A/N – Thanks for the comments! I really appreciate them and I'm glad you're enjoying this one. This chapter is emotional. Yesterday, I actually came up with a new story idea that makes me want to write and publish it now, but I can't do that so, it will have to wait.

Chapter 5

Jason stared Johnny down. "I need to know everything."

Johnny started to pace. "The ceiling came down and I had to be held back. When the PASS signal indicated you were in the front of the building, we made a run for it. When we found you, Sonny was on top of you and the civilian. He died. Sonny hung on for an hour, but the damage was too extreme. He never regained consciousness."

Jason swallowed hard.

"The funeral is in four days." There is a lot to coordinate due to traffic and the amount of people that will attend.

"I'll be there."

"I have no doubt."

The girls moved towards them.

"Well, I have a shift," Sarah said.

"I'm going to go to the firehouse. The guys are meeting me there."

"Tell them I said thank you," Jason said.

"I will. Behave."

They left and Jason patted the bed next to him. "Are you still working?"

"No."

She slipped out of her shoes and slid next to him."

"Much better. You know what this means, right?"

Noting the playfulness in his eyes, she smiled. "Why don't you tell me?"

"If you're going to sleep in my bed, you have to ask me out on a date."

"Hmmmm, does this count as our date."

"No. I owe you one."

"Well, I'll have to think of something special then."

He smiled. "Thank you."

"For what?"

"Being here for me. I know all of this is new and you didn't sign up for this, but I'm grateful."

"I'm not going anywhere. I was scared, but there's just something about you that makes me not want to run."

"I feel the same way."

Her head rose up. "Why?"

He frowned. "Is that a trick question."

"No—I just—in some ways, I just feel inadequate."

The need to punch Patrick in the face was paramount. "Elizabeth, to me, you're perfect."

She blushed. "Are you always going to know just what to say to me?"

"I'm gonna try."

They were silent for a long time, both thinking about how content they felt. Even though his head hurts, it dawns on him that his heart no longer does.

IiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiI

A few days later, after being poked and prodded several times, he is discharged. Even though Monica is sad he isn't going to be staying at the mansion, she understands.

When they arrived at Audrey's, Jason moved slowly into the house. The headaches have subsided and mainly, he is just lethargic.

"You take a seat right there," Audrey said pointing to the couch. Once he is comfortable, she grabs an ottoman and slides it over and he puts his feet up. She adjusts the pillow behind him and studies him. Aside from some bruising on his shoulder and jaw, he doesn't look to bad.

"What?"

"I'm just glad that you're okay," she said before going into the kitchen. It would have killed Lila if something bad had happened to him and she understood because she feels the same way about Elizabeth.

Johnny carried in Jason's duffle bag and Liz had grabbed a tote with some books. Once everything was put away, they joined Jason in the living room.

"How are the guys?"

"Good. We're back at work, but it's just not the same, besides we miss your breakfast." Even though they were on restriction by Mac, they still tried to go about their normal routines. Staying at home would drive them crazy.

Jason slightly smiled. "I have a surprise for you when I get back."

Johnny's brow rose.

Audrey entered the room. "I have a surprise too. I'll come over tomorrow afternoon and prep a dish for dinner. I can teach someone how to make it in case you like it, someone has to make sure you guys keep your strength up."

Johnny grinned. "Thank you."

"You're very welcome. In fact, you will have several angels coming to cook next week. If you get a call, you can let me know and we'll stagger the times." Sonny couldn't be replaced, but the men were distracted and probably not eating well, and she didn't want them hurt on the job.

He got up and hugged her. "You're the greatest. I think we'll adopt you."

"Back up tall, not at all dark, and handsome," Liz said.

Johnny met her gaze. "What?"

Jason wasn't really happy about the reference. He didn't want her looking at anyone else and only Audrey saw his expression which elicited a chuckle.

"She's mine and Sarah's. You and Jason can't keep encroaching on our good arrangement. She cooks and we eat."

Johnny laughed. "Alright, how about you come along with her when you can and eat with us."

Liz pretended to think. "I'll consider it."

Audrey shook her head. "Come help me in the kitchen, Lizzie."

Liz scowled and when Johnny started to leave, she called out.

"Not so fast."

He spun on his heal. "What's up?"

She crossed her arms. "Just what are your intentions with my sister?"

He fought a smile. "Do you really want to know that?"

Her eyes were open wide and her mouth slightly dropped open.

"I'm just kidding—sort of. She's great. We've been hanging out a lot and I want to get to know her better."

"Just be careful."

"I know and it's a lot of pressure, but I'm game."

"Good."

"I won't try to steal Audrey, if you let me have evening Jason visitation occasionally." They liked going to Jake's to let off steam.

Jason smirked.

"You drive a hard bargain, but I accept your terms."

They shook on it.

"Later, Lizzie."

She shot him a look and he laughed as he hurried outside.

"I'll show him Lizzie," she muttered before her gaze locked with Jason's. "What?"

"Come here."

She is so damn cute.

"Just for a minute. I have to go help Grams."

He crooked his finger and she leaned over and he kissed her gently.

"What's that for?"

"For being you."

She smiled. "That was smooth, Morgan."

He grinned. "You haven't seen anything yet."

IiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiI

Later that night after Audrey had gone to bed. Liz plopped down next to Jason on the couch and got comfortable.

"This is nice," she said softly.

"Yeah. Watch whatever you want."

She flipped through the channels and they watched a show on Ireland.

"That's where Johnny is from."

"Does he ever go back there?"

"Not very often."

He started to move to get up.

"Where are you going?"

"To get some water."

She clucked her tongue and then jumped up to get it. When she got back, he took a few sips and set it to the side. As she started to step back, she lost her balance and he grabbed her hand and pulled her forward, making her crash onto his lap.

"This is awkward," she muttered, her mouth just a few inches from his.

"It doesn't have to be."

When she licked her lips, his eyes darkened and she involuntarily shivered as his breath skipped across her skin. After a long moment, she whispered his name. "Jason?"

"Yeah?"

"Are you going to kiss me?"

"I was thinking about it. You know, I'm sensing a pattern here."

She giggled. He is so hot and his hesitation is pure torture.

"Do you want me to kiss you, Elizabeth?"

Dear God, the way he says her name makes her want to rip his clothes off.

When she doesn't answer, he turns it up a notch. "Answer me. Do you want to feel my tongue in your mouth?"

Her teeth burrowed into her bottom lip, thinking that if this man got any hotter, he would completely combust.

He hissed as he decided to free it using his tongue to swipe across it and she gasped, giving him an opening. His hand bunched up in her hair to pull her closer and their tongues mated as they passionately kissed. Her fingers fist his shirt as Jason focuses on kissing her senseless, alternating between sucking on her lips, tongue, and plundering her mouth. When he finally came up for air, Elizabeth was panting. No one had ever kissed her like that. Patrick was good, but nothing like she had just experienced. Her body is vibrating from head to toe. His stare alone, full of lust and longing, is almost enough to send her over the edge.

"You okay?"

She nodded. "That was—"

"—really good."

"You're very good at kissing."

Amusement flickered in his eyes. "I didn't realize how much I missed it and you inspire me."

She pretended to fan herself. "Is it hot in here?"

He finally smiled. "Yes."

"Well thank God I have a fireman close by."

He chuckled as dirty thoughts ran through his mind. "I am here to protect and serve you in any way you like."

Her eyes slightly darkened and a smirk crawled onto her face. "In that case, I think another kiss is in order."

Audrey rolled her eyes. "At least play a little hard to get, Elizabeth."

Liz's mouth dropped open as she watched her grandmother stroll into the kitchen. "I'll never live this down."

Jason's chest shook and Elizabeth playfully slapped his good shoulder. "It's not funny," she said before burrowing her head in his chest. He coughed and she studied him, making sure he would calm down.

Audrey sat a glass of water on the coffee table in front of them. "Here's some water to cool you off. We don't want Jason to have to get out his hose."

Liz jumped to her feet. "Grams!"

The look on Audrey's face was so devious and Liz looked so completely appalled that Jason couldn't help it and laughed out loud.

"What? I don't think my insurance would cover that. Now, I'm going back to bed. Try not to burn down the house." Completely pleased with her success in embarrassing her granddaughter, she climbed the stairs with a smug look on her face, winking at the picture of her husband on the wall as she passed by.

Liz knew she was a deep shade of red. "I can't believe her."

"It was funny, but I don't want you to think that I don't take my job seriously."

"What do you mean?"

"I still need to finish serving you."

Liz finally smiled as she slowly closed the distance between them. "I do think I need a little mouth to mouth."

Jason pulled her back onto his lap. "Then, I'm the only man that can help you." His fingers traced the curve of her face as his eyes followed their trail. Elizabeth held her breath as his light caress made her body tingle with anticipation.

"Please..." The words had escaped without her realizing it and she was embarrassed that she had begged to taste him again.

His finger slid down the middle of her lips and stilled as his gaze finally locked with hers.

"Tell me what you want," she said before he could ask.

His intensity made his eye color change and she was almost mesmerized by it as his mouth moved closer. "Your lips or so plump that I want to suck on them and then…"

She swallowed hard when he didn't continue.

"Why don't I just show you?"

The slight nod of her head was all he needed before he attacked her mouth, sucking and licking her lips before his tongue snaked between them. Her moan filled the room as he greedily made love to her mouth, whipping up the lust in her body. She could feel his growing erection beneath her and she shuddered at the thought of him between her legs. Her senses are on overload. They need to stop because she doesn't have the strength to push away from him and he is injured and they haven't even gone out on a date. Feeling like a total slut for melting from his touch, she started to retreat.

"I'm sorry. I got carried away." His raspy voice made her quake again.

"I'm not sorry, but I thought we should slow it down before my grandmother accidently sees your hose."

He grinned as her cheeks flushed, loving that she is just as taken with him as he is with her. "You're right. Now could you hand me that water? It's not a cold shower, but it will have to do."

She reached for the glass and handed it to him before slipping onto the cushion next to him.

Jason finished and put the glass down. "That hit the spot."

"I'm still pretty hot over her."

His head jerked as he perused her face. "You're extremely hot."

She bit her lip. "I think we need to go bed." Seeing his brow raise she started to ramble. "I mean, not together." His frown mad her change course. "It's not that I don't want to sleep with you—wait, did I just say that aloud? Oh—my—God, I did. I'm such a slut. Ugh! I did it again. I—can you get up to your room by yourself?"

He chuckled. "Yes." Slowly he stood and stretched. "And for the record, I want to sleep with you to, but I can wait—hopefully not too long."

She slightly smiled. "So we're both sluts. I can deal with that."

He took her hand. "Come on, I'll walk you."

"Thanks."

Two days later, Liz found herself standing in a crowd as a parade of police officers and fire trucks drove by on the way to the church. The town had basically been shut down as the memorial got underway. The hearse drove by and then Jason's battalion bravely and somberly followed. All the men were looking down as flowers were thrown from citizens who had shown up to show their support.

Jason closed his eyes as he held onto the truck and as the soft wind blew his hair back, he thought about the fact Sonny would never feel that again. He is gone and survivor's guilt starts to nag at him, making him almost lose his grip. As a gasp came through the crowd, Liz reaches out a hand, as if she is close enough to steady him, but luckily Johnny is right behind him and clasps a hand on his shoulder giving him strength.

"You're alright," Johnny said loud enough for only Jason to here.

He nodded, glad that his friend had pulled him back to reality even if the circumstances sucked.

Liz hurried up the street, following the procession a few blocks to the steps of the biggest church in town, Queen of Angels. When she got there, Mac saw her and pulled her to his side.

"You want to go in?"

She nodded and he escorted her inside, pointing to the row behind where the guys will sit and an older man picked up his jacket and allowed her sit next to him. Before long, a bagpipe began to sound throughout the sanctuary and a familiar, yet sad tune began to reverberate off the walls. "Oh Danny Boy...," a rich tenor voice began to sing, making everyone's eyes swell.

Before long, the battalion is inching its way up the aisle carrying the casket of Sonny Corinthos as they struggled not to break down.

The sadness is overwhelming and by the time they sat, the men almost had crumbled to their feet. She watched Jason's body shudder as he took a breath and moved forward and placed her hand on his back near his side, and he reached around and briefly touched it, letting her know he appreciated the sentiment.

After many speeches were made, praising Sonny's bravery and valor, the service came to an end, but the battalion stayed put until everyone had left and so did she. The actual burial is going to be private out of respect for the family.

This was it, their last chance to say goodbye. One by one they went to the casket and said a few words before gathering in the aisle, making sure they supported one another. Jason is last and Liz watches as he starts to break down and then sucks in his pain and tears himself away. God, she wants to run to him. A woman, who had been hanging back walks up to him and you can hear a pin drop as she wipes a tear from his face. "You tried to save my husband, and I can't thank you enough for your efforts. I'm sorry you lost a friend. If it weren't for your battalion, I would have lost my son too, but you saved him. I don't know why good men had to die, but I will be forever grateful to you and Sonny for your sacrifice." Jason sucked in a harsh breath and the woman lovingly held him. Liz brushed some tears away, knowing he was in a lot of pain. The son limped to Jason. "I know you did the best you could. Thank you." His father had been badly burned, and the moment Milo had escorted him away from the group, even though he was a little out of it, he knew he would never see his father again. Jason accepted his hug. "I wish I could have done more."

"You did enough."

He watched them walk away and Mac pulled Jason into an embrace and whispered some words of encouragement and then Jason wiped his face and closed his eyes and took a deep breath. When he opened them, Liz was standing in front on him and he pulled her close. "Thank you for being here for me."

His voice was thick with emotion and she rubbed his back and then they pulled apart.

"Come on."

They grabbed the casket and moved towards the door, surprised to find a huge crowd there, holding banners of thanks and praise. After Sonny was placed inside the car and it pulled away, someone yelled, "Thank for your service!"

A woman held a sign that says, "Your loss is our loss."

It was overwhelming and the guys were in shock. As they moved to their truck, they were hugged and handed bags and cards. It was beautiful and Liz couldn't help but let a few tears fall.

"Come with us?" Jason asked.

"Okay."

When they finally were able to drive off, even though they were sad, hope filled their hearts at the outpouring of love from the community. They didn't fight fires for glory, but knowing that they were so appreciated helped them move forward.