Your faith like the pain
Draws me in again
She washes all my wounds for me
The darkness in my veins
I never could explain
And I wonder if you ever see
Will you still believe?
– Falls On Me, Fuel

---

Sunday, November 16, 2008

No Name Restaurant: Dining Room

“If you can excuse me for a minute,” Nadine said, scooting her chair back. “I’m going to use the restroom.” She disappeared into the back hallway where Elizabeth had gone a few minutes earlier.

“You know what?” Claudia said, rising. “I have a need to use the facilities, too.”

“Claudia,” Johnny warned as his sister went around the table.

“Chill, John. The nurse will return in one piece. Both of them,” she added when he just narrowed his eyes. Claudia sauntered in the same direction as Nadine and Elizabeth.

“Well, Dad, did you get what you wanted?” Johnny wanted to know. He tossed his crumbled napkin on the table. “Have I crawled enough?”

“Showing up late is crawling now?” Anthony asked with a smirk. “Yeah, you got me what I needed, son. I very much enjoyed Elizabeth Webber having to come and pay homage to me—”

“To my wife,” Johnny said, and his father fell silent. “If Nadine weren’t involved, she wouldn’t have come within ten feet of this table, and you know it.”

“But she is involved, John,” Ric said coolly, and Johnny looked at his lawyer. “And you made it that way. You asked your father for help, and you’re going to criticize how he gets it done?”

“I don’t need a new bootlicker,” Anthony muttered. He lifted a shoulder carelessly. “But whatever, John. If you don’t want my approval, I don’t have to give it—”

“I never—” Johnny closed his mouth, thought better of what he’d been about to say. There was no point in picking fights on that score. “What was Elizabeth talking about? What speech about love did you give her and Jason last year?”

“Oh, it was nothing. I’m just touched really that she remembers it so fondly.” But Anthony’s smile suggested he was irritated Elizabeth had poked at him, offering him an insult wrapped as a compliment. Not that anyone who had overheard her would find fault with a single word she’d said, so if he did anything about it, it’d be ruining all the work he’d just done.

“Yeah, I’m sure she recalls you with warmth,” Johnny muttered, then settled in to watch for his wife’s return.

No Name Restaurant: Ladies Room

Nadine joined Elizabeth at the mirror as the other woman reapplied her lipstick. “Thank you. For what you said at the table.”

“Any time,” Elizabeth said, twisting the cap back onto the lipstick and dropping it into her purse. “I meant what I said, Nadine. I really am sorry about your sister.”

Nadine nodded. “I know. Um, can I ask something? And you can say no, okay, or you can tell me you won’t answer. But—when you came over—that wasn’t…it wasn’t, like, spontaneous, was it? They knew you were going to do that.”

Elizabeth opened her mouth, hesitated, then grimaced when another woman came around the wall separating the room from the door.

“No, go ahead,” Claudia said, sauntering forward, setting the black clutch on the sink. “Answer my brand-new sister-in-law’s question.”

Elizabeth and the other woman shared a long look that Nadine didn’t quite understand before Elizabeth refocused on Nadine. “Yes. To show that there’s no bad blood between our families, I came over to offer my well wishes.”

“And that’s why you came to the apartment the other day,” Nadine said, switching her attention to Claudia. “To set this up.”

“Sure. That’s why. It’s a tricky business, little sister. Not a lot of room for women to play a role. Usually we have to seize our opportunities. But then again, if you’re happy to play Suzy Homemaker,” Claudia said, arching a brow, “and negotiate peace treaties, there’s always space for that.”

Elizabeth picked up her clutch. “It was nice to see you, Nadine. I’ll talk to you at work.”

Claudia’s eyes followed the other woman to the door, then she looked back at Nadine. “God, I can’t stand her. How can you? That holier-than-thou attitude—and the way she smirks—it makes you want to punch her.” She yanked open her purse, snatched her lipstick out. “But you probably like her.”

“I don’t have a reason not to. Elizabeth was one of the few people who didn’t see my sister when she looked at me.” Nadine looked at her reflection in the mirror. “Don’t you get tired of people making up their minds about you before they even know you?”

“Why? What people see is what they get. That one doesn’t like me because I tried to come on to her boyfriend and there were some rumors about us for a while.” Claudia made a face. “But Jason Morgan wasn’t interested. God, I hate when the sexy ones are prudes. Imagine wasting that ass on such a bony little bitch?”

She fluffed out her hair. “Anyway, the reason I came back here—other than to needle that little goody two shoes—is to talk to you about John.”

Nadine bit her lip. “What about him?”

Claudia rested one hand on the counter and leaned in so that their faces were inches apart. “I want you to remember that everything my brother has done since he pulled that trigger on the docks that day is to protect you. My father could have had him out of the country in a second. You would have disappeared into the abyss just like any other witness. But John is desperate to make sure no one can touch you. Why do you think we’re here playing happy little family? Why do you think the bitch and her boyfriend are playing ball? Because of you.”

Nadine’s mouth was dry. “What’s going on? Why are you telling me this?”

“Because the day is going to come when you need to remember what John’s done for you. For some reason, you matter to him. He didn’t come to Daddy for help with the crazy one. Just for you. You make sure you honor that, Nadine. Or I’ll make you sorry you were ever born.”

Claudia snatched up her purse and stalked out, leaving Nadine bewildered.

No Name Restaurant: Dining Room

“Sorry that took so long,” Elizabeth said, sliding back into her chair, setting her clutch down on the table. She reached for her wine. “Claudia Zacchara—”

“I saw her go back there. I’m sorry—”

“It’s fine. Nadine realized it was a setup and asked. I just confirmed that it was a way to show there’s no bad blood between our families. And there’s not,” Elizabeth said, darkly. “Johnny and Nadine are fine. The rest of that family can burn in hell.”

Jason hesitated, then rubbed the edge of his brow with a thumb. “What did Claudia say?”

“Some veiled insults.” Elizabeth tipped her head, considered him. “Did she ever come on to you? I mean, like make a serious pass?”

Jason picked up his beer. “We talked about this.”

“We did. And you told me there was no one else.” She raised her brows. “She did, didn’t she?”

“Why does it matter? I didn’t—”

“No, but—” Elizabeth sighed, shook her head. “No. It doesn’t matter. It’s just—the way she looks at me. It feels like arguing with Carly sometimes. Back when she was still obsessed with you and had to go around smacking any woman who looked at you twice. Well, Carly didn’t scare me, and neither does Claudia Zacchara.” She picked up her fork, sliced into the cheesecake that had been served in her absence.

“Claudia probably should scare you. A little,” Jason added, when she just shot him a look. “She reminds me of Carly, too. A more homicidal version. You don’t need to deal with her again. She lives two hours away, and outside of the last year, we’ve never needed to deal with the Zaccharas. The only reason they’re even here is because of Johnny meeting Lulu.”

“Yeah, well, I don’t like the way she looks at me like she’s got a secret. So if she kissed you or something—”

“There’s nothing to tell,” Jason promised. Elizabeth searched his eyes. “I have no reason to lie to you. I haven’t touched another woman in more than a year—”

“I didn’t mean it like that, I’m sorry. I guess I’m just—” she exhaled slowly. “A little adrenaline from the whole thing. And I don’t think you touched her. But she seems like the kind of woman who wouldn’t wait for an invitation and get a kick out of telling me in front of people like a humiliation thing. So I just wanted to be ready. But if you tell me there’s nothing to know, then I believe you. I just really don’t like her.”

“Me either.” He squeezed her hand. “We did what we came to do, so let’s go home. I don’t want to be around these people longer than I have to be.”

Nadine’s Apartment: Living Room

Johnny hung his keys on the hook by the door, then seemed to stare at a spot on the opposite wall. “I’m sorry about tonight.”

Nadine closed the door, then remained there, leaning her head against it. “Your sister’s intense.”

His head snapped up and he looked at her. “Why? What did she say to you? In the bathroom? What did she do?”

Nadine straightened, startled by his reaction. “Nothing—I mean, nothing that you should be worried about. I’m used to Claudia, or at least I thought I was. It’s been a while since I’ve seen her.” She rubbed her shoulder, then wandered towards the kitchen. She took a bottle of wine from the fridge, then looked at him. “Sorry. I don’t have any of the kind we had at the restaurant. It’s a screw top.”

“I don’t care about that.” Johnny came forward, took the bottle from her. “Did my sister say something that upset you? She knows better. I told her—”

“She loves you,” Nadine said, and he closed his mouth. He looked down at the bottle. “I don’t know. Maybe she was worried because I asked Elizabeth if tonight was planned. If your dad knew she was coming over to talk to us.”

“Nadine—”

“She wanted to make sure I didn’t get upset about it. That I didn’t blame you, I guess. I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to upset you—”

“I don’t want an apology. Christ, that’s the last thing I need,” Johnny muttered, shoving the wine back at her and stalking away.

Had she said something wrong? Nadine cradled the wine bottle against her middle, watching as he paced the small length of the living room, then reached the opposite wall and looked at her again. “We talked once about our sisters. Which one of us had it worse. Do you remember?”

His mouth twitched. “Yeah. I do. You decided you’d rather have yours.”

“I won’t pretend I know what it’s like to grow up in a family like yours, with what your father’s done. With a sister who loves you the way Claudia does. The tight rope you have to walk. I know you don’t want me to apologize, and I won’t. It’s not my fault that situation exists. But I am sorry that I agreed to go tonight when you didn’t want to go.”

“It’s okay. It’s okay,” he repeated. Johnny came towards her, took the wine from her again, then set it on the counter. He took her hands in his. “It’s okay,” he said again. “My family are what they are, and no matter what I’ve tried, I can’t escape them. But they’re going back home in a few days, and I don’t have to go with them.”

There was something in his eyes, something she couldn’t quite name, but she couldn’t look away. Couldn’t look away from him.

“I don’t have to go with them,” Johnny repeated. He slid his fingers through her hair, trailing them down her collarbone.

“No, you don’t. You can stay here with me.” She laid a hand on his chest. “As long as it’s where you want to be.”

The corner of his mouth tugged up, but the smile didn’t reach his eyes. “You’ll regret that. All women who marry into the Zaccharas regret it.”

“Well, men who marry into the Crowells don’t tend to stick around, so…” Nadine licked her lips. “I guess maybe we’re both cursed. You think it’ll cancel out or double up?”

“I don’t know.” He leaned his forehead against hers, slid his hands down her arms from her shoulders to her elbows. “I wish I were the man you deserved.”

“I’ll be the judge of that, thanks.” She tipped her head up and kissed him.

Drake Condo: Nursery

Patrick lingered in the doorway, a hand resting against the frame. “Alexis just called.”

Robin looked up from Emma, readjusting the bottle so that the newborn didn’t gulp in too much air. “Yeah?”

“We’re all set for tomorrow morning. We’ll turn over everything we have, including the database Spinelli has built, and make final statements to your mother and Mac.” He tipped his head. “Alexis suggested that we not be there to make it easier. She has our written statement, and if there are questions, she’ll bring them to us.”

Robin bit her lip, looked back to Emma. “You don’t think that would be cowardly? To avoid seeing her? To not be in the room when we tell her what we know?”

“She came to town under false pretenses and hurt you. I don’t much care if it is cowardly.” Patrick folded his arms. “We agreed — we’re turning this over and making it the WSB’s problem. We did everything we could to protect the hospital. ”

“Yeah, I guess.” Robin sighed, set the bottle aside and shifted Emma so that she could pat her back, waiting for her to burp. “I’m inviting Matt for Thanksgiving by the way.”

“He’ll say no,” Patrick muttered.

Robin smiled, got to her feet, and started to walk in a circle, continuing to gently pat Emma’s back. “Maybe. And we’ll invite him again at Christmas. I can be very annoying when I want something.”

“You don’t have to tell me,” Patrick said, and grinned. He dropped a kiss on Robin’s head, then on Emma’s. “I’m living proof that a little nagging can be good for the soul.”

“Ha, very funny.”

Morgan Penthouse: Bedroom

Jason lifted Cameron’s leg back into his bed, and pulled the comforter up to his waist, before making sure Jake was tucked in. Both boys, along with their great-grandmother, had already gone to bed before Jason and Elizabeth had returned from the restaurant.

The boys usually played until they dropped into sleep. There’d been many nights when Jason had carried Cameron to bed, Elizabeth right behind him with the much lighter Jake. Jason would have rather have been at home with them than sitting in a stuffy restaurant glaring at a man who’d tried to kill them.

He closed the door, then headed for their bedroom, stripping off his jacket as he crossed the threshold. Elizabeth had exchanged her dress for a black silk robe that hit her at mid-thigh. She hung the dress back in the closet, then glanced over her shoulder at him. “Hmm, I had plans to take that off myself,” she said, watching as he began to unfasten the buttons on his shirt.

“Well, I had plans for that dress, so I guess we’re both disappointed.” But he didn’t reach for another button, only pulled the ends out of his pants. “Boys are sleeping. Spinelli’s not home yet.”

“Probably with Maxie. I feel bad he’s not here as much because I kicked her out, but then I remember it’s Maxie and that feeling goes away.” Elizabeth crossed to him, then reached for the buttons on his shirt. Instead of undoing them, she leaned up on the tips of her toes to brush her mouth against his. “Sorry for getting jealous at the restaurant. I guess maybe I still have a little unresolved frustration that anyone thought…” She wrinkled her nose. “I mean, I guess you were technically single when those rumors about Claudia started to swirl, but—”

“I haven’t been single, technically or otherwise since I told you I loved you,” he murmured, tipping her chin up so their eyes could meet. “But I know a little something about being jealous.”

“I have no room to talk with what I’ve put you through, I know. I just….” Elizabeth slid her hands over his chest. “We missed so many chances and wasted so much time we can’t get back. I have so many regrets.”

“So do I.” He kissed her, his hands at her waist to hold her close. “But we don’t have to have them anymore. I’ve been…” Jason stroked her hair back from her face. “There’s something I’ve wanted to do for weeks. Months. Maybe even years.”

“Well, if we’re talking about lists kept for years, I have a long one myself,” Elizabeth said, but she stopped when Jason pulled away from her and went to his dresser. “Wait, is it an actual list—” The words died on her lips when he pulled a velvet ring box from the top drawer. “What is that?”

Jason stepped back towards her, keeping his eyes locked on hers. “I bought it after your birthday, but I wasn’t sure—I didn’t know if I had to right to—I’ve—” He stopped shook his head. “I didn’t know if I had the right to ask you first. When I promised you I wouldn’t take—”

She pressed two fingers over his lips. “Don’t apologize. Don’t. We were both so scared and you were so hurt, Jason. So destroyed. All I wanted was for you to be okay. Yes, there were times when I was upset, and even resented you for it. But I always understood. I love you. My boys—our boys—are happier with you than they’ve ever been. This life we already have together—it’s everything I ever wanted, and I don’t need a ring or anything else to prove you love me.”

“So you don’t want it?” he asked, and she bit her lip but couldn’t stop herself from smiling, looking down at the box. “I can return it to the store—”

Elizabeth snatched it out of his hand before he stepped back, even as a joke. “Don’t you dare. I want to see—” She flipped the top up and simply stared at the ring for a long moment, before looking up again, her eyes shimmering with tears. “It’s emerald. For Jake?”

“For Jake and Cameron,” he told her, and a sound escaped her lips that was almost a laugh mixed with a sob. “That’s—” He lifted the ring with emeralds set on either side of a diamond. “That’s why there’s two of them.”

“It’s for Cameron,” she whispered, throwing her arms around him. Jason wrapped his arms around her waist, buried his face in her hair. “You didn’t—but you didn’t ask me yet.”

“I’ve asked you three times,” he said, almost teasing, and pulling back. “I know you didn’t think I meant it the first two—”

“Ask me again,” Elizabeth said, her smile wistful. “Just one more time, okay?”

“Will you marry me?”

“Yes.” She held out her hand. “Yes, I’ll marry you. And if you take it back this time, they’ll never find your body.”

Jason laughed as he slid the ring on her finger, then stumbled when she launched herself at him again, kissing his cheeks, his chin, his forehead before finally finding his mouth, her nimble fingers making quick work of the buttons on his shirt.

He lifted her in his arms and carried her to the bed, and this time — the door stayed closed.

And the phone stayed silent.

Warehouse: Cargo Bay

“Patience you say,” Karpov muttered. He stalked to the edge of the pier, then whirled around to stab a finger at Jerry. “I have patience for months and nothing happens—”

“You didn’t request my assistance until after Sonny Corinthos was a vegetable,” Jerry said calmly. He adjusted the fit of his leather gloves. “Had you come to me earlier, we might have had success more quickly. Or I would have told you to seek more amenable shipping partners. Perhaps in Rochester—”

“No one says no to Karpov.” The Russian’s face was florid with fury, and Jerry sighed. He didn’t mind working with clients from the Baltic states — they tended to be cold-blooded and amenable to playing the long game. But when they lost their tempers—well it was almost impossible to get them back.

“As I told you in my last message, Johnny Zacchara is making the very inroads we’ve asked of him. He arranged for a truce between his father and Jason Morgan. A truce that does far more for the Zaccharas than the Morgans, I might add. At this point, that family has taken down three members of Jason’s personal inner circle from the child to the bride and groom. The syndicate was waiting for open bloodshed after that incident on the pier. But instead—”

“Instead he stops all shipments,” Karpov muttered. “Who does he think he is? What right does he have to tell me I cannot use those waters?”

An idiot trying to get out of the mob, but Jerry decided that wouldn’t do any good to offer. “My point is that Jason Morgan did not have to make that deal. He did it for his family. He feels protective of the nurse. Johnny’s wife. It won’t take more than a few more nudges for Johnny to give us everything we need — ”

“I can get what I need other ways,” Karpov muttered. “I snatch one of those kids, and he’ll give me those routes—”

“And you’d lack his South American and Caribbean connections to make them work, and all you’d have done is pissed him off. So if we could stop talking about blowing people up and killing children, perhaps you’ll allow me some more time?” Jerry asked.

“I am done waiting, Mr. Jacks. I must have results. You took the nurse’s sister to push Zacchara into cooperating. Why cannot I take something from Morgan?”

Jerry mentally counted to ten. “There’s not much left to take from Morgan that would work as a message. If you want a body, I can look at his inner circle. I am not recommending you go for someone in the immediate family. Dead children bring too much heat. Maybe you take the woman,” he said almost reluctantly. “But I remind you what happened the last time you tried to eliminate her.”

“Morgan cut all shipments,” Karpov growled. “And lost not an inch of power. How can he cut all those clients and lose nothing—”

“He spent the summer making contacts in other ports. Rerouted them. Almost admirable,” Jerry said, “if you wanted to cut your profits in half. He eliminated the most dangerous part of his business in a couple of months without making a single enemy. He has allies, Andrei. He’s spent his entire career being the smart one in this organization. Did you expect him to crumble at the first sign of stress?”

“If I kill this woman this time,” Karpov said, “I make him crumble, yes?”

“I think you’d be better going for the tech,” Jerry said. “Damien Spinelli is not only an emotional connection, but a resourceful one. He lives with Morgan and the family. And he single-handedly shut down your operation at the hospital. Why don’t you give me a day or two to look into eliminating him?”

“This Spinelli would be a message, then. We take this body, and Morgan does business with us?”

Not a chance in hell, but Jerry wasn’t going to tell him that. Killing a useless comatose woman was one thing — another death would only increase the pressure from the authorities—

Jerry had been contracted to find a way to force Jason Morgan to reopen the Port Charles shipping routes. After six weeks, he had concluded that was not going to happen. Now, all that he could do was bow out gracefully without having a bloodthirsty Russian hunting him down.

“Yes,” Jerry said finally. “Johnny Zacchara decided to do his part when I made it clear I could have taken the wife instead of the sister. If I can grab Spinelli at a time when I could have taken someone closer like the nurse or the boys, it will make it all very clear. Give me a day or two to set it up.”

“Fine. But this is your last chance.” Karpov stalked away.

“Raging lunatic,” Jerry muttered. It was time to think of an exit strategy.

THE END
for now

---

My deepest apologies for leaving you there, lol. It was necessary to break this project into a trilogy just so that you weren’t waiting YEARS to read it, and Book 2 took a lot longer than I’d hoped (two extra months!) But this seemed like a good place to leave our characters. Jason and Elizabeth are stronger than ever and engaged, Robin and Patrick are building their family, and well — everyone else is a mess.

I’m not going to give you a date as to when Book 3 will be out. I do have a lot of the big stuff already written from before the project was broken into pieces, but I’ve been working on this project since November 2023 and I’m taking a break to work on my Tortured Poets collection for Crimson Swift. I will promise, however, that you’ll get Book 3 this year — hopefully in the summer.  I appreciate your patience while I take my time to craft quality stories that feel worth the wait. Until then, check out the Flash Fiction and backlist of more than 20 other novels.

Love you lots <3
Lissie

What are the things that I want to say
Just aren’t coming out right?
I’m tripping on words
You got my head spinning
I don’t know where to go from here
– You and Me, Lifehouse

---

Sunday, November 16, 2008

No Name Restaurant: Lobby

The restaurant was decorated with dark wood paneling and muted earth tones, just as it had been a decade earlier when Elizabeth had last visited. A man waited just inside, divesting Jason and Elizabeth of their coats. At the archway leading into the dining room proper, a woman with stones glinting at her ears and around her neck waited.

“Mr. Morgan, your table is waiting just as you requested.” She gestured for them to follow her, and Elizabeth slid her arm through Jason’s.

“No waiting in line or checking for a reservation,” she murmured as they weaved through a medium-sized dining room with tables covered by thick, white tablecloths, lit by candles, and tableware that looked like it might have paid the rent on Elizabeth’s studio.

“It’s one of the very few perks,” Jason said, and she smiled.

The hostess led them to the opposite side of the room where there were semi-private tables, each sectioned off with its own paneling on each side, leaving only the front open to the dining table. Of course — Jason wouldn’t want his back to anyone in the restaurant, Elizabeth thought as he pulled out a chair for her. She sat down, and he took the other seat, pulling it closer to hers so that they were close together, both their backs mostly facing the wall.

“Shall I bring your usual?” the hostess asked, “or would you like to see the menu and wait for Ricardo?”

“Ricardo is fine,” Jason said, accepting the single sheet of heavy, embossed paper the woman handed him.  He ordered a beer and Elizabeth asked for a wine after scanning the list at the bottom.

“You know, I came here once when I was sixteen,” Elizabeth told him. “You arranged for Lucky to bring me for dinner.”

“I remember that.” Jason stretched an arm across the back of her seat. “He wanted to take you somewhere nice.”

“Sorry, I probably shouldn’t bring him up—” She adjusted the napkin on the table, then the gold charger beneath the white plate.

“It doesn’t bother me when you talk about him. Especially before the fire. It was different,” he told her. “He was different.”

“He was,” Elizabeth said with a wistful sigh, then she smiled at him. “I only brought it up because it was the first time I’d dressed up since…well, since that night. It was a really good memory, and I think it’s just interesting like so many of the good things in my life, you played a part.”

Jason shifted slightly. “I made a call,” he muttered, and she smiled again.

“All right, fine I won’t embarrass you. Talk to me about what to do once the Zaccharas get here. Is there a certain time I should go over—towards the beginning, middle, end—” She broke off when a tuxedo-clad waiter came to take their orders and set down their drinks.

“Dessert,” Jason said when they were alone again. “Going over any earlier suggests nerves. We’re going to sit here, pretend to have a good time—”

“Pretend?” She lifted her brows.

“You know what I mean.” She just smiled, and Jason continued. “And then you’ll get up and go to the ladies room. You’ll pretend to just notice them.”

“Ah, because it shows that you’re not worried about them. Not thinking about anyone being here you have to watch for.” She picked up her wine glass. “You absolutely hate every second of this.”

“Yeah, I do. It’s all…surface. Pretense.” His fingers were tight around the green glass bottle of Rolling Rock. “Like the men in here aren’t violent—”

“Don’t forget the women,” Elizabeth said. “Claudia Zacchara will be here, won’t she?” When he just sighed again, she slid her hand under the table, touched his leg. “It’s one night, Jason. We can do this. It’s just a date. You and me, right? The boys are at home. No spaghetti sauce to clean out of hair or clothes. Or noodles in strange places—”

“I like all of that,” he interrupted.

“I know that, and so do I. But we didn’t…we didn’t get to do any of this,” she said. He frowned, met her eyes. “You know, most of what we have, it’s been in hotel rooms and studios and places people can’t see. I don’t know, I kind of like that I can sit here with you and people can look at us, and I don’t have to worry anymore. We get to eat food neither of us had to cook or pick up — I get to see you in a suit. You hate it, I know. But—” She stroked one of the lapels of the black jacket. “I don’t mind it once in a while.”

“You like this stuff?” He asked, nodding at the candles on the table, the fancy tables. The glass of wine. “I can do more of this—”

“Special occasions once in a while, sure. I want to make sure we always remember that the life we have, it starts with us. I don’t just want to be a parent. I want to be Elizabeth. Not just Mom.” She smiled again. “And next time, it can be a private dining room where you don’t have to talk to or see a single person. So until I have to get up and put on a show, why don’t we try to have a good time?”

No Name Restaurant: Parking Lot

Johnny switched off the ignition, but didn’t reach for the handle of the door. In front of them, the restaurant loomed large. It had few windows (avoiding those pesky drive by shootings) and no exterior sign to advertise itself to anyone who didn’t have a membership.

“You really don’t want to do this, do you?” Nadine asked from the passenger seat. He glanced at her, then away.

He never should have touched her.

He’d been able to avoid it since her sister’s death, telling himself that he could give her comfort because she deserved that, but he had no right to anything else. He was lying to her, keeping secrets, and making a mockery of every reason she’d married him in the first place.

But Johnny realized he’d only been fooling himself. Instead of congratulating himself on finally learning self-control, he’d realized Nadine had really been the one holding back. It was she who hadn’t reached for him, and the second she’d initiated anything—hell, all she’d done was look at him, he’d jumped her with the impulse control of a high school boy fumbling with his first girlfriend.

“No, I really don’t,” Johnny said, finally. “But we don’t have a choice.”

“I’m sorry that it’s like this with your family. Dreading being around them, I mean.”

Johnny looked at her and her eyes were on him. Even in the dim light from the lights in the parking lot, her blue eyes glinted with empathy and warmth. Sorrow. For him. His throat was tight, and he tore his eyes away again, staring hard at the window shield.

“There are worse problems to have,” he muttered.

“There are,” Nadine confirmed. “But that doesn’t make them any less yours. Or awful.” She touched his face, her fingers soft and cool against his skin. He closed his eyes, let himself enjoy the sensation for just a moment before reaching up to pull her hand away, pressing the inside of her palm to his lips.

Sometimes he almost hated her for being a good person. For having an open heart and the impulsive need to share it, to leave it undefended and unguarded so that worthless men like him could come along and drain every ounce of warmth and love she offered, leaving nothing but a shell behind.

Because that’s all that would be left when this marriage was done, Johnny thought. He’d kill everything that made Nadine who she was, and he didn’t want that. He wanted to protect her from the world, from his family, from himself—

But before he could keep her heart safe, he had to protect her life and make her untouchable. “I don’t want to do this, but they’re already here. They came all this way, and you’re right. Pissing them off is the last thing I need.”

“Then we’ll go inside, get it over, and go home.” She smiled hesitantly. “It’s just dinner, right? No big deal.”

“No big deal,” he echoed. He kissed the palm of the hand he still held, then released it. “We’d better go in.”

No Name Restaurant: Dining Room

Johnny and Nadine arrived late, nearly halfway through the main course. Jason had watched the Zacchara table out of the corner of his eye, noting Anthony’s impatience climbing as the chairs at the table in the center of the room remained empty. Anthony and Claudia had been joined by Trevor and Ric, a fact that hadn’t been communicated to Jason in either conversation about the damn evening.

As soon as Ric had walked into the room, Jason had tensed, and he’d felt Elizabeth’s hand on his thigh again, reminding him that the point of this damn farce was to act like he didn’t notice the Zaccharas at all.

It was nothing more than a sick joke, this whole night. But it was necessary, Jason thought. He knew that. But to be in the same room with a man who had nearly killed Elizabeth the year before, and another man who had locked Carly in a panic room and hurt Elizabeth over and over again—

There had to be a way to exterminate both men from the planet, but until then Jason forced himself to do as Elizabeth had suggested. Focus on her. On just being with her. She liked being out in the open with him, though he’d never understand why.

“You look like you want to murder someone,” Elizabeth said. She slid her chair a bit closer so that they were nearly pressed together.

“I do,” he muttered. He stretched his arm across the back of her chair again. “Not you.”

“I figured. Everyone else?”

“Pretty much.” With his other hand, he scratched his eyebrow. “I’m sorry. You wanted me to think about you.”

“No, I wanted you to focus on me because if you’re looking at me, you’re not thinking of all the ways you could dislocate Ric’s thumb without breaking a sweat,” she said dryly, and now he did look at her with a half smile. “I know the difference between general discomfort and plotting Ric’s demise. I’ve been looking at that face for a few years now.”

“I should have tossed him in the harbor the first time I saw him near you,” he muttered. ” I saw you on the docks, smiling at him, and there was no reason to distrust him then. Except he was near you.”

“Well, then maybe you understand why I tried to slap Courtney so hard her teeth would fall out,” Elizabeth retorted. “I should have yanked her by that straw she called hair.” She wrinkled her nose. “Sorry.”

“We made a couple of mistakes,” he said. She lifted her brows. “More than a few,” he admitted. “But we’re back here, aren’t we?”

“We are.” Elizabeth smiled, her eyes glinting in the candlelight. “And we’re stronger for it. Because I know exactly what I have with you, and I’ll do whatever I have to do to protect it.” She sat back as their main courses plates were cleared away. “Including going over there and standing in front of the man who kidnapped me from a room where I was standing over my dead best friend’s body and then threatened to push me over the edge of a parapet.”

“Elizabeth—”

“Dessert’s being served,” she said, setting her napkin on the table. She leaned over to kiss him lightly. “That’s my cue.”

Jones Apartment: Living Room

Maxie had planned to spend the night forgetting the wrecking ball she’d taken her to life that week — Spinelli had called a few times, but she’d refused the calls, and she’d called out sick from work on Friday, not wanting to look Kate in the face. Not wanting to look anyone in the face after that humiliating breakdown she’d had in the elevator.

To think Maxie had lost her mind with Elizabeth Webber of all people — how absolutely mortifying. Maxie would never be able to show her face again around the hospital or around that woman who would absolutely never let Maxie live it down.

Instead, Maxie had decided to wallow for just a few more days, spending the weekend watching television, snacking on terrible food, and thinking about nothing more than the godawful interior designs on the home makeover shows. She tossed more kernels of popcorn in her mouth, mentally reworking every room.

And then the show changed to a drama, one Maxie never remembered to keep up on, but enjoyed when she could. She liked watching other people screw up their lives. It was much more fun to live in someone else’s misery. She almost forgot her terrible week and the meltdown—

Until a fire broke out on the show, and people were screaming, trying to get out—

Maxie stared down at the popcorn in her hand, her stomach suddenly roiling. It wasn’t the same. Wasn’t the same at all. It hadn’t been a fire that took Georgie. But they’d been trapped on Spoon Island all night, trapped in Wyndemere with a crazy Anthony Zacchara—

And a killer. Diego Alcazar had been there that night. Had he always planned to hurt Georgie? Had he looked at them that night and chosen Emily instead?

It should have been me.

The wrong sister died.

Maxie curled her hand in a tight fist, feeling the greasy popcorn against her skin, the sharp edge of the kernel digging in.

You’re afraid the universe will take him next. You’re picking a battle you know he can’t fight.

…until you forgive yourself for living.

You keep pushing him away, he’ll stay gone.

Maxie looked at the phone, sitting silently on the charger next to her. She could call Spinelli. He’d probably forgive her. He probably already had. He was sweet that way. He knew that she didn’t mean what she’d said, that she wasn’t even angry at him. Not really.

She should call him.

But instead, she left the popcorn bowl on the coffee table, turned off the television, and went to bed.

No Name Restaurant: Dining Room

The entire evening had been miserable, from the irritation in his father’s eyes when he and Nadine had been nearly a half hour late, to the tension radiating from his sister’s uncharacteristically quiet frame. Claudia must have drank at least a bottle of wine on her own. Ric kept pretending he wasn’t looking at the table across the room where Jason was sitting with Elizabeth, his fingers tightening every time Jason leaned closer to Ric’s ex-wife.

Trevor filled the silence with obnoxious stories and terrible, offensive jokes, while Nadine picked at her meal.

Mercifully, Elizabeth finally rose from the table and made her way towards them. Anthony’s bad mood fell away, and he was grinning like a Cheshire cat. Nadine’s eyes were wide when the other woman finally reached them.

“It’s so nice to see a few familiar faces,” Elizabeth said, resting one hand on Johnny’s chair and leaning in to kiss Nadine’s cheek. “Mr. Zacchara, we don’t see you often in Port Charles. Must be a special occasion.”

“It is indeed, Miss Webber,” Anthony said, wiggling his bushy eyebrows. “It’s not easy to travel with this contraption, you know, so I wouldn’t do it for just anyone.”

“Of course, you manage so well, one might completely forget the plunge you took from the parapet at Wyndemere,” Elizabeth said, and her smile had changed slightly, the look in her eye slightly more fierce. “But you’ve risen above the tragedy of the circumstances. It’s a testament to your…willpower, I’m sure.”

“Naturally. I thank you for your kind words, Miss Webber.” Anthony’s smile had also shifted, but it was almost admiring. Johnny knew something had happened with Jason, Elizabeth, and Anthony the night of the ball, and he knew his father was surprised Elizabeth would refer to it. And a little impressed.

“And Nadine, it’s so good to see you. It’s nice to be out of our scrubs, isn’t it?” Elizabeth asked, squeezing Nadine’s hand. “Jason and I wanted to offer our condolences for the loss of your sister. I know you and Jolene weren’t close, but it’s always hard to lose family.”

“Thank you.” Nadine smiled gratefully, a sheen in her eyes. “Thank you.”

“Jason and I are coming to the services on Tuesday. You’re not alone,” Elizabeth told her. She looked at Johnny now. “Nadine’s one of my favorite people, Johnny. You couldn’t have chosen better. I hope you know that.”

And now he read the warning in Elizabeth’s eyes. He’d only met the nurse a handful of times, but he remembered her fierceness that night in the stables. “I do.”

“We’ll have to do something soon. Just the four of us. Jason and I don’t know many couples our age.” Elizabeth looked at the rest of the table, as if thinking of greeting the other three members of their party. Ric straightened, began to smile, but then Elizabeth looked at him, then directly at Anthony. Ric’s smile fell.

“Mr. Zacchara, I hope you’ll let Jason and I pick up the bill for dinner tonight as a belated wedding gift to your son. It would be our pleasure to pay for your family to celebrate Johnny and Nadine. Family is so important. It should be treasured.”

Anthony lifted just one brow. “Of course. I look forward to returning the favor one day, Miss Webber. Perhaps when you and Mr. Morgan decide to make it legal?”

“Oh, don’t worry. Jason and I have wanted to return the favor you did us last year when you gave us that speech about love at Wyndemere. It was…” Elizabeth paused. “Unforgettable. Enjoy the rest of your evening.”

No one will ever see this side reflected
And if there’s something wrong, who would have guessed it?
And I have left alone everything that I own
To make you feel like it’s not too late, it’s never too late
– Never Too Late, Three Days Grace

---

Sunday, November 16, 2008

Morgan Penthouse: Kitchen

“How come Stone Cold never cooked such delicious flaps of jack before the Little Dude and the Sequel came to live with us?” Spinelli demanded, bringing his syrup-stained plate to Jason at the dishwasher.

“Because you’re an adult who can cook for himself, and Jake and Cameron are my sons who can’t use a stove,” Jason said, almost absently. He rinsed the plate and stowed it with the others. “Just be grateful I made extra for you.”

“The Jackal never complains, he only inquires why Stone Cold hid the domestic side of his nature. But perhaps he needed just the right influence to draw it out of him,” Spinelli said, beaming as Elizabeth joined them in the kitchen. “Has the Fair Elizabeth cleansed and renewed to her satisfaction?”

“No trace of syrup anywhere. The boys are in the living room arguing about which cartoon to watch,” Elizabeth told Spinelli.

“Then the Jackal must offer his sage advice. They have the worst taste.”

Jason just rolled his eyes after the tech disappeared. “I think sugar makes him worse,” he said. He frowned. “How is Jake arguing with Cam about what to watch?”

Elizabeth grinned, slid her arms around his waist. “He slams the remote out of Cam’s hand every time Cam stops on a channel he doesn’t want. He’s like his father. Actions, not words.”

“Is that right?” Jason kissed her, careful to keep his sticky hands away from her face or hair. “Don’t you think that’s going to start a fist fight?”

“Sure. That’s why I sent Spinelli in. They always do what he wants. He’s their favorite older brother.”

“Oh, don’t—” Jason winced, then rinsed his hands and switched on the dishwasher. “Don’t call him that.”

“Okay, fine. Favorite uncle.” Elizabeth set the tea kettle on the stove to boil and went searching for her favorite tea in the cabinet. “He’s part of your family, Jason. Whether you like it or not. And you have to admit, he’s amazing with the kids.”

“That’s because they have the same level of maturity—” Jason exhaled slowly. “You’re right. And he’s worked hard for me. I just—” He leaned against the counter. “He’s like a fungus. He annoys you and keeps growing until you look around and can’t imagine him not being there.”

“Accurate.” She set her tea to steep and went to the table to wait. “Plus, he’ll keep the boys occupied long enough for us to talk about the call I just got from Patrick. He and Robin are having Alexis meet with Anna tomorrow. She’s still not ready to completely talk to her mother, but we’re turning everything over.”

“Why are we waiting until Monday?” Jason wanted to know. He poured another cup of coffee. “Why not today?”

“I asked that, and Patrick says the official line is that Robin thought we should wait until we go to dinner tonight in case something happens with the Zaccharas.”

“And unofficially?”

“Robin just wants to let her mother stew a little longer. There’s no hurry, unless you think there should be.”

“No. I mean, whoever did this to Jolene is probably getting impatient, but I still don’t know who it could be. I know Anna is interested in Karpov, but I don’t see how this could be him. Whoever is doing this is going after Johnny, probably to get to his father. But I don’t know why.”

“Well, wouldn’t it be the same reason he wanted to go after you?” Elizabeth asked. She bit her lip. “Unless you don’t want to get into it—”

“No, it’s—” Jason set his coffee aside, debating just how much to tell her. “We have international routes between South America and Canada. He came to me first, and I said no. For a lot of reasons, but mostly because I didn’t want to deal with the Russians. Anthony doesn’t have those routes, so I don’t understand why Karpov would be interested in Johnny.”

“Well, let’s say Anna’s right to suspect Karpov. She’s got connections we don’t. You said Karpov brought that guy to Sonny’s the night before the shooting.” Elizabeth sipped her tea. “He thought you’d be too distracted by me, and Sonny could take back the business and he’d agree to the deal.”

“If you’d…” Jason was quiet for a long moment, listening to the sounds of cartoons from the living room, the maniacal high-pitched giggling of Cameron and Jake mixed with Spinelli’s slightly deeper tones. “If Patrick had been even a little bit later getting you into surgery, you’d be dead. And I’d be no good to anyone. So it could have worked.”

She reached over, covered his hand, using her thumb to stroke over his skin. He was comforted by this reminder that while tragedy had struck that day, it hadn’t been the nightmare Karpov might have envisioned.

“He also didn’t know Sonny would go after Johnny like that in broad daylight,” Elizabeth said softly. “So he’s ruthless but he doesn’t know the players as well. He’d have been better off bringing that shooter to you. Didn’t you say he had the guy tell you it was Johnny?”

“That’s what Sonny told me that morning. Karpov brought the guy to him, the guy delivered the story, and Karpov executed him on the spot. No way to double check, to know the identity, nothing. Sonny was too angry to consider that at the time, but it seemed too convenient that Karpov would be able to produce the shooter, and he’d give up Johnny.”

“He could find the shooter if he hired him in the first place,” Elizabeth said.

“Yeah, maybe. But—” Jason hesitated. “I keep coming back to why Karpov would have Kate shot. He had a clean shot at Sonny, at me, but he went after Kate. If he’d taken me out, Sonny would be back in the business. He’d have no choice. And Sonny would have made the deal.”

“Okay, well, I hate this conversation,” Elizabeth muttered, rubbing her cheek. “Okay, so it sounds like you don’t think Karpov went after Kate.”

“I don’t know for sure, but the more time passes, the more I don’t think so. I don’t know if Karpov heard everything we knew and figured Sonny would come after him, so he was trying to get in front of it. Maybe he was framing Johnny.”

“Everything you knew?”

“Russian shooter. Russian gun and ammunition. But maybe—” He frowned. “It’s hard to know because I wasn’t there, but maybe it was the shooter. And Karpov got to him first, twisted him to use him against Sonny.”

“But if Karpov didn’t go after Kate, Jason, that doesn’t leave anyone except the Zaccharas.”

“No, it doesn’t.” And he’d already made the deal for peace. He grimaced. “It was Anthony. Had to be.”

“But Johnny was there—he had to know Sonny would blame his kid—” Elizabeth closed her mouth. “Did Anthony know you’d been holding Sonny back all year?”

“Ric and Trevor knew, so yeah. And Claudia damn well did.” His fingers curled into a fist. “He had to know I wouldn’t blame Johnny. Not with Lulu there. What did he think would happen—”

“Exactly what did,” Elizabeth said, her eyes somber. “You and Sonny at odds. Not trusting or talking to each other. Karpov here to keep making problems for you.” Her breath was a little shaky. “He wanted to cause chaos. Like he did last year. And he didn’t care what happened to his son.”

“He thought I’d protect Johnny.” Jason’s smile was grim. “And he was right. I left Sonny in lock up, and the only reason I wasn’t there that day was because you were in emergency surgery, and I didn’t give a damn what happened to any of them. That’s not Anthony. That’s Karpov. I had them both coming at me from opposite directions at the same time, not even working together.”

He dragged a hand down his face. “And now I’m taking you to a dinner where you have to walk over to their damn table, smile at them—”

Elizabeth pulled his hand away, waited for him to meet her gaze. “We already knew that something was happening on their side. And you can’t tell me you ever really crossed Anthony off the list.”

“No—”

“You told me that this dinner was about making sure that everyone knows you don’t blame Johnny for what happened to Sonny. And you don’t. It’s not about Anthony.”

“No. No, it’s not.” He sighed. “No, and he has few allies in all of this.” Jason gripped her hand more tightly. “You were right, you know. About letting you in. I don’t like it, I never will. But…”

“You don’t have a lot of people you trust anymore. Who know you and Sonny,” Elizabeth said. She smiled, tipping her head. “I’m not looking to be your consigliere or whatever that Tom guy was in The Godfather, but I’m the one person in the world whose loyalty and trust you will never, ever have to question.”

He tugged on her hand, pulled her into his lap to kiss her lightly. “The Godfather?”

“It’s the one movie I know you’ve seen,” she teased, nipping at his lips. “You’re safe with me,” she murmured, some of the humor fading from her expression. “Always.”

“I know.” He stroked her cheek. “I’m just sorry I fought it for so long. I’m better with you.”

Nadine’s Apartment: Bedroom

Nadine sifted through her closet, looking at her meager collection of semi-formal outfits. There was a dress she’d worn on her one real date with Nikolas, so obviously — no on that. The white dress she’d worn at the Black and White Ball the year before — and one that Anthony Zacchara had tried to murder her in, so that was out—and it was too formal, she thought. Basically a wedding dress.

She shoved the garment bag aside, making a note to donate it. The dry cleaner had restored it to wearable, and some other woman could have better luck in it.

Johnny strode in, the ends of a tie loose around his neck. “We can back out,” he told her, and she looked at him. “If you’re not up to going.”

“They’re driving all the way up here,” Nadine said. She pulled out a green dress — the top layer was a filmy, floating material that gave it an extra sense of formality. She held it against her, checked herself in the mirror over her dresser. “What about this one?”

“You look great in everything,” Johnny said, his mouth pinched. “And if anyone says anything—”

“Johnny.” She sighed and sat on the bed. “Look, we’re in this for at least…another six months. Maybe a year, right? How long before you think the PCPD can’t bring a case against you?”

“At least that long,” he muttered. He whipped the tie from around his neck.

“I don’t want to create problems with your father. You already have enough baggage with him,” Nadine added when Johnny just looked at her. “I don’t want to add to it by refusing to have dinner with him. And don’t act like backing out now would be easy. I didn’t realize you didn’t want to go when your sister brought it up. I’m sorry I agreed.”

“It’s not—” Johnny just shook his head. “Never mind. Never mind. I just—” He rubbed his mouth. “I hate that you’re worrying about what to wear to impress my father like it matters, that’s all. You’ve…you’re going through so much, and I don’t want to make it worse—”

“It’s a relief,” Nadine admitted. She removed the dress from the hanger, laid it out on the bed, then shed the robe she’d put on after her shower, leaving her clad in a plain white bra and panty set. After weeks of sharing such a small space and bed with Johnny, her self-consciousness had faded entirely. She went to her small jewelry box, looking for some gold pieces. “Something else to think about other than the memorial that no one is going to come to.”

“People are going to come—”

“You. Your family. Epiphany. Elizabeth. Probably Jason because he’ll go anywhere Elizabeth asks him to.” Nadine sighed. “I don’t want to keep wallowing in this. Jolene killed people. I married Lulu’s boyfriend a week after she had a breakdown—”

Johnny came behind her, pulled her against him, encircling her shoulders with his arms. She leaned against him, letting the heat from his body slide through her, surprised when there was tingling low in her belly. She bit her lip, then slowly turned in his arms, his hands sliding down her skin to rest at her hips. She rested hers on his chest, looking up at him. “This is going to sound insane.”

His breathing had quickened, and his eyes were darker, the tips of his fingers sliding over the top of her panties. “We’re supposed to leave in twenty minutes.”

“I know.” She smiled ruefully. “Maybe when we get back—” She stepped back to get dressed, but Johnny yanked her back and kissed her hard, fast, and intense, fisting his hand in her hair. Nadine shoved his suit jacket off his shoulders, his free hand twisting the strap of her bra until he could palm her breast in his hand.

“We can be late,” Johnny decided, tossing her on the bed. “They’ll deal with it.”

For the time in a week, Nadine grinned, dragged him down so she could feel the weight of him against her. “We’re supposed to be newlyweds, we have a built-in-excuse.”

Cosmopolitan Hotel: Suite

The hotel wasn’t nearly as luxurious as anything she’d find in Manhattan, Claudia thought, pausing in the foyer area of the suite to check her makeup in the gilded wall mirror, but she’d stayed in worse.

“We’re really going to go to this viewing on Tuesday?” Ric said, sidling up to her side, straightening his tie. “Your father thinks that’s a good idea?”

“Daddy is eager to keep Johnny happy,” Claudia said. She reapplied her lipstick, then tossed it in her clutch. “Plus, he figures Jason Morgan will be there, so why not?”

“Your father thrives on chaos. It doesn’t make you nervous he engineered this whole evening when he tried to kill Jason and Elizabeth last year? Or is likely behind Kate’s shooting?”

Claudia paused, met the lawyer’s eyes in the mirror. “You must be very sure of yourself, Ricky, to be making those kinds of statements out in the open.”

“Your father and Trevor already went down to the lobby which you know. And since you set up the hit that landed Michael Corinthos in a coma, I’m not worried about you.”

A chill slithered down her spine, but she kept her expression in its characteristic smirk. “Like I said, very sure of yourself.” She raised an eyebrow. “If you think I’m the reason your nephew is a vegetable, then why not tell Jason? Oh, right. Because he hates the sight of you. Didn’t you do something terrible to Carly once upon a time?”

“You’d think it was about Carly, wouldn’t you? But I’ve always known Jason’s hatred is rooted in something much more…personal. Visceral. I managed to get Elizabeth to the altar before he did.”

“But couldn’t keep her, could you, Ricky?” She turned and patted his cheek. “She’s not a fond, loving ex-wife, is she? Neither of them is. Daddy must have loved sending you to Port Charles as the messenger. Jason couldn’t lay a hand on you—”

“I have no doubt that in the event I’m murdered, the last face I’ll ever see is his,” Ric said dryly. “But enough of my checkered past, Claudia. My crimes are well known. Yours? Not so much.”

Claudia lifted her brows. “All I hear are words. Not a single ounce of proof.”

Ric laughed, long and rich, making her clench her jaw. “Oh, and Anthony Zacchara is going to require evidence? You think Jason will? No, it would just be confirmation of what they both probably suspect, and you know that. You live because Jason, while capable of violence, likely thinks there’s been enough blood shed in this war between your families. But he could always change his mind.”

“Is there a point to this little tête-à-tête?” Claudia asked, tightly. “Or are you just having fun?”

“I’m enjoying myself, to be sure, but I thought you might want to know that your deep, dark secret — the one you’re protecting so hard? Everyone already knows. And one day, it’s going to be worthwhile to use it. If I were you, I’d make sure I’m the one pulling the strings, not waiting for the ceiling to crash down. Since you’re the reason Johnny’s looking for protection in the first place.”

Her smile faded entirely. “You don’t know what you’re talking about. I love my brother—”

“Sure. So did I.” Ric strode to the door, opened it. “Shall we meet the others, or do you want to keep having this conversation?”

“I love my brother,” Claudia repeated through clenched teeth. “And I will do anything to protect him—”

“Sure,” Ric repeated with that infuriating smile. “And I’m sure Johnny appreciates your efforts.”

She hissed, then stalked past him. Little bastard didn’t know what the hell he was talking about.

Morgan Penthouse: Living Room

Audrey beamed when Elizabeth and Jason came down the stairs. “Oh, don’t the two of you look so nice!” She lifted Jake in her arms. “Jake, doesn’t Mommy look pretty?”

“Pretty Mommy,” Jake echoed with his slow, sweet smile so like his father’s. Elizabeth laughed, then took her son from her grandmother, cuddling him.

“Thanks for coming tonight,” Jason said to Audrey. “We really appreciate it—”

“As soon as Elizabeth told me you were taking her out to dinner, I couldn’t say no. She doesn’t get to put on a pretty dress enough,” Audrey said. She went over to the shelf where Elizabeth kept a digital camera to take photos of the boys. “I think we need one to add to the album—”

“Gram—” Elizabeth’s cheeks heated, and she looked at Jason with a little mortification. “It’s just dinner—” She set Jake on his feet, and the toddler made a beeline towards his older brother, playing with his Legos.

“I know, but it’s my job to embarrass you,” Audrey said, lifting her chin. “Now—in front of the fireplace, I should think—”

“I am so sorry about this,” Elizabeth told Jason when he just laughed and pulled her across the room to stand in front of the unlit fireplace. “I don’t know what’s wrong with her.”

“But you look beautiful,” Jason told her, pitching his voice low so that only she could hear him. He adjusted the thick strap of the lavender floral print dress she’d chosen for that night, with its sweetheart neckline, and full skirt that ended just above her knees. “This reminds me of the dress you were wearing at Vista Point.”

“You—” Her eyes widened. “You remember what I was wearing?” The night he’d kissed her so senseless she’d had to sit down and try to remember her own name. She brushed his suit jacket, the flush in her cheeks deepening.

“The straps were thinner, but yeah, I remember. It was the last time—” Some of his good mood faded. It was the last time he’d kissed her until that night in his penthouse. Almost exactly four years later.

“No regrets,” she murmured, resting a hand on the crisp black shirt beneath his suit jacket. Their eyes met, held. He’d left off the tie at her request. In fact, she’d chosen the suit he’d been wearing the night he’d carried her up to his room and they’d been interrupted by Carly. She knew he’d be distracted and tense after the meeting, and she had a plan to take his mind off things.

But she’d never dreamed he’d bring up that night at Vista Point.

The flash of the camera startled them both, and they looked at Audrey who’d taken a photo without their knowledge. “Gram!”

“Now this time, let’s try looking at me, and smiling.”

Jacks House: Kitchen

“Oh, good, pizza.” Carly kissed her mother on the cheek, then went to take plates down from the cabinet. “I should really hire a chef or something. This kitchen is too nice to only be used for the microwave and toaster oven.”

Bobbie smiled, rubbed Carly’s back as she passed her on the way to the fridge. “Where’s Morgan?”

“Watching some new Disney movie. His current favorite one, so we’re good for maybe thirty minutes before I should check on him. He never takes his eyes off it.” Carly sat at the island. “Mama, do you think I’m a good person?”

Bobbie set the bottle of iced tea on the counter. “That depends on your definition.”

“I bet you wouldn’t ask for a definition if Elizabeth or Robin asked you.”  Her mother sighed, and Carly made a face. “I’m right, aren’t I? You’d say yes without thinking if it were them.”

“I would. But they’d never ask me, and I think if you have to ask, well, maybe you already suspect the answer.” Bobbie poured two glasses of tea, set one in front of her daughter, and sat on the other side of the island. “What are we really talking about?”

Carly sighed, rotated the glass halfway to the left, then to the right. “The day we transferred Sonny to Silver Water, Robin showed up to say goodbye. And I…was annoyed. Because she hasn’t been around in years, but she wants to come in like the perfect angel in the end—”

“She and Sonny were close for a long time, Carly. It doesn’t take anything from you to let that be true.” Bobbie tipped her head. “But you also mentioned Elizabeth, so this is about Jason.”

“Jason hated Robin after what happened. He was so angry, and I felt so vindicated that he’d finally seen what I always had — but he was nice to her. And mad at me when I said something bitchy like she didn’t matter. We had a fight because there’s no way I will ever forgive that bitch for what she did.”

Carly looked away from her mother’s gaze, seeing the same exasperation she’d seen in Jason’s. “Robin came out from talking to Sonny, and she and Jason were just so—God, so nice to each other. And he was smiling at her, like she hadn’t come through our lives like a wrecking ball—and Elizabeth, she pisses me off because she knew why I was really mad — because all of this — me and Sonny and Michael — it can be traced back to Robin blowing things up with Michael and ruining any chance Jason and I ever had—”

“Is that really bothering you right now? Not being with Jason?” Bobbie wanted to know. “I thought you’d put that away—”

“I did, too. And I have. Mostly. But Elizabeth came over yesterday, and I was just angry with her all over again because she and Jason—Jason talks to her. He never talks to me. I never know what’s going on unless Jason has no choice. But she gets to be in the inner circle. And I’m watching them — and Jason—he’s so happy, Mama. Even with all the sadness around him — he makes time for those boys, and he’s making time for Elizabeth and I’m jealous—”

She took a long, slow breath. “I’m so jealous I can’t see straight. Because all I ever do is sabotage my life. I slept with Sonny and destroyed Jax’s trust in me. And when he tried to reach out to patch things up, I slapped his hand away. I love him. Why did I do that? Why do I care that Elizabeth is the one that makes Jason happy? Or that she’s given him a son? He deserves that, doesn’t he? If I’m really his friend, then wouldn’t that be all that matters?”

She picked at one of her nails, left jagged from nervous biting. “But I’m not his friend. Not really. He can’t rely on me. Can’t trust me or count on me. The one thing he’s ever let me do is watch the kids because, well, sure I can screw that up, but I have a nanny, so it probably won’t be that bad, right? Do you know how much it hurts to know he doesn’t trust me? That I’m not as important to him as he is to me?”

“Do you want to be with Jason?” Bobbie asked gently. Carly looked at her mother. “Is that what this is all about? Watching Jason settle down with someone he’s loved for a long time. With children of his own. A family that doesn’t have you at the center the way Sonny’s did. That must be hard if somehow, deep down, you always thought he’d come back to you.”

“I don’t—” Carly exhaled slowly. “Maybe I did. Did I ever tell you how the lie about Jake got started?” She smiled faintly at her mother. “Me. I hovered around Elizabeth, waiting for those results. She got them, read them, and kept doing her job. And I assumed if she wasn’t rushing to tell Jason, that it must be Lucky’s. And she wouldn’t tell me—and I figured, oh, of course she’d tell me. She’d have lorded it over me that she was giving Jason a child—”

“Oh, Carly—” Bobbie closed her eyes.

“That’s right. I rushed over to Jason because I wanted to give him the good news, and, God, he looked devastated. He’d wanted it so much and I took it away from him. I don’t know what he said to Elizabeth when she got there, but he told me he said something stupid and made Elizabeth think he didn’t want the baby, so she didn’t correct him. Do you know why I leapt to that conclusion?”

“Because it’s everything you would have done if you’d been pregnant with Jason’s child,” Bobbie said.

“That’s right. I would have shouted it from the mountaintops.” Carly smiled thinly. “And Elizabeth didn’t play the part I wrote for her, so I got that ball rolling. I know they picked it up and ran with it, but I started it. Because I couldn’t stand that Elizabeth of all people might get what I wanted. Because you’re right, Mama. There’s a piece of me that’s always expected Jason, and I to circle back around to each other. Because I thought we loved each other so much that he’d have to admit he still did. But he doesn’t love me, does he?”

“No. And he didn’t back then, Carly. You know that, don’t you? It was about Michael for him. He cared about you, but it was always about that little boy. I doubt he knew that, but I could see it. Because I knew he was falling in love with Elizabeth that winter. Which is why you can’t stand her. Jason chose Robin instead of you, and then he fell in love with Elizabeth when it was supposed to be you. And you’ve never let either one of them forget it.”