A/N – Thanks for the comments and glad you are enjoying the lightness. I took the day off for my birthday. It's rainy, but hope to get a lot of writing done.

Chapter 25

Jason opened the door for Nick. "Hey, loser."

Nick grinned. "What's up, old man?"

"I can still kick your ass."

"Hey," Elizabeth said as she strode towards him.

To pay Jason back, he picked her up and spun her around. "Hey, gorgeous."

Jason shot him a look.

Britt chuckled. "Alright, you ready to watch Steel Magnolias?"

Jason and Nick's head jerked in her direction.

"Steel who?" Jason said.

"That better have some kick ass fight scenes."

The girls laughed.

"Get comfortable," Liz said.

They had moved the coffee table and put blankets and pillows on the floor. The pizza was already plated.

The movie started and Nick chuckled when it turned out to be Grease.

Every time there was a music part, the girls would sing, much to the guy's amusement. When they finally get to the part with the amusement park, the girls admit it's their favorite scene.

"I know this by heart."

"Me too."

Liz jumped up and pulled Britt to her feet and they started dancing and singing as the guys watched. It was also a little funny cause Britt is still favoring her ankle.

Jason can't believe how beautiful his girl is and watching their antics are much better than the movie.

Nick couldn't stop smiling. They both are two cute for words and he is definitely going out with Britt. She's smart and sexy, a killer combination.

When they finished, the guys clapped as the girls collapsed onto the floor.

"I vote for one more movie and the guys pick," Nick said.

"And it won't be a musical," Jason said.

The girls pouted.

"That's not going to work." He leaned over to grab the remote as he laughed at Nick's suggestion. "Close your eyes."

He quickly searched for the movie and then clicked play. "Okay, open them."

Britt took the bowl of popcorn from Nick. "What is this?"

Liz's eyes narrowed. "Is it scary?"

"Yes," Nick said.

The film title came up.

"When a Stranger Calls," Liz read.

"You scared?" Jason asked.

She nodded and he held out his arms and she climbed between his legs as he leaned back against the couch.

Britt scurried next to Nick. The film is about a stranger who keeps calling a house and terrorizing the mother asking her does she know where her children are.

Twice, the girls jumped while they had the popcorn bowl in their hand and finally, Jason took it away before they could make more of a mess.

Liz and Britt scream when the mom runs to the door and opens it.

The guys try not to laugh. Both of them and glued to their sides and Jason thought it was the best movie choice ever.

"How the hell am I supposed to sleep by myself tonight?" Britt asked.

"I could keep you company," Nick said.

Jason laughed.

By the end, Elizabeth was peeking at the screen as she gripped Jason's shirt.

"Easy there. I like this t-shirt."

When the movie finally finished, the girls let out a sigh of relief.

"You okay?"

She nodded.

"I don't care what you say, we're all sleeping in the same bed. We can put Elizabeth in the middle."

Jason laughed. "You think so?"

"It's a king sized bed. We'll fit."

Nick laughed. "You want me to sleep on the floor?"

"You would do that?"

"For you? Definitely."

When Jason rolled his eyes as Liz laughed.

"The alternative is that I can sleep in her room and you can stay in yours," Liz said.

Jason's gaze dropped. "I can't even process that."

"We really need to do this more," Nick said.

"No scary movie next time," Liz said.

The phone range and the girl's eyes grew wide and Nick and Jason busted out laughing and then Britt and Liz attacked them with pillows, but the guys quickly pinned them down.

"You give up Webber?"

"Nope. I like it right where I am."

Nick glanced at her. "Hussy."

"I'm a bad girl, Nick. Don't you read the papers?"

Britt chuckled. "I want in on this bad girl thing."

Nick smirked. "Something tells me you don't have far to go."

"You have no idea."

Jason buried his head into Liz's neck to hide his laugh. Britt is going to seriously teach Nick a lesson.

Elizabeth giggled. "You're in, but there will be an initiation."

"Bring it."

"Consider it bought."

"Why didn't you pick that flick?" Nick asked.

"Because you two would be ogling cheerleaders all night," Britt said.

"Olivia did look good in those leather pants. Do you have any?"

Britt sighed. "Wouldn't you like know…"

Jason pulled Elizabeth to her feet. "Time to clean up this mess." When he sat on the couch like he was waiting for them to do it, she smacked him on the leg and he pulled her onto his lap.

"You're the one who spilled the popcorn."

Nick helped Britt up.

"But you picked the movie."

"This is what I call a stalemate. I'm leaving, bye." He ran for the door, but Britt was on him and took him down to the floor.

"Damn…"

Liz is laughing so hard, Jason has to grab her so she doesn't fall back.

"I taught her that move."

Britt grinned. "I'm a great student."

Nick flipped her onto her back. "I'll pick you up at 6:30 tomorrow night."

"What should I wear?"

He smirked and she shook her head. "There's a carnival in the next town, so it's casual. Later."

"Later."

He got up and pulled her to her feet and gave her a chaste kiss before leaving. Once the door shut, Britt started to laugh.

"He's cute, but I'm going to enjoy taking him down."

"Are you sure you want to?"

"Yes. I have a feeling it won't ruin my chances."

Jason is not totally on the bandwagon, but it's her life. He likes Nick, but the man is a playa. "Just be careful."

"I will. I'm going to bed."

"Goodnight," Elizabeth said.

Jason kissed Elizabeth languidly. "I miss you."

"I miss you too."

"When they are at dinner, we're having a date upstairs."

"Deal, but we can go upstairs right now and you can have me in the bathroom."

He grinned and got up so fast, Elizabeth had to grip him so she didn't fall. "I got you."

She giggled when he practically ran to the stairs and then stopped when his phone rang.

"I hate cell phones."

She eased herself to the floor. "The quicker you answer it…"

"Hello?"

"Jason, it's Emily."

"Hey. Are you okay?"

She tried not to cry. "Johnny is missing. I don't know where he is at."

"When was the last time you heard from him?"

"After lunch."

Jason frowned. "Let me make a few calls okay?"

"Okay."

"I'll call you right back."

He kissed Liz. "I'm sorry. Johnny's missing."

Britt had heard them talking. "Do you need me?"

"Let me make a call first." He dialed Claudia's number.

"This better be good," she said as Adam nuzzled her neck.

"Have you heard from Johnny?"

She frowned. "No. He left work about 3:30 saying he got a call about a lead. You think something happened?"

"He hasn't called Emily back and she's a little shaken up."

Claudia sat up, making Adam fall onto the bed. "Do you want me to go sit with her?"

"Would you mind? I'm going to call a few people."

"I'll get Adam on the computer. He's right here."

"Tell him I said I'm sorry."

"I will."

Claudia scrambled to get dressed. "Johnny is missing. I need you to try to track him."

He jumped up and grabbed his laptop off the dresser.

"I'm going to Emily's. Jason is going to call a few people."

Adam has a bad feeling. "Okay."

IiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiI

Francis swore under his breath, making Edward look up at him.

Unfortunately, they are at the office for a late night international call.

"What happened?"

"Johnny's missing and Emily is worried."

"Let me make a few calls," Edward said.

They proceeded to call around to see if anyone has seen him.

IiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiI

Johnny's eyes slightly parted as he tried to focus. At first he panicked a little because everything is black, but then he realizes that he's wearing a blindfold.

"It's about time you woke up."

"What's going on?"

"My boss sent me to give you a little warning. I could have killed you tonight, but he's going to give you a second chance. Stop digging into Logan's past."

Johnny smirked. "You killed him, didn't you?" He could feel the man lean onto the arms of the chair.

"If we go down for that, you're all dead."

"You're mistaken. We could care less about you killing Logan. I'm glad the son of a bitch is gone."

The man eased back a little. "Then what are you poking around for?"

"He raped his girlfriend and filmed it. Two men were involved and we want to take them down."

A chuckle emitted from the man. "I see." They had gotten it all wrong.

"We just want to make sure they can't hurt her anymore. Logan beat her so badly, she lost her child."

"I don't care."

The door opened and he could hear footsteps. "I do."

"Who are you?"

"The boss. Logan Hayes was a piece of shit and he deserved what he got, but I'm not going down for it. I think I know who did this to the girl, but in return, I need your word that you and Edward Quartermaine stay the fuck out of my business." They had done extensive research to find Logan and everyone he hung out with was targeted as well.

"I can't speak for Edward." He wasn't even aware of what Edward has been doing.

"You have twenty-four hours to decide. Tell him, I will blow his fucking building up if I have too."

"I'll give him the message."

"We'll be in contact. Take him away."

IiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiI

Claudia is pacing back and forth. AJ is with Emily, so Claudia is still at her place. "I'm going out of my mind."

Adam pulls out a camera. "There he is!"

She rushes to look over her shoulder. "He's hurt."

"He's bound and gagged in front of the old warehouse on pier five."

"Let's go."

IiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiI

AJ glanced at his sister as he parked. "You okay?"

Tears stung her eyes. "I will be when he wakes up."

He got out and opened her door and she moved as fast as she could towards the ER entrance. "Slow down. You're going to hurt yourself."

"Johnny needs me." Inside she is scared to death because he has been her lifeline and her strength.

AJ remained silent as he wondered if his sister cared for Johnny more than she wants to admit. When they got inside, Edward and Jason rushed towards them.

"Emily, you should be at home resting."

"I couldn't stay there knowing that he's unconscious."

He kissed her on the cheek. "Will you at least sit for a minute? You can barely catch your breath." He led her to the chairs.

"Have they said anything yet?"

"No. They should be out any minute."

"Did they beat him?"

Jason shook his head. "I don't think so."

Claudia and Adam approached them. "I got a nurse to go check on his status."

"They dropped him off in a secluded area, I couldn't see their faces. We won't have answers until he wakes up," Adam said.

Edward sighed. He has a sick feeling that whoever killed Logan is trying to send a message.

Epiphany rushed towards him. "We moved him to a room and he's awake and asking for Edward."

Emily frowned. "Really?"

She grinned. "You're next."

Emily eyed Edward warily as he strode towards a hallway. "Something is fishy."

"I agree, Captain Obvious," AJ said.

She chuckled. "Whatever, Kojak."

Jason laughed as AJ groaned.

"I could have called you Mr. Clean."

"If someone hadn't put Nair in my shampoo, I wouldn't have been bald."

"You got me and my friends busted."

"Emily, you were fifteen and drinking in the wine cellar. I didn't know it was you."

"Whatever…"

Elizabeth handed them some coffee. "Any news?"

"Edward is with him first."

Liz's head tilted. "He asked for Edward?"

"Mmm hmm. Something is definitely up. I'm going in."

IiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiI

Edward eased into the room. "What happened?"

Johnny sighed. "I was jumped and injected with something."

"What did they want?"

"For us to stop poking around, they killed Logan."

"I refuse to stop until Jason is fully exonerated!"

"Edward, if you stop, they'll tell us who the men in the video are, Jason is already off the hook."

Emily listened from the hallway.

"I will not let some bullies jerk me around."

"You need to learn when to stop. These are violent men who probably killed Logan for a gambling debt. They said they'd blow up your building."

He harrumphed as Emily moved into view.

"You will stop this right now. This is my life and Jason's and we're not going to lose you over this. Please tell me you will stop. I can't take this."

He swallowed her up in his arms. "I'm sorry. I just—I have to protect you."

"Not at your expense. If Lila knew about this, she'd kick your butt."

Edward pulled back as his eyes narrowed. "You better not tell her."

"I'll keep your secret if you back off. You're going to get Johnny hurt and I need him too much to allow that. Besides, even though you're ornery, I still love you and would miss you."

"Emily…"

"Please? Promise me that you'll call off your people and let it go."

He groaned. "Fine!"

When he stomped out of the room, her attention went to Johnny.

"Nicely played…"

She smiled. "I've had years of practice. Are you alright?"

"Yeah. They drugged me twice, so the doctors are just being cautious."

"You scared me." His eyes are so glassy.

When a tear breaches the banks of her eyes and rolls down her cheek, he holds up his hand.

"Come here."

She hates that she can't quite bend over yet, so she takes his hand. "Don't ever scare me like that again."

"I was scared too because I didn't want you to be alone."

She starts crying harder and Jason moves behind her and gently holds her.

"Please sit down," he says softly.

Letting him guide her into the seat, she feels a sense of relief after realizing just how tired she feels.

"Jason, you should really take her home."

"No!" Emily said emotionally. "You didn't leave me and I'm not leaving you."

Monica moved forward. "I'll bring a bed in here so you can lay next to him. Okay?"

"Thank you, mom."

"Do you want me to pick up anything for you?" Jason asked.

"No, I'll be fine. Johnny will probably be released in the morning."

"I'll go get the gurney," Monica said.

A nurse entered the room. "I'm sorry, but can everyone step out briefly? The doctor needs to do his exam."

Jason helped Emily stand and they joined Elizabeth who is sitting in the hallway.

"Hey."

Emily slightly smiled. "Hey."

"You're moving faster."

"I was doing even better before Johnny scared the crap out of me."

"Men…"

Jason frowned. "Hey!"

"I'm glad you're doing better, Emily."

"Me too."

The gurney is brought inside and a few minutes later, the doctor left and they went back into the room. Johnny's eyes are barely open.

"You look so tired," Liz said.

"I am. Can you help her lay down?"

Emily held up her hand. "Hold that thought." She went to the bathroom.

"Is she in any danger?" Jason asked.

"No. If we stop poking around, they'll give us the names of who think they think is in the videos and we're good. They are going to contact me in twenty-four hours."

Jason scratched the back of his neck. "You got lucky."

"Don't I know it."

Emily came back and kicked off her shoes and Liz pulled back the covers and Jason picked his sister up and got her situated.

"I love you," Jason said before kissing her brow.

"I love you too. Bye, Elizabeth."

"Bye."

Once they were gone, Emily reached out her hand and Johnny gripped it.

"Sleep."