Over the next few weeks, Jason leaned on Carly, spending time with her and the boys. It was nice having the support and the distraction. His best friend and her sons demand all of his attention, which keeps him focused on something other than the wreckage of his life, at least for a little while. And Michael and Morgan were soaking up all the extra time with their favorite uncle.

He also used her home as a place to hide from Sam. Though his ex had finally backed off, no longer dropping by the penthouse unannounced, she still had a tendency to show up at his usual places. And every interaction with her ended with her pleading with him to forgive her, to give her a second chance. He was running out of ways to say no. It had compelled him to spend more and more time with his best friend.

Sam had been especially snide and cutting anytime she ran into Carly. Jason made her promise to let him know if his ex was bothering her. Though he usually found out from the guards since, as she claims, "it makes you get all mad and growly. I'm a big girl, and can take care of Sam all by myself." He gets around her stubbornness by increasing her guards, and making sure they keep a close eye out for the petty brunette.

It also felt nice supporting Carly while Jax was once again nowhere to be found. Though she tried to hide it from her sons, she was hurt that her husband refused to make her a priority. Jason's presence helps ease the loneliness that is a constant companion in her marriage these days.

They had agreed that their night of passion was a one time thing, an aberration caused by heartache. If they sometimes look at the other a little too long, feel their bodies quickening and their hearts racing, it is pushed down to keep the status quo. And if they sometimes remember what it felt like, the fire that scorched and satiated them, tucked in bed alone at night, well, no one ever needs to know.

Tonight, Jason picks up a pizza on the way to Carly's house. She was late getting out of a meeting at the hotel, so he promised to take care of dinner. He's tackled by Morgan the second he walks through the door. Both boys shout out excitedly, "Jason!"

Handing Michael the pizza to take to the kitchen, he then leans down and scoops his youngest godson up. "Hey, buddy. Where's your mom?"

"In the bathroom. She's sick. She throwed up and everything. It was really gross." He tells Jason.

"She threw up?" He looks concerned as he kisses Morgan's head, then puts him down. "Go into the kitchen and ask Michael to get you a piece of pizza. I'm going to go check on your mom."

Going into the downstairs bathroom, he finds Carly sitting on the floor with her head resting against the toilet seat.

"Hey," he says, crouching down and rubbing her back in comfort. "Are you okay?"

She lets out a groan, then tells him with a grumble, "No. There must be some stomach bug going around."

Standing up, Jason grabs a washcloth and wets it under some cold water. He sits beside her on the floor, brushes her hair back, and gently washes her face.

"Let's get you in bed. I'll take care of Michael and Morgan, and you can get some rest." Standing up, he grabs her hands to pull her to her feet, then wrapping his arm around her waist, he leads her upstairs to her room.

When she is resting on the bed, she tells him, "Thank you, Jase. I don't know what I would do without you."

Leaning down to kiss the top of her head, he promises, "That's something you never have to worry about."

She gives him a smile, then closes her eyes and is dead to the world. He stands looking down at her for a moment. She looks pale, with dark circles under her eyes. He runs a hand gently over her hair, then puts a trash can by her bed, just in case.

A couple hours later, Jason and the kids are sitting together on the couch completely absorbed in playing a video game. Both boys are in their pjs, and Morgan's eyes are drooping as he leans against his godfather. Carly gives them a soft smile as she comes down the stairs.

Jason pauses the game when he sees her, asking, "How are you feeling?"

She gives him a rueful smile, "Honestly, I'm starving. Is there any pizza left?"

He raises an eyebrow, "Are you sure you're up for pizza? I don't want you getting sick again. Maybe I can make you some toast."

He watches her gag, and he walks to her in concern. "Carly?"

"Sorry, toast sounds disgusting, pizza, on the other hand, sounds delicious." He frowns, but leads her into the kitchen.

"Sit down, and I will warm some up for you." He watches her sit at the table with hawk-like intensity.

She shakes her head, "Don't heat it. I want it cold."

"You hate cold pizza." His expression gets more concerned, teasingly he reminds her, "I seem to remember you telling me that cold pizza was at the top of the list of most disgusting foods on earth, second only to liver and brussel sprouts."

Her face lights up as she laughs, "What can I say? It suddenly sounds delicious. Don't question your sick best friend." The last is said with a pout.

He puts a slice on a plate, hands it to her, then asks, "What do you want to drink?"

She thinks for a second, a look of concentration followed closely by a bright smile, "Milk."

He comes to the table, putting his hand against her head, "Carly, what is going on? You want cold pizza and milk? Since when do you like either of those things?"

She gives him a shrug, then leaning her chin on her hand, "I don't know. Maybe my taste is changing. Don't they say your taste buds change every seven years?"

He gets her milk, then sits down opposite her and studies her as she eats. She looks better after her nap, her skin has a healthy flush. She tears into her food, and he sees that she is honestly enjoying some of her least favorite foods.

Standing quickly to put away her dishes, she suddenly drops back into her chair, her hand going to her head.

"Carly!" Jason jumps up, rushing to her side. "Are you going to get sick again? I knew that meal was a mistake."

"No, I'm not sick. Just dizzy." She gives him a wobbly smile.

Jason shakes his head, not convinced by her attempt to ease his concerns. He pulls out his phone, telling Carly as he dials, "We are going up to the hospital to get you checked out." He holds up his hand when she begins to argue, speaking into his phone, "Max, I need you and Milo to get over to Carly's immediately. I need you to watch the boys while I take Carly up to the hospital."

She has her arms crossed and a look that clearly expresses her annoyance. Though a smile breaks through as Jason begins getting annoyed at whatever Max is saying.

He barks out, "Max… Max… Max! I understand and appreciate your concern, as does Carly, but the quicker you get over here, the quicker I can actually get her some help." A brief pause, and then with a glare he yells into the phone. "Max, shut up and get over here."

He lets out a growl as he hangs up, which pulls a laugh out of Carly. Then, giving him a considering look, she asks, "You aren't going to let this go until I get checked, are you?"

"No." He tells her in his most intractable voice.

She lets out a sigh, "Fine. But we need to get the boys in bed first. Max is a sucker where Michael and Morgan are concerned. He and his brother will let them stay up and play video games all night."

When she begins to get up, he demands, "You stay here. I will get them in bed."

"Jason, you are being ridiculous. I was just a little dizzy. I can help get my children ready for bed." She argues with a stubborn tilt of her chin. "At the very least, I'm going in there to tell them good night."

Relenting, he goes to her side. He puts his hand under her elbow, helping her rise as he tells her, "We'll compromise. You come sit in your comfortable chair, and you can tell the kids good night, and then you let me get them in bed. Deal?"

She leans up and kisses his cheek, "Deal."

He gives her a soft smile, "Thank you for agreeing to go to the doctor."

She takes his hand and smiles back at him tenderly, "Thank you for taking care of me and the boys. You are officially the best best friend ever."

Pulling her in for a hug, he whispers into her hair, "Always."

They hold each other for a long moment, Jason's face pinched in concern. The thought of her being seriously ill is a horror show playing in his mind. He sends up a silent prayer, then pulls back and sits her in a chair, commanding the boys to come tell their mother good night.

Carly pulls both of her sons into the chair with her, cuddling them as she tells them she loves them and to sleep tight. His eyes are soft as he watches them, and a longing so intense his chest aches rises within him for a family of his own. He wants this for himself, a wife and family, someone to come home to that's his. But every time he tries, everything ends in disaster. Robin, Courtney, Sam: with all of them, he was left wrecked and alone.

He sometimes wonders if a family could ever be in the cards for him, or if it will always be a dream unfulfilled.