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Happy Friday!!!! It is a happy Friday for me, as I finally got a day off from work!

So, before I knew it, I had written so much on this fic that I had to go back and divide it into two chapters, LOL! I have to thank Kayla for being my sounding board on this installment. We were both on the same page after Chapter 3, but she infused some new twists with my own ideas and gave me even more to work with. Big hugs to you, Kayla!

So, Chapter 4 is the build-up, but in Chapter 5, it is date night at Jakes with a wicked twist from the minds of Kayla and Tammy! Luckily, Emily is babysitting the boys, because it gets a bit tense, LOL! Hope you have as much fun with it as we did coming up with it!

As always, your feedback and comments are soooo appreciated! Let me know what you think and enjoy!

Tammy

All Back Chapters/Fics Can Be Found At: http://tammysfanfic.proboards.com/index.cgi?



Thank you Pam for this AWESOME banner!! You rock, my friend! EEEEEE!!!! Oh, the inspiration this has given me!

Chapter 4: The Mobster Mash

Sonny sat at his desk and savored the tranquility of his quiet office. He had arrived early to ensure some peace and quiet before the inevitable chaos broke out between his two most trusted employees thanks to Johnny's little plan. Unfortunately for him, the tranquility was short-lived.

Without a knock, his door violently flung wide open and Sonny looked up to find a very agitated Jason standing before him.

"I need you to put Johnny on some kind of detail tonight," Jason urgently told him, "I don't care what it is, just make sure you keep him busy. The later he stays the better!"

Sonny sat back in his leather chair and smirked, "Good morning to you too, Jason." His smirk quickly turned to a questionable stern glare, "Since when do you give me orders? Especially this early in the morning?"

"Just do this for me," Jason sighed out with irritation, "You know I wouldn't ask if it wasn't important."

Sonny's grin returned, "And why is it so important that I keep Johnny here so late?"

"No real reason," Jason coldly stated, "I think he is just getting a little too cocky lately."

"And would this be pertaining to business," Sonny slowly inquired, "or something more personal…like his sudden interest in, say, Elizabeth?"

Jason's patience was exhausted as he barked, "Are you going to do it or not?"

Sonny stood up and walked around his desk to stand in front of Jason in a commanding stance as his voice warned, "I'm going to let your attitude this morning slide, but you better pull it together, Jason. If you have issues with Johnny seeing Elizabeth, then that is something that you two need to discuss on your own time."

Jason's hands instantly went to his hips as he complained, "He won't listen to me! I've told him it's too dangerous for Elizabeth to be involved with anyone in the business, but all he can say is," Jason attempted to mimic Johnny as he continued, "We deserve to live and love and be loved in return!"

"And he's right," Sonny chastised, "It sounds to me like you are letting your jealousy over Elizabeth cloud your mind to what is right in front of you."

Jason's voice was full of sarcasm as he asked, "And what would that be?"

"Taking a chance on the one thing you have wanted for almost as long as I have known you," Sonny told him bluntly, "Instead of going after Johnny, why don't you go after what you really want? A life with Elizabeth."

"It doesn't matter what I want, Sonny," Jason loudly protested, "If anything happened to her or the boys, my life would be over! I couldn't live through that!"

Sonny eyed Jason as he compassionately replied, "That is your choice, Jason. You have no right to stop Johnny from seeing Elizabeth just because he doesn't feel the same way you do." Sonny leaned slightly forward and patted Jason once on the arm, "In the end, it's really their choice whether or not they want to be together, just as it was your choice to walk away."

Jason was about to argue the situation further, but was interrupted by Johnny walking into the room and greeting them cheerfully from behind, "Good Morning, gentlemen! I guess we are all getting an early start to the day!"

Sonny gave Jason one last meaningful look before turning to walk back to his chair, "Morning, Johnny," he said, sitting down and pulling up to rest his elbows on the desk, interlocking his fingers into a fist in front of him, "So, since you two are here, I'm assuming you're ready to get to work. Let's go over our schedule for the day."

"Morning, Boss," Max's voice boomed from the doorway, looking surprised to see Jason and Johnny there. "Man, you guys started early today!"

"Yes," Sonny let out a chagrined sigh, "Apparently all of you decided to give me a migraine before 8 a.m.!"

"Apparently, indeed!" Diane agreed with distain, abruptly appearing behind her husband with their two year old daughter, Sophie, in tow, "Sonny, Max and I were hoping to discuss something with you before everyone arrived to begin our day."

Sonny's hands flew into the air as he shouted, "What is this? I feel like I'm Grand Central Station here! Don't any of you have a life?"

"I'm working on it!" Johnny snidely remarked, causing Jason to quickly turn towards him with a disgruntled stare, "In fact, I can take the day off and work on that if you want me to, Boss!"

"Don't even think about it!" Jason quickly intervened, lunging slightly towards him.

"I'm just saying," Johnny laughed out as he put his hands out to block Jason's charge, "If it would make the boss happy-"

"Enough, you two!" Sonny barked, trying not to chuckle at Johnny's bold move.

Max looked between Jason and Johnny with a confused expression, "What's all this about?"

"Oh, who cares?" Diane shouted, holding tightly to Sophie's hand and pushing her way between the large men towards Sonny's desk, "It's probably some silly power struggle between Muscles One and Muscles Two!"

As she leaned forward against Sonny's desk, Diane informed him, "We need to talk! Even more than I need a martini!"

"Fine," Sonny replied, "Talk." Looking down at the red headed little girl peering up at him, Sonny smiled, "Hi, Sophie! It's good to see you."

"Good to see you as well," Sophie politely returned in a very intellectual tone, sounding much older than her two years.

Max bumbled his way up to stand beside his wife, "So, boss…ummm…Diane and I have something to tell you."

Sonny was becoming aggravated in the crowded room, replying in exhaustion, "Spit it out, Max!"

Diane looked behind her at the two men staring intently back at them then exhaled heavily, "Oh, what difference does it make? You're going to find out anyway!" She turned back to Sonny and snapped, "I'm pregnant!"

Max put his arm proudly around Diane's shoulders beaming from ear to ear as he announced, "Which is why she can't have the martini!"

Everyone's eyes went wide, except for Max, Diane, and Sophie. Jason suddenly felt Johnny's elbow jabbing him in the side as he leaned down to exclaim in a whisper, "Oh, man! Do you remember when she was pregnant with Sophie and couldn't have any martinis? This is going to get ugly!" Jason pushed Johnny back, not in the mood to deal with his humorous jabs.

Sonny looked from Max to Diane as his mood instantly lightened, "Congratulations!"

"Thanks, Boss," Max nodded excitedly, "Maybe this time it will be a boy!"

Diane looked at Max wearily for a moment before turning to Sonny with a grateful smile, "I know I told you that we weren't planning to have another baby anytime soon, but…well…" Glancing back at Max, Diane's expression changed to a seductive gleam as she continued, "Sometimes things just happen, especially when there are some marvelous strappy red stilettos involved."

"Eww!" Johnny whined loudly.

Rolling her eyes, Diane brought her gaze back to Sonny and continued in her business tone, "Of course, I will work for at least seven months and then we can review my condition and see where we stand."

"Whatever you need," Sonny nodded.

"And after the baby is born," Sophie's tiny voice sounded from behind the desk, "Mommy is eligible to stay at home for 12 weeks to take care of my little brother or sister. It's the law!"

Diane looked down at Sophie proudly, "Yes, darling, it is!" She leaned down and clapped as Sophie gave her an identical arrogant grin, "You are my little firecracker attorney in the making!"

Jason felt another punch in his side, as Johnny leaned in once more, "Like I said last night," he whispered, "that is just scary, man! She's like a little mini-me of Diane! And she's only two!"

Johnny leaned away from Jason again before he could react, but then decided to use this little moment to his advantage and leaned back in to murmur, "Do me a favor will you? Warn me if you ever decide to have a little mini-me! I'll be sure to leave the country!"

Instantly, fire burst through Jason's eyes as he turned to glower at his co-worker, "Not a bad idea," he seethed.

"Well," Sonny loudly spoke up, seeing the tension on the other side of the room, before looking down and laughing, "Like I said, Sophie, whatever your mommy needs."

Sophie smiled, "Thank you, Mr. Corinfus."

"No, no, no, Sophie," Diane said, taking her little girl's hand and guiding her out of Sonny's office, "It's Cor..in..thos, dear. Cor..in..thos!"

"I better help Sophie out before Diane starts making her do the enunciation song again," Max groaned, following them and complaining, "I hate that song!" As he reached the doorway, Max turned, "I'll be back after we drop Sophie off for her Latin class, Boss!"

Sonny waved him on, "That's fine, Max! Take your time!"

As Max walked out, Sonny looked at the two men left in his office, before nodding towards Johnny, "I think today would be a good day for you to go over the ledgers with Bernie that I've been waiting on for the last week. It seems that there are some major discrepancies in our casino receipts that could take quite a while to figure out. Besides, I think you and Jason need some space."

"Sure, Boss," Johnny said, walking out the door, "With any luck, I can speed Bernie up and get a jump start on my evening!"

Jason shot a harrowed look at Sonny, who avoided his gaze and hid his grin by picking up the shipping ledger and pretended to concentrate on it as he covered his face and replied dryly, "Yeah, good luck with that."

Jason walked over and pushed the paper back down to the desk, "Hopefully, Bernie is even slower than usual going over those receipts and ledgers!"

Sonny gave Jason a reassuring grin, "I'll give him a call and tell him to make sure to take his time while you go down to the docks and make sure everything is set for our shipment tonight."

Jason's voice was full of gratitude, "Thanks, Sonny."

Sonny's grin widened into a bright smile, "Anytime. But just so you know, after all of this is settled, you are going to owe me big time!"

**********************************************************************************

Johnny arrived at Kelly's after a two hour meeting with Bernie to finish up the ledgers as Sonny had requested. He was grateful that Jason bought his and Sonny's story about Bernie and the casino receipts to give Johnny time to meet Elizabeth for lunch to brainstorm about their "date". His only concern was Bernie not being able to keep a straight face should Jason question him about their meeting, but he decided that it was best to worry about that later. Right now, he needed to make sure that tonight went off without a hitch.

As he walked through the door at Kelly's, Johnny spotted Elizabeth sitting at a table for two in the corner. He flashed his trademark wide grin as he greeted, "Hey, Lizzie!"

"Hey, Johnny," Elizabeth smiled eagerly, "Ready to talk about our date?"

"Definitely!" Johnny enthused, quickly walking over to give her a friendly hug.

"Date?" an angry voice bellowed behind them, "You're kidding me, right?"

Johnny released his hold on Elizabeth as they both turned to find Lucky Spencer looking fiercely in their direction. Johnny returned Lucky's expression with a defiant stare, "What's it to you, Spencer?"

"Well, as the mother of my son, Cameron," Lucky retorted, "I think I should know that Elizabeth is dating known mobsters. First there was Jason and now you!"

"Last time I checked," Johnny snidely remarked, "You never adopted Cam, so technically he isn't your son. In fact, I don't believe you have even bothered to see him in quite some time, which is probably a good thing."

His words sent Lucky into a rage as he charged over to within inches of Johnny's face, "I am the only father Cam has ever known!"

"Great influence," Johnny scoffed, "Adulterer…drug addict…yeah, that just what every little boy needs in a father!"

"Okay," Elizabeth interceded, stepping between them, "That's enough from both of you!"

As the men continued to glare menacingly at each other, Elizabeth pushed Lucky back, warning him, "Who I date is my business, Lucky! And Johnny is right, you haven't even called to talk to Cam in months! So, why don't you go find Maxie Jones and just leave me alone?"

Lucky angrily huffed at Elizabeth before turning his attention back to Johnny and pointing his finger at him, "This isn't over. If you think for one minute I'm going to let you into Elizabeth's life-"

"Wouldn't make any threats you can't keep, there Lucky-boy!" Johnny interrupted, "I would hate to make Diane file a harassment suit against you and the PCPD when I get back to the office or worse, if you keep it up!"

"Just leave, Lucky," Elizabeth frowned, "Now!"

"I can't believe how trashy you've become," Lucky spat at her.

Johnny quickly pulled Elizabeth behind him as he inched closer to Lucky's face, "You say one more thing about Lizzie and you'll be sucking your nutrition through a straw for a long…" Johnny paused to stare intently into Lucky's eyes, before finishing in an incensed tone, "long, time, my friend!"

Lucky looked like he was ready to explode as he said in an enraged whisper, "You and Lizzie enjoy your lunch," then turned on his heels and stormed out of Kelly's.

Elizabeth was still in shock, but Johnny quickly recovered from their encounter with Lucky as he escorted Elizabeth back to their table and jokingly teased, "Well, that went well!"

Elizabeth felt horrible about the whole situation as she breathed out, "I'm so sorry, Johnny!"

Johnny sat down and laid his hand on top of hers, which was anxiously gripping the sides of the table. "I'm the one that's sorry, Lizzie," he gently told her, "I should have just decked him and gotten it over with. You didn't deserve any of that. Leaving him was the smartest move you've ever made! Never did see how you could love that bastard anyway!"

Tears formed in Elizabeth's eyes as she said with shame, "He saved me from myself a long time ago."

Johnny tried to ease Elizabeth's gloomy mood, "And now it's time for you to save Jason from himself and have the life you have always wanted. So, why don't we plan our date night at Jakes?"

Shaking her head in an attempt to forget what just happened, Elizabeth nodded, "Good idea."

"Atta, girl!" Johnny encouraged with a wink, "Forget Luckless! You deserve better than him anyway. Jason better realize what he has in you, Lizzie. If he doesn't, he's a fool!"

Elizabeth was appreciative of her newfound friendship with Johnny as she shyly smiled, "Thanks."

Johnny squeezed her now relaxed hand, "Anytime, Lizzie. Now, let's enjoy some lunch and brainstorm!"

*******************************************************************************

Jason looked up from his clipboard to find Lucky Spencer headed straight towards him with a determined and angry demeanor.

"I'm busy, Lucky," Jason icily greeted him, "So whatever it is you want, it will have to wait."

"I just have one question for you," Lucky replied, "What does it feel like to know that your buddy, Johnny O'Brien, is Elizabeth's new boyfriend?"

Jason's brows furrowed as he returned, "What are you talking about?"

Lucky's expression turned amused, "So, you didn't know?"

"Know what?" Jason asked, wondering how Lucky could have possibly found out so quickly about Johnny's interest in Elizabeth.

"I left Kelly's a few hours ago," Lucky explained, "Johnny and Elizabeth were there having lunch together." Lucky took enjoyment in Jason's stunned response to his declaration, deciding to lay it on even thicker, "Looked pretty intimate too. Guess Elizabeth decided to trade one bad boy for another."

"You need to leave," Jason coldly warned.

Lucky laughed as he backed away, "I told you it would never last between you two. Glad to see I was right." Completely satisfied with his victory, Lucky turned and slowly walked away.

Jason was left standing in a furious rage as he quickly dialed Sonny's number on his cell phone, which went straight to voicemail. Jason slammed his phone shut and looked down at his watch.

"Looks like I'm going to Jakes tonight," Jason murmured to himself, tossing the clipboard on top of a crate and sprinting towards his SUV.

******************************************************************************

Elizabeth walked into Jakes and scanned the room for Johnny, who had obviously not arrived yet. Walking up the bar, she sat her purse down and perched herself on top of an empty bar stool.

"Hello, gorgeous," Coleman greeted her, "Looking for your date?"

"Yeah," Elizabeth nodded, "I guess he is running late."

"Well," Coleman said with a flirtatious smile, "If he stands you up, I'll be happy to take his place."

"You don't stand a chance," Lucky slurred boisterously from behind Elizabeth, "Elizabeth is only into known mobster hit men now."

Elizabeth whirled around to find a very drunk Lucky staring angrily towards her. He had obviously been drinking heavily for quite a while. "Go away, Lucky," Elizabeth shouted.

Lucky's tone was irate as he grabbed her by the arm, "Not until you and I have a little talk."

*************************************************************************

Johnny chuckled under his breath as he pulled into Jakes and found himself parking right beside Jason, who was just stepping out of his SUV. Quickly, he put his car into park and jumped out, feigning surprise as he called out, "Jason! I thought you stopped coming to Jakes a long time ago!"

"Decided I wanted to play some pool," Jason replied casually, "Need a drink after your long day with Bernie?"

"Yeah," Johnny goaded, "You could say that."

Jason peered into Johnny's car, shocked when he realized that Elizabeth wasn't with him. "So, care to join me in a game?" Jason asked, "Been a while since we've played." He walked up beside Johnny and motioned towards the door.

"That depends," Johnny playfully grinned.

"On what?" Jason prodded.

"On whether my date has arrived yet," Johnny responded, opening the door to hear Coleman yelling, "Hey, man! Back off the lady!"

Both Jason and Johnny peered curiously towards the bar to find Elizabeth frantically trying to pull herself out of Lucky's grasp as his anger overflowed, "You're nothing but a whore, Elizabeth!"

Jason was at the bar in an instant, yanking Lucky back and causing him to stumble towards the floor, as he yelled, "What the hell are you doing, Lucky?"

Johnny ran over just in time to catch Elizabeth as she fell backwards into the bar from the force of Lucky's release of her arm.

His voice was full of concern as Johnny looked down at Elizabeth's tear streaked face, "Are you alright? Did he hurt you?"

Elizabeth voice shook with fear and sadness, "No, he just grabbed me, that's all."

Johnny carefully lifted Elizabeth up and over the bar to stand beside Coleman before he turned to stand beside Jason as Lucky attempted to push himself off the floor.

"Well, aren't you the lucky one, Elizabeth," Lucky managed to garble out as he stumbled sideways, "Both of your pathetic low life boyfriends have come to your rescue!"

"I'm only going to tell you once, Lucky," Jason furiously warned, "Stay away from Elizabeth!"

"And the boys!" Johnny angrily fumed, "Don't ever come near them or even think about touching Elizabeth again!"

"Or what?" Lucky laughed, looking over at his sworn enemy, "She doesn't even love you, Jason! She's screwing around with your buddy here! She's nothing but a whore!"

That was all it took for Jason and Johnny to throw their punches, each of them landing a solid hit on either side of Lucky's jaw, sending him swiftly to the ground unconscious.

"Man," Coleman shook his head in awe, "If you guys ever need a job, you're hired! I could use a few good bouncers in this place."

Jason and Johnny walked over to stand above Lucky admiring their handy work. "Think we killed him?" Johnny chuckled.

"No," Jason replied with a satisfied grin, "Somehow the Spencers can take a licking and keep on ticking!"

Both of them began laughing and patting each other on the back as they took in the sight of Lucky sprawled out on the floor.

"Hey, guys," Coleman called out, "I think you may want to check on our sweet gal, here."

Their renewed camaraderie faded quickly back into a battle of competition for love as Jason and Johnny instantly turned towards Elizabeth, who was sobbing incessantly in Coleman's arms. Both of them hurriedly rushed over and ended up on either side of her, enveloping her between their two muscular frames.

Jason shot Johnny a harsh look, "I've got her."

"No," Johnny argued, "I've got her."

"I said I've got her," Jason shot back.

"I know what you said," Johnny retorted, "but she's here with me!"

"Hey," Coleman bellowed above them, pointing over the bar, "All fights stay on that side of the bar!"

"Stop it!" Elizabeth sobbed out, "Both of you, just stop!"

"I'm sorry, Elizabeth," Johnny softly apologized, "You're right. This isn't the time. Why don't you let me take you over to our table?"

"Okay," Elizabeth weakly agreed, leaning into Johnny's body as he wrapped his arms around her and they walked past Jason towards the table.

Coleman looked over at Jason and asked, "Why don't you help me take out the trash?"

Jason's insides felt like they were going to implode as he nodded and walked around to help Coleman drag Lucky outside.

As they walked out of earshot, Johnny leaned in to whisper into Elizabeth's ear. "You sure you're okay?"

"I'll be fine," Elizabeth assured him, "Just give me a minute."

"We don't have to do this tonight," Johnny soothed her, "It can wait. I think you've been put through enough."

Elizabeth shook her head, "No. I'm done letting Lucky ruin everything in my life." She lifted her head with renewed determination as she continued, "But let's keep it simple, alright?"

"You got it, Lizzie," Johnny smiled, flabbergasted at Elizabeth's resilience, "I'll just follow your lead."

Elizabeth nodded and gently grabbed Johnny's hand as Jason and Coleman walked back in and made their way to the table.

"How about a shot of tequila, sweetheart?" Coleman offered.

"Thanks, Coleman," Elizabeth weakly smiled, "I think I could use that."

"Coming right up," Coleman winked, walking back towards the bar.

Jason's eyes were glued to Elizabeth and Johnny's interlocked fingers on top of the table. It took all the strength he had not to sweep Elizabeth up into his arms and take her out of the room so that he could be the one to comfort her, not Johnny.

Finally, he let his eyes move to hers as he tenderly asked, "Are you sure you're alright?"

"I'm fine, thanks," Elizabeth quietly said, "I'm just glad you two showed up when you did."

"Me too," Jason choked out.

"As soon as I finish my shot of tequila," Elizabeth said, "Johnny here is going to make me forget everything that just happened by showing me some new shots for my pool game!"

"That's right," Johnny proudly boasted.

"Well," Jason said uncomfortably, a new fury building inside him, "I will leave you two to your…date."

"Thanks for everything, Jason," Elizabeth earnestly replied.

"You're welcome," Jason nodded, reluctantly turning to walk away from them and making his way to a table on the opposite end of the bar.

Coleman sat Elizabeth's drink down on the table and then went to join Jason, setting down a cold beer in front of him, "I thought you had your eye on that pretty little thing," Coleman said as he straddled the chair.

Jason took a long swig from the beer as he kept his gaze on the table across the room, "I did, but then I had to let her go."

Coleman followed Jason's gaze and watched with him as Elizabeth and Johnny walked over to the pool table in the middle of the room as he thought out loud, "Judging by the way you are staring at those two, I don't think you have quite let go of her yet. Honestly, I don't know how anyone could let someone special like that go."

"Neither do I," Jason whispered under his breath.

"So," Coleman encouraged, "Go get her, man!"

Jason took another long drink from his bottle, "Maybe I will." A plan began forming in Jason's mind and lucky for him, it involved the one thing that he knew he could do better than anyone in town…playing pool.