"I told you so!"

Jason looked up from the coffee cup he just placed on the bar after taking a sip, to the gloating blonde tilting the carafe to refill the steaming liquid. She sported a cheshire grin, which he somehow knew he was used to seeing on her, as she patted the shoulder of the bartender she was relieving to take his place behind the bar, then poured herself a cup too. "Right in this very spot, I might add!"

"You really shouldn't gloat, Carly…it's not very nice."

"No, it's not - and usually I wouldn't - not with you, anyway…but this time you deserve it! I-told-you-so!"

Shaking his head as she repeated herself, drawn out for effect, he decided to play dumb rather than feed the bear. "What is it you're so right about?"

"Don't give me that…there is only one woman in this world who's ever put that soppy, besotted look on your face…one!" She pushed the cup aside and bent over the bar to hover near his face. "Fess up - she took you back, didn't she?"

Backing away and taking another sip, Jason was noncommittal in his response, knowing it wouldn't deter her in the least but refusing to add fuel to any fire she'd fan.

"You're crazy."

"And you're still as crazy about her as you've always been…so happy to see you finally took your head outta your ass and did something about it!"

"Carly…"

"Don't try to deny it - you've been moping in your beer for months, looking like somebody kicked your puppy. Now look at you! You don't even know you're sitting there smiling, do you?"

He was? How long had he been doing that?

"I'm just enjoying a cup of coffee…at least I was."

"Yea, yea - you don't have to tell me - it's written all over your face. Bout damn time, is all I'm gonna say. It was just weird watching you commit your life to Satan - welcome back!" She clinked her coffee cup to the one he had resting on the bar and brought it to her lips, grinning through the sip she took before placing it back down. "Speaking of Satan…whatever happened to that suit my idiot cousin filed for Jake? Did the new paternity test show he's not yours yet?"

Jason's eyes widened in startled wonder. "What? Why would you say something like that?"

"C'mon Jase - it had to have crossed your mind once or twice, knowing what a lying cheat that woman is, that he could really be Lucky's afterall? I'm your best friend - you can tell me?"

"Jake is my son. You yourself have remarked on the resemblance between us and the way our mannerisms are so similar - more than once! She even had a test done to prove it - what would make you ask that?"

"I admit he looked alot like you when he was a baby, but honestly, we saw what we were led to believe. He's an adorable little blond boy, quiet and reserved like you are, but the truth is, he was just being a baby. Lots of children are quiet and laid back - doesn't make them yours. No - my cousin is blond and blue-eyed too - those traits we all saw in him could easily be linked to Lucky."

"But they're not! Jake is my son! Things didn't work out with his mother but I don't regret him!"

"Of course you don't - I wouldn't want you to, either. But you must regret the circumstances of his arrival and how they continue to come between you and what you want."

"Not true - Sam has no problem with me being a father to him. Matter of fact, she encourages it, so there's no strain on our relationship."

"Aha! So there is a relationship! I knew it!" She clapped his hand where it laid on the bar and covered his fingers with all ten of her own. "So what are you doing here? You have a ton of lost time to make up for - all those months you spent apart while Sam was pregnant with Danny…that entire damn year you wasted sniffing up the town tramp…" She tapped his wrist, "…go on, get outta here - go remind yourself and Sam what you lost…what you're getting back!"

He wasn't surprised she got her way by tricking him into admittance before he was ready - Carly Corinthos very often got her way.

"Later. I have a visit with Jake on Spoon Island." He rose from the stool and grabbed the small brown takeout bag before he waved a hand above his head as he turned to leave.

"Okay, but don't keep Sam and Danny waiting. You did that enough already. Make them the priority again, Jase - you hear me?" Another wave of his hand over his head was all the response she received as she watched him leave, the smile spreading across her face at how much lighter even the steps he took appeared to be. Her friend was finally happy again and she couldn't be happier for him.

Jason rode the launch to the island, hating everytime he had to step foot on the patch of land but making the sacrifice to ensure his son never felt abandoned by him. The emergency hearing had not gone quite as he'd hoped when temporary custody was granted to the man proclaiming himself as their father after being gone from their lives for so long, a testament to how little regard the courts showed their mother's claims of being a healthy, stable provider for them. Sam had somehow managed to convince the man not to restrict his access to his son, and Alexis agreed and even proposed the every other weekend visitation he was allowed until the permanent custody hearing was to take place…the fight that Diane was really gearing up for. It wasn't his weekend but Jake had called and asked him to come. He was home with the flu, alone with the staff apparently.

Feeling his spirit dampen the minute he set foot off the launch, Jason forced himself to remember why he was there, which did the trick and lightened his heart by the time he was shown to the den, where Jake was waiting.

"Dad, you came!" He coughed as he tried to get up from where he laid on the couch, his frail upper body rocking with the mild exertion.

"No, don't move." Taking a seat at his side, Jason reached out and felt his forehead with the back of his hand. "Fever's not so bad - how're you feeling?"

"Fine. Glad you're here, dad."

"Of course I'm here - I'll always come when you need me." Holding the bag up, Jason showed him what he brought. "Your aunt Carly swears the MetroCourt's chicken soup is a wonder drug."

"Thanks but I'm not hungry."

"He hasn't had much of an appetite." When Elizabeth turned the corner she'd frozen in her tracks at the beautiful sight of her middle son and the man she wanted for so long to be the only father they knew. Moving into the room, she approached them cautiously, fresh memories of the last time she saw him devastating her mind anew. "What are you doing here?"

"I came to see my son. Why are you here?"

"I'm staying here while Jakey recovers and it's my weekend with the boys." He still looked so very good - something about him even more striking than usual. He kept his eyes glued to Jake, whom he went back to addressing with a quick dismissal to her attempt at conversation.

"You got this at school, didn't you?"

"Yes, it's been going around in his class. Thank goodness the other boys haven't been hit by it so they're at my grandmother's until Jake gets better." She stopped moving right at his side, unable to fight the urge to deeply inhale the scent of him, desperately yearning to brush her hand against any part of him. She'd barely seen him in recent weeks, and when she had he'd been with them. It got so familiar places around town felt haunted to her now, as he was always there making new memories that didn't include her, didn't include their happily ever after. It was all so wrong. "They'd love to see you."

"I'm yours for the afternoon, buddy - what do you want to do?"

"He's going to be resting!"

Jason looked to the doorway where the cold announcement from the man entering the room carried his annoyance clearly. "Jason - you should call before you come here. This is not what I agreed to." Lucky came to a stop before the couch and looked from his ex-wife to the man her loose legs had given a permanent spot in their lives, knowing if he had his way they would both have the least amount of contact with his children as neither were stable enough influences.

"I called dad, dad!"

Jake's feeble response brought all eyes to him again, the statement sounding somehow comical to Jason's ears. How exactly had his son been forced to call two men by the same monicker? How confusing this shit must be to him! He'd never do anything to make it harder.

"It's okay pal. I'm going to leave so you can get some rest. Drink your soup - I'll see you next weekend, okay?"

"Okay, Dad."

Briefly passing his lips across his forehead, Jason could feel his temperature was still warmer than usual. He hated to see him sick but at least, though she was lousy at being a good person, his mother was good at being a nurse, making this probably one situation where she was actually better for their son. The man, on the other hand…

"Lucky!" Jason grumbled the name as he passed him, striding for the open doorway in avoidance of an incident that could only frighten and further confuse Jake.

"I'll walk you out."

Of course you will. He straightened his back in preparation for the self-righteous scolding, stopping for it just outside the front door where he faced the man exiting behind him.

"I don't need a sitter - what can I do for you?"

"You can call to get my permission before you show up here. I don't want you seeing Jake without me there to protect my son."

"Who do you think was protecting my son while you were living it up on another continent? All this fatherly concern is a little hypocritical and late, don't you think?"

"I'm not excusing my absence - I took some much needed time for me that served to get my head on straight to where my boys will now benefit. But come on, Jason - we both know that it's by pure luck some deranged lunatic hasn't shown up by now to wreak havoc on everyone you care about, just to get your attention. I don't want my son becoming a victim to the way you choose to live."

"So, I suppose you've been living like a boyscout these last few years, then? We can't expect any Irishmen to show up in town hot on your trail for retribution? Your newfound wealth is squeaky clean, is that it?"

"I will never let anything I have, or haven't done, touch my children. Can you say the same?"

Jason could actually remember he'd accepted a long time ago that they would forever blame him for every cloud that passed over town, rest every bad or unfortunate thing to happen to them at his feet, and for the longest time he'd willingly accepted their derision and contempt. When it felt deserved.

"Yack all you want about the Russian kidnapping but let's not forget that the most horrifying thing to happen to Jake wasn't because of me, and it happened on your watch, not mine!"

Lucky's chin lifted and he felt like he'd taken a hit square on. He knew better than to bring up a period they'd all lived in hell, mourning what they thought at the time was the death of the sweetest little boy they all loved, Jason Morgan included. He knew better…but he'd use anything at his disposal to save his child. Anyone was fair game. Squaring his shoulders, he folded tense arms and met the cold gaze boring through him.

"That was an accident! If you weren't being so selfish you would see that insisting on a role in Jake's life, insisting on being around Danny and Sam, puts them in danger every single day. The Jason I knew would do the right thing for all concerned."

Smirking coldly, Jason sneered at the man with a learned distaste. "There it is, finally. You actually think you can guilt me into pushing Sam away again?" Shaking his head in disdain, he went about setting the record perfectly straight. "The Jason you knew was a patsy and maybe that's why you and Elizabeth have gotten stuck on repeat, thinking you'll be able to yank my chain like you've done in the past. I don't know what makes either of you think I'd take advise about my family from you…but nobody but Sam and I decide what we do - nobody."

"Fine - I can't tell you how to handle your family - but Jake is my family and I will protect him against you if it's the last thing I do."

"Wrong again, Spencer…Jake is my son…xc vca fact you choose to forget when it pleases you but something you can't remove from our DNA. I hope you're prepared because there's no way Diane and I will watch you walk away with my son again."

"I don't want to have to fight you - it's not what's best for Jake." He had every confidence in Alexis' ability but he was also quite aware of Diane's bite, and he wasn't so sure that when it came to the meat of everything that Alexis wouldn't soften to what her daughter wanted.

"I couldn't care less what you want! He will always know me as his father and I'll make sure you never forget it again."

Turning away, Jason went straight for the launch and made way for the mainland, his mind soon switching gears to the plans he needed to fine-tune for the evening.

Elizabeth inched her chin up when Lucky reentered the foyer, refusing to be abashed at getting caught eavesdropping.

"I tried to tell you. You may be able to fight me - wrestle my babies from my arms - but Jason and that pitbull he keeps on retainer are going to eat you alive. Bet you wish you'd taken my offer now?"

"What offer is that - to leave my sons to your neglectful, harmful parenting and turn a blind eye to how you were treating them like afterthoughts? No thanks - I passed on that one remember?"

"Oh, insult me all you want - I'm not the one you need to be afraid of now. I'm not the one you can't bully and browbeat into submission. You're about to find out just how much Jason loves this family."

"I've never doubted his love for Jake, but I sure as hell doubt his ability to parent him - just like I've come to doubt yours! Look at you - gloating, like him wanting Jake somehow means he wants you too."

Her mouth pursed in angry petulance. "He wanted me once."

Crashing bitter lips to her ear by purposely leaning extra close in passing, his voice was but the softest, most bitter, slowest whisper, "But he doesn't want you now."

Without another glance he made his way to the den to check on his son. To hell with her and her childish infatuations wiping out all else…to hell with him and that cocky supremacy he'd always lorded over everything sacred of his - the man had helped himself to his wife, to his infant son, to his happiness - he'd be damned if he'd let him help himself to what was left.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

"Don't consider this to be a complaint, but how are we even here right now?"

The incredulous tone of Maxie's question travelled to Sam where she laid back in the massage chair, her eyes closed behind cucumber slices and the manicurist buffing away at neglected fingernails. Using a free hand to remove the slices, she looked over at her friend sitting next to her, obviously in heaven behind a seaweed mask, reveling in the foot massage in progress.

"What - I can't treat my girl to a spa day?"

"You? No! You hate this stuff. How anybody can hate getting pampered and prettified, I'll never know…but you equate it to a visit to the dentist and you know it."

Relaxing and easing the slices back in place, Sam smiled. "Not true. I dig a good massage every now again…just depends who's giving it!"

Maxie chuckled softly. "I hear that! But still, you willingly volunteering for this instead of a few rounds at the gun range - suppen's up - spill."

"Wrong. I get a mani-pedi all the time but I prefer a short snip for work, so I'm usually in and out, that's all. No time for nails tearing on my way down a fire escape or fending off a perp."

"I know you'll do nails but we were just neck deep in mud - you don't volunteer for that, so either you want something, or you have something really juicy to share, and judging from the glow you had even before the facial, I'm guessing it's the latter. I'm way past ready. Go!"

Sam chuckled aloud, having to admit that she felt pretty bright on the inside. She was so happy these days she was almost afraid to believe any of it - and certainly wasn't about to jinx it by voicing it too soon. No - that glorious thing happening between them was only for them for now.

"I actually have to go to work…"

"Sorry guys - sorry I'm late!" Lulu Falconeri entered wearing a matching fluffy white robe and sank into the chair next to Maxi. "Dante got called into work so I had to drop Rocco off at Olivia's - what'd I miss?"

Sam blew at her nails and wiggled to the edge of the chair. "You're just in time, actually. Now I can take off free of guilt that I'm not ditching the duchess alone in a mud bath." The manicurist took her by the elbow to help as she scooted off the chair. "I have to go."

"What - I just got here."

"You're both wrong for this…" Maxie tossed the cucumber slices to the handrest and glared over at Sam, "…you for running out on our afternoon…," then she turned to Lulu, "…and you for almost missing it! Nothing disturbs spa day - haven't I taught you two anything?"

"I'm sorry, Maxie but you know when you have children nothing is ever off limits again." Lulu sank her feet into the whirling spa and leaned back indulgently, "Oh, that feels good."

Sam took the distraction to quickly move to her feet and edge backwards to the door as she bundled the white robe at her neck. "I'll make it up to you, I promise…and this one's still on me! Call you later." She hurried from the room before they could stop her, knowing she only had a couple hours before a much anticipated evening with the man who's mention alone got her tingly all over. She ignored Maxie's words that trailed behind her, "You don't fool me, Sam Morgan!"