A/N – Loved reading your comments!

Chapter 10

Victoria made a face. "Nik is kind of full of himself and it was annoying."

Jason grinned. "I knew that within five minutes of meeting him."

She scrunched her nose. "I thought I could put up with it, but between the butler thing, Alfred calling him master, and the creepy island thing, I decided that maybe he isn't my type."

Noticing that Jax had just gotten off the elevator, his attention went back to her. "What about Jax?"

Her brows rose. "He is hot, smart, and has an accent to die for."

"I can never understand what he is saying. Imagine if he gets drunk, God only know what you'd agree to without realizing it."

"Does it matter? He's so dreamy."

Jason chuckled and then looked across the room and lifted his hand and Jax saw him and moved towards them.

"Oh my God! Are you crazy?" she whispered.

"Relax."

Jax held out his hand as he approached. "Jason Quartermaine. I heard that you were in town."

"I like what you've done to the hotel."

"Thanks. I think I might actually keep this one."

"Jax, have you met Victoria Newman?"

He held out his hand and when she placed hers into it, he kissed it. "I have met your father, but I've never had the pleasure to meet you and he's not nearly as beautiful as you."

She smiled. "It's nice to meet you too."

He pulled his phone out of his pocket when it vibrated. "Well, I'm being paged, but maybe we could have lunch sometime."

"I would like that." She took out her business card and handed it to him.

With a wicked smile, he slipped it into his pocket and said goodbye.

"I think I'm in lust," she muttered.

"I'm not the biggest fan, but he's a step up from the dark Prince."

She laughed at the nickname as Elizabeth watched, her eyes narrowing.

Nicholas had to fight off a chuckle. "So, are you taken?"

Her eyes snapped to him. "What?"

"Do you have a boyfriend?"

"Um, no."

"Do you want one?"

She smiled. "You don't even know much about me."

"You're gorgeous, smart, and the bad girl of Port Charles. What more can I ask for?"

She laughed, a sound he really likes.

"You've been doing your homework."

"I had to think of some way to impress you."

Liz is surprised that he is interested and is intrigued. Nicholas is handsome and seems to be sweet and probably could get anyone he wants. "Why me? I mean, given your family and your own accomplishments, you probably have your pick of eligible women."

"Honestly, at first, it was based solely on the fact that I thought you were beautiful. You sparkle when you're doing something you love, do realize that?"

She blushed.

"But, when I watched you work, I could tell there was a lot more below the surface. You intrigued me. After I asked you out, I did a google search and saw the bad girl part and I couldn't stop smiling. I know they over-exaggerate everything, but do you mind telling me how you ended up kissing the golden boy of PC?"

When she groaned, he chuckled.

"Well, I was kind of tired of never getting the guy, so I told my best friend, AJ, that I was going to be a bad girl and kiss the next person that walked through the door."

He laughed. "That could have gone so badly."

"I know. I really should lay off the tequila."

"See, you're just getting more enticing by the second."

She shook her head.

"So, is there something going on between you and Jason?"

Her eyes flitted to the other table where Victoria is laughing. "I—we're friends, but we've been on a date."

"Hmm, now I have to figure out what to do about my competition."

She gazed at him mischievously, making Jason choke on his water as he watched. "What makes you think that you're in the running?"

"I normally would back off, but something tells me that would not be wise and you're worth fighting for."

When her face turned red, he grinned. "That blushing thing is something else I really like."

His phone buzzed and he answered it and listen as his face fell. "Call the plumber, I'll be there in fifteen."

"Is something wrong?"

"Owning a business sucks sometimes, but I do love my bar. One of the pipes burst, so it looks like I'll be knee deep in water this afternoon."

"I'm sorry to hear that."

"I really enjoyed our lunch." He flagged the waitress down and gave her his card.

"I did too."

"Then you'll consider having dinner next time?"

She is torn because she isn't sure what if anything is going on with Jason. "Let me think about that."

He pouted. "Okay, but I will ask again."

They stood and Nikolas grabbed her hand and kissed it. "I'll drop you off the fifth floor."

"Thanks."

He held it a few beats longer as Jason seethed.

Victoria's head tilted. "I hope I'm never on the other end of that glare."

His eyes snapped to hers. "What?"

"You look like you're going to kill someone." It was getting hard to stop herself some smiling.

Nick stopped at their table. "Hey guys. I have to go because I've got a plumbing emergency."

"Alright, I'll call you later," Vicky said.

"Later."

Elizabeth avoided looking at Jason and followed Nick out as Jason's eyes tracked them.

About a half hour later, Jason and Vicky returned to the office and he decided to take matters into his own hands before he left.

"Elizabeth, may I speak to you for a second?"

She peered at him nervously. "Okay."

The girl that had talked to her earlier watched curiously.

Jason pulled her into an empty conference room.

"What—" Before she could even ask him what he wanted, Jason had pushed her against the wall and his lips were pressing against hers. Her gasp quickly died as he slid his tongue into her mouth and ravenously kissed her as she swooned from his touch. Her moan fueled him as he kissed her torridly until they came up for air.

"I should have done that last night," he said before taking a deep breath and made his escape, leaving her panting and wondering what the hell had gotten into him. After several minutes, when her legs stopped feeling like jello, she smoothed down her clothes and made her way back to her chair.

"You okay? You look a little funny," the woman asked.

"Um, I'm fine."

"I don't know how you do it, but most of the women in this office would kill to have Jason Morgan's attention, yet you have it and probably don't even notice. That man is looking at you like he wants to eat you."

Elizabeth tried not to shudder when she glanced towards Victoria's office where Jason is standing with his eyes glued to her. Victoria touched his arm, breaking his concentration and then they headed into the hallway.

"You are definitely, one lucky girl."

Liz isn't sure what the hell the kiss meant, but she certainly wants to do it again. Nicholas who? There is no way that dinner will ever happen because she doesn't want to ruin anything with Jason.

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AJ sat on a bench on the docks to clear his head. It had been a busy week and he's tired, but excited that they will be announcing the new product tomorrow.

His phone buzzes. "Hello?"

"You need to go to the PC Confidential site and watch their latest video," Adam said.

AJ cringed. "Do I really want to know?"

"Yes. I'm headed back to the office to check out security tapes."

"Okay."

He brought the site up and the video is front and center and the caption read, "Abby Newman spy? You be the judge."

Bile rose in his stomach as he pushed play.

"We have an exclusive for you that will knock your socks off. Thanks to our investigative reporting, you are well aware that Abby Newman, once bad girl of Port Charles, has been cozying up to once bad boy, AJ Quartermaine. Well, we caught her red-handed spying in his office today. There have been rumors galore that Impasse Security, otherwise known as ISI, is scheduled to make a major announcement in the next few days and given the animosity between Victor Newman and AJ Quartermaine, which is well documented, we're told that Abby is after more than a good romp; she's really after information so her father can somehow interfere with his son's company. Watch this."

A video showed Abby sneaking into AJ's office and looking around and trying to get into his drawer. In the end, it showed her walking out with a bag with a smile on her face.

"You know what this means… AJ is back on the market ladies. Abby Newman, shame on you."

AJ felt his chest tighten. There has to be an explanation. He frantically called Adam. "Are you there?"

"Yeah. She was definitely here. The guard let her in."

"The guard let her into my private office? Seriously?"

"Yeah, I know. He's fired."

"Did she take anything and how the hell did they get video?"

"Well, the guard has to be a plant. He started work a few days ago. Clearly, he works for the station." Adam is livid. "I'll deal with the security company, but what are you going to do about Abby?" He knows AJ has trust issues.

"I guess I'll talk to her."

"Just—stay away from alcohol."

"I'll talk to you later. Thanks for handling everything."

He wandered to the bench and put his head his hands and a few minutes later, someone approached him.

"Go away."

"AJ."

He groaned. "What do you want? Did you come here to taunt me?"

Jason frowned. "What are you talking about?"

"I guess you haven't seen the video. They are reporting that Abby is spying for Victor and there's video of her in my office. Apparently, the security guard was a plant and let her in."

"And you believe them?"

AJ stood and turned to look at him. "I don't want to, but you know how it is for us."

"I do, but I honestly don't think she would go that far to do Victor's bidding. This smells of a set up."

AJ took a deep breath. "You're right. I just—"

"Abby scares you and it's hard to believe she isn't too good to be true."

"Yeah."

"Don't ruin it by believing this crap. Unless she admits it to your face, give her the benefit of the doubt. Can you do that?"

"Why are you being so nice?"

"I don't know."

"Well, thanks for talking me off the ledge."

Several reporters rushed towards them. "AJ! Is it true? Was Abby Newman using you to get information?"

"No comment."

He pushed past them with Jason in tow and after a block or so, they finally backed off and they flagged down a cab.

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Abby is stunned as she watches the computer screen with Victoria. "This—how?"

Victoria cringes, figuring that her dad orchestrated it. "Abbie…"

Abby gasps when she watches herself enter the office. "No…no…no…"

"What were you doing there?"

"I left him a surprise. He must be freaking out. I have to find him."

"I'm right here."

Tears spring into her eyes as she gazes at him, trying to interpret his expression. "I'm so sorry. It's not what you think."

AJ closed his eyes and Victoria slipped out the door, pulling Jason with her.

"Will you give me a chance to explain?"

"I—go ahead."

She wipes the moisture off her cheeks. "I wanted to surprise you. I had bought a picture frame and remember that picture I snapped on the couch?"

He nods.

"I got it framed. You looked so happy in it and it was kind of reminder not to stay at work forever."

AJ's eyes tear up. "I don't deserve—"

She rushed into his arms. "Please don't give up on me."

"For a minute, I thought that maybe it was true and you were just another person that I got excited about who just wanted to use me. I'm sorry."

Her head lifted to meet his gaze. "I get it. I've screwed up too. Do you think I like being remembered for all my stunts? If we're going to do this, we have to be willing to trust each other."

"Are you sure Abby? You're so smart and beautiful. I'm sure you could find someone else without all the baggage."

"You're one of the few people in this town who not only understands why I act out, but you don't care about my past and take me seriously."

He smoothed down her hair. "And you're one of the few people that have given me a chance, even when people around you think you've lost your mind for doing so."

She smiled through her tears. "So, that just means we're stuck with each other."

He laid a smoldering kiss on her.

"Take me home, AJ. I want to seal the deal."

His eyes narrowed wickedly and then leaned closer. "Should I call my chiropractor?"

She laughed. "Bring it."

Victoria breathed a sigh of relief. "That was close."

"Do you think it was your dad?"

"Maybe. It could have been a reporter, but if it walks like a duck and quacks like a duck…"

"It's Victor?"

"Pretty much…"

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Emily stood at Vista Point near the bridge, wondering how she could ever confront Logan without him becoming violent. If she is going to get out of this relationship, she has to take Logan's power away and that will be difficult, but she has some plans.

Hearing a car door, she turned and waited for a man to appear.

He slowly approached her, wondering what the hell he is about to get himself into. They aren't friends. Hell, Emily rarely ever acknowledged him, so when he got her call, he was shocked and agreed out of sheer curiosity.

"Hi," she said softly.

"Hi."

"You're probably confused."

"I—I'm surprised that you called." Johnny had talked about her a few times, but he knew very little about her.

"I need your help, but whatever I say or show you has to remain between us. Can you do that?"

"Yes."

She slowly unwrapped her shawl and he gasped when he saw the bruises and what looks like a bite mark. Her eyes sparked with tears before covering herself back up. "It's bad. He's out of control and it's just getting worse. If I have to feel him force himself on me one more time, I think I'll lose my mind."

Adam sucked in a harsh breath.

"I need your help. My boyfriend, Logan Hayes, is blackmailing me and—this is so embarrassing."

He is so out of his element that he isn't sure what to say. Raking a hand through his hair, he sucked in a deep breath and thought about his mother and what she would do. "I won't say anything to anyone and I won't judge you."

"He drugged me one night and made a sex tape."

Adam's jaw clenched.

"It gets worse. He had a few friends join him and they did things…" Her voice trailed off and then her eyes grew steely cold. "One way or another, this has to end. If I can take away his power, I can get my life back. He threatens me with the tape, saying that he'll release it to the public and it will make me look like a whore and bring shame on my family. He says there is more than one, but he only showed me a brief clip of that one. I don't know if he said it to scare me or not. He's storing it somewhere and he does have a laptop, but I haven't seen it in months." She handed him a slip of paper. "That is several usernames that he has had online and a few close friends, I'm not sure who is in the film, I could only see his back and I don't remember anything about that night." Her bottom lip quivered, but she sucked it up. He is the first person she's ever admitted this too and it's crushing her, but making her feel strong at the same time.

Adam clenches the paper. "I will spend every free moment trying to find the videos. I then promise that I'll destroy them all. Even if something happens, I can put out searches and shut it down in minutes, but Emily, if he's getting worse, you might not have a lot of time."

She nods. "I know, but I'm already dead on the inside, Adam. He has taken my dignity and every good thing away from me except for my job. If something happens to me and I die, I want you to tell Johnny everything I said."

"Did you take a cab here?"

"Yes."

"Can I take you back?"

She shook her head. "No, we can't be seen together."

"Then I'm going to pull over at the next turnoff and when I see your safe then I'll leave."

"Thank you."

"Call me if you get any more information or if you're in trouble. I'll do whatever I can to help you. No one should do what he has done to you. I hope you know you didn't deserve it."

"I do."

It killed him to walk away from her. Logan Hayes is going to pay. If Johnny doesn't decimate him, then Adam will.