A/N – Thanks for the comments! I really appreciate them and I'm glad you like Alfred/Audrey. She rarely gets any romantic interest in fics, so they have been fun to write for.

Extra chapter for you! Well, there are some hard conversations in this chapter. I hope you understand my portrayal of Mac.

Chapter 28

Elizabeth smiled when Johnny entered the kitchen. "Hey. I'm just planning a dinner party."

"I hope I'm invited."

"Did you do something to piss off Claudia?"

He chuckled. "Not that I know of, but she is female."

She threw a dish towel at him which he caught before it could strike him.

"I just wanted to let you know that we moved Maxie and a call is about to be made to Mac to come and get her."

"Suppose she tells them that I was there and we let the Russians take Luke?"

"Well, she will be lying because you had left before they came and I doubt that Mac will be that upset about you knowing where she is considering she's still alive."

"What happened with the drugs?"

"The landlord called the police and they found enough that will insure that she'll be gone for a long time."

"Is she pregnant?"

Johnny nodded.

"What a disaster."

"With those genes, the poor kid has no chance."

"Well, it will probably be adopted unless someone in the family wants that responsibility."

"Robin might. I guess we shall see."

"If you do get a call, don't say anything without Diane present."

"I won't."

Johnny's phone rang and he ran into the living room, so Elizabeth followed. He turned on the television and they stared in disbelief.

Reporter: "The police have just found the body of longtime resident Luke Spencer or what was left of it. Sources say, his scattered, partially burnt remains were found inside the Haunted Star by a cleaner. The woman was taken to the hospital after suffering heart palpitations. His head was the only thing that remotely resembled him." She was handed a piece of paper. "Police suspect that this was done by the Russian mafia due to graffiti that was tagged on the walls. This horrifying display of power and corruption was probably a warning to their enemies to not double cross them. Luke and his son Lucky are no strangers to trouble and recently were suspected of working with the local Russian mafia to kidnap Cameron Spencer. We'll be back with more information after the break."

Liz and Johnny's gaze connected.

"One down, two to go," she said calmly.

"I came over today because Jason wants me to talk security with you."

"Okay."

"There's a panic room I need to show you as well as a crawl space in Cam's bedroom."

"Fine with me."

He showed her the small one off the kitchen and then they went upstairs to the one next to Jake's bedroom.

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Jason stood in the doorway of the master bedroom as Carly napped. How had it come to this? After all these years, there friendship is over while he is happy that he didn't have to fix her messes, he knows she loved him and he would miss that kind of loyalty. Lucky for him, he had more people in his life that cared about him than ever before.

Carly screamed and then froze when her she saw Jason approaching the bed.

"Nightmare?"

"Yeah. What are you doing here?"

"I wanted to get this talk over with."

She tried to be stoic, knowing he hates when she gets over emotional. "Okay."

"First, it isn't lost on me that you tried to help Cam. Thank you."

"I was trying to make it up to you and Elizabeth. You do believe that I'm sorry, don't you?"

"Yes, but you always are."

"I guess I deserve that. You didn't have to come here and tell me this." It is like losing him all over again.

"I just want to make sure we're clear."

"Perfectly. I will stay away from you and Elizabeth." She noticed the ring on his finger. "Congratulations."

"Thanks. Elizabeth told me about the letter. We're glad the baby is fine."

"I'm trying to rest."

"Did you tell Sonny?"

"Yes. He's letting me stay here to get healthy, but I don't know if our relationship can recover. I'm used to everyone walking out on me, so…"

"A large part of the time it's because you force us too. I loved you, but I just don't like you right now and I don't know if that will change."

"You know my mother just reamed me for how I've always treated you. I took you for granted, that you would rescue me and be there and hell, maybe that was an excuse for me to act up because I knew I could. I was wrong and I'm sorry. I hurt you for things that you should have never forgiven me for and honestly, I'm not sure why you did. You took forever to forgive Robin. I think I overcompensated because I did hate that I hurt you and wanted to make up for it."

"Do you really want to know why I forgave you?"

"Yes."

Jason sat on the edge of the bed. "This is probably going to be the most I've ever said to you. You guys were all I had really—the only ones who accepted me, at least that is how I felt at the time. Robin walked away, you didn't. I can't tell you how badly you hurt me when you slept with Sonny and then what you did to me regarding Michael—there are no words. It changed me at a time that I was mentally very young and trying to learn about life. My emotions were so raw and I didn't have a reference point for anything. You were very selfish back then and my feelings didn't matter. You and Sonny basically taught me that."

Tears rolled down her cheeks.

"It was more your actions that hurt me—that I could see and later feel. Losing Michael… I took a lot of it out on Robin because I've always made excuses for you or felt sorry for you because we were similar in that we didn't have a lot of people around us to watch our backs. I know you fought for me and defended me, but you and Sonny's twisted dysfunction really fucked me up in the head. I'm trying to get back to the person I was when it was just me and Robin against the world. I smiled and laughed, gone was the rage that had consumed me and maybe it's stupid to even think that time was that great because I was kind of childlike and now I'm a grown man. By the time I met Elizabeth, I was closed off, but she made me not want to be. She was an escape from the violence and you and Sonny. Even though life had been shitty towards her, she found a way to smile and be selfless. She was so full of life and light which attracted me because I was drowning in the darkness. Elizabeth gave me hope that maybe I deserved to be happy when I didn't think I did. Sure she had problems, but she didn't expect me to help make them go away. We talked and I told her what I thought and she made conclusions on her own, some I agreed with and some I didn't. Don't you see. That is a friendship. She wanted to hear about what I wanted and what I liked to do. It wasn't all about her even when she went on and on about Lucky. I used to think she only wanted me for my bike, but it was so much more than that. She made a brain damaged person feel normal and I will always love her for that. I'm not saying I'm not responsible for my part in our relationship failing, because I know I made mistakes and hurt you too, but as far as I'm concerned our breakup was long overdue."

He stood and Sonny, who had heard everything, moved into the kid's room.

"I don't hate you." Truth be told, he just felt free.

"What? I just mean nothing to you now?"

"Basically."

She cried harder. "I heard what you had to say, but I never saw it like that. I guess it doesn't really matter because your mind is made up and I caused that. I will always love you and I'm sorry if my craziness made you feel less than you are because you're a good man with a good heart. I didn't mean to ruin you. I guess I loved you in the only way that I knew how and it was based on hurt and pain. I can't just switch my feelings off like you can, but I'll honor your wishes because I know I screwed up. Maybe someday, we can find our way back, but in more healthier way."

"Just be a good mom, Carly. They don't deserve all this craziness. They need love and a stable environment or they are going to end up the same way you did."

"I know and I'm going to try and be a better person."

"I'm not asking you to change for me. I hope you are doing it for you, so you can love and be loved in the right way." He stopped, thinking of Elizabeth and smiled and it almost took her breath away. "I'm truly happy for the first time in my life and I'm not going to do anything to screw that up. Goodbye, Carly."

A few minutes later, Sonny listened as Carly broke down and sighed. Had they really ruined Jason? Was it as bad as he made it sound? He felt like he had failed everyone. They were Jason's main influence and all they had managed to teach him was that love was about pain and failure and that his feelings didn't matter. It was a hard pill to swallow. Carly—they had been through so many ups and downs and he realized that while he loved her, he didn't respect her enough to not hurt her. Anyone in the business usually settled because their life is dangerous and most good women couldn't handle it. They either needed to get it together or end it before they destroyed each other. And Jason… He isn't sure how he can make it up to him, but first he needs to apologize to Elizabeth. The fact that she is helping his old friend heal and finally be happy is something that he respects and he will make some changes to accommodate that. His reliance on his enforcer needs to end or he will lose Jason too.

He stopped in Carly's doorway. "We need to talk."

"I don't know if I can handle anymore talk today."

"It can wait until tomorrow. The only way we can move forward is to be open and honest with each other and go from there."

"You heard what he said to me, didn't you?"

"Yeah."

Her bottom lip quivered and he slowly moved across the room and then held her.

"I don't think that he said all of it to hurt you. He was just being honest and I think he wants us grow up."

She sniffed. "I know, but it still hurts."

"Maybe it's time we stand on our own two feet and figure out if we're truly good for each other."

She gripped him tighter. "Promise me that no matter what, you won't hate me."

"Carly, you are a big part of my life and I will always have love for you no matter what."

"Thank you. I feel the same way. You're like this fungus that has grown on me and taken over my brain cells."

He chuckled. "I'm not sure that was a compliment."

She pulled back and he eased her back onto the pillow. "How about we talk tomorrow night so I can think about what I want to say."

"Okay. I have to get back to work."

"Bye."

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Jason ran into the house and yelled Elizabeth's name.

"Shhh, Cam is sleeping."

"How long has he been down?"

"About fifteen minutes."

He swept her off her feet and headed up the stairs.

"What has gotten into you?"

"I just got back from talking to Carly and let's just say I want to show you how thankful I am that you are in my life."

She grinned. "I have to be the luckiest woman in the world."

"Ditto."

"You're a woman now?"

"You know what I meant." He gently placed her onto the bed and then shut and locked the door. Liz grabbed the baby monitor and turned it on and then pulled off her top.

"God you make me so happy."

"Who knew the answer to your happiness is between my legs."

Jason chuckled as he ripped off his shirt. "And your succulent mouth."

He took a moment to peruse her, appreciating the changes to her body. "Are you ready for me, Elizabeth?"

"I've been ready for you my whole life."

He kissed her passionately before slowly making love to her, vowing to cherish every moment they have.

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Mac solemnly watched as a pathetic looking Maxie was led into the squad room in handcuffs. Her makeup was melting down her face and she needed a tissue badly.

"I'll put her in the interrogation room," Ronnie said.

"Thanks." He grabbed some Kleenex and then asked to be left alone with her.

After a minute of dead silence she looked down. "Please don't look at me like that."

"Like what? Like you're the biggest disappointment ever?"

"Mac…"

"Shut up! How could you hurt a little boy like that?"

Maxie's head snapped up. "This is all Elizabeth's fault."

"I thought I told you to shut up!" His hand slammed against the table as she jumped, startled by the anger pouring of him, something she had never seen before. "How could you trust a drug addict? Lucky doesn't give a shit about anyone but himself."

"That's not true. I'm pregnant with his baby."

"Does he know?"

"I don't think so."

"And why is it that you didn't tell him?"

She started to cry again. "Because I wanted him to love me for me and not this baby."

Mac rubbed his face. "You're either stupid or mentally impaired."

Her mouth dropped open.

"I think it might be a little of both. Lucky used you for drugs. You are having a baby with a man who probably won't even see next year and who has always been a user."

"He's a good man."

"He almost killed his son. How in the hell is that good? Not to mention the fact that he basically was going to sell Cam to the Russians."

"That's not true. We were going to get custody—"

Mac stood as his emotions swirled and then slammed the chair against the floor. "No judge would ever give a lying, drug dealer a baby or a strung-out loser like Lucky. Have you lost your fucking mind?"

Maxie just stared at Mac in shock.

"You are probably going to jail for twenty five years to life. You will be an accessory to kidnapping, stealing drugs, not to mention all the drugs found in your apartment."

"What drugs?"

"They have evidence that is going to put you away. Do you get it? Lucky is not coming to the rescue. He doesn't give a crap about you or this baby. You are nothing to him. The only way I can think of you getting a little lenience is if you come clean about everything and expose his plans."

Maxie started to cry. "I want my baby. I don't want to go to jail."

"Well too bad. You went to bed with a pathetic, poor excuse for a man and defended him. There is no turning back. Your baby will be taken away and probably given up for adoption or put in the foster system."

Maxie wailed. "No! You can't do that."

"They don't let you out of jail because you're pregnant. Everything will be taken away from you. I hope you like orange." It killed him to talk to her this way, but he is trying to get through to her, hoping she'd show some remorse, but it was all too clear that the Maxie he knew and loved is gone.