Hey. Two chapters this time. Hope you like.

Rated: M

Disclaimer: I don't own them, I just like writing about them.

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Chapter Eight

"Do I have to go today?"

Jason glanced down at his daughter, currently sweaty and panting from exertion, and a face grimacing with annoyance. Those blue eyes were just moments from begging and she knew he was a sucker for the monkey eyes. U2 sang in the background, his musical choice this morning since he had to practically drag Kady from bed this morning. He decided to give them both a break and slipped in the soundtrack from City of Angels.

Kady wasn't the only one who had wanted to roll over and pretend the day hadn't started yet. He had awakened at the same time, from the same nightmare in the same spot in bed. Alone. The only difference were the people who had invaded his house last night and were currently sleeping in the various guest rooms. It was hard to believe so much had happened in one day, when it seemed like it had been a week.

"Your mother is coming to pick you up at nine. Carly will want to go shopping," at the very word Kady sneered. Carly thought her abnormal. What eleven year old girl didn't like shopping. One who was inundated with visions of demons and death he could have told her but Carly didn't want to hear that. "Then she will take you to see your Grandma Bobbie and you'll head over to Sonny's to have lunch with your brothers."

"Dad, what's going on here is more important than some stupid lunch." She dropped the staff she was currently working with and plopped onto the floor on her butt. "Just because she likes to pretend the things I see aren't real doesn't make it true."

This hurt Kady's feelings, that her mother refused to take an active role in this part of her life. That Carly prefered ignorance and to spend the majority of her time with Michael and Morgan because they weren't 'special' like Kady. He didn't doubt Carly's love for Kady, but she was very quick to point out that Kady was more his daughter than hers.

"I'm sorry," he sat down in front of her, adjusting the navy loose-fitting pants he wore. Kady heaved a sigh as he brushed a loving hand along the side of her face. "I know this is hard for you."

"Sometimes I just wish I didn't have to," she stopped and looked down at her hands clenched in her lap.

"Tell me."

He waited until she was ready, until she raised those eyes so much like his own and said, "Sometimes I just wish I didn't have to bother with that other stuff. It's like I live two lives. This one, the real one, and then that other one where I have to pretend that I don't know that werewolves and vampires are real and there really is a boogey man hiding in the closet sometimes."

And this is what he hated and was unable to spare her. He had no idea that the choice he made all those years ago would have these kinds of repercussions. It was a choice he had intended for his life, not for his child. "I wish I could change that for you," he told her, "That you didn't have to know."

"I don't care about that," she shook her head earnestly, "I mean, most of the time it doesn't really bother me. It's only when there is important stuff going on, like this door tonight, and I'm stuck going to lunch with Mom and Uncle Sonny that I get mad."

"I just want you to have something normal, Kady."

"That's just it Daddy," she sighed sadly, "I'm not normal."

How could he dispute that given everything that they had been through together? "But you should have something in your life Kady other than the visions and my fighting. You have family who love you and friends you enjoy being with. There's school and your gymnastics. I just don't want you to look back when you're older and be angry that you missed out on your childhood."

He didn't want her to look back as an adult and hate the father who had dragged her into this life.

"I know," she gave him a smile but he could tell that her feelings hadn't changed. "I'll go get dressed so that I'm ready when Mom gets here. I'll visit with Grandma Bobbie, and suffer through lunch."

"Is it really that bad?" His relationship with Sonny was still strained, especially after Sonny's relationship with Emily and then his decision to leave the business. They maintained a civil friendship but it was nothing like before. When Sam died it was as if he finally realized that trying to live a dual existence was always going to be doomed to failure.

Being Sonny's enforcer seemed like such a waste of time when there were more important things to do. Walking away from the organization and concentrating on the life he was meant to lead felt right and he hadn't regreted his decision. His reputation was strong enough to protect against any retailation and so long as he stayed away from the business it should remain that way.

He understood Kady's feelings about living a double life. It was why he decided to stop.

"I just get tired of listening to Mom and Sonny arguing, especially now that she's engaged to Jax. Michael and Morgan want them to get back together and I just keep wondering why when all they ever do is fight and argue and make each other miserable."

"So you actually like Jax?" He tried to keep his opinions about that mess to himself. So far it worked well, whereas before Sonny would be at him to keep Carly away from Jax and Carly would be begging him to make Sonny understand. Removed from their circle, they were forced to deal with each other with out his refereing. Jax, the poor schmuck, had no idea what he was getting into with those two. It was a shame he hadn't learned a lesson from the disaster which was Brenda.

"Yeah, he's okay," she shrugged, which was a pretty tame reaction to the man her mother was going to marry. "I mean, he doesn't try to talk down to me like some grown ups can." Meaning Sonny, Jason thought with a inner smile. Sonny had no idea how to handle Kady and she never gave him an inch either way. "And he really loves Mom. They aren't always fighting."

"If you want to stay here, I'll make sure Carly understands," he relented. Given everything that was coming, Kady deserved a little peace and quiet today instead of the drama that was the rest of her family.

"Really?" Which meant she truly didn't want to be bothered. Kady would normally accept a decision he made and not push it further.

"Yes, I'll talk to Carly. You go upstairs and take a shower and dress for the day. Then we'll have some breakfast."

"Can we go for a ride?" Her eyes lit up with excitement. She loved going for rides on his motorcycle with him.

"If the roads aren't too bad with snow," he bargained. He knew the others upstairs would be eager to start preparing for tonight. They would have to work alone for a few hours. Part of that normal life he wanted for Kady meant being a good father and spending time with his daughter that had nothing to do with demons and doors and fighting the good fight.

She scrambled to her feet ready to race upstairs, stopped and dropped a fast kiss on his cheek and slipped her staff into the case before running off. The clamour up the stairs trailed off as the music faded into the Goo Goo Dolls and he stretched out on the floor, lengthening his muscles so he could begin the second part of his workout.

"You're a good Dad."

Cracking open an eye, he found Faith standing over him dressed in a black tank and jogging pants with her hair scraped back into a ponytail. The bruises on her face were a lot better than he thought they would be but she still wore gauze and tape over her knuckles. "You're up early," was his only comment.

"Not really," she shrugged, glancing around the basement, a gleam of appreication lighting in her eyes. "I'm usually up around six, I never did sleep well. Hope you don't mind me coming down here, I was looking for a place to workout and heard the music."

"It's fine." He wouldn't ask her if she were up to working out. A Slayer had rejuvenative abilities that regular humans didn't. She nodded, and probably for the first time he'd met her looked uncomfortable. "What's up?"

"I hope you don't think I was eavesdropping on your coversation with Kady, because I wasn't. Then I say you're a good Dad, which is probably way out of line."

"It's fine, Faith," he repeated because it was. The conversation hadn't exactly been a secret. "And thank you," but the compliment was appreciated. "Sometimes I wonder."

"Well don't," she folded down beside him, twisting her legs easily into a yoga posture, "Kady's a good kid and take it from someone who had a lousy childhood, you're a good father. I mean, you could have not believed her when she said she has visions and thought she was crazy or something. Or you could tell her to ignore them. Instead you, regular joe, pick up a gun and go help the helpless."

"That's not quite how it worked," he sat up and ran a hand through his damp hair. "I was doing this for four years before Kady had her first vision. That's how I knew she was telling the truth."

"Damn, that's kinda messed up isn't it. I mean, you know about the crap that we fight and then you find out your daughter has visions about it. Seems unfair to put that on a little girl who should have a normal life. I mean, when I became the Slayer, my father had already split. My mother didn't want to be bothered with me, so I was basically on my own. It kinda made sense for me to be the Slayer. No ties, no family."

"No one to miss you if you died." He said carefully and those eyes were vulnerable for a second before she covered with a snort of derision.

"They didn't want me and believe me, I didn't want them either. But I'm good, I have a family now and we look out for each other." Obviously feeling like she had revealed too much of herself, she stood, wiping her hands nervously down the sides of her pants. "So, you done working out, or can you go a couple of rounds?"

"I've never sparred with a Slayer before," he contemplated, "Might be interesting. We should give those hands a break for tonight." He gestured to the glass case on the wall, "Choose your poision. Or you can always use your trusty axe," he remembered her words from the truck. Every Hunter had their favorite weapon, so he understood.

"Ha, ha," but she released a genuine chuckle of amusment. "I'd say you have every weapon ever made, but then I've never seen every weapon." She walked along the case, purusing the selection with a appreciation he could respect. She stopped in front of a pair of tomahawks and turned back with a grin. "Oh I like those."

"You would like the baby axes." he grinned and went to open the case for her. Removing them from their hooks, he placed them in her waiting hands.

Faith stepped back, getting a feel for the weapons, twirling them nimbly in her wrists. The whip of air from the blades whistled faster and faster until she tossed one in the air making him choke back a short breath of air. She performed a backwards walkover and came back just in time to snag the axe from the air.

"Show off," he grinned at her and she rewarded him with a husky chuckle. "Those were a gift from a Shamaness in the mountains of East Asia. A decendant from an Amazon tribe. She came from a long line of Shamaness, said her great, great, great-grandmother blessed those."

"You mean like Amazon Warriors from a long long long time ago." At his nod of agreement she glanced down at the tomahawks in her hand, "Damn. That's sweet. How the hell did you meet an Amazon Shamaness? I thought they were from Greece or something?"

"I've met a lot of people since I started doing this. And no, not just from Greece some migrated. There are still some tribes left but they prefer to remain hidden from the rest of the world. Hold on to their traditions as best they can." He lifted a hand toward the weapons, "You like?"

"Yeah, I like a lot."

"Good," he gave the case a glance and made his choice, a long spear that Faith gave a wary glance.

"Come on, you're joking right?"

"Never underestimate a weapon. A good strong stick can kill if handled properly."

That made her roll her eyes and groan, "Sure you've never met Wesley before? That sounds like some Watcher crap he'd say."

"Never met the guy. Did meet a nice Japanese sensai who kicked my ass for about a year while teaching me Jujitsu." He balanced the spear evenly on his arm and took a fighting stance. Adrenaline began coursing though his blood, as he blocked out everything, the music, his inner turmoil about his daughter, the fatigue in his muscles, the coming dangers tonight, and focused on his target. "Now, you're a Slayer. Impress me."

XX

"So how long have they been down there at it?"

A feminine shout rang through the kitchen over the volume of music echoing from the basement followed quickly by a heavy thump which meant someone had hit the floor hard. Judging from the sound, they were guessing Jason. A second later a vicious 'son of a bitch' filled the air which meant that Jason had retailiated.

The people sitting around the kitchen eating breakfast and enjoying the sounds of the scuffle were having a great time wondering who was winning and who was losing. They might have been tempted to go down to the basement and actually watch the session if they weren't currently stuffing their faces with the delicious breakfast that Miranda had prepared.

Kady cut into her serving of baked cinnamon praline french toast covered with powered sugar and warm apple slices and stuffed a huge forkful into her mouth. "Since I left," she managed to say as she chewed. She drank a swallow of milk then picked up her napkin to wipe the access from her mouth. "That was about ten minutes to seven."

"It's almost eight now," Fred pointed to the clock as she nibbled on a crisp slice of bacon. A loud yell from the basement and the sound of another body hitting the floor made them all cringe but it didn't stop them from eating. "We should break it up or something shouldn't we. I mean, they're going to be tired tonight aren't they?"

"Please," Spike snorted as he nipped another sausage from the platter and ate appreciatively. "Most fun Faith's had in months probably."

Miranda glanced at the group of people she was feeding and couldn't help the warm smile that spread across her face. When she woke this morning, she had felt a little useless here among these people. Yes, she was here to get Gabriel back, but she hadn't felt like she was making a decent contribution.

It was easy to help with the reading, though she didn't recognize most of the stuff she looked through, so that meant she had to stop Fred and make sure she wasn't overlooking something important. She wasn't a fighter or a Hunter. Dean was helping her learn how to use a gun, but when it came down to it, the best way she could help would be to make sure she didn't get in the way. And maybe keep an eye on Kady in the process.

Then she had rolled over, immediately missing Dean's presence next to her and smelled coffee begining to brew and knew what she could do. After a quick shower and changing into a pair of jeans and a scarlet sweater, she went downstairs to the kitchen and took stock of the food there. Years as a cook were going to come in handy. She might not be able to fight, and she might not know the difference between a succubus and a Therian but she could make sure each of these people who were fighting to help bring her son home were fed.

Judging from the rapid way the food was disappearing, she was doing something right.

It hadn't even bothered her much to heat a mug of that blood she had found in the bottom of the refrigerator for Spike. That winsome smile he gave her after a sincere thanks made her feel appreciated. It wasn't one of those usual smirks she noticed Spike gave a lot. This was more along how he looked at Fred. As if he hadn't expected the gesture of kindness.

"I still can't believe someone is giving Stone Cold a run for his money." Spinelli was a confusing mix of vulnerable young man and genius that was endearing. He still had his laptop, pecking away with one hand and the other was busy gobbling down scrambled eggs.

"She's a Slayer," Spike pointed out, "To each generation there is a Chosen One and all that," he paused and gave Kady a quick eye and obviously edited what he was going to say. "Stuff. Have to have super strength to fight vampires."

"Yeah, but it's still Stone Cold," he muttered around a slice of toast. "He's like the major demon fighter. Not to mention making with the enforcing and stuff."

"SPINELLI."

Kady's sharp reprisal cut off anything else he might have said, making his eyes widen as he shoved another bite of toast in his mouth. Miranda finally understood how silence could be deafening. No one had ever heard Kady speak like that before, usually she was all kind and calm, except of course when she was talking to Cordelia. To hear her snap at Spinelli whom she obviously adored was a bit of a shock.

The only people who weren't confused were the residents of Port Charles. Lulu, Spinelli and Kady. "What does that mean?" Cordelia asked and the two older ones looked down at their plate while Kady met Cordelia's eyes with a glare.

"It's none of your business."

"Oh, shit," Dean muttered in her ear and she jabbed him in the side making him snort with laughter.

"Didn't your mother teach you not to be disrespectful to adults?" Cordelia lifted a questioning brow making Sam groan and look down into the cup of coffee he was drinking.

"No. She didn't," Kady shot back, "Didn't anyone tell you it isn't nice to butt your nose into other people's business?"

"No, I must have missed that lesson." She smiled saccarin sweet, all teeth and snarl.

"Then I guess we're even." Kady returned the smile, neither giving an inch. Then Cordelia closed her eyes and burst into laughter. Everyone gave her a leary eye, wondering what was wrong with her. One minute she looked like she was going to burst a gasket and the next she's amused.

"Okay, someone has had a bit too much sugar this morning," Dean muttered.

"No," Cordelia gasped for breath and failed as she dissolved into onther fit of giggles. "No, it's not that." she dragged in a breath. "He was right. I have been acting like an eleven year old."

None of them knew what that meant, but said nothing, seeing as Cordelia had put a halt to the potentially explosive moment. Kady was staring at her funny, but at least not with the anger from before. Whatever Kady didn't want Spinelli talking about was forgotten in the wake of Cordelia's laughter.

The door to the basement opened, Faith and Jason stepping into the kitchen both sweating like crazy and big grins on their faces. "I so kicked your ass," Faith poked him with a finger and Jason shook his head, causing her to do it twice more. "Yes I did don't deny it. Slayer one, Jason zilcho."

"I didn't want to throw you into the glass case," he muttered and closed the door behind him. He walked over to the coffee pot and poured him a mug and drank down several swallows. "That's the only reason why you managed to get me down."

"Next time you'll know better," she snorted, "Mercy is for the weak."

"Yeah, next time, I'll just toss you. It will only cost five hundred dollars to replace." Jason took a look around at them sitting at the table and all of the food finally. "Who cooked?"

"Miranda," Kady spoke up. "She made baked french toast, eggs with bacon and sausage, toast and she even made you a fresh pot of coffee."

Jason glanced at the mug in his hand and she quickly stammered, "I hope you don't mind. I know it was a really big assumption, just walking into your kitchen and using your food this way."

"No," he cut her off, "It's fine Miranda really. If you don't mind cooking, then I'm certainly not going to complain. No I was just thinking that if we're going to have a house full, then I should probably have someone bring in some groceries."

"It isn't a problem. I can take the car and go." It would be nice to have a tangible role here where she felt useful, then she quickly looked at Dean, "I mean if you don't care."

"You don't have to do that," Jason said before Dean could choke out an answer. She wasn't blind to how he felt about his Impala. "Just make a list and I'll have everything you want delivered. Besides, after tonight, we're going to need to be careful how we go out and no one should ever go alone."

"Spike's going to need," Cordelia trailed off as their eyes met. You could almost see the sparks igniting between the two of them.

"I'll take care of that too," he answered, then managed to tear his eyes away. "I'm going to head up and take a shower. Then we should probably sit down and talk. All of us."

"Me too," Faith reached over Sam and nabbed a piece of bacon from his plate. She gave him a saucy wink when Sam glanced back at her, the invitation in her eyes unmistakable, then turned and walked from the kitchen.

"Kady, tell your mother I'm upstairs when she gets here." Jason started up the back stairs with his mug of coffee. Miranda was actually shocked, she had thought maybe something had happened to Kady's mother and that's why she wasn't here. She knew Jason was involved with a woman named Sam but for some reason she just figured that Kady's mother wasn't around.

Cordelia waited for all of two minutes before she excused herself and went after him.

XX

Last night she went with Jason and Lulu to the see the doctor in a private clinic on the otherside of town. During the ride, Jason had tried to explain to Lulu what had happened tonight and she had been completely resistant to the possiblity. She made some vague reference to Jason having been shot one too many times which raised an eyebrow but neither of them went any further on the subject much to her frustration.

She didn't know what he said to convince her to stay the night at his house, but as they drove back, Lulu's hand casted from the fracture in her finger, the truck was dead silent. Occasionally, Lulu would throw a stunned look in his direction but she would say nothing. He muttered a quick go to bed and that he would try to explain everything to her in the morning and Lulu went without any protest.

There were just too many questions about this guy and too many things that weren't adding up. If there was one thing she had learned in her years with Angel Investigations was that when things were too perfect, there was usually a demon involved. Like Jason's wound from the night before. She had seen it, raw and jagged, felt guilty that he received it helping her. Now this morning, he wore a white wife beater, soaked to the skin with sweat mind you, and all she saw were a few bandages in the same spot.

And Kady. What human girl had visions from the Powers without the whole mind blasting part to go with them? Sam was a psychic, but he wasn't a Seer. Not like her and Kady. She had been forced to explain how she was the one who went glowy floats when she had a vision. Sam had been relieved to know that not all of his visions were going to be that way. Kady just shrugged as if it were no big deal.

It damn well was a big deal, she had to become a half demon to keep the visions from killing her and now this ordinary human girl had them without the same mind breaking side effects?

Why had Lulu been so ready to accept Jason rescuing her but not the other stuff? And what did Spinelli mean when he said enforcer and why had Kady reacted so badly?

Not bothering to knock, she swung the door open wide, found Jason standing in front of the closet in the process of tossing a pair of black cargo pants onto his bed. Joining them was a black henley and then he slid the door closed and blinked at her. "Do you make it a habit of barging into people bedrooms?"

"Who are you?"

"What?"

"No, no," she shook her head, crossing the room to him, "Don't give me the blank look. I'm not buying that because you know exactly what I mean."

"Actually, no I don't. If I did I wouldn't have asked," he frowned and reached down to yank off his tank and drop it on the floor. "So you can tell me what you mean, or let me get to my shower."

"I mean, who is Jason Morgan? We all walked into this accepting what we had seen from the visions. We know that Dean, Sam and Miranda are here because of her son, Gabriel. We know they're hunters. Faith explained who we are, Angel Investigations, help the helpless from Los Angeles, but somehow we never got around to who you are."

"I told you," he frowned, actually looking confused instead of dodging the question like she knew he was.

"No, you didn't. We know Kady is a Seer, we know that evidently you're the Port Charles version of Angel Investigations. What about everything else? This house, the obvious money. You said you own a coffee warehouse. Why would you own a coffee warehouse?"

"Because I'm a coffee importer?"

"Not funny," she sneered, giving a quick shove to the chest. "Last night Lulu seemed to think you wouldn't want the police involved in her attack."

"The PCPD aren't exactly known for their ability to solve cases. Given the Therians last night, do you really think the cops should have been called?"

"I think you're right, but I also know that Lulu's concern was about you. Not the Therians or the cops. Then Spinelli said something a few minutes ago and Kady was really upset by it. Shouted at him and everything. Then those three did the monkeys and tried to pretend like it didn't happen."

"The monkeys?"

"Hear no evil, see no evil, speak no evil," she lifted a brow at his chuckle of laughter. "So what does the word enforcer mean to you Jason?"

A whisper of triumph rushed through her when he winced at that word. He maintained his composure but there was a distinct hardening of his eyes. "It's a part of a past that has nothing to do with you Cordelia." He tried to move around her but she scooted back in his path and pushed him again.

"Uh, un, you're not letting it go that easily."

"Forget about it Cordelia, it has nothing to do with the door tonight."

"How can you just say that and expect me to ignore the feeling in my gut that says you're not everything you seem to be? How do I overlook the fact that whenever there are secrets something bad usually follows?"

"They are not secrets, it's just my past and complete irrelevant to what's going on."

"If it's so irrelevant then there should be no problem telling me."

"Have I tried to get you to explain who this Angel and Connor are?" he bit out, obviously reaching the edges of his patience. "Have I tried to dig out all your little secrets and the things you're holding back? The least you can do is give me the same courtesy!"

"You already know who Angel is," she muttered, and tried to turn away.

"I know that all of you miss him. I know that he disappeared five years ago and so did your visions. I know that whoever the guy was you were in love with him. That's pretty much all I know."

"You just went head to head with a Slayer for almost an hour! The only person I know who can do that is Spike. How do I ignore that? How did Kady get her visions from the powers? Humans aren't supposed to have them. Before I was given the choice to become a half demon those visions almost killed me! Your daughter shows no signs of being affected by them."

She countered quickly because the last thing she wanted to discuss was herself. This wasn't about the saga that was Cordelia Chase and her tangled, complicated dance with Angel. It was about confronting this confusing man and getting a few answers. She needed them. If there was anyway she was going to trust him, especially with the family she loved, then he was going to tell her the truth.

Before he could stop her, she reached down and snatched off the bandage covering his wounds. Her sharp gasp and his muttered curse, echoed in the room. "And how the hell did that heal so quickly? Who are you Jason Morgan?"

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Chapter Nine

"I am exactly the man you see."

They stared at each other for a long time, so many emotions tangling together and left unsaid, building until it was too uncomfortable to ignore. Finally she cut her eyes away from that knowing gaze and fumbled for a response.

She flicked an imaginary speck of dirt from her sleeve then placed defiant hands on her hips. Last night Fred and Spike had gone back to the hotel to get their things, and she had dressed this morning in a pair of black boot cut pants and a simple wine tinted blouse. No she had armored herself. The waves in her hair, the hints of makeup, the fashionable clothing, it was all a shell to protect against this man seeing too deeply into her. Only it didn't seem to be working.

"How are we supposed to trust you, when you stand there and lie? I saw that wound last night." When she had stood here in his bedroom and ogled his near naked body. Just before she ran away, terrified of the feelings she refused to put a name to. The same feelings that were trying to bubble past the conviction to pretend they didn't exist. "There is no way you should be healed so quickly. Was it magicks?"

Jason took one step closer, then another, pausing only when there was a mere breath seperating them. The sweat was beginning to dry on his skin and she desperately ignored the desire to taste, to trace her tongue along the length of thick muscle in his shoulder to see what flavors would combine with that salty goodness.

"This isn't about trust. At least be truthful with me, if you can't with yourself. When you were annoyed with me that was honest. The fifty questions here isn't about trust or wanting to know me."

Hunger and anger twined in those alluring eyes of his but he didn't touch her. Her body practically vibrated under the force of his glance, she could feel the heat pouring from his skin but he kept himself seperate and aloof. "That's exactly what this is about."

"This is about you looking for any reason you can grab onto not to trust me."

"What? That's ridiculous. Why would I want a reason not to trust you?"

"I'm not blind Cordelia and neither are you." He lifted a hand and she jerked the instant he cupped her chin. "Given this," he rubbed his thumb along the side of her face, across her lower lip and she released a shaky breath as her heart began to pound loudly in her ears.

"Whatever this is between us. I'm actually tempted to give you that excuse to distrust me. I don't want this anymore than you do, but it's there and I'll deal with it, or ignore it but I'm not willing to risk Gabriel's safety because I can't be honest with myself."

When he stepped away, Cordelia felt as if she were given a reprieve. "I have no idea what you're talking about. There isn't anything between us and there never will be. You should speak to someone about those delusions of yours. This is about you being all mysterious and not sharing information that could be vital to tonight."

She watched his face close to her, all his emotions retreating under a cold mask of nothingness yet not before she saw that hint of resignation. It left her feeling suprisingly alone. "Fine," he said softly, "You want to know what enforcer means to me? Exactly what it implies, Cordelia. For more than ten years I was a mob enforcer. I protected a man named Sonny Corinthos, I guarded his family and I killed any threat to his organization."

"What?" She shriveled a little at the ice in his eyes. That wasn't what she had been expecting. This guy who adored his daughter was a ruthless mob enforcer? One of those guys who killed people then buried their bodies so they wouldn't be discovered.

Cliches of swimming with fishes and cement shoes drifted through her head. "So when you said former line of work," she trailed off as the full meaning of him understanding what damage a bullet could do sank in. "But the Powers would never."

"Never chose a killer for their work?" He lifted a brow in question, "That's what we all are Cordelia. Killers. Only we're on the good side. Rescuing Lulu last night, we killed those Therians."

"But they were evil!" she insisted, "They were going to sacrifice Lulu. The Powers would never have sent us to kill an innocent. You! You were in the mob!"

"Yes, I was." He didn't offer any explanation or apology, just left it for her to come to whatever conclusions she wanted.

"But why?"

"There are no clear answers for that. Did you know what you were getting into when you became a Seer? Not just the clear cut facts, but the deep down reasons that it took a long time for you to acknowledge to yourself. Life isn't black and white. Each choice you make defines you. I made a choice to go to work for Sonny, my reasons are my own."

"How can we work with you when," she trailed off, not knowing what to say. Maybe he had been right. Maybe she had just been looking for an excuse to distrust him. Well he had certainly given her one. "I have to talk to the others and see what they have to say."

"Your choice. It doesn't change what happens tonight." This time when he stepped around her, she didn't move. Her gaze followed him as he went to the bathroom, paused in the doorway to look back over his shoulder.

"Don't get in my way tonight Cordelia. I don't care how much you trust me or not. When Miranda's son is ready to come through that door tonight, we're all supposed to be there. We all have our roles to play. I suggest you take some time to figure out what exactly your role is supposed to be before sundown. I won't let you ruin this because of your personal feelings."

"What's that supposed to mean? That you'll shoot me if I don't do as you say," she sneered, his harsh voice automatically putting her back up in retailiation. "Just because you're some mob enforcer doesn't mean I'm afraid of you."

"That's exactly what I meant and exactly what I expected," he said and the curve on his lips had nothing to do with humor. What was that supposed to mean?

Before she could figure it out, he turned away. His fingers gripped the edge of the doorway for a second as he said, "I'm not your enemy but it seems I won't be your ally either. Just get the job done and we won't have any problems."

XX

Cordelia made her way back downstairs more confused than when she left. The only person left in the kitchen was Faith, which was good, because she needed her no nonsense attitude to quiet the rush of noise erupting in her head. Somehow her intentions when she first went after Jason had twisted and now she really didn't know what she had wanted to accomplish when she tore out of the kitchen after him.

Faith was working her way through breakfast, a pleasant smirk on her face as she drank down half a glass of orange juice. She gave a silent nod for greeting and continued eating. She had showered and changed into another pair of leather pants, these a brandy red, and a black fitted henley with a deep v in the front. "Thought you were with the others doing the research?"

She pulled out the chair across from Faith and eased down, not sure what to say to that. "Is that Fred's computer?" She pointed to the laptop at Faith's elbow, then reached for it. Only to be brought up short as Faith's hand beat her to it.

"Yes, it is. What's up C, and don't give me the nothing stuff. You come downstairs, when I know everyone else is back in the living room. Everyone that is, except for a certain blue eyed hunter. Now you're looking to use Fred's computer, when you'd rather poke yourself in the eye than touch one most days."

"That's not true," she felt obligated to interrupt. "I have to use the computer at work to keep the files straight."

"Yeah and look how well that usually turns out," Faith snorted in return. "Now, what happened. You can tell Auntie Faith all about the big bad man who got on Cordy's bad side."

"Shut up," she managed a grin at Faith's foolishness. Then remembered what Jason had said, "While the two of you were working out, did he happen to mention that he used to be a mob enforcer?" A grunt was all she received for an answer. "And you have nothing to say to that?"

"What do you want me to say," Faith lifted a negligent shoulder. "Hello C, murderer here. Spent a few years in prison for it. I'm the last person who has anything to say about Jason being a mob enforcer. I suppose that's what has your panties in a twist."

"You think?" She raised a mocking brow, "I mean, mob enforcer Faith?"

"And how is that any different from Angelus? See, now that's who this is all about, not Jason. Well," Faith paused as she nibbled on a piece of bacon, "It's about Jason but this kick you're on, is indirectly related to Angel."

"I don't know how many times I have to say this, but I'm not expecting Angel to walk through that portal tonight. Angel's gone."

"I know," Faith agreed quietly. "It took me a long time to accept that. Even longer than you I believe because you've known for a long time that Angel was gone. Your heart might still give a few knocks every so often, but your head has always known."

"Then what are you talking about? What does Angel being gone have to do with Jason being an enforcer?"

"It's about you looking for an excuse to avoid what he makes you feel."

Appauled, she rolled her eyes and pffft'd loud enough that Faith chuckled. "I don't feel anything."

"Yes you do." Faith set down her fork and reclined in her chair. There were times when Faith could surprise her. Times when Faith had the ability to look so deep that you didn't want her under your skin because Faith was just annoying enough to tell you what lay there whether you wanted to hear it or not. Cordelia had a feeling this was going to be one of those times.

"Jason Morgan hits a little too close to home. He's obviously a Champion for the Powers. He's raising a great kid and as you've discovered he has a past that isn't squeaky clean. Sound familiar?"

"If you're implying that there are similarities between Angel and Jason, you can just forget it. Angel at least felt remorse for the things Angelus did. Jason doesn't seem to care who finds out he was some big bad mob enforcer who killed people for a living."

"And you know this because," Faith paused, "You asked him how he felt about it?" At her silence Faith shook her head, "I didn't think so. Look C, you're attracted to him. If you weren't, you wouldn't be making such a big deal out of this. Spike figured it out first, and if you tell that arrogant vamp I said so, I'll have to punch you for it. But I caught on relatively fast."

"I'm not," she denied and Faith just stared at her long and hard until she wanted to squirm. Only she was Cordelia Chase, she didn't squirm and it would take a lot more to get her to do so. "Fine, he's attractive."

"He's hot," Faith shot back, "He's so hot, that if Sam weren't here, I would have already gone after him for a tumble."

"Oh, really?"

"Don't hate the player," Faith smiled widely, "Besides, you're not attracted to him, remember. Seriously, instead of reacting badly every time you're in the same room with him, you might actually try having a conversation. He's a decent guy."

"We don't have time for this, portal tonight?" she pointed out as if Faith had forgotten, "Demon coming through along with two innocents we have to help. Any feelings I have for Jason are irrelevant, because when we finish this we're going back to LA."

"The Powers that Be brought us here for a reason," Faith started slowly, weighing her words carefully. "I can't be the only one who has noted the way everyone here seemed to balance each other out. Yes, we're here to stop the demon and avert yet another apocalypse but that's what we do. It's what Sam and Dean do. It's what Jason does. We were brought together for a reason."

"And since when are you philosophical?"

"When I see a guy and I want more than to just climb into his pants," she answered softly. That dreamy smile on her face was so unusual for Faith she was speechless. "When it feels good to have his arms around me and I start feeling more human than I've felt since the day I became a Slayer. Hell, long before that."

And she had no idea. "Faith-"

But Faith held up a hand holding off any words of compassion she might have offered. "Sam looks at me and sees a woman. Yes, he knows I'm a Slayer, but he's just interested enough to look past that. It's only a matter of time before the two of us end up in bed, and damn I'm looking forward to that. What's for us to decide is whether or not we will look a little deeper."

"That's good for you Faith, but that has nothing to do with me and Jason."

"You both have shadows. Long dark shadows of pain that you wear along side that armour that's supposed to keep anyone from getting too close. I suggest that you take a good hard look at what you're hiding from C. The Powers might have their plans for us, but they aren't exclusive to fighting demons and helping the helpless."

"Angel was supposed to be my destiny," she murmured, giving voice to the words that had hidden deep in her heart. "I was his Seer. He was my Champion. I loved him Faith, more than I'd ever thought I could love anyone, so how could I feel anything for Jason."

"Were you Angel's destiny C? Or were you just in love with him? Soul mates, destiny, that's just crap. Love isn't destined. There isn't someone out there with a check list that says 'okay, Cordelia and Angel together, check. Let's move on to the next tortured couple.' Spike loved Buffy and now he loves Fred. Does that make his love for Fred less than what he felt for Buffy?"

"You're asking me to judge something about Buffy Summers?"

"That's not the point," Faith grinned, "And you know it. Angel's gone, Cordelia. Would he want you to sit here and mourn him forever, or would he want you to move on with your life and be happy."

"And you think Jason would make me happy?"

"I think that you're afraid to even try. And the Cordelia Chase I know would never let fear stop her from getting what she wanted. I'm willing to bet there's a little Queen C left that's appauled that you're running scared."

"Am not," she folded her arms over her chest.

"Chicken shit." Then Faith made it worse by clucking. "Afraid of the Adonis with the vulnerable big blue eyes and his kid that you know acts just like you."

"Shut up." Faith clucked again, making her snort and surrender to the ripple of mirth trembling on her lips. "Bitch."

"Don't turn away from what's here Cordelia," Faith reached across the table and gave her hand a sympathetic squeeze. "And don't hold on to a past that won't change. Moving on doesn't mean that you didn't love Angel and admitting you have feelings for Jason isn't the end of the world."

"Don't even say stuff like that," she groaned, "You know damned well words like 'end of the world' and people from Sunnyhell don't mix well."

XX

By the time he finished his shower, he had calmed down enough to be reasonable. At least he hoped he was calm. The last thing he needed was a confrontation with Cordelia, especially when he had to deal with Carly today. Was it so damned wrong to want to keep his life private? The things he had done, everything that had led him to this point, he couldn't regret. How to explain more than ten years of experiences to an already hostile woman just looking for an excuse to distrust him?

He had no regrets. Perhaps the death of Sam, but death was a lesson that had been drummed into his soul and it's acceptance inevitable. He might beat his head against it, but nothing he possessed, no gifts he had been given could ever defeat death. All he had was the determination to fight that grim reaper for as long and as hard as he was capable.

Now Cordelia comes along and forces him into retrospection.

Damn he hadn't felt this achy over a woman in a while. When he didn't want to put a strip of tape over her mouth, he was wondering what she'd taste like. Tart like that attitude she carried on her shoulders like ten pound chips. Sweet, like those rare smiles she gave. The ones that lit up her whole face. Made her tormentingly beautiful.

He had been moments from finding out only common sense had intervened. It didn't change the heavy dick he'd been left with, or the need that wasn't going away no matter how furious he was at her.

Feeling just a bit mean, he skipped his shave and left the bathroom only to find one headache gone to be replaced by another. "You're early."

"Well had I known that you were giving free visuals, I would have brought snacks."

Carly Benson Quartermaine Corinthos Alcazar soon to be Jacks was a force to be reckoned with on good days and could tempt a man to murder on others. Judging from the smirk on her face, this might be a good day, then again she was as mercurial as a F5 tornado so he would just bide his time. Obviously prepared for battle, for any time Sonny and Carly spent together could be termed a minor war, Carly gleamed with attitude.

From the dark crimson pantsuit and the boots that would put her at least five inches taller than Sonny, to the fall of blonde waves around her regal face and the spark of mischief in eyes that shone like cobalt. Carly looked every inch the Valkyrie that Spinelli proclaimed her to be.

Rather than respond to her sarcasm, he went to dress, ignoring the fact that she didn't even bother to give him the privacy to do so. By the time he had slipped on his boots, Carly had gone from intrusive to annoyed because he hadn't said a word or glanced in her direction once. It was the one thing Carly hated, being ignored, probably why they never would have worked. He wasn't the type to cater to anyone's ego.

"My first question, of course, is who are all of those people downstairs that have invaded your house?"

"None of your business," he stood, stomping hard on a boot to trigger the blade in the toe and ensure it was still working properly. When it snapped back in place, he looked up to see Carly staring at him. "What?"

"You," she waved an unsure hand, "That. I swear, you become less the Jason Morgan I picked up in Jake's everyday. First you stop working for Sonny, which everyone thought was just a phase because Sam had died."

"Don't overstep," he warned her and she released a huff of annoyance.

"I wasn't going to say anything about her. I'm rude, not insensitive." Carly turned and stalked toward his dresser, fingering his things. A picture of Kady, his watch which she tossed to him so he could put it on. "So, is this how you're going to be forever Jason? You've even managed to drag our daughter into this insanity you call a life. Before, you at least tried to keep her out of it, now you don't even bother."

"You saw what happened to Sam," he murmured.

"She was shot."

"She was shot by an already sadistic bastard that was possessed by a demon out to kill me," his voice hardened ruthlessly, "Denial has never looked good on you Carly, so don't start wrapping yourself up in it now. It's bad enough you ignore the fact that Kady has visions."

"Why can't you just let all of this go!" And if he could have offered her some kind of reasoning, he would have. There were people who were open to the things he'd witnessed and there were others whose mind was so closed that it would probably do more harm than good than try to open it.

And he realized, having a house full of these people wasn't so much of a hardship. Normally he detested being swamped with intruders and their questioning glances. The people downstairs walked the same night as he, knew the things that lurked in the darkness. Despite all the danger he knew was coming, it was nice not having to pretend to be something he wasn't.

"This isn't your choice to make, Carly, so just let it go. You don't see me down at the MetroCourt telling you how to run it, do you?"

"The MetroCourt isn't endangering Kady's life either," the bitterness that spilled over in her tone was unmistakable. She had every right to be concerned about Kady's safety but her hypocracy was too thick to ignore. Kady, Michael and Morgan were in danger on a daily basis regardless of who he picked up his gun for.

"And working for Sonny was a regular nine to five."

Carly at least had the grace to look abashed, but she didn't give an inch as she crossed to him and flopped down on the bed. "I just want her to have a normal life Jason, is that so wrong? She's my only daughter and we have nothing in common. She'd much rather be here, studying monsters and junk than with her mother."

"Just because Kady doesn't like the things that you do, doesn't make her less your daughter. She loves you, she needs you to take an active role in her life Carly. Not just in the things that you want, but in the things that are important to her."

"And monsters are important to her? And you think that's okay?" Her voice rose an octave with each question making the already tenuous hold on his temper slip.

"Look," he bit the word out between clenched teeth, "Let's not get into this today. I guess it's just too much to expect you to think beyond yourself and what you want and consider Kady's feelings."

The arrested expression on her face didn't bode well. "Is that why those people are downstairs? More converts to the craziness that has become Jason Morgan's life? Do you even know those people Jason? I know they aren't from Port Charles. What? You're hosting the monster hunters convention this year?"

"Carly,"

"I think, maybe Kady should come stay with me for a while." She nodded once as if the idea was perfect and of course he would go along with it because Carly said so. "At least until you come to your senses. Instead of bringing her back here after lunch at Sonny's she'll just come back to the house with me and the boys."

"You know that's not going to happen," he sighed heavily, not liking where this was going.

"And why not?"

"Don't put that choice on Kady, it's not fair Carly." And she certainly wouldn't like the answer she received.

"I'm trying to keep her safe."

"You're trying to fit her into your neat little daughter mold so you'll be able to understand her! When did you get so damned narrow-minded?" He ignored her stunned gasp and kept on, "I used to kill people Carly! I broke the law on a daily basis to make sure that Sonny wasn't arrested, someone didn't take over his territory or no one I loved was hurt. That was just fine as long as you could believe in it. Understand it. Ask you to look at something beyond your experience or frame of reference and you belittle it!"

"That's not what I'm doing"

"Then what is it Carly? Because from where I'm standing, it sure as hell looks like it to me. Our daughter is a Seer. Whether you want to accept that or not. She witnesses things, horrible things, and she has to have someone who believes in her. Someone that she knows will try to make things right. Threatening to take Kady out of the home she loves, the safety she has come to rely on, just to make yourself feel better is probably the most selfish thing that has ever come out of your fucking mouth. And you know after all the stunts you've pulled, that's saying a lot."

"That's cold, Jason." She sniffed, her feelings obviously hurt. "That's cold even for you. Not once have you ever thrown anything I've done in my face. We've always been best friends."

"Best friends don't try to hurt each other by using the child they share as leverage."

"That's not what I was trying to do."

"Isn't it? Do what I want or I'll take Kady back? Isn't that what your little threat was?"

"I wasn't trying to threaten you. I'm trying to understand Jason! Really I am, but this past year, everything changed so fast and you think it's easy for me to accept?"

"Nothing has changed all that much," he pointed out, tired now, losing his temper with Carly was always pointless and always made him feel like he was swimming through a dark lake of muck. "The only difference is that I'm not working with Sonny anymore. I'm not hiding behind the business."

A momentary look of discomfort crossed her face, "I'm sorry. You're right."

And this was probably the main reason why he and Carly were able to remain friends after everything they had been through together. She might not back down if someone else accused her of something, as a matter of fact, Carly would fight tooth and nail to prove that she was right. But if he said something to her, Carly knew that he wasn't doing so to hurt her, or take something from her.

She took his hand into hers and squeezed, giving him an faint smile, "I'm trying Jason, you know I'm not good with change. Especially as far as you're concerned. I depend on you to be constant. The sane one in all of my chaos and when it feels like I'm losing that, I do or say something that I don't really mean."

And if his temper hadn't been off, he would already realized that. "It's fine. And this is probably something that you don't want to hear right now," he watched her face screw up tight and tried not to smile. Any second she would stuff her hands over her ears and beginning humming. "Kady isn't up for lunch today."

"Jason no!"

"Carly," he tried to ward her off but she was already dropping his hand and pacing the room.

"No! I've been planning this lunch all week! Jax is back from Europe from his last business deal, and I wanted us all to at least start acting like a family. This lunch was supposed to be the first step in making Sonny realize that nothing he does is going to change the fact that I'm marrying Jax."

"If you'd stop reacting to Sonny, he'd eventually get the message," he tried reasoning with her. "The more you deny it, the more you argue, the more Sonny believes he's right."

"You know it's hard for me to do that," she pouted. That was the truth, it was against Carly's very nature to stay silent, which was why Sonny always got to her. "I've never denied that I have feelings for Sonny but I'm tired Jason. I'm tired of all the chaos and drama that comes with being with him. I'm tried of always waiting for the shoe to drop and Jax isn't like that. Jax is healthy. Jax is good for me."

And she actually sounded like she meant that. If he hadn't sworn off interfereing in the mess that was Sonny and Carly, he might have been tempted to speak to Sonny about backing off. Michael and Morgan didn't need their parents constantly at each other's throats. Personally, he just figured Sonny was lonely and couldn't stand the fact that someone was trying to take Carly out of his sphere of possession. If Carly married Jax, she wouldn't always be there, looking out for Sonny, interefering in his life, trying to take care of him.

"Then why not just have lunch with Jax and the boys, instead of dragging Sonny into. It's just begging for a fight Carly."

"I know," and she had the grace to admit it. "He just gets so smug, and I hate it. I hate it that he thinks he knows me. If I cancel lunch, he'll use it as an excuse, saying that I can't take being around him."

"Just call Sonny, cancel the lunch. Say you've made other plans and then you and Jax take the boys out for lunch."

"But I want Kady to come."

"You want Kady to referree and she doesn't want to, Carly. Besides, there is something important going on and she wants to be here."

"And you've already told her that you would talk to me about it," she huffed. "Fine." Carly rolled her eyes and in a defensive gesture, folded her arms across her chest. She bit her lower lip, furrowing her brow, "It's not dangerous, is it Jason?"

"No more than usual Carly," he told her truthfully.

"And she has to be apart of this?"

"Yes, she does." And no matter how much he wished to protect her, if the Powers sent Kady the vision, then she was meant to be involved. He had Sam and Cordelia's own visions to further that truth. "I'll keep her safe," he vowed. As safe as he was capable. He'd die before allowing something to hurt Kady and Carly knew it.

"Then, I guess I should go tell her that she's been given a reprieve," Carly smiled, then looked at him again. "Jason, is something wrong?" Sometimes it amazed him how Carly did that. Even at the height of selfishness, she could look at him and know if something was bothering him.

"Nothing I can't deal with," he reassured her. It was true. This bizarre attraction to Cordelia would be ignored and when this was done, she would return to his life and he would remain in his.

"I worry about you too, you know. Since Sam, you've closed yourself off here in this little house. Closed your heart off to anyone getting too close to you and that's not right."

"It's my life Carly."

"I know," she held up hands in appeasement, "I know. And I'm not trying to tell you how to live it. Especially when we both know you'll just ignore me anyway. I just want you to be happy, that's all Jason. If anyone deserves to be happy it's you."

"I am happy. I'm fine, my life is fine. I have my work, Kady and my family, I don't need anything else."

"And who do you climb into this big bed at night with Jason," she waved backward with a sad sigh. "That gun you carry can't love you. It won't hold you in the dark and it won't keep you warm."

"I'm fine," he repeated. Perhaps if he said it enough, he'd really start believing it.