A/N – Thanks for the comments! Guest – lol re: sex and the wall. She's five months but she's barely got a bump. It would definitely be doable. Jason is doing all the work anyway (as it should be lol). * doralupin – Enjoy your vacation!

Chapter 35 – Enemies Among Us

Jason walked into Jax's office.

"Jason. How can I help you?" Jax asked. When his secretary said Jason wanted to see him, it completely took him by surprise.

"I got the invitation," Jason said standing by the door.

"I see. Is there a problem?"

"Not with you marrying Emily but Jax, having all the Quartermaine's together when AJ is waiting to strike could be deadly."

Jax sighed. "You think he'll try to crash it?"

"I do. He wants me dead and possibly Elizabeth too. If I don't show, there are still no guarantees that he won't try to use one of the family to get me there," Jason explained.

Jax hadn't considered all of that. "What can I do?"

"I want security there."

"You mean armed guards," Jax said frowning. "Jason, I'll have other guests in the hotel. I can't have people running around with guns."

"My men are discrete. Look Jax, I'm sorry but you are putting my entire family in danger."

"Can we reach some kind of compromise?" He really wanted it to be special for Emily. She was close to her family and he wanted them all there to celebrate as well as his friends and family.

Jason sighed. "Are you having it in a private room?"

"Yes."

"I want cameras in there. I want a guard positioned outside any entrances. Is there another room that I can at least put Spinelli in with a few guards that is close by?"

Jax nodded. "Yes."

"Good. Are you sure you want to open up the Metro Court to this kind of violence?" Jason asked.

"Just what are you expecting him to do?" Jax asked incredulously.

"He'll be out for blood. He won't care who else gets hurt. Let me protect my family Jax."

Jax threw up his hands. "Fine but Jason, can your men at least try to stay hidden as much as possible?"

Jason nodded. "No problem."

Jax watched him walk out wondering if he was doing the right thing.

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Jason walked up to the clerk that had helped him in the store before.

"Hi. You came back for more torture?" she asked.

Jason smiled. "I'm meeting Carly here to pick something out for Elizabeth." She had been stressing a lot about not fitting into her clothes and she would need a dress for the party. Her bump was still not that big but according to his girl, everything else seemed to be expanding. He thought she looked hot but apparently, she didn't share the same opinion. At this point, he just wanted to pamper her as much as possible. He didn't like it when she was upset.

She smiled. "You know, if you're trying for boyfriend of the year….."

Carly walked up to them. "Then he would win hands down," she said smiling. "You ready to shop til you drop?

Jason looked down and let out a long breath.

The clerk smiled. "Why don't you two follow me? I think I have a couple of dresses that will look nice on her." The saleswoman took pride in being able to size up people pretty well. "How dressy are we talking here?"

"It's an engagement party," Carly said, "I was thinking something pretty but comfortable."

"How about this?" she asked holding up a burgundy dress.

Carly looked up at Jason and he shook his head no.

The saleswoman thought for a moment. "What about this one?" she asked holding up a baby blue dress. It had an empire waist and flowed down to the floor in layers.

"It's stunning," Carly said.

"I'll take it, but not for the party," Jason said.

"I'll be right back," she said walking away to hang the dress elsewhere.

Carly flipped through a few more dresses. "You know you have to get her shoes to go with that."

The woman smiled as she reappeared. "Already done, I have the perfect pair that have a small heel, good traction, and are comfy."

Jason smiled, "What's your name?"

"Carole."

"I really appreciate your help."

Carole nodded. "Follow me."

She showed them a few more dresses and then pulled out the perfect one. Jason smiled. "That's it."

"I'll package them up for you," she said.

Jason waited until she was out of earshot. "Did you get what I asked for?"

Carly shook her head. "Of course, she is really nice. You're going to shock the hell out of her."

"I want you to give it to her," Jason said.

Carly rolled her eyes. "Fine."

Carole finished helping them and handed Jason the bags.

"Thanks again," Jason said before walking away.

Carly slipped Carole a card. "That's for you. Don't open it until we leave."

Carole tilted her head and smiled. And after Carly was gone she opened the envelope and there was a gift certificate for an all expense spa day for her and a friend at the Metro Court and she squealed. That man was definitely a keeper.

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Jason came home a few nights later and found Liz sitting on the bed crying. "What's wrong?"

"Nothing."

"Elizabeth, talk to me."

She started to cry harder and he pulled her into his arms. "Please tell me what's wrong."

"I'm getting fat and nothing fits. I have nothing to wear to the party," she said pathetically.

Jason tried not to smile but he couldn't help it. She punched him on the arm and tried to get up. "No baby, I'm sorry. It's just that I have a surprise for you."

She frowned. "You do?" she asked before sniffling loudly.

He kissed her forehead. "I do but you can't see it until Saturday night."

Liz wiped her face. "You brought me a dress?"

He nodded and then was shocked when she threw her arms around his neck and kissed him soundly.

"Thank you."

"You know I love to spoil you," Jason said.

"You think I'm crazy don't you?"

Jason smiled. "Considering who you are dating, I know you're crazy, but I still love you."

She kissed him. "Good answer. I think."

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The week before the party was pretty calm. Everyone was making plans. Jason and Johnny were working on security, AJ and Kristen were busy scheming, and Jax was making sure that everything was setup perfectly.

Jason slipped into the mansion and walked into the living room where Lila sat.

"Well hello," she said smiling, "I wasn't expecting a visit."

Jason smiled. "Is everything okay?" he asked before giving her a kiss on the cheek.

"It's fine. I'm looking forward to the party."

"That's what I want to talk to you about."

She studied his face and could see the worry. "You're worried about AJ aren't you?"

"I am. It would be a perfect opportunity for him to strike out."

"True. You're worried we're taking too much of risk right?"

Jason nodded. "Yes. I understand we can't hide out forever but AJ is very dangerous."

Lila sighed. "Well, I hate to say this, but maybe this all needs to come to a head so we're done with it once and for all."

"I agree but not at the expense of the people that I love getting hurt."

Lila grabbed his hand. "Jason, just do the best you can. If AJ comes after us, I'm sure that you'll deal with it swiftly."

Jason closed his eyes. He got what she was saying but he still felt like the party was going to end badly.

"I know telling you not to stress would be a waste of breath at this point, and I get why. Just do what you can to protect us. If AJ wants us, he'll get to us no matter what," Lila pointed out.

"If anything happens to you…" Jason's voice trailed off.

"It will be AJ's fault, not yours."

Jason's jaw clenched. AJ was dangerous and had nothing to lose—a dangerous combination.

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Kristen and AJ were already staying at the Metro Court under an assumed name. They had disguises that would get them into the main dining room, and from there, they planned on shooting their way into the room. They had a few people on the inside as well, posing as waiters. If things went south, he was planning on taking them all out.

As long as AJ was dead in the end, Kristen didn't care what he did. She wasn't going into the room. She'd stay in the dining room to be a lookout, but she had no intention of doing so. As soon as the gunfire started, she was out of there and would hide out in the room. If things weren't working out, she could slip off into the night and disappear. AJ would take the fall for everything.

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Elizabeth put some lotion on as Jason retrieved her dress. She had already had two breakdowns because her bra barely fit and she couldn't find her favorite lipstick. All of her actions, and the look on Jason's face, convinced her that he thought she was a total psycho. How do boobs grow so fast anyway? Not that she was totally complaining, it was kind of nice to have larger ones.

Jason cautiously walked up to her with the garment bag, saying a little prayer that she would like the dress. If she didn't, they may never make it to the party.

He carefully unzipped it and then took it out and handed it to Elizabeth whose mouth dropped open. It was a beautiful charcoal dress that had one shoulder, was below knee length, and had a slightly different color material belt that separated the top from the bottom. It was a little form fitting so it would show off her small bump.

"Wow," she said looking up at him.

"I thought you'd look beautiful in it and the lady said you'd be comfortable," Jason explained.

Liz smiled. "It's perfect."

He handed her a bag and she took out the silver shoes and grinned. "They are so cute. I love it Jason," she said before reaching up to pull him into a kiss.

He took his time exploring her mouth before pulling back. "I'm glad you liked it."

"Carole?" she asked.

"Yup."

Liz smiled.

"And I gave her a spa certificate that Carly picked up for me for being such a great help."

"You are the best."

He watched her pull on the dress and he helped her straighten it out. "You look so hot," he said with narrowed eyes as he perused her body.

"You just like me for my new boobs," she teased.

"Baby I like everything about you," he said stopping to nuzzle on her neck.

She bit her lip. "If we don't leave now, I'm going to throw you on the bed and have my way with you."

Jason gave her a look. "I dare you."

Liz grinned. "Come on, don't tempt me."

He smiled and helped her put her shoes on and then she grabbed her purse so they could go.

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Lila smiled when she saw Elizabeth and Jason walk in. They came right over to her. "You look very pretty," Lila said.

"Thank you. Jason picked it out."

Lila grinned. "He's really good to have around."

Jason smirked.

Emily ran up to them and gave them hugs and then pulled Elizabeth over to where Jax's brother Jerry and Bobby Spencer stood.

"She looks really happy," Lila said.

Jason chuckled. "For the most part…. Her pregnancy hormones have been interesting."

Lila chuckled. "I do remember those days. Tracy was especially feisty."

"That explains a lot," Jason muttered.

Lila grinned. "You just pamper her and she'll be fine."

"I try."

Monica walked over to them and gave Jason a hug. "How are things going?"

Jason smiled. "Good."

They were interrupted when Jason's mouth fell open as he watched Sonny and Carly walk towards them.

"What are you doing here?"

"We're not staying," Sonny said smiling. "Emily invited Carly and she just wanted to stop in and say hello."

Carly gave Jason a hug and then said hello to Lila.

Jason pulled Sonny aside. "How does it look out there?"

Sonny shrugged. "Normal except for our guys."

"I feel like I'm coming out of my skin," Jason admitted. To most people he looked like he normally did but tonight was anything but normal.

"I understand. Just hang in there. Hopefully, nothing bad will happen."

Carly came back to his side. "Okay, we can go."

Sonny grabbed Jason's arm and squeezed. "Be safe."

Carly smiled and then took Sonny's arm and they left.

Elizabeth walked up to Jason and gave him a hug. "Breathe."

He left out a deep breath and closed his eyes as he hugged her back.

"Better?" she asked.

"Yeah."

They sat down and then some soft music began to play and Jax stood up. "Emily, will dance with me?"

She smiled. "Of course."

She thought they were here to celebrate a business deal between Jax and Edward.

Everyone watched them dance and then Jax pulled back right as the song ended and got on one knee and proposed. Emily said yes and everyone clapped and whistled.

Emily was stunned. She had no idea he was going to do it and she was blown away. People stood up to congratulate them and Jason watched as his girl got up and gave his sister a hug.

His smile quickly faded when he heard a thump at the side door and then it flew open.

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Johnny had just walked around the periphery of the restaurant when Spinelli called. He started to ramble and Milo grabbed the phone from him.

"What's up?"

"Kristen is staying in the hotel. She's in room 2138."

Johnny's jaw clenched. "Son of a…"

"I believe that she is wearing a disguise. The surveillance tapes showed no sign of her but Spinelli did come across a couple and I think it might be them," Milo said quickly. "She was wearing a shorter brown wig with an angular cut. The eye color was wrong and I think she had a prosthetic on her nose."

"What makes you think it was her then?"

"She's the right height, weight, and the eye shape perfectly matched," Milo explained.

Johnny began to scan the restaurant and his eyes caught a movement as Kristen walked towards the elevator. The wig matched. "I've got her. She's headed for the elevators and I'm going to follow her on."

"We'll be watching," Milo said before ending the call.

Johnny quickly moved through the restaurant and asked an amused Kristen to hold the door. She did and he slipped inside.

"Thank you."

"Where's the fire?" she asked playfully.

Johnny smiled. "I realized I left my wallet in my room."

"I see," Kristen said smirking. This could be good. She decided to get Johnny to come to her room. When he found out later that he had slept with her, he'd probably be mortified. She moved in front of him. "You're a really good looking guy. Why don't you come to my room instead? You can get your wallet later."

Johnny almost threw up in his mouth but quickly recovered. "Do you make it a habit of inviting people back to your room?"

"No. But for you, I'd make an exception," she said running her hand down his chest. "What do you say?"

Johnny grabbed her and pulled her into him. "I don't think you could handle it."

Kristen smiled. "Oh trust me. I can."

The elevator door opened.

"Ladies first," Johnny said.

Kristen sauntered out in front of him. Like taking candy from a baby.