A/N – Thanks for the comments! Glad you still like this one. Leasemom, Jason is trying to be a friend and respect her. She has been through so much and not only does he not want to be a rebound, but he also wants to give her some time to figure out what she wants. He's accepted that they are leading to more, but he's being cautious as is she. The time just wasn't right.

Chapter 25

Emily stared at Johnny who moved further into the kitchen. All night he has smoldered, and she wonders if that is just a mob thing, and they all go to training for it.

He grinned. "What the hell is going through that brain of yours?" He can't quite figure out her expression.

She snapped out of it. "Just thinking…"

"Don't hurt yourself."

Her jaw dropped. "Johnny O'Brien!"

"That's my name, don't wear it out."

Her eyes narrowed. "Don't make me take out all my Nikolas ire on you."

He faked a shiver. "I'm so scared."

"That's it!"

Johnny ducked around the counter.

Emily gripped the edge. "Why does my stamina suck so much?"

To Johnny's horror, she started to collapse, so he dashed to her side and then yelled when she punched him in the arm.

"That's what you get."

His jaw dropped. "You tricked me?"

She smirked. "Damn right I did."

He watched her mumble to herself all the way to the couch where she plopped down.

"Popcorn?"

He shook his head. "Unbelievable." He is so proud of her. Her will is amazing, and he hopes to God that someday, she'll be his.

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Liz adjusted a pillow and then turned onto her side. "What are you thinking?"

Jason sighed. His brain is a jumble of information. "There's too much going on at once."

"I agree. I don't want to make it harder for you by staying here."

"And I don't want to make you go back there before you are ready."

"Do you think you might have to leave earlier than expected?"

"So far, no, but Ric is unpredictable."

She groaned. "God, why do my mistakes always come back to haunt me?"

"That's why I'm not trusting you anymore. No more boyfriends."

She chuckled. "Ever?"

"Yup. The same goes for the baby."

"Ha! I will sneak her out."

"If she is anything like Lizzie, I will have Johnny duct tape the both of you."

"Please… I can take Johnny. He's a sucker for my brownies."

"True. Settle on a name yet?"

She sighed heavily. "No. Maybe I need to see her first."

"That might help."

"I think Sonny wants to use the name, Adela."

"Yeah."

"I have tomorrow off, but I'm going to talk to Marty again the day after."

"I'm glad that she's helping."

When she yawned, his hand covered hers.

"Go to sleep. I'm right here."

"Okay…" She is used to falling asleep next to him now. It will be weird going back to the penthouse and being separated from him. Maybe he'll be okay with them continuing the arrangement.

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The next morning, Edward almost threw his coffee mug across the room while he cursed.

"Edward! What is going on?" Lila asked as she is pushed into the room.

"I want to rip Lansing's eyes out"

"What did he do now?"

Alice locked the wheelchair, prompting Lila to grab a napkin and then spread it on her lap

"He issued a warrant for Elizabeth's arrest asserting that she is in cahoots with Jason."

Lila clucked her tongue. "That man is a menace."

Tracy wiped her mouth. "What can we do about it?"

"Johnny said I shouldn't poke the bear."

"Well, he didn't tell me that."

Edward grin. "What do you propose?"

"Maybe some flat tires or tagging his car, you know, anything to make his life difficult."

"Brilliant!"

Lila smirked "I hope I don't have to bail you out of jail."

"We're too smart for that, mother." Tracy eyed her father. "Let's meet after breakfast to plot."

Edward rubbed his hands together. "I'll cancel my 9 o'clock."

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Jason stormed out of the house. Ric must die.

Audrey swallowed hard. "I can understand why people fear him."

Monica eyed Elizabeth. "Do you know what that was about?"

She shook her head. "He was fine when I spoke to him last."

Francis entered the kitchen and then froze due to their stares. "What?"

"Why is Jason upset?"

He wiped his face. "Ric struck again."

"What this time?" Liz asked.

"He got a judge to place a warrant for your arrest stating that you are helping Jason evade the police."

Liz's jaw dropped.

"I swear his mother dropped him on his head too many times," Monica said.

"What an ass," Audrey added.

"What now?" Liz asked.

"The longer we take to the return, the more he comes up with." His phone buzzed. "Diane?"

The women can hear Diane's raised voice, but not what she's saying.

"Great… I'll let him know, and we'll come up with a plan."

"Something else?" Audrey asked.

"Yes. Somehow, there is an audio tape of Faith saying that Jason threatened to kill her."

"Dammit," Liz said. "This is ridiculous."

Jason sighed as he stood in the doorway. "That just helps their case."

"They'll probably be able to hold you regardless of your proof that you weren't in town," Francis explained.

"What are my options?"

"We delay Liz's return by a day, so you can get Ric to drop the charges."

Liz and Jason's gaze connects.

"And I think you should get married just in case." He had mumbled that last part, but Audrey and Monica heard him.

"What!" Audrey yelled.

"Why?" Monica asked. She wants them together, but they are still so far apart emotionally.

"What did you say?" Liz said nervously.

Francis sighed. "I think you should get married so they can't use you against each other. If you think about it, solidifying the union will also send a message that you're off-limits."

"Ric will lose his mind," Audrey said.

Jason rubbed the back of his neck while Liz turned red.

"Think about it. I can call Diane back and get some papers faxed and I'm sure I can get a reverend out here by this evening for the right price."

Liz suddenly comes to life. "I don't want to force Jason to marry me because of Ric. I mean—that's asking too much. I just…" Her voice trails off and Jason annoyed that there are other people in the room, takes her hand and leads her to the porch.

"I'm sorry."

She is surprised. "You're sorry? For what?"

"There is a warrant with your name on it because of me."

"No, it's because Ric is an asshole."

She is livid.

"I can't force you to marry me, but it would make things easier."

Her hands found her hips. "You seriously are considering this?"

He nodded. "It would better protect you."

Her eyes welled with tears. "How romantic."

"Elizabeth…"

She held up her hand. "I just got a divorce after making a few crappy decisions. I just didn't think my next marriage, if I ever went there again, would be for convenience."

"I know you didn't, but Ric is playing dirty, and I need to protect you at any cost."

"I don't want to be an obligation."

"We are having a baby and I don't view either one of you as that."

Her shoulders slumped. "Fine, Jason, whatever. I'm just tired of everything being so messed up."

She sat on a chair, and he knelt in front of her.

"Can we make an agreement before we do this?"

She slowly nodded.

"I don't know about you, but a loveless marriage is not something I want. Can we agree that maybe after we get all of this straightened out that we're willing to try to make it a real one?"

She swallowed hard as her brain goes on overload. Does he want to eventually be with her? Can they make it work? "You're serious? You—you want to be a real family someday?" Things had stalled between them, so she isn't sure what his head is at.

"I would like that. I know we have a complicated past, but we can't change it and I don't want to marry you and then just break it off if there is a chance it could become more. There's a child involved. It will take work, and it's not something we have to focus on now, but if there is no hope, I think it will be hard not to be awkward around each other."

Monica and Audrey, who are behind the curtains, grin.

"Francis is so losing this bet," Monica said.

Audrey chuckled.

"He wants to wait, so his kissing guess is out of the question."

Francis shook his head. They are too much.

"Okay," Liz said reluctantly.

Jason grabbed her hand. "Since I'm on one knee, Elizabeth Webber, will you marry me?"

A tear escaped as she squeezed his hand. "Yes."

"Thank you. I'll go start making the arrangements."

When he took off, she grabbed her phone out of her pocket and dialed.

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Emily smacked Johnny's hand because he was trying to swipe a French fry. "Hello?"

"Hi."

Sensing the emotion in Liz's tone, she got up and went into the living room as Johnny watched.

"What's wrong?"

Liz sniffed. "Ric doctored a tape to show that Faith felt threatened by Jason, and he put out an aiding and abetting warrant for my arrest."

"What!"

Johnny knows what they are probably talking about because Sonny had filled him in.

"I know."

"I'm so sorry. What are you going to do?"

"Jason is coming back soon and then I'll follow the next day."

"Is it safe?"

"I hope so, but that also leads to something else."

When she started to cry harder, Emily is scared.

"Elizabeth, talk to me. You know Jason won't let you go to jail."

"I know."

"Then what is it?"

"Francis suggested that we get married today."

Emily is struck silent as she processes that information

Johnny moved to her side, concerned by her expression.

"I don't know what to say. Did Jason ask?"

Emily took the pad and pen from him and scribbled what was going on and Johnny is shocked too, but at the same time, thinks it was the right thing to do.

"Yes, with some conditions."

Emily swallowed hard. "Explain please…"

"He won't do it unless we agree that after we get everything sorted, we agree to try for more."

A grin slowly eases onto Emily's face. "Wow."

"I know."

Johnny, who is leaning against Emily to hear, had to fight not to chuckle. Thank God that Jason is getting his head out of his ass.

"Do you want that?"

"I—I think it could work, but that is what scares me. We're finally friends again after I lost him and I don't want that to ever happen again."

"Then be committed to making it work. Fate brought you back together again, so just see where it goes. Are you getting along well?"

"Yes."

"You may not be in love with each other yet, but I do think there is a lot of love there."

"Yeah."

"Then there is hope."

"Hope is nice. I'm just so tired, and he is already sacrificing so much for us."

"Yes, but he's also willing to do this, so trust his commitment. Don't overthink everything."

Liz took a deep breath. "You're right." She gasped.

"What?"

"I have nothing to wear."

"Do you have time to shop?"

"Probably… Then get my mother and Audrey to go. You should stay at the house. They can send you pictures or face chat with you."

"Alright…"

"I wish I could be there."

"Me too."

"Make someone record it, okay?"

"I'll ask Cody."

Emily smiled. "Elizabeth?"

"Yeah."

"Welcome to the family! We're finally going to be sisters."

Liz grinned. "I love you, Emily."

"I love you too."

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Audrey and Monica had raced into town and gone to several shops before they finally found the perfect white dress. They texted Liz a picture and when she agreed, they are pleased that the store has it in Liz's size. It's simple and elegant and will work with her expanding belly. At the same time, Francis managed to find himself and Jason a suit and shirt a few doors down while Jason was able to find an officiant.

The lady at the bridal shop called a friend who said they can get a bouquet together if someone is willing to pick it up at the docks, so Monica was able to get her to commit to a few flower arrangements as well. Another guard is escorting a stylist to do Liz's hair and makeup, and then he'll go back to pick up the officiant.

Jason watched as Liz painted. This is the first time she had attempted it. All he can see is colors, so he moved closer to get a closer view.

Feeling his presence, she started to point things out. "This is the ocean and the beautiful sunset and that is us," she said pointing to a couple who is holding hands at the water's edge. Just painting this is helping her reconcile it.

"It's beautiful."

"Thanks."

Francis had gone into a jewelry store and sent him some pictures of rings, so he picked one for her and one for him. Once they get to a point when they are truly a couple again, he will probably select something different, but for now, it will do.

She turned around. "You okay?"

"Yeah. Everything is coming together. The hairdresser will be here soon."

Liz is surprised. "Oh…"

"I thought it would be nice to spoil you."

"Thank you. I'll go take a nice bath then."

He kissed the top of her head. "Everything will be okay."

She nodded. "When is your hairdresser arriving?"

He grinned. "You think I need one?"

She shrugged. "They could put a few curls in."

He made a face making her smile. When she cleared the doorway, he breathed a sigh of relief that she seems happy and hopefully, they'll make it through all of this.

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Taggert stared at his computer after listening to a new audio file. Now, he's even more convinced that something seriously smells.

Brian sat across from him. "I take it you listened?"

"Yup."

"Well, here's something else to chew on." He handed Taggert a copy of the warrant.

"Wow. What is his plan?"

"I don't know."

Taggert thought for a moment. "Maybe he's trying to lure her back."

"Maybe… He can't do anything if Jason isn't here. She'll be forced to talk to Ric if we have to bring her in."

"This is a shit show."

"I agree, but we have no choice but to arrest them. Have you heard from the guard at the airport?"

"Yes, and there is no sign of them. I even checked neighboring airports, but I doubt he'd sneak back in. He's not a coward."

"I agree. If Ric is orchestrating this, I don't know if we can prove it."

"Then we have a choice to make."

Taggert pounding on the desk. "I hate Ric for making me work with Jason. The little prick needs to be taken down."

"I'm with you on that, but I think he has covered his tracks well. Morgan better have a great alibi."

"I'm not sure it will help. He could have had someone else do his dirty work."

"While that is true, there is no proof that he did."

"If the eyewitness can be proved wrong, due to the alibi, then it will cast doubt on the rest."

"True," Brian said. "We don't have the weapon either. The rest is circumstantial, and Diane is a pit bull in court."

"Then we wait for Jason and see if we can make a deal. I'll arrest him at the airport and talk to him in the car. Ric will be waiting at the station foaming at the mouth."

"We'll make it happen."

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Carly dropped her fork when Sam entered the diner. "Why are you still in town?"

"I don't see how that is your business." She put in her order and then sat at a table in the corner while her guard watched from across the room…

Carly got up and slid onto the chair across from her; "How much to make you leave?"

"What?"

"You heard me. Women like you always have a price, so how much?"

Sam slightly smiled at the waitress as her drink is placed in front of her. "You can't afford me."

Carly studied her. The bitch is glowing, and it pisses her off. "You'll leave town one way or another."

"Is that a threat?"

Kurt, knowing Sonny is close by, texted him to hurry to the diner.