Author's Note: I know how some of us, (the majority) hate Elizabeth BUT I really love Becky and think she's a damn talented actress and thanks to LizFan's brainwashing, lol, have recently started liking the character again. Seeing as Liz is unimportant in one of my fics and evil in another, I figured I'd give her a break here...lol... Liz haters you've been warned...

If Only...

Chapter 9

Stepping out of the elevator, Jason focused on Sonny's door, determined to get some answers about Carly. He stopped when Francis blocked his path. "Francis?"

"Sorry, Jason but Boss' not seeing anyone right now." Francis knew better than to let Jason anywhere near the penthouse now that Carly was back. The man had been driving them all crazy. He figured that if Carly had wanted to see Jason she would have let herself into his apartment. Or asked him to let her in like... "Besides, you have a visitor."

"I do?"

Francis nodded, jerking his head to Jason's door. "She's inside."

Jason smiled, relief propelling him across the hall and through his door. "Carly..."

"No. Sorry. Just me." Elizabeth smiled, tossing aside the magazine she's been entertaining herself with. "That's the reason I'm here. I was wondering if you had heard anything from Carly yet?"

"No. Not a thing." He picked up a stray file, opening and closing his desk drawer, avoiding looking at Elizabeth. He didn't want to talk about Carly to Elizabeth. He knew he'd been spending all his time with Elizabeth and ignoring Carly. Now, Carly was anger with him and making him pay. "Listen, Elizabeth..." He halted seeing the look that came across her face.

"It's all right. I'll go." Elizabeth responded, gathering her jacket and bag she headed to the door. Her hand on the doorknob, she cursed softly, whirling around at Jason. "You know what? It's not okay."

"What?" Jason asked taken aback by her sudden outburst. "I'm sorry. I don't understand."

"Why do spend time with me?" Elizabeth asked, studying the man in front of her closely. She watched his clear blue gaze return her scrutiny. She could see her question had confused him but she wasn't willing to stop. "What's the point of it, Jason?"

"I like spending time with you, Elizabeth."

"Why?"

"What kind of a question is that?" Jason grew irritated not liking the direction the conversation was taking.

"A very valid one. And seeing as you don't want to answer it, I'll answer for you. I'm a distraction, Jason. Plain and simple. Something to keep Carly at bay and interested all at once. " The blank look that met her fueled her temper and picking up some papers she threw them in his direction.

"Elizabeth!"

"Jason!" was her mocking response. "What? You don't think I have a temper? Trust me I have one as big as Carly's." Inhaling slowly, she closed her eyes, willing herself to remain calm. "You know that for awhile I thought that Carly was an obligation to you. That you put up with her, as everyone so nicely puts it, because of Michael. But now I get it. You need Carly to need you. "

"That's ridiculous. I want Carly to be able-"

"Save it cause its bullshit." Elizabeth opened the door, gripping the handle hard. Johnny and Francis heard the raised voices and stuck their heads around the corner to watch the couple. "You can't stand the fact that Carly did something on her own. God forbid, she goes to anyone but you for help. How dare she put herself and her son before you." Elizabeth spat, a bitter smile on her lips. "Do yourself and Carly a favor Jason. Come to grip with whatever it is that you feel for her. Because honestly the way you yo-yo around with your feelings for her is, and forgive me for being crude, fucked up." Jason's gapping expression would have normally caused her to laugh but she was on a roll. "Yes, I said fuck. Fuck. Fuck. Fuckiety fuck fuck fuck."

Francis held back a laugh, meeting Johnny amused eyes and turning back to the scene. Neither Jason nor Elizabeth moved an inch, staring each other down. Johnny's opinion of Elizabeth changed. She was definitely too much woman for Jason.

"Listen to me, Jason. Don't even think about using me to get to Carly. If you really want to pursue some kind of relationship, then fine. But you need to close the door on whatever it is you and Carly have. For her sake more than yours. She has a right to find someone who can allow themselves to love her the way she deserves. If it's you, good. If it isn't, then let her find it somewhere else." Elizabeth could feel eyes staring at the back of her head. Her face grew hot when it became clear she's just given the whole floor an earful. Well, she's gone this far."I like you Jason. A lot. But I like Carly and myself a little more than to continue to help you hurt her." She raised her hand before he could argue." You may not have done it purposely but you did anyway. And it's unfair. To you. To me. To her. So..." Elizabeth felt the Lizzie in her take over for that moment. "Either shit or get off the pot." With that she closed the door firmly behind her, walking to the elevator. She heard the door open once more and felt his piercing stare but refused to look back. The doors opened and she stepped inside, pressing the down button, determined to walk out of his life.

Jason stood rigid, staring at the closed doors of the elevators. His eyes met Johnny and Francis who seemed to find the floor and ceiling, respectively, especially captivating. Without a word, he grabbed his leather coat and headed out, not looking at the two bodyguards. He needed time to think. Time to process what had just occurred. The underground parking was deserted and dark. He pulled up to the spot where his motorcycle was parked. He stared quietly into the dark sky, Elizabeth words ringing in his head.

"She has a right to find someone who can allow themselves to love her the way she deserves. If it's you, good. If it isn't, then let her find it somewhere else."

It seemed an eternity before Sonny forced his body to move away from Carly's. He gazed down at the top of her head. "When did you get back?"

Carly heard the emotion in his voice and her heart swelled. "Couple of hours ago."

"Couple of hours? Why didn't Joseph tell me?"

"Because I told him I was coming to see you tonight and wanted it to be a surprise. He'll probably call you tomorrow."

Sonny nodded in understanding, making a mental note to remind all his men whom they worked for. Carly seemed to have some influence on them. Not just them, Corinthos... He pushed the thought out of his head. Taking her by the hand and leading her to the couch, he waited until she sat before taking a place on the table in front of her. "Okay. So now do I get to know what you were doing?"

"Yes." Carly went to his desk, removing some papers from her purse and rejoining him. She handed him the papers. "Take a look."

Sonny studied the papers she had placed in his hands. After a minute, he brought his astonished gaze to her face. "How...?"

"Remember when I told you I saw AJ talking to a guy on the docks about the fire and we figured out he paid... had paid him to torch the warehouse?"

"Right. Then the guy just disappeared."

"Right. So, I went to Luke to see if he could put a name to a face, which he did. Then, Benny helped me locate him down in Philadelphia. I went to see him a couple of times. Took that long to convince him I meant business."

"Went to see him?"

"Yeah. He's incarcerated. Big surprise. Anyway -"

"Hold it. You went to a state prison? By yourself?"

Carly stifled the urge to roll her eyes. "No silly. I took Joseph with me. Well, at least I did the second and third time."

"Second and third time?"

"Okay, are you going to let me finish or what?"

Sonny resisted the urge to strangle her and mutely waited for her to continue. Carly smiled widely. " Good. So anyway, I scared him into signing a document admitting his guilt and AJ's. Came back home. Benny had put me into contact with Justice and he drew up all the legal papers, forcing AJ to give up all his rights to Michael plus give me a divorce. Soon as I got here I picked up the papers from Justice, headed to the mansion, and confronted weasel boy and ta da!" She grinned at Sonny proudly.

"You did all that?" Sonny asked.

Carly shrugged nonchalantly; embarrassed at the look Sonny was giving her. "Yeah. Proud?"

He picked her up and hugged her to him. "Hell yeah."

Carly laughed, wrapping her arms around his neck. Warmth enveloped her and she closed her eyes, loving the feel of Sonny. She loved being his friend. Being in his life. Carly refused to consider that Sonny would ever want anything more from her. She wasn't his type but she hoped he's let her have a spot in his life. Keeping that thought, she pulled away far enough to look up at his face. His reaction to her next proposal was more important then anything else. "Sonny. I need one more favor."

Sonny stared down into her beautiful brown eyes. Tucking her hair behind one ear, he brought his full attention to her. "Shoot."

"I want to move in with you."