Well, I had meant to update IPBNE but LLL just demanded another chapter, so I listened to my muse. Hope you guys all enjoy. Thank you ever so much for your thoughts and comments, I cherish each and every one of them! (Ever wonder about my posting schedule...it follows the Edmonton Oilers Hockey team. Since my dad is using my computer since his went kaboom (without the boom) I steal the computer when he watches his hockey team play, not every game, but almost every. Those early games just screw with my muse.) Oh yeah, who do you want to be Elizabeth's parent's? My muse has an idea but she is willing to entertain and possibly use your ideas. So let me have them if you feel like sharing.

Chapter Thirteen

Sonny made his way back to his own home. Worry creases marring his face. He'd spent years as a hard man but with the introduction to his wife, he'd mellowed some. How could he do anything but change? When one meets the other half of their soul, it was bound to happen but…even being completely head over heels in love, he'd managed to keep the rougher side, when it was called for.

Something about Elizabeth Webber penetrated the last barrier he had, one that even Lily hadn't been able to breach. The question was, why, how? Completely perplexed, Sonny sat, almost collapsed upon the couch.

Was this what Jason's was feeling, after meeting her. Believing she'd be better suited to Greek mythology than the hard and more often than not, destructive world they lived in…before he could get very deep in his contemplation, Lily silently sat beside him.

"Is something wrong?" Lily asked, recognizing the distant look in his eyes.

"Not wrong per se…it's just a situation I never thought I'd find myself in. As far as I know, business wise, things are quiet. The reason for the guard's noise…Jason is at this moment, downstairs cuddled up to Elizabeth. He was supposed to go home and straight to bed, that's the only reason his parents released him, yet that stubborn, idiotic…he was guarding Elizabeth. At least the fool fell asleep but what am I going to do with him. When I told him that Francis was going to guard her, he volunteered-volun-told me that he was going to be on her as well, because while he trusts Francis and his abilities, he trusts his more. Lily, Jason is an enforcer not a guard…when I even suggested he watch you, because I wanted the best on you, he told me to take a long walk off a very, very, very short pier…" Sonny said while scrubbing the back of his neck.

"Jason is a complicated man. His anger in the beginning is well talked about. Unless a problem arises, I don't think you should spend much time worrying about it. Is there more to Jason and Elizabeth sleeping together?" Lily asked. Sonny treated her like spun sugar and had made an art form out of the information he fed her.

Knowing he had painted himself into this corner, Sonny begrudgingly said, "For most of her life, Elizabeth has avoided being touched. The only person heretofore that could touch her without problems is Epiphany and she even mentioned that if Elizabeth was stressed or sad, then touching was an even bigger no-no…Since Epiphany started monitoring the situation with Elizabeth, she noticed that the poor girl would get more withdrawn and standoffish, if a man tried to touch her. Yet, here we are, Jason can touch her without a problem…I read her file, the slightest sound or touch in her sleep, sends her into a panic attack…YET!" Sonny almost shouted.

How does someone suffer from haphephobia and Aandrophobia but doesn't exhibit that with one man? After reading her file, he'd made sure to read up on the conditions she was suffering from and in most if not all cases, people never got over it and never had a 'except him' situation.

"That poor girl, the things she's been through, it literally breaks the heart. Maybe Elizabeth is feeling what you felt when you met Jason, the undeniable connection, the sureness that you could trust him. Life isn't logical my darling, sometimes you just have to take things at face value and see where it takes you." Lily offered while rubbing soothingly up and down his back.

Understanding she was right, or as right as anyone could be. He'd have to take a wait and see attitude but he was vowing now, he was going to be on top of everything involving Elizabeth Webber because no matter what, the road to hell was paved with good intentions and whatever was happening to his men, it could be apocalyptic.

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Francis and Epiphany sat with the kitchen door propped open, allowing them an unobstructed view into the living room, without being in the room. Never mind what the two in there would think, the idea of watching someone sleep, creeped the older guard out.

"How are you holding up Piph?" Francis asked, adopting Elizabeth's nickname for the nurse.

"To be honest, I don't have a clue. I feel like I am waiting for the end of the world to come to pass and yet, look at her, she has never looked so at peace. She's wearing a freaking smile…and that damn cat, who never sits still; if I didn't know better…I'd swear she's guarding them. Have I fallen through the rabbit hole? Will I suddenly wake up in Wonderland? I guess, you could say, I am a mess." She offered with a slight laugh.

"Well…if I'm not mistaken, the Mad Hatter just sashayed through the door…" Francis said with twinkling eyes.

Epiphany laughed so suddenly that she didn't have a chance to leash how loud she was. One moment she was fine and then she was doubled over, her ribs already aching from the full on belly laugh.

When she managed to get herself under control, or at least tamed the full laugh down to snickers and snorts, she looked towards the couch and the undisturbed occupants. "I think it's going to take a bomb to wake those two." Cleo, she just looked at the two in the kitchen, damning them to hell it looked like, for disturbing her nap.

"What were you two going on about?" Johnny asked as he finally breached the kitchen entrance way.

Epiphany's laughs built up again as she realized that Francis was calling Johnny the Mad Hatter. It was only made worse when she pictured him in a waistcoat and top hat, along with the big bowtie…A man Johnny's size…dressed like Johnny Depp…her laughing flared brighter and louder, causing the poor woman to practically convulse with the deep laughter.

"Do I even want to know?" Johnny asked as his eyes ticked back and forth between the two.

She tried, really she did but she just couldn't get her laughter under control. She'd spent so many years worried over what could happen that neither she nor Elizabeth had had much to laugh about. Knowing they were quite possibly in enemy territory should have felt like the world was weighing upon her shoulders but Sonny and his band of Merry Men…well, they offered a cushion of comfort she hadn't felt in a long time, maybe not ever. It wasn't ever easy being a single, black woman with a child but the way people looked at her, when they went out…maybe all of life's trials had been leading them to the most unlikely place, the place that should be hell but might just become home…

Tired of not getting an answer to his question, Johnny glared at them both before huffing and turning on a dime to leave. He may not be the most educated man but he had more than enough street smarts to know when he was the butt of a joke. In this instance though, he couldn't say that he minded. He had a feeling those two women had been very short on merriment.

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Jason couldn't remember the last time he felt so comfortable or warm for that matter…even partially covered in bed, he had never been so warm. With his eyes still closed, he listened to the sounds around him. Somewhere nearby there was laughter, what he deduced to be a woman's, closer though, there was an almost rumbling purr and a softer, breathier purr. Confused…that's what he was.

Finally cracking his eyes, Jason's eyes darted to the key parts of the room and finally the fog cleared and he realized he was in the apartment below his. Not being able to move his head, he used his right hand, since his left arm was seemingly restrained, to try to use touch to give him an answer. Slightly curly hair, warm blemish free face and a little higher…a fluffy, furry tail, rhythmically tapping the side of his neck and it was with that last piece of the puzzle that everything clicked into place. He'd gone to Elizabeth's to guard her, she'd found him and somehow managed to get him to sit and that was pretty much the last thing he remembered, except for the cat on his lap…who had somehow manage to relocate to their shoulders.

He almost laughed when he realized the freight train-like purr was coming from the cat and the breathy one was coming from Elizabeth.

Now the question to answer, how could he get up without disturbing the beauty sleeping next to him.

Wasn't this a sight he thought to himself…the big bad Jason Morgan, held down by fur and exquisite beauty. If the Port Charles Police Department could see him now…

"Umm…hello?" He quietly called out.

"Welcome back to the land of the living!" Francis said with a smile.

"What time is it?" Jason croaked. His throat felt like the Sahara.

Before Francis could answer, Jason stomach growled like a just waking, hibernated bear. "Well Sleeping Beauty, it is 9:38."

"Wow, I didn't realize I had been sleeping for a few hours, now I understand why I'm so thirsty." Jason said, using his right hand again to rub the sleep from his eyes.

"Oh, you were sleeping more than a few hours, its night Jason. You two slept the day away." Francis said with a smile. "I have to say, you look much better. When you were at the hospital, you looked a step or two away from death's door. Sleep was obviously just what you needed."

"Jason, I need you to drink this. You've gone much too long without fluids but after Francis explained that you rarely sleep; we decided sleep was more important." Epiphany said as she passed him a glass of orange juice.

He drained it in four gulps, savoring the sweet and tart flavor. He'd never been a juice man but at this moment, he could probably drink ten gallons and still want more. "I don't want to be a bother but I seem to be a little…well, held down, could I bother you for another glass or two?"

Epiphany's smile was instant. "Not a problem Jason." She said as she retraced her steps before returning with a full glass and holding the large jug.

After the fifth glass, Jason felt more human than he had in a while. "Thank you, I guess I really needed that. Ummm…what…how do I find my way out of this…pile?" Jason inquired a soft red staining his cheeks.

Realizing why Jason was asking, Epiphany took pity on the man as she first grabbed the cat that promptly jumped out of her hands after offering her a hiss and a glare. Well, the first part was easy…deciding on the most direct route, Epiphany gently shook Elizabeth's shoulder.

It was instantaneous…where Jason was able to touch without a single movement; Epiphany's touch caused Elizabeth to jolt forward and away.

"Sorry to wake you sweetie but it's getting late and you need to eat and have something to drink." Epiphany offered.

"Oh, no…Piph, why didn't you wake me. I'm going to be all crease-y when I go to my appointment." Elizabeth said.

"Don't fret my lost little lamb; you missed your appointment almost twelve hours ago. No, hush, you needed to sleep and Sonny was able to reschedule it for tomorrow. Now, why don't you run upstairs and have a quick shower and I'll order food for all of us?"

Elizabeth simply nodded her head. Having slept so long, she felt fuzzy and foggy. She had read about the phenomenon of over-sleeping but had never had the chance to experience it. Groggily, she made her way upstairs and into her room. The door had barely closed before she was tossing clothing every which way as she stepped into the shower, hoping the contrast of temperature would restore her wits and the water adjusted. The icy stream was quite the wakeup, considering how sleep warm she was but it did indeed clear the lush fog.

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