A/N – Thanks for the comments! Sorry, crazy day at work. I'm going to wind this down and it will be finished next week.

Chapter 30

The night of the gala had arrived, Jason adjusted his tux as he waited for Liz at Audrey's. He hated wearing a suit.

Audrey had already left to help Lila and Sarah and Elizabeth were taking forever.

Johnny grinned as he watched Jason fiddle. "You are hopeless."

"I'm hopelessly uncomfortable."

"But Liz will think you look great, so concentrate on that."

"We're ready," Sarah said leading the way down the stairs.

"Thank God," the men muttered, but their annoyance quickly changed to awe as their beautiful dates descended the staircase.

Sarah is wearing a long, red halter dress that highlights her cleavage without being slutty. "How do I look."

"Sexy as hell…" Johnny said as he drooled.

"Down boy…"

He'd kiss the hell out of her, but she is wearing red lipstick, so he doesn't want to ruin it.

Jason sharply inhales as Elizabeth seems to float towards him. She is wearing a strapless emerald green gown that shows off her creamy back and perfect figure. "Beautiful…" he murmurs absolutely spellbound.

Liz grins, loving that he is so affected. "You look very handsome in your tux."

"What about me?" Johnny said.

She chuckled. "If you weren't already taken…"

Jason comes out of his trance. "Back off, O'Brien…"

Sarah laughs. "Come on, before Johnny says something else to set him off."

They went to the limo and slipped inside. Jason couldn't help but stare and Johnny and Sarah are loving it. If Elizabeth was a meal, Jason would have devoured her already.

When they got there, he got out first and assisted Elizabeth and Sarah.

"Keep the beers coming," Jason said to Johnny as camera flashes nearly blinded him.

"You don't have to ask twice."

They moved inside and finally were seated after greeting more people than Jason had ever wanted to talk to.

Lila moved to the mike and started talking about the foundation and how much she appreciated everyone's donations. Her smile is infectious, and Jason can't help but be proud. After several speeches, the girls disappeared to use the restroom and after ten minutes, Jason is tempted to go find them when music filled the air and he is stunned silent.

Lila appeared, dancing a waltz with Nathan and then Audrey moves forward in Robert Scorpio's arms.

"What the hell?" Jason muttered. Nathan works on the second shift and had never mentioned that he likes dancing.

"I never saw this coming," Johnny said.

Suddenly, the record scratched, and then sultry tango music started to play as Audrey and Lila seemed offended.

Jason gulped as Elizabeth, clad in a very sexy red dress with high slits, effortlessly glided around the floor led around by some Russian looking dude in tight pants. Her leg flicked between his legs as they passionately did battle, and Jason had to shove down the need to walk onto the stage and throttle him.

Johnny grinned. "Sucks to be you."

Jason glared at him and then his eyes focused in again and a huge smile lit up his face as Sarah is suddenly led out by another guy in tight pants but shorter.

Johnny growled and then Jason gave him a knowing look. "Apparently, it sucks to be you too."

"What the hell is she wearing?" Johnny said. While he knows that it isn't see through, it is close enough. Sarah has legs for days and he didn't want anyone else gawking at them.

"I know we can take them."

The four couples dueled back and forth and then Nathan shrugged and started doing the tango with Lila and Edward's blood starts to boil when Nathan dips her and then brings her up quickly, almost touching his lips with his as he stares at her passionately.

"Now see here!" Edward yells jumping up.

Lila has to bite her lip not to laugh as Nathan moves her to the side and then Max does a trick with Liz where he lifts her, and she flicks her legs, and then does a split in the air as they twirl.

Jason's eyes narrow. "I want to kill him."

Johnny. "I'll help."

Val lowers Sarah down into a split and Jason swore he heard Johnny whimper.

As the dance heats up, Jason and Johnny stand without even realize it and their family and friends can't decide if they should look at them or the stage.

When Liz slides around Max's body to the floor, Jason is done and starts moving forward.

Mac mumbles a curse word and then moves towards him from across the room, but doesn't make it in time and as the music stops and the crowd goes wild, Max starts to help her up, but Jason is there, pulling her to the feet and then into his body

"Mine," he growls before kissing her senseless.

Everyone is laughing and clapping, especially when Johnny does the same thing and not to be left out, Edward glares at Nathan, who steps back with his hands up and a smile on his face.

He presses a kiss onto his beautiful wife's lips. "Only I get to hold you that way."

"Edward…"

He silences her with one more kiss and then they warmly embrace before he turns and scowls at Robert. "And you—that woman is extraordinary and deserves better than the likes of you."

Robert grins. "Don't get your panties in a bunch, mate. Wait until you see the next number."

Johnny and Jason pick up their women and head backstage and then the lights dim, and a body drops from the ceiling from a rope. It's a woman with long black hair and as soon as she touches the floor, her legs parts, revealing a high slit and then she lifts her head and it's Anna DeVane.

The music starts and then Max grabs her and guides her around the floor before Val grabs her and takes over. The dance is sexy and dangerous keeping everyone is on the edge of their seats. Robert moves forward and tugs her towards him and then they move effortlessly around the floor, making love with their eyes. Robin is stunned, having no idea that her mother was in on this and watches with glee.

By the time they finished, the audience is on their feet clapping.

Lila appeared and thanked all the dancers and then encouraged everyone to eat.

Servers appear and place the first course on the tables.

In the back, Elizabeth finally breaks her and Jason's lip lock and stares into his eyes. "The whole time, I was thinking of you."

"I figured that or else I would have had to spank you."

She grinned. "Did you like it?"

"You were very hot, so much so that I wanted to drag you off the stage and take you against the wall."

She bit her lip as her eyes fluttered shut, obviously imagining it. "After stalking Lila and Audrey, they decided they wanted us to be involved, so we snuck practices in whenever we could."

Johnny released Sarah who looks at him in a daze. "If your mouth wasn't so addicting, I'd find that guy and kick his ass for touching you like that."

She chuckled. "He's not you."

"You're so damn, sexy, with the best stems I've ever seen. Can you blame a guy for being jealous?"

"You are so getting lucky later."

He grinned. "Now that's what I want to hear. Let's go eat because you're going to need your strength." Moving close to her ear he whispered, "You think you can do a split and land on my—"

"Johnny!"

Her yell got Liz and Jason's attention, making her turn red.

"You want to share?" Liz asked.

Sarah rolled her eyes. "Let's go eat."

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Two weeks had gone by and the guys had started to go back to their normal schedule. Jason was immersed in studying in his free time, so unfortunately, that didn't leave a lot of time for Elizabeth, but she understands and just makes sure that he eats and stays healthy. Robert checked in and said it would be a few more weeks to confront Patrick because then he'd be back at work full time.

On week three, Liz decided Jason's brain is toast and dragged him away for a bike ride. When they got to Vista Point, Jason took a deep breath and closed his eyes as he inhaled the fresh air.

"Feel better?" she asked standing next to him.

"Yes. Thank you."

Going back on fire related calls had been stressful. The first time they had entered a building, the day Sonny died flashed into his mind, but he was able to push it away and do his job. Mac was impressed by how much he had taken charge and kept everyone safe despite how emotional it was for him.

"Can you tell me what's eating at you?"

He sighed heavily. "It's hard saying it out loud."

"If you're not comfortable—"

"I—no, let me think for a minute."

"Okay."

She slipped her hand into his, giving him strength as he struggled for words.

"I think I'm scared to fail. If I don't pass, then I've failed Sonny."

"Sonny never judged you like that. He just expected you to do your best."

"I struggle with not being good enough. It's why I push and sometimes make decisions I shouldn't. The brain damage—let's just say that I feel like I have to work harder than anyone else to prove that I'm normal."

A lump formed in her throat. Damn Ric or anyone else who has ever made Jason feel like he's damaged in some way.

"Sometimes, we're harder on ourselves than anyone else. I can't make you see anything different, but I can tell you that I don't look at you and see someone who is brain damaged. There are only a few things that you can't do, and you've never let them hold you back."

"I can't see maps. How can I lead when I can't decipher blueprints?"

"We'll work on training your brain. Francis will help point it out, so you get your reference point and then you'll be fine. Despite that limitation, you are the best firefighter in the city and I'm not being biased."

He turned to look at her. "Have I told you how amazing you are yet today?"

She smirked. "Um, I don't think so."

He tugged her against him. "Well, you are and I'm so glad that you're by my side."

"Just remember that they'll be watching you carefully during the assessment. Be confident and don't show any sign of doubting yourself. If you act like it's no big deal and it has never hindered you before, then they will probably let it go."

"Okay."

He kissed her gently. "Let's continue our ride."

She grinned. "Do I get to drive?"

He scowled. "Hell no."

She smacked his arm. "But it's not fair, Jason."

"The bike is too big for you."

"You can help."

"Maybe someday, I'll take you on a back road."

She clapped her hands together. "I'm going to hold you to that."

He shook his head at her exuberance. "I know."

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The next morning, he ushered Diane into the hospital and towards Kelly's office.

Ric is sitting in the waiting room and curiously eyes them. He had dinner with Diane the previous night, but she hadn't said anything about an appointment.

The nurse took her information and Ric approached Jason.

"Is she okay?"

"Yes. It's just an ultrasound."

"Oh."

Diane hadn't seen him yet. "Okay, come on godfather, let's find a seat." She halted when she saw the hurt look on Ric's face. "Ric…"

He held up his hand and turned away, angrily stalking towards the elevators.

Robin came out and caught of glimpse of him and then eyed Jason. "What happened?"

"I—I should have told him last night that Jason is the godfather of the baby. I think I really hurt him," Diane said with tears in her eyes.

Robin hugged her. "I'll go check on him." She nodded at Jason and then ran towards the elevators.

Jason gave Diane a hug and then led her to a seat.

"Ric—his heart is broken, and I didn't want to add to that, so I didn't say anything to him."

She is fretting which worries him.

"Ric will be okay. We all need time to digest everything."

When she started to reply, her name was called.

After she was changed, Jason and Mac, who had been running late, joined her and watched in awe as the exam progressed and the heartbeat filled the room.

Diane gripped Jason's hand. "Can you tell if it's a boy or girl?"

Kelly moved the wand around and then smiled. "It's a boy."

Diane let go and her hands moved over her face and she cried and cried. Jason tried to console her.

"Hormones…" Kelly said. "It's normal especially after all the stress she has been under.

Jason moved backwards, and Mac took his place, rubbing Diane's back.

"The baby is perfectly normal. I do want your weight up a little more though."

Mac and Jason glanced at each other.

"Kelly, you can't say things like that in front of them. They'll have me on a feeding tube."

She laughed. "I have a feeling they will take very good care of you."

"We'll make sure that she's eating more," Jason said. He'll make a call to Audrey when Diane gets changed.

"I'll let you know how the blood test results and print you out a few copies of these because I know he already has fans," Kelly said.

"Michael Corinthos the third is already well loved," Diane said.

Kelly left the room and Diane grinned as she stared at the sonogram.

"He looks like an ink blot, but he's my ink block."

She showed Jason where he is garnering a smile.

"He has nothing in there to play with, so you have to feed him extra," Jason said.

She laughed. "Do you even know how crazy that logic is?"

"I do, but it doesn't matter. A growing boy is hungry."

Mac chuckled. "When do you start getting cravings?"

"Well, I have kind of started them, but it's more a sweet versus salty kind of thing. Now, scoot so I can get dressed."

They went into the hallway and Jason immediately dialed his phone.

"Jason?" Audrey said.

"Hi. Um, Diane doesn't weigh enough."

Audrey muttered under her breath. "Say no more, I'll prepare some nutritious meals and deliver them later."

"We want to pitch in, so I'll give Elizabeth some money to give to you for groceries."

"You don't have to."

"We want too."

She smiled. "Okay. Talk to you later."

He smirked as he glanced at Mac who laughed. Diane won't know what hit her.

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Ric sat on a bench at the docks. Jason, once again, has taken his place. It's time to deal with this head on. He has nothing left to lose. Robin will be fine and while he does love her, she can't take away the ache he feels from losing his brother. He'll do what he needs to do and then leave town before they can arrest him.