A/N – Thanks for the comments!

Chapter 5

Liz pushed Jason towards the room Johnny had been moved to. Unfortunately, Milo is getting some testing done, so he'll have to see him the next day, if Elizabeth and Audrey will let him out of the house.

"It's Liz and Jason," she said as they entered.

"While I'll miss looking at your beautiful face, the only good thing about this is that I don't have to see his ugly mug."

Jason rolled his eyes. "You wish you looked like this."

He laughed. "How's it going?"

"I'm on my way out, but wanted to see you first."

They consider each other brothers and very close as are all the guys at the station. When one fell, it took the wind out of everyone's sails and now, they have several people down.

Jason studies his friend and can tell Johnny is fighting a losing battle to stay calm. "Can I have a minute alone with him?"

Sarah and Liz lock gazes.

"Sure," Liz said before leading her sister into the hallway.

"Talk to me."

"I don't like depending on people. I just met Sarah and I don't want her to feel obligated to take care of me and I truly want to smash that warehouse owner because he didn't follow the rules. I thought Milo was a goner and it took everything within me to carry him out. I was in pain and fucking scared that we were going to die. The only reason we survived was pure, dumb luck. The path to get out the way we came in was blocked. You couldn't see shit in there and I just said fuck it and ran through a wall of flames. I was either going to die or be a fucking hero and hoped for the best. Spotting the light from outside was the best thing I've seen in my life. That was the closest I've ever come to dying."

It pained him to hear how close his friend had come to dying. "I got out right before the roof collapsed in the front. The flames got so hot so fast. I've never seen anything like it. Either someone set it up to burn or they were storing something they shouldn't be. Either way, I hope the owner or whoever did it is ripped a new asshole."

Johnny sighed. "I've heard talk that someone thinks it's deliberate and that they are trying to purge us. It's hard to fathom that someone would do that, but people lose their minds over a lot nowadays. This is the second fire that went from zero to one hundred in no time flat. There wasn't time to save everyone."

"Maybe it's some elaborate insurance scheme, whatever the case, we're going to have to be extra diligent going forward so that we don't lose anyone."

"I agree. We'll bang heads over this later. Maybe we can come up with a game plan."

"I'll have Liz send Sarah a text later. Hang in there okay and you know you can call me for anything," Jason said.

"Thanks."

"And let Sarah help you. I know it's crazy since you weren't looking, but maybe she's good for you and will give you something to look forward too."

Johnny slightly smiled. "I like her."

"Yeah, well for some reason, she likes you. I might have Noah give her a head scan."

"Don't cock block me, Jason. It's against the man code."

"Whatever. Don't make me go get Piph."

"Piph loves me and has been by my side."

Epiphany smirked from the doorway. "Is that right?"

"Hey, baby…"

Jason laughed. "Why are you carrying that shaver?" he said winking at her.

"You weren't supposed to say anything," Piph said.

"You guys better be playing."

"It's just a small patch of hair, you big baby."

"I'm out of here," Jason said before moving the wheels on the chair.

"You're supposed to have my back. She can't cut my hair, it's part of my mojo."

Epiphany grinned. "What a whiner."

"I'll fight back."

Piph snorted. "Boy, don't make me hurt you."

"Jason?"

He didn't answer, but just moved towards the doorway.

"Jason!"

Liz frowned. "Why is he yelling for you?"

"He thinks Epiphany is going to shave a patch in his head."

Sarah gasped. "That is so mean."

He chuckled. "It's what we do. He'll be fine."

She started to go back inside.

"Sarah, don't let him push you away. He's scared and not used to accepting help. Do you like him?"

She nodded.

"Good. He likes you too."

She smiled and slipped into the room while Liz took over pushing the wheel chair.

"That was nice of you."

"I want him to be happy. He's a good guy."

"So are you…"

He shrugged. "I'm alright."

She smiled. "You're more than alright, Jason Morgan. Let's get you some food and then tuck you in and you should have called me so I could push you."

"I'm not totally out for the count."

"Men…"

"You worry too much."

"Don't make me call my Grams."

"She might yell at me, but then she'd feed me something really good. I think I could handle that."

She pushed him onto the elevator. "We really need to set some Gram boundaries before we head to the house."

"I can't help it if she likes me."

"I saw her first."

He grinned. "But you're not as good at sweet talking."

"We'll see about that."

"I'll leave the chocolate to you."

"That's a start."

"We'll have more negotiations later."

"You're on."

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Julian Jerome perused the still smoldering rubble that once was the warehouse. Usually, the ATF doesn't send him to small towns like this, but after seeing a disturbing pattern, they had sent their best.

Claudia moved to stand next to him. "You smell that, right?"

"Yup. It smelled like that at the last two fires as well." The fire had burned so hot, that there wasn't much left. Unfortunately, the trace elements found hadn't narrowed it down.

"They are going to screw up at some point. They always do."

"True, but we may not have time to wait. I want to interview some of the fire fighters who were stuck inside." You have to be the fire and get a sense of what fueled it and why it caused so much damage in such a short time period. In this case, water might be the culprit, but Julian is sensing something more sinister. There are certain are certain types of fires where water just makes things worse.

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Audrey made sure that Jason is comfortable in the den. His feet are propped up and a fluffed pillow is behind his head. When she felt his forehead, Elizabeth almost gagged.

Jason waited until Audrey cleared the room before grinning at her.

"I can't believe you are sucking up to her."

"You won't be complaining when you have a piece of pie later."

She crossed her arms. "You're lucky that you're hot."

He chuckled. "And why is that?"

"Because it's the only thing saving your ass right now."

"Come here."

She moved closer.

"I love your pout. You had Audrey all to yourself all these years. You can share a little."

She smirked. "I'm glad that you feel that way."

He watches as she pulls out her phone and dials.

"Hello?"

"Lila, I was just calling to let you know that we're settled in at the house and Jason is fine."

She smiled. "That is so sweet of you to call. Is he behaving?"

"Oh, he's behaving alright."

She notes to call Audrey later and get the scoop. "Maybe you could come over for tea in a few days."

"I would love too. It's a date."

"Hopefully, Jason will be back to his routine by then."

"I hope so too."

"Please call me if you need anything."

Liz smiled. "I will." She slipped the phone into her pocket. Two can play at this grandmother stealing game.

Knowing what she is up to, he countered. "Elizabeth, while you are sitting around sipping tea and sucking on peppermints, I will be chowing down on a home cooked meal with an amazing dessert."

Her eyes rolled. "Have you forgotten about Cook and his cookies?" Audrey had brought some home one day and they were delicious.

"No, but Audrey surpasses Cook in every way."

Audrey grinned as she moved into the room. "That is just about the sweetest thing anyone has ever said about me."

Jason shifted his gaze. "I meant it."

Elizabeth fell sideways onto the couch getting her grandmother's attention.

Audrey is aware of Liz's distress and thinks it's funny. Knowing her granddaughter, she is playing it to the hilt. For the most part, Liz is mild mannered and has a good sense of humor, but when Lizzie comes out to play, she can be devious and Audrey could dish that out too.

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Johnny listened to the television as he lay there deep in thought. They had gotten really lucky and he couldn't stop thinking about what had happened and the fact that it had gotten out of control so fast.

His thoughts are interrupted when he hears footsteps. Sarah had left to retrieve some things from home.

"Hello?"

"Mr. O'Brien, I'm Julian Jerome from the ATF and this is Claudia—"

"—Zacchara."

She smirked.

Julian eyes darted to side and caught her expression. "So, you two know each other?"

Johnny sighed. "Yes." They more than just knew each other. He had seen her naked and she had screamed his name repeatedly. They had a torrid affair for about a month before Claudia had to temporarily relocate to Boston for some specialized training. They hadn't spoken since and he wonders if she's mad that he didn't call her.

Claudia could tell Johnny is tense and while most women probably would feel slighted, she isn't the clingy type. If Johnny is willing, she'd definitely go for another ride or two.

Julian let it go. Claudia was assigned to him, but she is local not federal. "We wanted to ask you some questions about what you experienced inside that warehouse."

"Good, because something wasn't on the up and up."

"Why do you say that?" she asked.

"There were several hotspots that kind of pushed us towards the middle, but I thought we were doing okay fighting it back." It was a very large warehouse and several people were trapped. "The beam seemed to fall out of nowhere right when the fire seemed to just combust and the smoke turned black. Milo was right beside me. I've never seen a fire get so bad, so fast, but I knew that I had to hurry. So, once he was down, I concentrated on getting the beam off of him and then lifted him up, hoping for the best as I ran through a wall of flames. There had been no other alternative."

Claudia had to admire the fact that the man is so kick ass.

"Anything else?"

"It smelled funny and there had to have been some sort of accelerant used. There was nothing normal about the fire and it's not the first time this year that I've smelled that odor."

Julian slightly smiled. "I'll be interviewing Mr. Morgan as well." He had already spoken to Sonny and Milo's memory was shot due to his injuries.

"Do you think it was the warehouse owner?" He wouldn't be the first to try arson.

"No, but we have a few theories. Take care."

"Thanks."

Julian left, but she stayed behind and sat next to the bed.

"I'm sorry that you were hurt. I've missed you."

"You don't hate me for breaking it off?"

"No. You did the right thing."

She squeezed his hand. "But that doesn't mean I wouldn't jump back in your bed in a flash."

His head turned towards her. "We had a lot of fun."

Sarah is now standing in the doorway.

"We did. You're very good in bed and I'm hoping that maybe we could resume where we left off."

Sarah walks away and heads back to her car.

"I'm—there's someone else."

"Oh. Is it serious?"

"We just started, but I like her a lot."

"Anyone I know?"

"I have no idea."

"Do you mind if I stay and keep you company for a while?"

"No." He didn't want to be rude and she seemed to understand the boundaries. Besides, it made him feel more secure to have someone in the room with him.

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Audrey closed the oven and then looked up. "Sarah?"

"Hey. Is Liz here?"

"She's in the den taking a nap with Jason."

"Oh."

Audrey wiped her hands and threw the dish towel on the table. "What's wrong? You can talk to me."

She blushed making her Grams smile.

"That good?"

"Grams!"

"Sarah, I've had children. If the conversation involves sex, I'm fine with that. Now sit."

She plopped onto a stool. "I haven't had sex yet."

"I know."

"I don't even want to know how. Anyway, I made out with Johnny and it was really good, but I was mortified thinking we had sex, but we didn't."

"Do you like him?"

"Yes. He's funny, smart, and hot."

Audrey grinned. "There's nothing wrong with that combination unless he just wants to get your pants."

"He said he's willing to take it slow so we can get to know each other."

"Good, but why do I think there is more to this story?"

"I went back to his room and there was a woman sitting next to his bed and from what I can gather, they were together before. She was talking about wanting to get back in his bed."

She rolled her eyes. "Trollup…"

Sarah smirked before growing serious again. "What if I'm not enough? I don't have a lot of experience and—"

"You're scared that he won't be satisfied and leave you."

She slowly nodded.

"Well, go talk to him and tell him how you feel. If he's a good man, he'll be patient and give you time. Make him work for it. Do you remember how you felt when you were making out with him?"

She turned bright red. "Yeah."

"Did you want to stop?"

"No, but that's what scares me too."

"Sarah, you've held onto your virginity because of what happen before and maybe it's time to deal with that. You know I'm against overt promiscuity, but it's your body and you get to do what you want with it. Just remember that you are a prize and worth unraveling all the layers for. If you end up falling for Johnny and want to be with him, then that is fine. I won't think less of you regardless. All those wonderful feelings he elicited from you can make you turn things into more than what they are. I'm only asking you to be careful and stick to your beliefs and what is important to you. Since you're a woman, you hold the cards as far as sex is concerned."

"Sometimes, I think I'm holding onto the virginity as a shield to hide behind which is for all the wrong reasons. It took one drunken night where I just allowed myself to feel and be in the moment without that looming over me to finally feel free."

"Come here."

Liz moved away and edged back down the hallway. While she understood Sarah's trepidation, she hadn't realized just how twisted her sister still is and that gave her pause. One thing is for sure, no more teasing her about being a virgin and she'll make sure that her friends don't either. Sarah always laughed, but based on what she just heard, it had probably bothered her more than she'd admit to.

"Why don't you bring Johnny here tomorrow? We can put him upstairs in Steven's old room. Jason can have Elizabeth's and you girls can stay in the den and camp out.

Sarah smiled. "It has been a long time since we did anything like that."

"And just remember, I have eyes in the back of my head."

She laughed. "I know."