Claudia lay in her bed starring at the ceiling. It was late and once again she couldn't manage to fall asleep. At first she had blamed it on the time difference and her body's need to adjust, but she knew that wasn't the case. She was having a hard time getting Jason Morgan out of her head and she wanted to kick herself for it.

It had been four days since that night at Jake's and she had spent them doing some internal house cleaning. She had removed a few people in the organization that loyalties were proven to lie more with Trevor than to Johnny.

She had removed them permanently.

Their sudden disappearance sent a clear message to everyone that she was more than just a pretty face. Anyone found to be disloyal to her brother would answer to her and pay the ultimate price.

Trevor must have heard the message loud and clear, as he stopped trying to put a wedge between her and her brother. Trevor was trying very hard to ingratiate himself to Claudia. She was well aware that Trevor was trying to manipulate her, but she decided to allow him to believe he was succeeding. It might work to her benefit in the future.

Word on the street was that Sonny was still gunning for Johnny. A war between the two mighty powers was inevitable. She had been preparing her side and she knew Morgan was more than likely doing the same.

Morgan.

Every since that night at Jake's she had been having a hard time conjuring up feelings of dislike towards the man. She knew he was her enemy. She more than likely would have to kill him once this war got started, but part of her kept remembering how she felt in his arms and the strange way her body had reacted to his touch.

She hadn't seen him since that night, but that wasn't because she didn't want to. Every night, after everyone else was sleep, she would lie in bed convincing herself not to go back to Jake's.

Tonight was no different.

What was this damn man doing to her?

She couldn't be distracted.

She needed all her wits about her.

She was pretty damn sure Jason Morgan wasn't lying around at night thinking about her. She moaned, rolled over in the bed and buried her face in the pillow.

ooooOOOOooooOOOOO

Jason sat at the bar watching the door to Jake's. He wasn't sure why he kept returning. He had spent the last four nights sitting on this stool, watching the door for her.

She wasn't coming.

She had been a busy girl. Rumors of people disappearing within her organization were spreading through out the streets. She was quickly making a reputation for herself.

Jason tried to convince Sonny that a war with the Zaccarra's would not be worth it, but Sonny was being as stubborn as ever. He tried to explain to Sonny that Johnny's sister was not to be taken lightly. She would make good on her threats. Sonny blew off the notion that any woman could be a threat to him.

"I can't protect everyone." He had told him. "You have too many people at risk. Carly and the boys, Alexis and Kristina, Mike, Kate. I can't be everywhere all the time and you know I'll put Carly and the boys above the others. That will leave them as open targets."

"I'll protect them." Sonny yelled. "I want Johnny taken care of and I want it done now. If you won't do it. I'll find someone else that can."

Jason thought about it and then shook his head side to side in refusal. "I won't intentional make Carly a target. Not when all you have to do is be reasonable. Meet with Johnny and work out a shipping agreement."

"So you're scared of her." Sonny yelled.

"No. I'm not scared of her, but I'm not naive enough to under estimate her like you are. My job is to make sure you and your family remain safe. Taking out Johnny will not do that. I think you should find a way to make peace. For all our sakes."

He hadn't seen or talked to Sonny since. That had been two days ago.

Jason swallowed down his drink and eyed the door again. "Why the hell am I here?" He thought to himself as he placed the glass on the bar and placed a twenty dollar bill next to it.

Maybe Sonny was sort of right. Maybe his reluctance to take out Johnny was because of Claudia. The woman had definitely intrigued him. He had almost kissed her the other night. She was the one that had backed away at the last minute, looking utterly confused and vulnerable. Something he was pretty sure didn't happen to her often. She mumbled something underneath her breath and then quickly left, leaving him standing alone in the middle of the dance floor wanting to feel her lips pressed up against his.

Jason closed his eyes and then quickly opened them. He shook his head and then stood up and left. He wouldn't come back tomorrow. He had to stop this nonsense and focus on his job. Sonny was about to start a war and he needed to ensure Carly and the boys remained safe. That should be his main concern his only concern. There was no room for this "thing" with Claudia.

ooooOOOOooooOOOOO

"Sink it!" Sonny yelled into the phone. "Johnny Zacchara gets no more chances. I told him not to use my shipping lanes." Sonny told the person on the other end of the phone. "Sink the damn ship, burn it, blow it up. I pretty much don't give a damn how you do it. Just make sure that ship doesn't make dock." Sonny slammed the phone down on to the desk and then slunk back into the chair. There was no way he was going to allow Johnny to keep making a fool out of him. He would give that wet nosed punk a taste of what it was like to deal with grown ups and then he would see just how dangerous his delusional sister really was. He would prove to Jason she wasn't that big of a threat.

The phone rang. "It's done." The voice on the other end said.

"Good." Sonny replied and hung up.

Sonny reached blindly for the phone in the darkness. He had been sleeping so soundly. It had to be about four in the morning. Who in the hell would be calling him at this time? His finger tips finally found the phone and he picked it up. "Corinthos" He said in a groggy, sounding voice. "That shipment is going to cost you dearly." An ice cold feminine voice said. Sonny sat up straight in the bed and turned on the light. "Claudia?" He questioned then the phone went dead.

Claudia sat back and relaxed as the jet took off. She looked out the window at the island below. She could see the flames leaping from the buildings into the darkness. The flames light up the sky into beautiful shades of bright orange and red. It looked like they were reaching out trying to touch her as the jet passed overhead. She had done her best to ensure no one was killed. She triggered the fire alarm long before the first explosion had went off. Plus, she set the initial explosions in areas of the casino that were under renovation. She looked back out the window and watched the glowing amber lights fade into the distance.

Sonny was dressed with in minutes of her call. He had his cell in his hand and was about to dial Jason when it rang again. "Mr. Corinthos. We have a major problem on the island. There's been some kind of explosion at the casino."

Sonny cursed and then hung up the phone. How the hell did she find out about the island? That was where he sent his family to be safe. If she knew about the island what else did she know about? Who else was she targeting? Carly and the boys? Kate? He dialed Jason.

Jason was asleep on the couch when the phone rang. "Morgan"

"I need you to check on my family." Sonny told him.

Jason bolted upright. "Why? Did you do something to put them in danger?"

"There's no time for this right now." Sonny chastised. "I'll take Max and check on Kristina, Kate and Mike. You.." The phone went dead. Jason didn't need to be told what to do. He grabbed his keys and raced out the door to Carly's.