A/N – Thanks for the comments! * Guest – Sad that you would call a young victim pathetic. Clearly something really bad happened to Liz. Maybe you should give her the benefit of the doubt. And if someone is invested in someone, then they will help them heal. It's not like she's going to be like this forever.

Chapter 7

They huddled around the computer, adjusting their positions so that everyone could see the screen.

Jason was seen walking out of the warehouse and then suddenly he froze. Liz squeezed Emily's hand as they watched him draw his gun and return fire. Liz wasn't sure whether to be proud or scared to death of his fearlessness. They gasped as an unseen man crept up behind Jason, who seemed to sense him and started to turn and that is when his body recoiled and they could see a dart sticking out of his neck. He grabbed it and pulled it out and that is when you could see the fear in his eyes, but he kept shooting until he could no longer hold up his arm and then dropped to his knees, breathing heavily.

Several men approached and one grabbed Jason's gun right before his body crashed to the docks.

Tears sprang into Elizabeth's eyes as her lip quivered.

He was then carried out of sight and no one said a word for a long moment. Emily and Liz were crying and John started to pace.

"Do you think it is mob related or our other problem?" Nikolas asked.

"We're not sure, but I'm leaning towards the other. We know our enemies well and the way this was orchestrated had definitely more of a military feel," Johnny said.

"I think they are mercenaries," Stan said.

"Were any of them killed?" Nikolas asked.

"Yes. We got rid of the bodies," Johnny said.

Emily wiped her face. "We have to help him."

"We're doing everything we can to find him. Stan is checking lights and we should at least know where they were headed."

Elizabeth was shaking, so Johnny sat on the other side of her and put her arm around her.

"Jason is tough. He'll make it until we can get to him."

"What if they hurt him? I can't lose him, not when I just got him," Liz said emotionally, stunning him.

Emily noted his expression and then cleared her throat. "They are together now."

Johnny nodded. It was good news and he would give anything to be able to rib Jason about it right now. Instead, they had no idea where he was or what was being done to him. Sonny was going to be a problem, and he really didn't want to tell him yet. He would wait twenty-four hours and if he couldn't find his friend, he'd have to let his boss know.

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Jerry walked into his brother's office. "I just wanted to touch base before I headed to Germany."

Jax smiled. "I'm glad we got to spend some time together."

"Me too."

"Mom has been calling and threatening to visit."

Jerry chuckled. "I'll let you deal with that."

"Wus."

"When it comes to her I am. I'll call you in a few days."

"Have a safe flight."

Jax looked down at his phone and was surprised to see a text from John stating that Elizabeth would be out of touch for a while. Something had to of happened that wasn't good and he was very scared for her.

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Everyone had left and Elizabeth paced back and forth in her room. Jason had to be okay. She felt so guilty for even involving him and now he was gone.

John walked towards her. "Elizabeth…"

Tears sprang into her eyes. "If they kill him…"

John rushed towards her and hugged her. "I don't think they will do that." Jason is their leverage and while they might hurt him, they won't be stupid enough to end him.

"You don't know that."

"I know how the game is played…" His voice trailed off, causing Elizabeth to jerk back.

"What's wrong."

"We have to get out of here."

She didn't understand.

He grabbed her hand and they made a run for it, only stopping at the bathroom to grab two towels. "Put it over your mouth. They are gassing the loft."

She nodded and followed him out into the hallway as she held it over her mouth. Quickly, they descended down the stairs and then John led her to the second floor and they ran to a window. It was stuck, so he used a fire extinguisher to break the glass and then a towel to clear it away.

A scared Elizabeth watched as he climbed out the window and got onto the fire escape and she followed.

"If anything happens, you need to run and hide."

"I—where?"

John wanted to shoot himself for not having a better plan. "Two blocks from here is a graveyard. Hide there and I will find you."

She knew where he meant.

John dropped down to the sidewalk and then caught Elizabeth. It didn't surprise him that whoever was responsible for taking Jason would try something like this because it was actually smart to strike when they were off balance. He handed Elizabeth his phone and told her to dial Johnny.

She did and he quickly answered. "We're in trouble."

"Where are you?"

"In an alley near tenth street. They tried to gas us."

Johnny grabbed his keys. "Find someplace to hide. I'll be right there."

She handed John the phone and then bullets started flying around them. They ran out of the alley and Elizabeth screamed as a car barreled towards them.

John pushed her towards a building and it struck him with a sickening thud.

Elizabeth ran as fast as she could, knowing if she stayed, they would get her. When she got to the graveyard, she hustled inside of it and looked around. In the back, there were some crypts, so she rushed over to the area and kept trying doors. The area was frequented by teens and she hoped that they had gotten inside one so she could hide. She took a deep breath and tried the last one and it opened. It wasn't large and very dark inside. After hearing a man yell in the distance, she shut the door and to her horror, she heard the lock engage.

"Shit." She was locked in. It smelled dirty and stale inside and she really hoped there weren't any rats. Then she got creeped out thinking about spiders. Sliding down the door, she started to cry as she praying for John and Jason. There wasn't any way for air to get in and she knew she didn't have a lot of time.

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Johnny and Francis rushed to the area and drove down an alley. That is when they saw a body and got out. Francis covered as Johnny checked it out.

"It's John."

"There's no sign of Elizabeth."

"Help me get him into the car. We'll take him to the penthouse."

Francis lowered his gun and helped. Once he was safely inside, they drove around the neighborhood, but there was no sign of Liz so they called a doctor and headed to Harborview.

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Three hours later, Johnny still had people combing the neighborhood for Elizabeth as they waited for John to wake up, but there was no sign of her and he feared the worst. John had a concussion and his body was battered and bruised from the impact.

"OB!" Stan yelled.

Johnny ran upstairs and was relieved to see John's eyes open. "Jesus. It's about time."

"What the fuck?" John said as he grimaced in pain.

"You were hit by a car. Do you remember anything?"

John struggled to get it together and after a long pause, he tried to get up again. "I have to go get her."

Johnny pushed him back down. "You're not going anywhere! Slow your roll and tell me where she is and I'll go get her."

"I told her to run if anything happened and that there was a graveyard nearby she could hide in until I could get to her."

Johnny took off, calling Francis to meet him at the car. He had grabbed Milo and Enzo and they headed there, hoping that they would find her there.

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Elizabeth was a mess. Between flicking off spiders and feeling claustrophobic, she needed to get out of there. The air was getting thinner and she struggled to take a deep breath.

At the same time, Johnny and the guys descended on the graveyard and looked everywhere. The only thing they had left to search was the crypts. They each took one and tried to pick the lock. Johnny was at Liz's door, but due to damage caused by whoever had jimmied it before, it just wouldn't budge.

After seeing that there was nothing in other ones, he made a decision and took a couple of steps backwards and said, "Elizabeth, if you're in there, get down." He waited a few seconds and then shot at the lock.

The weight of Elizabeth's body pushed the door open and he watched her fall back onto the concrete.

"Elizabeth!"

He gathered her in his arms and then picked her up, running towards the car as the guys surrounded him. Milo drove back to the penthouse while Johnny and Francis tried to wake her up.

"She has a pulse, but it's weak. There probably wasn't a lot of air in there."

Elizabeth was dirty, but they couldn't find anything else wrong.

The doctor was still at the penthouse, so they parked and got upstairs as fast as they could.

Johnny laid her on the couch and Francis went to get a washcloth to clean her face and arms.

She was given some oxygen and finally started to come around and then tried to bolt up in a panic. Francis held her down. "Elizabeth, you're safe."

Her eyes filled with tears. "I thought I was going to die in there."

"John woke up and we came as soon as we could."

"Oh my God! Where is he?"

"Relax. He's upstairs. He's banged up, but he'll live."

She sucked in some more oxygen. "Thank God."

"And Jason?"

"There is no word. If we don't locate him soon, I'm going to have to tell Sonny in the morning."

"He's going to be so mad."

"I know. That is why you can't be here."

Liz understood. Sonny probably would want to hand her over. "Where am I going?"

There was a knock on the door and Nikolas strode in and then knelt in front of the couch. They hugged and he took a good look at her. "Are you sure that you're okay?"

"I'm fine, just a little scared."

He attention went to Johnny. "I'm taking her home with me. She'll be safe there. Helena has guards and the house is so big that she won't even know Liz is there. I'm not taking another chance with her life."

Francis and Johnny stared at each other. At this point, it was their best bet. Sonny knew where all the safe houses were.

"How did you get here?"

"I took the helicopter. It's on top of the Metro Court. I figured that was the best way."

Johnny thought Nikolas was very pretentious, but at the moment, he was all they had. "Fine. Let's go."

Nikolas helped Liz stand. She was sore and exhausted, but at least she was still alive.

"I want to say goodbye to John."

Johnny moved forward and to Liz's surprise, he picked her up and carried her.

"Thanks for the lift."

"I have to take care of my best friend's girl. He would do the same for me."

"I'm trying to be strong."

"You're doing fine. "

He sat her on the bed and her eyes perused John's body.

"I'm going to be okay."

Tears sprang into her eyes. "You were hurt again because of me. I'm so sorry."

He slowly reached for her hand. "It's not your fault. I would do again. I'd just try to get out of the way faster. Listen to what Nikolas says okay? If things get bad, call us. As soon as I'm able, I'll join you."

"My phone is at your place."

"Enzo went to get it. He should be back any minute," Johnny said.

"I really don't want to leave you, but I'll trust the guys."

"You should. It's too dangerous for you here and Jason will kick our asses if something happens to you," John said.

"I'm so scared for him."

"He's strong and he has a very good incentive to come back," Johnny said.

"Don't let him get up or do anything stupid," she said as her gaze locked with Johnny's.

"It will be hard, but I won't."

She squeezed John's hand and Johnny picked her up and took her back downstairs. When Enzo showed up with her suitcase and phone, they left.

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The helicopter ride was exciting. Nikolas insisted on carrying her into the house, using some back stairs, and then got her settled in a bedroom in an empty wing with Alfred's help.

"You'll be safe here."

"Are you nearby?"

"No, but all if you have to do is press eleven on the intercom and I will come running."

Alfred ran you a bath. Only he knows you are here. Once you are finished, he'll bring you some food.

"Okay." A bath sounded nice. "Will you check up on me before you go to bed?"

"Of course."

"Thank you." The castle was a little foreboding and she was nervous staying there.

He left and she kicked off her shoes and went into the bathroom. The tub was huge and she was excited to get inside. There were bubbles everywhere and she sank into the hot and soothing liquid before sliding under it to wet her hair. She quickly washed up and then shampooed her hair before sliding back under. For twenty minutes, she closed her eyes and thought about Jason. Finally, she heard Alfred clear his throat in the other room.

"Miss Elizabeth, you must get out before you catch a cold. I left you some dinner. I remembered your favorites and if you need anything, press twelve on the intercom and speak."

"Thank you!" she called out.

Once she heard the outer door shut, she got out and dried off, putting her hair up in a towel and then slipped into some pajamas. She grinned when she saw the grilled cheese sandwich and bowl of chicken noodle soup. Alfred thought canned soup was a blasphemy, but he kept it there for when she would visit. Sometimes, she'd stay in a room with Emily and they would stay up late just being silly. Poor Alfred put up with them.

She bit into the sandwich and moaned. It was so good. He had left the television on and she turned it to the travel channel and watched. Alfred came back with something behind his back.

"I stole this from master Nikolas's room. I believe it's Emily's."

He pulled out a big bear and Liz laughed. "I didn't want you to be lonely."

"It's perfect. I'm grateful for the company."

Elizabeth and Emily always made his day. They just seemed to bring life to the mansion. He cleared the dishes and said goodnight.

She got into bed and put the bear next to her. About an hour later, Nikolas unlocked her door and slipped inside.

"Ahhh, that is where Beary went too. I was scared I was going to have to send out a search party or that he turned into Chucky."

Liz grinned. "Alfred let me borrow him, but I wouldn't put it past Helena to turn him into an evil minion."

He laughed. "I know Emily won't mind. Just don't drool on him."

"Oh like you don't."

"Who says I sleep with him?"

Liz chuckled. "You would feel a lot better if you just admitted it."

"Never. Are you going to be okay?"

She nodded.

"Alright. Good night." He tussled her hair and then left.

Sleep didn't come easy to her, but eventually she fell into a restless one.

A/N – You won't find out the full story of what Liz has been through until she tells it to Jason, but you'll get some clues.