Once again, I show up at Anna's door, this time with Spinelli following close behind. His trusty laptop is snugly in the safety of his arms.

Standing, Anna greets us, "Gentleman."

"Commissioner," Spinelli says. "A pleasure to have your wise counsel."

She gives him a bemused nod. Then, turning her focus to me, "You are making a habit of this. What can I do for you today, Jason?"

"It's more what we can do for you." I hand her a paper file of financial statements, witness statements, and some incriminating photographs, as Spinelli begins to set up his computer with digital records and videos. "I have come across some information that will be interesting to law enforcement. I have also submitted this information to the SEC, and have given a file to Agent Cates. He seems more interested in turning her to get to Sonny, but at this point I don't care. Let him."

She tilts her head, studying me for a moment, then shifts her eyes to the folder in her hands. She sinks back into her chair as her eyebrows arch up. Her eyes shoot to mine. Then, back to the evidence. She shifts through it carefully, taking notes on a notepad.

She pauses about halfway through the thick file. Pulling down her glasses, she asks, "First question, how did you get this information?"

Looking to Spinelli, I just say, "Spinelli."

He clears his throat, "I assure you, it was all legally obtained through my business and will hold up in court."

She sits back and studies me. She is quiet for a full minute. Then, "I suppose I understand your motivation for turning in Nina, but do you realize some of this implicates Sonny as well? Are you sure you want to do this?"

With a hard expression, "He is dangerous. He has threatened both Carly and me. I can't let his erratic behavior continue to harm my family."

Softly, she says, "I thought he was your family."

I stare straight into her eyes, and coldly tell her, "Things change. Carly and my kids come first, and he's a threat."

She looks at me searchingly, then gives a nod and picks up the phone. "Hello… yes. I need you to come to my office immediately."

She hangs up the phone and digs back in. She's moved on from the paper file to Spinelli's computer, stopping occasionally to ask either me or Spinelli questions, when there's a knock on her door.

After being given permission to enter, Molly walks into the room. She stops when she sees me. Looking back and forth, she says, "Hello, Jason, Spinelli. Jason, I'm really glad you were proven innocent. I hope there are no hard feelings."

I give a shake of my head, "You were just doing your job."

"Thank you for understanding that," she enthuses. Her attention focuses on Anna, "What can I help you with, Commissioner?"

Handing over the folder on her desk, she says, "I have a case for you. Maybe more. I have seen evidence that implicates both Valentine and Sonny in criminal activity."

Molly's eyes shoot to me in surprise. "Are you sure we should be discussing a case in front of Jason? Especially where Sonny is concerned."

With the faintest tilt of her lips, Anna answers, "Jason brought this information to me. I thought the ADA might have some questions about the information he has provided for us."

Molly sinks into a chair, shell shocked, her eyes drawn to the folder in her hands. They are shaking as she gathers herself, opens the folder, and begins to read.

For the next two hours, the two women go over the files, asking questions and taking notes.

As we are packing up, Molly gives me a serious look, "Why are you doing this? You have never been anything but loyal to Sonny. What changed?"

Simply, I respond, "He threatened Carly, and I think he's dangerous."

She nods, thoughtfully. Turning to Anna, "Do you want me to add the other, um…" Molly's eyes briefly look at me, then back to Anna, "information to this?"

"Yes," Anna replies. "And we need to keep this quiet until we are ready to move forward. I'm trusting everyone in this room to keep your mouths shut about everything we have discussed today. And, Jason, I need you to let my officers and the courts handle this."

I give a nod, but add, "As long as he doesn't come for my family. Then, I will do whatever it takes to protect them."

Walking into the Metro Court, I see Carly jumping around in a hug with Olivia, both women giving out squeals of joy.

Standing behind them, Olivia suddenly lets go of Carly and wraps me in a hug. "Thank you so much Jason for giving me back my partner and best friend, and getting rid of that God awful woman."

I awkwardly pat her back, telling her, "You're welcome."

Carly laughs at the expression on my face. She teases her friend, "Olivia, let the man go. You're going to scare him away."

Olivia lets me go, and I walk to Carly, right before I give her a deep kiss, I tell her, "Haven't you learned yet? It's not possible to scare me away from you."

When we pull away from the kiss, Olivia is giving us a funny look, "You guys are so sweet. I just love this!" She looks to the bartender, "Devon, bring us some champagne. We are celebrating."

From behind us, comes a soft, "Um… Carly, can I speak to you privately for a moment?"

Carly begins to agree with Ava, when I stop her, "I'm coming with you."

Ava hesitates a second, then nods. Carly leads us to an empty private room. "What can I do for you Ava?"

With a plea, "I need you to take Avery for a while. It's not safe with me or Sonny, and I will breathe easier knowing she is with you." Her voice quivers, "I also want you to promise to take care of her if anything happens to me."

"Of course I will. But what is going on? What are you expecting?" Carly asks with a frown.

Ava's eyes cut away, and there's a sheen of moisture in them, "I… have you ever felt like death is hovering right around the corner?" She shakes her head, as though dislodging the thought. "It's just a feeling. Hopefully, I'm just being foolish, and nothing happens." She looks at Carly with a hint of desperation. "I just need to know she will always be taken care of and loved."

Carly steps up to her, placing a comforting hand on her arm. "You know I love Avery. I promise if anything happens, I will take care of her and love her."

Ava reaches up, grabbing Carly's hand, "Thank you! You don't know how much it means to me."

Speaking up, I ask, "Where are you planning to stay? And where is Avery now?"

I watch as her hands begin to shake. "I can't stay with Sonny. I honestly thought he was going to kill me the other night. He's not… well. I have checked into a room here at the hotel."

"And Avery?" I prompt.

"She's at school. I was hoping the driver could bring both girls to your house after school."

I shake my head, causing both women to look at me. Ava's hands are suddenly gripped together so tightly the tips of her fingers are discoloring. I continue, "We will have someone else pick the girls. I want to be extra careful about any employees that have been tied to Sonny in the past."

Ava lets out a breath and nods, "Thank you, Jason. It makes me feel better knowing she has your protection."

I know the added responsibility I'm taking on, but for Carly, the responsibility is always worth carrying. "She is important to Carly, so she is under my protection. You have my promise as well."

Her knees sag with relief. Giving me a nod, and thanking Carly again, she leaves. Her eyes shift back and forth constantly, looking for danger.

Carly turns in my arms, wrapping hers around my neck. "Do you know how much I love you?"

"I have an idea." I give her a kiss, and tell her, "I love you, too."

She gives me the 'Jason' smile, "Thank you for the Metro Court," her eyes get even softer, "Thank you for putting that little girl under your protection."

She leans up and gives me a soft peck, "How do you do it?" She asks.

"Do what?" I ask back, confused, but thoroughly enjoying the feel of her in my arms.

Her hands go to my shoulders, caressing me. "Carry so much for so many people, but especially for me. And you do it so well, like it's easy."

I pull her more tightly to me, feeling both our hearts begin beating at a faster tempo. Our mouths crash together, both desperate for another taste of the fire we only find with each other. I walk us back until Carly's back is pressed against the wall, and then I take my time. I want her to feel my love for her, my desperation.

"Oh sorry," Olivia says with a laugh in her voice. "I understand now what is taking so long and keeping you from celebrating with your best friend and business partner. I will just wait for you out here."

As her laughs move away from us, I look down at Carly. I feel a kick of male pride that she is still looking lost in the kiss. Her lips are swollen and her eyes are dazed, giving her the look of a well loved woman. Leaning down for one more, slow, soft kiss, I pull back to tell her, "I can carry it all because of you. Because you have my back, because I have to make the world safe and happy for you, because even the thought of letting you down makes my stomach turn. For you and because of you, I will happily take on the entire world."

The love shining in her eyes is all I ever need. It tempts me to pull her into another deep, passionate kiss, but I already feel a strain on my control, and this is not the place. So, I tell her "Come on," and I link our fingers, pulling her back out to Olivia.