A/N – Thanks for the comments! * Guest – If you're going to try and read into every word, at least take it into context. They are talking about how she was in the past, so he said he loved that person she was. It has nothing to do with current feelings or who she is today. I've already said they still love each other but are just not in love and Jason already said he loves Liz. Jeez.

Chapter 38

When Johnny walked in supporting Jason, Liz was out of her seat in a flash and so were the boys.

"What happened?"

"Sonny ran his mouth about you and Jason lost his cool."

Jake smirked. "And you were mad at me?"

"Shooting and punching are too different things," Jason said.

Johnny eased him onto the couch.

"Shirt off," Liz demanded.

Jason groaned.

"Come on, you big baby," Johnny said, helping Liz ease it off. "Are those love handles?"

Liz rolled her eyes. "Please, there isn't an ounce of fat on him."

"Mom, how do you know that?" Cam said.

Liz's face turned crimson red. "Go to your room."

Jake grinned.

"And you," she said pointing her finger at Johnny. "I should kick your ass for letting him hurt himself."

Johnny groaned. "He moved too fast."

"He's injured. Are you seriously saying you couldn't beat him in a race to get to that idiot?"

"I was in shock."

Liz rolled her eyes. "I'm gonna show you what that's like in a minute."

Jason's head flopped backward as Liz took the bandage off.

"It looks okay, you just probably jarred it."

Jake retrieved a new bandage and some tape and handed it over.

Once it was secure, they got his shirt back on and Liz handed him a pain pill.

"Do you want to go lay down?"

"Yeah."

Johnny helped him upstairs and when he came back, he froze as they stared at him. "What?"

"What did he say about my mom?" Jake asked as his face turned to stone.

"You have your dad's look down. It's amazing."

"You're stalling."

"I'm not repeating it. He was an asshole and Jason knocked him the F out."'

Liz crossed her arms across her chest. "I seem to remember having a conversation about you stopping him from doing anything that could hurt him."

"Come on, you know how fast he is," Johnny whined.

"He's injured."

"And he still moved at the speed of light. Even if I couldn't get there in time, he gets to defend you. That little asshole deserved it." Johnny is ready to drive back there and strangle Corinthos himself.

"I asked you to do one damn thing," Liz muttered as she grabbed a pain pill and some water before going upstairs.

"Wouldn't want to be you," Cam said.

Johnny smirked.

"What's so funny?" Jake asked.

"She defended him."

Cam rolled his eyes. "Of course, she did."

"How long you think it will take before they are an item?"

Jake thought for a moment. "At the rate they are going, ten years."

Cam snorted. "Twenty says three weeks."

"That's a sucker bet because Jason is going back to Port Charles," Johnny said. "You don't understand their history."

Francis moved into the house. "He's right. If the past is any indication, it could be decades."

"Are we going to make serious bets or what?"

Jake pulled out a twenty. "One month."

"Two months," Cam said.

Francis smacked a twenty on the table. "Four months."

Johnny grinned. "Three weeks."

Cam shoved him playfully because he had stolen his original guess. "Hey!"

"They spend all day together. They are like two magnets. When they are around each other, they can't help it."

Francis shook his head. "Cam, put the money someplace safe."

Cam smirked. He knew that Chuggin Charlie would come in handy someday.

"In two weeks, Aidan will be home, and they'll never get a moment's peace. You are all suckers," Francis said before walking out.

"I hate it when he so smug," Jake said.

"He was born smug," Johnny said before they started to laugh.

IiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIi

Elizabeth let out a short breath as she watched Jason sleep from across the room.

Finally, unable to keep the smile off his face, his lips curved.

"You're awake?"

His eyes fluttered open. "Yeah. I can't sleep."

"Why?"

"You're too far away and you keep letting out frustrated sighs."

She rolled her eyes. "You are impossible."

"Are you that mad at me?"

"Yes and no. While I appreciate you putting that asshole in his place, you are hurt, Jason. You were always like this." She threw her hands up. "You can't sit still, and you think you're healed enough when you're not."

"Come here."

"No. You need to sleep. I'm staying right here."

"Elizabeth…"

"Jason…" Her brow rose, making him chuckle. "Don't make me get Epiphany back here."

"She's probably out of vacation time."

"You think you're' so smart, don't you? I'm sure Tracy is available."

His eyes widened.

"Yeah, I figured that would shut you up."

"Bossy."

"Eyes shut, don't make me come over there."

He widened his eyes on purpose and she clucked her tongue. "You want a pain pill?" He had refused to take the one she had offered earlier.

"No."

"Then be good."

"Yes, mom."

"You men are going to be the end of me."

IiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIi

In the next few days, Jason was good to avoid Liz's wrath.

Johnny sat across from him in the kitchen. "The dick is in the mail."

Jake almost spewed his drink across the counter. It's just the three of them.

None of them could hold back and started to laugh.

"Good. How is he?"

"The doctor had to give him a few pints and sedate him. He thought it was too much strain on his heart and we need to keep him alive."

"She is going to lose her mind when she sees it."

"We put it on a skewer."

Jason bent over the sink like he was going to be sick and Jake gagged.

"I know, brutal visual, but Carlos thought it was funny, and it would keep its shape better. We froze it overnight just in case."

Liz, who had just come up from the basement is in shock. "Wait, you cut off Sonny's d—"

"Mom!" Jake said putting his hands over his ears. "You cannot say that word in my presence."

She grinned evilly making Jason shake his head.

"You are so stealth now. I usually hear you," Johnny said.

"You were too busy trying to gross them out. Who did it?"

"Carlos did. We fed him Viagra and then…" He made a whacking sound and this time Jason gagged.

"Wusses," she said before moving into the kitchen.

"We took a picture—you want to see?" Johnny pulled out his phone.

"Mom!" Jake said as Liz moved next to Johnny. "That's it, I'm out of here. I'm going to be scarred for life."

Johnny cracked up as Jake fled the house.

Liz's nose scrunched up. "It's not as big as I thought it would be."

"Wait, you've thought about Sonny's dick?"

Jason groaned as Liz giggled.

"All the time, haven't you?"

"Smartass…"

"You two are killing me," Jason said before sitting.

"Carly is going to go bonkers. Paulie better take good pictures."

"Fear not, he set up a camera in the room. We'll have video."

They gave each other a high five.

Jason realizes he only has a few more days before he leaves.

Johnny frowned. "Who pissed in your cheerios?"

"I'm seriously about to kick you out."

Johnny got up. "I have someplace to be anyway. I'll check in with you later."

He left and Liz sat across from Jason.

"She can wait, you know?"

"I know, but I just want it to be done. It's been looming over my head. I want to go back, have Johnny deal with Peter, and then show Carly just what I think of my best friend."

"Are you taking Maximus's plane?"

"Yes. Francis will stay here with you and Johnny is coming with me. Will you ever go back there?"

"I don't think so, but I know better than to say never."

"I already let the five families and Vincent know that I'm coming."

"He's still there?"

Jason nodded. "He's tying up some loose ends. I think his son his flying there a few days after I leave."

"I'll have to make some brownies for you to take to them."

"You really think those brownies will last over the Atlantic with Johnny on board?"

She chuckled. "You will guard them with your life."

When he pouted, she shook her head. "I'll make you some extras, you big baby."

He smiled.

"I need to prep for dinner. You stay here."

He watched her cook as she hummed feeling more content then he has in a long time.

IiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIi

The night before he was set to leave, they got a frantic call.

"Hello?"

"It's Monica. Oh, Jason, I don't know how to tell you this."

Jason sucked in a deep breath. "What happened?"

Liz put down her book and eyed him.

"I don't know if you knew, but some cult guy was in town and Sam has been in the mix. Kristina left it a few days ago and she's fine, but Sam insisted on trying to bring him down. "I'm afraid she and Spinelli were taken hostage and—they're dead."

"What?"

"The cult leader shot them and then was killed by the police."

Jason shut his eyes. "How is Drew?"

"He's a mess. Can you come home yet?"

"We have a flight at 2:00 tomorrow, so we'll be there early. Just don't tell anyone."

"I won't. Do you want to stay with us?"

"Yes. We can stay in the cottage. I'll have Johnny and Francis with me too."

"Okay. Be safe."

"I will."

Jake watches as Jason briefly buried his head in his hands.

"Spinelli and Sam are dead."

"What!" Liz said as she made her way to his side.

"Sam got them involved in taking down some cult leader that Kristina was involved in. I guess the guy ended up shooting them and the cops finished him."

"That's awful. Drew must be a mess."

"He is and I don't even know what to say to him."

Jake went up to his room. There's no way he can watch in case his father is upset about Sam. Frankly, Jake is glad she is gone, but he does feel for his uncle and Danny.

Jason has mixed feelings about Spinelli because he just didn't think things out when he was around Sam which is what got him killed. Ironically, they died together. Since he had returned home, he didn't feel as close to the younger man and he had been okay with that.

"He was your friend, Jason."

"I'll make sure he gets a nice burial." He'll have to get Ellie's number to see if she needs anything. Diane will take care of the death benefits, but he feels like he should at least give his condolences and offer help.

"I'm coming with you to Port Charles," she blurted out.

"What?"

"Drew is going to need us. I'm not sure who is watching the kids, but he is not going to be in any frame of mind to deal with it. You can take care of business and I'll watch over him."

"Elizabeth…"

"Would I be in danger?"

"I don't think so, but we haven't taken down Peter yet."

"He needs us, Jason."

They stared for a minute and finally, he looked away. "Alright."

"I'm going to let the boys know. I already packed the brownies, so I'm going to go pack a bag. Yours is already finished."

"Thanks."

"You're easy to pack for."

She left and then went into Cam's room and crooked her finger and then headed to Jake's.

Cam sat on the edge of Jake's bed. "What's going on?"

"I'm going back to Port Charles with Jason."

Cam and Jake just stare at her like she has three heads.

"Sam and Spinelli were killed, and Drew will need us."

"Then we're coming too."

"I don't think that is wise."

Jake's eyes narrowed. "Why? Are you scared I'll lose my temper and put a bullet in Maxie's mouth and Lulu's head?"

"It disturbs me that you even thought of that. You know, normal families just talk about their day or movies."

Jake smirked. "When have we ever been normal, mom?"

"I'll call Maximus. We're coming too."

"Fine…" There is no use arguing with him when she knows that he won't back down.

"Aidan is going to be sad he missed this."

"He'll get over it," Cam added. "Let's pack."

Jason strode past their room and did a double-take and then headed into Aidan's room. "Why are they packing?"

"Oh, my darling sons decided that they want to come. Jake has been having fantasy's of putting a bullet in Maxie's mouth."

He scratched his head. "I should have thought of that."

She stopped and perused him. "I would have thought you'd be more upset about Sam."

"You know how easily I can turn my feelings off."

"I know, but you still loved her. I just don't want you to feel like you can't grieve around me."

"I'm fine." He isn't in love with Sam anymore. Sure, he feels sadness, but if anything, he's angry with his ex for putting herself in the situation, to begin with. If he had stayed and helped her, it could have been him with a bullet in his head because she just doesn't think things through instead of Spinelli.

"I don't think you are, but I won't argue. It's going to be hard to watch Drew fall apart."

"I agree."

She moved in front of him. "Hug?"

He nodded and they embraced.

"I think sometimes people forget that Drew has lost his life too with all the memory mapping. Now, he's lost the woman he loves."

"I don't know how either of you is standing." She pulled back. "Go lay down. You look exhausted."

He nodded and headed into her room.

IiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIi

Maximus came to see them off. "Make sure he doesn't overdo it."

"I will," she said before kissing him on the cheek. "Watch out for Milo, he's shifty."

Milo chuckled and then blushed when Liz hugged him.

"Wife…" Max said making Jason's eyes narrow.

Liz giggled. "That's ex-wife. We are officially broke." She had gotten the news earlier.

"Damn, I never even got a kiss."

Liz grabbed his head and pulled him closer and Max's eyes widened as Jason froze. "Psych," she said before reaching his lips. The boys cracked up.

"That was priceless," Cam said before going up the stairs.

"I got a picture," Johnny said proudly trailing him.

"You better send it to me," Jake said.

Max just shook his head.

"Lizzie strikes again," Francis said. He ascended the steps behind Jason.

Once they were all inside, Liz shook her head because they had spread out, so she and Jason had the last two seats together in the back.

She took her seat and made a motion between her eyes and theirs and they laughed.

Jason sighed as he leaned his head back. Tomorrow, Sonny's plane is going to take a nose-dive. They had sent Michael on an ELQ trip with Tracy, so he won't have to see his mother break down. Now, he just has to hope his brother is holding up.

IiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIi

Drew looked at his message that Jason was on the way and sighed. Alexis had taken Alana and Danny to her house, so he is alone.

Tears stream down his face as he tries to deal with the fact that Sam is gone. They had argued before she left because he was against what she was doing. Kristina is home safe, but Sam just wouldn't give it up and now she's dead. "Selfish!" he yells. Now, the kids would have to grow up without their mom. The last words they had spoken weren't pretty, so now he is left with the fact that he hadn't even said I love you and practically had given her an ultimatum.

Sinking to the floor, exhaustion hit him, and he gripped a small throw pillow and his eyes shut as sleep finally came.

IiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIi

When the de-embarked from the plane, they got into a large SUV and headed to the penthouse. It's early, but Liz had been a bundle of nerves as they got closer and needed to see him first.

Jason ended up picking the lock when Drew didn't answer. When they pushed the door open, it's a hot mess. An empty tequila bottle rests on the floor next to his brother and everything is in shambles around him.

The boys wordlessly start to clean up while Liz sits on the floor next to him and then puts his head on her lap as she strokes his hair.

He slightly stirred, surprised by her touch. "She's gone."

"I'm sorry."

"I can't do this. How can I raise them alone?"

"You will do what you have to do. I believe in you."

His eyes flutter open and he watched Cam hold out a trash bag for Jake. "Why are they here?" He hadn't expected them.

Cam's gaze locks on him. "Because we take care of family."

A tear falls down Drew's face.

"I hurt everywhere."

By now, Liz is crying too. "Help me get him up."

Johnny and Francis lift him. "You need a shower," Johnny said as they helped him upstairs.

Jason put his hands on his hips and closed his eyes. He hates the apartment now and wishes he didn't have to be in it.

"I don't know what to do for him."

Liz sighed. "We let him grieve and just listen."

He nodded.

"I think he needs to see the kids. It might help."

He groaned as he realized her implications. "Fine, I'll take you over there."

"Thanks."