Viva Las Vegas by TheJavaGirls

[JRK Archiver]

Thirty



Watching the tape was one of the worst forms of torture Jason Morgan had ever experienced, and having worked for Sonny for the last four years, he'd been through his fare share of pain. His insides burned when he saw several different clips from the hotel security tapes as Carly sneaked around the place like she owned it. Hiding behind corners or large plants when one of them got too close. It was all the proof he needed to put a price on her head.

It was his heart that ached as he watched the elevator door shut in Elizabeth's shocked face, and with a blink of an eye, a large shadow appeared behind her, knocking her soundly on the back of the head with a fire extinguisher. Her small and delicate body crumpled to the ground.

After that, all he saw was red.

The last part of the video wasn't in the black and white, but instead it looked as though someone was holding a video recorder. Elizabeth, his Elizabeth. The woman he was married to and had made an oath to protect, was tied to a chair. Her beautiful chestnut curls looked knotted. Blood trickled from the corner of her mouth, as her head hung painfully to the side.

On the floor next to her was Carly. Unfortunately, for her, she was still breathing.

The letter that had been wrapped around the video tape was an elementary style ransom note. Selected letters and words from magazines telling of the time, place and amount needed for Elizabeth's 'safe' return.

"Jason. . ." Emily's voice sounded distant. As though she was trying to communicate with him from twenty yards away. He could hear Sonny barking orders to Max telling him to get Benny on the phone. Something about needing funds immediately. Brenda was sniffing softly to the side. "Jason." This time he felt a slight tug on his arm. "Your bleeding."

Looking down at the crushed glass in his hand, Jason couldn't figure out when exactly he'd picked it up. But he could barely register the pain of his bleeding palm. Not when his heart had been ripped from his chest.

"Jesus." Francis appeared out of nowhere with a first aide kit in hand. It took a little work on his part to convince Jason to let him see the damage he'd caused. "Jason, we're gonna find her."

"I know." With a numb nod of his head, Jason took a deep breath and tried to concentrate. Fought to gain control of the fear that was growing in his chest. It wasn't going to help anyone if he lost it. Especially Elizabeth. He needed to become the unfeeling Borg everyone called him when they didn't think he was listening.

"Emily I want you back in your room until this is over." Seeing that his younger sister was ready to argue, Jason turned cold eyes her way. "NOW!"

Johnny to the initiative and stepped forward. Placing firm hand on her shoulder he started to half push, half guide her out of the room. His hold tightened when she tried to pull away and his face remained blank when she started to curse at him. It wasn't until she kicked him soundly in the shin that he winced slightly, before swinging her up quickly over his shoulder. Nodding in Jason's direction, he strode toward the door.

"Brenda." Sonny raised a brow, and tilted his head toward the door and Johnny.

Looking ready to argue, Brenda quickly weighed her options. Remarkably, she snapped her mouth shut as she walked over and gave Sonny a kiss on the cheek before departing.

"I'm done playing nice with Carly." Jason's cold tone nearly chilled the room. "I have given her more than her fare share of chances." Waiting for Francis to finish bandaging up his hand, Jason stared at the red bleeding through the white cotton.

"I know." And Sonny did. Lord did he know. He'd stood back and watched silently and sometimes not so silently as Jason did his best to keep Carly from self-destructing. Jumping through hoops and giving up on his own needs just to ensure that Michael had some form of a home. But she'd finally had pushed to hard. Had gone past the line that not even Jason could over look.

Jason took a deep breath. Blinked once. "When we get Elizabeth back." His voice only faltered slightly. "I'm going to divorce her. She doesn't need this crap in her life. She's too young for this. I put her in danger by only thinking of my want and needs. I should've sent her home."

"That's the stupidest bunch of crap I have ever heard coming from a man's mouth." Jason turned toward the sound the interruption, and found himself staring at one annoyed Gina Gianni. "And having been surrounded by males the majority of my life, I have heard some humdingers."

"Mrs. Giann-." With a wave of her hand she stopped Sonny in mid sentence. "I'm not here to socialize. One of my men told me what's going on." Seeing the look of confusion cross the men's faces, she gave an unapologetic shrug. "This has been my home for over twenty years. It'd amaze you how fast news gets around here."

"The situation is under control." Jason tried to keep his tone neutral.

"That's wonderful." Her eyes met his, "I assume then that you've located your young bride?" The question hung in the air unanswered. "That's what I thought." Her mouth pinched as she took a seat. "Let's get to business boys."

Jason and Sonny looked at one another, not entirely sure she was speaking to them or the massive apes she brought with her. "Has there been a ransom yet."

Sonny nodded to Francis, who handed her the letter they'd just gotten done reading.

"I see." With a distasteful glance at the letter, she handed it back to the waiting guard. "How original. Anything else?"

"Mrs. Gianni, you really don't need to bother yourself with this." Jason words sounded polite enough, but everyone understood the underlying meaning. Women had no place in this part of the business.

"Mr. Morgan, I admire your need to shelter us weak, defenseless females." Though she smiled at the men in the room, her eyes were dead cold. "But if you'd please drop the bullshit I would deeply appreciate it. I have been married to the business for more years than I can count. Its been a long time since I've been ordered from the room for my own good. We may be in a business arrangement, but this is my home. And nobody shits in my yard and gets away with it."

Francis coughed, trying to wipe the smile from his face. Max didn't do such a grate job of hiding his shock at the older woman's colorful words. Choking on the laughter bubbling from his chest, he almost needed to leave the room.

"So if we're understanding one another clearly, let's get on with it."

~~~*~~~

Time seemed to be going at a snails pace. No scratch that, it was going slower than a snail. It was going backwards. Elizabeth kept her eyes closed as she fought against the need to cry at situation. She'd never felt such pain as her head pounded. Sending white hot shock waves through her skull. Her arms and legs had long ago lost all feeling.

The only saving grace in the entire situation, was the fact she'd been able to fool the bastard who was pacing behind. Still thinking she was unconscious, he'd left her alone since he'd knocked Carly to the ground. Instead, he'd kept himself entertained by talking out loud as to how he was going to spend the ransom.

She didn't care if he planned on buying a tie-dyed poodle with a diamond chain. As long as he stayed away from her she was just fine.

Somewhere in her muddled thoughts she heard the sound of a phone ringing. The man's muted voice sounded angry, almost tense. He cursed several times before she heard his heavy footsteps behind her.

"Carly." His voice barked, and Elizabeth held her breath. "Wake up you stupid bitch."

After a few painful minutes, Elizabeth heard Carly's distinct groan as she came to. "Untie her. We've got problems."

Every muscle Elizabeth could still feel tensed.

"You hit me." Carly sounded shocked. As though somehow she'd been unjustly abused.

"Yeah, well if you don't get your ass off that floor I'm gonna do more than hit you." The guy sounded as though he meant business. "The bosses bitch of a wife shoved her nose where it don't belong. This hotel is gonna be crawling with guards any second."

"Good." Elizabeth nearly choked. How stupid could a person get? Talking back to the person who just knocked her on her ass. Who could point the finger right back at her. "Cause when Jason finds you, there's not going to be enough left of you to feed to the fishes."

"Fist of all, stupid, we're in Nevada. Not much water. Second, I doubt there's a lie good enough to get you off Morgan's shit list. But most important. You crapped in Gina Gianni's yard. Which means you no longer need to worry about your constipated knight and his bongo playing boss."

It was like an eternity before Carly responded. At first it was a bunch of muttered gibberish, that ended in an icy, fine. Before she knew it, Elizabeth felt her bindings being loosened.


~~~*~~~

"There." Mrs. G held up a hand. "Rewind it a little, then pause."

Jason gritted his teeth together and did as he was asked. He was ready to combust. No, he was ready to throw the damned TV out the window. This was getting them no where. For the last twenty minutes they had combed through the video for any clues. For something that could get them some sort of scrape to work with.

Realistically he knew the tape was the only real thing to go by. But the need to escape the room and start terrorizing the hotel staff was pulling hard at him. There was nothing like knocking a few heads together to get the information they so desperately needed.

"Right there." Mrs. G tilted her head slightly. "Rewind one more time, turn up the volume." Throwing a disgusted look over at Sonny, Jason did as he was told. "What an idiot." The older woman muttered to herself and shook her head in disbelief.

"Excuse me?" Standing up straight, Jason stared at her in disbelief.

"Your wife-."

"Elizabeth isn't an idiot." His lip curled and he took a step closer.

"Mr. Morgan I am fully aware that Elizabeth isn't an idiot. I am talking about her kidnapper." For a glimmer of a second she gave Jason a compassionate smile. But just like that it was gone. "They're in the basement. If you look closely at the last clip of Elizabeth you can see the feather's of a costume. There's also the distinct sound of one of the furnaces." When no one moved, Mrs. G stood up from her position on the couch and raised an amused brow at the men around her. "Are you going to stand around, or do I need to rescue the girl also?"

[JRK Archiver]

Thirty-One


"So what's the plan? Traipse down there like a herd of elephants?"

Looking up from his Glock 29, Jason looked over his shoulder, and inwardly groaned at the sight of Mrs. Gianni flanked by her small army of men. "Welcome to Barnum and Bailey's circus. I thought I told you to stay with Emily until this is taken care of?"

Johnny shifted and visibly winced. "Yeah. Sonny sent Brent down to take my place. I have a feeling I'd suffer less damage wondering into hostile territory wearing a Sunday dress and stilettos." Looking in the direction where the regal matriarch was waiting, Johnny gave a humorless chuckle. "I like Mrs. G and all, but come on Jason, she's got like ten overgrown baboons with her. There's five of us - ."

"You got a point here Johnny?" A muscle ticked along Jason's jaw line. It was rubbing him the wrong way having to take orders from a woman who barley reached his elbows. The last thing he needed was Johnny throwing in his two cents worth. "What happened to you?" Taking on Johnny's tussled hair, disorderly clothing and swelling eye, Jason almost chuckled, until he noticed a very familiar shade of pink lipstick on the guard's collar.

To Johnny's credit, he had enough decency to look a little uncomfortable. Instinctively he touched his injured eye, wincing. "Your sister has one hell of a right hook. Something about not appreciating the way I took her back to her room."

Raising a knowing brow, Jason took his gun and ran it along Johnny's collar. Stopping where the pink started. It was meant to be a little, intimidating, and from the way Johnny gulped Jason was satisfied to have hit his mark. "About that."

"Yeah," Jason lazily drawled, "About that . . ."

"Jase this really isn't the time or place to get into . . ."

"That?" Knowing he shouldn't be getting any pleasure out of putting his pal through the wringer, Jason had to admit it was better than allowing the gnawing fear of Elizabeth's disappearance devour him. What he really wanted to do was tell Sonny to shove all this polite, political crap and find Elizabeth. The only reason he hadn't shot everyone the bird, was because Mrs. Gianni and her men knew the hotel like the back of their hands. And he wasn't one to piss on an advantage like that. So that let Johnny in the spot light.

"Yeah. Maybe after we find your wife, and you two have some time alone together, we can talk about it."

Something dimmed in Jason's eyes, blowing out a long breath Jason let out a dry laugh. "Man she must be riding your ass about being a wuss."

Blinking slightly, Johnny's face turned an unbecoming red. "I aint no wuss."

"So you've waited over a year to tell me you're in love with my sister because . . ." Yeah, he was being about as mature as a third grader, but at least this was something to distract him.

"Who the hell said I was in love with her?" Clearly flustered, Johnny twitched like a bug under a magnifying glass.

"Oh, so you just used her last Forth of July when you two were messing around on my couch." The guard looked like a sinking ship. His expression looked as though he was about to make one last ditch effort to fight, but in the end he calmly gave up and allowed himself to be dragged down.

"I wasn't using her. It was more like her attacking me." With a deep painful groan, Johnny shook his head, trying to dislodge the memory. "But, you're right." Licking his lips and taking a quick sweep of the room to make sure no one else was listening, Johnny swallowed hard. "I. I am in love with your sister."

Jason stood staring at his friend, replaced his gun in his holster and placed a hand on Johnny's thick shoulder. "It's about time you big fat wuss."

Johnny looked back at Jason a little shell shocked, before a wide cheesy grin spread across his face. "I aint no wuss."

~~~*~~~

Sonny took a look at the chaos surrounding him and wished furiously for a strong, smooth glass of Whiskey. As much as he enjoyed the monitory gain he and Jason were getting from their new partnership in the casino, he could do without the rest of the insanity.

"Mrs. Gianni we really do appreciate how you want to help. But really, it's not necessary." Trying to turn on the charm, Sonny soon found the small woman's icy eyes pointed in his direction.

"There's no need to blow smoke up my ass Mr. Corinthos. If our roles were reversed, me in your territory with a loved one missing, partnership or no partnership, would you sit back and allow us to take action?" Not waiting long to allow him to mull over her question, Mrs. Gianni smiled, cold and calculating. "And I also know how you and Me. Morgan feel about this intrusion."

"No -." Feeling as though he'd deeply insulted the older woman, Sonny felt like a young boy who'd just insulted his own mother.

Waving off the rest of his reply, Mrs. Gianni rolled her eyes. "And to tell you the truth I'd feel the same way put in the same situation. But there is a method to my madness." Turning to her men, she gave a curt nod and the well trained monkey's headed toward the door. "Consider us a smoke screen. Making that disgusting rat who took Elizabeth feel as though they've pulled a fast one over on us."

"I'm not following." Hating the knowing way the woman gazed at him, Sonny tried to remind himself he was a grown man with a very successful business.

"I've already explained how to get to the basement." Checking her purse, she seemed satisfied and snapped it shut sharply. " My men will be making a scene in the lobby and the main casino. Giving you guys time to get Elizabeth and make that shlub pay."

Seeing that they weren't going to have to drag a parade of over dressed Olympic sized men along with them, Sonny gave a short bark of laughter. Deciding never to cross paths with the pie baking, Grandmotherly Mrs. Gianni, Sonny graced her with a quick kiss on her soft cheek. "You are a gem."

"Noted." Patting his cheek in return, Mrs. Gianni's eyes glimmered. "I expect your lovely fiancé and the Morgan's for dinner tomorrow night."

"As you wish." Chuckling as the woman waved and made her exit, Sonny wondered how and where he decided that woman shouldn't be included in the business.

~~*~~

The basement of the hotel was a maze of concrete hallways. They'd passed several hotel employees, busy with their daily routines. Maids stacking large fluffy towels on over laden carts. Grumbling to one another about rude customers and the state of some of the rooms. Maintenance crews skirted past the five large men as the walked without hesitation.

"How many freaking rights have we taken?" Grumbling under his throat, Francis nodded at the group of young bellboys who'd stepped out of a room that appeared to be some sort of a break room. "I can't see anyone being stupid enough to take Elizabeth down here. Too many people."

"Mrs. G said there's a unused corridor down here. Storage area." Max rolled his neck, satisfied with the loud cracking noise that made Francis wince.

"If its used as storage, how can it be unused?" With a cocky grin, Johnny ignored the rude jester Francis gave him.

"How come you've been such a damn wuss about talking to Jason about Emily?" Johnny's face flushed as the other two men gave one another a high five.

"Screw off -."

"Take your next left." Jason cut Johnny off.

Slowing down as a unit, they each were a little surprised to find the hubbub of the hotel staff had dwindled down to nothing. Johnny held up his hand and signaled the rest to stop.

"Did you hear that?" In a hushed tone, he took a step closer to the corner where they were to take their next turn. A door slammed shut and silence followed. All five men pulled out their weapons and waited. When all they were greeted with was silence, Johnny dropped his hand and signaled to the rest that he'd go check it out.


~~~*~~~

She knew she was on the ground. A different ground than the one she'd been staring at the last few hours, but still she was lying on her side on whitish linoleum. Her head hurt worse in this position, if that was humanly possible, but she still refused to give up the ruse of her being unconscious.

Not that she hadn't slipped off now and then.

It worried her that she couldn't hear anything. The man. Carly. There was no voices. No sound of feet pacing nervously nearby. It was as if she'd been dumped somewhere. And hope started to grow.

Slowly tilting her head to the right, Elizabeth saw she was in a hallway. More importantly an empty hallway. Before she could move any further, the sound of rustling clothing behind her had her blood run cold.

Then within a blink of an eye the world exploded around her.

Out of thin air, Johnny seemed to just pop-up at the end of the hall. Gunfire, loud as cannons went off above her head. Elizabeth didn't even have a chance to scream before Johnny hit the ground. Blood already appearing on the front of his white shirt. And for the first time in her life, Elizabeth knew fear.

[JRK Archiver]

Thirty-Two

Death. Never wanted, but always expected. Never convenient, picking a choosing it's timing at the worst possible moment. Death was just another added 'feature' of the lifestyle he choose. Whether it was ridding their world of an annoyance, a threat. Or could be like now, watching helpless, as a comrade fell. It was part of life's ironic circle of life. The only thing that mattered, was how one lived. How they spent their days. The chances they took. The people they affected. It was a never ending cycle that didn't mean a damn until the person dying was someone you knew.

None of these thoughts skimmed through Jason's head. It all happened so fast. One moment Johnny was looking over his shoulder, throwing them his trade mark smirk. Then with a blink of an eye, the bone shattering sound of gun fire echoed off cement walls.

Standing only ten feet away, Jason found his heart lodged in his throat as Johnny clutched at his chest and dropped to his knees. The man who had taught him how to shoot with deadly accuracy so many years ago, was now bleeding on the ground.

"Jase." Feeling someone tugging on his arm, Jason had half a mind to brush off the intrusion. Instinct ruled his mind. Johnny needed help. The man who had stolen his sister's heart, but had been noble enough to keep his distance, needed him.

"Don't be stupid." Sonny's dangerous tone cut through the fog in Jason's head. "You'll just get yourself shot." Though his tone was still dark, Jason knew Sonny was already beating himself up.

Guilt. It was just another wonderful feature of their life. When one of their employees were taken down, it was much more than a possible down sizing. It was losing a family member. A matter not taken lightly.

"We passed a hallway." Already on his way back from where they came, Francis had his firearm in his palm. "I'm gonna see if I can get that bastard from behind." Not waiting for Jason or Sonny's permission, the large man's back was already halfway down the hall.

"We need to be careful." Letting go of Jason's jacket one finger at a time, Sonny looked his long time friend in the eye. Searching the steel gray orbs to make sure they were on the same page. "It's apparent they're playing for keeps, and they have Elizabeth."

Shutting his eyes against the pain, Jason gave a numb nod and again tried to clear his head. "He should've been wearing a vest."

"He was." Max's usually boisterous voice was barely above a whisper. "He always wears one."

Snapping his attention back to his fallen friend, Jason's lip curled. "Then would you care to explain why he's swimming in a pool of blood?"

When no one spoke, Jason clenched and unclenched his fists. "I'm going."

"Wait for Francis." Sonny's words were wasted on deaf ears as Jason edged toward the connecting corridor. "Or don't."

Taking each step with deadly intent, he unhooked his pistol from his side. "I'm gonna throw my weapon where you can see it."

Silence engulfed the hallway, but he did as he said. The loud sharp echo of metal hitting cement bounced of the walls. Taking another step, Jason was feet away from Johnny. A flash of relief ignited in his chest when the other man let out a ragged breath.

Turning his deadly gaze down the hallway, Jason found a gun pointing at his chest.

But that wasn't what made Jason's blood run cold. It was the motionless form of his wife's body lying discarded on the floor. Her hair hung limply across her face, almost covering her eyes. She looked so small, so delicate.

"I sure hope you brought the money Morgan." The man on the other end of the gun stepped past Elizabeth, barely missing her tiny hand with his heavy boot. In his other hand he dragged Carly from behind. Bound and gagged, she twisted to free herself from his grasp, only to be harshly shoved from behind.

"You can have this Bitch for free." Jason watched with little satisfaction as Carly crashed to the ground. Nor did he bother himself by trying to catch her. "If I were you, I'd get rid of her. She's a little used up, if you know what I mean. But I'm sure you already knew that."

Still not saying a word, Jason kept himself in check when Carly crawled over to him on her hands and knees. Her mascara smudged eyes pleaded with him as her mouth babbled incoherently. He wanted to lash out at her. To kick her in her tear stained face. But he didn't have the time to waste.

"Jason please, please don't be mad. I-I was just mad and upset, it was all talk. I had no idea he'd take me seriously." He'd never noticed before that very moment how badly her voice irritated him. Every other word out of her pouty little mouth was a lie, the half her latest scheme. There had been a time when he'd found her somewhat attractive. But having to deal with her selfishness over the last few years, her looks faded. She did look used. "Jason he's insane. You have to believe me. I told him to leave Elizabeth alone."

"Don't!" Keeping his eye on the gun pointed at his chest, Jason winced when he felt her hand tugging on his jacket. "You have no right to even say Elizabeth's name. You crossed the line Carly, and you're going to find that life is about to get real tough."

"You can't mean that." Anger was now slurred into her words. "We have a family together."

"No I have a family. You have a little boy you use as leverage." Wrenching her hand from his clothing, Jason took a step away.

"So, about my money?" Jason barely blinked at the smirking man's request. Taking his time, something he didn't have to spare, he deliberately allowed his eyes to drift to Elizabeth. To skim over her small form. From the top of her head to the tips of her toes. The other man's gaze followed Jason's gaze. "Don't let the bumps and bruises worry you none. She'll wake up sooner or later, without a single memory of this . . ." Waving the gun slightly to the right as he searched for the right words, he chuckled softly. "Business deal."

"I don't do business with men who beat women. Especially when the woman is my wife." Jason growled from deep inside.

Kurt shrugged his shoulders. "Not all of us have the money to be that noble. I'll remember that little rule when you fill my accounts with green." Movement on the floor caught his attention. Carly was inching her way to Morgan's discarded gun. He could just shoot her now but he was curious to see who she'd use it on.

Jason was about to lift his eyes from Elizabeth when he noticed that her eyes were slightly open. Picking up on other little motions, Jason's lips curled into a humored smirk. So she'd been playing possum. Clearly awake and alert, Jason couldn't be more proud.

"Walk away now and I'll let you live."

"Morgan, don't fuck with me. I walk now, I wont make it to the street before I'm wrapped in plastic wrap and keeping the frozen meats company." Taking a deliberate step closer to Elizabeth, Kurt watched the way Jason's jaw clenched. "So, I was thinking I'd take the Misses with me for a little bit. Until I have the money and can disappear."

Tilting his head to the side, Jason analyzed his enemy. "Here's what I was thinking. You drop the fucking gun and I'll end your pathetic life -."

"Jason, behind you!" Elizabeth's terror filled voice filled the hallway. Making Kurt jump in shock and causing Jason to spin around just in time to watch Carly pick up his discarded weapon. Barely in her grip, two shots went off.

Death. It always comes. Whether after a long tiring journey, or right in the middle. Young and old. Tall and short. It happens to all.

[JRK Archiver]

Thirty-Three



Here's an early chapter to make up for the cliffhanger.


Slowly slipping through the fog in her head, Elizabeth felt a pain in her chest that had her gasping for air.

"Easy." A gentle voice soothed away some of the pain. "Elizabeth can you hear me?"

"How is she?" Another voice, barely above a whisper, came from the other direction. Elizabeth fought to open her eyes, but found it too exhausting. Instead she allowed the voices to lull her back to sleep.

"The doctor said she's going to be fine."

"Good." Brenda looked down at the young woman she'd only meet days ago, and felt sick. So much pain, and it wasn't even close to being over. "I'll stay here if you want to go sit with Johnny."

Emily laid her head on the bed near Elizabeth's hand. "I can't believe this is happening. It's my fault you know. I'm the one who invited her here. Did you know we were going to do Spring Break at Ft. Lauderdale?"

"But you came here for my wedding instead." Sucking on her lower lip, Brenda sighed. "If it's anyone's fault it's mine."

"How about we call it a tie and both feel like crap?" Taking Elizabeth's hand into her own, Emily brought it to her lips. "I wont be long."

Watching Emily gather her stuff, Brenda waited until the younger woman left the room. Tears caused by pent up emotions slipped from her tired eyes. They'd been room hopping the last two days. And she was so worn out. Emotionally and physically. But she couldn't let go yet. Not until they all got through this. Then she'd lock herself in her room and have a good cry for a week, maybe two.

"I thought I told you to go back and take a nap." Sonny's concerned voice came from the doorway. "You're exhausted."

"Who isn't?" Wiping the moisture from her eyes before her fiancé could see, Brenda sucked in a deep breath of stagnant hospital air. "Honestly, I'm still having a hard time believing any of this happened."

Caressing her cheek with the back of his hand, Sonny let his eyes drift over to the bed. "Still hasn't woken up?"

"Not yet." Shaking her head listlessly, Brenda took Elizabeth's hand into hers. "But occasionally I get the feeling that she can hear us." Looking up, her eyes read volumes. Better to keep the conversation limited.

"How's Emily holding up?" Kneading her shoulders, Sonny felt a better when she started to relax.

Her muscles tensed again. "Her best friend is in the hospital. The love of her life in ICU -."

"Shh, I know. What I meant, does she need anything?"

"No." Sighing, she leaned back against Sonny's chest. "I didn't mean to snap at you. I'm just. This is all. My head is going in a hundred different directions."

Kissing the top of her head, Sonny wrapped his arms tightly around the tiny woman in front of him.

~~*~~

"I'm starting to wonder if you're staying asleep so you don't have to face me." Brushing a light brown lock away from his forehead, Emily drank in every curve, every freckle, every scar. She was terrified she'd walk into Johnny's room one day and find it empty. "I know you O'Brien. You're just being a big fat baby."

Watching the green line of the monitor on the other side of the bed, Emily thanked God every time it went up and down. With each beep, it meant that Johnny was hanging in there.

"Max told me you and Jason talked." She wouldn't break down. Not here, not now. If there ever was a time she needed to be brave, it was now. "He wouldn't tell what about, but I have a theory."

Taking a shaking breath, she looked out in the hallway to where the hospital staff were going about their daily routine. Laughing and joking with one another, while her life was falling down around her. And there wasn't a thing she could do.

At that very moment, Jason was probably feeding Michael breakfast. While packing up the house he and Carly had shared. He was planing on taking the penthouse across the hall from Sonny and Brenda. He'd refused to listen to her, or to anyone, when Elizabeth's name was mentioned.

Convinced now more than ever, that Elizabeth was better off without him. They had argued the night he'd packed his bag and left for New York. They fought the next day when he'd called to say he'd arrived and already had met with Alexis, who was currently drawing up divorce papers. After that, Emily took great pains not to talk to her brother, and when she found herself cornered she refused to talk about her best friend. The entire situation was making her sick.

Three floors down, Elizabeth's kidnapper lay in a cold drawer in the morgue. It seemed that one Kurt Logan, had the misfortune to get behind the wheel after a long night bar hopping. It didn't seem to matter to the local police or the coroner, that Mr. Logan had been dead long before his car went off the road.

Death, pain, anguish. Until her dying day, Emily would never forget the look of terror in her brother's eyes when he'd burst into her hotel room. Elizabeth clutched tightly to his chest. Blood from his shoulder smeared the front of his shirt, but he hadn't seemed to notice.

He'd stayed by Elizabeth's side the first twenty-four hours. Holding her hand, stroking her face. It wasn't until Mrs. Gianni's personal physician announced that Elizabeth needed medical assistance, from doctors who still had their diplomas hanging on their walls.

Jason had waited for the nursing staff to get Elizabeth comfortable before kissing her one last time. He'd stopped by Johnny's room, said his good-byes and left before Brenda raked him over the coals, again.

"Emily." Max came rushed to the door, his face slightly flushed as his eyes glowed with happiness. "She woke up."

~~*~~

She knew he was gone. The second before she'd opened her eyes, Elizabeth could just feel that he wasn't there. Now she didn't know what hurt more, her head or her heart.

"Elizabeth!" Emily came rushing through the door, her eyes bright even though they were rimmed with dark circles. "Thank god you're awake."

Offering a shaky smile, Elizabeth accepted her friends heartfelt embrace. Everyone seemed to be taking turns talking. The hospital room was filled. Sonny and Brenda sitting by her bedside, Max and Francis at the foot of the bed. Emily was perched on the empty spot on the bed beside her, gently stroking her hair.

But no matter how many people were in the room with her, she couldn't help the cold sweep of emptiness consume her. What she wanted, was to see a pair of warm, comforting blue eyes gazing back at her. Telling her everything was going to be all right.

"Where's Jason?" She hated how tiny and afraid her voice sounded. But the panic inside her chest was making it hard to think.

Nodding toward Francis, Sonny waited until the guard closed the door to her room before speaking. "How much do you remember?"

Licking her dry, chapped lips Elizabeth thanked Emily for the cup of water pressed into her hand. Taking a deep swallow, she gave herself a moment to process the images that were haunting her. "Some maybe, it's just . . . I can't tell what's real or a nightmare." There had been gunfire. She was sure of that. And blood. There had been so much blood. "He's gone isn't he?"

Sonny's face shadowed. "You don't need to worry about that bastard getting his hands on you, ever again." Confused, Elizabeth's brows knitted together.

"Sonny." Leaning over to her fiancé, Brenda patted his back. "I think she's asking about Jason."

The room grew quiet, and everybody seemed to find the floor extremely interesting. It wasn't until Emily cleared her throat. "Could you all give us a moment?"

Looking slightly relieved, Max and Francis both made promises to be back later that day before they hightailed it out of the room. Sonny and Brenda said their good-byes, and with said eyes they left.

"Emily what's going on?" Closing her eyes, Elizabeth braced herself for the pain that was coming. She could feel it. Something inside her was already dying.

"I was so scared for you. No one knew what was going on." Clearly skirting the topic Emily tried to find a way to force the words she'd been reciting in her head. Ever since her no good brother had called from Port Charles, she knew she'd be left explaining. Not that Jason was the type to shirk his responsibilities. But with Carly, how had he put it? Gone. He needed to get to Michael and make sure there were no snags where the little boy was concerned.

"He's leaving me." Guilt was written all over Emily face, and Elizabeth gulped past the anger and pain that was suffocating her. Choking down a strangled laugh, she covered her face with shaking hands. "He left me."

"Jason's blaming himself for what happened." Picking at the hospital issue bedspread, Emily's eyes burned. "If it means anything, I know he loves you. He came close to losing you, and I really think it scared him."

"And he doesn't think I'm scared?" Pain gave way to the wave of anger that whipped through her.

"He had to be with Michael. If the Quartermain's found that Carly was, gone, they'd try anything to get their hands on him."

Emily's words made her feel about an inch big. Here she was feeling sorry for herself, when a little boy had lost his mother. "How did she . . . She is dead, right?"

Shrugging her shoulder's Emily shook her head. "I haven't been able to get much from the guys. I know Johnny was shot. If it weren't for his vest." Sucking in a deep breath, Emily's body began to tremble. "He could've died. He still could. The bullet grazed an artery, he lost so much blood. There must have been some kind of altercation. Because Jason was also shot. But it was a clean wound. That's all I know."

Elizabeth remained silent for a moment. "I can remember a little bit."

"You don't have to say anything right now."

"I remember hearing Carly and some guy fighting."

"Kurt. The jerk who helped Carly." Fire blazed like Hades in Emily's eyes. "He's also the one who shot Johnny."

"Then I was lying on a cold floor. I saw Johnny. I watched him get shot." The memory was sharp as a knife. Slowly the fog began to recede. She remembered Carly, on her knees begging Jason to listen to her. To help her. He'd brushed the blonde to the side. Which was probably made Carly do what she did.

She'd watched as Carly crawled on hands and knees to a black object on the ground just feet from where Jason left her. It didn't register that Carly was holding a gun, until she watched the other woman lift it toward her husband. She'd yelled out in warning. And Carly moved her aim past Jason's chest, to where she was lying helplessly on the ground.

Two shots rang out. Almost sounding as one, but in the echo, Elizabeth knew there had been two.

Jason took one in his shoulder, and while he struggled to remain on his feet, Francis had snuck up on Kurt. On the other end of the hallway, Carly look unnaturally white. And Johnny was leaning on his elbow, lowering his other arm.

"Johnny shot her." Almost numb from the shock, and pain, Elizabeth ignored Emily's surprised expression. "She'd tried shooting me with Jason's gun. Everything happened so quickly. Jason jumped in front of her and got hit. He'd been trying to protect me."

"Elizabeth," Looking confused, Emily made a face in reflection. "You were lying on the ground, right?"

"Yeah."

"He got shot in the shoulder. If you and Carly were both on the ground, wouldn't she have hit his leg if she was aiming for you?"

Closing her eyes against the queasy feeling in her stomach, Elizabeth didn't know what to think. It didn't make sense. "I don't know. I guess everything is all screwy in my head."

"Well you've been through a lot. Why don't you rest for a little bit?"

Already half asleep, Elizabeth's eyes fluttered opened. "I know he's going to divorce me. So please stop worrying about how you're going to tell me." Without another word, she drifted off into slumber.

[JRK Archiver]

Thirty-Four



"I aint eating that crap." Shoving the spoon away from his mouth, Johnny scowled dangerously at the woman sitting by his bedside laughing. "I'm sick of Jell-O and broth stuff. What the hell's wrong with a thick steak and baked potato?"

"First, watch your mouth." Her eyes twinkling, Emily shoved a spoonful of green Jell-O past Johnny's pouty lips. "Second, I think you upset your doctor and this is his form of revenge."

"I didn't do anything to that bald headed wimp." Folding his well muscled arms across his chest, Johnny glared dangerously at the wiggling substance on his plate.

"You threatened to shove him down the laundry shoot." Offering another spoonful, she sighed heavily as he turned his head away like a three year old.

"Well he started it. Sending that old mean bat in here." His face turned beet red. "He put in my chart that I needed an enema." This time Emily was unable to keep the laughter she always felt when she heard him complaining. "It aint funny."

"She told you she made a mistake."

"She almost shoved a tube up my -." Taking the opportunity to shove another glob of Jell-O into Mr. Grouchy's mouth, Emily stuck her tongue out when he glowered her way.

"Language." Tapping him on the nose with the spoon, she pushed the hospital tray a safe distance from the bed before he tossed the bowl across the room like the day before.

He'd been awake four days. Had been moved from ICU three days ago into a private room down the hall from Elizabeth. And he was still acting like a big fat baby. But Emily didn't care. She'd put up with almost anything, just as long as Johnny was alive and healthy.

As elated as she was over Johnny's recovery, it didn't chase away the shadow of despair she felt whenever her thoughts strayed to Elizabeth down the hall.

The laughter was gone from Elizabeth's eyes. It was like someone had turned out the lights, leaving her once brilliant orbs dull. Her smiles were forced, and when she didn't think anyone was watching, she curled into herself and would cry herself to sleep. Witnessing her best friend's, no, her sister-in-laws broken heart was tearing hers apart.

There wasn't a damn thing she could say or do to make everything go back to the way it was. And the worse Elizabeth got, the angrier she became with Jason. Her over protective, insanely stupid brother. This was his way of keeping Elizabeth safe? Leaving her alone and afraid in a hospital, after being kidnapped because his ex was a freaking lunatic. Apparently keeping Elizabeth safe meant sending her into a downward spiral into depresionville.

And what really chapped her hide, was where his life was too dangerous for Elizabeth, it seemed just peachy for Michael. Truth be told, Jason was scared. Terrified of Elizabeth being hurt. Afraid that she would leave him first because of his lifestyle. For all his rough edges, Jason also had a lot of walls. Ones he'd carefully learned to build over the last few years, to keep people at arms length.

"Jason's gonna pull his head out of his ass soon." Feeling Johnny place his hand over hers, Emily felt guilty about drifting off again. "Next to Michael, Elizabeth's the best thing that's happened to him."

"I wish I could believe that." Enjoying the warmth coming from his hand, Emily sighed. "But I really don't think Jason's going to change his mind. He already has Alexis drawing up the paperwork."

"Well then he's as stupid as he is ugly." Knowing he was trying to get her out of her dark mood, Emily tried to push back her sad thoughts. "Not everyone can be like me. Charming, thoughtful -."

"Pigheaded and impossible." Grumbling under her breath, Emily shrieked when he grabbed her and hauled her up on the narrow bed next to him.

"Well not so pigheaded that I didn't talk to your brother." His handsome features turned serious. "Actually it was your brother who got me to talk about you."

Her heart skipped a beat, then dropped to her stomach. "He knew?"

"Yeah. Jerk called me a wuss though." Chuckling under his breath he wrapped his arm around her and tucked her closer to his side. "Actually it was your lipstick on my collar that ratted us out." Watching her blush, Johnny gave her a quick squeeze. "Guess that teaches us to try and one up the Borg."

"So does this mean . . . ?" Lacing her fingers through his, Emily wondered if she was pushing her luck. Things were going well, and the last thing she wanted was to step over that line. To say something that would ruin the moment.

"That you better have been joking about those frat boys." Kissing the top of her head, Johnny laughed as her cheeks bloomed with color.

Brenda burst through the door, gulping for breath when she reached the bedside. Pulling on Emily's arm, she tried to talk but her words were all jumbled. "Eliza -."

Latching onto the only familiar word out of the petite brunette's mouth, Emily felt her mouth go dry. "I was just with her." Swinging her legs off the bed, Emily grabbed Brenda's shoulder's. "Damnit Bren, pull it together. What about Elizabeth."

"Her." Sucking in a deep breath, and letting it out slowly, Brenda placed a hand to her stomach. "Her parents are here."

"Oh. My. God." Letting go of Brenda, Emily slowly sank back onto the bed. "Are you sure?"

"Uptight, snobs, dressed like minions of some hellish Country Club." Brenda didn't blind as she reached out and took Emily's hands into hers. "They scared me."

"They scare me all the time." Emily empathized. "Why are they here?"

"Perhaps they're here because they're daughter almost died." Being the male he was, Johnny frowned at the two drama queens.

"You don't understand. Her parents are . . . Evil. Her Mother is this stuck up hypochondriac her Father thinks Elizabeth was put on this earth to be the butt of. He loves embarrassing her, and doesn't get tired of making her the butt of all his jokes. They ride her so hard, it makes her into a big ball of nerves." Growing nervous herself, Emily stood and stared towards the door. "I guess I should, you know, go see."

"I heard them saying something about taking her home. That's when I came rushing in here."

"Home." Feeling as though someone had slammed on the brakes, it took a moment for Emily to catch up. "No. Home is bad. She can't. Nothing's been resolved."

Glad that they were one the same page, Brenda started to pull Emily to the door. "Don't I know it. Sonny's nearly bit his tongue off last night when he was talking to Jason. Pigheaded men. I told Sonny he should just command Jason to get back here." Already out in the hall, Brenda didn't let go of Emily's hand as they rushed down the over polished floor. "I know Jase and I don't always see eye to eye. But I never been disappointed in him. He's never done anything so, hurtful."

Warring between the need to defend her brother, or share her own frustration. "He'll come around."

Brenda threw a look over her shoulder and almost tripped over a nurse. "He'll come around? This is Jason we're talking about. He makes up his mind to do something, it's a done deal."

"Well what are we going to do?" Just feet from Elizabeth's door, both girls halted.

"She can't go back to Colorado." Twisting her hands, Brenda bit her lower lip in thought.

"We can't force her to stay here if she wants to go." Emily reasoned.

"If she goes back to Boulder we're gonna have a hell of a time convincing Jason how stupid he is."

"Brenda, right now I think she needs time to heal. Let her do what she needs to. And if my bonehead of a brother doesn't go after her, then I will personally make his life a living hell." Eyes blazing, Emily took a deep breath before strolling through Elizabeth's door.

~~*~~

His day started out bad, and just kept getting worse.

Glaring at the foul substance in the Blue's Clue bowl, Jason let his gaze lift to the food splattered grinning face laughing back at him. "Listen buddy, I know this stuff doesn't look like much." Licking at his finger, Jason let out a low curse. "No wonder you spitting this stuff out quicker than I can shovel it in."

"Jason?" Alexis's voice called from the living room.

"In the kitchen." Standing up, and tossing the bowl in the sink, Jason nodded a greeting as Alexis stalked into the kitchen.

"Would you like to explain the message I got yesterday?" Hands on hips, his lawyer tapped her foot impatiently.

"Coffee?" Already knowing she'd say yes, Jason grabbed a cup from the cupboard and started to pour.

"Two sugars -."

"Light on the milk."

"Would you like to explain how you not only found yourself married, in little less than a week, but also in need of a divorce lawyer?" Blowing on the steaming liquid, Alexis watched Jason from over the rim of her cup.

Jason expression said everything she needed to know. She hadn't stayed Sonny and Jason's lawyer because of her ability to obey orders. It was her instincts that had kept her in her position. And right now, she knew with out a doubt that the last thing Jason Morgan wanted was a quickie divorce from a woman he'd just met and married.

"Can you get it done quickly?" Opting to ignore her question, Jason grabbed a paper towel and ran it under warm water.

"No." Sipping her coffee, Alexis waited for the nasty scowl she was sure to get. No one had scowling down to an art form like Jason Morgan.

Already cleaning Michael's face, Jason looked over his shoulder at his attorney and straightened. "What do you mean no?"

"I didn't think you had such a poor grasp of the English language." Shaking her head, she took a seat at the kitchen table. "I'm not a divorce lawyer."

"Alexis, I don't have time-." He stopped mid sentence when her hand shot up in the air to stop him. She'd already spoken to Brenda on her way over to Jason's house, and from the story she'd been told there was no way she was going to make this easy on the stubborn male glaring at her.

"From what I hear you have a little time. Elizabeth Webber." Raising her brows in mock embarrassment, Alexis's eyes turned slightly cold. "I apologize, Elizabeth Morgan, just regained consciousness four days ago. She's not going anywhere anytime soon. Not with two broken ribs anyway." Guilt, it was a wonderful tool. "I can give you a few recommendations."

Wanting to argue, Jason noted the look of resolve on Alexis's face and knew when to back down. She looked perturbed with him. In that, you screwed with the female race kind of way. "Fine. What about the other thing? How fast can you get that done?"

"Well Carly's signature is a remarkable replica, I'm sure I'll be able to push through the paperwork in about a week." Rubbing at her temples, Alexis didn't even want to think of what else went down in Las Vegas. "The only problem we might have is Bobbie. She's having a hard time believing that her daughter killed herself."

"The coroner's reports should be all the proof the courts need, right?" His tone darkened some, and chilled Alexis to the bone. It was hard to remember sometimes, of the darkness Jason and Sonny were capable of.

"With out a doubt. All the T's crossed. I's dotted."

"Good."

"Jason, are you sure about -."

"I can't put her at risk like that again." Cutting Alexis off before he had to actually hear the words, Jason felt another headache starting behind his eyes.

Clucking under her tongue, Alexis finished up her morning coffee. "Fair enough. But I just want to say one last thing, then mums the word."

Rubbing at his temples, Jason gave a short nod. "If you're going to be so noble with Elizabeth's life, how come you aren't doing the same for Michael." Knowing she needed to make her exit before he recovered from his shook and she found herself fired, Alexis placed her mug in the sink and strolled out of the kitchen.

[JRK Archiver]

Thirty-Five



~ Four months later ~

"This is stupid." Stopping in the middle of the gate, Elizabeth felt her heart pounding against her ribs and her stomach did a swan dive to her feet. Ignoring the nasty looks from the passengers behind her, she tried to turn around, only to be thwarted by her best friend.

"Elizabeth Morgan, I did not come all the way here to Shanghai you from your parent's house, only to fail twenty feet from the plane." Snatching the ticket from Elizabeth's trembling hands, Emily Quartermain handed it over to the less then thrilled attendant. The pinched faced shrew looked on the verge of saying something, until her eyes lifted to the man standing behind them.

"I thought you promised Brenda you'd go to her wedding." Looking down at the nervous brunette, Johnny patted her shoulder for support.

"I told her that so the war in my hospital room would stop. I was scared she was going to tackle my mother to the ground."

Emily grinned. "I almost wish she would've."

The closer to the plane they got, the more lightheaded Elizabeth felt. She wished there was something that could be done with her queasy stomach, if it didn't stop flip-flopping she was going to humiliate herself by blowing chunks. "Besides, when I told her I'd go to the wedding, I was thinking I would slip in unnoticed, then slip out at the end before anyone knew I was there. In and out. Easy. Simple."

Passing an overly perky airline attendant, Elizabeth wished she could wipe the chipper look off her face. Johnny pushed her lightly from behind until they got to their first class seats. Elizabeth felt Johnny slip her carryon off her shoulder while Emily shoved her into a seat. "Brenda had other plans, seeing that this is her eighth go at this wedding thing, she's demanding she gets what she wants. And she wants you."

"This is a bad idea." Positive now that she was going to be sick, Elizabeth searched the back of the seat in front of her for a barf bag.

"What happened to the girl who was yelling about her independence last night?" Leaning over the aisle, Johnny grinned rakishly at Elizabeth. "Who shredded ten thousand dollars and mailed it back to her bastard of a husband?"

"Me." Answering in a small voice, Elizabeth couldn't help but feel slightly satisfied from her little jaunt down irrational street. But the jerk really had it coming. Jason Morgan needed to learn not everyone came with a price tag. And his control issues really needed to be addressed, before his overly inflated self worth exploded.

Even after her parents had brought her home from Las Vegas, Jason felt he had the right to intrude in her life, even when he no longer wanted her in his. First it started with the private nurse who showed up out of the blue, then the physical therapist (One she was positive Jason had located in the ninth level of hell.) Worse yet, he assigned her a guard.

Apparently, his life was too dangerous for her to be a part of it. And that being said, it only made sense in her tiny female mind, that if she no longer was a part of Jason Morgan's life, she should no longer be in danger. Which would only go without saying she shouldn't need a guard. It was a conundrum. And one that she wasn't too pleased with.

Feeling Emily place a hand on top of hers and give a small squeeze. "You can do this Elizabeth."

Letting out a shaky breath, Elizabeth wished she had the same conviction. "I'm just not sure I'm ready to see Jason yet."

Johnny grumbled under his breath, earning a warning glance from his girlfriend. "What? I love the guy like a brother. But he's being an unreasonable prick."

"He's scared." Emily tried to defend. "He almost lost Elizabeth."

"And trying to divorce her is keeping her." Talking as though she weren't even there, Elizabeth sat back and listened as her two friends argued the same thoughts that haunted her late at night.

"No." Snapping her mouth shut, Emily rolled her eyes. "Look at what you're making do. I'm defending the jerk."

"Emily he's your brother." Finally interrupting the two love birds, Elizabeth turned to face Emily. "The last thing I want to do is put you in the middle of this mess."

"The whole thing sucks. You two are perfect for one another."

"No." Shaking her head as she lowered her gaze down to the glimmering ring on her hand, Elizabeth sighed and scolded herself when moisture gathered in the corner of her eye. "I'm starting to think our marriage was a huge mistake. I've decided to sign the divorce papers while we're in Las Vegas. There's no need to drag this out any further."

Emily's face turned white and her eyes grew large. "You can't give up. I know once he sees you he's going to change his mind."

"I wish things could've turned out different." Boy she wished with her entire being that Spring Break hadn't ended the way it did. But what use was it, to wish for the impossible? "You have no idea how badly I wanted our marriage to work." Pausing, Elizabeth knew she needed to change the subject our she'd burst into tears like some baby. "But this trip isn't about Jason and I. Brenda and Sonny are getting married, and seeing that I promised, I plan on following through."

"But -." Stopping when Elizabeth's eyes pleaded to drop the subject, Emily dropped back into her seat and nodded. If Elizabeth was foolish enough to think this was the end of the discussion, then she didn't know her all that well.


The flight to Las Vegas was uneventful, and when the limo pulled up to the hotel, Elizabeth felt chills run down her spin. She tried not to reminisce about her abduction. Seemed to cause horrific nightmares that haunted her sleep. So standing outside, watching as people came and went, she suddenly found breathing becoming an issue.

"Elizabeth?" Emily pushed her sunglasses back on her head and looked at her friend with concern. "You don't look good."

Putting a hand to her stomach, she told herself to calm down. A panic attack would only prove she was weak, and the last thing she wanted to be at that moment was some silly little girl. "I'm good. Just a little tired."

"Are you sure?" Not buying her excuse, Johnny motioned to the driver to wait on unpacking the bags. "I told you we could stay somewhere else. You don't have to do this."

"Don't be silly." Trying to make light of the situation, Elizabeth forced a grin on her face. "There's no reason why we shouldn't stay here."

Exchanging looks, Johnny shrugged his shoulders at Emily. "If your sure."

"I'm sure."

"At anytime you change your mind."

Laughing now, Elizabeth shook her head. "Will you two stop it. I'm not going to break. It's a hotel, not a haunted house. I'm looking forward to a long steamy bath in one of those enormous tubes."

Giving the driver instructions, Johnny ushered both females into the lobby and checked them in. Elizabeth glanced around, feeling as though it'd only been days ago she'd last been here instead of four months. She could do this. She was going to do this. Not only to prove to herself that she was strong. But to Jason. To show him she wasn't the weak little girl he thought she was.

~*~

"Can you repeat that." Clearly not amused, and looking as though he was going to explode, Jason Morgan stared down at the tiny brunette.

"I said, Emily, Johnny and Elizabeth will be arriving today." Careful to talk slowly for the Neanderthal huffing and puffing in front of her, Brenda showed no sign of fear.

Jaw clenched, nostrils flaring, Jason looked over her head to where his friend stood silently. "Did you know about this?"

Shrugging his shoulder's with casual easy, Sonny lifted the tumbler filled with whiskey on the rocks to his lips. After he swallow he said. "I purchased the tickets."

Blinking, Jason tried to make his brain function. "And nether of you thought to tell me this? Why?"

"Didn't think you'd care one way or another who was in the wedding party." Lying through her teeth, and completely satisfied with Jason's reaction, Brenda couldn't stop from narrowing her eyes in anger. "Just because you've got your head wedged up your ass, doesn't mean I'm going to stop being friends with her. I happen to like Elizabeth, whether you're married to her or not."

"I didn't say not to be friends with her." Matching his tone with hers, Jason mouth pinched.

"Glad we have an understanding on that issue." Crossing her arms over her chest, Brenda could see the pain in his eyes. She almost felt sorry for the big lug. But he was making a bad decision. And no matter how many times she argued with him, he wouldn't budge. So in the end, he was bringing the pain on himself.

Sighing in defeat, Jason ran a hand through his spiky hair in an attempt to calm himself. "Where's she staying."

"Why? Want to send her more divorce papers?" Not sure where he was going with this, Brenda eyed him suspiciously. Seeing he wasn't going to answer, but was working himself up into another fit, she gave in. "She's staying here."

This time both males seemed to stop breathing. Sonny groaned and Jason growled.

"Brenda you said she was going to stay somewhere else."

"I got them rooms at the Monte Carlo, but Elizabeth refused." Placing her hands on her hips, Brenda glared back at the two males. "And why should she have to stay somewhere else? It's not her fault Jason wants to get divorced. Why should she be punished?"

"I'm not punishing her." Jason barked. "Did you think that maybe staying here would bring back bad memories? She was kidnapped here. Jesus Christ Brenda. She almost died. I almost lost my wife, and we weren't even married for a week."

Paling, not at the nightmare Elizabeth went through, that they all went through. But from the raw emotions on his face. The terror in his eyes that turned to agony. It tore at her soul. "I, Jason we, Elizabeth and I, we talked about it. And she didn't want to stay anywhere else. She said she felt she needed to get past the fear."

"I want a guard posted at her door." Seeing this wasn't a fight he was going to win, Jason's shoulders slumped.

"About that." Twisting her hands together, Brenda looked a little uncomfortable. "She says . . . Shedoesn'twantone."

"Excuse me?" Chuckling, Sonny scratched his cheek. "Didn't catch that."

"She said she doesn't want one. Doesn't understand why she needs one now."

"Tough. If Elizabeth doesn't like it, she can come talk to me." Ending the conversation, Jason stalked to the door. "I promised Michael I'd have lunch with him."

[JRK Archiver]

Thirty-Six




Damn him.

Double damn him.

This was all his fault.

And if she had the freaking nerve to confront him on it, she'd chew his ear off.

Rushing across the bedroom floor, almost tripping over a pair of shoes, Elizabeth barley made it to the bathroom before the dry heaves hit her.

Damn her stupid doctor too. They'd said her morning sickness, or in her case, all-day sickness, would pass once she reached her second trimester. Well two weeks in and her was still going strong. Nothing worked. Saltines, flat Ginger ale, it came up just like everything else.

At least the doctor had been right about one thing. She wasn't showing yet, well not in the big Buddha belly kind of way. At least this way she still had some more time. She needed to figure out how she was going to tell Jason the truth. It was past the time to tell him she'd just found out. And no matter how she looked at it, after all the excuses were shoved away, she was keeping the truth from him and she felt guilty about it.

Well at least until another set of papers would be delivered from Jason's overpaid Lawyer.

Then her guilt would evaporate.

Washing her face and staring at the reflection staring back at her, it amazed Elizabeth that she didn't look ten years older. Because she sure as hell felt it.

Once she arrived home with her parents, she knew she'd made a huge error in judgment. The urgency to get away from Las Vegas and the inevitable end of her marriage, had quickly vanished under her parents care. She'd been ready to tell her cynical and insane mother where to shove her unneeded advice when her doctor had called with the news.

She was a month pregnant.

Pregnant. Her. She was going to be a mother, to a baby. And her babies father didn't want anything to do with her. No, Elizabeth frowned, he wanted to control her life from far, far away. He was so confusing, and it only made this entire thing harder to deal with.

There were days she hated him. Where just his name could bring such a tidal wave of anger. Then there were the other days. The ones that unfortunately dominated her life lately. Where she'd wallow in self-pity and wonder what she could do to make her jackass of a husband open his eyes and see how perfect they were for one another.

"Grow up Elizabeth." Mumbling under her breath, Elizabeth pushed away from the bathroom counter and made her way back to her bed. "Life isn't about the happily ever after."

And that's why she had come to the decision to just sign the damn papers. She was only hurting herself by procrastinating. Except, there was the knowledge of knowing Jason was probably paying through the nose each time his lawyer had to re-send the paperwork.

Glancing at the clock on her bedside table, Elizabeth played with the notion of ordering room service. She could have a few scrambled eggs and dry toast delivered.

Feeling her stomach lurch, she quickly erased that thought. Brenda and Emily would be by after breakfast to make it to their ten O'clock appointment at the seamstress. So far she'd been able to skip dinner the night before and breakfast this morning. Which meant her hiding ability was improving.

~*~

Damn her.

Double damn her.

He was on edge, grumpy, ready to crawl out of his skin.

All because he knew she was just a few floors away, and he had yet to see her. He had half expected her to pass on dinner the night before, but when he'd sent Nick up to sit outside her door he had given her an hour before she showed up. But apparently she either didn't know she had a guard, or she was hiding.

God he wanted to see her. It was stupid. He was doing the right thing. Elizabeth deserved a chance at a life that didn't include guns, kidnappings and ransoms. She needed to be able to finish college. Travel the world. Meet someone who could give her the Fairy tale dreams she dreamed about.

"Are you going to scowl at your food, or are you going to eat?" Shoveling in a fork of eggs in his mouth, Sonny swallowed with a huge grin on his face. "See, even your son knows how to do it." Pointing over at Michael who was using both hands to cram food in his mouth.

"I'm not hungry." Pushing away his plate, Jason picked up his coffee mug and took a sip.

"That's too bad. This stuff is great." Smirking over the table, Brenda practically licked her plate clean. Michael laughed and tried to imitate her. Only making Jason's scowl deepen as he grabbed a napkin.

"Is she going to hide the entire time she's here?" Crap. He had no idea where that came from. No, actually he did, but he hadn't meant to say anything out loud.

"Actually she was tired last night." Emily said, looking a little concerned. "She looked a little pale."

"I talked to her this morning." Wiping his mouth with the crisp white napkin, Johnny put an arm around Emily's shoulders. "She said she'd just gotten up and would probably just order something."

"You know she sure has been sleeping a lot." Talking more to herself, Emily frowned. "I hope she isn't getting sick."

"I can send Smitty to check on her." Sonny offered. Talking about the doctor they had on payroll, he was already motioning to Max to make the call.

"It's probably nothing." Not sure Elizabeth would appreciate having some stranger give her an unneeded checkup, Emily looked to Johnny for support.

"I don't know Em. She has been looking a little run down. Remember last week when we met her for lunch?"

Leaning forward, Jason's brows pinched. "What happened?"

Emily looked uncomfortable. "Nothing huge."

"Emily."

"She got dizzy." Rolling her eyes, Emily waived it off.

"She almost fainted." Johnny corrected her. "And she also couldn't keep her meal down."

Glaring at her boyfriend, Emily set her napkin on the table. "She said she was coming down with the flu."

"There's no need for a lover's spat." Chuckling at the fireworks from the new lovers, Sonny scratched his chin. "After Smitty takes a look, we'll know if she's coming down with something or not."

Frustrated with the men at the table, Emily stood. "I'm going to go up, Brenda?"

"Right behind you." Taking one last bite of her toast, Brenda planted a kiss on Michael's head and both girls left.

[JRK Archiver]

Thirty-Seven




"Whats taking so long." Grumbling under her breath, Brenda tossed the magazine she' been reading onto the couch next to her.

Checking her watch, Emily sighed. "He's only been in there for twenty minutes."

"How long does a routine checkup take?" Making her point with an arched brow, Brenda's face fell. "This was a stupid idea."

Looking at her friend sharply, Emily left her position at the window. "I thought you wanted Elizabeth in your wedding."

"I did. I do. but I could've been married anywhere. Port Charles. Sonny's island." Looking disgusted with herself, the young bride to be shook her head. "I just thought if we got the two of them back to the place where they met something might click."

"Your intentions were good." Comforting her friend, Emily looked at the door to Elizabeth's bedroom. "She's going to sign the papers."

"She can't!" Crying out in alarm, Brenda jumped from her seat.

"She can." Shrugging her shoulders, Emily said. "I'd understand if she did. Jason hasn't really proven to be the man I thought he was. He left her here without any explanation. The only correspondence between them is from his lawyer. If I were Elizabeth, I would've given up months ago."

"It's not like she's really fought for him." Running a hand through her hair, Brenda grimaced. "Did I just defend Jason?"

"Yup."

"You know both of them better than anyone else. Do you honestly think if given a chance their marriage would work out?"

"All prejudges aside?"

Only nodding, Brenda held her breath.

"I think Elizabeth compliments my brother to perfection. And Jason has this way of making her comfortable in her own skin. Those few days when everything was going so well . . ." Looking off into the distance Emily smiled softly. "I'd never seen either of them looking so happy."

"Then that settles it. It's our duty to make our wayward pals see the light."

The door to the suite halted any further conversation as Sonny entered. "She still in there?" Nodding to the bedroom, Sonny didn't look pleased.

~*~

"So how far along are you?" The question was asked softly, but the doctor sitting on a chair next to her bed looked uncomfortable.

"How did you - doctor, right." Licking her lips, Elizabeth shifted and tried not to fidget. "Four months."

"I'm I the only one who knows so far?"

"You, my doctor at home." Pausing, she wished the ringing in her ears would stop. "Your not going to . . . What I mean, I haven't gotten around to telling Jason yet. I've been meaning to. Really. But every time I get up the nerve, he does something stupid and - I just - ."

"Get pissed and tell yourself he can piss up a rope?" Feeling sorry for the young mother, Damion Smith packed up his instruments. "You know sooner or later."

"I know. I need to tell him." It was odd talking to the middle aged man. For the last four months she'd kept her pregnancy a secret. Not wanting to put Emily in the middle. Knowing her parents would flip. She'd been alone in this new adventure. But Dr. Smith, he had a way about him that put her at ease. "I guess I'm afraid of how Jason's going to react."

"You're scared he's going to want to be a part of your child's life and still keep you at arms length." Reading her mind, Dr. Smith wanted to be able to reassure Jason's young wife. But when Jason Morgan was involved, he was stuck in a hard spot.

"Or he's going to want to take me back because of the baby." Sucking in her lower lip before it started to tremble, she told herself to stop feeling sorry for herself.

"Jason's a good man." Picking up his bag, Damion cocked his head to the side. "But I'll never say I understand anything he does."

"You and me both."

"Tell you what. I can hold Jason and Sonny off for a little while. But you need to do me a favor."

Relived, Elizabeth nodded. "Anything."

"You have two days to tell Jason. I owe those two men more than you know." With that said, Dr. Smith let himself out.

~*~

As soon as the doctor closed the door to Elizabeth's room he was bombarded by questions. Sonny stood back as the two woman hounded him.

Finally holding up his hands, Damion stopped the woman in mid sentence. "She's fine."

"But she hasn't been looking well." Her brows scrunched, Emily looked unconvinced.

"She's been through a lot over the last few months." He reasoned. "How did you expect her to look?"

"Being here isn't hurting her is it?" Looking guilty, Brenda leaned on Sonny for support.

"I suggest you ask her that. Medically she's in tiptop shape. If you two don't mind, Mrs. G asked me to look in on one of her staff." Shaking hands with Sonny, he made his way to the door.

"Smitty, mind if I talk to you outside in the hall." Patting Brenda on the back, Sonny followed his doctor out. When the door was securely shut, and the guard sent on an errand, the mob boss turned his dark eyes to his employee. "All bullshit aside, how is she?"

"Sonny," Choosing his words carefully, Damion spoke. "Elizabeth Morgan is physically fine. Emotionally, I think that young woman is a little beaten up. She's been through a lot. And we both know there's still too much stress in her life."

Taking in his words, Sonny nodded. "One more thing."

"Anything."

"I've known you long enough to know your keeping something from me." Watching the man in front of him fidget, Sonny's suspicions were confirmed. "If anything happens to her because your not tell me everything - I'll have no choice but punish you. Jason may be having problems dealing with his emotions for his new bride, but I'm not. I like her. She's proven herself to me. And I wont take lightly if something happens that could've been prevented."

Knowing this would happen, Damion nodded. "I gave her two days."

"Good. Your a good man. Thank you."

"No Sonny. Thank you. If it weren't for you and Jason . . . I can't thank you enough."

"Go see Mrs. G's employee."

Watching the doctor retreat down the hall, Sonny pulled his cell phone from his jacket pocket.

"Jase. I need you to come to Elizabeth's room."

~~*~~

Stepping out of the shower stall, Elizabeth felt like a brand new woman. Clean, relaxed, and feeling oddly upbeat, she wrapped a towel around her dripping hair. She'd asked Emily and Brenda to give her thirty minutes to get ready. And after her twenty minute shower she was running late.

Grabbing her robe and wrapping it around her, she hurried across her room. Opening the door to the living room her stomach dropped and her heart lurched to her throat.

Lounged back on the couch, looking as though he belonged there, sat her very absent husband. His electric blue eyes held her captive, as a frown grew on his face.

She'd known sooner or later this was going to happen. That she'd have to see Jason. But she had convinced herself it would be on her terms. She'd be in charge. Proving to him that his abandonment didn't phase her. That he hadn't had any effect on her heart.

But instead he ruined the first part of her plan. And she'd go to hell first before he ruined the rest of it. "I didn't invite you here."

Looking shocked for only a brief moment, Jason's jaw clenched. "Good to see you too."

"I didn't say it was good to see you." Tightening the belt around her waist, Elizabeth schooled her features. He wasn't going to see how he was effecting her. "Please leave."

"No." Looking put off, Jason's entire body tensed for battle. "We need to talk."

"Really?" Lifting a brow, Elizabeth played dumb for a moment. "Oh. You want the paperwork." Shrugging, she hurried over to the carry on bag she left on the floor next to the door and pulled out the thick envelope. "Here." Shoving them at him, she waited. "All signed."

Jason didn't move. Christ he couldn't breath. There she stood, looking like a pissed off Goddess, holding their divorce papers as though they were some nasty bug. And suddenly, the last thing he wanted was to reach out and take them from her.

"Come on Jason, your lawyer sent them enough times." Dropping her hand, she tilted her head to the side. Making the towel around her head slip and fall. "Oh I get it. Would you like me to mail them back to your lawyer?"

"Will you forget the damn papers." Standing up, anger boiling his blood, Jason snatched the envelope from her small hand and tossed it on the table before giving into the urge to tear them in two. "Sonny said you were sick."

Shocked by his behavior, Elizabeth's mouth fell before she could stop it. "Sick? No. But I was unconscious a few months ago. A few broken ribs, some internal bleeding, and a really fun infection. Didn't seem to phase you then. You didn't even send flowers. Even my sister had the decency to send roses."

This wasn't going as he planned. In fact, from the moment he'd woken up next to Elizabeth, nothing went as planned. "I had to get Michael."

Her face softened for a moment, then hardened. "I hope he's cooping well." She meant it. None of this was Michael's fault, and in a way he seemed to have paid the biggest price.

"He's fine."

"Good." Crossing her hands over her chest, she tried not to be affected by how handsome he was. Or that he had an annoying ability to turn her insides to butter. "Now you can leave."

Meaning to make a real show of it by crossing to the door and opening it for him, she was beaten to it when a short knock interrupted her. The guard opened the door and allowed a cart with her breakfast to be wheeled in.

"Two eggs scrambled soft, wheat toast and orange juice." The waiter lifted the silver cover and looked to Elizabeth for her approval when it happened. Slapping a hand over her mouth as she ran from the room, she heard Jason call after her before the first heave.

[JRK Archiver]

Thirty-Eight




"Elizabeth?" Rapping softly at the bathroom door, Jason frowned when another bought of heaving answered him. She'd been in the bathroom for the last five minutes, and by the sounds of it she wasn't going to be coming out anytime soon.

Blowing out a long breath, Jason inched the door open. Spotting her leaning over the toilet, a hand to her stomach, the other trying to keep her hair from getting in the way. Wasting no time, he hurried through the door and grabbed a wash cloth. Running it under cold water, he squeezed out the extra moisture before he placed it on the back of her neck and gathered her hair.

Feeling her body tense, he waited, knowing she'd start dry heaving again. It seemed like he stood there like that. Holding her hair and watching her fight against each wave of sickness. His gut would tighten each time, feeling useless. When she finally stood, he expected her to push him away, instead her body slumped against him.

"What's going on? You just told me you weren't sick." Helping her to the sink, he waited until she was done brushing her teeth. Allowing his eyes to drink in Elizabeth's reflection in the mirror, he frowned. He hadn't noticed the dark circles, while she'd been glaring at him earlier in the bathroom. Or how pale she was.

Clearing her throat, Elizabeth felt the confession on the tip of her tongue. She was so close. So freaking close to just tell him. To get it over with, and off her chest.

"I didn't sleep well last night." She couldn't do it. "Plus the stress." Faltering, she could feel his gaze boring holes into the back of her head.

"You shouldn't have stayed here Elizabeth." Almost touching her shoulder, he let his hand drop. "There's too many bad memories."

"Only one." Head snapping up, Elizabeth hadn't realized how close he was. "I love this hotel. And I wont allow one bad incident to change my feelings." Trying to move away, she found herself trapped. Stepping to the side she started to pass him when the room began to spin.

He watched in horror and was afraid he wouldn't get to her in time. Scooping her up into his arms before she hit the ground, he pinned her to his chest when she started to struggle. "I'm calling Smitty again."

Seeing he was heading to the bed, warning bells started going off in her head. "Will you please get your hands off me." Slapping at his chest she earned a few satisfying guts. Unfortunately, it didn't earn her freedom.

"If you don't quit it I might drop you." Setting her on the bed, Jason stood back and pointed a finger in her face when she started to scoot off. "Stay."

"Bow-wow." Swatting his hand away, Elizabeth happily welcomed her anger back. It helped keep away the pain, even if for a little while. "I'm not a freaking dog. And can you explain to me why you're still here?"

"Either you tell me what's wrong with you, or I'm taking you to the hospital."

"Why do you care? I gave you the divorce papers. Take them, leave."

"I'm giving you to the count of three."

"God you're so annoying."

"One."

"Will you stop it?"

"Two."

"Arrg! Nothing is wrong with me. I'm tired. I had a near death experience four months ago." Not one lie slipped from her lips. "I get tired easily. And with the stress, I'm just a little queasy."

Knowing she was purposely leaving a few things out, Jason let the matter drop, for now. "Get some sleep." Seeing that she wasn't about to lay down, he raised a brow in her direction.

"I can't." Seeing his face darken, Elizabeth felt her defenses rise . . . again. "Not with you glowering at me. Besides I have an appointment with the seamstress - ."

"I'll have Brenda move it." Turning to leave, he felt an object whiz by his head. Looking down at the pillow on the ground, Jason looked over his shoulder at the fuming woman on the bed.

"Who in the hell do you think you are? You have no right telling me what to do or when to do it. I want you to - ."

"I'm your husband." It was stupid to say, his only defense was pure insanity. He'd forgotten how his world seemed to tip upside down whenever she was around. How his body ached, or his heart seemed to hurt. And he was worried. She could tell him from now until May Day that she was okay. But there was something off, something she wasn't telling him, and it made him nervous.

They may have only been together for a few days, but his feelings for her never lessened. His wanting her out of his life had nothing to do with lack of feelings. Not when she was capable of igniting so many in him. In truth, he'd never been afraid to the point of terror, as he'd been the day Elizabeth had come up missing. It was an experience he never wanted to relive.

Staring back at him as though he'd grown a third head. The ability to speak sucked from her, she opted to sit for a moment looking like a guppy. But soon her cheeks turned red as her mouth snapped shut. "My husband? My husband? You have no - I signed the papers. News flash genius, you've been trying to end our marriage for four months!"

"News flash Elizabeth, until my lawyer gets them, I'm still your husband."

"You deserted me!" Tears, his worst enemy fell from her eyes. "I woke up alone in the hospital. A-And when I knew you weren't coming back . . ." Her face closed up and her eyes turned cold with a blink of an eye. "You make me sick."

"Whatever." Shrugging like her words didn't tear his heart in two, Jason leaned over and picked up the pillow she'd flung at him. "Get some rest."

"Go to hell."

"I'm already living there." Mumbling under his breath, Jason ran a hand over his face. With a tired sigh, he turned to leave, but he didn't make it to the door before he turned around. "I'm sorry I wasn't there when you woke up."

He was a jerk. Better yet he was evil.

"I couldn't." Why was he doing this? He should just keep his mouth shut, let her stay mad at him. "After what happened to you." He'd never been all that bright. "Jesus Elizabeth you almost died."

Jason Morgan was the freaking devil. And somehow he'd been able to suck her dry of all her anger with just one look, and a few heartfelt words. But his expression. Gone was the irritated, vein bulging look. His eyes had slowly burned out, until they were soft and pleading. "But I didn't."

"Not this time." Sure he made a valid point, but it was still apples and oranges. "I'm not taking that chance."

Pinching her mouth shut, Elizabeth raised a brow. "So tell me this. Why the guard?"

"What?"

"The guard. The one that sits at the bottom of my parents driveway. The one who follows me everywhere."

Shifting, Jason knew he should've just left. He could've called Francis to sit outside her bedroom door to make sure she rested. "Just a precaution."

"Right." As though she believed him Elizabeth nodded. "So that means once the papers are filed, the guard goes?"

Not likely, the tiny voice inside his head snarled. And knowing he couldn't lie to her, he remained silent.

"Huh Jase? I didn't hear you. Or is this all looking a little stupid to you now?"

"What do you want me to do Elizabeth?"

Pride was such an evil sin. It had a way of really messing things up. And if she didn't swallow hers, right here, right now, she may never have a chance to speak this freely with him again.

"I want to know why you don't want me in your life." Holding up her hand to stop him before he spoke. "Other than the keeping me safe crap. Was it me? Am I too young? Too short? Did I say or do something wrong? Or did you just get tired of playing Husband?"

"No." Crossing the room to sit on the bed beside her, Jason to her hand into his. The moment her silky smooth flesh touched his calloused palm he knew he should let go. The connection felt right, and it only reminded him of what he was losing. "God no Elizabeth. I loved you." Snorting he shook his head. "I still love you. I can't put your life in danger."

"Your such a dumbass." Wiping at the tears swimming in her eyes with one hand, Elizabeth let out a throaty chuckle. "You still haven't told me why you want the divorce."

"I just told you I don't want you -."

"That's not a reason. I don't want your life in danger, doesn't mean you wont get cancer or a hangnail."

"Fine I don't want pieces of your body mailed back to me in small boxes."

The sides of her mouth twitched. "What about little baggies?"

"Not funny."

"Well, your being stupid."

Looking down at their hands, Jason told himself to let go, but it would've been earlier to stop his heart from beating. "Fine. Tell me why you don't want the divorce."

"I . . . " Open your mouth Elizabeth and just spit it out. Just say it. "It doesn't matter, does it. I can sit here and list all the reasons until I'm blue in the face and it'd never change your mind."

Blowing out a long breath, Jason looked up into her eyes. "Do you . . . Are you still in love with me."

"Of course I am."

"I need time to think. Will you be all right alone?"

"You mean alone as in a guard outside my door?"

This got a smile out of him. "Yes."

"I'm a big girl Jason, I think I can nap without getting hurt." Pulling the covers up to her chin, she felt beat but at the same time as though five hundred pounds of the one thousand pound weight had been lifted off her shoulders. Just talking to Jason removed some of the strain that had been plaguing her mind. It didn't matter that the out come of unknown, she'd been able to face him after all these months and not break down. She sure hoped when it was time to tell him the rest she could still say the same.