PreEmptive Strike and the Path Chosen

A knock shakes Jason from his mantle looking at his nephew's photograph; he opens his door to Bernie who akcknowledges his state, "it looks as if you haven't slept all night." Jason recounts the events that put him in a situation exactly like his nephews with a child in the middle of his hit on Karpove.

He heeds the warning that in the long run not immediately dealing with Karpove may come back to haunt him. Bernie explains Karpove's pattern of taking out his competition. That it may only be a matter of time....Bernie advises him to make his move before Karpove gets a stronghold in Port Charles. Jason and Bernie goes back and forth he reminds him that "this is what Sonny would do"...Jason feels he can't establish himself as he did in Europe because he's not in the same position. Bernie reveals his findings on Karpove and urges Jason to strike because its only a matter of time before he gets in a position to take him down. It should be now because Karpove will start a civil war and its up to Jason to protect his syndicate.

Across town, Elizabeth follows up on the wounds of the woman who vowed her destruction, stalked her with her children and endangered them with thugs. She finds herself in the position of offering relationship advice...In the end, her ex asks her to stick around to be sure her patient stays put. She does and is thanked for her help, yet again. Elizabeth again champions Lucky because that is how she is, even to a sworn enemy who is now grateful of her awesome medical attention.

Back at Jason's Penthouse, Cody Paul answers a summons to begin a new assignment using his special skills to shadow Karpove and inform him of all his findings especially when he is most vulnerable.

Another knock interrupts them and brings in Karpove's attorney who states her client's case regarding his first expansion in the United States. Jason responds by asking why the big push since she is only repeating what he's already been told by Karpove.

She goes on about their truce that they can co-exist. Karpove is avoiding tension, especially after his defunct association with Sonny Corinthos. Jason repeats his position quickly, leave me alone, there won't be a problem.

He excuses himself turns his back to answer a call he learns his last two shipments arrived and that he needs to meet personally with his partners. Sasha believes they can mutually benefit each other outside of Karpove's expansion.

He turns around, she offers him a drink then removes her Russian red blouse.

Of profound importance, Talk to me...

She gazes and he in kind, as he speaks with Robin on her pregnancy. She thanks him because it wouldn't have happened if it weren't for you. Elizabeth standing behind her station can't help but feel something when he presses his hand to feel her friends' baby ..looking at him she didn't feel jealousy. She knew instinctly that he needed her. She finds him the one place she knew he'd be. Even in the dark, his eyes are intense, there on the docks she saw his pain in them. Their hands did what their lips refused. "You shouldn't be here."

She implored him to need her, let her be there for him. It didn't take much prodding. She realized she was right to come to him. So he explains why he took over as mob lord for Carly...and how Sonny thinks he's turned against him. They speak again of Jake's safety and how he continues to do what is best for Sonny's son. "I miss him, I miss both you guys so much but its a choice I've made"...They speak about revenge...talk about Sonny's grief "Elizabeth, what do you think I should do?"

She advises him to swallow all pride, go speak to Sonny "so you know that you've done all you could."

Jason immediately heeds her advice and goes to Sonny about their situation. Sonny is open to discussion, he thinks he should have given him the benefit of the doubt to know nothing he's doing is to punish him. He should know why and its not for taking my children away. Jason listens intently the explanation of why he went to Karpove "to help you." The organizaton is running smoothly so why the need to protect me?

When Connie sees Jason in Sonny's parlor she immediately jumps to the conclusion that her fiancee' is taking over the organization and questions Jason. He tells her he's said what he's come to say and he won't be returning ever again.

Later that evening after meeting with his accountant and confidente, Jason decides to take Karpove out. Bernie suggests Cody Paul. But Jason insist on doing it himself. He finds Karpove on the docks speaking in his native dialect with his attorney Sasha. He carefully assembles his weapon and is all set to pull the trigger. With his target in sight, his high powered rifle aimed and ready as Karpove's young daughter runs into his arms....uncharacteristically he's shaken and aborts the hit. Jason remembers his nephew.