A/N – Thanks for the comments! It has been crazy here with fires. It's hazy everywhere and the smell...ugh. We ended up losing power for almost 5 hours last night and it was so hot and because of the bad air quality, you couldn't even open up windows. Hope everyone is staying safe out there.

ghfan – I answered you at the bottom

Chapter 32

Johnny cleared his throat, surprised to find them together especially like that. Maybe they needed to have another girl talk. He had made it easy on them when he had decided to abstain, but it looks like all bets are off. Although, maybe it would be worth it to see the look on Jason's face when he tries to explain. The talk with Cam had gone okay, but he and Francis needed a drink afterward especially since Cam is so devilish.

Jake quickly retreated and glared.

"Sorry, but Maximus wants to talk to you, and you didn't answer your phone."

"Is he pissed?"

"I'm not sure."

"Tell him I'll be there shortly."

Johnny left as Jake sighed.

"I'm sorry."

"Jake that was the best kiss I've ever had."

His eyes narrowed. "Just how many kisses have you had?"

She smirked. "Not a lot, but they didn't come close to that. What about you?"

"Only a few, but no kissing anyone else."

"Does that mean I'm your girl?"

Jake paused. "It's your choice, Sophie. I think you know what you'll face; at least you have an idea. Will you be?"

She smiled. "Yes, Jacob Morgan. I will be your girl." He had explained that he is in the process of changing his name to his father's last name. It should be final soon.

He kissed her reverently, letting her know that he is excited for more to come.

IiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIi

Maximus eyed Jake as he strode inside the office. After threatening Johnny's life, the man finally explained why Jake was delayed.

"Sit."

He frowns because it was the chair that Sonny had sat in and Maximus had to bite his lip not to smile.

"Yeah."

"Is that all you have to say?"

"I'm not sorry that I shot him, but I should have cleared it with you first."

Maximus shook his head. "Damn right you should have. Don't step out of line again."

Jake nods.

"You have to keep your emotions under control, Jake."

"I know."

"Then what happened?"

"He's an asshole."

Carlos grinned from his place near the door.

Maximus sighed. "Despite his level of douchery, you can't just shoot people. By the way, you can't hurt Sam."

Jake made a face.

"If anyone is going to hurt her, it will be your mother."

"Where is she staying?"

"In the cottage out back. It's two bedrooms, so she can stay there with Drew. I had his things moved."

"Fine, is there anyone else I can't kill?"

Liz moved into the room. "Watch your tone."

Jake grimaced.

Liz is standing in front of the desk with her hands on her hips. "You shot Sonny?"

Drew and Sam's brows raised as they cleared the doorway.

"He pissed me off."

"Jake…"

"What? Like you wouldn't have done it if you had the chance…"

"I would have aimed a little higher."

Drew smirked.

She turned to face Maximus. "By the way, I like your little gun under the desk."

Maximus's eyes narrowed. "I'll buy a bigger one."

Liz smirked. "Is he alive?"

"For now," Maximus said. "I would like to speak to Sam now."

Drew's head tiled. "Not without me…"

"With all due respect, this is not for your ears. This is between me and Sam."

Drew doesn't like that at all.

Sam touched his arm. "It's okay."

Drew scowled but followed Liz out.

Sam sat.

"I don't like you. I know about your past and I don't trust you. Somehow you wormed your way into Jason's life, but I won't do you harm because Elizabeth and Jason supposedly forgave you."

"I saved Jake."

"And? Anyway, if we talk about that, you'll piss me off and I might have to let Jake get his vengeance."

She is shocked.

"Don't be surprised. He knows everything. Helena told him and he has a right to be pissed at you. I need your promise that no one ever finds out what happened here."

"I promise."

"If you turn on us, they will never find the pieces and I always get my revenge. I don't have a soft spot for you like Jason does."

She nodded. "Okay."

"Not only that but no matter what, you leave Elizabeth alone. I know you both have done shitty things to each other, but it stops. Are you okay with that?"

"I can live with that because of the kids."

"You will live with it regardless. Do I make myself clear?"

"Yes."

"Good. How long are you staying?"

"Drew wants to wait until after Jason is okay, but I'll probably go back in the next few days because of the kids."

"That's a good plan. I'll watch over him and if you tell Francis your plans, he'll make the arrangements to get you home."

"Thank you."

"You may go."

Sam left, grateful that she's off the hook but shocked that everything is so off-kilter.

IiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIi

Jake pulled Sam into another room before she could reach Drew.

She is trying not to shake as he stares her down.

"I hate you," he said before moving toward the window. "What you put my mother through and the things you said to her should have resulted in your death."

"They forgave me."

If looks could kill, she would be dead.

"You think that matters to me that they were stupid enough to let you off the hook?"

Sam's eyes pricked with tears.

"And you can save the waterworks because I don't give a damn about your feelings. You hated me. You wanted me gone and for my parents to suffer."

"I'm sorry, Jake. I was in a bad way. I shouldn't have done it."

"But you did, and nothing can change that. You could have saved me ten times and it wouldn't matter because you chose to let some crazy woman keep me. You wouldn't help my parents in any way and you taunted my mother. Helena told me everything. The fact that you thought that hurting a child is appropriate tells me everything that I need to know about you. You're nothing but a lying whore."

"Jake!" Drew said. He had wondered what was keeping Sam when Maximus had joined them.

"It's okay," Sam said.

"No, it isn't."

"None of this is okay. The fact that you are with her is not okay or that my parents ever forgave her. I don't care if she hasn't hurt another child or that she saved me. I get to hate her. I care about you, Drew, but I don't want to be around her." Jake strode out of the room as Sam wiped at her face.

"Do you feel that way at all?"

Drew sighed. "It's complicated."

"Wow!"

"Sam, you know what you did was bad."

"Then why do you want to marry me? Why did you stay with me?"

"You didn't give me much choice."

She punched him on the arm.

"Ow… Look, forgiveness isn't about letting you off the hook. Have I questioned myself over it? Yes. I wish you had never gone there, but you did, and I have all of Jason's feelings about it. He struggled with moving on with you. It wasn't an easy decision."

She wiped a tear away. "Do I have to be punished forever?"

"I think their problem is that you weren't punished at all."

She sighed. "I'm not the only one who did things wrong."

"I know. Everyone has to live with their choices too."

"Are you going to leave me over this?"

"I think it's just something we need to talk about further. It probably means that if I want to visit with the kids and my brother, maybe it's best if you aren't there."

She's hurt, but it's not like she has a choice. Moving against him, she is relieved when he returns the hug.

IiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIi

Piph squealed and then looked over at Liz. "He's awake. They will be with him for the next forty-five minutes taking tests and assessing if they can take out the tube."

She grinned and yelps when Jake picks her up and spins her around as Cam laughs.

Everyone heads to the hospital to see him.

IiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIi

Jason was ready to shoot someone before they took the tube out. Finally, a doctor had appeared with a nurse and they gave their approval to remove it. He's not feeling a lot of pain due to the meds.

The doctor explained his condition in Italian and Jason responded in kind.

"You're going to be here for at least a week. The drugs they gave you at the clinic have taken a toll on your liver. Your left lobe is compromised which will slow down your healing. We're hoping that in time, it will regenerate, but you must also be prepared that it could fail."

Jason nodded.

"The bullet just missed your heart. You're going to feel like an elephant is on your chest for a while. It will be hard to breathe deeply so you will be on oxygen treatment. It is imperative that you rest. Sleep is your friend. Do you understand?"

"Yes."

"We'll have to do a battery of tests. We must figure out the full extent of the damage to your body. Your mother is here and has filled us in on your prior condition. She has been helping us out the last few days giving consults. She's very good."

"She is…" He's surprised she came.

"I'll send her in. I'm sure the rest of your fan club will be here shortly. Your son and his mother have barely left your side. If you are stable for the next twenty-four hours, we'll move you to a private suite. For now, you can only have two visitors at a time. I'll check on you later."

"Thank you."

"You have a catheter. The feeding tube stays for now."

"Okay."

He left and a few minutes later, Monica rushed to his side.

"You're back."

"Yeah."

She gripped his hand. "I thought I lost you." Her eyes glisten with tears.

"I couldn't leave Jake." His son had spent so much time willing the universe to send him back, Jason wasn't sure if he could handle it if his father died.

"He's been so worried."

Jake rushed into the room. "Dad."

"Hi, son."

Jake made it to him in two strides and gently hugged him.

"You and your brother give good hugs."

Jake smiled through his tears. "How are you feeling?"

"Drugged…"

"I'm going to go get Elizabeth," Monica said.

"Are you okay?"

Jake nodded. "Sonny is here."

"What!"

"Don't get upset. They'll kick me out."

Jason tried to school his emotions.

"I kind of shot him in the leg."

Jason's face contorted.

"I couldn't help it. He's an asshole."

"Where is he?"

"He's safe and will remain that way until you decide otherwise. You have time."

"You have more restraint than me."

"Barely…"

Liz rushed into the room. "Hey."

He slightly smiled. "Hey."

"I'm glad you decided to join us." She moved to the other side of the bed and grabbed his hand. "Don't ever scare me like this again."

"Yes, mom."

"Don't be smart."

Jake grinned. "Is Drew in the waiting room?"

"Yes."

"I'll go get him."

He disappeared in the hallway and Elizabeth eyed Jason.

"I'm fine."

"No, you're not. Sam's here."

"Okay… Where's Danny?"

"Mercedes is watching the kids. She came with Sonny."

His brow raised.

"She came in peace. I'll explain when you're feeling better."

Drew joined them. "Hey, big bro."

"Big?"

"Yup. You were born first."

"That means I can boss you around."

He can tell that Jason is already getting tired because his eyes are slits.

"I found some info. I'll tell you tomorrow. Today, you need to rest. It can wait."

Jason's eyes fluttered shut. "Hate drugs."

Liz grinned. "You were always the worst patient."

Jason made a slight noise and he was out.

When he woke up again, Cam and Jake were in the room.

"Hey," Cam said. "Glad you're back. Jake's angst was annoying."

Jake playfully shoved him.

"Thankfully, his girlfriend Sophie was here to support him."

"Girlfriend?"

"You better start running, Cam."

Cam hurried out the door with his brother hot on his heels, making Jason smile.

Soon, Sam moved inside.

"Hey."

"Hi."

"I'm glad you're okay. I'm going to be leaving tomorrow, so I just wanted to see you. I told Danny you weren't feeling well, and he wanted you to know that he hopes you feel better soon."

"Tell him I said thank you."

"I talked to Andre and got him to talk about what drugs you were on."

"Thanks."

"It was the least that I could do." She held his hand. "I truly hope you'll be okay."

Drew moved into the doorway. "I bought someone to sit with you while we make Elizabeth and Monica eat something."

"Who?"

Piph moved into the doorway. "Your biggest nightmare—literally."

He smirked. "You missed me that much?"

"Yup. I had to fly all the way here to see my favorite enforcer."

Drew pouted. "I'm hurt."

"There is enough love to go around."

"Hussy," Liz said from the hallway.

They left and Piph sat next to him.

"I'm glad that you're back."

"Me too."

"Stan said stop being such a drama queen and stay safe."

Jason smiled. "Might take him up on that."

"You have a lot of people who love you which means you're not going to get away with anything."

"I figured as much."

"Let them love you. They need it as much as you do. That family has been through a lot. It's a delicate string and you're on the other end."

"I know."

"Jake needs you right now."

"I will do what I can to help him."

"I hope you do. You can't go back and fix the past, but you have the power to do right by him now. Who knows, you might find out that what you were running away from is what you should have been running towards."

His eyes fluttered shut. "Stupid drugs…"

She chuckled. "You're off the hook for now. Sleep, Jason. I've got your back." He slightly gripped her hand and then fell asleep.

That is how it was for the next few days, but he was doing well, so they moved him to a private room where he could have more visitors.

Jake, Cam, and sometimes Sophie would play board games while he watched. His stamina sucks, so he slept a lot.

IiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIi

Carly fumed when Sonny didn't return her call for the fifth day in a row. She stomped to the warehouse and is stopped by a guard she had never seen before. "Who the hell are you?"

The guard spoke in Italian into a mic and soon the door opened.

"Mrs. Corinthos, please come inside."

She gave the first guard a look as she moved past him. "Where is Sonny?"

"Sonny is not available right now. Things aren't safe and we are running the business for the foreseeable future."

"Who is we?"

Vincenzo left the office and strode into the room. When Johnny and Francis came up with the idea of him getting a piece of Corinthos/Morgan, the opportunity was too good to pass. As a sign of respect, he went to the five families and laid it out for them. They were appalled by Sonny's behavior and Vincenzo let them know that more information will be forthcoming once Jason is more stable.

Her brow rose as she eagerly perused him. He almost spat.

"Mrs. Corinthos, I am Vincenzo Vicari."

They shook hands.

"Is there any way I can get ahold of my husband?"

"It's not safe. You wouldn't want anything to happen to him, right?"

"No."

"I suggest you go home, Mrs. Corinthos. It's best if you try to lay low."

She pouted "Fine…" He must be crazy if he thinks she'll do that. It's not in her nature.

A/N - ghfan51184 – Okay lol – Re: Sam – It's interesting because the only time I've liked her is how she treated Liz before and during the cabin in the woods with Russians. She smiled and was warm to Liz. I don't know why they write her so morose most of the time. It's so annoying. Re: Jason and settling, I think when you go for what is safe and easy even though you want something more, you usually are settling. It doesn't mean you don't love the person you are with. Liz definitely settled for Franco. I think she thought no one else would want her after the lie.

You know, I struggle with the…others have done far worse thing because people have a right to hate Liz when she does something to them. Liz has done some very hurtful things and they aren't diminished just because someone else did something worse. It's interesting because both Sam, Carly, and Maxie, despised Liz because she was a threat re: Jason, not because she did anything to them initially. That is where I draw the line. When you hate and judge someone that never did anything to you, that's just ridiculous.