A HUGE thank you to eelprup, Liasonfan1, and mssnay. I was so iffy on that last chapter that I thought I was going to wait and rethink this one before I posted it but your wonderful feedback boosted my confidence and here you are, thanks so much guys 

Jason eased into an empty parking space out front of Carly's apartment with a sigh. He reached down and turned off the ignition slowly, still loving the feel of the roaring beast beneath him after all these years.

He slipped his leg across the bike and headed into the plush building, heading directly up the three flights of stairs that led to the feisty brunette's apartment. He had told her at the cemetery that he would be able to stop by after he ran back to Jake's to change clothes.

Carly and Elizabeth might be comfortable in dress clothes but he took his jeans and black tee shirt over them any day.

Elizabeth, he mused as he turned left down the hallway.

Johnny had returned that morning to find Jason sitting in front of Elizabeth's rented suite for the night. Jason had stood up and nodded to the man before he disappeared out of the building. Elizabeth arrived at the mass two hours later in the same clothes she wore yesterday, minus the make up. Her stance in front of the town differed greatly from the one on display last night. She was calm, collected, stoic, in that moment some people would have called her a female version of him. Nothing seemed to affect her.

Not even when only a handful of people showed up at the cemetery, the handful that Jason selected. He made sure that the people who wanted to gawk would come another day.

They threw anger words at one another, time and time again, but he still couldn't bear to see her in this much pain. He wanted to make today as bearable as possible for both her and Carly. He thanked a higher power that Carly didn't say a word during the mass or afterwards.

Now as he arrived in front of her apartment door he knew that he was there to be the shoulder she needed to lean on.

He had missed his best friend over the past four years; no one was as crazy and as energetic as Carly Corinthos. She kept him on his toes and he liked that about her. The way their friendship started off was unique and he knew they could never go back to the days where sexual gratification was enough satisfaction for them. He had too much respect for Carly, too much respect for Sonny.

Jason tapped the door lightly with his knuckles announcing himself and Carly appeared a minute later with a small smile on her face. He immediately hugged her, lending her his strength and then stepped inside the roomy apartment noticing a cold beer on the table.

Coffee in the morning, beer any other time.

"Thank you for coming," Carly said quietly behind him, "I know you must have a million things to do with checking on the warehouse and…"

"Hey, hey," Jason said turning around to face her and taking her in his arms once again.

She quietly sobbed against his black tee shirt, her hands balled up into little tiny fists. She still cared deeply for Sonny, that much was obvious, and he wondered what in the hell could've happened between them that left Carly here on her own and Elizabeth in the penthouse.

He was a little afraid that all directions led back to him.

"I feel like this whole town thinks that I have no right to cry," Carly said pulling away from him and wiping at her eyes, "I was the estranged wife; I shouldn't have gave a damn that he left me for another woman."

"Carly…"

Odd, wasn't Elizabeth speaking like this just last night?

"But I loved him Jase, I don't know where this all went wrong," then her eyes flashed and he knew what was coming next, "That precious Miss Muffin Face is where this went wrong. She's the one who came into my life and destroyed it. For weeks, weeks, she avoided Sonny like the plague and then all of a sudden she pops back into his life, he's moving her in and eight months later here comes a kid. I swear to God if that kid was consum…"

"Carly." Jason had to stop her there. He wasn't sure how much talk of Sonny and Elizabeth he could take but he knew he had to draw the line at their sex lives. He never wanted to hear about that.

"I'm sorry," Carly said with a huff, "And I don't blame that little boy. Michael loves him and he's absolutely adorable despite the fact that he looks exactly like Elizabeth. Poor thing." She sighed and ran her fingers through her long mane, "But I could never hate Sonny's child, Jase."

Jason looked away from her and squeezed his eyes shut, realizing he was about to open a can of worms. "What about mine?"

"What? You're…you have a kid?" she asked walking towards him again, "Jesus Jase, what were you doing when you were gone?"

Jason rolled his eyes, he couldn't do anything but. Carly knew how he felt about Elizabeth but she must have thought since Elizabeth moved on, he did as well. Carly wasn't aware that that simply wasn't possible. Once Elizabeth was integrated in your life, she didn't seem to budge.

"Traveling, Carly," Jason said. "My son was right here."

Jason watched her face turn into confusion, then recognition, then into the hate he felt. All these years she watched her estranged husband raise another man's child, but not just any other man's, Jason's child.

"He couldn't have known," she said. "There was no way…"

"He knew," Jason said as he ran his hand over his forehead, "Alexis started to put things together as JJ grew up. I'm assuming the guards knew as well but I'm not going to go into detail with Francis, Max and Johnny about my son."

"Jase, if I had any…"

"I know," Jason said, "I know you would've told me. The two other people who mattered most to me didn't see fit but I know you would have, Carly." A ghost of a smile fell across his lips. "Even if it were only so you could get what you wanted."

"I admit I wanted Sonny back, so help me God I still do, but I would've never used your son as a pawn," Carly said. "Is that what she was doing? If so Jase I'll kill her, with my own bare hands."

That really brought a smile to his face, Carly was always willing to have his back, in the same way Elizabeth use to.

"I still don't know what was going on between her and Sonny," Jason said, "I'm assuming her speech at the viewing was suppose to let everyone know that she was in love with him. I still feel like there are a few pieces of the puzzles missing. I don't know if I want to find them."

"But you have to," Carly said. "I mean you can't leave again, not…"

"I'm not leaving," Jason said, "And I'm sure as hell going to be a part of my son's life. I'm just treading lightly." He pulled Carly into another hug, resting his chin atop her head, "We'll get through this together."

"I know we will, we always do," she said hugging him back tightly, "I'm going to pick up Michael at Bobbie's. I told her I'd come get him after you stopped by. She's been great keeping an eye on him and JJ." She hesitated for a minute before meeting his eyes. "Why don't you come with me?"

Jason was about to answer when his cell phone rang. He reached into his jeans pocket and pulled out the small silver contraption.

"Yeah."

"It's Alexis," she said simply. "I was hoping you weren't busy. The way you ran out of there this morning it was like…"

"Do you need something?" he didn't want to get into personal details with anyone about why he hurried out of the cemetery.

"If you're not busy," Alexis said. "I have a table reserved in the back of the No Name. Not my favorite place, mind you, but I feel its common ground for all of us."

"What?" Jason sighed. "What are you talking about?"

"The reading of the will," Alexis said. "I thought that Elizabeth told you she wanted it done as soon as possible. I only need you and Carly to show up, Benny's already here, Elizabeth's on her way."

Elizabeth had told him a lot of things over the past couple of days and he remembered something about the will. He also remembered telling a few people he didn't want a damn thing from Sonny Corinthos.

As if reading his mind, Alexis stated, "We need your signature to release any funds."

"Fine, I'll be there," Jason said.

"Good, I'll call Carly and hopefully…"

"She's with me," Jason said. "We're on our way."

"Oh," Alexis stated trying to hide her surprise, "I'll see you in about twenty minutes then."

Jason shut the flip phone and slide it back into the back of his jean pants. "Can you ask Bobbie to keep Michael for a few more hours?"

"Who was that?" Carly asked.

"Alexis," he replied. "She's requesting our presence for the reading the will."

It sat there in front of her, mocking her, begging her to take sip but she ignored it, instead concentrating on the headache that she had all morning, one which was thrust upon her thanks to her drinking bout from last night.

Last night where she had yet another argument with Jason.

And so it continued.

She rested her head back against the leather interior of the limo and adjusted her shades. Francis was driving her to the No Name where she would sit and listen to Alexis tell her and everyone else what Sonny was leaving to them. She didn't want to be here, she didn't want to have to be seated around a bunch of other people who didn't matter and watch their hands extended, itching to get a piece of the millions Sonny had.

She knew that Jason and Carly would be there and hoped that they got their fair share. They were the ones who were his true friends; they were the ones that mattered. She got what she wanted from Sonny, the past four years of her life, happiness and contentment. She would ask for no more.

Feeling the limo pull to a stop, Elizabeth pushed open the door and stepped out in her long white wool coat and dainty leather heels. The restaurant that loomed before her held so many memories. She had a dinner date here with Lucky one time and then many more dates with Sonny after that.

The No Name. A place she didn't want to see again after today.

"I think I'll take a cab back," Elizabeth said looking at a frowning Francis, "I'm going to pick up JJ and I really don't want to do it in a limo. My child needs to have some kind of normalcy."

Francis' frown didn't leave his face and Elizabeth sighed, "Fine, but at least bring back a car."

A small smile appeared as he slipped back into the front seat of the limo and Elizabeth headed into the restaurant, into what almost felt like an ambush. She didn't know why she had the bad case of the nerves; she and Sonny had talked about his will a few times. She never wanted to, he always insisted.

He promised her the penthouse and enough money to keep her and JJ satisfied. She fought with him, telling him that she didn't want any money; she would make it on her own. They came to a compromise in which Sonny promised he would give her enough to live on and no more.

The man was way too generous for his own good and that was why she loved him. That and a million other reasons.

Smiling to the familiar waiters Elizabeth came to a halt when she saw Carly and Jason walking towards the back of the restaurant, together, with Jason's arm around her shoulder, giving her support.

She didn't want it to hurt, but it stung nonetheless. Carly was close enough to Jason that he could forgive anything she did. Elizabeth never reached that point so she knew that Sonny would loom over them forever.

Taking a deep breath she waved away a hostess and followed them into a dark alcove where Alexis and Benny were already at table and Jason was seating Carly. She removed her shades, dropping them in her purse and seated herself.

No one moved, no one acknowledged anyone else's presence.

Starring around at the occupants in front of her, Alexis wasn't sure how the occupants would react. Benny was simply here because he managed Sonny's funding, Jason because he clearly stated that he was signing away everything, Elizabeth was here for Sonny and Carly was here for her fair share. She couldn't blame the woman; she just hoped that Carly felt Sonny provided her with enough.

Alexis had gone over this will one too many times and knew that she was about to make waves, yet she forged ahead.

"I Sonny Corinthos, being of sound mind and body, on this day, the 28th of February, do declare…"

Elizabeth felt her stomach do a tiny flip flop. Sonny and she never talked about his will that recently. That date was a couple of weeks after he proposed. Suddenly she felt a chill in the room, one that slipped right down her spine.

"…make contributions to charities as indicated, with my accountant Benny issuing the checks. The remaining of my estate will be divided equally…"

Oh God no, Sonny, Elizabeth thought, tell me you didn't.

"…to my estranged wife Carly Corinthos and Elizabeth Webber."

The private room was silent, they would've heard a pin drop, before the news sank in and Carly exploded.

"He was not sane when he wrote this," Carly said quietly, "This is not right, I went through hell with that man, she had four crummy years! You bitch!"

Then she lashed out, reaching across the table and making a grab for Elizabeth. As always Jason was there to stop her, his arms around her waist his quiet voice calming her. Elizabeth felt her self pale and shaking, her mind echoing something similar to Jason's.

She didn't want it, it was all too much, she wouldn't take it.

She opened her mouth to protest but Alexis ignored the outburst and continued.

"A portion of Elizabeth and Carly's funds will be placed aside in a bank account for Michael Corinthos the 3rd and Jason Morgan Junior."

Elizabeth took a deep breath as she rested her head in her hands, Benny looked over at Jason startled, Carly crossed her arms across her chest and Jason felt the anger, the hatred slowly start to build again.

"All my business assets, including funds, will be transferred over to Jason Morgan," Alexis said looking at Jason over the brim of her glasses, "Any monies in these accounts are to be dealt with as he sees fit."

Everyone jumped when Jason slammed his fist down on the table, everyone but Elizabeth who knew Jason didn't want this burden or his best friend taking care of his son.

"There's just one last thing, it's something personal," Alexis said quietly, "Part of it is not really something that has to be followed, it's…"

"Just spit it out already, Alexis," Carly said.

Alexis cleared her throat looking once more at Jason, then Elizabeth, then back to her papers. "The part of the estate left to Elizabeth Webber will be set up in a trust fund until she reaches the age of 25."

Elizabeth looked at Alexis startled. Something wasn't right here, what was Sonny doing?

"A trustee has been appointed for Miss Webber's funds until she has reached the age of 25. She is able to have monthly withdrawals and any more funds that she wishes to disburse must first be approved by said trustee."

Alexis didn't want to continue, she was afraid of the reaction she was going to get from everyone at the table. She took a large gulp of the water next to her and prayed that Sonny Corinthos knew what he was doing when he had this damn will drawn up.

"Although it is not something that I can legally require since she is past the age of 18, it is my wish that Elizabeth remain in the penthouse and reside with said trustee of the account so they can manage the funds together, wisely."

"Who the hell is the damn trustee, Alexis?" Carly asked as she drummed her nails against the table. "This is ludicrous, that money should be mine."

Elizabeth looked over at Alexis and thought for a moment she saw the woman mouth the words 'I'm sorry'. She shook her head to clear it and realized that was exactly what Alexis had said after she uttered the next sentence.

"Said trustee is Jason Morgan."

Carly burst out laughing, Elizabeth felt as if the floor has slipped out from under her and Jason was glaring at her like she knew this was a set up all along.

"I just need these signed by each of you," Alexis said as she handed Carly a paper and pen.

Carly scrawled the name Carly Corinthos on the bottom of the page and glared at Elizabeth, "This is not over. I will fight this in court. I am his legal wife and you have no rights."

"This is binding, Carly," Alexis said, "I can attest to Sonny being of sound mind and body."

"And that hefty paycheck you clear," Carly scoffed, "I'm going to get Michael, Jase are you coming?"

Jason stared at the paper in front of him, the one naming him sole owner of the Corinthos-Morgan Warehouse, the one naming sole trustee of Elizabeth Webber's affairs, the one stating that his son would be receiving a percentage of Sonny's fortune.

He just stared.

"Jase?"

Jason shook his head as he took the pen in his hand. He wanted to sign it all away, give it all back, throw it in the mobsters face. He could do this on his own, wasn't Sonny the one who taught him that?

"I'll get with you tomorrow Alexis about the charitable donations," Benny said as he collected his papers and stood up, "Jason, will I see you at the warehouse?"

Jason ignored him, the pen now flicking back and forth between his index and middle finger. He was going to sign away every damn thing.

Elizabeth looked at Alexis and then back at Jason. She wanted to know Sonny's motives, wanted to talk to the lawyer about what her crazy lover had in mind when he thought this up but as soon as that question entered her mind it exited.

Sonny loved her and he knew that Jason would feel obligated to take care of her.

Looking at the man who still held the papers in front of him Elizabeth wasn't so sure that Sonny knew Jason that well. He couldn't predict his reaction to the news of having a three year old son or the fact that Elizabeth and Sonny were raising him together.

No, Sonny couldn't have known the devastation that she had thrust upon Jason.

She only hoped that Alexis could find a loophole that would allow her to be the trustee when Jason signed everything away. She didn't want Carly in charge of her funds.

"I don't need to sign anything correct?" Elizabeth asked quietly as she slid her shades back on her face. "Since I'm receiving no funds."

Jason moved his eyes from the paper to her. Was she bitter about that, that she couldn't access the millions upon millions that Sonny had leapt upon her? Watching her rise from the table Jason knew that Elizabeth wasn't about money, no, the Elizabeth he used to know wasn't about money.

The one who stood before him in a knee length red satin dress was someone he didn't know anymore.

Alexis shook her head and after taking one more wistful look at Jason Elizabeth disappeared, hurrying away from the restaurant she swore never to step foot in again.

Alexis reached her hand out and touched Jason's gently, squeezing it, "I know what you said. I know what you think you want to do. Are you going to do it?"

Jason looked down at the papers, the papers stating that he was in charge of everything, of his son's future, of the coffee warehouse, of Elizabeth's life, of the damn Mafia. He was now being asked to step in and take control, to rule everything with the iron fist that his mentor did. Walking away would no longer be an option, disappearing on his bike couldn't happen again.

But those things were thrown out the window when he looked into the eyes of a three year old boy.

So he leaned down and scrawled the name Jason Morgan across the papers in front of him, looking up at Alexis with a very questionable smile. It was one of those smiles reserved for his prey.

"I'm going to do it," he said sliding the papers back over to her, "I'm going to move into the Penthouse."