A/N – Thanks for the comments! * kcke2pen – It's definitely complex. Sonny didn't bug Jason's apartment. Jason was at a safe house during one of the attempts and is guessing that it's how he found out. It was more dumb luck on Sonny's part. They are not partners. Thanks! * Guest – Even though she doesn't know him, it's still her bio dad and Liz is a compassionate person. She's a nurse so she's been around mental illness too. * doralupin86 – The meds need to start working. * kikimoo – Sonny's not as bad as Anthony. They are different types of mental. * Guest – In Sonny's mind, he wants to protect Liz from the business, Jason included. * Liasonisthebomb – Carly makes a decision this chapter.

Chapter 17 – New Developments

Claudia finished wiping her face.

"I'm a mess." She finally said.

"Some things never change." John said smirking.

She smacked him on the arm. "I never thought I'd see you again."

"Now you know you can't live without this smile."

She gave him a watery smile back. "I want to go home with you."

"Claudia, I don't know if that's a good idea. Anthony will attack you."

She shook her head. "I can't stay here. I have a right to my revenge. You can't take that away from me Johnny."

"Clauds you need to heal and get your strength up."

"I can do that under your supervision. I just need a place to hide out."

"If Anthony is going to be handled, you're not doing it without me. Let me make a call."

Johnny went into another room and dialed his phone.

"Johnny?" Jason said.

"Yeah, listen, I need your help."

"What's going on?"

"When I was younger, I watched Anthony shoot my sister and I thought she was dead. I get a call from my uncle yesterday and lo and behold, Anthony had sent her away and held her prisoner in Italy."

"Wow."

"Yeah, she's a little messed up right now but she wants me to bring her back with me."

"Is that wise? Anthony will be out for blood."

"Claudia is determined."

Jason didn't even need him to spell it out. He perfectly understood her need for revenge and frankly, he liked the idea of Anthony's own family ending him. "What do you need?"

"A place for her to hide."

"I can put her in a safe house if you want."

"That would probably work. She needs some place to get her head on straight and get her strength up. She's really thin."

"I decommissioned one of the houses recently. I'll have Johnny tell Sonny that it's unavailable until the security is upgraded."

This was not an uncommon event, so Jason knew Sonny would buy it.

"We'll stash her there but Johnny, you are going to have to keep her in check. I don't care if she gets rid of him but I'd like to keep the bloodshed to a minimum so it won't attract the wrong attention."

The PCPD were always up his ass. So, he really didn't want to have to deal with it.

"I understand. I'll be right there beside her."

"Send me a text of things she likes to eat and drink and I'll have it stocked. If she needs clothes, send me the sizes."

"That's more than generous Jason. I really appreciate this."

"No problem. Just let me know when you're coming home."

"In two days, if that's enough notice."

"That will work. I'll talk to you soon."

Elizabeth looked over at him curiously. "What's going on?"

He filled her in and Liz was shocked to say the least.

"That's just crazy."

"Anthony is walking nightmare."

"I don't know that killing Anthony is going to make her feel any better. She still stuck with all the memories. It's going to take a while before she gets it together mentally."

"Well, I don't know her but she sounds like she's tough to survive everything she did."

"True."

Jason got a text. "It's from Monica. Edward is doing well and Lila finally allowed herself to get some rest and is back at the mansion."

"Do you mind if I call my parents?"

"No, go ahead."

She took his phone and dialed her father's number.

"Dad?"

"Hey sweetie. How are you?"

"I'm fine. I just missed hearing your voice."

"Everything is the same here. I even have some gossip for you."

Liz smiled. "Spill it."

Jeff chuckled. "Well, Avery's ex came to town and he's going all out to get her back."

"No way." She said sitting up. "What's he like?"

Jeff made a face. "Hold on, I can't answer that."

"Elizabeth?"

"Hey mom."

"I miss you so much. Now, back to the topic on hand. Her ex. Joe is very good looking."

"Dark hair or blonde?" Liz asked curiously.

"Dark hair." Her mom said smiling.

"Is he cuter than Dylan?"

"Well, they are so different but I think Dylan wins."

Liz grinned. "What else?"

"From what I hear, Dylan caught Joe and Avery kissing. Of course, she tried to say he kissed her but Dylan was really mad."

"Oh my God."

"I know. So, you might get your wish after all." She said smiling.

Liz made a funny noise.

Her mom narrowed her eyes. "Elizabeth, what is going on?"

"Well, I'm already seeing someone."

Jason looked up at her.

"He actually looks a lot like Dylan but his hair is longer and I think he might be more muscular. They are very different."

"Really?"

"Yeah, he's taking very good care of me."

"What's his name?"

"Jason."

"Jason?" Her mom looked up at her dad who grabbed the phone.

"Please don't tell me that you're dating Jason Morgan. We read all about him. He's a criminal."

"Alleged."

Jason's eyebrow went up and Liz grinned.

"Dad, you're just going to have to trust me on this. He's wonderful to me and I'm really happy."

Jeff sighed. "I hope you know what you're doing."

"I do. Now, hopefully, we'll be able to see each other soon. It shouldn't be too much longer."

"Alright. You know we love you right?"

"Yes, and I love you too."

She handed Jason back the phone.

"Let me guess, they know who I am and they weren't thrilled."

Liz shrugged. "They were shocked but they'll get over it."

"Now back to the other part of that conversation."

Liz sat down next to him. "What?" She said feigning innocence.

"What's up with this Dylan person?"

"Your twin?"

Jason frowned. "I have got to see a picture of this guy."

"If I ever get my phone back, you will."

Jason made a mental note to see if Stan could track him down.

"Are you jealous?"

He leaned closer. "I doubt Dylan could make you feel like I make you feel."

She nibbled on her lip. Just thinking about their night together made her shudder.

"Besides, you're mine."

"Am I?"

"Uh huh." He said before pulling her into a scorching kiss.

"Mmmmm." She said as he pulled back. "I am most definitely yours."

"I'm glad we got that straight." Jason said smirking.

OB knocked on the door. "I'm coming in." He said loudly as he cracked it open.

"It's alright."

He walked in and plopped into a chair. "Tonight—Morelli's Restaurant—be there."

Jason frowned. "Why?"

"I want you to meet my girl. I thought we could make it a foursome."

Liz smiled. "I'd love to go out. Please Jason?"

Jason looked at her knowing he couldn't say no. "I guess so. Do I know her?"

"Yeah, but it's a surprise."

"It's not Bobby is it? Because I'm not on the best terms with Carly."

"Nope. I'll give you one hint. She's a little older, smokin' hot, and you've never dated her."

Jason's eyes narrowed. "I have no idea."

OB stood up smiling. "Meet us there at 7:00 sharp."

He breezed back out and Liz jumped up.

"Where are you going?"

"To see if I have something to wear."

He smiled. "Alright, see you in a few hours."

She playfully glared at him. "Very funny…"

IiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiI

Carly watched Sonny stare out the window. Max had filled her in on the fight he had with Jason. She wasn't surprised it had happened but she was shocked that someone hadn't gotten hurt. Sonny hadn't spoken to her since she asked him to apologize to his enforcer. She had already pulled Max aside and told him that if Sonny asked him to do anything to Jason, then he had to let her know right away. Max was torn, but he also had lived with Sonny through his manic phases and knew that Jason was off limits. He wasn't stupid.

"Sonny are you hungry?"

"No."

"I don't know what to do. You are shutting yourself off from me. Would you rather me go stay with my mother for a while? It's just that you scare Michael when you're like this."

Sonny turned and looked at her. "Maybe it's for the best. Things might get a little dangerous around here."

She nodded as some tears flowed down her cheeks. Part of her had hoped that he'd tell her no, that he would fight for his family, but she could tell he was unreachable right now. "I'll pack our bags. You let me know when you want to see Michael again and I'll make it happen."

He didn't say anything.

"I love you Sonny. I really want us to work. Please don't throw everything away because you've convinced yourself that Jason is the enemy. Just let him go." She said softly before going upstairs.

Letting go of Jason peacefully might not be an option. There were rules. If Jason thought he could just walk away with his daughter, he was going to be sadly mistaken.

IiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiI

Jason looked at his phone as he rode to a special meeting. Carly had informed him that she was moving to the Brownstone with Michael and that Jason should watch his back. This was just what Jason was afraid of. With Elizabeth in the picture, it made things even more complicated if he had to kill Sonny.

Francis pulled up to the house and then opened the door for his boss. Luckily, Francis was a direct employee of Jason's, so Sonny couldn't touch him. When Jason had gotten the call that the five families wanted to see him, he wasn't surprised. Usually, it took a little while longer for disturbing information to filter out to them but it was time to discuss what Sonny's fate would be anyway.

He walked up to the door and it swung open and he was led to a big room. There was a long table in the center and the five men who dictated all the rules watched him stroll in and sit down. Tommy was thinking that Jason would be great playing poker. He could never tell what was going on in the young man's head.

"Jason, welcome. Please, have a seat." Tommy said.

Jason sat down and then looked each man in the eye. It wasn't meant to intimidate. If anything, it was a sign of respect.

"I'm sure you're wondering why we invited you here today." Dominic said evenly.

"I think I have an idea."

"Did you walk away from Sonny?"

Jason paused for a moment. They had gone right for the jugular and he wouldn't let them see that he was surprised but he definitely was. "Yes."

"Why?"

"You know that he's been off his meds and was obsessed with finding his daughter. It's been hell being around him when he's losing it all the time. And then I found out that he had kept a disturbing secret to keep me in line."

"About Lila Quartermaine?" Vinny asked.

"Yes."

"We're not happy that you won't be around to watch over the business. We're quite aware of what your presence has meant to the organization. Sonny is a wild card and always has been. You gave us three months and we have put some things in motion. I thought you were going to sit tight."

"I'm tired of having to deal with the craziness. I've spent too much time cleaning up his personal messes. He's has been reckless and stupid and he's directly threatening me. I just don't want to deal with it anymore and lying about my grandmother was the last straw."

Paulie looked around the room. He could tell that Jason was barely able to keep himself from killing Sonny. "We understand that it has been rather difficult to manage him. But we needed time to make some arrangements. Jason, you know you just can't walk away from this life."

Jason didn't say anything.

"We have been discussing a change in guard. We would like you to take over the Corinthos Organization. We know it would be a big undertaking, but you've taken over before and the business flourished. Would you be interested?" Paulie asked.

"I'm not sure."

"Most people would jump at the opportunity." Sammy said.

"I'm not most people. I like my freedom. Let me ask you this, if I say I'm not interested, then what?"

"You'd be under the employ of whoever takes over the position. The warehouses and shipping lanes are too important to all of our businesses to let them fold or sell them off."

It kept them honest to have another party have ownership so splitting them up was not an option either.

Jason knew if he turned them down, then he could get stuck with someone worse than Sonny.

"When are you thinking of making the change?"

"It would happen very quickly. We've spent the last few months getting all the legal paperwork together and trying to decide who would take over. Sonny would be banished to his island and you would take over the overall operation. Of course, you can choose who you want for the lower ranks. Ending Sonny would be a far too easy of a fate. It would kill him to lose the business though. He would be a laughing stock and considered a failure. We thought it was a worse punishment then death to banish him to the island. I understand he's been off the hinges and is a pain in the ass, but that still is not reason enough to kill him at this point. Even though Lila got hurt, we have no proof that Sonny knew she was there. You were just supposed to go talk to Manny there." Dominic said.

"Of course, if he steps out of line after he's told and you need to handle the situation, we would understand if you had no other choice then to deal with him physically. Our offer would still stand. So, are you willing or not?" Paulie asked.

Jason sighed. "Why don't we do a trial period? I'll take over for now and if it's not working for you or me, you can put someone else in place."

Dominic smiled. "We can work with that. We'll be in touch with the details."

Jason nodded.

"What's going on with the Zaccharas?" Sammy asked. "I'm getting some disturbing information filtered back to me."

"Anthony sent Johnny to kidnap Sonny's daughter to use her to get to our warehouses. I intercepted him. Johnny was actually trying to protect her from his father. We worked together to protect her from Taggert and Johnny was shot in the process. I spoke to him today, turns out his sister that he thought his father had killed was being held as a prisoner in Italy for over ten years."

"What?" Dominic said.

"They are coming back and she will stay hidden."

"Anthony needs to be dealt with." Sammy said.

"I agree with you. But, from what Johnny said, Claudia wants to do it and after all she's been through, I am trying to respect her wishes. If things get too dangerous, then I'll handle it myself."

"I can understand her need for vengeance but the minute he affects business, I need you to handle it if she hasn't already."

"Okay."

"Will Johnny be a problem?"

"No."

He had always gotten along with the younger man and had no reason to believe Johnny would go against him.

"What about Sonny's daughter?" Paulie asked. "Does she want any part of the business?"

"No, she's a nurse and an artist. She'll make no claim."

"Alright, you'll be hearing from us soon."

Jason stood up. He really hoped that he wasn't making a huge mistake.