabbed one for himself. Hand eye coordination isn't the best when one is intoxicated twice the legal limit so he put the toothpaste on the brush and handed it to her. They hadn't done this in over two years but the routine came back to them both instantly.

Jason carried her from the bathroom and sat her up on the bed while he stepped back to the bathroom to get a few more things. He was glad she stayed in the same position as when he left her and hadn't fallen over yet. Setting the glass of water, aspirin, hair brush, lotion, and hair scrunchie down on the night stand, he got to work. The last thing he did was brush her hair and pull it back for her before handing her the aspirin. She never liked that part because she didn't like drinking the water. At least she didn't fight him. And, she'd be thankful the glass was on the bedside table in the morning. Jason dressed her in one of his silk pajama tops while he took the pants. Then shifted her position so she was under the covers then slid in next to her.

Jason still hadn't said anything because Caroline didn't speak. He knew she wouldn't. He lay in bed and waited. Finally, she leaned into him and he opened his arms to pull her close. He never knew what caused this because she never said a word in the past. And he knew she never would. Instead, he held her and gave her what he knew she needed desperately at that moment. He was her sword and her shield. Her refuge and her fortress.

Morning did not come easy for Caroline. Morning past a long time ago, it was just after noon when she stirred under the covers. Jason rose to help Letisha with the kids then asked her and Emily to make sure they stayed quiet because Caroline wasn't feeling well. They took the hint, everybody got dressed and left for the day. Then he called to the guard and asked for a do not disturb unless it was an emergency or Faith. Neither came. Jason knew that she wouldn't want to make an issue of it and she wouldn't want to talk so he left her in bed and stayed downstairs working.

Caroline didn't wake up completely until just after 1pm. It took a few minutes for her head to clear completely and that's when all the various truths and realities set in. She had one truth downstairs and one on Spoon Island. She'd have to deal with each of them at some point. She wasn't ready to admit it but Caroline knew she would be heading back to the island soon. Instead of thinking about that too much, she got dressed to face what was left of the day and the man she knew was holding silent sentry as her protector downstairs.

Jason heard her footfall on the stairs but didn't turn around. He didn't expect it and he didn't think it was needed but he knew it was coming.

"Thank you for taking care of me."

He hated that she felt it necessary to say that. They were past that sort of thing in their friendship. Past it a long time ago.

"Its ok. That's what friends do."

"Only you, Jason, only you."

Jason didn't say anything else. She would direct the conversation, or not. He also wasn't going to ask for a report on her meeting with Stefan. It was more than apparent that there is something between the two of them. Each time she visited him, she has returned altered in some way. And whatever happened last night drove her to a place she hasn't been in a over two years. He wasn't there for her that night. He cannot regret it because they wouldn't have Michael. But, he wasn't there to protect her from the pain or what it led to because she ended up in bed with AJ.

"I'm hungry."

He laughed. It was an observation, a statement, a request and a command at the same time.

"Come on, you can watch while I cook."

She was all smiles with that response.

Sonny Corinthos was a lot of things. Not many of them any good. But one thing he could do was cook. The upside, he taught Jason. Caroline heard stories of how obsessive the man was about and in his kitchen so she was just thankful Jason wasn't the same way. Luke said Sonny actually had a safety zone. If one were allowed to enter the kitchen they couldn't actually pass a certain point. Caroline wasn't sure but she figured even Wolfgang Puck wasn't wound that tight. When she thought about Luke's culinary skills and disasters, she reconsidered the necessity of the rule.

Propped against the top of the kitchen island, Caroline watched him work idly. She knew Jason wouldn't ask. And she got the distinct impression that he'd never ask her about Stefan Cassidine again. Stefan was now connected to an area of her life that Jason did not attempt to venture into. Not once. She thinks he has a right considering the way he takes care of her, but he does not. She has always been grateful for that, accepted it and moved on. But she did think she ought to make some kind of report about her meeting with Stefan. That was the purpose of the dinner.

"Stefan gave me some information that I think might help Emily in her search. He doesn't know where she is but he knows where she isn't. Considering how big the world is, that's something."

"That's some place to start. How'd he figure out where she isn't?"

"Cassidine compounds and properties all over the planet. He is the trustee and he checked."

"He didn't know she recovered."

It was a valid observation.

"The...considerable number of job vacancies at the island in Greece put any question as to just whom is in charge of the Cassidine Estate to rest."

"Em said that was an option. I didn't really think so. That's kind of harsh."

"Um, you're talking?"

He laughed.

"Ok. Point taken. What else?"

"He answered all my questions. The ones about her money especially. He even cracked open the accounting history books like Em mentioned and made a list for me."

"Why?"

"Because I asked."

"How come you get information from him and no one else does?"

Jason knows he's treading on something with that one but its still a valid question.

"Uncle Luke never asked. I get the feeling that's really all you have to do with Stefan."

"That doesn't seem...normal for a Cassidine from what I hear."

Her voice was soft in her reply.

"He's not the normal Cassidine."

Jason isn't touching that one.

"Ok, so where is she getting her money to hide?"

"She had a secret stash that she got from Mikkos. Both from some of his accounts immediately after he died and Stefan hadn't been appointed trustee yet, and some she siphoned off earlier in their marriage."

"Sounds smart considering the type of man everyone says he was."

"Yeah. And since she didn't keep it as a part of the estate, it was invested elsewhere. No way to track that without asking her where she put it. But something tells me Stefan is working on that. He's not letting this go. I don't blame him."

Jason heard what she said, but he also heard a lot more.

"You trust him."

It wasn't a question and they both knew it. But it did require an answer even if he wasn't going to pry.

"Yes."

He can't do anything with that except accept it.

"Should the rest of us?"

"Depends."

"On what?"

"Purpose, agenda, and what you want from him."

"So basically, he's alright if we don't do anything to bother him or upset his plans?"

"Exactly."

"What about you?"

She didn't play stupid.

"He'd warn me first."

"Why?"

"I'm not completely sure yet."

"I thought he answers questions if somebody asks."

"He does."

"And he wouldn't tell you that?"

"I didn't ask."

Jason was now certain that something was definitely going on between her and Stefan Cassidine. He didn't know what but he knew he would not interfere. That wasn't his style and it wasn't what he and Caroline were about. It wasn't what he and Carly were about either. They never told each other what to do and never involved themselves in areas of the other's life uninvited. He wouldn't abandon her and he wouldn't stand aside while she was hurt or walked into trouble but that wasn't what he felt was going down. He didn't know what it was specifically, though. But he knew she was free to make her own decisions and choices, whether he liked the outcome or not. So, Jason decided he'd let it play out whichever way it would.