A/N – Thanks for the reviews! Virgy15 almost made me pass out with her comment. Thankfully, I didn't do any permanent damage. * Candyhearts22 – lol That is so true. I think it's just about everything; great combo. * abstractartist – Like your wink! And lol at your last sentence! * ilovedana53 – Thanks!

Chapter 10 – Dire Straits

Liz finished getting ready and went downstairs. Johnny was going to meet her there. Nathan was sitting on the couch wearing a really nice suit. She smiled and he looked up at her returned it. Liz looked beautiful. She had on a burgundy dress that rested mid thigh. The straps were skinny and the bodice was decorated and fitted. The skirt consisted of fluffy ruffles. And the outfit was complete with sky high Jimmy Choo shoes.

"Wow, you look great." Nathan said standing up.

Liz smiled. "Thank you."

Nathan held the door open and took her to the car. Liz was nervous. She always got that way before a showing. There would be so many people there looking at her work, critiquing and analyzing. To her, it was like laying her soul bare. Pushing the thoughts out of her mind, she looked up at Nathan.

"So, do you have a girlfriend?"

Nathan looked up into the rearview mirror and smiled. "No, why?"

"Some of my girlfriends were interested."

Nathan chuckled. "Does that include Maxie?"

Liz was surprised. "Oh."

"What, you thought I'd be interested in Kelly instead?"

Liz smiled at the fact that he knew all of their names and had been so observant. "Maybe."

"There was just something about Maxie that took me in."

"Well, we'll definitely have to make that happen then. She'll be there tonight." Liz said smiling.

Nathan grinned. "Okay."

Liz was pleased. Although, breaking the news to Kelly was not going to be fun.

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They arrived at the gallery. Nathan stepped out and handed the valet his keys. They had already arranged for his car to be parked near the entrance so he could get out quickly if there was an emergency. He retrieved Liz from the car only to look up and smile as Johnny walked towards them.

"You look gorgeous." He said smiling.

She grinned. "You look pretty good yourself." She said admiring him in the suit.

Johnny smiled at Nathan and then they all went inside. There were a lot of guards considering that Claudia and Jason were both in attendance. But luckily, they all blended in pretty well.

Liz grabbed a glass of champagne as she watched Claudia and Jason walk towards her.

"Love the dress and shoes." Claudia said kissing the air as their cheeks touched.

"Thank you. I love yours too." She said eyeing the sexy red dress Claudia was wearing.

Jason had on a suit and looked very handsome. Liz smiled and he actually gave her a little smile back.

They all milled around, looking at the paintings. She noticed Jason looked confused and walked up and stood beside him. "What's wrong?"

He looked down at her. "Nothing, it's just hard for me to look at art because of my accident."

She took his arm and moved him closer and described it in detail.

He smiled. "I can see it now. Thank you."

She smiled. "Anytime. Thank you for helping Johnny. I owe you one. If you see something you like, let me know I'll make sure you get a discount." She said winking.

Jason smirked. "Thanks."

Liz moved over to Maxie and Robin. "Thank you so much for coming." She said as she hugged them.

Maxie was openly looking over at Nathan. Liz followed her gaze and grinned. "He asked about you in the car."

Maxie choked on her drink as Robin asked. "What?"

Kelly walked up to them. "What's going on?"

Robin chuckled. "Nathan asked about Maxie."

Kelly frowned. "You hunk poacher."

Maxie grinned. "Sorry Kelly."

"Last time we invite you to crash our lunch." Kelly said pouting.

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Emily was looking at a painting and Claudia walked up. "That's a nice one." She said studying it.

Emily turned to her and was surprised that she was talking to her. "Yes, it is."

Liz walked up to them. "Hey Em." She said hugging her.

"I love this one."

"It's really good." Claudia said in agreement.

"Thank you both."

Johnny walked up. "I already found one I wanted and had them put my name on it."

Liz grinned. "Thank you." She said kissing him softly.

Emily and Claudia looked at each other and smiled.

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Everything was going great. After about an hour and a half, she had already made several sales and the crowd was starting to thin out.

She was standing closer to the stairs, talking to an art student, when the lights went out. Claudia reached under her dress and grabbed her gun. She pulled Emily behind her. "Emily, hold onto my waist and stay close." She said quietly.

"Okay." Emily said.

Johnny yelled out Elizabeth's name. It was pitch black.

"I'm fine." She yelled back right before someone clamped a cloth over her mouth. She knew something was on it and tried to struggle but she started to pass out.

Nathan started feeling his way towards where Elizabeth's voice came from. He had been standing on the other side of the room from her but he had a direct line. He stumbled into something.

"Ouch." Maxie said loudly.

"Sorry."

He heard a pop and pulled her into him and pushed her up against the wall as Maxie buried her face into his chest. "Don't move." He said softly.

The lights suddenly came back on and Nathan ran towards the stairs. Jason looked over at Claudia who was shielding his sister. "This isn't good." He said as she nodded knowingly. "Emily, let Cooper take you home."

"Okay." She said letting go of Claudia who took off with Jason in tow.

Johnny ran down the stairs as the car with Liz in it took off. He ran to the street. Nathan was right behind him. "Get in." Nathan yelled as he jumped into the car. Johnny dove into the back and Nathan raced to catch up but it was too late. He pulled over. "I'm sorry."

"Not your fault."

His phone rang. "Claudia, they took her."

"Johnny I'm so sorry. I'm on my way down to the docks with Jason. I'll be at his office. Meet us there."

Johnny hung up the phone. He was so angry he could barely see straight. "Go to Jason's office." He directed to Nathan who turned the car around. Nathan felt like shit wishing that he had ignored Liz's wishes and stayed closer.

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Liz woke up and jolted into a sitting position. She held her head and looked around. Anthony was in a bed staring at her.

"Are you okay?" He asked.

"Oh my God, Anthony." She said trying to get up but she promptly sat back down as the dizziness took over her.

"Take it easy. I'm okay." He said softly.

She noticed he was hooked up to some equipment.

"A doctor has been checking me."

Liz nodded. She tried to get up again, this time more slowly.

"You look beautiful. What was the occasion?"

"I had an art showing."

Anthony frowned. "Sorry I missed it."

She walked next to the hospital bed. "Are you sure you're okay?"

"As sure as I can be. How's John?"

"He's fine although I'm sure he's going out of his mind with worry right now."

The door opened and Liz jumped and turned around. Diego strode into the room. "Damn, you are gorgeous." He said grinning.

She grabbed Anthony's hand and he squeezed it.

"What do you want with me?"

"I have to admit that part of it is curiousity."

She gave him a look.

"I wanted to meet the woman that has Morgan working alongside his sworn enemy."

Anthony frowned. "Morgan is helping Claudia find me?"

Liz turned. "I asked him for a favor."

Anthony smiled. "Thank you."

"I'd do anything for Johnny." She said softly.

Diego chuckled from the doorway. "That's good to know."

Liz glared at him. "Why don't you let Anthony go and just keep me?"

"Liz no." Anthony said quickly.

Diego thought about that. "Why would I let him go?"

"Because he's ill and he needs more medical attention then you can provide."

"Perhaps."

"Please Diego. Just let him go."

He walked up to her and rubbed his hand down her cheek.

Anthony was pissed. "Don't you touch her you filthy pig."

Diego smirked. "You are much more fun to look at." He said looking down at her with want. Stepping back, he opened the door. "Prepare to have Mr. Zacchara moved."

Liz breathed a sigh of relief. "So, you'll let him go?"

Diego nodded. "If you'll behave and do what you are told."

"Okay." She said not sure of what she just agreed to.

Diego walked out.

"Elizabeth, you can't do this."

She rubbed Anthony's hand. "I have to. Johnny needs you."

"He needs you too."

"You're his father. He'll get over me." She said sadly not sure if she'd make it out of this alive. "Just tell him that I'm sorry and that he means everything to me. And don't feel guilty." She said softly.

Anthony watched the tear fall down her cheek and he sighed. "If only I was in good health, I would protect you better. I deserve whatever happens. I'm not a good man. You however deserve none of this."

She looked up at him. "Just keep Johnny safe okay."

"I would give my life for him." Anthony said emotionally.