August 1, 2001; dawn
As Elizabeth lay on the ground, all she could think about was how badly she had screwed up. When Lucky had returned, she had tried to be grateful, tried to be happy about the miracle she had been given, but instead she had been torn. Torn between who she had become in the last year and who she used to be.
Now as she drew a ragged breath all she could think about was that she had lost herself in the past for absolutely no reason other than obligation and duty. The family she had thought she had gained with her relationship to Lucky, the one she had thought built on love not duty, the love she had thought came without strings had just been long strings that when they decided to pull them in, instead of cutting them, she had handed over the end closest to her and said "Do with me what you want."
Hearing the distant sound of footsteps, she let out a cry for help knowing that more than likely it would be ignored. After all no one, no one gave a damn about her. They never had. Just as she was ready to give up, in her mind she saw him. The one person who had never made demands on her the one person who had cared for her without strings, without obligation… the person she had finally admitted she loved to herself the night she had sent him away so she could fulfill her obligations.
August 1, 2001 dusk
Sonny was walking through the park needing to wrap his mind around the idea that he was once again a single man. Carly had betrayed him yet again. Seeing Max keeping far enough back to give him privacy but close enough to protect him, the mobster sat down on the bench his mind rambling though the past year.
Wishing Jason was here to explain Carly, the man frowned as he thought about the fact he shouldn't need another man to explain his wife or rather soon to be ex-wife to him. Seeing the children off in the distance running, Sonny thought about the only good thing that had come from his marriage to Carly, Michael.
At the same time; Sonny had been thinking about the little boy and his promise to Jason. He knew he loved the child but was he a good father? That haunting question had been keeping him up at night.
Yet what were the choices, leaving the child with Carly? That was a disaster waiting to happen. Bobbie? No, he respected the woman for making changes to her life to becoming a better person than who she had been but at the same time the red head was trying too hard to make up for the mistakes of her past with her daughter.
When Sonny's mind went to the Quartermaines, he rejected them immediately then thought about Emily who he had seen at Kelly's the previous evening talking to Zander and clearly conflicted about the relationship.
When the younger man had left, he had asked her if she was okay only to have the pretty girl say she thought she was making a mistake as she admitted that she wasn't sure what she felt about the dark haired young man. Or was she with him because her family didn't want her to be?
Emily, Lila, even Monica to a certain extent were good people, the only problems he really had with the doctor was her anger over Jason's job, but Sonny had to admit, Jason's working for him, if he had been his son it wouldn't have happened so how could he be upset with her reaction?
However Alan was a bitter man, upset at the loss of his clear favorite child, AJ was a drunk, and wanted the little boy as a symbol of winning out against Jason. Then there was Edward, the man liked to pretend he was cleaner than everyone else, but when he had first started he had cut a lot of corners and done a lot of shady deals on the way to the top.
Sonny knew he had to work something out because Michael deserved the best, but how and what? As his mind went in circles, the mobster debated each choice, each one only really a mediocre solution.
Seeing how dark it had gotten, he stood still not sure what to do about the little boy he loved, Sonny stood then noticing he dropped the pen from his pocket went to pick it up before Taggert saw it and tried to charge him with littering.
A bit shocked to realize he had sat there for almost two hours and that it had to be close to ten PM, he was straightening up when he saw the bloody woman's shoe off in the bushes near the streetlight. Seeing the blue paint splashed across them, the Cuban had a bad feeling that got worse as he called out to Max. "Get over here and help me but first call 911."
Moving into the bush, he saw Elizabeth's face and felt his heart stop. The beautiful petite young woman looked like someone had worked her over. His head moving around, he saw Marco's body off to the side and closed his eyes in prayer as Max rushed over. "He's dead, knife to the throat Sonny."
"I can see, help me get Elizabeth up then we have to take her to GH." Said Sonny aware that they couldn't cover this up.
Mac Scorpio had had a bad day and now his evening was even worse. Taggert and he had arrived at the park in time to see an ambulance pulling up and the medics rushing over to where Sonny Corinthos was talking to one of his guards.
"Well, well Corinthos, what do we have here?" drawled Taggert who instead of getting a angry response was shocked when the mobster looked at him and just shook his head.
"Mac, we were sitting here, earlier, I had no idea." Said the gangster who then continued in a broken tone "Elizabeth, Elizabeth Webber, over there, it's bad. Mac, she looks so, so bad. The guard, the guard I put on her for Jason, he's dead. But that isn't the worst of it."
Taggert felt sick as he could barely ask the words "Was she…"
"No, not that." Said Sonny his voice still shaky "She was awake for a few seconds asking for Jason. Mac, your first officer on the scene, he was here he can verify; Mac, she said it was Lucky. That Lucky Spencer did this."
Mac and Taggert looked at one another then saw Sonny's eyes narrow before he asked "What, what is it?"
"Lucky, we arrested him today, for stabbing his cousin Lucas with a knife. Lucas is in bad shape at GH. I would have thought Carly would have told you." replied Mac while Taggert looked furiously at the medics as they seemed to be rushing the petite woman on the gurney and snapped "Gently; just be gentle with her."
"We have to get her there quickly; she has lost a lot of blood." Replied the man who was shocked when two of the mob guards said "Then we will help you carry the gurney."
Mac nodded then said to Sonny. "Do you know where Luke is?"
"No, he probably did the same disappearing act his wife did." Snapped Sonny who then added "There is something wrong with Lucky, I tried to tell Luke, but he just blew me off."
"Kevin Collins said he was brainwashed while they were holding him this past year." Replied Mac. "I don't know that I buy it, but he says that is how he is acting."
"Where the heck is Spencer and why did Laura and he just leave Elizabeth exposed like this?" snapped Sonny who then saw his man being carried out in a body bag. "Why is it that only Jason saw what was going on? It's why he left, whenever he is around, Spencer goes nuts."
"Did you tell anyone?" snarked Taggert.
"I tried, Luke brushed it off, and the rest of that family acted like all the kid needed was to get back with Elizabeth, that all would be well. Well clearly all isn't well." Snapped Sonny then he added quieter. "Mac, Audrey, someone has to tell Audrey Hardy and she won't believe me when I tell her it was Lucky."
"Corinthos, what about Morgan?" asked Taggert. He wanted to call the man anger boy but he had seen Elizabeth's bruises the blood pool where she had been lying for apparently hours and found that part of him wanted Morgan to return and go after Lucky. He watched while the forensics team bagged up Elizabeth's personal affects lying on the ground covered in blood and knew, he knew that he would help the man.
When Mac arrived at GH, he told his officer there that no one in the Spencer family was to be allowed in with Elizabeth Webber just as a distraught Audrey Hardy arrived. "Mac, why can't her fiancée be allowed in there?"
"Who told you Elizabeth and Lucky were engaged?" he asked a bit roughly while Emily arrived with her parents.
"I did when I called looking for Liz today." said the younger girl. "Lucky told me last night. He asked me to help plan a surprise wedding for her."
Mac looked at the foursome then said "Lucky Spencer killed Elizabeth's guard, then attacked her."
"Lucky wouldn't do that." said Audrey, her eyes wide. "He loves her, I know he has been a little off, but once they get married; no he loves her. He just needs a little time, after all that that Helena Cassadine put him through."
"Audrey, Lucky hurt your granddaughter." said Taggert as he entered. Tossing Mac a VHS tape, he said "McCullins, on fifth. He showed up in the park, he had gone to his camera after seeing all the sirens and lights. Thank god for people who are nosy. It's bad, Mrs. Hardy, really, really bad."
"No, you have to be wrong, Lucky wouldn't do that, he loves Elizabeth." said Emily protesting their attacks on her friend. "He wants to marry her."
"Emily, did Elizabeth tell you she wants to marry Lucky?" asked Monica as Alan got what was going on. "Did the words come out of Elizabeth's mouth that she wanted to marry him? Those exact words."
"No, but- of course she wants to marry Lucky." she said to her mother. "We all know that. She loved Lucky and Lucky loves Liz. Like Luke and Laura, you know..."
Mac had pulled Audrey off to a small room and showed her the tape. When Monica heard her whimpers then shrieks, she called Gail Baldwin then quickly entered the room to see the thin elderly nurse with her hand up to her mouth while looking at the screen in horror.
Monica looked and felt sick to her stomach as Lucky kicked Elizabeth while she was lying on the ground. In the background she could see that there was another body. "Mac, how could no one see this?"
"It was early this morning. Elizabeth has been lying in a pool of blood in a bush since about dawn." he replied sadly then added "Lucas Jones was stabbed today as well but I am sure you know that. We caught Lucky; I was there when it happened. I had to pin him to the ground with Tony and Felicia's help."
None of them had seen Emily entering the room, nor had they realized she had rewound the tape up and was watching the beating her oldest friend was inflicting on her best friend. "Oh my god, Mom, what is he doing? What is wrong with Lucky? Why would he do this, why would he hurt Elizabeth this way? Why?"
"Because that horrible old crone Helena Cassadine brainwashed my son." said Luke. "Mac, Lucky should be in the hospital, not in jail. I want him released. What do you think you are doing, he is sick."
Audrey happened to look at the camera tape just as Lucky yet again kicked Elizabeth then at Luke Spencer before drawing inner strength from deep inside. "Luke, that boy won't be treated here, not if I have anything to say about it and trust me, I have just enough influence to stop it. That boy should be locked up in the deepest bowels of hell and the key thrown away."
"Audrey, I realize Elizabeth was hurt, but I tried to tell her, yesterday, that the best way of handling this was to just go along with whatever Lucky wants, until we get him deprogrammed. She told me that she couldn't do that, that she wouldn't marry him or sleep with him to pacify him. That she just couldn't, after all Lucky has done for her. She couldn't just let things be for a couple more months, spring at the latest."
SLAP! There was sudden silence in the room when the old woman looked at Luke and said "You told my granddaughter a rape victim to sleep with your brainwashed son? What the hell is wrong with you? Have you any feelings for anyone other than your damn self. Where were you Luke? Where have you been today? Why wasn't Lucky locked up if he was sick?"
Sonny walked into the room feeling sick at what Max had found out. "Well, Luke, why don't you tell everyone what was so important last night that you left your son alone. Where were you last night?"
"I waited until he was asleep." he said defensively sure that Sonny would not tell what he knew. "I made sure he wasn't faking then I left for my appointment."
Sonny looked at Mac then said "Check Spencer's pockets."
Mac frisked the man then saw the cigars then the logo on them. "You bastard, you left your insane son alone to go and get banned cigars."
"Luke, get out of here, now." said Mac as he went to talk to his officer who was protesting the mobster who was standing at Elizabeth's door. "Sonny, I will allow this, Alan are you okay with his being here?"
Alan had come in late, he had talked to Dr. Armitage the treating physician and had read his report of injured bones, severe bruising, how Elizabeth had been kicked in the head. "I am fine with it, Corinthos, don't take advantage of this. Do you hear me?"
The mobster just looked in the small window at the petite girl lying in the bed then said "I will be back. Mac, what is going to happen with Luke?"
"I wish I could arrest him for this, trust me, I really do, but the only laws he broke were the cigars and that is a misdemeanor."
"They are going to be pressing, the Spencers that is, wanting her to drop the charges." said Mac as he looked at Audrey Hardy and Emily who was standing at Elizabeth's door, tears flowing down her face.
"I won't let that happen." Audrey said as she handed Alan back the medical chart. "What have I done, I have been encouraging her to give him another chance, to work things out with him. And the Spencers, all this time, they knew he was sick, they were asking me to talk to her, Bobbie and Laura, and even Leslie called me."
Sonny had told his men to deal with Spencer as he called Alexis. When he asked his attorney if she had been aware of what was wrong with Lucky, the woman said "I knew he was acting off, but this, no I didn't know this. I tried to call and find out how Elizabeth was but the hospital is refusing to release the information."
"She is going to live but she is in serious pain. I want you to find a way to keep the Spencer family away from her and then I want you to draw me up custody papers for Michael." The Cuban had known that he would have to make a decision, what was going on with Lucky Spencer just helped him.
"Are you sure?" she asked in shock. "Wait, you know Carly is going to fight you tooth and nail."
"No because I am not the one who is going to have custody." he said choking on the words as he started to give up the little boy he loved. "I love him but he isn't mine. And I don't trust Carly or any other Spencer, not after this. They knew Lucky was sick, he stabbed Lucas Jones, he hurt..."
"Wait, what did you say? What happened to Lucas?" she asked then sat back in her chair as she listened to what he had to say "I get why but then who are you going to arrange to have custody Jason isn't here."
"I know and he is either going to understand or he won't, but I have a plan." said Sonny bleakly as he made the call. He had to be the bigger person, the better parent for his little boy.
Monica and Lila arrived at the Towers, wondering why Sonny had asked them to come. They knew it wasn't about Jason, he had called his grandmother the night before and had been very quiet well quieter than usual when they had told him all that was going on in town.
"Mr. Corinthos, what may we do for you?" asked Lila politely as he awkwardly offered them coffee or tea. Monica took a cup, she had to be back at the hospital, it was going to be a long night.
"It's simple. Carly and I are divorcing yet again." he said then added "I was going to let go of custody of Michael, but what happened today, changed my mind slightly. I have something else in mind if you two ladies will agree with my plan."
"Why would I, after what you did to AJ?" asked Monica coolly.
"We can rehash history or you can listen to my plan." said Sonny who when he saw she was reacting more out of habit then anything else said "The Spencers, I don't want to subject Michael to them, AJ isn't fit, Monica, I am not going to argue that one, he isn't, but neither is Carly."
"I do have to say, Mr. Corinthos, Carly works hard at being a good mother." replied Lila trying to be fair.
"No, she doesn't. Michael spends more time with his nanny then with her, even when she is here. And that has to change. Carly tries to be a good mother because she sees Michael as her connection to Jason, if she loses her son, she thinks she is going to lose him. I hate to say it, but I think she is right." stated Sonny. "But Michael deserves more and I think Monica, you are the only one I can trust besides Lila to have his interests at heart."
The older blond sat down in shock as she stared at the mobster in astonishment "Let me get this straight, you want me to take custody of Michael?"
"Yes with provisions. I would like visitation, on neutral ground." he replied. "Michael has already lost a lot and I don't want to be another person who leaves him. Alan is his grandfather, I get that. I know he loathes me, but I think he loves his grandson more."
When Sonny stood, his hands shaking he said quietly "As we have seen today, violence well, violence is everywhere. But my world, I can protect him from that danger, however, the Cassadines and his own family. I just want Edward restrained, and for Alan to keep from bad-mouthing me around Michael."
Monica looked at the man then said "Anything else?"
"Not about this, but I do need your help with Audrey Hardy. Mac called a while ago, Lucky is being offered bail, how I don't know.., but I want her to consider moving in across the hall with Alexis, along with Elizabeth."
Audrey stood outside, looking at the guard who was staring back at her as she paced outside of Sonny Corinthos door. "Er, Mrs. Hardy, ma'am, do you want me to knock now?"
Looking at the door her mind still on the painfully honest answer that Mac Scorpio had given her, she squared her shoulders and thought about what she had been told at the hospital then said "Yes, please."
When the dark haired don, saw who his guest was, he invited her in then offered her tea amused to realize the tea set he had bought back when Lily was alive was getting more of a workout today than it ever had.
"No, thank you." she replied politely then said "I talked to Lila, Mr. Corinthos, she expressed your fears and I have to say I asked the police commissioner and he probably for the first time in his life agreed with your assessment of the situation. So, yes, I am going to take you up on your kind offer and then talk to Miss Davis, before I inflict myself and Elizabeth upon her."
"One minute, please." said Sonny as he knocked on the door of the other penthouse. An owlish looking Alexis followed him back to his penthouse and assured the woman she was more than prepared to have company.
"If you are worried about my association with Luke, don't be. I have already been declared persona non grata for refusing to represent Lucky." she stated as she sat down and poured the tea that Sonny couldn't seem to help himself from making.
Hearing a knock on the door, Sonny saw that Max had let in Johnny and Francis who said "It's going to happen. We are looking into the how, but Mrs. Hardy, we would like to remove Elizabeth from the hospital tonight, before he is let go."
"I have to get her some stuff, her clothes and things." she replied. "I can arrange to get my stuff at a later date."
"That might not be a good idea." said Alexis with a sigh as she thought about what Stefan had told her earlier. "Lucky might come after you, as a way to get to Elizabeth. Sonny, when Elizabeth is awake, you should probably send her to your Island, Mrs. Hardy, it is very nice."
The woman looked around then said "I just don't understand how this happened. Yesterday, I thought Lucky was a little easy to get upset, but I put that down to all he had been going through."
Hating to mention Jason's name, but knowing he had to, Sonny said "It wasn't sudden, Mrs. Hardy. This spring, he was like this. He attacked Jason then lied and said Jason went after him. He has been verbally abusive to Elizabeth when my guards were watching her; he has just lost the ability to hide it now."
"Oh my god, my poor, poor little one." said Audrey as she sat down abruptly. "When I think of how I; well never mind that is at an end. I accept your offer, and if you think it would be safe, we should go to this Island of yours Mr. Corinthos."
When he shook her hand in agreement, she added "I have always looked down on you and your associates, yet right now, you, well this building, is the place I think my granddaughter would be safest in right now. For that, you should know, her safety, I would make a deal with the devil."
Chuckling at the unintended insult, Sonny saw the moment she realized what she had said "I understand. Did Lila tell you about my deal regarding Michael while you were talking?"
"I heard, this is what gave me the courage to come here and talk to you." she said with a heavy sigh. "There is another favor I need to ask of you, if you don't mind. I have a nurse I think Liz would be comfortable with; I would like to invite her. Her son Stan works for you, I understand.
Elizabeth was still sedated when Johnny and Francis arrived at GH, seeing Bobbie Spencer Jones arguing with the police officer and denying being a Spencer, they stood behind the woman and said "You were born a Spencer, don't try it Mrs. Jones, we are not going to let you pressure that innocent young woman in there to help Lucky."
Shocked she turned then said "I don't want that. I thought you heard, Lucas didn't make it."
Seeing the dazed expression in her face, they listened as she broke down and told them the rest "Luke, came to me, asked me to help him protect Lucky. Where was he, where was he when Lucas needed protecting from his cousin? Where was he when Elizabeth was attacked, I heard, just a little while ago, what happened, what he told Elizabeth. I just don't get it; first Carly, now Luke. What is happening to my family?"
Hearing footsteps and smelling Old English, they watched as Tony Jones drew Bobbie off as she cried about promising Cheryl she would protect their little boy.
"We are here to pick up the patient." said Francis when Monica arrived. The woman watched as Amy Vining suddenly fled the hub and her eyes narrowing, she said "That young woman is going to push things too far some day. I have the paperwork, with Audrey there; I guess I don't need to suggest a nurse."
"No, she is going along with her granddaughter but we are bringing in a nurse we know." said Francis as Johnny went into the room, he saw his best friends expression and knew, that just like the Irishman, he was going to want to wipe Spencer off the face. "Dr. Quartermaine, if Jason calls you; Sonny is worried about how he is going to react. Could you not tell him how bad she is but that she needs him."
"About Elizabeth?" she asked then said "If he asked directly about her, I will tell my son the truth, but if he doesn't ask, I won't offer. I can't believe that your boss is going to be selfish enough to keep this from him."
"No, that isn't it." said Francis then with a sigh, offered up. "Jason is in love with Elizabeth and hearing this; he will go after Spencer and Sonny promised Audrey Hardy to let the police deal with him for now."
"For now?" she asked then said "I agree, for now."
Johnny came out, carrying Elizabeth. When Monica offered up a wheelchair, he said "No, we need to move her now."
Taking the offered bag of medicine, Francis nodded at the cop then they walked to the Limo where he climbed in and then took the offered limp young woman when Johnny climbed in. "Max, you know what to do."
Three in the morning, Epiphany Johnson arrived at the Towers and went to see her son's boss. Glaring at the man, she said "Who did this to that beautiful young woman?"
Giving her the story then telling her who she was, he watched as she went to find Audrey then checked on the woman who was her training nurse. "So will you do it?"
"Take a month or so in a tropical vacation with my mentor's granddaughter my only patient? I think I can handle that." she replied then said "How are you transporting them?"
"We are sending out my plane and yacht as diversions, that is all you need to know at this time." he said firmly only to see her shake her head no.
"I need to know what supplies, for how long and to tell your people what kind of bed she is going to need for the next couple of weeks."
Sonny promised to take care of it then made the call. Within minutes, Alexis had made arrangements and they were planning on leaving in two days. "Thank you, my favorite ex-husband."
The blond on the other end, thought about all he had been told and was grateful he wasn't in Port Charles as he thought about the man he had seen the day before. He seemed to recall hearing that Morgan was friends with the Webber girl; maybe he should leave him a warning.
Heading over to the building he knew the blond was staying in while here in Rome and leaving a note, Jax was soon on his way out of town, to set up the excuse for his yacht to be in Port Charles in case anyone looked.
Jason arrived back at his room, tired and more than a little depressed. He had visited all the places he had always wanted to take Elizabeth, but now that would be yet another dream to quietly accept wasn't going to happen and close off the memories in his brain. Seeing the note on the floor, he saw it was from Jasper Jacks and was about to toss it, but just in case something had happened to his grandmother, he ripped it open and fell onto his bed in shock.
Shaking he made a call then was on his way to the airport needing to get home. Calling Sonny's number, he was furious when it went straight to voice mail, then when first Francis' and then Johnny's did the same; he hesitated then made the call.
Hearing Alan's voice answering, he almost hung up but asked "What happened to Elizabeth?"
Alan heard the concern in his son's voice and then looked at the nurse eavesdropping in the hub before saying "Call your grandmother."
Shocked, Jason was hurrying to do so before the flight attendant told him to stop doing that. "Look, we aren't taking off just yet, and I was just called from home. The woman I love was hurt badly. I HAVE to find out how she is, please?"
"Two minutes." she said feeling woozy from the pain in the handsome blonds very blue eyes.
Calling the familiar number, he soon heard Lila's voice and asked "Grandmother how is she?"
"They let her go but she is under nursing care, Jason. Hurry home, she needs you." stated Lila just as she heard a quiet thank you then the dial tone. When Edward came in ranting and a raving about the Spencers, she just said "Edward, now calm down, this isn't going to help anyone."
Felicia looked at Luke in stunned disbelief. "Did you just threaten my children?"
"No, I just asked how you would feel if this had happened to one of them?" he asked as he paced back and forth in front of her. "I love my son; he is sick and needs me. I can't believe that Mac did this."
Looking where Lucky was being hauled away by Kevin Collins in a white straight jacket, she said "Luke, you know he is sick, this is the best thing for him."
"You don't understand.' he said his mind on Helena's threats against Lulu and her telling him about the time bomb she had placed in his son's head.
Mac got into it with Luke then Laura when the blond finally arrived. "Laura, where have you been?"
"In Paris, I had to deal with some Deception business." she said then asked "How can you lock Lucky up, we told you he has been sick since he came back. Why are you doing this, we will take care of our son, you can't just toss him in a hospital, he needs his family and his friends."
When Mac ignored her, she looked around puzzled then said "Where is Elizabeth, I was told she was released from the hospital, she is what Lucky needs, that is the best medicine."
Mac walked back to his office ignoring the delusional blond when what he really wanted to ask was if her son needed family so bad what was so damn important in France. Hearing the sound of a woman's voice, he turned and saw Helena Cassadine standing there. "Well, Commissioner Scorpio, just a warning. I won't tolerate interference in my little game again. Here, a present."
Mac watched the woman's bodyguard toss down some photos and leave. Picking them up, he saw his daughters playing in the park with Helena in the background. Shaking he made a call and asked "Sean, can you protect the girls, Helena just threatened them."
"I wish I could." he replied as he looked at the pictures he had received the day before "I stopped a shipment of chemicals she was planning on sending to Port Charles; she sent me photos of Lucas. Tiffany insisted I call Luke. That was yesterday."
Mac thought about it then made one more call. Getting an agreement, he went home to have his little girls pack only for a call to be made telling him to have them only bring their favorite toys, nothing else.
Shaking his head at the idea of toys for the almost sixteen and fourteen year old, he listened to the instructions then thanked Alexis before sitting down to explain what was going to happen. "Dad, would she really hurt us, did she really have Lucky hurt Lucas?" asked Maxie who couldn't face yet that he wasn't coming back.
Hugging them, he said hoarsely "Yes, she would and I can't allow that to happen but I have to do my job. This way, you will be safe. You like Elizabeth right? She is going as well."
Jason ran from the passport line hopped in a cab and ordered the man to take him to the docks. He still couldn't reach Sonny and none of the guards were responding to his calls. Letting himself into the studio, he looked around, trying to figure out what had gone down there only to see it looked neat and clean, not at all like she had been painting.
Leaving he went to the warehouse and grabbed one of the SUV's, driving over to Audrey Hardy's house but getting no answer, he picked the lock and let himself in. Nothing, where was Elizabeth?
Hearing his phone ringing, he quickly pulled it out and saw it was O'Brien. "What happened to Elizabeth?"
Not getting the customary Morgan, Johnny was thrown a bit before saying "Lucky Spencer that POS beat her because she told him she couldn't marry him. Jason, never mind that, get over to Alexis', she is there."
Jason arrived at the Towers, tossed the set of keys at the guard then rushed up the stairs. He had found out about Marco and was passing scared and moving into frantic. The elevator was taking too long so he ran up the fifteen flights and was soon pounding on his attorney's door.
"Jason." the guard standing in front of Sonny's tried to get his attention, but he just ignored the man until he felt a hand on his shoulder. Turning he saw Alexis standing in the open doorway to Sonny's penthouse and just stopped. "How…"
"Come inside, then I will take you over to see her." Said Alexis with a sigh.
Once he had sat down, Sonny gave him a glass of whiskey and said "She is asleep, Audrey Hardy and the nurse I hired are with her, but you need to hear what happened from us."
"What is there to say? Marco was killed, Elizabeth had the crap beat out of her by the nutjob Lucky Spencer because his idiot father just HAD to go and get cigars. He knew that Lucky had a few screws loose and still acted like Elizabeth being there with him was the solution."
"There is more. Helena Cassadine threatened Mac Scorpio tonight, told him if he interfered again, she would kill his daughters."
"That witch WANTED Lucky to beat up Elizabeth?" he asked in disbelief. "Why?"
"No, that wasn't it, she didn't want Lucky in jail, we have to get Elizabeth and the Jones girls out of town. I promised Mac that I wouldn't let his children be caught in the crossfire. There are a few other things I have to tell you about." Said Sonny who looked like he wanted to be any place other than the penthouse at the moment.
"Just tell me." Snapped Jason.
"Did you hear what Carly did?" asked Sonny, when he nodded, the Cuban continued. "We are divorcing but I don't want Michael anywhere near the Spencers. Lucas Jones didn't make it and I know she is your friend but I can't trust Carly right now."
Jason grimaced. He had his own issues with the blond, like how she had almost got him tossed in jail by her plan to 'help' Sonny. As well as her continued attacks on Elizabeth before he had left as well as how she had been the one to constantly tell Lucky when she had come to Jason for comfort.
He had no illusions, Carly thought that he would always rescue her, but he was discovering that wasn't the best way to help his so called friend. "Sonny, I understand, but I can't agree with you taking Michael away from her, she is a good mother."
Closing his eyes, Sonny said sorrowfully "No, actually she isn't. When you are around, she gives Michael plenty of attention, on the theory you might show up, but with you gone, Michael has been spending all his time when he is with her and not here with the Nanny. He spends most of his time with Leticia, not his mother."
"Carly said…" Jason thought about it, then shut up certain that Sonny was seeing things his way to excuse going for custody.
"Jason, I know you don't want to hear it, but I am right. She was kicked out of Deception, Laura bought her shares and she has no reason to be gone as much as she is. And I am not going to for custody. I know I had issues." Sonny looked at Alexis then announced "We all know the darkness I slip into and I don't want to endanger Michael."
"Then what are you talking about doing, Sonny?" asked Jason frustrated. "I mean, that little boy doesn't need to be shipped back and forth like a yo-yo. That is why I didn't fight AJ when we were given joint custody."
"I am working on a custody arrangement with Monica." Said Sonny. Jason froze, then looked at the man he called friend, boss and mentor and took a really good look. He knew that Sonny had as many issues with the Quartermaines as he did, that he would consider this gave him a better idea of how bad the situation was.
"Are you saying things are that bad?" he asked in shock.
Sonny looked at the man who had raised his son for the first year of his life and said "Yes. Carly is all about Carly. When she learns you are back, I guarantee she starts to spend time with Michael, but I overheard her snapping at Leticia for telling me about how little time she spends with him. She threatened to fire her for it."
"I don't have time to deal with her nonsense. I am here to take care of Elizabeth and Elizabeth only." He said firmly. "I want to see her, I need to see her."
Alexis stood and stated "I will walk you over. Sonny has a plan in play to take her down to the Island, afterwords, when you are finish talking to him, can we talk?"
Jason moved quietly up the stairs and stopped at the doorway. There was a bed side lamp on and he could see from there the obvious bright colored bruising on her face, the splints on her leg and as her shirt eased up, the way her ribs were tapes. "Oh, my sweet girl, I should have stayed."
Audrey Hardy stood in the doorway of the second guest bedroom watching the silent tears that dropped down off of Jason Morgan's face and felt guilty for how she had thought he had no heart. It was rather clear he not only had a heart but that it belonged to her granddaughter. "It looks worse than it is, at least physically."
Jason never took his eyes off of Elizabeth as he said "Does she know it was Lucky?"
"Yes, she was the one who told the police and Sonny." Replied the elderly woman as she walked over to the doorway. "She is going to be happy to see you, I think."
"I should have never left." He said closing his eyes, he had known that Spencer wasn't right but he had done what Sonny needed done, instead of taking care of Elizabeth. He had seen it in her eyes when he asked her to leave with him, it had all been there. That she would have loved to have gone but that she had felt obligated to the love she had once felt for the prick.
"That's great in hindsight." Audrey saw him turn and look at her in shock at the use of his first name and continued "But Jason, we all have regrets in this situation, me more than most. I was so worried about the danger I perceived from your life, I never saw that the man I was pushing her back with was even more dangerous, and how I forgot how dangerous Helena Cassadine was, I have no excuse."
"You love Elizabeth, you want the best for her." Said Jason. Hearing footsteps, he turned to see the dark skinned nurse and tried to recall where he knew her from.
"You can sit with her if you like, Mr. Morgan. Just be careful and don't turn up the light."
"I am amazed she is asleep, she doesn't like the light on." He said softly "At the studio, she never said anything but I could see the neon sign for our warehouse, it bothered her."
Audrey watched as Jason sat down in the chair next to Elizabeth's bed and reached out then pulled his hand back as if afraid to touch her. Walking back to the guest room she was using, Audrey thought about all that had gone on since Elizabeth had moved in with her at the age of 15 and felt regret for all that she had done to push her with Lucky.
She wasn't so sure she wanted her innocent granddaughter with Jason Morgan, but she was going to keep that council to herself, it was time to respect her granddaughter's choices even if she didn't agree with them.
Jason saw that Alexis was standing in the doorway and realized it was almost one in the morning. "Sorry to disturb you but Sonny is waiting up for you."
"Thanks Alexis, for this and for well everything. Before I go next door, do you agree with Sonny. Is this the best way to handle the Michael situation?" he asked rubbing his tired eyes.
"I hate to say it, but yes. If there was another option, I would have suggested it. I know that you are worried about that little boy, but you do realize that if you were to step in and take custody, that Carly isn't going to let go, she will think you are making plans."
"I know, it's why I won't interfere in his choice. I just wish… that it was possible not to involve the Quartermaines at all." He said then looking at Elizabeth said "What are Nik and Stefan saying about what Lucky did?"
"Stefan was the one advising moving her away, Nik, well you don't want to know." She said awkwardly. Her nephew had acted like Elizabeth had been in the wrong, saying that she had abandoned Lucky in his time of need. "I wanted to tell you, I talked to Monica after Sonny's proposal, she asked me to be the intermediary with Leticia, to let the nanny know she wanted her to stay on, then was asking about Micheal's likes and dislikes. For now, at least this is the best solution for Michael. It can be revisited, if she doesn't keep up her end and AJ creates problems."
Jason saw that Sonny was exhausted and said "I am not going to try and talk you out of your plan regarding Michael. I wish things where different, but clearly there is a lot I have missed. What was your deal regarding the Jones girls?"
"That was Alexis' plan. They are going with Elizabeth to the Island for now. If things get settled before the end of the summer, they will return in time for school, if not." he shrugged not having a clue as to how to help solve this problem. "What are your plans?"
"I wish I could tell you, but with Helena around, I don't know if we should be sharing them, that is why I asked about the girls, I have an idea that might work, but it depends on Scorpio trusting me. We will go to the Island until Elizabeth heals, then I am taking her away."
"Well, you need to know our plan to send her there." said Sonny who explained then when he saw Jason's shock added "We have a few things that need to change, since you are here, I am not going to send Johnny, just Francis."
Jason looked through the ordered thoughts in his mind then said "No, keep Johnny and Francis here. You keep those two and Max, have them help you get rid of Cassadine. If you have to, eliminate them all."
"You know my deal with Luke." said Sonny with a heavy sigh. "The problem is that I heard him at the hospital and what he was saying regarding how Elizabeth should just become a yes woman to whatever Lucky wanted. He was damn lucky I didn't kill him right there."
"Can you do it, if it becomes necessary?" asked Jason coolly, while making it clear that he would have no problems with doing so.
"Yeah, Lucky is a threat. He killed one person and with Mac's idiotic plan to protect people by putting him in the crazy ward, he might have played right into what Spencer needs to get his son free of this afterwords."
Sonny watched Jason heading back to Alexis' then went to the window, his mind racing as he tried to figure out what to do next. Jason was the planner, he usually just gave the order and his friend figured out how to carry it out, but this time, this time he was the one doing the plotting.
Early the next morning, Helena gave the order and Lucky Spencer was sprung from his padded cell. Giving him orders, she waited until he was gone then looked at her man and said "Find the Webber girl, I want her with Nikolas and keep an eye on that fiancee of his. Gia Campbell has been spending too much time here."
In Port Charles, on the docks, the Russian watched as Corinthos yacht slipped out of town while the rather ostentatious yacht of that Australia business man was also leaving. Andrea watched as the unaccepted daughter of his Queen's husband snuck on board and called Helena.
"What should I do?" he asked only for the woman to laugh.
"Let her run like the coward she is, I have bigger fish to fry than my husband's illegitimate brats. As for the Corinthos yacht, I will have our people track it, along with the jet that just took off." she said rolling her eyes at how obvious and lacking in originality the mob was.
On board the Jacks yacht, Alexis was introduced to a red head who announced she was her sister, while down in the staterooms, Georgie and Maxie were reading their dad's note and trying not to cry.
Elizabeth woke up to a beautiful sight, Jason Morgan asleep, his head resting against the pillow on the other side of the bed. Reaching out and grimacing in pain, she ran her hands down his arm and then eased closer, falling back to sleep, feeling safe for the first time since February.