A/N: This chapter is a tad bit short as it is setting up the next one for when Elizabeth goes and sees Lorenzo. I wanted to make sure that was not split up and decided to stop it here.

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Chapter Eleven

The court room was packed with all of the Quartermaine family members, hospital workers, friends, and reporters. All were anxious to hear the verdict that would be handed down in minutes. A hush fell over the room as Elizabeth came in holding Johnny's hand for support. The couple was flanked by Francis and Jerry followed by Emily, A.J., and Zander.

As the murmuring rose in volume, Monica turned and glared at the woman that she blamed for trying to ruin her career after already causing damage to her personal life. "I can't believe you had the nerve to show up here after all you have done to me," she railed. "You are trying to ruin what I have left of my life!"

Taken back from Monica's comments, Elizabeth only stared. Emily stepped around her friend and shook her head in disgust. "Sit down, Monica, and shut up! You are making a fool of yourself."

"How can you side with that bitch, Emily? I am your mother!"

A.J. stepped up and touched her shoulder. "Come on, Em, don't sink to her level. Lets get a seat." Turning to his mother he shook his head sadly. "You need help, Mom. I hope that you can see that."

After the bailiff came in announced the judge, the older man nodded at the people in attendance. "Dr. Quartermaine, I have reviewed all the files and evidence in this case carefully before reaching a decision. You have been an extraordinary physician throughout the years. However, your actions in the last year are cause for concern. I have listened to your defense of the treatment of Nurse Elizabeth Webber and do not find it an adequate explanation of your verbal attacks and degrading comments of one of your staff."

The older man lowered his glasses and narrowed his shrewd eyes. "Your issues with Miss Webber were personal and should have never been brought into the work setting. Especially considering that you were the chief of staff at General Hospital. There is no doubt that you have no regrets or remorse for your actions. I have reached my decision and it is as follows. I am revoking all of your medical privileges in the state of New York until you have entered and completed at least two years of psychological counseling. At the time that you have completed the counseling, I will reevaluate my decision. If at the time I reinstate your medical license, you will still not be able to hold any position that gives you authority over any other staff. You have proven that you are incapable of separating personal and professional issues."

As the proceedings closed, Monica turned her tear stained and hate filled face to where Johnny was helping Elizabeth stand. "I hate you, you slut! You have taken everything from me! Was it not enough that you kept my grandson from me? You had to take my career too!"

Tired of being blamed for everything that ever went wrong in the world, Elizabeth glared at the woman. "You did this, Monica. You chose to take your anger and pain out on me. I did nothing to you. Yes, I never told you about Jake. But Jason could have told you the truth. That is on him. So don't you stand there and blame me because Jake never knew you." She smirked at the woman as her eyes hardened. "And to completely honest, you weren't his grandmother. His grandmother on his father's side was already dead. Susan Moore, Jason's real mother. Do you remember her, Dr. Quartermaine, oh, I am sorry. It's not doctor anymore, is it. Your own delusions and hatred took that away from you. Go to hell, Monica. I lost MY son! I raised him! I took care of him! Jason was certainly never there. Get a life because I am done dealing with your issues. Stay away from me. You have nothing, except for your own hatred left. I hope it can keep you warm at night!" Turning on her heel, Elizabeth grabbed Johnny's hand and walked out of the court room with her head held high.

Turning and looking at Jason who was in the back row watching the interaction, Francis walked over to him. "Cody said you want a meeting. Johnny and I can meet you tomorrow night at nine."

"Fine. I will be there."

"Oh, and one more thing. You need to back your mother down, Jason. She needs to back off. Lizzie is back and will not take her attitude anymore." Francis walked out and joined the others.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~b~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Everything went according to plan, Lorenzo. Monica Quartermaine is no longer able to practice medicine, well at least for a couple years. She then attacked Elizabeth after the hearing. You should have seen her. That little spitfire certainly has a mouth on her."

Lorenzo laughed. "As a teenager she was something else, feisty and stubborn. It was after her rape that she started to become meek and obedient, a follower. Spencer used that to mold her into what he wanted. She has been fighting for a long time to escape the shell of her former self that he made her."

"Well, she is breaking free now," Jerry laughed. "I thought that she was going to physically attack Monica."

"Now that she has paid, we can move on to the others. Has Morgan requested a DNA test?"

"The blood was taken yesterday from him and Sam. They are rushing the results. They should back tomorrow."

"Good. It is too bad that the con is pregnant. I want her dead, but even I cannot condone killing an innocent baby. I want her taken out as soon as she gives birth though."

"It will be done."

"How about Zacchara. Are him and Elizabeth making any progress?"

Jerry shrugged. "Somewhat. I know that they are telling Cam once things settle a bit more. She won't even attempt taking him back in a relationship though."

"I figured as much. O'Brien was always there for her when no one else was. He never asked for anything in return. I like John, and I understand why he did what he did. But O'Brien, well I respect him. I know that he can handle the life and protect her and my grandson no matter what the circumstances." When he felt the sharp pain, he paused and grabbed his head. Paling with the pain, Lorenzo collapsed, never hearing Jerry calling his name or the guards.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~b~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Where is she?"

Johnny looked up from the books that he was working on and saw Emily standing in the doorway. "She is reading Cam a story and then putting him to bed. How are you holding up, kiddo? I know that today had to have been hard on you."

"It was, but Monica deserved what happened," she admitted with a sigh. "Have you heard from Jerry?"

Rubbing the back of his neck, he shook his head. "It's not good. The doctor that Jax and Jerry flew in said that he might not wake up. Even if he does the prognosis is grim. I really think that we should tell her," he admitted quietly. "She deserves to know. Liz is smart. When I suddenly merge the Alcazar lanes and holdings with the Zacchara ones she will have questions."

"I agree, but he was insistent that she wasn't to know."

"It's wrong, Em. He is her father. She would want to know."

"I talked to John today after leaving the court house. You need to talk to him. He had a lot of anger at you."

"I can try, but I don't think it will change much. He is mad over Elizabeth."

Emily sat across from him and nodded. "I know. But I really think that you should try. We don't need another problem right now."

"She made her own choice. I didn't pressure her, Emily. And I won't give her up. I love her."

"I'm not asking you to. All I want is for you to at least meet with him and talk about it. He lost a lot too, Johnny. You have Elizabeth. He lost seven years with Cam that he can't get back."

Hearing her voice catch, Johnny looked up sharply. "You have feelings for him."

Emily ducked her head, embarrassed that he had seen it. "I do. I tried not to, but I spent all that time with him while I was supposedly dead and it just happened. I feel bad for him, Johnny, and it hurts that I can't help. Then I can't help but think I am a fool for falling for him while he still wants my best friend."

Feeling for the young woman sitting in front of him that was upset and confused, he tapped the pencil against the desk. "Give him time and be there as a friend. I know that he had deep feelings for Elizabeth. But I also use to see you guys sitting on the beach and talking for hours. Francis and I use to wander if more was developing than a friendship. He might be fighting to hang on to her because of the regrets that I know that he has to have."

"Do you think that Elizabeth would be angry if anything did happen between us?"

"No, I would wish you luck and happiness," she stated as she walked over to her best friend and hugged her. "Emily, I want John to be happy. If you two get past this, I wish you nothing but the best."

Emily squeezed her tightly before releasing her hold. "Thank you, Liz. I think that I am going to go relax and think for awhile." She turned and looked at Johnny. "You too. I appreciate you listening."

"No big deal, Emily, you know that."

Once they were alone, Elizabeth looked up at him. "Why didn't you say that Em liked John?"

"Because it wasn't my place. I couldn't influence how you dealt with him. And I wasn't sure until she came to me tonight to talk. I could have just been seeing what I wanted to because of how I feel for you."

"Alright, I can understand that. What else is going on? You look tense."

"Everything is fine," he denied.

Exasperated, Elizabeth arched an eyebrow. "Johnny, I love you, but I can't be in a relationship with someone who will lie to me. Not again. Please tell me what is going on."

Sighing but knowing she was right, he pulled her over to him. "You are going to be upset, with all of us. We have been hiding something big from you at the request of someone who has been protecting you too. In fact, this person is the reason that all of us coming back was possible."

"Just tell me, Johnny. It will be easier for you."

"Your biological father is alive. He knew that your mother gave you up for adoption and he found out several years ago that you were his daughter. He has been keeping tabs on you all this time, trying to protect you."

"Are you sure?" she asked, shocked.

Johnny nodded.

"Who is it? I want to meet him."

"He doesn't want you to know, Liz. The only reason I am telling you is because I promised no secrets between us. There is more. He is sick, cancer. It spread to his brain and he doesn't have much time left. Jerry was with him when he collapsed today. Last update I had, they said that he was in a coma."

Grasping his hand, Elizabeth met his eyes. "Johnny, please, I need to know."

"You are the daughter of Lorenzo Alcazar and his former love, Sophie. He is at Mercy under a different name." Johnny caught her as she collapsed and sighed. He had worried that she would not handle it well.