Shot in an Alley: Family

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A big thanks to all of the reviewers!

--------- Corinthos Penthouse

Sonny walked into the living room from the kitchen. He was in the middle of cooking dinner. "So what is it you want for dinner, Jason?" It was quickly becoming his custom to ask, as Jason just wasn't much in the mood to eat. Whatever he could make that Jason was likely to have some of was exactly what he would serve.

Jason opened his eyes. Michael had worn him out so Carly and Elizabeth practically threatened him into a nap. "Um, I don't know."

Sonny smiled. "Well I was thinking spaghetti." He knew that it was one of Jason's favorites.

Predictably, Jason agreed, "Sounds good." Jason looked around for a second. "Where's Carly and Elizabeth?"

Sonny sighed, "Across the hall. I can only imagine the talk Carly is giving Elizabeth."

Jason look relieved. "Good, I don't want to sit here anymore."

Sonny looked at his friend suspiciously. "What does that mean?"

--------- Morgan Penthouse

Carly was sitting on Jason's couch. It was one of the lone five pieces of furniture in the room. If nothing else she was glad that he was with Elizabeth. If she moved in he was sure to let her redecorate the place. Carly had tried, hard, but he didn't want that.

"What did you need to talk about Carly?" Elizabeth asked.

Carly sighed; this wasn't going to be easy. As much as she hated to admit it she was actually starting to like Little Miss Muffin, but Jason was more important. "It's about Jason."

Elizabeth sighed. To say she hadn't expected this would have been a lie. "What about Jason?"

"If you do anything like you did before, sleep with Zander or anyone else, get upset and walk out when he can't tell you things or anything else you've done to hurt him in the past, I will make you pay for it." Carly said, sounding more serious than Elizabeth often heard from her.

Elizabeth knew Carly was telling the truth. "I love Jason. I'm not going to hurt him."

Carly nodded, "Maybe not intentionally."

"Carly I know you think I'm not good enough for him and I know I've hurt him in the past but I love Jason. I didn't know or realize it until I found him shot and bleeding for the second time. I know that's not an excuse. I want to be with Jason. It's amazing that he even wants to be with me after all I've done but I plan on making sure he is never sorry for this." Elizabeth said, speaking to herself just as much as she was speaking to Carly.

Carly smiled, that had been exactly what she had wanted to hear. There was only one thing left for her to know. If Elizabeth could say the right thing again she would be behind the girl all the way. "I actually believe you, Elizabeth." She said, grinning gently at the girl that clearly only trusted her as grudgingly as Carly did in return. "But I need to ask this, and don't tell Jason I mentioned it. What are you going to do to fix this penthouse up?"

--------- Corinthos Penthouse, Kitchen

Jason sat in a chair with a blanket over him smiling. "Thanks Sonny."

"If Carly or Elizabeth asks, tell them it's not my fault." He said. He knew that once the girls came in and saw Jason missing his life would be over. He grabbed a spoon and started to stir his spaghetti sauce.

"I will." Jason assured before hastily changing the subject, "So Michael hasn't had any problems now that he is back with Carly?" he asked, he had been worried about the boy.

Sonny nodded, "He's been fine. Better than fine. The only thing is that he doesn't like to let Carly out of his sight, but she talked with him a little while ago. After that he was fine."

Jason had expected something like that. "And how is Carly?"

Sonny sighed, "She says she's fine. I think she's covering for me, though. I know it had to have been awful for her."

"Of course. Seeing that Elizabeth and I are together so soon after she got back couldn't have helped her." Jason said.

Sonny turned and grinned, "You'd think, but she surprised the hell out of me. Right before Courtney got back she figured out how you two felt and decided she needed to give you guys a push." He started to put the garlic bread into the oven to cook.

"Really?" his friend asked from his spot in the chair. Surprise was written all over Jason's face. Sonny knew he had to have been expecting more of a fight from Carly.

"She wants you to be happy. I think this whole thing has proved to her that Elizabeth is stronger than we all thought."

Shaking his head Jason spoke, "No, she's stronger than you all thought. I always knew it."

Sonny looked up at Jason from where he was chopping vegetables, "You're really happy with her?"

"Happier than I thought I could be."

Sonny smiled at his long time friend.

--------- Morgan Penthouse

"And you have to get more furniture." Carly added for what had to be the sixth time. Elizabeth was telling her what her dream was for the penthouse. Both knew it wasn't going to happen if Jason had much of a say, though.

Elizabeth nodded, "I know. When I stayed here with Zander there was a bed and a nightstand in each room. That was it."

Carly made a disgusted face. "Yeah, that's Jason."

Elizabeth decided to take a different turn of conversation. "So Carly, has Sonny heard from Courtney?"

"Yeah, she wanted him to talk to Jason."

Elizabeth prodded further, "And?"

"He said no. And after a nice, loud conversation she agreed to go to a college out of state."

Elizabeth smiled in spite of herself. Before she could talk the door flew open to show Michael.

"Mommy, Lizzie! Daddy said dinner was ready."

Carly and Elizabeth got up and headed to the door, "Show the way, Mister Man."

The girls entered the room to find Jason already sitting and Sonny swatting his hand to keep him from the food until they got there.

Both of the women went in and kissed their respective men. Elizabeth sat next to Jason while Carly went between Michael and Sonny.

Sonny raised his glass and cleared his throat. "Okay guys, I want to say something."

Carly rolled her eyes and muttered, "You always do."

Sonny pretended to look slightly offended. "Anyway. I wanted to make a toast. To family, may we always be there for each other and always survive the hard times."

Everyone clinked their glasses together and once everyone had been served the conversation started. The coffee warehouse, Elizabeth's painting, Carly and Sonny got into a playful argument over her eating habits and Jason spoke to Michael about his stay on the island.

It turns out the little boy had been learning to surf before he had come home. "I can't wait to tell Chris." Michael had informed Jason, speaking of his best friend from his class in school. By now they had the entire table into their conversation.

"You think he'll think it's cool?" Jason asked with a smile. Under the table his hand squeezed Elizabeth's.

Michael nodded his head, "Of course! Chris's cousin knows how to surf! I like his cousin. He's cool. I want one too."

Carly smirked as Michael spoke again. "What makes someone a cousin?"

Sonny explained to Michael, "A cousin is a child that your aunt or uncle has. Like if Lucas had a kid that would be your cousin."

Before Michael could speak Carly add, "But it'll be a while before Lucas has kids."

Michael turned to Jason. "Then you could have a kid."

Jason smiled, "Yeah, I could. But I need a wife to do that."

"Then marry Lizzie. If you guys were married you could give me a cousin right?"

Elizabeth's face turned bright red. "Oh, no Michael, that wo- "

Jason cut her off, "Yeah, we could." He said, answering honestly.

The little boy's face lit up, "Good! When can you have it?"

Elizabeth looked at Jason and Carly held her breath. After a second a looking into his smiling eyes she looked back a Michael. "I'm thinking pretty soon."