A/N: Is anybody still interested in this story? I sure hope so.

Chapter 8: At Work

He had being sitting next to the pool for hours. The sun had set and the stars had come out of hiding, but he still didn't have a clue. What was it about her that appealed to him? Why couldn't he stop thinking about her?

Elizabeth Webber had come out of nowhere and made her way into his life without warning. The first time they met he didn't give her much thought, but after that night in the casino, two months ago, something happened. She seemed so full of life and spunk when he approached her. A smile came across his face as he remembered her getting anxious and restless at his questions. He shook his head and his smile disappeared when he remembered everything that happened that night. She had been broken, both inside and out. The image of her laying in the floor, curled up in a ball and full of bruises, made his heart constrict. She was so small and delicate. He felt the urge to protect her. Elizabeth was just a kid. He knew it was wrong of him, even selfish to want her in his life. He knew his life was dangerous and that in the end it was better if he stopped seeing her, but he knew he couldn't. Hell, he wouldn't. She was alone and he, even though he didn't want to admit it, was alone too. They had a special bond and even Jason Morgan needed a friend sometimes. So that was it, he had made a decision. A decision that could complicate his life, but he'll have to deal with that when the time came.

Jason stood up and reached for the cordless phone that was sitting on the table. He started to pace around the edge of the pool. He dialed the number and waited for it to ring, but it was busy. He turned the phone off and looked at the calm blue water. He hoped that he was doing the right thing.

Elizabeth hung up the phone and sighed, half in disappointment and half in relief that the line was busy. She didn't even know what possessed her to call him. What was she going to say to him if he had answered? God, what was it about him that drew her to him?

Two months ago she was sure he was an arrogant SOB. But he had to go and do a 180 on her. He helped her and took care of her when she needed him the most. Who was the real Jason Morgan? The arrogant and bossy boyfriend or the sweet and kind man that life had designated to be her friend? Right now she didn't have an answer, but she was going to work on finding out. Only one thing was for sure, she wanted him in her life either way.

Early Sunday morning, Jason made his way to the office. He still had things to go through before the meeting with the guys. The last thing he was expecting was to find Marco's wife, Barbara, sitting in the secretary's desk outside his office.

"Jason? What a surprise!"

"Barbara. What are you doing here?"

"Always right to the point. I'm waiting for Marcos. He said there were some problems and he wanted to check some security tapes, before your meeting, later."

"What exactly did he said about the problems we've being having?"

Barbara laughed at his severe expression. "Don't worry Jason. He didn't say anything more than what I just told you. But what if he did? I've being the doctor of the organization here for three years now. I know what you guys do for a living. I've being in the business longer than any of you, my father did this for a living too. That's how I met Marcos in the first place."

"I know your father was the right-hand man of Rivera, but it's different now. You know how Sonny is about women getting involved. You just need to know enough to do your job well, not more and not less."

"I've never asked anything more. But, I do need to know whenever my husband's life is in danger."

"I understand."

There was a short silence. She spoke then. "So. Is my husband's life in danger?"

"Not yet."

"Okay." Jason moved to the door of his office and Barbara called him again.

"What is it?"

"Marcos did told me something else."

"What?"

"Don't take it out on him. I asked and it kind of slipped out."

"What exactly did he let slip?"

"I asked if you guys knew anything about the slime ball that attacked Elizabeth. He told me he's one of the guys that O' Brian and Caruso are looking for."

"He is."

"If Caruso and O' Brian are here that means this is really bad isn't it?"

"We are going to take care of this. You don't have to worry about it."

"What about Elizabeth?"

"What about her?"

"Is she OK? I talked to Sanchez and she said that Elizabeth has done some progress. Friday's group session was a real breakthrough for her."

Jason kept his face expressionless but inside a knot had come loose. She was getting better. He would like to think that his visit had something to do with it, but he knew better than that. She was a determined young woman, independent and strong. She was capable of doing that all by herself.

"That's good."

"I hope you won't distance yourself from her, now that there's trouble."

"I didn't do anything."

"Oh please, don't try to play dumb with me. I was there when you brought her home. I saw you two interacting a couple of times before she went back to her house. For some reason she has let you into her life, she needs someone and my bet is that you're it. Don't mess this up because you think it'll be dangerous for her or something."

"It can be... dangerous."

"I can assure you that it can be more dangerous for her if you drop out of her life without warning. Oh, but keep in mind I'm not telling you to be with her, as in be a couple. I don't think she's ready for that either."

Jason was speechless. The thought had never cross his mind. She was just a kid. He'll never se her in that way. We'll not now anyway. If he was to be truthful with himself, he had felt attracted to her that first night they met, years ago. And that night in the casino she looked beautiful, but he didn't see her in that way. Those were two isolated incidents. Weren't they?

Marcos had being standing on the doorway listening to his wife give Jason the third degree. But as soon as he saw Jason's face he moved to the desk an spoke.

"Come on Barbara. For what you've told me this Elizabeth is just a kid. How old is she? Fifteen?"

"She's going to be eighteen next month." The married couple looked at Jason as he spoke.

"See. She's like 10 years younger than you isn't she?"

"Eight. But that has nothing to do with this."

"It doesn't?" Barbara looked at him in wonder.

"No it doesn't. I don't see her in that way at all. Elizabeth Webber and I are just friends. There's nothing romantic between us and it never will be." At that he turned around and walked to his office leaving the door open so Marcos could follow him inside.

"See what you did. He seemed more relaxed today and you pissed him off again."

"I didn't do anything. I was just talking to him. He pissed himself."

Johnny and Francis walked just in time to hear her last statement.

"Who pissed himself?"

"Jason."

Letting out a laugh Johnny spoke. "What? Is he suffering from incontinence now?"

"Keep it down O' Brien. He's up the wall again."

"Figured."

"What happened?" Francis was standing facing Barbara.

"My dear wife had to go on and on. See she tends to do that sometimes." Marcos was standing besides Barbara. She took advantage of the position and drove her elbow into his side.

"Ouch! Hey! That hurt."

"Good. Stop talking about me as if I wasn't here. I already told you I didn't do anything. It was just an innocent comment."

"About what?" Johnny asked, feeling lost at the conversation between the married couple.

"Elizabeth Webber."

"Who's Elizabeth Webber?" Francis couldn't help himself.

"She's..."

"None of your business." Jason's voice drowned Barbara's voice. "Are you all done talking nonsense?"

"Hey. I recent that. We just got here." Johnny objected from his place.

"Well you should've been here 10 minutes ago. We don't have all day. Are you coming or are you going to stand there all day socializing?"

"Oh God! What did you do to the man, darling? He's even more bitter than yesterday." Barbara just shrugged her shoulders. "Geez. Come on Frannie, before 'The Borg' comes out and drags us inside."

"It was nice to see you Dr. Diaz." Said Francis extending his hand to her. She shook it and smiled. Johnny nodded his head to her with a smile. They moved inside the office as if they were two kids about to be punished by the principal.

Marcos shook his head at his wife.

"What?" She asked irritated. "I'm going to the hotel. I'll be in the pool. Call my cell when you're done."

He moved to kiss her, but she was walking away already. It was then that he realized that he was going to sleep on the couch that night.

Steven had left for work early in the morning. Elizabeth had waited until he was gone to get up. She still wasn't on the mood to hear him declare his undying brotherly love. Soon after he had left she took some breakfast and then went to shower. After getting ready, she marched down with a small backpack. Elizabeth left the house without being spotted. She hated having to lie to Grace, but she couldn't tell her where she was going. Even she wasn't sure what she was going to do once she got where she was going.

Elizabeth made her way down the street and waited for the taxi. 25 minutes later she was knocking on the door. A young woman came to answer. Elizabeth was taken back by the woman. Tall, beautiful sun kissed skin and long and curly, jet black hair. She didn't remember a young, beautiful woman working there. The woman smiled at the petite brunette's expression.

"Hola. En que puedo ayurdate?" (How may I help you?)

"Hi. Yo hablo poquito español. Do you speak English?"

The woman smiled and answered her. "Yes I do. Are you lost or something?"

"No." Elizabeth looked around again. "At least I don't think so. I'm looking for Jason Morgan."

"I thought you may be. He's not home right now. Do you want to leave a message? I don't think he's coming anytime soon. I've heard he buries himself in his work and hardly ever comes back until late at night."

"He's at the casino?"

"I guess. I couldn't know because I was sleeping when he left."

"Oh. I didn't know..." "Eva!" Came the shout of Teresa, the housekeeper. "Eva! What are you doing?"

"Atendiendo a la vista. ¿Qué creías?" ( Attending the guest. What did you think?)

The older woman made her way to the door and looked at Elizabeth. A smile crossed her features at the sight of the girl. "Miss. Webber. How are you doing? Come in. Come in." She looked at the other woman and said. "Why didn't you let her in?"

"No. It's ok. I'm ok. I was looking for Jason, but I was just informed he's working. I guess I'll go to the casino and see if I can catch him there."

Eva stood to a side watching intently at the other two women.

"Wait, I hear you're doing much better. I called Grace last week to see how you were doing. She said everything is back to normal. Is it?"

"I guess."

"I would've asked Mr. Morgan, but you know how he is. Always working and so quiet. That boy needs some rest. He lives for his work and that's not healthy. One most work for a living not live to work."

Eva turned and said. "I'm going upstairs." But before walking up Teresa stopped her.

"Wait a minute. Don't be rude. At least introduce yourself."

"Sorry. My name is Eva." She walked to where Elizabeth was standing and extended her hand.

"I'm Elizabeth." Eva smiled and then left.

"You'll have to excuse her. Eva is my granddaughter. She just moved here."

"That explains." Elizabeth said out loud without realizing it. "I didn't remembered meeting her when I was staying here." The older woman smiled. "Well, I should get going. I'm going to the casino and see if I can find Jason there. I already said that didn't I?"

"Yes, you did. It was nice chatting with you. I hope to see you around more often."

"We'll see. Tell Eva that it was nice meeting her."

"Oh, my. I almost forgot. If you see Mr. Morgan, don't tell him you saw Eva."

"Why not?"

"He doesn't know she's here, yet."

"He doesn't?"

"I haven't gotten around to tell him yet." "OK. I won't. Have a nice day Teresa."

"You too child."

Jason Morgan was restless. They've being on the meeting for hours and they haven't found a damn thing. They looked at papers, security files and videos and nothing. Not a clue about who is using the casino for meetings or exchange point. The only thing they were sure of was that whoever it was, was doing it from the inside.

"Fuck!"

"Careful with the language, Johnny Boy. What's wrong?" Said Francis from his place in the couch.

"Another dead end. We have nothing here." He said dropping the file he had being studying. "What about you?"

"Nothing here either." Said Francis with a desperate sigh.

"This is useless." Marcos admitted giving up on his search on the security tapes.

"We have to find another way of doing this. I thought saw something weird about this guy last night, but he's clean."

"I need a break.

"And I need to use the can." Francis and Johnny looked at Jason.

"Go."

Elizabeth got off the elevator and looked around the floor. The place was huge, all decorated in sober earth colors. Then she saw a door ajar. She made her way to the open door but noticed her shoe lace was untied. She knelt in front of the door and tied it. After she was done she heard his voice.

"This is unacceptable. We can't tolerate this kind of behavior on the organization. Francis and Johnny will take care of him tonight."

Elizabeth was confused at what she heard and decided to leave before she heard anything more.

The two guards were walking back to the office when they noticed the girl. A petite brunette wearing a pair of cut out jeans and a red mesh shirt over a white bikini top was kneeling in front of the door. Then they heard Jason's voice. Could she be a spy?

"We have to stop her." Said Johnny eyeing the girl.

"Johnny wait." Francis tried to stop him but it was too late. The Irish guard strolled to were the brunette was kneeling.

"Need some help?"

Elizabeth looked up and found a rock... dressed in a black suit? "No. I'm okay." She stood up and didn't came even close to see him face to face. She turned her head a little bit more and saw another man walking up toward her. "I was just leaving." She tried to go around Johnny but he moved so she couldn't go through.

"Where do you think your going?" Johnny was teasing her now. He was holding in a laugh.

"Johnny, stop it."

"What were you doing? Are you a spy?"

"A spy? What are you talking about? Excuse me."

Without thinking about it, Johnny grabbed Elizabeth by the elbow.

"Hey! Let go of me. Stop it!"

"Johnny, let her go."

Jason heard the voices and walked out of the office to find the source of the commotion. Francis had his hands on Johnny's arms and Johnny had his hand around Elizabeth's elbow. Elizabeth?

"What the hell do you think you're doing? Came the angry words of Jason Morgan.

All three of them turned their heads to find a very pissed off Jason Morgan standing on the doorway.