Chapter 15 Jason put Michael back into his playpen, and then sat down at his desk. He picked up the picture of Caroline and Michael, and stared at it for a while. All of a sudden, he knew. He knew that he was starting to fall in love with Caroline. He tuned the picture over, and looked toward the stairs. Robin was upstairs. He knew that he was still very much in love with Robin, and knew that he would never do anything to hurt her. He looked over to the coffee table, and picked up a fashion scarf, which belonged to Caroline. He smelled it, letting the scent of her body fill his sense. He then folded the scarf, sat down on the couch, and rested his head in his hands. It didn't matter. He wouldn't end up hurting anyone. Caroline wanted Shane, and he wanted Caroline to be happy. He wouldn't do anything to make Caroline hate him. And he wouldn't do anything that may destroy his relationship with Robin. Jason looked at Michael, and sighed. He knew that he couldn't just decide that he would ignore his feeling for Caroline, and it would happen. But he didn't have a choice. If he did something, he would probably end up losing the two women whom he loved: Robin and Caroline. Jason went to the bar and poured himself some bourbon. After taking a few sips, he looked towards the staircase when he heard Robin come down. “Hey, how are you doing? You busy?” Robin asked, giving him a kiss on the lips. “Um, nothing much, just thinking.” “Yeah? Anything in particular?” “Caroline,” Jason said quietly. Robin rolled her eyes. “What did the little homewrecker do now? Jason took anther sip of his drink, ignoring her comment. “I'm worried about her involvement with Shane. I don't think that she should rush onto a relationship with him.” “I don't think that she's rushing into anything… She and Shane were engaged and had a child together, so they're not exactly strangers. Besides, you shouldn't be worried about her, she's a big girl. It's Shane who should get our condolences,” Robin said sarcastically. “Robin, I know that you don't like Caroline. That's fine, she isn't too fond of you either. If you two want to go at it, great. You and her can hit, scream, or throw things at each other, I don't care. Just don't do it when I'm around. I'm not going to try and stop it, now that I know that it’s not one-sided.” Robin opened her eyes, and put the “I'm completely innocent” look on. “What do you mean?” Jason sighed and took another sip. “I mean, I know you provoke her, just as she provokes you. Before Caroline and I went to Niagara Falls, I heard the two of you going at it. I was surprised at first, then I guess I realized that it was expected.” “What was expected?” Robin asked with a guarded expression. “Robin, Caroline isn't naturally mean. Oh she can fight, and hold her own; but only when someone either provokes her or threatens her in some way. It's the very same reason why you fought back also. As I said, if you two want to fight, go right ahead. I'm not going to take sides anymore. The two of you will probably never get along, so why should I waste my breath? All I ask is that you don't do it in front of me or Michael.” Jason turned around as heard the door open, and saw Renaldo appearing, looking flustered. “Why aren't you with Caroline? Did something happen?” Jason demanded, alarmed. “Umm, yeah. I'm sorry, but I lost them,” Renaldo said, looking apologetic. “What do you mean you lost them?” “While we on the highway, pulled over. I pulled over also, and waited a few minutes. I then got out of the limo, to see if something was wrong, then suddenly, Shane sped away. I tried to follow them, buy a limo is no match for a corvette.” “A corvette? Well they must have had this whole thing figured out, if they rented a corvette,” Robin said smiling. “They just wanted to be alone together. I think it’s so sweet and romantic.” Renaldo rolled his eyes. Robin wasn't fooling him. Everybody knew that she didn't give a damn about Caroline's happiness. She just didn't want anyone to threaten her relationship with Jason. “It wasn't *they*, it was HIM. Caroline doesn't mind the protection, so I know it wasn't her idea,” Jason said angrily. “How the hell can Shane be so selfish? Doesn't he want Caroline to be safe?” “I'm sorry,” Renaldo said again. “Forget about it, its not your fault,” Jason said. He went over to the bar, and poured himself another drink. He knew Shane didn't ditch Renaldo for the privacy. Shane just wanted him to know that he was the one in control. Jason hated to admit it, but he realized that Shane was right. He knew that Caroline still loved Shane, and trusted Shane completely. Shane had now become the most important man in her life, and Jason didn't know what to do about it. **************************** AJ parked his car at the courthouse for the second day in a row. Since he had left the disastrous breakfast scene in a hurry, he had arrived early. He got out of the car, and walked inside the building. He was a few steps into the corridor, when he saw Justus. “Hello Justus,” AJ said walking up to him. “Tell me, how does it feel to work for an immoral bastard, who is a threat to the community?” “AJ I thought you knew. I don't work for Edward anymore,” Justus replied, trying to sidestep his cousin. “So, how is my criminal half brother anyway? Is he hard at work making Port Charles a living hell? Oh of course he is! That's what he does for a living. Tell me, today did he decide to stop another money making project, leaving people without pay, or did he just decide to go on a killing spree?” “Jason runs a clean import/export service. AND he doesn't kill anyone…” “Well of course, not personally,” AJ interrupted. “…Furthermore, I don't recall him ganging up with old men trying to steal babies. He isn't a kidnapper, unlike the person I have standing before me.” “Oh you'd be surprised,” AJ said snidely. “So just out of curiosity, what illegal task are you performing for your master today?” “AJ, I do have clients, other than Jason.” “Really? Why? Doesn't the Don Of Delusion pay you enough?” “Are you done?” Justus said impatiently. “No. Actually I have a legal problem I want you to help me with, since you are taking normal clients. You see, I think I fathered a child, but the mother doesn't want the child to be near me. If you were my lawyer… since you *are* my cousin… what would you do?” “I would switch sides,” Justus replied. With that, he walked away. AJ rolled his eyes. He didn't really care what Justus thought about him. It wasn't that he hated Justus, because he didn't. He just didn't like the fact that his cousin had quit on the family, just to go work for Jason, and the organization… He had just gotten into the conversation because he wanted Justus to tell Jason when and where they had met each other. He then continued on his way toward Judge Reinhold's chambers. “Come in,” the judge said, in answer to the knock. “Hello, your honor,” AJ said, coming in. “Oh, AJ, hello. I have what you have been waiting for,” the judge said, holding up a set of papers. “Here is a court order for the paternity test, to be taken within 48 hours, once it has been served. I have also prepared a supine for a court appearance, one the results are in.” “Thank you, your honor. You have no idea how much this means to me,” AJ said. “Of course I do, I'm a father. I'm so proud to see a young man raking responsibility for his actions. Listen, I'm sorry, but I'm kind of in a rush. I have to get to courtroom #3 in a few minutes. Oh, and can you please tell your grandfather that I have to cancel our golf game Saturday? It's my daughter's birthday, and I can't believe that I almost forgot it.” “Of course sir. Thanks again,” AJ said stepping out, and closing the door behind him. AJ stared at the paper in his hand, and felt a rush of excitement wash over him. He was finally going to get some answers. “I know Michael is really my son. Now, all I have to do is prove it. And when I do, Carly and Jason will lose custody,” he thought while folding the papers. He then headed to his car. He was going straight to the penthouse to confront Jason.