Chapter 21

12 hours later

Location- Meyer's Motor Lodge, New Jersey

Jason watched Carly as she lay on the bed in the motel bed. Her eyes were closed but he knew she was still awake.

He went and peeked, for the tenth time in the hour since they got here, out the window. The parking lot was deserted.

Carly hadn't wanted to stop searching and either had he. They spent the day breaking down doors to abandoned buildings that all ended up being empty.

With no where else to look right now, they could both use a few hours rest. The first place Jason spotted he got a room and told Carly to try and sleep.

Jason placed his gun on the table. Then he went and sat on the other side of the bed. "Carly?" he said softly

"Ya, Jase?" she said , her eyes closed.

"I never wanted to let you down," he started

She opened her eyes and sat up. She scooted close to him. " And you never have!" she insisted

"Carly," he said, his voice still soft. " I did by letting the kids get kidnapped by Faith and AJ. And I did now. It was my job to keep you and them out of harm's way."

Carly was shaking her head. "I knew the risks. I chose to live in this life a long time ago."

"For me."

Carly tilted her head and gave him a look filled with lost dreams. " And I have never regretted it. My kids are lucky to have you. And we both know I couldn't make it without you. When Sonny and I split, I knew I would still be in this life because I have his kid. Even without our connection to you we are still targets. And always will be."

"That is what I was trying to tell you earlier." Jason said. He got off the bed and walked around the room.
" If I can find a way to get Sonny and me out of this business- alive and clean- what would you think?"

"This is a job for you , Jason. One your good at. But the business is Sonny's whole identity. He won't give that up willingly."

Jason met her eyes, telling her that he would not back off this idea easily.

"Put Sonny aside for right now. I can't speak for him but I'm through with Port Charles," Jason said " at least for a while. And I could give a damn if the business folds. As long as the people I love get out alive."

Carly crawled off the bed and came to stand in front of him.

"What would you do with your life if you were free from the mob?" she asked "Have you thought about it?"

"That's all I think about these days." Jason said. He gave her a look, one he hadn't given to her in years, filled with desire.

Carly went still.

I'm gonna touch your body,
wrap your arms around me.
I'm gonna be your fantasy.

Your dreams come true.


I'm gonna taste your loving.


Make you my only woman .


I'm gonna love you, love you, love you


Baby, I belong to you

Brain McKnight lyrics

You are overtired, Carly told herself.

She knew men. She knew what this look meant. But Jason gave up on the idea of them ever being a couple again years ago. He was out, as far as that was concerned. Wasn't he?

"Jase?"

He stepped closer, raising his hand to brush the hair out of her eyes. He breathed out her name, "Carly..."

His cell phone rang.

They both jumped and then he was moving across the room to get it out of his jacket.

"Ya? Do you have something for me, Stan?" Jason looked back over at her.

Carly watched him, her thoughts on Michael, Jason,

the present, the past, and a future too good to even let herself dare to hope for right now, all at once.

"Good work. Keep looking for more. We're heading there now." Jason hung up.

Carly said, " What! Do you know where he is?"

"Antonio Torres is not in NYC like he is supposed to be. He was spotted in New Jersey an hour ago. Stan found out Antonio's father use to owned a building on Harold Street. He lost it to back taxes a few years back. And it's still abandoned. We should check it out."

"Let's go." said Carly, grabbing up her stuff.

Jason put back on his jacket, shoved the cell phone in the pocket. He grabbed his gun.

Carly had her hand on the door when he came up behind her and reached over her to stop her from opening it.

He leaned down and whispered, close to her ear. "Once we have Michael, I am not letting you, him or Morgan out of my sight for a very long time. Okay?"

"Okay." Carly said, without having to give it a moments thought.

And then Jason pulled open the door and they ran to jump in the SUV.