Chapter 9

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Elizabeth lies in Jason's arms. "It's been over 15 years since I've felt your touch like this."

"I know. I've missed holding you. Do you have any regrets?"

"Well, I regret not doing this sooner." Elizabeth laughs. "What about you? You've made several changes in the past several months. Do you have any regrets? Are you comfortable with your decisions?"

"No regrets. Years ago, when I was away from PC, it was easy to slow down. Two years ago, Cates forced me to live a lie for the FBI. I couldn't take a crap without their approval. Living here with all the expected responsibilities made it more challenging, but working in the warehouse and bike shop, I'm content to take a step back. I've had more time with Jake, Danny, and you. Sam's and Monica's deaths may have brought our family closer together, but I still have to prove to everyone that I've changed."

"Jason, you've already taken steps to distance yourself from Sonny and Carly. I'm not asking you to sever all ties. They are a part of you. They are your family as much as Jake and Danny, but you are putting your sons first this time. That's all I wanted. I believe in you. I wouldn't have spent the night with you if I didn't. Danny is already on your side; Jake is more protective of me and is leery of your intentions."

"I've hurt you both. I understand his hesitation." Jason dresses and leaves to start breakfast. Elizabeth showers and joins everyone at the table. Jake and Danny exchange glances as they know their parents spent their night together.

Jake says, "What's next? Are you sticking around this time?"

Danny chastises his brother. "Would you give it a rest? How many tests are you going to make him pass?"

Elizabeth says, "Jake, there are no more tests. You either accept Jason, or you live with the uncertainty. Jason is trying. There will be times when he will help Sonny or Carly. It doesn't mean we don't matter. Stop looking for perfection. You aren't going to find it from Jason, and you definitely won't find it from me."

"I know; I just don't want to see you get hurt again."

"Jake, sweetheart, nothing is guaranteed. Jason never intended to hurt us. I've done things to hurt him. Even with the best of intentions, people still get hurt." Elizabeth refills her travel mug. "I'm headed to GH. Danny and Aiden, I'll drop you off at school. Could we all have a family dinner tonight?"

Jason offers to pick up the boys after school and start dinner. Jake stays behind with the dishes while his brothers leave with his mom. "Jake, would you like to help me at the bike shop today?"

"Sure."

They ride in silence until Jason opens up and hands his son a clipboard. Could you help with the checklist, or do you want to tell me why you are pissed at me and it's more than the sleeping arrangement last night."

"I overheard something you won't like, and you will go off running to rescue Carly and her children again."

Jason remains calm. "Jake, I won't abandon Carly or her family completely. Elizabeth understands that. There were times when I dropped everything when your mother called. Five years ago, Cyrus kidnapped Cameron and Trina Robinson. Elizabeth called me, and I helped find and bring Cam home alive. Over the years, even before you were born, your mother and I saved each other several times. All she wanted was for us to be a family. Will you tell me what you overheard? I want to help if Carly or her family is in danger."

"I'm afraid once I tell you what I heard, you will kill someone, and then my mother will be all alone…again!"

"Crap!" Jason thinks. "It must be bad." He says, "Jake, unless it's about safety or saving someone's life, I won't do anything drastic. I exacted revenge, which is in the past. I want to be here for Danny, you, and your brothers. I won't do anything that takes me away from our family and your mother."

"Yeah, right."

"Jake, if someone I care about is in danger, please tell me so I can help."

"Okay, fine. I overheard a conversation with someone called Jack, and he was talking to someone he called Vaughn. He said, "Remind her that the hairs we planted at the house were only a misdirect. We know she killed Cyrus. Jason will be cleared soon. Vaughn, it was only an incentive to convince her to join the WSB and receive training. The murder of her boyfriend was a bonus to get her to do her civic duty."

Jason's jaw drops. He is furious. He warned Carly, but she didn't listen. "Jake, thank you for telling me. Was there anything else you overheard?"

"The rest of the conversation was mostly one-sided. The last I heard was, "It sounds promising. How long until we can test her in the field? Jason, is he talking about Joss?"

"Jake, did the man see you?" Jake shakes his head. "I will talk to Carly. She deserves to know. I will protect you. Please trust me. You can use my car today. I'll take my bike. Thank you." Jason rides to GH and updates Elizabeth.

"Shit! If someone did that to one of my kids, I'd have that assholes head. Carly is being discharged tomorrow. Are you going to tell her now?"

"No, Spinelli is checking images for me. I want to find Joss and prove to Carly what Brennan is up to. All I have is Jake's hearsay, and we must protect him."

"Thank you for keeping me in the loop. If you need to leave and get Joss, I'll understand."

"Carly will want to go. I might inform Jax and have him get his daughter."

Spinelli calls Jason. "Joss' Face Book's page claims she's in Easter Island. There are pictures of her there, but they are fake. Her cell phone is cloned. I don't have proof Joss is where she says she is."

"Thank you, Spinelli. Can you send me the information to my phone?" Jason joins everyone for dinner and updates the boys on his plans for tomorrow. I will tell Carly everything while Jack Brennan is there. I'll give him a chance to deny everything. Once I find out where Joss is, I will send her coordinates to Joss's father, Jax. He should be able to bring her home."

Danny asks, "If Jax can't?"

"I discussed it with Elizabeth, and she said if it were any of you, she'd want me to find you. I will bring Joss home. Jake, can you accept my leaving?"

"Yes, but don't do anything that hurts my mother."

"I can't promise, but I will try."

The following morning, Jason visits Carly before she's discharged. She is dressed and waiting to sign the papers. He tries to convince her that Brennan is using her, but she insists he is a good guy. "Jason, it was Valentin. Please trust my instincts. You never listened to me when I warned you about Sam or Elizabeth."

Jack arrives to take her home. Jason says, "I have proof he is using you. Brennan, do you want to tell Carly what you've been up to these past few months, or should I?"

"I care about Carly. Valentin is in jail. I have nothing to hide."

"What about how you are responsible for the hairs planted at Cyrus cabin? Or that you covered up Joss's involvement and blackmailed her into working for you? I have proof that her communications are fabricated."

Carly says, "What? Jack, is this true?'

"Your daughter has potential. I believe she can be a WSB asset. My methods may be unorthodox, but she could have walked away. She chose to stay."

Carly punches him and knees him in the groin. "You fucking asshole! You used me and my daughter. Jason was right about you. Where is she?"

"It's complicated. She's secluded and in training." Carly charges at him, and Jason holds her back."

"Send her back or tell us where she is. I can have her father bring her home." Jack turns to leave, and Jason punches him in the stomach. "Joss is already compromised. It's over. Let her parents visit her; she can tell them if she wants to stay."

Brennan tells them where Joss is and says, "You are making a mistake. Carly, I do care about you. When you return, please see me."

Jason calls Jax and explains the situation. He tells him where to find his daughter. "Jax, Carly shouldn't leave PC. She is still recovering from polonium poisoning." Jason hands the phone to Carly and leaves the room.

Jason finds Elizabeth and updates her. "I hope Jax will leave to find Joss. Carly will insist on going."

"And she will ignore doctor's orders. Are you going with her?"

" Jax is experienced. It's his daughter. I wouldn't want to be excluded if it were my kids. Carly needs to learn she can't always rely on me."

A nurse wheels Carly out of her room to the Hub, where Jason and Elizabeth are waiting. She hands Jason back his phone. "Elizabeth, don't stop Jason from coming with me to find my daughter!"

"Carly, I am not his keeper. If Jason wants to go with you, he will." Elizabeth walks away to check on her patients.

"Jason, I spoke with Jax. I'm meeting him in Wyoming, and we're driving to the compound. I'd feel more comfortable if you were there."

"Carly, I'm not her father. Wyoming will be safe. I have other commitments."

"Jax jet won't arrive until tomorrow afternoon. If you don't come, I'll ask Jack instead."

"He's the one who started this mess. I think that is a great idea. Please take pictures when you introduce Jax to Jack. I'm sure Jax would love to tell Brennan how he feels about the WSB recruiting his daughter. I think he's still here."

Brennan overheard everything. "If you insist on seeing your daughter, I will make sure it is safe for you to go. I'll accompany you and your ex-husband to the compound. I'll grant you access." He calls Collette and requests the use of the WSB jet tomorrow morning.

As Brennan wheels Carly out of GH, she turns and sneers, "Satisfied Elizabeth? Are you happy, Jason? You were right. I should have listened to you."

"Carly, Elizabeth, and I are not happy to be right. We are definitely not going to rub it in your face."

Elizabeth says, "I am sympathetic. If one of my boys were manipulated, I'd want whomever is involved to pay. I believe Jax is the best person to help you and Joss get justice."

"Thank you, Elizabeth. I'm sorry for what I said. Jason, I'll leave tomorrow with Jack. If you change your mind, let me know." Jack wheels Carly out.

Elizabeth grins, "What?"

"I'm surprised. I thought for sure you'd cave and run off with Carly."

"Jax is capable, and, despite how I feel about Jack Brennan, he knows the territory and is better suited to deal with Carly."

Elizabeth pulls Jason to a hallway. She kisses him and whispers, "I think I'm falling in love with you again." She leaves him in the hallway and returns to the Hub. Jason touches his lips and smiles.

That evening, they update the boys. Three days later, Joss returns with Carly.