A/N – Thanks to those taking the time to still comment! * Kikimoo – Reason Liz said she was FBI was because Anthony knew the FBI was snooping around (they all did). So, she figured he'd believe her.

If you're not reading my other fic because you don't think you'd like a vampire story, you're missing out. Give it try, you might like it. It's a great love story.

Chapter 31 - Aftermath

Three hours later, Claudia was moved to the ICU. She had made it through surgery but she was still in critical condition.

Johnny was beside himself as he sat in the family room with Gia. The Webbers had gone to the Quartermaines to sleep at Monica's invitation. Logan went with them to stand guard and Jason stayed in Elizabeth's room. There was no way he was leaving her.

It was a long night for them all.

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The next morning, Patrick followed up with Claudia. She was awake but very weak. Patrick told them that it would probably be a few more days before they would even consider letting her go home. Jason called David and he sat with Claudia while Johnny ran back to the Towers to take a shower.

"You're a very brave woman." David said he held her hand.

Claudia squeezed his hand.

"I'm really glad that you're going to be okay."

"Me too." She said softly.

"I was really looking forward to our first date."

Claudia smiled.

She didn't stay awake for long but he still didn't leave her side. It was a miracle that she had survived the gunshot wound. Claudia had gotten very lucky.

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James walked into Elizabeth's room.

Jason looked up and then walked with him into the hallway.

"How is she?"

"She's doing well. I can take her home later today."

James smiled. "That's great news. I'm glad everything is working out."

"Me too."

"Well, I'm leaving town today. They weren't too happy with me teaming up with you but in the end, the bad guy is dead so I guess they are happy."

Jason shifted uncomfortably. Talking in public to an FBI agent wasn't great for his reputation. "So we're good?" He asked.

"Yes. Keep your nose out of trouble Jason. I really don't want to have to come after you."

Jason nodded. "Will do."

James walked away. Jason Morgan was an interesting man. He definitely seemed to have more integrity then Sonny and was the lesser of two evils. The mob would exist no matter how many times the FBI went after them. Someone was always waiting to take the place of anyone who was discarded. It was a brutal world. In James's mind, Jason wasn't a good man. He killed people. But, he did seem to have a heart and wasn't an egotistical maniac. He just hoped the man's lethal reputation would keep the crime rate down.

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Jason carried Elizabeth into the penthouse and went upstairs to the bedroom and sat her on the bed.

"Thanks for the lift."

He smiled. "Anytime. Do you want me to run you a hot bath?"

She smiled. "That would be great."

He disappeared into the bathroom and she kicked off her shoes and laid back. She was so glad to get out of the hospital. It was a hard place to get rest.

Jason sat down next to her and ran his fingers through her hair. She looked up at him and then held her arms out and he snuggled into her body. "When I came into that room and saw the blood on your face, my heart dropped. I can't lose you Elizabeth. You're way too important to me."

She hugged him tighter. "I made a mistake. I told Anthony that I couldn't marry Johnny because he was FBI and he lost it. It was stupid. I should have just went along with it. You could have gotten there before Claudia got shot. It's all my fault." She said as she started to cry. "I'm so sorry."

Jason held her as she cried. "Baby, Claudia isn't going to blame you."

"I just wanted to take the focus off of her. He said he was going to kill her because she could say the marriage was made under duress. I didn't want her to get hurt and that's exactly what happened anyway."

"To be honest, I don't think it would have ended well regardless."

"She's been through so much. Her poor body might not be able to handle it."

Jason pulled back and looked into her eyes. "Elizabeth, you need to stop. This is not going to help you get better. You're exhausted. I'll take you to see Claudia tomorrow okay?"

She nodded and tried to calm herself.

"Come on. The bath will help you relax."

They sat up and Jason helped her undress and then carried her into the bathroom and placed her into the tub.

"Bubbles?" She said looking up at him.

He smiled. "Michael says they make him happy."

She chuckled. "It feels nice."

He turned on the jets and then dimmed the lights and walked out of the room and went downstairs. Seeing her so upset had made him upset. He was glad that she told him what happened though. OB knocked and then came inside with Olivia who touched Jason's arm and went straight into the kitchen. "Is she okay?"

Jason sat on the couch. "She's blaming herself for Claudia getting shot."

OB ran his hands over his face. "No matter what was said or done, that wasn't going to end well."

"That's what I told her. I think she needs to see her. So, I'll take her to the hospital tomorrow."

Jason started to smell garlic and he groaned. "That smells so damned good. I haven't eaten since yesterday."

OB grinned. "She's making some seafood pasta. It's delicious."

"You are never ever allowed to break up with her." Jason said as he salivated.

OB laughed. "Now who is using her for food?"

About ten minutes later Liz came downstairs. "Olivia is here." She said looking at the two smiling men on the couch.

"It's almost done." OB said.

Liz walked over to the couch and Jason pulled her onto his lap.

"Did you have a nice soak?"

She nodded. "It was just what I needed. And you ordered me Olivia too…."

OB chuckled. "I figured you guys would be hungry and she was worried about you. She likes to cook when she's nervous."

Liz smiled. "I've never wished nervousness on anyone but…."

Jason grinned. "I don't think you'll ever have to twist her arm to get her to cook."

Olivia came around the corner. "Okay, it's done."

Jason stood up with Liz to carry her into the kitchen.

"You know that I can walk right?"

He smiled. "I know."

They all sat down at the small table and started to eat.

Liz moaned. "Oh my God….so good."

Olivia smiled.

There wasn't much talk as everyone dug in.

"Thank you Olivia. That was so good." Jason said sitting back.

She smiled. "I'm glad it hit the spot."

"It did." Liz said.

Logan walked in. "Your parents are here."

Andrea and Jeff walked into the room. "Wow, who's the cook?"

Olivia smiled. "Me. I'm Olivia. There's plenty. Do you want some?"

"We wouldn't want to intrude."

"Nonsense. Have a seat."

Andrea sat down in her seat and Jason grabbed his plate and Olivia's and put it in the sink. OB got up to help Jason clean up.

"How are you feeling?" Jeff asked his daughter.

He was very worried about her and the life she was choosing to lead. If she got seriously hurt, he didn't know if he could take it.

"I had a hot bath and some good food so I'm feeling a lot better."

Andrea could tell that Elizabeth had been upset. Her eyes were a little swollen. She was worried about her daughter too.

"Would you like some white wine?" Olivia asked.

"That would be lovely." Andrea said.

Jason got her a glass. "I have some beer." He said to Jeff.

"Only if you have one with me."

Once Olivia gave them a plate, OB went and got a folding chair from the closet and put it down and then pulled her onto his lap.

"This is delicious. You should open your own restaurant." Andrea said.

"Actually, that is something I've always dreamed of." Olivia said.

Jason looked at OB. "You know, the No Name is just collecting dust. It might be a good investment."

"Where is it?" She asked.

"It's on the docks where my office is." Jason said.

"I'm in." OB said.

Jason smiled. "OB, you can take her by there tomorrow and have her write up a list of what she'll need."

Olivia grinned. "This is so exciting. I can't believe it."

OB kissed her. "Anything for my girl."

Olivia smiled and kissed him. "I'm a very lucky girl."

OB looked over at Jason who smiled. It was nice seeing his enforcer happy. Olivia was good for him and he had a feeling that they'd eventually seal the deal. He could tell the way OB treated and looked at Olivia that he wouldn't give her up.

Liz smiled. She really liked Olivia and thought she was perfect for OB.

Her parents finished eating.

"Are you going back home tomorrow?"

They nodded. "If you need us to stay we will."

'It's okay. I know you need to get back."

Jason cleared his throat. "I figured maybe next week we'll head to Genoa City to get her things."

"Okay. I spoke to HR already and they know you're not coming back. You can turn in your badge and clear out your locker when you get back." Jeff said.

Liz nodded. She felt little butterflies in her stomach. It was official now. This was her home.

"Plus, I'm dying to see Jason and Dylan in the same room." Andrea said making her daughter laugh.

Jason rolled his eyes.

Olivia was curious. "Who's Dylan?"

Andrea got her phone out and then handed it to her and OB almost cursed.

"Wow, they look a lot alike." Olivia said.

"If you ever need a body double we can slap a long wig on him and we're good to go." OB said with a big grin.

Liz laughed again. "I can't even imagine Dylan being really tough. He was in the military but he's so sweet. Even when he's angry he's still too nice."

Jason groaned making her laugh louder. OB chuckled at how uncomfortable Jason was acting.

Olivia got up to take her plates but OB told her no and grabbed them. She sat back down.

"Olivia, my other daughter Sarah is getting married in October. We were probably going to have it on the Quartermaine estate. How would you like to cater it?"

Olivia's eyes grew big. "Really?"

"Have you ever cooked for around one hundred people?" She asked.

Olivia chuckled. "I'm from Bensonhurst. I've fed entire neighborhoods."

Jeff grinned. "We'll pay you well. Are you in?"

Olivia smiled. "You got it. Hand me your phone."

Jeff handed it to her and she put herself in his contacts and sent a text to her phone and then handed it back.

"I'll send you a list of choices that would be appropriate and she can choose. I can hire some sous chefs to assist. This is so exciting." She said smiling.

OB grinned. He loved it when Olivia was happy. She had the best smile.

They sat around and talked for awhile and then Olivia and OB left. Elizabeth was in the kitchen alone with her parents.

"I know you're worried."

"Elizabeth…." Jeff said.

"I love him." She said firmly. "I won't leave him. Love is a risk and it's one I'm more than willing to take it. So please don't worry."

"It's what a parent does." Jeff said putting his hand over hers. "I will never stop worrying about you. We love you and want the best for you. If you feel that Jason is what's best for you then it's your choice and I will respect it but I can't ignore the danger he brings to your life. I like him, it's not that. But he can't always be there to protect you and that is what worries me."

Jason cleared his throat and walked into the room. "I understand where you're coming from. It's something I worry about too. Maybe I'm selfish, but I'm not giving her up. I love her. I'll do the best I can to protect her. You have my word." He said sitting next to Elizabeth.

Jeff sighed. "This is a lot to get used to."

"You're telling me?" Liz said making Jeff chuckle.

"Just be careful and don't fight Jason if he tells you do something." Andrea said. "You have a rebellious streak."

Liz's mouth dropped open and Jason smiled.

"Don't even try to act indignant. You know it's true." Her mother said firmly.

Liz laughed. "I promise I'll be good and listen to Jason."

"You're learning self defense by the way. I want to make sure that you know how to properly defend yourself." Jason said.

"Okay."

Jeff stood. "We better go. Our flight is early. I'll text you when we land."

Liz stood up and hugged her dad. "I love you daddy."

"I love you too baby."

Andrea squeezed her tightly. "I love you."

Liz savored the hug for a moment. "I love you too."

Jason stood up and Andrea gave him a big hug. "Thanks for saving her. Take care of my baby for me."

"I will."

Jeff shook hands with Jason and they left.

Liz moved into Jason's arms. "I miss them already."

They stood there for a few minutes and then the door flew open and Sage rushed into the room and threw her arms around both of them.

Liz was stunned. She pulled back from Jason and hugged her. "Sage, what are you doing here?"

Before she could answer, Lorenzo and Diego walked inside.

"Oh my God." Liz said as her mouth dropped open.

"We heard what happened and Sage insisted that we come make sure you were okay." Lorenzo said before giving her hug.

Diego hugged her and spoke Spanish in her ear and Liz laughed. "Hello to you Mr. Smooth."

Jason rolled his eyes as Sage gave him a hug and then Lorenzo shook his hand.

"Come sit down." Jason said.

They all took a seat.