When Jason finally got home, he found Kellie asleep on the bed. Though she wasn't under the covers and was sprawled out as if she possibly tried to wait up for him.

Jason moved covers and then gently maneuvered Kellie under them, so as not to wake her up. He noticed Kellie stirring some, but not waking up.

Once Jason got into bed next to her, Kellie opened her eyes, though not really awake.

"Jason," she mumbled,

Jason brushed Kellie's hair and kissed her forehead.

"We'll worry about everything in morning," Jason said.

"Okay," Kellie said, curling up Jason and going back to sleep.

The Next Morning

Jason woke up to find Kellie was already up getting the kids ready for school, with the exception of Kelsey, who was playing on the kitchen floor.

Once Kellie ushered Jared, Jamie, and Alyssa out the door with Johnny, Kellie came back to the kitchen where Jason was playing with Kelsey on the floor.

Kellie stood and watched Jason and Kelsey play. Jason looked up to see Kellie. Neither Jason or Kellie made a move to speak or address the latest events when Francis came into the kitchen.

"Alright, Little Miss Kelsey," Francis said, scooping her up, "I think you and I have plans to play in the backyard."

"Swing," Kelsey babbled.

"Not today," Francis said, "But how about I pull you around in the wagon or you can play in the dirt."

Kelsey squealed as they left the room.

Jason stood up off the floor and looked at Kellie.

"I'm not even sure where to start," Kellie said, "Actually I do, why did you call Francis into your meeting last night?"

"Come on," Jason said, taking Kellie's hand and leading her to the living room. Jason sat on the couch and pulled Kellie on his lap.

"I asked Francis to meet with Max and I to get his perspective," Jason said.

"Perspective on what?" Kellie asked.

"All you need to know is I'll handle Sonny," Jason said, "I should have handled him sooner. Then I wouldn't have left you in the position to have to do what you did. I should have thought to get Zacharra out on parole. You're not exactly denying you might have had something to do with that."

"I have no idea what you're taking about," Kellie said, "My hands are technically clean."

"I'd hope so," Jason said, "Otherwise we didn't teach you well at all. If Zacharra causes you any problems, you tell me."

Kellie nodded.

"So what are you thinking about the families invitation?" Jason asked.

"It wasn't something I was expecting," Kellie replied.

"Do you think you'll accept?" Jason asked, "Is it something you want?"

"It's not something I want," Kellie said, "But it doesn't mean I wouldn't accept."

Jason swore under his breathe.

"If it's not what you want, don't accept it," Jason said, "I promise I will make sure it's not necessary for you to accept or to take Sonny's seat at the table."

"So when you say you're going to handle my dad," Kellie said, "Does that mean you're planning on well taking over the business?"

Jason nodded, "That's what I was meeting with Francis and Max about last night. I'll try talking to Sonny again and see if he'll budge. If not, I've put this off long enough."

"I won't take it for now," Kellie said, "But it's probably not the best idea to say no until we see how things shake out."

"I wish I could tell you that's not necessary," Jason said, "I never wanted that for you. I knew you were planning things…it just…"

"It didn't play out quite how we expected," Kellie said.

"Something like that," Jason said.

"If you need back up when it comes down to taking over the business," Kellie said, "Let me know. Maybe it'll help my dad accept the change."

Jason raised his eyebrow at her in skepticism.

"Alright, probably not," Kellie said, "Tell me this. Did Max have an idea as to how the men would react?"

"He says they'll back me," Jason said, "Or you even if you were to make the first move. But that won't be necessary."

"I'm sorry," Kellie said, "That this is what it came to. I know you didn't want to confront Sonny like this."

"But it's necessary," Jason said, "What I signed up for. Unlike you, who just inadvertantly ended up to be seen as a viable successor to Sonny no matter what you did."

"I still made the choices that led to that perception," Kellie said, "I'd still do it again in heartbeat."

"I know," Jason said, "I just want it to be a lot less necessary than it has been this last year. I should have done more when we though Sonny was dead. It was getting messed up even then."

"We were figuring it out," Kellie said.

"And then we found out Sonny wasn't dead and eventually he got his memory back," Jason said.

"He got his memory back, but he changed," Kellie said, "We all did, Jason. But he didn't change the way I hoped when I first realized his memory was gone."

"You kind hoped you'd be able to have a better relationship with him," Jason said.

"Until I realized he decided he didn't even want to figure who he was or where he came from," Kellie said, "I don't care that he fell in love with Nina, is still in love with her. His relationships are his business. But him not wanting to figure out if had a family, kids…I don't understand it. Especially when Donna and Avery are so young. Then again maybe because they are so young, they don't seem to understand any of well that."

"Maybe," Jason said, "Not like you and Michael, Dante and Kristina do."

"That reminds me I have to go talk to Michael about his stunt with the police station," Kellie said.

"I'll talk to Michael," Jason said, "He wasn't receptive to you telling him to stand down with Sonny before his coffee shipments were delayed. Obviously judging by his decision to retaliate by attempting to have you brought up on charges, I doubt he'll be receptive to anything his sister might have to say about it."

"But you might have a better chance being that you're his uncle," Kellie said annoyed, "Fine. But if Michael doesn't back off….I will have something to say to him."

"Fair enough," Jason said, "I don't know that it will help anything. I know Michael's been angry with Sonny before. This what he's doing…"

"It's exactly what he's done since he was kid and didn't get his way," Kellie said, "Have a temper tantrum."

Jason almost protested and then thought the better of it.

"You know I'm right," Kellie said, "I heard the stories of how he tried to threaten or bribe Sonny's mistresses, girlfriends as a kid or runaway when that didn't work. His unsuccessful stint in boarding or military school only lasted as long as they did due to the additional funds Dad and even myself provided. Although I really wasn't sure I was going to pull that one off. The whole situation with Michael seeking custody of Avery. Not that he didn't have every right to be angry at Sonny for shooting AJ. Whatever kerfluffle he has had with Ned and Valentine about ELQ. I know about the stunt to have Nina charged with some kind of fraud for her role in keeping Sonny away. It involved what we will call a donation to an elected official. And now..."

"He moved on to competing against Sonny even if it was actually selling coffee," Jason said, "Which was catching the attentions of the other associates whether they knew it was Michael or not. Then having charges pursued against you. I see your point."

"I know everyone says Michael is the good child with him being involved in ELQ and Aurora," Kellie said, "But seriously, sometimes it seems like he crosses some interesting lines. Not that I have much room to talk, but for someone that's been railing against the illegality of Sonny's business…."

"His actions veer awfully close to what he claims to hate," Jason said, "I wonder if he's realized that."

Coffee Table In Corner (not sure where that's located if it's part of Kellie's or another place).

"So you must have something on your mind?" Sonny said as he sat down at the table with Dante.

"What makes you say that?" Dante asked, "Maybe I just wanted to catch up with my old man?"

"It was an unexpected last minute invitation," Sonny said.

"Can't I just have coffee with my father?" Dante asked, "Does there have to be a reason?"

"Is that all this really is?" Sonny asked.

"I'm obviously not going to pull that one past you," Dante said, "There's a lot of rumours flying around the PCPD and I hoping maybe you could tell me which ones are true or not true?"

"Rumors fly around the PCPD all the time," Sonny said, "Doesn't mean they're true."

"Well, these ones might be," Dante said, "What do you know anything about Kellie buying a shipping company?"

"I heard something about that," Sonny said.

"And that Michael had her brought to the station for delaying some ELQ shipments," Dante said.

"Michael did what?" Sonny asked.

"There was apparently some snafu with shipping after Kellie took over," Dante said, "Michael accused her of intentionally interfering with the shipment. Valentin discredited Michael's allegations."

"Valentin came to Kellie defense?" Sonny asked.

"Shocked the whole PCPD since she and Valentin were never even amicable after it was thought that Valentin was the one who kept from capturing Garrett Esoterra sooner resulting Kellie being kidnapped eventually," Dante said.

"Why would Michael go after Kellie like that?" Sonny asked.

"The only thing I know is Kellie thought Michael was going after you in the coffee business and asked him not to," Dante said, "It got kind of heated at the gym when Michael refused."

"Seems like you really don't need me to validate any rumors you've heard," Sonny said, "You know more than I do."

"But why did Kellie buy a shipping company?" Dante said, "That's never been her thing. She's got the casino, the foundation, and the self-defense studio. But shipments you and your associates might ship through them. I'd almost have to wonder if she's making a move that none of us ever wanted to see her make."

"Your sister's reasons are obviously her own. Supposedly she didn't tell Jason either," Sonny said, "I would have thought Johnny and Francis would have had the decency to tell me if she was up to something like that."

"Why would they?" Dante asked, "They're her guards and extremely loyal to her."

"Guards she got from me," Sonny said, "Guards I protected from Alcazar and let disappear for their safety."

"Guards you gave her to protect her and her family," Dante said, "Johnny and Francis's former employment with you aside, I would assume they'd protect her and the kids even if you don't like what she's doing."

"You wouldn't like what Kellie's done any more than I do," Sonny replied.

"What exactly did Kellie do?" Dante asked, "Word around the station is Kellie showed up at one of your meetings; a meeting in which it's been said you're no longer the head of the five families."

"Stabbed me in the back," Sonny said, "And that's all I'll say about it."

"I highly doubt Kellie…."Dante started to say.

"You don't know anything," Sonny said, a little too loudly.

"Why don't you tell me?" Dante said, "Because right now half the PCPD thinks Kellie took the open seat with the families. I really hope that's not true. She doesn't need that target on her back."

"She's not," Sonny grimaced.

"Well that's a relief," Dante said,

"Not yet," Sonny continued, "And not if I have anything to say about it."

Dante didn't respond immediately trying to put what Sonny was saying together.

"So Kellie was offered to join the families," Dante finally said, "But hasn't made a decision then?"

Sonny nodded.

"I don't want Kellie to take the seat," Dante said, "But we both know you have never been able to tell her what do to. If you push her, she might take the seat…"

"What to spite me," Sonny replied, heatedly, "I'd hope she's smarter than that."

"Kellie just lost someone close to her," Dante said, "Charles was like a father to her. I know you probably don't want to hear that. But she's grieving again. It's hasn't been that many years since she lost Tyler. Yeah, she and Jason fell in love and had Kelsey. In the matter of just a few years, Kellie lost her husband and uprooted her kids from the life they still expected to have in California because some psycho came after them. If that weren't enough, the families tried to bully her into marriage, fast tracking her relationship with Jason. We all thought you were dead. Kellie almost died at Peter August's hand when she found you. She had to uproot the kids again after all the turmoil with you and the familes and your enemies. They came after her and her kids on the island. It wouldn't surprise me if some part of her blames you for Charles getting killed. Normally, I'd say Kellie is smarter than that. But when I think back on all she has been through the last few years, I really don't know. Dad, she was supposed to be able to rely on and you and Jason to shield her from perception that she could take over the business and be a threat. Since you disappeared to Nixon Falls, it seems like anything but that has happened."

"Kellie keeps sticking her nose where it doesn't belong," Sonny said, "She just needs to sit back and let me handle it."

"But are you handling it, Dad?" Dante asked, "If you're really no longer head of the families, then it doesn't seem to me you've been handling it."