"Carly how many times do tell you not just barge in here?"

"Its about Keesha." Jason turned his full attention to the blond making her way into his penthouse.

"What about her?"

"Lorenzo Alcazar is trying to get on her good graces to get you back."

"What? How do you know this?"

"I saw them talking at Kelly’s, when I confronted him, I mean he basically told me he wanted to see how you’d look after he turns her into a ho." Jason’s eyes got wide after hearing about Lorenzo’s plans for Keesha.

"I won’t let that happen."

"I might not be crazy about her but I don’t want that to happen either, so get over there, pick up the phone and invite her to dinner."

"WHAT?"

"You heard me, I’m not going to sit back and watch someone get destroyed by Lorenzo again even if it means her."

Though he didn’t show it on the outside, he was smiling on the inside. Carly didn’t want to see her hurt? Yeah she had changed.

"Fine I’ll call her." Carly left out shaking her head, what was she getting herself into? Jason walked over to his phone and began to press the seven digits. He hadn’t been this nervous calling a girl before in his life, or the life that he now knew of.

"Hello?"

"Hey."

"Jason?"

"Yeah."

"What’s up?"

"Uh, nothing."

"So you called for nothing."

"Well no, I called to talk to you."

"Ok…." Keesha turned the water in the sink and returned to her bedroom.

"Were you getting ready for bed?"

"Yeah, but I’m not sleepy yet. What did you want to talk about?"

"Are you busy tomorrow night?"

"Why do you want to know?"

"Well Sonny and Carly wanted to know if you wanted to come over for dinner. Sonny is a great cook."

"I don’t know…"

"Keesha, I’ll be honest with you. There’s guards and there’s guns, but Sonny isn’t in the game anymore. He gave it up for his family."

"What about you?" Jason didn’t really know how to respond. Yeah he was still involved with the mob but he would never let anything happen to her, if only she knew that.

"I’m not going to lie and say I’m not, because I am. But its just dinner."

"Just dinner" she repeated.

"Nothing more nothing less."

Keesha thought for a moment. She had already told herself that she wasn’t going to get close to Jason for no reason but while they were at that park alone something over came her. This feeling that maybe Jason Morgan had indeed changed over he years and became more human. She was taught never to hold a grudge but she also wasn’t a fool either. Walking in the crossfire, hanging around those type of people that lived on the edge as if it was a normal life, if something was to happen to her she would be asking for it.

"Well can I at least think about and call you before tomorrow night?"

"Yeah sure."

"Alright, well goodnight Jason."

"Goodnight." Keesha hung up her cell phone and just sat in silence. What was going on? She couldn’t get anything sorted out. Justus calling for her broke her thoughts which was welcomed because she didn’t want to think anymore about Jason.

"Yeah?"

"Could you do me a favor?"

"That’s what I’m here for."

"Could you get me a glass of water? My ankle is acting up, thank god for pain pills."

"Yeah sure." Keesha soon returned with Justus’ water.

"What’s wrong squirt?"

"Huh?"

"I said what’s wrong and if you don‘t think I don‘t know then you‘re deluding yourself. I know when something‘s up so go ahead and tell me." Damn their closeness. She would’ve just gave him his glass of water and left but he saw it written all over her face.

"Its Jason isn’t it?"

"Yeah, he invited me to dinner."

"Good, you should go, I’m sick of looking at your mug around here."

"Hey!"

"I mean it, you need to get out. I appreciate you taking care of me, but I don’t want you to be all bored and lonely either."

"Even if that means me spending time with Jason Morgan?"

"Quit referring to him like he’s like some mythical character. He’s as human as you and I."

"But Justus, I don’t know if I’m ready to go out with him or anyone for that matter."

"Where’d he ask you for dinner?"

"Sonny and Carly’s and you know how crazy I am for them."

"Just about as crazy as a heart attack. Look I’ve been over there numerous times, they’re good people now. She has her kids, Sonny’s out of the business, things are kosher for them and it shows in their attitude, but you wouldn’t know that if you didn't give them a chance. You can’t judge them on what they used to be Keesha. And as for Jason, even you’ve had to admit he’s different now than what he used to be plus its only dinner at the Corinthos’ its not like he’s taking you to the Whitney or something. It’ll probably just be a friendly dinner with the four of you, so why not."

She hated it when he cousin was right, it reminded her of their younger days when she’s try everything to be right, even when she knew she was wrong.

"You’re right" she groaned.

"I’m what?"

"Right! I said you’re right" she laughed.

"I know I am."

"All those years in law school helped with arguments."

"You know it."

"Alright, well let me know if you need anything."

"That I will."

"Good night cous."

"Good night. I hope you think about what I said." Keesha smiled and walked away from Justus room and back upstairs.

"Hello?"

"I hope I’m not calling too late."

"No not at all." Jason sat up in his bed as the sound of Keesha’s voice woke him. He crossed his fingers that she had crossed her mind.

"Well count me in for tomorrow." "You’re coming?"

"Yeah."

"I can send someone to come get you at 7."

"No I can make it on my own."

"Alright, see you tomorrow."

"Yeah." Jason hung up his phone and laid his hand behind his head. She had to be right, so far she had. Lila was feeling better and these feelings that he couldn’t explain plagued his body. Tomorrow would be the first meeting, after that two more would make her his, he was just hoping that she was right and that with some heavy duty convincing Lorenzo Alcazar would be nothing but a chance meeting.

"Hello Keesha."

"Hello Sonny."

"Please come in."

Sonny stood off to the side to let Keesha enter the lavish penthouse apartment. She looked around at all the exquisite Italian décor.

"You have a beautiful place Sonny."

"Thank you." Keesha couldn’t believe that friendliness she was exuding towards Sonny. She wasn’t sure what it was, maybe it was the knowledge of him not being in the mob anymore, she couldn’t explain it. "Jason should be over soon."

"Alright."

"Sonny, do you--" Carly stopped upon the sight of Keesha. If she didn’t hate Alcazar so much this wouldn’t be happening. "Hello Keesha."

"Hello Carly."

Each greeting sounded more forced than welcoming. They all sort of stood there in awkwardness, not making another sound. Suddenly the door opened and Jason walked in.

"I thought you were coming over to my place before heading over here?"

"Well I didn’t really see the need of going over there first just for us to come over here."

"Ah, um, Sonny, can I speak to you for a minute?"

"Yeah sure, Keesha can you help Carly set up there table?"

"I can do myself actually."

"I don’t mind." Keesha grinned, taking the silverware out of Carly’s hands. Anyway to piss her off on the sly tip was more than self pleasing. As Sonny and Jason talked to one another in the living room, Carly and Keesha placed the silverware and dishes on the table without making a peep.

"So…..I hear Justus is doing better."

"Yeah he is, he’s slowly returning to that annoying cousin that I grew up with." The sound of footsteps coming down the steps called for Keesha and Carly’s attention. Michael, Morgan and their babysitter came down the steps.

"You all ready for grandma’s?"

"Yup! Hi Keesha."

"Hi Michael how are you?"

"I’m fine and you?"

"Well thank you for asking, I’m good. Such the little gentleman."

"You’ve met Keesha?"

"Yes at Jason’s."

"Oh ok."

"Keesha this is my little brother Morgan."

Keesha looked over to Jason who the child was obviously named after and back at the baby.

"Wow" she whispered to herself. "He’s so adorable." Morgan reached out for Keesha’s finger and held onto it. "Nice to meet you little Morgan."

"Well we’re going to head out to Bobbie’s."

"Alright thanks Leticia, be good for you grandma" Carly said walking over kissing both of her boys.

"Aw mom." The three left out of the penthouse after another goodbye from the two men in the front.

"You have two sweet little boys."

"Thanks, I love them so much."

"How could you not, Morgan is so adorable and Michael is too."

"Yeah, you know I never thought I’d have another child after that fall. Morgan was such a blessing after so many--" Carly stopped and looked away. Even though it had been years later, the thought of her and Sonny’s other child still haunted her.

"I understand." Carly looked up and Keesha who also had that look. That look that she often saw in the reflection of the mirror when she’d think about the baby in the morning. That’s how she knew.

"Well its good that Justus is getting better."

"Um, yeah." Carly looked up to the living room at Jason and Sonny talking.

"Look at him, he’s in there just a talking when just a few minutes ago he was about to flip a lip because he couldn’t find the oregano."

"Sonny cooked?"

"Honey I don’t even know how to open a can of soup correctly." Keesha couldn’t help but laugh, was it really that bad. "Oh my gosh, did you hear that?"

"What?"

"We just laughed, together, bonkers huh?"

"Yeah, let’s not stretch it."

"Alright" Carly laughed. After everything was set up, the women called the boys in the back to get ready for dinner.

"I’m glad you decided to come" Jason said looking down at her. She looked so beautiful. Something about Springfield, he wasn’t sure, spruced her up. He never denied that she wasn’t beautiful when he came out of the coma, but she still maintained her beauty and innocence. He wasn’t going to let Lorenzo messed that up for him or for herself in that matter. He wasn’t going to let him destroy something so kind, so pure that was Keesha Ward. Sonny came in from the kitchen and placed each plate of food down in front of each diner.

"So how’d you learn how to cook so good Sonny?" Keesha asked digging into her fettuccini alfredo.

"My mother, my mother was an excellent cook. I guess she passed her culinary skills down to me."

"That’s great." Silence filled the air once more as each person finished off their dinner.

"So did you um, hear about Lorenzo Alcazar?" The name sent signals to Keesha’s ear. How’d they know about Lorenzo?

"Yeah, incompetent PCPD, still can’t bring charges against him."

"What kind of charges?" Keesha asked. Carly’s eyes flew to Jason’s and vice versa. That’s when they knew their plan was working.

"He’s a big drug lord here in Port Charles. Cops can’t never pin him down with anything. The other week he had a big shipment of illegal weapons come over and the cops caught him but still didn’t do anything, its like the looked the other way or something." Keesha couldn’t believe it. That well dressed, handsome man that she made a mistake and bumped into was nothing more than another one of Port Charles thugs? She just shook her head as Sonny continued with telling her about Lorenzo’s misdeeds. "But that’s not the worst he did."

"What else could this man possibly do?"

"He um, kidnapped Carly here for a while." Keesha’s eyes flew over to Carly in shock.

"He what?!"

"Yeah, its true, while I was pregnant."

"With Morgan?"

"Yes."

"My goodness…"

"And he caused Jason’s wife to have a miscarriage." Keesha had heard enough, this Lorenzo Alcazar was nothing but trouble.

"Wow I met him yesterday and he just didn’t seem like that kind of person."

"Honey believe me he is."

"Wow."

"Well lets not talk anymore about Alcazar, I’m sick of him. So Keesha, how’s life in Springfield?" Sonny steered the conversation to a new direction. Jason and Carly didn’t mind because they filled all that they wanted in her head about Lorenzo Alcazar.

"Its great, I actually miss it somewhat."

"Jason told me that you opened a Ward House there?"

"Yeah but it recently closed." Jason began to shift uncomfortably in his chair, if she only knew....

"Why?"

"Something with the city owning the land some mumbo jumbo, cut the story short they want the land back and they’re closing it."

"Have you done all you can to keep it open?"

"My co-chairperson has but there’s nothing he can do."

"Maybe if I get in contact with a few people…"

"Thanks Sonny but that won’t be necessary." Keesha looked up at the antique clock at the time. "Well I’d better get going, Justus is going to start bitching about his medication or something so I’d better head out."

"Does Justus need a live in nurse? I’d be more than happy to help with anything he needs."

"You’re on a roll tonight aren’t you Sonny? Thanks but I’m doing ok, he’s not much of a complainer until he needs something, tries to get it himself and forgets that he’s really only working with one arm."

"Frustrating huh?"

"Yeah, well thank you all for dinner."

"My pleasure."

"See you around" Carly smiled.

"Hey, I’ll walk you to your car."

"You don’t have to do that" Keesha said pulling on her jacket.

"I want to, will you at least let me do that?" Keesha sighed.

Maybe coming to dinner was a bad idea. It was giving Jason the idea that maybe she wanted a friendship with him when all she was really doing was being nice. Or at least that’s what she thought she was going.

"Fine."

Jason helped her with the rest of her coat before hoping on the elevator to the parking garage. Neither said anything to one another on the ride down. Keesha really didn’t know what to say but Jason didn’t say anything because he was too mesmerized by her scent. He recognized it as Angel, something Sonny had bought for Carly once for her birthday.

"I guess you could say that you were right."

"Hmmm?"

"Sonny and Carly has changed a lot from when I was last here."

"Yeah they have."

"It only really makes me wonder one thing."

"And that is?"

"How much have you changed?"

"Well there’s only one way to find out…"

Jason looked over to Keesha. She couldn’t help but melt as his blue eyes dawned up on her. No he wasn’t Jason Quartermaine, she’d be a fool to expect him to ever return or assume that this was the same man but something about him, she couldn’t quite put her finger on it. It was sometimes just the way he looked at her. She was just digging a hole for herself, falling again for Jason. Keesha coughed and moved her attention away from Jason’s.

"I can make it from here."

"I can walk you."

"I’m fine really."

"But--"

"Jason I understand that you want to make sure I’m ok but I can take care of myself. I’ve lived this long without a scratch nothing’s going to happen now, alright?"

"Alright."

"Alright, thanks for inviting me to dinner. Tell Sonny and Carly thanks again."

"Ok."

"Goodnight."

Keesha smiled at Jason and started out for her car. Jason didn’t move until he saw her get into her car and drive off. He was getting to her, he knew it, he could see it all in her eyes as they were in the elevator. All he had to do was move in for the kill.