"Mr. Quartermaine."

"Now listen to me young man, I pay your firm a tremendous amount of money. I would expect that I get some valuable information for it. Turning tail and taking a plea bargain is not what I expect."

Ric sighed. The senior partners had told him to anticipate something like this. The Quartermaines were a rock solid but troublesome clients.

"Then perhaps I should speak to the partners about getting you other representation. Because there are very limited legal options that I can see." Ric knew the was treading on thin ice. He could be fired for not appeasing the Quartermaines but he also knew that there was virtually no chance of winning this case, unless he was prepared to viciously slander Alexis Davis and Jason Morgan. Once that tact was taken Ric knew he was opening the gates for numerous accusations against AJ Quartermaine. Probably only a fraction of what was listed in AJ’s thick file with the firm.

"Father, I think we need to consider this."

Ric was about to stand to leave when he felt a hand on his arm. Monica Quartermaine who had been quiet through the exchanges spoke softly.

"I want to hear more about Mr. Lansing’s solution. If you and your father want to fight, take it into the garden."

There was quiet for a moment as the older men regarded each other uneasily. Ric waited a moment and took out his legal pad.

Skye shifted nervously in the waiting area. She’d tried to keep calm through the search of her purse and the padding down but she desperately wanted a drink. Now she was waiting for them to bring in AJ. She stood when the door opened and almost immediately had to sit back down. AJ was bruised and battered. He was barely recognizable, until he flashed her weak grin. Skye stood again and made her way in front of the glass partition and sat down on the stool. She waited for AJ to pick up the phone on the other side of the glass before reaching for the one on her side.

"What happened? Did Jason do this?"

"You can’t see what Jason did because of the damage Cornithos’ goons did." AJ coughed a little.

"You need to tell Taggart and Commissioner Scorpio."

"It’s been reported but I get the feeling nobody cares."

"I assume you’ve told your lawyer."

"I will when I see him. I had a public defender initially until Grandfather swept in."

"This could be one time when him being an overbearing interloper could be a good thing."

"Yeah."

"AJ, did you?" Skye knew she shouldn’t ask this. That there was a good chance that the police were listening to this conversation and she had no desire to hear her voice on tape played back as she squirmed on the witness stand.

"I was drunk." AJ said the words flatly as if they could excuse his behavior. Skye stared at her half brother carefully.

"AJ."

"I just wanted to talk to her. But I was angry. I wanted to someone hurt as much as I did at that moment."

Skye nearly dropped the phone. The words of her fight with Jax came back. She had assumed the worst about Alexis and the best about AJ but now. . .

Kristina hit the unlock button on the key chain. Zander moved to the back putting Alexis’ suitcase in the backseat. She was about to retrieve her CDS and player back from Benny when a voice from behind her made her jump.

"You can’t trust them."

Ned was standing behind her dressed in what she’d dubbed his "Quartermaine Camouflage" a dark suit with power tie.

"Alexis seems to trust them so why shouldn’t I?"

"If Alexis hadn’t been involved with Sonny Cornithos this would have never happened."

Kristina felt her face flame. "How dare you? A Quartermaine hurts my sister and you want to blame Sonny and Alexis. Where is your sense of personal responsibility or familial responsibility? Instead of whining about how Alexis always gets hurt by her allegiance to Sonny, why don’t you realize that the only reason that AJ didn’t more of a chance to hurt her was because Jason stopped him. It’s Jason that’s stood up for my sister and is helping her. " Kristina knew she was a red as her hair but she was beyond angry.

"Kristina, I want the chance to help you and Alexis. I love. . ."

"Don’t even use those words with me. About me or Alexis. Or is this just another case where you have us confused?" She didn’t give him a chance to respond. "Alexis is hurting. And if you really cared about that I might think differently about you, but even Jax had the good sense not to mention Sonny."

"Kristina." Ned made the mistake of grabbing her upper arm. Before he could completely close his grip Zander had made his way around the car and wrapped his own hand around Ned’s wrist.

"I think you better let the lady go."

"So you can take advantage of her too? I mean I can understand her being snowed by Jason and Sonny. They are master manipulators. But to fall for what ever sob story you’re peddling."

"Obviously you don’t care that I am standing right here." Kristina said disgustedly. She managed to shake Ned’s grip with Zander’s help. Turning back to the car she put her own bag in the back.

"I’m not finished." Ned made the mistake of grabbing her again but the grip was brief.

When she looked back she saw Ned on the ground rubbing his jaw. Zander’s fist was clenched against his side. Kristina looked to the side and saw Benny holding her cd case and boombox in one hand. The other was covering his mouth. At her glance he brought the boombox and the cd case over and tucked them behind the driver’s side seat.

"Get her out of here, Kid." Zander nodded in response but didn’t move. Kristina stepped closer to him.

"Zander," her hand slid down his arm and over his hand, forcing him to unclench his fist. Her fingers threaded through his and finally Zander looked at her.

"You ready?"

"Yeah."

"Kristina." Ned said her name softly. He was still sitting on the floor of the parking garage. Holding his jaw, Kristina could only think of the word pitiful to describe him. She said nothing as she climbed into the driver seat and watched as Zander closed the car door. He walked around the car and got in. It took a moment before she was able to pull out of the parking garage, but she gave Benny a small wave as she did.

"I suggest you leave the ladies alone." Benny watched as Ashton got up from the floor of the parking garage and attempted to dust himself off. "Course being a scatterbrained Quartermaine you won’t listen to me." Benny got into this Cadillac and motioned to the driver of the moving van to follow him.

"I want to see Alexis." Sonny repeated his earlier words

"She’s not ready to see you."

"Jason." Sonny spoke as he moved towards the door expecting the other man to yield but Jason stood in front of the door arms crossed over his chest.

"I told you it was her call. I asked her if she was ready to see you or to talk to you. She said no."

"She doesn’t. . ."

"She knows exactly what she can or can’t handle right now. She can’t handle seeing you."

Sonny looked angry and tired. Jason truly felt sympathy for the older man but it wasn’t enough to sway him from what Alexis wanted. Sonny moved closer to the door and Jason braced himself against the door frame.

"I just want. . . ."

Jason waited a moment. And Sonny looked like he was going to stop speaking but he began again.

"I want it to be six weeks ago. I want her never to have been hurt. I want Carly to be able to walk. I want my life back. I want to be the man I was with Alexis again."

"But you can’t." Jason’s words were cold. Sonny wasn’t sure if they were intentionally so or just felt that way.

"Made my bed now I have to lie in it? I get enough of that from Benny. Didn’t think I’d hear it from you."

"You made what you thought were the best choices. But you did chose. Alexis is hurt now and she can’t let herself see you. You told me to make sure nothing ever happens to her again. Right now I can’t let you happen to her."

"I just want. . ."

"You can’t have what you want now."

Sonny looked startled then angry.

"Go home Sonny."

"I don’t want to go home. " Sonny was almost yelling now. "I don’t have a home." His eyes took on a desperate sheen that Jason didn’t recognize. "When I first touched Alexis. I thought. . . I wanted her to be." Sonny slumped against the wall. "I keep seeing her in the hospital and all I could think was that this was my fault. She suffers for me. I just need to see her to make sure."

"And Alexis has to send you away again. She has to look at you and tell you that she doesn’t want to see you. She tears herself up once again just so you can get what you want. You asked me to protect her Sonny. That means even from you."

"Listen to the kid." Jason and Sonny both looked down the hall. Benny stood in the door to the elevator a shocked looking Zander and Kristina behind him. "It would be embarrassing to have Max drag you out of here." Max stepped out from where ever he had disappeared too. He looked a little confused confronted with possible conflicting orders from Benny, Sonny, and Jason. Sonny moved away from the wall. His whole posture spoke of defeat and depression. He looked at Jason for a moment.

"You will take care of her?"

Jason nodded.

Sonny turned and moved past the trio. He did not look back until he got into the elevator.

The hallway was silent until the doors closed. Benny produced a card key and opened the suite door directly opposite the one Alexis and Kristina were occupying.

"Why don’t we get the office stuff set up in here." Kristina and Zander nodded and moved into the other hotel room.

"These doors aren’t that thick. You might want to check on her." Benny said pointedly.

Jason turned and opened the other door. He took one step inside and found Alexis standing just inside the room. She was shaking. Jason opened his arms and she stepped into his embrace.

"Look I know Ms. Davis is here. I would like to speak to her." The wall of muscle in front of the door barely shifted his eyes.

"Ms. Davis isn’t having any visitors. Especially anyone working for the Quartermaines." The man’s voice was a bass rumble that reminded Ric of a growl.

"Just a moment of her time then I’ll be gone." Ric knew he was pushing his luck. He was probably just a few seconds away from being picked up by his coat and thrown out, but he needed to see Alexis. If she would agree to the plea bargain then there would be no way for the DA to refuse and he could get away from this nightmare of a case. After a few days he was already burned out on Quartermaines. . The constant bickering between Alan and Edward. AJ’s reluctance to even speak about the incident let alone participate in his defense. It all added up to endless hours of frustration for the young attorney who could feel any opportunity to impress anyone with his skills slipping away. Deciding to a take a risk he squared his shoulders and dropped his tone to his official court voice.

"I can make court proceedings very difficult for Ms. Davis. You don’t want her to have to go through the that, if she speaks to me now it could spare her a lot of pain in court." He could see the big man slump a little as he mulled over what Ric was saying. It was obvious the thought of anything causing Alexis pain was an issue. If he just could make the goon believe. Before he could open his mouth again to speak about more possible difficulties for Alexis, Ric felt himself being turned and shoved hard against the wall. It too him a moment to recover but when he opened his eyes he found himself dangling about 3 inches off the ground and staring into intensely angry blue eyes.

"I’m sorry Boss." The goon was now standing behind the man holding him up against the wall.

"Can’t trust Quartermaines or their lawyers, Max."

Ric tried to protest but the grip on his throat prevented him from making anything but the most guttural of noises.

Suddenly the door of the suite opened and Alexis stepped out. Jason’s grip slipped a little but he still held the other man against the wall, however all of his attention was focused on Alexis. She looked better. She wore a Harvard sweatshirt and a pair of faded jeans. Her bruises were still ugly. The had begun to yellow and green as they healed but the colors were fading.

"Jason." Her voice was calm but her expression was concerned.

"AJ’s lawyer." He motioned with his head to the man pinned to the wall.

"You can let him down." There was no plea or even concern for Ric in her voice. "He might try to file charges for assault."

Jason let Ric down and moved quickly to the door next to Alexis.

Ric tried clearing his throat but then spoke trying to catch Alexis before she and Jason disappeared back into the hotel suite.

"Ms. Davis. . . Ms. Davis, I’m. . ."

"You’re Richard Lansing, you’re an associate with Sloane, Madison, and Henry. You’re representing AJ Quartermaine and you can make things very difficult for me in court." Her tone was soft and Ric felt strangely menaced by it. She then rapped gently on the door of the suite, "It’s a pretty good door but I could hear most of what you told Max." Looking at Jason and then back over his shoulder at the very stern looking bodyguard who was blocking his way to the elevator, Ric wondered if he hadn’t made a mistake.

"I think you should leave. " Jason Morgan’s voice was cold but Ric couldn’t help but notice the way the other man positioned himself protectively next to Alexis.

"I really just wanted to talk to Ms. Davis for a moment. I think I can save all of us a lot of time in court and possibly a lot of pain."

"You want a plea bargain for AJ. You think if you have my cooperation the DA will be more willing to listen to you." Alexis crossed her arms over her chest and sighed.

"Basically, but. . . "

"Mr. Lansing, I assume you prepared an outline of the plea agreement."

"Yes, but. . ."

"I’d like to see it."

Ric felt like a child fumbling for homework in front of a stern teacher as he flipped through his briefcase. He offered the typed sheet but it was Jason not Alexis who took it from his hand.

"Your card also." Alexis took the paper from Jason but made no attempt to read it. Jason took his card.

"I will look this over and let you know." She made it sound simple like this was a regular negotiation between lawyers. Without saying anything else she gave a look to Jason and then stepped back into the hotel suite. After the door had closed, Morgan stepped closer to Ric. His voice soft but emphatic, "You do not come here unless she calls. You do not try to reach her unless she calls you first. You do nothing to pressure her to make any kind of decision. If you or anyone else from the Quartermaines shows up her without her okay. . . " There was nothing else, but the threat was implicit. It was also reinforced by the iron grip of the bodyguard around Ric’s upper arm as he was half dragged half escorted to the elevator. He was shoved into the car and there was a very angry look from both the bodyguard as the door closed.

Alexis held the carefully typed proposal in shaky hands. The words were familiar, defendant, alleged, assault, she had seen them in legal briefs, summons, warrants, and writs before, but they had never applied to her. Part of her mind was somewhat impressed with Lansing’s aplomb in seeking her out and the cleverness of the plea. Other than that she was furiously angry. Her hands clenched in the paper and she wanted to scream, but she didn’t. Instead there was a strangled cry and her arm sweeping out and clearing the small coffee table in front of the couch of papers and a small metal candy dish. Alexis curled in on herself and tried not to cry. She barely heard the opening and closing of the door but she felt Jason’s now familiar touch on her shoulder and then on her jaw forcing her to look up at him.

"You’re allowed to be angry. There’s lots of things in this place that you’re more than welcome to break, repair bill on me." The words were said in his usual expressionless tone, but Alexis could see a glint in his eye and could not help but smiling. But she also leaned forward and allowed herself to be wrapped up in Jason’s arms. For a moment she wondered if she was abusing what had previously been a relationship that barely straddled the line of acquaintance and business but Jason did not seem to mind her occasional crying jags or need for just his physical presence. She knew that Jason, along with Kristina and Zander had made a conscious effort to stay close to her and she was grateful. For a moment she rested against Jason imagining she could soak up the quiet strength that seemed to radiate from him.

Pulling back she wiped her eyes, a gesture that had become annoyingly familiar. Jason’s thumb brushed across her cheek catching some stray tear that she had missed.

"I’m sorry he got this close."

"I really am surprised we haven’t had more visitors." With this exception she had been able to avoid the press any other unwelcomes.

"Lansing shouldn’t have been able to slip through."

"Max is human."

"Max and the five guards in the lobby aren’t paid to be human."

Alexis looked startled, she had been unaware of the force deployed to protect her. Jason moved from his crouched position in front of her to next her on the couch.

"I think the problem is that the hotel is too open. Too many people coming and going. Have you thought about the houses?"

The stack of brochures rested next to her bedside. She had found herself looking through them almost everyday, but she couldn’t ask that of him. She had considered contacting the realtor herself but something about that seemed wrong.

"Jason, I can’t. . . "

Jason stood up and moved through the suite he went into the room that had become his and brought back copies of the brochures. He fanned them out on the now cleaned off top of the coffee table.

"Which one?"

"Jason, you didn’t sign up to be personally responsibly for me. We can stay here for a while until things die down and then we. . . " Alexis stopped. She had no desire to go back to the penthouse. Her only other option was Wyndamere. She shivered at the thought of spending her pregnancy in the "Temple of gloom and doom," as Luke Spencer had called it once. She could find another place for her, Kristina, and the baby. Jason didn’t have to take care of them.

"Which one?" Jason spoke again motioning to the houses. Alexis’ tried not to react but she had held a certain soft spot of the one with the wraparound porch. It reminded her of houses she had seen on Cape Cod and Martha’s Vineyard. Houses that had held happy looking families. Jason had inherited Sonny’s business both legitimate and illegitimate. He shouldn’t have to be saddled with Sonny’s pregnant former lover and her coping with an attack. Alexis winced, it hurt to think of herself in those terms but she had to be realistic.

"Alexis, if you don’t pick I will." Jason’s voice was soft and Alexis was surprised.

"You don’t have to. . ." She was about to protest again but Jason interrupted.

"Alexis," The way he said her name was filled with things she would have thought she would have never heard in Jason’s voice. Concern, sympathy, and the need to take care of her. Normally she reacted to such emotions and attitudes with fear, but Jason didn’t inspire those things in her.

"I need to check with Kristina and Zander, but this one." She reached for the brochure of the house with wraparound porch.

Jason stared out the window. The was just a spec of the harbor visible from the windows of the penthouse. Alexis had retreated to her room in the suite. He wasn’t surprised. Lansing had made her uncomfortable. The ideas of the possible trial and plea bargain had been a lot for her to deal with. He looked down at the brochure that he still held in his hands. He was glad she had finally agreed to move to the house. He had not wanted to push her but he truly didn’t think the hotel was the best place. The sense of transience in the hotel wasn’t what she needed. Pulling his cell from his pocket, he hit the speed dial for Benny.

"Yes?"

"She chose the one with the porch. I want to be able to move in a couple of days."

"Consider it done, but we need to talk."

"Problems?"

"Could be, there are some noises being made by certain factions."

"About what?"

"Alexis strangely enough."

"Kristina and Zander will be back around six. I don’t want to leave her alone. We’ve had Quartermaine visitors."

"Real family or hired help."

"Hired help, a lawyer named Lansing."

Jason could hear Benny jotting notes down.

"Did you get the firm?’

Jason paused remembering Alexis’ voice, "Sloane, Madison, and Henry."

Benny let out a low whistle, "They ain’t cheap. Did she talk to him?"

"A little. He wants a plea bargain."

"I bet he does. How’s she holding up?"

"Trying not to show how much it rattled her."

"Sounds like Alexis. She okay physically?"

"The bruises are starting to heal. I think the rest of it’s going to take a lot longer."

"Any more from Sonny?"

"He hasn’t called but he’s been around."

"How so?"

"The men see him almost every day in the lobby."

Sonny sat in the lobby of the hotel. He’d come here for the past three days. Ever since Jason had turned him away from Alexis. He came usually during Michael’s lunch and nap. He would sit in the lobby and wait watching the elevators and lobby for any sign of Alexis. He had seen Kristina and Zander coming and going and felt foolish ducking behind the newsstand and floral displays to avoid them. He knew that the his men in the lobby had made him on the first day and had probably reported his presence to Jason. He’d seen Jason just twice, but he’d managed to escape the younger man’s attention. But he had not seen Alexis. Leaning forward he put his face in his hands.

These hours surrounded by people, floors away from Alexis were the only calm in his life. Carly had been demanding and angry, thinking him unappreciative of her progress. Secretly he prayed for it. For her healing so that he could relieve his own guilt and he could return to Alexis. If she would even consider allowing him back into her life. The image of Alexis crying and begging him to leave had not left his mind since that night in the hospital nor had the image of Jason comforting Alexis. These few hours that he could escape the house and just sit close to Alexis. He waited for almost an hour until his cell phone rang. Carly’s home number appeared on the display screen. He got up and began to walk out of the hotel before he answered the phone.

Jason flipped through pages checking for the sign here tabs that Alexis was so fond of. He was finally getting around to signing the documentation that would switch control of Sonny’s empire to him. Jason had been reluctant to let Alexis even think about work but she had convinced him that she was tired of moping. As he signed the last page of the document he wondered how she would feel now after Lansing’s visit reminded her that the law was not always kind or the refuge she thought it might be. He folded the blue backed contract and set it on the table placing the candy dish on top of it. He’d show it to Alexis later. He wondered about Benny’s comment about other factions being concerned about Alexis.

Alexis sat on the bed in her room of the suite. The throw that Jason had covered her with the first day they had been there wrapped around her. She knew that some how the hotel throw would accompany them to the new house. She listened for the sounds of Jason in the other room. There were not many. Jason by his very nature seemed to be silent. But there were occasional sounds. As he moved on the couch or got up and walked to the kitchen. The sound of water and the clink of glass. She traced his steps from the kitchen back to the couch and then the rustle of paper. Alexis knew that she could get up and go into the living room and sit with him quietly. Jason would not mind her presence but she felt like it was an imposition. Jason had seldom left the suite. Getting up she walked to the door and opened it slowly. She could see him down the short hallway. What ever paper had been rustling was no longer in his hands instead he just sat sentinel like. Carefully, she closed the door again moved back onto the bed. It was reassuring to see him there. A tiny smile crept over Alexis’ lips. Jason and the hotel throw seemed to offer an absurd bit of comfort. Alexis stretched out on the bed and allowed her eyes to close.

Kristina put her hands on the desk and gave a sigh. Writing a resignation letter for a job that wasn’t really a job was harder than the thought it would be.

"Just write. . .. " Zander was about to offer another inappropriate suggestion before Kristina shot him a dirty look. A look that was softened by her smile.

"I don’t think, "take this job and shove it," "cram it you Quartermaine pig," or any of your other suggestions have been acceptable."

"I am not sure why you’re even writing a resignation letter. Are you going to put this on a resume?"

Kristina sighed. "Not sure, I doubt I would get a glowing recommendation."

"How about it’s been real, it’s been fun, but it hasn’t been real fun sound."

She was about to reply when the door of the gatehouse opened. Ned at first smiled to see her sitting behind the desk and then his eyes moved to Zander sprawled in the arm chair. Ned’s expression became grim.

"What’s he doing here?"

"Good to see you to Ned, by the way Alexis is fine, and no she hasn’t mentioned you once." Zander spoke as he stood.

"Kristina."

"Ned,"

"Not that I am not happy to see you but can I ask what you’re doing here, with him."

"Um, Ned, I’ve come to conclusion that it would probably be best if I resign my position with L&B."

Ned stood stone silent then spoke his voice low and rough. "I would prefer not to do this in front of him." He motioned to Zander.

Kristina looked at Zander and nodded her head, though Zander seemed reluctant to leave. "I’ll just be outside the door."

"You don’t have to quit." Ned spoke once the door was shut.

"I think it’s for the best. I need to be with Alexis and. . . I just don’t think I can work closely with you right now."

"I know I’ve made an ass of myself lately. I overreacted in the hospital and in the parking garage, but I was. . ."

"You were upset about Alexis, we all were Ned but I also know that you said some things that you meant. You don’t trust Jason or Zander but right now Alexis needs them both. She needs their protection and their friendship. And they have Alexis’ trust.

"And yours."

"Yes."

"What about us?"

"Ned, I think it would be best." Before she could finish her words he stepped closer and pressed his mouth to hers. The kiss was quick and Kristina pulled back.

"I just didn’t want to hear you say it." Ned brushed his hand over her hair.

"I need to go."

"I’d like to talk to you again, when you think you’re ready."

"I don’t think things are going to change."

"They might."

Kristina shrugged her shoulders and grabbed her bag off the desk. Ned offered to take it but again she shook her head. He held the door open for her and found an anxious looking Zander pacing in front of the gatehouse. It did not pass his notice that Zander offered to take her bag stuffed with the numerous hair scrunchies, clothes and things that just seemed to mean Kristina that had been left at the gate house, and that Kristina allowed him to take the bag.

Zander didn’t wait well. He’d never had. Now being on the other side of the door while Kristina and Ned hashed out what might be the end or the beginning of their relationship he was growing more and more impatient. He didn’t want Ned around. He didn’t like Ned. He never really had, but if Ned was part of Kristina’s life he would be part of Alexis’. Zander wasn’t sure the Quartermaine was particularly good for either of them and there would certainly be conflicts with Jason. Alexis didn’t need that kind of pressure around her and Zander didn’t really want to think about Ned touching Kristina. Backing up his thoughts, Zander almost banged his head against the stone facade of the gate house. He liked Kristina, probably more than he should and in ways that he shouldn’t. They had only been around each other a few days but it was there, that connection. He couldn’t help but be pleased when Kristina stepped out of the gatehouse carrying her bag with Ned behind her both literally and figuratively. He shouldered the bag easily and resisted the urge to take Kristina’s hand

Jason was in the kitchen when Alexis came out of the bedroom. She was flushed with sleep and her hair was only partially held up by her ponytail.

"I usually don’t take naps."

"I think you’re allowed."

She stepped past him into the narrow galley kitchen. She had brief urge to make coffee but she resisted. Nine months of this could prove harder than she thought. Each day the thought of the baby became more and more real to her. She knew that she would have to begin regular doctor’s visits and begin to prepare herself for the birth of her child.

Opening the refrigerator, she pulled out a small bottle of juice.

"I need to go see Benny tonight."

She tried not to let her hands shake.

"Kristina and Zander should be back soon. I won’t be gone long."

Alexis nodded and tried to smile but any reply was cut off by the sound of the door and the bustling of Kristina and Zander.

Jax picked up the last bag. His other things had been moved to another suite. He could no longer share this one with Skye. Their division over AJ’s attack on Alexis had revealed more divisions than he had been aware of and many of them too hard to overcome.

"You don’t have to move out." It was her last plea. She had cried and begged, threatened and screamed but eventually knew she had no chance. She had been damned from almost the first moment that she had questioned what had happened with Alexis and chosen to side with AJ. Jax said nothing but shouldered his bag. He had arranged for the suite to be paid for through the end of the year. Skye could come and go as she pleased. He didn’t want the blame for being the one that forced her back to the Quartermaines.

"Goodbye Skye."

"We just need time Jax."

Jason stepped out of the suite prepared to go downstairs and meet Benny, however the older man was already standing in the hallway out of the site line of the suite door.

"You need to see this but I didn’t want Alexis or anyone else too."

Benny motioned to the fourth suite which had been used as miscellaneous storage and occasional overnight accommodations for the guards. Jason was surprised to see a large floral arrangement. Bright white lilies were complemented by roses of pale pink and lavender. Jason was no expert but he knew that there were several hundred dollars worth of flowers packed into that arrangement.

"These arrived today with this." Benny palmed him the note.

Jason opened it prepared for pleas from Sonny. But instead the note was three lines and a signature.

"A woman should always be safe when she is under a man’s protection. My deepest sympathy and regret over what has happened to you. If you should need anything please contact me immediately." The signature was Anthony Tagelleti.

The note was crumpled in Jason’s hand.

"You see the problem." Benny spoke softly.

"Have one of the guards get rid of it. If another one is delivered have it refused."

"This is step one you know. Alexis is considered a valuable property."

"She’s a person."

"I know that and you know that but you know how she’s seen on the street. Brains with a great set of legs. Without Sonny around she’s up for grabs and she’s been hurt. They think she might be looking for a new safe haven."

Jason sighed. He knew this was coming. Alexis was part of Sonny’s territory and like the rest of it, she would have to be defended and his claim expressly made. Sonny had done it subtly. Alexis’ penthouse across from his own. Being her only client. Jason knew that moving with Alexis to the house was a statement that could not be ignored by the others. He didn’t want to think what might happen if Alexis’ pregnancy became known.

"Set a meeting with Tagelleti. We need to come to an understanding."

Benny nodded.

"I also need to see Sonny, tell him about the move."

Benny chuckled. "That’s got lead balloon written all over it. Does Carly even know you’re back?"

Jason shook his head his eyes still fixed upon the floral arrangement. Benny gave a shallow snort of laughter. "She’s not going to take this well."

Faith Roscoe was bored. Bored with Tagelleti, bored with his men, and his hotel suite.

It was nice but it wasn’t the penthouse of the Port Charles Hotel. She fished out a black dress from the garment bag hanging in the closet. She was Tagelleti’s mistress. At least for the moment. There were signs that he was pursuing new game. The call to the florist had been her first tip off. Anthony had no idea of how to be a true gentleman but he impersonated the hell out of one. He started off charming with flowers and sweet words, course underneath them he was just a low life half assed mafioso. She been around them most of her adult life and been married to one. She was pretty good at identifying them. Faith thought of her husband with little regret. He’d been sloppy and arrogant and he’d paid for it. She looked for the next one to take his place. Tagelleti had been a good layover. He had money, little brains and wasn’t bad in bed. But he had limited prospects and little vision. Faith knew she needed a man with a little more drive someone she could push just the right way. Slipping into the black dress, she moved the neckline around until it was just about at scandalous. Red lipstick and a fluff of her hair that made it a little wild and messy. If Anthony was looking she needed to be to. There were fewer things more embarrassing than having your luggage dumped in the hallway of a high-class hotel. She checked her purse. She’d whittled a couple of k out of Anthony when he’d been distracted and she’d taken another while he was asleep. A girl had to be prepared. Slipping on her heels and out the door, Faith decided to start with the bar of the Port Charles hotel. She could begin a list of prospects and get a little strategy going.

Kristina and Zander laughed at something on screen. Kristina had proclaimed it movie night and called for pizza and popped popcorn. She and Zander were camped on the floor watching the Princess Bride. Alexis was curled on the couch unable to concentrate on the antics on screen. Jason was gone longer than she expected and for some reason that made her very uncomfortable. Kristina had sensed this and moved to distract her with jokes about the movie and by shoving the bowl of popcorn at her at every opportunity.

Jason stood in the empty suite. Frankie had taken the flowers to the hotel incinerator and Benny had gone home. Jason was trying to calm himself. He didn’t want to go back to Alexis with any of his anger or concern about her obvious. Deciding that he needed to plan tomorrow he flipped open his cell phone and pressed the speed dial.

The signal connected and the line rang three times before a rough sounding voice answered.

"Corinthos."

"I need to see you tomorrow at the house."

"Is this about Alexis." He could hear the anxiety in Sonny’s voice and the exhaustion.

"It’s about everything. Can I come by around 10 am?"

"Yeah."

The older man simply hung up the phone.

Jason pocketed his cell and thought for a moment he wasn’t looking forward to tomorrow. He opened the door and headed back towards the main suite. Opening the door carefully he was greeted by Kristina and Zander turning their heads from the TV.

The lights in the living room had been turned down and the two of them sat on spread out blankets and pillows. Allowing his eyes to adjust to the dimness of the room Jason focused on the figure curled up on the couch. He moved carefully setting on the other side of her.

"There is pizza and. . . " Kristina spoke softly but Jason waved her off. Alexis turned on the couch looking up at him.

"I wasn’t asleep."

"Sure you weren’t."

"Everything okay with Benny?"

"You know Benny doesn’t really need anyone of us. We’re just window dressing."

Alexis smiled at this.

"I have to go out again tomorrow."

"Jason, you don’t have to explain everything to me."

"I wanted you to know."

She nodded.

"We’ll be here tomorrow." Kristina said softly from the floor motioning between herself and Zander.

"All the adult supervision, I’ll need." Though the remark came off as more humorous than sarcastic.

Jason stood offering her his hand. "You ready for bed."

"I think I’ve slept more in the past few days than I have in two years."

"You probably need it." Kristina again piped up. Alexis made a face but took Jason’s hand and let him help her up from the couch.

"I better get used to you doing that in a few months I won’t be able to heave myself up."

She flushed and looked at Zander who was watching her and then at Kristina who appeared to be trying to come up with something to cover Alexis’ obvious mistake.

"Um, just so nobody thinks that I am shocked into silence, there were some signs earlier and I kinda guessed."

"The grocery store." Kristina said softly.

"That was like the second or third clue. You’re okay though right. AJ didn’t hurt the baby did he?"

"They don’t think so."

Zander nodded. "Good, I think I understand why this needs to be kept on the qt, but I have to ask a really dumb question. What happens when you start to show?"

"Right now I am not focusing on much besides getting through the day, 5 and 6 months seems like an eternity."

"Okay, so we all know and nobody says anything to anyone else right?"

"Pretty much." Jason spoke softly.

"Cool."

Alexis looked down and realized her hand was still clasped in Jason’s. She let go of it in what she hoped was a casual fashion. She stepped over Zander to put a kiss upon Kristina’s cheek and then headed down the hall to her bedroom.

Jason woke up early. No alarms, no sunlight through blinds, but since the day he had awoken in the hospital he’d had his own internal clock that would hardly ever let him sleep later than 5 am. He used the time. He checked on Alexis who was still asleep and headed down to the hotel’s gym. He abused the weight set as he tried to prepare himself for the meeting this morning. He wasn’t looking forward to telling Sonny much of what was happening with Alexis. About the flowers from Tagelleti or even Jason’s own plans to move her and Kristina to a safe house. Nor did he really want to see Carly. The bright spot for the day would be the chance to see Michael. If only for a few moments. Jason released a little more tension by slipping on his own gloves and taking a few shots at the heavy bag. He threw punches until sweat ran into his eyes and his arms screamed with exhaustion. He’d needed to do this since he’d seen Alexis in the hospital. Anger and outrage building up inside him without an outlet. He remembered hitting AJ but he’d derived no satisfaction from it. He was still worried about Alexis. Alexis. He stopped and leaned into the bag. He had been impressed by her strength and her ability to deal with all that had happened. Jason’s mind pictured the pretty lawyer as she had been on the couch last night. Her bruises fading but still obvious. Pulling off his gloves and grabbing a towel, Jason tried to concentrate on what he would tell Sonny. He knew that the older man would be angry and that anger would only grow every day that Jason pretended to be more than just Alexis’ client. Knowing that the meeting was inevitable, Jason headed back upstairs to check on Alexis and grab a shower before he headed to Carly’s house.

Alexis was sitting in the living room when he came in. She wore tank top and a pair of sweats, her hair pulled back from her freshly scrubbed face. Jason couldn’t help but smile.

"I know you’re surprised I am awake."

He nodded and walked into the kitchen grabbing a bottle of water and coming back into the living room sitting not on one of the chairs or on the couch but on the edge of the coffee table so he could look at her a little more closely. The star shaped bruise that had terrified him on the night of her attack was now a pale shadow of what it had been. Without realizing he reached out and gently ran his fingers over the edge of it.

"Did. . did you have a good workout?"

He nodded.

"I woke up and you weren’t here, but I checked with Max, he said that you had gone down to the gym. I wasn’t really worried but. . . ." She let out a little sigh.

"Um. . .I ordered breakfast. Kristina isn’t conscious yet but she’s always hungry and I thought that you might be."

"Breakfast’s good."

"You can speak."

"Not a big talker, you know that Alexis." It was her turn to nod as she realized his hand was still hovering about her face. It was quiet as he ran his fingertips down over her arm checking bracelet of bruises that AJ had left when he had grabbed her. That was how Kristina found them when she came out of her own room in the suite. She watched them carefully before clearing her throat to alert them to her presence. Alexis flinched back as if she had been caught doing something wrong but Jason barely acknowledged her presence.

"Good morning." Kristina spoke to both of them and then stumbled into the kitchen muttering something about coffee. Alexis looked back to Jason finding his blue eyes still fixed upon her.

"What time is your meeting?"

"10."

"You’ll be careful?"

"Not a dangerous meeting." Jason considered Carly’s reactions and thought it actually might be dangerous.

"Good."

"What about you? " Alexis had been reluctant to leave the suite fearful of the press and any possible Quartermaines lurking around.

"Nicholas is coming by for lunch," Alexis had not talked to the young man about the attack but apparently he had left several frantic messages on the machine at the penthouse, Alexis’ cell phone which was turned off and she wasn’t quite sure where it was, and on Kristina’s cell phone.

Kristina came back into the living room shuffling carrying a large cup of coffee. She sat in the chair furthest from Alexis and Jason. She again couldn’t help but notice the lines of Jason’s back. It was obvious that he had come from a workout, fresh sweat stains still apparent on his t shirt. He was a very attractive man but she didn’t feel any compulsion or even attraction towards him. She preferred dark haired men. Men with sweet smiles and great arms. Kristina found herself thinking about Zander laying on the floor with her last night. She liked him. She gazed distractedly into her coffee fearing she would lapse into thoughts about his eyes. Looking up she realized that Jason was still sitting on the edge of the table and still touching Alexis’ arm. Kristina couldn’t help the small smile that found it’s way across her face.

"They are better." Alexis said softly noticing the way that Jason’s brow furrowed as he ran his fingertips over the raised edge of her bruise. It didn’t hurt and it really wasn’t uncomfortable to have him touch her . Maybe that’s why it made her nervous.

After a moment Jason raised his hand and then stood up.

"I need to get a shower."

Alexis nodded watching him walk to his room. Kristina followed Jason with her eyes and then when she was sure he was in his room with the door shut she turned her attention back to Alexis.

"What was that about?"

Zander paced back in front of his door. He was debating whether it was too early to go over to Alexis and Kristina’s. He gave a quick look to the clock on the DVD player. He had only left their suite a little over 7 hours ago. Alexis and Jason had gone to bed but he and Kristina had stayed up watching bad horror movies keeping an amusing but quiet color commentary going during most of them. It had been more fun that Zander had in months possibly years and if it weren’t for the fact that it took Alexis getting hurt that had brought the all on Zander would have been thankful. Now he was pacing like and idiot trying to figure out if he would look like a dorky pest if he went over there. He was saved by a knock on the door. Opening it expecting to see one of Sonny’s make that Jason’s men or even Benny but he found Alexis standing there.

"You okay?"

Alexis gave a little sigh. "I really am going to have to get used to being asked that every time someone sees me, aren’t I?"

"For a while, yeah, but again, are you okay?"

"I’m okay. I wanted to know if you wanted to come have breakfast with us."

Alexis felt like she was fibbing. She enjoyed Zander’s company and really wouldn’t mind him having breakfast with them but right now she needed him as a distraction for Kristina and for her own confusion of those few moments with Jason.

Kristina sometimes wondered if babbling and non sequiturs were some sort of genetic curse that she and Alexis seemed to share. It wasn’t a Cassidine trait. Stefan didn’t say the wrong thing at the wrong time at regular intervals. She’d promised Alexis in the hospital that she would do better and at first opportunity she’d popped off with that remark about Alexis and Jason. Alexis and Jason. They weren’t really and "AND", but she had seen something in those moments Jason had been so gentle with Alexis in the first few days after her attack. Kristina hoped that he would not turn out to be like so many men in her and in Alexis’ lives. A great opening act followed by a horrible finale. She was still berating herself mentally when Alexis came back in the suite with Zander at her heels. Unconsciously her hands strayed to her hair, desperately trying to smooth out the tangles caused by sleep, and panic set in when she realized that she hadn’t brushed her teeth yet.

Jason came back into the living room pulling a clean t shirt. He could hear Kristina and what he assumed was Zander in the kitchen. Alexis was fussing about large room service trolley which seemed overloaded with food.

"I wasn’t sure what everyone would want." She said with a small shrug. Kristina and Zander came back with plates and silverware. As the small group dished eggs and bacon, Jason noticed Alexis only nibbling on a piece of melon.

"You need more than that."

Alexis made a face. She had been ravenously hungry when she’d placed the room service order but now the actual sight and smell of the food was beginning to make her queasy. She gave her head a small shake and put down the melon taking only and piece of toast.

Zander and Kristina watched Jason and Alexis. Both were trying desperately not to laugh. Alexis barely tasting food and Jason seemed to be pushing more at her. The last straw however seemed to be the eggs. Jason moved a plate of the bright yellow eggs toward Alexis who looked down at them and then covered her mouth, and jumped up from the table. There was a slam of her bedroom door and Kristina got up and followed her down the hall.

"Alexis," Kristina called tentatively and entered the bedroom. She could see the bathroom door open and Alexis on her knees, whatever she had at breakfast had not stayed down. Kristina grabbed a washcloth and ran it under cold water, ringing it out and offering it to her sister. Alexis leaned back against the wall and pressed the cool rag to her face.

"Alexis." Jason now stood in the doorway with Zander behind him. The bathroom while large wasn’t big enough for four people particular with Alexis flushed with embarrassment and whatever had caused her to be sick.

"I am all right." The majority of Alexis’ face was covered with the washcloth so her response was muffled. Jason crouched next to her pulling the bit of cloth away from her face.

"It’s just morning sickness."

"Are you sure? Has it happened before?" Jason sounded oddly clinical.

"I was queasy yesterday but not like this."

"We should call a doctor."

"It’s nothing."

"I think he’s right." Kristina said softly.

"It’s morning sickness, I am pregnant."

"Just to make sure."

"Please Alexis." Kristina had a slightly scared expression and Zander wore a concerned look. Then there was Jason. Alexis gave a sigh.

"Fine, call the doctor."

Alexis sat on the bed in her room. She’d changed clothes and managed to sip some water then orange juice, thought of anything heavier sent her stomach rolling again. Kristina and Zander had gone into the living room to clean up the breakfast dishes. Jason was sitting in the chair next to her bed toying with his cell phone.

"You’re not cancelling your meeting." They had been discussing the matter for a few minutes. He insisted on cancelling his mysterious meeting which she suspected was with Sonny, to stay with her and wait for the doctor. Doctor Potter was currently on vacation, and Kristina had opted for calling Dr. Thornhart., who had agreed to come over to the hotel even though he wasn’t working today.

"It’s not that important."

"You’re not cancelling it. Kristina and Zander will be here. Nicholas will be here around noon. You don’t have to be here."

"I should be here."

"I thought we had an understanding." Alexis wasn’t sure how she ended up with stubborn men. Well 3 of them. Jax, Sonny, and Jason were stubborn, Ned tried to be but too many years of being forced to do what he thought was best as a Quartermaine had beaten most of his stubborn out of him. And Jason and Jax, they were just her friends. Stubborn willful friends but friends none the less.

"If you need me."

"You’re a cell phone call away."

"You’re smug when you get your way."

"You’re going to be late if you don’t leave soon."

Jason checked the time on his cell, "You sure about that?"

"It’s at least a half hour drive to Carly’s house."

"How did you know?"

"Harvard education."

"Does it bother you?"

"You’re his friend, you’re her friend, it shouldn’t."

"Does it?"

"A little but I’ll get over myself."

She seemed to close that part of the conversation and was now distractedly playing with the fringe on the throw that covered her legs.

"When do we move?"

Grateful for the new topic, Jason looked at her carefully

"As soon as the doctor says you’re okay."

"So like today?"

Jason gave a small smile and brushed his hand over hers before leaving her room.

Ian Thornhart shifted his son carefully in his arms. He shouldn’t have agreed to come, he knew he didn’t have a babysitter. He probably could have found one on the fly but that was never good. Daniel didn’t take to new situations very well and on a day that he expected to have his father to himself and found himself stuck with a sitter would be a bad day for all involved. As the elevator door opened he found himself face to face with a large man in a suit.

"I am Doctor Ian Thornhart. I am here to see Alexis Davis."

The large man nodded but did not speak, he lead Ian to a door and knocked carefully. The red headed woman, Ian remembered as Alexis’ sister opened the door.

"Doctor Thornhart, come in, can I take something?"

Ian was carefully balanced. His medical bag in one hand, Daniel’s diaper bag in the other and the boy perched in his arms staring at the red head.

"If you can just show me where I can put some of this down."

Kristina beckoned him in and gave a bright smile to the little boy in his arms.

"I am sorry, but Daniel doesn’t react well to unexpected babysitters. I thought it wouldn’t be a problem."

"It’s no trouble at all. He’s adorable."

The bright eyed boy seemed to understand that the woman was talking about him and in an action that Ian had seldom seen the boy squirmed in his father’s arms reaching for the young woman.

"Can I hold him?"

"I think he would be upset if you didn’t."

Ian moved Daniel who scrambled into Kristina’s arms. Instantly the boy’s hands were wrapped in Kristina’s long hair staring at the color and rubbing it against his cheek.

"He’s sweet, did you say his name is Daniel."

"Yes, Daniel. How is your sister?"

"Well like I told you on the phone this morning she got really sick at breakfast. She’s been tired but she hasn’t been sick again." As Kristina spoke she led him through the hallway of the penthouse. In a large bedroom, Ian saw Alexis sitting on the bed a throw blanket around her legs. She was talking to the young man who had been in Alexis’ hospital room. Zander, if Ian remembered correctly.

"Doctor Thornhart," Alexis gave him a half smile and Ian realized that she looked much better than she had the night of her attack and that underneath the bruising and the swelling there was a very beautiful woman.

"Miss Davis." She held up her hand

"Alexis, please. And who is this?" She nodded to the little boy in Kristina’s arms.

"This is my son, Daniel. How are you feeling?"

Ian slipped into his doctor persona opening his medical bag taking out a stethoscope and a pen light.

"I am all right. I told them this was unnecessary," Alexis motioned two Kristina and Zander with her hand. "It’s just morning sickness."

"Have you been sick like this before?"

"I was queasy yesterday morning but didn’t throw up. This is Jason’s fault, his and the eggs."

"Eggs?" Ian raised an eyebrow. He held the penlight up examining, first her left eye then the right.

"Scrambled, breakfast, bright yellow." Alexis shuddered at the memory causing Ian to smile.

Daniel had become bored with playing with Kristina’s hair. He rocked and moved in her arms until the young woman was finally forced to set him down on the bed. Crawling towards his father’s open medical bag he was stopped by strong hands,

"Ah ah, little one." Alexis picked up the boy putting him on her lap.

"Sorry about that, he doesn’t take well to being left with a sitter."

"It’s alright, I appreciate you coming. Jason probably would have had me back in GH’s emergency if you hadn’t agreed to come."

Jason nodded to the new guard. Most of Sonny’s oldest and most trusted had come to work for Jason, particularly after Alexis had been hurt. Johnny and Max refused to work any other duty. Francis was only spending half his time at Carly’s. He suspected after the move the three men would be stationed only with him and at the lake house. Jason wanted to call hotel suite and make sure that Alexis was alright. He knew that the doctor probably had not arrived yet, it would be frivolous to call. But he wanted to. Raising his hand he knocked carefully on the black lacquered door of the house. After a moment it opened and Jason found himself face to face with Sonny since the confrontation in the hallway. The older man looked haggard and sleepless. The suit he wore seemed too big, his shirt gaping around the collar and sleeves.

"Come in," the simple invitation and the motion of his hand seemed to drain Sonny of any energy he might have had. He sat down on the couch and Jason sat in the chair opposite. The room was tense and for a moment both men were silent.

"How is she?’ Sonny gazed at his hand not looking up at Jason.

"She seems better." Jason did not want to tell Sonny about the sickness this morning, it would be too easy for him to draw conclusions.

"Seems?"

"She’s still dealing with a lot of it. Her sister has helped, Zander too."

"Are you staying at the hotel?" Sonny spoke as if he did not already know the truth. He was pretending that he had not spent every day in the lobby.

"For now, that’s part of what I wanted to talk to you about."

Sonny looked up. For the first time since he’d been called to the hospital Sonny really looked at Jason. The younger man wore a concerned expression on his deeply tanned face. The time in San Cristobal with Emily and without the other Quartermaines had changed Jason. The innate anger that had once resided in the young man seemed to be gone. Sonny remembered the way that Jason had held Alexis in her hospital room. He had to trust Jason with Alexis, because Alexis would not allow herself to trust Sonny again.

"What are you going to do?"

"I found a house. I plan on moving Alexis and Kristina into it."

Sonny steepled his fingers together and thought for a moment. Jason had said this all matter of factly. He was not asking for permission, he was stating his intentions. "She doesn’t want to go back to her penthouse?" Even as the words left his mouth Sonny knew the stupidity of the question. He couldn’t blame Alexis for not wanting to go back. He wasn’t sure he wanted her there. But the thoughts of her in a house somewhere private while comforting in it’s own way was disturbing in another. There would be no more visits to the lobby hoping for a glimpse. He would be removed further from her life.

"You’re going with her."

"Zander and I." Jason nodded. The young man’s previous relationship had been very helpful in figuring things out about Alexis and Kristina without Jason asking awkward questions.

"When?"

"Soon, Benny has already made all the arrangements."

"Something in particular inspire the move out of the hotel?" Sonny was trying to remain calm. The questions quiet when he wanted to be angry and demanding.

"It’s too open. We had a visit from a Quartermaine lawyer and there was something else." Jason rummaged in th pocket of his jeans. He passed the crumpled card from Tagelleti’s flowers to Sonny who read it quickly.

"Damn him."

"It’s a power ploy. They know she’s important to your organization."

"She didn’t see this."

Jason shook his head.

Sonny passed the note back. Any chance he had right now of being Alexis was lost. Not only would she not let him near her, but any interaction with her would threaten Jason’s position as head of the organization. His contemplation of the grim events were interrupted by footsteps and a flash of red hair. Michael had run down stairs intent of asking Sonny something but stopped when he looked at the man setting in the other chair.

"Jason." The boy squealed and threw himself into the seated man’s arms.

"Hey Michael," Jason ran a hand over the mussed red hair and smiled at the little boy.

"What are you doing here? Are you back for good? Are you going to go away again? Are you going to stay here with us?" The boy talked so quickly that he didn’t seem to need to breathe.

"Whoa kiddo, give Jason a chance to answer." Sonny chuckled softly.

"I came to see you, Sonny and your mom. I am going to be around for a while. I don’t plan on going away soon, but I am not going to stay here with you."

Michael made a puzzled face and then shook off the expression. "Let’s go see Momma then." Michael slipped off Jason’s lap and pulled at his hand. Jason allowed the boy to help him up and followed him up the stairs. Sonny watched them for a moment contemplating the past and then got up following after.

"I think you were right." Ian said with a smile, putting his stethoscope back in his bag

"Just morning sickness?" Alexis looked relived

"I believe so, you haven’t had any dizziness or blurred vision?"

"No. I really felt fine until I tried to eat."

"You’ve been able to eat since you left the hospital though?"

"Yes, my three nursemaids have made sure there was plenty of anything I could possibly want."

"That may come in handy when you hit the craving stage."

"Nothing too weird, I hope."

"Pickles and ice cream are old wives tales. Eve wanted Mexican food for breakfast and chili with vanilla ice cream."

"Eve, is that your wife?"

"She died last year." Ian put his head down. He then tilted it toward the living room where he could hear Daniel playing happily with Kristina and Zander. The young people had been excellent distractions during Ian’s examination of Alexis.

Alexis put her hand on his arm, showing concern and sympathy but she didn’t apologize. She’d never known Eve and barely knew Ian, but wanted to offer some comfort.

"Daddy?" Daniel now stood in the door hoping to involve his father in the game we was playing with his new friends.

"Come here?" Ian beckoned and the little boy ran towards his father throwing himself into his open arms. Ian threw the boy up catching him and then doing it again. Alexis smiled at the antics and the boy’s giggles. The boy was rosy cheeked and wide eyed when he smiled at Alexis and his father. Holding the boy, Ian began to speak again wanting to finish his visitation with Alexis.

"The morning sickness should pass in a couple of weeks, if you continue to have problems, Doctor Potter should be able to prescribe something. But if you have any problems while she’s on vacation I want you to call me immediately." Keeping a grip on Daniel with one hand, he used the other to fish a card out of the side of his bag. "My office number and my pager on there." He reached into the bag and took out a pen, turning it over he wrote a number on the back. "This is my home number for emergencies."

"You don’t have to."

"I like to keep an eye on my patients, Alexis, even when they aren’t my patients anymore."

"Hungry Daddy. Hungry." An impatient Daniel squirmed, his games with Kristina and Zander had burned up breakfast and now his small stomach rumbled.

"Sorry about this?" Ian motioned to Daniel who was now listlessly moving in his arms.

"I am sorry we called you on your day off. You should have had it to spend with your son."

"It’s hard to balance, but I think you’re going to find all about that in a few months."

Alexis blushed and Ian wondered if what had been a joking remark had been perceived as hurtful.

"You could stay here with us, I mean for lunch. My nephew Nikolas is suppose to join us."

"You don’t have to. . . "

"It’s the least we can do for taking up your day off." Alexis stood and reached for Daniel who went to her easily. "Let’s go find the room service menu, what’s your favorite thing to eat Daniel?" She asked the little boy as she carried him into the living room.

"Popcorn, ice cream, fries," the little boy began to name off his favorite treats.

"I think you and I are going to get along very well." Ian couldn’t help but laugh as he followed the two into the living room.

Michael pushed open the door to Carly’s room. "Mom, look, look who’s here."

Carly was about to scold the boy for bursting in without knocking. She’d been very careful about not letting anyone discover how far her healing had truly progressed, she didn’t want that undone by an excited child. But the words died on her lips when she saw who he was pulling with him.

"Jason." Carly pulled herself up a little straighter and brushed her hair from her shoulders. It had been so long since she’d seen him. He still looked as good if not better than he did the night she first saw him at Jake’s.

"Carly," For a moment Jason remembered her as the vivacious woman who had flirted outrageously. She’d been his first friend as Jason Morgan. She never knew Jason Quartermaine so she never found him lacking from the golden idol image that others carried with them. But so many things had happened. So many lies and deception. They had proven to be Carly’s true strength.

"What are you doing here?" Carly reached a hand out, but Jason did not take it. Instead he sat in the chair next to the bed. "Sonny didn’t say anything." She flashed a dark look to her ex husband.

"I needed his help, with business." Sonny stood in the doorway.

Carly stuck out her lower lip in a petulant manner. Jason had not come to see her, not initially.

"How long are you staying? Do I need to have someone make up a room for you? I don’t think your room at Jake’s is still available." Jason watched Carly amazed at how her childlike babble resembled Michael’s. Or maybe the young boy had learned it from his mother.

"He’s here for as long as he needs to be." Sonny’s words seemed to say so much more. Jason knew that his relationship to Alexis bothered the other man but he had no choice but to accept it.

"I won’t be staying here."

Carly felt a cold chill run up her spine. There was something going on with the two men that they were not telling her and that they had no intention of telling her. She’d always resented the relationship between Sonny and Jason, there was a friendship and a camaraderie that she was not a part of and she hated it.

Jason and Carly spoke briefly but there was a distance between them. Too many years, her deception with Sonny, and the whole issue of Michael sat between them limiting conversation and closeness. She discovered that he had been in town several days and that angered her. "Why didn’t you come by sooner?" Another look flashed between Jason and Sonny.

"Something had to be taken care of, I am still working on it." Jason thought about Alexis sitting on the bed in hotel room. He knew about the extent of Carly’s injuries but for some reasons his sympathies were with Alexis. Carly had Sonny and Michael. She had fought and schemed for them and it had taken almost losing her life and losing the use of her legs to get them. Alexis, though she had people like Zander and Kristina would never use her injuries to bring someone to her side. Jason wasn’t sure how he knew that but he did. He’d seen her push Sonny away even though it had hurt her to do it. Conversation between the three adults became strained with awkward starts and stops. Jason wasn’t sure what to say to Carly or even to Sonny. To speak to the other man the way he wanted to he would have to speak about Alexis and there was no way that Jason was bringing her name up in front of Carly. Jason had no desire to hear the vicious words that he was sure Carly could come up with about Alexis. After a long silence as the three stared at each other trying to come up with something to say, Jason stood up.

"I need to go."

"Will you come back?" Michael had dragged in a few of his toys and had spent most of the time playing by Jason’s feet.

"Sure." He gave the boy an affectionate rub on his head and nodded to Carly. He did not realize until he stepped out of the room that he had not touched the woman.

Sonny accompanied him out of the room and back down into the living room. Jason was about to leave when Sonny put out his hand.

"I still want to see her." Jason was surprised this hadn’t come up earlier. Even with the news about Tagelleti and the move. "But, I can’t. Not right now, it’s too dangerous for either of you. You should probably limit your visits here."

Jason was surprised by the rationality of Sonny’s words. He had prepared himself to once again tell the older man that Alexis was not ready to see him.

"I understand. I am going to take Francis off duty here and put him on full time at the new house. We need to make it look like the shift of power is complete."

"Alexis. . . ." Sonny’s voice trailed off.

"I am going to do what’s necessary to make it look like she is important to me as she was to you." Jason offered nothing further.

1C end

Sonny was angry but he couldn’t show it. Not now. He couldn’t strike out at Jason like he wanted to, he couldn’t scream that Alexis was his and that nothing the younger man did or said would change that. He needed Jason to protect Alexis, but the thought of Alexis and Jason sharing anything but a quasi professional relationship infuriated him.

Instead he did what had become second nature over the last six weeks. He nodded and waited for his anger to abate.

Jason knew that his statement to Sonny had been deliberately provocative. He knew that he come close to speaking something taboo, but it hadn’t stopped him, and some part of him wanted to take it further, but he didn’t. He wanted to go back to the hotel and find out what had happened with doctor’s visit. Jason wanted to see Alexis.

Alexis watched the crowd around the table and couldn’t help but smile. Zander, Kristina, Nikolas, Ian and Daniel were all talking and eating. The doctor and his son were excellent company. And after his initial shock at the bruises and the full story of what had happened Nikolas had calmed down and was now talking with Zander and Kristina about some musical group they had all seen at Luke’s.

"You feeling alright?" Ian’s question was said softly over the top of Daniel’s head. The boy was sitting in his father’s lap, snatching fries when he thought he wasn’t being watched.

"I’m okay," Her soup and sandwich had remained largely untouched. She was no longer queasy but feared that putting something in her stomach might change the situation.

Alexis fiddled with the wrists of her sweatshirt. She wished she was wearing a watch. She tried to mentally figure the time that Jason had been gone. She was beginning to get a little worried. Alexis opened her arms allowing Daniel to scoot from his father’s lap into her’s. The boy was sweet, he had his father’s complexion, but soulful dark eyes. Alexis wondered if they were his mother’s. Unconsciously, Alexis brushed her hand over Daniel’s soft cheek. Her child would have dark eyes. Lost in thought, Alexis was unaware of the conversations going on around her or the opening of the door.

Frankie had told Jason about the Doctor and his son, plus Nikolas so the group that awaited him in the hotel suite’s living room wasn’t that much of a surprise. They all sat around the table. Alexis held a toddler in her arms but her eyes held a distant look that made Jason curious as to what she was thinking about. Kristina and Zander said hello to him. Nikolas appeared a bit uneasy but also greeted Jason, as did the doctor who was sitting next to Alexis. Jason nodded a greeting and moved closer to Alexis, putting his hand on her shoulder. The contact seemed to draw Alexis back to from where ever she had been. She gave Jason a warm smile, "How did your meeting go?"

Jason shook his head and Alexis seemed to understand that he would say more about it later. Jason looked at the man seated next to Alexis.

"How is she?"

Alexis sighed and gave Jason a pointed look.

"I’m fine." She said with emphasis. She had not told Nikolas about the pregnancy yet. It had been hard enough reciting the events of the night she’d been attacked. Alexis did not want the young man to have more to worry about. With Stefan out of the country he was head of Cassidine Industries and that was enough of a burden for someone his age to bear.

"Who you?" Daniel demanded.

"This is my friend Jason." Alexis spoke to the boy who was still seated in her lap. "Jason, this is Daniel, Doctor Thornhart’s son." To her surprise Jason gave the boy a smile. Children seemed to have a certain effect on him.

After lunch was finished, Nikolas had to leave for a meeting. Alexis told him of the move to the new house at the door away from the group. He’d seemed a little hurt when she had chosen not to come to Wyndemere, but understood all the bad memories that were associated with the gothic mansion. Alexis returned to the living room to find Jason and Doctor Thornhart speaking quietly. The doctor was carrying his bag and holding Daniel’s hand preparing to leave.

"She really is fine," The doctor cast a smile to Alexis as she approached. "She can tell you all about our visit."

Daniel shifted his weight from foot to foot watching the adults above him. Ian knew he didn’t have long before a temper tantrum began. After lunch was nap, that was the way the well ordered world of the little boy worked.

"Thank you again." Alexis sought to distract Jason. She could let him know what had happened, he didn’t need to interrogate the doctor.

"If you should need anything?"

Alexis nodded and to her surprise Jason shook the doctor’s hand before showing him out of the suite. Once he turned back from the closed door, Alexis braced herself for the young man’s questions.

"You and the baby, you’re really okay?"

Kristina and Zander had made themselves scarce after Nikolas had left. Both knew that Jason would probably ask questions of Alexis and the doctor. Alexis didn’t need the pressure of two other people in the room. So they were now standing in the galley kitchen which suddenly seemed small for two people.

"We should do the dishes." Kristina looked at the two coffee cups and the plate that were in the sink. Most everything else had been piled on the room service trolley to be taken away.

Grateful for something to do beside watch Kristina, which he didn’t really mind but he’d been doing a lot of lately, Zander turned on the water. Approximately five minutes later after the 3 items were throughly washed and dried.

"At least it’s practice. I mean we won’t have room service at the house." Kristina said drying her hands on the dishtowel.

"We may need to see about a housekeeper though, unless someone is prepared to do a serious drive for take out." Zander sighed pushing a hand through his hair. "I don’t think Alexis is prepared to live on ramen noodles and canned soup, which is about the extent of my cooking. I am betting that Jason isn’t a gourmet. I know Alexis can’t cook.

So unless you’re Julia Child and hiding it under an amazing disguise."

Kristina gave an unladylike snort. "I can boil water, I make good espresso, and order mean take out. We may have to have help or Alexis and the baby could starve."

Ian fastened the buckles of Daniel’s car seat and gave him a kiss on the forehead.

"You were very good today," Ian was always proud of his son, but today he had been put in a situation with three strangers, then two more in a strange place without his toys or even a video to entertain him, but with the exception of being a little grumpy before lunch he had been remarkably well behaved.

"Nice place." Ian smiled. A friend had used that term to describe their house once and it had stuck with Daniel. He used it often sometimes even in the right context.

"A very nice place, nice people." Ian searched for the cloth book and bear set that Daniel liked to play with on car rides.

"Pretty people." Daniel frowned those weren’t the exact words he wanted so he tried again. "Pretty girls."

"Alexis and Kristina?" Ian asked. He always encouraged Daniel to talk.

"Pretty Lexis and Istina." Daniel nodded with authority.

Ian thought for a moment. Kristina was lovely in a youthful way, wide eyes and bright hair. Alexis. Ian stopped himself. It wasn’t good to think of his patients in this way. Pregnant, recently traumatized patients with dark eyes framed by long lashes, a wry smile, and a beautiful voice. Taking a step back, Ian made sure there were no little fingers reaching for the car door before he shut it. Daniel smiled and waved behind the glass of the window. There hadn’t been anyone really since Eve, he’d loved her and lost her so suddenly. This year had been mostly about Daniel, helping his son adjust and understand that no matter how much he wanted or needed her his mother couldn’t come back.

"You’ve felt this before, Ian. A beautiful woman who is also your patient. This will go away in a few days. Besides, she’s pregnant." He berated himself softly before walking around to the driver’s side. For a moment he thought about Alexis again and wondered briefly about the father of her child.

Ric scowled at the papers on the desk. It had been few days since he’d been nearly thrown out the hotel by Jason Morgan’s muscle. He’d done a little research into all the players of this little debacle and the more he knew the more he was considering just getting the hell out of dodge. He pushed back from his desk and loosened his tie. Alexis Davis, Jason Morgan, AJ Quartermaine, all the Quartermaines and somehow lurking in the back Sonny Corinthos. Ric had seen Sonny Corinthos in the lobby of the Port Charles hotel. Ric had been foolish enough to attempt to see Alexis again, even though Jason had made it clear that he wasn’t welcome. Ric had never even made it to the elevator doors. Two large men had stopped him and made it very clear that it was in his best interest to leave. When Ric had turned he found himself being watched by Sonny Corinthos. There had been a moment of temptation to go over and speak to him, but Ric had resisted, that wasn’t how he’d envisioned his introduction to his half brother. Memories were interrupted by the buzz of the intercom.

"Yes, Marcia?"

"Mr. Lansing, there is a Ms. Quartermaine insisting that she speak to you immediately."

Taking a deep breath, Ric prepared himself for another Quartermaine onslaught.

"Send her in."

"You and the baby, you’re really okay?" Jason actually looked nervous and Alexis was unprepared for that.

"We’re fine. I need to make an appointment to see Dr. Potter when she gets back and get this whole prenatal thing started but Dr. Thornhart said I’m fine. You asked him yourself."

Jason nodded. On the ride back from Carly’s, his mind had not been on the meeting or Sonny, or Carly, or even Michael, but on Alexis. He knew he should be bothered by this. Alexis was Sonny’s or she had been.

"So we can move?" Her question startled him.

"Move?"

"Into the house." She suddenly looked like a little girl anticipating Christmas. Jason couldn’t help but smile. He pulled his cell phone out and hit the button for Benny.

Alexis watched him with an answering smile. There was a short greeting from Benny and Jason asked the important question.

"Is the house ready?"

Anthony Tagelleti looked over the file in front of him. Alexis Davis truly was a fascinating woman, educated with a royal pedigree. She’d had a few missteps, an involvement in an attempted murder and the Eddie’s Angel mess. She’d been married once and almost married, then there was Corinthos. Sorel had almost killed them both. Tagelleti regretted that the other mobster hadn’t succeeded in killing Corinthos, but to kill Alexis Davis would be regrettable. She was an invaluable asset. He had grown up with women who were either mothers or mistresses. He had seldom encountered a woman able to be an actual part of the business.

"Mr. Tagelleti?"

"What is it Alberto?"

"We’ve received a call from Mr. Morgan’s associate. He wants a meeting."

"Guess I need to clear my calender. Set something up quick, put it at the No-Name. We want neutral ground."

"Yes sir."

"And Alberto, send Ms. Davis more flowers. I am thinking something in red."

"Yes sir."

"I want you to help my brother."

"Ms. Quartermaine, I am trying, but. . ."

"I know what he did and why he did it but this isn’t AJ. He shouldn’t be in prison."

Ric knew that the red-haired woman across his desk was on the verge of hysterics and he had absolutely no idea what to do about it. She had stormed in like a fury demanding he get AJ out of jail and then one mercurial moment later she was in tears begging.

"You have to help him." Skye hated feeling like this, weak and out of control. She’d lost Jax. She had finally come to accept that. She had beaten on his new suite door. She had begged, cried, and pleaded making more of a spectacle of herself than she ever thought possible and it had done nothing except upset Jax and the management of the hotel.

"Ms. Quartermaine."

"Skye." To be honest she didn’t care for her last name. It was power and money, but she didn’t feel like a Quartermaine. It had been just a sharp stick in Edward’s ego each time someone called her a Quartermaine.

"Skye, I will do everything in my power to help AJ, but you have to understand AJ isn’t doing that much to help himself."

"I know he’s being uncooperative."

"It’s more than that if AJ doesn’t do something even something as simple as show remorse he could be looking at a long stay in prison."

"Quartermaine, you got a visitor." The voice of the guard rang against the metal bars and the walls of the too small cell. AJ dragged himself from the cot where he’d been spending most of his days. He was sober. Frighteningly so. It had been months possibly years since he’d gone this long without a drink. He hadn’t had much of a choice. There had been a few rough days of the shakes and the constant pounding of his head. None of those symptoms had been helped by the beating that he’d taken the first day in jail. His attackers had not been back but there was still that possibility. AJ knew that if he actually went to prison his life was virtually forfeit. Unless he ended up in some country club type minium security place, but AJ suspected that even the hands of Sonny Corinthos could reach him there. Slouching behind the guard, AJ allowed himself to be led to the visitors area. Looking around he did not see Skye or any other family members, but the face at the 4^th window looked up at him and then waited for him to sit down. The woman took phone and again waited for moment for him to pick up the other handset. Her free hand moved restlessly over the counter and the plexiglass that separated them. AJ finally could bring himself to speak.

"Courtney?"

"AJ." There was silence between them. She wasn’t really sure why she had come here. The newspaper had been filled with accounts of what had happened to Alexis and most of them mentioned that AJ was being held as a suspect. She had been unable to reach Alexis or Kristina and when she finally called Sonny she’d regretted it.

"AJ beat Alexis and he tried to rape her." Sonny’s voice had been so flat and lifeless. Courtney had never heard her brother like that before and she never wanted to again. She had tried to get more from Sonny, but he had told her that he had a visitor and would call her later. After the abrupt end to the call by Sonny, Courtney called Monica Quartermaine. She wasn’t completely comfortable with her mother in law but Monica was the only seemingly rational Quartermaine that Courtney had met. She had spent nearly a half hour listening to Monica recount everything that had happened in the hospital and the reappearance of AJ’s brother. Monica had only known that Alexis had left with Jason and her sister. Richard Lansing was the lawyer representing AJ and he might know where Alexis was. Courtney also found out that AJ was still in jail, denied bail because he was considered a flight risk. Looking now at the man she had married in fit of anger with her brother and what she thought was passionate love, Courtney began to wonder if she shouldn’t have just stayed in Atlantic City.

"So when do we move?" Jason smiled at Alexis’ question as he hung up his cell phone.

"Benny says the end of the week. He’ll have the things in the office moved before then, all you and Kristina need to bring is your things from here. Unless you want something else from the penthouse."

Alexis’ smiled faded as she seemed to do a mental inventory of the penthouse. There were things she wanted that were her’s. Most of the things had come with the place, some of the furniture and the artwork were put there by a decorator. There were personal items, pictures, things that she couldn’t replace.

"You don’t have to think about it now Alexis."

She nodded trying to clear her mind of how she had last seen the penthouse. Broken glass and furniture, her blood and AJ’s on the carpet.

"Hey." Jason put his hand on her chin forcing her to look up at him.

Alexis met his strong blue gaze. She took a deep breath and moved her hand up to his.

"It’s alright Alexis."

She tried to muster a smile to reassure him. He had become so good at reassuring her.

Stepping closer, she released his hand and wrapped her arms around his waist feeling his arms come around her shoulders. Alexis swallowed hard and finally asked the question she had been debating with herself since Jason had returned and brushed off her earlier question about his meeting.

"What happened at Carly’s?"

Jason stiffened in her arms but then let himself relax back into her embrace. As he spoke he made no move to let go of her and he noticed that she did the same.

"I saw Sonny, Carly, and Michael."

Alexis knew she could cry at any moment. This was something she should let go but she couldn’t. She needed to know.

"How is he?"

Jason tightened his arms around Alexis, wanting to comfort and protect her. He knew she would ask. He wasn’t sure what to tell her or how to express what he’d seen at the house. A family that wasn’t really a family. A man haunted by the love and concern he felt for the woman who was now in Jason’s arms.

"He’s worried about you. He wants to be with you." Alexis was now shaking and Jason held her even closer.

"I can’t. . . " Alexis stumbled over her words.

"He knows Alexis. He doesn’t understand and he doesn’t like it, but for right now Sonny is going to accept this."

"You shouldn’t have to be in the middle. Kristina and I could go to Wyndemere."

"Alexis. . . ."

"Jason," she looked up and he could see the tears. "You’re going to have to lie to Sonny, you’ve already had to. It’s a lie of omission but I can’t let him know about the baby, not yet. Not for a while. You shouldn’t have to do that to him or to yourself. I know that you’ve been through this in some twisted way before with Carly and Michael. I know what that did to your relationship with Sonny. I don’t want that to happen to you again." Her breath was coming in great hitching sobs and Jason knew she was going to start hyperventilating. With a calm hand he stroked her face.

"Alexis. . .shhh. ." His other hand caressed her back holding her to him.

"Jason, I can’t. . . " The sound of her cries brought Zander and Kristina to the doorway. Kristina was about to approach when Jason shook his head, motioning her and Zander away. For a moment Kristina hesitated then took Zander’s hand pulling him towards her room of the suite.

"Alexis, I told you, you’re stuck with me. In the penthouse on your couch, in the house by the lake, here, or even at Wyndemere."

"You said that in the hospital."

"I meant it in the hospital, and I mean it now. Unless, you really don’t want me around Alexis, if I scare you or if. . . "

"I think right now you and Zander are the only ones who don’t scare me. Kristina too of course."

She looked up at him again and smiled in spite of her tears. Jason’s hand still rested against her cheek and he leaned in, his lips touching her forehead.

Faith Roscoe looked at the man in her bed. It was well passed noon and she had only been up for a few moments. The hotel room wasn’t quite as nice as Anthony’s suite but it was workable. The man who was sleeping next to her had money. She’d seen him in the papers and on the tv. His family had money. She had been just lucky enough to find him in the hotel bar, nursing a scotch and a wounded heart. The rest had been surprisingly easy. A little flirtation and a little pretending to understand what he was going through then they had a room and she had a new possible meal ticket. Now he just had to wake up, she hoped he would remember her.

Courtney stepped out of the shadows in front of the jail. AJ hadn’t said much. He hadn’t denied what had happened nor had he confirmed it. He was still so bitter about her desire for a divorce. Something that she was more and more certain was a good idea. Alexis couldn’t help her now, Courtney didn’t want to burden her with anything else. Reaching into her purse, Courtney found the business card of Alexis’ friend Tessa. Courtney was determined to call her and finish this mess she had gotten herself to when she came to Port Charles. She didn’t want alimony or anything else between her and AJ. Picking up her cell phone, she dialed a number that she had not called in months. Her hands shook and she began to cry when the familiar voice answered.

"Mom, it’s me. Mom, I want to come home."

Zander sat on the chair in Kristina’s room and tried not to fidget. There wasn’t much to distract him from the red head who was currently laying on her back on the bed with her head hanging off the edge. Her long hair was unbound and seemed to puddle on the floor. He really had the urge to just sit on the floor next to her bed and run his hands through it. For a moment he wished he was Daniel. Kristina had carried around the little boy and played with him all morning. Daniel seemed particularly fond of Kristina’s hair, burying his face in it and wrapping the silky strands around his tiny hands. Jealously of a toddler was not a good thing. Without thought Zander found himself on the floor next to the bed. His head was parallel to Kristina’s.

"Bored?" Kristina asked.

He wasn’t really. Not with her smoky blue grey eyes staring at him. Not when her mouth though upside down was just inches from his.

"Sorry to trap you in here, but I really think Jason and Alexis just need a little talk time."

"Agreed. I think he’s going to grill her on what the doctor said and I think she’s probably going to want to know when we can move."

Kristina smiled. She liked the "we". Even if it included Alexis and Jason, she and Zander were part of a "we". He had been wonderful these few days. Helping both Alexis and herself cope with everything that was going on. Kristina had never lived a life involving bodyguards and security. But Zander had made it easy. He knew most of the bodyguards by name and was friends with some of them. His comfort with them had in turn made her more comfortable. Zander was smart. Kristina suspected there was more to him than the street kid past, but she wasn’t going to push. When and if he felt comfortable with her she figured he would tell her.

"Have I said thank you?"

Zander gave a confused shrug, "For what?"

"For all this. I mean since you found me on the docks you’ve been ultra supportive super guy."

Zander laughed. "A little grocery shopping, hanging out in a posh hotel suite watching horror movies, playing with cute kid. It’s all been such a trial."

Kristina rolled her eyes. "You’ve done way more than that. You’ve been good for Alexis and me. You kept me from driving her crazy. If you and Jason hadn’t been around I probably would have driven her to homicide."

"Alexis loves you. She’s needed you." Zander’s hand unconsciously found it’s way into her hair. He carefully wound her tresses around his fingers not wanting to pull too hard.

"I just wanted to you to know I’ve appreciated everything you’ve done for Alexis and for me."

"Kristina," Zander’s voice was suddenly husky. The first kiss was quick. Lips touching lips. The strange feeling of her upper lip against his lower. His hand sank deeper into her hair pulling her closer. The second kiss still in that strange position. The fleeting feeling of her tongue just skating over his lips. When she pulled back, Zander pulled himself up onto the bed laying next to her, moving her back slightly so that both their heads rested on the mattress.

"That kiss wasn’t about gratitude was it?"

"No. Neither is this one."

Part 3

Alexis tried not to flush when Jason kissed her forehead. His hand slid down off her cheek and chucked her gently under the chin.

"No more protests. No more worrying about me and Sonny. Please?"

Alexis nodded.

"You just walked into this mess. You shouldn’t have been. . ." Jason stopped her by moving his fingers to just barely touch her lips.

"No more protests, Alexis." Jason resisted the urge to trace the line of her lips with his finger tip. Thoughts of the morning came to him unbidden. The warm soft feeling of her skin as he had touched her. He had intended it to be an examination of her injuries. That was all. Jason opened his mouth to speak when his cell phone rang. Reluctantly he let go of Alexis.

"Morgan."

"Tagelleti wants a meeting at the No-Name tonight." Benny’s voice was all business.

"Do it."

"You need a suit. T shirt and jeans don’t fit the No-Name. I’ll have some one from the men’s shop be there in 30 minutes."

Jason wanted to argue, he had been apart of Sonny’s world for a long time and never before had his appearance been an issue, but this was different. Jason was no longer a lieutenant or a right hand man. He was now the boss. He’d had signed the papers taking over Sonny’s legal businesses. What would happen tonight at the No-Name would be a declaration that he was taking over the rest of Sonny’s empire.

"I’ll be here." Jason clicked off the phone and looked at Alexis who had stepped back from him during his very brief conversation with Benny. Tonight was also about her. Tagelleti needed to understand that his attentions no matter how benign they seemed now were unwanted and unwelcome.

Pain, bright light, and a blonde. Those were Ned’s first impressions of the morning. He’d been drunk. There was no pain quite like that of a hangover so he recognized that immediately. He also recognized the room as one of the rooms at the Port Charles Hotel. He didn’t recognize the blonde. Well, that wasn’t entirely true. He could remember vague snatches of the night before. Drinking in the hotel bar trying to consume enough liquid courage to head to the penthouse suites to talk to Kristina and Alexis. But there hadn’t been enough liquor in the bar for him to summon that kind of courage or to face Jason, Zander, and what he was sure a hosts of bodyguards. Then there had been the woman. Blonde with a sympathetic smile and cunning eyes. She had listened as he poured his heart out. She had nodded, made soothing noises and the rest seemed to bleed into sensual but distant and disorganized memories.

"Faith." He said her name out loud. At least that was what he hoped her name was, he braced himself just in case it wasn’t.

"Hey," A red nailed hand eased it way through his unruly hair and Ned gave an internal sigh of relief. That was her name.

Skye watched the lawyer in front of her and felt a little more relaxed. He was understanding and frustrated in dealing with AJ and Edward. Skye could sympathize.

"Do you think Alexis will accept the plea agreement?" He had told her about his visit to the hotel and the encounter with Jason. Skye had never met her half brother and all of her impressions of him had been mostly the creation of AJ. Therefore her expectations were incredibly low, plus she suspected many of AJ’s bruises had come from Jason.

Ric contemplated the red-haired woman sitting on the other side of his desk.

"I don’t know. I made a stupid remark about making things difficult for her at trial to her bodyguard and she heard."

"You could do that couldn’t you?"

"I could try but there is a chance of it back firing. I could bring up Alexis’ history with a the mob, your family, and the Cassidines. The jury could also feel like I was attacking the victim of a vicious attack by the scion of a wealthy family who was trying to buy him an escape from justice. It’s a fine line to walk. If I attack Alexis then it’s fair game on AJ’s history."

"Which is sordid at best, right?" Skye couldn’t help but smile at the dark haired man.

"Bingo." Ric checked his watch.

"Am I keeping you? I know I didn’t have an appointment and I intimidated the hell out of your secretary to let me in here."

"Actually I was wondering if you would like to have lunch with me?"

Zander could really kiss. Kristina had that thought every minute for about the last twenty minutes, when she was actually able to manage a coherent thought. They had first shared a couple of clumsy upside down kisses and then he had climbed up on the bed. Two sets of lips facing the right direction made all the difference in the world. That and Zander’s amazing array of kisses. He varied them, sweet and innocent nearly chaste, to scorching soul searing tongue tangling kisses. There were the teasing ones which made Kristina want to force him onto his back so she could pin him to the mattress and kiss him senseless. So she did.

Zander looked up at the woman leaning over him. Her long hair fell around them creating a red veil between them and the rest of the world. He really liked that idea. Kristina’s eyes were bright and her lips swollen from the kisses they had shared.

"I hope this clears up the question of this all being about gratitude." Kristina smiled shifting so she was straddling Zander’s hips holding herself up on her arms.

"I might need a little more clarification."

"Typical male, you hit ‘em over the head and they ask you why you did it." Her laughter was infectious and it was one of the many things about her that Zander was beginning to love. Whoa. The L word. He hadn’t meant to think it but he had. Previously the L word had only related to Emily. There hadn’t been any L word with Carly. Well maybe lust but love certainly hadn’t entered the picture. Love to Zander was always complicated with drama and angst. It hurt and it usually left you feeling like someone had ripped out your guts and stomped on them, but maybe that was just him. The L word and Kristina didn’t seem that scary yet. Especially when she kissed him and her hair swept against his face. He caressed her hair and then let his hands fall to the mattress.

"Okay, you have to stop whatever serious deep thoughts are going on in there. You’re distracted." Kristina sounded amused.

Zander opened his eyes and found Kristina’s head resting on her hands, which were resting on his chest. She wore a happy expression which Zander found adorable.

"I think there is something going on between us."

"Oh really, and would your first clue be the kissing?" Kristina’s eyes twinkled.

"That was a really good hint, but even before the kissing there was something going on. Something not based in gratitude. I did get the hint. I just want to make sure that it’s not something else. I mean I don’t mind being rebound guy but I just want to be clear when we start, so I don’t confuse it with something more."

Kristina moved off of him laying next to him on the bed. Her face lost it’s amused look and a different one appeared. Zander was afraid it was hurt.

"You’re not a rebound guy. Ned doesn’t warrant a rebound guy. Maybe I should be asking the rebound question?"

"I’ve been over Emily for a while now. Carly wasn’t enough of anything to deserve anything, especially a rebound girl."

"So what does that make us?" Kristina couldn’t resist the temptation to kiss him again. Not when she was lying next to him her head pillowed on his shoulder.

"Zander and Kristina."

"Zander and Kristina." She repeated softly against his lips.

Alexis noticed that Kristina and Zander had not come out of Kristina’s room. She wondered for a moment what might be going on in there, but she stopped herself. Kristina was a grown woman and if she chose to spend time in her room with a young man like Zander it wasn’t any of Alexis’ business. Alexis stifled a small laugh, and the noise drew Jason’s attention.

"Something funny Alexis?"

They were sitting on the couch close enough to touch. Jason had told her that he was going out for a meeting with Benny tonight. Alexis reminded him again that he didn’t have to explain himself to her. She just wanted him to be careful, and Jason wanted her to know that if she needed him to simply call the cell and he would return as soon as he could.

"Zander and Kristina haven’t come out of her room yet."

"Maybe they don’t know it’s okay."

"Maybe it’s something else." Jason caught a sly smile on Alexis’ face. He had never seen that kind of expression on her before. It was extremely attractive.

"Should we tell them it’s alright, that you’re alright?" Jason was about to stand when Alexis put her hand on his arm.

"I don’t think we should go in there."

Jason raised an eyebrow. "You don’t think?"

"Jason! No I don’t think they are." Alexis was blushing furiously.

"They are what?" Kristina’s voice came from the hall and Alexis blushed even more.

Alexis looked at Zander and Kristina. Their clothes were a bit out of place more that they had moved around in them than they had taken them off and put them back on. Kristina’s hair was smoothed back from her face as if someone had been repeatedly stroking it. Zander’s hair, well it was hard to tell when Zander’s hair was messy or if he’d purposely styled it that way. Both Zander and Kristina’s mouths were red and slightly swollen. Kissing mouths, Alexis remembered waking in the mornings after being with Sonny with lips like that. Memories of checking her mouth before she left his arms in the limo or the penthouse to make sure her lipstick wasn’t smeared all over her face or his.

"Alexis?" Kristina spoke again worried about the distant look in her sister’s eyes.

Alexis seemed to snap back into the moment, she tried to look up at her sister and Zander with a smile. They were discovering something, a relationship , an attraction, she couldn’t mock that. Whatever she was going to say was interrupted by a knock on the door.

"Yeah Frankie?" Jason answered the door and looked back at the three other people in the room. Something had happened to Alexis, one moment she was giggling and now she was stone silent totally lost in some thought.

"Someone from downstairs to see you." Jason nodded dismissing him. He didn’t want to leave.

"It’s okay." Alexis spoke without looking at him.

"You sure?" A distracted nod was her only reply.

Sonny had barely moved from his spot on the patio since Jason had left. There had been other movement in the house. Michael excited and happy that Jason was back but confused by the reaction of Carly. Carly. She was not happy. She had made it abundantly clear that she did not appreciate the fact that Sonny had kept Jason’s return to himself or that Jason had chosen something or someone else over visiting her when he had first returned. Sonny just prayed that Carly never found out that it was Alexis that had been Jason’s priority. He doubted the foundation or the roof could stand the shrill of rage that Carly would emit. Carly would never accept being second to anyone in Jason’s mind. She had not been able to handle his relationship with Robin or with Elizabeth. Carly would certainly never be able to understand what was going on between Jason and Alexis. Not that Sonny truly understood it himself.

"I am going to do what’s necessary to make it look like she is important to me as she was to you."

Those words spoken in Jason’s intense voice were trapped inside Sonny’s mind. Images of Jason holding Alexis even if it was to comfort her not to arouse any passion assaulted him. Jason would live with Alexis. He would rely on her as Sonny had. Jason would find her strength and her beauty magnetic.

Sonny leaned his head back closing his eyes. He could see Alexis in his mind as they kissed and made love. The feeling of her hands that first night. Tentative and exploratory. Then the change as things became less new but more exciting. Her hands made surer by the knowledge of one another. He tried to picture how she was now, safe in the penthouse suite, locked away from him and the rest of the world with Jason standing guard.

"I feel like the father of the groom." Benny chuckled from his position on the couch as the fussy man from the men’s shop swirled around Jason checking the fit of the suit. Jason growled in response. His arms were held out at an angle and every time he tried to put them down the fussy man had clucked his tongue and raised them back up. Finally the man stopped and looked appraisingly up and down at Jason. "I think this is the one." Both Jason and the man looked to Benny for his approval.

Benny stood and walked towards them. The suit was Italian and though there was not time for alterations the fit was pretty good. The dark blue seemed to enhance the deep tan of Jason’s skin and darkened his eyes. The broad shoulders and the double breasted style of the suit made Jason look bigger than he was, and Jason was a pretty big fellow.

"I really think he needs a tie." The man from the men’s shop sighed

Jason growled again and Benny shook his head. "Not his style." He motioned to the band collar of the linen shirt Jason was wearing under the suit. "That’ll work. We’re done for now."

The man seemed grateful to escape the suite where they had set up Alexis’s files, which was now Jason’s makeshift dressing room. When he was gone, Jason spoke fidgeting with the buttons on his suit jacket. "I don’t like this."

"You’ll get used to it. You’re gonna need more than just that one. Part of the costume of being the boss. But you’ll probably be able to get away jeans and t shirt most the time. It will just add to your bad ass image." Jason did not respond.

"Are you ready for this?" Benny knew Jason could handle it. He just needed to make sure that the kid felt the same way.

"Yeah. I want to make things clear to Tagelleti, a lot of things." Jason’s gaze was hard and Benny was pleased. Benny checked his Rolex, they would meet a couple of the other lieutenants at the warehouse, then Tagelleti and his crew at the No-Name.

"I have a few things to take care of at the warehouse. You’ll be there by six?"

Jason nodded. He would have a little time with Alexis to figure out what had happened to her earlier when she had just drifted away.

"Don’t ruin the suit before six."

Skye Quartermaine let herself back into her suite. She couldn’t help smiling. She should be plotting or scheming. She should be at the mansion working with her grandfather of all people to protect AJ, but she really couldn’t find the resolve to do it. Lunch had robbed her of most of that. Lunch with Richard Lansing. Skye hummed to herself. She hadn’t had this reaction to a man for a long time. Not even Jax. Her initial interest in Jax had lay mostly in the ELQ stock in his portfolio. Jax was easy on the eyes but he wasn’t her type, but she had fallen. She had fallen hard, to the point where the stocks didn’t seem to matter that much, just Jax. Course she’d ruined that. She had ruined lots of relationships before especially with powerful men with good hearts. Skye should have learned her lesson. But Richard Lansing was different. He was smart and funny, and while not penniless he didn’t have private jet at his disposal. He was just a lawyer. Hopefully there were no dark family secrets, or intimidating relatives, just a nice normal man.

Jason entered the suite to find Kristina and Zander on the sofa. Kristina had her head on Zander’s shoulder, and his hand was tangled in her hair. Both looked at him in surprise.

"Nice suit."

"Where is Alexis?"

"She went into her room after you left?"

"She okay?"

Kristina shook her head., "She seemed kind of distracted. Like she was before you left."

Jason went down the hall to Alexis’ room in the suite. The door was ajar and he didn’t knock but slipped in quietly. Alexis stood by the windows her arms wrapped tightly around herself. She did not seem to be looking out the windows as through them searching for something outside them that she could not find. Jason suspected he knew what she was thinking about and searching for. Sonny.

They had talked more about Sonny today than they had any day since she left the hospital. Once again, Alexis denied herself Sonny. She could have gone to him at any time or called for him at any time, and Jason had no doubt after seeing Sonny today, that he would have come to her immediately. But Alexis would not allow herself. She understood that even those few moments of joy and comfort she would feel with him would be too short and the consequences too severe. Without thought, Jason put his arms around Alexis’ waist and drew her to him. She struggled for a moment uncertain of who had her but then he said her name and Alexis collapsed against him. Jason pulled her as close as he could, knowing that he was probably wrinkling the suit but he didn’t care. Benny would get over it as long as he arrived in the suit and it was in one piece.

Alexis did not cry this time but instead rested against Jason feeling secure in his arms. She was tired of crying, tired of this emotional roller coaster ride that had begun when she opened the door to AJ. Alexis knew that she had been on this ride for a much longer time but that was the point when things had begun to feel frightening and out of control. If not for Jason. At the thought of not having him with her through all this, Alexis held tight to his arms as if he might disappear. She had tried so desperately to give him an out today. But he wouldn’t let her. Jason had made it clear that no matter what happened he would be with her until she forced him away. Like she had forced. . . .

"Alexis." It was if Jason could read her thoughts and knew that she was just a few seconds away from another batch of tears. Tears that she didn’t want to shed. He said nothing else, just her name. Grounding her to reality and to him, away from her thoughts of Sonny and her world of regret.

They stood staring out the window for what seemed like hours. Jason’s arms still wrapped around her waist. Alexis’ back pressed into his chest. He knew that it was almost time for him to leave. Jason was tempted to call Benny and tell him to call off the meeting or reschedule it.

"Your meeting." Alexis spoke softly.

"What?"

Alexis moved his arms away from her waist and turned toward him. He could see the

shock on her face.

"Please don’t say nice suit."

Alexis grinned.

"You need to go."

"I can cancel."

Alexis raised her hand tracing the line of his chin and the curve of his cheekbone.

"You need to go. If it’s important enough for Benny to make you wear a suit, you need to go."

"It won’t take long. I’ll be back soon." He intended to make this short and sweet, and scare the hell out of Tagelleti in the process.

"I’ll be here." Alexis moved her hand away from his face but Jason caught and impulsively placed a kiss in the center of her palm. Before she could say anything he let go of her hand and walked out of her room. Alexis could hear him tell Zander and Kristina that he would be back and then opening and closing of the door. Alexis waited until she knew he was gone before making her own way out into the living room and the questions she was sure that Zander and Kristina would have.

Jason noted that Max, Johnny, and Frankie were waiting for him in the hall. All three men wore side arms that were detectable under their suits. All three looked intense and dangerous.

"Boss." Johnny spoke first motioning to Jason with his hand. "There is something you need to see."

Jason followed him into the other suite and saw the new floral arrangement. The entire thing was blood red roses, carnations and other flowers that Jason couldn’t identify.

"Benny said we were supposed to refuse any more if they came but I thought you might want to see this." Frankie sounded nervous, he knew that it wasn’t good to defy any orders from Benny.

"You’re right." Jason walked to the arrangement and sorted through it picking out several roses. "Dump the rest of it in the incinerator."

Max grabbed the vase and headed to do as he was told. Jason headed for the elevator flanked by the other two bodyguards.

Benny paced the small space in front of his desk. It was getting close to time. He knew Jason would be there, the kid had always been reliable. "Kid". He would have to stop using the nickname. Benny had wished none of this had happened and Jason could have stayed in San Cristobal, but what was done was done and Jason was now in charge. Benny gave a glance to Carl and Nick. They were good lieutenants and he knew that more and more of the day to day business would rest in their hands.

"They’re here." Andrew’s voice echoed up the steps and Benny, Carl and Nick headed down to meet Jason.

Jason shook hands with familiar names and faces. People who had all been part of Sonny’s operation before who now looked to him for their cues.

"Tagelleti needs to understand that nothing has changed with Sonny stepping down. There will be no loss of territory, no interruption of operations. Everything that Sonny had is mine. I intend to keep it."

There were nods of approval from the assembly and Jason felt his confidence grow.

"Tagelleti or any of his men make a move tonight I want them to realize and regret what a serious mistake that is." There were more nods and dark grins. These were not men who were opposed to violence. Some of them even relished it.

"Let’s go."

"Are you sure?’

"You’re going to Kelly’s to pick up dinner. You’re not running away and joining the circus. I’ll be fine, you’ll be gone for what 20 minutes? A half hour?"

Kristina was torn. She could stay and Zander could go. They were all burned out on the hotel’s room service, the food was good but they had been through the menu at least twice.

"Go with Zander, I’ll be fine. You’ll be back. Jason will be back. Max is outside."

"If you’re sure?"

"You two need to get out of here for a little bit. I’ll be fine."

Kristina gave her a skeptical look and took Zander’s hand.

"Did you put the order in my name or yours?"

"Yours. Be careful, the chili cheese fries are prone to leaking through the bag."

"Thanks for the heads up."

Alexis took a seat on the sofa and watched as they stepped out into the hallway telling Max that they were going for food and that Alexis had ordered for him too. This got Alexis a smile and a wave from the big man before the door closed again. . She took the remote and flipped on the tv. A moment of quiet was nice, but it felt odd to be alone in the suite even if it was only for a few minutes.

Zander had backed Kristina into the sidewall of the elevator and was kissing her.

"So this is why you wanted me to come to Kelly’s with you?" She said between kisses.

"Possibly."

"Good reason." She kissed him again before the elevator stopped. Zander stepped back a little but his hands still on her shoulders when the doors opened on the tenth floor to let someone else on.

"Kristina?"

She did a double take when she saw Ned and unfamiliar blonde woman waiting at the elevator doors.

They swept in to the back banquet room of the No-Name like a small army bent on conquest. Bodyguards and lieutenants flanking Jason and Benny standing by his right side. Tagelleti’s men jumped to their feet, he’d brought an equal number of men but the attitudes were anything but equal to the intensity of the force that Jason brought.

"Morgan."

"Tagelleti."

"You wanna sit and handle this like the gentlemen I know we are?"

"We aren’t gentlemen and we don’t need to sit."

"Fine, you called this meeting, what do you want?"

"First, Everything that belonged Corinthos now belongs to me. The territories, the operations, EVERYTHING. If I see you or your men poaching or if you try to make a move I will bring you down so hard and fast you won’t know you’re dead until they bury you."

"Tough talk from a man who got off a plane a little over a week ago and got the keys to the kingdom handed to him so the real boss could play nursemaid."

Fury flashed through Jason, but he tamped it down. "You think you can challenge me. That’ll I roll over and let you walk off with what’s mine. Try it." Blue eyes flashed and for a moment Tagelleti was reminded of a burner just before it burst into full flame. Jason reached out and grabbed Tagelleti by the lapels of his jacket dragging the other man half way across the table. There was a flurry of movement as weapons were drawn and aimed. Jason never once broke eye contact with Tagelleti.

"It’s mine. I intend to keep it and protect it. You keep to your side of the street and I’ll keep to mine. Do we understand each other?"

Tagelleti just gave a fraction of a nod. He knew that to actually speak would be a bigger loss of face than anything else. But Jason caught the nod and released him. The sound of guns being holstered and men taking more relaxed positions filled the air. Jason stepped back a little and opened his hand to Johnny. He placed the red roses that Jason had taken from the bouquet in it.

"Also, you don’t send flowers to Alexis Davis again or attempt to contact her in any fashion." There was a lightening quick move of Jason’s hand. Red petals fell across the table as the thorns of the roses slashed the skin of Tagelleti’s cheek. Jason dropped the stems on the table. En masse his group turned walking out of the back room of the No-Name.

"Nice touch with the roses." Benny said softly.

"I want the guards doubled on the hotel first then on the house when we move. I want us to be ready for Tagelleti to make a stupid move."

"Kristina?"

"Ned."

"Kristina?"

Kristina let out a sigh and leaned against Zander. This really hadn’t been how she intended for find out about her and Zander, but Ned probably didn’t plan on her finding out about the blonde pressed against his side. She wasn’t jealous. The days away from Ned with Zander had given her an uneasy perspective on a lot of things that had happened in Port Charles particularly with her relationship with Ned.

"She’s Kristina, I’m Zander, you’re Ned and she’s. . ." Zander motioned to the blonde.

"Faith." The blonde woman watched the threesome carefully. She was pretty good at reading a situation. She’d bet money her meal ticket had been involved with the red-head up until pretty recently. The hottie with hair was probably a new development. One that Ned wasn’t pleased about.

"How did this. . ."

"Unless you wanna end up on your ass like you did in the parking lot, I suggest you keep your comments clean."

"I think you and I need to talk Kristina."

"We’re headed to pick up dinner. Talking will have to wait for another time."

"Maybe we should catch the next elevator?" Faith pulled on Ned’s arm drawing him back as Kristina reached for the close door button.

Jason had been quiet for most of the limo ride back to the warehouse. He wanted to go back to the hotel and see Alexis to make sure she was all right, but he had to attend to some business. Sonny’s operations were always well run between Benny and skilled lieutenants but there were decisions that only the true boss could make and a list of them awaited him. For six weeks, Sonny had been trying to maintain his operations, but he had missed many of the details. Details that Jason now had to deal with.

"It won’t take that long, you made short work of Tagelleti. Once you’re moved we can set up an office at the house. The daily stuff we can handle." Benny and Johnny were the only two with him in the back of the limo.

"I know."

"You want to call and check on her?" Benny was always so damn perceptive.

"Yes, but I’ll settle for checking with Max."

"You’re not feeling guilty or freaked out or jealous or anything?" Zander knew he was bordering on annoying but he was really trying understand how Kristina was reacting to what had happened in the elevator. She’d giggled and then been quiet after the elevator doors had shut. She’d sung loudly along with the radio on the drive to Kelly’s, not that Zander minded. She had a good voice.

"I am fine. Really fine. Really good." She attempted to prove this to him by kissing him soundly before climbing out of the car.

"So seeing Ned and having him see us wasn’t big deal."

"Not really, was it a big deal to you. You’re not going to beat your chest or mark territory are you?"

"I was just worried. . ."

"What that I’d see Ned with another woman and have some sort of massive realization that I had made a complete and total mistake by breaking up with him, and throw myself at his legs begging for him to take me back?"

"Well. . ."

Kristina stopped.

"You were really worried about that?"

"Well nothing that extreme but I was worried."

"Ned and I are done. We might manage to salvage a friendship out of this but he’s got issues. About me, Alexis and his family. I don’t want to be with Ned. I like being with you."

Zander couldn’t control the grin that spread across his face.

"Besides, you’re a much better kisser."

"So was that your ex?" Faith was attempting to be casual. Ned was probably steaming mad by rich boy standards but compared to the tempers of previous men she’d been involved he was like an angry puppy.

"That was Kristina, she’s not my . . ."

"She looked pretty ex to me, looked like she’s moved onto current status with the boy with the arms."

"I really don’t want to talk about this."

"I figured as much, maybe we could do something else?"

The debris of the Kelly’s feast littered the table in the living room. The unmistakable odor of chili cheese fries and well done hamburgers hung in the air. Three very full and satisfied people could barely move from their spots in the living room. Max had joined them for only as long as his burger and fries had lasted. He now stood in the hall joined by one of the new guards. Alexis didn’t realize there were now two guards in the hall and a total of ten in the hotel. If she had she would have been more concerned, but for Jason not for herself. Now she just wondered if he was all right and if things had gone well at his meeting. With soft eyes she watched Zander and Kristina snuggled on the floor watching television. They had told her about the encounter with Ned. Alexis suspected that they were leaving something out but she wasn’t going to push. She really did care about Ned and she always would but he wasn’t vital to her life as he had once been. The relationship between Ned and Kristina had caused her to feel awkward but not in a way that caused her to be jealous or hurt. And she had to admit, Zander and Kristina were adorable together.

Jason signed the last document and gave the last order. He was tired. It had been a long and somewhat emotional day, the only few moments of peace had been in the gym and then standing with Alexis in her room. Everything else had been conflict, attitude and explanations. Things that he had never been very good at. He could always fight physically and never tire, but days like today taxed his mind and emotions. He knew from the day he had awoken in the hospital that he was missing parts of himself. He didn’t miss the parts but he could feel those empty spaces and wondered what used to fill them. His love for Keisha, medicine, and his family had been some of those things lost to him, but there had been other things to fill those spaces. Robin. Her dark eyes and smile flashed before him. He had done so many things wrong with her. He had no frame of reference on how to love and what it meant. When he finally figured it out it had been far too late. His accusations and his hurt of her too deep to take back or make better. She was happy. He knew that. She had sent him a long letter telling him everything in her heart. What she had felt for him, how she missed him, but she understood that no matter what happened they would not be together again. He had taken her letter to the coast in San Cristobal and read it over and over again until the words finally beat themselves into him. He allowed himself to be sad, to let go of what resentment he had built up in his mind and to let her go.

"Kid, you okay?"

"Yeah. Long day."

Benny checked his watch, it was getting late, nearly 11.

"Go back to the hotel. You’re gonna be busy this week with the move and everything else."

Alexis sat on the chaise in her room the throw wrapped about her. She couldn’t sleep. She wasn’t worried about Jason, at least that’s what she tried to tell herself. She had talked to Max and the bodyguard confirmed that Jason had checked in with him and that he would be back later than expected. Kristina and Zander had watched movies with her for a while and after a bit she had left them alone in the living room to have some privacy. She had been reading. Kristina had raided the gift shop in the lobby and Alexis had her choices or romances, mysteries, and even a couple of biographies, they all seemed to feature plucky heroines with mysterious and helpful men in their lives. Alexis wondered if it was Kristina or herself who was projecting. Kristina and Zander had parted some time around 10 and Alexis had heard Kristina walk him over to his suite and then return. A red head had peeked in her room and Alexis had given her a smile. There had been a little "girl talk" as Kristina described it, mostly featuring how wonderful Zander was, Alexis had mostly nodded in agreement. She watched a very happy Kristina head to bed around 11, now Alexis was trying to convince herself that she wasn’t waiting up for Jason.

Jason nodded to Max. The bodyguard had given him a quick rundown of the night’s events before opening the door to the suite. The living room was dark as was the light under Kristina’s door. Alexis’ door was open the light on. Jason slipped off his jacket putting it over his arm before heading down the hall. Alexis was awake wrapped in her throw, a novel laying on her crossed legs.

"Hey." He kept his voice quiet not wanting to wake Kristina or disturb Alexis.

"Hey yourself. Things go well?"

"As well as could be expected. You going to be up for a second, I really want to change." He motioned to the suit.

"Go ahead."

Jason went into his own room, the door half closed behind him. The suit jacket was thrown into the chair by the bed. The pants joined it. He grabbed his sweats and pulled them on. He had just begun to unbutton his shirt when there was a soft knock.

"Alexis?" He doubted it could be anyone else.

"I thought we might talk in here. Less chance of waking Kristina, though she sleeps like the dead. I can wait out in the hall till you’re changed."

"You can come in."

"You’re dece. . ." The words died on her lips as she came in and found a Jason undoing the last button on his shirt and slipping it off. Alexis tried to keep her eyes on the carpet as she made her way to the chair on the other side of the bed. When she looked up she found Jason crossing to sit on the end of his bed, he had not put on a shirt.

"So things didn’t go well?"

"It wasn’t that bad, there were a lot of things that had slipped during the time that."

Jason stopped himself.

"Since Sonny’s been with Carly. You can say his name Jason, I know I was bad today but I am really trying not to cry any more tonight."

"You can cry if you really want to Alexis," His hand raised her chin so she looked him in the eye. "Don’t get me wrong. I don’t like it when you cry but if you need to."

"Thanks, when I was growing up showing emotion especially crying was a sign of weakness."

"I don’t think you’re weak Alexis."

"Enough about me. Is there anything I can do to help you catch up."

"Probably, but don’t worry about that right now."

"Jason, I’m beginning to go just a little stir crazy. I need to make some decisions about what happens next. I am determined to help you in anyway that I can, and the best way I can do that is by being your attorney." She reached for his hand taking it between her own.

"You need to take care of yourself and the baby, Alexis. Let me help you do that."

"You can while I help you. See it all works out."

"You said you need to make some decisions Alexis. What about?"

Alexis took a deep breath bracing herself for his reaction. "I’ve decided to go to the DA and ask him to accept AJ’s plea agreement."

Jason was about to protest when she raised her hand stopping his words.

"This isn’t just about me and AJ. I would love to see him in jail for what he did to me and what he wanted to do to me, but we’re not the only ones involved. Lansing was right. He could make things difficult at trial. He could bring up my past, which while not colorful as some isn’t something I want thrown across the newspapers. It would be the Eddie’s Angel mess again times a thousand. He could bring up Sonny, Carly, and Michael. He could try to make you testify. All of our lives would have to be put on trial, and while I am sure I could get some protection for my medical records the fact that I am pregnant could come out and I am not ready for that." She paused for a breath.

"I understand Alexis. I want AJ to pay for what he did to you but I don’t want him to get the chance to hurt you in court."

"I know, I am going to offer one change to Lansing’s agreement."

"What?"

"A restraining order. If he is out I want it clear that if he ever comes near me or near you that the probation is revoked and he goes to jail."

"You don’t need to include me in that. I can take care of. . ."

"I don’t want you to make a decision like Sonny did. I don’t want to even think of you trying to have AJ. . ."

"Okay Alexis."

She gave a half smile. "You know I came in here to talk about you. How everything went tonight. "

"I made some things very clear to some people and then worked with Benny. That was about it."

"I think you’re leaving a lot out but probably for a good reasons."

"Probably."

"I should let you get some rest. You’ve had a long day." Alexis got up from the chair.

She had a strange feeling inside. It was not the queasiness of her earlier morning sickness but something else. She moved slowly the door reluctant to be away from Jason.

Jason watched her get up. He didn’t want her to leave. Today had been long and hard but there had been the bright spots and everyone of them involved Alexis. She had made a very hard decision and part of it was done to protect those she cared about, including him. He got up from the bed and moved behind her. His hands slipped around her waist as they had done in the afternoon and he didn’t want to startle her again.

The words from the first day in the hotel, when she had looked so frail curled up on the bed came back to him. He whispered them into her ear.

"Stay, unless you can’t."

Part 4

Alexis froze. Her hands still reaching for the door.

"Stay unless you can’t." She could feel the warmth of Jason’s hands through the cotton of her tank. His hands splayed over her hips and belly. She wanted to stay.

"Jason."

"Just stay with me here tonight, Alexis. Just to sleep, just for . . . "

"Comfort." She finished his thought and moved in his arms.

Jason moved his hand up her arm to her chin. There was a light kiss against her lips. There was no tease of tongue or nibbling of teeth, just a sweet tender kiss. Alexis allowed Jason to lead her to the bed, the coverlet and blanket thrown to the end. He sat first and then drew her down beside him. They shifted and turned bringing the covers back up. Jason on his back with Alexis’ head resting against his chest. She could feel the strong steady beat of his heart under her ear. Jason had turned off the light and Alexis lay against him in the dark. He was solid muscle and warm skin. Unconsciously, Alexis moved closer to him.

Jason touched her carefully not wanting to scare her. His hand ran gently over her hair and down the side of her neck. He could hear the sound of her breathing in the darkness.

His arm wrapped tight around her. He held her as close as he could without causing her any discomfort. He waited listening as her breaths grew deeper and she relaxed against him. Once he suspected she was asleep, Jason closed his own eyes allowing sleep to take him.

Jax watched as the lights of Port Charles came closer. He hadn’t wanted to leave but business had demanded it. His father was ill and Lady Jane couldn’t leave him, Jerry couldn’t conduct the business in the US though he had done remarkably well maintaining the family’s foreign operations. That had left Jax. Honestly, the time had been good. To be away from Skye and to distance him from something that he should have realized was a mistake a long time ago. He’d hurt Skye, but if they had stayed together he would have just hurt her more. Regret, Jax seemed to live with that concept daily. He hoped Alexis had been all right in the time he’d been gone. He had not even had a chance to say goodbye to her or to Kristina. Jax knew if they needed him somehow they would have gotten a hold of him. Besides, there was Jason. Jax’s hands gripped the controls a little tighter. Had he accepted the idea of Jason protecting Alexis? It had been hard not to, with just the few visits in the hospital Jax had seen the need in Jason to care for Alexis. He just wasn’t sure if it was because Jason felt obligated to protect someone who was important to Sonny or if he cared for Alexis. Jax wasn’t sure it mattered. Alexis was safe with Sonny’s lieutenant. Far safer than she would ever be with Sonny. Jax knew that much of his resentment toward the other man was based in the past, in Brenda. Jax drew a sharp breath. Brenda. She was like an ache inside of him that never went away. Some days it wasn’t so bad and he could pretend to be living, but then there were the dark days when the pain was so deep that he could do nothing but wallow in it.

There was a noise in the headset as he was cleared for landing. Jax tried to concentrate. Brenda was lost to him, no matter how much he wanted to pretend she wasn’t. He had tried to forget with Skye and that hadn’t worked. Jax would just have to go on.

Ned tried to find his shirt in the dark. He and Faith had spent quite a bit of time not talking, but now he was just trying to get out of the hotel room without waking her. He was very sure any chance he’d had with Kristina had been completely blown and seeing her with Zander had reinforced that. But he was a Quartermaine. He didn’t accept defeat that easily. He’d lost Alexis for a number of reasons including his own stupidity. Kristina had been a fresh start for him, an Alexis without the pain of her past and the Cassidine nightmares. Ned found his shirt and slipped it on. He couldn’t substitute one sister for another, but there had been so many things about Kristina that had reminded him of the reasons that he had fallen in love with Alexis. Kristina was much like the person Alexis was behind the defenses she carried to protect herself. Ned fumbled with the buttons on his shirt. He could never have Alexis. Even if they had married, it wouldn’t have lasted. Alexis had known that. She needed something more and different from anything he could ever give her. But Kristina, Ned knew he just needed a chance to talk to her. To explain and make her understand. They could forget about Faith and Zander. Ned toed his shoes on and carefully made his way out of the room. He just needed a shot.

Jason woke when the bed shifted. There was a murmur as the body against his turned onto it’s other side, curling into a ball.

"Alexis." Jason said her name softly but she did not stir. Moving onto his own side, he spooned his body against hers. Her body put off a comforting warmth and Jason curled an arm around her moving closer. His nose buried in the curve of her shoulder, her hair brushing against his face. Jason inhaled deeply, breathing in the scent of her skin. Gardenias, Alexis smelled like gardenias. He wondered if it was her soap or lotion that scented her. There was something just under that scent. The true scent of Alexis. The way her skin smelled without anything covering it.

It had been so long since he had shared a bed with anyone for any reason and Jason doubted that he would get many chances like this. He and Alexis had both needed this contact tonight. He wondered if she would wake tomorrow and feel more distant from him. Would she regret this? Pushing the thoughts from his mind, Jason closed his eyes surrounded by the scent and feel of Alexis against him.

Kristina stumbled into the galley kitchen of the suite and opened the refrigerator. She wanted something and she wasn’t sure what it was. She contemplated the contents of the fridge. She grabbed a soda and opened it carefully. Her sleep had been restless and she knew the main reason was across the hall. Unsure of what she was doing, Kristina opened the suite door and gave a casual wave to the guard. He didn’t seem familar to her so it was less embarassing as she crossed the hall to Zander’s door. She knocked softly promising herself that if he didn’t answer right away that she would turn and go back to her own suite. The opened the door before she could even put her hand down.

Zander had watched the late show, and then the late late show, and was about to flip when the knock came. He knew who he wanted it to be on the other side of the door, but he doubted that it would be. Kristina was probably sound asleep in her own bed. It was probably one of the guards or perhaps Benny. Something might be wrong. Zander opened the door expecting the worst.

"Um, hi." Kristina was standing in the hallway holding a soda. Her hair was pulled back in a loose ponytail and several strands had escaped framing her face. She wore a pair of flannel pajama bottoms and very faded Red Hot Chili Peppers t shirt. Zander thought she was beautiful.

"Um, thanks."

"I said that out loud didn’t I?" Zander was proud that he got the words out without a stammer, though he was blushing.

"Yeah, but it’s nice to hear in the middle of night after a lack of beauty sleep. Could I?

She motioned to the door and looked back at the guard who was watching them both with a slightly amused expression.

"Oh, yeah. Come in." Wondering if he could look like a bigger idiot Zander shut the door after Kristina walked into the room.

"You weren’t sleeping?"

"Nah, couldn’t." He stopped himself. He’d been thinking about Kristina and that was the main reason that he couldn’t sleep.

Kristina tried to direct her attention to the floor or to her soda. Anything so that she wasn’t looking right at Zander. She had seen a lot of him when he opened the door. Zander apparently liked to sleep in a tank shirt and ripped sweats.

"What about you?"

"Woke up couldn’t go back to sleep. I didn’t want to wake Alexis or Jason."

"He’s back."

"I thought I heard them talking but his door and Alexis’ were closed when I got up."

Zander gave a little nod and moved to the couch. Kristina stood in the middle of the living room. "You wanna sit?" He motioned to the space next to him on the couch. Kristina tucked one leg under her and looked at him shyly out of the corner of her eyes. They were quiet for a moment when Kristina began to giggle.

"Why is this so weird?"

Zander laughed, "Not sure, except I wasn’t expecting to see you at," He glanced at the clock on the DVD player, "2 am."

"I can go back." Kristina moved to stand but Zander reached out nearly knocking the soda from her hand.

"I don’t want you to. I didn’t say I didn’t want you here, I just wasn’t expecting, hoping yes, expecting no."

"You were hoping?" Pink tinged Kristina’s cheeks and she scrambled to put the soda on the coffee table.

"I didn’t really want to leave, but I didn’t think I could have asked to stay."

"You never know until you ask."

"We’re not ready."

"We’re not ready for what?"

It was Zander’s turn to blush. Kristina suddenly understood.

"Whoa, when I said stay I didn’t mean STAY stay."

"So what did you mean by stay?" Zander managed to speak after another awkward moment.

"I know almost nothing about you except that I really like kissing you, and that you have great arms, and that you’ve helped me and my sister out. We didn’t spend a lot of time talking today."

"No we didn’t."

"So if there is a chance, which by the way I think there is a really good chance, of us "staying" I think we better know a little more about each other, rather than the gossip that seems to follow us around?’

"Gossip. We’re gossip worthy?"

"You are. Dark haired mystery man with a tragic love. . ." Kristina trailed off.

"There isn’t much of a mystery. And though I loved Emily, it probably would have never worked even if she hadn’t gotten hurt."

"Why not?" Kristina was genuinely curious.

" I was Emily’s rebellion. The thing she did to show up the Quartermaines and defy the too tight parental reigns. She wanted Romeo and Juliet."

"And you didn’t?"

"I wanted someone to love me. Not because they had to because they were family. I’ve been through that. I wanted normal boyfriend girlfriend. Unfortunately the way I used to live my life didn’t really permit that."

"Alexis loves you. Like family."

Zander smiled. "Alexis and Sonny were the first people besides Emily who really seemed to care about me for who I was. Alexis most of all."

Kristina grinned. "She’s great isn’t she?"

Zander had to resist the urge to kiss Kristina.

"When I first met her I was so scared. I could tell how much it hurt her to remember what had happened and how guilty she felt. I thought she wouldn’t want me in her life, but it was just the opposite. She was so happy to have me back and she never got tired of me."

"You would be hard to get tired of."

"You haven’t been around me that long. Give it another few weeks and you’ll probably head for the hills."

"Doubt it." This time he did kiss her.

"Hey," though there really wasn’t much protest in her voice when they broke the kiss, "We’re supposed to be talking."

"We can multi task. What about you, Red haired mystery woman?"

"Please, with the exception of what happened to me before I can remember, my life has been pretty normal until recently."

Alexis woke when the body behind her shifted. For a moment she panicked. The unfamiliar room and the body behind her made no sense. It wasn’t Sonny. Alexis could tell just by the length and feel of the body pressed against her. With a sighing smile, Alexis remembered. Carefully turning in the arms of the man who held her, Alexis studied Jason’s sleeping face. He’d been so good to her and to Kristina. A compassion and caring that she had only glimpsed turning the custody fight for Michael was now directed at her and instead of feeling overwhelmed by it, Alexis was simply grateful. She did not trust easily, her life had not allowed that. But she trusted Jason, with her life, her sister’s life, and the life of her unborn child. Alexis put her hand over her stomach.

"Hey." Sleepy blue eyes greeted Alexis.

"Hi." Jason’s hand covered her own resting on her stomach.

"Sleep alright?"

"Yes." They lay for a few moments blue eyes gazing into brown, finally Jason spoke.

"Would you like to go see the house today?"

Alexis smiled brightly, "Are we moving?"

"A few things today. I thought you might want to take a look first, see what we might need."

"I’d like that, it would be nice to get out of here for a little while." The thought of leaving the hotel did not bother her. Alexis wondered if it was because she was not going back to the penthouse or because she would be with Jason.

Kristina woke with a crick in her neck. She and Zander had both fallen asleep on the sofa. She looked at the dark head resting against her outstretched arm. Her arm was asleep but it didn’t really matter. She liked being like this with Zander. They had both talked until they had fallen asleep. Zander had revealed a little more about himself. Kristina now knew that he was originally from Florida, and that his older brother had been killed. When it had happened Zander had felt responsible and his parents so consumed by their own grief had done nothing to convince him otherwise or even comfort him. He had worked his way up the east coast before coming to Port Charles. She looked over to the clock on the DVD player. She probably needed to get back over to her own suite.

"Sleepyhead." Kristina leaned over brushing a kiss over the bridge of Zander’s nose. She could feel pins and needles shoot through her arm as she moved but it wasn’t really that bad.

Zander made a noise somewhere between a growl and a yawn but his eyes did not open.

"Zander." This kiss was on the tip of his nose. He made an ineffectual attempt to bat her away.

"ZAANNNNNNNDERRRRRRR," She drew out his name in a long sighing breath and was greeted by another growl.

"Time for the big guns," Kristina said quietly before kissing Zander full on his slightly open mouth. Any noise of protest was lost as Zander’s eyes fluttered open and he realized what was going on. Hands cramped by his strange sleeping position came to life pulling Kristina closer to him. Kristina’s eyes widened with a little surprise and a little pain as Zander finally moved off her arm and blood rushed back into her wrist and hand. When they finally separated, Zander leaned back on the couch with a crooked grin.

"Now that’s a way to wake up."

Kristina laughed and stood up about to move away from the couch when strong arms came up around her waist pulling her back down.

"Where are you going?"

"Back to the suite. I don’t want to worry Alexis."

Pacified by her explanation, Zander settled for another kiss.

"I’ll get a shower and come over. Maybe we can go out for breakfast."

Alexis was reluctant to leave the warm haven of Jason’s bed but she knew she had to get up. She didn’t want to scare Kristina if she came looking for Alexis and didn’t find her in her room.

"When do you want to go to the house?" Jason was sitting up in bed, the sheet pooled around his waist.

"Let me check with Kristina. It’s alright if she and Zander come with us to see the house?"

"They are going to be living there Alexis. You don’t need to ask if they can come."

Alexis shrugged. "I should get a shower and rouse Kristina. I don’t know how long it will take her to get ready."

"I’ll call Benny, someone will meet us at the house with keys."

Alexis slipped out of Jason’s room and was walking back to her own when she heard the click of the door. Kristina stood in the living room and when she caught Alexis’ gaze both women blushed.

"Can we both just say it’s not what it looked like and go to our rooms and get ready for the day?" Kristina’s words were rushed and breathless but Alexis understood babble.

"Sure."

"Good."

"Good, Jason wants to take us to see the house today. Do you and Zander want to come?"

"Sure. We could grab breakfast in the coffee shop downstairs and head over."

The sisters headed to their separate rooms both mulling the possibilities of what had happened to the other last night.

Alexis had changed into a pair of jeans and light cotton blouse. True summer had not yet come to Port Charles though it was only a few weeks away. Alexis thought for a moment. Time seemed strange lately. Either going so fast or so slow that she could not track it.

"Little one, you will just have to track it for me." Alexis pressed the heel of her hand into her stomach.

Jason waited in the living room. He’d called Benny earlier and arranged for someone to meet them at the house with keys. Men were already working security detail around the house and the codes for the security system had been changed. He would let Kristina and Alexis go through the house determining what they needed and choosing rooms. The actual move would not take that long. The four of them did not have much to bring with them unless Alexis and Kristina decided to move things from the penthouse. Remembering her reaction from yesterday, Jason would leave that up to Alexis.

Kristina had just finished pulling her hair up into a high pony tail, when someone knocked on her door.

"Come in." She expected Alexis but was surprised when Zander stepped in.

"Hey, talked to Jason, we’re going to the house?"

"If that’s okay. Alexis and I thought we could grab breakfast downstairs and head over."

"Works for me. Are you sure you want me to come out there with you. I talked to Jason and he said if I didn’t want to come out to the lake house I could stay here or at the penthouse."

Kristina looked hurt. "You don’t want come out with us?"

Zander kicked himself mentally. This wasn’t how he wanted this conversation to go. He wanted to go with them and stay with them. To protect Alexis and to be with Kristina. But he didn’t want either of them to feel forced into having him there.

"I want to, I just don’t want to make you uncomfortable."

"I think I would be way more uncomfortable if you stayed here or at the penthouse. I’ve discovered in the past few days that I like having you close by. So no talk about not coming with us."

Zander came closer to her pretending to brush something from her cheek. He leaned in and kissed her.

"Ready?" Jason asked as Alexis came into the living room. She looked so much better than the first day he’d brought her to the hotel. Her step was surer, she no longer seemed to expect something to jump from the shadows, and she smiled more.

"As all ever be." Alexis was ready to leave the suite. Just to be away from the same walls that had surrounded her, she was ready for fresh air and sunshine. She’d never been an outdoorsy person, her time with the Jacks had proved that, but after being inside for so long she had a new appreciation. Alexis was about to call for Zander and Kristina when the two shuffled out of Kristina’s room. Both professed to be starving and the foursome left the hotel suite flanked by two bodyguards.

Alexis watched Zander and Kristina over the rim of her cup of tea. It wasn’t coffee but she was going to have to find a substitute for her mornings. She didn’t care for juice or milk, but tea wasn’t really sparking any great love either. But Zander and Kristina were fun to watch. Even at breakfast they touched and smiled at one another. Zander had always been well mannered but with Kristina he bordered on subservient. Offering her salt and pepper for her eggs, butter and jam for her toast, and cream for her coffee which Alexis coveted.

"You able to eat this morning?" Jason’s question caught her off guard and Alexis had to look down at her plate before she answered him. The waffles were good and had caused none of the problems that the eggs had. Even looking at Kristina’s omelet had not disturbed her.

"Yes, it’s good." The foursome shared a booth and Alexis could not help but notice how close Jason was to her. But he was always close to her. She didn’t mind it, and had in fact become used to it.

Jason watched Alexis for a moment and then let his eyes move over the other patrons of the coffee shop and then out into the lobby. He was weary of press and anyone else who might want to see Alexis. The men had done a good job of discouraging anyone who might be looking for a story, but there were other people to be careful of including Quartermaines and their lawyers. But there appeared to be no one but the regular visitors to the hotel. Jason also kept an eye out for Sonny. He knew the older man understood the need to stay away from Alexis for both her own wishes and to keep the facade of his break from the organization, but Sonny was not always rational especially when it came to things he wanted.

Alexis rested her head against the window of the limo, not paying attention to the conversation that Kristina and Zander were having, instead she watched as the buildings of town turned into the trees of the country. The window was down just a little to allow the fresh breeze in. Breakfast had been good and even the car ride had not caused a repeat of her morning sickness. Alexis was a stranger to pregnancy. She had never been around many pregnant women in her life so what was happening to her felt even more foreign than she expected. Lost bits of health classes came and went through her mind, but they had been maddeningly vague concentrating more on how babies were made and developed rather than the effect they had on their mothers. She would have to research. Alexis knew there were veritable libraries of pregnancy and baby books. She needed to make an appointment with Doctor Potter, hopefully she could recommend several books and give Alexis a starting point. A wave of anxiety rushed through Alexis as again felt 0the responsibility of having a child, possibly on her own. Kristina’s laugh brought Alexis back to the reality of the limo. She wasn’t alone. She had Kristina and Zander, and though she had not heard from him in a few days she had Jax and his family. She had her own family in Nikolas and Stefan. Though she knew that this might be hard for them to accept they would support and protect her, and she had Jason.

The limo turned into a long tree shaded drive and came to a stop in front of the house. Jason stepped out first offering his hand to Alexis who had to gape at the site before her. The pictures did not do the house justice. The wrap around porch and the entire building were a soft white accented with green trim and green half round shingles in the gables. A large swing on the porch moved in the breeze, surrounded by white wicker furniture. It seemed to be large enough to be an inn or a bed and breakfast rather than a private residence. The only thing that looked a little odd was Benny wearing his typical suit sitting in a wicker rocker by the front door. He smiled at the group standing by the limo and gave a little wave.

"I thought you were going to send someone over with the keys and the codes." Jason’s voice contained no malice and even a bit of humor as Benny rocked back and forth.

"Thought I would give the place a look over myself." The older man stood and waited for the others to come up the steps to the porch. Alexis put her head down for a moment conscious of her fading but still visible bruises. It hadn’t been that bad to have the guards see them but for some reason having Benny see them made Alexis feel vulnerable and weak.

"How you doing?" Benny’s normally gruff tone softened. At his words, Alexis looked up into his eyes. She did not see pity or disgust in them, but concern and respect. Feeling a little more comfortable. Alexis gave him a smile. "Better. Thank you."

"I am going to need your help keeping the kid out of trouble. Think you’re up for it?"

Benny gave her a wink and motioned to Jason with his head.

"I think that can be arranged, but you’re going to have to tell me what you did to get him into suit." Any tension that might have existed was broken by Benny’s laugh. He handed sets of keys to all four of them and copies of the alarm codes.

"You probably want to memorize those and then destroy them. Don’t write them down on anything you carry with you everyday or put them in your purse." He gave a sharp look to Kristina. "If something happens I want you to call me immediately so we can have the codes changed." Benny turned back to the door and opened it allowing them all into the house. He showed them the keypad and how to turn off the alarms. It was a complicated system that seemed more designed for Fort Knox than a home. After the lesson, Benny turned them loose on the house. Zander and Kristina took off like children searching from room to room, occasionally oohhing and ahhing over something. Alexis was a little more subtle about her explorations with Jason following behind her. The first room she stepped into was the great room. It seemed to run almost the length of the house. A bricked fireplace dominated one side of the room surrounded by built in cabinets filled with books and figurines. The sofas and chairs were a mix of green and dark rose sitting atop a Persian rug that covered the hardwood floor. The room was bathed in light from the nearly floor to ceiling windows that showcased the view of the lake. Alexis was tempted to just stand there all day and enjoy the sight of sunshine dancing on the water, but Kristina and Zander had other ideas.

"Alexis, you have to come see this." Kristina’s voice called out filled with awe.

Alexis made her way down the hall through a spacious kitchen that intimidated her with it’s brushed metal appliances and array of cooking pots hanging from the rack in the ceiling.

Kristina and Zander were standing at an open set of french doors that led to a wide cedar deck, the steps of which led right down to the water.

"Isn’t this cool?"

Alexis looked back at a half smiling Jason.

"What?" He asked mock defensively, "You’re the one who picked the house."

"It’s too much."

"You haven’t seen all of it."

"Jason."

"C’mon, Alexis you haven’t even seen the upstairs." Jason offered his hand to Alexis leading her up the staircase.

There were so many doors that for a moment Alexis wasn’t sure she would ever remember which once was hers. Once she actually chose a room, anyway. Kristina and Zander had followed them upstairs and were randomly opening doors. Alexis caught glimpses of rooms, some in floral and some in plaid. The people who owned the house had decorated tastefully, looking for things that would be acceptable to men or women yet still have a sense of home. Jason brought her down a hall to a wide set of double doors with ornate brass handles. He opened them to reveal a sitting room/study. An antique desk sat by one of the windows. A chaise, a set of wing back chairs, and sofa also filled the room. Two doors stood on opposite sides.

"I think this is the master suite." Jason walked to the door on the left and opened it.

The room was done in pastel blue and lavender. It was feminine without being oppressively girly. The furniture was light oak and sheer white curtains let in light.

"This one seems to have your name on it." Benny spoke from the sitting room.

"It’s beautiful." Alexis wandered around the room letting her hands touch the frame of the bed.

"There is another room over there." Benny motioned with his hand. "I think this house was built in a time when husbands and wives shared lives but not beds. Probably best if Jason takes that one." The other room was done in blue and dark wood.

"I think Zander and I have staked out our rooms. I have to tell you the penthouse was nice, the hotel was great, but I think you’re going to have to use force to evict me from here." Kristina leaned against one of the double doors with a smile on her face.

"Think you’ll like it here?"

Jason and Alexis were alone in her new room. They were both sitting on the bed looking out the window. Alexis could see the lake. Kristina and Zander were still exploring. Benny had gone on his way after getting a promise from Jason to come to the warehouse next week to finish some business.

"I already like it here. It’s a lot though."

"It’s a house Alexis."

"You know what I mean."

"Yeah, but don’t worry about it. I want you to be comfortable here. Figured you could office in the sitting room if you wanted to, if you still want to get back to work."

"I do. You heard Benny, you’re going to need my help." She touched her shoulder to his.

"I am, but only as much as you feel up to. You’ve got the baby to think about."

"I’ve been thinking about the baby a lot."

"What have you been thinking?"

"Just about being a mother, whether or not I can do it. What I am going to tell everyone, what I am going to tell Sonny, when I am going to tell him."

"Come to any conclusions?"

"Not really. Just more questions." Alexis leaned against his shoulder.

"We could let everyone assume it’s mine." The words were spoken in a hushed tone that Alexis had to strain to hear.

"What?"

"We could. . ."

"I think I heard you right, I just don’t understand."

"Alexis, you know what people thought about you and Sonny, Even before it was true."

Alexis blushed with both embarrassment and anger. People had been saying things about her and Sonny for a long time. Long enough for Jason to remember and he had been gone for how long. Alexis knew the things people whispered to one another in restaurants and in the courtroom. She was Sonny’s both professionally and personally. His bit on the side. His mistress. Even Carly had accused her of it a million times. But until that one night in April it hadn’t been true. Alexis loved Sonny. She had tried to figure out when it started. There had been so many moments between them. Little things like shared smiles and just time together. There had been the big things like Sorel, and Helena and Stavros, and AJ. But as long as it took to get started it was over quickly. Though she still loved Sonny, and she was pregnant with his child.

"I know what people thought. I know people will probably think the same thing about us. I am just "Alexis Davis, Mafia Lawyer and Bed warmer. "

"People will think what they want to, they’ll gossip, and be sweet to your face while cutting you into shreds behind your back. That doesn’t change who you are or what you are Alexis. They don’t count. Trust me, I know."

"You shouldn’t be put through this."

"I don’t care what people think Alexis. I care about what you think and what you want. If people think the baby is mine, it won’t bother me."

"What about Sonny?"

"That’s between you and Sonny. You’ll tell him when you’re ready, or you won’t, I can’t make that decision for you."

"I’m not ready yet."

"Then you wait till you’re ready."

Alexis turned on the bed till she was facing him.

"Don’t thank me, Alexis." Jason’s head was down and she couldn’t read his expression.

"How did you know I was going to?"

"A guess."

"You just offered to pretend that my unborn child was yours for my protection and even for my honor. You’re willing to keep it a secret from the baby’s father again because I am not able to deal with him yet. I think I should be thanking you, I don’t know what would do without you here and now. I certainly couldn’t have trusted this situation to someone else. Can you imagine Ned pretending to be the father of my child?" Alexis mock shivered at the thought bringing a laugh from Jason. He offered her his hand pulling her off the bed.

"It’s going to be okay Alexis." His arms went around her and Alexis relaxed into his embrace.

"Just keep telling me that."

Javier was torn. The red truck or the blue truck. Each had it’s pluses. The red truck went really fast and had flashing lights. The blue truck wasn’t as fast nor did it have flashing lights but it had a Superman logo on the top and sides. That made it so cool.

"Mama, which one?" He turned offering his trucks for inspection to the person in the world he loved and trusted the most.

"Mmm." His mother contemplated the trucks as he watched her. He had the prettiest momma in the world. He was absolutely sure of it. Though he was young he knew that she was the prettiest best momma in the whole world.

"The Superman one." She pointed to what she knew was the little boy’s favorite toy.

"Yep." He nodded in agreement and began to run the truck in circles around the floor of his playroom. The playroom like his bedroom and his mother’s were in the center of the boat down low. He could barely feel the movement of the ocean that they sailed over it. When the sea was calm his momma would take him to the decks and show him the world. Those were the best times, just him and his mother. There were scarier times when his father joined them. Javier did not know his father well. He did not spend days with him like his mother did. Sometimes they ate dinner together, but that was always quiet and almost sad. Javier always tried to behave his best at dinner so he would not make his father angry. His mother was different when his father was around, when they were alone she played, smiled, talked to him endlessly, but when his father was there she was quiet.

Javier looked up as the door to his playroom opened. One of the men who served his father stuck his head in.

"Ma’am, He would like to see you." It was asked politely but it was an order.

His mother kissed Javier on the top of his head and followed the man out of the room.

Her hand trembled a little as she reached out to knock on the door to her husband’s office.

"Enter." The voice that she had once thought romantic and husky now scared her.

"Luis, you sent for me?" Her husband walked around his desk embracing her tightly.

"We will be arriving in Port Charles soon."

"Luis, please. I don’t want to go back."

"Nonsense Love, aren’t you ready to show everyone how well you are and our beautiful son?"

Her son, her mind corrected him though she knew she would never speak the words.

"Besides you know I have business there."

"Yes, I know."

"Only a few days, Brenda, then we will leave."

"Alexis!" Kristina’s voice rang through the stairwell causing Alexis to move a little quicker with Jason close at her heels.

"Kristina, what is it?"

Kristina held her cell phone out to Alexis her hand covering the mouthpiece.

"It’s Courtney."

Alexis felt a jolt of shame. In all this she had forgotten about Courtney. She knew Courtney must have heard what had happened. Taking the phone Alexis tried to keep her voice calm.

"Courtney."

"Alexis, oh my God, I am so sorry. I never. I never thought. I am so sorry." The younger woman was sobbing.

"Shhh.. . .Courtney it’s alright, I’m okay." Alexis couldn’t say she was fine. Too many things had happened for her to pass off that casual response.

"I saw AJ at the jail. I couldn’t believe he would, Alexis I am so sorry."

"Courtney, calm down. Where are you?"

"Kelly’s."

Alexis knew she couldn’t handle the crowd at Kelly’s. There were too many people who she might know who could be there.

"Can you come to the Port Charles Hotel. It will be about half an hour before I can get back there, but I think we should talk."

"Kay." There was such a sad note in the girl’s voice that Alexis was reminded of how truly young Courtney was.

Alexis handed the phone back to Kristina. "She’s going to meet us back at the hotel."

Kristina nodded. "I checked the voicemail at the penthouse. She’s called about a dozen times. Her and lots of other people."

"I need to find my cell phone."

"I didn’t see it at the penthouse. But it might be lost in the couch cushions."

"I have a tendency to lose it." Alexis explained.

"We can get you another one."

"I can go check out the penthouse." Zander offered.

"It’s not that important. But I think we should go back to the hotel." Alexis looked at the house a little disappointed. She wanted more time here.

"We can start moving stuff tomorrow. You can spend tomorrow night here."

Faith awoke alone. There were no signs of Ned Quartermaine anywhere.

"Bastard, better have paid the hotel bill." She muttered softly getting out of bed and heading for the shower. Ned might have gotten out of the hotel room easily, but Faith didn’t plan to make anything else in his life easy unless he was more cooperative.

Courtney stumbled through the doors of the Port Charles Hotel. She’d been crying since Kristina had finally answered her cell phone and she been able to speak to Alexis. She was going back to Atlantic City. She needed to be anywhere but Port Charles, and her mother had actually been understanding. At Kelly’s she’d talked to Mike who agreed it was probably for the best if she left Port Charles just to clear her head. Sitting on one of the chairs in the lobby, Courtney ran her hands through her long blond hair. She wiped at her face with her hands. Her reasons for ever coming to Port Charles seemed lost. She had a half brother and a father. Neither one of them had played a very big part in her life lately, except for Sonny telling her over and over again how wrong it was of her to marry AJ. Alexis and Kristina had been the ones who had taken her in and shown her around Port Charles.

"Courtney?" Alexis’ voice.

Courtney looked up and her eyes immediately went to the bruises on Alexis’ face.

"Courtney, let’s go upstairs. We can talk there." Alexis gathered the girl up helping her stand and guiding her to the elevator. Jason waited for her there with Kristina and Zander. Kristina joined Alexis at Courtney’s side making soothing noises and reassurances. Once again Jason was amazed by Alexis. This was the wife of the man that had viciously attacked Alexis, but she was also Sonny’s sister caught up in the wars between AJ and her brother. They rode up in the elevator quiet with the exception of an occasional sob from Courtney. The doors opened and Kristina and Alexis led Courtney to the suite. Jason was about to follow when Zander put a hand on his arm, shaking his head.

"I think this is a girls only type thing."

Alexis sent Kristina to fetch some Kleenex. Her own crying jags meant that there were boxes upon boxes in the suite.

"Courtney, it’s okay."

"How can you say that. What AJ did to you."

"It’s over Courtney, nothing can change what happened."

"If I hadn’t."

"Courtney, you know this isn’t about you. It’s AJ and his obsession with Sonny and Michael. We both were forced to play a part of it because we. . ."

"I don’t think I love AJ. I don’t think I ever loved him. It was just dangerous and romantic, and everyone said we shouldn’t be together."

Alexis stroked Courtney’s blonde hair. It was a hard way to lose your innocence and then to find out the man you had placed so many romantic ideals upon was capable of such violence.

"Courtney, AJ never hurt you while he was drinking?" Alexis didn’t think he had but she wanted to make sure before she accepted the plea agreement. She was also going to request that the restraining order against AJ included him keeping away from Courtney.

"He scared me a couple of times but nothing like he did to you. Are you okay, I mean really okay?"

"I won’t lie Courtney, AJ hurt me pretty badly." Alexis brushed her hair back from her temple showing the worst of her bruises. Alexis knew that she needed to do this, for herself and for the young woman next to her. They both needed to acknowledge what had happened before they could move on.

"I am going to be okay though, physically and emotionally. I have people care about me and so do you."

"I am going back to Atlantic City, it sounds silly but I want my mom around me."

"It’s not silly, Courtney when I was in the hospital that was my first thought. I wanted my mother, but I couldn’t have her there. I am glad you and Janine still have each other." Alexis knew that Janine would never win a mother of the year award but she would try to help Courtney.

Kristina came back with a wet washcloth and a bunch of Kleenex. Courtney blew her nose and wiped her face.

"I just wanted to see you before I left. To apologize and to make sure."

"You don’t have anything to apologize Courtney. AJ did this, you’re not responsible for him or for his actions."

"I keep telling myself that but it’s going to take a while before it really sinks in. I called your friend Tessa, she’s going to make sure the divorce goes through quickly. AJ won’t contest any more."

"Good. Tessa’s a good person, and a better lawyer, you can trust her."

"Thanks for getting her to take my case. I am just ready for this all to be over."

"I understand, when are you going back to Atlantic City?"

"Tonight actually, I have tickets for the five o’clock bus."

"Are you sure that’s safe."

"It’ll be fine, Alexis."

"I want you to call here when you get to Atlantic City. Is your mom meeting you at the terminal?"

"Yes."

"I wasn’t going to let you go unless she was." Alexis jotted the direct number for the suite on a piece of paper next to the phone she ripped it from the pad and gave it to Courtney who tucked it into her pocket.

"When you’re feeling like it you can come visit." Kristina said

"I’d think I’d like that. I wanted to thank you both for everything you did when I first came to town and found out about Sonny and Mike."

"We have a unique perspective on long lost relatives." The three sat in silence for a moment before Courtney cleared her throat.

"I need to go get my stuff and head to the bus station."

"Does Sonny know you’re leaving?"

"I am going to call him when I get back to Atlantic City, he’s got a lot on his mind right now. I think to see me would upset him and I really don’t think I can take that."

Courtney got up from the couch followed by the two sisters. Both hugged her and whispered reassurances. As the door opened Alexis motioned with her eyes to Frankie who had just come on duty.

"Courtney, why don’t you let Frankie take you to Kelly’s and then to the bus station."

"Alexis. . . "

"Please, it would make me feel better."

Jason and Zander hearing the voices in the hall came to the door of the suite. Jason nodded to Frankie consenting to what Alexis had asked.

"Okay, Alexis." Courtney gave Alexis another hug and followed Frankie to the elevator. The small group watched as the duo stepped into the car and Courtney gave a small wave before the doors closed.

Alexis let out a heavy sigh which immediately drew Jason’s concern.

"Before you ask, I am alright." Alexis smiled at him and went back into the hotel suite.

Jason walked through the suite. Their last night here had so far been quiet. Movies and dinner, with he and Alexis sitting on the sofa and Kristina and Zander laying on the floor. They had talked about the house and each time Alexis seemed to smile more and her mood lighten. There had been an agreement among the four of them that they would probably need a housekeeper. Jason had called Benny who of course had someone perfect in mind. Kristina and Zander had disappeared to young man’s suite after the movie was over and Alexis had gone to her room. Jason walked the living room awhile things working through his mind. The business of running Sonny’s business on his mind.

"It’s not Sonny’s anymore, it’s yours." He said the correction out loud.

"Jason?"

He went to the open door of Alexis’ room cursing himself for not being quieter. Alexis was sitting on her bed. The two bags that Kristina had brought her packed and sitting on the chaise. He noticed that the blanket she was so fond of wasn’t on the bed or the chaise.

"It’s in the suitcase. I called down to the front desk. They’re billing you for it."

She picked up a brush and began to run it through her hair.

"Not a problem."

"Wait till you see the bill. I know what they charge for the robes. I can’t imagine what they are going to charge for the blanket. You can come in, you don’t have to stand in the door way."

He sat on the edge of her bed watching the strokes of the brush through her dark hair.

"You were good with Courtney."

"She needed it. She’s had a hard time of it through all this. It’s not easy being stuck between Sonny and the Quartermaines, but you know that probably better than anyone else. I think Courtney will be okay, but getting out of Port Charles is probably a good idea. Especially when AJ gets out."

"Alexis, you don’t have to endorse the plea agreement."

"I want this behind me, this will be the quickest way. I am going to call Ric Lansing tomorrow and then the DA. If they agree to my conditions then it will be over."

She set the brush on the night stand.

"Besides, I need to start thinking about the baby. Doctor Potter’s back next week. I’ll call her service and see if I can get an appointment."

"Do you want me to come with you?"

"You don’t have to."

"But if I want to?"

Kristina was making notes on things they needed for the house.

"You’re going to make me go grocery shopping again." Zander threw his head back in mock disgust.

"Fine, I’ll go by myself. Course when I happen to forget your favorite foods and double up on the weird tofu stuff, you’ll only have yourself to blame."

"You might have others fooled but I have yet to see you eat the weird tofu stuff. I think you’re a fake health nut, I’ve seen you inhale a double cheese burger and chili cheese fries."

Kristina stuck her tongue out at him.

"I noticed you haven’t denied it."

"No, I haven’t."

"So no weird tofu stuff." Zander inched closer to her, she hadn’t noticed his movement until it was too late. Zander’s hands found her sides and began tickling. Kristina shrieked with laughter, her pen and paper falling to the floor. She tried to move away but he was relentless pinning her to couch. Her laughter became breathy and her face flushed, finally Zander showed a little mercy. She was still laughing as he brushed the hair out of her face.

"You surrender?"

Kristina nodded her head but did not speak and before he knew what was happening Zander found himself on his back looking up at her.

"A Cassidine never surrenders." She said in a haughty tone then kissed him.

Jason sat in his own room. He’d left Alexis to sleep. She had protested saying she wasn’t tired, but he’d caught her yawns. He had almost asked her to come back to his room or to stay in her’s but he wasn’t sure how to. He could say the words but he didn’t even understand his own intentions. He had decided to accompany her to her doctor visit. He wanted to make sure that Alexis and the baby were healthy. Jason thought about Alexis’ reaction to the house. She had loved it and had said nothing about sharing the master suite with him. For a moment, the image of Alexis sleeping, not in the blue and lavender room that she had claimed, but in his room her skin and hair set off perfectly by the dark blue sheets entranced Jason. He shook off the thought. Alexis needed him as a friend and protector.

Alexis turned restlessly. This was the first night she hadn’t been able to sleep in the hotel. Part of it she knew was the desire to go back to the house. The penthouse was nice but it didn’t create the sense of security and wonder that the house had. Alexis could not have asked for a better refuge. Alexis gave a faint smile in the dark remembering her conversation with Jason in her new room. The smile faded as she realized another reason for her sleeplessness. She had almost asked Jason to stay with her. She knew that she could easily slip down the hall and ask to stay with him. After the move they would share a suite and it would just be a few step across the sitting room to his room if she wanted to sleep with his arms wrapped around her. Alexis forced her eyes to close and willed herself to sleep. She couldn’t make those types of demands on him.