A/N – Thank you for your comments! I appreciate them! Glad you liked the dancing and Edward! * Leasmom – Liz knows Jason is pretty quiet and she didn't want to embarrass him. Dancing is just not his thing. That is why she suggested that someday they could do it in private.

I may not be able to post tomorrow. I'm going to try, but I'm behind in my writing and I'm gone all evening (last minute event - 49er's game - Yes!).

Chapter 20 – Agreeing to Disagree

The next morning, Sonny announced that he would be discharged the next day.

Liz pouted. "I'm going to miss you."

"You'll see me soon."

"I know."

"I'm leaving Johnny with you."

Liz smiled at the look on Nicole's face.

"Apparently he needs more therapy. He could be in here forever," Sonny quipped.

Johnny rolled his eyes. "Whatever. You owe me some manacotti."

"Deal."

"I have to admit. I'm jealous," John said.

Sonny smiled. "You'll be out soon enough, although after a few rounds with the old man, you might want to come back."

John smiled. "True."

They all wanted to leave, but were scared that the real world was not going to be kind.

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Violet was introduced to the new nurse. "It's nice to meet you Melissa."

"It's nice to meet you too. I can't wait to get started."

There was something about her Violet didn't like. She looked up and saw Robert motioning to her. "Will you excuse me for a minute?"

Melissa nodded and Violet hurried across the room.

"Listen, we have reason to suspect that Melissa is working with Logan."

"You have got to be kidding with me."

"I wish I was. The problem is that I can't arrest her unless we catch her."

Violet sighed. "Why do I have a feeling you are about to ask me to endanger Elizabeth?"

He pulled her into an empty room. "Look, we don't have choice."

"What you don't understand that there is no way to properly track her. She will have access to Elizabeth's food. She could inject her with something. The possibilities are endless. Elizabeth has been through enough as it is."

"I understand your concern, but we'll be able to arrest Logan."

Violet started to pace. "I'm getting Elizabeth and Sonny. Wait here."

She left and came back a few minutes later.

"Hello," Robert said slightly smiling at Elizabeth.

"Hi. Is there something wrong?"

"Yes. The new nurse is working with Logan. He visited her recently. We think she'd here to either spy or do something to you."

Elizabeth sat down. "Okay." She wasn't sure where he was going with this.

"We can't do anything unless she does something."

"So you want me to just wait for her to try and hurt me?"

"Well, Johnny will be watching and we'll do the best we can to protect you," Robert said.

"You think she's working with Tom?"

"I think she's working with Logan who is working with Tom."

Elizabeth looked at Sonny.

"Look, I don't see this ending well. Elizabeth could get hurt badly," Sonny said.

"I don't think Tom wants her hurt. He needs someone on the inside telling him how you are. The only thing I'm worried about is that you could be drugged at some point."

Elizabeth flinched and Sonny held out his hand so she took it. She wasn't sure what to do. "What would you expect from me?"

"You would need to play a part when she's here. The others would have to leave you alone and—."

"—you want me to act like I'm having trouble coping."

"Yes."

Violet sighed. "Robert, Elizabeth is doing so well. She's almost ready to leave and I don't know if we should risk her recovery like this."

"I could stay in my room most of the time. I could draw and we can have our sessions there."

"Elizabeth," Violet said exasperatedly.

"I need this to end. If that means I need to contribute in this way, then I will."

Sonny and Violet's gaze locked.

"Suppose I disagree?" Violet said.

"I'm sorry but the administrator already agreed. He wants this over with too. Elizabeth will have to sign a waiver of course."

"Of course—I mean, she's only risking her life," Violet said angrily.

Liz stood up and walked in front of her. "I appreciate that you're trying to look after me. I couldn't fight Tom when he attacked me, but I can fight him now."

Violet sighed. "Sometimes, stepping away from danger is fighting Elizabeth. Too much could wrong. I'll do what I can, but I need you to understand that you matter. Your life matters. Maybe I'm projecting my own experiences onto you. I don't know. I need a minute." She walked into the hallway and tried to catch her breath. Jason was walking by.

"Are you alright?"

She shook her head no and pulled him into Nicole's room. "I shouldn't get this upset over a patient. Jason—what am I doing? I can't tell you this. Just, talk to Elizabeth okay? Please get her to tell you what's on her mind."

Now Jason was scared. "Dr. Turner, if she is in trouble I need to know."

"I shouldn't even be talking to you right now. I'm sorry."

She rushed out of the room, leaving a shocked Jason. He looked out into the hallway and then went to Elizabeth's room and waited.

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Elizabeth finished talking to Robert. Sonny and Violet stayed until they left and tried to figure out the best way to keep her safe. Liz went to her room and was surprised to see Jason. "Hi."

"Hi."

She sat down next to him. "Is everything all right?"

"I was going to ask you that."

She sighed. "I'm fine. Um, there is a change in plans. I don't know how much I can see you."

Now that was not going to work for him. "What is going on?"

"The new nurse is working for Logan and Tom."

"What!"

"I know. Robert showed up and wants me to pretend to be traumatized still because they believe she'll be feeding them information."

Jason stood up and pinched the bridge of his nose. "What do you even know about this woman and her past?"

"Nothing."

"Is Robert still here?"

"No."

"Elizabeth."

She stood up. "Jason, Johnny will keep me safe and I don't think Tom wants me hurt."

His stress started to build and he turned around and smacked the wall with his hands. They were endangering her life. With Nurse Slate, they had the upper hand. She was lying for them. This woman could do a lot of damage.

She took a step backward. "Jason, please calm down."

"How can I calm down when you are putting your life in danger? This isn't a game," he said as he turned to face her.

"You don't think I know that? I couldn't help myself before, but I can do this now to insure that they don't win. I need to do this Jason and I'm not asking your permission."

Jason's eyes started tear. "So I get no say? I'm crazy about you and I just have to sit by and watch while some crazy person toys with your life?"

Elizabeth let out the breath she was holding. "I'm asking you to stand by me. I don't want to do this without you."

"But you will."

"Please don't make this about us. This is about me fighting to get my life back."

Jason closed his eyes and tried to get his emotions under control. There was a knock on the door and Sonny came in.

"Am I interrupting?" He could see that they were both upset and figured she had told Jason what was up.

"Do you agree with this?" Jason asked.

"No, but it's Elizabeth's choice."

"What do you know about the nurse?"

Sonny sighed. "Apparently, she was arrested at some point for killing terminally ill patients. She injected them. Unfortunately, they didn't have enough proof. She resigned and now she works here."

"Great," Jason muttered.

Liz sat down. She was trying her best not to cry. That information did make things a little worse.

Sonny pulled Jason into the hallway. "You need to get it together. She needs you right now."

"So I'm just supposed to let this psycho around her?"

"I know it sucks, but we don't have a choice. I'm going to let everyone know and we'll all watch the nurse when she has shift and make sure Elizabeth stays safe."

"She's going to know about Johnny from the other nurses."

"I know. That can't be avoided. Hopefully, it will intimidate her."

"How are you going to explain why Johnny stays after you leave?" Jason asked.

"If she questions it, Johnny is going to say that he's staying as a favor to Anthony." It was all Sonny could come up with it.

"If she did hurt those people, she'll have no problem hurting Elizabeth."

Sonny nodded. "I know." This whole situation sucked. "Elizabeth only has about a week and a half left."

"Me too. I'll see if I can get Dr. Turner to release us together."

"I'll talk to her about it," Sonny said.

"She was really upset about Elizabeth. You should go talk to her. I'll go back inside."

"Are you good? Cause she needs your support. You don't have to agree with her, but stand by her okay?"

"I will."

He went back inside. "Hey."

She put her diary down and looked up at him. "Hey."

"I'm sorry I got so angry. I don't like this at all, but I'm not leaving you over it."

"Maybe I made a mistake. Sonny and Dr. Turner don't agree and it seems like this woman is more dangerous than I thought."

"They are just worried. We all care about you." He held out his hand and she took it and then rushed into his arms.

"I need you to use your instincts. If you think something is wrong, then it probably is. We'll try to keep an eye on her."

She let out a long breath. He was calming her. She felt so safe. "Thank you for believing I can do this."

"I don't doubt you Elizabeth. The problem is that I don't trust her."

She looked up at him and then touched his face.

"May I kiss you?"

She nodded.

He leaned forward and tentatively kissed her lips a few times.

She smiled.

"When you're ready to take that a little bit further, you let me know."

She chuckled as he slightly blushed. "Are you still okay with waiting?"

"Of course. I want you to trust me."

She smiled. "I don't think I've ever trusted anyone more."

"Good. I can't imagine you not in my life, so even if we argue from time to time—just know that I'm not going anywhere." He'd say it over and over until he knew that she believed it.

"You can kiss me again."

He smiled. "Okay."

Their lips met again and then Jason gently brushed his lips on her cheek. "So beautiful." He kissed her forehead and then leaned his against it.

"Will you stay with me for a while? She doesn't start until tomorrow."

"Sure."

They got comfortable and Elizabeth started to draw as Jason thought about the logistics of the situation. About a half hour later, they went to check on Tess.

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Sonny walked into Violet's office. "You okay?"

She sighed. "Not really. I'm scared." She was also not happy that she wasn't consulted and that the administrator didn't take her opinion as Elizabeth's doctor into consideration.

"Me too," he said sitting down across from her.

"Part of me is insanely proud of her, but this could all go so wrong."

"I know. I feel bad about leaving."

Violet sighed. "There's nothing we can do about that. I can't keep you here any longer. I've never had a patient fight to stay in before."

A slow smile appeared on her face and Sonny chuckled.

"So, Saturday night, I'm cooking." He slid a piece of paper over to her with his number and address. "You don't have to decide yet if you want to attend, but I would love to have dinner with you. No pressure."

Violet looked down at the paper and then at him. "I'll check my schedule." She wasn't ready to commit to this yet.

Sonny nodded. At least she didn't say no. "Let me know." He stood up. "I'll meet with everyone later. Is nurse going to be full time?"

"Probably during the week—no weekends. I got a memo from my boss. It will more than likely be the 7-3 shift."

"Okay. By the way, is there a possibility that Jason and Elizabeth can be released at the same time? I know Jason came in a few days after, but I think it would make it easier on them both."

"I'll see what I can do."

"Thank you for everything."

She slightly smiled. "I'm proud of you Sonny. You're doing what it takes to be healthy and have let go of some of your past. It's not an easy thing to do."

"Thanks for helping me." It wasn't easy to think about his relationship with his step-father Deke, but letting go of a lot of that pain freed him.

She watched him leave and sighed. There was no doubt that she was attracted to Sonny, but she wasn't sure it wise to cross the line into a relationship. When he left, he wouldn't be her patient anymore, but she just felt a little awkward. Besides that, he led a dangerous life. If only he wasn't so damn handsome. She decided to talk to Ewan about it later.

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Jason and Liz went into Tess's room. "Hey."

She smiled. "Hey guys."

Jason smiled. "How's the leg?"

"It's okay as long as I don't move." She was in a little more pain today, but that was to be expected.

Liz grimaced. "Listen, we need to tell you something."

"Go on."

They explained to her what was going to happen.

"Wow. Are you sure about this?"

"Yup. I need to do it."

"Alright, if there is anything I can do to help I will. I'm sure she'll be checking on me."

"If she asks about Elizabeth, just make sure that you play along okay?" Jason asked.

"I will. "

"I'll be right back." Jason figured he'd give them some time alone.

"Is everything okay between you two?" Tess asked. She had noticed that Jason was a little tense while discussing what was going to go down.

"Yes. We're good. He wasn't happy about everything, but he's going to stand by me."

"Good."

"Jason asked me to be his girlfriend."

Tess grinned. "Now that is great news. I'm really happy for you. He's a great guy."

Liz smiled. "Yeah. Some of this is new for both of us."

"You'll figure it out as you go along."

"Where's John?"

"Sonny pulled him away."

"He's probably going to go over everything with them."

Tess nodded. "Trust me, no one is going to let you get hurt. We all care about you."

Liz slightly smiled. "Thank you for saying that. I'm glad that we're friends."

"Me too. And now that I'll be staying with Johnny for a while, at least I will have already know people."

"I'm so excited to stay at the penthouse. Living with my grandmother would have had a lot more rules."

"We'll just have to have a big party for your birthday."

Liz grinned. "I can't wait to be eighteen."

Tess smiled.

"How old are you?"

"Twenty-one."

"Oh, that's even better."

Tess laughed. "You'll get there soon enough."

"Sometimes I wish I had a remote control that could fast forward."

"Oh you don't want to do that. Trust me, you have plenty of time to be old. Enjoy this time with Jason. You're making memories and getting to know each other."

"True. I wouldn't want to miss that."

"It would be cool to fast forward through the yucky parts though. I could do without cramps."

Liz laughed. "Very true."