A/N – Thanks for the comments! I'm so glad I was able to surprise most of you. * Guest – Feel free to skip what you don't like. I have a feeling it will be a lot. Oh well…

Remember, Elizabeth wasn't raped. Helena is just messing with Nic's head so she can control him.

Chapter 10

Johnny glanced at Arianna. "So, do your parents know about us?"

"My mom does, but my dad doesn't want to know."

He chuckled. "I just want to make sure I don't need to go into some kind of protection program."

Her warm, melodious laugh filled the car. "He really has no say about my love life. Where are we going?"

"A hotel, is that okay?"

"Fine with me."

He already knows that she graduated from college and is learning to manage her father's truck fleet which is legitimate. "Did you really want to run the business?"

Arianna shrugged. "It was kind of expected that I do something related to my dad's business. I think he wanted to keep me close to home."

"So, if you could do anything, what would it be?"

She thought for a moment. "I love to sing, so maybe something in the entertainment business."

He nods. She's beautiful and has a sweet side, but she had also warned him that she's adventurous and has a temper when pushed.

"What about you?"

"I'm doing what I love, but I wouldn't mind being a commercial pilot."

"Do you have your license?"

"I do for smaller planes."

"Have you ever jumped out of one?"

"Of course."

She smiled and moved her hand near him and he grabbed it, noting how nice it felt encased in his.

Once they pulled into the hotel, the valet took his keys and he escorted her inside.

"Are you hungry?"

"I could eat."

He led them to a restaurant and they got comfortable and ordered some drinks.

"Arianna, I really like you, but I don't know how long I'm here. Elizabeth just woke up and it will be at least another month probably, but..."

"I'm a big girl. I want this, but are you having second thoughts."

"Hell no. I'm just trying to be a—"

"—gentleman. I get it and thank you."

He took a sip of his drink and started thinking about all the things he wanted to do to her.

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Elizabeth woke with a start as she came out of a nightmare.

"Shhhh, it's okay," Jason whispered.

She moved closer to his body heat as she gripped his shirt, making sure he couldn't leave. Jason equals safety. Her eyes fill with tears, knowing that she is going to have to face her fears, but felt like she didn't have the energy to do so. Her nightmare had forced her back into a reality that wasn't much better.

Carefully, he shifts so he can embrace her, but when he felt the slight resistance to his touch, he whispered softly, "I won't hurt you. I went to Italy while I was gone, just not the parts you wanted to see. I think I was saving that for you."

She took a deep breath and tried to relax as his voice soothed her.

"I went to the mountains and there was so much snow and it reminded me of you. I even got to see an avalanche. The force of the snow was crazy and I'll never forget it. I would throw my head back and smell the air and realized that it reminded me of you."

She is thrown back into the memory when he told her that she smelled like snow, amazed at the irony that she had saved him back then and now, he is here saving her. God, she had missed him. He has a way of dissecting a situation and making the solution seem so simple while she tended to ramble and thoroughly confuse herself. In some ways, he couldn't make this go away because the memory was burned into her mind; a memory she didn't want to have, but kept reliving. She'd give anything to run away from it.

When he doesn't continue she looks up and realizes that he has tears on his cheeks and she touches them and then snuggles closer.

"Sorry. I'm just so happy that you're back."

She wants to speak, but can't quite find her voice yet.

"You're probably surprised that I'm here."

She slightly nodded.

"I was searching for Emily and when I found her, I hopped on a plane, not knowing what I'd find. When I walked in here, Lucky and Emily were arguing about him leaving and, let's just say I was surprised to know that you were here too."

She closed her eyes, squeezing them tight because she felt so needy and grateful that he had stayed. Tomorrow, she'll be strong. Tonight, she just needs to be held.

"I'm not leaving you. I want to be here for you, Cam, and Emily. You're probably wondering about the business." He felt her move and continued. "I'm not going back until you're ready to. I don't care how long it takes. I'm putting you first and I don't want to hear a word about it."

Her mouth almost curved into a smile as she listened to him ramble.

When he got no response, he said, "Good, then we agree."

She was surprised by his lightness, but loved it all the same. What had happened to change him? There were so many questions running through her mind that she started to get a headache.

"I made some friends while I've been here."

Now, she is dumbstruck. Pushing away from him, she lifted her brow and Jason grinned.

"You have a lot to catch up on. Isabella volunteers here and her husband is like Sonny—without the constant mood swings. They are nice and they have a little boy named Mason who is a little older than Cam. We went to dinner there last night and Cam had a blast."

Her eyes saddened and he lifted her chin. "He's okay. I promise. Do you want to see him?"

She nodded.

"Then I'll make it happen. Hugging you will probably make him do a happy dance."

Her head tilted.

"Don't tell me he never did his happy dance for you. I'd demonstrate, but you're already looking at me funny."

She shook her head and laid back down.

"Oh, and Johnny is dating Paul's daughter, Arianna. She's nice. That's all the gossip I have because I suck at that, but Emily will fill you in."

Violet entered the room. "I brought you some food. I promise it's not from the cafeteria and I'm officially off the clock."

Elizabeth eyed the bag.

"There are burgers and fries to go around and a chocolate milkshake for Elizabeth."

"Nice," Jason said as they got up and sat at a little table in the corner.

Liz remembers Violet and watches as she doles the food out and then grabs the shake and takes a long sip. It tastes so good.

"Do you always do this for your patients?" Jason asked.

"No, but I wanted to do something nice to celebrate."

"It's definitely hitting the spot," Jason said. "There's a place back home called Kelly's and I always ordered the same thing when I went there."

"What about Elizabeth?"

"She likes the chili."

Liz cleared her throat. "Cake."

Violet smiled. "Well, I do happen to have some cake in the other bag."

Liz's eyes lit up.

"You are such a chocolate addict," Jason said, trying to engage her.

Liz shrugged and slightly smiled.

"I am too," Violet admitted. "Emily said you make brownies to die for."

Liz nodded.

They continued to eat and had dessert.

"Thank you," Elizabeth said as she held her stomach.

"You're welcome."

"Thanks. Emily has been trying to cook and I don't know if I'll survive it," Jason said.

Liz fully smiled for the first time.

An orderly walked in to clean up the mess and Liz stiffened as she stared and then began to panic.

"Elizabeth? What's wrong?"

He moved closer and she started to yell, "No!"

Violet jumped up and pushed the man into the hallway. "Go to my office, now!"

His eyes were wide and he is totally perplexed. "Okay."

She ran into the room where Jason is holding Elizabeth tight, trying to sooth her.

Liz's face is buried in his chest and she won't let him go.

"Vinny!"

He rushed inside. "Yeah?"

"Go with Violet, to her office, and question that guy. Something isn't right. Is he the one you checked out?"

Violet nodded. "Yes. I'm so sorry. He has been on vacation and I didn't think he was back until tomorrow night. I'll make sure that he doesn't come near her again." She rushed out and Jason pulled Elizabeth onto his lap. She had been doing so well.

"Don't shut down on me. I need you to tell me if he hurt you."

She has a death grip on his shirt and is shaking.

"I can't protect you unless I know. Can you look at me?"

She didn't move.

"Please."

Slowly, her head lifts.

"All you have to do is nod. Did that man hurt you?"

Liz shook her head.

"No? Okay. Does he remind you of the other person?"

She took a deep breath and tried to stop crying. "I don't remember."

"But there is something familiar?"

She nodded.

"Violet did some research and he wasn't here when you were hurt. Apparently, his mother lives out of town and has been sick."

"Okay. Tired."

He stood with her in his arms and then rested on the bed with her as his mind raced, wondering what is happening in the office.

IiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiI

Johnny pushed Arianna against the door of a hotel room and ravished her mouth before pulling back and admiring his handiwork. Her lips are slightly swollen and she looks a little dazed.

"This is your chance. You can walk out that door and not look back."

She bit her lip slightly as she shook her head no.

He steps backwards, deciding to test her. "Strip."

Without hesitating, she pulls off her shirt and he eyes her ample breasts. "Nice."

She smirks, gathering confidence as she kicked off her shoes and then pulled off her skirt.

"Turn around."

She does so, her legs quivering when he pushed her foot to get her to widen her stance. Slowly, he runs his finger down her spine, only stopping to play with the lace on her thong as he runs the tip along the inside.

"Johnny…"

"Shhhhhh."

He knows this is going to more than sex and that worries him because he's leaving, but he just didn't have it in him to pass this up, no matter what happens in the end. His lips brush against her skin as he started to build her suspense. Fisting her hair, he turned her head slightly and kissed the hell out of her as he grinded against her, making her moan.

She wonders if she'll even survive it as he suddenly jerks her backwards and then carries her to the bed.

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Vinny gave the orderly his best glare.

"Look man, I don't want any trouble. I've worked here for years and I like my job. I don't know why she freaked out."

Vinny's eyes went to Violet who nodded and then back to the man. "I need you to stay away from her for now. She needs to get stronger so she can tell us what it is that upset her. Maybe you look like the man who attacked her." The man was average looking and nothing special stood out.

"I agree. You like the night shifts better, right?"

"Yeah."

"Then we'll stick to those and you'll avoid her room. When she's ready, we'll have you come into a session."

"I'm sorry. I would never do anything to hurt her. I'll do whatever it is you need." He meant that sincerely.

"Thank you," Vinny said quietly.

The man left and Violet leaned forward.

"He's one of my best orderlies and is always respectful of the patients. I really don't think he had anything to do with her being hurt, but he represents something to Elizabeth and we're going to just have to be patient until she can tell us."

"I know. I just hate seeing her suffer."

"So do I, but she's a fighter. We're just going to have to believe in that."

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Helena smiles at Nikolas who is lying on the floor staring at nothing. "I thought you'd like an update on your handy work."

"Go away."

"Elizabeth is having a hard time. Just when she seems to come back, she's reminded of what you did and it's back to square one." Having a hidden camera in the room is definitely paying off.

Nikolas tried to swallow his anger. He just had to get out of there to save them. Whatever Helena did was set in motion and he just couldn't let them get hurt any further.

"I need you to know, that you'll never be normal again. I've done extensive brain washing on you, coupled with a drug treatment that will ensure that the Nikolas Cassadine Emily loved is dead. You'll never have her because you won't know what phrase may set you off. I planned well, breaking you down until you attacked one of your dearest friends."

Tears started to stream down his face. "I hate you so much. I'm going to kill you."

She grinned at the evil tone of his voice. "Now that is the spirit, but you'll never hurt me. I have too much control over you."

He laughed manically "We'll see about that. You should be very afraid. You may have ruined my future, but if it's up to me, you won't have one either and my wife will never have to worry about you again."

She sighed. "Oh, Nicolas, will you ever realize that teaming up with me is securing your future, not ending it? By the way, she's not your wife anymore. Paperwork was filed and your divorce was final last night. You're a free man. I printed it in the newspaper, so Emily should be finding out shortly that she is a divorcee."

"No!" he screamed as she laughed; his need to kill her pulsing through his veins.

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Arianna stared at the ceiling, barely able to form a cohesive thought. Johnny had fucked her into submission, making her beg and writhe. It was hot, rough, and amazing. Yeah, she could get quite addicted to him and he knew it. What she didn't know is that he felt the same way too.

He slid into the bed next to her. "Any regrets?"

She turns and looks at him incredulously. "No—you?"

"None."

"Good. When can we do this again?" She will take whatever time she can with him.

"In about five minutes."

Her laughter fills the room. God, she can't wait to turn the tables on him and make him beg.

"We have all night and morning. I'll have to check in of course."

"Okay."

"Arianna, I hope you like frequent flyer miles."

She grins. "Don't want to give me up?"

"No."

"Okay."

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Jax dialed his phone. It is 7:00 a.m. in California, so he took the chance that Emily will be awake.

"Hello?"

"It's Jax."

She smiled as she poured Jason's coffee and then handed it to him. "How are you?"

"I'm good. I hope all is well with you and the baby?"

"We're fine and Elizabeth is back."

Jax grinned. "Really?"

"Yes, she's barely talking, but she's interacting with everyone. We're about to take Cam for a visit."

"Well that is great news. I'm glad she's getting better."

"Me too."

"Emily, there's no easy way to tell you this."

Jason curiously watched his sister plop into a chair.

"That good, huh?"

"There was an announcement in the paper. Apparently, Nikolas has divorced you."