A/N – Thanks for the reviews! Virgy15 – I'm glad you are happy re: Nathan * Kandimom – Thank you so much! * abstractartist – lol you crack me up. Claudia just wants him safe. ROFL re: Jason and smut. * doralupin86 – Glad you're enjoying it! * ilovedana53 – I have plans for Anthony.

Jason is going to be in this more than I had initially anticipated due to the mob storyline. Hopefully, you'll all be okay with that.

Chapter 7 – Uninvited Guests

Liz hurried over to the table.

"You're late." Robin said.

"Sorry, I was delayed. Hey Maxie." She said with a smile.

Maxie smiled. "Hope you don't mind me crashing your lunch soiree."

"You're always welcome."

Kelly looked up from her menu. "Why were you late this time?"

"Let me guess, you were painting." Emily said giving her a look.

"Actually, I was meeting my guard."

Robin and Kelly slammed their menu down onto the table.

"Why the hell do you need a guard?" Robin asked.

"Because the family is under attack and his sister was worried about me."

The girls looked at each other. "Does she think you're in danger?"

Maxie watched with curiosity and wondered who this Johnny was.

Liz shrugged. "I'm really not sure. I haven't gotten a chance to talk to Johnny yet."

"Where's the guard?"

Liz glanced and saw Nathan at the bar. "He's the hottie at the bar."

Kelly stole a look. "Holy shit."

Maxie and Emily's mouth dropped open.

Robin smirked. "He's yummy."

Liz laughed. "He's alright."

They all glared at her.

"Ok, spill it." Emily said. "If you think that fine specimen of a man is just alright, something must have gone down between you and Johnny."

Liz shrugged. "Maybe…..maybe not."

Robin grinned. "Oh my God, you got some didn't you?"

Liz blushed.

"It's about time." Emily said grinning. "How was it?"

Thankfully, the waitress interrupted and took their orders.

Robin looked up. "Shit….incoming."

Elizabeth looked up and she went a little pale. Nathan noticed and rushed over to her and stood between her and the man who had walked up to the table.

Nikolas glared. "Who are you?"

Nathan gave him a steely glare. "Your worst nightmare." He growled.

Nikolas shot him a look. "Elizabeth, I want to talk to you."

Robin spoke up. "Nikolas, I really don't think this is the time or place."

"If Elizabeth wants me to go away, then I'd prefer to hear that from her." Nikolas shot back.

Emily glared at him. She hated what Nikolas had become. Helena's brainwashing had turned him into a true Cassadine. They had been glad when he went back to Greece, but clearly he was back.

"Nikolas, please leave. I don't wish to speak to you. There's nothing left to say. I've moved on."

He scowled. "With who?"

Nathan took a step closer to him. "The lady asked you to leave. You can either turn around and take the elevator or I can drop you off the balcony. Your choice." He said smoothly.

Kelly bit her lip. He was all kinds of hot.

Nikolas took a deep breath. "There is no reason to be uncivilized. Elizabeth, hopefully you will talk to me at another time. Ladies." He said before turning and walking away.

Nathan looked down at Elizabeth. "Are you okay?"

She nodded. "Thank you Nathan. I'm fine."

He smiled and then went back over to the bar.

"Seriously, I want me one of him." Kelly said breaking the tension.

Liz smiled. "I'll try and find out if he's taken."

"What are you going to do about Nikolas?" Robin asked.

"I don't know. He totally caught me off guard."

"It might be smart to just hear him out so he doesn't stalk you." Emily said quietly. She really didn't want Nikolas around Liz but at the same time, she knew how he could get and the more Liz avoided him the more crazy he was going to become.

"I'll think about it."

Nathan answered her phone. "Hello?"

"How is she?" Johnny asked.

"Fine. Some guy Nikolas approached her and everyone got upset but I got rid of him."

Johnny frowned. He had no idea who that was. "Thanks."

Nathan ended the call and looked over at the group of women. He thought Elizabeth was the most beautiful out of all of them. But, they were all pretty attractive. He liked the little blonde.

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Johnny walked into Palazzo's and Jason was standing there talking to someone. He looked up and then finished his conversation.

"What are you doing here Johnny?" He asked.

"Someone kidnapped my father. I need to know if you had anything to do with that."

Jason sighed. "Follow me." He said walking into the office. They sat down.

"I heard about what happened but it wasn't us. We have no desire to start a war with you."

"He needs treatments. If he doesn't get them, he's going to die."

"I'm not sure what you want me to do."

Johnny stood up. "I really have no desire to get into this business, but if I find out that you're lying, I will have no problem dealing with you." He said intensely.

Jason smirked at the anger he saw in Johnny's eyes. "I knew you had it in you Johnny which is why I warned Elizabeth."

"What does she have to do with this?"

"You need to think twice before you allow yourself to be dragged into this life. There will be no turning back. Elizabeth doesn't deserve that."

"You don't even know her."

Jason's look of boredom was really starting to piss him off.

"But she's important to Emily."

Johnny chuckled. "Is that all it is Jason? Because you sure act like you're jealous."

Jason rolled his eyes. "Like you said, I don't even know her. Look, I have no desire to break the truce. The Zaccharas don't have anything I want anyway."

Johnny shook his head. "Please let me know if you hear anything."

Jason nodded. He watched him open the door. "Alcazar" He said loudly.

Johnny turned. "What?"

"Have your sister check into Diego Alcazar. He's trying to prove himself to his father and he's been seen in the area lately."

"Thank you." Johnny said before leaving and heading to the Metro Court.

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"I wonder what he looks like with his clothes off." Kelly said drooling over Nathan.

Robin shook her head. "You have a one track mind."

"And?" She said making a face.

Liz chuckled. She loved hanging out with all of them. They were so different and they always made her laugh with their antics.

"Hunk alert." Maxie said under her breath.

Liz looked up and grinned. "That would be my hunk."

"Hey." He said leaning over to kiss her.

The rest of the girls grinned.

"Hi everyone." He said smiling at them. "I don't think I know you."

"I'm Maxie."

"I'm Johnny."

"Can I steal her for a second?" He said looking around the table.

Liz stood up and they walked over to the bar. "What's up?"

"I just needed a sanity check."

She reached up and touched his face. "What's going on?"

"I saw Jason. He gave me a lead."

Liz smiled. "That's good isn't it?"

He nodded. "I guess."

"Talk to me." She said softly.

"I don't know. I have spent years trying to stay away from the business and now I feel like I'm being sucked in and have no choice."

"You always have a choice."

"Not really. I can't just let him die."

She took his hand. "Johnny, no matter what happens, I'm not going anywhere. I understand that you're conflicted but you need to do what you have to; whatever you can live with."

"I don't think you really understand what you're saying. The business is really violent."

"I know. But it won't define you. It's not like you have to stay in it once this is all over with right?"

"It's more complicated than that."

His phone rang. "Hold on." He said to her. "Claudia? I'll be right there."

"We'll talk more later."

Liz nodded. "It will be okay."

"I hope so." He said before leaning down and kissing her again. Leaning his forehead onto hers, he said, "Thank you for listening."

She smiled. "Anytime."

She watched him walk away and then went back to the table.

"That looked intense." Emily said. "What's going on?"

"Johnny's father was kidnapped."

"Wow. He's in the middle of chemo isn't he?" Robin asked.

"Yeah. Johnny's understandably upset."

Emily made a face. "Let me guess, he's going to get involved in the business."

"I'm not sure but it looks like it might be leading to that."

"I knew it. Elizabeth, what are you going to do?" Robin asked. "You do understand how dangerous it will get for you."

"I know but I'm already starting to fall for him. I can't walk away."

They were all quiet for a minute.

Robin sighed. "I understand where you are coming from but please if it gets too bad, will you consider walking away? I don't want to lose you."

Liz knew that Robin knew firsthand how dangerous the business was. She had been involved with Jason.

"I will be careful." She said.

They went back to eating and then finished up. It was Liz's turn to pay, so after getting their commitments that they would be at the showing tonight, she sat at the table alone and that is when Nikolas walked back up again. Nathan was right there.

"Elizabeth, please talk to me."

Nathan looked down at her. "Say the word."

Liz smirked at his bravado. "Nathan, will you sit down next to me please. I'm going to let Nikolas say what he wants to say but I want you near me."