"Sonny, I have to protect my daughter! No matter what!" Jason yelled. Sonny had told him not to do anything, to leave it alone. How the hell was he supposed to leave this alone? This was his daughter. His only child. He had to protect her, no matter what.

"Jason, Jase- I understand Okay... If it was Morgan I'd be just as upset as you," Sonny said, "And dont forget that this is my niece. I love her too.

"I know Sonny. I know you love her. I, I just, I wanna finish Ric once and for all. You know he's behind this! He's using my daughter to get to me," Jason said as he threw a glass across the room

"Calm down Jase. We'll find a way to stop that bastard. We will. I promise," Sonny said, trying to hint to Jason that he needed to cool off.

"Sonny... should I send her to the island? I mean, it's safe there, she could take her classes from there. I'm sure her teachers would understand...." Jason said before Sonny interrupted him...

"Do you think Courtney would go for that? Never mind Emma, she'd fight you all the way to the airstrip," Sonny said matter-of-factly.

"So what? At least she'll be safe. And Courtney will understand. How many times have Courtney and Carly and Michael gone to the island? More than either of us can count! Emma will be safe there Sonny. That's all that matters," Jason said while taking a seat on the couch, taking a piece of broken glass in his hand and fingering it before hurling it at the door in frustration. Just then, the door opened, revealing Courtney.

"Woah! Watch it Jase, you could kill someone! Not to mention your own wife!" Courtney joked as she shut the door behind her.

"Sorry Courtney," Jason said, getting up and walking over to her.

"Uh huh," she replied.

"I want to send Emma to the island," Jason said as he looked into his wife's eyes.

"No," was all she said.

"Courtney, come on. She'll be safe there. How many times have you gone..." Jason was once again interrupted.

"Yeah, and every single time I went, I hated it. She's fine, a boy likes her Jase. That's all. We'll get though this like we get through everything else," Courtney told her husband.

"We're talking about Lansing here Courtney! We have no reason to trust the bastard! Look at what he did to Carly, to You! He raised this kid, this kid is most likely as bad as he is," Jason yelled, as he began to pace the room.

"Where is Emma right now Jason? Do you know?" Courtney asked, her eyes burning into his.

"N-no, why? What does that have to do with anything right now?" Jason asked, beginning to get frustrated.

"You can start keeping her safe by watching her, you know, checking on her in her room, calling the school, God, Michael goes there! Do you really think that he will let anything happen to her?"

"Well no, but,"

"Exactly. So forget about the island. We can keep her safe. You and me. We're all she needs okay?" Courtney said, her voice getting gradually softer.

"Courtney, if one, and I mean it, ONE, bad thing happens. If I see Ric or Alex near her, talking to her, or even looking at her, they're done,"Jason replied, his voice also taking it down a notch.

"Fine, but give her a chance. She's a big girl. She can take care of herself," Courtney said with a grin.

"She's only fifteen Courtney," Jason said trying his hardest not to smile back at her. Her smile was contagious, and she knew it.

"Yeah. I know. When I was fifteen, I was alone. My mother was out at the casino, my father was God knows where. And I handled it. I basically lived on my own, and I was only fifteen. So have some confidence in our daughter Jason. I do," Courtney replied while turning and walking out the door and back over to her own home.

"She's got a point you know," Sonny said, smiling because of how Courtney stood up to Jason and told him he was wrong. Something only she could do. The only two people in Jason's life that could change his mind were Emma and Courtney. And Sonny laughed silently to himself because with Carly and Morgan he was the same way.

"I wish she was five again," Jason said as he walked out the Penthouse door.

"Yeah, I know what you mean," Sonny said to no one as he walked up the stairs to see how his daughter was doing on her homework.

***Ric's House same time as Jason & Court left Sonny's PH***

"Daddy!" Trevor Lansing yelled as he ran into his father's arms.

"Hey buddy!" Ric replied, hugging his youngest son, his only son, by blood.

"Trevor? Trev sweetie? Honey where'd ya go?" Liz Lansing yelled throughout her home. She walked in on her husband and her son hugging.

"Hey sweetheart," Ric said as he let go of his son and kissed his wife on the cheek.

"Hi," She replied.

"How was your day?" Ric asked.

"Same old, cleaning. Running around after this one," She pointed at their son.

"I'll trade you anyday," Ric said before letting his wife out of his embrace.

"Ooh. Intriguing. But before I think about that... Mr. Trevor over here needs a bath!" Elizabeth said as she chased after her son who screamed at the sound of 'bath'.

"Finally," Ric mumbled under his breath.

He then headed up to Alex's room. They had to put the rest of the plan into motion.

"Alex? Can I come in?" Ric asked as he knocked on his door.

"Yeah, it's open," Alex replied.

"We need to talk, about Morgan's girl," Ric said as he opened the door.

"Nice to see you too Dad," Alex said sarcastically.

"Alex, this is serious. We need to discuss what we are going to do next," Ric said, while taking a seat on the floor next to his adopted son.

"Dad, she is so beautiful. God, I mean I watch her walk down the hallway. She is surrounded by boys, most of them older than her. But none of them would ever date her because she is who she is. Emma Morgan. Daughter of mobster Jason Morgan. Niece of the big bad Sonny Corinthos. Not one guy at PCHS would date her. Not one would be brave enough. So we dont have to worry about her falling in love," Alex said, a dreamy look coming across his face.

"You can't possibly really like her. This was supposed to be a set-up. There were to be no real feelings involved Alex," Ric Lansing said.

"Dad, she is so amazing though. Her eyes are, God I dont know. I could get lost in them for hours," Alex stated. Ric noticed how smitten he was with the Morgan girl. He could use this to his advantage...

"Alex, listen to me. We need to get her to trust you. Jason is already on to me. I arrested him today because he came here and threatened me. Morgan wants his daughter safe. So you need to lie low and get her to trust you, but slowly," Ric told Alex.

"Dad, my feelings for her won't get in the way. It will just make me want this even more. Once we get Emma, she'll be mine. Nothing will be able to tear us apart, ever," Alex said as he jumped at the sound of his clueless mother's voice calling them for dinner.

"Just stay focused amnd keep your eye on the prize. I'll do my part, dont worry. I've destroyed this family before. I can do it again. Before you know it, Emma will be madly in love with you, and the rest of the Morgans and Corinthoses wont know what hit them," Ric laughed.

"Whatever Dad, come on.I'm hungry," Alex said as he left his room, his father following closely behind.

***PH2-Emma's Room 1 Hr. Later***

Knock. Knock.

"Come in," Emma said from her bed. She was laying on it, just finishing up her homework.

"Hey sweetie," Courtney said as she approached her daughter's bed and sat on the edge of it.

"I just finished my homework," Emma stated proudly as she slammed the book shut and turned to face her mother, "What's up?"

"I just wanted to see how you were. That's all. We havent been talking much lately, and your father is paranoid, so I cant talk to him," Courtney laughed. Maybe she could get Emma to talk to her, just maybe she would tell her something...

"Oh my Gosh! The best thing happened today Mom!" Emma excitedly said, smiling brightly.

"Well, what is it?" Courtney replied, flashing an identical smile back. This was going to be easier than she thought.

"This guy, his name's Josh. Oh Mom he's so great. You would just adore him, I dont know about Dad, but you know how he is. He would die of shock if I brought a boy home!" Emma giggled.

"Oh honey that's wonderful! What's he like?" Courtney asked, getting herself situated on her daughter's bed.

"He has brown eyes, oh they are just so beautiful. He has dark hair and he's tall. Mom, whenever I see him I get the worse case of butterflies!" Emma said in all seriousness.

"Hmm. Tall, dark and handsome. Ooh and the butterflies! Your father used to give me those whenever I saw him, even if it was just a picture. Come to think of it, he still gives me the butterflies," Courtney said.

"Aww, Mom you love Dad so much dont you?" Emma asked, she was a hopeless romantic.

"Oh yes. I dont know what I would do without him," Courtney replied with a smile.

"I wanna be in love," Emma said.

"You will be. Just give it time, the right person will come along. Dont go searching for love. It always sneaks up on you in the most unexpected places," Courtney said. She had been dreading this day. The day her daughter grew up. The day she wasnt her little girl anymore.

"I think Josh should come over so you can meet him," Emma suggested.

"Emma, shouldnt you two go on a few dates first?" Courtney asked.

"You, you would let me date? Mom, you know Daddy would never go for that. He doesnt even like the makeup," Emma said, looking down.

"We dont have to tell him," Courtney stated simply.

"Really? Oh Mom! You're the greatest! I love you I love you I love you!" Emma said as she enveloped her mother into a huge hug.

"Just promise me that you'll take Uncle Max or Marco with you... they wont be in sight dont worry. Your father would kill me if he found out you were going somewhere without one of them, let alone dating," Courtney said.

"Dont worry. I'll take them," Emma said.

"Good, go and talk to your father now. He misses you," Courtney said truthfully. It was true. She could see it. Jason missed Emma so much. She was always in her room, sometimes she didnt even come down to dinner. She remembered the day Emma came down the stairs with makeup on....

(Flash back--)

Jason: Emma you're gonna be late for school!



Emma: Coming Dad! {she is running down the stairs}

Jason: Whoa! What's on your face?

Emma: Mom's old makeup. Why?

Jason: Go take it off.



Emma: Mom said I could wear it.

Jason: You dont need it.

Emma: Yes I do.

Jason: Emma take it off.

Emma: MOM!!!!

Courtney: What?

Emma: Daddy thinks I'm ugly with makeup on!

Jason: Emma that's not what I said. I think you're beautiful all the time. You're just too young to wear makeup.

Courtney: Come on Jase, she's in 7th grade. Let her wear it.

Jason: Courtney...

Emma: Daddy so you dont think I'm ugly?

Jason: No, no of course not. I think you are the prettiest girl in the world. {hugs her}

Emma: So then I can wear the makeup. Thanks Dad. Bye Mom. {walks out the door, leaving Jason looking awestruck}

Jason: What just happened?

Courtney: She just played you. {goes into his arms}

Jason: She doesnt need makeup. Why'd you give it to her?

Courtney: Because she's old enough to decide whether she needs it or not for herself.

Jason: Well she doesnt need it. Neither do you.

Courtney: Yeah, but you like when I wear makeup. You think it's sexy.

Jason: I think you're sexy all the time. {he kisses her and carries her upstairs}

(End Flashback)

Emma walked down the stairs and found her father sitting at his desk, looking over paperwork.

"I got an A- on my Bio exam," Emma said, causing her dad to turn around and smile.

"That's great Emma," Jason said.

"I'm sorry that I havent been spending time with you and Mom lately. I've been busy," Emma said, she was now feeling guilty. Her and her father had always been so close. She didnt want to have a gap form in their relationship.

"Hey, it's okay. I'll take any time that I can get with you," Jason said as he got out of his chair and hugged his little girl. Much to his suprise she was sobbing into his chest.

"What's wrong Emma? What happened? A minute ago you were fine," Jason asked, very much concerned.

"Nothing Dad. I just miss you sometimes," Emma said. She was also shocked at the fact that she was in tears. Maybe because she really missed him, or maybe it was because she wanted to tell him about Josh...

"I love you Emma. But I want you to promise me something," Jason said.

"God Dad! What is it with you and all these stupid promises? I know I have to take Uncle Max with me. I know I have to be careful. I know I have to stay away from Alex Lansing! God I get it! Why cant we just have a normal conversation without you judging what I'm wearing, or asking me who I talk to? Just- just leave me alone!" Emma screamed as she stormed past her mother who had heard her yelling and was coming down the stairs to sort it out.

"What the hell just happened?" Courtney asked her husband as she made her way over to him.

"I asked her to promise me something," Jason replied. He felt awful. That is how his daughter felt about him. He was only trying to keep her safe. That was all he wanted to do.

"What did you ask her to promise you?" Courtney interogated.

"I didnt get to ask, she just went off on me. So I didnt interrupt her," Jason said.

"What were you going to say?" She asked.

"I just wanted her to promise me that she would say goodnight before she went to bed. That's all," Jason admitted as he turned around.

"Oh Jase," Courtney said as she walked around him and wrapped his arms around her.

"I love you," Jason said as he rested his chin on her head.

"I know you do," Courtney replied as she put her hands on top of his and rubbed his wedding ring.