Don't let me be like GH and drop a storyline! If I leave something unanswered as this goes along, please let me know it your reviews. As always… I hope you enjoy this chapter. Note: even though Dante wasn't on the show when I started this, it's becoming hard for me to think of him as other than DZ, who is not as dark as I drafted the character. I'll try to not succumb to his magnetism… but that's a tall order! LOL

Black and Blue

*

Agent Falconari settled in to the damp cold thinking. He liked nights like this where the shades of black could barely be discerned with the ambient light. Only the edges of slick moisture left from the rain held any sparkle. He intended to knock out the street lamps himself but somebody did the job for him. This was how animals lived, depending on the moon and stars, and their instincts.

Agent Bragg, acting as courier, arrived with half the payment. The Equinox representative was waiting inside the empty building with his own industrial briefcase, ready to make the exchange. Bragg had a history of double-dealings with Raynor so Dante thought the man might teach him a thing or two about playing both sides. So far the younger agent wasn't impressed. Bragg seemed overconfident as if all was routine. Dante wasn't so sure.

They only picked this spot for the exchange the day before. Dante would have preferred scouting several back ups as decoys and alternates. At least they weren't rushing. Bragg and Falconari gave themselves up to two days to get the asset undetected from DC to Port Charles. Once they had it in their procession, destination: the harbor, specifically Pier 29 where the Ana Marie rocked listlessly against the padded pylons.

All was nice and quite, no witnesses. This was the kind of business district block folks abandoned after 6 p.m. On the surface everything seemed to be going as planned. Dante leaned on the car, the clammy chill of the night crept into his thinking…

Why no movement? Listen to your gut. We are being watched.

So no movement means no one's close by? Sniper?

No good. A smart shooter still needs someone close: to grab the cases, pick off any survivors… What is he gonna do, charge up with rifle case in hand and grab more cases…?

Distance; so why are they so far away… Why do they think they have time?

"Come on guys. All you gotta do is swap cases. What's the big deal…?" Dante's words turned to mist highlighted under the half moon.

BOMB!

"Oh my God, the building is rigged!"

Dante charged into the old building! Am I nuts? If I'm right and the place is wired, what am I thinking charging in?

He wasn't.

They'd picked the storefront because it was being remodeled. Not yet wired for security. Empty but for sheeted furniture and carpentry tools. He didn't listen for voices, he just yelled as he dodged objects on his way to the back of the dark first floor.

"OUT! OUT! GET THE FUCK OUT! IT'S GONNA BLOW!"

He heard the back door slam. Dante swung around the corner in time to see it swing out again from the force. He followed charging down the steps as the rumbling started with a flash of white. Shattered glass and pulverized plaster flew through in the air. Brick exploded into gritty chunks. Splintering wood made a pathetic and painful noise under the strain.

The explosion forced Falconari into a not so graceful arch landing on top of the other guys. He rolled off them and looked back. The house was on fire and caving. The charges must have been set in the front of the house weakening the one side. It was falling forward towards the street and away from them.

"Bastards were gonna wait for us to exit, hit the button: BOOM. Then just walk up, pick the cases out of the rubble. Search and fucking rescue."

"What?" Bragg groaned. Looking around, "Hey, we got both cases!" Bragg was pleased to see he still had a grip on one. The other lay just a foot away. "But what if the explosion busted the case." Earl shuddered at the thought.

"I don't know about the money, but that case," pointing to the metal Equinox carrier, "as well as the one inside it, are leak-proof, crush-proof, fireproof just obviously not foolproof."

"Oh."

"Get out of here. Find cover till I call. You're security for that asshole now. Get him and his case to his car." Pausing as he stood to look down on the other moaning figure. He was missing a loafer. "Looks like the idiot survived."

With that Falconari checked his weapon then dusted off the ash coating his all black attire. Dante made for the adjacent property. He scaled a still standing wall dropping lightly on the other side. Weapon in hand, leading the way like a divining rod, Dante went along the side of the adjacent structure. He inched his way to the front. The fire wasn't too bad. Rubble littered the sidewalk and half the street. The face of the building sagged to the ground like someone had taken a bite out if it leaving the top unsupported.

He observed two men standing at the rim of the rubble, definitely civilian, probably janitors by their uniforms. One was on his cell calling 911. The other seemed mesmerized by the damage. Falconari stayed in the shadows. Poking his head out further, the agent scanned the street. The moon picked up a hint of breath trails coming from the edge of a far off dumpster. A sharp whistle sounded near his ear. BULLET!

He dropped hard to the ground, weapon extended. Counting on the burning structure as it sagged to disguise his gunfire, Dante retaliated. Aiming where he saw the mist, a shadow fell and then there was no more mist. That's a body hitting the ground, he recognized it, hoped it was a bad guy. Suddenly another guy hauled off running. Dante took off after him firing with deadly precision. Down goes #2 bad guy. If there's a third the agent figured he's a sitting duck standing out in the middle of the street. He kept walking, daring another shooter to try taking him down in the dark. Granted, the burning building did brighten things up a bit.

He heard the roar of the engine before he spun around to see the unlit car barrel towards him. Dante jumped back and rolled out of the way. He regained his footing just as the soles of his all black Converse crunched under broken glass. The driver missed him and hit the curb. The car made a screeching noise, ricocheting up off the curb, the bumper coming down hard on the edge of the sidewalk. Tires squealed as the driver saw Dante approach. Blood dripped from the driver's forehead. Just as Dante raised his gun the car sprung loose and up on to the sidewalk. The driver whipped it around and dropped it back on to the street. The fleeing car left a trail of sparks from under its chassis.

Ducking so the two civilians wouldn't see him. He watched the janitors as the car sped past them. They didn't seem to know Dante was there. Only the vehicle had gotten their attention. Dante knew he had just a few minutes before the fire trucks would arrive. He was near his first kill. Looking down at the thug he didn't recognize him. Searched the body quickly for ID coming up short, before hoisting him up and into the dumpster along with the shooters weapon. Then he ran the same path the other man took till he found #2 a fair distance away. He'd lived long enough to pull himself a few bloody yards. Looking back, the agent thought about hiking to the dumpster with a body on his shoulder. There was a storm drain closer; he heard the rainwater rushing down the underground system.

"Ahhh just what the doctor ordered."

Dante spied an un-grated inlet flush with the sidewalk. Finding no ID on that guy either, he tucked John Doe's gun in his back pocket then drug him to the inlet. The agent tossed the weapon in first to test the depth. Finding it suitable he pushed the body into the storm drain. The feet went in easily. Once he got to the belly it required some unsavory kicking but, past that hump, the body slid in. There wasn't enough water pressure to move the body but at least it would be out of site for a while. Unless, in the daylight a blood trail was exposed. No way to know till he read it in the papers. He hoped for more rain.

Dante was back to crouching behind the dumpster when the first responders screamed past him. They drowned out Bragg's voice on the other end of the call.

"Hello? Hello? Yeah, say it again. Ok. Meet you there."

Anthony was not a happy man.

"I bet it was that lousy Jerry Jacks who told 'em we were coming!"

"I don't think so boss." Joseph was probably the only man, who wasn't blood, to survive contradicting Zachara.

"Oh yeah," the sarcasm heavy on his lips, "why not Mr. Smarty Pants?"

"From the sound of it da exchange was happenin' when out-a no where the kid charges into da building. No phone call, nuttin. Like it just dawns on him."

"So someone fucked up and gave themselves away."

"Maybe. We'll never know. Only survivor was your cousin, the driver. At least dat's what he claims. Still no bodies."

"I don't care if they are dead already. FIND THEM, bring 'em to me so I CAN KILL THEM AGAIN!!" Anthony rolled his chair over to the desk. Not for any reason but to move. "I guess that's what I get for working on a budget. SONNY SHOULD BE DEAD NOW…." Softening. "We owe Morgan for this. If Morgan were half the boss he should be Corinthos would be dead or the other way around! I've been sitting in this gawddamn wheelchair for months just so I could pit Morgan and Cornithos against each other. But, what, what do I get? AAhhhhh," Anthony screamed in frustration. "So who's left?"

Joseph knew how bad Anthony needed money. Not getting the case was a severe blow to him. The hair on the back of Big Joe's neck stood up.

"Oscar. And your cousin, when he gets back. Everyone else is waitin' to ambush da other case going to the docks. Only they know we are coming now, don't they? We lost da element a'surprise. What if they change ships, boss?"

Like neener-neener-neener, Anthony mocked in a whiny, childlike voice. "Lost the element of fucking surprise. FUCK SURPRISES. I HATE surprises. The case won't make it here for hours, maybe days. If anyone is wounded, could be longer. And we know where they are going. They won't change ships. We won't let them. Make sure nuttin else is available."

Bending at his waist Anthony started rocking back and forth in his chair. It took on a manic rhythm unsettling Joseph. His boss was so far out on a limb he was sure Anthony was in a whole other tree by now.

Suddenly stopping. "Let's use the time to get ready for company shall we? Invite Sam McCall to come see me."

"Sure. Boss."

A sleepy Spinelli stumbled down the stairs to answer the door. The pounding was relentless. He was half afraid to look through the peephole as if the fist on the other side could fit through it and punch his lights out. Inching forwarded he finally got close enough to look through. With each pounding the door reverberated brushing his cheek as he focused one eye on Cody's bald head.

"Tis I the Jackal…opening the door…." he cautioned as Cody barged in.

"Something's up. I need to talk to the boss. Now. Get him up."

Spin suddenly felt exposed in his Japanese anime pjs. Gratefully, the former special ops soldier didn't seem interested in teasing him.

"Despite what the Bal..The B-badass Commando may choose to believe I am not my Master's Keeper. If he is indeed home, it seems very unlikely your incessant pound would wake me before Stone Cold."

"So you are saying he's not here?"

"I am saying I highly doubt it."

"But the Feds are still out front? His car and bike are here? Where is he? Isn't that his cell?"

They both looked at the charger containing Jason's cell. Littering the desk next to it lay the remnants of cardboard and plastic packaging. Cody picked up a bit of cardboard to examine. Then flipped open his cell and dialed a number. He hit redial five times consecutively as Spinelli kept talking.

"Stone Cold looked really strained, for lack of a more fertile word, this week. I think my master's tension might be in dire need of a release. With that in mind I suppose it is possible he could be here and ignoring us. He has been spending more time with Fair Samantha…"

Cody's cell finally buzzed in return. He turned his back on the kid and answered as Spinelli finished, "…Maybe he simply wishes not to be disturbed?"

Cody spoke over him, "We need to talk." Speaking stiffly to the listener. "At your place." Cody seemed to ease. "Need help getting back in? Or you want me to come get you…. OK where… Got it."

Shoving the phone in his pocket Cody made to leave without a word.

Curiosity made The Jackal pick up the wrapping Cody discarded. It once contained a burner. Jason was, indeed, not home. He'd secreted away while the Jackal slept.

"Wait!" Spinelli commanded, "Should I come with your?"

Surprising the wiz with his vote of confidence, "You're up kid. We are flying blind. Get on your computer and do what you do. Something's going down and we don't know what it is or where it's coming from. Zachara's men are nowhere to be found. There was an explosion in DC. Shootings are pretty common there, but not explosions." Cody swallowed hard. "And Raynor wants to meet. He called five minutes after we heard about the explosion."

Spin was flattered until the reference to The Bald Commando's double agent role was made. Spinelli didn't know what to say. Finally a strained, "I won't let you down" fell from his lips.

After the lieutenant left the penthouse fell silent. Spinelli didn't appreciate Cody's ability to play both sides. It unnerved him. He yawned and then thoroughly rubbed his eyes. Opening them he caught a glimpse of his new toy.

"My, that's a fairly impressive screen if I don't say so my humble-self." Spin said in a flirtatious voice.

A gleam found its way to the corners his waking orbs.

Purring "It's important. I can tell. Go." Elizabeth pushed him, barely rocking his solid abdomen.

They were both so relaxed. It surprised her when he didn't make a move to get his buzzing phone the first five calls. Finally he felt around their love nest for his jeans and the cell phone they contained.

Jason didn't want to go. Not even the urgency in Cody's voice made him want to move from where they lay. From Jason's long toes to the spikes of his semi-blond hair Jason was at ease. Slowly the evil of the world crept back into his mind. Danger was in the air, had been for weeks and weeks now. Was today the day it pounced? Was it even aiming for him?

He couldn't shake the feeling of being a pawn in someone's game. If he went with Jerry's warning Jason should do nothing. Stay out of the way and let the Feds and whoever else just walk all over his territory. And if Jason couldn't, Jerry wanted Carly, Jax and the boys out of the city. What did that mean?

He probably couldn't get Carly to leave till after the benefit anyway. That gave him till tomorrow night to hold it all together. Then he would send Carly, her boys and Elizabeth and her boys away till he figured it all out.

All he could for now was crouch and be ready to strike back. He had two families to protect. His. And the individuals making up his organization. For now, assuming Jerry would not cry wolf about his brother, he wasn't getting in anyone's way but he wasn't standing still either.

Elizabeth was almost back asleep. Jason eased his arm from under her. She rolled undisturbed with the removal but murmured something softly, too softly for him to make out.

He used the downstairs bath, wetting a cloth and freshening up a bit before dressing. After splashing cold water on he's face, Jason looked hard at himself in the mirror. A part of him still wanted to shield Elizabeth from who he was.

When he came back out the predawn was still too dark to illuminate much of anything. What was left of the candles spat and flickered. It reminded him why they were lit in the first place. He moved around the house turning out the lights. Too late for one when a lamp suddenly lit as the power surged back on. It shed a harsher light on the room but not enough to wake her.

Jason stood still. Not Cody's call, but the sight of several small black and blue marks on Elizabeth's legs finally fire Jason's pistons up getting his blood roaring.

Yes, he'd been a little rough with her but not enough to leave a mark like those. He wanted to yell her name and demand an explanation. Biting his tongue, Jason held back. He squatted before her exposed calf. Drawing the blanket aside, her shin had a decent size bruise and a welt he could see too. Why hadn't he seen it before? Then the back of her arm, four purple dots the size of fingertips. Someone had grabbed her. If it was Lucky, so help him, Jason would kill him.

"Elizabeth." Jason tried to keep his voice calm. "Elizabeth"

In a groggy voice, "what baby?"

"Elizabeth," he used a firmer voice to bring her from slumber.

Pulling in some air Liz let it out as she rolled over, "Jason? What's wrong?" Her eyes opened and blinked at the bright light. "Is everything OK?"

"That's what I want to know." His tone was more accusatory that he intended.

She sat up. The blanket fell away to expose the top of her breast. There was a reddish bruise there too. She caught him staring but he didn't look pleased. Glancing at herself she smiled, embarrassed, and pulled up the blanket.

"Who hurt you?" Jason insisted.

"Jason…" she flushed.

"Who's been hurting you Elizabeth?" His tone was clear.

"Jason…" confused, she dipped the blanket to expose the hickey on her breast again. "You did that."

Jason shook his head. He did? Wait, ok, that was new… So maybe he did. But the other bruises…. "Did I hurt you?" Concerned and confused now.

"No. It felt good. I mean it hurt a little but in a good way." She brushed his cheek.

"What about the other bruises?" He softened with her touch. She calmed him.

Jason's phone buzzed.

"Answer it Jase."

Jason stayed in his crouch and stilled his eyes on her. He watched her examine her skin for the marks Jason was quizzing her on. Seeing nothing that concerned her Elizabeth looked back at him calmly.

In Jason's ear Cody announced his arrival. All Jason really took in was her face: the blush of her cheeks, the depth of her eyes, the sweetness of her smile. No matter what darkness or evil befell Elizabeth, something innocent in her always remained untouched. He felt it was, maybe, the one part of her she only exposed to him. He never wanted to betray that trust.

Jason realized he was listening to a dial tone and hung up.

"I have to go. I don't know when I can get back."

"Just come back," Elizabeth answered. Something was suddenly on her mind. She drew a hand through her hair pushing it back, "Jason. I have to tell you something. I'm not sure but I think…" it was like she ran out of air.

Jason would willingly wait for her to finish but he had a sense she wasn't ready to tell him whatever it was.

"It's ok, tell me about the bruises when I get back. Elizabeth, no one is allowed to hurt you. I don't care who it is… You know I will be angry but you have to tell me. I won't do anything to them you don't want me to. And believe me, those guards are going to have to do some explaining too."

Her smile came from nowhere and brightened the whole room. "It's not about the bruises. That's nothing. But better if I tell you about it another time. This is gonna be one of those times I tell you it's nothing and not to worry. You have to trust me OK."

"OK."

Jason rocked forward on his toes to kiss her. She met him half way. It was sweeter than strawberry wine.

He stood. Elizabeth looked up at him. So full of love. She rubbed her belly fully convinced she was pregnant. Tell him? Don't tell him? Take the test to be sure first? Considering their history there was no way Elizabeth would let any part of this baby, if there were one, be a secret from Jason.

"Jason?"

He was pulling on his jacket. She stood and ran to him. Throwing her arms around his waist. He wrapped himself around her smooth skin in kind. Resting his chin on her crown Jason waited. Elizabeth shifted and slid her arms inside he jacket. It felt safe and warm. She finally pulled away and looked at him with glistening eyes.

"When you come back… we should take a pregnancy test."

Jason stood blinking at her. One hand absently fingered her hair but his eyes just stared.

Immediately Elizabeth re-questioned whether she should have said anything or not. Was it a cruel, she wondered? With no idea where he was going, what danger he was facing, was this something he should be carrying on his mind?

Jason couldn't think what to say. She wouldn't be asking for a test if she didn't feel somewhat sure. A baby now didn't fit into the picture but did it ever? His mind was slowly crossing the bridge from the world Sonny introduced him to, to the world he shared with Elizabeth. A baby. Their love nestled in her belly, growing inside her. It was a miracle.

Gently Jason pulled her head towards him. He kissed her with love. The mobster felt himself adjust to the idea like a seed swelling within. Was it possible to already love a child you didn't know was even possible 90 seconds ago?

He kissed her again… And again… It wasn't lustful, it was celebratory. She started to giggle against his lips.

With their mouths still connected so she had to speak against his moving lips, "Jason…what… do you… think?" still giggling.

Instead of answering he just repositioned his feet and held her closer while still placing soft kisses on her mouth, cheeks and forehead.

She added, "I don't know for sure… We have to take a test." Finally he pulled back and let her speak. She looked at him with all the innocence in the world, "I think it happened on the couch at the beach house."

Jason almost laughed, "You felt it?"

"I think so."

"Sounds like a determined child."

"Are you mad?"

"No," kissing her, "why would I be? I wasn't planning on this but I was part of it. Elizabeth, a child, another child with you… it's, it's more than I deserve."

"No it isn't." She wrapped herself around him doing her best to embrace his big frame. Jason wrapped his coat around Elizabeth, warming up as much of her nakedness as he could.

"We will have to talk more about it but please don't take the test without me. I want to be there. Is that ok? Can you wait for me?"

"Of course. I want you to be there. I love you, you know."

"I know. I love you too." Resting his chin on her head again. "I have to go. I don't want to."

"Be careful."

They rocked in each others arms like high schoolers at their first slow dance. It took them both some time to let go and, when they did, both had shimmering eyes.

This is why Jason was so good at his job. The minute Cody laid out what was going on Jason was with him. His mind solidly focused on present the state of affairs. Then Elizabeth, Jake, Cam and maybe a new baby crept into his thoughts. And that was why he was so afraid to allow himself to be with her.

Loving Elizabeth from afar made everyone so much safer. Somehow Jason had to learn to focus on his job with Elizabeth in his life. Especially if there was a new baby on the way, not being with them wasn't an option any longer.

"Jason. You ok?" Cody asked, concerned.

"Yeah. Sorry. Stuff on my mind."

"Get it together, man." The lieutenant wished he could take back the words the minute he said them, "Sorry… So what do I do about Raynor?"

"Meet with him. Look, I don't think Raynor cares if he arrests Sonny or not. Not saying the PCPD doesn't still have a hard-on for me but I think Raynor has something else going on we don't know about. Yet. It has to do with Equinox. Meet with him. See if you can get him to say anything that will help us."

"Ok. What do I tell him about you?"

"I'm still considering giving up Sonny in exchange for my free pass."

"Are you?"

"No. I'm not giving anything up. Anything."

Jason's blue eyes turned to ice right in front of Cody. They got so hard the ex-soldier thought about the glass marbles he had as a kid. Jason was back.

Continued....