A/N – Thanks for the comments!

Chapter 31

Francis is very happy to see them. "Hey!"

"Hello." Liz gave him a big hug. "How are you feeling?"

"I'm ornery and bored."

"I knew you missed me," Jason said.

Francis smiled. "I do. Is Johnny giving you trouble?"

Jason groaned and told him what happened the other night and Francis was shocked.

"He really needs to settle down."

"I think he likes Ellie from the hospital," Liz said.

Francis made a face. "Seriously? She's not his usual type."

"Isn't that a good thing?" Jason said.

"You've got a point. Did anyone warn the poor girl?"

Liz laughed. "He's not that bad."

The look on Francis's face was priceless and Liz couldn't stop laughing.

"We have a new batch of men coming in. You think you're up for training them?"

Francis smiled. "Hell yeah, when do we start?"

"A few days."

"Perfect."

Diane sat next to him.

"Did you find out what happened to the missing men?"

"It's starting to look like they defected. We're just not sure where they went."

"Someone wanted inside information I suppose."

"We're working all the angles."

Diane focused on Elizabeth. "How's that gallery coming along?"

"The construction should be done in a few days and Georgie has two artists willing to show some of their work. She's a godsend."

"You should hold a showing slash grand opening party."

"I was thinking along those lines."

"You can have light hors d' oeuvres and champagne or wine. A string quartet would be perfect too."

Liz grinned. "I like the way you think."

"Have a red carpet out front and some guards dressed in black for affect. Invite the press and a couple of b actors or something along those lines. I know a few people. It will draw them in like flies to honey."

"I would love it."

"I'll swing by tomorrow and we'll talk."

Liz is getting more and more excited.

"You can bill me for it," Jason said.

Diane shrugged. "For once, I will turn you down and do it out of the goodness of my heart."

"Diane? Is that really you?"

"Oh, shut it."

"You never pass up a chance for new shoes."

"While that may be true, I also know that I want to make a good impression since she'll probably be here for the duration I hope."

"That is the plan," Jason said making his attorney smile.

Francis is happy for Jason. It is about time that he found the right person to be with.

"So, Milo might be leaving us soon. Don't say anything, but you know he wants to buy a gym."

"I do know that."

"If he does, would you consider being Liz's guard?"

Francis smiled. "It would be an honor. She's not a runner and isn't on medication, therefore I think she's a winner."

Liz laughed. "Thank you, Francis."

"And she does have great taste in shoes," Diane added.

"Yeah, I was going to say that too," Francis said playfully.

"It is one of our prerequisites when hiring," Jason quipped.

Diane shook her head, liking the lighter Jason. "Tease us all you want, but we look damn good and I know you appreciate it."

"True," Francis said.

Jason stood. "We have to go, but I'm really glad that you're going to be okay."

"Ditto." He hated that he hadn't protected his boss. There just wasn't enough time to get to him. Hopefully, they would never be in that situation again.

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Johnny knocked on the door of Ellie's apartment. "Hey, you look pretty."

"Thanks. Come in."

He brushed past her and looked around. "Nice." Their eyes locked and he realized she looked a little flushed. "You okay?"

She clasped her hands together. "To be honest, I'm a little nervous."

"Why?"

Her gaze travelled to the floor. "Guys like you usually don't even know that I exist."

Johnny paused for a moment and then moved towards her. "Then they are idiots. Look, I like you, Ellie and would like to get to know you better. We don't have to agree to anything else after tonight. I don't want you to feel pressured."

I don't get why you want to take me out or why you would even remotely be interested in me."

"You're smart, funny, and I think you're beautiful."

She swallowed hard. "If this dinner doesn't work out, I don't want you to think you have to call me or anything."

He grabbed her hand. "Come on. Why don't we just play it by ear? There's more of a chance that you won't like me then the opposite."

He was rubbing his thumb across her hand and it was sending a tingly sensation throughout her body.

"Okay."

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Liz and Jason walked into the Quartermaine mansion.

"Welcome," Alice said as she led them to the living room.

"There she is," Edward said smiling.

"Hello," Liz said before giving him a hug. Alan and Monica waited their turn and embraced her warmly.

"Elizabeth, this is my sister, Tracy."

Tracy pursed her lips, but held out her hand. "Hello."

"It's nice to finally meet you."

"My father thinks highly of you even after the debacle at the Metro Court."

Liz grimaced as Jason glared at his aunt.

"What?"

Liz shifted as she watched them in a stare down and then squeezed Jason's hand. "If you want to say something then lay it out there. I'd rather get it over with it."

Tracy crossed her arms. "I'm not happy that my family was injured, but they insist it's not your fault."

"I'm sorry they were hurt and if there was some way I could have changed the situation, I would have."

"Just don't let it happen again," she said before walking out.

"Don't worry about her. She's ornery on a good day," Alan said.

"I can handle it."

"But we don't want you to have to," Edward said.

"You are a welcome guest in our house," Monica said.

"Thank you."

"So, tell me about Doreen."

She sat next to Monica and filled them in.

"Well I, for one, am very thankful that they were so good to you. Good friends are hard to come by."

"I know. We really enjoy spending time with them," Liz said.

"We'll take good care of her."

Alice entered the room. "They are here."

Jim and Doreen followed and were met with big hugs.

"I think you're already glowing," Liz said.

Doreen smiled.

She was introduced to everyone and then they got comfortable.

"This is some house you have here," Jim said.

"It's probably bigger than what we need, but it's nice when family visits and fills it up."

"Well, I really appreciate you helping us out."

"It's no problem," Monica said.

"Where's my girl?" Jason asked.

"She's outside with Paulie."

Jason got up. "I'll be right back."

Monica followed. "I've got to see what she looks like."

"Just stay behind me at first."

They went out front and Chloe barked and ran towards Jason. Monica gasped, waiting for an impact that never came.

Chloe came to a stop right before she reached Jason and was met with a big hug as she sat still and relished it.

"Chloe, this is my mom."

Monica tentatively smiled. "Hi, Chloe."

Chloe barked once and Monica petted her head.

"Her hair is so soft. She's beautiful."

"You just have to be careful because in her head she is the size of a Yorkie."

Monica laughed. "I'll keep that in mind."

Jim walked up behind them.

"That is a handful," Monica said to him.

"Yeah. I hope Jason is prepared to pick up after her. You'll need a shovel."

"That's what I have guards for. I'll just find out who needs some punishment and assign them to it."

Jim grinned. "Paulie put the food from my truck in your SUV. You already know the rules."

"I'll take good care of her. Julian hid the china."

"That was probably smart. She tends to get excited."

"Michael is going to love her."

"She's great with kids."

They went back into the house and Alice brought them some ice tea and the Thompsons got to know Jason's family.

After a while, Jason and Jim went outside to check on Chloe.

"I like them," Jim said.

"They grow on you."

"I'll be gone for two days. Hopefully, nothing will happen." He had thought about taking Doreen with him, but figured if they separated, it would probably be better so they both weren't hurt just in case.

"I'll do everything I can to protect her and my family."

"I know."

"I am really sorry you have been put in the middle."

"Me too, especially with her being pregnant, but I trust you Jason. I know you are good at what you do."

A car pulled up and Carlos and Max got out. Chloe bolted towards him as Max's eyes grew wide and the next thing he knew, he was on his ass in the grass as Jim and Jason laughed.

Michael slid out the car. "What was that?"

Jason picked him up. "That is Chloe. You want to meet her?"

"Will she eat me?"

"No. She might lick you to death though."

Michael grinned.

Jim called Chloe and she sat at his feet while Carlos led Carly to Jason. He put Michael down and they hugged.

"What are you doing here?"

"Monica invited us to dinner."

Jason shook his head. "They are always up to something."

"Is it okay?"

"Yes."

Jim greeted Carly and then she went inside.

Michael hugged Chloe. "Can I keep her?"

Jim laughed. "I don't think my wife would be okay with that, but she'll be staying with your uncle for the next couple of days. You can visit her."

"Cool."

Michael started to run. "Come on, Chloe."

She barked and ran after him.

"Be careful, she might accidentally knock you over," Jason yelled.

They watched them play. Chloe would always try to stop before she made contact with Michael. A couple of times, she knocked him a little, but Michael would just laugh and get back up. They took a break to get the dog and Michael some water and went back into the house.

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Ellie laughed at something Johnny had said. He had been very attentive and mainly had asked some questions and listened to her.

"Johnny, do you have any family?"

"No."

"I'm sorry."

He wiped his mouth. "It's okay. Jason and Francis are my family now."

"I'm glad you have some good friends."

"Working for Sonny is tough, but I wouldn't change my friends for anything."

"What else do you like to do?"

"I'm pretty competitive. I like to play cards and some pool."

"I saw you at Jake's. You were pretty good."

"Until I was drugged—wait. You noticed me?"

She blushed. "It's kind of hard not to. All of you have a demanding presence, even Milo."

"Does that scare you?"

"No. I know you wouldn't hurt me physically."

Johnny read between the lines on what was inferred with that. "I've enjoyed talking to you tonight. I think you're great and would love to take you out again, but I don't want to push my luck either."

"Why don't you have a girlfriend already?"

He didn't answer her right away, but all amusement left his eyes and she thought he looked a little sad. "You know how violent my world is, Ellie. Most wouldn't be able to handle it and let's face it, there's a chance that you could get hurt and that would kill me." It wasn't like he picked up girls every day. Most of the time, he was really busy working all hours of the night. His lifestyle just isn't conducive for a good relationship, so he stopped trying. Sometimes he'd find someone that was willing to just have a physical relationship, but that didn't happen that often. Romantically, he lived a lonely life.

"That's a hard burden to bear."

"Usually, women think they can handle it, but then something happens and all bets are off. Also, a lot of times I'm on call so work comes first."

"I can understand that. My job is the same way. Why act is if you're interested if you think that I'll bolt?"

"Maybe watching Elizabeth and Jason has made me want what they have. It's hard to find and I don't want to ruin you, but at the same time, I'm drawn to you."

She put her napkin on the table. There was a lot to Johnny that he didn't share with anyone else. "I can't promise you that I'm not going to be scared. I don't have a reference for violence like you've experienced, but I like you and would be willing to go on another date."

Johnny's grin lit up the room. "That makes me a very happy man. Please tell me that you like to go fast."

She laughed. "I do."

"Want to go on a bike ride with me this weekend? Jason's going out for the first time in a long time and I offered to be his guard."

"I would love too. I'll text you my hospital schedule, but as of now, I have Saturday off."

"Perfect."

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Jim watched Tracy argue with her father and Monica as he laughed. They are a riot.

Doreen just couldn't get over how quiet Jason is compared to the Q's. Jim passed her some mashed potatoes and she put a dollop on her plate before giving it to Liz.

"This all looks so good," Liz said.

"Cook is excellent in the kitchen. He has been with us for years," Edward said.

"Unfortunately, somehow his dinner gets ruined on major holidays. It's like we're cursed," Alan said.

"Yeah, they usually end up ordering pizza on Thanksgiving," Jason said.

"Not this year. I don't care if I have to hire some guards to protect the turkey. We are going to have a wonderful meal," Edward said. Just in case, he'd have Cook roast two.

Tracy didn't look convinced.

"Maybe we should place some bets," Jason said.

Tracy grinned. "Fifty bucks says we're eating pizza."

Edward scowled. "I'll take that."

Alan thought for a moment," For once, I'm with Tracy."

Monica sighed. "I'm probably a fool, but I'm going with Edward.

His chest puffed out a little.

"I'm with Tracy," Carly said.

"Me too," Jason said.

Liz put down her napkin. "I'm with Edward."

Jason's eyes snapped to hers.

"What? After all this family has gone through, they deserve a great Thanksgiving and I'm going to have some faith that it will happen."

Jason's expression softened.

"Don't go weak on me, Sniper. She doesn't know the history," Tracy said.

"I'm not changing my bet, but I appreciate the sentiment."

"Do you two have plans for Thanksgiving?" Monica asked Doreen and Jim.

"No."

"Then you are invited too."

"Thank you. We would love to come."

"Who else will be here?" Jason asked.

"I'll ask Ned and Dillon if they can attend. He's more than welcome to bring Lois and Brooklyn. Of course, Carly and Michael are welcome."

"Can my dad come?" Liz asked.

"Sure."

"It will be so nice to have a full house," Edward said. "Lila would have loved it."

"I'm sure she'll be watching over us," Carly said.

Edward slightly smiled. "Somebody needs to watch over that turkey."

"Now wait a minute. You can't cheat and ask Lila for help," Tracy said.

"Don't be mad at me because you didn't ask to read the fine print."

Tracy rolled her eyes. "Leave it to you to get underhanded with a bet."

That started an all-out war and Jim held up his glass and grazed it against Elizabeth's. "To family."

Doreen couldn't stop smiling as she listened to their banter.