AN:

Sorry about last week but it was one thing after another. I'm not 100% happy with this chapter but it is what it is. LoL! The good news is the rescue is the next chapter. Oh and there some hints about what Dr. O's plans for Elizabeth are.

~Kelly~

Chapter Ten

Ric stepped off the elevator determined to get some answers. Elizabeth's boys had been living with him for nearly three weeks. While he loved taking care of them they needed their mother. He needed Elizabeth too. Being in Port Charles without her felt wrong. That's why he was going to put an end to this immediately. Well if a few on Elizabeth's coworkers would help him.

"Good morning," he said approaching the nurses desk. Elizabeth had this way of inspiring loyalty in people. It made them want to do things they normally wouldn't for her. Like deceive Dr. Westborne. "

Felix glared at him for several seconds. "I looked you up. You have a reputation."

"I'm glad Elizabeth has such good friends." he said trying not to smile. Ric could only imagine what the younger had found. Most which was probably true. "Actually I'm sort of counting on that. I need some help."

"This has to do with the Britch doesn't it?"

"Who?"

"Dr. Westborne," Patrick supplied helpfully. Elizabeth had told him many stories about her past. Including her relationship with Ric Lansing. It was obvious the lawyer would do just about anything for his friend. "You think she know where Elizabeth is. Don't you?"

Ric shrugged at the question. If he was being honest it was more than a guess. "It's a reasonable guess. At the very least she's in contact with her mother. It's just a matter of convincing her to give the information up."

"Haven't the police already tried that?"

"Certainly. But they rules and..." he trialed off unable to stop himself from smirking. When Elizabeth found out about this he was going to be in so much trouble. Honestly he couldn't wait. Getting her back was worth it. "well you looked me up."

"What do you need?"

"A few minutes alone with Britt. I was hoping one of you could arrange that."

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Dante had never felt more helpless in his life. It had been weeks since Ben and Elizabeth had disappeared. As hard as it was to believe they had no clues. Nothing from the moment Dr. Obrecht took Elizabeth from General Hospital. It was as if they had disappeared of the face of the Earth.

"Please tell me your men have found something," he pleaded entering Sonny's living room. He had avoided going to his father until now. Dante knew exactly what would happen if Sonny found Dr. Obrecht first. He was just at a point that it no longer bothered him.

Sonny shook his head regretfully before saying, "I'm sorry. We tracked the car just across the city line. After that... I have men looking everywhere."

"I know. It's just Lulu is a wreak and I can't make it better no matter how much I want to."

"We'll find them Dante. I promise."

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Britt knew she was lucky to have a job. She also knew that Nikolas was the only reason she was still employed at General Hospital. He was on the hospital board and the biggest donor. She almost felt bad about keeping this one last lie from him.

The truth was she knew exactly where her mother was. And more importantly she knew where Ben was. Her son was the most important person in her life. Even more important than Nikolas's love. Although she still hoped to have both.

She knew that eventually Nikolas would forgive her. The Nurses Ball proved that. Even if Spencer was the one who organized them sitting together. It was good to know the little boy was on her side. Maybe the four of them could be a family after all.

Stepping into the exam room Britt closed the door. She was running several minutes behind for a new patient. "I'm sorry about being late Mrs..." she trailed off as she turned around. The room was totally empty. This stunt was probably Sabrina's idea of a joke. She was going to pay that little nobody back.

"You're late," a male voice commented causing Britt to face the door. Leaning against the only way out was Ric Lancing.

"You're not Mrs. Williams."

"I'm glad you noticed, Dr. Westborne." Ric said taking several steps towards her. With each step the younger woman backed away. Apparently Britt had the good sense to be nervous. "But you do have something I want."

"I don't know where Elizabeth is."

"And I'd like to believe you." he said shoving his hands into his pockets. "The thing is Britt you're a desperate woman. And desperation it can make you do some crazy things."

Britt couldn't believe the nerve of this guy. She wasn't worried what the local mob boss might do. After all she was still alive. "If Sonny sent you here you can cell him I'm not afraid of him."

"Good for you. Most people don't stand up to Sonny. What about me?"

"What about you?" she asked the question catching her off guard.

"You say you aren't afraid of my brother. Perhaps you're scared of me."

"Why would I be?" Britt shot back rolling her eyes. Did the people in this town think she was stupid? She wasn't going to cave because of a little bit of pressure. "You're just some lawyer Elizabeth used to be married to."

"Isn't that adorably clueless of you." Ric chuckled at the statement. Britt really had no idea who she was dealing with. It almost made what he was about to do wrong. Almost. It wasn't his fault that she hadn't done all the research. "It's a little more complicated than that. I mean it's no secret that I still love Elizabeth. Or that I'd do... anything to win her back."

"Who cares? Just keep that slut away from Nikolas."

"Now that isn't nice. Of course I'd expect nothing less. Jealously is... well unattractive. I'd work on that if I were you." Ric said stepping back.

"Noted. Are we finished?" Britt huffed impatiently. "I have actual patients to see."

"Did Nikolas tell you why he hates me so much?" he asked casually. Ric knew that she wouldn't be able to resist learning more. Britt was too desperate to keep Nikolas to pass up any information.

She shook her head. Britt knew the other man was playing some sort of game but couldn't figure out what it was. "I thought Elizabeth was the reason."

"Actually I think he objects to the fact I framed him for murder."

The statement shocked Britt to her core. Clearly there was more to Ric Lancing than what she knew. "Why... why would you do that?"

"Well for Elizabeth. I'd do anything for her. Like kidnap my bother's pregnant wife. I was going to steal the baby and give it to Elizabeth."

"And Sonny let you live?" Britt choked out half tempted to scream. That was if she thought anyone would help her.

"Well I'm family so he made an exception." Ric pointed out practically brushing off the question. He could see that Britt was starting to worry. He wasn't going to actually hurt the doctor not that she needed to know that. "I'm sure if I had actually killed Carly things would be different."

"Why should I believe you?"

"Ask Nikolas. I'm sure he'll be more than happy to tell you all of my misdeeds." Ric figured he be more than happy to share them. Of course he didn't care what Nikolas or most people thought. Just Elizabeth and his children. Which was slowly starting to include Aiden.

"There's more?"

Ric smirked coldly at the question. She had no idea what he was capable of. A fact he shouldn't find so amusing. "Or I could show the room I held Carly in. I still own the house after all."

"Nikolas would worry about me."

"Maybe but he'd be the only one. And I assure you I've gotten better at covering my tracks over the years." he promised taking several steps forward. Britt backed up until she hit the wall. Seeing no hope for escape she finally caved.

"Al... alright you win. I'll tell you where Elizabeth is."

"Smart choice."

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Elizabeth rested her her on the toilet while trying to calm her nervous stomach. She was still shaking from the bomb Dr. Obrecht had just dropped. At least now she knew what the woman had planned for her. Of course she wished she didn't know. It was so much worse than anything Elizabeth could have thought of.

Britt's mother was a sick and twisted woman. Worse than even Helena. The depths she was willing to sink was mind numbing. The worst was not being able to stop Dr. Obrecht. The woman's plan was already set in motion. All Elizabeth could do was watch helplessly as it played out.

Standing slowly Elizabeth moved to the sink and splashed cold water onto her face. She couldn't focus on Dr. Obrecht and her evil plans right now. Ben was counting on her to take care of him.

Still she couldn't shake feeling like she had been violated. It was a feeling Elizabeth remembered well from her rape. Along with the shame and guilt. Thankfully she didn't have to deal with those last two emotions this time around. Mostly she felt angry at Britt and her mother. How many lives were they going to ruin before someone stopped them?