"Change of plans," Teo came barging in, a determined look on his face.

Sola softly barked. Her barks were still shrill and utmost adorable, but she tried to be a tough doggy, barking at whoever dared to come closer to Jason. Jason had already realized that once she was older, she would truly scare people away. A grown Doberman? Scary as fuck.

It has been three days since they'd come back from Mexico. Jason kept himself busy with taking care of her, training her and playing with her. They'd grown even closer in the past three days, if that was possible. Sola had her first vaccine yesterday and she took it without crying. Jason was proud.

"What's up?" he told Sola to be silent, paying full attention to Teo. Curiosity took the best of him as suspense started to gnaw at him inside, a million thoughts racing through his head. Did they talk? Was it over?

"Alexia is going to talk to dad today. We decided that it's best for me to stay here with you in case anything happens. In a few hours we'll go back to New York, because we're assuming that everything will go fine."

Jason nodded, "I wish I could talk to her before she speaks to her dad."

"You can, I'm pretty sure he isn't home yet." Teo handed him his phone, "Here, make the call."

"Thank you."

He went into his bedroom, closing the door to make sure Teo couldn't hear whatever he was about to say. He would bet his bottom dollar on Teo if he had to, but this was something private, exclusive for him and Alexia only.

Persistently, Jason unlocked the phone and tapped on Alexia's name.

Almost immediately, her voice galled through the speakers and he had to sit back for a mere moment. Even her voice prickled him—in a good way.

"Teo? What's wrong? Are you there yet? Oh God, is Jason okay?"

Jason couldn't help but smile, "Hey baby."

"Oh... Jase?"

"The one and only."

"Somehow I always manage to forget how fucking cocky you are, even when it hasn't been a week yet." Alexia's voice sounded amused and he chuckled, shaking his head.

"I'm not that bad."

"Oh really?"

He rolled his eyes, knowing she couldn't see it anyway. "The reason I called you wasn't to argue with you about how cocky I am. Have you spoken to Emilio yet?"

Alexia stayed silent for a short while, puffing out a deep breath before she replied. "No, not yet. He isn't home yet."

"What are you going to say?"

"Just..." he could imagine her cute face scrunching in fixation, "I'll just start from the beginning. That guy attacking you and then you ending up in the hospital. No, wait, I'll start from Dubai. When he threatened you. That's smart, right?"

"Uhuh,"

"And then I'll just go from there. I won't leave anything out, I'll give him all the details. I'll make sure dad believes me. You know he loves you, I don't think he'd have the nerves to not believe me."

Jason kept quiet, listening to Alexia's rambling. He knew she was nervous and her babbling confirmed that. He wished he could hold her and tell her everything would work out, but he couldn't do that, so the phone would do.

"Are Stefano and Dominic there yet?"

"Yeah," she answered, "I'm playing with Toby and Freddie right now. Dom and Stef are downstairs, even Carina is here."

"Good, good."

They were both silent again.

"Are you nervous, Jase?"

"Why would I be nervous? You're the one who's talking. I'm miles away."

"Yeah, but this is about you. This will settle it once and for all. You can be nervous. I know I am wheezing all over the place." She gave a light chuckle.

Jason snickered, "I'm fine, princess. I'm just worried about you. Is he—is he in the house?"

"No."

Relief washed over him and he exhaled deeply, running a hand through his hair. All of this waiting was agonizing.

"Why did you really call, Jason?"

Jason frowned. Wasn't it obvious? He called to see how she was doing. To see if she was okay. He called to check up on her, why else would he call?

His gut had been telling him all day to call her, but with no phone that wasn't easy. Teo visiting him was almost like a gift from above.

He just wanted to hear her voice. He missed her.

"How are things in New York?" he asked, dodging her question.

"Fine," she replied, "There is some drama between Chaz and Chloe apparently, classes start tomorrow so I'll find out about it then. All I know so far is what Chloe had told me over the phone while she was in tears."

"What did she say?"

"Something about being in trouble and him hating her. I really don't know."

"How's Ryan?"

"He's good, I think. Him and Sienna have been fucking like bunnies all of spring break, Sienna told me. She was happy."

Jason smirked, imaginably patting his best friend on the back.

"I can't wait to fuck like bunnies too." He muttered, unable to stifle the comment. Alexia let out a wholehearted laugh and instantly his insides turned into mush, a surge of euphoria pulsing through his body at rapid speed.

"Me neither." She giggled, and once again, he felt like he was melting.

"I love your laugh." Jason rasped. He wanted her to know.

He could hear her emitting a surprised sound, "Do you, now?"

"Yeah."

"I love you." Alexia's voice was thick with emotions. Jason found the statement different this time—oddly touching.

"I love you too. I never say that, do I?"

"Not always, but you say it enough. I don't mind. I don't need to hear the words, I know you love me from the way you treat me."

"How do I treat you?"

"Like a princess."

Jason let out a low, pleased growl. "I miss you, Alex."

She tsk'ed, "Hey, hey, don't get sentimental on me McCann. I'll be seeing you very soon, tomorrow maybe. This will work, I have no doubts. Dad will believe me."

"I know," he did know, but he felt strange. Weird. His gut was telling him something, but Jason sure as hell didn't know what. "I just fucking miss you. Is it that big of an issue?"

"Alright, calm down. I was kidding Jase, about the sentimental part, you know I miss you too."

"I want to hold you." He snapped throatily, gritting his teeth. A painful ripple went through his heart when he heard Alexia whimper.

"Soon, babe. Patience."

"Nothing is soon enough." He hissed, disgruntled.

"Where is this coming from? We're fine, Jason! In about two hours I'll be talking to my dad about how we're going to get you out of fucking Burlington and back here, with your parents and Jazzy and Jaxon and Chaz and Ryan and me."

Tired though not fully, he hummed in agreement, letting it slide. He didn't know where this came from either and didn't want to bring Alexia down along with his own glum mood.

"I'm sorry. You know I have confidence in you, Lex. You'll fix this shit."

"Damn right I will!"

He croaked out a laugh. "In a couple of hours I want a call back with all of the details about how we're going to do this."

"Sir, yes sir!"

He laughed again, "Stop that shit. I am not your sir... unless in bed. I'll be your sir when I'm fucking you senseless."

Alexia had taken her time responding to that, "Yeah..." she mumbled, "You can be my sir then."

"Are you fingering yourself?" a tight ball of desire rolled itself in Jason's stomach and he clenched his jaw, suppressing the image of Alexia playing with herself whilst talking to him.

"No," she breathed.

"Alexia, don't fucking lie to me." He just really wanted it to be true as the image proceeded to play itself in his mind, his blood rushing to his lower abdomen apace and then, his crotch.

"Okay, yes. I've learned it helps calming my nerves, and I've been really horny, and I miss you, and I miss your gigantic dick. I'm just horny, okay? Hearing your voice just does this to me." She spat.

"Fucking hell, Lex," he murmured, looking at how his cock slowly but in determination stiffened and got hard.

"What?" she innocently asked, slightly panting. Jason groaned, slipping his hand into his own boxers.

"I'm hard."

Alexia gasped loudly into the phone. Jason growled again, taking his length into his hand and started going up and down his shaft, slowly. "Alexia," he uttered smugly.

"Yes?"

"Imagine it's me. Imagine it's my finger. Moan for me, baby."

And she moaned.

-

"Some talk to you had."

"What? Why?" A look of alarm crossed Jason's face, instantly execrating himself in his thoughts. He had just walked out of his bedroom and he was pretty satisfied with the way him and Alexia talked, he felt like he got it all off his chest. The phone sex was just a plus. Of course he had forgotten all about Teo being in the other room.

"Nothing, just that you were in there for long." Teo shrugged, holding out his hand. Jason puffed out a breath of relief, placing the phone back in Teo's hand and plopping on the couch.

"Oh, that." He stifled a smirk, "I've just missed her. Had to talk some courage into her."

"Was she nervous?" Teo alerted, clearly ready to speed over to New York if his sister was feeling uncomfortable.

Jason hesitated before telling the truth, "A bit. I am—I was more nervous. She actually was the one who calmed me down."

"Understandable." Teo disappeared out of the living room into the kitchen and returned mere seconds later with two beers in his hands, heading for the couch. Jason made place for him, scanning the room for Sola. Once he saw her chewing on a toy in the corner, he turned his attention to Teo.

"Yeah. It's so weird, you know? I've been hiding for a long while. It's almost May..." he shook his head, a bitter scowl curling his lips, "I can't believe that asshole has been after me for this long."

Teo grunted in annoyance. "Time sure as hell went fast. It's almost over, though."

Jason nodded in deep thoughts. It hadn't hit him yet. The only thing that indicated that today may be the day he gets to go home is the continuous flutter of nervous butterflies in his stomach and the fact that Teo had gotten the beers out of the fridge to celebrate something.

"I mean," Teo opened his beer, a faint sizzling galling through the room, "You proved to everyone that you wouldn't let her go, that's for damn sure. Even when I told you to leave the situation alone, you stood your ground. My sister is lucky to have you."

Jason raised his eyebrows, looking at Teo with an amused expression.

"Oh shut up!" Teo snapped, "You are also fucking lucky to have her, don't give me that cocky shit." And with that, he took a big gulp.

Jason sincerely laughed, also opening his own beer. He would never admit it but hearing how much Teo appreciated him caused him to zeal. At long last, he was one of his few good friends. "I didn't even say anything!"

"McCann," Teo warned.

Jason laughed again, shoving Teo's shoulders. "Lighten up, dude. I'm just messing with you. Bro," his lips curled even wider if possible, "I'm going home."

"Yes, yes you are."

-

"Do you have everything?" Teo asked, shutting the trunk of his car loudly. Jason nodded, eager to get into the car and leave this hellhole behind.

With him moving from New York to Boston, and then to Burlington, Jason's belongings weren't much more than one simple box containing a couple of clothes, the gun Teo had given him and his wallet. The only extra stuff this time around was everything that belonged to Sola, and that too wasn't enough to fill the box. All in all, Jason was settled and ready to go.

Last time they checked, Alexia still hadn't talked to Emilio because he wasn't home yet. However, they were going to drive down to New York nonetheless, considering the fact that one, the drive was hours, and two, they assumed he would believe her and instantly do something about it. If not, Jason would still have to leave Burlington so he could convince Emilio himself, if he had to. The scars on his back were enough.

"Let's go then." Teo grinned, getting into his car.

Jason took a deep breath and turned around, staring at the paltry house and the excessive magnitude of the trees around it. Fuck you, he thought, feeling no ounce of melancholy. There was no trace of poignancy when he stepped in the car, his eyes still on the little house.

A bird chirped.

Fuck you too, he thought.

He was profoundly done with the serenity and stillness of the place, immensely missing the hectic and wild streets of New York City.

And most importantly, his life. Burlington only reminded him of how helpless he was, of how he couldn't do anything about the fact that a psychotic prick had people following him around to try and kill him.

Well, Jason snorted out loud, that didn't work, did it? Because in the end; who's alive? Who's slowly getting back on track? Who is the person Alexia's in love with? Definitely not Damian fucking Albarran.

"Let's get the fuck out of here."

The engine roared and Teo wasted no time, pressing on the accelerator as the car shot forward. Jason couldn't help but guffaw, euphoria evident in everything he did. How could he not be happy?

They even put on music and rapped along, both in extreme high spirits. Sola sat on Jason's lap but had her eyes wide open and her ears perked, confused about why her daddy was acting so weird.

"We're going home Sola!" He cried out, brushing his hand on her soft fur. Sola barked softly, cocking her head to the side as if asking, 'I thought we were home?'

"No," Jason stressed, ignoring Teo's snickers, "Burlington was never home. But New York? Oh, you'll love it baby. It's amazing. You'll get to see mommy again and you'll meet Jazzy and Jaxon... They're my brother and sister. And you'll meet my parents! And Ryan and Chaz, God, Ryan would totally adore you. You'll meet Chloe, who, I admit, is annoying at first, but you'll learn to like her! And Sienna, she's amazing. You'll see Maya again..." he frowned, "I don't know how much I like that. She's too into you, you're mine. But I know you love her too so I'll let it slide."

"Hey!"

"Not my fault your girlfriend is after my dog."

"Jason, you're talking to a dog."

Jason shrugged. "I don't care." He looked at Sola again, beaming. "They don't understand what we have Sola. It's fine, people will always judge you. As long as we're good, right?"

Sola nuzzled up against Jason's torso, light snores emitting her beak. Jason smiled, glancing at Teo. "See? Me and her are inseparable."

"I now get why my sister was jealous of a dog." Teo shook his head.

The car ride was convivial, jolly vibes surrounding them. With the windows rolled down, the music blasting loud through the speakers and Teo and Jason almost screaming the lyrics you'd say everything was already settled and over with.

Once they passed the sign that said Saratoga Springs they calmed down and lowered the volume of the music. The car was boiling at first but the weather was windy and with the windows rolled down the car slowly started getting chilly. Jason exhaled in satisfaction, slightly hanging his head out of the window.

"Do you think they talked?" he asked.

"I don't know," Teo licked his lips, "I mean... I guess, yeah. After all we've been driving for over two hours now. Should we call?"

Jason stared at the passing trees and the empty highway, his fingers absentmindedly grazing through Sola's fur. She was asleep. "Should we? I'm scared we're interrupting her."

"If we were she just wouldn't pick up, right?"

"Right."

"So, call?" Teo looked at him questioningly. Jason nodded. Yeah, that would definitely ease his mind for a bit.

He grabbed Teo's phone and called her, and she immediately responded.

"Hey." Jason was surprised by how fast she'd picked up. That would mean she hadn't talked to her dad yet, right?

"Hi. Is everything okay?"

"Yeah, yeah everything is fine. Don't worry. We're on our way to the city now..."

"I haven't talked to him yet, he's still not home." Alexia cut to the chase, her voice laced with apprehensiveness. Jason's shoulders involuntarily slumped as he looked at Teo and mouthed, 'She hasn't talked to him yet'.

Teo furrowed his eyebrows in confusion but then focused on the road again.

"I'm sorry." She mumbled, "I can't help that he isn't home yet. Stef said some things went wrong with the shipping of whatever so he'll be late. Don't you worry, though, I promised you; I will talk to him and this will be over today, okay?"

Jason closed his eyes for a mere second, repeating her words in his head. "I know babe. I'm just nervous."

"Of course, you have every right to be. So where are you guys now?"

"Malta Ridge. It's a few miles from Saratoga Springs. I think we'll be in New York in like... three hours?"

Teo nodded in confirmation.

"Three hours." Jason lapped up. He had felt anxious when Alexia told him they hadn't talked but that was all gone now, making place for the gleeful feelings of just a short while ago.

"Alright. I can't wait to see you."

"You too." God, he really couldn't. It was like he almost could smell her odour and feel her soft skin.

"I'm hanging up now, Dominic wants me to watch Toby. I'll call you afterwards, okay?"

"Sure."

"Bye Jason," Alexia paused for a minute, "I love you."

Jason ignored the fluttering butterflies. "I love you too Lex."

He hung up and put the phone away, puffing out a breath. Teo did the same, "Still nothing?"

Jason nodded, explaining to Teo that something went wrong with a shipment and that he was going to be late. Teo groaned, "That shit happens a lot. I just hope he's heading home soon because in three hours we'll be back in New York City."

"I honestly can't fucking wait!" Jason grinned, causing Teo to laugh too.

"What's the first thing you're going to do once you're back?"

"Kiss Alexia. I'll go to my parent's house, I'll visit Ryan and Chaz..." he summed up, unable to hide his happiness. He was going home.

Teo scowled.

"Come on Teodoro."

"Don't call me that!" Teo snapped irritably, his hands clenching his fingers around the steering wheel tightly. Jason chuckled, "Why?"

"I don't like it. I'm Teo."

"Your real name is Teodoro Javier." Jason smart cracked. He loved messing with Teo, he always got very frustrated.

"I know what my real name is. You don't have to tell me, idiot."

"A'ight, just throwing that out here!"

"Shut up, McCann."

-

They'd just driven by Saugerties, one hour away from Poughkeepsie, when the mood dropped again. Sola was getting restless, jumping from Jason's lap to Teo's. Teo wouldn't have that as he was driving and didn't want a dog on his lap, so he'd urge her to get off and she'd jump over to the backseats, barking obnoxiously.

"Sola, shut the fuck up!" Teo exclaimed, setting his jaw. Jason shoved Teo's shoulder, equally annoyed by his puppy's barking yet not wanting to show that. "Don't talk to her like that, it won't work."

"Then what's going to work?"

Jason turned around in his seat, looking at Sola as he gently spoke, "Sola, baby, please calm down. You're getting very loud."

She barked in return.

"Look, I know you want to get out of this little cramped place and I get it, but we're almost home, I swear. If you can just be quiet and still for only two hours..."

Sola looked away, setting her nails into the fabric of the seats as she started growling.

"Sola! Don't do that!"

"Do what?" Teo emitted helplessly, "Do what, Jason? What's she doing?"

"She's fucking up your seats, that's what."

"No! Get her to stop! I swear to God, Jason, if your dog does the tiniest bit of damage to my car I will kill you both!"

All in all, they were pissed. All three of them. However, once Sola calmed down and nestled herself back on Jason's lap, much to Teo's relief, they went back to having small but fun conversations, their mood getting better and better with every mile closer to New York City.

"Poughkeepsie." Jason read the sign out loud, his heart beating fast. They were almost home, not long left now.

"Excited?" Teo smiled, glancing at Jason before turning his attention back on the road. Jason spotted train tracks in the distance as he nodded wildly. "Hell yeah. I could run from here to the city if I had to."

"Thank God you don't have to." Teo snorted.

Jason chuckled softly, watching the train tracks getting closer and closer. The fence was closed, indicating that a train was on its way.

Nonetheless, Teo didn't slow down the car.

"Teo, slow down. There's a train coming."

"I—I can't—I can't!"

An eerily feeling overcame Jason as he frowned and turned his head sharply, seeing how terror crossed Teo's face, his left leg moving up and down as if pressing on the brakes repeatedly.

"I can't," Teo repeated, panic evident in his words, "Someone played with the brakes, I can't stop!"

Jason's breathing hitched in his throat, panic rising to his head. "The train, Teo, the train!" he kept yelling, his heart beating faster. His eyes were stuck on the train tracks, the loud ding-ling of the train echoing through the entire area. The car kept driving in full speed, swerving over the road.

"The fucking train!" Jason screamed again, sweat breaking out everywhere on his body. This couldn't be happening, this couldn't be fucking happening. He was finally going home, everything was supposed to be fixed.

This couldn't be happening.

"I fucking know, Jason!" Teo shot back, and although he looked like he was keeping it together semi fine on the outside, Jason could see that Teo was freaking out from the inside.

If Teo was freaking out... something had to be really wrong.

"The train!" Jason couldn't get anything else out of his mouth, his eyes glossing with fear. Why, why, out of every day that this could've happened, why today?

Then, the yellow and blue of the train filled the tracks, rushing by. The train seemed endless and Jason kept praying for the train to pass so the car wouldn't hit it, but he knew it was in vain once the car was about to drive through the fence.

"Teo!" He cried, squeezing his eyes shut.

And with that, Jason felt how he got thrown into the window, pieces of glass piercing through his skin as rambunctious noises blasted through his ears.

"One day you'll get in a car accident, what am I supposed to do then?"

And then everything turned black.

-

(a/n): Hi! I'm so happy omg we hit 7k!!! lksdklfjslkdj okay I'm done. Comment & vote!