A/N – Thanks for the comments! Thank you for being understanding regarding posting. I'll post the next one on Friday and then try to catch up over the weekend. * Guest – regarding redeeming Tracy. I like showing some growth.

Chapter 37

Felix smiled as he saw Liz approach. "Did you hear?"

"No. What happened?"

"Girl, you really need to watch the local news in the morning." He pulled her into a room. "Apparently, Nikolas likes to play it both ways."

She looked confused.

"There are pictures of him at a gay club."

Liz's eyes widened. "Get out!" She was not expecting that.

"You know those Cassadines are freaky."

She chuckled. "Is that it?" Dissing Nicolas would piss off Helena, but there had to be more.

Felix grinned. "There are also pictures and video that were released anonymously that show Helena in some compromising positions with the mayor and two men on the board of directors."

"That slut had the nerve to talk shit about my sister?"

"Yup."

"Those are pictures I have no desire of looking at."

"Trust me, I was glad I hadn't eaten yet."

Maxie was actually delivering. If this was only the first day, it had to get better. She couldn't wait for more fireworks.

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Helena slammed the palms of her hands against her desk. "Find out who released them. I mean it."

"Yes ma'am."

He left and Nikolas entered the room.

"Looks like Maxie is getting some revenge."

"Do you know for sure that it was her?"

"No, but the timing is questionable." Nikolas sighed.

"Please tell me that the rumors are wrong."

"I was just experimenting."

She shot him a look. "I don't give a shit what you do behind closed doors as long as you are discrete and that was not discrete at all. Have you lost your mind?"

Nikolas rolled his eyes. "No, but I'm sure you think I have."

"This is unacceptable. You know what is at stake."

"I can't take it back, nor do I want too."

"I made you what you are today. Don't you forget that."

"First of all, I went to college and graduated on my own merit. I've made that station a success, not you. I'm tired of you dictating my life. Stefan might allow that, but I'm done."

She rose as she watched him defiantly move towards the doorway. "If you walk out that door, you are cut off."

Nikolas smirked and turned to face her. "You won't do that because not only do I know where all the bodies are buried, but I own the station outright. There is nothing else you can do to me. I've invested well and you have no access to my bank accounts. Do me a favor and lose my number. I've already moved my things out. Have a nice life." He was done with her version of family.

Her mouth fell open and then she shook with anger. "If I have anything to say about it, your life as you know it is over," she muttered. No one walks away from her.

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Patrick entered the apartment.

"Hey," Epiphany said walking out of the bedroom.

"You okay?"

She nodded and then to his surprise, she embraced him tightly.

"I can't tell you how much what you did means to me. I needed it badly."

He pulled, his arms still encircling her. "I know. I wasn't sure what to do, so I was driving around and passed the church and the idea popped into my head. They miss you."

"I really miss them."

"Miss Clara said that she'll bring us some home cooking tomorrow night."

PIph grinned. "I hope she is bringing collard greens and mac and cheese."

"I need to make sure I'll be here. I don't trust you to save me some."

"That's probably really smart."

He kissed her forehead.

"What did I tell you about kissing on me?"

"That I better stop because there was only so much you could take."

"You remember?"

"I remember everything you say."

Her eyes filled with amusement. "Except when we're at work."

"True."

"Patrick, what is this?"

"I hope something really good. I want more. I know you're healing right now, so we can take it really slow. I'm not going anywhere. Can you live with that?"

"You really want to be more than friends?"

"Yes. I don't think I could find a better woman."

Her eyes filled with tears. "Are you sure?"

"Definitely. I don't know when it started, but somewhere along the way, I started falling for you."

"Me too."

A slow grin crept onto his face.

"You're about to say something really arrogant aren't you?"

He chuckled. "I love you Piph."

"I love you too."

"You need to sit."

He walked her over to the couch. "I want to try and change your medicine."

"Is it because of my appetite issues?"

"Yes. I think if you were eating more, you'd have more strength."

"I haven't been this size in a very long time. I kind of like it."

"I just don't want you become ill."

She understood. "Alright, but if I'm going to start eating more, then we'll have to make some changes. I can't have fast food every night."

"Then we'll hire someone to cook."

Her brow went up.

"What? There are places that you can order meals from and they'll deliver. Can I ask you something?"

"Yeah."

"Do you think I care about your weight?"

Her face scrunched up. "Do you?"

"Honestly, as long as you're happy, I'm happy."

"But you're used too—"

"Don't even go there. I don't judge you like that. When I'm with you, it's not the focal point anyway."

"I'm not sure how to take that."

"You're more than some superficial lay. You're funny. I love bickering with you. Do you even realize how sexy you are when you unleash your zingers?"

She smirked.

"I like the whole package, so deal with it. Would you leave me because I don't have any junk in my trunk?"

"I've been in your car. You have plenty of junk in there."

"Very funny. You know what I meant."

"No, I wouldn't leave you for that."

"I'm sure I'll give you other reasons," he muttered making her chuckle. "Don't tease me, woman."

"But it's my favorite thing to do." She leaned her head against his arm.

"Hold on." He adjusted so he could put his arm around her. "That's better."

She happily sighed and closed her eyes.

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Jason sat on the couch in the living room.

"It's so good to have you back," Lila said.

"Thanks."

"Did you and Alan have a good talk?" She had noticed the extra pep in her son's step before he left for work.

"Yes."

"And you're willing to let us in?"

"Yeah."

She got up and hugged him as Jason chuckled. "I want you to know, that I love you and you've made me so happy. The best thing about this is that you did it for you."

"I'm trying to think about the good times. I'm not the most forgiving person."

"People make mistakes. That is part of what makes us human. Luckily for us, God also gave us the capacity for forgiveness. When we're hurting, sometimes we make the wrong decisions and it ends up causing more damage. Your mother loved you and you turned out to be a good man who is respectful to women. It could have had a very different ending. You saw how people handled her and could have ended up thinking that is the way a woman should be treated." Alan had told her some of what went on and she was devastated that Jason had to watch that.

"I swore I would never hurt anyone like they abused her."

"And you kept your word."

"I almost messed it up with Elizabeth."

Lila smiled. "Are you together?"

A slight grin appeared on his face. "Yeah. Thank God she's stubborn too."

"That makes me so happy."

Tracy approached them. "Jason." She had left some paperwork in her room that she needed.

"Hi. Thanks for the room."

"It was nothing."

"Actually, it was very nice."

"Shh… You'll ruin my reputation."

"It's not like you have a good one."

Her eyes narrowed and she put her hands on her hips and then slowly smiled. "Welcome to the family. That was your one free pass."

"You're just downright sweet now."

She growled and kissed her mom on the cheek. "I have a meeting."

Lila gripped her arm so she couldn't move away. "Thank you for accepting him. It just makes me love you even more, if that is possible."

"I love you too." She stood and gave Jason one more look. "You better not do anything to my room."

Jason pretended to give it some thought.

She strode out of the room mumbling, "It's just like having AJ back."

Lila chuckled. "You got to her."

He made a noise and stood. "Want to sit outside for a bit."

"I would love too. I have a luncheon, but there is still plenty of time."

He followed her out, ready to enjoy the nice weather they were having.

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Alan cheerfully did his rounds.

"What has you so jovial?" Jeff asked.

"Progress. Jason is staying at the mansion tonight."

"I'm glad that he's coming around."

"I think your daughter is partly to blame."

"She has a good affect on everyone."

Alan was convinced that the prospect of love had helped Jason make the decision to heal his wounds.

"Stefan called in sick."

Alan's brow lifted.

"I know."

"Maybe they'll regret their decision."

"Who knows? I wouldn't put anything past Helena. She'll do whatever it takes to keep him there."

Helen strode towards them.

"Helena. You've been quite busy," Jeff said with a smile that almost made Alan bust out laughing.

"If it was you that released that video, I will see to it that you never work in the state of New York again."

Jeff rolled his eyes. "Perhaps you should consider that I am not the only one in this city who despises you."

Her jaw clenched as she moved even closer. "You are nothing. Your position was taken from you and every time you kiss your wife, I hope you remember whose lips were there before."

Alan grimaced.

"Stefan is more of a man then you'll ever be. How many people know that your wife was pregnant when she was seventeen?"

Jeff was livid. "Get out of my face right now."

"If anything else comes out about my business, I'll make her pay."

"Don't you threaten my family. I had nothing to do with what was released. Gossip is not up my alley, but I will rain my wrath on you if you say a word about Andrea. You have hurt this family enough!"

They were eye to eye and Alan wondered if he should get between them.

"You've been warned."

He met her fierce glare. "And so have you. Your arrogance will be your downfall."

She let out a small growl before spinning on her heel and they watched her move into the hallway.

Jeff pinched the bridge of his nose. "Please…."

"You don't have to say another word. I would never repeat what I heard. I'm sorry that she found out."

"Me too."

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Elizabeth sat in Lainey's office.

"It's good to see you."

"I've been really busy."

"That's good isn't it?"

Liz slightly smiled. "Probably, I just wish it wasn't so drama filled."

"How are you dealing with it?"

"There is good and bad. My family is coming together. All of this is making us stronger. I have some things to work out with my mother, but I can already see that she's being different in a good way. It's hard for me to watch my sister get kicked over and over. Jason has been hurting, but the one good thing is that we kissed."

Lainey smiled. "That's great. How was it?"

Liz laughed. "It was awesome. He's going to give his family a chance. It's been an adjustment. He's different then he was before."

"In a good way?"

"I'm not sure. He has more intense and quiet, but who knows how he'll be once he really moves forward."

"But you feel confident that you'll be by his side?"

"Definitely. I don't know what it is. With Johnny, I cared about him and we got along very well, but there was just something missing. I feel more comfortable exposing myself to Jason which is weird because Johnny is a great guy."

"Sometimes, you just have more chemistry with one person over another."

Liz nodded. "I find myself missing Jason and it's hard for me to concentrate. I day dream about him a lot. When I'm at work, I'm thinking about what he's doing or wishing I was with him."

"It sounds like you're falling for him. Have you ever been in love before?"

"I loved John, but I was young. It was different."

"I understand. Does love scare you?"

"Yes. My parents are a wreck. Most people I know run from it and my instinct is to guard my heart."

"Do you think you can trust him with it?"

"Yeah. He's good to me."

"You mentioned you have unfinished business with your mom."

"I finally know why she acts like she does. My heart broke for her. I just wish she would have tried harder. Her reaction to Sophie dying hurt me. I get it now, but it doesn't change anything."

"Maybe you need to talk to her and let her know how you feel. Write her a letter if you think that will be better. You can't hold these feelings in if you want your relationship to grow stronger."

"I know."

"Are you scared she'll be hurt by what you say?"

"Partly, yes."

"Go on," Lainey said.

"It's not like anything I say will change anything. It happened and can't be taken back."

"It comes down to you being able to let it go. Can you do that without confronting her?"

"I don't know."

"I think you really need to give that some thought."

Liz nodded.

"Think of it this way, if you deal with everything that has held you back, then there is nothing stopping you from having a great relationship with Jason."

Liz took a deep breath. "Okay. I'll talk to her."

Lainey smiled. "I'm proud of you Elizabeth, keep up the good work!"

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Emily approached Steve who was sitting on the roof. "Hey."

"Hi."

She plopped next to him. "I brought you something to eat."

He focused in on her. "Really?"

"You've been running on fumes."

"That's pretty standard around here."

"True. Jason came home."

Steven bit into the sandwich. It tasted so good. "That's good right?"

"Yeah. It's definitely a start."

"Emily, I have concert tickets for Saturday night. You in?"

"I don't know."

His mouth dropped open. "It's like that, huh?"

"Well, that depends. Who did you ask before me?"

"I am so hurt."

"That many?"

He grinned. "You are the first one. I just thought that maybe you needed a distraction."

Her head tilted. "I do. Thanks. I accept."

"Cool. I'll pick you up at seven."

Emily tried to not show how happy she actually was. Steven was thawing and she really hoped this would be the first date of many.

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Jason's eyes flickered open and a slight smile graced his face. "Hey."

Liz moved into his room, shutting the door behind her. "How are you feeling."

"Tired, but not so stressed."

"Good."

He patted the bed next to him. "You like you cried."

"I had my therapy session."

"And?"

"She wants me to talk to my mom and just clear the air regarding Sophie."

"Do you want to?"

Liz sighed. "Yes and no. She's under a lot of pressure right now and I don't want to add to it."

"I get that, but holding it in isn't good either."

"I know." She snuggled into his side. "They are laying the foundation on the site."

"That's good news."

"I can't wait until it's done. It's been my dream for so long."

"I spoke to Francis. I'm going to start working again in a limited capacity. Dante wants me in a chair and only half days."

"He's worried about swelling?"

"Yeah. So, I basically will be handling scheduling in the morning, placing orders, and monitoring the shipments."

She slightly smiled. "You don't sound really happy about that."

"I am, it's just that I'm used to being more physical too."

"It will take time to get your stamina back."

"I'm not the most patient person."

"I'm not either, but in the end, taking it easy is for the best.

"Come here."

She looked up and then adjusted her body. "Yes?"

"I miss your mouth."

"Then let me help you out with that." She kissed him thoroughly, wishing it would never end.